Changes to Brexit bill proposed

The Scottish and Welsh governments have published amendments to key Brexit legislation, stating they are necessary to “respect the hard-won devolution settlements”.

First Ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Carwyn Jones have branded the EU withdrawal bill a “power grab”.

They have said they cannot recommend giving consent to the legislation unless it is substantially changed.

However in a joint letter to the Prime Minister, they said the bill “can be made to work with, not against, devolution”.

First secretary of state Damian Green said the UK Government would listen to suggestions to improve the legislation, but added ministers “will do nothing that risks undermining the benefits of the UK”.

Labour said it was now clear the bill is “unsustainable” in its current form.

The legislation, designed to transpose EU law into British law, will see EU responsibilities in devolved areas initially transferred to Westminster.

The UK Government said this will allow common frameworks to be created ahead of further devolution.

It has listed 111 and 64 policy areas returning from the EU which “intersect” with the devolution settlements of Scotland and Wales respectively.

The devolved administrations said their proposed changes would ensure devolved policy areas come back to their parliaments on leaving the EU, rather than returned to Westminster.

Getty. Picture: Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell.