The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster MP will visit Wales and
Scotland this week, where he will meet with business leaders and
politicians to discuss the economy and the UK’s preparations for
leaving the EU.
Mr Lidington will attend roundtable discussions with different
sectors of business in Cardiff (Thursday, February 1st) and
Edinburgh (Friday, February 2nd). The newly appointed Minister
will also hold bilateral discussions on the EU Withdrawal Bill
with both the Welsh First Minister and the Scottish Deputy First
Minister on Thursday.
Speaking ahead of the visits to Cardiff and Edinburgh, said:
I am very much looking forward to visiting Scotland and Wales.
The UK Government is committed to building a Britain where our
strong economy benefits all parts of the UK.
I know that businesses in Wales are excited by the
opportunities that come from our plans to remove the tolls from
the Severn Bridge. Our investment in broadband and UK City
Deals are making a real difference in Wales and Scotland. I
want to hear from businesses in Cardiff and Edinburgh about
what else we can do to help drive economic growth.
I am also looking forward to continuing my discussions with
and on how we can make progress
with the EU Withdrawal Bill in our face-to-face talks today. We
need to work together to find an agreed way forward.
In Cardiff, will co-host, with the
Secretary of State for Wales MP, a meeting of the regular
Expert Panel group of representatives of the businesses,
agriculture, fisheries and third sector in Wales that advises on
the arrangements for leaving the EU.
The Secretary of State for Wales has established the group to
work with him to deliver a smooth and orderly exit from the EU in
Wales.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Secretary of State for Wales
said:
The UK Government is resolute in its commitment to delivering
an EU exit that works for every part of the country, and to
taking every opportunity along the way to further strengthen
our precious union.
We have ensured that the Welsh Government and every sector in
Wales have been fully and constructively engaged with the
Brexit process, so we can together deliver the best possible
deal for the people of Wales.
Scottish Secretary said:
I look forward to meeting the Scottish Government later today.
The return of powers from the EU will lead to a significant
increase in the decision-making powers of Holyrood. We have
made good progress in our discussions with the Scottish
Government on common frameworks and will continue those
discussions today. We want to agree an amendment to the EU
(Withdrawal) Bill which we can then bring forward in the Lords.
The Minister will also chair a roundtable of Scottish business
representatives in Edinburgh on Friday morning.
