The cost of preparing the Senedd for a larger number of Members of the Senedd (MSs) is expected to rise by an additional £1.2m, according to the body responsible for managing the institution. This comes as the Senedd Commission seeks a 16% increase in its budget for the 2025-26 financial year, bringing the total to £84.3m.
The expansion follows plans to increase the number of MSs from 60 to 96 in 2026, a move which the commission describes as “the biggest change since devolution”. The Senedd Commission has stated that the additional funds are necessary to accommodate this growth, alongside other operational requirements.
However, the Welsh Conservatives have criticised the expansion, labelling it a “vanity project” and suggesting it is “the wrong priority” for Wales at this time.
In 2022, the Senedd Commission estimated that £5.3m would be needed to cover the costs of expansion for the 2025-26 period. However, a new draft budget, to be published later this year, will request £6.5m to address the increased demands.
The Senedd Commission is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Welsh Parliament. Its duties include maintaining the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay, where debates are held, and overseeing the offices of MSs. It also manages the salaries of MSs and their staff, as well as any associated allowances.
The commission’s funding comes from the UK government, through the Welsh Consolidated Fund, which also provides the majority of the Welsh government’s finances.
A draft budget will be published ahead of a formal vote in November. Documents obtained by BBC Wales indicate the commission will seek an overall budget of £84.3m for 2025-26, marking a 16.7% increase compared to previous allocations.
The rise in costs has been attributed to several factors. These include a commitment to raising public sector wages, expenses related to pre-election preparations as Wales approaches the 2026 Senedd elections, and ongoing maintenance work on Tŷ Hywel, the building behind the main Senedd chamber where MSs have their offices.
Additionally, there are financial considerations related to exploring new accommodation options, as the current lease on Tŷ Hywel is set to expire in 2032.
However, the main challenge for the commission in the coming year will be to modify both the offices and the Senedd building itself to accommodate the 36 additional MSs from 2026.
The commission will continue to refine its proposals in the lead-up to the November vote, while debate around the expansion is likely to intensify in the coming months.
