This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-wales-politics-17212309

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
BBC Wales poll: Voters back tax power, but not independence BBC Wales poll: Voters back tax power, but not independence
(about 1 hour later)
Almost two-thirds of voters think the Welsh assembly should have at least some influence over the taxes people pay, according to a poll for BBC Wales.Almost two-thirds of voters think the Welsh assembly should have at least some influence over the taxes people pay, according to a poll for BBC Wales.
Only about one in three wanted to keep the current system where the assembly has no power to vary taxes.Only about one in three wanted to keep the current system where the assembly has no power to vary taxes.
Support for Welsh independence remains weak, with 7% backing it, rising to 12% if Scotland leaves the UK.Support for Welsh independence remains weak, with 7% backing it, rising to 12% if Scotland leaves the UK.
The poll also shows strong support for the Welsh government's public sector-only approach to the NHS.The poll also shows strong support for the Welsh government's public sector-only approach to the NHS.
Pollsters ICM found 28% of people thought the assembly should have the power to reduce or increase all taxes.Pollsters ICM found 28% of people thought the assembly should have the power to reduce or increase all taxes.
A total of 36% said some tax-varying powers should be devolved within limits agreed with the UK government.A total of 36% said some tax-varying powers should be devolved within limits agreed with the UK government.
But 32% thought the assembly should have no powers over taxes.But 32% thought the assembly should have no powers over taxes.
'Transfer power''Transfer power'
The institution gained primary law-making powers in a referendum last year, but has no say over taxation.The institution gained primary law-making powers in a referendum last year, but has no say over taxation.
A commission into the future of devolution is examining whether more financial powers, including over some taxes, should be devolved to Cardiff.A commission into the future of devolution is examining whether more financial powers, including over some taxes, should be devolved to Cardiff.
It appears that while there's no real demand for independence - even if Scotland leaves the union - Welsh voters have yet to be convinced the current settlement is the right one.It appears that while there's no real demand for independence - even if Scotland leaves the union - Welsh voters have yet to be convinced the current settlement is the right one.
It's striking that less than one year since the referendum more people want to see the assembly's powers increase than think that the current powers are sufficient.It's striking that less than one year since the referendum more people want to see the assembly's powers increase than think that the current powers are sufficient.
Politicians have always believed that there's no real desire among voters for the assembly to have powers over taxation.Politicians have always believed that there's no real desire among voters for the assembly to have powers over taxation.
It's clear from the poll that almost two-thirds of voters believe the assembly should have taxation powers - even if they disagree about the extent of those powers.It's clear from the poll that almost two-thirds of voters believe the assembly should have taxation powers - even if they disagree about the extent of those powers.
Maybe it's not a great surprise that voters in the home of the health service aren't that impressed by the changes the UK government in England - but the four-to-one rejection of the suggestion that Wales should copy the English reforms is one of the clearest results I've seen in any Welsh poll.Maybe it's not a great surprise that voters in the home of the health service aren't that impressed by the changes the UK government in England - but the four-to-one rejection of the suggestion that Wales should copy the English reforms is one of the clearest results I've seen in any Welsh poll.
Worth noting, perhaps, that neither the Conservatives nor the Liberal Democrats in the assembly have proposed that Wales should go down the English route when it comes to health.Worth noting, perhaps, that neither the Conservatives nor the Liberal Democrats in the assembly have proposed that Wales should go down the English route when it comes to health.
The poll found 29% were satisfied with the powers the assembly has, while 36% said it should be more powerful.The poll found 29% were satisfied with the powers the assembly has, while 36% said it should be more powerful.
A fifth (22%) thought the assembly should be abolished.A fifth (22%) thought the assembly should be abolished.
Seven per cent thought Wales should be an independent country, rising to 12% if Scotland votes for independence.Seven per cent thought Wales should be an independent country, rising to 12% if Scotland votes for independence.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said the poll showed devolution had "bedded in" and that there was "a discussion to be had on transferring some tax powers to Wales".First Minister Carwyn Jones said the poll showed devolution had "bedded in" and that there was "a discussion to be had on transferring some tax powers to Wales".
"I have repeatedly called for us to have full financial borrowing powers as we remain only part of the UK where the government cannot borrow to fund roads and hospitals," he said."I have repeatedly called for us to have full financial borrowing powers as we remain only part of the UK where the government cannot borrow to fund roads and hospitals," he said.
"I have also raised the possibility of devolving control of areas such as stamp duty and air passenger duty as part of a comprehensive package of reforms for Wales.""I have also raised the possibility of devolving control of areas such as stamp duty and air passenger duty as part of a comprehensive package of reforms for Wales."
He added: "Independence is simply not in the interests of Wales."He added: "Independence is simply not in the interests of Wales."
The Conservatives' leader in the assembly, Andrew RT Davies, said Welsh people had rejected independence.The Conservatives' leader in the assembly, Andrew RT Davies, said Welsh people had rejected independence.
"The arguments for the United Kingdom are clear," he said."The arguments for the United Kingdom are clear," he said.
"The union has been a cultural and political strength which advantages all corners of it.""The union has been a cultural and political strength which advantages all corners of it."
Plaid Cymru, the only one of the four main parties in favour of independence, said the support for further powers showed Wales was "growing in confidence".Plaid Cymru, the only one of the four main parties in favour of independence, said the support for further powers showed Wales was "growing in confidence".
Plaid AM Llyr Huws Gruffydd said: "The people of Wales are increasingly putting their trust in the assembly and devolution and they want to see more decisions made in Wales."Plaid AM Llyr Huws Gruffydd said: "The people of Wales are increasingly putting their trust in the assembly and devolution and they want to see more decisions made in Wales."
Rachel Banner, of True Wales, which campaigned for a No vote in last year's referendum, said politicians had interpreted the yes vote on primary law-making powers to seek control over more issues.
She said: "Last March, we were told that a yes vote would not lead to tax powers and here we are - we have a Silk Commission. Tax powers are on their way, it's inevitable.
"We've got this chain of event arising from the referendum last year that we never had a debate about."
Prof Richard Wyn Jones, director of the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, said the plurality of support for more powers but very little support for independence was "striking".
He said: "People shouldn't be looking at Wales through Scottish lenses. What happens in Scotland makes very little difference to what people in Wales actually want for Wales."
There appears to be little appetite for the kind of NHS reform being pursued by the UK government, with 77% believing service delivery should stay as it is.There appears to be little appetite for the kind of NHS reform being pursued by the UK government, with 77% believing service delivery should stay as it is.
Only 18% thought that changes similar to those being introduced in England by the Westminster coalition should be imported.Only 18% thought that changes similar to those being introduced in England by the Westminster coalition should be imported.
ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,000 Welsh adults by telephone on 24-26 February. Interviews were conducted across Wales and the results have been weighted to the profile of all Welsh adults.ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1,000 Welsh adults by telephone on 24-26 February. Interviews were conducted across Wales and the results have been weighted to the profile of all Welsh adults.