Devolved ministers want clarity on funding after Brexit

THE UK Government has failed to give clarity on funding for the devolved nations post-Brexit, according to the finance secretaries of Wales and Scotland.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss spoke to Welsh Finance Minister Rebecca Evans and Scotland’s Finance Secretary Derek Mackay at a meeting in Cardiff yesterday.

Following the meeting, Ms Evans said the UK Government had provided no reassurances to quell Brexit uncertainty.

“I was hoping for much greater clarity on what are becoming very important and pressing issues the closer we get to EU exit day, but disappointingly, I am leaving the meeting no more reassured,” she said. “There seems to be a real lack of clarity across the UK Government on what is happening with Brexit, but with the very real prospect of a no-deal, this is a huge concern to Welsh Government.

“Along with my Scottish counterpart, I pressed the Chief Secretary for clarity on a number of financial issues relating to the impact of Brexit, including the possibility of an emergency budget.

“The message was clear, a full fiscal event is not on the agenda, adding to the uncertainties we are facing as we prepare to exit.

“The Welsh Government will continue to make the case for Wales to ensure that the interests of Wales are very much at the forefront of discussions.”

Mr Mackay said no reassurances were given over the replacement of EU funding or public-sector pensions.

Mr Mackay said: “I raised a number of issues with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, including urging her to rule out a no-deal Brexit, giving me a cast-iron guarantee that all lost EU funding would be replaced in full and meeting all costs associated with the UK Government’s changes to public sector pensions. She could do none of these.

“With just weeks to go until the planned EU exit day, the Scottish Government remains deeply concerned about the lack of detail regarding replacement arrangements for EU funding streams.”

The UK is set to depart from the European Union on March 29 but no deal has yet been agreed.

A deal put forward by Prime Minister Theresa May has failed to gain the support of MPs across the House in Parliament.