Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament), 14 July 2026

384 contributions from 70 members. The official report.

Statement by the Llywydd

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

Good afternoon, everybody.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

Good afternoon, everybody. We will make a start.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

Let's make a start. I would first of all like to inform Members that, in accordance with Standing Order 26.87, I have established and published the timetable for the Member Bill ballots for the seventh Senedd. Two ballots will be held, the first on Wednesday 14 October and the second on Wednesday 7 July 2027. The process for Member Bill ballots is new for the seventh Senedd. For the first time, these will be name-only ballots. Further detail about the ballots, together with information about the training that will be available on the Member Bill process, will be issued to all Members this week. Thank you.

1. Questions to the First Minister

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

Now, we will move on to item 1, questions to the First Minister. The first question is from Cai Parry-Jones.

Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

1. Has the Welsh Government made any tangible cost savings in any department during this Senedd so far? OQ64428

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Llywydd, our job is to make every £1 work as hard as possible for the people of Wales. That means focusing resources on the priorities that matter most to people and delivering the commitments we were elected to deliver. We're reviewing spending across Government to ensure resources are directed where they can make the biggest difference, whether that's cutting waiting lists, tackling child poverty or strengthening our economy. Alongside this, we will continue to press Westminster, of course, for the fair funding that Wales deserves.

Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I'll take that as a 'no'. A key component of the Welsh Government's administrative spend is the estate it owns and manages. According to the most recent and cutely named 'State of the Estate' report, published in April, we see that the Welsh Government has around 70,000 sq m of estate at a cost of nearly £20 million a year. Seventy thousand square metres of estate is exactly the same as the 2020 target produced pre COVID and before the boom in home working. We also learnt from the latest report, quote:

'Most Staff continued to work remotely'.

First Minister, smarter management of the estate could save over £10 million a year. My question is: why is the Welsh Government not making these obvious efficiencies?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I know the Member comes from the position of begrudgingly having even a square foot of estate in Wales looking after the interests of the people of Wales. But, I'll tell you what, this Government is a Government that believes in using the resources that we have wisely. We can look at it in terms of square footage or we can look at it in terms of people. What I want to do is make the most of the people that we have, whether that's working in the civil service, whether it's working across public sector, in health and education and in everything this Government does—including encouraging people to get the right balance between remote working and working in the office. We will do our utmost to make, as I say, the best use of every single £1. In that context, maybe he should take my original answer as a 'yes'.

Anna Nicholl (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Yesterday, the Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee took evidence from Adrian Crompton, the outgoing Auditor General for Wales. In his evidence, he was clear that value for money is not just about spending less, it's about making the money we do have work better. If we are to address the real challenges facing our communities today, what we need to focus on is better Government, driven by a new leadership. I'm delighted that this is already a core commitment of this Government and something it's getting started on quickly in its first 100 days. Will the First Minister assure us that his Government will maintain a relentless focus on improving outcomes for people and making the best use of the resources that Government does have?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

We've made it clear that it's all about outcomes, it's all about looking at how the decisions that we take as a Government impact positively on the lives of the people of Wales. I absolutely agree that good Government isn't about chasing short-term savings, if you like. Though we make every £1 work hard, it is about making every £1 deliver better outcomes for the people of Wales. It's why we're reforming how public services are delivered. That stronger focus on prevention is one that comes to mind immediately—how we can spend money now on stopping some of those problems in health occurring later down the line. It's why the target has been put in place by the enterprise Minister on halving the productivity gap and making the investment now in ensuring that we strengthen the economy in that way. It is all about good Government, with long-term positive outcomes for the people of Wales.

Huw Thomas (Labour, Caerdydd Penarth)

Diolch, Brif Weinidog. One of the key challenges of Government is to manage in-year spend and in-year overspends. You will know, First Minister, that local government is bound by law that they have to balance their books within year. That doesn't go for other governmental departments. Do you accept the principle that all Government departments should manage their budgets to the agreed budgets, or, if not, can you outline what in-year overspends you are prepared to accept this year?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

The Member will imagine, I'm sure—and he'd imagine correctly—that this is a Government coming into power that is determined to look afresh at all the budgets that we have, to make sure they are aligned with our priorities, that money is being spent well, with outcomes at the heart of everything that we do. It's not the case that our Government departments can have overspends as such. There are elements of the public service, we know, where there are significant in-year pressures—health being one of those—and this Government has indeed inherited hundreds of millions of pounds of in-year pressures in the health service as a result of the mismanagement of health by previous Labour health Ministers. That's something that doesn't stop us from getting to grips with the challenge now in improving public services, but that is the reality, and everything we do is about making sure that our public funding is dealt with in a prudent way, to deliver the best outcomes for the people of Wales.

Andrew RT Davies (Conservative, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

First Minister, one of the inquiries that the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee undertook at the end of the last Senedd term was to look at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence. It was made clear to us that an incoming Government would have to make a critical decision over whether it was going to back this particular venture, and the tag price on that was some £400 million. No small change in the back of the sofa for that, I would suggest. Has the Government had a chance to formulate a view on the future funding requirements for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence, and, if you have, when will you be bringing a statement forward so that we know what the commitment will be, going forward?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

The Member is right to point to this as being something that can offer opportunities in terms of the Welsh economy, but he's also right to point out that there are significant expenditure commitments that would need to be made in order to get to that point. The Government has not yet come to a decision around that. That is a consideration that will be ongoing, and I'm unable to give a date on that. As the Member will be aware, there are many, many funding considerations that the Government is grappling with in these early weeks.

Nigel Williams (Reform UK, Fflint Wrecsam)

2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to reduce waiting times for out-patient appointments and surgery for patients in Flintshire and Wrexham? OQ64369

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

We announced an additional £145 million to support a clinically led approach to focus on delivering a sustainable solution to reducing waiting times and driving pathway transformation. We've set up an expert panel to look at the development of surgical hubs and are commissioning an independent review of performance and the impact waiting has on patients.

Nigel Williams (Reform UK, Fflint Wrecsam)

Well, that doesn't help me, I'm afraid, First Minister. I've got a letter for an appointment here, actually, for myself personally, which was written a year ago, which tells me that I've been placed on an out-patient waiting list in Betsi Cadwaladr trust, and that I'd be contacted as soon as possible, and I've heard nothing since. I've also been told by someone else that they've been waiting three years—three years—for gallbladder surgery, and they've heard nothing since whatsoever. I could be dead by now. What are you actually doing, and what can you do for my constituent, so they can realistically expect to receive the appointment and treatment they've been waiting so long for? Diolch.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I'm grateful for the question. I would respectfully ask the Member to reflect on the code of conduct on pursuing our own particular cases within the Welsh Parliament. But, of course, it is right that we all represent people who have been waiting a very long time on waiting lists. It is the length of waiting lists in terms of numbers and it is the length of time that people are waiting on them that have led this Government to conclude, even before we came into Government, that this was a priority. It's why we prioritised in the last budget, for 2026-27, the need to invest in the NHS now. It's why decisions have been made through the supplementary budget, which we hope can be passed today, in order to spend on bringing down waiting times and making the system sustainable, because it is unacceptable. Wherever people are—and that, of course, includes people here in this Siambr who are on waiting lists—it's not acceptable that we believe this to be normal, and that is why we are placing the utmost seriousness on the work of working with health boards, making the investment, having those performance reviews so that we can build a sustainable NHS and care system for the future.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

Brif Weinidog, diolch. And as you've raised Standing Orders, I'm sure the Member who spoke was speaking on behalf of his constituents as well, whilst drawing on a personal experience. But, just to clarify, indeed, speaking on behalf of constituents is our imperative here. Carrie Harper.

Carrie Harper (Plaid Cymru, Fflint Wrecsam)

Diolch, Lywydd. The issue of parking at the Maelor hospital in Wrexham is raised with us time and time again, and some residents have told us that they've arrived sometimes up to three hours before an appointment just to find a parking space. And that will be contributing to the 27,000 missed appointments at the Maelor last year. We've raised that repeatedly with the health board, alongside other local Members as well, the council and residents, too, yet there are still no concrete plans to tackle the problem. My own mother is currently undergoing cancer treatment, so I've seen first-hand the extra stress that that causes for people who are already worried about their health. I welcome the Government's commitment in the supplementary budget to boost funding for the NHS, and I also hope that this budget passes to allow that support to happen. First Minister, do you agree that accessing healthcare should begin at the hospital entrance and not with a queue for a parking space? And what discussions is the Welsh Government having with Betsi Cadwaladr to ensure that this long-running problem is finally treated as a priority?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Well, I certainly agree that access to healthcare should not begin with anxiety about finding a parking space, and it is something that far too many people face. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is responsible for the operation and management of parking across its estate. Welsh Government guidance sets out the principles and best practice that health boards should apply when managing car parking at hospital sites. The health board recognises the parking pressures at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in particular, and I understand that it's considering practical operational and management options to improve access for patients, visitors and staff, keeping emergency routes clear as well, which is very, very important. It's one of those elements on which my health Minister is eager to see improvement, wherever that might be in Wales.

Sam Rowlands (Conservative, Fflint Wrecsam)

First Minister, Nigel Williams, the Member, was absolutely right to raise concerns about constituents waiting far too long for planned procedures, surgeries on waiting lists in Fflint Wrecsam. One particular area that I believe requires some extra focus, ironically, is that of cataract operations. People are having to wait two years or more for cataract operations. You'll appreciate, First Minister, during that time, that it can be debilitating for people, especially if they need to drive, in rural areas of my constituency of Fflint Wrecsam, when they're waiting for years for what is actually quite a simple procedure in the grand scheme of things. People who live just over the border in Cheshire are waiting six weeks for exactly the same operation to take place. It strikes me that there's an issue there with the commissioning of services, which could make a big difference to accelerating people's waits when it comes to cataract operations. So, would you look at that, First Minister, to see where, specifically, cataract operations can be accelerated to ensure that those thousands of people who are waiting currently no longer have to wait without being able to see properly?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

As the Minister points out, that is something that the Government is doing. We know that, when it comes to the eyes, it is particularly important to pursue treatment as quickly as possible. It was one of those elements during COVID, I remember, when people were facing delays in accessing care because of COVID restrictions, and that was putting eyesight at risk. It's something that the Government is very, very aware of. It's one of those areas that's very much in mind when we look forward to continuing the performance review and putting in that sustainability, which will help across the NHS in time.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

I now call on the party leaders to question the First Minister. First, the leader of Reform UK, Dan Thomas.

Dan Thomas (Reform UK, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Thank you, Llywydd. Continuing with the theme of the NHS, in this last week before recess I would like to get to the bottom of when two-year waits on the NHS will be eradicated, because thousands of people across Wales are still waiting, in pain and discomfort, for far too long. Now, during the election campaign, the First Minister said that two-year waits would be eradicated within a matter of months, and then his new health Minister said that they would be eradicated by the end of the four-year term. I then asked the First Minister who was right and, in a very long-winded answer, he said that he was. But then, just a couple of weeks ago, his finance Minister, on BBC Walescast, said that two-year waits would be gone in 12 months, so, in other words, a year. Now, a year is a lot longer than a matter of months. So, can the First Minister finally give us some more detail: by which month will two-year waits be finally eradicated in Wales, as they are in England?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

We could have a philosophical debate here about how many months is months. All I can say is that all the actions that have been taken by this Government within the first 100 days—. You know, commissioning that work on establishing the surgery hubs, on making sure that we put that investment through this supplementary budget that we want to get passed today, so that we can, both in capital spend and in resource spend, make that investment to drive down those two-year waits—. The actions that Government is taking are aligned with bringing down those two-year waits as quickly as we can. We want to do it in months. I not so much stick to that—that is precisely what we set out to do before coming into Government, and what we are actively delivering now in Government.

Dan Thomas (Reform UK, Casnewydd Islwyn)

The First Minister gave a promise during the election that two-year waits would be eradicated within a matter of months. That clearly is not happening. These promises are coming back to haunt you. It was obviously a promise that was made in the heat of an election debate, just as were your comments about a road solution for the M4. Your Ministers keep punishing you for your off-the-cuff remarks by rowing back on the promises that you're making in the heat of debates.

Now, it is quite clear that the First Minister doesn't do the detail. There's no detail on two-year waits. There's no detail on tackling M4 congestion. There's no detail yet on childcare plans. You had 30 years to wait for this moment, and there's not even any detail on what Plaid's definition of a woman is. So, let's try an easy question, because we know this figure is somewhere in Plaid Cymru HQ: what are the initial costings of Plaid Cymru's childcare offer?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I mean, the costings around the childcare offer have been made public, and they are very much a part of the supplementary budget that is due to be voted on today. The childcare offer is made up of a specific fund of £55 million that is going to be partly in capital, partly in resource, to make sure that we're able to deliver, as the first phase of the roll-out of costed childcare, the completion of the 12.5 hours for two-year-olds. Now, that is what is being done. I literally cannot give you more detail than that. It's the money, it's the timescale, and it's going to be done within this financial year.

Now, I know the Member couldn't decide which question to ask today, so he tried to bring eight into one. But in terms of accusing me of giving an off-the-cuff reply on the M4, it was an off-the-cuff reply based on 15 years of Plaid Cymru policy that we want to see a solution to the problems on the M4 in the Newport area—work that has already begun under my Deputy Minister for Transport and that we will be reporting on in the autumn of this year.

Dan Thomas (Reform UK, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Fifteen years, and all your transport Minister could come up with is closing junctions. Now, one way to stop congestion is to stop cars getting onto the M4. I'll give you that, but the people of Newport will not be very happy with that.

I asked for initial costings. Costings for phase 1 is not the initial costings. You said during the election campaign your promises were fully costed. Then you're downgrading them to initial costings. Then you're downgrading it to costings for phase 1. So, you clearly haven't got a plan. And if we do get those costings within the first 100 days, the 100 days ends during recess. So, we can't scrutinise when you actually issue those, but we will be here in September, waiting to scrutinise those figures.

But, First Minister, if your supplementary budget is voted down today, are you prepared to come back during the summer recess with a revised budget, or is this a part-time Plaid Government? Or are you content for the plans within your supplementary budget to languish for months upon months because you're too stubborn to do a deal?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

[Inaudible.]—the idea that, from opposition, we were unable to resolve the problems of the M4—. We were in opposition over those years. He was in the Conservative Party, so I get the confusion there about where his politics land. Listen, I understand that there is frustration in wanting a holiday after eight weeks of being the leader of Reform in here. We will be working through the last 43 days of the 100-day plan, every single day of that reporting on it as we promised the people of Wales we would, and then cracking on with phase 2, which is that programme for government to transform the lives of the people of Wales. But today we need to get a supplementary budget through, to get working on the NHS, on childcare, on additional learning needs and all those issues that matter to the people of Wales.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

The leader of Welsh Labour, Ken Skates.

Ken Skates (Labour, Fflint Wrecsam)

Diolch. First Minister, over the past few days, a crisis developed, the like of which I fear we will see again and again. Homes were evacuated, schools were closed, hundreds of acres of land were scorched and businesses hit during the north Wales wildfires and extreme heat. Now, thanks to our emergency services, the loss of human life was averted. First Minister, who is responsible in your Government for responding to such events?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

This is a cross-government response, of course. We have Ministers directly involved in working with the particular emergency services, of course. But this is a cross-government approach, in that these fires may have started yesterday, but they are caused by man-made climate change that all of us across Government are committed to addressing.

Ken Skates (Labour, Fflint Wrecsam)

Thank you, First Minister. Of course, the risk with it being cross-government is that no single Minister actually holds on to the responsibility. Now, that was the distinct advantage of having a Minister for north Wales. This week, the Welsh Government has been pretty much silent in north Wales and about north Wales whilst these fires have taken place. More people may be left homeless in weeks and months to come with further extreme heat predicted, and that means that businesses will also be hit, likely events will be cancelled. Can you assure people across Wales that your Government will support businesses and home owners who are impacted by wildfires and extreme heat?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Of course, my Government will do everything we can and already have done to support those who are affected by these fires. My thanks initially go to the people who responded to them. My thoughts are with the people who are affected by them.

On the question of a Minister for north Wales, I have a Minister for north Wales. It's Siân Gwenllian, and it's Dafydd Trystan, and it's Anna Brychan, it's Mabon ap Gwynfor, it's Sioned Williams—all my Ministers are Ministers for all of Wales. Where was Labour's Minister for the south of Wales, if that matters? Because all my Ministers are Ministers for the south of Wales too, and the west of Wales, and mid Wales, because we are a joined-up Government that has a plan for our nation—all of our nation.

That is why all of us have come together around this supplementary budget today—north, south, east, west, and mid, it's important to remember—with a determination to change the lives of the people of Wales for the better. We have a supplementary budget that is focused on making the NHS sustainable. I will be voting for that sustainability for the NHS. The leader of Labour in Wales is threatening to vote against that. I will be voting for expanding free school meals under this supplementary budget. The Labour leader here is threatening to vote against that. I will be voting for the expansion of paid-for childcare in Wales. The Labour leader threatens to vote against that. And, yes, I will be voting for a package worth £120 million for ALN that he and I negotiated positively on, and he is threatening to vote to not allow that spending to go ahead. This is a Government for all of Wales with a vision for all of our nation.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar.

Darren Millar (Conservative, Clwyd)

Diolch, Lywydd. If you'll indulge me, I'd like to pay tribute, on behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, to Bonnie Tyler. Tributes have poured in, of course, across Wales about the loss of this Welsh icon, a singer with global fame and impact, a unique artist with a unique voice, and we want to pay tribute to her and send our best wishes to her family and her loved ones. Of course, we're also in shock at the loss of Ann Widdecombe, a colourful political character, a precious character to people across the whole of the United Kingdom, but especially here in Wales for those who met her.

First Minister, thanks to the members of the public right across Wales, our country now recycles more household waste than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, and our glass recycling rate is amongst the highest in Europe. Yet, in spite of this, your Plaid Cymru Government wants to follow the previous Labour Government's plans to diverge from the rest of the United Kingdom and insist on including glass in its deposit-return scheme from October. We know it's going to push costs on to businesses, manufacturers and consumers. What assessment has your Government made of the additional costs of this scheme and what are you going to do to mitigate them?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I will, of course, firstly, also send my condolences to the loved ones of Bonnie Tyler, a national treasure who was a part of my life as long as I care to remember. She will be fondly, fondly remembered by all of us here in Wales and far, far beyond. And, yes, Ann Widdecombe: we share in the grief of her loved ones, but also in the fear around the safety of politicians and public figures, and these are negotiations and discussions that we should all across this Chamber be eager to engage with in a non-party political way.

On the deposit-return scheme, I note that the Conservatives supported the DRS with glass. This is the starting point, and always at a time of difficulty in the implementation of a policy, it's important to remember where we came from. Why is it that the Conservatives said they supported including glass? Why is it that the last Senedd voted for the inclusion of glass, which is something that this Government is respecting in taking this matter forward? It is because it does go further than recycling. It is the reuse. It is about that environmental responsibility. It is about also being a trailblazer, because there's an agreement in principle in other parts of the UK to progressing with glass. We can be the ones showing the way.

Are there challenges? Yes, which is why exemptions have been made clear for small retailers, for small producers, for example. But given that it's the right thing to do, you don't always allow the fact that there are challenges—very real ones, absolutely—to stop you in your tracks when there's a prize worth aiming for.

Darren Millar (Conservative, Clwyd)

Look, First Minister, we all agree that we need to get to grips with litter and improve even further our recycling rates, but we've already got a by-election this summer with a man dressed up as a bin; the last thing we need is another row about rubbish receptacles, if I can put it that way, here in Wales. Now, councils are actually cutting litter bins across the country because they can’t afford to provide them and can't afford to empty them. Fly-tipping is on the up. Ninety per cent of glass is already recycled in Wales because of the kerbside recycling system and the engagement of the public with it. Why does your Government think it's acceptable to impose extra costs on small shopkeepers and force householders to face the inconvenience of having to drive with their cars full of bottles back to the shops, rather than simply leaving those glass bottles at the kerbside for collection and recycling? Why don't you make it simple for manufacturers, simple for retailers and simple for the public and bin this unnecessary policy?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Bins being a theme here, I like the rubbish receptacle trashing, of course, the reputation of the leader of Reform currently. Again, when you're talking about people driving places to get rid of bottles, at the core of DRS, as a principle, is people taking things places, so that doesn't make a difference whether it's plastic or glass, and the Member does agree that it's the right thing to ask people to take those plastic bottles somewhere in order to deal with that problem of plastic. I understand that there are challenges, and I know that my Minister is dealing with those challenges now, and putting the practical measures in place in order to deliver this. What we're saying is that we believe that this can be overcome. The Member mentions the additional cost to small retailers. There is an exemption for small retailers who don't have that square footage, that space to put the machines in and so on. These are things that the Government is taking into consideration, but we believe that this is doable, and we do not believe the threats of the very large manufacturers of extremely large increases in prices. The sums don't add up.

Matthew Jones (Plaid Cymru, Sir Fynwy Torfaen)

3. What analysis has the Government made of the impact of the UK Government's defence investment plan on the Welsh Government's capital budget? OQ64409

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

We estimate that there will be a reduction of £25 million to £30 million at least in the Welsh Government's capital budget in the current financial year, with further reductions in future years. The UK Government has also indicated that there will be a need to find a further £4.7 billion in the autumn budget. So, this is the minimum cut that we could expect, and it could be larger. This will have a direct impact on our schools, our hospitals and our transport connectivity.

Matthew Jones (Plaid Cymru, Sir Fynwy Torfaen)

Prif Weinidog, we can all see that the threats to national security are numerous, but it can't be right that Wales will be denied years of capital funding to cover the failure of consecutive UK Governments to give us an armed forces fit for the future. Once again, the needs of Wales have been, at best, an afterthought. Thirty one of 32 schools in Torfaen require urgent maintenance, and there's a £5 million backlog for repairs in Monmouthshire schools. The money we will lose will directly affect areas like mine, and this means that issues that need to be addressed urgently will have to be pushed back. So, bearing this in mind, how will the First Minister keep making the case to the UK Government to redress this? Diolch.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

It is a very important point. We absolutely recognise the changing face of the threats that we face currently and the arguments in favour of strengthening defence spending, including in the cyber sector, in which we have real expertise here in Wales, but Wales should not be peculiarly disadvantaged by the way the UK Government has gone about with its decisions on defence spending. Departments in the UK Government in Whitehall would have been able to make the case for protecting budgets. The handing down in this way without negotiation with Wales of ongoing cuts to capital, which were under severe strain anyway, will inevitably mean needing to cut back on spending on health and education. The first supplementary budget allocates £40 million of additional capital funding this year to support the urgent maintenance and repair works across schools, the kind of which the Members mentions. That is put under threat. But, of course, we need to get the supplementary budget through first in order to make that spending.

Paul Marr (Reform UK, Ceredigion Penfro)

First Minister, Reform UK makes no apology for supporting increased investment in Britain's armed forces at a time of growing global instability. National defence is the first duty of any Government, so, rather than blaming Westminster for difficult spending decisions, will you explain what efficiencies the Welsh Government is prepared to make within its own capital programme before claiming Wales cannot cope? How much money could be redirected by cancelling lower priority projects and reducing waste, so that essential infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals and schools, is protected while the UK strengthens our national security?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I would hope that all of us want to see capital spend on schools and hospitals. These are really, really important elements for the future of our nation. As I said, the point here is that we haven't been engaged in any of this discussion that ends up in cuts being made that will inevitably lead to cuts in public service capital spend. I have written to the Secretary of State for Wales, and the Cabinet Minister for Finance has written to the Chief Secretary of the Treasury, to raise those concerns, seek clarity of the impacts for our funding. As I say, it's completely unacceptable that Welsh capital budgets are impacted in this way. That does not take away from recognising the changing face of the threats that exist in the world around us, which are undeniable.

Peter Fox (Conservative, Sir Fynwy Torfaen)

First Minister, rather than solely focusing on the impact to the Welsh Government's budget, what is the Government actually doing to maximise the opportunities of the defence investment plan that it can present to employers such as BAE Systems in Glascoed in my constituency and the wider defence sector? There are over 285 defence companies in Wales, contributing a £1 billion to our economy. Surely we should be focusing on what we can make out of this, instead of just bemoaning the situation.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

It's a separate question, but it's a very, very valid question: how, when defence spending is made, or when defence investment is made, there is at least equity in the way that that spend is made. If you look at the way UK Government distributes that investment, Wales has not been getting its share. If you look at the proportion of defence spend going to the south west of England, for example, compared with Wales, there is no comparison. So, the Member is right that there is an economic element to this, and that is something that we would look at in economic terms, and, of course, seeking opportunities for businesses involved in the ethical defence sector in Wales. But that does not mean that we should withdraw our concerns around how decisions are made that affect all of our constituencies, be it schools or hospitals and so on.

Joe Martin (Reform UK, Caerdydd Penarth)

4. Will the First Minister provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to promote equality in Wales? OQ64429

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

In her oral statement of the 9 June, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality set out our priorities for promoting social justice: fostering respect, solidarity and fairness. We're committed to addressing inequalities in Wales. This includes supporting the delivery of the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan', disabled persons' rights plan and delivering on the British Sign Language (Wales) Act 2026.

Joe Martin (Reform UK, Caerdydd Penarth)

First Minister, the Welsh Government has a target whereby 20 per cent of all newly hired Government employees should be from ethnic minority groups, who themselves only make up 6 per cent of the Welsh population. It has another scheme that pays £5,000 to ethnic minority students who want to become teachers, money that isn't available to students if they are white. These measures, which are themselves explicitly racist, fall under the scheme ironically named the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. Put plainly, it is anti-white discrimination, and the Welsh people will not sit idly by as we are racially discriminated against in our own country. First Minister, will it be your Government that delivers the return of race-blind meritocracy in Wales?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I'm sure the Member is pushing the limits of what the Llywydd would deem acceptable in the Chamber. My Government believes in providing opportunities to people in a way that promotes equality of opportunity. The Member chooses to focus on the colour of skin. I would—[Interruption.] I would choose to focus on the fact that there are many people who don't have opportunities because they live in poverty, because they happen to come from a background that has not made those opportunities open to them, as they are to somebody as privileged as I have been. That is something that I would expect to be a core value of everybody in this Senedd who believes in supporting and representing all of the people of Wales, regardless of their background, regardless of the colour of their skin. It is about taking a suite of measures that we can honestly believe reflect those values that were, in many ways, the basis of the election that allowed us to have a Government of which hope was seen as a real mantra.

Sarah Rees (Plaid Cymru, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

First Minister, from your previous answer I can tell that you agree with me that, when we talk about equality in Cymru, it's more than a buzz word. We’re talking about people's lives, where families working multiple jobs are struggling to get by, mums have been pushed out of work because their childcare is unaffordable, disabled people face barriers to services, racialised communities experience persistent discrimination. These pressures don’t exist in isolation; they’re the conditions in which inequality deepens and division takes hold. The consequence of this widening inequality is that, when people feel ignored or left behind, it’s fertile ground for far-right extremism—movements that thrive on misinformation, scapegoating and fear, and they target the communities already facing inequality, undermining the joint effort that we need to build a fairer Wales. So, I’d like to ask how the Government is ensuring that it’s addressing the root causes of inequality and protecting those most targeted by hate and division across Wales.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I want to associate myself with all of the words spoken by the Member there. This isn't—. There are elements of policy here, but this is about values. This is about ensuring that, in everything we do as a Government, be it in education, in healthcare, in job creation—all of those elements where people interact with public services—or in supporting communities and putting in place policies that support cohesion, always we are driven by those values. It is something that I know unites the majority within this Senedd: the need to speak the language of tolerance. And to have a Government here that acts in a way that always promotes that cohesion and tolerance is something that is very, very important to us.

Rebeca Phillips (Plaid Cymru, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

5. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Government's work to develop a sustainable additional learning needs service? OQ64392

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Supporting children and young people with additional learning needs and delivering a sustainable system is a priority for this Government. This is critical to raising standards and ensuring that these learners are supported to thrive. We are committed to working with our partners to develop sustainable solutions over the long term.

Rebeca Phillips (Plaid Cymru, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

Thank you, First Minister. The additional funding is a great opportunity to make a difference and to start to implement the priorities of the people of Wales. The funding is focused on activities that can be implemented in this financial year, including direct funding for schools to stabilise and support the current provision and to enable a sustainable long-term approach. I fear that stopping this additional funding will put that at risk, will keep the sectors in a very difficult position and will go against the priorities that the people of Wales voted for this year. Despite this, it's clear that ALN support is needed in Wales. So, how will this Government work in a meaningful and effective way to support the sector?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Sustainability is the important thing here, isn't it? Over recent weeks, there have been many references to how we reach a point where there is sustainability. This is not a short-term solution; we need a real partnership approach, don't we, to try to strengthen the inclusive provision that we have over time, and to develop a more robust and sustainable system for Wales in order to tackle the pressures and to meet the increasing needs among learners.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Because we know that the pressure is great. And it's in the spirit of understanding that pressure that engagement has happened in recent weeks. And, as I laid out in a letter to the leader of the Labour group yesterday, I appreciated the determination shown by him to make sure that this was an issue on which there was focus, and it enabled us to pursue our determination to build a sustainable future for ALN provision in Wales. That is why we were able to move at pace, working with the education and Welsh language Minister in particular, to not only identify the funding against an extremely difficult funding background, but, crucially, to find a way that we can start spending this money immediately. Now, that has come about as the product of positive negotiation. What we want to do, and I think what the majority of people will sense is the right thing to do now, is to get that across the line in that spirit, which allows us, at the same time, to press ahead with spending on the NHS, on childcare and on free school meals as well, which, of course, the Labour Party agree with and I'm thankful to them for expressing that they do agree with it.

Tom Montgomery (Reform UK, Clwyd)

I'd like to start by declaring an interest. My wife and my mother both work in an education setting, which includes supporting children with ALN.

As I'm sure the First Minister is aware, conditions like autism exist on a spectrum. Different children require different levels of support and intervention. Some, with the right support, can continue in mainstream education; some can't. And then there are the countless individuals who fall somewhere in between. However, those who work within the system, those who I speak to, often tell me of a system that fails to reflect the reality, with many children in need of placement at specialist schools but stuck in a system that is often too slow to respond or sat on waiting lists for months or even years, whilst others are placed in mainstream education without the correct support packages in place, failing both the students and the schools.

First Minister, we need wholesale change and better co-ordination between health boards, mental health services and education authorities to speed up intervention. How are you going to get on and do that?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

The Member is quite right to point out those challenging areas. It's not just a matter of thinking of them in isolation, it's the way that they touch on each other. It is about taking that cross-Government approach. It is the way that my Ministers are approaching it. It touches on the ALN issue, again, and the need to get going on how to impact, in the most positive way, on the way policies are delivered within schools. The manifesto on which I stood made this one of the areas that we were absolutely clear we needed to gain ground on. We are confident that, in working in that cross-Government way, we can do that.

David Hughes (Reform UK, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to better support the palliative care sector? OQ64427

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

We're committed to strengthening palliative and end-of-life care and to developing a sustainable hospice funding model. As a new Government, we're building on important foundations already established across Wales, including the quality statement, national service specification, competency framework and hospice commissioning approach. We're also working with NHS Wales, hospices and carers to improve access, strengthen the workforce, support advanced care planning and ensure long-term sustainability within the sector.

David Hughes (Reform UK, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you. First Minister, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board recently ran a major public engagement process regarding the future of specialist palliative care and end-of-life services across the region. One of the proposals was to close ward 6 at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon, to relocate them to Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant. This has drawn significant local opposition and concern. Residents and local councils argue that closing the specialist beds in the Cynon valley could force terminally ill patients in Merthyr and Cynon to travel for further care.

I'm sure that the First Minister agrees with me that hospice and end-of-life services are some of the cornerstones of the Welsh healthcare system. Each year, they provide essential care and support for more than 20,000 children and adults living with terminal illness, easing pressures on the NHS by delivering vital, compassionate care within communities across Wales. However, rising demand and increasing costs are placing these services—[Interruption.] One more thing—under strain. Will the First Minister commit to providing sustainable long-term funding for hospices and end-of-life services in Wales to ensure that they can continue to deliver essential palliative and end-of-life care?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I certainly agree with the Member on the importance of the sector. I say that as a former active member of the cross-party group in the last Senedd, and the previous one, on end-of-life care. On the particular issue of Ysbyty Cwm Cynon, I believe the health board's position is that consolidating specialist in-patient palliative care is necessary in their view to address workforce shortages and to maintain safe and sustainable specialist services. It's true to say, of course, that it is up to health boards in Wales to make those decisions. They hold the statutory responsibilities for the planning and delivery of healthcare services. They have to deliver them in a way that is tailored to the needs of their populations. But we are continuing discussions within the sector. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care hopes to be meeting very soon, I think, with Hospices Cymru to discuss current pressures and the long-term sustainability of hospice services in Wales.

Elfed Williams (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

7. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to evaluate the health service's financial performance, and to ensure the effective management of health budgets? OQ64393

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

As part of our first 100 days plan, we are reviewing the current arrangements for evaluating the financial performance of the health service. Strengthening that approach, alongside establishing a longer term shift towards prevention, will be integral to sustainability in the long term.

Elfed Williams (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I welcome many of the steps taken by the Plaid Cymru Government since coming into power in order to address the real challenges facing the health service in Bangor Conwy Môn. We have seen a direct commitment to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as well as additional funding for the health service in the supplementary budget. I'm sure that everyone would recognise the difference that that funding could make for patients and staff, and therefore how important it is that we pass the supplementary budget this afternoon. In looking to the future and to ensure that the good work can continue, we must encourage more efficient use of public funds within the health service. With that in mind, will the First Minister provide an update on the Government's commitment to establish a health finance efficiency team and when he hopes to see that being established?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

As with other healthcare systems, including in other parts of the UK, the health service here faces significant financial challenges. I think that is clear to everyone. We need more work certainly, and actions, to put it on a sustainable footing. Working on the efficiency element is very, very important. The supplementary budget, of course, which we have before us today, includes £100 million of additional funding to support a reduction in waiting times, £45 million of capital funding for the health service, and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will benefit directly from that funding stream.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Care, as well as officials, are reviewing the current arrangements in terms of efficiency, with the intention of strengthening them and noting a clear set of actions by the end of the first 100 days, which will be in about 43 days now. But beyond the idea of efficiency in general, I think we need a long-term approach that includes turning increasingly towards the preventative agenda, and our attitude to that is also part of our first 100 days commitment.

Carmelo Colasanto (Reform UK, Sir Gaerfyrddin)

8. What is the Welsh Government doing to support small and medium-sized businesses in Carmarthenshire? OQ64424

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Small and medium-sized businesses are at the heart of Carmarthenshire's economy. We're supporting them through Business Wales, the Development Bank of Wales, SMART Innovation support, town-centre regeneration programmes, supply-chain opportunities linked to major investments such as Pentre Awel, and targeted funding that helps businesses innovate, expand and create jobs across the county.

Carmelo Colasanto (Reform UK, Sir Gaerfyrddin)

Diolch, First Minister. I recently spoke to owners of haulage businesses in my constituency, who tell me that it costs around £3,000 to get a driver their HGV licence for a job that can actually pay up to £50,000 a year, yet they still cannot recruit and retain drivers. They have a practical proposal: a Welsh Government loan to cover that licence cost, repaid by the driver once they're earning. In effect, an income-contingent loan that would cost the taxpayer next to nothing in the long run. England currently offers free HGV skills boot camps, but Wales does not.

And here's a wider point as well: after net migration hit a record 944,000 in 2023, justified as filling labour shortages, these Carmarthenshire businesses still can't find enough drivers. Now, I'm sure I'm going to hear the word 'Brexit' being fired from a cannon over there any second, but having spoken to these people, they tell me that it's not Brexit, it's the prohibitive cost of the licence that drivers and hauliers state is the real obstacle here. So, would you commit today to examining at least an income-contingent loan scheme for HGV licences and support these businesses to drive Wales's economy forward?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Well, I'll commit to considering most things, because we're always on the lookout for good ideas. I know that the barriers to the HGV sector, with drivers, come from multiple sources. Difficulty in getting test capacity, for example, is one issue that is non-devolved, of course, but we as a Government will always seek to work with UK Government to make sure that we have the capacity for testing. There are elements, I know, in my neck of the woods where the further education sector has got involved in providing pathways, perhaps, to people into the driving sector.

I'm very happy to consider what could be done, and I know I speak on behalf of the enterprise Minister in looking at how we look at the various options on the table, to recognise that this really important sector has that need—quite a crucial need, really, for an HGV sector to have enough drivers—and that that need is fulfilled.

Mair Rowlands (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

9. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to expand the childcare scheme for two-year-olds and to fully introduce the scheme throughout Wales? OQ64411

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Well, as I said earlier, the Government is accelerating the roll-out of 12.5 hours of funded childcare for all two-year-olds across Wales. The additional funding in the supplementary budget should enable local authorities to make progress on this first phase of the expansion. I am pleased that officials are having positive feedback from local authorities on the difference that the funding will make.

Mair Rowlands (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Thank you, First Minister, for that response. As one with direct recent experience of the impact that childcare costs can have on family budgets, I was so pleased to stand on a manifesto that committed to introducing a transformational childcare scheme. I'm also pleased to see the Government proceeding immediately to invest in the childcare sector through the supplementary budget, and to start the work of giving every child the best possible start and allowing parents to return to work. That's the importance of facilitating the passing of the supplementary budget, so we can proceed immediately. So, I would welcome more information on the next steps that the Government will take to expand provision.

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I thank the Member for drawing attention to the genuine pressure that exists, which is caused by childcare costs. Even though my children are getting older now, I remember clearly the heavy costs involved in providing childcare, and we as a Government are determined to help, with regard to the financial costs, the opportunities given to children, and the economic opportunities that follow for parents and so forth.

The Deputy First Minister will provide an update to the Senedd today on the process of rolling out the childcare offer, as well as information on the cost modelling. The additional investment through the supplementary budget is going to allow us to expand thousands of additional funded childcare places, focusing immediately on expanding childcare for two-year-olds. This is always something that happens in phases: the 12.5 hours, the 20 hours, and then onwards to the youngest children. That's how it's planned, to increase the financial envelope and the workforce at the same time. But we're clear that this transformational change requires a childcare sector that is strong and sustainable, a skilled workforce, and a budget that works for providers as well as parents.

Jayne Bryant (Labour, Casnewydd Islwyn)

10. What is the Welsh Government doing to support young people who are not in education, employment or training? OQ64426

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training is a priority for this Government. We're investing in support that helps young people develop skills, build confidence and move into education, training, employment or self-employment. Alongside this, our 'Wales means business' agenda is focused on growing Welsh businesses, attracting investment and creating more high-quality jobs across Wales.

Jayne Bryant (Labour, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Diolch, Brif Weinidog. Earlier this year, Premier Forest Products in Newport became the first private sector company to sign the Welsh Government's corporate parenting charter. Working in partnership with Newport City Council, Premier Forest provides paid work placements for care-experienced young people. Opportunities are offered across all departments, helping participants gain practical experience of the workplace and transition into employment. Terry Edgell, chief executive officer of Premier Forest Products, is clear that commercial success comes with social responsibility, and I've seen and heard first-hand what a difference this makes to young people, the company and also the workforce. So, I'd like to know: what is the Welsh Government doing to encourage and support more employers to give opportunities like this to care-experienced young people across Wales?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Thank you, and congratulations to Terry and the team at Premier Forest Products. It does take good employers to show the way as well, so my gratitude is genuine to the team there in Newport. It takes a whole host of things to come together, doesn't it? It can be Government programmes, both devolved and non-devolved. It can be Jobs Growth Wales. It can be Communities for Work. It can be the Economic Inactivity Trailblazer. It could be work being done within the further education and skills sector itself. Medr is currently developing a more flexible apprenticeship programme for 2027, aligned to employer demand. We've got to make sure that it's aligned to the needs of those young people that we need to bring into the system. Careers Wales is still important in this, and making sure that they're there, at the right place, at the right time, to point young people in the right direction. So, it's an all-Government approach, but finding those trailblazing companies is really important to show others that it is in their interests to make sure that they provide opportunities for young people who otherwise could be missed.

Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

And finally, First Minister, question 11 from James Evans.

James Evans (Reform UK, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

11. How does the Welsh Government calculate the funding it provides to Powys Teaching Health Board to deliver care for the residents of Powys? OQ64367

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

Welsh Government uses a resource allocation formula to distribute the majority of NHS funding according to the relative health needs of the population served by each health board. The formula is commonly referred to as the local health board resource allocation formula.

James Evans (Reform UK, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

Thank you for your answer, First Minister. I've raised on the floor of this Chamber a number of times the decisions that the Powys Teaching Health Board have taken: reducing bed numbers, closing hospitals, reducing access to minor injury units, ward closures, and also delaying care across the border in England to meet their financial challenges. Your legislative statement this afternoon is bringing forward a rural-proofing element to legislation. I'm interested, First Minister, in whether that rural-proofing then applies to rural health boards, to make sure that the funding that they receive actually protects the people who pay the same amount of tax as anybody else in this room, but receive a lower standard of service. So, I'd like to hear from you: what is your Government going to do to protect those rural health boards to make sure they get the funding they need, so my constituents can get the care they need and they pay for in their taxes?

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

The Member is right, and I expect every Member here to want to make sure that the health board serving their constituency is funded according to its need. I should say that the resource allocation formula does take into account the excess costs of rurality. It is one of the factors that is factored into that particular formula. We've got to make sure that it's effective, that it works. Does rural-proofing have a direct impact on that particular formula? I wouldn't say that the legislation that we have in mind would lead to there being a direct impact, but it's a principle. What that legislation shows is that this is a Government that, as a matter of principle, wants to make sure that no rural part of Wales is left behind because of its rurality. That should be as relevant in health as in anything else.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Thank you, First Minister.

2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Item 2, questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution. Question 1, Steven Rodaway.

Steven Rodaway (Reform UK, Gŵyr Abertawe)

1. What measures is the Welsh Government using to assess the effectiveness of Government across departments? OQ64378

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

The Welsh Government uses a range of measures to assess effectiveness across departments, depending on the policy area and the outcomes being delivered. These include management information, official statistics, evaluation evidence, financial and performance reporting, and feedback from service users and those with lived experience.

Steven Rodaway (Reform UK, Gŵyr Abertawe)

Thank you, Minister. I'm glad to hear it's so full. Your published ministerial responsibilities include official statistics, including the census, social research and the national survey for Wales. Effective government depends on understanding how Wales is changing and ensuring that future planning reflects that evidence. What research has your department undertaken into the demographic changes in Wales since the implementation of the nation of sanctuary policy and how are those findings being incorporated into the evidence used to forecast future demand for housing, NHS services, school places, transport infrastructure and other public services across Wales? If those demographic changes are not being factored into Government planning, how can you be confident that your forecasts accurately reflect the future needs of Wales? This is not being divisive or any other adjectives you may wish to throw at our party; the people of Wales deserve to understand how the Government determines the future requirements of our nation, and your portfolio is central to ensuring that those decisions are informed by robust evidence and accurate data. Thank you.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you. I can offer the Member some reassurance here, because my colleagues in the statistics team plan meticulously based on the evidence, based on the demographic figures, and based on the whole range of factors that impact on the population of Wales, on the health of Wales, on the economy of Wales. The Member will be familiar with a number of the statistical publications that appear on a weekly basis, if not more so, from the statistics team that undertake that detailed analysis. You will also be familiar with the fact that those statistics teams look at the future population of Wales and the changing demographics in local areas. So, I can offer that reassurance to the Member.

Shav Taj (Labour, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

If the Government's effectiveness is itself constantly being reviewed and reset, does that suggest that the current measures aren't actually working? How many more reviews will be required before Ministers can demonstrate sustained improvement? In short, how many reviews are there and will there be yet another review of the outcome of that review?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I do fear the Member is a little pessimistic about our plans for Government efficiency and delivery on outcomes. I set out in my oral statement, and I've set out in this Senedd before, how we're going to focus on outcomes. What I'm doing and what we're doing as a team in the Cabinet Office, supporting my colleagues right across Government, is ensuring that every one of our plans, every one of our developments, is focused on changing the lives of the people of Wales for the better. That is what we will do. That is what we will continue to do. Again, as I alluded to in a previous contribution to this Senedd, the first 100 days puts the foundation blocks in place. We will then move rapidly into that delivery phase and ensure that the lives of the people of Wales are duly improved.

Benjamin McKenna (Reform UK, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

2. What progress has the Government made in developing digital dashboards that track the effectiveness of Government departments? OQ64376

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Work is progressing on the Government’s priorities dashboard, which will provide a clear way to track progress against our five priorities. An initial version of this dashboard will be published during the first 100 days of this Government, with key measures to support transparency, delivery and accountability.

Benjamin McKenna (Reform UK, Afan Ogwr Rhondda)

Diolch, Weinidog. I thank the Minister for his commitment to the timely publishing of digital dashboards to better enable this Siambr to scrutinise the Government. What benchmarks or targets will be used to measure effectiveness using these dashboards? If the dashboards reveal that individual departments are not performing as expected, what action will the Minister take in his role as Cabinet Minister for Government effectiveness to ensure that the Government is actually performing effectively?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you to the Member and thank you for his support in the work that we will be doing at the Cabinet Office and across Government. I think the first thing to point out clearly is that these dashboards are going to be focused on the five priorities we've set out as a Government. We have said we will cut waiting lists, we will tackle child poverty, we will help families with childcare, we will raise school standards and we will improve productivity in the Welsh economy. [Interruption.] Colleagues opposite ask, 'When?' The Minister for enterprise and connectivity has already set out the time frame for the productivity goals. But there is an interesting point here that we should reflect on, which is that we've set out a 10-year productivity goal. My colleague the Cabinet Minister—[Interruption.] Wait for it, wait for it. But what we need to do is to have interim measures so that we may track progress along the way, and we're committed to developing those measures.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

I now call on the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. Reform UK spokesperson, Cai Parry-Jones.

Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Minister, last week, your Government came to the Senedd and asked for permission to go to Westminster and argue for a different funding model. In a crushing defeat for you and your colleagues, this Senedd refused to grant that permission. Reform, with the support of Labour and the Conservatives, potentially saved £1.5 billion annually for the Welsh Government's budget—you're welcome. Now that the Senedd has spoken, will you abandon your plans to argue for a change for the funding model for Wales?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

No. What has become very clear in assessing the financial situation facing Wales is that we need fair funding for Wales and funding that reflects the needs of the population. Wales has nothing to fear from a review of that kind.

Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you for your answer, Minister. You are responsible for your party's programme for government, and that programme did take a significant blow last week. Just like the supplementary budget that you are hoping to pass, with votes you don't have, your minority Government has to follow the first rule of politics, which is learning to count. There's little doubt that much of Plaid's manifesto hinged on an optimistic change of the funding model from Westminster. Now that the Senedd has rejected your calls to change the funding model, what changes have you made to your programme for government?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the spokesperson for those comments. I can count, thank you very much; one of my favourite things to do is counting and adding up data. We have clear plans in place for our expenditure. I very much hope that there will be cross-Senedd support for the supplementary budget, which reflects the priorities that the people of Wales voted for in the election. I hope that colleagues across this Senedd will work to ensure that the Welsh Government and the public sector in Wales work at their most effective and that we, over the next four years, can identify more funding that can be invested in the priorities of the people, to support childcare, to support the economy, to support the health service.

Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I'll take that as a 'no'.

Cai Parry-Jones (Reform UK, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Responding to the COVID inquiry's fifth report today, the First Minister rather vaguely said that Plaid remains committed to reviewing the Wales COVID response. In March, Plaid said it would hold a short, sharp and focused review of the Welsh Government's COVID response, a far cry from the full-fat all-Wales inquiry Plaid previously called for for years, including during your 2024 manifesto. Now, following that u-turn, nobody knows what your review actually is—not when it's happening, not for how long, not even what elements of the COVID response it would focus on. Surely, Minister, now is the time to make it clear to bereaved families what actions exactly your Government is going to take.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the spokesperson for that question. I'm sure that many people in this Chamber and across Wales will have been impacted by COVID, as have I. I have a member of the family who has suffered long COVID, and many of you will know her. There are clearly challenges there. This Government has committed to conduct a review of COVID. That's what we said in our manifesto and that's what we intend to do. I'm pleased to say that I have already been in correspondence with the COVID bereaved families on our intentions and hope to arrange a meeting with them soon, because it's important that the voices of those who have suffered are part of that discussion and feed in to the work of Government. I hope, in due course, to update the Senedd on our plans on that review, in accordance with what the spokesperson asked for.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

The Welsh Labour spokesperson, Huw Thomas.

Huw Thomas (Labour, Caerdydd Penarth)

In a written response I received recently, the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning confirmed that Welsh Government, as part of its review of the funding formula, is reviewing the data on primary indicators, including those relating to deprivation and sparsity of population, in order to ensure that they continue to provide a clear reflection of the comparative need and costs.

Huw Thomas (Labour, Caerdydd Penarth)

There are huge concerns in parts of Wales that Plaid will copy what Rishi Sunak did in England and redistribute funding via the funding formula away from poorer urban areas towards relatively wealthier rural ones. As the Minister with responsibility for statistics, can you confirm what issues you identified in the underlying data and indicators that prompted this review, and when will the review be concluded?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the spokesperson for those questions. My colleague the Cabinet member for local government is progressing with the review of the funding formula. As with all official statistics, the Government keeps a close eye on the accuracy and effectiveness of that data to ensure that they are clearly and accurately reflected in the formulas. The spokesperson himself comes from Aberystwyth and he knows full well that there are areas of significant poverty in rural Wales as well as industrial Wales. Setting those communities against each other is a disappointing approach from the spokesperson, I would suggest.

Huw Thomas (Labour, Caerdydd Penarth)

I'm just reflecting, Minister, the real concern that's to be felt in the more industrial areas. We heard from your colleague Zaynub Akbar in a recent debate that there are 60,000 people in the southern arc of Cardiff, and if those 60,000 were one local authority, that would be the poorest local authority in Wales. So, the concern is real, and I didn't hear what figures had pushed you to hold that review.

However, another aspect of the policy agenda that causes concern is the increasing number of quangos and new commissions that are being formed without objectives being set and without clear transparency. As the Minister responsible for oversight, what steps will you be taking to ensure that this Senedd and its committees can scrutinise these new bodies effectively?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I would kindly suggest that ensuring that the Senedd is aware of the plans that are being developed is a matter for the whole Government. I was in the Chamber to listen to my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy when he updated the Chamber on plans to create a new economic development agency for Wales. That's the kind of approach that we are taking as a Government and that's what we will continue to do in order to ensure that the Government can be clear on its plans and that there is an appropriate opportunity for this Senedd to scrutinise those plans.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

The Welsh Conservatives' spokesperson, Andrew R.T. Davies.

Andrew RT Davies (Conservative, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister for delivery, it is vital that Plaid Cymru stick to their commitment prior to the election, and voted on many times in this Chamber, that they would enact a COVID inquiry—not a review, an inquiry. Can you confirm that the Government's thinking, whatever emerges, will be set up under the Inquiries Act 2005, which would compel witnesses to come before that inquiry and give evidence, because anything else will be a whitewash?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the Member for the question. Work is progressing on our COVID review. As I indicated earlier, I will be making a statement to this Senedd in due course about that review, and I will be liaising closely with a number of those groups—the COVID bereaved families, amongst others—who have made very strong representations to this Government and to previous Governments about the importance of that review being thorough, looking at the issues from a Welsh perspective, and ensuring that the lessons that can be learnt are fully learnt for the future.

Andrew RT Davies (Conservative, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

Warm words, Minister, but little substance. The reality is that we found out, with the COVID committee that was set up in the previous Senedd term, that unless witnesses were compelled to give evidence, that committee was thwarted in its endeavours to get to the truth. Today, for example, the COVID inquiry reports that, on the FFP3 respirator masks that we were told Wales was well stocked with prior to the COVID pandemic in its emergency allocation, there wasn't a single mask in Wales available for the health service to use. These are the things we need to get to the core of as to what was not provided, what was mislaid, what was deliberately not ordered to save money, and what was not acted on on the emergency planning trials that were held prior to the COVID pandemic. If you don't set it up with the Inquiries Act 2005 in mind, whatever you bring forward will be pointless. So, I implore you and the Government to stick to your guns, stick to your morals, stick to the votes that you made prior to the Senedd election and have a full-blown inquiry that gets to the truth and, ultimately, prepares Wales for any future pandemic.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I heard the opposition spokesperson's passion for the issue and the importance of the issue. Reading the most recent module report on COVID brings home the sobering impact of COVID right across this country. Those lessons must be learnt, and the review that we are committed to undertaking must have the ability to address those precise issues that you have set out and that is what we will seek to do.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Question 3, Gareth Thomas.

Gareth Thomas (Reform UK, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

Sorry, I'm just—. Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister—. I'm lost at the moment, sorry.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

I can go to question 4 and come back, if you like.

Gareth Thomas (Reform UK, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

No, no, it's all right, I've got it now. Sorry.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

That's okay.

Gareth Thomas (Reform UK, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

I've got two.

Gareth Thomas (Reform UK, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

3. How is the Cabinet Minister working with cabinet colleagues to deliver the Welsh Government's priorities in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg? OQ64379

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Delivering meaningful change for people in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, and across Wales, is at the heart of this Government's approach. That starts with our first 100 days plan, on which I'm working collaboratively with Cabinet colleagues to deliver. The programme for government will build on this foundation, with improved cross-Government working and a clear focus on delivery.

Gareth Thomas (Reform UK, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

Cabinet Minister, the Welsh Government has repeatedly identified health, education, tackling poverty and the cost of living as key priorities, yet many families in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg tell me they're still facing long waits for health care, are worried about educational standards and are struggling to make ends meet as their household costs continue to rise. For many, a family holiday this summer remains out of reach. Given the clear gap between the Government's ambitions and the reality facing many constituents, what evidence can you provide that these policies are delivering meaningful improvements? And how are you working across Government to ensure departments are not operating in silos, but together delivering tangible, measurable benefits for families in communities like mine?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Well, I thank the Member, Dr Thomas, for his question. The analysis of the challenges facing families in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, and across Wales, is one that we share. Standards in education need to improve, waiting-list times need to come down, far broader childcare needs to be provided for families to make lives easier for people who are today struggling. We've been here for, I think, eight weeks. We are working at pace to seek to deliver meaningful change for those people in Bro Morgannwg and in other areas. For me, fundamentally, if we are to succeed as a Government, those very people you refer to have to feel the measurable change to their daily lives, and if we succeed in that, then we can be pleased, in four years' time, that it is a job well done. Our dashboards and our progress mechanisms across Government will allow us to track progress, but they will also allow us to work with Cabinet colleagues right across Government to ensure that, where one part of the system isn't necessarily supporting those aims, we work together to break down those silos and make progress. It is work in progress. It is a significant task of work after 27 years of Labour Government. It is a task that I am committed to doing right across this Government. Diolch.

Sarah Rees (Plaid Cymru, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

Minister, as a sea dipper, I know the health and well-being benefits of being able to swim safely in our waters. Ending pollution in our waterways and seas is a priority for many residents in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, especially after Natural Resources Wales recently reported poor water quality at two of our local beaches. Since becoming a Senedd Member, I've heard directly from local swimming groups, like the Watchtower Waders in Barry, I've met with Ofwat, and I've welcomed NRW and Dŵr Cymru's South Central Bathing Waters project, which aims to identify the sources of pollution ahead of the statutory targets that come next spring. So, I'd like to ask what further action this new Government is taking to ensure that the bodies responsible for our water systems are delivering effectively, so that every part of our rivers, streams and coastal waters reach the highest possible standard of water quality.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the Member for the question. I'm familiar with the Penarth Dawnstalkers who head to the water in Penarth on a daily basis, come rain, shine or however cold it is—braver people than me. On the matter of water, we are taking a whole-system approach to improving water quality in Wales, strengthening regulation, accountability and investment across the sector. Through our water reform programme, targeted action on pollution sources and closer collaboration with regulators, water companies and land managers, we are seeking to drive long-term improvements in rivers and coastal waters.

Gwyn Williams (Plaid Cymru, Gŵyr Abertawe)

4. How is the Cabinet Minister working with the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care to deliver the independent review of the performance of the NHS, in line with the Government's priorities? OQ64388

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I am working with Cabinet Ministers to ensure delivery of the commitments set out in the 100-day plan. Officials are developing options for commissioning an independent review of NHS performance in Wales. The review will consider the causes and impacts of current performance challenges, including population health outcomes, to inform future improvement and reform.

Gwyn Williams (Plaid Cymru, Gŵyr Abertawe)

Diolch yn fawr. As a consultant myself, I'm well aware of the inefficiency of the NHS, and clinicians and consultants have been calling for change—meaningful change—for years now. We need a fundamental change in culture, one that promotes accountability, performance and continuous improvement, while moving away from the previous blame culture and the toxicity that can too often hinder progress and, in fact, has hindered progress. Above all, the focus must be on patients and on ensuring that their voices are heard throughout the system. We need a far more joined-up approach across the health boards in particular, which we spoke about last week, and organisations such as Digital Health and Care Wales. Despite spending millions of pounds on digital transformation, progress on different electronic patient records has been slow, with work most often delayed due to health boards not collaborating or working with each other. We are already lagging behind countries with integrated national systems, remaining reliant on fragmented digital infrastructure, which is cost inefficient and unable to communicate effectively. Can the Cabinet Secretary outline how he will work with the Minister for Health and Care to deliver the hard reset that is needed across our health boards to deliver this meaningful change? Diolch yn fawr.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you for the question, and the Member outlines a number of areas of inefficiency that need to be tackled, and I look forward to tackling them. As part of the new accountability arrangements that were implemented from April last year, we are holding regular meetings with health boards to challenge their delivery and performance in key areas. Our 100-day plan has made a number of commitments to stimulate system improvement in the NHS, including a joint review of escalation and intervention arrangements. It will concentrate not only on process, but on whether oversight and progress drive real improvement in outcomes for patients. For me, that's where I start and end: are we going to succeed in driving better outcomes for patients?

Francesca O'Brien (Reform UK, Gŵyr Abertawe)

I'm sure all Members in this Chamber have a strong interest in the performance of the NHS, and particularly in terms of its staff. Therefore, after last week's debate on eyecare, I picked up the latest issue of Eye News magazine, volume No. 33. And I came across a fascinating article written by Dr Gwyn Williams of Plaid Cymru, where he blasts the high levels of sick leave being taken by staff in his own department. He then goes on to create a humorous quiz, poking fun at the various excuses he feels are being made by NHS staff to take sick leave. These include,

'thrashing the Equality Act 2010 to within an inch of its life to get the very most out of the NHS.'

Dr Williams finishes the quiz by saying that, for nurses and other staff who take too much stress-related sick leave,

'A gulag is too good for you. You are the reason the NHS is in the state it's in'.

So, I ask the Minister: does he agree with the comments made by Dr Gwyn Williams, Member of the Senedd, and does the questioner align with Plaid's measuring of NHS staff performance?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you for that question and those choice quotes. I haven't had the pleasure of reading Eye News yet, but I'm sure the library will provide me with a copy in due course so that I may read the whole article in context. I think there's an interesting issue here around public sector absence and how you work with people to tackle that absence. This may not win favour with the opposition benches there, but I had a very interesting conversation with colleagues from the trade unions about a health board that had proactively put an absence management team in to support people to return to work more effectively and quicker and, in light of that, saw a significant fall in absence rates. So, it can be done, working with staff. Our NHS professionals are ones that want to serve the NHS, and I believe that collaborative and co-operative work is rather better than potentially sending people to the gulag.

Art Wright (Reform UK, Casnewydd Islwyn)

5. What assessment has the Cabinet Minister made of the benefits for Wales of being part of the United Kingdom? OQ64386

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you for the question. The assessment I have undertaken concludes that the United Kingdom is a deeply unequal and unfair state with too much power and wealth concentrated in London and the south-east of England to the detriment of Wales and other parts of the UK, as indeed has been noted by Members of this Senedd across this Senedd in debates in recent weeks.

Art Wright (Reform UK, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Minister, the most recent available data published by the Office for National Statistics demonstrates that the net fiscal deficit for Wales in 2024-25 was between £22 billion and £23 billion, the second largest fiscal deficit per person of any country or region in the United Kingdom. Only Northern Ireland had a larger per capita fiscal deficit. Expenditure per capita in Wales in 2024-25 was higher than the UK average, while revenue per capita was below the UK average. Has the Welsh Government made any assessment as to the net public sector fiscal balance in Wales for the 2025-26 fiscal year, and does the Minister accept that Wales is a net fiscal beneficiary of the United Kingdom's fiscal transfers?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you for the question. As somebody who is a fan of net fiscal statistics, it is plainly evident that Wales is a net fiscal beneficiary of the United Kingdom. But I put this to the Member: isn't that a remarkable indictment of the United Kingdom's stewardship of this country that we call home, that we remain one of the poorest parts of the United Kingdom, we remain an area where child poverty is at its highest, where our economic development is behind, where our wage growth is behind? The Member has usefully highlighted the truth of the United Kingdom, and if he'd like some figures, let me tell him, too, about some smaller independent successful countries. Since 2014, New Zealand has seen a 30 per cent growth in gross domestic product, Latvia has seen a 20 per cent growth in GDP, Slovenia 33 per cent, Slovakia—Slovakia, from the former eastern bloc—27 per cent, where the UK has seen growth of 15 per cent. Small, independent, successful countries.

Nick Carter (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

For nearly 50 years, successive UK Governments, Conservatives and Labour, have followed Margaret Thatcher's broken neoliberal ideology—[Interruption.]—which puts profit before people. Our national utilities have been sold off at a fraction of their value—[Interruption.]—and tens of billions of pounds of dividends have been extracted.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Can you give the Member a chance to read his question, because I can't hear it from here? Please start again, Nick.

Nick Carter (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

For nearly 50 years, successive UK Governments, Conservative and Labour, have followed Margaret Thatcher's broken neoliberal ideology that puts profit before people. Our national utilities have been sold off at a fraction of their value, and tens of billions of pounds of dividends have been extracted. The French Government now owns our nuclear power industry. A Czech billionaire owns the Royal Mail. Here in Cymru, our heavy industry and the communities it supported have been abandoned, while Westminster is spending £100 billion on HS2 for half a railway that costs more than NASA's mission to the moon.

Then there are the scandals: PFI, PPE, the sale of MOD homes, not to mention an illegal war in Iraq, 20 wasted years in Afghanistan, and now complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza. So, on the contrary, Cabinet Minister, what assessment is being made into the benefit to Wales of not being part of the United Kingdom? Diolch.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the Member for the question. I think I'd probably add to his list that we should also note that the UK has been responsible for a decade of austerity, which has led to the unravelling of the fabric of our society: community centres, leisure centres, banks, libraries and all those facilities that are the beating heart of Welsh communities. Now, let me be clear: whether Wales should or should not be part of the UK is a question for the people of Wales, and for the people of Wales alone.

Mike Hedges (Labour, Gŵyr Abertawe)

[Inaudible.]—now?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

No, thank you, Mike. We answered that question several times in our previous session, I believe. But for my part, I want to see our nation empowered so that more decisions are taken in Wales for the benefit of Wales. This would mean greater control over fiscal levers, over natural resources, over the Crown Estate, justice, policing, welfare and rail. Put simply, Wales shouldn't be denied the powers granted to Scotland, so that the primary driver of policy making is the best interests of our community, not the vested interests so entrenched in the broken Westminster system.

Lyn Ackerman (Plaid Cymru, Casnewydd Islwyn)

6. What discussions is the Cabinet Minister having with the UK Government regarding the devolution of powers over water to Wales? OQ64382

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

We are working closely with the UK Government on their forthcoming clean water Bill to ensure that the final proposals avoid any regulatory gaps, establish the powers needed for a new Welsh regulator and support effective cross-border working arrangements where these are required.

Lyn Ackerman (Plaid Cymru, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Before I ask my supplementary, I declare my registered interest as a former employee of Abercarn rugby club. Abercarn welfare ground shows the real impact that flooding and sewerage contamination has on a community. The ground supports rugby, football and cricket. Sewage has surfaced on the field and pitches have sat unusable for weeks at a time, disrupting local sports and raising clear public health and environmental concerns. The wider issue is ageing sewerage infrastructure, polluted waterways, flood risk and contaminated land, with community facilities left to carry the consequences when systems fail.

What discussions is the Cabinet Secretary having with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, National Resources Wales, Caerphilly County Borough Council and the UK Government to bring forward plans with clear deadlines for Abercarn welfare ground, covering testing, clean-up, public health advice and long-term sewerage and drainage works, and what is the Welsh Government doing to secure the powers, regulation and resources needed to stop sewage contamination and flooding from damaging community facilities in the future?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the Member, who has made a very clear question and statement about the dangers of sewage and the very real impact on communities and community facilities, and for that very reason, we are seeking to take control of water in Wales. Our approach is to work collaboratively with the UK Government, focusing on practical delivery and maintaining system stability. The Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability is meeting Minister Hardy from the UK Government this Thursday to progress those discussions.

Adrian Mason (Reform UK, Clwyd)

Cabinet Minister, across Wales, people are struggling with the cost of water bills. They're not interested in devolution or additional devolution. They're more interested in the increase of their bills by 27 per cent. Cabinet Minister, as you're well aware, water networks in Wales cross the Wales and English border. In light of this, what clear problems would devolution solve, and how would this improve services or cut bills for the Welsh household?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

We are committed to working with a new Welsh water regulator to improve sewage discharges in Wales, to bring down bills in Wales. The performance of water companies right across the UK has not been good enough in recent years, and I think that has led to the UK position where we're moving towards a UK clean Water bill. I've been pleased with the engagement we've had with colleagues in the UK Government—productive, collaborative engagement—to ensure that we have the powers in Wales to deliver a better deal for people in Wales on water, as on many other matters.

Leticia Gonzalez (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Penarth)

7. How is the Cabinet Minister working across Welsh Government departments to implement the seven well-being goals set out in the well-being of future generations framework? OQ64385

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

All Ministers have a duty to promote sustainable development throughout our work. We are committed to working collaboratively to deliver our requirements under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and it's central to the way policy options are developed across the Welsh Government and in the advice provided to Ministers.

Leticia Gonzalez (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Penarth)

Thank you. Active travel as a preventative health measure is to be encouraged within communities. This also plays across a number of well-being goals, such as a healthier Wales, a Wales of cohesive communities and a globally responsible Wales. Will such activity be included in the proposals to improve measurable outcomes of our well-being goals to help assess the impacts of such measures?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you to the Member for the question. Colleagues will know that I have in the past taken some interest in matters of active travel, but I know my colleague the Deputy Minister for Transport is developing plans across the whole range of transport interventions. But the approach of the well-being Act is to embed issues like active travel right across Government, in the ways of working and in delivering on the seven well-being goals. It is important for me in active travel, as in all of the issues we face, to ask the question, 'What outcomes are changing?'—not how much money is being spent on something, but are more people, in that case, walking and cycling?

Lindsay Whittle (Plaid Cymru, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni)

8. What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with the Cabinet Minister for Finance regarding delivering the Government's priority of reforming the funding formula for Wales? OQ64384

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I'm working closely with the Cabinet Minister for Finance to ensure reform of Wales’s funding arrangements, and that is at the forefront of our engagement with the UK Government. I raised fair funding at a meeting of UK Ministers at the Interministerial Standing Committee on 24 June in Belfast.

Lindsay Whittle (Plaid Cymru, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni)

Thank you, Minister. This underscores a truth known that decisions about Wales must be made in Wales. Devolution is about the reality on our doorsteps, our schools, our hospitals, our right to shape our own future and the right to control our own resources. Now, having served in local government for just close on 50 years as a councillor, I have seen the damage first-hand. Our councils are stretched to the limit and public services are under unprecedented strain. It is time now to demand a system that works for Wales, not one that holds us back.

Minister, what other steps can you take, as a Welsh Government, to push, as a matter of extreme urgency, in my opinion, for the replacement of the current funding formula, which is limiting the full potential of devolution? Together, this Senedd, with all of the councils across Wales, could be a united force to ensure better funding for our country.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Thank you for the question. I very much hope that this Senedd and councils across Wales will speak with one voice, securing fair funding for Wales. We will continue to press the UK Government for improvements to the current funding arrangements, through discussions on the wider fiscal framework and inter-governmental finance mechanisms. I should say to the Senedd that in our initial discussions with colleagues from the UK Government, they have been co-operative and collaborative, and that forms a sound basis, I think, for future engagement.

Tom Montgomery (Reform UK, Clwyd)

As I've already spoken on in this Chamber, councils are in real financial distress. We are seeing massive increases in council tax, growing debt bubbles and serious service cuts. This is why the Government's plan to review the funding formula is so important. However, as with everything, Minister, detail is key. Strong words and bold promises aren't enough. So, with local government on tenterhooks waiting for this review, can you tell us how you intend to review the formula? What components are you looking to change and, most importantly, how will the Welsh Government define success when it's reviewing the formula? What does a successful review look like to the Welsh Government? Minister, this place and, most importantly, local government need answers.

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the Member for the question. I think there are two fiscal—. I mean, we are ambitious—we're aiming for two funding reforms at the moment. There's the funding reform that the Welsh Government seeks from the UK Government, for which I take responsibility, working with my colleague the Cabinet Minister for Finance, and we are pressing the UK Government for progress there. My colleague the local government Minister is working on the funding system to ensure fairness right across our councils for local authorities in Wales. But I do very much hear the point about the pressure on local authority budgets in Wales, which I am sure my colleague will be taking into account as that work develops.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

And the final question, Minister, question 9, Sarah Rees.

Sarah Rees (Plaid Cymru, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

9. How will the Cabinet Minister work with public services boards to ensure that existing legislation is implemented more efficiently across public services? OQ64381

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

Public services boards are central to bringing public service partners together to collaborate on assessing and addressing the well-being needs of their areas. I will work closely with all public services board chairs to provide national support and ensure their implementation is efficient in enacting existing legislation.

Sarah Rees (Plaid Cymru, Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg)

Minister, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 gives unpaid carers the same legal rights as the people they care for. It promises a carer's needs assessment and clear information and advice to help them in their caring role. But the reality is very different. Very few unpaid carers actually receive those assessments, and even fewer get the statutory support that they are entitled to after them. A new round of population needs assessments is under development for May 2027, but if unpaid carers don’t receive the support that they’re entitled to, more are at risk of being pushed into poverty, their health deteriorating and having to give up or cut back on paid work. What will this new Government do to ensure that public services boards, regional partnership boards and others use these plans to close the implementation gap in the social services and well-being Act and finally deliver on the promises that were made to unpaid carers over a decade ago?

Dafydd Davies (Plaid Cymru, Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf)

I thank the Member for the question. My understanding, and colleagues will be aware, is that the public sector, the PSBs and the regional partnership boards are separate bodies that have separate responsibilities, and, as such, the RPBs, established under the social services and well-being Act, are the responsibility of the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care. However, recently I’ve been looking at how we might tie together more effectively the work of the public services boards and the regional partnership boards, because what’s been happening here is that assessments of the local community needs have been happening by one board at a given timescale and not necessarily on the same, consistent data, and then by another set of people, for the same area or for a very similar area, at the same time. So, I'm working with colleagues in Government to make progress as to how we might better use evidence—use the same evidence, use robust, independent data—to build more effective performance from both the regional partnership boards and the PSBs. I hope that that kind of work will then lead to improvements in both social services and in public services more generally.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Thank you, Minister.

3. Business Statement and Announcement

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

Item 3 is the business statement and announcement. I call on the Trefnydd, Heledd Fychan.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. There are no changes to this week's business. Draft Plenary business for the first three sitting weeks of the autumn term is shown on the business statement, which is available to Members electronically.

Llŷr Powell (Reform UK, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni)

Members will have seen yesterday that the Scarlets signed a new deal with the Welsh Rugby Union, but, rather than seen as a success, it was described on the BBC as 'peace is temporary'. Welsh rugby is in an uncertain time, especially its professional side. Now, I found myself on a side where I was agreeing with the Deputy First Minister when she said to the Chamber, on 3 February 2026:

'It’s disappointing that the Welsh Government has failed to recognise its role in the matter'.

She also then went on to say,

'it’s not good enough for them'—

the Welsh Government—

'to wash their hands of the matter.'

Now, I wrote a written question to you, Trefnydd, with your other ministerial hat on as the Minister for sport, in which I asked you if you'd spoken to the WRU and will you step in and protect the regions. You wrote back to me saying that decisions on the future of the game in Wales are a matter for the WRU. So, I was interested, Deputy Llywydd, if the Minister would come to the Chamber when we come back and state what the Welsh Government's position now is. Because Plaid Cymru seemed to say one thing when they weren't in power and are saying something totally different now. Can the people of Wales have assurances that the national game will be protected and that their voices will be heard when the Government steps in?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Well, I'm pleased that the Member appreciates that I'm answering as Trefnydd today. And you'll be pleased to hear that there are questions to me very early in September, and, hopefully, you'll be successful in the ballot so that you can ask me a question. So, I very much hope that that opportunity arises.

But I do hope that it's been unambiguous already that this Government sees the importance of sport, that we recognise all of the governing bodies. Clearly, we respect the arm's length principle, but when we need to scrutinise, we have scrutinised. As an opposition party, we did that; I was very robust as part of the culture and sport committee, where we did question and scrutinise the WRU, and that sort of relationship. We know how much rugby means to the people of Wales. It's important, as I have said on a number of occasions, that the WRU has a relationship and trust with its communities.

Marc Jones (Plaid Cymru, Fflint Wrecsam)

Trefnydd, Penley school has closed its swimming pool because of running costs. This means that some of the nine cluster schools cannot get access to swimming lessons and some can't afford a bus to go to the closest swimming pool.

I know that the Government understands how essential it is to teach children to swim, as is clear in the commitment to introduce a national swimming and water safety programme and 20 swimming and water safety lessons for all pupils in years 4 and 5. The fact that this swimming pool is closed to pupils is a cause of great concern for the community. Could we have a statement from the relevant Minister on ensuring that there are no children left without access to swimming lessons due to financial costs?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you very much to the Member for raising that important issue. As with the previous question, clearly, I am answering as Trefnydd today, but it is relevant in terms of the debate later today on the supplementary budget, because, clearly, there is £2 million allocated in that supplementary budget to start to address the challenges facing schools, and a percentage of that funding will be for travel costs.

In addition to that, there is a Government commitment to carry out an analysis of all of the sports assets, including swimming pools, that we have across Wales to truly understand (1) what's been lost and (2) what is at risk of being lost, because many of our swimming pools are very old, in order to put a long-term plan into place. Everyone should have access to swimming lessons. Everyone in Wales should have access to swimming pools. But, unfortunately, there have been cuts, and that's why this work must proceed. I would encourage any Member here today who is passionate, as am I and as is my party, about ensuring that every child in primary school in Wales has a right to access swimming lessons free of charge, in order to learn such an important skill, to support the supplementary budget today.

Jayne Bryant (Labour, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Once again, yesterday, trains on the Ebbw Vale line stopping in Newport were cancelled. Transport for Wales said this was due to more trains than usual needing repairs, and this is not the first time that this has happened. I know how disruptive these cancellations are for local people, and this is in addition to frequently overcrowded trains due to the limited number of carriages. People rely on these trains to get to work and college, and delays and cancellations have a big impact. It does seem that every time there is a problem on another part of the network it is this line that is most often hit. This is not fair and has a disproportionate impact on people relying on the Ebbw Vale line. I'd like to hear from the transport Minister how he will ensure a full and regular service on the Ebbw Vale line.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you for raising that important issue. I would encourage you to write specifically to the Deputy Minister for Transport regarding local issues, but, certainly, this is what we've inherited. There are problems that we need to tackle. We also know that the extreme weather has had an effect on transport, particularly trains, during this heatwave. We know that there are a number of things and challenges that we are tackling and addressing, and the Deputy Minister has already outlined some of our priorities, but there will be more, of course, as well.

Natasha Asghar (Conservative, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Business Minister, can I please request a Government statement about the Supreme Court's clear ruling that sex means biological sex only? I'm sure you'll appreciate that sporting opportunities for women and girls are vitally important for their health, social inclusion and development. Yet the Football Association of Wales, a body that receives significant and ongoing Welsh Government investment, continues to operate an eligibility policy that allows some men to play in the women's game whilst girls have no category to call their own. Following the Supreme Court's judgment on 16 April 2025, the Scottish Football Association acted within 14 days to uphold the Equality Act 2010 protections for the female game. The English Football Association followed just one day later with a legally compliant policy in place. It is now over 445 days since the judgment, yet women in Wales are still waiting for any announcement on their own sporting category.

Silence from the Football Association of Wales prompted the Women's Rights Network Wales to meet with the CEO, Noel Mooney, last year. They were assured that FAW intended to review their policy, but also that the organisation felt it necessary to wait for guidance from the Welsh Government. Will the Welsh Government now take responsibility and explicitly direct Sport Wales to inform the FAW that maintaining a fair, sex-segregated category is not optional but a fundamental requirement for any organisation receiving public funding, to ensure that women and girls can enjoy fair opportunity and fair participation in their own sport? A statement from the Welsh Government addressing the above points would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

The Member will be aware that she's received a number of responses from the Government on this issue that the Government has ensured that we will comply with the law in full and that work is ongoing. That assurance has been provided. I reiterate that today, and I very much hope that the Member will realise that that commitment has been made time and time again by this Government.

James Evans (Reform UK, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

I'd like a statement from you, Trefnydd, in your capacity as the Minister for culture, on how the books council funds news outlets in Wales. One such news outlet approached me this week asking for the location of a family home. They have also asked other members of the group that I sit in for the names of their family members and also their homes as well and details of their addresses and family members. They say they don't want to publish it, but why ask for it in the first place?

I was also told that they have sources who have been to my home and can tell them exactly where I live. They also said they wouldn't publish that, but I can inform you, Trefnydd, and the Senedd, that I've passed it on to Senedd security with the hope of them passing it on to South Wales Police. With attacks on politicians on the rise, and the sad murder of Ann Widdecombe this week, asking for this level of detail is totally unacceptable. So, will you please bring forward a statement on the funding that the books council provides to these news outlets to ensure that they are not putting any politicians at any undue risk or harm?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you. Clearly, there is a duty on all of us to consider the safety of our fellow Members and to consider the safety of everybody in our society. Clearly, the media has an important role to consider that. There is a duty on each one of us also.

Clearly, Welsh Government is supporting journalism, but at arm's length; there are processes and a code in terms of behaviour or ethos, to ensure, with Ipsos and so forth—. I think the Member, with any complaints, is right, if you're worried about your safety, to go to the police as well. If you'd like to write to me with more detail, because, in my role as Trefnydd and Chief Whip, I do take seriously the safety of Members and try also to have consensus between parties on how—[Interruption.] I'm sorry; I am answering the Member here. And I have said if he wants to write to me also with more detail, because I don't have all the details, so I'm sure the Member will appreciate that—. If you'd like to write to me with more detail, I will make sure that we look into that. But I also make this plea that we as parties here look at how we can work together to ensure the safety of each other, to ensure the safety of everybody that we represent, and take that responsibility seriously as well.

Beca Brown (Plaid Cymru, Gwynedd Maldwyn)

Trefnydd, could I possibly request a statement from the Cabinet Member for Rural Resilience and Sustainability on the fact that greyhounds were allowed to race at Valley track last week at temperatures reaching 30 degrees, when the advice of vets is not to even walk your dogs at temperatures of 21 degrees or above? What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the welfare implications for greyhounds racing in these extreme temperatures?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Well, thank you for raising that. Obviously, many Members here will have been sharing those warnings about not walking dogs or taking care of animals and livestock during the extreme weather, and greyhounds are no exception.

The welfare of greyhounds must be a primary consideration whenever racing takes place, including during periods of hot weather. We know the high temperatures can present additional welfare risks for racing dogs, which is why it is important that track operators carefully assess local conditions and implement appropriate measures to protect animal welfare. Those responsible for racing greyhounds also have a duty to monitor dogs closely, ensuring access to shade and water, and, as a Government, we would expect any decisions relating to racing in hot weather to be informed by veterinary—oh, sorry—veterinary advice—veterinary, sorry, advice; you can tell I usually say that word in Welsh—and welfare considerations for the specific circumstances at the track.

Jason O'Connell (Reform UK, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Can I have a statement from the housing Minister on the latest housing policy for women fleeing abusive relationships? A few weeks ago I met with Grace Andellten, a brave and courageous domestic abuse survivor. From her harrowing experience, she found the strength to write a book to help other women in the same situation. Now her book is a powerful testimony of her story. She survived sexual assault, physical assault, coercive control, as well as being pursued, after leaving the relationship, by her ex-partner. She's personally reached out to all Members of the Senedd to seek support, but, instead of taking up her recommendations for Georgia's Law, around rapid rehousing for working women fleeing high-risk abuse, many Members of this Senedd and the previous Senedd have chosen to ignore her cries for help. Trefnydd, domestic violence is not party political. We all have a duty to act in this Chamber, so I've written a letter to the Cabinet Minister for housing relaying her concerns, and, in the meantime, it would be much appreciated if everybody here went online and enacted the support for women fleeing violent relationships they so desperately deserve. Diolch.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you to the Member for raising such an important issue. Obviously, the Deputy First Minister is here as well, and, in terms of our commitment as a Government to eradicating any violence, that is paramount. I will ensure that I flag to the Cabinet Minister for housing that you have written to her and ask that you have a full response.

Lynne Neagle (Labour, Sir Fynwy Torfaen)

Trefnydd, yesterday the Association of School and College Leaders and the National Association of Head Teachers notified the Welsh Government that they are declaring a trade dispute with the Welsh Government, citing additional learning needs funding as one of the reasons for that dispute. They are asking for ACAS to now be involved to resolve this matter with the Government. This comes at the same time as the National Education Union are also undertaking an indicative ballot, based on concerns they have about Welsh Government's approach to funding. This is an unprecedented situation for this Welsh Government to be in, just 64 days into your first 100 days. I'd like to ask for a statement from the Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language on what steps will be taken to resolve these disputes with our trade union partners, so that we can ensure that the needs of children and young people are met.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

The Member will be aware that there is an offer on the table, and a subsequent offer made since the unions made contact, that is more than what was on the table had Labour been re-elected to lead this Welsh Government. So, very clearly, there is now a pathway this afternoon for yourselves, ourselves, to join forces and unlock the substantial additional funding for ALN this year and in future years. That is within our power today: £40 million for ALN today; £40 million the following year; £40 million—[Interruption.] More than the £9 million you had on the table. So, we can play politics or we can think of those children with additional learning needs. We can work together for those children with additional learning needs and put in place a plan that is workable, deliverable and meaningful. That is your choice today, and I really hope that you make the right choice.

Mair Rowlands (Plaid Cymru, Bangor Conwy Môn)

I'd like to ask for a statement from the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability on the major fire in the Sychnant pass area on Conwy mountain over the weekend. I'm pleased now that the severity of the incident has been reduced by the fire service, and those who had to leave their homes have been able to return. I would like to place on record my thanks to all of the emergency services and the neighbouring communities that responded so swiftly to this crisis and supported those in need.

There are some short-term concerns that remain, such as the impact that this will have on air quality locally, but, more fundamentally, the incident on Conwy mountain over the weekend, as well as the incident in Braichmelyn forest in Bethesda, raises serious long-term questions. I would appreciate a statement from the Minister, therefore, outlining any support that may be available to the communities affected by the incidents over the weekend, and the steps that will be taken to prevent similar incidents happening in the future. Thank you.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

I thank the Member for raising this very important issue. I'm sure that we've all been shocked to see the pictures on the television. For those residents, it's difficult to imagine the severe damage. I share the comments made by the Member, in terms of paying tribute not only to the firefighters, but everyone who was part of the response in north Wales, who worked together to keep people and communities safe.

Significant progress has been made in terms of bringing the number of wildfires under control. As the Member mentioned, the general situation has improved, but we do know that this, unfortunately, is one of the effects of climate change now. It's an issue that we as a Government are giving attention to, deservedly, and we're looking across Government, as you heard from the First Minister earlier today. With the temperatures we're experiencing in Wales now, we need to be completely united, I think, as a Senedd, in terms of how we're going to respond to the increasing likelihood of wildfires. The impact that this has, as you said, in terms of health is significant, and in terms of wildlife and nature is significant. We, therefore, have to ensure that that plan is in place. And if there is specific support that residents have engaged with the Member about that you want to engage with us as a Government about, I'd encourage you to engage with the relevant Government Ministers.

Art Wright (Reform UK, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Trefnydd, the Bassaleg residents of Forge Mews have been abandoned from the life we all know for close to five years. The old Bassaleg bridge was deemed to be unfit to be unfit for use, leaving the residents with no direct access to their properties other than on foot. Newport City Council have attempted to resolve the matter, but due to funding needs denied by the former Welsh Labour Government in the last Senedd, they are still locked out of normal life, with a resolution still to be found. Imagine, Minister, five years of having to walk home instead of arriving on your own doorstep, five years of having to factor in extra travel time for work or school runs, five years of having to rely on emergency access for fire, ambulance and police support delaying response times, and five years of seeing your house price fall in value, locking you into negative equity. Those residents don't have to imagine; it's their lived reality. To add insult to injury, the council has not even offered them a reduction in their council tax across the last five years, despite a clear lack of services for them. Will the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning agree to meet with me and the resident body to find a lasting solution to their plight?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

I thank the Member for advocating on behalf of the residents so robustly there. We are aware as a Government of this issue and we also recognise the impact on residents. I know that the Deputy Minister for Transport is also aware of this issue. I would encourage you to write to him, as well as the Cabinet Minister for local government. Clearly, the Deputy Minister has been here to hear your comments, but I will also ensure that the Cabinet Minister for local government is also made aware.

Lis McLean (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement from the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning. Community right to buy is an important step towards ensuring that local communities across Wales have the agency and the ability to invest in their own futures and to design them. Assets that are owned by communities and that are managed by them can inspire enterprise, create opportunities and help to transform lives. But significant barriers continue in terms of ensuring that local voices are heard and that community interests are safeguarded through legislation. It's possible that we will hear something from the First Minister soon when he will outline the Government's legislative programme. But, given the importance of community right to buy to communities across Wales, could the Trefnydd arrange a statement by the Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, to note the Welsh Government's detailed plans for a community right to buy Bill, and when we can expect it to be introduced before the Senedd?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Thank you very much for raising an issue of real importance, something I know that many in this Senedd are concerned about and are passionate about. Certainly, there was a clear commitment in the Plaid Cymru manifesto—and that strong commitment remains within Plaid Cymru—to ensure that the community right to buy does become law. I'm not going to be attempting to make any statements before we hear from the First Minister later this afternoon, but, certainly, I hope that that unambiguous commitment on the importance of that has been made clear by me this afternoon.

Steven Rodaway (Reform UK, Gŵyr Abertawe)

Trefnydd, can I request an answer on the Welsh Government's programme for identifying and eliminating waste spending across departments? As this Plaid Cymru Government continues to look down the back of every departmental sofa in search of the money needed to prove its so-called fully funded manifesto commitments are in fact fully funded, what reviews have been initiated or completed to identify duplication, unnecessary bureaucracy, inefficient spending and programmes that are no longer delivering value for taxpayers, including any legacy issues inherited from the previous Government? Given that the Government has now been in office for over 60 days, there has been ample opportunity to begin this work. What waste has already been identified and corrected? What further efficiencies are planned? When will the Government publish a report so that Members and the people of Wales can scrutinise the findings and see how taxpayers' money has been saved and spent more effectively?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

I thank the Member for that. Evidently, the First Minister was asked about this issue earlier today. We've also had the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution. What I can state very clearly to every Member here is that we, as Ministers, started that scrutiny work on day one, questioning every budget line as soon as we had access to the whole range of information. That analysis continues. We have further work to do over the summer, but the difference that you have in this Government is that commitment to work across portfolios to ensure that every single pound gives the people of Wales the greatest possible benefit. It's not about safeguarding our own budgets so that one thing can be delivered, but looking at, 'How can this pound be used in order to do a variety of things?' That's the work that's proceeding.

We are also looking strategically and on a long-term basis. We're not just looking at those things that generate easy headlines, but how we're going to improve things fundamentally. And that's why, with additional learning needs, we have a three-year commitment that this Senedd could vote for today. That's why we're going at it, with the NHS, not just to throw money at it but to come up with long-term, transformative plans that are going to make a genuine difference. The problem in the past, as we've seen, was that a little money was given but there was no getting to the root of the problem. That's the difference with this Government, and we're being totally transparent with everyone about that.

Peredur Owen Griffiths (Plaid Cymru, Casnewydd Islwyn)

Trefnydd, I want to raise a concerning matter that was brought to my attention by residents in Redwick, in my constituency. They have endured low water pressure for years, but during the drier summer months, the situation is exacerbated considerably, for example, not being able to use washing machines or have showers. Then there's the impact on dairy and beef farmers in the area. In low-pressure conditions, water butts for cattle cannot be filled to keep pace with how much the cows are drinking in this heatwave. This is therefore becoming an animal welfare issue, with one farmer telling me that their back-up supplies of water are depleted and they are, I quote, surviving from day to day.

The response to the issue from Welsh Water has fallen far short of residents' expectations, and they are becoming increasingly frustrated that the seriousness of the situation is not being grasped, and there is no talk of a long-term solution. Can I therefore ask for a statement on water provision and the Government's response to the extended drought period we are facing, as it increases pressure on water supplies?

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

Well, thank you to the Member for raising that extremely important issue, and given that the hot weather is expected to be extended as well, I would ask the Member to urgently write to Dŵr Cymru, with the fact that you've raised it on the floor of the Chamber today. As we know, extreme weather can pose a major threat to animal welfare. Similar to my response to the previous Member around greyhound racing, we know that farmers must remain alert to weather conditions and forecast and take appropriate action to mitigate the risk. But if that is impossible because of issues with the water supply, then obviously that needs to be raised with Dŵr Cymru, and I would encourage the Member to do that as quickly as possible.

Jane Dodds (Liberal Democrat, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

Good afternoon, Trefnydd. I want to continue with the issue of swimming pools, if I may—a swimming pool in Pontardawe.

Jane Dodds (Liberal Democrat, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd)

For almost two years, my constituents in Pontardawe have been without their local swimming pool. Families, schools, swimming clubs and older people are now having to travel to either Neath or Ystradgynlais. And, as we've heard, it's really important for children as well to learn to swim. That's really, really important. Neath Port Talbot Council has done its part in completing a feasibility survey and identifying a preferred option for replacement, but there's still an £11 million shortfall. So, I was just wondering what could the Welsh Government do in order to help Neath Port Talbot Council to get that money in order to ensure that there is a swimming pool in Pontardawe. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Heledd Fychan (Plaid Cymru, Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr)

I thank the Member for raising that issue. As you heard, I think, in my response to a Member earlier, that's exactly why we are now seeking to understand what has been lost and what investment is required, so that we can either reopen swimming pools or ensure that swimming pools that are at risk of closure can be kept open. We have to have a national plan. Unfortunately, there has been significant underinvestment in swimming pools. This is a huge problem here in Wales. It's something that we are looking at as part of our new swimming programme. Because it's one thing to give swimming lessons, but if you don't have the swimming pools available, then provision will be difficult. So, the commitment that we have is to look across Wales, including Pontardawe, to see what the need is. Then Sport Wales will assess the investment required. But the one thing I would say to Members is that the amount of capital money being put into swimming pools at the moment is not going to be able to meet the requirements across Wales. So, we do have to look at diverse models and how we can ensure that swimming pools can remain open in our communities for the benefit of people of all ages, as the Member said at the beginning of her question.

Kerry Ferguson (Plaid Cymru, Ceredigion Penfro)

And finally, Gareth Beer.

Gareth Beer (Reform UK, Sir Gaerfyrddin)

Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Trefnydd, I would like to call for a Welsh Government statement on what support can be provided to constituents and local communities who wish to challenge the actions of well-funded infrastructure developers. As you will know, High Court proceedings are simply beyond the means of most families. Many of the constituents that I represent in Carmarthenshire have been subjected to survey notices that the High Court found were not issued in accordance with the statutory scheme. Concerned landowners and occupiers have faced significant stress and expenses because of the actions that they have been subjected to. They would welcome reassurances from this Welsh Government on what support can be provided to them. Therefore, I call for a Welsh Government statement on this matter. Diolch.