Brexit: devolution

Author (Corporate)
Publisher
Series Title
Series Details (2017-19)HL9
Publication Date 19/07/2017
Content Type

Summary:

The European Union Committee of the UK's House of Lords published in July 2017 a report on Brexit and its impact on devolution. The document concludes that on the day of Brexit, all powers exercised by the European Union would 'by default, be exercised in accordance with pre-existing statutory provisions'.

The inquiry on devolution was launched in January 2017.

Further information:

The inquiry considered the political and economic implications of Brexit for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and on the devolution settlement as a whole.

The Committee highlighted the 'overlapping and shared competences' within the devolution settlements, describing the supremacy of EU law as the 'glue holding together the United Kingdom's single market'. Brexit makes it even more important that any further reform of the devolution settlements should be underpinned by a clear and agreed framework of principles. The Committee also called on the UK Government and the devolved administrations to work constructively together to deliver a Brexit that protects the interests of all parts of the United Kingdom.

The report also considers the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

+ Northern Ireland
The Committee restated its previous conclusion that the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland requires unique, 'flexible and imaginative solutions'.

+ Wales
The Committee noted that the Welsh economy is heavily dependent on exports to the EU, and that Welsh manufacturing would be hard hit by a failure to agree a comprehensive trade deal with the EU.

+ Scotland
The Committee concluded that any Brexit deal should accommodate Scotland's particular needs, including its reliance upon EU migration to meet both labour market and demographic needs.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201719/ldselect/ldeucom/9/9.pdf
Related Links
UK: House of Lords: EU Select Committee: News, 19.07.17: Brexit 'a fundamental challenge' to the future of the UK say Lords http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-select-committee-/news-parliament-2017/brexit-devolution-report-publication/
BBC News, 19.07.17: Scots 'could have different Brexit deal' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40644748
BBC News 19.07.17: UK government warned over Brexit and Wales by peers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-40645038
ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/
BBC News, 19.07.17: Brexit 'exacerbates' NI divisions, says House of Lords http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-40645232
Politico, 19.07.17: House of Lords: Brexit ‘fundamental challenge’ to Britain’s future https://www.politico.eu/article/house-of-lords-brexit-fundamental-challenge-to-britains-future/
The Scotsman, 19.07.17: Give Scotland more power after Brexit or ‘risk the future of the UK’ https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/general-election/give-scotland-more-power-after-brexit-or-risk-the-future-of-the-uk-1-4507593
Wales Online, 19.07.17: Why Wales is at risk of being 'profoundly' affected by the impact of Brexit https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/wales-risk-being-profoundly-affected-13348425
UK: House of Lords: EU Select Committee: News, 27.01.17: Brexit: devolution – EU Committee launches new inquiry http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-select-committee-/news-parliament-2015/brexit-devolution-inquiry-launch/

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