The Shared Prosperity Fund

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his Brexit Minister responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 2:55 pm on 4 December 2019.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 2:55, 4 December 2019

I do agree with you on that, and I think the list that you have read out of organisations and bodies in Wales who are concerned about the prospect of the failure of the UK Government to live up to the broad promises that it has made in this area shows, I think, the breadth and depth and unity of perspective across Wales in relation to this question. This is not a minority view. It is a very widely held concern in all sectors across Wales, and it's important, I think, that we continue to speak with one voice in relation to this question. I wrote to the UK Government a few weeks ago, making it absolutely clear I did not regard the way that they were approaching discussions around the shared prosperity fund as in any way respecting the devolution settlement, and making it clear that if they wish to proceed with consultation on the prosperity fund it should be done on a wholly devolved basis, so they would consult in England and we would consult as a Welsh Government in relation to arrangements here in Wales. I've made that request a number of times and I have not had an answer that confirms that is what they will do, and I think if that is the means by which the UK Government seeks to take this forward, that will fundamentally not be in Welsh interests and it will be a breach of the promise they've made repeatedly.