National Assembly for Wales

The Welsh Government is satisfied with the outcomes of the Taith scheme to date and remains committed to its continuous improvement. Since its inception, Taith has embedded a culture of strategic and operational refinement. This iterative approach to improvement is central to the programme’s ethos and will continue to shape its development—ensuring it remains accessible, responsive, and impactful.

This information is held by individual local authorities in Wales.

The Taith programme is promoted through a comprehensive communications approach designed to reach education institutions and potential participants across Wales. This includes:

• A dedicated Taith website, which features a growing number of case study videos (“stories”) that showcase the impact of funded projects and inspire new applicants
• Regular updates and engagement via social media platforms
• Webinars and workshops that provide guidance on funding calls, application processes, and project development
• Engagement with stakeholder groups and networks across all education sectors
• Use of Welsh Government communication channels, including Dysg and Hwb, and social media to reach schools, colleges, and other learning providers.

The Taith programme is promoted through a comprehensive communications approach designed to reach education institutions and potential participants across Wales. This includes:

• A dedicated Taith website, which features a growing number of case study videos (“stories”) that showcase the impact of funded projects and inspire new applicants
• Regular updates and engagement via social media platforms
• Webinars and workshops that provide guidance on funding calls, application processes, and project development
• Engagement with stakeholder groups and networks across all education sectors
• Use of Welsh Government communication channels, including Dysg and Hwb, and social media to reach schools, colleges, and other learning providers.

Since 2021 any teacher who has qualified in any country outside of Wales has been able to apply to register with the Education Workforce Council (EWC) to teach in Wales. This is subject to their meeting the required standards and holding the relevant qualifications.

Welsh Government funds the EWC to develop and run the Educators Wales website which holds all the relevant information for anyone who is interested in working in the education workforce in Wales. The website also includes a free job portal for employers of teachers in Wales to advertise vacancies and access to this is available to anyone registering with the website.

Welsh Government also funds EWC to promote teaching as a career. The team attend careers fairs and other events both inside and outside Wales to promote teaching in Wales as a career as well as providing advice and support for anyone considering a career in Wales. EWC also offer support to help individuals with application processes and interview preparation.

Our marketing and communications teams run campaigns to attract more entrants into Initial Teacher Education (ITE) including activity on a UK wide basis.

From September, the new national professional learning and leadership body will be responsible for developing a range of professional learning to support my key priorities of improving literacy, numeracy and wellbeing and programmes to enable teachers progress along their career pathways. This professional learning will be available to all practitioners in Wales, including those who have trained outside Wales.

Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol also run Cadw Cyswllt to keep in touch with students from Wales, including student teachers, studying outside of Wales. The Coleg provide information on careers and opportunities, including teaching, to encourage undergraduates to return to Wales on completion of their studies.

In January I announced that we’ll be working with local authorities, Unions, Estyn and a range of other stakeholders to develop a Strategic Education Workforce Plan. The plan will embed our vision and values for leaders, teachers and support staff for the future, recognising that there are a range of important roles across the school workforce. Ensuring that teaching, leadership and supporting teaching remains an attractive career pathway will be a key consideration in the plan.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure highways, public walkways and recreational areas are kept clear of litter and refuse. As Statutory Bodies it is for individual local authorities to determine how best to discharge these duties. The Welsh Government continues to provide support including via the Fly-tipping Action Wales programme.

Comprehensive analysis of Critical Raw Material (CRM) prospectivity in the UK was undertaken by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in 2023.

We would not wish to duplicate work already undertaken by the BGS.

Wales is committed to working with the rest of the UK to deliver the ambitions set out in the UK Rare Diseases Framework (2021-2026). The Wales Rare Disease Action Plan outlines our approach to achieving the framework priorities and is coordinated by the Rare Disease Implementation Network (RDIN) – part of NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. It sets out the changes we will make to improve outcomes and experiences for people with rare diseases.

There is no requirement for health boards to have designated clinical leads for rare diseases or to feature rare disease in integrated medium-term plans. Each health board will have pathways of care in place in different specialties to treat rare diseases, for example, rare cancers. Wales has a National Clinical Lead for Rare Diseases within RDIN, and the network engages with a wide range of clinicians, academics, third sector organisations, and other national clinical networks to deliver work in areas of mutual interest.

The Welsh Government has issued guidance to health boards and NHS trusts to support children and young people to move between children’s and adult’s services. Work is underway to create an All-Wales Digital Rare Care Centre to improve transition for people with rare diseases by creating a single information and resource platform for use by clinical teams. Digital Health and Care Wales has developed a rare disease data dashboard which will be available this year and support RDIN to better understand patient experience.

Wales has a national rare disease registry – the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service (CARIS), hosted by Public Health Wales. It provides reliable data on congenital anomalies in Wales and includes rare diseases detected through the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme or later in life. CARIS has also established the Adult Rare Disease Register, which collates and provides high quality population-level data on rare diseases in the adult population. The scope of the register continues to expand to support surveillance activity and inform healthcare service delivery.

Clinical trials are essential for deepening our understanding of rare diseases and refining treatment options. Recognising the vital role of research in advancing healthcare, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) receives £46m every year to support innovation and improve outcomes.

While commercial and non-commercial rare disease-related trials are currently open to recruitment across Wales, efforts are underway to expand patient access to research opportunities – including through the development of a Rare Diseases Research Network for Wales, the appointment of a specialty lead for rare disease research, and integration with the Be Part of Research Initiative.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework is due to conclude in January 2026. I recognise the need for continued collaboration at a UK-level regarding rare diseases, and discussions are underway between officials from the four nations to consider potential future arrangements.

Wales is committed to working with the rest of the UK to deliver the ambitions set out in the UK Rare Diseases Framework (2021-2026). The Wales Rare Disease Action Plan outlines our approach to achieving the framework priorities and is coordinated by the Rare Disease Implementation Network (RDIN) – part of NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. It sets out the changes we will make to improve outcomes and experiences for people with rare diseases.

There is no requirement for health boards to have designated clinical leads for rare diseases or to feature rare disease in integrated medium-term plans. Each health board will have pathways of care in place in different specialties to treat rare diseases, for example, rare cancers. Wales has a National Clinical Lead for Rare Diseases within RDIN, and the network engages with a wide range of clinicians, academics, third sector organisations, and other national clinical networks to deliver work in areas of mutual interest.

The Welsh Government has issued guidance to health boards and NHS trusts to support children and young people to move between children’s and adult’s services. Work is underway to create an All-Wales Digital Rare Care Centre to improve transition for people with rare diseases by creating a single information and resource platform for use by clinical teams. Digital Health and Care Wales has developed a rare disease data dashboard which will be available this year and support RDIN to better understand patient experience.

Wales has a national rare disease registry – the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service (CARIS), hosted by Public Health Wales. It provides reliable data on congenital anomalies in Wales and includes rare diseases detected through the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme or later in life. CARIS has also established the Adult Rare Disease Register, which collates and provides high quality population-level data on rare diseases in the adult population. The scope of the register continues to expand to support surveillance activity and inform healthcare service delivery.

Clinical trials are essential for deepening our understanding of rare diseases and refining treatment options. Recognising the vital role of research in advancing healthcare, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) receives £46m every year to support innovation and improve outcomes.

While commercial and non-commercial rare disease-related trials are currently open to recruitment across Wales, efforts are underway to expand patient access to research opportunities – including through the development of a Rare Diseases Research Network for Wales, the appointment of a specialty lead for rare disease research, and integration with the Be Part of Research Initiative.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework is due to conclude in January 2026. I recognise the need for continued collaboration at a UK-level regarding rare diseases, and discussions are underway between officials from the four nations to consider potential future arrangements.

Wales is committed to working with the rest of the UK to deliver the ambitions set out in the UK Rare Diseases Framework (2021-2026). The Wales Rare Disease Action Plan outlines our approach to achieving the framework priorities and is coordinated by the Rare Disease Implementation Network (RDIN) – part of NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. It sets out the changes we will make to improve outcomes and experiences for people with rare diseases.

There is no requirement for health boards to have designated clinical leads for rare diseases or to feature rare disease in integrated medium-term plans. Each health board will have pathways of care in place in different specialties to treat rare diseases, for example, rare cancers. Wales has a National Clinical Lead for Rare Diseases within RDIN, and the network engages with a wide range of clinicians, academics, third sector organisations, and other national clinical networks to deliver work in areas of mutual interest.

The Welsh Government has issued guidance to health boards and NHS trusts to support children and young people to move between children’s and adult’s services. Work is underway to create an All-Wales Digital Rare Care Centre to improve transition for people with rare diseases by creating a single information and resource platform for use by clinical teams. Digital Health and Care Wales has developed a rare disease data dashboard which will be available this year and support RDIN to better understand patient experience.

Wales has a national rare disease registry – the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service (CARIS), hosted by Public Health Wales. It provides reliable data on congenital anomalies in Wales and includes rare diseases detected through the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme or later in life. CARIS has also established the Adult Rare Disease Register, which collates and provides high quality population-level data on rare diseases in the adult population. The scope of the register continues to expand to support surveillance activity and inform healthcare service delivery.

Clinical trials are essential for deepening our understanding of rare diseases and refining treatment options. Recognising the vital role of research in advancing healthcare, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) receives £46m every year to support innovation and improve outcomes.

While commercial and non-commercial rare disease-related trials are currently open to recruitment across Wales, efforts are underway to expand patient access to research opportunities – including through the development of a Rare Diseases Research Network for Wales, the appointment of a specialty lead for rare disease research, and integration with the Be Part of Research Initiative.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework is due to conclude in January 2026. I recognise the need for continued collaboration at a UK-level regarding rare diseases, and discussions are underway between officials from the four nations to consider potential future arrangements.

Wales is committed to working with the rest of the UK to deliver the ambitions set out in the UK Rare Diseases Framework (2021-2026). The Wales Rare Disease Action Plan outlines our approach to achieving the framework priorities and is coordinated by the Rare Disease Implementation Network (RDIN) – part of NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. It sets out the changes we will make to improve outcomes and experiences for people with rare diseases.

There is no requirement for health boards to have designated clinical leads for rare diseases or to feature rare disease in integrated medium-term plans. Each health board will have pathways of care in place in different specialties to treat rare diseases, for example, rare cancers. Wales has a National Clinical Lead for Rare Diseases within RDIN, and the network engages with a wide range of clinicians, academics, third sector organisations, and other national clinical networks to deliver work in areas of mutual interest.

The Welsh Government has issued guidance to health boards and NHS trusts to support children and young people to move between children’s and adult’s services. Work is underway to create an All-Wales Digital Rare Care Centre to improve transition for people with rare diseases by creating a single information and resource platform for use by clinical teams. Digital Health and Care Wales has developed a rare disease data dashboard which will be available this year and support RDIN to better understand patient experience.

Wales has a national rare disease registry – the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service (CARIS), hosted by Public Health Wales. It provides reliable data on congenital anomalies in Wales and includes rare diseases detected through the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme or later in life. CARIS has also established the Adult Rare Disease Register, which collates and provides high quality population-level data on rare diseases in the adult population. The scope of the register continues to expand to support surveillance activity and inform healthcare service delivery.

Clinical trials are essential for deepening our understanding of rare diseases and refining treatment options. Recognising the vital role of research in advancing healthcare, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) receives £46m every year to support innovation and improve outcomes.

While commercial and non-commercial rare disease-related trials are currently open to recruitment across Wales, efforts are underway to expand patient access to research opportunities – including through the development of a Rare Diseases Research Network for Wales, the appointment of a specialty lead for rare disease research, and integration with the Be Part of Research Initiative.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework is due to conclude in January 2026. I recognise the need for continued collaboration at a UK-level regarding rare diseases, and discussions are underway between officials from the four nations to consider potential future arrangements.

Wales is committed to working with the rest of the UK to deliver the ambitions set out in the UK Rare Diseases Framework (2021-2026). The Wales Rare Disease Action Plan outlines our approach to achieving the framework priorities and is coordinated by the Rare Disease Implementation Network (RDIN) – part of NHS Wales Performance and Improvement. It sets out the changes we will make to improve outcomes and experiences for people with rare diseases.

There is no requirement for health boards to have designated clinical leads for rare diseases or to feature rare disease in integrated medium-term plans. Each health board will have pathways of care in place in different specialties to treat rare diseases, for example, rare cancers. Wales has a National Clinical Lead for Rare Diseases within RDIN, and the network engages with a wide range of clinicians, academics, third sector organisations, and other national clinical networks to deliver work in areas of mutual interest.

The Welsh Government has issued guidance to health boards and NHS trusts to support children and young people to move between children’s and adult’s services. Work is underway to create an All-Wales Digital Rare Care Centre to improve transition for people with rare diseases by creating a single information and resource platform for use by clinical teams. Digital Health and Care Wales has developed a rare disease data dashboard which will be available this year and support RDIN to better understand patient experience.

Wales has a national rare disease registry – the Congenital Anomaly Register and Information Service (CARIS), hosted by Public Health Wales. It provides reliable data on congenital anomalies in Wales and includes rare diseases detected through the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme or later in life. CARIS has also established the Adult Rare Disease Register, which collates and provides high quality population-level data on rare diseases in the adult population. The scope of the register continues to expand to support surveillance activity and inform healthcare service delivery.

Clinical trials are essential for deepening our understanding of rare diseases and refining treatment options. Recognising the vital role of research in advancing healthcare, Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) receives £46m every year to support innovation and improve outcomes.

While commercial and non-commercial rare disease-related trials are currently open to recruitment across Wales, efforts are underway to expand patient access to research opportunities – including through the development of a Rare Diseases Research Network for Wales, the appointment of a specialty lead for rare disease research, and integration with the Be Part of Research Initiative.

The UK Rare Diseases Framework is due to conclude in January 2026. I recognise the need for continued collaboration at a UK-level regarding rare diseases, and discussions are underway between officials from the four nations to consider potential future arrangements.

Welsh Government recognises the vital contribution carbon capture and storage (CCS) will make to decarbonising the energy system and industry in Wales. Following a public consultation, Welsh Government will shortly publish our strategic policy which supports the use of CCS technology where it makes a clear and sustained contribution to decarbonisation. This policy will provide additional clarity for developers and encourage investment in Wales that will facilitate long-term decarbonisation and build a stronger, greener economy.

Welsh Government is working closely with the UK Government through the Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Ministerial Group, official level regulatory groups and Net Zero Industry Wales. We are also in talks with Local Authorities, Natural Resources Wales, the North Sea Transition Authority and other regulators to ensure the CCS consenting requirements are clear, timely and effective. Welsh Government is also engaging with energy from waste companies, the wider energy and CCS sector (across capture, transport of CO2, storage providers and supply chain companies), and meet regularly with HyNet and its consortium partners to better understand their proposals and offer support as appropriate.

In March, Enfinium (an energy from waste operator) announced that it will transfer its CCS pilot plant from its current site in West Yorkshire to Parc Adfer, enabling its north Wales site to be the first carbon capture project in Wales. Welsh Government officials meet every four weeks with the HyNet project team, as well as HyNet Alliance members such as Enfinium to discuss how the Welsh Government can support individual project developments.

Please refer to the answers provided to WQ96585 and WQ96586.

Please refer to the answers provided to WQ96585 and WQ96586.