Siambr · David Mills
Written questions
19 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 1 of 1.
WQ100689 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government's position on the differing waiting time standards Powys residents will face compared to English residents when receiving the same planned treatment at the same English hospital where the treatment is commissioned by Powys Teaching Health Board?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people in Powys receive timely access to planned care, regardless of whether treatment is provided by a Welsh or English NHS organisation. Our focus is on reducing waiting times, eliminating the longest waits and securing equitable access to care through targeted investment, rigorous performance oversight and collaboration with partner organisations across the border.
It is expected that all patients are to be treated in order of their clinical priority, no matter where they are treated, whether that is in England or Wales. However, all Welsh residents who are treated in English hospitals are subject to Welsh waiting time standards. It is the responsibility of health boards to plan and deliver services to meet the needs of their local populations and achieve national performance targets. Health boards, through their commissioning arrangements, are expected to ensure contracts with NHS England and NHS Wales deliver the same access targets.
The Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board maintain regular discussions regarding planned care performance and cross-border commissioning arrangements. These discussions focus on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible while operating within the established commissioning framework between NHS Wales and NHS England providers.
This is supported by wider action to reduce waiting times across NHS Wales, including an additional £145 million investment in 2026-27, with funding to reduce waiting times, expand surgical and diagnostic capacity and improve NHS infrastructure, helping to reduce the longest waits and improve access to planned care.
WQ100692 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to reinstating the previous arrangements under which Powys residents receiving planned care in England could access treatment according to the waiting times applying to patients in England?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people in Powys receive timely access to planned care, regardless of whether treatment is provided by a Welsh or English NHS organisation. Our focus is on reducing waiting times, eliminating the longest waits and securing equitable access to care through targeted investment, rigorous performance oversight and collaboration with partner organisations across the border.
Through the 2026-27 Planned Care Recovery Programme, Powys Teaching Health Board has received an allocation to support the reduction of long waits and improve access to diagnostics. This includes monies to address referral-to-treatment waiting times, with a particular focus on eliminating waits over 104 weeks, and support for the achievement of the eight-week diagnostic target. The funding will support additional activity delivered both through commissioned providers and wider recovery initiatives designed to reduce the longest waits experienced by Powys residents.
The Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board maintain regular discussions regarding planned care performance, cross-border commissioning arrangements and the recovery of waiting times. These discussions focus on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible while operating within the established commissioning framework between NHS Wales and NHS England providers. The impact of waiting times on Powys residents is monitored through routine performance management arrangements and forms part of wider planned care recovery oversight.
Waiting time standards in Wales and England are governed by different policy frameworks and performance measures. However, treatment is delivered according to clinical need and provider capacity. The Welsh Government's priority is not simply to compare national standards but to reduce the actual waits experienced by patients. Significant national investment has therefore been directed towards reducing the longest waits, increasing treatment capacity and improving diagnostic access. As a result, health boards, including Powys, are expected to eliminate waits over 104 weeks and continue reducing overall waiting times.
The Welsh Government has considered a range of approaches to improving access for Powys residents receiving treatment from English providers. Current arrangements reflect the longstanding principle that patients remain subject to the commissioning and performance framework of their home health system. The emphasis has therefore been on improving access through recovery funding, additional commissioned activity and strengthened cross-border working rather than reverting to previous arrangements.
To ensure Powys residents are not disadvantaged, the Welsh Government continues to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to maximise available treatment opportunities, address capacity constraints and target investment towards areas of greatest demand. The additional recovery funding provided to Powys during 2026-27 is a key element of this approach and is specifically intended to reduce the longest waits and improve timely access to treatment and diagnostics.
Alongside planned care recovery work, the Welsh Government has commissioned a refreshed feasibility assessment of a Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) model for Powys. Stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering are currently underway with Powys Teaching Health Board, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement data specialists. The assessment is examining current activity, infrastructure requirements, lessons learned from the previous Aneurin Bevan service and the potential impact on patient access. A final report is expected to be submitted in October 2026 and will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform future diagnostic service development in Powys.
WQ100691 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to providing additional funding to Powys Teaching Health Board to address long waits for Powys residents receiving planned care from NHS providers in England?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people in Powys receive timely access to planned care, regardless of whether treatment is provided by a Welsh or English NHS organisation. Our focus is on reducing waiting times, eliminating the longest waits and securing equitable access to care through targeted investment, rigorous performance oversight and collaboration with partner organisations across the border.
Through the 2026-27 Planned Care Recovery Programme, Powys Teaching Health Board has received an allocation to support the reduction of long waits and improve access to diagnostics. This includes monies to address referral-to-treatment waiting times, with a particular focus on eliminating waits over 104 weeks, and support for the achievement of the eight-week diagnostic target. The funding will support additional activity delivered both through commissioned providers and wider recovery initiatives designed to reduce the longest waits experienced by Powys residents.
The Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board maintain regular discussions regarding planned care performance, cross-border commissioning arrangements and the recovery of waiting times. These discussions focus on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible while operating within the established commissioning framework between NHS Wales and NHS England providers. The impact of waiting times on Powys residents is monitored through routine performance management arrangements and forms part of wider planned care recovery oversight.
Waiting time standards in Wales and England are governed by different policy frameworks and performance measures. However, treatment is delivered according to clinical need and provider capacity. The Welsh Government's priority is not simply to compare national standards but to reduce the actual waits experienced by patients. Significant national investment has therefore been directed towards reducing the longest waits, increasing treatment capacity and improving diagnostic access. As a result, health boards, including Powys, are expected to eliminate waits over 104 weeks and continue reducing overall waiting times.
The Welsh Government has considered a range of approaches to improving access for Powys residents receiving treatment from English providers. Current arrangements reflect the longstanding principle that patients remain subject to the commissioning and performance framework of their home health system. The emphasis has therefore been on improving access through recovery funding, additional commissioned activity and strengthened cross-border working rather than reverting to previous arrangements.
To ensure Powys residents are not disadvantaged, the Welsh Government continues to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to maximise available treatment opportunities, address capacity constraints and target investment towards areas of greatest demand. The additional recovery funding provided to Powys during 2026-27 is a key element of this approach and is specifically intended to reduce the longest waits and improve timely access to treatment and diagnostics.
Alongside planned care recovery work, the Welsh Government has commissioned a refreshed feasibility assessment of a Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) model for Powys. Stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering are currently underway with Powys Teaching Health Board, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement data specialists. The assessment is examining current activity, infrastructure requirements, lessons learned from the previous Aneurin Bevan service and the potential impact on patient access. A final report is expected to be submitted in October 2026 and will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform future diagnostic service development in Powys.
WQ100690 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that Powys residents accessing planned care in England are not disadvantaged by differences in waiting-time standards between England and Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people in Powys receive timely access to planned care, regardless of whether treatment is provided by a Welsh or English NHS organisation. Our focus is on reducing waiting times, eliminating the longest waits and securing equitable access to care through targeted investment, rigorous performance oversight and collaboration with partner organisations across the border.
Through the 2026-27 Planned Care Recovery Programme, Powys Teaching Health Board has received an allocation to support the reduction of long waits and improve access to diagnostics. This includes monies to address referral-to-treatment waiting times, with a particular focus on eliminating waits over 104 weeks, and support for the achievement of the eight-week diagnostic target. The funding will support additional activity delivered both through commissioned providers and wider recovery initiatives designed to reduce the longest waits experienced by Powys residents.
The Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board maintain regular discussions regarding planned care performance, cross-border commissioning arrangements and the recovery of waiting times. These discussions focus on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible while operating within the established commissioning framework between NHS Wales and NHS England providers. The impact of waiting times on Powys residents is monitored through routine performance management arrangements and forms part of wider planned care recovery oversight.
Waiting time standards in Wales and England are governed by different policy frameworks and performance measures. However, treatment is delivered according to clinical need and provider capacity. The Welsh Government's priority is not simply to compare national standards but to reduce the actual waits experienced by patients. Significant national investment has therefore been directed towards reducing the longest waits, increasing treatment capacity and improving diagnostic access. As a result, health boards, including Powys, are expected to eliminate waits over 104 weeks and continue reducing overall waiting times.
The Welsh Government has considered a range of approaches to improving access for Powys residents receiving treatment from English providers. Current arrangements reflect the longstanding principle that patients remain subject to the commissioning and performance framework of their home health system. The emphasis has therefore been on improving access through recovery funding, additional commissioned activity and strengthened cross-border working rather than reverting to previous arrangements.
To ensure Powys residents are not disadvantaged, the Welsh Government continues to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to maximise available treatment opportunities, address capacity constraints and target investment towards areas of greatest demand. The additional recovery funding provided to Powys during 2026-27 is a key element of this approach and is specifically intended to reduce the longest waits and improve timely access to treatment and diagnostics.
Alongside planned care recovery work, the Welsh Government has commissioned a refreshed feasibility assessment of a Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) model for Powys. Stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering are currently underway with Powys Teaching Health Board, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement data specialists. The assessment is examining current activity, infrastructure requirements, lessons learned from the previous Aneurin Bevan service and the potential impact on patient access. A final report is expected to be submitted in October 2026 and will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform future diagnostic service development in Powys.
WQ100688 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of any difference in waiting times experienced by Powys residents receiving planned treatment in English hospitals compared with English residents receiving the same treatment at the same hospitals?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people in Powys receive timely access to planned care, regardless of whether treatment is provided by a Welsh or English NHS organisation. Our focus is on reducing waiting times, eliminating the longest waits and securing equitable access to care through targeted investment, rigorous performance oversight and collaboration with partner organisations across the border.
Through the 2026-27 Planned Care Recovery Programme, Powys Teaching Health Board has received an allocation to support the reduction of long waits and improve access to diagnostics. This includes monies to address referral-to-treatment waiting times, with a particular focus on eliminating waits over 104 weeks, and support for the achievement of the eight-week diagnostic target. The funding will support additional activity delivered both through commissioned providers and wider recovery initiatives designed to reduce the longest waits experienced by Powys residents.
The Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board maintain regular discussions regarding planned care performance, cross-border commissioning arrangements and the recovery of waiting times. These discussions focus on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible while operating within the established commissioning framework between NHS Wales and NHS England providers. The impact of waiting times on Powys residents is monitored through routine performance management arrangements and forms part of wider planned care recovery oversight.
Waiting time standards in Wales and England are governed by different policy frameworks and performance measures. However, treatment is delivered according to clinical need and provider capacity. The Welsh Government's priority is not simply to compare national standards but to reduce the actual waits experienced by patients. Significant national investment has therefore been directed towards reducing the longest waits, increasing treatment capacity and improving diagnostic access. As a result, health boards, including Powys, are expected to eliminate waits over 104 weeks and continue reducing overall waiting times.
The Welsh Government has considered a range of approaches to improving access for Powys residents receiving treatment from English providers. Current arrangements reflect the longstanding principle that patients remain subject to the commissioning and performance framework of their home health system. The emphasis has therefore been on improving access through recovery funding, additional commissioned activity and strengthened cross-border working rather than reverting to previous arrangements.
To ensure Powys residents are not disadvantaged, the Welsh Government continues to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to maximise available treatment opportunities, address capacity constraints and target investment towards areas of greatest demand. The additional recovery funding provided to Powys during 2026-27 is a key element of this approach and is specifically intended to reduce the longest waits and improve timely access to treatment and diagnostics.
Alongside planned care recovery work, the Welsh Government has commissioned a refreshed feasibility assessment of a Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) model for Powys. Stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering are currently underway with Powys Teaching Health Board, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement data specialists. The assessment is examining current activity, infrastructure requirements, lessons learned from the previous Aneurin Bevan service and the potential impact on patient access. A final report is expected to be submitted in October 2026 and will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform future diagnostic service development in Powys.
WQ100687 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Powys Teaching Health Board regarding the decision to apply Welsh waiting-time arrangements to Powys residents receiving planned treatment from NHS providers in England, and what assessment has been made of the impact of this decision on patients?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that people in Powys receive timely access to planned care, regardless of whether treatment is provided by a Welsh or English NHS organisation. Our focus is on reducing waiting times, eliminating the longest waits and securing equitable access to care through targeted investment, rigorous performance oversight and collaboration with partner organisations across the border.
Through the 2026-27 Planned Care Recovery Programme, Powys Teaching Health Board has received an allocation to support the reduction of long waits and improve access to diagnostics. This includes monies to address referral-to-treatment waiting times, with a particular focus on eliminating waits over 104 weeks, and support for the achievement of the eight-week diagnostic target. The funding will support additional activity delivered both through commissioned providers and wider recovery initiatives designed to reduce the longest waits experienced by Powys residents.
The Welsh Government and Powys Teaching Health Board maintain regular discussions regarding planned care performance, cross-border commissioning arrangements and the recovery of waiting times. These discussions focus on ensuring patients receive treatment as quickly as possible while operating within the established commissioning framework between NHS Wales and NHS England providers. The impact of waiting times on Powys residents is monitored through routine performance management arrangements and forms part of wider planned care recovery oversight.
Waiting time standards in Wales and England are governed by different policy frameworks and performance measures. However, treatment is delivered according to clinical need and provider capacity. The Welsh Government's priority is not simply to compare national standards but to reduce the actual waits experienced by patients. Significant national investment has therefore been directed towards reducing the longest waits, increasing treatment capacity and improving diagnostic access. As a result, health boards, including Powys, are expected to eliminate waits over 104 weeks and continue reducing overall waiting times.
The Welsh Government has considered a range of approaches to improving access for Powys residents receiving treatment from English providers. Current arrangements reflect the longstanding principle that patients remain subject to the commissioning and performance framework of their home health system. The emphasis has therefore been on improving access through recovery funding, additional commissioned activity and strengthened cross-border working rather than reverting to previous arrangements.
To ensure Powys residents are not disadvantaged, the Welsh Government continues to work closely with Powys Teaching Health Board to maximise available treatment opportunities, address capacity constraints and target investment towards areas of greatest demand. The additional recovery funding provided to Powys during 2026-27 is a key element of this approach and is specifically intended to reduce the longest waits and improve timely access to treatment and diagnostics.
Alongside planned care recovery work, the Welsh Government has commissioned a refreshed feasibility assessment of a Regional Diagnostic Centre (RDC) model for Powys. Stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering are currently underway with Powys Teaching Health Board, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and NHS Wales Performance and Improvement data specialists. The assessment is examining current activity, infrastructure requirements, lessons learned from the previous Aneurin Bevan service and the potential impact on patient access. A final report is expected to be submitted in October 2026 and will provide evidence-based recommendations to inform future diagnostic service development in Powys.
WQ100194 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with fire and rescue services regarding the procurement or leasing of firefighting helicopters from private contractors?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Prif Weinidog raised the possibility of developing a military aerial firefighting capability with the Prime Minister at the COBR meeting on 12 August. I expect further discussions about that in the coming months.
However, the deployment of existing military assets is solely a matter for the Ministry of Defence. When a request for military assistance is made, it is likewise for the MOD to determine whether that request can be met, and if so, which assets to deploy.
The commercial capability to undertake aerial firefighting in the UK is currently very limited, and in recent weeks demand has significantly exceeded supply in Wales and elsewhere. I and my officials have had extensive recent discussions with the Fire and Rescue Services about this issue, but the only sustainable solution is likely to mean increasing civilian or military capabilities at a UK level.
WQ100193 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with UK Government regarding the timeline for the deployment to Wales of wildfire-fighting helicopters currently based in Cyprus?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Prif Weinidog raised the possibility of developing a military aerial firefighting capability with the Prime Minister at the COBR meeting on 12 August. I expect further discussions about that in the coming months.
However, the deployment of existing military assets is solely a matter for the Ministry of Defence. When a request for military assistance is made, it is likewise for the MOD to determine whether that request can be met, and if so, which assets to deploy.
The commercial capability to undertake aerial firefighting in the UK is currently very limited, and in recent weeks demand has significantly exceeded supply in Wales and elsewhere. I and my officials have had extensive recent discussions with the Fire and Rescue Services about this issue, but the only sustainable solution is likely to mean increasing civilian or military capabilities at a UK level.
WQ100192 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the establishment of a permanent wildfire-fighting helicopter capability in the United Kingdom?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Prif Weinidog raised the possibility of developing a military aerial firefighting capability with the Prime Minister at the COBR meeting on 12 August. I expect further discussions about that in the coming months.
However, the deployment of existing military assets is solely a matter for the Ministry of Defence. When a request for military assistance is made, it is likewise for the MOD to determine whether that request can be met, and if so, which assets to deploy.
The commercial capability to undertake aerial firefighting in the UK is currently very limited, and in recent weeks demand has significantly exceeded supply in Wales and elsewhere. I and my officials have had extensive recent discussions with the Fire and Rescue Services about this issue, but the only sustainable solution is likely to mean increasing civilian or military capabilities at a UK level.
WQ99976 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide the most recent available data on the number of slaughterhouses currently operating in Wales that hold a licence to carry out non-stun slaughter?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Approved business operators are free to choose from all lawful methods of slaughter to support their business model. Current data show that there are presently no slaughterhouses in Wales undertaking non-stun slaughter.
WQ99935 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on progress to make Wales anti-racist by 2030?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
We are reviewing the Plan to ensure it remains focused on delivering meaningful and measurable improvements for people across Wales. The Welsh Government remains committed to delivering its manifesto commitment to build on the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and achieve an anti-racist Wales by 2030.
WQ99233 · Tabled · Answered
What engagement has the Cabinet Minister had with the Scottish Government on constitutional matters, what was the purpose of that engagement, and will records be published?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
I have engaged with the Scottish Government on constitutional matters at the Interministerial Standing Committee (IMSC) meeting held on 24 June in Belfast, which brings together ministers from the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.
The purpose of the IMSC is to consider cross-cutting issues, including constitutional matters such as intergovernmental relations, the operation of the devolution settlements and the Sewel Convention.
In addition, I had a bilateral meeting with Scottish Government on the same day. The Welsh Government has issued a press notice and a joint communique outlining the topics raised during engagement has been published here. I will shortly write to the Constitution, Justice and External Affairs Committee, and other relevant Senedd committees, to provide a further update on the discussions.
WQ99232 · Tabled · Answered
Will the First Minister confirm a) what consideration he has given as to whether the promotion of the case for Welsh independence is an appropriate use of Government time and resources at a time of significant pressure on public services, and b) how he balances constitutional work against the delivery of frontline priorities?
Answered by First Minister
The Welsh Government’s constitutional work is focused on securing the powers needed to deliver better outcomes for the people of Wales.
WQ99231 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the total projected administrative, legal, and software procurement costs incurred by a principal council transitioning to the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The previous Welsh Government assessed the costs associated with the STV system being used by a principal council and published this in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Single Transferable Vote) (Wales) Rules 2023. This can be accessed via the Senedd website: EM SL(6)382 - The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (Single Transferable Vote) (Wales) Rules 2023.
WQ99230 · Tabled · Answered
How does the Welsh Government plan to mitigate the analytical lag inherent in relying on legacy Stats Wales packages and retrospective local authority returns, to ensure objective oversight of the Programme for Government during its initial year?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
The Welsh Government will balance timely reporting with robust data to monitor progress against government commitments. We will use relevant official statistics, recognising that these are often published after a time lag to ensure quality and comparability. Alongside this, we will seek to incorporate more timely management information where appropriate, to provide an earlier indication of progress. Improvements to data will be made over time, where possible, to reduce lag while maintaining statistical integrity.
WQ99229 · Tabled · Answered
How many of Wales’s Public Service Boards currently collect and publish material child deprivation data in a unified, machine-readable format capable of being automatically extracted by the Cabinet Office for national performance monitoring?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
The information you requested is not held centrally by the Welsh Government.
Each Public Services Board must prepare and publish an assessment of the state of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being in its area, with the next well-being assessments being published by May 2027. It is expected that in these assessments, Public Services Boards will consolidate available data from multiple sources to provide an analysis of the state of well-being in their areas based on their well-being plans priorities. In their 2023-2028 well-being plans, 7 of the 13 Public Services Boards included child deprivation as part of their well-being objectives, with all others including deprivation, poverty or inequality more widely.
WQ99228 · Tabled · Answered
Which specific real-time datasets held by local authorities are used to populate the Programme for Government dashboard, particularly on child poverty and persistent absenteeism?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
Work is ongoing to identify the most appropriate measures and underpinning datasets for the government’s priorities dashboard, including on child poverty and school absence. This includes drawing on established official statistics and administrative data held by local authorities and partners, while also considering where more timely sources may be available.
WQ99227 · Tabled · Answered
How many senior civil servants currently employed by the Welsh Government have been recruited directly from commercial, financial, or industrial leadership roles within the private sector on fixed-term contracts over the last five years?
Answered by First Minister
The Civil Service workforce is a matter for the Permanent Secretary.
WQ99225 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister state how many journeys he has undertaken using the Welsh Government official car service since his appointment on 13 May 2026, and where can the public access the fully documented record of these journeys?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
At the point of tabling, none. To date (1 July 2026), I have taken two return journeys in a Welsh Government official car. I am happy to commit to publishing a record of my Ministerial car use on a quarterly basis.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.