The Members of the Senedd (MSs) you vote for help shape life in Wales. They debate, examine, and create laws on important issues like health, education, transport, and agriculture.
What Powers Does the Senedd Have?
The Senedd is responsible for making laws in many areas that affect daily life in Wales, including:
- Health and social care
- Housing
- Education
- Transport
- Business and economic development
- Social services
- Welsh language and culture
- The environment
- Local government
Since 2014, the Senedd has also had important powers to raise certain taxes, giving Wales more control over how money is raised and spent.
However, some areas — like defence, immigration, and foreign affairs — are still handled by the UK Parliament in Westminster.
How Are New Laws Made in Wales?
New laws start as proposals called Bills. These go through several stages before becoming official laws, known as Acts of the Senedd. Here's how the process works:
Stage 1: Is the law needed?
Members of the Senedd decide whether Wales needs the proposed law.
Stage 2: Expert review
A Senedd committee studies the Bill in detail, hears from experts and people affected, and may suggest changes.
Stage 3: Debate and decisions
All MSs meet in the Senedd Chamber (called the Siambr) to debate the Bill, review suggestions, and make final changes.
Stage 4: Final vote
Members vote on the final wording of the Bill.
Stage 5: Royal Assent
If approved, the Bill is sent to the King. Once it gets Royal Assent, it officially becomes a Welsh law.
Examples of Welsh Laws
Some laws in Wales are different from those in the rest of the UK. Examples include:
- A charge for single-use plastic bags
- A ban on wild animals in circuses
- The introduction of Land Transaction Tax, which replaced Stamp Duty in Wales