Siambr · Andrew RT Davies
Written questions
214 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 4 of 5.
WQ98760 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions will the Cabinet Minister have with health boards to ensure that patients with complex neurosurgical history, ventriculoperitoneal shunt and other related complications receive their treatment within clinically appropriate timeframes?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ98759 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Welsh Government consider three years old to be an appropriate age to teach children about sex and reproduction?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
No. Our youngest learners are taught about friendships, families and kindness, they are not taught about sex and reproduction. The law is clear, the teaching of Relationships and Sexuality Education must be developmentally appropriate for children and young people.
WQ98758 · Tabled · Answered
How many genders will the Welsh Government ensure that schoolchildren are taught about?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Code recognises biological sex. Learning is legally required to be developmentally appropriate. It must also be pluralistic, meaning that schools must provide learning on RSE which includes a range of views on any subject and which does not seek to promote one view over another.
Subject to the requirements above, the accompanying guidance notes that in society, gender is “often used to refer to whether someone identifies as female, male or non-binary”. The guidance does not refer to any other gender.
WQ98757 · Tabled · Answered
Why does the Welsh Government fund third sector organisations to provide legal advice to asylum seekers?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Asylum and immigration law, including the regulation of and access to immigration legal advice, are reserved to the UK Government.
Due to the shortage of immigration legal advisors and legal aid providers in Wales, the Welsh Government provides funding to develop and improve the resilience of the legal sector in Wales.
WQ98756 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to stopping Welsh NHS funds being used to fund health services in Africa?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
There are no current programmes where the Welsh NHS is funding health services in Africa.
WQ98755 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government take action to ensure that the Arts Council for Wales does not distribute public funds to organisations for projects involving decolonisation?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Arts Council of Wales operates under the arm’s length principle but within the strategic framework provided by the Welsh Government, which is set out through a remit letter. Individual funding decisions are a matter for the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government does not intervene in those decisions.
This Welsh Government brings a renewed focus on arts, culture and history. We are clear that arts, culture and heritage should reflect and be accessible to everyone in Wales.
WQ98754 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ98551, will the Welsh Government commit to withdrawing public funds from any media organisations that are not politically neutral?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
In ensuring impartiality, it is not for the Welsh Government to determine what constitutes deviation from political neutrality by a media organisation.
However, as stated previously, we expect all media outlets in receipt of Welsh Government funds to operate without distinct political bias.
WQ98753 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ98551, does the Welsh Government consider the output of Nation.Cymru to be politically neutral?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
Whilst the Welsh Government does not hold a position on the political neutrality of individual media outlets in Wales, we fundamentally believe that an impartial media is critical to a functioning democracy.
Concerns regarding a perceived bias of output by print and online newspapers are handled by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).
WQ98752 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government continue funding the Wales for Africa programme?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The current funding commitment to the Wales and Africa programme was made by the previous government. Funding allocations to the workstream and the future policy direction of this Government will be considered moving forward.
WQ98722 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government support Welsh farmers to produce more meat?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
We want to see Welsh farmers producing high-quality food in a way that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. The Sustainable Farming Scheme will support that ambition, including through the Sustainable Production Optional Action, helping farmers improve productivity and long-term resilience while continuing to produce Welsh meat to high standards.
WQ98719 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm a) how many Welsh Government vets there are in Wales, and b) what the Welsh Government vet vacancy rate is?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
There are a total of 10 Welsh Government vet posts, led by the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales.
As of 01 June 2026, the vacancy rate is 0%, with all posts filled.
WQ98704 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions will the Cabinet Minister have with local authorities to ensure they meet the 21 working days deadline in providing pre-application advice in response to enquiries relating to permitted development rights or a planning application?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Substantive response
WQ98699 · Tabled · Answered
How many doctors without full GMC registration have practised in the Welsh NHS in each of the past five years?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Provisional registration is granted by the General Medical Council to doctors who have completed their medical degree but have not yet completed their first year of postgraduate training – the Foundation Year 1 (F1) programme. During this period, F1 doctors are required to practise under appropriate clinical supervision at all times.
Information on the number of F1 doctors practising in NHS Wales is published on StatsWales.
WQ98698 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ98489, will the Cabinet Minister confirm if the Welsh Government supports the teaching of decolonisation in schools?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I refer to my previous answer; the expectations are set out in the Curriculum for Wales guidance.
WQ98680 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government ensure that British citizens are prioritised for housing over asylum seekers and people who are in this country illegally?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Housing allocations in Wales are the responsibility of the local housing authority and are made in accordance with Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996. Asylum seekers are accommodated by the Home Office and do not receive priority over individuals eligible for housing and homelessness support in Wales. Immigration is not devolved and remains the responsibility of the UK Government.
WQ98677 · Tabled · Answered
What due diligence did the Welsh Government carry out on the Welsh Refugee Council before deciding to fund the organisation?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
As part of assessing applications for Welsh Government funding, a range of due diligence checks are undertaken, including financial and governance checks.
WQ98676 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to ending the provision of tampons and sanitary products in mens' toilets in its buildings and offices?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ98674 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government reintroduce the Welcome Ticket scheme?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I will be considering the actions we can take to support the integration of asylum seekers and refugees and access to services.
WQ98673 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to provide free access to public transport for refugees and asylum seekers?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government is committed to improving access to public transport and continues to consider how best to support refugees and asylum seekers. Some individuals may already be able to access existing discretionary travel schemes where they meet the eligibility criteria. We will continue to work with partners to understand barriers to travel and to explore options that support inclusion and access to services.
WQ98601 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Cabinet Minister consider any provisions within the UK Government's Illegal Migration Act 2023 to be incompatible with the Welsh Government's Nation of Sanctuary plan?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Border security, asylum and immigration are reserved responsibilities of the UK Government.
A full devolution analysis of the UK Government's Illegal Migration Act 2023 was undertaken by the 2021 to 2026 administration of the Welsh Government and legislative consent was withheld by the Senedd on the basis that provisions within the Bill undermined the previous administration’s Nation of Sanctuary objectives and devolved competence. The content of the Legislative Consent Motion as put to the Senedd on the 20 June 2023 can be found at: Plenary 20/06/2023 - Welsh Parliament
WQ98600 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Cabinet Minister consider any provisions within the UK Government's Nationality and Borders Act 2022 to be incompatible with the Welsh Government's Nation of Sanctuary plan?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Border security, asylum and immigration are reserved responsibilities of the UK Government.
A full devolution analysis of the UK Government’s UK Government's Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was undertaken by the 2021 to 2026 administration of the Welsh Government and legislative consent was withheld by the Senedd on the basis that provisions within the Bill undermined the previous administration’s Nation of Sanctuary objectives. The content of that Legislative Consent Motion as put to the Senedd on the 15 February 2022 can be found at: Plenary 15/02/2022 - Welsh Parliament
WQ98652 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister consider options regarding the banding of Health Visitors across Wales, especially in relation to those who are on strike in Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I have discussed the current situation with the Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. This is a dispute between the health board and Unite that relates to a series of decisions over several years. I have urged both parties to get back round the table to find a solution to the ongoing dispute in line with the principles of social partnership.
NHS Wales Employers is co-ordinating an expert group to develop a range of job descriptions and Unite has been invited to take part. This is important national work - the new job descriptions will be available to all NHS organisations, and will help them to design, plan and staff services to meet the needs of their local population going forward.
WQ98651 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government participate in negotiations to help end the strike by health visitors in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I have discussed the current situation with the Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. This is a dispute between the health board and Unite that relates to a series of decisions over several years. I have urged both parties to get back round the table to find a solution to the ongoing dispute in line with the principles of social partnership.
NHS Wales Employers is co-ordinating an expert group to develop a range of job descriptions and Unite has been invited to take part. This is important national work - the new job descriptions will be available to all NHS organisations, and will help them to design, plan and staff services to meet the needs of their local population going forward.
WQ98650 · Tabled · Answered
What actions will the Cabinet Minister take to end the strike by Health Visitors in Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I have discussed the current situation with the Chair of the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. This is a dispute between the health board and Unite that relates to a series of decisions over several years. I have urged both parties to get back round the table to find a solution to the ongoing dispute in line with the principles of social partnership.
NHS Wales Employers is co-ordinating an expert group to develop a range of job descriptions and Unite has been invited to take part. This is important national work - the new job descriptions will be available to all NHS organisations, and will help them to design, plan and staff services to meet the needs of their local population going forward.
WQ98603 · Tabled · Answered
How many genders does the Welsh Government recognise?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
There is no legal definition of gender in the Equality Act 2010; the Supreme Court judgment relates to the interpretation of “sex” in the Act.
WQ98602 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Cabinet Minister consider any provisions within the UK Government's Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 to be incompatible with the Welsh Government's Nation of Sanctuary plan?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Border security, asylum and immigration are reserved responsibilities of the UK Government.
A full devolution analysis of the UK Government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 was undertaken by the 2021 to 2026 administration of the Welsh Government and legislative consent was given by the Senedd on the 21 October 2025. The content of that debate can be found at: Items at meetings - Legislative Consent: Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
WQ98575 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to ending any grant funding of third sector organisations regarding the provision of legal advice to asylum seekers?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Substantive response
WQ98574 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to ending the funding of any organisation that campaigns for more lax border control rules?
Answered by First Minister
Funding decisions in all portfolio areas are made in line with our policy objectives, statutory responsibilities and principles of value for money.
WQ98568 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Welsh Government support the devolution of powers regarding gender recognition to Wales?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Substantive response
WQ98566 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister provide an exhaustive list of all the new powers the new Welsh Government would like devolved to Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
We will pursue further devolution and constitutional change in line with the mandate on which this government was elected.
WQ98565 · Tabled · Answered
When will the first phase of the Welsh Government's 20 hours of free childcare be rolled out?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I am working closely with officials to establish an expert steering group and a childcare taskforce in the Welsh civil service to firmly establish phased delivery of the new offer.
Expansion of the workforce is central to delivery and we are developing detailed projections with economists and analysts to outline the number of staff required and the areas in which they will be needed, working with the sector, local authorities and other partners.
Funding will be confirmed in due course through the budgetary planning processes.
WQ98564 · Tabled · Answered
How many families will be eligible in the first phase of the Welsh Government's 20 hours free childcare pledge?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I am working closely with officials to establish an expert steering group and a childcare taskforce in the Welsh civil service to firmly establish phased delivery of the new offer.
Expansion of the workforce is central to delivery and we are developing detailed projections with economists and analysts to outline the number of staff required and the areas in which they will be needed, working with the sector, local authorities and other partners.
Funding will be confirmed in due course through the budgetary planning processes.
WQ98563 · Tabled · Answered
Which existing budgets will the Welsh Government cut to fund its 20 hours free childcare pledge?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I am working closely with officials to establish an expert steering group and a childcare taskforce in the Welsh civil service to firmly establish phased delivery of the new offer.
Expansion of the workforce is central to delivery and we are developing detailed projections with economists and analysts to outline the number of staff required and the areas in which they will be needed, working with the sector, local authorities and other partners.
Funding will be confirmed in due course through the budgetary planning processes.
WQ98562 · Tabled · Answered
How many additional childcare practitioners will be required for the Welsh Government to meet its 20 hours of free childcare pledge?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I am working closely with officials to establish an expert steering group and a childcare taskforce in the Welsh civil service to firmly establish phased delivery of the new offer.
Expansion of the workforce is central to delivery and we are developing detailed projections with economists and analysts to outline the number of staff required and the areas in which they will be needed, working with the sector, local authorities and other partners.
Funding will be confirmed in due course through the budgetary planning processes.
WQ98561 · Tabled · Answered
How does the Welsh Government plan to embed the principles of diversity, equality and inclusion throughout its procurement processes?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Substantive response
WQ98560 · Tabled · Answered
How much does the Welsh Government plan to spend on diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives in the current financial year?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Funded programmes across Government will be reviewed in due course as part of the budgetary planning process by the current Welsh Government.
WQ98559 · Tabled · No answer published
Does the Welsh Government support providing translation services for patients in the Welsh NHS to communicate in foreign languages?
To be answered by: First Minister
WQ98553 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government publish a list of all special advisers on its payroll on 19 May 2026, specifying the respective pay bands?
Answered by First Minister
A Special Adviser Annual Report will be published in the normal course of business.
WQ98551 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister commit to ensuring all media outlets in receipt of Welsh Government funds are politically neutral?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
Political neutral media is critical to a functioning democracy. We will expect all media outlets in receipt of Welsh Government funds to adhere to this principle.
WQ98550 · Tabled · Answered
Is all halal and kosher food served by Welsh Government catering services clearly labelled as such?
Answered by First Minister
Yes, such items are clearly labelled at point of sale where offered.
WQ98549 · Tabled · Answered
When will half hourly train services be introduced between Barry and Bridgend via the Vale of Glamorgan line?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
As a newly elected government, we are committed to working with Transport for Wales (TfW) on improving connectivity for people across Wales as part of a modern integrated transport network.
TfW are progressing plans to increase service frequency on the Vale of Glamorgan line, initially during peak times with a full uplift throughout the day delivered by next year.
Delivery will be dependent on fleet availability and infrastructure requirements, which TfW are actively working through with Network Rail and Vale of Glamorgan. A further update will be provided when those plans have been confirmed.
WQ98548 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government introduce a mandatory rule prohibiting children from carrying knives of any kind at school?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
We are clear in our intention to address behavioural challenges in our schools.
Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it is a criminal offence to possess a bladed article on school premises without good reason or lawful authority.
The Welsh Government’s existing Safe and Effective intervention: use of reasonable force and searching for weapons guidance makes clear that schools have the powers to search pupils for weapons without consent. It also sets out a number of measures to support schools prevent knives from being brought onto school premises.
WQ98547 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government ensure the rules of any Deposit Return Scheme implemented in Wales are the same as those operating in England?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Deposit Return Scheme is being set up under ‘The Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026’ which the Senedd passed on 24 March 2026. The scheme will build on Wales’ recycling performance with glass being included when practically feasible and with relevant exemptions to prevent added costs for small businesses.
WQ98537 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government provide an exhaustive list of all its uses of the Hatelab dashboard?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government does not have access to the HateLab dashboard.
WQ98536 · Tabled · Answered
What was the total cost to the Welsh Government of the HateLab dashboard used by its Community Cohesion team?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
No cost has been incurred by the Welsh Government in relation to the HateLab dashboard. The Welsh Government only had free access to the pilot HateLab dashboard between April 2021 and October 2022.
WQ98530 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government confirm the annual cost of providing 20 hours of free care a week for children aged nine months to four years old?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
We will deliver a universal, government-funded childcare offer for children aged 9 months to 4 years. This will be transformational, representing a significant expansion of current provision, and must therefore be delivered in a carefully phased and sustainable way.
In the first 100 days, our priority is to lay the foundations for that expansion. This includes establishing the governance and delivery structures needed to take this forward at pace—such as an expert steering group and a childcare taskforce—to oversee the development of an expanded offer for children aged 9 months to 4 years.
Alongside this, we are working closely with delivery partners to complete the rollout of 12.5 hours a week of funded childcare for all two-year-olds and to develop plans to progressively extend provision to younger children.
We are progressing this at pace and will provide further detail as our plans develop.
WQ98529 · Tabled · Answered
When will the Welsh Government provide 20 hours of free care a week for children aged nine months to four years old?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
We will deliver a universal, government-funded childcare offer for children aged 9 months to 4 years. This will be transformational, representing a significant expansion of current provision, and must therefore be delivered in a carefully phased and sustainable way.
In the first 100 days, our priority is to lay the foundations for that expansion. This includes establishing the governance and delivery structures needed to take this forward at pace—such as an expert steering group and a childcare taskforce—to oversee the development of an expanded offer for children aged 9 months to 4 years.
Alongside this, we are working closely with delivery partners to complete the rollout of 12.5 hours a week of funded childcare for all two-year-olds and to develop plans to progressively extend provision to younger children.
We are progressing this at pace and will provide further detail as our plans develop.
WQ98528 · Tabled · Answered
What actions has the Welsh Government taken to establish its commission on Welsh independence?
Answered by First Minister
The Welsh Government Commission will look at a broad range of measures to strengthen the delivery of services, including through constitutional change. Further details will be announced in due course.
WQ98527 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm all heads of Government he has spoken with since his appointment?
Answered by First Minister
Since my appointment, I have spoken to The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, Prime Minister, UK Government; The Rt Hon John Swinney MSP, First Minister, Scottish Government; Michelle O’Neill MLA, First Minister and Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, deputy First Minister, Northern Ireland Executive.
WQ98526 · Tabled · Answered
Did the First Minister raise the subject of Welsh independence during his telephone call with the Prime Minister following his appointment?
Answered by First Minister
My initial discussion with the Prime Minister focused on the priorities which I set out in the Senedd on 19 May, and how our two governments can work together to deliver for the people of Wales. I raised my intention to lead a national conversation on Wales’s constitutional future, including the Welsh Government’s ambition for independence, recognising that the people of Wales will ultimately decide the trajectory and pace of any change.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.