The government published a Bill giving the Welsh Assembly more powers. After the Assembly elections in 2007, the Assembly would be able to acquire enhanced legislative powers within subject matters approved by Parliament. The Bill also held out the prospect of full law-making powers in the future, subject to a referendum.
Source: Government of Wales Bill, Wales Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Text of Bill | Explanatory notes | HOC Library research paper | Wales Office press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Dec
A think-tank report examined the 'profound implications' of devolution, and differentiated policy-making, for public services. England had increased its expenditure on health and education at a faster rate than the rest of the United Kingdom since devolution.
Source: John Adams and Katie Schmuecker (eds.), Devolution in Practice 2006: Public policy differences within the UK, Institute for Public Policy Research, available from Central Books (0845 458 9911)
Links: Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Dec
A report by a committee of MPs welcomed plans for a Bill to clarify the devolution settlement for Wales.
Source: Government White Paper: Better Governance for Wales, First Report (Session 2005-06), HC 551, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2005-Dec
An article examined the role of business interests within the devolved political and governmental arrangements introduced by New Labour. It focused on the involvement of business in shaping post-16 education and training policy in Wales.
Source: Nick Phelps, Dave Valler and Andy Wood, 'Stealing the skills agenda? Devolution, business and post-16 education and training in Wales', Policy & Politics, Volume 33 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Oct
A paper said that the White Paper 'Better Governance for Wales' offered the prospect of addressing the flaws in the existing devolution arrangements, by offering a step-by-step enhancement of the powers of the National Assembly for Wales.
Source: Alan Trench, Better Governance for Wales: An analysis of the White Paper on devolution for Wales, Constitution Unit/University of London, available from Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Paper (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
The Wales Office published its annual report for 2004-05.
Source: Annual Report 2005, Cm 6545, Wales Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jul
A new book explored the future of devolution, by examining how it had altered politics in the parts of the United Kingdom that experienced it, and also in the UK as a whole.
Source: Alan Trench (ed.), The Dynamics of Devolution: The state of the nations 2005, Constitution Unit/University of London, available from Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jul
The government published a White Paper proposing changes to the Government of Wales Act 1998, including the creation of a new executive structure for the Welsh Assembly, and giving the Assembly enhanced legislative powers.
Source: Better Governance for Wales, Cm 6582, Wales Office, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: White Paper (pdf) | Wales Office press release | WAG press release | Hansard | Electoral Commission press release | ERS press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Jun
The government announced plans (in the Queen's speech) for a Government of Wales Amendment Bill. The Bill would separate the legislative and executive arms of the National Assembly for Wales, and redistribute powers between the two arms. It would also introduce enhanced legislative powers for the Assembly.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Debate 17 May 2005, columns 29-31, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2005-May
A new book provided the first systematic study of law-making by the three devolved United Kingdom legislatures.
Source: Robert Hazell and Richard Rawlings (eds.), Devolution, Law Making and the Constitution, Imprint Academic (01392 841600)
Links: Summary
Date: 2005-May
A research report said that 'significantly different' approaches to key public policy issues had emerged in Scotland and Wales since devolution, as the new administrations had rejected consumer choice and diversity in favour of professionalism and uniformity.
Source: Michael Keating, Linda Stevenson and John Loughlin, Devolution and Public Policy: Divergence or Convergence?, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release
Date: 2005-Mar
A report said that England was largely 'invisible' to Whitehall civil servants, despite the big changes that had been brought about by devolution. But its concerns might become more important if parts of England became more vociferous in their demand for changes to the central funding formula for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Source: James Mitchell with Robert Hazell, Roger Masterman and John Rhodes, Devolution and the Centre, Economic and Social Research Council (01793 413000)
Links: ESRC press release
Date: 2005-Feb
