The meeting was attended by David Gauke, chief secretary to the Treasury, Scottish finance secretary Derek Mackay. The Welsh government’s finance secretary Mark Drakeford and Stormont finance minister Máirtín Ó Muilleoir.

The finance ministers from the devolved administrations voiced their disappointment at the UK government’s lack of assurances that there will be meaningful engagement over the approach it proposes to take on Brexit, and said the lack of clarity presented significant economic and public finance challenges.

Mackay said: ‘I asked again that the UK government give serious consideration to the proposals the Scottish government has put forward in response to the outcome of the EU referendum and responds constructively, in the interests of the people of Scotland.  

‘We have been clear, keeping Scotland in the European single market is absolutely essential for Scottish jobs, investment and long-term economic wellbeing.’

Stormont finance minister Ó Muilleoir said: ‘I have previously been on record saying that there is a lack of understanding of the calamitous effects that Brexit would have on our local economy and there has been no appreciation of the need for a special status for the north within the EU. Nothing I have heard today changes that.’

For Wales, Drakeford said a hard Brexit would be ‘highly damaging’ to the Welsh and UK economy, and said there needed to be a clear signal from the UK government that the views of the devolved administrations are taken into account.

‘That is why we have repeatedly called for full and unfettered access to the single market in our negotiations with the UK government.  Our economy is closely integrated into the single market and our success in attracting foreign investment owes much to this access,’ he said.