What pressure is the Welsh Government putting on the UK Government to introduce a new regional policy which will make up for the loss of EU structural funds?
The Welsh Government has repeatedly called for the UK Government to replace, in full, the £370 million a year needs-based funding that Wales receives for EU regional policy, including the structural funds. We continue to press this message both formally and informally at Ministerial and official levels, including at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) which the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government attends.
Today we have published an EU White Paper, which sets out our position on a range of key issues related to the UK's exit from the EU. This repeats our call for EU funding in Wales to be replaced in full, but also makes clear there should be no rolling back of devolution as we leave the EU. We expect to continue to be responsible for regional economic development policy, along with associated funding, in line with existing devolved competences for economic development.