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Since the new Senedd term began, we have seen a mixture of demands and scaremongering from the Labour Party. Whether they have been spreading misinformation about plans to ease congestion on the M4 or additional funding for additional learning needs, hyperbole has been ever present but reality and co-operation have been sadly lacking.

It reached a point where Labour joined forces with Reform and the Tories in the Senedd to vote down Plaid Cymru’s supplementary budget. This meant that Labour helped to shut the door to an extra £150m for the NHS, £120m to support children with additional learning needs (ALN), £55m to expand funded childcare, and £15m for free school meals for secondary pupils most in need.

The reason why this extra cash was needed was because they were areas that had been neglected under previous Labour governments. Lots of the systematic issues within education, within the NHS, and within transport all developed under the watch of Labour.

The Labour leader in the Senedd really stretched the bounds of incredulity when he scoffed at the prospects of there being in-year financial pressures on the NHS during an interview with BBC Radio Wales whilst doing the rounds to justify their position. I am sure a number of doctors and nurses would like a word with Skates to educate him about the financial pressures the service is facing.

If the situation was not so serious, it would be quite comical because Labour are complaining about things that were their responsibility just over two months ago. These problems did not develop overnight; they grew during years of neglect. If the Plaid Cymru government is to have a shot at tackling them for the sake of the people and communities we represent, the Senedd Labour group are going to have to get over the election loss and develop some maturity in opposition.

In other news, Wales now has a new Secretary of State. It seems that Andy Burnham searched high and low before finally managing to find someone that is even more devo-sceptic than the last post holder, Jo Stevens.

Within 48 hours of his appointment, Stephen Kinnock poured scorn over the overwhelming case for Wales having parity with other UK nations when it comes to funding and powers over the Crown Estate – which generates money for other countries but bypasses Wales.

Imagine being appointed as Secretary of State for Wales and you argue for the status quo which helps keep some of the people and communities you represent as an MP locked into poverty? It is baffling and does not bode well for Wales being treated any better under the new Prime Minister. The long and miserable tradition of the post being Westminster’s representative in Wales – rather than Wales’ representative in Westminster – looks set to continue.

In more positive news, there have been announcements from the Plaid Cymru government this week on delivering certainty for farmers on funding, as well as the launch of a National Food Strategy to bring together farmers, fishers, retailers, schools, and communities, so that more joined-up decisions can be taken for the benefit of everyone. From attending the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd this week, I know how much of a difference these announcements have made to the farming community in terms of boosting their outlook and positivity.

There has also been an announcement on the rollout of water safety and swimming lessons for primary school children in Wales. This will be a minimum of 20 lessons a year to pupils in Years 4 and 5, covering water confidence, self-rescue, and basic swimming competence.

The rollout will begin in nine local authority areas in September, before being expanded to the rest of Wales. Data from 2024 shows that just over a third of children in years 3 to 6 are able to swim in Wales, and rates of accidental drowning in Wales are more than double the UK average. This is unacceptable. These lessons are therefore essential to keep children safe whilst they enjoy the water, especially during the sweltering weather we are experiencing.