Summary

  • Rhun ap Iorwerth took part in the fourth First Minister's Questions (FMQs) since Plaid Cymru took control of the Welsh government in May.

  • Opposition party leaders and backbench Members of the Senedd (MSs) questioned the first minister on his handling of the government.

  • Ap Iorwerth issued an "urgent warning" as he said Wales will likely see its hottest temperatures ever over the next two days.

  • Interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates gave a tribute to Sir Keir Starmer after his resignation as prime minister.

  • It came one day after ap Iorwerth called for a "new relationship" between Wales and Westminster following Sir Keir's resignation

  1. FM's 'extremely serious' heat warning to publicpublished at 15:04 BST 23 June

    That's all for today's First Minister's Questions at the Senedd on a sweltering day in Cardiff Bay. Here's a reminder of how it went down.

    • First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth urged the public to heed warnings about the weather, saying Wales could see its highest temperatures ever in next two days.
    • Reform's Dan Thomas accused the first minister of being focused on a "devolution wish list" in a radio interview this morning.
    • Ap iorwerth said he recognised the need to invest in defence as he was pressed by Labour's Ken Skates on previous comments suggesting Wales did not need aircraft carriers.
    • Conservative Darren Millar criticised the supplementary budget, published today, accusing the Welsh government of continuing a "sticking plaster" approach of the previous Labour administration.
    • And there was not much mention of the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned yesterday. Only Skates paid tribute to the PM - and was heckled as he did so.

    Our live coverage is now ending. For more on Welsh politics click here.

  2. Government developing 'tools' to tackle immigration misinformationpublished at 15:01 BST 23 June

    Plaid MS Kiera Marshall asks if the Welsh government is "combating misinformation and disinformation about asylum seekers, refugees and migrants".

    Rhun ap Iorwerth says this is a "growing problem" and that the government is "developing tools to ensure that people can separate fact from fiction".

    The first minister adds that this officials work with local authorities and the Home Office to ensure "misinformation around asylum accommodation" is "quickly spotted and the Home Office is asked to rectify anything which is harmful and misleading".

  3. Statement on bus crash in Kidwellypublished at 14:57 BST 23 June

    Government minister Heledd Fychan made a brief statement to the Senedd about a bus crash in Kidwelly earlier today.

    She says: "I want to make members aware of a major incident in Kidwelly, following a report of a collision involving a bus on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout.

    "Emergency services are on the scene and members of the public are asked to stay away from the area until further notice.

    "The deputy minister for transport will update Senedd members accordingly once further information is available."

    Dyfed-Powys Police has said the crash, involving a bus, happened on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout in Carmarthenshire, south-west Wales.

    You can read more on this story here.

  4. What is government doing on young people not in jobs, education or training?published at 14:49 BST 23 June

    Plaid Cymru MS Niamh Salkeld says nearly 57,000 young people in Wales are not in employment, education or training (known as NEETS), and asks what steps the Welsh government is taking "to improve education and vocational opportunities, such as through apprenticeships for young people in constituencies like mine?"

    Ap Iorwerth replies that his government's "first 100 days commitment" includes convening a future skills summit "bringing together representatives from across society to agree a shared vision to to put together a strategy for the future of our skills".

    "We're increasing training and employment opportunities for young people through sustained investment in apprenticeships," he adds.

  5. Lib Dem MS bemoans lack of hospital in constituencypublished at 14:42 BST 23 June

    Jane DoddsImage source, Senedd Cymru

    Powys is the only health board in Wales with "no general hospital" and patients in the east of the county have to go to English ones for treatment, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds tells the FM.

    She says Powys patients are sometimes waiting longer in beds next to English patients that have not waited as long.

    "We need a better deal for Powys", she says.

    Ap Iorwerth says his government "knows of the pressures in Powys".

    "Why should people, on one side of the border, feel that they are receiving substandard care? It is an issue my minister is very very aware of," he adds.

  6. Work more with north England and Ireland, Reform MS urgespublished at 14:35 BST 23 June

    Dublin is the closest capital city for north-west Wales, not Cardiff, Reform's Adrian Mason says.

    He asks if the first minister accepts that the region needs an economic policy shaped by how he says that part of Wales "actually works", with "strong links to north-west England and the Irish Sea economy".

    Rhun ap Iorwerth replies: "Edinburgh is the closest capital for people living in Newcastle, I'm not sure what the point is that the member is trying to trying to make there".

    "Every minister in this government is a Wales-wide minister with the interests of all of Wales at heart, and that will be as true in economic development, as in anything else. And I say that as the son of a Scouser," he adds.

  7. FM suggested an independent Wales wouldn't need aircraft carrierspublished at 14:31 BST 23 June

    Ken Skates, when pressing the first minister on his views on defence spending a little earlier, appeared to quote from a tweet Rhun ap Iorwerth sent in 2019.

    Ap Iorwerth had tweeted to say he did not think the "population of Wales" would want to spend money on aircraft carriers or nuclear weapons, and suggested Wales could save money by having a defence budget similar to Ireland.

    Skates did not make clear he was quoting from the tweet at the time of the question, but ap Iorwerth said in response that his "population of Wales" tweet referenced the title of a book called How Many Aircraft Carriers Would an Independent Wales Need?

    Ap Iorwerth told Skates: "Answer - Zero. That's rather different to what the member is implying."

    The first minister said there needed to be a recognition of the need to invest properly in conventional defence.

  8. Concerns over school transport changespublished at 14:22 BST 23 June

    Reform MS Llyr Powell says hundreds of pupils are facing school transport cuts in the Caerphilly council area, and that one potential new walking route to a school has an "extensive incline".

    Ap Iorwerth says it is a local decision to be made by local authorities, and says the Caerphilly offer for pupils is better than what is required by law.

    But he says his government will work with councils to try to find "more long-term solutions".

  9. Budget 'not just about throwing money' at things, FM sayspublished at 14:18 BST 23 June

    Millar also criticises today's supplementary budget announcement for, amongst other things, not offering "a single penny of additional support" to "businesses in Wales that are having to contend with the worst business rates regime in Britain".

    He also says there is no more money to support farmers "that are having to contend with the dreadfully unsustainable farming scheme", nor to support those with additional learning needs in schools.

    Ap Iorwerth says his government is already taking action to tackle bureaucracy in farming, and its review of business rates "will make a difference to businesses".

    This was "not just about throwing money" at things, the first minister says.

    He adds that his education minister is already working on a "sustainable solution" to the challenges facing additional learning needs.

  10. 'Sticking plaster approach' to NHS waits, Tory leader claimspublished at 14:15 BST 23 June

    Darren MillarImage source, Senedd Cymru

    Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar brings up the £145m of extra funding for the Welsh NHS announced today as part of the government's mid-year spending review.

    Millar accuses the first minister of adopting the "same sticking plaster approach of the previous Welsh Labour government that failed to invest in the infrastructure to keep waiting times permanently down".

    Ap Iorwerth says his government's approach is "about making sure that we put the steps in place now, that bring down the waiting times in a way that builds capacity in order to stop the waiting times from increasing again".

  11. Skates presses FM on defencepublished at 14:10 BST 23 June

    Ken SkatesImage source, Senedd Cymru

    Skates asks ap Iorwerth if he believes he would like to see Wales become a "full member of Nato" in or out of the UK.

    Ap Iorwerth says Plaid Cymru "has never advocated or suggested that the UK should pull out of Nato", adding that the transatlantic military alliance "plays a very important role".

    Skates then asks if Plaid is still calling for drastic cuts in defence spending.

    Ap Iorwerth says: "I recognise and my government recognises changing threats - that we face very real threats."

    "At those times there needs to be a recognition of the need to invest properly in conventional defence."

    But he disagrees that it is up to the UK government "without discussion to make decisions that impact the ability of governments, be it in Wales or other parts of these islands, to invest in public services are made unilaterally on defence".

    He appears to be referring to the potential impact on Welsh government budgets from spending cuts in England.

  12. Welsh Labour leader heckled over Starmerpublished at 14:04 BST 23 June

    Interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates pays tribute and gives his thanks to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who announced he was resigning yesterday.

    As he is heckled by another MS in the chamber, he describes Sir Keir as one of the "most dignified politicians that I have known".

  13. Reform leader says first minister is 'out of touch'published at 14:00 BST 23 June

    Dan ThomasImage source, Senedd Cymru

    Thomas accuses ap Iorwerth of having focused on a "devolution wish list" in a radio interview the first minister took part in this morning.

    People are concerned about the NHS, education and transport, he says, "so why are the first minister's priorities so out of touch with the Welsh public?"

    "We are we are obsessed with doing the right thing for Wales," ap Iorwerth replies.

    "And that means having the tools to do the job."

  14. Does Plaid want to build new roads?published at 13:56 BST 23 June

    Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas tells the FM that Welsh drivers "have felt victimised over the last few decades", and asks whether the previous Welsh Labour government's ban on building new roads is over.

    Ap Iorwerth says he wants an infrastructure fit for a "22nd Century" that builds a "joined up economy".

    He does not say that he supports the old ban, and suggests he will be willing to build roads.

    "There are very good societal and economic reason why we need a big shift of people away from using cars in a traditional way," he says.

    He adds that the government will look at investment in the road network where needed.

  15. Tourism businesses need 'lifeline', Tory MS sayspublished at 13:53 BST 23 June

    Janet Finch-SaundersImage source, Senedd Cymru
    Image caption,

    Janet Finch-Saunders represents Bangor Conwy Mon in the Senedd

    Conservative MS Janet Finch Saunders asks what support the government is offering tourism businesses in her constituency of Bangor Conwy Mon.

    She says 20% of the workforce in the area is in tourism and hospitality.

    She calls for a "lifeline" for tourism businesses, and asks if the first minister would press the UK government for a 10% rate of VAT.

    Rhun ap Iorwerth agrees, and says he would try to use the powers that are in his gift to build a "sustainable" sector.

    Helen Jenner, of Reform, then calls for an immediate review of the 182 day rule of visitor accommodation.

    Ap Iorwerth says he is keeping the rule under review.

  16. Red weather warning shuts schoolspublished at 13:48 BST 23 June

    Ap Iorwerth's warning comes after a rare red weather alert was issued for parts of Wales and has caused some schools to close.

    In a letter to parents, Cardiff High School said it would implement a "partial closure" on Wednesday and Thursday, with the school shutting at 12:30 BST to allow staff and pupils to return home before temperatures peaked.

    Cowbridge Comprehensive School in the Vale of Glamorgan has also said it will close to Year 8 pupils and above.

    The hot weather has caused disruption across parts of Wales, with a historic bridge closed and public services also affected.

    A red warning for extreme heat has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures could soar to an exceptional 37C.

    Read more here.

  17. First minister issues 'urgent warning' on hot weatherpublished at 13:37 BST 23 June

    Rhun ap IorwerthImage source, Senedd Cymru

    Rhun ap Iorwerth says it is highly likely Wales will see its hottest temperatures ever over the next two days, and will likely lead to travel disruption.

    He calls for people to pay close attention to this "urgent warning" - and says the risks are greater for older people, babies and young children in particular.

    "We must ensure that vulnerable people are looked after as a priority", he says.

    Earlier, Huw Irranca Davies, the presiding officer, said MSs had asked him if they can take their jackets off.

    "It is perfectly acceptable to remove your jackets," he says, to some giggles.

  18. FMQs beginspublished at 13:32 BST 23 June

    Rhun ap Iorwerth is on his feet to make the first statement of the day in the Senedd chamber.

  19. FM demands new relationship with Starmer's successorpublished at 13:31 BST 23 June

    Rhun ap Iorwerth has called for a new relationship with Westminster after the resignation of the UK prime minister.

    He set out a list of demands, including new powers, and said the ability of his administration to engage with the UK government had been hampered by the turmoil in Labour.

    Interim Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates praised Sir Keir Starmer and said he had brought his party "back from oblivion".

    But Reform's Welsh leader Dan Thomas called for a general election, saying: "The public must decide who governs the country, not Labour members."

    You can read more here.

  20. Ten years since Wales voted for Brexitpublished at 13:24 BST 23 June

    A Welsh national flag and a European Union flagImage source, Getty Images

    It's been a whole decade since the UK voted to leave the European Union - and Wales was one of the two UK nations to back Brexit.

    The result at the time was a shock to the country's political establishment, with the pro-EU Welsh government failing to win over the electorate.

    The UK eventually left the European Union in 2020, after years of rows in the Houses of Commons and two general elections.

    What's the impact on Welsh politics been? Read more here.