We’ll fight Tory bid to snatch our powers
THE Scottish and Welsh environment ministers will today pledge to team up to resist the UK Government’s attempt to take control of devolved powers.
The SNP’s Roseanna Cunningham will meet counterpart Lesley Griffiths in Cardiff to discuss concerns that the EU Withdrawal Bill will damage environmental efforts in both countries.
Laws on the environment are devolved. But about 80 per cent of the rules in force in Scotland stem from the EU. They include laws on waste management, pollution and regulations, biodiversity, flooding and drinking water quality.
The Tories at Westminster plan to seize control of these laws after Brexit. They have said some powers will then be devolved back to Holyrood.
Cunningham said:“My message has been clear and consistent. The Scottish Government will steadfastly adhere to its environmental commitments, despite the growing threat of a hard Brexit.
“That is why we are joining with our Welsh counterparts to urge the UK Government to ditch this ill-conceived power grab.
“Imposing a UK-wide framework for the environment risks undermining the significant progress Scotland has made, which has seen us win international recognition for our work.
“We are not opposed in principle to UK-wide frameworks in certain areas. But this must be through agreement, not imposition.
Griffiths, a Labour member of the Welsh Assembly, said: “The Bill as it stands has the potential to lock us into an outdated framework while removing our ability to bring forward reforms.
“This is why, like Scotland, we want EU powers in devolved areas to come straight to Wales. Welcoming my Scottish counterpart to Wales today will allow us to continue to work together to develop a strong future.”
Tory Scottish Secretary David Mundell says Brexit will mean a “powers bonanza” for the Scottish Parliament.