Union of Welsh Independents (UWI) Churches, which represents Christians meeting in 400 chapels, has welcomed the rejection of the controversial UK Internal Market Bill by the House of Lords. Prior to the vote, the UWI had sent a letter to Welsh members of the House of Lords as they feared that implementing the Bill would have a detrimental effect on food standards, animal welfare, the economy, and the environment in Wales.
The Bill, which had already been passed by the House of Commons, transfers spending power on infrastructure, economic development, culture, sport, and support for educational and training opportunities to UK government ministers. In addition, it has been described as a “power grab” from devolved bodies, and enables UK ministers to break international law by over-riding parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
The United Reformed Church (URC) National Synod of Scotland representative to the Scottish Church Leaders’ Forum had also joined other Scottish church leaders in writing to Scottish MPs and peers in criticism of the Bill.