- 28/01/2014
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Categories: Latest News, Press Releases
Swansea Assembly Members Julie James and Mike Hedges have welcomed new Welsh laws to change the way the NHS is financed, tackle the problem of fly grazing horses and to reform the governance of Further Education Institutions in Wales which have been granted Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen.
The National Health Service Finance (Wales) Act 2014 removes the existing duty on local health boards to break even annually and replaces it with a three year rolling financial duty together with a tolerance threshold, as permitted by Welsh Ministers.
The Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014 provides local authorities with the power to seize, impound, return to the owner, sell, re-home or, as a last resort, euthanase horses by humane means when they are on land without lawful consent.
The Further and Higher Education (Governance and Information) (Wales) Act 2014 will enhance the autonomy and decision making abilities of Further Education Institutions and allow data relevant to student grants and loans to be shared by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) with the Welsh Ministers.
A Bill receives Royal Assent when Letters Patent under the Welsh Seal signed with Her Majesty’s own hand signifying Her Assent are notified to the Clerk of the Assembly.
Swansea West AM Julie James said:
“These new laws represent a made in Wales approach on a wide range of issues.”
Swansea East AM Mike Hedges added:
“The Welsh Labour Government’s legislative program is growing apace and demonstrating the maturity of the Assembly.”
The First Minister, as Keeper of the Welsh Seal, applied the Seal to the Letters Patent in a ceremony in Cardiff earlier this week.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
“Through our ambitious five year legislative programme, we are introducing ‘made in Wales’ solutions to the issues affecting us as a nation. These Acts represent a further step in our drive to improve public services and make Wales a better place.”
