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The Senedd commission has revealed plans for a 21% budget increase to support an expanded 96-member Welsh Parliament following May’s election.

The commission – which is the corporate body responsible for support services and the Senedd estate – has today (September 25) published its £102.7m draft budget for 2026/27.

This represents a 21.3% increase on the £84.6m 2025/26 budget which itself included a 16.7% increase on the previous year. The commission stated the increase for its core day-to-day operation budget was much lower at 3%.

The draft budget includes £12.7m for the costs of 36 extra Senedd Members while the total budget for all members’ salaries, support staff, allowances and office costs is £33.9m.

A ring-fenced budget of £4.5m has been set aside for one-off election-related costs, primarily for resettlement grants for politicians who do not return and redundancy payments for staff.

This will also include a promotional campaign to encourage more people to vote, with turnout at Senedd polls having been lower than 50% in every election over the past 25 years.

The commission paid tribute to Hefin David, the former Labour Senedd Member for Caerphilly and commissioner responsible for finance who died in August, for his passionate work.

It said: “He was engaged, supportive and passionate about the work of the commission and for securing the resources required to deliver outstanding parliamentary services.”

During last year’s budget cycle, Dr David argued the increase in members will bring the Senedd in line with other devolved parliaments, enabling better representation and scrutiny.

He said every effort was being made to minimise the cost to the public purse, contrasting budget increases with a 60% increase in the number of Senedd Members.

Dr David previously told Caerphilly Observer: “There are so many places across the world where democracy is under attack, so this is something Wales can be very proud of.”

‘£3,800 pay rise assumed’

Under the draft budget, £3.1m has been earmarked for the ‘Bay 32’ project, which is exploring future office accommodation – with the lease on Tŷ Hywel expiring in 2032.

Options thought to be on the table include building new offices, extending the lease, buying Tŷ Hywel or taking up a nearby property in Cardiff Bay.

The budget was based on creating three extra Senedd committees and holding an extra plenary session each week. It also assumes a 5% or £3,819 increase in politicians’ pay, taking the basic salary of Senedd Members from £76,380 to £80,199.

‘Scrutiny’

Senedd Members received a £4,300 pay rise this year and next year’s increase will ultimately be linked to a Welsh average earnings index due to be updated in November.

Staff on lower grades are set to receive a 3.75% rise, according to the draft budget, while directors and the commission’s chief executive Manon Antoniazzi will receive 3%.

A Senedd commission spokesperson said: “The commission is required to develop a draft budget to support a larger Senedd from next May.

“The draft budget laid today will now follow the usual process of being considered and challenged by the Senedd’s finance committee before a final budget is laid in November.”

Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd who heads the commission, was expected to appear before the finance committee on October 2 for scrutiny of the draft budget.