The next item will be a statement by the First Minister on the legislative programme. Vaughan Gething.

Diolch, Llywydd. It is a pleasure to be able to set out today the legislative priorities for my Government. I have been clear that we must focus our resources on what matters most in people's daily lives. Both our record of delivery and our plans for the future reflect our commitment to radical, progressive and transformative change for every corner of Wales.

Our legislative achievements over the last 12 months reflect this commitment as we have passed Laws crucial for the long-term future of Wales. The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act, which received Royal Assent earlier this year, shows our commitment to improve the air that we breathe and to promote healthy soundscapes. As we move towards net-zero emissions by 2050, we need to transform our economy to power green prosperity. The Infrastructure (Wales) Act, passed in April, will play a key role in delivering our renewable energy targets and will simplify the consenting process for major infrastructure projects.

We are committed to ensuring effective, high-quality and sustainable health and social care to deliver better outcomes. In May, we introduced the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill, which will eliminate private profit from the care of looked-after children as part of our programme to transform children’s services. The Health Service Procurement (Wales) Act, which received Royal Assent this year, will enhance efficiency and patient-centred healthcare. Together with regulations later this year, this will deliver a new regime for the procurement of NHS services to meet the needs of the sector and the people it serves. These are an example of the significant subordinate legislation that underpins our legislative programme, including regulations to implement Acts of the Senedd, such as the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Act 2023.

Llywydd, the Bills we brought forward in the third year of the legislative programme will also make positive changes for democracy in Wales. The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) (Wales) Act, which received Royal Assent last month, will create a modern Senedd, better able to represent and serve the people of Wales. Further measures to reform the Senedd will be considered when we debate the general principles of the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill next week. We share an ambition across the Senedd to introduce a recall mechanism for Senedd Members and my Government stands ready to support that work. We have also committed to enable legislation for the Senedd to consider on the issue of deception by Members of the Senedd and candidates standing for election to the Senedd. We look forward to the recommendations of the Standards of Conduct Committee on both of these issues as part of its work on the accountability of individual Members.

Later this afternoon, we will consider Stage 4 of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill, which will develop an electoral system fit for the twenty-first century. Members will also consider amendments to the Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill at Stage 3 later today. The Bill forms part of our work to reform non-domestic rates and council tax. The final Bill of our year three programme, the Welsh language and education Bill, will be introduced next week. Our aim is to help pupils in Wales to become independent and confident Welsh speakers.

Llywydd, I now turn to those Bills that my Government will introduce in the rest of this Senedd term. We have a packed legislative agenda ahead as we continue to make Laws that will deliver positive and progressive change. My Government is committed to improving transport networks, helping to tackle the climate emergency and restoring a sense of belonging, connection and community. We will radically reshape the public transport system, bringing forward a bus Bill to enable all levels of government in Wales to work together. We can then design bus networks that allow people to access reliable, sustainable services and to provide real options other than car journeys.

Llywydd, alongside this, we are committed to modernising taxi and private hire vehicle licensing to create a safer and fairer sector. So, we will consult on a draft taxi and private hire vehicles Bill this Senedd term, and we will continue to work with passengers, the trade and licensing authorities to take forward reforms through non-legislative means. Members may wish to note a declaration of interest concerning the company Veezu, in addition to my membership of the Unite and GMB trade unions.

We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to tackling the increasing threat to the environment by bringing forward an environmental principles and biodiversity Bill. This will establish a statutory environmental governance body for Wales, embed environmental principles into Welsh law and introduce a legal duty with targets to protect and restore biodiversity. The Bill signals our clear commitment that action and leadership to tackle the climate and nature emergency will remain as a top priority for this Welsh Government.

Coal tips are a legacy of Wales’s mining past. The disused tips (mines and quarries) Bill will give greater security to the people living in their Shadow. It will protect critical infrastructure and safeguard the environment by enshrining in law a sustainable, fit-for-purpose regulatory regime for disused tip safety.

Llywydd, I have been clear that we must focus our efforts on the issues that matter most to the people of Wales. Everyone should have somewhere to call home, and the safety of our residents is paramount. Our homelessness Bill will help people remain in their homes and focus on prevention and early Intervention to significantly improve the homelessness and housing system. A suite of secondary legislation that brought in tighter building controls came into force in April. Our building safety Bill will extend this by establishing a new building safety regime. This will fundamentally reform the occupation and ongoing management of multi-occupied residential buildings and address fire safety issues.

We will introduce a Bill that will give local authorities powers to introduce a visitor levy. The money raised will support tourism, helping our communities and preserving the beauty of Wales for future generations. The visitor accommodation (regulation) Bill will enhance the visitor experience by ensuring visitor accommodation meets required standards. The Bill will establish a register of visitor accommodation and enable providers to demonstrate compliance with safety requirements.

Improving the accessibility of our law is another important facet of our legislative programme. Our next legislation Bill will remove obsolete and spent provisions from the statute book and formalise the system of making and publishing Welsh statutory instruments. I know that Members are keen to see the consolidation of planning law, which has become increasingly inaccessible and overly complex for operators and users of the planning system. We will bring forward a Bill towards the end of this Senedd that will simplify and modernise the law in this area.

The Welsh Government will seek to work in partnership with the UK Government in respect of UK legislation, and we will update the Senedd following the King’s Speech later this month. There will also be a programme of subordinate legislation to implement UK Acts made in the previous parliamentary session. This includes the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which provided powers for Welsh Ministers to deliver reform in this area.

Llywydd, I would like to thank Senedd Members and committees, as well as our social partners and stakeholders, for the role that they play in developing and scrutinising legislation. Our legislative programme will make a real difference to people's lives, it will help to improve transport links across the country, protect people and our communities, and help us to tackle the climate emergency. I commend this programme to Members. I look forward to continuing to work together on these priorities to build an ambitious future for a fairer, stronger and greener Wales. 

Thank you, First Minister, for your statement this afternoon on the legislative programme. I say this on an annual basis: it always amazes me when we stand here to think back to the legislative competence Order days, where Members, if they wanted, or even if the Government wanted, to bring legislation through, would have to hurry up to Westminster and, obviously, present that as an initial case, and then, if they got approval for that, they could bring their Measure, as it was called in those days, before the legislative process began, and how that inhibited us here in the Welsh Parliament from bringing legislation that, I agree with the First Minister, should always seek to improve lives of the people of Wales and improve services. And it's with that thought in mind that I do point to the limited nature of the legislative programme that the Government have brought through to date. When you look, since 2021 in Scotland, for example, 43 Bills have been brought forward in Scotland; if you look at the UK Government's legislative programme in Westminster, which I appreciate is a far bigger legislature, about 165 Bills, and here, since 2021, we're talking 13 pieces of legislation—13 pieces of legislation. So, there is a lack of ambition, I would suggest, from the Welsh Government. I appreciate the health Minister is constantly wanting to barrack today. If she put so much effort into solving the waiting lists here in Wales, then there might be improvement there. What I would say to the First Minister is trying to understand exactly how this legislative statement will make those improvements to the people of Wales.

You talked about the health and social care Bill in the early part of your statement, which was introduced in May. Given the changing landscape, because of the change in Government in Westminster that is being brought forward in England, where many services are sought by authorities here in Wales, in particular when it comes to looked-after children, and Wes Streeting's commitment on making sure there is greater use of the independent sector in providing those services, how compatible will the legislation here in Wales be with the policy initiative of making sure that it is actually the best outcome for the individual, rather than the legislative constraint, that actually delivers for that person? Because there is now a wide gap opening up with the policy intentions of your colleague Wes Streeting and what he wants to use the independent sector for in health and social care, and, obviously, what you as a Government are promoting in this legislation. And if you live in mid Wales, for example, a huge amount of the provision that you would access would be across Offa's Dyke, rather than, obviously, within the area of Powys, for example. So, if the First Minister could explain that, I'd be grateful.

On the building safety law that he touched on, could he confirm today whether that building safety law will use, as one of the bases of its legislative compacity, sections 116 and 124, because many campaigners that have pointed to that particular piece of legislation in England have highlighted how important that is in enabling them to seek restoration and empowerment when it comes to challenging developers over deficiencies within their buildings in England, but, sadly, the Government to date here in Wales hasn't brought forward similar provisions in any legislation? So, I see what he says in the statement about it helping on fire safety prevention. Could he confirm today whether the Welsh Government have looked at that and will include it in the legislation?

On the planning law in particular and the infrastructure Act—again, another big policy area and changing landscape in England, as we saw from the Chancellor yesterday—. I get devolved politics; obviously, the Government here has the right to have its own policy and its own legislation, but, when investors are looking to put money into projects, they clearly are looking for the quickest route to market and the most enabling framework that is available for them to make that choice. And so Wales can remain competitive, is he confident that the infrastructure Act that was passed last year, I believe, and the planning Act that he's talking about being implemented before the next Senedd election, will be the most competitive environment that can be possible whilst protecting communities against overdevelopment and, ultimately, safeguarding what we care passionately about, which is the great landscape and countryside of Wales, which is very often endangered by developments that aren’t suitable for those particular areas.

Could the First Minister touch on where he sees the benefits of the disused tips Act that he's talking about—this piece of legislation? As someone whose own area, South Wales Central, covers a lot of these areas, it talks in the statement today of, obviously, covering infrastructure and protecting infrastructure and communities. Could the First Minister indicate how this piece of legislation will actually do that and what it will deliver for communities, especially in the old coalfield areas? Because, obviously, there is a severe danger in some of those communities unless those tips are, not just protected by legislation, but also enabling legislation for communities and local authorities to draw down assets to protect those communities.

The environmental principles and biodiversity Bill—

The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.

You're over your time. Could this be your last one, please?

I could go on and on.

I know, but you don't have the time.

I'll just touch on this final point, if I may, then. On the environmental principles and biodiversity Bill, this obviously will be a key piece of legislation. We will be the last Parliament to enact such a piece of legislation—I think I'm correct in saying that. Scotland and England have already put such legislation on the statute book. Will this be a uniquely Welsh piece of legislation, or will it just be a hybrid of what you've seen delivered in other parts of the United Kingdom, Scotland and England, and brought forward here in Wales? So, could you give us a taste of the capacity and ambition that the Welsh Government have for that particular piece of legislation, and what exactly will be the protections contained in it? Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.

Thank you for the series of questions. I don't accept his criticism about the lack of ambition in the legislative programme. To date we've had a busy programme, as people who serve on scrutiny committees will recognise, and the Ministers piloting legislation through. We will of course, in the future, have a Senedd with an increased capacity to scrutinise legislation. What we also need to reflect on is how we deliver a fit-for-purpose piece of legislation that can really make a difference.

I think there's often a desire in scrutiny to add more things into the Bills that are presented. It takes place in every Parliament, to be fair, regardless of its political make-up, but having a giant blockbuster Bill often makes the process less certain and less targeted at delivering the real improvements we need to make. So, I'm interested in Laws that can and will make a difference to outcomes for people as well.

I'd have to say that I think, in his comments about Wes Streeting, he’s searching for Division where it simply does not exist. We are interested in how we improve outcomes across health and social care. And the Bill that we have introduced to eliminate profit in children's residential care services is not just something where I was proud to re-sign the declaration on behalf of the Welsh Government with care-experienced children and young people, it is about how we deliver better outcomes. At the moment, we have a system that is going to get more and more expensive without Intervention, and actually we want to deliver a system with better outcomes within it. Better outcomes for the taxpayer, but, crucially, better outcomes for the children and young people who experience care during their lifetimes. And I hope that will also lead to a change in the tenor of debate around the measures that we seek to take to improve outcomes with and for care-experienced young people. I want to make clear that I remain very proud of what this Government continues to do in supporting care-experienced young people with a basic income pilot, and I hope that some of the disgraceful and untrue statements made about that pilot will cease now that there is a different series of leadership and management at a UK level, and I hope that will be taken on board on all sides of this Chamber and outside it.

On building safety, we have considered what is in the UK Building Safety Act 2022, in sections 116 to 125. What we already have in Wales is a new route to address fire safety in all residential buildings of 11m and over. It's not limited to buildings with cladding, and it applies to both internal and external fire safety issues. We are the only UK country to have made that commitment, so our approach is different to that of England. I know that Julie James has rehearsed this many times in the Chamber as well. We have also been clear that leaseholders should not be made to pay for work to rectify fire safety issues that are not of their making. That's why we're going to have a scheme for responsible persons, so they can invite all leaseholders that find themselves in that building to be properly supported, and we also have support provided for leaseholders who may need to take action. 

On the infrastructure Act, I do believe the infrastructure Act takes us forward. It was the deliberate reason why we passed it, to update our planning structure so that people who want to invest in major infrastructure and development here can have a fit-for-purpose framework for doing so. And there is a balance, as the Member has pointed out, between our wider ambitions to deliver economic benefit and infrastructure investment, and some of the challenges where that development takes place, and where infrastructure around it takes place as well. That's why we've tried to balance that already to give investors certainty, but to understand how people can influence the planning system and the considerations to be properly taken into account when doing so.

For example, I would not think it would be a sensible thing, given the energy and effort we've spent on peatland restoration across Wales, to then plough up large areas of that peatland with all of the additional significant benefit it provides for biodiversity here in Wales as well. So, I do think the legislation that we have will help with that investor certainty, because I want to see investment take place here in Wales. I want to see it take place where we get the jobs that come with it, not simply the opportunity to generate one part of that economic chain.

The planning Bill is actually a consolidation Bill, and that's still important to ensure that in one place you have all of the planning legislation that applies. The danger otherwise is that you have planning considerations in different parts of our legislative framework, and you actually need lots and lots of legal ability and searching to make sure you gather all of that in one place. Now, if you're a well-resourced planning authority or planning consultant working in the private sector, you have the ability to do that. Actually, there's still an element of uncertainty that we can help to get through if we pass the planning Bill in the form that is going to be presented. I think, again, that will be good for businesses, good for local authorities, and good for individual residents and communities to have a single place to go to for planning considerations. 

On the environmental governance and biodiversity Bill, this will, as I said in the statement, set out our commitments for restoration and improvement. So, the environmental principles and biodiversity Bill will be uniquely Welsh in considering what we need to do here in Wales, but we will, of course, have taken the opportunity to learn from what other parts of the UK have done, and that is what we should do. We should not be afraid to learn and look where there are other good ideas that we could apply here, and, equally, we should be clear-sighted in our determination to have legislation that is genuinely fit for purpose. And I'm sure that Members across the Chamber will engage in scrutiny of that legislation to ensure that they're content with the scheme that we've set out, but also the targets we'll have for restoring and improving biodiversity and nature across the country.

When he became First Minister back in March, he outlined his ambition to deliver positive and innovative change, and we on these benches were willing to promote that vision, in a way, and to work constructively with Government to deliver it. After all, delivering positive and bold change was at the heart of the co-operation agreement that had already introduced very innovative approaches in areas such as free school meals, for example, protecting the housing market, childcare, Senedd reform, and so on and so forth. 

But as the First Minister moved from one scandal of his own making to the next from the very outset, we also saw that ambitious vision being pushed to one side, and many legislative commitments that were ambitious were shelved as the Government, I'm afraid, prioritised protecting its own interests rather than delivering on behalf of the people of Wales. And, indeed, if Keir Starmer, in becoming Prime Minister, is sincere when he says that he wants to see a Government turning back to its proper work of serving the people who elect that Government, it would be good for the First Minister to also consider what's been happening over the past four months.

We are now in a regrettable position where there's more to be said about what's been dropped from the Government's legislative programme than what is in it: post-Brexit environmental governance arrangements that have long been in place in other nations of the UK are still being held up; pioneering measures to create a fully gender-balanced Senedd being repeatedly delayed, possibly now until 2030; the implementation of a transformational package of council tax reforms, developed as part of our co-operation agreement, being pushed back until after the next Senedd election. You're guaranteeing that the most deprived households will continue to be disproportionately penalised by an unfair, regressive and outdated system for at least another four years.

Now, amidst those disappointments and, you know, major disappointments, there are some glimmers of hope that we certainly would still urge the Government not to lose sight of in the remaining year and a half of this Senedd term. We do believe that bus franchise reform to better connect our inherently disconnected communities is an urgent necessity. I welcome what we have in the statement today about legislation to promote Welsh language opportunities for all through education, and building a more resilient tourism sector in Wales. We also welcome the fact that the Government has pledged to introduce legislation to prohibit lying in politics, in response to the good work of my colleague Adam Price.

But, on the whole, I think the people of Wales need and want more than we have in this programme. It's a yearning for more fairness and ambition for Wales that drives our new, enlarged group of Plaid Cymru MPs at Westminster. They will certainly make the case at Westminster for fair funding for Wales's fair share from HS2, and also for measures to combat child poverty and to secure further devolution, including of the Crown Estate. But as I say, what's conspicuous in this legislative agenda that we've heard being outlined today is what's missing.

For instance, it's approaching six months now since the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales published its final report. There's nothing outlined here that would give effect to any of its recommendations, recommendations that this Senedd wanted to see being accepted in full and with urgency. There's nothing outlined in paving the way to further devolution, including of crime and justice, something which Labour in Wales have long insisted is a priority, but which the new Secretary of State has consistently and explicitly ruled out. If this legislative agenda represents the scope of Labour's ambition for Wales, well, many people will be left cold. I want a Government that pushes the boundaries in terms of what the current devolution settlement can deliver, and that's not what we have in front of us today.

We in Plaid Cymru are clear on the types of things that we do think that a devolved Government should seek to deliver for Wales. We will outline many of these between now and May 2026: securing economic development based on ambitious targets; a real strategy for tackling child poverty—again, with measurable targets; a sovereign wealth fund for Wales, which ensures that revenue from our natural resources is retained and invested here in Wales.

We often hear, Dirprwy Lywydd, do we not, that Labour Governments at both ends of the M4 have to collaborate for the benefit of Wales. Well, if that's the case, does the First Minister agree with me that there's now no excuse for the Welsh Labour Government not to be ambitious in planning its agenda, because what's been brought forward today, I'm afraid, is very short from what we as a party and what, most importantly, the people of Wales expect?

Well, some of the comments made by the leader of Plaid Cymru did refer to the legislative programme, but much of it was nothing to do with our legislative programme and the simple disagreements between our parties about the direction of the future of Wales. I'm proud to say that I believe in the future of the union delivering for Wales and Britain, that I want to see reform for that to take place. We have our opportunity to take devolution forwards, now we do have a pro-devolution UK Labour Government. Much of that could and should be delivered without there being a need to see additional legislation for that to happen.

I'm looking forward to powers being restored. I'm looking forward to new areas of devolution coming to this Senedd and to the Welsh Government, and I don't think we need a vision that attempts to recast reality on what we have already done, whether it be through the co-operation agreement or commitments we have, or the reality of how you actually deliver a legislative programme. It takes time to develop and go through the policy engagement stages, the white paper, then engaging in Bills to be put before the Senedd. The idea that we could magic up a list of seven or eight different Bills the Member suggested might have happened, that's not very realistic and it's not an honest prospectus to the people of Wales.

We are, though, continuing to work through a number of areas that follow on in good faith from the co-operation agreement. We've been honest about where we've reached on council tax reforms, and there were genuinely respectful and constructive conversations about that. I don't see that as a failure; I see that as honesty in where we are, and in the reality that we didn't have the money to deliver the sort of scheme we'd have needed to. Living through a cost-of-living crisis that we still are not through, to have delivered a scheme that would have taken money to deliver to the wealthiest households I do not think is something that we could have done at this point. We’d have needed to have something to transition to the scheme. That’s an honest conversation that has taken place. And when it takes place about where we get to with Stage 1 on the candidate lists Bill, I think, again, there’s honesty about the position that took place at the end of my predecessor’s time in office, about needing to understand that Stage 1 report and to consider that, and understand how we take matters forward.

We have acted in good faith, and we will continue to do so. That’s why you continue to see commitments around the visitor levy and visitor accommodation Bills in this statement, because we’ve made commitments that we are sticking to. It’s why we’ll carry on delivering against the buses Bill, because we understand that will make a huge difference to communities across Wales, to have a much more rational way of investing public money in our bus network. We already invest a huge amount in the bus network. The Majority of the money going into buses in Wales is public funds. If we pass the Bill, we’ll have a much better way to regulate that, to understand how the franchises work, and to make sure that money actually serves an economic and social purpose as well. We should get a better bus network as a result.

I’m proud of the programme that we are putting before the Senedd. Passing these Bills, I believe, will make a practical difference in the lives of people right across Wales. It will enable us to look people directly in the eye and say that what we have done here in passing Laws will have made a positive difference in their day-to-day lives—and more than that: all of the other powers and responsibilities we have here that don’t require legislation but are very much part of our agenda to make a difference for people here in Wales. There is absolutely no dimming of the ambition, or the requirement for that ambition, for the future of Wales. I believe we do now have a real opportunity in having two Governments that can be genuine partners in the success of Wales. I look forward to leading this Government to do just that.

Mike Hedges, as Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee. 

You've called me for the wrong one; I'm on land transaction tax.

Sorry, Mike, you're down on this list. [Interruption.] No, he doesn't have five minutes. [Laughter.] In that case, Vikki Howells. 

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, First Minister, for your statement here today. As Chair of the Standards of Conduct Committee, I welcome your reference to the important work that my committee is undertaking on individual Member accountability and your restated commitment to enable legislation on the important matter of deception. First Minister, do you agree with me that this work has the potential to enable our Senedd to become an exemplar Parliament in the UK and help to restore public trust in politics?

Secondly, First Minister, I’d like to turn to the bus Bill, legislation that is of utmost importance to my constituents, and vital, of course, to undoing the damage caused to our bus network by Thatcher’s deregulation all those years ago. I welcome the plans to radically reshape our bus services, and I note your comments about working with all levels of Government to achieve this. Our communities and other groups such as the trade unions representing bus drivers also have a crucial role to play. So, how will the widest possible involvement from civil society be encouraged as plans are developed?

Thank you for the comments and questions. I will address your comments as the standards Chair first, and then on what I think is more of a Constituency interest in the buses Bill.

On standards, we all understand why we have come to having a conversation about recall, following a significant sanction against a Member and our understanding of what our system should look like. That’s partly because of changes made in the UK Parliament, and partly because we all, across parties, consider that it probably should not be the way that matters are dealt with in the future. And it’s the same point around deception: it's about the point around the standards that we expect of Members, and, in that case, for candidates to the Senedd as well.

My interest is in how we have a coherent scheme for this Senedd to consider that properly takes account of the standards we expect of each other, what the public expect of us, how those choices are made, and then the consequences of those choices as well. I think there are issues to think about in terms of improvements that have been made in the UK Parliament—I think the recall process is an improvement—but also to think about areas where I would not be so keen to follow the Westminster model.

I think it has been a mistake to have a separate process for individual staff harassment that comes outside conduct of Members. The decoupling of those, I think, makes the system less coherent. I’m interested in how, working with the standards committee cross-party, we have a genuinely coherent scheme that looks at all forms of behaviour that we could and should expect of Members, that decision-making process, and then the expertise to undertake that as well.

It is no criticism of any individual who might be the standards commissioner, but you would not expect one individual to have all the understanding necessary to investigate every single potential complaint that comes in. So, it’s how we have a system that supports whoever the commissioner is to undertake their investigation. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to be both a trade union rep and an employment lawyer, so I understand large parts of how the world of work works, including, because I was a specialist discrimination lawyer—. And actually, that can be challenging and different. There are other employment lawyers who won’t be specialists who don’t have the same understanding and expertise.

So, there’s something about how do we support whoever the commissioner is to have the right access to the right support to undertake their investigation work, and then to make sure we have a coherent scheme that meets the genuine cross-party desire to improve on our process. The Government is seriously committed to enabling the Senedd to consider that coherent scheme and for Members to be able to vote upon it before the end of this term, so it is in place for the next Senedd term in 2026.

On the bus Bill, I think this is one of the more exciting pieces of legislation that will make the difference that we often talk about. Not every member of the public is excited when they’re told that politicians are going to create a new law, but I do think this is one that will make a real practical difference across communities. Within the Member’s community that she represents, having a more coherent approach to bus services will make a real difference—and in my consistency too. Everyone in this Chamber, I think, can point to where a better system of bus regulation and support would make a bigger and better difference.

We’re proposing a new system, to move away from what is a deeply unstrategic and inefficient way of investing public money to one where we can have greater coherence and genuine work with local authorities to understand the routes that they require in a proper commissioning and franchising process, rather than, as we have now, local authorities often being left trying to rescue a route that is socially essential but isn’t necessarily always privately profitable. It will move away from simply competing for the most profitable routes and ignoring the ones of huge social value. At the moment, local authorities and the Government have all the pressure of being, if you like, the investor of last resort. We can do better, and the bus Bill, I think, will show us a way to do that in genuine partnership with colleagues across local government and beyond.

First Minister, can I start by just recognising the events of last week? I hope that your Government and our new Government in the UK can bring benefits to Wales. I look forward to taking my part in scrutinising the progress of that. We do need to see benefits flow from that new relationship.

Regarding the legislative programme, whilst I’m not going to reflect too much on what’s in it, I recognise there are some good things coming forward around environment and planning and things like that. My focus really is more about what isn’t in it. I know that there’s probably no time now to put it in, but you will no doubt recognise my interest in food, so I was disappointed that the legislative programme hasn’t recognised the crucial subject of food security. There’s a lot of talk about biodiversity, environment, and things like that. Well, the fundamental thing that derives from that is food. Food security is so fundamental to this country—indeed, the whole of the world—and we need to do more about it.

Whilst my food Bill fell, and I’m not mourning it, it had a weight of support from around the country, recognising the importance of this really important subject around getting local food into local people to address crucial societal issues. I welcome the role that the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales will play in trying to raise the profile of food security, and what he’s already doing. But can I urge you—

Peter, you need to ask your question, please.

I'm sorry, I thought I had more time.

No, one minute per person.

The question, First Minister, is this: can I respectfully suggest that your Government needs to take this area extremely seriously and take action to legislate to bring an all-Wales approach to food security and the food system, as opposed to a more piecemeal approach, as we see at the moment?

Can I welcome the conciliatory and positive remarks that the Member made at the start? I do regularly reflect outside this Chamber that the Member has had a history of having to work with Labour local authority leaders and being able to do so in a pragmatic way to get things done. I wanted to do that with the previous Government. There were times we were able to do that, but I hope we'll have more opportunity to benefit the country now. And I respect the fact that the Member will scrutinise and challenge us throughout that process. 

When it comes to food and food security, I welcome the future generations commissioner's initiative. It's actually about looking at how we provide food in a secure and sustainable way for ourselves, and also what it means for food exports. Actually, the significant growth in the Welsh food and drink industry has been a real success story that we don't talk about enough, and that's a genuine success story in lots of parts of Wales. And it's adding value to that as well, so we're not just selling the raw product. I know Alun Davies isn't in the Chamber today, but when he claimed we were going to be increasing the food and drink output of the country and its economic value, lots of people thought that we would not achieve the difference he talked about. Actually, we outachieved that. And there's also the point about getting further upstream for economic value and food manufacturing. Those are still things we need to do and we can do in a genuinely sustainable way. 

I think this is actually a good example of where you don't need to change the law to improve outcomes. Actually, it's the way in which we balance our environmental responsibilities for high-quality food and drink production. That will help us in food security and understanding where our food comes from—the food that we export and import—in a way where we have a genuine eye to what sustainability looks like in a whole food system. That will also deal with some of the challenges that I think we'll get when it comes to some of the comments that Jenny Rathbone makes on a regular basis about needing to understand the public health impact of food that is not healthy and how we deal with ultra-processed food as well. I think this is a rounded debate that we can have that doesn't necessarily require a large-scale change in the law but does require a difference in approach and in the levers around resource and policy.

First Minister, I would like to know how much of a priority the coal tip safety Bill will be for your Government. When will the people of the Valleys be able to see the legislation introduced on that subject? In light of the detailed work that has been undertaken by the climate change committee in the Senedd on Ffos-y-fran and opencast sites, would you consider expanding the scope of that Bill to include those sites?

When you met Sir Keir Starmer yesterday, did you repeat to him your belief that the cost of clearing these coal tips should be shared with Westminster? Because the fundamental truth, the ethical case, has not changed. I presume, therefore, that your position on that has not changed either.

Finally, First Minister, your statement talks about a Bill on environmental principles and biodiversity. Could you confirm that that will meet the calls of the RSPB and others to improve biodiversity by 2030 and for it to be in a robust state by 2050? If you could give us an update on that. Thank you very much. 

On the last question first, we do expect to be able to meet the call of a range of actors in the wider nature advocacy field on seeing significant improvement by 2030 and further improvement beyond. So, I think people can be positive about not just a statement, but when the detail of the Bill comes out as well. I think that, and your reference to the disused tips (mines and quarries) Bill, is part of the significant disagreement I have with the leader of Plaid Cymru that this is somehow an unambitious programme. These two pieces of legislation on their own will make a major difference across the country—a major positive change in helping us to have a better way to manage the environment and to understand how we can make disused quarries and tips safe. Because there are too many people who live in the Shadow of them. We have a disproportionate number of those in Wales, because of our industrial past. That's in north, south and west Wales. So, it's not just an issue concentrated in one part of the country. 

I'm genuinely pleased that we are going to bring forward that Bill. It should be introduced before the end of the calendar year. That's our plan. I think that you'll be positive about the Bill when you see it, albeit there is a choice about not including opencast within it. That would significantly expand the legislative reach, and I think we need a different piece of legislation to consider the future management and restoration of opencast. This is about addressing disused quarries and mines, which is a significant undertaking in itself, and that's what we are committed to doing. On your point around future support for how to go about this work, I've already had conversations with both the Secretary of State for Wales and the Prime Minister around the fact that this is a priority for this Government. I expect us to make further bids into future funding. 

One of the more disappointing parts of the recent past is that the now former Secretary of State for Wales at one point agreed to support a bid for funding to come to Wales—and it was actually, in UK spending terms, not a huge amount of money. He then reneged on that commitment and refused to make and support a bid for that resource to come. I think we can be confident that there will be a real and significant change with the new partnership that we have. Far from being disappointed with the partners we now have, I think there is real room for optimism and positivity. So, I look forward to being able to deliver on that. 

I'd just like to briefly touch on the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill. Firstly, I'm proud to be in a Wales that is looking to eliminate the profit from care. And I do urge everybody, particularly if there are sceptics in the Siambr—for example, perhaps the Conservative leader—to meet with some of our care-experienced young people. Georgia Toman said that she felt exploited by private companies who make profit from scared and traumatised young people. So, I will be talking with the Leader of the Opposition to see if we can make that connection so that you have the opportunity to listen to our care-experienced young people.

But the second issue for me is around unpaid carers. Currently, equality monitoring forms do not ask whether someone has unpaid caring responsibilities. There is no direct requirement for simple, reasonable adjustments to be made for them in the workplace. So, I'd like to ask your view on whether you think a particularly transformative way of tackling this discrimination would be making care status a protected characteristic. Diolch yn fawr iawn. 

Look, it's an interesting suggestion. I want to start by welcoming what she had to say about our Bill to eliminate private profit. I believe it is not just a value statement, though, as important as that is, it's a practical step forward to make sure that the money that exists and has to be spent within the system is used for a better purpose and, actually, in a more efficient way. There's a real efficiency case for doing this that goes beyond whether people do or don't like the private sector operating in this space. But it does matter to children and young people who have been through the care system. And I was really struck by how strongly held that view was, that they'd felt—with exactly the same words you used—exploited by the fact that money was being made out of them, and in a way when, actually, their experience hadn't been a good one. 

I do think back to a number of the conversations that I had when I was the Deputy Minister for health, but actually one of the things that really struck in my mind was a conversation with Mark Drakeford, where he said, 'We spend lots of money in this system, and we don't buy good outcomes for our children and young people. On the whole, we buy poorer outcomes than should be delivered. So, standing back and simply putting more money into the system isn't the right thing to do.' And that still is the case now, for all of the improvements we have made. So, I'm generally very proud to support the Bill that my Government is bringing forward on eliminating private profit, and I think it will be seen as something that is a much better use of money on all fronts. 

As for whether unpaid carers should be a protected characteristic, I'm open-minded but not persuaded. I'd be interested in seeing what practical difference that would make, how that could happen. It's not within this legislative programme. There will be people in this room who are unpaid carers, with caring responsibilities not just for children but for older adults as well. I'm not persuaded that this in itself is a way to improve outcomes for unpaid carers. There are other things we are doing, but I'm more than happy to continue to engage in the conversation, as indeed I'm sure other Ministers in the Government will be, around how we can make the biggest difference. Because that is the point here: how do we make a difference with and for those unpaid carers to recognise what they do, not just for their loved ones, but what it means for all of us. 

Looking at this afternoon's statement from a transport view, it was something very difficult for me to get excited over. There is, of course, mention of a bus Bill, which I look forward to going through in greater detail, and a taxi and private hire vehicles Bill, but that, for me, First Minister, was just about it. It wasn't really very ambitious, in my opinion. The consultation on the taxi and private hire vehicle Bill closed in June 2023, and we haven't heard anything since. So, First Minister, can you please outline why this piece of work has been so slow in coming in front of us? 

This afternoon's statement makes no mention of your Government's controversial 20 mph speed limit scheme. First Minister, what consideration have you given to bringing forward a backing of drivers Bill, which would give the public what they want by reviewing your flawed 20 mph project and giving communities a stronger voice over these matters. Again, I’m deeply disappointed there’s no message or indeed any say of a road-building agenda. We all can agree that roads are important not only for our economy, but they are essential for getting people from A to B, whether that be on public transport or private vehicle. There’s a long-needed list of projects that need to be included and built, such as a third Menai crossing and Chepstow bypass. So, First Minister, will you commit to bringing forward a package of measures focused on road building? Only last week I raised the issue of Cardiff Airport with your Cabinet Secretary. If the Welsh Government is that confident it can turn the airport’s fortune around, then why isn’t a piece of work setting out these measures being brought forward? Trains are also another area that has been neglected in today’s statement, and I fear that it shows—

You need to ask your final question now, please.

—a clear lack of ambition from this Government. So, going forward, First Minister, please feel free to prove me wrong this afternoon by outlining what other transport-related Bills will be coming forth in this Chamber in the future. Thank you.

Well, I set out the transport-related Bills that will be coming forward in this legislative programme statement. The clue is in the title: much of what the Member said has nothing to do with legislation. When it comes to our capacity to legislate, we are legislating in a way that I think Members of the Senedd will be very busy dealing with this legislation. When Members are saying more legislation, then, on top of this, I think that is a real misunderstanding of the amount of work that lies ahead of Members, both Ministers leading Bills and indeed any backbenchers looking to introduce legislation. You may want to talk to your colleague about the significant amount of work he’s had to engage with as a Member in wanting to introduce a discrete piece of legislation, and indeed all backbenchers who will scrutinise the Bills that will come forward.

On your wider commentary, I think it’s important to reflect on the comments from Peter Fox in recognising the significant change that took place on Thursday. When people in Wales were asked about what they wanted to see, one of the clear proposals in the Conservative manifesto that was roundly rejected was the backing drivers Bill, the full-frontal assault on devolution that would have taken powers away from this place, as opposed to our manifesto commitment on 20 mph and the review that I’m delighted Ken Skates is leading on, which I believe will show that we’re listening to the public and acting on that. So, far from there being a mandate for the calls that you make, I’ll simply remind the Member, when the people of Wales were asked, they chose to implement a blanket ban on Welsh Tory MPs, and I salute their sound wisdom and judgment in doing so.

There are four Bills in your legislative programme that are of specific interest to me as Plaid Cymru’s new housing spokesperson, so I look forward to seeing the homelessness Bill and the building safety Bill. I do notice that there’s a new Bill for the statutory licensing Bill, which is the tourism accommodation Bill, which establishes a register. Can you confirm that this Bill will include statutory licensing as well as establishing a register, and can you confirm a timetable for the introduction of this Bill? You do need statutory licensing if this is to be an effective piece of legislation.

In the programme for government, in light of the agreement with my party, there is a commitment to publish a white paper to introduce proposals on the right to an adequate home. I do understand that this will not now be published until the autumn. Can you confirm that and also confirm that the White Paper will give due attention to the right to an adequate home?

Finally, I note the reference to planning, and I do think that the original intention was to consolidate current legislation, to have a consolidation Bill. I now see that you’re talking about simplification and modernising this law, which is to be welcomed. So, can you confirm that this simply won’t be a consolidation Bill and that there will be a real opportunity to reform planning law for the benefit of communities across Wales and to facilitate the building of new homes?

Well, I think there are important points around how we facilitate the building of new homes. Planning is a part of that, but it’s not often the main part of it. Actually, the main part is often land supply and certainty and decision making; that’s capacity within the planning system rather than the rules as they actually apply. The consolidation Bill will make this a great deal simpler, to understand how we’ve already had planning reform. I think in both previous terms of the Senedd, we had planning reform legislation go through. What we need to do is to make it much more accessible so that the rules are clear for everyone, and we then need to do a piece of work that I’m delighted that I’ve agreed with Julie James that Jack Sargeant will lead a working group on to look at what we can do in terms of bringing forward supply, and how we actually have a clearer understanding of not just the amount of housing we need, but the quality of the housing as well. It's of real economic benefit. It will help us meet some of our climate targets as well if we are able to deliver not just more homes, but much better homes as well, and that will often lead to significant local employment outcomes.

The visitor accommodation and regulation Bill is due to be introduced in 2025, in plenty of time to be passed in this term, and it will look at registration and licensing, so you can expect that to happen. The economy Secretary is the lead Minister on that, given its direct links to our economic prospects and futures. We needed to choose who the lead Minister was. There was interest from many more people, but I'm confident that we will see a piece of legislation that delivers against our manifesto and, indeed, as I said earlier, the good-faith commitments we have made in the co-operation agreement.

That also applies to building safety and for our homelessness legislation. I think the homelessness Bill will again be another piece of legislation that people will recognise as being genuinely progressive—earlier Intervention and prevention of homelessness, what that means for families and children, what it means for how we use the public estate we currently have, as well as, to finish on the point that you ended on, the impetus for building homes that are genuinely fit for purpose. Everyone deserves a place to call home, a safe and decent place to call home. That is what we are committed to doing.

One of the issues that was loud and clear on the doorstep was the need for more and better buses, so I very much welcome the bus Bill so that we can direct the investment we make in buses to where we can maximise social value. However, I'm disappointed that the taxi and private hire vehicles Bill is being delayed and is only being consulted on in draft. And I wondered why it's not been possible to link the taxi and private hire vehicles legislation to that of the bus Bill, because there is real concern in Cardiff, which tries to retain a balance between supply and demand—instead, what we have is taxi drivers unable to make a living because there's unfair competition by the uncontrolled licensing of taxi drivers from other local authorities, who then come into Cardiff and undermine the business of other people. So, I think I'm concerned that we're not planning to regulate that better in this term.

I just wanted to add to the—

Quickly, please.

—concerns from Delyth Jewell about the disused tip spill, because on the principle of regulation being that the polluter should remain responsible for the environmental harm of its actions, going forward, how could that be made to apply to companies like Monsanto, which have now left these shores? And have you had the opportunity to discuss with the new UK Labour Government how their attitude towards coal-tip responsibility will not, of course, be the outrageous position of the previous UK Government, where it was nothing to do with them, even though—

Thank you, Jenny.

—all the coal tips were closed down well before devolution?

On buses, I welcome the Member's support for the bus Bill. It's a significant issue within the Cardiff Central Constituency, and in the current Cardiff Central in the Senedd, of course, the new bus station is finally open, and a proper interchange, together with rail, and indeed with taxi services as well.

On buses and taxis, we previously had a proposal to do both things in one piece of legislation, and the Bill ended up being unmanageable and too big, and we also needed to make sure that we had the expertise focused on delivering against the piece of legislation that mattered, rather than having to shoehorn them both in. We do, though, have a policy issue and a practical issue around cross-bordering. I hear it loud and clear. We also, though, need to work through with different stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers themselves, to understand what a solution could look like. That is work that Ken Skates is engaged in with his officials, with local authorities, with operators and, as I said, representatives of taxi drivers themselves, because I'm keen that we see progress. I also know that there are commitments to look at this issue in England as well, because in large parts of Wales, cross-bordering isn't simply about local authorities in Wales, it is about people moving from one local authority across the whole border as well, so you see a number of people travelling from Bristol to work in Wales. You see that movement, which is entirely necessary and reasonable for lots of journeys in north-east Wales, where we have a number of areas where the border runs through settlements.

On coal tips, as I said in response to earlier questions, I do believe we will have a much more positive response from the new Government on respecting and reflecting on the industrial legacy of coal tips and disused quarries. It is an industrial past that predates devolution, and yet very real challenges exist now. I would not want a major slip to take place on my watch. I want us to have a shared programme where we understand how both Governments are prepared to invest in putting these things right. Some work to understand what that looks like has already been done. What we now need is willingness from the UK Government to invest alongside us to do just that.

Thank you, First Minister, for outlining the legislative programme as you have done here this afternoon. I am surprised at the lack of focus on health services within the legislative programme, as you have outlined. Clearly—[Interruption.] Well, legislation relating to health services—shaking heads on the front row there. Health, of course, forms the largest part of the Welsh Government budget and is the most consequential area under this Government's control, and we do know the challenges that health services in Wales are facing. In particular, we're aware of the record waiting lists, and we're aware of people not being able to access ambulance responses within the eight minutes. It clearly needs attention at a legislative level.

Sam, one second. Can Members on the Government benches please allow the Member to actually contribute to his statement?

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. So, my question is, First Minister: do you think that this legislative programme accurately reflects the attention and focus that our health service deserves?

Well, that is a significant misunderstanding, innocent or otherwise, about the purpose of a legislative programme. We as a Government commit our most significant areas of funding resource to the national health service and are proud to do so: a 4 per cent and more increase to the NHS budget in the budget that this place passed last year, compared to just over 1 per cent over the border in then Conservative England. The reforms that we need to see delivered, together with the resource in the health service, don't require us to pass blockbuster Bills. You can't legislate your way to improving productivity. You can't legislate your way to changing every single part of public health behaviour. And I'm sure the Member does understand that this statement is not where significant improvement in health services is delivered. We don't need to change the law to improve health outcomes; we actually need to change the way that we're able to invest in the future of our service and to organise it around the patient and around our staff to deliver the best possible care in the right place at the right time.

I'm sure many of your constituents, Prif Weinidog, will be very pleased to hear that a building safety Bill is to be introduced, but given that seven years have passed since Grenfell and many people are still unable to move on with their lives, when does he foresee that that Bill will be introduced?

Secondly, it's three years since we received the Law Commission's report on devolved tribunals, but we still haven't got a timetable with regard to legislation in this area. Through the devolved tribunals, we have a foundation to build a fair Welsh justice system. When will the necessary legislation be introduced?

And finally, I'd like to repeat concerns referred to by the Leader of the Opposition. Since the last election, the Scottish Parliament have passed 26 Acts, with a further five Bills awaiting Royal Assent and 14 Bills in the legislative programme for this year. In contrast, only 10 Acts of the Senedd have received Royal Assent. Is the Prif Weinidog satisfied that legislating receives enough resources from the Welsh Government? Diolch yn fawr.

The Llywydd took the Chair.

I think there are three relatively brief points. The first is that the building safety Bill, as I have indicated, is a priority for this Government. It'll be introduced in the next year. We do already provide, without having passed previous legislation—. As I responded to Andrew R.T. Davies, we provide practical support for leaseholders who wish to consider taking legal action against the developer of their property around fire safety issues, and we're also running a route to help improve fire safety issues, including those buildings that don't have cladding. We're the only UK nation to do that.

On your point around tribunals, I appreciate that lawyers in recovery will be interested in this. It is important that we’re having a coherent system around Welsh justice. That is a Bill that we may come to at the end of this term if we can deliver all other parts of the programme. So, it’s a possible introduction right at the end of the term, but it does depend on the length of time it takes us to legislate. I can tell you, I have been a Member in this place since 2011, and I have regularly seen how, at the end of a term, legislation is either rushed or is lost in a way that is not helpful for any of us. I do not want the major Bills that we have set out here to be at risk of being lost in the last week or two of term. If we’re able to make good progress on all of the radical and significant legislation that we have set out, then there may be opportunities to introduce a final Bill at the end, but these are the key priorities and this Government has taken a view on de-prioritising—difficult choices, but that allows a firmer platform to deliver this radical and progressive legislative reform programme, and I’m proud to do so; I will not get lost in simply comparing numbers of Bills as opposed to the practical impact of the legislation that we pass. That is the test that I want us to set: how can we use our powers to make a difference with fit-for-purpose legislation, not just simply count the numbers and not be concerned about the difference they have made.

First Minister, thank you for statement today. During time on the Children, Young People and Education Committee, I was truly privileged to meet so many young people across Wales, especially those children who were care experienced, and it’s very good to hear people across the Chamber today mention our care-experienced children and the work the Government’s doing in this area. In the report that we put forward, the committee mentioned up to nine recommendations; these recommendations came forward from actually the young people who took part in that inquiry, with areas where the Welsh Government could legislate to actually improve the lives of looked-after children across Wales. On top of what the Government is doing, can you outline anywhere where the Government could potentially legislate in the future to improve the lives of our young people right the way across Wales? And on top of that, First Minister, I also look forward to working with you and one of your Ministers, Jayne Bryant, here on the development of my mental health standards of care Bill.

Thank you for the comments. On future opportunities, we do take seriously reports that are provided by our scrutiny and policy committees. The Government doesn’t always agree with them, but there are times where we see the development of ideas that can lead to improvement in policy and delivery, or potentially in legislation. I’m talking today about the legislative programme we have, as opposed to what might take place at the end of this term, and of course parties will have their own manifestos for the future. So, there isn’t a closed mind to what the future can bring, but we have a set period of capacity within the rest of this term: that is both the Bills we have set out in the Government's programme and of course the Bills that I’ve committed to, and the Counsel General, in support of the work of the standards committee, which actually may not be a significant length of legislation, but the impact of it will be really significant, so the consultation and getting that right I think is really important, and it’s an area where we can see it’s not the length of the Bill that is the issue, it’s making sure we get things right in the legislation and the guidance that will need to come after that as well.

And I do look forward to continuing the constructive conversation we have had on the legislation the Member wants to take forward. With the UK Government that has just been elected with manifesto commitments to revise mental health legislation, which is welcome, I look forward to seeing if there is a practical area to make progress with the Member with the area he has chosen, and I know he’ll continue to have constructive conversations with Jayne Bryant, which I am properly supportive of.

Thank you, First Minister.