Senedd debates petitions for same childcare support as in England
THE Senedd debated two petitions calling for working parents in Wales to be offered the same childcare support as in England. The UK Government announced plans as part of the 2023 spring budget to provide working parents of two-year-olds 15…
Regulation of NHS managers should be similar to doctors and nurses, Senedd hears
NHS managers should be regulated in a similar way to doctors and nurses amid concerns about an accountability vacuum in the health service, the Senedd heard. Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health minister, led a debate on establishing structured…
Welsh businesses will pay twice as much in non-domestic rates if relief falls to 40%, Senedd hears
THE Senedd rebuffed calls for the Welsh Government to reverse plans to slash business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Peter Fox led a Conservative debate, raising concerns about business rates relief falling from 75% to 40%…
Hospices face ‘existential threat’ due to rising costs
CHILDREN’s and adult hospice services face an existential threat due to rising costs, workforce pressures and increasing demand, the Senedd heard. Mabon ap Gwynfor led a debate on the charitable hospice sector in Wales, raising concerns about its short- and…
Representatives of WRU scrutinised following serious allegations
MSs scrutinised representatives of the WRU following allegations of bullying, sexism and sexual harassment in Welsh rugby. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd’s culture committee, raised concerns about repeated warnings of a looming crisis being missed. Nigel Walker, the WRU’s…
Welsh Parliament rejects call to force local authorities to hold referendum on council tax rises above 5%
THE Welsh Parliament has rejected calls to force local authorities to hold a referendum on any council tax rise more than 5%. Sam Rowlands led a Conservative debate on local government funding which also called for a review of the…
Homeowners across Wales face Tory mortgage bombshell
THOUSANDS of homeowners across Wales are staring down the barrel of a Tory mortgage bombshell this month, as their fixed rate mortgage deals expire. Labour analysis of data from the Financial Conduct Authority shows that 7,962 fixed rate mortgages across…
Welsh Government and NSPCC in planning to further prevent sexual harassment in schools
THE Welsh Government is working with NSPCC Cymru and young people to understand the solutions to preventing harmful behaviour. Today the Welsh Government has published a new Peer-on-Peer Sexual Harassment Plan. The plan sets out how the Welsh Government will…
Concerns raised over ‘watered down’ draft guidance on safe zones around abortion clinics
DRAFT UK guidance which allows protestors to approach women attending abortion clinics shows why policing and justice needs to be devolved to Wales, the Senedd heard. Jenny Rathbone, a Labour backbencher, raised concerns about the UK Government issuing watered down…
No concrete targets or milestones in new child poverty strategy, Senedd hears
WELSH ministers are dodging accountability by refusing to include concrete targets and milestones in the new child poverty strategy, the Senedd heard. MSs quizzed Jane Hutt as the social justice minister gave a statement about this week’s publication of the…