Siambr · Member of the Senedd · Register of record
Rhun ap Iorwerth
Tenures
- Fourth Assembly Bangor Conwy Môn Plaid Cymru
- Fifth Senedd Bangor Conwy Môn Plaid Cymru
- Sixth Senedd Bangor Conwy Môn Plaid Cymru
- Seventh Senedd Bangor Conwy Môn Plaid Cymru
Ministerial roles
- First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru
Contributions, by sitting day
630 contributions on record, newest first. Official verbatim record.
51
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Diolch am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
With your permission, a brief statement from me on the incident in Newport this morning, just to say that our thoughts are very much with the children and families affected by that incident. We're grateful to the emergency services for their swift response and to everybody involved in supporting the children affected. This is an ongoing police investigation, so it would be inappropriate, I think, for me to comment further, but our thoughts are very much with those injured and those for whom this has caused anxiety today. To the question, the uptake of annual health checks for people with a learning disability continues to show encouraging month-on-month improvement, increasing by more than 12 per cent since December 2025. Building on this momentum will be a key priority of the new learning disability transformation programme, helping to increase uptake further, identify health needs earlier and improve health outcomes.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Certainly. We're working with health boards, with GP practices and NHS partners across the board to improve the quality of learning disability registers so that eligible people can be identified and offered that all-important health check. We're also supporting primary care staff through training, digital assessment tools and reasonable adjustments to make invitations, appointments and the health check process itself more accessible for people with a learning disability. Since annual health checks became part of the core GP contract, we have strengthened data collection in Government on both offers and completed checks. That information is important because it helps us to identify variation where it exists, helps us to target support where it is needed most, and also, so importantly, to share good practice to increase uptake right across Wales, which is what we're looking to see.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think we've been pretty transparent that the bulk of the pressures that we face as a Government do indeed come from the NHS, from across the whole range of services that are provided, and that it's very important that we do provide, including the services that we are talking about in this question. The Member is quite right to identify the fact that the onus shouldn't be on the individual, and that is why we are putting those steps in place to strengthen the provision of how those invitations go out, to make sure that those individuals who need to be targeted for their well-being are targeted and brought into the system. This is a whole-system approach and not just one based on the finances.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right that those reasonable adjustments that I referred to in my initial response are very, very important. Sometimes they can be small, but they can make a big difference. I also welcome the referencing by the Member of the work that Mencap Cymru is doing. And that's another good example, isn't it, of how this is something that many organisations, including the voluntary and the third sector, need to be involved in. We will work with health boards. We will work directly with GP practices also, to make sure that those reasonable adjustments are made. And I very much welcome feedback from an organisation such as Mencap Cymru on how we could make that system even better.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Wel, i Ddulyn yr es i ar fy ymweliad cyntaf 'dros y môr', fel petai, fel Prif Weinidog, yn ôl ym mis Mehefin. Mi oeddwn i’n falch iawn o allu, ar yr ymweliad hwnnw, cadarnhau ymrwymiad fy Llywodraeth i i ddatganiad ar y cyd Iwerddon a Chymru ar gyfer 2030. Fframwaith partneriaeth ydy hwn, sy’n cynnwys chwech o feysydd blaenoriaeth, yn cynnwys hinsawdd ac ynni, economi a masnach, iaith a diwylliant. Ac Iwerddon, yn syml iawn, ydy un o’n cysylltiadau rhyngwladol mwyaf gwerthfawr ni yng Nghymru. Mae e’n gysylltiad sydd wedi’i wreiddio yn yr hanes, y ddaearyddiaeth, wrth gwrs, a’r gwerthoedd dwi'n credu rydyn ni’n eu rhannu, a dwi’n edrych ymlaen at adeiladu ar y gwaith o gyflawni nodau'r datganiad hwnnw rhwng ein dwy wlad.
Official English translation
Well, I went to Dublin on my first overseas visit as First Minister back in June. I was very pleased on that visit to confirm my Government’s commitment to the joint Ireland-Wales statement for 2030. This is a partnership framework, which covers six priority areas, including climate and energy, economy and trade, culture and language. And, quite simply, Ireland is one of our most valued international relationships here in Wales. It is rooted in shared history, geography and values that I think we share, and I look forward to building on delivering the goals of that shared statement between our two nations.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Other Voices has certainly been a valued cultural partnership for Wales, helping to showcase Welsh and international talent, while strengthening our relationship specifically with Ireland. Officials did meet the festival organisers last month, on 22 September, to discuss future proposals, with a further meeting, as I understand, scheduled for early November. And my officials in Dublin also are discussing future support with the Irish Government. We do remain open to discussions about future proposals. This will be, of course, subject to funding priorities and available budgets.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, we had a meeting recently that was a political meeting between a political party in Ireland and me as leader of Plaid Cymru in Wales on areas of shared responsibility. There are Government actions that we take that are around trade and that are around culture. Similarly, we have an agreement with the Scottish Government around climate change and renewable energy, and so on. The activities of this Government will be around those Government issues on which we can find common ground in order to pursue the interests of the people of Ireland and the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Work is progressing on the work that absolutely needs to happen to maintain this remarkable piece of engineering. For anybody who hasn't ventured to the far end of it, clear a decent amount of time, because it takes time, but it is something that is a genuine engineering marvel. That is an immediate challenge to the port of Holyhead, and action is being taken to remediate the damage caused by many years of Irish sea storms. The ongoing damage, of course, that we face is the damage of Brexit. The Member mentions the importance of the port of Holyhead, and we know the pain that has been caused in terms of limits on trade to the port of Holyhead. We're still seeing it now with the comings and goings on the border posts. This is disruption that has held back the development of the port of Holyhead. That is something that is in my mind when I say that we should be building closer relationships with our European friends, the closest of which is across the Irish sea—the Republic of Ireland.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I absolutely think that we should have that zero-tolerance approach towards violence. My Government has shown very clearly its support for the teaching profession, and the pupils, the parents and the wider school community that are affected when, sadly, we do see incidents of violence in schools, albeit, thankfully, very, very rare. Just as we have put clear frameworks in place to improve standards in schools, we have also clearly made it a priority to work across agencies to make sure that all those partners can work together to make schools the safe learning environment that we all want them to be.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We already made a decision as a Government to act as quickly as we could. It was a suggestion that we might legislate on this. We took the decision that we didn't want to wait for legislation to happen and that we would press ahead with making it clear that we, as a Government, wanted action to be taken. That consultation is happening now, so we can move as quickly as we can to empower those school leaders to make the necessary choices around phones. We made it very, very clear as a Government that we expect that to happen, and that will be in the guidance.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We agree with the points that have been made. We agree on the damage that can be caused to a child's education through the existence of phones in schools. We agree also on the element of bullying that can be linked to mobile phone use, and that is why we took the decision not to wait for legislation and to take action sooner, because this Government expects schools to take the action of the kind that the Member outlines.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I declare an interest previously declared, as a journalist myself, as a member of the National Union of Journalists, and, of course, we are all deeply concerned about any funding decisions at the BBC that impact not just journalism itself, but the way we tell our own story as a nation to ourselves as a nation and to the world. So, I'm very concerned indeed about potential cuts, and that is something that we will publicly make clear. On the other hand, we, of course, do not have a situation whereby broadcasting is devolved. I would like to be in the situation where broadcasting is devolved in order that we are able to put more protections in place for Welsh-based journalism, for the way that we're able to speak about our nation to ourselves and to the world. We will be taking measures to strengthen the voice of broadcasting in Wales, but we need to see that devolution, and I would welcome the support of the Member for that call.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member knows full well that we support the principle and the purpose of a Hillsborough law, and that the duty of candour is something that people should be able to expect. On the comment that he made previously about a board in London making decisions on broadcasting in Wales, let's just, for example, replace that 'board in London' with 'a UK Government'. On how many issues is that UK Government making decisions in London that have a detrimental impact on us in Wales? And how many years have Labour sat on their hands on rail funding, rather than making decisions that could make a real difference now to the infrastructure that we need in Wales? I hope there's a conversion happening here, where the leader of the Labour group is starting to see things my way. The evidence suggests otherwise. But this is precisely the case that we make. We need here in Wales to be able to make those decisions that build a better future for Wales ourselves, because we cannot depend on a board in London or, indeed, a UK Government to do the right thing for Wales themselves.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree, Llywydd, with the points made by the Member that, when we lose money from the NHS in compensation payments, that is money that is lost from the front line of tackling the serious issues that we have within the NHS in Wales. We don't think of it centrally as a financial issue, because behind every one of those compensation claims you will have somebody that has suffered a loss of some sort, because of—. It could be a human error, it could be a deeper systemic issue within the NHS. All I'll say is that we are determined as a Government to root out those problems that are within our control. There will always be mistakes made, by very, very well-meaning and professional health workers, and the compensation system exists in order to address that and pay recompense where that is necessary. But we are a Government that is determined to root out those issues that are creating the unsustainability of the NHS, and perhaps the unsustainability that is leading to problems that could end up with a compensation payout.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I respect the consistency with which the leader of the Conservatives makes that call for declaring a health emergency. I want to impress this Senedd with the fact that I don't think we could be treating the NHS with a higher level of urgency than we are currently. Giving it a title in that respect doesn't work, doesn't make a difference. What we have done since coming into Government, in that very short time, is make that financial investment in speeding up flow through the system, the kind of governance changes that we believe will lead to better management and, hopefully, if we get this right, to reducing the number of errors that happen within the health service, and improving our ability to target what is going wrong across the health service. The Member knows, having spoken on health for many, many years, that the problems we face within the NHS in Wales are multiple. Our task is to build that sustainability to create a system that works well together. I am satisfied that we are putting those steps in place now. Will it take time? Yes. But the example given on the need to bring down compensation payments is a very, very valid example of why keeping things as they were under previous administrations within the health service is not an option.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Everybody in Wales deserves access to high-quality care and support that is timely, effective and centred around their needs. Through investment in therapeutic support, early intervention, the removal of profit from care and the transformation of children’s services, we are committed to working with the 75 signatories to our corporate parenting charter to improve stability, strengthen relationships and deliver better outcomes for adopted and care-experienced children and young people.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, the Member's lived experience tells her why this is not acceptable, that people are waiting too long, and, as a Government, we want to close that gap. The Welsh Government funds the National Adoption Service. The national adoption commitment supports access to a range of universal targeted and specialist provision, which is important. But we have to be always looking at means to make sure that children have the support that they need sooner. It is not the situation that we accept things as they are. We also have to accept that once we are able, hopefully, working with other partners, to speed up that initial part of the system, adoption is recognised as a lifelong journey, and support isn't limited to that point of placement, as much as we need to get that point of placement speeded up and the making of that adoption order. Children, young people and families can access and re-engage with adoption supporters as needs emerge, or as those needs change over time. But the Member is right. Through our work with the National Adoption Service and the funding that is going in—over £2 million of core funding per year—we have to make sure that that initial contact is made quicker.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Absolutely, and I certainly appreciate efforts made by Ministers and First Ministers in the past to highlight this as an issue that we have come to, I think, understand as being one that we as elected Members need to take more seriously than perhaps we have done in the past. I certainly will work closely with my ministerial team. Programmes will change, programmes will develop, programmes will evolve, and that is very much what we want to do in partnership with others across this Senedd. But we know that there's been a lot of attention given, for example, to the cliff edge of care—when young people, having gone through care, leave care and find themselves without that level of support that we should be able to give them. That's one example of why we need to work right across Government, including the First Minister, to show those young people that we are serious in our words and in our deeds in supporting them.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful to the Member for again emphasising that cliff edge that we need to avoid. Action is being taken to provide longer term support for young people who have left care. That starts with the role of personal advisers and provision to ensure that all care leavers do have a personal adviser up to the age of 25. I think that's very, very important. We have re-established the Wales leaving care forum to share learning and inform our policy development on care leavers. And finally, perhaps—again, one of the areas where we have to work cross-departmentally on this—our programme for government specifically includes a commitment to embed a housing first, trauma-informed and person-centred approach to tackling homelessness. That's very, very relevant when it comes to making sure that we look after the housing needs of young people leaving care.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We have the largest NHS workforce Wales has ever had. We have a committed workforce. We have a skilled workforce. But we know that the state of the workforce can't be judged by numbers alone. That is why we are developing a new NHS workforce strategy now to support a sustainable workforce for the future. Our new digital and estate strategies will also support the modernisation of services to nurture a more productive and innovative workforce.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Full-time equivalence is very, very important here, because we've been given statistics in recent years showing the number of GPs growing, when actually the number of full-time equivalent GPs has not increased at the same level. Yes, we have a pledge to recruit 100 new GPs. Essentially, we know that there are different pressures in different parts of Wales. We will need to make those decisions based on the specific pressures in different parts of Wales. We know, for example, that rural parts of Wales have faced problems in recruiting GPs. But it's not just rural areas either; post-industrial areas have experienced problems in recruiting GPs also. This is very much a part of that workforce strategy. Again, coming back to my initial point, it's not just about numbers; it's how those people are used, how they're individually able to work to the top of their training, but also that they're in the right place, doing the right things, to make sure that that NHS sustainability really does exist across the board.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member, Llywydd, is right to recognise the success of our specialist diabetes teams here in Wales, and I'm proud of the progress that those teams have made. We continue to support improvement in the delivery of diabetes care by using a carefully planned approach to NHS services. The Welsh Government itself sets national planning requirements on NHS organisations through the NHS planning framework and system measures. The expectations for planning diabetes care are set out in the quality statement for diabetes, which was updated earlier this year, in February. As part of our ongoing Tackling Diabetes Together programme, we're supporting health boards to ensure that type 1 diabetics can access hybrid closed-loop systems. This is the very latest technology recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It's a good example of how we're using technology and using innovation in order to improve the outcomes for patients.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I welcome those comments. This is something that was a mantra of mine when I was a health spokesman in opposition. It is quite obvious why over-reliance on agency staff causes and exacerbates unsustainability within the workforce. It's something that my Minister has acted on, because dealing with that historic overuse of agency work absolutely gets to grips with how we make sure that we're not taking short-term decisions, but that we're thinking about the long term always. I think if there's one thing that previous administrations were failing on more than any it was—and it was well meant—'deal with the waiting times now, as quickly as possible'. It wasn't particularly successful, but also was not addressing the long-term problems. Making sure that we have long-term staffing in place, with a commitment to those areas of the NHS in which they're working, gives you that robustness that we need to improve services moving forward. This is part of that wider workforce planning agenda, as I said. We've been clear that workforce planning across NHS Wales must continue to strengthen. Workforce planning has often relied on just replacing existing vacancies and modelling based on current workforce numbers, rather than taking a broader look. That's a fundamentally different approach that we're taking as a Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Motor neurone disease is a devastating illness that has a profound impact on those affected, their families and loved ones. We are committed to improving care and support for people living with the disease. Health boards are implementing the quality statement for neurological conditions to provide better, more consistent care for people with MND and other neurological conditions.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, the first thing I would say is that I'm sorry for your and your family's loss, and no doubt your own experience will make you an effective campaigner for those living with MND. People have a right to expect us to help them to maintain their independence and to continue to live at home with dignity. Home adaptations are a smart preventative investment, protecting independence and generally easing those pressures on health and care services. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 codes of practice already enable local authorities to respond quickly where a person has a rapidly deteriorating condition, as with MND. To make this possible, Welsh Government continues to invest some £60 million to speed up and expand home adaptations, on top of funding to local authorities to deliver disabled facilities grants to their residents. In addition, the Welsh Government-funded Managing Better service, delivered by Care and Repair Cymru and partners, provides practical advice, support and home interventions for people with complex needs, including MND.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Through expansion of pay-as-you-go on the rail network, our £26 million investment in bus grants and network north Wales, and £28 million of funding through the regional transport fund, we continue to invest meaningfully in public transport in north Wales. Transport for Wales have recently concluded a consultation on the bus network specifically across the region, and more than 1,000 people participated, showing just how important public transport is to communities across the region.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right, Llywydd, these are people's lives, this is their ability to access services and to access leisure and so on, and I certainly recognise the vital role that bus services play in that, in connecting rural communities to work, education, healthcare and social opportunities, and those in urban areas to those opportunities too. Some £150 million is being invested in local bus services across Wales this year, helping to protect services and to improve connectivity, despite significant cost pressures right now across the sector. We are working closely, though, with local authorities and Transport for Wales to improve access to public transport in rural areas, including through innovative solutions such as the Fflecsi demand-responsive services that have been introduced in Flintshire, as in some other areas. Alongside that, crucially, the bus reform programme that we'll be delivering will help deliver a more integrated and more accessible bus network that must better meet the needs of communities across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
High-street businesses are at the heart of thriving communities. We're backing businesses across Gŵyr Abertawe through town centre regeneration, alongside advice, finance, skills and digital support. In addition, our independent town centre taskforce is focused on practical options to revitalise town centres and create thriving places where businesses can succeed, and where eligible retail, hospitality and leisure premises will benefit from a permanent 30 per cent reduction in business rates from April 2027, something that has been widely welcomed.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our high streets have been in decline for many years. Where we have any examples of illicit businesses or businesses not behaving in the appropriate way, it has always been the case that trading standards are able to step in. We certainly do want to work with local authorities to make sure that our trading standards are able to step in, whatever the issues might be around trading misdemeanours or worse. What I am focused on and what we in Welsh Government are able to do is to bring that vibrancy back to our high streets, making sure that we do have that mix of businesses on our high streets, that mix of shops and leisure, and to create that footfall that brings our high streets back to, I think, what we all believe they should be, which are the centrepieces of communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our focus is very much, Llywydd, on making every pound of public money work as hard as possible for the people of Wales. That means spending better, reducing duplication, simplifying how Government works and moving resources from administration towards front-line services, which I think is what people want to see. We're also taking a much stronger focus on outcomes, making sure public spending delivers real benefits for people and supports the priorities this Government was elected to deliver.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
In effect, I don't disagree with the central point made there, that our job is to spend money well, but your job is to hold us to account for the way that we spend our money. [Interruption.] That's what you've been elected to do. I became First Minister. And on an independent audit of the way Welsh Government spends its money, well, we have a national audit office for Wales, which literally does that. We are held to account in different ways through the democratic process, through committees here in the Senedd. Our task in putting together the budget now, for publication as a draft next month, is to make sure that, 'Are we eking the most out of the money that we are entrusted to look after and make the most out of?' That is our job; hold us to account for it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Restructuring isn't an immediate priority for this Government. We are instead focused on improving delivery and outcomes, and addressing barriers to more effective institutional collaboration. To do that, we are directing health boards to shift towards prevention, community care and early intervention. We're also strengthening accountability arrangements and, crucially, we're reviewing regional joint working to support better joined-up care, which is vital. This underpins our determination to ensure that health board boundaries aren't barriers to better delivery of health and care.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I said, there are no plans for restructuring. I will refer to what I have already said. Are we looking for better partnerships? Yes. Does that mean better partnerships between health boards? Yes. Do we look for a neighbouring health board where there's capacity to do something to step in and take the pressure off another? Yes. Innovations of that kind are very, very important. Do I stand by my comment over the years as—? I declare my interest as a patient of Betsi Cadwaladr. Do I have a sense that here we have a health board whose scale is an issue that you don't get elsewhere? Yes, I think that that is true, but the answer is to see if we can work around that. Now, I have used the words 'last chance saloon', 'they are on notice'. Call it what you like, we have to give it a go. We did not come into Government saying, 'We're going to restructure the health boards.' What we did say we would do is deliver a more sustainable NHS service and care service for the people of Wales. If it means getting to grips with the organisation and shapes of boards in the future, we'll look at that. But let's crack on with the work that we have begun as a Government now. I believe it will reap results.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Yes. Delivering 20,000 additional social homes by 2030 is a clear priority for this Government. Some £474 million is allocated for social housing this year. Local authorities across the Clwyd constituency have been allocated almost £100 million in social housing grants funding this year, and this new Government's supplementary budget has put forward plans for an additional £20 million nationally, which I hope will attract support. Together, this will contribute to the delivery of almost 1,300 social homes in Clwyd.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly recognise the demand for additional social housing, which is why, over the summer this year, we published a new version of the local housing market assessments tool and guidance. These are vital tools in understanding the local housing needs of the diverse communities within each local authority area, and they help ensure that local authorities bring forward developments that are aligned with those specific community needs. I believe that the record investment that we want to put in place demonstrates our commitment. I'll also make the point that it's not just building new homes either, and we will take an approach in a number of different ways in bringing property back into use, and so on, to address what is a problem that affects all parts of Wales and one that Government is equipped to deal with.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
No veteran should feel unsupported when facing significant personal challenges. We're committed to ensuring that veterans in Wales can access the mental health support they need. Veterans are entitled to priority access to NHS care, subject to clinical need, for service-related conditions. They can also access specialist support through Veterans' NHS Wales and the NHS '111 press 2' mental health service, which provides free confidential support 24 hours a day.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I recognise absolutely those who have served in the armed forces and those who lost their lives in combat, of course. We are fully committed as a Government to the covenant, which we owe to those who have served in the armed forces. It is important for us to know, when we offer services to veterans, that those services are sustainable. That is part of building the sustainable NHS that I mentioned. On those mental pressures, if you like, that veterans face, as I say, there are those priority services. We have a continued focus on rolling out veteran-friendly GP accreditation, which I think is important. I will remind you also that the programme for government that we have commits to an open access, 'no wrong door' approach to mental health, and veterans very much are able to access this.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
Llywydd, today the Senedd comes together as one to mark one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. Sixty years ago tomorrow, a colliery spoil tip of mining waste slid down the mountainside above Aberfan. It engulfed Pantglas Junior School and houses nearby. One hundred and forty-four people died that day. One hundred and sixteen of them were children. The events of 21 October 1966 devastated the community of Aberfan. It robbed a generation of its children of their futures in a matter of moments. And for that reason, the tragedy of Aberfan continues to echo down the decades, in that village, across Wales, and further afield. The communities of Wales came together to support the people of Aberfan in their darkest hour. As soon as news of the disaster spread, countless people across south Wales dropped what they were doing and rushed to help with the rescue effort. I grew up with the story of Aberfan. When the tragedy happened, my father was a young teacher at the primary school in Ynysboeth, just a few miles from Aberfan. He and his colleagues, like so many others, went straight to the scene to see if they could help. Hearing stories of that day is an early memory of mine that left a deep and lasting effect on me. It brought home to me the horror of that day for all those who were there and who lived to bear witness to what happened. As the scale of the disaster became clear, help and support poured in from across Wales and beyond. There was a determination to help, but also a determination that the terrible loss of life should never be forgotten. I remember vividly the day I came across the plaque honouring those who died at Aberfan near Pont y Borth on Ynys Môn. It again brought home to me the scale of the disaster, that a memorial had been placed there, at the other end of Wales. This touched us all, wherever we were.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster cy
Cenedl yn un, nid yn unig yn ein galar, ond yn yr addewid rydyn ni wedi ei wneud efo'n gilydd i gofio bob amser. Rydyn ni'n cofio'r effaith a gafodd y drychineb ar gymuned Aberfan a'r hyn a ddaeth wedyn. Mae'r effaith honno'n dal i gael ei theimlo hyd heddiw. Ond rhaid inni beidio fyth ag anghofio'r annhegwch a brofodd y gymuned honno chwaith. Cyn y drychineb, mi wnaeth esgeulustod y Bwrdd Glo Cenedlaethol adael i domenni gwastraff gronni uwchben cartrefi ac ysgolion—nid un domen, ond nifer ohonyn nhw. Ac wedyn, ar ôl y drychineb, mi gafodd arian a oedd i fod i gefnogi'r gymuned ei gymryd o'r gronfa. Mi oedd hynny'n gwbl warthus ac mi fu'n rhaid aros llawer yn rhy hir cyn i hynny gael ei gydnabod. Yn gynharach y mis yma, mi ges i gyfle i fynd i Aberfan. Braint oedd clywed rhai o'r bobl a wnaeth oroesi'r drychineb yn rhannu eu hatgofion a chlywed hefyd gan y bobl sy'n dal i fyw efo effaith yr hyn a ddigwyddodd y diwrnod hwnnw. Ar ran y Senedd gyfan, hoffwn ddiolch i'r ymddiriedolwyr, Gwragedd Aberfan, a'r holl grwpiau sy'n gwneud cymaint i gadw'r cof yn fyw ac i ofalu am feddau y rhai a fu farw, ac i gefnogi'r gymuned wrth iddi fyw efo canlyniadau'r drychineb. Ac mae'n rhaid i ninnau, efo nhw, ddal ati i adrodd hanes Aberfan i genedlaethau newydd. Mae arddangosfa deimladwy Amgueddfa Cymru, sy'n nodi 60 mlynedd ers y diwrnod hwnnw, yn dangos yn glir iawn gymaint o effaith a gafodd trychineb Aberfan yma yng Nghymru ac ar draws y byd. Mae'n amhosib peidio â chael eich cyffwrdd wrth weld y cloc a gafodd ei achub o'r rwbel wedi stopio ychydig cyn 09:15, y llythyrau a gafodd eu hanfon i'r ysgol gan blant yn Santa Rosa, Califfornia, a oedd tua'r un oed â'r rhai a gollodd ei bywydau. Hyd yn oed 60 mlynedd yn ddiweddarach, maen nhw'n ein hatgoffa ni o'r effaith a gafodd Aberfan ar bobl ledled y byd. Bore yfory, am 09:15, mi fydd pobl mewn sefydliadau ledled Cymru yn nodi munud o dawelwch. Mi fydd yn gyfle i gofio, i fyfyrio ac i anrhydeddu'r rhai a gollodd eu bywydau. Mi fydd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a minnau yn Aberfan hefyd, ynghyd â llawer iawn o bobl eraill, gan gynnwys y Brenin, y Frenhines a Thywysog Cymru, i dalu ein teyrnged. Mi fydd yn achlysur arbennig o deimladwy i'r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog. Mi roedd ei diweddar fodryb, Bopa Hettie, Hettie Williams, yn athrawes 23 oed ym Mhantglas y diwrnod hwnnw. Mi wnaeth hi arwain y plant ifanc yn ei dosbarth i fan diogel, ac yna mi fuodd hi'n cefnogi'r plant a'r gymuned gyfan yn dilyn y drychineb. Ond wrth inni gofio, mae'n rhaid inni edrych tua'r dyfodol hefyd.
Official English translation
A nation united, not only in its grief, but in its shared promise to remember always. We remember the effect of the tragedy and its aftermath on the community of Aberfan, stretching down the decades to the present day. But we must also never forget the injustices visited on that community either. Before the disaster, the negligence of the National Coal Board let spoil tips build up above homes and schools—not one, but many spoil tips. And then, afterwards, the fund that was supposed to support the community was raided in a shameful act, which was only acknowledged far too long later. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Aberfan. I was privileged to hear the personal reflections of some of those who survived the tragedy and also those whose lives are still profoundly touched by its legacy. On behalf of the whole Senedd, I'd like to thank the trustees, the Aberfan Wives, and all the groups who do so much to keep the memory of what happened alive, to maintain the graves of those who died, and to support the community with the ongoing effects of that day. And with them, we must continue to tell the story of Aberfan for new generations. Amgueddfa Cymru's poignant Aberfan exhibition to mark the sixtieth anniversary brings home the local and global effects of the tragedy, here in Wales and across the world. It's impossible not to be deeply moved seeing the clock rescued from the rubble, stopped just before 09:15, and the letters to the school from schoolchildren in Santa Rosa, California, of a similar age to those who lost their lives. Even 60 years on, it reminds us of the impact that this event had on people across the world. Tomorrow morning, at 09:15, many people and organisations across Wales will pause, reflect and honour those lost at Aberfan in a minute's silence. The Deputy First Minister and I will be at Aberfan, alongside many others, including the King, the Queen and the Prince of Wales, to pay our respects. It will be a particularly poignant occasion for the Deputy First Minister, whose late aunt, Bopa Hettie, Hettie Williams, was a 23-year-old teacher at Pantglas on that day. She led her first-year class to safety and supported them and the whole community in the aftermath of the disaster. But as we remember, we must look to the future too.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
The sixth Senedd came together as one to vote for the creation of the disused tips authority for Wales, which will work to reduce the threats from tips in former mining communities right across Wales. Its mission statement is resonant this week in particular: honour the past, protect the present, prepare for the future. Today, we honour the past with a shared determination that we must—all of us—do everything we can to protect all our communities into the future. The story of Aberfan will never be forgotten. It is a story of the most terrible loss and grief, but also a story of the resilience of a community over six decades. As a Senedd and as a nation, we stand with that community today, honouring both their loss and their strength in rebuilding a future for themselves. Llywydd, I first heard the story of that day as a child, and can remember my horror at the thought of others my age going to school without a care in the world and never coming home again to the safety and love of their families. This is a tragedy that each of us carries with us from the moment that we were old enough to understand. This is what it means to keep the memory alive. It lives on in every one of us, and that is why we mark this as a nation.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster cy
Diolch, Lywydd. Dwi'n ddiolchgar i arweinyddion a llefaryddion y pleidiau am eu sylwadau nhw, am eu teyrngedau nhw ac am eu cwestiynau nhw.
Official English translation
Thank you, Llywydd. I am grateful to the party leaders and spokespeople for their comments, for their tributes and for their questions.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
Yes, we must all come together to seek justice for the communities and to honour those who died and who lived with the consequences of that horror for so many years, and continue to do so. We must, all of us, be willing to do what it takes to honour that memory. We must, through the work of the disused tips authority, double down on the need to put right the injustices faced by post-industrial communities dealing with the legacy of industry. That includes very much the contaminated land. It includes the remains of mining, slate and other long-gone industries.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster cy
Ond mae'r deyrnged a'i thôn hi yn bwysig iawn gennym ni yma, onid ydy, fel Senedd heddiw, ac mae'r pwynt wedi'i wneud gan sawl un: mi oedd modd osgoi hyn. Rhywbeth wedi'i greu gan ddyn oedd hyn, ac mi oedd y camgymeriadau yn yr ymateb a'r anghyfiawnderau yn yr ymateb yn anghyfiawnderau wedi'u creu gan ddyn. Dyma'r trychineb yr ydyn ni yn ei gofio a'r anghyfiawnder dŷn ni i gyd yma yn mynnu sicrhau na chaiff ddigwydd eto. Ond, do, mi wnaeth y gymuned ac unigolion ddangos dewrder rhyfeddol. Mae rhes o enwau wedi'u crybwyll yma heddiw. Pleser mawr oedd siarad efo Gareth a'i ferch, Emma, yma yr wythnos diwethaf, â'i gof o am Stephen yn ei dynnu fo i ddagrau 60 mlynedd yn ddiweddarach. Dŷn ni'n cofio bopa Hettie a Nansi a Len.
Official English translation
But the tribute and its tone is very important for us as a Senedd today, isn't it, and the point has been made by many people: this tragedy was avoidable. This was made by man, and the injustices and errors made in the response were also man-made. This is the tragedy that we commemorate and the injustice that we all here seek to ensure is never repeated. But, yes, the community and individuals within it showed incredible courage. A list of names has been mentioned today. It was a huge pleasure to speak to Gareth and his daughter, Emma, here last week, and to hear of his memories of Stephen dragging him to safety bringing him to tears 60 years later. We remember aunt Hettie, Nansi and Len.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
But we remember so, so many—countless—people, whose names may have long disappeared from our collective memory, but whose response on that day, in small ways, contributed to showing what we are as a nation, which came together as one community on that day 60 years ago.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
Diolch. I know how difficult it is for Lis and others to speak and to remember, but I know how determined they are, also, to never forget. As I said in my opening remarks, and I agree very much with the Member, this is the story of a community that faced unspeakable tragedy, but that refused to be defeated. That community, to this very day, remains an inspiration to us, and let us all, in our grief tomorrow, take inspiration from the way that Aberfan and its people have responded.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
When this Senedd legislates, we take on a joint commitment to ensure that that legislation is acted upon. The Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act 2025 was absolutely about giving that assurance that we will use what we can do as a Parliament to legislate, to use the powers that we have to give assurances to communities. That doesn't mean it's 'job done', it means that the foundations are in place, and when the disused tips authority comes into force in April 2027, we then move into a new phase of making sure that, absolutely, this is exactly what we do: we act in a way that gives confidence to the communities the length and breadth of Wales and that we understand the anxiety that they face from day to day. But, again, in responding to the wider point made by the Member, he reminds us that we are gathering here in memory of a community today in all its meanings. A community is a place, yes, but more than that, community is the people within that, and it's shoulder to shoulder with the people of Aberfan, present and past, that we stand in these days of remembrance.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster cy
Diolch i arweinydd y Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol yng Nghymru. Ac yn wir, mae'r gair yna, 'undod', unwaith eto, onid ydy, yn adlewyrchu'r negeseuon dŷn ni wedi eu clywed yma yn Senedd Cymru heddiw ac yn y dyddiau yn arwain at yfory. Efo'n gilydd fel cenedl mae wynebu'r her wrth symud ymlaen, o sicrhau ein bod ni'n dal i gofio, ond, ie, i fynd i'r afael â'r bygythiad sydd yn bodoli o hyd o'n treftadaeth ddiwydiannol ni. Dŷn ni'n gwybod beth ydy'r gwaith sydd angen ei wneud. Mae'r gwaith mae'r Llywodraeth yn ymwneud â fo yn waith ymarferol, pwysig o adnabod y tomenni hynny sydd yn achosi mwyaf o fygythiad. Mae hynny wedi ei wneud. Gwneud yn siŵr bod y gwaith archwilio yn digwydd; gwneud yn siŵr bod yr arian yn dod, yn rhannol o goffrau'r Llywodraeth yma, ond hefyd o Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, wrth gwrs, gan fod hwn yn fater o ddyddiau ymhell cyn datganoli; sicrhau bod y camau ymarferol yn cael eu cymryd wedyn i ddiogelu—mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n parhau. Mae o'n gorfod digwydd fel mater o flaenoriaeth, ond ein blaenoriaeth ni yma rŵan, fel mae pawb yn myfyrio arno fo, ydy i gofio'r erchylltra yn Aberfan yn 1966, a gwneud yr addewid y gwnawn ni bopeth y gallwn ni i sicrhau na all hyn ddigwydd eto.
Official English translation
I thank the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales. Indeed, it's that word 'unity', again, that has echoed through the messages that we have heard in the Welsh Parliament today and in the days leading up to tomorrow's commemorations. Together as a nation we unite in facing the challenge as we move forward, and of ensuring that we continue to remember, but also, yes, to address the threat that still exists from our industrial heritage. We know what work needs to be done. The work that the Government is involved with is important, practical work in identifying those tips that are of greatest threat. That has been done. Ensuring that the investigations take place; ensuring that the funding comes, partly from this Government's budget but also from the UK Government, of course, because this is an issue that predates devolution; ensuring that those practical steps are then taken in order to safeguard communities—that work continues. It must happen as a matter of priority, but our priority here is to remember, as everyone here does, the horrors of Aberfan in 1966, and to make the pledge that we will do everything we can to ensure that this never happens again.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
Very much so, Llywydd. We're having a sense this afternoon, aren't we, that we all have a different relationship with that tragedy in Aberfan, but that it is something that is relevant to all of us. It might be family, it might be a moment spent with somebody who was there, it might be a parent, it might be a sense of watching, maybe from afar, but a sense of feeling very much at one with the people of Aberfan in thinking of their tragedy. But, yes, this is a community that had to wait far, far too long for justice. The placing of unstable heaps above a village and then the taking of funds for the remediation from that community are injustices that cause scars that will run deep. But it is by supporting that community and all of us somehow taking ownership of that sense of community between us that we can—again, I make the case—make that pledge that we never ever allow this to happen in this way again.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
I'm grateful for a thoughtful tribute, and, briefly, Llywydd, it is an important message that we never forget. The sixtieth anniversary only takes us on to the sixty-first and the sixty-second, because the memory of what happened in Aberfan must always drive us forward to remember the resilience of a community, what they faced and what we still owe them today.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 60th Anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster en
I appreciate the message from the Labour leader, and I am somebody who has always felt that we need to ensure that our children know our story, know our history, and our history has many facets to it. We have a proud industrial history, we have a legacy of real pain from that industrial history too, and absolutely, I know, and I speak for my education Minister in saying, that we always look for new ways of ensuring that, through our education system, we can make sure that our young people are equipped from knowing their past to prepare for their futures. Yes, officialdom let the people of Aberfan down. It is our privilege in Government and within the wider public sphere in Wales that we are tasked with making sure that we use the tools of officialdom to build a better and more secure future for the people of Wales.
36
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Prynhawn da. Er mai cyfrifoldeb yr awdurdodau lleol yn Afan Ogwr Rhondda ydy asesu anghenion cludiant disgyblion i’r ysgol, mi ydyn ni fel Llywodraeth wrth gwrs yn awyddus i weld darpariaeth effeithiol sy’n diwallu anghenion pawb. Mae hyn yn bwysicach fyth i ddisgyblion efo anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, gan fod cludiant yn gallu bod yn rhwystr gwirioneddol iddyn nhw allu cael mynediad at yr addysg y maen nhw ei hangen.
Official English translation
Good afternoon. Whilst it's for the local authorities in Afan Ogwr Rhondda to assess the school transport needs of all pupils, we as a Government are of course keen to see effective provision that meets everyone’s needs. This is of even greater importance for pupils with additional learning needs, because transport can be a real barrier to them accessing the education that they need.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n croesawu penderfyniad Rhondda Cynon Taf i gario ymlaen efo darpariaeth trafnidiaeth dewisol—discretionary, felly—ar gyfer rhai o’r dysgwyr mwyaf bregus. Rydyn ni’n sicr yn cydnabod bod trafnidiaeth i ddysgwyr efo anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn gallu bod yn fwy cymhleth yn aml iawn, yn golygu’r angen am gerbydau arbenigol o bosib neu gynhorthwy gan eraill. Ac mae’n rhaid, wrth gwrs, yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, i benderfyniadau ystyried cynaliadwyedd hirdymor, tra'n cadw’r ffocws yna ar y canlyniadau rydyn ni angen eu gweld rŵan, yn sicrhau bod dysgwyr, uwchlaw popeth, yn gallu cael mynediad at addysg, ac yn gallu gwneud hynny yn rheolaidd a chymryd rhan yn llawn mewn bywyd ysgol. Mi gafodd anghenion dysgu ychwanegol a thrafnidiaeth ei drafod efo arweinyddion llywodraeth leol ym mis Medi, efo’r WLGA. Mi rydyn ni'n parhau i weithio’n agos efo’r WLGA i gryfhau teithio i ddysgwyr ac i ymateb hefyd i newidiadau mewn patrymau ledled Cymru.
Official English translation
I welcome the decision made by Rhondda Cynon Taf to retain its discretionary transport provision for some of the most vulnerable learners. We certainly recognise that transport to school for pupils with ALN can often be much more complex, as it can perhaps require specialist vehicles or assistance from others. And in that context, of course, decisions must take into account the long-term sustainability, whilst retaining that focus on the results that we need to see now, ensuring that pupils, above all else, can access education, and can do that regularly and take a full part in school life. Additional learning needs and transport were discussed with leaders of local authorities in September, along with the Welsh Local Government Association. And we are continuing to work closely with the WLGA to strengthen learner travel provision and also to respond to changes in patterns across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I said earlier, this is very much a live issue, making sure that, when it comes to additional learning needs learners in particular, those particular circumstances that are relevant to them are taken into account. Funding for school transport, remember, comes through the revenue support grant. It is for local authorities to make provision, but the rise in school transport costs is a complex issue. It is driven by a number of factors. And whether that's local government or the Welsh Government, and the way we interact with this, addressing those complexities requires action across portfolios at local and national level. We, as I say, have been discussing with the WLGA those kinds of pressures that we realise are on local government, at the same time as making the case to the UK Government on the issues that they can take decisions to address—on fuel costs, for example. So, this is something that needs to be addressed on many, many levels.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Welsh Government investment through Ynni Cymru is generating real savings and benefits for the community. I was delighted just a few weeks ago to visit the Iqra Masjid mosque in Newport to see one project first-hand for myself. Our plans to establish a new Welsh public energy company will support our ambition in the national energy strategy for more of the energy generated in Wales to be owned in Wales and to benefit Wales. More Welsh ownership will see the value created from our natural resources retained for the people of Wales, which is something I hope all of us would want to pursue.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Yes, absolutely. In many ways, that principle is agnostic of that source of power generation. Energy projects in Wales must show, I think, how they improve matters for people in Wales. It's an important issue that will be at the heart of the national energy strategy we have committed to delivering. Through that strategy, we will deliver that commitment to make sure that Welsh people and communities have more ownership, as I say, of energy initiatives, and that they and their communities receive also their fair share of the profits. We need a balanced energy system that delivers secure supply. Renewables will be an important part of that system, obviously. The public energy company that we're currently consulting on will have a vital role, I think, to play in supporting communities and securing value from commercially led projects too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Will we reconsider our energy strategy? I think I've confirmed again today that we are bringing forward a new national energy strategy that calls for that balanced energy system. Referring to community energy 'nonsense'—talk to people in Bethesda about the 'nonsense' that is their energy production scheme, which they are hugely proud of and that brings all sorts of benefits to that community. Look at all those projects across Wales, including the one I visited in Newport recently, that people take a real, genuine sense of ownership of and know that they are tackling the energy crisis that we are facing, plus the climate change crisis that his party is denying. Our energy future will bring together all sorts of technologies, all sorts of production methods. I want to use our resources for the benefit of the people of Wales, but at the heart of that has to be something that is very different to the extractive story of the past and that has the interests of Wales at the very heart of it—something that Reform really struggle with.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
I ateb y cwestiwn yna, mae hwn yn dechnoleg sydd yn datblygu, ac mae o'n gwneud synnwyr i'w ddatblygu ar safle lle mae yna sgiliau niwclear o'r gorffennol. Ond mae'r cwestiwn yn ehangach na hynny, wrth gwrs. Dwi ddim yn meddwl bod yna lawer o anghytuno rhyngom ni, mewn difri, ar yr angen i wneud yn fawr o'n hadnoddau naturiol ni fel gwlad, i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gallu cynhyrchu mwy o ynni yn defnyddio'n adnoddau naturiol ni, pa un ai yn wynt neu'n donnau neu'n llanw, neu beth bynnag. Dwi'n cytuno hefyd ar yr angen i sicrhau bod y system sydd gennym ni i drosglwyddo a dosbarthu'r trydan yna yn wydn ar gyfer y dyfodol. Rydyn ni'n mynd i fod angen llawer mwy o drydan yn y dyfodol, ac mae'n rhaid i'r trydan yna gyrraedd ein cymunedau ni a gadael y llefydd lle mae'n cael ei gynhyrchu. Ond, unwaith eto, dwi'n dod yn ôl at y pwynt canolog yma fod modd gwneud hynny mewn cydweithrediad efo ein cymunedau ni, yn gwneud yn siŵr nad oes yna ecsbloetio. Hefyd, dwi'n cytuno ar y ffaith bod hynny'n gorfod digwydd mewn cydweithrediad efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae yna agenda yn fan hyn. Dwi'n gobeithio y gallwn ni adeiladu consensws drosto fo. Mae yna benderfyniadau anodd ynghlwm wrtho, ond adeiladu dyfodol ynni annibynnol ar gyfer ein hunain fel gwlad yr ydym ni a'r holl fuddiannau a fydd yn llifo o hynny.
Official English translation
To answer that question, this is a developing technology, and it makes sense to develop it on a site where past nuclear skills exist. But the question is broader than that, of course. I don't think that there's a great deal of disagreement between us, truth be told, on the need to make the most of our natural resources as a nation, to ensure that we can produce more energy using our natural resources, be that wind, wave, tide or whatever. I agree also on the need to ensure that the system that we have to distribute that electricity should be resilient for the future. We're going to need a lot more electricity in the future, and that electricity has to get to our communities and leave the sites of production. But, once again, I return to this central point that that can be done in collaboration with our communities, ensuring that there is no exploitation. I also agree with the fact that that has to happen in collaboration with the UK Government, and so on. So, there is an agenda here. I hope we can build consensus on it. There will be difficult decisions in relation to that agenda, but we are building an independent energy future for ourselves as a nation, along with all the benefits that will flow from that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think I would refer the Member to the safeguarding work that this Government is doing in general, making sure that we are strengthening the provisions that we put in place as a Welsh Government to safeguard the citizens of Wales. What has been described to me—and it's not a case that I am familiar with myself—is criminality. What has been described to me are the actions of an individual that all of us would condemn and that the legal system should be empowered to deal with. I know that it is always the case that Reform seeks only to comment on those elements of criminality that emerge from people who have come into the UK, but that really doesn't help us when it comes to the core issue here, which is to make sure that we in Wales, in the public sector, in the Welsh Government, have safeguarding measures in place across the board that make sure that we de-risk and that we look after those vulnerable people within our society.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I described in the Senedd last week the multiphase approach that we are taking to addressing an issue that previous administrations chose not to. Inaction, we have decided, is not an option for this new Plaid Cymru Government. Therefore, we will press ahead with a number of short-term measures in order to strengthen the infrastructure that is in place now. And we are embarking right away on a piece of work to look at what is that engineering solution that will help then bring together a package that will deal with the blight that is the Brynglas situation for the people of Newport, and the blockage that is in place for the people and the economy of the wider south Wales region.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The seating plan on that side of the Chamber seems to be changing every week. [Laughter.] And I would suggest that maybe she doesn't make herself too comfortable where she is either. We have an agreement in place on the supplementary budget and I'm grateful, on an issue that Reform also wanted us to deliver on, which is additional learning needs. The irony, Llywydd. It's just that Reform enjoys shouting from the sidelines rather than wanting to contribute to the future of Wales. The fact is that this Government has decided to make good on the wishes of the people of the north-west of Wales on the Menai crossing; that this Government is taking action after years of inaction around the M4. I go back to the second question asked. This ultimately is around dog-whistle politics for Reform. They talk about the risk of importing criminals. And absolutely, we need to take measures to make sure that we keep our citizens safe. But what about the risk of importing doctors? What about the risk of importing nurses? What about the risk of importing people who want to contribute to the life and the future of Wales in a way the benches over there have very, very little interest in doing?
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I said previously, I'm very pleased that an agreement has been reached, and I thank those who engaged very constructively with us to get us to a point where we both now are able to move to release money for additional learning needs services, an area on which we both have common ground. It was a manifesto commitment of mine to move towards sustainability within ALN. That hasn't changed. We want to pursue that sustainability. The discussions that we have been having, without going into confidential issues, have been very much about how we are able to release this money that doesn't come from elsewhere in the education budget. This is mature, positive working, and it has led to what we both wanted to happen—and others in this Chamber—which is the strengthening of ALN provision.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly agree with the comments made that there is an ideological drive to push down public transport by the Reform benches, and they don't seem to care who that impacts. I think we have seen in recent weeks around the ALN funding issue that we are able to reach a positive place through co-operation, and I'm always interested in looking at how we can co-operate across the Senedd in finding ways to spend public money well on ALN needs, on public transport and on learner transport. It is through that co-operation that we will get better results.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I must say at the outset that there's a real irony here, isn't there, that the Conservatives choose to focus on high salaries when tax cuts for the highest earners are always among the driving forces of the Conservatives' agenda, which does nothing whatsoever to help people in Wales who are living with the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis. Across the public sector, we need to make sure that we have the right people in the right place. That does absolutely involve paying them the right sums of money. But all I can tell you is that this new Government, through our work on effectiveness and efficiency, will do everything that we can to make sure that the public pound in Wales is driven as far as it possibly can be. Securing that value for money is at the heart of what this Government is trying to achieve for Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Pay absolutely should reflect performance. But I again point to the irony here. We have to make sure that we get value for money from, yes, at times, high wages within the public sector. But compare like for like. Where were the Conservatives calling for the bankers to pay their part of the bill for the financial collapse that is still causing pain for families in Wales today? Where are the Conservatives when it comes to making sure that public spending is able to help those people in communities the length and breadth of Wales, with two out of every five children in Wales living in poverty? I'm afraid that this is faux outrage from the Conservatives. And on performance-related pay, the Conservatives have precisely nothing to show for 27 years in this Parliament.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our programme for government sets clear priorities. We will drive efficiency and effectiveness by focusing on these priorities, working collaboratively across Government with a clear focus on outcomes for the people of Wales. We're committed to being the most transparent Government since devolution. And the first iteration of our digital dashboard, for example, which measures progress against our top priorities, was issued this summer.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, neither does spending less mean that you are being more efficient or more effective, that's what my response would be to that. You spend what you need to spend, not a penny more. You drive that efficiency, you drive that effectiveness. That's the programme that the Government is engaged with now in looking at budgets for the coming years. We have a set budget. Reform voted against fair funding for Wales, but we will work within the budget that we have. And in spending every pound sensibly, in looking at how we get the most out of every pound, that is how we drive outcomes. Because I absolutely agree with the Member that it's not measuring how much you spend, it's what you do with the money. And that also goes on whether you're putting efficiency drives in place for ideological reasons, or whether you're doing it in order to get more out of the system. Let's focus on what we're trying to achieve always for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is a programme of work that we put in place in the early weeks of this new Government. The programme for government is built around a set of priorities. To deliver on those priorities and all those other areas that the Welsh Government is responsible for will take a whole-Government approach. Cross-Government working we really want to be a part of our DNA as a Government. I tasked the Cabinet Minister for Government effectiveness to ensure that the Government works collectively across portfolios to deliver meaningful outcomes. Here are three examples. On climate change, yes, there's a Minister responsible, but it belongs to all of us, so we've put the structures in place to make sure that we're working collaboratively on climate change. Prevention is another one that cuts across the work of so many departments. Tackling poverty is another one of those. I'd also make the point, Llywydd, that it's not how we work co-operatively within Government alone that matters. Effective delivery also depends on strong collaboration with others—local government, for example, businesses, the third sector and, crucially, communities across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We can point to a whole host of targets that are already in place, from the first meaningful economic target that we've had in maybe a quarter of a century, on halving the productivity gap with the rest of the UK within a decade. That's setting our sights high, but we need that kind of target. We know about the targets on the longest waiting times in the NHS. We have a very clear path towards raising standards in numeracy, literacy and so on. I'd refer the Member to the answer I gave a few moments ago. Yes, we want to be efficient in our use of public money in everything that we do. And yes, we have already found ways that we, I believe, can deliver more for less in a whole host of different ways, and I think that's very important. But to ideologically drive down spending for the sake of it doesn't help the people of Wales. What helps the people of Wales is using money wisely, carefully and setting a clear trajectory for the kinds of changes that we want to deliver for them. With childcare, we know what it is that we're trying to deliver. We know what we have to do. We're getting on with the job.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I recognise the vital role that health visitors play in supporting children and families across Wales. Responsibility for their pay, grading and employment rests with the health board as the employer. But we have engaged with the health board and the trade union, making clear our expectation that all parties should work constructively towards a swift resolution. We will continue to support those efforts while ensuring appropriate arrangements remain in place to safeguard children and families.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is a dispute, as the Member rightly points out, that this Government inherited, and yes, I did say that I wanted this dispute to be settled very quickly. I say now, also, now that I'm in Government, that I want this dispute to be settled quickly—for the health visitors, for the health board and for the people that they serve. It is clear that this is a matter that can only be resolved in dispute resolution between the employer and the employee, between the health board and the health workers. What we can do in Government is ensure that there is real clarity on roles and bands and pay structures nationally, and that is exactly what the review instigated by the Cabinet Minister for health is setting out to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree that it is important that there's a real understanding of where resolution for this dispute lies. Where disputes persist and affect service delivery, wherever that might be, health boards must demonstrate how concerns have been managed, risks monitored, and the necessary actions taken to maintain safe services. The Cabinet Secretary has therefore sought further assurance from the health board on safeguarding arrangements and health visiting capacity, with an expectation of full transparency and robust oversight, just to make sure that children and families remain protected. More broadly, NHS organisations must have strong governance to identify and respond to emerging risks, whatever they might be. The new accountability and support framework published just two weeks ago strengthens accountability, oversight and improvement support, while a forthcoming well-led framework will further strengthen leadership right across the NHS.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's hard for me to comment on what would have happened in the early days, because that was under a Labour Government. Do I believe that we should lean heavily on social partnership? Yes, absolutely. That comes to the resolution of local disputes, it comes into play on issues of national disputes. I believe in the concept and the principle of social partnership. There are certainly learnings from this issue, where we can all ask could things have been done sooner. I hope, as the Member does, that that resolution, which we all wish to see happening, is coming closer.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is not as simple as that. This is a resolution that can only come from dispute resolution between the employer and the employee. What we need to ensure, as I said, is that we have absolute clarity now on pay structures and banding, as that relates to health workers wherever they are in Wales, because that consistency of application is crucial to make sure that we avoid this kind of dispute in future. There's work that has been instigated by the Cabinet Minister for health, and I trust that that not only comes into play now, but that it will be of use when it comes to, potentially, nipping other disputes in the bud in future through social partnership.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There is no question that health visitors are driven by vocation. I've met those who are currently involved in this particular dispute. They want to get back to work. That's the core of this from their point of view. Yes, we are talking about women, largely, here, but I think what we need to show always is an appreciation of that commitment that people right across the public sector show towards their work that goes over and above, by some way, what they are contracted or paid or the hours that they are meant to work. We look right across the public sector and show our appreciation to those people who care for those within their communities. I'll also take this opportunity to wish your family well after your recent loss.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Government believes in the future of our town and city centres. They're at the heart of local identities, our culture and our communities. We refuse to accept their decline and want to reinvent and repurpose those town and city centres for the future. Public services are very much part of that. We want our town and city centres to be places where people can easily access the services they need. We're also investing in better transport links and regeneration schemes and using our town centre taskforce to consider what further action is needed.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, post office provision in itself is a reserved matter for UK Government, but I certainly do recognise the importance of maintaining access to a full-service branch in Swansea city centre, particularly for older and perhaps disabled people and small businesses too. I understand that Post Office Ltd has committed to finding replacement host businesses for branches like the one in Swansea affected by the TG Jones closures. Alongside this, our town-centre taskforce will consider how essential public services, as I say, can support thriving town and city centres. Across Wales, we will continue to support co-location, accessible transport and business rates relief, which we announced recently, so that regeneration sustains the kind of everyday services that communities rely on, and, at the same time, attracting, hopefully, new investment into these town and city centres.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
People are rightly frustrated by congestion on the M4 around Newport and want to see progress, so last week we brought clarity where there has been uncertainty, I think, for too long. We've taken a clear decision that road and engineering improvements must be part of the solution, and we're getting on with the practical improvements now while we develop that long-term solution.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is referring to what was known as the black route, of course. It is no longer a protected route. When the decision was taken to cancel that particular route, that option was essentially taken off the table, or at least for a very, very, very long time, and we're not prepared to wait that long. And I think we've made it clear that we do think road relief is a part of the solution, and that is why we need to do that careful planning and engineering work to make sure that we understand what is the best solution to pursue, because it's become very, very clear to me—and I've been personally engaged on this, because I have an interest in unblocking this issue for the people of Newport and for the wider south Wales economy—that it will take a host of different things. It will mean—and this is good news for the people of Newport—strengthening public transport. It is important, it will contribute. Taking traffic on other roads where there is capacity is something that's very, very important, and it could be something as simple as making sure that we provide better provision for HGV drivers, something that I know from my own constituency, with how important that is around Holyhead. So, what I say is, this is live now, this is happening. We're pressing ahead with a multiphase scheme that will crucially take into consideration the views of, and will happen in partnership with, the people of Newport. Will there be challenges in this transformation to a twenty-second century Newport? Yes, but we want to face those challenges and put solutions in place with the people of that city, because there is a city and a broader region that have a lot to benefit from getting this right. Inaction is what we saw up until now; that's not an option now.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Patients in north-east Wales deserve timely, joined-up care, whichever side of the border provides it. We are strengthening cross-border partnerships, streamlining referrals and improving information sharing between NHS Wales and NHS England. Our aim is clear: better co-ordinated care, clear accountability and fewer avoidable delays, so patients receive the right treatment, in the right place, at the right time.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm very glad that the Member pointed out that statistic about traffic for primary care and in which direction it goes. And it's a little-known fact that there are more people from England coming into Wales to see a GP than the other way around. What that tells me is that we need to get this right for people on both sides of the border. I'm a patient in the north of Wales too. It is part of our landscape that there are elements of care that we might get at a specialist children's hospital in Liverpool or a neurosurgery department at Walton and so on. We are committed to making sure that we improve that cross-border working. I'll give you an example on information sharing: we are working on improving the transfer of referrals, improving the sharing of clinical records, test results and prescribing information. Digital interoperability work is focused on making sure that care becomes safer, becomes more co-ordinated, reducing the need for patients to chase information and so on. In terms of those waiting times, the key thing is that it is the patients that we look after and make sure that we trace their journey through the NHS, wherever that treatment takes place, and for many patients, parts of their treatment will be in the north of Wales and parts of it will be in the north-west of England.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are taking action across Wales to improve and integrate provision across bus, rail and active travel. We are working closely with Transport for Wales and local authorities, including in Sir Fynwy Torfaen. We are implementing bus franchising and making better use of assets across bus and rail, which will be key to delivering better integrated services that reflect passenger demand and the priorities of communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member describes exactly what we all should be trying to achieve in making public transport so accessible and cheap and easy to use that it becomes a no-brainer. We want to make it easier to choose public transport for everyday journeys across the wider M4 corridor by integrating bus and rail into one cohesive network. Bus reform is an important of it. That'll support co-ordinated planning and management of public transport by Transport for Wales, in collaboration with local authorities. That should mean more efficient aligning of transport options. TfW is already working with local authorities in the south-east to review the bus network plan. We'll launch a programme of public engagement in the region next year. Yes, we will consider the potential for more frequent train services, including on routes from Abergavenny and Chepstow to Cardiff, and, yes, we want to see the delivery of those new stations in the south-east of Wales without further delay.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are committed to this agenda. I know the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health wants people to be able to access high-quality addiction recovery services where needed. Some £68 million has been invested annually in substance misuse services, with most funding allocated to area planning boards to commission services based on the needs of those localities. Accessibility is a key consideration, with boards needing to provide regular assurance to Welsh Government on both delivery and performance.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, we certainly do recognise the challenges faced by people recovering from addiction, and we value the vital contribution of organisations such as the Salvation Army in supporting recovery. We also recognise, absolutely, the stigma that can be a significant barrier to individuals seeking help and sustaining recovery afterwards. Through investment in local treatment and recovery services, we're working to make sure that people can access the right support at the right time. The Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health will continue to engage with people with lived experience, service providers and the wider sectors, so that we can be properly informed as a Government of future action in these areas.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, we've allocated over £450 million for social housing alone this year, providing the investment needed to increase supply and help more people access a safe, secure and affordable home. Local authorities across the Caerdydd Penarth constituency have been allocated over £82 million in social housing grant funding this year. Together, this will contribute to the delivery of over 1,100 additional homes.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I appreciate the work that the Member does around the issue of housing. Some of the statistics that he mentions are pretty sobering, and we are under no illusion as a Government as to the scale of the challenge that we are facing. We propose to address this, and look forward to co-operating with him and others on this. We propose to take action, not only in making sure the necessary investment goes in on building more social homes, but that we legislate too, that we put legislative steps in place to make sure that we are emphasising our belief as a Government that people should have that fundamental support in making sure that they have a roof over their heads and somewhere to live safely. This is something that I know drives my housing Cabinet Minister every day in her work.
39
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Prynhawn da i chi i gyd.
Official English translation
Good afternoon to you all.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are focused on making services better in every part of Wales. We recognise that delivering effective public services in rural Wales requires responding to the particular challenges that rural communities face. Our proposal for a statutory rural-proofing duty will improve how the needs of rural communities are accounted for in how services are designed and in how they're delivered.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I said, this is something that this Government has proposed specific action to address. We want to be a Government for all of Wales. I agree that there are times where it has felt as if the specific needs of rural areas, rurality itself, hasn't been taken into account when decisions are being made. That is precisely what the rural-proofing mechanism is about. We are proposing to legislate on rural-proofing to make sure that it is not up to the Government of the day whether or not they take into account the impact of decisions on rural areas, but that that is put on a statutory basis. I think that is something that will be welcomed in rural parts of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
What the Member does, again, is emphasise a number of those issues on which there are particular questions that relate more to rural areas than to urban areas. We could point to the price of fuel now, which is problematic for everybody in Wales. The UK Government has taken the decision to have a rural relief system in place for some parts of the UK, but not for Wales. That's something that I would like to see the UK Government address. What our proposal, through the rural-proofing legislation route, will do for Wales is make sure that all those questions of rurality, as I say, are considered when it comes to decisions that the Welsh Government makes, because, whoever they are in whatever part of Wales, the electors who sent all of us here should feel that we are there for them.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member will know that it has been a long-standing policy of the party that I lead to pursue that kind of rural relief. Our pressure on the UK Government has tended to, for obvious reasons, target energy prices and household fuel in particular, and calling for measures around off-grid as one of those elements that affect those living in more rural areas most. But there's no question now, as the intensity of the pressures of fuel for road users becomes more serious, that we will pursue that indeed with the UK Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm certainly hearing the concerns, and the argument that has been put forward by the Member today amplifies concerns that have been raised elsewhere. This is a decision for the health board, of course, and consultation has begun on proposed options for its clinical services plan. Evidence can be seen, views can be shared, experiences and concerns shared, alternative ideas put forward too. The health board has made no decisions on those clinical plans, but the Welsh Government—let me put it as clearly as I can—expects the health board to make evidence-based decisions, underpin those decisions on robust options appraisals and impact assessments, to ensure that the future of services are sustainable, fit for purpose and safe for the local population. But, other than that, given that this is an ongoing process led by the health board, it would be inappropriate for me to comment more than that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I have always vowed, as an internationalist, that my Government will be internationalist in its outlook and always seek opportunities to sell Wales to the world. Through our overseas network, we have opportunities to support exports, to attract inward investment, but also to strengthen international partnerships and to promote Wales. And like all aspects of Government, we will want, as a new Government, to make sure that our operations in this area are effective and efficient.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Spending money on 'all sorts of things' is quite an argument to put forward. I'll tell you what the Welsh Government is absolutely meant to do by law: it is to seek the best for Wales. Our international operations are about seeking trade deals for Wales, attracting inward investment to Wales, selling agriculture produce to the world, building the kind of soft diplomacy that can bring results to Wales. Now, I know that the Member is isolationist in the way that he sees the world. I am not; I am somebody who will always seek to promote Wales's place in the world for the benefit of all the people who live in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Thank you for the question. The groans from the Reform benches when the Member mentioned Wales having a doorway to the world I think speaks volumes about a party that wants to close all opportunities for Wales. This Government, as I say, will be international in its outlook, international in the kind of ambition that we have in our goals. Wales can't just be promoted from behind a desk in Cardiff or by looking inwards. Our international offices shouldn't be judged either solely by trade and investment figures, though they are important. They also build trust, they deepen relationships, and they deliver results in soft power and in cultural diplomacy. Through our engagement across Europe and beyond—again, something that the Reform benches want to close down—Wales is sharing expertise on language, where we are global leaders in many ways, on sustainability, on future generations, while learning from others and delivering benefits for the people of Wales in doing so.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree with that outlook—that our international links can and must bring real benefits to the people of Wales. I enjoyed my participation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association over 10 years as chair. I assume that Reform want us to pull out of the work of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, as that's a waste of time looking out to the world. But what we were doing always was trying to find that common ground with others that can give us tools to do the job to improve the lot of people in Wales. That's what we're all about. It all has to come back to improving outcomes. Whilst I have a great belief in what we can do well here in Wales, I absolutely believe that, out there in the world, there's a host of lessons, a host of experiences that can come to us from different cultures that we can benefit from. That's something that I will always strive to work across party boundaries here in the Senedd on.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think your leader had his head in his hands, trying to put distance between himself and Reform—and there we are: banging the tables on the Reform benches at your isolationist arguments for Wales. The Member knows full well that Government, to use the kind of detail that we heard earlier, does many, many things. In reaching out to the world for trade deals, for lessons, for the sharing of experiences, we are adding to that depth of knowledge that we have and the income that we have in order to improve the lives of the people of Wales. We do that alongside improving the health service, improving education standards, improving job prospects in all parts of Wales, rolling out the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK and also dealing with those challenges of climate change, which my party is making a clear priority.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I have always advocated the two-state solution, and I think the decision taken at the Greens conference was ill judged. I do not agree with that motion. I have to, though, refer to the initial comments that the Member made about Elfyn Evans. I spoke with Elfyn yesterday and congratulated him on his remarkable win and becoming the first Welsh world rally champion after coming so close on five previous occasions. And I'm sure the Member doesn't miss the irony in the way that she put the question in congratulating him for flying the Welsh flag on a world stage, when previously this afternoon we had been asked to take down that Welsh flag and just look inwards. That is Reform's view of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
No. I answered your question.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I answered your question. Llywydd, I answered the question.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think it's important to put it on the record so that the leader of Reform can read it afterwards, as she wasn't listening to me previously, that I directly addressed her question on the vote in the Green Party conference, and I said that I had a very, very different view, and that I believe in a two-state solution and I stand shoulder to shoulder with the Jewish communities in Wales and make a stand against antisemitism as I do Islamophobia. She's on a roll. A second ago, she was saying that it was okay for a sportsman to wave the Welsh flag, but not for the rest of us to—or for Welsh Government to do so. And now she has the boldness—and I've suggested she's bold before—to suggest that, 10 years on from Brexit, the evidence shows that it was the right thing to do. Now, I'm not one to question the decision made by people in that specific referendum 10 years ago, but I am very, very clear in my mind that the damage that has been caused is very, very clear to see. She told me, 'Take farming'. Well, Brexit took too much out of farming. It took too much out of business. It is because of the losses that businesses face, the billions of pounds that have been lost to the Welsh economy, that I say that Wales's place is at the heart of Europe. As an absolute minimum, we should be members of the common market, we should be members of the customs union. That is in the interest of the people of Wales. The Reform leader, we know, takes a different viewpoint: she is isolationist in many, many ways. I will stand up for the people of Wales, as I pledged I would in the recent election.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm sure I just heard the leader of Reform accusing me of having dodgy ideology when she literally used the words 'net stupid zero'. Now, that is climate change ideological madness wrapped up in the words of the leader of Reform here in the Senedd. There's too much to unpack in that question for me to address all issues, but I will say this: she says that Brexit hasn't worked because the leaders, on a UK level, didn't get it right. At least I'm glad that she accepts that Brexit hasn't worked. That is why we need to look again at our relationship with Europe and tightening up that relationship for the interests of businesses in Wales and all our citizens.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
So, there are no cuts to Flying Start. We are building greatly on Flying Start in rolling out the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK, and we believe in the principle of universalism. I'm surprised that this is the second bite of the cherry from the Labour leader in Wales in undermining those principles of universalism that have given us the NHS, those principles of universalism that previous Labour Governments have celebrated, through free bus passes, through prescriptions. Is the Labour leader in Wales now suggesting that he, if he were in Government, would take away those elements of universalism that have been so well embraced by the people of Wales in recent years?
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member knows, of course, that it's not millionaires that we're talking about here through universalism, but it's hard-working families, medium earners, middle earners who the Member says should be excluded from childcare. I just don't believe that. I believe in the principle of universalism that Labour used to believe in. What has Labour become if Labour now are genuinely asking us to engage in a fundamental debate on the question of universalism? We could allow, could we not, millionaires to buy their own health services, and we wouldn't mind, right? Let's have just a health service for those who can't afford it. I don't believe that is the best way forward. I don't believe in having a two-tier health service. I believe in the principles laid down by Aneurin Bevan I think that are as relevant today as they were when he established the NHS. So, whether it's on free school meals, or on free prescriptions, or on bus passes, or on the NHS itself, universalism is a principle that brings us together as a community, as society, and we will pursue this in the interest of the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I was part of the committee in the Senedd before last that assessed the pros and cons of introducing minimum alcohol pricing. There were others here who were on that committee with me. And what we concluded was that, just as with cigarettes, the impact of pricing can have a positive impact on the choices that people make in relation to their use of alcohol. It's not a ban of alcohol, it's a trigger to make people think. That is the principle that led to the increase now—exactly these arguments that if it's about making sure that alcohol is as cheap as it possibly can be, that is not in the interest of the health of the people of Wales. It really isn't. And I think there has been a greater understanding in recent years, as happened with smoking decades ago, that we can no longer ignore the detrimental impacts of alcohol on health. And this measure is one step where we can try to redress the balance there.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The truth of the matter is that, when we discussed this at source, back then in committee, it was about doing both. There was a recognition that this wasn't a measure that would stop alcoholics from obtaining alcohol, because they are addicted to alcohol. That is not what this is about, and I agree that we need to be strengthening support for people who have alcohol abuse problems. For the Member, though, to point to this decision being about the impact of the cost of living, I would ask him to reflect on the actions of successive Conservative Governments on a UK level, which decided to go down the route of austerity, hitting ordinary people in their pockets every single day in all aspects of their lives, rather than punishing the bankers who had put us in that position at that time. There are many decisions that Governments can take where we consider the impact on the pockets of the people that we represent. Minimum alcohol pricing is about health.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Funded childcare must be flexible for families and deliverable for providers. We're working with local authorities and registered providers to expand provision sustainably and move to a simpler system that's easier for parents to navigate. As we introduce our universal childcare offer, we will ensure that it will enable longer and more flexible sessions.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
That universality is very, very important and, as we've touched on already today, it is a broader principle that we should value. On flexibility, as we introduce a radical, an ambitious, new national childcare offer, we're working to create a simpler, more streamlined system that gives parents more flexibility and easier access to funded childcare across Wales. Universal provision, of course, supports every child to get the best start in life, and thousands of low-earning families who've previously been locked out of any childcare or early years support will benefit as a result of our policy. Current guidance allows childcare sessions to be combined. We know this flexibility is interpreted and applied differently, and we are working to, as we roll out the childcare offer, partner with local authorities and others to make sure that that consistency does become the norm across the board.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, I fundamentally disagree with that take from the Member. We've made it clear. In fact, we have put the money in for the first phase, which is the rolling out of the 12.5 hours in every part of Wales within this first financial year. It's £55 million, and that is—. Well, that's happening. The money has gone. It's £55 million. Working towards the end of roll-out in a Government term, you're talking about a significant sum, £300 million to £400 million, depending on uptake and so on. There are lots of different factors. But this was meant to be, and is being, done in a phased way, which is the only way that it can be done. It's not just because of the money; one of the big challenges that we are facing, and dealing with, is workforce. We visited a nursery in Rhyl last week, and there's real excitement about how to bring more young people into the profession, which we will need to do in significant numbers to roll out this childcare offer, which will transform lives.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As you mentioned rural-proofing and Flying Start, I'll maybe bring those two together. Flying Start has done a great job in helping families who are struggling to make ends meet in some parts of Wales. I know of parts in my own constituency, and many others will have their own experiences of families who are outside Flying Start areas, in rural areas who are unable to get that kind of support. What we're doing in building on Flying Start, not cutting it, is making sure that we are expanding this universally to all people, universally to all areas, because we have identified this as something that could be the underpinnings of education, of job opportunities and tackling poverty. We're not setting simple targets for ourselves here. We're stretching ourselves because we think it's important, and rurality is very much a part of the mix.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Professional sport makes a significant contribution to the Welsh economy. It brings visitors into our communities, supports local businesses, creates jobs and showcases Wales to a global audience, at home and abroad. I'll take the opportunity to congratulate Elfyn Evans again on waving the flag in Sardinia on Sunday. But, from the Tour de France Grand Départ to Euro 2028, Wales has shown that it is able to attract world-class sporting events. What we need to do always is make sure that those events leave a lasting legacy for communities across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I believe in the principle of seeing what we can do to attract events. We've got the Women's Champions League final as well coming to Cardiff. It's not always Government that delivers them. Government can be a facilitator. Government can be a conduit for making them happen. We want to work with others when they see opportunities to bring global sporting events to Wales. Like having overseas offices, it is all part of that—[Interruption.] It is all part of that work of raising Wales's profile on the world stage, and the benefits that flow from that are multiple. This soft diplomacy, plus the hard numbers of where we can attract, through sporting events, international inward investment, is something that we should embrace, all of us here, because Wales can only win from this.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, I know the Member speaks from her own experience working in sports governance before being elected here. But I'd say that, through our investment as a Government in elite sports, we support partners, including Sport Wales and other governing bodies, to help athletes prepare for life beyond sport, through education, through training and through career development opportunities. There are so many of them—Welsh Athletics, Swim Wales, Hoci Cymru—they all support athletes to gain coaching, officiating and leadership qualifications alongside their sporting careers. Many former elite athletes go on to become coaches, performance managers, board members and ambassadors within their sports. The Football Association of Wales is particularly good at being a centre of excellence for preparing the coaches of the future, not just for Wales, but for other nations too. And developing that pipeline is key, I think, to ensuring that the skills, the experience and the inspiration gained through representing Wales or competing in elite sports continue to benefit our economy, our communities and our sporting success in future.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Right then, I'm going to have to be careful here. 'Yes' is the answer to the question. I have no doubt that professional sporting events, which happen week in, week out, of course, through professional sport in football and rugby, can bring huge, huge benefits, and supporting those hospitality sectors that support those coming to support their teams, that's something that we should encourage always. Do I want to see Swansea City being promoted to the premier league? Absolutely, yes. As a Cardiff City Football Club fan, they can only go up if we go up as well. And let's make it Wrexham also. Because, genuinely, I think the success of Welsh football currently—. I see Jayne Bryant looking at me here—I wish Newport all the very, very best too, and all league of Wales teams. [Laughter.] But, no, I think the success of our football teams is something that we can all celebrate, whichever colour we individually choose to wear.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, I hope you've built lots of time into this, because everybody wants to name their local football team now, I think. But I wish Haverfordwest well. I'm quite excited about premier football in Wales. Currently, there's been a lot of investment and there seems to be a real vibrancy around football at its highest level in Wales. I congratulate the work that the Football Association of Wales are doing. We engage with the Football Association of Wales in many different ways in supporting grass-roots sport, and we are happy to engage in any way that could see the Welsh Government supporting and facilitating the kind of investment that I know the FAW are determined to bring into Welsh football.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our programme for government commits us to cutting waiting lists and building a health and care service fit for the future. Backed by £145 million of additional investment, we're taking immediate action to reduce waits for diagnosis and treatment, while accelerating the wider transformation of services, with a stronger focus on prevention, care closer to home and the needs of individuals and communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The lack of accessibility to dentists is something that deeply worries me. I lost my NHS dentist a long time ago, as many of us here have, I know. What we're in the process of doing now is reviewing the contract. We need to make sure that we have a system that works for the patient and for the dentist, who we want to work within the NHS system in Wales. There's more beside that. We need to be making sure that we have that pipeline of dentists coming through the system. That is why work led by the now Minister for local government, when she was in opposition, to bring a new dental school to Wales is something that is so key. The problems in dentistry are plain for all to see. I do believe we have a window in which we can try to act now, but be in no doubt about the scale of the challenge that we face around dentistry, because of the legacy of a lack of attention to this over many years, I fear.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Throughout our ambitious programme for government, we commit to take action to reduce financial pressures facing households, working to break the cycle of poverty that too many find themselves in. Our new child poverty strategy will set clear targets and milestones to drive ambitious, deliverable change. We'll also seek to introduce the Cynnal child payment pilot. This Government will help those in crisis, while taking longer term, strategic action to prevent people falling into poverty in the first place.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the fact that the Member wants an academic discussion rather than a discussion about how we as a Government can really help those who are in dire need of that help from Government says a lot. The fact that he quotes Margaret Thatcher in an argument on tackling poverty speaks even further volumes. We have a series of measures that we have put in place. Our poverty strategy, setting the meaningful targets that the sector and others have called for, is going to be a really important part of that. We haven't had a trajectory for some years in Wales on where we need to go in terms of tackling poverty. What I know is that the problems are real. That's why the universal childcare offer cuts to some of the biggest challenges that families are facing, and why the Cynnal direct payment can be the beginnings of something that genuinely puts a safety net beneath some of our poorest families in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae'r Llywodraeth yma wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi presgripsiynu cymdeithasol ledled Cymru, yn gynnwys yn Afan Ogwr Rhondda. Mae hynny'n golygu helpu pobl i wella eu hiechyd a'u lles drwy gymorth yn y gymuned a thrwy ganolbwyntio ar atal. Mor ddiweddar â bore ddoe, mi wnaeth y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Iechyd Cyhoeddus ac Ataliol, Nerys Evans, ymweld â phrosiect rhagorol presgripsiynu cymdeithasol sy'n seiliedig ar natur, sef Grow Well, a hynny yn Dusty Forge yn Nhrelái yma yng Nghaerdydd. Rydyn ni'n buddsoddi mewn gwerthusiad annibynnol i asesu'r canlyniadau i unigolion, cymunedau a gwasanaethau rheng flaen, ac i drio deall yn well sut y gall presgripsiynu cymdeithasol wella lles a chefnogi gwasanaethau cynaliadwy.
Official English translation
This Government is committed to supporting social prescribing across Wales, including in Afan Ogwr Rhondda, helping people to improve their health and well-being through community-based support and by focusing on prevention. As recently as yesterday morning, the Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health, Nerys Evans, visited an excellent project for social prescribing that is nature based, namely Grow Well at the Dusty Forge in Ely, here in Cardiff. We are investing in an independent evaluation to assess outcomes for individuals, communities and front-line services and to try and better understand how social prescribing can improve well-being and support sustainable services.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Diolch. Mae hi'n dda clywed am waith y ganolfan yn Gilfach Goch. Dwi’n cytuno bod presgripsiynu cymdeithasol effeithiol yn dibynnu ar sefydliadau cymunedol cryf a chynaliadwy sydd â chapasiti i ateb galw sydd yn cynyddu o hyd. Mae'r sector wirfoddol yn allweddol i'r model Cymreig yna. Dwi’n sicr yn cydnabod bod y pwysau yna o gwmpas cyllidebu tymor byr a diffyg hyblygrwydd weithiau o ran arian staffio ac arian rhedeg yn gallu creu problemau. Mi fyddwn ni'n parhau fel Llywodraeth i weithio efo partneriaid ac i ystyried sut y gall newidiadau, o bosib, i drefniadau cyllido yn y dyfodol gefnogi yn well y capasiti a sefydlogrwydd sydd gan sefydliadau er mwyn iddyn nhw allu delifro ein hagenda ataliol ni. Achos nid y Llywodraeth yn gwneud hynny ydy'r stori gyfan; y stori ydy bod y Llywodraeth yn gosod y tôn, ac mae angen partneriaid arnom i wneud y gwaith ataliol ar lawr gwlad.
Official English translation
Thank you. It's good to hear about the work of the centre in Gilfach Goch. I agree that social prescribing, done effectively, does depend on strong community organisations that are sustainable and have the capacity to meet ever-increasing demand. The voluntary sector is key to that Welsh model. I certainly accept that the pressures around short-term budgeting and the lack of flexibility on occasion in terms of staffing and running costs can create problems. We as a Government will continue to work with partners and to consider how possible changes to funding arrangements in future could better support that capacity and the stability available to these organisations, so that they can deliver our preventative agenda. Because the Government doing this is not the whole story; the story is that the Government sets the tone, and we need partners to do that work on the ground.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Effective learner travel provision is vital to ensure that children and young people can access the education that they need. I understand there are also challenges for local authorities, given very real budget pressures. This is why we've committed to a joined-up approach to learner travel in our programme for government and why we've already delivered on our first 100 days commitment to review learner travel in Welsh-medium education in particular.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly appreciate that journeys for pupils are different depending on their individual circumstances. We're looking at the existing framework in the context of the budgets available to us. The Deputy Minister for Transport has himself highlighted learner travel as one of his key priorities. We'll consider this as a Cabinet, because it does cut across portfolios. I know that decisions are made on a local level by local authorities, some of whose decisions to deem walking routes safe do raise questions and anxiety. But these are decisions for those local authorities. It is for local authorities to assess whether a walking route is safe, taking account of the conditions learners would encounter on that journey to school at that time of day, and so on.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
I lawer o oroeswyr, mae cael mynediad at gofnodion hanesyddol yn bwysig er mwyn deall eu plentyndod, ond mae'r broses yn gallu peri gofid mawr. Rydyn ni'n gwybod hynny. Rydyn ni'n cefnogi gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i fabwysiadu dulliau mwy ystyriol o drawma, fel bod pobl yn cael eu trin efo urddas, tosturi a sensitifrwydd. Mae'r gwaith yma yn cael ei ategu gan ein fframwaith Cymru sy'n ystyriol o drawma a'n strategaeth ar atal ac ymateb i gam-drin plant yn rhywiol. Mae'r ddau yn cydnabod effaith gydol oes cam-drin ac yn rhoi lle canolog i leisiau goroeswyr wrth wella gwasanaethau.
Official English translation
For many survivors, accessing historical records is important in understanding their childhood, but the process can be deeply distressing. We know that. We are supporting public services to adopt trauma-informed approaches, so that people are treated with dignity, compassion and sensitivity. This work is reinforced through our trauma-informed Wales framework and our strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. Both recognise the lifelong impact of abuse and place survivors' voices at the centre of improvement.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We recognise that the language, the assumptions or professional judgments contained in some historical records can be distressing and certainly can compound the impact of past trauma. Through the trauma-informed Wales framework and that strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse, we are supporting services to respond with dignity, with compassion, with sensitivity, recognising, as I say, that the effects of abuse can be lifelong. We're also continuing to support life journey work for children in care, care leavers and adopted children, helping them to understand their personal history and experiences in a way that is sensitive, that is meaningful and that, crucially, is centred on their voice. These are matters that the Government is determined to take steps forward on, for very good reason, because we are talking about people who face vulnerabilities, and they deserve to sense that support from Government in all ways.
37
Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae pob corff cyhoeddus yn gyfrifol ei hun am gydymffurfio efo Deddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth 2000 a rheoliad cyffredinol y Deyrnas Unedig ar ddiogelu data. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi arfer da drwy ymgysylltu efo cyrff cyhoeddus, tra’n cydnabod ac yn adnabod bod cydymffurfio yn cael ei oruchwylio’n annibynnol, ac yn cael ei rymuso gan Swyddfa'r Comisiynydd Gwybodaeth.
Official English translation
Each public body is responsible for its own compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the UK general data protection regulation. The Welsh Government supports good practice through engagement with public bodies, while recognising that compliance is independently overseen and enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
As I explained in my initial answer, there is no role for Welsh Government to enforce when it comes to other public bodies in Wales. Every public body itself is responsible for its own compliance with the requirements of the Act, in this respect. It is something that my Government considers to be very important: we take very seriously our own responsibilities under the Act; we perform well according to our responsibilities under the Act. But it is, under that Act, the duty of every public body to make sure that they adhere to the requirements put on them by the Information Commissioner's Office.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, the actions are actions that can be taken by the Information Commissioner's Office—that is what is spelt out by the Act. I again emphasise that this is something that we consider to be very important in terms of public life in Wales, and that is why we do promote good practice, through engagement with public bodies across the board in Wales. But, ultimately, this is a question around an non-devolved issue that has to be addressed to the ICO itself.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
We have delivered our first 100 days commitment to commission a review of the local government funding formula. Independent research by the Wales Centre for Public Policy, which has been commissioned, complements also an extensive programme of work already under way with local government to review the formula and ensure that it better reflects the real cost of delivering services in different parts of Wales.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful for the question, from somebody who held a local government ministerial role and who, in fact, instigated work on looking at the formula. Because there is a sense that, somehow, there needs to be a refining of it, and that refinement needs to take place on a number of different levels. There are issues of deprivation that are predominantly urban in nature, there are issues of deprivation that are predominantly rural in nature, and there are issues of deprivation that are equally relevant to both. What I think is positive in taking this view, which the previous administration also supported, is that we work with local government. There is local government engagement and support for this work that is going on, because, surely, it's a principle that should be important to all of us, that knowing that when Welsh public money, through Welsh Government, is spent, it's spent in a way that is equitable wherever people are.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member reflects concerns that no doubt exist right across local government in Wales, and they are concerns that we mirror in Government too. Absolutely, nearly 20 years now of cuts—they used to call it 'austerity', but let's call it what it is—cuts by UK Government, successive Conservative and Labour Governments, have led to the situation where, yes indeed, we are asked to do more with less. What's important to me is that we as a Government work very, very closely with local government, which my Cabinet Minister for local government does day in, day out, recognising the pressures that do exist, taking into consideration always how the decisions and actions and ambitions of this Government do place responsibilities not just on the Welsh Government itself, but on our partners throughout Wales. It is very much a consideration that we bring in to the core of decisions around policy, around spending, because we recognise that, across public life in Wales, be it Welsh Government or local government, these years of cuts are taking their toll. It is by working together cleverly that we can try to work through that on behalf of the people that we represent.
2. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae'r Aelod yn hollol iawn. Mae'r gwendid sylfaenol yna yn y model yn gwneud penderfyniadau gwariant, p'un ai ar gyfer ardaloedd trefol neu wledig, yn anghymesur o annheg. Mae'n sicr yn wir y gall cymunedau gwledig wynebu costau a heriau ychwanegol wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae'r adolygiad sydd yn digwydd rŵan yn ystyried teneurwydd poblogaeth ac elfen wledig cymdeithas ochr yn ochr ag amddifadedd a phwysau ehangach ar wasanaethau. Beth rydyn ni eisiau ei wneud ydy cadw strwythur mewn lle sydd yn adlewyrchu angen go iawn, a sicrhau bod Cymru gyfan yn gallu cael ymddiriedaeth yn yr hyn rydyn ni'n ei wneud o ran penderfyniadau gwariant mewn Llywodraeth.
Official English translation
The Member is entirely right. That fundamental weakness in the model makes expenditure decisions, whether for urban or rural areas, disproportionately unfair. It's certainly true that rural communities can face additional costs and challenges in providing public services. The review that's ongoing is considering population sparsity and the rural element of society alongside deprivation and broader pressures on services. What we want to do is to keep a structure in place that reflects real need, and ensure that the whole of Wales can have trust in what we're doing in terms of expenditure decisions within Government.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
It's very important that local authorities are able to make their own decisions on local taxation. I know I have never met a local councillor or a leader of a council who wants to raise council tax in a way that impacts their constituents more than is absolutely necessary. We made a decision around the deal on the budget with the previous Government that absolutely reflected the need to minimise council tax increases, in making sure that we were able to negotiate an agreement that made sure that there was a minimum 4 per cent uplift in order to limit council tax increases. Those decisions are best left for local representatives. That's an important principle.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I am grateful to the Member for drawing attention to the response at RAF Valley to the accident last week. I immediately contacted, through my office, the station commander at Valley to wish him and his team at Valley well at what was a very anxious time, and of course to wish a full and rapid recovery to the two airmen who ejected from the aircraft. I believe in defending Wales. Wales has a role to play, of course, within the defence of the United Kingdom. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who serve in our armed forces. My attitude will always be to seek ways of working together internationally to strengthen the way that we can step up to the threats that we face, not least from Russia, with the aggression shown towards our European partners, Ukraine.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I shall share with the Member a copy of our programme for government again, which emphasises the way that my Government is dealing every day with the issues that we face on health, on education, on housing, on child poverty, on helping the Welsh family farm. That is the focus of this Government, whilst at the same time focusing on an ambition that we have for Wales. There's an obsession on the Reform benches with talking Wales down. My discussions with Andy Burnham have all been about talking Wales up and how we can seek co-operation to make sure that we grow the Welsh economy to bring real prosperity to all parts of Wales, something that Reform are clearly not interested in.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
It's interesting that the Member chooses to talk about the constitution at every possible opportunity. It's as if she is somehow obsessed with this, while this Government is getting on with the job of governing Wales. Maybe she doesn't like the fact that we're able to deal with the issues that matter to the people of Wales, day in, day out. She talks about insulting the people of Wales. We can see under her leadership already this lurch to the right. The fact that she didn't condemn the appalling comments from the shadow Minister without portfolio—without principles, without any shame—says so much about her leadership of Reform in Wales.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I think it's useful to be having this conversation in public here to explain, once again, that our intention is to build significantly on what has already been delivered through Flying Start. The Labour leader has often criticised us for being too ambitious in our plans for the roll-out of childcare. We don't apologise for that ambition, but it does mean building on Flying Start, which has helped many families in poverty. There are more families in poverty not being helped by Flying Start than those who are being helped by Flying Start. We say let's help them all. And there's a real danger, I think, in the Labour leader here focusing too much on a name. We want to focus on helping families the length and breadth of Wales, and that is what this Government's plans are all about. And it's the same with ALN. We have plans in place that we have put on the table, and I again invite the Labour leader to work with us on that, because it's about building on issues that are important to families. My finance Minister has written today to all the party leaders here in the Senedd asking to come together, asking for co-operation. There is still a small window to get out through that door the £40 million on the table that Mark Drakeford suggests you should have taken. It's still an offer, and it's a genuine offer to work co-operatively with you to get that money spent.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
As the Member would expect, I do indeed receive briefings when it comes to matters that are of concern in terms of the resilience of Wales. I have spoken here on a number of occasions about the way I have approached the whole question of resilience. That means working with intelligence partners, who I have met in various fora. It means working with COBRA, where I have attended in person. It means working with the Ministry of Defence and all the relevant partners that we need to be working with to make sure that our defence and the values that are so important to us are protected from those international forces that seek to undermine us. I would hope that all of us can agree that these are matters on which there isn't a sheet of paper between us.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I welcome Darren Millar to join me in making the case for Wales's future the next time I have the opportunity to do so. Wales's constitutional future is a matter for the people of Wales. It isn't for the Kremlin to endorse, to oppose or to exploit. The leader of the Conservative group—along with the Secretary of State for Wales, I should say, because they are on the same page, it seems—may wish to reflect on the wisdom of quoting a Kremlin propagandist in order to pursue their unionist agenda here. I have visited Kyiv with the leader of the Conservative group here in the Senedd, because we believe in the right of self-determination for the people of Ukraine. It so happens that I also believe in the right of self-determination for the people of Wales.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I feel as if there's an attempt every week to draw a big rabbit out of a hat that the leader of Plaid Cymru believes in independence for Wales. That doesn't come as a surprise—the fact that the leader of Plaid Cymru, which has campaigned for the right of the people of Wales to decide their own future for 100 years, should give up a couple of hours on a Saturday afternoon to make that case. Because I happen to have a higher level of ambition and belief in my nation than the leader of the Conservatives, who is in cahoots with the leader of Labour and the leader of Reform. We have in Plaid Cymru a Government that persuaded the people of Wales that we need to step up a gear. But this term in Government isn't about putting forward a referendum on independence. It's not. But is it about making the case for what Wales could be? The people of Wales responded in saying, 'You know what? No, we're not quite with you yet; there's been a massive increase in support for independence, but we're not with you yet.' I get that completely. 'But we like your belief in Wales and we believe that if you believe in Wales that much, you will do everything with the tools that you have now to improve standards on health, to raise education standards, to create jobs in every part of Wales.' That is precisely what this Government has started doing from day one, and I invite him to pay closer attention to that bread-and-butter work that we are doing in this Government.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Grass-roots music venues are vital to Wales's music sector and to developing the next generation of Welsh talent. Through Creative Wales, we provide direct capital investment to help venues become more sustainable, and work closely with the Music Venue Trust. Eligible grass-roots music venues can now also benefit from the Welsh Government's recently announced support through the non-domestic rates system too.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
It's good to hear that the Tivoli is still there. It's about a quarter of a century, I think, since I was there—a great venue. I welcome the Member's support to the campaign, and agree that it's vital that we look at all options to help the viability of our music venues, to encourage economic growth. We recognise the financial pressures, of course, facing venues and the live music sector; that's why we have introduced our new rates relief for this very important sector. I declare an interest as somebody who has played on many a stage myself and realises the value of these venues. But VAT policy, of course, is a reserved matter. We recognise the concerns raised by the sector around both the VAT registration threshold and the VAT applied to ticket sales and the impact that these absolutely can have on the sustainability of grass-roots venues, but those actions will need to be taken by the UK Government. We will continue, of course, to engage with the sector, including Music Venue Trust, and ensure that the issues facing grass-roots venues in Wales genuinely are understood and represented in our discussions, also, with the UK Government.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Decisions are taken when it comes to business rates and you try to consider where the impact can be felt most and where the biggest advantages can be, and we'll always look at various ways in which we can, moving forward, alter, amend, to make sure that the finite resources that we have at our disposal as a Welsh Government are used as carefully as possible. On the wider comments and issues raised, I agree that there are significant, broad-ranging questions that we need to address when it comes to the future of music and live music in Wales, and that's why focus is being given to a new strategy around Creative Wales now. Because we're determined to work quickly, as a new Government, to understand the issues that we need to address and put the right strategic measures in place to do what we can, again, as I say, with our finite resources, to help the music industry.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I recognise the work done by local authorities the length and breadth of Wales in supporting various music festivals. Cardiff has a particular role as our capital city, because of the plethora of music venues and so on, but we recognise the pressures that they're under. What we will do always is work with local authorities. As I say, our ability to have a direct impact through direct spending is limited, obviously, but we will look at every opportunity that we can to support the sector directly, or local government, in promoting this vital sector.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Venues are necessary; that's not one that I'm aware of in Haverfordwest, but I wish them well with that project. I would point very much to the work that we are doing, bringing forward legislation, which we hope to work with you on, on community ownership. There is a real opportunity to identify facilities within our communities that can become hubs for music and activity and supporting people socially. That is precisely what this Government intends to do through that particular piece of work.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree. As somebody who attended Urdd youth clubs—aelwydydd—in the past, I absolutely know the benefit that comes from having facilities that offer opportunities to play an instrument or maybe learn to play table tennis very, very badly—to create those structures for young people. It's something I believe in and, as a Government, working with local authorities and other partners, this is something we want to see developed. The direct intervention of Government on youth clubs perhaps isn't something that we can do, but, absolutely, where we can facilitate those measures to promote youth clubs, we will look for opportunities to do so.
2. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae Afan Ogwr Rhondda yn enghraifft bwysig, dwi'n meddwl, o sut cafodd adnoddau naturiol Cymru eu defnyddio yn y gorffennol i bweru'r chwyldro diwydiannol, ond lle doedd yna ddim wedyn ddigon o'r budd economaidd yn aros yn y cymunedau lleol hynny. Drwy ein strategaeth ynni genedlaethol a'n cynigion ar gyfer cwmni ynni cyhoeddus yn y dyfodol, mi ydym ni am ddenu buddsoddiad, cefnogi perchnogaeth leol, creu swyddi da a chadw mwy o'r gwerth yn ein cymunedau. Dyna'r wers o'r gorffennol.
Official English translation
Afan Ogwr Rhondda is an important example, I think, of where, historically, Wales’s natural resources were extracted to power the industrial revolution, with little lasting benefit to the community. Through our national energy strategy and our proposals for a future public energy company, we want to attract investment, support local ownership, create skilled jobs and keep more of the economic value in our communities. That's the lesson of the past.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly am aware of the concerns regarding the level of funding available through the local innovation partnerships fund, and officials are already engaging with partners to try to understand the position and any implications for that particular region. We will continue to make the case strongly with the UK Government that Welsh regions should receive a fair share of innovation funding to support high-quality jobs, business growth and energy transition. We believe as a Government in empowering Wales and in empowering the regions of Wales. The real measure of success isn't simply how much energy we generate with various schemes, but rather how many skilled jobs we create, how many supply chain opportunities are created, and the long-term economic benefits that we create for communities like Afan Ogwr Rhondda. South-west Wales has exceptional strengths in floating offshore wind, industrial decarbonisation, clean energy innovation, and it is vital that investment now reflects and, indeed, releases that potential for future generations.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I commend the work done by various community energy groups who want to make sure that we are able to increase generation, with genuine local benefits the length and breadth of Wales. I also do welcome the conversion of the Member, as somebody who sits in a party that is often linked with climate change denial, in that his Facebook page now does call for a greener Wales. I welcome his conversion to climate activism.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
We want more construction material kept in use rather than valuable resources being lost. Wales prioritises recycled and secondary aggregates through planning policy, pushing up the amount of local authority rubble and aggregates that is recycled, and working with the industry too. We are also reviewing how planning and public procurement can create consistent demand for quality-assured recycled materials while protecting safety, performance and of course value for money.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I can't comment on that particular example that was given, of course, but I reiterate that, as a matter of principle, this is something that we should all seek to do. Recycling and upcycling, if you like, aggregates is something that is important to us. The Member recognises that we are looking at ways through procurement and planning to make a difference. It has been suggested that perhaps you set targets for the use of such aggregates, and I understand those sentiments too. In an area like this, there's a risk that, in setting numerical targets, you run up against practical issues, not least those associated with safety, which has to be paramount, and other practical barriers. As I say, this is something that we want to make gains on, and we will look at using those tools at our disposal to make sure—working with industry, as he recognises—that we're able to do that.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
There is a measurement, and 'Minerals Technical Advice Note (Wales) 1: Aggregates' remains the detailed national minerals guidance. It specifies that 'Primary aggregates development should not be permitted where...the need could be met at lower environmental cost by the use of secondary or recycled material.' So, the policy says that we should be moving in this direction. That was put in place in 2004 with a broad objective to increase secondary and recycled sources to at least 25 per cent of supply within five years. We're still hovering around the 25 per cent to 30 per cent mark; I think it's around 28 per cent now. We think that should be higher, and using those—. Again, the Member recognises that we do have tools at our disposal, that we are using them around planning. We need to see how we can make those more effective, because those targets of 22 years ago have been met, but actually we need to find ways of going further.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member knows my view that the current devolution settlement is unfair and unsustainable. During my initial discussions with the Prime Minister in July, I pressed the case for further devolution as a means of improving outcomes for the people of Wales. I'll be doing so again at the National Economic Council next month. I also emphasise that any further devolution must respect the Senedd, not bypass it. And the Cabinet Minister for Finance is also engaging with the UK Treasury in seeking a review of the fiscal framework, Barnett reform and a fair deal from the UK Government's budget, which is in all our interests.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree very much, obviously, that devolution to Wales as a nation is not the same as devolution within England, and our starting point is that Wales should have the powers and resources needed to deliver for the people of Wales, and absolutely that includes parity with Scotland as a minimum, where doing so would improve outcomes for citizens and strengthen democratic accountability. Plaid Cymru is a party that has always supported and promoted the notion of empowering the communities of Wales. That's our call now, but we have to have an empowered Senedd, an empowered Welsh Government, in order to deliver what is right for communities the length and breadth of Wales. We've made that case consistently to UK Government, pressing for progress in areas including justice and policing, rail infrastructure, the Crown Estate and fiscal powers, and we will continue to engage constructively with UK Government, because this is about acting in the best interests of the people of Wales. It is about health, it is about education, it is about job creation and it is about fighting poverty. We are here, being able to fight for the people of Wales, because a decision was made to devolve. We are here, able to create laws for the people of Wales, because a decision was then made to enhance that devolution. I still think it's an ongoing process, looking for ways that we can better support the people that we are here to represent.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Tackling child poverty and securing the best future for every child in Wales is at the heart of our programme for government. We are creating a new strategy to tackle child poverty. We're setting clear targets and milestones to drive ambitious, deliverable change. We're also introducing a new ambitious childcare offer to support families with the cost of living and are developing the Cynnal child payment pilot as part of a suite of measures.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Yes, I note those two words, and I echo them: moral imperative. That's what we're here to do. I think that's reflected in the pace with which we've tried to move on these issues in the first 100 days of this Government, making sure that we've prioritised rolling out quickly the expansion of free school meals and getting money into the system, so that we actually see the delivery of greater childcare, helping thousands of families. We have to show, in all our actions, that this is at the core of everything that we do; we believe we're doing so. We want to be held to account for that, and we're doing this for communities like the Member's.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm pleased that this question has been asked today. Last week, I, alongside a number of Senedd Members, met veterans who were on the Sir Galahad and their families, and families of soldiers who lost their lives on that most awful day in Welsh history. We remember all those who lost their lives, those who were injured and those who still mourn. I absolutely recognise the strength of feeling even now, and the frustration at not being able to access related records, and I, along with the Deputy First Minister, have written to the Secretary of State for Defence to make the case for their urgent release.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, I did say that I was pleased that the Member opted to raise this issue of the Sir Galahad here in the Senedd today. I—and I imagine probably a number of others—regret that the Member has opted to use that as a platform to make a series of party political points. I am very proud of the work done by elected colleagues of mine, alongside elected colleagues from other parties, to protect and seek to deepen our commitment under the armed forces covenant, which is important to us, as it is to Members across political party lines here. I, again, refer to the stand that was made jointly by Members across political parties in support of the Sir Galahad families last week. We will support you.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
The current devolution settlement is outdated, constrains our economic potential and hinders our ability to deliver the best public services to people in Wales. Our immediate constitutional priorities are the devolution of policing and justice, the Crown Estate and rail infrastructure, alongside fair funding and greater fiscal flexibility. As a matter of principle, there is certainly no reason why powers that have been devolved to Scotland shouldn't also be devolved to Wales.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I congratulate the Member for being drawn out of the lot to ask a question to the First Minister again. I don't know why she chooses not to ask a question about health, to not ask a question about education, to not ask a question about strengthening the Welsh economy, supporting the family farm, bringing children out of poverty. I think those are the really important issues that are important to the people of Wales, and I believe that empowering Wales to have more tools at our disposal to deal with education, health, job creation and farming is a good thing. The Member is here because we have devolution. She is able to make the case for her constituents because we have devolution. And, as I said earlier, she is able to put forward legislation because we have enhanced devolution. There is a reality here that we are seeing an obsession with wanting to stop Wales being empowered. The Member has to reflect upon what that says about her. Because I will always want Wales to have the best possible crack at the whip, and that means making sure that we have the tools to do the job for the people of Wales. I'll use the word again: there's an obsession with making damn sure that Wales doesn't get any more ability to get to grips with those issues that really matter to the people of Wales.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
Our ambition is for everyone in Wales to have access to good-quality affordable housing in the right area for them. The UK Government decides how many people seeking asylum are accommodated in Wales. We work with local authorities and third sector partners to provide fair support and help services plan effectively. The Welsh Government's approach promotes safer communities, focusing on integration, access to support and, all importantly, community cohesion.
2. Questions to the First Minister en
I don't hesitate in saying that of course I recognise where there are genuine concerns in communities. My colleagues and I have spoken widely about the need for the Home Office to have dispersal processes in place that reflect the needs and pressures of communities, and the needs of people who are within the asylum system. But those are matters for the Home Office. I will deal with these issues always in a way that tries to calm the discussion, tries to deal with facts, recognising genuine concerns. But, ultimately, our powers aren't around how many people come to Wales. Ours are about recognising what our values are as a nation. When people do come here, we want to make sure that they are able—for everybody in society in Wales—to integrate properly.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The question does indeed come at an opportune time. A review has been commissioned, looking at how to deliver the best outcome at the Nant Helen site. We are keen now to develop a clear direction of travel with GCRE Ltd.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, the Member makes very important points. Significant amounts of public funding have gone into the site already. I'm not going to criticise the concept that came from the current leader of the Labour Party, but we have to understand what has happened as those tens of millions of pounds have been spent on the site, and what maybe hasn't happened to enable us to be at a place where there is private funding willing and able and keen to come in. As I say, my Minister has commissioned that work now because I agree that we need to come to a decision soon in order to make the most of the opportunities for what is still a very important site.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Again, perfectly appropriate questions to ask. It is not just about making it a credible commercial proposition, it's making sure that the public money that has gone into it has been put to good use, and, as we consider the future, that we look at that balance of where Government works potentially with the private sector on what could be a whole host of different propositions. As I say, the fact that we understand the need to move quickly on this is why that review has been commissioned. Whatever the project, you cannot continue to move forward in an aimless way. This started from a point where there was a real belief in a particular project. Time has moved on. We need to make sure that, in 2026, we understand what the best project is now for that site.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member again points to that original concept around rail. A lot has happened in rail since those times, not least the changes in direction around HS2 and so on. We need to understand where we are now, rather than where we were. We need to understand the significance of decisions that have been made to date. The Member will want to ensure that what we achieve there is something that is of value to the locality, to the constituency that she and others represent, and to the Welsh economy. And those are the principles that will be guiding my Cabinet Minister for enterprise as he now works with the review and looks forward to seeing the results of that review pretty soon.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n meddwl fy mod i wedi bod mor agored ag y gallaf ynglŷn â'r dewis rydyn ni'n gorfod ei wneud fel Llywodraeth rŵan. A'r dewis hwnnw ydy asesu beth ydy'r defnydd gorau ar gyfer, ie, arian cyhoeddus, ond hefyd y modd gorau o ddenu arian preifat i mewn. A'r broblem efo'r cynllun rheilffordd, fel ag y mae o, ydy ei fod o wedi methu—wedi methu—â denu arian preifat i mewn. Dyna pam yr ydym ni yn y sefyllfa yr ydym ni ynddi heddiw. Mae'r Aelod yn iawn, Lywydd, i ddweud mai beth sydd angen ydy ystyried potensial y safle. Gallaf i ddwyn cymhariaeth efo safle Alwminiwm Môn yn fy etholaeth i. Pan ddaeth y gwaith hwnnw i ben, beth oedd gennym ni oedd safle. A beth sydd angen ei wneud mewn sefyllfa fel yna ydy meddwl 'Ocê, beth ydy'r defnydd gorau ar gyfer y safle hwnnw?', a pheidio bod yn rhy briod i un elfen bosib. Ac ydy, wrth gwrs bod yr opsiwn rheilffyrdd yn dal ar y bwrdd. Beth rydyn ni'n mynd i wneud ydy edrych ar y sefyllfa lle rydym ni rŵan a gwneud y penderfyniadau gorau ar gyfer pobl yr ardal yna a dyfodol economi Cymru.
Official English translation
I think that I've been as open as I can be about the choice that we have to make as a Government now. And that choice is to assess what the best use is for, yes, public money but also the best way of attracting private investment in. And the problem with the railway plan as it is is that it has failed. It has failed to attract private investment and that's why we're in the situation that we're in today. The Member is correct, Llywydd, to say that what is needed is to consider the potential of the site. I could compare this with the Anglesey Aluminium site. When the work there came to an end, what we had there was a site. And what needs to be done in that kind of situation is to think, 'Right, what's the best use for this site?', and not being too tied to one possible element. And, of course, the railway option is still on the table, but what we are going to do is to look at where we are now and to make the best decisions for the people of that area and the future of Wales's economy.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Improving health outcomes, ensuring timely access to care, supporting sustainable NHS services for communities across Ceredigion Penfro are clearly major priorities for this new Government. As part of our vision to strengthen healthcare in rural and coastal areas in particular, we will engage closely with the local health board and partners to ensure high-quality, patient-centred services that genuinely do meet the needs of local people. We want to make sure they're delivered now and into the future.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, the Member is absolutely right that we want to protect essential services, and most of us at one time or another have been involved in various campaigns around particular services in different places. I think the principles that we need to bear in mind always are that we provide timely services in the appropriate location. There will be different stories in different parts of Wales, but those are the principles that tie us together. Decisions on clinical services are taken by the health boards themselves. I know that the health board in this particular instance has looked at eight out of nine of the services that it provides and consulted on them, and put in place changes that it believes would provide better services to be delivered over the best part of a decade. These aren't overnight changes. And it's important to remember that these are changes that can take time. But my appeal always is for health boards, when they make those changes, when they consult, and afterwards, to ensure that people feel that they are engaged properly on those decisions. But there will be, clearly, different applications of different services in different parts of Wales. It's about getting that balance of appropriate services that will always put the patient first.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I will accept that there is a healthcare link there, Llywydd, and I'm being very, very generous. We know that a healthy home, a healthy environment, is important for people's health, so the Member is absolutely right in that respect. On oil heating in particular, of course, these are measures that are reserved. We have consistently appealed to the UK Government to make the right decisions when it comes to the options that it has at its disposal, but that we haven't as a Welsh Government, to relieve the pressure on households in rural Wales in particular that are particularly dependent on off-grid oil. It is a principle that ties this Government together, that we think cross-departmentally, and the Member is right: we need to think housing, we need to think energy, we need to think health when it comes to the well-being of the people that we represent.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Many of us represent rural areas here, and the health of somebody in a rural part of Wales is as important as somebody in an urban part of Wales. We need to make sure that we have equitable healthcare, but it does mean that a different approach is needed. I'm really interested in the work that is developing—already has begun—into creating a centre of excellence on the delivery of rural healthcare in Bronglais Hospital, which could benefit all parts of Wales, not just Ceredigion Penfro. The programme for government commitment is clear. We want to ensure that integrated care is delivered closer to home, with prevention in particular at its core, to support earlier diagnosis, reduce admissions and delays in discharge. We have many ideas on how, in general, the delivery can be improved in rural areas, but health officials, I know, are engaging with the health board and Pembrokeshire County Council specifically on the development of that integrated centre in Fishguard.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the new leader of Reform in Wales on her election to the role. She is certainly a bold politician. Anybody who says she came into politics because she was impressed by the principles of Nigel Farage certainly has to be seen as bold. There is nothing that is more important to any of us, hopefully, than safeguarding people that we have a duty of care for. That is why my Government at this moment is working on strengthening safeguarding and how it protects vulnerable people, including women and girls, potentially trafficked people, in all parts of Wales. That is something my Government is actively getting on with.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I can look you in the eye every single day of the week and tell you that we have a Government that isn't interested in scoring political points about what is a very, very sensitive issue, and is interested in getting on with finding solutions. Now, we said that we needed to understand the scale of the problem in Wales. Work was done to understand the scale of the problem in Wales, and it is apparent, obviously, that we have issues here that we need to get to grips with in order to safeguard people, which is why my Government is giving all support to the inquiry that is currently looking at the lessons that can be learnt. She may want to make this a constitutional issue; I make this about the safety of people in Wales, and that is the difference between her and me.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
What I admire is that somebody would have the bravery to stand up to this Reform group in the Senedd and say, 'I now can see you for what you are.' That is precisely what Sarah Cooper-Lesadd did last week. I firmly believe that, in politics, it is up to all of us to show that we are able to change, that we are able to see the light, politically, if you like, and so many other people are doing the same. We have now a scandal-ridden Reform party that is collapsing in chaos around the new Reform leader in Wales. The Member said yesterday that she is all for unity and continuity, but her party is incapable of showing either. Perhaps she can tell us how much of the £72 million arising from the latest Reform scandal she hopes will come to Wales. Maybe she hopes it will be Barnettised.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Let me, firstly, associate myself very much with the comments as we remember the Gresford disaster, and we send our thoughts to the community, for whom the pain of that day is still felt in many ways. On additional learning needs, I remind the Labour leader that he was intending to spend £9 million, had they won the election. My party's manifesto made it a pledge to put ALN on a sustainable footing. We had a discussion, running up to the supplementary budget, where we were putting £100 million plus on the table, including £40 million for this year—for this year—which is what we gauged, working with officials and others, could actually be spent to take the pressure. That money is still on the table, and I appeal to the Member again: help us to get it out of the door to help those families and the schools and local authorities who need that money spent.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I ask the Member to look again at when they were promising £9 million, and it was very much after that money was made available. And there are principles here about the ability for us to set directions here in Wales. I am familiar with Clwb Cwtsh. I don't know why the previous Labour administration didn't put its funding on a permanent basis. The Member might be able to shed some light on that. I do understand also that it fills an ALN gap. The Member is asking for £30,000 for that; I have £40 million on the table that I have sought, and continue to seek, agreement with the Member on. That money includes money that would directly go to Flintshire council, so I'm imagining that the leader of Flintshire council would be keen for the Labour leader here to help us get that money out of the door.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I understand that the leader of the Conservatives wants to replicate policy in England. I'm interested in what works for Wales and it's about what works for council tax payers, Llywydd, and it's what works within the bounds of the finances of Welsh Government. And I remind the Senedd that we will be facing a real-terms cut in the day-to-day spending that we have available in the next financial year. Council tax is set, of course, by local authorities and it's important that it is. I would remind the Member that, in a recent budget deal before we came into power, we made sure that there was a baseline for an increase in funding for councils, and a big part of that was to protect council tax payers, which I agree is something that's very, very important indeed.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Let's be positive and concentrate on the things that we agree on. Absolutely, we want to review, and looking at my local government Cabinet Minister, that is something that is happening under this Government, because it's important that people understand and feel that the decisions taken by Wales are equitable. The other element that I agree with him on is that we need fair funding for Wales. We have lived under successive Conservative Governments and now Labour Governments that are still not engaging on that need to get the fundamentals right when it comes to fair funding for Wales. And you can't separate the two. It is an absolute truism that a lack of fair funding at the top will come down in the end to the money in the pockets of people the length and breadth of Wales, including through pressures on council tax. We want to be able to help in many ways that we can. And on the rather glib start, if you're going to say it's a bad week for nats, actually choose a week that is a bad week for this Government. We're about to publish our programme for government, which is about transforming Wales, putting the health service on a firmer footing, raising education standards, halving that productivity gap with the rest of the UK, creating great job opportunities, the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK in dealing with child poverty, and standing up for Wales, always, which is something I'm not hearing from any other party in this Chamber.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I know the Member agrees with me that the evidence is clear: climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather. We are committed to building stronger, more resilient communities across Wales in that changing context. We're working closely with partners, including through the Wales resilience forum and local resilience forums to prepare for winter risks, to strengthen response arrangements and learn from recent extreme weather events. We're also making communities more resilient to flooding through continued investment in infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Thank you for the question. I think the world is largely unprepared for the challenges that we face. The question is how can we accelerate our preparedness. You will see in the programme for government today that climate change isn't seen as a priority in and of itself; it's one of the priorities that binds us all together as Government Ministers, because this has to be addressed across all portfolios. Resilience—I talked about this last week—is an issue that I have tried to focus a great deal on since I came into the role of First Minister, understanding the various elements that contribute to the resilience, or lack of, in some ways, that we have as a society. Wildfires happen to be the one that has grabbed our attention, which is why we need to make sure that we're tightening up those resilience elements around that in the summit on 22 October. But the Member is right; flooding is something that many communities will be concerned about. There are other concerns too—the effects of heat, the effects of cold and so on. It is something that we work across the UK on. I want to ensure (a) that Wales gets its fair share of resilience funding, civil contingency funding, across the UK, and that's something I'm eager to pursue. But the Member has my word that I will absolutely be looking at how we work between Welsh Government and UK Government to get the support that Wales needs to prepare for this wide range of threats that we face in future.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There is, of course, an ongoing programme of works that need to happen, some of them under the auspices of Welsh Government or its agencies, Natural Resources Wales, some that are the responsibility of local authorities. I have no doubt that, as we face the challenges of the winter, there needs to be just a double-checking of the robustness of those measures being put in place. I would say that, as well as making sure that your culverts are able to deal with run-off, there are other questions and innovations that we need to be looking at in how you slow down that run-off. Clearly, hot weather—hard ground—makes the situation more difficult. I'm really interested in how we manage the land, working with farmers to try to limit run-off, and so on. We have to be aware that there are no silver bullets, there are no single measures that can be taken as we face these threats. They are multiple, and the need to be strategic in the way that we approach this is important, which is why the wildfire summit, in particular, looking at that threat, brings in so many different partners who will be able to contribute to making our resilience that much stronger. But I'm sure that your message will have been heard by the local authorities and others today.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I was pleased, along with the Member, to speak with some of the individuals who were affected by the pretty devasting flooding that they experienced in Monmouth. The Member's right that it is about learning lessons. It's not just about cleaning up; that's the first step. It's about trying to make sure that lessons are learnt for those localities in order to avoid and avert flooding, but lessons for elsewhere too, and I know that Monmouthshire County Council is preparing its section 19 flood investigation report following the devastation of storm Claudia, and the flood investigation report is almost complete, I understand, and will be published in October. But, wherever those floods are, the learnings are ones that we can try to make sure that they are applicable in other parts of Wales too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
No attempt to avoid the question. There are, in effect, a number of funds, aren't there, on which a Government can draw to deal with emergencies. What you want to make sure is that those funds themselves are resilient. I absolutely am ready to consider whether we can bring together funds in one place, in the same way as the Government is looking at how we can put preventative health funds under one banner, so that we can measure better what the various elements of those funding capacities are. So, absolutely willing to consider that. At the end of the day, it's making sure that we have the tools to do the job that we need. There's more than one way of doing that, but let's put that in the mix too.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi yn falch iawn bod cynnydd sylweddol a chynnar wedi cael ei wneud ar ddatblygu ein strategaeth fwyd genedlaethol newydd ni. Mae gweithgor arbenigol wedi cael ei ffurfio yn barod, a chylch gorchwyl wedi’i gyhoeddi. Mae yna gynlluniau ar waith hefyd i fwrw ati i gynnal trafodaethau ar unwaith ar fwyd mewn ysgolion, sydd yn bwysig, cynnyrch garddwriaethol bwytadwy, a'r gadwyn gyflenwi cig. Mi fydd yna ddau adroddiad interim yn cael eu cyhoeddi cyn yr adroddiad terfynol erbyn hydref y flwyddyn nesaf.
Official English translation
I am very pleased that significant and early progress has been made on developing our new national food strategy. An expert working group has been formed already, and terms of reference have been published. Plans are also in place to fast-track immediate discussions on food in schools, which is important, and edible horticulture as well, and the meat supply chain. There will be two interim reports that will be published before the final report by autumn next year.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n falch iawn o gael y cwestiwn yna. Mae’n fodd i egluro mymryn am sut mae’r grŵp yn mynd i fod yn gweithredu. Mae pedwar piler i'r gwaith: un ohonyn nhw yr amgylchedd, un ohonyn nhw yr economi a datblygu gwledig, mae yna elfen diogelwch bwyd, a'r elfen arall ydy iechyd a llesiant. Rydym ni'n gallu gweld yn fanna, onid ydyn, lle mae angen gwneud yn siŵr bod grwpiau lleol yn gallu bwydo i mewn i hyn. Mae'r grŵp gweithredu'n cynnwys partneriaeth fwyd leol er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr bod llais sefydliadau cymunedol yn cael ei glywed. Felly, mae o'n rhywbeth roedden ni'n benderfynol o adeiladu i mewn i'r gwaith yma o'r dechrau, am rai o'r rhesymau roedd yr Aelod yn cyfeirio atyn nhw.
Official English translation
I'm very pleased to have that question. It gives me a chance to explain a little bit about how the group is going to be operating. There are four pillars to that piece of work: one of them is the environment, one is the economy and rural development, there is a food security element, and then the other element is health and well-being. We can see there, can't we, where we need to make sure that local groups can feed into this. The working group does include a local food partnership in order to make sure that the voice of community organisations is heard. So, it is something that we were determined to build into this piece of work from the beginning, for the reasons that the Member referred to.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I haven't heard anybody accusing this agriculture Minister, this rural resilience Minister, of kicking any can down the road when it comes to supporting the agriculture sector. I heard nothing but a sigh of relief from a sector that believe that they have a Government that's willing to engage with it in a positive way, that security of that over £1 billion over the course of this Senedd in order to give assurances and confidence to the sector. And on where they fit into the food strategy, they are members of the working group that is bringing together this food strategy, and as I said, rural development and the economy, which includes agriculture, is one of the core pillars of this work that we're undertaking.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Can I pay tribute, Llywydd, to the work that the Member has done in this field in trying to bring in a piece of legislation that would underpin a robust food sector and protect issues relating to food production and nutrition and so on in Wales? We haven't lost four months, of course, because this work is already under way. This was one of the early actions of the Minister, to appoint a chair. The work is ongoing. I'm not going to be prescriptive in telling a chair who is much more of an expert in this field than I am of the approach that he should take. You know me: I tend to take the approach of, 'Let's see what the evidence tells us.' If there's a suggestion that legislation could be a part of the approach on one particular element of what we're trying to do, well, let's have a sit down and see how we could formulate that legislation. But it's also true, we know, that you can act without legislation. I'm about outcomes, at the end of the day: let's progress in the way that gives us the best result.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Supporting people with the cost of living, as we know, is a real priority for this Government. We're ensuring that measures to tackle poverty reflect older people's needs and make support for older people simpler, fairer and also more accessible. Through our £4.84 million tackling poverty support fund, local authorities will provide crisis support, including emergency food aid, alongside preventative help also tailored to local communities, to stop people, including older people, from falling into poverty where we can avoid that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is quite right. I have the results here of Age Cymru's 2026 annual survey, and more than half of respondents identified cost-of-living pressures as being the biggest challenge that they face—and for some, it will be a significant challenge. There are things that we can do. The nearly £5 million that was announced in the past few days can really help people who are particularly vulnerable. There are a host of issues around travel and the continuation of bus travel and so on that we can wrap together as support for older people. But also we have to, when it comes to the main pressures, recognise that there is a need for all of us to put pressure on the UK Government here, especially on fuel. We've had a question already on the pressure of the cost of fuel in rural areas in particular. There has to be a coming together of all the potential levers—some of which are in our hands, but not all of them. And, at the end of the day, we also need a fresh approach on the question of public service funding because it is the most vulnerable people, including older people, who bear the brunt of it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We all have worked with Citizens Advice, with CAB, haven't we, and appreciate the work that they do on the ground in all parts of Wales in helping vulnerable people? I advise people to turn to your friends in CAB. Part of the funding that was announced in the past few days was specifically around advice; I think that's important to note. There is £36 million grant funding in place for the single advice fund for the period from April last year and for three years from then. That's about providing integrated advice services. I would hope that those providing services under that grant are able to reach as many people as they can. But the Member's right: reaching out with advice to people is key. We've made some funding available now and we are so lucky in Wales that we have those partners, and in local government too, who work so hard on this front.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
In line with the polluter-pays principle, those responsible for illegal activity should bear the costs of the clean-up. That's true for illegal dumping today, as it should be for historic contamination, if I could add, too. We are committed, as a Government, to reducing the burden of illegal dumping on taxpayers and on landowners, and landfill disposals tax ensures that those responsible for unauthorised disposals pay 150 per cent of the standard tax rate.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is an issue that blights many communities and, as I say, communities should not have to bear the consequences of waste crime, and neither should the taxpayer, and we're committed to supporting regulators to pursue those who are responsible: funding Natural Resources Wales's waste crime work is important; supporting multi-agency work to tackle organised criminality, because this is criminality; sharing intelligence where we can; and co-ordinating enforcement action. This is also an issue on which we are eager to work with UK Government and, indeed, Governments across the UK. The Welsh Revenue Authority wants to build those links with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs and so on, to strengthen the system, to close loopholes and ensure waste crime does not pay. Of course, when it comes to historic contamination, something that has received significant publicity recently, we have to make sure that every avenue is pursued to deal with this, as one of our lasting post-industrial legacies.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
My Government's determined to improve the health of our rivers. We're funding the west Wales nutrient management boards, which deliver targeted action across the Tywi, Teifi and Cleddau catchments. We're also establishing a new nutrient efficiency and resilience group to strengthen national leadership on nutrient pollution and co-ordinate action across sectors. Together, we believe these measures will support river restoration, improve water quality and build long-term environmental resilience.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is work that is under way, and it's very important that it is. We know that river pollution, sea pollution, is something that is of real concern to people the length and breadth of Wales, and it certainly is to me. The vision for a reformed Welsh water sector will be published later this autumn, so we're nearing that point where we have a point to move forward from. We know that river pollution has multiple causes. It requires action across all sectors. It involves industry, it involves agriculture, it involves the water companies themselves. It's about making sure that we have good, solid regulation, made in Wales—that's what I want. It's by having that attitude that we can move forward to having cleaner rivers in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is investing £145 million to help health boards reduce waiting times and improve access to treatment. This supports delivery of our planned care plan, which sets out a clinically led approach to eliminating the longest waits, increasing capacity and improving outcomes. An expert group is also advising on the development of up to 10 surgical and diagnostic hubs to provide faster, more efficient care for patients, including those in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
That's exactly what I've said throughout. This is an issue of seriousness that means we put it at No.1 on the list of our priorities coming into Government. It was somewhat missing in Reform's pledges for Government, were they to be in this position. I have said about the most extreme over-two-year waits that they have to go. They have to be eliminated. I said they'll go in months. That goes, a year from coming into Government they are gone. That's months. Well, months is not more than a year. So, a year after we come into Government, I expect them to have gone. I stick to what I have said throughout, okay? I consider us right now to be beginning the work. We came into Government in May. We've had two months of figures. It's during that time that we have started putting money in that will, in months, bring us the benefits, not for us as Senedd Members, but for the people that we serve: people who are on long waiting lists who shouldn't be, staff across the health boards who want to be able to care and not have to have those that they're concerned about waiting two years or more. We stick to what we said. I've said it throughout. I say it again today.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our productivity mission, as a Government, is about unlocking the talents of the whole workforce, and ensuring economic opportunity is everywhere and open to everyone. We aim to work with employers, education and training providers, and others, to ensure women can enter and progress in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital technology where, of course, many women are already having a huge impact.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It absolutely is about partnership working, and we will continue absolutely to work with employers, local authorities, training providers and others to make sure that those opportunities are there for women in these sectors. We want more women to access apprenticeships, to develop higher level skills and progress into well-paid careers that many women thought were closed to them not that long ago. Well, they are not closed to any women, and through apprenticeships, Careers Wales, Working Wales, we're helping women in communities like Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni to identify those opportunities and ambition to increase female participation in advanced manufacturing, digital and clean energy. That's the kind of Wales we want, where opportunity genuinely is open to all. There have been some positive signs, but we've got more to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is working closely with the Standards of Conduct Committee and the Business Committee to ensure that Members whose conduct falls far below that which is expected of elected representatives can be robustly held to account.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is a sour grapes question, Llywydd, I believe. I think it references a decision taken by a Member of this Senedd who has seen a new approach to politics. This is a party that misled people in the Brexit vote. It knows all about misleading people. I and my Government stand by the determination to make sure that we have in Wales an honest politics, the kind that seems alien to many on his benches.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
In May, the people of Wales said clearly that they wanted a new level of ambition for our nation. Acting on the mandate to set our sights higher than previous Governments have done and forge a more hopeful future for Wales, I am today proud to publish our programme for government. 'New Ambition for Wales' builds on the foundations established during the Government’s first 100 days and sets out how we will deliver the priorities identified in our manifesto over the Senedd term. This programme is built around the issues that matter most to people’s everyday lives: the sustainability of the health and care service; the cost of living; high-skilled, well-paid jobs; driving up standards in education; tackling child poverty and opening doors for young people; and standing up for Wales at every turn.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Am gyfnod rhy hir, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cael ei mesur yn ôl nifer y camau gweithredu, nid y canlyniadau. Mae hynny'n newid rŵan. O hyn ymlaen, mi fydd gan bob cam gweithredu bwrpas clir, sef gwella bywydau pobl. Mi fydd blaenoriaethu yn ganolog i'n dull gweithredu. Mae llywodraeth effeithiol yn golygu canolbwyntio ein hymdrechion a'n hadnoddau ar y meysydd lle gallan nhw wneud y gwahaniaeth mwyaf, bod yn glir ynghylch y canlyniadau rydyn ni am eu sicrhau, a bod yn atebol am eu cyflawni nhw. Mi ddylai hynny fod yn wir bob amser, ond mae'n bwysicach nag erioed ar adeg pan fo adnoddau'n brin.
Official English translation
For too long, the Welsh Government has been measured on the number of actions it takes and not the outcomes it delivers. That changes now. From now on, every action will have a clear purpose, namely to improve people’s lives. Prioritisation will be central to our approach. Effective government means focusing our efforts and resources on the areas where they can have the greatest impact, being clear about the outcomes that we want to achieve and being accountable for delivering them. That must always be the case, but it’s especially true at a time like this when resource is limited.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Dirprwy Lywydd, for too long, silo working has stood in the way of progress. This new Government will work across traditional boundaries to address the greatest challenges facing our society. That is why prevention, productivity, the climate and nature emergency and the Welsh Language—Cymraeg—are embedded throughout every aspect of our programme. They are not separate priorities, they underpin every aspect of how we will deliver change and improve outcomes across Wales. They will shape the work of every Minister and every part of Government.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Yn ei hanfod, nod y rhaglen yma ydy creu dyfodol gwell i Gymru. Gan ddilyn egwyddorion Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015, rydym ni wedi dod â'n hamcanion llesiant a'n rhaglen lywodraethu ynghyd mewn un fframwaith—fframwaith sy'n nodi'r dyfodol rydyn ni am ei greu a'r camau fyddwn ni'n eu cymryd i gyflawni hynny. Felly, beth mae hyn yn ei olygu'n ymarferol? Mae'n golygu blaenoriaethu'r meysydd lle gallwn ni gael yr effaith fwyaf. Mae gwasanaeth iechyd a gofal sy'n ffit ar gyfer y dyfodol yn rhywbeth y mae pob dinesydd Cymreig ei angen ac yn ei haeddu. Mae hyn nid yn unig yn golygu cymryd camau ar unwaith i leihau'r rhestrau aros sy'n parhau'n annerbyniol o hir, ond hefyd sicrhau bod ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus mwyaf gwerthfawr yn gynaliadwy ac yn wydn ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Official English translation
At its heart, the aim of this programme is building a better future for Wales. Guided by the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, we have brought together our well-being objectives and our programme for government into one single framework—a framework that sets out the future that we want to build and the actions that we will take to deliver it. So, what does this mean in practice? It means prioritising the areas where we can have the greatest impact. A health and care service that is fit for the future is something that every Welsh citizen needs and deserves. This not only means taking immediate action to bring down waiting lists, which remain unacceptably high, but also ensuring that our most precious public service is sustainable and resilient for the future.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
We'll rebalance resources towards the prevention of ill health, better access to services and improved social care. We want a future where preventing ill health is given the same priority as treating illness, where services are designed around people and communities, and where every part of Government works together to improve health and well-being. And as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite and global headwinds threaten further volatility in coming months, my Government will help households make ends meet. At a time when many families are facing significant financial pressures, we will take action to make everyday life more affordable. Central to that effort is our transformative new childcare offer, which will help families with the cost of living, support parents into work and training and make a significant contribution to tackling child poverty. We will also tackle one of the biggest pressures on household budgets by improving access to affordable and secure housing, including through our commitment to deliver at least 20,000 additional social homes by 2030.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Yr wythnos diwethaf, mi wnaeth y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid gyhoeddi gostyngiad o 30 y cant yn yr ardrethi busnes ar gyfer y sectorau hamdden a lletygarwch. Mae'r penderfyniad yma wedi cael ei groesawu yn eang gan y diwydiant, ac mae e'n adlewyrchu ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth hon i roi cymorth ymarferol i bobl ar adegau heriol. Mae hyn, wrth gwrs, yn rhan annatod o'n bwriad i ryddhau potensial economi Cymru a chreu swyddi sgiliau uchel sy'n talu'n dda.
Official English translation
Last week, my colleague the Cabinet Minister for Finance announced a 30 per cent cut to business rates for the leisure and hospitality sectors. This decision was widely welcomed by the industry, and it reflects this Government's determination to give people practical support in challenging times. This, of course, is inherently linked to our aim to unleash the potential of Wales's economy and to create high-skilled jobs that pay well.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Our ambition for Wales rests on a flourishing economy that fuels our public services, creates fulfilling and rewarding jobs, and provides the foundation for a stronger future. Through our productivity mission, we'll work to halve the productivity gap with the rest of the UK within 10 years. We'll also establish a new national development agency to help Welsh businesses to grow, innovate and create good jobs. Every part of the Government has a role to play in growing the Welsh economy. Dirprwy Lywydd, every child and young person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential and succeed in the future. But they've been failed by previous administrations whose lack of ambition has left Wales languishing at the bottom of league tables.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Dyna pam mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg eisoes wedi cyhoeddi cynllun llythrennedd a rhifedd newydd ac wedi gosod disgwyliadau cenedlaethol clir i godi safonau a helpu pob dysgwr i lwyddo.
Official English translation
That is why the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language has already published a new literacy and numeracy plan and has set clear national expectations to raise standards and help every learner to succeed.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
We cannot and will not accept that this is as good as it gets for our education system. We owe it to the next generation to match their hopes and aspirations for the future with a new level of ambition never before determined by any Welsh Government. That commitment to improving the lives of our young people is just as relevant to their formative years. Years of flawed strategies and unfocused spending by previous administrations, compounded by destructive austerity policies pursued by Westminster, have left child poverty levels stubbornly high. Getting to grips with this is both a moral imperative and a defining mission of this Government.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Ni ddylai incwm teulu nac amgylchiadau geni plentyn byth bennu ei ddyfodol. Mae Cymru lle y gall pob plentyn ffynnu yn Gymru lle mae cyfleodd ar gael i bawb, a lle mae pob cymuned yn gryfach. Dyna pam, drwy'r rhaglen hon, y byddwn ni'n gweithredu ar draws y Llywodraeth i dorri'r cylch tlodi a chreu cyfleoedd i bob plentyn yng Nghymru.
Official English translation
Neither family income nor the circumstances of a child's birth should ever determine their future. A Wales where every child can thrive is a Wales where opportunities are available for all, and where every community is stronger. That's why, through this programme, we will act across Government to break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for every child in Wales.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Finally, my Government will be unwavering and unapologetic in standing up for Wales and demanding fairness from Westminster at every turn.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Rydym ni'n credu yn ein cenedl, ac mi fyddwn ni'n cymryd pob cam posibl i ddatgloi ei photensial ac i adeiladu Cymru decach, gryfach a mwy gwydn. Mi fyddwn ni'n parhau i gyflwyno'r achos i Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig dros y cyllid, y buddsoddiad a'r pwerau sydd eu hangen ar Gymru i ffynnu. Yn hynny o beth, dwi'n edrych ymlaen at gyfarfod â'r Prif Weinidog yng nghyfarfod y Cyngor Economaidd Cenedlaethol fis nesaf.
Official English translation
We believe in our nation, and we will take every step possible to unlock its potential and build a stronger, fairer and more resilient Wales. We will continue to make the case to the UK Government for the funding, the investment and the powers that Wales needs to thrive. As such, I look forward to meeting with the Prime Minister at the National Economic Council next month.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Underpinning all of this is our determination to deliver through better Government. Better Government means focusing on what matters most, working across traditional boundaries and ensuring that our efforts make a real difference. We're also committed to being open and transparent about our progress. We will strengthen our use of evidence and data, learning always from what works. Dirprwy Lywydd, after years of missed opportunities and stagnation, we are getting Wales moving.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Drwy ganolbwyntio ar yr hyn sydd bwysicaf i bobl Cymru, gweithio efo'n gilydd a chymryd agwedd hirdymor, mi allwn ni adeiladu cenedl fwy hyderus sy'n barod i wireddu ei photensial enfawr a rhoi gobaith i bobl ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Official English translation
By focusing on what matters most to the people of Wales, working together and taking a long-term approach, we can build a more confident nation that is ready to fulfil its wealth of untapped potential and give people hope for the future.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y sylwadau.
Official English translation
Thank you for those comments.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
I'm grateful to the leader of Reform for agreeing that we are getting our priorities right in this programme for government and pledging to work in a co-operative way to help us deliver. That's exactly how I think we should operate here. The Member is quite right that we need a Government that is willing and wants to be held to account. Scrutiny is important. That is why we have already published the first iteration of our digital dashboard. It will develop, it will grow, enabling you, and the Welsh public, to see how we are performing against a range of targets. Yes, and of course we have elements of targets throughout our programme for government. There are some things that we have done already. We don't need a target to say that we will deliver that £1 billion that shows Welsh agriculture that this is a Government that believes in them and wants to support them. These are actions already taken. We don't need to set a target for how much funding we think needs to go into the health service. We've already taken those actions. But the Member is quite right, so let's have a look at a number of the really key targets. We couldn't be clearer about what the childcare offer means. We have already been able to get to a point where the outcome at the end of this financial year is the roll-out of 12.5 hours of funded childcare for every two-year-old in every part of Wales. That's something the previous administration singularly failed to do. They got up to three. We're getting up to 22. On education, interestingly, the work that we need to do—you have a background in education—is find a baseline from which we then are able to build. There will be targets around elements such as the Programme for International Student Assessment, which is only one measure, but we absolutely are putting those baselines in place so that we can build exactly that framework around which schools and parents and pupils know what they're aiming for. There's a question about productivity. What are our targets on productivity? The Cabinet Minister for enterprise has literally published the first proper target for economic growth in Wales for a quarter of a century. It’s pretty ambitious, but I know that we have got the means to get there. It is, as it happens, not within the life of this Senedd, because we have to think long term about the economy. This is halving the productivity gap with the rest of the UK within 10 years. Now, that is a significant target, and throughout the term of this Senedd and beyond, as a nation, we need to be working towards those kinds of ambitious targets. So, the targets are there. The differences that the Member emphasised are ones that are clear for everybody to see: that Reform do not believe in Wales as a nation, that we are a nation that builds our own future. That is my belief. I believed in devolution in 1997, when we had the chance to vote. I believed in strengthening it when we had the referendum in 2011. I believe we need to strengthen it further. What we have from the leader of Reform is a blanket ‘no’: ‘We do not want Wales to have the tools. We do not want Wales to be able to succeed by having the powers or the finances in order to build a better future for Wales.’ That is fine, that is a fundamental difference between us. I'll be the one here standing up for Wales. She can do as she pleases.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
I thank the Labour leader for beginning his contribution in a positive way. Governing is hard, as he knows. There has never been a majority in the history of devolution, and we recognise that we need to work across this Chamber in many ways, including through the development of legislation, which he suggested he wants to work with us on. Unpicking a bit more some of the points that were raised there—on the NHS, it was and is priority No. 1. This is a Government that has already made choices, including on a budget deal with the last Labour Government, to ensure that we have the resources to make sure that we build a more sustainable future for the NHS. We begin now from the point of the legacy that we inherited from the last Labour Government. Data is just coming through now from the time of the election and the weeks following that, and, yes, it confirms how dire the situation is that we are trying to resolve. But through the measures outlined in this programme for government, building towards the introduction of up to 10 hubs, a change in emphasis in terms of the work patterns of doctors—this is clinically led, remember, to free up time, to get more people through the system—the injection of £150 million, some of it clinical, some of it on the actual buildings themselves, which will be the home of a sustainable NHS for the future, we stand firm by the pledges that we have made and in making this a priority. On this element of somehow north Wales not being mentioned in this programme for government, I come from even further north than he does, and this is a Government—and I have made it clear—that isn't about the tokenism of having a north Wales Minister; every single Minister in this Government is a north Wales Minister and a south Wales Minister and a west Wales Minister, because we believe in bringing Wales together and building a brighter future for people, wherever they are. And to attack the first north Wales First Minister for somehow not caring about the north isn't something that people are going to even believe makes sense, frankly. I come back to additional learning needs and remind the Member again that he had £9 million that Labour were going to put into something that we consider to be very important; we're glad that he does too. We had £100 million on the table; we have £40 million that we can spend this year. That is what this party put on the table, seriously, in a way that isn't just money but is money that can be spent—money that can be spent to make a real difference to councils, to schools, to parents, to children. The offer is still very much available. This has to be about more than politics. And I will end, if I may, on this attack, which I've heard mentioned and read about it in the paper—and I was thinking, 'Surely, he's not going to make this accusation here in the Senedd Chamber'—that the childcare offer is something that he objects to in its universality. So, suddenly, the Labour Party objects to the universality that provides bus passes for pensioners, so we can assume that Labour wants to take away bus passes for pensioners, we can assume that they're against the universality of free prescriptions. Can we start thinking that also they want the universality of the NHS, even, to be taken away from people? Is he happy to create a two-tier system where rich people are to be supported to go off into private healthcare, or does he, like me, believe that the more we can build together—yes, including that principle of universality—binds us together as a nation and gives us solutions for the long term that address the needs of people in all parts of Wales from all backgrounds? We have here a programme for government that is about transforming Wales, and I guess the point to make on governing being difficult is that government is difficult, especially when you inherit a broad range of issues that don't put us off, that don't make us diminish our ambitions, but make us work harder to deliver them for the people of Wales.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Again, the common ground that we have, and I also take a real positive from the fact that we have three party leaders now who say that they want to work positively and constructively. It won't be on everything—there are differences between us, we know that—but there's that positive sense here that there are elements of the work that we do in this place, from legislation to budgets and all sorts of other things, where we need to work together. I must say that the accusation that somehow this is a rehash of our manifesto, that you have a manifesto, you stand in an election, you get elected, you have a mandate, and somehow then you tear up the manifesto and start again—. That's not how it works. That's not how it works. If this feels like our manifesto, as in if this feels like that it reflects what we promised the people of Wales that we would do, with the priorities on health and education and job creation and childcare and child poverty and standing up for Wales, it's doing its job, so thank you very much for confirming that, Darren. You also criticise—. I get it; scrutiny includes criticism. I honestly say, on health, we face an uphill struggle because we inherit some serious issues, not all of which are the fault of the last Government, but that is what we inherited. On PISA, don't criticise us on PISA scores. Those PISA tests were taken in 2025, before we came into power. But it does, of course, reflect again the scale of the challenge that we face. The Member focuses, in particular, on health, and, yes, it is something that is important to me, but it's important to all of us here, I think, getting the NHS right. The Member's party has often made the case that we should declare a crisis. I do certainly believe that there's a crisis in many parts of the NHS. I'm not convinced that a declaration of crisis in that kind of way is particularly useful. There are suggestions there that we should have more about beds here. I have made the case for making sure that we maximise the capacity of our health system in the past, but it's not quite that simple either. Our surgical hubs—most of the people that will go through surgical hubs will be going home the same day. Also, in my local district general hospital, it's not a lack of beds; it's the lack of throughput and the number of people. It's the same wherever we are. The numbers of people who are medically fit for discharge and who are still in our hospitals, those are the issues. Should we have an ambition to absolutely grow where we can, including bed capacity, with the staff to go with them? Yes, absolutely. But we're also working within constraints. Remember that the plans that we have put in place and that are reflected in this document are clinically led, and they're not telling us what we need is more beds—they're saying we need a number of steps to be taken. But I'm not dismissing the point that the Member is making. On the shift of resource towards primary—and I include preventative, I guess, in that, though preventative is a little bit different too—the Member's right that you have to be careful. We're not suggesting going in one leap. We're talking about 0.5 percentage point per year of an increase. But it happens in a slow and sustainable way because you don't want a detrimental impact on secondary care, which, in many ways, is the expensive end of the health service. And getting those waiting lists down, the higher waiting times in particular, takes then the pressure, hopefully, off secondary care, which helps then that transition to primary care. The leader of the Conservative group says that there's a lot of ambition in this document that we share. That's good. So, let's work on those areas. The same invitation goes to Members in other parties. This is about ambition, as it says, but, at the end of the day, we're going to be measured on whether we are able to realise, if not 100 per cent, the thrust of what we say we're going to try to achieve on behalf of the people of Wales here.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y sylwadau ac am y cwestiwn yna. Ydy, mae hwn yn un o'n prif flaenoriaethau ni. Dydy safonau ein hysgolion ni ddim lle, dwi'n meddwl, rydyn ni i gyd yn fan hyn yn cytuno y dylen nhw fod. Mae'r fframwaith llythrennedd a rhifedd, dwi'n meddwl, yn mynd i droi allan i fod yn rhywbeth gwerthfawr iawn o ran cymryd golwg o'r newydd ar sut rydyn ni'n mynd ati i gryfhau'r sgiliau sylfaenol yna. Ond mae'r Aelod, Ddirprwy Lywydd, yn cyfeirio at fwy na dim ond beth sy'n cael ei ddysgu yn y gwersi; mae o'n ymwneud â'r gefnogaeth sydd yn cael ei rhoi i staff. Rydyn ni'n gwybod bod materion fel canrannau mynychu ysgolion ac ymddygiad mewn ysgolion i gyd yn rhan o'r ffactorau sydd yn creu pwysau ar athrawon. Mae'r materion yna wedi'u clymu'n agos iawn â'i gilydd, ac yn aml iawn wedi clymu i mewn i dlodi a chefndiroedd difreintiedig ac ati. Ond beth rydyn ni'n bwriadu ei wneud ydy dod â'r gwahanol asiantaethau at ei gilydd, yn ysgolion, yn iechyd a gofal, yn wasanaethau ieuenctid ac ati, mewn fframwaith sydd wedi clymu at ei gilydd yn agos er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r problemau yma mewn ffordd gyflawn, sy'n rhywbeth, o bosib, sydd wedi bod ar goll yn y gorffennol.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for those comments and for that question. Yes, this is one of our key priorities. Standards in our schools aren't where, I think, all of us in this place can agree that they should be. The new literacy and numeracy framework, I think, will turn out to be something very valuable in taking a new view as to how we strengthen those fundamental skills. But the Member, Dirprwy Lywydd, refers to more than just what is taught in the classroom; it is about the support provided to staff too. We know that issues such as school attendance percentages and behaviour in schools are all part of the factors that create pressures on teaching staff. Those issues are very interconnected, and are often tied in to poverty and disadvantaged backgrounds and so on. But what we intend to do is to bring different agencies together—the schools, health and care services, youth services and so on—in a framework that's properly integrated in order to tackle these problems in a holistic manner, which is something that has, perhaps, been missing in the past.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Well, nothing's changed. I believe in Wales being able to pursue its future as a normal country. I believe in independence for Wales. I think everybody knows that. Our manifesto stated clearly that we believe that the shape of our constitutional future should be in the hands of the people of Wales. I mean, I think that's a fundamental right, and that is precisely what we're saying, in that we should be the ones, as a Senedd, calling it, as the people of Wales, asking for it, who are able to set the timetable for this. Yes, I did say that the last election wasn't about independence, and I think I have had lots of opportunities to explain what I meant by that. There's no referendum being pushed for by this Government now, but we absolutely believe that the people of Wales should be allowed to decide. I will use the influence that I have, hopefully, as Wales's leader, to try to persuade people to think about the challenges, the opportunities and what we might be able to do in future that we aren't able to do now. These paths are challenging and full of opportunity at the same time. The Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales isn't an independence commission. It is about, 'How do we arm ourselves to make us, as a nation, fit for the future?' Now, Reform, we know—we've heard it again today from your leader, and again, you're being honest about this—don't believe in giving us any more powers. You think we should settle as we are. You think that we should, at best, put what we have in aspic and just hope that somehow, through our actions as Governments, that we can make things better. I just don't see it in that way. I think, where there are things that all the evidence points to it making sense for us to have control over—policing, where we pay for most of it directly in Wales now, but have no accountability for it; justice, so that we can serve people better in constituencies all across Wales; so that we can make decisions about our natural resources—I just think that's common sense. What the commission does is provide us a platform through which you can say you don't want it to happen, and I can say, and others, 'Do you know what? We should look at this and see how we can deliver this.'
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
To be open here, I was listening to the Trefnydd giving what the Member called a 'contemptuous' answer. What the Trefnydd said earlier was that she believed there was poverty in all parts of Wales that needed addressing. And I absolutely get—I absolutely get—the fact that the Member is standing up for the people of his constituency, as I would expect him to, but we have to, as a Government, recognise that we have urban poverty that we desperately need to get to grips with and we have rural poverty that we desperately need to get to grips with. In some instances, they're the same answers; in some instances, they're different answers. So, there's no contempt whatsoever there. There's a specific question on Flying Start, and I have heard Labour Members raise questions about the future of Flying Start. We're somehow being accused of wanting to take money away from fighting child poverty when this is the party that has been criticised by his too often for wanting to spend too much on tackling child poverty through the childcare offer. This phase of the childcare offer is literally being delivered through Flying Start. This is building on what Flying Start has done. More families living in poverty, incidentally, are not in Flying Start areas than the ones that are in Flying Start areas. Both are really, really important. We want to help them all. I hope that's clear enough.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
I'm grateful for the question and the sentiment, and I couldn't agree more. It was very humbling, back in May, to see different communities in their geographical location, in their diversity, turning to Plaid Cymru and putting their trust in us, and we have to repay that trust. That's what it's all about. On social justice, I say, 'Hear, hear.' I hope that speaking loud and clear from this programme for government is the sense that this is about equity, it is about fairness, it is about equal opportunity, it is about social justice. We don't want the national development agency to be there to make Wales rich for its own sake. We want it there to make us prosper in every sense, where everybody feels a part of a flourishing nation that I know we can be. The measures on education are very much geared to making sure that education opportunities are there for everybody. The attack on universality that we had earlier today, our belief in universality and making sure that we bring all parents in to the support that can be given through childcare, whilst, at the same time, emphasising the need to tackle child poverty through the Cynnal payment, I think all of that reflects something that I'm very proud to stand by. We will be measured by the way that we adhere throughout to those values of ours and, yes, building a united, peaceful Wales that rejects division is something that means an awful lot to, I know, the benches that I sit on, but hopefully all of us here too.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
I've heard a lot of this plan-for-a-plan business. Government works out solutions to the problems we face as a nation. That's what Government does. We have a manifesto that sets out things we have decided, and it's clear what we need to do because the evidence is there. There are things that we have done already. The rolling out of childcare has begun. It's not something that's going to happen in the future, it is happening already. The introduction of free school meals has already begun, and there has always been a phased approach to that. Our measures on health aren't being planned, they are being implemented right now. But at the same time, you use the tools at your disposal: you use the civil service, you use civic society in Wales. We come here in committees in the Senedd and recommendations will be made by the committees that you sit on for Government to do things that we haven't thought of doing yet. That is how it works. We always seek solutions to the problems that Wales has. If you thought fighting an election, 'There we are, we've done the thinking; let's just settle down and do it', that's not how it works. On Cynnal, it's a really good example. We know what we're trying to do with Cynnal. There are practical difficulties with implementing it because we don't have the powers. Again, a good example of why we need the tools at our disposal. But we think we've found a way of doing it: we're going to pilot it. The working group has already met four times. It's not something that we're planning how we're going to address this. It is happening, guided by my Deputy First Minister. I'm not going to apologise for thinking out carefully how we make decisions that will improve the lives of people in Wales.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' en
Diolch yn fawr. I remind the Member that she voted against a supplementary budget that was proposing to roll out matters like childcare that were really important to her. On child poverty targets, this has been a major issue in that we had 27 years of Labour-led Governments that did have targets initially, then they withdrew them. We will bring targets. We are developing a strategy. One of the reasons that we have called for a strategy is that the sector—people working in this area—wants targets. I'd rather work out what targets are meaningful rather than pluck one from the air. The work is being done on that now. In early summer 2027, we will have that strategy, which must include targets. We need to know what we're aiming for. On independence, I compare the situation in Wales to Ireland, where the Good Friday agreement specifically says that a referendum will be called—. I'm not interfering with what happens in Ireland; they can do what they want to do. But it specifically says when public opinion is clear that there is support for it, then you ask the question. In fact, the UK Prime Minister suggested in the House of Commons last week that the same should apply to Scotland too. It's opinion polling. It's sensing the view of the population. I want to influence people in a positive way, and you too, to engage positively with the possibilities that come from pursuing a particular kind of constitutional change. But remember, we work with what we have now. We have real ambition for our nation. I want us to embrace all the possibilities of being a normal nation, but we're a Government that works right now with the powers that we have now, looking at the powers that we could have next, and next and next, because it's all about building a nation, which is something that all of us should be interested in.
4. Statement by the First Minister: 'New Ambition for Wales: Programme for Government 2026-2030' cy
Mae'n gwestiwn pwysig ac yn gyfle i egluro beth ydy'r meddwl tu ôl i hyn. Mae gennym ni, am y tro cyntaf erioed, Weinidog sydd yn gyfrifol am iechyd ataliol. Mae hynny ynddo'i hun yn gam pwysig ymlaen, achos beth sydd gennym ni rŵan ydy pencampwr dros weithredu yn ataliol sydd wedi cael ei gorchymyn gen i i fynd allan a dwyn pwysau ar bob un o'r Gweinidogion i weithio mewn ffordd ataliol, mewn ffordd drawslywodraethol go iawn o weithio. Dwi'n meddwl bod hynny ynddo'i hun yn ddechrau ar rywbeth cyffrous. Dwi wedi ei alw yn chwyldro ataliol. Mae sut i gyllidebu ar gyfer hynny yn adlewyrchu'r ffaith ei fod o'n drawslywodraethol. Rydyn ni wedi sôn am sut rydyn ni'n gallu cloriannu'r holl arian ataliol at ei gilydd, ond y gwir amdani ydy bod elfennau o gyllidebau pawb yn rhan o hyn. Ac ydy, mae'r amlen yn dynn iawn yn ariannol, ond wrth wneud penderfyniadau lle mae yna ddau ddewis, rydyn ni'n dewis yr un sydd yn ataliol. Mae rhywun wedyn yn gallu symud ymlaen mewn ffordd bositif, dwi'n credu, o sicrhau bod tai yn cael eu gwneud yn fwy iach, bod dewisiadau bwyd yn fwy iach drwy'r strategaeth fwyd, camau o fewn y gwasanaeth iechyd ei hun, ac yn y blaen. Un pwynt olaf y buaswn i'n ei wneud ydy bod yna farn yn aml iawn bod mesurau ataliol, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod, yn cymryd blynyddoedd weithiau i fwydo drwy'r system. Dydy hynny ddim bob amser yn wir. Mae'n bosib gwneud newidiadau o fewn cyfnod cymharol fyr mewn deiet, sydd i rai pobl yn gallu dad-wneud diabetes math 2, ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae'r Llywodraeth yn edrych ar beth sydd yn gallu cael impact buan, achos mae o'n bosib, tra hefyd wrth gwrs yn gorfod edrych yn yr hirdymor. Ond dwi'n meddwl bod yna newid agwedd sylfaenol yn fan hyn yn cael ei adlewyrchu drwy’r rhaglen yma.
Official English translation
It's an important question, and an opportunity to explain what the thinking is behind this. We have, for the first time ever, a Minister responsible for preventative health. That in itself is an important step forward, because what we have now is a champion for preventative action who has been tasked by me to work across Government to focus on that preventative approach. That's a cross-governmental way of working, and I think that's the beginning of something very exciting. I've called it a preventative revolution. How to fund that and budget for it reflects that it's a cross-governmental responsibility. We've talked about how we've been able to weigh up and balance that preventative spend, but the truth is that elements of everybody's budgets will be part of this. And yes, the envelope is very tight in financial terms, but in making decisions where there are two choices, we choose that preventative approach. We can then make progress in a positive manner, I believe, in terms of ensuring that housing is made healthier, that food choices are healthier through the food strategy, steps within the health service itself, and so on. One final point that I would make is that there is a view very often that preventative measures, as the Member said, take years sometimes to feed through the system. That isn't always the case. It is possible to make changes within a relatively short period of time in terms of diet, which, for some people, can reverse type 2 diabetes, for example. So, the Government is looking at what can have that swifter impact, because it is possible, whilst also having to look at the longer term picture as well. But I think that there’s a fundamental change of approach here reflected throughout the programme for government.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Wel, diolch am y cwestiwn ac, fel y Llywydd, mi wnaf innau groesawu pawb yn ôl yma ar ôl yr haf. Dwi'n sylweddoli ei bod hi wedi bod yn haf prysur iawn i bawb, ond gobeithio bod pawb wedi cael gorffwys hefyd. Y nod wrth sefydlu cwmni ynni cyhoeddus i Gymru ydy gwneud y defnydd gorau posib o’n hadnoddau ynni ni fel gwlad, a sicrhau bod ynni yn dod yn fwy fforddiadwy ac yn lanach, a bod mwy ohono’n eiddo i ni yma yng Nghymru. Mi fydd hyn yn helpu cymunedau, yn helpu busnesau a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i wneud gwell defnydd o’r ynni sy’n cael ei gynhyrchu yng Nghymru. Ar 7 Medi, mi wnaethon ni lansio ymgynghoriad ar hynny, a dwi’n edrych ymlaen at glywed barn pobl ar sut allwn ni fanteisio’n well ar ynni Cymru er budd pobl a chymunedau ym mhob rhan o’r wlad.
Official English translation
Well, thank you for the question and, as the Llywydd did, I will welcome everyone back after the summer. I understand that it's been a very busy summer for everyone, but I do hope that everyone had an opportunity to relax too. Our aim in establishing a Welsh public energy company is to make the best possible use of our energy resources as a nation, ensuring that energy becomes more affordable, cleaner, and that more of it is owned by us here in Wales. This will help communities, businesses and public services to make better use of the energy produced in Wales. On 7 September, we launched a consultation on that, and I look forward to hearing the views of people on how we can better take advantage of Welsh energy for the benefit of communities and people in all parts of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I congratulate the Member on a shameless, but very, very well meaning and important plug on behalf of his constituents, and I'm sure many of you are thinking along similar lines right now. What the Member does do, of course, importantly, is reflect on the economic challenges in the area that he represents, and we will always, as a Government, seek to create opportunities for innovation and growth and job opportunities in every single part of our nation. And that will be one of the founding principles of the new development agency that we are in the process of establishing. The proposed new company is built around Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, which is currently headquartered in Merthyr Tydfil. But it also has staff in other areas of Wales, and, crucially, it will be there to serve all parts of Wales and to make gains for communities wherever they are in our nation.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the point I would make is that high energy prices are not as a result of a pursuit of net zero. They're not as a result of the determination that we must have—every one of us—to tackle the scourge of climate change. And we know the cost of not tackling climate change. We saw it in the wildfires that scorched so much of Wales over this summer. I hope I can persuade the Member that what we should be doing is seeking as much control as possible over how we generate electricity in Wales, how we reap the benefits of those projects in Wales, and having energy devolved to Wales as part of our toolkit as a nation to look after businesses and communities alike.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is quite right, of course, about the need to accelerate our mission here, to make the most of the natural resources that we have and to take seriously our responsibilities when it comes to tackling climate change. This is what it's about—setting up a new organisation that can move more swiftly, that can look at how to work on commercial projects of a larger scale and with community energy, because it's all going to be in the mix. Climate change, and tackling climate change, is a responsibility for every single Minister in this Government. So, yes, it will involve planning, it will involve the energy Minister, it will involve the housing Minister, and so on. Where is she? She's over there. So, this is something that's owned by all of Government. The Member is quite right, of course, on Reform. In denying climate change, they are acting against the interests of the people of Wales. In denying or wanting to curtail employment rights, they are acting against the interests of workers the length and breadth of our nation. Reform is not a party that has the interests of Wales at heart in any way, shape or form.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I welcome this timely question from the Member, on the same day my Government publishes plans to cut business rates by 30 per cent for pubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, licensed clubs, hotels, gyms and cinemas. More broadly, through Business Wales, we provide advice and growth support to businesses. Targeted investment in local infrastructure and funding is helping to revitalise Bangor city centre specifically. We have also established that town-centre taskforce we promised we would as part of our 100-day commitment to drive investment, increase footfall and support local businesses to grow.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I know very, very well the challenges faced by Bangor high street. It was my high street growing up, and I'm determined that when we look at Bangor, and all the other high streets throughout Wales, we have a clear focus on using all the tools at our disposal to support them. The town-centre taskforce, I remind him, is for all high streets. There has been specific assistance, to the tune of over £600,000, announced for Bangor in recent months, and I don't imagine that that is something that the people of Bangor are unhappy about. But it's always part of a range of measures that we can take as a Government. That announcement today of the 30 per cent cut in business rates is determinedly targeted at helping high streets like Bangor, through supporting those businesses that bring vibrancy, that bring life to those high streets. This is a Government from the get-go that is showing that we are determined to act on the promises that we made, and Bangor, like many other towns the length and breadth of Wales, will benefit from that.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Ydy, mae Antoniazzi's yn sefydliad go iawn, onid ydy, yn bron i ganrif oed. Mae'r hyn rydyn ni'n mynd i gael wedi ei amlinellu gan y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid y prynhawn yma yn arwyddocaol go iawn. Busnesau bach a chanolig yw asgwrn cefn yr economi, ac rydyn ni wedi ei gwneud hi'n glir, yn enwedig drwy'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni, ein bod ni'n benderfynol o gefnogi a thyfu busnesau Cymreig cynhenid, a sicrhau bod busnesau llwyddiannus yn parhau hefyd dan berchnogaeth Gymreig a rhoi'r hyder iddyn nhw fuddsoddi yn eu dyfodol. Mi fydd y newidiadau sy'n cael eu cyflwyno i dreth annomestig yn cael eu cyflwyno mor fuan â phosib o ddechrau'r flwyddyn nesaf neu'r flwyddyn ariannol nesaf. Mi fyddan nhw'n barhaol, sydd eto'n gam sy'n rhoi hyder i fusnesau, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen at gael y manylion yna gan y Gweinidog yn nes ymlaen y prynhawn yma.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question. Of course, Antoniazzi's is a well-established business of almost 100 years' standing. What we will see outlined by the Cabinet Minister for Finance this afternoon will be truly significant. SMEs are the backbone of our economy, and we've made it clear, particularly through the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, that we are determined to support and grow indigenous Welsh businesses and to ensure that successful businesses continue in Welsh ownership, giving them the confidence to invest in their future. The changes to non-domestic rates will be introduced as soon as possible, from the beginning of next year or the next financial year. They will be permanent, which, again, is a step that gives business confidence. I look forward to hearing the details from the Minister later this afternoon.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is a call that I have made in the past. What I would say is that we have to engage in what the UK Government could do and balance that against other things that the UK Government could do, because it's the outcome that's important, isn't it? It's not what the measure is, it's how it helps. What I have to do is to look at what I have in my toolkit, and one of the things that we do have are the powers over non-domestic rates. We said that we would use those powers, and we've moved very, very quickly to make sure that we do, with this permanent change, this real vote of confidence in leisure and hospitality—pubs, cafes, things that really bring vibrancy to the high street. So, the UK Government needs to look at its house and see what it can do. We'll put pressure on them to act in a whole host of different ways. We're acting using the powers that we have.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Do you know what I had a mandate to pursue? What I had a mandate to pursue was the best for Wales, always. So, when I get together with like-minded leaders throughout these islands, looking at how we can work together on childcare, on energy, on the way that we put pressure on the UK Government on funding, I think that that is absolutely standing up for Wales, as the people of Wales put their trust in us to do. And, yes, at the same time, we set our ambition for the nation. I believe that this isn't as good as things can get for Wales. Is Westminster working particularly well for Wales? Two letters and a number: HS2. That's the injustice that we're facing. Is the two-child cap what we really think is in the interest of the people of Wales? And a party like Reform always things that Wales is too small. Where's the ambition? Well, you know what? Matthew Rhys—let's congratulate Matthew Rhys on his historic Emmys win last night and what he said in accepting those two awards: 'We are a small but mighty nation. This is incredible.' Be more like Matthew.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I tell you what, Llywydd, if the Member thinks you can only do one thing at a time in Government, she should give up her aspirations right now, because it is all about dealing with a host of issues that are in the interests of building our nation. It is about doing the work that we've done over the summer to pump money into health and to change our attitude on how we bring those waiting times down. It is about the numeracy and literacy strategy that is being published today by my Minister for education. And when it comes to this pursuit of more powers, which Reform absolutely rejects, let's remind the Member that it's because of powers taken on around a decade ago over non-domestic rates that we are now able to make a positive decision to help businesses in Wales through a cut of a third in the rates for businesses in hospitality and leisure. We have our eyes on the future of Wales, and I suggest that the Member opposite does the same.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'll tell you what, all the Reform stereotypes are coming out today. There is a UK Government responsibility for the emergency alert. And do you know what, did they get it right? Clearly they didn't get it right. There was a technical issue about the way that it was sent out and that caused anxiety for people. I've spoken with COBRA myself to say, 'You need to sort this out for the future', because this is for the UK Government. But doesn't it say everything about Reform and its attitude towards Wales that your position on this is to blame the Welsh language, which wasn't at fault?
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right to draw attention to a dispute that causes real frustration. It's certainly something that I feel. It's a dispute that we inherited, of course, from the previous administration. What is clear, as the former Labour First Minister said, is that this is something that can be resolved only by the health service itself. I know the efforts that my health Minister has put into trying to influence the health service to get to that point where we have a resolution. We need this to be resolved for the people served by that health board and for the nurses who want to care for their patients. And I again call today for that resolution to happen as swiftly as possible, because it's not acceptable for this to be pursued this long.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There is quite a lot to unpick in that question. There is a reference there to the need to work in a consensual way. I start this term in the way that I started the first term post election in making it very, very clear that this is a Government that wants to reach out and work in a way that serves the people of Wales in a constructive way. So, I make that point. We're a Government that hit the ground running with a 100-day plan that we were able to deliver on, setting the foundations for what will be the programme for government to be presented in the very near future. This is a Government that takes seriously the faith put in us by the people of Wales, dealing with many different challenges, because the Member knows governing isn't always easy. It is about prioritising, but the more that we can work together, have clarity in what we are trying to achieve for the people of Wales, well, the better our chances of giving them the outcomes that they deserve. It has been a very, very busy summer of working with many, many partners in making sure that we move forward with real purpose.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I reflect today on this cabal of stagnation that Reform, the Conservatives and Labour have when it comes to moving Wales forward. Moving Wales forward and seeking practical answers to our problems means learning from others when it comes to the future of the health service, the future of the education service in Wales, and that's what this Government does. We will find partners where we have common ground always. On the issues around Glan Clwyd, I absolutely share the concern raised by the leader of the Conservatives. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care met with the chair and chief executive of the health board recently in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. He set out his expectations of owning issues and making the improvements required by the people they serve. And yet again, we have further examples of those deep challenges facing Betsi Cadwaladr that affect patients, and that is what should affect every single one of us. That is why we have, since the summer, or at the end of the summer recess, published our plans on how we change the NHS's attitudes towards getting people through the system, not being wasteful in the way that we use our resources, because we are determined to act on our promise in this election to make health the No. 1 priority, because I think that’s the No. 1 priority of the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
When will we see a change in the Conservatives from the whingeing that we always hear from their benches on these matters, rather than working constructively? We have an offer here to work constructively, to seek ideas, and that includes from you, as the leader of the Conservatives, on the future of our public services here in Wales. This Government set out a programme that was given a mandate, not with a majority, but with a clear mandate to deliver for the people of Wales. And that means on health, which is why my health Minister worked so quickly to pump that money in, which will bring down those waiting times as the people of Wales deserve. It’s why we moved quickly to put that national numeracy and literacy scheme in place, which will drive up education standards, because I agree with you: it is scandalous, the way that we have allowed standards to drop here in Wales, with our proud record of educational achievement. We do this at the same time as setting an ambition for having more control over our own future here as a nation in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Tuition fees are set by higher education institutions, and eligible students receive loans to meet the full cost of their tuition. The Welsh Government will consider fees alongside the long-term sustainability of higher education itself in our independent review of higher education, and the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education will provide further details later this afternoon.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I genuinely appreciate the way that the question has been framed, because I align myself with that description of the fragility of the higher education sector in Wales. It's something that should worry us all for the future of education and learning itself, for the impact that that has on the Welsh economy and research, also on the jobs that are supported by our higher education sector. But of course, we also want to support the students who are the future of those jobs, and those jobs in the sector itself. It is a balance, and what we have said is that we need to find that balance, and I'll remind you what Plaid Cymru, the party I lead, has said throughout: this is something that we need consensus on. This is something that's far too important to be allowed to be used as some sort of political ding-dong, because I hope I'm looking at everybody in this Chamber and seeing fellow Members who want to see our students supported appropriately and our higher education institutions survive and prosper. On the fees cap, no decision has been announced yet on Welsh tuition fee caps or fee loan support for 2027-28. We're considering how best to support students while maintaining the higher education sector in Wales. That is a balance that we all need to think carefully about.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is an issue that potential students are having to reckon with more and more. I was stopped by a young gentleman yesterday who was excited at seeing a politician and wanted a picture. He was studying for a politics, philosophy and economics degree at the Open University and it was working really well for him. He was working still whilst he was doing his degree. We know that the Open University and other providers of part-time courses play an important role in widening access to higher education and supporting flexible learning opportunities. This review of higher education will look at all aspects of higher education, including access to part-time provision.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's not a matter that I have discussed specifically with the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, but it's certainly something that I'm willing to look at and see where our position would be. At the end of the day, I'm really concerned about the impact of the debts that students go into. I have just one student left in our family now, but two ex-students who are living with debt. Many of us either are living with debts ourselves or are parents of those who are, and it's something that really concerns us. In brief, I want every potential avenue to be looked at that could take the pressure off students now or potential students in future. Thank you.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We recognise that people waiting for cataract surgery want treatment as quickly as possible, obviously. That is why we've committed an additional £145 million this year to reduce waiting times, improve access and support clinically led service transformation across Wales. We're also taking forward plans for new surgical hubs, to increase clinical capacity and help more patients receive treatment sooner, including those waiting for cataract surgery.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's one of those areas where you need rapid treatment in order to avoid more permanent damage. We have two ophthalmologists sitting here in the Senedd Chamber who know far more than I do. The Member referenced the bringing in of private providers. That has a role to play. But the big change in emphasis under this Government is not using that as a backstop and instead building up the kind of capacity that can make reductions in waiting times and a smoother passage of patients through the system more sustainable. I'd point to that as being the main element of what we're trying to do here. Details have been provided by the Minister as we've rolled out these new approaches in the first 100 days. I'm confident that that is the kind of long-term thinking that we need.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'll refer Members, first of all, to my declaration of interest as a shareholder in a company renting out a domestic property. Strengthening the private rented sector is a priority for this Government. I think we've made that pretty clear; we set it out in my legislative statement on 14 July. Renters in Wales deserve a safe, warm, secure and affordable home and should feel confident challenging poor conditions. Positive change requires good law, and in the first phase of our legislative programme we'll deliver legislation that protects tenants and tackles poor landlords, making renting, hopefully, more secure.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I've pointed out many times in this Chamber, we have many pressures on housing. Those pressures, when we look at the big picture, do not come from recent arrivals from overseas. I think it's important to home in on those facts. But there are pressures, and we will always want to make sure that our housing stock is adequate in numbers, that the housing stock quality is of a decent level, which people should be able to gain confidence from. But also, we need to look at the question of affordability. We have a two-phased approach in terms of legislation, and affordability will very much be a part of our considerations. I've invited Members here to contribute to the development of legislation, and if there's an interest across this Chamber in those affordability issues, let's discuss them.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
You don't have to think very hard to work out the poverty that somebody is driven into in real terms when they have so little of their income left after paying their rent. In terms of the issues that cause that, there's a multitude of them. Supply of homes is one of them, and social housing. That's why we are determined to bring in an extra 20,000 additional social homes by 2030. It's about bringing homes into use that are currently not in use. It's about raising the quality of the housing stock as well. And then there are things, as I've said, that we can do through legislation. Actively exploring different measures for regulating increases in rent, for example, effectively is really important. We can look at what's happening in Scotland. There are learnings from Catalonia too. It's important that we look at what works well, and also look at potential drawbacks. But significant steps need considerable policy development, evidence gathering, and cross-party and cross-sector engagement, which is why we have outlined our ambition to bring forward that second renters Bill as part of a two-phase legislative approach.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member makes a very good point, and it's an international problem. We have seen some big cities take action on Airbnb. We tend in Wales to look at the more popular seaside areas, because that's where the problems are perceived to be more acute. But the Member is absolutely right that this is an issue that can arise anywhere. I (a) agree that it's an issue, and (b) want us to look at all those solutions that can be put in place. Some have been introduced through co-operation between our parties in the last Government—changes that lead to changing behaviour through use of premiums on council tax and so on. But there are also planning changes that we should always be alive to considering, because I agree this is a significant issue. The main purpose of a house, a flat or an apartment is to be a home, and we should always bear that in mind.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
These PISA results are, to say the least, deeply disappointing. They underline to me the scale of the challenge that we face. They reinforce this Government’s determination to take a new and rigorous approach to raising standards. We'll be unapologetically ambitious for every learner, setting clear targets, holding ourselves accountable for delivering them, because raising standards has to be a priority. Today, we publish that foundational literacy and numeracy plan that I have previously referenced to accelerate improvement across Wales in every classroom, because our children and families in Wales deserve nothing less.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Given the importance of education, I'm surprised that he wasted some of his question discussing constitutional issues, frankly. We have a determination as a Government to look to our track record historically as a proud educating nation—one of the first generally literate populations anywhere in the world. That's something that makes me very proud. I was proud to have two parents that were educationalists, two teaching union presidents. I was brought up with the importance of getting education right and giving our children and young people opportunities right there surrounding me at all times. I'm desperately disappointed at the PISA results. The measures that we are putting in place around numeracy and literacy, supporting teachers, supporting families and children, are all about raising outcomes. I hope that one of the results of that will be increased PISA scores. There's a global downturn in PISA scores, incidentally. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence might be a part of that. But England has bucked the trend and, absolutely, we should be, and we are making plans already to learn from England about what's happening there. My co-operation isn't exclusively with Scotland and Northern Ireland. I point that out—we work with Ministers in UK Government and internationally too, and on this one, it's because we need to raise standards. And the outcome that we need, of course—better PISA scores would be good—would be raised educational standards: numeracy, literacy, the basics, the foundations of successful lives and careers for our young people. That's what we're aiming for, and we're confident that we're putting the building blocks in place.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae cefnogi'r diwydiant dur a chymunedau dur sy'n dibynnu arno fo ledled Cymru yn hollbwysig i'r Llywodraeth yma. Cyn ymweliad diweddar Prif Weinidog y Deyrnas Unedig â Phort Talbot, mi wnaeth ein Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ni siarad yn gyhoeddus am yr angen i Gymru gael ei chyfran deg o gronfa ddur Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig. Mi fu cyfarfod rhwng y ddau. Mi fyddai hynny, wrth gwrs, yn helpu gweithwyr a chymunedau drwy'r cyfnod pontio, ac mi fyddwn ni'n parhau i wneud yr achos hwnnw mor gryf â phosib yn ein trafodaethau ni efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig.
Official English translation
Supporting the steel industry and the communities across Wales that depend on it is a priority for this Government. Ahead of the Prime Minister's recent visit to Port Talbot, the Deputy First Minister spoke publicly about the need for Wales to receive its fair share of the UK Government's steel fund. There was a meeting between the two. That, of course, would help workers and communities through the transition period, and we will continue to make that case as strongly as possible in ongoing discussions with the UK Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right to voice frustrations about what did or didn't come out of that investment. The purpose of it was changed at one point, but one thing we made clear from our position—we still make it clear from Government—is that we must get our fair share of that. We have taken a massive hit to the steel industry here in Wales because UK Governments took their eyes off the ball and didn't act when they should have done. Welsh Government will work with companies, UK Government and the national wealth fund, which now has control over that £2.5 billion, to explore how support can be maximised and must be maximised for our steel communities across Wales. Let me be clear, if there is investment being made in the steel sector, UK Government must set out clearly how they plan to support the Welsh steel industry, which is what is important to us here.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I know that this will have been a particularly upsetting time for those affected. The immediate workforce issue affecting the service has now been resolved—that's the positive news—enabling planning to start for the resumption of the service, on a phased basis, from 22 September. It is important to note that patients already receiving treatment also were unaffected by the pause and continued their treatment in the usual way. But this has been a difficult time for a number of people.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
That word 'resilience' is important. We use 'sustainability'. They mean very much the same when it comes to something like this: having services that are stable. In this particular case, the pause was necessary in order to comply with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority licensing requirement. So, a clinical issue, but the impact, of course, is a very human issue. We will do what we can to build resilience across those services. For the individuals affected here, the health board has now started contacting patients, I understand, to confirm the next steps in their treatment pathway. The Wales Fertility Institute is continuing to work on the wider workforce challenges, working with the joint commissioning committee to explore possibilities for, perhaps, interim support options to comply with those licensing requirements, which are a must; these aren't optional. Work is also ongoing to strengthen, as you say, the resilience and sustainability of the service, both within the health board itself and in conjunction with that relationship that it has with the joint commissioning committee. That work will continue. Yes, there are short-term things to do, but that will continue beyond the short term too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This Government is committed to pressing the case for a fairer funding settlement for Wales. That means a number of different things. When I met the Prime Minister in Glasgow in July, I emphasised the need for the historic underfunding of Wales to be addressed. On Thursday, we will be hosting the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee, bringing together finance Ministers from right across the UK, if that's okay with everyone. Funding reform is a key priority for the Cabinet Minister for Finance, and in her bilateral meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury that day she will raise a number of priorities, which include delivering the £14 billion promise on rail, a formal review of the fiscal framework and the Barnett formula. I will also make this case directly to the Prime Minister when we meet again in October.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful for the question. Right across the UK, we should be—. There is an interest in making sure that when the Treasury makes decisions on spending they are made fairly. It relates to Scotland, it relates to Northern Ireland, it also relates to regions of England. What I will do as the First Minister of Wales, with my team, with your backing here hopefully, is make the case always for us to get that fair funding package. That does include all those different elements: giving us the borrowing powers; giving us the right to be able to draw down from our reserves; making sure that the overall package under Barnett actually works for us; making sure that where there is a lack of powers—on rail, for example—that that doesn't mean we end up £5 billion out of pocket on HS2. There are fundamental unfairnesses right across the board. The Cabinet Minister for Finance will reinforce those points with the UK Treasury later this week. We look forward to working positively with them in helping them to recognise the value of devolution and giving us the tools to do the job that we're here to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Strengthening the governance of the NHS is very, very important for my health team and all of us in Government, with actions having already been undertaken as part of the first 100 days plan. This includes ensuring patients have full confidence that concerns will be heard, that they'll be investigated quickly and used, crucially, to improve care. A new national clinical governance framework to improve clinical governance across NHS Wales will be published early in 2027, bringing together those issues of safeguarding, patient safety, quality improvement and organisational learning to support safer services and greater accountability too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We've made it very, very clear that, yes, this will be judged on clinical evidence. That's what this is about. This hasn't been about Ministers making decisions, this has been the joint commissioning committee. There's a real irony, though, isn't there, about this throwing of an accusation of behaving in an ideological way when we have extreme ideology from the Reform benches here, not interested at all in the anxiety caused by this pause in services for some very, very vulnerable people, many of whom have been ably represented by Members of my party and, no doubt, others too. Let's remember who is at the heart of issues like this—people who are feeling that they are paying the price for the failure of a health system. What we need to make sure is that we have a review to understand exactly what has happened based on clinical evidence. That's what everybody wants to see happening, whilst supporting the trans community in the process.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
In our first 100 days, our national support programme for curriculum and assessment design has provided expert coaching and learning through national events to, I understand, over 250 schools and 340 practitioners across Wales. We have committed to reviewing the curriculum for Wales so that we can be clear that it ensures every learner benefits from high standards and excellent teaching always.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think it's always important, where there are contentious issues or issues of concern to parents, that they are given reassurance at all times. The first thing to say is that whilst, yes, RSE is mandatory for three to 16-year-olds, it's not the same relationship and sexuality education for pupils from three to 16. RSE is legally required to be developmentally appropriate. That is the point—helping our children and young people through their lives, at the right time, to learn about the world around them, the relationships that they have with others. It must be factual. It must be pluralistic. It means that schools must present a range of views held in society, not push a particular view. These are the reassurances that are important for parents to hear, and the Government will always make sure that the information is available to them. If not, we'll up our game.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
[Anghlywadwy.]—cwestiwn 12, nad yw rhywun yn paratoi.
Official English translation
[Inaudible.]—question 12, you don't prepare.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae hwn yn wers. [Chwerthin.] Yn 2026-27, mi ydyn ni’n darparu £9.1 miliwn i Cefnogi Trydydd Sector Cymru, gan helpu sefydliadau i gael cyngor a chymorth ar wirfoddoli, llywodraethu, cyllid cynaliadwy ac ymgysylltu. Mi fydd y sector gwirfoddol a gwirfoddolwyr eu hunain yn hanfodol i gyflawni blaenoriaethau’r Llywodraeth. Mi fydd hynny’n cynnwys gofal iechyd ataliol, mynd i’r afael â thlodi plant, darparu mynediad at ofal plant, darpariaeth chwarae, helpu pobl ifanc i gael gwaith. Mae'n rhestr hir.
Official English translation
It's a lesson. [Laughter.] In 2026–27, we are providing £9.1 million to Third Sector Support Wales, helping organisations access support on volunteering, governance, sustainable funding and engagement. The voluntary sector and volunteers themselves will be critical in delivering the Government's priorities. This will include preventative healthcare, tackling child poverty, providing access to childcare, play provision, supporting young people into work. It's a long list.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n hapus iawn i gadarnhau hynny. Pan ydyn ni yn edrych ar draws ystod gwaith y Llywodraeth, rydyn ni'n edrych ar bartneriaeth. Dydy'r syniadau i gyd, dydy'r ddealltwriaeth i gyd, ddim yn dod o feinciau'r Llywodraeth ei hun; mae o'n dod o ymgysylltu efo eraill a gwrando ar beth sydd yn gweithio yn dda a beth sydd ddim, beth ydy'r rhwystredigaethau ac yn y blaen. Pan fo'n dod at weithredu gwirfoddol, wel mae hynny'n cynnwys ein cymunedau ni i gyd, ac mae'n bwysig ein bod ni yn dangos ein bod ni bob amser yn Llywodraeth sydd yn gwrando. Dydy hynny ddim wastad yn golygu, wrth gwrs, gallu rhoi yn union beth mae pobl yn gofyn amdano fo, ond beth mae rhywun yn chwilio amdano fo ydy dealltwriaeth gan gymunedau—a thrwy hynny, sefydliadau gwirfoddol—am pam rydyn ni'n gwneud y penderfyniadau rydyn ni'n eu gwneud, a'u bod nhw wastad yn ceisio bod yn benderfyniadau sydd yn cefnogi gweithgarwch cymunedol ym mhob ffordd y gallwn ni ei wneud.
Official English translation
I am very happy to confirm that. When we look across the range of the Government's work, we're looking at partnership. All of the ideas and all of that understanding doesn't just come from the Government's benches; it comes from engaging with others and listening to what works well, what doesn't work well, and what the frustrations or barriers are and so on. When it comes to voluntary action, that includes all of our communities, and it's important that we do show that we are always a Government that listens. That doesn't always, of course, mean being able to give people exactly what they're asking for, but what you're looking for is that understanding from communities—and through that, voluntary organisations—about why we make the decisions that we make, and that they are always intended to be decisions that support community engagement in every way that we can.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience cy
Diolch, Lywydd. Dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, mi rydyn ni wedi gweld drosom ni ein hunain beth ydy effaith y newid yn ein hinsawdd. Yr haf yma fu'r poethaf ar gofnod. Mae tanau gwyllt a sychder wedi gadael eu marc ar gymunedau ledled Cymru. Maen nhw wedi effeithio ar deuluoedd, ffermwyr a thirfeddianwyr. Maen nhw wedi difrodi bywyd gwyllt a chynefinoedd gwerthfawr. Maen nhw wedi arwain at ofynion eithriadol ar ein diffoddwyr tân a'n gwasanaethau brys. Rydyn ni'n meddwl am bawb sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio gan hyn.
Official English translation
Thank you, Llywydd. Over recent weeks, we have seen first-hand the impact of our changing climate. This summer has been the hottest on record. Wildfires and droughts have left their mark on communities across Wales. They have affected families, farmers and landowners. They have harmed wildlife and damaged precious habitats. They have placed extraordinary demands on our firefighters and emergency services. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Today, I want to place on record the thanks of the Welsh Government—and, I believe, the whole Senedd—to everyone who responded in such difficult circumstances, including our firefighters, emergency responders, the armed forces, public services, volunteers and local communities themselves. So, diolch. I know many of us will have seen the remarkable efforts to protect lives, homes, livelihoods and our natural environment. The professionalism and commitment represent public service at its very best. Wales responded with courage and with a strong sense of community, but these fires also carried a warning that we must not ignore. Our climate is changing. The risks are changing with it and Wales must be ready. We now face flooding this winter. The United Nations is warning of the impacts of a supersized El Niño.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience cy
Mae'r risgiau hyn yn gysylltiedig. All gwydnwch hinsawdd ddim bod yn bryder i un gwasanaeth, neu un rhan o'r gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, un sefydliad neu un rhan o'r Llywodraeth yn unig. Mae'n flaenoriaeth gyffredin yn genedlaethol. Dyna pam rydyn ni wedi dechrau gweithio ar gynllun gweithredu hinsawdd a natur cyntaf Cymru, sy'n adlewyrchu'r angen am ymateb trawslywodraethol i set gymhleth o heriau. Rydyn ni'n cymryd y cyfrifoldeb hwn o ddifrif. O ddechrau'r tân gwyllt cyntaf ym mis Gorffennaf, mi wnaethom ni roi ein cefnogaeth lawn i'r gwasanaethau tân ac achub ac i'r partneriaid ehangach a oedd yn ymateb i'r digwyddiadau. Mi wnaethom ni roi trefniadau rheoli argyfwng Llywodraeth Cymru ar waith i sicrhau cymorth strategol. Mi wnaethom alw ar bwyllgor argyfyngau sifil Cymru i gefnogi'r gwaith cydlynu, a gweithio ochr yn ochr â'r grwpiau cydlynu amlasiantaeth o dan arweiniad y gwasanaethau tân ac achub.
Official English translation
These risks are connected. Climate resilience cannot be the concern for one service, or one part of public services, one organisation or one part of Government only. It is a shared national priority. That's why we have started work on Wales's first climate and nature action plan, which reflects the need for a cross-Government response to a complex set of challenges. We take this responsibility seriously. From the start of the first wildfire in July, we gave our full support to the fire and rescue services and to wider partners responding to the incidents. We activated the emergency management arrangements of the Welsh Government to provide strategic support. We convened the Wales civil contingencies committee to support co-ordination, and worked alongside the multi-agency co-ordinating groups led by the fire and rescue services.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Those standard, long-established arrangements brought together fire and rescue services, Natural Resources Wales, the military and other partners too. They enabled decisions to be taken quickly, resources to be co-ordinated effectively, and support to be directed to the places where it was needed most. Crucially, operational decisions remained with those who had the expertise and direct knowledge of conditions on the ground. Our firefighters are among the best trained in the UK to tackle wildfires. Only a few months ago, at the UK Government's request, they helped train their English counterparts. Through using natural firebreaks, creating new firebreaks and targeted offensive firefighting, they deployed the ground-level tactics that remain the most effective method of tackling the fires. Their hard work, expertise and professionalism ensured all outbreaks were successfully and safely contained. Where additional support was required, it was successfully mobilised through mutual aid arrangements across Wales and England. These arrangements provided access to specialist personnel, equipment and appliances, while helping individual services maintain operational resilience. And we should not forget the many farmers and landowners who made their time and equipment freely available to support the firefighting effort. The military also played an important role, and I thank army personnel for their contribution. Military assistance can only be used as a last resort when civilian responders have considered all other options and request military aid. That test was met on 14 August and we rapidly responded following the request from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service on the afternoon of 13 August. We processed and authorised it at pace, with military support on the ground in under 24 hours—an exceptionally fast response.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience cy
Mae'n ddealladwy bod cryn ddiddordeb wedi bod mewn defnyddio hofrenyddion a chefnogaeth ehangach o'r awyr, ac mi all cefnogaeth o'r awyr fod yn werthfawr mewn amgylchiadau penodol. Ond dim ond un rhan o ymateb ehangach ydy hon. Dydy o ddim yn ateb i bob sefyllfa. Mae ei defnyddio yn dibynnu ar leoliad y tan, yr amodau tywydd, argaeledd ac asesiad rheolwyr gweithredol. Mae tactegau ar y ddaear yn parhau i fod yn ganolog i fynd i'r afael â thanau gwyllt yn ddiogel ac yn effeithiol. Mi ddefnyddiwyd cymorth o’r awyr pan oedd o ar gael ac yn briodol yn weithredol. Fodd bynnag, mi oedd y cerbydau awyr addas a oedd ar gael yn y Deyrnas Unedig yn gyfyngedig ar y pwynt yma, yn enwedig am fod tanau'n effeithio ar sawl rhan o'r Deyrnas Unedig ar unwaith. Does gan y lluoedd arfog ddim capasiti diffodd tân o'r awyr yn y Deyrnas Unedig, ac mi oedd y capasiti masnachol yn gwbl annigonol i gwrdd â lefel y galw yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Nid mater i Gymru'n unig ydy hyn. Mae angen ei ystyried o ddifri a chymryd camau gweithredu cydgysylltiedig ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig, ac mi wnes i godi’r mater yma pan es i i gyfarfod COBRA ar 12 Awst.
Official English translation
Understandably, there has been considerable interest in the use of helicopters and wider aerial support, and aerial support can be valuable in particular circumstances, but it forms only one part of a wider response. It is not a panacea. Its use depends on the location of a fire, weather conditions, availability and the assessment of operational commanders. Ground-based tactics remain central to tackling wildfires safely and effectively. Aerial support was used when it was available and operationally appropriate. However, suitable aircraft across the UK were limited at that point, particularly as wildfires affected many parts of the UK at once. The armed forces do not have aerial firefighting capacity in the UK, and commercial capacity was wholly insufficient to meet the level of UK demand. This is not an issue for Wales alone. It requires serious consideration and co-ordinated action across the UK, and I raised this issue when I attended the COBRA meeting on 12 August.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
In an emergency, Government must act quickly, must act calmly and decisively, and that is what we did. But responding to an emergency is only part of our responsibility. We must also learn and strengthen our readiness for the future. The Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning chaired an immediate operational debrief with responders on 8 September, to help understand what worked well, what could be strengthened and what additional capabilities or arrangements may be required. We do not claim to have all the answers, and Government cannot do this alone. Together we must strengthen the resilience of our land, our infrastructure and our public services. Prevention must be at the heart of our approach. It's important that we recognise the role we all need to play. The reality is that human activity is the main cause of wildfires. Climate change has increased the fuel, but the spark comes from us. This ranges from deliberate criminal acts through to accidental ignition, as simple as a piece of glass magnifying the rays of the sun or a disposable barbecue setting a hillside alight. Everyone therefore has a part to play in reducing risk, acting responsibly and following emergency service advice.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience cy
Dim ond rhan o'r ateb ydy cyfrifoldeb unigol, ac mae’n rhaid inni ystyried rheoli tir, gwydnwch seilwaith, parodrwydd gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a'r cymorth sydd ar gael i gymunedau cyn, yn ystod ac ar ôl digwyddiadau tywydd eithafol. Dyna pam mae gweithredu ar yr hinsawdd yn gyfrifoldeb ar lefel y Cabinet sy'n berthnasol i bob portffolio Llywodraeth. Rydyn ni wedi ymrwymo i gyhoeddi asesiad o risgiau'r hinsawdd sy'n cael ei ddiweddaru yn rheolaidd. Bydd hyn yn rhoi mwy o dryloywder ynglŷn â’r risgiau mae Cymru'n eu hwynebu, y camau sy'n cael eu cymryd, a’r meysydd lle mae angen gwneud cynnydd pellach. Bydd hyn yn cefnogi datblygu ein cynllun gweithredu ar hinsawdd a natur, gan ddod â chamau gweithredu ynghyd ar draws y Llywodraeth ar atal, parodrwydd a gwydnwch hirdymor.
Official English translation
Individual responsibility is only part of the answer, and we must consider land management, infrastructure resilience, public services preparedness and the support available to communities before, during and after extreme weather events. That is why climate action is a Cabinet-level responsibility that cuts across every Government portfolio. We have committed to publishing a climate risk assessment that is regularly updated. This will provide greater transparency about the risks that Wales faces, the action being taken, and the areas in which further progress is needed. This will support the development of our climate and nature action plan, bringing together action across Government on prevention, preparedness and long-term resilience.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
On 22 October, I will convene the Wales climate change and resilience summit, focusing on wildfires. It must be focused on practical action. It will provide an opportunity to learn from the recent wildfires, examine the role of land management and consider the steps needed to reduce the likelihood and consequences of future incidents. The reality is that Wales needs to prepare for the combined risks of our changing climate and ensure that our communities and public services are ready. We cannot prevent every wildfire or every extreme weather event. We can, though, reduce the risks. We can prepare more effectively. And when emergencies happen, we can respond quickly and decisively. Recent weeks have shown us the scale of the challenge. They've also shown us the strength of Wales. They have demonstrated the professionalism of our emergency services and the strength of our communities. We will build on that strength. We will learn from what has happened. And we will take the practical action needed to protect the people, communities and natural environment of Wales, now and for the generations that follow.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Llywydd, I'm not sure where to begin, to be honest with you. We are responding to challenges that we've faced in many parts of our nation and the multitude of agencies that came together to tackle those, in very difficult circumstances, and the role that the Welsh Government played in that. I don't want to stand here having to correct a series of things that a Member says. She says that I didn't even thank farmers for their role in the summer. I literally did; it's worth listening to my statements. My own son took part for days in carrying water bowsers to tackle the fires in Suffolk, as it happens. I'm very aware of the role that farmers played in tackling the wildfires this summer. So don’t throw accusations, somehow, at the Government for not understanding who played their part. I've mentioned it right here in the statement today. This was action that was taken on a multitude of different levels, because that is how we respond to emergencies such as the one we responded to this summer. The Member says that the FBU called for a summit and I didn't respond. It was literally through the FBU writing to me that I said, 'Yes, let's have that summit', and it's happening on 22 October. This is through co-operation—[Interruption.] This is about dealing with the future. I'm not sure if the Member has any idea of the kinds of activities that were happening at that time and that have happened since. The summit is a part, if you like, of the response moving forward, as was the meeting between the Minister and the fire and rescue services and other agencies last week. The fire and rescue services themselves conduct their own analysis and assessment of the way that events were tackled at the time. The Member throws accusations about not calling in military assistance until it was too late. That's not how it works; it is the fire and rescue services themselves who make the call to ask for the military to come in. They made the call on 13 August. The military were on the ground in 24 hours, and I can't thank the armed forces enough for responding to that call. The rules within which we operate, of course, mean that military assistance came in—the MACA rules within which we operate when civilian efforts have been exhausted. And I tell you what, the fire and rescue services were exhausted, because of the extreme stresses that were on them throughout this. Now we move forward. We learn lessons. That is precisely what this summit, as well as other activities of Government, are all about. Does it look at the management of land? Does it look at how we control the amount of combustible material and so on on our uplands in particular? Yes, it does. That is what we're trying to do here; we're looking at what lessons can be learned. Do we need to change practices that have been introduced for very good reason over years because of the changing context in which we are operating? The Member says farmers won't be at that summit. Landowners and farmers are absolutely a part of how we address it through that summit. So, yes, this is about bringing all those partners together who understand the different factors: experts in climate change, absolutely, experts in land management, experts in tackling wildfires. We have some of the best experts in the UK here in Wales. So, let's address what actually happened over the summer months, the amazing efforts that went in in extremely difficult circumstances, and learn lessons moving forward.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for those comments and questions.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
I certainly associate myself, as I echoed in my opening remarks, with that deep sense of thanks to everybody that was involved in the response through what was a very difficult summer that was challenging in a host of different ways. The health impact, obviously, is one that was very much considered. How do you make sure that we are, in future, able to prepare for the impact of a greater number, potentially, of fires on health? These are the questions that we must always be engaged with. On the recall of the Senedd over the summer, it was a perfectly fair request to be made. In the same way, the UK Labour Government didn't recall the UK Parliament, despite the pressures there. What happened there was that COBRA was called. I attended that COBRA meeting. We convened our Wales civil emergencies committee, because that is how we make sure that we take action, because that is the key element. The Member says that she appreciated having that briefing from Government. We were very happy to provide information. We published a number of written statements, and that scrutiny capability is there throughout that time. It's always about sharing information and communicating. Coming from a communication background, I will always say that we look at how we improve communicating with people. It's something that we should always be eager to do, and it is one of the lessons. When you have more and more events of this kind, the communication challenge becomes more difficult too, just as fighting the fires themselves become difficult. On the relationship with the unions, as I said, it was good that it was from the FBU themselves that that request came for the summit. It's something that I had discussed with my colleagues in Government a day or two previously, so we were able to call that summit directly in response to that request from the FBU, because it was clear that we were all thinking in the same kind of way. That will have a broad-ranging purpose—to understand the climate change challenge, to recognise the nature of the changing risks that we will face, and look at all those elements, including resource and capability within the fire and rescue services, absolutely, plus those elements of land management that will be so important moving forward. We know that this summer is unlikely to be a one-off. This summer was a very loud alarm call for us all in how we respond to that. We can't wait for another summer of 2026, which is why we're moving quickly ahead with the kind of assessments that are taking place within the fire and rescue services themselves, the interaction with Government there. Meetings took place all summer between those partners—Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government, the fire and rescue services. This was a multi-agency approach throughout, and that will be the guiding principle now. There's no one answer here. All of us have to come together to make sure that we are better equipped to deal with emergencies and try to mitigate the risks themselves in future.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Thank you for that series of really constructive questions, I think. Yes, our thanks to the emergency services made again very, very clearly, and I hope they genuinely do hear that, because I know there were some very exhausted women and men out there through the summer who were doing their best.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
I agree on not having identified this enough as a risk. One of the elements of the work that I have engaged with very, very positively since coming into this role is the resilience work. I've tried to make sure that I am kept very, very well briefed on the broad range of resilience engagement that Welsh Government either leads or is a part of. I chair the Wales resilience forum, which brings together the whole raft of organisations that are involved in this thing called resilience, making sure that we are fit to face the challenges of the future, from health boards to policing to the military to all, you know, fire and rescue. It's something that I take very, very seriously indeed. And absolutely, our register of risks is updated regularly, and there will be, clearly, a reflection on the scale of the risk that we face through fire, and that is only right. On military assistance, MACA—military aid to the civil authorities—and the rules, I'm happy to write to you, to share with you details of how it works. But, essentially, the call isn't made by Welsh Government, it is made, as I was explaining earlier, by those who are responsible for the response on the ground. The call was made, in this case, on 13 August, and it was agreed to. So, that the systems work is the key element, and the systems worked in a way that led to very rapid deployment, which was very, very important. But on those rules on engagement, we'll share as much information with you as we can. And the military, of course, is very much a part of, as I say, the Wales resilience forum. On air support, we see the pictures, don't we, of planes on the continent dumping fire-retardant material or water on fires, and we can all be guilty of jumping to a conclusion that that must be the best way of fighting fires. I've learnt a lot as First Minister, in my engagement, working closely with the operations over the summer, that, actually, it's not always the best answer, that, often, it is containing, putting those breaks in place, letting a fire burn itself out and so on. But there is a place for developing and looking at how we make sure that we have more capability in future for air support. It is something that I raised specifically during the COBRA meeting on 12 August, and something that I understand will be looked at: what role can UK Government play in providing resource that is available for use across the UK? But we've at least been able to raise that issue. Also, the fire and rescue services are already developing a proposal to have some sort of framework in place for rapid access to civilian firefighting helicopters, which doesn't make any more such support available, but it does simplify, potentially, the process of contracting for aerial support. They don't need Welsh Government's permission to do this, by the way, but they would have our full support in doing so. So, we learn. It's an important part of it; it's not perhaps the silver bullet that some people think it is. On physical elements on mitigating risks, yes, land management is clearly a potential part of that. It will be a part of the mix when it comes to that forum on 22 October. Livestock numbers absolutely can play a part in those discussions. I still say that any changes introduced in practices, driven at times by various Government policies, I am convinced have been driven by the right reasons—the right motives and motivations have been there. It's just that the context changes, and we need to make sure that we aren't creating unnecessary risks for ourselves, whilst, at the same time, being really determined to play our part in terms of the climate and nature emergency. On the request for funds for small reservoirs, it's not something that I've had specific discussions about, but I know we are looking at how support can be provided for agriculture in light of what they have experienced this summer. I'll end on the alert. I was in a restaurant at the time, when the alarm went off. It was frightening for many, I know, and the bilingual aspect did, without doubt, cause anxiety. This wasn't a Welsh Government issue. This was a UK Government issue. The question asked was: what engagement will we have? 'We will help', is the answer to that. It's important that the message gets through to people. But as I was saying earlier, bilingualism is not the problem, it's how we make sure that we have the outcome that we seek, which is to give people a warning of an impending risk, and that we also consider the fact that we're a bilingual country. We're very good at doing things bilingually here in Wales. We have expertise in making sure that we are able to support UK Government in reflecting on what happened with that emergency alert this summer.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. The Member speaks of her experience in her community. Thanks to all Senedd Members of all parties who responded to concerns in their own communities. We are there. We are able to share information and provide support in all sorts of different ways. Climate change—yes, absolutely, we are seeing the impacts of climate change here now. Who will be part of that response? It will be as many people as we possibly can get. There is a physical table for that summit, and we'll get as many people around it as possible, but there's also a metaphorical table, isn't there? And around that, absolutely, communities the length and breadth of Wales will need to be heard, their concerns heard, as we move forward to facing up to the risks in the future. In terms of landowners, farmers—absolutely, they will be there.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Thank you very much for that. The Member makes the case that this isn't something that we can now view as something happening over there, you know, in another part of the world. And we all watched in—. It was frightening seeing what was happening in Bordeaux, and France and other parts of Europe. This was happening here in Wales as well, and it does frighten. The key thing is that we do learn. That is what we're trying to do here. The summit is a very prominent part of that learning. But, as I've tried to explain, that learning is happening right across Government. We absolutely will be reporting back on what the steps are that will come out of that summit and different measures, so that we can be held to account over it. People need to know that we don't go into summer 2027 in the same way as we did in summer 2026. But there's also a longer term element to this too. When we look at tackling climate change and some of the longer term changes that we need to put in place, we will try to be as open as we can about the responses that we and our partners think are necessary as a result of our experience.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Diolch yn fawr iawn, and I'm glad you recognise that by me making the statement that we hold this at the very highest level of importance in Government. I can assure you that I was very much at the heart of the Government response alongside other Ministers over what was a very, very difficult summer indeed. I am happy to—. Obviously, the work we're doing now is putting together that list of individuals and organisations that will be represented around that physical table. We want it to be comprehensive. This is about multi-agency working. We need to make sure that the partners who have knowledge across the whole breadth of areas that are relevant to this field will be there. I will share that information as much as I can. There has to be a sense that this is a project for us as a nation now. When we look at issues of national resilience, they genuinely do matter to all of us. And where there are ideas and suggestions put forward by people who, for whatever reason, aren't around that table, we will absolutely take them seriously as we put together a plan now to respond to what the Member and I recognise as being the threat of our generation, which is the threat of climate change.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
'Absolutely' is the short answer. I forget the name of the summit—it was held in London last week—where representatives of 70 nations were there specifically looking at wildfires and how Governments and the public services and fire and rescue services should be responding. So, yes, very much a part of an international response to what is an ever more emerging threat. Where there are members of the Welsh diaspora who have specific reason to help us with their knowledge, please, Welsh Government is always interested in hearing from them.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Thank you very much for those questions. The Member is right: we thank the whole team in fire and rescue, and it is those behind the scenes, those control staff and support teams. He's also right in pointing to the cumulative nature of the threat that we faced this summer being perhaps the biggest issue. Don't get me wrong, some of the fires individually were very, very serious and caused a significant challenge for the fire and rescue services, but it was at that point—and I think it was 14 that was the highest number at one point—it was the sheer stress of that on not just our capability to fight those fires, but our resilience to deal with other potential emergencies that was genuinely stretched. I don't think I can give an assurance to publish that plan by 31 October, not least in that we have a programme for assessing capability needs, resources, the threats, through a summit that is being held on 22 October. So, we're trying to move as quickly as we can here, making sure we have the right people, taking the right attitude to finding the solutions that we need, but I can give an assurance that we will work as quickly as we can to provide a guide to what will be different in the future. You're right that there are issues with costs related to the stresses this summer, and Welsh Government has made the decision that fire services and local authorities will be able to apply for funding under our emergency financial assistance scheme because of the specific pressures that were placed upon them this summer because of the wildfires.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Thank you very much for the question. The Minister will have heard the question too. There are a whole host of considerations that we will need to look at when it comes to our resilience, and water supply, absolutely, is one of those. The water supply companies were very much a part of the joined-up response during the course of this summer, assessing their needs for firefighting, their needs for making sure that those pressures didn't impact on drinking water supplies and so on. But, yes, we will need to make sure that, if there were problems that came to light during this summer, everything possible is done to make sure that we are mitigating or minimising those risks as we face a situation where the risks will only get higher.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Thank you. It's a really important point, because everybody needs to be a part of the solution, but neither can they literally be a part of a summit. And whilst I clearly can't say that there will be representatives of every community affected at one summit on 22 October 2026, what we need to make sure is that their interests are served at that summit and that we have means always of making sure that they are able to feed into the decision-making process that we have. Now, it strikes me that there are things that we can do as a Parliament that help people make their voice heard. As Members, we are all voices for the people that we represent. I will give some thought about how, actually, that happens from a Welsh Government point of view, but the crucial thing for us is that their interests are served at that table, and that—. I was in Blaenavon; I visited and I saw the fire for myself and it was devastating. I was speaking to those who had been grazing on the common and they were facing significant impacts on their livelihoods. In terms of the impact on farming and so on, I have indicated today that active consideration is being given to what assistance can be made available, and no doubt we'll hear from the rural resilience and sustainability Minister on that. But, yes, voices must be heard—and, in fact, I would argue that they already are, through the actions of all of us here. But, really, what people want to know is, 'What's the action going to be?' We will be very open about the results of that summit, plus the meetings that have taken place. Speaking with the Minister, it was an update on 8 September—I see it very much as setting up, then, the work of the summit, and it appears that there are elements already shaping up. So, it would have been about organisation, the physical environment, already being looked at by the fire and rescue services as part of their debriefs. That will be fed, then, into that national summit. This isn't going to be a one-off; this is going to be a process of making sure we're ready for the changing risks in the future.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Thank you. I'm also deeply concerned about copycat arson attacks, potentially. Just speaking here with my Minister for culture who is willing to take this forward as a question with UK Ministers in a meeting soon, because we do need to be looking at these threats that are absolutely things that we have in common across the whole of the UK. One thing that I have learnt is that our fire and rescue services have, over a period of years, become very, very effective at communicating messages around safety, reducing the risk of fire in homes dramatically over the years. They have also been doing a lot of engagement work with young people, talking about the risks, the dangers of fire setting and so on. I'm eager to see that kind of work being promoted more, and no doubt that will be a part of the prevention agenda as we move forward. Because human behaviour is, as I said earlier, a big part of the threat that we are facing here. Again, on agriculture, we're very, very aware of the challenges that have been caused to agriculture by the fires this summer. I know that discussions have been going on involving the rural resilience Minister. We want to make sure, within the confines of financial constraints and so on, that we're able to help, either in practical terms or, where we can, in financial terms too. Those considerations are very active. We will report back when we're able to do so.
3. Statement by the First Minister: Weather, wildfires, drought and resilience en
Yes, I was very grateful to a number of the graziers on the land above Blaenavon for making time to speak with me. It was good that we were able to speak as Welsh Government, and with Senedd Members there too, about the stresses that had been placed on them. You could sense that there was a real tiredness after such a long period of the fire burning. I am really keenly aware of the impact of the wildfires on Welsh farming and those grazing on common land. Welsh Government is exploring opportunities to bring together those relevant stakeholders in the coming months, as well as the summit itself, to consider how the resilience and recovery, of our commons specifically, to such events, can be strengthened. And as I signified, we're looking at all elements of the kinds of assistance that might be made possible through Government action.
55
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, our job is to make every £1 work as hard as possible for the people of Wales. That means focusing resources on the priorities that matter most to people and delivering the commitments we were elected to deliver. We're reviewing spending across Government to ensure resources are directed where they can make the biggest difference, whether that's cutting waiting lists, tackling child poverty or strengthening our economy. Alongside this, we will continue to press Westminster, of course, for the fair funding that Wales deserves.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I know the Member comes from the position of begrudgingly having even a square foot of estate in Wales looking after the interests of the people of Wales. But, I'll tell you what, this Government is a Government that believes in using the resources that we have wisely. We can look at it in terms of square footage or we can look at it in terms of people. What I want to do is make the most of the people that we have, whether that's working in the civil service, whether it's working across public sector, in health and education and in everything this Government does—including encouraging people to get the right balance between remote working and working in the office. We will do our utmost to make, as I say, the best use of every single £1. In that context, maybe he should take my original answer as a 'yes'.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We've made it clear that it's all about outcomes, it's all about looking at how the decisions that we take as a Government impact positively on the lives of the people of Wales. I absolutely agree that good Government isn't about chasing short-term savings, if you like. Though we make every £1 work hard, it is about making every £1 deliver better outcomes for the people of Wales. It's why we're reforming how public services are delivered. That stronger focus on prevention is one that comes to mind immediately—how we can spend money now on stopping some of those problems in health occurring later down the line. It's why the target has been put in place by the enterprise Minister on halving the productivity gap and making the investment now in ensuring that we strengthen the economy in that way. It is all about good Government, with long-term positive outcomes for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member will imagine, I'm sure—and he'd imagine correctly—that this is a Government coming into power that is determined to look afresh at all the budgets that we have, to make sure they are aligned with our priorities, that money is being spent well, with outcomes at the heart of everything that we do. It's not the case that our Government departments can have overspends as such. There are elements of the public service, we know, where there are significant in-year pressures—health being one of those—and this Government has indeed inherited hundreds of millions of pounds of in-year pressures in the health service as a result of the mismanagement of health by previous Labour health Ministers. That's something that doesn't stop us from getting to grips with the challenge now in improving public services, but that is the reality, and everything we do is about making sure that our public funding is dealt with in a prudent way, to deliver the best outcomes for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right to point to this as being something that can offer opportunities in terms of the Welsh economy, but he's also right to point out that there are significant expenditure commitments that would need to be made in order to get to that point. The Government has not yet come to a decision around that. That is a consideration that will be ongoing, and I'm unable to give a date on that. As the Member will be aware, there are many, many funding considerations that the Government is grappling with in these early weeks.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We announced an additional £145 million to support a clinically led approach to focus on delivering a sustainable solution to reducing waiting times and driving pathway transformation. We've set up an expert panel to look at the development of surgical hubs and are commissioning an independent review of performance and the impact waiting has on patients.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful for the question. I would respectfully ask the Member to reflect on the code of conduct on pursuing our own particular cases within the Welsh Parliament. But, of course, it is right that we all represent people who have been waiting a very long time on waiting lists. It is the length of waiting lists in terms of numbers and it is the length of time that people are waiting on them that have led this Government to conclude, even before we came into Government, that this was a priority. It's why we prioritised in the last budget, for 2026-27, the need to invest in the NHS now. It's why decisions have been made through the supplementary budget, which we hope can be passed today, in order to spend on bringing down waiting times and making the system sustainable, because it is unacceptable. Wherever people are—and that, of course, includes people here in this Siambr who are on waiting lists—it's not acceptable that we believe this to be normal, and that is why we are placing the utmost seriousness on the work of working with health boards, making the investment, having those performance reviews so that we can build a sustainable NHS and care system for the future.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, I certainly agree that access to healthcare should not begin with anxiety about finding a parking space, and it is something that far too many people face. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is responsible for the operation and management of parking across its estate. Welsh Government guidance sets out the principles and best practice that health boards should apply when managing car parking at hospital sites. The health board recognises the parking pressures at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in particular, and I understand that it's considering practical operational and management options to improve access for patients, visitors and staff, keeping emergency routes clear as well, which is very, very important. It's one of those elements on which my health Minister is eager to see improvement, wherever that might be in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As the Minister points out, that is something that the Government is doing. We know that, when it comes to the eyes, it is particularly important to pursue treatment as quickly as possible. It was one of those elements during COVID, I remember, when people were facing delays in accessing care because of COVID restrictions, and that was putting eyesight at risk. It's something that the Government is very, very aware of. It's one of those areas that's very much in mind when we look forward to continuing the performance review and putting in that sustainability, which will help across the NHS in time.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We could have a philosophical debate here about how many months is months. All I can say is that all the actions that have been taken by this Government within the first 100 days—. You know, commissioning that work on establishing the surgery hubs, on making sure that we put that investment through this supplementary budget that we want to get passed today, so that we can, both in capital spend and in resource spend, make that investment to drive down those two-year waits—. The actions that Government is taking are aligned with bringing down those two-year waits as quickly as we can. We want to do it in months. I not so much stick to that—that is precisely what we set out to do before coming into Government, and what we are actively delivering now in Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I mean, the costings around the childcare offer have been made public, and they are very much a part of the supplementary budget that is due to be voted on today. The childcare offer is made up of a specific fund of £55 million that is going to be partly in capital, partly in resource, to make sure that we're able to deliver, as the first phase of the roll-out of costed childcare, the completion of the 12.5 hours for two-year-olds. Now, that is what is being done. I literally cannot give you more detail than that. It's the money, it's the timescale, and it's going to be done within this financial year. Now, I know the Member couldn't decide which question to ask today, so he tried to bring eight into one. But in terms of accusing me of giving an off-the-cuff reply on the M4, it was an off-the-cuff reply based on 15 years of Plaid Cymru policy that we want to see a solution to the problems on the M4 in the Newport area—work that has already begun under my Deputy Minister for Transport and that we will be reporting on in the autumn of this year.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
[Inaudible.]—the idea that, from opposition, we were unable to resolve the problems of the M4—. We were in opposition over those years. He was in the Conservative Party, so I get the confusion there about where his politics land. Listen, I understand that there is frustration in wanting a holiday after eight weeks of being the leader of Reform in here. We will be working through the last 43 days of the 100-day plan, every single day of that reporting on it as we promised the people of Wales we would, and then cracking on with phase 2, which is that programme for government to transform the lives of the people of Wales. But today we need to get a supplementary budget through, to get working on the NHS, on childcare, on additional learning needs and all those issues that matter to the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is a cross-government response, of course. We have Ministers directly involved in working with the particular emergency services, of course. But this is a cross-government approach, in that these fires may have started yesterday, but they are caused by man-made climate change that all of us across Government are committed to addressing.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Of course, my Government will do everything we can and already have done to support those who are affected by these fires. My thanks initially go to the people who responded to them. My thoughts are with the people who are affected by them. On the question of a Minister for north Wales, I have a Minister for north Wales. It's Siân Gwenllian, and it's Dafydd Trystan, and it's Anna Brychan, it's Mabon ap Gwynfor, it's Sioned Williams—all my Ministers are Ministers for all of Wales. Where was Labour's Minister for the south of Wales, if that matters? Because all my Ministers are Ministers for the south of Wales too, and the west of Wales, and mid Wales, because we are a joined-up Government that has a plan for our nation—all of our nation. That is why all of us have come together around this supplementary budget today—north, south, east, west, and mid, it's important to remember—with a determination to change the lives of the people of Wales for the better. We have a supplementary budget that is focused on making the NHS sustainable. I will be voting for that sustainability for the NHS. The leader of Labour in Wales is threatening to vote against that. I will be voting for expanding free school meals under this supplementary budget. The Labour leader here is threatening to vote against that. I will be voting for the expansion of paid-for childcare in Wales. The Labour leader threatens to vote against that. And, yes, I will be voting for a package worth £120 million for ALN that he and I negotiated positively on, and he is threatening to vote to not allow that spending to go ahead. This is a Government for all of Wales with a vision for all of our nation.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I will, of course, firstly, also send my condolences to the loved ones of Bonnie Tyler, a national treasure who was a part of my life as long as I care to remember. She will be fondly, fondly remembered by all of us here in Wales and far, far beyond. And, yes, Ann Widdecombe: we share in the grief of her loved ones, but also in the fear around the safety of politicians and public figures, and these are negotiations and discussions that we should all across this Chamber be eager to engage with in a non-party political way. On the deposit-return scheme, I note that the Conservatives supported the DRS with glass. This is the starting point, and always at a time of difficulty in the implementation of a policy, it's important to remember where we came from. Why is it that the Conservatives said they supported including glass? Why is it that the last Senedd voted for the inclusion of glass, which is something that this Government is respecting in taking this matter forward? It is because it does go further than recycling. It is the reuse. It is about that environmental responsibility. It is about also being a trailblazer, because there's an agreement in principle in other parts of the UK to progressing with glass. We can be the ones showing the way. Are there challenges? Yes, which is why exemptions have been made clear for small retailers, for small producers, for example. But given that it's the right thing to do, you don't always allow the fact that there are challenges—very real ones, absolutely—to stop you in your tracks when there's a prize worth aiming for.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Bins being a theme here, I like the rubbish receptacle trashing, of course, the reputation of the leader of Reform currently. Again, when you're talking about people driving places to get rid of bottles, at the core of DRS, as a principle, is people taking things places, so that doesn't make a difference whether it's plastic or glass, and the Member does agree that it's the right thing to ask people to take those plastic bottles somewhere in order to deal with that problem of plastic. I understand that there are challenges, and I know that my Minister is dealing with those challenges now, and putting the practical measures in place in order to deliver this. What we're saying is that we believe that this can be overcome. The Member mentions the additional cost to small retailers. There is an exemption for small retailers who don't have that square footage, that space to put the machines in and so on. These are things that the Government is taking into consideration, but we believe that this is doable, and we do not believe the threats of the very large manufacturers of extremely large increases in prices. The sums don't add up.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mi ydyn ni’n amcangyfrif y bydd gostyngiad o £25 miliwn i £30 miliwn o leiaf yng nghyllideb gyfalaf Llywodraeth Cymru yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, efo gostyngiadau pellach yn y blynyddoedd i ddod. Mae Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol hefyd wedi nodi y bydd angen dod o hyd i £4.7 biliwn ychwanegol yng nghyllideb yr hydref. Felly, dyma’r gostyngiad lleiaf y gallwn ei ddisgwyl, ac mi allai fod yn fwy. Mi fydd hyn yn cael effaith uniongyrchol ar ein hysgolion, ein hysbytai a’n cysylltedd trafnidiaeth.
Official English translation
We estimate that there will be a reduction of £25 million to £30 million at least in the Welsh Government's capital budget in the current financial year, with further reductions in future years. The UK Government has also indicated that there will be a need to find a further £4.7 billion in the autumn budget. So, this is the minimum cut that we could expect, and it could be larger. This will have a direct impact on our schools, our hospitals and our transport connectivity.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is a very important point. We absolutely recognise the changing face of the threats that we face currently and the arguments in favour of strengthening defence spending, including in the cyber sector, in which we have real expertise here in Wales, but Wales should not be peculiarly disadvantaged by the way the UK Government has gone about with its decisions on defence spending. Departments in the UK Government in Whitehall would have been able to make the case for protecting budgets. The handing down in this way without negotiation with Wales of ongoing cuts to capital, which were under severe strain anyway, will inevitably mean needing to cut back on spending on health and education. The first supplementary budget allocates £40 million of additional capital funding this year to support the urgent maintenance and repair works across schools, the kind of which the Members mentions. That is put under threat. But, of course, we need to get the supplementary budget through first in order to make that spending.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I would hope that all of us want to see capital spend on schools and hospitals. These are really, really important elements for the future of our nation. As I said, the point here is that we haven't been engaged in any of this discussion that ends up in cuts being made that will inevitably lead to cuts in public service capital spend. I have written to the Secretary of State for Wales, and the Cabinet Minister for Finance has written to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, to raise those concerns, seek clarity of the impacts for our funding. As I say, it's completely unacceptable that Welsh capital budgets are impacted in this way. That does not take away from recognising the changing face of the threats that exist in the world around us, which are undeniable.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's a separate question, but it's a very, very valid question: how, when defence spending is made, or when defence investment is made, there is at least equity in the way that that spend is made. If you look at the way UK Government distributes that investment, Wales has not been getting its share. If you look at the proportion of defence spend going to the south west of England, for example, compared with Wales, there is no comparison. So, the Member is right that there is an economic element to this, and that is something that we would look at in economic terms, and, of course, seeking opportunities for businesses involved in the ethical defence sector in Wales. But that does not mean that we should withdraw our concerns around how decisions are made that affect all of our constituencies, be it schools or hospitals and so on.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
In her oral statement of the 9 June, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality set out our priorities for promoting social justice: fostering respect, solidarity and fairness. We're committed to addressing inequalities in Wales. This includes supporting the delivery of the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan', disabled persons' rights plan and delivering on the British Sign Language (Wales) Act 2026.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm sure the Member is pushing the limits of what the Llywydd would deem acceptable in the Chamber. My Government believes in providing opportunities to people in a way that promotes equality of opportunity. The Member chooses to focus on the colour of skin. I would—[Interruption.] I would choose to focus on the fact that there are many people who don't have opportunities because they live in poverty, because they happen to come from a background that has not made those opportunities open to them, as they are to somebody as privileged as I have been. That is something that I would expect to be a core value of everybody in this Senedd who believes in supporting and representing all of the people of Wales, regardless of their background, regardless of the colour of their skin. It is about taking a suite of measures that we can honestly believe reflect those values that were, in many ways, the basis of the election that allowed us to have a Government of which hope was seen as a real mantra.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I want to associate myself with all of the words spoken by the Member there. This isn't—. There are elements of policy here, but this is about values. This is about ensuring that, in everything we do as a Government, be it in education, in healthcare, in job creation—all of those elements where people interact with public services—or in supporting communities and putting in place policies that support cohesion, always we are driven by those values. It is something that I know unites the majority within this Senedd: the need to speak the language of tolerance. And to have a Government here that acts in a way that always promotes that cohesion and tolerance is something that is very, very important to us.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae cefnogi plant a phobl ifanc ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol a sicrhau system gynaliadwy yn flaenoriaeth i’r Llywodraeth hon. Mae hyn yn hollbwysig er mwyn codi safonau a sicrhau bod y dysgwyr yma'n cael y cymorth maen nhw ei angen i ffynnu. Mi ydym ni wedi ymrwymo i weithio efo'n partneriaid i ddatblygu atebion cynaliadwy fydd yn para yn y tymor hir.
Official English translation
Supporting children and young people with additional learning needs and delivering a sustainable system is a priority for this Government. This is critical to raising standards and ensuring that these learners are supported to thrive. We are committed to working with our partners to develop sustainable solutions over the long term.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Cynaliadwyedd ydy'r peth pwysig yn fan hyn, onid yw e? Dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, mae yna lot o gyfeirio wedi bod at sut rydym ni'n cyrraedd at bwynt lle mae yna gynaliadwyedd. Nid ateb tymor byr ydy hwn; mae angen dull partneriaeth go iawn, onid oes, i geisio cryfhau'r ddarpariaeth gynhwysol sydd gennym ni dros amser, a meithrin system fwy gwydn a chynaliadwy i Gymru er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r pwysau a chwrdd â'r angen cynyddol ymysg dysgwyr.
Official English translation
Sustainability is the important thing here, isn't it? Over recent weeks, there have been many references to how we reach a point where there is sustainability. This is not a short-term solution; we need a real partnership approach, don't we, to try to strengthen the inclusive provision that we have over time, and to develop a more robust and sustainable system for Wales in order to tackle the pressures and to meet the increasing needs among learners.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Because we know that the pressure is great. And it's in the spirit of understanding that pressure that engagement has happened in recent weeks. And, as I laid out in a letter to the leader of the Labour group yesterday, I appreciated the determination shown by him to make sure that this was an issue on which there was focus, and it enabled us to pursue our determination to build a sustainable future for ALN provision in Wales. That is why we were able to move at pace, working with the education and Welsh language Minister in particular, to not only identify the funding against an extremely difficult funding background, but, crucially, to find a way that we can start spending this money immediately. Now, that has come about as the product of positive negotiation. What we want to do, and I think what the majority of people will sense is the right thing to do now, is to get that across the line in that spirit, which allows us, at the same time, to press ahead with spending on the NHS, on childcare and on free school meals as well, which, of course, the Labour Party agree with and I'm thankful to them for expressing that they do agree with it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is quite right to point out those challenging areas. It's not just a matter of thinking of them in isolation, it's the way that they touch on each other. It is about taking that cross-Government approach. It is the way that my Ministers are approaching it. It touches on the ALN issue, again, and the need to get going on how to impact, in the most positive way, on the way policies are delivered within schools. The manifesto on which I stood made this one of the areas that we were absolutely clear we needed to gain ground on. We are confident that, in working in that cross-Government way, we can do that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We're committed to strengthening palliative and end-of-life care and to developing a sustainable hospice funding model. As a new Government, we're building on important foundations already established across Wales, including the quality statement, national service specification, competency framework and hospice commissioning approach. We're also working with NHS Wales, hospices and carers to improve access, strengthen the workforce, support advanced care planning and ensure long-term sustainability within the sector.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly agree with the Member on the importance of the sector. I say that as a former active member of the cross-party group in the last Senedd, and the previous one, on end-of-life care. On the particular issue of Ysbyty Cwm Cynon, I believe the health board's position is that consolidating specialist in-patient palliative care is necessary in their view to address workforce shortages and to maintain safe and sustainable specialist services. It's true to say, of course, that it is up to health boards in Wales to make those decisions. They hold the statutory responsibilities for the planning and delivery of healthcare services. They have to deliver them in a way that is tailored to the needs of their populations. But we are continuing discussions within the sector. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care hopes to be meeting very soon, I think, with Hospices Cymru to discuss current pressures and the long-term sustainability of hospice services in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Fel rhan o’n cynllun 100 diwrnod cyntaf, mi ydyn ni’n adolygu’r trefniadau presennol ar gyfer gwerthuso perfformiad ariannol y gwasanaeth iechyd. Mi fydd cryfhau’r dull hwnnw, ynghyd â symud y system yn raddol tuag at atal, yn hanfodol i sicrhau cynaliadwyedd yn y tymor hir.
Official English translation
As part of our first 100 days plan, we are reviewing the current arrangements for evaluating the financial performance of the health service. Strengthening that approach, alongside establishing a longer term shift towards prevention, will be integral to sustainability in the long term.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Fel systemau gofal iechyd eraill, gan gynnwys mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig, mae'r gwasanaeth iechyd yma yn wynebu heriau ariannol sylweddol. Dwi'n meddwl bod hynny'n blaen i bawb. Mae angen rhagor o waith yn sicr, a chamau gweithredu, i'w roi o ar sail gynaliadwy. Mae gweithio ar yr elfen effeithlonrwydd yn bwysig iawn, iawn. Mae'r gyllideb atodol, wrth gwrs, sydd o'n blaenau ni heddiw yn cynnwys £100 miliwn o gyllid ychwanegol i gefnogi lleihau amseroedd aros, £45 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd, a bydd Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr yn elwa yn uniongyrchol o'r ffrwd ariannu honno. Mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal, ynghyd â swyddogion, yn adolygu'r trefniadau presennol o ran effeithlonrwydd, efo'r bwriad o'u cryfhau nhw a nodi cyfres glir o gamau gweithredu erbyn diwedd y 100 diwrnod cyntaf, sydd ymhen rhyw 43 diwrnod erbyn hyn. Ond y tu hwnt, dwi'n meddwl, i'r syniad o effeithlonrwydd yn gyffredinol, mae angen dull gweithredu hirdymor yn cynnwys troi mwy a mwy at yr ataliol, ac mae'n hagwedd ni at hyn hefyd yn rhan o'n hymrwymiad 100 diwrnod cyntaf.
Official English translation
As with other healthcare systems, including in other parts of the UK, the health service here faces significant financial challenges. I think that is clear to everyone. We need more work certainly, and actions, to put it on a sustainable footing. Working on the efficiency element is very, very important. The supplementary budget, of course, which we have before us today, includes £100 million of additional funding to support a reduction in waiting times, £45 million of capital funding for the health service, and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will benefit directly from that funding stream. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, as well as officials, are reviewing the current arrangements in terms of efficiency, with the intention of strengthening them and noting a clear set of actions by the end of the first 100 days, which will be in about 43 days now. But beyond the idea of efficiency in general, I think we need a long-term approach that includes turning increasingly towards the preventative agenda, and our attitude to that is also part of our first 100 days commitment.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of Carmarthenshire's economy. We're supporting them through Business Wales, the Development Bank of Wales, SMART Innovation support, town-centre regeneration programmes, supply-chain opportunities linked to major investments such as Pentre Awel, and targeted funding that helps businesses innovate, expand and create jobs across the county.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, I'll commit to considering most things, because we're always on the lookout for good ideas. I know that the barriers to the HGV sector, with drivers, come from multiple sources. Difficulty in getting test capacity, for example, is one issue that is non-devolved, of course, but we as a Government will always seek to work with UK Government to make sure that we have the capacity for testing. There are elements, I know, in my neck of the woods where the further education sector has got involved in providing pathways, perhaps, to people into the driving sector. I'm very happy to consider what could be done, and I know I speak on behalf of the enterprise Minister in looking at how we look at the various options on the table, to recognise that this really important sector has that need—quite a crucial need, really, for an HGV sector to have enough drivers—and that that need is fulfilled.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Wel, fel y dywedais i'n gynharach, mae’r Llywodraeth yn cyflymu’r broses o gyflwyno 12.5 awr o ofal plant wedi’i ariannu i bob plentyn dwy oed ledled Cymru. Mi ddylai’r cyllid ychwanegol yn y gyllideb atodol alluogi awdurdodau lleol i wneud cynnydd wrth gyflwyno cam cyntaf yr ehangu hwn. Dwi’n falch bod swyddogion yn cael adborth cadarnhaol gan awdurdodau lleol am y gwahaniaeth y bydd y cyllid yma’n ei wneud.
Official English translation
Well, as I said earlier, the Government is accelerating the roll-out of 12.5 hours of funded childcare for all two-year-olds across Wales. The additional funding in the supplementary budget should enable local authorities to make progress on this first phase of the expansion. I am pleased that officials are having positive feedback from local authorities on the difference that the funding will make.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Aelod am amlygu'r pwysau gwirioneddol sydd yna, wrth gwrs, sy'n cael ei achosi gan gostau gofal plant. Er bod fy mhlant i'n mynd yn hŷn erbyn hyn, dwi'n cofio'n iawn y gost drwm oedd yna o ddarparu gofal plant, ac rydyn ni fel Llywodraeth yn benderfynol o helpu, o ran y gost ariannol, y cyfleon sy'n cael eu rhoi i blant, a'r cyfleon economaidd sy'n dod i rieni ac yn y blaen. Mi fydd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog yn darparu diweddariad i'r Senedd heddiw ar y broses o gyflwyno ein cynnig gofal, ynghyd â gwybodaeth am ein modelu costau. Mae'r buddsoddiad ychwanegol yma drwy'r gyllideb atodol yn mynd i'n galluogi ni i ehangu miloedd o leoedd gofal plant ychwanegol sy'n cael eu hariannu, yn canolbwyntio'n syth ar ehangu gofal plant ar gyfer plant dwy oed. Mae hwn wastad yn rhywbeth sydd yn digwydd mewn phases: y 12.5 awr, yr 20 awr, ac wedyn ymlaen at y plant ieuengaf. Dyna sut mae hwn yn cael ei gynllunio, yn cynyddu'r amlen ariannol a'r gweithlu ar yr un pryd. Ond rydyn ni'n glir bod y newid trawsnewidiol hwn yn gofyn am sector gofal plant cryf a chynaliadwy, gweithlu medrus, a model cyllido sy'n gweithio i ddarparwyr yn ogystal ag i rieni.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for drawing attention to the genuine pressure that exists, which is caused by childcare costs. Even though my children are getting older now, I remember clearly the heavy costs involved in providing childcare, and we as a Government are determined to help, with regard to the financial costs, the opportunities given to children, and the economic opportunities that follow for parents and so forth. The Deputy First Minister will provide an update to the Senedd today on the process of rolling out the childcare offer, as well as information on the cost modelling. The additional investment through the supplementary budget is going to allow us to expand thousands of additional funded childcare places, focusing immediately on expanding childcare for two-year-olds. This is always something that happens in phases: the 12.5 hours, the 20 hours, and then onwards to the youngest children. That's how it's planned, to increase the financial envelope and the workforce at the same time. But we're clear that this transformational change requires a childcare sector that is strong and sustainable, a skilled workforce, and a budget that works for providers as well as parents.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training is a priority for this Government. We're investing in support that helps young people develop skills, build confidence and move into education, training, employment or self-employment. Alongside this, our 'Wales means business' agenda is focused on growing Welsh businesses, attracting investment and creating more high-quality jobs across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Thank you, and congratulations to Terry and the team at Premier Forest Products. It does take good employers to show the way as well, so my gratitude is genuine to the team there in Newport. It takes a whole host of things to come together, doesn't it? It can be Government programmes, both devolved and non-devolved. It can be Jobs Growth Wales. It can be Communities for Work. It can be the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer. It could be work being done within the further education and skills sector itself. Medr is currently developing a more flexible apprenticeship programme for 2027, aligned to employer demand. We've got to make sure that it's aligned to the needs of those young people that we need to bring into the system. Careers Wales is still important in this, and making sure that they're there, at the right place, at the right time, to point young people in the right direction. So, it's an all-Government approach, but finding those trailblazing companies is really important to show others that it is in their interests to make sure that they provide opportunities for young people who otherwise could be missed.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Welsh Government uses a resource allocation formula to distribute the majority of NHS funding according to the relative health needs of the population served by each health board. The formula is commonly referred to as the local health board resource allocation formula.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right, and I expect every Member here to want to make sure that the health board serving their constituency is funded according to its need. I should say that the resource allocation formula does take into account the excess costs of rurality. It is one of the factors that is factored into that particular formula. We've got to make sure that it's effective, that it works. Does rural-proofing have a direct impact on that particular formula? I wouldn't say that the legislation that we have in mind would lead to there being a direct impact, but it's a principle. What that legislation shows is that this is a Government that, as a matter of principle, wants to make sure that no rural part of Wales is left behind because of its rurality. That should be as relevant in health as in anything else.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation cy
Diolch, Lywydd. Wrth annerch y Siambr yma nôl ym mis Mai, mi soniais i am fy mwriad i arwain Llywodraeth newydd sy'n gwneud pethau mewn ffordd newydd, ac mae hynny’n wir am ddeddfu hefyd. Heddiw dwi am amlinellu cyfres o gynigion ar gyfer deddfau newydd mewn amrediad o feysydd, fel modd o sbarduno sgwrs efo pleidiau eraill yn y Senedd. Dydyn ni ddim yma i ddeddfu er mwyn deddfu. Ni ddylid gweld y broses fel un abstract a di-liw, ond fel esblygiad, o'i wneud yn iawn, sy'n troi gwerthoedd yn bolisi, polisi yn ddeddfwriaeth, a deddfwriaeth yn gyfraith gwlad sy'n eglur, yn deg ac yn rhwydd i'w gweithredu.
Official English translation
Thank you, Llywydd. When I addressed this Chamber back in May, I spoke of my intention to lead a new Government that does things differently, and that is true of legislation as well. Today I want to set out a series of proposals for new laws across a range of areas, with the aim of stimulating discussion with other parties in the Senedd. We are not here to create legislation for its own sake. The process should not be seen as something abstract and dull, but as an evolution that, when done properly, transforms values into policy, policy into legislation, and legislation into law that is clear, fair and workable in practice.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
Today I'll talk about our first phase of legislation. This recognises the dual importance of bringing early momentum to this legislature's work whilst allowing space to build agreement and develop genuinely impactful legislation across a full four-year term. There are several areas where action can be taken swiftly. Firstly, we want to protect and enhance Wales's unique sense of community. Our nation is a rich tapestry of urban and rural, north and south, young and old, but the legacy of a decade and more of austerity has chipped away at our sense of place. We will therefore proceed with the development of a community right-to-buy scheme and provide the legislative basis to enable eligible community groups to nominate and register valuable community assets to be given the right of first refusal when the owners decide to sell. We want more, not fewer, places that allow people to meet, learn, organise and make decisions together, and we want these to remain in the hands of our communities. Secondly, the value my Government places on fairness has motivated us to take action to strengthen the rights of tenants in the private rented sector. We will initially bring forward legislation focusing on strengthening our enforcement framework and the regulatory role of Rent Smart Wales, as well as requiring the sharing of rent data. This will lay the groundwork for more substantial changes that will improve housing affordability, make rents fairer, and limit no-fault evictions, to be brought forward later in this Senedd term. We're also developing proposals to legislate for the right to adequate housing, because nobody should be forced to suffer the anxiety and unacceptable stigma that so often comes with having nowhere to call home. Thirdly, to leave a greener legacy for generations to come, we will bring forward environmental proposals that support the developing climate and nature action plan. We will make existing legislation clearer, more workable and better able to support delivery on climate change, nature recovery, woodland protection, waste management improvements, environmental enforcement and the sustainable use of natural resources. We also intend to develop a statutory duty on rural-proofing, to ensure rural needs are considered consistently when policies are developed and delivered. I made a promise to lead a Government for the whole of Wales and this long-overdue change honours that. Consultation will begin imminently on these environmental and rural resilience proposals. As a package, they will strengthen legal and policy tools, support fair and effective regulation, and help deliver cleaner places, healthier ecosystems and stronger rural communities.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation cy
Mae rheolaeth dros ddŵr yn rhywbeth llawer dyfnach yn y cof Cymreig na dim ond mater o bolisi a rheoleiddio. Felly, i weithredu ar egwyddor hirsefydlog sydd wrth galon y Llywodraeth hon y dylai adnoddau Cymreig fod mewn dwylo Cymreig, rydyn ni eisoes yn gosod sylfeini ar gyfer ffordd newydd o wneud pethau—ymagwedd Gymreig fydd yn rhoi mwy o reolaeth i ni dros ein dŵr mewn modd sy’n gweithio i'n cymunedau, cwsmeriaid a'r amgylchedd. Bydd deddfwriaeth yn cael ei chyflwyno yn nhymor y Senedd hon, ond bydd y gweithredu sydd eisoes ar waith yn parhau. Rydyn ni eisoes yn gweithio efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol i sicrhau'r grymoedd sydd eu hangen arnom ni i adeiladu system Gymreig, yn cynnwys rheoleiddiwr economaidd newydd sy'n adlewyrchu ein gwerthoedd a'n blaenoriaethau. Nid dim ond cyfiawnder economaidd sydd o bwys i'r Llywodraeth hon, ond cyfiawnder yn ei hanfod fel edefyn sy'n clymu cymdeithas at ei gilydd. Mae ein tribiwnlysoedd yn darparu gwasanaeth clodwiw i bobl Cymru, ond mae'r fframweithiau deddfwriaethol perthnasol wedi hen ddyddio. Ar hyn o bryd, mae pob un o'n tribiwnlysoedd yn gweithio mewn gwahanol ffyrdd, er enghraifft dulliau gwahanol o apwyntio aelodau, creu rheolau gweithdrefnol a ffyrdd o apelio. Felly mi fyddwn ni'n cyflwyno Bil tribiwnlysoedd Cymreig yn fuan yn nhymor y Senedd hon i greu system newydd Gymreig sydd yn gyfoes, yn gyson ac yn annibynnol. Bydd y system nid yn unig yn gallu bodloni gofynion presennol y gwahanol awdurdodaethau, ond bydd yn ddigon hyblyg i gynnig fforwm y gellid ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer adfer anghydfod mewn meysydd polisi datganoledig eraill. Wrth edrych i'r dyfodol, yn unol ag ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth hon, bydd gan y system gapasiti i ddelio â gofynion unrhyw ddatganoli pellach ym maes cyfiawnder.
Official English translation
Control over water runs far deeper in Wales's collective memory than being seen merely as a matter of policy or regulation. Therefore, acting on a long-held principle at the heart of this Government that Welsh resources should be in Welsh hands, we're already laying the foundations for a new way of doing things—a Welsh approach that will give us more control over our water in a way that works for our communities, our customers and the environment. Legislation will be introduced in this Senedd term, but implementation work that is already under way will continue. We're already working with the UK Government to secure the powers that we need to build a Welsh system, including a new economic regulator that reflects our values and our priorities. It is not only economic justice that matters to this Government, but justice in its fundamental sense as the thread that binds society together. Our tribunals provide a commendable service to the people of Wales, but the underpinning legislative frameworks are outdated. Currently, all of our tribunals operate in different ways, with, for example, different processes for appointing members, developing procedural rules and managing appeals. We will therefore introduce a Welsh tribunals Bill early in this Senedd term to create a new tribunal system for Wales that is modern, consistent and independent. The system will not only be able to meet the current requirements of the different jurisdictions, but will be flexible enough to offer a forum that could be used for dispute resolution in other devolved policy areas. Looking ahead, in line with this Government's commitment, the system will have the capacity to deal with the demands of any further devolution of justice.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
Finally, on the first phase of the legislative programme, I turn to the economy. Whilst far too many major economic levers still reside in Westminster, we will not stop making the case for their transfer. But, as an immediate step, a tax maintenance Bill will continue Wales's tax devolution journey. These proposals will help the Welsh Revenue Authority continue to administer the land transaction tax and landfill disposals tax effectively by making operational and technical changes to clarify, enhance and futureproof the Welsh tax Acts and to support information sharing between the WRA and local authorities. My Government will never place limitations on our level of ambition for Wales. The new national development agency will spearhead our mission to halve Wales's productivity gap with the rest of the UK in the next decade. With the Minister for enterprise already having announced an expert advisory panel, there is considerable momentum behind this goal. We won't take a final decision on the form of that agency until we've been able to consider the panel's advice, but we will be ready to bring forward legislation should that be required. This practical approach will underpin our activity in a number of areas, including child poverty and the Welsh language. We will review the evidence, we will consider the options available, and we will bring forward legislation where that is what is needed to deliver the outcomes on the ground that we want to see. Before concluding, Llywydd, I'll say a brief word about other legislation. It's the combination of primary and secondary legislation that makes up the backbone of the developing Welsh statute book. The Government's vision is not only to bring forward individual instruments that improve the lives of the people of Wales, but at the same time to create a body of Welsh law that is clear, coherent and accessible to those who rely on it. Central to this vision is our continuing programme of consolidation and codification of Welsh legislation.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation cy
I gloi, mae gwarchod democratiaeth Cymru yn un o werthoedd creiddiol y Llywodraeth hon. I'r perwyl hwnnw, mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi cyhoeddi datganiad ysgrifenedig heddiw i amlinellu'r camau y byddwn ni'n eu cymryd wrth ystyried deddfwriaeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol sy'n effeithio ar feysydd datganoledig. Ar hyn o bryd, mae confensiwn Sewel yn methu'r prawf o gynnig gwarchodaeth ddigonol i ddatganoli. Dyna pam ein bod ni'n galw ar Lywodraeth San Steffan a'r Llywodraethau datganoledig eraill i roi Sewel ar sylfaen statudol gadarnach, a pham y byddwn bob amser yn gwrthsefyll unrhyw ymgais i amharchu neu anwybyddu ffiniau y setliad presennol. Dyma raglen bellgyrhaeddol ac uchelgeisiol sy'n adlewyrchu'n gwerthoedd craidd fel Llywodraeth, ac a fydd, dwi'n gobeithio, yn arwain at gydweithio a rhannu syniadau pellach ymhlith pawb yn y Siambr hon. Rydym ni'n benderfynol o ddatblygu deddfwriaeth ar sail adeiladu consensws a thrwy gydweithrediad er budd holl gymunedau Cymru. Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
To conclude, safeguarding Welsh democracy is a core principle of this Government, and in support of that, the Counsel General has today issued a written statement outlining the approach that we will take when considering UK legislation that affects devolved matters. Currently, the Sewel convention fails the test of offering adequate safeguards for devolution. That's why we are calling on the Westminster Government and the other devolved Governments to place Sewel on a firmer statutory footing and why we will always resist any attempt to disrespect or ignore the boundaries of the current settlement. This is a far-reaching and ambitious programme that reflects our core values as a Government, and will, I hope, encourage greater collaboration and exchange of ideas across this Chamber. We are determined to develop legislation through consensus building and co-operation for the benefit of all communities in Wales. Thank you.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd, am y cyfle i ymateb.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Llywydd, for the opportunity to respond.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
I'll respond on a few of those points. I am still waiting for any sign of ambition from Reform for Wales, but I'll address a couple of issues. On rural-proofing, I think the Member confuses what this is. Yes, there's an element of that legislation that is about empowering us as a Senedd and as a Government to take our environmental responsibilities more seriously, and to act in clearer ways. The rural-proofing element is about recognising the specific challenges that we have in rural Wales, and this Government is taking the necessary action to show that we are here to govern for all of Wales. And I'm very, very surprised to hear Reform, that champion themselves as supporters of rural Wales, objecting, essentially, to a measure that is about promoting the interests of rural Wales. Maybe he'd like to reflect on that. On the development agency, the Member on one hand asks, 'Where's the plan for growing the Welsh economy?', and on the other hand he objects to the idea of having this development agency, which is all about growing the Welsh economy and creating a new impetus. I'm afraid he is totally out of step with business in Wales, that, from my experience, if not all of them, then pretty much all of them agree with us that this is a positive step. If we look at the positive impact of development agencies within these islands—in Scotland and in Ireland, for example—this is something that we could benefit from. I agree with him that there is a recognition here that Government doesn't have all the answers, but the point made is that Governments can't have all the answers. We are bringing in business to lead this with us because it is the ingenuity and the agility of business that will allow us to move forward. On tribunals, I'm not sure why he decided to focus on that, but I think the Member's objection to making tribunals work better for Wales betrays Reform's opposition to empowering Wales in any way, not least, heaven forbid, to make devolution work better.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
Thank you very much for those comments. On the timing of this statement, I would make it clear, Llywydd, that we are following in both spirit and in practice the precise protocols that have always been followed and were followed by the previous Government, and this is the statement that I'm making in the Senedd Chamber this afternoon. I welcome the Member taking an opportunity to speak about a number of the legislative opportunities that he would like to pursue. Commenting on the ones in our programme that he referred to, I welcome his support for the principle of introducing the rural-proofing legislation. There's a lot of work to be done around even defining what 'rural' means, because currently, in statutory terms, we don't have that. So, it's a matter of ensuring that we have the frameworks within which, then, we can say that, in everything Government does, it has to take into account the impact of decisions on rural Wales. It's very, very important. Also on protecting renters, I welcome that support. This is building, indeed, on current legislation, and bridging to future legislation. There is further legislation that this Government would wish to introduce to protect renters further, but I think it's important that we keep an eye on how we can build consensus on the need to protect renters in this key sector. On the statutory school support staff legislation, you're right, this has been a topic of conversation, debate and vote in this Senedd recently, and as was implied in the way the vote went, I can see that benefits of a statutory body that would give support staff similar arrangements to those set up in England, giving them a similar status to our teachers, who already have an independent pay review body. So, I'm very keen, as was said during that particular debate, to investigate how that could be taken forward. I would say, though, as I referred to in the statement itself, we legislate where we need to legislate, and we always look if there are other ways in which we can get the results we want. So, this Government is determined to make an immediate difference to people's lives, and I'm keen to explore what we can do without legislation too, and I would invite those who would work with us on those aspects of that particular potential legislation. On community right to buy, again, I welcome the support in principle, and, yes, Wales has slipped behind here. I appreciate that work has been done in previous Governments, but those Governments didn't get it over the line. So, we have an opportunity now to do that. We believe in our communities, we believe in empowering communities, and if we're able to work on this, because working together can bring results, we will drive this forward in the interest of communities the length and breadth of Wales.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
I did see a copy of the manifesto and decided it wasn't for me, as did most of Wales, to be fair. [Laughter.]
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
I recognise the platform that the Member has to lay out a number of political viewpoints, on much of which legislation is not needed. I could refer to legislation that he did propose that I just disagree on—to bring back the damage caused by Margaret Thatcher on right to buy, the damage that we are still trying to undo in terms of delivering more social housing now. So, we just disagree, okay; we're just going to have to agree to disagree on that point. On the mobile phone ban, we're taking action. Statutory guidance means we can move quicker without waiting for legislation. Though this Government has said we will legislate if we need to, we reckon we can work quicker than that. On tax maintenance, he somehow rubbishes the idea of tax maintenance. This is an important part of a well-functioning tax system, and, for a party that pride themselves on prudence, I'm surprised at the Member for taking such a cavalier attitude to making sure that we have good and effective taxation systems. On business rates, again, we don't need to wait to act. Why doesn't the Government legislate to bring back disused properties into use? Because we don't need to legislate on that, necessarily. There's action that is being taken right now on that. On fair funding, and making sure that we have a formula, not legislation, that ensures that money is shared out in an equitable way, well, those meetings are already meetings that my Minister for local government is having. Finally, there's a theme from the Member, and I will allow him to follow whichever theme he wants, but the idea that this is a Government that hasn't, in everything that we've done, made clear our determination to be consensual, from the very first comments that I made here in this Siambr—. I will read out again, Llywydd, my concluding statement in this statement this afternoon. I said that this is a programme that reflects the core values of this Government, and one that I hope will lead to co-operation and the sharing of ideas further among everybody within this Chamber. We are determined to develop legislation on the grounds of building consensus and through co-operation in the interests of all communities in Wales. I'm sorry that he'd switched off at that point.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
I certainly do agree with the Member, and I take heart—. I get the politics, but I take heart from the fact that, across this Chamber, on rural-proofing, for example, there is an agreement, it seems, that this is a good thing to do. The way legislation works, of course, is that we have an outcome that we seek to achieve, legislation is published, it is consulted on and it is us here, it is you as legislators, who are able to shape that legislation with amendments, through committee scrutiny, and so on. The clearer the determination to co-operate in order to strengthen draft legislation on which we have a common agreement that it's a good thing, well, the more likely it is that that will turn into good legislation. And I start from that starting point: we can find that there is common ground; let's see how we turn that into good law.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
I'm really glad to have that question; it's a chance for me to share my views on this as a matter of principle and to lay out the practical. It was a belief of the former First Minister Rhodri Morgan that there needed to be a bonfire of the quangos because of the lack of democratic accountability. That was before our Senedd, or Assembly as it was then, was set up. Once we had our Assembly, we had that accountability. So, that's why I believe it was a mistake to bin the Welsh Development Agency at that time. I mean, it needed fixing, but I think it was a mistake to bin it. We have that accountability now. We have many arms-length bodies doing very, very good work. There's very good reason why we need things at arm's length from Government. The reason business has really strongly supported the idea of having a development agency is because it is able to be more fleet of foot than a Government ever can, because I see the limitations that Government has. I believe the accountability is there within our systems, within our committee structures. And it is up to the Government to say, 'We are setting these targets.' It is up to the Government to own those targets. The bodies, within their remits—. And you're right, the remit has to be right, the remit has to make it clear that the buck stops with Government; that's what we would expect always.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau yna, ac ydw, dwi'n falch o allu sefyll yn fan hyn a gwneud datganiad ein bod ni yn blaenoriaethu'r meysydd yma. Rydym ni wedi siarad amdanyn nhw dros y blynyddoedd a rŵan rydym ni'n gallu bwrw ymlaen â nhw. Beth sydd gennym ni yn ei hanfod yn fan hyn ydy rhaglen dim ond ar gyfer y flwyddyn a hanner, efallai, gyntaf. Felly mae'r hawl i brynu cymunedol yn un sydd yn rhywbeth fydd yn digwydd o fewn y cyfnod hwnnw er mwyn i ni allu dangos ein bod ni yn symud yn gyflym. Mae yna elfennau, fel dwi wedi crybwyll, y rhan gyntaf, os liciwch chi, o ddeddfwriaeth i warchod rhentwyr sydd eto yn digwydd yn y cyfnod cyntaf yma. Ond mae angen wedyn datblygu o fewn gweddill oes y Llywodraeth yma y ddeddfwriaeth bellach sydd yn gallu symud ymlaen at warchod yr hawl i gartref a rhoi gwarchodaeth bellach i rentwyr. Felly, mae yna raglen sydd yn datblygu yma. Cofiwch hefyd, eto yn cyfeirio'n ôl at y cydweithio traws-seneddol dwi'n gobeithio ei weld, mi fydd yna gyfle i ddeddfwriaeth newydd gael ei chyflwyno i mewn i'r rhaglen yma. Mi fydd pwyllgorau seneddol yn gallu cynnig deddfwriaeth. Mi fydd unigolion ar y meinciau cefn yn cael cyfleon o bryd i'w gilydd. Felly, mae yna raglen ddynamig yma mewn difrif, ond y peth pwysig dwi'n falch o glywed cefnogaeth gan yr Aelod arno fo ydy ein bod ni'n dechrau ar y materion yma rŵan rydym ni'n gwybod sy'n golygu gymaint i'r bobl rydyn ni'n eu cynrychioli.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for those comments and questions, and, yes, it's good to be able to stand here and make a statement that we are prioritising these areas. We've been talking about them for many years and now we can make progress. What we have here, essentially, is a programme just for the first 18 months, perhaps. So, the community right to buy is something that will happen within that period so that we can demonstrate that we are moving quickly. There are elements, as I've mentioned, in terms of the first part of legislation to protect the rights of renters, which again will happen in this first phase. But we then need to develop within the rest of the time of this Government the further legislation that can actually move on to protect the right to an adequate home and further protection for renters. So, there is a developing programme here. Bear in mind too, and I would again refer to the cross-Senedd co-operation that I hope to see, there'll be an opportunity for new legislation to be introduced into this programme. Parliamentary committees may propose legislation. Individuals on the backbenches will have opportunities from time to time. So, there is a dynamic programme here, but the important thing, and I'm pleased to hear support from the Member on this, is that we are starting to address these issues that we know mean so much to the people that we represent.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you for those questions. Again, some of those last elements on funding are not necessarily relevant to legislation. On water, yes, I do believe absolutely in the principle of public ownership of water. That's my starting point always. We have now quite an exciting process that we are following with positive engagement from the UK Government currently, on handing us the ability to control and regulate our water in future. Legislating on water isn't necessary to be part of this, if you like, first 18 months of legislative programme, because we are involved in those negotiations with the UK Government now on empowering ourselves in Wales. But, legislation, we will look at how we can use law to protect Welsh water in future because it is so, so important to us. And on community right to buy, I appreciate the support there for that principle. There's a lot of work to be done in defining what exactly, for example, should be included. Some of the work has begun already, but we will get down to that work in earnest. I should have answered the question earlier on the question of funding. There is already a range of grant and loan funding arrangements available that community groups can access. I'm always interested in seeing how those can be developed further, but I think the important thing here is laying down the legal framework within which we can identify who can be the responsible bodies locally; which community assets need to be protected; and how we put those protections in place. Let's get that work done first.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
To all intents and purposes, the exact form and scope of the statutory duty is not decided yet, and that's very common, of course, if we think of legislation that we're collectively proud of here on the well-being of future generations, as that started its journey in a very different form to the one it ended up in, but the principle stayed true throughout, so we're setting an important principle. We'll need to develop, as I said earlier, the policy to define 'rural', to actually define 'rural-proofing', that technical aspect of what it is legally that we're setting out to do; the exact form of the duty and what it requires someone to do, and the discretion it provides them to do it. We'll need to propose which public authorities it should apply to and why, and a couple have been mentioned already here today. Health has been mentioned; there are other aspects too that we need to consider. So, it's a tool. Rural-proofing is a tool that decision takers can apply when designing or delivering a policy—that's the idea—when designing or delivering a programme, a service. Welsh Government already uses a template and guidance for internal integrated impact assessments. Those templates are already in place. Other nations in the UK have comprehensive guidance and toolkits to support specifically rural-proofing. Well, we want to have that too, so we'll be developing proposals for supporting mechanisms as part of the Bill's development, so it can be, I trust, implemented effectively.
4. Statement by the First Minister: Legislation en
Yes, absolutely. I mean, we've been talking about this across rural stakeholders for a long time, and in fact, the fact is that we can see it in action and working effectively; Northern Ireland, for example, have a system that works and is really interesting to us. I'll end on a positive note, as I always try to do, and say that I think that the Member is correct in stating that we can't afford this to be a meaningless tick-box exercise. Some of the criticisms levelled, sometimes, at legislation passed in previous Senedds have been maybe that they have lacked a focus on actually what they were trying to achieve; 'They've sounded good, but have they done what we need them to do?' That is why I said at the outset of my statement today that we shouldn't be legislating for legislating's sake. We should be legislating where we can see a need for it. We have done that work in recognising, 'You know what, we think that this needs to be done.' A lot of that work was done in the previous Senedd actually. Cefin Campbell, in his constituency role, published a report on rural-proofing, which was very, very useful in guiding us, as a prospective Government and now a Government, to a place where we have been convinced. But every single Member in this Senedd will have a contribution to make and to amend and to improve and strengthen. The Welsh word for amendment is 'gwelliant', literally meaning 'an improvement'. So, we will be bringing forward legislation that you will be able to improve and strengthen. We are legislators—that's our job.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Prynhawn da. The Welsh Government is working closely with Wrexham County Borough Council and the Wrexham bid team. We recognise the economic, cultural and societal benefits the City of Culture status can bring, and on top of the £60,000 allocated in 2026-27 towards supporting the application development, we're taking a cross-Government approach, getting behind the bid, before Wrexham submits its full application by 10 August.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Absolutely. And I thank the Member and her colleagues in Wrexham for putting up such a strong effort behind that wonderful bid. The Member has always promoted all the Wrexham has to offer, and what Wrexham offers in terms of this city of culture bid is quite significant. But she makes a very important point. Yes, this is for the local benefits that will derive from it, but it very much is a bid that should feel as if it belongs to all of us—all of us from the north of Wales and all of us throughout the country. Officials have been actively engaged in the past few weeks, supporting the bid, and, yes, this Government will do all we can to support in the build-up to, as I say, the application going in fully on 10 August.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the Member is absolutely right. Yesterday, we were looking ahead to a year until the Tour de France comes to Wales. And it's not just looking forward to that one day; it's about the legacy that comes from that. It's exactly the same with the city of culture. And, yes, hoping that Wrexham lands this, but it's about what it lands Wrexham for many years to come, hopefully. I think we were looking at the figures for Coventry. I think the UK City of Culture there helped to generate more than £183 million for the local economy. So, just in pure financial terms, this can bring real benefits. But it's not just the financial; it's the societal, as I say. It's the bringing of communities together, something that Wrexham has shown it is very, very good at doing anyway, building around the amazing success of its football team in recent years. But, as I say, the Government will do all we can to make sure that everything is lined up to make it as strong a bid as possible by the time it's tabled in early August.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right that it's important that this is built across party-political divides. We need everybody to get behind this and show that there's real momentum politically and within the community for this bid to become a success. We can look at the things that the Government is doing to support small businesses in general: the town-centre taskforce, which we hope will bring benefits to Wrexham, as in towns the length and breadth of Wales; we can look at the new development agency and its specific remit, which will be to help small, indigenous businesses grow. What we have around a bid like this is just a real opportunity, a one-off opportunity, for somewhere like Wrexham to build a dynamism around the economy in the town, to build real impetus and momentum around this, coming together with those Government initiatives. What we want to do is make sure that we align everything behind small businesses in Wrexham, to make the most of the opportunities that will come with this.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We recognise the financial pressures faced by local government. That's why I'm proud that we secured an additional £112.8 million for local government in the 2026-27 budget. That meant every authority received an increase of at least 4 per cent. We will consider future funding in-year and for 2027-28 as part of normal budget planning.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Borrowing powers are very important and useful tools for local government. I'll be making the case in a debate here later this afternoon that councils have more borrowing powers, in effect, than we do as a Government, and I'll be making the case that we should be able to have those borrowing powers here in order to invest in our future. What's important always, of course, is that decisions are made in a prudent manner about the reasons for spending, what the investment is, the affordability of the repayments and so on. So, I'm not going to criticise councils for borrowing—it's very much part of their armoury to strengthen public services locally. It is, though, very much for those local authorities to make those prudent decisions. We trust local authorities to make those prudent borrowing decisions themselves and to balance out their aspirations for the people that they represent with the affordability of those loans. What we want to always make sure, though, of course, is that we provide as a Government a solid framework for funding so that local government has that baseline in order to provide for their communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n sicr, Lywydd, yn cytuno efo'r Aelod ynglŷn â'r angen am sgyrsiau aeddfed o fewn y Senedd hon ynglŷn â dyfodol cyllido Cymru, a chyllido llywodraeth leol yn rhan o hynny, a chyllido gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn gyffredinol. Oes, mae yna ddyrannu arian wedi ei gyhoeddi sydd yn mynd i wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol yn y meysydd a gafodd eu crybwyll yn fanna, o ran cyflwr ysgolion a chinio ysgol am ddim, ac ati. Mae cyfyngiadau ariannol, wrth gwrs, yn dynn, a chyfyngedig ydy'r hyn sy'n gallu cael ei gyflawni drwy gyllideb atodol, wrth ddiffiniad. Ond, o weithio efo'n gilydd, dwi'n ffyddiog y gallwn ni gadw ffocws ar ddelifro ar gyfer pobl Cymru.
Official English translation
I certainly, Llywydd, agree with the Member on the need for mature conversations within this Senedd on the budgetary future of Wales, and the funding of local government as part of that, and the funding of public services more generally. Yes, there has been an allocation announced that will make a very real difference in the areas mentioned in the question, in terms of the condition of schools and free school meals, and so on. The financial limitations are tight, and what can be achieved through a supplementary budget, by definition, is quite narrow. But, in working together, I am confident that we can retain a focus on delivery for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The key thing that we all agree on here is that we have an unsustainability within the additional learning needs sector in Wales and that we need to build that sustainability. That will have to be a coming together of the financial and, of course, the policy. The policy: what is going to change and how will money be used? The Member will know that my Government has made constructive proposals as to what can be done this financial year to move forward towards that sustainable footing that I mentioned. I look forward to continuing that dialogue so that we can give confidence to pupils, to teachers, to schools, to local authorities, but it has to be a coming together of the funding and the policy, and it's a conversation the Member knows that I'm very eager to have.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The quantum, the money that is overall able to go to local government, I'm afraid to point out, has been pushed further and further down after 15 years of austerity under Conservative rule at Westminster. There is an impact to austerity years, to cuts by the UK Government, as that feeds through the system and down to local government. That's not something that we can deny. I lead a Government now that's dealing with the pressures that are emanating from the very, very tight constraints, ultimately because of decisions taken at Westminster. I refer the Member to what I said about the deal that we struck on local government for this financial year—£113 million almost—which we decided we had to try to funnel towards local authorities because of the real pressures that they face in delivering their services, plus, of course, the pressures on council tax during a cost-of-living crisis.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I like to give substantive answers here, but I need to point out that Andy Burnham is not the Prime Minister of the UK, and that the very early conversation that I had with Keir Starmer that didn't lead to a meeting because of chaos in Westminster I sincerely hope will be replicated in a very early meeting with Andy Burnham, should, as we expect, he become the Prime Minister of the UK, because I've got a lot to talk to him about.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's nice to get lessons in spending money wisely from the man who spent so wisely so as to build a property portfolio spanning at least five houses and four acres in three countries, and a party leader who has taken £5 million in donations from cryptocurrency billionaires internationally. My Ministers—. I think there have been at least—. Hands up, who has met a UK Government Minister today?
1. Questions to the First Minister en
So, three today. So, there's no question of this Government missing a single minute, a single opportunity to stand up for the people of Wales, as the people of Wales put their trust in us to do. It's not our fault, the shambles at Westminster, which could even include his party leader standing down, I don't know, in a statement at 2 o'clock—who knows? That's the chaos within the Reform leader's party, and it's chaos at Westminster that has stopped us from being able to take that face to face between the Welsh First Minister and the UK Prime Minister. I'm looking forward to putting that right very, very soon, when they sort out their leadership issues there.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, if you look at the money that has been found for childcare, if you look at the money already channelled towards health, if you look at the steps that have already been taken to establish a new development agency to create new jobs in Wales, all those measures that we said that we would do, we have hit the ground running and we have delivered on those. We are only just getting started as a Government. It's a Government that recognises we're in a minority and we look forward to building partnerships right across this Senedd on behalf of the people of Wales. But it's that determination to lead a different kind of Government, to set a higher level of ambition for Wales that attracted the people of Wales to vote for us in greater numbers than they have for any other party in the history of devolution. We're just getting down to the business of delivering on their behalf.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member will also know, of course, that at the end of the last Labour Government, they did not make a decision to spend money on additional learning needs because a decision was made by the then Labour leader that that was not the priority at the time. We have made it a priority, it's in our manifesto, to build a sustainable additional learning needs framework for Wales. And the Member knows, as I have said, that we have made constructive proposals on how we can work with him on bringing together the funding and the policy to build that sustainability that we need. I think what we need to avoid here is letting politics become the most important thing. What people expect us to do is to find a way to put a plan in place for those areas of priority for the people of Wales. And, yes, I'm as keen as he is to work on ALN, but we work within tight constraints, including the hundreds of millions of pounds of overspend that this Government inherited from the last, as well as aligning budgets with the people's priorities—a more sustainable NHS, expanding childcare, delivering more free school meals; all of which Labour's own finance Minister, and I believe the Labour leader here himself, support—that's what we've tried to do, in the spirit of constructive working, in order to deliver for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm trying to be as constructive as I possibly can here. The problems that we face in ALN have been caused by 27 years of Labour education Ministers. We want to work with this current group and anybody else to make sure that we build up sustainability for the future. The plans that we have in the supplementary budget stick with the previous Government's spending plans, whilst making allocations in areas I know the Member's party supports. I hope we can make positive progress on this, because we owe it to the people who are quite right in pointing out that we have a depth of problem in ALN in Wales and in England that deserves to be resolved, but it's not going to be resolved by a one-off payment.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
My Cabinet Minister for education has announced that also we in Wales want to bring forward that statutory guidance to achieve the aim that the Member says he wants to achieve. The timing of this is essentially around the summer holiday and wanting to work in a way that the education sector told us that they wanted to work, in order to make sure that there is no break, that there is no delay in people being able to feed into that consultation. This is a Government that's made its position very, very clear on this and we're moving forward as quickly as we can. We could open that consultation before the summer, but because of the summer we'd have to continue it afterwards anyway.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
While the Welsh Government regulates all registered independent schools, how they govern and manage themselves is a matter for the proprietor. I also point out, of course, that those decisions on VAT, decisions on national insurance that we are told has put additional pressures on independent schools, they are matters that are reserved. My concern, when it comes to the closure of an independent school is for the learners, the families and the staff affected, and the impact of the moving of students into the state school or college sector. My Government will be working closely with authorities to make sure that those pressures are dealt with. Our job is to support that state school sector now. There may be the need for more support when we have independent school closures. That's why we have put those incentives in to bring more teachers into the profession, so we strengthen the workforce. It's why we are putting in place the framework for improved numeracy and literacy within schools. And if he thinks that 50 days is two thirds of the way through the 100-day plan, I'll put him down for the numeracy lessons. [Laughter.]
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We have announced our targets to halve Wales’s productivity gap with the rest of the UK in the next 10 years. There have been widespread calls for a new development agency to help Wales meet that challenge. The Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy will make a statement about the next steps in establishing the agency later this afternoon.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We want to make sure that we have the right tools at our disposal to build a stronger economy for Wales, and we firmly believe that having a development agency is an important part of doing that. I know the Member has an opposition to the notion of having a development agency. They're very, very effective in action across much of the world—one of the best, at one time, was the Welsh Development Agency. I think it was a problem to get rid of it. It should have been fixed at the time. So, what we want to do is have that tool in our armoury, and in establishing the group that will now set out the terms for how it will operate, those are exactly the kinds of questions that we will hone in on: what kind of relationship will it need to have with the Development Bank of Wales, which had a good track record, in many ways, in supporting Welsh businesses? How do they work together? How do we make sure that business really is able to use its ability to be nimble and fleet of foot, to help other businesses in Wales through this development agency? This is about getting it right from the start, and the work begins right now, within the first 50 days of a Plaid Cymru Welsh Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
One of the most important things to consider in establishing an agency is how we set it up to make the most of the talent, assets and resources we have in abundance across the whole of Wales. It will need to create the kind of conditions for businesses to innovate, grow and access investment they need wherever they are, including, of course, in Port Talbot, which has faced real challenges but has so much potential too. And it does include working alongside and helping co-ordinate other sources of support, such as free ports and UK Government funding, to put Welsh businesses in the best position to grow. I think perhaps the most important word used there was 'coherence'. What I have heard too many times is that we have elements in economic development working in conflict with each other. The job of the new development agency will be to try to bring that coherence so we're all heading in the same direction.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I was speaking at a business event in Cardiff just before the election and the current plethora of organisations that are trying to do good work were likened to a plate of spaghetti, and that what we needed to do was untangle that plate and make sure that, as I said, that coherence is there. I've had people tell me that they're worried about what this will mean for the Cardiff capital region, for example. Does it mean you don't need that? No, it doesn't mean we don't need that. But what you need to do is make sure that, from the very beginning, those relationships are there and that the new development agency knows what its role is to get the best out of the Cardiff capital region or other bodies. That is the attitude that we will seek to put in place from the very beginning, and we should get more details from the Minister later this afternoon.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is clear that Welsh patients receiving healthcare in England should not face disproportionate barriers in accessing services. While local health boards are responsible for planning, securing and delivering health services for their local populations, the Welsh Government works closely with NHS England and NHS organisations to support cross-border healthcare, in line with the NHS cross-border healthcare services statement of values and principles.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's a major problem. Cross-border sharing of medical records is complex because NHS Wales and NHS England use multiple digital systems. Local organisations have reciprocal arrangements where possible, supported by agreed cross-border principles. But we are developing right now further digital improvements, including common standards and the national data resource, to support exactly what the Member refers to, which is the need for safer connected care for patients, using the latest technology well.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae'r Aelod yn gywir, wrth gwrs. Mae yna lawer o lif y ddwy ffordd. Os ydyn ni'n edrych ar ofal sylfaenol, mae yna 13,000 o bobl o Gymru wedi’u cofrestru efo GPs yn Lloegr, a bron i 21,000 o bobl o Loegr wedi’u cofrestru efo GPs yng Nghymru. Felly, mae hon yn berthynas sydd yn fuddiol i ni ar ddwy ochr y ffin. Beth sy'n clymu'r cyfan at ei gilydd ac i fod i osod fframwaith sy'n gweithio ydy'r ffaith fod gennym ni ddatganiad o egwyddorion a gwerthoedd. Mae hwnnw i fod i sicrhau bod dim triniaeth yn gallu cael ei wrthod, dim triniaeth yn gallu cael ei oedi, oherwydd ansicrwydd neu ei bod hi ychydig bach yn annelwig pwy neu pha gorff sy'n gyfrifol am ariannu gofal iechyd. Beth rydyn ni angen ei wneud, wrth gwrs, ydy sicrhau ein bod ni bob amser am wirio bod y gwerthoedd yna a'r egwyddorion yna yn cael eu cadw. Lle mae yna dystiolaeth nad ydyn nhw, dwi'n rhoi sicrwydd y byddai fy Ngweinidog iechyd i yn eiddgar iawn i fynd ar ôl hynny, fel dwi'n siŵr y byddai’r Gweinidog iechyd yn Lloegr.
Official English translation
The Member is quite right, of course. There's a great deal of flow both ways. If we look at primary care, there are 13,000 people from Wales registered with GPs in England and almost 21,000 people from England registered with GPs in Wales. So this is a symbiotic relationship on both sides of the border. What ties all of this together and should put a framework in place that works is that we have a statement of principles and values. That should ensure that no treatment can be refused, and no treatment can be delayed, because of uncertainties or ambiguity in terms of which body is responsible for funding healthcare. What we need to do, of course, is to ensure that we always check that those values and principles are adhered to. Where there is evidence that they are not, I will give an assurance that my health Minister would be very eager to pursue that, as I'm sure would the health Minister in England.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Said he through political posturing, and that's the point. We need to find a way to make sure that no part of Wales feels that it is missing out on the level of health service that it requires, be it people across the north of Wales with the problems that are well documented in Betsi, or people in Powys who have specific issues related to the fact that there is rurality throughout the whole of the county, there is no district general hospital, and the importance of those cross-border facilities is even more heightened. I've spoken with my health Minister for years now about how we ensure that the people in Powys in particular feel very much at the heart of the plans that we have for the development of health services in Wales. All I can do is give the assurance that we will take forward that pledge with the utmost seriousness and that we expect to be held to account on it. When it comes to whether it's a rural health service or cross-border health services, these are matters that are very much on our radar as a Government, and there's a real determination there to show that we will not stand by and watch the health service being degraded in any part of Wales in the way that the Member describes.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There are a number of points to unpick there. On the number of people from Wales having to access services across the border in England because they're not available in Wales, that's an argument that I've long made. Poor decisions have been made over many years that have led to the loss of services in Wales. Patients crossing the border might get very good services—people from the north get excellent neurology services at the Walton Centre—but we have to look at what we can do to build up services here too. It's a point of principle that's important to me, but, at the end of the day, you want to access the best services possible right now. On the data, as I mentioned earlier, this a specific problem that is being addressed right now. Digital improvements are in the pipeline, including finding those common standards that would be beneficial internationally—across the border between Wales and England, and further afield, for that matter.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is a real concern, the loss of thousands of community beds that we have seen over the past few decades in Wales, and there is an impact to that. The loss of community beds does mean an added challenge in terms of moving patients out of district general hospitals into the community. I know, from visits to my district general hospital, the sheer number of people who are in that hospital who are medically fit for discharge, and yet they are unable to be discharged. It's not a matter of being able to embark now on a major reversal of the loss of those community beds, but it is about recognising the importance of strengthening care within our communities. In particular, it's about the shift—which we have already started work on—of resources towards primary care. That means care within the communities, it means working across multidisciplinary teams, district nursing and so on, so that we are able to treat people within their communities. That work has already begun within the first 50 days of this Government's programme. It will be a long burn, because we are trying to undo decades of shift away from primary care and the costs that we have seen as a result of that. But we're determined to make it happen. And where you don't have a district general hospital in Powys, that becomes even more important, doesn't it?
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Workforce planning must improve across NHS Wales, which is why we are committed to bringing forward a new national workforce strategy for the NHS. I'll engage with organisations, including Swansea Bay University Health Board, on our priorities. We will work with health boards, trusts and Health Education and Improvement Wales to strengthen planning, better align training with funded posts and support a sustainable workforce to meet future service needs.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Decisions on the workforce, of course, are down to the health boards themselves. All NHS organisations need to have a clear workforce plan that supports safe delivery of their service models, and to keep those plans under review, in the light of the needs of their population and their overall financial position. I am very, very aware of the concern around the plans announced in that particular health board. The key thing here is that health boards and trusts have that responsibility to ensure that their workforce plans reflect their local population needs. I and my health Minister would urge them now, in light of those concerns, to ensure that any proposals that they bring forward will not have a detrimental impact on the health of the people of that part of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Government always keeps its level of intervention under review. It's part of what we do in order to make sure that health boards deliver for the people of Wales. It is troubling, and it has been. I spent most of my time here as an opposition health spokesperson. It is troubling to see those financial deficits year after year, which is why that sustainability agenda is so, so important to us. For example, in making money available through the supplementary budget, it is not about quick fixes. We cannot rely on quick fixes or expect just injections of cash to make a difference overall. You spend money in a way that can deliver healthcare in a different, more sustainable way. That is our intention with the funding that is going in now, and that is equally true for Swansea bay as it is for any health board in Wales. But it's up to those health boards to make sure that they balance the books and provide the healthcare that the people they serve deserve.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I have long made the case—and I welcome those comments from the Member—that cutting the dependency on agencies has to be at the heart of making our health services more sustainable. I do note that part of those plans by Swansea bay has been around getting rid of agency posts, which isn't, in itself, a negative. We need to build sustainability for the long term. On graduate jobs now, of course, we have returned to this week after week, and a problem has arisen this year because of decisions made, as we know, by the last Government. What we have been able to do through, for example, the graduate summit that was convened by the health Minister is to try to give assurance that, in the long term, we will be needing these posts, and that we need these specially trained health professionals to provide a solid, sustainable health service for the future. We'll do everything we can to get over this difficult point in time, which I find deeply frustrating, and which is clearly distressing for the students involved.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The NHS is facing sustained pressure due to rising demand for investigations and treatment for cancer, alongside increasingly complex care needs and treatment options. We're bringing forward a national cancer plan and a long-term NHS Wales workforce strategy that will help to address these pressures on NHS services.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Given the pressures on cancer services, it is very worrying to read the concerns raised by the Royal College of Radiologists. I, and we as a Government, certainly recognise those concerns and agree that workforce capacity in radiology and oncology is a significant challenge at the moment. As part of that NHS workforce work that we will be doing and the cancer plan, we will be setting out further action to help address the pressures. We're also working closely with Health and Education Improvement Wales, NHS organisations and health boards to strengthen workforce supply in areas critical to cancer services, including oncology, radiology, diagnostics and specialist nursing. But, to me, it's in the coming together of those two elements—a new workforce strategy and a new cancer plan—that we have the real ability here to get to grips with those shortages that are, undoubtedly, real.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is working with HEIW, NHS Wales organisations and universities to monitor employment outcomes for newly qualified nurses and midwifery graduates following the 2026 NHS Wales streamlining process. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care convened a graduate summit on 18 June, bringing together NHS Wales partners, HEIW and universities to identify immediate support for graduates and longer term workforce planning improvements.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
'I can't give a date' is the answer. It's well worth pointing out the depth of the problem that has been created. In midwifery, it's as serious as in any other. Of the 135 graduates, 70 of them remain without roles. Now, that's something that worries me deeply. We need midwives. I'm grateful—I say 'thank you' today to all those women and men who made the decision to become midwives. They feel let down because of the situation they've found themselves in. It's in that spirit that the Cabinet Minister for health decided to immediately call that graduate summit to mitigate the impact. I've asked HEIW to co-ordinate a consistent national support offer for graduates across Wales. This will include a single point of access to ensure that graduates remain supported, practice ready, which is key, and connected to emerging employment opportunities. What that means, for example—. I'll give you another example: paramedics. Very few, if any, will be able to go straight from paramedic training to be a paramedic. So, what has been done is to find other roles, many within the ambulance service, so that, when the time comes, as soon as we can engineer that, they will be able to become paramedics. The same would be true of midwives. There is no quick fix. It's a problem, sadly, that we have inherited, but that we are very, very serious about doing all that we can to resolve. But hang on in there, we need you as a midwife, we need you as nurses and paramedics. We'll do what we can as a Government to bring you into the health service, because we don't have a health service without you.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mi ydyn ni am adeiladu ar y safonau uchel sydd gennym ni’n barod yng Nghymru. Yn ein maniffesto, mi wnaethon ni ymrwymo i ddatblygu cynllun iechyd a lles anifeiliaid sy’n seiliedig ar wyddoniaeth. Mi fyddwn ni’n gweithio efo rhanddeiliaid, partneriaid gweithredol, y diwydiant a’r trydydd sector wrth ddatblygu ein dull newydd ar gyfer Cymru.
Official English translation
We want to build on the high standards we already have here in Wales. In our manifesto, we said we would develop a science‑led animal health and welfare plan. We will work with stakeholders, operational partners, industry and the third sector to develop our new approach for Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Tethering, clearly, is not unlawful, as the Member said, but it is a practice that does raise significant welfare concerns. There are no plans to review legislation at this point in time, but the Animal Welfare Act 2006 does require horse owners to meet welfare needs, including shelter, diet, healthcare and behavioural needs. It's very, very clear to me and to this Government that tethering is unsuitable for long-term use. The equine code of practice, though, sets conditions, including access to food, water, shelter and supervision around this. Alternatives are very much encouraged and it is then around the enforcement of animal welfare laws in general as to whether those animals are being treated well or not with this practice, which is clearly worrying.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are committed to improving connectivity for people across Wales by delivering a modern and integrated transport network. Working with Transport for Wales, we'll deliver better rail services in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, with more new trains, faster, more reliable services and investment in stations, including Caerphilly interchange.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right, and we are committed to improving connectivity, especially for those areas in Wales that are isolated from good-quality public transport links. One of the many reasons we're seeking the devolution of rail is to allow us to be in control of decisions like the reopening of closed lines. Where we do have the control, on the core Valleys lines, for example, the decision was able to be made on reopening, such as the line to Nelson, and between Aberdare and Hirwaun. But any reopening requires significant funding, clearly. That is why we need a fair funding settlement for rail from the UK Government—just imagine what we could do with that £5 billion of money owed to us because of HS2.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Other than to say that the in-year pressures left by the previous Labour Government are ones that we are having to deal with, and we will.
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Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Dwi'n falch iawn o gyflwyno’r cynnig yma i'r Senedd, ac mae'r Llywodraeth wedi cyflwyno'r ddadl yma heddiw yn yr ysbryd o adeiladu consensws yn y Siambr yma. Mae cyllid teg yn fwy na gwleidyddiaeth neu rethreg bleidiol. Mae o'n ymwneud â Chymru, sydd â'r offer yn ei dwylo i adeiladu dyfodol gwell i ni ein hunain. Mae trefniadau ariannol presennol y Deyrnas Unedig nid yn unig yn annheg i Gymru, maen nhw'n gwneud methiant economaidd yn fwy tebygol. A drwy ddiwygio'r system bresennol, mi fyddwn ni'n sicrhau bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru yr adnoddau a'r pwerau, y levers hynny, sydd eu hangen i fuddsoddi mewn gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, mewn seilwaith a thwf economaidd.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to move this motion at the Senedd, and the Government has introduced this debate today in the spirit of building consensus in the Chamber. Fair funding is more than just politics or party political rhetoric. It relates to Wales, which has the tools in its hands to build a better future for ourselves. The current fiscal arrangements in the United Kingdom aren't just unfair to Wales, they make economic failure more likely, and through reforming the current system we will ensure that the Welsh Government has the resources and the powers, those levers that we need, to invest in public services, in infrastructure and in economic growth.
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I want to work constructively with the UK Government within a respect agenda. Should Andy Burnham, as it looks likely, become the next Prime Minister, then I'd expect his experience of working in a devolved context in Manchester to help him understand the issues we are facing. I welcome his recognition that the current funding system is overly centralised and producing uneven outcomes across the UK. I want to work alongside him to deliver for people here in Wales. And, if I could say, the clearer we speak as a Senedd, united on that particular issue, the more likely it is that our voice as a nation is heard in Downing Street.
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Mae ein maniffesto diweddar, ‘Dros Gymru’, yn amlinellu amrediad o ymrwymiadau ar ddiwygio cyllidol. Wrth galon y rhain mae'r amcan o wella’r trefniadau cyllidol mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n gweithredu oddi mewn iddyn nhw, a diwygio fformiwla Barnett hefyd, i sicrhau cyllido tecach i Gymru. Mi fyddwn i'n croesawu yn fawr cefnogaeth y Siambr wrth geisio gwireddu'r gwelliannau pwysig iawn yma. Ac mae'r cynnig heddiw, yn syml, yn gosod y gwahoddiad hwnnw am gefnogaeth y Senedd iddo fo. Er i ni weld ychydig o addasiadau cadarnhaol y llynedd, prin mae'r fframwaith cyllidol wedi newid ers ei gyflwyno ddegawd yn ôl. Dydy'r fframwaith ddim yn cynnig lefel yr hyblygrwydd sydd ei hangen ar Lywodraeth Cymru i reoli ystod ein cyfrifoldebau cyllidebol yn effeithiol, na chwaith yn adlewyrchu uchelgais pobl Cymru. Gadewch imi egluro pam.
Official English translation
Our recent manifesto, ‘For Wales’, outlines a range of commitments on fiscal reform. At the heart of these is the objective of improving the fiscal arrangements that the Welsh Government operates within, and reforming the Barnett formula as well, to ensure fairer funding for Wales. I would welcome very much the support of the Chamber in trying to achieve and deliver these very important improvements. And today's motion is simple in setting out that invitation for Senedd support. Even though we saw a few positive amendments last year, the fiscal framework has changed little since it was introduced a decade ago. It doesn't provide the level of flexibility that the Welsh Government needs to manage our range of fiscal responsibilities effectively, nor does it reflect the ambition of the people of Wales. Let me explain why.
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The Wales reserve—our savings account, if you like, as a nation—has a limit of how much we can put in it, set at 1.4 per cent of our budget. This prevents us saving for future investments to support economic growth and boost productivity. The Treasury will simply claw back any money where there is not enough space in our reserve to store it. And whilst we have no limits on how much we can access from the reserve for this year, this is temporary, unlike Scotland, which has permanent unlimited access. So, next year, we will only be able to draw down less than £200 million, well under 1 per cent of our budget. These constraints and rules are holding Wales back. It might surprise some Members—and I mentioned this earlier today—to know that, as a national Government, we have less generous borrowing powers than local councils, who can undertake prudential borrowing to support infrastructure investments. If we were not impeded by these kinds of restrictions, we could have gone further last month in our supplementary budget, for example, to invest in key priorities on childcare, free school meals for secondary school pupils, even ALN. But we are constrained. And alongside fair funding and flexibility, we want greater tax powers that strengthen accountability and allow us, crucially, to mould our own future. We also need to get to grips with the fundamentally outdated and unfair Barnett formula, which makes us dependent on decisions taken in Westminster, because it ties Wales to spending choices for England. And let me spell it out: we have to wait for the Treasury to decide to spend on a particular area in England before we can get a consequential. So, we can't instigate additional expenditure ourselves to match our needs as a nation. That's the fundamental problem of the funding settlement. And, indeed, when Andy Burnham was mayor of Greater Manchester, he co-authored a book that made the case for a new funding formula covering the whole of the United Kingdom. He argued it was time to replace the Barnett formula with a modern formula that worked for the nations and regions. Funding, he said, and I quote, 'would be allocated based on social factors and levels of need.' And that's all we ask for. Those comments were welcomed. Less so the apparent backtracking by the would-be Prime Minister last week when his team were briefing BBC Wales that he has already ruled out reform of Barnett. But I will, as I've said, give Andy Burnham the benefit of the doubt. They may not have been written by his own pen, let's say. But, in doing so, I kindly make this point: principles should not change by someone's proximity to power. But neither should they change when a party goes from a position of being in Government to a party in opposition. Labour's 2026 Senedd manifesto says explicitly that the next chapter of devolution must be underpinned by fair funding. If the Labour benches are to remain true to that commitment, they will vote for the Government motion. This is a motion that Labour themselves could not only have voted for over the years, they could well have tabled it themselves. But now they focus not on getting a better deal from the Treasury, but on blaming Scotland, choosing rather bizarrely, if I might say, to side with Westminster politics against the interests of the people of Wales. We need Treasury reform rooted in a clear assessment of need that reflects Welsh demographic and economic realities, not just population. Wales requires a higher level of funding per person than equivalent programmes in England just to provide the same level of service, but, plainly, there's a range of issues that play into that. We have an ageing population, higher rates of long-term illness and a more dispersed population, which means higher costs for delivering public services. We have significantly more roads to maintain than they do in England—I think it's twice as much as England in terms of the population. The rurality and the sparsity of population costs money. It needs to be reflected. Now, all Governments across the UK share an interest in funding arrangements that are fair, consistent and trusted. No one country should be disadvantaged by the current system, and all Governments should have the same opportunity to deliver for its people. And so, it's right to explore alternatives to the existing Barnett system. We also want to continue work with the other devolved Governments and the Treasury to pursue improvements to transparency, to fairness and greater scrutiny of the existing system. There should be independent oversight of the operation of the Barnett formula. It can't be right that the Treasury makes the rules, decides if they've been broken and determines any remedial action. The Treasury's instinct will always be to resist any transfer of fiscal powers, and I'm not underestimating the challenge of negotiating for these improvements, but we must move away from viewing this and accepting this as a zero-sum game. There's an opportunity to make improvements in the way our framework operates, adding crucial transparency to fiscal matters and removing constraints that prevent us from taking action that will benefit Welsh public services. Wales must receive its fair share of public investment, and that also includes UK Government funding for reserved functions in Wales. Analysis by the Wales Governance Centre shows relative spending per person in non-devolved areas in Wales is at 91 per cent of England's level. Wales has been denied billions of pounds that could have transformed infrastructure and economic productivity. We heard that message clearly earlier this afternoon when the Deputy Minister for Transport made his statement on rail investment. On HS2, because rail isn't devolved, when spending on HS2 in England goes up, the clearer the injustice for Wales becomes. It has to be addressed. Meanwhile, the profits from our natural resources within the Crown Estate in Wales go to Westminster. Only last month, we heard those profits have increased from £8.7 million in 2021 to £210 million in 2025-26. Fair funding and further devolution, as we see, are inseparable, and that's why we're seeking devolution over rail and the Crown Estate.
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Lywydd, mae'n rhaid i ni fynd at wraidd gwendidau y trefniadau presennol. Mi fydd ein comisiwn cenedlaethol ni, y comisiwn newydd, yn ymgysylltu efo'r cyhoedd mewn sgwrs genedlaethol am ddyfodol cyfansoddiadol Cymru ac yn cryfhau'r dystiolaeth ar gyfer diwygio pellach. Mae hynny'n golygu, ac yn gorfod golygu, diwygio cyllid. Mi fydd yn edrych ymhellach ar y pwerau, yr adnoddau a'r offer sydd eu hangen arnom ni fel Llywodraeth i lywodraethu yn fwy effeithiol yma yng Nghymru, i greu twf economaidd a diogelu dyfodol ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus.
Official English translation
Llywydd, we have to get to the heart of the weaknesses of the current arrangements. Our national commission, the new commission, will engage with the public in a national conversation about the constitutional future of Wales and will strengthen the evidence base for further reform. That means, and has to mean, fiscal reform too. It will look further at the powers, resources and the tools that we need as a Government to govern more effectively in Wales, to create economic growth and to safeguard the future of our public services.
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So, in conclusion, the more, as I say, Wales speaks with one voice in favour of what's best for our nation, the harder it will be for Westminster to ignore us—[Interruption.] Just in time.
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If we look at the simplicity of this motion in front of us today, to make sure that we need to make sure that we as a Parliament, that we as a nation—. Frankly, it strikes me as worrying that that is something that the Member believes there needs to be work to find consensus on. This is the fundamental of what we are here as a Senedd to do. This is the fundamental of us being able to speak with one voice as a nation. So, the more Wales speaks, as I say, with that one voice in favour of what's best for our nation, the harder it will be for Westminster to ignore us. As much as the Member perhaps wants Westminster to ignore us, this Senedd has voted unanimously in favour of fairer funding for Wales before. It's my sincere hope that we can do so once more today, in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of our people. And this is bringing to the Senedd that pursuit of consensus right here in our national Parliament today.
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Is the Member aware that the Treasury insists on discussions on Barnett being bilateral between the Treasury and individual nations, that there is no mechanism for the discussion—
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Will you take an intervention? I would refer to the statement made by the IFS in March this year saying that available needs assessments are nearly 20 years old and need updating, which is exactly what we're calling for.
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Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. There's a straightforward question at the heart of this debate. Should we always seek to stand up for Wales and stand up for fairness—and I'm grateful to the Green Party Members for standing with Plaid Cymru on that side of the debate—or do you believe Westminster is being generous to Wales and we should be grateful for what we get? That is clearly Reform's position. To seek fairness for Wales is to hand out a begging bowl. That is their level of respect for Wales. They are happy for Wales to languish. Pitching people against each other is what they do, creating divisions within our communities that deepen the challenges that face us as a nation, and blaming some of the most vulnerable people, rather than being willing to stand up against the deep inequalities within the UK. Now, their lack of understanding of how a review of funding and fiscal frameworks works is proof of the fact that—. This is not a party that is focused on Wales. But their position is not one that surprises me. Labour's is a position that disappoints me greatly. It represents a remarkable, if I might say, shift in tone. And the great—[Interruption.] I'm afraid I have very little time. The great Labour leader Rhodri Morgan—[Interruption.] The great Labour leader Rhodri Morgan would shudder. In a debate on funding Wales, they take the side of UK Government, reading from the Conservatives' playbook of recent years on the benevolence of Westminster towards Wales. And I have to ask: what has happened to Welsh Labour? What has happened to the so-called party of devolution? I ask you to focus on what it is that we are here to achieve. This is a simple motion asking for the Senedd's support. This is a simple motion asking for the Senedd's backing to improve the fiscal arrangements within which the Welsh Government acts, including increased borrowing powers and reforming the Barnett formula to deliver fairer funding for Wales. And then we are told that Welsh Government should be lobbying Scottish Government, to get, presumably, UK Government off the hook. It is not the position of Welsh Government versus Scottish Government that is important here. And I'll say it again: since 2015, the Treasury has insisted on negotiating bilaterally and has agreed separate reforms to the fiscal frameworks of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. That means there are now key differences in each country in the way the Barnett formula is applied, in the degree of control over taxation and the methodologies for calculating corresponding block grant adjustments, and the restrictions and limits on the use of reserves and for borrowing. And I'll say this: it is not Scottish Government that will block the devolution of rail or will block the devolution of the Crown Estate, which is essential to bringing about fair funding for Wales. It is not Scottish Government that is blocking Wales from being able to get the consequentials of HS2 that can transform our infrastructure and lead to the improvement in Welsh productivity that we should all strive for. Llywydd, we need a modern funding system that is fair, that is transparent and reflects our needs. We need fair treatment on major investments. We need greater flexibilities, including capital borrowing and further tax devolution. We need the tools to build our future. We need a Government that is willing to always stand up for Wales—and we have that in this Plaid Cymru Government—and that wants to work with other parties on issues of fair funding. And we need the Senedd with a clear and consistent voice in standing up for and seeking what is right for Wales. So, that is why I ask again: support this motion—let's speak with that unified voice.
39
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Supporting the education workforce is central to our mission to raise standards and give learners the best foundation for their futures. I was pleased to join the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language on 11 June to announce that we have delivered our 100-day commitment to increase the priority subject incentive for student teachers to £20,000 from September, to support recruitment across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The manifesto on which I stood promised to put steps in place to incentivise the recruitment of teachers. That's exactly what we have done. We need more teachers. I hope that we can agree on that. We have taken measures through identifying specialist areas already. We also need to make sure that we reach into communities from which not enough teachers have been coming. We also need to make sure that our teaching workforce reflects the population of Wales, where I think, on this particular issue, 2 per cent of the existing teaching workforce identify as being from an ethnic minority compared with 12 per cent of learners. So, making sure that the workforce reflects the pupils is very important too, but there are lots of different ways in which we are determined to incentivise teachers, because we need the best ones in place to improve education standards. That's exactly what we do.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n llongyfarch yr Aelodau lleol am sicrhau eu bod nhw'n mynd i ysgolion i ddeall beth ydy'r heriau sy'n cael eu hwynebu. Mae presenoldeb rheolaidd, rydyn ni'n gwybod, yn hanfodol ar gyfer cyfranogiad, ar gyfer cyflawniad addysgol a lles disgyblion. Rydyn ni'n canolbwyntio ar nodi a mynd i'r afael â'r rhwystrau hynny cyn gynted â phosib, gan alluogi plant a phobl ifanc i fynychu'r ysgol, cymryd rhan mewn dysgu a chyflawni eu potensial llawn. Mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg yn gweithio i fynd i'r afael yn benodol ag achosion sylfaenol absenoldeb, gan gynnwys drwy rannu gwybodaeth yn well a thynnu ynghyd y partneriaid sydd eu hangen er mwyn symud ymlaen yn y maes yma—gwasanaethau addysg, lles a chymorth—gwella ymgysylltu drwy wneud hynny, ac, yn y pen draw, gobeithio lleihau absenoldeb.
Official English translation
I congratulate the local Members for ensuring that they do go to schools to see what the challenges are. Regular attendance, we know, is crucial for participation, educational achievement and pupil welfare and well-being. We are focused on tackling those barriers as soon as possible, enabling children and young people to attend school, to participate in learning and to achieve their full potential. The Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language is working specifically to address the fundamental causes of pupil absence, including better information sharing and drawing together the partners required in order to make progress in this area—education, well-being and support services—thereby improving engagement and, ultimately and hopefully, reducing pupil absence.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Beth wnaf i ddweud ydy, wrth gwrs, fod y Gweinidog dros addysg yn cyfarfod cynrychiolwyr undebau drwy'r amser. Mae partneriaeth efo undebau yn rhywbeth pwysig. Mae'n Weinidog sydd, yn digwydd bod, â phrofiad o weithio yn y maes hwnnw ei hun. Felly, all neb gyhuddo'r Gweinidog addysg yma o beidio parchu'r berthynas efo undebau'r athrawon. Ar ddiwedd y dydd, mae yna fwriad neu mae yna nod gennym ni yma, fel Llywodraeth, i fynd i'r afael â'r heriau recriwtio, a cham cyntaf ydy hwn, wrth gwrs, fydd yn arwain at adeiladu'r incentives rydyn ni'n bwriadu eu rhoi mewn lle, oherwydd mae athrawon presennol angen gwneud yn siŵr eu bod nhw yn cael eu cefnogi. A rhan fawr o'r gefnogaeth yna ydy gwneud yn siŵr bod yna wytnwch ar draws y gweithlu addysg yn ei gyfanrwydd.
Official English translation
What I will say is that, of course, the Minister for education meets union representatives all the time. Partnership with unions is important. She is a Minister who happens to have experience of working in that area herself. So, nobody could accuse this education Minister of not respecting the relationship with trade unions. At the end of the day, it is our aim here, as a Government, to address the recruitment challenges and this is a first step, of course, which will lead to developing the incentives that we intend to put in place, because the current teaching workforce needs to be supported. And a large part of that support is to ensure resilience across the education workforce in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the Member is absolutely right, and it's why the party that I lead has spoken so clearly about needing that holistic approach, that wraparound approach, to giving both pupils and teachers the support that they need, and, of course, tackling violence in the school environment is something that is hugely important. The Member is quite right to point out, of course, that there is a whole host of issues that come together to make teaching an attractive proposition, an attractive profession. I want people to be excited about going into that profession. Both my parents were teachers themselves. Feeling safe within the school environment, of course, is a really important part of the support that we can give the workforce.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is taking forward lawful, consistent and workable actions in Wales, whilst upholding the dignity and respect of all people.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Following the law, in many ways, is the easy bit. This is a Government that will follow the law, and, as public organisations, we have to follow the law. There's no question behind that at all. What we have here also is something that has become divisive in recent years. And I would appeal to the Member's sense of political leadership in everything that she does to engage with this issue to show that leadership, which absolutely does mean listening to the concerns of people, who raise valid concerns, but also balance that against—. She mentions 'concerned members of staff'. We hear from very concerned trans people who feel that they are being disempowered and put at risk, even, by the current debate. And that, I think, is where political leadership comes from. I can't comment on the particular material that she mentioned because I'm not aware of what it is. But that Supreme Court ruling wasn't a victory of one side over another. I was listening at the time when the judgment was given. What it did usher in was a new era of the need for greater understanding between people who have divergent views. All of us have to be aware of that in trying to cool down the temperature on what has become a heated debate but also a very painful debate for many individuals.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I said, what the Supreme Court's ruling did was usher in a new era for discussion around this, in which we can allow divisiveness to come to the fore, or we can seek to understand better the concerns and the realities for people on both sides of the debate. On the waiting, waiting is literally a part of the publication of the EHRC code of practice, in that it is published and then we await to see what the response is. And if, at a certain point in time, which happens to be next month, there are no objections, then it gets put into practice. We as a Government are reviewing that draft, as it is a code of practice by EHRC, to assess the implications for the Welsh Government. We will act according to the law. We are a law-abiding Government. But we are also a Government that has values, that understands the very real concerns that some people have, but recognises also that that original judgment does not remove protections for trans people, for example, who remain protected from discrimination and harassment under gender reassignment, and we need to step up to protect them where they feel at risk.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There are some things, if I might say, that money can't buy. There's a specific problem that has arisen this year, which should not have arisen, but it has arisen because training numbers for this cohort who are looking for jobs in September this year were commissioned in 2022. Now, we are living now with the challenges posed by the over-commissioning back then. I recognise and am really concerned about how unsettling that is for graduates who haven't secured a post. That is why the Cabinet Minister for health brought partners together on 18 June, asked the system to move at pace to maximise opportunities, provide consistent support, improve planning for future cohorts. There are a number of measures being taken on reopening streamlining, ongoing national co-ordination by Health Education and Improvement Wales, identifying transitional flexible employment routes. But let's remind ourselves: we will help those graduating now to get jobs. They have careers in the NHS. We need them. But we have a problem that we face right now, which this Government is working around to quite rightly support those who are worried in a way that they shouldn't be, when they signed up to those courses in 2022.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member and I have met. Discussions will take place continuously across, through the—[Interruption.] Well, it really shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody that I have met all leaders of political parties in this Senedd. When I speak of wanting to be a co-operative Government, that means having conversations with leaders of Reform, the Conservatives, Labour and the Green Party. I'm sorry if that's come as a surprise to anybody. Listen, this supplementary budget is the first opportunity for this Government to align the some space there is, within tight financial constraints, to align budgets with priorities that were set out and for which we have a mandate to put in place. But we recognise this is a minority Government, and that is why, when we appeal in the Senedd for people, Members here, to support those measures to stabilise and get to grips with and bring down waiting lists in the NHS, I would hope that that is something that the Member would be able to support. When I look at the measures being taken now to support families with the cost-of-living crisis, through expanded childcare, I'm hoping that that is something that can appeal to Members across this Senedd, and measures to improve school buildings and so on. This isn't a Government that doesn't recognise the need to speak across this Chamber. This is a Government that is determined to put in place the programme on which we stood and which we know we will need the support of others to implement.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm going to drop a bombshell: there will be a budget published later this year. The hint—[Interruption.] There has been a sense—[Interruption.] It will happen, I can assure the Member. What we will do as an approach to that budget, as we've done now, is lay out, among challenging circumstances, what it is that we hope to achieve on behalf of and for the people of Wales. I appreciate that the Member has laid out health as a priority now. It wasn't mentioned by his party as a priority during the election that we've just fought, but I welcome the fact that that is seen as an important area now. That is exactly why it has been put front and centre of this supplementary budget, which is very important in order to do that work that we promised the people of Wales we would do, which is to build a sustainable health and care system fit for the future. It is up to all Members here to decide if that's something that they can support in this supplementary budget.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The one-off payment this year, of course, is one that we know is based on historic debt in England. Looking ahead to future years, two years from now, there is a signal of consequential funding. The Government that the Member used to be a member of himself knows full well that prioritisation as to how you spend that money are decisions taken by Governments of the day, in partnership with others, as needs be. But we'll concentrate right now on putting in place the measures that we believe can help both children in education, patients in the health service and families who need support with childcare.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Those who have been in Government, Llywydd, will know that there are two sides of the ledger when it comes to budgets. There are consequentials, yes, from time to time, there are pressures, too. This Government has inherited significant pressures, which have to be addressed—and we have inherited those pressures from previous Governments—whilst taking a long-term and sustainable approach to the whole ALN system. The ALN pressures that we know we feel—families, children, local government—are not going to be resolved by a one-off payment this year; they are going to be addressed by long-term thinking in developing policy, which is what exactly my Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language is doing. We owe those families nothing less than that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'd make this point first of all, Llywydd, that I have always called for a just transition when it comes to steel. We were asking for the protection of primary steel making in Port Talbot, not because we didn't see that this is a polluting industry—of course it is—but that there is a way of transitioning towards something that could protect jobs and investing in those cleaner ways of producing steel. Discussions are currently ongoing with the UK Government in relation to the wider European discussion, or debate, around emissions trading. We are determined to stand up for Welsh interests, making sure that we get as good a deal as possible for Wales from those discussions. That is not denying the impact of emissions on climate change. We're a Government that is determined to fight climate change in every way that we can, but we do that by making the case for a just transition at the same time.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There's a difference of principle between us on this. I have made it clear, and I'll make it clear again, that this Government of mine and my enterprise Minister will do all they can to stand up for Welsh industry, and that means making the case, always, for a just transition. Yes, there are implications around emissions trading for that, but we take a broader view than that. Investing in our renewables industries for the future will create those jobs that will ultimately, in time, take the place of more polluting jobs in a just way. When we look at floating offshore wind, the meeting I had in Ireland last week with the company that is involved in the Erebus scheme—this will create thousands of jobs in Wales. So, we look at the economic benefits, surely, of the transition that we need to make. And on the use of the word 'relentless', you might have noticed that it was a bit warm last week, right? Get used to this. This is the reality of climate change, and there is good reason why we need to be relentless in our pursuit of measures that we can take to protect the environment, whilst also looking after industry in Wales and building the industry of the future.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is committed to introducing a national food strategy for Wales that will encompass food security, tackle food poverty and improve food literacy and health outcomes. As part of the first 100 days plan, work to appoint a ministerial working group to develop the strategy is under way, and further details will be provided by the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability in the coming weeks. The same response applies to question 8 from Peter Fox.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think my views on this are very, very public. I do not believe that BMV land, the best and most versatile land, should be used for large-scale solar. There are planning rules in place in Wales that mean that we should be protecting this land for food production. This is a Government that will want to uphold those rules that are in place for very good reason.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I like to keep my answers relatively brief, so I could answer with 'yes', but I'll give a little bit more than that too. And I'd like to commend the Member for the work that he did in the last Senedd, in proposing a way—through legislation, as it happens—to protect and develop the food sector in Wales. What we have said we will do—and my Minister for rural resilience is already getting down to business on this—is we are going to be bringing in exactly that kind of national food strategy, looking to create a joined-up system for production and processing through to retail and public sector procurement, so that we can strengthen supply chains, improve resilience, increase the availability of Welsh food, supporting our food producers as we do so. The focus has to be on improving access to affordable, healthy and nutritious food, which is why this is of interest to my Ministers for health, and this is something that I have always been eager to develop, and which we will now press on with at pace.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I associate myself with the concerns raised about the impact of climate change and how that will hit food production. I think the magic, in many ways, comes in the interaction between those different elements that the Minister and others have already outlined. Absolutely, one of the core concerns that we have now is the impact of climate change on the money—scarce money, in far too many cases—in the pockets of the people of Wales. When we look at what the national food strategy aims to do—supporting Welsh producers and food businesses to grow in a way that recognises the cost pressures on families and households—that's very, very important, and we'll have to look for ways also of supporting the agriculture industry to adapt to the ever-changing environment. We have to be relentless in all our approaches to the climate challenge.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Absolutely, and those different elements mentioned by the Member do very much play into the rationale and reasoning behind the need for this food strategy. We have a real eye on the future here, as the Member suggested, and I should say that the Cabinet Minister has held early discussions with key stakeholders, including the future generations commissioner, covering the national food strategy. Preparing for the future and making ourselves fit for the future does very much include elements such as—on the fringes of the debate, you could argue, but we need to bring them into the core of it—food literacy, so that people understand why it is that we're asking them, essentially, to engage with food in a different way.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We want to build on the high standards we already have in Wales. In our manifesto, we said we'll develop a science-led animal health and welfare plan. We'll work with stakeholders, operational partners, industry and the third sector to develop our new approach for Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I appreciate that the Member has long taken an interest in animal welfare issues. We are a nation of animal lovers and we need champions for the welfare and well-being of animals in our Senedd. Our manifesto set out our ambition for a new regulatory framework. We have said that we want to set high standards for the treatment of animals. Legislation is one route, and one that we will always be open to considering. The last Senedd did legislate on greyhound racing, of course. Cat microchipping is an example where the jury is out a bit on the effectiveness of legislating, in that, without legislation, we have similar levels of cat microchipping in Wales as they do in England, where they do have legislation. What we always need to do as a Government is monitor. If we’re lagging behind or we feel we need another string to our bow, well let’s look at other measures that we can take.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm afraid I have to correct the Member, Llywydd. The vote on greyhound racing was a free vote, and I believe it was for most parties in the last Senedd.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Support for unpaid carers is essential. We're improving outcomes through short breaks, financial assistance and well-being services to provide practical help. At the same time, we're developing a new national strategy, shaped by what carers have told us matters most to them. We'll improve the lives of unpaid carers by ensuring they're recognised, valued and able to access consistent, high-quality support, including respite, wherever they live in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member describes so eloquently the pressures felt by thousands and thousands of carers the length and breadth of Wales. We support the work that they do and recognise that our health service wouldn't be able to manage without them. That is why actions that we take as Governments, both within our powers and in our negotiations with the UK Government, are so, so important. I of course recognise the stress experienced by that constituent and all those unpaid carers, and I can confirm that the Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health has written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, to request a meeting. Our intention very much is to press the UK Government to make carers allowance fairer and paid at a higher rate. We know there's an ongoing review of carers allowance, and we'll be making our views very clear, as carers the length and breadth of our country would expect us to.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's a story we all as elected Members hear—people feeling that they just don't get the support that they need, and there's, frankly, never enough that we can do, given how much support is deserved by Government to those who give of their lives to care for loved ones. Respite care clearly is very, very important. We're working as a Government with local authorities to provide consistent and timely assessments on one hand, greater respite support across Wales on the other. There is an improvement project in place now. We will consider other levers open to us if we don't see sufficient progress on that. But, in the meantime, referring back to my first answer, that pressure that we can, hopefully, bring to bear on UK Government, working with other partners across the UK—we need somehow for that to make a difference in terms of carers allowance levels.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Fifty-plus hours—it's not even a full-time job, it's more than that, and so many people experience the same. As I say, to ensure that we can design and deliver truly made-in-Wales social protections, reflecting the needs and values of our communities, we will press the UK Government to devolve welfare powers. The Deputy First Minister has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to discuss how we can work together to deliver on our ambitions for a benefits system that meets Wales's needs, that's driven by entitlements and supports our shared objectives on tackling poverty. But, whilst we work towards devolving powers over welfare, we will work to improve, as I say, the existing Welsh benefits system to ensure people can claim all their entitlements, including carers allowance at the current level.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As well as the measures that I've mentioned we're taking in putting pressure on the UK Government, I'm pleased to support that Welsh Government short breaks scheme, which provides, as you say, unpaid carers across Wales with opportunities just to take that break, to let them step away from what are often very physically demanding caring duties. It's a scheme that's been in place now—. I think it's about four years since the scheme was introduced. It's delivered by Carers Trust Wales, regional partnership boards and also in conjunction with local third sector organisations. We want to be able to support them to make sure that as many people access that respite as possible, within scarce resource, but, again, making that case for carers allowance to help those families and individuals too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I appreciate that further question, and the Member mentioned Ollie. It reminded me of Jet, who's a young man from Radyr Comprehensive School on the outskirts of Cardiff. I sent him and his fellow pupils a message at their A-levels graduation ceremony last week. Jet has been looking after his family, whilst himself looking after other young carers within his school environment, and I know that the work he's done is greatly, greatly appreciated. Again, respite is very, very important. Support on a whole host of different levels is important, but we want our children to feel that they are genuinely supported, not just applauded for the work that they do. The Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health will be signing the young persons covenant to make our commitment to young carers very, very clear, given some statistics suggest that nearly 20 per cent of young people in schools in Wales have some level of caring responsibility. This is something that we have to take very, very seriously, for the pressures on them now and the impact that not having support could have on the rest of their lives.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae adolygiad o addysg uwch yn un o’n hymrwymiadau ar gyfer 100 diwrnod cyntaf y Llywodraeth, a dwi’n falch o ddweud bod y gwaith yn datblygu’n dda. Mi fydd y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Sgiliau ac Addysg Drydyddol yn rhannu rhagor o fanylion am hyn maes o law.
Official English translation
A review of higher education is one of our commitments for the first 100 days of Government, and I’m pleased to say that the work is advancing well. The Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education will share more details on this in due course.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae’r gwahaniaeth cyfranogiad yna yn rhywbeth a ddylai ein pryderu ni i gyd. Dwi’n anghofio’r union leoliad, ond mi oedd yna ystadegyn roeddwn i’n edrych arno fo yn y misoedd diwethaf a oedd yn dangos bod 18 y cant o ddisgyblion o un ysgol uwchradd neu ardal yng nghymoedd Gwent yn mynd i brifysgol, ac 80 y cant o ddisgyblion o un ysgol uwchradd arbennig yng Nghaerdydd. Mae'n frawychus bod cyfleon bywyd yn cael eu gosod allan mewn ffordd lle mae yna gymaint o wahaniaeth â hynny. Mae cyfranogiad yn un o'r meysydd sydd yn mynd i fod yn cael sylw yn yr adolygiad. Dydy o ddim yr unig elfen ohono fo. Mae sut i sicrhau bod myfyrwyr drwyddi draw yn cael cefnogaeth ddigonol mewn addysg uwch yn bwysig, ac mae cefnogi ein sefydliadau addysg uwch ni yn gwbl, gwbl hanfodol. Oni bai bod camau yn cael eu cymryd, dydy hi ddim yn anodd dychmygu sefyllfa lle fyddai yna ddim sefydliadau addysg uwch i ddisgyblion fynd iddyn nhw yng Nghymru. Dydyn ni ddim cweit ar y pwynt hwnnw eto, ond dyna ddifrifoldeb y sefyllfa rydyn ni’n ei hwynebu. Mae cynyddu cyfleon am gyfranogiad fel bod y myfyrwyr yma yn gallu mynd yn fyfyrwyr, yn cynllunio ar gyfer eu bywydau, yn gosod uchelgais ar gyfer eu hunain mewn sefydliadau addysg uwch yng Nghymru, yn rhan o’r ateb i hyfywedd ein sefydliadau addysg uwch. Felly, mae yna gylch yma rydyn ni angen ei gau. Mi fydd y Dirprwy Weinidog yn gwneud cyhoeddiad yn fuan iawn ynglŷn â sut y bydd y materion yma yn cael eu cymryd ymlaen.
Official English translation
The participation gap is something that should concern us all. I forget the exact location, but there was a statistic I was looking at in recent months that showed that 18 per cent of pupils from one secondary school or area of the Gwent valleys were going to university, and 80 per cent of pupils from one specific secondary school in Cardiff were going to university. It's frightening that life chances are being set out in such a way where there is that much difference in the opportunity available. Participation is one of the areas that will be addressed in the review. It's not the only element of it. How we ensure that students across the board have adequate support in HE is important, and supporting our HE institutions is entirely crucial. Unless steps are taken, it's not difficult to imagine a situation where there would be no higher education institutions for pupils to attend in Wales. We're not quite at that point yet, but that's the gravity of the situation that we are facing. Increasing opportunity for participation so that these students can become students, can plan their lives and set ambitions for themselves in HE institutions in Wales, is part of the solution to the viability of our HE institutions. So, there's a circle that we need to close here. The Deputy Minister will be making an announcement very soon as to how these issues will be taken forward.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
That's the supplementary question, which I'm happy to respond to straight away.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I can help you.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Our national energy strategy will set out how Wales will capture more of the economic, social and community benefits from clean energy. Our Welsh public energy company will support local ownership and community energy schemes, creating skilled jobs and delivering reinvestment in places hosting new energy infrastructure across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
That's the positivity that I really want us all to embrace when it comes to the future of energy in Wales: talking about the positive economic opportunities, some of them very, very large; talking about the offshore wind opportunities in the Celtic sea, and thousands of jobs created. But there are far more modest projects that can bring real benefits to supply chains in Wales, where companies can work together to maximise the opportunities flowing from renewables opportunities, but also for communities. And the way that we lock into the system the community benefits happens in a number of different ways. It's through having that one publicly owned energy company for Wales that always has communities at the front of its mind when it's working on the future of energy strategy in Wales. It's when we look at how community ownership schemes can create a sense of real, literal and metaphorical ownership over energy schemes in their communities. We must adapt the way that we have been doing things and have an eye on how we can do things differently in the future. I have no doubt that for Ceredigion Penfro, as for many other parts of Wales, there are hugely untapped economic gains to be made from getting this right, which is why cracking on with a new energy strategy for Wales is something that's keeping my energy, connectivity and enterprise Minister's time very, very occupied. I got your roles in the wrong order there: the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Where clinically appropriate, puberty suppressing hormones can be prescribed for children in Wales who started treatment prior to the UK Government’s Order restricting their prescribing other than through the NHS, and to children accessing NHS gender services, as part of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence research study when that commences. We continue to be led by the evidence to inform gender identity services for our young people in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member references the Cass review. I'm afraid to tell him that the author of the Cass review is supportive of this research, saying that it is about reducing harm. This is a careful study, an academic study, that is about reducing harm to children and young people. I would have thought that that is something that, as a whole, we would eager to sign up to.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is supporting tourism in Ceredigion Penfro through a wide range of Visit Wales activity. We're determined to make the most of opportunities that arise from tourism, and to do so in a way that is sustainable both for the sector itself, which is so important to Wales, and for Welsh communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, this Government has made it clear that we will be keeping those 182 days under review because we need to be measuring what unintended consequences may have arisen, and there's still a short time since the measure was brought in. We remember why it was brought in. The previous threshold, 70 days, was worthless. We needed to have a genuine push to identify who the businesses were that were the heartbeat of our tourism sector in the letting sector, so that they could be supported and people didn't play the system, perhaps, as some may have been tempted to do because the threshold was so low. We want to make sure that that threshold is right. The exemptions are very, very important. There are some properties that have been caught in this particular policy that were never meant to have been caught in it. Barn conversions, for example—places that could never have been homes for permanent dwelling. We've made it clear that we will take action on that. On the 182-day review, I've genuinely given assurance that we want to make sure that it's at the right level.
44
Open this sitting on the stage
Statement by the First Minister cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Lywydd, efo'ch cytundeb chi, mi hoffwn i wneud datganiad byr am y rhybudd coch prin yma am wres eithafol, sydd wedi'i gadarnhau ar gyfer rhannau o Gymru yfory a dydd Iau. Mi all bob un ohonom ni yn fan hyn chwarae'n rhan i gadw ein hunain a'n hanwyliaid a'n cymdogion yn ddiogel, yn enwedig yr henoed, babanod, plant ifanc, trwy ddilyn canllawiau iechyd cyhoeddus yn ofalus. Dwi am annog pobl i osgoi nofio mewn llynnoedd neu afonydd. Mi all sioc dŵr oer fod yn angheuol, fel rydyn ni wedi'i weld mewn achosion trasig yn ystod y cyfnod diwethaf o wres uchel.
Official English translation
Thank you very much. Llywydd, with your agreement, I would like to make a brief statement on the very rare red warning of extreme heat that's been confirmed for parts of Wales for tomorrow and Thursday. Every one of us here can play our part in keeping ourselves, our loved ones and our neighbours safe, particularly the elderly, babies, young children, by following public health guidance carefully. I want to encourage people to avoid swimming in open water. Cold water shock can be fatal, as we have heard in tragic cases in the recent period of high temperatures.
Statement by the First Minister en
Llywydd, just a brief statement to Members about this rare red warning of extreme heat. It's been issued for parts of Wales for Wednesday and Thursday. All of us must pay close attention now to this urgent warning and follow public health advice to protect ourselves and others. This is extremely serious. Heat-related illness can affect anyone, regardless of age or health, but the risks are greater for older people, for babies and very young children in particular. Now, given the seriousness of the warning, we must ensure that vulnerable people are looked after as a priority. Checking in on family, friends and neighbours could be potentially life saving. It is highly likely that we will see the highest temperatures ever recorded in Wales over then next two days. It may be tempting for some to cool off in lakes or in rivers, but I remind again that cold water shock is a real danger when jumping in, and a reminder also that people should never, ever swim in a reservoir. We have activated the Welsh Government's response co-ordination arrangements to monitor and manage the impacts of the severe heat across the areas we are responsible for. There's likely to be disruption to transport networks, particularly rail, due to the extreme heat. So, people should plan ahead and check the latest travel advice. And my last message is this: it's to urge all Members of the Senedd to use their networks within their constituencies to ensure that information is seen, and that public health advice in particular reaches as many people as possible. Diolch, Lywydd.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Strong local economies are the foundation of thriving communities like Gŵyr Abertawe. My Government will focus on building an economy that creates good jobs, develops skills and innovation, and ensures that more wealth is generated and retained locally. That means strengthening regional supply chains, supporting productivity and investment, and ensuring that economic growth delivers lasting benefits for communities across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right, of course, that ambition most certainly is critical in Gŵyr Abertawe, as in the rest of Wales. Let's be clear that economic impacts of the kinds that we have seen in recent years leave a lasting legacy and affect communities, and they affect families deeply. But I am convinced also that we have real potential as a nation and that we have real opportunities. We're acting now, in the early days of this Government, to unlock that opportunity, bringing forward, for example, that national energy strategy, speeding up planning and consent, and co-ordinating delivery, so that renewable projects in places like Swansea move at pace. That is unlocking the power of the green economy, and meeting our climate change obligations, of course, is an economic opportunity, as well as being an environmental duty. Using this transition period now to drive productivity, reduce inequality and build a stronger, fair economy for Swansea, and beyond, is something my Government is determined to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, I mentioned the opportunity that we have in the green economy, and it is very real in the Gŵyr Abertawe constituency. But there are other sectors, too, linked to higher education, for example, that give me cause to be very excited about the future—the work that's being done at Swansea University through life sciences, for example, the leading work that is being done at Swansea University in relation to the advanced semiconductor manufacturing sector in Wales. These are areas of economic growth that specifically relate to the Member's constituency. But 'stability' is an important word that he mentions, and having stability of ambition and stability in the road ahead is going to be key for us in the following years, which is why having the first real economic target in a quarter of a century, announced by the Minister for enterprise recently, on halving the productivity gap with the rest of the UK, is so, so important. We can now follow that path to realising that ambition, with everybody knowing exactly which direction we're moving in.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree entirely with the Member that previous Governments have failed to support higher education in the way that they should. That's why I'm determined that we find a new kind of relationship between Government, the population, business and universities, and find new models for sustainability in the long term. I didn't ignore, as the Member heard, the impact that good research and higher education spending and funding can have on economic opportunities; I specifically named things in Swansea that are sources of real potential. But I agree with the first point that the Member made too. These aren't isolated economies. The way, for example, the agri-food sector in more rural parts of the south-west of Wales feeds into the wider economic activity of that area is very, very important, which is why that new development agency that we are already setting up will make sure that there is real geographic spread of prosperity when it comes to building the kind of economic future that we want for Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government supports tourism businesses in Bangor Conwy Môn through Visit Wales activity, but my Government is determined to make the most of opportunities that arise from tourism and to do so in a way that is sustainable both for the sector itself and for Welsh communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Very happy to agree with the Member. My party has long called for action to be taken through VAT to help tourism. It is an argument that we made from opposition, and it's a case that we will still make from Government. This is a sustainable sector that we seek, and there are powers that are not in our gift, that being one of them. On VAT, we will try to use the ones that we have in our gift to build sustainability for the tourism sector, as I say, in a way that is in synergy with the interests of the communities in which tourism happens.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Yn syml iawn, mae'r Llywodraeth yn bwrw ymlaen ar unwaith. Rydyn ni'n cymryd camau ar unwaith i sicrhau datganoli llawn y pwerau dros ddŵr, a hynny'n cynnwys y pwerau i sefydlu rheoleiddiwr dŵr newydd i Gymru. Pam ydyn ni'n gwneud hyn? Er mwyn gwella perfformiad, er mwyn cefnogi gwytnwch hirdymor ac, ie, er mwyn lleihau llygredd. Rydyn ni'n gweithio'n agos efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig ar y Bil dŵr glân, sydd i'w ddisgwyl yn ddiweddarach eleni, a fydd yn datganoli pwerau i'r Senedd, neu'n hwyluso'r ffordd ar gyfer gwneud hynny, er mwyn galluogi Cymru i sefydlu y rheoleiddiwr newydd hwnnw. Mae o'n addewid pwysig iawn i'r Llywodraeth yma.
Official English translation
Quite simply, the Government is progressing immediately. We're taking immediate steps to ensure full devolution of powers over water, and this includes the powers to establish a new Welsh water regulator for Wales. Why are we doing this? To improve performance, to support long-term resilience and, yes, to reduce pollution. We are working closely with the UK Government on the clean water Bill, which is expected later this year and which will devolve powers to the Senedd, or will facilitate that process, in order to enable Wales to establish the new regulator. It's a very important pledge for this Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm afraid the Member should be aware that we have already said that we are keeping the 182-day threshold under review. We will be setting out details of the specific proposals in due course. But let's remember why these measures were brought in: I remind the Member that, yes, she represents tourism operators, which is an important part of the economy, but she also represents people who are struggling to find a home in their communities, she also represents people who are struggling because of the impact that tourism has on the housing market. What we're trying to do is find that balance; this is what it's all about. And should Government be learning at all times to see if there is mitigation or little changes that need to be brought in? Absolutely. And the Government is committed to doing that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, I'm rather surprised that this party that was meant now to embrace devolution and want to make it work for Wales is now openly coming out and saying that they are effectively against devolution. Did people call for the devolution of powers over rail, for example? No. Are people telling me, young people in particular, that they absolutely understand the injustice of the high speed 2 line, and that if we had devolution of rail and the funding that comes with it, we could build infrastructure that could give our young people a future here in Wales, because we're investing in the things that matter to them? My party is sometimes accused by the Members of being somehow obsessed with the constitution. We are obsessed with doing the right thing for Wales and that means having the tools to do the job. What the Member is making clear is that he wants to undo that, and rather than giving Wales the tools to do the job better for the people of Wales, on health, on transport and education, he wants to take those tools away. And I remind him it's not devolution at fault; it's the fact that we have had Governments that haven't made the right decisions. We now have a change of Government. Look to this one to see how we change direction for Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I thought he was going to go on about independence there. That was a different kind of independence. Listen, I want infrastructure that works for Wales. I want infrastructure that's fit for the twenty-second century, and that means building all those different elements of infrastructure that build a joined-up economy, that join up communities. There are very good societal and economic reasons why we need a big shift of people away from using cars in a traditional way, which is why we need investment in trains and in buses and in modal shift and active travel. But the Member's right that the car will still be a part for some time of the way that we connect to each other. And that is why I have already, in the just six weeks since coming into office, made it clear that where there is investment that needs to be made in strengthening our road network too we will look at that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I realise that the Member might be new to the Welsh Parliament, but if he wasn't, he would have heard me for 13 years, now, talking about the economic benefits that can arise from making an investment in nuclear in the right way, and looking at it in terms of what works for Wales. That's been, in a constituency Member role, my job in years past. My focus is exactly the same as First Minister now: it's to look at our energy needs, it's to look at our environmental obligations and the economic opportunities that can flow from investment, including in nuclear. There's nothing new in my saying that. I've been very consistent for many years on this.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Neither I nor my party has ever advocated or suggested that the UK should pull out of NATO. It's never been the position of my party nor of my Government now, whatever some people may wish to represent. I believe in the principle and the practice of close integration when it comes to seeking peace. I believe that NATO, at this time of heightened tensions internationally, plays an important role. It would of course be for an independent Wales, in years to come, to decide on what kind of association or membership it would have with NATO. But, in terms of my position, it's as clear as that: NATO plays a very important role, and there's never been a suggestion that we would somehow call for the UK to withdraw from it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The aircraft carriers—I will address the aircraft carriers issue, actually. That's the title of a book, isn't it, The Phenomenon of Welshness—or, 'How many aircraft carriers would an independent Wales need?' Answer: zero. That's rather different to what the Member is implying. Listen, I recognise, and my Government recognises, that we face changing threats, that we face very real threats, and that at those times there needs to be recognition of the need to invest properly in conventional defence. And nowadays, that very much includes cyber warfare, which, in a hybrid way, is already happening around us. So, in those terms, yes, I recognise the need to invest. But I do not recognise that it is up to UK Government, without discussion, to make decisions that impact the ability of Governments—be it in Wales or other parts of these islands—to invest in public services, as decisions are made unilaterally on defence. I think that these are very important principles that all of us in this Chamber should have strong opinions on.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I welcome the question as a way for me to explain my firm belief that that is not what's going on, and I genuinely ask him to arrange a meeting quickly with my Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, so that he can talk the Member through what exactly is going on here. I think what we have seen in recent years is exactly what the Member describes: sticking-plaster solutions in order to get the statistics to a better place, when actually we need to build for the long term. I have made it clear—we made this a priority through the election campaign, and we're doing it now in Government—that it's not just about bringing down waiting times and saying, 'Phew, right, what next?' This is about making sure that we put the steps in place now that bring down the waiting times in a way that builds capacity in order to stop the waiting times from increasing again. Now, do I give concrete guarantees? Well, how far do we go in politics? But I tell you that that is exactly what we are aiming to do and what my Minister is spending every waking hour and, I'm sure, some sleeping hours thinking about too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's a very, very long and multilevelled question. I'll try to address some elements of it, if I can. There's an element of contradiction there in asking us to throw money, for example, at the economy and at farming, when actually what we're saying is—and we've taken this action already in the first 37 days of Government—it's tackling bureaucracy, working in a different way with farmers, that can make a difference. It's the review of business rates; that will make a difference to businesses, for example. So, it's not just about throwing money, in the same way as he said himself that just giving money to health doesn't resolve the problem. He said that the investment has failed. It's not the money that was problematic in recent years, it's the fact that it wasn't used properly. That is exactly what we are aiming to do: to build sustainability into health and care. Finally, on the ALN issue, I absolutely recognise the seriousness of the challenge that we face, but, on that, it certainly isn't the case that a one-off payment will resolve the problems. This has to be a sustainable solution, building up over the next few years to have a system that works for families, that works for local authorities, and the education Minister is already working on that sustainable solution, which is really what we want, rather than quick fixes, which the Member said wasn't what he wanted either.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, if I may firstly refer to my declaration of Members' interests, which states that a close family member sits on the board of a housing association. In answer to the question, we are committed to having well-regulated social housing, recognising that a safe and secure home underpins people's health, well-being and ability to build stable lives. The regulatory framework for registered social landlords in Wales has been revised to strengthen oversight, transparency and accountability, with a clear focus on outcomes for tenants. This framework is currently being rolled out across all RSLs.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
RSLs do have very close relationships within the local authority areas in which they operate. Many of them operate across multiple local authority areas. That is why it's so important that central regulation is in place, overseen by the Welsh Government and reviewed regularly to make sure that it is effective and that it's delivering the kind of social housing that we need. All social housing tenants have the right to a safe and secure home. I think that's so important. We work closely with registered social landlords and stock-holding local authorities to ensure this. The regulatory framework, which is central, is designed in that way to protect tenants and to protect public investment too, through effective oversight. And remember that each RSL will receive an annual regulatory judgment in order to give people assurance that we are upholding the standards that people deserve and expect within the social landlord sector.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The establishment of Unnos is all about freeing up the building of social housing; it's about finding new and innovative ways of delivering. We have a sector that works in different ways. We have the housing stock retained within some local authorities and we have the plethora of registered social landlords too. We are clear that we want to streamline and make more effective the process of delivering social housing. We've committed to delivering at least 20,000 new social homes by 2030 and that is what the Minister is already setting out to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member raises perfectly valid questions. As with so many things, we keep these things under review. But it was in August last year that the previous Government introduced a revised regulatory framework. Every time there is a revision of the regulatory framework, it is about making sure that the system works well and that there is accountability within it. Keeping abreast of any challenges or weaknesses in that accountability is something that my Minister will be eager to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Local authorities have responsibility for school transport, and we work closely with them to support access to education. I recognise the importance of ensuring that learners can travel safely and can travel affordably. As part of this, we're extending the £1 bus fare scheme for young people, to reduce costs and widen access to education. We will work with partners across Government to consider how the system can best meet learners’ needs.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We as Members representing constituencies in all parts of Wales, I can guarantee you, will receive correspondence from parents at times that have concerns, quite rightly, about the provision of school transport. This is a matter of concern for them, but these are local decisions to be made by local authorities. I understand, as the Member alluded to, that the Caerphilly offer is actually more generous than the statutory offer. It's challenging. I note the Reform leader of Warwickshire council took a fair bit of flak when he proposed extending the statutory walking distance for school pupils potentially up to 5 miles. These are decisions that are challenging for local authorities everywhere, but my Government will continue working with local authorities to try to find more long-term solutions for what is clearly an issue of concern.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae hwn yn un o'r materion yna, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod, lle bydd yna gydweithio yn lleol, dwi'n gobeithio, ar faterion sydd o bryder i rieni. Yr ateb byr i'r cwestiwn yna ydy y byddwn ni yn sicr yn gweithio efo awdurdodau lleol i chwilio am ffyrdd o wella. Does yna ddim atebion syml yn fan hyn, ond mi ydyn ni wedi ymrwymo i weithio efo partneriaid—ac nid yn unig llywodraeth leol, ond rhieni a dysgwyr eu hunain—er mwyn sicrhau newid yn yr hirdymor.
Official English translation
This is one of those issues, as the Member said, where there will be local collaboration, I would hope, on issues that are of concern to parents. The short answer to that question is that we will certainly be working with local authorities to seek ways of improving things. There are no simple answers on this issue, but we have committed to working with partners—and not just local government, but parents as well, and the learners themselves—in order to ensure change in the long term.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Heb amheuaeth, mae yna enghreifftiau o arfer da ar draws Cymru, ac mi wnes i gyfeirio at y sefyllfa yng Nghaerffili. Mi fydd yr un peth yn wir mewn awdurdodau lleol hefyd. Ond mae hi'n amlwg yn wir fod yna heriau yn wynebu pob awdurdod lleol, yn cynnwys Caerffili, fel mae'r cwestiynwr wedi ei godi heddiw. Mae hwn yn fater sydd yn effeithio ar gyfleon pobl ifanc. Mae sicrhau mynediad i gyfleon dysgu yn bwysig iawn. Mae yna adolygiad yn barod yn digwydd o gwmpas sicrhau bod mynediad i addysg Gymraeg yn rhywbeth sydd ddim yn cael ei effeithio gan broblemau mynediad. Mae'r Llywodraeth, fel dwi'n dweud, tra'n wynebu, fel llywodraeth leol, cyfyngiadau ar faint o adnoddau sydd ar gael, yn benderfynol o weithio efo partneriaid i weld lle mae modd gwneud penderfyniadau sydd yn hwyluso trafnidiaeth i'n plant a'n pobl ifanc ni.
Official English translation
Without doubt, there are examples of good practice across Wales, and I referred to the situation in Caerphilly. The same will be true in other local authorities too. But it's clearly true that there are challenges facing all local authorities, including Caerphilly, as the Member mentioned today. This is an issue that impacts on the opportunities available to young people. Securing access to learning opportunities is very important. There is already a review ongoing in terms of ensuring that access to Welsh-medium education is something that isn't impacted by access issues. As I said, the Government, whilst facing limitations in terms of the resources available, as do local authorities, is determined to work with partners to see where it is possible to make decisions that facilitate transport for children and young people.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Unwaith eto, mae'r rhain yn enghreifftiau lleol, fel y bydd gan bob Aelod. Dwi'n atgoffa eto mai penderfyniadau i awdurdodau lleol ydy'r rhain yn y pen draw. Mae yna gwestiynau yn codi o ran llwybrau teithio llesol yn y cwestiwn yna. Mae hwnnw, o bosib, yn fater gwahanol, ond sydd ag impact ar deithio i'r ysgol. Dwi'n atgoffa'r Senedd am y trafod fu rhwng Plaid Cymru mewn gwrthblaid a'r Llywodraeth ddiwethaf er mwyn sicrhau setliad cadarn ar gyfer 2026-27, sy'n sicrhau £112 miliwn er mwyn cryfhau'r grant cymorth refeniw gymaint ag y gallwn ni, er mwyn rhoi gwaelodlin mor gadarn ag y gallwn ni i lywodraeth leol. Mae'r rhain yn benderfyniadau anodd. Ydw i'n credu bod angen i ni fod yn adolygu drwy'r amser sut mae prosesau'n gweithio? Dwi'n gobeithio fy mod i wedi gwneud yn glir heddiw fy mod i.
Official English translation
Once again, these are local examples, as all Members will have. I remind us all once again that these are decisions for local authorities at the end of the day. There are questions raised about active travel routes in that question. That is possibly a different issue, but an issue that does have an impact on travel to school. I remind the Senedd about the discussions that went on between Plaid Cymru in opposition and the last Government in order to ensure a robust settlement for 2026-27, ensuring £112 million in order to strengthen the revenue support grant as much as we possibly could in order to give us as robust a baseline as we could for local government. These are difficult decisions. Do I believe we need to be reviewing constantly how processes are working? I think I've made it clear that that is the case.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are revitalising the approach to high streets, including establishing a town-centre taskforce to identify practical measures, such as non-domestic rates and planning reforms, to support high streets and local businesses. We want our high streets to thrive and to play a strong role in local economies for the future.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree with the frustration that is voiced by the Member. This is a matter of real concern to me—that when people see their town centre, they often think it's their town centre that is the bad one. I took part in an inquiry by the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly a few years ago, where we visited high streets across Wales, Northern Ireland and England. The truth is that the high street has been decimated in so many areas. That sense that it's your own area that is falling apart leads to a breakdown in social cohesion too. So, there's good reason why we need to address this. That is why establishing that town centres taskforce is so important. It's why the work on that is getting under way now. It's building, actually, on work that has been in place in recent years on the 'town centre first' policy. I hope this is an area that we might be able to co-operate on, because my Government's policy also is very much built around the need to redress the balance that has seen the proliferation of out-of-town at the cost, it seems, of our town centres. That will be very much the thrust of the work of the town centres taskforce, looking at all those tools at its disposal around business rates and so on, to see if we can really energise our town centres in a way that we haven't seen for a long time.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I very much enjoyed my visit to Pontypool with the Member recently and, yes, we visited High Street and the market then. There's a real sense of community and wanting to inject new life, and a real sign of that new life. Should local voices be heard? Absolutely. We want to build our local economies for the people that live in them, and they should be able to map the kind of communities that they want. On compulsory purchase, yes, it's a tool in the toolbox, one that is usually a tool of last resort. But, maybe just segueing from compulsory purchase to enforcement, certainly on enforcement we are supporting local authorities to take enforcement action, where appropriate, with the empty property enforcement fund, helping de-risk action on some problematic properties—part of a breadth of ways that we hope to act, again guided by the work of the town centres taskforce.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are clearly on the same page on this. We can see good work that's been done recently around the development of the metro in south Wales and how it's transformed the way that people travel within their communities and from community to community. I am excited about what we can achieve through the re-regulation of buses, which is so, so important. Again, a product of co-operation in the last Senedd. Well, let's carry on co-operating on that because these are issues that all of us should be signed up to promoting, because it's in the interests of vibrant communities, and accessibility clearly has to be at the heart of that also.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I take the Member's question as encouragement to carry on doing and doubling down on what we've started to do in these early days of the Government. On breaking down silos, I should say that work is already well under way within Government to have formal structures to break down silos, so that inter-ministerial comings together happen, so that decisions aren't made over there by one Minister in a way that could have been done in a better way with the contribution of another. So, that cross-Government working is something that's important to me as a principle, and we're getting to grips with it. You've been here for 20 years. The Member's been here for 20 years. We're already, aren't we, in these four First Minister's questions sessions, hearing from Members across the Chamber about their concerns about their high streets. That tells me that there are contributions to be made by everyone here to the work being done by the town centres taskforce. Everybody can feed into that because these aren't problems that are isolated in the high streets in the constituencies of one group of Members here. These affect all of us, and it should be incumbent on all of us to try to contribute to the solutions. The Government's door is very, very much open to those ideas, and the Member listed a number of the things that the taskforce will be getting to grips with on rates, on planning and so on. It's about creating that new vibrancy. Let's all get involved.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The north of Wales clearly is a key part of our economic ambitions as a Government. We will strengthen north Wales's economic ties with the north-west of England through better transport links, through practical cross-border collaboration, through support for key sectors such as manufacturing and energy. And we do this, of course, with a clear focus on increased productivity, greater investment and long-term economic benefit for north Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There are a few points I could make here. I believe in uniting the Welsh nation, and I believe that our capital is the capital for everybody, whether they're in Hawarden or Holyhead or in Merthyr Tydfil. We build an economy that works for us. Yes, Dublin is the nearest capital from Ynys Môn, but Edinburgh is the closest capital for people living in Newcastle. I'm not sure what the point the Member is trying to make there. But one of the things that I have made clear is that when we come to economic planning for Wales, every part of our nation has to feel a part of that. I don't look and my Ministers don't look at things from a Cardiff Bay or a Cathays Park perspective. We look at things from a Wales-wide perspective. Every Minister in this Government is a Wales-wide Minister with the interests of all of Wales at heart, and that will be as true in economic development as in anything else, and I say that as the son of a Scouser. [Laughter.]
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I referred to earlier, my Government is committed, through the work of the enterprise, connectivity and energy Minister and the Deputy Minister for Transport, to making sure that we have infrastructure that really works for us in terms of creating economic and societal opportunities. That includes making sure that we have the robust road network that we need and making the necessary investments there, and driving, at the same time, that modal shift for the sake of the economy and connectivity that we all need to see happening.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care set out priorities for healthcare in Wales, including Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, in his oral statement on 2 June. These focus on improving access, strengthening local services, providing more care closer to home, reducing waiting times, supporting staff and ensuring long-term sustainability. We are also considering patient experience of cross-border healthcare as part of ongoing work.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm going to throw it back at the Member if I can, and suggest that what his constituents want is better outcomes rather than more money. Now, it may be that money—[Interruption.] Well, he doesn't seem convinced about that. I can assure you that it's better outcomes that his constituents would want, because that is always what we should ensure. [Interruption.]
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Already the Government has made significant investment in the first major stage of creating sustainability within health and care in Wales. That very much includes patients in Powys that we know, from debates here in the Senedd in recent months and years, feel that somehow they haven't had a good deal. My Minister's focus will be as much on the people of Powys as anywhere else, and it will always be focused on outcomes. A number of Members have raised today the question of what we get for money. It is better healthcare that we seek. It's not the bottom line financially, it's the bottom line in terms of people's health, and that is very, very important to people.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Again, we know of the pressures in Powys, absolutely, and the health Minister and the finance Minister, I can assure you, are very aware of the pressures across the whole of the health system in Wales. Changes, of course, to commissioning arrangements between Powys Teaching Health Board and NHS providers in England and Wales came into effect from July last year, and have seen some patients experience longer waits for planned care. Now, it’s no surprise, is it, that people think that this is an equity issue? Why should people on one side of the border feel that they are receiving substandard care? It is an issue that my Minister is very, very aware of, and in making sure that we build those robust agreements between the NHS in Wales and England, we will have the interests of the people of Powys at heart.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mi fyddwn ni'n defnyddio dull cydweithredol, effeithiol, sy'n seiliedig ar lefydd i helpu pobl ifanc ym Mlaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni i gael hyfforddiant a chyflogaeth. Gan ddefnyddio'n dulliau cymorth ar gyfer cyflogadwyedd a sgiliau, mi wnawn ni ddarparu cefnogaeth wedi'i theilwra i anghenion pobl ifanc. Mewn partneriaeth â Medr, darparwyr hyfforddiant, cyflogwyr ac eraill, mi fyddwn ni'n darparu prentisiaethau o ansawdd uchel, gan hybu twf busnesau hefyd i greu cyfleoedd cyflogaeth newydd a chynaliadwy.
Official English translation
We will take a joined-up, place-based and effective approach to support young people in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni into training and employment. Using our employability and skills interventions, we will provide tailored support to young people. In partnership with Medr, training providers, employers and others, we will develop high-quality apprenticeships, whilst also supporting business growth to create new and sustainable employment opportunities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Milburn review came up with some frightening results, and we should all be very, very worried at the high level of NEETs that we are seeing, and the Member reflects on the particularly acute situation in her constituency. At the end of the day, this is about trying to provide for our young people the skills that they need—life skills and skills for employment. Our first 100 days commitment includes convening that future skills summit, bringing together representatives from across society to agree a shared vision, to put together a strategy for the future of our skills system, one that doesn't accept NEETs as just an inevitable part of the landscape. We're increasing training and employment opportunities for young people through sustained investment in apprenticeships—that's the proposal—and by strengthening how provision is delivered across Wales, and exploring how the junior apprenticeships programme can be expanded further to reach more learners. We can't continue to let our young people down.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our national energy strategy will ensure renewable energy projects in Wales benefit Wales. We will move beyond voluntary community benefits to creating opportunities for communities to own projects. We've good examples across Wales, and, through our strategy, these will be the norm, not the exception. And we'll also create one Welsh public energy company, owned by the people of Wales for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I am aware and I note the concern about that specific project. Of course, on specific projects, they're decisions for the local authority to take. I also recognise, of course, the wider points that the Member is making on ensuring local communities are involved in projects and get the opportunity to either own or have a sense of ownership of projects in Wales. And, for too long, Wales has hosted energy projects without keeping enough of the wealth they create, and that is now set to be reversed. If Welsh land, if Welsh wind, water, sea bed create wealth, this Government believes that the people of Wales should see more of that wealth, so that we can invest it for the future. And, at project level, we will expand larger schemes to make a genuine community ownership offer, with an equivalent local benefit model, a wealth fund payment, or another clear mechanism only where equity is genuinely impracticable. But this is something that we have to see changing.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are committed to combating misinformation and disinformation on asylum seekers, refugees and migrants, to support fair, safe and united communities. There is a growing problem of misinformation about asylum seekers, refugees and migrants being exploited to sow division. We are developing tools to ensure that people can separate fact from fiction, enabling inclusive and thriving communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
In practical terms, my officials work closely with local authorities and the Home Office to ensure misinformation around asylum accommodation, for example, is quickly spotted, and the Home Office is asked to rectify anything that is harmful and misleading. While immigration policy is reserved to the UK Government, cohesion policy is not. We are committed to doing all that we can to foster cohesion within our communities to support fair, safe and united communities. All of us, as leaders, bear a responsibility to ensure discourse is based on fact and not on encouraging the breakdown of cohesion within our communities.
42
Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Education is at the very heart of our ambition for Wales. We see education as the key to unlocking new and better opportunities, and building the more confident, innovative and productive nation we know Wales can be. The Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language will make a statement this afternoon outlining our priorities for education in more detail.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This Government fully understands the pressures on schools, on local authorities and, more importantly, on families, due to ALN. The situation is this: a one-off, quick-fix payment for what's left of this financial year is not what will give us the long-term sustainability needed for ALN. What we need is to put in place the policy programme that will provide that sustainability, and it is precisely that—the long-term view of supporting both families and local authorities—that will guide this Government. We look forward to working with those families and local authorities in providing that long-term, rather than quick-fix, solution.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree with the Member that the evidence is clear now about the impact that smartphones, the use of mobile phones within school hours, can have on both the well-being and the education of children. This is a Government that is determined to act, and the education Minister will provide detail of the proposals on how we act in a national, clear way this afternoon.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the very real challenges faced by local authorities was the reason we decided to prioritise local authority funding alongside health funding in preparing for the budget for 2026-27 and working with the previous Government. So, you know, we have done what we could, at that stage, to try to protect budgets. But this is also about putting the measures in place that assist teachers, assist schools to help raise those standards. The numeracy and literacy framework that we will be putting in place, I am confident, will lead to a trajectory towards higher standards within our schools.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mi oedd hi wir yn bleser gallu ymweld ag ysgol Gwynllyw yr wythnos diwethaf. Buaswn i'n licio diolch yn fawr iawn i'r staff, ac yn arbennig i'r disgyblion, o'r oed cynradd drwyddo i'r uwchradd, am y croeso gawsom ni. Mae'n ysgol sy'n amlwg yn anelu i ragori ym mhopeth y mae hi'n ei wneud. Mae'n sicr angen cydnabod bob amser sut mae costau ychwanegol mewn unrhyw ffordd yn gallu bod yn rhwystr i ddewisiadau mewn addysg. Mae'n bwysig iawn cydnabod bod yna rwystrau yn gallu cael eu rhoi mewn lle oherwydd costau sy'n effeithio at fynediad tuag at addysg Gymraeg. Mae hynny'n rywbeth y mae'r Llywodraeth yma yn ei gymryd o ddifrif, ac mi fydd y Gweinidog addysg a'r iaith Gymraeg, wrth gwrs, yn edrych ar bob opsiwn i gefnogi ysgolion ac awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau bod y rhwystrau yna yn cael eu dileu fesul un.
Official English translation
It was a pleasure to be able to visit Gwynllyw school last week, and I'd like to thank the staff, and particularly the pupils from primary age to secondary age, for the welcome that we had. It's a school that evidently aims to excel in everything that it does. And, certainly, we need to recognise always how additional costs in any way can be a barrier to educational choices. And it's important to recognise that barriers can be put in place because of costs, that affect access to Welsh-medium education. That's something that the Welsh Government is taking seriously, and the Minister for education and the Welsh language will be looking at all options to support schools and local authorities to ensure that those barriers are eliminated one by one.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
GPs are the foundation of NHS care in Wales. Every month, general practices deliver around 1.5 million patient contacts, including over 150,000 across Clwyd. When access to primary care comes under pressure, the whole system feels it. That's why we have embarked on our manifesto commitments to strengthen GP services, improve out-of-hours access, expand digital and telehealth support, and deliver more care closer to home.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The boundary changes issue, in and of itself, is something that will be looked at by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care. That is a very specific issue. There are areas that the Member referred to that I very much agree with, on the lack of a GP workforce in some areas being a particular issue, and, in particular, where you have areas of deprivation—that being a barrier, in itself, to healthcare. Our manifesto and first 100 days commitments make clear that strengthening GP services, as I say, are central to improving access, wherever that may be, regardless of what boundary changes might have been put in place. And 100 additional GPs, which is a significant increase across Wales, I believe, can make a real difference to access to care in primary care. And I remind Members that, this week, this Government is fulfilling a pledge to convene a primary care summit, which will be an opportunity to look at these very issues.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I say, the summit that will be convened this week will bring together Government, NHS leaders, front-line partners, to focus exactly on those issues of how we improve access, strengthen sustainability and shift care to closer to home. And the issue of recruiting an additional 100-salaried GPs to strengthen front-line capacity, improve out of-hours care in particular, is going to be at the core of dealing with the issues that constituents in Clwyd face. We recognise that those pressures, as I said earlier, are often felt most sharply in some communities, which is why we'll work with practices at the deep end, if you like, to explore modernised models of care, reduce workload pressures, and support more collaborative and federated ways of working.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Firstly, the housing shortages that we face in Wales are very, very real. Secondly, those housing shortages are not driven by immigration. That is an attempt—[Interruption.]—that is an attempt to create division when we should be looking at practical solutions to the practical problem that we face of shortage of housing. Yes, we have set a high level of ambition for the number of houses we want to deliver. Social housing is a key part of that. And, yes, we need to work with house builders. We also need to work with social housing providers. Plus, we will work through the body established by this Government, Unnos, which will look for innovative ways of realising this promise. Let's focus on the practical issues that we face day in, day out. And yes, leveraging money in, in innovative ways, is a part of the solutions that we seek to find. But blaming one part of society for the issue doesn't help us reach the solution.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's again seeking to blame, isn't it? HMOs was an issue in a part of Cardiff that I used to live in, years ago. That was because of student HMOs. So, the solution there is to find ways of making sure that we can house students in ways that don't impact on local populations. There are parts of my own constituency where HMOs have been because of workforces in particular sectors. The leader of the opposition says he's not blaming immigrants whilst then progressing to blame immigrants for the situation. He will have to forgive me for always focusing on the practical answers that are needed to the very real problems that we face, and that is a lack of social housing, which is why this Government is getting on with building more social housing.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think I've made it clear on many occasions that this Government does not have any plans and will not raise taxes. Our job here is to get on with the work of delivering the programme for government that we put to the people of Wales and got a mandate to deliver in the recent election. I notice the comments from the previous First Minister that access talks would have led to open books. I also realise that the leader of the opposition decided not to take up the option of entering into access talks. That's how serious they were about getting into Government. To suggest that Plaid Cymru had access to the Government books, as the former finance Minister put it, is demonstrably not true. That's not how access talks work. What I can confirm as true is that, in health, the previous Government left in-year pressures to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds. On top of that, they made multimillion pound unfunded commitments on childcare, for example, leaving a hugely challenging legacy behind. But I won't dwell on that fact. I won't use that as an excuse. It's for Labour to answer how this situation came to pass. It's for this Government to roll up our sleeves and be determined to deliver on those pledges that we put in front of the people of Wales. That is exactly what we are doing. That is why, today, £55 million was announced by the Deputy First Minister to roll out childcare, which the people of Wales showed they so desperately want.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is a previous Government that promised a multibillion pound hospital building funded, but couldn't even get their sums right on how much money had been allocated for childcare—were they able to win the election, which, of course, they weren't. Yes, we were part of a process around agreeing those funds for the NHS and local government, as I explained earlier. I'm not sure the former Minister was a part of that process. But, as I say, access talks aren't an open-book exercise of the kind that the former Minister implies. The in-year pressures left as a result of the actions of the previous Labour administrations are ones that we will deal with now. What we will do is roll up our sleeves and make sure that we find innovative ways, both on revenue and capital fronts, to deliver what the people of Wales said they wanted us to.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
What's become very, very clear, Llywydd, is the mismanagement of funds under the previous Government. I'm not going to use that as an excuse for the work that we have to get on with now. We have put a programme in place. It is around improving education standards. My Minister is getting on with the work of delivering a foundation numeracy and literacy project. It is about improving access to childcare. The £55 million announced today is about starting that work of delivering childcare. It's about creating better jobs in all parts of Wales. Work is already beginning on setting in place the plans for the delivery of a new development agency for Wales. All these actions are ones that we said we would be putting in place, and we are already doing so. All the points in our 100-day plan have been actioned already. We did more in 27 days as a Government than the previous Labour administration did in 27 years.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
One of my first visits as First Minister was to see Valley Veterans and to share with them stories of their time serving in the armed forces and to pledge to them our determination to deliver on the covenant that is so important to those who have served. Yes, I do believe that the defence sector in Wales plays a very important part within the economy as a whole. Yes, I absolutely understand that the changing face of international threats means that we need to make sure that we have the conventional forces in place that are able to stand up to that. At the same time, this is a Government that will make sure that the ethical engagement around defence is as strong as it can possibly be. I think those are the kinds of assurances that the people of Wales want.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the Member is right that we would expect Wales to get a fair share. It is also equally true to say that if UK Government, as it's thought, is going to be making changes to defence spending and doing that off the back of public spending that's very important to us in terms of dealing with infrastructure issues here in Wales, that we are given advance warning of that, which is not what happened in this case. When I talk about wanting to have a reset of relations between Welsh Government and UK Government and having a respect agenda, I expect that respect agenda to work both ways, and therefore to have an early opportunity to engage on decisions that would impact us in Wales is something that I will always do, as the people of Wales expect me to, being a First Minister that has always pledged to stand up for the people of Wales and to be loyal always to the needs of the people of this nation.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It is for the Senedd to decide whether to establish the review, once the Llywydd tables the motion required by the legislation. Given the significant changes to the Senedd and our electoral system, a review of the new system can itself strengthen public confidence in our democracy. I hope the Constitution, Justice and External Affairs Committee can take forward that work, and my Government is committed to contributing to it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the important thing here, and certainly what would drive me in thinking what's the best electoral system for us in Wales, is that, yes, it's a mix of what people can understand in a short period of time—being educated about how a new system works—but it is also surely about having a system that works democratically, that people feel ownership of, and that they ultimately see the way that they voted in an election translates itself to what happens in this Parliament. I think it's important that we do learn lessons from what was a new election, and that is precisely what this review is about. We made sure, those of us who were in the last Senedd, that we had that mechanism within the legislation on expanding the Senedd and introducing a new electoral system to review it, to make sure that it is as good as it can be in terms of proportionality, understanding and so on. My Government remains committed to that review, which I think is important, but ultimately this is one for the Senedd as a whole.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Yes, I think ensuring that this Senedd is representative of the people we serve, rich in its diversity, should be something that's important to all of us. I certainly was pleased that, as a party, we were able to play our part in creating this representative and diverse Senedd, with women making up 46 per cent of this seventh Senedd, and we have diversity across other characteristics too. I absolutely agree that, by being representative of the people we serve, we can be more effective as a democratically elected institution. There's a lot of evidence to support that. There's more that we need to do, of course, but, as a Senedd, we can establish, every single one of us here, an inclusive culture, working practices and policies. But political parties in themselves are important gatekeepers, aren't they, in achieving that aim too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think this close to next year's local elections, I don't think it would be possible to bring in a new way of electing members, though that decision will ultimately be down to local authorities themselves. Work is still ongoing in relation to automatic registration, which is something that, as a principle, I adhere to. I want as many people as possible to be able to take part in the democratic process. We will judge whether timescales allow us to do that, but it's something in principle that I would want to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Locally owned businesses are important to communities in Gŵyr Abertawe. My Government will back them to innovate, scale and improve productivity. That means practical help through the business support on offer and stronger local supply chain support. We want Welsh businesses to grow without losing their local identity, so jobs, decisions and the wealth they create stay in their communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The frustration voiced by the Member is one that I have voiced many times as well when it comes to looking at procurement spend in action and the Welsh pound leaving Wales unnecessarily all too often. I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to reiterate my determination to drive up the share of public contracts going to Welsh businesses. We will rewrite procurement rules to prioritise local supply chains, fair work and community benefit and make it easier for Welsh firms to bid by simplifying processes, actively supporting SMEs to compete. And on top of that, we will hold public bodies to account also, so that more of that £8 billion spend, as was mentioned there, stays in Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We clearly share a common ambition to grow the indigenous businesses that we have here in Wales. The Cabinet Minister for enterprise often speaks of that need to grow that missing middle in Wales, and that is precisely what we will try to do. It will be one of the driving forces of the new development agency to grow those businesses. We want them to grow and succeed, without losing their roots in Welsh communities too. It's about creating a simpler, stronger business support system with a clear front door for firms. The development agency itself will not only help Welsh businesses to start, but to scale, which is so, so important. And in everything that we do, if we are to achieve our aims about closing the productivity gap with the UK, the role of Welsh businesses and the support given to them by Government will be absolutely key in that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member draws attention to the situation within his particular constituency, as I would expect him to. And whilst I'm unable to draw comparisons, because I don't have the numbers here, between what happens precisely on the border between one constituency and the next, I can say this: when I had initial conversations with my Cabinet Minister for enterprise about the kind of remit that we would want the new development agency to have, I made it clear that I was pretty open-minded about the way it worked, because I wanted that flexibility in place as it developed its place within that landscape of the Welsh economy. One thing I did say was that I was determined that, in everything it did and in everything that we do, there is a recognition of making sure that prosperity is spread and that there is no creating pockets of prosperity where one area is able to prosper not necessarily at the expense of another, but where it feels as if it's an unlevel playing field. That is something that's going to be at the core of our approach to promoting prosperity: making sure that everybody has a slice of that cake.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The nation of sanctuary approach promotes safer, more united communities by working with partners to support integration, safeguard vulnerable people and identify and address risks appropriately.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I guess, Llywydd, we're going to have to get used to this kind of contribution, where there is an attempt here to drive wedges between communities. And I, as First Minister, and I know I speak for my Government, will not rise to that from the Reform benches. Yes, the nation of sanctuary policy did house mostly Ukrainian refugees. I understand the difficulty that the Member has in addressing that issue, given the fact that the former leader of Reform in Wales is currently serving a lengthy jail term for taking money from the Russians, and one of the first calls made by their finance spokesperson was to tear down the Ukraine flag flying outside our Senedd. Let's focus here on what unites us. Let's focus on the leadership that's incumbent on all of us to show in order to create cohesion between communities. I will remind the Member that today is the tenth anniversary of the murder of Jo Cox. Our thoughts are with her family today, and our focus as leaders in politics in Wales should be on finding ways of getting over divisions rather than trying to create them.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly will, and I hope I speak for all of this Senedd in saying that we have been proud to be able to support people who came here from Ukraine to flee Putin's bullets. I remember the film shown on Newyddion on S4C of a girl who'd come from Ukraine and who was at the school in Moelfre, and she was asked what her favourite Welsh word was, and she said with immense pride 'archfarchnad'. So, I'm not sure which archfarchnad, which supermarket, particularly impressed her, but it just showed me in that little instance—and there were other children there too—that we can provide a home for Ukrainians. And no, Wales doesn't have the power to decide who seeks asylum here, but we do have the power here to decide what attitude we show, as a nation, towards people who end up here and how kind we decide to be towards them.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly associate myself with those comments and agree with them, and make the point again that it's our job here to show leadership on the kind of debate. And that is one positive that comes out of this, that we are able to show leadership and to show that we will not be cowed by those who are intolerant and want to seek division; we can put forward a more respectful argument.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
That was a very creative way, Llywydd, of aligning himself with the comments, rather too closely, of the Member from Reform. On grooming gangs, I'm quite clear that we need to understand exactly what is happening. Policing is not devolved, of course, to Wales, but this Government will support any measures to make sure that we understand the threats faced by be it young people or women in Wales, in whatever guise that might be.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
My Deputy First Minister was also very proud to be at the event last night and to have been able to give an address there. Again, I want to associate myself with the Member's words, clearly showing again an understanding of the importance of showing leadership. What that means is not encouraging people to vent anger on the streets, as other political leaders have sought to do. That is what undermines cohesion, that is what creates violence, that is what creates the risks that face our communities. It's pleasing to see that, within this Senedd, there is still a very firm majority for the cohesive, positive view of the way that we can work together for the greater good.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We're supporting the safe and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in the health service. In partnership with the NHS, we're exploring how such technologies can improve patient access to services, reduce the administrative burden for healthcare professionals and assist with diagnostics and treatment plans.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We have a list there of potential technological and AI interventions that can genuinely help us transform the health service. We've made it one of the central parts of our plans to make healthcare sustainable for the future, because in the face of an ageing population, it's that sustainability, perhaps, that's the greatest challenge of all. The role of digital and AI are hugely important in that. It is all of the above that the Member mentioned. It's things like ambient voice technology and other uses of AI. I have no doubt that AI has the potential to bring about efficiencies for the clinicians and professionals in the health service. If we can safely introduce AI technology, clinicians and practitioners' time can be spent with patients and not on paperwork. It's not just getting it done more efficiently, there's a potential to do things better too, which is something that we should all aim to do.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm afraid I can't explain or describe which exact AI tools are in use. I'll see if we can write to the Member to give a taste of the kinds of tools that are already in place. But the key thing is that we are at, still, the beginning of a revolution here, and one of the ways that we need to act now is to find which tools are best, and they will almost certainly be incomplete tools as of now, but to find out which ones provide most promise for the future. We have technologies being developed in Wales that we want to support for the economic benefits that that brings, but I'll see if I can get some details to the Member.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The important thing to say is that AI isn't about replacing staff, it's not about replacing clinical judgment, for example, it's about reducing administrative tasks so that clinicians can focus on the parts of the job that only humans can do. As the Member says, where we have shortages, the advantage of freeing up the time of nurses, doctors and others through the effective use of technology is that they can then really be using their time on the front line, getting to grips with those waiting times and ambulance handovers and so on. As I say, we're at the beginning of understanding where this revolution in digital in healthcare can take us, but I can assure you that it's a matter that my Cabinet Minister for Health and Care takes great interest in.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are committed to a whole-system approach to neurodivergence, building on the autism code of practice to improve consistency, reduce inequalities and deliver better outcomes across Wales. We will strengthen workforce training and awareness, promote earlier, needs-led support through closer collaboration across education, health and social care, and ensure the voices and lived experience of neurodivergent people are central to shaping policy and services.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mewn ffordd, mae'r ateb yn y cwestiwn hefyd, ac mae'r Aelod yn sylweddoli yr her, ac mae cydweithio ar draws Llywodraeth yn rhywbeth dwi'n gobeithio fydd yn dod yn thema y byddwn ni'n dychwelyd ati dro ar ôl tro. Mae gwaith eisoes yn digwydd o fewn y Llywodraeth o fapio allan sut i wneud i'r cydweithio yna ddigwydd, beth bynnag ydy'r mater. Yn yr achos hwn, mae gwella canlyniadau i bobl niwroamrywiol yn rhywbeth sy'n barod yn rhedeg ar draws rhaglen gyfan y Llywodraeth. Dyna sy'n bwysig; nid rhywbeth un adran ydy hi, fel mae'r Aelod yn dweud. Rydyn ni'n cyflawni hyn drwy'r rhaglen gwella niwroamrywiaeth, ac mae honno wedi'i halinio yn glir iawn efo'n hymrwymiad ni i un gwasanaeth cyhoeddus Cymru, yn dod â iechyd, addysg, gofal cymdeithasol, a llywodraeth leol a phartneriaid eraill ynghyd o amgylch canlyniadau sy'n cael eu rhannu gan bob un ohonom ni. Mae'r mesur yn mynd i fod ym mha mor llwyddiannus yr ydym ni'n gwneud i hynny ddigwydd, ond dwi'n cyd-fynd yn llwyr efo'r egwyddor sy'n cael ei nodi gan yr Aelod, mai cael y cydweithio yna yn iawn ydy'r allwedd i gael yr allbynnau neu'r canlyniadau rydym ni eu hangen i bobl.
Official English translation
In a way, the answer's in the question again, and the Member realises the challenge, and collaboration across the Government is something that I hope will become a theme that we'll return to time and again. Work is already happening within the Government in terms of mapping out how that collaboration happens, whatever the issue. And in this case, improving outcomes for neurodivergent people is something that is already running across the whole Government programme. That's the important thing; it's not just for one department, as the Member said. We're delivering this through the improvement programme on neurodivergence, and that is aligned very clearly with our commitment to one public service in Wales, and bringing health, education, social care, and local government and other partners together around outcomes that are shared by all of us. The measurement will be of how successful we are in making that happen, but I do agree completely with the principle that was brought up by the Member, namely that getting that collaboration right is the key to getting the outcomes or the results that we need for people.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right that I and we on these benches were supportive of that legislative response, and going down the legislative route is something that can still be discussed. There is a significant programme of legislation that we need to pursue, but let's keep on talking about where opportunities might arise. What we can't do is wait for that legislative window and let that stop us from taking action that we're already able to take, of the kind that I mentioned in my previous answer, in making sure that Government works across departments to provide the kind of support that neurodivergent people should be able to expect from Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We will review our planning and infrastructure policies to ensure the scale, siting and cumulative impact of energy developments, including transmission and distribution infrastructure, are properly considered through the planning system. The review will allow communities to express their views and ensure that local concerns are given appropriate weight when applications for energy developments are considered.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think it's very important that decisions are ones that we are able to control here in Wales, and I hope the Member would join me in making the call for all energy projects to be devolved from Westminster to Wales, because in Westminster there's certainly no understanding of what's important to our communities, I believe. We have in Wales the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024, which provides an up-to-date decision-making process for large-scale wind projects. Developers are required to provide robust evidence to support and justify their proposals, including the effect on communities. And what I've said, and I will repeat time and time again, is that this Government is serious about making sure that we are able to use those tools, including legislation already in place, to give communities a genuine voice, and whether it's on developers having to propose shared ownership, or the development of more nationally focused wealth funds that can help those communities, those are the principles that guide our thinking around renewables projects. We're in favour of renewables projects, but we're in favour of protecting communities in the context of their development too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government will ensure that economic development supports businesses across the country, with the 100 days plan looking to bring together a panel of experts to look at forming a national development agency to help unlock the potential of businesses across the whole of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr. Mae cyfoeth a bwrlwm economaidd yn gorfod bod yn gallu cael eu teimlo ym mhob rhan o'r wlad, ac mewn cymunedau efo nodweddion gwahanol. Un o'r syniadau tu ôl i Arfor, wrth gwrs, oedd gwneud yn siŵr bod ardaloedd gwledig Cymraeg eu hiaith yn gallu teimlo'r math o fwrlwm economaidd a fyddai’n arfer cael ei gysylltu efo ardaloedd dinesig mawr. Rydyn ni wedi gosod cenhadaeth genedlaethol glir fel Llywodraeth i gau'r bwlch cynhyrchiant efo'r Deyrnas Unedig dros y degawd nesaf, a dim ond os bydd pob rhan o Gymru'n llwyddo y gallwn ni gyflawni hynny. Rydyn ni’n gwreiddio twf daearyddol gytbwys wrth galon ein strategaeth economaidd. Fel y dywedais i mewn ateb i gwestiwn cynharach, mae'n rhaid i fwrlwm, llwyddiant a llewyrch gael eu teimlo ym mhob rhan o'r wlad, ac mae hynny'n golygu sicrhau bod Cymru wledig a threfol fel ei gilydd yn elwa o fuddsoddiad.
Official English translation
I agree entirely. Economic activity and wealth have to be felt in all parts of the country, and in communities with different characteristics. One of the ideas behind Arfor, of course, was ensuring that rural areas that are Welsh speaking can feel that kind of economic activity that would usually be connected with large urban areas. We have set out a clear national mission as a Government to reduce the productivity gap with the UK Government over the next 10 years, and only if all parts of Wales succeed can we deliver that. We are embedding geographically balanced growth at the heart of our economic strategy. As I said in response to a previous question, economic prosperity and activity have to be felt in all parts of the country, and that ensures that all parts of Wales, rural and urban, can benefit from investment.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Respect, solidarity and fair play will guide how this Government builds fairer, safer and united communities. We want Wales to be a safe and inclusive nation where people and communities thrive. Our community cohesion programme is designed to promote cohesion and foster shared belonging across the whole of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I find our flag to be a symbol of immense national pride and I don't support it being misused.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our manifesto is clear: we have set out a range of commitments to drive greater consistency and accountability to strengthen safeguarding arrangements in schools across Wales. Our inspectorate, Estyn, monitors safeguarding arrangements through its inspection framework. Alongside engagement with local authorities and safeguarding partners, this informs a national picture of safeguarding in schools across Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Everyone was appalled, of course, by the actions of Neil Foden, for which he is now being punished. And we remember, don't we, the bravery of all those who came forward and spoke and assured that conviction. We have to now act on what came out of the child practice review. I was minded to pursue the avenue of a further inquiry, but we have to be guided by the views of the independent chair of that report, who advised that a further inquiry just would not add value in this space. What we need to do is to continue to fight for justice for these young people, and future young people, through the actions that we take in fostering a strong safeguarding culture, embedding accountability at every level, and now ensuring children's voices shape decision making in the future.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mi gofiwn am byth, wrth gwrs, fel mae'r Aelod yn dweud, ffieidd-dra'r troseddau gan Foden, a do, mi gymerodd ddewrder rhyfeddol ar ran y bobl ifanc yna. Rydym ni yn cymryd pob cam y gallwn ni o fewn ein grym ni i leihau y risg o unrhyw beth fel hyn yn digwydd eto. Mae magu diwylliant newydd yn gwbl allweddol, lle mae plant, ac athrawon hefyd, yn teimlo yn ddiogel i siarad. Rydym ni'n barod yn cymryd camau mewn ymateb i'r adolygiad, yn cynnwys cryfhau canllawiau'r statudol a chefnogol i ysgolion, ac mae adolygiad o adran 5 yr adroddiad yn mynd i gael ei lansio yn fuan iawn. Fyddwn ni ddim yn llaesu dwylo mewn unrhyw ffordd wrth sicrhau ein bod ni'n gweithredu ac yn cymryd camau bras er mwyn pobl ifanc y rhan yna o Gymru a drwy'r genedl.
Official English translation
We will never forget the horrific crimes carried out by Foden, and, of course, it took incredible courage for those young people to come forward. We are taking every possible step within our powers to reduce the risk of anything like this ever happening again. Developing a new culture is crucial, where children and teachers feel safe to speak up. We are already taking steps in response to the review, including strengthening statutory guidance and support for schools, and a review of section 5 of the report will be launched very soon. We will not rest on our laurels in any way in ensuring that we are taking major steps for the benefit of young people in that part of Wales and across the nation.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, I want to give the Member those assurances. We want to continue with and build on the work that had previously been done. We remind ourselves of the title of that report: 'Our Bravery Brought Justice'. Only part of the justice has been brought so far—the justice in ensuring that the perpetrator was found guilty and was imprisoned. The real justice is in making sure that we have the measures in place to stop this happening again.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Llywydd, very simply, this is a Government that does believe in taking action. The reason, sometimes, we steer clear of words like 'bans' is because there will always be exceptions. We are determined, and, working with the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, measures are already in tow to make sure that we protect children and their education from the impact of mobile phones in schools.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Devolved taxes make a significant contribution to the budget, providing £4.4 billion for vital public services and infrastructure in Wales. These revenues enable investment to boost economic growth, to improve our NHS, schools, childcare, housing and public transport. We plan to reform business rates to better support high-street businesses and explore ways of making council tax fairer.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I reiterate, Llywydd, that there will be no change to rates of income tax. We don't have the tools to set a taxation system that works for Wales. I'll say this: I want to bring in further taxation in Wales through a thriving economy and through businesses that flourish. But let me make it clear: taxation is a fundamental part of our democratic and governmental structures. What we should seek always, be that for individuals or for businesses, is fair taxation. Cutting tax for the sake of it, for political reasons, for example, is not what the people want. I believe that what people and businesses and the economy want is excellent-quality public services and support from Government within a fair tax system.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member echoes, in some ways, my call for a fair taxation system. Therefore, yes, we will be reviewing business rates, as we have said we would, because we want to make sure that it works well for businesses in Wales. In particular, we want to make sure that town centres and high-street businesses are supported well. On land transaction tax too, that is exactly the kind of tax that we want to seek to review, that we need to review, to make sure that it's working in the interests of the people of Wales. We are very aware of our ability to use a taxation system in a progressive way, and, again, that's why we continue to be determined to find a replacement in time for council tax.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Will the tax be scrapped? No. I believe in our tourism offer in Wales. I am very, very proud of our tourism offer. We live in a beautiful country. We have facilities that lend themselves to tourism. I want to use the tourism levy in a way that improves the tourism offer. It is up to individual local authorities, of course, whether they bring in a tourism levy in their areas, but let's remember what the other part of this is: where tourism happens, there are impacts on communities and, as well as improving the tourism offer, there's an opportunity here to put the mitigation measures in place so that tourism is something that we can control and mould, working with tourism operators, into something that works for the industry and for the communities where tourism takes place.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, I certainly agree with the Member about the damage of Reform policies, and Brexit is one of those, and remember that reducing income tax by 1p would have cost £299 million. Now, that would be to the detriment of public services in Wales and the people we are here to serve. I again reiterate that my belief is in a fair taxation system that's also a realistic taxation system, that recognises the need to have not just well-funded, but well-run public services. And this Government is all about making sure that our public services are well run and that that is done within our means too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The contribution made by Reform, of course, last year, was to say that they wanted to bring back a defunct blast furnace to secure the future of Port Talbot, when my party put plans on the table that could have retained, we believe, virgin steel making in Port Talbot. My Government is determined to do all that we can to support investment at Tata. My Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy did speak yesterday with Tata Steel UK's chief executive officer in order to discuss the way ahead, in terms of the electricity connection. Many of the powers, of course, are in the hands of UK Government, but we will do everything in our powers as a Welsh Government to facilitate progress towards the delivery of that investment, and that is why my Minister acted so quickly.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Putting a robust plan in place to make sure that people who have decided to devote themselves to careers in nursing or medicine or the allied health professions is a core part of our delivery of a workforce strategy. That is why my Cabinet Minister for Health and Care has already begun the work of ensuring that we are able to support students to have careers within the NHS. That's why they decided to go into those professions. And in terms of scales of spending on our overseas office, it's not that much more, is it, than the leader of your party took to secure his own security, or was it to buy a house?
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Where is the visible leadership? He's sat over there. He's called my health and care Cabinet Minister. The seriousness of the approach by Mabon ap Gwynfor to dealing with the problems that we absolutely face after 27 years of Labour health Ministers in Betsi is something that is not lost on us. Am I willing to look at restructuring? I've made it very, very clear that Betsi Cadwaladr is on notice, but the solution that the patients and staff across north Wales want isn't new structures, it's a better delivery of health and care. That is what I am concentrating on, rather than restructuring for the sake of it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I won't get engaged with what isn't a serious question. What I will do, Llywydd, is engage with the question that I think he is trying to ask, which is about what is our position on the eradication of tuberculosis, if I've understood correctly. The question around the eradication of TB is that we will follow the science.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
A number of points there. I believe in fair work, first. It's a principle that we outlined when I spoke at the recent Wales Trades Union Congress in Llandudno. On ALN, I have to praise the previous administration here. Payments made in England, of course, are to cover historic debts by local authorities because of ALN. The previous Government, whose previous education Minister is sat next to the leader of the Labour group, managed a situation where we didn't have that debt. So, what we need to do is make sure that we have structures in place to support children with additional needs and their parents, and to build up the case for new structures by the time there will be consequentials flowing through the system from England in two years' time.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's a very fair question, and I can answer very simply that, yes, I do stand by the comments that I have long made, that I do believe we need to protect our best and most versatile land. It is not, however, necessarily a case of changing the planning frameworks. And the reason I say that is that my frustration with the previous Government was that it was going against current frameworks, which do say that BMV land should be protected, in allowing certain schemes to go ahead. So, that's a pretty honest answer saying I agree with the Member, but I'm not convinced, actually, that the weakness in this particular instance is on what the planning guidelines say.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I hear what the Member says and I've expressed as clearly as I can that I'm in agreement with the Member on that core principle, but I don't think, necessarily, that frameworks need to be changed. It's the application and the consistent application of those rules that the previous Government, I thought, was not doing. The Member is also conflating a couple of different issues here when it comes to connectivity issues and so on. There are different issues on making sure that energy projects go ahead in a way that allows us to fulfil our environmental obligations and reap the jobs and look after the communities affected. It is not so much an issue of the loss of best and most versatile land in that matter, it's a different issue. But of course, as with everything, we will keep planning policy under review to make sure that it's fit for purpose, whether it's on energy or any other issue.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae sefydlu’r tasglu canol trefi yn dangos ymrwymiad clir gan Lywodraeth Cymru i adfywio canol trefi ar hyd a lled Cymru. Mi fydd y tasglu yn edrych ar opsiynau ar gyfer ardrethi annomestig a diwygio’r broses gynllunio i gefnogi canol trefi mwy bywiog, amrywiol a defnydd cymysg. Mi fydd hyn yn cynnwys darparu mwy o gartrefi a gwneud gwell defnydd o eiddo gwag. Mi ydym ni am i'n stryd fawr ffynnu a chwarae rôl bwysig mewn economïau lleol ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Official English translation
Establishing the town centre taskforce demonstrates the Welsh Government’s clear commitment to revitalising town centres across the whole of Wales. The taskforce will look at options for non-domestic rates and planning reform to support more vibrant, diverse and mixed-use town centres, including bringing in more homes and making better use of empty properties. We want our high streets to thrive and play a strong role in local economies for the future.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Dwi'n gwybod beth sydd wedi digwydd i Stryd Fawr Bangor, achos Stryd Fawr Bangor oedd fy stryd fawr i pan oeddwn i'n tyfu fyny ac, ydy, mae o'n siom i bobl o fy oed i, sy'n cofio'r prysurdeb mewn blynyddoedd a fu, i weld gymaint llai o egni sydd i'w deimlo yna. Ond dwi'n dal yn gweld potensial. Dwi'n gweld dinas falch sydd yn barod i weld ei stryd fawr yn cael ei hailegnïo. Y gair allweddol i fi yn y cwestiwn oedd 'partneriaeth'. Mae yna bartneriaeth allweddol: busnesau ym Mangor—mae yna bobl mewn busnes ym Mangor sydd yn wirioneddol eisiau gweld cynnydd; mae yna brifysgol ym Mangor dwi eisiau gweld yn rhan allweddol fel partner; ac mae'r cyngor, dwi'n gwybod, yn eiddgar i symud ymlaen. Tynnu'r partneriaid yna at ei gilydd sy'n bwysig, a dwi'n meddwl bod y tasglu canol trefi yn mynd i fod y ffordd ddelfrydol i ddechrau ar y gwaith o dynnu'r bobl ynghyd sydd eu hangen i sicrhau bod yr amgylchiadau'n cael eu creu i symud ymlaen, a hynny ar ben y camau rydw i wedi crybwyll yn barod, fel edrych eto ar ardrethi busnes.
Official English translation
I know what's happened to Bangor High Street because Bangor High Street was my high street when I was growing up and, yes, it is disappointing for people of my age, who remember the vibrancy in years gone by, to see how little vibrancy is felt there now. But I do still see potential. I see a proud city that is ready to see its high street regenerated. The key word for me in the question was 'partnership'. There is a key partnership: businesses in Bangor—there are people in business in Bangor who really do want to see progress made; there is a university in Bangor that I want to see playing a key role as a partner; and the council, I know, is very eager to make progress. We need to draw those partners together, that's what's important, and I think that the town centre taskforce will be the ideal way of starting that process of bringing necessary people together in order to ensure that the circumstances are created to make progress, on top of the steps that I've already mentioned, such as looking again at business rates.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We're very, very keen to move ahead with urgency on this. That's why we included within our first 100 days plan the establishment of the town centre taskforce. That is happening, and a big part of the work of that taskforce is then to look at how we can review business rates. Partly it was done under the last administration, in the late days of that administration. We want to see how much further we can go to help businesses on our high streets, and we'll move ahead with urgency.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member must be mistaken. I have never been in Welsh Government before, but I reiterate my determination to press ahead with that reform of business rates, as we have said many times.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Road infrastructure investment continues across Gŵyr Abertawe, including progress on the M4 junctions 45 to 46 improvements as part of our asset renewal programme. Our recent budget agreement secured an additional £8.6 million for Swansea, increasing its year-on-year uplift from 3.4 per cent to 5.2 per cent on a like-for-like basis. Across the south-west Wales region, £24.7 million is being invested in transport schemes in 2026-27, supporting delivery improvements to connectivity.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The words 'pot' and 'holes' have already been mentioned by my Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, the Member will be pleased to hear, because the quality of our roads is very important. There is no single pot, of course, of road funding. The Welsh Government is responsible for the strategic road network. Specific regional transport schemes that I mentioned in my initial response are something separate again, fuelled through grant funding. Local authority spending of the kind the Member mentioned is unhypothecated. The Welsh Government isn't able to influence that. We were able to influence, through a recent budget deal, the overall package of funding given to local authorities, but decisions on spending within that envelope are ones for local authorities themselves. I would make the case, of course, that capital spend from the UK Government is worrying when we look ahead to the remainder of this Senedd term.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful to the Member for his question. I think the key thing here is that I agree with him on the climate change impact on roads. We have to recognise that our assets and infrastructure as a nation are under increasing strain because of climate change. It's something that will guide us when we make decisions in future years on infrastructure spend.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We're committed to introducing and embedding a trauma-informed and person-centred approach to tackling youth homelessness across Wales and within the Member's constituency of Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf. We will ensure that new homelessness legislation is implemented effectively and kept under review. We'll also continue to invest in prevention and support services, including early identification and support for young people at risk of homelessness.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member has spoken openly about her own experiences, and, if I may say, she has spoken very powerfully about her own experience. As we're seeing in her few weeks here in the Senedd, no doubt she will be a strong advocate for young people who are either homeless or who face homelessness. We were clear in our manifesto that a warm, secure and affordable home is a basic prerequisite for a healthy, happy life, and that every child and young person should have the best possible start in life. We believe in the right to a home, and I look forward to working with the Member in developing policy around which we will make sure that those words are put into practice for the sake of all our young people.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Data gathering and data-based policy is something this Government is very eager to explore. I welcome the pledge to work on a cross-party basis on this and other measures on homelessness and veterans. When we have armed forces covenants, we need to make sure that they actually mean something. Making sure that veterans are able to find a home has to be at the very heart of our pledge to people who have served. I should say I visited last week Valley Veterans in the Rhondda valley, and enjoyed an hour or so in the company of veterans there, and hopefully was able to show our appreciation to them and to pledge to work with them also, as well as with colleagues in this Chamber, to make sure that we are serious in realising the promises that we make to veterans.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful for the question. We in this Government have tried to show our real determination to make a gear change in housing policy. That absolutely includes building on our commitment to expand housing first approaches to tackle homelessness. We will explore how these models could be applied more fully within youth services in particular. In the private rental sector, where many of our young people are housed, of course, I intend to bring forward legislation in this Senedd term to improve housing affordability, strengthen the enforcement framework to tackle poor landlord behaviour, and improve protections for tenants. That will be done in close consultation with the private rented sector, as well as the wider housing sector, and my Cabinet Minister is getting down to that work already.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member showed during the recent election campaign that this was a priority area of his, and I hope he sees that it's something we are very keen to move forward on quickly, and to work in partnership with him also. Fair rent is at the core of our housing policy. Alongside that are the protections that we need to put in place. It is the truth now that we are lagging behind England when it comes to protection for renters, and that's something that we will move at pace to put right.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Wales will need significant investment in our energy infrastructure to meet growing needs from industry, businesses and homes across Wales. Our national energy strategy will set out how Wales will meet our energy needs in a sustainable way that benefits people and communities, and minimises negative impacts. We will work to secure the full benefits for Welsh communities from energy projects.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Well, he's consistent. This is a Government that genuinely understands the need to have an approach to energy that recognises the role that communities play and the protections that communities want and deserve. The Member says, 'Don't have any developments'—perhaps not surprising, given the climate change-denying views within his party. I say let's recognise the need for all of us to fulfil our environmental obligations, and the need for all of us surely to try to reap the economic benefits from renewables projects. But let's also recognise the necessity to look at the community: community ownership, community profit sharing, a wealth fund for the nation, the design mitigation that can go into allowing projects to go ahead in sympathy with and with the support of communities. That is a difference of principle between the Member and myself.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Rydyn ni'n gweithio yn gyflym i ddatblygu rheoliadau o dan y Ddeddf Diogelwch Adeiladau (Cymru) 2026 i sicrhau bod leaseholders yn cael eu gwarchod. Hyd yma, mae'r warchodaeth wedi bod ar gael yn Lloegr ond nid yng Nghymru. Wrth i ni agosáu at nawfed pen-blwydd trasiedi Grenfell ddydd Sul yma, mi allaf gadarnhau bod y Llywodraeth yma yn mynd i gymryd pob cam addas i sicrhau bod y rhai sydd wedi arwyddo cytundeb datblygwyr Llywodraeth Cymru yn delifro ar eu hymrwymiadau nhw o dan y cytundeb hwnnw.
Official English translation
We are working quickly to develop regulations under the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 to introduce leaseholder protections. Until now, that protection has been available in England, but not in Wales. As we approach the ninth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy this Sunday, I can confirm that this Government will take all appropriate actions to ensure that signatories to the Welsh Government's developer contract deliver on their commitments under the agreement.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As we approach, as I say, the ninth anniversary of the terrible, terrible Grenfell Tower tragedy, we reflect on the fact that, for nine years, people have lived in fear of whether it might be them, and with the real anxiety of being a leaseholder and the impact that that has. Today my thoughts are very much with the thousands of leaseholders in Wales who continue to worry and suffer in the wake of that tragedy. I think people deserve now to see action. We've had too much dragging of feet. As I say, I'm pleased that all signatories to the contract have said that they will have work started at every development in Wales by the end of this year. We are working quickly to introduce, though, regulations under the Building Safety (Wales) Act to ensure that leaseholders in Wales have the protection afforded by remediation orders and remediation contribution orders. Those are only available in England so far, and I can confirm that the Welsh Government will start the process of consultation on these regulations in the coming weeks.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right that warm words aren't enough anymore. I'm well aware that leaseholders need more than thoughts and warm words and the like. They're desperate for action, and this Government, as I say, will do everything in our power to ensure that those who have signed the developer contract deliver on their commitments. I want to be as clear as I can that this Government does expect developers to prioritise the needs of leaseholders and ensure they are remediating all their buildings as quickly as possible, and, in further assurance, we will be actively considering appropriate enforcement action where signatories to the contract are failing to deliver.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Mae'r Aelod, wrth gwrs, yn un o aelodau etholaeth yng Nghaerdydd ac yn gyn-arweinydd Cyngor Caerdydd, lle mae llawer iawn o'r adeiladau yma, wrth gwrs, felly dwi'n deall yr ymwneud y mae o wedi'i gael ar y mater yma.
Official English translation
The Member, of course, represents a constituency in Cardiff and is a former leader of Cardiff Council, where many of these buildings are, of course, so I understand his involvement in this issue.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
As I say, what we have now is that legislation that is very, very fresh, but now does allow us to move forward. I've mentioned our willingness to consider enforcement action where steps aren't being taken. But building on that legislation in particular, as I say, the key thing is that now we start immediately, without further delay, on the consultation on these regulations in coming weeks, so that we are ready, actually, then, to act after years of talk.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Planning is the cornerstone to ensure that the right type of development happens in the most sustainable locations, delivering real benefits for our communities. Community engagement is an essential part of the planning process. I am considering how our policies and guidance can be strengthened to enhance effective and meaningful community engagement.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Co-operation with local authorities is key, and can I congratulate the Member for the stand that she took on behalf of constituents that she represents in Wrexham? I have asked officials to identify options to increase community engagement in LDP preparation and planning decisions, and by definition, that has to include local authorities too. And when preparing a local development plan, local planning authorities have to stick to the national planning policy as set out in 'Future Wales' and 'Planning Policy Wales', but remember, both of those can be updated regularly to reflect Government priorities. We will revisit those, and I am currently considering the merits of whether those changes can be beneficial, but partnership is key in finding a way forward.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
There are plenty of opportunities, of course, which is important for campaigners to meet their representatives, and it's only right. But I come back to the point that I made at the beginning of an earlier answer: this is a Government that recognises the importance of listening to communities; it has to be at the core of decisions when they are made, whether that's in relation to housing or whether it's in relation to energy projects and so on. And that community approach is, if you like, a core value of the way this Government wants to work.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I recognise the importance of workers being able to raise concerns without detriment. Within our devolved responsibilities, the code of practice on ethical employment in supply chains expects publicly funded organisations to have clear whistleblowing arrangements in place. While employment rights, including statutory whistleblowing protections, are reserved, we encourage workers to seek advice from the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service and consider joining a trade union to ensure their rights are understood and supported.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I invite the Member to write if there's a specific issue that she would wish to discuss. I can only speak in general terms. We want workers, whether that's in health or any other part of public service, to feel confident to raise concerns without fear. We will continue to use our levers, influence and leadership to support that aim in any way we can.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We will support Aneurin Bevan University Local Health Board to improve outcomes for people needing emergency care by strengthening urgent, primary, community and social care. This whole-system approach will improve patient flow, support people with escalating needs closer to home and help avoid unnecessary admissions. NHS Performance and Improvement is already working with the health board to support delivery of its plan.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I don't think it's a structural change of that kind that will deliver the improvements that the people of the old county of Gwent wish to see in terms of delivery of emergency care. We recognise the performance at the Grange emergency department, for example, remains under sustained pressure, reflecting wider system challenges across urgent and emergency care. That hospital plays a critical role for the Gwent population, and we are committed to supporting Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to deliver timely, safe care at that crucial accident and emergency department serving that part of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The priorities for childcare are clear. This Government will introduce a transformational universal childcare offer, which, at full roll-out, will be the most generous childcare offer in the UK. While the lack of action by previous administrations has meant that families in Wales pay some of the highest childcare costs in the UK, our offer will help families with the cost of living and give children the best start by accessing high-quality early years provision.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The childcare offer that we put forward at the recent election was there for a number of different reasons. One is to give children a good start in life. It's to help parents get back to work and help the economy in that way. But I welcome the fact that the Member referred to the child poverty element of this too. With so many children living in poverty, we have to look at this as a measure that can give real support to families. We will very soon be establishing our expert steering group. Work on that is being completed now, and a childcare taskforce in the Welsh civil service to firmly establish the phased delivery of the new offer, with workforce planning, improving access and streamlining application as clear priorities. I'm glad, again today, to hear the support for that principle from the Member.
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Open this sitting on the stage
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The minor injuries unit at the Royal Gwent Hospital, located in the Casnewydd and Islwyn constituency, met the national target in April. Ninety-six per cent of patients were assessed, treated and discharged within the four-hour standard. But, more broadly, I expect the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to deliver sustainable improvements to emergency care across the wider Gwent area. NHS Wales Performance and Improvement is actively providing support and reviewing the health board’s plan.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I certainly agree that the provision of suitable, effective, high-quality accident and emergency in the Member's constituency, and throughout Wales, is vitally important. We need a significant improvement on the current situation, and the Grange hospital, serving the wider Gwent area, consistently falls short, of course, of meeting the four-hour standard. Latest performance figures are unsatisfactory. Prolonged waiting times continue to pose significant challenges. So, I couldn't make it clearer than to say that my Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, and I, want to see much more being done to provide the kind of level of care that the Member references.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We know that integration has to be at the heart of creating sustainability within the health and care service as a whole. Keeping people out of hospital is an important part of that. A strong social care sector at the back door of the hospital is key to that. The Member references the investment made in the Grange. What this Government is determined to do is not just count the pennies but look at the outcomes that come out of investment, and that will guide us as a principle through the course of this Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We hear the calls, as I will hear calls, no doubt, for investment in different parts of the country. What's important to me, I think, is to recognise the challenges that are being faced by the Member's constituents, to put together a level of service that provides for the needs of her constituents. Welsh Government officials, NHS performance and improvement, and the health board are currently working together to agree an intervention approach based on the infrastructure that we have for the delivery of health. Let's see where we can get on improving the services in that way.
1. Questions to the First Minister cy
Heb os, a dwi'n falch o weld yr Aelod yn ôl ar ei draed, yn llythrennol. Mae'n cynlluniau ni i wella'r gwasanaethau iechyd yn seiliedig ar ddull system gyfan. Fel mae'r Aelod yn ei nodi yn gywir, bydd ein cynllun gweithlu newydd, er enghraifft, yn cynnwys pwyslais ar well cynllunio strategol ar gyfer gwasanaethau er mwyn hwyluso llif cleifion, yn tynnu ar arfer gorau sydd eisoes i'w weld mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru, ond mae angen ei ledaenu o a'i wreiddio fo ar raddfa genedlaethol. Rydyn ni hefyd yn gwybod bod rhaid i'r mesurau fynd law yn llaw â chryfhau gofal cymunedol, a dwi'n gwybod bod gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddiddordeb arbennig mewn sicrhau bod pwysigrwydd proffesiynau perthynol i iechyd yn gweithredu'n effeithiol a bod hynny'n cael ei adlewyrchu yn ein cynlluniau ni.
Official English translation
Without doubt, and it's good to see the Member back on his feet, quite literally. Our plans to improve health services are based on a whole-systems approach, as the Member quite rightly noted. Our new workforce plan, for example, will include an emphasis on better strategic planning for services in order to facilitate patient flow, drawing on best practice already in place in some parts of Wales. However, we need to extend that and embed it at a national level. We also know that the measures need to go hand in hand with strengthening community care, and I know that the Cabinet Secretary has a particular interest in ensuring that the importance of allied health professionals operates effectively and that that is reflected in our plans.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Welsh Government is determined to improve water quality. We have committed to taking full control of our water and to tackling pollution through developing a system made in Wales, for Wales. This includes better data, cleaner rivers, and science-led, outcome-based and risk-appropriate regulation. We will act by targeting prevention and enforcement where evidence shows it is needed, using technology and nature-based solutions.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I hope that Members across this Chamber will agree with Plaid Cymru's determination to take Welsh Water into Welsh hands. It is because we want to set a set of values, which could include senior executive pay, for example, into the way that water is run in Wales. What we want also, of course, is to have a system that works. We want clean rivers. We have a clear manifesto commitment to improving water quality and setting clear expectations of Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and the water companies themselves. We want to be able to deliver, or monitor delivery, rather, through this current price review period and hold companies to account for meeting their investment and performance commitments, including on matters such as storm overflows, which pollute our rivers, and wider environmental outcomes.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I am aware of and concerned about recent reported incidents of sickness when individuals have been swimming in the River Tawe. I have asked Natural Resources Wales to investigate the reports, and I will provide an update when further information becomes available. I can provide assurance, certainly, that I will work with all stakeholders necessary to ensure a joined-up approach to any investigations and associated responses.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Two parts to that answer. Measures around the spreading of slurry are about avoiding environmental pollution in rivers so that agriculture isn't forced to follow the calendar and is actually able to work in a technologically based way to spread slurry in a way that doesn't pose a threat to rivers. I think that's a very important thing to remember. On the need to make sure that investment works, that is why we want the regulation of water to be done here in Wales, so that we can make sure that, when investment goes in, it provides us with the outcomes that we need, which include, of course, clean rivers.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think the most important thing to do is to repeat what I said: we will act by targeting prevention and enforcement where evidence shows it is needed—that means in relation to polluted rivers, and it means in relation to polluted seas around our coast. We want to see urgent action. It is why we want to see regulation of water being devolved to Wales so that we can have as much influence as possible on the cleanliness of our rivers and our seas.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The rising cost of bills in recent times has caused real pain to people. It is an element, a significant element, for many people when it comes to the challenges of the cost of living. When you look at higher bills, it is particularly difficult to stomach in the context of very high executive pay. I am on the record previously as saying that one of the reasons that we want to regulate water in Wales is to make sure that we are able to have influence over the levels of executive pay, but it's about providing a better service, ultimately, to our customers here in Wales—so, the people that we represent—and making sure that we have the clean, clear waters and the clear seas that we all want to see.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm grateful to the leader of the opposition for now agreeing with us that health is a priority here in Wales. Listen, I've made it very, very clear that there are two elements to what we're trying to do. We want to cut waiting lists in the short term, and we want to build a sustainable health and care service for the long term. I reiterate that a priority for us now is to tackle, in the coming months, those issues of the longest two-year waits. In fact, I'm not waiting for the next months; work has already begun to put in practice the changes that are necessary to tackle that very issue.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'll begin this answer in the spirit that I want to conduct my business here, by pointing out that more people voted for Plaid Cymru because they trusted our pledges to deliver a sustainable health and care service for the future. Let's be serious about the challenges that we face, rather than the small change that is referred to by the leader of the opposition. We are talking about—[Interruption.] We are talking about significant sums of money that we are investing already through a budget deal last year into the NHS. But I can assure you of this: it's through innovation and it's through working with staff within the NHS that we provide that sustainability for the future. I remind the leader of the opposition that he leads a group in Wales from a party whose leader does not believe in an NHS funded through general taxation. That is a principle that we will defend here as we deliver that NHS that's fit for the future, for patients and for staff alike.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's going to be a very long Senedd term if it starts in this way, that we got a certain percentage more than you in the election. Listen, we have a programme for government that we have laid in front of the people of Wales that absolutely gets to grips with issues such as that which was referred to in Aneurin Bevan. We want to make sure that we cut out decisions such as the one that he referred to so that we can focus spending on where it makes a difference—to the patients that we all are here to serve. The programme for government, I remind you, is this: it is about creating better jobs in all parts of Wales; it is about raising education standards; it is about a childcare offer in order to help with the cost of living; it's about standing up for Wales; and, No. 1, it's about creating an NHS and care service that is fit for the future. That was our pledge and that is what we are determined to deliver in Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Yes, I have, on a personal level, always taken the approach of fighting for the economic benefits that come to that particular part of Wales from that development, which is a reserved matter. But the key thing is here that my Cabinet Minister for energy will be focused on the same thing. It's about looking at how we make the most of this opportunity, in terms of job creation and in terms of the environmental impact of that, and the Member has my assurance that that will be the principle that guides us.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I remind the leader of the Labour group that his party used to say that it supported the ordinary working man and woman. My position on Wylfa is very, very clear. This is a reserved matter, and the manifesto coming into this election said that there were matters that were reserved, which absolutely includes Wylfa. We will work positively on that particular plan because of the economic benefits locally that can flow from it—and across the wider region—plus on the elements of the environmental positives associated with it.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I think most people can see who's been fighting for a long time over that particular issue, and I'm certainly not planning on waiting until 12 June. People in Ynys Môn have been let down for too long when it comes to the resilience of the Menai crossings. It is unacceptable that we have been in this position where deadlines have been missed time and time again, and where work to fix a bridge that could and should have been done a long time ago is still dragging on year after year. Where previous Governments refused to see this problem as a priority, this new Welsh Government will act with greater urgency and focus. As I say, I won't wait until 12 June; I've committed to renewing the process of developing solutions to improve the resilience of transport links across the Menai strait. That's why we have already begun work within Government with a view to ensuring short-term measures around the Menai crossing, and long-term solutions for resilience across the Menai strait. And yes, the third crossing is a part of those considerations. But let me remind you of this: it's not a structure that we need; it's an answer. Let's get the answer and move there quickly.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
It's a very long question, but with a very short answer. The Brynglas tunnels are a well-known bottleneck and an economic constraint for Wales, and it's clear that action is needed to address congestion on the M4. Money was wasted, I must say, in getting to a place where nothing has happened in recent years, and this Government is already doing the work to identify the solutions that will be effective, and economically and environmentally responsible, in order that we can deliver long-term benefits socially and economically for the people of, yes, the south-east of Wales and the Brynglas areas, but we know that it's much wider than that too. But that doesn't take away from the work that also happens to improve infrastructure and improving public transport and so on.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Across all of our commitments, this Government will measure progress through a clear, data-led and disciplined approach, tracking what is actually changing on the ground so that we can see what is working. The Cabinet holds collective responsibility for the cross-cutting issues of climate and nature, and we're committed to clear public reporting on Wales's progress towards net zero through an accessible online dashboard.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree very much with the sentiment that has been expressed there, and it's in the title of the Minister: Cabinet Minister for Government effectiveness means exactly that. It's making sure that, as a Government, we are able to break down those silos and encourage co-operation between Ministers, making sure that there aren't walls between those different elements of potential delivery that can address the climate challenge. It's not just the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution and the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability. It's the way that that dovetails with the work of the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy. It's the way that we educate our young people through the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. I really wish this to be a hallmark of the way that this Government works and operates, and as I said in my initial answer, we will be providing the tools by which you hopefully will be able to hold us to account, including these digital dashboards that we are so determined to bring forward.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right. This Government is committed to dealing with the consequences of our industrial past and ensuring justice for our coalfield communities. I did visit Cwmtillery myself after that recent landslip, which really brought home the threats that so many communities are facing. We know that addressing threats associated with coal tips will need a sustained programme of investment. The mining industry, of course, predates devolution, so we're clearly of the view that it's the UK Government that should foot that bill, and we'll make the case for that. As part of our suite of measures, we will obviously want to enable Members across this Chamber to be able to measure progress against that stated aim.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member is right that my party is determined to bring forward a new approach. I'll put it this simply: it has to be based on the science. We will be ensuring that we work with those experts now who are able to provide us with the answers, and the Cabinet Minister will bring details forward in due course.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Qualifications Wales announced in September 2025 that separate GCSEs in physics, chemistry and biology would continue to be available.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm glad the Member enjoyed my singing in 1983. Had the cameras been following my entire teenage years, they would have seen me studying physics at GCSE and physics at A-level too. I support the principle of those three sciences being able to be taught separately and, yes, there's a review in autumn 2028, but I think it's important that we do have a review and have a current understanding of whether the curriculum is doing what we need it to do. We remain committed to the successful roll-out and delivery of the Curriculum for Wales, but a review of the curriculum is something that we are eager to see as an ongoing thing, to ensure that we have the kind of depth and breadth that the Member mentions when it comes to what is offered in terms of school study and qualifications. What my Government wants to do, of course, is to make sure that we have the staff needed to deliver that, that they have the support, and make it an attractive profession to go into, so that future generations are in good hands, whether they study physics or music.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Education is at the heart of our ambition for Wales, unlocking opportunity for every child and helping build a more confident, innovative and productive nation. That is why raising standards in every school is a core mission of this Government. Through our new foundational literacy and numeracy plan, and by supporting attendance, behaviour and our education workforce, we will ensure every learner has the strong foundations they need to succeed.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I'm glad the Member used the word 'mission'. This is a personal mission of ours—it's a mission for this Government. We have been clear that education and standards in our schools are an absolute priority for a Plaid Cymru Government. We are proud that we have led the debate on this, trying to give education, once again, the priority of esteem that it deserves within the broader public service environment in Wales. Progress is already under way for our new foundational numeracy and literacy plan, for our review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, and our assessment of additional learning needs provision in Welsh-medium education as part of our first 100 days commitment, and we'll be providing more detail on that later this term, as well as a timeline for the plan.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member has more knowledge than most, from her previous role, of the challenges that we face in education. It's important to point out, of course, that the money in England was in order to clear historic debts. Now, it's not for me to praise the former Labour Minister, but those debts were not here in Wales, so it is not additional funding, as it were, for ALN. I think that's something that is for us to bear in mind when we recognise what this funding actually was. The former Government managed to take that pressure off. But what we also know is that there is extreme pressure on the whole ALN issue, and we are all, as Members, made aware of the difficulties that families the length and breadth of Wales are facing because of challenges with delivering ALN. Already, measures have started to be put in place by my Government to look at how we make sure that what we have is a sustainable level of ALN provision, so that parents understand what they are able to get for their children through the education system, and that Government is in a sustainable position to deliver that.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
This is the first opportunity for us to have a Plaid Cymru Government, the first opportunity for us to put our principles into practice in Government. Striving for the highest possible level of education standards is a core principle, as well as a policy, of my party and of the Government that I lead. We have a proud record as a nation in the delivery of education: we were one of the first literate general populations anywhere in the world. Those standards and those levels of achievement have been allowed to slip. We will, as a Government, not turn a blind eye to that, and I hope the Member sees that, in placing this among our key priorities—education, health, job creation, cost of living, and standing up for Wales—we are serious about delivering. Already, the work has begun on that foundational literacy and numeracy plan. We expect to be held to account for our work and our record in raising standards that are long overdue in Welsh schools.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We will drive change across social care to tackle pressures and improve access to support. We will shift care closer to home, helping people live independently for longer. We will improve joined-up working, support unpaid carers and set clearer national standards. To build a resilient system people can depend on, we will progress our national care service and move closer towards care that is free at the point of need.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We are determined in everything that we do to deliver a more joined-up health and social care system, to reduce fragmentation and improve the patient experience. We must do everything that we can, always, to ensure consistency of care in all parts of Wales. Call it the postcode lottery if you like. Whether it's quality of care or the level of provision, we have to make sure that no area is disadvantaged. The delivery of rural healthcare and care services is something that is particularly relevant to that. As we progress towards a national care service, we have to remember that that word 'national' means something, that that care service is something that has to be relevant and sustainable in all parts of the nation, bringing health and social care together with shared, clear accountability. People in rural Wales should know that this Government is on their side, as people in urban areas should too.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Local government is a key partner, as the Member knows, in the delivery of care. It was one of the reasons why we ensured, through the agreement on the budget for 2026-27, that the firmest possible foundations were laid for local government, because of the significant pressures that they face on care, as with many other issues. We look forward to having those constructive relationships with local government leaders throughout Wales to deliver the sustainability that we can within the resources at our disposal.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our manifesto included a range of specific commitments to help reinvigorate our town centres, including reform of the non-domestic rates system. We will explore how to use all the levers available to us to support a thriving, modern hospitality sector, working in collaboration with businesses and communities.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The Member touches on many things that I certainly agree with, such as the role of the community pub as a third space, as it was described to me recently. You have home, you have the workplace or school, perhaps, and then you have that other place where we need to congregate. It may have been chapels in days gone by. But we need to look at how we build those community hubs. Certainly, the pub can be a big part of that. We are determined, in looking at that rates issue, to put it in a wider context. Yes, we will look at what we can do around rates relief. It is a manifesto pledge of ours. The town centres taskforce, in our first 100 days, will explore the options for reformed business rates that better support high-street regeneration. But we have to put it in a wider context as well. There are other measures that we're determined to take to create a new vibrancy on our high streets, including looking at how planning helps. It certainly will be one of those issues that our new national development agency will look at—how we support those businesses to thrive and, by that, bringing new life into our town centres.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
We will take forward proposals to incorporate key United Nations human rights conventions, which includes the United Nations convention on the rights of disabled people, into Welsh law. This will build on existing rights and protections, and embed international standards in the way devolved public services are designed and delivered. We're also committed to delivering a robust and action-oriented disabled people’s rights action plan, with clear lines of accountability and regular and transparent reporting on progress.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
I agree with the points made on the need to embed in everything that we do the rights of disabled people. Here, I would hope that we could have agreement across this Chamber on the approach, and it is about building on work done by the previous Government too. We have a disabled people's rights plan, published in December of last year. It's a 10-year plan with actions ranging across Government, and an external advisory board established to ensure actions are transparent, accountable and responsive. The next meeting is taking place later this month. We will build on that. I certainly want to invite Members here to be able to contribute to that work. Yes, there should always be a role for disabled people in formulating and enforcing policy. I’ll end by saying that I absolutely, of course, agree and align myself with the social model of disability. We are fully committed to that as a Government.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Diolch. We will deliver fair work by embedding social partnership at the heart of public services and Government, recognising workers as experts, and ensuring they are heard in shaping service delivery and working conditions. We will also adopt a 'fair work first' approach to encourage fair, safe and secure work rooted in dignity and respect. These were central messages in one of my first engagements as First Minister at said TUC Cymru congress.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
The proof of the pudding will indeed be in the eating, and the eating in this case will be about whether we measure up to the promises that we have made on our commitment to not just continuing but strengthening the social partnership model that was previously in place, and not just delivering but strengthening the fair work being embedded as a principle at the heart of our public services. It's about delivering better jobs, it's about delivering stronger public services, a fairer Wales. Workers, employers and Government sit as partners on the social partnership council, and my job is to make the most of that partnership and deliver for the people of Wales.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Agriculture is the backbone of our rural economy and the beating heart of our rural communities. This Welsh Government will provide strong support for our farmers. In our first 100 days, we will confirm a multi-year funding cycle instead of the current one-year sustainable farming scheme payment, commission an independent review of the bureaucratic burden on family farms in Wales, and begin work on a new and comprehensive national food strategy.
1. Questions to the First Minister en
Our job is to support agriculture as a key pillar not just of the rural economy, but of rural society. This Government has not supported or called for a reduction in livestock numbers. This Government has supported environmental policies. The farmers that I know, and those that I speak to, want to be seen as being environmentally responsible. All the actions that we want to pursue as this Government are to help agriculture be more sustainable, more profitable and more environmentally sustainable. The Member might believe that that's not possible, but I'm afraid he's fighting a losing battle there. We have to make it possible, and the agriculture industry is telling me that they want that to be the case. We can make our family farm more sustainable. We can use tools at our disposal to support agriculture in many different ways, and I've referred to some of them already—on TB, on nitrate vulnerable zones, on the food plan. Measure us on our success in doing so, but we will be supporters of the Welsh family farm in a way that no Welsh Government has been before.
28
Open this sitting on the stage
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Lywydd, gyd-Aelodau'r Senedd, â ninnau’n cyfarfod am yr ail waith fel Senedd ers yr etholiad lai na phythefnos yn ôl, dwi’n gobeithio bod awydd fy Llywodraeth i gynnal momentwm ac i fwrw ati ar unwaith i wneud gwahaniaeth i fywydau pobl yn glir i bawb ei weld. Pleser oedd cyhoeddi fy nhîm gweinidogol egnïol a dawnus dros y dyddiau diwethaf, a dwi’n falch o ddweud ein bod ni eisoes wedi cyfarfod i drafod blaenoriaethau’r weinyddiaeth newydd hon ac i dderbyn diweddariad ar effaith y rhyfel yn y dwyrain canol ar gostau byw aelwydydd Cymreig.
Official English translation
Thank you very much. Llywydd, fellow Members of the Senedd, as we meet for the second time as a Senedd since the election less than two weeks ago, I do hope that my Government's desire to maintain momentum and to get on immediately in making a difference to people's lives is clear for everyone to see. It was a pleasure to announce my energetic and talented ministerial team over recent days, and I am pleased to say that we have already met to discuss the priorities of this new administration and to receive an update on the impact of the war in the middle east on the cost of living for Welsh households.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Llywydd, I vowed to lead a Government that would bring new energy, new ideas and new leadership, and I’m pleased that our first week in office has made a clear statement of intent in that regard. I was pleased to speak with Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week to set out the importance I place on a constructive relationship with the UK Government, and to press the case for further discussion on how greater devolution and fair funding can improve the lives of the people of Wales, arming us with the tools to take Wales forward. As I have emphasised many times, I expect our nation to be treated as an equal partner in those discussions, and for the actions that follow from the UK Government to reflect that in reality, not just in rhetoric. Claiming that this is a union of equals is not enough, because any analysis of the reality leaves such words ringing hollow. I want to make early progress on the devolution of justice and policing, the Crown Estate, and developing a fair funding formula, including matters such as rail, to tackle the injustice of HS2—all issues that have majority support in this Chamber. Llywydd, I was always clear that the Government I would lead would inject pace into the work of turning policy into practice, and I’m proud that we are already making progress on our first 100 days plan. There is already a strengthened Cabinet Office in place, structured to put a new focus on Government effectiveness and outcomes, fostering greater cohesion between departments, with the common goal of achieving our missions as one. A core team of Ministers have been tasked with ensuring progress on our key priorities and reporting on a regular basis to Cabinet. Are the right people in the right places focused on the right things? That's a question neglected for too long, I think, by previous administrations. I am therefore grateful to the Permanent Secretary for moving so swiftly to put new, fit-for-purpose structures in place during these early days to enable us to achieve the best outcomes for the people and communities we serve. Accountability will not be just some abstract buzzword, but rather something we experience as a Government week in, week out.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I have a number of core missions: cutting waiting lists, raising standards in our schools, creating jobs, supporting businesses, tackling child poverty, helping households with the cost-of-living crisis and standing up for Wales. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care will begin the work immediately of putting our plan in place to cut waiting lists, but cross-Government, longer term thinking will be a hallmark of this Government. In this case, I have appointed a Deputy Minister with responsibility for public and preventative health, as pledged before the election, reflecting how I see this as a critical priority in ensuring a sustainable future for the NHS. I'll be hosting a summit of all health board chief executives, alongside the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care and the Minister for finance, to develop a road map for a sustainable shift of NHS resources towards primary care. Now, too many of our children leave school without the critical skills or qualifications they need and deserve. To raise standards in our schools, our work to improve literacy and numeracy has already started through beginning the development of a foundational literacy and numeracy plan. We will also work with schools, local authorities, parents and children to assess the issues around attendance and behaviour in our schools, improve the delivery of the additional learning needs system, embedding inclusive practice for all children and young people. To create jobs and support businesses, we will focus on growing stronger Welsh firms, increasing the number of medium-sized and large businesses that can scale, export and retain value in Wales. At the same time, we seek to make energy a competitive advantage, ensuring power is reliable, affordable and increasingly clean, supporting investment and long-term job creation. That is why I have established a new economic portfolio focused on enterprise, energy and connectivity, with community always at its core. We want a Welsh economy that is fit for the twenty-first century, proudly Welsh, outward looking, strong and competitive. And we will strengthen economic connectivity, making it easier for people to access jobs and for businesses to reach suppliers and markets. This includes improving links across all regions, including the Valleys, the north, rural Wales, so that growth and opportunity are more evenly shared. To tackle child poverty, we'll work with partners to develop a new plan, setting clear targets, benchmarks, milestones to drive ambitious but deliverable change. Our new transformational childcare offer will be the most generous in the history of devolution and the UK, helping boost household incomes and helping to lift families out of poverty—at full roll-out, 20 hours of funded childcare per week, for 48 weeks a year, for all children aged nine months to four years. And we will introduce Cynnal, piloting a new weekly payment targeted at families with children under six who are already receiving universal credit, to provide direct financial support to those who need it most, and making the case for the devolution of welfare powers to be able to help the most vulnerable. To help households with the cost-of-living crisis, we'll expand access to free school meals to secondary school pupils from families in receipt of universal credit from September, supporting students’ learning, giving families one less cost to worry about. Through growing and sustaining Welsh-owned businesses, developing and delivering good jobs and reviving our town centres we'll boost living standards. We'll improve the quality and energy efficiency of Welsh housing to improve living standards, tackle fuel poverty and reduce household carbon emissions. On our seriousness about standing up for Wales at every opportunity, I’ve already used my first conversations with the UK Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales to press the case for fair funding and powers. And we have agreed that a first in-person meeting with the Prime Minister should take place in the coming weeks. We only need to glance at the latest Westminster crisis to see how soon Governments pay a heavy price when they stray from the path they promised to take. My pledge to the people of Wales is that we will not waver, because, by realising these priorities, we are building the nation people deserve. I will never stop pursuing fair treatment for my nation—on funding, the full benefits of our natural resources, and the powers we need to improve people’s lives. Many have waited a long time for this moment, and, with a deep sense of gratitude and humility, I fully intend to reward their patience and trust by doing what I set out to do as First Minister.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Lywydd, does gen i ddim bwriad anghofio gwerth a grym geiriau. Dwi yma i anrhydeddu’r addewidion dwi wedi eu gwneud i bobl Cymru, a dwi’n gwybod fy mod i’n siarad ar ran y Llywodraeth gyfan wrth ddweud hynny. Fydd y llwybr ddim bob amser yn llyfn a di-rwystr, ond mi wynebwn ni’r heriau efo’n gilydd, efo’r amcan o ddweud ein bod ni wedi gwneud ein gorau dros Gymru bob amser.
Official English translation
Llywydd, I have no intention of forgetting the value and power of words. I am here to honour the promises that I have made to the people of Wales, and I know that I am speaking on behalf of the whole Government when I say that. The path will not always be smooth and without obstruction, but we will face the challenges together, with the aim of saying that we have always done our best for Wales.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I am conscious that we are merely custodians as we work in the pursuit of an ideal that we hope will long outlive any of us here: the betterment of the nation we love. A new administration with a new approach, one that inspires us to move with a new energy and renewed pace to turn aspirations into outcomes for the benefit of everyone who calls Wales home. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Can I welcome the leader of the opposition to the Senedd? He is quite right, of course, to say that the political landscape in Wales did change in this election, and it's certainly my intention at all times, as the First Minister, to reflect the plurality of opinion that was expressed in that recent election. We will be having to look for common ground across this Chamber, and I will certainly say that I share that ambition to be effective in our use of public funds in Wales, to be clever in the way that we spend money in the interests of the people that all of us serve. I agree that the things that are important to the people of Wales are the delivery of public services, and that is why that is reflected in the statement that I have issued today, be it on health, or education, or creating jobs, or the childcare offer, and standing up for Wales. These matters are very, very important. I have no doubt that we will continue to cross swords on the question of ambition for our nation. Maybe I could talk for a minute or two here, Llywydd, about what that ambition is, and I invite everybody to join me at the level of ambition that I'm setting for our nation. The accusation is often made that there is an obsession with the constitution. You know what? I'm obsessed with doing the right thing for Wales. I'm obsessed with taking our nation forward, and that means getting the right tools in our hands to do the job. I'll give you an analogy: you want to put a cupboard up—your screwdriver is broken. We need the tools to do the job, but you continue to struggle on with a broken screwdriver. Let's make the old screwdriver great again. [Laughter.] Let's get the right tools to do the job, and that is all we are talking about when we talk about expanding the powers that we have. Yes, I mentioned independence. I have a level of ambition for my nation where I said that I want to lead a national conversation creating that confidence in our ability, undoubtedly, to be an independent nation like so many countries like ours. But, I said to the Prime Minister, as I have said throughout my time in politics and will continue to do so, we deal with the issues that we deal with now, and we set a journey that the people of Wales will ultimately have to decide on the trajectory and the pace of. I will offer leadership; I will do so here, within the Senedd, in partnership and seeking co-operation with Members across this Senedd, but always with the interests of the people of Wales at heart.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. I also welcome the leader of the Labour group here. I welcome and embrace the robust opposition and scrutiny I know we will receive. If it helps, I didn't try to be awkward, but I fully expect awkwardness from time to time, and I will take the awkwardness in the spirit that I'm sure it's meant in. I will hold him to account for his mathematics, first of all, in that we have a 50-50 ministerial split between men and women in this Government. I have to make a stand for Llyr Gruffydd in that he was picked on, rather, in that contribution, because of his outstanding background as Chair of the climate change committee here. He will be an excellent Cabinet Minister for the environment. This is an issue that has always been an issue that is at the heart of Plaid Cymru's vision for our nation, to develop a green nation for the environmental benefits that that brings, for the jobs benefits that that brings, and we will be a Government that drives forward a strong green agenda. To also suggest Llyr Gruffydd of not being a champion for agriculture is one that won't go down well in many quarters of the agriculture sector, because I know we need champions for farming, and I'm proud to have Llyr in my team, offering that leadership, working alongside the agriculture sector to deliver the very best for such a key part, not just of the economy, but of society in Wales. On funding, we have laid out plans that, yes, are ambitious but that we know are achievable. That is what people should be able to expect from a Government—not going for the easy option, but pushing the boundaries of what we might be able to achieve as a Government. I remember the previous Labour administration making it clear that in no way would school meals be affordable, but, of course, through Plaid Cymru's influence from opposition, it was shown that not only was it affordable, but that it was necessary in order to provide the equal opportunities for children in our schools. The same will be our guiding principles this time. We know what needs to be done; we know they're challenging. And looking at childcare, yes, there's a focus, understandably, on the finances, which we know will be manageable, though pushing our limits as Ministers, but it's the workforce that we also have to focus on, how we make sure that we have enough people to put in place this ambitious programme to help families and help them with the cost of living. We will give it our best shot with a programme carefully thought out, carefully planned, and it's a pleasure now being able to work with those civil servants who will enable us to deliver. On a few of the issues mentioned towards the end of the contribution, we were reminded, Llywydd, of the programme for government put forward by Labour in the recent election. That was a programme for government that was rejected by the people of Wales, but where there are good ideas across political parties, let's talk about those and see how we can put in place a set of ideas and ideals that can take Wales forward, drawing on talent, wherever that comes from, across this Senedd.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr am y cyfraniad yna.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for that contribution.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
A number of issues were touched on. I wouldn't have been happy if it hadn't started with a complaint, but we'll make sure, of course, that statements get to you on time. A number of issues. On health, I'll use the words: we clearly face an emergency within the NHS in Wales. We clearly face a crisis within the NHS in Wales. But far more important than what you call it is what you do in response, and that's why the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care has been charged with beginning, not next week, but already, to put in place those measures that we have already outlined in order to deal with, yes, the issue of waiting times and the pressing need to take action on that front, but also the longer term thinking, the preventative agenda, the women's health agenda, the mental health agenda and so on. So, we can think what we call it, or we can think what we do. On the mobile phones, there is a manifesto commitment—you're quite right—to help schools to limit the use of mobile phones. That is something that, absolutely, we will want to pursue in Government. A couple of issues on energy. The first one: non-devolved energy is absolutely in the recent manifesto. And of course, we will be, as I have been, active in ensuring that Wales is able to benefit from the opportunities there, albeit without direct impact on decisions, because they are non-devolved. And on those renewable schemes, wherever they might be, the difference of approach from this Government is a very, very clear focus on where the community sits. We are in favour of renewable energy generation. I hope that, as a principle, that is something that we all are able to sign up for. As I mentioned earlier, it's for environmental reasons, it's for economic reasons. We should be making the most of those opportunities. But missing, too often, from considerations has been the impact—negative, in the need for mitigation, and positive, in terms of community ownership and so on—that can flow from energy projects. That will be a core principle that will guide us as a Government. On the final issue, of course, I'm very happy to say—and it's important to say—that this Government will be doing everything that we possibly can to ensure that measures are taken to look after the well-being of people, working with the police. Again, non-devolved. We need responsibility for criminal justice and policing in Wales so that we have more of a grasp on the measures that we can take in order to address the issues mentioned. Again, that level of drive to get the tools that we need in our hands is something that will guide this Government always. Oh, and can I say, finally, as well, one last thing? Yes, I'm passionate for Wales, but I also firmly believe that passion for Wales isn't a monopoly that Plaid Cymru has. Now, I want to draw out that passion in everybody here and translate that passion into ideas of how we can move things forward through our Parliament for the betterment of the lives of all the people of our nation.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Diolch yn fawr iawn, and I welcome Zaynub Akbar to the Senedd. I have to be particularly careful in answering this question, as you nominated me to be the First Minister. [Laughter.] Who knows? I might not be here, were it not for Zaynub Akbar. But I agree with you very much. Plaid Cymru identified, Llywydd, this as an issue that we were prioritising because it is needed. It's needed by families. It's needed by communities. We will look at the current childcare offer for Wales and Flying Start childcare programmes to learn from them, because this is by no means a Government that wants to throw everything out and start again. Where there's good practice, we build on it, so we look at what has been in place and help shape, from that learning, what the future of childcare looks like in Wales. Our focus is on expanding access, ensuring the system is sustainable and high quality. We'll take a phased, sustainable approach, working closely with local authorities and the sector, of course, to build capacity and maintain quality, because expanding childcare must go hand in hand with supporting providers and the workforce, and we know, Llywydd, that demand for childcare is increasing, reflecting just how important these services are to families in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, as in the rest of Wales.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn yna, a dwi'n croesawu'r Aelod dros Fangor Conwy Môn i'r Senedd yma. Mae'n bwysig iawn, wrth gwrs, ein bod ni'n meddwl, wastad, am y disgyblion a’r hyn rydyn ni am eu galluogi nhw i’w gyflawni, ond bob amser yn cyflawni i'r rheini sydd yn gefn iddyn nhw ac yn galluogi'r llwyddiant hwnnw. Dwi wedi bod yn ddisgybl ac yn rhiant, felly mae'r ochr disgyblion a'u lles nhw yn rhywbeth sydd yn fyw iawn i fi. Roedd fy nau riant i yn athrawon, a'r ddau ohonyn nhw'n llywyddion undeb athrawon, felly mae materion yn ymwneud â lles athrawon yn rhywbeth sydd wedi bod o fy nghwmpas i drwy gydol fy mywyd. Rydyn ni wedi disgrifio gweledigaeth ar gyfer addysg yng Nghymru yn dyrchafu pwysigrwydd addysg eto o fewn y genedl yng Nghymru. Yn rhy aml mae addysg wedi cael ei adael i lithro, dwi'n meddwl, yn y rhestr o flaenoriaethau cenedlaethol. Wnaiff y Llywodraeth yma ddim caniatáu i hynny ddigwydd. Ac rydyn ni wedi sôn, onid ydyn, am y cynllun llythrennedd a rhifedd fydd yn galluogi disgyblion i gyrraedd eu potensial. Ond mae cefnogi athrawon, recriwtio rhagor o athrawon, sicrhau bod y proffesiwn yn ddeniadol, yn gwbl, gwbl angenrheidiol er mwyn gwireddu'r weledigaeth honno. Heb athrawon da, fydd plant ddim yn llwyddo. Ac, yn gweithio efo'r Gweinidog Cabinet, mi wnawn ni'n siŵr, ym mhob modd rydyn ni'n gweithredu, fod athrawon yn deall bod hon yn Llywodraeth sydd ar eu hochr nhw.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for that question, and could I welcome the Member for Bangor Conwy Môn to the Senedd? It's very important, of course, that we do think about the pupils and what we want to enable them to achieve, but also to achieve for those who support them and enable that success as well. I have been a pupil and a parent, so the pupil side and their well-being is alive for me. Both my parents were teachers, and both of them have been presidents of teachers unions, so issues relating to teachers' well-being have been issues that I have experienced throughout my life. We have described a vision for education in Wales promoting the importance of education within the nation in Wales. Too often, education has been allowed to slide in terms of the list of national priorities. This Government won't allow that to happen. And we have mentioned, of course, the numeracy and literacy scheme that will allow pupils to achieve their potential. But supporting teachers, recruiting more teachers, ensuring that the profession is attractive, is vital in order to achieve that vision. Without good teachers, children won't succeed. And, working with the Cabinet Minister, we will ensure, in every way that we operate, that teachers do understand that this is a Government that is on their side.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn ac, unwaith eto, croeso i'r ail Aelod o Gaerdydd Ffynnon Taf yma i'r Senedd.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for the question and, once again, welcome to a second Member from Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf to the Senedd.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Clearly, it is important that we have advocates here for the public sector workforce and the wider workforce in Wales, and I know the Member, given her background, will be a strong advocate for workers everywhere. On school support staff, clearly this is an issue that was highlighted by her party, and everybody I think would sympathise. From my own experience, in my time in politics, I saw people moving away from a time when that pay was year-round to the new structures. I think we have to have an eye on how we address these issues moving forward, but there are also other ways in which we can show that, as a Government, we support that wider school workforce. We mentioned teachers, but it's very, very important, of course, to remember that the teaching workforce is only a part of that workforce in schools and, as a Government, we have to be, quite rightly, looking for ways of showing that support in practical terms.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Thank you for the question, and welcome back to the Senedd. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care will be very, very aware of the need to make sure that the balance is found always between that local delivery as local as possible, which everybody wants, and the effective delivery overall of health. We are very aware of specific issues that relate to hospitals near us, those in our communities, and I'll be working very closely with the Cabinet Minister for health to make sure that there's real recognition of the concerns within local communities. It's the same in mine, it's the same in the communities probably served by everybody sitting here in this Senedd. What we need to do always is to make sure that those local services are protected and that we're also building a sustainable health service for the future. My Cabinet Minister for Health and Care will take that issue forward.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, a chroeso yn ôl.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, and welcome back.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
When we speak of our eagerness to be held to account, we want to provide the tools in order to help people hold us to account. We are already developing the kinds of digital tools that will enable us to put out there the steps that we are taking on a range of issues, including those related to health and care. Some of that is practical, but some of it is working very, very closely to make sure that we set ambitious targets always. We can set easy targets today, but we want to set those ambitious targets, not just across health and care, but when we talk about child poverty, when we talk about our targets for educational achievement. We will be bringing forward to this Senedd details of those digital dashboards and different ways of measuring our progress, and we trust that you will use them robustly to measure how we're getting on.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I appreciate those comments, and congratulate you again on securing a presence for your party here in the Senedd for the first time. There is a theme here, which I very much welcome, of Members setting out those areas on which they seek co-operation. That is a very good place to start, whether it's on that right to a home, which is very, very important to us, whether it's the expansion of free school meals, which is important to build on the work of the last Government, achieved in co-operation with my party, whether it is on that nature and climate emergency, on the effective use of funding, on the NHS, on clean rivers. We're already seeing the basis on which we can form platforms for co-operation, and I look forward to developing that relationship in the months and years ahead.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Ie, y geiriau pwysig yn fanna ydy 'pob rhan', 'pob cymuned', ac mae honno'n egwyddor rydyn ni wedi ceisio ei gwneud hi'n glir sydd yn mynd i fod yn bwysig iawn i ni. Mae'n rhaid i bobl ym mhob rhan o Gymru, pa un ai ym Maldwyn wledig neu yn ein dinasoedd ni, yn y Cymoedd, mewn pentrefi a threfi ledled y wlad, mae'n rhaid i bobl deimlo bod ganddyn nhw fynediad at yr un cyfleon am swyddi da wedi eu talu'n dda. Rydyn ni wedi dechrau gweithio'n barod o fewn y cynllun 100 diwrnod. Rydyn ni'n cymryd camau buan iawn i drio datgloi potensial economaidd Cymru: cefnogi busnesau wedi'u perchnogi yng Nghymru, gosod sylfeini ar gyfer twf cynaliadwy mewn blynyddoedd i ddod. Rydyn ni'n gwybod bod economi Cymru wedi tanberfformio yn erbyn cymaint o fesurau dros y blynyddoedd—GVA, lefelau incwm, lefelau cynhyrchiant, ac ati. Pan fydd rhywun yn gweld wedyn cymunedau penodol, yn cynnwys rhai gwledig, yn dioddef yn arbennig, a'r problemau yn fwy dwys, mae hynny yn fy ngyrru i ymhellach i drio rhoi camau mewn lle i ymateb, ac, ydy, mae'r asiantaeth ddatblygu newydd yma wrth graidd hynny. Dwi wedi bod yn eithaf meddwl agored ynglŷn â manylder sut y gallai'r corff hwn weithio. Mae'r gwaith yn dechrau ar unwaith o osod y cylch gorchwyl, ond mae yna un peth dwi wedi mynnu o'r dechrau, bod yn rhaid i'r syniad o effaith gyfartal ar draws Cymru fod yn egwyddor gwbl, gwbl sylfaenol i'r holl waith y mae o'n ei wneud.
Official English translation
Yes, the very important words there are 'all parts', 'all communities', and that is a principle that we've tried to make clear will be very important to us. People in all parts of Wales, whether they're in rural Maldwyn or in our cities, or in the Valleys, or in towns and villages across the country, people have to feel that they have access to the same opportunities for good jobs that are well paid. We've started work already within the 100 days plan. We're taking very early steps to try and unlock the economic potential of Wales: supporting businesses that are owned in Wales, setting the foundations for sustainable growth for the years to come. We know that the Welsh economy has underperformed against so many measures over the years—GVA, income levels, levels of productivity, and so forth. When a person sees specific communities, including those in rural areas, suffering in particular, and the problems being more intense, that drives me to try to put actions in place to respond, and, yes, the new development agency is at the core of that. I've been quite open-minded about the details in terms of how this body could work. The work is starting immediately in terms of setting the terms of reference, but there is one thing that I've insisted upon from the outset, namely that the idea of having an equal impact across Wales has to be a totally fundamental principle of all the work that it does.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Thank you very much for the question, and welcome to the Senedd. I think lessons in irony might be useful as well. The Member in question is from an English background herself, and the article I think you're referring to was written from that point of view, explaining the ridiculous nature of elements of the discussion about identity. I'll try to make sure that you are able to have access to that clarification that she made, as somebody who is from an English background, and I believe born in England, herself. I am by nature a leader and a politician who believes in seeking those elements that bring us together, in seeking those values of tolerance and understanding of each other that can make us stronger. Now, I understand that politics get in the way of that sometimes, but I urge everybody to join me in that spirit as we embark on the work of the seventh Senedd.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, a gaf i groesawu'r Aelod i'r Senedd? Ydy, mae o'n cynrychioli rhan hyfryd o'r brifddinas hyfryd dwi mor falch ohoni, a da cael crybwyll Stadiwm Dinas Caerdydd i mewn hefyd, er y bydd cael amser i fynd yno, mae'n debyg, yn eithaf anodd.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, and could I welcome the Member to the Senedd? Yes, he does represent a beautiful part of the beautiful capital city that I'm so proud of, and it was good that he got a mention of Cardiff City Stadium in there, although finding the time to go there will be quite difficult, I suspect.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
The Member is right to point to the scourge of poverty, and inadequate housing is one of those legacies of 27 years of Labour First Ministers. It is something that we have probably put as much research work and policy planning into as any other subject area in the build-up to the recent election. The targets—yes, you know what? I probably would like to have more ambitious targets, but in pushing the limits of what we can do, you also look at what is deliverable. They're more ambitious than the last Labour Government's targets, of course, in seeking to do within a four-year term what the last Labour Government was only just able to do in five. So, we are setting a high level of ambition here, and we're determined to get on with the work of delivering the housing stock that the people of Wales deserve.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I welcome the Member back to the Senedd. You started very well: many manifesto commitments are commendable. I appreciate that there are elements of the programme for government that Members across this Senedd have said that they're keen to work with us on. There will be many strands to our approach. Further devolution of powers is giving us the tools to do the job. Already, I've spoken to the UK Prime Minister about taking those negotiations forward. These are things that we need to do. The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales described bare-minimum measures that were needed to protect what we have. The devolution of policing is a no-brainer for us as a nation at a time when the Home Office has embarked on the biggest review of policing within the UK for 200 years. Let's do this; let's use this opportunity. Rather than piecemeal, give us—. There was a welcome measure this week on youth justice, for example. Let's take a look at the entirety of what we can achieve were we to have the powers. In terms of the cost of the programme for government, of course, the budget itself is an expression, in numbers, of what that programme is. We have laid out that programme. It is up to you to hold us to account on it. We have come to the conclusion, after very careful thinking, planning and independent analysis, that this is deliverable. It is your job to hold us to account for it. I've made it clear that there will be no increase in income tax, for example, but I hope we will see an increase in the tax take due to the growing success of the Welsh economy. We have to look at these from different angles. Cuts? No. Reprioritisation? Yes. Cuts to the public services that people enjoy? No. Delivering services in a more effective way? Yes. So, hold us to account. Scrutinise us on the steps that we take. We have four years to deliver a programme that we believe can be the beginning of the transformation of Wales.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn, a chroeso yma i'r Senedd.
Official English translation
Thank you very much for that question, and welcome to the Senedd.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
That relationship is very important for us. On a day-to-day basis, cross-border relations are very important in a constituency such as the Member's, but that relationship between the Welsh Government and the UK Government will be key. Standing up for Wales in that respect has always been, and will always be, at the core of my priorities and what I have pledged to do: to stand up for Wales and be a champion for Wales in our negotiations with the UK Government as never before. In terms of how that works, it works in many different ways. Our manifesto was clear that Wales is on a constitutional journey and that we'll pursue the devolution of further powers during this Senedd term, with steps already taken in initial conversations with both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales. The immediate focus is on practical improvements through additional powers, including areas such as rail, justice and energy infrastructure. We're looking this week at new figures yet again revised upwards for the cost of HS2. That revises upwards the injustice for Wales of losing out on the billions of pounds that could transform our infrastructure and the productivity and societal gains that could flow from that. We take those arguments forward. They're arguments for justice that all of us should be able to unite behind. Our approach is progress through partnership and collaboration, where possible, and continuing always to advance our long-term constitutional ambitions, but working right now on the things that are important to the people of Wales. The tone is important—that productive, co-operative tone. It's about finding common ground. We've talked about it here in the context of this Senedd. We want that common ground, where we can find it, with the UK Government. It's worth reminding that there is a majority within this Senedd for enhanced devolution. All of us who are of that view should be getting our shoulders behind this. Financially and fiscally, of course, Wales is held back because of that unfair funding formula as a whole. It's not just about Barnett nowadays. That's still a part of it, but it is about how you bring rail funding into it, it is about making sure that we have greater tax flexibility so that we can build a tax system that works for Wales, so that we can make the taxation system fairer and more progressive. And, of course, we want to see the removal of unnecessary restrictions from the Treasury on the use of reserves and scope to borrow, and so on. So, it's a multifaceted approach that will progress best when we speak as loudly as we can and as united as we can as a Senedd.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I'm grateful to the Member, and welcome him back to the Senedd. On cross-border care, clearly, the constituency represented by the Member is in a—. It's not unique, but those constituencies are in a unique situation, and conversations have already been had during the course of the election with my now Cabinet Minister for health to make sure that we do create a more robust health landscape to serve the people of Powys who receive healthcare across the border. On the development of renewables projects, people suggest moratoria or blanket refusals on planning and so on. I don't think that's the right approach, because you deal with them case by case. But also, there are principles at the heart of what I think is an important approach to the development of energy schemes, and that is, as I mentioned earlier, putting the community at the heart of decisions. That means the development of both generation and transmission. But attitudes can change within communities when people understand what benefits can flow from them. They will vary from project to project. I've looked at solar and wind and offshore. Each will have their own character. It's about placing at the heart of policy the need to make sure that we understand what a community wants, what benefits can come to a community. It could be cheaper energy, it could be ownership, it could be a whole host of issues. But taking that genuinely community-focused approach to energy puts us in a different position to where we have been so far.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I appreciate the question and I welcome the Member back. I'm not sure we could act with much more urgency than we've been trying to. We're here in our second Senedd meeting, with less than two weeks since the election. We have a Cabinet in place. We have the work already progressing on the 100-day plan. We have our eyes on delivering that 100-day plan, and our eyes on a four-year programme for government that I believe can start to transform Wales. We have in place a Minister that specifically will be looking at social care, looking at that integration agenda, ensuring that we genuinely try to develop that joined-up thinking that we need in order to create sustainability across the health and care landscape. We have two Ministers working together on the connectivity agenda. We are determined that we look in its entirety at how we deliver that connectivity—on rail, on bus, on road—to make sure that our economy and our communities are well served by this Government.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
I appreciate the question and I welcome the Member back. O ye of little faith, though, I must say. She asks, 'What does rural resilience and sustainability mean?' It means the resilience of rural Wales and sustainability. I'm not sure I should point out the awkwardness that your party didn't mention health as a priority within your programme for government. So, what I would say is that Plaid Cymru is a party that has always championed both agriculture and rural Wales and the sustainability of our environment. I know that, working together, we can make sure that we provide the support that a strong, resilient agriculture sector needs in order to build resilience in our food and drink sector, and that we build food security in a resilient way. Am I starting to get through? This is what rural resilience means, and I think it's very well described in the role that is now taken by Llyr Gruffydd. We have here a Government team that isn't just covering the bases but is setting down foundations for taking agendas forward, be that on agriculture or on the environment or on health and all those issues that matter to the people of Wales.
3. Statement by the First Minister: The First Minister's Priorities en
Diolch yn fawr iawn. I welcome another new Member here today. Now, under our first 100 days plan, we will convene an elective care task and finish group, comprised of relevant experts. They'll be responsible for developing a delivery plan on establishing up to 10 new elective care hubs across Wales. It's about transforming the approach and improving the experience for patients in Wales, and it's about supporting clinical teams. We talked about supporting teachers earlier in relation to education improvement. We absolutely will be a Government that understands the need to back our clinical teams. On cancer, we have made a commitment in the manifesto to introduce a national cancer plan—long, long overdue—and work on this is included in the 100-day plan for Government. Preparatory work is already in train to take that forward, to set priorities for the NHS in Wales, and we'll reach out to stakeholders to hear their views at the appropriate time. In the meantime, NHS Wales Performance and Improvement is supporting the NHS in Wales to improve cancer waiting time performance and to address the differences in access across Wales, which is something that we have to even out. Telehealth—absolutely yes. We're determined to do more on the back of emerging technologies. And on prevention, finally, too many lives in Wales are cut short because of illness that can be prevented, and we plan to take a cross-Government approach to preventing ill health, recognising the importance of good living conditions, supporting early years environments, cultural and economic drivers, and so on. Going back to a question raised earlier, and I omitted to respond to it, there's no suggestion of taking money from health towards culture. It's thinking in the round about how cross-cutting actions by Government affect each other. 'There is a preventative role in health for culture' is the approach that we take. If we don't prioritise preventing avoidable ill health, NHS pressures will worsen, year on year. We can be guaranteed of that, as future pressures will intensify, particularly for multiple, long-term conditions such as cancer, frailty, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. We're ready for the task.
Roll-call divisions, by sitting day
70 recorded votes. Official division result.
- For
- 24
- Against
- 15
- Abstain
- 1
- Did not vote
- 30
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 Against Agreed
3 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Local referendums on council tax rises
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
6 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Regional rugby
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Not agreed
- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan a Lynne Neagle Did not vote Agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Family Drug and Alcohol Courts
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- Motion Did not vote 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 Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The defence sector
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- Motion Against 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 For Agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Further education
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- Motion Against 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 Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For 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 For Agreed
2 divisions
Legislative Consent Motion: Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
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- Motion For Agreed
Debate: The First Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion For Not agreed
4 divisions
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Ophthalmology services
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- Motion Did not vote Agreed
Reform UK Debate: The tourism sector
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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
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 Against Not agreed
- Motion For Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Funding for additional learning needs in the first Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion Against 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 Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists
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- Motion For Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer
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- Motion Against 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 Abstain Agreed