Siambr · Natasha Asghar
Written questions
126 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 2 of 3.
WQ99959 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government explore options for NHS Wales bodies to commission additional orthopaedic capacity from the independent sector and or NHS providers in England to support efforts to reduce elective orthopaedic waiting times in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government expects health boards to maximise capacity, improve productivity and deliver planned care recovery programmes to reduce long waits and improve access, while ensuring value for money and maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Health boards are responsible for planning and securing services to meet the needs of their populations and may consider a range of options to support timely access to treatment, including arrangements with other NHS organisations and, where appropriate, independent sector providers.
The Welsh Government continues to work with NHS organisations to reduce waiting times across elective care, including orthopaedic services. In June 2026, the Welsh Government announced an additional £145 million investment in NHS Wales, including funding to support the reduction of waiting times and investment in new surgical and diagnostic hub infrastructure. An expert clinically led group has also been established to develop plans for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales. While this work is being developed, health boards will continue to use existing planned care arrangements and available capacity to support reductions in waiting times.
Performance is measured through Welsh Government's referral-to-treatment performance framework, which measures the patient pathway from referral through to treatment and provides a consistent national measure of waiting times across specialties, including orthopaedics.
Clinical musculoskeletal assessment and treatment services, and equivalent assessment and triage services, form part of local health board arrangements and are not collected or reported as separate national RTT measures by the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government currently has no plans to introduce separate national reporting for these services. Health boards remain responsible for the management and performance of their local assessment pathways.
WQ99958 · Tabled · Answered
What action will the Welsh Government take to reduce elective orthopaedic waiting times whilst its plan for expanded surgical hub capacity is being developed?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government expects health boards to maximise capacity, improve productivity and deliver planned care recovery programmes to reduce long waits and improve access, while ensuring value for money and maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Health boards are responsible for planning and securing services to meet the needs of their populations and may consider a range of options to support timely access to treatment, including arrangements with other NHS organisations and, where appropriate, independent sector providers.
The Welsh Government continues to work with NHS organisations to reduce waiting times across elective care, including orthopaedic services. In June 2026, the Welsh Government announced an additional £145 million investment in NHS Wales, including funding to support the reduction of waiting times and investment in new surgical and diagnostic hub infrastructure. An expert clinically led group has also been established to develop plans for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales. While this work is being developed, health boards will continue to use existing planned care arrangements and available capacity to support reductions in waiting times.
Performance is measured through Welsh Government's referral-to-treatment performance framework, which measures the patient pathway from referral through to treatment and provides a consistent national measure of waiting times across specialties, including orthopaedics.
Clinical musculoskeletal assessment and treatment services, and equivalent assessment and triage services, form part of local health board arrangements and are not collected or reported as separate national RTT measures by the Welsh Government. The Welsh Government currently has no plans to introduce separate national reporting for these services. Health boards remain responsible for the management and performance of their local assessment pathways.
WQ99962 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Welsh Government intend to publish a timetable for returning elective orthopaedic waiting times to the pre-pandemic 26-week planned care target, and if so, when?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Eliminating two-year waits inherited from the previous administration is a top priority for this government.
The Welsh Government is taking specific measures to eliminate all two-year waits within a matter of months, with a clinically led focus on treating those waiting the longest first. We need to develop sustainable, transformative solutions that solves long waits.
This approach will be clinically led across the whole pathway and those experts will advise on the delivery.
Alongside the immediate actions, the approach is focused on strengthening long-term elective care capacity. Our elective care plans, that will be backed by an independent review of NHS performance, and the recently announced £145 million of additional investment this year, will drive progress.
We have also committed to develop up to 10 new surgical and diagnostic treatment hubs to increase capacity and support the NHS in keeping waiting times down and delivering additional activity.
WQ99926 · Tabled · No answer published
Will the Welsh Government commit to providing the necessary funding to resolve the ongoing situation with Old Bassaleg Bridge in Newport?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ99925 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Newport City Council about the ongoing situation with Old Bassaleg Bridge in Newport?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Responsibility for maintaining and replacing the bridge rests with Newport City Council, and the Welsh Government has worked closely with the council to support progress. We provided £1 million in 2025-26 to fund the design and survey work needed to develop proposals for a replacement bridge.
The Welsh Government is investing £49.3 million through the Regional Transport Fund across South East Wales in 2026-27. Under these arrangements, local authorities, working with the Corporate Joint Committee, determine the regional priorities for investment. While the Bassaleg Bridge scheme was not included in the funding programme submitted to Welsh Government, it remains part of the South East Wales Regional Transport Plan, recognising its importance.
Welsh Government officials continue to work constructively with Newport City Council as the project develops and remain engaged on its future progress
WQ99908 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister publish the expenditure intended to prevent poor mental health, alongside the outcomes and indicators it is seeking to achieve through that investment?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health has set out, through an Oral Statement on 15 July 2026, a commitment to ensuring that the Welsh Government’s decision-making is informed by a shared focus on public and preventative health. To support this ambition, cross-government governance arrangements are being established at both official and ministerial level to embed prevention across policy and delivery. The processes for monitoring progress and reporting on outcomes are to be confirmed.
As part of the actions for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy we will monitor a set of measurable, cross-government indicators to track progress and a list of current indicators are included in the strategy. We will also develop a monitoring approach that embeds lessons learned from these indicators into the development of policy affecting mental health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing regular updates on progress against the strategy, with the first one being made available in the summer. This update will comprise a summary report on activity and a more detailed report that captures progress against individual actions within the delivery plan.
WQ99907 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister establish a mechanism to identify, track and evaluate investment in preventing poor mental health across government departments, as well as ensure shared accountability for outcomes across portfolio boundaries?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health has set out, through an Oral Statement on 15 July 2026, a commitment to ensuring that the Welsh Government’s decision-making is informed by a shared focus on public and preventative health. To support this ambition, cross-government governance arrangements are being established at both official and ministerial level to embed prevention across policy and delivery. The processes for monitoring progress and reporting on outcomes are to be confirmed.
As part of the actions for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy we will monitor a set of measurable, cross-government indicators to track progress and a list of current indicators are included in the strategy. We will also develop a monitoring approach that embeds lessons learned from these indicators into the development of policy affecting mental health and wellbeing. We are committed to providing regular updates on progress against the strategy, with the first one being made available in the summer. This update will comprise a summary report on activity and a more detailed report that captures progress against individual actions within the delivery plan.
WQ99742 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline when the Football Association of Wales's review on participation in women's football will be completed?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Football Association of Wales is responsible for the review on participation in women’s football, including the timescale for completion.
WQ99740 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government be providing a full response to the previous Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers, published in April 2026, and if so, when?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
I am very pleased that we will be publishing our new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the Autumn. This has been developed after extensive engagement with unpaid carers and their representatives. The final version of the strategy will also benefit from the findings of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers.
We are giving careful consideration to the report and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee and will be issuing our response to the committee in September. The national strategy will be published as soon as possible after this.
The new strategy will provide the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards, education and the third sector with clear and unambiguous actions that are needed to to improve the identification, support and services available to unpaid carers across Wales. It is a blueprint to use by which we can address those issues that carers tell us are most important for them.
It is the responsibility of those organisations to ensure their local policies, practice and services fulfil these actions. We will continue to identify means by which we can better identify and drive improvement and address areas where we are not seeing sufficient progress.
We are continuing to support the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, to ensure carers can receive emergency financial support and breaks from caring. These schemes are provided in addition to the statutory duties of local authorities and health boards when it comes to unpaid carers. We are also funding our national carer organisations to deliver programmes to ensure greater identification of carers, as well as professional awareness and advice and wellbeing support. We are pursuing improved data collection on carers of all ages to inform our policies and are exploring greater cross-government working for the benefit of unpaid carers.
We will be publishing a report on the responses to the public consultation on the new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the next few weeks. This report will provide comprehensive information relating to the responses to each of the consultation questions and will identify themes and areas where respondents have stated where we can strengthen the strategy further. We will not be publishing each of the 130 responses, due to the high volume of responses. We consider the report which collates responses to be sufficiently robust and providing a detailed analysis of the responses we have received. Full individual responses will be made available on request.
I have written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about Carer’s Allowance, which is subject to current review and public consultation by the UK Government. I have requested a meeting and await his response.
WQ99739 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the UK Government about making changes to the carers allowance?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
I am very pleased that we will be publishing our new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the Autumn. This has been developed after extensive engagement with unpaid carers and their representatives. The final version of the strategy will also benefit from the findings of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers.
We are giving careful consideration to the report and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee and will be issuing our response to the committee in September. The national strategy will be published as soon as possible after this.
The new strategy will provide the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards, education and the third sector with clear and unambiguous actions that are needed to to improve the identification, support and services available to unpaid carers across Wales. It is a blueprint to use by which we can address those issues that carers tell us are most important for them.
It is the responsibility of those organisations to ensure their local policies, practice and services fulfil these actions. We will continue to identify means by which we can better identify and drive improvement and address areas where we are not seeing sufficient progress.
We are continuing to support the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, to ensure carers can receive emergency financial support and breaks from caring. These schemes are provided in addition to the statutory duties of local authorities and health boards when it comes to unpaid carers. We are also funding our national carer organisations to deliver programmes to ensure greater identification of carers, as well as professional awareness and advice and wellbeing support. We are pursuing improved data collection on carers of all ages to inform our policies and are exploring greater cross-government working for the benefit of unpaid carers.
We will be publishing a report on the responses to the public consultation on the new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the next few weeks. This report will provide comprehensive information relating to the responses to each of the consultation questions and will identify themes and areas where respondents have stated where we can strengthen the strategy further. We will not be publishing each of the 130 responses, due to the high volume of responses. We consider the report which collates responses to be sufficiently robust and providing a detailed analysis of the responses we have received. Full individual responses will be made available on request.
I have written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about Carer’s Allowance, which is subject to current review and public consultation by the UK Government. I have requested a meeting and await his response.
WQ99738 · Tabled · Answered
When the National Strategy for Unpaid Carers is published, will the Welsh Government commit to publishing all consultation responses received?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
I am very pleased that we will be publishing our new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the Autumn. This has been developed after extensive engagement with unpaid carers and their representatives. The final version of the strategy will also benefit from the findings of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers.
We are giving careful consideration to the report and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee and will be issuing our response to the committee in September. The national strategy will be published as soon as possible after this.
The new strategy will provide the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards, education and the third sector with clear and unambiguous actions that are needed to to improve the identification, support and services available to unpaid carers across Wales. It is a blueprint to use by which we can address those issues that carers tell us are most important for them.
It is the responsibility of those organisations to ensure their local policies, practice and services fulfil these actions. We will continue to identify means by which we can better identify and drive improvement and address areas where we are not seeing sufficient progress.
We are continuing to support the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, to ensure carers can receive emergency financial support and breaks from caring. These schemes are provided in addition to the statutory duties of local authorities and health boards when it comes to unpaid carers. We are also funding our national carer organisations to deliver programmes to ensure greater identification of carers, as well as professional awareness and advice and wellbeing support. We are pursuing improved data collection on carers of all ages to inform our policies and are exploring greater cross-government working for the benefit of unpaid carers.
We will be publishing a report on the responses to the public consultation on the new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the next few weeks. This report will provide comprehensive information relating to the responses to each of the consultation questions and will identify themes and areas where respondents have stated where we can strengthen the strategy further. We will not be publishing each of the 130 responses, due to the high volume of responses. We consider the report which collates responses to be sufficiently robust and providing a detailed analysis of the responses we have received. Full individual responses will be made available on request.
I have written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about Carer’s Allowance, which is subject to current review and public consultation by the UK Government. I have requested a meeting and await his response.
WQ99737 · Tabled · Answered
What is the timeline for publication of the National Strategy for Unpaid Carers?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
I am very pleased that we will be publishing our new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the Autumn. This has been developed after extensive engagement with unpaid carers and their representatives. The final version of the strategy will also benefit from the findings of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers.
We are giving careful consideration to the report and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee and will be issuing our response to the committee in September. The national strategy will be published as soon as possible after this.
The new strategy will provide the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards, education and the third sector with clear and unambiguous actions that are needed to to improve the identification, support and services available to unpaid carers across Wales. It is a blueprint to use by which we can address those issues that carers tell us are most important for them.
It is the responsibility of those organisations to ensure their local policies, practice and services fulfil these actions. We will continue to identify means by which we can better identify and drive improvement and address areas where we are not seeing sufficient progress.
We are continuing to support the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, to ensure carers can receive emergency financial support and breaks from caring. These schemes are provided in addition to the statutory duties of local authorities and health boards when it comes to unpaid carers. We are also funding our national carer organisations to deliver programmes to ensure greater identification of carers, as well as professional awareness and advice and wellbeing support. We are pursuing improved data collection on carers of all ages to inform our policies and are exploring greater cross-government working for the benefit of unpaid carers.
We will be publishing a report on the responses to the public consultation on the new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the next few weeks. This report will provide comprehensive information relating to the responses to each of the consultation questions and will identify themes and areas where respondents have stated where we can strengthen the strategy further. We will not be publishing each of the 130 responses, due to the high volume of responses. We consider the report which collates responses to be sufficiently robust and providing a detailed analysis of the responses we have received. Full individual responses will be made available on request.
I have written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about Carer’s Allowance, which is subject to current review and public consultation by the UK Government. I have requested a meeting and await his response.
WQ99736 · Tabled · Answered
Is the Welsh Government confident that the proposed National Strategy for Unpaid Carers is sufficient to address the issues facing carers in Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
I am very pleased that we will be publishing our new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the Autumn. This has been developed after extensive engagement with unpaid carers and their representatives. The final version of the strategy will also benefit from the findings of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers.
We are giving careful consideration to the report and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee and will be issuing our response to the committee in September. The national strategy will be published as soon as possible after this.
The new strategy will provide the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards, education and the third sector with clear and unambiguous actions that are needed to to improve the identification, support and services available to unpaid carers across Wales. It is a blueprint to use by which we can address those issues that carers tell us are most important for them.
It is the responsibility of those organisations to ensure their local policies, practice and services fulfil these actions. We will continue to identify means by which we can better identify and drive improvement and address areas where we are not seeing sufficient progress.
We are continuing to support the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, to ensure carers can receive emergency financial support and breaks from caring. These schemes are provided in addition to the statutory duties of local authorities and health boards when it comes to unpaid carers. We are also funding our national carer organisations to deliver programmes to ensure greater identification of carers, as well as professional awareness and advice and wellbeing support. We are pursuing improved data collection on carers of all ages to inform our policies and are exploring greater cross-government working for the benefit of unpaid carers.
We will be publishing a report on the responses to the public consultation on the new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the next few weeks. This report will provide comprehensive information relating to the responses to each of the consultation questions and will identify themes and areas where respondents have stated where we can strengthen the strategy further. We will not be publishing each of the 130 responses, due to the high volume of responses. We consider the report which collates responses to be sufficiently robust and providing a detailed analysis of the responses we have received. Full individual responses will be made available on request.
I have written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about Carer’s Allowance, which is subject to current review and public consultation by the UK Government. I have requested a meeting and await his response.
WQ99735 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support unpaid carers?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
I am very pleased that we will be publishing our new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the Autumn. This has been developed after extensive engagement with unpaid carers and their representatives. The final version of the strategy will also benefit from the findings of the Health and Social Care Committee's inquiry into support for unpaid carers.
We are giving careful consideration to the report and recommendations of the Health and Social Care Committee and will be issuing our response to the committee in September. The national strategy will be published as soon as possible after this.
The new strategy will provide the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards, education and the third sector with clear and unambiguous actions that are needed to to improve the identification, support and services available to unpaid carers across Wales. It is a blueprint to use by which we can address those issues that carers tell us are most important for them.
It is the responsibility of those organisations to ensure their local policies, practice and services fulfil these actions. We will continue to identify means by which we can better identify and drive improvement and address areas where we are not seeing sufficient progress.
We are continuing to support the Welsh Government Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund, to ensure carers can receive emergency financial support and breaks from caring. These schemes are provided in addition to the statutory duties of local authorities and health boards when it comes to unpaid carers. We are also funding our national carer organisations to deliver programmes to ensure greater identification of carers, as well as professional awareness and advice and wellbeing support. We are pursuing improved data collection on carers of all ages to inform our policies and are exploring greater cross-government working for the benefit of unpaid carers.
We will be publishing a report on the responses to the public consultation on the new National Strategy for Unpaid Carers in the next few weeks. This report will provide comprehensive information relating to the responses to each of the consultation questions and will identify themes and areas where respondents have stated where we can strengthen the strategy further. We will not be publishing each of the 130 responses, due to the high volume of responses. We consider the report which collates responses to be sufficiently robust and providing a detailed analysis of the responses we have received. Full individual responses will be made available on request.
I have written to Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about Carer’s Allowance, which is subject to current review and public consultation by the UK Government. I have requested a meeting and await his response.
WQ99681 · Tabled · Answered
What assurance can the Welsh Government provide that national clinical leadership to improve musculoskeletal (MSK) health and services will be provided after the current NHSPI internal review concludes, including for MSK conditions primarily managed in primary care such as osteoarthritis?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
As I set out in my response to WQ99680, national clinical leadership arrangements for musculoskeletal (MSK) health are an operational matter for NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.
I understand NHS Wales Performance and Improvement is currently reviewing future national clinical leadership arrangements in this area and others. As that work is ongoing, I am unable to comment on future arrangements at this stage.
In the meantime, the National MSK Strategic Clinical Network continues to support improvements in services across primary, community and secondary care, including for people living with osteoarthritis and other MSK conditions. This includes the development of an all-Wales integrated service specification.
WQ99682 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Welsh Government recognise the importance of reducing the impact of arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, which affect nearly one million people in Wales, through its public health and prevention agenda?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We recognise that reducing the impact of arthritis and MSK conditions is an important part of our wider public and preventative health agenda.
We are building on the national approach set out in the Quality Statement for Musculoskeletal Health and the framework Living with Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions in Wales, which promote prevention, early intervention and self-management. Delivery is supported by the National MSK Strategic Clinical Network, which is driving improvements across primary, community and secondary care, including the development of an all-Wales integrated MSK service specification to support more consistent, person-centred care, reduce variation and promote prevention, early diagnosis, supported self-management and timely intervention.
Alongside this, Public Health Wales is establishing a national MSK Prevention Steering Group to identify opportunities to embed high-quality, equitable prevention across the life course and within pathways of care. My officials are involved in this work and will continue to work with NHS Wales, Public Health Wales and partners to ensure arthritis and MSK conditions are reflected appropriately within our public health and prevention priorities.
WQ99680 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update regarding the vacant National Clinical Lead for Musculoskeletal (MSK) Health role?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
National clinical leadership arrangements for musculoskeletal (MSK) health are an operational matter for NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.
I understand that NHS Wales Performance and Improvement is currently reviewing how it can maximise the impact of its clinical networks and is considering the most appropriate arrangements for future national clinical leadership in this area and others.
While this review is underway, the National MSK Strategic Clinical Network continues to make good progress in delivering its work programme, including the development of national service specifications and work to support prevention, early intervention and more consistent services across Wales. I recognise the importance of strong clinical leadership and welcome the Network’s continued contribution to improving MSK services and outcomes.
WQ99679 · Tabled · Answered
Will the expert group convened to develop a delivery plan for surgical hub expansion will include input from service-users and/or the voluntary sector?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Task and Finish Group will comprise a mix of senior clinical leaders, operational leads and system experts from NHS Wales. The Group will have the flexibility to co-opt further expertise, including external advisors and independent “critical friends”, to strengthen its work as necessary.
WQ99674 · Tabled · Answered
What current or planned recruitment opportunities are available for newly qualified children's nurses within Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and neighbouring health boards?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I recognise the concerns of newly qualified nurses who are seeking to secure employment within NHS Wales, and I am committed to doing everything reasonably possible to support them into the workforce and retain their skills within Wales.
The current challenges facing some newly qualified nurses are the consequence of education commissioning decisions taken in 2022, when NHS Wales was experiencing significant nursing vacancies and workforce modelling indicated a continued need for increased training numbers. Since that time, retention has improved and vacancy levels have reduced in some areas, resulting in fewer entry-level opportunities than were anticipated when these students commenced their training. This is not a reflection of a reduced long-term need for nurses in Wales, but of changing workforce circumstances between the point at which students began their training and the point at which they have graduated.
In response, I convened a Graduate Summit on 18 June, bringing together NHS Wales organisations, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), universities and professional bodies to agree immediate and longer-term actions. Following the Summit, partners agreed an all-Wales approach to maximise employment opportunities for affected graduates, strengthen graduate transition and support arrangements, increase flexibility in deployment across different care settings, and improve workforce planning and intelligence to better align future training commissions with workforce requirements.
Retaining newly qualified nurses within Wales is a priority. The actions agreed through the Graduate Summit are specifically intended to maximise opportunities for graduates who wish to live and work in Wales and to support those who have not yet secured a substantive post. Longer-term work is also underway to strengthen workforce intelligence and improve alignment between education commissioning and workforce demand to reduce the risk of similar challenges arising in future.
Recruitment decisions, including the number and type of nursing vacancies available, are matters for individual NHS organisations. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and neighbouring health boards continue to review workforce plans and identify vacancies as service needs and financial plans evolve. Newly qualified children's nurses are encouraged to apply for opportunities advertised through normal NHS recruitment processes. Health boards are also being encouraged to identify and release suitable opportunities wherever it is safe, affordable and sustainable to do so, including through the actions agreed following the Graduate Summit.
My priority is to support newly qualified nurses into employment wherever possible, retain their skills within Wales, and ensure that the lessons learned from this years’ experience strengthen workforce planning arrangements for the future.
WQ99673 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline what urgent plans are in place to ensure Wales does not lose newly qualified nurses who want to live and work in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I recognise the concerns of newly qualified nurses who are seeking to secure employment within NHS Wales, and I am committed to doing everything reasonably possible to support them into the workforce and retain their skills within Wales.
The current challenges facing some newly qualified nurses are the consequence of education commissioning decisions taken in 2022, when NHS Wales was experiencing significant nursing vacancies and workforce modelling indicated a continued need for increased training numbers. Since that time, retention has improved and vacancy levels have reduced in some areas, resulting in fewer entry-level opportunities than were anticipated when these students commenced their training. This is not a reflection of a reduced long-term need for nurses in Wales, but of changing workforce circumstances between the point at which students began their training and the point at which they have graduated.
In response, I convened a Graduate Summit on 18 June, bringing together NHS Wales organisations, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), universities and professional bodies to agree immediate and longer-term actions. Following the Summit, partners agreed an all-Wales approach to maximise employment opportunities for affected graduates, strengthen graduate transition and support arrangements, increase flexibility in deployment across different care settings, and improve workforce planning and intelligence to better align future training commissions with workforce requirements.
Retaining newly qualified nurses within Wales is a priority. The actions agreed through the Graduate Summit are specifically intended to maximise opportunities for graduates who wish to live and work in Wales and to support those who have not yet secured a substantive post. Longer-term work is also underway to strengthen workforce intelligence and improve alignment between education commissioning and workforce demand to reduce the risk of similar challenges arising in future.
Recruitment decisions, including the number and type of nursing vacancies available, are matters for individual NHS organisations. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and neighbouring health boards continue to review workforce plans and identify vacancies as service needs and financial plans evolve. Newly qualified children's nurses are encouraged to apply for opportunities advertised through normal NHS recruitment processes. Health boards are also being encouraged to identify and release suitable opportunities wherever it is safe, affordable and sustainable to do so, including through the actions agreed following the Graduate Summit.
My priority is to support newly qualified nurses into employment wherever possible, retain their skills within Wales, and ensure that the lessons learned from this years’ experience strengthen workforce planning arrangements for the future.
WQ99672 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide, for each Welsh university offering nursing degree courses, a breakdown of enrolled students showing how many are ordinarily resident in Wales, elsewhere in the UK, and overseas?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
The most recently available data for higher education enrolments is taken from the HESA Student record for the 2024/25 academic year.
Table 1: Nursing and midwifery enrolments at Welsh higher education providers by country of permanent address, 2024/25
Wales
Rest of the UK (including Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, and UK unknown)
Non-UK
Unknown
Aberystwyth University
170
30
30
0
Bangor University
895
145
55
5
Cardiff University
955
370
80
0
Swansea University
1,085
115
115
0
The Open University (Welsh national centre)
350
0
0
0
University of South Wales
2,125
85
220
50
Wrexham University
710
210
125
0
Total
6,290
955
630
55
Source: HESA Student record via Welsh government
The data is based on the number of enrolments at a higher education provider that have been identified as ‘Nursing and midwifery’ subjects within the common aggregated hierarchy (CAH) subject groupings. The ‘Nursing and midwifery’ subject grouping includes the following subjects:
All subject data is calculated based on the full person equivalent, meaning if someone is studying more than one subject, the enrolment can be split between subjects. For example, if a student is on a course that is evenly split between law and nursing, they would appear as 0.5 enrolments in law and 0.5 enrolments in nursing.
WQ99671 · Tabled · Answered
What support is available for Welsh-resident nursing graduates who were unable to study in Wales but wish to return to work for NHS Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Welsh-resident graduates who undertake their nursing training elsewhere in the UK remain eligible to apply for opportunities within NHS Wales.
NHS Wales organisations recruit on the basis of skills, qualifications and service need, regardless of where in the UK, an individual has undertaken their nursing training. Individuals who have completed approved nursing programmes elsewhere in the UK are able to apply for vacancies advertised by NHS Wales organisations. HEIW and NHS Wales partners also provide career information, preceptorship arrangements and development opportunities to support newly qualified professionals entering the workforce.
WQ99670 · Tabled · Answered
What action is being taken by the Cabinet Minister to address the shortage of Band 5 posts for newly qualified nurses in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I recognise the concerns of newly qualified nurses who are seeking to secure employment within NHS Wales, and I am committed to doing everything reasonably possible to support them into the workforce and retain their skills within Wales.
The current challenges facing some newly qualified nurses are the consequence of education commissioning decisions taken in 2022, when NHS Wales was experiencing significant nursing vacancies and workforce modelling indicated a continued need for increased training numbers. Since that time, retention has improved and vacancy levels have reduced in some areas, resulting in fewer entry-level opportunities than were anticipated when these students commenced their training. This is not a reflection of a reduced long-term need for nurses in Wales, but of changing workforce circumstances between the point at which students began their training and the point at which they have graduated.
In response, I convened a Graduate Summit on 18 June, bringing together NHS Wales organisations, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), universities and professional bodies to agree immediate and longer-term actions. Following the Summit, partners agreed an all-Wales approach to maximise employment opportunities for affected graduates, strengthen graduate transition and support arrangements, increase flexibility in deployment across different care settings, and improve workforce planning and intelligence to better align future training commissions with workforce requirements.
Retaining newly qualified nurses within Wales is a priority. The actions agreed through the Graduate Summit are specifically intended to maximise opportunities for graduates who wish to live and work in Wales and to support those who have not yet secured a substantive post. Longer-term work is also underway to strengthen workforce intelligence and improve alignment between education commissioning and workforce demand to reduce the risk of similar challenges arising in future.
Recruitment decisions, including the number and type of nursing vacancies available, are matters for individual NHS organisations. Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and neighbouring health boards continue to review workforce plans and identify vacancies as service needs and financial plans evolve. Newly qualified children's nurses are encouraged to apply for opportunities advertised through normal NHS recruitment processes. Health boards are also being encouraged to identify and release suitable opportunities wherever it is safe, affordable and sustainable to do so, including through the actions agreed following the Graduate Summit.
My priority is to support newly qualified nurses into employment wherever possible, retain their skills within Wales, and ensure that the lessons learned from this years’ experience strengthen workforce planning arrangements for the future.
WQ99601 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ99439, when can childcare providers expect the 2027–28 funding rates to be announced, allowing sufficient time for business planning before implementation?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I refer the Member to the answer given in WQ99439
WQ99600 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ99439, will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether childcare providers and representative organisations will be consulted as part of the review?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I refer the Member to the answer given in WQ99439
WQ99599 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ99439, when will the review of childcare funding rates commence?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I refer the Member to the answer given in WQ99439
WQ99597 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government ensuring that relevant NICE guidance and quality standards on endometriosis and menstrual health are reflected in care pathways across Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
We recognise that diagnosis of endometriosis can take too long for too many women. We are committed to strengthening the NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan – reducing delayed diagnosis and late treatment for women and girls in areas such as endometriosis.
We are taking forward a programme of work focused on improving the pathway across primary, secondary and tertiary services. This will include work to improve workforce skills to encourage earlier recognition of symptoms and improving access to assessment and treatment to reduce diagnostic delays across Wales. As this work develops, we will give consideration to whether a target for diagnosis times is appropriate.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) have developed Introductory and Fundamentals endometriosis training modules which are available to all staff (and external) via Y Ty Dysgu. Further modules will be developed during 2026/27.
Participation in the modules will be monitored, and consideration will be given to what, if any, additional actions are needed to increase uptake.
The implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance across key areas of women’s health is supported by the Women’s Health Network in NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. The network is working with health boards to strengthen consistency, quality, and equity of service provision across Wales, ensuring regular benchmarking of pelvic health, menopause, and menstrual health services against relevant NICE guidelines. This work will also strengthen data collection, reporting, and transparency through the establishment of system-wide oversight of progress and variation in women’s health services with the aim of improving quality and access, and ensuring that care is equitable, evidence-based, and aligned with the ambitions of the Women’s Health Plan.
WQ99596 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to improve training for healthcare professionals so endometriosis symptoms are recognised earlier?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
We recognise that diagnosis of endometriosis can take too long for too many women. We are committed to strengthening the NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan – reducing delayed diagnosis and late treatment for women and girls in areas such as endometriosis.
We are taking forward a programme of work focused on improving the pathway across primary, secondary and tertiary services. This will include work to improve workforce skills to encourage earlier recognition of symptoms and improving access to assessment and treatment to reduce diagnostic delays across Wales. As this work develops, we will give consideration to whether a target for diagnosis times is appropriate.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) have developed Introductory and Fundamentals endometriosis training modules which are available to all staff (and external) via Y Ty Dysgu. Further modules will be developed during 2026/27.
Participation in the modules will be monitored, and consideration will be given to what, if any, additional actions are needed to increase uptake.
The implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance across key areas of women’s health is supported by the Women’s Health Network in NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. The network is working with health boards to strengthen consistency, quality, and equity of service provision across Wales, ensuring regular benchmarking of pelvic health, menopause, and menstrual health services against relevant NICE guidelines. This work will also strengthen data collection, reporting, and transparency through the establishment of system-wide oversight of progress and variation in women’s health services with the aim of improving quality and access, and ensuring that care is equitable, evidence-based, and aligned with the ambitions of the Women’s Health Plan.
WQ99595 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that women's health hubs are adequately funded and staffed?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
As part of the implementation of the Women’s Health Plan for Wales, the Welsh Government made non-recurrent funding available during 2025-26 to support all health boards to deliver against key priorities that improve access to women's health services. Three priority areas were determined for the initial phase of the hubs: menstrual health, contraception and menopause.
From the outset, health boards were advised that this funding was time-limited and that proposals for longer-term service delivery would need to be considered through local planning arrangements.
Further non-recurrent funding is available for 2026-27. Health boards were invited to submit proposals setting out how they plan to consolidate their existing hub model, including expansion and pump-priming to prepare for the inclusion of additional services. These proposals are currently being considered, and decisions will be communicated directly to health boards in due course.
WQ99594 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to reducing endometriosis diagnosis times to one year or less by 2030?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
We recognise that diagnosis of endometriosis can take too long for too many women. We are committed to strengthening the NHS Wales Women’s Health Plan – reducing delayed diagnosis and late treatment for women and girls in areas such as endometriosis.
We are taking forward a programme of work focused on improving the pathway across primary, secondary and tertiary services. This will include work to improve workforce skills to encourage earlier recognition of symptoms and improving access to assessment and treatment to reduce diagnostic delays across Wales. As this work develops, we will give consideration to whether a target for diagnosis times is appropriate.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) have developed Introductory and Fundamentals endometriosis training modules which are available to all staff (and external) via Y Ty Dysgu. Further modules will be developed during 2026/27.
Participation in the modules will be monitored, and consideration will be given to what, if any, additional actions are needed to increase uptake.
The implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance across key areas of women’s health is supported by the Women’s Health Network in NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. The network is working with health boards to strengthen consistency, quality, and equity of service provision across Wales, ensuring regular benchmarking of pelvic health, menopause, and menstrual health services against relevant NICE guidelines. This work will also strengthen data collection, reporting, and transparency through the establishment of system-wide oversight of progress and variation in women’s health services with the aim of improving quality and access, and ensuring that care is equitable, evidence-based, and aligned with the ambitions of the Women’s Health Plan.
WQ99555 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm is the Welsh Government continuing to refresh the quality statement for palliative and end-of-life care, and when it is expected to be published?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The shift towards more care being delivered in primary and community settings is central to improving outcomes and experiences for people living with a terminal illness. Community-based care should be the default model of care by design, not by exception, enabling people to receive proactive, coordinated support closer to home and in familiar surroundings wherever possible. Through the Community by Design Transformation Programme, NHS Wales must increasingly provide multidisciplinary care that brings together primary care, community nursing, specialist palliative care, social care and wider support services around the needs of the individual.
This approach helps to ensure earlier identification of palliative care needs, better care planning, improved coordination between services, and greater choice and control for individuals and their families. It will also help to reduce avoidable conveyance to, and admission into, hospital, ensuring that specialist hospital care is used when it is needed while more care is delivered in community settings where this is clinically appropriate and aligned with a person's wishes.
We remain committed to strengthening palliative and end-of-life care services as part of this wider transformation. To support this, we are currently refreshing the Quality Statement for Palliative and End-of-Life Care to reflect learning, emerging priorities and the continued need to improve equity, quality and outcomes across Wales. We aim to publish the refreshed Quality Statement in the Autumn.
Through these actions, we will continue to work with NHS organisations, hospices and other partners to ensure people living with a terminal illness receive the care, support and dignity they deserve.
WQ99554 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Cabinet Minister ensure that the shift to primary and community care will deliver better care and support for those living with a terminal illness?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The shift towards more care being delivered in primary and community settings is central to improving outcomes and experiences for people living with a terminal illness. Community-based care should be the default model of care by design, not by exception, enabling people to receive proactive, coordinated support closer to home and in familiar surroundings wherever possible. Through the Community by Design Transformation Programme, NHS Wales must increasingly provide multidisciplinary care that brings together primary care, community nursing, specialist palliative care, social care and wider support services around the needs of the individual.
This approach helps to ensure earlier identification of palliative care needs, better care planning, improved coordination between services, and greater choice and control for individuals and their families. It will also help to reduce avoidable conveyance to, and admission into, hospital, ensuring that specialist hospital care is used when it is needed while more care is delivered in community settings where this is clinically appropriate and aligned with a person's wishes.
We remain committed to strengthening palliative and end-of-life care services as part of this wider transformation. To support this, we are currently refreshing the Quality Statement for Palliative and End-of-Life Care to reflect learning, emerging priorities and the continued need to improve equity, quality and outcomes across Wales. We aim to publish the refreshed Quality Statement in the Autumn.
Through these actions, we will continue to work with NHS organisations, hospices and other partners to ensure people living with a terminal illness receive the care, support and dignity they deserve.
WQ99526 · Tabled · No answer published
Will the Cabinet Minister outline whether NHS Wales has identified alternative AI companies to Palantir and if so, which companies are being considered?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ99523 · Tabled · No answer published
Will the Cabinet Minister provide a breakdown of current contracts between NHS Wales and the data integration and analytics software company Palantir?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ99477 · Tabled · Answered
What actions is the Cabinet Minister undertaking to make focal therapies for prostate cancer available to men in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government and Health and Care Research Wales are in discussions with the TRANSFORM Trial team regarding the potential inclusion of Welsh patients in the study, including establishing trial sites in Wales.
I expect the NHS in Wales to deliver care in line with recommended clinical practice to ensure that patients receive clinically effective and cost-effective care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not recommend focal therapy for localised prostate cancer as standard care.
WQ99476 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions the Welsh Government has had with the TRANSFORM prostate cancer screening trial team about setting up trial sites in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government and Health and Care Research Wales are in discussions with the TRANSFORM Trial team regarding the potential inclusion of Welsh patients in the study, including establishing trial sites in Wales.
I expect the NHS in Wales to deliver care in line with recommended clinical practice to ensure that patients receive clinically effective and cost-effective care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not recommend focal therapy for localised prostate cancer as standard care.
WQ99453 · Tabled · Answered
How will the Government work with the third sector in developing its cancer plan?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We made a commitment to bring forward a national cancer plan, and to create a fund for people affected by cancer to supplement the support already provided.
I will make an announcement on 15 July about how we will take forward the national cancer plan and engage with stakeholders, such as members of the third sector. I am also due to meet the Wales Cancer Alliance of charities on 17 September.
The strategic approach to improving support for children and young people with cancer will be included in the national cancer plan. The travel fund is currently being scoped, and I will announce further detail in due course.
WQ99439 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline a timeline for the upcoming review of, and announcement on, childcare rates?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The timing of the next childcare rate review has not yet been finalised. The timeline for the review is being considered as part of preparations for the 2027-28 Budget, including the Draft Budget which will be published on 17 November 2026.
We also recognise that childcare providers will want clarity at the earliest opportunity to support their financial and business planning. Further details will be provided in due course.
WQ99437 · Tabled · Answered
What steps will the Welsh Government take to ensure that support is available in Wales equivalent to the £10 million travel fund for children and young people with cancer in England that is due from 2027?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We made a commitment to bring forward a national cancer plan, and to create a fund for people affected by cancer to supplement the support already provided.
I will make an announcement on 15 July about how we will take forward the national cancer plan and engage with stakeholders, such as members of the third sector. I am also due to meet the Wales Cancer Alliance of charities on 17 September.
The strategic approach to improving support for children and young people with cancer will be included in the national cancer plan. The travel fund is currently being scoped, and I will announce further detail in due course.
WQ99436 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the Government's strategic approach to improving support for children and young people with cancer during and beyond treatment, including how they will be included in the cancer plan?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We made a commitment to bring forward a national cancer plan, and to create a fund for people affected by cancer to supplement the support already provided.
I will make an announcement on 15 July about how we will take forward the national cancer plan and engage with stakeholders, such as members of the third sector. I am also due to meet the Wales Cancer Alliance of charities on 17 September.
The strategic approach to improving support for children and young people with cancer will be included in the national cancer plan. The travel fund is currently being scoped, and I will announce further detail in due course.
WQ99435 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the Welsh Government's commitments on cancer patient travel will provide dedicated support for all children and young people with cancer and their families, and if not, what plans are in place to introduce such support?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
We made a commitment to bring forward a national cancer plan, and to create a fund for people affected by cancer to supplement the support already provided.
I will make an announcement on 15 July about how we will take forward the national cancer plan and engage with stakeholders, such as members of the third sector. I am also due to meet the Wales Cancer Alliance of charities on 17 September.
The strategic approach to improving support for children and young people with cancer will be included in the national cancer plan. The travel fund is currently being scoped, and I will announce further detail in due course.
WQ99423 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide a timeline for the publication of the new cancer plan for Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I intend to make an announcement via a Written Statement to the Senedd on 15 July 2026 setting out the next steps for the commitment to a National Cancer Plan, including its intended publication date and methods of engagement. The content of the plan is being scoped and will take into account learning from the Health and Social Care Committee’s report into gynaecological cancers. Our working assumption at this stage is to publish the plan at the Wales Cancer Conference in February 2027.
WQ99422 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the recommendations set out in the Unheard report are implemented and incorporated into the new cancer plan for Wales, given the report's findings on the challenges experienced by women with gynaecological cancers?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I intend to make an announcement via a Written Statement to the Senedd on 15 July 2026 setting out the next steps for the commitment to a National Cancer Plan, including its intended publication date and methods of engagement. The content of the plan is being scoped and will take into account learning from the Health and Social Care Committee’s report into gynaecological cancers. Our working assumption at this stage is to publish the plan at the Wales Cancer Conference in February 2027.
WQ99388 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working with schools, colleges and employers to ensure that young people leave education with the skills needed by family-owned businesses?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
To prepare children for work, the Curriculum for Wales includes critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and innovation.
It also seeks to develop strong literacy and numeracy skills, including financial literacy, that are vital across all sectors. Our new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan will support higher standards, stronger teaching and improved learner attainment.
Careers and work-related experiences within the curriculum, together with Careers Wales and local employer engagement activity, help learners explore opportunities from an early age to develop their future aspirations.
Our First 100 Days commitments include a Future Skills Summit, alongside a comprehensive Skills Audit to build a clearer picture of current and future workforce needs across Wales. This will help align education, employment and training pathways with Wales’ skills priorities and the needs of employers, including family-owned businesses.
WQ99391 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government using public procurement policy to strengthen opportunities for family-owned businesses as part of its community wealth building agenda?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Many Welsh Government procurement policies which strengthened opportunities for family-owned businesses have become law through the Procurement Act 2023 and the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023. The legislation helps such businesses by creating a framework that removes barriers for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs), increases transparency, strengthens consideration of social and economic outcomes, and supports community wealth building. Welsh Government policy goes further by requiring social value weightings in relevant tenders, and providing guidance on the ability to reserve below threshold procurements to SMEs, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises and, for certain Welsh Contracting Authorities, the ability to reserve such procurements to suppliers in a specific geographic location.
WQ99390 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government review whether current procurement processes create unnecessary barriers for local businesses?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Public procurement in Wales is governed by the Procurement Act 2023 and the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023, both of which support increased transparency. The Procurement Act requires contracting authorities to have regard to barriers faced by small and medium-sized enterprises and to consider how such barriers might be reduced or removed. It also requires authorities to consider whether contracts can be divided into lots, where appropriate, to improve access to procurement opportunities for SMEs and local businesses. Concerns regarding compliance with the Act may be referred to the Welsh Procurement Review Unit for consideration and investigation.
WQ99389 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government ensuring that public procurement processes support locally owned family businesses and the communities they serve?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Welsh Government recognises the importance of using procurement as a lever to support local businesses and communities. The Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 requires Welsh Contracting Authorities to seek to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of its area by carrying out procurement in a socially responsible way and requires evidence of this through their annual reports. Additionally, the Welsh Themes, Outcomes and Measures (TOMs) system pilot provides a framework to help authorities measure and report on such improvements. This reflects Welsh Governments commitment to ensuring that public procurement processes support local businesses and communities.
WQ99387 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that skills programmes and apprenticeships are sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of family businesses and other SMEs?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
The Welsh Government recognises the important role that apprenticeships and wider skills programmes play in supporting businesses of all sizes, including family businesses and SMEs.
Medr is currently developing a new apprenticeship programme for implementation from August 2027. As part of this work, Medr is exploring how barriers faced by SMEs can be addressed and how the programme can be made more flexible and responsive to the needs of employers, learners and the economy.
Alongside apprenticeships, our Flexible Skills Programme provides direct support to employers to upskill and reskill their workforce through a demand-led model, enabling businesses to access training that meets their specific needs and business priorities. The programme supports employers of all sizes across Wales with a generous 50% contribution from Welsh Government and can respond quickly to emerging skills requirements and opportunities.
More broadly, the Welsh Government is strengthening the skills system through a National Skills Audit and a Future Skills Summit, which will help inform future priorities and ensure the system is aligned to employer and workforce needs.
WQ99326 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Cabinet Minister taking to provide funding for local authorities to switch users' telecare services from analogue to digital?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Local Authorities are funded by Welsh Government through the Local Government Revenue and Capital settlement. The analogue switch-off was first announced by the telecoms industry in 2018, and Local Authorities are expected to have planned for that within existing budgets.
Welsh Government has established a cross public sector working group on the switch-off, which includes representatives from Local Authorities, to highlight areas of common interest and share good practice and solutions including the upgrade of telecare.
WQ99281 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether leukaemia will be included in the Welsh Government's proposed cancer delivery plan?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
This Government’s commitment to develop a National Cancer Plan reflects our determination to improve cancer care and outcomes. The plan will set out an ambitious future for cancer care in Wales and give the NHS the clarity it needs to focus on this set of conditions and to deliver better services for the people of Wales.
We are working at pace as part of our 100-day commitments to bring forward our plans, and I will update Members ahead of summer recess to confirm our intentions and outline how stakeholders will be engaged in its development. I intend to publish the plan in February 2027 to coincide with World Cancer Day. We will then work closely with the NHS and wider partners to support delivery of its key priorities.
In relation to data, the Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit (WCISU) already collects and publishes information on cancer incidence, mortality and survival, including for leukaemia. Its Cancer Reporting Tool also provides data for each of the four main types of leukaemia. We recognise that high-quality data and intelligence is integral to understanding variation in access, treatment and survival, and ultimately improving cancer outcomes.
The National Cancer Plan will be developed to support improvements in outcomes for people affected by cancer in Wales, irrespective of cancer type, and will therefore be as relevant to people with leukaemia as it will be to those affected by other cancers. However, responsibility for planning and delivering services for people with leukaemia rests with NHS organisations.
By addressing challenges across cancer pathways and driving service improvement in line with clinical standards, the National Cancer Plan will support the NHS to deliver high-quality, equitable and person-centred cancer care, helping to improve outcomes and experiences for people affected by cancer in Wales.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.