Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
21/02/2024Cynnwys
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.
Prynhawn da a chroeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn y prynhawn yma, a'r cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd sydd gyntaf y prynhawn yma. Mae cwestiwn 1 [OQ60703] wedi'i dynnu yn ôl. Cwestiwn 2 fydd gyntaf, felly. Sioned Williams.
Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. Questions to the Minister for Climate Change are first this afternoon. Question 1 [OQ60703] is withdrawn. Question 2 is first, therefore. Sioned Williams.
2. Sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OQ60682
2. How is the Government supporting public transport in South Wales West? OQ60682
Diolch am y cwestiwn.
Thank you for the question.
Delivering our vision of safe, accessible and affordable public transport across Wales continues to be our priority. The Welsh Government continues to provide high levels of public subsidy to support public transport.
Mae cyflawni ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus sy’n ddiogel, yn fforddiadwy ac yn hawdd ei defnyddio ledled Cymru yn flaenoriaeth i ni o hyd. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i ddarparu lefelau uchel o gymorthdaliadau cyhoeddus i gefnogi trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus.
Diolch, Weinidog. In a report discussed this morning by the corporate joint committee for south-west Wales regarding their regional transport plan, they said that the current transport network does not adequately serve the people of the region, and this is contributing to poor outcomes including limiting access to employment, ill health, negative environmental impacts and social exclusion, and later on it says that rail and bus services provide key linkages between main areas of population, but both have seen limited investment in the recent past. And at a time, of course, when the region’s economy will be greatly impacted by the threat to jobs at Tata Steel, an inadequate transport system will serve to amplify the economic challenges and deepen social inequalities.
There’s been some good news recently with the coalition administration at Neath Port Talbot Council successfully reinstating a number of bus routes that had been cut earlier in the year—ones that I’d referred to previously in the Chamber—and that ongoing work on the Swansea bay and west Wales metro has resulted in a number of feasible recommendations. However, while the evidence of progress on the south Wales metro is unmissable when travelling through the neighbouring Valleys communities, there’s been no similar physical progression for many of the communities that I represent. So, can the Deputy Minister provide an update on the progress of the Swansea bay metro and timescales for when residents can expect to see improvements? Diolch.
Diolch, Weinidog. Mewn adroddiad a drafodwyd y bore yma gan gyd-bwyllgor corfforedig de-orllewin Cymru ynghylch eu cynllun trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol, dywedasant nad yw’r rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth presennol yn gwasanaethu pobl y rhanbarth yn ddigonol, a bod hyn yn cyfrannu at ganlyniadau gwael, gan gynnwys cyfyngu ar fynediad at gyflogaeth, afiechyd, effeithiau amgylcheddol negyddol ac allgáu cymdeithasol, ac yn nes ymlaen, mae'n dweud bod gwasanaethau rheilffyrdd a bysiau yn darparu cysylltiadau allweddol rhwng prif ardaloedd poblogaeth, ond mai ychydig o fuddsoddiad a wnaed ynddynt yn y gorffennol diweddar. Ac ar adeg, wrth gwrs, pan fydd economi’r rhanbarth yn cael ei heffeithio’n fawr gan y bygythiad i swyddi yn Tata Steel, bydd system drafnidiaeth annigonol yn gwaethygu’r heriau economaidd ac yn dyfnhau anghydraddoldebau cymdeithasol.
Cafwyd rhywfaint o newyddion da yn ddiweddar wrth i'r weinyddiaeth glymblaid yng Nghyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot lwyddo i ailgyflwyno nifer o lwybrau bysiau a dorrwyd yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn—rhai yr oeddwn wedi cyfeirio atynt yn faenorol yn y Siambr—ac mae’r gwaith parhaus ar fetro bae Abertawe a gorllewin Cymru wedi arwain at nifer o argymhellion ymarferol. Fodd bynnag, er na ellir gwadu'r dystiolaeth o gynnydd ar fetro de Cymru wrth deithio drwy gymunedau cyfagos y Cymoedd, ni wnaed unrhyw gynnydd gweledol tebyg i lawer o’r cymunedau rwy'n eu cynrychioli. Felly, a all y Dirprwy Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am gynnydd metro bae Abertawe ac amserlenni ar gyfer pryd y gall trigolion ddisgwyl gweld gwelliannau? Diolch.
Thank you, and I agree, also representing an area in south-west Wales, on the importance of the south Wales metro. We’ve always said that we’re going to have to do the metros in sequence, and we’re starting with the south-east Wales metro and the work is ongoing on the north and, to a slower extent, on the south. And this happens in parallel, of course, with the regional transport plans that are being asked to be developed by the corporate joint committees. We’ve now moved the metro development teams that we had, including the one in the south-west, to become regional transport teams to work with the local authorities. So, Transport for Wales provides that expertise and that capacity to local authorities that often struggle with that in order to develop proper multimodal regional development and regional transport plans that align with the modal shift targets in 'Llwybr Newydd' and the national transport delivery plan.
So, that work is ongoing. There are a number of schemes that they’ve identified in the south-west. I’m pleased that the work is also progressing on a new Neath transport hub, which will create an integrated transport centre adjacent to Neath railway station, which means relocating the existing bus station because we know that integration between the two modes, and making it easy to do that, is a really important part of persuading people to use public transport. So, I’m looking forward to seeing the corporate join committee follow through on that analysis and come up with a pipeline of schemes that we’ll then look at funding as part of the next funding round.
Diolch, a chan fy mod innau hefyd yn cynrychioli ardal yn y de-orllewin, rwy'n cytuno ynghylch pwysigrwydd metro de Cymru. Rydym bob amser wedi dweud y bydd yn rhaid inni gyflwyno'r metros yn eu trefn, ac rydym yn dechrau gyda metro de-ddwyrain Cymru, ac mae’r gwaith yn mynd rhagddo ar un y gogledd, ac i raddau arafach, ar un y de. Ac mae hyn yn digwydd ochr yn ochr â’r cynlluniau trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol y gofynnir iddynt gael eu datblygu gan y cydbwyllgorau corfforedig. Rydym bellach wedi addasu'r timau datblygu a oedd gennym ar gyfer y metro, gan gynnwys yr un yn y de-orllewin, i fod yn dimau trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol i weithio gyda’r awdurdodau lleol. Felly, mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn darparu’r arbenigedd a’r capasiti i awdurdodau lleol sy’n aml yn cael trafferth gyda hynny er mwyn datblygu cynlluniau trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol a chynlluniau datblygu rhanbarthol aml-ddull priodol sy’n cyd-fynd â thargedau newid dulliau teithio 'Llwybr Newydd' a’r cynllun cyflawni cenedlaethol ar gyfer trafnidiaeth.
Felly, mae’r gwaith hwnnw’n mynd rhagddo. Maent wedi nodi nifer o gynlluniau yn y de-orllewin. Rwy'n falch fod y gwaith hefyd yn mynd rhagddo ar hyb trafnidiaeth newydd i Gastell-nedd, a fydd yn creu canolfan drafnidiaeth integredig gerllaw gorsaf reilffordd Castell-nedd, sy'n golygu adleoli'r orsaf fysiau bresennol, gan y gwyddom fod integreiddio rhwng y ddau ddull teithio, a'i gwneud yn hawdd gwneud hynny, yn rhan wirioneddol bwysig o berswadio pobl i ddefnyddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Felly, edrychaf ymlaen at weld y cyd-bwyllgor corfforedig yn gweithredu ar y dadansoddiad hwnnw ac yn llunio cyfres o gynlluniau y byddwn wedyn yn ystyried eu hariannu fel rhan o’r cylch cyllido nesaf.
Minister, many communities across my region have become isolated as they have lost public transport links, none more than my home village of Pen-y-fai, which has no bus service to Bridgend or Porthcawl. Despite the efforts of the community council, our village remains without public transport links or any active travel routes. Private vehicles remain the only option for residents, and not everyone has that option, particularly our elderly population. Minister, what will your Government do to ensure that people living outside towns and cities have equal access to public transport?
Weinidog, mae llawer o gymunedau ar draws fy rhanbarth wedi eu hynysu am eu bod wedi colli cysylltiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, yn enwedig yn fy mhentref i, Pen-y-fai, lle nad oes gwasanaeth bws i Ben-y-bont ar Ogwr na Phorthcawl. Er gwaethaf ymdrechion y cyngor cymuned, mae ein pentref yn parhau i fod heb gysylltiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus nac unrhyw lwybrau teithio llesol. Cerbydau preifat yw’r unig opsiwn i drigolion o hyd, ac nid yw'r opsiwn hwnnw gan bawb, yn enwedig ein poblogaeth oedrannus. Weinidog, beth fydd eich Llywodraeth yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod pobl sy’n byw y tu allan i drefi a dinasoedd yn cael mynediad cyfartal at drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus?
Well, I think Altaf Hussain perfectly sums up the consequences of the deregulation of the bus industry that we saw in the 1980s, where routes aren’t run based on social need but they are run based on where private companies can turn a profit, and that privatised model, I think, has shown itself to have failed, because what it promised to achieve, which is extra passenger choice, has not materialised, and Altaf Hussian sums up a very good example of where people are left without any choice at all. And I want people to have genuine choice. At the moment, in the village that he lives in, it sounds like unless you have a car, you really have no choice, and that clearly is not right. We don’t want to force people to make choices; we want to give people real choices and real alternatives.
I’ll be publishing in the coming weeks a paper on sustainable transport in rural areas, because we can look at plenty of international examples of areas much more sparsely populated than Wales where they have good public transport links. And that's a choice that governments can make; it's not inevitable that rural areas are entirely car dependent. There are a range of things that can be done, and that's what I hope the regional transport plans will allow us to do. Of course, that will depend upon future funding, and we do need to spend more money on public transport, which is one of the reasons why we instituted the roads review, which was so vociferously opposed by his benches. But we recognise that, if we want people to have more choice, we have to invest in those choices, and not just invest in the never-ending pipeline of road schemes, because that's where the car dependence that he describes will simply continue.
Wel, credaf fod Altaf Hussain yn crynhoi'n berffaith beth yw canlyniadau dadreoleiddio’r diwydiant bysiau yn y 1980au, lle nad yw llwybrau’n cael eu cynnig ar sail angen cymdeithasol, ond yn seiliedig ar ble gall cwmnïau preifat wneud elw, a chredaf fod y model preifateiddiedig hwnnw'n amlwg wedi methu, gan nad yw’r hyn yr addawodd ei gyflawni, sef dewis ychwanegol i deithwyr, wedi digwydd, ac mae Altaf Hussian yn rhoi enghraifft dda iawn o ble mae pobl wedi'u gadael heb unrhyw ddewis o gwbl. Ac rwyf am i bobl gael dewis go iawn. Ar hyn o bryd, yn y pentref y mae'n byw ynddo, mae'n swnio fel pe na bai unrhyw ddewis gennych oni bai fod gennych gar, ac mae'n amlwg nad yw hynny'n iawn. Nid ydym am orfodi pobl i wneud dewisiadau; rydym am roi opsiynau go iawn a dewisiadau amgen go iawn i bobl.
Yn yr wythnosau nesaf, byddaf yn cyhoeddi papur ar drafnidiaeth gynaliadwy mewn ardaloedd gwledig, gan y gallwn edrych ar ddigonedd o enghreifftiau rhyngwladol o ardaloedd llawer teneuach eu poblogaeth na Chymru, lle mae ganddynt gysylltiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus da. Ac mae hwnnw'n ddewis y gall llywodraethau ei wneud; nid yw'n anochel fod ardaloedd gwledig yn gwbl ddibynnol ar geir. Mae amrywiaeth o bethau y gellir eu gwneud, a dyna y gobeithiaf y bydd y cynlluniau trafnidiaeth rhanbarthol yn caniatáu inni ei wneud. Wrth gwrs, bydd hynny'n dibynnu ar gyllid yn y dyfodol, ac mae angen inni wario mwy o arian ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, sef un o'r rhesymau pam y gwnaethom gomisiynu'r adolygiad ffyrdd, a wrthwynebwyd mor groch gan ei feinciau ef. Ond os ydym am i bobl gael mwy o ddewis, rydym yn cydnabod bod yn rhaid inni fuddsoddi yn y dewisiadau hynny, yn hytrach na buddsoddi yn y gyfres ddiddiwedd o gynlluniau ffyrdd yn unig, gan mai dyna ble fydd y ddibyniaeth ar geir y mae'n ei disgrifio yn parhau.
Minister, I organised a three-hour public meeting recently, with TfW and Network Rail, attended by over 60 people from across Ogmore and the area, who raised their concerns politely but robustly—because that's the way we are—about the service along the Maesteg-Cardiff line and our hopes for improvement. We've subsequently had the welcome phased introduction this week of new rolling stock, which is brilliant, but we continue to have punctuality problems and cancellations, so we are looking forward to TfW and Network Rail coming back for another meeting shortly. However, the long-running demand for a half-hourly service, which I've championed since before I came to the Senedd, was also raised. Minister, you and your predecessors have met with me and council leader Huw David before on this. To their credit, and as a result of those meetings, proposals have been worked up, I know, by TfW and Network Rail, for a half-hourly service. But the stumbling block is always funding, linked to the digitalisation of the signalling at Tondu, so we can get rid of the Victorian signal box and the physical handing-over of a key, and other Tondu improvements. And that funding needs to come from Network Rail UK. So, Minister, how can you help us in taking forward those discussions at a UK level, as well as Welsh Government and local authority, so we can have the decades overdue investment in this, which will then enable us to take forward a half-hourly service?
Weinidog, trefnais gyfarfod cyhoeddus tair awr o hyd yn ddiweddar, gyda Trafnidiaeth Cymru a Network Rail, a fynychwyd gan dros 60 o bobl o bob rhan o Ogwr a’r cyffiniau, a nododd eu pryderon yn gwrtais ond yn glir—gan mai pobl felly ydym ni—am y gwasanaeth ar reilffordd Maesteg-Caerdydd a'n gobeithion am welliannau. Yn y cyfamser, mae cerbydau rheilffyrdd newydd wedi dechrau cael eu cyflwyno'n raddol yr wythnos hon, sy’n wych ac i'w groesawu, ond rydym yn parhau i gael problemau gyda phrydlondeb a chanslo gwasanaethau, felly edrychwn ymlaen at gael cyfarfod arall gyda Trafnidiaeth Cymru a Network Rail cyn bo hir. Hefyd, fodd bynnag, fe godwyd y galw hirhoedlog am wasanaeth bob hanner awr, y bûm yn dadlau o'i blaid ers cyn imi ddod i’r Senedd. Weinidog, rydych chi a’ch rhagflaenwyr wedi cyfarfod â mi ac arweinydd y cyngor, Huw David, i drafod hyn o'r blaen. Er clod iddynt, ac o ganlyniad i’r cyfarfodydd hynny, gwn fod Trafnidiaeth Cymru a Network Rail wedi llunio cynigion ar gyfer gwasanaeth bob hanner awr. Ond y maen tramgwydd bob amser yw cyllid, sy'n gysylltiedig â digideiddio'r signalau yn Nhondu, fel y gallwn gael gwared ar y blwch signal Fictoraidd a'r ffaith bod angen trosglwyddo allwedd o law i law, a gwelliannau eraill yn Nhondu. Ac mae angen i’r cyllid hwnnw ddod gan Network Rail UK. Felly, Weinidog, sut y gallwch ein helpu i fwrw ymlaen â’r trafodaethau hynny ar lefel y DU, yn ogystal ag ar lefel Llywodraeth Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol, fel y gallwn gael y buddsoddiad y bu ei angen ers degawdau yn hyn, a fydd wedyn yn ein galluogi i fwrw ymlaen â gwasanaeth bob hanner awr?
Thank you for the question. He is right—he has been a persistent advocate of the importance of the scheme, and I've been able to meet him a couple of times to discuss it. I think the fundamental problem here, and we've seen this in other parts of Wales, is that we are part of an investment area called the 'western region' within Network Rail. So, we, alongside London and Penzance, are all up together for the same pot of cash, and the economic analysis that the Department for Transport use to justify rail schemes—a sort of cost-benefit analysis—is always going to favour those schemes in the most densely populated areas. So, when a scheme to Maesteg is up against a scheme in the Thames valley, given the density of the population and the economy of those different areas, it is always going to come down the list, and that's what's happened time and time again.
Now, I notice that the UK Minister for Transport for England is publishing his new rail Bill, to set up the creation of a new Great British Railways, which is a guiding mind of its own at the UK level, which we agree is sensible. But, instead of the existing functions of the Secretary of State being handed over to that body, we want there to be reform. Ultimately, we want full devolution of rail powers and funding, as the McAllister-Williams commission recommended. But, as an interim measure, we want Wales to have what Scotland has, which is its own region within Network Rail, so that we can set the priorities for where investment goes. The Ebbw Vale line is an excellent example of a line that did not meet the DfT test in 2008 when it was built. We built it from devolved funding. Demand far outstripped expectations, and we've now been able to enhance that service further. Now, that wouldn't happen under the traditional Network Rail system, and I fear Maesteg has suffered a similar fate. So, we do need a separate Wales division within Network Rail, with funding and autonomy for Wales to make our own choices on where investment goes. And also then, of course, we need the extra funding for rail, which is a non-devolved area, because Wales has been under-served for decades.
In terms of the specific point he makes, I'd be very happy to convene a meeting with Network Rail and him and the leader of Bridgend council, Councillor Huw David, to make the case again for Network Rail to understand the circumstances of Maesteg and how important a half-hourly service would be.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Mae'n llygad ei le—mae wedi dadlau'n gyson ynghylch pwysigrwydd y cynllun, ac rwyf wedi gallu cyfarfod ag ef ar un neu ddau achlysur i'w drafod. Credaf mai'r broblem sylfaenol yma, ac rydym wedi gweld hyn mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, yw ein bod yn rhan o ardal fuddsoddi o'r enw'r 'rhanbarth gorllewinol' o fewn Network Rail. Felly, rydym ni, ynghyd â Llundain a Penzance, oll yn cystadlu am yr un pot o arian, ac mae’r dadansoddiad economaidd y mae’r Adran Drafnidiaeth yn ei ddefnyddio i gyfiawnhau cynlluniau rheilffyrdd—math o ddadansoddiad cost a budd—bob amser yn mynd i ffafrio cynlluniau yn yr ardaloedd mwyaf poblog. Felly, pan fo cynllun i Faesteg yn cystadlu yn erbyn cynllun yn nyffryn Tafwys, o ystyried dwysedd poblogaeth ac economi’r gwahanol ardaloedd hynny, mae bob amser yn mynd i fod tuag at waelod y rhestr, a dyna sydd wedi digwydd dro ar ôl tro.
Nawr, nodaf fod Gweinidog Trafnidiaeth y DU yn Lloegr yn cyhoeddi ei Fil rheilffyrdd newydd, i sefydlu’r gwaith o greu corff newydd Great British Railways, sy'n feddwl arweiniol ei hun ar lefel y DU, ac rydym yn cytuno bod hynny'n synhwyrol. Ond yn hytrach na throsglwyddo swyddogaethau presennol yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol i'r corff hwnnw, rydym am weld diwygio. Yn y pen draw, hoffem weld pwerau a chyllid rheilffyrdd yn cael eu datganoli'n llawn, fel yr argymhellodd comisiwn McAllister-Williams. Ond fel mesur interim, rydym am i Gymru gael yr hyn sydd gan yr Alban, sef ei rhanbarth ei hun o fewn Network Rail, fel y gallwn nodi'r blaenoriaethau ar gyfer ble caiff buddsoddiad ei wneud. Mae rheilffordd Glynebwy yn enghraifft wych o reilffordd nad oedd yn bodloni meini prawf yr Adran Drafnidiaeth yn 2008 pan gafodd ei hadeiladu. Fe wnaethom ei hadeiladu gan ddefnyddio cyllid datganoledig. Roedd y galw'n llawer uwch na'r disgwyl, ac rydym bellach wedi gallu gwella'r gwasanaeth hwnnw ymhellach. Nawr, ni fyddai hynny’n digwydd o dan system draddodiadol Network Rail, ac mae arnaf ofn fod Maesteg wedi dioddef tynged debyg. Felly, mae angen is-adran ar wahân ar gyfer Cymru yn Network Rail, gyda chyllid ac ymreolaeth i Gymru wneud ein dewisiadau ein hunain ynglŷn â ble i fuddsoddi. Ac yna hefyd, wrth gwrs, mae arnom angen y cyllid ychwanegol ar gyfer rheilffyrdd, sy'n faes nad yw wedi'i ddatganoli, gan nad yw Cymru wedi'i gwasanaethu'n ddigonol ers degawdau.
Ar y pwynt penodol y mae’n ei wneud, byddwn yn fwy na pharod i gynnull cyfarfod gyda Network Rail, arweinydd cyngor Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, y Cynghorydd Huw David, ac yntau i gyflwyno’r achos eto i Network Rail er mwyn iddynt allu deall amgylchiadau Maesteg a pha mor bwysig fyddai gwasanaeth bob hanner awr.
Dwi wedi cytuno i gais gan y Dirprwy Weinidog i grwpio cwestiynau 3 a 5. Cwestiwn 3, felly—Llyr Gruffydd.
I have agreed to a request from the Deputy Minister for questions 3 and 5 to be grouped. Question 3, therefore—Llyr Gruffydd.
3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y ddarpariaeth llwybrau bysiau yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ60698
3. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of bus routes in north Wales? OQ60698
5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi diweddariad ar wasanaethau bysus yng nghymunedau gogledd Cymru? OQ60701
5. Will the Minister provide an update on bus services in north Wales communities? OQ60701
Llywydd, I understand you've given your permission for questions 3 and 5 to be grouped. We are working at pace to transform the quality of local buses to serve communities across Wales. In advance of the bus Bill, which we hope to introduce later this year, we continue to provide additional funding to local authorities and Transport for Wales to improve existing services across the region.
Lywydd, deallaf eich bod wedi caniatáu i gwestiynau 3 a 5 gael eu grwpio. Rydym yn gweithio’n gyflym i drawsnewid ansawdd bysiau lleol i wasanaethu cymunedau ledled Cymru. Cyn y Bil bysiau y gobeithiwn ei gyflwyno yn ddiweddarach eleni, rydym yn parhau i ddarparu cyllid ychwanegol i awdurdodau lleol a Trafnidiaeth Cymru ar gyfer gwella gwasanaethau presennol ar draws y rhanbarth.
Wel, diolch i chi. Ac wrth i chi ystyried y gwaith yna o wella gwasanaethau, fe wnaf i eich atgoffa chi fod yna flwyddyn erbyn hyn ers i'r gwasanaeth bws T19 rhwng Blaenau Ffestiniog a Llandudno gael ei golli. Mi oedd e, wrth gwrs, yn gwasanaethu cymunedau reit ar hyd dyffryn Conwy, o Flaenau Ffestiniog i Ddolwyddelan, Betws-y-coed, Llanrwst, a lawr y dyffryn i'r arfordir. Nawr, pan gollwyd y gwasanaeth, fe ddywedwyd wrth drigolion lleol i ddefnyddio'r trên lleol, sydd ddim, wrth gwrs, yn rhedeg hanner mor aml ac sydd wedi bod yn anwadal iawn yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf oherwydd bod stormydd wedi golchi llwybr y trên i ffwrdd.
Nawr, rŷn ni mewn sefyllfa lle mae yna henoed a thrigolion bregus yn ei chael hi'n anodd bellach heb y bws i gael mynediad i wasanaethau, megis mynd lawr i Gonwy neu Landudno i weld eu meddyg, neu i'r ysbyty, neu i gael mynediad at wasanaethau eraill. Ac i nodi blwyddyn ers colli'r gwasanaeth, mi wnaeth tri chynghorydd Plaid Cymru—y Cynghorydd Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn o Flaenau Ffestiniog, Liz Roberts o ward Betws-y-coed, a Nia Clwyd Owen o Lanrwst—gerdded y 30 milltir, gerdded y llwybr y byddai'r bws wedi bod yn ei ddilyn tan flwyddyn yn ôl. Nawr, mae'r ffaith bod hynny'n digwydd flwyddyn gyfan ar ôl colli'r gwasanaeth, i fi, yn adlewyrchu gymaint o golled oedd cau y llwybr yna. Felly, a gaf i ofyn i chi, Ddirprwy Weinidog, a wnewch chi ymrwymo i weithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol perthnasol a gyda darparwyr posib i geisio adfer y gwasanaeth yna, oherwydd does dim amheuaeth bod mawr, mawr ei angen e yn nyffryn Conwy?
Well, thank you. As you consider that work of improving services, I will remind that it's been a year since the T19 bus service between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno was lost. Of course, it served communities across the Conwy valley, from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Dolwyddelan, Betws-y-coed, Llanrwst, and down the valley to the coast. Now, when that service was lost, local residents were told to use the train, which, of course, doesn't run anywhere near as often and which has been very unreliable recently because storms have washed the railroad away.
Now, we're in a position where elderly and vulnerable people are finding it difficult without the bus service to access services, such as going to Conwy or Llandudno to see their GP, or to hospital, or to access other services. And to mark a year since the loss of that service, three Plaid Cymru councillors—Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn from Blaenau Ffestiniog, Liz Roberts from the Betws-y-coed ward, and Nia Clwyd Owen from Llanrwst—walked the 30 miles of the route that the bus would have taken until a year ago. Now, the fact that that's happening a full 12 months after the loss of the service, for me, reflects what a great loss the loss of that route was. So, can I ask you, Deputy Minister, whether you will commit to working with the relevant local authorities and with possible providers to try and restore that service, because there is no doubt that it is greatly needed in the Conwy valley?
Thank you. Well, I agree that the current bus network is not what we would like it to be. I think we've rehearsed many times in this Chamber the pressures facing the bus industry from reduced patronage and increased cost and shortage of drivers, as well as the fragmented commercialised service that I mentioned in relation to the question earlier. We have identified, as part of our agreement with Plaid Cymru, an extra £46 million on top of the existing subsidy of some £200 million this year for bus services to be supported. And that includes the TrawsCymru service, which does provide, for those communities it does serve, an excellent service, with modernised buses and lower fares and ticketing connectivity.
So, where the services are there, the services are good, but there are patches that are not served. And we want to work with the regional consortia, because providing socially necessary buses remains a legal responsibility of local authorities, and they have ability of their own to raise funds and to provide those services themselves. They have that power and they have that legal duty. So, we do need to work together with them to see what, together, we can do to provide for the people of the region. We have created what we're calling the 'regional bus scrums' to bring together local authorities, TfW and the Welsh Government to plan, ahead of franchising, where those ideal bus networks would go. Funding is a constraint, and, at the moment, because patronage is still low, these are not viable commercially and they can only run, in many cases, with public support, and we have a finite amount of support that we can give. But I will happily go back and check with the regional scrum for north Wales to understand what provision can be made for those villages, and I'd be happy to write to the Member with details.
Diolch. Wel, rwy’n cytuno nad yw’r rhwydwaith bysiau presennol cystal ag yr hoffem iddo fod. Credaf ein bod wedi sôn droeon yn y Siambr hon am y pwysau sy'n wynebu'r diwydiant bysiau o ganlyniad i lai o ddefnyddwyr a chostau cynyddol a phrinder gyrwyr, yn ogystal â'r gwasanaeth tameidiog wedi'i fasnacheiddio y soniais amdano mewn perthynas â'r cwestiwn yn gynharach. Fel rhan o’n cytundeb â Phlaid Cymru, rydym wedi nodi £46 miliwn ychwanegol ar ben y cymhorthdal presennol o oddeutu £200 miliwn eleni er mwyn cefnogi gwasanaethau bysiau. Ac mae hynny'n cynnwys gwasanaeth TrawsCymru, sy'n darparu gwasanaeth rhagorol i'r cymunedau y mae'n eu gwasanaethu, gyda bysiau modern a phrisiau is a chysylltedd tocynnau.
Felly, lle mae’r gwasanaethau yno, mae’r gwasanaethau’n dda, ond mae yna fannau nad ydynt yn cael eu gwasanaethu. Ac rydym am weithio gyda'r consortia rhanbarthol, gan fod darparu bysiau sy'n angenrheidiol yn gymdeithasol yn parhau i fod yn gyfrifoldeb cyfreithiol i awdurdodau lleol, ac mae ganddynt allu eu hunain i godi arian a darparu'r gwasanaethau hynny eu hunain. Mae ganddynt y pŵer hwnnw, ac mae ganddynt y ddyletswydd gyfreithiol honno. Felly, mae angen inni gydweithio â nhw i weld beth y gallwn ei wneud gyda'n gilydd i ddarparu ar gyfer pobl y rhanbarth. Rydym wedi creu’r hyn rydym yn eu galw’n 'sgrymiau bysiau rhanbarthol' i ddod ag awdurdodau lleol, Trafnidiaeth Cymru a Llywodraeth Cymru ynghyd i gynllunio, cyn masnachfreinio, lle byddai rhwydweithiau bysiau'n mynd yn ddelfrydol. Mae cyllid yn gyfyngiad, ac ar hyn o bryd, gan fod nifer y defnyddwyr yn dal i fod yn isel, nid yw’r rhain yn fasnachol hyfyw, a dim ond gyda chefnogaeth y cyhoedd y gallant redeg mewn llawer o achosion, ac mae'r cymorth y gallwn ei roi yn gyfyngedig. Ond rwy'n fwy na pharod i edrych gyda'r sgrym ranbarthol ar gyfer gogledd Cymru i ddeall pa ddarpariaeth y gellir ei gwneud ar gyfer y pentrefi hynny, ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i ysgrifennu at yr Aelod gyda'r manylion.
Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd, a diolch i'r Dirprwy Weinidog am yr ateb mae e newydd ei roi i Llyr. Dwi'n mynd i fynd ar hyd yr un trywydd oherwydd, fel dywedodd Llyr, mae'r T19 wedi profi i fod yn andros o bwysig i gymuned Blaenau Ffestiniog dwi'n ei chynrychioli, ac, yn wir, i ddyffryn Conwy ac eraill. Roeddwn i'n darllen yn ddiweddar adroddiad gan Age Cymru, a oedd yn rhybuddio bod pobl oedrannus yn enwedig yn mynd i fod yn dioddef mwy o unigrwydd yn sgil llwybrau bysys yn cau a phobl yn methu cael mynediad at wasanaethau. Dyna rŷn ni wedi'i weld ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog—pobl hŷn yn methu mynd i fyny i Landudno. Ond yn ogystal â'r bobl hŷn, rŷn ni wedi gweld pobl ifanc yn methu mynd i'r ysgol yn Llanrwst ac, felly, yn gorfod defnyddio ceir, sydd, fel bydd y Dirprwy Weinidog yn parchu, dwi'n siŵr, ddim yn llesol i'r amgylchedd.
Dwi'n falch clywed bod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn dweud y bydd y Llywodraeth yn edrych i roi mwy o bres i awdurdodau lleol er mwyn cael gwell darpariaeth bysys, a bod gyda chi'r peth sgrym yma roeddech chi'n cyfeirio ato rŵan. Ond, fel dywedodd Llyr, mae yna flwyddyn gyfan a rhagor wedi mynd ers i'r T19 gau. Dwi'n cael ar ddeall, pan oedd y gwasanaeth yna, oedd yn X19, wedi troi i fod yn wasanaeth T TrawsCymru, ei fod o fod i dderbyn mwy o bres; doedd o ddim wedi. Dwi hefyd wedi cael ar ddeall, flwyddyn a rhagor yn ôl, fod cwmni Alpine wedi cynnig cydweithio â'r awdurdodau a'r Llywodraeth er mwyn ffeindio datrysiad, ond does yna ddim cydweithio wedi bod. Felly, mae'n siom bod yna flwyddyn wedi mynd heibio—
Thank you very much, Llywydd, and thank you to the Deputy Minister for the response that he has just given to Llyr. I'm going to follow the same kind of route, because, as Llyr said, the T19 has proven to be extremely important to the community of Blaenau Ffestiniog that I represent, and, indeed, to the Conwy valley and elsewhere. I read recently a report by Age Cymru that warned that elderly people in particular would suffer more loneliness and isolation as a result of the closure of bus routes, and that people wouldn't be able to access services. That's what we've seen in Blaenau Ffestiniog—older people not being able to travel to Llandudno. But as well as older people, we've seen young people not being able to get to school in Llanrwst and, therefore, having to use private cars, which, as the Deputy Minister will appreciate, is not beneficial for the environment.
I'm pleased to hear that the Deputy Minister has said that the Government will look to provide more funding for local authorities in order to get better bus provision, and that you have these scrums that you referred to a moment ago. But, as Llyr said, it's been a full 12 months and more since the T19 route closed. I'm given to understand that when that route, which was the X19, became the TrawsCymru T19, it was supposed to receive more funding; it didn't. I'm also given to understand that, a year and more ago, the Alpine company had offered to work with the local authorities and the Government in order to find a resolution, but there has been no collaboration. So, it's disappointing that 12 months have passed—
Allwn ni gael cwestiwn, plis?
Can we have a question, please?
—mi ddof at y cwestiwn nawr, diolch, Llywydd—a bod yna ddim byd wedi digwydd. Felly, eisiau ymrwymiad ydw i eich bod chi nid yn unig yn barod i fynd at y sgrym yma roeddech chi'n sôn amdano, ond i gydweithio â darparwyr lleol er mwyn ffeindio datrysiad amgen i'r angen ar gyfer Blaenau Ffestiniog a dyffryn Conwy.
I will come to my question. Thank you, Llywydd. It is disappointing that nothing has happened. So, I want a commitment that you are not only willing to go to this scrum, that you mentioned, but also to work with local providers in order to find an alternative solution to the needs of Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Conwy valley.
Well, indeed, I will remind the Member of what I said to his colleague. Providing socially necessary bus services is a legal responsibility of local authorities. So, rather than looking entirely to the Welsh Government to address the problems in his area, he needs to be looking as well to his own local authorities.
Now, all of us face the same financial pressures, and none of this is easy, and we are all facing the shortcomings of the privatised system. We have recently introduced the new T22 bus service, which links Blaenau Ffestiniog with Caernarfon, and new flexi services in the Dolgellau and Machynlleth areas, and those are widely welcomed. Transport for Wales, in its planning, has been looking at creating strong regional networks that improve journey times and link up to key interchanges. So, as I say, where the services are in place, the feedback from customers and passengers is very positive. But there are gaps, and often that is because the patronage in those areas was very low, and the subsidy required is simply one that we don't have at the moment, and these are conversations we've had with Plaid Cymru, as part of the budget agreement. You know very well the situation we are facing. We have finite funds, and we've agreed joint priorities for those funds, and we agreed to look at bus funding and, indeed, identified an additional £46 million. That doesn't go as far as we would all like it to go, and that's why, I think, we need to work with local authorities to see what other resources might be brought to bear to improve the network.
And as we move to franchising, we'll publish a plan in the next couple of weeks setting out the detailed next steps to take us to franchising. We hope we'll be able to have more comprehensive bus networks, but that, again, will always depend upon the funding. We do think franchising in itself is a more efficient system. So, more money will go to services, rather than to profit, but there's always going to be a constraint. And the best thing we can all do to improve bus services is encourage people to use the ones that exist, because that then creates the case for further investment.
Wel, yn wir, rwy'n atgoffa'r Aelod o’r hyn a ddywedais wrth ei gyd-Aelod. Mae gan awdurdodau lleol gyfrifoldeb cyfreithiol i ddarparu gwasanaethau bws sy'n angenrheidiol yn gymdeithasol. Felly, yn hytrach na disgwyl i Lywodraeth Cymru yn unig fynd i’r afael â’r problemau yn ei ardal, mae angen iddo droi hefyd at ei awdurdodau lleol ei hun.
Nawr, mae pob un ohonom yn wynebu’r un pwysau ariannol, ac nid oes dim o hyn yn hawdd, ac mae pob un ohonom yn wynebu diffygion y system breifateiddiedig. Rydym wedi cyflwyno’r gwasanaeth bws T22 newydd yn ddiweddar, sy’n cysylltu Blaenau Ffestiniog â Chaernarfon, a gwasanaethau hyblyg newydd yn ardaloedd Dolgellau a Machynlleth, ac maent wedi cael eu croesawu'n fawr. Mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru, wrth gynllunio, wedi bod yn edrych ar greu rhwydweithiau rhanbarthol cryf sy’n gwella amseroedd teithio ac yn cysylltu â chyfnewidfeydd allweddol. Felly, fel y dywedaf, lle mae’r gwasanaethau ar waith, mae’r adborth gan gwsmeriaid a theithwyr yn gadarnhaol iawn. Ond mae bylchau, ac yn aml, mae hynny'n digwydd am fod y defnydd yn yr ardaloedd hynny’n isel iawn, ac mae’r cymhorthdal sydd ei angen yn un nad yw gennym i'w roi ar hyn o bryd, ac mae’r rhain yn sgyrsiau rydym wedi’u cael gyda Phlaid Cymru, fel rhan o gytundeb y gyllideb. Rydych yn gwybod yn iawn am y sefyllfa sy'n ein hwynebu. Mae ein cronfeydd yn gyfyngedig, ac rydym wedi cytuno ar flaenoriaethau ar y cyd ar gyfer y cronfeydd hynny, ac fe wnaethom gytuno i edrych ar gyllid bysiau, ac yn wir, fe wnaethom ddod o hyd i £46 miliwn ychwanegol. Nid yw hwnnw’n mynd mor bell ag y byddai pob un ohonom am iddo fynd, a chredaf mai dyna pam fod angen inni weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i weld pa adnoddau eraill y gellid eu defnyddio i wella’r rhwydwaith.
Ac wrth inni symud tuag at fasnachfreinio, byddwn yn cyhoeddi cynllun yn yr ychydig wythnosau nesaf i nodi'r camau manwl nesaf tuag at fasnachfreinio. Gobeithiwn y bydd modd inni gael rhwydweithiau bysiau mwy cynhwysfawr, ond bydd hynny, unwaith eto, bob amser yn dibynnu ar y cyllid. Rydym o'r farn fod masnachfreinio yn system fwy effeithlon ynddi'i hun. Felly, bydd mwy o arian yn mynd i wasanaethau, yn hytrach nag elw, ond bydd cyfyngiadau bob amser. A’r peth gorau y gall pob un ohonom ei wneud i wella gwasanaethau bysiau yw annog pobl i ddefnyddio’r rhai sy’n bodoli, gan fod hynny wedyn yn creu’r achos dros fuddsoddiad pellach.
Well, questioning you here last month, I quoted Arriva Bus Wales, whose head of commercial north-west and Wales told me, quote:
'As we discussed in Wrexham, Arriva do not want to change services, but have to because of 20 mph...because of 20 mph, the buses are taking longer to operate across north Wales, so we’ve had to register changes that have seen route curtailment, frequency reduction and additional resource to cope with the new running times required.'
In response, you told me you were very keen to engage with them. They also told me that with the Bus Services Act 2017, creating bus franchising in England, Manchester had had to spend £75 million to £100 million to launch this there, and that Manchester had also had to introduce a council tax bus precept, and asked how the Welsh Government were going to fund bus franchising in Wales, when they don't have enough to fund the current network, where, quote, 'the people need to know'. So, what engagement have you had with Arriva Bus Wales since last month? And how are you going to fund the additional cost of bus franchising in Wales?
Wel, wrth eich holi yma fis diwethaf, dyfynnais Bysiau Arriva Cymru, y dywedodd eu pennaeth masnachol ar gyfer gogledd-orllewin Lloegr a Chymru wrthyf, a dyfynnaf:
'Fel y trafodwyd yn Wrecsam, nid yw Arriva eisiau newid gwasanaethau, ond mae'n rhaid iddynt oherwydd 20 mya…oherwydd 20 mya, mae'r bysiau'n cymryd mwy o amser i weithredu ledled gogledd Cymru, felly bu'n rhaid inni wneud newidiadau sydd wedi arwain at dorri llwybrau, lleihau amlder ac adnoddau ychwanegol i ymdopi â'r amseroedd teithio newydd sydd eu hangen.'
Mewn ymateb, fe ddywedoch chi wrthyf eich bod yn awyddus iawn i ymgysylltu â nhw. Roeddent yn dweud wrthyf hefyd, gyda Deddf Gwasanaethau Bysiau 2017 a masnachfreinio bysiau yn Lloegr, fod Manceinion wedi gorfod gwario £75 miliwn i £100 miliwn i lansio hyn yno, a bod Manceinion hefyd wedi gorfod cyflwyno praesept bysiau'r dreth gyngor, ac roeddent yn gofyn sut roedd Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i ariannu masnachfreinio bysiau yng Nghymru, pan nad oes ganddynt ddigon o arian i ariannu'r rhwydwaith presennol, lle 'mae angen i'r bobl wybod'. Felly, pa ymgysylltu a wnaethoch gyda Bysiau Arriva Cymru ers y mis diwethaf? A sut ydych chi'n mynd i ariannu cost ychwanegol masnachfreinio bysiau yng Nghymru?
Okay, so do I understand from the Member's question that he is not in favour of franchising, because, of course, that requires investment? We're not introducing the same system as Manchester is; we're introducing a different system, which will be based on regional franchising, and it will be done under a whole one-guided mind system, and TfW and the regional consortia will have a key role in designing that.
Now, I did speak to the teams at TfW, who have been working with Arriva, to understand the exact nature of the conversations we've been having with them around the planning of the 20 mph roll out. I don't think it's fair or accurate for Arriva to blame the changes to the the timetable on 20 mph. Other companies have managed to plan that without achieving such adverse consequences. But there are areas where the routes are going down roads, which, arguably, could well be turned back to 30 mph. Now, we have local authorities in north Wales who have not used the discretion that they have under the current guidance to introduce exceptions, and I think that is a question for them to explain why that is. Rather than Arriva blaming the policy, I think it is the local implementation of it in those areas that could have been better planned with Arriva. This is part of the review that is ongoing that we published today an interim report from, and that is saying that you need to look at bus routes as part of an extended version of the new guidance, to remind the local authorities of the discretion that they do have.
I don't think the right answer is always to turn routes and roads and streets where people and traffic mix back to 30 mph when the heaviest vehicles can travel fast down them. That is not always the right answer. We can get better bus timetable throughput from bus priority measures, and that involves some difficult decisions, which I very much doubt the honourable Member—oh, where did that come from—would support. So, it's all very well huffing and puffing about the need to make change, but you also have to follow through the necessary things on the ground to allow that change to happen. Putting in bus priority measures is a key thing for making buses more reliable, which allows for more passengers and for more routes. I think there is a question about some of the detailed routes Arriva have and whether or not the guidance needs to be changed on some of those routes, but as I told him last time, other bus companies anticipated the changes coming in and changed their timetables in advance. And given the range of pressures on the bus service, to blame it all on 20 mph simply isn't correct and I think is disingenuous, and I would remind the Member that if it was not for the Welsh Government Arriva wouldn't be in business. So, I don't think it's a fair criticism. I think there's a lot more behind it. Some of their concern is fair, about the way the bus services haven't been designed around the exemptions, and that is something that the local authorities and us need to look at. Thank you.
Iawn, felly, a ddeallaf o gwestiwn yr Aelod nad yw o blaid masnachfreinio, oherwydd bod hynny'n galw am fuddsoddi? Nid ydym yn cyflwyno'r un system â Manceinion; rydym yn cyflwyno system wahanol, a fydd yn seiliedig ar fasnachfreinio rhanbarthol, a bydd yn digwydd o dan system un meddwl arweiniol, a bydd gan Trafnidiaeth Cymru a’r consortia rhanbarthol rôl allweddol wrth gynllunio hynny.
Nawr, bûm yn siarad â’r timau yn Trafnidiaeth Cymru, sydd wedi bod yn gweithio gydag Arriva, i ddeall union natur y sgyrsiau a gawsom gyda nhw ynglŷn â chynlluniau cyflwyno 20 mya. Ni chredaf ei bod yn deg nac yn gywir i Arriva feio'r newidiadau i'r amserlen ar y terfyn 20 mya. Mae cwmnïau eraill wedi llwyddo i gynllunio hynny heb ganlyniadau mor andwyol. Ond mae ardaloedd lle mae'r llwybrau'n teithio ar hyd ffyrdd y gellir dadlau y gellid eu troi'n ôl i 30 mya. Nawr, mae gennym awdurdodau lleol yng ngogledd Cymru nad ydynt wedi defnyddio’r disgresiwn sydd ganddynt o dan y canllawiau presennol i gyflwyno eithriadau, a chredaf mai mater iddynt hwy yw esbonio pam. Yn hytrach na bod Arriva'n beio'r polisi, credaf y gellid bod wedi cynllunio ei weithrediad lleol yn yr ardaloedd hynny yn well gydag Arriva. Mae hyn yn rhan o’r adolygiad sy’n mynd rhagddo ac y gwnaethom gyhoeddi adroddiad interim ohono heddiw, ac mae hwnnw’n dweud bod angen ichi edrych ar lwybrau bysiau fel rhan o fersiwn estynedig o’r canllawiau newydd, i atgoffa’r awdurdodau lleol o’r disgresiwn sydd ganddynt.
Ni chredaf mai’r ateb cywir bob amser yw troi llwybrau a ffyrdd a strydoedd lle mae pobl a thraffig yn cymysgu yn ôl i 30 mya pan fydd y cerbydau trymaf yn gallu teithio’n gyflym ar hyd-ddynt. Nid dyna’r ateb cywir bob amser. Gallwn gael gwell llif i amserlenni bysiau drwy fesurau blaenoriaeth i fysiau, ac mae hynny'n golygu gwneud rhai penderfyniadau anodd yr wyf yn amau'n fawr y byddai'r Aelod anrhydeddus—o, o ble y daeth hynny—yn eu cefnogi. Felly, mae'n hawdd rhefru am yr angen i newid, ond mae'n rhaid ichi hefyd wneud y pethau angenrheidiol ar lawr gwlad i ganiatáu i'r newid hwnnw ddigwydd. Mae rhoi mesurau blaenoriaeth i fysiau yn allweddol ar gyfer gwneud bysiau’n fwy dibynadwy, a fydd yn caniatáu ar gyfer mwy o deithwyr a mwy o lwybrau. Credaf fod cwestiwn am rai o’r llwybrau manwl sydd gan Arriva a pha un a oes angen newid y canllawiau ar rai o’r llwybrau hynny ai peidio, ond fel y dywedais wrtho y tro diwethaf, fe wnaeth cwmnïau bysiau eraill ragweld y newidiadau a oedd ar y ffordd a newid eu hamserlenni ymlaen llaw. Ac o ystyried y gwahanol bwysau sydd ar y gwasanaeth bysiau, nid yw beio’r cyfan ar y terfyn 20 mya yn iawn, a chredaf ei fod yn anniffuant, a hoffwn atgoffa’r Aelod, oni bai am Lywodraeth Cymru, na fyddai Arriva mewn busnes. Felly, ni chredaf ei bod yn feirniadaeth deg. Credaf fod llawer mwy y tu ôl i hyn. Mae rhywfaint o'u pryder yn deg, ynglŷn â'r ffordd nad yw'r gwasanaethau bysiau wedi'u cynllunio o amgylch yr eithriadau, ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth y mae angen i'r awdurdodau lleol a ninnau edrych arno. Diolch.
Access to bus services is vital for people in the Vale of Clwyd in getting from A to B and supporting the local economy. Something that has severely hampered that in my constituency is the Welsh Government's default 20 mph policy, as Arriva Buses Wales—[Interruption.]. Arriva Buses Wales, I must repeat, have recently withdrawn stops on the X51 route, including at Tweedmill factory outlet, because it's taking too long, basically, from Rhyl to Denbigh and vice versa under 20 mph, as only 0.6 per cent—yes, again, I repeat, 0.6 per cent—of roads in the county have been exempt from this draconian policy. So, what assessment has the Minister made on the economic and logistical impact of the default 20 mph policy for people and businesses in my constituency, and what work and discussions are you undertaking with the relevant bodies to protect bus services for people in Denbighshire who have been badly let down by your ignorance on this matter?
Mae mynediad at wasanaethau bws yn hanfodol i bobl yn Nyffryn Clwyd i fynd o A i B a chefnogi'r economi leol. Rhywbeth sydd wedi amharu’n ddifrifol ar hynny yn fy etholaeth i yw polisi 20 mya diofyn Llywodraeth Cymru, gan fod Bysiau Arriva Cymru—[Torri ar draws.]. Yn ddiweddar, mae Bysiau Arriva Cymru, mae'n rhaid imi ailadrodd, wedi cael gwared ar arosfannau ar lwybr yr X51, gan gynnwys ger siop ffatri Tweedmill, gan ei bod yn cymryd gormod o amser, yn y bôn, i fynd o’r Rhyl i Ddinbych a'r ffordd arall o dan y terfyn 20 mya, gan mai dim ond 0.6 y cant—ie, unwaith eto, rwy'n ailadrodd, 0.6 y cant—o ffyrdd yn y sir sydd wedi'u heithrio rhag y polisi llym hwn. Felly, pa asesiad y mae’r Gweinidog wedi’i wneud o effaith economaidd a logistaidd y polisi 20 mya diofyn ar bobl a busnesau yn fy etholaeth, a pha waith a thrafodaethau sy'n mynd rhagddynt gennych gyda’r cyrff perthnasol i ddiogelu gwasanaethau bysiau i bobl yn sir Ddinbych y mae eich anwybodaeth ar y mater hwn wedi gwneud tro gwael iawn â nhw?
Well, Llywydd, I slipped earlier into a very odd bit of Westminster language—I don't know where that came from—so let me use a more deliberate bit of Westminster language to Gareth Davies: I refer the Member to the answer I gave a moment ago.
Wel, Lywydd, fe wneuthum lithro’n gynharach i beth o iaith od San Steffan—nid wyf yn gwybod o ble y daeth hynny—felly gadewch imi ddefnyddio ymadrodd yn iaith San Steffan yn fwy bwriadol wrth ateb Gareth Davies: cyfeiriaf yr Aelod at yr ateb a roddais eiliad yn ôl.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr yn gyntaf—Janet Finch-Saunders.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Janet Finch-Saunders.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd just like to declare an interest in terms of my accommodation paid for by the Senedd Commission being one of the properties that has the fire cladding issue.
Now, it is nearly a year since major developers in Wales signed up to the legally binding pact that commits them to carry out fire safety works on medium and high-rise buildings across the country. Last November, Minister, you informed the Welsh Parliament that there were 34 buildings with remediation works under way and a further 34 buildings estimated to start this year. Residents are telling me that the contract has only led to just one building having been completed. So, it's no wonder then, is it, that the Welsh Cladiators are bemoaning the fact that you are still working out how to report the lack of progress on some 70 plus sites. Bearing in mind the quarterly monitoring process, please can you state how many remediation projects have been completed as a consequence of the developers' pact?
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddatgan buddiant oherwydd bod fy llety, y telir amdano gan Gomisiwn y Senedd, yn un o'r eiddo y mae'r mater cladin tân yn effeithio arnynt.
Nawr, mae bron i flwyddyn ers i ddatblygwyr mawr yng Nghymru gytuno i'r cytundeb cyfreithiol rwymol sy'n eu hymrwymo i wneud gwaith diogelwch tân ar adeiladau canolig ac uchel iawn ledled y wlad. Fis Tachwedd diwethaf, Weinidog, fe roesoch wybod i Senedd Cymru fod 34 o adeiladau â gwaith cyweirio ar y gweill, ac amcangyfrifir y bydd gwaith ar 34 o adeiladau eraill yn dechrau eleni. Dywed preswylwyr wrthyf mai dim ond un adeilad sydd wedi'i gwblhau o ganlyniad i'r contract. Felly, nid yw'n syndod fod Cladiators Cymru yn gresynu'r ffaith eich bod yn dal i geisio penderfynu sut i adrodd ar y diffyg cynnydd ar 70 a mwy o safleoedd. O gofio'r broses fonitro chwarterol, a wnewch chi nodi faint o brosiectau cyweirio sydd wedi'u cwblhau o ganlyniad i'r cytundeb datblygwyr?
Yes, certainly, Janet. Once again, I think you've got a little bit of a problem there with some of the statistics you're quoting. We have a route to remediation for every single building that has a fire problem in Wales—very, very different to across the border—and those routes to remediation do not require individual leaseholders or groups of leaseholders to institute legal proceedings in order to get their rights, because the Welsh Government has taken the view, always, that they should not have to do so, and we have stepped in on their behalf, quite rightly.
So, depending on the type of building that you are in occupation of, there are four types that we look at. So, in social housing, we're in the process of remediation there. Most of those are already done or in progress. For the large developer buildings, we have a large number of those currently in remediation. Some of them are still at the survey and intrusive survey stage, and we've had some difficulty, it's absolutely right, with some of the managing agents, in getting access to the properties, and I've had a number of meetings with those managing agents. I don't have to hand, but I'm happy to share with you, and if you're signed up to the monthly newsletter, you'll know anyway—I don't have to hand how many of those are in that. I don't want to just guess off the top of my head, but we have a number that are still in that process, but it's small numbers—it's certainly less than 10. Then we have two other routes to remediation. We have the orphan buildings, where, again, we've got buildings who don't have a major developer associated with them or were built more than 30 years ago, so it's not possible to take that remedy for the developers. The Welsh Government is paying in its entirety for those, and we're in the process of remediation for a number of those, and some of them are still going through the process of getting the occupier, the managing agents, and the freeholders to sign up to the intrusive surveys that are necessary to start the works, but a large number of those are also in remediation. And then there's the fourth category of buildings that were built by smaller developers. Not all of the smaller developers are small developers—they're names that you would recognise—but they perhaps have only done one building in Wales. And some of them are small and medium developers, who are vital suppliers of jobs and construction expertise in their local area, and we want to be very sure that we don't push them into administration as a result of wanting them to remediate the buildings, so we're negotiating with them a fair share of the amount of the money it will take to remediate, one building very often, and the Welsh Government will make up the difference through grant funding or recoverable loan funding, depending on the circumstances of the company.
So, I would say that we have a route to remediation for every single one of those buildings. It's not possible to snap my fingers and just put all of them into remediation immediately, because we simply don't have either the supply chains or the construction workforce to do so. But we can tell you, for each individual building, exactly where it is in that programme, and what's happening. If you sign up to the monthly news sheet, you'd know that, but I'm very happy to send you the details, or indeed, Llywydd, I'm happy to put those details into the library if all Members would like to see them.
Yn sicr, Janet. Unwaith eto, credaf fod gennych broblem fach yno gyda rhai o'r ystadegau a ddyfynnwch. Mae gennym lwybr cyweirio ar gyfer pob adeilad sydd â phroblem tân yng Nghymru—gwahanol iawn i’r hyn sy'n digwydd dros y ffin—ac nid yw’r llwybrau hynny at waith cyweirio'n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i lesddeiliaid unigol neu grwpiau o lesddeiliaid gychwyn achos cyfreithiol er mwyn cael eu hawliau, gan mai barn Llywodraeth Cymru, bob amser, yw na ddylent orfod gwneud hynny, ac rydym wedi ymyrryd ar eu rhan, yn gwbl briodol.
Felly, yn dibynnu ar y math o adeilad yr ydych yn byw ynddo, mae pedwar math yr ydym yn edrych arnynt. Felly, gyda thai cymdeithasol, rydym yn y broses o'u cyweirio. Mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonynt eisoes wedi'u cyweirio, neu mae'r gwaith ar y gweill. Ar gyfer adeiladau datblygwyr mawr, mae gennym nifer fawr ohonynt yn cael eu cyweirio ar hyn o bryd. Mae rhai ohonynt yn dal i fod ar y cam arolygu ac arolygu ymwthiol, ac rydym wedi cael rhywfaint o drafferth, mae'n wir, gyda rhai o'r asiantau rheoli, gyda chael mynediad at yr eiddo hynny, ac rwyf wedi cael nifer o gyfarfodydd gyda'r asiantau rheoli hynny. Nid yw'r wybodaeth gennyf wrth law, ond rwy'n fwy na pharod i rannu gyda chi, ac os ydych wedi cofrestru ar gyfer y cylchlythyr misol, fe fyddwch yn gwybod beth bynnag—nid wyf yn cofio faint yn union o'r rheini sydd yn y broses honno. Nid wyf am geisio dyfalu, ond mae gennym nifer sy'n dal i fod yn y broses honno, ond mae'n nifer bach—yn sicr, mae'n llai na 10. Yna, mae gennym ddau lwybr arall at waith cyweirio. Mae gennym yr adeiladau amddifad, lle, unwaith eto, mae gennym adeiladau nad oes datblygwr mawr yn gysylltiedig â hwy, neu a adeiladwyd fwy na 30 mlynedd yn ôl, felly nid yw'n bosibl i'r datblygwyr wneud y gwaith cyweirio hwnnw. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn talu'n llawn am y rheini, ac rydym yn y broses o gyweirio nifer ohonynt, ac mae rhai ohonynt yn dal i fynd drwy’r broses o gael y deiliad, yr asiantiaid rheoli, a’r rhydd-ddeiliaid i gytuno i'r arolygon ymwthiol sy'n angenrheidiol i ddechrau'r gwaith, ond mae nifer fawr ohonynt hefyd yn cael eu cyweirio. Ac yna, mae'r pedwerydd categori, sef adeiladau a adeiladwyd gan ddatblygwyr llai. Nid yw pob un o'r datblygwyr llai yn ddatblygwyr bach—maent yn enwau y byddech yn eu hadnabod—ond efallai mai dim ond un adeilad y maent wedi'i wneud yng Nghymru. Ac mae rhai ohonynt yn ddatblygwyr bach a chanolig, sy'n cyflenwi swyddi ac arbenigedd adeiladu hanfodol yn eu hardal leol, ac rydym am fod yn sicr iawn nad ydym yn eu gwthio i ddwylo'r gweinyddwyr o ganlyniad i fod yn awyddus iddynt gyweirio'r adeiladau, felly rydym yn negodi cyfran deg gyda nhw o’r swm o arian y bydd yn ei gymryd i wneud y gwaith cyweirio, ar un adeilad yn aml iawn, a bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn talu'r gwahaniaeth drwy gyllid grant neu fenthyciadau adenilladwy, yn dibynnu ar amgylchiadau'r cwmni.
Felly, byddwn yn dweud bod gennym lwybr at waith cyweirio ar gyfer pob un o'r adeiladau hynny. Nid yw'n bosibl clicio fy mysedd a chyweirio pob un ohonynt ar unwaith, oherwydd yn syml iawn, nid oes gennym y cadwyni cyflenwi na'r gweithlu adeiladu i wneud hynny. Ond gallwn ddweud wrthych, ar gyfer pob adeilad unigol, ble yn union y mae arni yn y rhaglen honno, a beth sy'n digwydd. Pe byddech yn cofrestru ar gyfer y newyddlen fisol, byddech yn gwybod hynny, ond rwy’n fwy na pharod i anfon y manylion atoch, neu’n wir, Lywydd, rwy’n fwy na pharod i roi’r manylion hynny yn y llyfrgell os hoffai pob Aelod eu gweld.
Thank you for that comprehensive answer. I noticed, yet again, the emphasis on the social housing, but many people who've gone out and bought properties weren't aware of this fire-cladding issue. Indeed, as I've referenced my own property where I stay here in Cardiff, it was only when the waking watch people actually started turning up on a regular basis that I asked, 'Why are you here?', and they said, 'This is one of the—'. So, we as tenants, or indeed people buying these apartments, just did not know that they had these issues, so I am very concerned. As it stands, residents remain trapped in these unsafe buildings.
Just under two years since the detail of the leaseholder support scheme was announced, I'm only aware of one leaseholder that has completed the sales process. Now, according to the leaseholders charity, the process took that leaseholder 18 long and weary months to sell her home to a Welsh housing association. Yes, there are a few others in the pipeline, but, as far as I'm concerned, this scheme does seem to be rather costly, and isn't bringing those results that it should. What steps are you taking to make the leaseholder support scheme more appealing to residents?
Diolch am eich ateb cynhwysfawr. Sylwais, unwaith eto, ar y pwyslais ar y tai cymdeithasol, ond nid oedd llawer o bobl sydd wedi mynd allan i brynu eiddo yn ymwybodol o'r broblem cladin tân. Yn wir, a minnau wedi cyfeirio at fy eiddo fy hun lle rwy'n aros yma yng Nghaerdydd, dim ond pan ddechreuodd staff patrôl hyfforddedig ddod draw yn rheolaidd y gofynnais, 'Pam ydych chi yma?', a dywedasant, 'Mae hwn yn un o'r—'. Felly, nid oeddem ni fel tenantiaid, neu'n wir, bobl sy'n prynu'r fflatiau hyn, yn gwybod bod ganddynt y problemau hyn, felly rwy'n bryderus iawn. Fel y saif pethau, mae'r trigolion yn dal yn gaeth i'r adeiladau anniogel hyn.
Ychydig llai na dwy flynedd ers cyhoeddi manylion y cynllun cymorth i lesddeiliaid, dim ond un lesddeiliad yr wyf yn ymwybodol ohonynt sydd wedi cwblhau’r broses werthu. Nawr, yn ôl yr elusen lesddeiliaid, cymerodd 18 mis hir a llafurus i’r lesddeiliad dan sylw werthu ei chartref i gymdeithas dai yng Nghymru. Oes, mae ambell werthiant arall ar y gweill, ond o'm rhan i, ymddengys bod y cynllun hwn braidd yn gostus, ac nid yw'n arwain at y canlyniadau y dylai. Pa gamau rydych chi'n eu cymryd i wneud y cynllun cymorth i lesddeiliaid yn fwy deniadol i breswylwyr?
That's a very good point, actually, because we started off with quite a restrictive set of criteria for that because, frankly, we had absolutely no idea how many people might want to take advantage of it. And, actually, every three to six months of that scheme, Janet, we've revised the criteria to expand it outwards. So, it's a much more expansive scheme than it was at the beginning, and we have written back to everyone who applied in the first tranche who didn't get through the original, very strict criteria to say, 'Please do try again because, actually, we've relaxed the criteria.' So, for example, when we started off, we were saying that people who had bought the flat as an investment property, perhaps with their retirement pot, couldn't access the scheme, but we've relaxed it and now they can. So, there are more people who are eligible. But I don't disagree that it was very restrictive at the first. We've also now started to look at whether we can just actually buy outright via RSLs the flats, not because the tenants are in individual hardship, which is what the scheme was originally intended for—and you will have had and I have had many heartbreaking letters off people who bought it as a starter home and now have children and can't sell and so on, so we wanted to help people out in those circumstances—but, actually, there's nothing to stop us just buying up the properties where an RSL requires accommodation in that area and is able to acquire them, and we've got an acquisition scheme for all social landlords across Wales, who can actually buy tenanted properties if that's appropriate and take them over, and that goes for flats as well as for houses right across Wales. So, that's also available.
I'm really pleased to say that the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors guidance is now available in Wales too, so it should make the process of commercial sale much, much easier. So, we hope to see it—. It's only been available for the last month and a half, so we really hope that in the next big spring market—. There's always a big push on the property market in the spring, so, we are hoping that the RICS—that's hard to say—guidance will make it much, much easier for people to sell up, because it will allow more lenders to lend on the houses, which is what's been the problem; we've had mortgage lenders who have been reluctant to lend on the properties. So, that should free it up, we really hope so, and I've had—. My officials have certainly had lots of meetings; I've had one meeting with lenders to just try and understand how to release the lending market, so we've got commercial sales as well. So, I do absolutely accept that it was harder to do at the beginning. We really have relaxed the scheme quite considerably. People can access that, again, through the same newsletter, and I really hope to see those sales accelerate now that we've relaxed the criteria.
Mae hwnnw'n bwynt da iawn mewn gwirionedd, gan inni ddechrau gyda set eithaf cyfyngol o feini prawf ar gyfer hynny oherwydd, a dweud y gwir, nid oedd gennym unrhyw syniad faint o bobl a allai fod yn awyddus i fanteisio ar y cynllun. Ac mewn gwirionedd, bob tri i chwe mis o'r cynllun hwnnw, Janet, rydym wedi diwygio'r meini prawf i'w ehangu. Felly, mae'n gynllun llawer mwy eang nag ar y dechrau, ac rydym wedi ysgrifennu'n ôl at bawb a ymgeisiodd yn y gyfran gyntaf ac a fu'n aflwyddiannus oherwydd y meini prawf gwreiddiol, llym iawn i ddweud, 'Gwnewch gais eto gan ein bod wedi llacio'r meini prawf.' Felly, er enghraifft, pan ddechreuom, roeddem yn dweud na allai pobl a oedd wedi prynu'r fflat fel eiddo buddsoddi, gyda'u pot ymddeol efallai, gael mynediad at y cynllun, ond rydym wedi ei lacio, a gallant gael mynediad ato bellach. Felly, mae mwy o bobl yn gymwys. Ond nid wyf yn anghytuno ei fod yn gyfyngol iawn i gychwyn. Rydym hefyd wedi dechrau edrych i weld a allwn brynu'r fflatiau'n gyfan gwbl drwy landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, nid oherwydd bod y tenantiaid mewn caledi unigol, sef yr hyn y bwriadwyd y cynllun ar ei gyfer yn wreiddiol—a byddwch chi a minnau wedi cael llawer o lythyrau torcalonnus gan bobl a’u prynodd fel cartrefi cychwynnol ac sydd bellach wedi cael plant ac ni allant werthu ac yn y blaen, felly roeddem am helpu pobl yn yr amgylchiadau hynny—ond mewn gwirionedd, nid oes unrhyw beth i'n hatal rhag prynu’r eiddo lle mae angen llety ar landlord cymdeithasol cofrestredig yn yr ardal honno ac mae’n gallu eu caffael, ac mae gennym gynllun caffael ar gyfer pob landlord cymdeithasol ledled Cymru, a all brynu eiddo â thenantiaid, os yw hynny’n briodol, a’u cymryd drosodd, ac mae hynny’n wir am fflatiau a thai ledled Cymru. Felly, mae hynny ar gael hefyd.
Rwy’n falch iawn o ddweud bod canllawiau Sefydliad Brenhinol y Syrfewyr Siartredig ar gael yng Nghymru bellach hefyd, felly dylai wneud y broses o werthu’n fasnachol yn llawer iawn haws. Felly, rydym yn gobeithio ei weld—. Dim ond am y mis a hanner diwethaf y mae wedi bod ar gael, felly rydym yn mawr obeithio, y gwanwyn nesaf—. Mae'r farchnad eiddo bob amser yn brysur yn y gwanwyn, felly, rydym yn gobeithio y bydd y canllawiau Sefydliad Brenhinol y Syrfewyr Siartredig yn ei gwneud yn llawer iawn haws i bobl werthu, gan y bydd hynny'n caniatáu i fwy o fenthycwyr fenthyca ar y tai, a dyna fu'r broblem; rydym wedi cael benthycwyr morgeisi sydd wedi bod yn amharod i fenthyca ar yr eiddo. Felly, rydym yn mawr obeithio y bydd hynny'n ei gwneud yn haws, ac rwyf wedi cael—. Mae fy swyddogion, yn sicr, wedi cael llawer o gyfarfodydd; rwyf wedi cael un cyfarfod gyda benthycwyr i geisio deall sut i ryddhau'r farchnad fenthyca, felly mae gennym werthiannau masnachol hefyd. Felly, rwy’n derbyn yn llwyr ei bod yn anos ei wneud ar y dechrau. Rydym wedi llacio'r cynllun gryn dipyn. Gall pobl gael mynediad ato, unwaith eto, drwy’r un newyddlen, ac rwy'n mawr obeithio gweld y gwerthiannau hynny’n cyflymu nawr gan ein bod wedi llacio’r meini prawf.
Thank you, Minister. Of course, concerns have been raised with me that not a single developer has made use of the £20 million Welsh building safety loan scheme. Does that concern you? And when you think that it's now over six years on from the Grenfell tragedy, it is reprehensible that some developers who can afford to remediate private buildings, they're not engaging as they should do. Now, of course, the UK Government have stated—Michael Gove, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP has stated—that, where developers show shoddy practice on this, they will not be able to build again. Do you share those thoughts? Would you go that far, if you found developers just having cast their responsibilities aside and walked away, leaving apartment blocks full of very, very desperate residents? Will you take a tough stance and pursue legislative action to prohibit developers that have not completed building safety remediation work? And as Ripped Off By Redrow stated earlier this month, there is a shocking contrast between the fast pace of Redrow's new housing development and long-suffering customers who need remediation. Why is it that they can move very quickly when building new homes, yet they can't move just as quickly to fulfil their previous obligations and make these homes safe? Diolch.
Diolch, Weinidog. Wrth gwrs, mynegwyd pryderon wrthyf nad oes unrhyw ddatblygwr wedi defnyddio'r cynllun benthyciadau diogelwch adeiladau gwerth £20 miliwn. A yw hynny'n eich poeni? A phan feddyliwch fod dros chwe blynedd bellach ers trychineb Grenfell, mae'n warthus nad yw rhai datblygwyr sy'n gallu fforddio cyweirio adeiladau preifat yn ymgysylltu fel y dylent wneud. Nawr, wrth gwrs, mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi dweud—Michael Gove, mae'r Gwir Anrhydeddus Michael Gove AS wedi nodi—, lle ceir ymarfer gwael gan ddatblygwyr ar hyn, na fyddant yn gallu adeiladu eto. A ydych chi'n rhannu'r syniadau hynny? A fyddech chi'n mynd mor bell â hynny, pe byddech chi'n gweld bod datblygwyr wedi cefnu ar eu cyfrifoldebau, gan adael blociau o fflatiau yn llawn o drigolion mewn sefyllfa druenus? A wnewch chi fod yn llym a mynd ar drywydd camau deddfwriaethol i wahardd datblygwyr sydd heb gwblhau gwaith cyweirio diogelwch adeiladau? Ac fel y nododd Ripped Off By Redrow yn gynharach y mis hwn, mae cyferbyniad syfrdanol rhwng cyflymder datblygiad tai newydd Redrow a chwsmeriaid sy'n dioddef ers amser hir ac angen gwaith cyweirio. Pam y gallant symud yn gyflym iawn wrth adeiladu cartrefi newydd, ond na allant symud yr un mor gyflym i gyflawni eu rhwymedigaethau blaenorol a gwneud y cartrefi hyn yn ddiogel? Diolch.
So, Janet, I completely understand the frustration of people who can see new homes going up by the same company who built the block that they're in that's got the problems, but obviously the sets of skills and the remediation difficulties of an inhabited block of 11 storeys are completely different to building a new build; it's a completely different set of problems. I know people don't want to hear that, but it's just true.
So, I absolutely agree with you that any developer that didn't step up to the mark in signing up for the pact, signing the legally enforced contracts and then carrying out their obligations under that, should be prevented from doing that. Here in Wales, fortunately, every large builder who has a building or set of buildings in Wales has, in fact, signed both the pact and the legally binding contracts, and we're in that process. It is frustratingly slow to get the intrusive surveys done; we've had all kinds of issues with it. We've been working with local authorities. For example, you often need road closure orders to get the scaffolding—you know, there are lots of other things that happen. We've been working with local authorities to make sure that, where those buildings are, we can get those works done.
I should say, Llywydd, as Janet Finch-Saunders has said she lives in an affected building whilst here in Cardiff in the week, so do I. And a lot of the buildings have that problem, so we continue to tell people to sign up to the newsletter, we continue to write out to the managing agents and through Rent Smart Wales, through the landlords, to make sure that we are getting to as many tenants as possible. And as I say every time, if you can all encourage anyone affected to sign up to the newsletter and be in touch with the team individually, they are very happy to have individual conversations with tenants; lots of people have taken advantage of that. And I've met very large numbers of groups of tenants. We have a tenants stakeholder meeting—I meet with them very often. I've met with the Cladiators group; I've met with individual building groups and so on. So, we are doing our level best to make sure that it goes as fast as possible.
But I will say that my paramount issue is that it's done properly this time, and that, this time, when it's remediated, those people can be absolutely certain that, this time, they live in a building that is properly remediated and they can go back to living their normal life.
Felly, Janet, rwy'n deall rhwystredigaeth pobl sy'n gallu gweld cartrefi newydd yn cael eu codi gan yr un cwmni a adeiladodd y bloc y maent ynddo sydd â'r problemau, ond yn amlwg mae setiau sgiliau ac anawsterau cyweirio bloc o 11 llawr sydd â phobl yn byw ynddo yn hollol wahanol i adeiladu adeilad newydd; mae'n set hollol wahanol o broblemau. Rwy'n gwybod nad yw pobl eisiau clywed hynny, ond mae'n wir.
Felly, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â chi y dylai unrhyw ddatblygwr nad yw wedi camu ymlaen a chofrestru ar gyfer y cytundeb, llofnodi'r contractau cyfreithiol rwymol a chyflawni ei rwymedigaethau o dan y contract, gael ei atal rhag gwneud hynny. Yma yng Nghymru, yn ffodus, mae pob cwmni adeiladu mawr sydd ag adeilad neu set o adeiladau yng Nghymru wedi llofnodi'r cytundeb a'r contractau cyfreithiol rwymol, ac rydym yn y broses honno. Mae'n rhwystredig o araf cael yr arolygon ymwthiol wedi'u gwneud; rydym wedi cael pob math o broblemau gyda hynny. Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol. Er enghraifft, yn aml mae angen gorchmynion cau ffyrdd arnoch i gael y sgaffaldiau—wyddoch chi, mae llawer o bethau eraill yn digwydd. Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau y gallwn gyflawni'r gwaith hwnnw lle mae'r adeiladau hynny.
Dylwn ddweud, Lywydd, gan fod Janet Finch-Saunders wedi dweud ei bod hi'n byw mewn adeilad yr effeithiwyd arno pan fydd hi yma yng Nghaerdydd yn ystod yr wythnos, mae hynny'n wir amdanaf innau hefyd. Ac mae gan lawer o'r adeiladau y broblem honno, felly rydym yn parhau i ddweud wrth bobl am gofrestru ar gyfer y cylchlythyr, rydym yn parhau i ysgrifennu at yr asiantau rheoli a thrwy Rhentu Doeth Cymru, drwy'r landlordiaid, i sicrhau ein bod yn cyrraedd cymaint o denantiaid â phosibl. Ac fel rwy'n dweud bob tro, os gallwch chi annog unrhyw un sy'n cael ei effeithio i gofrestru ar gyfer y cylchlythyr a bod mewn cysylltiad â'r tîm yn unigol, maent yn hapus iawn i gael sgyrsiau unigol gyda thenantiaid; mae llawer o bobl wedi manteisio ar hynny. Ac rwyf wedi cyfarfod â nifer fawr iawn o grwpiau tenantiaid. Mae gennym gyfarfod rhanddeiliaid tenantiaid—rwy'n cyfarfod â nhw'n aml iawn. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â'r grŵp Cladiators; rwyf wedi cyfarfod â grwpiau adeiladu unigol ac yn y blaen. Felly, rydym yn gwneud ein gorau i sicrhau ei fod yn mynd mor gyflym â phosibl.
Ond fe ddywedaf mai fy mhrif awydd yw ei weld yn cael ei wneud yn iawn y tro hwn, a'r tro hwn, pan gaiff ei gyweirio, gall y bobl hynny fod yn hollol sicr eu bod, y tro hwn, yn byw mewn adeilad sydd wedi cael ei gyweirio'n iawn ac y gallant fynd yn ôl i fyw eu bywyd arferol.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Despite the unprecedented pressure on the homelessness sector, with the latest data showing that 11,317 individuals are in temporary accommodation, wages in the homelessness and housing support sector have been driven down to unacceptable levels, and front-line workers are being pushed into poverty. Evidence shows us that 41 per cent of workers are paid below the new minimum wage, and two thirds are currently being paid below the new real living wage. This has left many struggling to make ends meet, with 56 per cent struggling to pay their bills, and 12 per cent feeling at greater risk of homelessness themselves. I'm sure the Minister appreciates that this underlines the scale of the problem, when the workers responding to homelessness are facing it themselves.
It's clear that the lack of an increase for the housing support grant in the draft budget will make this worse, and that support for workers is woefully inadequate as a consequence. In light of the evident struggles facing workers in the sector, does the Minister think it fair that care workers have been supported with a real living wage uplift, while front-line homelessness support workers are not?
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Er gwaethaf y pwysau digynsail ar y sector digartrefedd, gyda'r data diweddaraf yn dangos bod 11,317 o unigolion mewn llety dros dro, mae cyflogau yn y sector digartrefedd a chymorth tai wedi cael eu gwthio i lawr i lefelau annerbyniol, ac mae gweithwyr rheng flaen yn cael eu gwthio i fyw mewn tlodi. Mae tystiolaeth yn dangos bod 41 y cant o weithwyr yn cael llai na'r isafswm cyflog newydd, ac mae dwy ran o dair yn cael llai na'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol newydd. Mae hyn wedi golygu bod llawer yn ei chael hi'n anodd cael dau ben llinyn ynghyd, gyda 56 y cant yn ei chael hi'n anodd talu eu biliau, a 12 y cant yn teimlo mewn mwy o berygl o ddigartrefedd eu hunain. Rwy'n siŵr fod y Gweinidog yn deall bod hyn yn tanlinellu maint y broblem, pan fo'r gweithwyr sy'n ymateb i ddigartrefedd yn ei wynebu eu hunain.
Mae'n amlwg y bydd y diffyg cynnydd i'r grant cymorth tai yn y gyllideb ddrafft yn gwneud hyn yn waeth, a bod cefnogaeth i weithwyr yn druenus o annigonol o ganlyniad. Yng ngoleuni'r trafferthion amlwg sy'n wynebu gweithwyr yn y sector, a yw'r Gweinidog yn credu ei bod yn deg fod gweithwyr gofal wedi cael eu cefnogi â chynnydd cyflog byw gwirioneddol, ond nad yw gweithwyr cymorth digartrefedd rheng flaen yn cael hynny?
Yes, thank you, Mabon, for raising this really important issue. As I've said many, many times, if I absolutely could have raised the housing support grant, I would. We're actually still in some conversations internally to see whether anything can be done between draft and final budget, but, as you well know, we've had to prioritise a number of things. So, just to be really clear, we maintained the housing support grant at £166.8 million, which is the 2023-24 level. I know that leaving it cash flat is causing problems; I'm not trying in any way to escape from the fact that that causes those problems. But it was actually quite a struggle to keep it cash flat, given the scale of problem that we've got right across the Government. So, because we've protected that service, we've had to cut other services, which we'd all very much like not to have seen. I'm still looking to see whether we can do something. That is not a promise in any way, just to be clear, but we are still looking to see whether we can do it.
There are some other things we can do as well. So, we've put additional revenue funding of over £2 million into the homelessness support and prevention budget. We will be increasing the capital budgets to accelerate the social house building programme, because, of course, supply is at the root of much of this problem as well. And we will be working with the local authorities. So, obviously, people have to be paid the national minimum wage. So, we'll be working with local authorities to make sure that can happen. But I would very much like to see them paid the real living wage. We would very much like to have that happen. These are workers I was incredibly proud of during the pandemic, as everyone in Wales should be proud of them, because they accomplished the most extraordinary feat, to get everyone in and safe in a really short period of time. They're extraordinary people. They certainly do deserve to be paid the real living wage and be remunerated properly.
So, we are working with local authorities as consortia and as part of the overarching homelessness programme to make sure that we can do what we can. But, you know, given that the overall budget is £1.3 billion less in real terms, these have been horrible decisions to make. I'm not trying to excuse it in any way, but it was quite the struggle to keep it cash flat. If we can put that money up, then we absolutely will. And if, working with Plaid Cymru, we can find some way of doing that inside the co-operation agreement, I'd be more than happy to have those discussions.
Ie, diolch am godi'r mater pwysig hwn, Mabon. Fel y dywedais lawer gwaith, pe byddwn i mewn unrhyw fodd wedi gallu codi'r grant cymorth tai, fe fyddwn wedi gwneud hynny. Rydym yn dal i gael sgyrsiau'n fewnol i weld a ellir gwneud unrhyw beth rhwng y gyllideb ddrafft a'r gyllideb derfynol, ond fel y gwyddoch yn iawn, bu'n rhaid inni flaenoriaethu nifer o bethau. Felly, i fod yn glir iawn, fe wnaethom gynnal y grant cymorth tai ar £166.8 miliwn, sef lefel 2023-24. Gwn fod ei adael yn arian gwastad yn achosi problemau; nid wyf yn ceisio dianc rhag y ffaith mai hynny sy'n achosi'r problemau hyn. Ond roedd hi'n anodd iawn ei gadw'n wastad o ystyried maint y broblem sydd gennym ar draws y Llywodraeth. Felly, oherwydd ein bod wedi diogelu'r gwasanaeth hwnnw, bu'n rhaid inni dorri gwasanaethau eraill, a byddai'n dda iawn gan bawb ohonom pe na bai hynny wedi digwydd. Rwy'n dal i geisio gweld a allwn wneud rhywbeth. Nid yw hwnnw'n addewid mewn unrhyw ffordd, i fod yn glir, ond rydym yn dal i geisio gweld a allwn ei wneud.
Mae yna bethau eraill y gallwn eu gwneud hefyd. Felly, rydym wedi rhoi cyllid refeniw ychwanegol o dros £2 filiwn i'r gyllideb cymorth ac atal digartrefedd. Byddwn yn cynyddu'r cyllidebau cyfalaf i gyflymu'r rhaglen adeiladu tai cymdeithasol, oherwydd, wrth gwrs, mae'r cyflenwad yn rhan fawr o'r broblem hon hefyd. Byddwn yn gweithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol. Felly, yn amlwg, mae'n rhaid i bobl gael yr isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol. Felly, byddwn yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau y gall hynny ddigwydd. Ond hoffwn yn fawr iawn eu gweld yn talu'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol. Hoffem yn fawr iawn pe bai hynny'n digwydd. Mae'r rhain yn weithwyr yr oeddwn yn hynod falch ohonynt yn ystod y pandemig, fel y dylai pawb yng Nghymru fod yn falch ohonynt, oherwydd eu bod wedi cyflawni camp ryfeddol, i gael pawb i mewn ac yn ddiogel mewn cyfnod byr iawn. Maent yn bobl ryfeddol. Maent yn sicr yn haeddu cael y cyflog byw gwirioneddol a chael eu talu'n iawn.
Felly, rydym yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol fel consortia ac fel rhan o'r rhaglen ddigartrefedd gyffredinol i sicrhau y gallwn wneud yr hyn a allwn. Ond wyddoch chi, o ystyried bod y gyllideb gyffredinol £1.3 biliwn yn llai mewn termau real, mae'r rhain wedi bod yn benderfyniadau ofnadwy i'w gwneud. Nid wyf yn ceisio ei esgusodi mewn unrhyw ffordd, ond roedd yn ymdrech go fawr i'w gadw'n arian gwastad. Os gallwn gynyddu'r arian hwnnw, byddwn yn gwneud hynny. A thrwy weithio gyda Phlaid Cymru, os gallwn ddod o hyd i ryw ffordd o wneud hynny yn y cytundeb cydweithio, byddwn yn fwy na pharod i gael y trafodaethau hynny.
Thank you for the response. Yes, it's cash flat this year, but it's still tens of millions less than what it was 20 years or so ago. And might I remind you that the Government promised to pay them a fair wage? Yesterday, in his response to a question from Rhun ap Iorwerth, the First Minister denied that this was a promise that he had made. Yet in his own manifesto for the 2018 leadership, it stated clearly, and I quote, that he would:
'Take forward the Fair Work Commission and the steps we need to take to make Wales a fair work nation – payment of the real living wage in all companies receiving public funds as a first step',
which includes homelessness and housing support workers, surely.
The Labour Party's manifesto and programme for government both committed to paying the real living wage to care workers, but, during the pandemic that the Minister mentioned, homelessness and housing support workers were included in the definition of care workers for the purpose of vaccination priority group 2, access to personal protective equipment, statutory sick pay enhancement scheme and others. The Welsh Government was happy to use this definition when sending front-line homelessness and housing support workers into a pandemic. So, does the Minister accept that this was a promise made by the First Minister, and that the Government should honour the promises that they made and increase the housing support grant so that workers are paid at least the real living wage for the complex, difficult and life-saving work that they do?
Diolch am yr ymateb. Ydy, mae'n arian gwastad eleni, ond mae'n dal i fod ddegau o filiynau yn llai na'r hyn ydoedd 20 mlynedd yn ôl. Ac a gaf i eich atgoffa bod y Llywodraeth wedi addo talu cyflog teg iddynt? Ddoe, yn ei ymateb i gwestiwn gan Rhun ap Iorwerth, gwadodd y Prif Weinidog fod hwn yn addewid a wnaeth. Ac eto yn ei faniffesto ei hun ar gyfer yr arweinyddiaeth yn 2018, nododd yn glir, ac rwy'n dyfynnu, y byddai'n:
'Bwrw ymlaen â'r Comisiwn Gwaith Teg a'r camau sydd angen inni eu cymryd i sicrhau bod Cymru yn genedl waith teg – a thalu'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol ym mhob cwmni sy'n cael arian cyhoeddus fel cam cyntaf',
sy'n cynnwys gweithwyr digartrefedd a chymorth tai, mae'n siŵr.
Ymrwymodd maniffesto a rhaglen lywodraethu'r Blaid Lafur i dalu'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol i weithwyr gofal, ond yn ystod y pandemig y soniodd y Gweinidog amdano, cafodd gweithwyr digartrefedd a chymorth tai eu cynnwys yn y diffiniad o weithwyr gofal at ddibenion grŵp blaenoriaeth brechu 2, mynediad at gyfarpar diogelu personol, cynllun gwella tâl salwch statudol a phethau eraill. Roedd Llywodraeth Cymru yn hapus i ddefnyddio'r diffiniad hwn wrth anfon gweithwyr cymorth digartrefedd a chymorth tai rheng flaen i mewn i bandemig. Felly, a yw'r Gweinidog yn derbyn bod hwn yn addewid a wnaed gan y Prif Weinidog, ac y dylai'r Llywodraeth anrhydeddu'r addewidion a wnaethant a chynyddu'r grant cymorth tai fel bod gweithwyr yn cael y cyflog byw gwirioneddol fan lleiaf am y gwaith cymhleth ac anodd, gwaith sy'n achub bywydau, y maent yn ei wneud?
So, Mabon, as I've said to you already, I absolutely accept that these workers were fundamental to the pandemic response, and they are absolutely skilled front-line workers who deserve to be remunerated correctly. And as I also said, I've already met with the director of Cymorth Cymru; I met with her in January to discuss some of the points you raise and she highlighted the risks to the sector, which we're well aware of. So, we will be working with local authorities to see what can be done with the contracts, and there are three stages to this, because there are existing contracts that will need to be adjusted, and then there's the new procurement process. These are not directly employed workers, for the most part. A few of them are—a very small minority of them are—but most of them are contracted workforce. So, it's a bit more complicated than paying a directly employed workforce. That's not an excuse; I'm just stating it as a fact, really.
So, we will be working with the local authorities to see what we can do, because without these workers we will have a lot of—. The homelessness prevention programme is essential because we've still got 1,000 people a month across Wales presenting as homeless. Keeping people in their homes and, when we've rehoused them, making sure that they stay in those homes and have the skill and support necessary, is essential to the programme. So, I'm not arguing with you about it.
But the truth of the matter is finding the money to do it is really, really hard. So, I'm still in the process of trying to find some additional money. I cannot promise that at the moment, but we are looking very hard to see if we can find that, and I'm very happy to work with yourselves to see if that money could be found.
Felly, Mabon, fel y dywedais wrthych eisoes, rwy'n derbyn yn llwyr fod y gweithwyr hyn yn hollbwysig yn yr ymateb i'r pandemig, ac maent yn weithwyr rheng flaen medrus iawn sy'n haeddu cael eu talu'n briodol. Ac fel y dywedais hefyd, rwyf eisoes wedi cyfarfod â chyfarwyddwr Cymorth Cymru; cyfarfûm â hi ym mis Ionawr i drafod rhai o'r pwyntiau rydych chi'n eu codi ac fe amlygodd y risgiau i'r sector, risgiau yr ydym yn ymwybodol iawn ohonynt. Felly, byddwn yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i weld beth y gellir ei wneud gyda'r contractau, ac mae tri cham i hyn, oherwydd mae yna gontractau'n bodoli eisoes y bydd angen eu haddasu, ac mae proses gaffael newydd. Nid gweithwyr sy'n cael eu cyflogi'n uniongyrchol yw'r rhain, at ei gilydd. Dyna yw ambell un ohonynt—lleiafrif bach iawn ohonynt—ond mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonynt yn weithlu dan gontract. Felly, mae ychydig yn fwy cymhleth na thalu gweithlu a gyflogir yn uniongyrchol. Nid yw hynny'n esgus; rwy'n dweud hynny fel ffaith, mewn gwirionedd.
Felly, byddwn yn gweithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol i weld beth y gallwn ei wneud, oherwydd heb y gweithwyr hyn bydd gennym lawer o—. Mae'r rhaglen atal digartrefedd yn hanfodol oherwydd mae gennym 1,000 o bobl y mis o hyd ledled Cymru yn ddigartref. Mae cadw pobl yn eu cartrefi, a phan fyddwn wedi eu hailgartrefu, sicrhau eu bod yn aros yn y cartrefi hynny a bod ganddynt y sgíl a'r gefnogaeth angenrheidiol, yn hanfodol i'r rhaglen. Felly, nid wyf yn dadlau gyda chi yn ei gylch.
Ond gwirionedd y mater yw bod dod o hyd i'r arian i'w wneud yn anodd tu hwnt. Felly, rwy'n dal i fod yn y broses o geisio dod o hyd i arian ychwanegol. Ni allaf addo hynny ar hyn o bryd, ond rydym yn edrych yn galed iawn i weld a allwn ddod o hyd iddo, ac rwy'n hapus iawn i weithio gyda chi i weld a ellid dod o hyd i'r arian hwnnw.
4. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i wella gwasanaethau bysiau yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru? OQ60710
4. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve bus services in south-east Wales? OQ60710
Thank you. We are working at pace to bring forward the new Wales bus Bill later in the year to transform the way services are delivered across Wales, and I'm working closely with local authorities to develop a new bus network plan for south-east Wales.
Diolch. Rydym yn gweithio’n gyflym i gyflwyno'r Bil bysiau newydd i Gymru yn nes ymlaen yn y flwyddyn i drawsnewid y ffordd y caiff gwasanaethau eu darparu ledled Cymru, ac rwy'n gweithio'n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol i ddatblygu cynllun rhwydwaith bysiau newydd ar gyfer de-ddwyrain Cymru.
Diolch am yr ateb yna.
Thank you for that response.
My office recently found out that the direct bus link between Blackwood and the Grange hospital has been axed after your Government funding came to an end. This is disappointing news, echoed across parties, not just for the people in the Blackwood area but also in Newbridge, Crumlin, Llanhilleth, Hafodyrynys, Pontypool and Griffithstown, as the bus stopped at these communities en route. Apart from being a big blow for the hospital's accessibility, this is also a big blow for our efforts to ease the climate crisis. The reality is that, for many people I represent in my region, a private car is the only viable option when it comes to getting to and from the Grange hospital. For my constituents without a car, can they hope for better than two or more buses that they have to catch if they want to get to the Grange in the future? And can you also give an update on what any evaluation of pilot schemes in Newport or elsewhere in the south-east has had on your public transport plans?
Yn ddiweddar, cafodd fy swyddfa wybod bod y cysylltiad bws uniongyrchol rhwng y Coed Duon ac ysbyty'r Faenor wedi'i ddiddymu ar ôl i'ch cyllid Llywodraeth ddod i ben. Mae hyn yn newyddion siomedig, a adleisir ar draws y pleidiau, nid yn unig i bobl ardal y Coed Duon ond hefyd yn Nhrecelyn, Crymlyn, Llanhiledd, Hafodyrynys, Pont-y-pŵl a Griffithstown, gan fod y bws yn stopio yn y cymunedau hyn ar y ffordd. Ar wahân i fod yn ergyd fawr o ran hygyrchedd yr ysbyty, mae hefyd yn ergyd fawr i'n hymdrechion i leddfu'r argyfwng hinsawdd. I lawer o bobl rwy'n eu cynrychioli yn fy rhanbarth, y gwir amdani yw mai car preifat yw'r unig opsiwn ymarferol ar gyfer mynd i ac o ysbyty'r Faenor. I fy etholwyr sydd heb gar, a allant obeithio am well na dau neu fwy o fysiau y mae'n rhaid iddynt eu dal os ydynt am gyrraedd ysbyty'r Faenor yn y dyfodol? Ac a allwch chi hefyd roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am yr hyn y mae unrhyw werthusiad o gynlluniau peilot yng Nghasnewydd neu rywle arall yn y de-ddwyrain wedi'i wneud o'ch cynlluniau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus?
Thank you. Well, the example of the Grange is a really interesting one and a bit of a case study, I think, of what is wrong with our current system and what our new system needs to do differently. Now, the commercial sector decided that they didn't think there was demand to the Grange from the communities in Blackwood but also in Blaenau Gwent, and therefore didn't put any services on when the hospital opened. There is a service from the Grange to Cwmbran and to Newport, where there are connections available, but not direct bus services.
In order to use our powers of intervention, the first test has to be: has the commercial sector tried and failed? So, it had in this case. The second is: has the local authority under its legal duty to provide socially necessary routes tried and failed? And in this case, there was no appetite from the local authorities to intervene and provide their own support for a bus service, so we then looked to use our intervention powers, which can only be justified in narrow circumstances under the very complex legal framework that bus privatisation sets out. So, we did fund a six-month trial, which showed very low demand, as in fact the commercial operator said in the first place. About 10 passengers a day were dropped off at the Grange on the route from Blackwood. Now, it may be it needed more than six months in order to bed in and for people to know about it. It may be that, because there were no bus services as soon as the hospital was open, people got used to driving, and different patterns of behaviour were established. I guess we'll just not know. I think on reflection we should have tendered it for longer than six months, but finances are always very stretched.
I think the key thing now is to learn this lesson as we design the maps for franchising, and we identify routes to key public services as being socially necessary, and are included in the contracts that TfW award to the franchisee. So, I’ve asked TfW to look in particular at this case, this example, and to bear that in mind as they design their networks for when franchising comes in.
Diolch. Wel, mae enghraifft ysbyty'r Faenor yn un ddiddorol iawn ac yn astudiaeth achos o fath, rwy'n credu, o'r hyn sydd o'i le ar ein system bresennol a'r hyn y mae angen i'n system newydd ei wneud yn wahanol. Nawr, penderfynodd y sector masnachol nad oeddent yn credu bod galw am fynd i ysbyty'r Faenor o'r cymunedau yn y Coed Duon ond hefyd ym Mlaenau Gwent, ac felly ni wnaethant ddarparu unrhyw wasanaethau pan agorodd yr ysbyty. Ceir gwasanaeth o ysbyty'r Faenor i Gwmbrân ac i Gasnewydd, lle mae cysylltiadau ar gael, ond nid gwasanaethau bws uniongyrchol.
Er mwyn defnyddio ein pwerau ymyrraeth, rhaid mai'r prawf cyntaf yw: a yw'r sector masnachol wedi ceisio a methu? Felly, yn yr achos hwn, roedd wedi gwneud hynny. Yr ail yw: a yw'r awdurdod lleol o dan ei ddyletswydd gyfreithiol i ddarparu llwybrau sy'n angenrheidiol yn gymdeithasol wedi ceisio a methu? Ac yn yr achos hwn, nid oedd unrhyw awydd gan yr awdurdodau lleol i ymyrryd a darparu eu cefnogaeth eu hunain i wasanaeth bws, felly aethom ati wedyn i ddefnyddio ein pwerau ymyrryd, na ellir ond ei gyfiawnhau mewn amgylchiadau cyfyng o dan y fframwaith cyfreithiol cymhleth iawn y mae preifateiddio bysiau yn ei nodi. Felly, fe wnaethom ariannu treial chwe mis, a ddangosodd fod y galw'n isel iawn, fel y dywedodd y gweithredwr masnachol yn y lle cyntaf mewn gwirionedd. Cafodd tua 10 o deithwyr y dydd eu gollwng yn ysbyty'r Faenor ar y llwybr o'r Coed Duon. Nawr, efallai ei fod angen mwy na chwe mis er mwyn iddo sefydlu ac i bobl wybod amdano. Oherwydd nad oedd gwasanaethau bws pan agorodd yr ysbyty gyntaf, efallai fod pobl wedi dod i arfer â gyrru, a bod patrymau ymddygiad gwahanol wedi'u sefydlu. Mae'n debyg na fyddwn ni'n gwybod. Ar ôl ystyried, rwy'n credu y dylem fod wedi ei dendro am fwy o amser na chwe mis, ond mae cyllid bob amser yn dynn iawn.
Rwy'n credu mai'r peth allweddol nawr yw dysgu'r wers wrth inni lunio'r mapiau ar gyfer masnachfreinio, a'n bod yn nodi bod llwybrau at wasanaethau cyhoeddus allweddol yn angenrheidiol yn gymdeithasol, ac yn cael eu cynnwys yn y contractau y mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn eu dyfarnu i'r sawl sy'n dal y fasnachfraint. Felly, rwyf wedi gofyn i Trafnidiaeth Cymru edrych yn benodol ar yr achos hwn, yr enghraifft hon, a chadw hynny mewn cof wrth iddynt lunio eu rhwydweithiau ar gyfer pan fydd masnachfreinio'n digwydd.
I couldn't agree more with Peredur, that we do definitely need better public transport to the Grange, and it’s an issue that I’ve raised many times here within the Chamber.
Deputy Minister, the key to improving bus services is to encourage more people back onto them in the first place. Time and time again I’ve asked and called for the Welsh Government to introduce a cap fare, especially after seeing how successful it has been just across the border. In England, the number of bus journeys has increased by 19.3 per cent in the year ending March 2023, yet my calls have fallen on deaf ears with the Government insisting that there isn’t enough money. And apparently there isn’t enough money to make bus travel free for young people, which is something that I’ve supported, and will support, and believe would certainly bring a lot of benefits to the industry. So, Deputy Minister, I’ve listened to a lot of the answers you’ve provided to a lot of my colleagues here today, and I know you love to blame Margaret Thatcher for all the woes under the sun, but you have been in charge for 25 years here in Wales. There is no-one else you can give blame to but yourselves on this. So, if you are reluctant to spend money incentivising bus travel, just how exactly is the Welsh Government going to boost bus patronage?
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr gyda Peredur, fod angen gwell trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus i ysbyty'r Faenor, ac mae'n fater a godais sawl gwaith yma yn y Siambr.
Ddirprwy Weinidog, yr allwedd i wella gwasanaethau bysiau yw annog mwy o bobl yn ôl arnynt yn y lle cyntaf. Dro ar ôl tro, rwyf wedi gofyn ac wedi galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno cap ar bris tocynnau, yn enwedig ar ôl gweld pa mor llwyddiannus y bu dros y ffin. Yn Lloegr, mae nifer y teithiau bws wedi cynyddu 19.3 y cant yn y flwyddyn a ddaeth i ben ym mis Mawrth 2023, ac eto mae fy ngalwadau wedi disgyn ar glustiau byddar gyda'r Llywodraeth yn mynnu nad oes digon o arian. Ac mae'n ymddangos nad oes digon o arian i alluogi pobl ifanc i deithio am ddim ar fysiau, sy'n rhywbeth yr wyf wedi ei gefnogi, ac y byddaf yn ei gefnogi, ac y credaf y byddai'n sicr yn dod â llawer o fanteision i'r diwydiant. Felly, Ddirprwy Weinidog, rwyf wedi gwrando ar lawer o'r atebion rydych wedi'u rhoi i nifer o fy nghyd-Aelodau yma heddiw, a gwn eich bod wrth eich bodd yn rhoi'r bai ar Margaret Thatcher am bob gofid dan haul, ond rydych chi wedi bod wrth y llyw ers 25 mlynedd yma yng Nghymru. Nid oes unrhyw un arall y gallwch eu beio heblaw chi eich hun ar hyn. Felly, os ydych yn amharod i wario arian i gymell teithio ar fysiau, sut yn union y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i hybu teithio ar fysiau?
Well, we do exist within the legislative framework that is set in Westminster, so that is a fact, and we do exist within a funding system that is designed in Westminster—that also is a fact. And the way the Barnett formula is currently working and being interpreted by the Treasury and the Department for Transport means that we did not get a share of the money that was put into buses to get that £2 fare in England. I would love to have done the same, and I have rehearsed in this Chamber many times that we would, in fact, have wanted to reduce fares to a £1 flat fee, and had Cabinet agreement for that. Until Liz Truss blew up the economy, there was a sporting chance we could have done that, but there simply isn’t the money available now to do it as we face a £1.2 billion gap in our funding this financial year. So, these are the facts I have to work within, and I of course am desperately keen to increase modal share by public transport. That’s what’s in the targets I set in 'Llwybr Newydd', that’s what’s consistent with our climate change targets. We’re addressing some of that through the way we design the bus system, but we also need to have the funding to be able to do it.
Wel, rydym yn bodoli o fewn y fframwaith deddfwriaethol sydd wedi'i osod yn San Steffan, felly mae hynny'n ffaith, ac rydym yn bodoli o fewn system ariannu sydd wedi'i llunio yn San Steffan—mae hynny hefyd yn ffaith. Ac mae'r ffordd y mae fformiwla Barnett yn gweithio ar hyn o bryd ac yn cael ei dehongli gan y Trysorlys a'r Adran Drafnidiaeth yn golygu na chawsom gyfran o'r arian a roddwyd tuag at fysiau i gael pris tocynnau £2 yn Lloegr. Byddwn wedi bod wrth fy modd yn gwneud yr un peth, ac rwyf wedi dweud yn y Siambr hon lawer gwaith y byddem wedi bod eisiau gostwng prisiau tocynnau i dâl cyffredinol o £1, a chael cytundeb y Cabinet i hynny. Hyd nes i Liz Truss chwalu'r economi, roedd gobaith bach y gallem fod wedi gwneud hynny, ond nid yw'r arian ar gael i'w wneud nawr wrth inni wynebu bwlch o £1.2 biliwn yn ein cyllid y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Felly, dyma'r ffeithiau y mae'n rhaid imi weithio gyda nhw, ac wrth gwrs rwy'n awyddus iawn i gynyddu nifer y bobl sy'n teithio ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Dyna sydd yn y targedau a osodais yn 'Llwybr Newydd', dyna sy'n gyson â'n targedau newid hinsawdd. Rydym yn mynd i'r afael â rhywfaint o hynny drwy'r ffordd y cynlluniwn y system fysiau, ond mae angen inni gael yr arian i allu ei wneud hefyd.
In his response to Peredur Owen Griffiths, the Deputy Minister said that the average number of travellers on that bus to the Grange was 11 passengers a day. I've been told by Stagecoach it was actually 36 passengers a day, which, again, may not make it viable, but I still think we need to have a review of that pilot. My vision was that it would become part of an extended programme that would extend later on into my constituency, and also into routes that weren't currently covered, and it was disappointing that, partly, I suspect, the impact of inflation, but also the impact of the review of the service didn't allow it to continue.
I've also been contacted by constituents concerned about changes to transport to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, and also issues in Aber valley, Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen, and from Bargoed as well. Therefore, on Friday 1 March, I'll be holding a bus users' surgery in Bedwas Workmen's Hall in Caerphilly. I'd like to feed back the information from that to the Minister. I'm also meeting this Friday with Stagecoach, in advance of that. What information can the Minister give me in advance of my meeting in Stagecoach, and my meeting with residents on 1 March, to give them reassurances that the current problems with the bus services are temporary, and that we are going to see change in the future?
Yn ei ymateb i Peredur Owen Griffiths, dywedodd y Dirprwy Weinidog mai 11 o deithwyr y dydd ar gyfartaledd oedd ar y bws i ysbyty'r Faenor. Mae Stagecoach wedi dweud wrthyf ei fod yn 36 o deithwyr y dydd mewn gwirionedd, nad yw, unwaith eto, yn ei wneud yn hyfyw, ond rwy'n dal i feddwl bod angen inni gael adolygiad o'r cynllun peilot hwnnw. Fy ngweledigaeth oedd y byddai'n dod yn rhan o raglen estynedig a fyddai'n ymestyn yn nes ymlaen i gynnwys fy etholaeth i, a hefyd i lwybrau nad oedd wedi'u cynnwys ar hyn o bryd, ac roedd yn siomedig yn rhannol, rwy'n tybio, nad oedd effaith chwyddiant, ond hefyd effaith yr adolygiad o'r gwasanaeth, wedi caniatáu iddo barhau.
Mae etholwyr wedi cysylltu â mi hefyd i ddweud eu bod yn poeni am newidiadau i drafnidiaeth i Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru yng Nghaerdydd, a hefyd problemau yng nghwm Aber, Bedwas, Tretomas a Machen, ac o Fargoed hefyd. Felly, ddydd Gwener 1 Mawrth, byddaf yn cynnal cymhorthfa i ddefnyddwyr bysiau yn Neuadd y Gweithwyr Bedwas yng Nghaerffili. Hoffwn drosglwyddo'r wybodaeth ohoni i'r Gweinidog. Ddydd Gwener yma hefyd rwy'n cyfarfod gyda Stagecoach, cyn y gymhorthfa. Pa wybodaeth y gall y Gweinidog ei rhoi i mi cyn fy nghyfarfod gyda Stagecoach, a fy nghyfarfod gyda'r trigolion ar 1 Mawrth, i roi sicrwydd iddynt fod y problemau presennol gyda'r gwasanaethau bysiau yn rhai dros dro, a'n bod yn mynd i weld newid yn y dyfodol?
Thank you. I'd be happy to check the figures he quoted, because they're different to the ones that I've been provided with by Stagecoach. But the point is, whether it's 10 or 30, there were small numbers. Nonetheless, it's socially necessary and we want to support bus services that are socially necessary and, as I've mentioned, we need to have the system and the finance to allow us to do that. I think we're all in agreement across this Chamber on the importance of a good bus service.
I'd be very keen to get the feedback from Hefin David of the bus surgery that he is holding in his constituency, and I commend him for doing that. It's really important that we listen, not just to existing passengers, but those we want to encourage to use the buses, and that feedback will be very helpful for me to then pass on to TfW as they design the franchised system.
I think the message to give to constituents is that we need more people using buses, to make them more viable and to reduce the amount of subsidy that is needed, and we need to feed into the system that TfW are designing for franchising the key intelligence of where people want to be linked to. TfW will be using data from mobile telephones, so we know where people are currently travelling, and that is going to be a key data set used to design the networks, but that also needs to be based on citizen feedback too. So, I'm very keen to follow up with Hefin David to understand the feedback he has from his constituents.
Diolch. Rwy'n hapus i wirio'r ffigurau a ddyfynnodd, oherwydd maent yn wahanol i'r rhai y mae Stagecoach wedi eu darparu i mi. Ond y pwynt yw, p'un a yw'n 10 neu 30, roedd y niferoedd yn fach. Serch hynny, mae'n angenrheidiol yn gymdeithasol ac rydym am gefnogi gwasanaethau bysiau sy'n angenrheidiol yn gymdeithasol ac fel y soniais, mae angen inni gael y system a'r cyllid i'n galluogi i wneud hynny. Rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn cytuno ar draws y Siambr hon ynglŷn â phwysigrwydd gwasanaeth bws da.
Rwy'n awyddus iawn i gael yr adborth gan Hefin David o'r gymhorthfa fysiau y mae'n ei chynnal yn ei etholaeth, ac rwy'n ei ganmol am wneud hynny. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn gwrando, nid yn unig ar deithwyr presennol, ond y rhai yr ydym am eu hannog i ddefnyddio'r bysiau, a bydd yr adborth hwnnw'n ddefnyddiol iawn i mi wedyn i'w drosglwyddo i Trafnidiaeth Cymru wrth iddynt lunio'r system wedi'i masnachfreinio.
Rwy'n credu mai'r neges i'w rhoi i etholwyr yw bod angen i fwy o bobl ddefnyddio bysiau, i'w gwneud yn fwy hyfyw ac i leihau faint o gymhorthdal sydd ei angen, ac mae angen inni fwydo'r wybodaeth allweddol ynghylch y mannau y mae pobl eisiau cysylltiad â nhw i mewn i'r system y mae Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn ei llunio ar gyfer masnachfreinio. Bydd Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn defnyddio data o ffonau symudol, felly rydym yn gwybod ble mae pobl yn teithio ar hyn o bryd, a bydd honno'n set ddata allweddol a ddefnyddir i lunio'r rhwydweithiau, ond mae angen i hynny hefyd fod yn seiliedig ar adborth dinasyddion yn ogystal. Felly, rwy'n awyddus iawn i fynd ar drywydd hyn gyda Hefin David i ddeall yr adborth a ddaw gan ei etholwyr.
Cwestiwn 6 sydd nesaf, Darren Millar.
Question 6 is next, Darren Millar.
Thank you very much. I do apologise, Presiding Officer, but I am not ready.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Rwy'n ymddiheuro, Lywydd, ond nid wyf yn barod.
Well, I'm very grateful for your honesty.
Wel, rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am eich gonestrwydd.
I can read it now though, if that's okay?
Gallaf ei ddarllen nawr, os yw hynny'n iawn?
Yes, you've bought sufficient time now to read your question out.
Iawn, rydych chi wedi prynu digon o amser nawr i ddarllen eich cwestiwn.
6. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella diogelwch priffyrdd ar y rhwydwaith cefnffyrdd? OQ60690
6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve highway safety on the trunk road network? OQ60690
Thank you very much, and I never thought I'd live to see the day where I'd see Darren Millar blush. [Laughter.]
Llywydd, we take the safety of the travelling public very seriously and have a targeted programme of improvements to address areas where there is a high density of personal injury collisions on the strategic road network.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, ac nid oeddwn erioed wedi meddwl y byddwn yn gweld y dydd y gwelwn Darren Millar yn gwrido. [Chwerthin.]
Lywydd, rydym o ddifrif ynghylch diogelwch y cyhoedd sy'n teithio ac mae gennym raglen o welliannau wedi'i thargedu i fynd i'r afael â mannau lle ceir llawer o wrthdrawiadau anafiadau personol ar y rhwydwaith ffyrdd strategol.
I'm grateful for your response. The A494 is a bane in some people's lives, particularly in the village of Llanferres in Denbighshire. It's a village where the speed limit along the A494 is 40 mph. And this is a village where there have been many near misses; many people feel that that speed limit is too high. The Welsh Government has made road safety a priority. You've been reducing speed limits on local roads, but we haven't seen many reductions in speed limits on the trunk road network. This is an area that needs a speed reduction to 30 mph, and I urge the Welsh Government to look into the appropriate speed in that village, and take action as soon as possible. Can you assure me that you will instruct your officials to do just that?
Diolch am eich ymateb. Mae'r A494 yn felltith ym mywydau rhai pobl, yn enwedig ym mhentref Llanferres yn sir Ddinbych. Mae'n bentref lle mae'r terfyn cyflymder ar hyd yr A494 yn 40 mya. A dyma bentref a welodd nifer fawr o ddamweiniau bron â digwydd; mae llawer o bobl yn teimlo bod y terfyn cyflymder yn rhy uchel. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud diogelwch ar y ffyrdd yn flaenoriaeth. Rydych chi wedi bod yn gostwng cyfyngiadau cyflymder ar ffyrdd lleol, ond nid ydym wedi gweld llawer o ostyngiadau i derfynau cyflymder ar y rhwydwaith cefnffyrdd. Dyma ardal lle mae angen gostwng y cyflymder i 30 mya, ac rwy'n annog Llywodraeth Cymru i edrych ar y cyflymder priodol yn y pentref hwnnw, a gweithredu cyn gynted â phosibl. A allwch chi fy sicrhau y byddwch chi'n rhoi cyfarwyddyd i'ch swyddogion wneud hynny?
Well, I completely agree that we should look at settlements in rural areas or along the trunk road network in exactly the same way as we do on the local road network, where, as you know, we have a default 20 mph when conditions are met. I'm not sure why he's advocating 30 mph in a built-up area, not 20 mph, which is outwith the rest of the system.
I issued a written statement to Members last night, setting out the interim results of the 20 mph monitoring, and also the interim results of the review that we'd asked to be carried out into how it's being implemented. One of the conclusions of that interim review is that a further review of speed limits, in the sorts of circumstances that Darren Millar has identified, should now take place, and I hope that'll be part of their final report. I think it should be the case that where we have villages, where there are schools, where there are shops, where there are houses, where there are community centres, the same guide criteria that we have for communities on local roads should also be looked at on trunk roads, so we can have safer, slower speed limits in areas where people and traffic mix.
Wel, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr y dylem edrych ar aneddiadau mewn ardaloedd gwledig neu ar hyd y rhwydwaith cefnffyrdd yn union yn yr un ffordd ag y gwnawn ar y rhwydwaith ffyrdd lleol, lle mae gennym 20 mya diofyn fel y gwyddoch pan fodlonir yr amodau ar gyfer hynny. Nid wyf yn siŵr pam ei fod yn cefnogi cyflymder o 30 mya mewn ardal adeiledig, nid 20 mya, fel gyda gweddill y system.
Cyhoeddais ddatganiad ysgrifenedig i'r Aelodau neithiwr, yn nodi canlyniadau interim monitro'r 20 mya, a chanlyniadau interim yr adolygiad y gwnaethom ofyn am ei gynnal i'r ffordd y caiff ei weithredu. Un o gasgliadau'r adolygiad interim hwnnw yw y dylid cynnal adolygiad pellach nawr o derfynau cyflymder, yn y math o amgylchiadau y mae Darren Millar wedi'u nodi, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n rhan o'u hadroddiad terfynol. Lle mae gennym bentrefi, lle ceir ysgolion, lle ceir siopau, lle ceir tai, lle ceir canolfannau cymunedol, rwy'n credu y dylid edrych ar yr un meini prawf sydd gennym ar gyfer cymunedau ar ffyrdd lleol ar gefnffyrdd hefyd, fel y gallwn gael cyfyngiadau cyflymder mwy diogel ac arafach mewn ardaloedd lle mae pobl a thraffig yn cymysgu.
7. Pa gymorth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru a'i phartneriaid yn ei ddarparu i amddiffyn cymunedau yn Sir y Fflint rhag llifogydd? OQ60696
7. What support is the Welsh Government and its partners providing to protect communities in Flintshire from flooding? OQ60696
Thank you for the question, Jack Sargeant. The Welsh Government works closely with our local authorities and Natural Resources Wales as the lead flood risk management authorities. We encourage the risk management authorities to put forward proposed schemes for funding under our flood and coastal erosion risk management programme, and I will be publishing next year's programme in March.
Diolch am y cwestiwn, Jack Sargeant. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio'n agos gyda'n hawdurdodau lleol a Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru fel yr awdurdodau rheoli perygl llifogydd arweiniol. Rydym yn annog yr awdurdodau rheoli perygl i gyflwyno cynlluniau arfaethedig am gyllid o dan ein rhaglen rheoli perygl llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol, a byddaf yn cyhoeddi rhaglen y flwyddyn nesaf ym mis Mawrth.
Thank you for that answer, Minister, and for the response you gave me in written correspondence a few weeks ago on this issue, and I look forward to your statement on the flood and coastal erosion risk management programme.
I've raised this a number of times about the issues locally in Flintshire around flooding, and I think I've made my position pretty clear before, Minister, that the already identified work needs to take place in Flintshire as quickly as possible, as does any additional work to identify further measures to protect communities. Can I ask you, as you consider the programme of works, to ensure that the fact that areas like Mancot, Sandycroft and Broughton have been flooded more than once in recent years is factored in when drawing up this year's investment programme?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog, ac am yr ymateb a roesoch imi mewn gohebiaeth ysgrifenedig ychydig wythnosau yn ôl ar y mater hwn, ac edrychaf ymlaen at eich datganiad ar y rhaglen rheoli perygl llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol.
Ar sawl achlysur codais y problemau llifogydd yn lleol yn sir y Fflint ac rwy'n credu fy mod wedi gwneud fy safbwynt yn eithaf clir o'r blaen, Weinidog, fod angen i'r gwaith a nodwyd eisoes ddigwydd yn sir y Fflint cyn gynted â phosibl, ynghyd ag unrhyw waith ychwanegol i nodi mesurau pellach i ddiogelu cymunedau. A gaf i ofyn i chi, wrth i chi ystyried y rhaglen waith, i sicrhau bod y ffaith bod ardaloedd fel Mancot, Sandycroft a Brychdyn wedi dioddef llifogydd fwy nag unwaith yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf yn cael ei ystyried wrth lunio'r rhaglen fuddsoddi eleni?
Yes, thank you very much, Jack, for that. And I absolutely do know how devastating the impacts of flooding can be on homes and livelihoods, and on lives and on children. I've met many who've been really traumatised by it, so I want to offer once again my sympathies to anyone who's been affected by the recent flood events during this winter season. And I know that your constituents were particularly affected by storm Babet back in October, and my heartfelt sympathy to them.
We have been working with all the risk management authorities and I'm aware that Flintshire County Council have submitted a number of bids for funding in the following round. I'm afraid I'm not able to provide today any assurances on which schemes will receive funding at this time, but I'm very happy to confirm that recent flooding impacts are very much considered when we prioritise investment through the flood programme. And I will, Llywydd, be announcing the programme on 19 March.
Diolch yn fawr am hynny, Jack. Ac rwy'n gwybod yn iawn pa mor ddinistriol y gall effeithiau llifogydd fod ar gartrefi a bywoliaeth pobl, ac ar fywydau ac ar blant. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â nifer sydd wedi dioddef trawma mawr yn eu sgil, felly hoffwn gydymdeimlo unwaith eto ag unrhyw un sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio gan y llifogydd diweddar yn ystod y gaeaf hwn. Ac rwy'n gwybod bod storm Babet wedi effeithio'n fawr ar eich etholwyr yn ôl ym mis Hydref, ac rwy'n cydymdeimlo'n fawr.
Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio gyda'r holl awdurdodau rheoli perygl ac rwy'n ymwybodol fod Cyngor Sir y Fflint wedi cyflwyno nifer o geisiadau am gyllid yn y rownd ganlynol. Rwy'n ofni na allaf roi unrhyw sicrwydd heddiw ynghylch pa gynlluniau fydd yn derbyn cyllid ar yr adeg hon, ond rwy'n hapus iawn i gadarnhau bod effeithiau'r llifogydd diweddar yn cael eu hystyried yn drylwyr pan fyddwn yn blaenoriaethu buddsoddiad drwy'r rhaglen llifogydd. A byddaf yn cyhoeddi'r rhaglen ar 19 Mawrth.
8. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am y sector ynni niwclear yng Nghymru? OQ60707
8. Will the Minister make a statement on the nuclear energy sector in Wales? OQ60707
Thank you very much, Ken, for the question. Nuclear energy is entirely within the portfolio of the Minister for Economy, Llywydd, but I will do my best to answer the question anyway.
Apparently there are three recent publications that help shape nuclear policy and delivery to 2050 across the UK and Wales. Great British Nuclear will be key to project delivery at multiple sites, but its establishment impacts on Cwmni Egino’s future, as well as on the potential for projects at both Trawsfynydd and Wylfa.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn, Ken. Mae ynni niwclear yn dod o fewn portffolio Gweinidog yr Economi yn llwyr, Lywydd, ond fe wnaf fy ngorau i ateb y cwestiwn beth bynnag.
Mae'n debyg fod yna dri chyhoeddiad diweddar sy'n helpu i lunio polisi a darpariaeth niwclear hyd at 2050 ledled y DU a Chymru. Bydd Great British Nuclear yn allweddol i gyflawni prosiectau ar sawl safle, ond mae ei sefydlu yn effeithio ar ddyfodol Cwmni Egino, yn ogystal ag ar y potensial ar gyfer prosiectau yn Nhrawsfynydd ac Wylfa.
Many thanks for your answer, Minister. The nuclear sector across Wales is, of course, very strong and especially in the north where it forms part of the buoyant nuclear arc, and we have many investors in the region. And there's renewed talk, of course, of a possible new nuclear reactor at Wylfa. Can you assure us that the Welsh Government has assessed the needs of existing and potential investors in the sector as part of a clean-energy drive, so that we're able to deploy support that aligns with whatever might be available from local and UK Governments?
Diolch yn fawr am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae'r sector niwclear ledled Cymru'n gryf iawn wrth gwrs ac yn enwedig yn y gogledd lle mae'n rhan o'r bwa niwclear bywiog, ac mae gennym lawer o fuddsoddwyr yn y rhanbarth. Ac mae yna siarad o'r newydd am adweithydd niwclear newydd posibl yn Wylfa. A allwch chi ein sicrhau bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi asesu anghenion buddsoddwyr presennol a darpar fuddsoddwyr yn y sector fel rhan o ymgyrch ynni glân, fel ein bod yn gallu rhoi cymorth sy'n cyd-fynd â beth bynnag a allai fod ar gael gan lywodraeth leol a Llywodraeth y DU?
Thank you very much for that, Ken. I understand from discussions with developers and members of the Wales nuclear forum in recent years that the key requirement for both existing and potential investors revolves around the need for suitable skilled people and premises. And in the nuclear sector in particular, investors also crave stability and consistency in Government policy to generate confidence and market resilience.
We're really pleased that Westinghouse’s decision to locate its UK decommissioning function at M-SParc on Ynys Môn, as well as the referenced Boccard investment on Deeside, arose from an assessment by both companies of the local availability of skilled personnel and suitable premises, the supportive Welsh Government environment and the potential future project opportunities in north Wales. I think this is a really good example, once again, of team Wales coming together to showcase the skills and the really good positioning, and a stable Government policy position around this, in contrast to that which we've seen across the border.
The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee report on 'Nuclear energy and the Welsh economy' is published today and the recommendations contained there will be carefully considered as we look to see what future Cwmni Egino in particular might have, given the outcome of that report.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am hynny, Ken. Rwy'n deall o drafodaethau gyda datblygwyr ac aelodau fforwm niwclear Cymru yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf fod y gofyniad allweddol ar gyfer buddsoddwyr presennol a darpar fuddsoddwyr yn ymwneud â'r angen am bobl fedrus a safleoedd addas. Ac yn y sector niwclear yn enwedig, mae buddsoddwyr hefyd yn awyddus i sicrhau sefydlogrwydd a chysondeb ym mholisi'r Llywodraeth er mwyn ennyn hyder a gwytnwch y farchnad.
Rydym yn falch iawn fod penderfyniad Westinghouse i leoli ei swyddogaeth datgomisiynu yn y DU yn M-SParc ar Ynys Môn, yn ogystal â'r buddsoddiad Boccard y cyfeiriwyd ato ar Lannau Dyfrdwy, wedi codi o asesiad gan y ddau gwmni o argaeledd personél medrus a safleoedd addas yn lleol, amgylchedd cefnogol Llywodraeth Cymru a'r cyfleoedd prosiect posibl yn y dyfodol yng ngogledd Cymru. Rwy'n credu bod hon yn enghraifft dda iawn, unwaith eto, o dîm Cymru'n dod at ei gilydd i arddangos y sgiliau a'r lleoliad da iawn, a safbwynt polisi Llywodraeth sefydlog ar hyn, yn wahanol i'r hyn a welsom dros y ffin.
Cyhoeddir adroddiad Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig ar 'Ynni niwclear ac economi Cymru' heddiw a bydd yr argymhellion a gynhwysir ynddo yn cael eu hystyried yn ofalus wrth inni edrych i weld sut ddyfodol a allai fod i Cwmni Egino yn enwedig, o ystyried canlyniad yr adroddiad hwnnw.
Yn olaf, cwestiwn 9, John Griffiths.
Finally, question 9, John Griffiths.
9. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o effaith ei pholisïau ar gyfer gwyrddu ardaloedd trefol? OQ60705
9. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of its policies for the greening of urban areas? OQ60705
I thank very much, John Griffiths, for that question. The Welsh Government has a range of initiatives to improve urban green spaces, such as Coetiroedd Bach and the allotment support grant. We recognise the importance of evaluating delivery. Local Places for Nature, for example, has commissioned a review to evaluate the social impacts of the programme between 2020 and 2025.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn hwnnw, John Griffiths. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru amrywiaeth o fentrau i wella mannau gwyrdd trefol, fel Coetiroedd Bach a'r grant cymorth rhandiroedd. Rydym yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd gwerthuso darpariaeth. Mae Lleoedd Lleol ar gyfer Natur er enghraifft wedi comisiynu adolygiad i werthuso effeithiau cymdeithasol y rhaglen rhwng 2020 a 2025.
Thank you for that, Minister. Most people in Wales live in urban areas and greening that urban environment—their doorstep environment—I think is very important to their quality of life, and also very important in terms of buying in support for the environmental policies of the Welsh Government and the efforts to tackle climate change and develop the sort of behavioural change we need to see.
In my constituency, Minister, we have Greening Maindee as an organisation that has drawn on available funding to create those accessible green areas, turning areas that were neglected and were eyesores into amenities now for local people that are accessible and very much enjoyed. It really draws on that enthusiasm of our volunteers and their commitment and the time that they’re willing to give. So, would you agree with me, Minister, that we need to see more of this activity and progress in Wales, and will the Welsh Government and partners continue to provide the funding to make that possible?
Diolch am hynny, Weinidog. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yng Nghymru yn byw mewn ardaloedd trefol a chredaf fod gwyrddu'r amgylchedd trefol hwnnw—yr amgylchedd sydd ar garreg eu drws—yn bwysig iawn i ansawdd eu bywydau, a hefyd yn bwysig iawn ar gyfer ennyn cefnogaeth i bolisïau amgylcheddol Llywodraeth Cymru a'r ymdrechion i fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd a datblygu'r math o newid ymddygiadol y mae angen i ni ei weld.
Yn fy etholaeth i, Weinidog, mae gennym Gwyrddu Maendy fel sefydliad sydd wedi manteisio ar y cyllid sydd ar gael i greu ardaloedd gwyrdd hygyrch, gan droi mannau a oedd wedi eu hesgeuluso ac yn ddolur llygad yn amwynderau nawr i bobl leol sy'n hygyrch ac yn cael eu mwynhau'n fawr. Mae'n sicr yn dibynnu ar frwdfrydedd ein gwirfoddolwyr a'u hymrwymiad a'r amser y maent yn barod i'w roi. Felly, a fyddech chi'n cytuno â mi, Weinidog, fod angen inni weld mwy o'r gweithgarwch a'r cynnydd hwn yng Nghymru, ac a fydd Llywodraeth Cymru a phartneriaid yn parhau i ddarparu'r cyllid i wneud hynny'n bosibl?
Thank you very much. I couldn't agree more—it's really lovely to see local communities getting really involved in greening their urban spaces. And indeed, in market towns across Wales, we also see semi- or peri-urban environments getting the same treatment.
Between 2023 and 2025, Newport will be receiving £61,000 under the allotment support grant and, I understand, intend to bring 14 derelict plots back into use at Cae Perllan Road and Market Garden. I really hope that that will mean that many more people get a chance to grow their own vegetables and flowers and so on. Also, it's really lovely to see derelict plots coming back into use. I was recently with Jayne Bryant in a slightly different part of Newport and we were looking at a scheme just along the riverside there, about which I'm very interested in seeing what can be done. The centre of Newport has some really lovely greening schemes in it as well. So, it's clearly something that's of great interest to the people of Newport, both east and west, which is lovely to see.
The Welsh Government continues to support the Green Flag awards as well. We give an accreditation to publicly accessible parks and open spaces to promote standards of good management and best practice. There are 280 awarded sites across Wales, including seven in Newport, of which two are newly awarded sites. Lliswerry pond and the Bishton village pond community area have also just received the Green Flag awards. So, I think, John, it's fair to say that Newport is a really excellent shining example of what can be done when communities really embrace their natural environment, and of both the mental health impact and the climate change and biodiversity impact of such a policy. I think the people of Newport are to be commended on their embracing of these schemes.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr—mae'n hyfryd iawn gweld cymunedau lleol yn cymryd rhan yn y gwaith o wyrddu eu mannau trefol. Ac yn wir, mewn trefi marchnad ledled Cymru, rydym hefyd yn gweld amgylcheddau lled-drefol yn cael yr un driniaeth.
Rhwng 2023 a 2025, bydd Casnewydd yn cael £61,000 o dan y grant cymorth rhandiroedd, ac rwy'n deall eu bod yn bwriadu dod â 14 llain sydd wedi tyfu'n wyllt ar Ffordd Cae Perllan a Market Garden yn ôl i ddefnydd. Rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y bydd hynny'n golygu bod llawer mwy o bobl yn cael cyfle i dyfu eu llysiau a'u blodau eu hunain ac yn y blaen. Hefyd, mae'n hyfryd iawn gweld lleiniau sydd wedi tyfu'n wyllt yn cael eu defnyddio unwaith eto. Yn ddiweddar, roeddwn gyda Jayne Bryant mewn rhan ychydig yn wahanol o Gasnewydd ac roeddem yn edrych ar gynllun ar hyd glan yr afon yno, ac mae gennyf ddiddordeb mawr mewn gweld beth y gellir ei wneud. Mae gan ganol Casnewydd gynlluniau gwyrddu hyfryd iawn hefyd. Felly, mae'n amlwg ei fod o ddiddordeb mawr i bobl dwyrain a gorllewin Casnewydd, sy'n hyfryd i'w weld.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i gefnogi gwobrau'r Faner Werdd hefyd. Rydym yn rhoi achrediad i barciau a mannau agored sy'n hygyrch i'r cyhoedd i hyrwyddo safonau rheoli da ac arferion gorau. Mae 280 o safleoedd wedi'u gwobrwyo ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys saith yng Nghasnewydd, ac mae dau ohonynt yn safleoedd sydd newydd eu gwobrwyo. Mae pwll Llyswyry ac ardal gymunedol pwll pentref Trefesgob hefyd newydd dderbyn gwobrau'r Faner Werdd. Felly, rwy'n credu, John, ei bod yn deg dweud bod Casnewydd yn enghraifft wych iawn o'r hyn y gellir ei wneud pan fo cymunedau'n cofleidio'u hamgylchedd naturiol o ddifrif, ac effaith polisi o'r fath ar iechyd meddwl a newid hinsawdd a bioamrywiaeth. Rwy'n credu y dylid canmol pobl Casnewydd am gofleidio'r cynlluniau hyn.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog a'r Dirprwy Weinidog.
Thank you to the Minister and Deputy Minister.
Cwestiynau i Weinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg sydd nesaf. Mae cwestiwn 1 [OQ60709] wedi ei dynnu yn ôl.
The next item is questions to the Minister for Education and Welsh Language. Question 1 [OQ60709] is withdrawn.
2. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog yn eu cael gyda'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ynghylch argaeledd darpariaeth gofal plant drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg? OQ60711
2. What discussions is the Minister having with the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the availability of Welsh-medium childcare provision? OQ60711
I have regular discussions with the Minister for Health and Social Services and the designated member of Plaid Cymru about our commitment in our 'Cymraeg 2050' action plan to expand Welsh-medium nursery provision. We continue to work closely with our partners to increase the availability of Welsh-medium childcare provision.
Rwy'n cael trafodaethau rheolaidd gyda'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol a'r aelod dynodedig o Blaid Cymru am ein hymrwymiad yn ein cynllun gweithredu 'Cymraeg 2050' i ehangu'r ddarpariaeth feithrin drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Rydym yn parhau i weithio'n agos gyda'n partneriaid i gynyddu argaeledd darpariaeth gofal plant drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.
Diolch, Weinidog. Last autumn, you joined me in welcoming the opening of Wibli Wobli nursery, the first Welsh language day-care nursery in Newport. Tragically, the building that housed the nursery in Rogerstone burnt down last month. The nursery's founder, Natasha Baker, and her team, have been working incredibly hard since then, and this week opened a temporary location in Tredegar Park Primary School. I'm really confident that Wibli Wobli will overcome this setback, but their experience has highlighted the lack of Welsh language childcare provision in my constituency.
Gweinidog, we all want to meet the 'Cymraeg 2050' milestone. The benefits of learning Welsh at a young age are widely recognised, especially for children whose parents do not speak the language at home. What more can the Welsh Government do to support Welsh language settings, particularly in English-speaking communities?
Diolch, Weinidog. Yr hydref diwethaf, fe wnaethoch chi ymuno â mi i groesawu agor meithrinfa Wibli Wobli, y feithrinfa gofal dydd Gymraeg gyntaf yng Nghasnewydd. Yn drasig, llosgodd adeilad y feithrinfa yn Nhŷ-du mewn tân fis diwethaf. Mae sylfaenydd y feithrinfa, Natasha Baker, a'i thîm, wedi bod yn gweithio'n andros o galed ers hynny, a'r wythnos hon agorwyd lleoliad dros dro yn Ysgol Gynradd Parc Tredegar. Rwy'n hyderus iawn y bydd Wibli Wobli yn goresgyn yr anffawd, ond mae eu profiad wedi tynnu sylw at y diffyg darpariaeth gofal plant drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn fy etholaeth.
Weinidog, rydym i gyd eisiau cyrraedd carreg filltir 'Cymraeg 2050'. Mae manteision dysgu Cymraeg yn ifanc yn cael eu cydnabod yn eang, yn enwedig i blant nad yw eu rhieni'n siarad yr iaith gartref. Beth arall y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i gefnogi lleoliadau Cymraeg, yn enwedig mewn cymunedau Saesneg eu hiaith?
The Member is right to say that I was very pleased to welcome the establishment of Wibli Wobli last year, as she says, and I was particularly saddened to hear of the devastating fire that occurred earlier this year. I'm pleased to hear what she has said today about the actions that the nursery have taken to re-establish, and I wish them all the very best in that very important work.
In relation to the Member's question, we continue to look closely with Mudiad Meithrin and local authorities to increase the availability of Welsh-medium childcare provision by investing both in the workforce and in building new settings across Wales. Since 2022, we've provided additional funding of around £3.7 million to our childcare partners, CWLWM, to provide additional and bespoke Welsh language training, including more training delivered in Welsh. It offers dedicated support to Welsh-medium settings, and to English-medium settings who want to increase their use of Welsh. This is in addition to the £70 million capital programme that we deployed to ensure that the childcare sector in Wales is strengthened and supported, and, to reflect the point the Member just made, with a particular emphasis on strengthening Welsh-medium provision in all communities in Wales.
Mae'r Aelod yn iawn i ddweud fy mod yn falch iawn o groesawu sefydlu Wibli Wobli y llynedd, fel y dywedodd, ac roeddwn yn arbennig o drist o glywed am y tân dinistriol a ddigwyddodd yn gynharach eleni. Rwy'n falch o glywed yr hyn y mae hi wedi'i ddweud heddiw am y camau y mae'r feithrinfa wedi'u cymryd i ailsefydlu, ac rwy'n dymuno'r gorau iddynt gyda'r gwaith hynod bwysig hwnnw.
O ran cwestiwn yr Aelod, rydym yn parhau i weithio'n agos gyda'r Mudiad Meithrin ac awdurdodau lleol i gynyddu argaeledd darpariaeth gofal plant drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg drwy fuddsoddi yn y gweithlu ac mewn adeiladu lleoliadau newydd ledled Cymru. Ers 2022, rydym wedi darparu cyllid ychwanegol o tua £3.7 miliwn i'n partneriaid gofal plant, CWLWM, i ddarparu hyfforddiant Cymraeg ychwanegol a phwrpasol, gan gynnwys mwy o hyfforddiant drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Mae'n cynnig cefnogaeth bwrpasol i leoliadau cyfrwng Cymraeg, ac i leoliadau cyfrwng Saesneg sydd am gynyddu eu defnydd o'r Gymraeg. Mae hyn yn ychwanegol at y rhaglen gyfalaf gwerth £70 miliwn a ddarparwyd gennym i sicrhau ein bod yn cryfhau ac yn cefnogi'r sector gofal plant yng Nghymru, a hynny, i adlewyrchu'r pwynt a wnaeth yr Aelod nawr, gyda phwyslais arbennig ar gryfhau'r ddarpariaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg ym mhob cymuned yng Nghymru.
Nid yw tref Penfro yn fy etholaeth fel arfer yn cael ei hystyried yn dref Gymraeg, ond mae ysgol gynradd Gymraeg newydd yn cael ei hadeiladu yn yr ardal, a bydd yn sicr yn helpu i ddarparu addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg, sydd i'w groesawu. Fodd bynnag, a gaf fi ofyn pa gymorth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n ei roi i sicrhau bod plant cyn oed ysgol, a fydd yn y pen draw yn mynd i ysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg, yn gallu profi'r Gymraeg hyd yn oed os nad ydynt yn dod o deulu iaith Gymraeg?
The town of Pembroke in my constituency is not often considered to be a Welsh-speaking town, but there's a new Welsh-medium primary school being built in the area, and it will certainly help to provide Welsh-medium education, which is to be welcomed. However, may I ask what support the Welsh Government is providing to ensure that preschool children, who will ultimately attend Welsh-medium school, can experience the Welsh language even if they don't come from a Welsh-speaking family?
Diolch i Sam Kurtz am y cwestiwn. Mae'r pwynt y mae e'n ei wneud yn bwynt pwysig. Dyna'n union yw pwrpas y gyllideb rŷn ni'n ei darparu i Mudiad Meithrin, ond hefyd i CWLWM, fel eu bod nhw'n gallu darparu'r hyfforddiant angenrheidiol i'r gweithlu, fel ein bod ni'n sicrhau nid yn unig bod lleoliadau'n gallu agor ond eu bod nhw'n gallu cael eu staffio gan bobl sy'n gymwys i wneud hynny. Ers dechrau'r flwyddyn hon, mae tua 15 y cant o leoliadau gofal plant yn cael eu diffinio fel rhai sy'n cael eu darparu trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, a thua 11 y cant yn dweud eu bod yn defnyddio'r ddwy iaith yn eu lleoliadau. Felly, mae hynny'n rhywbeth sydd i'w ddathlu. Mae hefyd 21 y cant o'r gweithlu yn y sector yn dweud eu bod nhw'n siarad Cymraeg yn hyderus, a thua 20 y cant pellach na hynny yn dweud eu bod nhw'n gallu siarad rhywfaint o Gymraeg. Felly, mae'r darlun hwnnw'n cynyddu hefyd.
I thank Sam Kurtz for the question. The point that he makes is an important point. That's the exact purpose of the budget that we're providing to Mudiad Meithrin, but also to CWLWM, so that they can provide the necessary training to the workforce, so that we can ensure not only that settings can be opened up but that they can be staffed by people qualified to do that. Since the start of this year, about 15 per cent of childcare placements are defined as ones that are provided through the medium of Welsh, and about 11 per cent say that they use both languages in their settings. So, that is something to be celebrated. Furthermore, 21 per cent of the workforce in the sector say that they speak Welsh confidently, and about 20 per cent above that say that they can speak some Welsh. So, that picture is progressing as well.
3. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gefnogi dysgwyr yn Nwyrain De Cymru? OQ60693
3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support learners in South Wales East? OQ60693
We continue to provide support to learners in South Wales East, including £8 million of funding towards additional learning needs, £12.2 million-worth of funding through our universal free school meals programme, and £43 million-worth of funding for Welsh-medium education projects.
Rydym yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth i ddysgwyr yn Nwyrain De Cymru, gan gynnwys £8 miliwn o gyllid tuag at anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, gwerth £12.2 miliwn o gyllid drwy ein rhaglen prydau ysgol am ddim i bawb, a gwerth £43 miliwn o gyllid ar gyfer prosiectau addysg drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.
Thanks so much for your answer, Minister. The consultation for the proposed school year changes closed just last week, and, I am sure similarly to many other Members in this Chamber, my inbox has been full of constituents raising their concerns around this matter. Firstly, the proposed changes will stagnate recruitment of our Welsh teachers, which is already behind where it should be, due to their loss of valuable holiday time prepping for a new term, which teachers across the border do not have to deal with. The changes will also increase costs for parents, as they will have to pay for extra indoor entertainment and heating, as their young ones will be home for longer, with increased holiday time over the colder months. This will most certainly have a knock-on effect, and we will also see a decrease in the vital benefits for outdoor education. Alongside this, Minister, our teachers will have to fight harder for much-needed annual leave, during a shorter summer leave period, whilst all the proposed changes deliver a disastrous blow to the economy and the rural sectors, with a £1 million loss that the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society will see from direct impact to the Royal Welsh Show, and the summer holidays underpinning our Welsh tourism industry. So, Minister, with these proposed school year changes clearly bound to negatively impact almost every area of society, will you do the right thing and drop the plans, going forward? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich ateb, Weinidog. Daeth yr ymgynghoriad ar gyfer y newidiadau arfaethedig i'r flwyddyn ysgol i ben yr wythnos diwethaf, ac fel llawer o Aelodau eraill yn y Siambr rwy'n siŵr, mae fy mewnflwch wedi bod yn llawn o negeseuon gan etholwyr yn mynegi eu pryderon ynghylch y mater hwn. Yn gyntaf, bydd y newidiadau a argymhellir yn rhwystro'r gwaith o recriwtio athrawon Cymraeg, sydd eisoes ar ei hôl hi o gymharu â lle dylai fod, gan y byddent yn colli amser gwyliau gwerthfawr yn paratoi ar gyfer tymor newydd, ac nid oes rhaid i athrawon dros y ffin ymdrin â hynny. Bydd y newidiadau hefyd yn cynyddu costau i rieni, gan y bydd yn rhaid iddynt dalu am wres ac adloniant dan do ychwanegol, gan y bydd eu plant adref am fwy o amser, gyda mwy o wyliau dros y misoedd oerach. Bydd hyn yn sicr yn cael effaith ganlyniadol, a byddwn hefyd yn gweld gostyngiad yn y manteision hanfodol i addysg awyr agored. Ochr yn ochr â hyn, Weinidog, bydd yn rhaid i'n hathrawon ymladd yn galetach am wyliau blynyddol mawr ei angen, yn ystod cyfnod gwyliau byrrach yn yr haf, tra bod yr holl newidiadau arfaethedig yn ergyd drychinebus i'r economi a'r sectorau gwledig, gyda cholled o £1 filiwn i Gymdeithas Amaethyddol Frenhinol Cymru o'r effaith uniongyrchol ar y Sioe Frenhinol, a gwyliau'r haf sy'n sail i'n diwydiant twristiaeth yng Nghymru. Felly, Weinidog, gan y bydd y newidiadau arfaethedig hyn yn y flwyddyn ysgol yn sicr o gael effaith negyddol ar bron pob rhan o gymdeithas, a wnewch chi'r peth iawn a chael gwared ar y cynlluniau wrth symud ymlaen? Diolch.
I don't recognise the rather lurid picture that the Member paints of the planned reforms as described in the consultation. I speak to teachers all the time, who tell me that one of their main concerns is the length of the autumn term, which both staff and pupils find extremely challenging. Teachers tell me all the time as well that a moving Easter break makes it much harder to plan for their curriculum and do their lesson planning. So, there are a number of benefits to teachers from the proposals set out in the consultation document. As she will know, the motivation behind the consultation is around making sure that those learners who are least able to make sure their learning is maintained over the summer—[Interruption.]
Nid wyf yn cydnabod disgrifiad braidd yn llwm yr Aelod o'r diwygiadau arfaethedig fel y'u disgrifir yn yr ymgynghoriad. Rwy'n siarad ag athrawon drwy'r amser, ac maent yn dweud wrthyf mai un o'u prif bryderon yw hyd tymor yr hydref, ac mae'n heriol dros ben i'r staff a'r disgyblion. Mae athrawon hefyd yn dweud wrthyf drwy'r amser fod y ffaith bod gwyliau'r Pasg yn newid yn ei gwneud hi'n llawer anos cynllunio ar gyfer eu cwricwlwm a chynllunio eu gwersi. Felly, mae nifer o fanteision i athrawon o'r cynigion a nodir yn y ddogfen ymgynghorol. Fel y bydd hi'n gwybod, mae'r cymhelliant y tu ôl i'r ymgynghoriad yn ymwneud â sicrhau bod y dysgwyr sy'n lleiaf abl i sicrhau bod eu dysgu'n cael ei gynnal dros yr haf—[Torri ar draws.]
John Griffiths.
John Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. One very important development for learners in south-east Wales, Minister, is the relocation of the Coleg Gwent Newport campus to the city centre. This will put learning in the faces of the wider community in Newport, and I think lead to very good progression routes—indeed, also through to higher education, with the University of South Wales Newport campus on the doorstep. I know you very much welcome and are supporting this important development, Minister. So, would you join me in wanting to see it going forward in as timely a manner as possible? I think we're all very eager to see the development and the opening of that very important new facility.
Diolch, Lywydd. Un datblygiad pwysig iawn i ddysgwyr yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru, Weinidog, yw adleoli campws Coleg Gwent Casnewydd i ganol y ddinas. Bydd hyn yn sicrhau bod dysgu'n cael ei arddangos i'r gymuned ehangach yng Nghasnewydd, ac rwy'n credu y bydd yn arwain at lwybrau cynnydd da iawn—at addysg uwch hefyd yn wir, gyda champws Prifysgol De Cymru Casnewydd ar garreg y drws. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn croesawu ac yn cefnogi'r datblygiad pwysig hwn, Weinidog. Felly, a wnewch chi ategu fy awydd i'w weld yn mynd rhagddo mewn modd mor amserol â phosibl? Rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn awyddus iawn i weld y cyfleuster newydd pwysig hwnnw'n cael ei ddatblygu a'i agor.
I think it is an exciting proposal. As John Griffiths will know from our previous discussions about it, I'm very enthusiastic about it, and I very much hope that our officials, together with those of the college and the local authority, are able to make progress to realise the ambitions that the plan describes. I think it's really important from the point of view of the visibility of learning, as he says, but also in terms of the location of the project, which, I think, is itself symbolic.
Rwy'n credu ei fod yn gynnig cyffrous. Fel y bydd John Griffiths yn gwybod o'n trafodaethau blaenorol ynghylch hyn, rwy'n frwdfrydig iawn am y peth, ac rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd ein swyddogion, ynghyd â swyddogion y coleg a'r awdurdod lleol, yn gallu gwneud cynnydd i wireddu'r uchelgeisiau y mae'r cynllun yn eu disgrifio. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn o safbwynt gwelededd dysgu, fel y dywed, ond hefyd o ran lleoliad y prosiect, sydd, rwy'n credu, yn symbolaidd ynddo'i hun.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Laura Anne Jones.
Questions now from party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Laura Anne Jones.
Diolch, Llywydd. Would the Minister agree with me and the first cross-party delegation that has just returned from the Falkland islands that a greater relationship between Wales and the Falklands—the gateway to Antarctica—could provide Welsh learners with a unique opportunity and could serve as a fantastic enabler for our learners in Wales to better understand what is happening to our environment globally?
As a Government that puts the environment highest on your list of priorities, would the Minister be willing to open talks with the Falkland islands Government and other stakeholders to develop, perhaps, an environmental project that would fit within our new curriculum, that connects schools in Stanley, their wildlife, and their proximity to Antarctica, to broaden our Welsh learners' horizons and to deepen their understanding of the world, with even the possibility of sharing the Welsh language given the high number of Welsh people that we met on the island? Diolch.
Diolch, Lywydd. A fyddai'r Gweinidog yn cytuno â mi a'r ddirprwyaeth drawsbleidiol gyntaf sydd newydd ddychwelyd o Ynysoedd Falkland y gallai cryfhau'r berthynas rhwng Cymru ac Ynysoedd Falkland—y porth i Antarctica—roi cyfle unigryw i ddysgwyr Cymru ac y gallai fod yn ffordd wych o alluogi ein dysgwyr yng Nghymru i gael gwell dealltwriaeth o'r hyn sy'n digwydd i'n hamgylchedd yn fyd-eang?
Fel Llywodraeth sy'n rhoi'r amgylchedd ar frig eich rhestr o flaenoriaethau, a fyddai'r Gweinidog yn barod i gael trafodaethau gyda Llywodraeth Ynysoedd Falkland a rhanddeiliaid eraill i ddatblygu, efallai, prosiect amgylcheddol a fyddai'n cyd-fynd â'n cwricwlwm newydd, sy'n cysylltu ysgolion yn Stanley, eu bywyd gwyllt, a'u hagosrwydd at Antarctica, i ehangu gorwelion ein dysgwyr yng Nghymru ac i ddyfnhau eu dealltwriaeth o'r byd, gyda hyd yn oed y posibilrwydd o rannu'r Gymraeg o ystyried y nifer fawr o Gymry y gwnaethom eu cyfarfod ar yr ynys? Diolch.
I thank Laura Anne Jones for that interesting question. I know from my discussions with my colleague Alun Davies that the trip to the Falkland islands was very interesting, and the environmental opportunities, I think, were clear, as I understand it. I think what the Member says is actually very interesting. I think it is important for our young people to have a clear understanding of the natural world around them, the climate emergency, the nature emergency, and how we can contribute to tackling that. She will also know that this is a Government that promotes international connections between schools, not least, most recently, through our Taith programme, which has enabled many schools in Wales to build relationships with schools elsewhere. Some of those have been physical exchanges, many more of them have been remote, online exchanges, and I think it would be interesting to explore the possibility that the Member has raised today.
Diolch i Laura Anne Jones am y cwestiwn diddorol hwnnw. Rwy'n gwybod o fy nhrafodaethau gyda fy nghyd-Aelod Alun Davies fod y daith i Ynysoedd Falkland yn ddiddorol iawn, ac roedd y cyfleoedd amgylcheddol, rwy'n credu, yn glir, fel rwy'n deall. Rwy'n credu bod yr hyn y mae'r Aelod yn ei ddweud yn ddiddorol iawn mewn gwirionedd. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig i'n pobl ifanc gael dealltwriaeth glir o'r byd naturiol o'u cwmpas, yr argyfwng hinsawdd, yr argyfwng natur, a sut y gallwn gyfrannu at y gwaith o fynd i'r afael â hynny. Fe fydd hefyd yn gwybod bod hon yn Llywodraeth sy'n hyrwyddo cysylltiadau rhyngwladol rhwng ysgolion, yn enwedig, yn fwyaf diweddar, drwy ein rhaglen Taith, sydd wedi galluogi llawer o ysgolion yng Nghymru i feithrin perthynas ag ysgolion mewn mannau eraill. Mae rhai o'r rheini wedi golygu teithiau cyfnewid yn y cnawd, a llawer mwy ohonynt wedi golygu ymgysylltu ar-lein, o bell, ac rwy'n credu y byddai'n ddiddorol archwilio'r posibilrwydd y mae'r Aelod wedi'i godi heddiw.
Thank you, Minister, I appreciate those comments. For over a year now, I've highlighted my concerns to you about the educational underachievement of white working-class boys in Wales. So, Minister, can you imagine my surprise when I heard your comments recently promising that a Welsh Government under your leadership would do more to help white working-class boys to thrive and achieve their full potential? Great. It's about time. White working-class boys are the most likely to not achieve a pass in English or maths GCSE, and they are least likely to go to university, with their numbers decreasing by 10 per cent over the last 10 years.
You now promise to close the educational gap for them in your manifesto promises, yet you have failed to do so in your time as education Minister. The lack of focus on this group of men, from you and the Welsh Labour Government, has resulted in very negative outcomes for them. We cannot and should not consign a generation of white working-class males to the dustbin of history. Minister, we see these new promises from you, yet you've been in charge of education for nearly four years. You've given no focus, no plan to address the disadvantage faced by working-class boys. Minister, why have you sat on your hands all of this time, and why has it taken a leadership campaign to address a now lost generation of working-class boys in Wales?
Diolch, Weinidog, rwy'n gwerthfawrogi'r sylwadau hynny. Ers dros flwyddyn bellach, rwyf wedi mynegi fy mhryderon wrthych ynglŷn â thangyflawniad addysgol ymysg bechgyn gwyn dosbarth gweithiol yng Nghymru. Felly, Weinidog, a allwch chi ddychmygu fy syndod pan glywais eich sylwadau yn ddiweddar yn addo y byddai Llywodraeth Cymru o dan eich arweinyddiaeth yn gwneud mwy i helpu bechgyn gwyn dosbarth gweithiol i ffynnu a chyflawni eu potensial llawn? Gwych. Mae'n hen bryd. Bechgyn gwyn dosbarth gweithiol yw'r rhai mwyaf tebygol o fethu pasio TGAU Saesneg neu fathemateg, a nhw yw'r rhai lleiaf tebygol o fynd i brifysgol, gyda'u niferoedd wedi gostwng 10 y cant dros y 10 mlynedd diwethaf.
Rydych chi nawr yn addo cau'r bwlch addysgol ar eu cyfer yn eich addewidion maniffesto, ond eto rydych wedi methu gwneud hynny yn ystod eich cyfnod fel Gweinidog addysg. Mae'r diffyg ffocws ar y grŵp hwn o ddynion, gennych chi a Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru, wedi arwain at ganlyniadau negyddol iawn iddynt. Ni allwn ac ni ddylem daflu cenhedlaeth o ddynion gwyn dosbarth gweithiol i fin hanes. Weinidog, rydym yn gweld yr addewidion newydd hyn gennych, ac eto rydych wedi bod yn gyfrifol am addysg ers bron i bedair blynedd. Nid ydych wedi darparu unrhyw ffocws nac unrhyw gynllun i fynd i'r afael â'r anfantais sy'n wynebu bechgyn dosbarth gweithiol. Weinidog, pam eich bod wedi eistedd ar eich dwylo drwy'r holl amser hwn, a pham ei bod wedi cymryd ymgyrch arweinyddiaeth i fynd i'r afael â chenhedlaeth goll o fechgyn dosbarth gweithiol yng Nghymru?
I commend the Member for the diligence with which she's following my leadership campaign. If she showed as much diligence to what the Government has been doing in this policy area since I became Minister, I think that would be even more preferable.
She'll remember—and I'm sure will have read—the speech that I gave to the Bevan Foundation about two years ago, which set out a plan, which we have been pursuing since then. It has a number of facets. It talks about the importance of community-focused schools, about engaging parents in the learning of their children. I was able to visit a school in John Griffiths's constituency recently doing very well just in that way by teaching parents to cook and bringing them into the school and cementing those relationships with the school community.
She will know as well about the work that we're doing to provide a curriculum that excites all our learners and makes it possible for each of them to fulfil their potential. She'll know, I think, about the investment we've made in initial teacher education to make sure that teachers understand the strategies that are most likely to succeed, and the professional learning that we've commissioned to support them on their professional learning journey after that.
She'll know, I think, about the engagement that we've had with the Education Endowment Foundation, including, recently, forming a partnership with them so they will help us with particularly successful initiatives in schools. And I know that she will have followed closely the attainment champion programme, which we successfully piloted, paring schools that have demonstrated particular success in this area with those who have found it most challenging. I very much hope we'll be able to continue that pilot next year.
I know she's a particular fan of the Programme for International Student Assessment results, and she is very free to quote to them when they support her case, but she will, I know, from her detailed study of them, have realised that, actually, Wales has been showing a closing of that attainment gap. I don't claim any credit for that. It came in very much more quickly after I became Minister. But I do think having an eye on the evidence is important, as well as an eye on the politics.
Rwy'n cymeradwyo'r Aelod am ei diwydrwydd wrth ddilyn fy ymgyrch arweinyddiaeth. Pe bai'n dangos cymaint o ddiwydrwydd wrth edrych ar yr hyn y mae'r Llywodraeth wedi bod yn ei wneud yn y maes polisi hwn ers imi ddod yn Weinidog, rwy'n credu y byddai hynny hyd yn oed yn well.
Fe fydd hi'n cofio—ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd wedi darllen—yr araith a roddais i Sefydliad Bevan tua dwy flynedd yn ôl, a oedd yn nodi cynllun, ac rydym wedi bod yn dilyn y cynllun hwnnw ers hynny. Mae iddo nifer o elfennau. Mae'n sôn am bwysigrwydd ysgolion sy'n canolbwyntio ar y gymuned, am ennyn diddordeb rhieni yn nysgu eu plant. Ymwelais ag ysgol yn etholaeth John Griffiths yn ddiweddar a oedd yn gwneud yn dda iawn yn y ffordd honno drwy ddysgu rhieni i goginio a dod â nhw i mewn i'r ysgol a chryfhau'r berthynas â chymuned yr ysgol.
Fe fydd hi'n gwybod hefyd am y gwaith a wnawn ar ddarparu cwricwlwm sy'n cyffroi ein holl ddysgwyr ac sy'n ei gwneud hi'n bosibl i bob un ohonynt gyflawni eu potensial. Fe fydd hi'n gwybod, rwy'n credu, am y buddsoddiad a wnaethom mewn addysg gychwynnol i athrawon i sicrhau bod athrawon yn deall y strategaethau sydd fwyaf tebygol o lwyddo, a'r dysgu proffesiynol rydym wedi'i gomisiynu i'w cefnogi ar eu taith ddysgu proffesiynol yn dilyn hynny.
Fe fydd hi'n gwybod, rwy'n credu, am yr ymgysylltiad a gawsom gyda'r Sefydliad Gwaddol Addysgol, gan gynnwys, yn ddiweddar, ffurfio partneriaeth â nhw fel y byddant yn ein helpu gyda mentrau arbennig o lwyddiannus mewn ysgolion. Ac rwy'n gwybod y bydd wedi dilyn hynt y rhaglen pencampwyr cyrhaeddiad, a dreialwyd gennym yn llwyddiannus, gan baru ysgolion sydd wedi dangos llwyddiant arbennig yn y maes gyda'r ysgolion sydd wedi'i chael yn fwyaf heriol. Rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y byddwn yn gallu parhau â'r cynllun peilot hwnnw y flwyddyn nesaf.
Rwy'n gwybod ei bod hi'n hoff iawn o ganlyniadau'r Rhaglen Ryngwladol Asesu Myfyrwyr, ac mae hi'n barod iawn i'w dyfynnu pan fyddant yn cefnogi ei hachos, ond rwy'n gwybod, o'i hastudiaeth fanwl ohonynt, y bydd wedi sylweddoli bod Cymru wedi bod yn cau'r bwlch cyrhaeddiad hwnnw mewn gwirionedd. Nid wyf yn hawlio unrhyw glod am hynny. Digwyddodd yn llawer cynt ar ôl imi ddod yn Weinidog. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig cadw llygad ar y dystiolaeth, yn ogystal â chadw llygad ar y wleidyddiaeth.
Yet, numbers are still going down, Minister, aren't they, compared to the rest of the UK? And those white, working-class boys in Wales are still at a massive disadvantage compared to their peers.
Minister, once again, you have failed to address the failures of your tenure in your response. This has become a theme of our back-and-forths over the past few years, it seems. Since you became education Minister in 2021, you've cut education budgets to the bone, year on year—cash-terms reductions, this year, to the tune of £56 million. You have failed to address the teacher recruitment and retention crisis in Wales. There's been a stark rise in bad behaviour and violence in our Welsh classrooms, with over 5,000 incidents in the past five years, and rising. Absenteeism—still rising. School transport—still not adequate. There is no national plan to address mental health in our schools or to share best practice. Education standards are at an all-time low, with Wales at the bottom of the PISA rankings, far behind our UK counterparts, with Wales falling to its lowest ever levels in maths, reading and science, below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average, even, whilst England scores still outperform Wales's all-time best since we joined in 2006. And I could go on, but, quite simply, Minister, you have failed a generation of learners throughout Wales, especially those with additional learning needs. Schools have been crying out for more money for years for staff, for training, for resources. It's not really a record to be proud of, is it? Education is clearly not a priority for you, Minister, or this Welsh Labour Government. Minister, on this record alone, do you really think you're fit to be Wales's next First Minister?
Ac eto, mae'r niferoedd yn parhau i ostwng, onid ydynt, Weinidog, o'u cymharu â gweddill y DU? Ac mae'r bechgyn gwyn dosbarth gweithiol hynny yng Nghymru yn parhau i fod dan anfantais enfawr o gymharu â'u cyfoedion.
Weinidog, unwaith eto, rydych wedi methu mynd i'r afael â methiannau eich cyfnod yn y swydd yn eich ymateb. Ymddengys bod hynny wedi dod yn thema i'n trafodaethau dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Ers i chi ddod yn Weinidog addysg yn 2021, rydych chi wedi torri cyllidebau addysg hyd at yr asgwrn, flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn—gostyngiadau yn nhermau arian parod, eleni, o hyd at £56 miliwn. Rydych wedi methu mynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng recriwtio a chadw athrawon yng Nghymru. Mae cynnydd amlwg wedi bod mewn ymddygiad gwael a thrais yn ein hystafelloedd dosbarth yng Nghymru, gyda dros 5,000 o ddigwyddiadau yn ystod y pum mlynedd diwethaf, ac mae'r ffigur hwnnw'n cynyddu. Absenoliaeth—mae'n dal i godi. Cludiant i'r ysgol—nid yw'n ddigonol o hyd. Nid oes cynllun cenedlaethol i fynd i'r afael ag iechyd meddwl yn ein hysgolion nac i rannu arferion gorau. Mae safonau addysg ar eu lefel isaf erioed, gyda Chymru ar waelod safleoedd PISA, ymhell y tu ôl i'n cymheiriaid yn y DU, gyda Chymru'n gostwng i'w lefelau isaf erioed mewn mathemateg, darllen a gwyddoniaeth, islaw cyfartaledd y Sefydliad ar gyfer Cydweithrediad a Datblygiad Economaidd hyd yn oed, tra bod sgoriau Lloegr yn dal i berfformio'n well na sgoriau gorau Cymru ers i ni ymuno yn 2006. Ac fe allwn i barhau, ond yn syml iawn, Weinidog, rydych chi wedi gwneud cam â chenhedlaeth o ddysgwyr ledled Cymru, yn enwedig y rhai ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Mae ysgolion wedi bod yn ymbil ers blynyddoedd am fwy o arian ar gyfer staff, ar gyfer hyfforddiant, ar gyfer adnoddau. Nid yw'n gyflawniad i fod yn falch ohono. Yn amlwg, nid yw addysg yn flaenoriaeth i chi, Weinidog, na'r Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru. Weinidog, ar y cyflawniad hwn yn unig, a ydych chi wir yn credu eich bod chi'n gymwys i fod yn Brif Weinidog nesaf Cymru?
Well, I thank the Member for the breadth of her questions. She touched almost every aspect of education policy. Sadly, much of it was not based remotely in fact. I wish that she would pay more attention to the actual outturn of our education system and the incredible hard work that our teachers and school leaders do every day, against very challenging circumstances, very often, to make sure that they give every young person in Wales the very best start in life. And I'd call on her to provide more support for them in the fantastic work that they do.
Wel, diolch i'r Aelod am hyd a lled ei chwestiynau. Cyffyrddodd â phob agwedd ar bolisi addysg, bron. Yn anffodus, nid oedd llawer o'i chyfraniad yn seiliedig ar ffeithiau mewn unrhyw fodd. Hoffwn pe bai'n talu mwy o sylw i ganlyniadau go iawn ein system addysg a'r gwaith caled anhygoel y mae ein hathrawon ac arweinwyr ein hysgolion yn ei wneud bob dydd, a hynny dan amgylchiadau heriol iawn yn aml, i sicrhau eu bod yn rhoi'r dechrau gorau mewn bywyd i bob unigolyn ifanc yng Nghymru. A hoffwn alw arni i roi mwy o gefnogaeth iddynt yn y gwaith gwych y maent yn ei wneud.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.
The Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Llywydd. Wythnos diwethaf, fe gyhoeddodd UCAS eu data diweddaraf, sy’n dangos lleihad yn nifer y ceisiadau gan bobl yng Nghymru am le mewn prifysgol. Cymru hefyd sydd â'r gyfradd ymgeisio isaf o unrhyw un o wledydd y Deyrnas Unedig. Nid yn unig hynny, mae’r data hefyd yn dangos lleihad yn y nifer sy’n ymgeisio am lefydd ar gyrsiau lle mae dirfawr angen mwy o bobl arnom gyda’r sgiliau hynny, megis meddygaeth a deintyddiaeth, lle mae yna leihad o 7 y cant, a chyrsiau bydwreigiaeth, lle mae lleihad o 12 y cant, sy’n 400 cais, o gymharu â 750 cais yn 2021. Beth yw eich ymateb chi i’r data yma? A beth ydych chi’n gwneud i sicrhau ein bod ni’n denu mwy o fyfyrwyr ar gyrsiau sy’n gyfan gwbl hanfodol o ran llenwi swyddi angenrheidiol yma yng Nghymru?
Thank you, Llywydd. Last week, UCAS published its latest data, which show a reduction in the number of applications from people in Wales for places at university. Wales also has the lowest application rate of any country in the UK. Not only that, the data also show a reduction in the number of applicants for places on courses where we desperately need more people with those skills, such as medicine and dentistry, where there is a 7 per cent reduction, and midwifery courses, where there is a reduction of 12 per cent, which equates to 400 applications, compared to 750 applications in 2021. What is your response to these data? And what are you doing to ensure that we attract more students on courses that are absolutely essential in terms of filling necessary jobs here in Wales?
Wel, mae'r Aelod yn gofyn cwestiwn teg. Fe wnes i gael cyfarfod gydag UCAS ddoe, fel mae'n digwydd, i gael y drafodaeth benodol hon ar beth mwy y gallwn ni ei wneud i sicrhau bod mynediad i addysg uwch yn hafal i bawb. Fel mae'r Aelod yn gwybod, mae gyda ni waith eisoes ar y gweill i wneud hynny. Mae'r gwaith rydyn ni'n ei wneud ar y cyd gyda Phlaid Cymru o ran cynllun Seren yn cyfrannu rhywfaint at hynny, ond hefyd y ffaith ein bod ni'n darparu'r gefnogaeth ariannol fwyaf o unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Gyfunol o ran costau byw i fyfyrwyr. Rŷn ni'n gwybod mai hynny sydd yn gwneud y gwahaniaeth mwyaf i'r penderfyniad a ydych chi'n mynd i astudio mewn prifysgol. Ond hefyd, fel bydd yr Aelod, dwi'n credu, yn gwybod, ers y llynedd, rŷn ni wedi newid y rheoliadau yma yng Nghymru i sicrhau bod statws cymhwysedd myfyriwr am brydau bwyd am ddim yn gallu cael ei rannu'n gyfrinachol gyda phrifysgol er mwyn sicrhau bod y darlun cyflawn o gyflawniad yr unigolyn yn cael ei gymryd i mewn i ystyriaeth. Felly, mae gwaith ar y gweill yn barod, ac mae hi'n iawn i ddweud bod angen sicrhau ein bod ni'n mynd i'r afael â hyn. Mae'r darlun ychydig yn fwy cymhleth na'r hyn y mae hi'n ei ddisgrifio. Mae hyn yn ffactor mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig hefyd.
O ran y darlun meddygol, mae hi'n gwybod ein bod ni wedi cynnal bwrsari'r gwasanaeth iechyd y flwyddyn yma eto. Mae hynny'n gwneud gwahaniaeth. Mae'r darlun o ran recriwtio i astudio ar gyfer nyrsio a rhai o'r swyddogaethau eraill y mae'r Aelod wedi sôn amdanynt heddiw, yn anffodus, yn rhywbeth sydd yn gyffredin ar draws y Deyrnas Gyfunol. Felly, mae angen gweithio ar y cyd i sicrhau ein bod ni'n denu mwy i'r gwaith pwysig hwn.
Well, the Member asks a fair question. I had a meeting with UCAS yesterday, as it happens, to have this very discussion on what more we can do to ensure that access to higher education is equal for all. As the Member knows, we already have work in train to do that. The work that we are doing jointly with Plaid Cymru in terms of the Seren programme contributes towards that, but also the fact that we are providing the most generous financial support in any part of the UK in terms of the cost of living for students. We know that that makes the biggest difference when it comes to the decision of whether to go to university or not. But also, as the Member will also know, since last year, we have changed the regulations here in Wales to ensure that the status of a student's qualification for free school meals can be shared confidentially with a university in order to ensure that they have the full picture of the individual's attainment and that that is taken into account. So, there is already work in the pipeline, but she's right to say that we do need to tackle this issue. The picture is a little more complex than she describes. This is also a factor in other parts of the UK too.
In terms of the picture on the medical side, she will know that we have sustained the NHS bursary for this year once again. That makes a difference. The picture in terms of recruitment for nursing and some of the other functions that the Member has described today is, unfortunately, shared across the UK. So, we need to work jointly to ensure that we attract more people to this important work.
Diolch, Weinidog. Dwi'n siŵr eich bod chi'n deall mai munud sydd gen i i ofyn cwestiwn i chi, felly mae trio cael y data i gyd yn anodd yn y munud hwnnw. Ond, mae un elfen arall o'r data yn dangos bod nifer y dynion sy'n ymgeisio wedi gostwng 2 y cant, tra bod nifer y menywod sy'n gwneud cais mewn prifysgol wedi gostwng ddwywaith gymaint, 4 y cant, a hefyd fod yna leihad yn nifer y rhai sydd â chyfrifoldebau gofal—wedi disgyn—ac rydyn ni'n gwybod nad oes gan rai prifysgolion bethau fel crèche ac ati i'w cynnig erbyn hyn.
Mae bylchau sylweddol rhwng y rhywiau ar draws rhai o bynciau allweddol STEM hefyd, lle mae menywod yn aml yn cael eu tangynrychioli, fel y gwyddorau milfeddygol, mathemategol, biolegol a chwaraeon. Fodd bynnag, yng nghyllideb ddrafft ddiweddaraf Llywodraeth Cymru, rydyn ni wedi gweld cyllid sy'n helpu i annog myfyrwyr i astudio rhai o'r pynciau hyn yn cael ei dorri, yn arbennig o ran ôl-radd. O ystyried y pwysigrwydd rydych chi wedi'i roi ar gydraddoldeb wrth ymgeisio i fod yn Brif Weinidog nesaf Cymru, sut ydych chi'n bwriadu unioni'r gwahaniaethau sy'n cael eu hamlygu mewn addysg, fel y rhai dwi wedi'u crybwyll, heb y cyllid angenrheidiol?
Thank you, Minister. I'm sure you understand that I only have a minute to ask you a question, so trying to get all of the data in that minute is very difficult. But, one other element of the data also shows that the number of male applicants fell by 2 per cent, while the number of women applying to university fell by twice as much, by 4 per cent. We also know that there is a reduction as regards those with caring responsibilities, and we know that some universities don't have things such as a crèche to offer by now.
There are significant gender gaps across some key STEM subjects, where women are often already under-represented, such as the veterinary sciences, mathematical sciences and biological and sports sciences. However, in the Welsh Government's latest draft budget, we have seen the funding that encourages students to study these subjects being cut, particularly in terms of postgraduate studies. Given the importance that you've attached to equality issues in bidding to become the next First Minister of Wales, how do you intend to rectify the discrepancies that have emerged in education, such as those that I've mentioned, without the necessary funding?
Jest i fod yn eglur am un peth, nid 'yn cynnwys' cyrsiau ôl-raddedig ond 'yn unig' mewn cyrsiau ôl-raddedig y mae'r toriad hwnnw wedi digwydd, a'r rheswm anffodus am hynny yw'r pwysau ar ein cyllideb ni. Felly, mae popeth rŷn ni'n gwybod o ran pryd rydych chi'n gwario'r arian ar lwybr addysg unigolyn a pha impact rydych chi'n gallu ei gael yn pwyntio tuag at wario a buddsoddi cyn gynted ag y gallwch chi—felly, yn y blynyddoedd cynnar a'r blynyddoedd ysgol. Mi oedd rhaid imi wneud dewis, yn sgil y pwysau sydd ar gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru, i dorri hynny ac i sicrhau mai benthyciadau nid grantiau sydd ar gael i fyfyrwyr ôl-raddedig nawr er mwyn inni allu gwarchod mynediad at raddau cyntaf a, hefyd, sicrhau buddsoddiad yn ein hysgolion ni. Does dim un Gweinidog eisiau gwneud y penderfyniad hwnnw, ond rwy'n sicr, o fewn yr ystod o benderfyniadau oedd ar gael, mai dyna'r fersiwn fwyaf blaengar o'r ffordd y gallem ni fuddsoddi'r arian oedd ar gael.
Just to be clear on one thing, it's not a case of the funding being cut with the 'inclusion of postgraduate courses', but 'only for postgraduate courses', and the unfortunate reason for that is the pressure on our budgets. So, everything we know about when you spend in an individual's learning pathway, and the impact that you can have does point towards investing as early as possible—so, in the early years and school years. I had to make a choice, given the pressures on the Welsh budget, to make a cut there and to ensure that it is loans rather than grants that are available to postgraduate students so that we can safeguard access to initial degrees and ensure investment in our schools. No Minister wants to make that decision, but, certainly, within the range of decisions available to us, that is the most progressive way that we could invest the money available.
4. Pa drafodaethau mae’r Gweinidog yn eu cael efo’r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ynglŷn â sefydlu ysgol ddeintyddiaeth ym Mhrifysgol Bangor? OQ60677
4. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding establishing a dental school in Bangor University? OQ60677
Dwi’n trafod amryw o faterion gyda’r Gweinidog iechyd, gan gynnwys deintyddiaeth. Mae Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru yn gyfrifol am ddatblygu cynllun deintyddiaeth ar gyfer y gweithlu, a bydd yn parhau i asesu’r cyfleoedd hyfforddi sydd ar gael, gan gynnwys p’un a oes angen ysgol ddeintyddiaeth ychwanegol.
I discuss a range of issues with the health Minister, including dentistry. Health Education and Improvement Wales are responsible for developing a workforce plan for dentistry and will continue to assess the available training opportunities, including whether an additional dental school is necessary.
Mae'n wych gweld yr ysgol feddygol ym Mhrifysgol Bangor yn mynd o nerth i nerth, efo'r myfyrwyr cyntaf i wneud eu holl gwrs ym Mangor yn cychwyn fis Medi nesaf. Mae'r brifysgol yn rhan hollbwysig o wead economaidd a chymdeithasol y gogledd-orllewin, a does yna ddim dwywaith fod sefydlu ysgol feddygol yn dyrchafu statws y brifysgol ymhellach. O siarad efo'r staff academaidd yno, sefydlu ysgol ddeintyddiaeth ydy'r cam naturiol nesaf ar y daith i wneud Bangor yn ganolfan ragoriaeth astudiaethau iechyd. Mi fyddai hyfforddi deintyddion yn yr ardal hefyd yn helpu i wella'r gwasanaeth deintyddol ac yn denu mwy o ddeintyddion i'r ardal, ac rydyn ni newydd fod yn trafod pa mor brin ydy deintyddion yng Nghymru. A wnewch chi, felly, barhau efo'r trafodaethau cychwynnol ynghylch sefydlu ysgol ddeintyddol ym Mangor a bwrw ati'n egnïol i wneud yr achos dros hynny?
It's great to see the medical school at Bangor University going from strength to strength, with the first students to study the whole course in Bangor starting next September. The university is a crucial part of the economic and social make-up of the north-west of Wales, and there is no doubt that the establishment of a medical school does elevate the status of the university further. Speaking to the academic staff there, the establishment of a dental school is the next natural step on the journey to making Bangor a centre of excellence for health studies. Training dentists in the area would also help to improve the dental service available there and would attract more dentists to the area, and we've just been discussing how scarce dentists are in Wales. So, will you continue with those initial discussions on the establishment of a dental school at Bangor and work actively to make the case for that?
Diolch i Siân Gwenllian am y cwestiwn. Mae Prifysgol Bangor, wrth gwrs, yn darparu addysg o ran gofal deintyddol yn ehangach na deintyddion ar hyn o bryd, ac yn gwneud hynny'n llwyddiannus iawn, ac fel yr oedd hi'n ei ddweud, rŷn ni i gyd yn edrych ymlaen at weld y cohort cyntaf o fyfyrwyr yn cychwyn yn yr ysgol feddygol o fis Medi ymlaen. Mae datblygiadau cyffrous eraill, wrth gwrs, yng ngogledd Cymru, o ran yr academi ddeintyddol sydd o dan awenau'r bwrdd iechyd lleol. Felly, mae datblygiad arloesol yn digwydd eisoes yn y rhanbarth. Rwy'n gweld budd i ysgol ddeintyddol yng Nghymru—un newydd. Allaf i ddim rhoi unrhyw ymrwymiad i'r Aelod am amseru na lleoliad yr ysgol honno, ond, yn sicr, byddai hynny'n ddatblygiad cadarnhaol maes o law.
I thank Siân Gwenllian for that question. Bangor University does provide education in terms of dental care more broadly than dentists, and has done so very successfully, and, as she says, we're looking forward to seeing the first cohort of students starting on their journey in the medical school from September onwards. There are other exciting developments in north Wales, in terms of the dental academy under the auspices of the local health board. So, innovative developments are already happening in the region. I see benefits in having a dental school in Wales—a new one. I can't give any commitment in terms of the timing and location of that, but, certainly, that would be a positive development in due course.
I'm grateful to Siân Gwenllian for raising this really important issue here this afternoon, because it is no exaggeration saying that there is a dentistry crisis in north Wales in particular. Indeed, just in Anglesey in recent weeks, a local practice there has told its 10,000 NHS dental patients that all routine check-ups are being stopped until further notice, which just gives an indication of the scale of the issue there. Minister, do you agree with me that training is a key way of finding a solution to this problem of dentistry at the moment? I certainly welcome the comments you made just now, indicating your support for a dental school somewhere up in north Wales, and, certainly, Bangor would make a lot of sense, with the existing work with the medical school there. So, I'd just like to know, Minister, what work you might be considering undertaking to ensure that quality teachers, facilities and investment would be attracted to a proposition like this, so that we can have this long-term strategy for dentistry in north Wales.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i Siân Gwenllian am godi'r mater pwysig hwn yma y prynhawn yma, gan nad yw'n or-ddweud i ddweud bod argyfwng deintyddiaeth yng ngogledd Cymru yn enwedig. Yn wir, yn Ynys Môn yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf, mae practis lleol yno wedi dweud wrth ei 10,000 o gleifion deintyddol y GIG fod yr holl archwiliadau rheolaidd yn cael eu hatal am y tro, ac mae hynny'n rhoi syniad i chi o raddfa'r broblem yno. Weinidog, a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi fod hyfforddiant yn ffordd allweddol o ddod o hyd i ateb i'r broblem ddeintyddiaeth ar hyn o bryd? Rwy'n sicr yn croesawu'r sylwadau a wnaethoch nawr, yn nodi eich cefnogaeth i ysgol ddeintyddol rywle yng ngogledd Cymru, ac yn sicr, byddai Bangor yn gwneud llawer o synnwyr, gyda'r gwaith presennol gyda'r ysgol feddygol yno. Felly, hoffwn wybod, Weinidog, pa waith y gallech fod yn ystyried ei wneud i sicrhau y byddai athrawon, cyfleusterau a buddsoddiad o safon yn cael eu denu at gynnig fel hwn, fel y gallwn gael strategaeth hirdymor ar gyfer deintyddiaeth yng ngogledd Cymru.
Well, I'm anxious not to stray into the portfolio responsibilities of the Minister for Heath and Social Services, but, clearly, the need to train more dentists and dental care professionals is something we are looking at very closely at the moment. We've already invested in Bangor University and the development of the all-Wales faculty of dental care professionals, and the first cohort of 12 students are now well into their second year of study, as Sam Rowlands will be aware. Just to be clear, I made no commitment, either, about the timing or the location of the dental school, I'm afraid to say, but I do think that a new dental school, at some point, would be a beneficial development. I would commend the work that is happening in the academy. I think that is a very exciting opportunity for training and for practise, as well.
Wel, rwy'n awyddus i beidio â chrwydro i gyfrifoldebau portffolio'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, ond yn amlwg, mae'r angen i hyfforddi mwy o ddeintyddion a gweithwyr proffesiynol gofal deintyddol yn rhywbeth yr ydym yn edrych arno'n agos iawn ar hyn o bryd. Rydym eisoes wedi buddsoddi ym Mhrifysgol Bangor a datblygu cyfadran Cymru gyfan o weithwyr proffesiynol gofal deintyddol, ac mae'r garfan gyntaf o 12 myfyriwr bellach yn eu hail flwyddyn astudio, fel y gŵyr Sam Rowlands. I fod yn glir, ni wneuthum unrhyw ymrwymiad, ychwaith, mewn perthynas ag amseru na lleoliad yr ysgol ddeintyddol, mae arnaf ofn, ond rwy'n credu y byddai ysgol ddeintyddol newydd, ar ryw adeg, yn ddatblygiad buddiol. Rwy'n canmol y gwaith sy'n digwydd yn yr academi. Rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n gyfle cyffrous iawn ar gyfer hyfforddiant ac ymarfer hefyd.
Diolch i Siân am godi hyn.
Thank you to Siân for raising this issue.
You won't be surprised to hear that I'm going to echo the calls of both Sam and Siân to look at how we can develop dentist training places in north Wales. One of the angles that I'd like us to think about is the Welsh language and that, actually, we need to be the leaders, particularly in north Wales, in moving forward how we train our experts, particularly our dentists, in the Welsh language. The potential of having training places at Bangor does offer that. We know that an analysis of the Welsh dental workforce in 2012 found that 58 per cent of Welsh dental graduates who did their foundational training in Wales entered the local workforce. So, we know that there is a direct correlation between where they train and where they stay. And, for us here in Wales, and in north Wales in particular where we have a high number of Welsh speakers, particularly older people who only speak Welsh, it feels important that we do move that agenda on as quickly as possible. So, I would just like to echo those calls but hear from you, as well, your thoughts about how we do encourage our courses to be working towards people speaking Welsh and delivering treatments in Welsh as well. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Ni fyddwch yn synnu clywed fy mod am adleisio galwadau Sam a Siân i edrych ar sut y gallwn ddatblygu lleoedd hyfforddi deintyddion yng ngogledd Cymru. Un o'r agweddau yr hoffwn inni feddwl amdani yw'r iaith Gymraeg a'r ffaith bod angen i ni fod yn arweinwyr, yn enwedig yng ngogledd Cymru, wrth ddatblygu'r ffordd yr ydym yn hyfforddi ein harbenigwyr, yn enwedig ein deintyddion, yn y Gymraeg. Mae'r potensial o gael lleoedd hyfforddi ym Mangor yn cynnig hynny. Gwyddom fod dadansoddiad o weithlu deintyddol Cymru yn 2012 wedi canfod bod 58 y cant o raddedigion deintyddol Cymru a wnaeth eu hyfforddiant sylfaenol yng Nghymru wedi ymuno â'r gweithlu lleol. Felly, rydym yn gwybod bod cydberthynas uniongyrchol rhwng lle maent yn hyfforddi a lle maent yn aros. Ac i ni yma yng Nghymru, ac yn y gogledd yn enwedig lle mae gennym nifer uchel o siaradwyr Cymraeg, yn enwedig pobl hŷn sydd ond yn siarad Cymraeg, mae'n teimlo'n bwysig ein bod yn symud yr agenda honno yn ei blaen cyn gynted â phosibl. Felly, hoffwn adleisio'r galwadau hynny ond hefyd hoffwn glywed eich syniadau chi ynglŷn â sut y gallwn sicrhau bod ein cyrsiau'n gweithio tuag at gael pobl i siarad Cymraeg a darparu triniaethau yn y Gymraeg hefyd. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Well, being able to practise as a dentist or as a clinician of any sort through the medium of Welsh is really important from the point of view of the profession, but also, most importantly, from the point of view of the person receiving care, who is perfectly entitled to make whatever choice they wish in terms of the language in which they prefer to be cared for. We know that that is the reason behind the 'Mwy na geiriau' strategy that the health service has more broadly in this area. So, I absolutely recognise and agree with that. And the work that the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol does in order to make available options for people to study medicine and dentistry through the medium of Welsh is absolutely fantastic and a really positive development. I also agree with the point the Member made about making available more training and university places. We have, of course, done that both in medicine and in dentistry over recent years, very much with the point in mind that the Member makes that, by doing so, we hope very much to be able to retain people to practise here in Wales and, wherever possible, to do so, as she says, through the medium of Welsh.
Wel, mae gallu ymarfer fel deintydd neu fel clinigydd o unrhyw fath drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn bwysig iawn o safbwynt y proffesiwn, ond hefyd, yn bwysicaf oll, o safbwynt yr unigolyn sy'n derbyn gofal, sydd â pherffaith hawl i wneud pa bynnag ddewis y maent yn dymuno ei wneud o ran yr iaith y byddai'n well ganddynt dderbyn gofal ynddi. Gwyddom mai dyna'r rheswm y tu ôl i'r strategaeth 'Mwy na geiriau' sydd gan y gwasanaeth iechyd yn ehangach yn y maes hwn. Felly, rwy'n cydnabod ac yn cytuno'n llwyr â hynny. Ac mae'r gwaith y mae'r Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol yn ei wneud er mwyn sicrhau bod opsiynau ar gael i bobl astudio meddygaeth a deintyddiaeth drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn gwbl wych ac yn ddatblygiad cadarnhaol iawn. Rwyf hefyd yn cytuno â'r pwynt a wnaeth yr Aelod ynglŷn â sicrhau bod mwy o leoedd hyfforddi ar gael a bod mwy o leoedd ar gael mewn prifysgolion. Rydym wedi gwneud hynny ym maes meddygaeth wrth gwrs ac ym maes deintyddiaeth dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, gyda'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud mewn golwg, ein bod yn gobeithio, drwy wneud hynny, y gallwn gadw pobl i ymarfer yma yng Nghymru, a lle bynnag y bo'n bosibl, i wneud hynny, fel y mae'n dweud, drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.
5. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynnwys cyflogwyr wrth ddatblygu TAAU? OQ60675
5. How is the Welsh Government involving employers in the development of VCSEs? OQ60675
Qualifications Wales consulted on their full offer proposals in spring 2023, and responses were received from a range of different organisations including employers, but also education professionals, parents and carers. I am publishing our consultation on 14-16 learning very soon and we have also engaged closely with employer groups in developing that.
Ymgynghorodd Cymwysterau Cymru ar eu cynigion llawn yng ngwanwyn 2023, a derbyniwyd ymatebion gan ystod o wahanol sefydliadau gan gynnwys cyflogwyr, ond hefyd gweithwyr addysg proffesiynol, rhieni a gofalwyr. Byddaf yn cyhoeddi ein hymgynghoriad ar ddysgu 14-16 yn fuan iawn ac rydym hefyd wedi ymgysylltu'n agos â grwpiau cyflogwyr wrth ddatblygu hwnnw.
Thank you, Minister, for that answer. It is crucial that employers are intimately engaged in the development and implementation of these exciting new qualifications. Now, the development of the new VCSEs in Wales is a major step forward in putting technical, vocational and professional routes of learning at the same status as GCSEs, allowing students, under these new qualifications and the new curriculum, to really shape the right learning and career pathways for them, including, I have to say, mixing and matching from options in the VCSE and the GCSE pathways. Does he believe, as I do, that parity of esteem of the VCSEs and GCSEs is, indeed, a desirable aim in itself, as it will give learners the confidence to make the most of their own skills and their talents by choosing their own pathway, best suited to their own dreams and aspirations, and a tangible outcome of that will be seeing the achievements of learners in VCSEs and GCSEs given equal prominence and equal cause for celebration in the award ceremonies of schools and colleges up and down the land throughout Wales?
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Mae'n hanfodol fod cyflogwyr yn ymwneud yn agos â'r gwaith o ddatblygu a gweithredu'r cymwysterau newydd cyffrous hyn. Nawr, mae datblygu'r TAAU newydd yng Nghymru yn gam mawr ymlaen er mwyn sicrhau bod llwybrau dysgu technegol, galwedigaethol a phroffesiynol yn cael yr un statws â TGAU, gan ganiatáu i fyfyrwyr, o dan y cymwysterau newydd hyn a'r cwricwlwm newydd, lywio'r llwybrau dysgu a gyrfa cywir ar eu cyfer nhw, gan gynnwys, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, dewis a dethol o opsiynau yn y llwybrau TAAU a TGAU. A yw'n credu, fel fi, fod parch cydradd i'r TAAU a'r TGAU yn nod dymunol ynddo'i hun, gan y bydd yn rhoi hyder i ddysgwyr wneud y gorau o'u sgiliau a'u doniau eu hunain drwy ddewis eu llwybr eu hunain, sy'n fwyaf addas i'w breuddwydion a'u dyheadau eu hunain, ac un canlyniad pendant i hynny fydd gweld cyflawniadau dysgwyr mewn TAAU a TGAU yn cael amlygrwydd cyfartal, ac yn achos dathlu cyfartal yn seremonïau gwobrwyo ysgolion a cholegau ar hyd a lled Cymru?
I do agree entirely with what Huw Irranca-Davies has said. We speak a lot, don't we, about parity of esteem between vocational and academic qualifications? I think having sister brands, if you like, of GCSE and VCSE is part of how that can be communicated, that parity, that sense of them being, as they are, equivalent. So, I think that is really important, and I agree with him, I would hope to see people mixing and matching, as he says. With the newly expanded range of GCSEs in new areas that feel more applied, perhaps, than some of the traditional GCSEs, I think there's a really exciting opportunity for a learner to have a portfolio of qualifications that really does reflect their particular delight and, maybe, their future career path. Actually, employers were telling us that the plethora of vocational qualifications that VCSEs are designed to be a more streamlined version of is sometimes confusing to employers, just because of the breadth of them, as much as anything. So, having that more focused offer and that sense of clear parity is really, really important.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â'r hyn mae Huw Irranca-Davies wedi'i ddweud. Rydym yn siarad llawer, onid ydym, am barch cydradd rhwng cymwysterau galwedigaethol ac academaidd? Rwy'n credu bod cael chwaer frandiau, os mynnwch, TGAU a TAAU yn rhan o sut y gellir cyfathrebu hynny, yr ymdeimlad eu bod yn gyfartal, fel y maent. Felly, rwy'n credu bod hynny'n bwysig iawn, ac rwy'n cytuno ag ef, byddwn yn gobeithio gweld pobl yn dewis a dethol, fel y mae'n dweud. Gyda'r ystod newydd o gymwysterau TGAU mewn meysydd newydd sy'n teimlo'n fwy cymhwysol, efallai, na rhai o'r cymwysterau TGAU traddodiadol, credaf fod cyfle cyffrous iawn i ddysgwr gael portffolio o gymwysterau sy'n wirioneddol adlewyrchu'r hyn sy'n rhoi pleser arbennig iddynt, a'u llwybr gyrfa yn y dyfodol efallai. Mewn gwirionedd, roedd cyflogwyr yn dweud wrthym fod y llu o gymwysterau galwedigaethol y mae TAAU wedi'u cynllunio i fod yn fersiwn symlach ohonynt weithiau'n ddryslyd i gyflogwyr, dim ond oherwydd eu hehangder yn fwy na dim. Felly, mae cael cynnig ag iddo fwy o ffocws ac ymdeimlad o gydraddoldeb clir yn wirioneddol bwysig.
Thank you for that response to Huw Irranca-Davies, Minister. I too am a great fan, actually, of the introduction of the VCSEs. I think that they're an opportunity to put that parity of esteem with academic qualifications. But, of course, the important thing is that many people will not just live and work in Wales once they leave a place of education—some of them will want to go on to study vocational qualifications further in England, Scotland or other parts of the UK, and, indeed, into the world of work in those places too. So, what work is the Welsh Government doing with employers to make sure that people across the United Kingdom are aware of the value of these new qualifications, once they're rolled out, and that they're not just something that Welsh employers recognise?
Diolch am yr ymateb i Huw Irranca-Davies, Weinidog. Rwyf innau hefyd yn frwd fy nghefnogaeth i gyflwyno'r TAAU. Rwy'n credu eu bod yn gyfle i sicrhau parch cydradd â chymwysterau academaidd. Ond wrth gwrs, y peth pwysig yw y bydd llawer o bobl nid yn unig yn byw a gweithio yng Nghymru ar ôl iddynt adael sefydliad addysg—bydd rhai ohonynt am fynd ymlaen i astudio cymwysterau galwedigaethol ymhellach yn Lloegr, yr Alban neu rannau eraill o'r DU, ac yn wir, i mewn i fyd gwaith yn y llefydd hynny hefyd. Felly, pa waith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud gyda chyflogwyr i sicrhau bod pobl ledled y Deyrnas Unedig yn ymwybodol o werth y cymwysterau newydd hyn, pan gânt eu cyflwyno, ac nad ydynt yn rhywbeth y mae cyflogwyr Cymru yn unig yn ei gydnabod?
The Member makes an important point, and it is important both when reforms happen in Wales and also when reforms happen in England, as with the T-levels most recently, that the particular nature of vocational qualifications, and GCSEs in this context as well, is recognised and portable, in that sense; it is very, very important. So, I know that, as the qualifications regulator, Qualifications Wales itself has very, very detailed and regular engagement with the other examination regulators across the UK to ensure that people understand, in all parts of the UK, the parity and the portability of the qualifications. But in the work of design and the work that we've done as a Government around the 14-16 offer more broadly, as well as engaging with employers, we've engaged with UK-wide employers' organisations, such as the Federation of Small Businesses or the Confederation of British Industry, who are able to make sure that there is a wider audience for the thinking, both in Wales, and, I think, also in England.
Mae'r Aelod yn gwneud pwynt pwysig, ac mae'n bwysig pan fydd diwygiadau'n digwydd yng Nghymru a hefyd pan fydd diwygiadau'n digwydd yn Lloegr, fel yn achos y lefelau T yn fwyaf diweddar, fod natur benodol cymwysterau galwedigaethol, a TGAU yn y cyd-destun hwn hefyd, yn cael ei chydnabod a'u bod yn gludadwy yn yr ystyr honno; mae'n bwysig tu hwnt. Felly, rwy'n gwybod bod Cymwysterau Cymru, fel y rheoleiddiwr cymwysterau, yn ymgysylltu'n drylwyr a rheolaidd iawn â'r rheoleiddwyr arholiadau eraill ledled y DU i sicrhau bod pobl yn deall, ym mhob rhan o'r DU, fod y cymwysterau'n gydradd ac yn gludadwy. Ond yn y gwaith cynllunio a'r gwaith a wnaethom fel Llywodraeth ynghylch y cynnig 14-16 yn ehangach, yn ogystal ag ymgysylltu â chyflogwyr, rydym wedi ymgysylltu â sefydliadau cyflogwyr ledled y DU, megis Ffederasiwn y Busnesau Bach neu Gydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain, sy'n gallu sicrhau bod cynulleidfa ehangach ar gyfer y syniad yng Nghymru, ac yn Lloegr hefyd, rwy'n credu.
6. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n gweithio gyda Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru a Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Rhondda Cynon Taf i sicrhau gwaddol o ran y Gymraeg yn sgil yr Eisteddfod yn dod i'r ardal eleni? OQ60683
6. How is the Welsh Government working with the National Eisteddfod of Wales and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to ensure a legacy for the Welsh language in light of the Eisteddfod visiting the area this year? OQ60683
Rŷn ni’n cydweithio’n agos â’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol a’r cyngor wrth iddyn nhw barhau i gynnal yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn Rhondda Cynon Taf eleni. Mae’r Eisteddfod, wrth gwrs, yn llawer mwy na gŵyl; mae’n brosiect tair blynedd sy’n sicrhau'r gwaddol ieithyddol, diwylliannol ac economaidd hollbwysig hwnnw. Mae’n fraint gallu cefnogi prosiect sy’n gwireddu hynny.
We are working closely with the National Eisteddfod and the council as they prepare to hold the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf this year. The Eisteddfod, of course, is much more than a festival; it is a three-year project that ensures a legacy that is linguistic, cultural and economic, which is vital. It is a privilege to be able to support a project that makes that a reality.
Diolch, Weinidog. Fel dŷch chi'n gallu dychmygu, dwi'n siŵr, mae yna gynnwrf aruthrol yn yr ardal fod yr Eisteddfod yn dod, a dwi'n gobeithio y bydd pawb yma yn dod i Bontypridd ym mis Awst eleni. Does yna ddim Eisteddfod Genedlaethol wedi bod am ddegawdau yn yr ardal, a nifer erioed wedi profi beth ydy Eisteddfod, felly mae hi'n dalcen caled o ran ceisio argyhoeddi pobl o bwysigrwydd Eisteddfod a'r gwaddol amlwg hwnnw dŷn ni'n gyfarwydd efo fo mewn ardaloedd eraill.
Un o'r prif bryderon ydy ei bod hi'n digwydd ym mharc Ynysangharad, sy'n barc gwych yng nghanol tref Pontypridd, ond sydd hefyd yn cael ei ddefnyddio gan filoedd o bobl yn ddyddiol, yn arbennig yn ystod y gwyliau haf. Mae yna nifer o bethau negyddol yn cael eu dweud am yr Eisteddfod ar y funud oherwydd bod y parc am fod ar gau am, o bosib, nifer o wythnosau oherwydd yr Eisteddfod yn dod. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gweithio gyda’r Eisteddfod mewn blynyddoedd yn y gorffennol i sicrhau mynediad am ddim i drigolion lleol neu gael prisiau rhatach. Oes yna unrhyw gynlluniau eleni er mwyn sicrhau bod y gwaddol hwnnw mewn ardal sy’n allweddol o ran twf y Gymraeg yn cael ei wireddu?
Thank you, Minister. As you can imagine, I'm sure, there is huge excitement in the area that the Eisteddfod is coming, and I hope that everyone here will come to Pontypridd in August of this year. There hasn't been a National Eisteddfod in the area for decades, and many have never experienced an Eisteddfod, so it is a big ask in terms of convincing people of the importance of the Eisteddfod and the clear legacy that we are familiar with in other areas of Wales.
One of the main concerns is that it's happening at Ynysangharad park, which is a wonderful park in the middle of the town of Pontypridd, but is also used by thousands of people on a daily basis, especially during the summer holidays. There are a number of negative things being said about the Eisteddfod at the moment because the park will be closed for, possibly, a number of weeks because of the visit of the Eisteddfod. Now, the Welsh Government has worked with the Eisteddfod in previous years to ensure free access for local people or to have discounted ticketing. Are there any plans this year in order to ensure that that legacy, in an area that is crucial to the growth of the Welsh language, is delivered?
Wel, mae brwdfrydedd lleol yn uchel iawn am yr ŵyl. Rŷn ni’n gwybod am y gwaith sy’n digwydd i sicrhau bod cymunedau lleol yn deall beth yw’r cynnig sydd ar gael gyda’r Eisteddfod. Felly, mae taith Maes B yn cael ei chynnal yn yr ysgolion dros y misoedd nesaf. Bydd pob disgybl blwyddyn 6 a 7 ymhob ysgol yn cael y cyfle i fwynhau sioe am yr Eisteddfod yn rhad ac am ddim, a chynnal gweithdai Merched yn Gwneud Miwsig i annog merched 16 i 25 i ymddiddori mwy mewn cerddoriaeth Gymraeg. Mae gwobrau busnes lleol, ac mae gwaith yn digwydd gyda Interlink er mwyn cynyddu gwirfoddoli. Felly, mewn amryw o ffyrdd, mae’r Eisteddfod eisoes yn cael dylanwad ac yn ymestyn i’r cymunedau cyfagos yn barod, ac mae hynny’n beth positif iawn, ac wrth wneud hynny, yn y pen draw, rŷn ni’n sicrhau’r gwaddol hollbwysig hwnnw.
O ran Eisteddfod fforddiadwy, Eisteddfod am ddim, dwi’n credu y gwnaeth yr Aelod sôn, fel y mae hi’n gwybod, mae cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru o dan bwysau sylweddol iawn. Dwi wedi siarad yn barod gyda phrif weithredwr yr Eisteddfod am sefyllfa’r Eisteddfod ym Mhontypridd, ac mae swyddogion wedi gofyn i’r Eisteddfod a’i phartneriaid am opsiynau posib i ni eu hystyried. Gallaf i ddim ymrwymo i unrhyw beth ar hyn o bryd, ond mae’r trafodaethau hynny yn digwydd yn barod.
Well, there is high local enthusiasm for the festival. We know about the work that’s going on to ensure that local communities understand the offer of the Eisteddfod. So, there is a Maes B tour that is being held in schools in the coming months, and every year 6 and 7 pupil will have an opportunity to enjoy a show about the Eisteddfod free of charge, and there is a workshop to encourage 16 to 25-year-old women to take a greater interest in Welsh music. Local business awards are happening, and there’s work happening with Interlink to encourage volunteering. So, in many ways, the Eisteddfod is already having an influence and reaching out to the neighbouring communities, and that’s a very positive thing, and in doing that, ultimately, will ensure that vital legacy.
In terms of an affordable or a free Eisteddfod, as I think the Member mentioned, as she knows, the Welsh Government budget is under great pressure, and I have spoken already with the chief executive of the Eisteddfod about the Pontypridd site, and officials have asked the Eisteddfod about possible options for us to consider. I can’t commit to anything at the moment, but those discussions are already happening.
7. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o effaith ei pholisïau ar addysg blynyddoedd cynnar? OQ60704
7. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of its policies on early years education? OQ60704
We regularly engage with early years education practitioners, childcare providers and our partners, including Estyn, local authorities, and umbrella organisations like Mudiad Meithrin, to best understand our successes and challenges in the early years, and remain responsive to the needs of the sector.
Rydym yn ymgysylltu'n rheolaidd ag addysgwyr blynyddoedd cynnar, darparwyr gofal plant a'n partneriaid, gan gynnwys Estyn, awdurdodau lleol, a sefydliadau ymbarél fel Mudiad Meithrin, i ddeall ein llwyddiannau a'n heriau yn y blynyddoedd cynnar yn y ffordd orau, ac i barhau i ymateb i anghenion y sector.
Thanks for that, Minister. I think it’s clear from an abundance of evidence just how important the early years are, and I know that it’s one of the Welsh Government’s cross-cutting priorities, and I think nought to seven years is defined as those early years. And we know that within that, the first three years are particularly important, given the rapid neurological growth during those ages. It’s clear, isn’t it, Minister, as I say, with an abundance of evidence, that investing in the early years produces benefits throughout the life course. It really is an investment that brings those long-term lifelong benefits. Given that, could you give us a flavour of Welsh Government thinking and your thinking, Minister, in terms of how we build on the investment we’ve already made to really prioritise these years that are so absolutely crucial?
Diolch am hynny, Weinidog. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn amlwg o ddigonedd o dystiolaeth pa mor bwysig yw'r blynyddoedd cynnar, a gwn ei fod yn un o flaenoriaethau trawsbynciol Llywodraeth Cymru, ac rwy'n credu y dylid diffinio dim i saith oed fel y blynyddoedd cynnar hynny. Ac rydym yn gwybod o fewn hynny fod y tair blynedd gyntaf yn arbennig o bwysig, o ystyried y twf niwrolegol cyflym yn ystod yr oedrannau hynny. Mae'n amlwg, onid yw, Weinidog, fel y dywedais, gyda digonedd o dystiolaeth, fod buddsoddi yn y blynyddoedd cynnar yn creu manteision gydol oes. Mae'n fuddsoddiad sy'n creu manteision hirdymor mewn gwirionedd. O ystyried hynny, a allech chi roi blas i ni o farn Llywodraeth Cymru a'ch barn chi, Weinidog, ynglŷn â'r modd yr adeiladwn ar y buddsoddiad a wnaethom eisoes i flaenoriaethu'r blynyddoedd hyn sydd mor hollbwysig?
I do agree with what John Griffiths says about the centrality of very early years provision in giving each of our young people the very best start in life. I think what’s important is a joined-up approach to early childhood play, to learning and to care, the kind of approach that we advocate as a Government, and I hope we’ll continue to advocate. That’s the best way, I think, of supporting the nurturing, the learning, the development of all nought to five-year-olds, actually, in Wales.
I’m very pleased that we’ve expanded Flying Start provision, and we are well on track to making sure that we provide access to another 9,500 two-year-olds. And I think that’s fantastic, and to be able to do that outside the geographic limitations that have been the case for obvious reasons to date, I do think is very, very positive. And this year and next year we’re investing £46 million in the expansion, and I think the offer that Flying Start provides of that additional package of support, we know is very well evidenced and very, very effective in supporting both young children and their parents.
On the other hand, we have a childcare offer that provides, as you will know, up to 30 hours of Government-funded early education and childcare. And I think the key is to strengthen now and build on the universal provision of early education and to make sure that we focus, I think initially at least, in expanding that offer to our two-year-olds, and then building up from that.
Rwy'n cytuno â'r hyn y mae John Griffiths yn ei ddweud am bwysigrwydd darpariaeth y blynyddoedd cynnar iawn i roi'r dechrau gorau mewn bywyd i bob un o'n pobl ifanc. Rwy'n credu mai'r hyn sy'n bwysig yw dull cydgysylltiedig o weithredu ar chwarae plentyndod cynnar, ac ar ddysgu a gofalu, y math o ddull yr ydym yn ei gefnogi fel Llywodraeth ac y gobeithiaf y byddwn yn parhau i'w gefnogi. Dyna'r ffordd orau, rwy'n credu, o gefnogi meithrin, dysgu, datblygiad pob plentyn dim i bum mlwydd oed yng Nghymru.
Rwy'n falch iawn ein bod wedi ehangu darpariaeth Dechrau'n Deg, ac rydym yn sicr ar y trywydd iawn i sicrhau ein bod yn darparu mynediad i 9,500 o blant eraill dwyflwydd oed. Ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n wych, ac rwy'n credu bod gallu gwneud hynny y tu allan i'r cyfyngiadau daearyddol, sydd wedi bod yno am resymau amlwg hyd yma, yn gadarnhaol iawn. Ac eleni a'r flwyddyn nesaf rydym yn buddsoddi £46 miliwn yn yr ehangu, ac fe wyddom fod y cynnig y mae Dechrau'n Deg yn ei ddarparu ar ffurf y pecyn cymorth ychwanegol hwnnw, yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth dda iawn ac yn effeithiol iawn wrth gefnogi plant ifanc a'u rhieni.
Ar y llaw arall, mae gennym gynnig gofal plant sydd, fel y gwyddoch, yn darparu hyd at 30 awr o addysg gynnar a gofal plant a ariennir gan y Llywodraeth. Ac rwy'n credu mai'r allwedd yw cryfhau nawr ac adeiladu ar ddarpariaeth addysg gynnar gyffredinol a sicrhau ein bod yn canolbwyntio, ar y dechrau o leiaf, ar ehangu'r cynnig i'n plant dwyflwydd oed, ac adeiladu ar hynny.
8. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy ynghylch y toriadau addysg a gynigiwyd gan ei gabinet? OQ60686
8. What discussions has the Minister had with Conwy County Borough Council regarding the education cuts proposed by its cabinet? OQ60686
It is vital that communication channels are active, especially during financially challenging times. I engage closely with local government on budget issues and meet leaders through the finance sub-group and other groups, as appropriate. I also visit schools to listen first-hand to the funding experiences of headteachers.
Mae'n hanfodol fod sianeli cyfathrebu yn weithredol, yn enwedig mewn cyfnod heriol yn ariannol. Rwy'n ymgysylltu'n agos â llywodraeth leol ar faterion cyllidebol ac yn cyfarfod ag arweinwyr drwy'r is-grŵp cyllid a grwpiau eraill, fel y bo'n briodol. Byddaf hefyd yn ymweld ag ysgolion i wrando'n uniongyrchol ar brofiadau ariannu penaethiaid.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Thank you. As a result of this Welsh Government's very poor settlement to Conwy County Borough Council, they now sit in a £25 million hole and are planning to hike up council tax by as much, possibly, as 11 per cent. It was the highest at 9.9 per cent last year. Now, you'll be aware that a number of headteachers have written in asking for our support—how we can allow these education cuts to go ahead. Now, writing in—a story from one of my constituents stuck out to me, and it said that a 16-year-old girl tried to take her own life due to her terrible mental health. She explains that, if it were not for the pastoral service provided by the school, she wouldn't have been able to carry on much longer. I've spoken to a headteacher this morning and he said now that, with the extra curriculum, with all the other things that are coming forward, regulations and where you're putting burdens on their shoulders, they are simply running out of money at a fair rate. These cuts will jeopardise these vital services. What will you do to address with your own Cabinet these cuts and ensure that a better funding settlement comes forward to Conwy County Borough Council? Diolch.
Diolch. O ganlyniad i setliad gwael iawn Llywodraeth Cymru i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy, maent bellach yn eistedd mewn twll gwerth £25 miliwn ac yn bwriadu codi'r dreth gyngor gymaint ag 11 y cant, o bosibl. Dyna oedd yr uchaf ar 9.9 y cant y llynedd. Nawr, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod nifer o benaethiaid wedi ysgrifennu i ofyn am ein cefnogaeth—sut y gallwn ganiatáu i'r toriadau addysg hyn ddigwydd. Nawr, roedd stori gan un o fy etholwyr yn sefyll allan i mi, a dywedodd fod merch 16 oed wedi ceisio cyflawni hunanladdiad oherwydd ei hiechyd meddwl ofnadwy. Mae'n esbonio, oni bai am y gwasanaeth bugeiliol a ddarparwyd gan yr ysgol, na fyddai wedi gallu dal ati am lawer hirach. Siaradais â'r pennaeth y bore yma a dywedodd nawr, gyda'r cwricwlwm ychwanegol, gyda'r holl bethau eraill sy'n cael eu cyflwyno, rheoliadau a lle rydych chi'n rhoi beichiau ar eu hysgwyddau, eu bod yn rhedeg yn brin o arian yn gyflym. Bydd y toriadau hyn yn peryglu'r gwasanaethau hanfodol hyn. Beth ydych chi'n mynd i'w wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r toriadau hyn gyda'ch Cabinet eich hun a sicrhau bod setliad ariannu gwell yn dod i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy? Diolch.
I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for the question. We've prioritised protecting core front-line public services, including schools, through protecting the indicative rise, which we indicated to local government, of 3.1 per cent overall. She will know that, in particular, in the case of Conwy and a small number of local authorities, the Government provided additional funding—in Conwy's case, of £1.3 million—to ensure that no authority will receive less than a 2 per cent increase, thereby introducing an effective floor this year, given the effect of the allocation and the formula that would otherwise have meant that that 2 per cent level had been breached.
The 2024-25 final settlement will be published on 27 February, and this will include additional funding recently announced, following the UK Government's announcement, which has led to a consequential allocation of around £25 million to Wales. This is being allocated to local government in full, with part of the funding being used to restore the social care workforce grant and the remainder being allocated to the revenue support grant as part of the settlement, which will then enable councils to support those pressures, both in social care and in education.
I will just remind her, though, that even in times when the Welsh Government has protected entirely local authority budgets, Conwy under the previous Conservative administration actually cut school budgets by over 3 per cent. And if she doesn't take my word for it, she can ask her colleague behind her, who was the leader at the time that that happened.
Diolch i Janet Finch-Saunders am y cwestiwn. Rydym wedi blaenoriaethu diogelu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rheng flaen craidd, gan gynnwys ysgolion, drwy ddiogelu'r cynnydd dangosol a ddynodwyd gennym ar gyfer llywodraeth leol, sef 3.1 y cant yn gyffredinol. Fe fydd hi'n gwybod, yn fwyaf arbennig yn achos Conwy a nifer fach o awdurdodau lleol, fod y Llywodraeth wedi darparu cyllid ychwanegol—£1.3 miliwn yn achos Conwy—i sicrhau na fydd yr un awdurdod yn cael llai na chynnydd o 2 y cant, a thrwy hynny'n cyflwyno cyllid gwaelodol effeithiol eleni, o ystyried effaith y dyraniad a'r fformiwla a fyddai wedi golygu fel arall fod y lefel o 2 y cant wedi'i thorri.
Bydd setliad terfynol 2024-25 yn cael ei gyhoeddi ar 27 Chwefror, a bydd yn cynnwys cyllid ychwanegol a gyhoeddwyd yn ddiweddar, yn dilyn cyhoeddiad Llywodraeth y DU, sydd wedi arwain at ddyraniad canlyniadol o tua £25 miliwn i Gymru. Mae hwn yn cael ei ddyrannu i lywodraeth leol yn llawn, gyda rhan o'r cyllid yn cael ei ddefnyddio i adfer grant y gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol a'r gweddill yn cael ei ddyrannu i'r grant cynnal refeniw fel rhan o'r setliad, a fydd wedyn yn galluogi cynghorau i gynnal y pwysau hwn ym maes gofal cymdeithasol ac mewn addysg.
Rwyf am ei hatgoffa, er hynny, hyd yn oed ar adegau pan fo Llywodraeth Cymru wedi diogelu cyllidebau awdurdodau lleol yn gyfan gwbl, fod Conwy o dan y weinyddiaeth Geidwadol flaenorol wedi torri dros 3 y cant oddi ar gyllidebau ysgolion. Ac os nad yw'n fy nghredu i, gall ofyn i'w chyd-Aelod y tu ôl iddi, a oedd yn arweinydd ar yr adeg y digwyddodd hynny.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 9, Sioned Williams.
And finally, question 9, Sioned Williams.
9. Sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi dysgwyr ôl-16 sydd ag anableddau dysgu yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OQ60679
9. How is the Government supporting post-16 learners with learning disabilities in South Wales West? OQ60679
Mae’r system anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn cefnogi dysgwyr i fyny at 25 oed sydd ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yng Ngorllewin De Cymru. Yng nghyllideb ddrafft y flwyddyn nesaf, dwi wedi diogelu ein buddsoddiad sylweddol yn narpariaeth ADY ôl-16 gydag £19.8 miliwn i golegau addysg bellach ac £13.8 miliwn i leoliadau arbenigol ôl-16.
The additional learning needs system supports learners from nought to 25 years with ALN in South Wales West. In next year’s draft budget, I have protected our significant investment in post-16 ALN provision with £19.8 million to further education colleges and £13.8 million for post-16 specialist placements.
Diolch, Weinidog. I wrote to you recently, as chair of the cross-party group on learning disability, and in the letter I raised a number of issues that the group felt needed to be addressed to ensure young people with a learning disability are not unfairly disadvantaged when trying to access post-16 education, which, of course, can have a significant impact on their mental health and well-being, as well as their education and career prospects. And in your response, as you did now, you stated that you've protected funding for post-16 ALN provision and specialist placements in the draft budget. Welsh Government has been responsible for making decisions regarding funding placements for young people who require that access to specialist provision, but this will change as a part of the ALN system, with responsibility and funding being transferred to local authorities. So, could you confirm when the Government will be publishing arrangements for how funding for learners who may require those placements at specialist colleges will be protected when the funding is fully devolved to local authorities, to ensure that all learners are able to access the additional learning provision they need in line with their less disabled peers? Diolch.
Diolch, Weinidog. Ysgrifennais atoch yn ddiweddar, fel cadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar anabledd dysgu, ac yn y llythyr fe godais nifer o faterion y credai'r grŵp fod angen mynd i'r afael â nhw er mwyn sicrhau nad yw pobl ifanc ag anabledd dysgu dan anfantais annheg wrth geisio cael mynediad at addysg ôl-16, sydd, wrth gwrs, yn gallu cael effaith sylweddol ar eu hiechyd meddwl a'u lles, yn ogystal â'u haddysg a'u rhagolygon gyrfa. Ac yn eich ymateb, fel y gwnaethoch chi nawr, fe ddywedoch chi eich bod wedi diogelu cyllid ar gyfer darpariaeth ADY ôl-16 a lleoliadau arbenigol yn y gyllideb ddrafft. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn gyfrifol am wneud penderfyniadau ynghylch ariannu lleoliadau i bobl ifanc sydd angen y mynediad hwnnw at ddarpariaeth arbenigol, ond bydd hyn yn newid fel rhan o'r system ADY, gyda chyfrifoldeb a chyllid yn cael eu trosglwyddo i awdurdodau lleol. Felly, a allwch chi gadarnhau pryd y bydd y Llywodraeth yn cyhoeddi trefniadau ar gyfer y ffordd y bydd cyllid ar gyfer dysgwyr a allai fod angen y lleoliadau hynny mewn colegau arbenigol yn cael ei ddiogelu pan fydd y cyllid wedi'i ddatganoli'n llawn i awdurdodau lleol, er mwyn sicrhau bod pob dysgwr yn gallu cael mynediad at y ddarpariaeth ddysgu ychwanegol sydd ei hangen arnynt yn unol â'u cyfoedion llai anabl? Diolch.
Yes, certainly. This is, of course, the first year in which the new ALN reforms will be introduced post 16, so it's the beginning of that process from this year. So, in a sense, it's early days in the implementation of the ALN regime in post-16, but the national implementation lead has been working closely with colleges—a post that is hosted within ColegauCymru—and I think, on the ground, what that has meant is that colleges have been able to adapt quite quickly to their new responsibilities and have been able to, where they've had to, restructure their arrangements, train staff and develop enhanced additional learning provision, and, importantly, to work on those transition processes, which will ensure the right level of support is in place for young people as they move from school to college.
She is right to say that there will be a transfer of the responsibility from the Welsh Government to councils in relation to the funding for supporting these young people. We will continue to secure and fund specialist post-16 placements for those young people who have not yet moved onto the ALN system, and we've put in place interim arrangements and guidance for local authorities to make decisions on placements for those moving to the ALN system from 2023 until 2024-25. The expectation is that full funding will be transferred to local authorities by the end of the 2024-25 school year, and we are currently discussing with local authorities how best to implement this, and, when those discussions have concluded, I will then be able to provide further information.
Yn sicr. Dyma yw'r flwyddyn gyntaf y bydd y diwygiadau ADY newydd yn cael eu cyflwyno ar ôl 16 wrth gwrs, felly dyma ddechrau'r broses honno o eleni ymlaen. Felly, ar un ystyr, mae'n ddyddiau cynnar ar weithredu'r gyfundrefn ADY ôl-16, ond mae'r arweinydd gweithredu cenedlaethol wedi bod yn gweithio'n agos gyda cholegau—swydd sy'n cael ei chynnal o fewn ColegauCymru—ac rwy'n credu, ar lawr gwlad, fod hynny wedi golygu bod colegau wedi gallu addasu'n eithaf cyflym i'w cyfrifoldebau newydd ac maent wedi gallu ailstrwythuro eu trefniadau lle bu'n rhaid, hyfforddi staff a datblygu gwell darpariaeth ddysgu ychwanegol, ac yn bwysig, maent wedi gweithio ar y prosesau pontio a fydd yn sicrhau bod y lefel gywir o gymorth yno i bobl ifanc wrth iddynt symud o ysgol i goleg.
Mae hi'n iawn i ddweud y bydd y cyfrifoldeb yn cael ei drosglwyddo gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gynghorau mewn perthynas â'r cyllid ar gyfer cefnogi'r bobl ifanc hyn. Byddwn yn parhau i ddiogelu ac ariannu lleoliadau ôl-16 arbenigol ar gyfer y bobl ifanc nad ydynt eto wedi symud i'r system ADY, ac rydym wedi rhoi trefniadau a chanllawiau interim ar waith i awdurdodau lleol wneud penderfyniadau ar leoliadau i'r rhai sy'n symud i'r system ADY o 2023 tan 2024-25. Y disgwyl yw y bydd cyllid llawn yn cael ei drosglwyddo i awdurdodau lleol erbyn diwedd blwyddyn ysgol 2024-25, ac rydym ar hyn o bryd yn trafod gydag awdurdodau lleol sut i weithredu hyn yn y ffordd orau, a phan ddaw'r trafodaethau hynny i ben, byddaf yn gallu darparu rhagor o wybodaeth.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
Sam Rowlands, a point of order.
Sam Rowlands, pwynt o drefn.
Yes. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm sure the Minister inadvertently said something a moment ago that wasn't correct in referencing myself—the 3 per cent cut to schools in Conwy previously—as the council leader. That actually took place under the leadership of Gareth Jones, the former Plaid Cymru Member of this then Assembly. So, I'm sure the Minister would like to correct that.
Ie. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rwy'n siŵr fod y Gweinidog yn anfwriadol wedi dweud rhywbeth eiliad yn ôl nad oedd yn gywir wrth gyfeirio ataf i—y toriad o 3 y cant i ysgolion yng Nghonwy o'r blaen—fel arweinydd y cyngor. Digwyddodd hynny dan arweiniad Gareth Jones, cyn-Aelod Plaid Cymru o'r Cynulliad hwn fel yr oedd ar y pryd. Felly, rwy'n siŵr y byddai'r Gweinidog yn hoffi cywiro hynny.
Thank you for putting that on the record, Sam. I'm sure the Minister will reflect very carefully upon that and may well come back to us on that, but it's on the record.
Diolch am nodi hynny, Sam. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn ystyried hynny'n ofalus iawn ac mae'n ddigon posibl y daw yn ôl atom ar hynny, ond mae wedi'i gofnodi.
Eitem 3, cwestiynau amserol. Ni dderbyniwyd unrhyw gwestiynau amserol.
Item 3, topical questions. No topical questions were accepted.
Felly, symudwn ymlaen at eitem 4, datganiadau 90 eiliad, ac mae'r datganiad gyntaf gan Peter Fox.
So, we'll move on to item 4, 90-second statements, and the first is from Peter Fox.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. This year, we commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the incredible Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, who support critically ill children and their families across south and west Wales. Not only have they cared for 1,051 children since opening their doors, providing respite, therapy and advocacy, they now have 17 shops across Wales, with a total of 517 volunteers across their service. The work of Tŷ Hafan is needed now more than ever as the prevalence of children with life-limiting conditions in Wales has increased by 25 per cent in the last decade. Today, here in Wales, there are 3,655 children who suffer with a life-limiting condition, with the average age of referral to Tŷ Hafan being just one year old. From this, it's clear that the work of Tŷ Hafan will continue to be ever important in our society, and funding to facilitate it must continue. As Members of the Senedd, it's also our responsibility to ensure that we promote their work to reach children in our own communities.
To conclude, the magnitude of their work for children and families cannot be overstated, and I feel honoured to commemorate their twenty-fifth anniversary here in the Senedd today.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Eleni, rydym yn coffáu pum mlynedd ar hugain ers agor Hosbis Plant Tŷ Hafan, sy'n cefnogi plant sy'n ddifrifol wael a'u teuluoedd ar draws de a gorllewin Cymru. Nid yn unig eu bod wedi gofalu am 1,051 o blant ers agor eu drysau, gan ddarparu seibiant, therapi ac eiriolaeth, erbyn hyn mae ganddynt 17 o siopau ledled Cymru, gyda chyfanswm o 517 o wirfoddolwyr ar draws eu gwasanaeth. Mae angen gwaith Tŷ Hafan nawr yn fwy nag erioed gan fod nifer y plant â chyflyrau sy'n cyfyngu ar fywyd yng Nghymru wedi cynyddu 25 y cant yn ystod y degawd diwethaf. Heddiw, yma yng Nghymru, mae 3,655 o blant yn dioddef o gyflwr sy'n cyfyngu ar fywyd, gydag oedran cyfartalog atgyfeiriad i Tŷ Hafan yn ddim ond blwydd oed. O hyn, mae'n amlwg y bydd gwaith Tŷ Hafan yn parhau i fod yn bwysicach fyth yn ein cymdeithas, a rhaid parhau'r cyllid i'w redeg. Fel Aelodau'r Senedd, ein cyfrifoldeb ni hefyd yw sicrhau ein bod yn hyrwyddo eu gwaith i gyrraedd plant yn ein cymunedau ein hunain.
I gloi, ni ellir gorbwysleisio maint eu gwaith dros blant a theuluoedd, ac rwy'n teimlo'n freintiedig yn coffáu eu pen-blwydd yn 25 oed yma yn y Senedd heddiw.
We are very fortunate today to live in a society of acceptance and kindness. People of all backgrounds and abilities are now taking part in everyday society. However, whilst this change is positive, there is more we can do. Sadly, there still exists a stigma around those with disabilities and special educational needs. With over 63,000 children in our schools in Wales with special educational needs, it is vital that we continue to open up opportunities for them and encourage the respect they deserve.
This is why a constituent of mine, Sylvia Harper, and another constituent of mine, 15-year-old Holly Morgan, have created a series of books that aim to create awareness and specifically try to create a better understanding between children with special needs and those without. As Sylvia explains:
'Having noticed the bullying and teasing my two great-grandchildren have had to put up with over the last few years, I realised it was down to misunderstanding.'
The series of books covers topics such as deafness, blindness, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. They are colourful, bright and vibrant and have a balance of text and pictures to aid understanding of these stories. I believe these books should have the potential to be in every nursery and school across Wales, and indeed this is their ambition. They need some help in achieving this, so I would ask Members in your own constituencies to maybe look at these books. I see potential here for a wonderful Welsh story—one of humble beginnings that will further cultivate our virtues of respect, recognition and responsibility. Diolch.
Rydym yn ffodus iawn heddiw i fyw mewn cymdeithas gynhwysol a charedig. Mae pobl o bob cefndir a gallu yn cymryd rhan yn y gymdeithas o ddydd i ddydd. Fodd bynnag, er bod y newid hwn yn gadarnhaol, mae mwy y gallwn ei wneud. Yn anffodus, mae stigma o hyd yn gysylltiedig â rhai sydd ag anableddau ac anghenion addysgol arbennig. Gyda dros 63,000 o blant yn ein hysgolion yng Nghymru ag anghenion addysgol arbennig, mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn parhau i agor cyfleoedd iddynt ac annog y parch y maent yn ei haeddu.
Dyma pam y mae etholwr i mi, Sylvia Harper, ac un arall o fy etholwyr, Holly Morgan, 15 oed, wedi creu cyfres o lyfrau gyda'r nod o greu ymwybyddiaeth ac i geisio creu gwell dealltwriaeth rhwng plant ag anghenion arbennig a'r rhai heb anghenion arbennig. Fel yr eglura Sylvia:
'Ar ôl sylwi ar y bwlio a'r plagio y mae fy nau or-ŵyr wedi gorfod ei ddioddef dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, sylweddolais ei fod yn deillio o gamddealltwriaeth.'
Mae'r gyfres o lyfrau'n ymdrin â phynciau fel byddardod, dallineb, awtistiaeth ac anhwylder diffyg canolbwyntio a gorfywiogrwydd. Maent yn lliwgar, yn llachar ac yn fywiog ac mae ganddynt gydbwysedd o destun a lluniau i gynorthwyo dealltwriaeth o'r straeon hyn. Rwy'n credu y dylai'r llyfrau hyn fod ym mhob meithrinfa ac ysgol ledled Cymru, a dyma yw eu huchelgais yn wir. Mae angen help arnynt i gyflawni hyn, felly hoffwn ofyn i'r Aelodau edrych ar y llyfrau hyn yn eich etholaethau eich hun. Gwelaf botensial yma am stori Gymreig wych—un ag iddi ddechreuadau bach a fydd yn meithrin rhinweddau parch, cydnabyddiaeth a chyfrifoldeb ymhellach. Diolch.
Thank you both.
Diolch i chi'ch dau.
Eitem 5 heddiw yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a'r Cyfansoddiad, 'Ymchwiliad i lywodraethiant y DU a'r UE'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—Huw Irranca-Davies.
Item 5 this afternoon is the debate on the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee report, 'Inquiry into UK-EU governance'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—Huw Irranca-Davies.
Cynnig NDM8488 Huw Irranca-Davies
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a’r Cyfansoddiad sef 'Ymchwiliad i lywodraethiant y DU a’r UE', a osodwyd yn y Swyddfa Gyflwyno ar 27 Tachwedd 2023.
Motion NDM8488 Huw Irranca-Davies
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee titled 'Inquiry into UK-EU governance', which was laid in the Table Office on 27 November 2023.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Mae perthynas y Deyrnas Unedig â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd yn dal i fod o bwys mawr i ddinasyddion Cymru, ac yn parhau i effeithio ar sawl agwedd ar ein bywydau bob dydd.
Ers i'r Deyrnas Unedig adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd bedair blynedd yn ôl, mae strwythurau newydd a chymhleth wedi dod i'r amlwg o dan y cytundeb ymadael a'r cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu, o ran llywodraethu'r berthynas rhwng y Deyrnas Unedig a'r Undeb Ewropeaidd.
Y Senedd a Llywodraeth Cymru sy'n gyfrifol am roi agweddau mawr o'r cytundebau hyn ar waith, gan eu bod yn trawstorri meysydd polisi neu feysydd diddordeb datganoledig sylweddol.
Mae datblygu'r strwythurau newydd a'u rhoi ar waith wedi golygu negodi ac addasu'n barhaus, wrth i'r ddwy ochr fynd i'r afael â hyd a lled y newidiadau yn ein perthynas. Nid syndod, felly, yw fod llawer o'r ffocws wedi bod ar yr hyn sydd wedi'i gynnwys yn y berthynas rhwng y Deyrnas Unedig a'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, a'r cytundebau sy'n ei llywodraethu, yn hytrach na'r modd y caiff ei rheoli a phwy all ddweud eu dweud o ran y penderfyniadau a wneir.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. The UK's relationship with the European Union remains of considerable importance to citizens in Wales, and continues to affect many aspects of our everyday lives.
Since the UK left the European Union four years ago, complex new structures have emerged under the withdrawal agreement and the trade and co-operation agreement, in terms of governing the relationship between the UK and the EU.
Responsibility for implementing large areas of these agreements rests with the Senedd and the Welsh Government, as they cut across significant areas of devolved policy or interest.
The development and implementation of new structures has involved continued negotiation, adaptation and adjustment, as both sides grapple with the enormity of the changes to our relationship. It is not surprising therefore that much of the focus has been on the content of the relationship between the UK and the EU, and agreements that govern it, rather than how it is managed and who has a say in the decisions that are taken.
Our inquiry sought to consider and address these quite fundamental issues of representation and engagement and decision making, and to suggest how improvements could be made. We are very grateful to all those who took time to contribute by providing evidence about their views and their experiences, including during a visit to Brussels in September last year.
We heard clearly from witnesses in the UK and in the EU that the signing of the Windsor framework, the pause in negotiations brought about by elections on both sides, and the upcoming implementation review of the trade and co-operation agreement, has created a rare opportunity to reflect on what Wales and the UK wants from its future relationship with the EU. We feel we should take advantage of this opportunity to consider how the relationship has worked to date and to take positive and constructive steps to improve its management in future.
Whilst agreeing with the spirit of our report, the Welsh Government has only accepted five of the 20 recommendations directed at it in full. That is somewhat disappointing given what we believe is an opportunity we now have in front of us, but I do remain hopeful that positive outcomes will arise from the recommendations we made.
Witnesses told us that the role of devolved Governments in UK-EU decision making has diminished post Brexit. This is at odds with the significant power that rests with the governance structures of the agreements, which allow decisions to be taken that could constrain the use of devolved powers by Welsh Ministers and the Senedd. So, we concluded that there is a compelling and positive case for returning to a position where devolved Governments are properly consulted on areas within their responsibility. A better understanding of devolved issues at all levels will provide important practical intelligence, experience and evidence to the UK Government, including on potential barriers to implementation, as well as avoiding unnecessary costs and delays.
Ceisiodd ein hymchwiliad ystyried a mynd i'r afael â materion eithaf sylfaenol cynrychiolaeth ac ymgysylltu a gwneud penderfyniadau, ac awgrymu sut y gellid gwneud gwelliannau. Rydym yn ddiolchgar iawn i bawb a roddodd amser i gyfrannu drwy ddarparu tystiolaeth am eu safbwyntiau a'u profiadau, gan gynnwys yn ystod ymweliad â Brwsel ym mis Medi y llynedd.
Clywsom yn glir gan dystion yn y DU ac yn yr UE fod llofnodi fframwaith Windsor, y saib yn y trafodaethau a ddaeth yn sgil etholiadau ar y ddwy ochr, a'r adolygiad sydd ar y ffordd o weithrediad y cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu, wedi creu cyfle prin i fyfyrio ar yr hyn y mae Cymru a'r DU ei eisiau o'i pherthynas â'r UE yn y dyfodol. Teimlwn y dylem fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i ystyried sut mae'r berthynas wedi gweithio hyd yma ac i gymryd camau cadarnhaol ac adeiladol i wella ei rheolaeth yn y dyfodol.
Er ei bod yn cytuno ag ysbryd ein hadroddiad, dim ond pump o'r 20 argymhelliad a gyfeiriwyd tuag ati y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u derbyn yn llawn. Mae hynny braidd yn siomedig o ystyried yr hyn y credwn ei fod yn gyfle sydd gennym, ond rwy'n dal i fod yn obeithiol y bydd canlyniadau cadarnhaol yn deillio o'r argymhellion a wnaethom.
Dywedodd tystion wrthym fod rôl Llywodraethau datganoledig mewn penderfyniadau ynghylch y DU a'r UE wedi lleihau ar ôl Brexit. Mae hyn yn groes i'r pŵer sylweddol sydd gan strwythurau llywodraethiant y cytundebau, sy'n caniatáu i benderfyniadau gael eu gwneud a allai gyfyngu ar y defnydd o bwerau datganoledig gan Weinidogion Cymru a'r Senedd. Felly, daethom i'r casgliad fod achos cymhellol a chadarnhaol dros ddychwelyd at sefyllfa lle'r ymgynghorir â Llywodraethau datganoledig yn briodol ar feysydd o fewn eu cyfrifoldeb. Bydd gwell dealltwriaeth o faterion datganoledig ar bob lefel yn darparu gwybodaeth ymarferol bwysig, profiad a thystiolaeth i Lywodraeth y DU, gan gynnwys ar rwystrau posibl i weithredu, yn ogystal ag osgoi costau ac oedi diangen.
Each of the four Governments of the UK have their own expertise and experience that they can bring to the table. Indeed, prior to the UK's exit from the EU, it was common practice for the devolved Governments to be engaged in the development of a UK position on EU proposals. The value of this collective expertise should not be underestimated. Providing more meaningful engagement and input for the devolved Governments could generate ideas and solutions that would benefit the whole of the UK.
Calls for a greater role for devolved legislatures and Governments in the new structures have often led to claims that such an approach will somehow undermine the UK position, or that the difficulty of the decisions that need to be made require centralisation more and a single voice, but this misses the constructive case to be made for a diversity of voices on both sides. Differences in geographies, histories, economies and cultures mean that the nations and the regions and areas of the UK and the EU have developed their own knowledge and their own solutions. So, there is, therefore, strong evidence to support the need for an enhanced role for devolved Governments in the governance structures.
Inter-governmental relations and agreement on UK-EU relations may have declined post Brexit, but they could easily be improved, so our report sets out, therefore, a series of recommendations on how more voices could be included in the future, developing UK-EU relationship. Three actions could be taken immediately. Firstly, an urgent review by the Governments of the UK of the principles and terms upon which devolved Governments are engaged in UK-EU relations, and the adoption of a new memorandum of understanding on this very issue. Secondly, meetings of the Interministerial Group on UK-EU Relations should be called well in advance of key UK-EU meetings to enable proper consultation and engagement with the devolved Governments. And, in addition, devolved Governments should be provided with an opportunity to suggest agenda items to be discussed between the UK and the EU. We believe that's a mature approach to this working. And thirdly, the committee supports the Welsh Government's call for it to be given a fuller role in the governance structures of the trade and co-operation agreement, and to be given observer status at governance meetings under the withdrawal agreement when issues related to Wales, such as ports and other issues, are discussed.
The First Minister has accepted in principle our recommendations for the improvements to the inter-governmental structures, but he says he does not expect to see progress on them with the current UK Government. However, we remain convinced that there is still much to be gained from taking a positive, proactive approach to persuading others of the benefits such changes would bring. So, we hope the Welsh Government will be ambitious over the next 12 months in seeking the improvements we suggest, taking advantage of this rare opportunity we have now been presented with.
Stakeholders in Wales and in Brussels highlighted to us that they did not know what the Welsh Government's strategic priorities for UK-EU relations are, and that, during times of limited resource, it is even more important that they can do this to focus their own efforts to support the delivery of Welsh priorities. So, if Wales is to make the most of the opportunity that the next 12 months gives us, it is vital that a mechanism can be found to clearly articulate the strategic priorities of Welsh Government in a very open and a transparent way. There's a clear desire for them to do so from stakeholders we spoke to. This would enable all bodies and all organisations to work in partnership with Welsh Government to deliver positive, tangible outcomes for communities right across Wales.
We recommended that these priorities should be articulated clearly by the Welsh Government, either in a dedicated strategy or within a refreshed international strategy, and also that the Welsh Government should begin consulting civil society and stakeholders in Wales on these priorities and its vision immediately. And, by the way, this echoes, of course, similar calls made by the Senedd's culture committee as well.
Now, the First Minister has said a dedicated EU strategy is not needed, but a soft refresh of the international strategy before the end of this Senedd term will make the European dimension of the strategy more explicit. It is true, as the First Minister says, that not much is likely to happen in UK-EU relations in the next 12 months. We understand that. However, that's precisely why work to develop the priorities and to engage with stakeholders should take place right now, so Wales is in the very best possible position to set out its views when business returns to normal. We hope that the refresh of the international strategy therefore takes place sooner rather than later in this Senedd term.
I would like to touch on one other aspect of our report before drawing my opening remarks to a close. Evidence that the committee gathered in Wales and in Brussels shows the value of civil society advice and engagement in the management of the UK-EU relationship. It is businesses and organisations on the ground that feel the impact of practical barriers first and are often the ones that hold most of the solutions.
So, the Welsh Government and the Senedd would do a disservice to Wales if they do not better engage with these groups on this issue. At present, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action is the only voice specifically from Wales on the civil society group established under the trade and co-operation agreement. It is only able to attend due to grant funding that may end this very year, and this cannot be a sustainable situation for the long term. So, we recommended that the Welsh Government should re-constitute a European advisory group fit for the current circumstance to inform its European work, and should call on the UK Government to provide funding to UK organisations participating in UK-EU civil society structures and, in the absence of such funding, should consider support itself.
Mae gan bob un o bedair Llywodraeth y DU eu harbenigedd a'u profiad eu hunain y gallant eu cynnig i'r bwrdd. Yn wir, cyn i'r DU adael yr UE, roedd hi'n arfer cyffredin i'r Llywodraethau datganoledig gymryd rhan yn y gwaith o ddatblygu safbwynt y DU ar gynigion yr UE. Ni ddylid tanbrisio gwerth yr arbenigedd cyfunol hwn. Gallai darparu ymgysylltiad a mewnbwn mwy ystyrlon i'r Llywodraethau datganoledig gynhyrchu syniadau ac atebion a fyddai'n fuddiol i'r DU gyfan.
Yn aml mae galwadau am fwy o rôl i ddeddfwrfeydd datganoledig a Llywodraethau yn y strwythurau newydd wedi arwain at honiadau y bydd dull o'r fath rywsut yn tanseilio safbwynt y DU, neu fod anhawster y penderfyniadau sydd angen eu gwneud yn golygu bod angen canoli mwy ac un llais, ond mae hyn yn methu'r achos adeiladol sydd i'w wneud dros amrywiaeth o leisiau ar y ddwy ochr. Mae gwahaniaethau mewn daearyddiaeth, hanesion, economïau a diwylliannau yn golygu bod y cenhedloedd a'r rhanbarthau ac ardaloedd o'r DU a'r UE wedi datblygu eu gwybodaeth eu hunain a'u hatebion eu hunain. Felly, mae tystiolaeth gref i gefnogi'r angen am rôl well i Lywodraethau datganoledig yn y strwythurau llywodraethiant.
Efallai fod y berthynas rynglywodraethol a chytundeb ar y berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE wedi dirywio ar ôl Brexit, ond gellid eu gwella'n hawdd, felly mae ein hadroddiad yn nodi cyfres o argymhellion ar sut y gellid cynnwys mwy o leisiau yn y dyfodol, gan ddatblygu'r berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE. Gellir cyflawni tri cham ar unwaith. Yn gyntaf, adolygiad brys gan Lywodraethau'r DU o egwyddorion a thelerau ymgysylltiad y Llywodraethau datganoledig â'r berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE, a mabwysiadu memorandwm cyd-ddealltwriaeth newydd ar yr union fater hwn. Yn ail, dylid galw cyfarfodydd y Grŵp Rhyngweinidogol ar Gysylltiadau rhwng y DU a'r UE ymhell cyn cyfarfodydd allweddol y DU a'r UE i alluogi ymgynghori ac ymgysylltu priodol â'r Llywodraethau datganoledig. Ac yn ogystal, dylid rhoi cyfle i'r Llywodraethau datganoledig awgrymu eitemau agenda i'w trafod rhwng y DU a'r UE. Rydym yn credu bod hwnnw'n ddull aeddfed o weithio. Ac yn drydydd, mae'r pwyllgor yn cefnogi galwad Llywodraeth Cymru iddo gael rôl lawnach yn strwythurau llywodraethiant y cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu, ac i gael statws sylwedydd mewn cyfarfodydd llywodraethiant o dan y cytundeb ymadael pan drafodir materion sy'n ymwneud â Chymru, megis porthladdoedd a materion eraill.
Mae Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi derbyn mewn egwyddor ein hargymhellion ar gyfer gwelliannau i'r strwythurau rhynglywodraethol, ond mae'n dweud nad yw'n disgwyl gweld cynnydd arnynt gyda Llywodraeth bresennol y DU. Fodd bynnag, rydym yn dal i fod yn argyhoeddedig fod llawer i'w ennill o hyd o fabwysiadu ymagwedd gadarnhaol a rhagweithiol tuag at berswadio eraill o'r manteision a ddaw yn sgil newidiadau o'r fath. Felly, rydym yn gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn uchelgeisiol dros y 12 mis nesaf wrth geisio'r gwelliannau a awgrymwn, gan fanteisio ar y cyfle prin a gyflwynwyd i ni nawr.
Nododd rhanddeiliaid yng Nghymru ac ym Mrwsel nad oeddent yn gwybod beth yw blaenoriaethau strategol Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer y berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE ac yn ystod cyfnod o adnoddau cyfyngedig, ei bod hyd yn oed yn bwysicach iddynt allu gwneud hyn i ganolbwyntio eu hymdrechion eu hunain i gefnogi cyflawniad blaenoriaethau Cymru. Felly, os yw Cymru am wneud y mwyaf o'r cyfle y mae'r 12 mis nesaf yn ei roi i ni, mae'n hanfodol dod o hyd i fecanwaith i fynegi blaenoriaethau strategol Llywodraeth Cymru yn glir mewn ffordd agored a thryloyw iawn. Mae awydd clir iddynt wneud hynny gan randdeiliaid y gwnaethom siarad â nhw. Byddai hyn yn galluogi pob corff a phob sefydliad i weithio mewn partneriaeth â Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflawni canlyniadau cadarnhaol a diriaethol i gymunedau ledled Cymru.
Roeddem yn argymell y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru fynegi'r blaenoriaethau hyn yn glir, naill ai mewn strategaeth benodol neu mewn strategaeth ryngwladol newydd, a hefyd y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ddechrau ymgynghori â chymdeithas sifil a rhanddeiliaid yng Nghymru ar y blaenoriaethau hyn a'i gweledigaeth ar unwaith. A chyda llaw, mae hyn yn adleisio galwadau tebyg a wnaed gan bwyllgor diwylliant y Senedd hefyd wrth gwrs.
Nawr, mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi dweud nad oes angen strategaeth benodol ar gyfer yr UE, ond bydd diweddariad ysgafn o'r strategaeth ryngwladol cyn diwedd tymor y Senedd hon yn gwneud dimensiwn Ewropeaidd y strategaeth yn fwy eglur. Mae'n wir, fel y dywed y Prif Weinidog, nad oes llawer yn debygol o ddigwydd o ran y berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE yn ystod y 12 mis nesaf. Rydym yn deall hynny. Fodd bynnag, dyna'n union pam y dylid gwneud gwaith nawr i ddatblygu'r blaenoriaethau ac ymgysylltu â rhanddeiliaid, fel bod Cymru yn y sefyllfa orau bosibl i nodi ei safbwyntiau pan fydd busnes yn dychwelyd i normal. Rydym yn gobeithio y bydd adnewyddu'r strategaeth ryngwladol yn digwydd yn gynt yn hytrach nag yn hwyrach yn nhymor y Senedd hon.
Hoffwn gyffwrdd ag un agwedd arall ar ein hadroddiad cyn tynnu fy sylwadau agoriadol i ben. Mae tystiolaeth a gasglodd y pwyllgor yng Nghymru ac ym Mrwsel yn dangos gwerth cyngor ac ymgysylltiad cymdeithas sifil wrth reoli'r berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE. Busnesau a sefydliadau ar lawr gwlad sy'n teimlo effaith rhwystrau ymarferol yn gyntaf, ac yn aml, nhw sydd â'r rhan fwyaf o'r atebion.
Felly, byddai Llywodraeth Cymru a'r Senedd yn gwneud anghymwynas â Chymru os nad ydynt yn ymgysylltu'n well â'r grwpiau hyn ar y mater. Ar hyn o bryd, Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru yw'r unig lais penodol o Gymru ar y grŵp cymdeithas sifil a sefydlwyd o dan y cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu. Yr unig reswm y mae'n gallu ei fynychu yw oherwydd cyllid grant a allai ddod i ben eleni, ac ni all hyn fod yn sefyllfa gynaliadwy yn y tymor hir. Felly, fe wnaethom argymell y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ail-gyfansoddi grŵp cynghori Ewropeaidd sy'n addas ar gyfer yr amgylchiadau presennol i lywio ei gwaith Ewropeaidd, a dylai alw ar Lywodraeth y DU i ddarparu cyllid i sefydliadau'r DU sy'n cymryd rhan yn strwythurau cymdeithas sifil y DU a'r UE ac yn absenoldeb cyllid o'r fath, dylai ystyried rhoi cefnogaeth ei hun.
Sylwaf, Dirprwy Lywydd, fod y Prif Weinidog yn dweud na fydd yn rhoi blaenoriaeth i ddwyn mater y grŵp cynghori newydd yn ei flaen, gan mai mater i’w olynydd ei ystyried yw hynny. Byddwn yn sicr yn parhau i eirioli’n gryf dros gynnull y grŵp hwn, a dŷn ni'n edrych ymlaen at godi’r materion hyn gyda’i olynydd ar yr adeg briodol.
Rydym yn croesawu’r ymateb gan y Llywydd ar ran Comisiwn y Senedd, sy’n nodi bod swyddogion Comisiwn y Senedd yn hapus i archwilio ein hargymhellion ar gefnogi ymgysylltiad cymdeithas sifil pellach â’r pwyllgor, Cadeiryddion pwyllgorau perthnasol eraill ac Aelodau’r Senedd sydd â rolau perthnasol. Ein gobaith yw y bydd hyn yn cynnig cyfle i wneud yn siŵr bod y lleisiau pwysig hyn yn cael eu clywed. Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Dirprwy Lywydd, I note that the First Minister says that he will not progress the issue of a new advisory group as a priority, as it will be for his successor to consider. We will certainly continue to advocate strongly for this group to be convened, and we look forward to raising these issues with his successor at the appropriate time.
We welcome the response from the Llywydd on behalf of the Senedd Commission, which states that Senedd Commission officials are happy to explore our recommendations on supporting further civil society engagement with the committee, other relevant committee Chairs and Members of the Senedd who have relevant roles. We hope that this can provide an opportunity to make sure that these important voices are heard. Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd.
I'd like to thank the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for giving a very thorough overview of what our report says. It probably took a lot of what I had to say away, so I'm going to have to ad lib a little bit to get through it. I'd also like to thank all the committee staff who helped pull all this together, because without them, we wouldn't be able to do these pieces of work, and also the people we met during our evidence gathering, because speaking to those experts and people out there who know what they're talking about is always very good for people like me, who, shall we say, are not experts in the field of EU governance or negotiations.
But, as the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee outlined, our future relationship with the EU remains one of the most important international relationships we have. After we left the EU four years ago, the process to get where we are now has not been a very smooth one—it's been a bit bumpy and a bit up and down—but I think we're in lot more of a settled place. And, as a committee, it isn't our role to comment on what perhaps the negotiation should look like, but it is our role to look at tangible ways in which we can ensure that the voice of Wales is heard within the EU and also within the UK Government, and especially with the future review coming of the trade and co-operation agreement, we need to make sure that the Welsh Government and this Senedd have as much opportunity to feed into that as possible.
The governance arrangements are a key element in which we can ensure that Wales has a voice. We're told that the EU Commission and the UK Government could make unilateral decisions that could change the withdrawal agreement and the trade and co-operation agreement without any devolved parliamentary oversight. That isn't right, and that's what we need to make sure through what we've done through recommendations, which we hope the Government will take forward, that we can actually have a say in some of these negotiations to make sure that, with some of the areas in which the EU now and the UK Government have power over us here, we actually have more input into that to make sure that it's in the best interest of Wales.
That is why it's paramount for us to closely monitor the changes—which is in our report—to EU law that could impact businesses here in Wales and throughout the UK, because we need to make sure that none of our businesses here are detrimentally affected by changes to EU law. So, it's very important that we do play a key role out in Europe to make sure that nothing changes to our detriment here.
It was said throughout the inquiry, and by people we met, that more recent political changes in Westminster have allowed for a more settled period between the UK and the EU. When we were in Brussels, it was telling that everybody we met said that it hasn't been easy since we voted to leave, but there seems now a willingness and a focus from both sides—from the UK Government and the European Commission—to make this agreement work, in the best interests of both parties. As a committee, we all felt that the new stable relationship gives us an opportunity to relook at the governance structures, and how we can play a more active role within the current structures, which I know that the Chair, and my colleague Alun Davies, and other Members do have.
The committee made a number of recommendations to the Government, and I just want to focus on a few of them. Recommendation 3 sets out our position that we believe the Welsh Government should be given full status at the partnership council, and continue to be given observer status at all the relevant meetings. We think this is very important, because we want to make sure that the voice of the devolved Government here in Wales is heard—and that's not just us here in Wales, that's also the devolved administrations in Scotland, and also in Northern Ireland—to make sure that any decisions that are made, you have the opportunity to participate, to make sure that we're not forgotten about.
Recommendation 5 calls for a new memorandum of understanding for the Interministerial Group on UK-EU Relations, so that it's clear, I think, the level of engagement that the devolved administrations have, as the current model is very ad hoc. From what we're led to believe, sometimes Ministers are included, sometimes they're not included in things, and I don't think that's any appropriate way to be running an agreement or a trade agreement.
Recommendation 11 asks for the Welsh Government's direct participation in EU networks. I think that being in some of these networks is vital for Wales if we are to succeed as a nation as well, to make sure that we are information sharing between institutions. Alun Davies talked about something when he was in the Falkland Islands, of a living bridge—I'm sure he'll talk about that again—of how we do talk between institutions. It's very positive that the UK has rejoined the Horizon network as well, so we can share information there. And I would encourage policy makers elsewhere to look at other EU institutions we can join, because I think that is the best way to learn and to get expertise. We can't redo the wheel here, but if we can learn from somewhere else, that is also very important.
Recommendation 14 also talks about transparency, and the need for the Welsh Government to be more open with the Senedd about meetings they have when they talk about UK-EU relations. And I think it would help us here as a Senedd, and all the relevant committees, to be more informed about the work that the Welsh Government is doing and the future vision that the Welsh Government have for working within the European Union. I know that the two leadership candidates aren't here, but as the Chair said, it would be very interesting to know, when we do have a new First Minister here, what his vision is and what their vision is for the future relationship.
But as a number of recommendations also call, it's for Senedd Members to have an active engagement within the EU and its structures. As I've said before, we may have left the European Union—and I can see that I'm testing the Deputy Llywydd's patience here with the time—we may have left the European Union, but we haven't left Europe. And I think that, if the voice of Wales is to be heard, we need to be given as much opportunity to go out to Brussels, to go out to European countries, to actually put the case forward for Wales, to say how we can help shape some of the future policy within the EU. And I think that's something, perhaps not for the Government, but for the Commission here, to look at how we can actually actively do that.
And finally—I will conclude, Deputy Llywydd; this is my last point—this will probably be the last LJC committee report that I comment on, well, maybe, but we'll have to see. So, I just want to take this opportunity to thank all the clerks, the research team, and the legal team in the Senedd for all their help and support when I was a member of the committee. I look forward to hearing the Government's response, and all other Members who are going to respond to this report.
Hoffwn ddiolch i Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a’r Cyfansoddiad am roi trosolwg trylwyr iawn o’r hyn a nodir yn ein hadroddiad. Mae'n debyg ei fod wedi dweud llawer o'r hyn yr oeddwn innau am ei ddweud, felly bydd yn rhaid imi fyrfyfyrio rywfaint. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i holl staff y pwyllgor a helpodd i ddwyn hyn ynghyd, oherwydd hebddynt, ni fyddem yn gallu gwneud gwaith o'r fath, a hefyd y bobl y cyfarfuom â nhw yn ystod ein sesiynau casglu tystiolaeth, gan fod siarad â’r arbenigwyr hynny a phobl allan yno sy'n gwybod am beth maent yn sôn bob amser yn dda iawn i bobl fel fi, nad ydym, efallai, yn arbenigwyr ym maes llywodraethiant yr UE neu negodiadau.
Ond fel yr amlinellodd Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a’r Cyfansoddiad, mae ein perthynas â’r UE yn y dyfodol yn parhau i fod yn un o’r cysylltiadau rhyngwladol pwysicaf sydd gennym. Wedi inni adael yr UE bedair blynedd yn ôl, nid yw’r broses i gyrraedd lle rydym arni wedi bod yn un esmwyth iawn—mae wedi bod braidd yn anwastad ac yn anodd weithiau—ond credaf ein bod mewn lle llawer mwy sefydlog. Ac fel pwyllgor, nid ein rôl ni yw gwneud sylwadau ar sut olwg a ddylai fod ar y negodi, ond ein rôl ni yw edrych ar ffyrdd diriaethol o sicrhau bod llais Cymru yn cael ei glywed yn yr UE ac yn Llywodraeth y DU, ac yn enwedig gyda’r adolygiad sydd ar ffordd o’r cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu, mae angen inni sicrhau bod Llywodraeth Cymru a’r Senedd hon yn cael cymaint o gyfle â phosibl i gyfrannu at hynny.
Mae’r trefniadau llywodraethiant yn elfen allweddol ar gyfer sicrhau bod gan Gymru lais. Dywedir wrthym y gallai Comisiwn yr UE a Llywodraeth y DU wneud penderfyniadau unochrog a allai newid y cytundeb ymadael a’r cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu heb unrhyw oruchwyliaeth seneddol ddatganoledig. Nid yw hynny'n iawn, a dyna sydd angen i ni ei sicrhau drwy'r hyn rydym wedi'i wneud drwy argymhellion, y gobeithiwn y bydd y Llywodraeth yn bwrw ymlaen â nhw, y gallwn gael dweud ein dweud mewn rhai o'r negodiadau hyn er mwyn sicrhau, gyda rhai o'r meysydd y mae gan yr UE nawr a Llywodraeth y DU bŵer drosom yma, fod gennym fwy o fewnbwn yn hynny o beth er mwyn sicrhau ei fod er budd gorau Cymru.
Dyna pam ei bod yn hollbwysig inni fonitro'n agos iawn y newidiadau—mae hynny yn ein hadroddiad—i gyfraith yr UE a allai effeithio ar fusnesau yma yng Nghymru a ledled y DU, gan fod angen inni sicrhau nad oes unrhyw un o’n busnesau yma yn cael eu heffeithio’n andwyol gan newidiadau i gyfraith yr UE. Felly, mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn chwarae rhan allweddol yn Ewrop er mwyn sicrhau nad oes unrhyw beth yn newid er anfantais i ni yma.
Dywedwyd drwy gydol yr ymchwiliad, a chan bobl y cyfarfuom â nhw, fod newidiadau gwleidyddol mwy diweddar yn San Steffan wedi caniatáu cyfnod mwy sefydlog rhwng y DU a’r UE. Pan oeddem ym Mrwsel, roedd yn dweud y cyfan fod pawb y gwnaethom gyfarfod â nhw wedi dweud nad yw wedi bod yn hawdd ers inni bleidleisio i adael, ond ymddengys bellach fod parodrwydd a ffocws gan y ddwy ochr—gan Lywodraeth y DU a'r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd—i wneud i'r cytundeb hwn weithio, er lles y ddwy ochr. Fel pwyllgor, roedd pob un ohonom yn teimlo bod y berthynas sefydlog newydd yn rhoi cyfle inni ailedrych ar y strwythurau llywodraethiant, a sut y gallwn chwarae rhan fwy gweithredol o fewn y strwythurau presennol, fel y gwn fod y Cadeirydd a fy nghyd-Aelod, Alun Davies, ac Aelodau eraill, yn ei wneud.
Gwnaeth y pwyllgor nifer o argymhellion i’r Llywodraeth, a hoffwn ganolbwyntio ar rai ohonynt. Mae argymhelliad 3 yn nodi ein safbwynt ein bod yn credu y dylid rhoi statws llawn i Lywodraeth Cymru ar y cyngor partneriaeth, ac y dylai barhau i gael statws sylwedydd yn yr holl gyfarfodydd perthnasol. Credwn fod hyn yn bwysig iawn, gan ein bod yn awyddus i sicrhau bod llais y Llywodraeth ddatganoledig yma yng Nghymru yn cael ei glywed—ac nid ni yma yng Nghymru yn unig, ond y gweinyddiaethau datganoledig yn yr Alban, ac yng Ngogledd Iwerddon hefyd—i sicrhau eich bod yn cael cyfle i gymryd rhan mewn unrhyw benderfyniadau a wneir er mwyn sicrhau nad ydym yn cael ein hanghofio.
Mae argymhelliad 5 yn galw am femorandwm cyd-ddealltwriaeth newydd ar gyfer y Grŵp Rhyngweinidogol ar Gysylltiadau’r DU a’r UE, fel ei bod yn amlwg pa lefel o ymgysylltiad sydd gan y gweinyddiaethau datganoledig, gan fod y model presennol yn ad hoc iawn. O'r hyn y cawn ein harwain i gredu, weithiau mae Gweinidogion yn cael eu cynnwys, weithiau nid ydynt yn cael eu cynnwys mewn pethau, ac ni chredaf fod honno'n ffordd briodol o weithredu cytundeb neu gytundeb masnach.
Mae argymhelliad 11 yn gofyn am gyfranogiad uniongyrchol Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhwydweithiau’r UE. Credaf fod bod yn rhan o rai o’r rhwydweithiau hyn yn hanfodol i Gymru os ydym am lwyddo fel cenedl hefyd, i sicrhau ein bod yn rhannu gwybodaeth rhwng sefydliadau. Soniodd Alun Davies am rywbeth pan oedd yn Ynysoedd Falkland, am bont fyw—rwy'n siŵr y bydd yn sôn am hynny eto—ynglŷn â'r modd y byddwn yn siarad rhwng sefydliadau. Mae’n gadarnhaol iawn fod y DU wedi ailymuno â rhwydwaith Horizon hefyd, fel y gallwn rannu gwybodaeth yno. A byddwn yn annog llunwyr polisi mewn mannau eraill i edrych ar sefydliadau eraill yr UE y gallwn ymuno â nhw, gan y credaf mai dyna'r ffordd orau o ddysgu a meithrin arbenigedd. Ni allwn ailddyfeisio'r olwyn yma, ond os gallwn ddysgu o rywle arall, mae hynny hefyd yn bwysig iawn.
Mae argymhelliad 14 hefyd yn sôn am dryloywder, a’r angen i Lywodraeth Cymru fod yn fwy agored gyda’r Senedd ynglŷn â’r cyfarfodydd a gânt pan fyddant yn sôn am y berthynas rhwng y DU a’r UE. Ac rwy'n credu y byddai’n ein helpu ni yma fel Senedd, a’r holl bwyllgorau perthnasol, i wybod mwy am y gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud a’r weledigaeth sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer gweithio o fewn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd yn y dyfodol. Gwn nad yw’r ddau ymgeisydd yn y ras am yr arweinyddiaeth yma, ond fel y dywedodd y Cadeirydd, byddai’n ddiddorol iawn gwybod, pan fydd gennym Brif Weinidog newydd yma, beth yw ei weledigaeth a beth yw eu gweledigaeth ar gyfer y berthynas yn y dyfodol.
Ond fel y mae nifer o argymhellion yn galw amdano hefyd, mater i Aelodau o'r Senedd yw ymgysylltu’n weithredol o fewn yr UE a’i strwythurau. Fel y dywedais o'r blaen, efallai ein bod wedi gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd—a gallaf weld fy mod yn profi amynedd y Dirprwy Lywydd yma gyda'r amser—efallai ein bod wedi gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ond nid ydym wedi gadael Ewrop. Ac os yw llais Cymru i gael ei glywed, rwy'n credu bod angen inni gael cymaint o gyfle i fynd i Frwsel, i fynd i wledydd Ewrop, i ddadlau'r achos dros Gymru, i ddweud sut y gallwn helpu i lunio rhai o bolisïau’r dyfodol o fewn yr UE. Ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhywbeth, nid i'r Llywodraeth efallai, ond i'r Comisiwn yma, i edrych ar sut y gallwn fynd ati'n weithredol i wneud hynny.
Ac yn olaf—rwy'n dirwyn i ben, Ddirprwy Lywydd; dyma fy mhwynt olaf—mae'n debyg mai hwn fydd yr adroddiad olaf gan y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a’r Cyfansoddiad y byddaf yn gwneud sylwadau arno, wel, efallai, ond cawn weld. Felly, hoffwn achub ar y cyfle i ddiolch i’r holl glercod, y tîm ymchwil, a’r tîm cyfreithiol yn y Senedd am eu holl gymorth a chefnogaeth pan oeddwn yn aelod o’r pwyllgor. Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed ymateb y Llywodraeth, a’r holl Aelodau eraill a fydd yn ymateb i’r adroddiad hwn.
Just for confirmation, you can comment upon any report in the Chamber as a Member of the Senedd. Adam Price.
I gadarnhau, gallwch wneud sylwadau ar unrhyw adroddiad yn y Siambr fel Aelod o’r Senedd. Adam Price.
Gan fod y Cadeirydd wedi gwneud gwaith mor gampus yn gosod gorolwg cynhwysfawr i ni o gynnwys yr adroddiad, dwi ond yn mynd i ganolbwyntio ar dri neu bedwar o'r 23 o argymhellion yn yr adroddiad.
Mi oedd argymhelliad 2 yn gofyn i Lywodraeth Cymru nodi sut y maen nhw'n monitro datblygiadau polisi a deddfwriaethol yr Undeb Ewropeaidd ers i ni adael. Ac mi roedd hi ychydig bach yn siomedig, mae'n rhaid i fi ddweud, i ddarllen ymateb y Llywodraeth, yn dweud, gan nad yw'r Deyrnas Unedig yn aelod o'r Undeb Ewropeaidd mwyach, nad yw'r Llywodraeth yn monitro datblygiadau polisi a datblygiadau deddfwriaethol yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd fel mater o drefn. Mae'n syndod i mi oherwydd, fel roeddwn i bob amser yn pwysleisio, wrth gwrs, a nifer ohonom ni yn y lle yma, dyma yw'r farchnad fwyaf pwysig i Gymru. Felly, mae e'n dal yn arwyddocaol iawn, os ydyn ni eisiau cael mynediad i'r farchnad yna, i wybod beth sy'n digwydd o ran rheoleiddio.
Mi oeddem ni hefyd, y rhai ohonom ni oedd yn gwrthwynebu gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, yn pwyntio mas y perygl bod safonau amgylcheddol a safonau o ran gwarchod cwsmeriaid, ac yn y blaen, yn mynd i ostwng o adael. Wel, un ffordd o sicrhau bod hynny ddim yn digwydd—gymaint ag y medrwn i o fewn y cyfyngiadau sydd arnom ni—ydy cael golwg ar beth mae'r Undeb Ewropeaidd yn ei wneud o'r newydd, fel petai.
Ac, wrth gwrs, yn adran 11 y Ddeddf Cyfraith sy’n Deillio o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd (Cymru) 2018 y gwnaethon ni ei phasio yn y lle yma, mi oedd yna gymal a fyddai wedi golygu bod gan Weinidogion Cymru y pŵer i alinio rheoliadau wedi'u datganoli i Gymru o hyd o'r newydd, ar ôl gadael. Yn anffodus, gwnaethon ni ddileu'r Ddeddf honno, ond yn yr Alban, wrth gwrs, maen nhw wedi'i chadw hi, ac yn adran 1 eu Deddf parhad nhw, mae ganddyn nhw'r pŵer i barhau i alinio rheoliadau yn yr Alban gyda rheoliadau o'r newydd yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Ac oherwydd hynny, mae'r pwyllgor sydd yn lled gyfatebol i'n pwyllgor ni yn Senedd yr Alban wedi creu tracker—EU law tracker—sydd yn cael ei gydlynu gan Queen's University Belfast, sydd yn cynhyrchu adroddiadau rheolaidd. Mae'r un cyntaf newydd gael ei gyhoeddi ym mis Medi ac mae e'n gosod mas yn glir iawn yr holl gyfreithiau newydd sydd wedi'u pasio gan yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Wel, pam nag ŷn ni jest yn defnyddio'r wybodaeth hynny? Mae'n dangos, er enghraifft, y llynedd, dim ond—. Mae'r niferoedd yn gymharol isel, a dweud y gwir. Dim ond dau gyfarwyddeb—directive—newydd oedd wedi cael eu pasio y llynedd yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Felly, dyw e ddim yn nifer rhy eang. Mi oedd yna lot o newidiadau technegol, ond o ran y prif newidiadau, mae modd eu tracio nhw. Pam nag ŷn ni yn manteisio ar y cyfleon i adeiladu ar y gwaith sydd yn yr Alban?
Jest yn fyr iawn, o ran argymhelliad 11 ynglŷn â Chymru yn cymryd rhan mewn rhwydweithiau Ewropeaidd er mwyn gwneud yn iawn am yr hyn dŷn ni wedi'i golli o ran dylanwad ac yn y blaen, mae'r Llywodraeth, wrth gwrs, yn nodi yn ei hymateb fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn aelod o rwydweithiau fel Cynhadledd y Rhanbarthau Morol Ymylol ac yn y blaen, ond mae yna rwydweithiau pwysig y gallen ni fod yn aelodau ohonyn nhw dŷn ni ddim ar hyn o bryd. Y prif un ar gyfer rhanbarthau, neu genhedloedd di-wladwriaeth, ydy'r Assembly of European Regions. Pam nad yw Cymru yn aelodau o hwnna? Mae yna gyfle i'r Senedd hon. Mae'r Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies, yn cynrychioli seneddau rhanbarthol, yn ystyried gwahodd rhanbarthau sydd y tu fas i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd i fod yn associate members o CALRE ac yn y blaen. So, mae yna gyfleoedd i ni. Beth am i ni archwilio'r posibiliadau hynny?
A hefyd, gan gytuno gyda sylwadau fy nghyn-gyd-Aelod, mae'n bwysig hefyd bod Aelodau'r Senedd yn cael eu hannog i fynd i Frwsel. Yn ymateb y Llywydd i'r adroddiad, mi oedd e'n syndod ac yn siom i ddarllen mai dim ond un Aelod o'r Senedd sydd wedi ymweld â Brwsel yn ystod y Senedd hon. Mae'n rhaid i ni gefnogi ac annog cymaint o Aelodau'r Senedd, mewn gwahanol ddulliau, i fynd yno er mwyn sicrhau bod Cymru'n dal ar yr agenda.
As the Chair did such an excellent job in giving us a comprehensive overview of the content of the report, I just want to focus on three or four of the 23 recommendations in the report.
Recommendation 2 called on the Welsh Government to note how they are monitoring policy and legislative developments in the European Union after we left the union. And it was slightly disappointing, I have to say, to read the Government's response, which said that, as the United Kingdom is no longer a member of the European Union, the Government doesn't monitor policy developments and legislative developments across the European Union as a matter of course. Now, it’s surprising for me because, as I always emphasised, and as many of us in this place always emphasised, this is the most important market for Wales. So, it’s still very significant indeed, if we want to access that market, to know what is happening in terms of regulation.
Some of us, those who were opposed to leaving the European Union, also pointed out the risk that environmental standards and standards in terms of consumer protection, and so on, would reduce when leaving the union. Well, one way of ensuring that that doesn’t happen—as much as we're able, given the limitations placed upon us—is to have an overview of what the European Union is doing, as it were.
And, of course, in section 11 of the Law Derived from the European Union (Wales) Act 2018 that we passed in this place, there was a clause that would have meant that Welsh Ministers would have the power to align regulations still devolved to Wales anew, having left. Unfortunately, we turned our backs on that legislation. In Scotland, they’ve retained it, and in section 1 of their Act, they have the power to continue to align regulations in Scotland with new regulations in the European Union. And, as a result of that, the committee that almost corresponds to our committee in the Scottish Parliament has created an EU law tracker that is co-ordinated by Queen’s University Belfast, which produces regular reports. The first has just been published in September and it sets out very clearly all of the new laws that have been passed by the European Union. Well, why don’t we just use that information? It shows that, last year—. The numbers that we’re talking about are relatively low. There were only two new directives that were passed last year in the European Union. So, it’s not too huge a number. There were a number of technical changes of course, but in terms of the major changes, they can be tracked. Why don’t we take our opportunities to build on the work that’s being done in Scotland?
Just very briefly, on recommendation 11, in relation to Wales participating in European networks in order to make up for what we have lost in terms of influence and so on, the Government of course notes in its response that the Welsh Government is a member of networks such as the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions and so forth, but there are important networks that we could be part of that we’re not part of at the moment. The main one for the regions or the stateless nations is the Assembly of European Regions. Why isn’t Wales a member of that? There are opportunities for this Senedd. The Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies represents regional parliaments and it’s considering inviting regions from outwith the European Union to be associate members of CALRE. So, there are opportunities for us. Why don’t we look into those possibilities?
And in agreeing with the comments made by my former fellow member of the committee, it’s important that Senedd Members are encouraged to go to Brussels. In the Llywydd’s response to the report, it was surprising and disappointing to read that only one Member of the Senedd has visited Brussels during this Parliament. We do have to support and encourage as many Members of the Senedd as possible, in different ways, to go there to ensure that Wales is still on the agenda.
I'm grateful to the Chair and members of the committee for the way in which they have described the report and its conclusions. I'd like, as others have done, to start my contribution by thanking the secretariat and the witnesses who helped us write and prepare and publish this report. As has just been said, this report, in many ways, goes to the heart of our governance and the way that we are governed in Wales today. There are a number of different threads and themes that I believe we have concluded and should be addressed by this Parliament as a whole.
Rwy’n ddiolchgar i’r Cadeirydd ac aelodau’r pwyllgor am y ffordd y maent wedi disgrifio’r adroddiad a’i gasgliadau. Hoffwn ddechrau fy nghyfraniad, fel y mae eraill wedi’i wneud, drwy ddiolch i’r ysgrifenyddiaeth a’r tystion a’n helpodd i ysgrifennu a pharatoi a chyhoeddi’r adroddiad hwn. Fel sydd newydd ei ddweud, mae’r adroddiad hwn, mewn sawl ffordd, yn mynd at wraidd ein llywodraethiant a’r ffordd y cawn ein llywodraethu yng Nghymru heddiw. Rydym wedi dod i gasgliadau ar nifer o wahanol elfennau a themâu y credaf y dylai'r Senedd hon roi ystyriaeth iddynt yn eu cyfanrwydd.
The first theme is the shift in power. We all remember the 'Take back control' sloganising of 2016. But the reality is that control has moved from parliamentary democracy to executive diktat, and that is not right. This Parliament has less oversight of the matters under consideration in the relationship between the EU and the UK than it had