The First Minister's First Six Months

Reform politicians partially boycotted the Senedd after politician Joe Martin was barred from speaking in the chamber over comments that white people are being "replaced". The ban was announced by the Presiding Officer, with Martin told he would not be asked to speak until he apologised. Huw Irranca-Davies said the remarks were "unnecessarily provocative and deliberately offensive". Gareth Lewis joins James to break down the dispute, the reaction from Reform and what could happen next.A segment was removed from this episode because it inaccurately suggested that Joe Martin MS said the displacement of white British people was deliberate.

Fliss and James talk to the Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability from COP31. They also preview the Welsh Government's Draft Budget and what it could mean for health, education and the environment with our correspondents. Then, the outgoing leader of the Wales Green's reflects on the party's past and future.

On this episode of Walescast Fliss and James catch up with Rhun ap Iorwerth six months after he led his party to victory in the Senedd election. They discuss the covid review, council tax, budgets and Andy Burnham with the First Minister. Political Editor Gareth Lewis then joins the podcast to discuss the interview.

No big surprises, but plenty of smaller measures the government hopes can help ease cost of living pressures. So, what has the Chancellor unveiled, and what does the 2026 Budget mean for Wales?BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis speaks to the Secretary of State for Wales, while Welsh Government Finance Minister Elin Jones joins Fliss and James in the Walescast studio.They're also joined by Ben Saltmarsh of National Energy Action Cymru, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Mims Davies, and Political Correspondent Cemlyn Davies to break down the key announcements and assess their impact on Wales.

Wales' Finance Minister has announced that the Welsh Government wants to delay a revaluation of homes for council tax purposes until 2032. Fliss and James are joined by David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies to digest the details and what it could mean for you. They also speak to Reform UK's Cai Parry-Jones, the Welsh Local Government Association's Cllr Lis Burnett, and BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis to discuss the decision. Plus, on the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, they reflect on its lasting legacy with the historian and commentator Professor Sir Deian Hopkin.

Fliss and James are joined by guests to unpack the Welsh Government's agreement with Labour on its mini-budget. Politicians from the Welsh Conservatives, Welsh Labour and Reform UK Wales discuss the details, while BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis reflects on his interview with the Finance Minister and what the deal means for the Welsh Government. Walescast is back on TV for five weeks. Watch on Wednesdays on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer.

Plaid Cymru has unveiled plans to address two of Wales' most notorious transport bottlenecks - the M4 in the South and the Menai Strait crossing in the North.Nick Servini is joined by our Business and Political Correspondents to assess the proposed plans, explore the challenges involved and ask whether the Welsh Government can find a solution. We also wrap up our conference season coverage with Political Reporter Ewan Murrie, who rounds up the key moments from the Conservative and Green Party conferences.

The First Minister took to the stage in Llandudno to deliver his first conference speech since winning the Senedd election. Before an expectant audience, he celebrated Plaid Cymru's historic victory but also acknowledged the challenges ahead, including difficult budget decisions and his ambition to go further and faster on devolution in Wales. Elliw Gwawr presented today's episode and was joined by two political editors: the BBC's Gareth Lewis and WalesOnline's Ruth Mosalski.

Andy Burnham has set out his vision for transforming Britain, including a pledge to end the state pension triple lock from 2030 to help fund a new National Care Service in England. But what does it all mean for Wales? Fliss is joined by BBC Wales Political Editor Gareth Lewis, Business Correspondent Huw Thomas and David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies to unpack the announcements and examine where Wales fits into Burnham's plans.

Ahead of the annual Labour Party conference, the Prime Minister is in Manchester and talks to our Political Editor Gareth Lewis about independence, the future of devolution, and speculation of an early general election.