Walescast

Budget cuts, public sector pay and the road to Net Zero. Felicity Evans and James Williams are joined by a trio of Senedd members - Labour’s Hefin David, Conservative Natasha Ashgar and Luke Fletcher of Plaid Cymru - to discuss the big issues facing their parties as the new political term approaches.

The Plaid Cymru leader and Ynys Mon MS joins Felicity Evans and James Williams at the National Eisteddfod to reflect on a career which spans both journalism, politics and a little bit of showbusiness. In a wide-ranging interview he discusses growing up as the son of a musical collaborator with Dafydd Iwan, the four big decisions he's had to make in his political career - and the records he would take to a desert island.

From Ystalyfera comprehensive school to Wales’ education minister via Oxford and the law – the Labour MS for Neath, Jeremy Miles, has an impressive c.v. and skills set. But when Felicity Evans and James Williams met him at the Gnoll Estate Country Park in the heart of his constituency for a wide-ranging interview covering the experiences that have shaped his politics, they discovered how he met his match - in the shape of a former attorney and First Lady, diplomat and US presidential candidate turned relationships counsellor.

The Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire joins Felicity Evans and James Williams at the Royal Welsh Show to reflect on her political career. In a wide-ranging interview she discusses growing up as the daughter of an MP and government minister, why she is confident of retaining her seat at the next General Election and how she approaches representing Wales's largest constituency

Felicity Evans and David Deans look forward to Westminster after the summer break and a general election looming. They are joined by former director of strategy and chief speechwriter to Theresa May, Chris Wilkins and Jim Pickard the deputy political editor at the Financial Times. Felicity and David also speak to BBC Wales environment correspondent Steffan Messenger, who is at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, where a row over the number of trees farmers will need to plant to access future subsidies has dominated proceedings.

James Williams analyses the results of the week's three Parliamentary by-elections with the help of the former Welsh Conservative chief of staff, Anthony Pickles and Tom Hamilton, a former head of research for the UK Labour Party. James is also joined by BBC Wales education and family correspondent Bethan Lewis and Laura Doel, director of the National Association of Head Teachers in Wales, to look back at the academic year.

As the Senedd heads into its Summer recess, James Williams and Huw Thomas are joined by political commentator Martin Shipton for an end-of-term report on the parties and their leaders. Harry Thompson of Cynnal Cymru gives his take on the latest Welsh unemployment figures, And the editor of the Caerphilly Observer, Richard Gurner, explains why he will soon be employing a journalist - paid for by public money - to report on the Senedd

James Williams and BBC Wales health correspondent Jenny Rees examine the vital signs of the National Health Service as it turns 75 with the help of former health board chair Professor Marcus Longley and junior doctor representative Dr Georgie Budd. Also, following the evidence given to the UK Covid-19 inquiry by Welsh Government ministers and officials, how prepared is the health service for another pandemic?

Felicity Evans, James Williams and guests work through the highlights of the Welsh Government's list of eight new laws it plans to bring forward in the next 12 months. Adam Keen of Adventure Travel explains what the promised bus bill might mean for both industry and passengers while Luke Young of Citizens Advice Cymru explores the implications of council tax reforms for households. Auriol Miller of the Institute of Welsh Affairs also joins the conversation to discuss the plans for Senedd enlargement and gender equality. Fliss and James then hear from Shereen Williams of the Boundary Commission for Wales which has just completed the process of re-drawing the map of Parliamentary constituencies as the number of MPs Wales returns to Westminster falls from 40 to 32 at the next General Election.

Felicity Evans and James Williams discuss how the new leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, will approach the challenges facing his party with Plaid MP Ben Lake and former Plaid MP and family friend Elfyn Llwyd. Fliss and James also discuss the latest inflation figures and what they may mean for interest rates ahead of the monthly meeting of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee