16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770699 0 Cy 260922-0 I Mae hon yn fersiwn ddrafft o’r Cofnod sy’n cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd a’r cyfieithiad ar y pryd.  Mae [R] yn dynodi bod yr Aelod wedi datgan buddiant wrth gyflwyno’r busnes. This is a draft version of the Record that includes the floor language and the simultaneous interpretation.  [R] indicates that the Member has declared an interest when tabling the business. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770700 1 Cy 260922-0 I Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Huw Irranca-Davies) yn y Gadair.  The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Huw Irranca-Davies) in the Chair. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770703 2 Cy 2026-09-22T13:30:02 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Prynhawn da, bawb. Gadewch i ni ddechrau. Rydyn ni'n dechrau gyda chwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog. Cwestiwn 1, Andrew R.T. Davies. Good afternoon, all. Let's make a start. We will begin with questions to the First Minister. The first question this afternoon is from Andrew R.T. Davies. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770704 3 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Y Ganolfan Ragoriaeth Fyd-Eang ar gyfer Rheilffyrdd Global Centre of Rail Excellence 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770705 4 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 143 143 Andrew R.T. Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=143 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=143 Davies, Andrew R.T. 1. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi diweddariad ar safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru ar y Ganolfan Ragoriaeth Fyd-eang ar gyfer Rheilffyrdd? OQ64526 1. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's position on the Global Centre of Rail Excellence? OQ64526 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770706 5 En 2026-09-22T13:30:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=18&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=18&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun The question does indeed come at an opportune time. A review has been commissioned, looking at how to deliver the best outcome at the Nant Helen site. We are keen now to develop a clear direction of travel with GCRE Ltd. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770708 6 En 2026-09-22T13:30:34 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=34&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=34&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 143 143 Andrew R.T. Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=143 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=143 Davies, Andrew R.T. Thank you for that update, First Minister. The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee in the last session visited the site and looked into the proposals that were presented to us. When this concept was first thought through, there was the potential for 1,000 jobs coming to the site, and the Government of the day was told that there was huge demand for this testing facility. Regrettably, to date, not £1 of private money has gone into it. It is a huge site. I saw a media report saying it's the size of Gibraltar. There's a lot of remediation work to go into it. The one thing we were told as a committee was that the incoming Government, whoever that Government would be, needed to make a quick decision about future investment. The site has burned through £70 million of public money to date. When will you be in the position to formulate what the Government is going to do, bearing in mind £70 million of public money has already gone in and £350 to £400 million is required to build this Global Centre of Rail Excellence? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770712 7 En 2026-09-22T13:31:34 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=94&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=94&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Llywydd, the Member makes very important points. Significant amounts of public funding have gone into the site already. I'm not going to criticise the concept that came from the current leader of the Labour Party, but we have to understand what has happened as those tens of millions of pounds have been spent on the site, and what maybe hasn't happened to enable us to be at a place where there is private funding willing and able and keen to come in. As I say, my Minister has commissioned that work now because I agree that we need to come to a decision soon in order to make the most of the opportunities for what is still a very important site. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770716 8 En 2026-09-22T13:32:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=143&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=143&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12191 12191 Steven Rodaway AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12191 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12191 Rodaway, Steven First Minister, it's good to hear that you are commissioning a review, but this Chamber would like to understand that the confidence of your Government in this site must rest on a credible commercial case, which the public actually needs to understand. The additional proposed data centre and energy park may promise local jobs, but these benefits cannot justify an indefinite dependence on taxpayer-funded grants. After more than four months in office, your Government should be able to demonstrate how and when the development will attract private capital and generate a sufficient income to support itself. How will you make any further development conditional on a financially self-supporting business plan that delivers measurable local benefits without further taxpayer-funded grants to GCRE or participating companies? Thank you. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770718 9 En 2026-09-22T13:33:13 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=193&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=193&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Again, perfectly appropriate questions to ask. It is not just about making it a credible commercial proposition, it's making sure that the public money that has gone into it has been put to good use, and, as we consider the future, that we look at that balance of where Government works potentially with the private sector on what could be a whole host of different propositions. As I say, the fact that we understand the need to move quickly on this is why that review has been commissioned. Whatever the project, you cannot continue to move forward in an aimless way. This started from a point where there was a real belief in a particular project. Time has moved on. We need to make sure that, in 2026, we understand what the best project is now for that site. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770720 10 En 2026-09-22T13:34:11 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=251&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=251&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12172 12172 Rebeca Phillips AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 Phillips, Rebaca The Global Centre of Rail Excellence is seen as a promising development for many across my constituency, showing the potential of green travel, a path towards net zero, and supporting the development of stronger, greener and more affordable transport systems right across the world. What other opportunities are there alongside this project that will help people in my constituency? Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770722 11 En 2026-09-22T13:34:36 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=276&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=276&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun The Member again points to that original concept around rail. A lot has happened in rail since those times, not least the changes in direction around HS2 and so on. We need to understand where we are now, rather than where we were. We need to understand the significance of decisions that have been made to date. The Member will want to ensure that what we achieve there is something that is of value to the locality, to the constituency that she and others represent, and to the Welsh economy. And those are the principles that will be guiding my Cabinet Minister for enterprise as he now works with the review and looks forward to seeing the results of that review pretty soon.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770696 12 En 2026-09-22T13:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=300&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=300&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770733 13 En 2026-09-22T13:36:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=387&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=387&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770698 14 Cy 2026-09-22T13:35:20 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=320&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=320&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw Fe ges i hefyd gyfle yn gynharach eleni i ymweld â'r safle yma a gweld y potensial arbennig sydd yno nid yn unig fel canolfan arloesi rheilffyrdd, ond hefyd fel lle ble y gellir cael pethau fel canolfannau data, a fydd yn helpu i ddatgloi y prosiect ehangach.  I also had an opportunity earlier this year to visit this site and to see the great potential that exists there not only for a centre of innovation in rail, but also as a place where you could have things such as data centres, which will help to unlock the broader project.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770701 15 En 2026-09-22T13:35:39 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=339&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=339&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw Welsh Labour invested £2 billion in the Heads of the Valleys road precisely for a reason like this, to connect communities, including along the M4 corridor but also in the old Valleys communities, with projects like this. If we are serious about bringing well-paid jobs and re-industrialising the former coalfields, this is exactly the kind of investment that Wales should secure, recognising that this will take public money as well as private money. So, I've heard a bit of equivocation from you today, which will raise concerns for people wanting to see a rail solution brought forward. We want to see more trains brought forward into Wales, and this would help unlock that. Can you give a reason why your Government would not support the GCRE project specifically? And if you can't give a reason, will you perhaps today commit to supporting it? Diolch yn fawr. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770715 16 Cy 2026-09-22T13:36:26 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=386&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=386&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Dwi'n meddwl fy mod i wedi bod mor agored ag y gallaf ynglŷn â'r dewis rydyn ni'n gorfod ei wneud fel Llywodraeth rŵan. A'r dewis hwnnw ydy asesu beth ydy'r defnydd gorau ar gyfer, ie, arian cyhoeddus, ond hefyd y modd gorau o ddenu arian preifat i mewn. A'r broblem efo'r cynllun rheilffordd, fel ag y mae o, ydy ei fod o wedi methu—wedi methu—â denu arian preifat i mewn. Dyna pam yr ydym ni yn y sefyllfa yr ydym ni ynddi heddiw. Mae'r Aelod yn iawn, Lywydd, i ddweud mai beth sydd angen ydy ystyried potensial y safle. Gallaf i ddwyn cymhariaeth efo safle Alwminiwm Môn yn fy etholaeth i. Pan ddaeth y gwaith hwnnw i ben, beth oedd gennym ni oedd safle. A beth sydd angen ei wneud mewn sefyllfa fel yna ydy meddwl 'Ôce, beth ydy'r defnydd gorau ar gyfer y safle hwnnw?', a pheidio bod yn rhy briod i un elfen bosib. Ac ydy, wrth gwrs bod yr opsiwn rheilffyrdd yn dal ar y bwrdd. Beth rydyn ni'n mynd i wneud ydy edrych ar y sefyllfa lle rydym ni rŵan a gwneud y penderfyniadau gorau ar gyfer pobl yr ardal yna a dyfodol economi Cymru.  I think that I've been as open as I can be about the choice that we have to make as a Government now. And that choice is to assess what the best use is for, yes, public money but also the best way of attracting private investment in. And the problem with the railway plan as it is is that it has failed. It has failed to attract private investment and that's why we're in the situation that we're in today. The Member is correct, Llywydd, to say that what is needed is to consider the potential of the site. I could compare this with the Anglesey Aluminium site. When the work there came to an end, what we had there was a site. And what needs to be done in that kind of situation is to think, 'Right, what's the best use for this site?', and not being too tied to one possible element. And, of course, the railway option is still on the table, but what we are going to do is to look at where we are now and to make the best decisions for the people of that area and the future of Wales's economy. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770734 17 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Blaenoriaethau Gofal Iechyd Healthcare Priorities 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770735 18 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul 2. Beth yw blaenoriaethau gofal iechyd Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer Ceredigion Penfro ar gyfer y deuddeg mis nesaf? OQ64479 2. What are the Welsh Government's healthcare priorities for Ceredigion Penfro for the next twelve months? OQ64479 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770736 19 En 2026-09-22T13:37:35 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=455&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=455&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Improving health outcomes, ensuring timely access to care, supporting sustainable NHS services for communities across Ceredigion Penfro are clearly major priorities for this new Government. As part of our vision to strengthen healthcare in rural and coastal areas in particular, we will engage closely with the local health board and partners to ensure high-quality, patient-centred services that genuinely do meet the needs of local people. We want to make sure they're delivered now and into the future. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770740 20 En 2026-09-22T13:38:05 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=485&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=485&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul First Minister, I believe that the Welsh Government's healthcare priorities for Ceredigion Penfro must be to protect essential health services at its hospitals so that patients do not have to travel further afield for treatment. Now, over the years, my constituents have seen health services centralised and moved further away by the local health board, despite clear public opposition to these changes. And there has been little, if any, intervention or challenge from a Welsh Government over the last 27 years. Now, following the change of Government in May, there was a sense of hope for my constituents that their views would be heard and the health board stopped, and, so far, that has not been the case. So, First Minister, what threshold must be crossed before the Welsh Government is prepared to intervene and prevent Hywel Dda University Health Board from further downgrading services in west Wales? And what message do you have for the people of Ceredigion Penfro who voted for a Government they believed would stand up for local communities and ensure that no further services are removed from their hospitals? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770745 21 En 2026-09-22T13:39:13 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=553&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=553&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Llywydd, the Member is absolutely right that we want to protect essential services, and most of us at one time or another have been involved in various campaigns around particular services in different places. I think the principles that we need to bear in mind always are that we provide timely services in the appropriate location. There will be different stories in different parts of Wales, but those are the principles that tie us together. Decisions on clinical services are taken by the health boards themselves. I know that the health board in this particular instance has looked at eight out of nine of the services that it provides and consulted on them, and put in place changes that it believes would provide better services to be delivered over the best part of a decade. These aren't overnight changes. And it's important to remember that these are changes that can take time. But my appeal always is for health boards, when they make those changes, when they consult, and afterwards, to ensure that people feel that they are engaged properly on those decisions. But there will be, clearly, different applications of different services in different parts of Wales. It's about getting that balance of appropriate services that will always put the patient first. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770697 22 En 2026-09-22T13:40:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=600&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=600&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770710 23 En 2026-09-22T13:40:30 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=630&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=630&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12180 12180 Paul Marr AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12180 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12180 Marr, Paul Thank you to Paul Davies for the question. First Minister, 35 per cent of Ceredigion households and 23 per cent in Pembrokeshire rely on oil heating, among the highest rates in Wales. Public Health Wales warns that cold homes increase cardiovascular and respiratory risks, particular for older and vulnerable people. As your Government moves towards net zero, how will you ensure that rural households are not forced to ration heating because of the cost of that transition, and will you guarantee that keeping people warm and healthy comes before hitting arbitrary deadlines? Diolch.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770714 24 En 2026-09-22T13:41:04 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=664&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=664&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun I will accept that there is a healthcare link there, Llywydd, and I'm being very, very generous. We know that a healthy home, a healthy environment, is important for people's health, so the Member is absolutely right in that respect. On oil heating in particular, of course, these are measures that are reserved. We have consistently appealed to the UK Government to make the right decisions when it comes to the options that it has at its disposal, but that we haven't as a Welsh Government, to relieve the pressure on households in rural Wales in particular that are particularly dependent on off-grid oil. It is a principle that ties this Government together, that we think cross-departmentally, and the Member is right: we need to think housing, we need to think energy, we need to think health when it comes to the well-being of the people that we represent. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770719 25 En 2026-09-22T13:42:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=721&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=721&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12178 12178 Anna Nicholl AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12178 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12178 Nicholl, Anna First Minister, I'd like to agree that protecting services at Bronglais and Withybush hospitals remains vital for communities across Ceredigion Penfro. However, in rural areas, we also need innovative ways of bringing healthcare closer to people's homes. Integrated care centres in Cardigan and Aberaeron show what can be achieved when we bring services together, and, again, bring them closer to people, taking the pressure off hospitals. Having recently visited GP services in Fishguard, I know that there is strong local support for a similar approach there. Indeed, my colleague Elin Jones has previously worked with local councillors to make the case for an integrated care centre for Fishguard. So, will the Welsh Government commit to working with Hywel Dda University Health Board and local communities to explore how towns such as Fishguard could benefit from integrated care facilities, ensuring rural communities are not left behind as healthcare services evolve? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770725 26 En 2026-09-22T13:43:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=781&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=781&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Many of us represent rural areas here, and the health of somebody in a rural part of Wales is as important as somebody in an urban part of Wales. We need to make sure that we have equitable healthcare, but it does mean that a different approach is needed. I'm really interested in the work that is developing—already has begun—into creating a centre of excellence on the delivery of rural healthcare in Bronglais Hospital, which could benefit all parts of Wales, not just Ceredigion Penfro. The programme for government commitment is clear. We want to ensure that integrated care is delivered closer to home, with prevention in particular at its core, to support earlier diagnosis, reduce admissions and delays in discharge. We have many ideas on how, in general, the delivery can be improved in rural areas, but health officials, I know, are engaging with the health board and Pembrokeshire County Council specifically on the development of that integrated centre in Fishguard. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770731 27 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Arweinwyr y Pleidiau Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770732 28 Cy 2026-09-22T13:44:02 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=842&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=842&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Galwaf yn awr ar arweinwyr y pleidiau i holi'r Prif Weinidog. Yn gyntaf, arweinydd Reform UK, Helen Jenner. I now call on the party leaders to question the First Minister. First, the leader of Reform UK, Helen Jenner. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770737 29 En 2026-09-22T13:44:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=854&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=854&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12153 12153 Helen Jenner AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 Leader of the Opposition Arweinydd yr Wrthblaid Jenner, Hellen Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, you so often stand on your soapbox and arrogantly claim that you and your party are the ones fighting injustice and standing up for Wales. Yet, you and your party had the chance last week to tackle rape gangs and to stand up for Wales by backing our Reform motion to help bring closure for women and girls by uncovering the extent of rape gang activity in Wales. But, instead, you voted, shamefully, against it. How on earth can women and girls expect you to have their best interests and safety at heart? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770741 30 En 2026-09-22T13:44:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=887&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=887&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the new leader of Reform in Wales on her election to the role. She is certainly a bold politician. Anybody who says she came into politics because she was impressed by the principles of Nigel Farage certainly has to be seen as bold. There is nothing that is more important to any of us, hopefully, than safeguarding people that we have a duty of care for. That is why my Government at this moment is working on strengthening safeguarding and how it protects vulnerable people, including women and girls, potentially trafficked people, in all parts of Wales. That is something my Government is actively getting on with. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770709 31 En 2026-09-22T13:45:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=900&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=900&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770713 32 En 2026-09-22T13:45:32 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=932&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=932&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12153 12153 Helen Jenner AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 Jenner, Hellen You had the opportunity for a Wales focus there. Ironically, normally, we like to stand out, don't we, from the rest of the United Kingdom, but, in this case, you are happy to be absorbed into the UK inquiry. First Minister, the evidence suggests that rape gang activity may have been covered up by authorities to avoid racial tensions, and if we don't get to the bottom of what is among the most sickening organised criminal activities of our time, we cannot expect to prevent the risk of many more crimes of this nature. Last year, the Welsh Government said there was no current widespread issue with grooming gangs in Wales, and one of your current Ministers was accused by a grooming gang victim of downplaying her experience. Let's just have a look at the last 11 weeks alone: we've had two men imprisoned in Cardiff, five people convicted in Rhyl, and eight men across south Wales charged as part of Operation Oak, all relating to grooming gang-type activity. First Minister, can you really look me in the eye and say that you didn't let down victims last week by voting against wanting a grooming gang investigation in Wales? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770723 33 En 2026-09-22T13:46:36 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=996&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=996&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun I can look you in the eye every single day of the week and tell you that we have a Government that isn't interested in scoring political points about what is a very, very sensitive issue, and is interested in getting on with finding solutions. Now, we said that we needed to understand the scale of the problem in Wales. Work was done to understand the scale of the problem in Wales, and it is apparent, obviously, that we have issues here that we need to get to grips with in order to safeguard people, which is why my Government is giving all support to the inquiry that is currently looking at the lessons that can be learnt. She may want to make this a constitutional issue; I make this about the safety of people in Wales, and that is the difference between her and me. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770727 34 En 2026-09-22T13:47:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1043&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1043&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12153 12153 Helen Jenner AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 Jenner, Hellen First Minister, making sure victims' voices are heard—that is not political point scoring. Speaking of uncovering the truth, First Minister, I've got a couple of quotes to read to you today: 'Reform would look at the nation of sanctuary and say Welsh people come first when prioritising council housing, and that is really, really important to me.' Let me read you my second quote: 'Millions are being wasted on the tree-planting project, which is absolutely incredible, that we are sending money in Wales to Uganda.' First Minister, these were things said by a Senedd Member that now sits on your benches. Do you agree with these comments, 'yes' or 'no'? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770729 35 En 2026-09-22T13:48:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1080&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1080&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun What I admire is that somebody would have the bravery to stand up to this Reform group in the Senedd and say, 'I now can see you for what you are.' That is precisely what Sarah Cooper-Lesadd did last week. I firmly believe that, in politics, it is up to all of us to show that we are able to change, that we are able to see the light, politically, if you like, and so many other people are doing the same. We have now a scandal-ridden Reform party that is collapsing in chaos around the new Reform leader in Wales. The Member said yesterday that she is all for unity and continuity, but her party is incapable of showing either. Perhaps she can tell us how much of the £72 million arising from the latest Reform scandal she hopes will come to Wales. Maybe she hopes it will be Barnettised. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770738 36 En 2026-09-22T13:48:54 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1134&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1134&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12153 12153 Helen Jenner AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12153 Jenner, Hellen 'Yes' or 'no'? Okay. Diolch yn fawr. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770739 37 En 2026-09-22T13:49:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1140&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1140&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 267 267 Ken Skates AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=267 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=267 Leader of Welsh Labour Arweinydd Llafur Cymru Skates, Ken First Minister, today we remember the deaths of hundreds of people in the Gresford mining disaster. It was a horrific disaster that devastated the community, and I'm sure you, First Minister, will also remember those who died. More than 260 bodies were recovered, but 253 remain entombed. Unfortunately, it wasn't just men that died; boys died in that disaster as well. It clearly was one of Wales's darkest days. Research by Wrexham.com shows that, whilst the Plaid Government was questioning the need and rationale for an extra £100 million to be spent on additional learning needs, it was at the very same time asking councils how much more they'd be spending on additional learning needs this year. Now, the data was published just before the supplementary budget vote on your own website. And that figure, in total, for all councils and all schools in Wales was an extra £96.3 million—almost exactly the £100 million that Welsh Labour was saying was required to stabilise the system across Wales, and for which you received a major UK Labour Government windfall. Now, does this revelation, uncovered as I say by Wrexham.com, demonstrate that disadvantaged children risk coming second to this Plaid Cymru Government, behind free childcare for millionaires? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770707 38 En 2026-09-22T13:50:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1200&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1200&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770711 39 En 2026-09-22T13:50:37 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1237&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1237&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Let me, firstly, associate myself very much with the comments as we remember the Gresford disaster, and we send our thoughts to the community, for whom the pain of that day is still felt in many ways.  On additional learning needs, I remind the Labour leader that he was intending to spend £9 million, had they won the election. My party's manifesto made it a pledge to put ALN on a sustainable footing. We had a discussion, running up to the supplementary budget, where we were putting £100 million plus on the table, including £40 million for this year—for this year—which is what we gauged, working with officials and others, could actually be spent to take the pressure. That money is still on the table, and I appeal to the Member again: help us to get it out of the door to help those families and the schools and local authorities who need that money spent.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770747 40 En 2026-09-22T13:51:35 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1295&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1295&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 267 267 Ken Skates AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=267 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=267 Skates, Ken First Minister, the £9 million that you refer to was before the UK Government budget. Once the UK Government budget had taken place and confirmation that more than £300 million was made available, the then education Minister, Lynne Neagle, was planning to spend an extra £100 million on additional learning needs, had we been re-elected. Now, I can provide clear, irrefutable evidence of how disadvantaged and disabled children will pay the price for your uncosted pledges. Clwb Cwtsh, which is the only provider of school holiday play for children with complex needs in north Wales, has just been told by the Plaid Government that funding for its services will end. The previous Labour Government here funded that provision, which is, as I say, for children with complex needs. I'm afraid, unless your Government makes a u-turn on this, changes its mind and provides the funding to Clwb Cwtsh, it will be lost. So, can I urge you to reconsider the decision to end funding for this provision? Otherwise, I'm afraid disabled children will be paying the price for free childcare for millionaires. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770751 41 En 2026-09-22T13:52:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1370&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1370&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun I ask the Member to look again at when they were promising £9 million, and it was very much after that money was made available. And there are principles here about the ability for us to set directions here in Wales. I am familiar with Clwb Cwtsh. I don't know why the previous Labour administration didn't put its funding on a permanent basis. The Member might be able to shed some light on that. I do understand also that it fills an ALN gap. The Member is asking for £30,000 for that; I have £40 million on the table that I have sought, and continue to seek, agreement with the Member on. That money includes money that would directly go to Flintshire council, so I'm imagining that the leader of Flintshire council would be keen for the Labour leader here to help us get that money out of the door.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770754 42 Cy 2026-09-22T13:53:47 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1427&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1427&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Darren Millar.  The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Darren Millar.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770756 43 En 2026-09-22T13:53:51 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1431&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1431&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 171 171 Darren Millar AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=171 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=171 Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig Millar, Darren Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, last week, the UK Government published the inflation figures. They showed that inflation was up, with prices rising by 3.1 per cent in the year to August, and of course economists forecast that that increase in inflation will continue to rise to above 4 per cent around the end of this year, in the coming months. And that's going to be as a result of the energy price cap going up, the increase in fuel prices eventually coming through. Now, many households in Wales are facing the pinch in their pockets, and they desperately need help. One thing that your Government could do to help people here in Wales is to take action on council tax. Can I ask you, First Minister, instead of making yet more demands for more power, why don't you help people with their council tax demands? Why don't you initiate a cap on council tax and legislate, with the powers that you already have, so that people require a referendum in order to give local residents a say for any increase above that cap? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770761 44 En 2026-09-22T13:54:54 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1494&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1494&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun I understand that the leader of the Conservatives wants to replicate policy in England. I'm interested in what works for Wales and it's about what works for council tax payers, Llywydd, and it's what works within the bounds of the finances of Welsh Government. And I remind the Senedd that we will be facing a real-terms cut in the day-to-day spending that we have available in the next financial year. Council tax is set, of course, by local authorities and it's important that it is. I would remind the Member that, in a recent budget deal before we came into power, we made sure that there was a baseline for an increase in funding for councils, and a big part of that was to protect council tax payers, which I agree is something that's very, very important indeed. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770717 45 En 2026-09-22T13:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1500&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1500&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770721 46 En 2026-09-22T13:55:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1540&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1540&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 171 171 Darren Millar AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=171 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=171 Millar, Darren You know, I was listening to the radio this morning and I heard one of the commentators talking about it being a bad week for NATS; I thought they were talking about the Welsh nats, but actually, they were talking about the National Air Traffic Services, as it happens, and the chaos at our airports. [Laughter.] One of the things that I want to see is fairness for council tax payers in Wales. You often talk about the need for fair funding between the England and Wales settlement—I get that, I completely get that and we support you on fair funding—but we need fair funding in Wales and we need fairness in council tax bills for people who have to struggle to pay them each and every year. The average band D council tax bill in Wales has risen by more than £600 over the past five years, and some residents have faced hikes of over 50 per cent over that period. It's totally unacceptable. We need urgent action to protect people from the sorts of excessive rises that some people have been having. So, can I urge you again: introduce a cap, legislate so that people have to have referendums for anything above that cap and do one more thing too—let's have a review, an independent review, truly independent of the local government funding formula, to make sure that there's fair funding to all parts of Wales, not just places favoured by the previous Labour Government. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770728 47 En 2026-09-22T13:57:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1620&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1620&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Let's be positive and concentrate on the things that we agree on. Absolutely, we want to review, and looking at my local government Cabinet Minister, that is something that is happening under this Government, because it's important that people understand and feel that the decisions taken by Wales are equitable. The other element that I agree with him on is that we need fair funding for Wales. We have lived under successive Conservative Governments and now Labour Governments that are still not engaging on that need to get the fundamentals right when it comes to fair funding for Wales. And you can't separate the two. It is an absolute truism that a lack of fair funding at the top will come down in the end to the money in the pockets of people the length and breadth of Wales, including through pressures on council tax. We want to be able to help in many ways that we can. And on the rather glib start, if you're going to say it's a bad week for nats, actually choose a week that is a bad week for this Government. We're about to publish our programme for government, which is about transforming Wales, putting the health service on a firmer footing, raising education standards, halving that productivity gap with the rest of the UK, creating great job opportunities, the most generous childcare offer anywhere in the UK in dealing with child poverty, and standing up for Wales, always, which is something I'm not hearing from any other party in this Chamber. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770742 48 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Tywydd Garw ac Eithafol Adverse and Extreme Weather 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770743 49 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 5025 5025 Anthony Slaughter AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 Slaughter, Anthony 3. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i baratoi ar gyfer digwyddiadau tywydd garw ac eithafol y gaeaf hwn? OQ64508 3. What is the Welsh Government doing to prepare for adverse and extreme weather events this winter? OQ64508 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770744 50 En 2026-09-22T13:58:38 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1718&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1718&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun I know the Member agrees with me that the evidence is clear: climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather. We are committed to building stronger, more resilient communities across Wales in that changing context. We're working closely with partners, including through the Wales resilience forum and local resilience forums to prepare for winter risks, to strengthen response arrangements and learn from recent extreme weather events. We're also making communities more resilient to flooding through continued investment in infrastructure and nature-based solutions. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770746 51 En 2026-09-22T13:59:10 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1750&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1750&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5025 5025 Anthony Slaughter AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 Slaughter, Anthony Thank you. Last week, First Minister, you issued a statement saying that you will convene a resilience summit focusing on wildfires—very much welcomed. Yet, we must be ready for all of the escalating risks of a changing climate. This includes extreme cold, winter flooding and severe storms this coming winter. The Met Office has warned of a heightened risk on the horizon due to an unprecedented El Niño event this year, only highlighted in shocking headlines yesterday, recording the record breaking of 150 years of records. Weaknesses in our infrastructure and our resilience, such as recently witnessed in Gwaelod-y-garth, will only become more apparent in the coming months. Wales is dangerously unprepared for the predicted onslaught of extreme weather conditions. Climate response must be integrated as our first line of defence. Welsh Government allocated in its supplementary budget just £1 million for emergency preparedness. Establishing a climate shock fund would be a vital step forward in demonstrating that the Welsh Government is serious about protecting communities this winter, with or without UK Government support. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government on funding these emergency measures? Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770724 52 En 2026-09-22T14:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1800&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1800&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770730 53 En 2026-09-22T14:00:32 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1832&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1832&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Thank you for the question. I think the world is largely unprepared for the challenges that we face. The question is how can we accelerate our preparedness. You will see in the programme for government today that climate change isn't seen as a priority in and of itself; it's one of the priorities that binds us all together as Government Ministers, because this has to be addressed across all portfolios. Resilience—I talked about this last week—is an issue that I have tried to focus a great deal on since I came into the role of First Minister, understanding the various elements that contribute to the resilience, or lack of, in some ways, that we have as a society. Wildfires happen to be the one that has grabbed our attention, which is why we need to make sure that we're tightening up those resilience elements around that in the summit on 22 October. But the Member is right; flooding is something that many communities will be concerned about. There are other concerns too—the effects of heat, the effects of cold and so on. It is something that we work across the UK on. I want to ensure (a) that Wales gets its fair share of resilience funding, civil contingency funding, across the UK, and that's something I'm eager to pursue. But the Member has my word that I will absolutely be looking at how we work between Welsh Government and UK Government to get the support that Wales needs to prepare for this wide range of threats that we face in future. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770749 54 En 2026-09-22T14:02:16 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=1936&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=1936&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 8696 8696 Steve Bayliss AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8696 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8696 Bayliss, Steve First Minister, I recognise that £85 million has been invested in flood risk management this year, but Rhondda Cynon Taf's investigation into storm Dennis has found that Blaenllechau was flooded from the steep hillside above it, that felling on Welsh Government-owned Natural Resources Wales-managed woodland may have contributed to surface water run-off, and that modelling suggested three of the four culvert networks lacked adequate capacity. This August, a major wildfire burned around 150 hectares of Llanwonno mountain, above Blaenllechau and Ferndale. So, before the winter rain arrives, will you ensure that Natural Resources Wales and RCT carry out a co-ordinated inspection of that hillside, its drainage and culverts, with the Mining Remediation Authority checking any relevant higher category coal tips within or below that affected area, and report the findings and any remedial work required to the Senedd by the end of October? Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770752 55 En 2026-09-22T14:03:29 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2009&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2009&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun There is, of course, an ongoing programme of works that need to happen, some of them under the auspices of Welsh Government or its agencies, Natural Resources Wales, some that are the responsibility of local authorities. I have no doubt that, as we face the challenges of the winter, there needs to be just a double-checking of the robustness of those measures being put in place. I would say that, as well as making sure that your culverts are able to deal with run-off, there are other questions and innovations that we need to be looking at in how you slow down that run-off. Clearly, hot weather—hard ground—makes the situation more difficult. I'm really interested in how we manage the land, working with farmers to try to limit run-off, and so on. We have to be aware that there are no silver bullets, there are no single measures that can be taken as we face these threats. They are multiple, and the need to be strategic in the way that we approach this is important, which is why the wildfire summit, in particular, looking at that threat, brings in so many different partners who will be able to contribute to making our resilience that much stronger. But I'm sure that your message will have been heard by the local authorities and others today. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770757 56 En 2026-09-22T14:04:56 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2096&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2096&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12151 12151 Matthew Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12151 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12151 Jones, Matthew First Minister, Monmouthshire has faced catastrophic flooding in recent years, and I was pleased that you were able to visit Monmouth and Abergavenny before the Senedd elections to speak to some of the local people affected, as well as to those finding solutions—long-lasting solutions—upstream. The scenes from last year’s flooding, especially those from Monmouth, will be etched in the memory of everyone who saw them for a long time. These once in 100 years events are getting more and more frequent, and we must now assume that they could happen at any time. As we've heard, the approaching El Niño event is on the horizon, with extreme weather events already anticipated, so, with this in mind, how is the Government improving flood preparedness for this winter? And in the longer term, how can we learn from the experiences of Monmouthshire residents to improve flood management for their community and for all of Wales? Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770726 57 En 2026-09-22T14:05:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2100&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2100&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770748 58 En 2026-09-22T14:05:55 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2155&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2155&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770776 59 En 2026-09-22T14:06:53 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2213&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2213&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770762 60 En 2026-09-22T14:06:51 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2211&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2211&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5107 5107 Vikki Howells AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5107 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5107 Howells, Vikki First Minister, my colleague Jayne Bryant, asked you, during your oral statement last week, whether the Welsh Government would consider bringing in a climate resilience fund to help us mitigate the impacts of extreme weather. You didn't really answer her directly, and nor did you answer Anthony Slaughter when he raised a very similar point in his opening question. Now, there's widespread support for this from stakeholders that we on the Welsh Labour benches have engaged with over the summer recess. And with resources for agencies involved in climate mitigation measures being really stretched, this is one way to safeguard those funds and make sure they're channelled in the right way. So, is this something that your Government can explore setting up ahead of your wildfire summit next month? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770766 61 En 2026-09-22T14:07:36 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2256&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2256&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun No attempt to avoid the question. There are, in effect, a number of funds, aren't there, on which a Government can draw to deal with emergencies. What you want to make sure is that those funds themselves are resilient. I absolutely am ready to consider whether we can bring together funds in one place, in the same way as the Government is looking at how we can put preventative health funds under one banner, so that we can measure better what the various elements of those funding capacities are. So, absolutely willing to consider that. At the end of the day, it's making sure that we have the tools to do the job that we need. There's more than one way of doing that, but let's put that in the mix too. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770777 62 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Strategaeth Fwyd Genedlaethol National Food Strategy 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770778 63 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 4491 4491 Alun Cox AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun 4. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynnydd o ran datblygu strategaeth fwyd genedlaethol newydd? OQ64561 4. Will the First Minister provide an update on progress relating to the development of a new national food strategy? OQ64561 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770919 64 En 2026-09-22T14:08:25 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2305&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2305&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 4491 4491 Alun Cox AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog egluro'r cynlluniau sydd gan y Llywodraeth ar gyfer strategaeth fwyd a sut y gall hynny ddechrau lliniaru tlodi bwyd yn Afan Ogwr Rhondda? Will the First Minister provide an update on progress relating to the development of a new food strategy and how that could start to deal with food poverty in Afan Ogwr Rhondda? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770779 65 Cy 2026-09-22T14:08:37 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2317&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2317&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Dwi yn falch iawn bod cynnydd sylweddol a chynnar wedi cael ei wneud ar ddatblygu ein strategaeth fwyd genedlaethol newydd ni. Mae gweithgor arbenigol wedi cael ei ffurfio yn barod, a chylch gorchwyl wedi’i gyhoeddi. Mae yna gynlluniau ar waith hefyd i fwrw ati i gynnal trafodaethau ar unwaith ar fwyd mewn ysgolion, sydd yn bwysig, cynnyrch garddwriaethol bwytadwy, a'r gadwyn gyflenwi cig. Mi fydd yna ddau adroddiad interim yn cael eu cyhoeddi cyn yr adroddiad terfynol erbyn hydref y flwyddyn nesaf. I am very pleased that significant and early progress has been made on developing our new national food strategy. An expert working group has been formed already, and terms of reference have been published. Plans are also in place to fast-track immediate discussions on food in schools, which is important, and edible horticulture as well, and the meat supply chain. There will be two interim reports that will be published before the final report by autumn next year. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770783 66 Cy 2026-09-22T14:09:11 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2351&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2351&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 4491 4491 Alun Cox AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun Diolch, Brif Weinidog. Dros gyfnod yr haf, dwi wedi cwrdd â nifer o sefydliadau sy'n ymwneud â thlodi bwyd a diffyg diogeledd bwyd. O ddarpariaeth rheng flaen i bantrïoedd cymunedol, cynlluniau a chynlluniau tyfu, mae pawb yn dweud yr un peth: mae nifer y bobl sy'n gweithio ac yn defnyddio'r adnoddau hyn yn cynyddu, mae cyfraniadau'n lleihau, ac mae grwpiau o bobl sydd erioed wedi gofyn am gymorth o'r blaen yn dechrau gwneud hynny nawr. Sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu ymgysylltu â'r sefydliadau lleol hyn, sy'n gweld yr effeithiau ar lawr gwlad, wrth ddatblygu ei strategaeth fwyd genedlaethol? Thank you, First Minister. Over the summer months, I've met with a number of organisations who are involved in food poverty and food insecurity. From frontline provision to community pantries and growing schemes, everyone seems to be saying the same thing: the number of people who are working and using these resources is increasing, contributions are declining, and groups of people who have never sought support before are starting to do so now. How does the Government intend to engage with these local organisations, who see the impacts on the ground, in developing its national food strategy? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770788 67 Cy 2026-09-22T14:09:56 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2396&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2396&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Dwi'n falch iawn o gael y cwestiwn yna. Mae’n fodd i egluro mymryn am sut mae’r grŵp yn mynd i fod yn gweithredu. Mae pedwar piler i'r gwaith: un ohonyn nhw yr amgylchedd, un ohonyn nhw yr economi a datblygu gwledig, mae yna elfen diogelwch bwyd, a'r elfen arall ydy iechyd a llesiant. Rydym ni'n gallu gweld yn fanna, onid ydyn, lle mae angen gwneud yn siŵr bod grwpiau lleol yn gallu bwydo i mewn i hyn. Mae'r grŵp gweithredu'n cynnwys partneriaeth fwyd leol er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr bod llais sefydliadau cymunedol yn cael ei glywed. Felly, mae o'n rhywbeth roedden ni'n benderfynol o adeiladu i mewn i'r gwaith yma o'r dechrau, am rai o'r rhesymau roedd yr Aelod yn cyfeirio atyn nhw.  I'm very pleased to have that question. It gives me a chance to explain a little bit about how the group is going to be operating. There are four pillars to that piece of work: one of them is the environment, one is the economy and rural development, there is a food security element, and then the other element is health and well-being. We can see there, can't we, where we need to make sure that local groups can feed into this. The working group does include a local food partnership in order to make sure that the voice of community organisations is heard. So, it is something that we were determined to build into this piece of work from the beginning, for the reasons that the Member referred to. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770750 68 Cy 2026-09-22T14:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2400&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2400&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770753 69 En 2026-09-22T14:10:42 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2442&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2442&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Diolch. Alun, you extended the question a little bit from what was on the order paper, just to be aware, because this isn't an Afan Ogwr Rhondda-specific question. So, can I bring in now Claire Johnson-Wood, to explain why? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770755 70 En 2026-09-22T14:10:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2459&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2459&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12188 12188 Claire Johnson-Wood AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12188 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12188 Johnson-Wood, Claire Diolch. First Minister, what Welsh farmers need is a Government that understands and prioritises, not yet another 'expert panel' kicking the can down the road. Given that under the previous Labour-Plaid administration the sustainable farming scheme significantly increased regulatory complexity, can the Welsh Government please give assurances that the national food strategy will not place additional bureaucratic burdens on farmers and producers that they do not need at this time? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770758 71 En 2026-09-22T14:11:37 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2497&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2497&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun I haven't heard anybody accusing this agriculture Minister, this rural resilience Minister, of kicking any can down the road when it comes to supporting the agriculture sector. I heard nothing but a sigh of relief from a sector that believe that they have a Government that's willing to engage with it in a positive way, that security of that over £1 billion over the course of this Senedd in order to give assurances and confidence to the sector. And on where they fit into the food strategy, they are members of the working group that is bringing together this food strategy, and as I said, rural development and the economy, which includes agriculture, is one of the core pillars of this work that we're undertaking. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770763 72 Cy 2026-09-22T14:12:23 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2543&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2543&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Nesaf—. Mae'n ddrwg gen i. Peter Fox. Next—. I do apologise. Peter Fox. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770764 73 En 2026-09-22T14:12:29 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2549&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2549&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 4787 4787 Peter Fox AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4787 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4787 Fox, Peter Diolch, Lywydd. First Minister, I welcome the food strategy, and I was pleased to read the published terms of reference for it last week, and I look forward to the expert panel being put in place. I am frustrated in many ways that we've lost four months because, actually, most of the evidence that is needed around that area has been in place, because there are huge similarities between what you're putting forward and what I was considering a couple of years ago. Within my proposals back then, there were clear, measurable targets against food goals. Can we expect to see really robust, measurable targets against your food pillars, and can I ask you: would you consider anchoring your food strategy into legislation, recognising the importance this will have for our future generations? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770770 74 En 2026-09-22T14:13:19 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2599&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2599&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Can I pay tribute, Llywydd, to the work that the Member has done in this field in trying to bring in a piece of legislation that would underpin a robust food sector and protect issues relating to food production and nutrition and so on in Wales? We haven't lost four months, of course, because this work is already under way. This was one of the early actions of the Minister, to appoint a chair. The work is ongoing. I'm not going to be prescriptive in telling a chair who is much more of an expert in this field than I am of the approach that he should take. You know me: I tend to take the approach of, 'Let's see what the evidence tells us.' If there's a suggestion that legislation could be a part of the approach on one particular element of what we're trying to do, well, let's have a sit down and see how we could formulate that legislation. But it's also true, we know, that you can act without legislation. I'm about outcomes, at the end of the day: let's progress in the way that gives us the best result. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770772 75 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Pobl Hŷn a Chostau Byw Older People and the Cost of Living 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770773 76 En 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 12181 12181 Adrian Mason AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 Mason, Adrian 5. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi pobl hŷn gyda chostau byw? OQ64527 5. What is the Welsh Government doing to support older people with the cost of living? OQ64527 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770774 77 En 2026-09-22T14:14:41 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2681&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2681&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Supporting people with the cost of living, as we know, is a real priority for this Government. We're ensuring that measures to tackle poverty reflect older people's needs and make support for older people simpler, fairer and also more accessible. Through our £4.84 million tackling poverty support fund, local authorities will provide crisis support, including emergency food aid, alongside preventative help also tailored to local communities, to stop people, including older people, from falling into poverty where we can avoid that. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770759 78 En 2026-09-22T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2700&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2700&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770767 79 Cy 2026-09-22T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=-48600&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770768 80 Cy 2026-09-22T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2700&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2700&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770769 81 En 2026-09-22T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2700&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2700&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770790 82 Cy 2026-09-22T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=-48600&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770791 83 Cy 2026-09-22T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2700&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2700&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770792 84 Cy 2026-09-22T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2700&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2700&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770771 85 En 2026-09-22T14:15:16 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2716&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2716&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12181 12181 Adrian Mason AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 Mason, Adrian Thanks for the answer, First Minister. So, while I recognise there are a number of schemes available, and I knew you'd refer to some, of course you would, but the Older People's Commissioner for Wales tells us that one in six older people in Wales are living in relative income poverty, with one in five going without heating and a quarter skipping meals or eating less. How can we imagine that situation? It's happening in Wales. These figures suggest that despite the support available, too many older people are still struggling, particularly those living on fixed incomes and those who may fall just outside eligibility for means-tested assistance. So, what further action will your Government take to ensure that support actually reaches older people, and how will you measure whether it is succeeding? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770780 86 En 2026-09-22T14:16:03 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2763&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2763&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun The Member is quite right. I have the results here of Age Cymru's 2026 annual survey, and more than half of respondents identified cost-of-living pressures as being the biggest challenge that they face—and for some, it will be a significant challenge. There are things that we can do. The nearly £5 million that was announced in the past few days can really help people who are particularly vulnerable. There are a host of issues around travel and the continuation of bus travel and so on that we can wrap together as support for older people. But also we have to, when it comes to the main pressures, recognise that there is a need for all of us to put pressure on the UK Government here, especially on fuel. We've had a question already on the pressure of the cost of fuel in rural areas in particular. There has to be a coming together of all the potential levers—some of which are in our hands, but not all of them. And, at the end of the day, we also need a fresh approach on the question of public service funding because it is the most vulnerable people, including older people, who bear the brunt of it. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770782 87 En 2026-09-22T14:17:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2847&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2847&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 8734 8734 Sam Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 Rowlands, Sam Can I support the Member in his questions on this topic, First Minister? We know that many older people at the moment are struggling with the cost of living, and particularly with the impact of a fixed income on many older people in our communities. We also know that, historically, people have been able to access advice services in their communities through organisations such as Citizens Advice and other fantastic organisations like that, who can support our older people to ensure that they are making the best use of any welfare support available to them and other types of support as well. So, I wonder, First Minister, if you're able to outline how you see those types of services in the future and what support the Welsh Government can give to organisations like the citizens advice bureaux to ensure that that advice is available to them in a timely way, and in an accessible way as well? Diolch yn fawr iawn. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770784 88 En 2026-09-22T14:18:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2903&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2903&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun We all have worked with Citizens Advice, with CAB, haven't we, and appreciate the work that they do on the ground in all parts of Wales in helping vulnerable people? I advise people to turn to your friends in CAB. Part of the funding that was announced in the past few days was specifically around advice; I think that's important to note. There is £36 million grant funding in place for the single advice fund for the period from April last year and for three years from then. That's about providing integrated advice services. I would hope that those providing services under that grant are able to reach as many people as they can. But the Member's right: reaching out with advice to people is key. We've made some funding available now and we are so lucky in Wales that we have those partners, and in local government too, who work so hard on this front. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770793 89 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Gwastraff wedi’i Waredu’n Anghyfreithlon Illegally Dumped Waste 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770794 90 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 350 350 Marc Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 Jones, Marc 6. Pa ystyriaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’i rhoi i sicrhau bod costau adfer safleoedd lle mae gwastraff wedi’i waredu’n anghyfreithlon yn cael eu talu gan y rhai sy’n gyfrifol, yn hytrach na chan drethdalwyr?‌ OQ64553 6. What consideration has the Welsh Government given to ensuring that the costs of remediating illegally dumped waste are paid by the people responsible, rather than by taxpayers? OQ64553 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770795 91 En 2026-09-22T14:19:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=2980&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=2980&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun In line with the polluter-pays principle, those responsible for illegal activity should bear the costs of the clean-up. That's true for illegal dumping today, as it should be for historic contamination, if I could add, too. We are committed, as a Government, to reducing the burden of illegal dumping on taxpayers and on landowners, and landfill disposals tax ensures that those responsible for unauthorised disposals pay 150 per cent of the standard tax rate. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770760 92 En 2026-09-22T14:20:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3000&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3000&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770765 93 En 2026-09-22T14:20:12 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3012&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3012&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 350 350 Marc Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 Jones, Marc Diolch, Brif Weinidog. In Fflint Wrecsam, you may be aware that communities continue to deal with both the historic legacy of illegal waste dumping and the current active sites that are causing ongoing problems for residents in my constituency. Time and again, we see the companies responsible for these environmental crimes avoid accountability by entering liquidation and walking away from the costs of remediation. This leaves local communities to deal with the consequences and risks shifting the burden of cleaning up onto the public purse. How will Welsh Government work with the UK Government, local authorities and relevant public bodies to address this ongoing issue? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770775 94 En 2026-09-22T14:20:52 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3052&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3052&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun It is an issue that blights many communities and, as I say, communities should not have to bear the consequences of waste crime, and neither should the taxpayer, and we're committed to supporting regulators to pursue those who are responsible: funding Natural Resources Wales's waste crime work is important; supporting multi-agency work to tackle organised criminality, because this is criminality; sharing intelligence where we can; and co-ordinating enforcement action. This is also an issue on which we are eager to work with UK Government and, indeed, Governments across the UK. The Welsh Revenue Authority wants to build those links with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs and so on, to strengthen the system, to close loopholes and ensure waste crime does not pay. Of course, when it comes to historic contamination, something that has received significant publicity recently, we have to make sure that every avenue is pursued to deal with this, as one of our lasting post-industrial legacies. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770785 95 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Llygredd Afonydd River Pollution 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770786 96 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 8650 8650 Gareth Beer AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8650 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8650 Beer, Gareth 7. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i leihau lefelau llygredd afonydd yn Sir Gaerfyrddin? OQ64555 7. What action is the Welsh Government taking to reduce river pollution levels in Carmarthenshire? OQ64555 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770787 97 En 2026-09-22T14:22:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3134&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3134&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun My Government's determined to improve the health of our rivers. We're funding the west Wales nutrient management boards, which deliver targeted action across the Tywi, Teifi and Cleddau catchments. We're also establishing a new nutrient efficiency and resilience group to strengthen national leadership on nutrient pollution and co-ordinate action across sectors. Together, we believe these measures will support river restoration, improve water quality and build long-term environmental resilience. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770796 98 En 2026-09-22T14:22:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3160&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3160&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 8650 8650 Gareth Beer AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8650 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8650 Beer, Gareth Diolch, First Minister. People whose livelihoods depend on Carmarthenshire's rivers, including members of Carmarthen Coracle and Netsmen's Association, tell us they have never seen such a poor season, with the return of only six sewin from May to June this year. Their experience makes clear that river pollution must be treated with a far greater urgency. I urge you to read the Royal Society's recent report on chemical mixtures in British waterways. Quote: 'Regulators are flying blind.' Unquote. In Carmarthenshire, Natural Resources Wales seem to be flying blind. Our rivers are being contaminated by harmful chemical mixtures, including organics, ammonia, microplastics, cadmium and mercury, with no understanding of their interactions or the harm done. Will you acknowledge that the Welsh Government lacks a credible plan to clean up our rivers, and set out how it will meet its political duty to protect our waters and rivers and special areas of conservation? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770799 99 En 2026-09-22T14:23:43 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3223&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3223&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun This is work that is under way, and it's very important that it is. We know that river pollution, sea pollution, is something that is of real concern to people the length and breadth of Wales, and it certainly is to me. The vision for a reformed Welsh water sector will be published later this autumn, so we're nearing that point where we have a point to move forward from. We know that river pollution has multiple causes. It requires action across all sectors. It involves industry, it involves agriculture, it involves the water companies themselves. It's about making sure that we have good, solid regulation, made in Wales—that's what I want. It's by having that attitude that we can move forward to having cleaner rivers in Wales. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770801 100 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Amseroedd Aros y GIG NHS Waiting Times 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770802 101 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 11971 11971 Llŷr Powell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11971 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11971 Powell, Llyr 8. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i fynd i'r afael ag amseroedd aros y GIG ym Mlaenau Gwent Caerfilli Rhymni? OQ64559 8. What is the Welsh Government doing to address NHS waiting times in Blaenau Gwent Caerfilli Rhymni? OQ64559 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770803 102 En 2026-09-22T14:24:42 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3282&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3282&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun The Welsh Government is investing £145 million to help health boards reduce waiting times and improve access to treatment. This supports delivery of our planned care plan, which sets out a clinically led approach to eliminating the longest waits, increasing capacity and improving outcomes. An expert group is also advising on the development of up to 10 surgical and diagnostic hubs to provide faster, more efficient care for patients, including those in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770781 103 En 2026-09-22T14:25:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3300&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3300&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770821 104 En 2026-09-22T14:29:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3554&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3554&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770789 105 En 2026-09-22T14:25:08 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3308&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3308&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 11971 11971 Llŷr Powell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11971 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11971 Powell, Llyr First Minister, a constituent has come to me who is now unable to work because he has a hernia. He's been waiting close to 36 weeks for his surgery. He's living in pain. He feels it affects his family life, his relationship with his children, all because he's waiting to be seen. During the election, you looked down a camera and told the people of Wales that these waiting lists will see an impact within months. We learnt during recess from your health Minister that months could take up to, now, years. [Interruption.] So, the Minister was wrong when he said that waiting lists will take years to address, was he? That's what he said. So, what can you tell the people of Wales? Do you regret saying it's going to be months, because from reports last week, waiting lists are going up and not down? So, will you apologise to the people of Wales for your statement at the election? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770797 106 En 2026-09-22T14:25:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3359&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3359&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun That's exactly what I've said throughout. This is an issue of seriousness that means we put it at No.1 on the list of our priorities coming into Government. It was somewhat missing in Reform's pledges for Government, were they to be in this position. I have said about the most extreme over-two-year waits that they have to go. They have to be eliminated. I said they'll go in months. That goes, a year from coming into Government they are gone. That's months. Well, months is not more than a year. So, a year after we come into Government, I expect them to have gone. I stick to what I have said throughout, okay? I consider us right now to be beginning the work. We came into Government in May. We've had two months of figures. It's during that time that we have started putting money in that will, in months, bring us the benefits, not for us as Senedd Members, but for the people that we serve: people who are on long waiting lists who shouldn't be, staff across the health boards who want to be able to care and not have to have those that they're concerned about waiting two years or more. We stick to what we said. I've said it throughout. I say it again today. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770806 107 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Cyfleodd i Fenywod mewn Sectorau Twf Mawr Opportunities for Women in Major Growth Sectors 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770807 108 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 518 518 Lindsay Whittle AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=518 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=518 Whittle, Lindsay 9. Sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau bod menywod yn gallu cael mynediad at gyfleoedd mewn sectorau twf mawr, gan gynnwys gweithgynhyrchu uwch, ynni glân, a thechnoleg gwybodaeth? OQ64494 9. How will the Welsh Government ensure that women can access opportunities in major growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and information technology? OQ64494 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770808 109 En 2026-09-22T14:27:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3443&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3443&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Our productivity mission, as a Government, is about unlocking the talents of the whole workforce, and ensuring economic opportunity is everywhere and open to everyone. We aim to work with employers, education and training providers, and others, to ensure women can enter and progress in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital technology where, of course, many women are already having a huge impact. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770812 110 En 2026-09-22T14:27:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3467&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3467&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 518 518 Lindsay Whittle AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=518 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=518 Whittle, Lindsay First Minister, thank you for that answer. I welcome the Welsh Government's focus on growth sectors and its commitment to fairness in the workplace. But to ensure, in the Valleys that I represent, that women directly benefit from these opportunities, could you expand any further on how you will agree to work alongside local authorities and industry partners to explore the targeted apprenticeship pathways for women in our former coalfield Valleys, please? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770816 111 En 2026-09-22T14:28:19 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3499&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3499&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun It absolutely is about partnership working, and we will continue absolutely to work with employers, local authorities, training providers and others to make sure that those opportunities are there for women in these sectors. We want more women to access apprenticeships, to develop higher level skills and progress into well-paid careers that many women thought were closed to them not that long ago. Well, they are not closed to any women, and through apprenticeships, Careers Wales, Working Wales, we're helping women in communities like Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni to identify those opportunities and ambition to increase female participation in advanced manufacturing, digital and clean energy. That's the kind of Wales we want, where opportunity genuinely is open to all. There have been some positive signs, but we've got more to do. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770820 112 Cy 2026-09-22T14:29:13 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3553&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3553&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Ac yn olaf, Brif Weinidog, cwestiwn 10, Cai Parry-Jones.  And finally, First Minister, question 10, Cai Parry-Jones.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770822 113 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister B Deddf Senedd Cymru (Atebolrwydd Aelodau ac Etholiadau) 2026 Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Act 2026 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770823 114 Cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister O 12174 12174 Cai Parry-Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12174 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12174 Parry-Jones, Cai 10. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am weithredu Deddf Senedd Cymru (Atebolrwydd Aelodau ac Etholiadau) 2026? OQ64560 10. Will the First Minister provide an update on the implementation of the Senedd Cymru (Member Accountability and Elections) Act 2026? OQ64560 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770824 115 En 2026-09-22T14:29:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3567&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3567&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun The Welsh Government is working closely with the Standards of Conduct Committee and the Business Committee to ensure that Members whose conduct falls far below that which is expected of elected representatives can be robustly held to account. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770827 116 En 2026-09-22T14:29:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3580&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3580&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 12174 12174 Cai Parry-Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12174 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12174 Parry-Jones, Cai Diolch, Brif Weinidog. Part of this Act places a duty on your Government to bring in rules banning false or misleading statements of fact, made before or during an election, to affect who is elected. It also lets your Government set out what does and does not count as a statement of fact. If it is, in fact, true that a candidate misrepresents their own beliefs to win votes, and that becomes clear after polling day, will your Government treat that as a false statement of fact? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770798 117 En 2026-09-22T14:30:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3600&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3600&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770800 118 En 2026-09-22T14:30:12 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3612&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3612&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun This is a sour grapes question, Llywydd, I believe. I think it references a decision taken by a Member of this Senedd who has seen a new approach to politics. This is a party that misled people in the Brexit vote. It knows all about misleading people. I and my Government stand by the determination to make sure that we have in Wales an honest politics, the kind that seems alien to many on his benches. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770804 119 Cy 2026-09-22T14:30:57 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3657&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3657&l=en 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Diolch yn fawr iawn, Brif Weinidog. Rydw i'n siarad nawr yn araf iawn— Thank you very much, First Minister. I'm speaking very slowly now— 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770805 120 En 2026-09-22T14:31:05 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3665&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3665&l=cy 260922-1 1. Cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog 1. Questions to the First Minister C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw —as we wait in high expectation for the Counsel General to appear on the benches. If Members will just bear with us for a moment, as soon as we are ready, we will commence. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770811 121 Cy 2026-09-22T14:31:42 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3702&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3702&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Symudwn nawr at eitem 2, cwestiynau i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol. Cwestiwn 1, Jane Dodds. We will move now to item 2, questions to the Counsel General. The first question is from Jane Dodds. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770813 122 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Ad-drefnu Gwasanaethau Byrddau Iechyd Health Board Service Reconfiguration 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770818 123 Cy 2026-09-22T14:31:48 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3708&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3708&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 4983 4983 Jane Dodds AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 Dodds, Jane Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Prynhawn da, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Thank you very much, Llywydd. Good afternoon, Counsel General. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770814 124 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 4983 4983 Jane Dodds AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 Dodds, Jane 1. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i roi i Lywodraeth Cymru ynglŷn â'i phwerau cyfreithiol i ymyrryd mewn penderfyniadau ad-drefnu gwasanaethau a wneir gan fyrddau iechyd lleol? OQ64489 1. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government regarding its legal powers to intervene in service reconfiguration decisions taken by local health boards? OQ64489 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770815 125 En 2026-09-22T14:32:05 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3725&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3725&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Counsel General Cwnsler Cyffredinol Llwyd, Elfyn I thank the Member for that question. I am aware of her concerns with regard to reconfiguration in the area she represents, but it is up to local health boards, as they are responsible for service reconfiguration decisions and for engaging with communities and stakeholders, including Llais. Welsh Ministers are not the routine decision maker in such matters. Intervention generally would be considered only where there is evidence of significant concerns regarding decision-making processes, governance, statutory compliance or, crucially, patient safety. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770831 126 Cy 2026-09-22T14:32:48 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3768&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3768&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 4983 4983 Jane Dodds AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 Dodds, Jane Diolch am yr ymateb. Thank you for that response. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770833 127 En 2026-09-22T14:32:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3770&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3770&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 4983 4983 Jane Dodds AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4983 Dodds, Jane Sections 26 to 28 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006 clearly give Welsh Ministers the power to intervene where a health board is failing to perform its functions adequately, and to remove board members, which we saw in the Senedd last term. Section 12 of the same Act allows Ministers to direct health boards on their functions more generally. While there appears to be some confusion over the 2006 Act, and the social care Bill in 2020, Vaughan Gething at the time was relatively clear that the Bill did not affect Ministers' powers under sections 26 to 28. That is a bit of a mouthful, I'm aware, of lots of sections. I ask for a clear answer, and I'm very happy to take a response in writing to this: is there anything in law that prevents Welsh Ministers from intervening under sections 26 to 28 where a board has lost public confidence in this way, or is the truth that Ministers could act and are choosing not to? Diolch yn fawr iawn. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770851 128 En 2026-09-22T14:34:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3841&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3841&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I thank her for that further question, but the truth is that the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care has been very clear that any proposals for service change must be informed by evidence and with full regard to quality, safety and patient experience. In addition, it's expected that health boards engage with people openly and transparently about these service changes. As she probably knows, Llais also has a statutory role in representing the views and interests of people who use health services and may raise concerns regarding service change proposals. I do repeat that Ministers do retain statutory powers, to which she has referred, to direct local health boards and formally intervene where there's a failure in governance, performance and exercise of local functions by local health boards. Those powers, clearly, are to safeguard patients and are intended to address significant patient safety concerns, failures in consultation or decision making, breaches of statutory duties or wider governance concerns. Therefore, with respect, political opposition, public concern or the controversial nature of a proposal would not, of itself, ordinarily justify intervention. These powers are safeguards for addressing failures by local health boards in discharge of functions and they are not a mechanism for reconsidering the merits or demerits of any clinical service decision. That is clearly the position as far as the law is concerned. But I would add that during a consultation, surely it's better to wait for the conclusion of the consultation before coming to any thoughts about any possible legal avenue. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770817 129 En 2026-09-22T14:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3900&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3900&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770834 130 En 2026-09-22T14:37:05 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4025&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4025&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770835 131 Cy 2026-09-22T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=-48600&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770836 132 Cy 2026-09-22T14:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3900&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3900&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770837 133 En 2026-09-22T14:37:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4077&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4077&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770825 134 En 2026-09-22T14:36:03 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3963&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3963&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12187 12187 Andrew Griffin AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12187 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12187 Griffin, Andrew I'd like to thank Jane Dodds for bringing this matter up. Powys is a large and sparsely populated rural county, where removing in-patient provision from community hospitals can mean substantially longer journeys for patients and their families. When a health board considers a major service reconfiguration, what legal duties must it take into account regarding rurality, equality and access to services? And what remedies are available if those duties have not been properly discharged? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770829 135 En 2026-09-22T14:36:32 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=3992&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=3992&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I can only repeat what I've just said, and no doubt the Member has heard what I've said. That's clearly what the law says. I would, again, suggest to him that it might be better to wait for the outcome of the consultation and then to decide was it a fair consultation, was it a consultation that people would expect at law, and, whatever the conclusions are, are the conclusions safe as far as patients are concerned and other considerations. But I think it's rather early now to say, 'Let's look for a challenge', until the consultation has been completed and conclusions have been reached. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770839 136 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Datganoli Cyfiawnder Ieuenctid Devolution of Youth Justice 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770840 137 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 12143 12143 Niamh Salkeld AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12143 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12143 Salkeld, Niamh 2. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi ei roi i Lywodraeth Cymru ar ddatganoli cyfiawnder ieuenctid? OQ64502 2. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government on the devolution of youth justice? OQ64502 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770841 138 Cy 2026-09-22T14:37:27 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4047&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4047&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Fe ddylai cyfiawnder ieuenctid gael ei ddatganoli i Gymru. Dyna ydy'r peth plaen i'w ddweud. Dylai fod yn gam cynnar pwysig tuag at ddatganoli cyfiawnder yn llawn. Fel man cychwyn, mae diwygiadau arfaethedig Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yn rhoi cyfle i Lywodraeth Cymru gael mwy o ddylanwad a chyfrifoldeb am oruchwylio ac ariannu gwasanaethau cyfiawnder ieuenctid yma yng Nghymru. Youth justice should be devolved to Wales. That's the plain truth. It should be an important early step towards the devolution of justice in full. As a starting point, the UK Government’s proposed reforms offer the Welsh Government an opportunity to have greater influence over, and responsibility for, overseeing and funding youth justice services here in Wales. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770848 139 En 2026-09-22T14:37:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4077&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4077&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12143 12143 Niamh Salkeld AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12143 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12143 Salkeld, Niamh Diolch, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Many have called for youth justice to be devolved to Wales, including the Brown commission, and I'm glad that this Plaid Cymru Government also wants to see that happen. Currently, a child in the justice system in Wales has one foot in each world. Their school, healthcare and social workers are devolved, yet their court and their custody are not. That jagged edge means different systems, different governments, and it's the child who tends to slip through the gaps. The UK Government is proposing, like you mentioned, reforms to the youth justice system. From April 2027, Wales is due to take on some funding for remand and early intervention. That's a start. It's funding, but it's not powers. Decisions on how the system works will still be made in Westminster, even though Wales delivers the majority of it. Does the Counsel General agree that the UK Government has a duty to work with Wales, not around it, on reforms to a system that Wales largely delivers? Diolch.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770856 140 En 2026-09-22T14:39:02 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4142&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4142&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I thank the Member for this important question. The case for devolving justice and policing to Wales is open and shut, in my view. She referred to the various commissions. They've all said the same thing. They were arm's-length commissions, they decided what is best for Wales, how we could deliver better for Wales, and that is their conclusion. The commission found that devolving justice would enable more responsive, joined-up and effective services, as the Member alluded to, better aligned to the needs of people and communities in Wales and more closely integrated with devolved responsibilities such as health, social care, education and housing. In particular, the most recent commission found that youth justice should be among the starting points for fuller devolution. This Government's priorities are clear: where there are opportunities to improve the delivery of those priorities by securing further powers, then we will take them, to ensure the right foundations are laid for a system that is joined up—which the Member refers to—preventative, and fit for Wales. I will conclude by saying that I agree entirely with her question. The Welsh Government position has been communicated to the Minister for youth justice, Jake Richards. The reforms being progressed by the UK Government potentially offer the opportunity to provide greater Welsh Government responsibility and influence in relation the strategic oversight and funding of local youth justice services. But it is important that the result is that Wales has sufficient powers and responsibilities to simplify and create strategy, governance and oversight arrangements. Our priorities are clear: where there are opportunities to enable more responsive, joined-up and effective services to be aligned, then of course we will go for them. I thank her for the question; it is an important one. There is a lot of ongoing work. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770809 141 En 2026-09-22T14:40:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4200&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4200&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770819 142 En 2026-09-22T14:41:10 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4270&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4270&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12185 12185 Cristiana Emsley AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12185 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12185 Emsley, Cristiana Counsel General, there is a fundamental difference between improving youth justice and simply devolving it. Wales already has strong pre-court diversion and comparatively low levels of youth custody. Yet the Government's own advisory work identifies inconsistent police management, staffing pressures, funding uncertainty and rising school exclusions. Indeed, its own youth justice advisory panel asked the questions Ministers must answer: how will devolution improve outcomes for children rather than simply change who is responsible? Because transferring responsibility across the border does not solve a problem. Changing the nameplate on the door is not reform. Counsel General, what objective test has the Government been advised must be met before further youth justice powers are devolved? If Ministers cannot demonstrate better outcomes for children, victims and the public, what is the legal or constitutional justification for transferring those powers at all? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770828 143 En 2026-09-22T14:42:15 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4335&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4335&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn The Member asks about legal tests. I would surmise that those legal tests were uppermost in the minds of all there commissions when they decided wholeheartedly to suggest that there should be devolution of justice. One of the problems that we have, which was alluded to in my answer to the previous question, is that we need joined-up responsibility in the whole area. It's not simply one function. It's not one service. It's an amalgam of the services. By having piecemeal devolution in these areas, it does nothing for the services and, arguably, we are letting our young people and families down. It's not a constitutional nicety. That is why we want to prioritise moving forward on this. And that is why, presumably, all three commissions, together, decided in that way as well. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770830 144 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770832 145 Cy 2026-09-22T14:43:13 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4393&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4393&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Galwaf yn awr ar lefarwyr y pleidiau i holi'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol. Yn gyntaf, llefarydd Reform UK, Adrian Mason.  I now call the party spokespeople to question the Counsel General. First of all, Reform UK spokesperson, Adrian Mason. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770842 146 En 2026-09-22T14:43:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4403&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4403&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12181 12181 Adrian Mason AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 Mason, Adrian Here we are again, Counsel General. You and I have to walk a narrow line in our exchanges. We're here in our legal capacity in this instance in an immensely political Chamber. So, no trick questions. Constitutional change can have long-term consequences, of course. When the Government considers seeking additional powers for Wales, what tests do you believe should be applied before a proposal is taken forward? Should those tests include a clearly identifiable difficulty, evidence that transferring powers is the best way to address it, a workable delivery plan and sustainable funding, and clear accountability? Where services operate across the England and Wales border, should the effect on those cross-border links also be addressed and made clear before any changes take place? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770847 147 En 2026-09-22T14:44:17 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4457&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4457&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I think the overall priority of this Government is to improve the lot of the people of Wales. If that means prioritising further devolution in some areas, so be it. It's not devolution for devolution's sake. That would be unfortunate, and probably prone to several problems.  There is, for example, an argument, occasionally, for cross-border understandings. These are exceptions to which we refer in our approach to UK legislation. That's only sensible, because we are looking at services for people on both sides of the border, actually, but our priority is people here in Wales. If the test we apply shows that we can improve services for the people of Wales by going for further devolution, then that is the driving force, that is the reason why we are doing it. There's no other reason, because, as I said earlier on, change for change's sake—and the Member said this, and he's right—change for the sake of change takes you nowhere. Change for the sake of improving services does. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770838 148 En 2026-09-22T14:45:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4500&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4500&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Now, if the test we apply, that we can improve services for the people of Wales by going for further devolution, then that is the driving force, that is the reason why we are doing it. There's no other reason, because, as I said earlier on, change for change's sake is not—and the Member said this, and he's right—change for the sake of change takes you nowhere. Change for the sake of improving services does. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770846 149 En 2026-09-22T14:45:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4527&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4527&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12181 12181 Adrian Mason AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 Mason, Adrian Thank you. So, I want to move to the tribunal system. I know it's high on your priority, Counsel General. So, the proposed new Welsh tribunal structure is intended not only to bring existing devolved tribunals into a more coherent system, but also be capable of taking on additional jurisdictions in the future. Before any additional jurisdiction is transferred into the Welsh tribunal system, what safeguards do you believe should be in place? In particular, how would we protect judicial independence, access to specialist expertise, consistent rights of appeal, and the handling of cases across the England-Wales border? And would you expect the costs and practical impact of each proposed transfer to be fully assessed before it takes place? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770852 150 En 2026-09-22T14:46:16 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4576&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4576&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, there are some figures being looked at at the moment, but, clearly, as with any new major change, it cannot be known fully at the very beginning. But as regards cross-border function, I don't see that that is an issue in this case. It was, because I know of several cases where people in the tribunal system wished to appeal, and they happened to have their cases dealt with in Welsh, and they had to go over the border and could not obtain Welsh translation facilities, so they had to speak in their second language very often. So, that was one thing that needs putting right, and it will be put right in this case. All these tribunals, bar one or two, are existing. They are currently being run as best we can ensure that they are, but it will be far better to have the six of them designated properly, with a fully professional clerical service and administration, and then topped by a limited form court of appeal within Wales for tribunal appeals. It's a logical step forward. The senior judiciary—not known for radical constitutional change—are all in favour of it, and we do have their full support in going forward, which makes me think it's the right thing to do. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770860 151 En 2026-09-22T14:47:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4670&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4670&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12181 12181 Adrian Mason AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12181 Mason, Adrian Let's move now to the rail network—another one that is coming down the line; excuse the pun. Counsel General, the Government has set out a pathway towards full devolution on rail services and infrastructure, while also accepting that the Welsh network must remain integrated within the wider United Kingdom, of course. From a legal and constitutional point of view, what would need to be settled before such a transfer could take place? In particular, how would responsibility for long-term infrastructure liabilities, cross-border routes, for example, funding and dispute resolution be divided between Welsh Ministers, the Welsh Government, and Great British Railways? And should funding and liability be settled as an integral part of any transfer rather than being left to subsequent negotiations? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770871 152 En 2026-09-22T14:48:41 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4721&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4721&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, the transfer to which the Member refers does not apply to the tribunals Bill scenario. That's the first thing to say. As for further devolution, that clearly is a political matter. I am not part of the political machine as such. I am engaged by the Welsh Government on legal matters. If and when we come to a position where I'm asked my advice about the points that he very properly raises, then I will give my clear advice at that stage. At this moment in time, I can't assist any further. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770875 153 Cy 2026-09-22T14:49:18 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4758&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4758&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Llefarydd Llafur Cymru, Mike Hedges. Welsh Labour spokesperson, Mike Hedges. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770877 154 En 2026-09-22T14:49:21 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4761&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4761&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 332 332 Mike Hedges AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 Hedges, Mike Diolch. What discussion has the Counsel General had with the Law Society regarding securing fully funded level 7 solicitor apprenticeships in Wales? Level 7 solicitor apprenticeships are a well-established route to qualifications in England, allowing aspiring solicitors to earn while they learn and avoid taking on significant tuition debt. In Wales, however, aspiring solicitors still cannot access an equivalent funded route. Uptake of level 7 solicitor apprenticeships in England has grown, with more than 5,000 people starting an apprenticeship between 2018 and 2025. We cannot allow Wales to be left behind, can we? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770914 155 En 2026-09-22T14:49:58 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4798&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4798&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn That is a very good question, and I fully agree with the Member 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770849 156 En 2026-09-22T14:50:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4800&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4800&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn and I fully agree with the Member on what he says. What I can tell him, which may cheer him up slightly, is that level 7 apprenticeships at the bar and also solicitors are uppermost in this Government's mind. We are pushing forward on them and, indeed, I shall be making a speech on them in about a fortnight's time, during the Legal Wales conference. So, as he is interested, I'll send him a copy of the speech, and he can see that we are doing what we can. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770858 157 En 2026-09-22T14:50:34 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4834&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4834&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 332 332 Mike Hedges AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 Hedges, Mike Thank you very much for that answer. Let's see if I can be on a roll. Access to justice is a core component of the rule of law and yet many areas of Wales are facing a growing crisis in access to legal services. Described as legal deserts, these are areas where the presence of solicitors is so limited that people cannot easily obtain legal advice or representation when they need it. The Law Society has produced a report that draws on the latest data available, including solicitor distribution, demographic trends and the impact of legal aid funding pressures. The findings include severe geographic inequality in solicitor density, rising solicitor retirements without adequate replacements, the attrition of legal aid providers, increasing numbers of unrepresented litigants in civil, criminal and welfare cases. What are the Counsel General's views on this report? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770874 158 En 2026-09-22T14:51:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4882&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4882&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I've read the report, obviously. It's an important report, and it's been a fairly long-standing problem in many areas in Wales. In fact, it's been described, in terms of north and mid Wales, as an advice desert, and I do know of pockets of deserts, if you like, within urban areas as well. It's partly because solicitors have left the legal aid work, it's partly because there are fewer of them, it's partly because they are drifting away to larger firms who are privately funded. That is the picture. It is something that is creating a huge amount of difficulty for people who wish to access legal advice who are unable to obtain legal aid and who therefore—and by the way, the qualification for legal aid has been cut back drastically as well in many areas—are left with private funding, which they cannot afford. So, it is a big issue. What I can say is that I have no doubt that, during the forthcoming conference to which I referred, it will be a live issue and there will be further discussions. Something needs to be done, I fully accept that. It's been going on for far too long and it's reaching a situation now where it's becoming critical.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770890 159 Cy 2026-09-22T14:52:41 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4961&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4961&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Irranca-Davies, Huw Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Paul Davies.  The Welsh Conservatives' spokesperson, Paul Davies.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770896 160 En 2026-09-22T14:52:45 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=4965&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=4965&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul Counsel General, I want to return to the issue raised by the Member for Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd and ask some further questions around what the Welsh Government can do to intervene and stop service reconfiguration decisions taken by local health boards. I listened very carefully to your earlier answers. Now, I'm sure you'll agree that health board service reconfiguration is a contentious issue in most parts of Wales, including, of course, in west Wales, which has a long history of service reductions, relocations and reconfigurations that have led many residents to feel that healthcare provision is increasingly being moved further away from their communities. In my view, when there is such strong public opposition to the health board's decisions, the Welsh Government has a moral responsibility to get involved and put a hold on controversial plans that do not carry the will of the people. So, Counsel General, you've confirmed here today that Ministers can intervene under the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, but can you tell us what role you have as the Welsh Government's legal advisor in any process that would involve intervention? And can you confirm that a Government can legally intervene on any health board decision under this Act?  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770904 161 En 2026-09-22T14:54:11 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5051&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5051&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, the first thing to say—. The Member referred to a moral case. I'm not an arbiter of morality. My job is law, simply law. And the legislation is quite clear. I know that it will disappoint the Member. I fully appreciate that this is a very emotional subject; I fully appreciate that. I don't live in a bubble. I understand. Nevertheless, the law is clear and it relates to failure of governance, failure of performance and the exercise of functions by local health boards. If one or other of those are engaged, then there would be a case for intervention by Welsh Ministers. Currently, I do not see it. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770826 162 En 2026-09-22T14:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5100&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5100&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I do not see it. It has not been reported that there is any problem in either three of those cases. But I would suggest to him as well that he should allow the consultation to take its course, and then a step back can be taken to consider what kind of consultation it was, what the conclusions are, and whether the conclusions deliver a service fit for his constituents. That's the acid test. And then, if there's a problem with that, clearly something could be done. But up until at that point, there is nothing that Welsh Ministers can do under any legislation that I have seen, and I say that with respect, not to be pejorative.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770850 163 En 2026-09-22T14:55:44 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5144&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5144&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul You see, many people across Wales will find it difficult to understand why Ministers appear powerless to act when there is overwhelming public concern about major service changes that could significantly affect access to healthcare. Therefore, Counsel General, can you outline the legal thresholds, then, you believe must be met before the Welsh Government will intervene in a service reconfiguration decision taken by a health board? And furthermore, do you believe the current legal set-up provides the Welsh Government with sufficient powers to protect communities from reconfiguration decisions that lack public confidence?  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770853 164 En 2026-09-22T14:56:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5183&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5183&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Again, I'm not trying to be unhelpful, but I'm not going to speculate about thresholds, and I cannot, because I do not have the information in front of me. And I'm not going to speculate about the law, either. But what I will say to the gentleman is this. If he feels the law needs amending, strengthening or whatever, why doesn't he prepare a Bill and then present it to the Senedd and see how far it goes?  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770854 165 En 2026-09-22T14:56:48 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5208&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5208&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul I'm asking your opinion. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770855 166 En 2026-09-22T14:56:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5210&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5210&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, I cannot give you my opinion on anything other than the law. The law is plain, and I told you, I've explained where Ministers would be engaged, and currently they're not. But it is a prerequisite for that consultation to take its course, in my view, and then people may look again objectively at what the findings are.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770866 167 En 2026-09-22T14:57:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5234&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5234&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Cwestiwn 3, Matthew Jones.  Question 3, Matthew Jones. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770867 168 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Cymhwysedd Deddfwriaethol y Senedd The Senedd’s Legislative Competence 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770868 169 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 12151 12151 Matthew Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12151 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12151 Jones, Matthew 3. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi’i roi i’r Llywodraeth ar amddiffyn cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd lle mae safbwyntiau Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU yn wahanol? OQ64507 3. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Government regarding maintaining the Senedd’s legislative competence where the Welsh Government and UK Government's views differ? OQ64507 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770869 170 En 2026-09-22T14:57:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5251&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5251&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, of course, the role of Welsh Government is to defend the devolution settlement, but also to ensure that things such as the Sewel convention are observed, and to defend and extend the relationship, one hopes. In July of this year, I published the Welsh Government's principles on UK legislation in devolved areas, and this includes a commitment that the UK legislation in devolved areas will only be used where the legislation protects or strengthens the devolution settlement and does not introduce new constraints on devolved competence. And I am very clear, as is this Government, that we are focused on enhancing the devolution settlement, and with that, the Senedd’s legislative competence, rather than simply maintaining it. However, where there are attempts to limit or constrain the Senedd’s legislative competence, these will be firmly resisted, and this includes opposing the imposition of any further reservations or restrictions in the Government of Wales Act 2006, as well as securing relevant consents and carve-outs to ensure that devolved provisions conferred by UK parliamentary Acts can be removed by the Senedd at a later date. And I think key to all of this is the principle of legislative consent as set out clearly in the Sewel convention. This is essential to our devolution settlement and safeguards the Senedd’s role as the Welsh national legislature. As Counsel General, I am clear that the Sewel convention must be respected, particularly where there are any attempts to reduce or restrict the Senedd’s legislative competence via UK legislation. Now, the Government's view is we would like it to have statutory underpinning. That is not forthcoming at the moment. There are discussions going on. Meantime, what is currently happening is there's a detailed discussion about a firm, proper solid memorandum of understanding on Sewel. It's probably second-best to having it on a statutory footing, but it is being  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770843 171 En 2026-09-22T15:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5400&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5400&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn but it is being undertaken and discussed as we speak now. So, something is happening. But I fully appreciate the force of the question. It is vital that we ensure that Sewel is respected, as it has been disrespected so often of late.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770844 172 En 2026-09-22T15:00:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5418&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5418&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12157 12157 Art Wright AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12157 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12157 Wright, Art Counsel General, I'm sure that, as a former Member of Parliament, the Counsel General is well acquainted with the concept of parliamentary sovereignty. Will the Counsel General acknowledge that the Senedd's legislative competence is defined by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and that the Senedd lacks the legal capacity to legislate on matters explicitly reserved to Westminster? Schedule 7A reserves the union. Does the Welsh Government accept that a Senedd Bill for independence or for an independence referendum would be outside the competency of the Senedd?  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770857 173 En 2026-09-22T15:00:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5459&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5459&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I've already said that I'm not a political animal, quite different from some of my colleagues. It's not a question I can answer, with respect.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770862 174 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Etholiadau Datganoledig a Chynnwys a Gynhyrchir yn Artiffisial Devolved Elections and Artificially Generated Content 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770863 175 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 12167 12167 Sarah Cooper-Lesadd AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12167 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12167 Cooper-Lesadd, Sarah 4. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i roi i Lywodraeth Cymru ynglŷn â digonolrwydd cyfraith etholiadol Cymru mewn perthynas â chynnwys a gynhyrchir yn artiffisial mewn etholiadau datganoledig? OQ64487 4. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government regarding the adequacy of Welsh electoral law in respect of artificially generated content in devolved elections? OQ64487 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770864 176 En 2026-09-22T15:01:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5487&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5487&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I thank the Member for this question, which is a current hot potato, if I could describe it that way. Ofcom regulates certain online services under the UK Government’s Online Safety Act 2023, including standards to minimise disinformation. The Welsh Government will continue to work closely with partners to protect the integrity of devolved elections and the safety of candidates, and support access to reliable information, through vote.wales. We are very much alert to the threats to democracy from online disinformation and malinformation.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770873 177 En 2026-09-22T15:02:09 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5529&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5529&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12167 12167 Sarah Cooper-Lesadd AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12167 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12167 Cooper-Lesadd, Sarah Seven years ago, the BBC's The Capture imagined footage of a public figure fabricated convincingly enough to destroy them. It was dystopian and it was fiction then, but today all it takes is a free app and 90 seconds. A councillor in Kent told LBC this week she is thinking of quitting politics altogether due to sexualised images of her being flyposted all around lamp posts around her home and the council building she works in. It makes her feel watched, she said, and unsafe in the town she represents. Other women have said they are now considering whether they should stand at all. This is a real cost, not for one councillor, but for every single woman who decides the abuse is not worth it. Wales goes to the polls in May 2027, and I know the Government really does take this seriously. So, does the Counsel General consider that the existing Welsh electoral law reaches artificially generated material of this kind, and what steps is the Government considering before those elections? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770889 178 En 2026-09-22T15:03:13 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5593&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5593&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well again, I thank the Member for this important question. I do know, actually, that women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are unfortunately particularly targeted by harassment and abuse. This misogyny is appalling and should be condemned by all decent campaigners. I know that the police welcome reports of any potentially unlawful material or behaviour in political campaigns. Whilst this does not take away the very real problem of abuse, anyone considering standing for election should know there is support out there. Now, that's the crucial point, I think. Ahead of next year's local elections, we are funding Elect Her to support female candidates in Wales. The programme includes a digital self-defence and self-care toolkit, including resources to support candidates to create their own digital self-care plan and strategies for dealing with online abuse. The Deputy First Minister is considering how the Welsh Government's diversity and inclusion guidance for political parties can be strengthened. So, it is an issue very much on the table at the moment. I would say that politicians and candidates should always report any harmful online material to Ofcom and also the police as appropriate. All digital campaign material must clearly show who it is being promoted by. These digital imprints ensure that there is accountability for all official campaign material. Thank you. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770898 179 En 2026-09-22T15:04:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5697&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5697&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12158 12158 Jason O'Connell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 O'Connell, Jason Counsel General, 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770845 180 En 2026-09-22T15:05:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5700&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5700&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12158 12158 Jason O'Connell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 O'Connell, Jason Counsel General, under Wales's electoral law voting system, voters get one vote for a political party and its listed candidates, so there's a very clear statement of accountability. What happens when a candidate asks voters to back one party, gets elected on that party's manifesto and then walks away from those commitments? The voter doesn't have to change their vote—[Interruption.] 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770859 181 En 2026-09-22T15:05:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5722&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5722&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw We're trying to listen— 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770861 182 En 2026-09-22T15:05:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5723&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5723&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12158 12158 Jason O'Connell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 O'Connell, Jason They can't choose another candidate—[Interruption.] 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770870 183 En 2026-09-22T15:05:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5727&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5727&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 2717 2717 Rhun ap Iorwerth AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2717 First Minister of Wales Prif Weinidog Cymru ap Iorwerth, Rhun Ask your friend. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770865 184 En 2026-09-22T15:05:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5727&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5727&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Irranca-Davies, Huw Colleagues, we're trying to listen to the question. I think the Counsel General is trying to listen. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770872 185 En 2026-09-22T15:05:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5731&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5731&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12158 12158 Jason O'Connell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 O'Connell, Jason Diolch, Lywydd. Yet, the Member keeps their seat, alongside their very generous salary. Now, some learned legal minds, such as yours, could consider that to be fraud by misrepresentation. So, Counsel General, does Welsh electoral law provide any legal protection for voters where a candidate's conduct after election departs from the political representation they were elected under? Does Plaid Cymru still consider that politicians who mislead constituents should be criminalised? And have you considered that, in order to protect Welsh democracy, the Member should do the right thing and resign? Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770887 186 En 2026-09-22T15:06:15 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5775&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5775&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn I regret, Llywydd, that I haven't got my wellingtons with me. [Laughter.] I've never heard such a load of muck in a long time. And I'm not getting involved in the politics of it, but is the Member seriously saying that nobody within Reform has ever switched sides during the currency of an election? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770891 187 En 2026-09-22T15:06:43 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5803&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5803&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12158 12158 Jason O'Connell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12158 O'Connell, Jason We've all been elected. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770897 188 En 2026-09-22T15:06:44 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5804&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5804&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn No. I'm not—. I'm the legal officer. I thank him for that question, but it's not for me. Thank you very much. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770899 189 En 2026-09-22T15:05:35 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5735&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5735&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Right. Now, we're going to try and move ahead and get some more questions in further down the list, if we can, with everybody's help. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770900 190 Cy 2026-09-22T15:06:57 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5817&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5817&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5053 5053 Huw Irranca-Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5053 Llywydd Llywydd Irranca-Davies, Huw Felly, cwestiwn 5, Mair Rowlands. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770901 191 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Mynediad at Wasanaethau Cyfreithiol a Chyfiawnder drwy Gyfrwng y Gymraeg Access to Legal Services and Justice through the Medium of Welsh 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770928 192 En 2026-09-22T15:07:03 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5823&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5823&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Diolch, Lywydd. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770902 193 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair 5. Pa asesiad mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi ei wneud o allu pobl i gael mynediad at wasanaethau cyfreithiol a chyfiawnder drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg? OQ64495 5. What assessment has the Counsel General made of people's ability to access legal services and justice through the medium of Welsh? OQ64495 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770903 194 Cy 2026-09-22T15:07:16 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5836&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5836&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Maddeuwch imi, Mair, doeddwn i methu eich ffeindio chi am funud bach. Mae gallu cael mynediad at wasanaethau cyfreithiol a chyfiawnder yn y Gymraeg yn rhan bwysig o fynediad at gyfiawnder yng Nghymru. Wrth i mi feithrin cysylltiadau efo'r proffesiwn cyfreithiol a'r sector cyfiawnder ehangach, mi fyddaf i'n dal ati i edrych ar sut gallwn ni sicrhau gwell mynediad at gyfiawnder i gymunedau ar draws Cymru, gan gynnwys siaradwyr Cymraeg. Forgive me, Mair, I couldn't find you for just a moment there. The ability to access legal services and justice through the medium of Welsh is an important part of access to justice in Wales. As I engage with the legal profession and wider justice sector, I will continue to explore how we can improve access to justice for communities across Wales, including Welsh speakers. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770905 195 Cy 2026-09-22T15:07:48 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5868&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5868&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Diolch, Gwnsler. Ym mis Chwefror, fe adroddodd Cymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr ar yr anialwch cyfreithiol yng Nghymru, gan amlinellu sut mae mynediad pobl at wasanaethau cyfreithiol yn gostwng y tu allan i goridor yr M4. Tra bod gan Gaerdydd 12.3 cyfreithiwr i bob 1,000 o drigolion, yng ngogledd Cymru, mae'r ffigwr yn agosach at 2.3 mewn bob 1,000. Mae'r anghydraddoldeb daearyddol yma'n cael effaith sylfaenol ar gymunedau Cymraeg ym Mangor Conwy Môn ac ar draws y gogledd i gael mynediad at wasanaethau cyfreithiol a chyfiawnder drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. A wnaiff y Cwnsler amlinellu beth yw cynlluniau'r Llywodraeth i fynd i'r afael â'r annhegwch hwn? Thank you, Counsel General. In February, the Law Society reported on the legal deserts in Wales, outlining how access to legal services declines outside the M4 corridor. While Cardiff has 12.3 solicitors for every 1,000 residents, in north Wales, the figure is closer to 2.3 per 1,000. This geographical inequality has a fundamental impact on Welsh-speaking communities in Bangor Conwy Môn and across north Wales in terms of access to legal services and justice through the medium of Welsh. Will the Counsel General outline the Government's plans to address this inequality? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770911 196 Cy 2026-09-22T15:08:32 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=5912&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=5912&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Wrth gwrs, mae mynediad at gyfiawnder yn fwy o lawer na mynediad at y llysoedd yn unig. Mae'n rhaid i bobl allu deall eu hawliau, cael cyngor dibynadwy ar yr adeg iawn a chymryd rhan yn effeithiol mewn prosesau cyfreithiol sy'n effeithio arnyn nhw. Mae gallu i ddefnyddio'r Gymraeg mewn achosion cyfreithiol yn egwyddor bwysig o fewn y system gyfiawnder yng Nghymru. Mae trefniadau yn bodoli i gefnogi achosion drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, gan gynnwys cyfieithu, cyfieithu ar y pryd a dogfennaeth ddwyieithog pan fo angen. Mae Cymru, wrth gwrs, yn wlad ddwyieithog, ond o ofyn beth, yn benodol, y gellid ei wneud, mae hon, rŵan, yn ddadl fyw; mae hi'n ddadl sy'n mynd i godi mewn gwahanol gynadleddau dros y gaeaf yma. Mae diffygion darparu cyngor yn y Gymraeg wedi bod yn rhy amlwg i bawb, ond hefyd, gyda llaw, mewn sawl man drwy Saesneg hefyd. Ond, mae'n dwysau yn achos y Gymraeg oherwydd, yn amlach na pheidio, rydym ni'n sôn am gefn gwlad ac mae cefn gwlad, ar hyn o bryd, wedi cael ei ddisgrifio fel 'anialwch cyfreithiol'. Felly, mae yna job o waith mawr o'n blaenau ni, ac mae o'n rhan o'm swydd ddisgrifiad i i sicrhau bod mynediad at y gyfraith yn bosibl drwy'r ddwy iaith. Mae'n rhywbeth sydd yn fy meddwl i, ac mae'n rhywbeth y byddaf i'n gweithio arno fo yn y misoedd i ddod. Of course, access to justice means more than just access to the courts. People must understand their rights and get reliable advice at the right time and participate effectively in legal processes that have an impact upon them. And the ability to use the Welsh language in legal cases is an important principle within the justice system in Wales. And arrangements are in place to support Welsh-medium cases, including interpretation, translation and bilingual documentation as necessary. Wales, of course, is a bilingual nation, but in asking what specifically can be done, this is now a very live issue; it is an issue that will be raised in various conferences over this winter. The deficiencies in the provision of providing advice through the medium of Welsh has been too apparent to all, but also through the medium of English in many areas too. But it is particularly bad in the case of the Welsh language because more often than not, we are talking about rural areas and rural areas have been described as 'legal deserts'. So, there is a great job of work to be done, and it is part of my job description to ensure that access to the law is possible through the medium of both languages. And it's something that's at the forefront of my mind and something that I will be working on in the coming months. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770878 197 Cy 2026-09-22T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=-48600&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770879 198 Cy 2026-09-22T15:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6000&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6000&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770880 199 Cy 2026-09-22T15:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6000&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6000&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770881 200 Cy 2026-09-22T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=-48600&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770882 201 Cy 2026-09-22T15:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6000&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6000&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770883 202 Cy 2026-09-22T15:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6000&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6000&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770892 203 En 2026-09-22T15:10:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6022&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6022&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770876 204 Cy 2026-09-22T15:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6000&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6000&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn y misoedd i ddod. the coming months. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770884 205 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Cymorth Cyfreithiol a Mynediad at Gyfiawnder Legal Aid and Access to Justice 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770888 206 En 2026-09-22T15:10:08 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6008&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6008&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 278 278 Carrie Harper AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=278 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=278 Harper, Carrie My question has some crossover with the question that Mike Hedges asked earlier. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770885 207 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 278 278 Carrie Harper AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=278 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=278 Harper, Carrie 6. Pa asesiad y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i wneud o effaith pwysau ar ddarpariaeth cymorth cyfreithiol ar fynediad at gyfiawnder yng Nghymru? OQ64498 6. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the impact of pressures on legal aid provision on access to justice in Wales? OQ64498 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770886 208 Cy 2026-09-22T15:10:21 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6021&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6021&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Pressures on legal aid provision in Wales are a very serious concern. Reduced provision means many communities cannot access the legal help they need. Although legal aid is reserved to the UK Government, we will always look for opportunities to bring these problems to the attention of the Ministry of Justice. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770894 209 En 2026-09-22T15:10:42 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6042&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6042&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 278 278 Carrie Harper AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=278 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=278 Harper, Carrie Diolch yn fawr iawn. We know how vital legal aid is to helping those in need and ensuring that everybody has the right to adequate legal representation. A report by the House of Lords select committee last year concluded that there are people who are both unable to access legal aid and unable to afford to pay for legal services privately. As the Law Society have noted, proposals put forward by the UK Government have not addressed the distinct issues facing the legal sector in Wales and that the part or full devolution of justice, if implemented and funded appropriately, offers significant potential opportunities to the people of Wales. What advice has the Counsel General given the Welsh Government on the adequacy of legal aid in Wales? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770893 210 En 2026-09-22T15:11:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6083&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6083&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, it is a matter that the Welsh Government are acutely aware of, and it's partly because of the narrowing of the scope of legal aid alongside tighter eligibility criteria. That's had a very significant impact over many years on the justice system across England and Wales. I'm particularly concerned that people in many parts of Wales are unable to access local legal advice because legal aid fees are no longer sufficient to support sustainable provision. In Wales, reduced provision has contributed to legal advice deserts, leaving some communities without local access to specialist legal help. For example, the Law Society's heat maps show that 82 per cent of the people of Wales have no access to a legal aid-funded local welfare provider, and no less than 88 per cent have no education law provider. These pressures are acute everywhere, but particularly so in rural, post-industrial and lower income communities, similar to the area that the Member represents. Where alternative sources of advice may be very limited, and without early legal advice, problems can escalate, increasing pressures on devolved services including health, housing and social care. Through the regional advice networks, we are supporting closer collaboration between private law firms and not-for-profit advice providers so that people across Wales can access the advice they need. Although, as I've said before, legal aid is reserved, we will work closely with the Ministry of Justice, the UK Government and legal professions in Wales to ensure Wales's needs are clearly understood and are reflected in the response to these pressures. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770907 211 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Datganoli Cyfiawnder Devolution of Justice 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770910 212 Cy 2026-09-22T15:13:27 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6207&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6207&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 350 350 Marc Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 Jones, Marc Mae hwn yn teimlo ychydig bach yn od, gofyn cwestiwn i'r dyn dros nesaf. This feel slightly strange, asking a question to the person next to me. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770908 213 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 350 350 Marc Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 Jones, Marc 7. Pa gyngor cyfreithiol y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi ei roi i Lywodraeth Cymru ar ddatganoli cyfiawnder? OQ64506 7. What legal advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government on the devolution of justice? OQ64506 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770909 214 Cy 2026-09-22T15:13:40 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6220&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6220&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Dwi'n falch nad ydych chi'n cwffio efo'r dyn drws nesaf. Mae datganoli pwerau dros blismona a chyfiawnder wedi bod yn argymhelliad mewn cyfres o gomisiynau annibynnol, sy'n dyddio'n ôl i gomisiwn Silk yn 2014. Mi wnaeth y comisiynau hynny, y tri ohonyn nhw, ystyried y goblygiadau cyfreithiol, ymhlith eraill, wrth ddod i'w casgliadau clir. Mi fyddaf i'n gweithio'n agos efo cydweithwyr wrth inni barhau i weithio tuag at hyn. I'm pleased you're not fighting with the man next to you. The devolution of powers over policing and justice has been recommended in a series of independent commissions, dating back to the Silk commission in 2014. Those commissions , all three of them, considered the legal implications, among others, in arriving at their clear conclusions. I will be working closely with colleagues as we continue to work towards this objective. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770916 215 Cy 2026-09-22T15:14:13 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6253&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6253&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 350 350 Marc Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 Jones, Marc Diolch, Gwnsler. Mae'r angen i ddatganoli cyfiawnder wedi ei wneud droeon yn y Siambr yma gan y Comisiwn Annibynnol dros Ddyfodol Cyfansoddiadol Cymru a chan Gymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr. Dŷn ni'n gwybod bod y system bresennol yn gwaethygu canlyniadau i bobl Cymru. Dwi wedi cael braw, a bod yn onest, fod 40 y cant o'r cyllid yn dod wrth Lywodraeth Cymru er nad ydy cyfiawnder wedi'i ddatganoli. Dydy hynny ddim yn gynaliadwy. Felly, ydy'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn cytuno efo fi fod datganoli cyfiawnder yn angenrheidiol i wella'r canlyniadau i'r rheini sy'n mynd drwy'r system? Thank you, Counsel General. The need to devolve justice has been outlined several times in this Chamber by the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales and by the Law Society. We know that the current system deteriorates outcomes for people in Wales, and I've been frightened, truth be told, that 40 per cent of the funding comes from the Welsh Government, although justice has not been devolved. That isn't sustainable. So, does the Counsel General agree that devolution of justice is vital to improve outcomes for those who go through the system?  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770923 216 Cy 2026-09-22T15:14:56 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6296&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6296&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Does gen i ddim amheuaeth pan wyf yn cytuno efo'r Aelod ar y pwynt yna I have no doubt, and I would agree with the Member on that point 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770929 217 En 2026-09-22T15:15:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6301&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6301&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770895 218 Cy 2026-09-22T15:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6300&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6300&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn pan wyf yn cytuno efo'r Aelod ar y pwynt yna, ac mae datganoli pwerau dros gyfiawnder a phlismona yn flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth hon. Mae'r achos dros ddatganoli cyfiawnder a phlismona i Gymru, fel yn yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon, yn glir. Dyna gasgliad clir, fel y dywedodd yr Aelod, comisiwn Silk, comisiwn Thomas, ac, yn fwy diwedd, y Comisiwn Annibynnol ar Ddyfodol Cyfansoddiadol Cymru. Mi wnaeth y comisiynau hynny ganfod y byddai datganoli cyfiawnder yn galluogi gwasanaethau mwy atebol, cydgysylltiedig ac effeithiol sy'n cyd-fynd yn well ag anghenion pobl a chymunedau Cymru ac wedi'u hintegreiddio'n agos â chyfrifoldebau datganoledig, fel iechyd, gofal cymdeithasol, addysg a thai. Mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi rhoi gwybod i Brif Weinidog y Deyrnas Unedig bod hyn yn brif flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru, a bydd Gweinidogion yn ceisio sicrhau cynnydd, gan gynnwys drwy'r Bil diwygio'r heddlu sydd ar ddod. Mae hwnnw, feddyliwn i, yn gyfrwng ardderchog i gychwyn ar y broses efo datganoli'r heddlu, ac mae o'n gyfle rydym ni fel Llywodraeth yn mynd i afael ynddo fo efo'r ddwy law. Diolch. and I would agree with the Member on that point, and the devolution of powers over policing and justice is a priority of this Government. The case for the devolution of justice and policing to Wales, as is the case in Scotland and Northern Ireland, is clear. That's a clear conclusion, as the Member said, of the Silk commission, the Thomas commission, and, more recently, the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales. Those commissions did find that the devolution of justice would allow more accountable services, more co-ordinated and effective services that align better with the needs and communities of Wales, and that are integrated more closely with devolved responsibilities, such as health, social care, education and housing. The First Minister has informed the UK Prime Minister that this is a main priority of the Welsh Government, and Ministers will try and secure progress on this, including through the police reform Bill, which is in the pipeline. I would have thought that that is an excellent opportunity to start the process with the devolution of policing, and it is an opportunity that we as a Government will grasp with both hands. Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770932 219 Cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General B Mynediad at Gyfiawnder i Oroeswyr Treisio Access to Justice for Rape Survivors 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770933 220 En 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General O 12166 12166 Kiera Marshall AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12166 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12166 Marshall, Kiera 8. Sut mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn hyrwyddo mynediad at gyfiawnder i oroeswyr treisio? OQ64490 8. How is the Counsel General promoting access to justice for rape survivors? OQ64490 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770934 221 En 2026-09-22T15:16:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6383&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6383&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn While criminal justice, as the Member knows, is largely reserved, the Welsh Government works with policing, the Crown Prosecution Service, courts and specialist services to improve access to justice for rape survivors. Through the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence agenda, we fund advocacy, counselling and support services, including independent sexual violence advisers, helping survivors access information, support and justice. I would further say that the Government has invested in specialist support services throughout the piece. More needs to be done, I hasten to add, and we recognise that access to justice is about more than court outcomes. Survivors must be able to access timely support, information and advocacy so they can make informed decisions and recover from the impact of abuse. And with regard to the university sector, all learners, including university students, should be able to study in safe environments free from violence, abuse, harassment and intimidation. Whilst universities in Wales are autonomous, we expect them to take robust action to ensure safe and supportive teaching environments. Medr's new staff and learner welfare condition has introduced clearer expectations on well-being, safety and protection from harassment and misconduct, including sexual violence. Officials are working closely with Medr and universities and sector partners to strengthen prevention, reporting and support, improve consistency and transparency, support providers to create safe cultures where concerns are taken seriously. I would suggest to the Member that she writes to my colleague, the Deputy First Minister, on this matter, and I am sure that she will get a full and substantive response on the current steps being taken. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770939 222 En 2026-09-22T15:18:37 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6517&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6517&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12166 12166 Kiera Marshall AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12166 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12166 Marshall, Kiera Thank you for that. I was pleased to see the UK Government announcement that specialist courts to deal with rape and sexual offences are to be introduced across England and Wales, and, hopefully, this begins to tackle the shamefully low prosecution rates of rape in the UK, which has effectively been decriminalised. However, we also must look at prevention, not just justice. I met with a group of young women at Cardiff University, so I was glad to hear you talk about the university sector. They're called Time to Act, and they've been campaigning to eliminate sexual assault and sexual harassment from campuses, alongside supporting survivors. In England, as you'll know, there are currently regulatory consequences for institutions that fail to prevent and tackle harassment and sexual misconduct. Students in Wales don't have this equivalent protection, so I was wondering if you would, potentially, look at what avenues are available for the Welsh Government to legislate and prevent sexual harassment and violence on university campus. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770941 223 En 2026-09-22T15:19:28 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6568&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6568&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn Well, I hear what the Member says, and I appreciate the work that she's doing in the area. It's certainly very important, and I can speak from my own personal knowledge of work I do at the university in Aberystwyth. It's high on the agenda at that university and, I have no doubt, in every university in Wales, and so it should be. So, things are moving, albeit slower than all of us would want, but they are moving in the right direction. And our job, it seems to me, is to pressurise and ensure that the continued improvement in this area is to be seen by all. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770912 224 En 2026-09-22T15:20:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6600&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6600&l=cy 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12193 12193 Elfyn Llwyd https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12193 Llwyd, Elfyn to be seen by all. If I add one final thing, on the issue of rape generally—horrific as it is—there has been an announcement that there will be, from 1 October, a designated court dealing with rape. That will lessen the backlog, and that will include specialists available to help and back up individuals but also things like separate entrances and waiting rooms, basic protections of that kind. This is something that I believe to be welcomed. I would also say, on a more positive note, the backlogs in Wales are considerably better than they are elsewhere in the UK, and we need to maintain that, but this, again, will assist, I belive. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770915 225 Cy 2026-09-22T15:20:53 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6653&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6653&l=en 260922-2 2. Cwestiynau i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol 2. Questions to the Counsel General C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Deputy Presiding Officer Dirprwy Lywydd Ferguson, Kerry Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Thank you very much, Counsel General. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770918 226 Cy 2026-09-22T15:20:56 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6656&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6656&l=en 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Deputy Presiding Officer Dirprwy Lywydd Ferguson, Kerry Symudwn ymlaen i eitem 3: datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes. Galwaf ar y Trefnydd—Heledd Fychan. We'll move now to item 3: the business statement and announcement. I call on the Trefnydd—Heledd Fychan. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770920 227 Cy 2026-09-22T15:21:02 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6662&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6662&l=en 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon Fychan, Heledd Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Mae dau ddatganiad llafar wedi eu hychwanegu at yr agenda heddiw, sef uchelgais newydd i Gymru, rhaglen lywodraethu, a hefyd fframwaith moesegol amddiffyn Cymru. Mae busnes drafft y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi yn y datganiad busnes sydd ar gael i'r holl Aelodau'n electronig. Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Two oral statements have been added to today's agenda, namely the new ambition for Wales programme for government and also the Welsh defence ethical framework. Draft Plenary business for the next three weeks is shown on the business statement, which is available to all Members electronically. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770924 228 En 2026-09-22T15:21:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6682&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6682&l=cy 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 11971 11971 Llŷr Powell AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11971 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=11971 Powell, Llyr Trefnydd, I'd be grateful if I could have a statement on local train overcrowding. Transport for Wales's service, Bridgend to Rhymney, is currently the third most overcrowded service between peak hours in the UK. That service now is affecting commuters, affecting their transport into work. It's very uneasy for elderly people to get a seat, and it's something that my constituents are raising with me quite often. So, I'd be grateful, Trefnydd, and if the Minister sitting here could come forward with something so that we can address the overcrowding on Welsh trains. Diolch. 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770925 229 Cy 2026-09-22T15:22:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6720&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6720&l=en 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Diolch i'r Aelod am godi'r mater yna. Yn lwcus iawn, mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog dros Drafnidiaeth yma, ac mi fydd o'n ysgrifennu atoch chi. Byddwn i yn eich annog chi hefyd i rannu unrhyw wybodaeth—annog unrhyw Aelod yma i wastad rhannu gwybodaeth lle mae gwasanaeth angen sylw pellach gennym ni fel Llywodraeth. I thank the Member for raising that matter. Fortunately, the Deputy Minister for Transport is here, and he'll be writing to you. I would encourage you also to share any information that you have and encourage any Member here to always share information where services need further attention from us as a Government.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770927 230 En 2026-09-22T15:22:19 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6739&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6739&l=cy 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 5038 5038 Jayne Bryant AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5038 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5038 Bryant, Jayne Last week, I was glad to be joined by my Welsh Labour colleague Ken Skates at Llanwern steelworks in my constituency. Llanwern is strategically important to Wales and the whole of the UK, and it must not be lost in the wider debate on the steel industry. Steel making is in Newport's DNA, and it should have a proud future, but the workers that I spoke to last week were concerned about that future and that it's under threat from cheap galvanised steel imports. The Welsh Government must work with the UK Government to protect steel jobs in Wales and engage with the unions to support the workforce. So, Trefnydd, can we have a statement from the Welsh Government confirming that you will do everything in your power to ensure a sustainable future for the steel industry in Wales? 16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770931 231 Cy 2026-09-22T15:23:09 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6789&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6789&l=en 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Wel, diolch i'r Aelod am godi mater sydd, wrth gwrs, o bwys. Mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol iawn, dwi'n siŵr, bod y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, pan wnaeth hi gyfarfod gyda Phrif Weinidog newydd y Deyrnas Unedig, Andy Burnham, dros yr haf, wedi mynegi pryderon y Llywodraeth newydd hon ynglŷn â'r diffyg a wnaed gan y Llywodraeth Lafur o ran peidio â sicrhau dyfodol iawn i ddur yng Nghymru, a diystyru hefyd y diwydiant dur yma. Yn sicr, mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni yma yn y Siambr wedi clywed yr hyn rydych chi'n ei ddweud, ac fel bob amser, rydyn ni'n barod iawn i drafod gydag Aelodau lleol lle mae angen hynny. Ond, yn ddiamwys, mi fedraf i ddweud ein bod ni'n gweld dyfodol i'r diwydiant dur, eisiau gweithio gyda'r rheini sy'n pryderu am hyn, ac, wrth gwrs, yn gwneud yr achos drwy'r adeg o ran Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig i fod yn rhoi'r sylw digonol i'r diwydiant dur yma yng Nghymru. Well, I thank the Member for raising an issue that is, of course, hugely important. You will be highly aware, I'm sure, that the Deputy First Minister, when she met with the new UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, over the summer, had expressed the new Government's concerns about the lack of action taken by the Labour Government in not securing a future for steel in Wales and ignoring the steel industry here. Certainly, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy is in the Chamber and has heard what you had to say, and, as always, we are more than willing to have discussions with local Members where necessary. But, unambiguously, I can say that we do see a future for the steel industry and we do want to work with those who are concerned about this issue and, of course, are constantly making the case at a UK level for the UK Government to give sufficient attention to the steel industry here in Wales.  16262 7 2026-09-22T13:30:00 770938 232 En 2026-09-22T15:24:10 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16262?startPos=6850&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16262?startPos=6850&l=cy 260922-3 3. Datganiad a Chyhoeddiad Busnes 3. Business Statement and Announcement C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul Trefnydd, continuing on the theme of trains, I'd like to request a statement from the Deputy Minister for Transport on the delivery of rail services in west Wales. I'm regularly contacted by constituents from across Ceredigion Penfro who express concerns about the frequency, reliability and overall availability of rail services in the region. They want to see more regular and dependable train services operating across all rail lines in west Wales throughout the week, because for too long west Wales has not received the level of attention it deserves when it comes to rail connectivity and service delivery, and I believe there should be a review of rail provision in the region to assess whether current services are meeting the needs of local communities, and indeed to identify where improvements are required.