Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
In accordance with the inter-institutional relations agreement, I can report to Members of the Senedd that I represented the Welsh Government at an Inter-Ministerial Group for Elections and Registration meeting on 30 October 2025.
The meeting was held in hybrid format and hosted by the Scottish Government. In attendance were Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business, Scottish Government (Chair, in person), Samantha Dixon MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (in person) and Matthew Patrick MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (online).
This meeting was an opportunity to hear an update on the UK Government’s proposed draft Elections Bill, which will include areas where the Senedd’s consent would be sought. I also heard about preparations for the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2026 and gave an update on the Welsh Government’s reforms and preparations for the Senedd elections in May 2026. There were also useful discussions on democratic engagement, and security around elections and candidate safety.
A joint communiqué relating to this meeting (external link) was issued on Wednesday 10 December 2025.
We will continue to work together with meetings planned to take place on a quarterly basis and I will keep Members updated.