16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778810 0 Cy 261014-0 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. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778811 1 Cy 261014-0 I Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Dirprwy Lywydd (Kerry Ferguson) yn y Gadair. The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Deputy Presiding Officer (Kerry Ferguson) in the Chair. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778813 2 Cy 2026-10-14T13:30:01 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1&l=en 261014-1 Datganiad gan y Llywydd Statement by the Llywydd 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 Prynhawn da. Cyn symud at yr eitem gyntaf, mae'n fraint gennyf gyhoeddi canlyniad y balot cyntaf ar gyfer Bil Aelod yn y seithfed Senedd, a gynhaliwyd heddiw. Mae'n bleser gennyf gyhoeddi mai'r tri Aelod a ddewiswyd yn y balot heddiw yw James Evans, Sam Rowlands a Llŷr Powell. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i chi i gyd. Edrychaf ymlaen at weld yr hyn y byddwch chi'n ei gynnig maes o law, a dyma ddymuno'n dda i chi wrth i'r gwaith fynd rhagddo. Good afternoon. Before we move to our first item, it's my pleasure to announce the result of the first Member Bill ballot for the seventh Senedd, which was held today. I'm pleased to announce that the three Members selected in today's ballot are James Evans, Sam Rowlands and Llŷr Powell. Congratulations to you all. I look forward in time to seeing the proposals that you bring forward and wish you all well as the work proceeds. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778821 3 Cy 2026-10-14T13:30:33 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=33&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=33&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 Felly, eitem 1 ar yr agenda heddiw yw cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon. Cwestiwn 1, Tom Montgomery. Item 1 on our agenda today is questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport. Question 1, Tom Montgomery. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778822 4 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell Library Services 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778823 5 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom 1. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gefnogi'r gwaith o ehangu gwasanaethau llyfrgell yng Nghlwyd? OQ64690 1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support the expansion of library services in Clwyd? OQ64690 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778824 6 Cy 2026-10-14T13:30:50 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=50&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=50&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 Mae gan awdurdodau lleol gyfrifoldeb statudol i ddarparu gwasanaeth llyfrgell cynhwysfawr ac effeithlon. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi llyfrgelloedd yng Nghlwyd drwy gyllid cyfalaf a refeniw. Yn 2026-27, mae hyn yn cynnwys dyfarnu £349,000 i ariannu gwelliannau cyfalaf yn llyfrgell Bae Colwyn a llyfrgell y Rhyl. Mae llyfrgelloedd ledled Clwyd hefyd wedi elwa eleni o dros £50,000 o gyllid ar gyfer prosiectau llai. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. The Welsh Government supports libraries in Clwyd through capital and revenue funding. In 2026-27, this includes awarding £349,000 to fund capital improvements in Colwyn Bay library and Rhyl library. Libraries across Clwyd have also benefited this year from over £50,000 of funding for smaller projects. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778827 7 En 2026-10-14T13:31:20 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=80&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=80&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12183 12183 Tom Montgomery AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12183 Montomery, Tom Thank you, Minister. A local authority in Clwyd in 2023 resolved to reduce library one-stop shop opening hours by 40 per cent. This was despite over 4,500 residents responding to the consultation—the most that the local authority had seen in years. Ninety per cent of those responses warned that the closure or reduction in hours would limit their ability to visit their local library, and 96 per cent of these submissions submitted negative comments about the proposal. The local authority went ahead because its hands, to a certain extent, were tied financially by the funding formula. The significant change has seen around £360,000 saved but severely limits residents' access to this important service. So, what steps are you taking to support local library services, and what discussions have you had with the Minister for local government on seeing a funding formula that specifically protects library services? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778836 8 Cy 2026-10-14T13:32:22 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=142&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=142&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Mae'r Aelod yn codi mater o bwys, dwi'n gwybod, i nifer o'n hetholwyr ni ledled Cymru. Dwi'n cydnabod yr heriau y mae awdurdodau lleol wedi eu hwynebu oherwydd setliad ariannol y blynyddoedd diwethaf yma a'r effaith y mae hynny wedi ei chael ar lyfrgelloedd lleol yn benodol. Un o'r pethau rydyn ni'n ei wneud fel rhan o'r gwaith o ddatblygu'r strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon newydd ydy edrych ar wasanaethau lleol. Dwi wedi cael trafodaethau eisoes gyda rhai o arweinyddion llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru, a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, er mwyn gwir ddeall pa mor fregus ydy rhai o'r gwasanaethau hyn. Yn ganolog i'n strategaeth newydd ni mae sicrhau mynediad cyfartal i bawb. Felly, rydyn ni eisiau deall beth ydy'r heriau sydd wedi bod yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf yma, beth mae hynny wedi ei olygu i wasanaethau o ran llyfrgelloedd ledled Cymru. Rhan fawr o'r gwaith nesaf wedyn fydd edrych ar y strategaeth hirdymor yna o ran beth ydy gwasanaeth llyfrgelloedd sy'n gweithio i'n cymunedau ni, gan gydnabod nad ydy'r gwasanaeth yn cyrraedd y nod ym mhob rhan o Gymru ar y funud. The Member raises an important issue, I know, for many of our constituents across Wales. I do acknowledge the challenges that local authorities have faced because of the financial settlements of these past years and the impact that that has had on local libraries in particular. One of the things that we are doing as part of our work in developing the culture and sports strategy is looking at local services. I have had discussions already with some local government leaders in Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association, in order to try and truly understand how fragile some of these services are. Central to our new strategy is ensuring equal access for everyone. So, we want to understand what these challenges have been over past years, what that has meant to services in terms of libraries across Wales. A large part of our next piece of work will involve looking at that long-term strategy in terms of what library services that work for our communities look like, recognising that the service doesn't always meet our ambition in all parts of Wales at the moment. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778843 9 En 2026-10-14T13:33:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=211&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=211&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12184 12184 Becca Martin AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 Martin, Becca Libraries are essential services for young and old, often going far past the borrowing of books by providing warm spaces and tackling social isolation. The Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 places a statutory duty on councils in England and Wales to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. However, discussions with people in the sector suggest that a lack of clarity around what this actually means creates ambiguity and can lead to library provision being treated as discretionary rather than a legal duty. I think you have gone some way to answering the question in terms of that long-term strategy, but would the Government consider looking to give more clarity on what constitutes a comprehensive and efficient library service and provide councils with greater certainty about their statutory responsibilities? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778846 10 Cy 2026-10-14T13:34:18 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=258&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=258&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 y cwestiwn pellach hwnnw. Yng Nghymru, mae gennym ni fframwaith safonau llyfrgelloedd cyhoeddus Cymru, sef y mesur a ddefnyddir i benderfynu a yw hyn yn cael ei fodloni ai peidio. Mae hwn yn fater byw iawn. Dwi'n ymwybodol o'r pryderon sydd ledled Cymru, ac un o'r pethau dwi'n edrych arnyn nhw ydy beth ydy'r cyfrifoldebau a'r grym sydd gen i o dan y Ddeddf honno os nad ydy'r gwasanaethau hynny yn cyrraedd y safon ddisgwyliedig. Wrth i'r gwaith o ddatblygu'r strategaeth newydd fynd rhagddo, byddwn ni hefyd yn cyhoeddi cynlluniau penodol sy'n edrych ar bob sector, gan gynnwys llyfrgelloedd, er mwyn rhoi rhagor o eglurder, ie, i awdurdodau lleol, ond hefyd i bobl Cymru. I thank the Member for that further question. In Wales, we have a public library standards framework, which is the measure that is used to decide whether the quality of libraries has been met or not. This is a very live issue. I am aware of the concerns that exist across Wales, and one of the things that I am looking at is what responsibilities and powers I have under that Act if those services do not reach the mark in terms of quality. As the work of developing the new strategy goes forward, we will also be publishing specific plans looking at every sector, including libraries, in order to provide more clarity, yes, to local authorities, but also to the people of Wales. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778814 11 Cy 2026-10-14T13:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=300&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=300&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778816 12 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Henebion Cenedlaethol National Monuments 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778817 13 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 8371 8371 Elwyn Vaughan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8371 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8371 Vaughan, Elwyn 2. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn diogelu ac yn hyrwyddo henebion cenedlaethol Gwynedd Maldwyn ar gyfer cenedlaethau’r dyfodol? OQ64676 2. How is the Welsh Government protecting and promoting national monuments in Gwynedd Maldwyn for future generations? OQ64676 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778818 14 Cy 2026-10-14T13:35:14 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=314&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=314&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Mae Cadw yn gwarchod ac yn hyrwyddo henebion o bwysigrwydd cenedlaethol yng Ngwynedd Maldwyn drwy eu dynodi a thrwy ddarparu cyngor arbenigol, arweiniad a chymorth i'w perchnogion ar gyfer eu cadwraeth. Mae Cadw hefyd yn hyrwyddo ein treftadaeth drwy reoli'r henebion cenedlaethol sydd yn ei ofal a sicrhau mynediad cyhoeddus atyn nhw, yn unol ag ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth hon i hyrwyddo mynediad teg i'n safleoedd diwylliannol a threftadaeth. Cadw protects and promotes nationally important monuments in Gwynedd Maldwyn through designation and through providing expert advice, guidance and support to the owners for their conservation. Cadw also promotes our heritage by managing the national monuments in its care and ensuring public access to them, in accordance with this Government's commitment to provide fair access to all of our cultural and heritage sites. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778819 15 Cy 2026-10-14T13:35:39 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=339&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=339&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8371 8371 Elwyn Vaughan https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8371 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8371 Vaughan, Elwyn Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod Llansilin yn etholaeth Gwynedd Maldwyn yn gartref i Sycharth, llys hynafol Owain Glyndŵr ac un o safleoedd mwyaf arwyddocaol ein treftadaeth genedlaethol. Yn anffodus, fodd bynnag, mae'n gywilyddus nad yw cyflwr presennol y safle yn adlewyrchu ei bwysigrwydd hanesyddol a chenedlaethol. Ceir problemau megis gordyfiant, diffyg mynediad hygyrch, a hyd yn oed diffyg crybwyll i'r safle ar wefan Cadw. Ar y llaw arall, mae Cyngor Sir Powys eisoes wedi gwrthod ymdrechion am fwy o arwyddion pwrpasol ar y ffyrdd i hyrwyddo'r lle. A gaf i ofyn, felly, sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru gydweithio â Cadw a Chyngor Sir Powys i sicrhau bod Sycharth yn cael ei hyrwyddo fel safle o bwysigrwydd genedlaethol ar gyfer cenedlaethau'r dyfodol? You will be aware that Llansilin in the Gwynedd Maldwyn constituency is the home of Sycharth, the ancient court of Owain Glyndŵr and one of the most significant sites of our national heritage. Unfortunately, however, it is disgraceful that the current state of the site doesn't reflect its historic and national importance. There are problems such as overgrowing foliage, lack of access and even a lack of mention of the site on the Cadw website. On the other hand, Powys council has already rejected proposals for more signage on the road to promote the site. Can I ask, therefore, how the Welsh Government can work with Cadw and Powys County Council to ensure that Sycharth is promoted as a site of national importance for future generations? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778825 16 Cy 2026-10-14T13:36:25 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=385&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=385&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 Sycharth. I fi fod yn glir, dwi yn ystyried bod Sycharth yn heneb o bwys cenedlaethol sydd â lle arwyddocaol yn hanes Cymru ac yn ein hunaniaeth ni fel cenedl. Mae'r heneb ar agor i'r cyhoedd. Mae yna arwyddion dehongli ar y safle. Yn sgil rhaglen o waith cadwraeth a gynhaliwyd gyda chyllid gan Cadw, mae yna waith wedi mynd rhagddo ers i bryderon gael eu codi rai blynyddoedd yn ôl. Ond, mi ydw i ar y record yn dweud y byddwn i'n hoffi gweld mwy yn cael ei wneud i hyrwyddo Sycharth cyn i fi fod yn y rôl hon, a dwi'n dal o'r farn honno. Er bod lleoliad gwledig a natur y safle yn peri rhai heriau o ran mynediad ffisegol a'r ffordd y mae'n cael ei gyflwyno, mi ydw i wedi gofyn i Cadw ymchwilio i sut y gellir gwneud stori'r safle hwn yn fwy amlwg gan ei fod o mor, mor bwysig o ran ein hanes ni. Fe fyddwch chi hefyd yn ymwybodol nad yw Sycharth ar werth ar hyn o bryd. Mae o'n destun tenantiaeth gydol oes. Mae Cadw yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth efo'r ystâd sy'n berchen ar Sycharth i sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei gynnal a'i gadw mewn cyflwr da a bod mynediad i'r cyhoedd yn parhau. I thank the Member for raising the issue of Sycharth. Just to be clear, I do consider Sycharth to be a monument of national importance that has a very significant place in Wales's history and in our identity as a nation. The monument is open to the public. There are interpretation signs on the site. After a conservation programme carried out with funding by Cadw, work has gone ahead since concerns were raised a few years ago. However, I am on the record as saying that I would like to see more being done to promote Sycharth before I was in this role, and I'm still of that opinion. Even though the rural location and nature of the site do present some problems in terms of physical access and the way it's presented, I have asked Cadw to look into how we can make the story of this site more prominent, because it is just so important in terms of our history. You will also be aware that Sycharth isn't for sale at the moment. It has a lifetime tenancy. Cadw is working in partnership with the estate that owns Sycharth to ensure that it is maintained and kept in good condition and that public access continues. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778828 17 En 2026-10-14T13:37:39 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=459&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=459&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12187 12187 Andrew Griffin AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12187 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12187 Griffin, Andrew Following on from that question about protecting our historic heritage for future generations, last week, I had a meeting with Historic Houses Wales. A great deal of our heritage is actually in private ownership. I know from personal experience of living in a grade II listed house just how expensive these properties can be to maintain, particularly when there are restrictions on making improvements to reduce running costs. Can I ask the Cabinet Minister what practical support is available through Cadw for private owners who are helping to preserve our historic heritage, and how is she working with colleagues across Government to make sure these buildings remain viable for future generations? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778829 18 Cy 2026-10-14T13:38:14 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=494&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=494&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 y cwestiwn pellach hwnnw. Mi wnes i a swyddogion o Cadw gyfarfod efo Historic Houses Wales yr wythnos diwethaf, ac mi fydd swyddogion yn trafod ymhellach efo nhw o ran sut mae mynd rhagddo efo unrhyw waith cefnogaeth ac i archwilio beth yw'r opsiynau posib. Yn amlwg, mae yna gyfle iddyn nhw hefyd gyfrannu fel rhan o ddatblygiad y strategaeth newydd. I thank the Member for that further question. I and Cadw officials did meet with Historic Houses Wales last week, and officials will be having further discussions with them in relation to how we can proceed with any support work and to look at any possible options. Clearly, there is an opportunity also for them to contribute as part of the development of our new strategy. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778832 19 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778833 20 Cy 2026-10-14T13:38:40 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=520&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=520&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 Galwaf nawr ar lefarwyr y pleidiau i holi'r Gweinidog Cabinet. Llefarydd Reform UK, Louise Emery. I now call on the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. The Reform UK spokesperson, Louise Emery. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778834 21 En 2026-10-14T13:38:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=527&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=527&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12182 12182 Louise Emery AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 Emery, Louise Diolch. Minister, I had a question to the First Minister on 29 September about business rates and music venues—and I welcome the 30 per cent reduction—that talked about the cliff edge that happens at the £51,000 business rate edge. I want to keep this issue front and centre of your mind when you're in discussions with the finance Minister. A lot of cultural activities require public money to exist, and we don't want music venues to join that list. They want to be self-sufficient, they don't want to rely on grants, and this is a way we can help them. So, can I ask will you address the exclusion of music venues with the finance Minister, including consideration of a business rates taper approach in the future? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778839 22 Cy 2026-10-14T13:39:28 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=568&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=568&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Fe fyddwch chi yn gwerthfawrogi mai cwestiynau i fi ydy'r rhain, ac mae'n bosib holi'r Gweinidog cyllid yn y set nesaf o gwestiynau o ran hynny. Ond, yn sicr, o ran dyfodol lleoliadau cerddoriaeth, mae o'n rheswm pam mae'r 30 y cant yna wedi'i gyhoeddi, i gefnogi lleoliadau llai. Mi fyddwn ni hefyd yn edrych ar hyn fel rhan o'r strategaeth diwylliant newydd. O ran dyfodol cerddoriaeth yng Nghymru yn ei chyfanrwydd, mae peth cyfrifoldeb am gerddoriaeth rŵan efo Cymru Greadigol ac mae peth cyfrifoldeb am gerddoriaeth yn dod o dan Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru. Mae yna amwysedd weithiau o ran pwy sy'n gyfrifol am y sector hwn yng Nghymru, oherwydd, yn amlwg, mae'n bwysig o ran economi Cymru hefyd, ac i ganol ein trefi ni a chymaint o gymunedau ledled Cymru. Yr hyn rydyn ni'n benderfynol, fel Llywodraeth, o wneud yw gweithio yn draws-weinidogol, trawsbortffolio i sicrhau bod y strategaeth newydd yn cymryd i ystyriaeth fudd cerddoriaeth, ie, o ran iechyd a lles, o ran diwylliant Cymru, ond hefyd o ran yr economi. Felly, mae hwn yn fater byw. Thank you. You will appreciate that these are questions to me, and you may want to ask that question of the finance Minister in the next set of questions. But, certainly, in terms of the future of music venues, it is one of the reasons why that 30 per cent was announced, in order to support smaller venues. We will also be looking at this as part of the new culture strategy. In terms of the future of music in Wales in its entirety, some responsibility for music lies with Creative Wales, and some of the responsibility for music falls to the Wales Arts Council. There is some ambiguity on occasion as to who is responsible for this sector in Wales, because, clearly, it's important for the Welsh economy too, along with our town centres and so many communities the length and breadth of Wales. What we as a Government to determine to do is to work on a cross-ministerial and cross-portfolio basis in order to ensure that the new strategy does take into account the benefit of music, yes, in terms of health and well-being, the culture of Wales, but also in terms of our economy. So, this is a very live issue.   16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778815 23 Cy 2026-10-14T13:40:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=600&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778826 24 En 2026-10-14T13:40:43 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=643&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=643&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12182 12182 Louise Emery AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 Emery, Louise Diolch. Now, I'd like an update on the national museum in Cardiff. Now, we know that we got some funding for roof repairs earlier this year, and you came to our culture committee and expressed concern about water entering galleries containing our national collections. We've got winter approaching, and it's important that we have essential maintenance that carries on. But I want to know what progress there's been on the funding and repairs and what timetable and funding are in place to complete the urgent works, because we could be in a position where not only that our collections are at risk, but that the museum actually has to close. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778830 25 Cy 2026-10-14T13:41:18 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=678&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=678&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 am y cwestiwn hwn. Fel roeddwn i'n dweud wrth fod gerbron y pwyllgor ac fel rydych chi wedi sôn, dwi'n bryderus dros ben ynglŷn ag Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i dderbyn cynigion ar gyfer yr ailddatblygu posib gan Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd. Dwi heb gael y manylion hynny hyd yma. Yr hyn rydyn ni wedi bod yn ei wneud ydy gweithio'n agos iawn gydag Amgueddfa Cymru i geisio deall beth ydy'r sefyllfa a beth ydy'r angen, ac mi ydyn ni wedi dyrannu hyd at £4.8 miliwn mewn arian cyfalaf yn y flwyddyn ariannol yma i gefnogi'r gwaith gwella mwyaf brys ac i helpu i ddiogelu'r casgliadau. Mae'r rhain yn gwestiynau dwi hefyd wedi bod yn eu holi i Amgueddfa Cymru, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen at gael diweddariad arnyn nhw ac i fedru rhannu'r wybodaeth yna'n fwy eang pan fydd y wybodaeth gen i. Thank you for that question. As I said when I appeared before the committee, and as you have mentioned, I am extremely concerned about National Museum Cardiff, and I am looking forward to receiving proposals for the possible redevelopment from the national museum. I haven't received the details to date. What we have been doing is working very closely with Amgueddfa Cymru to try and understand what the position is and what the needs are, and we have allocated up to £4.8 million in capital funding in this financial year to support the most urgent remedial work and to help to secure the collections. These are questions that I too have been asking of Amgueddfa Cymru, and I look forward to receiving an update on them and to sharing that information more broadly when I have it. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778841 26 En 2026-10-14T13:42:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=734&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=734&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12182 12182 Louise Emery AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12182 Emery, Louise Okay. Finally, I want to talk about the Tour de France. It's coming to Wales next summer, starting in Welshpool and finishing in Cardiff. We want it to be a successful event to showcase Wales, to help the local economy and be a great event for all of us to attend. But events of this scale cost money to host. We totally accept that; that's the deal. But we want transparency around these costs now and in the build-up to the event, and in the legacy funding afterwards. Now, I know you've announced the £4.5 million legacy fund, and I've got a query about that and then a question about the hosting fees. The legacy fund comes from the brilliant basics fund, or is administered through the brilliant basics fund, which is to provide small tourism infrastructure projects. Is this additional money, the £4.5 million, noting that it's going to be ring-fenced for cycling infrastructure, or is it just part of the brilliant basics fund, so it's going to come out of that original pot? That's my first question. And secondly, on the hosting fee, which public body has paid for this? Thank you. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778851 27 Cy 2026-10-14T13:43:15 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=795&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=795&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Dwi'n hapus i ddarparu gwybodaeth ychwanegol. Mae rhan gyntaf eich cwestiwn chi at Weinidog arall, sef Adam Price; nid yw'n rhan o fy mhortffolio i. Mae yna gydweithio agos ar y funud yn draws-weinidogol o ran y Tour de France. Fyddwch chi hefyd yn gwerthfawrogi ein bod ni wedi etifeddu'r Tour de France, ac un o'r pethau dwi ar y record yn dweud ydy bod rhain yn bethau y dylai unrhyw lywodraeth edrych arnyn nhw cyn mynd am unrhyw ddigwyddiad mawr. Mi ddylai'r holl wybodaeth yma fod yn wybyddus cyn i ni hyd yn oed roi'r cais i mewn. Dydy'r eglurder yna ddim yna. Felly, ar y funud, yr hyn dŷn ni'n ei wneud ydy gweithio'n draws-weinidogol i ddeall yn well ba symiau gwahanol sydd mewn gwahanol bortffolios ar y funud, a hefyd, o ran edrych ar y gwaddol, sut ydyn ni'n cydlynu'r holl waith hwnnw i sicrhau bod yr impact mwyaf a'r gwaddol mwyaf yn dod o hyn. Ond, i fi fod yn glir, wrth i ni fel Llywodraeth fynd rhagddi, dyma'r math o newid fydd, sef edrych ar gynllunio manwl cyn i ni roi cais i mewn, ac nid, fel rydym ni wedi gweld o dan Lafur, yn meddwl wedyn ar ôl i rywbeth ddod i Gymru. I'm happy to provide additional information. The first part of your question should be referred to another minister, Adam Price, as it's not part of my portfolio. There is close collaboration on a cross-ministerial basis on the Tour de France. You will also appreciate that we inherited the Tour de France, and one of the things that I'm on the record as having said is that these are things that any government should look at before bidding for any major event. All of that information should be known before we even make that application. That clarity isn't there. So, at the moment, what we are doing is working on a cross-ministerial basis to better understand what different pots of money are in different portfolios currently, and also, in terms of looking at the legacy, how we can co-ordinate all of that work in order to ensure the greatest possible impact and the greatest possible legacy from all of this. But, for me to be clear, as we as a Government proceed, this is the kind of change that you will see—we will be looking at detailed planning before making applications, and not, as we saw under Labour, doing the thinking once something has been delivered for Wales. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778858 28 Cy 2026-10-14T13:44:29 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=869&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=869&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Ferguson, Kerry Llefarydd Llafur Cymru, Mike Hedges.  The Welsh Labour spokesperson, Mike Hedges.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778860 29 En 2026-10-14T13:44:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=871&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=871&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to raise a question on esports, which, as most people I think know, is short for electronic sports, which refers to organised competitive video gaming where individuals or teams compete in specific games for prizes, ranking or prestige. Esports have developed from a casual hobby into a structured global industry with leagues, governing bodies, teams, sponsors and dedicated venues. In Wales, the industry is growing rapidly. From my days of being a college lecturer, it was very popular. Esports Wales runs multiple official tournaments throughout the Welsh esports league, and the student esports championships. These events include seasonal leagues, open tournaments and school and college competitions, with structured formats and prize money. Will the Minister dedicate some of the money given to support the creative industries to esports as part of a comprehensive esports strategy? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778835 30 En 2026-10-14T13:45:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=900&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=900&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778838 31 Cy 2026-10-14T13:45:26 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=926&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=926&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 fod yn rhywun sydd yn codi esports, a dwi'n cytuno efo chi—mae angen gwneud mwy o ran e-chwaraeon. Does dim digon o strategaeth wedi bod na digon o werthfawrogiad o'i bwysigrwydd o yma yng Nghymru. Drwy Cymru Greadigol, rydyn ni wedi cefnogi nifer o brosiectau ar y cyd ag E-chwaraeon Cymru. Mae'r prosiectau hyn wedi datblygu sgiliau digidol, technegol a darlledu, wedi codi ymwybyddiaeth o yrfaoedd creadigol a chryfhau llwybrau i gemau sgrin a chyfryngau digidol. Mi fydda i yn cwrdd ag Esports Wales cyn bo hir, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen at fynd â'r sgwrs yna'n bellach. Yn amlwg, wrth i'r gwaith fynd rhagddo, rwy'n hapus iawn i ddiweddaru'r Aelod, a hefyd holl Aelodau'r Senedd, ar y gwaith hwnnw. I thank the Member for being someone that does raise esports frequently, and I agree with you—we do need to do more in terms of esports. There hasn't been enough of a strategy or enough appreciation of their importance here in Wales. Through Creative Wales, we have supported a number of joint projects with Esports Wales. A number of these projects have developed digital skills, technical skills, broadcasting skills, and have raised awareness and strengthened pathways to the future. I will meet shortly with Esports Wales, and I look forward to carrying on that discussion. Clearly, as the work goes ahead, I am very content to update the Member, and also all Members of the Senedd, on this work.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778844 32 En 2026-10-14T13:46:13 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=973&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=973&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. As you may remember, in November 2024, the then Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant, took part in a landmark event in the Senedd to promote Wales's thriving esports industry and the Government's commitment to providing the safest and most engaging environment for young gamers. At the event, the Minister said that esports 'is a priority sector for the Welsh Government and I’m keen do all I can to support its growth and gain an international reputation for Wales as a centre for this rapidly growing industry.' Esports Wales have garnered significant success in recent years, with notable achievements, such as winning a gold medal in the Rocket League open competition at the Commonwealth Esports Championships. The team also secured a silver medal in the eFootball women's competition and a bronze in the eFootball open competition. I was very pleased, in the event we had here, to see Peter Fox in action playing esports. Are esports a priority for this Government, and have they a date for another esports event at the Senedd? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778852 33 Cy 2026-10-14T13:47:13 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1033&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1033&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Dwi'n gobeithio fy mod i wedi ateb rhan o'r cwestiwn yna yn fy ymateb cyntaf, sef ydw, dwi'n credu eu bod nhw'n bwysig a dwi'n credu y dylid gwneud mwy. Yn wahanol i Weinidogion yn y gorffennol, dwi ddim yn credu mewn geiriau cynnes yn unig—dwi'n credu mewn gweithredu a chael strategaeth yn ei lle. Felly, mae'r ffaith eich bod chi'n dal i holi'r cwestiwn hwnnw, er i'r ymrwymiad gael ei wneud gan Weinidog Llafur blaenorol yn 2024, yn dweud y cyfan, mae arnaf ofn, o ran y portffolio dwi wedi ei etifeddu. Yn sicr, mae angen gwneud mwy. Dwi'n rhoi'r ymrwymiad hynny, ac mi fyddaf yn trafod yn bellach efo Esports Wales. Mi wnes i hefyd mynychu'r digwyddiad hwnnw a chymryd rhan mewn rhai o'r esports. Na, doeddwn i ddim yn dda iawn, ond roedd yn dda iawn gweld esports ar waith yma yn y Senedd. I thank the Member. I hope that I have responded to that question in my first response. Yes, I do think that they're important, and I think more needs to be done. And unlike Ministers in the past, I don't just believe in warm words—I believe in taking action and putting a strategy in place. So the fact that you're still asking that question, despite the commitment being made by a previous Labour Minister in 2024, says it all, I'm afraid, in terms of the portfolio I've inherited. Certainly, we do need to do more. I give you that commitment, and I will discuss further with Esports Wales. I also attended that event, and I took part in some of those esports. No, I wasn't very good at them, but it was very good to see esports in action here in the Senedd. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778859 34 Cy 2026-10-14T13:48:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1080&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1080&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Paul Davies. Welsh Conservative spokesperson, Paul Davies. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778862 35 Cy 2026-10-14T13:48:03 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1083&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1083&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Weinidog, yr wythnos diwethaf, dywedodd aelod o staff Amgueddfa Cymru fod yr amgueddfa genedlaethol wedi dod yn fwyfwy camweithredol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Disgrifiodd ddiwylliant o ddirywiad rheoledig, ystum unigol, a diffyg stiwardiaeth broffesiynol o'r casgliad cenedlaethol. Roedd hefyd wedi codi y gallai unrhyw gyllid cyhoeddus ychwanegol a ddarperir, fel rhan o gynlluniau canmlwyddiant yr amgueddfa, fethu â chyflawni ei amcanion bwriadedig, oni bai bod y materion a nodwyd yn cael eu harchwilio a'u mynd i'r afael â nhw yn iawn. Weinidog, beth yw eich ymateb chi i'r pryderon hyn? Ac yn dilyn ymlaen o'ch atebion cynharach, pa fath o drafodaethau ydych chi wedi eu cael gydag Amgueddfa Cymru i sicrhau hyder y cyhoedd o ran llywodraethu a rheoli ein casgliadau cenedlaethol? Minister, last week, a member of Amgueddfa Cymru staff said that the national museum had become increasingly dysfunctional and described a culture of managed decline, individual posturing, and a lack of professional stewardship of the national collection. They also raised the fact that any additional public funding provided, as part of the centenary of the museum, could fail to deliver its objectives unless the issues identified were examined and addressed properly. Minister, what is your response to those concerns? And following on from your earlier responses, what kind of discussions have you had with Amgueddfa Cymru to secure public confidence in the governance and management of our national collections? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778865 36 Cy 2026-10-14T13:49:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1140&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1140&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 hwn. Mi ydw i'n ymwybodol o'r erthygl a gyhoeddwyd ar y wefan Nation.Cymru yr ydych yn cyfeirio ati. Mi oedd o hefyd yn cynnwys ymateb gan Amgueddfa Cymru. Mi ydw i'n sicr yn fyw iawn i'r cwestiynau sy'n cael eu codi. Dwi eisiau sicrhau, fel pawb ohonoch chi, gwerth am arian. Dwi eisiau sicrhau diogelwch ein casgliadau cenedlaethol a dwi eisiau sicrhau dyfodol ein hamgueddfeydd cenedlaethol ni. Mae yna gwestiynau o ran y sefyllfa dwi wedi'i hetifeddu yr ydw i'n mynd ar eu holau. Mae yna gwestiynau byw iawn o ran sicrhau ein bod ni'n deall sut mae Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd wedi cyrraedd sefyllfa lle mae angen cymaint o wariant hefyd. Dwi eisiau dysgu gwersi fel ein bod ni'n gallu osgoi'r rheini wrth fynd rhagddo, ond yr ymrwymiad dwi'n ei roi i chi ydy ein bod ni'n gweithio gydag Amgueddfa Cymru ar ddatblygu cynigion i'r dyfodol. Ac yn ganolog i bopeth, fel roeddwn i'n ei ddweud, ydy sicrhau dyfodol ein hamgueddfeydd cenedlaethol ni a sicrhau diogelwch ein casgliadau cenedlaethol ni, oherwydd pobl Cymru sydd berchen arnyn nhw—nid y Llywodraeth, nid Amgueddfa Cymru, ond pobl Cymru, ac mae Amgueddfa Cymru yn atebol i bobl Cymru. I thank the Member for raising this issue. I am aware of that article that was published on Nation.Cymru. It also included a response from Amgueddfa Cymru. I certainly am very alive to the questions that are being raised. I, like all of you, want to ensure value for money. I want to ensure the safety of our national collections, and I want to ensure a future for our national museums. There are questions in terms of the situation that I have inherited, and I am pursuing those. There are very live issues in terms of ensuring that we understand how National Museum Cardiff has reached this position where so much expenditure is needed. I want to learn lessons so that we can avoid making the same mistakes going forward. But the commitment I give you is that we are working with Amgueddfa Cymru on developing proposals for the future. And central to everything that we want to do, as I said, is ensuring the future of our national museums and safeguarding our national collections, because they belong to the people of Wales—not the Government, not the museum, but the people of Wales, and Amgueddfa Cymru is answerable to the people of Wales.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778831 37 Cy 2026-10-14T13:50:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1200&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1200&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778837 38 Cy 2026-10-14T13:50:15 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1215&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1215&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 145 145 Paul Davies AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=145 Davies, Paul Mae sector diwylliant a chelfyddydau Cymru mewn cyfnod hollbwysig, ac mae’r dyfodol ar hyn o bryd yn edrych yn fregus iawn. Yn y cyfamser, mae amgueddfeydd cenedlaethol ledled y byd yn trawsnewid yn ofodau mwy rhyngweithiol, sy’n cael eu gyrru gan dechnoleg i ymgysylltu â chynulleidfaoedd newydd. Er enghraifft, mae’r Smithsonian wedi defnyddio podlediadau yn llwyddiannus i ddod â hanes a diwylliant i gynulleidfaoedd y tu hwnt i’w safleoedd ffisegol nhw. Mae’r Louvre wedi partneru â Snapchat i ddefnyddio offer dehongli arloesol ar gyfer chwech o’i hadrannau. Ac mae amgueddfa dwyrain V&A wedi cynnal rhaglen hwyrnos, sy’n dod â phreswylfeydd DJ, bariau dros dro, a mynediad i arddangosfeydd ar ôl oriau ynghyd. Felly, Weinidog, pa gefnogaeth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei darparu i helpu amgueddfeydd a sefydliadau diwylliannol yng Nghymru i foderneiddio, fel eu bod yn berthnasol, yn hygyrch ac yn gystadleuol mewn oes sy’n gynyddol ddigidol ac sy’n cael ei arwain gan brofiad? A beth arall y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i helpu amgueddfeydd i ddenu cynulleidfaoedd newydd, a denu cynulleidfaoedd iau hefyd? The culture and arts sector in Wales is at a crucial point, and the future now looks very vulnerable indeed. In the meantime, national museums across the globe are transforming into more interactive spaces, which are driven by technology, to engage with new audiences. For example, the Smithsonian has used podcasting successfully to bring history and culture to audiences beyond their physical sites. The Louvre has partnered with Snapchat to develop innovative interpretation equipment for six of its sections. And the V&A East museum has held a late-night programme, bringing together DJ residencies, temporary bars and access to exhibitions after hours.  So, Minister, what support is the Welsh Government providing to assist museums and other cultural organisations in Wales to modernise, so that they are relevant, accessible and competitive in an age that is increasingly digital and experience led? And what else can the Welsh Government do to help museums to attract new audiences, and to attract younger audiences too? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778853 39 Cy 2026-10-14T13:51:35 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1295&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1295&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Dwi’n meddwl y byddwch chi yn debygol iawn rŵan o dderbyn gwahoddiad gan Amgueddfa Cymru i fynychu rhai o’u digwyddiadau hwyrnos nhw. Dwi heb fynychu fy hun, ond mae nhw eisoes wedi bod yn gwneud hyn, ac mae wedi bod yn wych gweld y croesdoriad o oedrannau wrth i’r gofodau hyn ddod yn fyw ar adeg o’r nos pan dwi fel arfer yn fy ngwely erbyn hyn, yn anffodus. Ond mae yna waith arloesol yn digwydd. Dwi wedi gweld esiamplau gwych o hyn ledled Cymru. Mae yna esiamplau wedi bod o allu aros dros nos yn rhai o’n hamgueddfeydd ni ac ati, efo’ch plant, night at the museum—ddim cweit fel y ffilm, ond y math yna o awyrgylch. Felly, dwi ddim eisiau rhoi'r argraff nad ydyn ni'n arloesi yma yng Nghymru. Ydw i’n credu bod yna fwy o gyfleoedd? Ydw. Ydw i’n credu, drwy’r strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon, ei bod hi’n angenrheidiol bod digidol yn fwy amlwg? Ydw, yn sicr. Felly, dwi’n meddwl bod angen adeiladu ar y gwaith arloesol sy’n digwydd, ac edrych ar y math o bethau y gallem ni fod yn eu gwneud yma yng Nghymru. Trwy ddod â’r diwydiannau creadigol yn rhan o’r strategaeth ddiwylliant, dwi’n meddwl bod yna gyfle hefyd i ddatblygu partneriaethau rhwng y diwydiannau creadigol a’n sefydliadau diwylliannol ni, a bod hwnna’n rhan o’r strategaeth o ran yr economi hefyd. Felly, mae yna gyfleoedd i wneud mwy, ond mae yna arloesi eisoes yn digwydd. Mae eisiau gweld mwy ohono fo, a mwy o fuddsoddi yn y strategaeth y tu ôl i hynny. I think you are very likely to receive an invitation shortly from Amgueddfa Cymru to go to some their late-night events. I haven't attended any of those myself, but they have been doing these for quite a while now, and it's been great to see that cross-section of ages as these spaces become live at a time of night when I'm usually in bed, unfortunately. But there is very innovative work going on.  I have seen excellent examples of this across Wales. There have been examples of being able to stay overnight in some of our museums and so on, with your children, a night at the museum—not quite like the film, but that kind of atmosphere. So, I don't want to give the impression that we are not innovating here in Wales. Do I believe that there are more opportunities we could pursue? Yes. Do I believe that through our new culture and sport strategy it is necessary that digital is more prominent? Yes, I certainly do. So, I think that we need to build on the innovative work that's happening, looking at the kind of things that we could be doing here in Wales. And by bringing the creative industries into that culture strategy, I think there is also an opportunity to develop partnerships between the creative industries and our cultural institutions, and that that is part of the strategy for the economy as well. So, there are opportunities to do more, but there is already innovation going on. We need to see more of that, and more investment in the strategy underlying it.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778867 40 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Cymryd Rhan mewn Chwaraeon Participation in Sport 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778868 41 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12154 12154 Catherine Cullen AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12154 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12154 Cullen, Catherine 3. Pa gamau mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet yn eu cymryd i sicrhau nad yw'r gost a'r lleoliad yn atal pobl ifanc rhag cymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon? OQ64703 3. What action is the Cabinet Minister taking to ensure that cost and location do not prevent young people from participating in sport? OQ64703 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778869 42 Cy 2026-10-14T13:53:14 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1394&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1394&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Mae hyn yn ganolog i’n gweledigaeth ni ar gyfer y strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon newydd. Yn ein 100 diwrnod cyntaf mewn Llywodraeth, fe wnaethom ni gomisiynu archwiliad i gyfleusterau chwaraeon ledled Cymru, a thrwy Chwaraeon Cymru, mi rydyn ni’n buddsoddi mewn cyfleoedd lleol sydd yn fforddiadwy, yn cefnogi clybiau cymunedol i wella cyfleusterau, gyda gweithredu wedi’i dargedu i gyrraedd y rhai sy’n wynebu’r rhwystrau mwyaf o ran cyfranogiad. This is central to our vision for the culture and sport strategy. In our first 100 days in Government, we commissioned an investigation into sports facilities across Wales, and through Sport Wales, we are investing in affordable local opportunities, supporting community clubs to improve facilities, with targeted action to reach those who face the greatest barriers to participation. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778879 43 En 2026-10-14T13:53:40 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1420&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1420&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12154 12154 Catherine Cullen AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12154 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12154 Cullen, Catherine Diolch, Drefnydd. In Blaenau Gwent, 49 per cent of children experience income deprivation—that's the highest proportion of any local authority in Wales. Meanwhile, in Caerphilly borough, Cefn Fforest leisure centre has had its hours reduced, with local reports highlighting a massive decline in visits compared to before the change. Behind every lost visit, as we know, is a child disengaging from sport, a missed opportunity and potential left unfulfilled. Families in deprived communities can't always travel to the next leisure centre, particularly in areas with limited cross-valley transport links. We know that sport improves physical and mental well-being, builds confidence and opens doors for young people. So, what specific investment can Blaenau Gwent, Rhymney and Caerphilly expect, and will you prioritise maintaining vital existing facilities in the deprived communities, rather than directing further investment towards areas that are already better served? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778883 44 Cy 2026-10-14T13:54:39 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1479&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1479&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Dwi wedi bod yn glir ers dod yn Weinidog ein bod ni eisiau sicrhau mynediad cydradd i bawb yng Nghymru, a’n bod ni yn cydnabod y rhwystrau sy’n bodoli ar y funud—rhwystrau y mae’n rhaid i fi weithio ar sail trawsbortffolio i'w goresgyn. Dwi’n falch bod Mark Hooper yma rŵan—rydyn ni wedi cael amryw o drafodaethau o ran y rôl mae trafnidiaeth yn ei chwarae o ran galluogi mynediad neu atal mynediad at gyfleusterau a chyfleoedd. Dwi'n gwybod drwy waith achos fy hun am amryw o deuluoedd sydd wedi cysylltu efo fi i ddweud os nad oes ganddyn nhw gar, pa mor heriol ydy o i'w plant nhw fod yn rhan o dîm pêl-droed neu rygbi, oherwydd eu bod nhw'n methu eu cael i gemau ar benwythnosau, gyda llai o glybiau'n gallu fforddio cael bws mini, lle oedd ganddyn nhw yn y gorffennol. Mae'r rhain yn heriau ac nid oes datrysiadau dros nos chwaith. Mae yna fuddsoddiad yn digwydd drwy'r rhaglen cyfleusterau cymunedol ym Mlaenau Gwent a hefyd drwy Chwaraeon Cymru yng Nghaerffili. Dwi'n meddwl mai'r hyn rydyn ni angen edrych arno fo ydy os ydyn ni'n buddsoddi mewn cyfleusterau, sut wedyn ydyn ni'n cefnogi pobl i oresgyn y rhwystrau eraill sy'n eu hatal nhw rhag cyfranogi. Mae yna raglenni gwych yng Nghaerffili, megis Let's Go Girls, sy'n esiampl wych lle maen nhw'n gallu cefnogi hynny. Ond fel rhan o edrych ar strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon, dwi'n awyddus iawn i glywed yn uniongyrchol gan bobl ifanc a chan deuluoedd am yr heriau y maen nhw'n eu profi rŵan, a byddwn i'n annog pob Aelod o'r Senedd i gyfrannu syniadau at yr hyn a fyddai'n gwneud gwahaniaeth i'ch etholwyr chi. I have been clear since taking post that we do want to ensure equal access for everyone in Wales, and that we do recognise the barriers that currently exist—barriers that I have to work on a cross-portfolio basis to overcome. I’m pleased that Mark Hooper is here—we’ve had a number of discussions in relation to the role that transport plays in allowing access to opportunities and facilities. I know through my own casework of a number of families who have been in touch with me to say that if they don't have a car, just how challenging it is for their children to be part of a football or rugby team, because they can't get to games on the weekends. Fewer clubs can afford to get minibuses, where they may have done so in the past. These are challenges and there are no overnight solutions. There is investment taking place through the community facilities programme in Blaenau Gwent and also through Sport Wales in Caerphilly. I do think that what we need to look at is that if we are investing in facilities, how then can we support people to overcome the other barriers preventing them from participating. There are excellent programmes in Caerphilly, such as Let's Go Girls, which is an excellent example where they can provide support. But in looking at the culture and sport strategy more broadly, I'm eager to hear directly from young people and from families about the challenges that they're currently experiencing, and I would encourage all Senedd Members to contribute ideas to what would make a difference to your constituents.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778842 45 Cy 2026-10-14T13:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1500&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1500&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778847 46 En 2026-10-14T13:56:18 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1578&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1578&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12175 12175 Shav Taj AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12175 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12175 Taj, Shav In Cardiff, affordable indoor sport provision is essential given our reputation as a rainy city, yet rising court and hall hire costs are increasingly pricing out grass-roots clubs and working-class families. At the same time, it took 10 years of campaigning and partnership working between Basketball Wales and Cardiff Council to secure refurbishment of the outdoor courts at Roath Pleasure Gardens—a project that's going to be a genuine game-changer for the local community. Whilst investment in facilities is welcome, many young people still face financial barriers to participation. So, what specific action is the Welsh Government taking to support grass-roots clubs and ensure that a young person's opportunity to play sport is determined by their talent and ambition, not their postcode or their parents' ability to cough up?  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778861 47 Cy 2026-10-14T13:57:04 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1624&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1624&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Dyna'r union waith rydyn ni yn ei wneud rŵan drwy weithio'n drawsbortffolio. Mae'r ffaith ein bod ni wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau, drwy'r strategaeth tlodi plant newydd, fod diwylliant, chwaraeon a'r cyfranogiad at y rheini'n rhan ganolog o'r gwaith yn bwysig. Dwi'n meddwl bod y ffaith wedi bod yn y gorffennol efallai nad yw hynny wedi bod yn ddigon o ffactor. Rydyn ni i gyd yn gwybod am y rhwystrau sydd yna. Rydyn ni'n gwybod bod y bwlch o ran cyfranogiad yn cynyddu yn ddibynnol ar incwm teuluol, ac nid dyna sut y dylai hi fod. Felly, dwi'n gofyn i chi, yr holl Aelodau sydd efo esiamplau o brosiectau sy'n gwneud gwahaniaeth, lle ydych chi'n meddwl y dylen ni fod yn canolbwyntio'r adnoddau, i rannu hynny efo ni wrth inni ddatblygu strategaeth sydd wirioneddol yn mynd i fynd i'r afael efo'r heriau hyn.  Dwi'n cytuno bod yna bocedi gwych o waith yn digwydd yng Nghaerdydd ac mewn gwahanol lefydd o Gymru, ond, yn aml, mae rhai cynlluniau peilota yn dod i ben, er ein bod ni'n gwybod eu bod nhw'n gweithio. Dwi eisiau sicrhau, os oes yna beilot, ein bod ni'n edrych ar a oes yna gyllid ar gael i barhau efo'r gwaith hwnnw. Mae yna hefyd rai cynlluniau lle mae yna nawdd yn dod i mewn, lle mae rhai busnesau sydd efo incwm ac yn gallu rhoi mwy o fudd i mewn i'r gymuned, bod hwnnw wedyn yn cael ei dargedu a'i gefnogi er mwyn caniatáu cynlluniau o'r fath. Does gen i ddim o'r holl atebion o ran 'sut' ar y funud, ond mae hwn yn rhan o'r gwaith rydyn ni'n ei wneud. Thank you. That's the very work that we're doing now by working on a cross-portfolio basis. The fact that we have committed to ensuring, through the new child poverty strategy, that culture, sport and participation in those is a central part of that work is important. The fact in the past has been that that hasn't been a sufficient factor. We all know of the barriers in place. We all know that the participation gap is widening, reliant on family income, and that's not how it should be. So, I am asking you all, Members who have examples of projects that are truly making a difference, where do you think we should be focusing our resources. Please share those with us as we develop a strategy that truly will tackle these challenges. I agree that there are excellent pockets of practice in Cardiff and in different parts of Wales, but, often, pilot schemes come to an end, although we know that they work. I do want to ensure, if there is a pilot, that we then look as to whether there is funding available to continue with that work. There are also some projects where sponsorship comes in and some businesses who can provide more into the community, that that is targeted and supported in order to allow those projects to proceed. I don't have all of the solutions in terms of 'how' at the moment, but this is part of the work we're undertaking.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778866 48 En 2026-10-14T13:58:36 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1716&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1716&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12141 12141 Zaynub Akbar AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12141 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12141 Akbar, Zaynub Participating in sport brings many benefits, as we all know. It provides physical health, mental health and well-being, while also providing opportunities to build community and bring people together. But barriers to participation can prevent people from accessing these benefits altogether. Sport Wales's 'State of the Nation' report for 2024-25 notes that two of the three factors most likely to encourage future participation in sport are if there were more facilities, clubs or groups in their area, and if it cost less. There are pockets in my constituency of Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, more specifically in Cardiff east, where public transport is infrequent and expensive. And with the decline in youth centres and community facilities in recent years following cuts, it feels as though this problem is only getting worse. I appreciate you've already answered part of this question, but I wanted to ask what action is being taken to measure and address transport-related barriers specifically, and how you're working with the Deputy Minister for Transport to make sure that there is participation for low-income families. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778873 49 Cy 2026-10-14T13:59:40 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1780&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1780&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Fel roeddwn i'n ei ddweud, mae'r rhain yn sgyrsiau byw iawn. Mae'r ffaith bod gyda ni Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog sydd yn arwain ar dlodi plant, bod gyda ni Mark Hooper sydd yn arwain ar drafnidiaeth, bod gyda chi fi, bod gennym ni Nerys Evans, sydd yn edrych o ran yr ochr iechyd ataliol ac iechyd cyhoeddus, yn cydweithio ar hyn er mwyn sicrhau bod y cynlluniau rydyn ni'n eu rhoi yn mynd i'r afael â'r heriau yma, gobeithio yn rhoi'r sicrwydd i chi ein bod ni i gyd yn gweld y rôl sydd gennym ni i'w chwarae. Dwi ddim jest yma'n sefyll yn dweud, 'Mae hon yn broblem i drafnidiaeth', ond beth dŷn ni'n trio cydweithio arno fo ydy, 'Beth ydy'r datrysiadau hynny? Sut ydyn ni'n ei wneud o'n fwy fforddiadwy?' Oherwydd, ar ddiwedd y dydd, os nad ydy pobl yn cael mynediad at chwaraeon a'n gallu cyfranogi, yna maen nhw'n mynd i gostio mwy o arian i'r gwasanaeth iechyd yn y pen draw, boed hynny o ran iechyd meddwl neu iechyd corfforol. Mae'r ochr ataliol yn allweddol bwysig, ond dwi yn cydnabod bod yr heriau hyn yn real ar y funud. Dŷn ni ddim yn mynd i newid hyn dros nos, ond mae'n rhaid inni symud at agenda ataliol yma yng Nghymru, a dyna'r ymrwymiad sydd gan y Llywodraeth hon. Thank you. As I said, these are ongoing conversations. The fact that we have the Deputy First Minister leading on child poverty, the fact that we have Mark Hooper leading on transport, that you have me, and that we also have Nerys Evans, who is looking at the preventative health aspect and public health aspects, all working on this in order to ensure that the plans that we put in place do tackle these challenges, I hope can give you an assurance that we all understand the role that we have to play. I'm not just standing here saying, 'This is a problem for transport', but what we're trying to work together on is the solutions and on how we can make it more affordable. Because, at the end of the day, if people can't access sport and can't participate, then, ultimately, they're going to cost more to the health service, be that because of mental health or physical health. That preventative side is crucially important, but I do recognise that these challenges are very real at present. We're not going to change this overnight, but we do have to move to a preventative agenda here in Wales, and that is this Government's commitment. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778840 50 Cy 2026-10-14T14:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1800&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1800&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778855 51 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Mynediad at Chwaraeon Access to Sport 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778856 52 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn sicrhau bod cyfranogiad mewn chwaraeon yn hygyrch i bawb yn Afan Ogwr Rhondda? OQ64712 4. How is the Government ensuring that participation in sport is accessible to all in Afan Ogwr Rhondda? OQ64712 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778857 53 Cy 2026-10-14T14:00:59 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1859&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1859&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 y cwestiwn. Rydyn ni'n gweithio drwy Chwaraeon Cymru a phartneriaid lleol i wneud chwaraeon yn hygyrch i bawb yn Afan Ogwr Rhondda. Rydw i eisoes wedi sôn bod yna heriau a rhwystrau'n bodoli, a drwy'r strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon newydd, dŷn ni eisiau mynd i'r afael efo'r rhwystrau hynny. I thank the Member for the question. We are working through Sport Wales and local partners to make sport accessible to everyone in Afan Ogwr Rhondda. I have already mentioned that there are challenges and barriers in place, and through the new culture and sport strategy, we want to address those barriers. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778854 54 Cy 2026-10-14T14:01:17 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1877&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1877&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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, Weinidog. A dylwn i fod wedi dechrau trwy ddweud, 'Shwmae?' Thank you, Minister. I should've started by saying, 'Shwmae?' 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778863 55 En 2026-10-14T14:01:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1882&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1882&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 4491 4491 Alun Cox AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4491 Cox, Alun Minister, the programme for government commits to prioritising equality of access to sport for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, as well as increasing participation and improving grass-roots facilities. Back in June, I had the opportunity to visit the Margam Stags inclusion football festival, bringing together children and young people of different ages and abilities. The Margam Football Club Inclusion Stags are well known in my constituency for the invaluable opportunities they provide for people who might otherwise face significant barriers to taking part in sport. I also recently visited Afan United's brand-new facilities in Sandfields, where a major investment has transformed the site into a high-quality community football hub. This has put modern sporting facilities right on the doorstep of a community where levels of deprivation are high. These are the kinds of projects that can make equality of access a reality and give young people opportunities they might not otherwise have had. Minister, how will the Government ensure that its commitment to improve grass-roots facilities is targeted towards those communities and groups where barriers to participation are greatest? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778876 56 Cy 2026-10-14T14:02:29 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=1949&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=1949&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 y cwestiwn ychwanegol hwnnw. Mae'n wych clywed am y prosiectau pwysig yma sydd yn digwydd rŵan, ac un o'r pethau dwi'n gobeithio y byddwch chi ac Aelodau eraill yn ei wneud, drwy'r alwad am dystiolaeth, ydy gyrru esiamplau lle mae hyn yn digwydd. Dydy o ddim yn rhywbeth a all ddigwydd yn y dyfodol, mae o'n digwydd yn ein cymunedau ni rŵan. Ond mae yna risg, heb fuddsoddiad, na fydd y gwaith hwnnw'n ddigwydd, a hefyd, fel dŷch chi wedi sôn, fod yna anghyfartaledd, oherwydd os nad ydych chi efo'r grŵp hwnnw, yna does yna ddim cyfle i gyfranogi. Felly, mae'n bwysig ein bod ni'n dysgu o'r esiamplau hynny sydd yn gweithio a'n bod ni'n edrych wedyn ar sut mae hynny'n dyblygu ac yn dyblygu mewn ffordd sydd yn gweithio i'r gymuned honno, oherwydd mi fydd pob cymuned yn wahanol o ran y datrysiadau. Ond yn sicr, dyna'r math o dystiolaeth dŷn ni'n ei chasglu ar y funud. Dwi wastad yn barod iawn i ymweld efo unrhyw esiamplau hefyd; dwi'n agor fy hun i fyny am wahoddiadau pellach. Ond mae'n bwysig hefyd ein bod ni'n uwcholeuo'r cyfleoedd sydd eisoes yn bodoli, oherwydd nid yw rhai pobl yn gwybod beth sydd ar gael yn eu cymunedau nhw. Felly, mae yna rôl i ni i gyd hefyd fod yn defnyddio'r platfformau sydd gennym ni i rannu'r wybodaeth honno. Mae yna fwy y medrwn ni ei wneud hefyd drwy bethau fel social prescribing i fod yn annog y rheini sydd yn dal i'w chael hi'n anodd, hyd yn oed pan mae'r math yna o gyfleuster ar gael yn lleol. I thank the Member for that supplementary question. It's great to hear about the important projects that are currently proceeding, and one of the things that I hope that you and other Members will do, through that call for evidence, is to provide those examples where this is happening. It's not something that can happen in the future, it is already happening in our communities. But there is a risk that, without investment, that work won't continue, and also, as you mentioned, that there is an inequality of access, because if you don't have that group, then you don't have an opportunity to participate.  So, it's important that we learn from those examples that work, and then we look at how that can be duplicated in a way that works for that community, because all communities will be different in terms of solutions. But certainly, that's the kind of evidence that we are gathering at the moment. I'm always willing to visit any examples; I am opening myself up to further invitations here. But it is also important that we highlight the opportunities that already exist, because some people simply aren't aware of what's available in their communities. So, there is a role for us too to be using our platforms in order to share that information. There is more that we can do too through things like social prescribing in order to encourage those who find it difficult, even when that kind of facility or provision is available locally. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778895 57 En 2026-10-14T14:03:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2039&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2039&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 8696 8696 Steve Bayliss AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8696 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8696 Bayliss, Steve Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Cabinet Minister, accessible sport means good facilities close to home, with affordable, fair access to every club, school and girls' team. I welcome your expansion support for artificial pitches. In May 2024, the then Cabinet Secretary told this Chamber that the Rhondda third generation facility was a Welsh Rugby Union priority, with Coleg y Cymoedd identified as a potential solution. She urged partners to work towards applying in the following financial year. More than two years on, our community needs a clear route forward. Will you confirm whether an application has been submitted for that proposal, and whether this year's funding could support a modern fourth generation all-weather rugby pitch that meets the required standards for training and competitive matches while the Sport Wales audit proceeds? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778904 58 En 2026-10-14T14:04:54 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2094&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2094&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Thank you for your question. I don't know, but I will endeavour to find out what the situation is. You will also appreciate that it was a different party and a different Minister that gave that response at that time, but I'm happy to follow up and ensure you receive that response. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778845 59 En 2026-10-14T14:05:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2100&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2100&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778848 60 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B E-chwaraeon Esports 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778849 61 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12142 12142 Benjamin Hodge Mckenna AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12142 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12142 Hodge Mckenna, Benjamin 5. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i hyrwyddo twf e-chwaraeon yng Nghymru? OQ64683 5. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote the growth of esports in Wales? OQ64683 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778850 62 Cy 2026-10-14T14:05:17 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2117&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2117&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Mae Cymru Greadigol wedi cefnogi Esports Wales i ddatblygu sgiliau a llwybrau gyrfaol creadigol sy'n gysylltiedig ag e-chwaraeon. Rydyn ni'n ystyried cynigion ar gyfer buddsoddiad economaidd mewn e-chwaraeon wrth iddynt godi, a dŷn ni'n parhau i gefnogi diwydiant gemau fideo ehangach Cymru drwy gyllid datblygu a chynhyrchu, rhaglenni sgiliau a chyfleoedd masnach. Er enghraifft, ym mis Medi mi aethon ni â dirprwyaeth o wyth o ddatblygwyr gemau o Gymru i'r Tokyo Game Show. Ond fel clywsoch chi yn fy ymateb i Mike Hedges yn gynharach, mae yna fwy, dwi'n credu, y gallem ni fod yn ei wneud, a byddwn ni'n edrych ar hwn fel datblygiad strategaeth newydd. Creative Wales have supported Esports Wales to develop skills and creative career pathways linked to esports. We actively consider proposals for economic investment in esports as they arise, and we continue to support Wales’s wider video games industry through development and production funding, skills programmes and trade opportunities. For example, in September we took a delegation of eight Welsh games developers to the Tokyo Game Show. But as you heard in my response to Mike Hedges earlier on today, there is more that I believe we could be doing, and we will be looking into this as we develop a new strategy. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778864 63 En 2026-10-14T14:05:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2157&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2157&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12142 12142 Benjamin Hodge Mckenna AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12142 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12142 Hodge Mckenna, Benjamin Thank you. Esports is something that I'm deeply passionate about, and I didn't expect, before coming down to the Chamber today, to be beaten to the post by the Labour spokesman on this issue, but I'm glad that it has happened. One area that I'd like to talk about is the benefits that esports events could bring to Wales. Stockton University in the United States described esports tournaments and events as 'the untapped tourism opportunity'. The Greater London Authority recently estimated that a single esports event, the 2025 BLAST Premier London Open, generated more than £30 million of economic impact for the city. Now, the mayor of London has recently set out an ambition to put London at the heart of global esports, and I see no reason why we shouldn't have a similar ambition here in Wales so that we can enjoy the benefits of this growing industry. So, will you commit today to take positive action to help attract more esports events to Wales? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778878 64 Cy 2026-10-14T14:06:54 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2214&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2214&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 am y cwestiwn. Dwi'n credu bod yna grŵp trawsbleidiol newydd yn mynd i gael ei ddechrau ar esports. Mae gennym ni ddwy blaid eisoes wedi ymrwymo i hynny, a gobeithio bod y sicrwydd dwi wedi ei roi fy mod i'n cydnabod y gallem ni fod yn gwneud mwy o ran esports yng Nghymru—. Dwi'n cytuno efo hynny, a dwi'n awyddus iawn i glywed syniadau gan unrhyw Aelodau o ran sut y byddem ni'n gallu ymgorffori hynny o fewn strategaeth newydd. Thank you for the question. I believe that there's a new cross-party group going to be set up on esports. We have two parties here who have already committed to that, and hopefully the assurance I've given you that I recognise that we could be doing more in terms of esports in Wales—. I agree with that, and I am very keen to hear ideas from any Members in terms of how we could incorporate that within a new strategy. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778884 65 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Nofio a Diogelwch Dŵr Swimming and Water Safety 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778885 66 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 6. A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet roi diweddariad ar y rhaglen genedlaethol newydd nofio a diogelwch dŵr i ysgolion? OQ64701 6. Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the new national school swimming and water safety programme? OQ64701 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778886 67 Cy 2026-10-14T14:07:31 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2251&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2251&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Mae Nofio Ysgol yn rhaglen genedlaethol newydd ar gyfer nofio a diogelwch dŵr ysgolion, sy'n darparu cynnig cenedlaethol cyson o o leiaf 20 o wersi nofio a diogelwch dŵr i ddisgyblion blynyddoedd 4 a 5. Mi ddechreuodd y gwaith hwn mewn naw awdurdod lleol yn barod ym mis Medi, gan nodi cam cyntaf y cyflwyniad fydd wedyn ledled Cymru. I thank the Member. Nofio Ysgol is our new national school swimming and water safety programme, providing pupils in years 4 and 5 with a consistent national offer of at least 20 swimming and water safety lessons. This work began in nine local authorities in September, marking the first phase of a planned Wales-wide roll-out. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778897 68 En 2026-10-14T14:07:59 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2279&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2279&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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 Learning to swim is one of the best gifts you can give a child. I have had the privilege of swimming in the Hampstead Heath ponds, the Serpentine, Lake Bled, off the Isle of Skye and a good deal of the west coast, and one day I'm going to do a swimathon again. It is a skill that you can keep for life, takes you to places you would never dream of and takes you around the world. But not every child has the benefit of that kind of start. Swim Wales found that only 42 per cent of children in years 3 to 6 could swim 25m unaided, which is a serious figure for a country with our coastline, and it's also a safety issue. So, I welcome this programme, but could the Cabinet Minister please outline how it will get to grips with teaching children in areas where there is little provision or where the pools have closed down, as free lessons are not much use if there's no place to have them? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778903 69 Cy 2026-10-14T14:08:53 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2333&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2333&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Dyna yn union pam dŷn ni'n edrych ar gyfleusterau ledled Cymru hefyd, a dyna pam dŷn ni'n dechrau efo naw awdurdod lleol sydd mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru—rhai yn wledig, lle mae yna byllau nofio wedi cau—i ddeall yr heriau hynny a deall sut dŷn ni'n blaenoriaethu buddsoddiad. Dŷn ni yn gwybod ar y funud mai dim ond 13 y cant o blant dan 11 oed sy'n cymryd gwersi nofio allgyrsiol. Dŷn ni hefyd yn gwybod bod yna filoedd o blant yn gadael ysgol gynradd bob blwyddyn sy'n methu â nofio. Mae hi yn sgìl sy'n gallu achub bywyd. Mae hi yn sgìl sy'n gallu eich cadw chi'n actif drwy gydol eich oes, oherwydd mae'n un o'r unig chwaraeon dŷch chi yn gallu eu gwneud dim ots pa oed ydych chi hefyd. Felly, dyna pam dŷn ni wedi ymrwymo i hyn, ac mi oedd o'n wych gweld, mewn ymweliad diweddar gyda'r Prif Weinidog, y gwersi hyn ar waith, a gweld hyd yn oed y plant hynny oedd yn gallu nofio yn datblygu eu sgiliau o ran achub bywyd a hefyd beth i wneud mewn sefyllfa os oedden nhw'n disgyn i'r dŵr heb rybudd neu mewn cyfleusterau lle mae'r dŵr yn oer iawn neu i ddeall y peryglon. Dydy o ddim jest yn fater o ddysgu pobl i nofio, ond dysgu'r sgiliau all arbed bywyd hefyd.  Thank you. That is exactly why we are looking at facilities across Wales, and that is why we are starting with nine local authorities in different parts of Wales—some rural, where swimming pools have closed down—to understand those challenges and to understand how we prioritise investment. We do know at the moment that only 13 per cent of children under 11 do take swimming lessons on an extracurricular basis. We also know that there are thousands of children that leave primary school every year being unable to swim. It is a skill that can save lives. It's a skill that can keep you active throughout your life as well, because it's one of the few sports that you can do at any age. So, that is why we are committed to this, and it was wonderful to see, at a recent visit with the First Minister, these lessons being provided, and seeing even those children who could already swim developing their skills in terms of saving lives and what to do in a position if they were to fall into water unexpectedly or in facilities where the water is very cold, so that they understood the dangers. It's not just a matter of learning to swim, but learning life-saving skills too. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778875 70 Cy 2026-10-14T14:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2400&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2400&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778880 71 En 2026-10-14T14:10:14 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2414&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2414&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778882 72 Cy 2026-10-14T14:10:21 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2421&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2421&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779009 73 Cy 2026-10-14T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=-48600&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779012 74 Cy 2026-10-14T14:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2400&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2400&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779016 75 Cy 2026-10-14T14:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2400&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2400&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779014 76 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Cyfleusterau Chwaraeon Sports Facilities 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779015 77 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 4967 4967 Lyn Ackerman AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4967 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4967 Ackerman, Lyn 7. A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet roi diweddariad ar archwiliad Chwaraeon Cymru o gyfleusterau chwaraeon rhanbarthol a chymunedol? OQ64715 7. Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the Sport Wales audit of regional and community sports facilities? OQ64715 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779021 78 Cy 2026-10-14T14:10:22 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2422&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2422&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Mae'r gwaith hwn yn mynd rhagddo yn adolygu'r wybodaeth sy'n cael ei gadw gan gyrff llywodraethu, awdurdodau lleol a phartneriaid eraill i greu darlun cenedlaethol o gyfleusterau chwaraeon cymunedol, rhanbarthol a chenedlaethol ledled Cymru. Mae'r gwaith cychwynnol hwn yn dechrau nodi bylchau yn y dystiolaeth ac yn datblygu opsiynau ar gyfer cyflwyno a chynnal y data, gan helpu i lywio buddsoddiad cyfalaf mwy strategol yn y dyfodol. I thank the Member. This work is going ahead, reviewing the information held by governing bodies, local authorities and other partners to build a national picture of community, regional and national sports facilities across Wales. This initial work will start by identifying gaps in the evidence and developing options for presenting and maintaining the data, helping to inform future strategic capital investment. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778896 79 En 2026-10-14T14:10:52 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2452&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2452&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 4967 4967 Lyn Ackerman AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4967 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=4967 Ackerman, Lyn Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre remains open, but Caerphilly council significantly reduced its opening hours in 2025 and closed the fitness suite. Will the Sport Wales data capture include changes to opening hours, the facility availability at each site and the distance to alternative provision, so that the future capital investment reflects the level of provision communities have access to? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778900 80 Cy 2026-10-14T14:11:17 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2477&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2477&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Mae'r cam cyntaf yn edrych ar y lleoliadau. Dŷn ni hefyd yn edrych ar ba ddata ychwanegol sydd ar gael, gan gynnwys oriau agor ac ati. Yr hyn sydd yn anodd ar y funud ydy bod gennym ni ddim darlun llawn er mwyn deall beth ydy'r rhwystrau a beth ydy'r pethau all newid a lle byddai buddsoddiad yn neud y gwahaniaeth. Felly, mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n mynd rhagddo ac mi fyddaf i'n sicrhau fy mod i wedi codi efo Chwaraeon Cymru yr hyn dŷch chi wedi ei godi heddiw, i sicrhau bod oriau agor yn rhan o hynny, er mwyn inni allu gweld y darlun mwyaf llawn posibl. Mae yna heriau, oherwydd mae rhai awdurdodau lleol efo'r data hwn, ond dŷn ni'n gwybod bod lot o awdurdodau lleol hefyd wedi 'outsource-io' rhai o'r gwasanaethau hyn, felly mae o yn anodd cael at y data, ond dŷn ni yn trio cael darlun mor llawn ag sy'n bosibl. The initial phase is looking at the sites. We are also looking at what additional data is available, including on opening hours and so forth. What's difficult at the moment is that we don't have a full picture in order to be able to understand what the barriers are and what are the things that could change and where investment would make that difference. So, that work is going ahead, and I will ensure that I have raised with Sport Wales what you've raised today, to ensure that opening hours form part of that, so that we can try and see the fullest possible picture. There are challenges, because some local authorities hold this data, but we know that a lot of local authorities also have outsourced some of these services, so it is difficult to access that data in some cases, but we are trying to get the fullest possible picture. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778905 81 Cy 2026-10-14T14:12:12 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2532&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2532&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. A'r cwestiwn olaf, Weinidog, cwestiwn 8, Safa Elhassan. Thank you. The final question, Minister, question 8, Safa Elhassan. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778906 82 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport B Mynediad at Weithgareddau Diwylliannol, Chwaraeon a Hamdden Access to Cultural, Sporting and Recreational Activities 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778907 83 Cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport O 12189 12189 Safa Elhassan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12189 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12189 Elhassan, Safa 8. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella mynediad at weithgareddau diwylliannol, chwaraeon a hamdden yng Ngŵyr Abertawe? OQ64707 8. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve access to cultural, sporting and recreational activities in Gŵyr Abertawe? OQ64707 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778908 84 Cy 2026-10-14T14:12:31 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2551&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2551&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 426 426 Heledd Fychan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=426 Fychan, Heledd Mae Llywodraeth Cymru, a minnau fel Gweinidog, wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod diwylliant a chwaraeon yn hygyrch i bawb. Drwy'r gwaith ar ddatblygu strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon, rydyn ni'n edrych ar sut y gallwn ni gefnogi'r nod hwnnw. Drwy'r alwad am dystiolaeth, dŷn ni eisiau clywed gan bobl ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys yng Ngŵyr Abertawe, er mwyn sicrhau bod ystod eang o leisiau a phrofiadau yn llywio'r modd mae pobl yn cael mynediad at ddiwylliant, y celfyddydau a chwaraeon. The Welsh Government, and myself as Minister, are committed to ensuring that culture and sport are accessible to everyone. he work on developing a new culture and sport strategy for Wales is enabling us to look at how we can support that aim. Through the call for evidence, we want to hear from people in communities across Wales, including in Gŵyr Abertawe, ensuring that a broad range of voices and experiences helps shape how culture, the arts and sport are accessed and experienced. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778917 85 En 2026-10-14T14:13:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2580&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2580&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 12189 12189 Safa Elhassan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12189 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12189 Elhassan, Safa Diolch, Minister. On a recent visit to Sketty Youth Club, alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Welsh Language, I saw first-hand how a welcoming community centre can bring children, parents and grandparents together through outdoor activities. Groups such as Sketty Tea Lounge 50-plus club also show how important it is to create opportunities for older people to stay active, connected and engaged. In Swansea bay, the HARBWR project provides another excellent example, using creative and cultural activities to support people experiencing loneliness and poor mental health. As a clinician, I know that prevention starts long before someone reaches a hospital or a GP surgery. How will the culture and sports strategy help bring community organisations and health services together, so that more people across Gŵyr Abertawe can benefit from affordable cultural and recreational activities to improve well-being and help prevent ill health? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778922 86 Cy 2026-10-14T14:13:59 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2639&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2639&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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. Mae'n wych clywed am y pethau rhagorol sydd yn digwydd yn eich etholaeth chi, a dwi wir yn mwynhau clywed am yr esiamplau hyn. Dyna pam y mae o yn bwysig bod pawb ohonon ni yn cyfrannu y syniadau hyn a'r enghreifftiau hyn i ddatblygiad y strategaeth, fel ein bod ni'n edrych ar sicrhau'r cysondeb hwnnw. Dwi'n gobeithio bod yr ymrwymiad dŷch chi wedi'i glywed gen i eto heddiw, ymrwymiadau dŷch chi wedi eu clywed gan y Gweinidog Cabinet dros iechyd a'r ddwy Ddirprwy Weinidogion o ran iechyd, hefyd yn dangos ein bod ni yn gweithio ar y cyd o ran y mater yma. Dwi wedi cael llond bol, a dwi wedi dweud yn rheolaidd, o ddarllen adroddiadau sydd yn dweud bod angen i Gymru symud at agenda ataliol, fod yn rhaid i'r gwaith hwnnw ddechrau, ac mae'r gwaith hwnnw wedi dechrau. Mae'n mynd i gymryd amser i newid y systemau, ond mae'n rhaid i ni ei wneud. Dŷn ni'n gwybod bod diwylliant a chwaraeon yn cael effaith gadarnhaol ar iechyd corfforol ac iechyd meddyliol, felly y gwaith dŷn ni'n ei wneud rŵan ydy ar sut dŷn ni'n sicrhau bod yr holl systemau sydd wedi gweithredu ar wahân yn cyd-fynd, a'n bod ni'n gallu cael potensial diwylliant a chwaraeon wedi'i wireddu o ran iechyd, o ran yr economi ac o ran dyfodol ein cenedl. I thank the Member. It's wonderful to hear about the excellent things happening in your constituency, and I do enjoy hearing of these examples. That's why it is so important that all of us do contribute these ideas and these examples to the development of the strategy, so that we seek to ensure that consistency. I do hope that the commitment that you've heard from me again today, commitments that you've heard from the Cabinet Minister for health and the two Deputy Ministers on health, also does demonstrate that we are working together on this issue. I've had enough, and I've said regularly, having read reports that say that Wales needs to move towards a preventative agenda, that that work has to start, and it has started. It will take time to change systems, but we have to do it. We know that culture and sports do have a positive impact on physical and mental health, so the work we're doing now is to look at how we can ensure that all of the systems that have operated in silos can concord, and that we can get the potential of culture and sport delivered in terms of health, in terms of the economy and in terms of the future of our nation. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778887 87 En 2026-10-14T14:15:22 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2722&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2722&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778888 88 Cy 2026-10-14T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=-48600&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778889 89 Cy 2026-10-14T14:15:29 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2729&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2729&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778890 90 En 2026-10-14T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2700&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2700&l=cy 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778870 91 Cy 2026-10-14T14:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2700&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2700&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778871 92 Cy 2026-10-14T14:15:19 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2719&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2719&l=en 261014-2 1. Cwestiynau i'r Trefnydd, Prif Chwip a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon 1. Questions to the Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport 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, Weinidog. Thank you very much, Minister. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778874 93 Cy 2026-10-14T14:15:21 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2721&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2721&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Ymlaen i gwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid. Cwestiwn 1—Rebeca Phillips. We'll move on now to questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance. Question 1—Rebeca Phillips. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778891 94 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Fformiwla Ariannu Llywodraeth Leol Local Government Funding Formula 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778892 95 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 12172 12172 Rebeca Phillips AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 Phillips, Rebaca 1. A wnaiff y Gweinidog Cabinet ddarparu diweddariad ar adolygiad o'r fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol? OQ64711 1. Will the Cabinet Minister provide an update on the review of the local government funding formula? OQ64711 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778893 96 Cy 2026-10-14T14:15:38 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2738&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2738&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Cabinet Minister for Finance Y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid Jones, Elin Mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol, Tai a Chynllunio yn bwrw ymlaen â'r adolygiad o fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys gwaith technegol ar y cyd gyda llywodraeth leol ac ymchwil annibynnol drwy Ganolfan Polisi Cyhoeddus Cymru. Mae disgwyl adroddiad yn ystod haf 2027 ar y gwaith yma. The Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning is proceeding with the local government funding formula review in partnership with local authorities. This includes joint technical work with local government and independent research through the Wales Centre for Public Policy. We're expecting a report during the summer of 2027 on this work. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778898 97 Cy 2026-10-14T14:16:02 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2762&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2762&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12172 12172 Rebeca Phillips AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 Phillips, Rebaca Diolch yn fawr. Fel cyn-gynghorydd sir o 14 o flynyddoedd, croesawaf ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth hon i adnewyddu'r berthynas rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol drwy sicrhau eu bod nhw'n bartneriaid llawn yn nyluniad a darpariaeth gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae awdurdodau lleol yn gwneud gwaith rhagorol ar draws ein cymunedau, a byddwn yn dibynnu arnynt i gyflawni llawer o flaenoriaethau'r Llywodraeth hon. Mae'n hanfodol felly fod y fformiwla ariannu yn adlewyrchu cost go iawn darparu gwasanaethau mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru. A allai'r Gweinidog felly ddarparu gwybodaeth am ba drafodaethau mae hi wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol, Tai a Chynllunio a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ynglŷn â'r mater yma? Diolch. Thank you very much. As a former county councillor of 14 years, I welcome this Government's commitment to renewing the relationship between the Welsh Government and local authorities by ensuring that they are full partners in the design and the delivery of public services. Local authorities do excellent work across our communities, and we will rely on them to deliver many of this Government's priorities. It is therefore essential that the funding formula reflects the true cost of service delivery in different parts of Wales. Could the Minister therefore provide information on the discussions she has had with the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning and with the Welsh Local Government Association regarding this matter? Thank you. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778902 98 Cy 2026-10-14T14:16:53 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2813&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2813&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Diolch am y cwestiwn pellach yna, ac a gaf i gytuno gyda'r Aelod fod cynghorau sir yng Nghymru yn chwarae rhan allweddol o ran delifro gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac yn chwarae rôl hanfodol o ran sut bydd y Llywodraeth yma'n gwireddu ein rhaglen lywodraethu ni, ac yn chwarae rhan allweddol, wrth gwrs, yn darparu a chynrychioli'r bobl yn lleol? Ac felly mae ariannu llywodraeth leol, i'w galluogi nhw i fedru cyflawni yn y modd yma, yn bwysig yn hynny o beth. Cwestiwn ynglŷn â'r drafodaeth dwi wedi ei chael gyda'r Gweinidog llywodraeth leol o ran ariannu priodol ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol—ie, yn sicr, mae hynny'n digwydd fel rhan o'r drafodaeth ynglŷn â pharatoi ar gyfer cyllideb flynyddol Cymru. Ac, wythnos ddiwethaf dwi'n meddwl oedd hi, fe wnes i gwrdd, ar y cyd â'r Gweinidog llywodraeth leol, gydag awdurdodau lleol yn finance sub-group yr WLGA wrth i ni drafod y gyllideb flynyddol, ie, a newidiadau a'r drafodaeth ynglŷn â'r fformiwla cyllido hefyd. Felly, mae'r berthynas a'r drafodaeth barhaus yna gyda llywodraeth leol yn bwysig iawn i'r Llywodraeth yma er mwyn cyflawni'r holl waith mae'n cynghorau sir ni yn gyfrifol am ei wneud. Thank you for that supplementary question, and may I agree with the Member that county councils in Wales play a crucial role in delivering public services and play a crucial role in terms of how this Government will deliver its programme for government, and they play a key role, of course, in providing for and representing people at a local level? So, the funding of local government to allow them to deliver in that way is important in that regard. Now, there was a question on the discussions that I've been having with the Minister for local government in terms of appropriate funding for local authorities—yes, certainly, that is happening as part of the discussions around the preparation of the annual budget for Wales. Last week, I believe, I met, along with the Minister for local government, with local authorities in the WLGA finance sub-group as we discussed the annual budget, and changes and the discussion around the funding formula too. So, that ongoing relationship and discussion with local government is very important to this Government in order to deliver all of the work that our county councils are responsible for doing. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778909 99 En 2026-10-14T14:18:27 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2907&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2907&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 8650 8650 Gareth Beer AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8650 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8650 Beer, Gareth Cabinet Minister, whilst your colleague is in America deep-seeking the meaning of artificial intelligence, and the First Minister is running around Cardiff market, there are some very pressing challenges in Carmarthenshire affecting rural communities. Cash-strapped councils are being forced into short-term, penny-pinching false economies like threatening to close our small rural schools. In fact, two schools were closed today. Councils must manage their money, yes, I absolutely agree, but when will the Welsh Government prioritise ours? Will this funding formula finally direct real taxpayers' money to safeguard these small rural schools, the beating hearts of our communities? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778914 100 En 2026-10-14T14:19:11 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=2951&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=2951&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Well, the promotion of Wales overseas is an important aspect of the work that this Government wants to accomplish on behalf of businesses and communities in Wales. The First Minister was drinking a cup of coffee in a corridor as I passed him on the way down to the Chamber earlier, gallivanting nowhere at that point, hot coffee in his hand. Can I just say that, as I answered Rebeca earlier, local authorities provide a really key role in being able to deliver services—education, social services—in all our communities in Wales? They face tough, challenging budgetary situations, as we do as a national Government as well. Taking these decisions at a local level is important. We believe in the decentralisation of decision making in Wales, not setting arbitrary caps on local authorities in terms of the money that they have the ability to spend, as you will want to propose later on this afternoon. They have to take difficult decisions. I represent a constituency west of yours, also rural in nature. I've seen local schools at times have to be closed; I've seen campaigns to save local schools, and those local schools remain open today. These are complex decisions that local communities and their representatives have to take, and should not be trivialised in this place; they need to follow the processes, listen to the voices of those people involved, and take the right decisions. It's not for us to dictate the decisions that should be taken locally. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778872 101 En 2026-10-14T14:20:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3000&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3000&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778894 102 En 2026-10-14T14:21:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3061&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3061&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 5038 5038 Jayne Bryant AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5038 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5038 Bryant, Jayne The key drivers of demand on local authority budgets include population, school numbers, social care and deprivation. Any changes to the weighting of these indicators in the local government funding formula will have a huge impact on the ability of councils with the greatest population density and deprivation to deliver essential services. Following the Welsh Government's recent deviation from the established funding formula, councils with the highest levels of deprivation do need clarity. They need to know whether any lasting changes to the formula will come with any significant extra funding or will the funding pot still be the same. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778899 103 En 2026-10-14T14:21:45 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3105&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3105&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Thank you. You outline the challenges, of course, with the creation of a funding formula that works for all communities and all local authorities across Wales, as diverse as they are for us in Wales. The review that is now being undertaken, part of it in direct partnership and in collaboration with local government, the technical review, part of that is updating and recalibrating the formula while retaining its established needs-based methodology, and initial work that's currently ongoing is focused on some of the areas you've identified, and they are the main areas of local government delivery, and they are on education and personal social services. As I said in my initial answer, then, this work is ongoing and it is in partnership with local authorities. The final report on this work will be next summer, and that will then decide how we move forward on these issues. I suspect we'll have many conversations around these issues both here, but, importantly, between ourselves as a Government and local government, which are the essential deliverers of so many aspects of our public services and need to be funded according to the need that they need to deliver in a variety of different circumstances. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778910 104 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Cynnal Cynnal 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778911 105 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 12184 12184 Becca Martin AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 Martin, Becca 2. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet wedi'u cael gyda Thrysorlys Ei Fawrhydi a Chyllid a Thollau ei Fawrhydi ynglŷn ag effaith bosibl taliadau arfaethedig Cynnal Llywodraeth Cymru ar statws treth a budd-daliadau y rhai sy'n ei gael? OQ64718 2. What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with HM Treasury and HMRC regarding the potential impact of the Welsh Government’s proposed Cynnal payments on recipients’ tax and benefits status? OQ64718 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778912 106 Cy 2026-10-14T14:23:31 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3211&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3211&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Dwi wedi ysgrifennu at y Canghellor ac Ysgrifennydd Ariannol y Trysorlys i ofyn am esemptiad treth ar gyfer Cynnal. Dwi hefyd wedi codi'r mater mewn cyfarfod â Phrif Ysgrifennydd y Trysorlys. Mewn trafodaethau gyda'r Gweinidog Gwladol ar gyfer yr Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau, mae'r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog hefyd wedi gwneud cais i'r taliad gael ei ddiystyru at ddibenion cyfrifo budd-daliadau. Dwi'n croesawu hefyd, yn hyn o beth, sylwadau cadarnhaol Prif Weinidog newydd y Deyrnas Gyfunol o ran edrych ymhellach ar y materion yma. I have written to the Chancellor and Financial Secretary to the Treasury to request a tax exemption for Cynnal. I've also raised the issue in a meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. In discussions with the Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions, the Deputy First Minister has also requested that the payment be disregarded for benefits calculation purposes. I also welcome the Prime Minister's positive comments to explore these matters further. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778915 107 En 2026-10-14T14:24:06 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3246&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3246&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12184 12184 Becca Martin AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 Martin, Becca Diolch. On average, across Wales, around one in three children live in poverty, with some of the most deprived wards found in Clwyd, which is where I represent. We often talk about food poverty and fuel poverty, but I want to draw the Siambr's attention to another less visible consequence of poverty, and that is bed poverty. Too many children are sleeping in broken or unsuitable beds, having to share beds or regularly sleeping on sofas, chairs or even floors because they simply cannot afford an adequate bed. Sleep deprivation can affect almost every major system of the body. The introduction of the Cynnal payment is obviously very welcome, but we must ensure that this does not affect other means-tested benefits. Furthermore, if we're serious about creating lasting change for children living in poverty, we need the powers to tackle that poverty ourselves. I understand from news sources that there's been some discussion around this, but will the Minister commit to not only continuing discussions with the relevant departments to ensure Cynnal payments do not affect means-tested benefits, but also to pressing the UK Government for the full devolution of welfare powers to Wales? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778881 108 En 2026-10-14T14:25:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3300&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3300&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778928 109 En 2026-10-14T14:30:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3600&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3600&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778918 110 Cy 2026-10-14T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=-48600&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778923 111 Cy 2026-10-14T00:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=-48600&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=-48600&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778901 112 En 2026-10-14T14:25:06 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3306&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3306&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Thank you. You outline in your question the real, debilitating impact of poverty on children in our communities, and that's why this Government is seeking to introduce a child poverty payment, direct payment, in the form of our Cynnal scheme. It will be very difficult for us as a Government to introduce that pilot if we are not given those exemptions to benefits by the UK Government, so we are pursuing vigorously a decision by the UK Government to exempt the Cynnal payment from any impact on benefits or taxes. So, we will be pursuing those. And I'm hoping, even in my letter to the UK Government, that this could be something the UK Government provides clarity on in the budget in April. And just to say, in terms of the full devolution of welfare—or progress on the devolution of welfare—then that is certainly something that the First Minister is pursuing as part of the need to see greater devolution. We've seen how the part devolution of welfare for Scotland has enabled a child poverty payment to be made in Scotland, and we are prevented from doing so at this point by some of the restrictions around our devolution settlement. So, we need to change that in order to help us with the work that we want to tackle in terms of child poverty. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778913 113 En 2026-10-14T14:26:43 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3403&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3403&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12191 12191 Steven Rodaway AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12191 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12191 Rodaway, Steven Minister, Labour rejected your supplementary budget in July. Mark Drakeford suggested that they should have accepted the deal. And now, Labour and Plaid have reached an agreement. The old band is back together, playing live on the stage of failed promises. [Interruption.] Your defeated budget proposed £2 million for Cynnal payments, but up to 15,000 children could be affected, and that would cost £7.8 million over a year before administration costs. As recently as 7 October, you were still seeking safeguards from HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions to prevent families losing out through tax or reduced benefits. It's good to hear your statement, but why on earth announce financial help before securing the protections needed to ensure recipients actually benefit? That looks short-sighted and publicity-seeking. Does this risk become another disingenuous Plaid manifesto promise scuppered by inadequate preparation and uncertainty over funding? Minister, does your agreement with Labour fund the financial support needed to deliver Cynnal from the first payment and beyond the original £2 million budget? Thank you. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778916 114 En 2026-10-14T14:27:55 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3475&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3475&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin The Cynnal payment is no longer just a manifesto commitment, it is a pledge of the Government elected by the people of Wales in May. We've moved on from a manifesto, so keep up. The programme for government, of course, wants to implement and, across our work as a Government, tackle child poverty, for the clear reasons outlined by Becca in her earlier question. So, we need to be progressing this. We think that there are very straightforward measures that the UK Government could take to enable us to introduce this payment. Designing the Cynnal payment pilot, as it will be, continues as part of the work of this Government now, and, as I've already outlined, we'll be continuing discussions with the UK Government to enable us to bring it into action. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778919 115 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778921 116 Cy 2026-10-14T14:28:55 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3535&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3535&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Galwaf nawr ar lefarwyr y pleidiau i holi'r Gweinidog Cabinet. Llefarydd Reform UK, Cai Parry-Jones. I now call on the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. Reform UK spokesperson, Cai Parry-Jones. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778926 117 En 2026-10-14T14:29:03 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3543&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3543&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Thank you, Deputy Llywydd. Minister, on 15 September, your Government announced—fronted, I noticed, by the First Minister—that, to pay for rate cuts for smaller venues, it would raise the tax on Wales's largest business premises. Eight days later, Admiral, Wales's only FTSE 100 company, announced 500 job cuts, and Legal & General, which employs more than 2,000 people in Cardiff, announced 1,000 job cuts. Now, Admiral had already told the markets back in March that it had to find £100 million of savings. So, you knew some of our biggest employers were under pressure and you still decided to send them a bigger tax bill. Your impact assessment, released later, on 6 October, speculates about jobs that might be created in hospitality, but, crucially, it says nothing about the potential job losses for the businesses having to pay more. So, a simple question, Minister: will you publish a full assessment of the jobs impact of your tax rise before this Senedd is asked to vote on it—'yes' or 'no'? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778927 118 En 2026-10-14T14:30:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3601&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3601&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin I'm not aware of anything that those companies that have regrettably announced job losses have said that it is in any way as a result of the 30 per cent reduction in the business rates available to the leisure and hospitality industries in Wales. They are large companies and they will want to see a workforce that works for them in Wales, that are living in vibrant communities, vibrant city centres here in Cardiff. As part of providing for ensuring that we have the ability for smaller businesses to continue trading in our city centres and in our high streets, then this Government took the decision to reduce those business rates on the hospitality and leisure sectors. So, I hope that you will be supporting that, and any information that you believe I need to provide in order to facilitate your support for the reduction of business rates for our pubs and clubs, then I'd be happy to supply that for you. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778932 119 En 2026-10-14T14:31:19 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3679&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3679&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Did the Minister answer the question? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778936 120 En 2026-10-14T14:31:20 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3680&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3680&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12170 12170 Iain McIntosh AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12170 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12170 McIntosh, Iain I don't think so. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778938 121 En 2026-10-14T14:31:21 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3681&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3681&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 No. Last week, the Deputy Minister for Transport told us that work on a third Menai crossing starts now, which is warm words, but my colleagues were right to ask where the money is, because Wales has been here before. The M4 relief road, originally promised in 1991, millions spent on planning and then scrapped, partly over funding issues. And, yes, the third crossing, originally promised in 2018, £3 million spent on planning and then scrapped, partly over funding issues. The current estimate for this project today is £670 million, yet only £20 million to £25 million has been budgeted over the next five years for it, and that's just been for planning. We can see where this is going, Minister: you'll kick the big spending can down the road while you're in the job, a future finance Minister will announce we don't have enough money and then quietly shelve it. A sad transportation groundhog day. So, Minister, will you prove me wrong and pledge where the money to build the bridge will come from in this Senedd term? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778946 122 En 2026-10-14T14:32:23 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3743&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3743&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin This is most definitely not groundhog day for the Menai bridge. I would have said that last week was very much a first day of a big announcement by this Government on the future of a third Menai crossing. In Government, in this Senedd, when you have been here a longer time, you will know that large infrastructure projects take a long time to deliver. Therefore, if you don't start today and start the planning and fund the planning, as this Government is doing for the Menai bridge, then you will not get to that day when there is a third Menai bridge. So, you have to start and then you continue that work. This Government has started the process of designing the work that's needed to improve the resilience of the two bridges in place today and tackle the need for a third Menai crossing. We're committed to doing that work, to funding that work in its development phases, and, hopefully, both you and I will be here long enough to see that third Menai bridge built. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778951 123 En 2026-10-14T14:33:35 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3815&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3815&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Minister, you've spent five months in this job. Let's look at your record: you're responsible for the first Welsh Government budget ever to be defeated in the history of devolution; you've twice managed to vote against your own Government, by mistake; you've had to correct the record for getting financial figures wrong in the Chamber; and, just now, you've failed to explain where the money's going to come from for the third Menai crossing. That is why I wasn't surprised that, when your Government needed to negotiate with my party for the next supplementary budget, it didn't send you, it sent the Minister for Government effectiveness. I have a source saying the exact same thing happened with the Labour negotiations. The First Minister said he had learnt lessons over the summer. The lesson, it appears, is to sideline you. So, Minister, who is actually running the Welsh Government's finances? And given it clearly isn't you, is it not time to officially hand over the reins to someone more competent? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778954 124 En 2026-10-14T14:34:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3871&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3871&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin When you've been here 27 years and you've only manage to vote wrong twice, then maybe I can come back to you and see what your record will be like in 27 years. Look, you can trivialise these spokespeople questions if you want to. There are really important questions that could be asked at this point, and you've asked whether it's Dafydd Trystan or myself that turned up to a meeting with you. I am the Minister for finance. There are others in this Government who will also be negotiating with people across this Senedd, both on funding and on legislation. We do not work as a silo in this Government; we work as a team. I don't know how you work within Reform—I'd love an insight into that. But, as a Government, we are committed to working with you and with all parties here to secure Senedd support for a budget that enables public services to be delivered in Wales. It is easy to sit on a Reform bench, or even a Tory bench, and always vote 'no'. The difficult bit of this work, you will find, is to find—[Inaudible.] I apologise for dragging another political party into this. I shouldn't have done that, and I was trivialising at that point. You will find, in the work of forging co-operation and ensuring the need to pass budgets and pass legislation in this place—because ultimately that is why we are voted to this place by the people of Wales—that you need to talk across political parties and within political parties, and that's what I'll continue to do. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778924 125 En 2026-10-14T14:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3900&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3900&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778929 126 Cy 2026-10-14T14:36:29 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3989&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3989&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Llefarydd Llafur Cymru, Huw Thomas. Welsh Labour spokesperson, Huw Thomas. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778930 127 Cy 2026-10-14T14:36:32 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=3992&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=3992&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. A gaf i ddymuno shwmae hapus i'r ddwy ohonoch chi? Weinidog, fel rydym ni wedi clywed, newyddion mawr yr wythnos yma oedd y cytundeb ar y gyllideb atodol. A gaf i ddiolch i chi yn bersonol am eich cyfarfodydd gyda fi a'r ffaith ein bod ni wedi gallu dod yn gadarnhaol at gytundeb sydd yn sicrhau £60 miliwn ychwanegol i ysgolion a cholegau ar gyfer anghenion dysgu ychwanegol? Mae hyn yn fuddugoliaeth. Bues i'n ymweld ag ysgol ym Mhentrebane yng ngorllewin Caerdydd y bore yma. Mae'n amlwg yn mynd i wneud gwahaniaeth bod yr arian yn dod yn syth yn awr. Thanks, Dirprwy Lywydd. May I wish you both a happy shwmae? Minister, as we've already heard, the major news this week was the agreement on the supplementary budget. May I thank you personally for your meetings with me and the fact that we've been able to come positively to an agreement that ensures £60 million additionally for schools and colleges for additional learning needs? This is a victory. I visited a school in Pentrebane in Cardiff west this morning. It's obviously going to make a huge difference that that funding is going to come through immediately now. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778939 128 En 2026-10-14T14:37:12 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4032&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4032&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw We are clear that this money is an important down payment, but it's not enough. Further funding is required. You have spoken previously about your concerns about in-year overspends within the NHS and so the need to hold money back, unallocated, to address that concern. I accept that as a prudent argument at the moment, but what are you doing to drive those overspends down? In a written question answer to me— 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778942 129 En 2026-10-14T14:37:44 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4064&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4064&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Huw, can you conclude, please? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778944 130 En 2026-10-14T14:37:46 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4066&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4066&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw If I can just put this across. A month or two ago, the net annual deficit forecast for health boards was £333 million. What is that figure now? Have you managed to get that figure down, so that we can unlock additional funding for schools and colleges? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778945 131 Cy 2026-10-14T14:38:02 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4082&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4082&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Shwmae. Shwmae i'r Siambr gyfan y prynhawn yma. Mi oedd yn bwysig ein bod ni'n dod i gytundeb a bod yna fwyafrif, gobeithio, yn mynd i fod yn y Siambr yma nawr i ganiatáu'r gwariant ar gyfer anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, sydd angen y £60 miliwn yna a fydd yn cael ei bleidleisio arno yn yr wythnosau nesaf yma, fel bod yr arian pwysig yna yn cyrraedd ein hysgolion ni a'n colegau ni er mwyn sicrhau bod y pwysau y mae ein hysgolion ni oddi tano nawr yn cael ei leddfu rhyw gymaint. Dwi'n gwybod eich bod chi'n credu bod angen mwy o arian yn hynny o beth, a dilyniant i'r arian hynny, ac mae hwnna'n rhywbeth bydd y Siambr yma yn ei chyfanrwydd angen ei drafod wrth inni gyflwyno'r gyllideb ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf. Shwmae. Shwmae to the whole Chamber this afternoon. It was important that we came to an agreement and that there will, hopefully, now be a majority in this Chamber to allow that expenditure on additional learning needs, which needs that £60 million that will be voted on in the next few weeks, so that that important funding reaches our schools and colleges in order to ensure that the pressure our schools are currently under is alleviated somewhat. I know that you believe that more funding is required, and some follow-up to that funding in future, and that's something that this Chamber as a whole will need to discuss as we bring forward the budget for next year. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778952 132 En 2026-10-14T14:39:02 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4142&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4142&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin In reference to the particular challenges within the NHS and in financial control within the NHS, this is an issue that I am continuing to have conversations on with the health department and the health Minister. We do need to ensure that we get to a situation where we are confident at the start of a financial year that the NHS is able to live within the means of the budget that it's been allocated for that year. There is considerable inflation within the NHS—in public services in general, but particularly in the NHS—and that is once again because it's in the wider economy and that is a challenge to our NHS budget management. These are issues that we continue to need to grapple with and they have very real life consequences for people out there who receive services from the NHS.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778920 133 En 2026-10-14T14:40:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4200&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4200&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778925 134 Cy 2026-10-14T14:40:10 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4210&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4210&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12156 12156 Huw Thomas AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12156 Thomas, Huw Diolch. Gwnes i ddim clywed ffigur yn fanna o beth roedd y gorwariant wedi gostwng ganddo, felly efallai gallwn chi ysgrifennu drwy lythyr ar y mater. Un o'ch blaenoriaethau chi fel Llywodraeth ydy'r cynnig gofal plant. Un o'n blaenoriaethau ni ydy sicrhau tâl teg yn yr economi.  Thanks. I didn't hear a figure there of what the overspend had declined by, so perhaps we could correspond by letter on that. One of your priorities as a Government is the childcare offer. One of our priorities is to ensure fair pay in the economy.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778931 135 En 2026-10-14T14:40:30 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4230&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4230&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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's manifesto made a commitment to ensuring that businesses receiving Welsh Government support pay the real living wage. I've asked previously whether businesses funded through the childcare offer will be mandated to pay the real living wage. I've not had a clear answer on that yet, but I note your programme for government commits you to adopting a 'fair work first' approach to public sector grants, loans and contracts. I wonder what progress have you made in putting that commitment into practice. Specifically, will payment of the real living wage become a condition of public sector contracts and financial support to businesses? And what is the timetable for introducing those requirements? Diolch yn fawr. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778934 136 En 2026-10-14T14:41:16 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4276&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4276&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin On the current position, in terms of the NHS position within the financial year, I'm happy to write to you further on the exact position as we are in month 6 or 7 of the financial year. It is our commitment as a Government to ensure that there is fair pay for fair work and we are looking to embed that across our work as a Government, whether that is in the wages available to people who undertake contracts for the Welsh public sector, but also in terms of the question that you pose in particular there, the grants available to businesses. So, I'll need to take that particular part of the question away and write to you to confirm on that one what the intention of the economy Minister is on that particular aspect of the question. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778935 137 Cy 2026-10-14T14:42:15 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4335&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4335&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Sam Rowlands. Welsh Conservatives' spokesperson, Sam Rowlands.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778937 138 En 2026-10-14T14:42:19 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4339&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4339&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 8734 8734 Sam Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 Rowlands, Sam Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Cabinet Minister, in May of this year, Plaid Cymru stood on a platform of change. Of course, we've seen in 2007 the One Wales coalition that Plaid Cymru had with Labour for a four-year period; in 2021, there was the co-operation agreement that Plaid Cymru had with Labour throughout that term; in 2025, the budget deal between Plaid Cymru and Labour for this next financial year again. And of course, yesterday, you announced a deal with Welsh Labour for the supplementary budget again. I wonder how this signals a platform of change that Plaid Cymru stood on in May. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778940 139 En 2026-10-14T14:43:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4380&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4380&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Interesting for me, this analysis of who works with who, because if we think about the supplementary budget and if we think of how that supplementary budget will progress its way through the Senedd, then it may well be that it's supported by one or two political parties here. It may be that it's allowed through by another political party, but it may be voted against by another cosy consensus between Reform and the Tories here. Alliances work in different ways in this place. I'm always keen to look to see how we create new alliances. I'm always keen to work with political parties across this Chamber. You know, I love it when the whole Chamber works together as one, but that doesn't seem to be the pattern of the day these days. So, this Government has a programme for government for the next four years. It is a programme of change. A budget will be announced in the next few weeks that will enable that programme to move up a gear. We are a Government of change. That programme is the first programme for government that is not a Labour programme for government. That is change in itself and it will do different things. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778941 140 En 2026-10-14T14:44:21 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4461&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4461&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 8734 8734 Sam Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 Rowlands, Sam Thank you, Cabinet Minister. I'm sure you can appreciate that when you say it's a Government of change, but continuing the same alliances that have taken place many times during the 27 years of this Senedd, it's hard for the electorate to understand how those two things can be true at once. And of course, during that campaign, you claimed that the economic plan would unlock potential, support good jobs and grow businesses, and in forming a new Welsh Government, many people hoped for a shift away from 27 years of working with Labour in one way or another. Instead, we see that deal being done again. In particular, around the issue around additional learning needs, it's absolutely right that funding has been allocated to those children with additional learning needs. But a single-year assessment is not enough to provide schools, teachers, parents and learners with the certainty that they desperately need. The National Association of Head Teachers have told us that this deal falls significantly short of ALN's identified need in Wales. The Welsh Labour leader himself said yesterday that the ALN sector needed long-term sustainability. It baffles the mind as to why a long-term deal, therefore, wasn't agreed to. So, I wonder if you believe, in your heart of hearts, that the Plaid Cymru and Labour supplementary budget deal will bring the change that Wales needs, does do enough to expand support for ALN learners, and will help grow the economy across the whole of Wales. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778981 141 En 2026-10-14T14:45:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4500&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4500&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 8734 8734 Sam Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=8734 Rowlands, Sam has been allocated to those children with additional learning needs. But a single year assessment is not enough to provide schools, teachers, parents, and learners with the certainty that they desperately need. And the National Association of Head Teachers have told us that this deal falls significantly short of the need identified by the ALN sector in Wales. And the Welsh Labour leader himself said yesterday that the ALN sector needed long-term sustainability. It baffles the mind as to why a long-term deal, therefore, wasn't agreed to. So, I wonder if you believe, in your heart of hearts, that the Plaid Cymru-Labour supplementary budget deal will bring the change that Wales needs, does do enough to expand support for ALN learners, and will help grow the economy across the whole of Wales. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778988 142 En 2026-10-14T14:45:45 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4545&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4545&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Well, that supplementary budget is of course much more than just the £60 million of additional funding for additional learning needs. That in itself is important and is an addition to the budget that was discussed here in the summer, and that's an important contribution that will now go directly to schools and colleges in Wales. It won't go as a result of you voting against the supplementary budget, or Reform possibly voting against the supplementary budget. It'll go because Plaid Cymru will vote for that supplementary budget, and Labour will allow that supplementary budget to pass. It is because of our actions that it will go, not your actions. So, that is a contribution that will make a difference to young people in Wales, and just continually voting against delivers nothing. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778992 143 Cy 2026-10-14T14:46:46 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4606&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4606&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Cwestiwn 3, Stephen Senior. Question 3, Stephen Senior. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778999 144 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Treth Trafodiadau Tir Land Transaction Tax 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779000 145 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 12160 12160 Stephen Senior AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12160 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12160 Senior, Stephen 3. Pa asesiad mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o effaith y dreth trafodiadau tir ers ei chyflwyno yn 2018? OQ64688 3. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the land transaction tax since its introduction in 2018? OQ64688 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779001 146 Cy 2026-10-14T14:47:02 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4622&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4622&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Mae'r dreth trafodiadau tir wedi gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol i gyllideb Cymru ers ei gyflwyno yn 2018. Mae wedi sicrhau cyllid gwerth dros £2.5 biliwn ar gyfer gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a seilwaith hanfodol yng Nghymru.  Land transaction tax has made a significant contribution to the Welsh budget since its introduction in 2018. It's provided over £2.5 billion for vital public services and infrastructure in Wales.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779003 147 En 2026-10-14T14:47:20 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4640&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4640&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12160 12160 Stephen Senior AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12160 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12160 Senior, Stephen I've referred to my register of interest. I want to focus on two areas of concern, Minister. First, our first-time buyers—there is no first-time buyer relief in Wales. So, for example, if a first-time buyer buys a £300,000 house, they pay £4,500 more in tax than in England. The more expensive the house, the worse that gets. Secondly, Wales has now got a punishing tax for those who buy more expensive homes. For example, a £1 million home in Wales requires £62,000 worth of tax— about half as much again as in England. Now, some people might think that's good. But let me remind you all that Wales has a worryingly small tax base: 1.1  per cent of taxpayers in Wales pay additional tax, compared to 1.5 per cent in the west midlands and 1.9 per cent in the south west. We should be worried about that. Minister, Wales is getting poorer and the decisions made in this place over 27 years, which you've just reminded us of, have contributed to that. This tax policy was introduced by Mr Mark Drakeford. It acts as an incentive for young people to buy houses in England, and it acts as a disincentive for those who are more wealthy to move to Wales. Your Government claims to want a transformation of the Welsh economy—  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779007 148 En 2026-10-14T14:48:31 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4711&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4711&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Can we have a question? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779008 149 En 2026-10-14T14:48:33 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4713&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4713&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12160 12160 Stephen Senior AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12160 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12160 Senior, Stephen Will you consider changing this structure or, even better, set a target for its abolition? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779013 150 En 2026-10-14T14:48:41 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4721&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4721&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin The important piece of this jigsaw that you didn't mention there was that the land transaction tax in Wales has a much higher starting threshold than in England. So, the starting threshold in Wales is £225,000. There are around 55 per cent and more of transactions below the £225,000 threshold in Wales, and they pay no land tax at all—55 per cent of all transactions involving a primary residence pay no land transaction tax. The highest starting rate—. The starting threshold in England is £125,000. Every house that is worth more than £125,000, and is between £125,000 and £225,000, pays land transaction tax or stamp duty in England. They don't in Wales. In Scotland, it's £145,000. So, in telling the story of land transaction tax, tell it all and then the full picture provides the balanced approach that this Government believes can continue. Although, I am willing to consider whether there is a need to think about first-time buyer relief. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778953 151 En 2026-10-14T14:50:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4800&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4800&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin a need to think about first-time buyer relief. It's something that I'm interested, possibly, in looking at in this context, but very much the majority of first-time buyers are in that context of being under the threshold of £225,000. In fact, that £225,000 threshold is higher than the average house price in Wales of £215,000. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778956 152 En 2026-10-14T14:50:28 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4828&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4828&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12173 12173 Nick Carter AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12173 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12173 Carter, Nick Cabinet Minister, I welcome this Government's commitment to review the land transaction tax, and a wider ambition to encourage empty buildings back into use. With Wales barely building half the homes it needs, every empty house counts.  One of my constituents in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taff, a small local property developer, has highlighted to me how the tax rules treat uninhabitable properties as residential because they can, in theory, be repaired. But these tumbledown houses, with no services, broken roofs and creeping damp are exactly the ones that we need to become homes. Yet developers pay higher rate land transaction tax on them, discouraging investment and regeneration.  Although the empty homes grant helps individual home owners, developers can't use it, and the higher rates refund available for landlords leasing back to councils also doesn't apply. So, as you examine reform, would the Cabinet Minister consider a time-limited tax refund for local developers turning derelict properties into homes? Diolch.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778959 153 En 2026-10-14T14:51:26 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4886&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4886&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Thank you for that point. And, as you know, the Government is interested in being able to bring more empty properties back into active use, especially into residential use. And on the point that you've made there about the difficulties that some property developers may be finding in renovating and bringing vacant residential properties back into use because they are caught in the land transaction tax matter, and whether there is a way of providing land transaction relief or refund to incentivise property developers bringing properties back, it's an interesting area that I'm perfectly willing to look at as we look at how we use the land transaction tax to enable bringing empty properties back. I certainly wouldn't want it to be an active disincentive, so I will certainly look at how we can see whether there are ways of doing it in a way which enables bringing empty properties back into use.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778983 154 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Cyllid ar gyfer Addysg Bellach Funding for Further Education 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778984 155 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 5107 5107 Vikki Howells AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5107 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5107 Howells, Vikki 4. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog Cabinet wedi'u cael â'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg ynglŷn â chyllid ar gyfer addysg bellach? OQ64677 4. What discussions has the Cabinet Minister had with the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language regarding funding for further education? OQ64677 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778985 156 Cy 2026-10-14T14:52:43 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4963&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4963&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Fel rhan o broses y gyllideb, dwi’n cynnal trafodaethau rheolaidd gyda holl Weinidogion y Cabinet. Mae penderfyniadau ar gyllid addysg bellach, fel pob penderfyniad cyllidebol, yn cael eu hystyried yn ystod trafodaethau ehangach y Cabinet ar flaenoriaethau.  As part of the budget process, I have regular discussions with all Cabinet Ministers. Decisions on further education funding, like all budget decisions, are considered within wider Cabinet discussions on priorities.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778991 157 En 2026-10-14T14:52:58 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=4978&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=4978&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 5107 5107 Vikki Howells AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5107 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5107 Howells, Vikki Thank you, Minister. Supporting learners with additional learning needs in the further education sector is becoming a major challenge, with Coleg y Cymoedd telling me that they have experienced almost a 50 per cent increase in the number of learners with ALN and individual development plans during the last academic year. Similarly, the College Merthyr Tydfil identifies not only increasing numbers of students with IDPs, but a stark growth in the numbers of learners identified with an ALN presently undergoing assessment processes to determine whether they require an IDP or additional support arrangements.  Now, I wholeheartedly welcome the supplementary budget deal that Welsh Labour has secured with your Government, with £60 million extra for additional learning needs, including £2.5 million for further education. But to support learners and staff effectively, this funding needs to be sustainable and long term.  So, what discussions will you have with colleagues to ensure that this is the case? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778997 158 En 2026-10-14T14:54:02 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5042&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5042&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin I certainly recognise that additional learning needs is a challenge in terms of funding and provision for colleges, post-16 education, as well as our schools. A lot of the focus of the discussion seems to be on schools, but it is a very real challenge for post-16 education as well. That's why I am pleased that, as part of that deal to secure progress on the supplementary budget, and the £60 million allocation for additional learning needs, £2.5 million of that is to go directly to colleges.  But another important aspect of that agreement of the £60 million package is that there is an allocation of funding also for the planning for a long-term sustainable model of funding for education and additional needs, so that, over time, we can get to a place where our local authorities, schools and colleges can plan provision to meet the need  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778933 159 En 2026-10-14T14:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5100&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5100&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin local authorities, schools and colleges can plan provision to meet the need, and the ability to provide education comprehensively for all. We need to get to a better place than we are currently, and that's why we're committed to working with partners across this Chamber on how we can develop and place this on a sustainable footing to the future. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778943 160 Cy 2026-10-14T14:55:23 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5123&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5123&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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 Mae cwestiwn 5 wedi'i dynnu nôl. Cwestiwn 6, Sarah Rees. Question 5 has been withdrawn. Question 6, Sarah Rees. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778947 161 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Cyllidebu ar Sail Rhywedd Gender Budgeting 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778948 162 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 5196 5196 Sarah Rees https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5196 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5196 Rees, Sarah 6. Sut fydd y Gweinidog Cabinet yn sicrhau bod cyllidebu rhywedd yn dod yn rhan annatod o ddatblygu, gwneud penderfyniadau a chraffu ar y gyllideb yn ystod y Senedd hon? OQ64710 6. How will the Cabinet Minister ensure that gender budgeting becomes an integral part of budget development, decision-making and scrutiny during this Senedd? OQ64710 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778949 163 Cy 2026-10-14T14:55:38 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5138&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5138&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Mae’r Llywodraeth hon wedi ymrwymo i fynd i’r afael ag anghydraddoldeb o ran rhywedd a sicrhau bod cydraddoldeb yn cael ei ystyried yn drylwyr ym mhob cam o’r broses o wneud penderfyniadau ar y gyllideb. Ein prif ffocws fel Llywodraeth yw'r canlyniadau rŷn ni’n eu cyflawni, a rhaid inni ystyried yn ofalus pa adnoddau a mecanweithiau sy’n ein helpu ni i wneud gwahaniaeth go iawn i fywydau pobl. This Government is committed to tackling gender inequality and ensuring that equality is properly considered at every stage of budget decision making. Our primary focus as a Government is on the outcomes we achieve, and we must carefully consider which tools and mechanisms help us to make a real difference in people’s lives. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778950 164 En 2026-10-14T14:56:03 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5163&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5163&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 5196 5196 Sarah Rees https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5196 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5196 Rees, Sarah Diolch. I welcome that this Government is working towards its manifesto commitment to embed gender budgeting in Wales. International best practice places that responsibility for this with the Treasury—in that case, yourself, Minister—because budget decisions shape people's everyday lives. Gender budgeting can seem complex, so I'll attempt an everyday analogy: a good cook does not wait until the guests have eaten to find out whether their recipe worked. Tasting, or testing, happens beforehand, and Government should be no different. Gender budgeting is about assessing the impact of spending decisions before they are made, rather than discovering too late that they've deepened existing inequalities. The case in Wales is stark. Women are three times more likely than men to work part time, 3.5 times more likely to be economically inactive, because of caring responsibilities, and face a gender pay gap of 11.8 per cent. So, Minister, what leadership will you show to embed gender budgeting across Government? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778957 165 En 2026-10-14T14:57:04 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5224&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5224&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin I'm not sure if I pass cook test, but I'll try and pass the budget test, and there's a range of tools and approaches that can help us understand the impacts of spending decisions before we take them, and gender budgeting is certainly one of those tools. But there are constraints in terms of our capacity to embed this approach, especially in the context of this year's first budget. The previous Government undertook gender budgeting pilots that you'll know about, I'm sure, and they provided useful learning. In particular, they highlighted the importance of considering gender early in policy development, rather than adding it later. So, I want to take that learning and consider where it can help us to make better decisions and deliver better outcomes. And if we think of that particularly in the context of where we are developing new programmes—we've spoken of Cynnal, free school swimming and our childcare offer—so that we are using gender budgeting in the context of new policy initiatives, as was highlighted by the gender budgeting pilots—. And, obviously, you've done previous work on gender budgeting, and I'd be happy to discuss this further with you in detail in how we move to embed that across Government, as we move through our budgeting processes. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778968 166 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Polisïau Treth Tax Policies 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778969 167 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 12152 12152 Carmelo Colasanto AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12152 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12152 Colasanto, Carmelo 7. Sut y bydd polisïau treth Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi pobl yn Sir Gaerfyrddin? OQ64685 [R] 7. How will the Welsh Government's tax policies support people in Carmarthenshire? OQ64685 [R] 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778970 168 Cy 2026-10-14T14:58:39 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5319&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5319&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Mae trethi yn ariannu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus sydd o fudd i bawb. Bydd polisïau treth deg a chymesur yn cefnogi pobl a busnesau yn sir Gaerfyrddin. Bydd ein newidiadau i ail-gydbwyso trethi busnes o fudd i gymunedau drwy gefnogi'r stryd fawr a chanol trefi ffyniannus. Mae cynllun gostyngiadau'r dreth gyngor yn cefnogi dros 15,000 o aelwydydd yn sir Gaerfyrddin yn uniongyrchol. Taxes fund public services that benefit everyone. Fair and proportionate tax policies will support people and businesses in Carmarthenshire. Our changes to rebalance non-domestic rates will benefit communities by supporting vibrant high streets and town centres. The council tax reduction scheme directly supports over 15,000 households in Carmarthenshire. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778973 169 En 2026-10-14T14:59:05 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5345&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5345&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12152 12152 Carmelo Colasanto AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12152 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12152 Colasanto, Carmelo Thank you, Cabinet Minister. For many households in Carmarthenshire, the tax that bites the hardest is council tax. Recent analysis found that Welsh councils face a combined projected budget shortfall of more than £272 million next year, with Carmarthenshire's £34 million gap the second highest in Wales. Now, residents are already paying the price. Since 2022, the Plaid Cymru-led county council's band D charge, the benchmark that is used to compare council tax across Wales, and for which every other ban is set, has risen by more than 31 per cent, including an 8.9 per cent increase in 2025-26. Council tax may be set locally, but Welsh Ministers already retain powers to intervene where increases are considered excessive. Reform's proposed requiring a local referendum before councils can increase council tax by more than 4.99 per cent, similar to the effective threshold applied to many councils in England.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778960 170 En 2026-10-14T15:00:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5400&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5400&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12152 12152 Carmelo Colasanto AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12152 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12152 Colasanto, Carmelo to many councils in England. So, will the Welsh Government adopt that protection so Carmarthenshire residents have the final say before they're hit yet again with rises on the scale that we have seen over the last four years? Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778965 171 En 2026-10-14T15:00:12 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5412&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5412&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin This is a spoiler alert, but we will be voting against your motion later on at this point in terms of—. And we don't agree that capping local authorities' council tax is a way of enabling local authorities to take the decisions they need to take locally as elected members. The main determinant, of course, of council tax is probably still the financial settlement that this Government and this Senedd will pass in February of next year to local authorities. So, us deciding across the Senedd what the scope of that settlement for local authorities will be will be part of the work that we undertake over the next few months. I already know and I'm already planning at this point that our settlement as a Welsh Government will be 0.7 per cent down in real terms for next year. It is a very challenging settlement unless there are changes from the UK Chancellor at the end of October in his budget. So, that is the crucial determinant of council tax: what is the size of the public sector funding available to local authorities. And I'm hoping, hearing what you say, that you want to see good local settlements for local authorities, that you will work constructively with us to enable that to happen, just as Plaid Cymru enabled a good settlement to pass with working with the previous Welsh Government so that local government and the NHS were provided the best possible settlement as part of the budget deal of the last Senedd. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778974 172 Cy 2026-10-14T15:02:06 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5526&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5526&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 12177 12177 Kerry Ferguson AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12177 Ferguson, Kerry A'r cwestiwn olaf i chi, Weinidog, cwestiwn 8—Anthony Slaughter.  And the final question to you, Minister, question 8—Anthony Slaughter.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778977 173 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance B Gwydnwch Hinsawdd Climate Resilience 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778978 174 Cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance O 5025 5025 Anthony Slaughter AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 Slaughter, Anthony 8. Sut y bydd cyllideb ddrafft Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer 2027-28 yn sicrhau buddsoddiad digonol o ran gwydnwch hinsawdd? OQ64696 8. How will the Welsh Government's draft budget for 2027-28 ensure adequate investment in climate resilience? OQ64696 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778979 175 Cy 2026-10-14T15:02:21 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5541&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5541&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Cabinet Minister for Finance Y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid Jones, Elin Mae gwydnwch rhag newid hinsawdd yn elfen bwysig o waith y Llywodraeth yma i amddiffyn cymunedau a gwella canlyniadau. Mi fydd y gyllideb ddrafft ar gyfer 2027-28 yn cefnogi blaenoriaethau’r rhaglen lywodraethu sydd yn ymwneud â'r hinsawdd a natur. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cynllun Cymru Sero Net, ochr yn ochr â mesurau ehangach y Llywodraeth i helpu Cymru i addasu i hinsawdd sy'n newid.  Climate resilience is an important element of this Government’s work to protect communities and improve outcomes. The draft budget for 2027-28 will support programme for government priorities on climate and nature, including the Net Zero Wales plan, alongside wider Government measures to help Wales adapt to a changing climate. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778987 176 En 2026-10-14T15:02:47 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5567&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5567&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 5025 5025 Anthony Slaughter AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5025 Slaughter, Anthony Diolch. I'm calling on the Welsh Government to create a new extreme weather resilience fund to invest in nature-based interventions to help mitigate the risks from extreme weather. Floods, droughts and wildfires are increasingly prevalent due to climate change, and nature-based solutions are some of the best available defences to protect our communities. If the climate emergency is a genuinely cross-government priority, funding needs to sit in every departmental budget to ensure that no area slips through the cracks. Evidence from WWF Cymru and others suggests that for relatively small amounts of money within each portfolio, we could see significant cross-cutting benefits provided that all Welsh Ministers are prepared to show leadership. Can the Minister confirm the amount of money in this year's budget for climate resilience, and will you commit to reviewing existing departmental budgets to find opportunities for nature-based solutions to be ready for the next extreme weather event? Diolch.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778994 177 En 2026-10-14T15:03:53 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5633&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5633&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin Well, your question highlights probably the very real concerns that we all as elected Members in the Senedd have as to how we face the extreme weather challenges that will face us this winter as have faced us in the summer past. You know that this Government takes its response and its planning for future events of this nature seriously, and the First Minister has convened a summit on climate resilience to happen next week, I think, to bring stakeholders together to continue the discussion on how we prepare and make ourselves more resilient for extreme weather scenarios, because happen they will. The issue around how we budget for that, in my initial answer I told you of how we are looking to embed climate change mitigation measures across our budget. You've asked for a specific identification of an extreme weather resilience fund  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778955 178 En 2026-10-14T15:05:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5700&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5700&l=cy 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance C 162 162 Elin Jones AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=162 Jones, Elin of an extreme weather resilience fund, and that, I think, if I've understood you correctly, across and in each budget allocation and portfolio, is something that I will certainly think further on and discuss with you and with others in this Chamber. These are ever-changing but very present issues that we need to address as a Government, but also as a Senedd, in how we plan our budgets into the future and how we plan our work. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778961 179 Cy 2026-10-14T15:05:31 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5731&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5731&l=en 261014-3 2. Cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyllid 2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Finance 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, Weinidog. Thank you very much, Cabinet Minister. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778963 180 Cy 2026-10-14T15:05:33 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5733&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5733&l=en 261014-4 3. Cwestiynau Amserol 3. Topical Questions 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 Eitem 3 yw'r cwestiynau amserol. Ni dderbyniwyd unrhyw gwestiynau amserol. Item 3 is topical questions. No topical questions have been accepted. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778967 181 Cy 2026-10-14T15:05:38 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5738&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5738&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements 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 Felly, symudaf ymlaen yn syth i ddatganiadau 90 eiliad. Shwmae, Rebeca Phillips. Therefore, we'll move on immediately to the 90-second statements. Shwmae, Rebeca Phillips. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778972 182 Cy 2026-10-14T15:05:47 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5747&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5747&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 12172 12172 Rebeca Phillips AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 Phillips, Rebaca Diolch yn fawr. Shwmae. Mae yfory yn Ddiwrnod Shwmae Su'mae, sef diwrnod i ddechrau bob sgwrs yn y Gymraeg, dim ots beth yw'ch lefel. Mae'n hyfryd gweld nifer ohonoch chi ar draws y Siambr yn gwisgo bathodynnau heddiw. Dathlwyd y diwrnod shwmae gyntaf yn ôl yn 2013, a Mentrau Iaith Cymru sy'n cydlynu'r ymgyrch bellach. Hoffwn ddiolch i'r mentrau iaith am eu gwaith parhaol o hyrwyddo'r iaith Gymraeg ar draws Cymru. Nod y diwrnod yw dangos bod y Gymraeg yn perthyn i bawb ac annog pawb i ddechrau sgyrsiau yn Gymraeg, a fyddai'n arwain at ddefnydd mwy o'r Gymraeg drwy gydol y flwyddyn. Dathlu pobl amrywiol sy'n defnyddio'r Gymraeg yw prif thema'r diwrnod eleni, a bydd digwyddiadau ar draws ein cymunedau ar gael i gymdeithasu drwy'r Gymraeg. Felly, yfory, p'un ai yn y Senedd, yn y siop, yn yr ysgol neu efallai hyd yn oed yn siarad gyda'r Brenin, ewch ati i ddechrau pob sgwrs gan ddweud 'shwmae', ac annog i eraill yr un peth. Thank you very much. Shwmae. Tomorrow is Diwrnod Shwmae Su'mae, a day to start every conversation in Welsh, regardless of your proficiency level. It's wonderful to see so many of you in the Chamber wearing the badges and stickers. The first Diwrnod Shwmae Su'mae was celebrated back in 2013, and Mentrau Iaith Cymru now co-ordinates the campaign. I would like to thank the mentrau iaith for their ongoing work in promoting the Welsh language across Wales. The aim of the event is to show that Welsh belongs to everyone and to encourage people to start conversations in Welsh, which will lead to greater use of the language throughout the year. Celebrating the diverse range of people who use Welsh is the main theme of this year's event, and there will be events arranged across our communities with opportunities for socialising in Welsh. So, tomorrow, whether you're in the Senedd, in the shop, at school, or even speaking to the King, do make a point of starting every conversation with 'shwmae' and encourage others to do the same. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778976 183 En 2026-10-14T15:07:01 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5821&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5821&l=cy 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 350 350 Marc Jones AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=350 Jones, Marc There aren't many tougher games than rugby league, but imagine trying to play it in a wheelchair. That's what the Cymru wheelchair rugby league squad is going to be doing later this month as it heads out to Australia to compete in the World Cup. As you can imagine, they've had to overcome many obstacles to get this far. I went to support them during their last practice session held in my constituency earlier this year, and they'd just been told their shirt sponsor had pulled out, leaving them £10,000 short of vital funding to get there. But these men and women, because it's a mixed squad, like a challenge, they embrace it, and they didn't flinch when it came to raising this £10,000. They set about raising it via a crowdfunder to put Cymru on their shirts rather than a sponsor. I kind of like that, so I thought I'd support it as well. I'm delighted to inform this Senedd that they hit their target last week, they hit their £10,000, and everyone gets to go on the trip of a lifetime. It's a measure of their determination to succeed regardless of the challenges life throws at them. And just to make it extra spicy, their first game in the World Cup is against England. So, I'm sure you'll join me in wishing them all the very best in that game. Diolch yn fawr iawn. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778980 184 Cy 2026-10-14T15:08:35 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5915&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5915&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Mae'r wythnos hon yn nodi Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth o Golli Babi, sef amser i gofio babanod sydd wedi eu colli'n rhy fuan ac i gydnabod yr effaith ddofn y gall colled yn ystod beichiogrwydd, ar adeg geni neu wedi geni ei chael ar deuluoedd.  This week marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, a time to remember the babies lost too soon and to recognise the deep impact that baby loss during pregnancy, during childbirth or afterwards can have on families.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778982 185 En 2026-10-14T15:08:53 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5933&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5933&l=cy 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to bring us together and to ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss knows that they are not alone. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778986 186 Cy 2026-10-14T15:09:04 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5944&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5944&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Bydd rhai ohonom yn y Siambr hon, ein teuluoedd, ffrindiau, cydweithwyr ac etholwyr wedi cael ein cyffwrdd mewn rhyw ffordd gan golled beichiogrwydd neu golled babi. Some of us in this Chamber, our families, friends, colleagues and constituents will have been touched in some way by pregnancy loss or baby loss. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778989 187 En 2026-10-14T15:09:17 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5957&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5957&l=cy 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity not only to remember babies who have died too soon, but also to break the silence, increase understanding and ensure that no-one feels they have to face their grief alone. Families must also be at the heart of baby loss investigations and efforts to provide answers.  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778990 188 Cy 2026-10-14T15:09:36 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5976&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5976&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair Er bod pob stori yn wahanol, mae un peth yn gyffredin: ni ddylai neb deimlo eu bod yn wynebu'r galar hwn ar eu pen eu hunain. Dyna pam mae gwaith elusennau fel Sands Cymru a Tommy's, ynghyd â gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol fel bydwragedd profedigaeth a grwpiau cymorth ledled Cymru, mor werthfawr i deuluoedd.  Although every story is different, they have one thing in common: no-one should feel that they have to face this grief alone. This is why the work of charities like Sands Cymru and Tommy's, alongside health professionals like bereavement midwives and support groups across Wales, are so valuable to families. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778993 189 En 2026-10-14T15:09:57 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=5997&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=5997&l=cy 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair As we approach 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779017 190 Cy 2026-10-14T15:13:53 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6233&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6233&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778964 191 En 2026-10-14T15:10:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6000&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6000&l=cy 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 5084 5084 Mair Rowlands AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=5084 Rowlands, Mair As we approach the Wave of Light tomorrow, when people will light a candle in memory of babies we have lost, let us remember every baby and offer our support and compassion to all those living with loss. Diolch yn fawr. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778971 192 Cy 2026-10-14T15:10:17 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6017&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6017&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 12186 12186 Beca Brown AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12186 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12186 Brown, Beca Ddoe, roedd tref Porthmadog yn fy etholaeth i yn nodi canmlwyddiant marw un o’i meibion mwyaf adnabyddus, gyda chyfres o ddigwyddiadau. Mae’n bosibl na fyddai’r enw Eliseus Williams yn golygu llawer i rai, ond dwi’n siŵr y byddwch chi'n ei adnabod o o'i enw barddol, sef Eifion Wyn. Ganwyd Eifion Wyn yn 28 New Street, Porthmadog, ac er iddo dreulio cyfnod fel athro yn ysgol Snowdon Street yn y dref, mae’n cael ei adnabod yn bennaf fel un o feirdd mwyaf poblogaidd ei oes. Roedd o’n ysgrifennu yn dilyn cyfnod Y Beirdd Newydd, sef ysgol o feirdd Cymraeg yn negawdau olaf y bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg a oedd yn pwysleisio y dylai barddoniaeth fod yn aruchel, yn ddifrifol, yn athronyddol ac yn ddwys. O edrych yn ôl, mae nifer yn ystyried gwaith y beirdd hynny’n aneglur ac yn astrus. Ond bardd ei bobl oedd Eifion Wyn. Roedd yn bwysig ganddo fod ei farddoniaeth yn ddealladwy ac yn hygyrch, a dyna pam ei fod yn fardd mor boblogaidd. Â dyfynnu arbenigwr yn y maes, roedd o’n apelio at glust y werin bobl. Mae ei waddol yn parhau heddiw, wrth gwrs, nid yn unig yn enw’r ysgol gynradd leol, ond yn ei eiriau. Mae un o emynau enwocaf y Cymry, o eiddo Eifion Wyn, ‘Efengyl tangnefedd’, yn alwad am heddwch rhyngwladol—pwnc sy’n boenus o berthnasol heddiw. Diolch i bawb a oedd yn trefnu'r digwyddiadau yma am eu gwaith. Yesterday, the town of Porthmadog in my constituency marked the centenary of the death of one of its best-known sons, with a series of commemorative events. The name Eliseus Williams might not mean much to some, but I’m sure you will recognise his bardic name, namely Eifion Wyn. Eifion Wyn was born at 28 New Street, Porthmadog, and although he spent time as a teacher at Snowdon Street school in the town, he is best known as one of the most popular poets of his time. He wrote in the wake of the 'New Poets', 'Y Beirdd Newydd', a school of Welsh poets active in the final decades of the nineteenth century who emphasised that poetry should be lofty, serious, philosophical, and profound. Looking back, many consider the work of those poets to be obscure and abstruse. But Eifion Wyn was a poet of the people. It was important to him that his poetry was understandable and accessible, and that’s why he was such a popular poet. To quote an expert in the field, his poetry appealed to the people. His legacy endures today, of course, not only in the name of the local primary school, but in his words. One of the most famous Welsh hymns, ‘Efengyl Tangnefedd’—'Gospel of peace'—written by Eifion Wyn, is a call for international peace—a subject that is painfully relevant today. Thanks to the event organizers for all of their work. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778995 193 Cy 2026-10-14T15:11:50 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6110&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6110&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements 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. Ac yn olaf, Safa Elhassan. Thank you. And finally, Safa Elhassan. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778996 194 En 2026-10-14T15:11:53 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6113&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6113&l=cy 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements C 12189 12189 Safa Elhassan AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12189 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12189 Elhassan, Safa Diolch. October is Black History Month. Remember the struggle, recognise the contribution and celebrate the achievement. This Black History Month, we honour those who have helped build Wales, yet whose stories remain untold. I thank Race Council Cymru, Race Equality First, Ethnic Youth Support Team, Show Racism the Red Card, Black Lives Matter, Black History Cymru 365 and campaigners, and their theme this year is 'Proud to be Me'. I honour the Windrush generation too. I particularly recognise Professor Uzo Iwobi, founder of Race Council Cymru, Momena Ali, founder of EYST, and Shirley Au-Yeung of the Chinese in Wales Association. Their work in Swansea and beyond has opened doors for others. To the black workers in the NHS, schools, public services, factories and the voluntary and third sectors, thank you. To the taxi drivers, takeaway owners, and corner shopkeepers, thank you. Your contribution to our economy and communities is beyond measure. And I am proud of the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. Its ambition must live in action and not simply words. And I remember the late Mohammad Asghar, our first ethnic minority Assembly Member, elected for Plaid Cymru, and his service to this institution. And Betty Campbell, Wales's first black headteacher, who helped children dream beyond the barriers before them. Black history is Welsh history. Black achievement is Welsh achievement. And with pride in our past, let us build change that will last. Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779006 195 Cy 2026-10-14T15:13:50 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6230&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6230&l=en 261014-5 4. Datganiadau 90 eiliad 4. 90-second Statements 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, bawb. Thank you very much, everyone. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779011 196 Cy 2026-10-14T15:13:52 http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6232&l=cy http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6232&l=en 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care 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 Dadl Llafur Cymru yn awr, gofal lliniarol ar ddiwedd oes. Galwaf ar Ken Skates i wneud y cynnig. The Welsh Labour debate now on palliative and end-of-life care. I call on Ken Skates to move the motion. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779018 197 Cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care I Cynnig NDM9329 Lynne Neagle Cynnig bod y Senedd: 1. Yn gwerthfawrogi ac yn gweld gwerth yn y gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes a ddarperir ar draws GIG a hosbisau Cymru. 2. Yn cydnabod y rôl hanfodol a chwaraeir gan hosbisau yng Nghymru wrth ddarparu gofal lliniarol arbenigol a gofal diwedd oes. 3. Yn nodi'r pwysau ariannol sylweddol sy'n wynebu hosbisau yng Nghymru a'r alwad gan Hospice UK a Hospices Cymru am gyllid ychwanegol i ddiogelu gwasanaethau hosbisau. 4. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i: a) datblygu cynllun hirdymor i wella gofal lliniarol a gofal diwedd oes ledled Cymru, gan sicrhau bod gwasanaethau o ansawdd uchel ar gael i bawb sydd eu hangen; b) nodi sut y bydd yn darparu cyllid teg a chynaliadwy ar gyfer hosbisau ledled Cymru; ac c) sicrhau bod gan GIG Cymru a hosbisau yng Nghymru y gweithlu sydd ei angen arnynt i ddarparu gofal lliniarol a gofal diwedd oes diogel, o ansawdd uchel a chynaliadwy. Motion NDM9329 Lynne Neagle To propose that the Senedd: 1. Appreciates and values the palliative and end-of-life care provided across the Welsh NHS and hospices. 2. Recognises the vital role played by hospices in Wales in providing specialist palliative and end-of-life care. 3. Notes the significant financial pressures facing hospices in Wales and the call from Hospice UK and Hospices Cymru for additional funding to protect hospice services. 4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: a) develop a long-term plan to improve palliative and end-of-life care across Wales, ensuring high-quality services are available to everyone who needs them; b) set out how it will deliver fair and sustainable funding for hospices across Wales; and c) ensure that the Welsh NHS and hospices in Wales have the workforce they need to deliver safe, high-quality and sustainable palliative and end-of-life care. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779019 198 Cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care I Cynigiwyd y cynnig. Motion moved. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779020 199 En 2026-10-14T15:14:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6240&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6240&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care 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 Diolch, Lywydd. I move the motion in the name of Lynne Neagle, and I am pleased to open today's debate on behalf of Welsh Labour. Our intention for today's debate is to reach consensus on an issue that is so important to so many families across Wales. Whatever the political differences across this Chamber, we all want the best possible quality of life for children and adults with terminal illness. That's why Welsh Labour has tabled this motion: to champion the dedication and commitment of NHS and hospice workers who deliver dignity every day; to put on record our appreciation for the compassionate care they provide and the difference they make to people's lives; to shine a light on the significant financial difficulties faced by hospices and the wider need for a sustainable solution to the funding of palliative and end-of-life care across Wales. I'm pleased that other parties have chosen not to amend our motion today. The Senedd, passing this motion unanimously, would send a powerful message to our brilliant NHS staff  16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778975 200 En 2026-10-14T15:15:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6300&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6300&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 267 267 Ken Skates AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=267 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=267 Skates, Ken to our brilliant NHS staff and hospice workers, and it would challenge Ministers constructively to engage with this issue and to deliver on the commitment set out in the programme for government to address key challenges facing the sector. Llywydd, last week, I visited Tŷ Gobaith hospice just outside Conwy, and I heard first-hand about those challenges. Tŷ Gobaith provides high-quality, locally sensitive palliative and end-of-life care for children and young people. It's one of only two hospices providing specialist care for children in Wales, the other being Tŷ Hafan in Penarth. The staff at both do an incredible job. They help families create precious memories, they give children experiences and moments to cherish, and they allow parents the time and the space to enjoy being together as a family. Behind those precious moment is specialist nursing and clinical care, support for children with complex life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and vital respite care for parents. Children's hospices support the whole family, often over many years, as well as providing care at the end of life and through bereavement. Right across Wales, dedicated hospice and NHS staff provide that personalised care every day. They manage people's pain, provide comfort and dignity, and support families through some of the most difficult times in their lives. But alongside the exceptional care that I saw at Tŷ Gobaith, I also heard about the financial pressures they face, which I know are faced by hospices across Wales. Hospice UK and Hospices Cymru say that Wales's 15 charitable hospices care for over 20,000 children and adults affected by terminal illness. Hospice staff in Wales make around 77,000 visits to people in their own homes every year, helping people to remain in familiar surroundings and taking pressure off local hospitals. But the financial challenges are becoming increasingly difficult to manage across the sector. Every hospice in Wales is forecasting a deficit budget for this financial year, forcing many to make difficult choices about their future, whether that's delaying recruitment, being unable to introduce new services, or even reducing services. On top of these pressures, Marie Curie estimates that the number of people in Wales needing palliative care will rise by 21 per cent by 2050, and their research also suggests that almost one in three adults in Wales have unmet palliative care needs, meaning around 10,000 people whose symptoms are not being managed and who lack the support they need. That's an increase of over 7,000 people needing care every year alongside significant unmet demand. In Government, Welsh Labour recognised these concerns, increasing annual hospice funding and providing extra cost-of-living support to help protect vital services. We also delivered on our commitment to review hospice funding, which began with the development of new commissioning frameworks in partnership with the NHS and hospice sector. But as financial pressures intensify and demand still rises, there is a need for greater certainty and stability to protect services and help drive improvements. As Hospice UK and Hospices Cymru have argued, hospice funding needs to be stabilised in the short term and put on a sustainable footing in the long term. We need to consider how we can work towards meeting 30 per cent of agreed care costs in the hospice sector during this Senedd term. In addition to a plan to stabilise the wider sector, there is a need to expand the offer for children and their families, with earlier access to support, better co-ordination between services and dependable respite and bereavement care wherever people live. And we need to ensure that our NHS and hospices have the workforce they need to meet growing demand, with the right staff in the right place. We need to build on the Government's manifesto commitment to develop a new sustainable funding model, and to this end, Labour offers to work with the Government to address the key challenges facing palliative and end-of-life care as per the programme of government. That is what our motion is calling for. It's asking Ministers constructively to come forward with a long-term plan that stabilises and secures high-quality services and to ensure that our NHS and hospices have the skilled workforce they need to meet growing demand for palliative and end-of-life care. These challenges require action now as well as a clear plan for the future. Llywydd, we all recognise the extraordinary contribution that dedicated NHS and hospice staff make every day, delivering dignified and compassionate care to children and adults with terminal illness. We owe it to those staff and to the tens of thousands of families who depend on 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 778998 201 En 2026-10-14T15:25:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=6900&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=6900&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 12142 12142 Benjamin Hodge Mckenna AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12142 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12142 Hodge Mckenna, Benjamin Now, in 2025-26, the Welsh Government provided £3 million and committed to finding a sustainable funding solution, but Hospice UK estimate that that is just 10 per cent of the £30 million that will be required over this Senedd term just to safeguard existing services. As Ken Skates mentioned, Marie Curie have already suggested that the current system is failing people, that nearly a third of people in Wales have unmet palliative care needs. And what's worse is that the demand is expected to rise by more than 25 per cent over the next 25 years. That's a significant increase in demand for a system that is already having to scale back its services due to cost pressures. And while I'm glad that Labour did bring forward this debate today, the fact is that they had years in power in which they could have dealt with the issues that are currently facing hospice care in Wales. And now that Plaid Cymru are in charge, they must explain how they're going to support the sector, as patients cannot be cared for by an announcement or framework. Essential end-of-life care must be protected, and the current model is clearly unsustainable. Community hospice and palliative care services help people to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and they relieve pressure from elsewhere in our healthcare system. At Reform, we will support measures that place our hospices on a sustainable footing, strengthen community and out-of-hours capacity, and develop the workforce that is necessary to meet growing demands. Hence, we will be supporting this motion today. Diolch yn fawr. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779004 202 En 2026-10-14T15:26:49 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=7009&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=7009&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 336 336 Natasha Asghar AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=336 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=336 Asghar, Natasha I'd like to thank the Welsh Labour Party for bringing forward this important debate this afternoon. My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I are pleased to be supporting this motion. Palliative and end-of-life care are incredibly important elements of our healthcare system, and we must do all that we can to ensure they are supported and protected for the future. It is not just about supporting people when they are coming towards the end of their lives. Palliative care is about supporting patients throughout, improving their quality of life, and managing their pain. It is about treating people and their loved ones with dignity, compassion and respect at what is an incredibly emotional and difficult time. Our hospices play a vital role in delivering the care, whether that be on site or indeed within people's homes, and I want to take a moment to thank the staff that are working in this sector. That includes the doctors, the nurses, the carers, the specialists, the volunteers, the hospice staff, the carers, and everyone else in between. They are the ones who are there day in, day out, supporting people through unimaginably upsetting times, bringing comfort, warmth, and support. Their work is extraordinary, and it cannot indeed be an easy job. I made a really sobering visit to St David's hospice in Newport not too long ago, and I saw firsthand the compassion and dedication that the staff put into their roles. The services and support offered at the hospices was extensive, yet not a single penny is charged for the care that they provide. Despite that, it costs £15,000 every single day to provide that care, and while some funding is indeed provided from the Welsh Government and the NHS, it relies heavily on money raised through fundraising and charity shops. That should not be the case. Too many hospices are facing significant pressures and are in a similar boat when it comes to finance. Fundraising is often a great example of community spirit, bringing people together for a worthy cause, but it should not have to be relied on as much for such a service. It should complement public funding, not have to replace it. According to Hospices UK, around 70 per cent of the care costs of delivering hospice care are funded by charitable donations, while the remaining 30 per cent are provided by the Welsh Government and local health boards. That's staggering and, quite frankly, is not sustainable long term. Around 20,000 adults and children every year are supported by Welsh hospices, and our ageing population makes the need for urgent improvements even more pressing. Presiding Officer, demand for hospice and palliative care continues to rise, but the cost pressures facing the sector are having a major impact. A survey carried out by Hospice UK revealed that more than 90 per cent of hospices in Wales are likely to cut certain services within the next 12 to 24 months simply due to costs. Not only that, but near one in two hospices already cut services last year, and I fear that if things do not improve, some hospices will be forced to close for good. We simply cannot allow that to happen. A survey of 14 voluntary hospices in Wales discovered that 30 per cent are already reducing beds or cutting services, and that more than 70 per cent with inpatient units expect at least one bed to close either temporarily or permanently. Not only that, but three quarters fear that they will be forced to withdraw support normally provided by hospitals and care homes. These are, quite frankly, shocking statistics. But let me share an even more shocking and utterly distressing fact with you all. One in four people do not get the end-of-life care and support that they need, with someone dying without care and support every five minutes. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779022 203 En 2026-10-14T15:35:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=7500&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=7500&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 332 332 Mike Hedges AC https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=332 Hedges, Mike such as family, carers and friends, need 24-hour access to care, support and reassurance; ensure that people living with terminal illnesses are discharged from hospital swiftly when they are deemed able to return home; appropriate support must be in place at the point of discharge, including support to die in their preferred place. This will, as well as benefiting terminally ill patients, free up beds in hospital and end the continual movement of those terminally ill into and out of hospital. We cannot allow a postcode lottery for end-of-life care. Wherever you live in Wales, you need the same level of provision. With palliative care, there is a major role carried out by unpaid carers. The needs of unpaid carers have to be assessed and reviewed so that their needs can be met and the support they need can be provided. The difference that high-quality palliative care and end-of-life care can make for people living with a terminal illness and those close to them cannot be understated. Too many in Wales cannot access the care they need. What we need is for health boards and trusts to periodically assess palliative and end-of-life care for their local population, then use that to inform service planning and delivery. These assessments can be made publicly available. Health boards must publish a local delivery plan for palliative care. These must set out how they will meet the population need and achieve the ambitions set out in the Welsh Government quality statement. All regional partnership boards must include palliative and end-of-life care leads to provide expert advice and guidance on meeting the needs of people with terminal illness and those close to them. Can I just raise three matters from personal experience? A patient with cancer of the oesophagus who could not swallow was going to literally be left to starve to death until I intervened and they had six months of a rewarding life by being PEG fed; a terminally ill patient without palliative care who just went in and out of hospital with no palliative-care support; a terminally ill patient left in a nursing home with no palliative support. All this needs funding. There is a need to establish a sustainable funding solution to establish a sustainable palliative care and end-of-life care system that can meet the growing needs for care. There doesn't need to be a magic money tree, use unallocated resources. Do what matters, instead of things such as a shadow broadcasting and communications authority for Wales. Palliative care and end-of-life care matter to me, do they matter to the Welsh Government? 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779028 204 En 2026-10-14T15:37:21 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=7641&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=7641&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 12184 12184 Becca Martin AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12184 Martin, Becca Hospices provide the medical facilities needed to meet complex care needs, but they also provide comfort in a way hospitals just can't. A warm and personal welcome, a peaceful homely feel, rather than cold, white, clinical walls, frightening noises, shared walls and the hustle and bustle of busy spaces. A couple of weeks ago, I visited St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph where I had an unexpected conversation with a resident named Mel. Mel was sitting outside enjoying his morning coffee. It was an ordinary, everyday moment, yet in many ways it represented everything that hospice care should be about: enabling people to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, retain their independence and experience moments of normality, even when facing the most difficult of circumstances. Mel spoke passionately about the compassion and care shown to him by the hospice staff and volunteers. He described how the people supporting him took time to understand his needs and tailor their care accordingly. This is what makes hospice care so special. It recognises that every patient is an individual with their own needs, wishes, fears and hopes. When a patient enters, they are defined by who they are and not what condition or illness they have. Every member of staff and every volunteer I encountered at St Kentigern's demonstrated a genuine commitment to providing comfort, compassion and dignity. It was clear that, to them, this wasn't a job, it was a vocation. Sadly, Mel passed away soon after our meeting, but I'm grateful to be able to say that his death was peaceful and dignified and that he was surrounded by love. The support provided by the hospice to Mel and his family played an important part in making that possible. Between 2024 and 2025, hospices in Wales provided direct support to 4,900 family members, friends and carers. Caring for a loved one can be physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and financially challenging. Unpaid carers give so much of themselves, often with little opportunity to rest and recover. Hospices can provide those carers with a much-needed break, helping them to recharge and continue in their caring role. Hospices also often continue to provide support long after a loved one has died. Bereavement services, counselling and practical guidance help families navigate the difficult journey that follows the loss of someone they love. So, when we talk of hospices and palliative care, we must look beyond the immediate care provided to patients. We must recognise the support given to families, unpaid carers, communities and the wider NHS. Hospices are precious institutions, but they cannot continue to deliver these services through goodwill and dedication alone. They need 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779031 205 En 2026-10-14T15:55:00 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=8700&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=8700&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 12175 12175 Shav Taj AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12175 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12175 Taj, Shav struggling to understand a complicated system or worrying about whether the help that they need will be there. Whatever our differences across this Chamber, I hope that we can agree on one fundamental principle: everyone in Wales deserves dignity, they deserve compassion, and they deserve respect at the end of life. All the people, of course, who provide that care, also deserve our support too. Diolch yn fawr. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779032 206 En 2026-10-14T15:55:28 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=8728&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=8728&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 12176 12176 Paul Rock AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12176 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12176 Rock, Paul Last night—or last week, rather—I was delighted to visit City Hospice in my constituency. They do fantastic work supporting people with terminal illnesses and their families. They provide care to people within their own homes, helping to keep them connected with their local communities and their support networks for as long as possible, but they also have an amazing drop-in centre in Whitchurch with beautiful gardens and space for people to take part in meaningful activities, allowing people to keep on living well right to the end of their lives. They told me about a man they supported who was understandably feeling very low and said that one of the things he was really missing was the opportunity to chat about football, so they created a sports bar where people could drink alcohol-free beer, watch football matches and talk about them, often with a sporting hero as a special guest. I confess that's not something that appeals to me at all personally, but the sports bar has now become one of their most popular activities. This is the real difference that hospices make in people's lives, but this vital work is at risk without sustainable funding and strong collaborative working with local health boards. The previous Government took steps towards developing a hospice commissioning framework to ensure consistent good practice across Wales. However, I understand there are still significant variations across different areas. The Welsh hospice sector needs an additional £5.5 million of funding this year and an additional £8.2 million of funding in each subsequent year of the Senedd term. This works out at around, as people have said, £30 million for the whole of this Senedd term, which is not a great deal amount of money considering the hugely beneficial impacts for our communities. On average, Welsh hospices get only around a third of their income from statutory sources and must fundraise for the rest from private donors, which is extremely difficult in the context of the cost-of-living crisis. Any additional financial help for hospices would of course be welcomed, but long-term certainty in both the contracts and grant funding so that staff and service users can be confident their vital services will be there whenever they are needed. Predictable, multi-year recurring funding allows hospices to better plan ahead and supports their highly skilled staff with a huge number of different medical specialisms embedded within their own local communities. I'm glad that we all agree that the incredible work of our hospices and palliative care workers is not just worth celebrating in this debate this afternoon, but also worthy of fair and sustainable funding in recognition of their life-affirming work. Diolch. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779037 207 En 2026-10-14T15:58:33 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=8913&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=8913&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care 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. We have another couple of speakers. This debate has got a lot of speakers down for it. I may run slightly over, if you will allow me, but if I could ask the next couple of speakers just to be mindful that we will be running over. Rebeca Phillips. 16316 7 2026-10-14T13:30:00 779038 208 En 2026-10-14T15:58:50 http://www.senedd.tv/en/16316?startPos=8930&l=en http://www.senedd.tv/cy/16316?startPos=8930&l=cy 261014-6 5. Dadl Llafur Cymru: Gofal lliniarol a diwedd oes 5. Welsh Labour Debate: Palliative and end-of-life care C 12172 12172 Rebeca Phillips AS https://business.senedd.wales/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 https://busnes.senedd.cymru/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=12172 Phillips, Rebaca Diolch, Llywydd, and I'd like to thank everyone for sharing their personal stories today. How we care for people in the final chapters of their lives is the ultimate measure of our compassion, our values and our society. Palliative and end-of-life care is not a secondary branch of medicine—it is a fundamental pillar in a truly integrated health and social care system. In Neath Port Talbot, Marie Curie estimates that 1,550 people would have benefited from palliative and end-of-life care in 2023. In 10 years, they estimate that demand for palliative care in Neath Port Talbot will increase to 1,705 people per year, and what we must remember is that behind every figure, there is a person, there is a family. Early identification of needs through health boards is vital to inform planning and delivery of services. I was pleased to see in the Plaid Cymru manifesto commitments to ensure that every regional partnership board includes a palliative and end-of-life care need, because dignity in death should never depend on your postcode. And we turn to the staff of our hospices across Wales. The support these individuals