Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.23

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education

Julie Morgan (Cardiff North): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Cardiff University following the announcement that 400 jobs are to be cut?

To ask the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership

Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the interests of Welsh rugby fans are prioritised in any future broadcasting agreements, following recent reports regarding TNT Sports' potential bid for the Six Nations TV rights?

The item started at 15.22

Answered by the Minister for Further and Higher Education

Julie Morgan (Cardiff North): What discussions has the Welsh Government had with Cardiff University following the announcement that 400 jobs are to be cut?

Answered by the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership

Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central): What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that the interests of Welsh rugby fans are prioritised in any future broadcasting agreements, following recent reports regarding TNT Sports' potential bid for the Six Nations TV rights?

The item started at 16.08

Mike Hedges made a statement on – Stroke Prevention Day (30 January).

Rhys ab Owen made a statement on – Tribute to Emrys Roberts.

NDM8805 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

1. Considers the report of the Business Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders: Standing Order 12.19 (Open Debates)’, laid in the Table Office on 22 January 2025.

2. Approves the proposal to amend Standing Order 12.19, as set out in Annex A of the Business Committee’s report.

The item started at 16.12

NDM8805 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 33.2:

1. Considers the report of the Business Committee, ‘Amending Standing Orders: Standing Order 12.19 (Open Debates)’, laid in the Table Office on 22 January 2025.

2. Approves the proposal to amend Standing Order 12.19, as set out in Annex A of the Business Committee’s report.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8801 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee ’Financial Transactions Capital’ laid in the Table Office on 25 November 2024.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government was laid in the Table Office on 22 January 2025.

The item started at 16.12

NDM8801 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee ’Financial Transactions Capital’ laid in the Table Office on 25 November 2024.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government was laid in the Table Office on 22 January 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8803 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes the Labour Market Overview published by the Office for National Statistics on 21 January 2025.

2. Regrets that under the Welsh Government:

a) Wales’s unemployment rate has increased for the seventh consecutive month to 5.6 per cent, the highest rate in the United Kingdom;

b) Wales’s employment rate has decreased to 70 per cent, the lowest rate in the United Kingdom;

c) Wales’s economic inactivity rate stands at 25.6 per cent, the highest rate in Great Britain; and

d) Welsh wage packets are the lowest in Great Britain.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to create more jobs in Wales and boost growth by:

a) reinstating business rates relief to 75 per cent for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector to support business and protect jobs;

b) abolishing business rates for small businesses;

c) levelling-up the whole of Wales with adequate levels of investment for all parts of the country; and

d) working with the UK Government to cover the costs of their employer national insurance increase on private businesses.

ONS Labour market overview

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Regrets that there continues to be issues assessing labour market performance in Wales due to the concerns regarding the quality of the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Recognises that LFS data for Wales are among the lowest quality of all UK countries and English regions;

Agrees that the best way of understanding the Welsh labour market is to consider longer term trends across a basket of indicators, which includes alternative sources such as the Annual Population Survey, HMRC real time information on paid employees, data on workforce jobs, and the claimant count.

Further notes that in 2024, Welsh wage packets for full-time adults working in Wales were higher than the North East of England, East Midlands, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Welcomes that the Welsh Government will create more jobs in Wales and boost growth by:

a) continuing to provide packages of additional support for non-domestic rates worth £134 million this year and £85 million next year in addition to permanent relief schemes worth £250 million annually and the considerable additional support provided to businesses and other ratepayers over recent years;

b) securing inward investment and increasing the number of jobs here in Wales;

c) working with the UK Government to restore decision-making on post-2026 regional investment to the Welsh Government, and developing a new investment programme with partners across Wales to follow the closure of legacy programmes like the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2026; and

d) working with the UK Government in developing the Industrial Strategy.

Amendment 2 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Regrets that the Welsh economy has suffered from a lack of investment and unfair funding model under previous and current UK Governments.

Calls on the UK Government to return decision-making powers over post-Brexit funding back to the Senedd.

Amendment 3 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Further calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) follow the OECD's recommendation to establish an arm's length agency to promote economic development;

b) adopt new and effective targets to drive sustainable economic development in Wales;

c) implement a national skills audit, mapping the needs of the Welsh economy for the future and matching them with investment in a strategy for skills and training; and

d) review and renew the Young Person's Guarantee, ensuring that all young people have genuine access to work, training or valuable opportunities for skills development.

The item started at 16.38

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8803 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes the Labour Market Overview published by the Office for National Statistics on 21 January 2025.

2. Regrets that under the Welsh Government:

a) Wales’s unemployment rate has increased for the seventh consecutive month to 5.6 per cent, the highest rate in the United Kingdom;

b) Wales’s employment rate has decreased to 70 per cent, the lowest rate in the United Kingdom;

c) Wales’s economic inactivity rate stands at 25.6 per cent, the highest rate in Great Britain; and

d) Welsh wage packets are the lowest in Great Britain.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to create more jobs in Wales and boost growth by:

a) reinstating business rates relief to 75 per cent for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector to support business and protect jobs;

b) abolishing business rates for small businesses;

c) levelling-up the whole of Wales with adequate levels of investment for all parts of the country; and

d) working with the UK Government to cover the costs of their employer national insurance increase on private businesses.

ONS Labour market overview

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	38	51

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

Regrets that there continues to be issues assessing labour market performance in Wales due to the concerns regarding the quality of the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Recognises that LFS data for Wales are among the lowest quality of all UK countries and English regions;

Agrees that the best way of understanding the Welsh labour market is to consider longer term trends across a basket of indicators, which includes alternative sources such as the Annual Population Survey, HMRC real time information on paid employees, data on workforce jobs, and the claimant count.

Further notes that in 2024, Welsh wage packets for full-time adults working in Wales were higher than the North East of England, East Midlands, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Welcomes that the Welsh Government will create more jobs in Wales and boost growth by:

a) continuing to provide packages of additional support for non-domestic rates worth £134 million this year and £85 million next year in addition to permanent relief schemes worth £250 million annually and the considerable additional support provided to businesses and other ratepayers over recent years;

b) securing inward investment and increasing the number of jobs here in Wales;

c) working with the UK Government to restore decision-making on post-2026 regional investment to the Welsh Government, and developing a new investment programme with partners across Wales to follow the closure of legacy programmes like the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2026; and

d) working with the UK Government in developing the Industrial Strategy.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	0	25	52

Amendment 1 was agreed.

Amendment 2 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Regrets that the Welsh economy has suffered from a lack of investment and unfair funding model under previous and current UK Governments.

Calls on the UK Government to return decision-making powers over post-Brexit funding back to the Senedd.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	13	28	52

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Add as a new point at end of motion:

Further calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) follow the OECD's recommendation to establish an arm's length agency to promote economic development;

b) adopt new and effective targets to drive sustainable economic development in Wales;

c) implement a national skills audit, mapping the needs of the Welsh economy for the future and matching them with investment in a strategy for skills and training; and

d) review and renew the Young Person's Guarantee, ensuring that all young people have genuine access to work, training or valuable opportunities for skills development.

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	27	52

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Notes the Labour Market Overview published by the Office for National Statistics on 21 January 2025.

2. Regrets that there continues to be issues assessing labour market performance in Wales due to the concerns regarding the quality of the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

3. Recognises that LFS data for Wales are among the lowest quality of all UK countries and English regions;

4. Agrees that the best way of understanding the Welsh labour market is to consider longer term trends across a basket of indicators, which includes alternative sources such as the Annual Population Survey, HMRC real time information on paid employees, data on workforce jobs, and the claimant count.

5. Further notes that in 2024, Welsh wage packets for full-time adults working in Wales were higher than the North East of England, East Midlands, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and the Humber.

6. Welcomes that the Welsh Government will create more jobs in Wales and boost growth by:

a) continuing to provide packages of additional support for non-domestic rates worth £134 million this year and £85 million next year in addition to permanent relief schemes worth £250 million annually and the considerable additional support provided to businesses and other ratepayers over recent years;

b) securing inward investment and increasing the number of jobs here in Wales;

c) working with the UK Government to restore decision-making on post-2026 regional investment to the Welsh Government, and developing a new investment programme with partners across Wales to follow the closure of legacy programmes like the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2026; and

d) working with the UK Government in developing the Industrial Strategy.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	0	27	53

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the motion as amended. Therefore, the motion as amended was not agreed.

NDM8804 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that 31 January 2025 will mark five years since the United Kingdom formally left the European Union.

2. Regrets:

a) that according to the Economic Cost of Brexit project, the hard Brexit pursued by the previous UK Government has cost the Welsh economy up to £4 billion;

b) that Brexit has reduced the value of Welsh exports by up to £1.1 billion, and that post-Brexit trade deals have been particularly unfavourable for Welsh agriculture and manufacturing;

c) the further loss to Wales of up to £1 billion in European structural and rural development funding as a result of Brexit;

d) the opportunities to work, travel, study and live in Europe that have been lost to people in Wales as a result of Brexit, particularly young people;

e) that the current UK Government has failed to address the issues caused by Brexit for Wales and the wider UK, and has signalled its opposition to rejoining the single market and customs union; and

f) the repeal of the Law Derived from the EU (Wales) Act 2018.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) introduce new legislation to facilitate dynamic alignment between Welsh and EU law;

b) develop and adopt a comprehensive European strategy; and

c) urge the UK Government to seek to rejoin the EU’s single market and customs union. 

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with: 

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016.

2. Believes that the outcome of referendums should be respected and implemented.

3. Further notes that the 31 January 2025 will mark five years since the United Kingdom formally left the European Union.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the reset of relations with the European Union under the new UK Government and notes that the hard Brexit negotiated under the previous UK Government has been detrimental to Wales, its people and the UK.

2. Notes that the Welsh Government is working to ensure that the damage caused to Wales by the UK leaving the EU in the way it did is successfully addressed.

3. Further notes that the Welsh Government is effectively strengthening links with European partners through the continuation of our Brussels office, and the appointment of the WG Representative on Europe; has worked with ministers and senior officials from a range of EU regions, plus Québec, to discuss strengthened interregional cooperation in the Atlantic area; and through the Taith programme has demonstrated its continued commitment to youth mobility.

4. Looks forward to further improved relations with the European Union.

The item started at 17.18

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8804 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that 31 January 2025 will mark five years since the United Kingdom formally left the European Union.

2. Regrets:

a) that according to the Economic Cost of Brexit project, the hard Brexit pursued by the previous UK Government has cost the Welsh economy up to £4 billion;

b) that Brexit has reduced the value of Welsh exports by up to £1.1 billion, and that post-Brexit trade deals have been particularly unfavourable for Welsh agriculture and manufacturing;

c) the further loss to Wales of up to £1 billion in European structural and rural development funding as a result of Brexit;

d) the opportunities to work, travel, study and live in Europe that have been lost to people in Wales as a result of Brexit, particularly young people;

e) that the current UK Government has failed to address the issues caused by Brexit for Wales and the wider UK, and has signalled its opposition to rejoining the single market and customs union; and

f) the repeal of the Law Derived from the EU (Wales) Act 2018.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) introduce new legislation to facilitate dynamic alignment between Welsh and EU law;

b) develop and adopt a comprehensive European strategy; and

c) urge the UK Government to seek to rejoin the EU’s single market and customs union. 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	1	40	52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with: 

1. Notes that the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union in the referendum held on the 23 June 2016.

2. Believes that the outcome of referendums should be respected and implemented.

3. Further notes that the 31 January 2025 will mark five years since the United Kingdom formally left the European Union.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	11	27	52

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the reset of relations with the European Union under the new UK Government and notes that the hard Brexit negotiated under the previous UK Government has been detrimental to Wales, its people and the UK.

2. Notes that the Welsh Government is working to ensure that the damage caused to Wales by the UK leaving the EU in the way it did is successfully addressed.

3. Further notes that the Welsh Government is effectively strengthening links with European partners through the continuation of our Brussels office, and the appointment of the WG Representative on Europe; has worked with ministers and senior officials from a range of EU regions, plus Québec, to discuss strengthened interregional cooperation in the Atlantic area; and through the Taith programme has demonstrated its continued commitment to youth mobility.

4. Looks forward to further improved relations with the European Union.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	11	14	52

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the reset of relations with the European Union under the new UK Government and notes that the hard Brexit negotiated under the previous UK Government has been detrimental to Wales, its people and the UK.

2. Notes that the Welsh Government is working to ensure that the damage caused to Wales by the UK leaving the EU in the way it did is successfully addressed.

3. Further notes that the Welsh Government is effectively strengthening links with European partners through the continuation of our Brussels office, and the appointment of the WG Representative on Europe; has worked with ministers and senior officials from a range of EU regions, plus Québec, to discuss strengthened interregional cooperation in the Atlantic area; and through the Taith programme has demonstrated its continued commitment to youth mobility.

4. Looks forward to further improved relations with the European Union.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
27	11	14	52

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 18.33

NDM8802 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)

Will the Bells Of Rhymney fall silent? Protecting community assets in the valleys.

The item started at 18.38

NDM8802 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)

Will the Bells Of Rhymney fall silent? Protecting community assets in the valleys.