Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in Siambr Hywel and others joining by video-conference.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.
View Questions

The item started at 13.30

Questions 2 to 9 were asked. Question 1 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2. Questions 6, 7 and 8 were answered by the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership.

The Llywydd made a statement at 14.19 to note the presence in the Oriel of Pat Weir MP, Speaker of Queensland Parliament.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.
View Questions

The item started at 14.19

Questions 1 to 2 and 4 to 9 were asked. Question 3 was withdrawn. Questions 1, 4 and 8 were answered by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

No Topical Questions have been accepted 

No Topical Questions were accepted. 

The item started at 15.11

Lesley Griffiths made a statement on - Wrexham AFC success.
Sian Gwenllian made a statement on The City of Bangor – 1500 year anniversary.
Jane Dodds made a statement on World Press Freedom Day (3 May).

The item started at 15.17

NNDM8897 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)  

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.3, elects Peter Fox (Welsh Conservatives) as a member of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8887 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee, ‘Follow up inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers’, which was laid in the Table Office on 20 February 2025.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 29 April 2025.

The item started at 15.17
NDM8887 John Griffiths (Newport East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee, ‘Follow up inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers’, which was laid in the Table Office on 20 February 2025.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 29 April 2025.
The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8889 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: Halting and reversing the loss of nature by 2030, laid on 20 January 2025.

Notes: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 6 March 2025.

The item started at 16.01

NDM8889 Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee report: Halting and reversing the loss of nature by 2030, laid on 20 January 2025.

Notes: The response from the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 6 March 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8890 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that today marks a year until the 2026 Senedd election, and that since the last election:

a) NHS waiting lists have increased by approximately 200,000;

b) Wales’s continued economic under-performance is reflected by an employment rate that is the lowest of the UK nations;

c) child poverty levels are set to reach their highest rates in 30 years by the end of this decade; and

d) Wales’s scores are the lowest they have ever been since first participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2006.

2. Believes that:

a) the Welsh Labour Government has abandoned those who put it in power;

b) educational, economic and health outcomes will be better under fresh leadership;

c) the interests of the people of Wales cannot be served by a Welsh Government answerable to the UK Prime Minister; and

d) the people of Wales will benefit from further devolution and ultimately, independence.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to maximise the potential of devolution, demand that Wales is granted parity of powers with Scotland, and stand up to the UK Government’s disrespectful treatment of Wales.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete all and replace with -
Propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes that today marks a year until the 2026 Senedd election, and that since the last election, as a result of the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru's Co-Operation Agreement:
a) NHS waiting lists have increased by approximately 200,000;
b) Wales’s continued economic under-performance is reflected by an employment rate that is the lowest of the UK nations;
c) child poverty levels are set to reach their highest rates in 30 years by the end of this decade;
d) Wales’s scores are the lowest they have ever been since first participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2006;
e) 20mph default speed limits have been introduced; and
f) plans to increase the number of Senedd Members by 36 have been introduced.

2. Further notes that the Welsh Government has failed to stand up to the UK Government on behalf of the people of Wales on matters such as their inheritance tax policy, the winter fuel allowance removal, and the increase in employer’s national insurance costs.
3. Believes that the Welsh Labour Government has abandoned those who put it in power.
4. Recognises that Plaid Cymru has supported the Welsh Labour Government and should also be accountable for the impact of their policies.
5. Believes that Wales needs a Welsh Conservative government to deliver the better economic, education and health outcomes that the people of Wales deserve.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Commends the Welsh Labour Government for its determination to protect frontline services and deliver for communities across Wales, despite the pressures created by an increasingly tight financial settlement.
2. Acknowledges that the current Barnett-based funding arrangements do not fully account for Wales’s needs and supports constructive engagement between both Labour governments to secure a fairer, long-term funding model.
3. Notes the pressing need for a fair funding settlement that reflects the specific needs and circumstances of Wales.
4. Further recognises the Welsh Government’s track record of delivering progressive policies - such as free prescriptions, the continuation of the education maintenance allowance, and the rollout of universal free primary school meals - that demonstrate Labour’s values in action, even in the face of budgetary constraints.
5. Notes the tangible progress being made in reducing NHS waiting lists in Wales through targeted investment and reform, while acknowledging the need for sustained support to meet rising demand.
6. Supports continued joint working between the Welsh and UK Labour governments to secure fairer funding, drive economic renewal, and improve the lives of people across Wales.

The item started at 16.50

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8890 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that today marks a year until the 2026 Senedd election, and that since the last election:

a) NHS waiting lists have increased by approximately 200,000;

b) Wales’s continued economic under-performance is reflected by an employment rate that is the lowest of the UK nations;

c) child poverty levels are set to reach their highest rates in 30 years by the end of this decade; and

d) Wales’s scores are the lowest they have ever been since first participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2006.

2. Believes that:

a) the Welsh Labour Government has abandoned those who put it in power;

b) educational, economic and health outcomes will be better under fresh leadership;

c) the interests of the people of Wales cannot be served by a Welsh Government answerable to the UK Prime Minister; and

d) the people of Wales will benefit from further devolution and ultimately, independence.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to maximise the potential of devolution, demand that Wales is granted parity of powers with Scotland, and stand up to the UK Government’s disrespectful treatment of Wales.

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)
Delete all and replace with -
Propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes that today marks a year until the 2026 Senedd election, and that since the last election, as a result of the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru's Co-Operation Agreement:
a) NHS waiting lists have increased by approximately 200,000;
b) Wales’s continued economic under-performance is reflected by an employment rate that is the lowest of the UK nations;
c) child poverty levels are set to reach their highest rates in 30 years by the end of this decade;
d) Wales’s scores are the lowest they have ever been since first participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2006;
e) 20mph default speed limits have been introduced; and
f) plans to increase the number of Senedd Members by 36 have been introduced.

2. Further notes that the Welsh Government has failed to stand up to the UK Government on behalf of the people of Wales on matters such as their inheritance tax policy, the winter fuel allowance removal, and the increase in employer’s national insurance costs.
3. Believes that the Welsh Labour Government has abandoned those who put it in power.
4. Recognises that Plaid Cymru has supported the Welsh Labour Government and should also be accountable for the impact of their policies.
5. Believes that Wales needs a Welsh Conservative government to deliver the better economic, education and health outcomes that the people of Wales deserve.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Commends the Welsh Labour Government for its determination to protect frontline services and deliver for communities across Wales, despite the pressures created by an increasingly tight financial settlement.
2. Acknowledges that the current Barnett-based funding arrangements do not fully account for Wales’s needs and supports constructive engagement between both Labour governments to secure a fairer, long-term funding model.
3. Notes the pressing need for a fair funding settlement that reflects the specific needs and circumstances of Wales.
4. Further recognises the Welsh Government’s track record of delivering progressive policies - such as free prescriptions, the continuation of the education maintenance allowance, and the rollout of universal free primary school meals - that demonstrate Labour’s values in action, even in the face of budgetary constraints.
5. Notes the tangible progress being made in reducing NHS waiting lists in Wales through targeted investment and reform, while acknowledging the need for sustained support to meet rising demand.
6. Supports continued joint working between the Welsh and UK Labour governments to secure fairer funding, drive economic renewal, and improve the lives of people across Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

As the Senedd did not agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the amendments tabled to the motion, the motion was therefore not agreed.

The item started at 17.55

NDM8888 Sam Rowlands (North Wales)

Lost Boys: the crisis facing young men in Wales.

The item started at 17.58

NDM8888 Sam Rowlands (North Wales)

Lost Boys: the crisis facing young men in Wales.