Scottish and Welsh governments call for clarity on rural funding

Welsh cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths and Scottish cabinet secretary Fergus Ewing have expressed concern at the continued lack of certainty for rural funding, and the minimal ambition shown on a shared environmental vision.

Griffiths said that they were dedicated to the four-nation approach but the government needed to be “stepping up a gear” with its post-Brexit plans.

Encouraged​

"I was encouraged by commitments to work collaboratively, engagement through our long-standing quadrilateral arrangements and huge efforts going on at official level,”​ she said.  

"But crucially we still lack certainty on rural funding, we find information is not being shared with us, or not shared early enough, and we are concerned about Defra’s efforts to water down our joint statement on an environmental vision.”​

Ewing said that they were becoming “increasingly frustrated” ​that UK ministers' failure to take the issue seriously.

Clarity​

"The Scottish and Welsh governments have pressed for clarity and certainty on rural and marine funding at every Ministerial forum held since 2016.  We have now written jointly to UK Ministers setting out key questions for a new official-led group to consider and address  ​relating to funding, and for that group to meet as soon as possible,”  ​he said

“For example we have not been provided with copies of key documents of importance such as white paper on fisheries a draft fisheries bill and draft agriculture bill - nor have we even been advised when these and other documents will be available. We cannot be expected to make decisions on important matters without sight of all relevant documents​.”