Transport Secretary accused of disingenuity over Road Charging plans
A petitioner accused Wales’ transport secretary of being disingenuous by suggesting the Welsh Government has no plans to bring in road charging. Ken Skates maintained the Welsh Government had no plans to introduce schemes as he responded to a…
Arts Council under fire for use of C word on official website
A Conservative Senedd member called out the Arts Council of Wales over the “offensive and disappointing” use of the C-word on its website. Laura Anne Jones, the shadow culture secretary, asked Dafydd Rhys to read aloud a section of…
Welsh Gov painting rosier picture of TfW despite bailouts and losses
The Conservatives’ shadow transport secretary accused the Welsh Government of painting a rosy picture of Transport for Wales that could hardly be further from the truth. Natasha Asghar criticised a Welsh Government statement for singing the praises of TfW…
Gender quota plans for Senedd scrapped
Senedd members voted to scrap plans for gender quotas in Welsh Parliament elections despite concerns about “false hope” and taxpayers’ money being wasted. Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat and Conservative politicians all raised concerns about the Welsh Government’s abandoned…
Calls for cross-border NHS plan raised by opposition members
Opposition members called for details of a cross-border plan to reduce NHS waiting times in Wales, suggesting it amounts to little more than a “public relations gimmick” otherwise. Andrew RT Davies pressed the first minister about plans for cross-border…
Severe lack of data on children missing from care, education committee warns
A severe lack of data on missing children in Wales is holding back policy responses and hindering efforts to help young people, a committee warned. Buffy Williams, who chairs the Senedd’s education committee, raised concerns about the lack of…
UK water legislation will apply to Wales despite outsourcing concerns
The climate change secretary confirmed proposed UK water legislation will apply to Wales despite concerns about lawmaking being “outsourced” to Westminster. Huw Irranca-Davies, who is also Wales’ new deputy first minister, told the Senedd he has agreed that the…
Senedd celebrates ‘best ever’ Eisteddfod
The Senedd celebrated the success of the “best ever” National Eisteddfod, with more than 186,000 people flocking to Pontypridd over the summer. Heledd Fychan, who represents South Wales Central, praised the “hugely successful” 2024 Eisteddfod which was held at…
Senedd members press officials on Cardiff Airport performance
Senedd members pressed officials about Cardiff Airport’s performance and the Welsh Government plans for a £206m taxpayer-funded subsidy. Natasha Asghar, a Conservative member of the Senedd’s public accounts committee, quizzed officials about the ten-year subsidy plan which was announced in July….
Committee hears Wales not on course to meet key biodiversity targets
Wales is not on course to meet a key 2030 biodiversity target amid concerns about dwindling funding and an over-reliance on goodwill, a committee heard. Steve Ormerod, a professor in ecology at Cardiff University, warned Wales’ is “nowhere near”…