Siambr · Darren Millar
Written questions
146 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 3 of 3.
WQ99089 · Tabled · Answered
How many trips to China were made by Welsh Government Ministers and officials between January and March 2026, and what was the total cost of these trips?
Answered by First Minister
According to Welsh Government records, a total of two officials travelled to China between January and March 2026. The visit was to support St David’s Day activity across China and meet with investors and senior UK Government officials. It was also an opportunity for senior Wales-based officials to meet with our China team in-person, which is important to support the welfare and inclusion of our overseas staff.
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes will provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable.
WQ99088 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm the purpose of the £600 payment made to Oaklands Glamping & Treehouse on 24 February 2026 on the Welsh Government's procurement credit card?
Answered by First Minister
The payment relates to content creation for Visit Wales marketing campaign. The assets created will be re-used regularly.
The transaction in question relates to the previous administration in the 6th Senedd term.
WQ99087 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister publish the flight and subsistence costs associated with the Welsh Government's trips to Dubai in January and February 2026?
Answered by First Minister
The £9,400.08 costs were associated with networking receptions for Welsh business delegates attending Gulfood, the World Health Expo in Dubai and a multi-sector trade mission.
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes will provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable.
WQ99086 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm the purpose of the £9,400.68 payments made to the Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Ciel Hotel in Dubai between January and February 2026 on the Welsh Government's procurement credit card?
Answered by First Minister
The £9,400.08 costs were associated with networking receptions for Welsh business delegates attending Gulfood, the World Health Expo in Dubai and a multi-sector trade mission.
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes will provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable.
WQ99084 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister publish the travel and accommodation costs associated with the Welsh Government's visit to Lansdowne Football Club in Dublin in March 2026?
Answered by First Minister
Costs were associated with a St David’s Day reception for business, culture and diaspora delegates.
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable.
WQ99083 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm the purpose of the £672.08 payment made to Lansdowne Football Club in Dublin on 9 March 2026 on the Welsh Government's procurement credit card?
Answered by First Minister
Costs were associated with a St David’s Day reception for business, culture and diaspora delegates.
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable.
WQ99059 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government respond to the Law Commission’s recent report proposing the legalisation of new funerary methods?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
This is an important and sensitive area.
We will consider the full implications of the Law Commission’s report, along with the other reports in the same project including the upcoming report on Rights and Obligations relating to Funerary Methods, Funerals and Remains.
We will respond to the Law Commission in due course.
WQ99019 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the Pass Plus Cymru course is available to residents of all local authorities in Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The Welsh Government continues to support the delivery of Pass Plus Cymru as part of its wider road safety activity. Funding is made available to local authorities through the Corporate Joint Committees, and it is for them to decide what initiatives are offered in each local authority. A wide range of road safety education and training initiatives are delivered across Wales and some authorities chose to offer Pass Plus Cymru.
Where a course is not immediately available in a particular authority area, residents can contact their local road safety team to seek advice on the nearest available provision.
We encourage consistent access to post-test driver training opportunities across Wales, particularly for newly qualified drivers who may benefit from additional support. This sits alongside our wider commitment to reducing road casualties and road-related harm through the Road Safety Partnership Plan and the Safe System approach.
WQ98868 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's plans to change permitted development rights to restrict pop-up campsites?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026 came into force on 1 June which amends permitted development rights for temporary recreational camping sites. Such sites can now operate for up to 60 days except in certain designated landscapes, where the limit of 28 days will remain.
While the number of days increase for many sites, there are new limitations on the sites that can be used, such as land in flood zones and those within 100 metres of protected dwellings. The new rules require operators of temporary campsites to provide details of waste disposal arrangements and site access to be notified to the planning authority. Authorities will then have 28 days to decide whether prior approval of any further details is required.
The new arrangements run alongside existing permitted development rights for temporary campsites until 1 September, which will enable site operators who have already planned for the use of sites this season to continue to operate whilst they adapt to the change.
These new rules will expand the camping season for many sites, whilst also ensuring that sites are appropriately planned and operated to avoid adverse impacts on the communities that host them.
WQ98823 · Tabled · Answered
What action does the Welsh Government intend to take to promote hydro power and geothermal power opportunities in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
Wales already hosts a broad range of hydro schemes, from the major pumped‑storage stations at Dinorwig and Tanygrisiau, to many smaller community‑scale installations. In addition, smaller hydropower projects serve as great community project opportunities.
On geothermal, while it remains an emerging technology in Wales, we recognise its long-term potential—particularly for heat networks and for decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors. We are working with partners, including the UK Government and research organisations, to better understand the resource base in Wales and to identify opportunities for pilot and demonstrator projects.
The Mining Remediation Authority assessment on disused mines has stimulated interest among local authorities and developers, encouraging them to explore projects where heat demand is located close to potential mine heat sources. The Mining Remediation Authority and the Welsh Government Energy Service continue to support projects that demonstrate strong potential.
WQ98725 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the payment of a premium childcare rate for caring for children with additional learning needs to providers of the Welsh Government’s free childcare offer?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Substantive response
WQ98710 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister work with UK Government counterparts to explore the possibility of allowing Welsh and English free bus passes to be used interchangeably in Wales and England?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Substantive response
WQ98675 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister publish the national care pathway for Ehlers-Danlos syndromes and hypermobility spectrum disorders, and provide an explanation for the failure to publish this pathway to date?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Substantive response
WQ98629 · Tabled · Answered
What will be the budget and salary for the proposed role of the pan-Wales director for out-of-hospital care arrangements?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
A stronger voice for primary and community care that drives forward essential service and culture shift will be key to a sustainable NHS.
Officials are working with partners, including with NHS Performance and Improvement (NHS P&I) on the available options in relation to job role design. Once the role has been defined and agreed it will be subject to job evaluation in line with normal processes to set the salary level.
WQ98628 · Tabled · Answered
What are the estimated costs of creating a digitally enabled Welsh cabinet office?
Answered by First Minister
Substantive response
WQ98627 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister set out the estimated costs associated with the proposed Wales cancer conference in 2027?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
This government has committed to begin preparations during the first 100 days for a Wales Cancer Conference in 2027, with the aim of bringing together healthcare professionals and stakeholders to share best practice and the latest innovation in cancer care.
Officials are currently working through our manifesto commitments to consider delivery options, including plans for the cancer conference and associated costs. We will bring forward our policies and set out further detail about our approach to improving cancer services in the coming months.
WQ98626 · Tabled · Answered
What budget and resources will be provided for the proposed health finance efficiency team in the Welsh Government?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We are reviewing the current position on financial efficiency work within both Welsh Government and NHS Wales.
WQ98625 · Tabled · Answered
How much funding will be allocated by the Welsh Government to research on reforming the formula for distributing GP funding?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
As part of GMS Contract Negotiations 2025-26 outcomes, it was agreed that a series of working groups would be established including a review of the GMS funding allocation formula.
This group has been considering the current position in detail, including the factors used to distribute funding, future options and the implications of any potential changes, and will brief me on their findings enabling me to make an announcement of how this will be taken forward in line with the commitment in our 100 day plan.
WQ98624 · Tabled · Answered
How much funding will be allocated by the Welsh Government to fund the proposed increase of £5,000 to initial teacher education incentives in shortage subjects for the forthcoming academic year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
We will allocate an additional £5,000 per eligible recipient.
WQ98623 · Tabled · Answered
What are the estimated costs associated with the Welsh Government's proposed launch of an express coach service linking the north and south of Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
We do not yet know what the costs of the service will be, as Transport for Wales have only recently begun market engagement on the scheme, ahead of a procurement exercise to follow shortly after this has concluded. We will understand the costs once the successful tender has been awarded in the Summer.
WQ98622 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide the details and estimated costs of the Welsh Government's plans to develop Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru into a single national energy company?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
Welsh Government will provide a plan to deliver the Welsh Public Energy Company within the first 100 days of the current Government term. Detailed cost estimates will be set out alongside that plan.
WQ98621 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide the timeline and estimated costs for the Welsh Government's proposed new national energy strategy?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Government is progressing work on the national energy strategy as a priority in the 100-day plan. I will be using evidence that already exists where relevant including building on the renewable energy sector deal. As part of this strategy, the Welsh Government will consider the outputs of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan prepared by NESO, which is expected later this summer. From this I will decide what further work might be required.
Detailed cost estimates will accompany the strategy, including any new measures to ensure we achieve a greater level of community ownership of new renewable energy projects in Wales.
WQ98620 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide a timeline for the Welsh Government's proposed independent review of the bureaucratic burden on family farms in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I will commission a review of the bureaucratic burden on family farms within the first 100-days of government and I intend to make a statement on the leadership and scope of the review in due course.
WQ98619 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide the details of the Welsh Government's proposed multi-year funding cycle for the Sustainable Farming Scheme?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
As set out in our manifesto and first 100 days commitments, we will establish a multi‑year funding cycle for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, taking the initial one-year budget as the baseline. This will provide long‑term stability and certainty for farmers, with further details to be brought forward in due course.
WQ98618 · Tabled · Answered
What proposals will be made by the Welsh Government to make renting in Wales 'fairer' this Senedd term, as proposed in Plaid Cymru's 'The First 100 Days' document?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
I will be making an oral statement to the Senedd setting out my priorities for housing, which includes making rents fairer, before the summer recess.
WQ98617 · Tabled · Answered
What plans does the Welsh Government have to establish Unnos and what finances have been set aside to make this possible?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
To accelerate the delivery of social housing, we will establish Unnos and work has begun to define the functions to be taken forward together with its corporate form. I will issue a further update in due course.
WQ98616 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm the timeline and estimated costs associated with the proposed establishment of a shadow broadcasting and communications authority for Wales?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
In the first 100 days, the Welsh Government will publish plans and a timeline to establish a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales. The plan will include detail of estimated costs associated with the establishment of the Shadow Authority.
WQ98615 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government bring forward an independent Wales-wide inquiry into grooming gangs during this Senedd term?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Following the publication of Baroness Casey’s audit into grooming gangs in June 2025, the UK Government established a national inquiry covering England and Wales, alongside Operation Beaconport as the national policing response.
The Welsh Government will continue to monitor the work and progress of both the UK inquiry and Operation Beaconport and consider any further action needed in light of this.
WQ98614 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to the estimate by the Taxpayers' Alliance that the Visitor Levy may inflict a £359 million hit to the Welsh economy when it is implemented?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
As stated in our manifesto, we will work collaboratively with councils on the implementation of the visitor levy, including to ensure that more money reaches frontline services. Impact assessments for the levy are available on the Welsh Government webpages including an independent economic impact assessment which uses robust modelling and sets out a transparent range of impacts - this evidence-based range is significantly smaller than estimates put forward by the Taxpayers Alliance figure.
Local authorities will decide whether or not to implement a levy in their area based on their local circumstances. The levy is a modest, discretionary local charge, and will support destination management and improvement, with proceeds retained locally to invest in the visitor economy.
WQ98613 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working to prevent job losses in Wales as a result of high energy and fuel prices?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
I will write to you within 10 working days with a substantive response and a copy of the letter will be published on the internet.
WQ98612 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working with the Welsh Ambulance Service to ensure that newly qualified paramedics can be hired this year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is working closely with the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST), Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), universities and wider stakeholders to support newly qualified paramedics and improve the alignment between training and employment opportunities. The challenges facing Newly Qualified Paramedics (NQPs) is not limited to Wales there is a restriction in available posts nationally. While responsibility for recruitment rests with WAST, we maintain regular engagement to understand its workforce requirements and recruitment capacity.
The current position reflects a temporary mismatch between the number of graduates and the availability of funded vacancies, driven by financial constraints and service redesign within ambulance services. There are 82 graduates and no available NQP roles within WAST. However, of these, 62 NQPs have been successful in obtaining Emergency Medical Technician roles. With 42 of the NQP’s allocated training courses in September and October and a further 20 are on a reserve list to either replace anyone who withdraws or will be allocated to a course early 2027. As such most of the students have roles in WAST although not in paramedic roles. We are working with key stakeholders across the NHS, education sector and professional bodies to identify other potential solutions. We will convene a stakeholder summit in June to consider immediate actions to support graduates who have not yet secured a post and to identify longer-term measures to reduce the risk of this situation recurring.
WQ98611 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to address the £1 billion major repairs backlog on the NHS estate?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government recognises the significant maintenance backlog across the NHS estate in Wales and is taking action through a combination of discretionary capital allocations to Health Board and Trusts, targeted estates funding and investment in major infrastructure schemes.
In 2026-27, over £112m of discretionary capital has been made available to NHS Wales organisations. In addition to the discretionary funding, £40m of additional targeted capital to address risks around infrastructure, fire safety, mental health estate, decontamination, infection prevention and control together with decarbonisation has been made available to NHS organisations.
We continue to work with organisations to prioritise the highest-risk issues and ensure NHS premises remain safe, sustainable and fit for delivering patient care.
WQ98610 · Tabled · Answered
What plans has the Government made for the development of a new foundational literacy and numeracy plan?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I will set out a timeline later this term, in line with our 100-day commitment. Work is already underway and the plan will set out our approach to raising standards across Wales by supporting schools to meet the needs of all learners, in line with Curriculum for Wales, so that every learner can succeed.
WQ98609 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking in response to the hantavirus outbreak?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health
We are working closely with Public Health Wales, Welsh health boards, local authorities and the UK Government to ensure a coordinated and proportionate response to the hantavirus outbreak.
Public Health Wales is leading the response in Wales under the Communicable Disease Outbreak Control Plan arrangements. Robust arrangements are in place to support the health and wellbeing of Welsh contacts, including support to isolate safely and access to appropriate healthcare if needed.
The risk to the Welsh public remains very low. We will continue to keep the situation under close review and will take any further action required in line with the latest public health advice.
WQ98608 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government implement a graduate guarantee for newly qualified nurses during this Senedd term?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government recognises the importance of supporting newly qualified nurses to transition into employment and remain within NHS Wales.
Health Education and Improvement Wales work closely with NHS organisations to plan and commission training places based on workforce need, with the expectation that sufficient employment opportunities will be available for graduates. The NHS Wales Bursary Scheme also includes a requirement for eligible students to work in Wales for a period following graduation, supporting retention within the workforce.
We are aware of concerns raised about the availability and timing of posts for newly qualified nurses. We will convene a stakeholder summit in June to consider immediate actions to support graduates who have not yet secured a post and to identify longer-term measures to reduce the risk of this situation recurring. We continue to work with key stakeholders across the NHS, education sector and professional bodies to improve workforce planning, align education commissioning with service demand, and support smooth transition into employment.
WQ98607 · Tabled · Answered
What options has the Cabinet Minister considered for reforming the Seren programme?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
In its first 100 days, the Welsh Government will examine options for reforming Academi Seren to focus more on addressing the participation gap, supporting learners from Wales’ most disadvantaged communities, as well as better enabling learners to apply to higher education institutions in Wales.
I intend to issue a Written Statement on this issue in due course.
WQ98606 · Tabled · Answered
What plans has the Cabinet Minister made in regard to the rollout of restricting the use of smartphones in schools for under-16s?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The Welsh Government will work with local authorities and schools to better empower them to manage use of smartphones in schools to support students’ safety, learning and well-being.
WQ98605 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide details of the three reports produced by Miller Research for which £92,967 was paid by the Welsh Government in December 2025?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
Three payments were made to Miller research in December 2025 relating to the following activity: Innovation Strategy Scoping Study; Evaluation of the Intensive Learning Academy Programme and Synthesis of Evidence and Data Relating to the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment)(Wales) Act 2020. The amounts totalled £54,946.20 (incl VAT).
WQ98596 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister publish details of the compensation payments to Blake Morgan LLP totalling £98,607 in December 2025?
Answered by First Minister
Substantive response
WQ98595 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister publish a breakdown of the work undertaken by Cowshed Communications at a cost of £169,548 in December 2025?
Answered by First Minister
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Officials will write to you in due course with information relating to your request.
WQ98594 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm the purpose of the £5,593 spent on welfare as part of overseas activity on 11 December 2025?
Answered by First Minister
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable. I understand that this spend relates to medical and healthcare costs and is exempt from publication.
WQ98593 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm the purpose of the £4,484 spent on corporate hospitality as part of overseas activity on 11 December 2025?
Answered by First Minister
The period in question relates to the previous administration. Information published as part of the government’s usual transparency and accounts processes provide details of relevant external contracts and spend where applicable.
I am informed that the amount referenced included spend related to St Davids Day activity and WG attendance at the World Nuclear Exhibition.
WQ98583 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the instigation of a moratorium on all new large wind and solar farm developments in Wales, pending a review of the planning and regulatory framework?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
There has been no consideration of instigating a moratorium. Our approach for renewable energy and reviewing the national development framework was set out in the manifesto.
WQ98577 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister list all external communications, PR and marketing agencies which received payments from the Welsh Government during 2025–26, together with the total amount paid to each organisation?
Answered by First Minister
The period in question relates entirely to the previous administration. As First Minister, I am accountable to the Senedd for the actions and decisions of my government, not those of a previous one. Officials will write to you in due course with information relating to your request.
WQ98576 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister provide a breakdown of total Welsh Government spending on external public relations, communications, branding and marketing contracts during 2025–26?
Answered by First Minister
The period in question relates entirely to the previous administration. As First Minister, I am accountable to the Senedd for the actions and decisions of my government, not those of a previous one. Officials will write to you in due course with information relating to your request.
WQ98492 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm whether he will fly the flag of the United Kingdom on Government buildings?
Answered by First Minister
There are no plans to change flags protocol.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.