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The Welsh and Scottish governments have called Theresa May's plan for the UK's departure from the EU not "consistent with the national interest".

They issued a statement urging the prime minister to pledge to stay in the EU's single market and customs union.

Ministers from Cardiff and Edinburgh join the UK and Irish governments later for a British Irish Council meeting.

The UK government said it was committed to maintaining a good working relationship with the Welsh Government.

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Brexit Minister Michael Russell says the devolution settlement has been "altered, changed utterly" without the input of this parliament.

Lib Dem Mike Rumbles suggests the only party threatening devolution is the SNP.

Mr Russell says the "constitional crisis" facing the UK at the moment cannot be resolve under the existing devolution settlement.

Devolution must be "remade or replaced", he insists.

This government has done its best to avoid this situation, the minister tells the chamber, pointing to various negotiation discussions.

The Scottish parliament's competence should not be altered without its consent, he states.

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The SNP's new deputy leader has left his role as Scottish economy secretary as Nicola Sturgeon begins a reshuffle of her cabinet.

Ms Sturgeon said Keith Brown was leaving the government to focus on putting the party on a "campaign footing".

He previously told the Sunday Post that being deputy leader would not affect his ability to serve in the cabinet, external.

The first minister will announce further changes to her top team later.

Mr Brown said he wanted to "give his all" to the deputy leadership role that he won earlier this month, with Ms Sturgeon saying he would prepare the SNP for a possible snap general election and the next Holyrood election - and "develop the case for independence".

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Last wek ichael Russell said the Scottish government no longer trusted UK ministers after they pushed through the Brexit bill last week.

He was speaking as Nicola Sturgeon held talks in Guernsey with UK Cabinet Minister David Lidington.

Both said they wanted to rebuild their relationship and move forward.

Relations between the Scottish and UK governments are said to be at their lowest ever level after the Commons last week spent less than 20 minutes debating the EU Withdrawal Bill's impact on devolution, despite the Scottish Parliament voting to withhold consent.

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The Scottish government will now lead a debate entilted 'Defending the Powers of the Scottish Parliament'.

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott asks why the first minister is not here today, is it because she is more concerned about the reshuffle than Scotland's schools.

Mr Scott says the education secretary is ditching the Education Bill but is holding it like a sword of Damocles over councils.

Is that collaborative, he asks?

The first minister can't be in two places at one time, explains Mr Swinney.

The education secretary reiterates he has taken part in dialogue with external parties which has informed the statement today.

He insists he must reserve the right to legislate if the collaboration with local authorities.

Green MSP Ross Greer says the proposals have been rejected by teachers, councils and education experts.

The £10m for regional collaborative could have been better invested elsewhere, he argues.

Mr Greer suggests the "number one issue" facing schools is staff shortages due to budget cuts.

I can make more progress with our schools through a non-legislative route, Mr Swinney insists.

He says he has made a number of investment announcements and the effect of other funding pots is being seen in schools already, he adds.

Labour MSP Iain Gray begins: "Well what a shambles indeed."

Mr Gray says: "At the eleventh hour his flagship legislation has sailed off into the sunset."

He says this is a "last minute cobbled together agreement".

"The only thing being fastracked here is the mother of all minsterial climb downs," Mr Gray insists.

He calls for the minster to accept the Education Bill is dead and reverse cuts to the education budget.

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Mr Swinney argues all the local authorties agreed to the contents of the Education Bill in May.

He says adopting the collaborative approach will speed up improvement will return to parliament if the collaborative approach with local authorities does not work

The minister points out the education budget last year rose by 3.2% and by 3.8% in the current financial year.

Tory MSP Liz Smith says she is "astonished" by this statement.

"I have only one question: is the cabinet secretary not embarrassed by this complete shambles of a U-turn?"

"No," responds Mr Swinney.

The policy intent of the government remains in tact but faster empowerment of schools can happen via a non-legislative route, he states.

Mr Swinney argues he has been persuaded to pursue a collaborative approach rather than legislating.

This will lead to achieving more at a swifter place, he explains.

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The education secretary says guidance on empowerment and the charter can be developed more quickly this way than by using legislation.

He says if sufficient progress is not made he will return to the Bill.

Mr Swinney announces:

• £46m to support the improvement agenda
• a further £4m over three years to ensure head teachers can access high quality learning
• £10m to enhance regional capcity to support schools
• funding of £8m for the remainder of this year and £12m for the remaining two years through PEF and other measures to assist looked after children

Today I am fast-tracking the reform of Scottish education, Mr Swinney states.

An agreement between the Scottish government and councils has been reached on school empowerment without the need to wait for an Education Bill, he tells the chamber.

The education secretary confirms that while he has published a draft Education Bill today, this will not be introduced the parliament at this time.

Instead of waiting for the passage of legislation, we have an opportunity to reform schools more quickly through investment in consensus building and collaboration he insists.

Mr Swinney says the interim evaluation of the attainment fund showed improvments and head teachers expect further improvements.

The education secretary explains: "We must raise the bar and close the gap for all."

He argues improvements have been achived by creative collaborative work between the government and local authorities.

The education secretary says the government consulted on the forthcoming Education Bill to create a culture of empowerment.

He highlights that many people were not convinced about the detail of the headteachers charter.

Education Secretary John Swinney says the education system is already delivering improving results, pointing to the increasing number of Higher passes.

International evidence indicates better outcomes when decisions are made closer to those impacted, he insists.

Our reforms put teachers and schools in the driving seat, he states.

Mr Swinney says the Scottish Attainment Fund and Pupil Equity Funding is already empowering teachers.