WRITTEN STATEMENT

BY

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT

TITLE	Orders under sections 150 and 157A of the Government of Wales Act 2006
DATE	11 June 2024
BY	Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education

Last month I issued a written statement informing members the Secretary State for Wales had made and laid the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2024 before the UK Parliament. I also laid the draft Government of Wales Act 2006 (Devolved Welsh Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2024 before the Senedd, on the same day as the Secretary of State laid it before Parliament. Both statutory instruments arise as a consequence of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022.

Members will wish to be aware of the implications of the dissolution of the United Kingdom Parliament on both pieces of legislation.

The Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) (No. 2) Order 2024 has been made and is subject to annulment by Parliament. The Order is scheduled to come into force on either the day on which section 23 of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 comes into force, or 1st August 2024, whichever is later. The UK Government do not consider this Order will be affected by the dissolution of Parliament.

The Government of Wales Act 2006 (Devolved Welsh Authorities) (Amendment) Order 2024 cannot be made until it has been approved by both Houses of Parliament, and the Senedd. It will be a matter for an incoming UK Government to table a new motion seeking the approval of both Houses of Parliament, though there is no reason why the Senedd’s consideration of the Order should not go ahead as planned. A debate on the Order is currently scheduled for 18th June.

I will keep members informed of progress on the draft Order in Council following the election.