Plaid Cymru have today criticised Eluned Morgan’s ‘record of failure’ as she marks one year since becoming First Minister of Wales.

Despite making bringing down NHS waiting lists, her government’s priority and previously introduced a target to eliminate two year treatment waits by March 2023, both referral to treatment patient pathways and two year waits have increased consecutively in the last two months, Plaid state.

Child poverty is also expected to increase to 34.4% by 2029 – the highest level in the UK.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan said the First Minister has not only failed to improve public services, but has been stubborn to new ideas to tackle the challenges facing Wales and has failed to stand up to the UK Labour government over policies which disproportionately impact Wales.

Ms Fychan said that today’s anniversary makes it clear that “only Plaid Cymru can deliver the new leadership Wales needs.”

Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd, Heledd Fychan MS said: “Eluned Morgan’s first year as First Minister is encapsulated by a record of failure: from missing her own target to eliminate two year NHS treatment waits, to faltering educational outcomes and rising levels of poverty in our communities. This is not how things should be.

“And yet, the First Minister has been stubborn to new ideas – such as Plaid Cymru’s calls to introduce a child payment proven instrumental in tackling child poverty levels in Scotland. It’s clear that this Labour government is out of ideas, out of time and Wales will only see change when Labour’s First Minister is out of office.

“Not only has she failed to deliver better public services, but she has failed to stand up to Starmer every time: on HS2, disability benefit cuts, winter fuel payments, the Crown Estate – I could go on.

“Today’s anniversary makes it clear that Wales needs a new government with fresh ideas and ambition to put Wales first, always. That’s what a Plaid Cymru government offers under Rhun ap Iorwerth's leadership – to fix the NHS, revive the economy, give our children the best start in life, and demand fairness from Westminster. Only Plaid Cymru can deliver the new leadership Wales needs.”