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…
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,…
Taxpayers hit with £5.25m bill for botched Aberthaw contract
Taxpayers will foot the bill for a £5.25m settlement after a legal claim over the awarding of a demolition contract for Aberthaw power station, a committee heard. The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) lost a high-court legal challenge brought by a…
‘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…
Wales playing ‘catch-up’ as delays to environmental protections cause widespread scrutiny
Senedd members warned Wales is playing catch-up after the Welsh Government took more than seven years to bring forward a bill to plug gaps in environmental protections. Delyth Jewell expressed concerns about delays in introducing the environment bill which aims to…
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…
Students of Coleg Sir Gâr challenge mandatory enforcement of Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification
In Wales, a growing student-led movement is challenging the mandatory enforcement of the Welsh Baccalaureate, a qualification critics argue is being imposed under questionable funding practices that undermine educational choice and student wellbeing. Ioan Armstrong and Sam Bartlett who are…
Trostre’s Tinplate Works saved by Welsh Gov deal with US
LLANELLI’S huge tinplate works’ future has been protected by the Government’s trade deal with the United States, the town’s MP declared today. Some 650 workers at Tata’s Trostre plant are breathing sighs of relief after Labour’s successful bid to remove hard-hitting…
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…