The Crown Estate (Wales) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill seeking to transfer responsibility for the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh government. The bill’s second reading is scheduled to take place in the House of Lords on 7 February 2025. It has been introduced by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru).

There have been other recent attempts in Parliament to devolve the management of the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh government. A similar bill was introduced in the House of Commons in the 2021–22 parliamentary session by Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd) but did not progress past first reading. Additionally, several members of the House of Lords unsuccessfully tabled amendments to devolve the Crown Estate during the Lords stages of the Crown Estate Bill [HL] 2024–25.

Some stakeholders, including members of Senedd Cymru (the Welsh Parliament), have supported devolving the management of the Crown Estate in Wales. However, the UK government has rejected this, citing concerns about delayed energy grid connectivity reform, the commercial viability of a smaller entity in Wales, and the current economic benefits to Wales from income from the Crown Estate’s portfolio.


Related posts

  • Northern Ireland retail movement scheme and ‘rest of the world’ goods

    The government has recently changed the entry requirements for certain non-EU goods being imported into Great Britain to enable them to move onwards under the Northern Ireland retail movement scheme. The House of Lords is due to consider a motion to annul the regulations that made these changes. This comes in the context of wider debates about the impact of the Windsor Framework on Northern Ireland.

    Northern Ireland retail movement scheme and ‘rest of the world’ goods
  • Protecting Atlantic salmon populations

    In recent years, concerns have been raised about declining populations of Atlantic salmon, with work taking place to address this issue. This briefing provides a summary of this policy area. It has been prepared ahead of Lord Forsyth of Drumlean’s (Conservative) 12 September 2024 debate on what steps the government is taking to protect Atlantic salmon populations.

    Protecting Atlantic salmon populations
  • UK Covid-19 Inquiry report: Resilience and preparedness

    On 18 July 2024, the independent UK Covid-19 Inquiry published its first report, which focused on the UK’s pandemic resilience and preparedness. It contained 10 key recommendations. The chair of the inquiry, Baroness Heather Hallett, has urged the UK government and the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to implement her recommendations promptly. On 3 September 2024, the House of Lords is scheduled to debate the inquiry’s report.

    UK Covid-19 Inquiry report: Resilience and preparedness