Sarah Rees

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance cy

   6. Sut fydd y Gweinidog Cabinet yn sicrhau bod cyllidebu rhywedd yn dod yn rhan annatod o ddatblygu, gwneud penderfyniadau a chraffu ar y gyllideb yn ystod y Senedd hon? OQ64710

   Official English translation

   6. How will the Cabinet Minister ensure that gender budgeting becomes an integral part of budget development, decision making and scrutiny during this Senedd? OQ64710

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2. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance en

   Diolch. I welcome that this Government is working towards its manifesto commitment to embed gender budgeting in Wales. International best practice places that responsibility for this with the Treasury—in that case, you, Minister—because budget decisions shape people's everyday lives. Gender budgeting can seem complex, so I'll attempt an everyday analogy: a good cook does not wait until the guests have eaten to find out whether their recipe worked. Tasting, or testing, happens beforehand, and Government should be no different. Gender budgeting is about assessing the impact of spending decisions before they are made, rather than discovering too late that they've deepened existing inequalities. The case in Wales is stark. Women are three times more likely than men to work part time, three and a half times more likely to be economically inactive, because of caring responsibilities, and face a gender pay gap of 11.8 per cent. So, Minister, what leadership will you show to embed gender budgeting across Government?

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister cy

   2. Pa gamau mae'r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i gefnogi'r gwaith o greu prosiectau ynni cymunedol a sicrhau bod manteision adnoddau naturiol Cymru yn cael eu cadw yng Nghymru? OQ64708

   Official English translation

   2. What action is the Government taking to support the creation of community energy projects and ensure that the benefits of Wales’s natural resources are retained in Wales? OQ64708

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2. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, I'm proud to support a grass-roots campaign in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg to stop the proposed small modular reactor nuclear project in the Llynfi valley by Last Energy. More extractive and harmful projects are not what our post-industrial communities deserve. It's no surprise why they have selected one of our most deprived communities to pilot this new nuclear technology. Campaigners across the constituency are calling out for renewable energy projects that they can directly benefit from, and that's why we're exploring alternative energy options within the constituency rather than accepting private organisations coming in to extract the profits from our communities. So, Prif Weinidog, will you reaffirm this Government's ambition to ensure that our communities benefit from energy projects?

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1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care cy

   5. Pa gamau y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet yn eu cymryd i wella cyfathrebu rhwng sefydliadau'r GIG a chleifion ym Mhen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg a ledled Cymru? OQ64657

   Official English translation

   5. What action is the Cabinet Minister taking to improve communication between NHS organisations and patients in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg and more widely across Wales? OQ64657

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2. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care en

   Diolch, Weinidog. Patients in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg tell me that they are left chasing health boards for basic information about appointments, waiting lists and treatment plans, and are sometimes given conflicting information by different parts of the NHS. Poor communication isn't limited to patients and service providers. In a recent case that I dealt with, a cancer patient was referred by their health board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg, to Swansea bay to receive a biopsy. When concerns were raised about delays in receiving their results, neither health board took any accountability to provide the update. Does the Cabinet Minister accept that this is not simply an inconvenience, but an unacceptable failure of patient care? What action can be taken to ensure that patients are kept properly informed throughout their treatment journey?

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3. 8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en

   Will you take an intervention?

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4. 8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en

   Thank you. So, would you agree that we shouldn't be placing that issue onto more vulnerable people, particularly people who are seeking asylum in the United Kingdom and end up in Wales? And so, we're just combating these two groups that are both in need of housing, when the issue itself is what needs to be resolved in supporting people who do actually deserve to have housing. We should have enough appropriate housing for everybody to live a safe life.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   Prif Weinidog, as you've outlined, discussions about our international offices too often reduce them to a line in a budget, as if a desk abroad is simply a cost to be defended. But, as you said, an office is not just a desk, it's a doorway. The relationships we build with Governments and organisations overseas translate into direct benefits for the Welsh economy: trade routes opened, investment attracted, markets found for Welsh businesses, which no amount of domestic marketing can replicate. I don't know if that was an experience of the business owner, of the Member over there. So, in an increasingly interconnected world, I believe that we must think global and act local, learning not only from our neighbours in Scotland and Ireland, but from all across the world. That's why programmes such as Taith's international learning exchanges are so important in forging those connections. So, may I ask if you agree with me, First Minister, that Welsh Government international offices should be measured not only in monetary value, but in the relationships they build—relationships that deliver real economic benefits for the people of Wales?

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1. 1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice en

   It's encouraging that the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government is on track to deliver 12.5 hours of funded childcare per week across all 22 local authorities by the end of the financial year, a commitment that Welsh Labour promised but failed to deliver in its last five-year term in Government. Ashamedly, poverty has seeped throughout our nation. Whilst Flying Start was a good starting point, the Bevan Foundation warned that relying on this framework risks unequal access and lacks the flexibility that parents need. The phrase 'postcode lottery' has become synonymous with Flying Start. Tackling poverty and inequality requires decisive action. This is why people voted for Plaid Cymru. We have a vision for childcare that actually works for families and puts money back in their pockets, when the average weekly cost of a childcare place in Wales is £290 a week, £58 more a week than in England. Will the Cabinet Minister provide more information on the timeline for rolling out the remainder of the offer and what steps are being taken to ensure equal access to the universal childcare that will tackle the cost of living?

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2. 7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The defence sector en

   Diolch. Here in Cymru, we had a proud tradition of peace activism. Many of us can trace our family history back to a woman who signed the Welsh women's peace petition. St Fagans held a powerful exhibition tracing that journey from the women who organised for peace in the aftermath of the first world war to the women of Greenham Common who sacrificed so much in their campaign against nuclear weapons. Once again, we find ourselves living through turbulent times with devastating conflicts unfolding across the world. And, of course, there remains a pragmatic need for defence, and we must engage honestly with that reality. I welcome the work that this Plaid Cymru Government is undertaking to develop an ethical defence investment framework. It presents a real opportunity to build on the Scottish Government's human rights due diligence approach, which evaluates businesses before they receive public grants or investment, and to establish a gold standard for ethical investment here in Wales. This framework is the first of its kind in Cymru, and Wales can be world-leading in setting clear expectations that public money should never support companies linked to human rights abuses or violations of international law. It allows us to stand on the shoulders of those women who came before us and carry forward their commitment to peace, justice and ethical leadership. Whether the conflict is in Gaza, South Sudan or Ukraine, we should be clear in our determination that no weapon manufactured, even in part, in Wales should ever be used in a way that breaches international human rights law. Global responsibility is not just about following money. It is about ensuring Wales is never complicit in human rights abuses, and that our economic choices reflect our commitment to peace, justice and international solidarity. But we must also be honest about the wider questions this debate raises. Defence spending is often presented as an economic opportunity, but what kind of economy do we want to build here in Wales? The people of Wales elected this Plaid Cymru Government with a mandate for a different kind of economy, an economy that places our people and communities at its heart. They voted for an economic model rooted in ownership and community wealth, ensuring that wealth generated in Wales remains in Wales, building stronger communities, creating opportunity and delivering prosperity that is shared by all. If that is our ambition, then we must also ask who owns Wales's arms and defence manufacturing facilities and whose interests they serve. In many cases, ownership rests with large multinational corporations and private firms whose primary responsibility is to shareholders—

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3. 7. Welsh Conservatives Debate: The defence sector en

   No, I won't.  Rather than to communities in which they operate. When we talk about wealth leaking from Wales, this is exactly what we mean. Wealth created by Welsh workers and Welsh communities flowing out of Wales, rather than being reinvested in the places that need it most. That also raises questions about who gets to make decisions with profound consequences for peace, security and human rights. Those decisions should be guided by the public interest, ethical responsibility and respect for human rights, not by commercial priorities alone. And there is the question of jobs. We must be willing to ask whether it’s right that military bases and defence manufacturing facilities are concentrated in civilian communities and what the consequences of those choices are. A leaked Russian strike list by a senior Senator shows a map of UK military and industrial sites, with Merthyr Tydfil as a potential target due to the General Dynamics facility there. Hosting facilities in Welsh communities inevitably ties the safety and everyday lives of civilian towns to international conflict. This is a reality that we can't ignore. Is it fair that some of our poorest communities are expected to shoulder those risks while being denied the investment they need to thrive? Is it fair that working-class people are presented with a choice between employment in the defence industry or economic insecurity? Is that really a choice at all? The work this Government is undertaking on an ethical defence investment framework is both necessary and timely. I wish to thank the Welsh Conservatives for bringing forward this debate because it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the kind of Wales we want to build. I believe there is one principle on which we can all agree: any investment connected to defence must be consistent with international law and fundamental human rights. As we shape Wales's future, those values must remain at the heart of the decisions we make.

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1. 5. 90-second Statements en

   Last Friday marked International Equal Pay Day, a UN awareness day of gender inequality and the gender pay gap between men and women. Sadly, this is a pressing issue for Wales. The latest state of the nation report on gender equality by the Women's Equality Network Wales exposed that the gender pay gap in Wales has widened to 9.7 per cent. On average, female employees earn £15.78 per hour, whilst male employees earn £17.48. Compared to men, women are over three times more likely to be out of the job market due to caring responsibilities. Women are also three times more likely to work part-time, which is limiting to earnings and progression. And women are more likely to work in sectors and roles that are lower paid, such as health and social care. We need change.  Barriers to economic equality, like unequal caring responsibilities and gender stereotypes, must be challenged. Women must be supported to access better paid jobs, skills and training programmes throughout their careers, and we must have robust and inclusive policies on flexible working, harassment, menopause and parental leave. This International Equal Pay Day, I urge all colleagues across the Senedd to champion gender equality and help create a Wales free from gender discrimination. Diolch yn fawr.

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2. 9. Short Debate: The unacceptable pause in scheduled treatment for trans patients en

   Diolch. I speak here as a representative of a recognised, protected minority group, not only for transgender and non-binary people in my own constituency, but for transgender people right across Wales. I heard their voices, almost 100 of whom came to a public meeting that I hosted with Matthew Jones MS in the days after the shocking news of this pause in surgery for Welsh patients, to understand the true impact of this unprecedented action. The strongest thing I heard, 'Nothing about us without us.' The parameters of the assessment were to ensure that no clinical harm came to patients, yet patients subjected to this review have already faced what the NWJCC have accepted is a significant level of psychiatric harm. The NWJCC have also confirmed today that the pause will remain in place until the necessary clinical assurances have been received. So, I must ask the Minister their question and not mine: are you assured that the evidence gathered by the NWJCC warrants this completely unprecedented pause? And will the Welsh Government individually review how a decision of this magnitude can be made without warning to Government, the Welsh Gender Service, or to patients? Finally, I call on every decent human being to stand with the trans community. When you hear someone question a person's identity, call it out. This isn't harmless banter. It results in people surviving instead of thriving. Minority groups are not a political tool. Trans lives matter and trans healthcare is a human right.

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1. 5. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: Welsh Defence Ethical Framework en

   Whilst foreign affairs and arms export licences are reserved to Westminster, decisions about how Welsh public money is spent are made here in Cymru. Plaid Cymru demonstrated leadership, acting on a long legacy of peace, leading the Senedd's endorsement for ceasefire in Gaza in 2023, the first nation to do so. This small act led to huge hope for a nation who, I assure you, felt all hope was lost. Now, in Government, Plaid Cymru can go even further by showing leadership on international human rights law. A freedom of information request by Amnesty International found that the previous Labour Welsh Government had given £500,000 to a company supplying military components to Israel, despite assurance otherwise from the then First Minister. This shows a clear need for accountability and a more responsible way of investing in our communities, so it's reassuring to hear that this Welsh Government is committed to taking a different approach, developing this defence ethical framework, which no previous administration has done, establishing a clear and ethical approach to defence and security in Wales grounded in human rights, international law and our commitment to peace. Recognising the genocide in Gaza was a starting point, and concrete action is now what we need to follow. So, will the Minister please confirm what difference this ethical framework will make in the manufacture and export of arms in Wales, and what are the expectations on companies once that framework has been launched?

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1. 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport en

   Like Nigel and many parents across Wales, I spend much of my weekends on sidelines across my constituency, and I want to give a heartfelt thanks to all of our dedicated coaches across Wales, because grass-roots sport wouldn't exist without those hard-working volunteers. Sport clubs must be an environment where young people build friendships and they improve their mental and physical well-being. Young women in particular are more likely to become leaders when they participate in team sport. But too many young people are prevented from accessing these clubs because of the associated costs: kit, boots, fees, even getting to games. So, Cabinet Minister, I'd like to ask how you will ensure that governing bodies promote accessible pathways to participation so that every child can access the lifelong benefits of grass-roots sport.

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2. 5. Reform UK Debate: Grooming gangs en

   I wanted to address those who truly matter at the centre of this: the women and children who have survived group-based sexual exploitation. I want to speak to everyone who has been in a vulnerable position and let down by those in power who were meant to be there to protect them. My mum was barely 15 when she went to her GP and told him she was pregnant. His only advice was, 'Go home and tell your parents.' She was alone, she was frightened, and she hid it. Her teachers watched and shook their heads as the gossip spread around school while she used a ribbon to extend her school skirt around her growing baby. And three weeks after turning 16, my mum gave birth, and that was the first time that she'd been properly cared for by those who should have protected her. Too often, girls like my mum are judged on their bad choices rather than seen as children who needed help. I want every survivor to know that I hear you, I see you, and I believe you. You deserve support, and you deserve justice. Quite often, what we've heard in debates is Reform inciting fear in minority groups. What we want to do is focus on what we would do to improve lives in Wales. It's so important that that is our focus. We all wish to make sure that we treat women as equal in our society and equal in this Chamber. We wish to hear and listen to every voice. Reform position themselves as 'outside of the establishment', which obscures its own role in maintaining the political culture where male violence flourishes. This culture starts with harmless banter and women being spoken over, but it can escalate into intimidation, harassment, abuse and sexual violence. Here in Wales, specialist violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence services have warned of rising demand and increasingly complex high-risk cases, reminding us that violence against women is not an abstract issue, but a daily reality for far too many. The system is still, too often, failing to deliver justice and protection, and changing that should be our collective commitment. Safety is not a slogan, it's a priority. Group-based abusers do not respect borders. We've heard how survivors have been trafficked across the UK and into Wales and out of Wales, so it's vital that we hear from everybody who has been in our country. This ensures that perpetrators are held to account. Plaid Cymru's amendment is the right course of action because it puts victims and survivors first. Rather than duplicating efforts with a separate inquiry, we can work within the existing statutory framework to focus on what actually makes a difference—delivering the actions of the national strategy for prevention and responding to child sexual abuse. This is how we ensure that women and girls get the justice and support that they deserve.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, over the summer, I met with the Open University, who do brilliant work in ensuring education is accessible to everyone, if that's the path that they wish to pursue. Their fees remain below the maximum borrowing amount, simply because if fee rates were too high, the number of students would decline. With almost a quarter of people in Wales living in relative income poverty, the Open University is a fantastic institution through which education, career development and personal growth are viable opportunities. So, I would like to ask how you will ensure that people in Wales have access to higher education without being held back by ever-increasing loans.

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning en

   As you've explained, Welsh pension funds hold huge potential to be a force for good and drive moral and ethical investment. Another example would be the Norwegian wealth fund. But too often we hear that our pension funds are used to support the arms industry, fossil fuels or other get-rich-quick schemes that operate at the cost of the planet or contribute to the kind of human suffering that we've seen in Gaza, Lebanon and elsewhere. So, I'd like to ask what steps the Government will take to make sure that Welsh pension funds are invested ethically and deliver strong returns for pension holders whilst also supporting the well-being of our communities here in Wales and without profiting from harm done to others across the world. Diolch.

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1. 1. Questions to the First Minister en

   First Minister, from your previous answer I can tell that you agree with me that, when we talk about equality in Cymru, it's more than a buzz word. We’re talking about people's lives, where families working multiple jobs are struggling to get by, mums have been pushed out of work because their childcare is unaffordable, disabled people face barriers to services, racialised communities experience persistent discrimination. These pressures don’t exist in isolation; they’re the conditions in which inequality deepens and division takes hold. The consequence of this widening inequality is that, when people feel ignored or left behind, it’s fertile ground for far-right extremism—movements that thrive on misinformation, scapegoating and fear, and they target the communities already facing inequality, undermining the joint effort that we need to build a fairer Wales. So, I’d like to ask how the Government is ensuring that it’s addressing the root causes of inequality and protecting those most targeted by hate and division across Wales.

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

   Minister, as a sea dipper, I know the health and well-being benefits of being able to swim safely in our waters. Ending pollution in our waterways and seas is a priority for many residents in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, especially after Natural Resources Wales recently reported poor water quality at two of our local beaches. Since becoming a Senedd Member, I've heard directly from local swimming groups, like the Watchtower Waders in Barry, I've met with Ofwat, and I've welcomed NRW and Dŵr Cymru's South Central Bathing Waters project, which aims to identify the sources of pollution ahead of the statutory targets that come next spring. So, I'd like to ask what further action this new Government is taking to ensure that the bodies responsible for our water systems are delivering effectively, so that every part of our rivers, streams and coastal waters reach the highest possible standard of water quality.

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

   9. Sut bydd y Gweinidog Cabinet yn gweithio gyda byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i sicrhau bod deddfwriaeth bresennol yn cael ei gweithredu'n fwy effeithlon ar draws gwasanaethau cyhoeddus? OQ64381

   Official English translation

   9. How will the Cabinet Minister work with public services boards to ensure that existing legislation is implemented more efficiently across public services? OQ64381

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

   Minister, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 gives unpaid carers the same legal rights as the people they care for. It promises a carer's needs assessment and clear information and advice to help them in their caring role. But the reality is very different. Very few unpaid carers actually receive those assessments, and even fewer get the statutory support that they are entitled to after them. A new round of population needs assessments is under development for May 2027, but if unpaid carers don’t receive the support that they’re entitled to, more are at risk of being pushed into poverty, their health deteriorating and having to give up or cut back on paid work. What will this new Government do to ensure that public services boards, regional partnership boards and others use these plans to close the implementation gap in the social services and well-being Act and finally deliver on the promises that were made to unpaid carers over a decade ago?

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1. 1. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice en

   Minister, the focus in this Chamber thus far has been on the cost of childcare plans, rather than on recognising childcare as a critical lever for reducing both poverty and inequality. Childcare is a complicated issue—just ask any parent attempting to fill out an eligibility form—but it's essential economic and social infrastructure. And this is where we, across the political spectrum, must scrutinise your work. This policy will reduce child poverty and support women who've been forced out of the workplace by the motherhood penalty, which impacts everything from your pay packet to your pension. We saw on the doorstep how many people cared about this issue, which is why they voted for Plaid Cymru in their droves. The UK Labour Government took their eye off the ball, which is why we've ended up with the most expensive childcare, here in Wales, across the UK, and why parents have said to me that they're moving out of Wales simply to make ends meet. Twenty-seven million pounds was reallocated out of the childcare budget in the last term, along with £140 million in Barnett consequentials that were lost due to the expansion of childcare in England. They haven't been spent on childcare. Credit has to be given to Jane Dodds, who secured £30 million for Flying Start expansion. That helped support the roll-out of Flying Start in Merthyr. But I wish to ask why you, Minister, have made childcare a key priority for this Plaid Cymru Government, and, specifically, given that money that has been stripped from the childcare budget in the last term, what concrete milestones you have, particularly in the next six months, to ensure that we're not just planning reform, but actively reversing the damage done to Welsh families.

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2. 5. Member’s Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): A Bill on corporate parenting en

   Will you accept an intervention?

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3. 5. Member’s Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): A Bill on corporate parenting en

   Thank you, Sarah. Hopefully, we can all agree that corporate parenting is one of the most important responsibilities that we hold for every child in our care. This does include unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, and, sadly, many Members in this Chamber just last week voted against the nation of sanctuary concept. So, I'd be very grateful if you could clarify if the needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children do fit into your proposed Bill. Thank you.

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1. 3. Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy: New Development Agency for Wales en

   Minister, for decades, we've measured our economy by gross domestic product—a number that goes up when people buy more stuff, but doesn't tell us if people are happier, healthier or financially secure. In fact, GDP often rises whilst communities fall apart and inequality grows. For women in Wales, that gap is especially stark. GDP doesn't show whether childcare is affordable, whether women working in our foundational sectors are paid fairly, whether the services and community infrastructure that they rely on are being strengthened. It doesn't reflect the unpaid care work that mostly women do, or whether economic power sits within our communities rather than elsewhere. As you establish this new development agency, will you commit to measuring success in ways that reflect real improvements in people's lives—in fair work, investment in care, stronger local supply chains, and more locally rooted, socially responsible business growth? How will you ensure that the growth that we pursue delivers genuine economic security for communities in Wales, rather than simply increasing our GDP? Diolch.

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language en

   As a self-professed bibliophile, I very much welcome the manifesto commitment for a library in every primary school. It's crucial that literacy skills are developed outside the classroom to encourage a love of reading, like mine, from an early age. However, the foundational literacy and numeracy plan does risk assuming that all children enter education with the same experiences. Schemes such as Bookstart by BookTrust Cymru help parents read with babies and toddlers, ensuring the youngest in society have access to the opportunities that they deserve from the very start. I'd like to ask how you'll work with organisations like BookTrust Cymru to ensure all children have access to such schemes before starting school, so that their opportunities are not limited before they enter formal education?

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2. 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission cy

   1. Pa hyfforddiant mae'r Comisiwn yn ei ddarparu i'r Aelodau ar safonau ac ymddygiad, a sut mae llwyddiant yr hyfforddiant hwn yn cael ei fonitro? OQ64279

   Official English translation

   1. What training does the Commission provide to Members on standards and behaviour, and how is the success of this training monitored? OQ64279

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3. 3. Questions to the Senedd Commission en

   The Commission does set high standards and they're grounded in the Nolan principles and in our duty to respect dignity and equality. These principles underpin public confidence in Government, which is why maintaining high standards is essential, but that's only half the battle. Embedding them in day-to-day practice is where public trust is won or lost. Training cannot be a passive tick-box exercise. It must be an active, continuous commitment to sustaining confidence in our democracy, not only in the standards we hold each other to, but in the standards the public rightly expect of us. These principles must be lived throughout every term, not simply acknowledged at induction.  Transparency and robust accountability are equally important. Without rigorous oversight, these principles risk becoming words on paper rather than behaviours in practice. Upholding high standards is a serious responsibility and it cannot be taken lightly. I recognise the training provision outlined, but could the Member clarify how the Commission assesses its impact on behaviour and on upholding the integrity of the Senedd?

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4. 4. Topical Questions en

   Firstly, I'd like to declare an interest as a previous spokesperson for Disasters Emergency Committee Cymru.

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5. 4. Topical Questions cy

   1. Pa gefnogaeth y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei rhoi i apêl y Pwyllgor Argyfyngau Brys yn dilyn y daeargrynfeydd diweddar yn Venezuela ar 24 Mehefin? TQ1477

   Official English translation

   1. What support will the Welsh Government provide to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal following the recent earthquakes in Venezuela on 24 June? TQ1477

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6. 4. Topical Questions en

   I welcome the Deputy First Minister's response to the tragic events. This morning, I spoke with Miguel Delgado, who went two days without hearing from his mother in La Guaira before finally learning she was alive but had lost her home, and that his cousin and her three-year-old child had tragically died. Our condolences go out to all families who have lost loved ones. Miguel has been embraced by his local community, and he spoke about the similarities between La Guaira and Wales, places where everyone knows each other, they support each other and they rally together in crisis. The Disasters Emergency Committee has now launched its appeal following the earthquakes, which have killed more than 1,700 people, and left tens of thousands more missing. We know from previous appeals, for Ukraine and Turkey, for example, how generous people in Wales are when they see others in crisis. Noting that the funds used directly on the ground in Venezuela provide the best value and fastest relief, what advice can the Deputy First Minister offer on the forms of support that will most effectively reach those vulnerable communities in need?

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1. 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance en

   I welcome the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability's announcement yesterday of a new climate and nature plan to deliver net zero by 2040, in line with Plaid Cymru's manifesto commitments. Given that individuals, small business, and local authorities across Wales are already showing leadership, practical action and financial commitment to drive progress towards net zero, as Cabinet Minister for Finance, can you provide assurances that you'll be discussing the polluter-pays principle with the relevant Cabinet Minister, so that those most responsible for emissions, rather than those least able to pay, are bearing the greatest share of the cost?

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2. 3. Topical Questions en

   Over the coming days, schools across Wales are closing their doors because of the extreme heat, forcing parents and carers to make childcare arrangements at short notice. I've just had my own watch ping with the same notice for tomorrow. But this disproportionately affects those families on the lowest incomes, parents who can't afford to take time off work or can't find affordable childcare at short notice. I know that you'll agree with me that this is a real concern. At a time when low-income families are yet again the ones to bear the impact, how will the Welsh Government work with schools to ensure that they can remain open in periods of extreme weather, given that this is likely to become a more frequent occurrence due to climate change?

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3. 5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Stillbirth and neonatal mortality en

   During the COVID pandemic, I led the Welsh part of the But Not Maternity campaign. We exposed the profound unfairness of families being separated at the most vulnerable moments of pregnancy, birth and loss. It was a time when you could still sit in the pub in a small group, but partners were barred from being present for labour, scans or devastating news. There is one family who contacted me that I will never forget: a mother who was in hospital awaiting a medical procedure after losing her baby. Her partner, the baby's father, was not allowed to be with her because of the COVID restrictions. They were both heartbroken, both alone, and all they wanted to do was hold each other in their grief. That kind of experience leaves scars. It's not something that you can simply recover from, and it's why compassionate, consistent mental health support must be a core part of baby loss care, not an optional extra. We must also remember the parents whose babies arrive far too early. Families with premature babies often spend weeks or months in neonatal units, living in a state of constant fear and exhaustion. Many describe the trauma of watching their tiny baby fight for life whilst navigating employment, limited visiting and the emotional whiplash of good days followed by terrifying setbacks. Neonatal care saves lives, but the emotional toll on parents is immense, particularly parents leaving those units without their precious babies. These parents need structured psychological support not just in the moment, but long after they leave the unit. I also want to recognise a Bridgend constituent, Mark Williams, who has led the How Are You, Dad? campaign. His work reminds us that dads and all non-birthing parents experience trauma too, whether through baby loss, premature birth or the long weeks of neonatal care. Their mental health matters, their grief is real, and their inclusion in support services is essential for the well-being of the whole family. If we are serious about preventing long-term trauma, then mental health support must be embedded throughout maternity, neonatal and bereavement pathways, accessible, timely and offered to every parent, not only those who know how to ask.

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1. 6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending en

   I would like to declare an interest, that, in my previous role, I was chair of Wales Overseas Agencies Group, spokesperson for Disasters Emergency Committee Cymru, and, in the past, I have been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Llantwit Major to undertake a global study exchange in the Philippines. This motion calls on the Welsh Government to end all international spending. It asks us to turn our backs on the world, to close the door on our values and to sever the ties of solidarity that have long defined Wales. I urge Members to reject the politics of division and hate. Our global connections are no further away than a glance out of the window above us towards Tiger Bay, but let us not romanticise that, because those docks were arteries of empire, loading ships with resources extracted through colonial exploitation. We must remember that history with clear eyes. Yet Welsh people—our trade unions, our faith groups, our communities—have always sought a different path. From the women's peace petition of 1924 to our status as the world's first Fairtrade Nation, we have chosen to use our global connections for good, not for greed. To scrap international spending is to betray that tradition. It's to signal that Wales no longer cares. So, let us look at what this spending actually achieves. The Welsh Government, along with all other UK nations, have supported the Disasters Emergency Committee, and DEC appeals launched in response to some of the world's worst humanitarian disasters are literally life-saving—food, water, medical care and shelter for people suffering unimaginable hardship. And in recent years, sadly, we have seen a plethora of humanitarian crises: the distress of Ukrainian citizens in response to the Russian invasion; the harrowing scenes of the Turkey-Syria earthquake, when families watched rescue teams digging their loved ones from under rubble; the dystopian horrors of a genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. And I was always humbled that, despite how little many people in Wales have, they always answered the DEC's calls for support. Natural disasters, pandemics and conflicts rarely respect borders. But co-operation and learning crosses borders too, and that is something that we can all gain from. This argument for isolation is a false one. It suggests that, by looking inward, we become stronger. But I'm still waiting for an example of a Brexit benefit. In a world facing climate change, conflict and inequality, no nation is an island. The challenges faced abroad are often the precursors to the challenges that we face at home. The COVID pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, the inflation in our fuel bills—these are reminders that our economies and our societies are intertwined. I know the lifelong benefits of programmes like Taith, enabling learners from every part of Wales to travel to more than 90 countries, broadening horizons that no classroom alone can reach. This is not wasteful spending. It's a prudent investment in our shared future. Some try to paint Plaid Cymru as separatists, using semantics to spread division, rather than focus on real scrutiny. But we, Plaid Cymru, stick to our values. We are internationalists. We believe in a Wales that opens a hand of friendship, because there truly is a welcome in the hillside. I urge Members to reject this motion. Let us reaffirm our commitment to a Wales that leads not just in policy like the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015, but in action. Let us continue to stand with people in need, to build partnerships, and for our small nation to lead the work for a more just and peaceful world. Diolch.

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2. 6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending en

   Yes, please.

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3. 6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending en

   Thank you.

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1. 5. Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer en

   Let us not forget that Reform UK's entire Senedd manifesto contained nothing on childcare at all—not a single proposal. At a time when families across Wales are struggling, this omission speaks volumes about their priorities. Of course, it's mainly women who are paying the price for inadequate childcare provision, with mothers forced to reduce their working hours or leave work entirely in order to care for their children. As a result, women are pushed into a vicious cycle of poverty, with years spent in the employment wilderness, followed by a lifetime of earning less in less senior roles than men, and ultimately facing a pension black hole because of prolonged periods without earnings. This is the societal cost of failing to take childcare seriously. Reform UK's proposed tax breaks would do nothing to support parents who've already been forced out of the workforce because their childcare bills outweigh their earnings. Through my volunteer work, leading campaigns with Pregnant then Screwed, I've spoken to hundreds of families across Wales—families taking out credit cards simply to cover their childcare bills. That's the reality that Reform chooses to ignore. We've also heard Reform representatives, including Dan Thomas, speak to the BBC about improving maternity and paternity rights. Yet this sits in direct contradiction to Reform UK's own policy of scrapping the Equality Act 2010. Removing the Equality Act would wipe out decades of progress on workplace rights and leave thousands of women without legal protection, if they were pushed out of their jobs for becoming pregnant or for taking maternity leave like I was. Reform candidates have also chosen to spread fear and misinformation about the childcare sector, claiming that abuse in nurseries will skyrocket if parents are offered more funded childcare hours, adding that mothers will wish they'd looked after their babies themselves. This is misogyny and fearmongering, plain and simple. It insults both childcare professionals and parents. Claims that children in nursery are at risk of abuse are not only baseless, but deeply damaging. They undermine the professionalism and dedication of expert childcare staff. Nursery workers and child minders are a vital part of our care economy, and they ensure that our children have the best possible start in life, and these comments do a profound disservice to a sector already under immense pressure. In 2024, I founded and chaired the childcare expert group. With Oxfam Cymru, I commissioned detailed research into the true cost of delivering high-quality childcare here in Wales. And that work has given me full confidence that Wales can deliver the transformational childcare offer that families have needed for far too long. Plaid Cymru believes in this ambitious approach, one rooted in evidence, fairness and the well-being of families. Expanding access to high-quality childcare is not only about supporting parents; it's about tackling poverty, supporting our economy, achieving equality and ensuring the best future for our children. Diolch.

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