The Welsh Government has published the ‘Sustainable investment principles for natural resources’ , setting out a framework to guide responsible investment in nature markets and related finance to support biodiversity recovery, climate resilience and sustainable resource management in Wales. The principles are intended to increase and diversify funding to address the nature emergency and its drivers, including climate change, pollution and unsustainable resource use, while ensuring that investment is ethical, high integrity, transparent and aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

The Welsh Government has published guidance that sets out requirements for dashcams, referred to as Video Point of Impact Systems (VPIS), in taxis and private hire vehicles. Dashcams must only record external images and not audio or internal footage, with any internal recording subject to separate CCTV rules. Devices must be UKCA or CE marked, and signage must clearly indicate recording without obstructing the driver’s view. Proprietors must inform the council within five working days of installing or removing a dashcam, and drivers need permission from the vehicle proprietor before installation.

The Welsh Government has published a technical note providing guidance to owners of premises with on-site renewable electricity generation and battery storage on connecting installations to the electricity distribution network and exporting surplus electricity to the grid. It explains that all generation and storage systems must be authorised by the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO), regardless of whether electricity will be exported, and that premises owners are responsible for ensuring compliance with DNO Engineering Recommendations. The guidance advises early engagement with DNOs due to potential connection costs, delays and design changes, and outlines the process for obtaining network connections, including compliance with the relevant G98, G99 and, where applicable, G100 requirements. It also explains that exporting electricity requires an export Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN), a compliant export meter and evidence of regulatory compliance, and notes that Smart Export Guarantee licensees must offer an export tariff to eligible generators. For owners without an export MPAN or export meter, the note describes routes through electricity suppliers or directly through the DNO and a meter operator, while highlighting the need to assess the costs and benefits of export arrangements, including future opportunities for local use or sale of surplus generation under proposed Complex Site arrangements.

The Welsh Government has published its third annual special measures progress report for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which was placed into level five special measures on 27 February 2023 due to concerns over governance, leadership, and performance. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles MS, highlighted areas of progress over the past three years but noted that serious concerns remain regarding operational performance and timely access to planned care, cancer services and urgent and emergency care services. The report emphasises that the Health Board must deliver rapid and sustained improvement to ensure safe, timely access to high-quality care services across North Wales.

The Welsh Government has published a written statement with an update on the Health Protection System in Wales Review. The statement, from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Eluned Morgan MS, announced the publication of a summary of progress to April 2024 on the earlier implementation plan. The summary document seeks to recognise work across Wales and action being taken to create more sustainable health protection as well as progress on delivering the National Immunisation Framework for Wales.

The Welsh Government has published comprehensive guidance on Council Tax discounts, disregards, exemptions, and reductions available in Wales. The guidance outlines relief provisions for various groups, including low-income households through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, recipients of single occupancy discounts, individuals eligible for disabled person reductions and exemptions for students, care leavers, armed forces accommodation, and empty properties. The document provides detailed eligibility criteria for a range of exemption classes and includes new provisions for properties purchased from 1 April 2026 onwards.

The Welsh Government has published Version 2.0 of its guidance on undertaking Local Housing Market Assessments (LHMAs), replacing the March 2022 guidance following a review of the guidance and LHMA Tool. The updated approach uses Welsh Government’s 2022-based household projections, including principal, higher and lower variants, while retaining the 15-year projection period. It also revises example assumptions for social-rented bedroom requirements, develops the methodology for assessing intermediate housing need, including intermediate rent and Low Cost Home Ownership (LCHO), and requires local authorities to justify and evidence departures from default data or assumptions.

Jayne Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government for Wales, has announced that following consultation on proposed changes to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS), the Welsh Government has updated the WHQS to set out clear timescales for investigating and remedying hazards, including those relating to damp and mould.

The Welsh Government has published updated guidance, including revised lists of living organisms and habitat types of principal importance for maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in Wales. Changes include species that have experienced significant declines, species newly recognised as threatened, and updates to habitat groupings to reflect improved ecological understanding. The guidance is intended to support public authorities in complying with the section 7 biodiversity duty under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

The Welsh Government has published the second version of its statutory ‘Separate Collection of Waste Materials for Recycling: Code of Practice’, effective from 6 April 2026. The code provides practical guidance on compliance with the Waste Separation Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2023, SI 2023/1290, which came into force on 6 April 2024 and apply to occupiers of non-domestic premises, as well as to those who collect and handle waste from such premises.

The Welsh Government has published reports on the implementation in Wales of the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2003, SI 2003/1788, for the 12-month period from 1 January to 31 December 2022. Drawing on data collected by Natural Resources Wales, the reports cover the disposal of urban wastewater and sludge, compliance within each agglomeration, reasons for any non-compliance and proposed measures to achieve compliance. The Regulations are intended to protect the environment from the effects of untreated urban wastewater.

The Welsh Government has published a white paper on adequate housing, fair rents and affordability for consultation. The white paper outlines proposals for developing a long term housing strategy that provides a measurable framework to support the delivery of housing adequacy, drawing on evidence received from last year’s green paper consultation. It also proposes measures aimed at improving affordability, habitability, and accessibility in the private rented sector. The consultation closes on 31 January 2025.