WAQ78980 (e) Tabled on 17/10/2019

What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government in respect of its proposed Freight Capacity Framework Agreement and in particular its impact on Welsh ports, dockers, seafarers and businesses of public contracts as a result of its plan to procure extra maritime, rail and air freight capacity in Wales post-Brexit?

Answered by Minister for Economy and Transport | Answered on 24/09/2019

As the First Minister said in plenary this week, discussions have been held between the Welsh Government and the Department for Transport and other departments in the UK Government regarding the Freight Capacity Framework Agreement, although these were often late in the procurement process. That process was undertaken solely by the UK Department for Transport.

Whilst that framework agreement provides for all routes between the UK and the European Economic Area, and between Northern Ireland and mainland Great Britain, the initial ‘no deal’ call off contract does not offer any new or existing priority capacity at Welsh ports.

However, the need to procure this capacity to ensure critical goods can be prioritised for access to the UK only demonstrates the level of disruption a hard Brexit would cause, and the devastating impact it would have on the Welsh economy and on the UK as a whole. This damage will be particularly acute in the maritime industry and the Welsh Government will continue to promote Wales’ interests in discussions with the UK Government and push for arrangements which protect this vital sector and those who work in it as far as possible.