The Welsh Government has published the response to its September 2024 consultation on implementing the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024. In response to stakeholder feedback, the government plans to introduce several key changes, including extending the pre-application consultation period from 12 to 18 months, allowing statutory consultees to raise new issues after an application for infrastructure consent has been submitted, and establishing new procedures for amending or revoking infrastructure consent orders. The response also confirms the government’s approach to fees and examination procedures, and provides further clarity on compulsory acquisition processes. Implementation guidance will be published to support the introduction of the new consenting regime.

The Welsh Government has published a summary of responses to its November 2024 consultation on proposed revisions to the School Organisation Code, issued under sections 38 and 39 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013. The consultation sought views on a draft third edition of the Code, which sets out amendments clarifying existing legislative requirements and reflecting legislative changes introduced since the second edition in 2018. These include the Welsh Language Standards (No 1) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/996, Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018, Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021 and Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (TER(W)A 2022). Key changes include expanded Welsh Language Impact Assessment requirements, clarification of the functions of the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research in relation to sixth form education under TER(W)A 2022 and updated consultation requirements for school organisation proposals. The revised Code will be laid before the Senedd and published in due course.

The Welsh Government has published a response to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2 series report on core decision-making and political governance. The response accepts most recommendations from Baronness Hallett's inquiry while emphasising that decisions on devolved matters must remain with Welsh Ministers rather than COBR and also highlights commitments to improved transparency, including publishing scientific advice and strengthening advisory structures, alongside developing expert registers and clearer roles for participants. Key legal developments include the replacement of the 'made affirmative' procedure with a 'Senedd confirmation procedure' since 1 January 2026 under the Legislation(Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2005 and a formal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on 21 November 2025 regarding equality impact assessmnts. In addition, legislative updates also include procedural reforms to scrutiny of emergency powers and a review of the Civil Contigencies Act 2004(CCA 2004) due by 27 March 2027.

The Welsh Government has published its response to the consultation on electric vehicle (EV) charging in residential and non-residential buildings, confirming that it will proceed with proposals to require EV charge points in new residential buildings with associated parking and in certain new non-residential buildings. Requirements will also apply to certain residential and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation or material change of use, subject to exemptions relating to factors including costs, electrical supply capacity and covered car parks.

The Welsh Government has published the response to its November 2024 consultation on improving the resilience and performance of planning services across Wales. Key measures include increasing the householder application fee to a full cost recovery rate of £585 and introducing annual fee adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index from 1 April 2027. The government has also confirmed that it will not proceed with proposals to introduce planning appeal fees, or extend Local Development Plan review periods at this time. The changes will be implemented through draft regulations, which are expected to be laid before the Senedd in late summer 2025.

The Welsh Government has published its response to the consultation on the draft Air Quality (Fine Particulate Matter) (Wales) Regulations 2026 and intends to proceed with the regulations as originally drafted. The regulations will establish a statutory annual mean PM₂.₅ concentration target of 10 microgrammes per cubic metre by 2035 and a Population Exposure Reduction Target of 25% by 2035 against a 2019 baseline. They will also retain the proposed monitoring and assessment arrangements and allow natural contributions to be subtracted when assessing compliance where supported by appropriate evidence.

The Welsh Government has published its response to the recommendations from a 2021 review of the section 6 biodiversity duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (E(W)A 2016). The response outlines plans to publish a definitive list of public authorities subject to the duty and confirms that the forthcoming Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill will establish the Office of Environmental Governance Wales to oversee compliance with environmental legislation. Additional measures include enhanced guidance for public authorities, particularly town and community councils, alongside expanded monitoring and reporting requirements. The Welsh Government also intends to refresh section 6 guidance documents to align with the new legislation, with all new and refreshed guidance to be co-designed and co-developed with public authorities.

The Welsh Government has published its response to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's Concluding Observations Report 2023. The Welsh Government welcomes the constructive advice the UN committee provided in their report and the response addresses those recommendations that substantively fall within the responsibilities of the Welsh Government and it states that it should be read alongside the Compliance Report and the update to the Children and Young Peoples Plan.

The Welsh Government has published a statement announcing publication of the summary of responses to the call for evidence on securing a path towards Adequate Housing. The Welsh Government received a total of 371 responses, workshops were held over summer 2023 with stakeholders. The Local Government and Housing Committee in the Senedd also held an Inquiry into the Right to Adequate Housing, evidence of which has been reviewed. Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Julie James MS, has noted that the above contributions will help develop a whitepaper.

The Welsh Government has released a summary of responses to its consultation on adapting election campaign expenditure limits for political parties in Senedd elections. The consultation, which closed on 1 November 2024, sought views on proposals to modify existing expense limits to align with the new electoral system established by the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act 2024. This new system, set to take effect from April 2026, introduces a fully proportional model with 16 multi-member constituencies and eliminates electoral regions. The summary of responses, published on 18 February 2025, provides insights into stakeholder feedback on how to adjust the limits to reflect these significant changes in the electoral landscape.

The Welsh Government has published the summary of responses to the consultation 'Health Service Procurement Reform Wales'. The consultation was held from November 2023 to February 2024 and welcomed views on how to change the way that health services, provided as part of the NHS, are procured in Wales. The consultation received 34 responses, including views on, but not limited to, the application and breadth of the proposed list of Common Procurement Vocabulary, the role, remit and operation of the independent review panel for the procurement regime, and the integration of health services and social care services. The Welsh Government has stated that this consultation will 'inform development of our policy and the forthcoming regulations that will underpin the proposed new health service procurement regime for Wales'. It has further been confirmed that the regulations for the new regime are planned to be laid in the Senedd later this year.

The Welsh Government has published the summary of responses to the consultation on the draft mental health and wellbeing strategy. The consultation aimed to gather views on the new 'Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Wales' which will replace the previous ten-year strategy and closed on 11 June 2024. The summary of responses discusses the 250 online responses to the consultation. Next steps include using the consultation responses to inform the development of the final version of the strategy and further targeted engagement with stakeholders.