Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am grateful for the opportunity to provide Members with the latest update on the UK Government’s policy on border controls for Great Britain, the implications for Wales and our key objectives as a Government.

The UK Government Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiencies, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, stated in a written ministerial statement on 28 April this year that the further introduction of border controls would be suspended until the end of 2023. The UK Government is currently in the process of developing a new target operating model for introduction by the end of 2023. I understand that the stated aim of the model is to make importing and exporting easier for businesses whilst maintaining or improving security and biosecurity in the UK. To date, and since my last oral statement, I still have not received sufficient detail or evidence to provide more information or clarity at this stage on the deliverability of the planned new model. I will of course be happy to provide a further update to Members when more detail has been shared with the Welsh Government.

I have been clear that Ministers responsible for biosecurity across all three nations in Great Britain should work together to agree the principles and the details of the future borders regime. This should be informed by joined-up advice from all of our technical experts, such as the chief veterinary officers, together with the agencies charged with protecting our health and delivering the regime on the ground. To achieve this, we need to ensure there is consistent, reliable ministerial engagement in order to shape the strategic priorities and to consider practical issues. Both Wales and Scotland continue to seek a commitment for regular Global Britain (Operations) Cabinet meetings, where decisions on the future GB regime can be taken collectively. I wrote to Mr Rees-Mogg on 13 June recently, to emphasise this, but have not yet had a reply.

Dirprwy Lywydd, the UK Government’s decisions continue to directly affect devolved responsibilities with significant financial consequences. This UK policy has required a great deal of work for us and our partners. To date, we have spent £6 million of public money in order to secure the progress needed against a deeply uncertain backdrop. The UK Government has made a commitment to fund the absolutely necessary costs of building border control posts, and we fully expect this commitment to be honoured.

Members will be aware that we took the initial decision to suspend the work on developing border control posts in Wales in order to take stock following the Minister for Brexit opportunities' announcement in April. I can confirm that the Welsh Government Cabinet has now considered the latest position and has agreed to recommence work on the design stage of the permanent Holyhead border control post facilities. Later this year, we will need to decide whether to proceed to the build stage, which is of course subject to UK Treasury funding. If so, we should have a facility available in Wales by the end of 2023, when UK Government is targeting the introduction of the new regime. If we cannot progress to the build stage, then a permanent border control post at Holyhead is unlikely to be achievable by the end of 2023. There would also be a likely increase in cost.

This clearly demonstrates a real intent by the Welsh Government to make every effort to ensure that this inherited policy is implemented as effectively as possible. We recognise the need to ensure we have the right systems in place for importing goods in a safe, secure and efficient manner. This is necessary to provide much needed clarity for businesses in Wales, and why it is so important that UK Ministers work in genuine partnership with devolved national Government Ministers.

Dirprwy Lywydd, as I set out in my oral statement on 3 May, we need to understand the UK Government’s detailed proposals on how to treat goods from the island of Ireland. Since then, the Foreign Secretary has introduced a Northern Ireland Protocol Bill in the UK Parliament that is intended to breach the obligations that the Prime Minister has signed up to. This has resulted in an inevitable reaction from the EU. Dirprwy Lywydd, I'm sure you will not be surprised by the fact this action was carried out without any engagement with the Welsh Government. The First Minister wrote to the Prime Minister on 17 May, advising that the UK Government should not act unilaterally but should continue the dialogue with the EU and setting out the likely consequences of such action. Dirprwy Lywydd, as you'll know, I wrote to the Llywydd on this matter yesterday and also issued a written statement to Members earlier today.

This action is once again wholly at odds with the ways of working envisaged in the inter-governmental relations review and the common frameworks. It is in the interests of all of us, not simply for biosecurity but for our broader economic prospects, for there to be a significant improvement in the way that Governments within the UK respect and work with each other. I will, of course, continue to keep Members informed on developments.