As we have stated as a party on a number of occasions in discussing LCMs, we believe as a matter of principle that it's the Welsh Parliament that should legislate in devolved areas. And at a time when the Westminster Government is showing time and time again its desire and determination to ignore that principle, we are duty bound to ensure Wales and its Government are not pushed to the peripheries in drawing up policy in these areas. We will therefore oppose the motion.

It is crucial, at a time when sectors the length and breadth of Wales—the education sector, particularly—are finding it difficult in terms of capacity to provide services because of challenges and the effects of the pandemic, that we ensure that we do not place any unnecessary burdens on institutions and key organisations in Wales and don't cause any uncertainty or confusion to them either in terms of planning their provision. The education sector is already facing huge challenges, and we shouldn't allow any provisions in the clauses of the Bill to interfere with these organisations that are responding to the skills needs of Wales, be that specifically or in terms of general principle. The dialogue that was required between the Welsh Government and the UK Government has demonstrated the general problems in relations and the attitude that needs to be rejected entirely. The broader point is that the changes and reforms to the clauses noted as being problematic originally are not sufficient to ensure that the basis of our democracy is not undermined in a general sense—technical clause by technical clause, Act by Act.

As the Chair of the constitution committee has set out, we need further details perhaps and further assurances on the possible concerns outlined in the committee's report and the Children, Young People and Education Committee's report also. We need further details on the uncertainties that could arise as a result of these clauses for organisations and in terms of the possible diversion of resources, contrary to Welsh priorities, which could continue to be risks with the Bill as we give our consent to the UK Government to legislate in a policy area that is devolved. And mainly, as a result of the process outlined by the Minister, and which he described an explained to us this afternoon, and this urgency and this confusion that he conveys, the whole process is sure to create confusion for us in terms of the scrutiny process, and that cannot be approved of or allowed.

In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to the fact that the Children, Young People and Education Committee, as well as the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee have noted a number of concerns and we've heard them set out this afternoon in terms of delays in laying the LCM and the SLCM, noting the importance of adhering to the timetable set out in the Senedd's Standing Orders. In this regard, it was noted that there wasn't enough time to consider or scrutinise the LCM or the SLCM sufficiently. They don't draw attention in our Chamber as our major debates or the topical questions do, and they're rarely mentioned in headlines, but they are important and, quietly, they are weakening the voice of our democracy.