Landmark funding announcement and new powers for Wales in St David’s Day Agreement

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom announced landmark funding measures and more powers for the National Assembly for Wales on the 27 February 2015.

The funding measures - part of the UK Government’s St David’s Day devolution package - involve introducing a 'funding floor' to protect Welsh relative funding and provide certainty for the Welsh Government to plan for the future and grow the economy. It removed the final barrier erected by the Welsh Government to calling a referendum on income tax devolution.

Alongside that the UK Government announced that Wales should have additional powers over energy, transport, the environment and elections as part of a framework for devolution.

• Primary Source

UK: HM Government: Powers for a Purpose: Towards a Lasting Devolution Settlement for Wales, February 2015 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407587/SDD_Command_Paper_English_Final.pdf

UK: GOV.UK: Tag: Policy Maintaining and strengthening the Welsh devolution settlement https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/maintaining-and-strengthening-the-welsh-devolution-settlement

BBC News, 27.02.15: 'No barriers' to income tax referendum, says Cameron http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-31646407

Wales Online, 27.02.15: David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Stephen Crabb to unveil proposals on fair funding for Wales as part of major package of powers http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/david-cameron-nick-clegg-stephen-8730728

Plaid Cymru: Press Release, 27.02.15: Only a strong Plaid Cymru can deliver empowerment for Wales http://www.partyof.wales/news/2015/02/27/only-a-strong-plaid-cymru-can-deliver-empowerment-for-wales/

Welsh Conservatives: Press Release, 27.02.15: Delivering on Devolution http://www.welshconservatives.com/news/delivering-devolution

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