Máirtín Ó Muilleoir has said he is committed to working with his counterparts in Scotland and Wales to deliver prosperity and opportunity.
The Minister was speaking after meetings with Derek MacKay MSP in Edinburgh and Mark Drakeford AM in Cardiff.
Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said: “Upon my appointment last month I sought early engagement with the Scottish and Welsh Finance Ministers. I can see great potential from us cooperating on areas of common concern and learning from our respective experiences.
“I have had extremely positive meetings with Derek MacKay and Mark Drakeford. Together we represent some 10million people and I believe that we are stronger when talking with one voice in challenging the Westminster Government. I am pleased that both Ministers have agreed to continue the momentum with an early trilateral.
“I am encouraged that we have similar positions on some of the key issues facing our administrations. In particular, we are resolute in our determination to challenge the austerity agenda imposed by Westminster.”
Turning to the issue of Corporation Tax, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said “As I work towards a local rate of Corporation Tax, I listened with interest to Scotland’s progress in taking control of Income Tax and Air Passenger Duty. I want to fully enable my colleagues in the Executive and in the Assembly to make decisions in the interest of our society and I hope that we can make further progress on transferring Fiscal Powers.”
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “Devolved Administrations share the concern about prolonged austerity. We will seek clarity on outstanding budget issues and offer more progressive policies as an alternative to the current approach.”
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Mark Drakeford said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Máirtín to Wales at a time of significant change in the devolution process. As Wales gains control of new fiscal powers, it is important to see where we can learn from and collaborate with colleagues in the devolved administrations. This was also the first opportunity we’ve had to meet since the Chancellor’s Budget in March, so plenty to discuss in terms of how we can work together, speaking with one voice, in our talks with Westminster."
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