Opinion: Everyone will benefit from proposed new Bills
They include standards for visitor accommodation, a ban on greyhound racing, simplified planning laws and greater accountability for Senedd Members.
Meanwhile, new laws to end profit from the care of looked-after children, and to transform bus services in Wales, have already passed into law.
Sticking with transport, local authorities can now apply for a new £110 million fund to improve local transport.
One of the projects set to benefit is for Llanidloes schools – to make it easier, safer and more pleasant for children to walk, wheel and cycle.
Funding is also available for organisations across Wales to develop Smart Local Energy Systems.
The £10 million Ynni Cymru grant scheme forms part of Wales' ambitious goal to generate 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035.
Wales has the most generous offer for UK learners at £40 a week – to help with costs such as transport and materials. The income threshold has been raised, meaning even more learners will be eligible this year.
In other news, the government has set out plans to help farmers boost nature in our National Parks and National Landscapes.
The £1.8 million Ffermio Bro scheme will provide practical support and dedicated funding for nature-friendly farming.
At the same time, a new scheme aims to build a healthier and more resilient food system for Wales.
The Community Food Strategy will connect Welsh producers with consumers – to strengthen local food systems, support community-led food projects and encourage healthy eating.
Have you seen the video of the wild beaver on the Dyfi? After a 400-year absence, there are now four managed beaver enclosures in Wales, with an unknown number living in the wild. Fantastic!
Of course, the health of our rivers is paramount to these majestic creatures.
At the Senedd, I recently spoke on the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations.
While the causes of river pollution are not limited to any one sector, agriculture remains one of the main contributors.
The latest independent review of water quality in Wales recommends a crack-down on polluting activities, while reducing burdens on low-risk farming, and supporting innovation in farming practices.
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South Wales Guardian
17 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Look at increasing Scottish Government borrowing limits, MPs tell UK Government
Currently, the Government is limited to borrowing £600 million for day-to-day spending and £450 million for capital projects. But in a report from the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster on the fiscal arrangements north of the border, MPs pushed for the limits to be increased. The report said: 'At present, the Scottish Government's limited borrowing powers constrain its ability to manage fiscal shocks, as it is only able to borrow for resource purposes to cover forecast errors. 'Capital borrowing limits are currently linked to, and grow in line with, inflation, which may not necessarily be the highest metric of growth.' It added: 'We agree with the Secretary of State that borrowing limits should be linked to the measure which offers the Scottish Government the highest level of flexibility but, crucially, we note that which metric delivers this remains undetermined. 'The UK Government should therefore publish a transparent analysis of what borrowing limits would look like based on the different metrics advised in the evidence for this inquiry. 'At the next fiscal framework review, we encourage the UK Government to consider reforming the Scottish Government's capital borrowing powers, by automatically coupling borrowing to the metric which offers the highest limit.' The report comes at the end of an inquiry by the committee which sought to gauge the effectiveness of the Barnett Formula – the measure which dictates the level of funding the UK Government sends to Scotland every year. The MPs found the measure was 'fit for purpose', although it is 'imperfect'. The committee also rejected calls for the formula to shift and provide funding to Scotland based on need. Scotland, the report said, already receives more funding per head than any other country in the UK and a change in the framework could see funding cut. In written evidence to the committee, Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison reiterated the Scottish Government's support for full fiscal autonomy – an arrangement which would see powers over tax and spending devolved. But the committee dismissed such a move as not being a 'realistic prospect'. 'Fundamental questions remain about how full fiscal autonomy would work in practice, and whether it would be operable within the constraints of the UK's current devolution settlement,' the report said. 'Practicality aside, we do not believe that a compelling case has been made that such a change would automatically result in Scotland receiving a higher level of funding.' Ms Robison declined an invitation to appear before the committee, leading the MPs to say 'do not see how we can consider this a serious proposition, and we remain to be convinced that this proposal is desirable in principle, let alone workable in practice'. Responding to the report, Ms Robison said: 'This report rightly recognises that Scotland's finances remain largely dictated by the UK Government's spending decisions, irrespective of the impact on Scottish public services. 'That has meant Scotland has been left with a shortfall of £400 million to pay for the Chancellor's national insurance increase, and saw Scotland short-changed by more than a billion pounds over the next three years at the recent spending review. 'The decisions we have taken to ask higher earners to pay a little bit more – while most income tax payers pay less than in the rest of the UK – mean that we can support vital public services and provide free tuition, prescriptions and the Scottish child payment to help tackle child poverty.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: 'The spending review provided the Scottish Government with an extra £9.1 billion, giving them a record settlement. 'People will expect that to deliver better outcomes for Scots – lower NHS waiting lists and better attainment in our schools. 'Spending per head in Scotland is around 20% higher than the rest of the UK thanks to the Barnett formula. This report confirms that it appears to be the position of the Scottish Government to scrap that formula that delivers higher funding – they should explain why they want less money for public services in Scotland. 'Their plans for full fiscal autonomy would mean a £12 billion cut in public spending for Scotland.'
South Wales Guardian
17 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Analysis finds devolved tax powers could add £4 billion for local services
The report argues that new fiscal arrangements which enable authorities to a proportion of revenue from income tax, stamp duty and the apprenticeship levy alongside a new tourist tax could prove transformational and support the delivery of the Government's priorities. The County Councils Network, which commissioned the report, stressed the proposals do not advocate tax rises and acknowledged that a process of redistributing tax revenue would need to be established to address regional variations in the amounts generated. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner recently said she wanted 'more push' towards fiscal devolution as part of the Government's pledge to transfer central decision making to local areas. The English Devolution White Paper published last year states that mayors could submit proposals for new powers, such as fiscal devolution, which the government is obliged to consider. The guidance recently published alongside the the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill earlier this month stipulates that new strategic authorities can pilot devolved powers to make it 'easier to deepen devolution over time'. The 20 CCN councils, including top tier shire authorities and unitaries, serve about 45% of the population and contributed almost £390 billion in national tax receipts in 2022/23, the report said. This level of county revenues amounted to 44% of the revenue total for England of £891.3 billion, rising to 57% if London's contribution is not taken into account. This includes contributions of 62% in income tax and and 55% in VAT. The analysis found that expenditure in county areas totalled £273 billion, amounting to a net benefit to the exchequer of £113.6 billion a year. The report said allowing authorities to retain 'better than expected' income tax growth could raise £3.8 billion in county areas annually and would 'dramatically incentivise' local job creation. Retaining half of stamp duty on new homes could provide about £237 million and encourage councils to deliver more housing, the analysis showed, while a tourist tax set at £2 a night could generate about £209 million in extra annual revenue. If county and unitary councils were granted 10% of funds from the apprenticeship levy generated locally, councils could direct an estimated £120 million a year to skills and growth. The report concluded that these measures combined could raise about £4.4 billion in county areas, which equates to 10% of an average budget for these authorities, while nationally the figures are about £8.9 billion a year. Richard Roberts, CCN's economic growth spokesman, said the research 'warrants serious consideration from government and from existing mayors'. He added: 'There has never been a better time to consider empowering local areas with fiscal devolution and let's be clear: this is not about new taxes for local residents and businesses. It's about using existing taxes more effectively, allowing local areas who understand what's needed to drive growth to invest to that end. 'More pressingly, there is the shared local and central government need to increase growth, create jobs and build homes alongside the urgency to invest in local economic growth services and infrastructure. 'The potential revenue generated from the fiscal devolution options modelled in this report would be a game-changer for local areas, allowing them to invest in growth and incentivise areas to maintain productivity gains. 'Whilst there will still be a need for central government to a play a redistributive role to ensure equity across regions, we have long argued counties are the backbone of the economy. 'Now is the time for Government be bold and ambitious and think about unleashing the potential of counties.' London Councils, which represents the 32 boroughs in the capital, said authorities' current reliance on council tax and government grants perpetuates unsustainable financial stress. Claire Holland, chairwoman of London Councils, said: 'Devolving more fiscal powers to a local level is crucial for fixing this broken system and ending the crisis in council finances. 'With more autonomy and flexibility – such as powers to introduce an overnight accommodation levy – we would be in a much stronger position to respond to our communities' needs and encourage economic growth. 'London is the powerhouse of the UK economy, but still faces immense challenges around productivity, unemployment, and poverty, as well as an enormous £500 million funding gap in boroughs' budgets. 'Fiscal devolution could help us tackle these issues and maximise London's contribution to the country's future prosperity.'
South Wales Guardian
17 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Windrush commissioner: Apprehension and suspicion remains towards Home Office
Reverend Clive Foster, the first Windrush commissioner, has pledged to push for speedier payouts from a much-criticised compensation scheme for those affected by the scandal. Last month just ahead of announcing his appointment, immigration minister Seema Malhotra confirmed around 64 claimants had died after applying for payouts, as she set out the Government's wish to speed up 'justice'. On Wednesday, she will attend an event with Mr Foster where people affected by the scandal, which erupted in 2018 when British citizens were wrongly detained, deported or threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in Britain, will hear from the commissioner on his aims for his role. A total of 10,326 claims had been made under the scheme as of May this year, according to the latest Home Office data. The figures also showed that just over £112 million has been paid out so far, covering 3,334 claims. In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of the event, Mr Foster said he will be advocating for a 'fair, accessible and trauma-informed' compensation scheme. While some campaigners have called for the scheme to be moved out of the Home Office altogether, due to applicants' lack of trust in the department, Mr Foster appeared to disagree with such a change. He told PA: 'I think what I will be pushing for is to make sure that this compensation scheme must be seen to be fair, accessible and trauma-informed, and I will be pushing to get swifter outcomes. 'I know there's been a call for movement into another area (out of the Home Office), but I think we should be careful what we wish for. 'I think it's important that we make the scheme workable.' Asked if he felt moving it to another department might risk further delays to payouts, he said: 'I think that is a possibility.' He said the Home Office would not want a situation where it has 'further 'reasons why it cannot be giving out fast decisions and compensation to people who have been terribly affected as a result of the scandal, and so this movement, I think, would inevitably cause some of that slowing down, and I think that is something that we have to be aware of'. He said he had already pressed on the minister the need for guarantees around pension losses being covered by the scheme. Ms Malhotra has previously said officials in her department are 'reviewing the current exclusion within the rules of compensation for private and occupational pensions'. Mr Foster said he will work with 'like-minded campaigners' to address problems with the scheme and 'to inform the Home Office where they're getting it right and where they're getting it wrong, without fear or favour'. Asked to describe the level of trust in the Home Office currently among those affected by the scandal, he said: 'I'm afraid I still feel that there is apprehension and some suspicion with regards to, 'is this working towards better outcomes?' 'What we need to accelerate is the actions and activities that are going to build trust. I always say 'you can't cross a bridge until you've built it.'' He said the department must show through actions rather than only words 'that there is going to be a culture change'. Mr Foster, a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham and the son of parents who migrated to the UK from Jamaica in 1959, said he will 'be reaching out to communities and acting as that advocate and trusted voice, as it were, going forward'. Among his top priorities will be ensuring people are comfortable to come forward and get the correct documentation to ensure they have settled status and are not 'wrongly classified as illegal'. He said: 'People still need to feel that they can be respected and accepted to come forward without that fear of being penalised as a result of not having (the right documentation).' Meanwhile, Mr Foster said he will also be working to ensure the legacy of the Windrush generation is celebrated in the future, including through the annual Notting Hill Carnival. Campaigners last month called on the Government to step in to protect the future of the west London carnival, which they said was in jeopardy, as they asked for urgent funding to save the world-famous event. Mr Foster said carnival 'brings so much to the country, and I think that is an expression of the Windrush generation legacy'. He added: 'One of the things in my role would be to be looking to ensure that we continue to celebrate the legacy and the contribution of the Windrush generation, and carnival is one of those aspects, and I'll be happy to engage in conversations to look at that going forward.'
