Commission on Devolution in Wales

What, if any, tax powers should be transferred to Wales? What, if any, borrowing powers should be devolved to Wales?  How can the financial accountability and empowerment of the Welsh Government be improved?

These are just some of the important issues the Commission on Devolution in Wales is today urging people across Wales to get involved with and have their say on.

To assist its work on Part I of its remit, the Commission has issued a call for evidence and is inviting interested parties to submit evidence by 3 February 2012.  Further information on the call for evidence can be found on the Commission’s new website:  http://commissionondevolutioninwales.independent.gov.uk/papers/call-for-evidence/

Paul Silk, Chair said:  “From the outset, the Commission has been clear that it is important that we listen and engage with people across Wales to hear their views on the future financial powers for the National Assembly for Wales.  The call for evidence which we are issuing today is just the start of that process but nevertheless a vital one.

“At our first commission meeting, all members were united in our desire to produce proposals that would benefit the whole of Wales.  The Commission’s recommendations could affect the lives of every community across Wales and I would encourage everyone to contribute to this debate. This is a clear opportunity for the people of Wales to have their say and play a role in the way Wales is governed in the future.”

Notes

The independent Commission has been established to review the present financial and constitutional arrangements in Wales.  It will carry out its work in two parts:

Part I: financial accountability

To review the case for the devolution of fiscal powers to the National Assembly for Wales and to recommend a package of powers that would improve the financial accountability of the Assembly, which are consistent with the United Kingdom’s fiscal objectives and are likely to have a wide degree of support.

The Commission will report its findings on Part I by autumn 2012.  Part I will be completed before work on Part II begins.

Part II: powers of the National Assembly for Wales

To review the powers of the National Assembly for Wales in the light of experience and to recommend modifications to the present constitutional arrangements that would enable the United Kingdom Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales to better serve the people of Wales.

The Commission will report its findings on Part II by the end of 2013.