Teleri Glyn-Jones

An independent assessment has found systemic and long-standing problems at Cardiff and Vale health board, including weak leadership, poor governance and risk management, inadequate planning, a damaging workplace culture, limited management capacity, digital shortcomings and insufficient focus on patient outcomes. Health minister Mabon ap Gwynfor called the findings unacceptable, demanded an organisational reset and stronger accountability, and said improvements must be delivered within existing funding. Interim chief executive Chris Bown said the board took the findings seriously and would act quickly to improve financial management, culture and service delivery. The assessment also noted progress in board governance, examples of excellent care, and concerns that the board’s responsibility for specialised services and Wales’s Major Trauma Centre is not adequately reflected in its funding model.

Rhun ap Iorwerth defended Plaid Cymru’s decision to support a Reform UK motion on badger culling a day after criticising Labour for siding with Reform in rejecting the Welsh government’s supplementary budget. He argued that budget votes carry particular weight and said Labour must explain why it rejected what he called a progressive proposal after talks collapsed over funding for additional learning needs. Labour maintained its vote focused on supporting children and staff rather than aligning with Reform. Ap Iorwerth also condemned a UK government spokesperson’s criticism of Wales’ plan for a Shadow Broadcasting Authority as derogatory toward Wales and devolution, expressing confidence that incoming prime minister Andy Burnham would disapprove of such comments.

Welsh Labour has threatened to vote against Plaid Cymru’s supplementary budget unless more funding is allocated to Additional Learning Needs, rejecting Plaid’s offer of £80m over two years as insufficient. Interim leader Ken Skates called for £100m for ALN, arguing Plaid’s proposal would harm education. Deputy Minister Nerys Evans accused Labour of politicising the issue, stressing that the budget also boosts NHS, childcare and free school meals funding. Plaid maintains its plan would improve long-term sustainability. The Senedd vote is scheduled for Tuesday.

Sarah Cooper-Lesadd, a Reform MS who grew up in care, is urging Wales to extend legal protections for looked-after children to match those introduced in England. She argues that the current voluntary charter leaves young people without enforceable rights and calls for health boards and other public bodies to be made statutory corporate parents. The Welsh government maintains its charter already goes further than English law by covering public, private and third-sector organisations. Cooper-Lesadd claims some opposition members withdrew support for her motion due to party politics. A Senedd debate on the proposal is scheduled for Wednesday.