On Tuesday 4 October, the Welsh Assembly Government published
its £14bn Draft Budget for 2012-2013 and
reaffirmed its commitment to develop a national infrastructure
plan.
The National Assembly for Wales (Senedd) has power to pass
legislation in 20 devolved policy areas including Housing,
Environment and Highways and Transport. Following the Yes vote in
the devolution referendum in March this year, the Senedd no longer
needs the agreement of the UK Government before it can pass
legislation in these 20 policy areas.
First Minister Carwyn Jones announced the Welsh Assembly
Government's commitment to develop a national infrastructure
plan in his Programme for Government on 27 September,
and Finance Minister Jane Hutt backed up this commitment in the
Draft Budget on 4 October. The national infrastructure
plan will be a "strategic, 10 year plan for investment in
economic and social infrastructure in Wales to help prioritise
allocation of resources, guide investment
