More needs to be done to improve equality and inclusivity at the Senedd, a report concludes .
Dr Alison Parken, Dr Rachel Minto and Dr Leah Hibbs of Cardiff University carried out a review of family-friendly and inclusive policies at the Senedd. The research was commissioned by the Senedd's Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review Board, chaired by Joyce Watson MS.
For the research, a total of 21 anonymous interviews were held with current Members of the Senedd (MSs). Additionally, two surveys were conducted with both current and former Members.
Questions covered a range of issues and views, including caring responsibilities, hybrid working, proxy voting, participation in plenaries and committees, differing political styles and experiences of discrimination abuse or harassment. Interviewees were also asked how easy it was to be heard when raising equality issues.
Findings include:
- A lack of representation of parents with young children, with many members saying having children in primary school could be a barrier to being an MS.
- Long hours encompassing Senedd business and constituency work, with evening and weekend events, mean family time is squeezed, especially for Members not living in or around Cardiff;
- Many members, men and women, had caring responsibilities for families and relatives – with some also caring for children or grandchildren;
- A concern at the lack of childcare facilities on site;
- Some members said promoting equality in legislation has been over reliant on individual members raising and championing legislative change and that more institutional support is needed.
- Despite the Senedd being celebrated as an international success story for women's representation, Members noted a lack of diversity in relation to socio-economic status, and ethnic minority, LGBTQ and disabled people.
- Abuse and violence from the public, online and offline, was a core concern shared by participants, not only for its impact on the MS but also for those close to them, including family and political staff, as well as on democracy more broadly. Some Members said it had reduced the amount of in-person constituency work they carried out, shifting to remote means of engagement as an alternative, and others had made the conscious choice to delete their social media accounts.
Dr Alison Parken, Honorary Senior Research Fellow based at Cardiff Business School, said: "The Senedd is celebrated as an international success story for women's representation, with levels never dropping below 40% of the share of elected members. But a clear pattern emerged from interviews with women - that when they had been the 'main carer' for children, they had viewed managing work and childcare as incompatible with the role of an MS, and had waited until their children were young adults before seeking candidacy.
"As our report notes, there are also other areas where there is a serious lack of diversity in the debating chamber."
The knowledge of people from all backgrounds is vital in improving decision-making, and ultimately providing better outcomes for the people of Wales. Our recommendations are therefore in keeping with the original vision for an inclusive Welsh democracy - for our current and future generations.
Dr Leah Hibbs, based at Cardiff University's School of Social Sciences, said: "It is clear from our data that abuse from the public was a core concern shared by participants, not only for its impact on the Member but also for those close to them including family and political staff, as well as on democracy more broadly. Members value the support currently provided by Senedd Security staff but recognise their limited remit and would appreciate a system which is more proactive and protects themselves and those close to them. These measures also need to be taken to ensure others are not deterred from entering politics."
The reports recommends setting up of a Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Implementation Board with cross-party representation, to help drive change forward.
Other recommendations include:
- A commitment to the principle of childcare provision in the Senedd.
- A clear parental leave policy to be developed, encompassing maternity, paternity, adoption and miscarriage leave.
- That a motion is tabled in the next Senedd to give directions that the Senedd Commission must address the issue of online abuse of Members, and report to the Senedd on the effectiveness of its approach on an annual basis.
- Demographic data from newly elected Senedd Members should be gathered so that the representativeness of Parliament is clear.
- The importance of hybrid working should be recognised for main carers sustaining their MS role, and that it should be deemed as equivalent to contributing in person.
- Any proposals to change the business week should be assessed against the need of members managing work care.
- There should be a stand-alone Equality and Social Justice Senedd Committee.
- The Senedd Commission should consider how to build upon its preventative approach to security.
Dr Rachel Minto, Acting Director of Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre said: "Since the Senedd was established, Wales's approach to mainstreaming equality has provided the potential for tangible improvements to the lives of people living here. In committing to this Family-Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review, the Senedd has taken a crucial step towards further strengthening its inclusive and democratic credentials, with the necessary supports in place to realise this. In doing so, it joins fellow parliaments across the world in insisting that a legislature is a genuine representative of the all the people of Wales, and makes legislation that promotes their equality and wellbeing."
Joyce Watson MS, Chair of the Senedd's Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament Review said: "On 7 May, voters will head to the polls to vote in the seventh Senedd election since devolution in 1999. We are preparing for the biggest change in the institution's history — an expansion to 96 members in 2026 — now is the time to build on our strengths, not assume they're guaranteed.
"That's why the timing of this review is critical. Decisions about business structures and working practices will be made over the next few months that will determine what kind of a parliament the Senedd will be in the future.
"This is a crucial moment to shape our parliamentary culture, which in turn should strengthen our scrutiny of equality issues on behalf of the people of Wales. It's the most extensive look yet at how the Senedd supports its Members to effectively support their constituents and represent the people of Wales, and how it can remain a modern, forward-looking democracy for the next generation."
