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/news/uk-wales-politics-30351044

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Welsh tax power scrutiny 'needs better economic data' Welsh tax power scrutiny 'needs better economic data'
(about 3 hours later)
Tax powers should not be devolved to Wales until the right data is available to measure its economic performance, a leading academic has told BBC Wales.Tax powers should not be devolved to Wales until the right data is available to measure its economic performance, a leading academic has told BBC Wales.
Professor Max Munday's comments follow the concerns of AMs on the enterprise and business committee.Professor Max Munday's comments follow the concerns of AMs on the enterprise and business committee.
They said more statistics were needed to allow them to scrutinise the Welsh economy and performance of ministers.They said more statistics were needed to allow them to scrutinise the Welsh economy and performance of ministers.
The Welsh government said statisticians had been asked to consider what information could be produced.The Welsh government said statisticians had been asked to consider what information could be produced.
'Informed decisions''Informed decisions'
In his Autumn Statement UK Chancellor George Osborne confirmed that business rates would be devolved to Wales.In his Autumn Statement UK Chancellor George Osborne confirmed that business rates would be devolved to Wales.
Landfill tax, stamp duty and the power to vary rates of income tax are also due to be transferred when the Wales Bill going through Parliament becomes law.Landfill tax, stamp duty and the power to vary rates of income tax are also due to be transferred when the Wales Bill going through Parliament becomes law.
That could give Wales control of up to £3bn worth of taxes a year, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.That could give Wales control of up to £3bn worth of taxes a year, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics Wales programme, Prof Munday of the Welsh Economy Research Unit said there were "gaps that need filling" in the economic information currently available.Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics Wales programme, Prof Munday of the Welsh Economy Research Unit said there were "gaps that need filling" in the economic information currently available.
"As more decision-making power is devolved to the Welsh government - particularly in terms of things such as taxes - there is a requirement for government ministers to have far more information on which to make informed decisions," he said."As more decision-making power is devolved to the Welsh government - particularly in terms of things such as taxes - there is a requirement for government ministers to have far more information on which to make informed decisions," he said.
"We need to build a stock of economic data now because we need time for this data to inform models and make for better decision-making," he added."We need to build a stock of economic data now because we need time for this data to inform models and make for better decision-making," he added.
'Properly scrutinise''Properly scrutinise'
Inward investment, exports and business support were areas where better data was needed, according to a report by the assembly's enterprise and business committee.Inward investment, exports and business support were areas where better data was needed, according to a report by the assembly's enterprise and business committee.
Chairman William Graham said: "We want some indication to say exactly what the government is doing so the committee can properly scrutinise the minister and where necessary provide support."Chairman William Graham said: "We want some indication to say exactly what the government is doing so the committee can properly scrutinise the minister and where necessary provide support."
The Welsh government said it accepted some of the committee's recommendations to make more data available but rejected others, some on grounds of commercial confidentiality.The Welsh government said it accepted some of the committee's recommendations to make more data available but rejected others, some on grounds of commercial confidentiality.
It said it "recognises the potential value of improved export statistics" and said it had already asked statisticians to consider what information might be produced in the future to "enhance our understanding of the Welsh economy".It said it "recognises the potential value of improved export statistics" and said it had already asked statisticians to consider what information might be produced in the future to "enhance our understanding of the Welsh economy".
Sunday Politics Wales can be seen on BBC One Wales at 11:00 GMT on Sunday 7 November Sunday Politics Wales can be seen on BBC One Wales at 11:00 GMT on Sunday 7 December