Apr72026

Tackling cost-of-living crisis ‘top priority’ at Wales Green Party manifesto launch 

Green Party
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/ by Green Party

A raft of measures to help people with the cost of living and bring hope back to the people of Wales were announced today by Wales Green Party leader Anthony Slaughter as he launched the party’s manifesto in Port Talbot. 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Anthony Slaughter said: 

“The people of Wales have been shafted by a succession of Westminster governments and Labour rule in Wales – leaving so many of us struggling everyday just to survive. That’s why we have prioritised actions to help people with the cost-of-living crisis. 

“Our vision is a Wales where everyone can live in dignity, is respected, and has a decent standard of living and well-being. It’s a place where people can thrive, supported by a landscape that is not just protected but is being brought back to life. 

“Our comprehensive plan of action – from arts and culture to health and education – will improve peoples’ lives and bring back hope to this country we love. We are ready to play our part in government – and we will fight for every vote.” 

Cost of living measures announced today include  

  • Introducing universal childcare for children aged nine months to four years 
  • Extending universal free school meals to secondary schools 
  • Investing in clean, home-grown energy to keep our bills down and protect us from global energy shocks 
  • Tackling homelessness by banning no-fault evictions, investing in prevention and ensuring refuge accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse 
  • Training people up to retrofit our houses, so that our homes are warm, keep down bills and tackle climate change at the same time 

These go alongside previously announced pledges which will also bring down costs: 

  • A rent freeze followed by rent controls to tackle spiralling housing costs 
  • £1 bus fares – to help make transport accessible to all 
  • Replacing council tax with a land value tax paid by landlords rather than tenants 
  • Pushing for genuine public ownership of Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water to bring down bills, make our beaches safe for our children, and bring our rivers back to life 

A recent poll suggests that Wales Green Party will likely play the role of ‘kingmakers’ as a wave of Green candidates take up seats in the Senedd after the nation’s first election under a system of proportional representation. Analysis of the poll suggests that voting for the Green Party is the best way to keep Reform candidates out of power, as Wales Greens are their main challenger in six out of the eight most marginal seats. The Wales Green Party’s full slate of candidates can be found here.  

Key policy announcements in the manifesto published today include: 

Economy 

  • Call for the devolution of the Crown Estate so that Wales can control its renewable energy resources and keep the economic benefits 
  • Support a gradual shift to a four-day working week 
  • Call for greater borrowing powers for the Senedd 
  • Strengthen the Welsh Revenue Authority to ensure wealthy individuals and corporations pay their fair share 
  • Make sure public procurement supports local businesses – keeping money circulating in the local economy 
  • Support local enterprises, cooperatives and community led initiatives 

Housing 

  • Build social housing at the scale and pace needed 

Transport 

  • Invest in an improved and expanded rail system 
  • Prioritise fixing potholes and unsafe road surfaces over road building 
  • Invest in active travel and car-share schemes 

Environment 

  • Act urgently to restore and protect the ecosystems that sustain and enrich us by ensuring Natural Resources Wales is properly resourced to carry out its duties and developing a National Rewilding Strategy 
  • Introduce a Welsh Right to Roam 
  • Become more self-sufficient in food production with a National Horticulture Strategy and expand organic food production with an Organic Action Plan 

Education 

  • Make schools phone-free 
  • End the closure of small rural schools 
  • Reward teachers for planning and preparation time 

Health 

  • Shift healthcare spending toward prevention with local health and wellbeing hubs, earlier intervention and integrated care 
  • Invest in GP and dental services 
  • Undertake a suite of measures to end corridor care 

Culture 

  • Invest in arts and culture for all 
  • Strengthen Welsh language use in communities and public life 

Democracy and governance 

  • Extend public participation in decision-making through citizens’ assemblies and participatory budgeting 
  • Commission an assessment of Brexit’s impact on Wales and strengthen our engagement with our European partners 

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Apr72026

HSE launches consultation on workplace injury and illness reporting

HSE
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Great Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety is inviting businesses, employers, health practitioners and industry stakeholders to help shape the future of workplace incident reporting in Great Britain.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today (Tuesday 7 April) launched a public consultation on The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).

The consultation marks a significant opportunity to update regulations that underpin how work-related injuries, ill health and dangerous occurrences are reported to the regulator. The proposals are designed both to strengthen protections for workers and to cut unnecessary administrative burden on businesses.

Businesses now have the opportunity to consult on proposals for both legislative and non-legislative changes.

On the legislative side, HSE is consulting on clarifying definitions within RIDDOR where existing terminology has been identified as unclear or ambiguous.

HSE is also proposing to revise both the list of dangerous occurrences, to better reflect modern workplace risks, and the list of reportable occupational diseases, reintroducing some conditions previously removed from the list and adding new ones to ensure serious instances of work-related ill health are properly captured.

A further proposal from the regulator would broaden who could formally diagnose a reportable occupational disease. Currently, diagnosis must be made by a doctor registered with and holding a licence to practise with the General Medical Council (GMC). HSE is proposing to extend this to other registered health practitioners, reflecting the wider range of professionals involved in occupational health.

On the non-legislative side, HSE is seeking views on simplifying the online RIDDOR reporting form to improve usability and tackle both under-reporting and over-reporting — a longstanding challenge for the regulator and for businesses alike.

Rachael Radway, Deputy Director of Regulation at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “RIDDOR reporting is central to how we identify emerging risk, target regulatory activity and contribute to the evidence base for workplace health and safety. This consultation allows those who will be affected by the changes to have their say as we look to improve standards and reduce the burden on business.

“The consultation is relevant across all sectors and industries. Duty holders, self-employed workers and those in control of work premises are particularly encouraged to respond. We are also encouraging healthcare practitioners involved in diagnosing and managing work-related conditions to engage as the proposed changes may impact their ways of working in the future.”

The consultation closes on 30 June 2026. The full consultation document — including detailed proposals, background information and guidance on how to submit a response — is available on the HSE website at https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/proposals-riddor-2013/