Plaid backing for Sturgeon’s stance
Public affairs consultancy Deryn on business affairs from Westminster and Cardiff Bay this week and the week to come
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s calls for a second Scottish independence referendum by 2019 have been rejected by Theresa May.
The Prime Minister said the focus should be on getting the best Brexit deal for the whole of the UK. The reaction from Wales was as expected, with Plaid Cymru giving its full backing to the SNP position. Leader Leanne Wood said any failure by the UK Government to recognise Scotland’s interests could lead to the end of the union.
While stating that Scotland’s constitutional future was a matter for the Scottish people, First Minister Carwyn Jones stressed that the UK is stronger together than apart.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford made a series of announcements relating to EU funding investment, while Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates published his response to the UK Government’s consultation on the Severn Crossing’s top prices, reiterating the Welsh Government’s position that tolling should stop immediately.
Plaid Cymru welcomed the findings of a Welsh Government consultation on the establishment of a National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) in late 2017, but also highlighted some specific concerns. The party’s Finance and Economy spokesman Adam Price said the role of NICW outlined by the Welsh Government fails to address the problems that the Infrastructure Commission was set up to solve and that it must be established on a statutory footing in order to fulfil its role as a truly independent body.
A Welsh Government Bill proposing to abolish the Right to Buy and associated rights has been introduced to the Assembly. The Bill aims to encourage the development of new social housing.
Suspended Plaid AM Neil McEvoy, who now sits as the Assembly’s third Independent AM, confirmed this week that he won’t be returning to the Plaid group until at least after the May council elections. The South Wales Central AM is currently suspended as a Cardiff councillor, is facing an internal party inquiry and was also subject of a complaint this week of using Assembly resources for his council election campaign.
The Welsh Conservatives have called on Welsh ministers to address questions hanging over Sports Wales, following an internal audit which revealed unusual practices in the awarding of contracts. The party held its National Spring Forum in Cardiff this weekend, with the prospect of a Scottish referendum and Brexit high on the agenda. Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies appeared more relaxed than last year, when he faced questions over his differences with David Cameron on Brexit.
Looking ahead, it’ll be a bumper week of business at the Assembly as Carwyn Jones appears before the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, as AMs continue their inquiry into the Welsh Government’s engagement with Westminster and the devolved institutions of the UK.
Meanwhile, the Economy Infrastructure and Skills Committee will take evidence from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council leader and chair of the Cardiff Capital Region Andrew Morgan as part of its inquiry into the rail franchise and Metro delivery.
Skills Minister Julie James will make a statement on the Small Business Research Initiative and AMs will debate the Landfill Disposals Tax (Wales) Bill.
Finally, there will be an opportunity for AMs to debate the External Affairs Committee report on the implications for Wales of leaving the EU, as well as a Plaid debate on public sector procurement.