Yesterday in Parliament I called for Wales to have a voice in the development of post-Brexit trade deals.

Speaking in International Trade questions, I said “Does the Minister accept that devolved administrations must be fully involved in developing both the negotiating mandate and the negotiations themselves when the international trade negotiations will impact on devolved competencies?”

International Trade Minister George Hollingbery MP responded by saying he was ‘keen’ that the devolved administrations played a role in developing future Free Trade Agreements.

So far we have seen little evidence that the Government is properly involving and acknowledging Wales in its approach to trade deals post-Brexit. This is why I supported Labour amendments to the Trade Bill which would have ensured the devolved authorities, including the Welsh Government, were fully and formally engaged in advance of trade agreements being conducted.

I am pleased that Labour is continuing to call for the development of a network of trade representatives from each of the constituent nations and regions of the United Kingdom to promote export growth and investment across the country and ensure proper representation in trade talks and the formulation of trade policy.