Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

25 Years of Devolution in Wales

28 March 2023 · 4 other contributors · 11,664 words

Opened by Rob Roberts Ind Delyn

Responding minister: James Davies

EducationWales

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Rob Roberts raised concerns about 25 years of devolution in wales in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about devolution in Wales include low voter turnout and poor educational and healthcare outcomes.
  • The government is asked to assess the success of devolution and consider the appropriateness of the current model.
  • Greater accountability for public fund spending in Wales, especially in healthcare and education, is requested.

Key requests to Government

The government should conduct an assessment of whether devolution has been successful and consider whether it is appropriate to continue with the current model given its poor record of performance over the past 25 years. There needs to be greater accountability for how public funds are spent in Wales, particularly concerning areas like healthcare and education.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Rob Roberts Ind Delyn

Devolution has not delivered the promised benefits for the people of Wales. The Welsh Assembly's establishment saw a low voter turnout, and subsequent elections have seen even lower engagement, with the lowest being 38.2%. The health service in north Wales is underfunded and understaffed; Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has been in special measures for eight years. Schools receive less funding compared to other UK regions despite higher cost-of-living adjustments needed in Wales. Educational outcomes are among the lowest, and there's a significant increase in rough sleeping and homelessness since Labour took power.

Other contributors (4)
  • Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare

    The hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare argued that devolution is broadly supported by the Welsh population, with Labour being the party of devolution. He criticised the UK Conservative Government for undermining devolution and highlighted the economic underfunding of Wales. The Member emphasised the higher level of NHS funding per head in Wales compared to England, better performance at A&E departments, and initiatives such as free prescriptions and capped care charges. The MP raised concerns about collaboration issues between the UK Government and Welsh Government, criticising the clawback of funding from Wales. He pointed out that switching between revenue and capital has been agreed upon multiple times but the level of underspend is notably lower than other departments.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commends the hon. Gentleman for bringing the debate, expressing that each region should have a chance to voice its own ideas and urges the Government to focus on local issues determined by locally elected representatives rather than appeasing the European Union.

  • Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli

    Griffith highlighted the progress made in Wales over the past 25 years since devolution, noting improved transparency and democratic representation. She praised the Labour party's gender equality initiatives and innovative policies such as banning fracking and implementing a living wage for care workers. Griffith also emphasised the importance of preventive medicine and education reforms, citing examples like smoking bans and early childhood education programs. She criticised the UK Government's handling of business rates reform and the distribution of levelling-up funding, arguing that devolved governments should be consulted properly.

  • Richard Thomson SNP Dunfermline and West Fife

    Mr. Thomson congratulated the hon. Member for Delyn on securing the debate and discussed his involvement in the devolution referendum campaigns in Scotland and Wales. He highlighted that while Wales started with limited powers, it still managed significant achievements such as abolishing prescription charges and introducing a charge for single-use plastic bags. Mr. Thomson also questioned whether Wales could achieve more with additional resources and power. He argued that people in Wales voted decisively to empower the Senedd, indicating their support for self-government.

Government Response

James Davies

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Delyn on securing the debate. Since 1997, successive UK Governments have devolved further powers to Cardiff Bay, including primary legislation in devolved areas and fiscal measures like stamp duty land tax replacement and income tax rates. The current model is based on reserved powers but different views exist regarding its effectiveness. My hon. Friend raised concerns about policy outcomes in health, education, transport and highlighted the north-south divide and disengagement with politics. Hon. Members from Strangford, Gordon, Llanelli, and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney made positive comments on local representation and ministerial accessibility. The priority for Wales is delivery on important matters like health, cost of living, and education rather than incessant transfer of powers or separatism. 50% of the population lives within 25 miles of England's border influencing views on devolution. There are concerns about centralised decision-making in Welsh Government but shared prosperity funding offers new local solutions. The economy is growing slower in Wales compared to UK, education ranks at the bottom and health service performance data is poor despite record funding from the UK Government. I am concerned that focus remains on constitutional matters rather than addressing challenges like levelling up the economy, creating jobs, supporting cost of living issues. Wales enjoys benefits from being part of the United Kingdom with both Governments focused on real priorities. The landmark agreement between UK and devolved Governments strengthens intergovernmental structures for collaborative work exemplified by city growth deals and freeports in Wales.

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