Proposed changes to Clause 11 of the EU Withdrawal Bill to ensure
all devolved EU powers transfer directly from Brussels to
Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh have now been shared with the
devolved administrations ahead of a Joint Ministerial Committee
(JMC) meeting on European Negotiations (EN) in London on
Thursday.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, MP, who chairs the JMC
meeting, said the new proposals represented a considerable offer
that he hoped the devolved governments would engage with
constructively.
The changes would mean that the vast majority of powers will
automatically flow from the EU to the devolved administrations.
As the UK government has made clear, we always expected that the
process would result in a significant increase in their decision
making abilities. The changes would also ensure the UK Government
would have the ability to protect the internal UK market where
necessary, in a small number of areas.
Speaking ahead of the JMC meeting, said:
The proposal that we have put on the table is a considerable
offer that I hope the devolved administrations will engage with
constructively.
We have worked closely with the devolved administrations to
find a way forward that respects the role of the devolved
governments and ensures we are able to protect our vital UK
internal market, worth around four times as much to Scotland as
the EU’s.
All sides agree certain areas will require common frameworks -
and it’s therefore imperative that we don’t make life more
difficult for businesses and families across the UK as we
manage the process of bringing new powers back from the EU.
We have demonstrated a willingness to listen and adapt our
approach in order to find an agreed way forward, and we
encourage others to do likewise so we can make good progress.
The UK Government has been working extensively with the devolved
administrations through the JMC process, as well as bilaterals
and significant engagement between officials.
