The UK government has once again failed to provide any further clarity on how exiting the EU will impact the economy, finance ministers from Wales and Scotland have said.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Following a meeting of the devolved administrations with the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Liz Truss, in Cardiff today, Welsh Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said:
“I was hoping for much greater clarity on what are becoming very important and pressing issues the closer we get to EU exit day, but disappointingly I am leaving the meeting no more reassured.
“There seems to be a real lack of clarity across the UK Government on what is happening with Brexit but with the very real prospect of a no-deal, this is a huge concern to Welsh Government.
“Along with my Scottish counterpart I pressed the Chief Secretary for clarity on a number of financial issues relating to the impact of Brexit, including the possibility of an emergency budget. The message was clear, a full fiscal event is not on the agenda, adding to the uncertainties we are facing as we prepare to exit.
“The Welsh Government will continue to make the case for Wales to ensure that the interests of Wales are very much at the forefront of discussions.”
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said:
“I raised a number of issues with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, including urging her to rule out a no-deal Brexit, giving me a cast iron guarantee that all lost EU funding would be replaced in full and meeting all costs associated with the UK government’s changes to public sector pensions. She could do none of these.
“With just weeks to go until the planned EU exit day, the Scottish Government remains deeply concerned about the lack of detail regarding replacement arrangements for EU funding streams, not to mention the severe impact a no-deal could have on our economy and labour market.
“As a responsible government, we will continue to intensify our work to prepare for all Brexit outcomes as best we can and press the UK government to rule out no-deal Brexit and extend the Article 50 process.”