No talks on devolving Welsh Crown Estate – UK minister

In Scotland surplus money raised from the Crown Estate stays in the country, with the estate’s assets managed by a body responsible to the Scottish government.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones told Plaid Ynys Môn MP Llinos Medi: “The UK government has had no discussions with the Welsh government on devolving the Crown Estate.”

Seabed owned by the estate is being used to help build new windfarms.

Jones said setting up a “new entity” would complicate existing processes, warning it could delay offshore wind developments.

Referencing the written answer in the Senedd on Tuesday, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “Either she is not trying, is not trying hard enough, or her Labour Party colleagues are blocking it.”

Morgan told him: “I can assure you they [the talks] are taking place. Perhaps Darren Jones has not been involved with them but I can assure you that other ministers have been involved with them.

“The finance secretary [Mark Drakeford] has had discussions very recently,” she said. “I brought it up with the chancellor.”

Ap Iorwerth said “bringing things up” is “not discussing with UK government”.

After the exchange the Plaid Cymru leader said: “Having control over Wales’ natural resources could mean thousands of new jobs and profits from renewable energy projects being reinvested in a way that benefits Welsh communities – as is the case in Scotland.

“The first minister is hiding behind the devolution settlement rather than standing up for Wales.”