The Welsh NHS will not be up for sale as part of any new UK-US trade deal following Britain’s exit from the EU, the Welsh Government said today.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
In a joint statement, the Health Minister and International Relations Minister said the Welsh NHS would not be part of any US-UK trade deal.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said earlier today that he expected British health services would be “on the table” in future UK-US trade deals post-Brexit.
The NHS in Wales is the responsibility of the Welsh Government.
Minister for International Relations, who has responsibility for trade policy, Eluned Morgan said:
“The Welsh NHS is a public service, and under this Welsh Government, will remain so.
“I have made absolutely clear to the UK government’s International Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, that devolution must be respected in any new trade deals post-Brexit. That includes the UK government respecting the Welsh Government’s determination to preserve the NHS as a public service.
“So, there is absolutely no prospect whatsoever of us allowing the Welsh NHS to be part of any negotiation on a new trade deal with the USA. It is simply not going to happen.”
Health Minister, Vaughan Gething added:
“The Welsh NHS is a public service that was born in Wales, and it will remain a public service under this Welsh Government.
“And in Wales, under this government, it will continue to be a much loved and cherished service that puts people, not profit, first.”