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The Welsh and Scottish governments have laid out how they want the Government's Brexit Bill changed.

They say the changes are necessary to "respect the hard-won devolution settlements".

Both Carwyn Jones and Nicola Sturgeon say the EU Withdrawal BIll currently going through Westminster is a "naked power grab" that would strip their governments of powers.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the First Ministers state that the desired amendments are aimed at preventing the UK government from taking control of devolved policy areas when powers are returned from the EU.

They wrote: "We want a European Union (Withdrawal) Bill that can be made to work with, not against, devolution.

"The current Bill will need to be substantially amended for us to be able to recommend to our respective legislatures that they give their consent to it."

These are the amendments that the First Ministers have called for

The amendments will achieve the following objectives:

Ensure devolved policy areas come back to the National Assembly for Wales and Scottish Parliament on withdrawal from the EU

Prevent UK ministers unilaterally changing the Government of Wales Act and Scotland Act

Require the agreement of the Welsh Government on necessary changes to current EU law in devolved areas after Brexit

Ensure additional restrictions are not placed on devolved ministers compared with UK Government ministers

(Image: Daily Record)

What Carwyn Jones says about the Bill

First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: "The governments of these islands have a lot of work to do to ensure that the UK leaves the EU with as little disruption as possible. This will only be achieved by working together.

"Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon and I all have very different political positions, but an issue as important as Brexit requires us to put our political differences aside and work together to provide stability for the sake of our economy, jobs and public services. One Government cannot simply hijack powers from the other two.

"Today, Nicola Sturgeon and I have published joint amendments to the EU withdrawal bill that would enable progress to be made among the governments in a way which respects the hard-won devolution settlements.

"We want a Bill that works with, not against, devolution. Until that point is reached, we cannot give it our consent.

"The amendments we have published today are not about stopping Brexit, they are about protecting the interests of the people of Wales and Scotland. I hope they secure widespread support across the House of Commons.

“While the UK Government has so far shown a lack of lack of willingness to engage with the devolved nations, and a fundamental lack of trust, we hope today marks a sea change in the way our Governments work together on Brexit.

"Only by listening to each other, can we find a way forward that protects the interests of all parts of the Union.”

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The First Secretary of State responded

(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

Damian Green MP said: "The lists which the UK Government shared with the Scottish and Welsh Governments several weeks ago contains 111 and 64 policy areas respectively that are currently controlled by the EU which are now coming back to the UK.

"We want to continue to work with the Scottish and Welsh Governments to make sure we are all ready to take on these new responsibilities when we leave the EU.

"The important thing now is to work our way through these lists and find the areas where we will need to maintain a common UK or GB approach, as well as those areas where it will make sense to transfer powers direct to the devolved governments.

"When it is better to devolve then that is what we will do, as we have done for the last 20 years."

(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

The First Secretary of State added: "The Repeal Bill aims to maximise certainty for individuals and businesses as we leave the EU.

"The UK Government stands ready to listen to those who offer improvements to the Bill - but we will do nothing that risks undermining the benefits of the UK.

" Cardiff , Edinburgh and Belfast will receive more decision making powers as a result of this process. But the UK Government will not risk our internal UK market, or make life more difficult or more expensive for UK companies, workers or consumers.

"We all observe the same broad EU rules now. Doing things four different ways - in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - will not be the best way if it adds costs to companies and customers across the UK.

"I hope and expect that we can make progress in the talks that are planned for the coming week."