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The Assembly will now be able to table its own Bills and vote to pass its own Acts.

What are the differences between the powers that the Assembly already holds and the powers that the Assembly will hold?

Since the Government of Wales Act in 2006, the Welsh Assembly Government and Assembly Members have introduced Legislative Competence Orders (LCOs). These sought powers to make laws in areas devolved to Wales, of which there are 20.

The scrutiny process for the LCOs involved, at different stages, Wales and UK Ministers, AMs, MPs and officials agreeing, and sometimes amending, an LCO.

The progress of an LCO also involved it being voted on by Assembly Members in the Senedd in Cardiff and also by UK representatives in the UK Houses of Parliament and Lords.

Final approval was given by the UK Privy Council. Once competence had been approved the Assembly was then able to introduce draft “Measures”.

A yes vote means that Wales will no longer have to use an LCO to obtain competence. It will be able to introduce its own Bills on subjects in the 20 policy areas.

What happens next?

A number of practical changes and actions are now required to bring the Assembly Act provisions fully into force.

It is anticipated that the new powers will come into force on 5th May, which will allow Bills to be introduced from the beginning of the next Assembly.

More information on the next steps can be found in our timeline.

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

The yes vote does not increase the areas of power devolved to the Assembly, only the primary law-making power itself.
The Assembly will be able to make laws on subjects in all of the 20 areas it already has powers for, without needing the UK Parliament's agreement.

Since devolution the Assembly has had powers to make laws in 20 policy areas, including agriculture; education; the environment; health; housing and local government.

Subject to the assembly’s standing orders, Ministers acting on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government, and individual Assembly Members who make up the National Assembly for Wales will be able to introduce legislation. This is similar to the UK system where Bills can be introduced by Government or private members.

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 taxation. 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.

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