Party seeks 100,000 responses to shape future NHS reform in Wales

THE WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have launched a nationwide survey to gather public views on the state of the NHS and social care system in Wales.

Aiming for 100,000 responses, the NHS and Social Care Survey is designed to uncover what is working — and what is not — within Welsh healthcare. The results will help the party develop what it describes as a bold, evidence-based plan to reform services ahead of the 2026 Senedd elections.

Launching the initiative, Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds MS said: “Despite the incredible dedication of our doctors, nurses and care workers, after 25 years of Labour rule the NHS and social care system here in Wales simply isn’t working for too many people.

“Whether it’s unacceptable waits for surgery or the growing crisis in NHS dentistry, people are being let down — and it’s time for change.

“That’s why we’re asking people across Wales to share their experiences and ideas. Your voice will help shape a bold, evidence-led plan to fix our health and social care services and ensure they’re fit for the future.”

The survey is available online and in print, with party volunteers distributing copies in communities across Wales. The party is encouraging anyone living in Wales to take part.

Health and social care reform is expected to be a key pillar of the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ manifesto for 2026.

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Call for urgent action as over 10,500 people remain in temporary accommodation across Wales

THIS WEEK (Wed, July 9), Shelter Cymru and the Bevan Foundation were joined by more than a dozen people with lived experience of the housing crisis to deliver a powerful open letter to the First Minister at the Senedd.

Signed by over 1,000 people from across Wales, the letter calls for urgent and determined action to reduce the number of people stuck in temporary accommodation and to increase the supply of permanent, affordable homes.

The latest figures show over 10,500 people – including 2,500 children – are currently living in temporary settings such as B&Bs and caravan parks. The number of households in temporary accommodation has nearly doubled over the course of the last Senedd, driven by rising living costs and a chronic shortage of affordable housing.

For many, life in temporary accommodation means unsuitable, overcrowded conditions. Clients of Shelter Cymru describe how the situation is taking a serious toll on their health, wellbeing, and opportunities:

“I can’t keep going the way I’m going. My state of mind is deteriorating.”
“The kids are constantly ill.”
“We want to work. We want a life. Just normal things for us and the kids.”
“My daughter doesn’t want to go to school anymore… she’s embarrassed about how we’re living.”

Robin White, Head of Campaigns at Shelter Cymru, said: “These are the harrowing stories we hear daily. People are desperate for a safe, secure, affordable social home, but are instead left in limbo by a broken system. Local authorities don’t want to rely on costly and unsuitable options like B&Bs, but without enough permanent homes, they have little choice. We need the Welsh Government to make this a cross-government priority.”

While recent months have seen a slight drop in the overall numbers and record investment in social housing, the pace of progress remains too slow. Half of all families with children in temporary accommodation have now been there for over six months.

There is also a mounting financial cost. Local authorities are spending close to £100 million a year on temporary accommodation – a sum that could be better invested in long-term housing solutions.

Wendy Dearden, Senior Policy and Research Officer at the Bevan Foundation, said: “The human cost is obvious, but the strain on councils and services is just as stark. We recognise the efforts being made, but the situation is now untenable. Wales urgently needs more affordable homes. The Senedd must act decisively – there is no time to waste.”

Robin White added: “This open letter represents a groundswell of concern and a collective demand for change. We are here to ensure that the voices of affected people are heard loud and clear by those in power.”

Finch-Saunders brands seabed destruction a ‘national disgrace’

A CALL to ban bottom trawling in Welsh waters was made in the Senedd this week, with Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders criticising what she described as the Welsh Government’s “rudderless” approach to marine protection.

Speaking during a debate on Monday (July 9), the Aberconwy MS said bottom trawling – the practice of dragging weighted nets across the seabed – was among the most “wasteful and destructive” forms of fishing.

“It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place,” she told members.

Finch-Saunders warned that bottom trawling destroys seabed habitats, releases high levels of carbon, and results in the death of untargeted marine life. She said it was currently restricted in less than 1% of Welsh waters, with protections only in place around Skomer Island – one of 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) around Wales.

‘Incompatible with protection’

Describing the method as “incompatible” with the aims of MPAs, she urged the Welsh Government to introduce a wider ban, pointing to the UK Government’s consultation on banning bottom trawling in 41 English MPAs, covering over 30,000km².

Finch-Saunders said: “Stopping this wicked trawling in MPAs would be one of the most impactful steps that this Welsh Government could take in meeting nature and climate commitments for protecting and effectively managing 30% of our sea by 2030.”

She referenced a ban in Lyme Bay, south-west England, which resulted in a 430% increase in species richness, saying it demonstrated the potential for marine recovery.

Scallop dredging and Gower cockling raised

Labour MS Joyce Watson echoed concerns, raising long-standing opposition to scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay’s special area of conservation.

“Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along,” she said.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas shared her horror at scenes in David Attenborough’s Ocean documentary, but said there was hope: “It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.”

Meanwhile, Conservative MS Tom Giffard warned of unsustainable cockling in Penclawdd, Gower, after legislative changes led to an influx of gatherers.

“Residents are very worried that the seabed is not being protected and the future viability of cockles in Penclawdd is not being protected either,” he said.

Calls for balance

Saundersfoot’s razor clam harvesting also came under fire, with Conservative MS Sam Kurtz describing the practice as extractive and poorly controlled, even when done for “personal use”.

However, James Evans MS cautioned against overregulation, stressing the need to consider fishermen’s livelihoods.

“I do worry sometimes about banning things or overregulation for the simple reason that a lot of our fishermen make a living out of the sea,” he said.

Welsh Government response

Responding to the debate, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said bottom trawling around Wales was “relatively limited” and pointed to joint management of the king scallop fishery with England as an example of sustainable practice.

“We have robust management processes in place to protect our marine environment,” he said. “And we will react to any evidence which confirms the need for additional measures.”

He pledged a “proportionate, evidence-led” approach to any future restrictions.