Mark Drakeford – 2022 Statement on Senedd Reform

The statement made by Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, on 16 December 2022.

Following the Senedd’s endorsement in June of the recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform (SPC), the Welsh Government issued its formal response, committing to prepare and introduce legislation to take those recommendations forward.

As the Welsh Government response noted: “In some cases, the Senedd’s Business Committee is also asked to consider the recommendations. The Welsh Government will work with the Business Committee on these specific areas”.

I am grateful to the Business Committee for its recent work in respect of Senedd Reform, and for the conclusions set out in its report published on 9 December. We will take into account these conclusions – which relate to the number of Welsh Ministers, Presiding and Deputy Presiding Officers, and Senedd Commissioners, as well as issues related to Senedd Members seeking to change party between elections – as we develop the relevant legislation and the associated policy and delivery work.

The Welsh Government continues to progress the overall programme of work required to translate the SPC recommendations into the legislation necessary to implement the reforms, in line with the timescales outlined in the Co-Operation Agreement. In doing so, we will continue to work in partnership with the Senedd Commission and with other partners in developing the overall delivery programme for the reforms. Further engagement with external partners is planned for the new year.

We will provide a further update to the Senedd on progress with this work by Easter 2023.