As all of the scheduled business has now been completed and in line with the schedule published for the 12th Welsh Senedd election, we now dissolve the Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament)

At this point, all MSs cease to hold office and return to being members of the public, without any of the associated privileges of being a Member of the Senedd Cymru. Outgoing MSs and their staff lose access to the offices of the Parliament, and should only use their constituency office for ongoing constituency work - in no circumstances should this be used as part of an election campaign.

Members of the Government continue to hold their posts, but should only use them to carry out essential Government business that cannot reasonably wait until after the election of a new Parliament.

The Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament) is hereby dissolved

WB154 | Mesh Implant (Ban) Bill | Stage 3 Vote

For: 25

Against: 19

Abstain: 0

Did Not Vote: 16

Turnout: 73%

The bill has passed and will receive Royal Assent.

WB155 | Senedd Bill | Stage 3 Vote

For: 44

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Did Not Vote: 16

Turnout: 73%

The bill has passed and will receive Royal Assent.

WB156 | The Budget (May 2024) | Budget Vote

For: 39

Against: 19

Abstain: 2

Did Not Vote: 0

Turnout: 100%

The bill has passed and will receive Royal Assent.

Order!

We will now proceed to a free debate.

Members may, so long as they do so within the parliamentary procedure, make a statement to this place on whatever topic they so wish. Members are encouraged to debate others' statements as well as make their own.

For instance, a member may make a statement on the merits of devolving energy to this place, and another member may respond to that with a counter. Simultaneously, another member may speak on the downsides of tuition fees as their own statement, to which other members may respond.

There are no limits to what can be debated, though members are requested to not make an excessive amount of statements and to keep it relevant to this place.

This Free Debate will end at the close of business on the 24th May 2024 at 10pm BST.

Order. Order.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Heritage, /u/Dyn-Cymru, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The Health spokesperson for the largest opposition party, u/model-avtron, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on Thursday 23rd May 2024.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on Wednesday 22nd May 2024.

The Budget (May 2024)

The First Minister (lily-irl) to move:

1. The Senedd is asked to agree the following:

This resolution for the year ending 31 March 2025 is made by Senedd Cymru (“the Senedd”) pursuant to Section 125 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“the Act”).

2. This Annual Budget Motion should be read alongside supporting budget documentation published on 16 May 2024.

3. The Welsh Government, Electoral Commission, Senedd Commission, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, and the Wales Audit Office are authorised, in sum–

(a) to use resources (not including accruing resources) during the financial year ending 31 March 2025 for the services and purposes specified in the supporting budget documentation, up to a maximum of £28,974,000,000;

(b) in addition, to retain income, within the categories of accruing resources specified in the supporting budget documentation, during the financial year ending 31 March 2025, for use on the services and purposes specified in the supporting budget documentation, up to the limits specified in that documentation; and

(c) to draw cash out of the Welsh Consolidated Fund for use on the services and purposes specified in the supporting budget documentation, up to the net cash requirement limit specified in the supporting documentation.

• The Budget Tables

The Budget is authored by the Rt Hon lily-irl MS, First Minister, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Llywydd,

This is the Government’s budget. We are making a lot of investments in Wales.

We are investing one billion pounds every year for the next ten years in our new Welsh Housing Authority. We will embark on a comprehensive programme of renovation and new construction of social housing in Wales, ensuring that everyone in Wales has a place to stay. We will end the scourge of homelessness and housing insecurity in the next decade, becoming a world leader in guaranteeing the human right of housing to our citizens.

We are surging investment in our NHS, maintaining the last Labour-Conservative government’s 5% increase to NHS funding while also introducing a new £150 million per year multi-year diagnosis fund, as well as a £25 million new treatments fund to accelerate the delivery of cutting edge healthcare to patients in our NHS. We are making good on PfG commitments to repay student loans for medicine graduates in Welsh universities who stay in Wales, addressing the shortage of doctors in Welsh hospitals. We are creating more staff in the form of NHS reservists to support regular staff in times of stress on our health system.

This budget increases the pupil development grant by a further 5 per cent, as well as introducing a grant for thousands of new apprenticeship places. In culture, we are providing funding for Welsh cities to bid for the 2029 UK City of Culture as well as a £10 million Welsh Heritage Renovation Fund to maintain our heritage for future generations.

Finally, the government is creating a £10 million safer streets fund, allowing local authorities to invest in measures to provide a safer environment, particularly for women and vulnerable people, as well as a £5 million flee fund for victims of domestic violence.

This is a budget characterised largely by a surge in the block grant from the UK Government, which this Government will take greater advantage of if re-elected in order to cut down the surplus. I have no desire to maintain large surpluses; we should instead be investing in the Welsh people. But this budget delivers on our immediate priorities and kicks off large-scale investment in housing, infrastructure, health, and education, while leaving us room to expand in the future. It maintains the tax cuts brought in by the previous budget and represents an ambitious yet fiscally responsible budget for Wales. I commend it to the Senedd.

This debate will end on Monday 20th May at 10pm BST.

Order.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, u/model-kurimizumi, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The Health spokesperson for the largets opposition party, u/Lady_Aya, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on Saturday 18th May 2024.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on Friday 17th May 2024.

Order!

The First Minister, u/lily-irl, is taking questions from the Chamber.

As the Leader of the Opposition, u/Lady_Aya, may ask up to six initial questions and one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Anybody may ask up to four questions each, with one followup per question (total of eight questions).

There should be a separate comment for each question and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies of the initial question.

This session of First Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on Monday 13th May at 10pm BST.

No new questions may be asked after 10pm BST on Sunday 12th May and only follow-up questions may be asked at this time.

Senedd Bill

A

B I L L

T O

Make further provision regarding the name of Senedd Cymru, or the Welsh Parliament, and for connected purposes.

Having been passed by Senedd Cymru and having received the assent of His Majesty, it is enacted as follows:

Interpretation of Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019

1 Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 repealed

The Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 is repealed.

2 Validity of anything done not affected by name change

(1) Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference to any name given in subsection (3) in—

(a) any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under the Government of Wales Act 2006 or this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b) any other instrument or document

made between the day that the Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 came into force and the day this Act comes into force is to be read as, or as including, a reference to Senedd Cymru.

(2) In this section, “Senedd Cymru” means the body corporate established by Part 1 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

(3) The names referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) National Assembly for Wales;

(b) Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru;

(c) Welsh Assembly;

(d) Cynulliad Cymru;

(e) Welsh Parliament;

(f) Senedd;

(g) Senedd Cymru.

Name of Senedd Cymru

3 Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament

In section 1(1) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”), for “the National Assembly for Wales” to the end substitute “Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament (referred to in this Act as “the Senedd”)”.

4 Acts of Senedd Cymru

In section 107(1) of the 2006 Act, for “the National Assembly for Wales” to the end substitute “Senedd Cymru or Deddfau Senedd Cymru (referred to in this Act as “Acts of the Senedd”)”.

5 Members to be known as Members of the Senedd

In section 1 of the 2006 Act, after subsection (2) insert—

“(2) Members of the Senedd are to be known by that name or as Aelodau o’r Senedd.”

6 Clerk of the Assembly renamed Clerk of the Senedd

In section 26(2) of the 2006 Act, for “Assembly” substitute “Senedd, Clerc y Senedd”.

7 National Assembly for Wales Commission renamed Senedd Commission

In section 27(1) of the 2006 Act, for “National Assembly for Wales Commission or Comisiwn Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru” substitute “Senedd Commission or Comisiwn y Senedd”.

8 National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards renamed Senedd Commissioner for Standards

In section 1(1) of the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 (nawm 4), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

9 National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board renamed the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd

In section 1(1) of the National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), for “National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board” substitute “board to be known as the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

10 Minor and consequential amendments

The Schedule contains minor and consequential amendments relating to this Act.

Final provisions

11 Coming into force

This Act comes into force on the day on which it receives Royal Assent.

12 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Senedd Act 2024.

SCHEDULE

MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)

1—Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is amended as follows—

(a) omit “The National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board”;

(b) in the appropriate place insert “The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32)

2— (1) The 2006 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In the title of Part 1, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd Cymru”.

(3) In section 1—

(a) in subsection (1), for “an Assembly” substitute “a parliament”;

(b) in subsection (3), for “Members of the Assembly (referred to in this Act as “Assembly members”)” substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(4) In section 20(8), for “National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board” substitute “Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

(5) In section 23(5), for “Assembly member’s” substitute “Member’s”.

(6) In section 126A—

(a) in subsection (9), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”;

(b) in subsection (10), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

(7) In section 150A—

(a) in the heading, for “Change of name of the Assembly etc: translation of references” substitute “Translation of references to Senedd Cymru etc.”;

(b) omit subsection (1);

(c) in subsection (2)—

(i) for “, the National Assembly for Wales Commission or an Act of the National Assembly for Wales (as the case may be), or the Welsh equivalent shown in subsection (1)” substitute “(or Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru), the National Assembly for Wales Commission (or Comisiwn Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) or Acts of the National Assembly for Wales (or Deddfau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) (as the case may be)”;

(ii) for “new name” substitute “name given by the Senedd Act 2024”;

(d) after subsection (2) insert—

“(3) Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference to Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd Commission (or Comisiwn y Senedd) or Acts of Senedd Cymru (or Deddfau Senedd Cymru) (as the case may be), in—

(a) any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b) any other instrument or document,

is to be read as including a reference to the previous name.”

(8) In section 159—

(a) omit the entry for “the Assembly” to the entry for “Assembly electoral region”;

(b) omit the entry for “Assembly member” to the entry for “Assembly’s legislative competence (in relation to Acts of the Assembly)”;

(c) insert in the appropriate places—

(9) In Schedule 7B, in paragraph 7(2)—

(a) in paragraph (a)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (i), for ““the National Assembly for Wales”” substitute ““Senedd Cymru””;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (xi), for ““the National Assembly for Wales Commission”” substitute ““the Senedd Commission””;

(b) in paragraph (c)(i), for ““Acts of the National Assembly for Wales”” substitute ““Acts of Senedd Cymru””.

(10) In Schedule 9A—

(a) omit the entry for “The National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards or Comisiynydd Safonau ar gyfer Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru.”;

(b) omit the entry for “The National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board or Bwrdd Taliadau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru.”;

(c) in the appropriate place insert “The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd or Bwrdd Taliadau Annibynnol y Senedd.”;

(d) in the appropriate place insert “The Senedd Commissioner for Standards or Comisiynydd Safonau y Senedd.”

(11) Sub-paragraphs (15) to (19) apply to every provision containing the words to be substituted by those sub-paragraphs after the amendments in Part 2 and sub-paragraphs (3) to (10) have been made, subject to sub-paragraphs (12) and (13).

(12) Sub-paragraphs (15) to (19) do not apply to—

(a) citations of enactments;

(b) repealed provisions of the 2006 Act that are saved;

(c) section 150A;

(d) paragraph 3(8) of Schedule 2;

(e) Schedule 10;

(f) Schedule 11;

(g) Schedule 12.

(13) Sub-paragraphs (18) and (19) do not apply to references to “Assembly Measure“ or “Assembly Measures”.

(14) In this paragraph, “provision” includes a title, cross-heading or heading.

(15) For “an Assembly member”, in each place where it appears, substitute “a Member of the Senedd”.

(16) For “Assembly member”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub-paragraph (15) have been made, substitute “Member of the Senedd”.

(17) For “Assembly members”, in each place where it appears, substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(18) For “an Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub- paragraphs (15), (16) and (17) have been made, substitute “a Senedd”.

(19) For “Assembly” and “Assembly’s”, in each place where they appear after the amendments in sub-paragraphs (15), (16), (17) and (18) have been made, substitute “Senedd” and “Senedd’s”, as appropriate.

National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 (nawm 4)

3—(1) The National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 is amended as follows.

(2) In the cross-heading before section 1, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

(3) In section 1—

(a) in subsections (3)(e) and (f) omit “Assembly”;

(b) in subsection (8)(c), omit “Assembly” in the second place where it appears.

(4) In section 20—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) omit the definition of “Assembly Member”and after the definition of “the Committee on Standards of Conduct”(but before the “and” after it) insert—

““Member of the Senedd” (“Aelod o’r Senedd”) includes—

(a) for the purposes of section 1(3)(a) and (b) only, the Counsel General even where that officer is not a Member of the Senedd, and

(b) except for the purposes of section 1(3)(a) and (b), a former Member of the Senedd,”;

(ii) in the definition of “the Commission”, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”;

(iii) in the definition of “Counsel General” omit “Assembly”;

(b) in subsection (2)(a), for “the National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd Cymru.”

(5) In the Schedule—

(a) in the heading, for “NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES” substitute “SENEDD”;

(b) in paragraph 3, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

(6) Sub-paragraphs (8) to (12) apply to every provision containing the words to be substituted by those sub-paragraphs after the amendments in Part 2 and sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) have been made, subject to sub-paragraph (7).

(7) Sub-paragraphs (8) to (12) do not apply to—

(a) citations of enactments;

(b) section 21(1).

(8) For “an Assembly Member”, in each place where it appears, substitute “a Member of the Senedd”.

(9) For “Assembly Member”, in each place where it appears after the amendment in subparagraph (8) has been made, substitute “Member of the Senedd”.

(10) For “Assembly Members”, in each place where it appears, substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(11) For “an Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in subparagraphs (8) to (10) have been made, substitute “a Senedd”.

(12) For “Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub-paragraphs (8) to (11) have been made, substitute “Senedd”.

National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4)

4—(1) The National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading of section 1, for “National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board” substitute “Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

(3) In section 2(2)(b) and in paragraph 4 of Schedule 2, for “Assembly’s”, substitute “Senedd’s”.

(4) In section 2(4)(b) and section 14(1), for “groups of Assembly members” substitute “groups of Members”.

(5) Omit section 17.

(6) In Schedule 1, in paragraph 1—

(a) in sub-paragraph (d), for “regional Assembly member” substitute ”regional Member of the Senedd”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (g) omit “Assembly”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (h), for “group of Assembly members” substitute “group of Members”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (j), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (n) omit “Assembly”.

(7) Sub-paragraphs (9) to (12) apply to every provision containing the words to be substituted by those sub-paragraphs after the amendments in Part 2 and sub-paragraphs (3) to (6) have been made, subject to sub-paragraph (8).

(8) Sub-paragraphs (9) to (12) do not apply to—

(a) citations of enactments;

(b) sections 15, 19 and 20;

(c) paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 1;

(d) Schedule 3.

(9) For “an Assembly member”, in each place where it appears, substitute “a Member of the Senedd”.

(10) For “Assembly members”, in each place where it appears, substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(11) For “an Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub- paragraphs (9) and (10) have been made, substitute “a Senedd”.

(12) For “Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub-paragraphs (9), (10) and (11) have been made, substitute “Senedd”.

This Bill was authored by the Rt Hon /u/lily-irl MS, First Minister, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

• Drafted from the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1).
• The Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32).
• The Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019.

Llywydd,

It has come to the Government’s attention that the National Assembly for Wales was not properly renamed to Senedd Cymru back in 2019. For one, it renames this body to the ‘Welsh Parliament, or Senedd’, not ‘Senedd Cymru’. It does not rename ancillary bodies like the Assembly Commission or Acts of the National Assembly for Wales to Acts of Senedd Cymru.

This Bill makes those necessary consequential changes, and provides that they shall be construed to have retroactive effect, ensuring that the legal issues that were introduced by the 2019 Act are obviated and the renaming of this legislature is completed.

Finally, I wish to ask the Presiding Officer to certify that this Bill pertains to protected subject-matter under section 111A of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

I commend this Bill to the Senedd.

This debate will end on Wednesday 8th May at 10pm BST.

WB153 | Housing (Wales) Bill | Stage 3 Vote

For: 42

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Did Not vote: 18

This legislation has been approved and will receive Royal Assent.

WB155 | Senedd Bill | Stage 1 Vote

For: 42

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Did Not vote: 18

As such, this legislation has been approved and will go to Stage 3.

Order!

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, u/model-kuriimizumi, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The Finance and the Economy spokesperson for the largest opposition party, u/Lady_Aya, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on the 2nd of May 2024, at 10pm BST.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on the 1st of May 2024.

Mesh Implant (Ban) Bill

A BILL TO

Ban the usage of Mesh Implants

Be It Enacted by being passed in Senedd Cymru and assented to by His Majesty as follows—

Section 1: Definitions

(1) "mesh implant" is defined as a net-like implant used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Section 2: Ban of use

(1) The usage of mesh implants will be prohibited.

(2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable for a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale

Section 3: Short Title and Commencement

(1) This act may be cited as the Mesh Implant (Ban) Act 2024.

(2) This act will come into effect immediately after receiving Royal Assent.

This bill was written by Her Grace Duchess of Enniskillen, Marchioness of Omagh, Lady Blaenau Ffestiniog, Dame Lady_Aya, LP LD GCVO DCT DCMG PC on behalf of Plaid Cymru.

Opening Speech:

Llywydd ,

Today I rise to support a move to support the people of Wales as I did for that of Northern Ireland. For those unaware of the device, mesh implants have caused debilitative harm for those unfortunate to have a mesh implants.

As I said with the introduction of the bill in Northern Ireland, mesh implants do come from a place I believe is understandable. The goal of mesh implants, at the very least, is to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. However, given the evidence from the irreparable harm caused by these implants, I believe we must take the step to ban them here in Walds. This step has already been taken by several countries, including Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and not to mention Northern Ireland.

This debate shal end at 10pm BST on May 1st.

Order!

The Devolved Speaker has announced the dates for the 13th Welsh Parliament Election.

This Parliament shall be dissolved on Friday 24th May. Subsequently, the final dates for this Parliament are as below.

The latest date a budget can be submitted is at 10pm BST on Thursday 16th May.

Friday 17th May: The budget will be posted, unless it is submitted earlier or not received, in which case a Stage 1 Bill will be debated. This debate shall close at 10pm BST on Monday 20th May.

Saturday 18th May: A debate on a motion shall be held. This debate shall close at 10pm BST on Tuesday 21st May.

Sunday 19th May: Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Heritage will be held. This will be the final MQs session of the term. This session shall end at 10pm BST on Thursday 23rd May. Additionally, a Stage 3 bill shall be debated, but it will not receive a vote this term. This debate shall end at 10pm BST on Wednesday 22nd May.

Tuesday 21st May: An opposition day debate shall be held, or if one is not submitted a Free Debate shall be posted. This debate shall end at 10pm BST on Friday 24th May.

The final votes of the term will open on Tuesday 21st May, with all votes closing at 10pm BST on Friday 24th May. Results will come shortly after that.

The motion posted on Saturday 18th May will also go for a division this term.

As ever, any questions please either DM me on Reddit (/u/Frost_Walker2017), modmail it to r/MHoCSenedd, or DM me on Discord (frosty) or ask in #senedd-questions. Best of luck to those standing in the election!

WB154 | Mesh Implant (Ban) Bill | Stage 1 Vote

For: 25

Against: 19

Abstentions: 0

Did Not Vote: 16

As such, this legislation has been approved and will go to Stage 3.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, u/Veeravutthi, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The Education spokesperson for the largest opposition party, u/Lady_Aya, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on the 25th of April 2024, at 10pm BST.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on the 24th of April 2024.

Housing (Wales) Bill

A

B I L L

T O

Make provision regarding housing in Wales, and for connected purposes.

Having been passed by Senedd Cymru and having received the assent of His Majesty, it is enacted as follows:

PART I. RIGHT TO BUY

Transitional provision concerning the right to buy and the right to acquire

1 Restriction on exercising the right to buy

(1) The Housing Act 1985 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 121 (circumstances in which the the right to buy cannot be exercised), insert⁠—

“121ZA Restriction on exercising the right to buy in Wales

(1) The right to buy cannot be exercised in respect of a dwelling-house in Wales unless—

(a) the dwelling-house is from previously let social housing stock, or
(b) any of the cases specified in section 121ZB applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling-house.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a dwelling-house is from previously let social housing stock if, at any time during the period of six months ending with the relevant date, it has been—

(i) let under a secure tenancy,

(ii) let under an introductory tenancy (within the meaning given by Chapter 1 of Part 5 of the Housing Act 1996),

(iii) let under a demoted tenancy (within the meaning given by section 143A of the Housing Act 1996), or

(iv) a qualifying dwelling-house in relation to the preserved right to buy (see section 171B);

(b) “relevant date” means the day on which section 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2024 comes into force.

(3) This section does not affect the computation of any period under Schedule 4.”

(3) In section 171B (extent of the preserved right to buy), after subsection (6), insert—

“(7) Nothing in subsection (6) gives a person the right to exercise the preserved right to buy in respect of a dwelling-house in Wales unless⁠—

(a) the dwelling-house is from previously let social housing stock (see section 121ZA), or

(b) any of the cases specified in section 121ZB applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling-house.”

2 Exceptions to the restriction on exercising the right to buy

(1) The Housing Act 1985 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 121ZA (restriction on exercising the right to buy in Wales), insert—

“121ZB Exceptions to restriction on exercising the right to buy in Wales

(1) The first case applies in respect of a dwelling-house (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) after the relevant date, the court orders a person who has the right to buy to give up possession of a dwelling-house,

(b) the order is made on any of the grounds set out in Parts 2 or 3 of Schedule 2,

(c) the person becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(d) the exempted dwelling is suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of the order.

(2) The second case applies in respect of a dwelling-house (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) after the relevant date, the court orders a person who has the preserved right to buy (see section 171B) to give up possession of a dwelling-house,

(b) the order is made—

(i) on Ground 9 in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (possession of dwelling-house let under assured tenancy on grounds that there is suitable alternative accommodation), or

(ii) in pursuance of section 98(1)(a) of the Rent Act 1977 (limitation on recovery of possession of dwelling-houses let under certain tenancies),

(c) the person becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(d) the exempted dwelling is suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of the order.

(3) The third case applies in respect of a dwelling-house (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) the exempted dwelling has, at some time during the period of six months ending with the relevant date, been let by a registered social landlord or a private registered provider of social housing under an assured tenancy (other than a long tenancy),

(b) after the relevant date, a person having the preserved right to buy in respect of another dwelling-house (“the relevant dwelling-house”) becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(c) the exempted dwelling becomes the relevant dwelling-house for the purposes of section 171B(6).

(4) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, amend this section by adding additional cases.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.”

3 Restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) The Housing Act 1996 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 16A (extension of the right to acquire to dwellings funded by grants under section 27A), insert—

“16B Restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) But the right to acquire cannot be exercised in respect of a dwelling unless—

(a) the dwelling is from previously let social housing stock, or

(b) section 16C applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a dwelling is from previously let social housing stock if, at any time during the period of six months ending with the relevant date—

(i) it has been let by a registered social landlord or a private registered provider of social housing under an assured tenancy (other than a long tenancy), or

(ii) it has been let under a secure tenancy, and

(b) “relevant date” means the day on which section 3 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2024 comes into force.

(3) This section does not affect the computation of any period under Schedule 4 to the Housing Act 1985.”

(3) In section 16 (right of tenant to acquire dwelling), in subsection (1), at the beginning, insert “Subject to section 16B,”.

(4) In section 21 (purchase grant in respect of certain disposals), after subsection (2), insert—

“(2A) But subsection (2) does not apply in respect of a discount on a disposal of a dwelling unless—

(a) the dwelling is from previously let social housing stock, or

(b) section 16C applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling.”

4 Exception to the restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) The Housing Act 1996 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 16B (restriction on exercising the right to acquire), insert—

“16C Exception to restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) This section applies in respect of a dwelling (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) after the relevant date, the court has ordered a person to give up possession of a dwelling,

(b) the order is made—

(i) on any of the grounds set out in Parts 2 or 3 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 (discretionary grounds for possession of dwelling let under secure tenancy), or

(ii) on Ground 9 in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (possession of dwelling let under assured tenancy on grounds that there is suitable alternative accommodation),

(c) the person becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(d) the exempted dwelling is suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of the order.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, amend this section by making provision for further circumstances in which this section applies in respect of a dwelling.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.”

Suspension of the right to buy and the right to acquire

5 Suspension of the right to buy and the right to acquire

(1) In this section—

(a) “suspension period” refers to the period of ten years beginning on the appointed day, and

(b) “appointed day” means a day that the Welsh Ministers may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint that is no sooner than the day six months after sections 1 through 4 of this Act come into force.

(2) During the suspension period, the following rights do not exist in relation to dwellings in Wales—

(a) the right to acquire the freehold of a dwelling-house, or to be granted a lease of a dwelling-house, pursuant to Part 5 of the Housing Act 1985 (the right to buy);

(b) the right to acquire a dwelling pursuant to section 16 of the Housing Act 1996 (the right to acquire).

(3) Accordingly—

(a) the following enactments are repealed on the appointed day—

(i) sections 1 and 2 of this Act (restriction on exercising the right to buy etc.), and sections 121ZA, 121ZB and 171B(7) of the Housing Act 1985 (inserted by sections 1 and 2 of this Act);

(ii) sections 3 and 4 of this Act (restriction on exercising the right to acquire etc.), and sections 16B, 16C and 21(2A) of the Housing Act 1996 (inserted by sections 3 and 4 of this Act),

(b) the enactments specified in Schedule 1 cease to have force during the suspension period, and

(c) Schedule 2 (which makes consequential amendments pertaining to the suspension period) has effect.

6 Power to make consequential amendments by regulations

(1) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make any supplemental, incidental, consequential, transitory, transitional or saving provision they consider necessary or expedient in consequence of, or for the purpose of giving full effect to, any provision of this Act or any provision made under this Act.

(2) Regulations under this section may amend, repeal, revoke or modify any enactment (including a provision of this Act).

(3) If this subsection applies, regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.

(4) Subsection (3) applies where regulations under this section amend, modify or repeal any provision of an Act of Parliament or a Measure or Act of Senedd Cymru, whether or not the statutory instrument contains any other regulations.

(5) Where subsection (3) does not apply, regulations under this section are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of Senedd Cymru.

PART II. WELSH HOUSING AUTHORITY

Incorporation and membership

7 The Welsh Housing Authority

The Welsh Housing Authority, or Asiantaeth Tai Cymru, is established.

8 Membership of the Authority

(1) The membership of the Authority shall be—

(a) a Chair, appointed by the Welsh Ministers,

(b) one member appointed by each local housing authority in Wales (the “local authority members”), and

(c) additional members as the Welsh Ministers may appoint (the “additional members”).

(2) The Welsh Ministers may terminate the appointment of the Chair or any one of the additional members.

(3) A local housing authority may terminate the appointment of the local authority member that it appointed.

(4) If a member of the Authority is appointed Chair—

(a) that person ceases to be a local authority member or additional member (as the case may be), and

(b) if that person was a local authority member, the relevant local housing authority shall appoint a replacement member.

(5) Schedule 3 (which makes further provision regarding the Welsh Housing Authority) has effect.

Powers of the Authority

9 Exercise of powers by the Authority

Any power exercisable by a local housing authority in Wales under the Housing Act 1985 is exercisable by the Authority.

10 Exercise of powers by local housing authorities

(1) Any power exercisable by a local housing authority in Wales is subject to disallowance by the Authority, subject as follows.

(2) Within the period ending one month after the day on which a local housing authority exercises some power, the Authority may issue a notice of potential disallowance to the local housing authority.

(3) During the period ending six months after the day on which the authority issues the notice of potential disallowance—

(a) the exercise of powers by the local housing authority shall be treated as disallowed, and

(b) the local housing authority may not exercise a substantially similar power pertaining to the same issue as the power disallowed.

(4) During that period, the Authority may issue a notice of final disallowance.

(5) If the Authority issues a notice of final disallowance, then the exercise of power is disallowed.

(6) But if the Authority does not issue such a notice during the period, then the exercise of power may not then be disallowed.

11 Notice of final disallowance: appeal to the Welsh Ministers

(1) A local housing authority to which a notice of final disallowance has been issued may appeal to the Welsh Ministers.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may set aside a notice of final disallowance (whether or not on appeal).

(3) If the Welsh Ministers set aside a notice of final disallowance—

(a) the Authority may not make another substantially similar notice, and

(b) the power is exercisable immediately by the local housing authority, whether or not any period of time mentioned in section 10 has concluded.

12 Standards for social housing

(1) The Authority may from time to time issue standards of construction and maintenance for social housing.

(2) These standards shall apply to housing owned by the Authority and by local housing authorities in Wales.

(3) These standards may apply, with any variations as the standards shall prescribe, to the Social Rented Sector (within the meaning given by Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996).

(4) When making the standards, the Authority must consider representations from—

(a) the Welsh Ministers,

(b) the local housing authorities in Wales,

(c) social landlords, and

(d) social tenants.

Transfer of existing social housing stock

13 Transfer of social housing stock to the Authority

The Authority may, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers, take into its possession any housing owned by a local housing authority in Wales.

14 Transfer of newly built social housing stock to local housing authorities

The Authority may, with the consent of the relevant local housing authority, transfer any social housing stock it has built to a local housing authority in Wales.

Miscellaneous provisions concerning the Authority

15 Directions by the Welsh Ministers

(1) The Secretary of State may make such directions, determinations, or objectives as relates to the operation of the Authority that are necessary or expedient for its internal structure, operation, and provision of services.

(2) The Authority must have regard to such directions, determinations, or objectives.

16 Part II: Interpretation

In this Part—

“the Authority” means the Welsh Housing Authority;

“local housing authority” has the meaning given in section 1 of the Housing Act 1985;

“social landlord” means a registered social landlord with the meaning given in Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996;

“social tenant” means a person who lives in—

(a) a dwelling owned by the Authority or a local housing authority, or

(b) a rented dwelling owned by a social landlord.

PART III. FINAL PROVISIONS

17 Coming into force

(1) The following provisions come into force on the day which this Act is passed—

(a) In Part I, sections 5 and 6;

(b) In Part II, sections 7 and 8;

(c) Part III.

(2) Subject to subsection (1) above, this Act comes into force six months after the day on which it is passed.

18 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Housing (Wales) Act 2024.

S C H E D U L E S.

SCHEDULE 1.

ENACTMENTS CEASING TO HAVE FORCE DURING THE SUSPENSION PERIOD.

SCHEDULE 2.

ENACTMENTS AMENDED DURING THE SUSPENSION PERIOD.

1 Any amendment made by this Schedule has effect during the suspension period.

2 After the conclusion of the suspension period, the amendments made by this Schedule cease to have force, and the principal Act shall operate as though the amendments had never been made.

3— (1) The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 192 (right to buy: suspension by court order), in subsection (3), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) section 184 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17) (application of that Part in relation to the right to acquire a dwelling in England),”.

(3) In section 194 (disclosure of information as to orders etc. in respect of anti-social behaviour), in subsection (4), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) section 184 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17) (application of that Part in relation to the right to acquire a dwelling in England),”.

4—

(1) The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 181 (interpretation of “publicly funded”), in subsection (6), in paragraph (b), for “under section 16(4) of that Act” substitute “by the Welsh Ministers”.

(3) In section 184 (right to acquire: supplemental), for subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

“(1) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) specify the amount or rate of discount to be given on the exercise of the right conferred by section 180, and

(b) designate rural areas in relation to dwellings in which the right conferred by that section does not arise.

(2) The provisions of Part 5 of the Housing Act 1985 apply in relation to the right to acquire under section 180—

(a) subject to any order under subsection (1) above, and

(b) subject to such other exceptions, adaptations and other modifications as may be specified by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) The regulations may provide—

(a) that the powers of the Secretary of State under sections 164 to 170 of that Act (powers to intervene, give directions or assist) do not apply,

(b) that paragraphs 1 and 3 (exceptions for charities and certain housing associations), and paragraph 11 (right of appeal to Secretary of State), of Schedule 5 to that Act do not apply,

(c) that the provisions of Part 5 of that Act relating to the right to acquire on rent to mortgage terms do not apply,

(d) that the provisions of that Part relating to restrictions on disposals in National Parks etc. do not apply, and

(e) that the provisions of that Part relating to the preserved right to buy do not apply.

Nothing in this subsection affects the generality of the power conferred by subsection (2).

(4) The specified exceptions, adaptations and other modifications shall take the form of textual amendments of the provisions of Part 5 of that Act as they apply in relation to the right to buy under that Part; and any consolidating regulations shall set out the provisions of Part 5 as they so apply.

(5) Before making an order which would have the effect that an area ceased to be designated under subsection (1)(b), the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) the local housing authority or authorities in whose district the area or any part of it is situated or, if the order is general in its effect, local housing authorities in general, and

(b) such bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of private registered providers as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(6) Regulations made under this section are consolidating regulations if they are made for the purposes of consolidating other regulations that are being revoked in the instrument containing the consolidating regulations.”

(2) In section 320 (orders and regulations), in subsection (7), after paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa) an order or regulations of the Secretary of State under section 184,”.

4—

(1) The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 7 (regulations about powers to require information), in subsection (7), in paragraph (e)(ii), after “under section 16 of the Housing Act 1996”, insert “before the suspension of that section by the Housing (Wales) Act 2024 came into force”.

5—

(1) The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 is amended as follows.

(2) In Schedule 2, in paragraph 8 (meaning of “long tenancy”), in sub-paragraph (1)(c), for “as it has effect” substitute “as that Part had effect”.

SCHEDULE 3.

FURTHER PROVISION REGARDING THE WELSH HOUSING AUTHORITY.

1 Employees of the Welsh Housing Authority

(1) The employees of the Welsh Housing Authority who are not members shall be appointed to and hold their employments on such terms and conditions, including terms and conditions as to remuneration, as the Authority may determine.

(2) If the Authority so determines in the case of any of the employees of the Authority who are not executive members, the Authority shall—

(a) pay to or in respect of those employees such pensions, allowances or gratuities, or

(b) provide and maintain for them such pension schemes (whether contributory or not), as the Authority may determine.

2 Finances of the Welsh Housing Authority

(1) It is the duty of the Authority to keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may make grants to the Authority, which shall be paid out of money provided by Senedd Cymru.

(3) Any excess of the Authority’s revenues for any financial year over the sums required by them for that year for meeting their obligations and carrying out their functions shall be payable into the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

This Bill was authored by the Rt Hon /u/lily-irl MS, First Minister, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Acts referenced:

• Housing Act 1985
• Housing Act 1996
• Finance Act 1981
• Housing Act 1988
• Finance Act 2003
• Housing Act 2004
• Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
• Housing (Wales) Measure 2011
• Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013
• Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

Part I of this Bill and schedules 1 and 2 are largely taken from the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights Act 2018 (anaw 1).

Llywydd,

This Government was elected on a promise to massively invest in social housing. It is a promise to guarantee everyone who needs it a good, safe home. It is a promise to build housing to meet the demand that has grown. It is a promise to enable people to keep living in the communities they have grown up in, instead of being priced out. It is a promise to build and maintain homes to the highest standard that we can. It is a promise to end the decimation of our social housing stock that has been underway since the Thatcher administration. This Bill makes good on that promise.

Part 1 of this Bill suspends the right to buy and right to acquire for a period of ten years. For the six months after this Bill passes, the right to buy will be restricted–those who are in the process, or about to enter the process, of exercising the right to buy will still be allowed to do so. However, we put the right to buy on notice. And newbuild social housing will be restricted immediately. After this six month period, however, this Bill implements a ten year moratorium on the right to buy, allowing us vital time to replenish social housing stock and meet our target of eradicating homelessness in Wales.

Part 2 of this Bill creates Asiantaeth Tai Cymru—the Welsh Housing Authority. This Authority will commence a programme of building social housing unprecedented in modern times. This statutory corporation will also take over the operation of some social housing from some struggling public authorities. Additionally, the Authority will set standards of construction and maintenance for social housing—ensuring everyone who is given a socialised home is given a good, safe home.

This Bill is the sort of bold action that Wales needs to solve the housing crisis. This Government is taking action and delivering for the Welsh people on the important issues, and I am proud to commend this Bill to the Siambr.

Debate under this bill shall end at 10pm BST on April 24th.

Senedd Bill

A

B I L L

T O

Make further provision regarding the name of Senedd Cymru, or the Welsh Parliament, and for connected purposes.

Having been passed by Senedd Cymru and having received the assent of His Majesty, it is enacted as follows:

Interpretation of Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019

1 Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 repealed

The Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 is repealed.

2 Validity of anything done not affected by name change

(1) Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference to any name given in subsection (3) in—

(a) any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under the Government of Wales Act 2006 or this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b) any other instrument or document

made between the day that the Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019 came into force and the day this Act comes into force is to be read as, or as including, a reference to Senedd Cymru.

(2) In this section, “Senedd Cymru” means the body corporate established by Part 1 of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

(3) The names referred to in subsection (1) are—

(a) National Assembly for Wales;

(b) Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru;

(c) Welsh Assembly;

(d) Cynulliad Cymru;

(e) Welsh Parliament;

(f) Senedd;

(g) Senedd Cymru.

Name of Senedd Cymru

3 Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament

In section 1(1) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”), for “the National Assembly for Wales” to the end substitute “Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament (referred to in this Act as “the Senedd”)”.

4 Acts of Senedd Cymru

In section 107(1) of the 2006 Act, for “the National Assembly for Wales” to the end substitute “Senedd Cymru or Deddfau Senedd Cymru (referred to in this Act as “Acts of the Senedd”)”.

5 Members to be known as Members of the Senedd

In section 1 of the 2006 Act, after subsection (2) insert—

“(2) Members of the Senedd are to be known by that name or as Aelodau o’r Senedd.”

6 Clerk of the Assembly renamed Clerk of the Senedd

In section 26(2) of the 2006 Act, for “Assembly” substitute “Senedd, Clerc y Senedd”.

7 National Assembly for Wales Commission renamed Senedd Commission

In section 27(1) of the 2006 Act, for “National Assembly for Wales Commission or Comisiwn Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru” substitute “Senedd Commission or Comisiwn y Senedd”.

8 National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards renamed Senedd Commissioner for Standards

In section 1(1) of the National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 (nawm 4), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

9 National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board renamed the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd

In section 1(1) of the National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4), for “National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board” substitute “board to be known as the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

10 Minor and consequential amendments

The Schedule contains minor and consequential amendments relating to this Act.

Final provisions

11 Coming into force

This Act comes into force on the day on which it receives Royal Assent.

12 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Senedd Act 2024.

SCHEDULE

MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36)

1—Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 is amended as follows—

(a) omit “The National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board”;

(b) in the appropriate place insert “The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32)

2— (1) The 2006 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In the title of Part 1, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd Cymru”.

(3) In section 1—

(a) in subsection (1), for “an Assembly” substitute “a parliament”;

(b) in subsection (3), for “Members of the Assembly (referred to in this Act as “Assembly members”)” substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(4) In section 20(8), for “National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board” substitute “Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

(5) In section 23(5), for “Assembly member’s” substitute “Member’s”.

(6) In section 126A—

(a) in subsection (9), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”;

(b) in subsection (10), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

(7) In section 150A—

(a) in the heading, for “Change of name of the Assembly etc: translation of references” substitute “Translation of references to Senedd Cymru etc.”;

(b) omit subsection (1);

(c) in subsection (2)—

(i) for “, the National Assembly for Wales Commission or an Act of the National Assembly for Wales (as the case may be), or the Welsh equivalent shown in subsection (1)” substitute “(or Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru), the National Assembly for Wales Commission (or Comisiwn Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) or Acts of the National Assembly for Wales (or Deddfau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) (as the case may be)”;

(ii) for “new name” substitute “name given by the Senedd Act 2024”;

(d) after subsection (2) insert—

“(3) Unless the context requires otherwise, a reference to Senedd Cymru or the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd Commission (or Comisiwn y Senedd) or Acts of Senedd Cymru (or Deddfau Senedd Cymru) (as the case may be), in—

(a) any enactment (including any enactment comprised in or made under this Act) or prerogative instrument, or

(b) any other instrument or document,

is to be read as including a reference to the previous name.”

(8) In section 159—

(a) omit the entry for “the Assembly” to the entry for “Assembly electoral region”;

(b) omit the entry for “Assembly member” to the entry for “Assembly’s legislative competence (in relation to Acts of the Assembly)”;

(c) insert in the appropriate places—

(9) In Schedule 7B, in paragraph 7(2)—

(a) in paragraph (a)—

(i) in sub-paragraph (i), for ““the National Assembly for Wales”” substitute ““Senedd Cymru””;

(ii) in sub-paragraph (xi), for ““the National Assembly for Wales Commission”” substitute ““the Senedd Commission””;

(b) in paragraph (c)(i), for ““Acts of the National Assembly for Wales”” substitute ““Acts of Senedd Cymru””.

(10) In Schedule 9A—

(a) omit the entry for “The National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards or Comisiynydd Safonau ar gyfer Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru.”;

(b) omit the entry for “The National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board or Bwrdd Taliadau Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru.”;

(c) in the appropriate place insert “The Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd or Bwrdd Taliadau Annibynnol y Senedd.”;

(d) in the appropriate place insert “The Senedd Commissioner for Standards or Comisiynydd Safonau y Senedd.”

(11) Sub-paragraphs (15) to (19) apply to every provision containing the words to be substituted by those sub-paragraphs after the amendments in Part 2 and sub-paragraphs (3) to (10) have been made, subject to sub-paragraphs (12) and (13).

(12) Sub-paragraphs (15) to (19) do not apply to—

(a) citations of enactments;

(b) repealed provisions of the 2006 Act that are saved;

(c) section 150A;

(d) paragraph 3(8) of Schedule 2;

(e) Schedule 10;

(f) Schedule 11;

(g) Schedule 12.

(13) Sub-paragraphs (18) and (19) do not apply to references to “Assembly Measure“ or “Assembly Measures”.

(14) In this paragraph, “provision” includes a title, cross-heading or heading.

(15) For “an Assembly member”, in each place where it appears, substitute “a Member of the Senedd”.

(16) For “Assembly member”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub-paragraph (15) have been made, substitute “Member of the Senedd”.

(17) For “Assembly members”, in each place where it appears, substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(18) For “an Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub- paragraphs (15), (16) and (17) have been made, substitute “a Senedd”.

(19) For “Assembly” and “Assembly’s”, in each place where they appear after the amendments in sub-paragraphs (15), (16), (17) and (18) have been made, substitute “Senedd” and “Senedd’s”, as appropriate.

National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 (nawm 4)

3—(1) The National Assembly for Wales Commissioner for Standards Measure 2009 is amended as follows.

(2) In the cross-heading before section 1, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

(3) In section 1—

(a) in subsections (3)(e) and (f) omit “Assembly”;

(b) in subsection (8)(c), omit “Assembly” in the second place where it appears.

(4) In section 20—

(a) in subsection (1)—

(i) omit the definition of “Assembly Member”and after the definition of “the Committee on Standards of Conduct”(but before the “and” after it) insert—

““Member of the Senedd” (“Aelod o’r Senedd”) includes—

(a) for the purposes of section 1(3)(a) and (b) only, the Counsel General even where that officer is not a Member of the Senedd, and

(b) except for the purposes of section 1(3)(a) and (b), a former Member of the Senedd,”;

(ii) in the definition of “the Commission”, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”;

(iii) in the definition of “Counsel General” omit “Assembly”;

(b) in subsection (2)(a), for “the National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd Cymru.”

(5) In the Schedule—

(a) in the heading, for “NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES” substitute “SENEDD”;

(b) in paragraph 3, for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”.

(6) Sub-paragraphs (8) to (12) apply to every provision containing the words to be substituted by those sub-paragraphs after the amendments in Part 2 and sub-paragraphs (2) to (5) have been made, subject to sub-paragraph (7).

(7) Sub-paragraphs (8) to (12) do not apply to—

(a) citations of enactments;

(b) section 21(1).

(8) For “an Assembly Member”, in each place where it appears, substitute “a Member of the Senedd”.

(9) For “Assembly Member”, in each place where it appears after the amendment in subparagraph (8) has been made, substitute “Member of the Senedd”.

(10) For “Assembly Members”, in each place where it appears, substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(11) For “an Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in subparagraphs (8) to (10) have been made, substitute “a Senedd”.

(12) For “Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub-paragraphs (8) to (11) have been made, substitute “Senedd”.

National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 (nawm 4)

4—(1) The National Assembly for Wales (Remuneration) Measure 2010 is amended as follows.

(2) In the heading of section 1, for “National Assembly for Wales Remuneration Board” substitute “Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd”.

(3) In section 2(2)(b) and in paragraph 4 of Schedule 2, for “Assembly’s”, substitute “Senedd’s”.

(4) In section 2(4)(b) and section 14(1), for “groups of Assembly members” substitute “groups of Members”.

(5) Omit section 17.

(6) In Schedule 1, in paragraph 1—

(a) in sub-paragraph (d), for “regional Assembly member” substitute ”regional Member of the Senedd”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (g) omit “Assembly”;

(c) in sub-paragraph (h), for “group of Assembly members” substitute “group of Members”;

(d) in sub-paragraph (j), for “National Assembly for Wales” substitute “Senedd”;

(e) in sub-paragraph (n) omit “Assembly”.

(7) Sub-paragraphs (9) to (12) apply to every provision containing the words to be substituted by those sub-paragraphs after the amendments in Part 2 and sub-paragraphs (3) to (6) have been made, subject to sub-paragraph (8).

(8) Sub-paragraphs (9) to (12) do not apply to—

(a) citations of enactments;

(b) sections 15, 19 and 20;

(c) paragraph 1(e) of Schedule 1;

(d) Schedule 3.

(9) For “an Assembly member”, in each place where it appears, substitute “a Member of the Senedd”.

(10) For “Assembly members”, in each place where it appears, substitute “Members of the Senedd”.

(11) For “an Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub- paragraphs (9) and (10) have been made, substitute “a Senedd”.

(12) For “Assembly”, in each place where it appears after the amendments in sub-paragraphs (9), (10) and (11) have been made, substitute “Senedd”.

This Bill was authored by the Rt Hon /u/lily-irl MS, First Minister, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

• Drafted from the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 (anaw 1).
• The Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32).
• The Welsh Parliament (Wales) Act 2019.

Llywydd,

It has come to the Government’s attention that the National Assembly for Wales was not properly renamed to Senedd Cymru back in 2019. For one, it renames this body to the ‘Welsh Parliament, or Senedd’, not ‘Senedd Cymru’. It does not rename ancillary bodies like the Assembly Commission or Acts of the National Assembly for Wales to Acts of Senedd Cymru.

This Bill makes those necessary consequential changes, and provides that they shall be construed to have retroactive effect, ensuring that the legal issues that were introduced by the 2019 Act are obviated and the renaming of this legislature is completed.

Finally, I wish to ask the Presiding Officer to certify that this Bill pertains to protected subject-matter under section 111A of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

I commend this Bill to the Senedd.

This debate will end on Monday 22nd April at 10pm BST.

Order!

The First Minister, /u/lily-irl, is taking questions from the Chamber.

As the Leader of the Opposition, u/Lady_Aya, may ask up to six initial questions and one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Anybody may ask up to four questions each, with one followup per question (total of eight questions).

There should be a separate comment for each question and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies of the initial question.

This session of First Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on Sunday 21st April at 10pm BST.

No new questions may be asked after 10pm BST on Saturday 20th April and only follow-up questions may be asked at this time.

WB153 | Housing (Wales) Bill | Stage 1 Vote

For: 60

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Did Not Vote: 0

As such, this legislation has been approved and will go to Stage 3.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, u/model-kurimizumi, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The Justice spokesperson for the largest opposition party, u/Lady_Aya, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Justice up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on the 18th of April 2024, at 10pm BST.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on the 17th of April 2024.

Mesh Implant (Ban) Bill

A BILL TO

Ban the usage of Mesh Implants

Be It Enacted by being passed in Senedd Cymru and assented to by His Majesty as follows—

Section 1: Definitions

(1) "mesh implant" is defined as a net-like implant used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Section 2: Ban of use

(1) The usage of mesh implants will be prohibited.

(2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable for a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale

Section 3: Short Title and Commencement

(1) This act may be cited as the Mesh Implant (Ban) Act 2024.

(2) This act will come into effect immediately after receiving Royal Assent.

This bill was written by Her Grace Duchess of Enniskillen, Marchioness of Omagh, Lady Blaenau Ffestiniog, Dame Lady_Aya, LP LD GCVO DCT DCMG PC on behalf of Plaid Cymru.

Opening Speech:

Llywydd ,

Today I rise to support a move to support the people of Wales as I did for that of Northern Ireland. For those unaware of the device, mesh implants have caused debilitative harm for those unfortunate to have a mesh implants.

As I said with the introduction of the bill in Northern Ireland, mesh implants do come from a place I believe is understandable. The goal of mesh implants, at the very least, is to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. However, given the evidence from the irreparable harm caused by these implants, I believe we must take the step to ban them here in Walds. This step has already been taken by several countries, including Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the United States, and not to mention Northern Ireland.

This debate will close on Monday 15th April at 10pm BST.

Order! We will now proceed to a free debate.

Members may, so long as they do so within the parliamentary procedure, make a statement to this place on whatever topic they so wish. Members are encouraged to debate others' statements as well as make their own.

For instance, a member may make a statement on the merits of devolving energy to this place, and another member may respond to that with a counter. Simultaneously, another member may speak on the downsides of tuition fees as their own statement, to which other members may respond.

There are no limits to what can be debated, though members are requested to not make an excessive amount of statements and to keep it relevant to this place.

This Free Debate will end at the close of business on the 12th April 2024 at 10pm BST.

The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Heritage, u/dyn-cymru, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The Culture and Heritage spokesperson for the largest opposition party, /u/model-avtron, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Heritage up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on the 11th of April 2024, at 10pm BST.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on the 10th of April 2024.

Housing (Wales) Bill

A

B I L L

T O

Make provision regarding housing in Wales, and for connected purposes.

Having been passed by Senedd Cymru and having received the assent of His Majesty, it is enacted as follows:

PART I. RIGHT TO BUY

Transitional provision concerning the right to buy and the right to acquire

1 Restriction on exercising the right to buy

(1) The Housing Act 1985 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 121 (circumstances in which the the right to buy cannot be exercised), insert⁠—

“121ZA Restriction on exercising the right to buy in Wales

(1) The right to buy cannot be exercised in respect of a dwelling-house in Wales unless—

(a) the dwelling-house is from previously let social housing stock, or
(b) any of the cases specified in section 121ZB applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling-house.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a dwelling-house is from previously let social housing stock if, at any time during the period of six months ending with the relevant date, it has been—

(i) let under a secure tenancy,

(ii) let under an introductory tenancy (within the meaning given by Chapter 1 of Part 5 of the Housing Act 1996),

(iii) let under a demoted tenancy (within the meaning given by section 143A of the Housing Act 1996), or

(iv) a qualifying dwelling-house in relation to the preserved right to buy (see section 171B);

(b) “relevant date” means the day on which section 1 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2024 comes into force.

(3) This section does not affect the computation of any period under Schedule 4.”

(3) In section 171B (extent of the preserved right to buy), after subsection (6), insert—

“(7) Nothing in subsection (6) gives a person the right to exercise the preserved right to buy in respect of a dwelling-house in Wales unless⁠—

(a) the dwelling-house is from previously let social housing stock (see section 121ZA), or

(b) any of the cases specified in section 121ZB applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling-house.”

2 Exceptions to the restriction on exercising the right to buy

(1) The Housing Act 1985 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 121ZA (restriction on exercising the right to buy in Wales), insert—

“121ZB Exceptions to restriction on exercising the right to buy in Wales

(1) The first case applies in respect of a dwelling-house (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) after the relevant date, the court orders a person who has the right to buy to give up possession of a dwelling-house,

(b) the order is made on any of the grounds set out in Parts 2 or 3 of Schedule 2,

(c) the person becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(d) the exempted dwelling is suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of the order.

(2) The second case applies in respect of a dwelling-house (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) after the relevant date, the court orders a person who has the preserved right to buy (see section 171B) to give up possession of a dwelling-house,

(b) the order is made—

(i) on Ground 9 in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (possession of dwelling-house let under assured tenancy on grounds that there is suitable alternative accommodation), or

(ii) in pursuance of section 98(1)(a) of the Rent Act 1977 (limitation on recovery of possession of dwelling-houses let under certain tenancies),

(c) the person becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(d) the exempted dwelling is suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of the order.

(3) The third case applies in respect of a dwelling-house (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) the exempted dwelling has, at some time during the period of six months ending with the relevant date, been let by a registered social landlord or a private registered provider of social housing under an assured tenancy (other than a long tenancy),

(b) after the relevant date, a person having the preserved right to buy in respect of another dwelling-house (“the relevant dwelling-house”) becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(c) the exempted dwelling becomes the relevant dwelling-house for the purposes of section 171B(6).

(4) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, amend this section by adding additional cases.

(5) Regulations under subsection (4) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.”

3 Restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) The Housing Act 1996 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 16A (extension of the right to acquire to dwellings funded by grants under section 27A), insert—

“16B Restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) But the right to acquire cannot be exercised in respect of a dwelling unless—

(a) the dwelling is from previously let social housing stock, or

(b) section 16C applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a dwelling is from previously let social housing stock if, at any time during the period of six months ending with the relevant date—

(i) it has been let by a registered social landlord or a private registered provider of social housing under an assured tenancy (other than a long tenancy), or

(ii) it has been let under a secure tenancy, and

(b) “relevant date” means the day on which section 3 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2024 comes into force.

(3) This section does not affect the computation of any period under Schedule 4 to the Housing Act 1985.”

(3) In section 16 (right of tenant to acquire dwelling), in subsection (1), at the beginning, insert “Subject to section 16B,”.

(4) In section 21 (purchase grant in respect of certain disposals), after subsection (2), insert—

“(2A) But subsection (2) does not apply in respect of a discount on a disposal of a dwelling unless—

(a) the dwelling is from previously let social housing stock, or

(b) section 16C applies, or has applied, in respect of the dwelling.”

4 Exception to the restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) The Housing Act 1996 is amended as follows.

(2) After section 16B (restriction on exercising the right to acquire), insert—

“16C Exception to restriction on exercising the right to acquire

(1) This section applies in respect of a dwelling (the “exempted dwelling”) if—

(a) after the relevant date, the court has ordered a person to give up possession of a dwelling,

(b) the order is made—

(i) on any of the grounds set out in Parts 2 or 3 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 (discretionary grounds for possession of dwelling let under secure tenancy), or

(ii) on Ground 9 in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (possession of dwelling let under assured tenancy on grounds that there is suitable alternative accommodation),

(c) the person becomes the tenant of the exempted dwelling, and

(d) the exempted dwelling is suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of the order.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, amend this section by making provision for further circumstances in which this section applies in respect of a dwelling.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2) may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.”

Suspension of the right to buy and the right to acquire

5 Suspension of the right to buy and the right to acquire

(1) In this section—

(a) “suspension period” refers to the period of ten years beginning on the appointed day, and

(b) “appointed day” means a day that the Welsh Ministers may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint that is no sooner than the day six months after sections 1 through 4 of this Act come into force.

(2) During the suspension period, the following rights do not exist in relation to dwellings in Wales—

(a) the right to acquire the freehold of a dwelling-house, or to be granted a lease of a dwelling-house, pursuant to Part 5 of the Housing Act 1985 (the right to buy);

(b) the right to acquire a dwelling pursuant to section 16 of the Housing Act 1996 (the right to acquire).

(3) Accordingly—

(a) the following enactments are repealed on the appointed day—

(i) sections 1 and 2 of this Act (restriction on exercising the right to buy etc.), and sections 121ZA, 121ZB and 171B(7) of the Housing Act 1985 (inserted by sections 1 and 2 of this Act);

(ii) sections 3 and 4 of this Act (restriction on exercising the right to acquire etc.), and sections 16B, 16C and 21(2A) of the Housing Act 1996 (inserted by sections 3 and 4 of this Act),

(b) the enactments specified in Schedule 1 cease to have force during the suspension period, and

(c) Schedule 2 (which makes consequential amendments pertaining to the suspension period) has effect.

6 Power to make consequential amendments by regulations

(1) The Welsh Ministers may, by regulations, make any supplemental, incidental, consequential, transitory, transitional or saving provision they consider necessary or expedient in consequence of, or for the purpose of giving full effect to, any provision of this Act or any provision made under this Act.

(2) Regulations under this section may amend, repeal, revoke or modify any enactment (including a provision of this Act).

(3) If this subsection applies, regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the regulations has been laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru.

(4) Subsection (3) applies where regulations under this section amend, modify or repeal any provision of an Act of Parliament or a Measure or Act of Senedd Cymru, whether or not the statutory instrument contains any other regulations.

(5) Where subsection (3) does not apply, regulations under this section are subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of Senedd Cymru.

PART II. WELSH HOUSING AUTHORITY

Incorporation and membership

7 The Welsh Housing Authority

The Welsh Housing Authority, or Asiantaeth Tai Cymru, is established.

8 Membership of the Authority

(1) The membership of the Authority shall be—

(a) a Chair, appointed by the Welsh Ministers,

(b) one member appointed by each local housing authority in Wales (the “local authority members”), and

(c) additional members as the Welsh Ministers may appoint (the “additional members”).

(2) The Welsh Ministers may terminate the appointment of the Chair or any one of the additional members.

(3) A local housing authority may terminate the appointment of the local authority member that it appointed.

(4) If a member of the Authority is appointed Chair—

(a) that person ceases to be a local authority member or additional member (as the case may be), and

(b) if that person was a local authority member, the relevant local housing authority shall appoint a replacement member.

(5) Schedule 3 (which makes further provision regarding the Welsh Housing Authority) has effect.

Powers of the Authority

9 Exercise of powers by the Authority

Any power exercisable by a local housing authority in Wales under the Housing Act 1985 is exercisable by the Authority.

10 Exercise of powers by local housing authorities

(1) Any power exercisable by a local housing authority in Wales is subject to disallowance by the Authority, subject as follows.

(2) Within the period ending one month after the day on which a local housing authority exercises some power, the Authority may issue a notice of potential disallowance to the local housing authority.

(3) During the period ending six months after the day on which the authority issues the notice of potential disallowance—

(a) the exercise of powers by the local housing authority shall be treated as disallowed, and

(b) the local housing authority may not exercise a substantially similar power pertaining to the same issue as the power disallowed.

(4) During that period, the Authority may issue a notice of final disallowance.

(5) If the Authority issues a notice of final disallowance, then the exercise of power is disallowed.

(6) But if the Authority does not issue such a notice during the period, then the exercise of power may not then be disallowed.

11 Notice of final disallowance: appeal to the Welsh Ministers

(1) A local housing authority to which a notice of final disallowance has been issued may appeal to the Welsh Ministers.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may set aside a notice of final disallowance (whether or not on appeal).

(3) If the Welsh Ministers set aside a notice of final disallowance—

(a) the Authority may not make another substantially similar notice, and

(b) the power is exercisable immediately by the local housing authority, whether or not any period of time mentioned in section 10 has concluded.

12 Standards for social housing

(1) The Authority may from time to time issue standards of construction and maintenance for social housing.

(2) These standards shall apply to housing owned by the Authority and by local housing authorities in Wales.

(3) These standards may apply, with any variations as the standards shall prescribe, to the Social Rented Sector (within the meaning given by Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996).

(4) When making the standards, the Authority must consider representations from—

(a) the Welsh Ministers,

(b) the local housing authorities in Wales,

(c) social landlords, and

(d) social tenants.

Transfer of existing social housing stock

13 Transfer of social housing stock to the Authority

The Authority may, with the consent of the Welsh Ministers, take into its possession any housing owned by a local housing authority in Wales.

14 Transfer of newly built social housing stock to local housing authorities

The Authority may, with the consent of the relevant local housing authority, transfer any social housing stock it has built to a local housing authority in Wales.

Miscellaneous provisions concerning the Authority

15 Directions by the Welsh Ministers

(1) The Secretary of State may make such directions, determinations, or objectives as relates to the operation of the Authority that are necessary or expedient for its internal structure, operation, and provision of services.

(2) The Authority must have regard to such directions, determinations, or objectives.

16 Part II: Interpretation

In this Part—

“the Authority” means the Welsh Housing Authority;

“local housing authority” has the meaning given in section 1 of the Housing Act 1985;

“social landlord” means a registered social landlord with the meaning given in Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996;

“social tenant” means a person who lives in—

(a) a dwelling owned by the Authority or a local housing authority, or

(b) a rented dwelling owned by a social landlord.

PART III. FINAL PROVISIONS

17 Coming into force

(1) The following provisions come into force on the day which this Act is passed—

(a) In Part I, sections 5 and 6;

(b) In Part II, sections 7 and 8;

(c) Part III.

(2) Subject to subsection (1) above, this Act comes into force six months after the day on which it is passed.

18 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Housing (Wales) Act 2024.

S C H E D U L E S.

SCHEDULE 1.

ENACTMENTS CEASING TO HAVE FORCE DURING THE SUSPENSION PERIOD.

SCHEDULE 2.

ENACTMENTS AMENDED DURING THE SUSPENSION PERIOD.

1 Any amendment made by this Schedule has effect during the suspension period.

2 After the conclusion of the suspension period, the amendments made by this Schedule cease to have force, and the principal Act shall operate as though the amendments had never been made.

3— (1) The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 192 (right to buy: suspension by court order), in subsection (3), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) section 184 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17) (application of that Part in relation to the right to acquire a dwelling in England),”.

(3) In section 194 (disclosure of information as to orders etc. in respect of anti-social behaviour), in subsection (4), for paragraph (b) substitute—

“(b) section 184 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17) (application of that Part in relation to the right to acquire a dwelling in England),”.

4—

(1) The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 181 (interpretation of “publicly funded”), in subsection (6), in paragraph (b), for “under section 16(4) of that Act” substitute “by the Welsh Ministers”.

(3) In section 184 (right to acquire: supplemental), for subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

“(1) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) specify the amount or rate of discount to be given on the exercise of the right conferred by section 180, and

(b) designate rural areas in relation to dwellings in which the right conferred by that section does not arise.

(2) The provisions of Part 5 of the Housing Act 1985 apply in relation to the right to acquire under section 180—

(a) subject to any order under subsection (1) above, and

(b) subject to such other exceptions, adaptations and other modifications as may be specified by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(3) The regulations may provide—

(a) that the powers of the Secretary of State under sections 164 to 170 of that Act (powers to intervene, give directions or assist) do not apply,

(b) that paragraphs 1 and 3 (exceptions for charities and certain housing associations), and paragraph 11 (right of appeal to Secretary of State), of Schedule 5 to that Act do not apply,

(c) that the provisions of Part 5 of that Act relating to the right to acquire on rent to mortgage terms do not apply,

(d) that the provisions of that Part relating to restrictions on disposals in National Parks etc. do not apply, and

(e) that the provisions of that Part relating to the preserved right to buy do not apply.

Nothing in this subsection affects the generality of the power conferred by subsection (2).

(4) The specified exceptions, adaptations and other modifications shall take the form of textual amendments of the provisions of Part 5 of that Act as they apply in relation to the right to buy under that Part; and any consolidating regulations shall set out the provisions of Part 5 as they so apply.

(5) Before making an order which would have the effect that an area ceased to be designated under subsection (1)(b), the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) the local housing authority or authorities in whose district the area or any part of it is situated or, if the order is general in its effect, local housing authorities in general, and

(b) such bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of private registered providers as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(6) Regulations made under this section are consolidating regulations if they are made for the purposes of consolidating other regulations that are being revoked in the instrument containing the consolidating regulations.”

(2) In section 320 (orders and regulations), in subsection (7), after paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa) an order or regulations of the Secretary of State under section 184,”.

4—

(1) The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 7 (regulations about powers to require information), in subsection (7), in paragraph (e)(ii), after “under section 16 of the Housing Act 1996”, insert “before the suspension of that section by the Housing (Wales) Act 2024 came into force”.

5—

(1) The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 is amended as follows.

(2) In Schedule 2, in paragraph 8 (meaning of “long tenancy”), in sub-paragraph (1)(c), for “as it has effect” substitute “as that Part had effect”.

SCHEDULE 3.

FURTHER PROVISION REGARDING THE WELSH HOUSING AUTHORITY.

1 Employees of the Welsh Housing Authority

(1) The employees of the Welsh Housing Authority who are not members shall be appointed to and hold their employments on such terms and conditions, including terms and conditions as to remuneration, as the Authority may determine.

(2) If the Authority so determines in the case of any of the employees of the Authority who are not executive members, the Authority shall—

(a) pay to or in respect of those employees such pensions, allowances or gratuities, or

(b) provide and maintain for them such pension schemes (whether contributory or not), as the Authority may determine.

2 Finances of the Welsh Housing Authority

(1) It is the duty of the Authority to keep proper accounts and proper records in relation to the accounts.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may make grants to the Authority, which shall be paid out of money provided by Senedd Cymru.

(3) Any excess of the Authority’s revenues for any financial year over the sums required by them for that year for meeting their obligations and carrying out their functions shall be payable into the Welsh Consolidated Fund.

This Bill was authored by the Rt Hon /u/lily-irl MS, First Minister, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Acts referenced:

• Housing Act 1985
• Housing Act 1996
• Finance Act 1981
• Housing Act 1988
• Finance Act 2003
• Housing Act 2004
• Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
• Housing (Wales) Measure 2011
• Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013
• Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

Part I of this Bill and schedules 1 and 2 are largely taken from the Abolition of the Right to Buy and Associated Rights Act 2018 (anaw 1).

Llywydd,

This Government was elected on a promise to massively invest in social housing. It is a promise to guarantee everyone who needs it a good, safe home. It is a promise to build housing to meet the demand that has grown. It is a promise to enable people to keep living in the communities they have grown up in, instead of being priced out. It is a promise to build and maintain homes to the highest standard that we can. It is a promise to end the decimation of our social housing stock that has been underway since the Thatcher administration. This Bill makes good on that promise.

Part 1 of this Bill suspends the right to buy and right to acquire for a period of ten years. For the six months after this Bill passes, the right to buy will be restricted–those who are in the process, or about to enter the process, of exercising the right to buy will still be allowed to do so. However, we put the right to buy on notice. And newbuild social housing will be restricted immediately. After this six month period, however, this Bill implements a ten year moratorium on the right to buy, allowing us vital time to replenish social housing stock and meet our target of eradicating homelessness in Wales.

Part 2 of this Bill creates Asiantaeth Tai Cymru—the Welsh Housing Authority. This Authority will commence a programme of building social housing unprecedented in modern times. This statutory corporation will also take over the operation of some social housing from some struggling public authorities. Additionally, the Authority will set standards of construction and maintenance for social housing—ensuring everyone who is given a socialised home is given a good, safe home.

This Bill is the sort of bold action that Wales needs to solve the housing crisis. This Government is taking action and delivering for the Welsh people on the important issues, and I am proud to commend this Bill to the Siambr.

Debate under this bill shall end at 10pm BST on April 8th.

Housing (Planning Applications to the Welsh Ministers) Regulations 2024

The Regulations may be found here.

These Regulations were authored by the Rt Hon /u/lily-irl MS, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Housing, and the Environment, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Llywydd,

With the leave of the Siambr I wish to make a statement on housing.

We need to build more. That is this Government’s intent, and I think it will become obvious throughout the course of this week – I will be calling it Housing Week – that we intend to do something about it. These regulations are one way that we will allow more houses to be built.

This Government was elected on a pledge to do something about this housing crisis. Clearly, the current planning system is not fit for purpose—we are not seeing enough houses being built. Consequently, these Regulations create clear housebuilding targets for local authorities. If a local authority misses their housebuilding target, then planning applications for residential developments may be made directly to the Welsh Government, which will consider them in the wider context of the necessity of creating new housing to relieve overwhelming demand.

Llywydd, this is only one aspect of this Government’s housing plans, but I think it is a good way to kick off Housing Week. We want to enable the private sector to build, and these Regulations will hopefully encourage a wave of new developments, creating good and much-needed homes in Wales.

I commend these Regulations to the Senedd.

This debate will end on Friday 5th April at 10pm BST.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, u/model-kurimizumi, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The largest opposition has not nominated a spokesperson for this Question Session.

The Health spokesperson for the largets opposition party, /u/Lady_Aya, is entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on the 4th of April 2024, at 10pm BST.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on the 3rd of April 2024.

WM123 | Motion on St. Patrick's Day | Motion Vote

For: 27

Against: 2

Abstentions: 6

Did Not Vote: 25

The Senedd have adopted this motion.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, u/t2boys, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The largest opposition has again not nominated a spokesperson for this Question Session, if they do, they are entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Portfolio Questions will close at the close of business on Thursday the 21st of March 2024, at 10pm GMT.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on Wednesday the 20th of March 2024.

Order, Order.

We turn now to a Motion Debate on WM123 in the name of /u/Lady_Aya. The question is whether this Parliament approves the Motion on St. Patrick's Day.

Motion on St. Patrick's Day

This Siambr recognises

1. 17th of March is recognised as St. Patrick’s Day

2. St. Patrick’s Day is widely seen as a holiday celebrating Irish identity and culture

3. The close ties and history between our two Celtic Nations

This Siambr therefore resolves to

1. Celebrate and Remember St. Patrick’s Day

2. Celebrate the ties with our Siambr and our Irish brethren, both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

3. Look to future opportunities of cooperation and unity between our legislatures and nations

This Motion was written by Her Grace Duchess of Enniskillen, Marchioness of Omagh, Lady Blaenau Ffestiniog, Dame Lady_Aya, LP LD GCVO DCT DCMG PC as a Private Member’s Motion

Llywydd,

I am someone who was both born in Wales but shares many ties and relationships with those in Ireland. And just as I celebrate Dydd Gŵyl Dewi, I also celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

This motion is pretty straight forward. I believe that for many of us, we share more with our similarities than our differences and what better day to recognise that than St. Patrick’s Day. We have much in common between the two Celtic nations of Ireland and Wales, and I hope this Siambr joins me in celebrating that.

This motion debate will end on Wednesday 20th March at 10pm GMT.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, u/Veeravutthi, is taking questions from the Chamber.

The largest opposition has not nominated a spokesperson for this Question Session, if they do, they are entitled to six initial questions with one follow-up question to each (twelve questions total).

Everyone else is entitled to ask the Cabinet Secretary for Education up to four initial questions with one follow-up question to each (eight questions total).

There should be a separate comment for each initial question asked, and questions and comments on the same topic should be limited to the replies to the initial question.

No new questions may be asked on the last day of the session and only follow-up questions may be asked on the final day.

This session of Minister's Questions will close at the close of business on the 14th of March 2024, at 10pm BST.

Members should not ask new initial questions beyond 10pm BST on the 13th of March 2024.

Waste (Incineration) Regulations 2024

The Regulations may be found here.

This statutory instrument was written by /u/lily-irl, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Housing, and the Environment, on behalf of the Welsh Government.

• The Waste (Wales) Measure 2010 (nawm 8).

Llywydd,

With the leave of the Senedd I wish to make a statement on a moratorium on the construction of waste incineration plants in Wales.

The Welsh Government intends to prohibit the construction of new waste incineration or co-incineration plants in Wales, and these regulations achieve that. The construction of new plants will be prohibited, and we will ensure that disused plants do not come back online. This accomplishes a gradual shift away from waste incineration.

The harms associated with incineration plants on our health and the environment are well documented; burning rubbish produces hazardous chemicals that are released into ash. There is no effective means of filtering all of the particles created by incineration, and negative health outcomes have been correlated with proximity to an active incineration site.

This Government is making good on another PfG pledge today, protecting our environment and our health. I commend these regulations to the Senedd.

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This debate will end on Tuesday 13th of February 2024 at 10PM.