Senedd to hold inquiry into ‘unbearable’ landfill site near Wrexham
A Senedd committee will hold an inquiry into a landfill site amid concerns about an “unbearable” stench blighting villagers’ lives for the past two decades. Members of the petitions committee agreed to take evidence after more than 1,100 people…
Welsh Gov issues ‘disgraceful’ response to inquiry on public appointments
The Welsh Government issued a disgraceful response to an inquiry on public appointments, showing disrespect bordering on contempt for the Senedd, a watchdog committee warned. Senedd members on the public accounts committee were outraged by ministers’ response to their report which…
Disabled children in Wales refused additional support with claims that their needs can be met through ‘universal provision’
Disabled children in Wales have been refused additional support in Welsh schools due to claims their needs can be met through so-called universal provision, a committee heard. Senedd members considered a 1,454-name petition calling for a ban on the term “universal…
Physics education in Wales ‘at breaking point’ due to lack of teachers
Physics education is at breaking point in Wales due to a lack of teachers, yet training bursaries are £14,000 higher across the border in England, a committee heard. Eluned Parrott, head of Wales at the Institute of Physics, warned…
First Minister under fire for ‘scattergun’ approach to international relations
First minister Eluned Morgan came under friendly fire over the Welsh Government’s “scattergun rather than strategic” approach to international relations. The Senedd’s culture committee scrutinised Baroness Morgan about the Welsh Government’s international strategy and plans for an investment summit. Lee…
Senedd members ’roundly reject’ Conservative calls for M4 relief road
Senedd members roundly rejected Conservative calls to deliver an M4 relief road, six years on from the Welsh Government pulling the plug on the project. Sam Rowlands described the M4 relief road as a golden opportunity, not only to…
Should the west coast railway lines be recommissioned? – The £2billion debate in the Senedd
Senedd members debated calls to reopen railway lines along the west coast of Wales to connect north and south but balked at the estimated £2bn cost. Carolyn Thomas led the debate on June 18 following a near-13,000-name petition calling…
Drakeford confirms plans for land value tax will remain on the table as a potential replacement for council tax and business rates
Wales’ finance secretary Mark Drakeford confirmed plans for a land value tax remain on the table as a potential long-term replacement for council tax and business rates. The former first minister said the Welsh Government continues to explore the…
Online abuse of politicians ‘getting worse by the day’
Senedd members called for urgent action to tackle the “existential crisis” of abuse, harassment and intimidation faced by politicians on social media. Plaid Cymru’s Adam Price, the first out-gay man in his party to be elected to national office,…
Freeport jobs promises ‘quietly revised down’ as thousands of jobs evaporate
Promises of job creation at two freeports have been stealthily downgraded by thousands of jobs, with Wales falling far behind the curve, a Senedd member warned. Plaid Cymru’s Luke Fletcher criticised the pace of change at the Anglesey freeport…