News

• The number of local authorities offering Welsh Government funded childcare for all two-year-olds rises from three in May 2026 to 19 by the end of November.
• All 22 local authorities are on track to offer it by the end of March.
• This is the first step towards a funded childcare offer for all children aged nine months to four years by the end of this Senedd term, which will be the most generous childcare offer in the UK at full expansion.

Scottish and Welsh Governments write to UK ministers ahead of Budget

The Welsh Government is marking International Day of the Girl today by reaffirming its commitment to ending period poverty and building a Period Proud Wales.

• New figures show there were 6,157 police-recorded hate crimes in Wales in 2025-26.
• With hate crime remaining at an unbearably high level, the Welsh Government is encouraging people to stand together against hate and support those affected by hate crime.
• The Deputy First Minister says everyone should be able to feel safe, valued and respected in their community.

• New analysis published today shows around two in five children in Wales were living in income deprivation in 2024.

• Tackling child poverty is a top priority for the new Welsh Government, with early progress on funded childcare, the Cynnal pilot, and a new Child Poverty Strategy. 
• Assurances needed from UK Government on Cynnal pilot.

• Thousands across Wales could be missing out on money they're entitled to, as energy bills hit a three-year high this winter. 

• The Claim What's Yours campaign connects people with free, confidential advice through Advicelink Cymru - part of the Welsh Government's cost of living support package. 

• Last year, Advicelink Cymru and other Welsh Government funded advice providers helped 79,000 people across Wales with social welfare issues. 

• Nearly £5 million invested in local authorities across Wales to tackle poverty 

• Funding will support emergency food aid and long-term poverty prevention 

• Extra money allocated to rural areas facing distinct challenges 

The Deputy First Minister, Sioned Williams, has issued the following statement.

• Twenty men across Wales have completed specialist training to help promote respect and healthy relationships. 

• The programme equips men working with young people to challenge harmful behaviours and discuss positive masculinity. 

• Inspired by the training, Cardiff musician James Minas launched Bros B4 Lows, a support group for men in the music community. 

• All local authorities in Wales on track to offer Welsh Government-funded childcare for all two-year-olds by end of March 2027
• Major milestone reached on journey towards universal childcare offer
• More families set to benefit as childcare expansion gathers pace across the country

The Welsh Government places a strong emphasis on working in partnership with the UK Government to improve outcomes across the justice system in Wales – that was the message from Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality Sioned Williams today.

• Expert group meet for first time to design a pilot providing £10 a week to up to 15,000 children in Universal Credit households.
• Members will help design and test the scheme to make sure it works well for families and makes a real difference to children's lives.
• Establishing the expert group delivers a key first 100 days commitment.