Shadow Counsel General and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has this week called for an update on Welsh Government progress with Common Frameworks that were agreed at the time of the EU Withdrawal Bill.
Raising the matter when questioning the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution in the Senedd chamber on Wednesday, he said:
“At the time of the EU Withdrawal Bill, the UK Government agreed that UK-wide Frameworks - which are within your area of responsibility - to replace the EU rule book would be freely negotiated between the four UK Governments in areas such as food, animal welfare and the environment, setting standards below which none can fall, with the existing common arrangements maintained until these are agreed.
“And, in a Statement on the UK Government's latest report on Common Frameworks three months ago, the Welsh Government stated: 'The report outlines continued positive work on Common Frameworks, and confirms that the UK Government has not used the "freezing powers"’.
“Of course, that's clearly both positive and reassuring, providing confidence with regard to standards now and in the future, without which the essential UK Internal Market could not operate. Will the Counsel General therefore provide an update on progress with Common Frameworks, and confirm what mechanism for adjudicating alleged breaches by individual UK nations is currently being considered?”
Responding the Counsel General said: “I've been in discussion with my counterparts, both in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the UK Government, on this issue, building on a considerable amount of work that was done by my predecessor. “
He added: “On the issues around the lawfulness of the United Kingdom Internal Market Act, that having been said, we've been able to carry on discussions and negotiations on a without-prejudice basis in the spirit of co-operation. I can also say that there are encouraging signs that considerable progress has been made.”