Yesterday’s Daily Post reports that the four-year quest by the Welsh Assembly Government for enhanced powers over housing is facing collapse amid sustained Tory opposition at Westminster.
Because of the cock-up over the first Housing LCO that saw it rejected by a joint Houses of Parliament Constitutional Committee, the Welsh Government have tried again with a more wide-ranging attempt at drawing down powers on affordable housing. But, because it has been left so late it is unlikely to get through scrutiny by the ten Whitehall departments before a General Election is called.
This means that it will only get on the statute book if the Government can get all party support to push it through in what is known as the wash-up. However, as the Tories are opposing the right to buy provisions in the LCO it is unlikely to survive even that process.
In many ways this is bizarre. Only a week ago the Tories unanimously supported a referendum on full law-making powers for the Assembly and said they would vote yes. A successful referendum would give us the precise powers that are sought under this LCO. For now though they see fit to play games and deny the Assembly the right to make its own mind up on the issue.
There could though be consequences. Contained in this LCO is a provision that will give the Welsh Government the power to change the way that Council Tax discounts are set. This will enable WAG to give Councils the ability to increase charges on long-term empty homes. It also enables them to reduce Council Tax by half for serving members of the armed forces for whom their main home has become a secondary residence.
Do the Tories really want to be responsible for denying servicemen equality with England on Council Tax charges by vetoing this Legislative Competence Order?
Related posts:
