Disabled children ‘denied rights to education’
Disabled children and young people in Wales are being fundamentally let down and denied their right to education, Senedd members warned. Buffy Williams, who chairs the children’s committee, led a debate after an inquiry found many disabled children do…
Libraries and Leisure Centres across Wales close to buckling under financial constraints
Council chiefs warned of “no fat left to cut” with leisure centres and libraries across Wales facing the threat of closure due to “unprecedented” financial constraints. The Senedd culture committee took evidence from councils on October 24 as part…
Welsh publishers face ‘existential crisis’ after decade of cuts to industry
Welsh publishers face an existential crisis following a decade of cuts, a committee heard. Helgard Krause, chief executive of the Books Council of Wales, said cuts in the past year have made it difficult to operate after years of…
Schools face ‘harrowing’ funding pressures that risk failing a generation of children
Senedd members warned schools face “harrowing” funding pressures that risk failing a generation of children and young people in Wales. Cefin Campbell led a Senedd debate on a report by the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), which warned of a…
Welsh Gov pours cold water on free public transport for young people
The Welsh Government poured cold water on calls for free public transport for young people. Ken Skates, Wales’ transport secretary, warned that financial pressures make it impossible to both bring buses back under public control and offer free transport…
Severe delays to disability rights reform, equality watchdog warns
Disabled people feel “forgotten and left behind” due to severe delays to reforms aimed at advancing their rights in Wales, the UK’s equality watchdog warned. Ruth Coombs, head of Wales at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), gave…
Trust in politics ‘perilously low’
Campaigners called for greater openness, warning trust in politics is perilously low following controversy surrounding donations to the former first minister’s leadership bid. Transparency International, a nonprofit organisation aimed at combating corruption, told Wales’ public accounts committee that polls…
Housing committee warns of 210% increase of ex-prisoners sleeping on streets in Wales
The chair of the Senedd’s housing committee warned of a 210% annual increase in the number of former prisoners sleeping on the streets of Wales. John Griffiths expressed concerns about Ministry of Justice figures showing 332 people managed by…
Criminal Justice System in disarray after years of chronic underfunding – Welsh Gov Chief Legal Adviser
The criminal justice system is in disarray due to years of chronic underfunding, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser warned. Julie James, who was appointed counsel general in September, pledged to pursue more powers from Westminster, beginning with the…
Welsh opera talent pipeline ‘in jeopardy’
An internationally renowned opera director warned the proliferation of Welsh talent will inevitably die out if the Welsh National Opera (WNO) faces further cuts. Giving evidence to the Senedd’s culture committee, Adele Thomas, the WNO’s incoming joint general director,…