UK Internal Market 2020-09-16
2020-09-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK Internal Market Bill was recently published.
What recent assessment has the Government made of Wales's role in the proposed UK internal market?
The Government's response to the UK internal market consultation highlighted broad support from businesses and job creators in Wales. The Bill ensures continued certainty for seamless trade across the UK post-transition period.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Internal Market Bill is perceived as a move to reassert direct Westminster control over Wales.
Why won't the Government admit that they are using Brexit legislation like the UK Internal Market Bill to effectively reassert direct Westminster rule over Wales?
Disagrees with the premise; public consultation shows business support. Describes critics as protecting a 'cosy clique' while businesses see it as vital for economic recovery and job creation.
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Assessment & feedback
Intent of reasserting Westminster control over Wales
Disagrees With Premise
Claims Support From Business
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State has engaged with businesses about the proposals.
What conversations has the Secretary of State had with businesses across Wales and what kind of response did he receive?
Engaged with businesses through in-person and online meetings. No major concerns expressed; they see UKIM as a natural successor to the status quo, important for economic recovery and job creation.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Bill is seen as giving the UK Government power to make spending decisions in Wales.
How does the Secretary of State respect the devolution settlement while allowing the UK Government to make spending decisions in Wales?
Claims nationalists are focused on politics, whereas Bill is about jobs and economy. Welsh Government will not lose any powers; 70 new ones will be added. UK Government support enhances the economy post-covid.
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Assessment & feedback
Impact of spending decisions by UK Government in Wales
Focuses On Jobs And Economy
Claims Nationalists Are Politically Motivated
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussion on UK internal market Bill and its impact.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is not just free movement of goods but also people, culture, ideas and values between our four nations that makes our Union so strong?
Agrees; Union is important not just economically but also culturally and socially. Legislation will enhance these aspects over coming years.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Local businesses support the Bill, seeing it as beneficial.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that local businesses welcome the internal market Bill because of its potential to bring investment?
Agrees; border must be porous. Cross-border workforce benefits from free movement. Criticizes nationalist politicians for distractions and lack of delivery, advocating for support from all parties including nationalists.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Previous statement suggested public bodies in Wales could buy more local goods post-Brexit, contrary to the internal market Bill.
How does the Secretary of State reconcile his previous claim that public bodies can buy more local goods after Brexit with the UK Internal Market Bill blocking such measures?
Disagrees with the claim; public consultation shows support. Bill secures a market enjoyed for 45 years, seen as logical step forward for jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Reconciling previous statements about local goods procurement and current Bill provisions
Disagrees With The Claim
Claims Public Support
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK Internal Market Bill is under debate, with concerns raised about its impact on the Union and devolution.
How can the Secretary of State reconcile this historical serendipity with this Government's brazen power-grab?
The Labour Opposition considers the UKIM Bill a threat to the Union, while nationalists consider it a threat to separatism. The bill introduces 70 new powers without removing any existing ones, thus it is not a power-grab.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific concerns raised by nationalists were not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Tory party promised to strengthen the Union and devolved settlements, but critics argue that the UKIM Bill undermines these promises.
Will the Secretary of State accept that the Internal Market Bill rolls back powers, undermines devolution settlement and gives comfort to those who want to break up the Union?
No. The legislation is seen by businesses in Wales as a natural transition from EU rules to collaborative operations between UK and Welsh Governments, addressing jobs and livelihoods.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific rollbacks of powers were not acknowledged.
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
Critics argue the UKIM Bill is an attempt to roll back devolution due to political opposition to Labour-led Governments in Wales.
Will the Secretary of State accept that the Government's Internal Market Bill tries to roll back devolution because they do not like who is elected to Government in Wales?
The economic reality is that people want jobs and investment, rather than defining our post-covid and post-Brexit evolution in terms of political one-upmanship. The Government intends to deliver on this.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific rollbacks of devolution powers were not addressed.
Response accuracy