Westminster move to spend in ‘devolved’ areas branded an attack on devolution

Finance ministers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have hit out at controversial moves by Westminster to start funding projects in devolved areas like roads and education.

Kate Forbes held talks with her Northern Irish and Welsh counterparts

They have branded the plans an attack on devolution and warn that the UK Internal market Bill, which aims to create a UK single market after Brexit, could even undermine major capital spending projects .

The UK Government has already admitted that the legislation may breach international law and there is anger over provisions in the Bill which will see the Westminster take over the delivery of replacements for the EU funding programme in Scotland. This had traditionally been done by Holyrood.

The Finance ministers from Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont spoke out after holding talks on the issue today.

Scottish Government Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said: "This Bill would also allow the UK Government to dictate how money is spent in devolved areas without the consent of Scottish Ministers. It puts at risk funding for a whole host of capital programmes – schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

"It reverses the devolution process and we will oppose any attempt to bypass the Scottish Parliament and Government, which are elected by the people of Scotland.

“Not only is it in contravention of the devolution settlement, but it has the potential to create confusion, duplication and unnecessary additional bureaucracy at a time when economic recovery is paramount.”

Welsh Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said the proposals were effectively a power grab by the UK Government.

“I am deeply concerned that the Bill gives UK Ministers, for the first time since devolution, powers to fund activity in areas which are clearly devolved to Wales," she added.

“In Wales funding decisions are taken in partnership with local communities, to ensure that they reflect the needs of the people in Wales. The powers set out in the Bill completely undermine devolution and will see decisions currently taken in Wales, clawed back by the UK Government.”

The legislation has also prompted anger as it appears to renege on a previous deal with the EU about arrangements for Ireland after Brexit. Finance Minister for Northern Ireland, Conor Murphy now fears this could jeopardise the Good Friday Agreement.

“The Internal Market Bill will give the British Government wide ranging powers to make funding decisions in devolved areas," he added.

“This is greatly concerning and could have huge implications for the Good Friday Agreement. The British Government should not interfere in funding matters which are currently the responsibility of the Devolved Administrations.

“It is also imperative that they provide details on the scope of the Shared Prosperity Fund. This will be a vital source of replacement funding for devolved areas and the lack of meaningful engagement to date is extremely disappointing.”

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