Jeremy Miles MS, Counsel General and Minister for European Transition
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 requires the UK Government to report to Parliament periodically on matters relating to Common Frameworks and the UK Government’s use, if any, of powers under section 12 of the Act (the so-called ‘freezing powers’) temporarily to maintain existing EU law limits on devolved competence. I am notifying Members that the tenth such report was laid in Parliament on 18 March 2021, covering the period 26 September to 25 December 2020.
The report outlines continued positive work on Common Frameworks, and confirms that the UK Government has not used the ‘freezing powers’. Despite disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, the progress of work across the Common Frameworks programme throughout 2020 represents a considerable achievement, and provides a model for future intergovernmental projects.
However, though the Report acknowledges the UK Governments’ key amendments to the UK Internal Market Act related to Common Frameworks, it does not reflect the fact that the Senedd voted against giving legislative consent to the UK Internal Market Bill on 9 December 2020, nor does it reflect the potential of this Act to undermine the collaborative Common Frameworks programme
I published a Written Statement on 19 January which confirmed that I had issued formal proceedings in the Administrative Court seeking permission for a judicial review in relation to the UK Internal Market Act. Those legal proceedings are on-going.