6. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Departure from the European Union

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:11 pm on 29 January 2020.

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Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 4:11, 29 January 2020

I thank you for actually indicating that you're moving your support in the direction that we are thinking. I've never said a veto and I've always argued against a veto. Even in the last debate, I argued against a veto. But I do believe that it’s important that the negotiations should be set by a mandate agreed with all the devolved nations because it’s crucial because the interests of the devolved nations are important.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I can see the time so I'll conclude with one other point and that’s the point about our workforce and immigration, and the important role that EU citizens play in delivering services in both public and private businesses across Wales. Just to highlight that the Migration Advisory Committee has published its report, following the request from the Home Office, on the future of the system and they did not fully support a points-based system. They actually indicated that they still believe that there should be a salary-level cap. They had reduced it to £25,600, whereas businesses still wanted a cap lower than that of £20,000, and they felt that a points-based system wouldn't deliver for the needs of the workforce of the UK and particularly, in my view, for Wales. We need to look at what are the workforce needs of Wales and how that system would work for us. It’s important that we have that so that when we do get that immigration Bill we'll be able to scrutinise it carefully. I am yet to be convinced that the proposed points system will actually deliver for Wales. So, I think that we need to look very carefully at the future. I hope that it'll be a bright future; I will work for a bright future, but also, we will scrutinise very carefully to ensure that anything that does come forward meets the needs of the people of Wales.