The Wales Bill would provide for a range of measures in three key areas. The first is elections to the National Assembly for Wales, where the Bill would alter the length of the electoral term and rules on candidacy. Secondly, the Bill would make provision with regard to a number of financial matters, including the devolution of some tax-raising powers to the Welsh Assembly. Thirdly, the Bill would make provision with regard to housing revenue account debt in Wales, and to adjust the relationship between Welsh Ministers and the Law Commission.
Wales Bill (HL Bill 34 of 2014–15) (286KB PDF)
The Wales Bill would provide for a range of measures in three key areas. The first is elections to the National Assembly for Wales, where the Bill would alter the length of the electoral term and rules on candidacy. Secondly, the Bill would make provision with regard to a number of financial matters, including the devolution of some tax-raising powers to the Welsh Assembly. These would include stamp duty land tax and landfill tax, and some income tax powers—provided that this is approved through a referendum in Wales. The Bill would give the National Assembly for Wales greater borrowing powers, including over capital expenditure. Thirdly, the Bill would make provision with regard to housing revenue account debt in Wales, and to adjust the relationship between Welsh Ministers and the Law Commission. The Bill would also make some technical amendments to the Government of Wales Act 2006 and other relevant legislation.
The Wales Bill is a carry-over bill from the 2013–14 parliamentary session. It completed report and third reading in the House of Commons on 24 June 2014, and is due to have its second reading in the House of Lords on 22 July 2014.
Wales Bill (HL Bill 34 of 2014–15) (286KB PDF)
Concerns have been raised about levels of welfare spending in the UK and increasing numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. This briefing sets out statistics, government policy and commentary on welfare and youth employment. This includes the government’s youth guarantee, its ‘Get Britain working’ policies and the interim report by Alan Milburn on young people and work.
Rural areas contribute a significant proportion of England’s economic output. The government has announced several policies intended to support growth in the rural economy, including farming. However, it has faced criticism for the delay in outlining its overall strategy for the agricultural sector. This briefing provides data on the rural economy and summarises government policy and stakeholder reaction
The Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL] is a government bill that would make reforms to several areas of financial regulation, including reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service, abolishing the Payment Systems Regulator, introducing a ‘provisional licences’ authorisation scheme, and making reforms to the UK’s bank ring-fencing regime. Its second reading in the House of Lords is scheduled to take place on 8 June 2026.
![Financial Services and Markets Bill [HL]: HL Bill 5 of 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/tadas-petrokas-G7nWQwb6AP4-unsplash-568x320.jpg)