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Politics

Drakeford criticises ‘Mystic Meg’ motion on UK budget

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MARK DRAKEFORD criticised a “Mystic Meg”-style motion on next week’s UK budget.

Wales’ finance secretary responded to a Plaid Cymru debate held in the Senedd exactly a week before the new Labour UK Government’s first budget announcement on October 30.

He said: “I lost count of the number of times in which Plaid Cymru members used the word ‘demand’ as though the volume of our voice mattered more than the quality of our argument.

“And, alongside that student union approach to debating, you have a sort of Mystic Meg approach to the construction of propositions for debate.

“We don’t know, and actually you don’t know, what is going to be in the budget next week – yet your motion tells us already that it’s let Wales down.”

But Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow finance secretary, stressed that the premise of the debate was to try to influence rather than predict the budget.

Her motion called for £4bn from HS2, devolution of the Crown Estate, a new funding formula for Wales, a U-turn on the winter fuel allowance, and an end to the two-child benefit cap.

Ms Fychan said: “In the run-up to the general election, Wales was promised change. For years, we have heard government ministers in this place say time and time again, ‘once we have a Labour government in Westminster, it will be different for Wales’.

“To date, the so-called partnership in power has underdelivered.”

She criticised the Welsh Government for “watering down” previous demands and seeking to delete all five calls from the motion.

Raising the example of HS2, she said the Welsh Government is now “requesting a commitment to further discussion” rather than reiterating previous calls for £4bn.

Peter Fox agreed with much of the Plaid Cymru motion, aside from the devolution of the Crown Estate which he argued would not be in the best interests of Wales.

The Conservatives’ shadow finance secretary said next week’s “long-awaited” budget will follow in the “incredibly disappointing” footsteps of the first 100 days of Labour.

He said: “We have seen nothing but spin, deception and U-turns from Labour ministers in Westminster and, sadly, their colleagues in the Senedd seem to be jumping into line.”

Mr Fox raised a warning from the older people’s commissioner for Wales that cutting universal winter fuel payments could lead to 4,000 excess deaths.

He also accused Rachel Reeves of backtracking on a manifesto pledge, with the UK chancellor expected to raise employers’ National Insurance contributions.

Luke Fletcher said Crown Estate assets generate hundreds of millions yearly “but none of that wealth actually stays in Wales” as he called for devolution of powers.

His Plaid Cymru colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths focused on HS2, which he described as the “great Welsh train robbery”, and Labour’s previous calls for Wales to receive billions.

And Rhun ap Iorwerth, the Plaid Cymru leader, accused Labour of putting its own interests before those of the people of Wales.

Jane Dodds, the Liberal Democrats’ leader in Wales, criticised Labour’s “appalling, head-in-the-sand” attitude toward the “cruel” two-child benefit cap.

Calling for taxes on the rich to fund public services, she said the burden of clearing up the Conservatives’ legacy of economic devastation should not fall on ordinary people.

Alun Davies, a Labour backbencher, said: “It’s certainly good to see Plaid Cymru registering their disappointment at a budget that hasn’t yet been delivered.

“I would certainly advise anybody today to listen to the budget before they condemn it.”

Responding to the debate on October 23, Prof Drakeford agreed with Ms Dodds on the “collective amnesia” of the Conservatives.

The former First Minister said: “I think the budget next week will make a start on repairing the damage of those 14 years of the starvation of our public services.”

The Senedd voted against Plaid Cymru’s motion and the Conservative amendment.

The Welsh Government’s “delete-all” amendment was also rejected, 28-27, with David Rees, the deputy speaker or Dirprwy Lywydd, using his casting vote in line with convention.

 

News

Reform MS sparks Senedd walkout after controversial remarks

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Labour, Plaid Cymru and Green members leave chamber as political tensions boil over in first major clash of new Senedd term

A HEATED row erupted in the Senedd after a Reform UK Member of the Senedd made remarks that prompted politicians from Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party to walk out of the debating chamber in protest.

The dramatic scenes unfolded during a debate when Reform MS Joe Martin criticised the state of education in Wales, making comments about literacy standards that opponents said were insulting and disrespectful.

Video of the exchange quickly spread across social media, drawing strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.

During his speech, Martin referred to concerns about educational attainment in Wales and questioned the performance of the Welsh education system. However, opposition members accused him of crossing a line by mocking Welsh pupils and making remarks they considered offensive.

As tensions rose, members from Labour, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party left the chamber in a coordinated walkout, signalling their disapproval of the comments.

The incident marks one of the most significant confrontations since the newly elected Senedd first convened following the May election.

Growing political divide

The walkout highlights the increasingly confrontational atmosphere that has developed between Reform UK and the other parties represented in the Welsh Parliament.

Reform entered the Senedd with a significantly larger presence following the election, fundamentally changing the political landscape and creating a more divided chamber than in previous terms.

Supporters of Reform argued that Martin was highlighting genuine concerns about educational standards and literacy rates in Wales, while opponents maintained that criticism of government policy should not come at the expense of pupils and communities.

The exchange quickly became a major talking point online, with clips attracting thousands of views and generating fierce debate about standards of political discourse in Wales.

Education remains key battleground

Education is expected to remain one of the most fiercely contested issues during the current Senedd term.

Recent years have seen repeated concerns raised about educational performance, attendance levels and attainment gaps, while Welsh Government ministers have defended ongoing reforms and investment in schools.

The latest clash demonstrates how debates over education are likely to become increasingly political as parties seek to define themselves ahead of future elections.

While walkouts are relatively uncommon in the Senedd, Wednesday’s protest underscored the strength of feeling among opposition members and provided an early indication of the battles that may lie ahead in the new parliamentary term.

The incident is likely to fuel further debate both inside and outside the Senedd over political standards, educational performance and the direction of Welsh public policy under the new political landscape.

 

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Health

NHS Wales under renewed pressure as waiting lists and A&E delays grow

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Cancer treatment targets missed again as opposition says Plaid must share responsibility for health service performance

NHS WALES is facing renewed pressure after the latest performance figures showed waiting lists rising, cancer treatment targets being missed again and more patients waiting over 12 hours in emergency departments.

The figures come as the Welsh Government announced an additional £145m for NHS Wales, including £100m to reduce waiting times and £25m for new surgical hubs.

In April, performance against the 62-day target for patients starting cancer treatment fell to 56.7%, well below the 75% target.

In Swansea Bay, just 48.4% of cancer patients began treatment within the target time.

Treatment waiting lists also increased, with 680,003 patient pathways recorded in April. The estimated number of individual patients waiting for treatment stood at 536,500.

Two-year waits rose to 3,694. In England, the comparable figure was 191.

Emergency care also came under further strain in May. The proportion of patients spending less than four hours in Welsh emergency departments fell to 64.4%, against a target of 95%.

A total of 11,066 patients waited 12 hours or more before being admitted, transferred or discharged, up from 10,287 in April. The target is zero.

Ambulance performance remained under pressure. For red calls, the median response time improved to nine minutes and 12 seconds, but the 90th percentile increased to 22 minutes and 39 seconds, meaning response time targets were still not met.

Welsh Conservative criticism

The Welsh Conservatives said the figures showed a “worrying backslide” in NHS performance and accused Plaid Cymru of sharing responsibility for the state of the health service.

Natasha Asghar MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, said: “These figures show a worrying backslide in NHS performance in Wales. Cancer treatment times have fallen, waiting lists have risen, two-year waits are up and more patients are being left waiting over 12 hours in emergency departments.

“Plaid Cymru cannot escape responsibility for this. They propped up the previous Welsh Labour Government by backing their budgets and are now in Government themselves. Patients across Wales need action, not more talk of improvement.

“Whilst any extra funding for the NHS is welcome, £145m will not be enough unless it is accompanied by urgent reform, a comprehensive workforce strategy and real delivery for patients.

“The Welsh Conservatives have been clear that the Welsh Government needs to declare a health emergency in our NHS. We need more beds in our hospitals, a robust NHS workforce and a serious plan to cut waiting lists and to support our emergency departments.”

Funding announced

The Welsh Government says the extra £145m will support work to reduce waiting times and improve access to treatment.

Of that, £100m has been allocated to reducing waiting lists, while £25m will be invested in new surgical hubs.

Health leaders have welcomed the additional funding, but warned that money alone will not solve the pressures facing hospitals, GP services, social care and emergency departments.

The latest figures are likely to increase pressure on ministers to show clear progress before the winter, when demand on the NHS is expected to rise further.

Welsh Government response

The Welsh Government said the figures related to April, before the new administration took office, and showed that both treatment waiting lists and the longest waits had increased.

Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor said too many people were waiting too long for treatment, and said emergency care performance was not yet at the level patients and staff should expect.

He said: “Our focus is clear — cut waiting times, prioritise those who have been waiting the longest, improve access to services and build an NHS that can keep up with demand in the long term.

“To bring waiting times down and keep them down, we need to change the way the NHS works — making sure patients move through the system more smoothly, from their first referral all the way to treatment.

“We’ve got a plan to do this, working with the fantastic NHS staff right across Wales. The £145 million we’re announcing today will be important in tackling the waiting list and waiting times and helping people be seen quicker.”

The Welsh Government said £100m would be used to help reduce waiting lists and waiting times, £25m would be invested in new surgical and diagnostic hubs, and £20m would go towards essential maintenance across the NHS estate.

 

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News

More than 240 organisations back call for fairer Wales

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Senedd statement urges action on rising costs, climate change, nature loss and insecure livelihoods

MORE than 240 organisations from across Wales have backed a Senedd call for urgent action to build a fairer, greener and more resilient nation.

The Statement of Opinion, tabled by Niamh Salkeld MS, supports the Cymru Together campaign and calls on the Welsh Government to respond to the linked crises of rising living costs, insecure livelihoods, climate change and nature loss.

Ahead of the 2026 Senedd election, more than 240 organisations signed an open letter under the Cymru Together banner, urging political parties to work together on Wales’ most pressing challenges.

The statement calls on ministers to invest in warmer homes and cheaper renewable energy, ensure renewable energy creates community wealth and supports workers, and restore nature by supporting farmers to produce food sustainably while making polluters pay.

It also says climate action in Wales can support communities around the world already facing the worst effects of climate change, while delivering practical improvements to everyday life at home.

Niamh Salkeld MS said: “For communities like mine in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, this is about fairness.

“We know that if we get this right, we can tackle the cost-of-living crisis, strengthen our communities and create a more secure future.

“We also know the cost of doing nothing is higher energy bills, more extreme weather and fewer opportunities for future generations.”

Bethan Sayed, Head of Politics at Climate Cymru, said Wales was at a “pivotal moment”.

She said: “Climate action is not a burden on Wales: it is an opportunity to build warmer homes, create good jobs, restore our natural environment, and deliver a fairer future for everyone who calls Wales home.”

Stan Townsend, Head of Policy at Climate Cymru, said the proposals were “practical priorities” that could make a real difference.

He said: “Investing in home efficiency cuts energy bills for households, community ownership of renewable energy gives us the chance to keep more wealth in our communities, and supporting farmers to farm sustainably protects the land and the livelihoods that depend on it.”

Cerith Griffiths, a former firefighter and FBU trade union official, said the campaign connected climate action with lower energy bills, good jobs and healthier communities.

Global Climate Justice Cymru said the statement recognised that “what Wales does matters beyond our borders”, while Race Council Cymru said the campaign showed how climate action could help reduce living costs and create new opportunities.

Cymru Together describes itself as a growing movement of more than 240 organisations calling for a fairer and healthier Wales.

 

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