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1 week ago | 
research.senedd.wales | Gareth Thomas |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
Published 11/04/2025
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Reading Time
minutes
Last month the latest Households Below Average Income figures were released, with the Bevan Foundation describing the findings as “another set of disappointing data showing no progress is being made in reducing poverty”. Our article sets out who’s most likely to be in poverty, what the Welsh and UK governments are doing to tackle poverty, and what alternative policy options are available to them.
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1 month ago | 
research.senedd.wales | Claire Thomas |Peter SE Davies |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
On 18 March 2025 the to health and disability benefits. Further changes were announced in the Spring Statement. s the current welfare system is financially unsustainable and reform “makes moral sense”. , an estimated further 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into relative poverty in England and Wales as a result of the reforms. The UK Government has not provided a separate Welsh assessment, but there are concerns that by the changes.
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1 month ago | 
research.senedd.wales | Owen Holzinger |Helen Jones |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
The Welsh Government published its Second Supplementary Budget 2024-25 on 18 February. It shows changes since October’s First Supplementary Budget and includes almost £1bn of additional revenue and capital for departments. While many of the allocations relate to things that have already been announced, such as £264m of funding for pay deals, the budget allocates more funding for day-to-day activities than we normally see this time of year.
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1 month ago | 
research.senedd.wales | Helen Jones |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
With the Draft Budget published back in December 2024, the Final Budget Debate on 4 March 2025 represents the end of the process for setting the Welsh Government’s budget. In this article we explore the changes between the Draft and Final Budget. You can read more about the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget in our article that explores five things we learnt during this year’s scrutiny.
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Jan 24, 2025 | 
research.senedd.wales | Gareth Thomas |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
In addition to funds from the UK Government social security system, the Welsh Government provides a range of support that can be worth up to £4,000 per year for low-income households. This is sometimes referred to as the Welsh Benefits System. Our article explains what the Welsh Benefits System is. We also set out what the Welsh Government is doing to try to create a more “coherent and compassionate” approach to administering it. What is the Welsh Benefits System?
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Dec 2, 2024 | 
research.senedd.wales | Gareth Thomas |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
There is widespread evidence that accessing high-quality early childhood education and care can improve children’s cognitive and social development, and is particularly beneficial for less advantaged children. However, several recent reports have raised concerns from parents and childcare providers about aspects of the early childhood education and care system in Wales.
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Nov 11, 2024 | 
research.senedd.wales | Siân Hughes |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
The Children, Young People and Education Committee explored whether disabled children and young people have equal access to childcare and education. The concerning answer they found, was that a significant number do not. The Committee wanted to learn about the childcare and educational experiences of children and young people with physical and sensory disabilities, additional learning needs (ALN) and those who are neurodiverse.
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Nov 8, 2024 | 
research.senedd.wales | Gareth Thomas |Samantha Southern |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
Published 08/11/2024
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Reading Time
minutes
This guide outlines and signposts to possible sources of support available to new and existing small businesses in Wales. Article by Gareth Thomas, and Samantha Southern, Senedd Research, Welsh ParliamentSenedd Research acknowledges the parliamentary fellowship provided to Samantha Southern by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council which enabled this briefing to be completed.
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Oct 21, 2024 | 
research.senedd.wales | Amy Clifton |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
Our previous article looked at how the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill will affect children and young people. This article looks at its impact on disabled and older people. Part 2 of the Bill will introduce the option of direct payments for Continuing NHS Healthcare (CHC), aiming to improve voice and control for service users. This article explores some of the key themes from the evidence given during the first stage of the Senedd’s legislative process.. What does it all mean?
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Oct 11, 2024 | 
research.senedd.wales | Sian Thomas |Senedd Research |Welsh Parliament
650,000 children, one Minister, and a Third Youth Parliament. What have these three things got in common? Together, they set some of the context for next week’s Senedd debate on the Children’s Commissioner’s Annual Report. In the report, Rocio Cifuentes gives her verdict about what 2023-24 has meant for children’s rights in Wales. It also sets out her view on what more needs to be done and by whom.
