Siambr · Huw Thomas
Written questions
65 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 2 of 2.
WQ99781 · Tabled · Answered
What advice has Health Education and Improvement Wales provided to the Cabinet Minister in relation to the availability of employment opportunities for newly qualified midwives graduating in 2026?
Welsh text as published
Pa gyngor y mae Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru wedi'i roi i'r Gweinidog Cabinet mewn perthynas ag argaeledd cyfleoedd cyflogaeth i fydwragedd sydd newydd gymhwyso sy'n graddio yn 2026?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I recognise the concerns of newly qualified midwives 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 midwives 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 reflects changing workforce circumstances over time rather than any reduction in the long-term need for midwives in Wales.
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 midwives 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. Health boards continue to review workforce plans and identify vacancies as service needs and financial plans evolve. Newly qualified midwives are encouraged to apply for opportunities advertised through normal NHS recruitment processes. HEIW continue to work closely with NHS Wales employers via their Workforce Supply Oversight Group to encourage the identification and release suitable opportunities wherever it is affordable and sustainable to do so, including through the actions agreed following the Graduate Summit.
My priority is to support newly qualified midwives 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.
Welsh text as published
Rwy’n cydnabod pryderon bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso sy’n ceisio sicrhau gwaith yn y GIG yng Nghymru, ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i wneud popeth sy’n rhesymol bosibl i’w cefnogi i ymuno â’r gweithlu a chadw eu sgiliau yng Nghymru.
Mae’r heriau presennol sy’n wynebu rhai bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso yn bodoli yn sgil penderfyniadau comisiynu addysg a wnaed yn 2022. Bryd hynny, roedd GIG Cymru yn wynebu nifer sylweddol o swyddi nyrsio gwag a dangosodd gwaith modelu’r gweithlu fod angen parhaus am gynyddu nifer y myfyrwyr sy’n hyfforddi. Ers hynny, mae lefelau cadw bydwragedd wedi gwella ac mae lefelau swyddi gwag wedi gostwng mewn rhai meysydd, gan arwain at lai o gyfleoedd lefel mynediad nag a ddisgwyliwyd pan ddechreuodd y myfyrwyr hyn eu hyfforddiant. Mae hyn yn adlewyrchu amgylchiadau’r gweithlu sy’n newid dros amser yn hytrach na gostyngiad yn yr angen hirdymor am fydwragedd yng Nghymru.
Mewn ymateb i’r sefyllfa hon, cynhaliais Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion ar 18 Mehefin, gan ddod â sefydliadau GIG Cymru, Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru, prifysgolion a chyrff proffesiynol ynghyd i gytuno ar gamau gweithredu ar fyrder a chamau gweithredu tymor hir. Yn dilyn yr Uwchgynhadledd, cytunodd y partneriaid ar ddull gweithredu Cymru gyfan ar gyfer manteisio i’r eithaf ar gyfleoedd gwaith i’r graddedigion yr effeithir arnynt, cryfhau’r trefniadau pontio a’r cymorth sydd ar gael iddynt, cynyddu’r hyblygrwydd o ran adleoli ar draws amryw o leoliadau gofal, a gwella gwaith cynllunio’r gweithlu a’r wybodaeth sy’n sail iddo er mwyn sicrhau bod trefniadau comisiynu hyfforddiant yn y dyfodol yn cyd-fynd yn well ag anghenion y gweithlu.
Mae cadw bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso yng Nghymru yn flaenoriaeth. Bwriad penodol y camau gweithredu y cytunwyd arnynt yn sgil yr Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion yw cynyddu’r cyfleoedd i raddedigion sy’n dymuno byw a gweithio yng Nghymru ac i helpu’r rhai nad ydynt, hyd yma, wedi sicrhau swyddi parhaol. Mae gwaith tymor hir hefyd ar y gweill i gryfhau’r wybodaeth ynghylch y gweithlu a gwella’r cysoni rhwng comisiynu addysg a’r galw am y gweithlu i leihau’r risg o heriau tebyg yn codi yn y dyfodol.
Mae penderfyniadau recriwtio, gan gynnwys nifer a math y swyddi nyrsio gwag sydd ar gael, yn faterion i sefydliadau unigol y GIG. Mae’r byrddau iechyd yn parhau i adolygu cynlluniau’r gweithlu a nodi swyddi gwag wrth i anghenion gwasanaethau a chynlluniau ariannol ddatblygu. Caiff bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso eu hannog i wneud cais am gyfleoedd a hysbysebir drwy brosesau recriwtio arferol y GIG. Mae Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru yn parhau i weithio’n agos gyda chyflogwyr GIG Cymru drwy eu Grŵp Goruchwylio Cyflenwad y Gweithlu i annog y gwaith o nodi a rhyddhau cyfleoedd addas lle bynnag y bo gwneud hynny’n fforddiadwy ac yn gynaliadwy, gan gynnwys drwy’r camau y cytunwyd arnynt yn dilyn yr Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion.
Fy mlaenoriaeth yw cefnogi bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso i fyd gwaith lle bynnag y bo modd, cadw eu sgiliau yng Nghymru, a sicrhau bod y gwersi sydd wedi’u dysgu o’r profiad eleni yn cryfhau trefniadau cynllunio’r gweithlu ar gyfer y dyfodol.
WQ99780 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Cabinet Minister taking to ensure that newly qualified midwives trained in Wales are able to obtain employment in the Welsh NHS?
Welsh text as published
Pa gamau y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod bydwragedd sydd newydd gymhwyso sydd wedi'u hyfforddi yng Nghymru yn gallu cael cyflogaeth yn y GIG yng Nghymru?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
I recognise the concerns of newly qualified midwives 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 midwives 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 reflects changing workforce circumstances over time rather than any reduction in the long-term need for midwives in Wales.
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 midwives 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. Health boards continue to review workforce plans and identify vacancies as service needs and financial plans evolve. Newly qualified midwives are encouraged to apply for opportunities advertised through normal NHS recruitment processes. HEIW continue to work closely with NHS Wales employers via their Workforce Supply Oversight Group to encourage the identification and release suitable opportunities wherever it is affordable and sustainable to do so, including through the actions agreed following the Graduate Summit.
My priority is to support newly qualified midwives 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.
Welsh text as published
Rwy’n cydnabod pryderon bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso sy’n ceisio sicrhau gwaith yn y GIG yng Nghymru, ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i wneud popeth sy’n rhesymol bosibl i’w cefnogi i ymuno â’r gweithlu a chadw eu sgiliau yng Nghymru.
Mae’r heriau presennol sy’n wynebu rhai bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso yn bodoli yn sgil penderfyniadau comisiynu addysg a wnaed yn 2022. Bryd hynny, roedd GIG Cymru yn wynebu nifer sylweddol o swyddi nyrsio gwag a dangosodd gwaith modelu’r gweithlu fod angen parhaus am gynyddu nifer y myfyrwyr sy’n hyfforddi. Ers hynny, mae lefelau cadw bydwragedd wedi gwella ac mae lefelau swyddi gwag wedi gostwng mewn rhai meysydd, gan arwain at lai o gyfleoedd lefel mynediad nag a ddisgwyliwyd pan ddechreuodd y myfyrwyr hyn eu hyfforddiant. Mae hyn yn adlewyrchu amgylchiadau’r gweithlu sy’n newid dros amser yn hytrach na gostyngiad yn yr angen hirdymor am fydwragedd yng Nghymru.
Mewn ymateb i’r sefyllfa hon, cynhaliais Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion ar 18 Mehefin, gan ddod â sefydliadau GIG Cymru, Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru, prifysgolion a chyrff proffesiynol ynghyd i gytuno ar gamau gweithredu ar fyrder a chamau gweithredu tymor hir. Yn dilyn yr Uwchgynhadledd, cytunodd y partneriaid ar ddull gweithredu Cymru gyfan ar gyfer manteisio i’r eithaf ar gyfleoedd gwaith i’r graddedigion yr effeithir arnynt, cryfhau’r trefniadau pontio a’r cymorth sydd ar gael iddynt, cynyddu’r hyblygrwydd o ran adleoli ar draws amryw o leoliadau gofal, a gwella gwaith cynllunio’r gweithlu a’r wybodaeth sy’n sail iddo er mwyn sicrhau bod trefniadau comisiynu hyfforddiant yn y dyfodol yn cyd-fynd yn well ag anghenion y gweithlu.
Mae cadw bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso yng Nghymru yn flaenoriaeth. Bwriad penodol y camau gweithredu y cytunwyd arnynt yn sgil yr Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion yw cynyddu’r cyfleoedd i raddedigion sy’n dymuno byw a gweithio yng Nghymru ac i helpu’r rhai nad ydynt, hyd yma, wedi sicrhau swyddi parhaol. Mae gwaith tymor hir hefyd ar y gweill i gryfhau’r wybodaeth ynghylch y gweithlu a gwella’r cysoni rhwng comisiynu addysg a’r galw am y gweithlu i leihau’r risg o heriau tebyg yn codi yn y dyfodol.
Mae penderfyniadau recriwtio, gan gynnwys nifer a math y swyddi nyrsio gwag sydd ar gael, yn faterion i sefydliadau unigol y GIG. Mae’r byrddau iechyd yn parhau i adolygu cynlluniau’r gweithlu a nodi swyddi gwag wrth i anghenion gwasanaethau a chynlluniau ariannol ddatblygu. Caiff bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso eu hannog i wneud cais am gyfleoedd a hysbysebir drwy brosesau recriwtio arferol y GIG. Mae Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru yn parhau i weithio’n agos gyda chyflogwyr GIG Cymru drwy eu Grŵp Goruchwylio Cyflenwad y Gweithlu i annog y gwaith o nodi a rhyddhau cyfleoedd addas lle bynnag y bo gwneud hynny’n fforddiadwy ac yn gynaliadwy, gan gynnwys drwy’r camau y cytunwyd arnynt yn dilyn yr Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion.
Fy mlaenoriaeth yw cefnogi bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso i fyd gwaith lle bynnag y bo modd, cadw eu sgiliau yng Nghymru, a sicrhau bod y gwersi sydd wedi’u dysgu o’r profiad eleni yn cryfhau trefniadau cynllunio’r gweithlu ar gyfer y dyfodol.
WQ99779 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Cabinet Minister made of the impact of not recruiting newly qualified midwives will have on safe maternity staffing levels across NHS Wales?
Welsh text as published
Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet wedi'i wneud o'r effaith y bydd peidio â recriwtio bydwragedd newydd gymhwyso yn ei chael ar lefelau staffio mamolaeth diogel ledled GIG Cymru?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
All health boards in Wales are expected to be staffed to Birthrate Plus standards, which is a nationally recognised, NICE endorsed assessment model for midwifery staffing.
In response to the current challenges facing some newly qualified healthcare professionals, 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, and improve workforce planning and intelligence to better align future training commissions with workforce requirements. These actions are intended both to support newly qualified midwives into employment and to help ensure a sustainable pipeline of staff for maternity services in future years.
Welsh text as published
Disgwylir i bob bwrdd iechyd yng Nghymru gael ei staffio yn unol â safonau Birthrate Plus, sef model asesu a gydnabyddir yn genedlaethol ac a gymeradwywyd gan NICE ar gyfer lefelau staffio ym maes bydwreigiaeth.
Mewn ymateb i’r heriau presennol sy’n wynebu rhai gweithwyr gofal iechyd proffesiynol sydd newydd gymhwyso, cynhaliais Uwchgynhadledd Graddedigion ar 18 Mehefin, gan ddod â sefydliadau GIG Cymru, Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru, prifysgolion a chyrff proffesiynol ynghyd i gytuno ar gamau gweithredu ar fyrder a chamau gweithredu tymor hir.
Yn dilyn yr Uwchgynhadledd, cytunodd y partneriaid ar ddull gweithredu Cymru gyfan ar gyfer manteisio i’r eithaf ar gyfleoedd gwaith i’r graddedigion yr effeithir arnynt, cryfhau’r trefniadau pontio a’r cymorth sydd ar gael iddynt, cynyddu’r hyblygrwydd o ran adleoli, a gwella gwaith cynllunio’r gweithlu a’r wybodaeth sy’n sail iddo er mwyn sicrhau bod trefniadau comisiynu hyfforddiant yn y dyfodol yn cyd-fynd yn well ag anghenion y gweithlu. Bwriad y camau gweithredu hyn yw cefnogi bydwragedd sydd newydd gymhwyso i fyd gwaith ac i helpu i sicrhau bod piblinell gynaliadwy o weithwyr ar gael ar gyfer gwasanaethau mamolaeth yn y blynyddoedd i ddod.
WQ99693 · Tabled · Answered
What is the estimated cost of implementing a 3.5 per cent pay award for teachers and school leaders, expressed as: a) the cost from the date of implementation until the end of March 2027, and b) the full-year annual cost?
Welsh text as published
Beth yw amcangyfrif y gost o weithredu dyfarniad cyflog o 3.5 y cant i athrawon ac arweinwyr ysgolion, wedi'i fynegi fel: a) y gost o'r dyddiad gweithredu hyd at ddiwedd mis Mawrth 2027, a b) y gost flynyddol dros y flwyddyn gyfan?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The cost of implementing a 3.5% pay award for all teachers and school leaders, has been modelled at £39.84m from 1 September 2026 until the end of March 2027 and £68.30m for the full academic year.
Welsh text as published
Mae'r gost o weithredu dyfarniad cyflog o 3.5% ar gyfer yr holl athrawon ac arweinwyr ysgolion wedi'i fodelu ar £39.84m o 1 Medi 2026 tan ddiwedd mis Mawrth 2027 a £68.30m ar gyfer y flwyddyn academaidd lawn.
WQ99694 · Tabled · Answered
What was the estimated cost of implementing a 4.25 per cent pay award for teachers and school leaders, as recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body, expressed as: a) the cost from the date of implementation until the end of March 2027, and b) the full-year annual cost?
Welsh text as published
Beth oedd amcangyfrif costau gweithredu dyfarniad cyflog o 4.25% i athrawon ac arweinwyr ysgolion, fel yr argymhellwyd gan Gorff Adolygu Cyflogau Annibynnol Cymru, wedi’i fynegi fel: a) y costau o ddyddiad ei weithredu tan ddiwedd mis Mawrth 2027, a b) costau blynyddol blwyddyn lawn?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
As the question on release of advice is a request for recorded information it is being dealt with by officials as a Freedom of Information request and they will respond in line with our obligations under the Freedom of Information Act.
The cost of implementing a 4.25% pay award, has been modelled at £48.38m from 1 September until the end of March 2027 and £82.94m for the full academic year.
Welsh text as published
Gan fod y cwestiwn ynghylch rhyddhau cyngor yn gais am wybodaeth gofnodedig, mae'n cael ei drin gan swyddogion fel cais Rhyddid Gwybodaeth a byddant yn ymateb yn unol â'n rhwymedigaethau o dan y Ddeddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth.
Mae'r gost o weithredu dyfarniad cyflog o 4.25% wedi'i fodelu ar £48.38m o 1 Medi tan ddiwedd mis Mawrth 2027 a £82.94m ar gyfer y flwyddyn academaidd lawn.
WQ99692 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister publish the Ministerial advice which she relied on in coming to her decision not to accept the pay offer recommended by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body, before commencing the formal consultation on teachers' pay?
Welsh text as published
A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet gyhoeddi'r cyngor Gweinidogol a ddefnyddiodd wrth ddod i'w phenderfyniad i beidio â derbyn y cynnig cyflog a argymhellwyd gan Gorff Adolygu Cyflogau Annibynnol Cymru, cyn dechrau'r ymgynghoriad ffurfiol ar gyflog athrawon?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
As the question on release of advice is a request for recorded information it is being dealt with by officials as a Freedom of Information request and they will respond in line with our obligations under the Freedom of Information Act.
The cost of implementing a 4.25% pay award, has been modelled at £48.38m from 1 September until the end of March 2027 and £82.94m for the full academic year.
Welsh text as published
Gan fod y cwestiwn ynghylch rhyddhau cyngor yn gais am wybodaeth gofnodedig, mae'n cael ei drin gan swyddogion fel cais Rhyddid Gwybodaeth a byddant yn ymateb yn unol â'n rhwymedigaethau o dan y Ddeddf Rhyddid Gwybodaeth.
Mae'r gost o weithredu dyfarniad cyflog o 4.25% wedi'i fodelu ar £48.38m o 1 Medi tan ddiwedd mis Mawrth 2027 a £82.94m ar gyfer y flwyddyn academaidd lawn.
WQ99240 · Tabled · Answered
What plans does the Cabinet Minister have for the number of social housing units to be built in each local authority?
Welsh text as published
Pa gynlluniau sydd gan y Gweinidog Cabinet ar gyfer nifer yr unedau tai cymdeithasol i'w hadeiladu ym mhob ardal awdurdod lleol?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Welsh Government has not set any house building targets by local authority area in this Senedd.
However, I have been very clear that we need to increase the supply of social homes across Wales.
I will be working with local authorities, registered social landlords and other homebuilders to support our mutual delivery ambitions.
Welsh text as published
Nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gosod unrhyw dargedau adeiladu tai yn ôl ardal awdurdod lleol yn y Senedd hon.
Fodd bynnag, rwyf wedi bod yn glir iawn bod angen i ni gynyddu'r cyflenwad o gartrefi cymdeithasol ledled Cymru.
Byddaf yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol, landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig ac adeiladwyr cartrefi eraill i gefnogi ein huchelgeisiau cyflawni cydfuddiannol.
WQ99239 · Tabled · Answered
What targets does the Cabinet Minister have for the number of council houses to be built in each local authority?
Welsh text as published
Pa dargedau sydd gan y Gweinidog Cabinet ar gyfer nifer y tai cyngor i'w hadeiladu ym mhob awdurdod lleol?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Welsh Government has not set any house building targets by local authority area in this Senedd.
However, I have been very clear that we need to increase the supply of social homes across Wales.
I will be working with local authorities, registered social landlords and other homebuilders to support our mutual delivery ambitions.
Welsh text as published
Nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gosod unrhyw dargedau adeiladu tai yn ôl ardal awdurdod lleol yn y Senedd hon.
Fodd bynnag, rwyf wedi bod yn glir iawn bod angen i ni gynyddu'r cyflenwad o gartrefi cymdeithasol ledled Cymru.
Byddaf yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol, landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig ac adeiladwyr cartrefi eraill i gefnogi ein huchelgeisiau cyflawni cydfuddiannol.
WQ99238 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline what meetings she held, prior to allocating the additional funds that came to Wales as a consequential of increased additional learning needs funding in England, with a) people representing children with additional learning needs, b) governors’ forums, and c) headteachers or any groups representing headteachers?
Welsh text as published
A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet amlinellu pa gyfarfodydd a gynhaliodd, cyn dyrannu'r arian ychwanegol a ddaeth i Gymru o ganlyniad i fwy o gyllid anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn Lloegr, gydag a) pobl sy'n cynrychioli plant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, b) fforymau llywodraethwyr, ac c) penaethiaid, neu unrhyw grwpiau sy'n cynrychioli penaethiaid?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Decisions on how to allocate additional funding which Wales receives as a result of consequentials associated with funding in England are for Welsh Ministers. All Cabinet Ministers have regular discussions with key partners and stakeholders, which inform budget decisions across Cabinet.
Welsh text as published
Mater i Weinidogion Cymru yw penderfynu sut i ddyrannu cyllid ychwanegol y mae Cymru'n ei gael o ganlyniad i gyllid yn Lloegr. Mae pob Gweinidog Cabinet yn cael trafodaethau rheolaidd gyda phartneriaid a rhanddeiliaid allweddol, ac mae hynny’n llywio penderfyniadau cyllidebol ar draws y Cabinet.
WQ98975 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Cabinet Minister given to recognising the impact of poverty and inequality within communities as a fundamental principle in the local government funding formula?
Welsh text as published
Pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet wedi'i rhoi i gydnabod effaith tlodi ac anghydraddoldeb o fewn cymunedau fel egwyddor sylfaenol yn y fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
The Welsh Government recognises the impact of poverty and inequality within the local government funding formula through its established needs‑based approach.
The formula distributes funding to local authorities based on relative need, using indicators including deprivation, population and sparsity, to reflect the differing costs of delivering services across Wales. Deprivation forms a core element of the methodology, helping to ensure that areas facing higher levels of socio‑economic disadvantage receive a greater share of funding where this is evidenced in service demand and costs.
The Welsh Government is reviewing the underlying data and indicators, including those related to deprivation and sparsity, to ensure they continue to provide an accurate and robust reflection of relative need and costs.
This work is being taken forward in partnership with local government and will ensure that the formula remains transparent, evidence‑based and responsive to changing patterns of need across communities in Wales.
Welsh text as published
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cydnabod effaith tlodi ac anghydraddoldeb o fewn y fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol drwy ei dull sefydledig sy'n seiliedig ar anghenion.
Mae'r fformiwla yn dosbarthu cyllid i awdurdodau lleol yn seiliedig ar angen cymharol, gan ddefnyddio dangosyddion, gan gynnwys amddifadedd, poblogaeth a theneurwydd poblogaeth, i adlewyrchu'r costau gwahanol o ran darparu gwasanaethau ledled Cymru. Mae amddifadedd yn elfen graidd o'r fethodoleg, gan helpu i sicrhau bod ardaloedd sy'n wynebu lefelau uwch o anfantais economaidd-gymdeithasol yn derbyn cyfran uwch o gyllid lle ceir tystiolaeth o ran y galw am wasanaethau a chostau.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn adolygu'r data a'r dangosyddion sylfaenol, gan gynnwys y rhai sy'n ymwneud ag amddifadedd a theneurwydd poblogaeth, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn parhau i ddarparu adlewyrchiad cywir a chadarn o'r anghenion a'r costau cymharol.
Mae'r gwaith hwn yn mynd rhagddo mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol a bydd yn sicrhau bod y fformiwla yn parhau i fod yn dryloyw, yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth ac yn ymateb i batrymau anghenion sy'n newid ar draws cymunedau yng Nghymru.
WQ98976 · Tabled · Answered
When will the Welsh Government publish the report and pay award recommendation from the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body?
Welsh text as published
Pryd wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru gyhoeddi'r adroddiad a'r argymhelliad dyfarnu tâl gan Gorff Adolygu Cyflogau Annibynnol Cymru?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
I have received the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s seventh report into teachers’ and leaders’ salary and allowances and I am giving careful consideration to all its recommendations including pay. I will publish the report and consult on a proposed pay award for 2026/27 after the summer holidays
Welsh text as published
Rwyf wedi derbyn seithfed adroddiad Corff Adolygu Cyflogau Annibynnol Cymru ar gyflogau a lwfansau athrawon ac arweinwyr ac rwy'n ystyried yr holl argymhellion yn ofalus gan gynnwys ar gyflogau. Byddaf yn cyhoeddi'r adroddiad ac yn ymgynghori ar ddyfarniad cyflog arfaethedig ar gyfer 2026/27 ar ôl gwyliau'r haf.
WQ98974 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister outline the extent of in-year budget pressures health boards have reported to date to Welsh Government, and will they be held to existing budgets, or will the Government make further provision to cover any shortfall?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
The net annual deficit forecast by Local Health Boards as at Month 2 totalled £333 million. We are working with health boards on how the position is managed through the year.
WQ98973 · Tabled · Answered
What is the financial headroom within the Welsh Government's budget for 2025-26, broken down by revenue and capital?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
The headroom available within unallocated DEL (‘reserves’) after drawing down the maximum allowed from the Wales Reserve, as planned in the Second Supplementary Budget 2025-26, was £87.2m. The breakdown of this was £42.2m fiscal resource (revenue), £30.2m general capital and £14.8m capital financial transactions. The headroom does not include underspends reported by the Welsh Government or other direct funded bodies. Those will be added later in the year once the relevant bodies’ accounts have been audited and signed off, as part of the process of finalising the 2025-26 outturn.
WQ98890 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Revenue Authority's estimate of the current Welsh tax gap, and will the Cabinet Minister commit to regularly publishing the gap to demonstrate transparency and build public confidence?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
The Welsh Revenue Authority does not produce a single quantified estimate of a tax gap for devolved taxes because there is no robust population-wide benchmark of the total theoretical liability.
The WRA publishes reports on its performance, including operational outcomes from compliance activity such as tax recovered from errors, revenue protected by stopping invalid repayments and claims, and targeted interventions on emerging risks.
Overall, published figures show that the system is working well overall and that the WRA’s tax compliance approach (Our Approach) is supporting high levels of compliance.
WQ98889 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether the council tax revaluation will go ahead in 2028 as previously planned?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Making council tax fairer is a commitment we take seriously, and we will set out our approach in due course. We will work collaboratively with local authorities, be open about our progress and transparent with the people of Wales as this work develops.
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.