Senedd election gender equality plans delayed to 2030

Concerns have also been raised about plans to allow candidates to self-identity their gender.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has expressed concern that this could be “unlawful”.

Ms Hutt argued that the bill is “not about defining ‘a woman’ and is not about gender recognition.

“The bill’s purpose is to make the Senedd more effective, which will be achieved through aiming to ensure there is greater gender balance of its members”.

She said it will be up to individual candidates and political parties to ensure that statements made about gender are accurate.

Adding that “candidates and their parties run the risk of reputational damage and legal challenge in the event of a false gender statement being made”.

Darren Millar of the Welsh Conservatives said the Welsh Labour government “finally appears to be waking up to the fact that the Senedd does not have the powers” for the legislation, and said Senedd politicians “should be elected on their merit, not on the basis of their gender, race, religion or any other protected characteristic”.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan said: “Whilst I welcome the fact that work is progressing, it is extremely disappointing that this is being delayed until 2030. With a larger Senedd in 2026, it is important that it is also a more representative Senedd.”