Seventeen years after losing her council job due to needing endometriosis surgery, Michelle Dewar’s campaign for paid menstrual leave gained 50,000 signatures in a week, reports ELIZABETH SHORT

ON March 24 2025 the Health and Social Care Act was placed on the statute books and Wales became the first UK nation to stop companies delivering care for children from making a profit.
The move, which was part of the 2021 manifesto, could be one of the most radical actions of the Welsh Labour administration. The legislation means that from April next year, no new for-profit providers can be commissioned to provide children’s care in Wales. By April 2027, care must be provided by not-for-profit organisations, charities or councils.
The move met predictable opposition in some quarters — most notably the for-profit providers. But with profit margins of up to 22 per cent that selfish hostility was to be expected.

MARK TURNER welcomes the rebirth of a once great Welsh jazz festival


