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: Cai Parry Jones MS asks about cost savings in Welsh Government departments.
Question: Nigel Williams MS asks about reducing waiting times for outpatient appointments and surgery for patients in Flintshire and Wrexham.
Information: Our article examines the latest position on NHS waiting times in Wales at the start of the Seventh Senedd.
Question: Matthew Jones MS is asking about the impact of the UK Government's defence investment plan on the Welsh Government's capital budget.
Information: Details on the UK Government’s plan can be found here. The Cabinet Minister for Finance has said that the plan will “have a negative consequential on [the Welsh Government’s] capital budget”.
Question: Joe Martin MS is asking for an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to promote equality in Wales
Information: Our articles on equality and human rights can be found here. As part of a series of articles exploring ‘key issues’ for the Seventh Senedd, we look at equality and poverty in Wales, and the policy interventions taken or proposed to address these issues.
Question: Rebeca Phillips MS asks for an update on work to develop a sustainable additional learning needs (ALN) service.
Information: Last year, we set out some relevant background to ALN reforms in Wales in our InBrief. The previous Welsh Government reviewed how the ALN legislation was being implemented. It identified five areas of action, and published further guidance to supplement the ALN Code.
Question: David Hughes MS is asking about support for the palliative care sector.
Information: Published in 2022, the Welsh Government’s quality statement for palliative and end of life care describes what good quality services should look like. In March 2026, the previous Welsh Government announced additional funding for hospices.
Question: Elfed Williams MS asks about the health service's financial performance, and the management of health budgets.
Information: Audit Wales’ interactive tool shows trends in NHS finances up to 31 March 2025 for the whole of Wales and individual NHS bodies.
Question: Carmelo Colasanto MS asks about support for small and medium size businesses in Carmarthenshire.
Information: Our small businesses guide outlines and signposts to possible sources of support available to new and existing small businesses in Wales.
Question: Mair Rowlands MS is asking about the expansion of the childcare scheme for two-year-olds throughout Wales.
Information: Our recent article considers the intended outcomes of free childcare, whether these have been realised, and the barriers that can make these promises difficult to deliver. The Welsh Government recently announced funding to expand funded childcare.
Question: Jayne Bryant MS asks about support for young people who are not in education, employment, or training.
Information: Our new article explores the challenges facing young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the support available from governments to address them, and the changes needed to improve outcomes for young people.
Question: James Evans MS asks about funding to Powys Teaching Health Board.
Question: Janet Finch-Saunders MS is asking about improving access to mental-health services in Bangor Conwy Môn.
Article by Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
