UK Trade Deals and the Impact on Devolution in Scotland and Wales

Trade agreements are negotiated by national governments, though topics covered are likely to include those for which responsibility lies with devolved authorities. This is an issue faced across the world given that those topics extend far beyond tariff reduction and can see regulations bound by treaty. In the UK devolved government responsibilities affected are likely to include agriculture, services provision such as professional qualifications, and public procurement, but many more such as Scotland’s minimum alcohol pricing could be an issue.

This session of the Trade and Business Commission heard from those with expertise on the relationship between Westminster and the devolved governments. This included areas such as the dialogue over the last five years, the way Brexit and trade deals had affected the devolution settlements, and the extent to which there had been meaningful consultation. There was also be a focus on what the relationship should look like for mutual benefit looking forward.

Peter Norris and Andrew Ballheimer co-chaired this session.

Witnesses:

Session 1: Wales and Scotland in UK Trade Policy (10:00am - 11:15am)

• Ivan McKee MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise

• Vaughan Gething MS, Welsh Government Minister for the Economy

• Jess Sargeant, Senior Researcher on Devolution, Institute for Government

Session 2: Impact of Trade on Welsh and Scottish Industry (11:15am - 12:00pm)

• Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation

• Dylan Morgan, Deputy Director/Head of Policy, NFU Cymru

• James Withers, CEO Scotland Food & Drink