(Title Image: drillordrop.com)
As of October 1st 2018, the Welsh Government will have the power to licence onshore applications for gas and oil extraction as well as the power to set teachers’ pay and conditions.
The Welsh Government has already set out a provisional policy against approving or welcoming any applications for “fracking”, while proposed changes to teachers pay and conditions – via a new national panel – are expected to be in place in time for the 2019-20 academic year.
Energy, Planning & Rural Affairs Secretary, Lesley Griffiths (Lab, Wrexham) said:
“Burning fossil fuels is the number one contributor to global warming and there is overwhelming scientific evidence which shows how climate change is damaging our planet. Instead of exploring new ways to extract fossil fuels, we should be investing in renewable forms of energy.”
Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem, Brecon & Radnor) said:
“The new national model will encourage co-operation, bringing unions, employers and Welsh Government together for an equal, practical and sustainable way forward – with the added benefit of all decisions being subject to advice and review from an independent expert body.”
