Assembly could block powers plan warns First Minister

The First Minister is expected to warn that the Assembly could block the UK Government's plans to transfer further powers to Wales if those plans aren't 'right for Wales.'

Carwyn Jones will make his comments in a speech to a conference on devolution in London, organised by the UK’s Changing Union project and the Constitution Unit at University College London.

In the autumn, the UK Government is to publish a Wales Bill which will set out its devolution plans.

The First Minister will warn that Whitehall departments should not see the bill as an opportunity to claw back powers from Wales to London.

And he'll point out that, if that happens, Assembly Members will be able to wield a veto because, under the current devolution settlement, the Assembly must give 'legislative consent' to any England and Wales laws which affect devolved matters.

The First Minister's speech is also likely to contain the clearest sign yet that he'll support the transfer of income tax powers to Wales if the UK Government keeps its promise on fair funding.

He'll repeat his belief that it's not in the best interests of Wales to gain those powers after a referendum without change to the Barnett formula which works out how much money the Welsh Government gets from London.

But he'll say that if ministers in London fulfil their pledge to introduce a lower limit, known as a 'floor', then his 'fundamental concern' will have been 'largely addressed.'

Carwyn Jones will also say that there's been 'no substantive discussion' between governments in Cardiff and London about what the Wales Bill will include because neither he nor Welsh Government officials 'have had sight of any draft clauses.' He'll say that there should be 'detailed work by both Governments over the coming months to develop a strong set of proposals.'

The UK Government promised to bring forward a Wales Bill in the recent Queen's Speech. A draft bill is expected to be published in the autumn.