5 Things Happening In Wales This Week

Newsdirect’s latest recruit, Researcher Sian Goff, gives us a run-down on what’s caught her eye over the next week in Wales. Refugee Week Arts, cultural and educational events will take place in Wales this week to mark Refugee Week. This nationwide initiative aims to increase awareness of the contribution refugees make to the UK, as […]

Senedd this week: Brexit, housing and the growing issue of allotments

Brexit statement as turmoil continues Brexit continues to dominate the political agenda as Theresa May failed to get her Withdrawal Agreement through the House of Commons for the third time on Friday. With March 29 having come and gone and the UK no closer securing a divorce deal with the EU, the Welsh Government’s Brexit […]

In Focus: The Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill

Last week, the National Assembly for Wales passed the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Bill, which will extend the powers held by the office of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. The Bill will replace the existing Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005, which established the role of the Ombudsman. Newsdirect health specialist Madelaine Phillips takes […]

Senedd this week: Brexit regulations, smacking ban and regional rugby

Joe Atkinson takes a look at what’s happening in the National Assembly for Wales this week.   Brexit regulations take up plenary time Much of Tuesday afternoon’s plenary will involve AMs debating regulations on the UK’s exit from the European Union. The Assembly will consider Brexit regulations on social care, food, rural affairs, plant health […]

Apprenticeships: The latest from Wales

Our education specialist, Joe Atkinson, looks at the latest policy developments in Wales, as the Welsh Government looks to create 100,000 apprenticeships by 2021.   Government Policy Ahead of the 2016 Assembly election, Welsh Labour’s manifesto included a pledge to deliver 100,000 apprenticeships by the end of the current term of government in 2021. In […]

Senedd this week: Environment, obesity and crucial Brexit votes

We look at the major talking point in the National Assembly for Wales this week. Focus on the Environment The Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, will be busy on Tuesday afternoon, giving two plenary statements to Assembly Members. First, she will address the Siambr on the Welsh Government’s support for forestry […]

Wales: What are the Assembly’s committees consulting on?

Rhys Jackson takes a look at the topics National Assembly for Wales committees are currently consulting on. Benefits The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee is consulting on benefits and the possibility of devolving powers over welfare from London. After Carwyn Jones continuously opposed the devolution of welfare in any form, new First Minister Mark […]

The latest legislative developments from Wales

With Brexit leading to a legislative logjam, the past year has been one of the busiest since Wales gained primary law-making powers. Here we look at the Acts passed since the summer, the Bills currently before the Assembly and what might be on the legislative agenda in the year ahead. Minimum Pricing The Public Health […]

Health in Wales: The Transformation Fund

This week saw the Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, update AMs on the Welsh Government’s Transformation Fund, a £100m pot to implement the recommendations of the Parliamentary Review of health and social care in Wales. Our health expert Madelaine Phillips takes a closer look. One Year On A year after he first announced the fund, Mr […]

This week in the Senedd: Focus on education, health and active travel

Education, education, education School funding is high on the agenda this week, as the Children, Young People and Education Committee begins an inquiry and the Welsh Conservatives lead a debate on the issue. Last week the Tories contested that the Welsh Government has pushed schools to crisis point and criticised its handling of the education […]