North Wales MS shares updates from his week in the Senedd
MS for North Wales
Questioning the First Minister, I asked her to respond to concern expressed by senior Third Sector representatives at the Family Fund's recent Senedd launch event for their 'Cost of Caring 2025' report, which I hosted, that 'It's time to talk about the wholesale crisis we are in for disabled children and adults in Wales'.
Questioning the Education Secretary about the Welsh Government's Additional Learning Needs (ALN) reforms, I quoted both the ALN Reform Wales campaign, who told me 'they had received countless stories of children missed or left behind by the new system'; and Teachers Unions, which stated 'the system is forcing teachers away from the classroom' and told me 'effective interventions are only possible if education professionals are not spending precious time completing paperwork'.
I co-Sponsored and attended the 21st annual 'Science in the Senedd Event 2025', organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry in cooperation with the Welsh Scientific and Engineering community, with the theme 'Education and the Future Workforce'. We are on the edge of profound societal transformation.
If we are to build the future workforce we need, we must first build an education system that is adaptable, inclusive and forward-looking.
Meetings included the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which I Chaired; the Royal British Legion, where discussion included the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on 15th August and Additional Learning Needs provision for Service Children; and NatPower, regarding their proposed new Battery Energy Storage System on land north east of Northop.
I enjoyed meeting a group from Hawarden Village Church School during their Senedd visit.
Other engagements included Wales Tourism Week Senedd Reception; Community Pharmacy Wales; Nuclear Industry Association; Newmedica's 'Blueprint for Preventing Avoidable Sight Loss in Wales'; Wales Women's Rights Network event, highlighting the importance of the recent Supreme Court clarification of the meaning of 'sex' and 'woman' for the lives of women and girls in Wales; and audit survey on Natural Resources Wales.
During my speech on Fixing our NHS at the Welsh Conservative Party Conference in Llangollen, I stated 'this is about long-term failure and mismanagement' and 'after 26 years of Labour, we must move from ideology to pragmatism, focused on what works and unlocking the skills and experience of Health and Care staff'.
At the Conference I was also a panel member at the Cwmpas and WCVA event, 'Charities, Social Enterprises and Volunteers' Vital Role in Community Cohesion', and met a wide range of organisations and charities.
For help, email Mark.Isherwood@senedd.wales or call 0300 200 7219.
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