Niamh Salkeld

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1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy cy

   2. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet wedi'u cael gyda'r Dirprwy Weinidog dros Sgiliau ac Addysg Drydyddol ar gefnogi pobl ifanc i ddatblygu'r sgiliau sydd eu hangen mewn marchnad lafur sy'n newid yn gyflym ym Mlaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni? OQ64780

   Official English translation

   2. What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education on supporting young people to develop the skills needed in a rapidly changing labour market in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni? OQ64780

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2. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy en

   Diolch, Cabinet Minister. In Blaenau Gwent, nearly three in 10 residents aged 16 and over have no formal qualifications, which is the highest proportion in the whole of Wales, while neighbouring Caerphilly has the fourth highest. I've seen first-hand the vital role that organisations such as ACT has in Ebbw Vale. They play such an important role in supporting young people facing really complex needs and barriers to education, training and employment. For many of these young people, progress can mean overcoming mental health challenges, gaining qualifications after leaving school without any, finding secure housing or even turning away from crime as well. They need to have a system that can respond to the full range of barriers they face as an individual and gives them the best opportunity as well to fulfil their potential. So, Cabinet Minister, how will the Welsh Government ensure we have a fit-for-purpose system, with the flexibility and stability needed to support young people to fulfil their potential, particularly those facing extreme barriers?

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   5. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gefnogi pobl sy’n byw gyda chlefyd niwronau motor ym Mlaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni? OQ64781

   Official English translation

   5. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support people living with motor neurone disease in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni? OQ64781

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2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Brif Weinidog. Motor neurone disease, as you said, is such a devastating, rapidly progressing condition, and, for those people who are living with it, time is really critical. I lost my auntie to MND a couple of years ago, and I saw first-hand the devastating impact that that had on her and our family as well. Around a third of people who are diagnosed with MND die within a year of that diagnosis, yet the MND Association tells us that securing funding for vital home adaptation can take just as long. And that funding is about so much more than just home improvements. It's about preserving people's independence, their dignity and also their quality of life. Constituents have contacted me about the difficulties that they face in securing these adaptations. People with MND shouldn't have to spend their precious time waiting for their homes to be made safe and accessible for them. So, Prif Weinidog, what steps are the Welsh Government taking to address the critical housing challenges faced by people living with MND in Wales?

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1. 4. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Winter preparedness: Be flood ready en

   Thank you, Cabinet Minister, for your statement today. Flooding remains a real worry for communities across Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni and the whole of Wales, especially as we see this much more extreme weather happening year on year. Research by the British Red Cross highlights the challenges that are faced by people in vulnerable situations when flooding eventually happens. The research found that most people were completely unprepared when flooding hit. Many were displaced for months from their homes, often living in unsuitable accommodation, struggled to get recovery grants, and almost all of them said that their mental health had been significantly impacted by the flooding. So, I was just wondering what the Welsh Government was going to do to make sure that our most vulnerable communities in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni are better prepared for flooding and get the support they need when it happens, especially that mental health support as well in the longer term.

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1. 5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Contaminated land en

   Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Firstly, I would like to thank all the Members who have shown their support for this debate today. I especially want to thank Elwyn Vaughan, who has worked closely with me on this motion and has been a strong advocate for change in his constituency as well. The fact that this motion has support from Members across the Senedd and from different parts of Wales is significant, because contaminated land is not an isolated or local problem. It's a legacy of our shared industrial past, which communities across Wales live with to this day. I look forward to hearing from Members in this debate, and particularly about the experiences of communities in their own constituencies. For many people across Wales, our industrial past is not simply something confined to the history books. It's something that communities continue to live with today. We see that with our coal tips, which remain a visible part of the landscape in many of our communities. But the legacy of contaminated land is often much harder to see. Toxic substances left behind by historic industrial activity can remain in our ground for decades after that activity has ended, and in the case of some chemicals, they can be in our ground for generations. So, what do we mean when we talk about contaminated land? As Natural Resources Wales explains, land can become contaminated through previous industrial, commercial or landfill uses, including where contamination has migrated from an adjacent site. That can include heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium and lead, oils and tars, solvents and gases, alongside radioactive substances. And those consequences can extend beyond the disposal site itself, with contamination potentially affecting human health, animal health and also our wider environment. We've also heard increasing public concerns about persistent chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs—a group of toxic, human-made, hazardous chemicals that have dangerous effects on our environment and our health, which can remain in the environment for long periods of time.

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2. 5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Contaminated land en

   The recent BBC documentary Buried, presented by Michael Sheen, has brought renewed attention to this issue of contaminated land, which I very much welcome, and I would like to thank all of those who have been involved in its production. However, we must recognise that, for many communities, these concerns have been raised by them for many years. Campaigners and communities across Wales have been raising these issues with us, and quite a few of them are actually up there in the gallery today. And I've seen the impact of that legacy first-hand in my own constituency. In Ynysddu, Ty Llwyd quarry was actually featured in the recent documentary, with the two Jans. It's a site where local people have been raising concerns for years about the historical disposal of chemical waste, its links to Monsanto's former manufacturing plant in Newport and what that legacy could mean for the surrounding community. There have also been concerns about leachate leaving the former quarry site, particularly following periods of heavy rainfall, and the potential for contaminants to move then into the surrounding area. I want to take this opportunity to thank Councillor Janine Reid, who is here as well today, and also her colleague Councillor Jan Jones, for the tireless work that they have done to raise these concerns and make sure that their community's voice is heard. But, ultimately, Ty Llwyd is about more than what is happening at a former quarry site. It's about the people who live alongside it. For those people, this is not an abstract environmental issue. It's something that's been hanging over the community for years. It's about the place where people live, where their children have grown up and where people go and walk their dogs. It's about being able to feel confident that the place they call home is safe and that their community and its future are being protected. As Councillor Reid put it: 'For our community, Ty Llwyd is not an abstract environmental issue—it is something that has been hanging over us for years. The consequences of what has happened here are felt by the people who live alongside it. 'We need the contamination to be properly understood, the risks to our community to be taken seriously, and a clear plan to ensure that Ty Llwyd along with other sites in Wales, do not continue to be a source of concern for local people—with reassurance that our community and its future are being protected.' And I think that quote from Janine gets to the real heart of this issue today. People shouldn't have to live for years with unanswered questions about what may be beneath their feet, what may be moving through the land around them, or what the potential risks could be. They deserve clear information about what is known, a proper understanding of the risks, and confidence that there is a clear plan in place on how we deal with those risks. And, as we know, Ty Llwyd is not unique. Across Wales, there are thousands of sites with a history of industrial or other potentially contaminating activity—from north to south, from Cefn Mawr to Maendy, communities across Wales are living alongside that legacy. Research by Friends of the Earth Cymru has identified more than 45,000 potentially contaminated land sites across Wales. And while that gives us some indication of the scale of this issue, it also highlights the fact that we still do not have a clear national picture of potentially contaminated land across Wales. We need to know where these sites are, what contaminants may be present and which pose the greatest risks to our communities and to our environment. And that is why this motion today calls for a national framework for the testing and assessment of potentially contaminated land, prioritising those sites that pose the greatest risks. We need to know where these sites are. We need to understand what contamination may be present and the risks it poses. And we need to make sure that the sites presenting the greatest risks are prioritised. But there is also another important issue here, and that is who pays. The principle of 'polluters pay' should be at the heart of this approach. Where the person or the company responsible for pollution can be identified and held responsible, they should contribute towards the costs of putting it right. That burden should not simply fall on our local authorities, and it shouldn't fall on the taxpayers either. But. of course, as we know, with historical contamination it's not always straightforward. Some companies may no longer exist. Ownership may have changed. Records may be incomplete. That's why the motion also calls for the UK Government to introduce a dedicated funding mechanism for cases where the costs cannot be recovered, because there has to be a solution for those sites as well. We cannot have a situation where a local authority knows there is a potential problem, but does not have the resources to properly address it. And we cannot expect communities to carry the burden of historical industrial activity simply because the pollution happened many years ago. Local authorities, Natural Resources Wales and other organisations are already doing important work in identifying, investigating and managing contaminated land. But they need the resources and the support to fulfil those responsibilities. And communities need confidence that, when they raise concerns, those concerns will be properly investigated. So, Dirprwy Lywydd, this motion is ultimately about making sure that the legacy of our industrial past is managed properly and fairly. It's about having a clearer national picture of contaminated land. It's about prioritising the sites where the risks are greatest. It's about giving local authorities the support that they need. And it's about making sure that, where possible, those responsible for pollution contribute to the cost of putting it right. The communities living alongside these sites did not create this contamination, so they should not be left with carrying the uncertainty, the potential risks or the costs. For those reasons, Dirprwy Lywydd, I hope Members across the Siambr will support this motion today. Diolch yn fawr.

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3. 5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Contaminated land en

   Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to thank everyone who has spoken today and shared their experiences of communities in their constituency. Elwyn, I'd like to thank you for sharing the heartbreaking story of Michael and his friends. I think it really highlighted the impact that contaminated land can have on people's health in the long term. Andrew, thank you again for being a voice for your constituents and also noting that people are still asking questions 60 years later. We need to make sure that those people have the answers that they've been waiting for. To Ken and Nigel, thank you for speaking about your constituencies in the north-east—I see a lot of similarities in the north-east with where I represent in the south-east as well—and mentioning the impact that it has on local people. The fact that, Nigel, you were listing potential sites I think again highlighted the fact that we need to know where these sites really are. Janet, again, thank you for your contribution. I completely agree with stronger action on polluters, definitely, and that data collection is key when we talk about contaminated land. Kiera, thank you for speaking about your constituency. I remember seeing that area in the documentary, and what really stood out to me was people were just getting on with their everyday lives, but also very aware that they're, potentially, next to a very, very dangerous piece of land, and the impact that can have on their homes and their children as well. Vikki, thank you for bringing up your constituents. Again, the most concerning thing that you mentioned—and I agree—is that we just don't know what is dumped on these sites. I think that, again, is at the heart of this, and the polluter-pays principle needs to be at the core of what we do here. Also, I take on board what you say about mental health support as well; I think that's really important. Sera, those figures that you said, again, are terrifying, and also highlighting the fact that that data collection is different in every constituency as well—that's something that, again, needs to be addressed by having a clearer national picture. And then, Art, thank you as well for that final contribution. Obviously, as you mentioned, the Monsanto site is in Newport, which is in your constituency, and we need to hold those polluters to account. I agree as well that people need to be compensated for that, if we can get the polluters to pay for what has happened. Listening to the contributions today, I think it's clear that Wales's industrial legacy is still felt by so many communities across our nation. For some, that legacy is visible in the land around them and in the concerns they continue to raise about what may have been left behind. Contaminated land is an important part of that legacy. The substances that are left behind by historical industrial activity can pose, as we've all mentioned, real serious risks to people, to animals and the wider environment. And for communities—a lot of them sat up there in the gallery, again, today—who are living alongside these sites, that uncertainty about what is there, about what risks it may pose and what happens next can be really difficult for them to live with. I'd like to thank as well the Cabinet Minister for his response. I think that a lot of what you said will be welcomed by many people in this Chamber today, and I know many of the campaigners as well, to see that we're really taking action when it comes to contaminated land and bringing communities along with us. I really do welcome the Welsh Government's commitment to continuing to address Wales's post-industrial legacy when it comes to coal tips as well, and supporting communities that continue to live with its consequences. But today's debate has also made clear, I think, that the Welsh Government can't do this alone. The UK Government needs to step up too, for Wales and for the wider UK as well. For generations, Wales's resources and communities played a huge role in powering industrial growth across the UK and beyond. It's only right that the UK Government now supports efforts to help those communities to finally move forward, and that means working with the Welsh Government to make sure that polluters pay, and that, where those costs cannot be recovered, there is dedicated funding available to investigate and remediate contaminated land. Communities can no longer wait for this issue to be treated as something that can simply be left for another day. Urgent action is needed to make former industrial land safe, to protect public health and the environment and to address the concerns that communities have been raising for years. For me, this debate comes back to a really simple point: we cannot change what happened in Wales's industrial past, but we can decide what happens next. Communities should not be left carrying the consequences of pollution they did not cause. They should not have to spend years fighting to have their concerns heard. And they should be able to have confidence that, where risks exist, they will be properly investigated and addressed. We must take action and demand fairness for our post-industrial communities, and that's why I encourage Members across this Chamber to support this motion today. Diolch yn fawr.

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1. 2. Questions to the First Minister cy

   8. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i sicrhau nad yw cyfleoedd plentyn mewn bywyd yn cael eu pennu gan lle maen nhw'n tyfu i fyny? OQ64588

   Official English translation

   8. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that a child’s chances in life are not determined by where they grow up? OQ64588

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2. 2. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Brif Weinidog. In Blaenau Gwent, 48.6 per cent of children live in income deprivation. That's the highest rate of any local authority in Wales, and it's just so heartbreaking and unacceptable that in twenty-first century Wales so many of our children are growing up without the opportunities that every child deserves. We know that growing up in poverty can have a lasting impact on a child's health, their education and opportunities, shaping their life chances well into adulthood.  That's why I really do welcome the ambition of this Plaid Cymru Government to make child poverty a defining mission. It's a moral imperative, because every child deserves the same opportunities in life regardless of where they're born. So, as this Government takes a much needed and ambitious new approach, how will you make sure that this ambition translates into real change for children and families in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni?

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1. 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission cy

   Diolch i'r Aelod am godi'r cwestiwn pwysig yma. Dwi'n gobeithio bod yr Aelod a hefyd pawb arall yn y Senedd yma'n cytuno â fi bod yn rhaid i ni hefyd fel Aelodau o'r Senedd gymryd cyfrifoldeb i edrych ar ôl ein gilydd, pa bynnag blaid. Mae hyn yn enwedig o bwysig pan mae'r byd ar-lein yn dod yn fwy treisgar tuag at wleidyddion, yn enwedig menywod ifanc. Felly, wrth i fi siarad am y byd ar-lein, hoffwn wybod beth mae'r Comisiwn yn ei wneud er mwyn cefnogi Aelodau o'r Senedd a staff sydd yn gweld eu lles yn cael ei effeithio'n negyddol oherwydd y cynnydd rydyn ni i gyd wedi gweld mewn cam-drin ar-lein, yn enwedig gydag AI hefyd, a deepfakes, jest fel enghraifft i ti.

   Official English translation

   I thank the Member for raising this important point. I hope that the Member and also everyone else in this Senedd agrees with me that we also, as Members of the Senedd, must take responsibility for looking after each other, whatever our party. This is especially important when the online world is becoming ever more violent towards politicians, especially young women. Therefore, as I speak about the online world, I'd like to ask what the Commission is doing to support Members of the Senedd and staff who see their well-being being negatively impacted because of the increase that we have all seen in online abuse, especially with AI as well, and deepfakes, just as an example for you.

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2. 6. Welsh Labour Debate: Further education en

   I'm glad also that we have the opportunity today to discuss NEETs, so I thank Lynne Neagle as well for bringing forward this really important debate, but also the chance to discuss why young people find themselves in this position as well. Not too long ago, I raised this issue here in the Senedd, particularly the long-term impact that being out of education, employment or training can have on a young person's chances in life. As one of the youngest Members in the Senedd—I think Ben actually might win the award just above me, just about—this is something that is really personal to me as well. The recent Milburn report highlighted the real scale of this challenge, with around 56,000 young people in Wales. Again, that statistic's been bounced around, but that's 17 per cent of all 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training.  Now, there are lots of reasons why a young person might find themselves in this position. It could be difficulties at school, mental health, child poverty, transport, or simply not having the right support at the right time. In the constituency that I represent, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, we're seeing some of these challenges very clearly. Back in June, I raised this with the First Minister, pointing out that Blaenau Gwent has the highest proportion of residents aged 16 and over with no qualifications in Wales—that's 27.9 per cent—while Caerphilly is fourth among all local authorities. Now, those figures are really concerning, but what concerns me more is what they can mean for a young person that's growing up in these communities. That's why early intervention really matters as well. We need to support young people before they reach the point of completely disengaging, and I've seen some really good examples of this in my own constituency. A couple of weeks ago, I visited ACT training in Ebbw Vale. They're supporting young people who, for all sorts of reasons, haven't found that typical conventional route from school into further education, training or employment. And I just want to put on the record as well my thanks to all of the staff there for the work that they do, because it was really inspiring, that visit. And there was one thing that really stood out to me that one of the staff said during that visit. They told me that, for some of the young people that they work with, the support that they provide can quite literally be the difference between life and death for that young person, and I think that really brings home again the real seriousness of this situation. Because we can talk about NEET rates and percentages like I did at the start, but, for that young person, this isn't a statistic. It's their life. Further education and training have a huge role to play, but there are also wider barriers as well that can make it so hard for a young person to take that next step. If they're struggling with their mental health, they may not be in a position to engage. If they’re growing up in child poverty, like so many do in my constituency, they may not have the money for travel, equipment, or the stability that they need to take up an opportunity, if that opportunity's there. And particularly in the Valleys, transport, as we know, can be a real barrier. You can have a college course, apprenticeship or job available, but if a young person can't get there reliably or affordably that opportunity is, effectively, out of reach for them. And that's why this has to be a cross-Government issue. Education and skills are a big part of the answer, and having those spaces as well is so important. But so are mental health, tackling child poverty, transport, the economy, and support for young people and their families. Not every young person is going to follow the same path. Some will go to university, some into apprenticeships, some straight into employment, and some might take a little longer to find their route as well, and all of those options are okay. But what matters is that they have the opportunity to find it. A young person growing up in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni should have the same chances to succeed as someone growing up anywhere else in Wales, because talent is spread equally across the whole of Wales, but opportunity isn't. Diolch.

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1. 2. Questions to the Counsel General cy

   2. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi ei roi i Lywodraeth Cymru ar ddatganoli cyfiawnder ieuenctid? OQ64502

   Official English translation

   2. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government on the devolution of youth justice? OQ64502

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2. 2. Questions to the Counsel General en

   Diolch, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Many have called for youth justice to be devolved to Wales, including the Brown commission, and I'm glad that this Plaid Cymru Government also wants to see that happen. Currently, a child in the justice system in Wales has one foot in each world. Their school, healthcare and social workers are devolved, yet their court and their custody are not. That jagged edge means different systems, different governments, and it's the child who tends to slip through the gaps. The UK Government is proposing, like you mentioned, reforms to the youth justice system. From April 2027, Wales is due to take on some funding for remand and early intervention. That's a start. It's funding, but it's not powers. Decisions on how the system works will still be made in Westminster, even though Wales delivers the majority of it. Does the Counsel General agree that the UK Government has a duty to work with Wales, not around it, on reforms to a system that Wales largely delivers? Diolch.

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3. 6. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Update on the Deposit-return Scheme en

   Thank you to the Cabinet Minister for this update today. I'm really pleased to see Wales continuing to show ambition and lead the way with DRS. We know that at the heart of DRS is tackling litter that we see across the whole of Wales and our communities, improving recycling and protecting our natural environment. I also welcome the approach that you've taken to the transition. We're asking businesses, local authorities and communities to make a real big change here, so it's right that we really give them the time and the support that they need to get this right. With Exchange for Change now appointed across the four nations, there's a real opportunity here, as you've said, to make the system work much more seamlessly across the whole of the UK. My question is this: how will the Welsh Government work with the other nations to make sure that the schemes work well together across the UK, while ensuring Wales can still retain its environmental ambition, particularly around glass and reuse?

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1. 3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en

   Diolch, Lywydd. Over the summer, I actually witnessed first-hand the devastation that wildfires caused across Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni. A wildfire actually broke out in my own village. When you see those flames outside of your window—. It's really difficult to understand the fear that they bring until you see it first-hand. You lie awake at night wondering whether, at any moment, you might have to actually leave your home because of how intense the fire gets. But thanks to the brilliant work of the fire and rescue service, the military, local communities, farmers and so many others, the fires were brought under control. These wildfires are a stark reminder to us all of the risks that Wales is facing from a changing climate. Climate change might not always light the match, but it's turning our countryside and our terrain into kindling. So, I welcome this summit, but can I have some reassurance, please, that local voices, including farmers and community groups, will be around the table, alongside key organisations as well, like National Gas, who are sometimes the unsung heroes but play a really important role as well, so that their experience can help shape how we prepare for the future? Diolch.

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1. 5. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Transport: Our Vision for the Devolution of Rail en

   The difference between rail in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent shows exactly why devolving rail matters. Caerphilly has 17 stations, most on the Welsh Government's core Valleys lines. Since those lines came under Welsh Government control, passengers have seen new trains, electrification and more frequent services. But, in Blaenau Gwent, the Ebbw Vale line is still reserved, and we have just three stations in the whole of Blaenau Gwent, with communities like Abertillery and Tredegar completely cut off from the rail network. That gap didn't happen by accident. It reflects where responsibility sits, and the fact that Wales is too often not a priority for Westminster. Where rail is devolved, like in Caerphilly, we see investment and improvement. Where it isn't, like in Blaenau Gwent, communities are left behind. So, Deputy Minister, what discussions are being held with the UK Government about extending the core Valleys lines to other parts of the Valleys, including Blaenau Gwent?

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1. 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission cy

   2. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Comisiwn wedi'u cael gyda staff a'u cynrychiolwyr ar liniaru gwres eithafol ar yr ystad? OQ64273

   Official English translation

   2. What discussions has the Commission had with staff and their representatives on mitigating extreme heat on the estate? OQ64273

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2. 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission en

   Diolch. Last week, Wales saw record temperatures, with amber and red alerts issued across the country. As the climate crisis worsens, these kinds of extreme weather events are only going to become more common, yet unlike many other countries, Britain has no maximum legal workplace temperature, only a minimum one. The Trades Union Congress and other trade unions have been clear that workplaces need to be better prepared for a hotter climate and, as temperatures rise, that conversation is only going to become more important. Workers deserve a safe and comfortable place to work, including during periods of extreme heat. During my walk around the estate last week, I saw several places where the air conditioning wasn't working at all and needed to be fixed. I was especially concerned for staff as well in the canteen and the food areas, who are already working in hotter conditions because of the kitchens, but seemed to just have fans to keep them cool. So, Llywydd, what discussion has the Commission had with staff and trade unions, which you've already alluded to, about these working conditions during periods of extreme heat, and what steps are being taken to ensure that this estate is prepared for the future heatwaves that we're going to see?

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3. 4. Topical Questions cy

   Mae'n ocê.

   Official English translation

   That's okay.

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4. 4. Topical Questions en

   Thank you. I should just have declared a point of interest on the supplementary question to the Senedd Commission on staff working conditions during periods of extreme heat as I'm a member of PCS, and would like that to be on the record. Diolch.

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

   Thank you. I just want to say that, as a woman, I'm sick of hearing constantly this being an excuse for the nation of sanctuary. When Sarah Everard was murdered by Wayne Couzens, where was the outrage? When a Sikh woman in the west midlands was raped and assaulted because of her religion and the colour of the skin, where was the outrage? When over 2,000 women have been murdered by men from all different backgrounds in the UK since 2014, where was the outrage? [Applause.]

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1. 6. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care: Health and care winter 2026-27 preparedness cy

   Diolch i'r Gweinidog Cabinet am ei ddatganiad heddiw.

   Official English translation

   Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary for his statement today.

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2. 6. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care: Health and care winter 2026-27 preparedness en

   I'm glad to see this statement made so early, because, as mentioned, the previous Welsh Government didn't make this type of statement until October, by which point winter was already around the corner. Cabinet Minister, we can't talk about winter preparedness without talking about fuel poverty, as the two go hand in hand. Around 340,000 households in Wales—one in four—are in fuel poverty. And tomorrow, it gets worse. Ofgem is raising the energy price cap by 13 per cent, which will add £18 a month to the average bill. For hundreds of thousands of people in Wales, that's money they simply don't have. And when people can't heat their homes, they get sick. They end up in our hospitals, placing pressure on health services already stretched every winter. So, Cabinet Minister, what will the Government do to make sure no-one in Wales has to choose between heating their homes and their health?

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1. 7. Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act en

   I welcome Reform UK's new-found interest in environmental protection, as it's not an issue you usually associate with this party. So, I genuinely hope that today marks a real and lasting commitment to the rivers, landscapes and ecosystems that define our communities, our economy and our way of life. But I have to be honest, there is a deep contradiction at the heart of today's motion. You cannot stand in this Chamber and demand clean rivers while spending your political energy attacking the very environmental policies that protect them. You cannot claim to love Wales while dismissing the science that tells us what is happening to it. People across Wales are angry, and they have every right to be. Six of the 20 most polluted rivers in the entire United Kingdom are here in Wales. Rivers that have been at the heart of our communities for generations are being poisoned. For too long, companies have taken the profits while our communities have been left to live with those consequences. People want accountability, they want action and they want the places they love handed on to the next generation in a better condition than they found them. But you do not protect rivers by denying environmental realities everywhere else. You do not restore nature by attacking the policies designed to safeguard it. You do not become environmental champions simply because you have noticed that tackling water pollution is popular with voters. This is a party that has consistently dismissed the science, ignored the evidence and undermined environmental policy at every opportunity. And that ignorance has consequences—real consequences—for real communities, because healthy rivers, restored wetlands and protected natural landscapes don't just look beautiful, they hold water back, they reduce flood risks and they protect people's homes. When you attack the environmental policies, you are not scoring political points, you are leaving communities—communities that you represent, that we all represent—more exposed, more vulnerable and more at risk. Welsh communities deserve better than that, and Plaid Cymru will do things differently. We will protect our rivers, we will fight for the control of our water, we will reform regulatory oversight, strengthen the accountability of polluters, and drive real improvements in the environmental protection of our rivers, lakes and seas. If Reform is serious about our rivers, then be serious about the wider environmental emergency too, because the people of Wales deserve more than political opportunism dressed up as principle: they deserve sustained, credible, honest action. You don't get to spend years kicking down the door of environmental protection and then walk through the rubble claiming to be the ones who will rebuild it.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   8. Sut y bydd y Llywodraeth yn cynyddu cyfleoedd hyfforddi a chyflogaeth i bobl ifanc ym Mlaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni? OQ64213

   Official English translation

   8. How will the Government increase training and employment opportunities for young people in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni? OQ64213

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2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Diolch, Brif Weinidog. We know that the number of young people not in employment, education or training across Wales is far too high, with nearly 57,000 young people classified as such. At 17 per cent, this is the highest proportion among the nations of the UK, and young people are quickly losing hope. Blaenau Gwent in my constituency has the highest proportion of residents 16-years-old or above with no qualifications, at 27.9 per cent. And Caerphilly is fourth out of all local authorities in Wales. It's evident that we need to improve the opportunities for young people to get decent jobs on decent wages, be that through educational or training opportunities and direct employment. So, what steps is the Government taking to improve education and vocational opportunities, such as through apprenticeships, for young people in constituencies like mine?

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3. 4. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability: Priorities for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en

   Cabinet Minister, for young people in Wales, climate change isn't some distant worry—it's a weight they carry every single day. Research commissioned by the last Welsh Government found that young people are more likely than any other age group to be deeply worried about climate change. They've grown up in the shadow of this emergency, and they're urgently asking all of us to act. They feel a deep love for the natural world and they want to see our rivers run clean, our coastlines protected, and our wildlife flourish for every generation that follows. At this Senedd election, 60 per cent of under-30s voted for Plaid Cymru. That tells us that young people trust this Government to treat the emergency with the seriousness it deserves. So, Cabinet Minister, what is your message to those young people and how will this Government ensure that trust is rewarded with real, lasting change?

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy

   1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynnydd sy'n cael ei wneud i ddatganoli cyllid rheilffyrdd? OQ64146

   Official English translation

   1. Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the progress being made to devolve rail funding? OQ64146

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2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en

   Diolch, Cabinet Minister. Abertillery is a prime example of a community that is being held back by the UK Government's chronic underfunding of Wales's rail network. The proposed Abertillery spur would reconnect a town of around 10,000 people and serve up to 20,000 residents across the wider Ebbw Fawr valley, improving access to jobs and education, increasing footfall for local businesses and supporting town centre regeneration. This is not a speculative proposal. It was identified by the Burns commission, included in the Wales rail board pipeline, and has already undergone years of development work. Yet there is still no funding route to deliver it. Given the transformative impact this project could have, what representations is the Welsh Government making to the UK Government to secure Wales's fair share of rail funding and ensure that projects such as the Abertillery spur can finally become a reality?

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3. 5. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language: Priorities for Education cy

   Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Mae’n braf gweld cymaint mwy o blant ledled de-ddwyrain Cymru bellach yn cael y cyfle i gael addysg drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Yn anffodus, ni chafodd fy rhieni i’r un cyfle, ond fe weithion nhw’n galed i sicrhau fy mod i, fy mrawd a fy chwaer yn gallu dysgu a defnyddio’r Gymraeg, fel heddiw—hawl nad oedd ar gael iddyn nhw. Er bod gan Flaenau Gwent un o’r canrannau isaf o siaradwyr Cymraeg yng Nghymru, rwy’n gweld bob dydd yr ymdrech sydd yn bodoli i newid hynny. Mae gwaith rhagorol yn digwydd drwy’r fenter iaith, Cymdeithas Gymraeg Blaenau Gwent, y sesiynau sgwrsio ym Mhentref Tyleri, ein gŵyl ddwyieithog gyntaf erioed, ac, wrth gwrs, drwy sefydlu ysgol Gymraeg newydd yn Nhredegar. Felly, Weinidog Cabinet, beth yw eich gweledigaeth ar gyfer cryfhau addysg Gymraeg yn ein Cymoedd, ac yn arbennig mewn ardaloedd fel Blaenau Gwent, lle mae yna heriau ond hefyd gymaint o uchelgais a brwdfrydedd dros yr iaith Gymraeg?

   Official English translation

   Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's nice to see so many more children throughout south-east Wales now having the opportunity to receive their education through the medium of Welsh. Unfortunately, my parents did not have the same opportunity, but they worked hard to ensure that I, my brother and my sister could learn and use Welsh, as I'm doing today, and that was a right that was not available to them. Although Blaenau Gwent has one of the lowest percentages of Welsh speakers in Wales, I see every day the efforts being made to change that. Excellent work is taking place through the menter iaith, Cymdeithas Gymraeg Blaenau Gwent, the conversational sessions held in Pentref Tyleri, our first ever bilingual festival, and, of course, the establishment of a new Welsh school in Tredegar. So, Cabinet Minister, what is your vision for strengthening the Welsh language in our Valleys, especially in areas like Blaenau Gwent, where there are challenges but also so much ambition and enthusiasm for the language?

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability en

   I'd also like to thank the Member for raising the important issue of fly-tipping as it's something that I hear from constituents across Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni. We're so fortunate in the Valleys to be surrounded by beautiful natural spaces, from the Sirhowy valley to the Silent valley. These areas are so important for local people, wildlife and tourism alike. However, fly-tipping is having a growing impact on these spaces. In Caerphilly, we've seen a 63 per cent annual increase in reported fly-tipping incidents, which is one of the sharpest rises anywhere in Wales. And while community groups and volunteers do such tremendous work to keep our communities clean, they can't be expected to tackle this challenge alone, particularly as organised criminal networks become increasingly involved in waste crime. Cabinet Secretary, could you outline what further action this Welsh Government is taking to tackle organised waste crime and fly-tipping? And how is it supporting local authorities and communities to protect our natural environment? Diolch.

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1. 4. Statement by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality: Priorities for Social Justice and Equality en

   Thank you, Deputy First Minister, for this really important statement. One of the main reasons I got into politics was to tackle the heartbreakingly high levels of child poverty that we continue to see across Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni. In Blaenau Gwent specifically, child poverty stands at 34 per cent, which is the highest rate anywhere in Wales. But behind that statistic are real children—children going to school with worries no child should have, children who start to feel that some opportunities are simply not for them, children whose chances in life are shaped far more by where they're born than by their own talent or ambition. I welcome the seriousness with which this Plaid Cymru Government is treating child poverty and the direction it's taking through measures such as the childcare offer and the Cynnal payment. Deputy First Minister, what further steps will this Welsh Government take to ensure that every child in communities such as mine can thrive and fulfil their potential? Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, this question raises how progress on the climate and nature emergency is measured and reported across Government. In my constituency of Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, we see very clearly why that matters. In Cwmtillery, a devastating coal tip landslide over a year ago brought home how the climate crisis directly impacts our lives. With 85 tips in the highest risk category across Wales, communities are asking not just where the work is happening, but how progress is being tracked and shared. I welcome this Plaid Cymru Government's commitment to remediation and to working with the UK Government on funding, as well as linking this to jobs in former coalfield communities like mine. But without cross-Government reporting, people on the ground can struggle to see how these commitments translate into measurable change. So, can I ask the First Minister what mechanisms will be used to ensure that progress on coal tip safety and wider climate resilience work is measured and reported across portfolios, so that communities like Cwmtillery can have confidence that risks are being reduced and opportunities delivered? Diolch.

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