Concern over proposals for post-Brexit ‘internal market’

THE Welsh Government has warned that forcing post-Brexit trading rules on Wales without its consent would be “deeply damaging”.

Plans for a new “internal market” drawn up by Westminster to ensure seamless trade between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were not shared with Welsh ministers before being announced, it said.

Measures that were previously regulated by the European Union will return to the UK at the end of the year when the transition period expires, with the UK Government saying it would see Northern Ireland receive responsibility in 157 of the 160 areas, Scotland in 111 and Wales in 70.

As this could lead to different regulatory regimes in the UK, Westminster has drawn up plans for the “internal market” to make sure set regulations are recognised across the nations, ensuring seamless trade between them.

But yesterday, the Welsh Government said the changes had to be agreed between all the devolved administrations, and that ministers in Cardiff Bay have so far had no discussions with those in

Westminster.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We support having rules across the UK to regulate the internal market, but these rules must be agreed between the four Governments in the UK, each of which has their own responsibility for economic development.

“Any new system must have independent oversight and dispute resolution.

“Unfortunately, the UK Government has not managed to share the Paper with us, and Welsh Ministers have had no recent discussions with the UK Government on these issues.

“Any attempt to unilaterally impose a system will be deeply damaging.”

UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma said there had been discussions with the Welsh Government on “common frameworks” and ministers “have known the direction of travel”.

He told BBC Radio Wales the plans were a “continuation of what has happened for hundreds of years, which is a seamless internal UK market”.

“The document we’re publishing today is a consultation.”