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11 May 2022, Plenary

Welsh Conservatives Debate: NHS waiting lists

… system before. If we've got somewhere between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of the population waiting for a hospital appointment—and it was a bit unclear from Russell's contribution which it is, but … ill health undoubtedly cause huge problems for the individual and for the health service system. And the best time to intervene on that, in terms of a response to Rhun ap Iorwerth, is at the beginning of the …

20 March 2024, Plenary

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

… month, in a population of 3.1 million, is quite, quite remarkable. The NHS works best in a time of crisis, and that was made clear during the pandemic, but I think we do need to do some more … something that I've found really useful: delayed transfer of care; dentistry; digital transformation; driving down the longest waiting lists. And my final recommendation is: don't, whatever you do, look at social media. [Laughter …

29 February 2024, Finance Committee

Scrutiny of the Welsh Government Second Supplementary Budget 2023-24

… they might need more money and then, later on, they say, 'Well, actually, because things have transpired and time has moved on, we don't.' But it's that clunky process, in a way, of only being able … Audit Wales or the ombudsman or the Electoral Commission are able to do that. They have to wait for you to lay a supplementary to be able to do any of that. So, I don't know …

13 June 2023, Plenary

Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Refugee Week, 19-25 June—Compassion

… towns and cities of sanctuary in Wales for the dedication and enthusiasm that has been shown in their time as pillars of sanctuary within their communities. I applaud the work of the City of Sanctuary charity that supports … accommodation being overwhelmed is the Home Office's processing delays. Over 130,000 cases across the UK are waiting, pending an initial decision. This means people who are often highly skilled and motivated to contribute to our economy …

6 February 2025, Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee

Active Travel: evidence session with organisations representing disabled people

… what other people can't see when you can't see yourself. So, you take a risk every time you do that. It might be near a junction and you can't hear because of the road, the … not talking about a ban, we're talking about appropriate measures—and Wales doesn't. So, I eagerly wait. Thank you …

17 April 2024, Plenary

Debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee Report, 'Nuclear energy and the Welsh economy'

Let's just wait and see. Patience. Most recently, the UK Government announced that Great British Nuclear is buying the Wylfa site as part of a £160 million deal. That momentum will come under this Conservative leadership … Raymant told the committee that trying to develop both Wylfa and Trawsfynydd in north Wales at the same time would probably not be feasible in the context of current skills shortages, the challenge for the Welsh Government …

27 April 2022, Plenary

Plaid Cymru Debate: The cost-of-living crisis and housing

… health problems are less trustworthy than people without such issues. A 2010 poll by YouGov, also commissioned by Time to Change, found that 66 per cent of people surveyed in Wales would not rent a room … willingness to invest in new social housing over the period. There are 67,000 households currently on housing waiting lists across Wales. An essential step in solving the housing crisis in Wales is a massive increase in housing …

12 July 2022, Plenary

The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022

… that if there's a road traffic accident close to a trauma centre, the hours of waiting go up for the A&E patients as those trauma casualties come in from road traffic accidents. So, that is not … the difference in that village has been absolutely extraordinary, with people out on its streets for the first time in years, able to walk around safely and not be looking over their shoulder all the time. It makes …

8 December 2021, Plenary

Welsh Conservatives Debate: Mental health services

… happens with people who are seeking mental health support is that, rather than going for talking therapy, the waiting list for such services is so long that they go for medication. And medication should not be the first … securing a diagnosis and accessing further support. Those of you who've been in this Chamber for some time will know I have a daughter who is severely autistic, and I can see a pathway for her, and …

8 November 2023, Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee

Scrutiny of Sport Wales - Autumn 2023

… say this before you mentioned DofE, but, actually, young people volunteering is really important, and young people's time is very different from when I was young and in terms of how they see giving back. And … think we've got to get young people to think about how they can do it themselves, not waiting necessarily for an adult to come along and organise them. But that requires giving young people the confidence …

7 July 2026, Plenary

Debate: Fair Funding

… the Welsh Government to focus on its devolved areas. Our NHS is failing to provide care in a timely manner, our schools are failing to provide results for our young children and our economy is failing to grow … Government to focus its priorities at home. Bringing forward motions based on grievance will not fix our waiting lists or grow our economy—only responsible spending and Reform will. Wales deserves better than perpetually asking for handouts. Wales …

18 May 2022, Local Government and Housing Committee

Inquiry into the provision of sites for Gypsy, Roma and Travellers—evidence session 1

… been a change in is those that have moved from being informal, without permission, and have over time received planning permission. But the level of unauthorised—. So, with no transit provision, you are still going to have every … seasonal, and they tend to be specifically some groups of families in specific local authorities who have been waiting for more than 20 years for a site in that council area and have not been provided with …

27 January 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care: NHS Waiting Times

… who are in that position, as we've discussed previously here. I don't want to see anybody waiting that long, wherever they're being treated. The second point the Member makes I think is more challenging for … people in all parts of Wales, so that everybody in Wales can be seen within the same target time. That's what we're working towards, and I hope that she can see from the statement today that …

14 May 2024, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: Our national mission—delivering on Wales’s education priorities

… the number of young people living in Wales applying to university, I'm afraid we can't wait. On the new curriculum, the one thing that you mentioned whilst you were giving evidence last week was about creating … impact on education. We can't experiment on those children. We need to get it right the first time around. And we know that teachers are asking for more time, more training, and yet …

3 April 2025, Local Government and Housing Committee

The role of local authorities in supporting hospital discharges: Evidence session 6

… really important illustration of what can happen and the impact on people when discharge goes wrong. The timing of assessments and the involvement of third sector care officers is really key in making sure that we plan effectively … make the most of that opportunity. Finally, I’d like to note, as has been referred to, waiting lists for assessments. That is a real barrier, whether it relates to the delaying of the assessment of the need …

1 October 2025, Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee

General Ministerial Scrutiny - Rural Affairs

… this collaboratively with stakeholders. It's not going to be a static programme—it'll change over time based on the work that we do with partners. We'll progress each and every recommendation. Stakeholder engagement will include … already been initiated, by the way, in advance of the task and finish group, so we haven't waited. It can hit the ground running; we're already up and going …

26 April 2022, Plenary

& 13. Debate on the General Principles of the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill and Motion to agree the financial resolution in respect of the Welsh Tax Acts etc. (Power to Modify) Bill

… change Welsh tax laws retrospectively, we urge the Minister to strengthen the approval process by including a minimum time period for scrutiny of any regulations by the Senedd. We also considered the financial implications of the Bill and … assist the Senedd to maintain focus on whether this development in our tax law is appropriate. Llywydd, Wales waited 800 years for powers to raise taxes. This Chamber should not give those powers away without proper thought and …

30 June 2026, Plenary

Statement by the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care: Health and care winter 2026-27 preparedness

… due to lack of funding from the Welsh Government. Some midwives have been forced to hold down part-time jobs in hospitality to cover their costs. Frankly, this is farcical. In light of this, the Royal College … are in some form of Government intervention. You've mentioned the extra funding of £100 million to tackle waiting lists. However, six of seven health boards projected a deficit by the end of last March. The total projected …

19 June 2024, Plenary

Short Debate: Allied Steel and Wire workers and pension justice

… were paid the pensions that they were promised, based on the length of service and the salary at time of retirement. This was stopped in exchange for what was called the wind-up scheme. This meant that … The truth is that Government legislation and the stock market had conspired against these workers.' ASW workers anxiously waited to see whether the pension pot that they had paid into with their own money for decades would return …

20 January 2026, Plenary

Questions to the First Minister

… drugs much quicker. You'll have seen on telly last week that people in England have been waiting for prostate drugs for two years. They've had them in Wales much quicker than that. So, there are examples … the Beckham family. I think we've got to make sure that we recognise that there is a time of turmoil. We should be focusing on the things that really matter to the people of Wales. That …