Future Welsh income tax?

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury has repeated his commitment to giving the Welsh Government powers to borrow money for major construction projects. Danny Alexander made his comments as he met Paul Silk, who's report recommended both borrowing and tax-raising powers should be transferred to Wales.

While the Treasury will need to consider this report very carefully, as I said in October I am committed to giving Wales new borrowing powers provided the Welsh Government takes financial responsibility through revenue raising powers. I think that the level of ambition in the Silk Commission recommendations is a very encouraging sign.

• Politics
• Danny Alexander MP
• Treasury

The Welsh Government should be given the right to set income tax rates here in Wales. That's one of the main recommendations of an official report into how we pay for devolution. It would mean more power -and responsibility- for ministers here, as our political editor Adrian Masters explains

• Politics
• Silk Commission
• Welsh Government

First Minister Carwyn Jones told me that he welcomes the Silk Report but remains unconvinced about the need for the transfer of income tax powers to Wales. He told me that 'We're not seeking the devolution of power over income tax' and says fairer funding is a bigger priority.

You can see his answers in the video below:

• Politics
• Welsh Government
• Carwyn Jones AM

Welcoming the Silk Commission's report, Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith said:

In assessing those recommendations, we will need to test not only whether the proposals are in the financial interest of the Welsh people but also whether they pass the test of enabling an equitable and sustainable financial settlement for the whole of the UK.

And where those changes represent a significant departure from the current devolution settlement, for example on income tax powers, the Commission is right to conclude that such changes ought to be subject to a referendum.

• Politics
• Owen Smith MP
• Silk Commission

Welsh Secretary David Jones has welcomed the publication of the Silk Commission's report calling it 'an important report.' As you can see in the video below he told me the UK Government will make a 'very serious assessment' of its 33 recommendations.

• Politics
• David Jones MP
• Secretary of State for Wales

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams has welcomed the Silk Report as the 'latest step in our long campaign for a federal UK.' She said:

The Welsh Liberal Democrats’ vision for devolution has always included ensuring the National Assembly has the best range of powers available to improve the lives of the people of Wales. The idea that the National Assembly can make laws and spend money, but can't control how much tax is collected has always been an anomaly.

We believe that gaining powers over taxes will make the Welsh government more accountable to the people of Wales and will encourage the government to pursue better polices for growth.

“t is now essential that the UK and Welsh governments work quickly and cooperatively to explore ways to implement the Silk Commission’s significant recommendations. A new Wales bill in the this Parliamentary term is crucial for the implementation of Silk’s recommendations.

We have been arguing for greater devolution for over a century. This is the latest step in our long campaign for a federal UK. It will strengthen Wales and help make a real difference to the lives of people across the country.

• Politics
• Silk Commission
• Welsh Government

The Welsh Conservatives say that, whatever the Silk Commission recommends later, it should make the Welsh Government more accountable. The party's Shadow Finance Minister Paul Davies said:

We look forward to the Silk Commission’s recommendations to make the Welsh Government more accountable for the money it spends. We hope that their package of proposed reforms will finally end the Welsh Government’s excuses culture and deliver fully accountable democratic governance in Wales.

• Politics
• Silk Commission
• Welsh Government