The Brexit trade deal with Europe has today been described as ‘thin and disappointing’ by Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford, as Plaid Cymru vows to vote against it.

Mr Drakeford said that the deal will make European markets more expensive after 31 December.

Speaking as the Senedd and Westminster is recalled today (Wednesday) to debate the “most important treaty” the UK will sign in 50 years, the First Minister said the impact of Brexit would be felt in the pockets of every person.

And he accused the UK Government of “cultural vandalism” by denying young people in Wales access to the Erasmus programme, which he said Wales has done so much to shape and foster.

Mr Drakeford said: “Businesses already know that the treaty will make trade with our largest and most important market more expensive and more difficult.

“The failure to include access to the Single Market for UK services, means businesses will have to rely on 27 different sets of national rules to trade across the EU, where they have one today.

“For our citizens, it means queues at airports, visas for longer visits, more expensive mobile phone calls and fewer people from the EU able to work in our health and social care system, looking after people in need of help.

“For our young people, it means the cultural vandalism of cutting them off from the Erasmus plus programme, which people from Wales have done so much to shape and foster. It also denies them a future in which they can freely live and work across the entire European continent.”

The Senedd will today debate the trade deal agreed between the UK and EU and the UK Government’s Future Relationship Bill at the same time as it is debated in the Houses of Parliament.

Counsel General and Minister for European Transition, Jeremy Miles said: “This is not the deal the Welsh Government called for or would have negotiated. But it is better than the catastrophe of a no-deal and gives us a platform on which better arrangements can be negotiated in the future.

“The Welsh Government will continue to work with all partners, businesses, communities and people across Wales to prepare for and help navigate the end of the transition period and the new relationship with the EU.”

Plaid Cymru Westminster group leader and MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts MP said of the proposed deal: “This deal will pass, with any vote reduced to a shabby rubber-stamping exercise that makes a mockery of parliamentary democracy and sovereignty.

“Under these circumstances, Plaid Cymru will vote with our conscience. We have always opposed leaving without a deal, but there is no question that this is a bad deal for Wales. Within days, businesses will face significant new barriers to trade when our economy is already in crisis because of Covid-19.

“Farmers who sell their lamb to the EU will now face complex new paperwork and checks. Manufacturers, deeply intertwined with EU supply chains, will face growing costs and administrative barriers. People were promised that leaving the EU would cut red tape, but the Tories have instead opted to create even more.

“This deal will lock out our young people from opportunities granted as a right to other young Europeans. Instead of Erasmus, young people are promised another half-baked pie in the sky. Politicians who benefited the most from free movement are depriving younger generations of the same opportunities.

“That is a historically destructive decision that we must oppose. It is important that we register our concerns about this deal, so that at the very least, future generations will know that such a bad deal did not progress through Parliament unopposed.

“On Wednesday, Plaid Cymru will stand up for the interests of Wales and vote against this bad deal.”