Siambr · Paul Davies
Written questions
183 written questions on record from the Seventh Senedd on, newest first. Page 1 of 4.
WQ101036 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the financial impact of its business rates support package on businesses with a rateable value above £51,000, particularly those in the hospitality and tourism sectors?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Food and drink hospitality businesses are able to claim 15% relief from their non-domestic rates liabilities in 2026-27, in addition to any statutory reliefs they are eligible for. This includes those businesses operating from properties with rateable values of £51,000 or above. Non-domestic rates arrangements for future years will be determined as part of our budget preparations.
From 1 April 2027, the lower multiplier will be extended to eligible food and drink hospitality (pubs, restaurants, cafés, bars, food courts, licensed clubs and live music venues), visitor accommodation (hotels, guest houses and hostels) and leisure (cinemas, theatres, libraries, museums and gyms) properties. An estimated 1,162 properties of the relevant types have rateable values of £51,000 or above. A breakdown by local authority is provided in the table below.
Local authority
Number of properties
Blaenau Gwent
7
Bridgend
42
Caerphilly
35
Cardiff
288
Carmarthenshire
50
Ceredigion
24
Conwy
68
Denbighshire
37
Flintshire
42
Gwynedd
62
Isle of Anglesey
24
Merthyr Tydfil
15
Monmouthshire
30
Neath Port Talbot
29
Newport
67
Pembrokeshire
59
Powys
32
Rhondda Cynon Taf
40
Swansea
120
Torfaen
19
Vale of Glamorgan
40
Wrexham
32
Wales total
1,162
The regulations to deliver our permanent rebalancing of the non-domestic rates system were accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment and summary of the Welsh Government’s Integrated Impact Assessment. These assessments concern the impact of the lower multiplier for eligible properties and the corresponding impact on the liabilities for properties subject to the higher multiplier. There is no impact on the standard multiplier applied to properties with rateable values between £51,000 and £100,000.
WQ101035 · Tabled · Answered
How many hospitality and tourism businesses, broken down by local authority area, have a rateable value of £51,000 or above and will therefore be ineligible for the proposed lower non-domestic rates multiplier from April 2027?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Food and drink hospitality businesses are able to claim 15% relief from their non-domestic rates liabilities in 2026-27, in addition to any statutory reliefs they are eligible for. This includes those businesses operating from properties with rateable values of £51,000 or above. Non-domestic rates arrangements for future years will be determined as part of our budget preparations.
From 1 April 2027, the lower multiplier will be extended to eligible food and drink hospitality (pubs, restaurants, cafés, bars, food courts, licensed clubs and live music venues), visitor accommodation (hotels, guest houses and hostels) and leisure (cinemas, theatres, libraries, museums and gyms) properties. An estimated 1,162 properties of the relevant types have rateable values of £51,000 or above. A breakdown by local authority is provided in the table below.
Local authority
Number of properties
Blaenau Gwent
7
Bridgend
42
Caerphilly
35
Cardiff
288
Carmarthenshire
50
Ceredigion
24
Conwy
68
Denbighshire
37
Flintshire
42
Gwynedd
62
Isle of Anglesey
24
Merthyr Tydfil
15
Monmouthshire
30
Neath Port Talbot
29
Newport
67
Pembrokeshire
59
Powys
32
Rhondda Cynon Taf
40
Swansea
120
Torfaen
19
Vale of Glamorgan
40
Wrexham
32
Wales total
1,162
The regulations to deliver our permanent rebalancing of the non-domestic rates system were accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment and summary of the Welsh Government’s Integrated Impact Assessment. These assessments concern the impact of the lower multiplier for eligible properties and the corresponding impact on the liabilities for properties subject to the higher multiplier. There is no impact on the standard multiplier applied to properties with rateable values between £51,000 and £100,000.
WQ101034 · Tabled · Answered
What financial assistance is available to businesses with a rateable value above £51,000 that are excluded from the recently announced business rates support package?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Finance
Food and drink hospitality businesses are able to claim 15% relief from their non-domestic rates liabilities in 2026-27, in addition to any statutory reliefs they are eligible for. This includes those businesses operating from properties with rateable values of £51,000 or above. Non-domestic rates arrangements for future years will be determined as part of our budget preparations.
From 1 April 2027, the lower multiplier will be extended to eligible food and drink hospitality (pubs, restaurants, cafés, bars, food courts, licensed clubs and live music venues), visitor accommodation (hotels, guest houses and hostels) and leisure (cinemas, theatres, libraries, museums and gyms) properties. An estimated 1,162 properties of the relevant types have rateable values of £51,000 or above. A breakdown by local authority is provided in the table below.
Local authority
Number of properties
Blaenau Gwent
7
Bridgend
42
Caerphilly
35
Cardiff
288
Carmarthenshire
50
Ceredigion
24
Conwy
68
Denbighshire
37
Flintshire
42
Gwynedd
62
Isle of Anglesey
24
Merthyr Tydfil
15
Monmouthshire
30
Neath Port Talbot
29
Newport
67
Pembrokeshire
59
Powys
32
Rhondda Cynon Taf
40
Swansea
120
Torfaen
19
Vale of Glamorgan
40
Wrexham
32
Wales total
1,162
The regulations to deliver our permanent rebalancing of the non-domestic rates system were accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment and summary of the Welsh Government’s Integrated Impact Assessment. These assessments concern the impact of the lower multiplier for eligible properties and the corresponding impact on the liabilities for properties subject to the higher multiplier. There is no impact on the standard multiplier applied to properties with rateable values between £51,000 and £100,000.
WQ100996 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Cabinet Minister taking to find a long-term, sustainable solution to deliver seabird island biosecurity?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government are working closely with Natural Resources Wales, RSPB and other key partners to develop long-term, sustainable biosecurity management plans for our seabird islands. These plans will include surveillance measures, training of dedicated staff and volunteers and maintenance of equipment hubs to enable rapid response to incursions. Together these measures will help to safeguard our nationally/internationally important seabirds and strengthen their resilience.
WQ100860 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm whether any new public sector road schemes, upgrades or refurbishments of any highways drainage networks specifically mandate the inclusion of stormwater treatment devices?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
There is no requirement to install specific stormwater treatment devices on public-sector highway schemes. However, most highway schemes must demonstrate compliance with the Welsh Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Standards. Standard three requires that surface water runoff should be treated to prevent negative impacts on any receiving water quality and to protect downstream drainage systems. This typically requires the incorporation of appropriate treatment measures within the drainage design.
Regarding highway upgrades or refurbishments, requirements are scheme specific. If the works constitute new construction with drainage implications, and exceed the relevant thresholds, SuDS Approving Body (SAB) approval for compliance with the SuDS standards may be required. For maintenance-only or like-for-like renewal works, there is generally no automatic requirement to retrofit treatment devices unless other environmental, planning, permit, or funding conditions impose them.
Trunk roads and motorways adopted and maintained by the Welsh Government are exempt from the statutory SuDS approval regime. For such roads, the requirements of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) will apply. The DMRB applies outcomes-based assessment standards and is not prescriptive about any specific interventions or treatment solutions. The choice of treatment method is normally left to the designer, subject to environmental assessment results and regulator acceptance.
WQ100859 · Tabled · Answered
What plans does the Welsh Government have to mitigate the impact of road runoff from the M4 and other major roads?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The Welsh Government manages more than 145,000 drainage assets across the Strategic Road Network, including the M4 and trunk roads. Investment is prioritised according to asset condition, flooding history, environmental risk and climate resilience.
The drainage programme includes inspecting, cleansing, repairing and renewing assets alongside sustainable drainage and natural flood management measures to slow and treat runoff, reduce flood risk and pollution, provide wider biodiversity and climate resilience benefit.
Studies of high-priority highway outfalls are ongoing and further work is being undertaken this financial year and into the next to develop schemes addressing flooding on the network and environmental risks.
WQ100858 · Tabled · Answered
What data does the Welsh Government collect regarding road runoff from major highway surfaces, in particular surface waters immediately downstream of the roadway outfalls?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The Welsh Government does not routinely collect monitoring data on road runoff from major highway surfaces or on surface waters immediately downstream of individual highway outfalls. Responsibility for environmental monitoring and assessment of water bodies in Wales rests with Natural Resources Wales.
WQ100820 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ98667, what options for sustainable long-term funding mechanisms has the Welsh Government identified for the media sector?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Welsh Government is exploring a range of options for sustainable long-term funding mechanisms for the media sector, in line with our commitment to build on existing public support for journalism in Wales. These include arms-length support and funding for training and research.
WQ100819 · Tabled · Answered
What actions has the Welsh Government taken to promote Wales as a TV and film location?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The promotion of Wales as a film and television production location is central to the work of Creative Wales, including maintaining an online locations database that is accessible to productions worldwide.
Creative Wales works closely with the British Film Commission and other industry partners to raise Wales' profile and attract inward investment from film and television productions. This includes representing Wales at major industry events and marketing Wales as a premium filming location.
WQ100818 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on any discussions they have had with the UK Government regarding designating St David’s Day a national holiday in Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness & the Constitution
This Government is committed to seeking the powers to make St David’s Day a public holiday for Wales. While we have not yet progressed this matter with the UK Government, we remain clear in our view that the decision about designating St David’s Day as a national holiday in Wales should be made in Wales.
WQ100817 · Tabled · Answered
When does the Welsh Government intend to introduce local targets in relation to growing Welsh-medium provision in all schools, as outlined in the Programme for Government?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
Local authorities are currently working towards statutory targets set through their Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (WESPs). The Welsh Government monitors progress against those targets on an annual basis and holds regular discussions with local authorities on their delivery.
In addition, we will be consulting on the National Framework for Welsh Language Education and Learning Welsh later this autumn, and publishing the framework in summer 2027. The framework will set out targets and actions to ensure that every child in Wales is on the journey to becoming a confident Welsh speaker by the time they leave school.
By 2028/29, local authorities will be required to set out in their new Welsh in education local strategic plans how they will meet any local targets set in the National Framework.
WQ100816 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with the Scottish Government to learn from the flexible provision of childcare delivered by Flexible Childcare Services Scotland?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
Welsh Government officials have engaged with Scottish Government counterparts to share learning on childcare provision and consider how different approaches could inform future delivery in Wales. This dialogue will continue as the work progresses, including on emerging issues and areas of mutual interest.
WQ100815 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ98793, will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on any plans to review the role of Visit Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
We are preparing to review the role of Visit Wales, as set out in our Programme for Government, during the second half of this Government term.
WQ100814 · Tabled · Answered
Further to WQ98900, will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to ensure that new direct train services will be delivered between west Wales and Bristol?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
We remain in regular contact with the Office of Rail and Road as it concludes its consideration of the proposal, and we expect an update imminently. We look forward to seeing the benefits this new cross-border connection could bring to passengers and businesses on both sides of the Severn. In anticipation of the necessary approvals, Transport for Wales has been undertaking operational preparations to ensure the service can be introduced on the proposed start date of 14 December.
WQ100813 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Impala Terminals about the future of its commercial operations in Milford Haven?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
I was disappointed to learn of Impala Terminals' decision to cease its commercial operations at Milford Haven and recognise the uncertainty this creates for employees, their families and the wider community. We have sought to engage with the company following the announcement and are also in discussion with local partners, to understand the implications of the decision for the Haven and the wider local economy.
While the company has indicated that commercial operations are being shut down during an anticipated transition period, discussions remain ongoing and I will continue to monitor developments closely. Our immediate priority is to ensure that those affected are aware of, and can access, the employment, skills and careers support available to them.
WQ100801 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to reduce the amount of NHS surplus items that end up in landfill?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The NHS Wales Decarbonisation Strategic Delivery Plan 2025 to 2030 expects NHS organisations to reduce waste, use resources more efficiently and support circular economy principles. This includes ordering only what is needed, reusing surplus items where safe and appropriate, and recycling more to reduce material sent to landfill.
WQ100800 · Tabled · Answered
What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that patients who do not have access to NHS apps, smartphones or digital services are still able to respond to NHS communications by other means?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The NHS must ensure that people can communicate with it in a way that meets their individual needs. The NHS Wales App is optional and will complement, not replace, telephone, face-to-face and postal routes. These alternatives will remain available for people who cannot or choose not to use digital services. We are also improving information sharing and connected records to provide clearer, more consistent updates, while expanding access to appointment, referral, waiting list and personal health information.
WQ100630 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of childcare deserts on families?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government is developing its expanded funded childcare offer in phases, working with local authorities, providers and the Expansion of Childcare Expert Steering Group to improve access, simplify the system and provide childcare options that work for families. We monitor childcare availability through statutory Childcare Sufficiency Assessments, which identify gaps in provision and barriers to access, with local authorities required to take action to address identified needs.
WQ100629 · Tabled · Answered
What plans does the Welsh Government have to enable families to use the new childcare hours flexibly throughout the week?
Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality
The Welsh Government is developing its expanded funded childcare offer in phases, working with local authorities, providers and the Expansion of Childcare Expert Steering Group to improve access, simplify the system and provide childcare options that work for families. We monitor childcare availability through statutory Childcare Sufficiency Assessments, which identify gaps in provision and barriers to access, with local authorities required to take action to address identified needs.
WQ100617 · Tabled · Answered
What support does the Welsh Government provide to enable the provision of tourism information services in communities?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Government supports visitors through the Visit Wales website, social media channels and online product search facilities, providing access to information on destinations, attractions, accommodation, events and activities across Wales. This enables visitors to access tourism information wherever and whenever they need it.
WQ100616 · Tabled · Answered
What plans does the Welsh Government have to provide additional support to local authorities to maintain leisure centres and swimming pools?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
Local authorities are democratically elected bodies with responsibility for their local areas, and are therefore best placed to manage and organise services in line with local needs and priorities and within their confirmed budget.
As part of their decision making, local authorities should be mindful of their public sector equality duties and consider the impact of their decisions. They also need to consider their duties under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. These provide a parcel of considerations to help local authorities to make reasoned decisions.
As a Government, we are committed to work closely with local authorities to support the availability of provision and have already commissioned a national audit of sporting facilities which will provide an important evidence base for understanding the condition, accessibility and distribution of facilities across Wales, including leisure centres and swimming pools. The audit will help identify current gaps in provision and future investment needs.
WQ100615 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to ensure public toilets are as accessible as possible?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Local authorities may provide toilets in its area for use by the public, but this is a discretionary power rather than a duty. Local authorities take decisions on non-statutory services and how they allocate their budgets in the context of the breadth of their responsibilities and are accountable to their local populations for those decisions.
Under Part 8 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, every local authority must prepare, publish and periodically review a Local Toilet Strategy. These strategies must assess community need and set out how toilet facilities for public use will be made available. This requirement is unique within the UK and is intended to ensure that local authorities actively consider toilet provision when making decisions about public services.
The Welsh Government has published statutory guidance to support local authorities, which includes the need to consider accessible toilets, Changing Places facilities, baby-changing facilities and gender-inclusive provision. In addition, building regulations require Changing Places facilities to be provided in specified new buildings.
WQ100614 · Tabled · Answered
What support does the Welsh Government provide to local authorities to enable the provision of public toilets in communities across Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Local authorities may provide toilets in its area for use by the public, but this is a discretionary power rather than a duty. Local authorities take decisions on non-statutory services and how they allocate their budgets in the context of the breadth of their responsibilities and are accountable to their local populations for those decisions.
Under Part 8 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, every local authority must prepare, publish and periodically review a Local Toilet Strategy. These strategies must assess community need and set out how toilet facilities for public use will be made available. This requirement is unique within the UK and is intended to ensure that local authorities actively consider toilet provision when making decisions about public services.
The Welsh Government has published statutory guidance to support local authorities, which includes the need to consider accessible toilets, Changing Places facilities, baby-changing facilities and gender-inclusive provision. In addition, building regulations require Changing Places facilities to be provided in specified new buildings.
WQ100613 · Tabled · Answered
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to the role that libraries can play in improving educational standards?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Welsh Government recognises the vital role that public libraries play in supporting educational achievement and fostering a love of reading.
Libraries support literacy from the earliest years through rhyme times, story times, creative activities, and access to books, digital resources and learning materials that complement education both inside and outside the classroom.
We are continuing to invest in library spaces, from Y Storfa in Swansea and its outstanding children's library to the redevelopment of children's facilities at Newport Central. These investments ensure that libraries remain vibrant, engaging places designed around the needs of children and young people.
I will also be working closely with the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language as work progresses on the new Culture and Sport Strategy to ensure alignment with government priorities and commitments in relation to educational standards.
WQ100612 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to promote library use amongst young people?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Welsh Government supports library use among children and young people through targeted funding, national reading initiatives, and investment in the National Digital Library Service, including its eBook and eAudiobook collections, and through 2026 being the National Year of Reading.
Through nationwide reading initiatives, we help ensure reading opportunities are available bilingually in every public library across Wales. Programmes such as the Summer Reading Challenge and the National Year of Reading support children's literacy, while the Reading Well in Wales programme promotes the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
Our small grants scheme supports innovative local projects that improve the library experience for children and families.
WQ100611 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to protect and support libraries across Wales?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 places a statutory duty on all local authorities to provide a library service that is both comprehensive and efficient. While the legislation sets out this requirement, it is for each local authority to determine how best to meet the needs of its communities.
Alongside core funding through the local government settlement, the Welsh Government supports the development of library services through targeted investment programmes that help libraries modernise, promote digital inclusion, improve literacy, and strengthen community wellbeing.
The new Culture and Sport Strategy will include sector specific plans, including one for libraries. We recognise the impact cuts have had on services across Wales and are committed to working with local authorities to better understand what support is needed from government to help them fulfil their statutory duties.
WQ100610 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the proposed Welsh economic regulator for water and associated system planning functions?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
The Welsh Government is progressing work to establish the new Welsh water regulator as part of wider water sector reform and our commitment to ensure regulation better reflects the needs of Wales.
The previous Government’s Green Paper consultation Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, set out initial proposals for water reform. A summary of the responses we received was published on 14 September 2026. We are carefully considering the evidence and views received before making decisions on the next stage of reform.
Our aim is to secure a regulatory framework that is aligned with Welsh priorities, strengthens accountability, and supports better outcomes for customers, communities and the environment.
Work is progressing at pace on the design of a new Welsh water regulator, including the scope of system planning functions. Establishment of the regulator depends on the necessary powers being devolved and future legislation being brought forward. Our focus is on getting the arrangements right, ensuring there is no gap in oversight, and creating a regulator that is properly equipped to deliver for the people and environment of Wales.
WQ100609 · Tabled · Answered
How is the Welsh Government ensuring that Natural Resources Wales has the capacity and resources it needs to tackle water pollution?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Tackling water pollution and improving water quality is a priority for this Government. My officials continue to work closely with NRW to ensure it has the support and resources to deliver these priorities.
Natural Resources Wales plays a vital role in delivering that ambition and we are providing it with an additional £3.43m (£2.74m Revenue and £0.69m Capital) in this financial year to strengthen its capacity and capability to tackle water pollution and improve water quality across Wales.
We are also investing £11.5 million through the Nature and Climate Emergencies portfolio to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration across Wales. This investment supports delivery of our Water Reform Programme and our Programme for Government commitment to improve water quality through a whole-system, catchment-based approach, with the ambition that every water body in Wales is on a clear trajectory towards good status.
WQ100608 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to improve water quality in tributaries and small streams across Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Improving the health of our water environment is a priority for this Government and is reflected in our newly published Programme for Government. Through a whole-catchment approach, we are working with Natural Resources Wales, water companies, farmers and local communities to tackle pollution at source and restore river health.
This includes strengthening environmental regulation, reducing nutrient and sediment run-off, restoring river habitats and securing investment to improve water quality in rivers, tributaries and streams across Wales.
WQ100442 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that people who have suffered an adverse reaction to COVID-19 vaccinations have access to sufficient healthcare and support?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Public and Preventative Health
Serious adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are very rare. Individuals who experience adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination can access ongoing support through NHS Wales services according to their clinical needs.
The Welsh Government continues to work with NHS Wales, Public Health Wales and the MHRA to monitor vaccine safety through established surveillance systems, including the Yellow Card scheme.
People who believe they have been severely disabled because of COVID-19 vaccination may also be able to apply to the UK Government's Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.
WQ100439 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the progress made towards designating new marine conservation zones?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
I look forward to receiving advice from officials in the coming weeks regarding this area of work.
WQ100431 · Tabled · Answered
What criteria must Hywel Dda University Health Board meet in order for the Welsh Government to intervene and stop the removal and or downgrading of hospital services from Withybush and Bronglais hospitals?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Services must be safe, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of local populations and delivered in line with professional standards and clinical guidance. This includes robust planning around demand, capacity, workforce, and financial resources to ensure services are effective and resilient.
Health boards are best placed to assess the specific needs of their communities. Where service changes are proposed, health boards are expected to undertake a rigorous options appraisal, Impact Assessment, and engage appropriately with local communities, patients, staff and partners including Llais, in line with the following national guidance: How to make changes to health services: guidance for NHS organisations | GOV.WALES
The Welsh Government expects health boards to develop and consider any proposed changes in accordance with this guidance. Where there is evidence of significant concerns regarding the process followed, governance arrangements, or the quality and safety of services, the Welsh Ministers may consider what action is appropriate in the circumstances. The respective roles of health boards, Llais and the Welsh Ministers are set out in the above guidance.
WQ100430 · Tabled · Answered
What progress has the Welsh Government made in turning Bronglais Hospital into a hospital of rural excellence?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
The Welsh Government continues to support the development of Bronglais Hospital as a key component of healthcare provision for rural communities in Mid and West Wales. Bronglais plays a vital role within the service model of Hywel Dda University Health Board, providing acute, planned and specialist services for people living in Ceredigion, Powys and north Pembrokeshire. The health board's long-term planning recognises the importance of sustaining safe, high-quality services in rural areas and is considering how digital innovation, workforce models and regional collaboration can further strengthen the hospital's role.
Through the health board's clinical strategy and regional planning arrangements, work is progressing to explore how digital services, remote consultations, virtual multidisciplinary working and improved connectivity between organisations can support the ambition for Bronglais Hospital to develop further as a centre of excellence for rural healthcare, whilst ensuring services remain sustainable and accessible for the communities it serves.
I am due to meet the Chair and Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board and will discuss the health board's broader rural health agenda, including the future role of Bronglais Hospital and the contribution that digital technologies can make to improving access to services for rural populations. Discussions will also consider opportunities to strengthen collaboration with Powys Teaching Health Board, reflecting the significant number of patients who access services across organisational boundaries and the importance of delivering integrated care pathways for communities in Mid Wales. The Welsh Government will continue to work closely with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys Teaching Health Board and other partners to support the delivery of high-quality, sustainable healthcare for rural communities across Wales.
WQ100429 · Tabled · Answered
What additional financial support is the Welsh Government providing Hywel Dda University Health Board to address staffing shortages?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Responsibility for ensuring staffing levels are appropriate to local service demand rests with individual NHS Wales organisations. Health boards are expected to plan and deploy their workforce to meet population needs and service requirements, and to do so within the resources available to them.
Alongside annual NHS funding allocations, the Welsh Government continues to invest in the workforce through education and training, and national workforce initiatives that support the recruitment, retention and development of NHS staff across Wales. It is for Hywel Dda University Health Board to determine how best to use the resources available to it to deliver safe and effective services.
WQ100428 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Hywel Dda University Health Board regarding waiting times for orthopaedic surgery?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Welsh Government engages regularly with Hywel Dda University Health Board on planned care performance, including orthopaedic waiting times. Health boards are responsible for planning and delivering services for their populations and for treating patients in order of clinical priority.
Discussions with the Health Board have covered performance against planned care targets, progress in reducing the longest waits, and actions to increase orthopaedic capacity and productivity. Detailed referral-to-treatment performance by health board is available on StatsWales.
We are working with NHS organisations to reduce elective waiting times. In June 2026, Welsh Government announced an additional £145 million investment in NHS Wales, including support to reduce waiting times and develop surgical and diagnostic hub infrastructure. An expert clinically led group has also been established to develop plans for up to 10 elective care hubs across Wales.
Targeted oversight and support arrangements are in place to monitor progress and support improvement. We will continue to work closely with the Health Board to improve access to planned care and reduce waits for patients.
WQ100427 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure there are enough anaesthetists in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
Responsibility for workforce planning, recruitment and deployment rests with Hywel Dda University Health Board, which is responsible for ensuring it has the workforce required to meet local service needs.
Through Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), the Welsh Government supports workforce supply through investment in education and training. Since 2020, HEIW has increased the number of anaesthetic training posts in Wales, including additional posts within the Acute Care Common Stem Emergency Medicine training pathway. HEIW continues to explore opportunities to expand anaesthetic training capacity further.
These actions are helping to increase the supply of anaesthetists available to health boards across Wales, including Hywel Dda University Health Board. The work to develop a new workforce strategy for the NHS, a key priority of this new Welsh Government, will also support the sustainability and resilience of the workforce over the long-term.
WQ100282 · Tabled · Answered
A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet ddarparu diweddariad ar y cais am gymorth ariannol gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer cerflun o Twm Carnabwth?
Official English translation
Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the financial assistance application from the Welsh Government for a statue of Twm Carnabwth?
Answered by Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
I recognise the national significance of the Rebecca Riots and the work the local community has undertaken over many years to share and celebrate this important aspect of their local heritage and Wales’ national story.
I am considering advice from officials regarding the financial assistance application for the Twm Carnabwth statue. Any decision must be considered in the context of other Culture portfolio priorities and wider government priorities.
Welsh text as published
Rwy’n cydnabod arwyddocâd cenedlaethol Terfysgoedd Beca a’r gwaith mae’r gymuned leol wedi’i wneud dros y blynyddoedd i rannu a deall yr agwedd bwysig hon ar eu treftadaeth leol a hanes cenedlaethol Cymru.
Rwy’n ystyried cyngor gan swyddogion mewn perthynas â’r cais am gymorth ariannol ar gyfer y cerflun o Twm Carnabwth. Rhaid gwneud unrhyw benderfyniad yng nghyd-destun ehangach y portffolio diwylliant, a blaenoriaethau ehangach y Llywodraeth.
WQ100279 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the effect that the 100-metre buffer zone around protected buildings will have on the ability of pubs and other small businesses to benefit from permitted development rights for temporary campsites?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy
The Welsh Government consulted on a series of proposed changes to permitted development rights, including those relating to temporary campsites, in the spring of 2025. The consultation report is published on the Welsh Government’s website. It summarises the views of those who participated, including responses on the issue of protected buildings being affected by the proposed changes, and sets out the Welsh Government’s full response to the consultation.
On this specific issue, respondents expressed mixed views, with some welcoming the additional protection of homes. Others expressed concern, that the introduction of the proposed 100-metre buffer zone would restrict the ability to use land adjoining buildings to raise ancillary income. On balance, the proposal was supported by stakeholders.
The withdrawal of permitted development rights via an amendment to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 means, some temporary camping previously granted permission by the Order, must now be subject to a planning application, and the appropriate level of scrutiny for the proposal. There is no fee for the submission of a planning application where this occurs. In the 12 months following the change, if planning permission is refused for what would previously have been permitted by the Order, the planning authority could be required to pay compensation to the applicant for loss of value or earnings associated with the refusal.
Additionally, planning authorities have powers to issue a Direction under Article 4 of the 1995 Order, withdrawing some or all permitted development rights within an area specified in the Direction. The procedure for this is set out in the 1995 Order but the same principle applies in relation to compensation for loss of earnings or value.
The Regulatory Impact Assessment accompanying the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (Wales) Order 2026 commits Welsh Government to keeping all changes introduced by the amendment Order under review. This will include the impact of the 100-metre buffer zone on protected buildings, and revising where appropriate, as further amendments to the 1995 Order are brought forward later in this Senedd term.
WQ100278 · Tabled · Answered
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the changes made to Transport for Wales’s refund policy on passengers?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Changes were made to refund policy in the National Rail Conditions of Travel on 1 April 2026 and apply across all GB rail services. These changes mean that refunds are only available for flexible tickets (Anytime, Off-peak and ranger tickets etc) up to end of the day before travel. This was done to reduce fraud as previously refunds were available for up to 28 days after the date of travel. This is a GB-wide policy which applies to all GB rail operators (including TfW).
Changes to paper tickets can still be made at TfW ticket offices, as can refunds, providing this is done by the end of the day before travel. Additionally, TfW’s Customer relations team will continue to support passengers who need any assistance with refunds or changing tickets.
WQ100277 · Tabled · Answered
What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Transport for Wales regarding the removal of ticket office-based refund and compensation processing?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
Changes were made to refund policy in the National Rail Conditions of Travel on 1 April 2026 and apply across all GB rail services. These changes mean that refunds are only available for flexible tickets (Anytime, Off-peak and ranger tickets etc) up to end of the day before travel. This was done to reduce fraud as previously refunds were available for up to 28 days after the date of travel. This is a GB-wide policy which applies to all GB rail operators (including TfW).
Changes to paper tickets can still be made at TfW ticket offices, as can refunds, providing this is done by the end of the day before travel. Additionally, TfW’s Customer relations team will continue to support passengers who need any assistance with refunds or changing tickets.
WQ100218 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure water bills remain affordable, in light of reports that bills are set to rise?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability
Recent draft decisions by Ofwat on additional investment through its Cost Change Process do not result in additional bill increases for customers in Wales.
The Welsh Government recognises concerns about rising water bills and has consistently made it clear that affordability must be a key consideration in decisions about future investment and charges.
Water bills are set independently by Ofwat through the statutory price review process every five years. The next price review period will be in 2030-2035 and Welsh Government has already begun work through the Wales Price Review Forum with regulators, consumer representatives and water companies to ensure the interests of people in Wales are reflected in the next price review.
We also continue to press water companies to ensure support reaches those who need it. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy provide a range of assistance schemes, including social tariffs, debt support and schemes to help vulnerable customers.
Customers of Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy who opt for a water meter can benefit from arrangements that allow them to trial metered charging and revert if it is not beneficial to them.
WQ100198 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to support colleges and further education providers to meet the demand for the courses they offer?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
Welsh Government provides funding to Medr, the body responsible for funding and regulating the tertiary education and research sector in Wales.
The Welsh Government also provides significant support to further education institutions to invest in their estates, through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. During 2026/27, we will invest £63 million of capital funding to support major further education infrastructure projects, enabling institutions to transform learning environments and meet the needs of learners.
Alongside this, we are investing £6 million to support institutions to maintain and improve the condition of their facilities through our Capital Repairs and Maintenance Grant, and a further £4 million to deliver adaptations to support learners with Additional Learning Needs
Local authorities and further education institutions have autonomy over how they plan and deliver their provision according to their local needs and priorities within the guidance provided by Medr. Further information on how Medr allocates it’s funding to the sector can be found at their website including their most recent investment publication for academic year 2026/27; https://www.medr.cymru/en/News/medr-2026-16-medrs-investment-for-academic-year-2026-27/.
WQ100197 · Tabled · Answered
How many apprenticeships does the Welsh Government intend to deliver during this Senedd?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education
The Welsh Government has not set a numerical target for apprenticeship delivery during this Senedd term. Work is underway with employers, Regional Skills Partnerships and our skills audit and Skills Summit to target apprenticeship provision towards priority sectors and skills shortages.
WQ100196 · Tabled · Answered
What is the Welsh Government doing to tackle road congestion on trunk roads in Ceredigion Penfro?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Transport
The Welsh Government is continuing to invest in improvements across the trunk road network in Ceredigion Penfro, while also progressing targeted work to address local congestion and safety issues.
At Lower Town Fishguard on the A487, officials met with local stakeholders and elected representatives to review longstanding congestion and pedestrian safety concerns. Following that engagement, funding has been identified to investigate technology-based options for monitoring vehicle movements through the constrained section of road. This work will provide robust evidence on traffic flows, vehicle types and the causes of blockages, helping to inform future decisions on enforcement, traffic management and longer-term interventions.
Welsh Government is also undertaking feasibility work into potential measures to improve conditions at Lower Town Fishguard, including assessment of a virtual footway on the existing bridge. At the same time, longer-term options continue to be considered, recognising the significant physical, environmental and heritage constraints associated with the site.
More broadly, Welsh Government continues to deliver and develop trunk road improvements across the region, including investment in resurfacing schemes on the A487 and progression of further work at locations such as Withybush Roundabout and along the A40 corridor, helping to improve the resilience, safety and efficiency of the strategic road network.
WQ100195 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister provide a breakdown by local authority of the allocation of any additional funding given to tackle wildfires across Wales?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Yes, in due course. Welsh Government Officials are in discussion with local authorities to understand whether authorities consider they wish to log an incident under the emergency financial assistance scheme.
WQ100103 · Tabled · Answered
Will the Cabinet Minister confirm if neupulse neuromodulation devices, used for the management of Tourette's syndrome and chronic tic disorders, are currently being assessed or included on any national procurement, funding, or distribution lists for NHS Wales?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
Neupulse neuromodulation devices are not currently included on any national procurement, funding or distribution lists for NHS Wales. The technology is, however, subject to ongoing evidence generation through a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Early Value Assessment published in May 2025. NICE has advised that, following a three-year evidence generation period, the available evidence will be reviewed to determine whether the technology is suitable for routine adoption within the NHS. Information published by the manufacturer also indicates that the device is subject to ongoing development as it continues to progress through regulatory and evidence-generation processes.
WQ99981 · Tabled · Answered
What mechanisms exist to intervene where local authorities continue to produce poor outcomes for care-experienced young people despite their corporate parenting responsibilities?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 is centred on well-being outcomes, and the annual National Outcomes Framework Report provides a national picture of progress in relation to those outcomes for people who need care and support and unpaid carers who receive support. The Social services national outcomes framework: annual report 2025 -reports on the outcomes achieved by local authorities against the well-being indicators relevant to care leavers, including participation in employment, education or training during the reporting year.
Local authorities are accountable for the delivery of their social services functions under the Social Services Well-being Act (Wales) 2014, including meeting their statutory duties to looked after children and care leavers, applying the principles of corporate parenting. Care Inspectorate Wales reviews and inspects local authority children’s and adult social services and reports on the effectiveness of those services. Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) approach is designed to identify strengths, risks, emerging concerns and opportunities for improvement.
Where CIW identifies significant service failures or serious, systemic concerns that present risks to people's safety and well-being, a local authority service may be designated as requiring significant improvement. In these circumstances, CIW implements an enhanced oversight and improvement process, including an Improvement Conference and enhanced monitoring arrangements. This may involve targeted inspection or assurance activity, increased engagement with senior leaders, improvement checks, and information sharing with Welsh Government and inspection partners. The purpose of this approach is to secure timely and sustainable improvement, provide assurance that risks are being addressed, and support the local authority to improve outcomes for people who need care and support. Services remain subject to enhanced monitoring until CIW has sufficient evidence that the required improvements have been achieved and sustained, at which point they return to routine performance review arrangements.
Part 8 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 also provides Welsh Ministers with powers to intervene in the exercise of local authority social services functions, including powers to issue warning notices, require advisory support, direct how functions are exercised, or require functions to be carried out by another person or by Welsh Ministers or their nominee.
These arrangements provide a framework for monitoring performance, identifying poor outcomes and taking action where improvement is required.
Alongside these formal arrangements, the Welsh Government continues to work with local authorities and the wider sector to drive improvements for care leavers across Wales. This has been done through transformation programmes for children’s services, which worked directly with care-experienced children and young people, and the Radical Reform Summits. In addition, we have re-established the Leaving Care Forum to work directly with local authority practitioners on policy development and implementation moving forward.
WQ99980 · Tabled · Answered
Does the Welsh Government measure local authorities against the outcomes achieved by care-experienced young people, rather than solely on the local authorities' compliance with statutory requirements?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 is centred on well-being outcomes, and the annual National Outcomes Framework Report provides a national picture of progress in relation to those outcomes for people who need care and support and unpaid carers who receive support. The Social services national outcomes framework: annual report 2025 -reports on the outcomes achieved by local authorities against the well-being indicators relevant to care leavers, including participation in employment, education or training during the reporting year.
Local authorities are accountable for the delivery of their social services functions under the Social Services Well-being Act (Wales) 2014, including meeting their statutory duties to looked after children and care leavers, applying the principles of corporate parenting. Care Inspectorate Wales reviews and inspects local authority children’s and adult social services and reports on the effectiveness of those services. Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) approach is designed to identify strengths, risks, emerging concerns and opportunities for improvement.
Where CIW identifies significant service failures or serious, systemic concerns that present risks to people's safety and well-being, a local authority service may be designated as requiring significant improvement. In these circumstances, CIW implements an enhanced oversight and improvement process, including an Improvement Conference and enhanced monitoring arrangements. This may involve targeted inspection or assurance activity, increased engagement with senior leaders, improvement checks, and information sharing with Welsh Government and inspection partners. The purpose of this approach is to secure timely and sustainable improvement, provide assurance that risks are being addressed, and support the local authority to improve outcomes for people who need care and support. Services remain subject to enhanced monitoring until CIW has sufficient evidence that the required improvements have been achieved and sustained, at which point they return to routine performance review arrangements.
Part 8 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 also provides Welsh Ministers with powers to intervene in the exercise of local authority social services functions, including powers to issue warning notices, require advisory support, direct how functions are exercised, or require functions to be carried out by another person or by Welsh Ministers or their nominee.
These arrangements provide a framework for monitoring performance, identifying poor outcomes and taking action where improvement is required.
Alongside these formal arrangements, the Welsh Government continues to work with local authorities and the wider sector to drive improvements for care leavers across Wales. This has been done through transformation programmes for children’s services, which worked directly with care-experienced children and young people, and the Radical Reform Summits. In addition, we have re-established the Leaving Care Forum to work directly with local authority practitioners on policy development and implementation moving forward.
WQ99979 · Tabled · Answered
What safeguards exist to ensure that care-experienced young people are never placed in accommodation that compromises their safety?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Care, Mental Health and Women’s Health
The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 places duties on local authorities to safeguard and promote the well-being of looked after children and care leavers. The Act, the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (Wales) Regulations 2015, the Part 6 Code of Practice and the Care Leavers (Wales) Regulations 2015 provide the statutory framework to support care-experienced young people into accommodation that is safe, suitable and capable of meeting their assessed needs.
The Care Leavers (Wales) Regulations 2015 require pathway plans and reviews for care leavers (category 2 and 3) to include details of the accommodation the young person is to occupy, including an assessment of its suitability in light of the young person’s needs and the considerations taken into account in assessing that suitability. In determining suitability, local authorities must have regard to matters including the facilities and services provided, the state of repair, safety, location, support, tenancy status, financial commitments and affordability. They must also consider the young person’s views of the accommodation and their understanding of their rights, responsibilities and funding arrangements.
Local authorities in Wales have a statutory duty to ensure that accommodation for care-experienced children and young people is safe, suitable and able to meet their assessed needs. These statutory safeguards will be reinforced by the implementation of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Act 2026, which introduces a duty to help ensure care leavers have suitable accommodation, requires joint protocols between children's services and housing-related support services to plan and commission accommodation and support, and gives care leavers greater priority for social housing.
These safeguards are complemented by preventative support, including £3.77 million through the Youth Support Grant, which funds a Youth Homelessness Coordinator in every local authority, and £3.5 million through the Youth Homelessness Innovation Fund to support innovative housing and support models for young people. The Youth Engagement and Progression Framework also helps identify and support young people at risk of homelessness at an early stage.
Together, these measures are designed to minimise risk and help ensure that care-experienced young people are not placed in accommodation that compromises their safety.
WQ99978 · Tabled · Answered
What action is the Welsh Government taking to prevent care-experienced young people from experiencing homelessness whilst in education?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
We do not collect data on numbers of care-experienced young people who have experienced homelessness whilst still in education, however, we recognise the increased risk of homelessness that care leavers can face.
We are committed to ending homelessness across Wales, and the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Act 2026 will be central to achieving that. The Act contains the following measures designed to ensure that early preparation is made to ensure care leavers have a suitable place to live as they transition from care:
The measures in the Act are matched by a range of support in 2026-27 to prevent care-experienced young people from experiencing homelessness. This includes:
Official verbatim record: each question and answer as the Record prints it. Answers are signed with a job title, as published.