Welsh Parliament Siambr

Monday afternoon sees the Finance Committee hold a scrutiny session with Kirsty Williams on the financial implications of the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill. Adrian Crompton, the Auditor General for Wales, will then appear before the committee for scrutiny of Audit Wales’ accounts and 2021-22 plan. Similarly, over in the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, Nick Bennett, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, will give evidence on his annual report.

On Tuesday morning, the Business Committee meets in private to discuss, among other items, Senedd business for the next three weeks. Also meeting behind closed doors is the Standards of Conduct Committee but, at the time of writing, its agenda had yet to be confirmed. In the afternoon, plenary begins as usual with FMQs. Mark Drakeford will face questions on coronavirus, a green recovery, public transport, and the opening of Gwent’s Grange University Hospital. Counsel General Questions will follow, with Jeremy Miles set to take questions on the WASPI campaign and the legal implications of the Internal Market Bill. Rebecca Evans will then make weekly business statement and announcement before deputy minister Julie Morgan gives a statement on the childcare offer and support for the childcare sector. Rounding off the day’s business, members will be asked to agree regulations on Covid-19 restrictions and pharmaceutical services.

On Wednesday, the Senedd’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee will continue taking evidence on Covid-19 recovery, this time hearing from business representatives and trade unions. Meanwhile, the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee will also focus on coronavirus, with Public Health Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association set to give evidence. A second press conference has been pencilled in for 12.30pm before Wednesday’s plenary which sees Rebecca Evans taking questions related to her finance brief as the UK Government’s autumn budget looms on the horizon. MSs will then question Eluned Morgan on her international relations and Welsh language portfolio, before the Senedd Commission answers questions on the possibility of holding hybrid committee meetings and engagement ahead of next year’s elections. Time has also been allotted for topical questions, 90-second statements and motions related to oversight of the Electoral Commission’s functions in Wales. Debates will be held on variations in national and sub-national income tax, higher education, second homes, and the neurological conditions delivery plan.

Thursday sees four policy committees meet. The Children, Young People and Education Committee continues its work on the Curriculum and Assessment Bill, with witnesses from teaching and headteacher unions. The Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee takes evidence on the impact of coronavirus on the Welsh language, while the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee will focus on the UK emissions trading scheme. At the time of writing, the agenda for Thursday afternoon’s meeting of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee was yet to be confirmed.

On Friday, the Welsh Government will give an update on coronavirus restrictions at its third press conference of the week.

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