Sharp End
Presented by our Political Editor Adrian Masters, Sharp End brings you reports, interviews and analysis every Thursday
Wales in a Changing UK
A series of articles looking at how changes in the way Wales is run affect England and the rest of the United Kingdom
Face to Face
Adrian Masters talks to political leaders, public figures and extraordinary people in this series of one-to-one interviews.
Live updates
Recovery boards to run education in two councils
The Education Minister has announced the setting-up of Independent Recovery Boards to take over failing education services in two councils. Leighton Andrews had previously said he would intervene following critical reports into Merthyr Tydfil and Monmouthshire councils.
He now says that 'he can have no confidence that Merthyr will resolve these problems itself, even with support' and so its intervention board will take over the day-to-day running of the education service.
In Monmouth's case, the authority will continue to be responsible for the delivery of education services while the board oversees improvements and monitors progress.
Bill introduced to improve caravan parks in Wales
A bill designed to address issues surrounding the management and regulation of holiday caravan parks will be introduced at the National Assembly for Wales today.
The bill - which will be presented by Darren Miller AM - seeks to address common problems such as unlawful occupation of caravans; abuses by holiday caravan park owners and the cost of providing public services to those who use holiday caravans as their main home.
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Ieuan Wyn Jones to step down as Ynys Mon AM
Former Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones is to leave politics and take up a new role. The Assembly Member today thanked the people of Ynys Mon - where he has been an AM since 1999.
A by-election will now take place when Mr Wyn Jones takes up his new role as Head of the Menai Science Park project.
Ian Lang reports.
Tories accuse Welsh Government of backing 'town hall tyranny'
The Conservatives have renewed their attack on the Welsh Government for not following Westminster's example and defining the public's right to report, film and tweet what happens in local council meetings.
This time the criticism has come from a Tory party official after complaints from Cardiff Bay that an earlier letter from the Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, was 'entirely inappropriate' and showed 'astounding ingnorance'.
– Conservative Party Vice Chairman Bob NeillThe Labour Administration in Wales is openly opposing the right for journalists and bloggers to tweet, film and report meetings. It is obscene that Welsh bloggers are being handcuffed and arrested in Wales for reporting meetings because they don't have the legal rights that English bloggers now have. No amount of bluster can disguise the fact that the Labour Party are the enemies of openness and on the side of town hall tyranny."
Minister: Severn Bridge tolls cannot raise extra Treasury money
The future of tolls on the Severn Crossings is being discussed in Westminster today.
The Welsh Affairs Select Committee heard evidence from Transport Minister Stephen Hammond on the UK Government's plans for the bridges when they transfer to public ownership.
Ieuan Wyn Jones: 'no rush' to call Ynys Mon by-election
"I'll actually be starting in the job in July, and then I'll be discussing with the party locally the precise that at which I'll be standing down from the Assembly" Ieuan Wyn Jones tells ITV News.
"That is something which we're currently in no rush to do because there's just been a local government election and people are exhausted after that."
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Lib Dem leader's tribute to Ieuan Wyn Jones
Kirsty Williams, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has paid tribute to Plaid Cymru's Ieuan Wyn Jones who's announced he's stepping down from the Assembly.
On personal level Ieuan never showed me anything but the utmost kindness and courtesy...Undoubtedly the referendum for further powers was greatly assisted by his contribution. I wish him well as he leaves this chamber.
Legacy is secure but not seat
by Adrian MastersThe departure of Ieuan Wyn Jones from the Assembly marks the end of a lengthy political career that often defied expectations. Despite a challenge which curtailed his leadership in 2003, he went on to regain overall control of Plaid Cymru and took the party into government with Labour in 2007.
Most agree that that first taste of government for Plaid and the achievement of a referendum which gave the Assembly lawmaking powers will form Ieuan Wyn Jones' legacy. He didn't have the charisma of leaders like Gwynfor Evans, Dafydd Elis-Thomas and Dafydd Wigley but he took his party into power.
A party strategist since he led Plaid Cymru's internal inquiry into the setbacks of 1979, Ieuan Wyn Jones emerged to snatch Ynys Mon at the 1987 General Election. Plaid lost the Westminster seat when he stood down from Parliament. Now it must defend the Assembly seat without him.
Minister accuses Pickles of 'astounding ignorance'
The Local Government Secretary has been accused of 'astounding ignorance' by his Welsh counterpart. Lesley Griffiths has written to Eric Pickles after he criticised the Welsh Government for not following his lead in taking action to protect the right to report, film and tweet local council meetings.
In the letter Ms Griffiths says it was 'entirely inappropriate' for Mr Pickles to intervene on a devolved matter; that it was 'discourteous' to make the letter public and that it was an 'extremely surprising and totally unacceptable interference by the UK Government in the Welsh political sphere.'
The letter, which was also copied to the Secretary of State for Wales, has been seen by ITV Wales and marks an escalation of an already bitter row between the two departments and comes on the day the Welsh Government described relations with Whitehall as 'sometimes frustrating.'
Opposition leader's praise for Ieuan Wyn Jones
Opposition leader Andrew RT Davies has joined tributes to the former leader of Plaid Cymru, Ieuan Wyn Jones, who's announced he'll be stepping down from the Assembly.
– Andrew RT Davies, leader of the OppositionIeuan has always been an effective Assembly Member and I applaud his many years of public service.
His time in Welsh politics has been unique. While serving as both a Member of Parliament and Member of the National Assembly, he has also taken his Party into government and served as Deputy First Minister.
It is fitting that this experience will be put to excellent use at the Menai Science Park.
While Ieuan and I may hold different opinions politically, I wish him well in his important endeavours to increase opportunities for the people of North Wales
