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UK Government Rejects Devolution of Crown Estate to Welsh Ministers
The UK government has dismissed calls for Welsh control over Crown Estate revenues, asserting that this would not be commercially viable.
The UK government has declined requests from Welsh political parties, notably Plaid Cymru, to transfer management of the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh government.
The Crown Estate, owned by the monarch and also a source of funding for the Royal Family, holds assets exceeding £603 million across Wales, which includes ownership of 65% of the surrounding seabed.
During a session in Parliament, Treasury Minister James Murray stated that devolving the Crown Estate to Wales would be unfeasible from a commercial perspective.
The Welsh government, supported by Plaid Cymru, argues that local control would allow revenues generated from renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, to be reinvested directly into Welsh communities.
Currently, income from the Crown Estate contributes to the UK Treasury's overall funding, which is then allocated across the United Kingdom.
In contrast, the Scottish government has been granted control over the Crown Estate in Scotland, a point highlighted by Plaid Cymru representatives during parliamentary discussions.
Llinos Medi, MP for Ynys Mon and advocate for Welsh devolution of the estate, emphasized the historical exploitation of Welsh resources for the benefit of external parties, citing examples from various industries including copper, slate, steel, and coal.
She stressed that Welsh revenue from the Crown Estate is being funneled away from the region, questioning why Wales does not receive similar benefits from its natural resources as Scotland does.
Murray countered this position by asserting that maintaining the current structure allows for improved energy capacity and increases in net profits, which are reinvested into public services throughout the UK.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have echoed calls for devolution, with MP David Chadwick estimating that such a move could augment the Welsh Government's budget by around £50 million, contributing to public service funding and infrastructure development.
In the Senedd, Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the divisions within the Labour Party regarding this issue, reaffirming that there are areas of both agreement and disagreement.
Following parliamentary debates, Medi expressed disappointment that Welsh Labour MPs did not support the devolution amendments, describing it as a missed opportunity for real investment in Welsh communities.
The Crown Estate encompasses over £603 million in assets, including:
- 65% of Wales' coastal and riverbeds
- The seabed extending up to 12 miles offshore
- 50,000 acres of land
- 250,000 acres of mineral deposits
- Ownership of gold and silver deposits.
Profits from the Crown Estate, operated independently despite royal ownership, are utilized to calculate funding provided to the Royal Family through the Sovereign Grant.
The Crown Estate, owned by the monarch and also a source of funding for the Royal Family, holds assets exceeding £603 million across Wales, which includes ownership of 65% of the surrounding seabed.
During a session in Parliament, Treasury Minister James Murray stated that devolving the Crown Estate to Wales would be unfeasible from a commercial perspective.
The Welsh government, supported by Plaid Cymru, argues that local control would allow revenues generated from renewable energy projects, such as wind farms, to be reinvested directly into Welsh communities.
Currently, income from the Crown Estate contributes to the UK Treasury's overall funding, which is then allocated across the United Kingdom.
In contrast, the Scottish government has been granted control over the Crown Estate in Scotland, a point highlighted by Plaid Cymru representatives during parliamentary discussions.
Llinos Medi, MP for Ynys Mon and advocate for Welsh devolution of the estate, emphasized the historical exploitation of Welsh resources for the benefit of external parties, citing examples from various industries including copper, slate, steel, and coal.
She stressed that Welsh revenue from the Crown Estate is being funneled away from the region, questioning why Wales does not receive similar benefits from its natural resources as Scotland does.
Murray countered this position by asserting that maintaining the current structure allows for improved energy capacity and increases in net profits, which are reinvested into public services throughout the UK.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have echoed calls for devolution, with MP David Chadwick estimating that such a move could augment the Welsh Government's budget by around £50 million, contributing to public service funding and infrastructure development.
In the Senedd, Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the divisions within the Labour Party regarding this issue, reaffirming that there are areas of both agreement and disagreement.
Following parliamentary debates, Medi expressed disappointment that Welsh Labour MPs did not support the devolution amendments, describing it as a missed opportunity for real investment in Welsh communities.
The Crown Estate encompasses over £603 million in assets, including:
- 65% of Wales' coastal and riverbeds
- The seabed extending up to 12 miles offshore
- 50,000 acres of land
- 250,000 acres of mineral deposits
- Ownership of gold and silver deposits.
Profits from the Crown Estate, operated independently despite royal ownership, are utilized to calculate funding provided to the Royal Family through the Sovereign Grant.
