Conservative

LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME
LOW TAX BILL:
Wales is set to get historic powers to set elements of the Income Tax rate in Wales. As the low tax
party, a Welsh Conservative Government will introduce a Bill to:
• Place a duty on future Welsh governments to provide a clear rationale for changes to Welsh Income
Tax rates, ensuring comprehensive reasons are provided for any change.
• Ensure the Welsh Government may only alter Income Tax rates in a budget, offering security to families
and households across Wales.
• Introduce new measures to publicise how tax has been spent on public services, including Welsh
Income Tax and Council Tax.
OLDER PEOPLE’S RIGHTS BILL:
There are some 800,000 older people in Wales who deserve every opportunity to be empowered,
have their rights strengthened and needs fulfilled. The Bill will:
• Further enshrine the rights of older people within Welsh law, placing a due regard duty on public
bodies.
• Place a duty on the Welsh Government to promote knowledge and understanding of the rights of older
people across Wales.
• Introduce measures to tackle ageism, promote ageing well, and embed older people’s well-being
within public service delivery.
NHS GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE BILL:
Our NHS is a Welsh national treasure, but it needs a radical overhaul in governance to ensure local
people have more of a say over decisions which impact upon their health and well-being. This Bill will:
• Establish directly- elected Health Commissioners to give communities a far greater say in local health
decisions which impact upon them.
• Scrap the system which currently allows ministers to appoint unelected health board members.
• Require Health Commissioners and NHS chief executives to appear twice a year before local authority
committees, and annually before the National Assembly.
NHS SAFETY BILL:
Patients must feel safe and secure when accessing health services across Wales. The Bill will:
• Establish a fully independent and better resourced healthcare inspectorate.
• Introduce a ‘scores on the doors’ hospital rating system to improve patient choice.
• Improve the NHS complaints process, ensuring speedy resolution of complaints and ensure that
organisations learn from their mistakes.
TOURISM BILL:
Wales has incredible potential as a global tourism destination. This Bill will help realise that potential,
freeing up the industry to deliver and enhance the critical importance of the sector. It will:
• Remove Visit Wales from Welsh Government control.
• Develop an independent, expert- led approach to boosting tourism into Wales.
• Guarantee the role of local communities in promoting the visitor experience.
WILDLIFE BILL:
Currently, a plethora of legislation governs Wales’ wildlife. It is often outdated and complex for
enforcement bodies. This Bill will:
• Consolidate and update much of the legislation relating to Wales’ wildlife, including its protection,
management and control.
• Aid enforcement bodies in tackling environmental crime, updating law which is often centuries old,
inaccessible and fails to deal adequately with the improvement of animal health and welfare.
• Clarify the public’s responsibilities in relation to wildlife.
Welsh Conservative Party
56 National Assembly for Wales Election Manifesto 2016
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