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: Francesca O’Brien MS asks what steps the Welsh Government is taking to improve recruitment in the education sector.
Information: A Sixth Senedd Committee considered teacher recruitment and retention. For an overview of the inquiry and its findings, see our article from earlier this year.
Question: Natasha Asghar MS is asking about Welsh Government action in light of the Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of biological sex.
Information: Information on the ruling can be found in this House Of Commons Library research briefing.
Question: Laura Anne Jones MS asks about action to strengthen food security.
Information: Our article from earlier this year discusses food insecurity, resilience, livestock numbers, processing capacity, and calls for a joined-up food strategy.
Question: Mike Hedges MS asks about Welsh Government action to improve animal welfare.
Information: The previous Welsh Government’s Animal Welfare Plan for Wales 2021 to 2026 set out its approach to improving animal welfare, with progress updates published annually.
The Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability recently said the Welsh Government will be bringing forward a new animal health and welfare plan.
Question: Becca Martin MS asks about Welsh Government plans to provide support for unpaid carers.
Information: A Sixth Senedd Committee held an inquiry on improving access to support for unpaid carers. It found unpaid carers in Wales are at “breaking point”, and the rights and support promised are not being delivered in practice.
Question: Sera Evans MS asks the First Minister about the Wesh Government’s review of higher education.
Information: Earlier this year the previous Welsh Government sought views on the future of tertiary education in Wales, responses to which are now being reviewed. The consultation said the evidence will support reform in this Senedd term. Our recent article discusses higher education finances, and Plaid Cymru’s first 100 days plan commits to a cross-party and comprehensive review of how universities in Wales are funded.
Question: Anna Nicholl MS asks how the Welsh Government will ensure that the transition to clean energy benefits local communities in Ceredigion Penfro.
Information: Plaid Cymru’s manifesto spoke of “ensuring that people and communities have greater ownership over and see more of the benefits from renewables in Wales”.
Question: Peter Fox MS asks how the Welsh Government is strengthening food security and resilience.
Information: Food Matters: Wales, published by the previous Welsh Government, summarises food-related policies across portfolios, including action on food poverty and supply-chain resilience. The Community Food Strategy also sets out plans to enhance locally sourced food and community food systems across Wales.
Question: Paul Marr MS asks whether the Welsh Government supports the provision of puberty blockers to 11-year old children.
Information: The House of Commons Library briefing on Hormone treatments for children and young people provides some useful background information.
Question: Paul Davies MS asks what the Welsh Government is doing to support the tourism industry in Ceredigion Penfro.
Information: Our articles on tourism can be found here. Our guide for small businesses also includes information on support for tourism businesses.
Question: Sarah Rees MS is asking about Welsh Government steps to improve political literacy in schools.
Information: One purpose of the Curriculum for Wales is that learners are supported to become “ethical, informed citizens who are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world”. The Welsh Government's digital education platform, 'Hwb', has some resources on teaching citizenship and politics education, including impartiality, controversial issues, misinformation and classroom practice.
Question: Sara Crowley MS asks about the First Minister’s assessment of the need to recognise the interplay between neurodiversity and other health conditions
Information: The Welsh Government’s Autism and neurodivergence pages bring together policy and guidance on neurodivergence, including the Autism Code of Practice and Neurodivergence Improvement Programme.
Article by Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament
