Town centres in need of regeneration after impact left by Covid, Senedd hears
MORE must be done to regenerate Wales’ town centres due to the impact of the pandemic, out-of-town developments and changing shopping habits, the Senedd heard. Mark Isherwood led a debate in the Senedd on a public accounts committee report following…
Council tax premiums on second homes in Wales raise £17M
WALES’ housing minister told the Senedd increased council tax premiums have raised £17m amid concerns communities have been “disembowelled” by high numbers of second homes. Julie James said local authorities have been able to introduce higher council tax premiums, beyond…
Welsh Government urged to develop gender dysphoria services
THE Welsh Government has been urged to develop a Wales-specific gender dysphoria service so children and young people no longer have to travel to England. Caerphilly MS Hefin David raised a campaign led by Sean Donovan, a constituent, who is…
Social Justice Minister calls for urgent overhaul of energy market
Wales’ social justice minister has called for an urgent overhaul of the energy market. Jane Hutt warned that energy costs will remain almost double pre-crisis levels despite a decrease in the price cap from April. She said: “The energy market…
Welsh Government accused of ‘rowing back’ on promise to pay real living wage to housing support workers
THE Welsh Government has been accused of rowing back on a promise to pay the real living wage to homelessness and housing support workers. Mabon ap Gwynfor said 41% of support workers are paid below the new April 2024 minimum…
Concerns raised over access to hearing services
CONCERNS have been raised about access to hearing services, with statistics showing the number of people on waiting lists for a hearing aid has ballooned by 150% in three years. Janet Finch-Saunders told the Senedd that 527,100 adults – 17%…
Wales faces housing crisis pushing families into total despair
WALES faces a housing crisis that is pushing families into absolute despair and leaving children traumatised, the Senedd heard. Janet Finch-Saunders led a Conservative debate, warning that only 5,787 new homes were completed in 2022-23 – one of the lowest…
Narrow rejection to declare health emergency in Wales following motion from Plaid Cymru
THE Welsh Parliament narrowly rejected calls to declare a health emergency due to the “existential threat” facing the NHS. With the vote deadlocked at 26-26, Elin Jones – the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd – used her casting vote against the…
WRU at risk if Wales’ Six Nations matches added to free-to-air TV events, chief executive warns
ADDING Wales’ Six Nations matches to a list of protected free-to-air TV events would threaten the survival of the Welsh Rugby Union, its new chief executive warned. Abi Tierney, who was appointed in August, told the Senedd’s culture committee that…
Sennedd backs calls for Wales’ Six Nations rugby games to remain on free-to-air TV
THE Senedd backed calls for Wales’ Six Nations rugby games to remain on free-to-air TV. Tom Giffard led a debate on a Conservative motion which urged the UK Government to include Wales matches in the free-to-air category for broadcasting purposes….