Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
03/05/2022Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Cyn i ni ddechrau, dwi angen nodi ychydig o bwyntiau. Cynhelir y cyfarfod yma ar ffurf hybrid, gyda rhai Aelodau yn y Siambr ac eraill yn ymuno trwy gyswllt fideo. Bydd yr holl Aelodau sy'n cymryd rhan yn y Senedd, ble bynnag y bônt, yn cael eu trin yn gyfartal. Mae Cyfarfod Llawn a gynhelir drwy gynhadledd fideo, yn unol â Rheolau Sefydlog Senedd Cymru, yn gyfystyr â thrafodion y Senedd at ddibenion Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006. Bydd rhai o ddarpariaethau Rheol Sefydlog 34 yn gymwys ar gyfer y cyfarfod yma, ac mae'r rheini wedi'u nodi ar eich agenda.
Welcome to this Plenary session. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points. This meeting will be held in hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference. All Members participating in proceedings of the Senedd, wherever they may be, will be treated equally. A Plenary meeting held using video-conference, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament, constitutes Senedd proceedings for the purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006. Some of the provisions of Standing Order 34 will apply for today's Plenary meeting, and these are noted on your agenda.
Yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma, felly, yw'r cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Alun Daives.
The first item this afternoon is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Alun Davies.
1. Pa gymorth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei roi i gynorthwyo aelwydydd ym Mlaenau Gwent gyda'r argyfwng costau byw presennol? OQ57949
1. What support is the Welsh Government providing to assist households in Blaenau Gwent with the current cost-of-living crisis? OQ57949
Llywydd, our £380 million cost-of-living package is putting money back into the pockets of households in Blaenau Gwent and helping families there struggling with soaring prices. We continue to call on the UK Government to take urgent action, including uprating benefit payments and taking steps to reduce fuel household bills.
Llywydd, mae ein pecyn costau byw gwerth £380 miliwn yn rhoi arian yn ôl ym mhocedi aelwydydd ym Mlaenau Gwent ac yn helpu teuluoedd yno sydd mewn trafferthion oherwydd prisiau sy'n cynyddu yn gyflym. Rydym yn parhau i alw ar Lywodraeth y DU i gymryd camau brys, gan gynnwys cynyddu budd-daliadau a chymryd camau i leihau biliau tanwydd aelwydydd.
I'm grateful to the First Minister for that answer. First Minister, we awoke to the news this morning that BP is making £1 billion profit every month, a £1 billion profit at a time when too many of the people we all represent in this place are terrified to see their next fuel bill and haven't got a clue how they will pay those bills. But, at the same time, we also know, First Minister, that food bills are 6 per cent higher as a consequence of leaving the European Union. And, I think, in an unusual and uncharacteristic bout of self-awareness, Jacob Rees-Mogg described the border controls, which he wanted, as an act of self-harm.
Now, First Minister, together with increasing fuel bills, increasing food bills, we have a UK Government that really doesn't care about the reality of this crisis facing people, and we saw that from the Prime Minister this morning. Do you agree with me that people in Blaenau Gwent, and elsewhere in Wales, are facing a perfect storm of a UK Government that doesn't care about them, and profits and shareholder value being prioritised over the lives of the people we represent?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Prif Weinidog am yr ateb yna. Prif Weinidog, fe wnaethom ni ddeffro i'r newyddion y bore yma fod BP yn gwneud elw o £1 biliwn bob mis, elw o £1 biliwn ar adeg pan fo gormod o'r bobl yr ydym ni i gyd yn eu cynrychioli yn y lle hwn yn arswydo o weld eu bil tanwydd nesaf ac nad oes ganddyn nhw syniad sut y byddan nhw'n talu'r biliau hynny. Ond, ar yr un pryd, rydym ni hefyd yn gwybod, Prif Weinidog, fod biliau bwyd 6 y cant yn uwch o ganlyniad i adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Ac, rwy'n meddwl, mewn achos anarferol ac annodweddiadol o hunanymwybyddiaeth, fod Jacob Rees-Mogg wedi disgrifio'r rheolaethau ar y ffin, y galwodd ef amdanyn nhw, yn weithred o hunan-niweidio.
Nawr, Prif Weinidog, ynghyd â biliau tanwydd sy'n cynyddu, biliau bwyd sy'n cynyddu, mae gennym ni Lywodraeth y DU nad yw wir yn poeni am realiti'r argyfwng hwn sy'n wynebu pobl, a gwelsom hynny gan Brif Weinidog y DU y bore yma. A ydych chi'n cytuno â mi fod pobl ym Mlaenau Gwent, ac mewn mannau eraill yng Nghymru, yn wynebu storm berffaith o Lywodraeth y DU nad yw'n poeni amdanyn nhw, ac elw a gwerth cyfranddalwyr yn cael eu blaenoriaethu dros fywydau'r bobl yr ydym ni'n eu cynrychioli?
Well, Llywydd, Alun Davies makes a series of really important points there. BP profits have more than doubled in the last three months. Because of the impact of rising gas and oil prices, energy supply companies are making additional profits of £745 every single second. Just imagine that. The Prime Minister says they've got to keep all that money because they need to invest in the future of the industry. But what is BP actually doing? As Alun Davies said, it is buying back shares and it is paying down debt. It's not doing any of the things that the Prime Minister says it needs to do, and that money could be used to help those families who are struggling day in, day out. In the time that I have taken just to answer the question so far, Llywydd, that would be tens of families in Wales who would be helped with their bills.
And as far as the other points that the Member made, the leader of the opposition entirely misunderstood the point that he was making—the 6 per cent rise in food bills in this country is due entirely to the impact of leaving the European Union. The impact of us leaving the European Union is not to drive up prices in Europe by 12 per cent. It's nonsensical to even suggest it. The report to which my friend was referring is a report that says that prices in this country are up by 6 per cent because of the additional costs involved in food production as a result of leaving the European Union. It may not be comfortable for the Member to understand that, but that is what the report last week demonstrated.
And as to border control posts—the third point that the Member raised—surely that is one of the most shocking of decisions. Now, the agriculture industry—a topic that the leader of the opposition told us last week was a topic where he did know what he was talking about—is one in which producers here in Wales now face competition from producers outside with no checks at all on those goods coming into the European Union, whereas a farmer in Wales seeking to export to the European Union has to face all the additional barriers that come with leaving the European Union. It's an extraordinary thing for a UK Government to do: to have claimed that they are taking back control only to find that they're not taking back control at all.
Wel, Llywydd, mae Alun Davies yn gwneud cyfres o bwyntiau pwysig iawn yn y fan yna. Mae elw BP wedi mwy na dyblu yn ystod y tri mis diwethaf. Oherwydd effaith prisiau nwy ac olew cynyddol, mae cwmnïau cyflenwi ynni yn gwneud elw ychwanegol o £745 bob eiliad. Dychmygwch hynny. Mae Prif Weinidog y DU yn dweud bod yn rhaid iddyn nhw gadw'r holl arian hwnnw gan fod angen iddyn nhw fuddsoddi yn nyfodol y diwydiant. Ond beth mae BP yn ei wneud mewn gwirionedd? Fel y dywedodd Alun Davies, mae'n prynu cyfranddaliadau yn ôl ac mae'n talu dyledion. Nid yw'n gwneud dim o'r pethau y mae Prif Weinidog y DU yn dweud y mae angen iddo eu gwneud, a gellid defnyddio'r arian hwnnw i helpu'r teuluoedd hynny sy'n wynebu anawsterau bob un dydd. Yn yr amser yr wyf i wedi ei gymryd i ateb y cwestiwn hyd yn hyn, Llywydd, byddai hynny yn ddegau o deuluoedd yng Nghymru a fyddai'n cael cymorth gyda'u biliau.
Ac o ran y pwyntiau eraill a wnaeth yr Aelod, fe wnaeth arweinydd yr wrthblaid gamddeall yn llwyr y pwynt yr oedd yn ei wneud—mae'r cynnydd o 6 y cant i filiau bwyd yn y wlad hon yn deillio'n llwyr o effaith gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Nid codi prisiau yn Ewrop 12 y cant yw effaith ein hymadawiad â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae'n hurt ei awgrymu hyd yn oed. Mae'r adroddiad yr oedd fy nghyfaill yn cyfeirio ato yn adroddiad sy'n dweud bod prisiau yn y wlad hon wedi codi 6 y cant oherwydd y costau ychwanegol sy'n gysylltiedig â chynhyrchu bwyd o ganlyniad i adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Efallai nad yw'n gyfforddus i'r Aelod ddeall hynny, ond dyna wnaeth yr adroddiad yr wythnos diwethaf ei ddangos.
Ac o ran safleoedd rheoli ffiniau—y trydydd pwynt a gododd yr Aelod—siawns nad dyna un o'r penderfyniadau mwyaf brawychus. Nawr, mae'r diwydiant amaeth—pwnc y dywedodd arweinydd yr wrthblaid wrthym ni yr wythnos diwethaf a oedd yn bwnc yr oedd yn gwybod am beth yr oedd yn sôn—yn un lle mae cynhyrchwyr yma yng Nghymru bellach yn wynebu cystadleuaeth gan gynhyrchwyr y tu allan heb unrhyw wiriadau o gwbl ar y nwyddau hynny sy'n dod i mewn i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, tra bod yn rhaid i ffermwr yng Nghymru sy'n ceisio allforio i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd wynebu'r holl rwystrau ychwanegol sy'n dod o adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae'n beth rhyfeddol i Lywodraeth y DU ei wneud: honni eu bod nhw'n cymryd rheolaeth yn ôl dim ond i ganfod nad ydyn nhw'n cymryd rheolaeth yn ôl o gwbl.
First Minister, I'm sure you can agree with me that even in normal times the financial impact of cancer diagnosis can be devastating, with people facing reduced incomes and increased costs of living. The pandemic and the increased costs of living have worsened the situation, with many people having to contend with increasing energy bills, as well as the financial impact of their cancer diagnosis. Research carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support late last year revealed that 87 per cent of people with cancer in Wales experienced some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis, and 38 per cent were severely financially affected. First Minister, what action is your Government taking to improve signposting and consistent access to financial advice and support for cancer sufferers in Wales? And what consideration have you given to providing the most vulnerable sufferers with direct financial support to help those struggling due to the cost of living here in Wales? Thank you.
Prif Weinidog, rwy'n siŵr y gallwch chi gytuno â mi y gall effaith ariannol diagnosis canser fod yn ddinistriol hyd yn oed mewn cyfnodau arferol, wrth i bobl wynebu incwm is a chostau byw uwch. Mae'r pandemig a'r costau byw cynyddol wedi gwaethygu'r sefyllfa, wrth i lawer o bobl orfod ymdopi â biliau ynni cynyddol, yn ogystal ag effaith ariannol eu diagnosis canser. Datgelodd gwaith ymchwil a wnaed gan Cymorth Canser Macmillan ddiwedd y llynedd fod 87 y cant o bobl â chanser yng Nghymru wedi dioddef rhyw fath o effaith ariannol o'u diagnosis, a bod 38 y cant wedi eu heffeithio'n ddifrifol yn ariannol. Prif Weinidog, pa gamau mae eich Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i wella camau cyfeirio a mynediad cyson at gyngor a chymorth ariannol i ddioddefwyr canser yng Nghymru? A pha ystyriaeth ydych chi wedi ei rhoi i ddarparu cymorth ariannol uniongyrchol i'r dioddefwyr mwyaf agored i niwed i helpu'r rhai sydd mewn trafferthion oherwydd costau byw yma yng Nghymru? Diolch.
Well, it's long been an irony-free zone on the Conservative benches in this Senedd—[Laughter.] Llywydd, I didn't hear the words 'Blaenau Gwent' once in the question that I've just been asked, and yet, as far as I can tell, the question on the order paper is about the cost of living in Blaenau Gwent. Residents there will find that 5,500 of them have now received £200 from the Welsh Government as a result of the winter fuel scheme, and, in March, we had 1,849 applications to the discretionary assistance fund, not available, of course, across the border, where her party is in control, but bolstered by an additional £15 million from the Welsh Government to make sure that those people in Blaenau Gwent—and some of those may be people who are facing cancer diagnoses and will find that the benefits system, raised by only 3.1 per cent, where people are facing inflation rises of 7 per cent, does not treat them with the sympathy and the understanding that they deserve—. In Wales, at least, they can turn to the discretionary assistance fund to assist them with the additional barriers that they now face in managing the consequence of such a diagnosis.
Wel, mae wedi bod yn barth di-eironi ers tro byd ar feinciau'r Ceidwadwyr yn y Senedd hon—[Chwerthin.] Llywydd, ni chlywais y geiriau 'Blaenau Gwent' unwaith yn y cwestiwn sydd newydd ei ofyn i mi, ac eto, hyd y gwelaf i, mae'r cwestiwn ar y papur trefn yn ymwneud â chostau byw ym Mlaenau Gwent. Bydd trigolion yno yn canfod bod 5,500 ohonyn nhw wedi cael £200 gan Lywodraeth Cymru bellach o ganlyniad i gynllun tanwydd y gaeaf, ac, ym mis Mawrth, cawsom 1,849 o geisiadau i'r gronfa cymorth dewisol, nad yw ar gael, wrth gwrs, dros y ffin, lle mae ei phlaid hi yn rheoli, ond wedi ei hategu gan £15 miliwn ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth Cymru i wneud yn siŵr bod y bobl hynny ym Mlaenau Gwent—a gallai rhai ohonyn nhw fod yn bobl sy'n wynebu diagnosis o ganser ac a fydd yn canfod nad yw'r system fudd-daliadau, a gododd 3.1 y cant yn unig, lle mae pobl yn wynebu codiadau chwyddiant o 7 y cant, yn eu trin nhw â'r cydymdeimlad a'r ddealltwriaeth y maen nhw'n eu haeddu—. Yng Nghymru, o leiaf, gallan nhw droi at y gronfa cymorth dewisol i'w cynorthwyo gyda'r rhwystrau ychwanegol y maen nhw'n eu hwynebu yn awr o ran rheoli canlyniad diagnosis o'r fath.
2. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf i wella bywydau pobl yn Rhondda? OQ57967
2. How is the Welsh Government working with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to improve the lives of people in Rhondda? OQ57967
Llywydd, we work closely with the borough council in a range of different ways to improve the lives of people in Rhondda. To provide just one example, over 600 children in the borough now take advantage of the Welsh Government's childcare offer, leaving more money in the pockets of those hard-working families.
Llywydd, rydym yn gweithio yn agos gyda'r cyngor bwrdeistref mewn amrywiaeth o wahanol ffyrdd i wella bywydau pobl yn y Rhondda. I roi un enghraifft, mae dros 600 o blant yn y fwrdeistref yn manteisio ar gynnig gofal plant Llywodraeth Cymru bellach, gan adael mwy o arian ym mhocedi'r teuluoedd hynny sy'n gweithio'n galed.
Thank you, First Minister. Never has the contrast between the actions of a Tory Westminster Government and a Welsh Labour-led Welsh Government been so clear. The Prime Minister has broken the law, has flouted COVID rules and has wasted billions on contracts for his mates. His Government isn't willing to support coal tip remediation efforts in Wales, and has short-changed us by £1 billion, and after that car-crash Good Morning Britain interview this morning, I wonder what comes next. In contrast, the Welsh Labour Government in partnership with the Welsh Labour-led RCT council are well under way with remediation to Tylerstown and Wattstown coal tips, have delivered record flood prevention and defence investment, and will deliver 20 fully costed pledges, including funding 10 police community support officers, a cost-of-living payment, free school meals for primary school children, and will continue to increase the number of extra-care facilities for older people. Does the First Minister agree with me that Welsh Labour-led councils working in partnership with the Welsh Labour Government is the most effective way of making a positive difference to the lives of people in Rhondda and across Wales?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Ni fu'r cyferbyniad rhwng gweithredoedd y Llywodraeth Dorïaidd yn San Steffan a Llywodraeth Cymru dan arweiniad Llafur Cymru erioed mor eglur. Mae Prif Weinidog y DU wedi torri'r gyfraith, wedi diystyru rheolau COVID ac wedi gwastraffu biliynau ar gontractau i'w ffrindiau. Nid yw ei Lywodraeth yn fodlon cefnogi ymdrechion adfer tomenni glo yng Nghymru, ac mae wedi ein twyllo allan o £1 biliwn, ac ar ôl y cyfweliad trychinebus yna ar Good Morning Britain y bore yma, tybed beth ddaw nesaf. Ar y llaw arall, mae Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru, mewn partneriaeth â chyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf o dan arweiniad Llafur Cymru, wedi hen gychwyn ar adfer tomenni glo Tylerstown a Wattstown, ar ôl sicrhau'r buddsoddiad mwyaf erioed o ran atal llifogydd ac amddiffyn rhagddyn nhw, a bydd yn cyflawni 20 o addewidion â'r costau wedi eu cyfrifo yn llawn, gan gynnwys ariannu 10 swyddog cymorth cymunedol yr heddlu, taliad costau byw, prydau ysgol am ddim i blant ysgol gynradd, a bydd yn parhau i gynyddu nifer y cyfleusterau gofal ychwanegol i bobl hŷn. A yw'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno â mi mai cynghorau dan arweiniad Llafur Cymru yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yw'r ffordd fwyaf effeithiol o wneud gwahaniaeth cadarnhaol i fywydau pobl yn y Rhondda a ledled Cymru?
Well, Llywydd, I thank Buffy Williams for those very important points, and I commend RCT council for everything that it has done to support its residents in recent times and now again with the cost-of-living crisis. I read with interest the manifesto on which the Labour group in that council will fight this election: 10 more PCSOs paid for out of the council's own resources, over and above the 100 extra PCSOs that we have provided as a Welsh Government; 10 more community wardens; expanding detached youth work; new actions to prosecute fly-tippers in the council area. It's a council that absolutely understands the things that matter most to people from their own front doors. And when it comes to the cost-of-living crisis, I think the way in which the council has decided to use the £2.3 million in discretionary funding that the Welsh Government has provided is designed directly to put money—not warm words, not expressions of concern, but money in the pockets of people who need it the most. So, RCT today, Llywydd, is the local authority in Wales that has distributed more of the £150 payments that we are providing to families than any other council in Wales—£8,241,750 has left the coffers of the council and is now in the hands of RCT residents, and that's more than any council in Wales. Nine councils in Wales have started to provide that money directly to their residents and, not surprising to me and not surprising to Buffy Williams, I'm sure, eight of those nine are Labour-controlled authorities, doing the things that matter the most. RCT will provide £100 to every householder in council tax bands E to F, it will provide £50 to every family in the borough with a school-aged child within that family. These things do not wipe away all the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, and they cannot be expected to make good the failure of the UK Government to take similar action, but, within the scope that the council itself has, it demonstrates, as do Labour councils across Wales every single day, both an insight into the issues facing people across Wales and a determination to respond positively to them.
Wel, Llywydd, diolch i Buffy Williams am y pwyntiau pwysig iawn yna, ac rwy'n cymeradwyo cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf am bopeth y mae wedi ei wneud i gynorthwyo ei drigolion yn ddiweddar ac eto yn awr gyda'r argyfwng costau byw. Darllenais gyda diddordeb y maniffesto y bydd y grŵp Llafur yn y cyngor hwnnw yn brwydro yr etholiad hwn ar ei sail: 10 swyddog cymorth cymunedol yr heddlu arall wedi eu talu o adnoddau'r cyngor ei hun, yn ychwanegol at y 100 o swyddogion cymorth cymunedol ychwanegol yr ydym wedi eu darparu fel Llywodraeth Cymru; 10 o wardeiniaid cymunedol eraill; ehangu gwaith ieuenctid ar wahân; camau newydd i erlyn pobl sy'n tipio'n anghyfreithlon yn ardal y cyngor. Mae'n gyngor sy'n deall yn iawn y pethau sydd bwysicaf i bobl o'u drysau ffrynt eu hunain. Ac o ran y mater o'r argyfwng costau byw, rwy'n credu mai bwriad uniongyrchol y ffordd y mae'r cyngor wedi penderfynu defnyddio'r £2.3 miliwn mewn cyllid dewisol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei ddarparu yw rhoi arian—nid geiriau gwresog, nid datganiadau o bryder, ond arian ym mhocedi'r bobl sydd ei angen fwyaf. Felly, RhCT heddiw, Llywydd, yw'r awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru sydd wedi dosbarthu mwy o'r taliadau £150 yr ydym yn eu darparu i deuluoedd nag unrhyw gyngor arall yng Nghymru—mae £8,241,750 wedi gadael coffrau'r cyngor ac mae bellach yn nwylo trigolion RhCT, ac mae hynny'n fwy nag unrhyw gyngor yng Nghymru. Mae naw cyngor yng Nghymru wedi dechrau darparu'r arian hwnnw yn uniongyrchol i'w trigolion ac, nid yw'n syndod i mi ac nid yw'n syndod i Buffy Williams, rwy'n siŵr, fod wyth o'r naw o awdurdodau hynny yn rhai a reolir gan Lafur, yn gwneud y pethau sydd bwysicaf. Bydd RhCT yn darparu £100 i bob deiliad tŷ ym mandiau E i F y dreth gyngor, bydd yn darparu £50 i bob teulu yn y fwrdeistref sydd â phlentyn oedran ysgol yn y teulu hwnnw. Nid yw'r pethau hyn yn dileu holl effaith yr argyfwng costau byw, ac ni ellir disgwyl iddyn nhw wneud iawn am fethiant Llywodraeth y DU i gymryd camau tebyg, ond, o fewn y cwmpas sydd gan y cyngor ei hun, mae'n dangos, fel y mae cynghorau Llafur ledled Cymru yn ei wneud bob dydd, ddealltwriaeth o'r problemau sy'n wynebu pobl ledled Cymru a phenderfyniad i ymateb yn gadarnhaol iddyn nhw.
First Minister, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council sits on one of the largest—if not the largest—bank balances of any local authority in Wales, with a staggering £171.3 million in useable reserves, down marginally from the £208 million it had previously. Despite these vast reserves, RCT council continually pleads poverty, and I can attest to this from a position of some authority having served as a county borough councillor on it for almost the last 15 years. Llywydd, for the record, I am still a councillor there for at least a few more days. RCT has one of the highest council tax rates of any local authority in the entire United Kingdom, which is, and I'm sure you agree, First Minister, a slap in the face to all council tax payers in the Rhondda. RCT council even has the audacity to raise council tax again this year, asking residents to pay more and more, even when the council has such vast reserves—[Interruption.] First Minister, how is—
Prif Weinidog, mae gan Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf un o'r balansau banc mwyaf—os nad y mwyaf—o unrhyw awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru, gyda swm syfrdanol o £171.3 miliwn mewn cronfeydd wrth gefn y gellir eu defnyddio, i lawr rhyw fymryn o'r £208 miliwn yr oedd ganddo yn flaenorol. Er gwaethaf y cronfeydd wrth gefn enfawr hyn, mae cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf yn pledio tlodi yn barhaus, a gallaf dystio i hyn o sefyllfa o gryn awdurdod ar ôl gwasanaethu fel cynghorydd bwrdeistref sirol arno am bron i'r 15 mlynedd diwethaf. Llywydd, i'w roi ar gofnod, rwy'n dal yn gynghorydd yno am o leiaf ychydig ddyddiau eto. Mae gan RhCT un o'r cyfraddau treth gyngor uchaf o blith unrhyw awdurdod lleol yn y Deyrnas Unedig gyfan, sydd, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi'n cytuno, Prif Weinidog, yn sarhad i holl dalwyr y dreth gyngor yn y Rhondda. Mae cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf hyd yn oed yn ddigon digywilydd i godi'r dreth gyngor eto eleni, gan ofyn i drigolion dalu mwy a mwy, hyd yn oed pan fo gan y cyngor gronfeydd wrth gefn mor enfawr—[Torri ar draws.] Prif Weinidog, sut mae—
I need to have some quiet so that we can all hear the question. Please carry on with the question.
Mae angen i mi gael rhywfaint o dawelwch fel y gallwn ni i gyd glywed y cwestiwn. Parhewch â'r cwestiwn os gwelwch yn dda.
Thank you, Llywydd. First Minister, how is this Welsh Government helping the lives of some of Wales's poorest people by allowing Labour-run RCT council to squeeze more and more council tax from them when they can ill afford it and when the council can seemingly sit on such substantial reserves? Thank you.
Diolch, Llywydd. Prif Weinidog, sut mae'r Llywodraeth Cymru hon yn helpu bywydau rhai o bobl dlotaf Cymru drwy ganiatáu i gyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf dan arweiniad Llafur wasgu mwy a mwy o dreth gyngor ganddyn nhw pan nad ydyn nhw'n gallu ei fforddio a phan fo'n ymddangos y gall y cyngor eistedd ar gronfeydd wrth gefn mor sylweddol? Diolch.
Llywydd, let's offer a few facts. RCT council has £8.5 million in its general reserve. That's 1 per cent of its GRE outturn last year. As I explained on the floor of the Senedd last week, local authorities hold capital in reserve because they have a pipeline of projects, whether that is in school building, whether it's in highway restoration, and, in RCT's case, in order to deal with the impact of climate change on coal tip safety in that area. It may not be of any concern to Conservatives in this Chamber—it's certainly no concern to Conservatives in Westminster, because they failed to provide any help with it—but coal tip safety actually matters to the local authority in RCT, because it has to deal day in, day out with the anxieties that people in the local authority face when they see the impact of extreme weather events in their localities.
So, I commend the council for what it does. I commend it for the way in which it looks after its finances, the way in which it's prepared to plan for the future, the way in which it looks to the long term. None of those will be characteristics shared by any administration likely ever to be formed by the party that is in opposition, yet again, in the Chamber here.
Llywydd, gadewch i ni gynnig ychydig o ffeithiau. Mae gan gyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf £8.5 miliwn yn ei gronfa wrth gefn gyffredinol. Mae hynny yn 1 y cant o'i alldro GRE y llynedd. Fel yr esboniais ar lawr y Senedd yr wythnos diwethaf, mae awdurdodau lleol yn cadw cyfalaf wrth gefn oherwydd bod ganddyn nhw biblinell o brosiectau, boed hynny'n adeiladu ysgolion, boed hynny'n adfer priffyrdd, ac, yn achos Rhondda Cynon Taf, er mwyn ymdrin ag effaith newid yn yr hinsawdd ar ddiogelwch tomenni glo yn yr ardal honno. Efallai nad yw'n peri unrhyw bryder i Geidwadwyr yn y Siambr hon—yn sicr nid yw'n destun pryder i Geidwadwyr yn San Steffan, gan eu bod nhw wedi methu â rhoi unrhyw gymorth ar ei gyfer—ond mae diogelwch tomenni glo mewn gwirionedd yn bwysig i'r awdurdod lleol yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, oherwydd bod yn rhaid iddo ymdrin ddydd ar ôl dydd â'r pryderon y mae pobl yn yr awdurdod lleol yn eu hwynebu pan fyddan nhw'n gweld effaith tywydd eithafol yn eu hardaloedd lleol.
Felly, rwy'n cymeradwyo'r cyngor am yr hyn y mae'n ei wneud. Rwy'n ei gymeradwyo ar y ffordd y mae'n gofalu am ei gyllid, y ffordd y mae'n barod i gynllunio ar gyfer y dyfodol, y ffordd y mae'n edrych i'r tymor hir. Ni fydd yr un o'r nodweddion hynny yn rhai a rennir gan unrhyw weinyddiaeth sy'n debygol o gael ei ffurfio byth gan yr wrthblaid, unwaith eto, yn y Siambr yma.
I think I'll call Heledd Fychan now, probably for the third and final pitch in the Rhondda Cynon Taf election campaign. [Laughter.] Heledd Fychan.
Rwy'n credu y gwnaf i alw ar Heledd Fychan yn awr, mae'n debyg am y drydedd a'r olaf o'r dadleuon yn ymgyrch etholiadol Rhondda Cynon Taf. [Chwerthin.] Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Llywydd. Jest rhag ofn bod neb yn sylweddoli bod yna etholiad, hoffwn ddatgan fy mod, tan yr etholiad, yn gynghorydd ar gyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Prif Weinidog, y gwir amdani yw mai gwaethygu mae sefyllfa nifer o drigolion Rhondda Cynon Taf yn hytrach na gwella. Mae mwy o bobl yn gorfod troi at fanciau bwyd am gefnogaeth, mwy o blant yn byw mewn tlodi a'r marwolaethau o COVID wedi bod ymysg yr uchaf ym Mhrydain. Mae nifer o adroddiadau i lifogydd 2020 yn dal heb gael eu cyhoeddi. Mae'n amlwg felly nad yw'r hyn mae'r Llywodraeth a'r cyngor wedi bod yn ei wneud yn ddigonol. Mae gennym lu o sefydliadau gwirfoddol a thrydydd sector gweithgar ledled y sir sydd yn gwneud gwaith pwysig a sydd â llu o syniadau o ran sut i wella bywydau trigolion Rhondda Cynon Taf, ond eto sy'n dweud wrthyf dro ar ôl tro nad ydynt yn cael eu cynnwys pan fydd cynlluniau yn cael eu datblygu. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru am sicrhau bod eu harbenigedd a'u lleisiau hwy am gael eu cynnwys a helpu i lywio'r newidiadau sydd dirfawr eu hangen?
Thank you, Llywydd. Just in case you hadn't noticed that there was an election, I'd like to declare that I am, until the election, a councillor on Rhondda Cynon Taf council.
First Minister, the truth is that the situation of many residents of RCT is deteriorating rather than improving. More people have to turn to foodbanks for support, more children are living in poverty and the COVID deaths have been among the highest in Britain. A number of reports on the 2020 floods still haven't been published. It's clear, therefore, that what the Government and the council have been doing is not sufficient. We have a whole host of voluntary and third sector organisations that are active across the county, that do important work and have all sorts of ideas in terms of how to improve the lives of the residents of RCT, but tell us time and time again that they aren't included when plans are drawn up. How is the Welsh Government going to ensure that their expertise and their voices are heard and help to steer the changes that are so desperately needed?
We've heard a very traditional Plaid Cymru slogan here this afternoon. Their message on the doorstep in RCT appears to be, 'Vote Plaid Cymru in RCT. Isn't it awful?' They don't have a good word to say for the places that they seek to represent, and they're at it again here this afternoon. It's just a run-down of the places where they seek to persuade to vote for them. They tried it last year, and they surely have seen the result, and I fully expect that people in RCT will deliver the same verdict on that sort of campaigning again this year.
Rydym ni wedi clywed slogan Plaid Cymru traddodiadol iawn yma y prynhawn yma. Mae'n ymddangos mai eu neges ar garreg y drws yn RhCT yw, 'Pleidleisiwch dros Blaid Cymru yn Rhondda Cynon Taf. Onid yw'n ofnadwy?' Nid oes ganddyn nhw air da i'w ddweud am y lleoedd y maen nhw'n ceisio eu cynrychioli, ac maen nhw wrthi eto yma y prynhawn yma. Y cwbl maen nhw'n ei wneud yw difrïo'r lleoedd maen nhw'n ceisio eu perswadio i bleidleisio drostyn nhw. Fe wnaethon nhw roi cynnig arni y llynedd, a does bosib nad ydyn nhw wedi gweld y canlyniad, ac rwy'n llwyr ddisgwyl y bydd pobl yn Rhondda Cynon Taf yn rhoi'r un dyfarniad ar y math hwnnw o ymgyrchu eto eleni.
Before we move on to the questions by the leaders of the opposition, I'd like to take the opportunity to welcome to our public gallery and our Chamber here in the Welsh Parliament, the Speaker of South Africa's Western Cape Provincial Parliament and delegation, led by him. I know that Members will want to join me in welcoming Speaker Mngasela and his delegation to the Senedd. [Applause.] Croeso ichi, and I hope you have an informative and interesting time here in the Welsh Parliament and in Wales. I suspect you've learned quite a bit that you were not expecting to learn about the Rhondda Cynon Taf election in that last contribution. [Laughter.]
Cyn i ni symud ymlaen at y cwestiynau gan arweinwyr yr wrthblaid, hoffwn i fanteisio ar y cyfle i groesawu i'n horiel gyhoeddus a'n Siambr yma yn Senedd Cymru, Llefarydd Senedd Daleithiol y Western Cape yn Ne Affrica a'i ddirprwyaeth, dan ei arweiniad ef. Rwy'n gwybod y bydd yr Aelodau yn awyddus i ymuno â mi i groesawu'r Llefarydd Mngasela a'i ddirprwyaeth i'r Senedd. [Cymeradwyaeth.] Croeso ichi, ac rwy'n gobeithio y cewch chi amser addysgiadol a diddorol yma yn Senedd Cymru ac yng Nghymru. Rwy'n amau eich bod chi wedi dysgu cryn dipyn nad oeddech chi'n disgwyl ei ddysgu am etholiad Rhondda Cynon Taf yn y cyfraniad diwethaf yna. [Chwerthin.]
Now, we move on to the leaders of the opposition's questions, and Andrew R.T. Davies to ask his.
Symudwn ymlaen yn awr at gwestiynau arweinwyr y gwrthbleidiau, ac Andrew R.T. Davies i ofyn ei rai ef.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Where's Hefin David when you need him, especially on the first two questions?
First Minister, what view has the Welsh Government formed in light of the recent court judgment about discharging patients from hospitals into care homes?
Diolch, Llywydd. Ble mae Hefin David pan fydd ei angen arnoch chi, yn enwedig ar y ddau gwestiwn cyntaf?
Prif Weinidog, pa farn mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei ffurfio yng ngoleuni'r dyfarniad llys diweddar ynghylch rhyddhau cleifion o ysbytai i gartrefi gofal?
Llywydd, the High Court case was a case that did not concern the Welsh Government; it was a case brought against authorities in England. We will nevertheless study the judgment carefully and respond to it in the evidence that we will submit to the independent public inquiry into the experience of coronavirus across the United Kingdom.
Llywydd, roedd achos yr Uchel Lys yn achos nad oedd yn ymwneud â Llywodraeth Cymru; roedd yn achos a ddygwyd yn erbyn awdurdodau yn Lloegr. Serch hynny, byddwn yn astudio'r dyfarniad yn ofalus ac yn ymateb iddo yn y dystiolaeth y byddwn yn ei chyflwyno i'r ymchwiliad cyhoeddus annibynnol i'r profiad o'r coronafeirws ledled y Deyrnas Unedig.
First Minister, you adopted the same policies as other Governments in the United Kingdom, which the court judgment referred to, about the discharging of patients into care homes without testing taking place. You, at the time of the change of policy in England, said that you could see no value in testing patients being transferred from hospitals into care homes, and, indeed, your health Minister at the time said he did not understand the rationale behind it. Shockingly, the same Minister also said that if he had a tripling of the testing capacity here in Wales, he still would not test patients being transferred from hospitals into care homes. It took a whole two weeks from the policy change in other parts of the United Kingdom for the Welsh Government to catch up. Why did the delay in testing happen here in Wales, which the court has now found illegal?
Prif Weinidog, fe wnaethoch chi fabwysiadu'r un polisïau â Llywodraethau eraill yn y Deyrnas Unedig, y cyfeiriodd dyfarniad y llys atyn nhw, ynghylch rhyddhau cleifion i gartrefi gofal heb gynnal profion. Fe wnaethoch chi ddweud, ar adeg y newid polisi yn Lloegr, na allech chi weld unrhyw werth mewn profi cleifion a oedd yn cael eu trosglwyddo o ysbytai i gartrefi gofal, ac, yn wir, dywedodd eich Gweinidog iechyd ar y pryd nad oedd yn deall y rhesymeg y tu ôl iddo. Yn syfrdanol, dywedodd yr un Gweinidog hefyd, pe bai'n cael cynnydd triphlyg i'r capasiti profi yma yng Nghymru, na fyddai'n profi cleifion a oedd yn cael eu trosglwyddo o ysbytai i gartrefi gofal o hyd. Cymerodd bythefnos gyfan o'r newid polisi mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig i Lywodraeth Cymru ddal i fyny. Pam ddigwyddodd yr oedi cyn cynnal profion yma yng Nghymru, y mae'r llys bellach wedi dyfarnu ei fod yn anghyfreithlon?
To be clear, the court has found nothing illegal as far as Wales is concerned, because Wales was not a participant in that High Court case. It took no evidence from Wales, it looked at no documents according to Wales, so, let's be clear for the record: when the Member says that the policy was illegal, what the court discovered was that it was illegal in England, where his party was in charge. It made no observations at all about what happened here in Wales.
I'm simply not going to pretend that in an answer on the floor of the Senedd we can explore an issue that took 75 pages of a High Court judgment to explore. And as I think the Member has just conceded, in order to make sense of what happened here in Wales you need to make sense of that wider UK context. We will respond, of course, to those issues, those very important issues that were at the heart of the High Court case, but we will do so in our evidence to the inquiry, which I am very confident will explore this issue along with a wide range of other issues that are there in its terms of reference when it begins its work later this year.
I fod yn eglur, nid yw'r llys wedi canfod dim byd anghyfreithlon o ran Cymru, oherwydd nid oedd Cymru yn rhan o'r achos Uchel Lys hwnnw. Ni chymerodd unrhyw dystiolaeth o Gymru, ni edrychodd ar unrhyw ddogfennau yn ymwneud â Chymru, felly, gadewch i ni fod yn eglur ar gyfer y cofnod: pan fo'r Aelod yn dweud bod y polisi yn anghyfreithlon, yr hyn a ddarganfu'r llys oedd ei fod yn anghyfreithlon yn Lloegr, lle'r oedd ei blaid ef wrth y llyw. Ni wnaeth unrhyw sylwadau o gwbl am yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yma yng Nghymru.
Nid wyf i'n mynd i esgus y gallwn ni, mewn ateb ar lawr y Senedd, archwilio mater a gymerodd 75 tudalen o ddyfarniad Uchel Lys i'w archwilio. Ac fel y mae'r Aelod newydd gyfaddef, er mwyn gwneud synnwyr o'r hyn a ddigwyddodd yma yng Nghymru, mae angen i chi wneud synnwyr o'r cyd-destun ehangach hwnnw yn y DU. Byddwn yn ymateb, wrth gwrs, i'r materion hynny, y materion pwysig iawn hynny a oedd wrth wraidd achos yr Uchel Lys, ond byddwn yn gwneud hynny yn ein tystiolaeth i'r ymchwiliad, yr wyf i'n hyderus iawn y bydd yn archwilio'r mater hwn ynghyd ag amrywiaeth eang o faterion eraill sydd yn ei gylch gorchwyl pan fydd yn dechrau ar ei waith yn ddiweddarach eleni.
First Minister, I listened very carefully to your response to my second question. I asked you why the Welsh Government policy position took a further two weeks to change to the testing of patients being transferred to care homes. I also pointed out that at the time you said—you said—that there was no value in this testing taking place and that your health Minister—again, his words—said that if there was a trebling in the amount of testing capacity, he still couldn't see the reason to test patients being transferred from hospitals into care homes. That's what I asked you, First Minister. You didn't offer any defence whatsoever to my question to you. That is why we need an independent inquiry here in Wales that looks at the Welsh policy position. We know for a fact, as I've outlined here, that there's a distinct difference in the policy that you've pursued here in Wales on this issue and many other issues. It is a fact that, regrettably, we have the highest death rate of any part of the United Kingdom; it is a fact that many people who were shielding were sent incorrect letters; and it is a fact that your policy position put more patients at risk because you didn't introduce testing that has been found to have been a necessity at the time. Is it the case, First Minister, that you are blocking this inquiry happening here in Wales because you have a fear of scrutiny, or just arrogance that your position is right and it shouldn't be scrutinised by an independent inquiry here in Wales? Because I fail to see why you are still steadfastly objecting to an independent inquiry here in Wales that would look at these policy positions that your Government took, and ultimately exposed patients here in Wales to greater risks.
Prif Weinidog, gwrandewais yn ofalus iawn ar eich ymateb i fy ail gwestiwn. Gofynnais i chi pam y cymerodd safbwynt polisi Llywodraeth Cymru bythefnos arall i newid i brofi cleifion a oedd yn cael eu trosglwyddo i gartrefi gofal. Nodais hefyd, ar y pryd eich bod chi wedi dweud—eich bod chi wedi dweud—nad oedd unrhyw werth cynnal y profion hyn a bod eich Gweinidog iechyd—unwaith eto, ei eiriau ef—wedi dweud, pe bai cyfanswm y capasiti profi yn cael ei dreblu na allai weld y rheswm o hyd am brofi cleifion a oedd yn cael eu trosglwyddo o ysbytai i gartrefi gofal. Dyna wnes i ei ofyn i chi, Prif Weinidog. Ni wnaethoch chi gynnig unrhyw amddiffyniad o gwbl i fy nghwestiwn i chi. Dyna pam mae angen ymchwiliad annibynnol arnom ni yma yng Nghymru sy'n edrych ar safbwynt polisi Cymru. Rydym ni'n gwybod fel ffaith, fel yr wyf i wedi ei amlinellu yma, fod gwahaniaeth amlwg yn y polisi yr ydych chi wedi ei ddilyn yma yng Nghymru ar y mater hwn a llawer o faterion eraill. Mae'n ffaith, yn anffodus, mai gennym ni y mae'r gyfradd farwolaethau uchaf o unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig; mae'n ffaith yr anfonwyd llythyrau anghywir i lawer o bobl a oedd yn gwarchod; ac mae'n ffaith bod eich safbwynt polisi chi wedi rhoi mwy o gleifion mewn perygl oherwydd na wnaethoch chi gyflwyno profion y canfuwyd ers hynny eu bod yn rheidrwydd ar y pryd. A yw'n wir, Prif Weinidog, eich bod chi'n rhwystro'r ymchwiliad hwn rhag digwydd yma yng Nghymru oherwydd bod ofn craffu arnoch, neu ddim ond trahauster bod eich safbwynt chi yn iawn ac na ddylai ymchwiliad annibynnol yma yng Nghymru graffu arno? Oherwydd rwy'n methu â gweld pam rydych chi'n dal i wrthwynebu yn gadarn ymchwiliad annibynnol yma yng Nghymru a fyddai'n edrych ar y safbwyntiau polisi hyn a fabwysiadwyd gan eich Llywodraeth, ac a amlygodd cleifion yma yng Nghymru i fwy o risgiau yn y pen draw.
Well, Llywydd, the Member could not be more mistaken. He answered his own question in his very first set of remarks: an independent inquiry focused only on Wales would never be able to make sense of exactly the sorts of decisions to which he has pointed. Had he been actually following what the High Court said, he would have seen that the High Court referred to the advice that was available to the UK Government, which was the same advice available to the Government here in Wales. You cannot understand the decisions that were made in Wales by divorcing those decisions from the UK context, the UK advice, the UK level of understanding at the time, and the way in which that was available here in Wales. That's why I have always argued that the best way in which people can get answers to the questions that they absolutely rightly want to see explored, and the Welsh Government will take part in the independent inquiry led by Judge Hallett in the most open way that we can. We will provide all the documents that we have; we will provide all the evidence that was available to us, and we will do so in a way that is not designed to defend the position that the Welsh Government took on any issue. I've already instructed those people who are helping to prepare the Welsh Government's evidence that the approach I want us to take is one in which we will explain why we took the decisions that we did and then leave it for the inquiry to decide whether those decisions were defensible. I am not going to go into an inquiry seeking to justify or defend—those were terms that the Member used; they're not the terms that I will use. We will go there to explain and we will provide all the evidence we can as to why we came to the decisions that we did, and it's then for the inquiry, not for the Welsh Government, and if I can say so, not for the leader of the opposition either, to decide whether or not those decisions were defensible in the context of the time in which they were made.
Wel, Llywydd, ni allai'r Aelod fod yn fwy anghywir. Atebodd ei gwestiwn ei hun yn ei gyfres gyntaf o sylwadau: ni fyddai ymchwiliad annibynnol a oedd yn canolbwyntio ar Gymru yn unig byth yn gallu gwneud synnwyr o'r union fathau o benderfyniadau y mae wedi cyfeirio atyn nhw. Pe bai wedi bod yn dilyn yr hyn a ddywedodd yr Uchel Lys mewn gwirionedd, byddai wedi gweld bod yr Uchel Lys wedi cyfeirio at y cyngor a oedd ar gael i Lywodraeth y DU, sef yr un cyngor a oedd ar gael i'r Llywodraeth yma yng Nghymru. Ni allwch chi ddeall y penderfyniadau a gafodd eu gwneud yng Nghymru drwy ysgaru'r penderfyniadau hynny o gyd-destun y DU, cyngor y DU, lefel ddealltwriaeth y DU ar y pryd, a'r ffordd yr oedd hynny ar gael yma yng Nghymru. Dyna pam yr wyf i wedi dadlau erioed mai'r ffordd orau y gall pobl gael atebion i'r cwestiynau y maen nhw'n gwbl briodol eisiau eu gweld yn cael eu harchwilio, a bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd rhan yn yr ymchwiliad annibynnol dan arweiniad y Barnwr Hallett yn y ffordd fwyaf agored y gallwn. Byddwn yn darparu'r holl ddogfennau sydd gennym ni; byddwn yn darparu'r holl dystiolaeth a oedd ar gael i ni, a byddwn yn gwneud hynny mewn ffordd na fwriedir iddi amddiffyn y safbwynt a fabwysiadwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar unrhyw fater. Rwyf i eisoes wedi cyfarwyddo'r bobl hynny sy'n helpu i baratoi tystiolaeth Llywodraeth Cymru bod y dull yr wyf i eisiau i ni ei fabwysiadu yn un lle byddwn ni'n esbonio pam wnaethom ni'r penderfyniadau a wnaethom ac yna ei adael i'r ymchwiliad benderfynu a oedd modd amddiffyn y penderfyniadau hynny. Nid wyf i am fynd i ymchwiliad gan geisio cyfiawnhau neu amddiffyn—termau a ddefnyddiodd yr Aelod oedden nhw; nid dyna'r termau y byddaf i'n eu defnyddio. Byddwn yn mynd yno i egluro a byddwn yn darparu'r holl dystiolaeth a allwn o pam wnaethom ni'r penderfyniadau a wnaethom, ac yna mater i'r ymchwiliad, nid i Lywodraeth Cymru, ac os caf i ddweud hynny, nid i arweinydd yr wrthblaid ychwaith, fydd penderfynu a oedd modd amddiffyn y penderfyniadau hynny ai peidio yng nghyd-destun yr adeg y cawson nhw eu gwneud.
Arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
The High Court, in its decision, did make the general point, didn't it? It came to the general conclusion that, given the growing appreciation that asymptomatic transmission was a real possibility, there ought to have been a change in the approach to the discharge of patients from hospitals to care homes and, specifically, that asymptomatic patients should have been kept apart from other residents for 14 days. That advice, which the High Court has found to be the only lawful position, was that advice, was that policy incorporated here in Wales during March and April? Was that advice given to care homes?
Fe wnaeth yr Uchel Lys, yn ei benderfyniad, y pwynt cyffredinol, onid wnaeth? Daeth i'r casgliad cyffredinol, o gofio'r ddealltwriaeth gynyddol bod trosglwyddo asymptomatig yn bosibilrwydd gwirioneddol, y dylid bod wedi newid y dull o ryddhau cleifion o ysbytai i gartrefi gofal ac, yn benodol, y dylai cleifion asymptomatig fod wedi eu cadw ar wahân i breswylwyr eraill am 14 diwrnod. Y cyngor hwnnw, sef yr unig safbwynt cyfreithlon yn ôl yr Uchel Lys, a gafodd y cyngor hwnnw, a gafodd y polisi hwnnw ei ymgorffori yma yng Nghymru yn ystod mis Mawrth a mis Ebrill? A roddwyd y cyngor hwnnw i gartrefi gofal?
Well, just again to be completely clear with the leader of Plaid Cymru, that is not an observation that the High Court has made in hearing anything at all about decisions that were made in Wales. The Member can try if he wants to try and imply that because it made a general observation that must, somehow, apply here in Wales. I don't think he's entitled to do that. This was a hearing about two English cases. It didn't take a single word of evidence about what happened in Wales. But the point the Member asks is about asymptomatic transmission. The inquiry will, I think, need to explore the point at which it became clear that coronavirus was a disease that could be spread by asymptomatic individuals; at what point did that advice crystalise and become known to Governments; and at the point when it did become crystalised, what would be the policy consequences of it. Those are absolutely proper questions—no doubt at all about that—and the inquiry will want to grapple with them.
Wel, unwaith eto i fod yn gwbl eglur gydag arweinydd Plaid Cymru, nid yw hwnnw yn sylw y mae'r Uchel Lys wedi ei wneud wrth glywed unrhyw beth o gwbl am benderfyniadau a wnaed yng Nghymru. Gall yr Aelod geisio os hoffai geisio awgrymu hynny oherwydd iddo wneud sylw cyffredinol y mae'n rhaid iddo, rywsut, fod yn berthnasol yma yng Nghymru. Nid wyf i'n credu bod ganddo hawl i wneud hynny. Gwrandawiad am ddau achos yn Lloegr oedd hwn. Ni chymerodd yr un gair o dystiolaeth am yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yng Nghymru. Ond mae'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei ofyn yn ymwneud â throsglwyddiad asymptomatig. Rwy'n credu y bydd angen i'r ymchwiliad archwilio'r pwynt pan ddaeth yn amlwg bod y coronafeirws yn glefyd y gallai unigolion asymptomatig ei ledaenu; pryd y gwnaeth y cyngor hwnnw ddod i'r amlwg a dod yn hysbys i Lywodraethau; ac ar yr adeg y daeth i'r amlwg, beth fyddai canlyniadau polisi hynny. Maen nhw yn gwestiynau cwbl briodol—nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth o gwbl am hynny—a bydd yr ymchwiliad yn dymuno mynd i'r afael â nhw.
Well, the High Court can help us out in that way, can't it? Because it actually goes into the very question that you've just raised, First Minister. This is what it says:
'there was no scientific proof in mid March 2020 that asymptomatic transmission was occurring, but it was well recognised by the experts that such transmission was possible.'
'Ministers', they go on to say, the High Court judges,
'were obliged to weigh up not just the likelihood that nonsymptomatic transmission was occurring, but also the very serious consequences if it did so.'
The very points that were being made here in Wales as well. The science of asymptomatic transmission wasn't different, was it, here in Wales compared to England. The level of knowledge during the time period that the High Court was referring to was the same here, and the consequences of getting it wrong—the fatal consequences, I'm sad to say, of getting it wrong—were exactly the same. So, don't you accept, based on the judgment set out by the High Court, that the failure to recognise the possibility of asymptomatic transmission led to very, very fatal consequences here in Wales? And it would be good to have an honest answer to that now from the First Minister, given the strength of feeling that exists out there amongst the Welsh public, not least amongst the bereaved families.
Wel, gall yr Uchel Lys ein helpu ni yn y ffordd honno, oni all? Gan ei fod mewn gwirionedd yn ymchwilio i'r union gwestiwn yr ydych chi newydd ei godi, Prif Weinidog. Dyma mae'n ei ddweud:
'nid oedd unrhyw brawf gwyddonol yng nghanol mis Mawrth 2020 bod trosglwyddiad asymptomatig yn digwydd, ond cydnabuwyd yn eang gan yr arbenigwyr fod trosglwyddiad o'r fath yn bosibl.'
'Roedd ymrwymiad ar Weinidogion', maen nhw'n mynd ymlaen i'w ddweud, barnwyr yr Uchel Lys,
'i bwyso a mesur nid yn unig y tebygolrwydd bod trosglwyddiad asymptomatig yn digwydd, ond hefyd y canlyniadau difrifol iawn pe bai yn digwydd.'
Yr union bwyntiau a oedd yn cael eu gwneud yma yng Nghymru hefyd. Nid oedd gwyddoniaeth trosglwyddiad asymptomatig yn wahanol, onid oedd, yma yng Nghymru o'i gymharu â Lloegr. Roedd lefel yr wybodaeth yn ystod y cyfnod yr oedd yr Uchel Lys yn cyfeirio ato yr un fath yma, ac roedd canlyniadau gwneud pethau'n anghywir—y canlyniadau angheuol, rwy'n drist o ddweud, o'i gael yn anghywir—yn union yr un fath. Felly, onid ydych chi'n derbyn, yn seiliedig ar y dyfarniad a gyflwynwyd gan yr Uchel Lys, fod y methiant i gydnabod y posibilrwydd o drosglwyddiad asymptomatig wedi arwain at ganlyniadau angheuol dros ben yma yng Nghymru? A byddai'n dda cael ateb gonest i hynny nawr gan y Prif Weinidog, o gofio cryfder y teimladau sy'n bodoli ymhlith y cyhoedd yng Nghymru, yn enwedig ymhlith y teuluoedd sydd wedi dioddef profedigaeth.
Well, Llywydd, I try to provide an honest answer every time I speak at this dispatch box. That doesn't mean to say that I'll give an answer that the Member would like me to give. That's not a test of honesty. He shouldn't imply that it is. He said a moment ago that the High Court found that, at the point when decisions were being made, there wasn't scientific certainty that asymptomatic transmission was taking place. I think it's important for people just to recognise for a moment that, at this point in the history of understanding this disease, we were learning, everybody was learning new things about it every single day.
I agree with the point that the leader of Plaid Cymru makes that you cannot divorce the understanding in Wales from the understanding across the whole of the United Kingdom, because the advice that we were relying upon was advice that came, very often, from that UK level. It's why the constant belief that a Wales-only inquiry could give you answers is so mistaken, because it wouldn't be able to explore exactly that issue, because none of those people would be around the table able to give evidence to an exclusively Welsh inquiry.
I don't think it will be in anybody's interests for the Chamber to act as though it were the commission of inquiry. We're not. The commission of inquiry is independent of this Senedd, as it is independent of the Government here. These issues, which are absolutely proper issues, deserve to be heard in the detail that they would require, with the forensic examination that the inquiry will provide. Then we will see whether the decisions that were made here in Wales, in the state of knowledge at the time, with the evidence and advice that we had available to us, were defensible or not.
Wel, Llywydd, rwy'n ceisio rhoi ateb gonest bob tro y byddaf i'n siarad wrth y blwch traddodi hwn. Nid yw hynny'n golygu y byddaf i'n rhoi ateb yr hoffai'r Aelod i mi ei roi. Nid yw hynny'n brawf o onestrwydd. Ni ddylai awgrymu ei fod. Dywedodd eiliad yn ôl fod yr Uchel Lys wedi canfod, ar yr adeg pan oedd penderfyniadau yn cael eu gwneud, nad oedd sicrwydd gwyddonol bod trosglwyddiad asymptomatig yn digwydd. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig i bobl gydnabod am eiliad yr oeddem ni, ar yr adeg hon yn hanes deall y clefyd hwn, yn dysgu, roedd pawb yn dysgu pethau newydd amdano bob un dydd.
Rwy'n cytuno â'r pwynt y mae arweinydd Plaid Cymru yn ei wneud na allwch chi wahanu'r ddealltwriaeth yng Nghymru oddi wrth y ddealltwriaeth ledled y Deyrnas Unedig gyfan, gan fod y cyngor yr oeddem ni'n dibynnu arno yn gyngor a ddaeth, yn aml iawn, o lefel y DU honno. Dyna pam mae'r gred gyson y gallai ymchwiliad i Gymru yn unig roi atebion i chi mor anghywir, gan na fyddai'n gallu archwilio'r union fater hwnnw, gan na fyddai'r un o'r bobl hynny o gwmpas y bwrdd yn gallu rhoi tystiolaeth i ymchwiliad Cymru yn unig.
Nid wyf i'n credu y bydd o fudd i unrhyw un i'r Siambr weithredu fel pe bai'n gomisiwn ymchwiliad. Nid ydym. Mae'r comisiwn ymchwiliad yn annibynnol ar y Senedd hon, ac mae hefyd yn annibynnol ar y Llywodraeth yma. Mae'r materion hyn, sy'n faterion cwbl briodol, yn haeddu cael eu clywed yn y manylder y byddai eu hangen arnyn nhw, gyda'r archwiliad fforensig y bydd yr ymchwiliad yn ei ddarparu. Yna cawn weld a oedd modd amddiffyn y penderfyniadau a wnaed yma yng Nghymru, yn y sefyllfa o ran gwybodaeth ar y pryd, gyda'r dystiolaeth a'r cyngor a oedd ar gael i ni, ai peidio.
You refer to the exhaustive analysis and the evidence that went into this one question in relation to England; can you promise that those bereaved families will get that same level of forensic and exhaustive analysis that the families in England have had through the High Court in relation to this specific question? Will the terms of reference of the UK inquiry include answering the question as to whether the policy in relation to the discharge of patients into care homes in Wales was lawful? Or, if not, is the only option available to the bereaved families that they have to go down the legal avenue as well, to get the kind of certainty that has been now laid out by the High Court in relation to England? As I understand your position, you do not accept that it applies to Wales. Can we be sure that we will get the level of focus on the decisions made in Wales with the UK inquiry? Will the families get the certainty through that process?
Rydych chi'n cyfeirio at y dadansoddiad cynhwysfawr a'r dystiolaeth a aeth i mewn i'r un cwestiwn hwn o ran Lloegr; a allwch chi addo y bydd y teuluoedd hynny sydd wedi dioddef profedigaeth yn cael yr un lefel o ddadansoddiad fforensig a chynhwysfawr ag y mae'r teuluoedd yn Lloegr wedi ei chael drwy'r Uchel Lys o ran y cwestiwn penodol hwn? A fydd cylch gorchwyl ymchwiliad y DU yn cynnwys ateb y cwestiwn a oedd y polisi o ran rhyddhau cleifion i gartrefi gofal yng Nghymru yn gyfreithlon? Neu, os na fydd, ai'r unig opsiwn sydd ar gael i'r teuluoedd sydd wedi dioddef profedigaeth yw bod yn rhaid iddyn nhw ddilyn y llwybr cyfreithiol hefyd, i gael y math o sicrwydd sydd bellach wedi ei gyflwyno gan yr Uchel Lys mewn cysylltiad â Lloegr? Fel yr wyf i'n deall eich safbwynt, nid ydych chi'n derbyn ei fod yn berthnasol i Gymru. A allwn ni fod yn siŵr y byddwn ni'n cael yr un lefel o bwyslais ar y penderfyniadau a wnaed yng Nghymru gydag ymchwiliad y DU? A fydd y teuluoedd yn cael y sicrwydd drwy'r broses honno?
I believe it is right and proper, and indeed inescapable, that the independent inquiry will indeed focus on this issue alongside a series of other matters that families have raised. As the Member knows, I've met myself with representatives of bereaved families here in Wales. I undertook then to write on their behalf, in the response that we have made to the latest round of consultations on the terms of reference, asking that certain matters that were, I think, implicit in the terms of reference could be lifted to be made explicit on the surface of those terms of reference. I've got no doubt at all that the inquiry will focus on this issue. As the leader of Plaid Cymru said, it was from the beginning a matter of very considerable public interest and investigation, and it's, I think, for the judge in the end—. I must be careful not to trespass into things that could be regarded as in any way interfering with her independence, but it seems impossible to me that the inquiry will not focus on this, with a level of forensic detail that I think the topic will deserve.
Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n iawn ac yn briodol, ac yn anochel yn wir, y bydd yr ymchwiliad annibynnol yn wir yn canolbwyntio ar y mater hwn ochr yn ochr â chyfres o faterion eraill y mae teuluoedd wedi eu codi. Fel y mae'r Aelod yn gwybod, rwyf i wedi cyfarfod fy hun â chynrychiolwyr teuluoedd sydd wedi dioddef profedigaeth yma yng Nghymru. Ymrwymais bryd hynny i ysgrifennu ar eu rhan, yn yr ymateb yr ydym ni wedi ei roi i'r rownd ddiweddaraf o ymgynghoriadau ar y cylch gorchwyl, gan ofyn a ellid codi rhai materion penodol a oedd, rwy'n credu, yn ymhlyg yn y cylch gorchwyl, i'w gwneud yn eglur ar wyneb y cylch gorchwyl hwnnw. Nid oes gen i unrhyw amheuaeth o gwbl y bydd yr ymchwiliad yn canolbwyntio ar y mater hwn. Fel y dywedodd arweinydd Plaid Cymru, yr oedd yn fater o ddiddordeb ac ymchwiliad cyhoeddus sylweddol o'r cychwyn, a mater i'r barnwr, rwy'n credu, yn y pen draw—. Mae'n rhaid i mi fod yn ofalus i beidio â thresmasu ar bethau y gellid ei ystyried fel ei fod yn ymyrryd mewn unrhyw ffordd â'i hannibyniaeth, ond mae'n ymddangos yn amhosibl i mi na fydd yr ymchwiliad yn canolbwyntio ar hyn, gyda lefel o fanylder fforensig yr wyf i'n credu y bydd y pwnc yn ei haeddu.
3. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddarpariaeth 5G yng Nghymru? OQ57951
3. Will the First Minister make a statement on 5G coverage in Wales? OQ57951
Responsibility for telecommunications lies with the UK Government. According to Ofcom, 5G outdoor coverage from at least one operator currently stands at over 23 per cent of premises in Wales.
Llywodraeth y DU sy'n gyfrifol am delathrebu. Yn ôl Ofcom, mae darpariaeth awyr agored 5G gan o leiaf un gweithredwr ar hyn o bryd yn cynnwys mwy na 23 y cant o eiddo yng Nghymru.
Thank you, Minister. 5G connectivity is a central component in terms of this Government meeting its ambitions to have 30 per cent of the Welsh workforce working from home. In addition, many of your policies—for instance, reducing traffic to help improve air quality and reduce carbon dioxide emissions on the roads, and improving work-life balance and expanding the use of technology for innovations like smart farming—hinge so much on 5G connectivity. Our economy, and in particular our rural economy, has suffered so much from the pandemic, and it is now a race against time to get 5G installed across Wales. As I'm sure the First Minister is aware, the 2021 broadband open market review revealed that, despite the current roll-out across Wales, in three years' time, almost 118,000 premises will still be without access to next-generation capable broadband, and a further 118,000 premises will still be under review. For gigabit-capable broadband in three years' time, there will still be almost 330,000 premises without access, and a further 660,000 premises under review. This relatively long period undoubtedly affects start-up businesses, particularly in rural areas, and reduces Wales's competitive advantage when it comes to attracting new business. Whilst funding is available from the UK Government under Project Gigabit to support upgrading to 5G, particularly in rural areas, the limiting factor now is the ability of the Welsh Government to make the procurement from technology companies—
Diolch, Gweinidog. Mae cysylltedd 5G yn elfen ganolog o'r Llywodraeth hon yn cyflawni ei huchelgeisiau i gael 30 y cant o weithlu Cymru yn gweithio gartref. Hefyd, mae llawer o'ch polisïau—er enghraifft, lleihau traffig i helpu i wella ansawdd aer a lleihau allyriadau carbon deuocsid ar y ffyrdd, a gwella cydbwysedd rhwng bywyd a gwaith ac ehangu'r defnydd o dechnoleg ar gyfer datblygiadau arloesol fel ffermio clyfar—yn dibynnu cymaint ar gysylltedd 5G. Mae ein heconomi, ac yn enwedig ein heconomi wledig, wedi dioddef cymaint yn sgil y pandemig, ac mae bellach yn ras yn erbyn amser i osod 5G ledled Cymru. Fel yr wyf i'n siŵr y mae'r Prif Weinidog yn gwybod, datgelodd adolygiad marchnad agored band eang 2021, er gwaethaf y gweithrediad presennol ledled Cymru, ymhen tair blynedd, bydd bron i 118,000 o eiddo yn dal i fod heb ddefnydd o fand eang â gallu'r genhedlaeth nesaf, a bydd 118,000 o eiddo eraill yn dal i gael eu hadolygu. O ran band eang â gallu gigabit ymhen tair blynedd, bydd bron i 330,000 o eiddo yn dal i fod heb fynediad, a bydd 660,000 o eiddo eraill yn cael eu hadolygu. Mae'r cyfnod cymharol hir hwn yn sicr yn effeithio ar fusnesau newydd, yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd gwledig, ac yn lleihau mantais gystadleuol Cymru o ran denu busnes newydd. Er bod cyllid ar gael gan Lywodraeth y DU o dan Brosiect Gigabit i gefnogi uwchraddio i 5G, yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd gwledig, y ffactor sy'n cyfyngu bellach yw gallu Llywodraeth Cymru i gaffael gan gwmnïau technoleg—
I think you'll need to come to your question now, Joel James.
Rwy'n credu y bydd angen i chi ddod at eich cwestiwn nawr, Joel James.
—to install and upgrade networks. First Minister, what conversations has the Welsh Government had with industry to improve the efficiency of 5G roll-out, and what impact assessment has this Government made of the long-term negative effects of so many properties not being able to access next generation and gigabit-capable broadband? Thank you.
—i osod ac uwchraddio rhwydweithiau. Prif Weinidog, pa sgyrsiau mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi eu cael gyda diwydiant i wella effeithlonrwydd y broses o gyflwyno 5G, a pha asesiad effaith y mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi ei gwneud o effeithiau negyddol hirdymor cynifer o eiddo yn methu â chael mynediad at fand eang y genhedlaeth nesaf a band eang â gallu gigabit? Diolch.
I do hope the Member finds time to put what he's just told us into a letter that he can send to the Minister responsible for these matters, who is a Minister in Whitehall, not in Wales. As I tried to explain as simply as I could in my original answer, responsibility for these matters lies with the UK Government. It is not a matter devolved to Wales. The Welsh Government has stepped in to provide some test-bed facilities to check how 5G technologies can develop, for example, in rural locations. Our 5G Wales Unlocked programme had a focus on Raglan in the Monmouthshire constituency and in Valleys areas too, where that same programme was able to test out how 5G technology can best be deployed in Ebbw Vale as a test bed for Valleys communities.
That is the job that the Welsh Government can do. We can help to make sure that the technology is best deployed in Wales, but the deployment of the technology is for the UK Government. It is their responsibility. I don't see that the Member has a particularly relevant point to make in asking what the Welsh Government can do. I'll remind him that he stood on a manifesto only a year ago that said that Welsh Conservatives would eliminate any spending by the Welsh Government on responsibilities that were not devolved, which would mean that there would be no expenditure of any sort on 5G or any other broadband matters. Fortunately, we didn't take that advice and neither did the Welsh population.
Ofcom tell us that the roll-out of 5G technology is going well in Wales and that that is particularly true at the moment of the urban belt around the south Wales coast. It's going predominantly well in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. I hope, for the reasons that the Member set out, that it continues to go well, because it does, as he said, enable a series of very important policy objectives here in Wales to be pursued. But the responsibility is very clear, and I hope that he will, at the same extensive length that he set out his points in front of us, put them to the Ministers who are actually responsible for them.
Rwyf i yn gobeithio y bydd yr Aelod yn dod o hyd i amser i roi'r hyn y mae newydd ei ddweud wrthym ni mewn llythyr y gall ei anfon at y Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol am y materion hyn, sy'n Weinidog yn Whitehall, nid yng Nghymru. Fel y ceisiais egluro mor syml ag y gallwn yn fy ateb gwreiddiol, Llywodraeth y DU sy'n gyfrifol am y materion hyn. Nid yw'n fater sydd wedi ei ddatganoli i Gymru. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi camu i mewn i ddarparu rhai cyfleusterau prawf i wirio sut y gall technolegau 5G ddatblygu, er enghraifft, mewn lleoliadau gwledig. Roedd ein rhaglen Datgloi 5G Cymru yn canolbwyntio ar Raglan yn etholaeth Sir Fynwy ac yn ardaloedd y Cymoedd hefyd, lle'r oedd yr un rhaglen honno yn gallu profi'r ffordd orau o ddefnyddio technoleg 5G yng Nglynebwy fel prawf ar gyfer cymunedau'r Cymoedd.
Dyna'r swyddogaeth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei chyflawni. Gallwn helpu i wneud yn siŵr bod y dechnoleg yn cael ei dyrannu orau yng Nghymru, ond Llywodraeth y DU sy'n gyfrifol am ddyrannu'r dechnoleg. Eu cyfrifoldeb nhw ydyw. Nid wyf i'n gweld bod gan yr Aelod bwynt arbennig o berthnasol i'w wneud wrth ofyn beth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud. Fe wnaf ei atgoffa ei fod wedi sefyll ar sail maniffesto flwyddyn yn ôl a oedd yn dweud y byddai'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cael gwared ar unrhyw wariant gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfrifoldebau nad oedden nhw wedi eu datganoli, a fyddai'n golygu na fyddai unrhyw wariant o unrhyw fath ar faterion 5G nac unrhyw faterion band eang eraill. Yn ffodus, ni wnaethom ni ddilyn y cyngor hwnnw ac ni wnaeth poblogaeth Cymru chwaith.
Mae Ofcom yn dweud wrthym fod y broses o gyflwyno technoleg 5G yn mynd yn dda yng Nghymru a bod hynny yn arbennig o wir ar hyn o bryd am y llain drefol o amgylch arfordir y de. Mae'n mynd yn dda yn bennaf yng Nghaerdydd, Casnewydd ac Abertawe. Rwy'n gobeithio, am y rhesymau a nodwyd gan yr Aelod, ei bod yn parhau i fynd yn dda, oherwydd, fel y dywedodd, mae'n galluogi cyfres o amcanion polisi pwysig iawn i gael eu dilyn yma yng Nghymru. Ond mae'r cyfrifoldeb yn eglur iawn, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd, i'r un graddau helaeth ag y cyflwynodd ei bwyntiau i ni, yn eu gwneud i'r Gweinidogion sy'n gyfrifol amdanyn nhw mewn gwirionedd.
First Minister, I understand broadband is not a devolved issue and that, sadly, north Wales has not received any of the £5 billion the UK Government has set aside for broadband infrastructure funding. It could be another two years, I'm led to believe. However, I am excited and pleased to learn that, in Anglesey, there is a consortium being led by Bangor University and the private sector, with the support of the Welsh Government, with a pilot programme to augment and increase the existing Welsh Government digital network to enable the rapid deployment of 5G infrastructure. This will primarily target rural areas, using both Bangor University's innovation and existing technology, through their digital signal processing centre. First Minister, will you join me in hoping that the UK Government will realise the quality of this local initiative and financially support desperately needed rural broadband infrastructure for north Wales, and give some of that £5 billion that's been set aside to north Wales?
Prif Weinidog, rwy'n deall nad yw band eang yn fater sydd wedi ei ddatganoli ac, yn anffodus, nad yw gogledd Cymru wedi cael dim o'r £5 biliwn y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi ei neilltuo ar gyfer cyllid seilwaith band eang. Rwy'n deall y gallai fod yn ddwy flynedd arall. Fodd bynnag, rwyf wedi cyffroi ac yn falch o glywed bod consortiwm, yn Ynys Môn, sy'n cael ei arwain gan Brifysgol Bangor a'r sector preifat, gyda chymorth Llywodraeth Cymru, a bod ganddo raglen dreialu i ategu a chynyddu rhwydwaith digidol presennol Llywodraeth Cymru i alluogi cyflwyniad cyflym o seilwaith 5G. Bydd hyn yn targedu ardaloedd gwledig yn bennaf, gan ddefnyddio arloesedd a thechnoleg bresennol Prifysgol Bangor, drwy eu canolfan prosesu signalau digidol. Prif Weinidog, a wnewch chi ymuno â mi i obeithio y bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn sylweddoli ansawdd y fenter leol hon ac yn cefnogi'n ariannol y seilwaith band eang gwledig y mae taer angen amdano ar gyfer y gogledd, ac yn rhoi rhywfaint o'r £5 biliwn hwnnw a neilltuwyd i'r gogledd?
That's a very important point that the Member makes on behalf of the region that she represents here in the Senedd. As it happens, I was able to discuss the proposal that's been put forward by the DSP centre with Welsh Government officials within the last couple of weeks. It's a proposal that is innovative, as far as the fund for which the application has been made is concerned. It's a fund primarily aimed at increasing the number of households that have access to broadband. This is a proposal that combines research into the best deployment of 5G technologies, while also, through that research, extending the number of households that have access to it. I know that Welsh Government officials are in discussion with the centre, and that the Welsh Government will provide feedback to the centre on the proposals as soon as possible, and certainly by the time that we break for the summer.
Mae hwnna yn bwynt pwysig iawn y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud ar ran y rhanbarth y mae'n ei gynrychioli yma yn y Senedd. Fel y mae'n digwydd, cefais gyfle i drafod y cynnig sydd wedi ei gyflwyno gan y ganolfan Prosesu Signalau Digidol gyda swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystod yr wythnos neu ddwy ddiwethaf. Mae'n gynnig sy'n arloesol, o ran y gronfa y gwnaed y cais ar ei chyfer. Mae'n gronfa sydd â'r nod pennaf o gynyddu nifer yr aelwydydd sydd â mynediad at fand eang. Mae hwn yn gynnig sy'n cyfuno gwaith ymchwil i'r defnydd gorau o dechnolegau 5G, a hefyd, drwy'r gwaith ymchwil hwnnw, yn ymestyn nifer yr aelwydydd sydd â mynediad atyn nhw. Gwn fod swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru wrthi'n trafod gyda'r ganolfan, ac y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi adborth i'r ganolfan ar y cynigion cyn gynted â phosibl, ac yn sicr erbyn i ni dorri ar gyfer yr haf.
4. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi'u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch goruchwylio rheoleiddiwr pêl-droed newydd Lloegr? OQ57969
4. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government regarding the oversight of the new England football regulator? OQ57969
I thank the Member for that question. The Welsh Government was not invited to contribute to the fan-led review of football governance in England. The proposed new independent regulator for English football will have some impact on Welsh clubs playing in English leagues, but oversight of the regulator will be a matter for the UK Government.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna. Ni chafodd Llywodraeth Cymru ei gwahodd i gyfrannu at yr adolygiad o lywodraethu pêl-droed yn Lloegr dan arweiniad cefnogwyr. Bydd y rheoleiddiwr annibynnol newydd arfaethedig ar gyfer pêl-droed yn Lloegr yn cael rhywfaint o effaith ar glybiau Cymru sy'n chwarae yng nghynghreiriau Lloegr, ond mater i Lywodraeth y DU fydd goruchwylio'r rheoleiddiwr.
That's, of course, disappointing, because, obviously, Welsh clubs do play in the England and Wales leagues. We can all recall the tragic death of Emiliano Sala over three years ago, whose plane crashed on his way to Cardiff from Nantes. Last year, David Henderson was found guilty and received 18 months in prison for putting him on a plane piloted by someone who was not licensed to carry paying passengers, or to fly at night. As we're told, the new English football regulator is going to be focusing on the financial affairs of professional football clubs. Will the Welsh Government make representations about the oversight that the regulator must have to clean up the way that football clubs buy and sell players, to protect them from unscrupulous agents and people who just want to make money out of football, so we can continue to call it the beautiful game?
Mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn siomedig, oherwydd, yn amlwg, mae clybiau o Gymru yn chwarae yng nghynghreiriau Cymru a Lloegr. Rydym ni i gyd yn cofio marwolaeth drasig Emiliano Sala dros dair blynedd yn ôl, y cwympodd ei awyren ar ei ffordd i Gaerdydd o Nantes. Y llynedd, cafwyd David Henderson yn euog a chafodd 18 mis yn y carchar am ei roi ar awyren a gafodd ei hedfan gan rywun nad oedd wedi ei drwyddedu i gludo teithwyr a oedd yn talu, nac i hedfan yn y nos. Fel y dywedir wrthym ni, mae rheoleiddiwr pêl-droed newydd Lloegr yn mynd i fod yn canolbwyntio ar faterion ariannol clybiau pêl-droed proffesiynol. A wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru wneud sylwadau am yr oruchwyliaeth y mae'n rhaid i'r rheoleiddiwr feddu arni i dacluso'r ffordd y mae clybiau pêl-droed yn prynu ac yn gwerthu chwaraewyr, i'w diogelu rhag asiantau diegwyddor a phobl sy'n dymuno gwneud arian o bêl-droed, fel y gallwn ni barhau i'w galw'n gêm brydferth?
Can I thank Jenny Rathbone for those questions? She's quite right in saying that criminal offences lay at the heart of the tragic events that surrounded the death of Emiliano Sala. The fan-led review, the Tracey Crouch review, is definitely worth reading by any Members of the Senedd interested in the topic. I think it makes a series of very important recommendations, and they will have an impact here in Wales because of the participation of at least five clubs from Wales in English leagues.
On the specific point of agents, I think the review makes particularly interesting reading. It points out that there had been a regulatory regime around the operation of football agents until 2015, when the FIFA regulatory regime ended, and it led to deregulation of that industry. FIFA now describe the result as the law of the jungle, with conflicts of interest rife and exorbitant commissions—it puts the words 'commissions' in inverted commas—being earned left and right. The report makes it clear that English football is the world's biggest market for agents. It has some very striking figures. It quotes figures from FIFA over the last decade. It says that the English football business—and that includes the clubs, therefore, involved in English leagues in Wales—spent $919 million in paying for the services of agents over a decade. In Germany, the figure was $376 million, in Spain $264 million, in France $190 million—$190 million in France and $919 million in the English game. As the Tracey Crouch conclusions put it:
'It is concerning that English clubs appear to pay so much more than any other leagues—money that is lost to the game. It is also concerning that the lack of regulation of agents could not only be costing clubs money...but that criminal activity may also be involved, including exploitation of children.'
These are very serious charges that are rehearsed I think soberly in the text of the report. There is a recommendation in that fan-led review. It's been accepted by the UK Government, to whom it is directed, and that is that the Government should explore ways to support the regulation of football agents operating in English football, by working with relevant authorities, including FIFA.
From the supplementary question that Jenny Rathbone put in front of us this afternoon, Llywydd, you can see the strength of that recommendation, and it is good to be able to say that it has been accepted by the UK Government. We must now look forward to seeing that Government work with others to bring the operation of football agents back under a significant and defensible regulatory regime.
A gaf i ddiolch i Jenny Rathbone am y cwestiynau yna? Mae hi'n llygad ei lle wrth ddweud bod troseddau wrth wraidd y digwyddiadau trasig yn ymwneud â marwolaeth Emiliano Sala. Mae'r adolygiad dan arweiniad cefnogwyr, adolygiad Tracey Crouch, yn sicr yn werth ei ddarllen i unrhyw Aelodau o'r Senedd sydd â diddordeb yn y pwnc. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn gwneud cyfres o argymhellion pwysig iawn, a byddan nhw'n cael effaith yma yng Nghymru oherwydd cyfranogiad o leiaf pum clwb o Gymru yng nghynghreiriau Lloegr.
O ran y pwynt penodol ynghylch asiantau, rwy'n credu bod yr adolygiad yn arbennig o ddiddorol i'w ddarllen. Mae'n tynnu sylw at y ffaith y bu cyfundrefn reoleiddio yn gysylltiedig â gweithrediad asiantau pêl-droed tan 2015, pan ddaeth cyfundrefn reoleiddio FIFA i ben, ac arweiniodd at ddadreoleiddio'r diwydiant hwnnw. Mae FIFA bellach yn disgrifio'r canlyniad fel cyfraith y jyngl, lle mae gwrthdaro buddiannau yn rhemp a chomisiynau afresymol—mae'n rhoi'r geiriau 'comisiynau' mewn dyfynodau—yn cael eu hennill o bob cwr. Mae'r adroddiad yn ei gwneud yn eglur mai pêl-droed yn Lloegr yw marchnad fwyaf y byd i asiantau. Mae ganddo rai ffigurau trawiadol iawn. Mae'n dyfynnu ffigurau gan FIFA dros y degawd diwethaf. Mae'n dweud bod busnes pêl-droed Lloegr—ac mae hynny'n cynnwys y clybiau yng Nghymru, felly, sy'n cymryd rhan yng nghynghreiriau Lloegr—wedi gwario $919 miliwn wrth dalu am wasanaethau asiantau dros ddegawd. Yn yr Almaen, $376 miliwn oedd y ffigur, yn Sbaen $264 miliwn, yn Ffrainc $190 miliwn—$190 miliwn yn Ffrainc a $919 miliwn yn y gêm yn Lloegr. Fel y mae casgliadau Tracey Crouch yn ei fynegi:
'Mae'n destun pryder ei bod yn ymddangos bod clybiau Lloegr yn talu cymaint mwy nag unrhyw gynghreiriau eraill—arian sy'n cael ei golli i'r gêm. Mae hefyd yn peri pryder y gallai'r diffyg rheoleiddio asiantau, yn ogystal â chostio arian i glybiau...y gallai gweithgarwch troseddol fod yn digwydd hefyd, gan gynnwys camfanteisio ar blant.'
Mae'r rhain yn gyhuddiadau difrifol iawn sy'n cael eu gwneud, yn ddifrifol iawn yn nhestun yr adroddiad. Ceir argymhelliad yn yr adolygiad hwnnw dan arweiniad cefnogwyr. Fe'i derbyniwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU, y mae wedi ei gyfeirio ati, sef y dylai'r Llywodraeth archwilio ffyrdd o gefnogi'r gwaith o reoleiddio asiantau pêl-droed sy'n gweithredu ym maes pêl-droed yn Lloegr, drwy weithio gydag awdurdodau perthnasol, gan gynnwys FIFA.
O'r cwestiwn atodol a roddodd Jenny Rathbone ger ein bron y prynhawn yma, Llywydd, gallwch weld cryfder yr argymhelliad hwnnw, ac mae'n dda gallu dweud ei fod wedi ei dderbyn gan Lywodraeth y DU. Mae'n rhaid i ni edrych ymlaen yn awr at weld y Llywodraeth yn gweithio gydag eraill i ddod â gweithrediad asiantau pêl-droed yn ôl o dan gyfundrefn reoleiddio sylweddol y gellir ei hamddiffyn.
I certainly welcome this fan-led review, which will hopefully secure the future of football for generations to come. We know that there are a number of issues in the game that the review sought to tackle, and I welcome the fact that the UK Government has endorsed every one of the 10 strategic recommendations contained within the report—most notably, a football regulator. Whilst the review is for the English game, it is important to remember, as has already been noted, that a number of clubs in Wales play in the English pyramid. So, what impact do you think that this review will have on those clubs?
Secondly, once the UK White Paper is published in full over the summer, can I ask you for confirmation that the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport will make a full statement to the Senedd on the impact of the White Paper on clubs in Wales, and whether there are any aspects of the report and White Paper that the Welsh Government and FAW can take forward for the Welsh game?
Finally, I think that it would be a wasted opportunity if I didn't congratulate Swansea City on beating Cardiff City twice this season, which is the first time that either club has achieved that feat. So, perhaps, as the constituency Member for Cardiff West, the First Minister would like to join me in congratulating the Swans too.
Rwy'n sicr yn croesawu'r adolygiad hwn dan arweiniad cefnogwyr, a fydd, gobeithio, yn sicrhau dyfodol pêl-droed am genedlaethau i ddod. Rydym yn gwybod bod nifer o faterion yn y gêm y ceisiodd yr adolygiad fynd i'r afael â nhw, ac rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi cymeradwyo pob un o'r 10 argymhelliad strategol a geir yn yr adroddiad—yn fwyaf nodedig, rheoleiddiwr pêl-droed. Er bod yr adolygiad ar gyfer y gêm yn Lloegr, mae'n bwysig cofio, fel y nodwyd eisoes, fod nifer o glybiau yng Nghymru yn chwarae ym mhyramid Lloegr. Felly, pa effaith, yn eich barn chi, bydd yr adolygiad hwn yn ei chael ar y clybiau hynny?
Yn ail, ar ôl i Bapur Gwyn y DU gael ei gyhoeddi'n llawn dros yr haf, a gaf i ofyn i chi am gadarnhad y bydd Dirprwy Weinidog y Celfyddydau a Chwaraeon yn gwneud datganiad llawn i'r Senedd ar effaith y Papur Gwyn ar glybiau yng Nghymru, ac a oes unrhyw agweddau ar yr adroddiad a'r Papur Gwyn y gall Llywodraeth Cymru a Chymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru eu datblygu ar gyfer y gêm yng Nghymru?
Yn olaf, rwy'n credu y byddai'n gyfle wedi ei wastraffu pe na fyddwn yn llongyfarch Dinas Abertawe ar guro Dinas Caerdydd ddwywaith y tymor hwn, sef y tro cyntaf i'r naill glwb neu'r llall gyflawni'r gamp honno. Felly, efallai, fel yr Aelod etholaeth dros Orllewin Caerdydd, yr hoffai'r Prif Weinidog ymuno â mi i longyfarch yr Elyrch hefyd.
Well, I think the Member was wise to make his final remarks from the safety of his own office—[Laughter.]—so I congratulate him on getting that part right. Actually, I agreed with very much of what he had to say. I think the review will have an impact here in Wales if its recommendations are taken forward. It's likely to be a beneficial impact because what it does is to emphasise the fact that football is a game played for the benefit of those who support football clubs, rather than those who own them or who seek to make money out of them. If there is a single message at the heart of the review, it's about how you rebalance those interests, so that the interests of fans come first, rather than some of the ways in which the game has developed over more recent times.
We will, of course, read the White Paper with interest. It would be very good, from our point of view, if Welsh Ministers had an opportunity to be involved in some of the discussions that will precede that White Paper. The Minister responsible will, I'm sure, report any conclusions she has for the game in Wales to the Senedd.
The Member will be pleased to know, I'm sure, that the first professional football match that I ever went to see was at the Vetch Field in Swansea, where I saw fourth division Swansea play fourth division Huddersfield united. I cannot honestly say that that 0-0 draw inspired me to return quickly to the ground, but I have very fond memories of being at the Vetch Field.
Wel, rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod yn ddoeth i wneud ei sylwadau terfynol o ddiogelwch ei swyddfa ei hun—[Chwerthin.]—felly rwy'n ei longyfarch ar gael y rhan honno'n iawn. Mewn gwirionedd, cytunais â llawer iawn o'r hyn a oedd ganddo i'w ddweud. Rwy'n credu y bydd yr adolygiad yn cael effaith yma yng Nghymru os caiff ei argymhellion eu gweithredu. Mae'n debygol o fod yn effaith fuddiol oherwydd yr hyn y mae'n ei wneud yw pwysleisio'r ffaith bod pêl-droed yn gêm a gaiff ei chwarae er budd y rhai sy'n cefnogi clybiau pêl-droed, yn hytrach na'r rhai sy'n berchen arnyn nhw neu sy'n ceisio gwneud arian ohonyn nhw. Os oes un neges wrth wraidd yr adolygiad, mae'n ymwneud â sut yr ydych yn ail-gydbwyso'r buddiannau hynny, fel bod buddiannau cefnogwyr yn dod yn gyntaf, yn hytrach na rhai o'r ffyrdd y mae'r gêm wedi datblygu dros gyfnodau mwy diweddar.
Byddwn ni, wrth gwrs, yn darllen y Papur Gwyn â diddordeb. Byddai'n dda iawn, o'n safbwynt ni, pe bai Gweinidogion Cymru yn cael cyfle i fod yn rhan o rai o'r trafodaethau a fydd yn rhagflaenu'r Papur Gwyn hwnnw. Bydd y Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol, rwy'n siŵr, yn cyflwyno adroddiad ar unrhyw gasgliadau sydd ganddi ar gyfer y gêm yng Nghymru i'r Senedd.
Bydd yr Aelod yn falch o wybod, rwy'n siŵr, mai'r gêm bêl-droed broffesiynol gyntaf yr es i i'w gweld erioed oedd ar Gae'r Vetch yn Abertawe, lle gwelais Abertawe o'r bedwaredd adran yn chwarae Huddersfield o'r bedwaredd adran. Ni allaf ddweud yn onest fod y gêm gyfartal 0-0 honno wedi fy ysbrydoli i ddychwelyd yn gyflym i'r cae, ond mae gen i atgofion melys iawn o fod yng Nghae'r Vetch.
5. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o'r effaith y bydd cyllid codi'r gwastad yn ei chael ar seilwaith trafnidiaeth yng Ngogledd Cymru? OQ57985
5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact levelling-up funding will have on transport infrastructure in North Wales? OQ57985
Llywydd, any impact from levelling-up funding will be dwarfed by the UK Government's refusal to provide Wales with our population share of HS2 investment. The UK Government should provide Wales with its fair share of funding, to allow those decisions to be made here in Wales in devolved areas, by those elected to represent Wales.
Llywydd, bydd unrhyw effaith o gyllid ffyniant bro yn cael ei bychanu gan y ffaith bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi gwrthod darparu ein cyfran o'r boblogaeth o fuddsoddiad HS2 i Gymru. Dylai Llywodraeth y DU roi ei chyfran deg o gyllid i Gymru, er mwyn caniatáu i'r penderfyniadau hynny gael eu gwneud yma yng Nghymru mewn meysydd datganoledig, gan y rhai a etholwyd i gynrychioli Cymru.
Thank you, First Minister. I totally agree with you. I know that you are committed to improving passenger experience on public transport to reduce the number of car journeys to achieve net zero. As part of this, Transport for Wales has invested in new trains for the Wrexham-Bidston line and has recruited new drivers and trained them all up ready.
A levelling-up funding bid was also made to address the Padeswood issue. It included the delivery of Deeside Parkway station as well, and a Penyffordd station park-and-ride facility, so that we can move forward with an integrated rail and bus one-ticket vision. The bid for these vital improvements, along with many others across north Wales for levelling-up funding, was rejected, and I've been told by council officers that the bidding process for structural funds is like going back 10 years. The deadlines are not clear. It's resource heavy and costly. They don't have the time and the resources to put into making these bids, and then they get rejected. Does the First Minister agree with me that the so-called levelling-up funding is entirely unfit for purpose, taking up local authority resources and excluding so many communities in Wales from accessing the investment they need? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr, Prif Weinidog. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â chi. Fe wn i eich bod wedi ymrwymo i wella profiad teithwyr ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus er mwyn lleihau nifer y teithiau mewn ceir i gyflawni sero net. Fel rhan o hyn, mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi buddsoddi mewn trenau newydd ar gyfer rheilffordd Wrecsam-Bidston ac wedi recriwtio gyrwyr newydd a'u hyfforddi i gyd eisoes.
Gwnaed cais am gyllid ffyniant bro hefyd i fynd i'r afael â mater Padeswood. Roedd yn cynnwys darparu gorsaf Barcffordd Glannau Dyfrdwy hefyd, a chyfleuster parcio a theithio gorsaf Pen-y-ffordd, fel y gallwn symud ymlaen gyda gweledigaeth integredig un tocyn rheilffordd a bws. Gwrthodwyd y cais am y gwelliannau hanfodol hyn, ynghyd â llawer o rai eraill ar draws y gogledd am gyllid ffyniant bro, ac mae swyddogion y cyngor wedi dweud wrthyf fod y broses gwneud cais ar gyfer cronfeydd strwythurol yn mynd yn ôl 10 mlynedd. Nid yw'r terfynau amser yn glir. Mae'n gostus o ran adnoddau ac arian. Nid oes ganddyn nhw'r amser na'r adnoddau ar gael i wneud y ceisiadau hyn, ac yna maen nhw'n cael eu gwrthod. A yw'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno â mi fod y cyllid ffyniant bro honedig yn gwbl anaddas i'r diben, gan ddefnyddio adnoddau awdurdodau lleol ac eithrio cynifer o gymunedau yng Nghymru rhag cael gafael ar y buddsoddiad sydd ei angen arnyn nhw? Diolch.
Llywydd, I'm sad to say that the particular example that the Member refers to is an object lesson in how the fund does not meet the needs of Wales. Transport for Wales had a plan to increase services on the Wrexham to Bidston line to two trains an hour from May of this year, from this month. Now, it will not be able to do so. It's not been able to do so because Network Rail has refused permission for those two trains an hour, because there has been an objection from a freight carrier, saying that two trains an hour would interfere with its day timetable for carrying freight. All that could have been avoided had that levelling-up fund bid gone forward—a bid supported by all the local players, a bid supported by the Welsh Government and, astonishingly, supported by the Department for Transport in the UK Government as well. So, here you have a scheme, supported by every level of government that you can imagine, that failed to get funding by the levelling-up fund, and it now means that Transport for Wales cannot go ahead with the timetable improvements that they would have introduced this May, because the matter remains in the hands of the Office of Rail and Road.
What does this illustrate, Llywydd? Well, it illustrates, to my mind, that in a fund, over which there has been no discussion at all with the Welsh Government, funding that ought to have come to Wales—. Remember that the Treasury originally said that there would be Barnett consequentials of the levelling-up fund, only to change its mind a short number of weeks later. So, here is funding that is fragmented, that is unpredictable, where there is blurred accountability, where the risk of duplication and poor value for money is on the surface of the way that that fund has been constructed. It leads to the perverse outcomes that you've heard from Carolyn Thomas this afternoon and, I'm afraid, it's residents of north Wales who are the losers.
Llywydd, mae'n drist gen i ddweud bod yr enghraifft benodol y mae'r Aelod yn cyfeirio ati yn enghraifft dda o'r ffordd nad yw'r gronfa'n diwallu anghenion Cymru. Roedd gan Trafnidiaeth Cymru gynllun i gynyddu gwasanaethau ar y rheilffordd rhwng Wrecsam a Bidston i ddau drên yr awr o fis Mai eleni, o'r mis hwn ymlaen. Yn awr, ni fydd yn gallu gwneud hynny. Nid yw wedi gallu gwneud hynny oherwydd bod Network Rail wedi gwrthod caniatâd ar gyfer y ddau drên yr awr hynny, oherwydd bu gwrthwynebiad gan gludwr nwyddau, gan ddweud y byddai dau drên yr awr yn ymyrryd â'i amserlen ddydd ar gyfer cludo nwyddau. Gellid bod wedi osgoi'r cyfan pe bai'r cais hwnnw am gronfa ffyniant bro wedi ei gyflwyno—cais a gefnogwyd gan yr holl bartïon lleol, cais a gefnogwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ac, yn rhyfeddol, gan yr Adran Drafnidiaeth yn Llywodraeth y DU hefyd. Felly, yma mae gennych chi gynllun, gyda chefnogaeth pob lefel o lywodraeth y gallwch ei ddychmygu, a fethodd â chael cyllid gan y gronfa ffyniant bro, ac mae'n golygu yn awr na all Trafnidiaeth Cymru fwrw ymlaen â'r gwelliannau i'r amserlen y bydden nhw wedi eu cyflwyno ym mis Mai eleni, oherwydd bod y mater yn dal yn nwylo'r Swyddfa Rheilffyrdd a'r Ffyrdd.
Beth mae hyn yn ei ddangos, Llywydd? Wel, mae'n dangos, yn fy marn i, mewn cronfa, na chafwyd trafodaeth o gwbl gyda Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei chylch, fod cyllid a ddylai fod wedi dod i Gymru—. Cofiwch i'r Trysorlys ddweud yn wreiddiol y byddai symiau canlyniadol Barnett o'r gronfa ffyniant bro, dim ond iddo newid ei feddwl ychydig wythnosau'n ddiweddarach. Felly, dyma gyllid sy'n dameidiog, sy'n anrhagweladwy, lle mae atebolrwydd aneglur, lle mae'r risg o ddyblygu a gwerth gwael am arian yn deillio o'r ffordd y mae'r gronfa honno wedi ei llunio. Mae'n arwain at y canlyniadau gwrthnysig yr ydych wedi eu clywed gan Carolyn Thomas y prynhawn yma ac, mae arnaf ofn, trigolion y gogledd sydd ar eu colled.
6. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gynyddu nifer y prentisiaethau gradd ledled Cymru? OQ57986
6. Will the First Minister provide an update on what work the Welsh Government is doing to increase the number of degree apprenticeships across Wales? OQ57986
I thank the Member for that question, Llywydd. Over 1,200 degree apprenticeships have been taken up during the first three years of the programme in Wales. Our focus for expansion will prioritise areas that address skills gaps, boost productivity and contribute to our net-zero ambitions.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna, Llywydd. Mae dros 1,200 o brentisiaethau gradd wedi eu llenwi yn ystod tair blynedd cyntaf y rhaglen yng Nghymru. Bydd ein pwyslais ar ehangu yn blaenoriaethu meysydd sy'n mynd i'r afael â bylchau mewn sgiliau, yn hybu cynhyrchiant ac yn cyfrannu at ein huchelgeisiau sero net.
Diolch, and I'd like to thank you, First Minister, for your answer. First Minister, degree apprenticeships are vitally important to fill in the gaps in our workforce, whether that's in the NHS and social care, construction, engineering, to name but a few. In late 2020 the economy committee made a number of recommendations, including one to enable, fund and support more formal structures or groups for relevant stakeholders and industry to come together to develop and refresh degree apprenticeship frameworks, using their detailed occupational and sector expertise. First Minister, can you outline what work has been done to address these recommendations, because if we are to fill the vacancies in our NHS and in other sectors, and build that resilient workforce that we need in Wales, degree apprenticeships could be the answer to address the workforce gaps and give more people the opportunities to access lifelong learning? Diolch, Llywydd.
Diolch, a hoffwn ddiolch i chi, Prif Weinidog, am eich ateb. Prif Weinidog, mae prentisiaethau gradd yn hanfodol bwysig i lenwi'r bylchau yn ein gweithlu, boed hynny yn y GIG a gofal cymdeithasol, adeiladu, peirianneg, i enwi ond rhai. Ar ddiwedd 2020, gwnaeth pwyllgor yr economi nifer o argymhellion, gan gynnwys un i alluogi, ariannu a chefnogi strwythurau neu grwpiau mwy ffurfiol i randdeiliaid a diwydiant perthnasol ddod ynghyd i ddatblygu ac adnewyddu fframweithiau prentisiaeth gradd, gan ddefnyddio eu harbenigedd galwedigaethol a sector manwl. Prif Weinidog, a wnewch chi amlinellu pa waith sydd wedi ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r argymhellion hyn, oherwydd os ydym am lenwi'r swyddi gwag yn ein GIG ac mewn sectorau eraill, a datblygu'r gweithlu cydnerth hwnnw y mae arnom ei angen yng Nghymru, gallai prentisiaethau gradd fod yn ateb i fynd i'r afael â bylchau yn y gweithlu a rhoi cyfleoedd i fwy o bobl gael mynediad at ddysgu gydol oes? Diolch, Llywydd.
Llywydd, I am grateful to the Member for that additional question, and I'm very glad to be able to discuss this matter on a day where legal apprenticeships are being launched in Wales—a recommendation of the Thomas commission, taken forward initially by my colleague Jeremy Miles, and brought to conclusion by the current Counsel General. I think, if the Member studies today's announcement, he will see that it has been developed exactly in line with the recommendations of the committee's report, because it has come together as a result of discussions with the Law Society, as a result of a rapid review of qualifications in the Welsh legal sector, and through working with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
My colleague Vaughan Gething later this term will be coming forward with our broader set of proposals for how we can take degree apprenticeships, graduate-level apprenticeships, forward here in Wales. I have to say, to be realistic with colleagues, given the absence of European funding, our ability to do everything we would like in this field is constrained. There are many areas where calls are made for more to be done in graduate apprenticeships because of the success of the scheme. And I don't think I mentioned earlier, Llywydd, in answer to question 2, that Rhondda Cynon Taf's Labour group has a proposal for 150 extra apprenticeships and graduate apprenticeships over the next five years in that part of Wales, should they be in a position to do so after Thursday.
Llywydd, rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn ychwanegol yna, ac rwy'n falch iawn o allu trafod y mater hwn ar ddiwrnod pan fo prentisiaethau cyfreithiol yn cael eu lansio yng Nghymru—argymhelliad gan gomisiwn Thomas, a gyflwynwyd yn wreiddiol gan fy nghyd-Aelod Jeremy Miles, ac a gwblhawyd gan y Cwnsler Cyffredinol presennol. Rwy'n credu, os bydd yr Aelod yn astudio'r cyhoeddiad heddiw, y bydd yn gweld ei fod wedi ei ddatblygu yn unol ag argymhellion adroddiad y pwyllgor yn union, gan ei fod wedi dod ynghyd o ganlyniad i drafodaethau gyda Chymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr, o ganlyniad i adolygiad cyflym o gymwysterau yn sector cyfreithiol Cymru, a thrwy weithio gyda Sefydliad Siartredig y Gweithredwyr Cyfreithiol.
Bydd fy nghyd-Aelod Vaughan Gething yn ddiweddarach y tymor hwn yn cyflwyno ein cyfres ehangach o gynigion ar gyfer sut y gallwn fynd â phrentisiaethau gradd, prentisiaethau ar lefel graddedigion, ymlaen yma yng Nghymru. Mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, er mwyn bod yn realistig gyda chydweithwyr, o ystyried absenoldeb cyllid Ewropeaidd, fod ein gallu i wneud popeth yr hoffem ei wneud yn y maes hwn wedi ei gyfyngu. Mae llawer o feysydd lle ceir galwadau am wneud mwy mewn prentisiaethau i raddedigion oherwydd llwyddiant y cynllun. Ac nid wyf i'n credu fy mod i wedi sôn yn gynharach, Llywydd, wrth ateb cwestiwn 2, fod gan grŵp Llafur Rhondda Cynon Taf gynnig ar gyfer 150 o brentisiaethau ychwanegol a phrentisiaethau i raddedigion dros y pum mlynedd nesaf yn y rhan honno o Gymru, pe baen nhw mewn sefyllfa i wneud hynny ar ôl dydd Iau.
7. Beth yw asesiad y Prif Weinidog o'r cynnydd o ran adeiladu Cymru gynhwysol a goddefgar? OQ57988
7. What is the First Minister's assessment of progress in building an inclusive and tolerant Wales? OQ57988
Llywydd, we want Wales to be a tolerant and welcoming nation, but too often, the lived experience of some has not always lived up to that ambition. The recent consultation on our race equality action plan demonstrated both clear progress made, but also the ground that is still to be gained.
Llywydd, rydym ni eisiau i Gymru fod yn genedl oddefgar a chroesawgar, ond yn rhy aml, nid yw profiad bywyd rhai wedi adlewyrchu'r uchelgais hwnnw bob amser. Dangosodd yr ymgynghoriad diweddar ar ein cynllun gweithredu cydraddoldeb hiliol fod cynnydd clir wedi ei wneud, ond bod hefyd tir sydd eto i'w ennill.
Diolch, First Minister. I would firstly like to say 'Eid Mubarak' to our Muslim community in Wales. The celebration marks the end of Ramadan and the month-long fasting from dawn to dusk. I was very pleased to take part and join my constituents for iftar suppers and a midnight game of football. The football was organised by Newport County's County in the Community and Exiles Together. Speaking to players and organisers, I heard of cultural barriers and racism making it difficult for black, Asian and ethnic minorities to play football from grass-roots level to the professional game, and this applies generally to sport and physical activity.
First Minister, in line with the Wales race equality action plan, will Welsh Government continue to press national sporting bodies and others to address and remedy this situation, so that everyone in Wales may benefit from sport and fitness, and our national teams benefit by drawing from all our communities?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ddweud 'Eid Mubarak' wrth ein cymuned Fwslimaidd yng Nghymru. Mae'r dathliad yn nodi diwedd Ramadan a'r mis o ymprydio o'r wawr i'r cyfnos. Roeddwn i'n falch iawn o gymryd rhan ac ymuno â fy etholwyr ar gyfer swperau iftar a gêm bêl-droed ganol nos. Trefnwyd y gêm bêl-droed gan County in the Community ac Exiles Together Clwb Pêl-droed Cymdeithas Sir Casnewydd. Wrth siarad â chwaraewyr a threfnwyr, clywais am rwystrau diwylliannol a hiliaeth sy'n ei gwneud yn anodd i bobl dduon, Asiaidd a lleiafrifoedd ethnig chwarae pêl-droed o lefel lawr gwlad i'r gêm broffesiynol, ac mae hyn yn wir yn gyffredinol mewn chwaraeon a gweithgarwch corfforol.
Prif Weinidog, yn unol â chynllun gweithredu cydraddoldeb hiliol Cymru, a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru barhau i bwyso ar gyrff chwaraeon cenedlaethol ac eraill i fynd i'r afael â'r sefyllfa hon a'i datrys, fel y gall pawb yng Nghymru elwa ar chwaraeon a ffitrwydd, a bod ein timau cenedlaethol yn elwa drwy dynnu o'n holl gymunedau?
Llywydd, I heard John Griffiths's call of 'Eid Mubarak' echoed around the Chamber here this afternoon, and I know that Members in all parts of the Chamber will want to congratulate our Muslim colleagues and join in their celebrations as the holy month of Ramadan has drawn to a close.
Can I say it was great to hear what John Griffiths said about attending midnight football sessions? And this year, I think we've seen some genuine steps forward, consistent with the race equality action plan. Glamorgan cricket have been holding midnight cricket games and Wales Golf have opened up their facilities, including Parc Golf Club in Newport, to make sure that as people break their fast, and want to do something to celebrate that, there are sporting opportunities available to them in a way that is welcoming to people from all communities across Wales. We have prioritised the anti-racist Wales action plan in the remit letters that are being sent to sports and cultural arm's-length bodies in Wales for this Senedd term, and in that way, I hope that we will see further moves to exactly that sort of anti-racist Wales that we would want to see, and which therefore needs to be reflected in the day-to-day operation of our sports and cultural bodies.
Llywydd, clywais gri 'Eid Mubarak' John Griffiths yn cael ei adleisio o amgylch y Siambr y prynhawn yma, a gwn y bydd Aelodau ym mhob rhan o'r Siambr yn dymuno llongyfarch ein cydweithwyr Mwslimaidd ac ymuno yn eu dathliadau wrth i fis sanctaidd Ramadan ddirwyn i ben.
A gaf i ddweud ei bod yn wych clywed yr hyn a ddywedodd John Griffiths am fynd i sesiynau pêl-droed ganol nos? Ac eleni, rwy'n credu ein bod ni wedi gweld rhai camau gwirioneddol ymlaen, yn gyson â'r cynllun gweithredu cydraddoldeb hiliol. Mae Criced Morgannwg wedi bod yn cynnal gemau criced ganol nos ac mae Golff Cymru wedi agor eu cyfleusterau, gan gynnwys Clwb Golff y Parc yng Nghasnewydd, i sicrhau, wrth i bobl dorri eu hympryd, a dymuno gwneud rhywbeth i ddathlu hynny, fod cyfleoedd chwaraeon ar gael iddyn nhw mewn ffordd sy'n groesawgar i bobl o bob cymuned ledled Cymru. Rydym wedi blaenoriaethu cynllun gweithredu gwrth-hiliol Cymru yn y llythyrau cylch gwaith sy'n cael eu hanfon at gyrff hyd braich chwaraeon a diwylliannol yng Nghymru ar gyfer tymor y Senedd hon, ac yn y modd hwnnw, rwy'n gobeithio y gwelwn ni gamau pellach tuag at yr union fath hwnnw o Gymru wrth-hiliol y byddem ni eisiau ei weld, ac y mae angen ei adlewyrchu yng ngweithrediad ein cyrff chwaraeon a diwylliannol o ddydd i ddydd felly.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
And finally, question 8, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
8. Pa gamau mae'r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i gynorthwyo'r sector tai cymdeithasol yn wyneb y cynnydd mewn costau adeiladu? OQ57948
8. What steps is the Government taking to support the social housing sector in light of the increase in building costs? OQ57948
Wel, diolch yn fawr am y cwestiwn. Llywydd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio’n agos gyda landlordiaid cymdeithasol i gefnogi'r sector. Yn y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf, fe wnaethon ni dalu £11 miliwn o grantiau ychwanegol a £25 miliwn o fenthyciadau di-log i landlordiaid cymdeithasol i'w helpu i ymdopi â chynnydd mewn costau deunyddiau. Rydyn ni’n parhau i fonitro'r pwysau ar y gadwyn gyflenwi yn y sector adeiladu.
Thank you very much for that question. Llywydd, Welsh Government is working closely with social landlords to support the sector. In the last financial year, we paid £11 million in additional grants and £25 million in interest-free loans to social landlords to help mitigate increases in materials costs. We continue to monitor supply chain pressures in the building sector.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Prif Weinidog am yr ateb hwnnw. Mae gan y Llywodraeth darged, wrth gwrs, o adeiladu tai cymdeithasol, ac mae eu mawr angen nhw er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r rhestrau aros ar gyfer tai. Mae yna ddatblygiadau tai yn yr arfaeth ar hyn o bryd, ond mae contractwyr yn ei chael hi'n anodd i ddelifro rhai cytundebau oherwydd y cynnydd aruthrol mewn pris deunyddiau a llafur. Mae pris coed wedi llifio, er enghraifft, wedi cynyddu 90 y cant mewn blwyddyn. Mae dur wedi cynyddu tua 70 y cant. Mae copr, sment a deunyddiau eraill wedi cynyddu'n aruthrol hefyd.
Mae'r cynnydd mewn pris ynni wedi cyfrannu'n fawr at hyn, ond mae'r sector yn dweud wrthyf fi fod Brexit hefyd wedi chwarae rhan yn y cynnydd. Yn fwy na'r trafferthion presennol i'r sector adeiladu, mae bron yn amhosib i'r sector adeiladu a thai cymdeithasol i flaen-gynllunio. Mae'r cynnydd cyson yma yn golygu nad ydym yn gwybod os fyddan nhw'n medru cadw at dermau cytundeb yn y dyfodol. Mae'r ansicrwydd yma felly yn effeithio ar y llif gwaith, gyda rhai adeiladwyr yn gorfod gadael gweithwyr i fynd oherwydd yr ansicrwydd. Mae hyn yn arwain at waith yn stopio, ac yn effeithio ar ddatblygiadau.
Yn wyneb hyn, felly, oes yna gymorth brys ychwanegol y gall y Llywodraeth ei roi er mwyn pontio yn ystod y cyfnod anodd yma er mwyn sicrhau bod llif gwaith yn parhau, a bod y targedau adeiladu tai cymdeithasol yn cael eu cyrraedd?
I thank the First Minister for that response. The Government, of course, has a target for constructing social housing, and they are very much needed to tackle the waiting lists for housing. There are proposed housing developments at present, but contractors are finding it difficult to deliver some contracts because of the huge increase in the cost of materials and labour. Sawn timber has increased 90 per cent in a year. Steel has increased around 70 per cent. And copper, cement and other materials have increased significantly too.
The increase in energy prices has contributed to this, but the sector tells me that Brexit has also played a part in these price increases. On top of the current difficulties, it's almost impossible for the construction sector and social housing to plan ahead. This increase means that they don't know whether they'll be able to stick to contractual obligations in future, so this uncertainty affects the workflow, and some constructors have had to let their staff go, and this means that work has stopped and has impacted development.
So, in the light of this, is there urgent additional support that the Government can provide to bridge this gap to ensure that workflow continues and that the social housing construction targets are met?
Llywydd, diolch yn fawr i Mabon ap Gwynfor am y pwyntiau pwysig yna. Mae beth ddywedodd e yn wir; mae targed uchelgeisiol gyda ni fel Llywodraeth i adeiladu mwy o dai am rent cymdeithasol yma yng Nghymru, ac mae'r sector, dwi'n cydnabod, yn wynebu nifer o sialensiau ar hyn o bryd. Mae swyddogion yn cyfarfod gyda'r sector bob tair wythnos i fonitro'r pwysau ar y gadwyn gyflenwi. Ymhlith y sefydliadau yr ydym yn gweithio gyda nhw yw'r cyngor ar weinyddiaeth adeiladu. Cafodd y cyfarfod diwethaf ei gynnal ar 13 Ebrill, a daeth i'r casgliad bod y pwysau ar y gadwyn gyflenwi wedi sefydlogi yn gynharach eleni.
Ers hynny, wrth gwrs, mae Brexit, fel roedd yr Aelod yn ei ddweud, a chwyddiant, prinder llafur ac effaith y rhyfel yn Wcráin, yn parhau i greu pwysau gwirioneddol ar dai cymdeithasol. Yn y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf, roedd y Llywodraeth wedi ffeindio mwy o arian—£24 miliwn, dwi'n meddwl—i helpu'r sector i ymdopi â'r problemau sydd yn codi yn y meysydd fel yna. Ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid i liniaru'r ffactorau hyn, i'r graddau eu bod o fewn ein rheolaeth neu ddylanwad.
Llywydd, I'd like to thank Mabon ap Gwynfor for those important points. What he said is true. We have an ambitious target as a Government to build more social housing for rent here in Wales. And I do acknowledge that the sector is facing a number of challenges at the moment. Officials do meet with the sector on a three-weekly basis to monitor the pressures on the supply chains. In terms of the organisations that we're working with, they include the Construction Leadership Council. The last meeting was held on 13 April, and it came to the conclusion that supply chain pressures had stabilised earlier this year.
Since then, of course, Brexit, as the Member said, and inflation, shortage of labour and the impact of the war in Ukraine, continue to create real pressures in social housing construction. In the last financial year, the Government found more money—£24 million, I believe—in order to assist the sector to cope with the problems arising in those areas. And the Welsh Government is working with partners to mitigate these impacts to the extent that they are within our control or our sphere of influence.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog. Yr eitem nesaf felly yw'r datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, a dwi'n galw ar y Trefnydd i wneud y datganiad hwnnw. Lesley Griffiths.
Thank you, First Minister. The next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement. Lesley Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. There are a few changes to this week's business. Firstly, the Minister for Economy will make a statement on border controls as the next item of business. Secondly, the Business Committee has agreed to reduce the time allocated to questions to the Senedd Commission and cancel the short debate, as no topic was tabled tomorrow.
Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Diolch, Llywydd. Mae ychydig o newidiadau i fusnes yr wythnos hon. Yn gyntaf, bydd Gweinidog yr Economi yn gwneud datganiad ar fesurau reoli ffiniau fel yr eitem nesaf o fusnes. Yn ail, mae'r Pwyllgor Busnes wedi cytuno i leihau'r amser sydd wedi'i neilltuo ar gyfer cwestiynau i Gomisiwn y Senedd a chanslo'r ddadl fer, gan nad oes unrhyw bwnc wedi'i gyflwyno, yfory.
Mae'r busnes drafft ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi ar y datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, sydd i'w weld ymhlith y papurau cyfarfod sydd ar gael i'r Aelodau yn electronig.
Minister, I would like you to secure a statement from the Deputy Minister for Social Services, for her to respond to Professor Donald Forrester, who has called for a review of children's social work in Wales following the death of Logan Mwangi. The professor told BBC Wales that, across the UK, there has been quite a number of child deaths requiring reviews with the involvement of social services. According to the professor, there should be an independent review in Wales, similar to those that are being undertaken in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. These matters are incredibly important, and I would urge the Minister to set out a response. Thank you.
Gweinidog, hoffwn i chi sicrhau datganiad gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, iddi ymateb i'r Athro Donald Forrester, sydd wedi galw am adolygiad o waith cymdeithasol plant yng Nghymru yn dilyn marwolaeth Logan Mwangi. Dywedodd yr athro wrth BBC Cymru fod cryn nifer o farwolaethau plant wedi bod ledled y DU, y mae angen arolygon i gynnwys y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol arnyn nhw. Yn ôl yr athro, dylai adolygiad annibynnol gael ei gynnal yng Nghymru, yn debyg i'r rhai sy'n cael eu cynnal yn Lloegr, yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon. Mae'r materion hyn yn eithriadol o bwysig, a byddwn yn annog y Gweinidog i nodi ymateb. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you. Well, the Member referred to the Logan Mwangi case, which is obviously a tragic case, and our thoughts are absolutely with everyone affected by Logan's death. I think what is really important now is that the child practice review and the planned inspection by Care Inspectorate Wales are completed before the Minister makes any statement.
Diolch. Wel, cyfeiriodd yr Aelod at achos Logan Mwangi, sy'n amlwg yn achos trasig, ac mae ein meddyliau'n llwyr gyda phawb a effeithiwyd gan farwolaeth Logan. Rwy'n credu mai'r hyn sy'n wirioneddol bwysig nawr yw bod yr adolygiad o arferion plant a'r arolygiad arfaethedig gan Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru yn cael eu cwblhau cyn i'r Gweinidog wneud unrhyw ddatganiad.
Trefnydd, hoffwn ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd yn ein diweddaru ar y gwaith ar fetro de Cymru. Gyda'r gwaith yn mynd rhagddo mewn nifer o ardaloedd ledled y rhanbarth rwyf yn ei gynrychioli, rhaid cyfaddef bod trigolion wedi cael sioc o ran faint o effaith mae'r gwaith yn ei gael arnynt. Mae nifer wedi sôn wrthyf ac wedi ysgrifennu ataf yn cwyno bod y sŵn yn eu cadw'n effro dros nos, sydd wedyn yn effeithio ar eu gwaith a hefyd ar addysg eu plant, ac yn gofyn pam nad yw'r gwaith hwn yn digwydd yn bennaf yn y dydd. Byddai'n fuddiol gwybod sut mae'r gwaith yn mynd rhagddo, a sut mae cwynion a phrofiadau trigolion yn cael eu delio â nhw i sicrhau bod unrhyw amhariad, ar gwsg yn benodol, yn cael ei leihau gymaint ag sy'n bosib, tra bo'r gwaith pwysig a hanfodol yma yn mynd rhagddo.
Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement by the Minister for Climate Change giving us an update on the work on the south Wales metro. With the work going ahead in a number of areas across the region I represent, I have to admit that citizens have had a shock about the impact that the work is having on them. A number have spoken to me and written to me complaining that the noise is keeping them awake at night, which then impacts on their working day and the education of their children, and they ask why this work doesn't happen mainly during the day. It would be good to know how the work is going, and how the complaints of residents are being dealt with to ensure that any impact on their sleep in particular is being minimised as much as possible whilst this vital work is going ahead.
Thank you. There's a great deal of work being undertaken at the current time, as you've referred to, in relation to the south Wales metro and indeed the north Wales metro. You raise some concerns—specific concerns, sorry—from constituents. I think it would be more appropriate to write to the Deputy Minister for Climate Change and get him to look into those.
Diolch. Mae llawer iawn o waith yn cael ei wneud ar hyn o bryd, fel yr ydych chi wedi cyfeirio ato, o ran metro'r de, ac yn wir, metro'r gogledd. Rydych chi'n codi rhai pryderon—pryderon penodol, mae'n ddrwg gennyf i—gan etholwyr. Rwy'n credu y byddai'n fwy priodol ysgrifennu at y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd a'i gael i ymchwilio i'r rheini.
I would like to ask for two Government statements. Firstly, many of my constituents were seriously concerned regarding a remark made by Jacob Rees-Mogg about the future of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in Swansea. I want to stress the importance of the DVLA to Swansea and the wider community. This was how the 1960s Labour levelling-up worked, by moving a Government department out of London. Can the Welsh Government make a statement on the importance of Westminster Government-funded bodies in Wales?
Secondly, I would like to ask a question on supply teachers. As someone who has continually asked about the public sector provision of supply teachers, I have long believed that supply teachers are being badly treated. I was very pleased to see the proposed action in the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru agreement. I would like a Government statement on when and how the option for a more sustainable model of supply teaching, with fair work at its heart, which would include local authority-led and school-led initiatives, is going to be implemented.
Hoffwn i ofyn am ddau ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth. Yn gyntaf, yr oedd llawer o fy etholwyr yn pryderu o ddifrif ynghylch sylw a wnaeth Jacob Rees-Mogg am ddyfodol yr Asiantaeth Trwyddedu Gyrwyr a Cherbydau yn Abertawe. Hoffwn i bwysleisio pwysigrwydd y DVLA i Abertawe a'r gymuned ehangach. Dyma sut y gweithiodd ffyniant bro Llafur yn y 1960au, drwy symud un o adrannau'r Llywodraeth allan o Lundain. A all Llywodraeth Cymru wneud datganiad am bwysigrwydd cyrff sydd wedi'u hariannu gan Lywodraeth San Steffan yng Nghymru?
Yn ail, hoffwn i ofyn cwestiwn am athrawon cyflenwi. Fel rhywun sydd wedi gofyn yn barhaus am ddarpariaeth athrawon cyflenwi yn y sector cyhoeddus, rwyf i wedi credu ers tro byd fod athrawon cyflenwi'n cael eu trin yn wael. Roeddwn i'n falch iawn o weld y camau arfaethedig yng nghytundeb Llywodraeth Cymru a Phlaid Cymru. Hoffwn i gael datganiad gan y Llywodraeth ynghylch pryd a sut y bydd y dewis ar gyfer model mwy cynaliadwy o addysgu cyflenwi, gyda gwaith teg wrth ei wraidd, a fyddai'n cynnwys mentrau wedi'u harwain gan awdurdodau lleol ac wedi'u harwain gan ysgolion, yn cael ei weithredu.
I thank Mike Hedges. I think you make a really important point around UK Government departments, and indeed Welsh Government departments, being outside of the capital. And I think what you're really right to point to is the important stimulus role that Government and its partners in the wider public sector can play in supporting that regeneration and economic renewal through strategic deployment of staff and offices as part of a place-based strategy. It's something the Welsh Government has tried really hard to support over the last few years, and you'll be aware, recently, that the new Transport for Wales office, for instance, is in Pontypridd, which really helped kick start regeneration in that area, and, indeed, of the location of the Development Bank for Wales headquarters in my own constituency of Wrexham, which we hope will grow further in the next few years. I think, as we move out of the pandemic, the opportunities for more of this practice to take place—. And we do absolutely recognise the importance of the DVLA in Swansea. It's been a vital economic support for Morriston and the wider area through the economic footprint it's had there.
In relation to your question around supply teachers, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language is sitting next to me, and is very happy to come forward with a statement.
Diolch i Mike Hedges. Rwy'n credu eich bod yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn ynghylch adrannau Llywodraeth y DU, ac yn wir adrannau Llywodraeth Cymru, y tu allan i'r brifddinas. Ac rwy'n credu mai'r hyn yr ydych chi'n iawn i dynnu sylw ato yw'r rhan ysgogi bwysig y gall y Llywodraeth a'i phartneriaid yn y sector cyhoeddus ehangach ei chwarae wrth gefnogi'r adfywio hwnnw ac adnewyddu'r economi drwy ddefnyddio staff a swyddfeydd yn strategol fel rhan o strategaeth sy'n seiliedig ar leoedd. Mae'n rhywbeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymdrechu'n galed iawn i'w gefnogi yn ystod yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf, a byddwch chi'n ymwybodol, yn ddiweddar, fod swyddfa newydd Trafnidiaeth Cymru, er enghraifft, ym Mhontypridd, a helpodd i roi hwb gwirioneddol i adfywio yn yr ardal honno, ac, yn wir, o leoliad pencadlys Banc Datblygu Cymru yn fy etholaeth i, sef Wrecsam, a fydd, gobeithio, yn tyfu eto yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf. Rwy'n credu, wrth i ni symud allan o'r pandemig, bydd y cyfleoedd i gael mwy o'r arfer hwn—. Ac rydym ni'n cydnabod yn llwyr bwysigrwydd y DVLA yn Abertawe. Mae wedi bod yn gymorth economaidd hanfodol i Dreforys a'r ardal ehangach drwy'r ôl troed economaidd sydd ganddo yno.
O ran eich cwestiwn ynghylch athrawon cyflenwi, mae'r Gweinidog Addysg a'r Gymraeg yn eistedd wrth fy ymyl, ac mae'n hapus iawn i gyflwyno datganiad.
Minister, may I ask for a statement from the education Minister about accountability and the rights of parents in schools in Wales? The reason I ask for this is because I'm dealing with a case on behalf of a constituent whose daughter suffers from anxiety and is currently waiting to be assessed by the child and adolescent mental health service. The pupil has been excluded from school as a result of an incident that took place, although there's no proof that she was involved or even, indeed, responsible for this. My constituent has been told his daughter must attend the Bridge Achievement Centre in Newport, but there is no place for her at present, and she has to continue her education online. This is totally against the wishes of the parent, who does not believe that this is in her best interest and wishes her to continue to attend school, pending the assessment of CAMHS. The school has refused to consider its decision to exclude this child and, when I contacted Newport City Council's education department, I was told this is a school-based issue and not a matter for the local authority to comment on. So, Minister, can I ask for a statement from the Minister on accountability of local education departments for the decisions made by their schools and what rights parents have if their judgment of what is best for their child differs from the school's? Thank you.
Gweinidog, a gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog addysg am atebolrwydd a hawliau rhieni mewn ysgolion yng Nghymru? Y rheswm yr wyf yn gofyn am hyn yw fy mod yn ymdrin ag achos ar ran etholwr y mae ei ferch yn dioddef o orbryder ac yn aros i gael ei hasesu gan y gwasanaeth iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed ar hyn o bryd. Mae'r disgybl wedi'i gwahardd o'r ysgol o ganlyniad i helynt a ddigwyddodd, er nad oes prawf ei bod hi wedi cymryd rhan neu hyd yn oed, yn wir, yn gyfrifol am hyn. Cafodd fy etholwr wybod fod yn rhaid i'w ferch fynychu Canolfan Gyflawni'r Bont yng Nghasnewydd, ond nid oes lle iddi ar hyn o bryd, ac mae'n rhaid iddi barhau â'i haddysg ar-lein. Mae hyn yn gwbl groes i ddymuniadau'r rhiant, nad yw'n credu bod hyn er ei lles gorau ac yn dymuno iddi barhau i fynychu'r ysgol, wrth aros am asesiad CAMHS. Mae'r ysgol wedi gwrthod ystyried ei phenderfyniad i wahardd y plentyn a phan gysylltais i ag adran addysg Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd, cefais i wybod mai mater yn yr ysgol yw hwn ac nid mater i'r awdurdod lleol wneud sylwadau arno. Felly, Gweinidog, gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog am atebolrwydd adrannau addysg lleol am y penderfyniadau sy'n cael eu gwneud gan eu hysgolion a pha hawliau sydd gan rieni os yw eu barn am yr hyn sydd orau i'w plentyn yn wahanol i farn yr ysgol? Diolch.
Again, I think it would be more appropriate if you wrote to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language. It's a very specific concern that you raise.
Unwaith eto, rwy'n credu y byddai'n fwy priodol pe baech chi'n ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Addysg a'r Gymraeg. Mae'n bryder penodol iawn yr ydych chi'n ei godi.
I'd like a statement, please, outlining what work is happening cross-Governmentally to address the hormone replacement therapy shortage in the UK. I've been contacted by constituents who are deeply concerned about this and filled with dread at the prospect of how they'll cope if they are not able to manage their menopause symptoms. Trefnydd, we don't talk enough about the menopause. There's still a stigma that means that too many women's concerns are ignored or they're not taken seriously, and they can go through debilitating symptoms, not just hot flushes or problems sleeping, but pain and anxiety that affects how they live their lives.
A recent survey found that one in 10 women who've worked through the menopause left their job because of their symptoms, and the current HRT shortage will be making countless women's lives more acutely stressful. Now, I realise that the UK Government has responsibility for maintaining the supply of medicines, but I understand that the Welsh Government is working cross-Governmentally to help ensure women continue to receive prescriptions. I'm sure women across Wales would welcome a statement from the Government updating us all on the progress that's being made across the UK to combat the HRT shortage.
Hoffwn i gael datganiad, os gwelwch yn dda, yn amlinellu pa waith sy'n digwydd ar draws y Llywodraeth i ymdrin â'r prinder therapi adfer hormonau yn y DU. Mae etholwyr wedi cysylltu â mi sy'n pryderu'n fawr am hyn ac yn llawn ofn ynghylch sut y byddan nhw'n ymdopi os na allan nhw reoli eu symptomau menopos. Trefnydd, nid ydym ni'n siarad digon am y menopos. Mae stigma o hyd sy'n golygu bod gormod o bryderon menywod yn cael eu hanwybyddu neu nad ydyn nhw'n cael eu cymryd o ddifrif, a gallan nhw wynebu symptomau gwanychol, nid dim ond pyliau o wres neu broblemau cysgu, ond poen a phryder sy'n effeithio ar sut y maen nhw'n byw eu bywydau.
Gwnaeth arolwg diweddar ganfod fod un o bob 10 menyw sydd wedi gweithio yn ystod y menopos wedi gadael eu swydd oherwydd eu symptomau, a bydd y prinder HRT presennol yn gwneud bywydau menywod di-rif yn fwy o straen difrifol. Nawr, rwy'n sylweddoli mai Llywodraeth y DU sy'n gyfrifol am gynnal y cyflenwad o feddyginiaethau, ond rwy'n deall bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio ar draws y Llywodraeth i helpu i sicrhau bod menywod yn parhau i gael presgripsiynau. Rwy'n siŵr y byddai menywod ledled Cymru yn croesawu datganiad gan y Llywodraeth yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni i gyd am y cynnydd sy'n cael ei wneud ledled y DU i fynd i'r afael â'r prinder HRT.
Thank you, and I think Delyth Jewell raises a very important point, which affects, obviously, many of our constituents. I know, certainly, with my MS hat on, I've received representations. I think you're quite right, people don't recognise the menopause in the way it should be recognised. I'm very pleased Welsh Government has just appointed one of our officials to be the menopause champion, and I know I and other colleagues in Cabinet will be engaging with her to see what more we can do to raise awareness around this issue.
I will ask the Minister for Health and Social Services—she's not in the Chamber, but I will certainly ask her—if she can provide an update on discussions across all UK Government administrations. As you say, it is the UK Government's responsibility, but, if there is anything that she feels that is worthy of updating Members, I will ask her to do so.
Diolch, ac rwy'n credu bod Delyth Jewell yn codi pwynt pwysig iawn, sy'n effeithio, yn amlwg, ar lawer o'n hetholwyr. Rwy'n gwybod, yn sicr, gan wisgo fy het AS, yr wyf i wedi cael sylwadau. Rwy'n credu eich bod chi'n hollol gywir, nid yw pobl yn cydnabod y menopos yn y ffordd y dylai gael ei gydnabod. Rwy'n falch iawn bod Llywodraeth Cymru newydd benodi un o'n swyddogion ni i fod yn eiriolwr y menopos, a gwn i y byddaf i a chydweithwyr eraill yn y Cabinet yn ymgysylltu â hi i weld beth arall y gallwn ni'i wneud i godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r mater hwn.
Gofynnaf i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol—nid yw hi yn y Siambr, ond gofynnaf iddi'n sicr—a all hi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am drafodaethau ar draws holl weinyddiaethau Llywodraeth y DU. Fel y gwnaethoch chi ei ddweud, cyfrifoldeb Llywodraeth y DU ydyw, ond, os oes unrhyw beth y mae'n teimlo sy'n werth rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau yn ei gylch, gofynnaf i iddi hi wneud hynny.
Diolch i'r Trefnydd.
I thank the Trefnydd.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r datganiad gan Weinidog yr Economi ar fesurau i reoli ffin, a dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog i wneud ei ddatganiad. Vaughan Gething.
The next item, therefore, is the statement by the Minister for Economy on border controls, and I call on the Minister to make his statement. Vaughan Gething.
Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to update Members on the future of border controls in Great Britain.
Following my written statement recently on 28 April, last week, Members will recall that I made a previous statement to the Senedd in January of this year on the UK Government’s plans for documentary, identity and physical checks on goods at border control posts from 1 July this year and how we planned to implement them here in Wales.
A very short meeting, called at short notice by the UK Government to meet with other devolved Governments, took place on 27 April. The meeting lasted no more than half an hour. At this meeting, I was informed that the further introduction of border controls would be suspended until the end of 2023 and that the UK Government would be accelerating its programme to digitise Britain’s borders. I’m disappointed to say that this is something that was not discussed beforehand at ministerial level with devolved Governments.
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Hoffwn i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am ddyfodol mesurau rheoli ffiniau ym Mhrydain Fawr.
Yn dilyn fy natganiad ysgrifenedig yn ddiweddar ar 28 Ebrill, yr wythnos diwethaf, bydd yr Aelodau'n cofio i mi wneud datganiad blaenorol i'r Senedd ym mis Ionawr eleni ar gynlluniau Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer archwiliadau dogfennol, hunaniaeth a chorfforol ar nwyddau mewn safleoedd rheoli ffiniau o 1 Gorffennaf eleni a sut yr oeddem ni'n bwriadu eu gweithredu yma yng Nghymru.
Cafodd cyfarfod byr iawn ei gynnal, a gafodd ei alw ar fyr rybudd gan Lywodraeth y DU i gyfarfod â Llywodraethau datganoledig eraill, ar 27 Ebrill. Ni pharhaodd y cyfarfod fwy na hanner awr. Yn y cyfarfod hwn, cefais fy hysbysebu y byddai cyflwyno mwy o safleoedd rheoli ffiniau yn cael ei atal tan ddiwedd 2023 ac y byddai Llywodraeth y DU yn cyflymu ei rhaglen i ddigideiddio ffiniau Prydain. Rwy'n siomedig i ddweud bod hyn yn rhywbeth na chafodd ei drafod ymlaen llaw ar lefel weinidogol gyda Llywodraethau datganoledig.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
The UK Government Minister for Brexit Opportunities, Jacob Rees-Mogg, stated in his written statement to the UK Parliament on 28 April that the introduction of border controls threatened to increase pressure on already hard-pressed businesses and consumers, who are dealing with the rising cost of living and increased energy prices. It also risked causing disruption at our ports and to supply chains, increasing food and commodity prices for consumers and businesses even further, at the very worst possible time.
Whilst I agree these changes will go some way to easing those pressures, I am sure the majority of Members will agree with me that the UK Government should be doing far more to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. I repeat our calls from the Welsh Government for the UK Government to bring forward practical measures without delay to support people, businesses and communities.
Deputy Llywydd, I've made it clear to UK Ministers that the Welsh Government would need time to consider the full implications of the UK Government’s very recent decision and its impact upon Wales. Specifically, we need to understand the UK Government's detailed proposals on how to treat goods from the island of Ireland. Just as importantly, we need to work together on how to ensure biosecurity. We know, of course, of the dreadful consequences of an outbreak of animal or plant disease.
In addition, the Welsh Government needs urgent sight of draft legislation that the UK Government plan to bring forward, which must come into force before 30 June. This is key to determining whether we will need to introduce our own legislation for Wales, and there is now very little time left in order to do so. I call again on the UK Government to work with us urgently to end this uncertainty. This is essential for the Welsh Government and this Senedd to discharge our responsibilities in line with our established democratic procedures.
Until we understand more detailed proposals, I am unable to comment on the impact of the announcement on our work programme, expenditure or other commitments for the future. I have already set out to Members that this Government believes that any expenditure on border controls, following our exit from the European Union, should be funded by the UK Treasury. If anything, this new announcement adds to the strength of our position. UK Government decisions have determined the form of our departure from the European Union. UK Government decisions continue to directly affect devolved responsibilities with cost consequences. I am afraid that we do not yet know whether this latest policy shift will affect the UK Government's existing commitment to fund the necessary costs of building border control posts.
Dirprwy Lywydd, the last few months has been incredibly frustrating for the Welsh Government, for our ports and for Welsh businesses. I'm afraid to say that whilst we have been planning for the introduction of border controls, we've been hampered throughout due to a vacuum of information. There have been repeated postponements of joint meetings with the UK Government and the other devolved Governments in this area, whilst UK Ministers have still failed to respond to my most recent letter, from March this year.
I remind Members that the Welsh Government inherited the UK Government's policy commitment to develop inland border control posts where ports could not accommodate them, and we were getting on with the job of trying to be ready by 1 July. This has taken up hundreds of hours of civil servants' time and a great deal of ministerial time. It doesn't just involve me; it involves Ministers across the board, including, in particular, the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and, indeed, the Minister for Finance and Local Government. And we have spent £6 million of public money on this programme of work so far.
The UK Government's engagement with the devolved Governments in terms of decision making has been completely unacceptable. It is wholly at odds with the ways of working envisaged in the inter-governmental relations review and the common frameworks. Dirprwy Lywydd, this is, frankly, disrespectful to a devolved Government, and to this Senedd that needs to scrutinise us and hold us to account.
Moving forward, I do want to work collaboratively with the UK Government to ensure we have the right system in place for importing goods—a system that is safe, secure and efficient. To do that requires a genuine change in attitude and engagement. If a safe, secure and efficient import system can be achieved through harnessing innovative new technologies to streamline processes and reduce friction, then this is something that the Welsh Government can, of course, support. But equally, we will want to be assured that our long‑term strategic responsibilities to protect the health of people, animals and plants in this country are given proper and sufficient weight.
And finally, I want to apologise in advance to Members that I'm unlikely to be able to respond to requests for detailed additional information at this stage, as we simply do not know the answers to some very obvious questions. Nevertheless, it is important that Members have the opportunity to comment and to ask questions, and I will take on board the comments and questions from Members in my follow-up correspondence with the UK Government, and what I hope will be a good deal more regular and useful engagement with them. As I say, I'll be writing to UK Ministers shortly to make some of these points, and I will, of course, keep Members updated on developments.
Dywedodd y Gweinidog dros Gyfleoedd Brexit Llywodraeth y DU, Jacob Rees-Mogg, yn ei ddatganiad ysgrifenedig i Senedd y DU ar 28 Ebrill fod cyflwyno mesurau rheoli ffiniau yn bygwth cynyddu'r pwysau ar fusnesau a defnyddwyr sydd eisoes dan bwysau, sy'n ymdrin â chostau byw cynyddol a phrisiau ynni uwch. Roedd hefyd mewn perygl o achosi aflonyddwch yn ein porthladdoedd ac i gadwyni cyflenwi, gan gynyddu prisiau bwyd a nwyddau i ddefnyddwyr a busnesau hyd yn oed ymhellach, ar yr adeg waethaf bosibl.
Er fy mod i'n cytuno y bydd y newidiadau hyn yn cyfrannu rhywfaint at leddfu'r pwysau hynny, rwy'n siŵr y bydd y rhan fwyaf o'r Aelodau'n cytuno â mi y dylai Llywodraeth y DU fod yn gwneud llawer mwy i ymdrin â'r argyfwng costau byw. Rwy'n ailadrodd ein galwadau gan Lywodraeth Cymru i Lywodraeth y DU gyflwyno mesurau ymarferol yn ddi-oed i gefnogi pobl, busnesau a chymunedau.
Dirprwy Lywydd, rwyf i wedi'i wneud yn glir i Weinidogion y DU y byddai angen amser ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ystyried holl oblygiadau penderfyniad diweddar iawn Llywodraeth y DU a'i effaith ar Gymru. Yn benodol, mae angen i ni ddeall cynigion manwl Llywodraeth y DU ar sut i drin nwyddau o ynys Iwerddon. Yr un mor bwysig, mae angen i ni weithio gyda'n gilydd ar sut i sicrhau bioddiogelwch. Gwyddom ni, wrth gwrs, am ganlyniadau ofnadwy achosion o glefyd anifeiliaid neu blanhigion.
Yn ogystal, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru weld ar frys ddeddfwriaeth ddrafft y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu ei chyflwyno, y mae'n rhaid iddi ddod i rym cyn 30 Mehefin. Mae hyn yn allweddol i benderfynu a fydd angen i ni gyflwyno ein deddfwriaeth ein hunain ar gyfer Cymru, ac ychydig iawn o amser sydd ar ôl nawr er mwyn gwneud hynny. Rwy'n galw eto ar Lywodraeth y DU i weithio gyda ni ar frys i roi terfyn ar yr ansicrwydd hwn. Mae hyn yn hanfodol er mwyn i Lywodraeth Cymru a'r Senedd hon gyflawni ein cyfrifoldebau yn unol â'n gweithdrefnau democrataidd sefydledig.
Hyd nes ein bod ni'n deall cynigion manylach, ni allaf i wneud sylwadau ar effaith y cyhoeddiad ar ein rhaglen waith, gwariant nac ymrwymiadau eraill ar gyfer y dyfodol. Rwyf i eisoes wedi dweud wrth yr Aelodau fod y Llywodraeth hon yn credu y dylai unrhyw wariant ar fesurau rheoli ffiniau, ar ôl i ni ymadael â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, gael ei ariannu gan Drysorlys y DU. Os rhywbeth, mae'r cyhoeddiad newydd hwn yn ychwanegu at gryfder ein safbwynt ni. Mae penderfyniadau Llywodraeth y DU wedi pennu ffurf ein hymadawiad o'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae penderfyniadau Llywodraeth y DU yn parhau i effeithio'n uniongyrchol ar gyfrifoldebau datganoledig gyda chanlyniadau ariannol. Mae arnaf i ofn nad ydym ni'n gwybod eto a fydd y newid polisi diweddaraf hwn yn effeithio ar ymrwymiad presennol Llywodraeth y DU i ariannu costau angenrheidiol adeiladu safleoedd rheoli ffiniau.
Dirprwy Lywydd, mae'r misoedd diwethaf wedi bod yn hynod o rwystredig i Lywodraeth Cymru, i'n porthladdoedd ac i fusnesau Cymru. Mae arnaf i ofn dweud, er ein bod ni wedi bod yn cynllunio ar gyfer cyflwyno mesurau rheoli ffiniau, ein bod ni wedi cael ein llesteirio drwyddi draw oherwydd diffyg gwybodaeth. Mae cyfarfodydd ar y cyd gyda Llywodraeth y DU a'r Llywodraethau datganoledig eraill yn y maes hwn wedi cael eu gohirio dro ar ôl tro, ac mae Gweinidogion y DU yn dal heb ymateb i fy llythyr diweddaraf, o fis Mawrth eleni.
Hoffwn i atgoffa'r Aelodau fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi etifeddu ymrwymiad polisi Llywodraeth y DU i ddatblygu safleoedd rheoli ffiniau mewndirol lle na allai porthladdoedd ddarparu ar eu cyfer, ac yr oeddem ni'n bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith o geisio bod yn barod erbyn 1 Gorffennaf. Mae hyn wedi cymryd cannoedd o oriau o amser gweision sifil a llawer iawn o amser gweinidogol. Nid yw'n fy nghynnwys i'n unig; mae'n cynnwys Gweinidogion yn gyffredinol, gan gynnwys, yn benodol, y Gweinidog Materion Gwledig a Gogledd Cymru, ac, yn wir, y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol. Ac rydym ni wedi gwario £6 miliwn o arian cyhoeddus ar y rhaglen waith hon hyd yn hyn.
Mae ymgysylltiad Llywodraeth y DU â'r Llywodraethau datganoledig o ran gwneud penderfyniadau wedi bod yn gwbl annerbyniol. Mae'n gwbl groes i'r ffyrdd o weithio a gafodd eu rhagweld yn yr adolygiad o gysylltiadau rhynglywodraethol a'r fframweithiau cyffredin. Dirprwy Lywydd, mae hyn, a dweud y gwir, yn amharchus i Lywodraeth ddatganoledig, ac i'r Senedd hon y mae angen iddi graffu arnom ni a'n dwyn i gyfrif.
Wrth symud ymlaen, yr wyf i eisiau cydweithio â Llywodraeth y DU i sicrhau bod gennym ni'r system gywir ar gyfer mewnforio nwyddau—system sy'n ddiogel ac yn effeithlon. Er mwyn gwneud hynny, mae angen newid agwedd ac ymgysylltiad gwirioneddol. Os oes modd cyflawni system fewnforio ddiogel ac effeithlon drwy ddefnyddio technolegau newydd arloesol i symleiddio prosesau a lleihau ffrithiant, yna mae hyn yn rhywbeth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, ei gefnogi. Ond yn yr un modd, byddwn ni eisiau cael sicrwydd bod ein cyfrifoldebau strategol hirdymor i ddiogelu iechyd pobl, anifeiliaid a phlanhigion yn y wlad hon yn cael grym priodol a digonol.
Ac yn olaf, hoffwn i ymddiheuro ymlaen llaw i'r Aelodau nad wyf i'n debygol o allu ymateb i geisiadau am wybodaeth ychwanegol fanwl ar hyn o bryd, gan nad ydym ni'n gwybod yr atebion i rai cwestiynau amlwg iawn. Serch hynny, mae'n bwysig bod Aelodau'n cael cyfle i wneud sylwadau ac i ofyn cwestiynau, a byddaf i'n ystyried y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau gan Aelodau yn fy ngohebiaeth ddilynol â Llywodraeth y DU, a'r hyn a fydd, gobeithio, yn ymgysylltu mwy rheolaidd a defnyddiol â nhw. Fel y dywedais i, byddaf i'n ysgrifennu at Weinidogion y DU cyn bo hir i wneud rhai o'r pwyntiau hyn, a byddaf i, wrth gwrs, yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am ddatblygiadau.
Ar ran y Ceidwadwyr, Paul Davies.
On behalf of the Conservatives, Paul Davies.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? I appreciate that the decision to introduce import control checks has been scrapped quickly and without meaningful dialogue with Governments across the UK, and so, as a result, the Welsh Government has not had a huge amount of time to really consider the implications for Wales. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to the Minister for bringing this statement forward so that Members can attempt to better understand the situation and what it means, going forward. And for the record, Dirprwy Lywydd, I believe that there should be appropriate checks at our borders, and I hope that this matter can be progressed as soon as possible by the UK Government. But as I understand it, the UK Government has decided that now is not the right time to make further changes to import control checks at the border, following a consultation with industry, in order to alleviate the increased pressure on already hard-pressed businesses and consumers. I'd be very interested to know what representations, though, were made by the Welsh Government over the last few months regarding this matter. Today's statement, of course, refers to the rising cost of living and increased energy prices, so perhaps the Minister could tell us what specific representations he has made to the UK Government ahead of its decision to scrap import control checks.
Now, as today's statement notes, the UK Government is intending to publish a target operating model in the autumn, and that model will be subject to consultation with industry and devolved administrations. This means that there is time to make representations to the UK Government about what the future system should look like and how it should operate. Therefore, perhaps the Minister could tell us what the Welsh Government believes the model should look like, and could he confirm what discussions he is holding with stakeholders in Wales about what they want to see from the new model?
The Minister will be aware that the UK Government's decision has been welcomed by some. For example, SEF Langdon's has said that the change in policy towards a smarter digital border by the UK Government will allow the free flow of safe food products into Great Britain and that the decision may lead to a return of more EU companies exporting to the GB market, increasing competition and ultimately lowering prices for the consumer. And so, I suppose that there is an opportunity right now to shape longer term policy and get this model right in a way that works with businesses and ensures a good deal for consumers too. Naturally, there have been costs incurred as a result of the work done to date to establish border control posts in Wales, most notably in Holyhead, and today's statement estimates that, to date, £6 million has already been spent. However, if import control checks are introduced at a later date and prices have increased, it may be that more costs could be incurred in the future. Therefore, can the Minister tell us the Welsh Government's approach to budgeting for this in the future, given that a decision to reintroduce them later down the line could be made just as quickly as the decision was made to scrap them?
Now, it's clear that the UK Government is looking to digitise British borders, and today's statement refers to those new technologies to streamline processes and reduce frictions. The UK Government has referred to the single trade window that will come into play next year, which centralises data entry to one point and would allow for better data sharing amongst Government agencies and lead to reduced costs of importing and exporting goods for businesses, and I'd be very interested to learn a bit more about the new technologies that are being used to ease the flow of trade. So, perhaps the Minister can share with us any additional information that he has received regarding the use of any new technologies and data, and the role that this new technology will play in the future.
The Minister has touched upon animal diseases in his statement and he will also be aware of the threat of African swine fever brought into the UK via infected stocks sourced from Europe, or travellers bringing contaminated pork products into the country. It's an issue that has been raised by the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, who believe that the UK may be exposing our domestic industry, and I know that the British Veterinary Association has raised similar concerns as well. Therefore, can he tell us what discussions he's had with the Minister for rural affairs, as well as the chief veterinary officer and farming unions, about the impact of unchecked imports and how it could affect Welsh farming, as well as what their views are on any new models in the future?
And finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, it would be remiss of me not to ask about the future of sites that were being considered by the Welsh Government, given that Johnston is in my constituency. I appreciate that it's early days, but perhaps the Minister could tell us what impact the changes could have on potential sites and whether the Welsh Government will now consider alternative sites, going forward, now that it has decided to scrap the Johnston location in my constituency. Therefore, in closing, can I thank the Minister for his statement today? I do hope that a much more open and meaningful dialogue can take place between both Governments, going forward, in this area, and I look forward to hearing more about the new plans as and when they are developed. Diolch.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. A gaf i ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad y prynhawn yma? Rwy'n sylweddoli bod y penderfyniad i gyflwyno archwiliadau rheoli mewnforion wedi'i ddileu'n gyflym a heb ddeialog ystyrlon â Llywodraethau ledled y DU, ac felly, o ganlyniad, nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cael llawer iawn o amser i ystyried y goblygiadau i Gymru mewn gwirionedd. Serch hynny, rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am gyflwyno'r datganiad hwn fel y gall Aelodau geisio deall y sefyllfa'n well a'r hyn y mae'n ei olygu, wrth symud ymlaen. Ac er gwybodaeth, Dirprwy Lywydd, rwy'n credu y dylai archwiliadau priodol cael eu gwneud ar ein ffiniau, a gobeithiaf y gall Llywodraeth y DU fwrw ymlaen â'r mater hwn cyn gynted â phosibl. Ond yn ôl yr hyn yr wyf i'n ei ddeall, mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi penderfynu nad dyma'r amser iawn i wneud newidiadau eraill i archwiliadau rheoli mewnforion ar y ffin, yn dilyn ymgynghoriad â'r byd diwydiant, er mwyn lleddfu'r pwysau cynyddol ar fusnesau a defnyddwyr sydd eisoes dan bwysau. Byddai gennyf i ddiddordeb mawr mewn cael gwybod pa sylwadau, serch hynny, sydd wedi cael eu gwneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf ynglŷn â'r mater hwn. Mae'r datganiad heddiw, wrth gwrs, yn cyfeirio at gostau byw cynyddol a phrisiau ynni uwch, felly efallai y gwnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni pa sylwadau penodol y mae wedi'u cyflwyno i Lywodraeth y DU cyn ei phenderfyniad i ddileu archwiliadau rheoli mewnforion.
Nawr, fel y mae datganiad heddiw yn ei nodi, mae Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu cyhoeddi model gweithredu targed yn yr hydref, a bydd y model hwnnw'n destun ymgynghoriad â diwydiant a gweinyddiaethau datganoledig. Mae hyn yn golygu bod amser i gyflwyno sylwadau i Lywodraeth y DU ynghylch sut y dylai'r system yn y dyfodol edrych a sut y dylai weithredu. Felly, efallai y gwnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni beth yw barn Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch sut y dylai'r model edrych, ac a allai gadarnhau pa drafodaethau y mae'n eu cynnal gyda rhanddeiliaid yng Nghymru ynghylch yr hyn y maen nhw eisiau'i weld o ran y model newydd?
Bydd y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol bod rhai wedi croesawu penderfyniad Llywodraeth y DU. Er enghraifft, mae SEF Langdon wedi dweud y bydd y newid mewn polisi tuag at ffin ddigidol fwy clyfar gan Lywodraeth y DU yn caniatáu llif rhydd o gynhyrchion bwyd diogel i Brydain Fawr ac y gallai'r penderfyniad arwain at fwy o gwmnïau o'r UE yn allforio i farchnad Prydain Fawr unwaith eto, cynyddu cystadleuaeth ac yn y pen draw gostwng prisiau i'r defnyddiwr. Ac felly, mae'n debyg bod cyfle ar hyn o bryd i lunio polisi tymor hwy a chael y model hwn yn iawn mewn ffordd sy'n gweithio gyda busnesau ac sy'n sicrhau bargen dda i ddefnyddwyr hefyd. Yn naturiol, mae costau wedi bod o ganlyniad i'r gwaith sydd wedi'i wneud hyd yma i sefydlu safleoedd rheoli ffiniau yng Nghymru, yn fwyaf nodedig yng Nghaergybi, ac mae'r datganiad heddiw'n amcangyfrif bod £6 miliwn eisoes wedi'i wario hyd yma. Fodd bynnag, os ydy archwiliadau rheoli mewnforio yn cael eu cyflwyno'n ddiweddarach a bod prisiau wedi cynyddu, efallai y ceir mwy o gostau yn y dyfodol. Felly, a wnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym beth fydd dull Llywodraeth Cymru o gyllidebu ar gyfer hyn yn y dyfodol, o gofio bod modd gwneud penderfyniad i'w hailgyflwyno'n ddiweddarach, yr un mor gyflym ag y cafodd y penderfyniad i'w dileu ei wneud?
Nawr, mae'n amlwg bod Llywodraeth y DU yn ceisio digideiddio ffiniau Prydain, ac mae'r datganiad heddiw'n cyfeirio at y technolegau newydd hynny i symleiddio prosesau a lleihau ffrithiannau. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyfeirio at y ffenestr fasnach sengl a ddaw i rym y flwyddyn nesaf, sy'n canoli mynediad data i un man ac a fyddai'n caniatáu rhannu data'n well ymhlith asiantaethau'r Llywodraeth ac yn arwain at gostau is wrth fewnforio ac allforio nwyddau i fusnesau, a byddai gennyf i ddiddordeb mawr mewn dysgu ychydig mwy am y technolegau newydd sy'n cael eu defnyddio i leddfu llif masnach. Felly, efallai y gwnaiff y Gweinidog rannu gyda ni unrhyw wybodaeth ychwanegol y mae wedi'i chael ynglŷn â defnyddio unrhyw dechnolegau a data newydd, a'r rhan y bydd y dechnoleg newydd hon yn ei chwarae yn y dyfodol.
Mae'r Gweinidog wedi crybwyll clefydau anifeiliaid yn ei ddatganiad a bydd hefyd yn ymwybodol o'r bygythiad o glwyf moch Affricanaidd sy'n dod i mewn i'r DU drwy stociau heintiedig o Ewrop, neu deithwyr yn dod â chynhyrchion porc halogedig i'r wlad. Mae'n fater sydd wedi'i godi gan Gymdeithas Cyfanwerthwyr Cig yr Alban, sy'n credu y gallai'r DU fod yn peryglu ein diwydiant domestig, a gwn i fod Cymdeithas Milfeddygon Prydain wedi codi pryderon tebyg hefyd. Felly, a wnaiff ddweud wrthym ni pa drafodaethau y mae wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog materion gwledig, yn ogystal â'r prif swyddog milfeddygol ac undebau'r ffermwyr, o ran effaith mewnforion heb eu harchwilio a sut y gallai effeithio ar ffermio yng Nghymru, yn ogystal â beth yw eu barn am unrhyw fodelau newydd yn y dyfodol?
Ac yn olaf, Dirprwy Lywydd, byddai'n esgeulus i mi beidio â gofyn am ddyfodol safleoedd a oedd yn cael eu hystyried gan Lywodraeth Cymru, o gofio bod Johnston yn fy etholaeth i. Rwy'n sylweddoli ei bod hi'n ddyddiau cynnar, ond efallai y gallai'r Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni pa effaith y gallai'r newidiadau ei chael ar safleoedd posibl ac a fydd Llywodraeth Cymru nawr yn ystyried safleoedd eraill, wrth symud ymlaen, gan ei bod hi nawr wedi penderfynu dileu lleoliad Johnston yn fy etholaeth i. Felly, wrth gloi, a gaf i ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad heddiw? Rwy'n gobeithio y gall deialog llawer mwy agored ac ystyrlon ddigwydd rhwng y ddwy Lywodraeth, wrth symud ymlaen, yn y maes hwn, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at glywed mwy am y cynlluniau newydd wrth iddyn nhw gael eu datblygu. Diolch.
I thank the Member for the series of questions, which I'll try to answer as rapidly as possible. In terms of the representation the Welsh Government has made to the UK Government on the cost of living, and border policy on the cost of living, we've run through this several times in the Chamber. In direct conversation that has taken place within this Government, but also representations made to the UK Government, you'll have heard the regular calls for a windfall levy on the excess profits in privatised utilities, and much of the First Minister's questions today were taken up with the points around the cost-of-living crisis.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y gyfres o gwestiynau, y byddaf i'n ceisio eu hateb cyn gynted â phosibl. O ran y gynrychiolaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i chyflwyno i Lywodraeth y DU ar gostau byw, a pholisi'r ffin ar gostau byw, rydym ni wedi mynd drwy hyn sawl gwaith yn y Siambr. Mewn sgwrs uniongyrchol sydd wedi digwydd o fewn y Llywodraeth hon, ond hefyd sylwadau wedi'i cyflwyno i Lywodraeth y DU, byddwch chi wedi clywed y galwadau rheolaidd am ardoll ffawdelw ar y gorelw mewn cyfleustodau wedi'u preifateiddio, ac roedd llawer o gwestiynau'r Prif Weinidog heddiw'n ymwneud â phwyntiau ynghylch yr argyfwng costau byw.
On borders, my frustration is that we have tried to engage with UK Ministers on the rapidly evolving situation, and we have not made progress because there has not been a willingness to engage with us, as the Member recognised in his opening, and recognised that meaningful dialogue has not taken place with devolved Governments. I've indicated that my recent letter was to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 March, and I still haven't had the courtesy of a response.
In terms of what the future model should look like, well, we're really, in many ways, interested, with, of course, devolved responsibilities, around sanitary and phytosanitary checks—essentially, plant and animal health, and products based on them. Now, the difficulty, in terms of what the future model will look like, is that that's all been put off. We were going to have a model, we were looking to spend money on creating border control posts, and in many ways it was worse than in England, with more money having been spent on both recruiting staff and also creating physical facilities. We were due to be letting a contract to Kier construction, which I've announced publicly before, to create permanent facilities in Holyhead in spring 2023. We're now not sure if we're going to go ahead with those, because we don't have the certainty on what we're going to need to create to maintain what should be an effective and coherent system across Britain for imports. So, I can't honestly tell you what the new model will look like because we haven't had those discussions and the UK Government haven't given us a clear idea what they think a new model should look like, other than it will be technology based. That's why we can't engage in detail with stakeholders following the announcement. It's also why I can't tell you about your further question about the new technology to ease the flow of goods, and an update on it. We've only been told it will be technology, not what the technology is, not how far advanced it is, nor even how it could be procured, nor even what the cost would be for nations within the UK for a new form of system. Because, actually, we have devolved responsibilities, but there's a great deal of sense in having a common approach in each part of the UK. And it goes on to the point you made about African swine fever that I'll come to. So, we want to be collaborative, but it does require people to talk with us, to share information and for there to be genuine engagement on what a technology answer will be and how much it can do. It could speed up the flow of some goods, but, actually, there may well be limits.
And it comes to some of the points that you have made on swine fever, for example. We currently have destination checks on 5 per cent of livestock coming in. That means 19 out of 20 aren't checked at destination. There have, though, in conversation—you asked me about conversation with the chief vet and with Lesley Griffiths, in her role as Minister for rural affairs—. I had a conversation last week with Lesley Griffiths and I spoke with the chief vet this morning, and, indeed, we are aware that some of those destination checks are revealing challenges. Now, the challenge is that, actually, currently in continental Europe, there are more risks. The destination checks pick up some of those but not all of them. So, actually, from a biosecurity point of view, having checks at borders is more important because we have left the European Union. And, as the British Veterinary Association have pointed out, we now no longer have access to the early surveillance and warning system that EU member states have; they have an integrated and highly responsive surveillance system that we're not part of. And we don't then have the border control checks to try to add to our own protections now we're not part of that system—we don't have a line of sight in it. So, we actually have a worsened position in not being part of that without, then, creating the import infrastructure to provide greater protection for farming communities. I know the Member will be aware of that from his own constituency.
When it comes to challenges for import and export businesses—and not just for the farming community, but it's an obvious example, which is why the NFU have been so clear and critical on the decision—goods that come in from the European Union are not going to be subject to checks, whereas, actually, British farmers looking to export their produce will be subject to those checks. So, there's an uneven playing field that has been extended for a range of businesses, and it's understandable why the NFU have been sharply critical of the move that has taken place at very short notice.
I'll deal with your final points about border control sites. Well, Johnston is off the agenda. We've explained why that is, previously, in the statement that I've made. We will of course need to look at alternative sites, but, to do that, we need to understand what the future infrastructure is going to be. I can hardly set out and direct officials to go and look at those without there being an understanding of what future border controls are going to look like, how much physical infrastructure will be needed and where it would need to be and how close to our ports.
That also goes to your point about future costs. The UK Treasury will need to take a view on future costs. We want them to properly fund the costs of border controls that come directly from the UK decision to introduce any form of leaving the European Union with the new checks that we are required to undertake. It is entirely likely that construction costs will rise. I'm not sure we'll need to retender for the exercise we've already undertaken, but all of these uncertainties do neatly encapsulate the challenge in a very short notice and late decision and an entirely new policy direction with an end date in mind without a clear understanding on how to get there.
O ran ffiniau, fy rhwystredigaeth i yw ein bod ni wedi ceisio ymgysylltu â Gweinidogion y DU ar y sefyllfa sy'n datblygu'n gyflym, ac nid ydym ni wedi gwneud cynnydd oherwydd nid oes parodrwydd wedi bod i ymgysylltu â ni, fel yr oedd yr Aelod wedi cydnabod yn ei agoriad, gan gydnabod nad oes deialog ystyrlon wedi digwydd gyda Llywodraethau datganoledig. Rwyf i wedi nodi mai ar 24 Mawrth y cafodd fy llythyr diweddar ei anfon at Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig, a dim ymateb hyd yn hyn, sy'n anghwrtais.
O ran sut y dylai'r model yn y dyfodol edrych, wel, mewn sawl ffordd mae gennym ni diddordeb, mewn gwirionedd, mewn cyfrifoldebau datganoledig, wrth gwrs, yn ymwneud ag archwiliadau iechydol a ffytoiechydol—yn y bôn, iechyd planhigion ac anifeiliaid, a chynhyrchion sy'n seiliedig arnyn nhw. Nawr, yr anhawster, o ran sut y bydd y model yn y dyfodol yn edrych, yw bod hynny i gyd wedi'i ohirio. Roeddem ni'n mynd i gael model, yr oeddem ni'n bwriadu gwario arian ar greu safleoedd rheoli ffiniau, ac mewn sawl ffordd yr oedd yn waeth nag yn Lloegr, gyda mwy o arian wedi'i wario ar recriwtio staff a hefyd creu cyfleusterau ffisegol. Roeddem i fod i roi contract i Kier Construction, yr wyf i wedi'i gyhoeddi'n gyhoeddus o'r blaen, i greu cyfleusterau parhaol yng Nghaergybi yng ngwanwyn 2023. Nid ydym ni'n siŵr nawr a ydym ni'n mynd i fwrw ymlaen â'r rheini, oherwydd nid oes gennym ni'r sicrwydd ynghylch yr hyn y bydd angen i ni ei greu i gynnal yr hyn a ddylai fod yn system effeithiol a chydlynol ledled Prydain ar gyfer mewnforion. Felly, ni allaf i ddweud wrthych chi yn ddiffuant sut olwg fydd ar y model newydd gan nad ydym ni wedi cael y trafodaethau hynny ac nid yw Llywodraeth y DU wedi rhoi syniad clir i ni sut y dylai model newydd edrych yn eu barn nhw, ar wahân i'r hyn a fydd yn seiliedig ar dechnoleg. Dyna pam na allwn ni ymgysylltu'n fanwl â rhanddeiliaid yn dilyn y cyhoeddiad. Dyna hefyd pam na allaf i ddweud dim i ateb eich cwestiwn arall am y dechnoleg newydd i leddfu llif nwyddau, a diweddariad arno. Nid ydym ni ond wedi cael gwybod mai technoleg fydd hi, nid beth yw'r dechnoleg, nid pa mor bell ymlaen ydyw, na hyd yn oed sut y mae modd ei chaffael, na hyd yn oed beth fyddai'r gost i genhedloedd yn y DU ar gyfer math newydd o system. Oherwydd, mewn gwirionedd, mae gennym ni gyfrifoldebau datganoledig, ond mae'n gwneud llawer iawn o synnwyr i gael dull gweithredu cyffredin ym mhob rhan o'r DU. Ac mae'n mynd ymlaen at y pwynt y gwnaethoch chi ynghylch clwy moch Affricanaidd y byddaf i'n dod ato. Felly, rydym eisiau bod yn gydweithredol, ond mae angen i bobl siarad â ni, i rannu gwybodaeth ac yn wir i ymgysylltu go iawn ynghylch beth fydd yr ateb technolegol a faint y gall ei wneud. Gallai gyflymu llif rhai nwyddau, ond, mewn gwirionedd, mae'n ddigon posibl y bydd terfynau.
Ac mae'n dod at rai o'r pwyntiau yr ydych wedi'u gwneud ynghylch clwy moch, er enghraifft. Ar hyn o bryd mae gennym ni archwiliadau cyrchfan ar 5 y cant o dda byw sy'n dod i mewn. Mae hynny'n golygu nad yw 19 allan o 20 yn cael eu harchwilio yn y gyrchfan. Er hynny, mewn sgwrs—gwnaethoch chi ofyn i mi am sgwrs gyda'r prif filfeddyg a gyda Lesley Griffiths, yn rhinwedd ei swydd yn Weinidog materion gwledig—. Cefais i sgwrs yr wythnos diwethaf â Lesley Griffiths a siaradais â'r prif filfeddyg y bore yma, ac, yn wir, rydym ni'n ymwybodol bod rhai o'r archwiliadau cyrchfannau hynny'n datgelu heriau. Nawr, yr her yw bod mwy o risgiau, mewn gwirionedd, ar gyfandir Ewrop ar hyn o bryd. Mae'r archwiliadau cyrchfannau'n codi rhai o'r rheini ond nid pob un ohonyn nhw. Felly, mewn gwirionedd, o safbwynt bioddiogelwch, mae cael archwiliadau ar ffiniau yn bwysicach oherwydd ein bod ni wedi gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Ac, fel y mae Cymdeithas Milfeddygon Prydain wedi'i nodi, nid oes gennym ni nawr fynediad i'r system arolygu a rhybuddio cynnar sydd gan aelod-wladwriaethau'r UE; mae ganddyn nhw system wyliadwriaeth integredig ac ymatebol iawn nad ydym ni'n rhan ohoni. Ac nid oes gennym ni wedyn archwiliadau mesurau rheoli ffiniau i geisio ychwanegu at ein hamddiffyniadau ein hunain gan nad ydym ni nawr yn rhan o'r system honno—nid oes gennym ni gyfle i fanteisio arni. Felly, mae gennym ni sefyllfa sy'n gwaethygu o ran peidio â bod yn rhan o hynny heb, felly, greu'r seilwaith mewnforio i ddarparu mwy o ddiogelwch i gymunedau ffermio. Rwy'n gwybod y bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol o hynny o'i etholaeth ei hun.
O ran heriau i fusnesau mewnforio ac allforio—ac nid i'r gymuned ffermio'n unig, ond mae'n enghraifft amlwg, a dyna pam mae'r NFU wedi bod mor glir a beirniadol ynglŷn â'r penderfyniad—ni fydd nwyddau sy'n dod i mewn o'r Undeb Ewropeaidd yn destun archwiliadau, ond, mewn gwirionedd, bydd ffermwyr Prydain sy'n dymuno allforio eu cynnyrch yn destun yr archwiliadau hynny. Felly, mae sefyllfa annheg wedi'i hymestyn ar gyfer amrywiaeth o fusnesau, ac mae'n ddealladwy pam y mae'r NFU wedi bod yn feirniadol iawn o'r newid sydd wedi digwydd ar fyr rybudd.
Fe wnaf ymdrin â'ch pwyntiau olaf am safleoedd rheoli ffiniau. Wel, nid yw Johnston ar yr agenda. Rydym ni wedi esbonio'r rheswm am hynny, o'r blaen, yn y datganiad yr wyf i wedi'i wneud. Wrth gwrs, bydd angen i ni edrych ar safleoedd eraill, ond, er mwyn gwneud hynny, mae angen i ni ddeall beth fydd y seilwaith yn y dyfodol. Prin y gallaf i osod a chyfarwyddo swyddogion i fynd i edrych ar y rheini heb ddeall sut y bydd mesurau rheoli ffiniau yn y dyfodol yn edrych, faint o seilwaith ffisegol fydd ei angen a ble y byddai angen iddyn nhw fod a pha mor agos at ein porthladdoedd.
Mae hynny hefyd yn mynd at eich pwynt am gostau yn y dyfodol. Bydd angen i Drysorlys y DU lunio barn ar gostau yn y dyfodol. Rydym ni eisiau iddyn nhw ariannu'n briodol gostau mesurau rheoli ffiniau sy'n deillio'n uniongyrchol o benderfyniad y DU i gyflwyno unrhyw ffurf o adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd gyda'r archwiliadau newydd y mae'n ofynnol i ni eu cynnal. Mae'n gwbl debygol y bydd costau adeiladu'n codi. Nid wyf i'n siŵr a fydd angen i ni aildendro ar gyfer yr ymarfer yr ydym ni eisoes wedi'i wneud, ond mae'r holl ansicrwydd hwn yn crisialu'n daclus yr her o fyr rybudd a phenderfyniad hwyr iawn a chyfeiriad polisi cwbl newydd gyda dyddiad terfynu mewn golwg heb ddealltwriaeth glir o sut i gyrraedd yno.
Ar ran Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. I couldn't quite believe that I was being given that briefing by the Minister and his officials last week, and I'm very grateful for that briefing. But to be fair, I don't think the Minister could believe that he was giving the briefing on such a sudden change of heart when it came to border facilities. I happen to represent the second busiest roll-on, roll-off ferry port in the UK, a major, major Welsh exporting hub, so I've followed pretty closely the development of border infrastructure.
Even where we have seen infrastructure being set up already, with the HMRC post, it comes with new problems in its wake. Of course, new jobs are always welcome, and supporters of Brexit will hail the jobs that have been created in Holyhead at the HMRC border post, ignoring the loss of jobs, including in Holyhead, due to our departure from the European Union. I get visions of that Brexit bus when here we see again the truth about Brexit savings really becoming so clear.
The Minister mentions the £6 million spent by Government, maybe he can tell us how much has been spent by local government, which has even less resource and is having to develop port health authorities as a result of our departure from the European Union. As a result of this last-minute change of heart by UK Government, without warning, without discussion, it too has its plans up in the air and is unsure what happens next. As I was saying, even with the HMRC post, we've lost a truck stop that was such an important part of the port's infrastructure. So, we are seeing problem after problem.
We have a specific issue now, though, regarding animal health, biosecurity, and it's no wonder that farming unions and the British Veterinary Association are so strong in their condemnation of the actions of UK Government in recent days. As the Minister has made clear, our farmers are having to go through checks on exports. This is not a level playing field. I wonder if the Minister can tell us what discussions are already taking place on supporting our farmers now that the uneven playing field has become even more uneven.
We have now lost the protection that came from being part of those very, very tight European surveillance systems on biosecurity. Gaps were going to be filled by the new checks that were going to be introduced. I wonder if the Minister can tell us now what precautionary measures will need to be put in place immediately now that we are falling between two stools, neither the European surveillance systems that we were a part of before or the new checks that were going to be put in place due to these new border posts. I realise the Minister is unable to give precise answers, perhaps, at this point, but I urge him to seek answers as quickly as possible.
In closing, I would like to offer my complete support to the Minister, as he strives to persuade UK Government to give Wales, the people of Wales, the ports of Wales and the farmers and those interested in biosecurity the respect that they deserve, because, once more, we have seen a distinct lack of respect in the actions of UK Government in recent days.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Ni allwn i gredu fy mod i'n cael y briff hwnnw gan y Gweinidog a'i swyddogion yr wythnos diwethaf, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am y briff hwnnw. Ond a bod yn deg, nid wyf i'n credu y gallai'r Gweinidog gredu ei fod yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am newid meddwl mor sydyn pan ddaeth i gyfleusterau ffin. Rwy'n digwydd cynrychioli'r ail borthladd fferi gyrru i mewn ac allan prysuraf yn y DU, canolfan allforio fawr, fawr i Gymru, felly rwyf i wedi dilyn datblygiad seilwaith ffiniau yn eithaf agos.
Hyd yn oed lle yr ydym ni wedi gweld seilwaith yn cael ei sefydlu eisoes, gyda safle Cyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi, mae'n dod â phroblemau newydd yn ei sgil. Wrth gwrs, mae swyddi newydd i'w croesawu bob amser, a bydd cefnogwyr Brexit yn clodfori'r swyddi sydd wedi'u creu yng Nghaergybi yn safle rheoli ffiniau Cyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi, gan anwybyddu colli swyddi, gan gynnwys yng Nghaergybi, yn sgil ymadael á'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Rwy'n dychmygu'r bws Brexit hwnnw pan welwn eto'r gwirionedd am arbedion Brexit yn dod mor amlwg.
Mae'r Gweinidog yn sôn am y £6 miliwn sydd wedi'i wario gan y Llywodraeth, efallai y gall ddweud wrthym ni faint sydd wedi'i wario gan lywodraeth leol, sydd â llai byth o adnoddau ac sy'n gorfod datblygu awdurdodau iechyd porthladdoedd o ganlyniad i ymadael â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. O ganlyniad i'r newid meddwl munud olaf hwn gan Lywodraeth y DU, heb rybudd, heb drafodaeth, mae eu cynlluniau'n nhw'n ansicr iawn hefyd ac nid ydyn nhw'n siŵr beth sy'n digwydd nesaf. Fel yr oeddwn i'n ei ddweud, hyd yn oed gyda safle Cyllid a Thollau Ei Mawrhydi, yr ydym ni wedi colli arhosfan tryciau a oedd yn rhan mor bwysig o seilwaith y porthladd. Felly, rydym ni'n gweld problem ar ôl problem.
Mae gennym ni fater penodol nawr, fodd bynnag, o ran iechyd anifeiliaid, bioddiogelwch, ac nid yw'n syndod bod undebau'r ffermwyr a Chymdeithas Milfeddygon Prydain mor gryf yn eu condemniad o weithredoedd Llywodraeth y DU yn y dyddiau diwethaf. Fel y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud yn glir, mae ein ffermwyr yn gorfod mynd drwy archwiliadau ar allforion. Nid yw hwn yn deg. Tybed a all y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni pa drafodaethau sydd eisoes yn cael eu cynnal ynghylch cefnogi ein ffermwyr gan fod yr annhegwch hwn wedi dod yn fwy annheg byth.
Rydym ni nawr wedi colli'r diogelu a ddaeth o fod yn rhan o'r systemau gwyliadwriaeth Ewropeaidd tynn iawn hynny ar fioddiogelwch. Byddai bylchau'n cael eu llenwi gan yr archwiliadau newydd a fyddai'n cael eu cyflwyno. Tybed a wnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni nawr pa fesurau rhagofalus y bydd angen eu rhoi ar waith ar unwaith gan ein bod ni'n disgyn rhwng dwy stôl, nid y systemau gwyliadwriaeth Ewropeaidd yr oeddem ni'n rhan ohonyn nhw o'r blaen na'r archwiliadau newydd a fyddai'n cael eu rhoi ar waith oherwydd y safleoedd rheoli ffiniau newydd hyn. Rwy'n sylweddoli nad yw'r Gweinidog yn gallu rhoi atebion manwl, efallai, ar hyn o bryd, ond rwy'n ei annog i geisio atebion cyn gynted â phosibl.
Wrth gloi, hoffwn i gynnig fy nghefnogaeth lwyr i'r Gweinidog, wrth iddo ymdrechu i berswadio Llywodraeth y DU i roi i Gymru, pobl Cymru, porthladdoedd Cymru a'r ffermwyr a'r rhai sydd â diddordeb mewn bioddiogelwch y parch y maen nhw'n ei haeddu, oherwydd, unwaith eto, rydym ni wedi gweld diffyg parch amlwg yng ngweithredoedd Llywodraeth y DU yn ystod y dyddiau diwethaf.
Thank you for the comments and the questions. I'll again try to deal with all of them.
On council spend, I've given an undertaking, following discussions with ministerial colleagues, to both councils, Pembrokeshire and the Isle of Anglesey County Council, that the cost for recruitment that they were undertaking would be covered. A handful of job offers have been made on Ynys Môn, and so we'll make sure that those costs aren't passed on to council tax payers. Recruitment will be paused given the new choice that's been made. If the import controls aren't coming in, it's difficult to justify then going ahead and recruiting. So, again, that's a bigger problem for DEFRA in England, where they have recruited substantially more people. It's also a challenge for HMRC, given the people they had previously recruited and have been redeployed as well.
When it comes to the challenges around exporting businesses, not just farming but a range of others where you do know that it is not a level playing field, it's one thing to tolerate that for a period of time, and to now have it extended for nearly two years it's very easy to understand why people are upset. And, indeed, port organisations in England in particular that have spent lots of their own money, not just public money, on getting ready for checks are now unhappy that they've spent that money and that may well be passed on to people using those port facilities as well.
When we think about the way that trade flows across the island of Ireland, from Wales and across the land bridge and into continental Europe, you can see that this is a consequence that goes beyond Wales as well. That also, though, highlights the points that you make about biosecurity, about the fact that once plants and livestock are in the UK, regardless of where they have come from, they will likely travel to other parts too. Goats that may come in from continental Europe won't necessarily stay in the south-east of England. So, that's why the destination checks are a real issue.
And there's a cost point here as well. There's the point about biosecurity and about whether it is more sensible to undertake those checks at the point of import rather than at destination. I've already indicated to Paul Davies that my understanding is that about 5 per cent of those are checked at destination, so it's a sample, not every single one. It's also much more expensive to run that system as well because you need more vets going around, and greater inconvenience to go around and check at point of destination rather than being able to do that in a way that would be easier to manage for port authorities at one particular place. There's also, of course, the very practical reason that we don't have a surplus of vets. So, having enough vets to actually staff the system properly—. And I do know a thing or two about veterinary medicine, given that my father was a vet for a long period of time as well. So, I understand there's a very practical issue here about running a system effectively to deal with biosecurity and then having the people to do it effectively as well.
Now, those are all issues that I've discussed with Lesley Griffiths and with our chief vet, and we've given a steer that we want chief vets to have a conversation to try to give us some form of understanding about what a next-level risk-based system would look like—the best system possible given where we are. But, actually, our bigger concern is about the future of technology in this. My understanding is that livestock is notoriously uncooperative when it comes to answering questions about whether it's got an infectious disease. So, actually, you're going to need to undertake some form of physical check. I've yet to see in any credible way how you could have technology assessing the risk of animals, of live animals or plants coming into the country, to assess the biosecurity risk. So, it's possible that you can use technology for some of what's required, but I don't think it's going to be the complete answer.
Diolch am y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau. Fe geisiaf ymdrin â phob un ohonyn nhw.
O ran gwariant y cyngor, rwyf i wedi addo, yn dilyn trafodaethau gyda fy nghyd-Weinidogion, i'r ddau gyngor, sir Benfro a Chyngor Sir Ynys Môn, y byddai'r gost o recriwtio yr oedden nhw'n ymgymryd ag ef yn cael ei chynnwys. Mae llond llaw o gynigion swyddi wedi'u gwneud ar Ynys Môn, ac felly byddwn ni'n sicrhau nad yw'r costau hynny'n cael eu trosglwyddo i dalwyr y dreth gyngor. Bydd recriwtio'n cael ei ohirio o ystyried y dewis newydd sydd wedi'i wneud. Os nad yw rheoli mewnforio yn dod i mewn, mae'n anodd cyfiawnhau wedyn bwrw ymlaen â recriwtio. Felly, unwaith eto, mae hynny'n broblem fwy i DEFRA yn Lloegr, lle maen nhw wedi recriwtio llawer mwy o bobl. Mae hefyd yn her i CThEM, o ystyried y bobl yr oedden nhw wedi'u recriwtio o'r blaen ac sydd wedi cael eu hadleoli hefyd.
O ran yr heriau sy'n gysylltiedig â busnesau allforio, nid ffermio'n unig ond amrywiaeth o rai eraill lle'r ydych chi'n gwybod nad oes chwarae teg, mae'n un peth i oddef hynny am gyfnod, ond nawr i'w ymestyn am bron i ddwy flynedd, mae'n hawdd iawn deall pam mae pobl wedi'u cynhyrfu. Ac, yn wir, mae sefydliadau porthladdoedd yn Lloegr yn arbennig sydd wedi gwario llawer o'u harian eu hunain, nid arian cyhoeddus yn unig, ar baratoi ar gyfer archwiliadau eraill yn anhapus eu bod nhw wedi gwario'r arian hwnnw ac mae'n ddigon posibl y caiff hynny ei drosglwyddo i bobl sy'n defnyddio cyfleusterau'r porthladd hynny hefyd.
Pan yr ydym ni'n meddwl am y ffordd y mae masnach yn llifo ar draws ynys Iwerddon, o Gymru ac ar draws y bont dir ac i mewn i gyfandir Ewrop, gallwch chi weld bod hyn yn ganlyniad sy'n mynd y tu hwnt i Gymru hefyd. Fodd bynnag, mae hynny hefyd yn amlygu'r pwyntiau yr ydych chi'n eu gwneud am fioddiogelwch, am y ffaith y byddan nhw'n debygol o deithio i rannau eraill hefyd, unwaith y bydd planhigion a da byw yn y DU, ni waeth o ble y maen nhw wedi dod. Ni fydd geifr a allai ddod i mewn o gyfandir Ewrop o reidrwydd yn aros yn ne-ddwyrain Lloegr. Felly, dyna pam y mae'r archwiliadau cyrchfannau wir yn broblem.
Ac mae pwynt cost yma hefyd. Mae'r pwynt am fioddiogelwch ac a yw'n fwy synhwyrol cynnal yr archwiliadau hynny wrth eu mewnforio yn hytrach nag yn y gyrchfan. Rwyf i eisoes wedi dweud wrth Paul Davies mai fy nealltwriaeth i yw bod tua 5 y cant o'r rheini'n cael eu harchwilio yn y gyrchfan, felly mae'n sampl, nid pob un. Mae hefyd yn ddrutach o lawer i gynnal y system honno oherwydd bod angen mwy o filfeddygon arnoch chi, a mwy o anghyfleustra i fynd o gwmpas ac archwilio yn y gyrchfan yn hytrach na gallu gwneud hynny mewn ffordd a fyddai'n haws i awdurdodau porthladd ei rheoli mewn un lle penodol. Mae yna hefyd, wrth gwrs, y rheswm ymarferol iawn nad oes gennym ni ormod o filfeddygon. Felly, cael digon o filfeddygon i staffio'r system yn iawn—. Ac rwy'n gwybod rhywfaint am feddygaeth filfeddygol, o gofio yr oedd fy nhad yn filfeddyg am gyfnod hir hefyd. Felly, rwy'n deall bod problem ymarferol iawn yma ynglŷn â chynnal system yn effeithiol i ymdrin â bioddiogelwch ac yna cael y bobl i wneud hynny'n effeithiol hefyd.
Nawr, mae'r rheini i gyd yn faterion yr wyf i wedi'u trafod gyda Lesley Griffiths a gyda'n prif filfeddyg, ac yr ydym ni wedi rhoi arweiniad ein bod ni eisiau i brif filfeddygon gael sgwrs i geisio rhoi rhyw fath o ddealltwriaeth i ni ynghylch sut y byddai system nesaf sy'n seiliedig ar risg yn edrych—y system orau bosibl o ystyried ble yr ydym ni. Ond, mewn gwirionedd, mae ein pryder yn ymwneud mwy â dyfodol technoleg yn hyn o beth. Yn ôl yr hyn yr wyf i'n ei ddeall, nid yw da byw'n cydweithredu o gwbl pan ddaw'n fater o ateb cwestiynau ynghylch a oes ganddyn nhw glefyd heintus. Felly, mewn gwirionedd, bydd angen i chi wneud rhyw fath o archwiliad corfforol. Hyd yn hyn nid wyf i wedi gweld sut, mewn unrhyw ffordd gredadwy, y gallech chi gael technoleg i asesu'r risg o anifeiliaid, anifeiliaid byw neu blanhigion yn dod i mewn i'r wlad, i asesu'r risg bioddiogelwch. Felly, mae'n bosibl y gallwch chi ddefnyddio technoleg ar gyfer rhywfaint o'r hyn sydd ei angen, ond nid wyf i'n credu mai dyma fydd yr ateb llawn.
Minister, I too am concerned about the cost of the delay for Ynys Môn council, who may have built up employment costs and income revenue in their business plans going forward for the year, and for the construction company who, under procurement rules, will have factored in much needed local employment and apprenticeships to build the site.
If one of the reasons for delay is that the UK Government is looking at a streamlined digital border, why have they not returned the e-mails from FibreSpeed, which I and other politicians have been copied into, including the local MP? They have been informing UK Government officials that at Holyhead there is an existing Welsh Government-owned European-funded high-fibre network connection that could be utilised by any telecoms carrier or internet service provider to provide high broadband bandwidth. It will avoid any expensive installation and will allow immediate access to any data, mobile and telecom requirements. I've also raised this several times. Please, could your officials follow this up with UK Government officials because we seem to be getting nowhere with it?
And, Minister, what you've informed us today is that Jacob Rees-Mogg has made the decision to keep frictionless imports, helping foreign businesses while Welsh and British farmers and businesses that need to export are now faced with continued bureaucracy of paperwork and cost. And do you agree that this is not a level playing field, and should have been handled much better by the UK Government? And what compensation will they receive? Thank you.
Gweinidog, rwyf innau hefyd yn pryderu am gost yr oedi i gyngor Ynys Môn, a allai fod wedi cronni costau cyflogaeth a refeniw incwm yn eu cynlluniau busnes wrth symud ymlaen am y flwyddyn, ac i'r cwmni adeiladu a fydd, o dan reolau caffael, wedi ystyried cyflogaeth a phrentisiaethau lleol y mae mawr eu hangen i adeiladu'r safle.
Os un o'r rhesymau dros oedi yw bod Llywodraeth y DU yn edrych ar ffin ddigidol symlach, pam nad ydyn nhw wedi dychwelyd y negeseuon e-bost gan FibreSpeed, yr wyf fi a gwleidyddion eraill wedi cael copi ohonyn nhw, gan gynnwys yr AS lleol? Maen nhw wedi bod yn rhoi gwybod i swyddogion Llywodraeth y DU fod cysylltiad rhwydwaith ffibr uchel sy'n eiddo i Lywodraeth Cymru ac wedi'i ariannu gan Ewrop ar hyn o bryd, a allai gael ei ddefnyddio gan unrhyw gludwr telathrebu neu ddarparwr gwasanaeth rhyngrwyd i ddarparu bandiau eang uchel. Bydd yn osgoi unrhyw osodiad drud a bydd yn caniatáu mynediad ar unwaith at unrhyw ofynion data, symudol a thelathrebu. Rwyf i hefyd wedi codi hyn sawl gwaith. Os gwelwch yn dda, a wnaiff eich swyddogion fynd ar drywydd hyn gyda swyddogion Llywodraeth y DU oherwydd ymddengys nad ydym ni'n mynd i unman ag ef?
A, Gweinidog, yr hyn yr ydych chi wedi'i ddweud wrthym ni heddiw yw bod Jacob Rees-Mogg wedi gwneud y penderfyniad i gadw mewnforion yn rhydd o ffrithiant, gan helpu busnesau tramor tra bod ffermwyr a busnesau o Gymru a Phrydain y mae angen iddyn nhw allforio nawr yn wynebu biwrocratiaeth barhaus o waith papur a chost. Ac a ydych chi'n cytuno bod hyn yn enghraifft o beidio â thrin yn yr un modd, ac y dylai Llywodraeth y DU fod wedi ymdrin ag ef yn llawer gwell? A pha iawndal y byddan nhw'n ei gael? Diolch.
Yes, I think the Member makes a number of important points, both about council staff that have already been recruited and about making sure that those contracts are honoured and those people have work to do. It's also about there having been a good bit of wasted time, energy and effort in both local authorities as well, and I doubt that the staff at Pembrokeshire authority or, indeed, in Ynys Môn are going to welcome the fact that the time that they have expended appears to have been wasted and without any certainty about when it's going to come to an end or when there's going to be a definite answer.
And also the potential for some jobs that would have been created in the construction of both temporary and permanent facilities, there's no way of giving anyone any certainty about that. But we do need to know, within a relatively brief period of time, what we are going to need to do, because if we're not going to have permanent posts in place by spring next year in Holyhead as we were planning to do, we'll need to know what the plan is for the future, what the alternative facilities are going to look like, whether we need to relet our procurement itself, which would cost more public money that the Treasury would normally be undertaking and supporting, and the inevitable point that Paul Davies has made as well about the fact that the costs would likely rise in that time.
It's my understanding that inflation tends not to stand still and, at this point in time, inflation is definitely going to increase the costs in a range of construction projects, but also the availability of the labour and the skills to undertake the build project in time, and having that time to be able to not just get facilities ready or systems ready, but crucially for businesses to be ready themselves as well. They'll need to plan for any new system too, and that takes on board your point about FibreSpeed and the infrastructure that is there already, and I'll certainly make sure that my officials do follow up with the UK Government. It comes to your point about needing to understand, in following that up, what the new system is going to be, making sure we don't duplicate and create an additional set of infrastructure that is not necessary, but actually we need to understand what the plan is going to be for the future in any event.
Without a hint of irony, Jacob Rees-Mogg talked about introducing border controls as being akin to an act of self-harm. Well, there are alternatives to the position we find ourselves in, but it was the choice that was made in the treaty that was negotiated with the European Union for how trade would work, and if there is to be an alternative choice, we all need to understand what that's going to be, when it's going to take place, and there's got to be a proper and respectful conversation with the Welsh Government so that we can properly account to this Welsh Parliament for the choices that we need to make on behalf of the people of Wales.
Ie, rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod yn gwneud nifer o bwyntiau pwysig, ynglŷn â staff sydd wedi eu recriwtio gan y cynghorau eisoes ac ynglŷn â sicrhau bod y cytundebau hynny'n cael eu hanrhydeddu hefyd a bod gan y bobl hyn waith i'w wneud. Mae hyn yn ymwneud hefyd â gwastraff amser, egni ac ymdrech yn y ddau awdurdod lleol, ac rwy'n amau na fydd y staff yn awdurdod sir Benfro nac, yn wir, ar Ynys Môn yn croesawu'r ffaith ei bod hi'n ymddangos bod yr amser a dreuliwyd ganddyn nhw wedi mynd yn ofer a heb unrhyw sicrwydd ynghylch pryd y daw hyn i ben neu pan ddaw ateb pendant.
A'r posibilrwydd hefyd o ran rhai swyddi a fyddai wedi dod yn sgil adeiladu cyfleusterau dros dro a pharhaol, nid oes modd rhoi unrhyw sicrwydd i neb ynglŷn â hynny. Ond mae angen i ni wybod, o fewn cyfnod cymharol fyr, beth fydd angen i ni ei wneud, oherwydd os na chawn ni'r swyddi parhaol erbyn gwanwyn y flwyddyn nesaf yng Nghaergybi fel roeddem ni'n bwriadu, fe fydd angen i ni wybod beth yw'r cynllun i'r dyfodol, sut olwg fydd ar gyfleusterau amgen, a oes angen i ni ailosod ein caffaeliad, a fydd hi'n costio mwy o arian cyhoeddus y byddai'r Trysorlys, fel arfer, yn ei ddarparu a'i gefnogi, a'r pwynt anochel a wnaeth Paul Davies hefyd am y ffaith y byddai'r costau yn debygol o gynyddu yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw.
Yn ôl yr hyn yr wyf i'n ei ddeall, mae chwyddiant yn tueddu i beidio ag aros yn ei unfan, ac ar hyn o bryd, fe fydd chwyddiant yn sicr yn cynyddu'r costau mewn amrywiaeth o brosiectau adeiladu, ond bydd yn effeithio hefyd ar y llafur a'r sgiliau sydd ar gael i ymgymryd â'r prosiect adeiladu ar amser, a bod â'r amser hwnnw i allu nid yn unig paratoi'r cyfleusterau neu'r systemau, ond sy'n hanfodol i'r busnesau eu hunain fod yn barod hefyd. Fe fydd angen iddyn nhw gynllunio ar gyfer unrhyw system newydd hefyd, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys eich pwynt chi am FibreSpeed a'r seilwaith sydd yno eisoes, ac fe fyddaf i'n siŵr o sicrhau bod fy swyddogion i'n gwneud gwaith dilynol gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Mae hyn yn cyffwrdd â'ch pwynt chi am yr angen i ddeall, wrth ddilyn hynny, sut un fydd y system newydd, gan sicrhau nad ydym ni'n dyblygu nac yn creu set ychwanegol o seilwaith yn ddiangen, ond mewn gwirionedd mae angen i ni ddeall beth fydd y cynllun i'r dyfodol beth bynnag.
Heb unrhyw eironi o gwbl, fe ddywedodd Jacob Rees-Mogg fod cyflwyno'r mesurau rheoli ffiniau fel gweithred o hunan-niweidio. Wel, fe geir dewisiadau amgen i'r sefyllfa yr ydym ni ynddi hi, ond y dewis a wnaethpwyd yn y cytundeb a negodwyd gyda'r Undeb Ewropeaidd ar gyfer sut y byddai masnach yn gweithio, ac os oes dewis arall, mae angen i bob un ohonom ni ddeall beth fyddai hwnnw, pan fyddai hwnnw'n dod i rym, ac mae'n rhaid cael sgwrs briodol a pharchus gyda Llywodraeth Cymru er mwyn i ni allu adrodd yn briodol i Senedd Cymru yma ynglŷn â'r dewisiadau y mae angen i ni eu gwneud ar ran pobl Cymru.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Eitem 4 y prynhawn yma yw'r datganiad gan y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, diweddariad ar Wcráin, a galwaf ar y Gweinidog i wneud y datganiad. Jane Hutt.
Item 4 this afternoon is a statement by the Minister for Social Justice on an update on Ukraine. I call on the Minister to make her statement. Jane Hutt.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you for the opportunity, once again, to provide an update to Members on our ongoing work to support people from Ukraine who continue to flee this most cruel war in the hope of finding sanctuary. With each day that passes, we hear more and more harrowing stories including, at the weekend, when a small number of civilians were evacuated from the besieged steelworks in Mariupol through joint efforts of the United Nations and Red Cross. Putin is gradually increasing the intensity of his offensive in eastern Ukraine, bringing more innocent people into the line of fire, but they are being met by the fiercest resistance of Ukrainian forces.
We know that over 5.5 million people have fled this conflict, and I am encouraged to note that we have seen some progress in the visa approvals from the Home Office. Across the United Kingdom we have seen almost 120,000 visa applications submitted, with 86,100 issued and 27,100 arrivals. Of these arrivals, 16,000 have come as part of the Ukraine family scheme, and 11,100 as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Data published on 27 April shows that 2,300 visas have been issued to people via the Homes for Ukraine scheme who have a sponsor in Wales. A total of 670 of these are via the Welsh Government supersponsor route. We are seeing a steady increase in the amount of people arriving in Wales, including to our own welcome centres, and we expect that these numbers will increase as more visas are approved and more people make plans to travel.
And while we've seen progress on the approval of visas, there are ongoing concerns that the way these visas are processed is leading to confusion and delays for those fleeing. This is particularly true for families who are unable to travel until everyone in their party has been individually granted a visa, instead of visas being considered together. For those who've been able to seek sanctuary here, it is of course crucial that we ensure the highest levels of safeguarding protections are in place. This is a concern I have raised on multiple occasions with the UK Government. It's crucial that the Homes for Ukraine scheme, though commendable in many ways—. We recognise that it includes design flaws that expose those needing sanctuary to harm. We are working tirelessly across Welsh public bodies to reduce and mitigate these risks, but we can't eliminate them entirely. We continue to raise concerns with the UK Government and intervene where possible to prevent harm, but we will not be successful in every instance.
Previous schemes, such as those to support people fleeing Afghanistan, were administered and monitored by Government, much like our supersponsor scheme in Wales. This allowed for people to be supported from the moment of arrival and for proper safeguarding procedures to be put in place. On 5 April we published guidance on how public bodies can help protect people living in households from Ukraine. We are also providing local authorities with details of people arriving from Ukraine via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, so that property and safeguarding checks can be undertaken and support services can be offered.
Our online advice is encouraging potential hosts or sanctuary seekers to use the Reset matching system, rather than more informal systems. Reset have years of experience working with refugees and sponsors in Wales and understand how to ensure some level of consistency, and to ensure safeguarding considerations are addressed. I am particularly concerned about the vulnerability of Ukrainian refugees, the majority of whom are women and children, to acts of unscrupulous people seeking to exploit and abuse.
We have also published separate guidance on safeguarding and modern slavery for local authorities and sponsors, and provided advice to welcome centre and contact centre staff. A third version of the safeguarding and modern slavery guidance is due to be published next week. I have urged the UK Government to continually review the procedures that are in place, and they have offered assurances that their helpdesk has been expanded to respond to safeguarding concerns. We are working with local authorities to explain how referrals can be made, and I continue to press the UK Government to ensure the best procedures are in place. You will also be aware that a Welsh Government helpline was launched on 28 March for people arriving in Wales from Ukraine, as well as for people who are acting as sponsors. The helpline seeks to provide advice and guidance, and it has now been expanded to a 24/7 operation to ensure there is always support available when it is needed.
I met with Lord Harrington, Minister for Refugees, and Neil Gray MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, last week, where we raised issues regarding delays, safeguarding and funding. Financial support is still not being provided for the operation of our supersponsor welcome centres, despite this offering the safest route and most comprehensive wraparound support. There will be significant unmet costs arising from the Ukraine visa schemes. In other resettlement programmes, there have been essential separate funds for healthcare and English language tuition, as well as integration funding for year 2 and year 3, none of which has yet been announced by UK Government Ministers. Unfortunately, the UK Government is not currently providing Welsh Government or Welsh local authorities with the funding necessary to be able to properly support people arriving under the family scheme. We are urging the UK Government to provide Ukrainian families with the same level of support as sponsors and Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Finally, I would once again like to thank the businesses, organisations, individuals and families across Wales who, through their generosity and efforts, continue to reflect the spirit of our country. I will close, as before, by repeating that help, advice and support is available via our free helpline for sponsors and people coming from Ukraine. Sponsors in Wales can call the 24/7 free helpline for advice. There is a warm welcome waiting in this our nation of sanctuary. Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch am y cyfle, unwaith eto, i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am ein gwaith parhaus i gefnogi pobl o Wcráin sy'n ffoi rhag y rhyfel erchyll hwn yn y gobaith o gael noddfa. Gyda phob diwrnod sy'n mynd heibio, rydym ni'n clywed rhagor o straeon dirdynnol gan gynnwys, dros y penwythnos, yr achos o nifer fechan o sifiliaid yn cael dianc o'r gwaith dur dan gyrch yn Mariupol oherwydd ymdrechion ar y cyd gan y Cenhedloedd Unedig a'r Groes Goch. Mae Putin yn raddol gynyddu maint yr ymladd yn nwyrain Wcráin, gan ddod â mwy o bobl ddiniwed i berygl, ond mae gwrthwynebiad ffyrnig gan luoedd arfog Wcráin yn eu hwynebu nhw yn y fan honno.
Fe wyddom ni fod dros 5.5 miliwn o bobl wedi dianc rhag y gwrthdaro hwn, ac mae hi'n galonogol nodi ein bod ni wedi gweld rhywfaint o gynnydd yn niferoedd y fisâu a ganiatawyd gan y Swyddfa Gartref. Ledled y Deyrnas Unedig fe welsom ni bron i 120,000 o geisiadau am fisâu yn cael eu cyflwyno, gyda 86,100 yn cael eu rhoi a 27,100 o bobl yn cyrraedd. O'r bobl hyn, fe ddaeth 16,000 yn rhan o gynllun teuluoedd Wcráin, a 11,100 yn rhan o gynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin. Mae data a gyhoeddwyd ar 27 Ebrill yn dangos bod 2,300 o fisâu wedi cael eu rhoi drwy'r cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin i bobl sydd â noddwyr yng Nghymru. Mae cyfanswm o 670 o'r rhain ar lwybr uwch-noddwr Llywodraeth Cymru. Rydym ni'n gweld cynnydd cyson yn nifer y bobl sy'n cyrraedd Cymru, gan gynnwys i'n canolfannau croeso ni, ac rydym ni'n disgwyl y bydd y niferoedd hyn yn cynyddu wrth i fwy o fisâu gael eu cymeradwyo ac wrth i fwy o bobl wneud eu trefniadau ar gyfer teithio.
Ac er ein bod ni wedi gweld cynnydd o ran cymeradwyo fisâu, mae pryderon yn parhau o ran y dull o brosesu'r fisâu hyn a bod hwnnw'n achosi dryswch ac oedi i'r ffoaduriaid. Mae hyn yn arbennig o wir am deuluoedd nad ydyn nhw'n gallu teithio nes y bydd pob aelod o'u grŵp wedi cael ei fisa unigol, yn hytrach na bod y fisâu yn cael eu trin i gyd gyda'i gilydd. I'r rhai sydd wedi gallu cael noddfa yma, mae hi'n hanfodol, wrth gwrs, ein bod ni'n sicrhau bod yr amddiffyniadau diogelu gorau posibl ar waith. Mae hwn yn bryder a godais gyda Llywodraeth y DU sawl tro. Mae hi'n hanfodol bod y cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin, er ei fod i'w ganmol mewn sawl ffordd—. Rydym ni'n cydnabod bod diffygion yn ei ddyluniad sy'n gallu gwneud rhai sydd angen noddfa yn agored i niwed. Rydym ni'n gweithio yn ddiflino ar draws cyrff cyhoeddus Cymru i leihau a lliniaru'r peryglon hyn, ond nid ydym ni'n gallu eu dileu nhw'n llwyr. Rydym ni'n parhau i godi ein pryderon ni gyda Llywodraeth y DU ac rydym ni'n ymyrryd pan fo'n hynny'n bosibl i atal niwed, ond ni fyddwn ni'n llwyddo ym mhob achos.
Cafodd cynlluniau blaenorol, fel rhai i gefnogi pobl yn ffoi o Affganistan, eu gweinyddu a'u monitro gan y Llywodraeth, yn debyg iawn i'n cynllun uwch-noddwr ni yng Nghymru. Roedd hyn yn caniatáu i bobl gael eu cefnogi o'r foment y gwnaethon nhw gyrraedd a chaniatáu rhoi gweithdrefnau diogelu priodol ar waith. Ar 5 Ebrill, fe wnaethom ni gyhoeddi canllawiau ynglŷn â sut y gall cyrff cyhoeddus helpu i amddiffyn pobl sy'n byw ar aelwydydd Wcrainaidd. Rydym ni hefyd yn rhoi manylion i awdurdodau lleol am y bobl sy'n cyrraedd o Wcráin drwy'r cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin, i ganiatáu cynnal gwiriadau eiddo a diogelu a chynnig gwasanaethau cymorth.
Mae'r cyngor sydd gennym ni ar-lein yn annog rhai a allai gynnig llety neu geiswyr noddfa i ddefnyddio system paru Reset, yn hytrach na systemau mwy anffurfiol. Mae gan Reset flynyddoedd o brofiad yn gweithio gyda ffoaduriaid a noddwyr yng Nghymru ac yn gwybod sut i sicrhau rhyw gyfradd o gysondeb, a sicrhau bod ystyriaethau diogelu yn cael sylw. Rwy'n pryderu yn arbennig ynglŷn â pha mor agored i niwed yw ffoaduriaid o Wcráin, gyda'r rhan fwyaf ohonyn nhw'n fenywod a phlant, i weithredoedd pobl ddigydwybod sy'n ceisio cymryd mantais arnyn nhw a'u cam-drin nhw.
Rydym ni wedi cyhoeddi canllawiau ar wahân hefyd ynglŷn â diogelu a chaethwasiaeth fodern ar gyfer yr awdurdodau lleol a'r noddwyr, ac wedi rhoi cyngor i staff canolfannau croesawu a chanolfannau cyswllt. Fe ddisgwylir i drydedd fersiwn o'r canllawiau diogelu a chaethwasiaeth fodern gael ei chyhoeddi'r wythnos nesaf. Rwyf i wedi pwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i adolygu'r gweithdrefnau sydd ar waith yn barhaus, ac maen nhw wedi rhoi sicrwydd bod eu desg gymorth wedi cael ei hehangu i ymateb i bryderon o ran diogelu. Rydym ni'n gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i egluro sut y gellir gwneud atgyfeiriadau, ac rwy'n dal i bwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i sicrhau bod y gweithdrefnau gorau ar waith. Rydych chi'n ymwybodol hefyd fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi lansio llinell gymorth ar 28 Mawrth ar gyfer pobl sy'n cyrraedd Cymru o Wcráin, yn ogystal ag ar gyfer pobl sy'n noddwyr iddyn nhw. Mae'r llinell gymorth yn ceisio rhoi cyngor ac arweiniad, ac fe gafodd honno ei hymestyn erbyn hyn i fod ar waith 24/7 i sicrhau bod cymorth ar gael bob amser pan fydd ei angen.
Fe wnes i gyfarfod ag Arglwydd Harrington, y Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid, a Neil Gray Aelod o Senedd yr Alban, Gweinidog Diwylliant, Ewrop a Datblygu Rhyngwladol Llywodraeth yr Alban, wythnos diwethaf, lle codwyd materion yn ymwneud ag oedi, diogelu, ac ariannu. Nid yw cymorth ariannol fyth wedi cael ei ddarparu ar gyfer gweithredu ein canolfannau croeso uwch-noddwr ni, er mai'r rhain sy'n cynnig y llwybr mwyaf diogel a'r cymorth cofleidiol mwyaf cynhwysfawr. Fe fydd costau sylweddol heb eu hateb hyd yn hyn yn deillio o'r cynlluniau i gael fisâu i bobl o Wcráin. Mewn rhaglenni ailsefydlu eraill, fe fu yna gronfeydd hanfodol ar wahân ar gyfer gofal iechyd a hyfforddiant iaith Saesneg, yn ogystal â chyllid integreiddio ar gyfer blwyddyn 2 a blwyddyn 3, ac ni chyhoeddwyd yr un ohonyn nhw eto gan Weinidogion Llywodraeth y DU. Yn anffodus, nid yw Llywodraeth y DU yn rhoi'r cyllid angenrheidiol i Lywodraeth Cymru nac awdurdodau lleol Cymru ar hyn o bryd i allu cefnogi pobl sy'n cyrraedd o dan y cynllun teuluoedd mewn modd priodol. Rydym ni'n pwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i roi'r un gyfradd o gymorth i deuluoedd o Wcráin â'r noddwyr a'r Wcrainiaid sy'n dod o dan gynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin.
Yn olaf, fe hoffwn i ddiolch unwaith eto i'r busnesau, y sefydliadau, yr unigolion a'r teuluoedd ledled Cymru sydd, drwy eu haelioni a'u hymdrechion, yn parhau i amlygu ysbryd haelfrydig ein cenedl ni. Rwyf i am gloi, fel o'r blaen, drwy ailadrodd bod cymorth, cyngor a chymorth ar gael drwy ein llinell gymorth rhad ac am ddim i noddwyr a phobl sy'n dod o Wcráin. Fe all noddwyr yng Nghymru ffonio'r llinell gymorth am ddim am gyngor bedair awr ar hugain y dydd, saith diwrnod yr wythnos. Mae croeso cynnes yn aros ein cenedl noddfa ni. Diolch.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Mark Isherwood.
Conservative spokesperson, Mark Isherwood.
Diolch. Thank you for your statement, which is obviously becoming a weekly occurrence at the moment. Questioning you last Tuesday, I referred to your written statement update about the Homes for Ukraine scheme on 21 April. In your subsequent update on support for Ukraine last Thursday 28 April, you referred to the latest UK Government figures and stated that, as of 27 April, 2,300 visas have been issued to people from Ukraine to come to Wales via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, of which the Welsh Government is a supersponsor for 670. Overall, a total of 117,600 UK Ukraine scheme visa applications have been received, with, as you state in your statement, 86,100 visas issued and 27,100 total arrivals of visa holders in the UK.
What, therefore, is your understanding of how many have arrived in Wales so far, either in total or under the supersponsor scheme, or more broadly under the Homes for Ukraine scheme? You state that you met with Lord Harrington, UK Minister for Refugees, and with Neil Gray MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, last week, where you
'raised issues regarding delays, safeguarding and funding.'
Following on from my questions relating to this last week, what further specific discussions did you therefore have with Lord Richard Harrington about reasons for the gap between growing numbers of visas issued and the increase in total arrivals and about what is being done to identify and address this?
In your update last Thursday, you also stated that a breakdown of local authorities is also available. However, this shows a huge variation in the number of visas issued, ranging from 162 in Cardiff and 153 in Monmouthshire, to an average of 63 across the six north Wales counties, to 18 in Merthyr Tydfil and just five in Blaenau Gwent. Notwithstanding the obvious difference in population size, what is your understanding of the reasons for this range, and how are you targeting support at a local level accordingly?
Questioning you last week, I noted that an anti-human trafficking organisation in Romania had told the previous day's north Wales Ukrainian response Zoom meeting that the most vulnerable people are displaced people, and that therefore the focus now is on safeguarding. In your response, you stated that you were very closely linked to those organisations doing the anti-human trafficking work. You also restated that you are developing your own safeguarding guidance, but very much working on a four-nation basis. What specific work are you therefore doing with anti-human trafficking organisations working on the ground with Ukrainian refugees in the countries they have crossed into, and what position have the four UK Governments, working together, now reached on safeguarding?
As you'll be aware, the Prime Minister addressed the Ukrainian Parliament via video link today, hailing the country's finest hour, as he put it, as it battles the ongoing Russian invasion, and unveiling a new £300 million support package, including new specialised Toyota Land Cruisers to help protect civilian officials in eastern Ukraine and evacuate civilians from front-line areas, following a request from the Ukraine Government. To what extent was the Welsh Government, if at all, aware of this request, and how might this provision assist you in your programme to evacuate civilians in front-line areas and bring them to Wales?
Finally, how are you working with ministerial colleagues to ensure that school places and local GP and NHS services are available to Ukrainian refugees when they arrive in Wales?
Diolch. Diolch i chi am eich datganiad, sy'n amlwg yn datblygu yn rhywbeth a fydd yn digwydd bob wythnos ar hyn o bryd. Wrth eich holi chi ddydd Mawrth diwethaf, fe gyfeiriais i at eich datganiad ysgrifenedig a oedd yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin ar 21 Ebrill. Yn eich diweddariad dilynol chi ynglŷn â'r gefnogaeth i Wcráin ddydd Iau diwethaf ar 28 Ebrill, roeddech chi'n cyfeirio at y ffigurau diweddaraf gan Lywodraeth y DU ac roeddech chi'n dweud bod 2,300 o fisâu wedi cael eu rhoi i bobl o Wcráin ar 27 Ebrill ac ymlaen i ddod i Gymru drwy'r cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin, y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn uwch-noddwr iddo ar gyfer 670 ohonyn nhw. Yn gyfan gwbl, fe dderbyniwyd cyfanswm o 117,600 o geisiadau am fisa drwy gynlluniau Wcráin y DU, gyda 86,100 o fisâu yn cael eu caniatáu, fel roeddech chi'n dweud yn eich datganiad, a chyfanswm o 27,100 o ddeiliaid fisa wedi cyrraedd yn y DU.
Beth, felly, yw eich dealltwriaeth chi o ran y niferoedd sydd wedi cyrraedd yng Nghymru hyd yma, naill ai'n gyfan gwbl o dan y cynllun uwch-noddwyr, neu'n fwy cyffredinol o dan y cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin? Rydych chi'n dweud eich bod chi wedi cyfarfod â'r Arglwydd Harrington, Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid y DU, a gyda Neil Gray Aelod o Senedd yr Alban, Gweinidog Diwylliant, Ewrop a Datblygu Rhyngwladol Llywodraeth yr Alban, yr wythnos diwethaf,
'lle codwyd materion yn ymwneud ag oedi, diogelu, ac ariannu.'
Yn dilyn fy nghwestiynau i ynglŷn â hynny'r wythnos diwethaf, pa drafodaethau pellach a gawsoch chi'n benodol felly gyda'r Arglwydd Richard Harrington ynglŷn â'r rhesymau am y bwlch rhwng y niferoedd cynyddol o fisâu a ganiatawyd a'r cynnydd yng nghyfanswm y bobl sy'n cyrraedd ac am yr hyn sy'n cael ei wneud i nodi ac ymdrin â hynny?
Yn eich diweddariad ddydd Iau diwethaf, roeddech chi'n dweud bod dadansoddiad o awdurdodau lleol ar gael hefyd. Er hynny, mae hyn yn dangos amrywiad enfawr yn nifer y fisâu a ganiatawyd, yn amrywio o 162 yng Nghaerdydd a 153 yn sir Fynwy, gyda chyfartaledd o 63 ar draws chwe sir y gogledd, hyd at 18 ym Merthyr Tudful a phump yn unig ym Mlaenau Gwent. Er gwaethaf y gwahaniaeth amlwg ym maint y boblogaeth, beth yw eich dealltwriaeth chi o'r rhesymau am y gwahaniaeth hwn, a sut ydych chi'n anelu cymorth ar lefel leol yn unol â hynny?
Wrth i mi eich holi chi'r wythnos diwethaf, fe nodais i fod sefydliad sy'n gwrthsefyll masnachu mewn pobl yn Romania wedi dweud yng nghyfarfod Zoom ymateb gogledd Cymru i sefyllfa Wcráin y diwrnod cynt mai pobl a ddadleolwyd yw'r bobl sydd fwyaf agored i niwed, ac felly mae'r canolbwyntio ar ddiogelu nawr. Yn eich ymateb, roeddech chi'n dweud bod cysylltiad agos iawn gennych chi â'r sefydliadau hynny sy'n gwneud y gwaith i wrthsefyll masnachu mewn pobl. Fe wnaethoch chi fynegi unwaith eto hefyd eich bod chi'n datblygu eich canllawiau diogelu eich hun, ond gan weithio ar sail pedair gwlad i raddau helaeth. Pa waith yn benodol ydych chi'n ei wneud gyda sefydliadau sy'n gwrthsefyll masnachu mewn pobl wrth weithio ar lawr gwlad gyda ffoaduriaid o Wcráin yn y gwledydd cyfagos sy'n ffinio â'r wlad honno, a beth yw casgliadau pedair Llywodraeth y DU erbyn hyn o ran diogelu, wrth iddyn nhw weithio â'i gilydd?
Fel y gwyddoch chi, fe fu Prif Weinidog y DU yn annerch Senedd Wcráin drwy gyswllt fideo heddiw, ac yn canmol dewrder y wlad honno wrth frwydro yn erbyn yr ymosodiad parhaus o Rwsia, ac fe gyhoeddodd becyn cymorth newydd gwerth £300 miliwn, yn cynnwys cerbydau Toyota Land Cruiser arbenigol newydd i helpu i ddiogelu swyddogion sifil yn nwyrain Wcráin a chludo sifiliaid oddi wrth ardaloedd ar y rheng flaen, yn dilyn cais gan Lywodraeth Wcráin. I ba raddau oedd Llywodraeth Cymru, os felly o gwbl, yn ymwybodol o'r cais hwn, a sut allai'r ddarpariaeth hon eich cynorthwyo chi yn eich rhaglen chi i gludo sifiliaid mewn ardaloedd rheng flaen a dod â nhw i Gymru?
Yn olaf, ym mha ffordd ydych chi'n gweithio gyda'ch cyd-Weinidogion i sicrhau bod lleoedd ar gael mewn ysgolion a'r ddarpariaeth o ran gwasanaethau meddygon teulu a'r GIG lleol i ffoaduriaid o Wcráin pan fyddan nhw'n cyrraedd yng Nghymru?
Thank you very much, Mark. I think it's important that the weekly figures that are given on a Thursday—in fact, I quoted 27 April—are figures that are shared on a four-nation basis. So, as I said in my statement, I can again confirm that 2,300 visas have been issued to people via the Homes for Ukraine scheme, those people who have got matched arrangements, family sponsorship, and have a sponsor in Wales. But, 670 of those, of the 2,300, are actually coming via the Welsh Government supersponsor route, and will come to our welcome centres. So, those are the key facts for 27 April, and obviously we'll be publishing the facts, the statistics, on Thursday for an update.
When we meet—and we've met, actually, every week, the Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington, Neil Gray and myself—there are three issues we've talked about, and we've talked about them for two weeks running: delays—it's crucial, your point about the delay, because if these visas have been issued, why haven't we seen more arrivals—and we also looked at safeguarding, and funding as well. So, as far as the delays are concerned, there has been widespread frustration that the Minister for Refugees himself recognised, waiting for not just the—. I did mention the fact that there have been frustrations particularly where the whole family hasn't received a visa, and I think this is still the case. I think we've seen and heard in the media, and the Welsh media, examples of this happening at the moment, where there are pending applications relating to Ukrainians and not to all of the family.
As things stand, as I've said, we press the UK Government to improve processes and have less bureaucracy. The Minister for Refugees, Richard Harrington, went to Poland a couple of weeks ago, and he said there were some who have now got their visas, and they're now considering their arrangements in terms of coming to Britain, to Wales, to the UK. I have to say that there are also some who are considering whether they do want to come because of the delays and the bureaucracy. I think you've seen those reports in the press as well, which is very concerning because we should have been able to respond as quickly as those countries in the EU have been able to respond. So, we know that there are delays because of bureaucracy, because of the processes, but we were assured last Thursday by the lead official in the Home Office that they were getting more caseworkers and speeding up the process.
Safeguarding is crucial; it's a four-nation issue. We've been working together, we've been sharing examples, again, of where this has failed in terms of people going through more informal matching—perhaps arrangements breaking down in terms of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and then going on to informal matching processes that are not safe and secure. We've had examples of what that has meant in terms of putting particularly women at risk, and that is all taken on board. So, we have got the Disclosure and Barring Service checks, working with the local authorities. We have a letter, actually; we've written to local and regional partners about DBS checks, and I can share that with you, for the chief executives and statutory partners in terms of DBS, and that relates to the health service as well.
Working with local authorities, we're working at senior officer level, and chief executives are meeting regularly as well. Of course, the issues that you raise in terms of safeguarding, anti-human trafficking and recognising that this is something where all of those links, like the link that you're aware of and engaging with in north Wales—. They're very important to share with us to ensure that we can avert people, and give that information more formally in terms of our guidance. It's crucial in terms of education that children can obtain admission to schools, and, indeed, also, I have to say, to the health service, to their GPs, to the health checks that are under way. This is monitored on a daily basis.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Mark. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig bod y ffigurau wythnosol a roddir ar ddydd Iau—mewn gwirionedd, fe ddyfynnais i rai 27 Ebrill—yn ffigurau sy'n cael eu rhannu ar sail pedair gwlad. Felly, fel y dywedais i yn fy natganiad, fe allaf i gadarnhau unwaith eto fod 2,300 o fisâu wedi cael eu rhoi i bobl drwy gynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin, y bobl hynny sydd wedi sicrhau trefniadau i ddod i lety arbennig yma, nawdd gan eu teuluoedd, a gyda noddwr yng Nghymru. Ond, mae 670 o'r rhain, o'r 2,300, mewn gwirionedd yn dod drwy lwybr uwch-noddwr Llywodraeth Cymru, ac fe fyddan nhw'n dod i'n canolfannau croeso ni. Felly, dyna'r ffeithiau allweddol ar gyfer 27 Ebrill, ac mae hi'n amlwg y byddwn ni'n cyhoeddi'r ffeithiau, yr ystadegau, ar ddydd Iau i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf.
Pan fyddwn ni'n cyfarfod—ac rydym ni wedi cyfarfod bob wythnos, mewn gwirionedd, â'r Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid, yr Arglwydd Harrington, Neil Gray a minnau—tri mater yr ydym ni wedi sôn amdanyn nhw, ac rydym ni wedi sôn amdanyn nhw am bythefnos o'r bron: yr oedi—mae hi'n hollbwysig, eich pwynt chi ynglŷn â'r oedi, oherwydd os rhoddwyd y fisâu hyn, pam nad ydym ni wedi gweld mwy o bobl yn cyrraedd—ac rydym ni wedi ystyried diogelu hefyd, a chyllid yn ogystal â hynny. Felly, o ran yr oedi, fe fu yna rwystredigaeth yn eang oherwydd roedd y Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid yn cydnabod ei hunan, wrth aros nid yn unig am—. Fe soniais i am y ffaith y bu yna rwystredigaethau yn arbennig felly lle nad yw pob aelod o deulu cyfan wedi cael ei fisa, ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n parhau i ddigwydd. Rwy'n credu ein bod ni wedi gweld a chlywed yn y cyfryngau, a'r cyfryngau yng Nghymru, enghreifftiau o hyn yn digwydd yn gyfredol, lle ceir aros am geisiadau gan Wcrainiaid unigol ac nid o ran y teulu cyfan.
Fel mae hi ar hyn o bryd, fel dywedais i, rydym ni'n pwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i ddiwygio'r prosesau a bod â llai o fiwrocratiaeth. Aeth y Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid, Richard Harrington, i Wlad Pwyl ychydig wythnosau nôl, ac roedd ef yn dweud fod yna rai sydd wedi cael eu fisâu erbyn hyn, ac maen nhw'n ystyried eu trefniadau nhw nawr o ran dod i Brydain, i Gymru, i'r DU. Mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud bod rhai hefyd yn ystyried a ydyn nhw am ddod oherwydd yr oedi a'r fiwrocratiaeth. Rwy'n siŵr eich bod chi wedi gweld adroddiadau fel hyn yn y wasg hefyd, sy'n peri pryder mawr oherwydd fe ddylem ni fod wedi gallu ymateb mor gyflym ag y mae'r gwledydd hynny yn yr UE wedi ymateb. Felly, fe wyddom ni fod yna oedi oherwydd y fiwrocratiaeth, oherwydd y prosesau amrywiol, ond fe gawsom ni sicrwydd ddydd Iau diwethaf gan y swyddog arweiniol yn y Swyddfa Gartref eu bod nhw am gael mwy o weithwyr achos a'u bod nhw'n cyflymu'r broses.
Mae diogelu yn hanfodol; a mater i'r pedair gwlad yw hwnnw. Rydym ni wedi bod yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd, rydym ni wedi bod yn rhannu enghreifftiau, unwaith eto, o'r methiannau o ran pobl sy'n cael eu paru mewn ffordd fwy anffurfiol—efallai bod trefniadau yn chwalu o ran cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin, a'u bod nhw'n dilyn prosesau paru anffurfiol wedyn nad ydyn nhw'n ddiogel nac yn sicr. Rydym ni wedi gweld enghreifftiau o'r hyn sydd wedi golygu rhoi menywod, yn arbennig, mewn perygl, ac fe roddir ystyriaeth i'r pethau hyn i gyd. Felly, rydym ni wedi rhoi gwiriadau'r Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd ar waith, gan weithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol. Mae gennym ni lythyr, mewn gwirionedd; rydym ni wedi ysgrifennu at bartneriaid lleol a rhanbarthol ynglŷn â gwiriadau'r Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd, ac fe allaf i ddangos hwnnw i chi, sydd ar gyfer y prif weithredwyr a phartneriaid statudol o ran y Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd, ac mae hwnnw'n trafod swyddogaeth y gwasanaeth iechyd hefyd.
Gan weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol, rydym ni'n gweithio ar lefel yr uwch swyddogion, ac mae prif weithredwyr yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd hefyd. Wrth gwrs, y materion yr ydych chi'n eu codi o ran diogelu, atal masnachu mewn pobl a chydnabod bod hwnnw'n rhywbeth lle mae'r holl gysylltiadau, fel yr un yr ydych chi'n ymwybodol ohono ac yn ymgysylltu ag ef yn y gogledd—. Maen nhw'n bwysig iawn i'w rhannu gyda ni i sicrhau y gallwn ni atal pobl, a rhoi'r wybodaeth honno'n fwy ffurfiol o ran ein canllawiau ni. Mae hi'n hanfodol o ran addysg y gall plant gael eu derbyn i ysgolion, ac, yn wir, hefyd, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, wrth y gwasanaeth iechyd, i'w meddygon teulu nhw, am y gwiriadau sydd ar y gweill o ran iechyd. Fe gaiff hynny ei fonitro bob dydd.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Sioned Williams.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Sioned Williams.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a diolch am y datganiad, Weinidog. Mae agwedd Llywodraeth San Steffan tuag at y sefyllfa erchyll yn Wcráin yn gwbl baradocsaidd. Ar yr un llaw, mae pobl Cymru a Phrydain yn unedig yn eu solidariaeth â phobl Wcráin, ac yn unedig yn eu dicter tuag at Putin ynghyd â'i ryfel anghyfreithlon a'i droseddau rhyfel anwaraidd. Ac mae Llywodraeth San Steffan yn honni ei bod yn rhannu'r teimladau cryfion hyn. Yn wir, fel y clywsom ni, bu Boris Johnson heddiw yn annerch Senedd Wcráin.
Ond er mor bwysig yw areithiau cefnogol a geiriau cynnes, mae gweithredoedd yn bwysicach, ac mae Llywodraeth Boris Johnson yn methu pobl Wcráin ac yn tanseilio ymdrechion Cymru i fod yn genedl noddfa. Y weithred fwyaf effeithiol y gallai Llywodraeth San Steffan ei gwneud i helpu pobl Wcráin yw nid mynd a datgan araith, ond sicrhau bod modd diogel a chyflym iddyn nhw ddod i Gymru ac i Brydain. Mae nifer o'r bobl hyn wedi colli anwyliaid, yn dioddef o drawma o ganlyniad i farbariaeth rhyfel. Yr hyn maen nhw angen yw cariad, cartref a chyfle, a'n cefnogaeth a'n cymorth ni iddyn nhw fedru cael y pethau hynny.
O wrando ar rethreg Boris Johnson a'i Lywodraeth, byddai rhywun yn meddwl taw dyma'n union yr ydym yn ei gynnig i ffoaduriaid Wcráin, ond dro ar ôl tro ym myd gwleidyddiaeth, gwelwn fod gagendor yn bodoli rhwng rhethreg gynnes y rhai sydd mewn grym â'u gweithredoedd llugoer. Ac mae ymateb Llywodraeth San Steffan i'r sefyllfa yn Wcráin, yn anffodus, yn enghraifft berffaith o hyn. Mae Llywodraeth San Steffan, er gwaethaf eu geiriau twym, yn gadael pobl Wcráin lawr. Mae llysgennad Wcráin i'r Deyrnas Gyfunol wedi galw ar yr Ysgrifennydd Cartref i weithredu ar frys i wella'r broses fisa, sydd, yn ei eiriau fe, yn ddiangen o hir a biwrocrataidd, gan adael miloedd o bobl yn ddiymadferth ar hyd a lled gwledydd tir mawr Ewrop.
Ac mae Cyngor Ffoaduriaid Cymru wedi clywed am rwystredigaeth y teuluoedd sy'n cyrraedd yma ar y cynllun teuluoedd yn hytrach nag ar gynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin, a bod y Cymry sy'n cynnig lloches iddyn nhw yn anghymwys i dderbyn y taliad o £350. Mae hyn yn anghyfiawnder cwbl sylfaenol, ac yn enghraifft o'r Swyddfa Gartref yn trosglwyddo eu cyfrifoldebau moesol i'r cyhoedd, â nifer o'r ffoaduriaid yn wynebu heriau, fel clywsom ni, o ran diffyg cefnogaeth a gwybodaeth, diffyg gwersi iaith, a'r ffaith bod cofrestru ar gyfer ysgol a meddyg teulu yn absẃrd o gymhleth.
Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru am oresgyn yr anghysonderau hyn, yn wyneb difaterwch a blerwch anhrefnus Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol? Mae 2,300 o fisas wedi eu cyhoeddi yng Nghymru o dan y cynllun Cartrefi i Wcráin. Ac fel y gwnaethoch chi sôn, o'r rhain, 670 wedi'u huwch-noddi gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'r Alban wedi cael 5,200 o fisas wedi eu cyhoeddi, gyda 3,000 ohonynt wedi'u huwch-noddi gan Lywodraeth yr Alban. Mae'r bwlch yma rhwng y ddwy wlad yn eithaf sylweddol. Felly, a all y Gweinidog egluro'r rheswm dros yr anghysondeb hwn rhwng Cymru a'r Alban? Ydy'r Gweinidog yn ffyddiog nad oes unrhyw ffactor y tu hwnt i hap a damwain yn gyfrifol am hyn?
Mae'n debygol y bydd ffoaduriaid sy'n cyrraedd yma, yn enwedig menywod a phlant sy'n agored i niwed, eisoes wedi dioddef trawma. Ac felly, fel y gwnaethoch chi sôn, ac fel y gwnaeth Mark Isherwood sôn, mae sicrhau eu bod yn ddiogel ac yn cael gofal pan fyddant yn cyrraedd yn hollbwysig, ac rwy'n croesawu yr hyn yr ydych wedi sôn amdano fo o ran sut rŷch chi'n ceisio mynd i'r afael â hyn. Ond mae nifer o fudiadau ffoaduriaid a gwrth-fasnachu pobl wedi ysgrifennu at Michael Gove i fynegi eu pryderon dwys ynghylch diogelu, a'r cynllun, gyda masnachwyr pobl eisoes yn targedu pobl, menywod a phlant o Wcráin.
Dyma sefyllfa cwbl dorcalonnus, sy'n cyferbynnu'n llwyr gyda rhethreg Llywodraeth Prydain. Nid oes unrhyw reswm pam na ddylem neu y gallem gael cynllun cwbl ddyngarol, sy'n croesawu ffoaduriaid, ac sy'n eu diogelu'n llwyr rhag camdriniaeth.
Doedd e ddim yn swnio i fi fel bod y Gweinidog yn hollol fodlon bod y gwiriadau hyfforddiant a chymorth proffesiynol sydd ar waith ar hyn o bryd ynghylch y cynllun yma yng Nghymru yn ddigonol i sicrhau diogelwch i ffoaduriaid Wcráin. Felly, beth mwy y gellir ei wneud? Diolch.
Thank you Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for your statement, Minister. The attitude of the Westminster Government in relation to the appalling situation in Ukraine is entirely paradoxical. On the one hand, the people of Wales and the UK are united in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and are united in their anger towards Putin and his illegal war and his war crimes. And the Westminster Government claims to share those strong feelings. Indeed, we heard Boris Johnson today addressing the Ukrainian Parliament.
But, despite the importance of warm words and supportive speeches, actions are more important, and Boris Johnson's Government is failing the people of Ukraine and is undermining Welsh efforts to be a nation of sanctuary. The most effective act that the Westminster Government could take to assist the people of Ukraine is not to give a speech, but to ensure that there is safe and swift passage for people to come to Wales and to the UK. Many of these people have lost loved ones, are suffering trauma as a result of the barbarism of war. What they need is love, a home and an opportunity, and our support and assistance so that they can access those things.
In listening to Boris Johnson and his Government's rhetoric, one would think that this is exactly what we are providing to Ukrainian refugees, but time and time again in politics, we see that there is a gulf between the rhetoric of those in power and their actions. And the response of the Westminster Government to the situation in Ukraine, unfortunately, is a perfect example of this. The Westminster Government, despite warm words, is letting the people of Ukraine down. The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK has called on the Home Secretary to take urgent action to improve the visa process, which, in his words, is unnecessarily long-winded and bureaucratic, leaving thousands of people powerless across mainland Europe.
And the Welsh Refugee Council has heard of the frustration of the families who do come here on the families plan rather than the Homes for Ukraine programme, and that the Welsh people offering sanctuary to them aren't qualified for the payment of £350. This is a fundamental injustice, and an example of the Home Office transferring its moral responsibility to the public, with many refugees facing challenges, as we heard, in terms of lack of support and information, language learning, and the fact that registering for schools and GPs is absurdly complex.
How is the Welsh Government going to overcome these inconsistencies in light of the tardiness of the UK Government? Two thousand three hundred visas have been allowed in Wales under the Homes for Ukraine programme. And as you mentioned, of these, 670 have been supersponsored by the Welsh Government. Scotland has seen 5,200 visas, with 3,000 of them supersponsored by the Scottish Government. This gap between the two nations is substantial. So, can the Minister explain the reason for this inconsistency between Wales and Scotland? Is the Minister confident that there is no factor beyond chance that is responsible for this?
It's likely that refugees arriving here, particularly women and children who are vulnerable, will have already suffered trauma. And so, as you mentioned, and as Mark Isherwood also mentioned, ensuring that they are safe and cared for when they arrive is crucially important. And I do welcome what you've said in terms of how you're trying to address these issues, but a number of refugee organisations and anti-people trading organisations have written to Michael Gove to express their grave concerns about safeguarding, with people traffickers already targeting women and children from Ukraine.
This is a heartbreaking situation, which contradicts entirely the rhetoric of the UK Government. There is no reason why we shouldn't or couldn't have a humanitarian programme that welcomes refugees and safeguards them entirely from abuse.
It doesn't sound to me as if the Minister was entirely content that the changes in training and professional support in terms of the programme here in Wales is adequate to ensure security and safety for Ukrainian refugees. So, what more can be done? Thank you?
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned. This is one of the points about meeting together, which we have done regularly over the last few weeks, myself and the Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington, and Neil Gray, MSP, the Minister in the Scottish Government, because both myself and the Scottish Government Minister are in common cause here in saying, which we actually said right from the word go, that, actually the supersponsor route, which means that, with our commitment in Wales to support 1,000 people, skipping the need to identify individual sponsors, being sponsored directly by the Welsh Government, or the Scottish Government—.
In Scotland they're experiencing the same delays, even though they've got even more who are actually applying; they've got more numbers applying to go through their supersponsor route in terms of population proportion. That's right, but they're still having the delays that we're having. But also saying that, actually, this can really address the issue around safeguarding, because, for example, in terms of the family scheme, last week I said to the Home Office and to the Minister, 'Can you tell us how many and where the families are who've come through the family route?' They can't tell us. They do not have that information. They cannot tell us how many Ukrainian refugees have come through the family route, and there is no funding available whatsoever for families, and, actually, of course, as I said in my statistics, more have come through the family route than any other route. They got their visas first, they came through. No funding, no information, no data given to us. They can't give it, even if—. I've asked them for it. So, there are huge inadequacies in the way in which the UK Government has approached the refugee crisis.
And as I said earlier on, in the response to Mark Isherwood, if you look at the—. And here there have been some programmes, there's been press, there have been families commenting. The wonderful relationships and solidarity and support that, actually, I think we've heard about from those who've come and met Welsh families, they've met their sponsor—. So, we must recognise that there are great strengths where that works with the Homes for Ukraine arrangements. But I noticed a refugee who'd declined to come to the UK. Everything happened so quickly in Germany. It makes it very easy for Ukrainians to get benefits, get work, get support. Why aren't we in that position?
So, I have mentioned in my statement today, for the first time, a comparison with the arrangements we had, which the UK Government supported, with the Afghanistan evacuation last August, where we knew who was coming and we were able to support them. So, we continue to press on that point, because I think safeguarding is crucial. And if I can say today, if we can get that message out that it is dangerous to even contemplate or share on social media, through Facebook, any opportunities for new arrangements to take place—because it has actually led to sexual exploitation. This is what we're raising. So, I've said it's not just delays; it's delays, safeguarding and funding, which is what we press every week with the UK Government, because there are people who, in Wales, are desperate to welcome their families. We saw one last night on the BBC Wales programme. And they're desperate to come here, they're stuck, they're running out of money and we will do everything that we can to get them here and to support them.
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned. Dyma un o ddibenion cyfarfod â'n gilydd, fel y gwnaethom ni'n rheolaidd dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, fi a'r Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid, yr Arglwydd Harrington, a Neil Gray, y Gweinidog yn Llywodraeth yr Alban oherwydd mae'r Gweinidog yn Llywodraeth yr Alban a minnau'n cytuno yn hyn o beth gan fynegi, ac fe wnaethom ni hynny'n eglur iawn o'r cychwyn, hynny yw, mewn gwirionedd, y llwybr uwch-noddwyr, sy'n golygu, gyda'n hymrwymiad ni yng Nghymru i gefnogi 1,000 o bobl, gan anwybyddu'r angen i nodi noddwyr unigol, a rhoi nawdd yn uniongyrchol oddi wrth Lywodraeth Cymru, neu Lywodraeth yr Alban—.
Maen nhw wedi gweld oedi fel hyn yn yr Alban hefyd, er bod ganddyn nhw fwy hyd yn oed yn gwneud cais yno mewn gwirionedd; mae niferoedd uwch ganddyn nhw yno sy'n gwneud cais i fynd drwy eu llwybr uwch-noddwr nhw o ran cyfran y boblogaeth. Mae hynny'n ddigon teg, ond maen nhw'n parhau i weld oedi fel ninnau. Ond gan ddweud hefyd y gall hynny, mewn gwirionedd, fynd i'r afael â'r mater sy'n ymwneud â diogelu, oherwydd, er enghraifft, o ran y cynllun teuluol, yr wythnos diwethaf fe ddywedais i wrth y Swyddfa Gartref ac wrth y Gweinidog, 'A wnewch chi roi niferoedd ac ardaloedd y teuluoedd sydd wedi dod drwy'r llwybr teuluol i ni?' Nid ydyn nhw'n gallu dweud wrthym ni. Nid yw'r wybodaeth honno ganddyn nhw. Ni allan nhw ddweud wrthym ni faint o ffoaduriaid Wcrainaidd sydd wedi dod drwy'r llwybr teuluol, ac nid oes cyllid o gwbl ar gael i'r teuluoedd, ac, mewn gwirionedd, wrth gwrs, fel y dywedais i yn fy ystadegau, mae mwy wedi dod drwy'r llwybr teuluol na thrwy unrhyw lwybr arall. Y nhw a gafodd eu fisâu yn gyntaf, y rhain a ddaeth drwodd. Ni roddwyd unrhyw wybodaeth i ni am gyllid na'r ffigurau. Nid ydyn nhw'n gallu ei rhoi, hyd yn oed os—. Fe ofynnais i iddyn nhw amdani hi. Felly, mae'r ffordd y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi mynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng ffoaduriaid yn ddiffygiol iawn.
Ac fel y dywedais i'n gynharach, yn yr ymateb i Mark Isherwood, os edrychwch chi ar—. Ac yn hyn o beth fe fu yna raglenni, a straeon yn y wasg, a theuluoedd yn gwneud sylwadau. Y berthynas ragorol a'r undod a'r gefnogaeth y credaf ein bod ni wedi clywed amdanyn nhw, mewn gwirionedd, gan y rhai sydd wedi dod i gwrdd â theuluoedd Cymru, maen nhw wedi cwrdd â'u noddwyr—. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni gydnabod bod cryfderau mawr pan fo hynny'n gweithio gyda threfniadau Cartrefi i Wcráin. Ond fe sylwais i ar ffoadur a oedd wedi gwrthod dod i'r DU. Fe ddigwyddodd popeth mor gyflym yn yr Almaen. Maen nhw'n ei gwneud hi'n hawdd iawn i bobl o Wcráin gael budd-daliadau, a chael gwaith, a chael cymorth. Pam nad ydym ninnau yn y sefyllfa honno?
Felly, rwyf i wedi sôn yn fy natganiad i heddiw, am y tro cyntaf, am y gymhariaeth â'r trefniadau a oedd gennym ni, ac a gefnogwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU, pan oedd y ffoi o Affganistan fis Awst diwethaf, pan oeddem ni'n gwybod pwy oedd yn dod ac roeddem ni'n gallu eu cefnogi nhw. Felly, rydym ni'n parhau i bwyso yn hynny o beth, oherwydd rwyf i o'r farn fod diogelu yn hollbwysig. Ac os caf i ddweud heddiw, os gallwn ni fynegi'r neges ei bod hi'n beryglus i hyd yn oed ystyried neu rannu unrhyw beth ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol, fel Facebook, neu unrhyw gyfleoedd i wneud trefniadau newydd—oherwydd mae hynny wedi gallu arwain at gamfanteisio rhywiol mewn gwirionedd. Dyna'r hyn yr ydym ni'n ei godi. Felly, rwyf i wedi dweud nad oedi yn unig yw ystyr hyn; ond oedi, ie, a diogelu ac ariannu hefyd, sef yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei bwysleisio bob wythnos gyda Llywodraeth y DU, oherwydd mae yna bobl sydd, yng Nghymru, yn awyddus iawn i groesawu teuluoedd. Fe welsom ni rai neithiwr ar raglen BBC Wales. Ac maen nhw'n ysu am gael dod yma, maen nhw'n cael eu rhwystro, mae'r arian yn prinhau ac fe fyddwn ni'n gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i'w cael nhw yma a'u cefnogi nhw.
Minister, everything you've said today in your statement reflects the experiences now of host families in my constituency. Some of these are—. They're just incredible families. They are living in terraced houses in my constituency, have not a great deal of means themselves, but have opened their homes to families from Ukraine, that they want to actually bring here right now. They are having to not only go through what they regard as an opaque system that has no transparency, that has no feedback loop at all for them or for the families whatsoever, that has delays, that is granting visas to some members of the family but not to others, but these families here in Ogmore—and it's typical across Wales and the UK—are then trying to help financially these families who are living elsewhere in other European nations who have taken them in very quickly, and are deeply frustrated.
I worry, Minister, that, actually, the footnotes on this episode have already been written, which are that we have countries within the United Kingdom, like Scotland, like Wales, that have rightly held out their arms and said, 'Come to us, come to us now. We will put in place those procedures to make sure that you are safe to do this officially through official channels', and what we're being frustrated with, and this is not a political point, it is a deeply moral point—. When people argued about taking control back of our borders, I did not think that they meant taking back control to stop refugees fleeing here to the UK, when they were in desperate need of timely intervention. That is now what's happening.
So, Minister, can I thank you for taking up representations that I've made to you on behalf of my constituents who want to open their homes right now to those families? But I urge you, Minister, to keep that argument going, because I think this is going to be an episode in which we take pride in the generosity of the people of these nations, pride in the roles of some of our devolved Governments, and, I have to say, at this moment as we stand here, feel a real deep shame in the role of the UK Government, which seems—my constituents will tell me—to have put every obstacle in place of families coming here when they really need it. That's what taking control back was.
Gweinidog, mae'r cyfan yr ydych chi wedi'i ddweud yn eich datganiad chi heddiw yn adleisio profiadau teuluoedd sy'n gwahodd yn fy etholaeth i nawr. Mae rhai o'r rhain—. Maen nhw'n deuluoedd anhygoel. Maen nhw'n byw mewn tai teras yn fy etholaeth i, nid oes ganddyn nhw lawer o fodd eu hunain, ond maen nhw wedi agor eu cartrefi i deuluoedd o Wcráin, maen nhw'n awyddus iawn i ddod â nhw yma nawr. Ac maen nhw'n gorfod mynd drwy'r hyn y maen nhw'n ei hystyried yn gyfundrefn dywyll iawn, heb unrhyw ddolen ar gyfer adborth o gwbl iddyn nhw nac i'r teuluoedd, sy'n araf, hynny yw sy'n rhoi fisâu i rai aelodau o'r teuluoedd ond nid i eraill, ond mae'r teuluoedd hyn yma yn Ogwr—ac mae hyn yn nodweddiadol o bobl ledled Cymru a'r DU—wedyn yn ceisio rhoi cymorth ariannol i'r teuluoedd hyn sy'n byw mewn mannau eraill yng ngwledydd Ewrop sydd wedi dod â nhw i mewn yn gyflym iawn, ac maen nhw'n rhwystredig iawn.
Rwy'n gofidio, Gweinidog, fod troednodiadau'r bennod hon wedi cael eu hysgrifennu eisoes, sef fod gennym ni wledydd yn y Deyrnas Unedig, fel yr Alban, fel Cymru, sydd wedi estyn eu breichiau a dweud, 'Dewch atom ni, dewch atom ni nawr. Rydym ni am roi'r gweithdrefnau hyn ar waith i sicrhau eich bod chi'n ddiogel wrth wneud hyn yn swyddogol drwy sianeli swyddogol', a'r hyn yr ydym ni'n teimlo yn rhwystredig ynglŷn ag ef, ac nid pwynt gwleidyddol mo hwn, pwynt o ran moesoldeb ydyw—. Pan oedd pobl yn dadlau ynghylch rheoli ein ffiniau ni unwaith eto, nid oeddwn i o'r farn mai dweud bod angen rheoli ffiniau ar gyfer atal ffoaduriaid rhag dod yma i'r DU yr oedden nhw, ffoaduriaid sydd ag angen dirfawr am noddfa amserol. Ond dyna sy'n digwydd ar hyn o bryd.
Felly, Gweinidog, a gaf i ddiolch i chi am dderbyn sylwadau a gyflwynais i chi ar ran fy etholwyr sy'n awyddus i agor eu cartrefi i'r teuluoedd hyn nawr? Ond rwy'n eich annog chi, Gweinidog, i barhau i ddadlau fel hyn, oherwydd rwyf i o'r farn mai pennod fydd hon y byddwn ni'n ymfalchïo yn haelioni pobl y cenhedloedd hyn ynddi hi, gyda balchder yng ngwaith rhai o'n Llywodraethau datganoledig ni, ac, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, ar hyn o bryd fel rydym ni'n sefyll yma, rwy'n teimlo cywilydd mawr iawn oherwydd safbwynt Llywodraeth y DU, sy'n ymddangos—fel bydd fy etholwyr i'n dweud wrthyf i—ei bod wedi rhoi pob rhwystr posibl yn ffordd teuluoedd sy'n dod yma mewn angen gwirioneddol. Dyna beth oedd ystyr rheoli ffiniau unwaith eto.
Thank you very much, Huw Irranca-Davies. And I think that's another important reason why I need to come with my statements here, as regularly as the Llywydd and the Senedd allow me to, because we need to have that feedback. I need to have that feedback, as I've had today. All the words that have been used, 'shambolic', 'disgraceful'—it's not just a deeply moral and ethical point, it's actually hugely important about safeguarding. Because there is no control. This is about, 'You get on with it', and great if it works out, like the wonderful families who've come forward, but it's also an operational point. It's actually how you manage things so that they work. We did manage, with the UK Government, very flexibly, the Syrian refugee displacement scheme, and many of us know of all the Syrian families who've settled in our communities, and also with the Afghanistan refugee scheme in the summer. So, it's important that—and I am with my colleague from the Scottish Government—we're in common course on this as we meet with the Minister for Refugees, Richard Harrington.
But it's also very important—I'll just say, finally—that we are working with the Ukrainian community in Wales, the third sector. We're building links on the ground to reach out to people to make sure that the welcome centres—. The local authorities are not getting the funding, they're not getting even the funding we got for the Afghan refugee crisis. Local authorities are again under huge pressure in terms of meeting these needs. We need to get that right. Even though we won't get the funding, we need to get this right in every local authority area, with all our health boards, and recognise that we've got Urdd Gobaith Cymru, we've got many organisations helping us with our welcome centres, and many volunteers working to make this a nation of sanctuary, which is what Wales is.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Huw Irranca-Davies. Ac rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n rheswm pwysig arall pam mae angen i mi ddod gyda fy natganiadau i'r fan yma, mor rheolaidd ag y bydd y Llywydd a'r Senedd yn caniatáu i mi wneud felly, oherwydd mae angen i ni gael adborth fel hyn. Mae angen i mi gael adborth fel hyn, fel y cefais i heddiw. Mae'r holl eiriau a ddefnyddiwyd, 'didrefn, 'gwarthus'—nid pwynt moesol na moesegol iawn yn unig mohono, mae'n un pwysig iawn o ran diogelu. Oherwydd ni cheir unrhyw reolaeth. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â 'Bwriwch chi ymlaen', ac os yw hynny'n gweithio, ardderchog, fel gyda'r teuluoedd rhagorol sydd wedi dod ymlaen, ond mae hwn yn bwynt o ran gweithredu hefyd. Dyma sut rydych chi'n rheoli pethau fel eu bod nhw'n gweithio. Fe wnaethom ni lwyddo, gyda Llywodraeth y DU, mewn ffordd hyblyg iawn, gyda'r cynllun i ddadleoli ffoaduriaid o Syria, ac mae llawer ohonom ni'n gwybod am yr holl deuluoedd o Syria sydd wedi ymgartrefu yn ein cymunedau ni, a hefyd gyda chynllun ffoaduriaid o Affganistan yn ystod yr haf. Felly, mae hi'n bwysig—ac rwyf i gyda fy nghyd-Aelod o Lywodraeth yr Alban—rydym ni'n gytûn iawn yn hyn o beth pan fyddwn ni'n cyfarfod â'r Gweinidog Ffoaduriaid, Richard Harrington.
Ond mae hi'n bwysig iawn hefyd—fe fyddwn i'n dweud, yn olaf—ein bod ni'n gweithio gyda'r gymuned Wcrainaidd yng Nghymru, y trydydd sector. Rydym ni'n magu cysylltiadau ar lawr gwlad i estyn allan at bobl i sicrhau bod y canolfannau croeso—. Nid yw'r awdurdodau lleol yn cael yr arian, nid ydyn nhw hyd yn oed yn cael yr un arian ag a gawsom ni ar gyfer argyfwng y ffoaduriaid o Affganistan. Unwaith eto, mae awdurdodau lleol o dan bwysau aruthrol o ran diwallu'r anghenion hyn. Mae angen i ni wneud hyn yn iawn. Er nad yw'r arian yn dod i ni, mae angen i ni wneud hyn yn iawn ym mhob ardal awdurdod lleol, gyda phob un o'n byrddau iechyd ni, a chydnabod bod gennym Urdd Gobaith Cymru, mae gennym ni lawer o sefydliadau sy'n ein helpu gyda'n canolfannau croeso, a llawer o wirfoddolwyr yn gweithio i wneud hon yn genedl noddfa, sef yr hyn ydyw Cymru.
Ac yn olaf, Heledd Fychan.
And finally, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Fel rydym yn anffodus yn gwybod, yn aml mae trais a chamfanteisio rhywiol yn rhywbeth sydd yn digwydd fel rhan o ryfel. Mae nifer o adroddiadau am fenywod yn cael eu treisio gan filwyr o Rwsia yn Wcráin. Yn wir, ar 11 Ebrill fe ddarlledodd y BBC dystiolaeth ddirdynnol o Wcráin ynglŷn â hyn. Mae'n anodd dirnad pa mor echrydus mae'r menywod yma wedi cael eu trin, gyda milwyr o Rwsia yn dweud wrth rai ohonynt mai eu bwriad yw eu treisio i'r pwynt lle na fyddent eisiau cysylltiad rhywiol ag unrhyw ddyn, i'w hatal rhag cael plant o Wcráin.
Mae nifer o elusennau wedi bod yn anfon tabledi erthylu meddygol a thabledi atal cenhedlu brys, y morning-after pill, i ardaloedd yn Wcráin sydd wedi eu heffeithio fwyaf. Yn amlwg, fe fydd rhai menywod fydd yn dod i Gymru am noddfa wedi dioddef trais. Fel rhan o'n cyfraniad cymorth dyngarol, pa gefnogaeth sydd wedi ei roi i fenywod sydd wedi eu treisio sydd yn parhau i fod yn Wcráin a hefyd i'r rhai sydd neu a fydd yn dod i Gymru?
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. As we all unfortunately know, sexual violence and exploitation are often witnessed in wars. There are a number of reports of women being raped by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Indeed, on 11 April the BBC broadcast devastating evidence from Ukraine on this issue. It's difficult to comprehend how appallingly these women have been treated, with soldiers from Russia telling many of them that their intention was to abuse them so badly that they wouldn't want sexual contact with any man in future, to prevent them from having children with Ukrainian parents.
A number of charities have been sending medical abortion pills and emergency contraception, the morning-after pill, to parts of Ukraine most affected. Clearly, some of the women who come to Wales for sanctuary will have faced such violence. As part of our humanitarian aid, what support has been given to women who have been raped and who remain in Ukraine, and to those who are in Wales or will come here in future?
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan, and I thank you for raising that important issue as well. The horrors—it's night after night we've seen it, the horrors of the crimes, the war crimes and the rape of women. This is something that is crucially important, that we're able to support, but also get the evidence. This is something that the Counsel General is taking up as well in terms of ensuring that we get that indictment, as it will come, in terms of the horrors of the war crimes from Russian soldiers in Ukraine.
But also you make such a key point, not only are they coming—. It's mainly women and children who are coming here as our refugees, so that means that they're coming with all that they've experienced and their loss—their menfolk are on the front line—their experiences, and with their children. But also, when they come here, they need to have access to that counselling, that support, our violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence services. Also, that makes it so important that we then can provide them with the assurance that we will safeguard them when they come to Wales.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan, a diolch i chi am godi'r mater pwysig yna hefyd. Yr erchyllterau—nos ar ôl nos, dyna yw'r hyn yr ydym ni wedi'i weld, erchyllterau'r troseddau, troseddau rhyfel a threisio menywod. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth sy'n hanfodol bwysig, y gallwn ni ei gefnogi, ond hefyd cael y dystiolaeth. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn rhoi sylw iddo hefyd o ran sicrhau ein bod yn cael y cyhuddiad hwnnw, fel y daw, o ran erchyllterau'r troseddau rhyfel gan filwyr Rwsia yn Wcráin.
Ond hefyd rydych chi'n gwneud pwynt mor allweddol, nid yn unig y maen nhw'n dod—. Menywod a phlant yn bennaf sy'n dod yma fel ein ffoaduriaid ni, felly mae hynny'n golygu eu bod yn dod gyda'r cyfan y maen nhw wedi'i brofi a'u colledion—mae eu dynion ar y rheng flaen—eu profiadau, a gyda'u plant. Ond hefyd, pan fyddan nhw'n dod yma, mae angen iddyn nhw gael mynediad i'r cwnsela hwnnw, y gefnogaeth honno, ein gwasanaethau trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol. Hefyd, mae hynny'n ei gwneud mor bwysig ein bod wedyn yn gallu rhoi sicrwydd iddyn nhw y byddwn ni yn eu diogelu pan fyddan nhw'n dod i Gymru.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf yw'r datganiad gan Weinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg ar bresenoldeb ysgol. Galwaf ar y Gweinidog i wneud y datganiad—Jeremy Miles.
The next item is the statement by the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language on school attendance. I call on the Minister to make his statement—Jeremy Miles.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Rydyn ni i gyd yn gyfarwydd â'r heriau sydd wedi dod i ran ein cymuned addysg ni yn sgil y pandemig. Un o'r rhain yw'r cynnydd yn absenoldeb dysgwyr, a hynny ymhob grŵp blwyddyn ac ymhlith dysgwyr o bob math. Rydyn ni'n gwybod bod yna resymau amrywiol dros yr absenoldeb yma, a bod y sefyllfa wedi gwaethygu dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf. Mae hyn yn un o'r prif elfennau sydd wedi dod i'r amlwg yn sgil yr adolygiad o batrymau absenoldeb, adolygiad y gwnes i ei gomisiynu ddiwedd 2021.
Er mwyn ymateb i'r her gynyddol yma, bydd angen inni edrych ar y system yn ei chyfanrwydd. Heddiw, fe fyddaf i'n datgelu nifer o gamau y byddwn ni fel Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i gefnogi'r gymuned addysg i gefnogi ei dysgwyr.
Mae yna gysylltiad sydd wedi'i hen sefydlu rhwng presenoldeb, cyrhaeddiad a lles. Fy mlaenoriaeth i, uwchlaw dim arall, yw sicrhau bod pob person ifanc yn cael y cyfle i gyflawni ei botensial, beth bynnag ei gefndir. Mae mynd i'r afael gydag absenoldeb yn allweddol i hyn. Hyd yn oed cyn y pandemig, roedd 10.5 y cant o ddisgyblion uwchradd a oedd yn gymwys i gael prydau ysgol am ddim yn absennol, o gymharu â 4.7 y cant o'r rheini nad oedden nhw'n gymwys am brydau ysgol am ddim. Mae'r ffigurau hyn yn drawiadol ac yn galw am ymateb cenedlaethol.
Mae'r lefelau uchel o absenoldeb wedi bod yn dueddiad ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig, ond rhaid inni fod yn ofalus wrth gymharu. Mae ffigurau Lloegr yn seiliedig ar arolwg o ysgolion gyda dim ond 50 y cant i 60 y cant ohonyn nhw wedi ymateb; mae Cymru yn aml yn llwyddo i sicrhau bod bron i 100 y cant o'r ysgolion yn ymateb.
Hefyd, ar gyfer y rhan fwyaf o’r pandemig, mae ein data ni wedi mesur 'ddim yn bresennol'. Felly, mae pob disgybl wedi'i gyfrif yn absennol, hyd yn oed os oedden nhw'n dysgu gartref. Rhesymau diogelu sy'n gyfrifol am hyn. Felly, nid yw bod yn absennol o'r ysgol yr un fath â bod yn absennol o'r dysgu.
Yn gyntaf, fe hoffwn i sôn am gynnydd yn ein cyfathrebu gyda theuluoedd ar lefel genedlaethol ynghylch pa mor bwysig yw hi fod eu plentyn yn mynychu'r ysgol. Mae’r ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf wedi bod yn anhygoel o anodd i lawer o deuluoedd, ac mae'n ddealladwy pam mae hyn wedi creu pryder i gymaint. Rydyn ni wedi bod yn ymwybodol o'r pryderon hyn, ond mae'r cydbwysedd rhwng gwahanol ffactorau niweidiol yn glir bellach.
Mae angen i bobl ifanc fynychu'r ysgol, gweld eu ffrindiau a dysgu yn y dosbarth. Mae hyn yn hanfodol o ran eu lles, yn ogystal â'u haddysg. Fe fyddwn ni felly'n cynyddu ein cyfathrebu gyda rhieni a gofalwyr i fynd i'r afael gydag unrhyw bryderon sydd ganddyn nhw o hyd, gan bwysleisio pwysigrwydd mynd i'r ysgol.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. We are all familiar with the challenges the pandemic has presented to our education community. One of which has been the increase in learner absence, across all year groups and across all characteristics of learners. We know there are a range of reasons or underlying causes for learner absence, and this has been further exacerbated over the last two years. This is a key finding to emerge from the review of attendance patterns, which I commissioned at the end of 2021.
To respond to this growing challenge, we will need a whole-system approach. Today, I will be outlining a number of actions that we as a Government will be taking to support the education community in supporting their learners.
There is a well-established link between attendance, attainment and well-being. My priority, above all else, is to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to reach their potential, regardless of their background. Tackling learner absence is key to this. Even before the pandemic, 10.5 per cent of secondary pupils eligible for free school meals were absent, compared to 4.7 per cent of those who aren't eligible. These figures are stark and require a national response.
The high levels of pupil absence have been a UK-wide trend, but we must be cautious about making comparisons. England's figures are based on a survey of schools with a daily response rate of only 50 to 60 per cent, whereas Wales regularly achieves close to 100 per cent of returns from its schools.
Additionally, for most of the pandemic, our data have measured 'not present'. So, every pupil is counted as absent, even if they were learning from home. This is for safeguarding reasons. So, being absent from school is not the same as being absent from learning.
First, I would like to outline a step up in our national communication to families on the importance of their child attending school. The last two years have been incredibly difficult for many families, and it's understandable why this has caused so many of them a degree of anxiety. We have remained mindful of these anxieties, but the balance of harms is now clear.
Young people need to be attending school. They need to be seeing their friends and they need to be learning in the classroom. This is vital for their well-being and for their education. We will therefore be increasing communication with parents and carers to address any concerns that they still have, and emphasise the importance of going to school.
Our emphasis on community focused schools will play a key role in responding to this challenge. Family engagement officers are vital in ensuring that positive partnerships are created and that bespoke support is offered. Schools that know their families well can ensure that measures are put in place that will help children maintain good engagement and attendance. We've recently provided £3.84 million for family engagement officers, who will establish positive relationships with parents and provide clear guidance and information on good attendance.
While fixed-penalty notices for non-attendance have been available to local authorities during the pandemic, we have generally recommended against their use. We are now at a stage where we can revert back to the previous policy, where they can be used as a last resort. We remain clear that fines are to be used in only the most extreme cases, as part of a range of options and when all efforts to engage with the family have been tried and failed, and where it is evident that there are no underlying reasons that are impacting upon attendance at school. Effective immediately, therefore, all local authorities should revert to guidance on the use of fixed-penalty notices contained within the 2013 guidance on penalty notices for regular non-attendance at school.
In recognition of the changing context, we will be updating the all-Wales attendance framework. As part of this work, I am keen that we review the definition of 'persistent' absence, which is currently considered as being more than 20 per cent absent. This is an important measure, as it is often set as the trigger for certain kinds of intervention, such as the involvement of the education welfare service. So, I believe there is merit in considering having a lower threshold for intervention, which would be accompanied with an increase in support for these services.
During the pandemic, absence has been poorest amongst year 11. To support these learners to prepare for exams, we funded the provision of targeted person-centred transition support of £1.28 million for year 11 learners to support them to progress with confidence and make informed decisions about transitions to the next steps, including further education and higher education.
I am also concerned that we should take all the steps we can to minimise the risk that a high level of absence in this group of learners could lead to a higher number shortly not being in education or training. This is why we've provided £8.5 million of dedicated transition funding to colleges and school sixth forms to support young people with their transition to the next stage of their education or career, enabling activities such as mentoring, taster sessions and additional tutoring.
Estyn, of course, have a role in ensuring that attendance remains a key priority. Estyn will collect data on pupil attendance, and, as part of their pilot inspection framework, are considering schools' and pupil referral units' provision for monitoring and improving attendance. As part of their review of the new inspection arrangements for September 2022, I welcome that Estyn are also now considering how to strengthen their reporting requirements on pupil attendance as part of their increasing focus on equity in education.
It's vital, Dirprwy Lywydd, that every school has a clear attendance policy. To help ensure that is the case, I'll be asking that all schools publish their attendance polices. These should take a whole-school approach and outline how schools follow up on learner absence, and highlight what actions schools are taking to support learners, particularly procedures for identifying and reintegrating long-term absentees.
The pandemic resulted in an increase in the number of children being home educated. The elective home education proposals we have under development will help to ensure that those learners have access to an efficient and suitable education. The wider package of support we're making available is an essential component that will enhance their learning experience and development opportunities, and will include full access to the educational resources on Hwb. We encourage local authorities to work together with families through a supportive approach to enable a return to school.
Today I have outlined just some of the actions we will be taking. As we transition to a longer term approach for responding to coronavirus, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure children's rights and the right to education are at the centre of all that we do.
Bydd ein pwyslais ar ysgolion bro yn chwarae rhan allweddol wrth ymateb i'r her hon. Mae swyddogion ymgysylltu â theuluoedd yn hanfodol i sicrhau bod partneriaethau cadarnhaol yn cael eu creu a bod cymorth pwrpasol yn cael ei gynnig. Gall ysgolion sy'n adnabod eu teuluoedd yn dda sicrhau bod mesurau'n cael eu rhoi ar waith a fydd yn helpu plant i gynnal ymgysylltiad a phresenoldeb da. Rydym wedi darparu £3.84 miliwn yn ddiweddar ar gyfer swyddogion ymgysylltu â theuluoedd, a fydd yn sefydlu perthynas gadarnhaol gyda rhieni ac yn rhoi arweiniad a gwybodaeth glir am bresenoldeb da.
Er bod hysbysiadau cosb benodedig am ddiffyg presenoldeb wedi bod ar gael i awdurdodau lleol yn ystod y pandemig, rydym wedi argymell yn gyffredinol yn erbyn eu defnyddio. Rydym yn awr mewn cyfnod lle y gallwn ni ddychwelyd yn ôl at y polisi blaenorol, pryd y gellir eu defnyddio pan fetho popeth arall. Rydym yn parhau i fod yn glir mai dim ond yn yr achosion mwyaf eithafol y dylid defnyddio dirwyon, fel rhan o amrywiaeth o ddewisiadau a phan fydd pob ymdrech i ymgysylltu â'r teulu wedi'i cheisio ac wedi methu, a phryd mae'n amlwg nad oes unrhyw resymau sylfaenol sy'n effeithio ar bresenoldeb yn yr ysgol. Yn effeithiol ar unwaith, felly, dylai pob awdurdod lleol ddychwelyd at ganllawiau ar ddefnyddio hysbysiadau cosb benodedig a gynhwysir yng nghanllawiau 2013 ar hysbysiadau cosb am ddiffyg presenoldeb rheolaidd yn yr ysgol.
I gydnabod y newid yn y cyd-destun, byddwn yn diweddaru fframwaith presenoldeb Cymru gyfan. Fel rhan o'r gwaith hwn, rwyf yn awyddus i ni adolygu'r diffiniad o absenoldeb 'parhaus', yr ystyrir ar hyn o bryd ei fod yn fwy nag 20 y cant. Mae hwn yn fesur pwysig, gan ei fod yn aml yn cael ei osod fel sbardun ar gyfer mathau penodol o ymyrraeth, fel cynnwys y gwasanaeth lles addysg. Felly, credaf fod rhinwedd mewn ystyried cael trothwy is ar gyfer ymyrryd, a fyddai'n cyd-fynd â chynnydd yn y cymorth i'r gwasanaethau hyn.
Yn ystod y pandemig, mae absenoldeb wedi bod ar ei waethaf ymhlith blwyddyn 11. Er mwyn cefnogi'r dysgwyr hyn i baratoi ar gyfer arholiadau, gwnaethom ariannu'r ddarpariaeth o gymorth pontio wedi'i dargedu sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn o £1.28 miliwn ar gyfer dysgwyr blwyddyn 11 i'w cefnogi i symud ymlaen yn hyderus a gwneud penderfyniadau gwybodus am drosglwyddo i'r camau nesaf, gan gynnwys addysg bellach ac addysg uwch.
Rwyf hefyd yn pryderu y dylem gymryd yr holl gamau a allwn ni i leihau'r risg y gallai lefel uchel o absenoldeb yn y grŵp hwn o ddysgwyr arwain at nifer uwch nad ydyn nhw mewn addysg na hyfforddiant cyn bo hir. Dyna pam yr ydym ni wedi darparu £8.5 miliwn o gyllid pontio penodol i golegau a chweched dosbarth mewn ysgolion i gefnogi pobl ifanc wrth iddyn nhw symud i gam nesaf eu haddysg neu eu gyrfa, gan alluogi gweithgareddau fel mentora, sesiynau blasu a thiwtora ychwanegol.
Wrth gwrs, mae gan Estyn ran i'w chwarae o ran sicrhau bod presenoldeb yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth allweddol. Bydd Estyn yn casglu data ar bresenoldeb disgyblion, ac, fel rhan o'u gwaith treialu fframwaith arolygu, maen nhw'n ystyried darpariaeth i unedau atgyfeirio ysgolion a disgyblion ar gyfer monitro a gwella presenoldeb. Fel rhan o'u hadolygiad o'r trefniadau arolygu newydd ar gyfer mis Medi 2022, rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod Estyn hefyd yn ystyried sut i gryfhau eu gofynion adrodd ar bresenoldeb disgyblion fel rhan o'u pwyslais cynyddol ar degwch mewn addysg.
Mae'n hanfodol, Dirprwy Lywydd, fod gan bob ysgol bolisi presenoldeb clir. Er mwyn helpu i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd, byddaf yn gofyn i bob ysgol gyhoeddi eu polisïau presenoldeb. Dylai'r rhain fabwysiadu dull ysgol gyfan ac amlinellu sut mae ysgolion yn gweithredu yn dilyn absenoldeb dysgwyr, ac amlygu pa gamau y mae ysgolion yn eu cymryd i gefnogi dysgwyr, yn enwedig gweithdrefnau ar gyfer nodi ac ailintegreiddio disgyblion sy'n absennol dros dymor hir.
Arweiniodd y pandemig at gynnydd yn nifer y plant a oedd yn cael eu haddysgu yn y cartref. Bydd y cynigion addysg ddewisol yn y cartref sy'n cael eu datblygu gennym ar hyn o bryd yn helpu i sicrhau bod y dysgwyr hynny'n cael mynediad at addysg effeithlon ac addas. Mae'r pecyn cymorth ehangach yr ydym yn ei ddarparu yn elfen hanfodol a fydd yn gwella eu profiad dysgu a'u cyfleoedd datblygu, a bydd yn cynnwys mynediad llawn i'r adnoddau addysgol ar Hwb. Rydym yn annog awdurdodau lleol i gydweithio â theuluoedd drwy ddull cefnogol i alluogi pobl i ddychwelyd i'r ysgol.
Heddiw, rwyf wedi amlinellu rhai o'r camau y byddwn yn eu cymryd. Wrth i ni symud i ddull tymor hwy ar gyfer ymateb i coronafeirws, byddwn yn parhau i weithio gyda'n partneriaid i sicrhau bod hawliau plant a'r hawl i addysg wrth wraidd popeth a wnawn.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Laura Anne Jones.
Conservative spokesperson, Laura Anne Jones.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you very much for your statement, Minister. We welcome, of course, what you've outlined and what is being done so far on what is a very worrying rise in school attendance at the moment in Wales. Of course, it all comes down to, in my opinion, behaviour, choice and lack of support, and of course the mental health impact of, particularly, COVID.
As you've mentioned, the COVID impact has had a hugely significant effect on all our lives and all aspects of education in Wales. As we know, prior to the pandemic, maintained school attendance data was published annually in a form that was summarised for a whole academic year. The most recent published data for the period before the pandemic is the 2018-19 academic year. However, the data since the start of the pandemic has shown some very worrying trends. There are higher rates of absences in secondary schools, there are higher rates with primary schools, and far more absences for disadvantaged learners, those eligible for free school meals and pupils with additional learning needs, those with an special educational needs statement or on school action plus.
During the pandemic, we have seen that schools have reported to the attendance review that their attendance has been down, typically by 5 per cent and usually within a range of 2 per cent to 10 per cent. As the report highlights, some learners have established a pattern of not attending school during lockdown that they and their families are finding difficult or unnecessary to change. The review even suggests that, even after disaggregating COVID-related reasons, attendance generally has not returned to pre-COVID levels yet. This is clearly an issue. Minister, how are you going to address the issue and encourage the full return to class at at least pre-pandemic levels? Not only do we need to see a firm encouragement back to the classroom, but we need to have better safeguarding and support—mainly support—in place for those who have unexplained long-term absences.
Also, Minister, how are you going to better closely monitor long-term absences, and will you change the related trigger points for interventions to ensure absences aren't missed? It's also known from the attendance review that deteriorating absence can be a precursor to and predictor of a range of behavioural and emotional problems for learners that, if not addressed, may lead to the exclusion of these learners from school. So, really stepping in at the right time—.
And finally, Minister, it is clear that this is now a good chance to tackle truancy and our chance to make sure that students are in the classroom. So, will you undertake further research into the use of fixed-penalty notices and their impact on learner attendance patterns, improving learner experiences, now that fines are returning, to see if they are actually working or not? However, what is clear, though, is that, prior to the pandemic, one of the best ways for improving attendance was based on an acknowledgement that attendance will improve if learners want to come to school and if they find what is offered engaging, interesting and relevant to them, and, of course, obviously, since the pandemic, whether the support's been there or not. I know as I've been going around south-east Wales recently, I've met a lot of pupils that have found it difficult to get back into school, purely because of the mental health impact of the pandemic and the struggles that they had.
We must take a multipronged approach to this issue and use all levers available to Government, whether it be strengthening fixed-penalty notices or ensuring the educational offering is up to a certain standard and enticing for the learner, and that that support—mainly that support—is in place.
Minister, although your statement is a start, we cannot rest on our laurels and we should now be looking to make the most of this opportunity now after this review to ensure that no child needlessly misses time in the classroom if at all possible. Thank you.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch yn fawr am eich datganiad, Gweinidog. Rydym yn croesawu, wrth gwrs, yr hyn yr ydych chi wedi'i amlinellu a'r hyn sy'n cael ei wneud hyd yma ar yr hyn sy'n gynnydd pryderus iawn o ran presenoldeb mewn ysgolion ar hyn o bryd yng Nghymru. Wrth gwrs, mae'r cyfan yn ymwneud, yn fy marn i, ag ymddygiad, dewis a diffyg cefnogaeth, ac wrth gwrs effaith COVID ar iechyd meddwl, yn arbennig.
Fel yr ydych chi wedi sôn, mae effaith COVID wedi cael effaith sylweddol iawn ar ein bywydau ni i gyd a phob agwedd ar addysg yng Nghymru. Fel y gwyddom, cyn y pandemig, cyhoeddwyd data presenoldeb ysgol a gynhelir yn flynyddol ar ffurf a grynhowyd ar gyfer blwyddyn academaidd gyfan. Y data diweddaraf a gyhoeddwyd ar gyfer y cyfnod cyn y pandemig yw blwyddyn academaidd 2018-19. Fodd bynnag, mae'r data ers dechrau'r pandemig wedi dangos tueddiadau sy'n peri pryder mawr. Mae cyfraddau uwch o absenoldebau mewn ysgolion uwchradd, mae cyfraddau uwch mewn ysgolion cynradd, a llawer mwy o absenoldebau o ran dysgwyr difreintiedig, y rhai sy'n gymwys i gael prydau ysgol am ddim a disgyblion ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, y rhai â datganiad anghenion addysgol arbennig neu'r rhai sy'n destun gweithredu gan yr ysgol a mwy.
Yn ystod y pandemig, gwelsom fod ysgolion wedi adrodd i'r adolygiad presenoldeb bod eu presenoldeb wedi gostwng, 5 y cant yn nodweddiadol ac fel arfer rhwng 2 y cant a 10 y cant. Fel y mae'r adroddiad yn amlygu, roedd rhai dysgwyr wedi sefydlu patrwm o beidio â mynychu'r ysgol yn ystod y cyfyngiadau symud y maen nhw a'u teuluoedd yn ei chael yn anodd eu newid neu'n gweld hyn yn ddiangen. Mae'r adolygiad hyd yn oed yn awgrymu, hyd yn oed ar ôl dadgyfuno rhesymau sy'n gysylltiedig â COVID, nad yw presenoldeb yn gyffredinol wedi dychwelyd i lefelau cyn COVID eto. Mae hyn yn amlwg yn broblem. Gweinidog, sut ydych chi am fynd i'r afael â'r mater ac annog pobl i ddychwelyd yn llawn i'r dosbarth o leiaf i lefelau cyn y pandemig? Nid yn unig y mae angen i ni weld anogaeth gadarn yn ôl i'r ystafell ddosbarth, ond mae angen i ni gael gwell diogelwch a chefnogaeth—cymorth yn bennaf—ar waith, i'r rheini sydd ag absenoldebau hirdymor anesboniadwy.
Hefyd, Gweinidog, sut ydych chi yn mynd i fonitro absenoldebau hirdymor yn well, ac a wnewch chi newid y trothwy cysylltiedig ar gyfer ymyriadau er mwyn sicrhau na chaiff absenoldebau eu methu? Mae'n hysbys hefyd o'r adolygiad presenoldeb y gall absenoldeb sy'n dirywio fod yn rhagflaenydd i ystod o broblemau ymddygiadol ac emosiynol i ddysgwyr a allai, os na eir i'r afael â nhw, arwain at wahardd y dysgwyr hyn o'r ysgol. Felly, mewn gwirionedd, camu i mewn ar yr adeg iawn—.
Ac yn olaf, Gweinidog, mae'n amlwg bod hwn bellach yn gyfle da i fynd i'r afael â thriwantiaeth a chyfle i ni i sicrhau bod myfyrwyr yn yr ystafell ddosbarth. Felly, a wnewch chi gynnal ymchwil pellach i'r defnydd o hysbysiadau cosb benodedig a'u heffaith ar batrymau presenoldeb dysgwyr, gwella profiadau dysgwyr, gan fod dirwyon bellach yn dychwelyd, i weld a ydyn nhw yn gweithio ai peidio? Fodd bynnag, yr hyn sy'n glir, serch hynny, yw, cyn y pandemig, roedd un o'r ffyrdd gorau o wella presenoldeb wedi ei seilio ar y gydnabyddiaeth bod presenoldeb yn gwella os yw dysgwyr eisiau dod i'r ysgol ac os ydyn nhw'n canfod fod yr hyn a gynigir yn atyniadol, yn ddiddorol ac yn berthnasol iddyn nhw, ac, wrth gwrs, yn amlwg, ers y pandemig, pa un a yw'r cymorth wedi bod yno ai peidio. Rwy'n gwybod gan fy mod wedi bod yn mynd o gwmpas y de-ddwyrain yn ddiweddar, rwyf wedi cwrdd â llawer o ddisgyblion sydd wedi ei chael yn anodd dychwelyd i'r ysgol, dim ond oherwydd effaith y pandemig ar iechyd meddwl a'r trafferthion a gawson nhw.
Rhaid i ni fabwysiadu ymagwedd amlbroffesiwn tuag at y mater hwn a defnyddio'r holl ddulliau sydd ar gael i'r Llywodraeth, boed hynny'n cryfhau hysbysiadau cosb benodedig neu'n sicrhau bod y cynnig addysgol yn cyrraedd safon benodol ac yn ddeniadol i'r dysgwr, a bod y cymorth hwnnw—y cymorth hwnnw'n bennaf—ar waith.
Gweinidog, er bod eich datganiad yn fan cychwyn, ni allwn laesu dwylo a dylem ni yn awr fod yn ceisio manteisio i'r eithaf ar y cyfle hwn ar ôl yr adolygiad hwn i sicrhau nad oes unrhyw blentyn yn colli amser yn yr ystafell ddosbarth yn ddiangen os yw hynny'n bosibl. Diolch.
I thank Laura Anne Jones for her questions and I think she makes some very, very important points in her contribution, if I may say. I think it is right, as she says, that this is a set of challenges where moving from a pandemic to an endemic state in terms of the school system's response to COVID is absolutely not going to guarantee that we revert to the levels of attendance that happened before COVID. That is absolutely clear, and I absolutely endorse the point that she made that the Government must have a range of levers available to support the system, but that we will make most progress in continuing the approach that we've adopted throughout, which is to support families, support learners to come back into school, so I wholeheartedly agree with those points that she makes.
There is a challenge, obviously, in asking schools, effectively, to grapple with a new set of challenges here, and that is what this entails. So, I hope that the additional investment in relation to the family engagement officer workforce will, as I expect, be valuable and be welcomed. It's through the work of that workforce, that part of our professional workforce, which is around establishing positive relationships with parents, with carers, with learners themselves, providing clear guidance, a clear set of expectations, but also the kind of reassurance that goes with that, and also understanding that, as we have said many times in this Chamber, the experience of individual learners over the last two years is individual to them, isn't it, and I think insofar as we can, to reflect that and to have a kind of bespoke approach tailored to the needs of individual families as far as that's possible.
She asked about the trigger points—I think that was the term that she used—and we will be looking at some of those, including, as I mentioned in my statement, the definition of persistent absence. I worry that is possibly set at too high a level at this point, and so the sorts of interventions that we will need ought to be available— ought to be triggered, if you like—at a lower level of absence, I think, than perhaps they might be otherwise, so I've asked for work to be done to look at that. As you will have seen, that's a recommendation in the report itself.
I do think the link between absence and mental health and well-being is both cause and effect, if you like; I think it has a complex relationship with well-being. And so the work that we are already doing, but building on, in terms of the whole-system approach to emotional and mental well-being, needs to be very mindful of that link and of that connection.
She raised the point in particular around the experience of learners with additional learning needs. We are looking at—. We're going to revise or revisit our guidance on exclusions. We've already commissioned some research from universities to help us understand the connection between exclusion and various characteristics, including additional learning needs, and we'll be working during the course of this year on amending that guidance to provide a more useful tool, reflecting the last two years.
Just to close, I think one of the themes in a number of our interventions is to make the school boundaries more porous, if you like. So, whether it's making Hwb resources available to those who are learning at home, whether it's the expansion of our community-focused schools model, and that includes, also, support to trial the role of community schools managers, it's to enable that bridging of the school world and the world of home to be a little more seamless. And part of that is a review, which is already under way, of our blended learning strategy, which I think goes some way to reflecting at least one of the points that she made in her question, which is about ensuring that when not in school, there is support for those learners to experience blended learning and come back into the world of the school in due course.
Diolch i Laura Anne Jones am ei chwestiynau ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn gwneud rhai pwyntiau pwysig iawn yn ei chyfraniad, os caf i ddweud. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn iawn, fel y mae hi'n ei ddweud, fod hon yn gyfres o heriau pryd nad yw symud o bandemig i gyflwr endemig o ran ymateb y system ysgolion i COVID yn mynd i warantu ein bod yn dychwelyd i'r lefelau presenoldeb a ddigwyddodd cyn COVID. Mae hynny'n gwbl glir, ac rwy'n llwyr gefnogi'r pwynt a wnaeth fod yn rhaid i'r Llywodraeth gael amrywiaeth o ddulliau i gefnogi'r system, ond ein bod yn gwneud y cynnydd mwyaf o ran parhau â'r dull yr ydym wedi'i fabwysiadu drwyddi draw, sef cefnogi teuluoedd, cefnogi dysgwyr i ddychwelyd i'r ysgol, felly rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â'r pwyntiau hynny y mae'n eu gwneud.
Mae her, yn amlwg, wrth ofyn i ysgolion, i bob pwrpas, fynd i'r afael â chyfres newydd o heriau yma, a dyna beth mae hyn yn ei olygu. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y buddsoddiad ychwanegol mewn cysylltiad â gweithlu'r swyddogion ymgysylltu â theuluoedd, fel yr wyf yn disgwyl, yn werthfawr ac yn cael ei groesawu. Drwy waith y gweithlu hwnnw, y rhan honno o'n gweithlu proffesiynol, sy'n ymwneud â sefydlu perthynas gadarnhaol â rhieni, gyda gofalwyr, gyda dysgwyr eu hunain, darparu arweiniad clir, cyfres glir o ddisgwyliadau, ond hefyd y math o sicrwydd sy'n mynd gyda hynny, a deall hefyd, fel yr ydym ni wedi dweud droeon yn y Siambr hon, bod profiad dysgwyr unigol dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf yn unigol iddyn nhw, onid yw e', ac rwy'n credu i'r graddau y gallwn ni, adlewyrchu hynny a chael rhyw fath o ddull pwrpasol wedi'i deilwra i anghenion teuluoedd unigol cyn belled ag y bo hynny'n bosibl.
Gofynnodd am y trothwyon—rwy'n credu mai dyna'r term a ddefnyddiodd—a byddwn yn edrych ar rai o'r rheini, gan gynnwys, fel y soniais i yn fy natganiad, y diffiniad o absenoldeb parhaus. Rwy'n poeni y gallai hynny fod wedi'i osod ar lefel rhy uchel ar hyn o bryd, ac felly dylai'r math o ymyriadau y bydd eu hangen arnom ni fod ar gael—dylen nhw gael eu sbarduno, os mynnwch chi—ar lefel is o absenoldeb yn hytrach na fel arall efallai, felly rwyf wedi gofyn i waith gael ei wneud i edrych ar hynny. Fel y byddwch wedi gweld, mae hynny'n argymhelliad yn yr adroddiad ei hun.
Rwy'n credu bod y cysylltiad rhwng absenoldeb ac iechyd meddwl a llesiant yn achos ac yn effaith, os mynnwch chi; rwy'n credu bod ganddo berthynas gymhleth â llesiant. Ac felly mae angen i'r gwaith yr ydym ni eisoes yn ei wneud, ond gan adeiladu arno, o ran y dull system gyfan o ymdrin â llesiant emosiynol a meddyliol, fod yn ymwybodol iawn o'r cysylltiad hwnnw.
Cododd y pwynt yn benodol ynghylch profiad dysgwyr ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Rydym yn edrych ar—. Rydym yn mynd i adolygu neu ailedrych ar ein canllawiau ar allgáu. Rydym eisoes wedi comisiynu rhywfaint o ymchwil gan brifysgolion i'n helpu ni i ddeall y cysylltiad rhwng allgáu a nodweddion amrywiol, gan gynnwys anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, a byddwn yn gweithio yn ystod y flwyddyn hon ar ddiwygio'r canllawiau hynny i ddarparu offeryn mwy defnyddiol, gan adlewyrchu'r ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf.
I gloi, rwy'n credu mai un o'r themâu mewn nifer o'n hymyriadau yw gwneud ffiniau'r ysgolion yn fwy mân-dyllog, os mynnwch chi. Felly, pa un a yw'n sicrhau bod adnoddau Hwb ar gael i'r rhai sy'n dysgu gartref, neu ehangu ein model ysgolion bro, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys, hefyd, cymorth i dreialu swyddogaeth rheolwyr ysgolion cymunedol, mae'n galluogi i'r gwaith o bontio byd yr ysgol a byd y cartref fod ychydig yn fwy di-dor. A rhan o hynny yw adolygiad, sydd eisoes ar y gweill, o'n strategaeth dysgu cyfunol, sydd, yn fy marn i, yn mynd rhan o'r ffordd i adlewyrchu o leiaf un o'r pwyntiau a wnaeth yn ei chwestiwn, sy'n ymwneud â sicrhau, pan nad ydyn nhw yn yr ysgol, fod cefnogaeth i'r dysgwyr hynny i brofi dysgu cyfunol a dod yn ôl i fyd yr ysgol maes o law.
Ar ran Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.
On behalf of Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Mae'n hyfryd gweld cymaint o blant ifanc yn ein gwylio ni y prynhawn yma yn y Siambr—croeso i chi.
Gwyddom oll pa mor bwysig yw presenoldeb ysgol o ran cyrhaeddiad a lles plant a phobl ifanc, fel y gwnaethoch ei nodi yn y datganiad. A fel rhywun a fu yn y gorffennol yn lywodraethwraig ysgol gyda chyfrifoldeb am bresenoldeb, gwn hefyd pa mor heriol y gall fod i ysgolion, a bod athrawon ledled y wlad yn ceisio llu o ffyrdd amrywiol a gwahanol i sicrhau bod lefelau presenoldeb mor uchel â phosib.
Mae'n bwysig hefyd cofio bod rhesymau dilys iawn pam bod rhai plant yn peidio â mynd i'r ysgol. Cyfarfûm â rhiant oedd eisiau i ysgol roedd ei phlant ynddi ddiddymu system a oedd yn gwobrwyo presenoldeb gan fod gan un o'i phlant gyflwr meddygol oedd yn golygu ei fod yn colli nifer o ddyddiau ysgol oherwydd apwyntiadau a thriniaethau meddygol. Roedd ei phlentyn yn teimlo'n fethiant oherwydd y negeseuon parhaus yn yr ysgol am bwysigrwydd presenoldeb ac yn crio os oedd yn rhaid iddyn nhw golli diwrnod o ysgol—rhywbeth a oedd yn gorfod digwydd yn wythnosol.
Dwi'n falch o glywed y Gweinidog, o ran yr hysbysiadau cosb benodedig, yn pwysleisio bod rheswm dilys angen cael ei gymryd i ystyriaeth. A gaf i ofyn, felly, pa asesiad sydd wedi'i wneud o effeithiolrwydd y system cosb benodedig, ac oes yna unrhyw newidiadau wedi'u gwneud i ganllawiau 2013? Oherwydd, wedi'r cyfan, mi ydyn ni wedi clywed straeon am rieni yn derbyn y gosb yma er gwaethaf y ffaith bod rhesymau dilys.
Awgrymodd adroddiad Erlyn Rhieni y gall bygwth ac erlyn rhieni fod yn ddibwrpas ac yn niweidiol. Ac mi oedd y mwyafrif a wnaeth ymateb i arolwg gan Erlyn Rhieni yn nodi, oherwydd absenoldeb eu plant, fod y mwyafrif yn gwrthod mynd i'r ysgol oherwydd bod ganddyn nhw anawsterau ymddygiadol, niwrolegol neu, fel y cyfeiriwyd ato eisoes, iechyd meddwl gwael, a'u bod nhw wedi cael trafferth cael apwyntiadau CAMHS ac ati a chefnogaeth i'w plant. Roedd pob rhiant wnaeth ymateb i'r arolwg hwnnw yn dymuno cael eu plant i'r ysgol, ond mi oedden nhw'n dweud yn aml ei bod hi'n amhosib, oherwydd bod yr adwaith mor eithafol o ran ofn a gorbryder, methu cysgu, hunan-niweidio ac ati, ei bod hi'n drawmatig ofnadwy i'r rhieni a'r gofalwyr hynny o ran ceisio cael eu plant i'r ysgol. Hefyd bod plant yn cael eu bwlio oherwydd, efallai, anallu mynd i'r ysgol, oherwydd cyflwr meddygol ac ati. Dwi'n meddwl ei bod hi'n eithriadol o bwysig ein bod ni'n cael hyn yn iawn wrth ichi fod yn annog awdurdodau unwaith eto i fod yn rhoi hysbysiadau cosb benodedig. Fedrwn ni ddim bod yn cosbi rhieni a gofalwyr yn y sefyllfa fan hyn pan fod dirfawr angen mwy o wasanaethau i gefnogi'r plant a phobl ifanc yma.
Mi wyddom ni hefyd fod yr argyfwng costau byw yn cael effaith mawr o ran presenoldeb ar adegau. Rydyn ni wedi cyfeirio ato yn y gorffennol, rydyn ni'n gwybod bod absenoldebau'n uwch ar ddiwrnodau gwisgo, fel Diwrnod y Llyfr, ac ati. Rydyn ni hefyd yn gwybod os ydy rhieni'n cael trafferth o ran talu am gostau bws, os ydy plentyn wedi colli bws i'r ysgol, fod hwnna, weithiau, yn rheswm. Hefyd, mae rhai rhieni dim ond yn gallu fforddio mynd â phlant ar wyliau, rŵan, yn ystod y tymor ysgol. Mae nifer o brifathrawon yn sensitif iawn o ran hynny os ydy presenoldeb wedi bod yn uchel fel arall, ond mae'n rhaid inni gydnabod bod gan blant yr hawl i gael hwyl a gwyliau hefyd, nid dim ond addysg, a bod teuluoedd dan straen aruthrol.
Mae'n rhaid sicrhau, felly, fod unrhyw strategaeth a chyfathrebiad yn sensitif o ran y rhai hynny lle mae rhesymau dilys iawn o ran colli'r ysgol, a lle mae presenoldeb o unrhyw fath, megis i blentyn sydd â nifer o apwyntiadau meddygol, yn rhywbeth i’w ddathlu. Rhaid bod targedau pob ysgol yn cymryd disgyblion o'r fath i ystyriaeth, gan gynnwys y gefnogaeth sydd ar gael i ddysgwyr a'u rhieni. Fe gyfeirioch yn benodol at rôl allweddol Estyn yn hyn, a mawr obeithiaf y byddant yn sicrhau bod modd i ysgolion gofnodi yr ystod o resymau pam fod dysgwr yn absennol i ni ddeall yn well pam fod problem.
Fe gyfeirioch yn y datganiad at y buddsoddiad gafodd ei neilltuo ar gyfer dysgwyr blwyddyn 11 yn benodol. Yn amlwg, mae hyn yn destun pryder a da gweld bod gwariant penodol wedi ei neilltuo ar ei gyfer. Fyddai'r Gweinidog yn gallu amlinellu sut cafodd yr arian hwn ei wario a pha mor effeithiol oedd y gwariant o ran gwella presenoldeb? Ac oes asesiad wedi ei wneud o hyn? Diolch.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's wonderful to see so many young people watching us today in the Chamber—a warm welcome to you.
We all know how important school attendance is in terms of children and young people's attainment and well-being, as you noted in your statement. And as one who was in the past a school governor with responsibility for school attendance, I know how challenging it can be for schools, and that teachers across the country are trying all sorts of diverse approaches to ensure that school attendance levels are as high as possible.
It's important to bear in mind that there are very valid reasons why some children don't attend school. I met a parent who wanted her children's school to scrap a system that rewarded attendance because one of her children had a medical condition that meant that he missed a number of school days because of medical appointments and treatment. Her child felt a failure because of the ongoing messaging within the school on the importance of school attendance and cried if they had to miss a day's school—something that had to happen on a weekly basis.
I'm pleased to hear the Minister, in terms of the fixed-penalty notices, emphasising that a valid reason would need to be taken into account. Can I ask, therefore, what assessment has been made of the efficacy of the fixed-penalty notice system, and whether any changes have been made to the guidance published in 2013? Because, after all, we have heard stories about parents being given a fixed-penalty notice despite the fact that they have valid reasons.
The Prosecuting Parents report said that prosecuting parents can be pointless and damaging. The majority that responded to a survey from Prosecuting Parents noted, because of their children's attendance, most refused to go to school because of behavioural, neurological or, as has been referred to, mental health problems, and that they had had problems in getting CAMHS appointments and so forth, and relevant support for their children. Every parent that responded to that survey wanted to see their children attend school, but they said that it was often impossible, because the response was so extreme in terms of fear and anxiety, failure to sleep, self-harm and so on, that it was very traumatic for those parents and carers in trying to get those children to school. And also the children were bullied, sometimes because of their inability to go to school, because of a medical condition and so on. I do think that it's extremely important that we do get this right as you encourage local authorities to give fixed-penalty notices once again. We can't be punishing parents and carers in this situation when there is grave need for more services to support these children and young people.
We also know that the cost-of-living crisis is having a grave impact in terms of school attendance at times. We've referred to it in the past and we know that absences are higher on dressing-up days, such as World Book Day. We also know that if parents are having problems paying for the bus, if the child misses the bus to school, that can be another reason. Also, some parents can only afford to take their children on holiday during the school term. Many headteachers are very sensitive to that if attendance has been high otherwise, but we have to acknowledge that children have a right to have fun and a holiday, not just education, and that families are under huge pressures.
We have to therefore ensure that any strategy and any communication is handled sensitively in terms of those where there are good reasons for lack of attendance, and where attendance of any kind, for example, a child with a number of medical appointments, is something to be celebrated. School targets must take such pupils into account, including the support available for learners and their parents. You made specific reference in terms of Estyn's key role in this and I very much hope that they will ensure that schools will be able to record the range of reasons why a learner may be absent so that we can better understand what the problems are.
You referred in your statement to the investment that was allocated to year 11 students particularly. Clearly, this is a cause of concern and it's good to see that expenditure has been allocated for this. Could the Minister outline how that money was spent and how effective that spending was in terms of improving attendance? And has any assessment been made of this? Thank you.
Diolch i Heledd Fychan am y cwestiynau hynny. Does dim byd yn y datganiad y gwnes i ei wneud sydd yn awgrymu y dylai'r pethau pwysig y gwnaeth hi eu codi yn ei sylwadau gael eu hanwybyddu. Mae, wrth gwrs, yn bwysig ein bod ni'n teilwra'r ffordd rŷn ni'n ymateb i'r heriau yma yn ôl amgylchiadau dysgwyr unigol a sefyllfa'r teulu, ac mae wedi rhoi amryw o enghreifftiau ac mae llawer eraill o enghreifftiau dilys hefyd, sydd yn disgrifio'r berthynas gymhleth, efallai, mewn amryw o gyd-destunau rhwng absenoldeb a phresenoldeb a'r ffactorau eraill y gwnaeth hi sôn amdanyn nhw.
Un o'r prif newidiadau, efallai, o'r canllawiau yn 2013—does dim newid wedi bod i'r canllawiau eu hunain—yw i gefnogi ysgolion i allu darparu'r modd mwy cefnogol hwnnw, i gydweithio gyda theuluoedd i wneud hynny, sy'n adlewyrchu amgylchiadau penodol y teulu hwnnw. Felly, mae'r buddsoddiad ychwanegol, gyda'r bwriad o greu mwy o gapasiti a mwy o arbenigedd a mwy o allu yn ein hysgolion i allu gwneud hynny hefyd. Dwi eisiau jest bod yn glir: gwnaeth hi ddweud yn ei datganiad am y ffaith ein bod ni'n annog awdurdodau lleol i wneud hyn. Nid dyna rwy'n ei wneud heddiw, rwyf i jest yn dweud bod cyfle i fynd nôl i'r canllawiau a oedd gennym ni cyn y cyfnod COVID. Mae wir yn bwysig bod hyn yn digwydd fel rhan o ystod o gamau y gall awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion eu cymryd. Ac fel y gwnes i ddweud yn fy ateb i gwestiynau Laura Anne Jones, mae'n rhaid cefnogi a chydweithio, a dyna'r ffordd fwyaf adeiladol i'r rhan fwyaf o bobl allu sicrhau bod eu plant nôl yn yr ysgol.
Mae'n gwneud pwynt pwysig ynglŷn â chostau'r dydd ysgol. Bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod ein bod ni wedi, wrth gwrs, cymryd amryw o gamau i gefnogi'r teuluoedd sy'n ei chael hi'n fwyaf anodd i allu fforddio rhai o'r prif elfennau o gost y diwrnod ysgol, a rŷn ni hefyd wedi darparu canllawiau pellach drwy gydweithio â'r trydydd sector i sicrhau bod gan ysgolion ganllawiau penodol ynglŷn â sut i leihau'r risg pwysig y mae hi'n sôn amdano fe, a bod hynny yn digwydd. Mae'r profiad o wybod eich bod chi ddim yn gallu fforddio, fel yr oedd hi'n ei ddweud, gwisgo i fyny neu fynd i'r ysgol ar ddiwrnodau penodol, mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn destun gofid i lawer o deuluoedd. Felly, mae wir yn bwysig bod ysgolion yn ymateb i'r canllawiau hynny.
Jest i gloi, mae gan bob rhan o'r system addysg rôl i'w chwarae yn hyn, ac fel yr oedd hi'n sôn yn ei chwestiynau, mae rôl bwysig gan Estyn i sicrhau'r berthynas ag ysgolion i ddeall beth yw'r patrwm, i ddeall beth yw'r data, os hoffech chi, ond hefyd i ddeall pam fod hyn yn digwydd—mae hynny'n rhan bwysig hefyd o'r dadansoddiad ac o'r ymateb.
I thank Heledd Fychan for those questions. There is nothing in the statement that I made that suggests that the important issues that she raised in her comments should be ignored. It is, of course, important that we tailor the way that we respond to these challenges according to the circumstances of individual pupils and the situations of the different families, and she gave many examples and there are several other valid examples that describe the complex relationship, perhaps, in various contexts between presence and absence and the different factors that she talked about.
One of the main changes from the guidance in 2013—there hasn't been any change to the guidance itself—is to support schools to be able to provide that more supportive approach, to collaborate with families to do what reflects the circumstances of that specific family. So, the additional investment has been made with the intention of creating more capacity and expertise and ability within our schools to be able to make that response. I just want to be clear: she said in her statement about the fact that we encourage local authorities to do this. That's not what I'm doing today, I'm just saying that there's an opportunity to go back to the guidance that we had pre COVID. It's very important that this happens as part of a range of steps that local authorities and schools can take. And as I said in my response to Laura Anne Jones, we have to support and collaborate, and that is the most constructive way for the majority of people to ensure that their children are present in school.
She makes an important point in terms of the costs of the school day. The Member will know, of course, that we have taken several steps to support those families who have greatest difficulty in affording some of those main cost elements with regard to the school day, and we have also provided further guidance in collaboration with the third sector to ensure that schools do have specific guidance in terms of how to decrease the important risk that she talked about, and that that happens. The experience of knowing that you can't afford, as she said, a costume or to attend school on specific days, that is, of course, a concern to many families. So, it is important that schools do respond to those guidelines.
Just to conclude, every part of the education system, I believe, has a role to play in this, and as she said in her questions, Estyn has an important role to play in ensuring that the relationship with schools is there to understand what the patterns are, to understand what the data are, but also to understand why this happens—that is part of the analysis and the response.
Ac yn olaf, Jayne Bryant, Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc, ac Addysg.
And finally, Jayne Bryant, Chair of the Children, Young People, and Education Committee.
