Coronavirus: Members back in Senedd for first time since March

Mark Drakeford answering First Minister's Questions on Wednesday

Members of the Welsh Parliament have returned to the Senedd chamber for the first time since March.

During the coronavirus lockdown Senedd meetings have been held online.

Wednesday's "hybrid" session will see up to a third of members participate in person with others joining via video link, to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed.

At the meeting's start, new Tory Senedd member Laura Anne Jones paid tribute to her predecessor Mohammad Asghar.

Mr Asghar died last month at the age of 74 after representing the South Wales East region since 2007.

Ms Jones was the next politician on the Conservative regional list at the 2016 election.

Describing Mr Asghar as a "kind, caring and generous man", she said she would "try to champion" the causes close his heart - "fairness, social justice education, and even cricket, a shared love of ours".

• Welsh assembly renamed Senedd Cymru/Welsh Parliament

In the hybrid session up to 20 members will be able to be in the chamber at a time, with the remaining 40 able to join via Zoom.

There will be government members plus eight Labour backbenchers in the chamber at a time, and four Conservatives including group leader Paul Davies.

They were joined by Plaid Cymru Senedd members including party leader Adam Price, Brexit Party group leader Mark Reckless and independent Neil McEvoy.

The Senedd chamber has not been used since March

Business includes questions to First Minister Mark Drakeford, Education Minister Kirsty Williams and Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

All members will be able to vote.

The hybrid system will be used again next week, before the summer recess begins.

Members will also convene on 5 and 26 August, dates which coincide with the Welsh Government's review of lockdown regulations.

The Senedd building remains closed to the public.