Agenda and minutes

At 13.30, the Presiding Officer announced, in accordance with Standing Order 26.75, that the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 was given Royal Assent on 24 March 2025.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Leaders to ask questions without notice to the First Minister after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 9 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party leaders to ask questions to the First Minister after question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.17

 

The 3 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery after question 2.

View Business Statement and Announcement

The item started at 14.45

The item started at 15.19

NDM8859 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s commitment to work collaboratively with all partners and develop a cross-government approach to explore opportunities for improving learner travel provision in Wales.

2. Recognises the Welsh Government’s desire to see a cross-party approach that responds to the challenges faced in delivering learner transport, demonstrated through the upcoming learner travel summit.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s ongoing commitment to listen to and engage with children and young people on transport-related issues.

4. Welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Welsh Government’s forthcoming consultation on the updated learner travel guidance documentation, which will be published following the learner travel summit.

5. Supports the Welsh Government’s commitment to introduce a young person's flat fare rate for local bus services in Wales, which provides an additional and more affordable means of access to education, training, employment and services through the public bus network.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Believes that no learners should face transport barriers to access education.

2. Regrets that:

a) the current learner travel provision is not adequate, and that this negatively affects attendance which disproportionately affects children in Wales's most deprived communities, exacerbating educational inequality; and

b) the issue of school transport is regularly raised with the Welsh Language Commissioner as a barrier to accessing Welsh-medium education.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement the recommendations of their 'Learner travel in Wales analysis and evaluation: recommendations report December 2023'; and

b) ensure that school transport provision is included in the upcoming bus Bill.

Learner travel in Wales analysis and evaluation: recommendations report December 2023

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

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure has not been substantially updated since its introduction in 2008.

2. Notes the difficulties that young people in rural areas have in accessing public transport for education and training.

3. Regrets that the Children’s Commissioner for Wales described the Welsh Government’s review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure as totally inadequate.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to implement free bus travel for 16–24-year-olds.

The item started at 15.51

 

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

 

NDM8859 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s commitment to work collaboratively with all partners and develop a cross-government approach to explore opportunities for improving learner travel provision in Wales.

2. Recognises the Welsh Government’s desire to see a cross-party approach that responds to the challenges faced in delivering learner transport, demonstrated through the upcoming learner travel summit.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s ongoing commitment to listen to and engage with children and young people on transport-related issues.

4. Welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Welsh Government’s forthcoming consultation on the updated learner travel guidance documentation, which will be published following the learner travel summit.

5. Supports the Welsh Government’s commitment to introduce a young person's flat fare rate for local bus services in Wales, which provides an additional and more affordable means of access to education, training, employment and services through the public bus network.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Believes that no learners should face transport barriers to access education.

2. Regrets that:

a) the current learner travel provision is not adequate, and that this negatively affects attendance which disproportionately affects children in Wales's most deprived communities, exacerbating educational inequality; and

b) the issue of school transport is regularly raised with the Welsh Language Commissioner as a barrier to accessing Welsh-medium education.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement the recommendations of their 'Learner travel in Wales analysis and evaluation: recommendations report December 2023'; and

b) ensure that school transport provision is included in the upcoming bus Bill.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	13	25	49

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure has not been substantially updated since its introduction in 2008.

2. Notes the difficulties that young people in rural areas have in accessing public transport for education and training.

3. Regrets that the Children’s Commissioner for Wales described the Welsh Government’s review of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure as totally inadequate.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to implement free bus travel for 16–24-year-olds.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
23	0	26	49

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s commitment to work collaboratively with all partners and develop a cross-government approach to explore opportunities for improving learner travel provision in Wales.

2. Recognises the Welsh Government’s desire to see a cross-party approach that responds to the challenges faced in delivering learner transport, demonstrated through the upcoming learner travel summit.

3. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s ongoing commitment to listen to and engage with children and young people on transport-related issues.

4. Welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Welsh Government’s forthcoming consultation on the updated learner travel guidance documentation, which will be published following the learner travel summit.

5. Supports the Welsh Government’s commitment to introduce a young person's flat fare rate for local bus services in Wales, which provides an additional and more affordable means of access to education, training, employment and services through the public bus network.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	24	0	49

The motion without amendment was agreed.

The item started at 17.05

NDM8860 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5, approves that the draft The Regulated Services (Inspection Ratings) (Wales) Regulations 2025 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 4 March 2025.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 17.37

NDM8860 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5, approves that the draft The Regulated Services (Inspection Ratings) (Wales) Regulations 2025 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 4 March 2025.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8862 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5, approves that the draft The Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations 2025 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 11 February 2025.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

Government response to the report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 17.40

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

NDM8862 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5, approves that the draft The Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations 2025 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 11 February 2025.

The result was as follows:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	0	24	49

The motion was agreed.

NDM8861 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5, approves that the draft The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 4 March 2025.

Supporting Documents

Explanatory Memorandum

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

The item started at 17.52

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

NDM8861 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5, approves that the draft The Partnership Arrangements (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 4 March 2025.

The result was as follows:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
38	11	0	49

The motion was agreed.

NDM8863 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the offshore wind opportunity, 4.5 GW of floating and at least 3 GW for fixed, from the Crown Estate’s leasing process.

2. Calls on the Crown Estate to continue working with the Welsh Government to maximise the opportunities and benefits for the people of Wales from their activities.

3. Supports the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales, in line with the recommendation from the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future for Wales and notes ongoing discussions with the UK Government on this topic.

The following amendments were tabled: 

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central) 

Delete all after point 1 and replace with: 

Further notes that over three quarters of Welsh local authorities have voted in favour of devolving the Crown Estate and that, in 2023, its asset value in Wales was £853 million. 

Regrets the missed opportunities during the Crown Estate Bill process and that the UK Government has rejected calls for devolution. 

Calls on the Welsh Government to exert its influence on the UK Government to secure the full devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales.

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

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) 

Delete point 3.

The item started at 17.56

 

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

 

NDM8863 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the offshore wind opportunity, 4.5 GW of floating and at least 3 GW for fixed, from the Crown Estate’s leasing process.

2. Calls on the Crown Estate to continue working with the Welsh Government to maximise the opportunities and benefits for the people of Wales from their activities.

3. Supports the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales, in line with the recommendation from the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future for Wales and notes ongoing discussions with the UK Government on this topic.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central) 

Delete all after point 1 and replace with: 

Further notes that over three quarters of Welsh local authorities have voted in favour of devolving the Crown Estate and that, in 2023, its asset value in Wales was £853 million. 

Regrets the missed opportunities during the Crown Estate Bill process and that the UK Government has rejected calls for devolution. 

Calls on the Welsh Government to exert its influence on the UK Government to secure the full devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
11	0	38	49

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 2 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) 

Delete point 3.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	36	49

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the offshore wind opportunity, 4.5 GW of floating and at least 3 GW for fixed, from the Crown Estate’s leasing process.

2. Calls on the Crown Estate to continue working with the Welsh Government to maximise the opportunities and benefits for the people of Wales from their activities.

3. Supports the devolution of the Crown Estate to Wales, in line with the recommendation from the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future for Wales and notes ongoing discussions with the UK Government on this topic.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
25	11	13	49

The motion without amendment was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 18.43 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before Voting Time.

The item started at 18.48