‘People are choking with the dust’: calls for action on ‘slow Aberfan disaster’
More than 11,000 people added their voices to a chorus of calls for a mandatory 1,000-metre buffer zone around all quarries – but their pleas continued to fall on deaf ears. Labour’s Carolyn Thomas led a Senedd debate on…
Newport hailed as ‘A City on the rise’ by Senedd members
Senedd members hailed Newport as a city on the rise – economically, socially and culturally – with so much to offer the whole of Wales. John Griffiths began a debate on the city by quoting business journalist Douglas Friedli,…
Mid Wales ‘continually disappointed’ on growth deal funding
Mid Wales ‘continually disappointed’ on growth deal fundingMid Wales ‘continually disappointed’ on growth deal fundingCouncil chiefs have been “continually disappointed” by an ongoing lack of day-to-day funding support for the mid Wales growth deal from the Welsh and UK Governments….
Wales recruiting ‘nowhere near enough’ secondary teachers
Wales is only training around a third of the necessary secondary school teachers, with nowhere near enough recruits and no improvement in sight, an education chief warned. Hayden Llewellyn, the Education Workforce Council (EWC) chief executive, gave evidence to…
Cardiff region city deal ‘on course to create 26,000 jobs’
Council chiefs claimed the Cardiff region city deal is “more than on course” to create 26,000 jobs by 2036 despite delivering 4,335 jobs in the decade to date. Mary Ann Brocklesby – chair of the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR),…
‘Rushed’ battery storage developments risk ‘devastating’ consequences
The rapid and largely unregulated proliferation of battery storage developments is becoming an urgent safety issue in many parts of Wales, a Senedd member warned. Plaid Cymru’s Llŷr Gruffydd said he is not opposed to battery energy storage systems…
Calls for independent Senedd harassment complaints process
Witnesses called for a fully independent process to deal with bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct by Senedd members amid concerns about politics trumping fairness. Jane Runeckles, of the FDA trade union – which primarily represents civil service managers –…
Rural Bus operators petrified by Welsh Gov plans for London-style bus network in Wales
Rural bus operators are petrified by the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a London-style bus network in Wales, the industry warned. Scott Pearson, chair of the Coach and Bus Association Cymru, gave evidence on the bus bill which seeks to bring…
Health chiefs face questions over digital delays
Senedd members scrutinised health chiefs about years-long delays to digital transformation of eye care, with some services still relying on paper records and fax machines. Peter Fox, the newly elected chair of the Senedd’s health committee, pressed witnesses about…
First minister leads tributes to ‘champion of women’s health’
Wales’ first minister led cross-party tributes in the Senedd to a passionate campaigner who fought to improve services for fellow cancer patients. Eluned Morgan paid tribute to Claire O’Shea, who died aged 42 from gynaecological cancer on Monday May…