I'd like to start with a simple message: migrants have always been welcome in Wales and this will continue to be the case in the future. You are welcome, you are valued, and Plaid Cymru will always work to protect your rights. Every week, we discuss in this Chamber risks that Brexit poses to our economy and public services, and here we are again discussing huge changes proposed by the Westminster Government, this time in the field of migration, which have the potential to cause serious harm. Having prepared in advance of this statement, I'm encouraged that the Minister has identified the same risks as I did in terms of the threat the UK Government proposals present to our economy and public services, and I would also like to pay tribute to the excellent work done by the Wales Centre for Public Policy in providing a thoroughly detailed analysis of the issues at hand.

I must say, however, that I am disappointed that the Minister has failed to put forward any proactive steps he intends to take. Having admitted that the UK Government has completely ignored Welsh Government concerns up until now, he says there was no prior engagement—which should be shocking, except that it isn't, because this is how Westminster has always treated Wales. It simply isn't good enough to say now that he hopes that they will listen in the future. He knows they won't; I know they won't; every sensible Member in this Chamber knows they won't. The time has come to demand more powers for Wales, Minister, so that we can take action ourselves to protect the economy rather than make repeated requests that fall on deaf ears.

Thousands of non-UK EU citizens are directly employed in the Welsh NHS and spend their working lives looking after the health of people living in Wales and we are extremely grateful to them for their efforts. The Welsh NHS is facing the frightening prospect of being sold off by the UK Government on one hand, and seeing its potential workforce atrophied on the other. Of course, both eventualities could be avoided if we were to have a referendum and decide to remain in the EU, which is, of course, the cause that Plaid Cymru supports.

Migrant workers are also over-represented in the social care sector, which is a huge concern, as demographic changes mean that the ratio of older people compared to younger workers will increase, meaning we're potentially looking at a situation where there will be more people requiring care and fewer people of working age there to support them, which is a serious concern.

Minister, Plaid Cymru believes that education visas should not form part of any immigration quotas so that our universities aren't disadvantaged. Welsh Government should, therefore, obtain powers over immigration rules for academic staff and students. Other parts of the Welsh economy, especially manufacturing, catering and the food and drink sector, are heavily reliant on migrant workers and we will be looking to Welsh Government for assurances that they're taking all appropriate steps to protect their interests.

Plaid Cymru disagrees with the Welsh Labour Government that free movement should come to an end. Free movement is morally right and makes economic sense. However, if the UK Government does end it, I agree with the Minister that the proposed £30,000 income threshold should not apply to Wales, and I, at least, am glad to hear agreement on that on all sides of the Chamber, since lower average wages here means we will not be able to attract the workers we need. Nurses, junior doctors, vets and many others will find it much more difficult to come to Wales unless these proposals are dropped. We want a Wales that welcomes people of all backgrounds, not just those fortunate enough to afford it. In terms of what Plaid Cymru would like to see, first of all, Welsh Government should be calling for the devolution of immigration policy so that we can be in control of setting quotas that make the most sense for our economy. And, finally, we should certainly be in control of our population share of UK immigration, which is 5 per cent, and should also have the flexibility to increase this with a percentage variable if our economy requires it, or if our population is growing too slowly. Will you now support Plaid Cymru in calling for this, Minister?

I would also call on Welsh Government to create a skill shortage occupation register to identify where we have skill gaps now, while also working out where they are likely to arise in different sectors, with particular emphasis being given to ensuring that our health and social care services have access to the staff they need. Where the shortages are severe, Welsh Government should put plans in place immediately to train additional workers domestically to prevent damaging shortfalls in the future. Will the Minister finally commit to doing this?