Senedd member calls on next UK Gov to end ‘theft’ of steelworkers’ pensions
A Senedd member called on the next UK Government to finally put an end to the “theft” of steelworkers’ pensions following a two-decade campaign for justice. Rhys ab Owen said staff at Allied Steel and Wire (ASW) in Cardiff lost…
Concerns raised in the Senedd over ‘toxic bullying culture’ within meat promotion organisation
A Conservative MS called for Hybu Cig Cymru to be made fully independent amid concerns about a “toxic bullying culture” within the meat promotion organisation. James Evans, the shadow rural affairs secretary, warned the farming industry is losing faith in…
Plans to ban lying in Senedd ‘unworkable’ says chief legal adviser
Plans to ban Senedd members for deliberately lying may be unworkable, according to the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser. Mick Antoniw, Wales’ counsel general, raised concerns about Adam Price’s proposals to disqualify politicians from the Senedd for deliberate deception. The…
Senedd rejects calls for underground power lines
The Senedd narrowly rejected calls for all new power lines to be placed underground. Adam Price led a debate on a Plaid Cymru motion to make it mandatory for all new electricity distribution lines to be underground rather than overhead…
Wales has ‘a long way to go’ to eradicate racism, Senedd committee warns
Wales still has a long way to go to eradicate racism, a Senedd committee warned. Jenny Rathbone led a debate on an equality committee’s report, entitled Action, not words, following an inquiry on the Welsh Government’s anti-racist Wales action plan….
Senedd votes against legal requirement for council tax notices to be published in local newspapers
A Senedd committee voted against calls to maintain a legal requirement for council tax notices to be published in local newspapers. Peter Fox tabled an amendment to the local government finance bill to ensure the public notices continue to be…
Additional learning needs reforms ‘not delivering’
The architect of Wales’ additional learning needs system warned the reforms are not delivering on the aim of transforming support for children and young people. Alun Davies, who steered the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Act through the Senedd, said the…
Disabled people in Wales face ‘David and Goliath-style’ battle for support
Disabled people too often face a David and Goliath-style battle for support under Wales’ health and social care system, a committee heard. The Senedd health committee took evidence about the Welsh Government’s plans to reform direct payments which allow disabled…
Welsh Gov accused of kicking council tax reforms ‘into the long grass’
A Plaid Cymru politician accused the Welsh Government of kicking “long-overdue” council tax reforms into the long grass. Peredur Owen Griffiths said pausing reforms until 2028 at the earliest typifies a tendency to prioritise the political survival of the first…
Senedd urged to introduce sin bin-style approach to sanctioning misbehaviour
An academic urged the Senedd to introduce a sin bin-style approach to sanctioning misbehaving members. Jonathan Tonge, a professor at the University of Liverpool, gave evidence to a Senedd inquiry on creating a recall system to allow voters to remove…