HASTY DISCHARGE: A Senedd scrutiny committee is pressing for a rethink in how hospital patients are being discharged in Wales. The local government committee report published today says that attempts to free up beds are taking priority over patient recovery.

The report says many people who could recover and return home are often sent “temporarily” to residential care homes with many deteriorating and never getting home. The Welsh government said it was considering the report.

FREE CHILDCARE: Parents of two-year-olds in Merthyr Tydfil will receive free childcare from today after the council rolled out an expansion of its childcare programme.

The Welsh government has put in an extra £25 million this year into Flying Start, bringing the country closer to universal childcare for all two-year-olds. The extra money was the result of the deal with the Welsh Liberal Democrats to pass the Welsh government’s Budget.

SERIOUS CONCERN: The performance of the north Wales and Cardiff city growth deals has led the Senedd’s economy scrutiny committee to write to the UK and Welsh government today.

The committee claims that the north Wales project has struggled and has only created 35 jobs. The scale of the funding for Cardiff’s redevelopment of the Aberthaw power station could adversely affect public finances, with the cost to develop the site requiring over £1 billion.

MASS LOBBY: Environmental campaigners are set to lobby the Senedd today calling for “a stronger, fairer Wales.” Each person will summon their Senedd member and demanding a better future, with citizens sharing their stories and delivering a “clear message.”

FBU Wales’s Gareth Tovey said: “We call on the Welsh government to protect homes and lives from the climate emergency by providing the investment the fire and rescue service desperately needs.”