Llywydd, it will come as a surprise to no-one to hear that there are major differences in outlook between the Welsh Government and the United Kingdom Government. However, the relationship is a vitally important one. When it is characterised by mutual respect, flexibility and a focus on where agreement can be found, the relationship can produce benefits for Wales and for the UK as a whole. When it falters, the results are inevitably disappointing. 

The period of this report focuses on the twin challenges of COVID-19 and the European transition period. Both challenges underlined the need for strong structures and a reliable rhythm of communication between Governments. The extent to which this was achieved in practice was variable, with some positive outcomes in some aspects of COVID-19 but a more uniformly dismal story on European transition. 

The pandemic has highlighted the way in which devolved and reserved responsibilities are interconnected. As a Welsh Government and as a Senedd we have had to make decisions, and we continue to do so, in what we believe to be the best interests of Wales. But we have approached those decisions in the context of shared scientific, economic and social links between Wales and the rest of the UK. Our public services too have, of course, co-operated in the same way in very many practical aspects. 

Wherever there is a reciprocal willingness to do so, the Welsh Government aims to continue co-operation with the UK Government on the next phase of COVID response and recovery, including operational and financial implications. Earlier in the summer, a COVID summit took place that illustrated the value of joint working in areas of common interest, and we in Wales are particularly interested in ensuring that our green agenda is central to the approach to recovery.

It's in that context that the UK comprehensive spending review is critical to our relationship with the UK Government. We need genuine partnership and an agreed approach to an investment-driven recovery that benefits Wales. Where it is sensible to work on a four-nations basis, we should do so, and it is essential that the UK Government establishes adequate structures to allow that to happen. 

Now, as a very practical example of inter-governmental solidarity, we have called on the UK Government to work urgently with us to develop a joint strategy and a funding programme for long-term remediation of coal tip sites. The Senedd will debate this issue this afternoon. Coal tips were created long before devolution was even envisaged. It is nonsensical to argue, as the UK Government does, that here in Wales we have either the responsibility or the resource to deal alone with this quintessentially legacy issue. Llywydd, instead of this highly sensitive matter being a subject of contention, it ought to be a defining example of how the UK Government can work with us to develop effective benefits from inter-governmental working, and that particularly so in the context of the UK hosting COP26.