Drakeford in Westminster contact call

WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford has called on Westminster to speak more regularly to the Welsh Government about the Covid-19 crisis.

Speaking at a press conference where he announced a continuation of lockdown measures, Mr Drakeford described the dynamic with Westminster as a “fits and starts” experience.

When asked by Sky News how he had found working with the Westminster Government, the First Minister said: “My summary would be that it has been a bit of fits and starts experience.

But when we have discussions with UK ministers and we have had discussions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week.

“When we have these discussions they work well, they are open and they are engaged.

“What I have tried to argue for is a more reliable pattern of that engagement.

“We tend to get it and then it doesn’t happen for a while then it resumes again. When we have it, it is good.”

There have already been some recent communications issues.

Before the previous lockdown measures were extended, the First Minister repeatedly used press conference to ask for the UK Government to announce the extension early.

When they did not he unilaterally announced the extension in Wales despite his desire for working in tandem with the other UK nations.

Mr Drakeford added: “It would be better from my point of view if it had a regular and reliable pattern so we can maximise the desire of all four governments from across the United Kingdom to work closely together.

“The more we talk, the more we understand each other and the more we are able to deliver on that ambition.”