Internal Market Bill: Further U-turn needed to protect devolution - Power grab Bill is still a “disaster” for Wales – Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, has today urged the UK Government to make a “productive U-turn” on the Internal Market Bill, saying that the Bill as it stands is a “disaster” for Wales.

During a questioning session to the Secretary of State for Wales in the House of Commons today (Wednesday 16 December), Liz Saville Roberts said that despite the Prime Minister’s U-turn on Common Frameworks last night, a further U-turn was needed to protect devolved powers.

Last night, Ministers brought forward concessions to the Internal Market Bill that saw a disagreement between peers and the UK Government coming to an end. Pre-agreed divergences under Common Frameworks will now be exempt from the so-called ‘market access principles’ where all parties to the Common Framework are in agreement.

However, amendments that would have given Wales a say in drawing up a shared framework for state aid rules as well as advising on how the UK Government could use new financial powers in devolved areas, failed to pass through the House of Lords as Labour withdrew their support this week.

Ms Saville Roberts says that this means that “Wales will lose powers while Westminster gains swathes of new ones in entirely devolved areas”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Liz Saville Roberts MP said:

“The Prime Minister’s latest U-turn on the Internal Market Bill will give a modicum of flexibility to the devolved nations. But it’s undeniable that this Bill is a disaster. It weakens devolved power and centralises more power here in Westminster.

“Conservatives and Labour have worked together this week to let efforts to give our devolved governments a say on state aid to fail.

“Will he commit to a productive U-turn this time and ensure that no other powers will be reserved through the Internal Market Bill?”

In his response, the Secretary of State argued that the Internal Market Bill was not “all about power”.

Speaking after the session, Liz Saville Roberts MP added:

“Last night’s minor concession changes very little. Wales will lose powers while Westminster gains swathes of new ones in entirely devolved areas.

“But this is not just about power – this Bill will lead to direct consequences for Wales. It could mean having to accept products produced to lower standards in other UK nations, and will add another unnecessary layer of complexity for people and businesses.

“The Internal Market Bill has opened the eyes of people in Wales to the disregard Westminster holds for their interests. Boris Johnson must urgently commit to another U-turn.”