First Minister to press Prime Minister on powers, rail money and child payment at Glasgow economic council

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth will use today's National Economic Council in Glasgow to challenge Prime Minister Andy Burnham "not to bypass the Senedd and not to treat Wales as a region of England", the Welsh Government said. Mr ap Iorwerth will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday 30 October.

What he will ask for

The First Minister will press for parity of powers with Scotland through a new Wales Bill, a fairer funding settlement and a new Growth Partnership between the Welsh and UK governments. He will also call for the UK Government to deliver without delay on the £14bn rail funding commitment it has already made to Wales. He says the case for devolving justice and policing is "particularly compelling and urgent" and that he will focus on it in his talks.

The child payment pilot

Wales also wants the UK Government to move quickly so its weekly child payment pilot, aimed at the poorest families, can go ahead with no tax detriment. Mr ap Iorwerth said the Secretary of State for Wales had said this week that discussions were progressing, and that he expected "tangible action" to be pledged in Glasgow.

What he said

"This is the Prime Minister's opportunity to prove his commitment to a respect agenda that works both ways," Mr ap Iorwerth said. "That means pledging not to bypass the Senedd, and not to treat Wales effectively as a region of England." The statement was issued before the meeting. The UK Government has not yet responded, and the outcome of the talks is not yet known.