The first week of the new year in the Senedd has been a busy one as there have been lots of important points to raise with the Welsh Government regarding the crisis in the NHS and the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis. Here are some of the issues I have raised.
I asked the First Minister how the Welsh Government are tackling the multi year waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery and the long waits in A and E. A constituent has been waiting for *5 years* for two partial knee replacements! Westminster under-funding of Wales is a huge part of the problem, but health is a Welsh Government responsibility. Watch here. The Labour Welsh Government's plan to deal with the crisis in the NHS isn't working. Instead of blaming nurses for going on strike or the people of Wales for not looking after themselves better, they must learn the lessons of their own failures. Fast. Watch here
I called on the Education Minister to provide more support for students and apprentices on the national apprentice minimum wage of £4.81 per hour.
I met with CWU workers who came to the Senedd to talk about the reasons for their dispute with the Royal Mail.
I also attended a lively first Plaid Aberafan meeting of the New Year - lots of great ideas for positive action on local issues https://www.join.partyof.wales/
You can read more of my Senedd speeches and questions here: Sioned Williams MS (senedd.wales)