FMQs this week – 10/11/2026

First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) is the Senedd’s weekly opportunity for Members to question the First Minister on matters within his responsibilities. Most questions are submitted at least three working days in advance and selected through a ballot. Opposition leaders may also ask questions without notice.

Below is a quick guide to the planned questions for this week’s FMQs, with links to relevant information we’ve published, and other useful background where available. A full list of questions can be found here.

You can watch FMQs live at 1:30pm on Senedd TV.

Question: Gareth Thomas MS asks for the First Minister’s assessment of the Armed Forces Covenant for veterans in the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend.

Information: Our article from 2021 discusses the Covenant and how it affects serving personnel, veterans, and their families in Wales. Our recent article looks at the planned expansion of the Covenant through the UK Armed Forces Bill.

The Senedd’s annual Remembrance debate will take place later today and can be followed on Senedd TV.

Question: John Davies MS asks how the Welsh Government is supporting community pharmacies to cope with fluctuating pharmaceutical prices.

Information: Our recent article explores the reasons for medicine supply pressures, including the impact on community pharmacies and Welsh Government support.

Question: Sam Rowlands MS asks for the First Minister’s assessment of the Independent review into antisemitism in schools and colleges and its implications for Wales.

Information: The UK Government-commissioned review sought to “improve how schools and colleges in England deal with antisemitism and other forms of racial and religious prejudice”.

Question: Art Wright MS asks what action the Welsh Government is taking to tackle homelessness among veterans.

Information: Our recent article looks at options to address homelessness and the housing crisis more generally. We’ve previously addressed wider support available for the Armed Forces community.

The Senedd’s annual Remembrance debate will take place later today and can be followed on Senedd TV.

Question: Mair Rowlands MS asks about Welsh Government funding for childcare in Bangor Conwy Môn.

Information: The Welsh Government has committed to introduce an expanded Childcare Offer for children aged 9 months to 4 years. It has introduced an online dashboard to measure progress against this commitment. Our article explores wider discussions around free childcare in Wales.

Question: Tom Montgomery MS asks for the First Minister’s assessment of the sustainability of the further education sector.

Information: In September, the Deputy Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education responded to questions from the Early Years Children Young People and Education Committee about the numbers of learners in Further Education and the financial pressures facing colleges.

Question: Claire Johnson-Wood MS asks whether the First Minister will introduce standardised literacy and numeracy testing under controlled conditions to measure progress against targets.

Information: The Welsh Government published its Foundational literacy and numeracy plan in September, including methods for measuring progress. Wales’ educational performance in numeracy, literacy, and science is the lowest in the UK, according to a recent assessment.

Question: Iain McIntosh MS asks what importance the First Minister places on prioritising the needs of Wales and its residents over international spending commitments in public spending decisions.

Information: Welsh Government spending decisions are set out in its Budget. The Draft Budget for 2027-28 is due to be published on 17 November. International spending decisions are scrutinised by the Constitution, Justice and External Affairs Committee.

Question: Anthony Slaughter MS asks what steps the Welsh Government is taking to end hunger in Wales.

Information: The previous Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee undertook an inquiry into ‘Access to healthy, nutritious, and affordable food’. Its recommendations to the Welsh Government included multi-year funding support for community food providers and improving the quality of school meals.

Question: Becca Martin MS asks what assessment the First Minister has made of the role of play in the new foundational literacy and numeracy plan.

Information: The Welsh Government published its Foundational literacy and numeracy plan in September.

Question: John Clark MS asks how the First Minister will ensure energy developments in Bangor Conwy Môn will deliver economic and community benefits for local people and businesses.

Information: The Welsh Government has committed to publishing a National Energy Strategy this month, which it says will aim to retain value from natural resources “more fairly by the people and communities of Wales”.

Question: Gareth Beer MS asks what the Welsh Government is doing to protect rural schools and education in Carmarthenshire.

Information: The Welsh Government recently consulted on a Rural Proofing and Environmental Sustainability White Paper, which proposes that rural needs are given legal consideration in policy development.

As explained in our guide to school organisation proposals, there is a statutory presumption against the closure of ‘rural schools’. This doesn’t mean that a rural school will never close, but that the case for closure must be strong and not taken until all alternatives have been considered.

Article by Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament