National Assembly for Wales

Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. The first item on our agenda this afternoon will be questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Natasha Asghar. 

Diolch yn fawr. Developmentally appropriate relationships and sexuality education is mandatory within the Curriculum for Wales. Our RSE code provides crucial safeguarding for learners and helps them to build respectful, trusting relationships through empathy, kindness and compassion.

Thank you, First Minister. We have a serious problem with how sex education is being taught in our schools and how Welsh councils are, indeed, interfering and wasting taxpayers’ money by telling schools how to teach what a healthy relationship should look like. I appreciate everything that you’ve just said about RSE classes, but I recently wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Education about Bridgend County Borough Council’s quite horrific stance on sexual choking, and how it is, indeed, taught in schools. In the Cabinet Secretary’s response, she clearly states, and I quote,

‘On Thursday 24 April, Bridgend County Borough Council made their position very clear that the materials in question were never used by schools or seen by pupils, that all materials were vetted, with sections removed or updated to clearly describe non-fatal strangulation as illegal, dangerous and criminal, with reference to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. One school within the local authority received the presentation, using these updated, appropriate materials.’

On the one hand, First Minister, we were told that these materials were never used in the schools or by pupils. Then, what was indeed the point of them in the first place, and what was the cost of producing these? First Minister, we are talking about the safety of children here. There is no safe way to choke a person during sex. It should be a clear case of, ‘No, this is not part of a healthy relationship.’ That’s it. Job done. And I’ve given that advice here for free to everyone here today. [Interruption.] You're welcome.

First Minister, do you agree with me today that this is wholly unacceptable as a saga, and has been a colossal waste of time and money, and that efforts should be better spent on tackling important issues within our schools, like the proliferation of pornography amongst young people instead? Thank you.

Natasha, I agree with you—there is absolutely no place for that kind of instruction within our schools. And I want to be absolutely clear that any materials condoning, or being seen to condone any form of harmful sexual behaviour, including non-fatal strangulation, are completely unacceptable in any school. So, I want to make that absolutely clear. And I think it is important that we stick to the facts: at no point were inappropriate materials shared for use in schools or seen by learners.

We all share an interest in encouraging people to understand their rights and to vote. We're working with key partners to promote democratic engagement, and this Friday is the deadline for the next round of our democratic engagement grant, which is funding innovative work to promote participation.

That sounds fantastic, actually, but it doesn’t mean a lot to me, and I’m not sure what it means to our voters out there. Now, we know, traditionally, the voter turnout for Senedd elections is much lower in terms of turnout than in a UK parliamentary election. In fact, we’ve never even reached the target of 50 per cent. Certainly now, with the new voting system that’s coming in, and the fact that a large number of the population don’t want 36 extra Members here, how are you going to reach out and engage with those who probably will not understand the new voting system, and are certainly against the 36 extra Members? How are you going to engage with those people to ensure that, as a result of your tinkering around with the electoral system and bringing in the 36 Members, you haven’t, in fact, turned the electorate of Wales off?

Well, I think it’s really important for us all to encourage people to participate in the elections. This an area where none of us should be trying to score political points, I don’t think. It is, I think—[Interruption.] But you want people to turn up in those elections. I think we should all be encouraging that as something we shouldn’t be apologising for. We had a 47 per cent turnout in the last Senedd elections. It’s really depressing to see the fall in the turnout for the UK elections—that was 56 per cent. So, that's fallen as well. It's really important to make it clear that this is not the sole responsibility of the Welsh Government. Okay? [Interruption.] No, no, wait a minute. Because it's the Senedd Commission that helps and leads the communication group, and they work with the Electoral Commission, the Electoral Management Board and local authorities. So, what happens is all of these groups come together to make sure that we try and avoid duplication, and we amplify the effectiveness of trying to encourage people to turn up to vote in those elections.

Questions now from the party leaders. The leader of the Conservatives, Darren Millar.

Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, yesterday's UK-EU summit should have been about taking Wales, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, forward. But, instead, Keir Starmer and the UK Government reopened the old Brexit battles that we have already fought and won and made some appalling announcements. So, let's be clear about what this deal means: free movement back, payments to the EU back, EU rules back, our fishing industry here in Wales betrayed, an unacceptable mobility scheme, billions of taxpayers' money going back to Brussels, being forced to accept EU rules and decisions from the European court, and European fishing boats in Welsh waters, in British waters, for at least the next 12 years. First Minister, you've got a responsibility to stand up for Wales and represent us. Why on earth have you welcomed this absolutely dreadful deal?

I'll tell you what I do know is the Tories botched Brexit. You promised—[Interruption.]—you promised the people of Wales that they would be better off as a result of Brexit. You said the NHS would be getting more money as a result of Brexit. The people of Wales have had their eyes opened and they've realised that they were told untruths in relation to what they were promised at the Brexit referendum. The fact is that what we will see now is much better opportunities for jobs in this country because people will be able to export to the EU for the first time without that red tape that occurred before. We have seen a £700 million drop in exports to the EU since Brexit. That was your group that promoted that, and that really means real jobs affecting real people in our communities. I am proud that we are moving ahead and that we have got lots of very significant things that will benefit Wales as a result of the third trade deal that has been made within two weeks by the UK Government.

First Minister, I know you don't like it, I know your Labour colleagues in the Senedd don't like it, and I know your friends in Plaid Cymru don't like it, but the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union, and, like me, they wanted us to take back control of our own affairs from faceless EU bureaucrats. Now, I respect the outcomes of referendums; it's a shame that you don't. This EU deal is a betrayal and it's a surrender. It is not a reset, it's a retreat, and every time Labour negotiates, the people of Wales and the United Kingdom lose. This is a terrible deal with the European Union. It will decimate our Welsh fishing industry, and these European boats will now have access for 12 years in our waters. It is a disgrace. Why on earth, First Minister, have you sold our fishing industry down the river, and why haven't you stood up for the decision of the people of Wales in that EU referendum?

Darren, you're not going to out-Reform Reform—that's the truth of it; we know who you're worried about. But let's be absolutely clear that I make no apologies for the fact that businesses in Wales will be able to export without the red tape that you wrapped them up in when you were a Government in this country. There are massive opportunities for the 20,000 people who work in our defence sector. There are real opportunities for our steel sector, because we won't be subject to the new rules that may have come in as a result of that. And I'm proud that young people from Wales will be able to go and travel to the continent. Why on earth would you want to deny people that opportunity? And on energy, there's real potential now for us to work with an EU energy market that may help to bring down bills in this country. Those are the things that matter to the people of Wales. On top of that, there'll be lots of people who will be really relieved that they don't have to wait in those almighty long queues at the borders when they go on their holidays this year. Let's be clear, that matters to the people of Wales.

Of course, it was perfectly possible for EU countries to shorten those queues at the borders and have arrangements on a bilateral basis. I'm afraid people just don't believe the figures being bandied about by the Labour Party. Before the last general election, you said that people's energy bills were going to go down by £300, and they've gone up by £300, not down. Look, the reality is the UK Labour Government did not consult with you and it did not consult with this Welsh Labour Government in spite of the fact that many of the parts of this deal are going to have an impact here in Wales. You simply don't have a voice, do you, First Minister? You claim to stand up for Wales, but the reality is that the UK Government and the Prime Minister don't give a rip about what you say or think. You're sidelined, you're airbrushed at every single opportunity. And then we've got an invisible Secretary of State, Jo Stevens, who we never hear from. Where on earth is she?

When our farmers were betrayed with the family farms tax, when our pensioners were betrayed with the winter fuel payment axe, and when our workers were betrayed with the jobs tax, the UK Labour Government simply hit the mute button as far as you were concerned, and there was silence from you. Yet, this week, it isn't just silence, it's worse, as we've just heard—you've actually welcomed this terrible deal. It's a terrible deal that risks jobs and risks livelihoods in some of our coastal communities around Wales, even though you were not consulted and fishing is devolved. It is a disgrace. So, what action are you now going to take to support our fishing industry and the jobs that rely on it across this country, and get this deal reopened so that it is fair to Wales?

You talk about a dire deal. I'll tell you what the dire deal was, it was the Brexit deal that you lot signed up to. It was a hard Brexit that has hurt the people of this country and that has caused chaos in some of our communities. EU funding was slashed, despite the fact that we were promised that we wouldn't be worse off.

The fact is, people in our shellfish industry, which is actually much greater than our fisheries industry sector, are very happy that, from now on, they will be able to export their goods to the continent without them sitting and waiting and having to fill in forms at the borders. We were engaged the whole way through with the debates. I am so pleased that the priorities that we set out—things like making sure that the sanitary and phytosanitary issue was in there, making sure that we have defence opportunities, making sure that issues in relation to steel and youth and exchange and energy—all of these things that we asked for, I am very pleased that they were there. We simply weren't there at the very end of the process because that's how Government works.

The leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.

Diolch, Llywydd. Yesterday, the UK Government signed a new deal with the European Union, and I'm pleased that there is some acceptance now of the harm of Brexit, but it's not bold enough in its response to that reality. Yes, the Tories did botch Brexit, and it's quite a sight to behold their denial, after their disastrous conference over the weekend, but Labour also is botching its response to the Brexit damage. With its so-called 'partnership in power' and promise of two Labour Governments working together in the interest of the people of Wales, I would have expected the First Minister to have been sighted on the deal in advance and to have been given an opportunity to influence the Prime Minister, especially given that parts of the deal involved areas of devolved responsibility. But, in yet another signal that Wales's voice matters little to UK Labour, the First Minister has admitted—I heard her myself—she was again sidelined, including on those aspects of the deal that fall under the jurisdiction of this Senedd. Why does she continue to allow Keir Starmer to treat the Welsh Government, this institution and the people of Wales with such contempt? 

It's really important for us to recognise that this is a good deal for Wales. The priorities that we set out, that we worked up a long time ago, that we've worked through with relevant departments of Government in Whitehall, have actually been taken on board—if you look at what's happened in relation to SPS, bringing down export barriers, making sure that those defence opportunities come our way, making sure that the issues surrounding steel were considered and making sure that the youth exchange and energy issues were addressed. Those were things that were all on our list of things that we wanted to see, and I am delighted to see that they've been respected. The fact is we weren't there at the final signing, no, because we are a part of the United Kingdom, and they're the lead nation. You may not like that as a nationalist, but I am keen to remain a part of the United Kingdom, and that's the way it works. 

It's becoming very clear that nothing has changed since that speech from two weeks ago. When Keir Starmer says it's a good deal then it must be a good deal for Wales. Barely two weeks have passed since that so-called 'red Welsh way' speech, but that speech has struck a dead end.

Here was another fork in the road, which called for the Labour Welsh Government to stand up for Wales's interests, but it did nothing, and wasn't invited to either. Once again, Wales's voice wasn't heard at the table, and we know what that means. When we're not at the table, pretty often we are on the menu.

So, let's cut to it. The only growth happening on the Prime Minister's watch is the size of the Brexit elephant in the room. No matter whether people voted leave or remain, nobody voted to put a dagger through the heart of the Welsh economy.

In 2018, a Labour Welsh Government Minister said:

'The Labour government has been very clear in terms of the Welsh position that we want to remain in the single market and the customs union. That has been a commitment from the UK Labour party during the transition period. We'd like them to go further. We'd like that commitment to be for the long term'.

That's what was said. Does the First Minister recall who said it?

I'm not going to apologise for the fact that I'm a Euro-enthusiast. I was a Member of the European Parliament for 15 years, and I am a keen enthusiast of the European Union. Was I gutted that we left? Absolutely, I was gutted that we left. Do I think we need to respect the UK mandate? Yes, I think we do. But I want as close as possible a deal with the European Union in order for our country and our nation to thrive. And what's been great this week—you may have missed it, Rhun—is the fact is our economy across the United Kingdom is actually growing. It may not meet your narrative, but it is something that is factually true. It is important now that we see the fruits of that and the growth of the economy helping to support our public services in Wales.

Tell business feeling the weight of the national insurance increases, if that feels good for the Welsh economy. We have a First Minister who says she's a Euro-enthusiast, but that's in words only. I'm looking for a First Minister who shows through her deeds what her attitudes are towards the relationship between Wales and the European Union.

And yes, it was, of course, the First Minister herself who back then wanted Labour to commit to the single market and customs union long term. What is it about Labour politicians saying one thing in opposition, or a different thing when they're in power, or on becoming First Minister?

Let me say this, and I'll say it again: there are elements of the Prime Minister's deal that can be supported, absolutely. I welcome the element of recognition of the damage caused by Brexit. But even then, it depends if the final detail matches the rhetoric. Plaid Cymru has long called for a youth mobility scheme, for example.

But let's be straight, this deal isn't the kind of reset we need. The Government is still essentially retreating from addressing the £4 billion hit to the Welsh economy. I haven't wavered at all from my firm belief that Wales's economy would benefit from membership of the single market and customs union. Why has she? 

You talk about £4 billion cuts to the Welsh economy. You voted with the Tories recently in a vote that would have deprived our public services of precisely £4 billion. [Interruption.] Oh, they don't like it when they hand it back to them, do they? He doesn't like it when that happens. [Interruption.] You can dish it out—

I do need to hear the First Minister. Can I hear the First Minister, please? 

You can dish it out, but you can't take it, can you? It's really important, I think, that we think about the progress. You want to hear about what we do not just in words but in deeds. Yes, we were worried about the fact that the Erasmus programme was cut, so what did we do? We introduced our own programme, Taith. Eight thousand people have actually made that happen. I am really pleased that we led the way, we demonstrated to the UK Government that this can be done, it's good for the young people of our country, and it's something that enriches our communities. 

The Welsh Government is committed to our vision of Wales as a nation of sanctuary, which aims to support people seeking sanctuary to fully contribute to Welsh life. We are committed to harnessing the opportunities that migration brings, to help our economy and our communities to thrive.

First Minister, over the past 50 years in Wales, I've joined with and supported refugees from Chile, after the fascist coup by General Pinochet in the 1970s; I've worked with and I've supported Kurdish refugees persecuted and fighting for a homeland; students and refugees from Iraq persecuted and threatened by the Saddam Hussein regime; refugees from South Africa, including the great campaigner against apartheid, founder of the Welsh Anti-Apartheid Movement, who you knew, Hanef Bhamjee, sadly no longer with us but buried in Cardiff; Palestinians; Syrians; and recently some 8,000 Ukrainians, and many others welcomed to Wales, welcomed into our nation of sanctuary. These people are now contributors to the Welsh economy and to Welsh public services, especially our health services. Does the First Minister agree with me that Wales is not an island of strangers and that immigration has been culturally and economically good for Wales?

Immigration is a matter for the United Kingdom Government, so let's just be clear. We are a nation of sanctuary. What that doesn't mean is that there's a free-for-all for anyone who wants to come here, but when people do come here, we want to make them feel welcome and we want them to integrate.

I think that we've got a really proud history of welcoming migrants and people seeking sanctuary in our communities. I think that we've got to harness the benefits that these people bring to our communities and make it easier for them to integrate, which is why I'm so proud that we make sure that there are opportunities for them to learn English and, if necessary, Welsh, so that they can feel and contribute to our communities.

I'd like to thank you and to note in particular, with your background, the particular pride we have in creating supersponsor routes for Ukrainians fleeing the war—8,000 Ukrainian refugees have found support here in Wales, 3,300 of them via our supersponsor route, and that's something I think we should be very proud of. 

I'd like to pay tribute to Mick Antoniw. He's really laid out the work that he has done, and we're all proud of our reputation as a nation of sanctuary, welcoming people fleeing persecution and war. Once here, many with their families want to be part of their community, and we of course value their contributions. Many work in our public services, as you say, particularly the social care sector, where we consistently need to recruit if we are to fulfil our ambition to have a national care service. So, First Minister, will you continue to ensure that the UK Government understands the importance of people who've made their homes in Wales feeling welcome and that they are able to use their skills for the benefit of all of the people of Wales?

Thanks very much. I think the contribution of people from outside the United Kingdom is something that we must underline. The contribution is really concentrated in some areas. Let me give you an example: in the Hywel Dda health board, almost 50 per cent of the doctors and nurses are trained outside the United Kingdom. Our services would not survive without these people. So, let's just be absolutely clear, when people are whipping up fear against these people, think about the consequences of that action. And let me just be clear also when it comes to care workers: it is important that we recognise their contribution, and we are working through exactly how the new proposals in relation to migration could affect us here in Wales. 

We continue to analyse the impact of the immigration White Paper on social care across Wales. We’re working closely with all local authorities, including those in mid and west Wales, to address challenges with recruitment and retention in the sector, and to plan for growing our workforce in the future.

Thank you. Immigrants are the backbone of our health service. Around one in 10 of Hywel Dda health board staff, for example, were born outside the UK. They also make a large financial contribution to our universities, with some 7 per cent of students at Trinity Saint David coming from abroad.

First Minister, the new immigration White Paper launched by Keir Starmer last week fails to recognise the contribution that migrant workers and overseas students make to our economy, and represents a further lurch to the right from a Prime Minister determined to dance to Nigel Farage’s tune. In fact, I find it increasingly difficult to recognise today’s Labour Party as it has strayed so far from its roots, as cuts to winter fuel payments and disability benefits, the two-child benefit cap and the betrayal of the Port Talbot steelworkers all demonstrate. The latest attack on migrants represents a further retreat from what the Labour Welsh Government claims are its core values. Will the First Minister, therefore, condemn the direction that her party leader has taken on immigration, or does she, as Starmer said of Liz Saville-Roberts in Westminster last week, believe that I’m also talking rubbish?

I think that our overseas workers in our social care sector are appreciated. They do make a great contribution, and a significant contribution, to our workforce. They bring diversity, they bring experience, they bring sympathy and skills into our sector. As I said earlier, the fact is that, in Hywel Dda, one in every 10 of the workforce comes from overseas, but 50 per cent, nearly, in terms of dentists and GPs come from overseas. We have to be careful, and it is very important that we do navigate our own way here in Wales by ensuring that we follow the red Welsh way.

First Minister, the Welsh Government is heavily reliant on immigration to fix the social care sector. However, many people are telling me that they don't want to go and work in the social care sector because of the low pay that they receive for the fantastic work that they do supporting the most vulnerable people in our society.

One of the ways the Welsh Government could fix the sector is increasing the amount of money that our social care workforce is paid. You celebrate paying them the real living wage, but many social care workers are telling me that they could earn more money stacking shelves in supermarkets. I don't think that's a fair way to remunerate people who are holding up our NHS and supporting the system.

What is this Welsh Government going to do to remunerate our social care workforce better, which will encourage more people to go and work in the sector and not fall into it as a necessity of work?

Thanks very much. We have contributed significantly as a Government to make sure that they at least get the real living wage. And it wasn't a cheap option for us; it was an important contribution from the Welsh Government. If you remember, we introduced it far quicker than we had planned because we recognised that there were considerable pressures on the sector.

We are working with the UK Government to ensure that fair pay agreements in social care are included as part of the UK Government's Employment Rights Bill, and we want this to be extended to Wales. So, there is clearly a lot more work to be done in that space and we do hope that they will find some extra money in the United Kingdom to help pay care workers. If that happens, then, obviously, we will get a consequential.

Good afternoon, First Minister. I would like to go back to the question, which is around the narrative of the White Paper and the Home Secretary saying that care workers are described as 'low skills'. That is, in my view, and in their view as well, highly offensive language. Words are hurtful. These are skilled, compassionate professionals who deliver essential care that upholds dignity, provides reassurance to families and holds our communities together. The chair of Care Forum Wales said that it was an absolute disgrace. I would invite you, just as Cefin did, to condemn what was said in that narrative. I'd invite you to condemn very clearly the phrase, as you've heard from Mick as well, that we have become a nation of strangers and that care workers are low skilled. Please could we hear you right now say that you distance yourselves from those remarks? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Well, I’ve made it clear already that I wouldn’t have used those words myself. My understanding is that they used the words 'skilled worker’, and in the immigration context that refers to individuals with specific qualifications. I want to emphasise that this in no way suggests that we in Wales do not consider our social care workers to be highly skilled. I am very aware of the kind of very incredible skills that they need to do the very, very challenging job that they do. What we’ve got in Wales is registration for social care managers and workers, which ensures a skilled workforce by requiring relevant qualifications in order to register. This is central to our commitment to professionalising and upskilling the sector and delivering high-quality care.

We recognise the dedication, resilience and expertise of our nursing workforce, and we value it deeply. In response to the complex challenges faced by the workforce, we are committed to creating a positive environment through investment in well-being, enhancing professional development and empowering nurses to deliver high-quality care.

Thank you for that response. The First Minister will be aware of the support required by those with additional learning needs. Indeed, in data review for deaths of people with ALN between 2012 and 2022, there was a 20-year difference in the life expectancy of those with ALN and the broader population. Many people living with learning disabilities need additional care, and that's why we have disability nurses here. But as the Royal College of Nursing has made clear, the data on the number of nurses and the need is very weak indeed, and a number of places commissioned are vacant because of the lack of promotion. So, does the Government intend to develop a disability education workforce plan for nurses in Wales?

I am very aware that we have been having difficulty in recruiting in this area. So, the training has been commissioned, but it is difficult to attract people to take those places. I am pleased to say, in terms of training courses, that we have seen an increase of nearly 9 per cent over the last four years. So, we are attracting people into nursing generally, but we have more work to do to ensure that people are attracted to that particular specialism. We have to work with the RCN and others to see what more we can do, but the problem is not a lack of training or commissioning from the Government, but convincing people that this is a fair scheme to pursue—that's the problem.

First Minister, as you can appreciate, I have been contacted by many residents who are concerned about the future of nursing in Wales. The proposed cuts earlier this year to the department of nursing at Cardiff University, although they have now been put on hold pending a review of alternative plans, have led many of my constituents to believe that nursing is losing its value in Wales. I am conscious of your previous efforts in recruiting nurses from abroad, but the truth of the matter is that we need home-grown talent as well—more children and young people from Wales who see nursing as a viable career, and who study here and remain here.

As we both know, in Wales, nurse, midwife and health visitor numbers have risen by just 20 per cent since 2013, but NHS administration numbers have risen by under 60 per cent, which is a substantial difference and has led the Royal College of Nursing in Wales to state that the nursing workforce is simply not growing fast enough to meet demand. With this in mind, First Minister, what plans does the Welsh Government have to promote nursing careers to the people of Wales and to offer additional financial assistance to those who plan to enter the nursing workforce?

Thanks very much. Well, unlike your Government, we retained the nurse bursary, which has attracted and helped people to come into the nursing profession. We've seen a massive increase in nurses in Wales over the past 20 years, and, indeed, since 2021, we've seen almost a 9 per cent increase. So, it is important for us to recognise that not only have we got measures in place to train them, but they are coming through the doors, they are going on to our wards. It is also essential for us to recognise that, actually, the contribution of those nurses from abroad is also something that should be recognised. I'm delighted that we've managed to recruit quite so many from Kerala, in particular, who are making a difference to our hospitals and our communities. And what's interesting is that we've seen people now switch from being agency nurses into the main stream, because those people from the outside are coming and they're working full-time, so those people can't get the agency shifts that they used to get. That's actually what we wanted to see. We want people committing to the NHS. And that's why you've seen those rates in relation to agency spends coming down significantly.

The medical examiner service, introduced by the UK Government, has put in place an important new safeguard. It has also provided families with an opportunity to raise any concerns about the death of a loved one in NHS care, and created important opportunities for NHS organisations.

Well, you will be aware, I'm sure, First Minister, of the unacceptable delays that families are encountering to receive a death certificate for a family member—weeks of delays—before bodies can be released for funeral arrangements. It's sometimes six, seven or up to eight weeks, from some of the cases that I've seen, after the person has passed away. Now, that, of course, leads to increased anguish, where families can't proceed with the financial, the legal or the practical arrangements that need to be put in place, the emotional toll is significant as well, and, of course, it's especially pertinent for faith communities for whom a quick burial is of the utmost importance.

Now, in January we were assured that the Government were putting measures in place to deal with this issue, but there's no evidence that the system is improving. In fact, the evidence I see suggests that it's actually getting worse, compounded, by the way, by the existing workforce from the health boards, who are meant to deal with this, voting with their feet and leaving the profession. So, will you, First Minister, assure us, and all the grieving families out there, that these delays won't continue any longer and that you're finally going to get to grips with an issue that's causing so much anguish to so many people all over Wales?

I absolutely sympathise. When you've gone through a loss like that, and then you have to wait, I think that is really, really difficult for families. I think it's probably worth reminding people why this is happening. This is happening because the changes as a result of many high-profile reviews, including the Shipman inquiry, meant that people—and after that big, long inquiry—said that you need additional safeguards to the death certification process. So, there is a little bit of bedding in. It has taken longer than we've hoped. The latest median time from death to registration has remained stable now at 11 days, down from 14. I still think it's too long, but it's definitely coming down. And what we do have is a strategic oversight group that is moving things on, and are making changes, to try and see if we can reduce that further.

Like the Member for north Wales, I'm very concerned at the rising backlogs at hospital mortuaries across Wales, and in particular the north, which the lead medical examiner for Wales has attributed to the death certificate delays as a result of the Welsh Government's changes to its issuing of death certificates.

People have a right to have their loved ones released from the hospital promptly. I've heard from constituents impacted by this, and some of their stories are quite harrowing. Families and loved ones are decomposing in hospital mortuaries due to the backlog, denying the families the ability to have an open-casket funeral, if they'd like. And in the freedom of information requests I submitted late last year, the average stay for a deceased person in Wrexham Maelor Hospital mortuary was over 11 days. In Ysbyty Gwynedd, it was also over a week, and those numbers seem to be creeping up, First Minister, contrary to what you're saying. The BBC reported that it used to take around three to four days for a body to be released, and now that has risen to between 10 and 20 days. This is understandably causing a great deal of distress, and people are rightly upset that their loved ones are not being treated in a dignified manner.

So, what work is the First Minister doing to ensure that the problems causing backlogs in mortuaries are identified and remedied as soon as possible? What direct guidance are you and the health Minister issuing to health boards and NHS services across Wales that these indeed can be remedied? What exact action are you taking in terms of the instructions that you are giving to health boards at a local level about this?

Thanks very much. Look, there are reasons for these new rules. They are responding to a terrible, tragic situation with Shipman, and I am sure we all want to make sure that we avoid that kind of situation from happening again. This was the result of the recommendations as a result of an inquiry, and so we are putting in place the measures that were recommended. Now, it is inevitably going to take a bit longer than it did before. The question is: can we bring in a faster system than we have at the moment? As I say, we have got this strategic oversight group that is bringing together NHS bodies, the medical examiner service and all the stakeholders involved in the death certification process to monitor performance and to see what we can do to improve that situation.

I just want to address one issue that Llyr came up with, and that is about the swift scrutiny cases, often the faith deaths. More than 99 per cent of families have the opportunity to speak with a medical examiner within 24 hours, so there is a different process for that.

We are working with stakeholders through our Transforming Towns programme to support the regeneration of high streets and town centres across Wales. We have protected budgets for the Transforming Towns programme, with £10.8 million available across south-west Wales, including Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Welsh businesses are hammered by the highest business rates in the United Kingdom, in south Pembrokeshire the final banking branch is due to shut—Lloyds Bank in Pembroke Dock—next month, leaving a community of approximately 50,000 people without banking facilities. I have launched a campaign this week to bring a post office banking hub into Pembroke Dock to service the customers of all those major banks. Have you and the Welsh Government undertaken any calculation as to the cost of reducing business rates for post offices, who also deliver key services in our rural communities and banking hubs, to ensure that people still have a reason to visit high streets across Wales?

Well, we're always keeping our business rates relief scheme under review, and I am delighted to see that the scheme that we have put in place continues to provide £140 million of support annually, and helps about 70,000 properties. So, there will be examples where they are able to access that small business rates relief, including post offices.

We recognise the danger illegal high-speed e-bikes pose to vulnerable road users and riders, and are committed to keeping public spaces safe. While road traffic law is not devolved, we are working with road safety partners and the active travel board to find effective solutions.

Thank you. The police have told us that they are occasionally doing raids and stopping these very dangerous vehicles and confiscating them, but more needs to be done. These are bikes that have been souped up to travel at much greater speeds than 20 mph. I see them myself when I am travelling along the road on a bike. So, when they are seized, I want to know what happens to them. In line with reduce, reuse, recycle, what discussions may you have had with the police and local authorities to see if these bikes could be reverted to their original purpose, which is to enable vulnerable people who may have difficulty using a pedal bike to be able to get around, particularly travelling up hills? I am sure there are lots of social enterprise bike repair shops who would be happy to make those available to people who cannot afford an electric bike.

Thanks, Jenny. Legal high-speed electric bikes I think pose significant risks to both riders and vulnerable road users, so it is important that we clamp down on it. This is, of course, a non-devolved policy area, but we really welcome initiatives like the one introduced by South Wales Police and their partners, in which they work together to enforce against anti-social illegal riding, and they deliver training and awareness courses at the same time. So, we want to make sure we work with them and make sure that illegal e-bikes that pose those risks are tackled, and that we work with partners to make sure that, where possible, we can revert them to the initial condition that they were in.

Finally, question 9, Mike Hedges. 

Welsh Government tackles the societal problem of misogynistic attitudes, beliefs and behaviours through delivering our violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy and blueprint approach, the compulsory relationships and sexuality education curriculum, and directly engaging with men and boys through our Sound campaign to focus on healthy relationships.

Can I thank you for that answer? Can I ask you what is the Welsh Government going to do to get sportspeople, who are highly respected in their communities, who young boys and men look up to, to actually take a part in this, using the football foundations as an example—to many boys, their heroes are the people on the football and rugby pitches—using them to say that treating women badly is wrong, using them to oppose the incel culture and telling them about how well they can do? And the football foundations are there in our communities; they can be used for that. Can I urge the First Minister and her colleagues to give serious thought to that? Because I know a number of members of your Government know that is true. Can you do it? Because there are people. I am not a Manchester United supporter, but David Beckham was a great role model for young men. I think that we need more of those, but we also need to use more of those.

Thanks very much, Mike, and I'm sure you'll be delighted to hear about our Sound campaign. The amazing thing about this campaign is that it's reached 95 per cent of the target audience, about 400,000 young men and boys. You will be pleased to hear that already they are partnering with grassroots organisations—with the Football Association of Wales, with Cardiff Rugby, with Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, White Ribbon UK and other organisations. I am sure you want us to see if we can extend it to Swansea City AFC Foundation and other areas, but it's already happening. It's actually something that has been recognised by the United Nations as a good example. It's something we should celebrate and I'm very grateful to you, Mike, for asking the question.

Thank you, First Minister. 

The next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement. Jane Hutt to make the business statement. 

Thank you very much, Llywydd. There is one change to this week's business. The debate on the LCM on the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill will now take place on 3 June. Business for the next three weeks is shown on the business statement, which is available to Members electronically.

Trefnydd, I'd be grateful if we could have a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care regarding genomics and the work of the all-Wales medical genomics service. Clearly, the earlier cancer is detected, the better the outcomes for the patient. Indeed, I know better than most people just how important early detection is.

Now, a constituent of mine has contacted me following the cancer diagnosis of his mother and sister in England, who have also had genetic testing, genetic counselling and pre-operative appointments for preventative surgery. Given that they have a gene known to cause cancer, my constituent has also been advised to consider genetic testing. He contacted the all-Wales medical genomics service, who have put him on an indefinite waiting list, with no indication as to how long he will have to wait.

Trefnydd, my constituent has also lost a child to cancer and he understandably lives with health anxiety, so I'm sure you can appreciate just how worrying this time is for him. Therefore, given the impact this could have on my constituent's life, and, indeed, the lives of others in Wales, we need an urgent statement from the Welsh Government explaining what is being done so that people living in Wales can access genetic testing and services, because it's just not right that people living in Wales are on waiting lists with no end in sight.

Thank you very much for that question, Paul Davies, and thank you also for that question and relating it to your own experience—your own lived experience—and also referring to your constituents who also would clearly benefit, as will all those in terms of early detection of cancer and illnesses, serious illness of that kind. So, this is something that I will draw to the attention of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, because I think we can be very proud of our all-Wales genomic service and the genetic testing, which is so important in terms of early detection. So, I'm sure the Cabinet Secretary will want to respond to update on access.

Trefnydd, there are three urgent oral statements I'd like to request, the first, following the written statement issued last week, in terms of the work on Menai bridge and that work being delayed further. Now, obviously, many Members in this Chamber will want to have an opportunity to discuss the issue and to question the Cabinet Secretary on such an important issue, and I'm not just saying that as a girl originally from Anglesey.

The second is a request for a statement following the decision in the court in terms of fining Dŵr Cymru for failing to monitor water quality at over 300 sites across Wales. This, again, will be an important issue for many Members in this Chamber.

And the third statement—as we've already heard mention of, there's some interest in the Chamber following the implications of the UK-EU deal. I note that there has been a written statement issued, but, clearly, we must understand what the implications for Wales are, and can we have an opportunity to have a discussion through having an oral statement and then an opportunity to question the Cabinet Secretary on the floor of this Senedd? Thank you.

Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan, and those are three really important issues and subjects. I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for writing to me, particularly, on the first issue, about the Menai suspension bridge. Extremely disappointed—I'll just say a few words at this stage—extremely disappointed that the original programme from UK Highways A55 DBFO Ltd is now delayed. We were given assurances at the time that the phase 2 works would be completed by December 2025. We've been advised that the delay has been caused by procurement issues, and this will result in the works continuing during the bridge's actual two-hundredth anniversary date of 30 January 2026, which is not what we have wanted. But there are regular meetings with UK Highways, and also we now need to see that the work could be finished earlier. The phase 1 works, of course, were successfully completed last October and permitted the bridge to reopen to all traffic over the winter period, giving much-needed resilience to the area, especially during the numerous storms that impacted Wales last year, by allowing traffic to continue to cross while the Britannia bridge was affected by high winds. But this is indeed crucial, historical and current infrastructure for access—indeed, not just to Ynys Môn, Holyhead and across the ocean. So, crucially important.

Your second question is about the Dŵr Cymru water quality monitoring—£1.3 million fine for negligent monitoring. And we're aware of the fine issued to Dŵr Cymru relating to compliance with their monitoring obligations. It's disappointing, but I'm reassured that there's been no identified environmental harm associated with the case. Again, I will draw this to the attention of the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. I think it is important to say that officials regularly discuss performance issues with Dŵr Cymru, across all areas of operation, to ensure they're making improvements for customers and for the environment, and we've been clear that we expect more. And also, following a recent water price review process that concluded last December, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water will invest £6 billion in Wales between 2025 and 2030, including £2.4 billion on new investments to deliver improvements. Price determination provides funding for water companies to maintain and improve services, meet Ofwat's targets and invest in infrastructure. Thank you for your question.92

Again, we have issued, in terms of the EU-UK deal that was announced yesterday—. And we've had a debate already in questions to the First Minister on this, and a written statement issued by the Cabinet Secretary yesterday to highlight the benefits for Wales and the progress and the process in terms of taking this forward. So, in terms of that summit agreement, I'm sure there will be an opportunity for a further update from the Cabinet Secretary, indeed also through her questions session, oral Senedd questions, as well. But, in terms of moving forward, that request today obviously is noted.

I'd like to call for a statement on the disabled people's rights plan. I very much welcome the publication of this plan last week, and I'm very supportive of its aims to create a Wales where disabled people have equal rights to inclusion and participation in our society. I know the Cabinet Secretary has already published a written statement, but I also know that many disabled people are very concerned about the welfare reforms that are planned by the UK Government, and I know that some of the people from Wales will be travelling to a demonstration in London very soon. So, could the Trefnydd, when she makes the statement, cover how the proposals from Westminster would impact on the great reforms that are planned here in Wales? 

Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan. Yes, I was delighted to announce last week, on Thursday 15 May, the 12-week consultation for the draft disabled people's rights plan, and I will be giving an oral statement about the consultation on 3 June. But this does give me an opportunity, your question, just to highlight the fact that this plan sets out our ambition for Wales, for a Wales where disabled people can enjoy equitable rights, inclusion and participation. At the heart of our approach is the social model of disability, which helps us to understand how disabled people can be disadvantaged and excluded by society. But the plan will only succeed if organisations and people across Wales work together to deliver it. It was developed, co-produced, with the disability rights taskforce, which I co-chaired with Professor Debbie Foster.

What is important in terms of the consultation over the next 12 weeks is that we do get a robust response. It is being published in English, Welsh and BSL. We will set up an external independent advisory board to provide advice and support on the implementation, delivery and impact of the disabled people's rights plan.

I was able to meet with the disability equality forum last week, on the day that we published this. I took the opportunity at that meeting to ask the disability equality forum for their feedback on the proposed changes in terms of disability benefits, the Green Paper on welfare reform and, indeed, the impact of the changes that are proposed in terms of personal independence payments. I did say to the forum, 'You're the ones who will be most affected by these changes.' And I was there to listen to their views. It was very important to hear the views directly from people with lived experience, disabled people, about their concerns about many of the proposals in the Green Paper, 'Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working'.

So, I will obviously be continuing to get that feedback as we prepare our response to the Green Paper. I've also said that I will be making it clear what the impact on Wales, on disabled people, will be of those proposed reforms. I think it is important just to remember again that we've been looking at the numbers who are in receipt of personal independence payments in Wales and around 209,000 people are receiving the PIP daily living component. And, to say, as I said to colleagues and members of the disability equality forum, that we believe in an opportunity welfare state, and we do also already play a key part in helping and supporting disabled people who do wish to return to work if they can, through our disabled employment champions, but also recognising that there are people who will not be able to return to work. And I was able to engage fully last week, and will then reflect on that when I give my oral statement in due course.

Trefnydd, as you’ll know, as of September this year, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council will be implementing the Welsh Government’s statutory walking distance to secondary schools and colleges of 3 miles, meaning that children will no longer be provided with free school transport if they live within this distance. I’m conscious that this has been brought up previously with you, but I would like to ask again for a statement on school transport in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Residents are concerned that this will mean their children will opt for the closest school rather than the school that best fits their needs, and this is already having a disproportionate impact on those who wish to attend Welsh-medium schools, as the council’s own findings predicted. Sadly, Trefnydd, we are dealing with proposed new walking routes that are unsafe, and where there is no alternative public transport option, all of which will mean that there will be increased car use and increased congestion.

You will know that RCT council have said that this measure is needed to protect budgets. But this reason is completely undermined by the fact that the council sits on a staggering £255 million-worth of usable reserves—the most of any local authority in the country. I believe our residents would value some action by the Welsh Government in helping to rectify this situation, and that is why I’m asking for this statement again today.

Thank you very much, Joel, for that question. And, of course, you know that there was a learner travel summit only within the last fortnight, which was attended by local authorities across Wales. And I believe, in fact, it was held—the learner travel summit—in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and, of course, it was an important learner travel summit, which included young people. It included, obviously, Transport for Wales, and, of course, the Cabinet Secretary, supporting the learner travel summit fully, in order to learn and share best practice, and learn of the issues that were raised by local authorities across Wales.

So, this is something, in terms of implementation, for Rhondda Cynon Taf council, but I hope you will have seen that, and I’m sure that the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales will want to report on the outcomes of that learner travel summit.

I ask for a statement, please, to be brought to the Senedd on what’s happening in Gaza and the middle east. The situation in Gaza is becoming catastrophic. Civilians are not only being killed, but starved. I had a meeting last week with one of my old colleagues in Action Aid, and they’re based in Palestine. They told me about a doctor they’d seen crying in despair and powerlessness, because so many women who have given birth are not able to breastfeed because they are starving and they’re so weak. Ninety per cent of people there are without clean water. A bag of flour in some places costs $500. It’s only dry food like pasta and rice that have been available, hardly any vegetables, and without fuel, it’s becoming impossible to cook and prepare that food. Women have no period products. They’re having to make nappies for their babies by cutting up their own clothes. And every hour, a woman is killed in Gaza. We are witnessing the slow starvation of an entire people.

Surely, pressure must be placed on Westminster to use its influence for a political solution here, for Israel to open its borders entirely for humanitarian aid and supplies. Or else, we’re just prevaricating and waiting for more people to die. So, please can we have that statement?

Well, thank you very much, Delyth Jewell. And I’m glad that you’ve raised this question this afternoon in the Senedd. I think we’re all horrified by what’s happening in Gaza, the humanitarian situation—it's the worst humanitarian situation that we see. And I am pleased that, yesterday, the UK Government issued that joint statement with France and Canada on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Just to quote from that statement from Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Mark Carney:

'If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response.'

'We have always supported Israel's right to defend Israelis against terrorism. But this escalation is wholly disproportionate.'

I did issue a statement on 8 May—it was a written statement on the humanitarian aid blockade in Gaza—in response to questions raised in the Senedd, and said at that time:

'The Welsh Government continues to call for a lift on the aid blockade in Gaza.'

And I think it's important to say, as I said in my statement, we've said that humanitarian aid should never be used as a political tool, and we joined the UK Government in calling for Israel to respect international law and allow the unhindered flow of aid into Gaza.

I'd like, please, to request two statements, if I may, one from you and one from the finance Secretary. The first is on access to cash and the real need in towns across Wales, particularly in our rural areas where they don't have banks, for banking hubs to be established. The community of Ystradgynlais, who, over two years, have fought for a banking hub to be situated there, have finally got it. It's real, meaningful access to cash for many parts of our community—people who are older, people with disabilities, particularly those with learning disabilities, who really need that access to cash and somebody to talk to. We need these developed across the whole of Wales. In Brecon, we only have one bank left. So, I would urge you to consider how we can make this a real social justice issue for many members of our community who need that access to cash.

The second statement, if I may, from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, is around a wealth tax and the views of the Welsh Government on this. I realise this is a non-devolved issue, but I've raised this a number of times in the Siambr, particularly looking at the statements from an organisation called Patriotic Millionaires. We could pay for the cuts that the UK Government have made to disability benefits, for not scrapping the two-child benefit cap, for all of the issues that they keep raising in order to justify the cuts, so I would welcome a statement from you as well about progress on that. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch yn fawr, Jane Dodds. Thank you for that first question, which has already come up this afternoon, in terms of the desperate closure, the ongoing closure of all our bank branches across Wales. In fact, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning and I spoke at a really important meeting recently with all banks, to talk about the issues of loss of banks and financial inclusion—a key priority for Welsh Government. Financial services are reserved, but we have regular meetings with LINK, Cash Access UK—the provision of ATMs is also diminishing—and also we had our credit unions represented, and building societies.

So, it is good to hear about the Ystradgynlais banking hub. Of course, that's a shared banking space, where different mainstream banks and their community bankers work on a rotating basis, with each present on one designated working day per week. There are just nine open, and a further four, I think, not just Ystradgynlais, but initial stages have set up in Flint, Holyhead and Monmouth. So, again, that is important that we've raised this today, that you've raised this today, and that we can again take this forward. And looking also at mobile banking vans, which NatWest Group and Lloyds Bank also offer, and Barclays as well. I was very proud to open the first mobile credit union van at Easter, for Neath Port Talbot—not just Neath Port Talbot, but a much wider area. We launched it at Easter.

On your second question, you did challenge me, I recall, Jane, to meet with Patriotic Millionaires when we were discussing the whole issue of child poverty and disability benefits changes. I met with them in April, with the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, and indeed you also joined and helped convene that meeting. The Cabinet Secretary for finance, I know, would like to inform Members of the content and outcomes of that meeting with me, and we will do so, and we will engage, because it was very valuable to see the issues that they discussed.

They talked about the ways in which taxes could be raised for the highest earners for the benefit of all in society, including those high earners, and I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language is intending to raise this at a future meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee. It would be good to discuss these issues as a Senedd. I think one of the discussions we had was about an annual wealth tax, a ready-made piece of work that has already been done by PM UK. I think it was very valuable and we would like to share the learning in terms of what that could mean and understanding this in terms of the need to raise that all-important finance to support our most vulnerable in Wales.

I would like to ask for two statements, please, if I may, business Secretary? Could I firstly request a statement from the transport Secretary? Over the weekend, there have been, as we all know, reports by the Road Safety Foundation saying that road speeds should be cut to 10 mph. Now, in most places, the idea would be laughed out of town, but after the Welsh Government's disastrous default 20 mph speed limit, I think we need some reassurance. Could we have some reassurance, please, that this isn't on the cards here in Wales? I know that constituents would appreciate a statement ruling out this attack on motorists as soon as possible.

Secondly, I'd like to request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for rural affairs on the calls to delay inheritance tax changes for family farms. The Welsh Conservatives, of course, would scrap inheritance changes in their entirety. But, following calls from the cross-party group in the UK Parliament's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, including seven Labour MPs, due to concerns that the changes would indeed hit the most vulnerable, I'd like to see an oral statement on the floor of this Senedd relaying these concerns and seeing what the Government has to say about it. Diolch.

Diolch yn fawr, Laura Anne Jones. Well, clearly, road safety is about road safety, and it is interesting that that association did come forward with proposals, based on evidence, that in some circumstances, 10 mph, let alone 10 mph, 5 mph is appropriate in terms of road speeds. I think all the evidence has shown that the roll-out of the 20 mph speed limit in Wales, as appropriately instigated by local authorities, has not only saved lives, cut insurance bills, but actually has now been welcomed by the people of Wales. So, you've tried to raise it on this point about road safety; I think road safety is why we are very proud of that policy.

Yes, the inheritance tax arrangements in terms of inheritance for family farms is a live issue. It is not devolved to Wales, and I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunities to raise those questions, not just in terms of Westminster, and to hear about that cross-party report as well, but also this is obviously still raised on a regular basis with our Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for rural affairs.

I'd like to ask for a statement, please, from the Cabinet Secretary for health on skin cancer prevention. We've had a very sunny spring, and exposure to UV from the sun is one of the primary causes of skin cancer. In 2019, skin cancers accounted for almost half of all cancers in Wales, and, of course, these are entirely preventable. In a debate I brought to the Senedd last year, I asked the Welsh Government to have a better focus on skin cancer prevention and to consider, for example, funding free sunscreen for schools, creating good habits among young children, many of whose families, of course, may find it difficult to afford sunscreen. The Government has invested, for instance, in improving access to menstrual products in school. So, I'd like to know whether the Government has considered providing sunscreen in the same way. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is by far the most common cancer affecting Welsh people, and, out of the four UK nations, Wales has the highest rate of skin cancer. Many experts believe more could be done to help people reduce their risk. Diolch. 

Diolch yn fawr for that really important question, Sioned Williams. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care what is most appropriate, because just a statement, a written statement—. It needs to be wider than that; it needs to be Public Health Wales as well, doesn't it, in terms of raising awareness. I'm sure that the Cabinet Secretary for Education would be interested in that question in terms of children at school and children going in and schools now having to take responsibility. They see the children coming in sun hats, sun cream and lotions as well. So, thank you for raising it. We will look at the best way to raise awareness, because, as you say, skin cancer is preventable, and we need to look at it now, just in terms of the particularly good, hot weather we've had.

First, I'd just like to associate myself with the remarks of Delyth Jewell. Her description of what is going on in Gaza is quite frightful, and it is not appropriate for the country that issued the Balfour declaration to sort of look the other way. We need to be working with peacemakers across Palestine and Israel to come up with a solution to the conflict, and to give them the support, the same sort of support that we have been providing for Ukraine.

I just wanted to add to the issue that was raised about easy banking and just say that this is also a major issue for small businesses in my constituency, because they are charged for depositing cash in the bank. Maybe these banks are no longer fit for purpose and we need to have a state bank, if they can't, simply, do the basics.

Lastly, I just want to ask for a statement about our management of water. It's barely rained for the last few weeks, and the meteorologists are talking about a drought this summer, and water is the one resource none of us can live without. If we have heavy rainfall in the next few months, most of it is going to end up in the sewage system, rather than it being harvested as grey water for washing our roads and flushing our loos. So, I wondered if we can have a statement from the Government about whether it's possible to rectify this ridiculous situation by an amendment to the building regulations, in the way that we ensure that new buildings have to be carbon neutral, or whether it's going to need legislation, because I know that all political parties will need to consider this in their manifesto.

Diolch yn fawr, Jenny Rathbone. Thank you. Again, it's important we have strong voices in the Senedd today in terms of the horrific situation in Gaza. As I said, we're pleased to see pressure from allies help lift the aid blockade into Gaza, and we hope that continued pressure from the international community can bring the conflict to an end. And working towards the implementation of a two-state solution is the only way to bring long-lasting peace and security that both Israelis and Palestinians deserve, and ensure long-term stability in the region.

Your second point about banks is important for small businesses, as you say, and it's interesting. At the meeting that was held with banks, which I and Rebecca Evans attended, as Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning—. They're taking the lead, although it's not reserved, in terms of the financial services lead engagement with the UK Government. To look at the impact it is having on small businesses, I think that some of the pilots, like the OneBanx pilot, through which the Principality Building Society is boosting access to cash in Welsh communities, is really helpful as well in terms of access for businesses—the business customers of major banks. And they now have the OneBanx in Buckley, Caerphilly and Cowbridge.

On your third point, about issues around how we can have rainwater harvesting, it's interesting that this is something where, back in 2018, the Welsh Government did amend building regulations so that, when a new dwelling is erected, the potential consumption of wholesome water by people occupying the dwelling mustn't exceed 110 litres per person, per day. And the calculation used demonstrated how compliance could take account of water consumption savings that could be made when using rainwater harvesting systems. The functional provisions of the building regulations also provide for differing arrangements for rainwater disposal, which could include the use of water butts. So, that's relating to new developments, but clearly this is about how we manage things as we are in the buildings that we have. So, thank you for raising that.

Trefnydd, can I request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government on wildfires? We all know how dry it has been lately and how tinder dry everything is. And, indeed, we saw in my own community on the Sugar Loaf and the Blorenge mountains quite large fires. And whilst they provide a real spectacle in the evening, they just highlight how dangerous these fires can be, and we thank the fire service for their major efforts in keeping us safe and having to deal with these all-too-often occurrences. We all know that a lot of wildfires can be caused naturally, but sometimes they can be from external ignition, and as we see more and more people using disposable barbecues and things like that, those can trigger these wildfires, and people need to be responsible. I would, therefore, welcome a statement by the Cabinet Secretary, outlining what support the Welsh Government are making available to our Welsh fire and rescue services to address this real issue and what can be done to help educate the wider public.

Thank you very much indeed, Peter Fox. I'm very glad to say that the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government has agreed to make that statement, which is very valuable, in terms of the wildfires and also domestic fires and the impact they have on our fire and rescue services. So, a statement will be forthcoming. 

And finally, Siân Gwenllian. 

Could I ask for a statement from the Government about plans to create long-term financial sustainability for the higher education sector, outlining what support is available for Bangor University in the face of the current crisis? There was an announcement last week that Bangor University is seeking savings of over £5 million, which represents about 78 jobs, and it's an announcement that has generated great uncertainty and anxiety for everyone in the area. Business cases for change have been published, and the university has launched a consultation process across the university, which will run until 13 June. A number of staff members have already contacted me, and I will be discussing each and every concern with the vice-chancellor. I've stated clearly that we need to avoid compulsory redundancies altogether. It's quite clear that the higher education sector as a whole is facing major challenges, so I ask for a statement on that as well as regarding possible support for Bangor. 

Diolch yn fawr, Siân Gwenllian. It's really important and, I'm afraid, also not just in terms of the situation that's emerging in Bangor, but for higher education across Wales. And, of course, perhaps the most focus has been on Cardiff University, but clearly the pressures on higher education institutions across Wales have been considerable and are now coming to the fore in terms of these proposals. So, it is important that, again, you've raised this today in the Chamber and drawn the attention of Members to not just the issues, but the consultation, which I'm sure will, and must, include the workforce, in terms of the trade unions as well, who have a key role to play in response to that consultation, but also to recognise the huge benefit of Bangor University in the community, economy and the higher education sector. Thank you for raising that today.

I thank the Trefnydd. 

Item 3 is a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government on the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill. I call on the Cabinet Secretary, Jayne Bryant.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Across western Europe and beyond, homelessness poses an escalating and urgent challenge. It is a devastating and pervasive issue. It shortens lives and isolates people from their communities. It impacts people's health, mental well-being, people's ability to engage in work or with the economy, or indeed on educational outcomes.

The home is integral to every aspect of life, providing the foundation upon which we build our futures. Never was this more evident than in 2020, when the pandemic exposed the real danger in being without a safe place to live. In exposing this danger, the pandemic revealed a hidden homelessness need, a need that persists, placing unsustainable pressure on households and services across Wales. This is why reform is absolutely necessary. Alongside our significant investment in housing supply, we have to transform our approach to homelessness.

This is a Government that is looking to the future, centred on both ambition and delivery for the people of Wales. That's why I was pleased to lay the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill before the Senedd yesterday. This marks an important step towards a bold vision of a Wales free from homelessness. In introducing this Bill, we complete the work started by my predecessor, Julie James, delivering our programme for government commitment to reform homelessness services to focus on prevention and rapid rehousing. I would like to put on record my thanks to Julie for her tireless work in this area. I know that this is an issue that is incredibly close to your heart. I also wish to thank members of this Chamber who've campaigned on homelessness issues. The work also formed part of the co-operation agreement, and I'm really grateful to Siân Gwenllian for her contribution and support for reform of the homelessness system.

The Bill is rooted in both evidence and experience. It is unique in that it is grounded in the insights of those with lived experience of homelessness. It has been developed over many years in close partnership with expert stakeholders. I'm grateful to all of our partners for their counsel on this Bill, but I pay particular tribute to the 350 people who shared their own experiences of homelessness to help us develop it. It was a privilege to see some of those people again today, to remind them and us that these reforms are designed to deliver the meaningful change that they have asked of us.

Bold reform is necessary to shift the paradigm and progress towards ending homelessness in Wales. It will help create a Welsh homelessness system fit for the future, moving away from a system that responds to crisis to one that focuses on prevention—by far the most effective means of addressing homelessness risk in Wales. The Bill will ensure local authorities are able to work with people at risk earlier and take more effective steps to keep them in their homes. It will abolish the priority need and intentionality test, which has served to exclude people from assistance in the past and left certain groups at a particular disadvantage, creating a fairer system where people receive the right support at the right time. A local connection test will ensure that local authority resources are targeted at people in their communities.

The Welsh Government has long held the view that homelessness is not just a housing issue, and today we deliver that principle. The Bill makes clear that preventing homelessness is the responsibility of public services, placing new duties on relevant public bodies to 'ask and act', ensuring we identify people in Wales at risk of homelessness at the earliest possible opportunity, and to get them help sooner. We have all, in our own constituencies, witnessed the devastation of homelessness—the stigma, the exclusion, the isolation and, often, the intersection with other support needs. Ending homelessness is not just about putting a roof over someone's head; it's about addressing its wide range of causes and consequences, and providing the right home, in the right place, at the right time.

The Bill will ensure localised multi-agency responses are in place for those in highest need and strengthen co-operation between housing teams and public service partners. I am particularly proud to say that this Bill provides us with the opportunity to end homelessness for young people leaving care. Social services and housing teams will work more effectively together, ensuring that these young people—who are our responsibility—receive the necessary planning and priority for social housing. This Bill also provides the most significant reform of allocation legislation since devolution. It provides local authorities with more tools to offer social housing to those most in need and ensure those taking up social housing are better supported.

Dirprwy Lywydd, these reforms are ambitious. They have to be, to match the scale of the challenge. They will take time to implement. This is not a quick fix. They will also require an initial financial outlay, as we invest in our public services to refocus on prevention. But our own assessment and independent research is clear that our approach will lead to long-term reductions in homelessness and to long-term cost savings as we mitigate the wider disadvantage, trauma and disruption that homelessness can cause. 

Homelessness services are, for many, the final safety net when all others fail. I want to end this statement by commending the work of our delivery partners across local authorities and the wider housing sector. The work they do is incredibly challenging, but it is a lifeline to those most in need. I know these services are under huge pressure and there will be understandable nervousness about the pace and scale of change. We will continue to work collaboratively with partners as we plan for implementation. I know we all share the ambition to end homelessness in Wales and support the principles the reform is seeking to deliver. This is necessary change and a bold step towards ending homelessness in Wales. Our ambitions will take time to deliver, but I look forward to working with the sector and colleagues in this Senedd, through scrutiny and beyond, to deliver them in partnership, because this is a Government that cares about the future of Wales—a future where homelessness is confined to the history books. These reforms take us closer to realising that vision, delivering for the people of Wales now and for years to come. Dirprwy Lywydd, it is with great pride that I introduce the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill to the Senedd today. Diolch.

Diolch, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement. I and the Welsh Conservatives welcome these much-needed reforms in this Bill, particularly the commitment to give additional preference to homeless applicants and care leavers. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and extending the homelessness prevention period from 56 days to six months is a welcome step towards preventative policy.

However, I am disappointed that the Welsh Government chose not to take forward proposals to specifically support those leaving hospital and custody. These are two of the most high-risk groups when it comes to homelessness. Ignoring these proposals misses a vital opportunity for a joined-up approach between health, justice and housing, rather than tackling them separately.

My question, therefore, to you, Cabinet Secretary, is this: what message does that send, that specific support for people leaving NHS care or prison has been dropped from our most significant homelessness reforms in years? We need a system that prevents homelessness before it starts—for everyone. That includes veterans, hospital patients and those leaving prison.

I support the clarification that housing associations cannot unreasonably refuse referrals from local authorities. This is a common-sense move that should both help streamline the process and reduce unnecessary barriers for those in need. The introduction of a deliberate manipulation test is an important safeguard, one that will help protect the integrity of the system whilst ensuring fairness for all applicants.

But while we support these reforms, let's not pretend they solve the deeper crisis that we face, which is the chronic shortage of social housing in Wales. The social housing acquisition programme needs new radical levels of investment to deliver desperately needed housing to Wales. The Welsh Government is set to fail in their housing target of 20,000 social homes by 2026, delivering around half that today, despite the acquisition programme being severely oversubscribed with houses already compliant with standards.

Despite significant investment in social housing, Audit Wales say the Welsh Government could require £740 million extra to meet those current housing targets. Add to that the fact that 80 per cent of local authorities in England and Wales are operating at below planning capacity, it's no wonder that progress is stalling in building homes as well as acquiring them.

Therefore, I want to ask you, Cabinet Secretary, with the social housing acquisition programme oversubscribed and the planning departments chronically understaffed, what concrete steps will your Government take to overcome these barriers and deliver the scale of housing that Wales so desperately needs?

Also in this Bill, I see little consideration for Welsh veterans. The local connection test will discriminate against veterans, who frequently move around and may not live near family and friends. This should not be the case; we all owe them a debt, not just their local communities. The UK Government has made it clear that there is an exemption in place for veterans from that local connection rule. Will you therefore clarify that the Welsh Government will commit also to this exemption, and will you guarantee that there is a consistent implementation of this across local authorities in Wales?

Thank you once again for your statement. I really hope that we are going some way towards a future without homelessness in Wales. Diolch.

Diolch, Laura, and thank you for your initial welcome of this Bill today. It is indeed a landmark Bill; it's bold and ambitious, and I believe it will transform our homelessness system. Again, it is about focusing our services on earlier identification and prevention, and not pushing people towards that crisis where we know the system is at the moment. 

Laura, I know that you will be aware that I'm very passionate about supporting care leavers, and I'm really pleased within this that we have a package of measures for care leavers. The Bill does offer us the opportunity to end the use of the homeless system as a route out of care. Too many young people still leave care into homelessness, and this must absolutely stop. There's no reason why a young person transitioning from care should experience homelessness. The new duty means a local authority must take reasonable steps to make sure care leavers have a suitable place to live as they transition from care.

In terms of the points around hospital discharge, for example, we consider the policy intentions set out in the White Paper—to ensure that no-one is discharged from hospital to homelessness—can best be achieved by using existing mechanisms, rather than creating a new duty. A new task and finish group has been established, and is writing guidance to stop people being discharged to the street or stuck in hospital due to lack of housing.

This work will build on current guidance and link with the discharge to recover and assess model. We are working with health and housing partners to shape this guidance, and will adapt it based on what they tell us. Discharge liaison officers will be key, because they can help us plan early, link services and stop people from falling through the cracks. 

You touched on supply; obviously, today, we're talking about the homelessness system, and I do recognise that supply is an issue, and that's part of that. The Bill must be underpinned by increasing our supply of social homes, because that's going to give us the best chance to end homelessness in Wales for good. We recognise the importance of social housing, and that's why we're providing those record levels of investment across Wales. During this Senedd term, that record level of investment will be just under £2 billion. We've had a record annual budget of £411 million for social housing in the 2025-26 financial year. That's an additional £81 million compared with this year.

Just finally, on the important point you raised around veterans, it was not possible to take forward any of the proposed new exemption categories on the local connection. As I said, we are introducing a local connection test. But it's crucial that we ensure the changes we make in this Bill and the resources required to make these changes benefit people within Wales. So, as I said, we're bringing forward the new local connection test. We have retained the current definition of local connection, but the Bill sets out regulation-making powers that help us add detail to this definition in partnership with stakeholders. These powers will allow us to reconsider the scope and function of local connection over time. I hope this offers a route to assisting particular groups who encounter problems associated with local connections, such as veterans, in the future.

Just to reassure you, I've also asked my officials to look at other ways that we can help veterans, especially through the local connection test for social housing. As you mentioned, Laura, in England, the UK Government in December last year changed the rules so that veterans no longer need a local connection to get social housing there. We have the power to do the same here in Wales, so my officials are working on plans to bring this change through secondary legislation. This will stop veterans being pushed down the list for social housing just because they don't have a local link.

I welcome the introduction of this important Bill to the Senedd. Tackling the housing crisis—[Inaudible.]—and stemming the rising levels of homelessness is a priority. I therefore look forward to scrutinising the details of this Bill.

The introduction of this legislation was a commitment in the co-operation agreement, and I am proud of all the work that has been done as a result of the introduction of that commitment over a period of many months. I also welcome the extensive engagement with stakeholders, and particularly the inclusion of people with lived experience of homelessness, as the Bill was being developed, along with the person-centred approach that the Bill aims to reflect.

We know that homelessness, including being stuck in temporary accommodation over the long term, and being at risk of homelessness, have a serious impact on people's health, mental well-being, education and their ability to work. But we have to confront the situation. The figures on homelessness in Wales today are truly staggering. There are more than 11,000 people in temporary accommodation, including over 2,600 children, and there are more than 400 children living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation or hotels. At the moment, we are letting the most vulnerable people down, with one in four young care leavers being homeless. So, I am pleased to see this Bill focusing on those who are at particular risk.

Of course, the impact on lives is the most important thing, but could you, Cabinet Secretary, talk about the financial costs associated with managing levels of homelessness in Wales? Are those costs sustainable, and is this Bill going to lead to a more sustainable situation in terms of the costs of homelessness services?

We cannot have the great change that we need through legislation alone, and there are too many examples of this Government setting out a big ambition that is not met. The Bill outlines major changes for public bodies to collaborate. And as well as investing in training and support, this will require the Welsh Government to lead a cultural shift, so I'd like to ask this afternoon: how are you going to create that new culture of co-operation, and how are you going to lead on the work that needs to be done in order prepare to implement this very important Bill?

This Bill is a necessary step in terms of the ambition to end homelessness in Wales, but it is only one part of a complex jigsaw, and we need to address the systemic issues underlying the housing crisis. Of course, one of the greatest challenges—and we've already mentioned this this afternoon—facing individuals living in temporary accommodation is the lack of social housing. You as a Government have to recognise that you've entirely failed to meet your own targets in terms of increasing the supply of social housing. Last year, just 2,600 additional homes for social rent were completed, representing just 3 per cent of the demand for social homes. The Government is nowhere near meeting its target of increasing the supply to 20,000 over the term of this Government. We need to change gear, not only in terms of our ambition to increase the supply of social housing but in delivering on that vital work that needs to be done.

Finally, therefore, do you agree that we have to see this legislation as part of a package of measures, with a significant increase in social housing being a key element?

Diolch, Siân. Once again, just to put on record my thanks for the work that you have done on this as well, following the co-operation agreement. I know that this is something very close to your heart as well. Thank you, again, for the work and the involvement that you’ve had. I think it’s a very important day today, especially for those who’ve been with this legislation and proposed legislation for a long time, and seeing it in the making. So, I really do very much understand that.

I think some of the points that you made were very clear about why we are doing this, bringing forward this legislation. Inaction is not an option. This system that we have at the moment is the most expensive that we could possibly have; it’s pushing people into that crisis point. And it’s not just an expense in terms of the amount of money, particularly around temporary accommodation—that crisis end of services—but it’s actually the human cost that goes along with this. I think that is something that we all need to recognise. One of the really positive things about the development of this proposed legislation and the Bill has been that involvement of those 350 people with lived experience. It really is incredible, and I think that’s something that we should look at when we develop further legislation in the future. Those people have actually been through the system and I just want to pay tribute to them, because they're actually helping to develop a new system that will mean that other people won't be going through some of the things that they've gone through. I was fortunate today to meet, once again actually, Scotty and Phil; they were there at the launch of the White Paper, and I know that you were there as well, along with Julie James, who was the Minister at the time. I think, for them, it's another really important step on that journey to be here today at this point in the development of the Bill.

In terms of the other points you raised—and I recognise that there are a lot within that—I just wanted to talk a little bit around—. As I said, legislation alone can't end homelessness. We know that this is part of it and we do recognise that supply and social housing has a really important role to play, as well as what we're doing in terms of that multisystem approach, in terms of the public service response to homelessness. It's not just all around housing, but I do very much recognise the role that supply plays. As I said, we are investing more than we've ever done before—it's record levels of delivery, record levels of funding. I very much know that we need more housing—I very much recognise that—not just next year, but the years after as well. But we know that there have been some really tough global events that have increased costs; everyone knows that costs have gone up. We are making real progress with the sector, and what I'm really proud of and pleased about is that the pipeline of housing supply is really, really good, so I think that is very positive. But, again, I know that there is more to do with that.

Again, one of the aspects around prevention—. Again, the Bill changes the prevention period from 56 days to six months. That means that services are going to be able to work at an earlier stage to prevent those people who might be at risk of homelessness, and that is something that came loud and clear from people with lived experience—you know, having that earlier intervention would really help. I think, again, services working together to prevent homelessness and to have a real toolbox of things we can do, including supply, are all to the good.

Thank you very much for your statement, and I'm glad to say that it recognises that it's a challenge for the wonderful people who are managing the existing homelessness services, which is an incredibly challenging job, and they do a brilliant job. But I want to focus on the long-term cost savings of this joining up of the dots of multi-agency working, because forward planning by public bodies that require a multi-agency response remains a work in progress.

I recall when I used to manage a Sure Start programme in London, and it always came as a total surprise to Holloway prison that the foreign national who was completing their sentence needed to be put on a plane the day their sentence ended. Nothing was done about it until after that had happened, and, meanwhile, they were spending—we, the taxpayer, were spending money on their hotel services while the border services booked them onto a plane. Really, that's not good enough, and, equally, we must ensure that local authorities are planning for when a person is leaving care, and, obviously, need to be obtaining appropriate housing so that they don't fall through the gaps.

I wondered whether you could also say a little bit about how this piece of legislation will also be informed by Lee Waters's report on the challenges around building social housing, because, obviously, we can work as hard as we want to join up the dots, but if the housing doesn't exist, it's extremely difficult, is it not, to make progress?

Thank you, Jenny. Thank you also for giving me the opportunity to mention the importance of our workforce. We can't end homelessness without a strong, skilled and supported workforce. Staff in this sector do incredibly vital work, often in really tough conditions. I'm incredibly grateful, as I know we all are, for the work that they do, and it was a good opportunity for me, after meeting Scott and Phil today, to talk to some of the support workers who are really important to them on their journey. So, I just want to put on record my thanks, and just to say that, in terms of the workforce, I very much recognise some of those challenges. We have a task and finish group that's running at the moment, looking at how we can better value and support our workforce on such issues as pay, skills, support and recruitment, so that's work going alongside the work of this Bill. I just wanted to touch on that, first of all.

In terms of prisoners, absolutely right, and, obviously, as a Member who has a prison in their constituency as well, I certainly understand those issues around the amount of time that people are able to prepare, because we all know when people are coming out of prison. There have been some good examples with, perhaps, the early prisoner release scheme that we can learn from, and I think we've got to develop that, but we know that we want to make sure that people who are in prison have that effective advice before they leave prison and in terms of them preparing for release. It's not about the days before, is it? It's absolutely key in homelessness prevention. We do share that view with our colleagues in HM Prison and Probation Service and our local authorities, just to make sure those opportunities are maximised. Obviously, no-one should leave prison to sleep rough, and, again, planning ahead is really important. So, alongside the Bill, a new working group, which is co-led by Welsh Government and HMPPS, is shaping policy to stop people leaving prison into homelessness, drawing on lessons, as I said, from the 2024 early prisoner release scheme.

In terms of the points you raised around care leavers—again, this is an area I feel very strongly about. We should not be having young people leaving care into homelessness. That is not the system that we need, or that they need, and it's not right in any way that that happens. The corporate parents have responsibility in this as well. So, again, there's no reason why a young person transitioning from care should experience homelessness, and I think this duty means a local authority must take those reasonable steps to make sure they have a suitable place to live as they transition from care.

You mentioned the taskforce—again, I'm really grateful for the opportunity to put on record my thanks to Lee and the taskforce for all the work that they have done. I've provided a written statement and published the report alongside that written statement. Again, as I say, it's not just about legislative issues, it's about how we can free up some of the blockages in the system, and that's the work that Lee and others have done in this area. Again, as I said, I'm looking to move forward as quickly as possible with that piece of work, having published it recently. That, obviously, goes side by side with all of this as well, because it's all interlinked.

Thank you very much for introducing the Bill, Minister. I hope, as we discuss and implement this Bill, it'll be possible to ensure that the process of receiving support is as clear as possible. I was shocked recently to see someone who was at school with me living on the streets in Cardiff. There are many reasons why one becomes homeless, and they are very complex reasons. We must, therefore, ensure that the support is as clear as possible.

In the same way, I hope we will ensure that applicants who are not fluent in English can receive clear information in their own language. It's great that this consultation has been translated into sign language, but the memorandum doesn't make any mention of the language needs of applicants who are deaf or who don't speak English or Welsh as a first language.

Applications who understand the process fully are more aware to be able to self-advocate for themselves and to take charge of their own lives. Support, Cabinet Secretary, should be empowering, not disempowering, and a lot of that will come down to language and communication. Diolch yn fawr.

Diolch, Rhys, and thank you for the points that you've raised. Absolutely, when you see somebody that you know, it really does bring home to us all that any of us can face that at any point in our lives—the challenges that come for people. There are very complex reasons why people are homeless and face homelessness. That's why, I think, it's really important that we have more of a public service response to this real issue, because we do want to make sure that homelessness is rare, brief and unrepeated. Also, we have our long-term aim of ending homelessness here in Wales.

I very much take your point, and I think communication around services is really important, isn't it? Because people, again, with lots of different complex needs need to be able to access these services as easily as possible. Sometimes, we end up developing something where a language and a system create this whole new—you need a whole dictionary to understand it. So, I very much take on board that point.

Just to say, throughout every stage of the development of this Bill, we've sought to ensure inclusion and consideration of those under-served communities. We do have some examples in terms of our proposals for accessible housing registers, which support the recommendations of the disability rights taskforce, which were published this week. We’ve got prevention, support and accommodation plans, which will allow for individualised support planning that takes account of individual circumstances, protected characteristics and broader disadvantage. So, I think there’s a lot in that.

I will very much take those points back as well, because, again, I think it’s really important in terms of the languages that people have to use to access these services, and, understanding where you are in a system, it's so important to have it in your own language, or to be able to have it in an accessible way. So, thank you for raising that point today.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement on this very important and eagerly anticipated Bill, which has been drafted on evidence based on discussions with people with lived experience. And like you, it was really good to meet with Phil and Scotty earlier—two people who’ve been through the system and who now want to help people avoid homelessness, and have worked with you and your predecessor, Julie James, to ensure that this is the very best legislation possible. And listening to them talk earlier today, it emphasised to me the human cost of homelessness and how we must do everything we can to avoid it. Everyone needs a home, and everyone has a right to feel safe in that home. So, like others who’ve already spoken, I'm pleased to see proposed targeted action at those most at risk. And one example of that is young people leaving care.

Homelessness needs to be prevented in the first place, and we need to have that renewed focus on a multi-agency response, so that, when it does happen, everyone comes together to, as you say, make sure it’s as brief as possible and it’s not repeated. So, my first specific question to you, Cabinet Secretary, is: are you confident these proposals will ensure more people housed in temporary accommodation will be placed more quickly into permanent social housing? Diolch.

Diolch, Lesley. And thank you; I’m glad, and I know that you very much enjoyed meeting Scotty and Phil earlier, as much as I did, along with the Chair of the committee as well. They are incredibly passionate about this, and I think the fact that they’ve been so amazing in sharing their personal experiences and real trauma in the system that they faced to really help other people within this is hugely commendable, as it is with the other people who have actually taken part as well. But I just take my hat off to them for really talking to us about this to make sure that other people don’t have to go through, perhaps, the system that they did. But I think it’s also important to remind ourselves that that’s why this development of the Bill is all based on evidence. It’s based on evidence of real people as well, isn’t it? So, I’m very pleased to be bringing this forward today.

In terms of your point around care leavers—and thank you so much again for mentioning that—we know that there’s a real risk of homelessness that care leavers face. It’s an increased risk. The Bill does deliver this package of measures that, collectively, are designed to end the use of the homelessness system as a route out of care, and that is something that I know we’d all want to see. Social services and local housing authorities have to work together to develop those joint protocols for young people. And social services must ensure that suitable accommodation is available for occupation for certain care leavers once they leave care. And this is further supported as care leavers owed these duties will be recognised as a group that must be allocated reasonable preference for social housing. And the Bill, therefore, ensures prevention of homelessness for care leavers, mitigating the negative impacts that disproportionately impact that group.

I think, in terms of young people and temporary accommodation, we’ve got some measures in here around 16 and 17-year-olds. I think that’s real progress. We know that any young person in temporary accommodation—again, particularly, some of the worst types of temporary accommodation that we see—is, again, in my opinion, one too many, and we need to be doing everything we can to move the system away from what is at the moment just focused on the crisis point, back to prevention. And I think moving from 56 days to six months, in terms of being able to work with people across all public services, is really a big step forward.

And, finally, Mark Isherwood.

Diolch. Why do you state in this statement,

'the pandemic revealed a hidden homelessness need',

when I came from the sector and first highlighted this homelessness need in this very Chamber in 2003, when Homes for All Cymru warned in 2004 that there would be a housing supply crisis in Wales if action was not taken, and subsequently called for action when that crisis became reality, and subsequently referred to the housing emergency that we're now encountering? Why, when successive committee reports, starting with one I participated in in 2005 on youth homelessness in Wales, highlighted the hidden homelessness need in Wales? Why isn't the scrutiny of previous housing legislation, which I took part in, acknowledged, which highlighted the hidden homelessness need in Wales? This isn't new. This isn't a new issue. This isn't a new housing supply issue, or a prevention or early intervention issue. I, myself, and many previous Members—maybe some still here—have been directly involved in highlighting this for more than two decades. So, how can you possibly say the pandemic revealed this?

Finally, you recognise the role that housing supply plays, you said, but you can't get a quart into a pint pot. Without a massive increase in supply, remedying the issues identified over the last two decades, you're simply going to be having different people in the homes, but the same numbers waiting for those homes. There are many exciting—

You need to conclude, Mark, please.

—proposals across the sectors to tackle this. So, how will you finally sit down around the table with all the sectors, including the private sector, to capitalise upon some of the solutions they're proposing?

Thank you, Mark. I understand that homelessness is something that the Senedd, and the Assembly before, would have discussed over time as well, and everybody—. And your work, which you have highlighted, over a number of years—I acknowledge the work that you have done, as was said, with many other people here. In terms of the pandemic, the issue was around the approach that we took, and my predecessor took, Julie James, which was the 'no-one left out' approach, and how we were able to house people who were living and sleeping rough at that time, and also trying to find—. You know, the cost-of-living crisis, and all those other things that really hit people. So, we've got a new approach to how we tackle homelessness here in Wales. Again, this Bill hasn't been developed over a short time; this has actually been something that has been in train since 2018. Again, as I said, it has been developed with people with lived experience. It has been developed with experts. We have an expert review panel, who I'd also like to pay tribute to for the work that they have been doing, which includes local authorities, it includes housing sector experts, really making sure that we're getting this right—again, with the third sector. So, I'm very much grateful for the work that they have done.

The issue around supply—. And Wales isn't alone in facing this challenge of homelessness. As I said at the start, this is something that we're facing not just, again, in the UK, but also across the western world. We have—. In terms of the supply, again, I see it as an—. It obviously has a role to play; I don't doubt that. We also have some programmes, like our Help to Stay programme, which is making sure that people who are struggling, perhaps with their mortgage payments, for example, don't have to go into temporary accommodation. I met a family who that would have happened to if they hadn't accessed the Help to Stay programme. So, we are trying to find different ways to get in at an earlier stage. And that's why the crucial part of this Bill is to really focus on prevention, take us away from that crisis point, and really look at preventing that. Obviously, supply is an issue. As I said, we are putting a record amount of money into the supply sector, and I do work with the private sector, as well as others, to look at the issue of supply.

A late request—Sioned Williams.

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Cabinet Secretary.

I just wanted to pay tribute to the work of End Youth Homelessness Cymru. They have shone a real light on all the different aspects of youth homelessness. One of those reports that I remember reading when I was first elected was a report of 2019 called 'Out on the Streets', which really shone a light on young people within the LGBTQ+ community. We know, don't we, that people in that community are disproportionately affected by homelessness, and people in the LGBTQ+ community are most at risk of homelessness around the time they tell their family and friends about their sexuality and gender identity. So, I wonder if you could just outline how this Bill will support the LGBTQ+ community, who are increasingly having to deal with homophobia and transphobia in society, and how it will align with the Welsh Government's LGBTQ+ action plan. Diolch.

Diolch, Sioned. Thank you. Again, I'll thank, as you have, the End Youth Homelessness group that have also played a part, with others. This is a real example of that collaboration across the services and sectors as well.

Evidence is clear that, again, early intervention and integrated practice is effective in homelessness prevention amongst young people. The Bill will require social services and housing to set out how they'll work together to prevent homelessness, and this will create clarity for professionals and ensure a joined-up, efficient response to young people.

In terms of the points you make, we know that those experiencing homelessness are not a homogenous group. Their backgrounds and experience will obviously vary, but we know that the risk of homelessness can be exacerbated through those broader external factors. We know some of that disproportionately impacts some groups, as you have said.

In terms of the work around local connection tests—and there's some other work that we're able to do in terms of other groups—as I said, there will be ways that we'll be able to develop some of that work as we move forward, but the 'ask and act' duty will provide particular benefits for those who experience homelessness alongside other support needs, who should receive that earlier support and earlier intervention.

So, there is a lot more there, I think, in terms of making sure we're supporting people who are at risk more than others. Again, I'd like to thank all those people who have been involved in the making of this Bill. I hope they will be able to see and hear their voices through this Bill.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.

The next item is a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education on Sustainable Communities for Learning. I call on the Cabinet Secretary, Lynne Neagle.

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to update you today on the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. This transformative initiative has been reshaping the educational landscape across Wales since 2014, and I'm delighted to share our progress and vision.

Originally launched as the twenty-first century schools programme, this initiative was renamed in January 2022 to reflect our deeper commitment to sustainability and community. Working in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association, CollegesWales and diocesan directors we've created modern, sustainable and digitally equipped learning environments that benefit learners of all ages.

The first phase of investment, band A, represented a £1.4 billion investment over five years, ending in 2018-19, delivering 204 projects, including major refurbishments and new-build schools. Band B began in April 2019, expanding to include further education colleges, with £2.2 billion invested across 131 major capital projects.

I'm pleased to report that, with the capital budget of £371 million approved this year, we are on course to achieve our programme for government commitment of investing £1.5 billion within this current Senedd term. This is a remarkable achievement that demonstrates the effectiveness of our collaborative approach.

In addition to traditional capital, the programme is successfully delivering new schools and colleges through the revenue education mutual investment model. This is seeing a further £500 million capital equivalent of investment in our education estate. The mutual investment model has delivered three primary schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf and a three-to-16 learning campus in Mynydd Isa, Flintshire, and will soon deliver Cardiff and Vale College’s twin-campus project, which recently secured financial close. Together, these projects represent a capital equivalent value of £237 million. 

The success of this programme extends far beyond bricks and mortar. These facilities represent our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for every young person in Wales to achieve the highest educational standards. When we combine great teaching and learning with state-of-the-art facilities, we provide our children and young people with the absolute best that education can offer. It has been my privilege to visit some of these schools and colleges, and speak directly with students about their experiences in these transformative environments. Their enthusiasm reinforces my belief in the power of well-designed learning spaces.

Our commitment to tackling the climate emergency is embedded within this programme. In March 2022, we celebrated the opening of South Point Primary School, Wales's first net-zero carbon school. Building on this success, since January 2022, all major new builds or refurbishments must meet our ambitious decarbonisation targets. I'm particularly excited about Pen y Dre High School in Merthyr Tydfil, which, once completed, will be the first major refurbishment project to achieve net-zero carbon in operation. By retaining key building elements, we're reducing embodied carbon, and the school will even supply surplus green energy to Prince Charles Hospital.

Additionally, £45 million of Welsh Government funding will support three innovative, sustainable primary schools through the sustainable schools challenge. Located in Neath Port Talbot, Gwynedd and Rhondda Cynon Taf, these projects will push sustainability boundaries and provide valuable case studies for the wider programme. To support local authorities in planning the decarbonisation of their education estates, we've procured the innovative elemental building condition and carbon survey. This will create a database of building condition and energy information, providing a net-zero carbon route-map for schools and colleges.

I'm also committed to supporting learners with additional learning needs. We've already invested £60 million across 800 projects through our ALN capital grant, increasing educational access for children and young people with ALN. I was particularly impressed by my visit to Ysgol Craig y Don in Conwy in March, when I was able to announce an additional £20 million for schools under the ALN capital grant this financial year. Furthermore, the core programme will invest £750 million over the next nine years to create new specialist school and college facilities.

Our community focus remains strong, with a further £20 million allocated this financial year to our community-focused schools initiative. Over the past three financial years, £58 million has been invested in 128 projects that enhance community engagement and promote lifelong learning. These projects often include provisions for adult education and training, enhancing skills development and employment prospects. The investment has created local jobs, apprenticeships, and work-experience opportunities, especially within the construction sector, which employs many small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales. 

Looking ahead, I'm pleased to confirm that the next stage of the programme is transitioning to a nine-year rolling programme of priority projects. This new rolling programme includes a pipeline of 316 projects, valued at £5.4 billion at today's costs. This ambitious vision is only possible through partnership with local authorities, colleges and dioceses. Together, we are building not just schools and colleges, but sustainable communities that will nurture generations of Welsh learners. Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you so much for this afternoon's statement, Cabinet Secretary. Cabinet Secretary, significant investment was announced for this programme a couple of years ago by your predecessor as part of the next phase of this plan under the programme for government. My party has previously welcomed the commitment, but two First Ministers later, are we seeing a return on this investment in terms of improvement in education? Last time, we were told of the need for a more agile programme and that lessons had to be learnt from band A. So, can you please kindly elaborate today on what lessons have been learnt and set out what steps have indeed been taken in light of them? We were also previously told, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I quote, that

'School transformation remains a vital outcome of our investment.... Well-designed buildings and pleasant surroundings play a key role in supporting both staff and learners'.

We would all agree with the overall aims of this, Cabinet Secretary. However, we cannot deny that we have a shortage of teachers here in Wales. It's all well and good creating these new buildings, but it's imperative that we have teachers and staff to populate these new schools going forward. So, do you think that £1.5 billion over the course of the Parliament could be better spent on the people who are important to a child's education?

Cabinet Secretary, having a good environment for learning is laudable, but Estyn last month warned about declining behaviour in our secondary schools. With fixed-term exclusions of five days or less nearly doubling within the space of four years to nearly 23,000 in 2022-23 alone, and with teachers reporting threats of violence, failure to complete work, vaping and mobile phone misuse, a nice new building is all very well, but teachers and children are suffering due to poor behaviour. So, Cabinet Secretary, apart from your much self-promoted behaviour summit, what clear steps are you going to be taking to tackle bad behaviour in schools?

Cabinet Secretary, in this afternoon's statement you talk about the Government's commitment to tackle, and I quote, 'the climate emergency'. An example of this, which you have alluded to this afternoon, is South Point Primary School, the first net-zero carbon school in Wales. Cabinet Secretary, at a time when our health service is struggling, transport systems are cracking and educational systems are not delivering the outcomes they should be, do you think the people of Wales will still welcome this announcement when you are pledging an additional £45 million-worth of funding to support sustainable schools? In this afternoon's statement, the Cabinet Secretary boasts that, since 2022,

'all major new builds or refurbishments must meet our ambitious decarbonisation targets.' 

Cabinet Secretary, I would like to ask you: does this requirement for net zero come at a higher cost to the programme? If so, how much?

Going forward, Cabinet Secretary, you have confirmed that 316 projects will be delivered over the next nine years, valued at £5.4 billion at today's cost. Given the significance of such a large sum, can you shed some light on some of these up-and-coming projects this afternoon, here in the Chamber? I appreciate you may not have them to hand, so, if not, I'd be really grateful if you could please share them with us after this session is over.

Cabinet Secretary, I appreciate I may be sounding really, really critical here today, but there are some bits that I really do welcome. Yes, there are some bits that I do welcome in your statement, including the support for those with ALN and the community-focused initiatives. You say this has created local jobs, apprenticeships and work-experience opportunities, and I'd really appreciate some figures supporting this claim. So, would you please kindly share those with us as well after the session is over? Thank you.

Well, thank you, Natasha. I am disappointed, really, by your approach this afternoon and your ability to digest what was actually on the agenda, because lots of the issues you've raised, although they are linked to school buildings, are not the main subject of our discussion today.

As you highlighted, my predecessor Jeremy Miles signalled, when he last made a statement on this, that we would be moving to a nine-year rolling programme. The reason for that was for there to be more agility and dynamism in the programme. Having a set programme for a number of years was creating some unintended consequences. Some of the examples of this included tying up capital investment whilst external factors such as consultation issues, land acquisition, planning consent, et cetera, were ongoing, and that led to some project delivery delays. So, it’s firmly our view that by having a rolling programme—and there are review periods built into that rolling programme—we can be more dynamic and more flexible.

You raised the issue of school standards, and as you are aware, raising school standards is a top priority for this Government. I think having world-class buildings is an absolutely key part of raising standards. For me, it sends a really powerful message to the children and young people, as well as the staff in schools, that we value and respect them. That is very important. It enables schools to arrange their learning in more flexible and appropriate ways. One of the schools I was at a little while ago was Bassaleg School, where they've used their new facilities that we part-funded to align with the new curriculum areas of learning and experience, so there is a direct link from school buildings to the quality of learning. You referred to teacher recruitment and retention. I think that having the ability to work in top-notch facilities is a key part of retaining, respecting and valuing our school staff. I would encourage you to go and see some of these new buildings, Natasha, because they are absolutely stunning. I would love to have gone to school in some of those buildings myself.

You also referred to behaviour and exclusions. Well, having high-quality buildings is a key part of managing problematic behaviour. The Welsh-medium school I went to open last week in Rhondda Cynon Taf has a huge hall running right down the centre of the school, so the children can break out of their classrooms. They can work in little areas. That provides opportunity to support children who are maybe having difficulty self-regulating, who need extra interventions with learning. Having that space is particularly important in special schools, where we know that sometimes behaviour can be especially challenging to manage. So, having these top-notch buildings is a key part of tackling the other challenges we know that we face in schools.

I am especially disappointed to hear your comments on net zero. There is a cost for all of us if we don't tackle the climate emergency. I am very proud that this Government has built into the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme a commitment to net zero. I think it is something that our young people are incredibly passionate about as well, so I think it is regrettable, really, that you have gone down this road of climate denial, which is a new low for the Welsh Conservatives, when we are talking about something as important as the climate and nature emergency.

I have referred as well to the investment in the nine-year rolling programme. All local authorities have submitted their strategic outline cases. Obviously, we have got the college bids as part of that as well. What you are asking for there is a lot of detail, which obviously I don’t have to hand, as you would expect, today. In terms of the jobs and opportunities for local businesses, that is a key part of this programme. Local authorities work to deliver the programme, and colleges. We don’t collect the data, as far as I am aware, on the number of jobs, but I can assure you that supporting our economy is a key part of the programme.

Well, we all know that children learn best in environments that are safe, inspiring and fit for purpose. A modern, well-maintained school can transform not just outcomes, but lives. We cannot expect twenty-first century learning in twentieth century buildings. So, investment in infrastructure is an investment in our children's future, and Plaid Cymru, of course, supports efforts to build school facilities of the highest standard across Wales.

However, unfortunately, despite the good news for those who teach and learn in brand-new schools, there is less good news for those stuck in classrooms and school buildings requiring replacement and repairs. One word that wasn't mentioned in your statement, Cabinet Secretary, was 'maintenance', which is fundamental to maintaining high-quality school buildings. As Plaid Cymru revealed earlier this year, the total maintenance backlog for the school building estate in Wales is at least £0.5 billion—yes, £0.5 billion. That's the bill faced by our schools and local authorities after 25 years of Labour neglect. The total urgent maintenance backlog is at least £85 million. At least 320 schools in Wales require urgent maintenance. That is 22 per cent of all schools in Wales. 

In the previous financial year, the Welsh Government committed £50 million for schools and college maintenance, but that would only be enough to cover around 10 per cent of the actual maintenance backlog. So, my question is this: has the Welsh Government considered reallocating a small percentage of the funds announced for the next nine years for new buildings over to the maintenance of current buildings to help reduce the total maintenance backlog, and potentially clear the urgent backlog?

In response to questions on this topic earlier this year, the Cabinet Secretary said that, and I quote:

'The information on repairs is, obviously, held at local authority level'.

And I continue from my own words and from correspondence with some councils: 'we are aware they are meant to undertake an annual school building conditions survey'. However, research from Plaid Cymru can show that in some local authorities, these annual surveys have not been carried out for some years, with some dating back as far as 2019. So, my second question is this: how does the Welsh Government know if the limited money they've announced for maintenance is going to the right place, if all local authorities have not got up-to-date surveys, with some using data that goes back as far as six years?

Whilst the Welsh Government have commissioned an education estate decarbonisation condition survey, this by its own definition collected high-level information and did not go into any details on finishes within buildings. This contrasts with the previous UK Government, which did undertake a detailed condition of school building survey in England, which was published in 2021. So, my final question is this: does the Welsh Government accept that there is a need for a national school condition survey to properly assess the maintenance requirements of the school estate in Wales, to ensure that Welsh Government funding is properly allocated to where it's most needed? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Can I thank Cefin Campbell for his questions, and for his acknowledgement that investment in education infrastructure is investment in our children's future? I 100 per cent agree with him on that. I'm aware that you've raised concerns previously about the maintenance backlog. Obviously, some of the investment that we make through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme does contribute to that. Addressing backlog maintenance in schools has been a priority for the programme since 2014 through its investment objectives. We've rebuilt or refurbished 20 per cent of the school estate over the last 10 years, which has made a significant inroad into reducing the number of poor condition schools in Wales through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.

In addition to that, over the last 10 years we've invested £286 million in capital maintenance funding across schools and colleges in Wales, and a further £114 million of revenue maintenance funding has been provided for schools to address smaller items of maintenance that wouldn't classify as capital expenditure. We provided a note recently to the children's committee on that. You've referred, Cefin, to the funding that was announced last year for capital maintenance; so far this year, I've already approved £30 million capital maintenance funding, but I will release further funding if we are able to, should the budget allow. That has been what we've tended to do when some funding has become available through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.

I think it is important to be very clear as well that we provide a capital allocation to local authorities through their revenue support grant allocation, and it is local authorities and diocesan authorities' responsibility to manage the backlog and assess the condition of their school building assets in line with good practice in estate management. As you've highlighted, the local authorities hold the information on backlog costs. I wasn't aware that some local authorities haven't carried out a survey for some years, and if you would like to share that information with me, I will certainly look at that.

My understanding is that they provide us with an annual conditions rating of the schools, which we monitor, and then we discuss with local authorities. So, I think local authorities have that local information. It is incumbent on them to provide that information, rather than us doing a national survey. But it is important that we have a national view of what is happening at local authority level and we have those discussions with local authorities. I'm meeting Cardiff shortly to discuss some of the challenges in the city in Cardiff. But if you'd like to share that correspondence with me, I will follow that up.

I'd like to congratulate you and your predecessor on the success in meeting the Labour manifesto commitment to invest £1.5 billion in our school buildings. It's clear that we're going to meet that within the next 10 months. I look forward to seeing these two new campuses for Cardiff and Vale College in the Vale of Glamorgan that are going to be delivered through this mutual investment model.

I also am very pleased that we now aren't just focusing on new buildings, but also sustainable communities for learning through refurbishment as well. Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for the response you gave me to the short debate a couple of weeks ago about the challenges facing the Victorian scaffolding schools in my constituency. I hope that the work being done in Welshpool and Bangor is going to be a very useful pointer to how we can address these problems in Cardiff.

I wondered if you could say a little bit more about the innovative elemental building condition and carbon survey that you've procured, because this may help local authorities speed up their knowledge on how we are going to decarbonise all our public buildings, supposedly by 2030.

Can I thank Jenny Rathbone for her kind words about the capital programme, which, I think, we're all very proud of as Labour Members, and to recognise her commitment to improving the school buildings in her own constituency? I know that you're passionate about net zero, so thank you for the welcome for that. I know that you're familiar with the example that I gave of Pen y Dre school in Merthyr, where that's being refurbished as a net-zero-carbon school very successfully. Net-zero costs are incorporated now into the bids that come forward to us from local authorities and colleges. That is an important part of the programme now.

In terms of the elemental building condition and carbon survey, to assist local authorities and further education institutions in working towards the 2030 net-zero carbon public sector commitment, the Sustainable Communities for Learning team have procured an estate-wide building elemental condition and carbon survey, and that's created an innovative approach that prioritises decarbonisation measures in a way that maximises the remaining life of existing building elements. So, for example, we wouldn't recommend taking off a flat roof to upgrade the insulation if the roof has 20 years' life still in it. It means that the recommendations in the route-map are sustainable, minimising waste and providing value-for-money solutions for local authorities and colleges. The programme was completed in March 2025, and all state-funded schools and colleges now have an elemental building condition and carbon survey, along with a route-map to net-zero carbon.

Carolyn Thomas, finally.

Thank you, Llywydd. As a previous school governor and county councillor, I remember looking at the repairs and maintenance backlog and thinking, 'How on earth are we ever going to address this?' It was so big. I remember the director of education then saying, 'There is a twenty-first century schools programme coming along being funded by Welsh Government.' And I have been stunned at the difference it has made. In almost every community across Wales, you will see fantastic schools, twenty-first century schools and community schools for learning. We have not had this programme in England under the Tories. We've got school buildings full of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, haven't we, crumbling.

I recently visited the Mynydd Isa school in Flintshire, and it was amazing. It's replacing crumbling brutal concrete architecture. It's carbon neutral and BREEAM-rated excellent. There's extensive solar right across the roof; it's absolutely covered with it. There is embedded carbon actually in the build as well, using replacement cement, urban drainage, biodiversity elements, which is great for me. There are thick insulated walls—really, really thick—so their energy bills must be non-existent going forward. There were 40 contracts as part of that build to share the investment. I would like to ask you, though, how will those young people in those schools learn from their amazing surroundings—not just take them for granted—about the engineering, the construction, the technology being used, the impact on climate change and biodiversity of their surroundings as part of this great programme of investment? Thank you.

Thank you, Carolyn, for those positive words and for highlighting the difference that there is between England and Wales on this issue. You can see that very clearly through the RAAC situation, where we have only had five schools with RAAC in Wales, which we also dealt with really quickly, so a very different picture to the one over the border. I'm really glad that you managed to get the opportunity to go to Mynydd Isa school, which is one of our MIM schools, a 3-16 school. That was an investment of £64.7 million under the programme, and there was additional capital investment for furniture and ICT equipment as well.

You make a really important point about how the young people learn through these new buildings. Although I don't have any detail on what's happened in relation to that on Mynydd Isa, I know that when I went to Pen y Dre school, the young people there were working with the contractors. All the contractors I've seen in action seem to be really engaged with the young people in the schools. They were working with the young people to help them learn about sustainability and all the technology that was going into the school.

As you're aware, our curriculum includes learning on sustainability and net zero, so there's a really important opportunity here. Learner voice is an important part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme. There are lots of good examples of where contractors have worked with young people to incorporate their views into the design of the building as well, and really positive partnerships between contractors, schools, local authorities and young people.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.

Item 5 is next, a statement by the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership on priorities for culture. So, the Minister, Jack Sargeant, to make his statement. 

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I am pleased to publish the 'Priorities for Culture' today, and delighted to be delivering this programme for government commitment. I would like to thank colleagues who have been part of the development journey, including former Ministers and Plaid Cymru designated Members, but most importantly I would like to thank sector stakeholders for sharing their insights and vision and for their positive support for this work.

Llywydd, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 sets out in law that cultural well-being must be a consideration for every policy area and every public body in Wales. The new priorities provide a critically important framework for taking this forward. Whilst the priorities have been in development, we have continued to focus on delivery, even when working within challenging social and economic backdrops. We have delivered programme for government commitments including Celf, the national contemporary art gallery for Wales, and we are making good progress on the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd and a new football museum for Wales.

Since 2022 we have awarded more than £5 million to make collections and spaces more inclusive and to support grass-roots cultural participation, ensuring our diverse communities are at the centre of culture. And there has been challenge and discussion in this Chamber relating to the protection of our cultural and heritage collections. We’ve increased capital funding, providing almost £3 million additional funding for urgent works at the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru, Cardiff last year. I am continuing to make additional funding available this year for investment across the library and amgueddfa estates and historic sites across Wales. This includes investing in the redevelopment of the National Slate Museum at Llanberis and the project at Caerphilly castle.

Llywydd, we have continued to invest in local museum, library and archive services through our transformation capital grant, supporting the transformation and modernisation of local services, and between 2022-23 and 2024-25, we have invested over £3.5 million in local projects. In 2024 we launched a new collections management grant scheme for our local sectors, awarding over £420,000. Through small-scale interventions, we enabled local organisations across Wales to improve their storage standards, increase storage capacity and improve collections' care.

Launching the 'Priorities for Culture' provides a renewed impetus and focus for the mid-to-long term future. I’ve allocated £15 million to support the delivery of these new priorities. This includes £8 million for an arts sector strategic capital investment programme via the Arts Council of Wales. This significant investment will provide vital capital funding and support the delivery of many ambitions within the 'Priorities for Culture'. It also includes a £7 million capital and revenue fund for museums, archives, libraries and the historic environment. This will be deployed alongside existing funding streams to maximise its impact. For example, I will be enhancing the collections management grant scheme, providing broader support for our local sectors, matched to the ambitions of the 'Priorities for Culture'. This will enable support for adaptations focused on addressing climate change, facilities for children and young people, enhancing access and inclusion and digital improvements. Our ambitions prioritise being inclusive, accessible and diverse, and focus on children and young people. We need to provide cultural experiences for all children and young people, starting from an early age, and continue building those experiences at regular intervals. We must provide rich opportunities and break down all barriers to access.

Llywydd, from the moment I was appointed Minister for culture, I set the challenge that children from working-class communities should have the same opportunities and access to our cultural offer. I want to focus on improving facilities for children, young people and families, but I also want to strengthen their voices. Young people should be deeply embedded in influencing and shaping culture and be able to aspire to future careers in the sector. I will look at ways of strengthening their voice, and at directing funding to meet travel and ticket costs. I have already allocated funding to support school travel to local museums in the final budget, and funding to establish a programme of activity, based in libraries, focused on creating opportunities for children to engage with authors, story-tellers and reading for pleasure. We will strive to ensure the culture sector is a great place to work and volunteer, with a professional and skilled workforce.

The need for specialist skills was a key theme in the consultation responses. We are already starting to address this. A specialist heritage craft skills traineeship programme is in progress, supporting the development of Cadw's conservation team, but I want to consider how we can develop further training, apprenticeships and other routes into work. I want to improve our understanding of the workforce across all areas of the sector, including what we know about its diversity.

We will also focus on leadership and collaboration in sustainable development. Last week I published findings on how culture is responding to the climate and nature emergencies. The report looks at the sector's current approaches and skill sets, providing recommendations and proposed actions. It is clear the sector needs further support to achieve net-zero and to co-ordinate its response to the climate and nature emergencies. The Welsh Government already funds carbon literacy training for museums, archives and library staff. I will build on this by providing dedicated staffing resource to work across the sectors, based at one of our national bodies, supported by both revenue and capital funding to take this forward. In this first year of implementation, I will also be looking to support intangible cultural heritage and digital improvements.

Llywydd, I would like to end by saying that I am immensely proud of the culture sector. Every day I witness the power of culture. This is a vision developed with and for the sector, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the sector to deliver these priorities. I would like to thank all those who have made this happen, including my team of dedicated officials, and I look forward to receiving questions from Members today. Diolch.

I'd like to thank the Minister for his statement to the Senedd this afternoon, although I have some grave concerns about some of the ambitions listed in the Welsh Government's priorities. Firstly, when setting priorities, the Welsh Government must be delicate and ensure they are not encroaching on the freedom of the sector, and this guidance fails in that and it clips the wings of the culture sector. Culture is organic, not top-down. The underlying ideological motivation suggests the Welsh Government intends to use our cultural sector as a vehicle for its progressive agenda, and I think that's very sinister. I agree with the first priority, that culture brings us together. However, the first ambition under this priority is for culture to be inclusive, accessible and diverse, which is directly undermining of togetherness. Emphasising differences within a nation divides us, it does not unite us. We should be emphasising that which binds us: our common culture and our identity. The Welsh Government should not be issuing diktats like this to our cultural sector, railroading their political ideology into public and private life. It should prioritise a cultural sector that reflects Welsh culture.

But perhaps the most dystopian of them all is ambition three, which is for culture to take an inclusive and balanced approach to interpreting, commemorating and presenting our past. While these may sound innocuous on the face of it, the particular use of language has a political undercurrent and many fear that this is a Trojan horse for the Welsh Government to inject its own ideological view. It's also outrageous for the Government to dictate how institutions present or interpret history. This is historical revisionism and Government overreach. The Welsh Conservatives will not tolerate the Welsh Government injecting divisive left wing grievance narratives into our cultural institutions. This again undermines the first priority of bringing us together. [Interruption.] And to quote Alun Davies—I can hear you there—

'it is not the role of politicians to determine what productions are in theatres or what exhibitions are in museums. We do not live in a totalitarian society'.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Member for Blaenau Gwent, for a change. Moving to ambition seven, for culture to reflect Wales as a bilingual and multilingual nation. This bizarre addition of multilingual is an attempt at inclusion, but every country on earth is technically multilingual. Since the Welsh Language Act 1993, Wales has two official languages, English and Welsh, and the priority should reflect this legislation.

Moving on to the last ambition under the priority of ensuring culture is resilient and sustainable, it states that the culture sector must tackle all aspects of climate and nature emergencies. These terms—climate and nature emergency—are not scientific terms, and therefore totally unprofessional and inappropriate to use. These are politicised and alarmist phrases that mislead public policy, and I'd urge the Welsh Government to use language employed by the scientific experts, not political activists. But my overreaching concern with this ambition is again that this is a sinister overreach by the Welsh Government. It is not the job of the culture sector to fix climate change, and Government should not be issuing decrees for them to do so.

When the arts and culture sector acts as an arm of the state, the organic nature of arts and culture is lost. What they produce will lack authenticity and will fail to reflect the human condition. Creative expression should not be curtailed on the whim of bureaucrats. The ambition to tackle climate change will ironically hurt the sustainability of the culture sector, because no-one wants to see politicised propaganda produced on the orders of the Welsh Government, and we are already seeing footfall at Welsh museums are struggling to bounce back following the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are also notable omissions from these priorities that I'd like to raise. It should be an ambition to ensure that culture in Wales does not stray into dangerous and illegal territory, which is why the Welsh Conservatives condemned Kneecap's planned performance at the Green Man Festival, despite being under ongoing investigation by counterterrorism police for their calls to murder MPs.

There was also little mention of the importance of sports to our culture. For the first time in over a decade, no professional rugby will be taking place at any point in north Wales this year, and it should be the cultural ambition to see our national sport represented across the nation. So, overall, I'd strongly urge the Minister to consider the points I've made regarding some of the problematic ambitions in the 'Priorities for Culture' he's published and ensure these are revised to avoid unacceptable Government overreach into the culture sector. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Llywydd, I think I counted one question in there, and the Member is right, in fairness, to point to that question around the role of sport in the 'Priorities for Culture'. The 'Priorities for Culture' does not include sport explicitly, but sport does have a role, and if you read through the document, it does mention the role of sport, and I think there are areas of our sporting organisations that will go on to use this document to celebrate culture. If you look already at what the Football Association of Wales are doing in this space, I think they are a great example of where we can come together and celebrate Welsh culture on that international level. And whilst it doesn't necessarily mention sport as the Member would like, sport will play a role in the future of Wales's culture priorities.

But I'm afraid to say, Llywydd, I'm not sure there were any more questions to me; it was more of a reflection on the Member's view of the sector. He started by saying we should not have a top-down approach to the priorities for culture. Well, he should well know that this document was produced with the sector and by the sector. So, the first consultation of the priorities for culture received over 400 consultation responses to it. It continued to be co-produced alongside Plaid Cymru designated Members as well, a shared ambition of both of ours, and the external steering group, which cleared the final document, the document that you've all seen in front of you, and I hope have read, in front of you, should be there—.

He goes on to say we shouldn't clip the wings of the sector. Well, we're not clipping the wings of the sector. If you speak to the sector on the back of this 'Priorities for Culture' launch, what this offers is a vision. It's a vision for the sector that all of us can work towards, not just the Government, but the sector themselves. And actually, when I've spoken to the sector directly about what's in here, they are very proud of what we've achieved to date and what we'll achieve together going forward.

He then quotes Alun Davies from a previous exchange in the Senedd, and Alun was right to say it's not for politicians to dictate culture priorities. That's not what we're doing here. I struggle when the Member says this, because in one breath he does say that it's not for politicians to dictate, and, in the next breath, he wants to politically intervene in the sector. So, you can't have it both ways, unfortunately. You can't have—[Interruption.] It's not selective hearing at all; it's exactly what you said and have said again. So, it's no-sense politics from the Conservatives, Presiding Officer.

The Member then reaches to climate change. Well, let me just end on this. We heard the same argument from the Conservatives in the previous statement as well. I know they want to be the new Reform and not believe in climate change, but climate change is for us all—for us all—to consider how we support and tackle those emergencies. I won't take lessons in scientific language; I have a degree in mechanical science. I'll leave that where it is, Presiding Officer.

But I look forward to further engagement with the sector. This is an important day for the sector, Presiding Officer, a sector that offers economic value, offers a real importance in improving our health and well-being, especially in young people, and I think all Members should take the opportunity to welcome today's launch of the 'Priorities for Culture'.

I thank the Minister for the statement today and for sharing a copy with me in advance. So, I can prove that I've read it. My comments will be based on this document, rather than rhetoric, and I do have some specific questions for the Minister today. As you've said, this document is a long-awaited one, and the sector will today welcome the fact that a document has been published by the Government at last.

I want to start with a positive, namely that this document contains a number of statements below each of the priorities that describe why culture is important to our nation and our people. For those who work in these sectors, or who have the opportunity to engage with them, they are statements that cannot be disputed, and there are numerous examples of innovative work taking place throughout Wales that show that the sector is already achieving these things. These are not ambitions; these are things that our organisations and people who work in this field are delivering now.

Last week, I was lucky enough to revisit Theatr Clwyd, and I was fascinated by the amazing vision that the team has there, and the transformative work that's taking place in terms of transforming people's lives and their health and well-being. I'm sure that many of us are very eager to visit the theatre again once the doors of the theatre reopen.

I also agree entirely with the Minister's comments regarding the importance of ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or financial situation, should have access to culture and an opportunity to participate in it. This is a fundamental right that has been eroded as a result of the cuts and the lack of prioritisation afforded to this portfolio in recent years. And so the question that I have, having listened to the statement and read the document, is: how does the Government want to ensure that? Because the truth is that there are fewer people from poorer backgrounds who have been able to take part in culture in recent years compared with a decade ago. So, how are we going to ensure that the cuts that have happened—? How are we going to ensure that those people have access to culture once again, and encourage more people to do that? That's a fundamental right.

In terms of the £15 million of funding that you've announced, I'd appreciate knowing whether this is new funding, how much of this funding is revenue funding, and what's the expected output from this investment, and also is it going to be an annual increase or is it just a one-off, just for me to have a better understanding of how you see this funding supporting the priorities.

Because if you listened to today's statement, and even from reading the document, you would be forgiven for thinking that all was well in these crucial sectors. You'd think that there had been ample investment from Government, and that ample investment was being made, but that's not the case, is it? Yes, there's been more investment, but we're still not at the levels of investment there were even a decade ago.

I would like to know how we're going to ensure that the Government will help the sectors not only recover, but flourish. Because, as was evident in the culture committee’s recent report, 'A decade of cuts', this is a sector in crisis. Wales ranks third from bottom of European countries in terms of spending per person on recreational and sporting services, and second from bottom for cultural services. That’s not a legacy to be proud of. And it seems to me that the good-news stories and achievements of these sectors in recent years has been despite Government, not because of it.

I’m sure that many Members here today will recall a debate I led about the importance of culture in March 2024, when the then Minister with responsibility for culture repeatedly heckled me with the words, 'But what about the NHS?', showing a complete lack of understanding from the Minister who was supposed to be the champion of culture in Government about the interconnectivity between health and the arts, as well as wider Government priorities, including the economy. So, I'm pleased to see in this document that that acknowledgement is there.

Of course, we've seen the future generations commissioner, in his recent report, conveying concern about the future of the culture sector, saying that the Welsh Government should introduce a culture Bill to make culture a statutory requirement for public bodies. I would therefore like to ask the Minister today for his response to this idea, and whether this is something that is being seriously considered by the Government.

Because what’s clear to me, and I think what comes through clearly from the priorities document itself, is that today’s publication can be seen as a welcome first step for many people working in the sector, but that further work is needed to identify the support required to make this a reality, accompanied by clear commitments. There are still a number of references in the document to that further work is required, or that we need to develop a skills strategy, so there are some elements that still haven't been worked up. And as someone who's been waiting nine years for this document, I do feel that we've missed an opportunity to perhaps put forward those plans to show definitely how those steps are going to be taken.

So, I look forward to working, hopefully, constructively with the Minister to take this forward. It is a first step, but there is a lot of work to be done to get us back to the position we were in, let alone take us further forward in the future.

Diolch yn fawr, Heledd, for the constructive feedback on the 'Priorities for Culture' today, but not just today, also the constructive relationship we’ve had on this issue, both yourself and I, but others in your own party as well, particularly the designated Members, when this was co-produced through the co-operation agreement. I am pleased that you think the document is a welcome first step in the process. It shares the ambitions of what the sector is saying as well.

You’re right to say that this is a lot of the things that we’re already doing, we’re already delivering, both the Government but also the sector as well. What the 'Priorities for Culture' does and will do is enable us to build on those successes in the future. I'll just go through, or try to go through, the points that the Member has asked around.

Firstly, on access, well, access is critical for me. It's one of the most important things that we can offer in this area. One of the items that I addressed in the speech was around travel and ticket costs for those children and young people as well. So, we're already looking at supporting that within the final budget, and I'll be looking at further expanding an offer so that we can support. What we know from the consultation, and what we know from what people tell me, and I'm sure you and others in this place, is that travel, and then the ticket costs to enter these sites, is one of the barriers. I had that conversation at the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum during VE Day celebrations, so there's a direct intervention, which we'll look to address in the immediate future.

You asked around funding and whether it's new funding. Well, it is new funding this year. It's £8 million capital funding for the Arts Council of Wales, which is referenced within the speech, and I'm sure that more will come out when they announce what that will be used for in due course. And then the £7 million funding ring-fenced—. You asked around capital and revenue, well, it's £3.35 million for capital and £3.7 million ring-fenced funding in revenue. But it's not just that. What I'll ask arm's-length bodies to do in their allocations in draft and then final budgets—. I've asked them to set out in their operational plans to me how they can go on to support the 'Priorities for Culture' in the allocation that they've had in the final budget as well. 

The Member points to the future generations commissioner's recent report and the culture Bill—she asked for my response to calls for a culture Bill. I think what the commissioner said was that it would be for the next Government to bring forward a culture Bill, in his view. I'm not considering that at the moment. I think that will be for all parties to consider, going forward, and putting that to a mandate, to the vote, in the next Senedd elections. What I'm keen to do, and what the focus of my job is and what I've asked officials to do, is implement those immediate steps that we've heard—so, around workforce, around the travel and ticket costs, and around the climate and nature emergency, which I've already outlined. 

The Member then points to Theatr Clwyd. I think most—. Certainly, I saw that Gareth Davies was there over recess as well. I enjoyed my recent visit there and I look forward to being back there in the very near future for the opening of Theatr Clwyd. I went there as a nine-year-old with an opportunity behind the camera for Lucky Come Back—my local primary school, Ysgol Bryn Deva, in collaboration with Theatr Clwyd. What I'm hoping we'll do—. With the significant investment from the Welsh Labour Government into capital investment in Theatr Clwyd in north-east Wales, more opportunities like that will come forward. So, I'm grateful for the Member's interest and look forward to all Members having the opportunity to be able to see that. In fairness to Gareth Davies, I was pleased that he was able to note the investment by the Welsh Government in his recent video—he didn't do that last time.

Presiding Officer, this is a really important step forward. There is more work to be done, and we'll do that collaboratively with the sector, indeed. I just want to point out where we've been since I've been in post, Presiding Officer. We were able to announce in-year funding to support the sector; we were able to increase in both draft and final budgets, which was welcomed by the sector. Today, we're launching the 'Priorities for Culture'. I'm proud to have been able to deliver on that. I am grateful to the Member for her particular interest, and I am very happy to work constructively with her ongoingly on this matter.

I welcome the priority statements today, cementing the importance of Wales's cultural sectors, and the announcement of the £15 million of new Welsh Government spending across the gamut of the cultural sectors of Wales. After years of austerity-led underspend, which has led Wales to appear at the bottom of EU cultural spend, this Senedd is fully aware of the financial pressures that are being felt in the world of the arts, especially when these services are often discretionary and not statutory. However, culture and creatives provide key economic drivers to Welsh gross domestic product and cement our excellence in this world, and generally make life worth living. So, I welcome that the cuts to this portfolio are being partly remediated, but we still do remain low in European portfolio funding standards.

I note that there is, yet, no mention of the importance of funding nationally significant cultural organisations such as Welsh National Opera, suffering worrying redundancies, or the solution to the loss of the junior royal Welsh college music department, which, though not on this mandate, has a very deep cross-cutting impact to pipelines for musicians and Welsh artistic export. I welcome, Minister, your announcement that the investment includes £8 million for a strategic capital investment programme via the Arts Council of Wales, and also your support locally for the Blackwood Miners’ Institute.

So, Minister, what discussions have you had with the Arts Council of Wales about their strategic role in mitigating the severe onslaughts on the music and performance sectors of Wales? What further arm's-length assessments, such as the previous tailored review process, will the Welsh Government undertake to ensure that the critical work of the Arts Council of Wales is fit for purpose so it's fully sighted and able to respond to the pressures across the performance sectors of Wales, of which I note the music sector is silent within the priorities document? Diolch yn fawr i chi.

I thank Rhianon Passmore for that. She will know the music sector is very alive and well in the creative industry's ambitions, and there is very much a link between the two there, as I said earlier to Gareth around sport. The creative sector as well plays a role in delivering against the ‘Priorities for Culture’.

The Member is an absolutely consistent champion for the sector, and I think that's worth recognising this afternoon. I think today is very much an important milestone for the sector, which will go some way towards addressing the challenges that Rhianon Passmore has highlighted already. I was very pleased to be with Rhianon Passmore earlier this year at Blackwood miners', where, because of the intervention from my department, the in-year funding, and the intervention from the Arts Council of Wales with the additional funding we made available, we were able to save the Blackwood Miners' Institute—another great example of our working-class cultural heritage.

I'll try not to delve into areas that are not my responsibility, but what I will say—and I should have said in response to Heledd earlier as well—as part of the ‘Priorities for Culture’ work, I'll also be having a series of bilaterals with other Cabinet Secretaries within other portfolios. So, the health Secretary, the Deputy First Minister, the local government Minister and, indeed, the education Minister in the first tranche of those, but then it will spread across to others, because this is a document for not just the Government, and all parts of the Government, to contribute towards, but actually it's much wider than that. So, we've had lots of conversations with arm's-length bodies, including the Arts Council of Wales. That investment of £8 million for a capital fund, we've not had that type of funding before in the sector. It should be really welcome news for the sector, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of that.

And on the point about the WNO, again I was pleased with that in-year funding of £755,000 in December. I was able to meet with the new directors of the WNO. Their vision and ambition, I think, for the WNO perfectly align with the ‘Priorities for Culture’ document that you will have seen today, and particularly around access and in creating that the WNO is a space for everybody. I was very impressed and I'm very optimistic about the future of the WNO. I look forward to working with them, the arts council and the Member in the future to deliver against these priorities. 

Thank you for the statement. Culture has such a central role, I think, in promoting well-being and changing damaging attitudes for the benefit of all of our society. You've also mentioned in your statement that there is an emphasis on young people in the strategy.

Theatr na nÓg, which is based in Neath in my region, does excellent work in producing theatre work that reaches young people. This week, I will be going to see Y Naid, Just Jump, at the Norwegian church. It was originally commissioned by the Cardiff Harbour Authority to raise awareness of the dangers of behaviours such as jumping into water and swimming unsupervised, and the pressure young people can feel to join in such behaviour. We've heard about the serious and heartbreaking consequences of that this week, with the inquest into the death of the 15-year-old boy, David Ejimofor, a constituent of mine, who drowned in the sea near Aberavon. Every year, young people in Wales lose their lives in water like this, and theatre can help to communicate the dangers in a way that captures their attention, and this production does exactly that. But pupils across Wales will not have an opportunity to see the production, although the company has been striving for some years to achieve this. So, what consideration does the strategy give to understanding the potential and supporting national theatre in education campaigns to try and ensure that unnecessary tragedies like this one are prevented? Thank you.

Can I thank the Member for those questions? I think you are absolutely right to point to the role that the culture sector can play in not just those traditional arts and going to the theatre because you want to go to the theatre, but actually what it can do to open the doors and reach areas that we sometimes simply can't reach. The performance that you mentioned, Just Jump, I am sure, does exactly that.

I was very pleased this morning to be in Sarah Murphy's constituency at Seren Books to discuss just the same thing, but the role publishing can play and the priorities around that. It is very important to be able to improve that access to communities across Wales and then get the right type of culture in front of people, to be able to ultimately save lives and improve lives as well.

The ambition set out in the 'Priorities for Culture' document is a vision that the sector can work towards. I think the first one does exactly that. The one that brings everybody together is the important part here, and then accessing programmes like the Just Jump theatre, I think will be a consideration for the sector to take forward. So, when arm's-length bodies set out in their operational plans to me how they can support the 'Priorities for Culture', I very much take your point on board about how that access looks, and I'll ask them to consider that as well, but also the role that schools can play. I think that may form part of the discussion that I will have with the Cabinet Secretary around that. But thanks for those constructive comments this afternoon.

I welcome the statement by the Minister. Minister, protecting our cultural heritage is also about preserving specialist skills. I welcome the specialist heritage craft skills traineeship programme with the support and development of Cadw’s conservation team. We need to develop further apprenticeships. We know that a number of those with certain building skills, such as dry stone wall building and thatching, are declining. We also know that these skills are necessary to preserve our built heritage. Dry stone walling is a building method by which structures are constructed from stones without any mortar to bind them together. A certain amount of binding is obtained through the use of carefully selected interlocking stones. Thatching is the craft of building a roof with dry vegetation, such as straw, water reeds, rushes, et cetera, layering the vegetation so as to shed water away from the inner roof. Since the bulk of the vegetation stays dry and is densely packed, trapping air, thatching also functions as insulation.

Finally, I want to stress the importance of sport and music, including choirs and brass bands, to our cultural heritage.

I thank Mike Hedges for those two areas. I absolutely agree with him on that last point there, and I hope the priorities will help further enhance the offer that we can make to support that.

The point on skills, well, look, I've asked all Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers within the Government to consider how they support the priorities for culture in their portfolios, so it's only right that I ask myself that as well. So, with skills in mind, as the Member pointed out, skills was a key theme of the consultation response that we had from the sector, so we're looking to address that in the immediate term, as I've said in the statement, with the specialist skills traineeship with Cadw. But the Member points to apprenticeships, and I'm very interested in the role that apprenticeships can play in the sector, particularly for those specialist skills—so, skills like conservation, but skills like dry stone walling as well, and other skills. What I'm asking officials to do is to go back and consider a shared-type apprenticeship scheme for the sector. We do this already in the construction sector, where SMEs are able to go onto that type of scheme, and to just see if that's something that, firstly, the sector is interested in, and then how that works.

So, without going into detail around this, the two areas that the Member pointed to very much could be of interest to not just Cadw, but also the National Trust and local government colleagues as well. So, I thank the Member for doing that, and we'll certainly be considering that in the very near future, and I look forward to reporting back to him and to Members on that scheme.

I thank the Minister for the statement and I welcome the document on the priorities. It is long awaited, because the culture sector has suffered bitterly from underfunding, although there was a bit of a change of course on that earlier this year, of course. However, problems remain in the wake of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and Brexit.

Our committee has demonstrated the impact of underfunding for over a decade. Could you tell us, in order for us to be able to see this in context, where you hope funding levels will be over the next few years? The Scottish Government, I know, has said that it hopes to allocate £100 million more each year by 2028-29. So, in order to see this snapshot in context, that would be very useful for us to see.

And because there aren't many details in terms of the implementation that will be needed to achieve all of this, and the priorities that I think many of us would praise here, or any timescales, will you be publishing an action plan to accompany this to provide that detail? I think that we as a committee would welcome something like that to help us with the scrutiny of this. Thank you. 

Diolch, Delyth, for those questions. I think there were two points in there. I'm not in a position to announce future budgets. I was very pleased to be able to increase the level of funding from the draft budget to the final budget this year. It was disappointing that opposition parties didn't want to support that funding, but I'm not in a position at the moment to be able to set budgets. I don't think the finance Secretary would be very happy if I was able to do that. [Interruption.] I know Sam Kurtz is trying to tempt me to do just that, but I'll refrain.

On implementation, what I am keen to see happen—and this is partly because of how the sector happens—this is a document a long time in the making, and I am very keen that we deliver against the actions and ambitions within it in the immediate term. So, my focus, as I've set out in this statement, will be focusing on delivering against those actions, particularly around the climate and nature emergency. We've seen the report I published last week and some of the recommendations there. We'll look to deliver against them. I've already mentioned around children and young people and how we are trying to improve access already, in the statement, as well as other areas around workforce. Again, the actions that we will take as to the Cadw traineeship scheme, but then we will look to shared apprenticeship schemes.

I'm not going to publish an implementation plan now. I think that would cause further delay to addressing the problems. That is not to say I won't in the future, but I am not in that place now. I think the sector wants us to get on to deliver against this. I look forward to the scrutiny of the committee. I think there will be lots of opportunity for that to take place against the priorities.

Minister, I'm sure you'll join me in welcoming the new culture strategy of Newport City Council, which is just a few months old now, which has created a real buzz around the city and involved the grass roots in working up ideas and being part of what will take place as a result of that strategy. Perhaps one aspect of it, which is very notable, is a new music venue in the city centre, and a new enthusiasm and buzz around the music scene. There's long been a history in Newport of edgy, modern music performance and venues and strength. I think the new cultural strategy very much draws on that. But it's much wider than music; it's music and the arts and culture more generally.

I just wonder, Minister, if you will be looking to work with local authorities like Newport, which are particularly ambitious in terms of having this new cultural strategy and wanting to develop and grow it. How can you work with authorities to make sure that the potential within the area is realised?

I thank John Griffiths for that. I think all of the things that are happening in Newport right now are very exciting for not just the area, but for Wales as a whole. It was great to be there over the Easter period with Jayne Bryant and the leader of the council, Dimitri. I was very pleased to see Dimitri re-elected as leader of the council. I think the cultural strategy for Newport and all of the things that John Griffiths has mentioned are very much because of his leadership. We will work with local authorities, of course. One of the bilaterals I'll have with Ministers will be with the local government Minister because I think the workforce of local government, as well as on the skills piece, have a key role to play in this.

But the ambitions of Newport's cultural strategy align very well with the 'Priorities for Culture'. I was in Caerleon just yesterday with the two cabinet members from Newport who have responsibility for tourism and culture. We were in the National Roman Legion Museum in Caerleon. That's not just got national significance; it has international significance to cultural heritage, and it's right on our doorstep. I think there's a lot more to do there, and it was pleasing to be able to launch the priorities in Newport, in Caerleon.

The music scene is alive and kicking in Newport. I know there might not be any TJ’s any more, but there are things that are replacing it, and I think all of the work that Le Pub are doing, and others, in this space is very exciting. I wish them all the best with the music trail—that's just been, but the ones they'll have in the future. We will go on to support them in that way, and I look forward to working with the Member as well.

And finally, Buffy Williams.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, as you've outlined, creative opportunities help our young people find their voice, build confidence, and feel proud of their true identity and celebrate where they're from. Whether it's music, art, gaming or film, culture lifts us up and opens doors to real careers. Rhondda is home to some of our most beloved stars in Wales, with the likes of Sophie Evans and Callum Howells inspiring future generations.

More recently, we've seen the birth of the Turning the Wheel musical, providing opportunities for local writers, artists, actors and actresses. We're also lucky in Rhondda to have outstanding organisations like Spectacle Theatre, who support young people through the arts. I've been fortunate to experience the music and gaming courses available at Coleg y Cymoedd and to see Ysgol Gynradd Llwyncelyn and Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda opening up Welsh language culture for the next generation. 

You mention in your statement not leaving children from working-class communities behind when it comes to accessing culture. Can you further outline how the strategy can achieve this and build on the opportunities already available?

I thank Buffy Williams for raising those important points. Again, there are lots of things happening in the Rhondda, and it's great. It's steeped in cultural history, particularly working-class history. I think we've got a proud working-class history in Wales, and we should always look to celebrate that. I look forward to celebrating it with the Member.

I'm particularly interested in the point the Member raised on gaming. Gaming and the creative industries is not mentioned directly in the ambitions, but it will link closely to the 'Priorities for Culture'. I think there's real space between the creative industries and perhaps the more traditional arts and culture, and how they work together. I think the priorities document will help shape that conversation.

When I was in Wrexham University looking at some of the games fund that we deliver through them, I was able to meet a student there who's created his own game and all the technology that you have to be able to use to make that happen, but actually, the scenery in the game—not just the gameplay and script writing of the game—he's painted every single scene. So, he's used his artistic licence on one side and then he's gone on to produce the game, and I think there's much more opportunity to do more collaboration.

I'm very pleased to see the Member bringing up, again, the importance of children and young people having access to culture. I think the response, which I've already set out, in meeting those travel and ticket costs—and we'll look at the detail of what that will mean—will go some way in making sure people have the opportunity.

Just yesterday, when I was in Caerleon, I was reminded about Gwilym, who was eight years old when he first visited there. So, very similar to me, when I first visited Theatr Clwyd and did that project with them up in north Wales, Gwilym was eight years old when he was inspired by all of the Roman history in Caerleon. Gwilym is now the head of Cadw. I want there to be more Gwilyms across all parts of Wales, to be inspired by the culture that we have here. I think the vision set out in the 'Priorities for Culture' will enable us to offer more experiences and inspirations to more people across Wales. We look forward to doing that, including in working-class communities like the ones the Member and I represent. Diolch.

Thank you, Minister.

And I will add: don't forget street art as well. We have a tremendous scene of street art in Wales.

I fully agree with the Deputy Presiding Officer.

Item 6 this afternoon is a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, an update on major events. I call on the Cabinet Secretary, Rebecca Evans.

Diolch. I welcome the opportunity today to highlight the success of the Welsh Government in making Wales a top global destination for major events. Cultural, sporting and business events are a vital part of our visitor economy. By bringing events to destinations the length and breadth of Wales, the Welsh Government is driving positive economic impact, showcasing our world-class venues, spotlighting our cities, towns and communities, and highlighting our incredible landscapes. We are working to support the growth of a geographical and seasonal spread of home-grown and international events across the whole of Wales. In doing so, we are attracting people to visit Wales, both from elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

As well as boosting the economy, events help us to celebrate and share our distinct Welsh culture with the world. They also deliver wider benefits such as supporting mental health and well-being, helping to increase participation in sports and the arts, and fostering community engagement and cohesion. 

Securing a stage of the grand départ of the Tour de France in 2027 is a significant achievement. It will provide an opportunity to showcase Wales's natural beauty to an audience of millions, as well as bringing significant economic impact to Wales. We will also use the event to encourage people of all ages to try, or return to, cycling, for example.

Similarly, hosting six matches of the UEFA Euro 2028 in Cardiff represents another significant opportunity. We can be confident that the economic benefits will be significant, and that a vibrant atmosphere for communities and visitors alike will be guaranteed. We will also work closely with partners to ensure that these events are delivered effectively and responsibly.

More immediately, this weekend we will welcome the European rugby finals to the Principality Stadium, bringing tens of thousands of fans from England and France to our capital city and boosting the economy. We hope that our warm Welsh welcome will see the fans hungry to come back for more. 

Also taking place this weekend is the Devauden Festival in Monmouthshire. Our Welsh Government support has helped it grow from a one-day festival to a three-day festival, and the profits from the event are re-invested in the community, enabling local people access to arts, sporting, cultural and community activities throughout the year. And then, in July, we will be bringing the AIG Women's Open to the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club. This will be the biggest women-only sporting event ever to be held in Wales.

The Between the Trees Festival, over the bank holiday weekend in August, attracts almost half of its audience from outside of Wales to enjoy the beauty of Candleston woods in Bridgend. With Welsh Government support, the festival attracted around 20 per cent more visitors in 2024. It creates up to 50 volunteer placements for community groups across the Bridgend area, and was listed in The Guardian's 'Ten great ideas for August bank holiday'.

We're also pleased to be supporting a programme of activity that celebrates this year's centenary of the birth of one of Wales's cultural icons, Richard Burton, showcasing and promoting his birthplace to an international audience. Celebrating world-famous icons of Welsh culture is a great way of inspiring people to visit Wales. The more people know about Wales, the more they want to visit. These programmes celebrating the likes of Burton, Dylan Thomas and Roald Dahl in creative and fun ways resonate with fans across the globe and demonstrate Wales's pride in their achievements. 

We're always looking to the future to bring more events to Wales, and we have events in the calendar right up to 2030. We're not complacent, however, and we're in regular dialogue with a range of event owners about future opportunities. Some of these discussions have to take place confidentially, but we will continue to pursue different options to bring more exciting events to Wales.

Event opportunities are being considered within the framework of our Event Wales strategy, which seeks to maximise the benefits of major events for Wales. Last year alone, we saw a return on investment from events of over 10:1, supporting almost a 1,000 jobs in the wider tourism economy, and providing showcase opportunities for almost 1,000 Welsh artists.

The numbers tell part of the story of how valuable events can be, but they don't tell the whole story. By providing funding and directly supporting events, we see and hear first-hand the vital contribution that events make to Welsh businesses. From beer suppliers and food vans to stage technicians and sound engineers, there are people and businesses thriving across Wales because of the range of events taking place here.

Hosting major events requires careful planning and collaboration, and we can't deliver our ambitions for a thriving sector alone. We're committed to working closely with our partners to ensure events are delivered successfully and that they provide tangible benefits for the people of Wales. We’re also aware of the need to balance the potential benefits with the potential costs and impacts. We'll continue to ensure that our investment in events is informed by the best available evidence and are delivered in a way that benefits all of Wales. Thank you.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for the update on this. We warmly welcome the vision to establish Wales as a leading global destination for major events—as you said, securing a stage of the Tour de France grand départ in 2027; the AIG Women’s Open at the Royal Porthcawl, a course that I'm excited to play next week; six matches of the UEFA Euro 2028, and not just six matches, but the open ceremony as well; and, obviously, this weekend, we have the European rugby finals here in the capital city. Impressive milestones. As your statement rightly highlights, these events provide significant opportunities to boost our economy, showcase Welsh culture, and draw global attention to our landscapes, communities and world-class venues.

However, while the ambition of the strategy is clear and commendable, the key challenge remains in its delivery, as with everything. Right now, there remain concerns about whether the necessary infrastructure and long-term planning are in place to support a growing and thriving events sector. Your statement makes an important point about the economic benefits of major events and the return on investment they bring, but those benefits can only be realised when attendees are able to travel to and from events easily and safely, and that's not often the case. Large-scale events, including music concerts, particularly in Cardiff, are frequently hampered by poor rail services, including a lack of late-night trains and irregular Sunday timetables. This is a persistent concern.

How are you working with your colleague the Cabinet Secretary for transport and Transport for Wales on forward planning and practical solutions, especially when these events are well known in advance? In addition, I'm concerned by the decision to scrap the major events stabling line, infrastructure that would have been vital to increase rail capacity during peak periods. How does cancelling this project support the aims of the events strategy? What alternative solutions are being explored to meet the same need? Because let's be clear, this was £10 million that was spent on a rail line that now will not be built.

Closer to home for me, Ironman in Tenby remains one of the nation's flagship sporting events, attracting athletes and visitors from around the world. Yet, in 2023, international visitor numbers were still around 13 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. So, what specific steps are being taken to attract more international visitors to major events here in Wales? I still remember with pride the Ryder Cup and the NATO summit being hosted here—two landmark events, but for very different reasons, that brought new international eyes onto Wales.

It's encouraging to hear that planning is already under way for events through to 2030. Looking abroad, Australia is in the midst of its golden decade of sport, from 2023 to 2033, including the British and Irish Lions tour this summer, and the summer Olympics on the horizon. While I must admit under duress that the Olympics may be a bit of a stretch for us here in Wales to host, the Commonwealth Games are far more realistic, and one could be hosted across multiple venues throughout Wales. Has the Welsh Government considered the feasibility of submitting a future bid for the Commonwealth Games?

Looking further ahead, the Football Association of Wales, in evidence to the culture committee only last week, mentioned the possibility of bidding for the UEFA Women's Champions League final in 2029, or even the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2035. Cabinet Secretary, are you aware of these ambitions? If so, what support is the Welsh Government offering the FAW in pursuing them?

Of course, major events in Wales are not confined to sport alone. As you noted in your statement, they include cultural and agricultural events too. I've often spoken in the Chamber next door about my annual pilgrimage to mid Wales for the Royal Welsh Show—over 200,000 people descending on Builth Wells. It's my Glastonbury, Cabinet Secretary. You can keep your Worthy Farm—I'll take farmers in harlequin shorts, dealer boots, shearing vests, the smell of the cattle lines, and the taste of a crisp cider in Builth Wells over Beyoncé headlining any musical festival any day. But hey, that's just me, and maybe Alun Davies as well. How is the Welsh Government supporting these annual agricultural shows—not just the Royal Welsh Show but also shows such as the Pembrokeshire County Show and the smaller ones that are so vital to our rural way of life and local economies? Wales absolutely has what it takes—the talent, the venues and the natural beauty—but a bold vision must always be matched by practical action. We want to see this strategy succeed, not just in producing a glossy list of high-profile events, but in building a lasting, inclusive legacy for communities right across Wales. That means fixing the infrastructure that underpins the experience, supporting the full spectrum of events, from world-class tournaments to cherished local shows, and ensuring that the benefits are felt far beyond the pitch, the stage or the arena.

My final paragraph, Dirprwy Lywydd—

No, sentence—sentence, not paragraph.

It is a sentence. Indeed it is. So, while we celebrate the ambition, we will continue to challenge on the delivery constructively and with the shared hope that Wales truly becomes a leading nation for events on the global stage.

Thank you for your patience.

I'm very grateful for those comments this afternoon. I do think that there is a shared desire right across the Senedd for Wales to become really, really successful and to further embed our reputation as a really, really successful place to host major events. I think that the work that we've done in recent years really has showcased what we have to offer here in Wales. If you just look at 2024, you can see a real year of delivery there. We had 35 events supported through our Event Wales programme, so 25 cultural and 10 sporting events, and together they generated an estimated economic impact of over £40 million to the Welsh economy, with a return on investment of over 10 to one. They attracted almost 170,000 visitors into Wales and supported 944 jobs in the wider tourism economy, and provided over 4,000 opportunities for volunteers. And those showcase opportunities for over 1,000 Welsh artists I think are wonderful in terms of a testimony of the work that we're doing through Event Wales. I've tried to concentrate my statement this afternoon on the events that we are supporting directly through Welsh Government, because, of course, there is so much more in terms of that wider piece of having Wales being a welcoming place, and the work that we do through Visit Wales to put Wales on the world's map as well. So, this is just, I think, a small part of the work that we do in this particular sector, but it certainly is very powerful.

The points I think were well made about international tourists and international visitors to events. In 2023, which is the latest year for which we have figures, Wales received 892,000 international visits. That was up 30 per cent on the year before that, so it's an improving picture in that space, and again this is partly because of that fantastic work that we do through Visit Wales. Colleagues will have seen the 'come and feel the hwyl' campaign, which I think has been really well received. It received lots of plaudits, really, within the media right across the UK, but more importantly it's been seen by millions of people, particularly in our target markets of the US and Germany. So, I think this, as I say, is part of a wider picture.

I think that making sure that events go off smoothly and without incident is really important, and as part of that, it's really important that we work in partnership. I think a really good example of that would be the stadium events liaison group in Cardiff. That sits around the Principality Stadium and has representation from the police, the rail sector, the ambulance service, Cardiff Council, Welsh Government and, of course, the Welsh Rugby Union as well. They meet regularly to discuss possible impacts that events in the stadium might have on the city centre and the wider transport network, with a view to addressing those particular challenges. And they are challenges, of course, because when you have tens of thousands of people to send in, all in one place, in a less than regular way, it is difficult to manage. But I know that that group tries very hard to make things as smooth as possible.

As I mentioned in the statement, we are looking ahead to where the possible future opportunities lie. I'm aware of the opportunities around the Commonwealth Games. I think that's hugely important, and it really is the highest level under which people compete with the Welsh flag in sports as well, so I think that that is important. It will be interesting to see how the games evolve in future and what the hosting strategy will be for future years, because there is a potential, I think, for that hosting strategy to be seeking multiple host cities. And will it remain a smaller event, because it was a smaller event on the last occasion? So, I think those factors will influence whether or not it's plausible for us to consider hosting it here in Wales, but we're watching that situation really closely. And similarly with the UEFA Women's Champions League final, the FAW, we know, has been very open about its ambitions to bring the event to Wales in the future, and obviously that will involve a real partnership effort to secure the Champions League final. So, it is important that all stakeholders are brought into those discussions from an early stage to understand the full costs and benefits of hosting that, and I am due to meet with the FAW to have some of those discussions as well, so we're aware of those opportunities for the future too.

And then I think the points about cultural events are really well made. At the start of responding to these points, I talked about the number of events that are supported, and, actually, we support more cultural events than we do sporting events, although it is often those mega sporting events that get the attention, and I think we've got some really good examples of those. Together, they contribute around £20 million of additional expenditure within the Welsh economy every year, and it's more than just the single day of those events; it's about celebrating our culture and our language to international visitors and providing those further opportunities for engagement and volunteers and skills development and so on. So, they're tremendously valuable, and we're really pleased to host and support as many of them as we can.

Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary for the statement.

I'll start by welcoming the conversation that just took place around transport, because the point that Sam Kurtz makes around transport is incredibly important. It is not just about, I would add, those going to the gigs or the events, it is also about those who are working within the sector.

I don't know if I've mentioned before, but I used to work in the hospitality sector. I have always kept that one close to my chest—kept people wondering what I used to do before. But on a serious point, when we were on shift in Cardiff, when those big major events happened, it often meant you were working later, and working later meant that there was no access to public transport because public transport, whether that be train or bus, wasn't running, which then, in my case, resulted in either getting a taxi, which is incredibly expensive, or walking 2 miles to get back to the home.

So, I think, in part of those conversations that happen now with Transport for Wales and other stakeholders, there really needs to be a conversation about those late-night services, not just so that, then, people can easily get back and forward from work, but also to ensure, then, that there is a safe way for those people to go back and forth from home to work, because, again, some of these major events do result in—often, at times—disruptive behaviour within the town centres or city centres, and it makes it relatively unsafe for those people who are working quite late to get back home.

The Welsh Government's national events strategy does set out a compelling vision, but I would add that we cannot build those world-class events on crumbling infrastructure. Without rail devolution, for example, and fair funding, Wales will always be playing catch-up. It's great to have the ambitions around transport, but if we can't back that up, we will consistently be playing catch-up. Until the Welsh Government actually see that it's about demanding rail devolution and securing our fair share of rail spending in England, then the reality is that strategy remains a wish list rather than a plan, because you can't claim to support an all-Wales events strategy when communities and cultural hubs across Wales continue to be so poorly connected.

Now, one potential solution around focusing on transport put forward by the Musicians' Union has been this idea of a night-time advisory board or a night-time economy adviser, whatever you want to call it. They feel that that could be quite helpful in addressing the issues around the night-time economy, particularly when it comes to transport. One of the fears that both the Musicians' Union and a number of other stakeholders, and myself, have is actually that the full potential of the night-time economy is something that, actually, this Government has yet to really tap into. A number of cities across the UK and wider Europe have been establishing those night-time economy advisers, or a night-time economy mayor, to lead on the night-time economy strategy and then the diversification of the night-time economy. Cities like Manchester, for example, are showing how the night-time economy can really be reimagined, especially when there's a voice of a sector in decision making, and actually make, then, the night-time economy a cornerstone of redevelopment within our towns and cities. So, as I said, call it whatever you want, but is it something that the Cabinet Secretary has considered and is it something that we could expect the Welsh Government to explore seriously over the next year?

Finally, I'd like to emphasise that major world-class events don't have to be imported all the time. It's linked, actually, with the cultural report from the last item. The Government needs to ensure that there is the right balance between supporting international events and championing local, home-grown ones. While bringing world-class events to Wales shows national ambition and it shows that confidence, we need to show the same belief in the value of events that are Welsh, those that reflect our culture, heritage and language. We already have incredible home-grown events like the National Eisteddfod and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, the former, actually, being the largest cultural festival in Europe. The Cabinet Secretary mentioned in her statement events that are happening this weekend, but, of course, starting Monday, we have the Eisteddfod yr Urdd, again an event that comes under major events but did not feature in the Cabinet Secretary's statement, despite the focus, as she referred to it when responding to Sam Kurtz, on Welsh Government-supported events. But the reality is that, with a greater investment in such events, they could grow from celebrated national institutions into internationally recognised cultural showcases.

Wales has its own identity, its own culture, one of the oldest surviving Celtic languages and a proud history. That's our strength and that's what sets us apart. So, if we truly want to grow sustainable heritage, tourism and raise the Cymru brand globally, just as Scotland and Ireland have done, we must invest in what makes us unique, putting Cymru at the centre of that major events strategy. So, in conclusion, Llywydd, what evidence does the Government have to suggest that this programme strikes the right balance between the support it gives to events developed in Wales that are home grown and those attracted into Wales from elsewhere?

I'm very grateful for those comments. I think the points around transport and the importance of safety for not only those people who are visitors to those major events, but also people who are working at those events are really well made, and they will be things that the transport Secretary will be acutely aware of when he's having his discussions alongside Transport for Wales and others in respect of making sure that there is as smooth as possible a service for people who are attending and also working at events. I'll endeavour to have a further conversation with him following the statement today, because both contributions thus far have focused on transport.

The night-time economy, again, whilst not being strictly a major event in and of itself, is really, really important. We recognise that by having a representative of the night-time economy on our Wales tourism advisory board, and it's really important that we hear that perspective. The representative is really clear about the importance of the night-time economy, the growing nature of the night-time economy and the further potential of it. So, again, we do have the opportunity to hear that voice really clearly in those tourism advisory board meetings.

But I think the main contribution I can respond to, really, is about how we support our own home-grown events. I think that we really do strike a really good balance in terms of the work that we do to both work with other Governments to bring those big mega events, if you like, to Wales, but then also hosting our own major events as well. I mentioned the Between the Trees Festival—I think that that's a really good example. Last year it attracted 3,500 spectators over the course of the weekend. I think that that's a good example of where an event meets our wider strategies around people, place and planet themes.

Also, of course, I mentioned in my statement the work that we're doing around the centenary of the birth of Richard Burton. So, I think that that is a further opportunity, really, for us to take those opportunities to look at those individuals who are really well known in the minds of people internationally and to make sure that we make the most of those opportunities as well. So, we're supporting Neath Port Talbot in that. They're leading on those celebrations; they've got a programme of events celebrating 100 years since the actor was born. That work has been developed in partnership with Swansea University, which is home of the Richard Burton archives, and that will see events taking place right across the region, and lots of engagement with the arts in that space as well.

Then, through our support, the Urdd Eisteddfod, in partnership with Theatr Na nÓg, has produced a Welsh language performance of Halen yn y Gwaed by children from Neath Port Talbot and the Swansea areas. That show will see over 100 children take the stage at the Eisteddfod in Margam Park at the end of May in a performance dedicated to the life and legacy of Richard Burton. So, I think that that shows ways in which we’re trying to bring those things together.

And then, we’ve previously, in the past, supported some early editions of mass participation events in Wales that have actually gone on, in many cases, to be successful in and of their own right and not required further support from us. So, Event Wales provided financial support for the early editions of the Cardiff Half Marathon, for example, and we’ve heard about Ironman Wales in Tenby, and those things have gone on to establish themselves as cornerstones in the global calendar for those sports and provided a major economic boost as well. So, I think there are ways in which we’ve supported these activities from the start and I do think we have a really good balance between those mega events, which are once-in-a-generation events, and then those often annual or every two or four-year, locally grown events, which we seek to support and sustain.

Cabinet Secretary, thank you for your statement today. It was a shame that you didn’t mention the Premier League Darts that comes to Cardiff every year—I was very disappointed not to hear about that, because the amount of people who flock to Cardiff for that event is huge, and I’m one of them myself.

However, it was really good to hear you mention the AIG Women’s Open. It’s the largest women’s sporting event that Wales has ever seen, and it’s also one of the largest women’s sporting events in golf throughout the whole world, so I think we’re really privileged to have that event come to Wales. I just want to place on the record, I’m sure, everybody’s thanks to Rob Holt, who used to work for Welsh Government and is now the chairman of Wales Golf, for all his work in getting that event to the country.

So, Cabinet Secretary, we’ve got the Women’s Open and we’ve had the Ryder Cup. There are two big events that I would really like to see come to Wales. Those are the Solheim Cup, which is the women’s version of the Ryder Cup, and also the Open championship. But what we do know about the Open championship is that, for that to be delivered at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, there needs to be some infrastructure investment into that area in terms of, probably, accommodation and elements around transport. That would be the crown jewel for us in getting more people to visit Wales for golf experiences. And I’m just interested in what work the Welsh Government is doing to invest in that infrastructure so that we can bring those huge events to Wales to make us truly that global golfing destination that everybody wants to see.

I’m really grateful for those points and the recognition of the success of bringing the AIG Women’s Open to Porthcawl. I think that is really exciting and something, again, I know is welcomed right across the Senedd. Making a success of that particular tournament is going to really be the proof, if you like, that this is a world-class venue. We’ll have the whole world watching Porthcawl at that point, and I think if we can put on a show that is absolutely amazing in terms of the golf that is available, but also the facilities, and give that proper welcome to those people who are participating in it and their teams and so on, so that we can show, really, that this is the absolute place to be undertaking these tournaments, I think this is the challenge that we’ve been set in terms of making this a success and proving what can be done for the future. So, I’m really glad that colleagues are excited about it, and very much look forward to doing everything that we can, as Welsh Government, to make sure that it’s successful.

Last Friday, the High Court gave judgment in the Brockwell Park case in Lambeth. Whilst paragraph 115 of the judgment clearly acknowledges the financial pressures facing the local authority, it states that the statutory duty to maintain public parks as amenities for the general public must remain a priority. Commercial activities may be permitted to generate income for park maintenance, but they cannot become so extensive as to fundamentally alter the character or the space, or substantially interfere with its primary purpose. The ruling reinforces the need for rigorous legal compliance, environmental impact assessments and genuine community consultation. Now, many of us have received correspondence from constituents concerned about large parts of Bute Park being fenced off for commercial use. Following the very recent judgment, Cabinet Secretary, will you issue guidance to local authorities to ensure that the commercialisation of public spaces does not impact unfairly on communities and the use of public spaces? Diolch yn fawr.

I'm really grateful for that question. I know that Rhys ab Owen did submit an OQ on this particular point, which wasn't reached in Plenary, so it's good to have the opportunity this afternoon to address that. I can say that Cadw is liaising with Cardiff Council to ensure that the events respect the outstanding special interest of the historic park. On Cadw's advice, Cardiff Council is preparing a heritage impact assessment to ensure the park is not unduly compromised by the events. Local authorities using licensing powers are responsible for considering the impacts, benefits and the costs of events, and the decision to use Blackweir fields for this new series of concerts was a democratic decision taken by Cardiff Council. But, certainly, in light of the judgment that has been referred to this afternoon, I will explore whether any further guidance is needed.

I'm grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for the statement here this afternoon and for contributions from Members so far. I just want to make two points, Cabinet Secretary, in my role as a Member of the Senedd for North Wales. The first is in relation to major events that have been held historically in the region, in a not-too-distant past. I'm thinking particularly of county cricket and under-20s international rugby, which were often a regular occurrence in north Wales, but, sadly, no longer exist. They attracted thousands of spectators during their time, so I'd be interested to know your thoughts on how we can re-attract those major events into the region.

The second point is in relation to the growth we're seeing in Wrexham more broadly, in particular in relation to the football club, which, as we know, has now been promoted to the championship, and the football club's ambitions to expand the stadium, eventually to a capacity of 55,000. I'd be interested to know what plans you may have in the future to work with Wrexham football club to make use of that facility so that we can attract major events into north-east Wales as well. Thank you.

I'm really grateful for those points. Sam Rowlands is absolutely right that we could be seeing there, really, an absolutely fantastic facility that could draw in future events, and we're keen to explore that with the club, but then also to have those conversations more widely about making sure that we do have a real range of events right across the length and breadth of Wales, and I do think that we do within the portfolio that we support through our Events Wales programme.

I also just want to say what a fantastic event Sam Rowlands sponsored last week in the Senedd. It was Wales Tourism Week, and it was an opportunity to bring the tourism sector together and really celebrate the contribution that it makes to Welsh life, and to really shine a light on some of our amazing tourism businesses that we have here in Wales. I think that this is all part of that wider picture: the support that we bring through Events Wales to get these major events and other events happening right across Wales as part of our investment in the tourism sector, alongside that wider work that we do through Visit Wales, where we promote Wales right across the globe.

And finally, Heledd Fychan.

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to pick up on the points raised by Luke Fletcher, specifically around the Welsh language and the place of the Welsh language within the major events strategy, because there is a point in it in terms of promoting and using the Welsh language in events, but not about Welsh language events. Events like the Urdd and the National Eisteddfod aren't just events for Welsh speakers; they are international, important events, and people coming from all corners of the world are astonished at having that experience of being at the Eisteddfod. I'm concerned, in your response to Luke Fletcher, that you hadn't reflected on the fact that that isn't mentioned at all in this statement. It is Europe's biggest youth festival. There will be 15,000 children competing next week. So, may I ask: how important is the Welsh language in terms of this strategy? Does the Government understand the importance of the National Eisteddfod and the Urdd Eisteddfod, because I fear that you don't, from the comments that I've heard this afternoon and in the strategy itself?

Well, in the opening remarks of the statement I did recognise the important role that our events strategy plays in terms of sharing our Welsh language with the world. I specifically mentioned that in those comments, and then I went on to talk about, in response to that particular question, the Urdd Eisteddfod itself. I gave an example of a specific performance that is taking place in respect of Richard Burton. So, we absolutely recognise the importance of the Welsh language through our Events Wales strategy, and I do think it is properly recognised in it.

But, if colleagues feel that there's more work to do, I'm more than happy to have these conversations about exploring how best we recognise the whole of Wales through that events strategy. I do think it is about striking that balance, because there are certain sports that some people will not be interested in, there will be events that lots of people aren't interested in, but, actually, the Welsh language, I think, is something that we all will have an interest in, so we need to make sure that it runs right through the strategy, rather than necessarily being about specific events. For example, the 'Feel the hwyl' campaign, that's the work that we're doing through Visit Wales, and that was deliberately about being unashamedly proud of our language and expressing a real confidence in Wales by using a Welsh word right at the centre of our Visit Wales strategy. We've done that, and it is the Year of Croeso, again, sharing the Welsh language. I think that that shows a real confidence in the nation, and I would hope that it's something that runs through our strategy, as well as supporting individual events.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.

Item 7 today is the legislative consent motion on the Renters' Rights Bill. I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government to move the motion—Jayne Bryant.

Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Today, I'm pleased to bring this motion to the Senedd. The changes brought forward by this motion will allow greater access to rented accommodation to benefit claimants and those with children, providing tenants with additional protections when it comes to rented accommodation. This is because of additional safeguards afforded by the Renters' Rights Bill, which will prohibit discrimination against tenants who are in receipt of benefits or who have children who are seeking to rent under an occupation contract in Wales. 

Further provisions will allow local authorities additional scope to enforce against landlords in control of houses in multiple occupation in cases where enforcement action is required, such as substandard accommodation. So, I move this motion.

I call on the Chair of the Local Government and Housing Committee, John Griffiths.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As a committee, we have laid two reports on the legislative consent memoranda for the Renters’ Rights Bill. We reported on the initial LCM in January and on the supplementary memorandum in March. As noted in these reports, we support the policy objectives of the legislation. It is crucial that the private rented sector should be available to everyone who needs to use it, and nobody should face discrimination in doing so. Given the current demand for rental properties, prohibiting these discriminatory practices may not result in significantly more tenancies being offered to people with children or benefit claimants, but it is very important, we believe, that they should be eligible to apply in any event.

We believe that the key route to eradicating discrimination is to increase housing supply. One area of disappointment is that the provisions in the Bill relating to pets do not extend to Wales. Our work has demonstrated that a high number of properties are advertised as not allowing pets, and we feel strongly that tenants should not be put into a situation where they feel they have to part company with a pet in order to move into a new property. We do not believe that the Welsh Government’s proposals in the White Paper on adequate housing go far enough, and we would like to see Welsh tenants afforded the same rights as those living in England.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I should also note our concern at the approach taken in using a UK Government Bill to make these legislative changes in Wales. We previously reported on some of these provisions in May 2024 when they were included in the LCM for the previous Renters (Reform) Bill. In that report, we noted the rationale set out by the Welsh Government for using the LCM route as being more expedient than bringing forward Senedd legislation. A year has now passed since that report was published and the provisions have still not become law. Such a delay highlights the disadvantages around relying on the UK Parliament to legislate on behalf of Wales.

But, despite these concerns, we recognise the importance of these legislative changes to prevent Welsh tenants facing discrimination, and we therefore recommend the Senedd should grant its consent for the UK Government to legislate on these devolved matters. Diolch yn fawr.

I call on the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, Mike Hedges.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee reported on the Welsh Government’s legislative consent memoranda in January and March. Of particular relevance is that the UK Government Bill is amending two housing Acts passed by the Senedd: the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the Renting Homes (Fees etc) (Wales) Act 2019.

The provisions within the Renters’ Rights Bill that require consent are broadly the same as those included in the Renters (Reform) Bill, which fell at the dissolution of the UK Parliament in May 2024. The Welsh Government has twice chosen to go down the route of using a UK Government Bill to change housing law on renters’ rights in Wales. The committee’s report highlights how a Welsh Government Bill on renters’ rights introduced to the Senedd could have completed its passage in the autumn of 2024. This would have meant that the benefits of the legislation could have been felt sooner by citizens in Wales. Moreover, the provisions could have been consulted on by Senedd committees, and subject to more debate and scrutiny, with a view to producing better outcomes.

We are concerned and disappointed, therefore, at the approach the Welsh Government has taken to legislating on renters’ rights. The varying and sometimes contradictory evidence the committee received provided no clear rationale for using a UK Government Bill to legislate in the devolved policy area of housing. The committee expressed concern that the provisions for Wales simply ‘piggyback’ on provisions initially designed for England with some modifications, and despite differences in the approach to enforcement between Wales and England. As a result, the committee expressed its frustration that two housing Bills, subject to detailed scrutiny, that became Senedd Acts are now being amended using legislation considered at Westminster, and with minimal input of elected Members of this Senedd.

The Senedd is in effect being provided with a fait accompli: vote in favour or risk losing important legislation on housing. This is even though the Bill’s provisions for Wales have not been the subject of rigorous policy development, detailed scrutiny by Members of the Senedd with knowledge of Welsh housing issues, or consultation with stakeholders.

On that latter point, the Cabinet Secretary’s admission that no formal consultation has been undertaken by the Welsh Government on the provisions in the UK Government Bill is also a concern, particularly as new criminal offences are being created. Briefing stakeholders and having informal engagement is not the same as a formal consultation.

In the committee’s view, the decision to pursue provisions for Wales in the UK Government’s Bill on grounds of expediency was a miscalculation and ill judged. Also, the committee does not believe it is appropriate for the Welsh Government to suggest that the Senedd need not have a role in helping shape legislation that impacts on the constituents of Senedd Members just because the Welsh Government considers its plans are in the best interests of Wales and that, if not followed, Welsh citizens could lose out.

Using a Welsh Government Bill on renters’ rights would have alleviated this concern and provided more control for the Welsh Government over the delivery and timing of the changes it would like to see. Moreover, as I have already highlighted, detailed scrutiny in the Senedd could have resulted in better, more informed legislation. Making legislation tailored to Welsh needs is a key principle underpinning devolution.

Linked to that, the use of a UK Government Bill has meant that the Welsh Government has avoided the need to prepare relevant impact assessments that would accompany a Bill introduced in the Senedd. Accordingly, in the absence of supporting evidence, the committee is sceptical about the Cabinet Secretary’s view that no financial implications arise from the relevant provisions of the Renters' Rights Bill.

The committee therefore believes that the use of the UK Government Bill to legislate in the devolved area of housing has become a matter of convenience for the Welsh Government, linked to capacity and issues of resourcing, particularly within the department responsible for housing. The Welsh Government should have worked towards introducing a Bill to the Senedd that made use of the bilingual provisions that had been included as amendments to the UK Government’s Renters (Reform) Bill once it fell at dissolution of the UK Parliament last year. Responsibility for not introducing such a Bill to the Senedd rests solely with the Welsh Government because of decisions it has taken internally and matters that are entirely within its control.

In conclusion, the approach of the Welsh Government to using the Renters’ Rights Bill to legislate for Wales in the area of housing policy, which excludes the Senedd as a legislature and stakeholders in Wales, represents a regrettable and unwelcome approach to devolution.

The Welsh Conservatives warned against this Bill, not to oppose renters' rights, because of course every tenant deserves safety, fairness and dignity in their home, but to sound the alarm on the deeply concerning direction that this Bill is taking, particularly with the ban on section 21. It is likely that if this Bill passes, it will be replicated in Wales by Welsh Ministers, and the Local Government and Housing Committee has alluded to this. This move, though well intentioned, risks repeating mistakes we've already seen made in Scotland. Scotland abolished no-fault evictions in 2017, and since then, there's been increasing hostility to landlords, resulting in 22,000 rental properties being taken off the market last year.

During a housing crisis, a shrinking market where families, students and young people are priced out and pushed aside is the last thing that we need. Let's not ignore the economic reality: less supply means higher rents and people stuck in temporary accommodation, and so forth, like bed-and-breakfast accommodation. If we scare responsible landlords out of the market, it's the tenants who pay the price, quite literally.

Finally, I'd like to draw the committee's attention to the Cabinet Secretary's admission that no consultation has been undertaken by Welsh Government on the provisions contained within the UK Government Bill, which is something that the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee has labelled as a particular concern. Let's fix the flaws in the current system, yes, but without doing it in such a way that actually adds to our housing crisis, and I would recommend that the Senedd oppose this LCM today. Diolch.

I'd like to ask how the right to have a pet and the benefits that they bring have been addressed in the Bill; it's been raised by the Chair of the committee. Just over half the residents in Wales have a pet; one in three, a dog. A survey revealed that 8 per cent of homes—that's all—were advertised as pet friendly, and this shortage has meant that many owners have had to give up their pet. Charities and rescue centres have hundreds of people enquiring about handing their pets over, citing a change in accommodation or rental agreements. It's heartbreaking, plus the rescue centres are full and unable to cope.

Renters with pets actually stay longer, they make really good tenants, so it actually works out financially better for the landlord in the long run. I'm worried about the surcharges, which are costly, and so are the proposed insurance recommendations. I would like to know how these have been considered as well going forward. Thank you.

I call on the Cabinet Secretary to reply to the debate. 

Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. I'd like to thank the committees for their detailed and thorough scrutiny of the legislative consent memoranda.

I completely understand the concerns about using a UK Government Bill to legislate in a devolved area. Practically, we could not deliver within the time frame of this Bill without making sacrifices elsewhere. We could have looked to deliver a discrete Bill, but it would have been delivered further down the line, and I'm not prepared to make tenants in Wales who are being discriminated against wait for a legislative time slot, and nor did I want to jeopardise other important legislation that we're looking to deliver during this term of Government. So, by making provision in the Bill, tenants in Wales are placed on a similar footing to tenants in Scotland and England at the same time.

The discrimination provisions in the Renters' Rights Bill amend existing Welsh legislation, and the amended provisions will be contained in Welsh Acts. My officials have liaised closely with UK Government counterparts to ensure the provisions are prepared in a way that suitably reflects our expectations on accessibility. I recognise that the Senedd is afforded less scrutiny through this approach, but I do need to balance that consideration with the need to deliver positive changes for Wales, which I believe this Bill offers.

The Bill contains powers for Welsh Ministers to commence these provisions, and in addition there are powers to make consequentials, transitional and savings provisions. There are also powers to make regulations to extend the protections from discrimination to other groups of people, if Welsh Ministers are satisfied that further discriminatory rental practices exist in relation to dwellings. The statutory instruments will be all subject to the scrutiny of the Senedd, and most will be subject to the affirmative procedure.

We've also already included an assessment within the published LCMs that no financial implications have been identified. My officials have fully briefed all sector stakeholders on the proposed changes, including representatives of landlords, agents, tenants, as well as local authorities, and all are supportive of these clauses. While we've not consulted on these changes, I would stress that the concerns being addressed by the Bill are in no way new. These issues in Wales concerning discrimination against renting to persons with children or benefits claimants are likely to be similar to those identified in consultation carried out in England. Also, some stakeholders work across England and Wales, so would have fed into the original consultation process, and there would have been nothing stopping any Welsh individual or organisation responding to that process.

Will the Minister give way? 

I will do. 

I'm grateful to you for this. I'm listening to the argument that you're pursuing here. This is essentially an argument to go back to the pre-2011, 1999 settlement, that there's no need for Welsh consultation. Members here don't have the opportunity to scrutinise, but it's okay because Welsh Ministers are getting powers and we are putting this through the affirmative process. That is unacceptable, Minister, I'm afraid. It's absolutely unacceptable to speak to our Parliament in that way. Members here have the absolute right to scrutinise legislation. It's why we are elected here. It's why the Welsh Government fought for and achieved a referendum on full primary powers, and we should be afforded the opportunity to exercise those primary powers. The Welsh Government's argument—and you're not the first Cabinet Secretary to pursue this—of taking us back to pre-2011 days is an unacceptable argument to put in front of this Parliament. And I will be voting for the Government today, but I have to say, I'm extremely disappointed. [Interruption.] I'm extremely disappointed with the way that—[Interruption.] I'm going to make my point.

I think you're starting to make a speech rather than an intervention.

I'm extremely disappointed with the approach being taken by the Welsh Government.

Diolch, Alun, and I appreciate that. There were similar comments made during the committee stage as well, and I know that you made those points then, and I do very much understand the concerns about using a UK Government Bill to legislate in this devolved area. I've tried to outline why this has been an opportunity to use that this time, because of the practicalities around it, and I was just wanting to highlight some of the ways that there were opportunities in terms of the consultation more widely.

Deputy Llywydd, if you might just let me touch on the issue of pets very briefly.

Very briefly, because we've gone over time. I'll give you a little bit of time for the intervention.

I really very much understand that that was touched on by a number of Members. We weren't able to pick and choose which parts of the Bill that we wanted to extend to Wales, but, as I say, we set out in our White Paper, on adequate housing for the private rented sector, around those wishing to rent with a pet. In December, I met Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA to discuss the proposals in our White Paper and the provisions in the Renters' Rights Bill regarding pet insurance. So, these charities have welcomed the proposals in our White Paper, and we're currently analysing responses to our White Paper consultation regarding these measures.

Thank you for your patience. So, finally, I urge the Senedd to approve this motion and give tenants and prospective tenants the protection that these provisions will afford them. Diolch, Deputy Llywydd.

The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? [Objection.] I will defer voting under this item until voting time.

Item 8 has been postponed until 3 June.

So, item 9 will be next: Stage 4 of the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill. I call on the Counsel General and Minister for Delivery to move the motion, Julie James.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. This is not a Bill that will capture the headlines. Indeed, it is unlikely to receive any attention at all. It is not a vote winner, nor will it feature on any list of topical matters of concern discussed today in Swansea market or on any social media. And it's partly for this reason that I am so grateful to those of you who have raised questions in a constructive way and helped to improve the Bill as it has progressed through the Senedd. The collaborative approach you have taken is much appreciated, and it is an example of the way this legislature works best. Because ultimately, this Bill is about the Senedd's infrastructure for making and publishing legislation.

Most of this infrastructure was borrowed. We have, for many years, made use of the often very old provisions in place for legislation of the UK Parliament and Government. Sometimes, what was adopted was adapted for Wales, and sometimes it was not. So, the Bill further develops our legal and constitutional foundations, building on the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019. The 2019 Act put in place distinct rules of interpretation for Welsh law, as well as entrenching our commitment to consolidate and codify Welsh law, accelerating the development of our work towards a better organised, clearer and bilingual statute book for Wales. Dirprwy Lywydd, this time we are plugging some gaps that have existed since we first began to develop our own legislation in 1999.

I am particularly pleased that we can now talk about clear statutory responsibilities of the King's Printer for Wales, setting formal requirements in relation to the publication of Welsh legislation, including, for the first time, through an instrument that is now formally called a Welsh statutory instrument. The Bill brings about parity with Scotland and Northern Ireland in some respects, and in others it goes further. We alone will have accurately set out the process for published legislation electronically in the modern era, and, for the first time, a duty is imposed on the King's Printer to publish legislation in up-to-date form, in other words, reflecting legislation in the form that it has been amended.

I'm also very pleased that we are streamlining our procedures for scrutinising subordinate legislation, and hope that we will quickly adopt our new terminology: the Senedd approval procedure—

—the approval procedure;

the Senedd confirmation procedure—

—the confirmation procedure.

Some of you will see that I need help with the pronunciation in Welsh, but I hope we'll get very used to saying it. And the Senedd annulment procedure—

—the annulment procedure.

Finally, for the first time for Wales alone, the Bill tidies up the statute book by removing outdated provisions. This is notable not only because of what this Bill does, but also because it is the start of a process where we will regularly review the statute book for provisions that no longer work or are no longer needed, bringing forward further Bills as necessary.

Dirprwy Lywydd, the technical, administrative nature of this Bill may make it uninteresting to most, but that does not mean it's unimportant. Legislation like this forms part of an infrastructure that people only really notice when something goes wrong. People notice when it isn't there, and that's why it has to exist. Diolch yn fawr.

I'd like to start by thanking the Counsel General and the Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr for the opportunity to work collaboratively on this Bill. I'm also very grateful to the clerks dealing with this Bill, the lawyers, the Welsh Government officials, and all of the staff that have worked on this piece of legislation. We on this side of the Chamber have always supported the principles of this Bill, and I can confirm that we will be supporting the Stage 4 passing of this Bill this afternoon.

Improving the accessibility of Welsh law is absolutely essential for Wales to be the modern, progressive country that it is, and this Bill improves the accessibility of Welsh law by repealing, amending and disapplying provisions and enactments that are no longer of practical use, and by also making minor amendments to the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019, as the Counsel General has already said. Of course, the Bill also formalises the procedural arrangements for making Welsh subordinate legislation, and formalises the requirements for publishing Acts of Senedd Cymru and Welsh statutory instruments and other subordinate legislation. Now, as the Counsel General said, it might not sound like the most thrilling piece of legislation, but it is a very important piece of legislation nonetheless. This Bill will hopefully result in procedures being clearer and more accessible in the future.

Now, my focus throughout this process has been to ensure that there is an opportunity for some post-legislative scrutiny, so that we can ensure that the Bill is delivering as intended, and I'm pleased that the Senedd was able to support my amendment at Stage 3 on this very specific issue. The amendment that I tabled at Stage 3 will amend Part 4 of the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019, to require the Counsel General to undertake a review of the first two years of operation of the new Parts 2A and 2B. It also requires a report to be laid before the Senedd, and a consultation with the Llywydd, the clerk of the Senedd, and other interested parties, like the Welsh Language Commissioner, for instance. Now, in a nutshell, a post-legislative scrutiny process will now take place in the next Senedd, and that provides an opportunity to relook at the Bill and make sure it's doing exactly what it set out to do.

I'm also very pleased that, within this Bill, there is a set of activities aimed at resolving ambiguities and correcting errors in Welsh law, which was, of course, proposed by the Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr. As he explained last week, the amendment also ensures regular reporting on such corrections, which is very welcome.

Therefore, in closing, Dirprwy Lywydd, I just want to reiterate to the Chamber just how important this Bill is. It has been referred to as a legislative tidying-up exercise, but that tidying-up exercise is very important. As a result, important amendments have been made to the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 in order to make provision about Senedd procedures for making Welsh subordinate legislation, and also in relation to the publication and preservation of Welsh legislation. I believe that this legislation has been shaped and strengthened by cross-party collaboration throughout this process, and so I commend this Bill to the Chamber.

I, too, would like to start by thanking the Counsel General, the Conservative spokesperson, the clerks, lawyers and everyone who has worked so hard on this Bill, and to confirm our firm support as a party to the main objectives of this legislation. We, as a party, have been arguing for some time about the need to improve the quality, status and accessibility of Welsh law, and this Bill represents a significant step forward in terms of those objectives. I am very grateful for the constructive engagement that we had with the Government since the committee scrutiny stages, and I’m pleased that we have reached acceptable compromises in several key areas. Although we continue to believe that there is a strong case for going further in terms of establishing the office of King's Printer for Wales with the same range of responsibility as that of similar offices within the other devolved nations, we do welcome the amendment that was agreed upon and which was tabled by the Government during Stage 3 to provide more clarity as to the status of the King's Printer for Wales, which is created by this legislation, and the relevant functions for the Senedd.

I also welcome the Government's support for my amendment, which has already been mentioned, to ensure that every programme made by the Welsh Government and the Counsel General under section 2 of the Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 must include specific actions that are aimed at resolving ambiguities and correcting errors in Welsh law. In addition, we laid important amendments to create a mechanism for the Senedd to improve statutory instruments—a step that would strengthen the ability of the legislature to refine and have oversight of legislation. Although these amendments were not accepted, we do hope that it will be possible to continue with this discussion in a broader context and to build political consensus across the Senedd on this important issue for the future.

Whilst the legislation does not achieve all of our aspirations, I do believe that it signifies a constructive and significant step forward towards a more accessible, transparent and effective legal system for Wales, and, on that basis, we are pleased to support the legislation today and to commend it to the Senedd.

I call on the Counsel General to reply to the debate.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It just remains for me to thank everybody for their hard work. I am particularly grateful to Paul Davies, Adam Price and Alun Davies for the constructive engagement that we had in the committee. I'm particularly grateful to the committee Chair, Mike Hedges, as well, for the helpful sessions that we had.

I echo Adam Price's last remarks, actually. I think there are things that we can build a consensus on that will continue to improve this programme. I am particularly happy that this Bill sets a really good grounding for being able to use it as a springboard to build that further consensus. And I'm particularly interested in the conversation we might have around amending statutory instruments, for example, in the future. But, Dirprwy Lywydd, this is a Bill, as I said, that will probably not hit the social media channels. It will probably not be discussed extensively in Swansea market or in Carmarthen market or anywhere else for that matter, but, as everyone has said in the debate, it will absolutely strengthen the foundations of the Welsh Parliament and its ability to legislate for the people of Wales, and, on that basis, I commend it to you.

In accordance with Standing Order 26.50C, a recorded vote must be taken on Stage 4 motions. So, I defer voting on this motion to voting time.

And that brings us to voting time. Unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, I will proceed directly to voting time.

The first vote this afternoon is on item 7, the LCM on the Renters' Rights Bill. I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Jayne Bryant. Open the vote. Closed the vote. In favour, 37, no abstentions, 14 against. Therefore, the motion is agreed.

The next vote is on item 9, Stage 4 of the legislation Bill. I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Julie James. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 51, no abstentions, no-one against. Therefore, the motion is agreed.

And that brings today's proceedings to a close. Thank you very much.