Agenda and minutes

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

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

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 Question 1 was withdrawn.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

View Questions

The item started at 14.20

The first 8 questions were asked. Questions 1, 2 and 5 were answered by the Minister for Further and Higher Education. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

To Ask The Cabinet Secretary For Finance And Welsh Language

Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the implications for Wales of the UK Government's spring statement?

The item started at 15.20

Answered by the Cabinet Secretary For Finance And Welsh Language 

Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the implications for Wales of the UK Government's spring statement? 

The item started at 15.35
Joel James made a statement on National Seagrass day (March 1).
Sioned Williams made a statement on Celebrating the success of the Tawe Valley Eisteddfod (March 1).
Julie Morgan made a statement on Eating Disorder Awareness Week (24 February to 4 March).

NDM9174 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East) 

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 10.5: 

1. Expresses its gratitude for the contribution of Adrian Crompton during his term of office as Auditor General for Wales. 

2. Acting under section 2(2) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013, and having consulted representatives of local government bodies in Wales in accordance with section 2(3), nominates Catherine Mealing-Jones for appointment by His Majesty as Auditor General for Wales for a term of eight years to commence immediately after the current Auditor General for Wales ceases to hold office. 

Finance Committee report: Nomination of the Auditor General for Wales 

The item started at 15.40

NDM9174 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East) 

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 10.5: 

1. Expresses its gratitude for the contribution of Adrian Crompton during his term of office as Auditor General for Wales. 

2. Acting under section 2(2) of the Public Audit (Wales) Act 2013, and having consulted representatives of local government bodies in Wales in accordance with section 2(3), nominates Catherine Mealing-Jones for appointment by His Majesty as Auditor General for Wales for a term of eight years to commence immediately after the current Auditor General for Wales ceases to hold office. 

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM9189 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central) 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Regrets the historic and systematic underfunding of the Welsh rail network by successive UK Governments.
2. Further regrets that the Welsh Government has had to spend in non-devolved areas to make up the shortfall, such as on the core valley Lines. 

3. Notes that: 

a) the UK Government's recent announcement on rail investment in Wales is largely uncosted during the current UK parliamentary term; and 

b) the absence of concrete promises and a plan to fund the pipeline of rail infrastructure projects through upcoming UK Government spending reviews. 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) make representations to the UK Government to clarify when Wales will be in receipt of the proposed investment and the extent to which it is dependent on the budget decisions of a future UK Government; and 

b) make representations to the UK Government to devolve rail infrastructure in full to Wales, in line with powers already exercised by Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

The following amendments were tabled:  

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) 

Delete all and replace with: 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Regrets Plaid Cymru’s mistaken belief that the core valley lines are not devolved. 

2. Notes devolution of the core valley lines took place in 2020 

3. Believes that views recently expressed in the media by observers demonstrate that the argument over rail funding has now been won, and the debate can now move on to delivering tangible benefits for Wales and the Borders. 

4. Supports: 

a) the devolved £1 billion transformation of the core valley lines led by the Welsh Government and funded by the Welsh Government, the UK Government and the city deal for the Cardiff Capital Region; 

b) the Transport for Wales plan for rail, ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together’; and 

c) delivery on rail infrastructure investment now happening as fast as possible. 

Nation Cymru: Will £14bn for Welsh rail be enough to save Labour? 

Nation Cymru: Writer claims 'Welsh set the example to the rest of UK’s railways' 

Transport for Wales: Today, Tomorrow, Together 

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. Recognises the importance of good transport connectivity to the economic prosperity of Wales. 

2. Notes that investment in cross-border rail infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring Wales is fully connected within the United Kingdom. 

3. Notes that the UK Government's recent announcement on new rail stations were not new commitments as they were announced in previous spending reviews 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government to: 

a) reinstate funding for electrification of the North Wales Mainline 

b) provide consequential funding for Wales as a result of spending on HS2 and the Oxford and Cambridge rail investments 

The item started at 15.44

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM9189 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central) 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Regrets the historic and systematic underfunding of the Welsh rail network by successive UK Governments.
2. Further regrets that the Welsh Government has had to spend in non-devolved areas to make up the shortfall, such as on the core valley Lines. 

3. Notes that: 

a) the UK Government's recent announcement on rail investment in Wales is largely uncosted during the current UK parliamentary term; and 

b) the absence of concrete promises and a plan to fund the pipeline of rail infrastructure projects through upcoming UK Government spending reviews. 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to: 

a) make representations to the UK Government to clarify when Wales will be in receipt of the proposed investment and the extent to which it is dependent on the budget decisions of a future UK Government; and 

b) make representations to the UK Government to devolve rail infrastructure in full to Wales, in line with powers already exercised by Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	32	46

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan) 

Delete all and replace with: 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Regrets Plaid Cymru’s mistaken belief that the core valley lines are not devolved. 

2. Notes devolution of the core valley lines took place in 2020 

3. Believes that views recently expressed in the media by observers demonstrate that the argument over rail funding has now been won, and the debate can now move on to delivering tangible benefits for Wales and the Borders. 

4. Supports: 

a) the devolved £1 billion transformation of the core valley lines led by the Welsh Government and funded by the Welsh Government, the UK Government and the city deal for the Cardiff Capital Region; 

b) the Transport for Wales plan for rail, ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together’; and 

c) delivery on rail infrastructure investment now happening as fast as possible. 

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
22	0	24	46

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2  Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire) 

Delete all and replace with: 

To propose that the Senedd: 

1. Recognises the importance of good transport connectivity to the economic prosperity of Wales. 

2. Notes that investment in cross-border rail infrastructure is fundamental to ensuring Wales is fully connected within the United Kingdom. 

3. Notes that the UK Government's recent announcement on new rail stations were not new commitments as they were announced in previous spending reviews 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government to: 

a) reinstate funding for electrification of the North Wales Mainline 

b) provide consequential funding for Wales as a result of spending on HS2 and the Oxford and Cambridge rail investments

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	2	34	46

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

As the Senedd did not agree the motion without amendment, and did not agree the amendments tabled to the motion, the motion was therefore not agreed.

NDM9188 Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn) 

How can Wales protect, enhance, and enshrine our world-leading cultural organisations for the enrichment of the people of Wales and beyond?

The item started at 16.54

NDM9188 Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn) 

How can Wales protect, enhance, and enshrine our world-leading cultural organisations for the enrichment of the people of Wales and beyond?

 

The item started at 17.26

Please use the following link to access this item on Senedd.TV including BSL Interpretation: https://www.senedd.tv/Meeting/Live/73d29595-9233-4458-bada-c58a8b0d754d

The amendments will be disposed of in the order which the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Senedd on 25 February 2026.

 

The amendments have been grouped for the purposes of debate and the groupings will be debated as follows:

1. BSL: national adviser, advisory panel and complaints

1, 14, 10, 12, 13, 15

2. Targets for Teachers and Assessors of BSL

2

3. Data on use of BSL and monitoring

3, 11

4. Consultation and involvement

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 

Supporting documents:
British Sign Language (Wales) Bill (as amended at Stage 2)
Explanatory Memorandum

Marshalled List of Amendments – 26 February 2026
Groupings List – 27 February 2026

The item started at 17.41

The bell was rung 5 minutes before reconvening.

The amendments were disposed of in the order that the sections and schedules to which they relate were set out in the motion under Standing Order 26.36 agreed by the Senedd on 25 February 2026.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
35	0	11	46

Amendment 1 was agreed.

As amendment 1 was agreed, amendment 14 fell.

Amendment 2 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 3 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 4 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 5 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 6 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 7 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 8 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 9 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 10 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 12 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 13 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 11 was agreed, in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

A vote was taken on amendment 15:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
14	0	32	46

Amendment 15 was not agreed.

All sections and schedules of the Bill were deemed agreed, concluding Stage 3 proceedings.