Senedd criticises 'ill-judged' decision on renters' rights
Mike Hedges expressed concerns about the Senedd consenting to the UK Government making law in a devolved area.
He said the Welsh Government provided no clear rationale for "piggybacking" on a UK bill, adding that a bill tailored to Wales' needs could have already become law by autumn 2024.
"This would have meant that the benefits of the legislation could have been felt sooner by citizens in Wales," said the Labour Senedd member.
"Moreover, the provisions could have been consulted on by Senedd committees and subject to more debate and scrutiny, with a view to producing better outcomes."
The renters' rights bill amends two Senedd Acts – with little input from elected members in Cardiff Bay.
Mr Hedges warned: "The Senedd is in effect being provided with a fait accompli: vote in favour or risk losing important legislation on housing".
Wales' housing minister Jayne Bryant responded: "Practically, we could not deliver within the timeframe of this bill without making sacrifices elsewhere.
"We could have looked to deliver a discrete bill but it would have been delivered further down the line and I'm not prepared to make tenants in Wales who are being discriminated against wait… and nor did I want to jeopardise other important legislation."
She added there was nothing to stop people in Wales responding to the UK Government's consultation.
Labour's Alun Davies intervened: "This is essentially an argument to go back to the pre-2011, 1999 settlement, that there's no need for Welsh consultation."
"That is unacceptable, minister, I'm afraid."
But he said he would vote along party lines.
Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, opposed the bill due to concerns surrounding a potential ban on no-fault evictions.
Senedd members backed legislative consent for the bill, 37-14, with the Tories and Rhys ab Owen – who sits as an independent – voting against.
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