2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:56 pm on 18 June 2019.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 2:56, 18 June 2019

Yes, thank you very much. On the first issue of the consultation document, I'll certainly find out what's going on there and update Members, as you've requested, in terms of the availability of that consultation document and the circulation of it.FootnoteLink

On the second issue, we've been very clear that Welsh Government does see Britain and Wales's best interests best served by remaining in the European Union, and the First Minister has set out why he feels that is the case now, having set out for a number of years the best possible Brexit that Wales could have achieved in terms of causing the least damage. There just doesn't seem any prospect now of the UK Government taking that forward. So, the response now, really, is to make the case to remain within the EU. That said, that does not mean for a second that we are taking our foot off the gas in terms of the preparations that we are doing to prepare Wales should there be a 'no deal' Brexit, and that's one of the reasons, today, I've announced as part of the first supplementary budget, a capital stimulus programme of £85 million, which will be allowing the construction industry particularly to gain some confidence, but also the supply chains that rely on it. So, work is going on both in terms of promoting the case for a second referendum but also in terms of preparing ourselves for any possible Brexit, but particularly a 'no deal' Brexit. And the example you gave in terms of qualifications, I'll be sure that you have an update on that.