The BBC Wales Senedd election debate fact-checked
The BBC fact-checked claims made by leaders of Wales' six big political parties during a debate ahead of the Senedd election, verifying statements on NHS waiting lists, HS2 rail funding, child poverty, and hospital occupancy. The fact-checking revealed that some claims were accurate, while others required context or clarification.
Leaders of Wales' six big political parties participated in a BBC debate ahead of the Senedd election. BBC Verify examined some of the claims made during the debate. Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan stated that NHS waiting lists had fallen for nine consecutive months, which is correct, although the number remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. The waiting list was 687,958 in February, compared to around 463,000 pre-pandemic. Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth correctly stated that a third of children in Wales live in poverty, with 31% living in relative income poverty between April 2022 and April 2024. The Welsh Liberal Democrats' Jane Dodds claimed there were 1,400 people in hospitals who didn't need to be there, but the latest figures show 1,351 people were waiting to be discharged in March.
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