Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:09 pm on 11 June 2024.
Delyth Jewell
Plaid Cymru
2:09,
11 June 2024
The turmoil that has faced your Government in recent weeks has made people question whether you would stick to your word, First Minister. There are many, vastly important Bills that this Government has promised to deliver, from bus reform to coal tip safety, and from tackling homelessness to the Welsh language. But people are nervous because, since you took office, your Government has backtracked on reforms to council tax, 20 mph and changes to school holidays. You've signalled, time and again, that brave, progressive changes won't be made if it makes you and your Government more unpopular. So, what certainty can we have that you will bring forward these Bills and that they won't be watered down or be made less ambitious in any attempt to preserve your own leadership?
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
The language of Wales spoken by around 25% of the population. It is an Indo-European language and belongs to the Celtic group. It was made "offical" in Wales by the Welsh Language Act 1993. It is known in Welsh as Cymraeg.
A proposal for new legislation that is debated by Parliament.
