Dan Thomas

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Thank you, Llywydd. Continuing with the theme of the NHS, in this last week before recess I would like to get to the bottom of when two-year waits on the NHS will be eradicated, because thousands of people across Wales are still waiting, in pain and discomfort, for far too long. Now, during the election campaign, the First Minister said that two-year waits would be eradicated within a matter of months, and then his new health Minister said that they would be eradicated by the end of the four-year term. I then asked the First Minister who was right and, in a very long-winded answer, he said that he was. But then, just a couple of weeks ago, his finance Minister, on BBC Walescast, said that two-year waits would be gone in 12 months, so, in other words, a year. Now, a year is a lot longer than a matter of months. So, can the First Minister finally give us some more detail: by which month will two-year waits be finally eradicated in Wales, as they are in England?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   The First Minister gave a promise during the election that two-year waits would be eradicated within a matter of months. That clearly is not happening. These promises are coming back to haunt you. It was obviously a promise that was made in the heat of an election debate, just as were your comments about a road solution for the M4. Your Ministers keep punishing you for your off-the-cuff remarks by rowing back on the promises that you're making in the heat of debates. Now, it is quite clear that the First Minister doesn't do the detail. There's no detail on two-year waits. There's no detail on tackling M4 congestion. There's no detail yet on childcare plans. You had 30 years to wait for this moment, and there's not even any detail on what Plaid's definition of a woman is. So, let's try an easy question, because we know this figure is somewhere in Plaid Cymru HQ: what are the initial costings of Plaid Cymru's childcare offer?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Fifteen years, and all your transport Minister could come up with is closing junctions. Now, one way to stop congestion is to stop cars getting onto the M4. I'll give you that, but the people of Newport will not be very happy with that. I asked for initial costings. Costings for phase 1 is not the initial costings. You said during the election campaign your promises were fully costed. Then you're downgrading them to initial costings. Then you're downgrading it to costings for phase 1. So, you clearly haven't got a plan. And if we do get those costings within the first 100 days, the 100 days ends during recess. So, we can't scrutinise when you actually issue those, but we will be here in September, waiting to scrutinise those figures. But, First Minister, if your supplementary budget is voted down today, are you prepared to come back during the summer recess with a revised budget, or is this a part-time Plaid Government? Or are you content for the plans within your supplementary budget to languish for months upon months because you're too stubborn to do a deal?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

4. 4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en

   Whilst I'm grateful to the Government for the advance notice of these legislative priorities issued via the media this morning, surely Government announcements, especially when they relate to Bills to be introduced in this place, should be first made in this place, out of respect for all Members of this Parliament. I would encourage the Government to reflect on that and treat this place with the respect that it deserves. The statement refers to this programme as a far-reaching and ambitious programme that reflects the values of the Government. That may be so if the bar is set low. It doesn't squarely reflect the priorities of the people of Wales. On the cost of living, making rents fairer is a noble aim, but the root cause of unaffordable rents is the housing shortage. The Government should be tackling the root cause of this by overhauling the planning system, giving house builders more certainty and skilling up our young people for a lifetime of work in construction. We should also be giving councils more powers to say 'no' to houses in multiple occupation. The new development agency is an admission that this Government does not possess the expertise to directly deal with business and industry. For a moment there during the First Minister's speech, I thought that the Minister for enterprise was coming to sit next to me to tell me so. He got a little lost in the Chamber, and I think that's an omen for how lost the Government is on its policy with the economy. But businesses want to deal with decision makers, not agencies acting as a sales force. They want decisions on planning, on land assembly, on grant funding and business rate incentives. No quango can offer that. Plaid have finally got power and they're handing it over to yet another quango. Far from creating more quangos, we should be consolidating them and bringing their functions in-house and saving on the extortionate management costs. On rural-proofing, as was the case with the sustainable farming scheme, the devil will be in the detail. It sounds like another environmental sustainability scheme, but what rural communities need is the Government off their backs when it comes to food production, and acting fairly when it comes to transport, health and education. Food security and increasing food exports is a large part of rural-proofing. Where is the legislation to safeguard those sectors? On tribunals, not one voter in Wales told me they wanted tribunal reform, but I do understand the importance of the tribunal system. But the language used to justify it is all about making the case for further devolution of justice and taking us on Plaid's journey to independence. On water reform, my group tabled a motion to clean up our waters, our seas, our rivers, which Plaid shamefully voted against. Today's announcement is a welcome u-turn, and I'm pleased that Plaid are now following Reform's lead on this topic. And there could be room for consensus on this—hopefully so; you talked about consensus, First Minister.  Tackling child poverty—sadly, three decades of devolution has done little to eradicate poverty in Wales, and giving free childcare to all families, even those where the parents are millionaires, isn't going to make the impact the Government expects. I understand the aim is for parents to be able to go out and work, but where are the jobs? Where is the plan for an economic boom in Wales? This Government appears to have chosen topics where it thinks there is consensus, and I understand why a minority Government would do that. But another approach would be to unite this Chamber with a more ambitious vision for Wales—a vision that sees Wales lead in certain sectors, such as nuclear energy and logistics, a vision that sees farmers produce even more of our high-quality food to export, to enable a radical step change in house building, and to significantly tighten up the performance management of the health boards, the health chiefs and the education sector. Wales has so much potential, but this programme does little to unleash it. We've seen these kinds of Bills and measures before. They have made little difference to the daily lives of the people of Wales. People voted for change, but they've ended up with continuity. Where Reform can see merit in legislation, we will support, we will offer our own ideas, but this is a missed opportunity to take Wales's story to another level, and I can't help but feel that the people of Wales will be underwhelmed when they see this programme as a whole. Now, I know much can be achieved without laws and with the normal levers of Government, but we have waited 30 years for this moment. There are just under four years left of this term, and Reform will do all it can to increase the level of ambition in this Parliament. Diolch.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

5. 9. Debate: The First Supplementary Budget 2026-27 en

   How on earth, as a party that talks about consensus, mature politics and compromise, has it managed to unite most of this Chamber against it? It doesn't bode well for the future. It's going to be a very long Senedd if this is how Plaid Cymru do Government. This supplementary budget could have been an opportunity to right the wrongs of the past Labour Government, to safeguard jobs for student nurses and student midwives. It could have been an opportunity to offer ALN a lot more funding than Plaid Cymru is offering right now. On page 39 of Plaid's manifesto, it says that: 'A Plaid Cymru government will address key challenges in the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system in Wales'. But today, Plaid are asking us to vote for a budget that rejects an opportunity to give a huge boost to ALN children, and that is what this Chamber is asking for. It's about time that ALN and education had a significant boost given the educational outcomes in Wales. They are way behind the rest of the UK. Education, quite frankly, has always been a poor relation to the NHS, the budget of which now takes up half the Welsh Government's expenditure, so this would've been an opportunity to rebalance the funding across services in the two main spending areas in Wales. But the truth is that Plaid are using a windfall of consequential funding to plug a financial black hole hidden in its manifesto. It's being used to help fund the first phases of implementation, and without this windfall, Plaid would've been lost. We aren't expecting the entire Government budget to be rewritten, although it is not unusual for new UK Governments—indeed, Governments across the world—to issue wide-ranging budgets a few months after they've been elected and taken office. But to limit this supplementary budget to the lines table demonstrates a very low appetite to do things differently. Plaid will say that the allocation of moneys reflects their manifesto priorities, but funding their commitments largely from a one-off windfall is not sustainable, and there is a significant lack of detail as to how that funding will make a real impact on the day-to-day lives of the Welsh people. How will it make a difference? What improvements will we see and when? Llywydd, it is not just the budget numbers that don't add up; the votes are not adding up for Plaid either this evening. The Tories and Labour have said they'll oppose this budget, so assuming that there's not a secret deal struck at the eleventh hour, this budget will fall. And it will fall because Plaid are being incredibly stubborn over an amount of money that its First Minister has previously labelled 'small change'. Reform is willing to offer Plaid Cymru a lifeline, and it will only cost you some small change, as you call it—the small change needed to guarantee student nurses a job; some small change taken back from overseas ventures and ploughed back into Welsh public services; and some serious small change to make a huge investment into ALN, which is badly needed. And after all, that is why we have this consequential funding coming to Wales. If Plaid can commit to those commonsense priorities, priorities that have a huge amount of support across Wales, I'm sure that we can go into recess on a high note. But if you lose this vote, you will have tripped at the very first, very low hurdle. We will be heading into the summer questioning whether this Government has the ability and the support to continue leading Wales. Plaid will need to have a long, hard think over the summer and come back willing to compromise. Diolch.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Thank you, Llywydd. First Minister, Andy Burnham is due to be coronated in a matter of weeks. Now, after you were ghosted by Keir Starmer, can you confirm if you have directly spoken with Andy Burnham, either before or after his comments on devolution recently? And, if not, have you got a firm date in the diary to speak to Andy Burnham, the next Prime Minister?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Llywydd, I'll take that as a 'no', that you haven't got a date in the diary. It's obvious what's going to happen, and, if I was First Minister, I would be demanding Andy Burnham's team puts a date in the diary to see me. You're obviously having trouble getting through to London. I don't know if you've got a Reddit account, but you can get through to Andy Burnham on Reddit quite easily. He's very responsive on there. Now, First Minister, you promised the people of Wales that you would stand up for Wales and that you would get a better deal from London, but you haven't met with anybody from the Government, as far as we can tell. It's clear that the UK Government isn't taking you very seriously. They're not. And the reason for that is quite obvious, because demanding extra money alone, that's not going to open doors in London. And I know that as a former council leader, who managed to secure hundreds of millions of pounds for infrastructure. You have to convince Government that you will spend the money wisely. So, is it not the case that the UK Government doesn't trust Plaid Cymru with extra funding?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   I'd be quite happy to give the Welsh Government some advice on how to sweat property assets, how to get best value for money. I'm very happy to help you with that. But, First Minister, you labelled Andy Burnham's refusal to review Wales's funding formula as 'not a great start', and your demands are not being taken seriously. You are not commanding the respect that Wales needs in a First Minister. Now, we are halfway through Plaid's first 100 days, and all we see are reviews, expert groups, audits, plans for plans, strategic developments, rather than real action. There are still mixed messages on two-year waits and when they will be eradicated, and your supplementary budget is in real danger of being voted down. So, is it more accurate to say that this Plaid Government is not off to a great start?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

4. 7. Debate: Fair Funding en

   Thank you, Llywydd. This debate isn't really about fair funding for Wales; it's about Plaid's unfunded manifesto during the Senedd election. And the First Minister is taking his begging bowl to London not because Wales doesn't get enough funding, but because Plaid, in my opinion, misled voters when they said that their manifesto was fully costed. And during the Senedd election campaign, I said that a Plaid Cymru Government would try and duck its responsibility to balance the books by asking London for more money, and then they would blame the UK Government when they didn't get it. And so begins another four years of grievance politics from Plaid Cymru, blaming London for its failures and citing independence as the solution. And Plaid's blame game doesn't stop at Westminster: the previous Welsh Government—which Plaid were happy to co-operate with at times—they are in Plaid's sights too. And if the previous Labour Government left the finances in a worse state than expected, and I can easily believe that they did, but if that's the case, give us the proof in pounds and pence. Let's see some of that transparency and opportunity for scrutiny that Plaid talk about so often. Plaid wants a new funding formula based on need, but we can only assume that Plaid expect to get more money from London under a new formula, not less. So, will the First Minister be transparent about this, about his end goal? Does fair funding, in his view, equate to more funding? Surely he doesn't want Wales to get less cash, and there's no point changing the formula if it retains the status quo. So, can he just speak plainly and directly and admit that he just wants more funding? Of course, any change to the funding formula would likely lead to other devolved bodies in the UK calling for the same, and that would only be fair. I recently wrote to the Government asking what discussions they've had with the Scottish Government about reforming the Barnett formula, because surely that would be the first step Plaid Cymru would make to build on the progressive alliance that they talked about last year. But the response I received confirmed that the Welsh Government hasn't spoken to the Scottish Government about this issue yet. It seems both London and Holyrood aren't keen to speak to the First Minister on funding. But they did say—probably because my question reminded them to do so—that they will be discussing it in the coming weeks. So, surely Plaid's first step in calling for a change to the funding formula should be to align with their sister nationalist party, the SNP. Maybe we're seeing the first nat-on-nat division; maybe Scotland realises changing the formula is a huge risk. And the IFS has highlighted a huge risk, that reform of the formula could lose Wales at least £1 billion a year. Now Plaid may argue that that figure is out of date, but the point remains: Wales could end up losing out; we could end up losing out. But this is all a moot point, because there's not going to be a change to the funding formula, and the quicker Plaid realise this, the better. Instead, they should turn their attention to the huge amount of waste within the Welsh public sector, the inflated management costs, the poor procurement, the duplication, the subsidies that really make a difference, the 255 quangos and advisory boards—most of which have little real impact on people's day-to-day lives. Standing up for Wales is not about taking a begging bowl to London, asking for more money when we already receive more than England. Standing up for Wales is not about the First Minister re-enacting that famous Oliver Twist line, 'Please, sir, can I have some more?' Standing up for Wales is about making solid business cases for investment in Wales: investment that will bring jobs and wealth into Wales whilst benefiting the UK as well. Let's build a business case for the M4 relief road and upgrading the A55. Let's make a business case for rolling out small modular reactors across Wales. The Welsh Government can help fast-track the infrastructure needed for that, creating well-paid jobs, whilst enhancing our energy security and bringing down energy prices in the long term. Let's leverage funding from the private sector and the UK Government with a real plan to fast-track house building in Wales. The £20 million that Plaid has pledged for social homes is a drop in the ocean. Your ambition for 20,000 new social homes by 2030 should cost billions of pounds, and you don't have that money and neither do social housing associations. We need Government to help leverage the private funding that's so badly needed, and this doesn't mean the Welsh Government borrowing money itself. There are so many non-borrowing levers the Government and local councils can pull to leverage that funding. Make no mistake, Reform is in favour of making the case for capital investment above and beyond our block grant. But we need to do some of the heavy lifting ourselves, and we need to be much more ambitious. So, it's time to end the blame, the excuses, the platitudes, the begging. Let's stand up for Wales by taking action and taking our ambition to another level. Thank you.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 7. Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary en

   Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. I move this motion, in my name, on behalf of Reform Wales. Last year, an ITV opinion poll found that 49 per cent of people in Wales wanted to scrap the nation of sanctuary, compared to just 34 per cent who were in favour of keeping it. And following May's election, those who object to a nation of sanctuary now have a very strong voice in this Parliament, and Reform has a legitimate mandate to table this motion. Contributions to this debate from Reform Members will be varied and personal, because those who object to this policy do so for different but equally valid reasons. And opponents try to question our motives, suggesting that we're trying to divide or put people down. They simply can't comprehend that forcing the nation of sanctuary policy onto people who do not want it is in itself divisive. Now, I believe if we didn't have uncontrolled, unplanned immigration that this country would be more united. Reform will not be put off by the labels given to us by our opponents—labels that are bandied around way too freely in today's political discourse. And we will not be pressured by walkouts or public protests by the vocal minority. Those are the tactics of an intolerant, liberal clique trying to shut down debate. Now, I've been told by some supporters of the nation of sanctuary that they find my views offensive. Well, whilst I believe that debate should be civil and respectful, in a democracy that champions true freedom of speech, in a real democracy, nobody has the right not to be offended. And I apply that to myself. And it just so happens I am offended by the suggestion that illegal migrants should benefit from a resettlement policy that treats them better than people who've lived in the UK all of their lives. And for me, that policy is deeply unfair, but if anyone in this Chamber wants to support such a policy, it's their right to do so, and, as a parliamentarian, I will listen to their arguments.  Now, the large section of voters who oppose the nation of sanctuary are people who deserve to be listened to, and, as Labour discovered at the last election, we ignore them at our peril. They have genuine concerns about the policy and its role in welcoming and dispersing illegal immigrants in particular. They have concerns about safety. And they are understandably wary of offering sanctuary to young men who have been smuggled into this country, men who we know nothing about, and, in many cases, come from countries that have, to say the least, extremely poor track records when it comes to women's rights. Under the nation of sanctuary, these men are living in dispersal accommodation across Wales, free to come and go and roam the streets. Now, during the Senedd election, politicians in favour of the nation of sanctuary were keen to suggest that fewer than 100 asylum seekers were living in Welsh hotels. But what they conveniently kept under wraps was that the total number of asylum seekers receiving support in Wales as of March 2026, and according to Senedd research, amounts to 3,400 migrants. That's the total figure when we include other types of accommodation and support vaguely labelled as contingency or dispersal accommodation, which often means houses in multiple occupation. Now, the majority of the 3,400 are being housed across Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, and only a small minority of those fall under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. We all know the nation of sanctuary predates the illegal invasion of Ukraine, and we believe the UK and Welsh Governments were right to support Ukrainian refugees. They came here through legal routes. They were mainly women and children with documentation. But we did not need to be an open-to-all nation of sanctuary to support those genuine refugees. We could have had a specific assistance programme for them. Supporters of nation of sanctuary tried to shut down debate on the topic by reminding us that immigration is a non-devolved matter, and we understand this. But the nation of sanctuary is a direct response to an immigration issue, and its very existence sends a message to Westminster that Wales is ready to play its part in the UK's chaotic and uncontrolled immigration policy. Wales is basically saying to London it's okay to send them to us. Now, this overlaps with the real concern that an unconditional, open-to-all nation of sanctuary is a pull factor to those wanting to smuggle people into the UK and on to Wales, and it sends the message that no matter how you arrive, legally or not, invited or not, you will be welcomed and offered sanctuary regardless. And indeed, when the nation of sanctuary concept was first promoted, the then Labour Minister of the day celebrated the welcoming of asylum seekers who arrived through so-called spontaneous routes. 'Spontaneous' was an interesting description, and most people would call those routes illegal and dangerous. We also have concerns about the motives of illegal migrants, and whether those who arrive on small boats are genuine asylum seekers. Why are those claiming to be asylum seekers passing through several safe countries to reach the UK? Surely, if they are fleeing for their lives, they would be happy to stop in the first safe country that they arrive at. And where are the supposedly oppressed—[Interruption.] I'll give way.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 7. Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary en

   Thank you for giving me that opportunity. That just proves that, first of all, I believe in genuine asylum. And when I was leader of that council, the people that we welcomed were small in number—as you said, five—and they helped our British troops in Afghanistan. They spoke English. [Interruption.] They spoke English. They were ready to integrate. They were real refugees. We had vetted them. [Interruption.] Llywydd—[Interruption.] Llywydd—. We had vetted them. [Interruption.] I'm explaining. We had vetted them, and they were small in number. And since then, the floodgates have come open. They're coming over in small boats. You're comparing apples with pears. And I stand by that. It shows that I am a reasonable politician, and I stand by it. Now, where are these supposedly young men coming from? They are coming from supposedly oppressed countries, from third-world countries, and they are finding large sums of money to pay traffickers, unlike the asylum seekers that you just quoted. And if their country is so unsafe, why are they leaving their wives, their children and their elders alone in dangerous homelands? I was once asked to put myself in the shoes of someone who is trying to get to the UK on a small boat. And I replied, if Wales was ever experiencing war or brutal oppression, the last thing I would do as a husband, a father, a son and a brother, is leave my defenceless family alone while I travel for thousands of miles over a period of months to stay in a HMO in a faraway country. Let's be honest, everybody—it just doesn't add up. Is it really the case that those arriving on boats are fleeing persecution? Or are they really, as most people believe, economic migrants trying to skip the visa and vetting process that other migrants have gone through for decades? Then there is the concern about housing. We have a housing shortage in Wales, after all, and our left-behind communities are rightly asking why we’re housing 3,400 migrants when people who grew up in Wales are on housing waiting lists. Llywydd, the nation of sanctuary is effectively an open invitation, welcoming the world to Wales, irrespective of their backgrounds, their motives, their skills, or their criminal record. And this policy puts illegal arrivals ahead of the queue. Now, Plaid claim to be the party of Wales, but that claim is undermined by the nation of sanctuary plan and their willingness to spend public money overseas whilst we have the poorest education and NHS outcomes in the UK. We need to scrap this virtue signalling, we need to put Wales and its people first, and I urge all Members to support this motion. Thank you.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 7. Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary en

   Thank you, Llywydd. It is illegal to enter this country without a passport, on a boat, having paid a people smuggler thousands of pounds, Lord knows where from. That is an illegal act to break into this country. You cannot go abroad—you cannot go to France without a passport. So, I will stand by my words, Llywydd. Thank you.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Lywydd. The plight of our student nurses was highlighted again this week, and it's been reported that 400 student nurses and midwives have been told there's not a job waiting for them when they graduate, at a time when the NHS has serious nursing shortages. Now, the supplementary budget allocates £145 million to the NHS. Will any of that funding be used to guarantee student midwives and student nurses a job when they finish their training?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   But, First Minister, that's not what these student nurses and midwives are being told. They genuinely are worried about their careers, and whether there is a job waiting for them. Now, I understand the situation is a legacy issue inherited from the Labour Party. But Plaid Cymru could choose a different path. It is Reform, at the moment, who is backing our student nurses and student midwives. Now, regarding the Government's supplementary budget, it's clear from the initial reaction from all the opposition parties that, if voting matches the rhetoric, the Government will not have support for its supplementary budget, and it will not go through. Now, Plaid Cymru talks about transparency, so will the First Minister disclose if you are having any talks with other political parties, if there are any areas of compromise within the supplementary budget and whether you'd be willing to work with Reform?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Thank you. I welcomed the chance to have an introductory meeting with the First Minister, shortly after we were elected, but it was agreed that we wouldn't discuss policy. For transparency, I want to advise the Senedd of that, at least. It's encouraging that the First Minister seems to have changed his mind about working with Reform, because, during the election, you said you wouldn't work with us. So, that is a welcome u-turn. Our red lines, though, would be to guarantee all student nurses and midwives a job—that would be a red line for us—when they finish their training. We would also want to increase spending on children with additional learning needs and we'd want to stop spending taxpayers' money abroad and invest that money on the Welsh NHS and Welsh children. So, those are our red lines. But regardless of what happens with the supplementary budget, there have been hints that there will be a full budget coming to the Senedd in the autumn. [Interruption.] A full budget coming—[Interruption.] Well, I hope it does come. I hope it does come. The First Minister said that his manifesto was fully costed. So, will all the costings of all your pledges be detailed in the budget in the autumn?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, you were on the radio this morning, talking about the devolution wish list that you'll be presenting to the new Prime Minister. But let's look at the track record of devolution in Wales and at the areas that are already devolved: one in four people on an NHS waiting list; two-year waits at 42 per cent, significantly higher than in England; education outcomes, the worst in the UK; and unemployment, highest in the UK. First Minister, devolution is a distraction. We need a Welsh Government that is focused on the biggest issues that Wales face. Now, on the campaign trail, nobody said to me they wanted rail or the Crown Estate or justice devolved. They were concerned about the NHS, education and transport. So, why are the First Minister's priorities so out of touch with the Welsh public?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch. Another devolved area where the Welsh Government is completely out of touch is the road network. Now, in Wales, car travel for many is a necessity; it is not a luxury. And although it's used to get from A to B, for many it is a symbol of independence and personal freedom. But Welsh drivers have felt victimised over the last few decades. Whether it's arbitrary speed limits, whether it's cancelling a much-needed relief road or councils pursuing anti-car and anti-traffic schemes, Wales is seen as an anti-car country. So, what will the First Minister do to support drivers across Wales? And will he confirm that Labour's ban on building new roads is now over?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Energy, quite rightly, isn't devolved, but the planning and infrastructure to support energy projects is very much in the gift of the Welsh Government. The nuclear energy sector has provided thousands of well-paid jobs in Wales and there is the real possibility of enhancing those jobs across Wales, especially in areas where there were previously nuclear energy plants and, indeed, in other sites across Wales where we could host small modular reactors. This is an area where co-operation between the Welsh and the UK Governments could create economic growth, it could help bring energy costs down and it could help the UK with its energy security. So, will the First Minister offer the new Prime Minister his full co-operation on growing the nuclear energy sector across Wales?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Lywydd. It is a fact that a lack of house building and uncontrolled immigration has led to a housing shortage across the UK. In Wales, house prices and rents have skyrocketed, making housing unaffordable. Now, Plaid Cymru have promised to deliver 20,000 new homes by 2030. Reform welcomes the delivery of new homes, but, to deliver at that scale, we're going to need radical reform of the planning system, we're going to need ministerial intervention when councils do not deliver the number of homes that their communities need, and we need Government and local government to work in partnership with house builders to leverage the billions of pounds that are needed to deliver 20,000 new homes. So, First Minister, how will you speed up planning and how will you leverage the billions of pounds needed to deliver your promise?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Nobody's blaming immigrants. We're blaming uncontrolled—[Interruption.]—we're blaming uncontrolled and unplanned immigration, which has a ripple effect across the UK. That ripple effect has hit house prices and rents, which is why we have a shortage in Wales. We don't need another quango; we need ministerial leadership. The housing sector are telling me that housing associations and house builders, they want to speak to decision makers, not middlemen. Now, houses in multiple occupation are also a big problem in Wales, and it is caused in part by uncontrolled immigration. Across towns and villages across Wales, we have seen HMOs changing the character of streets that have been residential in nature for decades, if not centuries. Large companies are buying up family homes and turning them into HMOs, and people are not happy with this. So, what will the Government do to give communities and councils a greater say on HMOs and that they can say 'no' to HMOs?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   I was pleased to learn that a supplementary budget will be coming forward next week. I think the First Minister and I can agree that Labour have left a financial mess. But the way that Government Ministers have been talking about the scale of that mess, it seems to me that you are warming us up for some unpleasant announcements next week. I'd like the First Minister to rule out any tax rises and any service cuts today. This is meant to be, hopefully, a major fiscal event—the fiscal event that Wales needs to get back up off its feet and on the way to recovery. Or will it be, First Minister, a continuation of Labour's spending plans, with some tinkering around the edges?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 5. Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer en

   Diolch. I open today's debate in my name. The purpose of this debate today and the motion that I ask all Members to support is to ask the Welsh Government to publish the full costings and timetable for the introduction of their childcare offer within the first 100 days in Government. This is about transparency and accountability, and all Members, even those non-Executive Members who belong to the party in Government, have a duty to hold the Government to account. I appreciate that this debate will touch on the wider issues and benefits of childcare. I know all parties want the best for children and families, and we may have different ideas about how to achieve that, but the substantive motion that we will be voting on is this Government's full costings and timetable.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 5. Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer en

   I want to reiterate that Reform supports childcare and we support the current childcare offer, which is already baked into the Government's budget, as introduced by the then Labour Government. At the moment, it is not clear if Plaid Cymru's flagship childcare promise is affordable or realistic. Plaid Cymru have had plenty of time to prepare for Government. They said their manifesto was fully costed. So, a month after the election, it is only fair that we ask: where are the full costings? Plaid Cymru's amendment to my motion refers to initial costings, but that's not enough. Plaid Cymru said their manifesto was fully costed, not partially costed or costed with initial assumptions—fully costed. So, if they cannot produce full costings, their claims during the election were untrue. Now, during the election, I challenged all parties to publish their manifesto costings. If parties want to make expensive promises, the public deserve to know how they will be funded and they should be able to compare all the parties' costings side by side. Yet Plaid Cymru were not forthcoming. They were happy to announce the spending, but less enthusiastic about explaining the costings. I explained how Reform would fund our headline promises. Now, you may disagree with our priorities and how we would fund them, you may dispute them—that's normal in a democracy. But at least Reform offered the public an explanation as to how we would pay for our most expensive policies. Labour eventually followed our lead and explained their costings too. On helping families with the cost of living, Reform believes that ordinary people are far better off deciding how to spend their own money than politicians in Cardiff Bay. That is why we support raising living standards through lower taxation. Indeed, our flagship economic policy is to take 1p off Welsh income tax and cap council tax increases. Those promises would have meant that many working families could have more money in their pockets, and we trust families to make financial decisions for themselves. The best way that Plaid can help with the cost of living and lift children out of poverty is to have a relentless focus on growing the economy. I'd encourage Plaid to take another look at Reform's manifesto, because the answers are all there: they should build the M4 relief road, they should scrap tourism tax, reduce business rates for the hospitality sector, revive our decimated high streets, build more homes, and create the foundations for businesses to invest, to expand and to create good, well-paid jobs. Because that is how families become more prosperous, and that is how families become less dependent on Government support. And let's not forget the biggest threat to living standards and prosperity to families in Wales is the very reason that Plaid exists: Welsh independence, Plaid's goal to rip Wales out of the United Kingdom, a devastating, divisive project, which would cost every Welsh household up to £12,000. Now, £400 million is the price tag for this policy, according to Plaid, though it would end up costing much more. And even if we take them at their word, in the absence of proper costings or willingness to reduce spending in the areas that we have suggested, we in Reform could not see an alternative for the Government other than raising income tax. So, we ask the Minister to rule out raising income tax when they look to fund this policy. A punitive tax rise for all taxpayers would be a colossal mistake, and so I would ask the Minister in her reply to rule this out categorically. Being pro-family means being honest with families, it means telling them how policies will be funded, and it means living within our means. Plaid are asking the people of Wales to trust another expensive uncosted promise. But we're simply asking for straightforward answers to straightforward questions. What are the full costings? How will you pay for it? From which budget lines will it be funded? What is the plan and timetable for delivery? Now, I urge all Members to vote for this motion, a motion for transparency and accountability. Diolch yn fawr.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, it was a disappointing day for Welsh industry and Welsh jobs when Tata made their announcement about the delay of the construction of the electric arc down at Port Talbot. In April, I met Tata's chief executive, along with our shadow Cabinet Minister for industry. It was a positive meeting, but given the £500 million of taxpayer investment and given the number of Welsh jobs at stake, we managed to secure reassurance that the arc construction was on track and that it was still viable. So, what engagement has the First Minister had with the chief executive of Tata? Specifically, when did you last meet with the chief executive? Were you told about the delay before Tata shareholders? I hope, as a courtesy, that you were. And what have you done to seek reassurance from the UK Government to secure our public investment and secure Welsh jobs?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, I'd like now to talk about 'small change'. That's how you referred to the £9 million budget for overseas affairs. It's a sum that most people wouldn't classify as small change, and it's money that Reform believes should be spent on employing newly qualified nurses at a time when the NHS is on its knees. So, if £9 million to you is short change, surely you can find some small change at the back of the Welsh Government sofa and you can say to the student nurses that you will be able to guarantee them jobs when they graduate. So, First Minister, will you do the right thing and will you guarantee all student nurses in Wales a job when they graduate, yes or no?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Llywydd, it's going to be a long Senedd if the First Minister can't give a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer to a simple question. But we'll take that as a 'no', which means that student nurses will now be forced to look abroad. I know that Plaid Cymru are in favour of open migration, but forcing Welsh nurses to move overseas is taking it way too far. Sticking with health, this week marks the 11-year anniversary that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board went into special measures. First Minister, when you were in opposition, you were quick to criticise the then Labour Government. In 2023, you said, and I quote: 'I will keep on harping on about the need to restructure Betsi'. You also said that a Plaid Cymru Government would take seriously the need for political leadership in holding our health boards to account. So, First Minister, where is the visible political leadership on Betsi, or are you going to backtrack on your previous statements?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, thousands of people in Wales are still waiting more than two years for treatment on the Welsh NHS, whereas in England two-year waits were virtually eradicated some time ago, which proves that ending two-year waits can be achieved. During the election campaign, you said that two-year waits could end in a matter of months, but your new health Minister has said it will happen within four years. So, my question is: what expectations has your Government set for two-year waits? Is it the promise that you made during the election campaign, or is it what your health Minister has said more recently? And, if it is the latter, will you apologise to voters for misleading them during the campaign?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, 30 per cent of voters voted for Reform because they do trust us with the NHS. Ten thousand people—10,000 people—were stuck in A&E for over 12 hours last month, and ambulance handover targets are consistently missed. Health should be your top priority, and you recently acknowledged this in the Chamber, that there is an emergency situation within the NHS. But, on social media, you've highlighted the non-devolved matter of international relations as being within your remit as First Minister, an area that enjoys a £9 million budget. Now, Reform believes that that money should be spent here in Wales on the Welsh NHS. For example, it could be used to employ hundreds of newly qualified nurses. So, First Minister, why are you continuing Labour's policy of spending large sums of money abroad, when it should be spent in Wales and we should be putting the people of Wales first?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

3. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   I'll remind the First Minister that Plaid Cymru only won 6 per cent more than Reform, and that very small lead can be eroded when you do not stick to your policies and when you do not show determination to put the people of Wales first. I'll just remind you of that. You have made it clear that your priorities are elsewhere, but that's not surprising coming from a First Minister who, on your first call with the Prime Minister, raised independence as an issue. The public expect you and your Government to give your full attention to the NHS, to focus on the day job. You will be aware of an investigation by Audit Wales that uncovered that £10 million-worth of GP contracts were awarded without due diligence and with patients criticising the service. This is a scandal that should never happen again. What discussions have you had with the Aneurin Bevan University Local Health Board, and, indeed, all health boards across Wales, regarding financial probity? And can you reassure us that this scandal will not be repeated under your watch?

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record

Open this sitting on the stage

1. 3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en

   Thank you. First Minister, thank you for your statement today, and congratulations on your election results. The election has shown one thing very clearly: the political landscape in Wales has changed. After decades of Welsh politics looking exactly the same, the people of Wales have finally said enough is enough, with almost a third of voters trusting Reform to bring about real change. People want politicians focused on the issues that matter: the NHS, education, the economy, infrastructure and the cost of living. That is why Reform has surged across Wales—not because of constitutional obsessions or ideology, but because we are speaking for the people who feel ignored, overtaxed and forgotten: the people stuck on NHS waiting lists, the workers sitting in traffic at the Brynglas tunnels, the parents worried about falling educational standards, and the young people who no longer see a future for themselves in Wales. These are the people that Reform represents. The challenges facing Wales are now too serious for the same tired politics that has failed this country for decades. Plaid Cymru has had decades to prepare for this moment, so the people of Wales will rightly be expecting immediate action and swift improvements. Hope and platitudes may strike a chord during the election campaign, but governing Wales requires ministerial leadership, delivery and results. That is why I was disappointed to read reports that one of your first discussions with the outgoing Prime Minister touched on independence. I would welcome you setting the record straight on whether those reports are true. Because while the constitutional debates may excite politicians and commentators, most people in Wales are asking far more basic questions: 'Can I get a GP appointment? Will my child receive a decent education? Can I afford my bills? Will my family have opportunities in Wales in four years' time?' These are the issues that matter, and, while your statement today implies that these are your priorities, raising independence with the UK Government suggests that you are distracted by constitutional issues. You also discussed with the Prime Minister the Barnett formula and funding, rail, borrowing powers and further devolution. Yet it appears the only topic the Prime Minister was prepared to discuss in the future was devolution. So, people across Wales will understandably ask, 'Where is the progress on funding? Where is the progress on rail? And what is the Government's alternative plan if those requests have been rejected by the UK Government?', because, during the election campaign, many of these proposals were presented as key to funding your major spending commitments. We also learnt that your Government is seeking greater borrowing powers. The people of Wales are entitled to know what that borrowing is for. Is it for infrastructure projects that could strengthen the Welsh economy, or is it to fund spending commitments that future generations will ultimately have to pay? Future generations should not be burdened with unsustainable debt because Governments lack the courage to make efficiencies unborrowed. In a minority Government, you will need support across this Chamber if you are to govern successfully. There is support here for practical policies that improve healthcare, strengthen infrastructure, back Welsh farming and businesses and restore standards in education. As long as your Government remains focused on these priorities, there is the opportunity for critical but constructive engagement in this Chamber. But there is little appetite among ordinary Welsh people for endless constitutional expansion while basic services struggle. The people of Wales are not crying out for more politicians with more powers. They are crying out for politicians to use the powers they already have properly. Wales has had a devolved Government for more than a quarter of a century. So, people are right to ask, 'If the NHS is struggling, if educational outcomes are falling and if economic growth is weak, why is the answer always more powers for politicians instead of better delivery for the public?' First Minister, as leader of the largest opposition group in the Senedd, I can assure you that Reform will be watching closely. Where your Government fails the Welsh people or wastes taxpayers' money or loses sight of the everyday struggles facing ordinary families, we will hold you to account, because the people of Wales voted for real change. Reform will make sure their voices are heard loudly and clearly in this Chamber. Diolch yn fawr.

   Read in full See it in the chamber Senedd TV Read this in the Record