Session 2007/08
Acts with specific provisions or implications for Wales in Session 2007-08:
| Act | Notes |
| Children and Young Persons Act 2008 | Makes provision to reform the statutory framework for the care system to enable children and young people to receive high quality care and support and drive improvements in the delivery of services focused on the needs of the child. |
| Climate Change Act 2008 | Creates a long term legal framework to reduce the UK’s CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions up to 2050 and beyond, by setting carbon reduction targets and budgets. Establishes a Climate Change Commission to advise the Government and devolved administrations. Gives Assembly Ministers the power to introduce a trading scheme for Wales, and functions of issuing guidance and reporting on climate change. |
| Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Act 2008 | Makes provision for a scheme to distribute money in dormant bank and building society accounts for the benefit of the community, whilst protecting the right of owners to reclaim their money. Gives Welsh Ministers various functions, including the power to issue orders and directions relating to the distribution and expenditure of money apportioned to Wales. |
| Education and Skills Act 2008 | Includes Framework Powers to enable the National Assembly for Wales to legislate in relation to the inspection of schools for the pre-16 age group and registration and regulation of independent schools in Wales. |
| Energy Act 2008 | Makes provision for offshore gas infrastructure, carbon dioxide storage, the Renewables Obligation, decommissioning of energy installations (nuclear, renewables, oil & gas) and offshore transmissions. Includes provisions to preserve existing functions of Welsh Ministers. |
| Health and Social Care Act 2008 | Establishes the Care Quality Commission bringing together existing health and social care regulators into one regulatory body. Reforms professional regulation to enhance public and professional confidence and strengthen clinical governance as part of the Government’s response to the Shipman Inquiry. |
| Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 | Supports delivery of housing supply through the creation of a new homes agency for England, and reforms social housing regulations in England. Gives Welsh Ministers powers relating to sustainability certificates for new homes. Makes amendments to housing legislation, including changes to powers of Welsh Ministers. |
| Local Transport Act 2008 | Makes provision to support Government strategy to tackle road congestion and improve public transport by ensuring local authorities have the right powers to take local action to meet local transport needs. Includes Framework Powers to enable the National Assembly for Wales to pass Measures relating to trunk road pricing in Wales (including the M4), and apply the proceeds of surcharges to transport-related matters in Wales. |
| Planning Act 2008 | Introduces a new system for nationally significant infrastructure planning, alongside further reforms to the town and country planning system and the introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy. Includes framework powers to enable the National Assembly to legislate in relation to plans made by both the Welsh Ministers and local planning authorities on the development and use of land in Wales. |
| Regulatory Enforcement & Sanctions Act 2008 | Establishes the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) to promote better regulation by local authorities, and provides for co-ordination of enforcement by local authorities. Gives Welsh Ministers various functions in relation to the LBRO. Confers powers to enable regulators to impose a range of civil sanctions for regulatory non-compliance, and to require regulators not to impose unnecessary burdens, which will be powers for Welsh Ministers in relation to devolved matters. |
| Sale of Student Loans Act 2008 | Makes provision for the programme of sales of the student loans portfolio, including Assembly loan books. Confers on Assembly Ministers similar powers to sell in relation to loans made by them as the Secretary of State (SoS) has in relation to loans for which the SoS is responsible. |
Other Acts in session 2007-08 which apply to Wales:
| Act | Notes |
| Child Maintenance
And Other Payments Act 2008 |
Reforms the system of child maintenance; includes provision to extend compensation for people suffering from diffuse mesothelioma. |
| Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 | Provision to enhance counter-terrorism powers, including provision relating to pre-charge detention of terrorist suspects. |
| Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 | Provision for sentencing, criminal justice and appeals; establishes HM Commission for Offender Management and Prisons; new offence of possessing extreme pornographic images; new powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. |
| Employment Act 2008 | Repeals statutory dispute resolution procedures; makes provision to encourage resolution of disputes; strengthens the enforcement framework agency standards; clarifies rights of trade unions to determine their membership. |
| European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 | Enables the United Kingdom to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. |
| Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 | Amends legislation on assisted reproduction and makes changes to the regulation and licensing of the use of embryos in research and therapy. |
| National Insurance Contributions Act 2008 | Provision in connection with the upper earnings limit for NIC contributions (including in particular provision about the upper accrual point). |
| Pensions Act 2008 | Requires employers to enrol jobholders into workplace pension schemes and maintain their membership; simplifies and amends pension legislation; makes provision for compensation paid by the Pension Protection Fund. |