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: Lyn Ackerman MS asks for an assessment of the uptake of annual health checks among adults with learning disabilities.
Information: GPs offer annual health checks to adults with a learning disability in Wales. More information can be found here.
Question: Anna Nicholl MS asks how the First Minister is strengthening cooperation with the Republic of Ireland.
Information: Our article from March looks at the findings of a Sixth Senedd committee’s report on Wales-Ireland relations. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to “evolve and progress a comprehensive bilateral cooperation framework with Ireland to strengthen cultural and trading ties”.
Question: Catherine Cullen MS asks about action to improve the support provided to adopted and care-experienced children and young people.
Information: There was significant scrutiny of services for care-experienced children by several committees during the Sixth Senedd. Read our background briefing, prepared for an evidence session with the then First Minister on the topic in April 2024.
Question: Andrew RT Davies MS is asking for an assessment of the adequacy of staffing levels in NHS Wales.
Information: Our article considers the future of the health and care workforce in Wales.
Question: Niamh Salkeld MS is asking about support for people living with motor neurone disease in Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni.
Question: Marc Jones MS asks about action to improve public transport services in rural areas of Fflint Wrecsam.
Information: The Welsh Government provided information on how it’s seeking to address gaps in accessible transport provision across rural Wales in answer to a written question in July.
Question: Francesca O’Brien MS is asking about support for high-street businesses in Gŵyr Abertawe.
Information: The Welsh Government has established a Town Centre Taskforce. The previous Senedd’s Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee undertook an inquiry into the regeneration of town centres, which considered funding available for businesses.
Question: David Hughes MS asks about action to ensure efficiency and waste reduction when delivering public services to achieve better value for money for taxpayers.
Information: The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government includes commitments aimed at delivering more effective government and improved public services. Its Managing Welsh Public Money guidance sets out the principles for using public resources responsibly and securing value for money.
Question: Jane Dodds MS is asking about reforming the structure of health boards.
Question: Becca Martin MS asks for an update on the Government's plan to deliver 20,000 new social homes by 2030.
Information: This target was included in the Programme for Government. Our article last year considered the role of social housing in Wales’ housing crisis.
Question: Gareth Thomas MS asks about support for the mental health of veterans in Wales who face investigation or prosecution relating to their service in Northern Ireland.
Information: The Welsh Government has information on support available to veterans, including legal advice and help with health and wellbeing.
Question: David Mills MS asks about the promotion of wind and solar projects on brownfield and industrial sites.
Information: The Welsh Government's national planning policies, including on energy infrastructure and on previously developed land, are set out in Planning Policy Wales and the National Development Framework.
Article by Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament