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Queen's Speech promises more power devolution for Wales Queen's Speech promises more power devolution for Wales
(35 minutes later)
Plans to offer wide-ranging new powers to Wales have been announced in the Queen's Speech outlining the new Conservative government's priorities.Plans to offer wide-ranging new powers to Wales have been announced in the Queen's Speech outlining the new Conservative government's priorities.
More control over energy, transport and elections will be offered to the assembly, as outlined by Prime Minister David Cameron in February.More control over energy, transport and elections will be offered to the assembly, as outlined by Prime Minister David Cameron in February.
The Queen said it was intended as part of a "strong and lasting constitutional settlement" across the UK.The Queen said it was intended as part of a "strong and lasting constitutional settlement" across the UK.
A bill to allow an "in-out" referendum on UK EU membership was also announced. Opposition parties have criticised the delay and limited scope of the powers.
Beforehand, Mr Cameron said it was a Queen's Speech "that will bring our country together". Mr Cameron said the 26-bill package was a "programme for working people" that would create full employment and "bring our country together".
He said his "one nation government" would offer "a clear vision for what our country can be - a country of security and opportunity for everyone, at every stage of life". A bill to allow an "in-out" referendum on UK EU membership was included.
Main new powers However, the prime minister has delayed plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, in order to avoid a potential confrontation with his own backbenchers.
'Accountability'
Speaking earlier, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said: "No one should underestimate our commitment to see a stronger and more coherent devolution settlement that will stand the test of time for Wales.Speaking earlier, Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said: "No one should underestimate our commitment to see a stronger and more coherent devolution settlement that will stand the test of time for Wales.
"With more accountability and more decisions taken in Wales, we can support economic growth and help people across the whole country benefit from the economic recovery.""With more accountability and more decisions taken in Wales, we can support economic growth and help people across the whole country benefit from the economic recovery."
A draft version of the new Wales Bill is to be published by the autumn, for consultation ahead of final legislation in 2016.A draft version of the new Wales Bill is to be published by the autumn, for consultation ahead of final legislation in 2016.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said he was "pleased to see a Wales Bill proposed" and "pleased to know that it'll be presented in the autumn". 'Toothless package'
Labour First Minister Carwyn Jones said he was "pleased to see a Wales Bill proposed" and "pleased to know that it'll be presented in the autumn".
"Beyond that, of course, it's not the most substantial Queen's Speech of all," he said."Beyond that, of course, it's not the most substantial Queen's Speech of all," he said.
Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader Jonathan Edwards denounced the Wales Bill as a "toothless package of powers" that reflected "tinkering around the edges" of devolution rather than a "meaningful deal".
"There is no reason whatsoever why Wales should not be offered the same powers as those included in the Scotland Bill. We are not a second class nation."
Reacting for the Liberal Democrats, Ceredigion MP Mark Williams welcomed the proposed bill as a "positive step for devolution in Wales".Reacting for the Liberal Democrats, Ceredigion MP Mark Williams welcomed the proposed bill as a "positive step for devolution in Wales".
But he urged the government not to "dither", saying the Tories appeared to have broken Chancellor George Osborne's promise to deliver the bill within a hundred days of the election.But he urged the government not to "dither", saying the Tories appeared to have broken Chancellor George Osborne's promise to deliver the bill within a hundred days of the election.
"The Liberal Democrats ensured devolution moved faster than it had done in any time over the previous decade - the new UK Tory Government can't allow that momentum to be lost," he said."The Liberal Democrats ensured devolution moved faster than it had done in any time over the previous decade - the new UK Tory Government can't allow that momentum to be lost," he said.
The assembly's presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler welcomed the bill, but hoped that a move to a reserved powers model would "not reduce our ability to legislate in any way and offers us a settlement that lets us legislate with clarity and coherence for the good of Wales".The assembly's presiding officer Dame Rosemary Butler welcomed the bill, but hoped that a move to a reserved powers model would "not reduce our ability to legislate in any way and offers us a settlement that lets us legislate with clarity and coherence for the good of Wales".
Analysis by David Cornock, BBC Wales Parliamentary correspondentAnalysis by David Cornock, BBC Wales Parliamentary correspondent
Scotland and Wales may have featured in the same sentence in the Queen's Speech but the two countries are being offered rather different devolution - at different speeds.Scotland and Wales may have featured in the same sentence in the Queen's Speech but the two countries are being offered rather different devolution - at different speeds.
The Scotland Bill is expected to be published on Thursday, with a statement to MPs on the transfer of taxation and welfare powers. The Wales Bill is expected - in draft form - in the autumn with "the real legislation" to be debated next year.The Scotland Bill is expected to be published on Thursday, with a statement to MPs on the transfer of taxation and welfare powers. The Wales Bill is expected - in draft form - in the autumn with "the real legislation" to be debated next year.
The change to a "reserved powers" model means effectively re-writing the devolution settlement, and ministers say they'll take their time to get it right even if they miss the "100 days" target set by Chancellor George Osborne.The change to a "reserved powers" model means effectively re-writing the devolution settlement, and ministers say they'll take their time to get it right even if they miss the "100 days" target set by Chancellor George Osborne.
The other key question is "fair funding" - the UK government says the details of its pledge on this will come alongside the next spending review.The other key question is "fair funding" - the UK government says the details of its pledge on this will come alongside the next spending review.