The new Bathing Water Regulation reforms came into force on 21 November. They are designed to more closely reflect beaches, lakes and rivers.
The old rule that automatically removed a bathing water’s status after five years of ‘Poor’ ratings in a row has been removed. Now, when a site is struggling regulators will look at the issues affecting the water quality and, where possible, work towards finding realistic options for improving it.

The National Forest for Wales now covers over 90,000 hectares.
Recent additions Aberduna Hall in north-east Wales and Castle Wood in Carmarthenshire have added 24 hectares between them.
The National Forest now also includes 23 Coetiroedd Bach (Tiny Forests).
These sites will help support natures tackle the climate emergency, and support more people to spend time in green spaces.
The Coetiroedd Bach are small, tennis-court-sized plots created using the Miyawaki method of dense native tree planting.

Wales will update The Active Travel Act Guidance to improve the quality of walking, wheeling and cycling schemes across Wales.
The aim is that the schemes are accessible and designed to be suitable for all to use.
The updated guidance considers safety, comfort, and visibility for women and girls in public spaces, including lighting, toilets & changing facilities, seating  and surveillance.
It also looks at whether designs should have increased separation and priority for people walking.
A consultation has been launched on the updated guidance.

A new government department has launched to help councils across the UK make everyday services easier, faster, and more accessible for residents. 
The new GDS Local unit will be located within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
GDS Local will work with councils so that residents could eventually use GOV.UK One Login and the GOV.UK App to access both national and local services through a single account.

Better data, stronger enforcement and greater powers are helping the Environment Agency to protect the environment and hold businesses to account.
Chief Regulator Dr Jo Nettleton has released a new report, which outlines how the Environment Agency is evolving to meet modern environmental and economic challenges, by prioritising smarter, faster regulation.

The government has announced billion of pounds of additional investment in AI to drive growth, create jobs and spread prosperity.
A new AI Growth Zone has been announced for South Wales. £10 billion of investment will unlock at least 5,000 jobs, including in industrial heartlands like the former Ford Bridgend Engine Plant.

The Welsh Senedd has voted to legally bind public bodies to consider the long-term health implications of their decisions.
From 2027, public bodies, including local authorities, NHS organisations, national parks and cultural organisations like the National Museum and National Library, will have to carry out health impact assessments when making decisions of a strategic nature.
The regulations will introduce health impact assessments (HIAs) and are designed to help narrow the gap in healthy life expectancy between the most and least deprived parts of Wales.

Scotland has announced plans to join together public services through a digital platform.
The Scottish Government is currently building the technical infrastructure to lay the groundwork for innovations to connect people and public services. This will support the introduction of a new app in 2026, which will enable people to access public services more easily.
Initially, the app will provide alerts on weather and travel disruption and then offer digital proof of age. Its functionality will be expanded over time.