Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

Health boards are reducing emergency department crowding by expanding clinical capacity, improving patient flow and accelerating safe discharge. We have committed over £200m in additional support this year alone to safely manage more people in the community; avoid ambulance transport and admission to hospital; and deliver integrated solutions with social care.

We have introduced a Women’s Health Hub in every health board in Wales. These hubs will improve timely access to services making it easier for women to obtain care they need while promoting preventative measures and empowering them to take charge of their health and wellbeing.  

The All‑Wales Breastfeeding Action Plan is taking a whole‑system approach to improving breastfeeding rates, with national leadership from Public Health Wales and coordinated local delivery. Strengthening early support, tackling inequalities and learning from effective practice have resulted in improving rates with 57% of babies breastfed at 10 days in 2024, the highest on record.

The Welsh Government support high-street businesses through a broad cross-government range of policies, including investment in town centres, our Retail Action Plan, and our Business Wales service. Since 2020, we have allocated over £1bn of extra non-domestic rates relief, together with £250m of permanent annual support.

We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East, and while prices are volatile, there are currently no supply issues. We continue to support vulnerable households across Wales. However, long term energy security can only be secured by implementing our Renewable Energy Sector Deal and severing our reliance on global fossil fuel markets.

A Written Statement issued on 18 March sets out our range of support for people facing financial hardship, including greater support with the cost of heating oil. Business Wales is the first port of call for support to businesses, including guidance and information on managing costs and finding finance.  

We are in regular contact with the UK Government and relevant trade associations to monitor the emerging situation. The Welsh Government has immediately increased the amount of funding available for heating oil through the Discretionary Assistance Fund and we also  welcome the £3.8m from the UK Government to support households in Wales.