WALES' first minister has given his reaction after a deal between the UK and the EU was agreed.

In a written statement, Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government had not seen the text of the agreement and "clearly will need to analyse and scrutinise the detail before being able to take a considered view".

He added: "But it is already clear that this is not the sort of deal which the Welsh Government wanted: one which would have protected jobs, the economy and the rights of our citizens.

"Nevertheless, we have consistently and vigorously argued that securing a deal should be the absolute priority for both parties. At every point in the long saga since the referendum we have argued for the position which maintains the most cordial and substantial relationship with the EU, and this is no exception: faced by a binary choice of this deal or no deal, this deal, despite its very serious shortcomings, is the better outcome.

"The deal offers something to build on in future negotiations as it becomes still clearer that this current package does not provide a solid basis on which to build future economic stability.

"Nonetheless, at the end of an exhausting and destabilising process on which vast sums of taxpayers’ money and the United Kingdom’s political capital has been expended, the UK Government has settled for a deal, which is significantly worse in economic terms than almost all of the post-Brexit options for the future relationship with the EU which were open to us.

"In particular, at a time when our economy is weakened and our society is stressed by the coronavirus pandemic, it is astonishing that the UK Government has continued to prioritise illusory demonstrations of the UK’s ‘sovereignty’ over the daily wellbeing of its people – the jobs and livelihoods of citizens and the competitiveness of our businesses," Me Drakeford added.

"The result of this deal will undoubtedly be an economy that is smaller than it would have been, meaning fewer jobs, lower wages, less exports, more red tape for businesses, less cooperation with the EU on security and poorer communities and households across Wales.

"The Welsh Government has not had any meaningful involvement in developing the negotiating strategy or the negotiations themselves and our priorities on behalf of the people of Wales have been largely ignored.

"We have therefore been clear that the responsibility for the outcome which these talks have delivered rests squarely with the UK Government. We will hold them to this over the months and years to come.

"In the short term, our priority will be to continue to put all our efforts into preparing for the inevitable disruption which will occur, as a consequence of the UK Government’s political choices, after the January 1, as well as supporting businesses in responding to the implication of our new trading arrangements from January and into the future.

"We will continue to analyse the detail of the deal to understand better what it means for Wales."

Mr Drakeford said that despite "deep political disagreements" with the UK Government over the predicament into which they have cast the economy of the United Kingdom, the Welsh Government shall co-operate fully with them on the practical steps of preparing the country for the end of transition.

"We call on them to respond similarly," he said.

"We understand that the deal will be implemented on a provisional basis by the EU. In our view, this should also provide time for Parliament to scrutinise it fully rather than to push through the final implementing legislation in the last few days of the year. Nevertheless, a plenary debate will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity for members to discuss the deal and the implications for Wales."

EU ambassadors have given provisional approval for Britain’s post-Brexit trade deal to be implemented from January 1.

A spokesman for the German EU presidency said the ambassadors had unanimously agreed to “green light” the settlement hammered out on Christmas Eve.

The move paves the way for the agreement which allows for the continued tariff-free trade with the EU single market to take effect when the current Brexit transition period expires on Thursday.

Rhyl Journal:

Michael Gove has urged firms and individuals to ensure they are ready for January 1 (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)

“EU ambassadors have unanimously approved the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement as of January 1, 2021,” the spokesman for the German presidency said.

It comes as MPs in Britain were preparing to vote on the deal in a special sitting of Parliament called for Wednesday.

It is likely to pass through both Houses, with Labour ordering its MPs to vote for the “thin” treaty because the only other option is a chaotic departure without a trade deal.

The European Parliament must also formally ratify the deal in the new year – although this will now apply retrospectively.

The agreement came as ministers stepped up calls for businesses and individuals to prepare for the new procedures that will apply in just four days’ time, regardless of the agreement.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove warned time was “very short” as he acknowledged there were likely to be some “bumpy moments” as the new arrangements came into effect.

He said firms needed to be ready for new customs, while he urged UK citizens to take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover health costs and to check their mobile roaming policies to avoid charges if they were travelling to the EU.

“I think lots of businesses are ready, particularly the larger businesses, some smaller businesses will still want to do a bit more in order to be ready,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“We are there to help them and the advice that we’re giving, and also the money that we’ve invested in making sure that people can be ready for customs procedures, is designed to help.

“I’m sure there will be bumpy moments but we are there in order to try to do everything we can to smooth the path.”