Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects will the Assembly now be able to pass laws on? How is this different from before?

The subjects that the Assembly can pass laws on are set out in Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006. The subjects are broadly defined. For example, the Assembly will now be able to legislate on economic development and regeneration and on nearly all matters relating to the Welsh language rather than just some, as before the referendum.

Will the UK Government have any future say on law-making in devolved areas?

The Assembly can make laws on subjects in all of the 20 areas for which the Assembly Government has responsibilities, without needing the UK Parliament's agreement. The areas, include agriculture; education; the environment; health; housing and local government.

What kind of laws will the Assembly create?

That will be up to the Assembly and what Assembly Members decide to approve. The Welsh Assembly Government will set out its proposals for new Assembly Bills in due course.

Who will be able to introduce legislation for Wales?

Welsh Ministers acting on behalf of the Assembly Government, and individual Assembly Members acting on their own behalf or on behalf of Assembly Committees, will be able to introduce draft legislation, subject to the requirements of Standing Orders. (This is similar to the UK system where Bills can be introduced by Government or private members).

When will the Assembly be able to consider Assembly Bills?

The new Assembly elected in May will have the power to consider Assembly Bills from day one – but the Bills will have to be drafted first.

Will Assembly Acts cost more?

Moving to Assembly Acts will be cost neutral for both the Assembly and the Welsh Assembly Government. Time and expertise previously focused on Legislative Competence Orders and Assembly Measures will be freed up to focus on Assembly Bills.

How will the new process work?

The new process for Assembly Acts will be spelled out in the Assembly’s Standing Orders, which sets out how the Assembly’s business is handled.

What is the difference between an Assembly Act and an Assembly Measure?

Both of these can do anything a UK Parliament Act can do provided that it is in a devolved area. Both Assembly Measures and Acts must be passed by the Assembly. An Assembly Act can be made on a broader range of subjects than Assembly Measures could, and does not first require Parliament’s approval for the necessary legislative power to be granted to the Assembly by a Legislative Competence Order.

What is the difference between an Assembly Bill and an Assembly Act?

An Assembly Bill is a draft law. Once an Assembly Bill has been passed by the Assembly and gained Royal Assent it becomes an Assembly Act.

Will Welsh MPs and the UK Government still be able to make laws for Wales?

Yes. Only the UK Parliament will be able to make laws in areas that are not devolved, such as defence and immigration. The UK Parliament will not make laws for Wales on subjects where the Assembly already has powers, without obtaining the Assembly’s agreement that it can do so.