Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy and Transport
The United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union will transform the way in which the governments of the UK need to work and interact with each other, whether or not we reach an agreement with the EU.
A key part of this work is to strengthen and normalise structured ministerial engagement on EU Exit related challenges. The key role ministerial interactions play in providing the necessary foundations for joint working has already been demonstrated by the quadrilateral meetings held on energy and climate with the UK Government departments of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs respectively.
The first in a series of ministerial quadrilateral meetings on business and industry was held on 4 April. The meeting was attended by myself on behalf of the Welsh Government, Ivan McKee MSP from the Scottish Government, and Kelly Tolhurst MP on behalf of the UK Government. Northern Ireland was represented by a senior member of their Civil Service.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the impact of exiting the EU on business and industry in different parts of the UK, as well as to set a future agenda for joint working, for example on the Future Economic Partnership.
Discussions centred on how the different parts of the UK work together to respond effectively and coherently to the challenges of EU Exit, and to plan for a successful economic future that benefits all parties. The meeting also discussed UK wide responses to economic shocks and business readiness.
Business and industry quadrilateral meetings will take place on at least a quarterly basis. There is also agreement to a wider quadrilateral meeting with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy before the summer.