Welsh Devolution

• Wales Act 1998

  Powers given:

  Health

  Education

  Public transport

  Agriculture

  No financial powers, relies on annual grant from UK.
• Wales Act 2014

  £3 billion per annum.

  Control over business taxes, stamp duty, landfill tax.

  Ability to borrow for major projects.
• Welsh voting system

  AMS.

  Encourages consensual rule and prevents one party dominance.

  Labour wanted FPTP but settled on AMS.
• Differences to Scotland

  Plaid Cymru don't dominate like the SNP.

  Less powers given.

  Less support for devolution.
• Policy divergence from UK

  No school league tables.

  Free prescriptions under 25's.

  Free school milk for under 7's.

  More free home care for elderly.
• Success

  Gradual growth and support for Welsh Assembly.

  More powers given over time.

  More left wing nation, more left wing politics.
• Failures

  Lower turnout, consistently below 50%.

  Lack of understanding of powers.