Siambr · Art Wright
Written questions
45 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 1 of 1.
WQ100980 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to remove barriers to women’s participation in the labour market?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
We are working across government to reduce the barriers that prevent women participating and progressing in the labour market. This includes expanding access to affordable childcare, implementing the NHS Wales Women's Health Plan, and promoting flexible working and fair and inclusive workplaces. We also recognise that some women face multiple barriers to employment. Through our Disabled People's Rights Plan and Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, we are working to improve employment outcomes for disabled women and women from ethnic minority communities.
WQ100979 · Tabled · No answer published
How will the Welsh Government use the results of the skills audit for Wales to support women into better paid jobs?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ100978 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Cabinet Minister taking to ensure that children receive appropriate education about antisemitism?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government is clear that antisemitism has no place in our schools or wider society. Religion, Values and Ethics is a mandatory element in the Curriculum for Wales (for learners aged 3 to 16) and provides opportunities to learn about Judaism and Jewish communities in an objective, critical and pluralistic way.
The wider Humanities Area of the Curriculum provides opportunities to consider Jewish history and culture, the Holocaust, human rights, equality and the consequences of prejudice and discrimination. The Curriculum also supports learners to develop empathy, kindness and compassion, and relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
WQ100977 · Tabled · No answer published
What assessment has the Cabinet Minister made of the impact of marches and protests on community cohesion?
To be answered by: Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
WQ100745 · Tabled · Answered
What other protections for wildlife are the Welsh Government considering introducing during this Senedd in addition to those proposed in the Wild Animal Welfare (Wales) Bill?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Earlier this year, Defra led a joint consultation on proposed changes to Schedule 2 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It was produced collaboratively with the UK and Scottish Government based on evidence provided by respective Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCB’s). It outlined options for updating the species of birds listed in Schedule 2, which would prevent (or in one case allow) those species being hunted outside their close season.
Schedule 2 to the 1981 Act sets out species of birds (and certain mammals) that may be killed or taken outside the close season. This list also known as the quarry list has not been comprehensively reviewed in Wales since the 1981 Act came into force. The proposed amendments reflect changes in ecological evidence, conservation status, and management needs. Wales specific questions were included to ensure appropriate territorial nuance.
Welsh Government is awaiting the initial analysis by Defra to help inform Welsh Government’s position on any potential changes and how they may be applied in Wales if such changes were deemed appropriate.
This is in addition to our commitment to set ambitious targets to achieve substantive nature recovery by 2050.
WQ100681 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the + in LGBTQ+ in the Programme for Government 2026-2030 is the same as that given in answer to WQ100025?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Yes. Please refer to the response to WQ100025
WQ100683 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government promoting the importance of the English language to the culture of Wales?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Welsh Government recognises the importance of the different languages that have shaped Wales’ rich cultural heritage. Welsh and English are equal official languages of Wales and play an important role in our culture, history and communities.
WQ100682 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Newport City Council about developing the old Sainsbury's site in the Shaftesbury area of Newport?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Welsh Government officials have been in discussion with Newport City Council regarding the future of the former Sainsbury’s site. The site has been being promoted as a strategic mixed-use regeneration opportunity within Newport’s wider city centre regeneration strategy.
WQ100674 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government ensure that families in rural areas can make use of their full Flying Start entitlements, including the new 20-hour childcare offer?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Flexible childcare is crucial to supporting families with the cost of living and enabling parents to have more opportunities to work, study or increase their hours. We are developing a phased universal childcare offer alongside wider early years and family support that meets the needs of all communities, including working families and families in rural areas. We will also consider the advice of the Childcare Expansion Expert Group, including its discussions on how the developing offer can respond to different local circumstances, such as rurality, provider availability and the flexibility families need to support working lives.
WQ100660 · Tabled · Answered
What are the Welsh Government’s plans for ensuring that Flying Start and its new 20-hour childcare offer will be flexible enough to support families’ working lives?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Flexible childcare is crucial to supporting families with the cost of living and enabling parents to have more opportunities to work, study or increase their hours. We are developing a phased universal childcare offer alongside wider early years and family support that meets the needs of all communities, including working families and families in rural areas. We will also consider the advice of the Childcare Expansion Expert Group, including its discussions on how the developing offer can respond to different local circumstances, such as rurality, provider availability and the flexibility families need to support working lives.
WQ100644 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to introducing Martha's Rule in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Call for Concern is the patient and family escalation process being introduced across NHS Wales. As the Welsh equivalent of Martha's Rule in England, it reflects the same core principles while also incorporating learning from Ryan's Rule in Australia. It gives patients, families and carers a clear route to raise urgent concerns if they believe a patient’s condition is deteriorating.
It will be available across adult, children's, maternity and neonatal inpatient services, providing a consistent approach across Wales. By 30 September all health boards are expected to demonstrate that ‘patient self-reported wellness’ is reliably documented at least twice daily in all acute hospitals in-patient areas, and by 31 December all health boards are expected to demonstrate reliable use of the patient and family-initiated escalation approach in all acute and non-acute in-patient settings.
Call for Concern complements, rather than replaces, existing clinical systems used to identify deterioration. In September 2025 NHS Wales implemented a suite of Early Warning Scores, including National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2), Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS), Neonatal Early Warning Trigger and Track.
WQ100635 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ100477, does the Welsh Government tell asylum seekers via any form of communication that it wants them to stay in Wales if granted refugee status?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Decisions about where an individual granted refugee status lives are a matter for the individual. The Welsh Government does not communicate with individuals for the purpose of encouraging them to remain in Wales.
WQ100634 · Tabled · Answered
Did the Welsh Government give any consideration to using the term 'new Welsh' rather than 'sanctuary seekers' in its Programme for Government 2026-2030?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
No. The Welsh Government did not consider using the term ’new Welsh’ rather than ‘sanctuary seeker’ in its Programme for Government 2026-2030.
WQ100588 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government ensure that women can access opportunities in major growth sectors?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
Our Productivity Mission is about unlocking the talents of the whole workforce and ensuring economic opportunity is everywhere and open to everyone. We aim to work with employers, education and training providers, and others to ensure women can enter and progress in major growth sectors and benefit from the better paid jobs these sectors offer.
WQ100587 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government supporting women to access better-paid jobs?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
Our Productivity Mission is about unlocking the talents of the whole workforce and ensuring economic opportunity is everywhere and open to everyone. We aim to work with employers, education and training providers, and others to ensure women can enter and progress in major growth sectors and benefit from the better paid jobs these sectors offer.
WQ100494 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Cabinet Minister have any plans to incorporate the works of the historians Dr John Davies and Prof Gwyn Alf Williams into the national curriculum for the teaching of history?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
There is no requirement for the inclusion of the works of particular historians in the Curriculum for Wales. Welsh history is mandatory in the curriculum and expects that learners have a range of opportunities to engage with experts in developing their understanding of the subject. As part of this, schools may draw on a range of historians, materials and resources.
WQ100493 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ100180, will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the words “we want as many refugees to stay in Wales as possible” appeared on the former Sanctuary Wales housing page while live and accessible, and indexed by Google, notwithstanding the FOI response concerning records held?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government does not hold a record that enables me to confirm that this specific wording cited in your question was published at any time on the former Sanctuary Wales webpages, which operated under the previous Welsh Government administration.
WQ100491 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister set out any meetings the Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women's Health has had with Cadno Communications, and what was discussed?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
Details of ministerial meetings are published routinely as part of the Welsh Government’s transparency arrangements.
WQ100477 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the Welsh Government wants asylum seekers granted refugee status in Wales to remain and live here?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Individuals who are granted refugee status are entitled to rebuild their lives in safety in the UK. For individuals who are placed in Wales by the Home Office, and who then secure refugee status and choose to make Wales their home, the Welsh Government is committed to help them rebuild their lives and support them to integrate and contribute fully to Welsh society.
WQ100476 · Tabled · Answered
In relation to the Defence Security Resilience conference 2026 in Newport, a) did the Cabinet Minister attend, b) if not, why not, and c) did the Cabinet Minister's plans change in the lead up to the event?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Cabinet Minister did not attend the conference and had not planned to attend.
WQ100399 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government regarding the adoption of Transport for Wales's tap & go service on future Great British Railways services in Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Welsh Government is committed to growing PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go – TfW’s ‘tap-on tap-off’ payment system) as an affordable and easy to use method of paying for train travel in North and South Wales. GWR (Great Western Railway) is controlled by the UK Government via the DfT and they have the final decision on GWR’s involvement within the PAYG scheme.
During introduction of PAYG in South Wales, TfW engaged with both CrossCountry and GWR. CrossCountry were able to participate in PAYG from the start, but discussions are still ongoing with GWR. Whilst the current unavailability of PAYG on GWR trains is frustrating for passengers, TfW has made encouraging progress with both GWR and DfT which it is hoped will enable GWR to accept PAYG in the near future.
Both Welsh Government and TfW are in discussion with UK government regarding the future establishment of Great British Rail to ensure the best outcomes for Wales. These discussions cover a wide range of subjects including ticketing and the further development of PAYG.
WQ100384 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to implement more CCTV cameras in Newport city centre?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Decisions regarding the funding and implementation of CCTV cameras are matters for the relevant local authority – in this case, Newport City Council.
WQ100371 · Tabled · Answered
Why does the Welsh Government fund a police and school programme when policing is not devolved?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Whilst policing is not devolved to Wales, the Welsh Government is responsible for a range of devolved functions affecting children and young people, including education, safeguarding, health and wellbeing.
The Wales Police and Schools Programme was developed to support these devolved responsibilities through preventative and educational activity delivered in partnership with the four Welsh police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners and other partners. The programme supports areas including safeguarding, community safety, substance misuse awareness, online safety and learner wellbeing.
Partnership working between devolved and non-devolved public services is well established in Wales. The Welsh Government continues to work with a range of partners, including police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners, where doing so supports the delivery of outcomes within devolved areas of responsibility.
WQ100358 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ99112, will the Welsh Government provide an update on what action it is taking to ensure Transport for Wales's tap and go service can be used on Great Western Railway trains in Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Welsh Government is committed to growing PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go – TfW’s ‘tap-on tap-off’ payment system) as an affordable and easy to use method of paying for train travel in North and South Wales. GWR (Great Western Railway) is controlled by the UK Government via the DfT and they have the final decision on GWR’s involvement within the PAYG scheme.
During introduction of PAYG in South Wales, TfW engaged with both CrossCountry and GWR. CrossCountry were able to participate in PAYG from the start, but discussions are still ongoing with GWR. Whilst the current unavailability of PAYG on GWR trains is frustrating for passengers, TfW has made encouraging progress with both GWR and DfT which it is hoped will enable GWR to accept PAYG in the near future.
Both Welsh Government and TfW are in discussion with UK government regarding the future establishment of Great British Rail to ensure the best outcomes for Wales. These discussions cover a wide range of subjects including ticketing and the further development of PAYG.
WQ100353 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ100123, will the Cabinet Minister confirm if he has had any meetings with Cadno Communications?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I refer the Member to the response to WQ100123.
WQ100294 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ100043, does the Welsh Government recognise the contribution of Welsh veterans within the British Armed Forces to fighting the IRA during the Troubles in Northern Ireland?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Welsh Government recognises the contribution of all Welsh veterans who have served in the British Armed Forces.
WQ100272 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ100045, will the Cabinet Minister confirm if he has had meetings with BBC Wales since taking office?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
I refer the Member to the response to WQ100045.
WQ100266 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government’s policy on further large-scale wind and solar developments on the Gwent Levels, and how are the cumulative impacts of such developments taken into account?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
Policy considerations around location, environmental impacts, and cumulative impacts of developments are currently set out in Future Wales and Planning Policy Wales. We have committed to revising Future Wales, the National Development Framework.
The Welsh Government is currently reviewing the evidence received in response to the consultation on draft strategic planning guidance for the Gwent Levels to provide greater clarity on how the area's distinctive characteristics should be considered in planning decisions.
It is important to clarify that large scale solar projects above 350MW are considered and consented by UK Government in accordance with UK National Policy Statements, however we would expect them to take due account to policy in Wales.
WQ100265 · Tabled · Answered
How does the Welsh Government ensure that the role of the Gwent levels in providing compensatory habitat for the loss of the Taf/Ely Estuary SSSI is taken into account when considering development proposals in this area?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The role of the Gwent Levels in compensating for the loss of the Taff/Ely Estuary SSSI is taken into account principally through the continued protection and management of the Newport Wetlands compensation reserve, the statutory protection of the wider Gwent Levels SSSI’s and the wider Severn Estuary designations.
The Newport Wetlands compensation area remains a protected conservation site managed for the purposes for which it was created. It forms part of a wider network of designated habitats associated with the Severn Estuary and the Gwent Levels. Any development proposal affecting these areas would need to be assessed against the legal protections applying to the relevant SSSI, National Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area, Special Areas of Conservation or Ramsar interests.
Current Welsh planning policy recognises the Gwent Levels as a landscape of exceptional ecological importance. Future Wales: the National Plan 2040, identifies the levels as a National Natural Resource Area (NNRA) and requires planning decisions to safeguard and enhance its ecological networks and environmental functions. In addition, Planning Policy Wales establishes a presumption against development on SSSI’s that is not necessary for their management, across Wales.
Welsh public authorities, including Welsh Ministers and local planning authorities, are subject to biodiversity and ecosystem resilience duties under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 where they must seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of their functions and in so doing promote the resilience of ecosystems.
WQ100264 · Tabled · Answered
What protections were put in place for the Gwent Levels as a result of the loss of wildlife habitat caused by the development of the Cardiff Bay Barrage, and do any of these protections remain in place?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The key protection arising from the Cardiff Bay Barrage was the creation of the Newport Wetlands compensatory habitat on the Gwent Levels at Uskmouth. The site was chosen because it offered the opportunity to create and manage large areas of wetland habitat capable of supporting many of the bird species affected by the loss of the Cardiff Bay mudflats. The reserve was officially created on 20 December 2000, shortly after the barrage became operational.
The compensation site subsequently received formal statutory protection as a National Nature Reserve, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is linked to international conservation designations for the Severn Estuary. These protections remain in force, providing ongoing legal protection and have been supplemented by broader planning and ecological policies aimed at conserving the Gwent Levels as one of Wales' most important wetland landscapes.
WQ100199 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to not intervening in the implementation of the UK Government's bus fare cap on cross border bus services?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The UK Government has confirmed a £2 cap on local bus fares will be introduced in England only, for a twelve-month period commencing in January 2027. This will be funded through a reprioritisation of funding between UK Government Departments. Whilst the UK Government has confirmed that this will give rise to the award of additional ‘consequential funding’ for the devolved governments, we are expecting confirmation of the actual amount of additional funding for Wales will be confirmed in UK Governments Autumn Budget Statement which is due on the 28 October 2026. From this point Welsh Ministers will then make decisions on how best to use any additional funding to best support the delivery of our wider Welsh Government priorities.
In the meantime, our focus remains on providing a very comprehensive concessionary travel scheme, which offers free travel for all eligible residents over the age of sixty as well as disabled people on local bus services in Wales without any time restrictions. We also currently offer a £2 cap on local bus fares for all young people aged between five and 21 years, and this has been extended until the end of financial year 2026-27.
At present we have no plans to provide additional funding to bus operators in Wales to enable them to offer a £2 cap on bus fares for adults aged over twenty-one travelling on cross border local bus services within Wales from 1st January 2027.
WQ100180 · Tabled · Answered
Why did the Welsh Government tell asylum seekers granted refugee status that it wanted them to stay in Wales as highlighted in the FOI release 27164 of the former Sanctuary Wales web pages?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
FOI release 27164: Nation of Sanctuary webpages | GOV.WALES confirms that there is no record to show that the Welsh Government, through the former Sanctuary Wales webpages, has told asylum seekers who have been granted refugee status that it wanted them to stay in Wales.
While Wales does not currently have the power to decide who seeks asylum here, we can treat those who arrive with decency, provide support and opportunities to contribute to their communities, and ensure they can rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.
WQ100149 · Tabled · Answered
What evidence does the Welsh Government hold that disposable BBQs are the cause of the current spate of wildfires in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Investigating the causes of fires is a matter for the Fire and Rescue Service and, where appropriate, the Police. I understand that some recent wildfires are likely to have been deliberately set, while others may have started accidentally or due to carelessness. Determining the exact means of ignition can be difficult as a large wildfire will often completely destroy the area where it originated.
However, disposable barbecues have previously been implicated as the likely cause of numerous wildfires in Wales and elsewhere. Any activity which involves outdoor burning carries this risk, particularly during heatwave conditions.
WQ100144 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration did the Cabinet Minister give to Newport city centre in advance of her recent announcement of town centre regeneration funding on 12 August 2026, and why was it not selected?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Funding announcements made on 12 August 2026 highlighted a selection of projects recently approved through the Transforming Towns programme and were not intended to represent all regeneration funding approvals.
The projects announced reflected the timing and status of individual applications that had completed Welsh Government's established approval processes and were ready for announcement, rather than any judgement about the merits of regeneration activity in particular locations.
Newport continues to benefit from Welsh Government regeneration investment, having received more than £17.6 million of Transforming Towns funding since 2020 to support a range of city centre regeneration projects, including the Market Arcade, the Old Station Building and the Leisure and Wellbeing Centre.
The Welsh Government will continue to work with Newport City Council to develop and consider further regeneration proposals in line with the city's emerging Placemaking Plan and wider regeneration priorities.
As part of the Welsh Government’s stated ambition to revitalise town centres across Wales, I have announced the establishment of the Town Centre Taskforce, which will have a pan-Wales remit, with membership selected to reflect the geography, communities and diversity of Wales. Its work will consider opportunities and challenges facing town centres and high streets across Wales, rather than focusing on any individual town or city.
WQ100137 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the delivery of the the Kings Chambers project in Newport?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Local Authority advised Welsh Government that the project had been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. As a result of those delays the original Transforming Towns grant offered towards the project expired. However, I am pleased to confirm that I have recently agreed an extension of time to that offer and am advised that work should re-commence shortly, with the project completing this financial year.
WQ100134 · Tabled · Answered
How much funding is the Welsh Government providing to the Wales Hate Support Centre?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Welsh Government has allocated £503,054 to the Wales Hate Support Centre for 2026-27.
WQ100132 · Tabled · Answered
What specific changes to the franchise is the Welsh Government asking to be examined in the research commissioned by the Cabinet Minister, announced on 18 June 2026?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Section 38 of the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 requires Welsh Ministers to publish and lay a report before the 7 November 2026 on the operation of the provisions of that Act relating to:
giving 16 and 17 year olds the right to vote in Senedd elections; giving qualifying foreign citizens the right to vote in Senedd elections; allowing qualifying foreign citizens to become Members of the Senedd; and preventing members of county and county borough councils in Wales from also being Members of the Senedd.
The research will relate to the operation of these existing provisions, rather than any further changes to the franchise.
WQ100123 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline any meetings he has had with Cadno Communications, and what was discussed?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Details of ministerial meetings are published routinely as part of the Welsh Government’s transparency arrangements.
WQ100122 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government's policy on local authorities being able to choose to move away from Welsh-medium school provision in light of Gwynedd Council's policy on phasing out English-medium education?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Local authorities are responsible for planning school places.
The School Organisation Code (March 2026) imposes requirements on those who submit proposals to reorganise schools and sets out general principles that should be considered.
Our Cymraeg 2050 strategy clearly emphasises the important role education plays in helping us meet our ambitions of a million Welsh speakers. The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 requires each local authority to prepare a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) setting out how it will improve the planning of the provision of education through the medium of Welsh in its area; improve the standards of Welsh-medium education; and of the teaching of Welsh in its area. All 22 plans have been in place since September 2022, and local authorities have been proactive in their implementation.
The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 provides a new framework for developing all learners' Welsh language skills. Under the new arrangements, all schools, regardless of their language category, will over time strengthen their Welsh language provision with the aim that all pupils have a fair opportunity to develop their Welsh language skills and, ultimately, leave school as confident and independent Welsh speakers.
The Act will introduce a statutory minimum provision of Welsh, a national language continuum, and new statutory categories for describing the linguistic provision of schools. These arrangements will support sustainable growth in Welsh language provision across Wales.
WQ100120 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Welsh Government regard the report of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales as a credible document to influence the work of the Government?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
The Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales was established with broad cross-party support, and its final report established a compelling case for change to the current devolution settlement. The Welsh Government strongly supports the Commission's recommendations for further devolution, in order to give us the tools needed to improve the lives of people in Wales.
WQ100057 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to compelling English-medium schools to become Welsh-medium schools to reach its target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Local authorities are responsible for planning school places. The School Organisation Code (March 2026) sets out the statutory requirements and relevant considerations that apply when proposals are being developed for changing the organisation of schools.
Our Cymraeg 2050 strategy clearly emphasises the important role that education plays in achieving our intention of reaching the target of one million Welsh speakers. The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 requires each local authority to prepare a Welsh in Educations Strategic Plan (WESP) which sets out how it will improve the planning of Welsh-medium education provision in its area; improving standards of Welsh-medium education; and teaching Welsh in its area. The WESPs improve Welsh-medium education standards by requiring local authorities to set targets aligned with the Cymraeg 2050 strategy and to implement other developments such as expanding access to Welsh medium provision, ensuring linguistic progression, and growing a qualified teaching workforce. All 22 plans have been in place since September 2022, and local authorities have been proactive in implementing them.
The Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 provides a new framework for developing all learners' Welsh language skills. Under the new arrangements, schools will over time strengthen their Welsh language provision with the aim that all pupils have a fair opportunity to develop their Welsh language skills and, ultimately, leave school as confident and independent Welsh speakers.
The Act will introduce a statutory minimum provision of Welsh, a national language continuum, and new statutory categories for describing the linguistic provision of schools. These arrangements will support sustainable growth in Welsh language provision across Wales.
WQ100054 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to the benefits of a unified England and Wales policing and justice system, and disadvantages of disentangling the current unified system?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
Substantive response
WQ100045 · Tabled · Answered
How many meetings has the Cabinet Minister held with representatives, employees, or other officials of BBC Wales regarding his portfolio responsibilities since taking office, and will he provide details of the dates of those meetings and the individuals who attended?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
Details of ministerial meetings are published routinely as part of the Welsh Government’s transparency arrangements.
WQ100043 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ99538, what steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that references to Northern Ireland and related constitutional matters in official communications do not undermine the service of Welsh veterans who served in the British Armed Forces during the Troubles?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community in Wales and recognises the service and sacrifice of all Welsh veterans who have served in the UK Armed Forces. As previously set out in WQ99538 and WQ99748, parity of esteem is a fundamental principle of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. It requires respect for, and just and equal treatment of, the identities, traditions and aspirations of both Unionist and Nationalist communities in Northern Ireland. The Welsh Government will continue to ensure that the terminology it uses is consistent with, and reflects, the principle of parity of esteem.
WQ100042 · Tabled · Answered
What support is the Welsh Government offering to people impacted by the fire at the Star Industrial Estate, Caerleon?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
We were sorry to hear about the fire at the Star Industrial Estate. Officials will be in contact with the City and County of Newport to better understand any impacts on local services and businesses.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.