UK Ministers will urge MSPs to stop blocking Repeal Bill and back more Holyrood powers

SCOTTISH Ministers will be urged this week to drop opposition to the Brexit ‘Repeal Bill’ and sign Holyrood up for more powers.

Damian Green, who as First Secretary is Theresa May’s deputy, will hold crunch talks in Edinburgh with senior SNP politicians.

Mr Green’s job is to convince Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Brexit Minister Michael Russell that Brexit will deliver the promised ‘significant increase’ in powers held by Holyrood – and not the ‘naked power grab’, that Nicola Sturgeon has claimed.

They will discuss how to leave the European Union in a way that best suits businesses and the public. Holyrood and Cardiff will have the opportunity to consent to the legislation before MPs vote on it in the autumn, and both Ms Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones have threatened to refuse.

A Scottish Conservative source said: ‘Brexit means more powers for the Scottish parliament. The UK Government has made it clear it wants to engage constructively to deliver that. The fact that Damian Green is coming to Edinburgh is proof of that.

‘There a lot of water to go under the bridge but Holyrood could benefit from a real Brexit bonus by the end of this process.’

However, Mr Russell said: ‘With UK Ministers in difficulty over Brexit on seemingly every front, one issue they could resolve for themselves at this week’s meeting – almost at the stroke of a pen – would be to withdraw their attempt to grab powers from the Scottish parliament. Control over significant parts of devolved policy, such as agriculture and fishing, cannot be retained by Westminster as is currently proposed.’

The Scottish Government insists all powers in devolved areas should immediately pass to Holyrood. However, the UK Government fears different regulations north and south of the Border could make it more difficult to strike trade deals.

UK Ministers have made it clear that in areas like the environment, criminal justice, consumer rights and energy, many powers will be transferred from Brussels to Holyrood, although it is too early to be specific.

A UK Government spokesman said: ‘The UK Government has been clear it wants a positive and open dialogue with the Scottish Government, and that no new barriers to trade within the UK should be created.

‘In some areas there will need to be common approaches.’