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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. |
Decisions on some major energy projects including fracking will be handed to the assembly, along with taxi and bus regulation, and the voting age. | |
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. |
Opposition parties have criticised the delay and limited scope of the powers. | Opposition parties have criticised the delay and limited scope of the powers. |
Prime Minister David Cameron said the 26-bill package was a "programme for working people" that would create full employment and "bring our country together". | |
A bill to allow an "in-out" referendum on UK EU membership was included. | A bill to allow an "in-out" referendum on UK EU membership was included. |
However, the prime minister has delayed plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, in order to avoid a potential confrontation with his own backbenchers. | However, the prime minister has delayed plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, in order to avoid a potential confrontation with his own backbenchers. |
Power pledge | |
The proposals for further devolution for Wales - covering energy, transport and the running of elections - reflect the plans outlined by Mr Cameron in the St David's Day announcement. | |
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. |
'Toothless package' | '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". | 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". | 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." | "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 correspondent | Analysis 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. |