News

• 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.

• 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. 

• All neonatal units in Wales are now engaged with the Bliss Baby Charter, either having achieved bronze accreditation, or submitted for assessment.
• The Bliss Baby Charter means neonatal teams treat parents as essential partners, involving them in decisions about their baby's care.
• Bilingual resources and tailored support are being developed to help all families take part in their baby's care.

Welsh Government announces extra £2million investment in sport facilities across the country.

• Wales’s experience of developing and supporting bilingual technology used to develop new UNESCO toolkit.
• The toolkit provides practical guidance for supporting multilingual digital services.
• UNESCO is sharing Wales’s experience internationally to help other countries and communities strengthen the use of their languages in the digital world.

• The fine for leaving a vehicle engine running while parked will rise from £20 to between £75 and £150 from 30 September 2026. 

• The change aims to protect public health by reducing air pollution, which contributes to heart and lung disease and disproportionately affects children and vulnerable people. 

• Cabinet Minister Llyr Gruffydd marked the change with a visit to Marshfield Primary School in Newport, where pupils have taken part in a Welsh Government-funded anti-idling project. 

• New approach designed to strengthen accountability of NHS Wales as well as spotting risks earlier and getting support to health boards and trusts sooner.
• Support will be proportionate, time-bound and based on clear evidence of progress.
• Health Minister says the aim is to give people greater confidence that NHS services are supported to improve when challenges arise.