Welsh Devolution Features and Legislation

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key developments, referendums, and Acts of Parliament shaping Welsh devolution from 1997 to 2020.

1997 Welsh Devolution Referendum

A referendum with a very close result of 50% to 49.5% on a 50% turnout (representing around one quarter of the Welsh electorate in favour), which led to Wales initially receiving fewer powers than Scotland.

Government of Wales Act 1998

An Act of Parliament that established an elected Welsh National Assembly and a Welsh Executive led by a First Minister, granting purely administrative devolution with no power to pass primary laws or raise money.

Administrative Devolution (Wales)

A system where the Welsh government could administer devolved services—such as Health, Education, Local authority services, Public transport, and Agriculture—and allocate its UK central government grant, but could not pass laws or raise taxes.

2011 Welsh Devolution Referendum

A referendum in which 63.5% voted in favour of further devolution, paving the way for the Silk Commission and the Government of Wales Act 2014.

Silk Commission

A commission established following the 2011 Welsh referendum victory to inform further devolution, leading to the Government of Wales Act 2014.

Government of Wales Act 2014

An Act that granted the Welsh government control over business taxes, stamp duty on property sales, and landfill tax, as well as limited powers to borrow from open markets for major projects and housing.

Government of Wales Act 2017

An Act that expanded Assembly powers and autonomy, removed the referendum requirement for income tax control, allowed varying income tax by up to 10p in the pound, transferred responsibilities such as energy efficiency and onshore oil and electricity production, and established the Welsh Revenue Authority.

Welsh Revenue Authority

A body created by the Government of Wales Act 2017 to collect Welsh-based taxes.

Senedd Cymru

The name given to the Welsh Parliament (formerly the Welsh National Assembly) following the Government of Wales Act 2017, which took effect in May 2020.