This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43144393

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
No agreement after latest Brexit talks No agreement after latest Brexit talks
(35 minutes later)
Talks between the UK and Scottish governments over Brexit have again broken up without agreement.Talks between the UK and Scottish governments over Brexit have again broken up without agreement.
The talks were centred on whether powers go to Westminster or Holyrood from Brussels after the UK leaves the EU.The talks were centred on whether powers go to Westminster or Holyrood from Brussels after the UK leaves the EU.
Both sides agreed progress had been made, but no deal was agreed.Both sides agreed progress had been made, but no deal was agreed.
It is thought the prime minister and first minister may now need to become directly involved to move the process forward.It is thought the prime minister and first minister may now need to become directly involved to move the process forward.
UK government sources had said ahead of the meeting in London that they hoped a breakthrough was close.UK government sources had said ahead of the meeting in London that they hoped a breakthrough was close.
Further talks have been planned for next week.
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 new 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 new proposals to Scottish government officials that would mean the "vast majority of powers will automatically flow from the EU to the devolved administrations".
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell welcomed the movement - but said "we are not there yet" in reaching an agreement. Speaking after the meeting, Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell said: "The absolutely fundamental point is that the devolution settlement and the powers of the Scottish Parliament cannot be changed unilaterally by the UK government.
Speaking to the Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: "There has been movement and I want to pay tribute to everybody involved in that on both sides. "What happens to devolved powers must be a matter for Holyrood and the UK government must recognise that.
"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." "Progress is being made and we will continue to talk. I will continue to fight for the best deal for Scotland."
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.
Speaking at First Minister's Questions, Nicola Sturgeon said the proposals would "effectively give the UK government powers of imposition, or powers of veto" in matters that were devolved to Holyrood.Speaking at First Minister's Questions, Nicola Sturgeon said the proposals would "effectively give the UK government powers of imposition, or powers of veto" in matters that were devolved to Holyrood.
And she said "no Scottish government worth its salt" would accept anything that did not fully protect the devolution settlement.And she said "no Scottish government worth its salt" would accept anything that did not fully protect the devolution settlement.
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 met senior figures from the devolved administrations - including Mr Russell - in London to discuss the proposals.UK Brexit Secretary David Davis met senior figures from the devolved administrations - including Mr Russell - in London to discuss the proposals.
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."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. His comments were echoed by Scottish Secretary David Mundell, who said the talks were "making progress" but that "we are not there yet".
"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. He added: "These are complex negotiations but I think the UK government has demonstrated, by bringing forward the draft of an amendment, that we are demonstrating flexibility and we are addressing concerns that both the Scottish government and the Scottish Parliament have raised."
"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.