10. Legislative Consent Motion on the Subsidy Control Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:41 pm on 1 March 2022.

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Photo of Rebecca Evans Rebecca Evans Labour 5:41, 1 March 2022

Diolch, Llywydd. I would like to begin by thanking the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for their work and for their efforts to engage with the UK Government and to get clarity. It is a matter of regret, I think, that a response hasn't been forthcoming. I must say that the Welsh Government has engaged completely in good faith with the UK Government on this matter to seek to get the best outcomes for us here in Wales. Some amendments have been proposed, but they go nowhere near addressing the concerns that we have. We have concerns about the lack of detail on the face of the Bill, about the general imbalance of power within the Bill and the lack of any consenting or consultation, even, with the devolved Governments. We're concerned about the unacceptable impact on constitutional principles, particularly in relation to the judicial review of devolved primary legislation. And, of course, we are concerned that there is an apparent creation of a two-tier system of law whereby primary legislation created by the democratically elected Senedd—[Interruption.] In a moment—in relation to Wales isn't held to the same esteem as legislation created in Westminster in relation to England. And of course, I stress that our concerns aren't about judicial review in general; it's about that lack of equality in the way in which legislation is perceived.