News

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.

• All bird keepers in Wales are urged to review biosecurity now, ahead of the higher-risk winter period 

• Strict biosecurity and hygiene is the most effective way to protect flocks from avian influenza 

• Biosecurity self-assessment checklists are available to help keepers identify and close any gaps 

Wales’ story is often told through our landscapes, townscapes and in the countless historic buildings and ancient monuments that are all around us.  According to major new research published today [Friday 9^th October], these historic places - known as the ‘historic environment’ - support nearly 18,000 jobs and contribute more than £738million to the nation’s economy every year.

• £10 million in Transforming Towns funding has been approved for regeneration projects across Wales, with Wrexham receiving £5 million of the total investment. 

• The Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning met with local artists at Tŷ Pawb to hear about their experiences of working and growing their businesses within the creative hub. 

• This funding delivers on the priorities set out by the Town Centre Taskforce, helping to create communities across Wales where people want to live, work and visit. 

• Employers, education institutions, trade unions, learners and training providers are gathering today at the Future Skills Summit in Swansea.
• Attendees are taking part in presentations and workshops to explore the biggest challenges facing the Welsh skills system.
• Insights from today's discussions will help shape a new national skills strategy.

• 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.

• New Safeguarding programme to strengthen protection for children, young people and adults at risk from abuse and neglect
• A new Ministerial Assurance Board and intelligence hub to detect warning signs earlier and share information faster
• Children, young people and adults voices will be at the centre of the programme.

Go-ahead for a third Menai crossing and plans for roads-based solution for the M4, along with a programme of other transport measures, have been announced today.

• MSs to debate cross-party motion calling for faster rail investment in Wales and greater financial flexibility for Welsh Ministers.

• Motion calls for the removal of restrictions on the Wales Reserve, improvements to how the Barnett formula operates, and delivery of the UK Government's £14bn rail commitment for Wales.

• Finance Minister Elin Jones says working together to make the case for fairer funding and faster delivery will help ensure Wales’ voice is heard.

• Members have been appointed to the Welsh Government's Town Centre Taskforce, bringing expertise from business, planning, housing and local government. 
• Alongside co-Chairs Professor Simon Gibson CBE and Tamsin Ramasut, members will consider the challenges and opportunities facing town centres across Wales and help develop practical, evidence-informed recommendations for Welsh Ministers. 

• This work builds on recent support for high streets, including a 30% business rates cut for eligible hospitality and leisure venues from 1 April 2027, with the Taskforce’s recommendations expected early next year. 

From today (Thursday 1 October) the minimum price of a unit of alcohol will increase in Wales from 50p to 65p in a move which is expected to save hundreds of lives.