Siambr · Member of the Senedd · Register of record
Natasha Asghar
Tenures
- Sixth Senedd Casnewydd Islwyn Welsh Conservative Party
- Seventh Senedd Casnewydd Islwyn Welsh Conservative Party
Ministerial roles
No ministerial roles on record.
Contributions, by sitting day
59 contributions on record, newest first. Official verbatim record.
6
Open this sitting on the stage
6. Members' Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): An NHS first Bill en
My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I absolutely believe that we need to be doing more to increase capacity within the NHS. We need to be doing much more to drive down those shamefully high NHS waiting lists, which are leaving our constituents languishing in pain. We do need to have better data sharing and give consultants and specialists more control as well as authority. But that should not be at the expense of the private sector. The private sector has a place within our healthcare system. It is not the enemy. It can complement and build on the NHS offering. The NHS will always be the crème de la crème, but we should have as many weapons in our arsenal when it comes to providing patients with the best possible care. And that, as far as I'm concerned, includes the private sector. We should be utilising private providers. But, by going after the private sector, you're running the risk of increasing pressures on our already overstretched NHS. Not only can private providers be used to help bring down waiting times, but they can actually alleviate pressure on the health service in other ways too, by providing extra capacity and specialist expertise. I recently met with the Icon Group, an Australian firm, which is poised to reopen the old Rutherford cancer centre in Newport. Yes, it is a private company, but it stands ready to work with the Welsh Government and the health boards to see NHS patients. That's just one example, but there are many organisations out there in a similar position. Look at Newmedica. They are one of the biggest providers of NHS-funded ophthalmology services, treating nearly 14,500 patients all across Wales. Why would we actively seek to prevent them from carrying out their vital work? The motion before us would force all health boards to develop costed plans for extra NHS activity before entering into a private sector contract. Some would argue that this sounds reasonable on the face of it, but what happens when the NHS does not have the capacity to deliver quickly enough? Are we going to make patients wait even longer than they have to whilst another plan is drawn up? If an NHS department can deliver treatment promptly and cost-effectively, it should be given every single opportunity to do so. If an independent provider can safely treat a patient sooner, and at an appropriate cost, health boards must retain the flexibility to use that as an option. We do need to see more joined-up working between the NHS and the private sector, not less of it, which I fear is what is going to happen if this motion goes through. We are going to be supporting this motion today, and I will put on record that I do, in fact, fear that this is a case of cutting off your nose to spite your face against the private sector at the same time. Thank you.
8. Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport en
I'm not going to lie, I do feel like I've walked into the twilight zone today with this particular debate happening. As someone who was born and raised in Newport, I have to say on behalf of myself, as well as all the residents, commuters and businesses, that Newport has been forced to suffer for years with unacceptable traffic chaos, especially when it comes to the M4. This vital stretch of road is regularly clogged, with hotspots like the Brynglas tunnels often gridlocked. Not only does this affect residents going about their daily lives, it has a major impact on visitors and seriously damages our economic prosperity. Something absolutely needs to be done to tackle the M4's never-ending problems. By closing junctions 26, 27 and 25, it's simply not going to be the answer to everyone's prayers. Now, instead of providing any sort of relief, as the Government claims, junction closures will consign Newport to even more misery. Traffic won't magically disappear when these junctions close, it will just be moved to our city's A-roads and residential streets, creating more problems. And then there's the price tag. The Government is looking at spending £14 million on closing these three junctions for a measly 3 per cent expected drop in traffic on the M4. Do you really think that's worth it? That £14 million could go towards building an M4 relief road—something that would actually improve the traffic problems across and around Newport. Since news of the junction closure plans came to light, the public uproar in Newport and its surrounding communities has been loud and clear. They do not want to see Plaid politicians spending £14 million on a scheme that is going to make their lives a living misery. And I don't blame them one bit. Residents have been contacting me in their droves over the past few weeks to highlight the problems junction closures will cause for them, and I want to share some of their stories with all of you here in the Chamber today. These are the words of one of my constituents: 'If the Welsh Government continues to pursue these oppressive and poorly thought out policies, it makes me seriously question my future here and I am genuinely considering moving my family and my taxes across the border to England. I know I'm not alone in giving this serious thought.' Another constituent told me, 'The closure of these junctions will not only cause chaos on the roads in and around Newport, it will create problems on the roads leading down to the two valleys, which are already congested. It will cause businesses to lose valuable custom, increase their fuel costs and make deliveries a logistical nightmare. It will make commutes longer, more time consuming and more costly.' Another bewildered constituent said, 'Newport residents should not have to pay the price for years of inadequate transport planning and infrastructure investment. Stopping the M4 relief road was, in my view, a major failure in planning towards the future of Wales. Closing M4 junctions is not a solution, it is simply going to move the problem elsewhere. Has anyone seriously considered what the consequences will be for local residents, businesses, commuters and emergency services? We need proper infrastructure investment and long-term thinking. We need additional road capacity and better connectivity across south-east Wales towards England, not measures that make existing congestion even worse. Newport residents deserve better, Wales deserves better.' Now, that's just a snapshot of the feeling amongst my constituents. I could stand here, genuinely, all afternoon and read you e-mail after e-mail, but I appreciate there's simply not enough time. However, I would be more than happy to share these with the Deputy Minister for Transport so he can get a better understanding of how his plans have gone down in communities across my constituency. Taking feedback and views from residents, businesses and key stakeholders is paramount, Presiding Officer, and whilst I believe these junction closures should be categorically ruled out, if this Government is hell bent on pushing this piece of work through, then there must be a serious consultation. Last week, I raised this point with the Welsh Government, and to say I was disappointed by the response would be an understatement. The Government keeps saying it will engage with communities in Newport about the junction plans, but we haven't heard to date one time—one time alone—how they will be doing this or when this piece of work will indeed be commencing. So, I'm going to try again, and I hope that the Deputy Minister will address these points when he responds to this debate later on. These are genuine concerns about the impact junction closures will have on emergency services and accessing medical care. One constituent that I spoke to, who has a child with medically complex needs, is sincerely fearful of the potential extra delay she will face as a result of more traffic when getting her daughter to the Grange hospital. The Gwent police and crime commissioner, Jane Mudd, has also sounded the alarm over junction closures, saying it runs the risk of slowing down emergency response times. Not only that, but Malpas fire station is just a stone's throw away from junction 26, which has been earmarked for partial closure. Has the Welsh Government taken this into account? Has the Minister had serious discussions with Gwent Police, the ambulance service, Newport City Council and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board? If so, what has their feedback been so far? My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I will absolutely be supporting Labour's motion this afternoon, calling for the M4 junction closures to be ruled out and a relief road to be built. But it would be very much remiss of me not to point out the sheer hypocrisy of the Labour Party when it comes to this issue. Let's not all forget, Labour were in power here for 27 years before being turfed out in May. You had more than a quarter of a century to do something to solve the M4 problem, but you did nothing. Labour spent more than £100 million of taxpayers' money on research and development for the M4 relief road, including buying a caravan park, everybody, only for the former First Minister, Mark Drakeford, to scrap the project. And let's not forget that the Conservative Prime Minister, David Cameron, offered your Labour Welsh Government the money to build the relief road, but it was rejected. Where was the outcry from Newport Labour politicians then? Everyone sat there in silence. By not acting when you were in Government, you are equally to blame that these junction closure plans—
8. Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport en
—are happening right now. In fact, it was one of your MSs who touted the idea of junction closures in the first place, the former MS John Griffiths—[Inaudible.]—for the first time.
8. Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport en
[Inaudible.]
8. Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport en
Was it you, by any chance?
8. Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport en
Okay, well, it was the fact that—[Inaudible.]
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, many young people face a sheer cliff-edge situation when they turn 18 and prepare to leave care. It means moving from an established care system that they're familiar with to the uncertainty of independent living. That, quite understandably, can be really daunting because often they don't have the family network, safety nets or support that other young people have. Too many care-experienced young people face challenges with financing, housing, employment, education and their mental health. So, First Minister, I'd like to know: what is your Government doing to ensure that young people across Wales are as prepared as possible for this transition? And will you commit to ensuring support continues for as long as these young people need it, rather than simply ending it on their eighteenth birthday?
2. Questions to the Counsel General en
Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Counsel General, in April last year, the Supreme Court issued its landmark ruling in terms of sex, that 'man' and 'woman' refer strictly to biological sex only. Now, that ruling is crystal clear as far as I'm concerned, and anyone else with a shred of common sense will feel the same. Yet I fear certain Plaid Cymru politicians are still trying to get their heads around this. On the International Day of the Girl recently, the Deputy First Minister said, and I quote, 'On International Day of the Girl, we are reminded of the importance of ensuring people in Wales can manage their periods with dignity, confidence and pride'. Now, Counsel General, I don't profess to be an expert in biology, but it is blindingly obvious that 'people' do not have periods; women and girls do, because to suggest otherwise would be absurd. Following the Supreme Court's ruling, the Equality and Human Rights Commission updated its code of practice, which came into force in August this year. It stressed that single-sex spaces should be just that—single sex. And only last week, NHS England announced it was issuing new guidance that patients should be assigned to single-sex wards based on their biological sex, which is a welcome move for me and my colleagues. So, Counsel General, how are you going to be ensuring the Welsh Government and other public bodies across Wales are following and implementing the law when it comes to protecting the rights of women and girls all across Wales?
2. Questions to the Counsel General en
Thank you very much for your response, Counsel General. I do appreciate that. I want to turn to Plaid Cymru's dangerous plans for independence. Now, Plaid tried to downplay their ambition to rip Wales out of the United Kingdom during the election period in May. But, as soon as the party was in office, the mask slipped, and this is visible to everybody across Wales. The moving boxes hadn't been quite unpacked and already the First Minister was calling up his nationalist pals in Scotland and also Ireland. Next thing you know, the leaders of Sinn Féin, a party deeply tied up to terrorists in the IRA, and the Scottish National Party in Scotland are making their way to Cardiff for a separatist summit, drawing up plans to tear up the United Kingdom. Now, frankly, I know—and many other people will agree—that independence will be disastrous for Wales. There's no two ways about it. Financially, it will ruin Wales, with an annual deficit of around about £21 billion. It will severely compromise our national security, and it will leave Welsh families financially worse off, costing every resident upwards of £7,000 extra in taxes every single year. Frankly, I believe that we are stronger and much better off in the United Kingdom. So, Counsel General, what legal advice have you provided to Ministers about their independence plans? And for the avoidance of doubt, can you confirm that this Welsh Government does not have the legal competence to unilaterally legislate for independence or call for a binding referendum? And do you agree with me that, given Plaid has no legal standing when it comes to independence, their efforts would be much better spent on tackling issues that they are responsible for, such as NHS waiting lists, educational outcomes and boosting the economy? There's your question.
3. Business Statement and Announcement en
Business Minister, can I please request a statement from the Cabinet Minister for health about supporting people with motor neurone disease? I know we've spoken a lot about it today in the Chamber, but, as I'm sure you're aware, motor neurone disease is a devastating and terminal disease that leaves people unable to move, speak, swallow and, ultimately, breathe. There are more than 250 people in Wales who are currently living with MND, and, although symptoms do vary, over the course of the illness most people with MND will be trapped in a failing body, with many losing their ability to walk, speak or live independently within a few months of diagnosis. Only recently, I attended an MND event where we heard from Sophie, who spoke powerfully about her husband Tom, who was diagnosed with MND when he was just 24 years old, and the shocking situation that they're facing when it comes to home adaptations. My colleague Peter Fox has been a huge advocate for MND, and he recently made me aware that adaptations across local authorities are, sadly, truly inconsistent. The Welsh Government must work with the MND Association and local authorities to make sure that a fast-track home adaptation opportunity is there for people with progressive conditions such as MND as standard practice across Wales, and to remove the means testing for all adaptations, because people with MND should not have to battle with bureaucracy while battling a terminal illness. A Government statement setting out what actions will be taken would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Can I thank the Deputy Minister for this afternoon's statement? For me, this is another week, another statement from the Welsh Government that, quite frankly, doesn't say or do a great deal. There's a lot of warm words here, but little detail on how this is actually going to be achieved going forward. Deputy Presiding Officer, I'm sure there's not a single person in this Chamber who doesn't agree that we need major improvements when it comes to social care. Recognising a problem is one thing. Delivering a serious solution is another. And my Welsh Conservative colleagues and I do not believe a national care system is going to be the answer. Because I cannot simply see right now how it's going to tackle the issue of capacity, recruitment and hospital discharge delays. We need immediate improvements in existing services, Deputy Minister, not wasting time focusing on a care service that's going to be years in the making. Closed community hospital wards need to be reopened, capacity needs to be expanded, recruitment and retention must be a top priority, which is something we're hearing consistently in this Chamber. The Welsh Conservatives believe that there is a practical alternative, and that is improving social care through sustainable funding, stronger co-operation between the NHS and local authorities, greater personal choice and better support for those who provide care. So, I'd like to know what the Welsh Government's doing now to improve social care, Deputy Minister, as your ambition for social care is going to be years away by what I've been reading today. Funding will be crucial for any care service plan. So, Deputy Minister, your Government tells us it wants social care to be free at the point of use, just like the NHS, yet we have no detail of how much this initiative will cost. You mentioned to James Evans earlier £3.6 million extra on top of the current package, but has the Plaid Cymru Government found a magic money tree somewhere? Because is this just a case of overpromising and underdelivering, because where is the detailed assessment of the long-term costs? We have an ageing population, Deputy Minister, so the bill will undoubtedly rise year by year. Those are questions that taxpayers deserve to have answered. Outcomes are another concern that I have when it comes to the care service, and, ultimately, I think it's outcomes that the people of Wales care about the most. How confident are you, Deputy Minister, that your care service will bring about these genuinely big benefits? What are you doing to ensure it results in that a family looking after loved ones with dementia can actually access respite care easily? And how exactly are you going to ensure it results in a fall in the number of bedblocking incidents, which remain far too high? Also, how are you going to ensure that it results in an older person receiving quicker support when they can no longer manage to live at home safely? How will the Government ensure its care service actually delivers its aims and goals and isn't just another Government quango that adds another layer of bureaucracy? Workforce is another cause of concern for me, Deputy Minister. How are you going to ensure there are enough staff to successfully implement and sustain this national care service? We all know the sector is already under immense pressure when it comes to recruitment and retention, and I must pay tribute to those working tirelessly in the field. In 2025, there were more than 6,100 estimated vacancies within the sector—June 2025—up drastically from the previous year. Not only that, but according to a survey from Social Care Wales, 20 per cent of staff said they were aiming to leave the sector within an average of 14 months. So, not only is getting workers through the door in the first place a major problem but keeping them in the job itself is a serious challenge right now. How is that going to be addressed, Deputy Minister? In your statement, you talk about establishing a national social care academy again. The details were light for me. When will this be created? Where will this be created? How much is this costing? What is the anticipated capacity? These are all questions that I would really like to have the answers for. Deputy Minister, if the Plaid Government is going to push ahead with plans to create a national care service, these questions have to be addressed before that happens. Those residents across Wales who depend on our social care sector need more than just a pipe dream. They need a costed, detailed and credible plan. Thank you.
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Open this sitting on the stage
5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care en
I'd like to thank the Welsh Labour Party for bringing forward this important debate this afternoon. My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I are pleased to be supporting this motion. Palliative and end-of-life care are incredibly important elements of our healthcare system, and we must do all that we can to ensure they are supported and protected for the future. It is not just about supporting people when they are coming towards the end of their lives. Palliative care is about supporting patients throughout, improving their quality of life and managing their pain. It is about treating people and their loved ones with dignity, compassion and respect at what is an incredibly emotional and difficult time. Our hospices play a vital role in delivering the care, whether that be onsite or, indeed, within people's homes, and I want to take a moment to thank the staff that are working in this sector. That includes the doctors, the nurses, the carers, the specialists, the volunteers, the hospice staff, the carers, and everyone else in between. They are the ones who are there day in, day out, supporting people through unimaginably upsetting times, bringing comfort, warmth and support. Their work is extraordinary, and it cannot, indeed, be an easy job. I made a really sobering visit to St David's Hospice Care in Newport not too long ago, and I saw first-hand the compassion and dedication that the staff put into their roles. The services and support offered at the hospices were extensive, yet not a single penny is charged for the care that they provide. Despite that, it costs £15,000 every single day to provide that care, and while some funding is indeed provided from the Welsh Government and the NHS, it relies heavily on money raised through fundraising and charity shops. That should not be the case. Too many hospices are facing significant pressures and are in a similar boat when it comes to finance. Fundraising is often a great example of community spirit, bringing people together for a worthy cause, but it should not have to be relied on as much for such a service. It should complement public funding, not have to replace it. According to Hospice UK, around 70 per cent of the care costs of delivering hospice care are funded by charitable donations, while the remaining 30 per cent are provided by the Welsh Government and local health boards. That's staggering and, quite frankly, is not sustainable long term. Around 20,000 adults and children every year are supported by Welsh hospices, and our ageing population makes the need for urgent improvements even more pressing. Presiding Officer, demand for hospice and palliative care continues to rise, but the cost pressures facing the sector are having a major impact. A survey carried out by Hospice UK revealed that more than 90 per cent of hospices in Wales are likely to cut certain services within the next 12 months to 24 months simply due to costs. Not only that, but near to one in two hospices already cut services last year, and I fear that if things do not improve, some hospices will be forced to close for good. We simply cannot allow that to happen. A survey of 14 voluntary hospices in Wales discovered that 30 per cent are already reducing beds or cutting services, and that more than 70 per cent with in-patient units expect at least one bed to close either temporarily or permanently. Not only that, but three quarters fear that they will be forced to withdraw support normally provided by hospitals and care homes. These are, quite frankly, shocking statistics. But let me share an even more shocking and utterly distressing fact with you all: one in four people do not get the end-of-life care and support that they need, with someone dying without care and support every five minutes. The Welsh Conservatives recognise the current pressures, and that's why we pledged to deliver a £40 million funding boost for the sector and ring-fenced support to meet half of the operating costs for children's hospices. But, crucially, we do believe that the Welsh Government should bring forward a sustainable funding model for hospices in Wales. It's clear that we need a new model, Presiding Officer, and I am pleased to see that the Welsh Government has committed to do that. So, I would welcome an update on this important piece of work when the Cabinet Minister responds to this debate. However, we need action in the short term while the long-term funding model is indeed being drawn up to stabilise the sector, because hospices say that they need a one-off £5.5 million grant this financial year and an additional £8.2 million recurring funding from the draft budget of 2027-28. So, will the Cabinet Minister commit to this? I'd like to know what discussions he's had, on this finance, in relation to this, with his colleagues. Rising costs are just one part of the challenge; workforce remains another significant barrier. In fact, some hospices are delaying recruitment and backfilling vacant positions due to the precarious financial position. The recruitment and retaining of specialist staff is indeed difficult—we all know it—and we need the Welsh Government to set out exactly what it's going to be doing to tackle this. But well-being is also a major concern. Caring for people approaching the end of life can indeed be emotionally demanding. High workload, staff sickness and limited resources can also contribute to stress, burnout and difficulties in retaining experienced staff. So, again, we need to hear from the Welsh Government how they're going to be addressing this challenge as well. Will this be a dedicated subsection in the Government's upcoming workforce plan? As the motion sets out, we need to ensure that the Welsh NHS and hospices in Wales have the workforce that they need truly to deliver safe, high-quality and sustainable palliative care and end-of-life care. Whilst I'm talking about the motion, it would be remiss of me not to point out all of the things that could have been delivered by the Labour Party during their past 27 years stint here—and, sadly, they were not. In fact, when opposition parties challenged them to do so, the very things that they're calling for now, they made excuses as to why they could not do it. So, as much as we do support today's motion, if the previous Welsh Labour Government had acted, we may not have needed to be here today debating this. But there's no point dwelling on the past; we need to look ahead and ensure the current Government takes robust action and protects hospice services.
5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care en
I will now. Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. So, Cabinet Minister, you made all the right noises when you were in opposition; now you're in Government, we need to see that turned into action. Thank you.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, you've spoken about the importance of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Welsh Government. You've even appointed a Minister for the task. My constituents and the people of Wales need more than just warm words, new strategies and talking shops. They actually want to see improvements in the areas that matter most to them and they want to see their money spent wisely. We've all heard about these ambitious targets and pie-in-the-sky plans from your Government. In fact, you've filled 70 pages with pipe dreams and packaged it up as a programme for government full of ideas but very light on delivery. So, First Minister, what specific measurable targets are you going to be setting during this Senedd term to reduce waste, improve productivity, slash NHS waiting lists and improve educational outcomes across the board? Thank you.
2. Business Statement and Announcement en
Business Minister, can I please request an urgent statement from the Welsh Government about the proposed closure of the three junctions alongside the M4 in Newport? All residents know that shutting down junctions 27, 26 and 25 on the M4 would be disastrous and cause nothing but chaos and mayhem across the city, with traffic being pushed into already congested routes. Now, news of the Government's junction closure plans has sparked anger and uproar in Newport, with constituents inundating me and other MSs with e-mails, calls and also letters. The message is clear: they want the Government to keep their hands off our motorway junctions. And I've spoken to numerous constituents living near junction 27 who've told me that they're seriously considering moving and selling up because they just can't handle what's going to be coming their way. And it's not just residents and businesses who have serious concerns over the Government plans. Gwent police and crime commissioner has warned that these closures could pose a serious risk to our emergency service response times, going forward. The Government has insisted that it will listen to the concerns and voice of those directly impacted by these plans, but we haven't heard how exactly this is going to be achieved. So, an urgent statement from the Government outlining its plans, how it's going to be consulting with residents, businesses and emergency services, as well as others, and when this work will start, is urgently needed by us all. Thank you.
5. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care: Update on winter preparedness en
Can I also thank the Cabinet Minister for his statement this afternoon? With winter looming, ensuring that the NHS is as prepared as can be for what might be lurking around the corner is indeed paramount. Winter is always a demanding time for our health service and hard-working staff, and, every year, winter brings additional pressures to our health service: more respiratory illness, more falls and fractures, more demand on emergency departments and more pressures on ambulances, and, inevitably, more pressure on staff. Planning is essential, Cabinet Minister. We've all heard it, we all know it, but it's no good having a plan if we don't have the health service resilient enough to deliver it. That, in my view, boils down to capacity. I'd like to know: are you confident that we have a strong enough workforce to deal with the challenges that may crop up this winter? Are you confident that we have enough beds? And perhaps more importantly, are you confident that patients will be able to move through the system effectively? Cabinet Minister, back in July, you vowed to plan earlier for winter pressures—genuinely, a sensible move in my book. You promised a year-round approach to resilience, community care, better hospital flow and more of a focus on older people and those living with frailty. So, what has actually changed since July, because the figures still paint a worrying picture for me? In August, the height of summer, nearly 1,400 patients across Wales were waiting longer than they should have to leave their hospital bed. This is up on the number of incidents of delayed transfers of care reported in the previous month. In total, these patients have been delayed for just shy of 60,000 days. So, if those were the figures in August, what will they be during the winter months, Cabinet Secretary? And what steps has the Government taken to ensure that those numbers start heading in the right direction, and when can we expect to see improvements? Cabinet Minister, are you confident that health boards and local authorities have the workforce and enough funding to prevent patients remaining in hospital unnecessarily this winter? What discussions have you had with health boards, local authorities and other key stakeholders to ensure the social care sector is on a strong footing to be able to ease the pressures? Cabinet Minister, you say that winter preparedness plans submitted by health boards were being stress tested throughout September and into this month. Have major causes of concern been picked up at this stage? You talk about setting three immediate priorities for this winter, looking at vaccination, health boards and applying a home-first approach to discharge and strengthening urgent care in the community. Very noble claims, Cabinet Minister, but I have to agree with Ken Skates on this one—you've been very light on the detail in terms of how this is going to be achieved. [Interruption.] I know, I was shocked as well. So, an explanation on how this would be would be very much appreciated. You said that £2 million is being allocated to health boards to help them improve acute hospital flow, accelerate safe discharge, reduce delay and strengthen patient safety. So, Cabinet Minister, are you confident that this funding is going to be enough? The Welsh Government quite rightly expects health boards to demonstrate how any extra funds have improved delivery, but what happens if they fail to do so? Previously, Cabinet Minister, you said the Government would reduce ambulance handover delays, tackle corridor care and shorten emergency department waits. But what are the specific targets for this winter, and what contingency action will be triggered if those targets are indeed missed? Because, Cabinet Minister, we still haven't seen enough progress in this area, and you cannot better prepare the NHS for winter pressures if it is already under immense strain as it is. The Welsh Government has a target of ensuring that 95 per cent of patients should spend fewer than four hours in emergency departments. That target's never been met. According to the latest figures, only 63 per cent of patients spent under four hours in an A&E department in Wales during August. The Welsh Government has another target that no patient should wait longer than 12 hours in an emergency department. And guess what? That's never been hit either. Latest figures show that just under 11,000 people waited more than 12 hours in August this year. Corridor care, as we all know, is a major problem in Wales, with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine previously finding that it was happening at all 12 emergency departments across Wales. Corridor care is dangerous and dehumanising, yet it's now common practice, and, frankly, Cabinet Minister, that's shameful. A report by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales released only last week declared that delayed patient handovers remain the most significant challenge facing the Welsh ambulance service, and that's before winter has even arrived. Clearly, it's not acceptable, so how can you expect people to believe things are going to be turning around in time for winter? Prevention must be, therefore, at the heart of the winter strategy, and I welcome the Government's focus on vaccination, including the expansion of the RSV vaccine. We know that flu and other respiratory infections can indeed put significant pressures on the NHS, so every eligible person who takes up a vaccination is not only protecting themselves, they are helping to reduce avoidable pressures on our health and care services. In terms of an update, Cabinet Minister, we need to know whether vaccination programmes are reaching those most at risk. So, does the Welsh Government monitor this? Have any areas been identified where uptake is lagging? If so, what targeted action is taking place now? My final question, Cabinet Secretary, is simple: are you confident this Government and the health boards all across Wales are truly prepared for what is around the corner? Thank you.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en
Thank you so much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, I listened to your response to the Reform Member, and, before I go into my questioning, if you want to divert your attention for surgical hubs to the Royal Gwent in Newport, you will not hear any complaints from me. Going to my first question, I, like so many others in this Chamber, had the real misfortune, I'm afraid, of having to read through your Government's programme for government. Now, whilst it's jam-packed with ambition—no, it really was not a 'yay'—it was very light on detail, which I suppose is the Plaid Cymru way. Now, it created a lot of fanfare with catchy announcements, but it never actually explained how things were going to be delivered. Cabinet Minister, there are nearly half a million unpaid carers in Wales who look after their loved ones day in, day out, saving the Government billions—and I mean billions—of pounds. To put it into perspective, across the UK, it would cost £185 billion every single year if the state was to replace the care provided by unpaid carers with professional paid care support. Now, despite the mammoth contribution unpaid carers make, their work often goes unnoticed, with a lack of support on offer. It is clear this Government needs to be doing a lot more when it comes to helping unpaid carers, but it doesn't look like that's happening, especially after reading your programme for government. Cabinet Minister, can you please explain to me, and this Chamber, why there were more commitments in your programme for government to Euro 2026, independence and the Tour de France than there are to improving the lives of unpaid carers in Wales? And why have unpaid carers been deprioritised by this Government? Thank you.
1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en
Thank you so much. I anticipated that response from you, Cabinet Minister—surprise, surprise. And I appreciate carers do fall under the Deputy Minister's brief, but I am talking specifically about the programme for government. And, as Cabinet Minister, I'm afraid the buck stops with you on this one. Cabinet Minister, sadly, it's not just unpaid carers who have been seemingly kicked to the kerb by your Government. The programme for government quite rightly makes specific commitments relating to cardiovascular disease, strokes, mental health and diabetes, yet it does not say anything specifically about lung disease, despite it being the third biggest killer here in Wales. Not only that, but Wales has the highest lung disease mortality rate in western Europe. Given the scale of lung disease in Wales, why has it been omitted from the Government's programme? And what message does this send to the hundreds of thousands of people living with lung conditions who continue to experience some of the worst outcomes anywhere in western Europe? Thank you.
6. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Family Drug and Alcohol Courts en
Can I please thank Tom Montgomery for bringing forward this debate today? I'm pleased to be a co-subscriber of this motion. Family drug and alcohol courts can play a pivotal role in creating better outcomes for children and parents. By taking a different approach to normal courts, with treatment and practical support, they can help parents overcome substance misuse and help keep families, ultimately, together. In my mind, doing all that we can to keep families together, instead of breaking them up, should indeed be the first course of action. Of course, there will undoubtedly be cases where that isn't appropriate or indeed safe, but families should be given every reasonable chance to stick together. Instead of the court simply deciding whether a child should remain or enter care, these specialist courts aim to give the parent a structured opportunity to address the ongoing problems. And the evidence is really strong. In England, as we've just heard, a major evaluation of 106 families who went through family drug and alcohol courts found that 40 per cent of mothers and 25 per cent of fathers stopped misusing substances. In comparison, only 25 per cent of mothers and 5 per cent of fathers who went through ordinary care proceedings stopped misusing substances. The long-term data is indeed promising. Five years after proceedings ended, the evaluation found that 46 per cent of mothers had stopped misusing substances and that 37 per cent of families who went through family drug and alcohol courts had been reunited or continued living together. As well as bringing family benefits, it also fits into the Government's preventative health agenda and can deliver savings to the public purse long term. According to the Centre for Justice Innovation, these courts have the potential to save local authorities nearly £10,000 per case in legal costs compared to the standard care proceedings. The Department for Education echoed these findings with their own analysis, concluding that family drug and alcohol courts generate significant savings whilst also achieving significantly better outcomes for children and families. Countries around the world, including America and Australia, have some sort of family drug and alcohol court system in place, yet sadly, here in Wales, we do not have anything. The previous Labour Welsh Government committed to introducing these courts here in Wales and launched a pilot. The pilot, which was carried out in Cardiff and the Vale, found that parental substance misuse fell from 83 per cent to 54 per cent, and that the number of children living with one or both parents at the end of proceedings was more than double the number at the start. Last year, the previous Welsh Government established a working group to consider scaling, funding and the wider use of family drug and alcohol courts. Since then, we haven't heard anything. Given that the proposal of introducing family drug and alcohol courts here in Wales appears to have cross-party support, from what I'm hearing and from what I'm seeing, it is now time for this Plaid Cymru Government to pick up this mantle and put this back on the agenda. Thank you.
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3. Business Statement and Announcement en
Minister, can I please request a statement from the Cabinet Minister for health and social care on support for people living with Huntington's disease? Huntington's is a rare neurological condition where symptoms affect thinking and cognitive abilities, as well as movement and behaviour. Symptoms usually develop between the ages of 30 and 50, with life expectancy from diagnosis being just 20 years. Anyone who has a parent with a faulty gene has a one in two chance of having Huntington's themselves. It's a really complex condition, with people requiring support from a number of health and care professionals. There's also a considerable mental health burden, with people often caring for family members whilst worrying about potentially carrying the faulty gene themselves. Guidance published by the previous Welsh Government makes clear that those with a neurological condition such as Huntington's disease should not be excluded from mental health services. Guidance also calls for co-ordination of care across services, professions and agencies. Too many people say the healthcare service they access does not, in fact, meet their needs. A statement from the Cabinet Minister setting out what action the Welsh Government is taking to ensure that people with this devastating disease get the mental health support that they need and have a health professional to co-ordinate their care would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Before I begin my contribution, I just want to thank the Minister for the meeting that we had this morning. It was incredibly productive, and also I'm delighted for the residents and activists of the Magor and Undy station who have been campaigning for decades. It has been a labour of love to get that station going. So, I am really pleased that we're heading in the right direction. I know it's been something that we've worked on for years and years and years, and I know they will be delighted with the response. So, Deputy Minister, I wholeheartedly agree with you that something needs to be done when it comes to improving the M4 around Newport, but this is not the right way. Not a day goes by when drivers, many of them my constituents, aren't caught up in traffic along the M4 at Newport. Bumper-to-bumper traffic regularly plagues that important stretch of road, causing frustration and making Wales a less attractive place to do business. You could have brought that to an end today, Deputy Minister, but instead you seem hell-bent on making things 100 times worse by closing junctions along the M4. A full closure at junction 27 at High Cross, a partial closure of junction 26 at Malpas, and a partial closure of junction 25 at Caerleon will cause complete chaos across the city. How on earth have you come to the conclusion that this will help improve the situation? All it is going to do is clog up Newport's surrounding A roads and residential streets. Deputy Minister, do you not accept that your decision is going to have a major impact on commuters and businesses, both of which our city's economy relies on? And how were these junctions identified? Did you carry out an impact assessment before reaching this decision? If so, will you commit to publishing the findings in full? And if not, why not? I'd like to know what conversations you've had with residents, businesses, the police, the ambulance service, the city council and other key stakeholders about these junction closure plans. I cannot stress enough how much of a backward step this, Deputy Minister. By even considering junction closures, you have consigned Newport to even more misery. Let me take you back a few years, Deputy Minister. Former transport Minister Edwina Hart pushed ahead with closing junction 41 on the M4 in Port Talbot during rush-hour times back in 2014. Sound familiar, Minister? Her plans were quickly abandoned following huge public backlash from traders in the area reporting a 20 per cent drop in business and long-standing businesses closing for good. So, before you resign yourself to repeating the same mistakes as Edwina, have you carried out any modelling on the economic damage this is going to cause to Newport? After 27 years of Labour's failures, the people of Newport cannot afford any more blunders being made by Plaid Cymru. Whilst I believe junction closures should be an absolute non-starter from the get-go, will you be monitoring the effectiveness of these closures and will this evidence be reviewed? If these closures do not do what you think they will do, will you commit to reopening these vital junctions? The junction closures form part of a wider package of proposed measures, many of which, I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear, I do actually support. A commitment to investing in the extra road network, accelerating plans to deliver railway stations and improve rest stops for HGV drivers, are very welcome in my book. But I want to touch upon the plans for freight, with your ambition for redirecting HGVs away from the M4 and onto the Heads of the Valleys road. This stretch of road currently runs at 50 mph, so will you be looking to increase the speed limit to 70 mph as a result of the anticipated influx? What discussions have you had with the hauliers and others about these plans and what has the response been like? I'd really like to know. My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I have been very, very clear that the best way of unblocking the M4 is via a relief road. Without a relief road, Newport and the rest of south Wales will continue to see more delays, more congestion, more disruption and more damage to the Welsh economy. So, as part of your long-term plans, will you commit to making sure an M4 relief road will be firmly back on the agenda? I'd also like to know what other sorts of options are on the cards. Will you be open to considering tunnel widening, as I have previously raised with you here in the Chamber? When will this piece of work get under way and when can we expect a final decision to be reached? Deputy Minister, I appreciate funding for the stations is a matter for Westminster, but can you share with us the total anticipated cost of the five-year plans and how they will be met? Whilst it is a bit of doom and gloom here in the south of Wales with your transport plans, things seem to be looking a bit brighter in the north. My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I have long called for a third Menai crossing to be built, so we are actually delighted to see this important infrastructure project set to be delivered. In particular, I know my colleague Janet Finch-Saunders will be thrilled with today's announcement. The public meeting held by Janet on a third crossing demonstrated not only significant cross-party support, but also overwhelming support from members of the public who were in attendance. More than 1,000 people signed a petition calling for a third Menai crossing within just 24 hours. That's pretty impressive. We cannot deny that the Menai crossings are indeed essential access points on and off Anglesey, as well as a main artery for people and businesses travelling to and from Holyhead—as well as the port—including those travelling to Ireland. With 50,000 vehicles crossing the Menai and Britannia bridges each day, these crossings are vital for residents, businesses, tourism and the wider north Wales economy. Yet we have seen just how fragile these are, with the Menai bridge closing in October 2025 for repair work and the problems that have indeed followed. These closures, as I'm sure we're all aware, have caused significant impact, causing delays, congestion and disruption for residents, visitors and businesses. So, Deputy Minister, when will we expect to see spades in the ground and work under way to build this vital third crossing? Details on the cost of the project and timelines would be greatly appreciated, and in terms of the existing Menai bridge, are the repair works still on course to be completed early next year? And on that note, Deputy Minister, what further steps will the Welsh Government be taking to increase the resilience of the two existing crossings? As much as I could continue on these important topics, Deputy Presiding Officer, I will draw my remarks to a close, as I appreciate there's a lot to unpack there. Thank you.
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Thank you, Deputy Minister, for this afternoon's statement. Putting stronger safeguards in place is something to be welcomed, but it must be more than just about structures, strategies and warm words from the Welsh Government. It is about whether a child or vulnerable adult at risk is identified early, whether concerns are acted upon and whether there is a joined-up approach from agencies working at pace to help keep people safe. We must also learn from the past. I don't intend to go over the specific details today, as I am sure we are all aware of the situation, but we must learn from incidents such as the Neil Foden case. Following Foden's imprisonment for 17 years after being convicted of 19 sexual abuse offences, a child practice review was indeed held. That review found that there were more than 50 missed opportunities to intervene and stop the predator headteacher from sexually abusing children. The failings we saw in this were utterly sickening, and we must agree that it never—and I mean never—is allowed to be repeated ever again. So, how will the Welsh Government ensure that cases like these are taken into account as part of this piece of work? In April 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that sex is defined as biological sex only—a welcome decision for women and girls across Wales. However, since then, we have seen dither and delay from the Welsh Government and other public bodies in ensuring that this ruling is adhered to, especially when it comes to single-sex spaces. So, Deputy Minister, do you agree with me that ensuring that the judgment is adhered to and implemented consistently across Wales is an important part of improving safeguarding? Deputy Minister, whilst I welcome the Government's aim of delivering stronger safeguarding for a safer Wales, there are some important questions about how this is actually going to work. You say that the Government will strengthen national leadership, oversight and accountability, but who will ultimately be accountable if safeguarding arrangements fail, and what consequences will there be when agencies do not perform effectively? Deputy Minister, I am curious to know what, if anything, these proposed reforms will mean for staff on the front line, like social workers and teachers. What specific improvements will they see as a result of this piece of work? Sticking with those on the front line, another obvious question is about whether the system has sufficient capacity. We know that there are severe staff shortages across the board, so is the workforce there to successfully bring these changes forward? If not, where will the extra capacity needed be coming from? Also, Deputy Minister, what are the financial implications of these reforms? In your statement, you outlined plans to create a national social care intelligence hub, a national safeguarding plan and a national safeguarding risk register. When do you expect all of these to be operational? I'd really like to have some dates in place. A joined-up approach between the various agencies is going to be instrumental in improving safeguards. That means better data sharing, which is something we all know previous Welsh Governments have seriously lacked on over the years. So, how will these reforms provide this joined-up approach when it comes to data sharing between sectors like health, education, social care and policing? I welcome the Government's commitment to ensuring consistency and protection across all parts of Wales. Nobody—and I mean nobody—should be at a disadvantage just because of their postcode. So, how is the Government going to measure whether these safeguards are applied consistently across the country? Deputy Minister, talking about lived experience, it will be vital in relation to this going forward, and the voices of children and adults should be heard and should be at the heart of these reforms. So, can I please get a commitment from you that it will be the case and, if so, can you elaborate on how exactly they're going to be feeding into this? Deputy Minister, the proof will ultimately be in the pudding. The $1 million question is whether these reforms will make people feel safe in the long term, and I sincerely hope that they do, but what specific outcomes does the Government expect to improve and by when? Thank you.
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1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice en
Thank you so much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Cabinet Minister, many households across Wales are struggling with rising living costs, yet too often the response from your Welsh Government is to request more powers and expand dependency, rather than creating opportunity. Recent debates around welfare reform and our ballooning benefit bill have highlighted the need to ensure that support reaches those who genuinely need it, whilst also helping others into sustainable employment. At the same time, Wales continues to have some of the lowest wages and highest levels of economic inactivity in the United Kingdom. My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I argue the best route out of poverty is through lower taxes, economic growth and job creation, not an ever-growing reliance on the welfare state. Cabinet Minister, what assessment has the Plaid Cymru Government made of whether your anti-poverty policies are actually reducing long-term welfare dependency rather than simply managing or, at worst, masking the symptoms of poverty? Thank you.
1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice en
Thank you for that response, Cabinet Minister. Tackling child poverty is one of your Government's key stated priorities. However, despite nearly three decades of Labour-led Governments here in Wales, some that your party even helped prop up, too many families remain dependent on benefits, foodbanks and emergency support. Your own portfolio includes responsibility for co-ordinating measures to tackle child poverty and engagement with UK Government on such matters. Yet many working families tell us that what they need is not another strategy or warm words—they need better paying jobs, affordable childcare and stronger economic growth. The Welsh Conservatives have proposed such measures by extending free childcare, reducing the tax burden on working households to ensure that they keep more of what they earn, whilst also calling for a dedicated poverty action plan, focusing on children and fuel poverty. Given the continued rise in reliance on the welfare state amongst many Welsh households, can you, Cabinet Minister, explain how your Government's approach differs from treating poverty after it occurs, instead of addressing the actual cause that keeps families trapped with it in the first place?
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability cy
1. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i ddiogelu mannau gwyrdd cymunedol yng Nghasnewydd ac Islwyn? OQ64574
Official English translation
1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect community green spaces in Newport and Islwyn? OQ64574
No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en
Thanks so much for your response. Cabinet Secretary, over the summer, I met up with a group of residents in Newport who are concerned that they are poised to lose the only community green space in their area, and a plan has been drawn up by Newport City Council. Constituents of mine, particularly dog walkers, children and families, make full use of a parcel of land just off Ruskin Avenue in Rogerstone North, but that could soon come to an end if the local authority rubber-stamps the plan to turn the community green space into an allotment site. To be clear, no-one is against allotment sites or developments, but not only would that take away a vital community asset, it's simply not the right site, with fears about even more traffic in the area, as residents are already experiencing and facing that sort of problem. Cabinet Minister, more than 200 residents have signed a petition calling for the site in Rogerstone North to be ruled out. I've written to the council myself highlighting the residents' concerns and calling for the site to be dropped, and the decision now rests with the local authority. So, will you join me in putting pressure on Newport council to protect this community green space by removing it from the authority's allotment plans?
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2. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, public bodies often like to swerve responding to freedom of information requests, especially if the response might make them look bad. This is something that I have experienced first-hand, and it's something, sadly, that has been raised by many of my constituents in the past. Some organisations often like to keep kicking the can down the road to avoid responding, hoping the person seeking information just simply forgets about it. It's frustrating, especially when public bodies are legally bound to provide information. Clearly, improvements could be made. So, First Minister, I'd like to know what discussions have you had with the Information Commissioner's Office about addressing these concerns. I appreciate the response that you just gave to the worthy Member, but if a public body repeatedly fails to respond on time, what action will this Plaid Cymru Government be taking?
3. Business Statement and Announcement en
Business Minister, can I please request a statement from the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care about the potential withdrawal of funding for specialist cerebral palsy therapy services within the Aneurin Bevan health board? Families across my constituency are facing deep uncertainty and concern as the health board reviews its service level agreement with Cerebral Palsy Cymru. While other health boards across Wales, including Cwm Taf Morgannwg, Swansea Bay and Hywel Dda, continue to secure access to this highly specialist intervention, children in my constituency risk being left behind. Local NHS therapy teams perform vital work, but they lack the specific advanced training, experience and clinical capacity required to replicate the specialised care provided by Cerebral Palsy Cymru. Withdrawing this contract creates an unacceptable postcode lottery, and also threatens the early intervention programmes that have provided crucial early years support to 79 babies in the Aneurin Bevan area at zero cost to the NHS or Welsh Government, a move that directly contradicts this Government's own preventative health agenda. Decisions like this actively undermine early intervention, harm long-term development outcomes, and place an unfair burden on families. So, will the Cabinet Secretary make an urgent statement outlining how the Welsh Government will intervene to protect these vital services, eliminate a postcode lottery, and commit to a sustainable national pathway for children with cerebral palsy? Thank you.
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I thank the Cabinet Minister for his statement this afternoon. Reviewing the escalation and intervention framework is an incredibly important piece of work, and patient outcomes should be at the heart of this. Let's be totally honest: existing arrangements have failed in the past. They have not delivered the sustained improvement that patients and staff rightfully deserve and need. If we use Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as an example, it has been in the highest level of intervention for several years now, and things sadly aren't improving. In fact, it was reported only last week that Betsi reported 13 never events, which are serious, largely preventable incidents that should not be happening at all. Betsi has spent longer in special measures than any other organisation in the history of the NHS. This is a damning indictment of the current framework. So, Cabinet Minister, my question is simple: what are your plans doing to deliver the much-needed improvements? Sticking with Betsi just for a minute, in June this year, Cabinet Minister, you gave the health board a final chance to improve. You said that all options were on the table as you were sick and tired of the health board being a byword for dysfunction and declining standards. So, will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the current situation and where you expect Betsi to fall under this new framework? We also know that special measures and health board interventions can be used as a political tool, as we saw, unfortunately, with the Labour politicians here in the Chamber. Take Vaughan Gething, for example: during his time as health Minister he removed Betsi from special measures just before the 2021 Senedd election in what I can only describe as a desperate attempt to curry favour with voters. So, can I get a commitment from you today, Minister, that this Government will not fall under the same trap as Mr Gething and will not use these interventions for political gain? Cabinet Minister, you've set out your ambitions going forward, but this afternoon's statement was a little bit light for me on the detail of what the review unearthed. Perhaps you can elaborate on that for us, please, here in the Chamber. Was the problem the escalation criteria, the speed at which previous Governments acted, the quality of information available, or a broader failure to hold health boards to account when agreed improvements were not delivered? The Cabinet Minister has spoken about the need for earlier intervention when things start going wrong, so what will trigger intervention earlier, and how will the Government act swiftly to prevent situations becoming embedded within health boards? We all want to see improvements, and I hope for the sake of patients and staff that this is a success, but what happens if the interventions don't work? As I've already said, Betsi has been in some form of special measures for years, so I'm really curious to know what your backup plan is when agreed improvements are not delivered, Minister. At what point does this Government move from supporting a health board to directing it? And will any additional powers become available as part of this new framework? Finally, Cabinet Minister, how will you monitor the success of your new framework? Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good KPI, so what are your KPIs? In my mind, the only way this will be judged successful is if it leads to genuine improvements for patients, rather than just changing how many health boards are moved between escalation levels. Thank you very much.
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Can I thank the Cabinet Minister for today's statement? A national development framework should be one of the most important documents produced by our Government. It shapes how and where we build homes, where investment goes, how our transport networks develop, how we support businesses, and, ultimately, what kind of Wales we will leave for our next generation. The Cabinet Minister has described this process as a national conversation about the future of Wales to 2050. I also echo what Vikki Howells just said. Whilst engagement is important, people will rightly expect this exercise to result in real change on the ground, rather than simply another consultation process. Whilst we welcome the decision to review the current framework, the real question is whether this process will lead to meaningful change or simply result in another strategy document, unless the Government is prepared to follow through with meaningful and measurable reforms, because Wales needs action, not bureaucracy. The Government's own first 100 days plan states that it wants 'a new National Development Framework that...empowers local government and reduces costs, bureaucracy and duplication.' Those are objectives that I think many Members across the Chamber could indeed support. The challenge, however, will be whether this Government is prepared to deliver the reforms necessary to achieve them. The Minister has highlighted this review has been launched within the Government's first 100 days. Can she therefore explain what concrete reforms she expects this process to deliver beyond consultation and engagement exercises? For too long, communities, businesses and local authorities have expressed frustration at a planning system that is often complex, slow and difficult to navigate. We are in the midst of a housing crisis. Too many young people are finding home ownership out of reach. Social housing waiting lists remain too high. Local authorities are under pressure to meet housing demand, whilst balancing infrastructure and environmental considerations. At the same time, businesses often face delays and uncertainty when seeking planning consent for developments that could bring jobs and investments into our local communities. If this revised framework is to be judged a success, it must help address these challenges. It must support the delivery of more homes in the places people actually want and need them. It must help regenerate our town centres, it must support better transport connectivity and infrastructure, and it must create the conditions for economic growth in every part of Wales. Planning should be about enabling opportunity, not creating obstacles. Housing must remain a central priority, but this review must also address the wider infrastructure that allows communities to thrive. New homes must be accompanied by transport links, utilities, healthcare provision and employment opportunities. Planning policies should help deliver balanced and sustainable communities, rather than simply allocating land. The Cabinet Minister has also referred to a national conversation. Of course, it is right that the public should have a voice in shaping the future development of Wales. But that conversation must be rooted in the practical concerns raised by people every day. When I speak to residents, they are concerned about whether their children will ever be able to afford a home in their community. They're concerned about congestion and poor transport links. They're concerned about attracting jobs and investments into their towns and cities. They're also concerned about the future sustainability of their local services. Those are the conversations that really and truly matter. It is essential that local communities feel their voices are genuinely influencing decisions, rather than simply being consulted after key decisions are made already here in the Chamber. The Government has also spoken about empowering local government. Again, it's a welcome aspiration, but this has to be more than warm words. It means trusting councils and local communities to shape their own future, reducing unnecessary duplication between national, regional and local structures, and it means ensuring that planning decisions are taken as close as possible to the people affected by them. I would therefore welcome further detail from the Minister on what specific planning processes she believes are creating unnecessary duplication, and what additional freedoms local authorities can expect under the new framework. I hope the Cabinet Minister will ensure this review recognises that different parts of Wales have different challenges. The needs of rural communities are often very different to those of cities. Coastal communities face different pressures from those in the Valleys. A successful framework must recognise those differences, rather than attempting to impose a one-size-fits-all solution from Cardiff Bay. The Minister also said that the revised framework will help align a range of Government plans and strategies. Whilst better co-ordination is indeed welcome, we must avoid creating additional layers of complexity that slow down decision making, investment and development. The ultimate test of this review will be whether it makes the planning system more effective, more responsive and easier to navigate for communities, businesses and local authorities alike. So, Cabinet Minister, we must approach this process constructively. We will support reforms that reduce bureaucracy. We will support measures that help deliver homes, infrastructure and investment. And we will support genuine efforts to strengthen local democracy and improve planning outcomes. Ultimately, this review must be judged not by the number of consultations undertaken, reports commissioned or strategies produced, but whether it delivers tangible improvements for communities across Wales. The people of Wales need a planning system that helps build homes, create jobs and strengthen community support as well as economic growth. With that in mind—and my final area of questioning will be on this—can the Minister clarify how local authorities will be given greater influence under the revised framework, what specific measures will be introduced to reduce bureaucracy and duplication, and what timetable the Government is working to for moving from consultation to implementation? That is the standard against which we will assess this Government's proposals. Thank you.
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Can I thank the Deputy Minister for this afternoon's statement on what is an incredibly emotive area? I welcome this statement, as we haven't really received an update on the Bliss baby charter since it was introduced in September last year. To be clear, my Welsh Conservative colleagues and I support the charter and its aims of improving outcomes for the most vulnerable babies all across Wales. I cannot even begin to imagine what it must be like for families having to navigate life with a premature or seriously ill baby. It must be incredibly frightening and difficult for so many, and so any action being taken to improve neonatal care in Wales will have our unwavering support. Parents should be treated as partners in their baby's care, properly informed and supported, and able to spend as much time with their baby as circumstances allow. The previous Welsh Government invested £100,000 in ensuring all neonatal units in Wales are working towards the bronze level of the Bliss baby charter, and I'm pleased to hear, as per your statement, that all units have either reached or are about to, hopefully, reach bronze, with some excelling further already. Following Jayne Bryant's question about funding, I'd like to know by what date and time will funding support from this Government be put in place to help this progress further. Deputy Minister, as we heard earlier, this year, 'The path to safer beginnings in Wales' assessment of maternity and neonatal services was published. That piece of work identified a number of issues and challenges, including poor co-ordination between units regarding cot and maternity bed availability, uncertainty around neonatal cot configuration and even provision of transitional care and delays in transport arrangements. You confirmed that this Government would implement the assessment's recommendations, but can you please elaborate on what steps this Plaid Government has already taken in this area to date? In particular, I would be keen to hear more about the Government's plans to implement a national maternity bed and neonatal cot finder, and when families will be able to access it. The charity Bliss carried out a survey of neonatal units across Wales that found that 85 per cent of babies could not have even one parent stay in a room with them overnight. This was due to a lack of appropriate accommodation and the condition of some estates. This will have a hugely detrimental impact on this Government's ambition to deliver a more family-centred approach. So, Deputy Minister, how is this Government going to be addressing this moving forward? Families and premature children also need support long after they have left the neonatal unit. Parents of children admitted to neonatal care are more than likely to experience mental health needs, yet less than a third of parents told the charity The Smallest Things that they received formal emotional support after having left the unit. Also, just one in five parents agree that their GP understands their or their baby's needs, and a little over a third felt that their health visitors understood their and their baby's needs. Parents cite the lack of understanding and joined-up support between health and education. So, I'd like to know what action the Welsh Government is taking to ensure children born prematurely receive joined-up support following discharge from neonatal care, including appropriate sharing of their neonatal history between health visiting, early years and education services. How will they ensure professionals across these services understand the potential impact premature birth can have on learning and development, and are ready to identify and meet those needs? Deputy Minister, parents should be at the heart of neonatal care, and I sincerely hope with every ounce of my being that this Welsh Government gets this important piece of work right. Thank you.
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9. Short Debate: The unacceptable pause in scheduled treatment for trans patients en
Before I begin, I'd like to thank the Member for giving me a minute and also I hope that your surgery went well and continues to go well, as well. The title of this short debate suggests that pausing sex-change operations is unacceptable, but that couldn't be further from the truth. There is nothing unacceptable about pausing irreversible surgery at the Welsh Gender Service while serious concerns are investigated. Clearly, the NHS believes there is a case to answer for here over the abnormally high rates of people being referred for irreversible gender surgeries, hence why this action was taken. Patient safety and well-being should always be the No. 1 priority, and pausing treatment in light of this review is absolutely the right thing to do. This decision was based on clinical and safety concerns, and patients deserve the strongest possible safeguards before a referral is made, yet the rhetoric that I've been hearing and seeing from certain politicians in relation to the current situation of the Welsh Gender Service is deeply worrying and, in my view, amounts to putting ideology before patient safety. The Welsh Gender Service has been referring patients for surgery at rates three to four times higher than clinics across the border in England. That is alarming and must be investigated. So, I would like to ask the Cabinet Minister today: will you confirm the timetable for this review, provide a guarantee that this probe will be genuinely independent and put patient welfare before gender ideology? Thank you.
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1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en
Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Cabinet Minister, pancreatic is one of the deadliest cancers in the UK, affecting more than 500 people in Wales every single year. Eight in 10 people are diagnosed at a late stage, when it is often too late for treatment, and 50 per cent of people die within three months of diagnosis. In my own constituency, the one-year survival rate is 23 per cent alone. These shocking figures have been underpinned by a series of late diagnoses and ineffective treatment options, which has meant that only 25 per cent of those with pancreatic cancer will be treated within the Welsh Government's 62-day target. Vague symptoms make pancreatic cancer incredibly difficult to detect, and 90 per cent of patients visit their GP multiple times before diagnosis. This is because there is currently no early detection test available. However, there is hope on the horizon, with the world's first breath test for pancreatic cancer being developed. This test is currently being trialled across the UK, including in Betsi Cadwaladr, Swansea and Cardiff, and the data so far is really promising. While this development could be game changing, there is still more that could and should be done by the Welsh Government. Health boards across Wales must be provided with the funding and support that they need to deliver the national optimal pathway for pancreatic cancer, ensuring that everyone diagnosed receives the timely, high-quality care that they truly deserve. So, Cabinet Minister, I know you love to use those words ‘clinically led’. The evidence is right there. What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve care for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer here in Wales?
1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en
Thanks for your response, Cabinet Minister. You clearly read my mind, because I am sticking with the theme of cancer and I did read the plan in depth and detail. So, Cabinet Minister, as we all know, pancreatic is one of the six less survivable cancers with lung, liver, brain, stomach and oes—. Oesophageal; I do apologise. These six less survivable cancers account for over 40 per cent of all cancer deaths, and people diagnosed with these cancers have a shockingly low life expectancy rate. The average one-year survival rate for a patient diagnosed with a less survivable cancer in Wales is just 39 per cent. This contrasts sharpy with the overall one-year survival rate for all cancers, which is just 70 per cent. Despite this, these cancers receive disproportionately low levels of research funding, contributing to a cycle of poor survival rates and limited treatment advances. The previous Government's pan-cancer approach did not adequately address the deep disparities faced by those diagnosed with less survivable cancers. Only 28 per cent of people with less survivable cancers are diagnosed at stage 1 or 2, compared with 52 per cent for all other cancers. This overwhelmingly late-stage diagnosis limits the potential for treatments that could significantly improve survival rates. Equity in cancer care means ensuring that all patients, regardless of their diagnosis, have an equal opportunity to survive. Given the challenges for detection and treatment that are specific to these cancers, will the Cabinet Minister commit to including a chapter, or action plan at least, dedicated to less survivable cancers in the new cancer plan here in Wales?
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3. Business Statement and Announcement en
Business Minister, can I please request a Government statement about the Supreme Court's clear ruling that sex means biological sex only? I'm sure you'll appreciate that sporting opportunities for women and girls are vitally important for their health, social inclusion and development. Yet the Football Association of Wales, a body that receives significant and ongoing Welsh Government investment, continues to operate an eligibility policy that allows some men to play in the women's game whilst girls have no category to call their own. Following the Supreme Court's judgment on 16 April 2025, the Scottish Football Association acted within 14 days to uphold the Equality Act 2010 protections for the female game. The English Football Association followed just one day later with a legally compliant policy in place. It is now over 445 days since the judgment, yet women in Wales are still waiting for any announcement on their own sporting category. Silence from the Football Association of Wales prompted the Women's Rights Network Wales to meet with the CEO, Noel Mooney, last year. They were assured that FAW intended to review their policy, but also that the organisation felt it necessary to wait for guidance from the Welsh Government. Will the Welsh Government now take responsibility and explicitly direct Sport Wales to inform the FAW that maintaining a fair, sex-segregated category is not optional but a fundamental requirement for any organisation receiving public funding, to ensure that women and girls can enjoy fair opportunity and fair participation in their own sport? A statement from the Welsh Government addressing the above points would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Can I also thank the Deputy Minister for bringing this statement here to the Chamber today? We've seen a lot of proposals flying around the Chamber when it comes to health and social care over the past few months, outlining summits and following clinically led decisions, but less about when and how these proposals are going to be actioned. Take, for example, the shift towards primary care and prevention. It's great that the Government is proposing an extra 100 GPs, but when GP practices are saying they do not have the physical space to be able to train up new GPs, we have a problem. We also know the scale of the challenges that Wales is facing, from one in three adults living with obesity, which costs Wales £5.2 billion in health spending and lost productivity, to nearly 4,000 preventable deaths each year because of smoking. I know the Deputy Minister has already launched a consultation on vaping as part of the four-nation approach to prevent children and young people from starting to smoke or vape, so I'd like to know what other actions you're going to be taking on both of these issues and when we are likely to be seeing delivery. Also, are you considering the work and recommendations of the previous Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry in relation to obesity? I welcome that you are focusing on activity as part of weight loss and prevention, but sometimes green spaces and safe walking routes are inaccessible to communities across all of our constituencies. According to the Ramblers Association, councils in my constituency spend an average of just 44p per resident on maintaining public paths. Therefore, will the Deputy Minister commit to continuing the access improvement grant so that more communities get the benefit of walking regularly and safely? Deputy Presiding Officer, I see that there will be a food strategy for Wales. My colleague Peter Fox—I know his name has been mentioned quite a few times—was strident in his work regarding the food Bill in the last Senedd, which focused on sustainable and secure food sources and increasing the proportion of Welsh food and drink served in hospitals and schools across Wales. Sadly, this was voted down by Labour and Plaid in the last Senedd term. So, Deputy Minister, will you make a commitment to revisit my colleague's proposals as part of your food strategy now? Deputy Presiding Officer, I believe that prevention is better than cure, and I know many of us say it enough here in the Chamber, but we should also be looking at what we can learn from the past. It's now over six years since COVID-19 hit Wales, and we still are none the wiser as to how well or badly our health and social care system coped, and vitally, how we prevent another virus from nearly collapsing Wales. The fallout from COVID is also clear when it comes to those who suffer from long COVID, as well as the health of those who have had misdiagnoses due to lengthy shutdowns of routine exams. As the Deputy Minister will be aware, both Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives supported calls for a Wales-only COVID inquiry. Now that you're in government, will the Deputy Minister be initiating a Wales-only inquiry as well? Additionally, I see the mention of building on the Marmot initiative, but I note from the findings that although it provides a successful framework, it's failing to rapidly change lives because councils don't have sweeping macroeconomic powers or huge cash reserves to apply it. So, Deputy Minister, are you committing to more powers to local authorities and further cash to apply Marmot across Wales? Finally, Deputy Presiding Officer, child oral health is a huge component of prevention and public health, and I don't see any specific mention of this in your statement today. Because we are seeing one in four children aged five being affected by tooth decay, rising to one in three in the most deprived areas across Wales. Therefore, Deputy Minister, will you be making a commitment on record to embedding oral health in nursery and school settings? I also note that the dental contract has a massive impact on child oral health. So, Deputy Minister, how are you going to be working with the Cabinet Minister to change the dental health contract and provide a better deal for both dentists and NHS patients here in Wales? Thank you.
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1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice en
Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Minister, fuel poverty has been, and remains, a huge concern for many residents across Wales, and it's something my former colleague Mark Isherwood campaigned on tirelessly during his time here. We have heard warnings previously that the former Labour Government's Warm Homes scheme was nowhere near what it needs to be and would not have provided what was required to tackle fuel poverty. A report by the Equality and Social Justice Committee back in 2025 found that it would take more than a century to improve the energy efficiency of all fuel-poor households. Cabinet Minister, Citizens Advice Cymru has reported that fuel debt is the No. 1 debt issue facing people using the charity's services in many areas across Wales, including my own constituency of Newport and Islwyn. We know the Plaid Cymru Government has vowed in its first 100 days to plan to review the existing Warm Homes scheme, but many people, including my constituents, want and need action now. So, with the price cap having just increased, and no prediction for it to come down any time soon within the autumn, what support does the Welsh Government intend to provide people who will be experiencing fuel poverty? Thank you.
1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice en
Thanks for your response. Cabinet Minister, households across Wales are facing further cost-of-living pressures as prices keep rising. Also in Plaid's 'The First 100 Days' document was a commitment to review Welsh benefits such as the discretionary assistance fund. The Welsh Conservatives have always advocated for struggling families to be able to access the support that they're entitled to, something that sadly did not happen under Labour. In 2023, the Welsh Government made £90 million available to support people with the cost of living when it came to fuel, yet less than £65 million had been spent. Whilst 427,000 households were eligible for support, only 316,000 households applied. Labour failed to properly inform the people of Wales about the assistance that they could receive, and I sincerely hope that doesn't happen here under Plaid Cymru's watch. So, what plans does the Welsh Government have to review the Welsh benefits system and help prevent households from being in crisis in the first place?
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Thanks so much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'd like to use my 90-second statement to pay tribute to a constituent of mine who's been fundraising for the Forget-me-not Chorus, a charity that organises singing sessions for people with dementia. My constituent Andrew Davies's life changed in January 2025 when he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. With so much uncertainty about the future, Andrew decided that he wanted to embark on a mammoth fundraising mission whilst he still could. He decided to drive from Land's End to John o' Groats in just one day to raise money for the Forget-me-not Chorus, who have been supporting Andrew through and through. This wasn't just the first time he has completed the journey, having done the same 30 years ago in aid of a different charity. Andrew raised an impressive £1,300, with more cash coming in. Deputy Presiding Officer, I'm sure the entire Chamber will join me in congratulating Andrew on his efforts, alongside all of those people across our nation of Wales who carry on with these incredible fundraising initiatives, and wishing them all the very best in their future endeavours.
6. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Ophthalmology services en
Can I thank Gwyn for bringing forward this debate today? I must say, I don't say it very often, but I thoroughly enjoyed your contribution. On behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, we can confirm we will be supporting you in today's vote. Ophthalmology waiting times and lists are indeed unacceptably long. It's something that we all know and it's something that often makes us all very sad to hear of. There are more than 11,600 patient pathways open in Wales who are waiting more than a year for ophthalmology treatment. Of the 11,600 waiting more than a year for treatment, around a third of them are within the Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which again highlights the need for urgent improvements at the troubled board. Whilst the figures are lower in my local health board, with just shy of 1,000 patient pathways waiting more than a year for treatment, it is clear that we need to see action across the board, because all of these delays are putting patients at risk of avoidable sight loss. And with an expected rise in demand for services, the time to act is indeed now. At the end of March 2025, around about 80,700 patients assessed at the highest risk category of irreversible harm were waiting beyond clinically safe time frames for treatment. Fast-forward to just a year, and things haven't really improved; the figures have barely moved. At the end of April 2026, the figure was more than 76,000 patients. The lack of progress can be further highlighted by the percentage of people being seen with a target date, or 25 per cent beyond the target date itself. In March last year, this was 49.9 per cent, and in April this year, it was 51.1 per cent. Frankly, it's just not good enough. Unfortunately, we didn't see much meaningful action from the previous Labour Government, but I hope that this new administration will take this seriously and move with pace to address the issue within ophthalmology services. The health committee in the last Senedd term found several systematic issues when it came to ophthalmology, and I know that they've been touched upon. Yet it appears that very little has been done since then to rectify it. One of the big challenges—and I know many of my colleagues have said this today—was indeed workforce shortages, something that is, of course, having a major impact on the NHS sectors. Wales has just 1.97 consultant ophthalmologists per 100,000 population, well below the recommended three per 100,000. When the Minister responds to this debate, I would like to know how his Government plans to hit these recommended levels. Also, the crumbling NHS estate, something I've raised on numerous occasions already, was found to be one of the big barriers, as was, indeed, equipment. Outdated and unsafe hospital facilities with leaky roofs, cramped spaces and broken equipment were disrupting surgery and extending waiting times. Not too long ago, Newport patients arrived at the Royal Gwent Hospital for prearranged surgery at the ophthalmology unit, however, when they got there, they were turned away and told to go home because there was an error in ordering equipment for the hospital's theatres. Lessons must be learnt, as incidents like these will hamper efforts to drive down the waiting times that we speak of. So, how is the Welsh Government ensuring equipment and NHS estates are going to be fit for purpose? The Welsh Government's response to the committee's findings sparked a wave of concern and disappointment, including from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The college accused the Government of deferring or avoiding making key commitments that would deliver the committee's recommendations. Now, I'd like to quote Rhianon Reynolds from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, who said that 'The Welsh Government needs to show more ambition to tackle the huge challenges facing ophthalmology services. To meet the needs of patients now and in the future, we must invest to improve our dilapidated estates and provide the workforce and digital infrastructure necessary to deliver the best care.' End quote. My question is simple: will this Welsh Government do what the last one didn't, and show the ambition to tackle the mammoth challenges that lie ahead of us? The debate is indeed rather timely here today, Deputy Presiding Officer, as it coincides with Glaucoma Awareness Week, and there are warnings that glaucoma prevalence is expected to rise over the coming years, with 100,000 cases expected by 2033. Research earlier this year found that as many as half the people with glaucoma are yet to receive a diagnosis, which is especially concerning given the irreversible damage it can cause if left untreated. Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and yet many people don't know they have it. But optometrists can play a vital role in early detection as it can be picked up via a routine eye test, and we have two advocates who I'm sure can agree with this. Worryingly, a briefing from Glaucoma UK and Specsavers revealed that a fifth of the population still didn't know how often they should visit their optician for a routine check-up, and the same percentage either can't remember their last eye examination or have never had one at all. In light of that alarming statistic, I'd like to know how does the Welsh Government plan to turn that around. And I'd be interested to know if the Welsh Government plans to look at further bolstering community eye care. Deputy Presiding Officer, let me conclude by once again thanking Gwyn Williams for bringing this debate to the forefront, and I'd also hope to see the Welsh Government act swiftly when it comes to implementing the points raised in this motion to address the challenges when it comes to ophthalmology here in Wales. Thank you.
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1. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, last year there were approximately 30,000 Welsh people on an English NHS waiting list because of the lack of local NHS treatment available. We know that Powys Teaching Health Board has recently placed its patients on the Welsh waiting list as it was told by the previous Welsh Government that the extra money they were providing for commissioning services could not be spent in English hospitals. As you will be aware, the Welsh Affairs Committee recently heard evidence from Welsh health board chief executives, including the chief exec of the Aneurin Bevan health board. The points raised by the chief executive of the Aneurin Bevan health board seem to have been the same persistent problems that have frustrated the Welsh NHS over many years. These include data and record sharing, as well as the NHS app, which is slightly different between the two countries. First Minister, you cannot get away from the fact that thousands of Welsh residents are accessing services over the border because we just don't have the facilities to treat them here in Wales. Therefore, would it not be wise and prudent of you to have a joined-up IT system with the English NHS rather than being different for difference's sake? Thank you.
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Thank you, Deputy Minister, for setting out your priorities for this Senedd term. I'm glad that you have the passion in setting out your priorities and I certainly hope that passion continues in the years to come. Deputy Minister, I want to begin with your point of view on women's health. I know my colleague Jayne Bryant just touched upon it, but I note you placed a lot of emphasis on women's voices in your statement and you've indicated you'll be refreshing parts of the women's health plan. Last week, NICE published new draft guidelines on polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, formerly known as polycystic ovary syndrome, recommending faster diagnosis and an annual review of women and girls aged 10 and over to include symptoms and signs of PMOS and any concerns they have about period regularity, fertility, weight, mood and sleep apnoea, alongside medicine use and long-term risks of developing related health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. I know that the guidelines are currently out to consultation, but, given that women and girls are often waiting years for diagnosis and treatment, what consideration has the Deputy Minister given to annual reviews of the condition, alongside the training of doctors and health professionals across Wales to spot the signs of PMOS? This takes me to my second point: education. All too often, women and girls cope with endometriosis and PMOS because they believe that heavy and painful periods are a normal part of their menstrual journey. In February, I asked the previous education Minister about empowering women and girls through awareness and ensuring universal menstrual health education within the curriculum. Because, while some schools provide great advice, sadly, others do not. Deputy Minister, I'd like to know what efforts will you be making to ensure that quality menstrual health education is delivered across Wales, and will you be willing to meet with organisations such as the Menstrual Health Project to support this delivery? On women's health hubs, I have raised consistent concerns about the delivery of advice and support for menopause alongside menstrual health. I note that Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have launched a menopause hub in Ely, but I'd like to know, Deputy Minister, how will you help roll out hubs like these across Wales, so all women will be able to have access to support? The Senedd's Health and Social Care Committee in the last term found that women in Wales were being let down by the previous Government's inaction on gynaecological cancer. The previous Labour Government, sadly, failed to deliver on many of the committee's recommendations. And I appreciate a written statement is coming soon on the cancer plan, but can you please touch upon some of the work this Government will be doing to improve gynaecological cancer care here in Wales? I'm pleased, Presiding Officer, that the Deputy Minister has set out her aims for social care. All too often—and I know we've heard this from many Members—social care, despite its significance within the health system, has been relegated to being the cinderella service. Like the Deputy Minister, I'm keen to ensure that social care is indeed given more prominence. However, I am genuinely concerned that there's still a lack of joined-up thinking within the health and care system, specifically with regard to delayed discharges and sharing of patient records. In April, Community Housing Cymru estimated that discharge delays due to housing issues had risen from an average of 63 days in 2023 to 76 days in 2025, and that, last December, more than 1,400 people were in hospital beds despite being well enough to leave. Last month, nearly 150 delays were counted as a result of waiting for social care assessments, with a total of 4,165 days delayed. A further 300 days were due to care home placement arrangements and nearly 21,000 days delayed. The Salvation Army estimates that, last year, patients were discharged on 318 occasions with no fixed abode from Welsh hospitals. There are also deep concerns about the lack of information sharing between hospitals and social care, given that they run on a multitude of different IT systems, leading to patients who are vulnerable and have complex conditions being discharged without the relevant information to help care for them after they have left hospital. As the local government committee highlighted last year, the Welsh care workforce is chronically understaffed. We're all well aware of this, Deputy Minister. This is, unfortunately, unsustainable going forward, and uncaring. I note your manifesto has mentioned more joined-up planning between health and social care, so how are you delivering this in relation to delayed discharges and housing? How will the new connected care programme for integrated health and care records be monitored by your Government? And what efforts are you making to address the significant shortages in the social care workforce? I also had the pleasure of meeting with Carers Trust and Carers Wales recently, and whilst I'm pleased to hear that more funding will be given to the carers support fund and short-break schemes, there are still lingering concerns about short-term funding and that unpaid carers are still waiting for change, to find out what your Government has in store for them. So, Deputy Minister, we've got two committee inquiries about unpaid carers in 2019 and 2026, which gave the same recommendations. So, how are you delivering those changes at pace to reform support for unpaid carers here in Wales? Finally, Presiding Officer, I thank the Deputy Minister for updating the Chamber on her aims for mental health. Whilst, in a perfect world, we'd see parity of treatment for mental and physical health, we are still not at a stage where mental health is treated with the same urgency. According to the Mental Health Foundation, around 720,000 adults in Wales had poor mental health, with Wales reporting higher levels of poor mental health than the rest of the UK in 13 out of the last 15 years. While I note that much of the emphasis has been given to prevention, the Mental Health Foundation has further expressed concern about the lack of information on how much is spent on prevention by the Welsh Government, where investment is directed, and what impact it has in the long term. The foundation says, and I quote, 'To ensure future policy efforts are effective, Wales must improve the collection and publication of data on prevention at both health board and national level'. Unquote. So, I therefore ask, Deputy Minister, whether you will be open and transparent on both mental health data and your policies on prevention going forward. Thank you so much.
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1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy cy
6. Beth yw blaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cymru o ran trafnidiaeth ar gyfer Casnewydd ac Islwyn? OQ64239
Official English translation
6. What are the Welsh Government's transport priorities for Newport and Islwyn? OQ64239
No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record
1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy en
Thank you for your response. Deputy Minister, we're all far too aware of the problems drivers face regularly on the M4 and around Newport. As far as I'm concerned, the M4 relief road remains the best option in alleviating the never-ending motoring mayhem. That must be a road-based solution, which Plaid has indeed promised, not, as this Government has already hinted at, closing motorway junctions. This will just add to the chaos and mayhem that businesses, residents and visitors all experience on a regular basis. I recently received a letter from a resident in Rhymney about the M4 relief road, which drew my attention to the Nazzano method of tunnel expansion. I believe similar correspondence has also been sent to Welsh Government Ministers. For the benefit of Members here in the Chamber, the Nazzano method, which has been successfully used in Italy, allows tunnels to be widened while keeping them fully operational, by constructing a larger structure around the original bore. Whilst a relief road will remain my top and favourite solution, Deputy Minister, has any consideration been given to the Nazzano method as a potential way of addressing the M4's troubles? If not, why? And will you today rule out closing junctions along the M4 in Newport? Thank you.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language cy
6. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gynyddu nifer y prentisiaethau? OQ64240
Official English translation
6. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to boost the number of apprenticeships? OQ64240
No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en
Thank you so much for your response. Deputy Minister, university isn't for everyone and apprenticeships are a great route into the workplace for those who want to earn and learn at the same time. In Plaid's 2026 manifesto, the party pledged to expand work experience and apprenticeships, yet, based on a recent conversation I had with a business in Newport, I fear that constraints with the apprenticeship levy will hamper those efforts going forward. Jane Blackwell, who is the franchisee of five McDonald's restaurants in the area, explained to me that, despite wanting to take on more apprenticeships and take part in more youth work, which is something she's very passionate about, due to the very strict criteria to release funds from the levy, that's stopping her from going forward. This is despite Jane paying vast amounts of money into the levy itself. We have a situation here where a business owner with multiple sites is contributing towards the apprenticeship fund, but isn't able to access it to take on her own apprenticeships; it is, frankly, absurd, Deputy Minister. Clearly, there needs to be a change in the rules here. So, Deputy Minister, will you commit to meeting with Jane to discuss this issue and iron out the problems to start getting more young people in my constituency into work? Ultimately, this won’t just benefit Newport and Islwyn, but Members across the Senedd as well. Thank you.
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1. Questions to the First Minister cy
2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd yng ngoleuni dyfarniad y Goruchaf Lys ar y diffiniad o ryw fiolegol? OQ64253
Official English translation
2. What action is the Welsh Government taking in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of biological sex? OQ64253
No broadcast timestamp published, so this contribution cannot be placed on the stage. Senedd TV Read this in the Record
1. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, I was recently contacted by several concerned members of staff, who want to remain anonymous, at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, after they received a presentation entitled 'transcending boundaries, celebrating transgender awareness week and how to be an ally'. I'm all in favour of diversity, but I would much rather NHS staff focus on patients and delivering care, than them being distracted by training sessions that do not improve patient care and front-line services. Staff told me how they felt extremely uncomfortable with the session, saying it was highly sexualised and inappropriate. I can't say I blame them when you hear some of the presentation's content. First Minister, part of the presentation involved a man talking about his genitals, alongside a photo of a rocket, and he states, and I quote, 'No Viagra needed'. The presentation also includes a photo of a man when he was naked as a child. The presentation also talks about transgender bathroom issues and supporting men in women's spaces. All of this is available for everyone to watch online. Do you agree with me, First Minister, that this is incredibly disturbing and concerning, as well as not appropriate for the workplace? And in light of the Supreme Court's judgment last year, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission's recently published draft guidelines, how is the Welsh Government going to ensure public bodies are following the law and protecting women's spaces?
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Thank you, Cabinet Minister, for bringing forward the statement today. I support your passion to turn things around at the board, and I agree that time is of the essence when it comes to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, given that it's been in special measures for 11 years. I also agree that the board's issues are complex and varied. I wonder, though, Cabinet Minister, how your approach will, indeed, help to find a better outcome. It feels like reviews on issues that have already been reviewed are undergoing regular reviews, which seems like kicking the can down the road for me. I know we've talked about timelines; you just answered the question, briefly, to Ken Skates. You mentioned September, but I'd like to know what happens after September. The answers as to how we solve Betsi's problems also don't lie in more money for the health board. We saw the previous Welsh Government sprinkle tens of millions of pounds on the health board in the name of improvement, but without any return. In fact, the board was projected to still be £17 million in deficit at the end of March, and now we see that you'll also be providing £100 million to improve waiting times, so how much of that is actually going on Betsi Cadwaladr? As we've seen in the latest statistical release this month, the board makes up a third of patients waiting over a year for treatment, and two thirds of patients waiting more than two years. That's 33,000 patients waiting over a year in Betsi alone. They shouldn't be waiting this long, Cabinet Minister, so do you have time frames in mind for urgent improvement by your announced intensive support, recovery and turnaround team? Last week, you also spoke about surgical hubs, but in light of our debate on preventing hospital downgrades and closures, you were remarkably coy about how your Government would step up for local services. So, I'd be grateful if you could confirm whether these surgical hubs are a temporary or permanent measure going forward. The answer also doesn't lie in a new chief executive. In 11 years, it's been a revolving door at the top, and staff need reassurance that their leadership is going to be stable and secure from now on. I know that Carol Shillabeer has been in charge for about three years now, but even then, we've seen nearly 89,000 patients treated in hospital corridors, and as we heard last week, staff battling outdated and crumbling infrastructure to treat as many patients as they can. And this is reflected in the A&E waiting times for the board itself. You've mentioned Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, and we can see the problems it faces. It sits at the bottom of the NHS table, with fewer than a third of patients being seen within four hours. Wrexham Maelor isn't much better, with fewer than 40 per cent of patients being seen within the target time, and over 1,800 patients waited longer than 12 hours in both hospitals. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine estimated that, last year, nearly 1,000 patients died waiting for emergency treatment across Wales. So, what will the turnaround team be doing now to improve patient flow out of hospitals in north Wales? Cabinet Minister, I noted that you outlined £20 million in a capital package for improving waiting lists, yet we see £1 billion of high and significant maintenance issues in the NHS estate. However, it doesn't escape my notice that you sought to evade these points last week, and that you don't mention them in any of your statement here today. Therefore, what urgent measures are you taking to ensure that urgent improvement works are made to hospitals like Wrexham Maelor? Cabinet Minister, you've said on many occasions that your focus will be on primary care, but no mention has been made of how this will be turned around in this statement. I do agree that we need more care closer to home, however, in the case of Betsi Cadwaladr, we know that, historically, there's been a widespread shortage of GPs in the area itself. We see regular situations where patients can't even register with a GP in north Wales. This, ultimately, has direct impacts on A&E departments, as there is simply nowhere else for them to go. So, while extra funding for primary care is your clear goal, Cabinet Minister, how will this help the residents of north Wales and what measures are you taking to increase the number of GPs across the board's area? Finally, Cabinet Minister, I see last week that you said Betsi Cadwaladr will be, and I quote, 'on watch...over the next two years' and hinted at a possible reorganisation if it did not indeed improve its performance. Let me just say this clearly today, Minister: your Government will also be on watch, not just in this Chamber by us, but by the residents of north Wales too. Thank you.
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The estate.
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Thank you, Cabinet Minister, for your statement today. I welcome the fact, also, that the statement has been tabled well in advance, before the height of winter, and that there's talk of having a robust plan before the winter months are upon us. It's a refreshing change from the previous Government's timetable, when we got to hear about preparedness in October. Whilst I note the Cabinet Minister's five main aims outlined in the statement for the NHS and social care plan ahead for winter pressures, we also need three fundamental things: we need workforce, we need infrastructure and we need good data. Cabinet Minister, we've heard many times from the NHS that pressures are not just in winter, they're all year round, and I appreciate that you echoed that in your statement as well. We all know that a lack of staff across all sectors in the NHS has created untold strain on the workforce, and this has a direct impact on patient care. I note that you've mentioned health boards must sustain and support their workforce, but just last week, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales found that whilst dementia patients were treated with kindness and respect at Llandough hospital, there were poor standards of cleanliness, environmental hazards, and also weaknesses in infection prevention. The reason for this? Lack of staff. We've seen recruitment freezes in paramedics and that half of nursing graduates are unlikely to gain employment. The Royal College of Radiologists have said that parts of Wales face some of the most severe shortages of cancer specialists anywhere in the United Kingdom, and last week, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives also released damning figures that highlight the dire situation that the Welsh NHS workforce is indeed facing. For example, 306 student nurses due to graduate in September have not been allocated a position in the Welsh NHS. Even more midwives who have recently trained won't be offered a role. For example, 36 graduates in Cardiff and Vale won't get roles because midwives from last year were provided with full-time hours, due to lack of funding from the Welsh Government. Some midwives have been forced to hold down part-time jobs in hospitality to cover their costs. Frankly, this is farcical. In light of this, the Royal College of Nursing has called for immediate action, including greater transparency with workforce planning and better co-ordination between the NHS and the Welsh Government. I really do welcome that you will publish the first-phase workforce plan in the autumn. How will you work winter pressures and preparedness into your plan, Cabinet Minister? Because I really don't want to hear about another summit having to take place after this. On infrastructure, Cabinet Minister, your immediate reaction to genuine concerns about the crumbling NHS estate last week was to demand costings from the opposition benches. While we are seeing cases where A&Es are closing due to water-supply issues, operations are cancelled because theatres have pigeon infestations, and there are ward closures because of repeated norovirus incidents—I've raised this earlier today—what plans are you undertaking to tackle the serious and immediate concern that's right here, right now? I know that health boards are struggling financially, as well as through the lack of staff and poor infrastructure that I've spoken upon. You have inherited an appallingly run public service from the previous Welsh Government, Minister—I can't deny that—where health boards are still not recovered from the pandemic six years ago, and all of them are in some form of Government intervention. You've mentioned the extra funding of £100 million to tackle waiting lists. However, six of seven health boards projected a deficit by the end of last March. The total projected savings health boards have to make is a grand total of £213 million, and one health board, Swansea bay, has projected a £76.6 million deficit for next year. Cabinet Secretary, the reality is this: health boards are currently redesigning services, including downgrading and closures, to save money. How well do you think these new services will fare during the winter months? How do you think A&E services will cope this winter in areas where patients are more likely to go if they don't have any alternatives? Cabinet Minister, another part of tackling winter pressures is data. From GP appointments and hospital referrals to prescriptions, a system that runs smoothly is needed here in Wales. However, Digital Health and Care Wales, which runs the system, is in targeted intervention and regularly crashes. According to the British Medical Association, these can be—and I'm quoting these words now— 'extraordinarily disruptive for practices and for patients...and can take hours to recover from.' So, Cabinet Minister, in your response to our debate last week, I noticed that you mentioned the need for technology to support NHS staff. Sadly, in this case, it's just not working right now. Therefore, Cabinet Minister, as part of your planning, what immediate steps are you taking to ensure that even the basic functions of Digital Health and Care Wales are running smoothly over the winter months? Finally, Cabinet Minister, a major driver of winter pressures is lung conditions. I note you've mentioned scenario planning for hospitals to prevent ward infection, however, as an overall point, Asthma and Lung UK Cymru have said that respiratory admissions are 40 per cent higher in winter, and over the last 20 years, hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses have doubled. Six thousand respiratory admissions are for children each winter, with one in four admissions involving a child under 10. Sadly, Cabinet Minister, many of these issues arise because basic care is lacking. Less than a quarter of adults and a third of children receive adequate care. Furthermore, these admissions have been described as avoidable and increasingly expensive, placing more burdens on our NHS here in Wales. So, Cabinet Minister, I welcome your comments on increased vaccinations in your statement, but what messaging will your Government be giving on vaccines and prevention going forward, and will you be investing in diagnostic capacity for early intervention on respiratory conditions? Thank you.
2
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, I was pleased to see the Welsh NHS grow from using a basic app during COVID to being the first in the UK to use AI in all of its hospitals and to support stroke patients. Yet, while we have the technology here in Wales, we still need the workforce to apply it. As Professor Stuart Allen, director of the Centre for Social Care and Artificial Intelligence Learning, said last year, and I quote: 'These tools should support humans, not replace them. We must make sure no one is left out because of a digital divide or lack of access.' First Minister, we're currently facing extreme pressures in the NHS workforce—it's not a secret to any of us—and while AI in stroke services is very welcome, the latest median ambulance waiting time for the orange category, which includes stroke patients, was nearly one and a half hours. Our nursing workforce is also crying out for protected time for continuing professional development, which I'm sure you would agree would indeed help deliver a skilled workforce. Therefore, I'd like to know here today how specifically your Welsh Government's approach to balancing AI with the workforce needs will be different from that of the previous Welsh Government that we've had here in Wales. Thank you.
3. Business Statement and Announcement en
Business Minister, can I please request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care on the all-Wales cardiology and radiology consumable framework for 2027? Concerns have been raised with me, personally, that the proposed procurement approach may give insufficient weight to whole-life value, patient outcomes, clinical input, innovation and sustainability, with significant weighting instead placed upon upfront product costs. By putting more of an onus on cost instead of whole-life value, this runs the risk of costing more in the long term. So, for anyone like me who doesn't have a medical degree, a cheaper replacement heart valve may seem appealing, but could also come at an increased risk of major post-operative implications, significantly higher adverse events and less evidence of durability, which would be worse for the patient and for the system in the short to medium term. Not only will this be beneficial to the public purse, but it is also better for the patient's health and well-being. Given the Welsh Government's commitment to value-based procurement and the potential long-term implications for patient care and NHS Wales costs, can time be made for a statement on how Ministers are ensuring that this framework reflects best value for the NHS in Wales? Thank you.
2
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality en
Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Minister, the last Labour Government failed women and girls across Wales by dragging its heels when it came to implementing the Supreme Court's ruling, and, based on the rhetoric from Plaid, I fear nothing is going to change here in Wales. Recently, I received an e-mail from a Welsh Government employee who told me that they're working under a policy that allows men who identify as women to use women's single-sex spaces from the first day of self-identification, and that staff are explicitly told that these individuals must not be asked to use alternative facilities. The member of staff told me, and I quote: 'The Supreme Court has made the legal position unambiguous for the purposes of the Equality Act. "Sex" means biological sex. A gender recognition certificate does not change a person's sex under the Act'. And I'm still quoting here: 'A Government cannot pick and choose which laws it follows, yet that is exactly what seems to be happening within the Welsh Government itself'. All public bodies in Wales should indeed respect the Supreme Court's very clear ruling, and it is imperative that both the UK and Welsh Governments take the lead on this by issuing updated guidance. So, Cabinet Minister, when is this Government going to put the safety of women and girls first and take action, and can you please explain, for the benefit of this entire institution, why your four MPs in Westminster voted against supporting women-only services recently as well? Thank you.
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Can I take a moment to thank Cristiana Emsley for using her short debate to raise this important issue and for allowing me to contribute? I've actually had sight of a forthcoming report by the Wales Women's Rights Network, which has carried out a freedom of information exercise across secondary schools in Wales. Shockingly, it shows that around 8 per cent of the 185 schools that responded are providing—and let me emphasise this word—only mixed-sex toilet facilities. Not only that, but more than half of all responses confirm that the school had no policy in place governing the use of toilet facilities. Some of those same schools also confirmed that they operate a system actually permitting students to use opposite-sex toilet blocks. Now, we all know the growing practice of mixed-sex toilet provision in schools is indeed causing some girls to skip using them completely for fear of humiliation at best and fear of assault at worst. Some girls are avoiding fluids during the day and are developing urinary tract infections as a result, and I've met many of these girls who are going through this. So, I'd like to know today, Cabinet Minister: will you provide an indication of when girls in Wales's secondary schools can expect to be accorded their legal right to basic privacy, dignity and safety in single-sex school toilets? Thank you.
1
Open this sitting on the stage
2. Business Statement and Announcement en
Minister, can I please request a Government statement about what action is being taken by this administration to repair our crumbling roads? Residents across Wales are understandably fed up with the current state of many of our roads, and potholes are a major problem in my Newport and Islwyn constituency. Only recently, I witnessed a woman using a mobility scooter topple over as she hit a pothole while trying to cross the road. Thankfully, she is okay, but the outcome could have been a lot worse. Potholes are not only posing a danger to motorists but also road users as well. Whilst I have successfully lobbied the local council to repair certain potholes in spots, it is clear that much more work needs to be done. We need to see a much swifter response from councils but also extra funding provided by this Welsh Government to ensure that our roads are fit for purpose. So, an urgent statement from the Deputy Minister for Transport would be most appreciated. Thank you.
2
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
First Minister, it's no secret that the state of our health service is one of, if not the most important issues that matter to residents across Wales. It's something that came up time and time again during the election campaign when talking to people on the doorstep. And as things stand, my constituents are sent to the Grange in Cwmbran, which is already struggling to cope with demand in an emergency situation. In Newport, there are growing calls to have an A&E department to be reopened at the Royal Gwent Hospital in the heart of the city. It's anticipated that the cost of doing this will cost approximately £10 million a year, which, in the grand scheme of things, is just a drop in the ocean when looking at the Welsh Government's budget. Not only would this alleviate pressure on the Grange, but it would also create job opportunities, something particularly needed given the recent warning that up to half of all nursing graduates in Wales may be left without a job due to recruitment challenges, despite the NHS in Wales facing unprecedented pressures. So, First Minister, will you heed my constituents' calls and engage with the health board to explore reopening the A&E at the royal Gwent in Newport? Thank you.
5. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care: Health and Care Priorities en
Firstly, I'd like to congratulate the Cabinet Minister on his new role and thank him for this afternoon's statement. Cabinet Secretary, I really hope that we can work constructively together over the course of this Senedd term to help deliver the improvements our health service needs and our constituents rightfully deserve. It's no secret to anyone in this Chamber and beyond that our health service is in a perilous state, and whilst most of the blame can be laid at the previous Labour Government's door, there's no getting away from the fact that Plaid Cymru are equally culpable for the damage they have caused, supporting Labour time and time again over the previous Senedd terms. Plaid Cymru has a real opportunity to make up for the past errors now that they are in Government, but where is the immediate action, Cabinet Minister? NHS waiting lists remain shamefully high, with patients in all four corners of Wales languishing in pain, yet detail on how to tackle it remains very vague. Cabinet Minister, you have vowed to eliminate two-year waits within a matter of months—and I hope for the sake of residents that you are indeed successful—but how exactly are you going to achieve this, because we cannot afford for this to be another broken promise? Improving access to care where needed is paramount. In Newport and Islwyn, there are growing calls for an A&E department at the Royal Gwent Hospital to be reopened, something I raised with the First Minister directly myself earlier today, and I'm now going to try my luck with you. The Grange hospital is under immense pressure, and by reopening an A&E department at the Royal Gwent, my constituents could access care closer to home, and this would hopefully ease some of the burden at the Grange. Based on the information from the health board itself, it will roughly cost around about £10 million to bring back the unit in the Royal Gwent—not a great deal in the grand scheme of things. Cabinet Minister, will you and your officials engage with Aneurin Bevan health board to look into potentially reopening the A&E department at the Royal Gwent, as it is something that my constituents are desperately crying out for? I'd also really appreciate, Cabinet Minister, if you could shed a bit more light on how the Government is going to alleviate the pressure on other A&E departments and free up capacity in hospital wards across Wales. Cabinet Minister, I want to raise the UK National Screening Committee's decision not to recommend a national prostate screening programme. This is incredibly disappointing, as we know the earlier cancer is caught, the better, and given that prostate cancer doesn't often present with symptoms, testing is indeed key. I hope my colleague Paul Davies MS doesn't mind, but I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the great work that he's done—and continues to do—in raising awareness and campaigning for improvements in this area. So, Cabinet Minister, will the Welsh Government commit to introducing routine prostate cancer screening for men here in Wales? I am slightly surprised that there was no mention of dentistry whatsoever in this afternoon's statement, especially given the major challenges many residents face in accessing a dentist. Cabinet Minister, I would also appreciate a brief overview on what steps you are going to be taking in this area, and what we can expect to see in action going forward. Maintenance in NHS buildings in Wales is also missing from this afternoon's statement. The bill for repairing buildings at high or significant risk stands at nearly £1 billion, so I would be grateful if the Cabinet Minister would outline what action will be taken in this area by this Government. I welcome the focus on technology. It's a key area for health services that need to be fit for a twenty-first century remit. Can I get a commitment from the Cabinet Minister that this improvement in technology will also see an uptake in data collection across the board in as many areas as has been, because it's been significantly lacking over many years? Recently, there have been some rather concerning revelations about the Welsh Gender Service, which I have written to you about, but it would be remiss of me not to raise this with you here this afternoon. The service is referring between three and four times the number of people for irreversible gender surgeries than the UK average. Not only that, but it does not collect information on the number of patients it recommends for cross-sex hormones. Given these red flags at the gender service, will the Welsh Government launch an independent review into its practices and leadership? Cabinet Minister, as the South Wales Argus reported on their front page this weekend, there has been a great deal of concern around Aneurin Bevan health board awarding £10 million-worth of GP contracts to eHarley Street without proper due diligence checks being carried out. I know this was touched upon before with the First Minister, however, Audit Wales's probe into this matter is damning and raises serious concerns about governance, accountability and financial oversight within the health board itself, with patients and staff left facing disruption and uncertainty as a result of poor scrutiny before contracts were indeed awarded. I have said before, and I shall say it again: the Welsh Government must now establish whether there have been similar incidents in other health boards within the Welsh NHS, and ensure robust safeguards are in place to prevent this from happening again. To that end, Cabinet Minister, for sincere transparency, will you hold a Wales-wide investigation into health board contracts? There is plenty more that I could delve into today, Cabinet Minister, but I will leave it there for now and just reiterate that I really do hope we can work constructively going forward in this Senedd term. Thank you.
1
Open this sitting on the stage
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Thank you, First Minister, for setting out your priorities today. First Minister, people across Wales will be asking one simple question today: 'Where is the urgency?' You've inherited a health service in crisis. We already know the scale of failure after 27 years of missed targets, endless reviews and worsening outcomes. Alongside the crisis in the NHS, another system is under immense pressure, and that's social care. Good social care should be transformative, enabling people to live with dignity, maintain independence, and enjoy a better quality of life. This matters because health and social care cannot operate within silos. There needs to be proper integration between the two of them. First Minister, the people of Wales do not need endless reviews and summits. They need a Government finally prepared to deliver. After 27 years of stagnation, Wales cannot afford more delays dressed up as strategy. Because whilst Governments come and go, the suffering of patients, families, carers, businesses and residents across Wales continues, and that must come to an end. You said during the election campaign that Plaid Cymru is ready to deliver progress after years of stagnation. I haven't heard once about any road-building projects that you plan on bringing in this term. You know Natasha Asghar likes roads. Therefore, I'd like to know whether you are planning to bring into fruition an M4 toll-free relief road, which I, alongside my party, have been asking for for quite some time. First Minister, the speeches are now over, the campaign slogans are finished, and the responsibility is now on your shoulders. All eyes are on you and your team, and the people of Wales will judge you not on your promises, but on your results.
Roll-call divisions, by sitting day
70 recorded votes. Official division result.
- For
- 23
- Against
- 22
- Abstain
- 1
- Did not vote
- 24
Counted by Siambr: a sum of the official division rows.
For Against Abstain Unlit desk: did not vote
3 divisions
Members' Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): An NHS first Bill
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- Motion For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Prostate cancer strategy
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- Motion For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport
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- Motion For Agreed
3 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Local referendums on council tax rises
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- Motion For Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
6 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Regional rugby
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Not agreed
- Motion For Not agreed
Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan a Lynne Neagle Against Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Family Drug and Alcohol Courts
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- Motion For Agreed
1 division
Debate: Fiscal Reform
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- Motion For Agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Default 20 mph speed limit
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- Motion For Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The defence sector
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- Motion For Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom
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- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
- Motion For Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Further education
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- Motion For Agreed
10 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Grooming gangs
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Paul Davies Did not vote Not agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board health visitor pay dispute
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 4tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Did not vote Not agreed
5 divisions
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Deposit-return scheme
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- Motion For Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Bovine TB
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- Motion For Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Young people and employment
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- Motion Abstain Agreed
2 divisions
Legislative Consent Motion: Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
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- Motion Against Agreed
Debate: The First Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion Against Not agreed
4 divisions
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Ophthalmology services
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- Motion For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: The tourism sector
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- Motion For Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
4 divisions
Debate: Fair Funding
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell Against Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies For Not agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Against Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Agreed
- Motion For Not agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Funding for additional learning needs in the first Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion For Agreed
10 divisions
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Hospital services and hospital closures
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 4tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Not agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Agreed
Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Government international spending
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists
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- Motion Did not vote Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer
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- Motion For Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: School support staff negotiating body
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- Motion For Agreed