Wales Bill, House of Lords second reading

This briefing supports the inclusion in the Wales Bill of measures, which will enable the National Assembly to permit or require wider or stronger action to protect and promote equality and human rights in Wales, while ensuring that legislative competence to reduce protection is not devolved.

This briefing is in line with our submissions on the Draft Wales Bill, with our submission to the Silk Commission on Devolution, and with our briefings made on similar points during the parliamentary passage of the Scotland Act 2016. We welcome modifications made to the legislation following the consultation on the Draft Wales Bill that have addressed some of the concerns raised by us and others during the consultation process. However, in our view changes are necessary to the Bill to further clarify the extent of the National Assembly’s legislative competence in relation to equality and human rights and to enhance powers for the National Assembly to protect and promote equality and human rights in Wales.

Download the briefing for the Wales Bill, House of Lords second reading (PDF)