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'Movement' reported in UK-Scotland Brexit talks 'Movement' reported in UK-Scotland Brexit talks
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell has said there has been movement in talks over how devolution will be affected by the UK leaving the EU.Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell has said there has been movement in talks over how devolution will be affected by the UK leaving the EU.
But, speaking on the Good Morning Scotland programme, he said "we are not there yet" in reaching an agreement.But, speaking on the Good Morning Scotland programme, he said "we are not there yet" in reaching an agreement.
The latest round of talks between the UK and Scottish governments are being held in London this morning. The latest round of talks between the UK and Scottish governments was held in London on Thursday morning.
UK government sources had said they hoped a breakthrough was close.UK government sources had said they hoped a breakthrough was close.
The talks are centred on whether powers return to Westminster or Holyrood from Brussels after the UK leaves the EU. The talks were centred on whether powers return to Westminster or Holyrood from Brussels after the UK leaves the EU.
The Scottish government has repeatedly insisted that the EU Withdrawal Bill is a "power grab" as it will see Westminster, rather than Holyrood, take control of 111 EU powers in devolved areas such as agriculture and fishing immediately after Brexit.The Scottish government has repeatedly insisted that the EU Withdrawal Bill is a "power grab" as it will see Westminster, rather than Holyrood, take control of 111 EU powers in devolved areas such as agriculture and fishing immediately after Brexit.
The UK government confirmed on Thursday it had sent proposals to Scottish government officials that would mean the "vast majority of powers will automatically flow from the EU to the devolved administrations".The UK government confirmed on Thursday it had sent proposals to Scottish government officials that would mean the "vast majority of powers will automatically flow from the EU to the devolved administrations".
Responding to the proposals, Mr Russell said: "There has been movement and I want to pay tribute to everybody involved in that on both sides.Responding to the proposals, Mr Russell said: "There has been movement and I want to pay tribute to everybody involved in that on both sides.
"I think that's as a result of us expressing our frustration earlier this month that nothing really was happening. But we're not there yet and there are some very serious issues to be considered.""I think that's as a result of us expressing our frustration earlier this month that nothing really was happening. But we're not there yet and there are some very serious issues to be considered."
Sticking pointSticking point
The major sticking point is that the UK government wants to retain "supervision" over some rules and regulations until UK-wide common frameworks are put in place.The major sticking point is that the UK government wants to retain "supervision" over some rules and regulations until UK-wide common frameworks are put in place.
It believes this is needed to prevent the UK's internal market being disrupted by different parts of the country introducing separate rules and standards for things like fishing, farming, food labelling and environmental protection.It believes this is needed to prevent the UK's internal market being disrupted by different parts of the country introducing separate rules and standards for things like fishing, farming, food labelling and environmental protection.
The Scottish government says it is not opposed to UK-wide frameworks - but that, as they stand, the proposals would effectively give Westminster a veto over some of the Scottish Parliament's new powers.The Scottish government says it is not opposed to UK-wide frameworks - but that, as they stand, the proposals would effectively give Westminster a veto over some of the Scottish Parliament's new powers.
It says that it should be for the Scottish Parliament, rather than the UK government, to decide which of its areas of responsibility are dealt with at a UK level.It says that it should be for the Scottish Parliament, rather than the UK government, to decide which of its areas of responsibility are dealt with at a UK level.
What is the UK government proposing?What is the UK government proposing?
Analysis by Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editorAnalysis by Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editor
As I disclosed some weeks ago - when the issue was last discussed by ministers - the proposal in the EU Withdrawal Bill has been flipped.As I disclosed some weeks ago - when the issue was last discussed by ministers - the proposal in the EU Withdrawal Bill has been flipped.
The devolved powers will be returned to Scotland, Wales and NI. But with a caveat.The devolved powers will be returned to Scotland, Wales and NI. But with a caveat.
You will not be surprised to learn that it is the caveat which is causing contention. Indeed, the two sides tend to describe it in different terms, exemplifying their different standpoints.You will not be surprised to learn that it is the caveat which is causing contention. Indeed, the two sides tend to describe it in different terms, exemplifying their different standpoints.
Talk to sources in the Scottish government - and they describe the caveat as a "veto". Talk to sources in the UK government and they talk of a "backstop".Talk to sources in the Scottish government - and they describe the caveat as a "veto". Talk to sources in the UK government and they talk of a "backstop".
So what is intended? The idea is that the powers would be returned to the devolved administrations - but the UK government would retain supervision over certain of those powers in the first instance.So what is intended? The idea is that the powers would be returned to the devolved administrations - but the UK government would retain supervision over certain of those powers in the first instance.
In essence, to avoid initial disparity, UK ministers would insist upon the adherence to EU rules - essentially replicating the EU framework, at first.In essence, to avoid initial disparity, UK ministers would insist upon the adherence to EU rules - essentially replicating the EU framework, at first.
This would not apply to all the powers or anything like the totality. But it would be key powers such as agriculture, fisheries, food labelling and others.This would not apply to all the powers or anything like the totality. But it would be key powers such as agriculture, fisheries, food labelling and others.
Read more from BrianRead more from Brian
UK Brexit Secretary David Davis is meeting senior figures from the devolved administrations - including Mr Russell - in London to discuss the deal. UK Brexit Secretary David Davis met senior figures from the devolved administrations - including Mr Russell - in London to discuss the deal.
The meeting is being chaired by Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, who said the UK government had "demonstrated a willingness to listen and adapt our approach in order to find an agreed way forward, and we encourage others to do likewise so we can make good progress." The meeting was chaired by Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, who said the UK government had "demonstrated a willingness to listen and adapt our approach in order to find an agreed way forward, and we encourage others to do likewise so we can make good progress."
He added: "The proposal that we have put on the table is a considerable offer that I hope the devolved administrations will engage with constructively.He added: "The proposal that we have put on the table is a considerable offer that I hope the devolved administrations will engage with constructively.
"We have worked closely with the devolved administrations to find a way forward that respects the role of the devolved governments and ensures we are able to protect our vital UK internal market, worth around four times as much to Scotland as the EU's."We have worked closely with the devolved administrations to find a way forward that respects the role of the devolved governments and ensures we are able to protect our vital UK internal market, worth around four times as much to Scotland as the EU's.
"All sides agree certain areas will require common frameworks - and it's therefore imperative that we don't make life more difficult for businesses and families across the UK as we manage the process of bringing new powers back from the EU.""All sides agree certain areas will require common frameworks - and it's therefore imperative that we don't make life more difficult for businesses and families across the UK as we manage the process of bringing new powers back from the EU."
The two sides have until March to reach an agreement before the Brexit bill passes through the House of Lords and becomes law.The two sides have until March to reach an agreement before the Brexit bill passes through the House of Lords and becomes law.
Passing the bill without the backing of the Scottish Parliament could be politically problematic for the prime minister, who would be accused of ignoring Scottish opinion.Passing the bill without the backing of the Scottish Parliament could be politically problematic for the prime minister, who would be accused of ignoring Scottish opinion.