The First Minister and the leader of Plaid Cymru have together put forward an alternative plan for Brexit for Wales.

The White Paper, published jointly today by Carwyn Jones and Leanne Wood, is 'a comprehensive, credible plan based on solid evidence that centres on Wales’s priorities.'

The Welsh Government says 'the White Paper will set-out what Wales wants from the Brexit negotiations, while also providing a blueprint for a comprehensive and realistic negotiating position for the whole of the UK.'

The leaders' plans include:

  • Continued 'participation' in the single market
  • A 'sensible' approach to immigration with 'more effective control' and 'a clearer link' to employment in the UK
  • EU citizens already here should be allowed to stay
  • Wales should 'not lose a penny of its current funding as a result of leaving the EU'

First Minister, Carwyn Jones said: “The White Paper provides a comprehensive and credible plan for the negotiations with our partners in Europe on the UK’s exit from the European Union, based on solid evidence. It places Wales’ priorities centre stage, but is designed to work for the UK as a whole. And it is based on dialogue and agreement between ourselves and Plaid Cymru, ensuring it will command strong support in the Assembly.

“It balances the message which the Welsh people gave us that we should leave the European Union with the economic reality that makes participation in the single market so important for the future prosperity of Wales, and indeed the UK as a whole.

“The decision is made that the UK will leave the European Union. The challenge we all face now is ensuring that we secure the best possible deal for Wales and the UK. Together, the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, intend to rise to that challenge”

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood said: "In engaging with this process, Plaid Cymru has prioritised the Welsh economy. We have done this because two thirds of all of our exports go to the European Single Market.

"How we withdraw from the European Union is too important to be left to one party to decide. The consequences following on from the terms under which we leave, what ever they end up being, stand to be far-reaching and long-standing.

"Plaid Cymru has worked constructively with the Welsh Government to write the White Paper and in doing so we have strengthened the Welsh negotiation position.

"I now would urge the UK Government to take these proposals seriously."

The full White Paper can be read here.