This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-politics-14112130
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
David Cameron says Welsh commission will look at powers | |
(40 minutes later) | |
David Cameron has said an inquiry into devolution will look at the "right level of powers" for Wales. | |
The prime minister chaired his cabinet's first meeting in Wales on Tuesday. | |
The Westminster coalition government has promised a commission into how Wales's devolved administration is funded. | |
The Welsh Government wants powers to borrow money and reform of the formula that sets its budgets. | |
First Minister Carwyn Jones has also proposed devolving control of some taxes. | |
But his Welsh Labour administration, which receives an annual grant from the Treasury of roughly £15bn, does not want powers over income tax. It is braced for a real-terms cut in its capital budget of 40% over the next four years. | |
'Embed devolution' | |
Mr Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg met Mr Jones in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday morning. | |
The Welsh Government used the meeting to call for a clear timetable on setting up the commission. Both sides accepted the need to move forward. | |
The cabinet met at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant where Mr Cameron denied that the UK government was dragging its feet on an announcement about the commission. | |
He said: "I'm determined that devolution will work and work well for Wales and we will be setting up a commission to look at how we can make sure we embed devolution and make sure we have the right level of powers here in Wales. | |
"But also, it's important we get the Welsh economy growing. We're seeing job creation in Wales, business creation in Wales and I want to make sure that the whole cabinet is here to hear about that and see what we can do to help." | |
He added: "I think it's important to get the cabinet out from Whitehall and Westminster and into the regions and nations of the United Kingdom and that's why we're here in Wales today. | |
"It's absolutely right that we're here in the place that we are going to be printing the gold medals for the Olympics, which is not just a London event but it's a UK-wide event." | |
Mr Jones, who last week met Chancellor George Osborne, has said he wants "consensus" between his administration and the UK government on the issue. | Mr Jones, who last week met Chancellor George Osborne, has said he wants "consensus" between his administration and the UK government on the issue. |
Critics argue the Barnett formula, which sets the budgets of the devolved administrations, does not meet Wales's needs. | Critics argue the Barnett formula, which sets the budgets of the devolved administrations, does not meet Wales's needs. |
An independent inquiry established by the previous Welsh assembly government warned in 2009 that the formula risked depriving Wales of £8.5bn over a decade. | An independent inquiry established by the previous Welsh assembly government warned in 2009 that the formula risked depriving Wales of £8.5bn over a decade. |
Plaid Cymru said details of the UK government commission were overdue. | Plaid Cymru said details of the UK government commission were overdue. |
Plaid AM Lindsay Whittle said: "The UK government announcement has been long awaited and the future for Wales's funding arrangements has to be sorted out as a matter of urgency. | Plaid AM Lindsay Whittle said: "The UK government announcement has been long awaited and the future for Wales's funding arrangements has to be sorted out as a matter of urgency. |
"The under funding of Wales is a severe problem which is affecting Welsh communities today and it is high time full details of the UK government's commission were released." | |
It is the first time the UK government cabinet has met in Wales since Gordon Brown chaired a meeting in Cardiff in July 2009. | |
The prime minister will address assembly members later. |