ONE of the first Welsh taxes in 800 years received Royal Assent on Thursday, September 7, allowing the Welsh Government to formally implement the new landfill disposals tax into law.

First Minister Carwyn Jones applied the Welsh seal at the official sealing ceremony – the final stage of the bill's journey into becoming law – which was also attended by finance secretary Mark Drakeford.

The First Minister said: "This Act is another important step in our devolution journey as we prepare for the introduction of tax powers in April 2018.

"Next year will see the further maturing of devolution as we take on responsibility for raising a proportion of our budget to spend on public services in Wales."

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: "This Act has been developed through a collaborative approach and with cross-party support.

"There is a clear public interest in ensuring the new tax systems we are creating for April 2018 are recognisable to those who will have to operate them on a daily basis. There will be similar processes and an approach to tax rates which will provide stability and reassurance to businesses.

"However, a key difference between the existing landfill tax and landfill disposals tax is that our Act enables tax to be charged on unauthorised disposals of waste in order to provide a financial deterrent against undertaking this activity. Unauthorised disposals of waste blight our communities; they are a potential source of tax evasion and place legitimate waste businesses at a disadvantage."

Landfill disposals tax will replace the current landfill tax in Wales when it is devolved in April 2018.