Despite the First Minister Carwyn Jones seeming reluctant over the past few weeks to even contemplate Corporation Tax powers for Wales, there seems to be a change of heart from the Welsh Government.
Especially in light of the Northern Ireland’s First Minsters pressing a strong case that has political and business backing and Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond calling for Corporation Tax powers to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament as soon as possible and Carwyn was on his own calling for only borrowing powers at the Devolved Heads meeting and the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting a few weeks ago.
In a reply to the Belfast Telegraph the Welsh Government yesterday seemed to back powers for Wales if they are granted elsewhere.
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are aware that the UK Government is considering devolving powers over corporation tax to Northern Ireland.
“If the UK Government does propose to devolve corporation tax powers to one or more of the devolved administrations, it should make a similar offer to Wales.”
The corporation tax issue is due to be debated in the Welsh Assembly early next week.
However there are a few caveats, notice the use of the words ‘similar offer’. What does the Welsh Government's similar offer look like and of course any offer can be rejected.
Maybe Carwyn and his team are finally waking up to the fact they are isolated by calling for only borrowing powers and taking on board the criticism leveled at him and are responding albeit slowly and cautiously to it, something to be welcomed and noted by the Opposition Parties if they want to change things in the months and years ahead.Any source
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