Progress in Brexit talks, but SNP still call EU powers repatriation plan a 'power grab'

A claim by Theresa May’s deputy that successful Brexit talks on the repatriation of EU powers had ended SNP accusations of a “power grab” by the UK Government has proved short lived.

Both sides admitted progress had been made after they agreed a set of principles to underpin the transfer of powers back from Europe.

The agreement is the first between Whitehall and the devolved administrations since the UK voted to leave the EU last year.

Damian Green, the First Secretary of State, who met the devolved administrations with David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, claimed afterwards that concerns that Westminster was seizing powers that should go straight to Edinburgh were now “behind us”.

However, Scotland’s Brexit minister Mike Russell claimed the Withdrawal Bill still amounted to a power grab and Nicola Sturgeon would still recommend that Holyrood should refuse consent for the legislation as it stands.

The SNP has repeatedly attacked Mrs May’s government over the decision to take all EU laws and regulations to London first.

UK ministers argue that is necessary before devolving them in order to develop common frameworks, for areas such as agriculture, that will prevent Britain’s internal market being fractured at the Scotland-England border.

Mr Green said it had been a successful meeting, adding: “On the day when the UK leaves the EU, all parts of the UK need to be ready. It is the government’s intention that the EU Withdrawal Bill will ensure a strong UK internal market, while safeguarding and adding to the decision-making powers of the devolved administrations.

“These principles will hopefully now pave the way to agreeing a set of frameworks that will deliver vital certainty and continuity for people and businesses across the United Kingdom.

“I think you will see from principles that we have agreed today that talk of a power grab is now behind us.

"We've agreed that obviously there need to be ways in which we preserve the UK single market so we don't damage businesses in Scotland or Wales or Northern Ireland.”

David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary, said the first meeting for eight months of the joint ministerial council, which also involves the devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland, had produced a “major” step forward.

He added: “I’m very pleased that we’ve moved in a positive direction and are building on the momentum from the bilateral meetings held with the Scottish Government over the summer. It is clear we have common agendas and a basis to take that forward.”

Mr Russell said that while the meeting was positive, it was a “tale of two halves”. He said agreement on general principles should ensure the role of the Scottish Parliament in any potential UK or GB wide frameworks.

But he added: “However, we remain unable to recommend the Scottish Parliament consent to  the EU Withdrawal Bill as currently drafted and will not be able to do so until the power grab is removed from the bill.

"I have and will continue to press for the amendments suggested by ourselves and the Welsh Government to be accepted, removing the power grab and providing a clear solution that respects devolution.” 

The principles agreed include a commitment that any common framework will "respect the devolution settlements and the democratic accountability of the devolved legislatures".

They will also "lead to a significant increase in decision-making powers for the devolved administrations", and ensure that the competence of the devolved governments will not "normally" be adjusted without their consent.