Government’s Legislative Programme: Wales

Jo Stevens Excerpts

Thursday 14th May 2026 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

The Government legislative programme for the second session was outlined at the state opening of Parliament on Wednesday 13 May. This statement provides a summary of the programme and its application to Wales. It does not include Law Commission Bills or Finance Bills.

The legislative programme supports our plan to build a stronger, fairer future for Wales and the whole United Kingdom. It will tackle the cost of living, create jobs and drive economic growth in Wales. This includes by creating a stronger relationship with our European partners and providing opportunities for young people to live and learn in Europe. This will build on the steps we have already taken to strengthen the Welsh economy, which have resulted in higher wages, lower unemployment and tens of thousands of better, more secure jobs in every corner of the country.

Alongside the legislative programme we will continue to deliver jobs, growth and opportunities across Wales through the new local growth fund worth more than half a billion pounds, by delivering our modern industrial strategy and attracting inward investment and promoting exports through brand Wales, and by continuing to secure steelmaking’s future in Port Talbot as well as across the country.

The Energy Independence Bill will transform the country’s energy system, support our work to cut household bills and seize the economic opportunities of clean energy. This will build on the progress we made in the first session of this Parliament to put Wales at the forefront of our work to become a clean energy superpower, with the first significant floating offshore wind projects confirmed in the Celtic sea alongside UK Government investment, and with new nuclear set to bring thousands of jobs to north Wales.

The Railways Bill will bring about much needed reforms to our railways and delivers our manifesto commitment to give the Welsh Government a role in the management of our railways. This will enable our generational commitment to deliver our long-term plan for Welsh rail worth up to £14 billion, which has the potential to unlock 12,000 jobs and connect communities with new opportunities across Wales.

The legislative programme will support our armed forces, ensure our national security and prevent extreme violence through respective Bills. This will complement the UK Government’s biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the cold war. We will also strip away police service bureaucracy, replace police and crime commissioners and put more police on the street through the Police Reform Bill.

The following Bills will extend and apply to Wales (either in full or in part):

Armed Forces

Civil Aviation

Clean Water

Commonhold and Leasehold Reform

Competition Reform

Conversation Practices (Draft)

Courts and Tribunals

Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems)

Digital Access to Services

Electricity Generator Levy

Energy Independence

Enhancing Financial Services

European Partnership

Immigration and Asylum

National Security

Health

Northern Ireland Troubles

Police Reform

Public Office (Accountability)

Railways

Regulating for Growth

Remediation

Removal of Peerages

Representation of the People

Small Business Protections (Late Payments)

Sovereign Grant

Sporting Events

Steel Industry (Nationalisation)

Tackling State Threats

Ticket Tout Ban (Draft)

The UK Government will endeavour to work collaboratively with the Welsh Government to secure the legislative consent of the Senedd where appropriate.

[HCWS1571]