Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in Siambr Hywel 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

Questions 1 and 3-8 were asked. Question 2 was withdrawn. Question 9 was not asked. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 3.

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 14.16

Questions 1 and 3-9 were asked. Question 2 was withdrawn. The Deputy Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 3.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
Rhun Ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact that the delay to phase 2 of the Menai suspension bridge repair works will have on Ynys Môn?

To ask the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Rhys Ab Owen (South Wales Central): What measures are being discussed between the Welsh Government and Dŵr Cymru to enhance environmental protection while ensuring that water bills provide genuine value for money to consumers? 

The item started at 15.12

Answered by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales

Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact that the delay to phase 2 of the Menai suspension bridge repair works will have on Ynys Môn?

Answered by the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Rhys ab Owen (South Wales Central): What measures are being discussed between the Welsh Government and Dŵr Cymru to enhance environmental protection while ensuring that water bills provide genuine value for money to consumers?

The item started at 15.46

Carolyn Thomas made a statement on - International Biodiversity Day (22 May) and No Mow May.

John Griffiths made a statement on - Action for Brain Injury Week (19 - 25 May).

Rhys ab Owen made a statement on - Commemorating the passing of Michael Jones for his contribution to Education (16 May).

NDM8903 John Griffiths (Newport East)
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee, ‘Role, governance and accountability of the community and town council sector’, which was laid in the Table Office on 5 March 2025.
Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 14 May 2025.

The item started at 15.52

NDM8903 John Griffiths (Newport East) 

To propose that the Senedd: 

Notes the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee, ‘Role, governance and accountability of the community and town council sector’, which was laid in the Table Office on 5 March 2025. 

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 14 May 2025. 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8904 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the report of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee ‘International Relations Annual Report 2024’, which was laid in the Table Office on 14 March 2025.
Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 14 May 2025.

The item started at 16.29

NDM8904 Delyth Jewell (South Wales East)  

To propose that the Senedd: 

Notes the report of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee ‘International Relations Annual Report 2024’, which was laid in the Table Office on 14 March 2025. 

Note: The response of the Welsh Government to the report was laid in the Table Office on 14 May 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8906 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes the significant and long-standing pensions injustices as a result of the inaction of successive UK Governments.
2. Recognises the work of campaign groups such as 1950’s women, former workers at Allied Steel and Wire, and members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.
3. Regrets the failure of the Labour UK Government:

a) to act on a previous Labour party commitment to compensate 1950s-born women in Wales affected by state pension changes;
b) to inflation-proof the pensions of former Allied Steel and Wire workers; and
c) to treat members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme and miners’ pension scheme equally.
4. Regrets the failure of the Welsh Labour Government to make the case for action on these issues, despite their partnership in power, and calls on them to make representations to the UK Government to:
a) implement the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's recommendations for 1950s Women;
b) uprate the pensions of former Allied Steel and Wire Workers in line with inflation; and
c) extend the Miners Pensions Scheme to include members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

The following amendment was tabled: 

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)  
Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with:
Welcomes the recent reforms made by the UK Government to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, including the return of the investment reserve fund and the resulting increase in pension payments to former mineworkers.
Notes that the Welsh Government has consistently raised concerns about pension injustices with successive UK Governments, and continues to advocate on behalf of:
a) Allied Steel and Wire pensioners;
b) women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age; and
c) members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme.

The item started at 17.12

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8906 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)  
To propose that the Senedd: 
1. Notes the significant and long-standing pensions injustices as a result of the inaction of successive UK Governments. 
2. Recognises the work of campaign groups such as 1950’s women, former workers at Allied Steel and Wire, and members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. 
3. Regrets the failure of the Labour UK Government: 

a) to act on a previous Labour party commitment to compensate 1950s-born women in Wales affected by state pension changes; 
b) to inflation-proof the pensions of former Allied Steel and Wire workers; and 
c) to treat members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme and miners’ pension scheme equally. 
4. Regrets the failure of the Welsh Labour Government to make the case for action on these issues, despite their partnership in power, and calls on them to make representations to the UK Government to: 
a) implement the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's recommendations for 1950s Women; 
b) uprate the pensions of former Allied Steel and Wire Workers in line with inflation; and 
c) extend the Miners Pensions Scheme to include members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. 

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)   
Delete points 3 and 4 and replace with: 
Welcomes the recent reforms made by the UK Government to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, including the return of the investment reserve fund and the resulting increase in pension payments to former mineworkers. 
Notes that the Welsh Government has consistently raised concerns about pension injustices with successive UK Governments, and continues to advocate on behalf of: 
a) Allied Steel and Wire pensioners; 
b) women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age; and 
c) members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. 

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:
To propose that the Senedd: 
1. Notes the significant and long-standing pensions injustices as a result of the inaction of successive UK Governments. 
2. Recognises the work of campaign groups such as 1950’s women, former workers at Allied Steel and Wire, and members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. 
3. Welcomes the recent reforms made by the UK Government to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, including the return of the investment reserve fund and the resulting increase in pension payments to former mineworkers. 
4. Notes that the Welsh Government has consistently raised concerns about pension injustices with successive UK Governments, and continues to advocate on behalf of: 
a) Allied Steel and Wire pensioners; 
b) women born in the 1950s affected by changes to the state pension age; and 
c) members of the British Coal staff superannuation scheme. 

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 18.00

NDM8905 Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)
Wales and Europe: dismantling the barriers

The item started at 18.03

NDM8905 Mick Antoniw (Pontypridd)  
Wales and Europe: dismantling the barriers