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Members of the National Assembly can expect a new wave of powers as a result of today’s Queen’s Speech.

The Queen announced that legislation will be brought forward to “secure a strong and lasting constitutional settlement”.

The new Wales Bill will be intended to “deliver a clearer, more stable devolution settlement for Wales and devolve important new powers to the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh Government,” according to the UK Government’s briefing.

Powers of ports and speed limits

The Assembly is due to gain powers over ports, taxi regulation, bus services, speed limits and sewerage.

The new Bill will “reflect the permanence of the Assembly and the Welsh Government in statute”.

More:Opposition MPs warn of 'real threats' to Wales in Queen's Speech

It will also give AMs’ control over the name of the Assembly, its size, electoral system, elections and the voting age. They can expect powers over energy, transport and local government elections.

A key purpose of the Bill is to “clarify the division of powers between the National Assembly and Parliament” by moving to a Scottish-style settlement. This would allow AMs to make laws in any area not specifically “reserved” by Westminster.

(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Control of energy projects

The Bill will detail the policies that will remain the responsibility of Westminster. It is also expected to give Welsh minister responsibility for energy developments – both onshore and offshore – of up to 350MW.

It will also give AMs the power to decide whether onshore oil and gas exploration – such as fracking – will take place in Wales.

The devolution of powers over the voting age in Assembly elections could pave the way for 16-year-olds being able to vote in elections to the Senedd.

A Welsh Parliament?

AMs will also have the chance to rename the Assembly a Welsh “parliament” – a move backed by politicians including Tory Assembly leader Andrew RT Davies.

The Wales Bill is expected to “place the permanence of the National Assembly and the Welsh Government on a statutory footing and enshrine the legislative consent process in law”. This would make it much harder for a future UK Government to abolish the Assembly.

The Bill is also expected to open the door to even greater Welsh devolution and could give the Assembly similar powers to those proposed for the Scottish Parliament in some areas following the recommendations of the post-independence referendum Smith Commission.

(Image: Suzanne Plunkett/PA Wire)

Scottish-style powers?

It will “implement those non-fiscal Smith Commission proposals that are appropriate to be taken forward in Wales”.

The Queen’s Speech also sets outs plans to ensure that decisions only affecting England – or England and Wales – can only be taken with the consent of MPs from those parts of the UK.

The Government’s briefing states: “We will maintain the Westminster Parliament as the UK and England’s law-making body. But we want Parliament to work in a way that ensures decisions affecting England, or England and Wales, can only be taken with the consent of the majority of MPs representing constituencies in England, or in England and Wales.

“We will end the manifest unfairness whereby Scotland is able to decide its own laws in devolved areas, only for Scottish MPs also to be able to have the potentially decisive say on similar matters that affect only England and Wales. We will maintain the integrity of the UK Parliament by ensuring that MPs from all parts of the UK continue to deliberate and vote together, including to set overall spending levels.”

The UK Government also intends to reduce the potential for conflict with devolved governments, stating it will work with them to “agree a revised memorandum of understanding, which will govern relations between the UK Government and the devolved administrations”.

What about funding?

The Wales Bill briefing does not address the “funding floor” intended to ensure that the Welsh Government receives a minimum level of Treasury funding. According to the Government proposals published in February, this will be “agreed alongside the next spending review”; the proposals were made “in the expectation that the Welsh Government will call a referendum on income tax powers in the next Parliament.”

Rosemary Butler, the Assembly’s presiding officer, welcomed the pledge to devolve more powers.

She said: “I welcome the commitment made in today’s Queen’s Speech to deliver a Wales Bill which honours in full the commitments made in the St David’s Day process. It is essential that the Assembly’s voice is heard loud and clear in the discussions that will take place over the coming weeks and months.

“I will be meeting with the Secretary of State for Wales shortly when I will be seeking assurances that while we might move quickly, there is ample opportunity to scrutinise any new proposals and consider their impact on Wales. The St David’s Day announcement signified the shift in the balance of power between Westminster and the Assembly which I had called for and will enable us finally to determine our own affairs.

“We must be certain that any new reserved powers model does not reduce our ability to legislate in any way and offers us a settlement that lets us legislate with clarity and coherence for the good of Wales”

Engines of growth

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said: “Today’s Queen’s speech will strengthen Wales’ place within the United Kingdom by taking forward the St David’s Day agreement. It boosts the engines of growth and puts working people centre-stage with radical measures to reward hard work.

“Our priority is to continue to secure the economic recovery for Wales and ensure all parts of the country share in it. That means investing in infrastructure, encouraging enterprise and backing small businesses.

“At the same time we are making sure that people on the lowest incomes keep more of the money they earn. We will continue to reform welfare so that people are supported back into work – but those who need help get it.

“This speech builds on our achievements in the last Parliament and sets the long term direction for an ambitious and successful country.”