The Welsh Government has launched its National Office for Care and Support as part of the Welsh Government's phased plan to implement the National Care Service. The National Office for Care and Support will focus on supporting the Chief Social Care Officer for Wales, delivering a National Care Service and implementing the National Commissioning Framework for Care and Support. Chief Social Care Officer for Wales, Albert Heaney, said that the National Office for Care and Support 'will bring together the 22 local authorities, involve people who use social care services, their carers, the workforce, professional bodies, and key partners to work together to delivery national priorities, quality standards, particularly in relation to commissioning of care and support services.'

The Welsh Government has reported that the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Act has received Royal Assent, on 24 June 2024. The Welsh Government has said that under the Act, the Welsh Parliament, the Senedd, will gain ‘increased capacity to scrutinise policies, laws, spending plans, and hold the Welsh Government to account’. Key changes introduced by the Act include 96 Senedd members elected by proportional, closed list system, 16 constituencies across Wales with each electing 6 members, a new residential requirement for candidates and members of the Senedd, and a new election cycle of every four years. These changes are expected to be implemented from 2026.

The Welsh Government has published a research report examining how the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 has affected refuge accommodation provision. The study, based on interviews with 17 stakeholders and literature review, found tensions between management flexibility and occupier rights. Key issues identified include increased administrative burden, complex resident needs and inconsistent local authority practices. The research highlights the shift from licence agreements to supported standard contracts after six months of occupancy, though providers can apply for three month extensions. The report notes that while the Act aimed to increase occupier rights, implementation challenges remain around move-on accommodation availability and service provision.

The Welsh Government has published a written statement by Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, in response to the Autumn Budget 2024. The Welsh Government is set to receive an additional £774m. Drakeford views the budget as a welcome investment in Wales, benefiting its people, communities, local businesses and public services.

The Welsh Government has issued a written statement responding to the UK Chancellor's Spring Statement 2025, confirming Wales will receive an additional £16m in 2025-2026, building on the £1.6bn increase announced in the Autumn Budget. The statement notes the Office for Budget Responsibility's (OBR) revised economic forecasts, with growth projections lowered for the current year but upgraded for subsequent years. The Chancellor's statement indicates households will be £500 better off by March 2030, with inflation projected to reach the Bank of England's 2% target by 2027. Additional benefits for Wales include defence spending increases, public sector transformation funding and employment support measures. The Welsh Government continues discussions with UK authorities regarding rail investment, coal tips safety programmes and budget flexibilities ahead of the UK Spending Review conclusion in June.

The Welsh Government has responded to the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) ‘A Perfect Storm’ report by setting out its position on each recommendation and outlining intended actions, accepting some proposals, rejecting others, and deferring several requiring legislation to a future government. It agreed on the need for stronger coordination of climate adaptation, enhanced community engagement, improved data accessibility, and greater UK-wide cooperation, while committing to build on existing cross-government and local resilience structures. However, it rejected proposals for a Climate Adaptation Bill, a Chief Participation Officer, and a dedicated adaptation fund, stating that current legislative frameworks and integrated planning approaches are sufficient and more proportionate. Recommendations involving legislative change, including planning and environmental assessment reforms and a Climate Futures Hub, were reserved for future consideration, with the Government emphasising ongoing engagement and practical action to strengthen climate adaptation across Wales.

The Welsh Government has published the response to its October 2023 consultation on proposed amendments to Part B (Fire Safety) of the Building Regulations and associated statutory guidance documents. It has decided to expand the scope of Regulation 7(4) to include hotels, hostels, and boarding houses. This means that these building types will now be subject to the same ban on combustible materials in external walls as other high-risk buildings. Despite some calls for further expansion, the Welsh Government has decided not to include other types of buildings in the ban at this stage, citing a lack of supporting evidence.

The Welsh Government's Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the findings of an independent review of Welsh marine planning approaches. The review, commissioned following a recommendation from the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, endorsed the 2019 Welsh National Marine Plan as fit for purpose. In response, the government announced several initiatives including a study on marine net benefit approaches, expansion of Strategic Resource Areas (SRAs) and Wales's first detailed spatial assessment of its seas. These measures aim to balance marine development with ecosystem protection while supporting the government's climate and nature commitments.

The Welsh Government has published a revised version of its principles on UK legislation in devolved areas. The 'Welsh Government’s Principles on UK Legislation in devolved areas', presented by Julie James MS, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery, builds upon the previous 2021 version. The updated principles aim to facilitate constructive discussions with the UK government and inform recommendations to the Senedd regarding legislative consent. Key changes include an explicit stance that both primary and secondary legislation in devolved areas should be enacted by Welsh institutions, improved transparency on timeframe considerations, a stronger position against new reservations or constraints on devolution, and emphasis on meaningful Welsh Government involvement in cross-border body governance. The principles continue to acknowledge circumstances where UK legislation may appropriately cover Welsh devolved matters, subject to proper consent procedures.

The Senedd has approved the Welsh Government's budget for the 2025-26 financial year, authorising total expenditure of £26bn including £1.6bn in additional funding across key public services. The budget, which will take effect from April 2025, allocates substantial capital and operational funding increases across all government departments. Notable provisions include £600m for the national health system and social care improvements, £335m for business support including continued rates relief for retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, and significant infrastructure investments including £181.6m for rail services modernisation. The settlement also guarantees a 3.8% funding floor for local government and establishes multiple targeted funding schemes for housing, education, and transport infrastructure development.

The Welsh Government has announced that it is seeking to extend three key provisions from England's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to Wales. The provisions cover children in secure accommodation, extension of care worker ill-treatment offences to 16/17-year-olds and children not in school. The amendments are currently being considered at Report Stage following Committee Stage completion. The move aims to ensure Welsh children receive equivalent protections to those in England under the new legislation.

The Welsh Government has set out its legislative programme for the final year of the current Senedd term, announcing plans to introduce several key Bills aimed at improving standards across Wales. These include the Building Safety Bill, which will reform Wales’ building safety regime and address fire safety issues, and consolidation Bills to streamline planning laws, making them more accessible to the public. Other proposed legislation includes measures to enhance accountability standards for Senedd Members, a Bill requiring visitor accommodation to meet specified standards, and legislation to ban greyhound racing. The Welsh Government intends to bring these Bills forward before the summer 2025 recess.