Government offers deal ahead of Brexit Bill talks

Moves to safeguard powers for devolved administrations

The UK Government has offered to change key Brexit legislation to ensure the “vast majority” of devolved powers returning from Brussels go straight to the devolved administrations.

The Scottish and Welsh administrations have refused to recommend granting legislative consent for the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill as it stands claiming it is a Westminster “power grab” which puts devolution at risk.

The concerns centre on clause 11 which returns devolved powers from the EU to Westminster in the first instance, which UK ministers claim is necessary to create UK-wide common frameworks.

Now the UK Government has put forward changes which it said in a statement means “the vast majority of powers will automatically flow from the EU to the devolved administrations”.

Scottish Brexit Minister Mike Russell said the Scottish Government wants “further progress on safeguarding devolution” and will not change its position unless the bill stipulates devolved powers can only be changed with Scottish Parliament agreement.

He stressed that frameworks must be agreed, not imposed.

Brexit Secretary David Davis will meet senior figures from the devolved administrations in London today to discuss the deal. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington 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.”

Scottish Brexit Minister Mike Russell said: “I will be making it abundantly clear that we need to see further progress on safeguarding devolution.”