Increasing the number of Senedd members is one of the Welsh government’s top priorities for the next year, according to Wales’s First Minister.

Mark Drakeford was setting out his government’s agenda for the next 12 months in the Senedd.

The bill to reform the devolved parliament in Cardiff Bay, described by ministers as “once in a generation”, will be introduced in the autumn.

But the Welsh Conservatives have called the government “out of touch” over its priorities.

Two-thirds of the Senedd’s members voted in favour of the plans, which were outlined by a special purpose committee, last year.

Senedd reform was part of the co-operation agreement between the Labour government and Plaid Cymru.

As part of those plans, the number of Senedd members will be increased from 60 to 96, with reforms to the voting system.

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The Welsh government says the changes will mean the Senedd is “better able to represent the people of Wales” and “hold the government to account”.

A bill will also be introduced to introduce gender quotas for Senedd elections which the Welsh government hopes will make the chamber “more representative of the people it serves”.

Other legislation to be introduced in the next year include a Welsh language education bill to increase the number of people who can speak Welsh, a bill to reform council tax and a bill to reform laws around coal tip safety.

The First Minister said his government’s focus over the next 12 months was on “reform to make positive changes” in the lives of people in Wales.

“This is an ambitious and radical programme of reform, which will modernise parts of our tax and electoral system, ensure we put the needs of looked-after children ahead of profits, and create a Senedd which reflects the Wales we live in today,” he said.

Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, said the government was “focused on the wrong priorities”.

“They are far more keen on bringing forward their tone-deaf proposal to send 36 more politicians to Cardiff Bay, costing the taxpayer £100m and their so-called council tax reforms that will increase bills further for the people of Wales, than addressing the people’s priorities,” he added.

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The next Senedd election is due to be held in 2026 and will be the first time more than 60 members are elected.

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