It was another hugely productive day at the Senedd today, filled with insightful conversations ranging from emergency response capabilities and youth development to the future of Wales’ clean energy landscape.
Tackling Wildfires and Emergency Response Resilience
It was good to meet with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service outside the Senedd today to discuss the growing challenges posed by wildfires.
Our firefighters do an excellent job responding to emergencies across Wales, but I remain concerned about capacity and the speed with which sufficient resources can be deployed to major incidents. When resources are tied up at a large emergency, there is a real risk of delayed attendance elsewhere. We must ensure our fire services have the capacity, resilience, and equipment they need to protect our communities.
While meeting the team, I also spoke with their drone operators regarding the current regulatory framework. Emergency-service drones currently operate under the same legislative rules as civilian operators. The team highlighted the pressing need for appropriate emergency exemptions, similar to the operational exemptions already available to emergency road vehicles, to help save vital time during critical incidents.
Inspiring the Next Generation with Scouts Cymru
It was also fantastic to meet with Scouts Cymru at the Senedd!
I was really impressed by the confidence and enthusiasm of the young people I spoke with. Youth organisations like the Scouts, Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides offer fantastic opportunities for young people across Wales to make new friends, build confidence, get outdoors, and learn life skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Powering Wales’ Future with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Finally, I met with Lincoln Hill from the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) to discuss the potential of new nuclear technology for Wales.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could play a crucial role in Wales’ future energy mix and industrial development, delivering clean generation closer to major centres of demand.
However, ambition requires efficient delivery. We discussed the regulatory landscape surrounding new nuclear and the importance of a streamlined system that enables safe, viable projects to move forward efficiently without unnecessary delay. Wales possesses the skills, supply chains, and industrial heritage to lead in this sector, we must ensure we seize this opportunity.
