A public policy research organisation has urged the Welsh Government and the local government sector to create a new operating model for councils in Wales, warning that the current model of local government is “no longer sustainable”. In a report published this month, the Wales Centre for Public Policy called on the Welsh Government to address the…
More Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) applications are being submitted across Wales, with a 10% increase in applications to local authorities and a 23% increase in applications to health boards in 2024-2025, a report from watchdogs has found. According to the annual monitoring report by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) on the implementation…
The Law Society has commissioned a new practice note to help solicitors navigate the growing body of distinct Welsh law and the differences between legislation in Wales and England. It said the guidance, which will be developed with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, will “highlight key areas where Welsh legislation differs and provide practical…
The Auditor General for Wales has written to all local government bodies warning that growing delays in the preparation and audit of statutory accounts “pose a real risk to financial transparency and good governance across the sector”. The letters from Adrian Crompton set out the actions needed across the sector to restore timely and high‑quality…
The Divisional Court has dismissed a judicial review challenge brought by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain over the decision of the Welsh Ministers to introduce into the Senedd of the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill. The claim followed the Deputy First Minister of Wales telling the Senedd in February 2025 that “now is…
The Law Commission has appointed Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones as Special Counsel for Wales, a role created to bolster its long-term commitment to law reform in Wales. The role, which is part-time and for one year, is “designed to help shape the Commission’s work in Wales, providing senior leadership and strategic advice on the selection,…
The Senedd has passed the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill, which will establish a new framework to promote and support the use of British Sign Language in Wales. The Bill places duties on Welsh Ministers to develop a National BSL Strategy, informed by a BSL adviser and an assisting panel, alongside BSL guidance. This guidance…
Welsh council leaders have called for schools and social care to be “at the front of the queue” for any additional funding flowing to Wales following the UK Government’s Spring Statement. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) noted that spending by the UK Government on education and young people with special education needs and disabilities…
The Senedd has nominated Catherine Mealing Jones, currently chief executive at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, for appointment as the next Auditor General for Wales. The final stage is formal appointment by the King, with Mealing Jones expected to take up the role on 21 July. She will succeed Adrian Crompton, who has served as…
Despite improvements in post-assessment communications and practical support for carers, a gap still remains between the number of people who identify as carers and those receiving formal needs assessments in Wales. These are the findings of a follow up report published by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, looking into how Welsh local authorities identify, assess and support unpaid carers. The original investigation,…
