A

Act of Parliament

An Act of Parliament is a law made by the UK Parliament. Proposals for new laws (called Bills) are debated by both the House of Lords and House of Commons. If both Houses of Parliament vote for the proposals then the Bill is ready to become an Act. A Bill can only become an Act of Parliament once it has been approved by the Monarch, a process called Royal Assent.

Act of the Senedd

The Senedd currently has the power to make laws in any matters that are not reserved to the UK Parliament by the Government of Wales Act 2006. Proposals for new laws (called Bills) are presented to the Senedd. If the Senedd approves the proposals then the Bill is ready to become an Act. A Bill can only become an Act of the Senedd once it has been approved by the Monarch, a process called Royal Assent. Acts are often referred to as primary legislation.

Administrative law

Administrative law (sometimes referred to as ‘public law’) is the body of law which seeks to ensure that public bodies act within their powers and in a way which is lawful, reasonable and fair.

Affirmative procedure (draft)

See Senedd approval procedure.

Affirmative procedure (made)

See Senedd confirmation procedure.

Amendments (to a Bill)

Suggested changes to the text of a Bill which are proposed by Senedd Members (including those who are also Welsh Ministers) and Members then vote on whether they should be agreed or not. If agreed, they form part of the Bill.

Assembly

The title of the Welsh Parliament or Senedd Cymru when it was first established in 1999. It changed its name on 6 May 2020 to reflect its stature as a national parliament after receiving further powers, notably in the 2011 referendum (Wales).

Assimilated law

The body of law that arose from the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union and which has been retained as domestic law following the United Kingdom exiting the European Union.

B

Ballots for Member proposed legislation

From time to time the Presiding Officer (known as the Llywydd) holds a ballot to determine the name of a Member who may seek agreement to introduce a Member Bill.

Barnett formula

A non-statutory mechanism used by the UK Government to determine the amount of public expenditure to be allocated to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. If new money is announced by the UK Government, the Barnett formula is applied to work out Wales’ share of that new money. It is for the Welsh Government to choose how to use that money, subject to the approval of Senedd Cymru.

Bill

A Bill is a proposed law. If the Senedd approves the proposals then the Bill is ready to become an Act. A Bill can only become an Act of the Senedd once it has been approved by the Monarch, a process called Royal Assent. Acts are often referred to as primary legislation.

C

Cabinet

The Cabinet of the Welsh Government is made up of the First Minister, the Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General to the Welsh Government.

Carltona principle

The principle that civil servants may exercise most functions on behalf of a Government Minister without having those functions expressly delegated to them. The principle is derived from case law and covers the exercise of functions by Welsh Government civil servants on behalf of the First Minister, the Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General.

Chief Executive and Clerk of the Senedd

The Clerk of the Senedd is also the Senedd Commission’s Chief Executive and is the person answerable for the effectiveness of the service. The Clerk is also the Principal Accounting Officer for the Commission. The accounting officer has responsibility for ensuring that taxpayers’ money is spent in accordance with the law and with rules designed to ensure that it is spent appropriately and transparently.

Children’s Commissioner for Wales

The principal aim of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales is to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children and young people in Wales. The Children’s Commissioner was established under Part 5 of the Care Standards Act 2000, which was amended by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales Act 2001.

See the website of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.

Civil servant

A person employed by a government department or agency.  The Welsh Ministers may appoint persons to be members of staff of the Welsh Government as part of the Home Civil Service. Welsh Government staff are a non-political administration that supports the Welsh Ministers, irrespective of the party that is in power. Civil servants are bound by a strict code of conduct which helps to ensure political neutrality, efficient administration, good governance and sound management of public funds.

Commencement Orders

Commencement orders specify a date when primary legislation comes into force. They are a type of subordinate legislation that is not usually subject to any formal procedure in the Senedd, but when they are made as a Welsh statutory instrument, they are laid before the Senedd. Commencement orders can, at times, be Commencement Regulations, but they achieve the same thing.

Commission (Senedd)

The corporate body for Senedd Cymru, responsible for the provision of property, staff and services to support Members of the Senedd. The Commission is headed by five Commissioners: the Presiding Officer and four other Members nominated by the main political parties.

Community council

Community and town councils are the grassroots level of local governance in Wales. There are over 730 community and town councils throughout Wales. Some represent populations of fewer than 200 people, others populations of over 45,000 people. Their purpose is to improve the quality of life and environment for citizens in their area.

Constitution

A constitution defines a state's institutions of government and their powers. In most countries, laws which set out the constitution are superior to any other forms of law, whereas in the UK laws about the constitution are part of the ordinary law of the land. In addition to laws, the UK constitution also relies to a considerable degree on conventions and understandings about how the institutions of government should operate. Partly for this reason the constitution is also uncodified, meaning that while most of the laws related to the constitution are written down, they cannot be found conveniently written down all in one place. In relation to Wales, the Government of Wales Acts 1998 and 2006 are, in effect, Wales' devolved constitution.

Counsel General

The Counsel General is a member of the Welsh Government, and its Law Officer, which means the Government's chief legal adviser and representative in the courts. The Counsel General possesses certain statutory functions, including the power to refer Senedd Bills to the Supreme Court for a determination regarding legislative competence.

Courts

The courts are part of His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service. Wales and England fall within a single legal jurisdiction and share the same system of courts and tribunals. The courts carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative (public law) matters in accordance with the rule of law. The courts also interpret the law and many of the basic principles of UK law have arisen out of decisions of the courts rather than from legislation.

Crown

A legalistic reference to the ruling Monarch in his sovereign capacity, in which he holds supreme authority. The Crown is an important concept in the UK legal system, since historically all governmental power vested in the Crown. Despite Parliament's sovereignty, strictly speaking legal powers do still flow from the Crown. UK Government ministers are Ministers of the Crown, meaning that they exercise functions of the Crown. The Welsh Ministers are not Ministers of the Crown, but they nevertheless exercise their functions on behalf of the Crown. See also "Royal Prerogative".

D

Deputy Welsh Ministers

Deputy Welsh Ministers are appointed from among Members of the Senedd by the First Minister. Their key role is to assist the First Minister and the Welsh Ministers in carrying out their functions.

Devolution

In the UK, it can mean:

1. The process by which the power to pass legislation (legislative competence) has been granted to the three national legislatures within the United Kingdom (Senedd Cymru, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly), and executive functions have been transferred from the UK Government to the Welsh Ministers, Scottish Ministers and Northern Ireland Ministers or Departments.
2. Decentralisation within England, that is, transferring powers and responsibilities from the central UK Government to regional or local authorities.

E

Education Acts

A defined term which encompasses a specified list of statutes relating to education law. The definition appears in section 578 of the Education Act 1996. This allows various other terms defined in the Education Act 1996 to be applied to all past and future Education Acts.

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

An international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. The United Kingdom ratified the Convention in 1951 and it was incorporated directly into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

Executive

A term used to describe Government and distinguish it from the legislature, or parliament. In Wales the executive is the Welsh Government, and the legislature is Senedd Cymru. The executive formulates policy and implements legislation.

Explanatory Memorandum

Each Bill and Welsh statutory instrument presented to the Senedd must also be accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum that sets out its policy objectives and the costs of implementing the legislation. There are various requirements for the content of an Explanatory Memorandum, and for Bills these are set out in the Senedd’s Standing Orders.

F

Fire and Rescue Authorities

The core functions of fire and rescue authorities are set out in the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 and include extinguishing fires, protecting life and property in the event of a fire, rescuing people in the event of road traffic accidents and promoting fire safety. There are three fire and rescue authorities in Wales.

First Minister

The First Minister of Wales is the head of the Welsh Government and is appointed by the Monarch following nomination by Members of the Senedd.

First Tier Tribunal

See Tribunal.

Freedom of Information

The laws on freedom of information place an obligation on public bodies, including the Welsh Government and other public authorities in Wales, to make certain information available on request. The purpose of these laws is to increase transparency and accountability in government and public affairs. There are various exemptions from having to disclose information, including where this is necessary in the interests of national security and where the information is held subject to an obligation of confidence. See in particular the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

G

Government of Wales Act 1998 (GoWA 1998)

The legislation which effected the first stage of devolved government in Wales. It established the National Assembly for Wales as an executive body with powers to make secondary legislation in certain subject areas. Most of GoWA 1998 was repealed on 3 May 2007 and replaced by the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Government of Wales Act 2006 (GoWA 2006)

The legislation which transformed the National Assembly for Wales (now Senedd Cymru) into a legislature with full primary law-making powers. It also created the Welsh Assembly Government (now renamed Welsh Government) as a distinct body responsible for exercising executive powers in Wales, held to account by Senedd Cymru.

H

Human Rights Act

The Human Rights Act 1998 incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into United Kingdom law. This enables citizens of the UK to enforce their Convention rights directly in the UK courts, rather than by taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights.

J

Judicial Review

An action for judicial review is a claim to review the lawfulness of an enactment, or a decision, action or failure to act in relation to the exercise of a public function. The judicial review process enables the courts to scrutinise the lawfulness of acts and omissions of public bodies.

Judiciary

A collective term for the judges, courts and tribunals of England and Wales. Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the judiciary does not make statutory law or enforce law, but rather interprets law and applies it to the facts of each case. The judiciary is also responsible for developing the common law of England and Wales as well as the principles of administrative law.

L

Landfill Disposals Tax

From 1 April 2018, Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) replaced landfill tax in Wales. LDT is paid when waste is disposed of to landfill and is charged by weight. LDT is administered by the Welsh Revenue Authority and payable by landfill operators in Wales. LDT rates are set by the Welsh Ministers and approved by Senedd Cymru.

Land Transaction Tax

On 1 April 2018, Land Transaction Tax (LTT) replaced Stamp Duty Land Tax in Wales. LTT is a tax paid on a residential or non-residential property or piece of land in Wales above a certain value. LTT is collected by the Welsh Revenue Authority.

Laws

These are rules which are decided by a parliament, a government or another suitably authorised body. They tell people what can and cannot be done. The laws made by Senedd Cymru are called Acts.

Legislation

General term for laws and the process of making them.

Legislative competence

Legislative competence defines whether a legislature has power to pass laws in relation to a particular matter. If Senedd Cymru passes a law which is outside its legislative competence, that law is not a valid law.

Legislative competence order

An instrument which, if approved by the Senedd and both Houses of the UK Parliament, changes the legislative competence of Senedd Cymru.

Legislative Consent Memorandum (LCM)

Under Standing Order 29 of the Senedd, a member of the Welsh Government must lay a memorandum in relation to any Bill under consideration in the UK Parliament which makes provision in relation to Wales that has regard to devolved matters. The Senedd’s consent is given through a legislative consent motion.

Legislature

A law-making body where new laws are debated and agreed, often referred to as a parliament. It scrutinises the government's decisions and holds the government to account. In Wales, the legislature is Senedd Cymru.

Llywydd

See Presiding Officer.

Local authority

This is a reference to local government bodies, such as county councils and county borough councils. Local authorities have a wide range of governmental powers delegated to them for the governance of their area.

M

Measures

During the Third Assembly (May 2007 to March 2011) the laws made by the Senedd were called Measures.

Members of the Senedd

Senedd Cymru is made up of 96 elected Members. Also referred to as MSs.

Minister of the Crown

The holder of a ministerial office appointed by His Majesty the King. Welsh Ministers are not Ministers of the Crown. Rather, they hold statutory office under the Government of Wales Act 2006, although they do carry out their functions on behalf of the Crown (see section 57(2) of the Act).

Motion

A proposal made for the purpose of obtaining a decision from Senedd Cymru.

N

National Assembly for Wales (the Assembly)

The title of Senedd Cymru (or Welsh Parliament) when it was first established in 1999. It changed its name on 6 May 2020 to reflect its stature as a national parliament after receiving further powers, notably in the 2011 referendum (Wales).

National Park Authorities

A national park authority was established for each national park in Wales on 23 November 1995. The three national park authorities are the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, the Eryri National Park Authority and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

A national park authority has various functions, powers and duties including pursuing the purposes of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of an area and fostering the economic and social well-being of local communities within the national park.

Natural Resources Body for Wales

A Welsh Government sponsored body created by the Natural Resources Body for Wales (Establishment) Order 2012. It took over the work of the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and the Forestry Commission Wales.

Its purpose is to ensure that the natural resources of Wales are sustainably maintained, enhanced and used, now and in the future. It has adopted the name Natural Resources Wales.

Negative procedure

See Senedd annulment procedure.

Non-ministerial Government Department

A UK government department which is not headed by a Minister of the Crown, and therefore not part of central government.

Non-ministerial government departments tend to be more independent of government and political influence compared to ministerial departments. Many of them fulfil a regulatory or inspection function. Examples include the Charity Commission and His Majesty's Land Registry.

O

Older People's Commissioner for Wales

The Older People's Commissioner for Wales ensures that the interests of people aged 60 and over in Wales are safeguarded and promoted, and is a source of information, advocacy and support for those older people and their representatives.

The Commissioner's role and statutory powers are set out in the Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Act 2006 and the Commissioner for Older People in Wales Regulations 2007.

See the website of the Older People's Commissioner for Wales.

P

Parliament

A group of elected politicians who debate and make laws.

Parliamentary sovereignty

Parliamentary sovereignty is the cornerstone of the UK constitution. It makes the UK Parliament the supreme legal authority in the UK, which can create or end any law. The courts cannot overrule its legislation and no Parliament can pass laws that future Parliaments cannot change.

Partnership Council for Wales

The Partnership Council for Wales is intended to promote joint working and co-operation between the Welsh Government and local government.

Its key responsibilities are:

• encouraging dialogue between the Welsh Ministers and local government on matters affecting local government in Wales, in accordance with sections 72 and 73 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.
• providing collective political accountability for action to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public services.

See the separate page about the Partnership Council for Wales.

Plenary

This is the term used to describe the full meeting of all 96 Members in the Siambr (the main chamber of the Senedd building) to conduct business.

Presiding Officer (known as Llywydd)

Senedd Cymru elects the Presiding Officer and a Deputy Presiding Officer from among the Members of the Senedd.

The role of the Presiding Officer is set out in Senedd Cymru's Standing Orders. The functions of the Presiding Officer include:

• Chairing Plenary meetings
• Maintaining order
• Determining questions as to the interpretation or application of the Standing Orders
• Representing Senedd Cymru in exchanges with other bodies within and outside the United Kingdom

The Presiding Officer is known as the Llywydd. The role is the equivalent of the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Primary legislation

This refers to the laws passed by the UK Parliament in Westminster, the Scottish Parliament, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Senedd Cymru.

Principal Council

For the purpose of local government, Wales is divided into 22 counties and county boroughs, or "principal areas".

In respect of each principal area there is a county or county borough council, also referred to as a principal council.

Privy Council

The Privy Council is a formal body of advisers to The King as Monarch.

Its membership mostly comprises senior politicians who are, or have been, members of either the House of Commons, the House of Lords or the devolved legislatures.

The First Minister is a Privy Councillor and advises The King on matters relating to Wales.

The Council formally advises the Sovereign on the exercise of the Royal Prerogative and, together as the King-in-Council, they issue executive instruments known as Orders in Council.

The Council also advises The King on the issuing of Royal Charters, which are used to grant special status to incorporated bodies and city or borough status to local authorities.

Certain judicial functions are also performed by the King-in-Council, although in practice the actual work of hearing and deciding cases is carried out by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Public appointments

There are rules about the process which must be followed by Ministers, including the Welsh Ministers, when appointing persons to the boards of public bodies.

The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates these appointments with the aim of ensuring that they are made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process, and without bias or political influence.

The Commissioner does not oversee:

• The appointment of Civil Servants (responsibility of the Civil Service Commission)
• Judicial appointments (responsibility of the Judicial Appointments Commission)

See the website of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

R

Ram doctrine

The doctrine which holds that government ministers have a right to exercise any powers which the Crown has power to exercise, except where they are prevented by statute.

In other words, ministers possess all the powers of a natural person and therefore, unlike a statutory corporation such as a local authority, do not need to show a statutory power or authority for every action they wish to take.

The doctrine was asserted by the former First Parliamentary Counsel, Sir Greville Ram, in 1945.

The Ram doctrine does not apply to the Welsh Ministers, who derive their powers by statute.

Referendum

A vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal.

A referendum typically asks a question of real significance to the UK's constitution.

The National Assembly for Wales was established after a referendum in 1997, in which a majority of voters in Wales supported the creation of an assembly for Wales with devolved powers.

A further referendum in 2011 extended the law-making powers of Senedd Cymru.

Reserved matters

Acts of the Senedd must not relate to any reserved matter set out in Schedule 7A to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (as amended by the Wales Act 2017), such as modern slavery, electricity and medicines.

Royal Assent

A Bill can only become an Act once it has been approved by the Monarch.

This is called Royal Assent and is the final stage in the legislative process.

All Bills, whether from Senedd Cymru or the UK Parliament, must receive Royal Assent in order to become law.

Royal Charter

A formal document issued by the Monarch granting a right or power to an individual or a body corporate.

The National Library of Wales is an example of a body established by Royal Charter.

See the website of the National Library of Wales.

Royal prerogative

The Crown possesses various inherent common law powers and privileges collectively known as the Royal Prerogative.

These powers owe their existence to customary use and judicial recognition.

The prerogative includes some executive powers of great importance to the functioning of the State, such as:

• Making treaties
• Declaring war and peace
• Sending troops into armed conflict

A small number of prerogative powers are exercisable only by the Monarch or at the Monarch's express personal command, but most are exercised indirectly by Ministers in the name of the Crown.

S

Secondary legislation

See Subordinate Legislation.

Secretary of State

There are a number of Secretaries of State, such as the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for Wales.

The secretarial duties are divided among a number of persons, each presiding over a different government department. However, there is only one office of Secretary of State, and in law each Secretary of State is capable of performing the duties of all or any of the departments.

Where legislation confers functions on the Secretary of State in relation to a matter which is devolved in relation to Wales, in most cases those functions now reside with the Welsh Ministers.

Senedd annulment procedure

The Senedd annulment procedure provides that after the Welsh Ministers have made a Welsh statutory instrument (WSI), they must lay it before Senedd Cymru as soon as practicable after the subordinate legislation is made.

Senedd Cymru then has a period of 40 days to object to the WSI, excluding any time during which the Senedd is dissolved or in recess for more than four days.

If the Senedd objects, the WSI is annulled, meaning that nothing further can be done under the WSI and it must be revoked.

Senedd approval procedure

The Senedd approval procedure provides that the Welsh Ministers cannot make subordinate legislation in the form of a Welsh statutory instrument (WSI) unless the Senedd has passed a motion approving a draft of the subordinate legislation.

This procedure is often reserved for more significant subordinate legislation.

Senedd confirmation procedure

The Senedd confirmation procedure applies when an Act permits the Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation but that legislation can only remain in force if the Senedd subsequently agrees to it.

The timescales for confirmation can vary but, typically, a Welsh statutory instrument of this type is made by the Welsh Ministers and comes into force almost immediately.

Senedd Cymru

The Senedd (Welsh Parliament) is made up of 96 Members from across Wales.

They are elected by the people of Wales to:

• Represent them and their communities
• Make laws for Wales
• Agree Welsh taxes
• Ensure the Welsh Government is carrying out its responsibilities effectively

Sewel convention

Although law-making powers have been devolved to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the UK Parliament remains sovereign and is legally capable of legislating on devolved matters.

The Sewel Convention is the principle that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate on a devolved matter without the consent of the relevant devolved legislature.

Senedd Cymru gives its consent through a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM).

The convention is named after Lord Sewel, who articulated the principle during the passage of the Scotland Act 1998.

Standing Orders

These are the written rules which govern Senedd proceedings. Any change to the Standing Orders requires a resolution of Senedd Cymru passed by at least a two-thirds majority (under section 31 of the Government of Wales Act 2006). The Standing Orders cover everything from the Members’ oaths to business in committee and Plenary to the procedures for considering and passing Senedd Acts.

See the Standing Orders on senedd.wales.

Statutory instrument and Welsh statutory instrument

A statutory instrument is a type of document containing subordinate legislation.

Where legislation gives powers to the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers to make, confirm or approve subordinate legislation, those powers are often exercised by statutory instrument.

Statutory instruments made solely by the Welsh Ministers or another devolved Welsh authority are known as Welsh Statutory Instruments (WSIs).

Instruments made jointly by the Welsh Ministers and a non-devolved authority, such as a UK Secretary of State, remain statutory instruments.

The Legislation (Wales) Act 2019:

• Put the definition of a Welsh statutory instrument on a statutory footing
• Established a separate WSI series
• Enabled the King's Printer for Wales to allocate a unique number to each WSI

Senedd procedures apply to the scrutiny of Welsh statutory instruments, including the approval, confirmation and annulment procedures.

Statutory Instrument Consent Memorandum (SICM)

Standing Order 30A requires a member of the Welsh Government to lay a memorandum in relation to a statutory instrument laid before the UK Parliament by UK Ministers where the Senedd's consent is required because that instrument amends primary legislation within the legislative competence of the Senedd.

Subordinate legislation

Legislation made under powers delegated by primary legislation, such as:

• An Act of the UK Parliament
• A Senedd Act
• A Senedd Measure

Subordinate legislation may also be made under powers delegated by other subordinate legislation.

Forms of subordinate legislation include:

• Orders in Council
• Orders
• Regulations
• Rules
• Schemes
• Directions
• Byelaws
• Warrants

Most subordinate legislation made by the Welsh Ministers takes the form of a Welsh statutory instrument.

Subordinate legislation is also referred to as secondary legislation or delegated legislation.

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United Kingdom.

It hears appeals on arguable points of law of the greatest public importance:

• For the whole UK in civil cases
• For England, Wales and Northern Ireland in criminal cases

The Supreme Court also determines whether devolved executive and legislative bodies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have acted, or propose to act, within their legal powers and duties.

T

Transfer of functions orders

Orders in Council made by His Majesty the King for the purpose of transferring executive functions.

In relation to Wales, these orders transfer functions:

• From the Secretary of State for Wales to the National Assembly for Wales during the early stage of devolution
• From the National Assembly for Wales to the Welsh Ministers, First Minister or Counsel General following implementation of the Government of Wales Act 2006

The principal transfer order is the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999.

Tribunal

Tribunals are specialist courts whose judges and members hear a wide range of cases, including:

• Tax
• Employment
• Immigration
• Asylum

The Upper Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal hear appeals against certain tribunal decisions.

Some tribunal jurisdictions are UK-wide, while others operate only within specific nations or regions.

Tribunals may be administered by:

• Local authorities
• Government departments
• His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)

The Wales Act 2017 established the role of President of Welsh Tribunals, responsible for overseeing devolved Welsh tribunals.

Welsh Tribunals are funded by the Welsh Government but operate independently of it.

U

Ultra Vires

In the public law context, this term describes something done by a public body which is not within the scope of the powers given to it.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

An international treaty that recognises the human rights of children, defined as persons up to the age of 18 years.

Nations that ratify the Convention are bound by it under international law. Compliance is monitored by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is composed of members from countries around the world.

In Wales, the Welsh Ministers are under a duty to have regard to the core provisions in Part 1 of the Convention, and certain provisions in the optional protocols, when exercising their functions (see section 2 of the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011).

The Measure also empowers the Welsh Ministers to make an order applying the Measure to young persons aged 18 to 24, although this power has not been exercised to date.

Upper Tribunal

See Tribunal.

W

Wales Act 2014

The Wales Act 2014 amends the Government of Wales Act 2006, making changes to the devolved constitution in Wales.

Amongst other things, it added limited tax-raising powers to the legislative competence of the Senedd and, when fully implemented, provides the Welsh Ministers with wider borrowing powers.

Welsh Church Acts

This term refers collectively to:

• Welsh Church Act 1914
• Welsh Church (Temporalities) Act 1919
• Welsh Church (Burial Grounds) Act 1945

They form part of the statute law applicable to the disestablished Church in Wales.

Welsh Consolidated Fund

The consolidated fund is the UK Government's central bank account. Taxation receipts and other government income are paid into the fund and used to finance public expenditure.

In Wales, the equivalent account is the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

Money received by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Counsel General, the Wales Audit Office, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and the Senedd Commission is paid into the Welsh Consolidated Fund and used to fund public services in Wales.

Welsh Government (Welsh Assembly Government)

The Welsh Government is the devolved government for Wales.

It comprises:

• The First Minister
• The Welsh Ministers
• The Counsel General
• Government staff

Formerly known as the Welsh Assembly Government, it adopted the name Welsh Government in practice in 2011 and in law through the Wales Act 2014.

Welsh Government sponsored bodies

Public bodies directly funded by the Welsh Government but not forming part of the Welsh Government itself.

They have legal powers vested in them and enjoy varying degrees of operational independence.

Their functions may be:

• Administrative
• Regulatory
• Commercial
• Advisory
• Dispute-resolution related

Examples include:

• Natural Resources Wales
• Social Care Wales
• Medr

Welsh language functions

Under section 61 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, the Welsh Ministers have the power to do everything they consider appropriate to support the Welsh language.

Under section 78 of the Act, they are required to adopt a Welsh language strategy to promote and facilitate the use of Welsh.

The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 established:

• The Welsh Language Commissioner
• The Welsh Language Standards

The Welsh Language Standards place duties on specified organisations, including Welsh Ministers and certain public bodies.

See information about the Welsh Language Standards on the website of the Welsh Language Commissioner.

Welsh Ministers

The Welsh Ministers, the First Minister, the Deputy Welsh Ministers and the Counsel General together make up the membership of the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Ministers are appointed by the First Minister under section 48 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Welsh Revenue Authority

The Welsh Revenue Authority was established to collect devolved Welsh taxes.

Since 1 April 2018 it has administered:

• Land Transaction Tax (LTT)
• Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT)

The Authority is also responsible for collecting and managing the Visitor Levy and visitor accommodation registration system.

See guidance about registering visitor accommodation.

See the step-by-step guide to the Visitor Levy for visitor accommodation providers.

Welsh statutory instrument

See Statutory Instrument and Welsh Statutory Instrument.

Welsh taxes

On 1 April 2018, taxes relating only to Wales began to be collected for the first time in over 800 years.

These included:

• Land Transaction Tax (LTT), replacing Stamp Duty Land Tax in Wales
• Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT), replacing landfill tax in Wales

From 6 April 2019, people whose main residence is in Wales and who pay Income Tax pay Welsh Rates of Income Tax (WRIT).

West Lothian Question

The question asked by Tam Dalyell, MP for West Lothian, in 1977:

“For how long will English constituencies and English Honourable Members tolerate at least 119 Honourable Members from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland exercising an important, and probably often decisive, effect on British politics while they themselves have no say in the same matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?”

The issue concerns the extent to which Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs should participate in UK Parliamentary decisions affecting England after devolution.

It remains an important constitutional question in debates about the future of devolution within the United Kingdom.