Siambr · Darren Millar
Written questions
146 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 1 of 3.
WQ101103 · Tabled · No answer published
How many Welsh Government employees have been awaiting permanent redeployment for a) more than three months, b) more than six months, c) more than one year, d) more than two years, and e) more than five years?
To be answered by: First Minister
WQ101102 · Tabled · No answer published
How many Welsh Government employees are currently awaiting permanent redeployment following the abolition of their substantive posts?
To be answered by: First Minister
WQ101101 · Tabled · No answer published
How many NHS Wales employees have been awaiting permanent redeployment for a) more than three months, b) more than six months, c) more than one year, d) more than two years, and e) more than five years, broken down by employing organisation?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ101100 · Tabled · No answer published
How many employees of NHS Wales health boards and trusts are currently awaiting permanent redeployment following the abolition of their substantive posts, broken down by employing organisation?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
WQ101049 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government engaging with the Scottish Government regarding the implementation of its commitment to introduce Cynnal payments?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
We are engaging closely with the Scottish Government as we develop our Programme for Government commitment to pilot the Cynnal payment.
On 2 September I met with Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing, Scottish Government to discuss child poverty and the child payment. Officials have also met with Scottish Government policy officials, Social Security Scotland and those involved in evaluating the Scottish Child Payment to learn from their experience of developing, delivering and assessing the impact of the payment.
WQ101045 · Tabled · No answer published
What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that Welsh communities benefit from further UK investment in AI?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ101054 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact that the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 has had on the capacity of children's residential and foster care services?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
Sufficiency pressures in children’s social care pre-date the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 (“the Act”) and reflect long-term trends in the needs of children requiring care.
The Welsh Government monitors implementation of the Act through regular engagement with the sector and six-monthly reporting on the number of registered services, places and fostering households. To date, we have not seen evidence that implementation of the Act has directly reduced the overall capacity of children's residential or fostering services in Wales.
In line with my Written Statement in July, we are implementing the move to a not-for-profit model in phases to maintain stability, sufficiency and continuity of care. The Welsh Government is also supporting local authorities to plan and develop additional not-for-profit provision as part of implementation. ADSS Cymru’s June 2026 position statement reports that over 200 local authority residential beds have either been developed or are in development, demonstrating the progress being made to strengthen capacity. However, our approach is not solely concerned with the overall number of places, but with securing the right type and quality of care in the right location, prioritising family-based care where appropriate.
We continue to monitor wider pressures affecting the sector, including workforce and financial challenges, through the Not-for-Profit Children's Implementation Board and its workstreams. In addition to the support to local authorities, the Welsh Government also funds Cwmpas to support providers seeking to re-establish services under a not-for-profit model. The introduction of local authority annual sufficiency plans from December 2026, together with continued six-monthly reporting, will strengthen the evidence base for assessing future placement capacity, demand and funding requirements.
WQ101053 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working with health boards to improve the resilience of the NHS Wales estate and workforce to hot weather?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government continues to work with health boards to improve future resilience in many areas including the implications of hot temperatures. In terms of NHS seasonal preparedness for both hot and cold weather, the Chief Medical Officer for Wales has issued public health links every year for the past four years, which set out the Welsh Government’s expectations of health and social care practitioners.
During the hot temperatures experienced this year the Deputy NHS Wales Chief Executive issued guidance to NHS organisations on preparedness, business continuity and adverse weather planning.
Health Boards are responsible for managing their own estates, including heating, cooling, ventilation and temperature-control arrangements across hospital settings, including wards.
To strengthen resilience, all NHS organisations in Wales are required to have assessed their climate risks and put plans in place to protect health services and population health from the impacts of climate change.
The acute pressures reported by NHS staff as a result of the extreme heat events of the summer further underlines the importance of advancing plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change, and of countering the reckless denialism peddled by certain political actors.
WQ101052 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working to improve the delivery of Digital Health and Care Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) are in Level 4 escalation to address concerns about programme delivery, governance, leadership and culture. We have put in place an organisation specific escalation framework which sets out the expectations and de-escalation criteria.
We have commissioned NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, to undertake a formal intervention including an independent well-led review is under way to assess governance, organisational culture and leadership. Its findings will inform further improvement action. Through regular accountability and escalation arrangements, we are monitoring delivery, seeking assurance on programme risks and requiring clearer responsibilities across DHCW and health boards, recognising that successful national delivery depends on coordinated action across NHS Wales.
WQ101051 · Tabled · Answered
Is the Welsh Government seeking powers to equalise capital gains tax with income tax in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
The Welsh Government is not currently seeking powers to equalise capital gains tax with income tax in Wales.
As a principle, this Welsh Government favours alignment of capital gains and income tax rates but, as capital gains tax is a reserved tax, that would be a decision for the UK government to make.
WQ101050 · Tabled · Answered
Is the Welsh Government seeking powers to implement a wealth tax in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
The Welsh Government is not currently seeking powers to introduce a wealth tax in Wales.
This government remains committed to the concept of progressive taxation, and we will continue to explore our available options to make tax as fair as possible for the people of Wales.
WQ101048 · Tabled · No answer published
How is the Welsh Government working to improve the survival rate of businesses?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ101047 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government incorporating AI into NHS workforce planning?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is considering how artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies should inform NHS workforce planning in Wales. HEIW is reviewing the latest evidence on the impact of AI, automation and digital technologies on workforce capacity, productivity, skills and service delivery. This evidence is being used to inform future workforce planning assumptions and scenario modelling.
The Welsh Government and HEIW recognise that AI has the potential to support a more sustainable NHS workforce by enhancing productivity, releasing clinical and administrative capacity, and enabling new ways of working.
Alongside workforce planning activity, HEIW is supporting the development of AI capability across NHS Wales through learning resources and training designed to improve AI literacy, confidence and understanding among the workforce.
WQ101046 · Tabled · No answer published
What modelling has the Welsh Government undertaken on the impact of increasing AI usage on jobs in Wales during this Senedd term?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ101044 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working to maximise the benefits of AI for the Welsh language?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
We want AI to create opportunities for more people to use more Welsh in more situations. Our approach brings together investment in Welsh language technology, open resources, strategic partnerships and international collaboration so that Welsh speakers can benefit from more accurate and capable tools in the workplace and in everyday life.
We have funded the development of Welsh language AI through our technology grants. In 2026–27, this includes support for Bangor University’s Iriaith project to develop and improve Welsh language AI models and technology tools, and Cardiff University’s work to develop Welsh language technology infrastructure. This strengthens the foundations for AI and digital services that work in Welsh.
Our new partnership with Cosine builds on our longstanding approach of sharing publicly available data and open resources to improve how AI processes Welsh. It will help ensure that Welsh is represented in AI systems developed and hosted in the UK, giving developers and public services greater access to technology that understands and generates Welsh more accurately.
WQ101043 · Tabled · No answer published
How is the Welsh Government ensuring that the workforce has the skills required by an economy increasingly impacted by AI?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
WQ101042 · Tabled · No answer published
Is the Welsh Government in favour of the construction of more data centres in Wales?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ101041 · Tabled · Answered
Will funding that the Welsh Government provides to local authorities for the purposes of expanding childcare provision be ringfenced?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government monitors funding provided to local authorities for childcare expansion through the Children and Communities Grant. Local authorities submit financial claims and monitoring information twice a year, which Welsh Government officials review and follow up where further information or assurance is required. This is complemented by the separate collection and monitoring of statistical information on the delivery and take-up of childcare provision.
Funding allocated to local authorities for Phase 3 of the expansion of funded childcare for two-year-olds is ringfenced within the Children and Communities Grant. It is separate from the grant’s flexible funding for wider early intervention and family support services and must be used in accordance with the grant conditions and agreed childcare expansion plans. Funding arrangements for any subsequent phases will be considered as the future delivery model is developed and through the relevant budget processes.
WQ101040 · Tabled · Answered
On how many occasions has the Cabinet Minister met with representatives of local authorities regarding commitments to expand childcare provision?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
I have chaired four meetings of the Expansion of Childcare Expert Steering Group. Its membership includes representatives from the Welsh Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Education in Wales (ADEW), who represent local authority views. I also met a range of local authority representatives delivering the current offer for two-year-olds and three- to four-year-olds at a workshop in July. In addition, my officials meet regularly with local authority representatives to ensure their full involvement in developing and rolling out the childcare expansion.
WQ101039 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government monitoring the use of funds provided to local authorities for the purpose of expanding childcare provision?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government monitors funding provided to local authorities for childcare expansion through the Children and Communities Grant. Local authorities submit financial claims and monitoring information twice a year, which Welsh Government officials review and follow up where further information or assurance is required. This is complemented by the separate collection and monitoring of statistical information on the delivery and take-up of childcare provision.
Funding allocated to local authorities for Phase 3 of the expansion of funded childcare for two-year-olds is ringfenced within the Children and Communities Grant. It is separate from the grant’s flexible funding for wider early intervention and family support services and must be used in accordance with the grant conditions and agreed childcare expansion plans. Funding arrangements for any subsequent phases will be considered as the future delivery model is developed and through the relevant budget processes.
WQ101038 · Tabled · No answer published
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the benefits of enabling parents to use childcare provision flexibly?
To be answered by: Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
WQ100992 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government set out a) the total public funding provided to the Development Bank of Wales and its predecessor, Finance Wales, b) the amount returned to the Welsh Government, c) the current value of investments held, and d) the cumulative value of loans and investments written off?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Development Bank of Wales (including Finance Wales up to 2017) has received £1.9bn of funding from the Welsh Government since 2001.
DBW operates its funding as a portfolio to manage risk and returns. Current forecasts across all delivery show that the full capital allocation will be repaid on a portfolio basis.
To date £188m has been transferred back to Welsh Government, noting larger investment funds operated by DBW were initiated post the launch of DBW in 2017 and are still live. Recycling of the funds within elements of the portfolio supports effective budget management to increase the capacity to reuse public capital. Conclusions drawn from the data requested should, therefore, be considered in this context.
As at 31 March 2026, the Development Bank of Wales reported investment assets with a carrying value of approximately £733 million. This does not reflect the current bank balance against which some repayments to Welsh Government are planned.
This comprised £327.4 million of loans, £347.6 million of shared equity investments, £53.5 million of equity investments, £4.0 million of convertible loan notes and £0.4 million of other fund investments.
Further detail is provided in the Consolidated Balance Sheet (page 89) and in Notes 13 and 14 of the 2025/26 Annual Report and Accounts.
Write offs to date over the 25-year period amount to c. £70m against this funding (this excludes European funding).
Matters relating to the accounts of the bank are complex and we are open to further dialogue to support the interpretation of information provided here.
WQ100946 · Tabled · No answer published
How many debts arising from grants awarded under the Food Business Investment Scheme have been cancelled in each of the last three financial years and what is the total value of debts cancelled in each year?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Finance
WQ100945 · Tabled · No answer published
How many debts relating to grants awarded by the Welsh Government have been cancelled or written off in each of the last three financial years and what is the total value in each year and a breakdown by grant scheme?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Finance
WQ100912 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm the annual basic salary, employer pension contributions, bonuses and any other remuneration paid to the Chief Executive of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence in each of the last three financial years?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The salary and pension contributions paid to the Chief Executive of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence in each of the last three financial years are as follows:
2025
2026
2027
Remuneration for Qualifying services
£207,999.00
£221,312.00
£228,615.00
Company pension contributions to defined pension schemes
£33,107.00
£37,623.00
£38,939.00
No bonuses nor additional remuneration have been paid.
WQ100886 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government commit to reviewing permitted development rights for mobile infrastructure in Wales to ensure they reflect current market conditions, network-sharing arrangements, and the technical requirements of 5G deployment?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Permitted Development Rights for telecommunications infrastructure in Wales were amended in 2019 in consultation with the industry to address their calls to increase mast height and mast width and make changes to other regulations to better support deployment of 4G and 5G services.
The Welsh Government supports the deployment of fast modern telecoms infrastructure and has put in place planning policy and PDRs to help achieve this. However, it is important to consider impacts on amenity and the environment where this is relevant. Approximately 30% of land in Wales falls within a protected land designation
The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government outlines that we will reform the planning system to ensure it better supports the needs of the people, communities and businesses of Wales and produce a National Development Framework (NDF) for Wales that provides renewed vision and oversight on an all‑Wales basis.
WQ100885 · Tabled · No answer published
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the importance of mobile connectivity to Wales’s economic growth, public services, and digital inclusion objectives?
To be answered by: Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
WQ100882 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to allowing greater clearance and additional antennas on rooftop sites to support the rollout of improved mobile connectivity?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government outlines that we will reform the planning system to ensure it better supports the needs of the people, communities and businesses of Wales
We aim to create the right conditions for telecoms industry investment in mobile phone connectivity with the levers at our disposal and continue to make the case for ongoing investment in digital infrastructure throughout Wales. This includes encouraging private sector operators to expand their own networks
WQ100835 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the effectiveness of current reporting pathways between opticians, patients and the DVLA when a driver is found to be medically unfit to drive due to failing eyesight?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government has considered the current reporting arrangements, where drivers must notify the DVLA if they do not meet the required vision standards for driving. Professional guidance requires optometrists to inform patients of that responsibility and enables optometrists to notify the DVLA when necessary, in the public interest.
Welsh Government has contributed to the UK Government’s recent consultation on eyesight testing for drivers, supporting clearer escalation routes for clinicians where public safety is at risk and a consistent UK-wide approach.
WQ100834 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister reaffirm the Welsh Government's commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Yes. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism was adopted by the previous Welsh Government in 2017 and the new Welsh Government remains committed to its use.
WQ100734 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide the names of all external organisations contracted to undertake the climate communications and social research work for which £942,000 was approved on 25 August 2026, together with the value and purpose of each contract?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Communications activity
The following contracts have been awarded to SBW Advertising in 2026-27:
An additional £100,000 has not yet been awarded to a contractor and will be used to deliver content partnerships in support of the above.
Social research
A total of £220,000 has been allocated for social research activity in 2026-27. The main focus is the commissioning of a new national Climate and Nature Survey, the contract for which has not yet been awarded. The remainder covers outstanding research commissioned in 2025-26, including:
The remaining £62,000 covers related programme-funded staff costs.
WQ100729 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to mitigate the impact on providers of home-to-school transport of the increase in fuel costs in recent months?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The Welsh Government recognises that operating costs, including fuel prices, can affect the cost of delivering learner travel services for transport operators and local authorities.
Local authorities are responsible for the delivery of learner travel arrangements and use core funding received through the annual local government revenue settlement, as well as their own resources, to support these services.
We continue to monitor the situation closely and engage regularly with local authorities, transport operators and their representative bodies and relevant UK Government departments on the pressures affecting service delivery and sustainability.
WQ100426 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government explain the purpose, funding scheme and approval date of the £93,504.04 capital grant made to 9 Meals From Anarchy on 26 March 2026, as set out in the Welsh Government expenditure over £25,000 dataset for March 2026?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The £93,504.04 transaction recorded on 26 March 2026 does not represent a new grant award or payment. It reflects the cancellation of a debt that had previously been raised in relation to funding awarded to Nine Meals from Anarchy Ltd.
The original grant was approved in August 2021 under the Food Business Investment Scheme (part of the EU Rural Development Programme) to support a food business investment project. Following a review by Rural Payments Wales, it was concluded the grant did not need to be recovered as the funded project had been completed and remained operational until the company entered insolvency. The debt was therefore cancelled in line with applicable retained EU law.
WQ100701 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to exempting those involved in the performing arts industry from the visitor levy?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
To ensure simplicity and stability for businesses and visitors, the visitor levy has been designed with minimal exemptions and variations.
The levy is a modest charge of 75 pence or £1.30 per person per night (depending on the accommodation type) which is generally set at a lower rate than levies applied elsewhere.
WQ100658 · Tabled · Answered
Which stakeholders did the Welsh Government engage with in developing the Welsh Defence Ethical Framework?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Defence Ethical Investment Framework is currently being developed and refined. As set out in my oral statement, the Welsh Government is undertaking a programme of engagement with stakeholders to inform the Framework's development and implementation.
This engagement will include businesses, representative organisations, trade unions, relevant public bodies and government partners.
Engagement with the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders will take place as the Framework is further developed.
Decisions on specific aspects of implementation, future engagement activity, and any support arrangements will be considered through the drafting process and as part of the planned review of the Framework following its introduction.
WQ100657 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government supporting apprenticeships in the defence sector?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
Apprenticeships within the Armed Forces are primarily managed in-house by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces themselves.
External providers may deliver selected training elements, while defence contractors provide specialist training and workplace experience. This includes BAE Systems, Airbus and Rolls-Royce who actively partner with the Ministry of Defence to offer apprenticeships.
Through Medr, the Welsh Government supports a range of apprenticeship frameworks and pathways, including engineering, manufacturing, digital and leadership occupations, which can support skills development within the defence and aerospace sectors.
WQ100656 · Tabled · Answered
How will the National Commission for Wales consult with the UK Government, the Ministry of Defence, senior leadership in the British Armed Forces and British national security and intelligence organisations regarding national security considerations when reviewing options for Wales's constitutional future?
Answered by First Minister
It will be for the National Commission to decide how it gathers evidence and engages with stakeholders. I expect the Commission to draw on a wide range of expertise and perspectives as it undertakes its work to ensure that its considerations are informed by a broad evidence base.
WQ100655 · Tabled · Answered
How has the Welsh Government engaged with UK national security and intelligence organisations regarding the development of the Welsh Defence Ethical Framework?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Defence Ethical Investment Framework is currently being developed and refined. As set out in my oral statement, the Welsh Government is undertaking a programme of engagement with stakeholders to inform the Framework's development and implementation.
This engagement will include businesses, representative organisations, trade unions, relevant public bodies and government partners.
Engagement with the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders will take place as the Framework is further developed.
Decisions on specific aspects of implementation, future engagement activity, and any support arrangements will be considered through the drafting process and as part of the planned review of the Framework following its introduction.
WQ100654 · Tabled · Answered
How has the Welsh Government engaged with the UK Government regarding the development of the Welsh Defence Ethical Framework?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Defence Ethical Investment Framework is currently being developed and refined. As set out in my oral statement, the Welsh Government is undertaking a programme of engagement with stakeholders to inform the Framework's development and implementation.
This engagement will include businesses, representative organisations, trade unions, relevant public bodies and government partners.
Engagement with the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders will take place as the Framework is further developed.
Decisions on specific aspects of implementation, future engagement activity, and any support arrangements will be considered through the drafting process and as part of the planned review of the Framework following its introduction.
WQ100653 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of any job losses, financial impact and wider UK security implications of suspending its support for parts of the defence sector under the Welsh Defence Ethical Framework?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Defence Ethical Investment Framework is currently being developed and refined. As set out in my oral statement, the Welsh Government is undertaking a programme of engagement with stakeholders to inform the Framework's development and implementation.
This engagement will include businesses, representative organisations, trade unions, relevant public bodies and government partners.
Engagement with the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders will take place as the Framework is further developed.
Decisions on specific aspects of implementation, future engagement activity, and any support arrangements will be considered through the drafting process and as part of the planned review of the Framework following its introduction.
WQ100652 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government’s Welsh Defence Ethical Framework permit the suspension of support for parts of Wales’s defence sector during wartime?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Defence Ethical Investment Framework is currently being developed and refined. As set out in my oral statement, the Welsh Government is undertaking a programme of engagement with stakeholders to inform the Framework's development and implementation.
This engagement will include businesses, representative organisations, trade unions, relevant public bodies and government partners.
Engagement with the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders will take place as the Framework is further developed.
Decisions on specific aspects of implementation, future engagement activity, and any support arrangements will be considered through the drafting process and as part of the planned review of the Framework following its introduction.
WQ100651 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working with police forces and local authorities to ensure defence industry events and sites are safeguarded from interference and sabotage by protestors?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Operational policing and security arrangements are primarily matters undertaken between police forces and site/event organisers directly, liaising with local authorities where needed.
WQ100650 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Welsh Government support the Defence Security Resilience Cymru event in 2027?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Defence Ethical Investment Framework is currently being developed and refined. As set out in my oral statement, the Welsh Government is undertaking a programme of engagement with stakeholders to inform the Framework's development and implementation.
This engagement will include businesses, representative organisations, trade unions, relevant public bodies and government partners.
Engagement with the UK Government and other relevant stakeholders will take place as the Framework is further developed.
Decisions on specific aspects of implementation, future engagement activity, and any support arrangements will be considered through the drafting process and as part of the planned review of the Framework following its introduction.
WQ100643 · Tabled · Answered
What action is being taken by the Welsh Government to reduce child health inequalities?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health
Securing the best future for every child in Wales, and reducing child health inequalities, is at the heart of my portfolio and our Programme for Government. It is also a key area of focus for the Cardiff Agreement.
We are implementing the Health Impact Assessment (Wales) Regulations 2025 which come into force in April 2027 and ensure public bodies consider the impact of their strategic decisions on population health and health inequalities, including child health inequalities.
We are working in partnership with local authorities to put the internationally recognised Marmot principles, including giving every child the best start in life, into practice.
We have convened a Ministerial Child Poverty Task and Finish Group to support development of a new Child Poverty Strategy informed by evidence, research and the voices of children and young people.
WQ100642 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government supporting families to improve their overall health?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Our ambitious programme for government lays out our plans to support children and families to live happy, long and active lives. We know this requires a collective effort across government to create healthier environments that support healthier choices and transform life chances for people of all ages. This includes supporting children to have the best start in life and improving physical and mental health and wellbeing for everyone.
As well as a continuing focus on supporting healthy behaviours, like eating a healthy, nutritious diet, tackling smoking and vaping and being more active, we will also look to support families with the necessary tools to improve their own health and wellbeing.
We will do this through plans such as extending our childcare offer, helping children get the best start in life and parents the opportunity to study, work or increase their hours. We will use the Food Strategy to seek to ensure that healthy, nutritious and affordable food is available to people wherever they live, as well as building on our record of delivering free school meals by extending more provision into secondary schools.
We are also making tackling child poverty a defining mission of this government. Work has already begun to develop and deliver a new plan to tackle child poverty, setting clear targets, benchmarks and milestones to drive ambitious, deliverable change. We will also seek to pilot Cynnal, Welsh Child Payment, providing a direct weekly payment for young children in families claiming Universal Credit
WQ100641 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the delivery and costings of the children's health plan?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Improving outcomes for babies, children and young people is a key priority for the Welsh Government. We are exploring options to strengthen the national focus on children's health through the development of a Children's Health Plan for Wales.
The proposed plan will help ensure a clear and coordinated approach across health services, with a focus on improving outcomes, reducing inequalities and supporting children and young people to have the best possible start in life.
Work is underway to consider the scope, priorities and delivery arrangements for the plan. Any resource implications and associated costs will be assessed as part of that development process and considered through normal Welsh Government budget-setting arrangements.
WQ100640 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working with the UK Government to explore more opportunities for nuclear energy development in Wales, beyond current sites and projects?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Government continues to engage constructively with the UK Government on nuclear energy policy and potential opportunities in Wales. The Welsh Government is currently considering its position on any new nuclear energy development beyond current sites and projects, including the wider implications and opportunities for Welsh communities, businesses, skills and supply chains.
WQ100639 · Tabled · Answered
Are Health Education and Improvement Wales, Public Health Wales, Health and Care Research Wales and Digital Health and Care Wales included in Welsh Government plans to require health boards to increase the proportion of their budgets devoted to primary care by 0.5% each year from 2027-28?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
No, the requirement to increase investment in primary and community care by 0.5% per year from 2027-28 applies to local health boards.
WQ100638 · Tabled · Answered
What public sector decarbonisation programmes and projects will be funded by the £38.7 million the Cabinet Minister agreed for 2026 and 2027, as set out in the Decision Report on 29 June 2026?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The £38.7 million approved for the 2026-27 financial year will fund the following public sector decarbonisation programmes:
The funding supports renewable energy, low-carbon heat, energy-efficiency, electric vehicle and charging infrastructure projects across the Welsh public sector.
WQ100637 · Tabled · Answered
How much funding did the Cabinet Minister agree for a report on the extension of the franchise in Wales and the change to qualification for membership of the Senedd, as set out in the Decision Report on 18 June 2026?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The cost of the research that the Welsh Government has commissioned to understand the impact of the extension of the franchise in Wales and the change to qualification for membership of the Senedd, as required by s38 of the Senedd and Elections Act 2020, is around £41,000. The research commenced in July 2026 and is due to be completed in November 2026, when the final report will be published on the Welsh Government’s website.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.