Senedd Round-up

With the Assembly in recess since last Friday the political focus this week shifted to the Royal Welsh Show, where the European Protected Food Names initiative was launched by Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones. The initiative aims to increase the number of Welsh products eligible for special designation status. Environment Minister Jane Davidson also launched an update to the Government's planning guidance for affordable housing in rural communities.

The housing sector will also be pleased that the Sustainable Housing LCO (formally and infamously known as the 'Affordable Housing LCO') received Royal Assent, three years after the Order was first proposed.

While AMs are back in their constituencies, Westminster MPs were at work for an extra week. In her first appearance in front of the new Welsh Affairs Select Committee, Cheryl Gillan conceded that Wales would be disproportionately hit by the new government's cuts.