The Welsh Government has issued further guidance documents to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). These documents should be read in conjunction with PA 2023 and its associated regulations. The guidance documents include the legal framework, what has changed, key points and policy intent and relevant guidance.

The Welsh Government has updated its page on applications for an independent, not-for-profit Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to operate the Welsh Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Applications close on 2 June 2026.

The Welsh Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has provided an update on reforms to the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Curriculum for Wales, following the Court of Appeal’s refusal of the appeal of the High Court judgment in R (on the application of Isherwood and others) v Welsh Ministers [2022] EWHC 3331 (Admin). Miles has said, ‘This is an important vindication of the approach taken by the Welsh Government to RSE. That approach is intended to keep children safe and to promote healthy, respectful relationships. Schools are legally required to ensure that learning is developmentally appropriate; to provide information on RSE which includes a range of views on the subject and which does not seek to promote one view over another.’ He also confirmed that the Government, in partnership with teaching practitioners and healthy schools’ co-ordinators, are currently working on reviewing the resources available on Hwb to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate and suitable for use. New resources are also expected to be released in Autumn 2023.

The Welsh Government has published its tenth annual report on the implementation of Law Commission proposals relating to Welsh devolved matters to the Senedd. In accordance with section 3C of the Law Commissions Act 1965, as amended by section 25 of the Wales Act 2014, the Welsh Ministers are required to report annually on the extent of such implementation. This report, covering the period from 15 February 2024 to 14 February 2025, provides an update on several key legislative initiatives recommended by the Law Commission, including the passage of the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 and the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, as well as the introduction of the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Bill. It also details the continuing progress on proposals relating to devolved tribunals, electoral law and planning law, thereby demonstrating the ongoing value of the Law Commission’s recommendations to the work of the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government has published new 2025-based housing need estimates showing requirements for additional housing units in Wales over the next 20 years, replacing the 2019-based estimates. The estimates identify existing unmet need of 9,400 housing units, representing a 64% increase since the previous estimates due to rising homeless households in temporary accommodation. The data projects annual need for 7,800-9,300 additional housing units between July 2025 and June 2030, with a central estimate of 8,700 units from newly arising need. The estimates indicate that 65% of newly arising need over the next five years will be for market housing and 35% for affordable housing. The Welsh Government has specified that the figures should not be interpreted as housing targets and do not represent policy commitments or planning requirements. The data will form part of the evidence base for future planning in Wales and will inform any future review of the National Development Framework, policy development, and Future Trends reporting as required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Welsh Government has published its extensive 30by30 framework, which sets a target to protect 30% of Wales’ land, freshwater, and sea by 2030 in alignment with Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The document details criteria for both protected areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)—currently covering 11% of Welsh land and 69% of inshore marine areas—and introduces Resilient Ecological Networks (RENs) to connect critical habitats. The framework also outlines robust monitoring requirements, including the use of the MEPCA tool, and highlights support mechanisms such as the Sustainable Farming Scheme alongside existing designations like Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). This integrated strategy aims to facilitate ecosystem recovery, address biodiversity loss, and ensure equitable, long-term conservation outcomes, reinforcing Wales' commitment to nature recovery, climate resilience, and sustainable natural resource management.

The Welsh Government has published and laid before the Senedd its Annual Report on Equality and Human Rights 2025, covering the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2025. The report fulfils statutory reporting requirements under the Government of Wales Act 2006, the Equality Act 2010, the Public Sector Equality Duty and the Welsh Specific Equality Duties. It reflects on actions to support the Strategic Equality Plan 2020-2024 while introducing concepts for the successor Strategic Equality and Human Rights Plan 2025-2029. The report incorporates an overview of how public sector organisations have performed against the Public Sector Equality Duty, with the Equality and Human Rights Commission continuing to act as the formal regulator. The Welsh Government has committed to a human rights approach that aims to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and equality duties to enable everyone in Wales to live with dignity, freedom, security and without discrimination.

The Welsh Government has published a handbook detailing the changes to building control for the Design and Construction Phase in relation to the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022). The handbook explains the background of BSA 2022, how it is being implemented in Wales as well as the core changes to the building control process.

The Welsh Government’s Chief Planner, Neil Hemington, has published a letter to Chief Planning Officers (CPOs) clarifying the planning policy framework for protecting playing fields and sports facilities and reminding Planning Authorities of relevant duties when assessing development proposals. It states that Planning Policy Wales requires the protection of such facilities due to their importance for community well-being and highlights that development near sports sites has led to nuisance complaints and mitigation costs affecting club viability. The letter emphasises that new development should not constrain existing uses and that the agent of change principle places responsibility on developers to manage impacts, including noise and physical risks, through appropriate design and mitigation. It advises Planning Authorities to prioritise such measures to avoid land-use conflicts and notes that, under the 2016 Order, authorities must consult Sport Wales where development may affect playing fields, which are defined by size and specified sporting uses.

The Welsh Government has published the Collections Blueprint 2025, an updated version of its 2011 recycling best practice guidance. The Blueprint is intended to support local authorities in delivering services that balance financial affordability with optimal environmental, economic and social outcomes, while ensuring the current statutory minimum recycling target of 70% is met. It sets out the recommended approach to collecting resources for reuse, recycling and composting—including anaerobic digestion—as well as managing residual waste, to achieve the most sustainable outcomes in line with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The guidance applies to all resources and wastes collected by or on behalf of local authorities.

The Welsh Government has published guidance for Welsh local authorities on the collection of Council Tax. The guidance aims to: (1) support consistent Council Tax collection across all 22 local authorities; (2) promote early contact with taxpayers to address potential arrears, assess entitlement to support and reduce enforcement action; (3) set expectations for enforcement practices; (4) provide information and support for vulnerable and low‑income households, including referral to relevant services and (5) support information sharing and learning between local authorities to improve practice.

The Welsh Government has published a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) relating to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023 (WHQS). The first reporting point on the WHQS is 31 March 2025 and annually thereafter. Social landlords must have submitted line by line reporting on each of their properties in line with the data specifications issued in July 2024 by 16 May 2025.