ON FEBRUARY 27 2015 the Prime Minister came to Wales to announce the landmark St David’s Day Agreement.

This agreement will mean new powers for the National Assembly that will help and allow the Welsh Government to boost growth and to create new jobs.

I would like to outline some of the main proposals included in the Agreement.

First, it introduces the reserved powers model for Wales.

This is the model in place in Scotland which has the default that anything not reserved is devolved. The St David’s Day Agreement outlines that the United Kingdom Government is committed to implementing this model in Wales and has begun to prepare for it.

Secondly, it introduces a floor in the level of relative funding provided to the Welsh Government so that Wales has a fairer share of the money allocated to the devolved nations.

This floor will be introduced in the expectation that the Welsh government will call a referendum on income tax powers in the next Parliament.

It is the view of the Government at Westminster that those who spend taxpayers’ money must also be responsible for raising it.

This Agreement removes the barrier to the Welsh Government holding a referendum on tax raising powers.

These new powers could help to keep the Welsh economy growing and it is time the people of Wales were given the chance to decide this matter.

Finally, the Agreement sets out plans for establishing a clear devolution settlement for Wales.

Under the Agreement energy projects up to 350 megawatts would be decided by Welsh Ministers. The National Assembly would have the power to lower the voting age to 16 for Assembly elections. All powers relation to Assembly and local government elections would be devolved and a review would be carried out on the devolution of Air Passenger duty.

Whether it is in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the localities and cities of England, on English votes for English laws and on devolution for Wales the United Kingdom Government is giving people across the country more say over the decisions that affect them.

The St David’s Day Agreement represents a further important landmark in Welsh devolution which will allow the next Parliament to legislate for a stronger, fairer settlement for the people of Wales.