History of Devolved Government in Wales

The National Assembly for Wales is made up of 60 Assembly Members elected by the public.  The First Minister and Cabinet together form the Welsh Government.

With the 2nd Government of Wales Act (2006), the National Assembly for Wales was given powers to seek permission to create legislation on devolved issues in the form of Assembly Measures.  The UK Government continues to look after other areas, such as defence and taxation.

The 2006 Act also established the Welsh Government, an executive body separate from the legislature, the National Assembly for Wales. Currently the Welsh Government includes 11 Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers. Its work affects most aspects of day-to-day life in Wales, such as health, education, transport and local government.

On 3 March 2011 a further referendum was held and the people of Wales voted in favour of further law-making powers for the National Assembly for Wales.

This means that the National Assembly for Wales is able to make laws directly on all of the 20 areas for which the Welsh Government has responsibility.  It no longer needs to seek the approval of the UK Government before doing so.

The 20 devolved areas, including agriculture, education, the environment, health, housing and local government, are set out in Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Non-devolved areas such as general taxation, defence and foreign affairs, and social security remain the responsibility of the UK Government.