UK Government opens applications for breakfast clubs in England, after over 100 million free breakfasts provided in schools in Wales
Today [Wed 27 November] schools in England can apply to hold breakfast clubs from April 2025, following the success of the roll-out by the Welsh Labour Government here in Wales. In Wales, free breakfasts have been provided in primary schools…
Senedd members express anger and fear over delayed flood warnings in Wales
Senedd members warned Wales failed to learn lessons from devastating floods in 2020, with serious shortcomings repeated as Storm Bert wrought havoc over the weekend. Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow climate change secretary, told the Senedd that hundreds of…
Tourism tax ‘ill thought out and unnecessary,’ warns Conservative Senedd members
Conservative Senedd members warned “ill thought out and unnecessary” plans for a tourism tax will make people think twice about holidaying in Wales. Peter Fox raised concerns about visitors being priced out after the Welsh Government unveiled a tourism bill,…
Disqualifying dishonest politicians ‘disproportionate and dangerous’
Drawing the courts into determining whether to disqualify dishonest politicians from the Senedd would be disproportionate and potentially dangerous, a committee heard. Azzurra Moores, policy lead at Full Fact, an independent fact-checking organisation, warned of political pointscoring as she…
Extra support announced for disadvantaged households this winter
Households across Wales facing tough times and who have to pre-pay for their energy can access further help this winter, as the Welsh Government announces an additional £700,000 in funding for the Fuel Bank Foundation’s fuel voucher and Heat Fund…
Concerns over cancer centre procurement process
A consortium was selected to build a cancer centre amid concerns about the involvement of construction companies caught colluding on bids for other projects, a committee heard. The public accounts committee scrutinised representatives of Velindre University NHS Trust over…
‘Dysfunctional’ community councils ‘signing blank cheques’
Financial management at some town and community councils is dysfunctional, with members signing blank cheques and accounts five years overdue, auditors warned. The Senedd’s local government committee launched an inquiry on the governance and accountability of town and community…
Bullying in Welsh schools reaches record levels
Rates of bullying in Welsh schools have reached record levels, with more than one in three children and young people reporting being bullied, the Senedd heard. Gareth Davies raised concerns about a 6% increase in bullying between 2021 and…
Proposal to ban lying politicians from Senedd ‘wholly unrealistic’ barristers warn
A proposal to disqualify dishonest politicians from the Senedd is wholly unrealistic and could see the courts inundated with complaints, barristers warned. The Criminal Bar Association, which represents practising members in Wales and England, criticised calls to create an…
First Minister Eluned Morgan gives passionate speech at Welsh Labour Conference 2024
First Minister Eluned Morgan, in her landmark speech at the Welsh Labour Conference on November 16, 2024, embraced her role as the first woman to lead Welsh Labour while underlining the party’s commitment to challenging times ahead. With humour and…