New financial powers for Wales
The Prime Minister confirms further devolution for Wales, including borrowing powers & referendum on income tax.
The Prime Minister confirms further devolution for Wales, including borrowing powers & referendum on income tax.
Sources have been suggesting that a draft Wales Bill to usher in the tax and borrowing powers announced by the Prime Minister last week could contain a 'sunset clause' which would set a deadline for holding a referendum on transferring the power to vary income tax.
The Conservatives, Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats are all keen to see such a referendum held within the next few years, but senior Labour figures such as the First Minister, Finance Minister and Shadow Welsh Secretary have refused to back a vote without the promise of fair funding.
The Silk Commission report said 2017 was the 'earliest' date for holding a referendum but it's now being touted as a likely one. A sunset clause would mean that Assembly politicians would have to agree to trigger a vote by whatever deadline was set or lose the right to do so altogether.
An Uber-Style transport app for NHS patients in the South Wales Valleys is being piloted by the Welsh Government.
The report found distress suffered by children and young people could be reduced or even avoided if they had access to support early on.
Not a bad day with plenty of sunshine, although there's always the chance of a blustery shower!