David Deans

A Facebook page associated with Reform UK in the Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd area accused Plaid Cymru minister Siân Gwenllian of exploiting her husband's death for political gain after she discussed the experience in a WalesOnline profile. Plaid Cymru condemned the comment as vile, while Reform MSs James Evans and Iain McIntosh distanced themselves from it and sought its removal. Reform UK said the account was not operated by its London headquarters or Senedd group, and the identity of its administrator remains unclear.

National Museum Cardiff could face a prolonged closure while Museum Wales assesses how to address a £42.6m maintenance backlog, including £13m in urgent repairs. Culture minister Heledd Fychan said the Welsh government was funding immediate works and examining the safety of the national collections, but that Museum Wales would need to propose the way forward. She blamed the previous Labour-led government for failing to plan for the building's future. Welsh Labour criticized the Plaid Cymru-led government for delaying action through another strategy, while ministers launched a consultation on a ten-year culture and sport plan for Wales.

Rhun ap Iorwerth urges Andy Burnham not to bypass the Senedd as Burnham promotes wider devolution while seeking Labour leadership. Burnham defends his commitment to respecting Welsh powers after criticism over earlier statements that touched on devolved areas. Both leaders set out positions ahead of the British-Irish Council summit, while Plaid Cymru and Labour continue negotiations over additional funding for learning needs in Wales, with disagreements over the scale of investment needed for the supplementary budget.

A dispute emerged after the Welsh government claimed it had begun negotiations with Westminster on devolving rail powers and securing fairer funding. A UK government source rejected the assertion, saying the Welsh statement exaggerated the situation and that no negotiations were under way. Deputy Transport Minister Mark Hooper highlighted long‑term underinvestment in Welsh rail and expressed optimism after introductory discussions with the UK transport minister. The UK government said it had received no formal request for further devolution, while the Welsh government offered no further comment beyond its initial press release.

Plaid Cymru is offering additional funding for children with additional learning needs to secure Labour’s support for its supplementary budget, which allocates significant new spending across health, childcare and school repairs. Labour says the initial offer is insufficient but indicates all options remain open. The Welsh government has extra funds due to UK government spending, and a recent nonbinding Senedd vote backed more ALN funding. Failure to pass the supplementary budget would force reliance on earlier spending plans and trigger political fallout, with both parties preparing to blame the other if negotiations collapse.

Dan Thomas backed Nigel Farage after reports that Farage received assistance from convicted criminal George Cottrell, saying he would consider such a donation himself if it were necessary for personal security. Thomas emphasized the high level of security Farage requires and argued that political scrutiny has become excessive and damaging to Farage’s family. Cottrell’s lawyers denied the allegations, while Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts criticised Farage’s decision to trigger a by-election as self‑serving and wasteful of public funds.

WalesOnline criticised an article submitted by Andy Burnham’s team for containing errors about devolved powers in Wales and for appearing to be a lightly altered version of pieces sent to London and Scotland. The article included promises on housing, education and transport, which are responsibilities of the Welsh government, prompting Plaid Cymru figures to accuse Burnham of misunderstanding devolution. Burnham has pledged collaborative relations with devolved governments and a shift of power away from Westminster, though concerns were raised about whether he might bypass national governments in Wales and Scotland. Welsh Labour figures dismissed the risk, while Plaid representatives urged respect for national institutions and partnership in any future devolution plans.

A majority in the Senedd rejected Reform UK's call to scrap the Welsh Government's Nation of Sanctuary policy, which supports asylum seekers and refugees. Reform argued the scheme sends the wrong message and prioritises illegal arrivals, while members from Plaid Cymru, Labour, the Greens and the Welsh Liberal Democrats defended the policy as humane, practical and economically sensible. Conservatives opposed the scheme but distanced themselves from Reform’s rhetoric. Debate included references to past controversies and a pro‑sanctuary protest outside the Senedd. Plaid Cymru’s Sioned Williams framed the policy as part of the post‑World War Two commitment to protect refugees, stressing that this legacy must be upheld.

Wales’ first minister warns that UK government plans to increase defence spending by £15bn will result in cuts to the Welsh government’s capital budget, potentially reducing funding for schools, hospitals and infrastructure. UK ministers argue Wales’ contribution will be minimal and note additional funds previously allocated to increase overall Welsh spending power. Disagreement emerges between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru over communication of the planned cuts and over positions on defence and Nato. UK officials maintain the defence plan includes investment for Welsh businesses while shifting more than £10bn from departmental budgets to defence.

Welsh Conservatives ruled out supporting Plaid Cymru ministers on the mid‑year spending plan, leaving Labour as the most likely partner to pass the £294 million supplementary budget. Labour and Plaid remain far apart in discussions, while Reform indicated strict conditions for any cooperation. The Welsh government needs backing from at least one other party to approve funding that includes allocations for school repairs, childcare and NHS waiting times, amid wider debate over using additional UK‑derived funds for additional learning needs.