This is South WalesCarwyn Jones warns of 'painful' spending decisions aheadBBC NewsSpeaking later in the assembly chamber, Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths warned councils to expect deeper cuts than in previous years because the spending review would "further reduce" Welsh ministers' finances. She told AMs: "We will not be ...Welsh Assembly hears the Business StatementDeHavilland (subscription) (press release)Local housing for local folkThis is South Walesall 14 news articles »

£300000 grant to develop 'one-stop-shop' domestic abuse centre in ...Western TelegraphRebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for mid and west Wales, has welcomed the announcement: "Domestic abuse affects people from all walks of life, of all ages, and from all cultural, social and ethnic backgrounds. I welcome the Welsh Government's ...

BBC NewsOrgan donation bill: considering amendmentsBBC NewsHealth Minister Mark Drakeford told the cross-party health committee that he agreed and said the full assembly would have a chance to vote on regulations which prohibit novel or "composite" transplants in cases of deemed consent. That would allow the ...

Water competition not convincing enough for WalesUtility WeekAlun Davies, a member of the Welsh National Assembly, said he was not convinced by government's arguments for introducing competition in the water sector and said there was no demand in Wales. "I've been underwhelmed by the proposals for competition ...Davies makes statement on the recent horsemeat contamination incidents in ...DeHavilland (subscription) (press release)all 4 news articles »

WalesOnlineRoad map to effective integrated public transport system in Wales outlined in ...WalesOnlineIn its latest report the National Assembly for Wales' Enterprise and Business Committee describes current transportation integration between bus and rail in Wales as “sadly lacking." Despite improved dialogue between ... That would give the Welsh ...Power to control transport in WalesITV Newsall 2 news articles »

WalesOnlineBody confidence workshops should be held across Wales to help young people ...WalesOnlineShe runs workshops for young people from 11-19 and is lobbying the Welsh Assembly to see the workshops adopted as part of schools' Personal, Social Education (PSE) programme. Bethan Jenkins AM, chair of the cross-party group, said: “The group has ...

WalesOnlineCommittee airs 'serious concerns' over Welsh Government's handling of council ...WalesOnline“In this case, the Committee has concluded that the Welsh Government confused the political process with the legislative process. In so doing, we believe that the Welsh Government may have, at times, lost sight of the Assembly's role as a legislative ...Welsh ministers criticised over council tax benefit rowBBC Newsall 4 news articles »

BBC NewsSilk Commission on devolution starts seeking public commentsBBC NewsThe Silk Commission is holding the first in a series of drop-in sessions for people in south-east Wales. Set up by the UK government, the commission will publish a report in the spring of 2014 looking at the Welsh assembly's powers. An earlier report ...

EducationGuardian.co.ukMichael Gove suggests Wales and Northern Ireland split off school examsEducationGuardian.co.ukIn his joint letter to Leighton Andrews, education minister in the Welsh government, and John O'Dowd, education minister in the Northern Ireland assembly, Gove said "the time is right for us to acknowledge" that the three nations would need to go their ...and more »

Assembly is massive wasteSouth Wales ArgusAT A time when the people of Newport are having public services cut, libraries shutting, it amazes me how we can continue to support a Welsh assembly government that is draining our frontline services of so much money. In 1997 the Welsh office cost ...

WalesOnlineWelsh Government announces fines of up to £120 for parents of children who ...WalesOnlineBut the move has been met with criticism from opposition parties in the Welsh Assembly. Plaid Cymru labelled the government's move as a backwards step. The nationalists' education spokesman Simon Thomas said: “Fixed penalty notices have not worked ...and more »

WalesOnlineLocal government shake-up could change council tax bills by hundreds of ...WalesOnlineThe Welsh Government has ruled out any structural reorganisation of councils before the next Assembly elections in 2016, but has repeatedly encouraged greater collaboration between local authorities to save money as councils' budgets shrink.

Welsh Assembly debates the Welsh Government's Delivery UnitDeHavilland (subscription) (press release)However, with little information coming from the Welsh Government, it is difficult to decipher whether the delivery unit has its finger on the pulse. Today, we are calling on the Welsh Government to provide regular updates to the National Assembly on ...

BBC NewsVarteg Hill: Warning over opencast mine 'expense'BBC NewsOpponents are insisting the Welsh government respects its own planning guidance, and presented a 680-name petition to the assembly this week. Campaigner Dr John Cox said: "When local authorities hear [First Minister] Carwyn Jones say in answer to a ...Torfaen AM fights Varteg opencast secrecyFree Press Seriesall 3 news articles »

Welsh Assembly hears statement on the Welsh Government Response to the ...DeHavilland (subscription) (press release)As part of the statement, he broadly welcomed Dr Guilford's findings and recommendations, and committed to making a formal response in June as part of the Welsh Government's response to the public consultation exercise on the future structural and ...

Welsh Questions, TV's Michael Fabricant and sofabedsBBC NewsMr Fabricant, who occasionally mentions his Welsh roots, wanted to know if the UK government would consider re-naming the National Assembly for Wales. Welsh Secretary David Jones, the subject of recent press speculation about his cabinet future, ...Fabricant, M - Welsh Assembly name change - DeHavillandDeHavilland (subscription) (press release)all 3 news articles »

Daily Post North WalesHealth minister to shelve plans to exempt film and TV performers from smoking banWalesOnlineThe controversial proposals - which industry leaders claimed could see productions move to England where an exemption is already in place - were in the process of being considered by two Assembly committees. Before being appointed as Health Minister in ...Smoking ban: Plans to exempt the film industry are stubbed outBBC NewsMinisters axe plans to allow smoking on film setsDaily Post North Walesall 6 news articles »

Welsh farming industry must present united frontFarmers GuardianFARMING organisations and farmers should set their differences aside and speak with one voice to influence Welsh Government decisions, according to a leading Welsh Assembly politician. Rather than talking separately to Agriculture Minister, Alun Davies ...

Sky lanterns will not be banned - DefraFarmers GuardianThe independent report carried out for Defra and the Welsh Assembly Government by ADAS assessed the possible impact of sky lanterns and helium balloons on livestock and the environment, including their fire risk. The report, which cost just under £25 ...and more »

BBC NewsWelsh Assembly members face tougher sanctions for disreputeBBC NewsThe assembly does not have the legal power to expel a member for misconduct. However, under the Government of Wales Act, any member sentenced to more than 12 months in custody for an offence automatically loses their seat in Cardiff Bay.and more »