The Welsh Government published its programme for the period 2011-2016. It included commitments to: establish a Welsh jobs fund; increase access to family doctor services; fund 500 new community support officers; increase frontline spending in schools; release more public land for affordable housing; and publish an anti-poverty action plan (by 2012).
Source: Programme for Government, Welsh Government
Links: Programme | Annex | Welsh Government press release | CHC press release | Plaid Cymru press release | BBC report (1) | BBC report (2) | Inside Housing report | Public Finance report
Date: 2011-Sep
The Welsh Assembly Government set out its legislative priorities for the following five years. New Bills would: make local authorities collaborate more closely when delivering services; tackle the problem of underperforming schools; provide for the first time a coherent Welsh legal framework for the provision of social services; address homelessness, and improve standards and tenants' rights in the private rented sector; and make the planning system more transparent and accessible.
Source: Press release 12 July 2011, Welsh Assembly Government
Links: WAG press release | BBC report | Guardian report | Inside Housing report
Date: 2011-Jul
The Wales Office published its annual report for 2010-11.
Source: Annual Report 2010-11, Cm 8107, Wales Office, TSO
Links: Report | Report (Welsh) | Wales Office press release
Date: 2011-Jul
An article examined the impact of devolution on European Union policy-making. The relationship between devolution and institutionalized regional involvement was positive overall, but non-linear.
Source: Michael Tatham, 'Devolution and EU policy-shaping: bridging the gap between multi-level governance and liberal intergovernmentalism', European Political Science Review, Volume 3 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Mar
A referendum in Wales endorsed proposals for the Welsh Assembly to be given direct legislative powers. The Assembly would be able to pass legislation on matters within 'devolved' policy areas without the need to obtain the consent of the United Kingdom parliament.
Source: BBC report, 4 March 2011
Links: BBC report | NAW research note | HOC research note | NAW press release | Hansard | Plaid Cymru press release | WLGA press release | Wales Office press release | Guardian report | Public Finance report | Telegraph report
Date: 2011-Mar
A new book examined the record of the Welsh Assembly during the first 10 years of its existence.
Source: Martin Shipton, Poor Man's Parliament: Ten years of the Welsh Assembly, Seren Books
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Feb
A report by a committee of the National Assembly for Wales called for an additional layer of scrutiny in order to improve the standard of legislation going through the National Assembly for Wales. The Welsh Government should publish papers setting out policy proposals in detail in advance of proposed Measures, similar to the White Paper stage at Westminster.
Source: Inquiry into the Drafting of Welsh Government Measures: Lessons from the first three years, Constitutional Affairs Committee, National Assembly for Wales
Links: Report | NAW press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A report said that further devolution of powers to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland seemed 'inevitable'.
Source: Arthur Aughey, Eberhard Bort, and John Osmond, Unique Paths to Devolution: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Institute of Welsh Affairs
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Feb
A research briefing examined the legislative powers gained by the National Assembly of Wales since 2007.
Source: Owain Roberts and Sian Nicholson, Summary of the Legislative Powers Gained by the National Assembly Since 2007, Research Paper 11/009, Welsh Assembly Government
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Feb
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on the implications for Wales of its proposals on constitutional reform. It said that Wales was 'significantly overrepresented' in Parliament, and confirmed plans to cut the number of MPs from Wales.
Source: The Implications for Wales of the Government's Proposals on Constitutional Reform: Government Response to the Committee's First Report, Fourth Special Report (Session 2010-11), HC 729, House of Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, TSO
Links: Response | BBC report
Notes: The MPs' report had expressed concern over a lack of opportunity to scrutinize the proposals.
Date: 2011-Jan
A research paper reviewed the extent of the legislative powers of the National Assembly for Wales.
Source: Owain Roberts, Legislative Powers of the National Assembly for Wales, Research Paper 11/008, National Assembly for Wales
Links: Paper
Date: 2011-Jan
