National Assembly for Wales

Social housing grant is provided to build new social homes and, over the last two years, 55 schemes have received funding for using non-traditional modern methods of construction. These schemes will provide over 1,400 new social homes for rent.

Building on the sustainable development duty, 'Planning Policy Wales' and 'Future Wales' set the framework for the planning system in Wales. Sustainable development, climate change, including green infrastructure and biodiversity, are key elements of national policy that must considered by local planning authorities when preparing development plans and determining planning applications.

The Infrastructure (Wales) Bill was introduced into the Senedd on 12 June. Subject to receiving consent of the Senedd, the system it proposes will replace the development of national significance process for the determination of applications for large scale devolved infrastructure projects.

As part of our £75 million flood programme for 2023-24, the Welsh Government has made £5.25 million revenue funding available to local authorities. We have also made £12 million capital funding available to support the development and delivery of construction works, for which local authorities can submit applications. 

We held a public consultation last October to update our statutory guidance on school uniform. We considered school uniform suppliers to be key stakeholders in school uniform policy and formally consulted with them. The new guidance published in May will support schools in reducing costs for families.

The additional learning needs system is being implemented over four academic years as part of systemic reform of the education system in Wales. We are working closely with Estyn to monitor progress and an evaluation of implementation is under way.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to keep a register of all pupils with a hearing impairment in their area, to ensure provision is properly planned for. Many of these pupils will also have an additional learning need and will therefore be entitled to a statutory individual development plan.

While it is not straightforward to fully quantify the impact of the delay, the exclusion of the UK from the Horizon programme has been avoidable and damaging. The Horizon programme will give Welsh universities the opportunity to join with their peers to tackle challenges faced in Wales and globally.