The constitution

The Welsh Government's latest press releases and Cabinet statements on this brief.

1. Cabinet statement, 28 September 2026

   Oral Statement: The Revision of the National Development Framework and National Conversation

   Sian Gwenllian MS, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning

2. Press release, 22 September 2026

   Programme for Government sets “a new ambition for Wales”

   The Welsh Government has published its new Programme for Government today, which sets out its priorities and plans over the four-year Senedd term, following the Senedd election on 7 May.

Statements, debates and legislation in Plenary on this brief, newest first. Oral question sessions are counted in the contributions below.

1. 5 November 2024Legislation

   The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill

   Legislative Consent Motion

   Opened by Paul Davies10 contributions

2. 25 September 2024Debate

   It’s the economy stupid!: How can devolution make it work for workers and Wales?

   Short Debate

   Opened by Y Dirprwy Lywydd / The Deputy Presiding Officer9 contributions

3. 24 September 2024Statement

   Inter-governmental relations

   Statement by the First Minister

   Opened by Y Llywydd / The Llywydd32 contributions

4. 17 September 2024Statement

   Inter-governmental relations

   Statement by the First Minister

   Opened by Y Dirprwy Lywydd / The Deputy Presiding Officer1 contribution

5. 9 July 2024Legislation

   Stage 4 of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

   Opened by Y Llywydd / The Llywydd13 contributions

6. 2 July 2024Legislation

   Stage 3 of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

   Opened by Y Llywydd / The Llywydd1 contribution

7. 25 June 2024Legislation

   Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

   Opened by Y Llywydd / The Llywydd4 contributions

8. 14 May 2024Legislation

   Legislative Consent Motion on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

   Opened by Y Llywydd / The Llywydd12 contributions

Votes are tagged from their own titles and the agenda item they were held under.

Ministers' meetings with outside organisations and their engagements on this brief, from the register the Welsh Government publishes every three months. 13 since the 2026 election; the latest:

1. 24 September 2026

   Expert Group on Crown Estate

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

2. 27 August 2026

   Y Comisiwn Etholiadol/Electoral Commission

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

3. 6 August 2026

   YesCymru, Eisteddfod

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

4. 4 August 2026

   Hamish Falconer MP, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations and European Relations

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

5. 30 July 2026

   Nick Butler, Chair of the Commission on the Crown Estate

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

6. 30 July 2026

   YesCymru

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

7. 15 July 2026

   Secretary of State for Wales

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy

8. 7 July 2026

   Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime and Jo Stevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales with Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality

   Meeting, Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution

Source: Welsh Government, ministerial meetings and engagements. The register is published three months or more after the meetings it lists.

• 23% of Welsh adults said the constitutional future of Wales or Welsh independence would be very important to their vote.

Ipsos asked 747 Welsh adults aged 16+ between 2 April 2026 and 8 April 2026, before the 2026 Senedd election. People could choose as many issues as they liked. More on public opinion.

No written questions on this brief in the Sixth Senedd yet.

No petitions on this brief opened in the Sixth Senedd.

Committee sessions where this brief was on the agenda, newest first.

1. 4 November 2024Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill

   138 contributions

2. 21 October 2024Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   evidence session

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Water (Special Measures) Bill

   72 contributions

3. 16 October 2024Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee

   Water (Special Measures) Bill - Evidence session with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

   Legislative Consent

   87 contributions

4. 3 July 2024Finance Committee

   Evidence session 8

   Fiscal Inter-governmental Relations

   127 contributions

5. 26 June 2024Finance Committee

   Evidence session 7

   Fiscal Inter-governmental Relations

   103 contributions

6. 22 May 2024Finance Committee

   Evidence session 6

   Fiscal Inter-governmental Relations

   116 contributions

7. 16 May 2024Local Government and Housing Committee

   Electoral reform regulations (Amendments 105, 106, 21, 22, 23)

   Group 5

   17 contributions

   • Rejected, 2 for, 4 against, 0 abstainedAmendment 105
   • Rejected, 2 for, 4 against, 0 abstainedAmendment 106

8. 16 May 2024Local Government and Housing Committee

   Stage 2 Proceedings

   Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill

   5 contributions

Articles by Senedd Research, the Senedd's impartial research service, on this brief, published in the Sixth Senedd.

1. Reforming the Welsh Tribunals: progress on pause

   31 March 2026

   As the Sixth Senedd comes to an end, reform of the Welsh Tribunals remains unfinished business. Despite commitments made by the Welsh Government, legislation was not introduced to deliver the reforms.

2. Deposit Return Scheme Regulations: In Brief

   23 March 2026

   The Welsh Government laid the Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (Wales) Regulations 2026 (the Regulations) on the 12 February 2026, which put in place the legislative framework for the recycling and reuse of drinks containers.

3. Reforming Wales’ water sector: what, how and when?

   13 February 2026

   On 3 February the Welsh Government published its Green Paper: Shaping the Future of Water Governance in Wales, outlining an “initial direction of travel” toward a “fundamental reset” of the water sector in Wales.

4. The devolution of justice: what progress is being made?

   21 January 2026

   Despite the Welsh Government’s long-term commitment to devolving justice, progress has been slow since the Commission on Justice in Wales published its report over six years ago.

5. How does the Senedd scrutinise intergovernmental relations?

   5 December 2025

   Intergovernmental relations (IGR) refer to the way in which different governments interact with each other. In the UK, IGR generally refer to how the UK Government interacts with the devolved governments, including the Welsh Government.

More from Senedd Research on this subject

Titles and summaries are Senedd Research's own, © Senedd Commission. How we match articles to briefs.

2,849 contributions in the Sixth Senedd, newest first.

1. Carolyn ThomasLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   Just one more. So, in north Wales, I know that just standing charges are £336 and I'm told that it's because of the grid and connectivity. So, it's just that impact, again. Renewable energy: great and all this, but people want cheaper bills, so we need the grid and we need cheaper bills and they…

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

2. Rebecca EvansLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   So, we are having discussions with the UK Government and they definitely understand the importance of the grid. I know that the First Minister has been raising it in her discussions with counterparts in UK Government as well.

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

3. Carolyn ThomasLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   I mentioned earlier—and Jennifer did—about community projects, which are really important, projects that are community owned, where they get that benefit, but none of these will happen unless we sort out the national grid. You know, proper renewable energy projects, like wind, to connect to the…

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

4. Rebecca EvansLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   In terms of this Bill, all that's happening is the setting up of Great British Energy and that point, really, about the strategic priorities being our area of concern. But any energy project that comes forward will be subject to all of the normal processes—the planning processes, the monitoring and…

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

5. Carolyn ThomasLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   Also, the Senedd's climate change committee were concerned that clause 5 requires the Secretary of State to prepare a statement of strategic priorities and just consult with the Welsh Ministers as well. They're really concerned about not being involved with the detail. I'd like to give examples…

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

6. Rebecca EvansLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   So, we want to see a stronger role for Welsh Ministers and the Senedd in terms of setting the strategic priorities. That's our key area of concern with the Bill.

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

7. Scott Tyler

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   I think that the principle, from our perspective, is that from a legal perspective in the legislation—I'm not talking as a lawyer here—there's nothing that constrains the powers of the Welsh Ministers in this Bill, but the points that Members have made today and that reflect the conversations that…

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

8. Rebecca EvansLabour

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   Our concern would be that the strategic priorities might allow the UK Government to invest in areas that are devolved competence, so we would need to have safeguards in place so that the decisions are made here. I don't know, Scott, if you wanted to add on that particular point.

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

9. Natasha AsgharConservative

   4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

   Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

   So, just for my knowledge, then, say, for example, there's a particular point, as you mentioned, on Warm Homes, where you and, potentially, the Secretary of State are at loggerheads over it, who will have the final say?

   Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

10. Rebecca EvansLabour

    4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

    We established Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru using the executive powers of Welsh Ministers, so there's nothing in the Bill that would affect that, so, in that sense, we don't see the need to see any specific amendments in that context. But the area of the Bill where we do want to see those discussions around…

    Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

11. Natasha AsgharConservative

    4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

    …of my mouth, and I think we're all quite satisfied with that response, there, Cabinet Secretary. The LCM states that the Bill, and I quote 'would not constrain the Welsh Ministers' ability to continue to support' —I apologise for my abuse of the Welsh language— 'Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru using the…

    Tagged for: “LCM”, “Secretary of State for Wales”Official Record

12. Alun DaviesLabour

    4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

    Could I also ask for an update on the conversations that you're having with the UK Government on the devolution of the Crown Estate?

    Tagged for: “devolution”, “Crown Estate”Official Record

13. Rebecca EvansLabour

    4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

    So, would it be helpful then if we commit to providing this committee and the other committees represented today with an update on the discussions as they move forward, and as they take place in a particular—

    Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

14. Luke FletcherPlaid

    4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

    It doesn't address the issue for me of what happens if we're not happy with the discussions around how it operates. Again, I think there is a risk that we go into the policy discussion here, but I think it is important that we understand these things when we're looking at establishing Great British…

    Tagged from the title of its item or question: “Legislative Consent”Official Record

15. Rebecca EvansLabour

    4 November 2024, Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

    Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Great British Energy Bill: Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning

    …Shanks] was that those discussions should happen in parallel. So, whilst we're talking about the LCM and whilst we're trying to work with the UK Government to get it to a point at which we're able to recommend consent, then at the same time, those discussions about how we work together should be…

    Tagged for: “LCM”Official Record

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