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Welsh Lib Dems: Danny Alexander signals tax powers offer | Welsh Lib Dems: Danny Alexander signals tax powers offer |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The chief secretary to the Treasury has given his strongest signal yet that Wales will be offered major tax and borrowing powers. | The chief secretary to the Treasury has given his strongest signal yet that Wales will be offered major tax and borrowing powers. |
Danny Alexander said there was now a consensus in Wales on the issue and he would "work tirelessly" to make it happen. | Danny Alexander said there was now a consensus in Wales on the issue and he would "work tirelessly" to make it happen. |
He was speaking at the Welsh Liberal Democrats conference. | He was speaking at the Welsh Liberal Democrats conference. |
The Silk Commission wants a referendum on whether Wales should have income tax rate varying powers. | The Silk Commission wants a referendum on whether Wales should have income tax rate varying powers. |
Under the plans, the Welsh and UK governments would share the yield from income taxes by 2020, in advance of a referendum. | Under the plans, the Welsh and UK governments would share the yield from income taxes by 2020, in advance of a referendum. |
The commission was set up to examine the case for more tax raising powers. | The commission was set up to examine the case for more tax raising powers. |
When it reported back, it also recommended responsibility for a series of smaller taxes be devolved to Cardiff, together with significant borrowing powers. | When it reported back, it also recommended responsibility for a series of smaller taxes be devolved to Cardiff, together with significant borrowing powers. |
"We need a new model of devolution for Wales - a model in which additional responsibility for raising revenues strengthens responsibility too," he told the conference. | "We need a new model of devolution for Wales - a model in which additional responsibility for raising revenues strengthens responsibility too," he told the conference. |
"A model in which significant income tax powers unlock commensurate borrowing powers for Wales too. | "A model in which significant income tax powers unlock commensurate borrowing powers for Wales too. |
"We are still working through our response to the Silk Commission with the Welsh government but I will not allow a response to Silk that doesn't meet those aspirations. | |
"I said when I came to Wales in 2010 to speak to the (assembly) finance committee that there was a strong case for tax and borrowing powers, if there was a consensus in Wales. | "I said when I came to Wales in 2010 to speak to the (assembly) finance committee that there was a strong case for tax and borrowing powers, if there was a consensus in Wales. |
"Now that we have such a consensus, I will work tirelessly to make this happen," Mr Alexander added. | "Now that we have such a consensus, I will work tirelessly to make this happen," Mr Alexander added. |
Mr Alexander said a "properly functioning (Welsh) parliament with additional responsibilities" would create "a stronger economy in a fairer society for Wales". | Mr Alexander said a "properly functioning (Welsh) parliament with additional responsibilities" would create "a stronger economy in a fairer society for Wales". |
UK ministers' response to this first phase of the Silk Commission's work, which considered taxes and borrowing, is due to be published soon. | UK ministers' response to this first phase of the Silk Commission's work, which considered taxes and borrowing, is due to be published soon. |
In its second phase, the commission is now considering whether powers over more policy areas should be devolved to Wales. | In its second phase, the commission is now considering whether powers over more policy areas should be devolved to Wales. |
The UK government's submission to this part of the enquiry said there was no need for "radical" changes to the current arrangements. | The UK government's submission to this part of the enquiry said there was no need for "radical" changes to the current arrangements. |