Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
01/05/2024Cynnwys
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. Yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr Economi, Ynni a’r Gymraeg, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Delyth Jewell.
Good afternoon and welcome to this Plenary meeting. The first item this afternoon is questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language, and the first question is from Delyth Jewell.
1. Pa drafodaethau mae’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'u cynnal gyda Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg ynglŷn â chynnydd darpariaeth addysg Gymraeg yn y Cymoedd? OQ61017
1. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for Education regarding the progress of Welsh education provision in the Valleys? OQ61017
Rwyf wedi cwrdd gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg ac mae hi’n gefnogol i’r gwaith gwych sydd eisoes wedi digwydd drwy gynlluniau strategol y Gymraeg mewn addysg, ac mae’n awyddus i adeiladu ar y gwaith da hwn. Bydd cynghorau lleol yn cyflwyno eu hadroddiadau blynyddol i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg ddiwedd mis Gorffennaf.
I have met the Cabinet Secretary for Education and she is supportive of the great work that has already taken place through the Welsh in education strategic plans, and she is eager to build on this good work. Local councils will submit their annual reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Education at the end of July.
Diolch am hwnna. Os ydym ni am gyrraedd y targed o filiwn o siaradwyr Cymraeg erbyn 2050, bydd y Cymoedd yn hollbwysig, ond rydyn ni'n dal i aros am newyddion am yr ysgol gynradd cyfrwng Cymraeg arfaethedig ar gyfer ardal Bedwas, Tretomas a Machen, ac ymddengys bod cyngor Merthyr yn bwrw ymlaen gydag adnabod safle ar gyfer ysgol gynradd Gymraeg newydd heb gymryd i ystyriaeth y gwaith rhagorol sydd wedi'i wneud yn ddiweddar yn ardal y Gurnos gyda darpariaeth blynyddoedd cynnar. Jest dwy esiampl ydy'r rhain o'r heriau sydd yn wynebu rhieni lleol sydd yn ysu am ddanfon eu plant i ysgolion Cymraeg.
A fyddech chi, gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, yn fodlon cwrdd â fi a chynrychiolwyr Rhieni dros Addysg Gymraeg lleol i drafod pa gefnogaeth y gall y Llywodraeth ei rhoi i awdurdodau lleol ar draws y de-ddwyrain i wneud yn siŵr fod gan bawb y dewis i ddanfon eu plant i ysgolion Cymraeg?
Thank you for that. If we want to reach the target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, the Valleys will be vital, but we are still waiting for news about the proposed Welsh-medium primary school for the Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen area, and it seems that Merthyr council is proceeding with identifying a site for a new Welsh primary school without taking into account the excellent work that has been done recently in the Gurnos area in terms of early years provision. These are just two examples of the challenges facing local parents who are desperate to send their children to Welsh language schools.
Would you, along with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, be willing to meet with me and representatives of the local RhAG group to discuss what support the Government can give to local authorities across the south-east to make sure that everyone has the option to send their children to a Welsh-medium school?
Wel, diolch i’r Aelod am y cwestiwn pellach hwnnw. Mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud fy mod yn siomedig nad oedd blodyn yn cael ei gynnig fel rhan o'r cwestiwn. [Chwerthin.] Ond mae’r pwynt y mae’r Aelod yn ei wneud yn gwbl deilwng ac mae’r cynnydd a’r brwdfrydedd dros addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg yn y Cymoedd yn rhywbeth sydd yn bleser i’w weld. Mae gan bob un o'r cynghorau, yn cynnwys y ddau wnaeth yr Aelod sôn amdanyn nhw, gynlluniau strategol sydd yn uchelgeisiol ac sydd, fel y mae hi'n sôn, yn cynnwys ymrwymiadau i agor ysgolion cynradd newydd. Mae'n bwysig bod hyn yn digwydd mewn ffordd sydd yn edrych ar yr impact ehangach o ran argaeledd daearyddol, ond hefyd o ran datblygiadau o ran lle mae pobl yn byw ac ati, fel bod pwrpas y cynlluniau strategol yn cael ei gyflawni yn y fersiwn fwyaf uchelgeisiol posibl o hynny.
Byddwn yn hapus iawn i gwrdd gyda'r Aelod i drafod hyn ymhellach. Byddwn i jest yn dweud mai'r ddau ddatblygiad rwy’n credu sydd yn galonogol iawn, ac rwy’n gobeithio y byddan nhw'n dwyn ffrwyth yn y pen draw, yw datblygiad pencampwyr hyrwyddo addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg yn y de-ddwyrain, sydd yn gwneud gwaith da i sicrhau bod pobl yn deall beth yw manteision a buddiannau addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg ar yr un llaw, ac, ar y llaw arall, y brwdfrydedd rŷn ni'n ei weld yn y de-ddwyrain, fel yr ydym yn ei weld ar draws Cymru, o ran y buddsoddiad mewn trochi hwyr. Mae'r ddau ddatblygiad yna, dwi'n credu, yn gyffrous iawn yn ei rhanbarth hi. Ond byddwn i'n hapus iawn i gwrdd â hi a gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg.
Well, I thank the Member for that supplementary question. I have to say that I was disappointed that she didn't offer me a flower as part of the question. [Laughter.] But the point that the Member makes is entirely proper and the progress and the enthusiasm for Welsh-medium education in the Valleys is a pleasure to see. Every council, including the two that the Member mentioned, has strategic plans that are ambitious and do, as she mentioned, include commitments to open new primary schools. It is important that this happens in a way that considers the broader impact in terms of geographical availability, but also in terms of developments where people live so that the purpose of the strategic plans is achieved in the most ambitious way possible.
I would be more than happy to meet with the Member to discuss this further. I would just say that there are two developments that I think are very encouraging and that I hope will ultimately come to fruition, namely the development of champions for promoting Welsh-medium education in the south-east, who do good work to ensure that people understand the benefits and advantages of Welsh-medium education on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the enthusiasm that we're seeing in the south-east, as we're seeing across Wales, in terms of the investment in late immersion. I think that both of those developments are extremely exciting in her region. But I would be more than happy to meet with her and the education Cabinet Secretary.
Cabinet Secretary, it's my belief that in order to properly embed the learning and speaking of Welsh in communities, there needs to be a clear and well-advertised economic advantage for those to speak Welsh. Only through this will people invest and make every effort to encourage their children to speak Welsh. Graduate schemes and apprenticeships through the medium of Welsh are a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of workers to embrace the Welsh language as a skill that can help them in their working lives, particularly in key areas such as public service, in healthcare and in education provision, especially in early years learning. What steps are the Welsh Government taking to encourage the creation and uptake of graduate schemes and apprenticeships through the medium of Welsh, and what financial resources have you earmarked for this? Thank you.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, er mwyn gwneud dysgu a siarad Cymraeg yn rhan annatod o'n cymunedau, rwy'n credu bod angen budd economaidd clir sydd wedi’i hysbysebu’n dda i siarad Cymraeg. Dim ond drwy hyn y bydd pobl yn buddsoddi ac yn gwneud pob ymdrech i annog eu plant i siarad Cymraeg. Mae cynlluniau graddedigion a phrentisiaethau drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn gyfle gwych i ysbrydoli’r genhedlaeth nesaf o weithwyr i gofleidio'r Gymraeg fel sgìl a all eu helpu yn eu bywydau gwaith, yn enwedig mewn meysydd allweddol megis gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, mewn gofal iechyd ac mewn darpariaeth addysg, yn enwedig addysg y blynyddoedd cynnar. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i annog creu a defnydd o gynlluniau graddedigion a phrentisiaethau drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, a pha adnoddau ariannol a glustnodwyd gennych ar gyfer hyn? Diolch.
I thank the Member for his question. I do agree with the point that it is important that we make available, through the medium of Welsh, the full range of educational opportunities for our young people, including work-based learning, apprenticeships and provision more broadly than that at the further education stage. The work of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol is really beginning to bear fruit, I think, in the increase in availability. It is still a significant piece of work—there is a long way to go before there is that widespread provision in all parts of Wales that we would all want to see. Some of those challenges are well understood and they're relating to the workforce, but some of it is about an expectation, often. And I was struck by the work of, I think, Coleg Llandrillo Menai, which they were talking to me about at the Eisteddfod last year, where they developed a mechanism and programme for individual staff members to be identifying these opportunities and bringing people to them in a really proactive way, which struck me as being a very productive way of going about it.
I would just say, in passing—I know this wasn't the main thrust of his question—that I'm not myself sure that the way we will encourage more and more people to learn Welsh is simply by talking about the economic imperative for it. There is an important element to that, but I think what we are learning is that people's relationship to the language is much more than transactional. I'm not suggesting he was making that point, but there is a sense of warmth and welcome towards the language that I think goes beyond what is the particular individual economic benefit to a learner. But it is important, as he says, to make sure that those opportunities are available, because we want more people to be working through the medium of Welsh in our workplaces.
Diolch i’r Aelod am ei gwestiwn. Cytunaf â’r pwynt ei bod yn bwysig inni sicrhau bod yr ystod lawn o gyfleoedd addysgol ar gael drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg i’n pobl ifanc gan gynnwys dysgu seiliedig ar waith, prentisiaethau a darpariaeth fwy cyffredinol nag ar y cam addysg bellach. Credaf fod gwaith y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol yn dechrau dwyn ffrwyth go iawn o ran y cynnydd mewn argaeledd. Mae llawer iawn o waith i'w wneud o hyd—mae cryn dipyn o ffordd i fynd cyn bod y ddarpariaeth eang y byddai pob un ohonom yn dymuno'i gweld ar gael ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Mae rhai o'r heriau hynny wedi eu deall yn dda ac maent yn ymwneud â'r gweithlu, ond mae rhai ohonynt yn aml yn ymwneud â disgwyliad. Ac rwy'n llawn edmygedd o waith Coleg Llandrillo Menai, y buont yn siarad â mi amdano yn yr Eisteddfod y llynedd, lle gwnaethant ddatblygu mecanwaith a rhaglen i aelodau unigol o staff nodi’r cyfleoedd hyn a dod â phobl atynt mewn ffordd wirioneddol ragweithiol, a oedd yn fy nharo fel ffordd gynhyrchiol iawn o fynd ati.
Gyda llaw, hoffwn ddweud—gwn nad dyma oedd prif bwynt ei gwestiwn—nad wyf yn siŵr mai’r ffordd y byddwn yn annog mwy a mwy o bobl i ddysgu Cymraeg yw drwy sôn am reidrwydd economaidd hynny yn unig. Mae elfen bwysig i hynny, ond credaf mai’r hyn rydym yn ei ddysgu yw bod perthynas pobl â’r iaith yn llawer mwy na fel trafodiad. Nid wyf yn awgrymu ei fod yn gwneud y pwynt hwnnw, ond mae yna ymdeimlad o gynhesrwydd a chroeso tuag at yr iaith sy'n mynd y tu hwnt i'r hyn sydd o fudd economaidd unigol penodol i ddysgwr. Ond mae’n bwysig sicrhau, fel y dywed, fod y cyfleoedd hynny ar gael, gan ein bod am i fwy o bobl weithio drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn ein gweithleoedd.
2. Pa asesiad y mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'i wneud o ddibynadwyedd data arolwg llafurlu'r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol mewn perthynas â Chymru? OQ61009
2. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the reliability of the Office for National Statistics labour force survey data in relation to Wales? OQ61009
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi codi consýrn am ansawdd data yr arolwg o ran data dros Gymru am gyfnod. Mae'r ONS wedi cyflwyno gwelliannau dros y misoedd diweddar, ond dylid defnyddio data wrth ochr trends mewn mesurau eraill er mwyn cael darlun eglur o’r farchnad lafur yng Nghymru.
The Welsh Government has raised concerns about the quality of the survey in terms of data for Wales for some time. The ONS has introduced some improvements over recent months, but data should be used alongside the trends in other measures to gain a clearer picture of the Welsh labour market.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Mae'r problemau gyda'r data wedi parhau nawr am fisoedd, ac rydyn ni newydd glywed oddi wrth yr ONS na fydd y system newydd y maen nhw'n mynd i'w rhoi yn ei lle yna tan fis Medi nesaf. Ac mae hwnna'n creu problemau mawr i'r Llywodraeth wrth drio cynllunio polisïau i helpu'r economi yma yng Nghymru am y dyfodol.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary. The problems with the data have continued for months now, and we've just heard from the ONS that the new system that they are going to put in place won't be there until next September. And that creates major problems for the Government in terms of trying to plan for policies to help the economy here in Wales in the future.
Does the Cabinet Secretary not agree that behind these difficulties lies the impact of austerity on the ONS itself, an organisation of very high repute, which plays a very important part in the public service infrastructure of south-east Wales, but which has been subject to repeated cuts by the UK Government? Isn't this just yet another example of a UK Government that is penny-wise but pound-foolish in leaving the whole economy without the data it needs to make sensible decisions for the future?
Onid yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn cytuno mai’r hyn sy'n gyfrifol am yr anawsterau hyn yw effaith cyni ar y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol ei hun, sefydliad a chanddo enw da iawn, sy’n chwarae rhan bwysig iawn yn seilwaith gwasanaethau cyhoeddus de-ddwyrain Cymru, ond sydd wedi dioddef toriadau cyson gan Lywodraeth y DU? Onid enghraifft arall eto fyth yw hyn o Lywodraeth y DU yn gwario swllt er ennill ceiniog wrth adael yr economi gyfan heb y data sydd ei angen arni i wneud penderfyniadau synhwyrol ar gyfer y dyfodol?
Gaf i jest cytuno â beth ddywedodd yr Aelod ar gychwyn ei gwestiwn? Yn y cyfnod sydd ohoni, mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau, fel Llywodraeth, fel y mae dyletswydd ar bob llywodraeth, ein bod ni'n deall yn union beth yw impact ac effaith yr holl bethau rŷn ni'n ceisio gwneud, fel bod yr arian cyhoeddus prin sydd gyda ni yn cael ei ddefnyddio yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol a'n bod ni'n deall hynny.
May I just agree with what the Member said at the beginning of his question? At this current time, we must ensure, as a Government, as all governments are duty-bound to do, that we understand exactly what the impact of all the things we seek to do is, so that the little public money we have is used in the most effective and efficient way possible and that we understand that.
I think that the Member is absolutely right to say that, if you look at the situation that the ONS finds itself in over recent years, for each of the last two years, its cash funding has fallen, and it looks to a further reduction, in nominal terms, in its budget between the last financial year and the one that we are in now. So, these are challenging circumstances, I think, in which the ONS has to work, and we look to it to meet the needs of Wales, so that it can support the work that we do as a Government.
As the Member says, it has been undertaking a programme of transformation. We do look forward to the renewed data sets that will become available, because they are so essential. Welsh Government officials are working very closely and collaboratively with the ONS, and Members will have seen what the chief statistician has had to say about the quality of the data recently. But I think it goes without saying that an ONS that was properly funded and had access to the kinds of resources that we would wish it to see would be able to better discharge the responsibilities that I know the chief statistician is keen that they should be able to as well.
Credaf fod yr Aelod yn llygad ei le wrth ddweud, os edrychwch ar y sefyllfa y mae’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol wedi bod ynddi dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, yn y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, fod ei chyllid wedi gostwng, ac mae’n wynebu gostyngiad pellach, mewn termau nominal, yn ei chyllideb rhwng y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf a’r un rydym ynddi bellach. Felly, credaf fod y rhain yn amgylchiadau heriol y mae’n rhaid i’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol weithio ynddynt, ac rydym yn disgwyl iddi ddiwallu anghenion Cymru, fel y gall gefnogi’r gwaith a wnawn fel Llywodraeth.
Fel y dywed yr Aelod, mae wedi bod yn cynnal rhaglen drawsnewid. Edrychwn ymlaen at y setiau data newydd a fydd ar gael, gan eu bod mor hanfodol. Mae swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio’n agos iawn ac ar y cyd â’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol, a bydd yr Aelodau wedi gweld yr hyn y mae’r prif ystadegydd wedi’i ddweud ynglŷn ag ansawdd y data yn ddiweddar. Ond ni chredaf fod angen dweud y byddai Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol sydd wedi’i hariannu’n briodol ac sydd â mynediad at y mathau o adnoddau y byddem yn dymuno iddi gael mynediad atynt yn gallu cyflawni’n well y cyfrifoldebau y gwn fod y prif ystadegydd yn awyddus iddynt allu eu cyflawni hefyd.
I, like the Member for Cardiff West, understand how reliable statistical data is and how vital it is for policy making. The former Minister for Economy, now First Minister, outlined in 2021, I believe, that the Welsh Government had been involved in improving ONS data for Wales. So, we're now almost three years on from that expected work, and it appears that there are still great concerns about the data, and you've alluded to some of the work, Cabinet Secretary, that's going on. But given the earlier answer, can you share what further progress has been made over the last three years by the Welsh Government to ensure that there is reliable ONS data for Wales?
Yn union fel yr Aelod dros Orllewin Caerdydd, rwy’n deall pa mor ddibynadwy yw data ystadegol a pha mor hanfodol ydyw ar gyfer llunio polisïau. Amlinellodd cyn Weinidog yr Economi, sydd bellach yn Brif Weinidog, yn 2021 rwy'n credu, fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn ymwneud â'r gwaith o wella data'r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol ar gyfer Cymru. Felly, mae bron i dair blynedd wedi bod ers y gwaith disgwyliedig hwnnw, ac ymddengys bod pryderon dwys am y data o hyd, ac rydych chi wedi cyfeirio at rywfaint o'r gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Ond o ystyried yr ateb cynharach, a allwch chi rannu pa gynnydd pellach a wnaed dros y tair blynedd diwethaf gan Lywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau bod data dibynadwy gan y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol ar gyfer Cymru?
Well, Welsh Government officials work with the ONS, but this is a challenge that is, as the former First Minister way saying, the product of resource pressures on the ONS, which I'm sure all of us would have an incredible amount of sympathy with. But we need those data to be current and reliable, and I do welcome the steps that the ONS has taken and has been able to take. So, in the last six months, it's returned to face-to-face interviewing. It's been able to increase its re-contact rates. One of the issues at the heart of this is the contact rate and the ability to secure engagement with it. It's reintroduced a boost to the LFS sample from the start of this year, and it's reinstated the majority of its statistics, but it does recognise that there are still ongoing challenges, and its advice is now that we should be cautious in interpreting short-term changes in the data, especially when we look at more detailed breakdowns, which would apply to a nation the size of Wales. That becomes even less reliable than the UK-wide picture, for reasons which we will understand.
So, their recommendation is that we continue to make use of the full range—the broader range—of labour market data sources when we're forming a judgment on the UK labour market. And the Member may know that if you look at His Majesty's Revenue and Customs data, the job starts, and a range of other data, the trends, actually, in Wales, more closely mirror those in the UK than would seem to be the case based on the last labour force survey data.
Wel, mae swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol, ond mae hon yn her sydd, fel y dywed y cyn Brif Weinidog, yn deillio o bwysau ar adnoddau'r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol, ac rwy’n siŵr y byddai gan bob un ohonom lawer iawn o gydymdeimlad â hynny. Ond mae angen i’r data hwnnw fod yn gyfredol ac yn ddibynadwy, ac rwy'n croesawu'r camau y mae’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol wedi’u cymryd ac wedi gallu eu cymryd. Felly, yn ystod y chwe mis diwethaf, mae wedi ailddechrau cynnal cyfweliadau wyneb yn wyneb. Mae wedi gallu cynyddu ei chyfraddau ailgysylltu. Un o’r materion sydd wrth wraidd hyn yw’r gyfradd gysylltu a’r gallu i sicrhau ymgysylltiad â hi. Mae wedi ailgyflwyno samplau manylach o'r arolwg o'r llafurlu o ddechrau’r flwyddyn hon, ac mae wedi adfer y rhan fwyaf o’i hystadegau, ond mae’n cydnabod bod heriau parhaus o hyd, a’i chyngor bellach yw y dylem fod yn ofalus wrth ddehongli newidiadau tymor byr yn y data, yn enwedig pan edrychwn ar ddadansoddiadau manylach, a fyddai’n berthnasol i genedl o faint Cymru. Mae hynny hyd yn oed yn llai dibynadwy na’r darlun ar gyfer y DU gyfan, am resymau y byddwn yn eu deall.
Felly, eu hargymhelliad yw ein bod yn parhau i ddefnyddio'r ystod lawn—yr ystod ehangach—o ffynonellau data'r farchnad lafur pan fyddwn yn ffurfio barn ar farchnad lafur y DU. Ac efallai y bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod, os edrychwch ar ddata Cyllid a Thollau Ei Fawrhydi, nifer y swyddi newydd, ac ystod o ddata arall, fod y tueddiadau yng Nghymru, yn adlewyrchu tueddiadau'r DU yn agosach nag y byddai data arolwg diwethaf y gweithlu yn ei awgrymu.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Samuel Kurtz.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Samuel Kurtz.
Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, last week you addressed an event that I sponsored here in the Senedd for RenewableUK Cymru, and my thanks to you for that. The event helped highlight the amazing renewable energy opportunities that Wales has, bringing together businesses, organisations and stakeholders who share in that common goal. What the event also highlighted was the potential barriers that currently sit between us and delivering and realising these renewable opportunities, which, for businesses across the south Wales industrial cluster, for example, aren't just opportunities, but are a necessity. My offer to you to work collaboratively on the delivery on renewable energy remains a genuine one.
While we understand the need to move forward towards renewables from an environmental perspective, we can also stress the importance of employment opportunities as we realise our energy potential. But, given that the United Nations has said that 2023 was the year with the most conflicts since the second world war, and defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, has said that we're moving from a post-war to a pre-war world, the security of our energy is quickly increasing in priority. So, is your Government taking energy security seriously, given the rise of global tensions, and if it is, how is that being felt in the delivery of energy projects in and off the coast of Wales?
Diolch, Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yr wythnos diwethaf, fe wnaethoch annerch digwyddiad a noddais yma yn y Senedd ar gyfer RenewableUK Cymru, a hoffwn ddiolch i chi am hynny. Helpodd y digwyddiad i dynnu sylw at y cyfleoedd ynni adnewyddadwy anhygoel sydd gan Gymru, gan ddod ynghyd â busnesau, sefydliadau a rhanddeiliaid sy’n rhannu’r nod cyffredin hwnnw. Yr hyn a amlygodd y digwyddiad hefyd oedd y rhwystrau posibl ar hyn o bryd a fyddai'n ein hatal rhag cyflawni a gwireddu’r cyfleoedd ynni adnewyddadwy hyn, sydd, i fusnesau ar draws clwstwr diwydiannol de Cymru, er enghraifft, nid yn unig yn gyfleoedd, ond yn anghenraid. Mae fy nghynnig i chi i weithio ar y cyd ar ddarpariaeth ynni adnewyddadwy yn parhau i fod yn un diffuant.
Er ein bod yn deall yr angen i symud ymlaen tuag at ynni adnewyddadwy o safbwynt amgylcheddol, gallwn hefyd bwysleisio pwysigrwydd cyfleoedd cyflogaeth wrth inni wireddu ein potensial ynni. Ond o ystyried bod y Cenhedloedd Unedig wedi dweud mai 2023 oedd y flwyddyn â'r lefelau uchaf o wrthdaro ers yr ail ryfel byd, a bod yr Ysgrifennydd amddiffyn, Grant Shapps, wedi dweud ein bod yn newid o fyd ôl-ryfel i fyd cyn-ryfel, mae diogeledd ein hynni yn prysur gynyddu o ran blaenoriaeth. Felly, a yw eich Llywodraeth o ddifrif ynghylch diogeledd ynni, o ystyried y cynnydd mewn tensiynau byd-eang, ac os ydyw, sut mae hynny'n cael ei deimlo wrth gyflawni prosiectau ynni ar ac oddi ar arfordir Cymru?
Well, I thank the Member for the invitation that he gave me to speak at the recent RenewableUK conference, and I felt that there was a great level of optimism in the discussion that evening amongst the participants, and a sense of practical engagement with what we want to do as a Government, and a very honest discussion about how we could work even better together, which is the kind of relationship that you want when there is such a big opportunity on the horizon.
I think it's also important, by the way, from an environmental perspective, to reach our climate goals and, critically, to do that in way that shows to people that that ambition brings opportunity as well as the need for, perhaps, less popular changes. And I think that rounded picture is absolutely critical, so that is why we are so committed to making sure that we do everything we can to realise the opportunity that is just on the horizon for us. I think he is right to say, unless they are addressed, there would be challenges in the path of reaching the ambition that we have. And there are some challenges that are in our hands to address, and some that are in the hands of the UK Government to address, and I think we need to look at the full picture. So, from our perspective, our focus is on making sure that we have the net-zero skills and the talent pipeline able to do the range of roles that the sector looks to us to do. And there's some very good practice, by the way—as he will have known from the other evening—where developers are working directly with further education colleges, including in his part of Wales, with great success, to identify the roles, the skills that they need, and so the provision that needs to be made available locally.
So, there are skills, there's planning, there's a mapping of the supply chain, which we have under way, so that we have a granular understanding of strengths and areas for improvement, and then, crucially, that joined-up way of working across Government so that there's a common focus on this. And we look to the UK Government to improve its investment in the grid, to drive that forward with greater urgency and to create that longer term policy stability. I think if we can all play our part in that way, there is a real opportunity for Wales to absolutely capitalise on this renewable future.
Wel, diolch i’r Aelod am y gwahoddiad a roddodd imi siarad yng nghynhadledd RenewableUK yn ddiweddar, ac roeddwn yn teimlo bod lefel fawr o optimistiaeth yn y drafodaeth y noson honno ymhlith y cyfranogwyr, ac ymdeimlad o ymgysylltu ymarferol â’r hyn rydym am ei wneud fel Llywodraeth, a thrafodaeth onest iawn am sut y gallem weithio hyd yn oed yn well gyda’n gilydd, sef y math o berthynas yr ydych am ei chael pan fo cyfle mor fawr ar y gorwel.
Rwy’n credu ei bod hefyd yn bwysig, gyda llaw, o safbwynt amgylcheddol, ein bod yn cyflawni ein nodau hinsawdd, ac yn hollbwysig, yn gwneud hynny mewn ffordd sy’n dangos i bobl fod yr uchelgais hwnnw’n darparu cyfleoedd yn ogystal â’r angen, efallai, am newidiadau llai poblogaidd. A chredaf fod y darlun cyflawn hwnnw’n gwbl hanfodol, felly dyna pam ein bod mor ymrwymedig i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud popeth a allwn i wireddu’r cyfle sydd ar y gorwel i ni. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn llygad ei le yn dweud, oni bai yr eir i'r afael â nhw, y byddem yn wynebu heriau wrth geisio cyflawni'r uchelgais sydd gennym. Ac mae rhai heriau yn ein dwylo ni i fynd i'r afael â nhw, a rhai yn nwylo Llywodraeth y DU i fynd i'r afael â nhw, a chredaf fod angen inni edrych ar y darlun cyflawn. Felly, o'n safbwynt ni, rydym yn canolbwyntio ar sicrhau bod gennym y sgiliau sero net a'r llif talent i allu cyflawni'r ystod o rolau y mae'r sector yn dibynnu arnom i'w cyflawni. Ac mae yna arferion da iawn i'w cael, gyda llaw—fel y bydd wedi nodi y noson o'r blaen—lle mae datblygwyr yn gweithio'n uniongyrchol gyda cholegau addysg bellach yn llwyddiannus iawn, gan gynnwys yn ei ran ef o Gymru, ar nodi'r rolau, y sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt, ac felly, y ddarpariaeth y mae angen iddi fod ar gael yn lleol.
Felly, mae sgiliau, mae cynllunio, mae'r gwaith o fapio'r gadwyn gyflenwi, sydd ar y gweill gennym, fel bod gennym ddealltwriaeth fanwl o gryfderau a meysydd i'w gwella, ac yna, yn hollbwysig, ffordd gydgysylltiedig o weithio ar draws y Llywodraeth, fel bod ffocws cyffredin ar hyn. Ac edrychwn at Lywodraeth y DU i wella ei buddsoddiad yn y grid, i fwrw ymlaen â hynny gyda mwy o frys ac i greu sefydlogrwydd polisi mwy hirdymor. Os gall pob un ohonom chwarae ein rhan yn y ffordd honno, credaf fod cyfle gwirioneddol i Gymru fanteisio ar y dyfodol sydd gan ynni adnewyddadwy i'w gynnig.
Thank you for that, Cabinet Secretary. It is important that energy and the economy are talked about together, because of the importance one has for the other. A strong economy pays for our public services. A strong economy is one that has plenty of good-quality, high-paying jobs. The energy sector, as the Cabinet Secretary has mentioned, both in the traditional sense and with renewables, is a source of good-quality, high-paying jobs. But governments can't make the jobs. What they can do is create the right environment for those jobs to be made. Fundamental to that, as the Cabinet Secretary outlined, is skills and ensuring that those going through education, training and apprenticeships have the right skills so they can deliver not just now, but the projects of the future too. I've raised this previously, but I really want to drill down into it a little bit more. As a former education Minister and now economy and energy Cabinet Secretary, you should have a firm grasp on what skills future workforces will need to succeed and thrive. You've mentioned mapping of the supply chain, but have you conducted a mapping exercise to fully understand where the demand for skills will come from, in what industries specifically, and, if so, are you content on the current projections that we are developing enough skills here in Wales to meet our ambitions in the future?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae'n bwysig sôn am ynni a'r economi gyda'i gilydd, oherwydd pwysigrwydd y naill ar gyfer y llall. Mae economi gref yn talu am ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae economi gref yn un sydd â digon o swyddi o ansawdd da sy’n talu’n dda. Mae’r sector ynni, fel y mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi’i grybwyll, yn yr ystyr draddodiadol ac o ran ynni adnewyddadwy, yn ffynhonnell o swyddi o ansawdd da sy'n talu'n dda. Ond ni all llywodraethau greu'r swyddi. Yr hyn y gallant ei wneud yw creu’r amgylchedd cywir i’r swyddi hynny gael eu creu. Yr hyn sy'n allweddol i hynny, fel yr amlinellodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yw sgiliau a sicrhau bod y rhai sy’n ymgymryd ag addysg, hyfforddiant a phrentisiaethau yn meddu ar y sgiliau cywir fel y gallant gyflawni nid yn unig nawr, ond ar brosiectau'r dyfodol hefyd. Rwyf wedi codi hyn o'r blaen, ond rwy'n wirioneddol awyddus i drafod y mater ymhellach. Fel cyn-Weinidog addysg ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr economi ac ynni erbyn hyn, dylai fod gennych ddealltwriaeth gadarn o ba sgiliau y bydd eu hangen ar weithluoedd yn y dyfodol i lwyddo a ffynnu. Rydych chi wedi sôn am fapio’r gadwyn gyflenwi, ond a ydych chi wedi cynnal ymarfer mapio i ddeall yn iawn o ble y daw’r galw am sgiliau, ym mha ddiwydiannau’n benodol, ac os felly, a ydych chi'n fodlon ar y rhagamcanion presennol sydd gennym ein bod yn datblygu digon o sgiliau yma yng Nghymru i gyflawni ein huchelgeisiau yn y dyfodol?
I know he will have seen and read the net-zero skills action plan and will know that that has been out for consultation. I expect to be able to publish the responses to that in the coming weeks, very imminently, so that will be able to provide him with the reassurance that he very reasonably seeks.
One of the challenges in this space is the speed at which technologies are changing and getting employers to a place where they can understand the impact of that on their workplace, and that is understandably challenging in a rapidly moving environment. But I gave you the example earlier of very successful good practice, as it happens, between RWE and a college in your part of the world and in north Wales, where there's been a very clear connection between the commitment of the developer to try and make sure that people engaged in working on the projects are from the local labour market, and, then, working with the local college to say, 'This is the skill set that we need, these are the qualifications that we need' and that leading to that very integrated level of provision. So, that is, I think, a model that is a successful model. But, as he says, it's critical to know what the future needs of the economy are not today, but also in five years and perhaps even beyond that. And I am sure he will find some comfort in the consultation responses on the net-zero action plan when that's published shortly.
Gwn y bydd wedi gweld a darllen y cynllun gweithredu sgiliau sero net a bod y cynllun hwnnw wedi bod yn destun ymgynghoriad. Rwy'n disgwyl gallu cyhoeddi’r ymatebion iddo yn yr wythnosau nesaf, yn fuan iawn, fel y gall hynny roi’r sicrwydd y mae’n ei geisio, yn gwbl rhesymol.
Un o’r heriau yn y cyswllt hwn yw pa mor gyflym y mae technolegau’n newid, a sicrhau bod cyflogwyr mewn sefyllfa lle gallant ddeall effaith hynny ar eu gweithle, ac mae hynny, yn gwbl ddealladwy, yn heriol mewn amgylchedd sy’n newid yn gyflym. Ond rhoddais enghraifft i chi yn gynharach o arfer da llwyddiannus iawn, fel y mae'n digwydd, rhwng RWE a choleg yn eich rhan chi o'r byd ac yn y gogledd, lle bu cysylltiad clir iawn rhwng ymrwymiad y datblygwr i geisio sicrhau bod pobl sy’n gweithio ar y prosiectau yn dod o’r farchnad lafur leol, ac yna, gweithio gyda’r coleg lleol i ddweud, 'Dyma’r sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnom, dyma’r cymwysterau sydd eu hangen arnom' a hynny wedyn yn arwain at lefel integredig iawn o ddarpariaeth. Felly, credaf fod hwnnw'n fodel llwyddiannus. Ond fel y dywed, mae'n hollbwysig gwybod beth yw anghenion yr economi yn y dyfodol nid heddiw, ond hefyd ymhen pum mlynedd, ac efallai y tu hwnt i hynny hyd yn oed. Ac rwy’n siŵr y caiff gysur o'r ymatebion i’r ymgynghoriad ar y cynllun gweithredu sero net pan gaiff ei gyhoeddi cyn bo hir.
Last week, in your statement, you announced what you plan to do to turn the Welsh economy around with the levers that you have here in Wales. But, at the same time, this Welsh Government is actively stifling the Welsh economy: failure to implement the same level of business rates here in Wales is hurting our high streets and small and medium-sized enterprises; the 182-night policy for furnished holiday lets is impacting tourism and hospitality business across Wales; and the sustainable farming scheme could cost 5,500 jobs and a £199 million hit to the Welsh economy. In fact, Welsh Labour's policies are so bad that, in 2023, the average salary in Northern Ireland outpaced Wales, and they didn't even have a functioning Government. Welsh Labour are nothing more than a Jekyll and Hyde Government—saying the right things, but when it comes to the crunch it's their policies that are keeping Wales poorer. So, Cabinet Secretary, how are you going to reverse the trend of the last 25 years and improve the economy of Wales?
Yr wythnos diwethaf, yn eich datganiad, fe gyhoeddoch chi yr hyn rydych chi'n bwriadu ei wneud i weddnewid economi Cymru gyda’r ysgogiadau sydd gennych yma yng Nghymru. Ond ar yr un pryd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd ati'n weithredol i fygu economi Cymru: mae methu cyflwyno'r un lefel o ardrethi busnes yma yng Nghymru yn amharu ar ein strydoedd mawr a mentrau bach a chanolig; mae’r polisi 182 noson ar gyfer llety gwyliau wedi’i ddodrefnu yn effeithio ar fusnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch ledled Cymru; a gallai'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy gostio 5,500 o swyddi ac arwain at ergyd o £199 miliwn i economi Cymru. Mewn gwirionedd, mae polisïau Llafur Cymru mor ddrwg, yn 2023, fel bod y cyflog cyfartalog yng Ngogledd Iwerddon yn uwch nag yng Nghymru, ac nid oedd ganddynt Lywodraeth weithredol, hyd yn oed. Nid yw Llafur Cymru yn ddim mwy na Llywodraeth Jekyll a Hyde—maent yn dweud y pethau iawn, ond yn y pen draw, eu polisïau nhw sy’n cadw Cymru’n dlotach. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, sut rydych chi'n mynd i wrthdroi tuedd y 25 mlynedd diwethaf, a gwella economi Cymru?
As a Conservative, I know he has probably more knowledge than I have about a non-functioning Government, because we look at what happens over the border, and it's a matter of chaos every day. There will be some people in the Chamber who regret the next statement. Wales is not an independent country, and what we see is the product of 14 years of Conservative mismanagement in Westminster. What we want is a Government there able to work with us here in Wales on our priorities to support the economy, investing in renewables, which we've just been talking about, and having, for the first time in 14 years, an industrial strategy that puts the well-being of the nation first. It's about time we had that kind of Government, and it won't be from his party.
Fel Ceidwadwr, gwn fod ganddo fwy o wybodaeth nag sydd gennyf i, mae'n debyg, am Lywodraeth anweithredol, oherwydd edrychwn ar yr hyn sy’n digwydd dros y ffin, ac mae’n anhrefn bob dydd. Bydd rhai pobl yn y Siambr yn gresynu at y datganiad nesaf. Nid yw Cymru’n wlad annibynnol, ac mae’r hyn a welwn yn ganlyniad 14 mlynedd o gamreoli gan y Ceidwadwyr yn San Steffan. Yr hyn a ddymunwn yw Llywodraeth yno sy'n gallu gweithio gyda ni yma yng Nghymru ar ein blaenoriaethau i gefnogi’r economi, buddsoddi mewn ynni adnewyddadwy, fel rydym newydd ei drafod, a chael strategaeth ddiwydiannol, am y tro cyntaf ers 14 mlynedd, sy'n rhoi lles y genedl yn gyntaf. Mae’n hen bryd inni gael Llywodraeth felly, ac nid gan ei blaid ef y cawn hynny.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Luke Fletcher.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Luke Fletcher.
Diolch, Llywydd. Sticking with the theme of looking at your statement last week, one of the priorities you set out, Cabinet Secretary, was improving productivity. That's very welcome, as I said at the time, but how are we going to do it?
Diolch, Lywydd. Gan gadw at y thema o edrych ar eich datganiad yr wythnos diwethaf, un o’r blaenoriaethau a nodwyd gennych, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, oedd gwella cynhyrchiant. Mae hynny i'w groesawu'n fawr, fel y dywedais ar y pryd, ond sut y gwnawn ni hynny?
The context for the priorities I outlined last week was this: we have ambitions as a Government, which are set out in our economic mission, and they're about ensuring a just transition to a sustainable future, giving young people opportunities, investing in that skills and innovation that we know we need to do in order to realise our ambition for the economy, and working with our partners in all parts of Wales on a more focused number of priorities that work for their regions and for the nation. So, that's the broad context.
What I was outlining last week was the lens that I will bring to bear in terms of priority and about delivering that larger Labour vision. Productivity is important in that, because we know that there's a strong correlation between productivity and wage levels in most economies. As a devolved Government, not all levers are in our hands to be able to influence that. As a country that is largely rural, there are challenges that we know that come as a consequence of that from a productivity point of view. But there are things that we can do and that are in our hands, even in the headwinds of a macro-economic policy that is doing everything it can to undermine that, which we have at the UK Government level.
The two things that classically we talk about are investment in skills, which is absolutely fundamental, and an investment in infrastructure, which we know helps create a more productive economy. But we also know that if we invest in innovation, if we support employees in businesses to be thinking about new ways of delivering what they deliver—innovation at an employee level—we can help with strengthening leadership in some of our businesses. Perhaps some of our smaller businesses find it more challenging to be able to provide that kind of support and training for their senior people. What can we do to support those businesses that trade with others to develop better digital skills?
So, there are specific things that we can do, and that was the focus I was bringing to my statement last week, looking at all the levers that we have—through Business Wales, the development bank, and the other interventions that we have, through that lens of productivity—knowing that, in the long term, that is what will help us raise the wages of the Welsh workforce, which is something that we all want to see.
Cyd-destun y blaenoriaethau a amlinellais yr wythnos diwethaf oedd hyn: mae gennym uchelgeisiau fel Llywodraeth, sydd wedi’u nodi yn ein cenhadaeth economaidd, ac maent yn ymwneud â sicrhau pontio teg i ddyfodol cynaliadwy, rhoi cyfleoedd i bobl ifanc, buddsoddi yn y sgiliau a'r arloesedd y gwyddom fod angen inni ei wneud er mwyn gwireddu ein huchelgais ar gyfer yr economi, a gweithio gyda’n partneriaid ym mhob rhan o Gymru ar nifer fwy penodol o flaenoriaethau sy’n gweithio ar ran eu rhanbarthau a'r genedl. Felly, dyna'r cyd-destun eang.
Yr hyn roeddwn yn ei amlinellu'r wythnos diwethaf oedd y lens y byddaf yn ei defnyddio mewn perthynas â blaenoriaethau a gwireddu’r weledigaeth Lafur ehangach honno. Mae cynhyrchiant yn bwysig yn hynny o beth, gan y gwyddom fod cydberthynas gref rhwng cynhyrchiant a lefelau cyflog yn y rhan fwyaf o economïau. Fel Llywodraeth ddatganoledig, nid yw pob ysgogiad yn ein dwylo ni i allu dylanwadu ar hynny. Fel gwlad wledig iawn, gwyddom fod hynny'n peri heriau o safbwynt cynhyrchiant. Ond mae pethau y gallwn eu gwneud ac sydd yn ein dwylo ni, hyd yn oed yn wyneb polisi macro-economaidd sy'n gwneud popeth yn ei allu i danseilio hynny, fel sydd gennym ar lefel Llywodraeth y DU.
Y ddau beth y siaradwn amdanynt fel arfer yw buddsoddi mewn sgiliau, sy’n hollbwysig, a buddsoddi mewn seilwaith, y gwyddom ei fod yn helpu i greu economi fwy cynhyrchiol. Ond gwyddom hefyd, os byddwn yn buddsoddi mewn arloesi, os ydym yn cefnogi cyflogeion mewn busnesau i feddwl am ffyrdd newydd o gyflawni'r hyn y maent yn ei gyflawni—arloesi ar lefel cyflogai—y gallwn helpu i gryfhau arweinyddiaeth yn rhai o'n busnesau. Efallai fod rhai o’n busnesau llai yn ei chael hi’n fwy heriol i allu darparu’r math hwnnw o gymorth a hyfforddiant i’w huwch swyddogion. Beth y gallwn ei wneud i gefnogi’r busnesau hynny sy’n masnachu ag eraill i ddatblygu gwell sgiliau digidol?
Felly, mae pethau penodol y gallwn eu gwneud, a dyna oedd ffocws fy natganiad yr wythnos diwethaf, gan edrych ar yr holl ysgogiadau sydd gennym—drwy Busnes Cymru, y banc datblygu, a'r ymyriadau eraill sydd gennym, drwy'r lens gynhyrchiant honno—gan wybod, yn y tymor hir, mai dyna fydd yn ein helpu i godi cyflogau gweithlu Cymru, sy'n rhywbeth y mae pob un ohonom yn dymuno ei weld.
It's good to hear in your response an emphasis on employee-led innovation. The reason why I decided to look at productivity today is because there needs to be a recognition, doesn't there, that the world of work has changed. Pursuing productivity can sometimes inadvertently lead to a detrimental impact on the workforce itself. What do I mean by this? Well, if I was to use a very simplistic and blunt example, if you wanted to improve productivity in a very quick way, in a very arguably effective way, you'd automate everything, wouldn't you? I'm of course not suggesting that is Government policy, but it does paint a very easy illustrative image of where there's a potential contradiction when it comes to improving productivity. So, really, when we're looking at increases in productivity, we also need to look at how then we put policies in place to ensure that we mitigate any potential negative impact that productivity gains may have on the workforce. So, in that light, Cabinet Secretary, what sort of policies would you be pursuing to ensure that we do mitigate those impacts? Because we have to ensure that any gains in productivity are felt across the workforce, not just for those at the top.
Mae'n dda clywed pwyslais yn eich ymateb ar arloesi a arweinir gan gyflogeion. Y rheswm pam y penderfynais edrych ar gynhyrchiant heddiw yw am fod angen cydnabod, onid oes, fod y byd gwaith wedi newid. Weithiau, gall ceisio gwella cynhyrchiant arwain yn anfwriadol at effaith andwyol ar y gweithlu ei hun. Beth a olygaf wrth hynny? Wel, i ddefnyddio enghraifft or-syml ac anghynnil iawn, pe baech am wella cynhyrchiant yn gyflym iawn, mewn ffordd effeithiol iawn, gellid dadlau, byddech yn awtomeiddio popeth, oni fyddech? Nid wyf yn awgrymu, wrth gwrs, mai dyna bolisi'r Llywodraeth, ond mae'n creu delwedd esboniadol hawdd iawn o wrthdynnu posibl o ran gwella cynhyrchiant. Felly, mewn gwirionedd, pan fyddwn yn edrych ar gynnydd mewn cynhyrchiant, mae angen inni edrych hefyd ar sut y rhoddwn bolisïau ar waith wedyn i sicrhau ein bod yn lliniaru unrhyw effaith negyddol bosibl y gallai cynnydd mewn cynhyrchiant ei chael ar y gweithlu. Felly, yng ngoleuni hynny, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa fath o bolisïau y byddech chi'n eu rhoi ar waith i sicrhau ein bod yn lliniaru'r effeithiau hynny? Oherwydd mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod unrhyw enillion mewn cynhyrchiant yn cael eu teimlo ar draws y gweithlu, nid gan y rheini ar y brig yn unig.
I absolutely agree with that. I would endorse everything that the Member has said in his question, actually. This isn't a balance sheet exercise; it's about people, isn't it, at the heart of it. Why are we having this discussion? It's because we want to improve the livelihoods and lives of individuals, families and communities right across Wales and beyond. That's what's at the heart of this.
There is a challenge in all parts of the UK about productivity and the economy. That's why we've seen wages stagnate in sectors right across the UK. That's why I'm bringing a focus to it. And it's not an exclusive focus. You could say that some policies are in tension if you look at productivity on the one hand and the measures you might want to be able to bring, as we do, to reduce economic inactivity. There is a bit of a tension between some of those. I think you have to have a holistic picture, but some of the points I made earlier, I hope you will recognise, are really about supporting workers to have a better living in terms of the productivity interventions.
I absolutely agree with the Member that, where we see firms taking on more technology, changing business processes, what we need to see is to make sure that the individuals who perhaps previously were doing the work that is sometimes automated are supported to enhance their skills and therefore take on better paid work. There was a good example I saw recently in Bridgend, actually, in Sony, of that. They walked me through the process that they had to increase the skill level of their workforce, and that's the kind of approach that we want so that individual workers and their families are benefiting from this.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â hynny. Byddwn yn cymeradwyo popeth a ddywedodd yr Aelod yn ei gwestiwn, a dweud y gwir. Nid ymarfer mantolen mo hyn; mae a wnelo â phobl, a dyna sydd wrth wraidd y peth. Pam ydyn ni'n cael y drafodaeth hon? Oherwydd ein bod am wella bywoliaeth a bywydau unigolion, teuluoedd a chymunedau ledled Cymru a thu hwnt. Dyna sydd wrth wraidd hyn.
Mae her ym mhob rhan o’r DU o ran cynhyrchiant a’r economi. Dyna pam rydyn ni wedi gweld cyflogau'n aros yr un fath mewn sectorau ledled y DU. Dyna pam yr wyf fi'n rhoi ffocws ar hyn. Ac nid yw'n ffocws unigryw. Gallech ddweud bod tensiwn rhwng rhai polisïau os edrychwch ar gynhyrchiant ar y naill law a’r mesurau y gallech eu cyflwyno, fel rydym yn awyddus i'w wneud, i leihau anweithgarwch economaidd. Mae rhywfaint o densiwn rhwng rhai o’r rheini. Credaf fod yn rhaid ichi gael darlun cyfannol, ond gobeithio y byddwch yn cydnabod bod rhai o'r pwyntiau a wneuthum yn gynharach yn ymwneud â chynorthwyo gweithwyr i gael bywoliaeth well o ran yr ymyriadau cynhyrchiant.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â’r Aelod, lle gwelwn gwmnïau’n defnyddio mwy o dechnoleg, ac yn newid prosesau busnes, mai'r hyn y mae angen i ni ei weld yw sicrwydd fod yr unigolion a oedd efallai’n arfer gwneud y swyddi sydd weithiau’n cael eu hawtomeiddio yn cael eu cefnogi i wella eu sgiliau, ac felly i gael swydd sy'n talu'n well. Gwelais enghraifft dda o hynny yn Sony ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr yn ddiweddar. Fe wnaethant ddisgrifio i mi y broses a oedd ganddynt i gynyddu lefel sgiliau eu gweithlu, a dyna’r math o ddull gweithredu yr hoffem ei weld, fel bod gweithwyr unigol a’u teuluoedd yn elwa o hyn.
3. Pa gynlluniau sydd gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet i gefnogi twf y sector ynni adnewyddadwy yng Ngogledd Cymru? OQ60998
3. What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to support the growth of the renewable energy sector in North Wales? OQ60998
The regional economic framework, local and regional energy plans and the north Wales growth deal recognise and support the opportunities for the renewable energy sector across north Wales. As we maintain our collaborative approach, this will ensure that we maximise the economic and community benefits in the region.
Mae’r fframwaith economaidd rhanbarthol, cynlluniau ynni lleol a rhanbarthol a bargen twf gogledd Cymru yn cydnabod ac yn cefnogi’r cyfleoedd ar gyfer y sector ynni adnewyddadwy ar draws y gogledd. Wrth inni barhau â'n dull cydweithredol, bydd hyn yn sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud y mwyaf o'r buddion economaidd a chymunedol yn y rhanbarth.
Diolch. I was really pleased to visit the new engineering unit at Coleg Llandrillo in Rhyl and meet our RWE-sponsored apprentices with the Cabinet Secretary. North Wales is ideal for wind, wave and solar renewable energy. Together, they can provide an adequate base load. I'm sure that the Minister will agree with me that locally produced renewable energy should also benefit residents through a reduction in their energy bills. That would be fantastic.
Tidal barrages can provide consistent energy as well, and act as a flood defence, which is a huge issue in north Wales. It would be really welcomed by residents who have been worried about flooding during recent high tides and stormy weather. The north Wales railway line was almost covered as well in the recent high tide. Is a north Wales tidal barrage something that the Cabinet Secretary would be interested in pursuing going forward?
Diolch. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o ymweld â’r uned beirianneg newydd yng Ngholeg Llandrillo yn y Rhyl a chyfarfod â’n prentisiaid a noddir gan RWE gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae gogledd Cymru yn lle delfrydol ar gyfer ynni adnewyddadwy gwynt, tonnau a solar. Gyda'i gilydd, gallant ddarparu cyflenwad sylfaenol digonol o ynni. Rwy’n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn cytuno â mi y dylai ynni adnewyddadwy a gynhyrchir yn lleol fod o fudd i drigolion hefyd drwy ostyngiad yn eu biliau ynni. Byddai hynny'n wych.
Gall morgloddiau llanw ddarparu ynni cyson hefyd, a gweithredu fel amddiffynfa rhag llifogydd, sy’n broblem enfawr yng ngogledd Cymru. Byddent yn cael eu croesawu’n fawr gan drigolion sydd wedi bod yn poeni am lifogydd yn ystod llanw uchel a thywydd stormus yn ddiweddar. Bu bron i reilffordd gogledd Cymru gael ei gorchuddio hefyd gan y llanw uchel diweddar. A yw morglawdd llanw ar gyfer y gogledd yn rhywbeth y byddai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn awyddus i'w archwilio wrth symud ymlaen?
First of all, I'd like to thank Carolyn Thomas for the opportunity to visit the college with her. It was genuinely uplifting, wasn't it, talking to those apprentices who were developing skills in sectors that they knew would be there throughout their working life—that it's a sector that would see more and more investment and more and more opportunity for those young people, and in a part of Wales that is very disadvantaged. So, seeing those opportunities on the doorstep, I think, is just really, really important.
On the question of a tidal barrage, Wales is a coastal nation, isn't it, so we need to take full advantage of our natural assets. There have been regular review meetings with the three winners of the tidal lagoon challenge. The reason for that is to make sure that the performance is monitored, that there are milestones that are agreed and met, and that findings from the research process are reported and communicated properly. The purpose of the challenge, as she will know, is to support research that will reduce or remove barriers to tidal lagoon development or research that can help us quantify a potential benefit for a tidal lagoon development. But I share here excitement at the potential that we have in north Wales, as in other parts of Wales, to make this a fundamental part of our economy.
Yn gyntaf oll, hoffwn ddiolch i Carolyn Thomas am y cyfle i ymweld â’r coleg gyda hi. Roedd yn wirioneddol galonogol siarad â’r prentisiaid a oedd yn datblygu sgiliau mewn sectorau y gwyddent y byddent yno drwy gydol eu bywyd gwaith—ei fod yn sector a fyddai’n cael mwy a mwy o fuddsoddiad a mwy a mwy o gyfleoedd i’r bobl ifanc hynny, ac mewn rhan o Gymru sy'n ddifreintiedig iawn. Felly, credaf fod gweld y cyfleoedd hynny ar garreg y drws yn wirioneddol bwysig.
Ar gwestiwn morglawdd llanw, mae Cymru yn genedl arfordirol felly mae angen inni fanteisio’n llawn ar ein hasedau naturiol. Cafwyd cyfarfodydd adolygu rheolaidd gyda thri enillydd yr her môr-lynnoedd llanw. Y rheswm am hynny yw er mwyn sicrhau bod perfformiad yn cael ei fonitro, y cytunir ar gerrig milltir a’u bod yn cael eu bodloni, a bod canfyddiadau’r broses ymchwil yn cael eu hadrodd a’u cyfathrebu’n briodol. Diben yr her, fel y gŵyr, yw cefnogi ymchwil a fydd yn lleihau neu’n dileu rhwystrau i ddatblygiad môr-lynnoedd llanw neu ymchwil a all ein helpu i feintioli budd posibl ar gyfer datblygiad morlyn llanw. Ond rwy'n rhannu'r cyffro ynghylch y potensial sydd gennym yng ngogledd Cymru, fel mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, i wneud hyn yn rhan hollbwysig o’n heconomi.
The Welsh Government has set a target of 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030. However, if we want to achieve this, we need to do more. In north Wales we have a rich history of renewable energy, particularly the use of hydroelectricity stations, which can generate 2,100 MW, and that's enough to supply nearly a third of Wales's 1.5 million homes. However, further action is required.
With the clean energy budget slashed by approximately 70 per cent this year, incentivising private investment to projects is essential. Endless bureaucratic barriers and high business rates are hindering farmers who have set up these hydro schemes previously on the promise that those business rate reliefs would be there. As technology has improved, negating the need for large reservoirs or dams, smaller private projects are the next step for hydro in Wales, and the previous Minister for energy actually said that, as far as she was concerned, it needs a mix of different technologies to take us forward.
Recommendation 14 of the deep-dive was clear that support should be given to community schemes and private developers. So, Cabinet Secretary, what steps will you take to ensure that private individuals can pursue local hydroelectric schemes on their own land and be free from this endless restrictive red tape? And maybe some support from the Welsh Government would be apt as well.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gosod targed o 70 y cant o ynni adnewyddadwy erbyn 2030. Fodd bynnag, os ydym am gyflawni hyn, mae angen inni wneud mwy. Yn y gogledd, mae gennym hanes cyfoethog o ynni adnewyddadwy, yn enwedig y defnydd o orsafoedd ynni dŵr, sy’n gallu cynhyrchu 2,100 MW, ac mae hynny’n ddigon i gyflenwi bron i draean o’r 1.5 miliwn o gartrefi yng Nghymru. Fodd bynnag, mae angen rhoi camau pellach ar waith.
Gyda'r gyllideb ynni glân wedi'i thorri oddeutu 70 y cant eleni, mae cymell buddsoddiad preifat mewn prosiectau yn hanfodol. Mae rhwystrau biwrocrataidd diddiwedd ac ardrethi busnes uchel yn llesteirio ffermwyr sydd wedi sefydlu’r cynlluniau ynni dŵr hyn yn flaenorol ar sail yr addewid y byddai rhyddhad ardrethi busnes ar gael. Wrth i dechnoleg wella, gan ddiddymu'r angen am gronfeydd dŵr neu argaeau mawr, prosiectau preifat llai yw’r cam nesaf ar gyfer ynni dŵr yng Nghymru, a dywedodd y Gweinidog ynni blaenorol fod arnom angen cymysgedd o wahanol dechnolegau ar gyfer y dyfodol yn ei barn hi.
Roedd argymhelliad 14 yn yr archwiliad dwfn yn nodi'n glir y dylid rhoi cymorth i gynlluniau cymunedol a datblygwyr preifat. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa gamau y byddwch chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau y gall unigolion preifat ddatblygu cynlluniau ynni dŵr lleol ar eu tir eu hunain yn rhydd rhag y fiwrocratiaeth gyfyngol ddiddiwedd hon? Ac efallai y byddai rhywfaint o gymorth gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn addas hefyd.
I'm not sure I would accept the way the Member characterises the situation. The targets that we have are ambitious. We want to be able to produce the equivalent of our entire electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2035 and, by the same time, we want at least 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity to be locally owned. We've reset that target to make it more ambitious, given that we were meeting the other previous target ahead of time. I do think there is a need for a mix. I think the Member is right to say that it is a mix. And I'm looking forward to seeing the work that I know Ynni Cymru, which is the product of the joint working that we have with Plaid Cymru as part of our co-operation agreement, will be able to do to support community energy initiatives and to make sure that we have local energy as a fundamental part of the mix in the future. And she mentioned budgetary pressures. Ynni Cymru has a capital budget of £10 million for this financial year, and I'm looking forward to seeing the exciting plans they will have to support growth in this part of the sector.
Nid wyf yn siŵr a fyddwn yn derbyn y ffordd y mae’r Aelod yn disgrifio'r sefyllfa. Mae’r targedau sydd gennym yn uchelgeisiol. Rydym am allu cynhyrchu’r hyn sy’n cyfateb i’n holl ddefnydd o drydan o ffynonellau adnewyddadwy erbyn 2035, ac erbyn yr un pryd, hoffem pe bai o leiaf 1.5 GW o gapasiti ynni adnewyddadwy mewn perchnogaeth leol. Rydym wedi ailosod y targed hwnnw i'w wneud yn fwy uchelgeisiol, o ystyried ein bod yn cyrraedd y targed blaenorol arall cyn pryd. Rwy'n credu bod angen cymysgedd. Rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod yn iawn i ddweud bod angen cymysgedd. Ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld y gwaith y gwn y bydd Ynni Cymru, a sefydlwyd yn sgil y cydweithio â Phlaid Cymru fel rhan o’n cytundeb cydweithio, yn gallu ei wneud i gefnogi mentrau ynni cymunedol ac i sicrhau bod gennym ynni lleol fel rhan sylfaenol o’r cymysgedd yn y dyfodol. A soniodd am bwysau cyllidebol. Mae gan Ynni Cymru gyllideb gyfalaf o £10 miliwn ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol hon, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld y cynlluniau cyffrous a fydd ganddynt i gefnogi twf yn y rhan hon o’r sector.
4. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi'r economi yng ngorllewin Cymru? OQ60992
4. What is the Welsh Government doing to support the economy in west Wales? OQ60992
In line with priorities set out in the economic mission, we are supporting a range of activities aimed at supporting the economy in west Wales, including support for business, skills development, and communications infrastructure—all aimed at increasing prosperity and productivity.
Yn unol â'r blaenoriaethau a nodir yn y genhadaeth economaidd, rydym yn cefnogi ystod o weithgareddau gyda'r nod o gefnogi'r economi yng ngorllewin Cymru, gan gynnwys cefnogaeth i fusnes, datblygu sgiliau, a seilwaith cyfathrebu—y cyfan gyda'r nod o gynyddu ffyniant a chynhyrchiant.
I'm grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for that response. Now, one way to support the economy in west Wales is to invest in its town centres, like Milford Haven in my constituency, which is in desperate need of investment and support. Of course, the aim of regenerating high streets and town centres should be to develop them as hubs of economic development. We must ensure that in the case of Milford Haven, the town centre is not neglected whilst other parts, like the waterway and the marina, continue to develop. Therefore, can you tell us what the Welsh Government is doing to help reinvigorate town centres like Milford Haven? And can you also tell us what discussions you are having with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning about regenerating town centres and supporting the economy in west Wales?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am yr ymateb hwnnw. Nawr, un ffordd o gefnogi'r economi yng ngorllewin Cymru yw buddsoddi yng nghanol trefi, fel Aberdaugleddau yn fy etholaeth i, sydd angen buddsoddiad a chymorth yn ddybryd. Wrth gwrs, dylai'r nod o adfywio strydoedd mawr a chanol trefi olygu eu datblygu fel canolfannau datblygu economaidd. Rhaid inni sicrhau, yn achos Aberdaugleddau, nad yw canol y dref yn cael ei esgeuluso tra bo rhannau eraill, fel y ddyfrffordd a'r marina, yn parhau i ddatblygu. Felly, a allwch chi ddweud wrthym beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i helpu i adfywio canol trefi fel Aberdaugleddau? Ac a allwch chi ddweud wrthym hefyd pa drafodaethau rydych chi'n eu cael gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Dai, Llywodraeth Leol a Chynllunio ynghylch adfywio canol trefi a chefnogi'r economi yng ngorllewin Cymru?
Well, I do think that the point the Member makes is well made. It is important, as we look at some of the larger infrastructure projects and developments, that we also make sure that we are supporting our towns to continue to be vibrant and places where people want to be and want to go. Our 'town centre first' principle in planning and in development more broadly goes to the heart of that. How can we make sure that we are locating assets in the middle of towns so that we can bring in the footfall that is needed in order for local businesses of all sorts to be able to flourish? This is an ongoing discussion, which I have with the Cabinet Secretary for local government, and have had it in previous Cabinet roles with her as well. I know that she shares my ambition to make sure that our towns right across Wales are vibrant, as a key driver of local economies, and a clear recognition that the work we do as a Government must be done hand in hand with local authorities.
Wel, rwy'n credu bod y pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud yn un da. Wrth inni edrych ar rai o'r prosiectau a'r datblygiadau seilwaith mwy o faint, mae'n bwysig ein bod hefyd yn sicrhau ein bod yn cefnogi ein trefi i barhau i fod yn fywiog ac yn lleoedd lle mae pobl eisiau bod ac eisiau mynd iddynt. Mae ein hegwyddor 'canol y dref yn gyntaf' mewn cynllunio ac mewn datblygu yn fwy eang yn mynd at wraidd hynny. Sut y gallwn ni sicrhau ein bod yn lleoli asedau yng nghanol trefi fel y gallwn ddenu'r ymwelwyr sydd eu hangen er mwyn i fusnesau lleol o bob math allu ffynnu? Mae hon yn drafodaeth barhaus, un rwy'n ei chael gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros lywodraeth leol, ac rwyf wedi ei chael gyda hi mewn rolau Cabinet blaenorol hefyd. Gwn ei bod yn rhannu fy uchelgais i sicrhau bod ein trefi ledled Cymru yn fywiog, fel sbardun allweddol i economïau lleol, a chydnabyddiaeth glir fod yn rhaid i'r gwaith a wnawn fel Llywodraeth gael ei wneud law yn llaw ag awdurdodau lleol.
Rŷn ni'n gwybod bod y cyfnod diweddar yma wedi bod yn anodd i fusnesau cefn gwlad, yn arbennig ein tafarnau ni. Maen nhw wedi gweld cost trethi busnes yn codi, cost ynni, bwyd, diod ac yn y blaen, a dyw'r cwsmeriaid ddim wedi dod nôl fel oedden nhw cyn y pandemig. Ac o ganlyniad, rŷn ni wedi colli gormod o dafarnau sydd wrth wraidd ein cymunedau gwledig. Rwy'n falch iawn, wrth gwrs, fy mod i'n cynrychioli rhanbarth lle mae yna nifer o enghreifftiau o gymuned yn dod at ei gilydd i godi arian i brynu tafarnau a'u rhedeg nhw, wedyn, fel mentrau cymdeithasol a hybiau cymunedol.
Wythnos diwethaf, fues i draw yn cefnogi ymgyrch i brynu'r Angel Inn, tafarn yr Angel, yn Salem ger Llandeilo. Nawr, petai'r grŵp yma yn yr Alban, mi fydden nhw wedi cael rhyw fath o first refusal i brynu'r ased cymunedol yma o dan gynllun community right to buy. Nawr, yng Nghymru, dyw'r hawliau yna ddim yn bodoli, ac mae'n golygu bod yr ymgyrchwyr yma yn gorfod cystadlu ar y farchnad agored. Nawr, mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi ymrwymo i sefydlu comisiwn ar berchnogaeth gymunedol ac edrych ar ddeddfwriaeth i gefnogi community right to buy. Gaf i ofyn i chi beth yw'r diweddariad ar y cynlluniau yna?
We know that this recent period has been difficult for rural businesses, particularly our pubs. They've seen business rates increasing, the cost of energy, food, drink and so on, and the customers haven't returned to the levels they experienced pre pandemic. As a result, we've lost too many of the pubs that are at the heart of our rural communities. I'm very pleased, of course, and proud to represent a region where there are a number of examples of communities coming together to raise funds in order to buy pubs and then to run them as social enterprises and community hubs.
Last week, I was supporting a campaign to buy the Angel Inn in Salem near Llandeilo. Now, if this group were in Scotland, they would have had some sort of first refusal on the purchase of that community asset under the community right-to-buy scheme. Now, in Wales, those rights don't exist, and it means that these campaigners have to compete on the open market. Now, the Welsh Government has already committed to establishing a commission on community ownership and to look at legislation in order to support the community right to buy. So, can I ask you for an update on those plans?
Fe wnaf i basio hynny ymlaen i'r Gweinidog sydd yn gyfrifol yn uniongyrchol am hynny.FootnoteLink O fewn y gwaith rwyf i wedi gallu gwneud fel Gweinidog y Gymraeg, mae'r gronfa Perthyn wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr ac wedi galluogi tafarndai i gael eu prynu yn y ffordd mae'r Aelod yn sôn amdani, a'u datblygu fel llefydd cymunedol i bobl. Lle bydden nhw wedi eu cau, maen nhw wedi cael eu hail-adfywio yn ganolfannau diwylliannol, cymdeithasol bywiog iawn. Felly, mae hynny yn rhan bwysig, dwi’n credu, o’r mix hwnnw, sut rŷn ni’n cefnogi cymunedau cefn gwlad, cefnogi cymunedau lle mae’r Gymraeg yn iaith fwyafrifol, ac mae hynny’n rhan bwysig o’r gwaith rŷn ni’n gallu ei wneud fel Llywodraeth.
I'll pass that on to the Minister responsible directly for that.FootnoteLink In terms of the work that I've been able to do as Welsh language Minister, the Perthyn fund has made a great difference and has allowed pubs to be bought in the way that the Member mentions and to be developed as community hubs for people. Where they would have closed, they are regenerated as cultural hubs, social hubs, which are very vibrant. So, that's a very important part, I think, of that mix, how we support Welsh-speaking communities and communities where Welsh is the majority language, and that's a very important part of the Government's work.
5. Pa asesiad mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei wneud o faint ac effaith economaidd sectorau diwylliannol, celfyddydol a threftadaeth ein cenedl? OQ61021
5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the economic size and impact of Wales's cultural, arts and heritage sectors? OQ61021
Mae gwerth sylweddol iawn i’r sectorau hynny. Yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi comisiynu adolygiad o'r sector diwylliannol er mwyn sicrhau ein bod ni'n deall yn well y sail tystiolaeth sydd gyda ni er mwyn gwerthuso impact economaidd, ac wedi dod o hyd i gapiau yn y dystiolaeth sydd gyda ni, ac rŷn ni'n bwrw ati ar hyn o bryd i'w llenwi.
There is a huge economic value to those sectors. In the last year, the Welsh Government has commissioned a review of the culture sector to ensure that we do understand better the evidence base that we have in order to evaluate the economic impact, and has found gaps in the evidence that we have, and we're pressing ahead to fill those gaps.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am yr ateb hwnnw. Mae’n gadarnhaol dros ben, oherwydd mae wedi bod yn siomedig, yn ystod y trafodaethau sydd wedi bod ynglŷn â chyllidebau Llywodraeth, clywed rhai Gweinidogion, efallai’r Prif Weinidog newydd, yn sôn ynglŷn â’r dewisiadau anodd, wrth gwrs, sydd gan y Llywodraeth, ond ddim i weld yn gwerthfawrogi gwerth a budd economaidd y sectorau eithriadol o bwysig hyn, nid yn unig fel cyflogwyr, ond o ran twristiaeth ddiwylliannol ac ati. Felly, a gaf i ofyn, o ran y gwaith hwnnw, yn amlwg dŷn ni yn disgwyl cyn bo hir strategaeth ddiwylliant newydd hefyd, fydd gobeithio yn gallu edrych ar yr ochr economaidd, ond sut wedyn ydych chi’n mynd i sicrhau, wrth drafod cyllidebau blynyddoedd i ddod, ein bod ni hefyd yn edrych ar werth economaidd yr arian sydd yn dod nôl i Gymru wrth wneud penderfyniadau ynglŷn â chyllido, yn hytrach na rhoi cyllideb yn erbyn cyllideb, heb feddwl wedyn am yr effaith economaidd?
Thank you very much for that response. It's very positive indeed, because it has been disappointing, in the discussions that have taken place on Government budgets, to hear some Ministers, and perhaps the new First Minister, talking about difficult choices that the Government, of course, has to make, but not seeming to appreciate the economic value of these crucially important sectors, not only as employers, but also in terms of cultural tourism and so on. So, can I ask you, in terms of that work, clearly we are expecting a new culture strategy, which will hopefully look at the economic aspects too, but how then will you ensure, when discussing future budgets, that we also look at the economic value and the money that comes back to Wales in making decisions on funding, rather than placing one budget at odds with the other, without thinking about the economic impact?
Wel, rwy’n gwybod bod hyn yn flaenoriaeth hefyd i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros ddiwylliant. Mae blaenoriaeth i gefnogi’r amgueddfa yn rhan o hynny. Yn fy marn i, mae lles a buddiannau diwylliannol y genedl yn glwm gyda buddiant a ffyniant economaidd y genedl mewn llawer o ffyrdd, felly mae wir yn bwysig ein bod ni’n cydnabod ac yn deall efallai’n well nag ydyn ni beth yn union yw impact economaidd y gweithgaredd dŷn ni’n ei ariannu. Felly, mae cyngor y celfyddydau wedi gwneud gwaith yn y maes hwn yn y gorffennol. Mae Cadw wedi gwneud gwaith yn y maes hwn, ac mae’r gwaith a wnaethpwyd y llynedd yn mynd i sicrhau bod gyda ni well dealltwriaeth. Dyw e ddim yn ddealltwriaeth gyflawn, mae’n rhaid dweud, ond mae e’n well dealltwriaeth nag sydd wedi bod yn y gorffennol.
Felly, wrth edrych ar y blaenoriaethau strategol ar gyfer diwylliant dros y bum mlynedd nesaf, bydd gyda ni well sail i wneud yr asesiadau hollbwysig hynny. Ac mae e yn bwysig ein bod ni’n gwneud hynny, fel mae’r Aelod yn dweud, fel ein bod ni’n deall gwerth yr holl fuddsoddiadau rŷn ni’n gallu eu gwneud, a’n bod ni’n cael y darlun cyflawn, fel ein bod ni’n sicrhau ffyniant economaidd a ffyniant diwylliannol ar yr un llaw.
Well, I know that this is a priority for the Cabinet Secretary for culture. A priority in supporting the museum is part of that. In my opinion, the well-being and cultural interests of the country are tied into the economic prosperity of the country in many ways, so it is very important that we do recognise and understand better than we do at present the economic impact of those activities that we fund. So, the arts council has done work in this area in the past, and Cadw has done work in this area, and the work carried out last year is going to ensure that we have a better understanding. It's not a comprehensive understanding, I have to say, but it's a better understanding than there has been in the past.
So, in looking at the strategic priorities for culture over the next five years, we will have a better foundation to undertake those vital assessments. And it is important that we do that, as the Member says, so that we do understand the value of all the investments that we can make, and that we have a full picture, so that we can ensure economic and cultural prosperity at the same time.
I’m interested to know what the economic impact will be of the Welsh Government’s decision to simultaneously cut funding to national museum Wales, and prioritise their bizarre ambition to decolonise public art. Welsh Government guidance states that public art must be decolonised and should celebrate the achievements of our diverse society or risk being removed. Aside from this issue not being a priority to most people in Wales, it’s also not a grown-up way to grapple with history, I’m afraid. We can celebrate the achievements of our diverse society without taking an Orwellian Tipp-Ex pen to public artwork that is not in vogue. Many were saddened to hear the chief executive of Museum Wales on BBC Radio Wales telling listeners that the museum is facing—[Interruption.]
Mae gennyf ddiddordeb mewn gwybod beth fydd effaith economaidd penderfyniad Llywodraeth Cymru i dorri cyllid i amgueddfa genedlaethol Cymru ar yr un pryd â blaenoriaethu eu huchelgais rhyfedd i ddad-drefedigaethu celf gyhoeddus. Mae canllawiau Llywodraeth Cymru yn nodi bod yn rhaid dad-drefedigaethu celf gyhoeddus a dylai ddathlu cyflawniadau ein cymdeithas amrywiol neu fentro cael ei symud. Ar wahân i'r ffaith nad yw'r mater yn flaenoriaeth i'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yng Nghymru, nid yw'n ffordd aeddfed o fynd i'r afael â hanes, mae arnaf ofn. Gallwn ddathlu cyflawniadau ein cymdeithas amrywiol heb ddefnyddio beiro Tipp-Ex Orwellaidd ar waith celf cyhoeddus nad yw'n ffasiynol. Roedd llawer yn drist o glywed prif weithredwr Amgueddfa Cymru ar BBC Radio Wales yn dweud wrth wrandawyr fod yr amgueddfa'n wynebu—[Torri ar draws.]
I really do want to hear what the Member has to say.
Hoffwn yn fawr glywed beth sydd gan yr Aelod i'w ddweud.
Thank you very much. It's facing a £4.5 million reduction in its budget from the Welsh Government and its future is now in jeopardy. A priceless cultural icon of Wales that has enriched lives across generations is now facing public closure due to budget cuts. So, to avert fears of looking like a philistine Government, will the Cabinet Secretary provide the necessary funding so that future generations will benefit from the same cultural and artistic enrichment that we have the luxury of having here in Wales? And I can see the Minister there with direct responsibility laughing at my remarks, but I’m sure most people in Wales who enjoy the rich cultural history that we have in this country would not find it funny.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Mae'n wynebu gostyngiad o £4.5 miliwn yn ei chyllideb gan Lywodraeth Cymru ac mae ei dyfodol bellach mewn perygl. Mae eicon diwylliannol amhrisiadwy yng Nghymru sydd wedi cyfoethogi bywydau ar draws cenedlaethau bellach yn wynebu gorfod cau ei drysau i'r cyhoedd oherwydd toriadau yn y gyllideb. Felly, er mwyn osgoi edrych fel Llywodraeth Philistaidd, a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ddarparu'r cyllid angenrheidiol fel y bydd cenedlaethau'r dyfodol yn elwa o'r un cyfoeth diwylliannol ac artistig ag yr ydym mor ffodus o'i gael yma yng Nghymru? A gallaf weld y Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb uniongyrchol yn chwerthin am ben fy sylwadau, ond rwy'n siŵr na fyddai'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yng Nghymru sy'n mwynhau'r hanes diwylliannol cyfoethog sydd gennym yn y wlad hon yn ei ystyried yn ddoniol.
Well, I pity poor socialist George Orwell turning in his grave thinking at being prayed in aid by that intervention. I think the response of the public to the museum in Wales is probably best illustrated by the spotlight on museums survey that indicated the economic impact of visits to museums in Wales was around £134 million, which suggests to me that members of the public actually want to go to the museums that we are recommending that they visit. I just want to take issue with the point that he made in relation to the national museum. There are no plans to close the museum. We are working with the museum to develop a plan to address the maintenance issues in Cardiff in particular, and whenever we've received requests for additional capital funding from Amgueddfa Cymru, we've responded. So, in addition to its roughly £5 million capital grant in aid last year, we provided an extra sum of £2 million to help tackle some of the long-term maintenance issues and for the redevelopment of the slate museum as well. So, here we have a Government that, in the face of a policy of austerity that has led to significant cuts in our budget from Westminster, is still doing everything it can to work with the sector to support the sector, including in very challenging times.
Wel, mae gennyf drueni dros y sosialydd George Orwell druan yn troi yn ei fedd wrth feddwl ei fod yn cael ei ddefnyddio i gefnogi'r cyfraniad hwnnw. Rwy'n credu bod ymateb y cyhoedd i'r amgueddfa yng Nghymru yn cael ei ddangos orau yn yr arolwg golwg ar amgueddfeydd a nododd fod effaith economaidd ymweliadau ag amgueddfeydd yng Nghymru oddeutu £134 miliwn, sy'n awgrymu i mi fod aelodau'r cyhoedd eisiau mynd i'r amgueddfeydd yr ydym yn argymell iddynt ymweld â nhw. Hoffwn anghytuno â'r pwynt a wnaeth mewn perthynas â'r amgueddfa genedlaethol. Nid oes unrhyw gynlluniau i gau'r amgueddfa. Rydym yn gweithio gyda'r amgueddfa i ddatblygu cynllun i fynd i'r afael â'r materion cynnal a chadw yng Nghaerdydd yn benodol, ac rydym wedi ymateb ar bob achlysur y daeth ceisiadau i law am arian cyfalaf ychwanegol gan Amgueddfa Cymru. Felly, yn ogystal â'i grant cyfalaf o tua £5 miliwn o gymorth y llynedd, fe wnaethom ddarparu swm ychwanegol o £2 filiwn i helpu i fynd i'r afael â rhai o'r materion cynnal a chadw hirdymor ac ar gyfer ailddatblygu'r amgueddfa lechi hefyd. Felly, yn wyneb polisi cyni sydd wedi arwain at doriadau sylweddol yn ein cyllideb o San Steffan, yma mae gennym Lywodraeth sy'n dal i wneud popeth yn ei gallu i weithio gyda'r sector i gefnogi'r sector, gan gynnwys mewn cyfnod heriol iawn.
6. Sut mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn gweithio gyda Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol i sicrhau bod trefniadau hyfforddiant deintyddiaeth yng Nghymru yn cynhyrchu gweithlu sy’n diwallu anghenion ieithyddol plant ac oedolion yn Arfon? OQ61015
6. How is the Cabinet Secretary working with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to ensure that dentistry training arrangements in Wales produce a workforce that meets the linguistic needs of children and adults in Arfon? OQ61015
Mae cynllun Deintyddion Yfory wedi’i lansio rhwng y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol â Phrifysgol Caerdydd i gefnogi siaradwyr Cymraeg gyda’u cais i’r ysgol deintyddiaeth. Bydd y coleg hefyd yn cefnogi’r brifysgol i gynnig profiadau dysgu cyfrwng Cymraeg i fyfyrwyr. Byddaf i'n gweithio’n agos, felly, gyda’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol ar hyn.
The Deintyddion Yfory scheme has been launched between the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and Cardiff University to support Welsh speakers with their application to the school of dentistry. The coleg will also support the university to offer students Welsh-medium learning experiences. I will be working closely, therefore, with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on this issue.
Yr wythnos diwethaf yn y Senedd fe wnes i sôn am y diffyg dybryd o ddeintyddion sydd ar gael ar gyfer gofal NHS yn Arfon. Mae’r sgìl o allu rhoi gwasanaeth yn y Gymraeg yn rhan hanfodol ar gyfer y gweithlu deintyddol mewn ardal fel Arfon, lle mae’r Gymraeg yn brif iaith i lawer ohonom ni. Mae data mae’r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet iechyd wedi’i ddarparu i mi yn cadarnhau mai lleiafrif y myfyrwyr sy’n astudio yn yr unig ysgol ddeintyddol yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, sef ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, sydd yn aros yng Nghymru i barhau efo’u hyfforddiant deintyddol sylfaenol ar ôl graddio. Mae hi hefyd wedi cadarnhau wrthyf i fod yna drafodaethau yn digwydd i gynyddu lleoedd hyfforddi deintyddiaeth, a hynny mewn ymateb i argymhelliad pwyllgor iechyd y Senedd y dylai’r Llywodraeth archwilio opsiynau i sefydlu ysgol ddeintyddol yn y gogledd.
Ydych chi’n cytuno bod y cyfleoedd cyfyngedig sydd i astudio deintyddiaeth yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, a diffyg effeithiolrwydd y cyfleoedd hynny, o ystyried nad ydyn nhw’n aros yma mewn niferoedd digonol, yn golygu ein bod ni'n colli’r cyfle i wreiddio’r Gymraeg ar hyd y llwybr sydd yn arwain at gymhwyso fel deintydd? Ydych chi'n cytuno, felly, y byddai creu ysgol ddeintyddol ym Mangor yn rhoi’r cyfle i ni, fel yn achos yr ysgol feddygol, i wreiddio’r Gymraeg ac anghenion yr ardal leol yn rhan naturiol o’r hyfforddiant? Pa drafodaethau ydych chi wedi eu cael hefo Eluned Morgan i bwyso’r achos ieithyddol dros sefydlu ysgol o’r fath ym Mangor, a chadarnhau Bangor fel canolfan rhagoriaeth hyfforddiant iechyd a gofal?
Last week in the Senedd I mentioned the acute lack of dentists available for NHS care in Arfon. The skill of being able to provide a service in Welsh is an essential skill for the workforce in an area like Arfon, where Welsh is the main language for many of us. Data that the Cabinet Secretary for health has provided to me confirm that a minority of students currently studying at the only dental school in Wales at present, at Cardiff University, stay in Wales to continue their basic dental training after graduation. She has also confirmed to me that discussions are taking place to look at the options to increase dental training places in response to a recommendation by the Senedd’s health committee that the Government should explore options to establish a dental school in the north.
Do you agree that the limited opportunities to study dentistry in Wales at present, and the lack of efficacy of those opportunities, given that those individuals don't stay here in sufficient numbers, means that we are missing an opportunity to embed the Welsh language along the pathway that leads to qualifying as a dentist? Do you therefore agree that creating a dental school in Bangor would give us the opportunity, as in the case of the medical school, to embed the Welsh language and the needs of the local area as a natural part of the training? What discussions have you had with Eluned Morgan to push the linguistic case for establishing such a school in Bangor, thereby confirming Bangor's status as a center of excellence for health and care training?
Yn fy nhrafodaeth fwyaf diweddar gyda fy nghydweithiwr, gwnaeth y Gweinidog sôn wrthyf i fod y brifysgol yng Nghaerdydd wedi gwneud ymrwymiad i gynyddu, dros y tair blynedd nesaf, y rhifau sydd yn dod o Gymru i tua 40 y cant o'r cohort. Fel rwy'n credu gwnaeth hi sôn yn y Siambr, byddai hyn yn gynnydd sylweddol, oherwydd mae e'n debygol y byddai pobl eisiau parhau i fod yn ddeintyddion yma yng Nghymru. Mae'r coleg Cymraeg yn gweithio hefyd gyda'r brifysgol yng Nghaerdydd i ddarparu grant sbarduno ym maes deintyddiaeth yn benodol i gynnig profiadau dysgu cyfrwng Cymraeg i fyfyrwyr. Bydd yr ysgol ddeintyddiaeth yno yn cynnal, yn ychwanegol i hynny, gyfres o ddigwyddiadau lle bydd darpar fyfyrwyr yn elwa o gwrdd â staff ac ati ac yn derbyn gwybodaeth am y broses ymgeisio. Mae'r cynllun hefyd yn gwarantu cyfweliad i siaradwyr Cymraeg ar gyfer mynediad mis Medi 2025 yn yr ysgol ddeintyddiaeth, felly rŷn ni'n gobeithio ac yn ffyddiog bydd hynny'n helpu i fynd i'r afael gyda'r her.
In my most recent discussion with my colleague, the Minister mentioned that Cardiff University had made a commitment to increase, over the next three years, the numbers coming from Wales to around 40 per cent of the cohort. As I think she mentioned in the Chamber, this would be a substantial increase, because it's likely that people would then want to continue to practise here in Wales. The coleg Cymraeg is also working with Cardiff University to provide a grant particularly in the area of dentistry to provide Welsh-medium experiences for students. The school of dentistry there, in addition to that, will hold a series of events where prospective students will benefit from meeting staff and so on and will receive information about the application process. The plan also guarantees access for Welsh speakers to an interview for entry into the school of dentistry in September 2025, and we hope that that will address the issue.
7. Beth yw disgwyliadau'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet o gwmnïau o ran darparu buddion cymunedol diriaethol mewn perthynas â phrosiectau cynhyrchu ynni? OQ61023
7. What are the Cabinet Secretary's expectations of companies providing tangible community benefits in relation to energy-production projects? OQ61023
Community involvement is crucial to our energy policy and my expectation is that all new projects have at least an element of local ownership. My objective is to retain social and economic benefit for renewable projects to support a just transition to a net-zero energy system.
Mae cyfranogiad cymunedol yn hanfodol i'n polisi ynni ac rwy'n disgwyl i bob prosiect newydd gael o leiaf elfen o berchnogaeth leol. Fy amcan yw cadw budd cymdeithasol ac economaidd ar gyfer prosiectau adnewyddadwy i gefnogi pontio teg i system ynni sero net.
Diolch yn fawr am yr ateb yna.
Thank you for that response.
Real and tangible community benefits have been found to be crucial in winning over local residents when it comes to renewable energy schemes. These benefits schemes can go further, but at least they are being proposed. Unfortunately, when it comes to coal extraction schemes, community benefits are nowhere to be seen. There is a particularly awful example in my region of a community being ridden over roughshod by the owners of the Ffos-y-fran opencast mine, who have left behind an environmental disaster after making vast amounts of profits over nearly two decades of noise and dust for local residents.
Another coal extraction scheme in my region on the site of the former Bedwas colliery is promising to restore and, in some cases, enhance the land once it has removed thousands of tonnes of coal. However, there doesn't seem to be any mention of a tangible community benefit as yet. Cabinet Secretary, do you agree with me that, whenever natural resources are extracted, in whatever form, there should be recompense for nearby towns and villages in the form of a tangible community benefit that has a long and lasting impact?
Gwelwyd bod manteision cymunedol real a diriaethol yn hanfodol er mwyn denu cefnogaeth trigolion lleol i gynlluniau ynni adnewyddadwy. Gall y cynlluniau budd-daliadau hyn fynd ymhellach, ond o leiaf maent yn cael eu cynnig. Yn anffodus, o ran cynlluniau gwaith glo, ni welir buddion cymunedol yn unman. Mae yna enghraifft arbennig o wael yn fy rhanbarth i o gymuned yn cael ei cham-drin yn llwyr gan berchnogion pwll glo brig Ffos-y-fran, sydd wedi gadael trychineb amgylcheddol ar eu holau ar ôl gwneud llawer iawn o elw dros bron i ddau ddegawd o sŵn a llwch i drigolion lleol.
Mae cynllun gwaith glo arall yn fy rhanbarth ar safle hen lofa Bedwas yn addo adfer, a gwella'r tir mewn rhai achosion, ar ôl codi miloedd o dunelli o lo. Fodd bynnag, nid yw'n ymddangos bod unrhyw sôn am fudd cymunedol diriaethol eto. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi, pryd bynnag yr echdynnir adnoddau naturiol, ar ba ffurf bynnag, y dylid cael iawndal i drefi a phentrefi cyfagos ar ffurf budd cymunedol diriaethol sy'n cael effaith hir a pharhaol?
Well, what I think we both want to see is an energy ecosystem that isn't extractive in that sense and that is renewable in the genuine sense and takes full advantage of the renewable energy resources that we can boast as a nation. I think that's the ambition that we probably both share. And I know that he'll welcome the launch of Ynni Cymru, which I think will make a significant contribution to changing the landscape in that direction. It has already committed almost £1 million-worth of resource grants, which will help community groups directly to participate in schemes and to accelerate the projects that we have on the horizon. So, I share with him his ambition to make sure that the community, in any area where there is generation, or, indeed, transmission, is able to point to a benefit to them, which is good for the project but is also good for our communities.
Wel, rwy'n credu bod y ddau ohonom eisiau gweld ecosystem ynni nad yw'n echdynnol yn yr ystyr honno ac sy'n adnewyddadwy yn yr ystyr wirioneddol ac yn manteisio'n llawn ar yr adnoddau ynni adnewyddadwy y gallwn eu brolio fel cenedl. Rwy'n credu mai dyna'r uchelgais y mae'r ddau ohonom yn ei rannu, yn ôl pob tebyg. Ac rwy'n gwybod y bydd yn croesawu lansiad Ynni Cymru, y credaf y bydd yn gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol at newid y dirwedd i'r cyfeiriad hwnnw. Mae eisoes wedi ymrwymo gwerth bron i £1 filiwn o grantiau adnoddau, a fydd yn helpu grwpiau cymunedol yn uniongyrchol i gymryd rhan mewn cynlluniau ac i gyflymu'r prosiectau sydd gennym ar y gorwel. Felly, rwy'n rhannu ei uchelgais i sicrhau bod y gymuned, mewn unrhyw ardal lle ceir cynhyrchiant, neu drawsyrru yn wir, yn gallu tynnu sylw at fudd iddynt hwy, sy'n dda i'r prosiect ond hefyd yn dda i'n cymunedau.
8. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynnydd Llywodraeth Cymru wrth weithredu argymhellion y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg? OQ61003
8. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the Welsh Government's progress in implementing the Fair Work Commission's recommendations? OQ61003
This Government remains committed to using all the levers we have to embed fair work in Wales. We published our latest progress report on 16 April. The report shows that all priority recommendations have been implemented and the vast majority of the remaining recommendations have been realised or are in the process of being put into practice.
Mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i ddefnyddio'r holl ysgogiadau sydd gennym i wreiddio gwaith teg yng Nghymru. Cyhoeddasom ein hadroddiad cynnydd diweddaraf ar 16 Ebrill. Mae'r adroddiad yn dangos bod yr holl argymhellion â blaenoriaeth wedi'u rhoi ar waith a bod y mwyafrif helaeth o'r argymhellion sy'n weddill wedi'u gwireddu neu yn y broses o gael eu gweithredu.
Thank you for that update. It's good to see that, despite the challenges we face, progress is being made on the many recommendations in the Fair Work Commission's report. I'm particularly pleased to see the work being done here by the Welsh Labour Government to promote the positive role of trade unions in the workplace and beyond. This, of course, is in stark contrast to the current incumbent Tory Government who, time and time again, have attacked trade unions and sought to take away hard-fought-for rights of working people. Today is, in fact, International Workers Day, an annual commemoration of the struggles and gains made by the labour movement. So, Minister, would you agree with me that we need a Labour Government returned at the general election and the implementation of UK Labour's transformative new deal for workers?
Diolch am y diweddariad hwnnw. Er gwaethaf yr heriau sy'n ein hwynebu, mae'n dda gweld bod cynnydd yn cael ei wneud ar yr argymhellion niferus yn adroddiad y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg. Rwy'n arbennig o falch o weld y gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud yma gan Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru ar hyrwyddo rôl gadarnhaol undebau llafur yn y gweithle a thu hwnt. Mae hyn mewn cyferbyniad llwyr â'r Llywodraeth Dorïaidd bresennol sydd, dro ar ôl tro, wedi ymosod ar undebau llafur ac wedi ceisio dileu'r hawliau yr ymladdwyd yn galed i'w cael i weithwyr. Heddiw yw Diwrnod Rhyngwladol y Gweithwyr, sy'n coffáu'r brwydrau a'r enillion a welodd y mudiad llafur. Felly, Weinidog, a fyddech chi'n cytuno â mi fod angen ethol Llywodraeth Lafur yn yr etholiad cyffredinol a gweithredu cytundeb newydd trawsnewidiol Llafur yn y DU ar gyfer gweithwyr?
Diolch ichi am godi'r pwyntiau pwysig hynny.
Thank you for raising those important points.
I should start by declaring an interest. I'm a proud trade unionist and have spent the best part of my working life advocating for a better deal at work. It's right and fitting, on International Workers Day, that we reflect and recognise the role that trade unions have played not just in making work better, but in shaping a fairer society as well. But we know that that work is, sadly, far from done and we need look no further than the tired and toxic UK Tory Government and the series of ideological attacks it has launched on trade unions, not least the pernicious anti-democratic and anti-worker Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023. We compare this to what we're doing here in Wales with a Welsh Labour Government that is committed to social partnership working and has legislated to make that part of our devolved DNA. Whilst that legislation is significant, it's not just legislation alone, or about that. Our unions and the world of work pilot project is teaching the next generation of workers, employers and entrepreneurs about their rights and responsibilities in the workplace. But you're right, we could do so much more if there was a fairer floor when it comes to employment rights and protections. So, I absolutely agree that we need a UK Labour Government and the full implementation of a new deal for workers; it would both empower workers, but also our Welsh way of working in social partnership.
Dylwn ddechrau drwy ddatgan diddordeb. Rwy'n undebwr llafur balch ac rwyf wedi treulio'r rhan orau o fy mywyd gwaith yn dadlau dros fargen well yn y gweithle. Mae'n iawn ac yn addas, ar Ddiwrnod Rhyngwladol y Gweithwyr, ein bod yn ystyried ac yn cydnabod y rôl y mae undebau llafur wedi'i chwarae nid yn unig i wneud gwaith yn well, ond yn llunio cymdeithas decach hefyd. Ond gwyddom fod y gwaith hwnnw, yn anffodus, ymhell o fod wedi'i wneud ac nid oes angen edrych ymhellach na Llywodraeth Dorïaidd flinedig a gwenwynig y DU a'r gyfres o ymosodiadau ideolegol y mae wedi'u gwneud ar undebau llafur, a'r Ddeddf Streiciau (Isafswm Lefelau Gwasanaeth) 2023 wrth-ddemocrataidd a gwrth-weithwyr niweidiol. Rydym yn cymharu hyn â'r hyn a wnawn ni yma yng Nghymru gyda Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru sydd wedi ymrwymo i weithio mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol ac sydd wedi deddfu i wneud hynny'n rhan o'n DNA datganoledig. Er bod y ddeddfwriaeth honno'n arwyddocaol, mae'n ymwneud â mwy na deddfwriaeth yn unig. Mae ein hundebau a'r prosiect peilot byd gwaith yn addysgu'r genhedlaeth nesaf o weithwyr, cyflogwyr ac entrepreneuriaid am eu hawliau a'u cyfrifoldebau yn y gweithle. Ond rydych chi'n iawn, gallem wneud cymaint mwy pe bai gennym sylfaen decach o hawliau ac amddiffyniadau cyflogaeth. Felly, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod angen Llywodraeth Lafur arnom yn y DU a gweithredu bargen newydd ar gyfer gweithwyr yn llawn; byddai'r ddau beth yn grymuso gweithwyr, yn ogystal â'n ffordd Gymreig o weithio mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog a'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, felly, am y sesiwn yna.
I thank the Minister and Cabinet Secretary for those answers.
Eitem 2 sydd nesaf—cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol yw hwn. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Mark Drakeford.
Item 2 is next—questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. The first question is from Mark Drakeford.
1. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi diweddariad ar yr ymdrechion i amrywiaethu'r gweithlu deintyddol? OQ61008
1. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on efforts to diversify the dental workforce? OQ61008
Diolch yn fawr. The Welsh Government has long held the view that health professionals should try and work at the top of their licence, allowing others who are appropriately qualified to intervene where appropriate. Until recently, a regulatory issue prevented qualified dental therapists, hygienists and clinical dental technicians from opening and closing NHS courses of dental treatment. This issue has now been resolved, enabling those dental professionals to play a full role in providing NHS care, which will make a difference to the diversity of the dental workforce.
Diolch yn fawr. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod o'r farn ers tro y dylai gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol geisio gweithio ar frig eu trwydded, gan ganiatáu i eraill sydd â chymwysterau priodol ymyrryd lle bo hynny'n briodol. Tan yn ddiweddar, roedd mater rheoleiddio yn atal therapyddion deintyddol cymwysedig, hylenwyr a thechnegwyr deintyddol clinigol rhag dechrau a chwblhau cyrsiau triniaeth ddeintyddol y GIG. Mae'r mater hwn bellach wedi'i ddatrys, gan alluogi gweithwyr deintyddol proffesiynol i chwarae rhan lawn yn darparu gofal GIG, a fydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth i amrywiaeth y gweithlu deintyddol.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that. Llywydd, if we think of general practice these days, more and more we refer to the wider clinical team, those other people with clinical skills who can be part of an effort to provide primary care in communities—practice nurses, physiotherapists and so on. Why has the dental field been so slow to adopt the same approach? Well, it's partly, as the Cabinet Secretary has said, because of regulatory inhibitions; I congratulate her on having put that right. But it also needs to be supplemented by an effort to train more people who can carry out the more routine end of dentistry.
It's certainly not the case that dentists in Wales operate at the top of their clinical licence; far too often, they carry out routine treatments that simply don't need the skills of a fully trained dentist. So, my question for the Cabinet Secretary is: what more can the Welsh Government do to make sure that there is a sufficient supply of other members of that clinical team being trained? How can we use that to grapple with the fact that, too often, the dental profession has a monopoly of supply and uses that to restrict the supply of NHS dentistry in order to promote the chances of more lucrative private practice?
Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Lywydd, os meddyliwn am ymarfer cyffredinol y dyddiau hyn, cyfeiriwn fwy a mwy at y tîm clinigol ehangach, y bobl eraill sydd â sgiliau clinigol a all fod yn rhan o ymdrech i ddarparu gofal sylfaenol mewn cymunedau—nyrsys practis, ffisiotherapyddion ac yn y blaen. Pam mae'r maes deintyddol wedi bod mor araf i fabwysiadu'r un ymagwedd? Wel, yn rhannol oherwydd cyfyngiadau rheoleiddiol, fel y dywedodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet; rwy'n ei llongyfarch ar unioni hynny. Ond mae angen iddo hefyd gael ei ategu gan ymdrech i hyfforddi mwy o bobl sy'n gallu cyflawni gwaith mwy cyffredinol ym maes deintyddiaeth.
Yn sicr, nid yw'n wir fod deintyddion yng Nghymru yn gweithredu ar frig eu trwydded glinigol; yn llawer rhy aml, maent yn cyflawni triniaethau cyffredinol nad oes angen sgiliau deintydd wedi'i hyfforddi'n llawn i'w gwneud. Felly, fy nghwestiwn i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yw: beth arall y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i sicrhau bod cyflenwad digonol o aelodau eraill o'r tîm clinigol hwnnw'n cael eu hyfforddi? Sut y gallwn ni ddefnyddio hynny i fynd i'r afael â'r ffaith bod gan y proffesiwn deintyddol fonopoli ar gyflenwad yn rhy aml ac mae'n defnyddio hynny i gyfyngu ar y cyflenwad o ddeintyddiaeth y GIG er mwyn hyrwyddo'r cyfle i fanteisio ar ymarfer preifat mwy proffidiol?
Diolch yn fawr. I know that the former First Minister led the way, when he was the health Minister, in terms of making sure that we use the whole team around primary care, certainly in terms of general medical services, and I'm grateful to you for that. But, you're absolutely right, we haven't seen that pattern develop in quite the same way in relation to dentistry, and that is something that we are determined to address. There was an issue, as I suggested in my answer, where there was a technical issue stopping dental therapists, for example, from opening and closing those NHS courses of treatment. That's now been changed, so there is at least an opportunity now for that door to be opened.
So, the issue then is: where are these dental therapists? Who are they? How do we train them? This was one of the things that I focused on very early in my tenure, because I recognised that, if we fundamentally want to look at the model, then you can't do that without actually providing the numbers. If you're inverting the triangle, you need to make sure that you've got enough people in training. So, certainly, it was an instruction I gave to Health Education and Improvement Wales a couple of years ago, and, certainly, I can assure you that we have doubled the number of dental therapists in training since 2023. So, things are getting better, but we've got a long way to go.
I'm also really pleased that, the first graduates to qualify from Bangor University's dental hygiene programme, they're also coming on stream. I guess the next challenge for us is to make sure—obviously, we need to increase those numbers, but also to make sure that once they're trained they don't go off to the private sector. That is something that we need to find an answer to as well.
Diolch yn fawr. Gwn fod y cyn Brif Weinidog wedi arwain y ffordd, pan oedd yn Weinidog iechyd, ar sicrhau ein bod yn defnyddio'r tîm cyfan o amgylch gofal sylfaenol, yn sicr o ran gwasanaethau meddygol cyffredinol, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar ichi am hynny. Ond rydych chi'n hollol gywir, nid ydym wedi gweld y patrwm hwnnw'n datblygu yn yr un ffordd yn union mewn deintyddiaeth, ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth yr ydym yn benderfynol o fynd i'r afael ag ef. Fel yr awgrymais yn fy ateb, roedd yna broblem lle roedd mater technegol yn atal therapyddion deintyddol, er enghraifft, rhag dechrau a chwblhau cyrsiau triniaeth GIG. Mae hynny bellach wedi newid, felly mae cyfle nawr o leiaf i'r drws hwnnw gael ei agor.
Felly, y broblem wedyn yw: lle mae'r therapyddion deintyddol hyn? Pwy ydynt? Sut mae eu hyfforddi? Roedd hyn yn un o'r pethau y canolbwyntiais arno'n gynnar iawn yn fy nghyfnod yn y swydd, oherwydd os ydym eisiau edrych ar y model yn sylfaenol, roeddwn yn sylweddoli na allwch chi wneud hynny heb ddarparu'r rhifau mewn gwirionedd. Os ydych chi'n gwrthdroi'r triongl, mae angen ichi sicrhau bod gennych chi ddigon o bobl yn hyfforddi. Felly, yn sicr, roedd yn gyfarwyddyd a roddais i Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl, ac yn sicr, gallaf eich sicrhau ein bod wedi dyblu nifer y therapyddion deintyddol sy'n cael eu hyfforddi ers 2023. Felly, mae pethau'n gwella, ond mae gennym ffordd bell i fynd.
Rwyf hefyd yn falch iawn hefyd fod y graddedigion cyntaf i gymhwyso o raglen hylendid deintyddol Prifysgol Bangor yn dechrau gweithio. Mae'n debyg mai'r her nesaf i ni yw sicrhau—yn amlwg, mae angen inni gynyddu'r niferoedd hynny, a gwneud yn siŵr hefyd, pan fyddant wedi'u hyfforddi, nad ydynt yn mynd i'r sector preifat. Mae hynny'n rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid inni ddod o hyd i ateb iddo hefyd.
I have to say that I have great respect for the former First Minister, but I just find it ironic that he's now asking his previous health Minister a question on an area of policy where Welsh Labour has miserably failed, during your tenure.
Now, the people's priorities are for this Welsh Labour Government to provide more dentists in Wales. However, what the previous Welsh Government has overseen is rapid decline in NHS dental services—60 per cent, in fact, decrease in the provision, because of your new contracts. They've done nothing to tackle the reality in Aberconwy that we now have a three-tier system: people who can access private treatment, people who can access NHS treatment and people who are left unable to access either. It's an absolute disgrace, hence my comment about the irony. You've only been out of post, First Minister, a few weeks, and you're asking a question that, really, you should know the answer to. Will the Cabinet Secretary commission a piece of work to model what would be required for you, as the Welsh Government, to deliver full NHS services to all people living in Wales? Diolch yn fawr.
Mae'n rhaid imi ddweud bod gennyf barch mawr at y cyn-Brif Weinidog, ond rwy'n ei hystyried yn eironig ei fod bellach yn gofyn cwestiwn i'w Weinidog iechyd blaenorol ar faes polisi lle mae Llafur Cymru wedi methu'n druenus yn ystod eich cyfnod chi yn y swydd.
Nawr, blaenoriaethau'r bobl yw i'r Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru ddarparu mwy o ddeintyddion yng Nghymru. Fodd bynnag, dan oruchwyliaeth Llywodraeth flaenorol Cymru, gwelwyd dirywiad cyflym yng ngwasanaethau deintyddol y GIG—60 y cant o ostyngiad yn y ddarpariaeth, oherwydd eich contractau newydd. Nid ydynt wedi gwneud unrhyw beth i fynd i'r afael â'r realiti yn Aberconwy fod gennym system dair haen erbyn hyn: pobl sy'n gallu cael triniaeth breifat, pobl sy'n gallu cael triniaeth y GIG a phobl sy'n methu cael mynediad at y naill na'r llall. Mae'n warth llwyr, a dyna'r rheswm dros fy sylw am yr eironi. Ychydig wythnosau sydd wedi bod ers ichi adael y swydd, Brif Weinidog, ac rydych chi'n gofyn cwestiwn y dylech chi wybod yr ateb iddo. A wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gomisiynu gwaith i fodelu'r hyn y byddai ei angen arnoch chi, fel Llywodraeth Cymru, i ddarparu gwasanaethau GIG llawn i bawb sy'n byw yng Nghymru? Diolch yn fawr.
We've made no secret that the challenges around dentistry are real, and we have made efforts, through changing the contract, to address some of those issues, in particular for those people who haven't been able to access NHS dentistry for a long time. And I'm pleased to say that, by today, around 300,000 new NHS patients have been able to access those NHS services. You're quite right, though; I have actually commissioned a piece of work to look at what does this look like over the long term—a 10-year plan—because you can't switch dentists on overnight, you can't even turn dental therapists on overnight, but also you've got to take account of things like the fact that, actually, the population is changing. The population in west Wales, for example, is likely to be slightly older and perhaps need a different kind of dental response from those in other parts of the country. So, all of those things are things that we know need to be addressed. Our current challenge, of course, is one of finance. So, we know what needs to be done, but we are, obviously, financially constrained by the fact that, actually, your UK Government has crashed the economy and given us a poor deal when it comes to money for health.
Nid ydym wedi gwneud unrhyw gyfrinach o'r ffaith bod yr heriau sy'n ymwneud â deintyddiaeth yn rhai go iawn, a thrwy newid y contract, rydym wedi ceisio mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r materion hynny, yn enwedig i bobl nad ydynt wedi gallu cael mynediad at ddeintyddiaeth y GIG ers amser maith. Ac rwy'n falch o ddweud, erbyn heddiw, fod tua 300,000 o gleifion GIG newydd wedi gallu cael mynediad at y gwasanaethau GIG hynny. Rydych chi'n hollol gywir; rwyf wedi comisiynu gwaith i edrych ar sut mae hyn yn edrych dros y tymor hir—cynllun 10 mlynedd—oherwydd ni allwch greu deintyddion dros nos, ni allwch greu therapyddion deintyddol hyd yn oed dros nos, ond hefyd mae'n rhaid ichi ystyried pethau fel y ffaith bod y boblogaeth yn newid. Mae'r boblogaeth yng ngorllewin Cymru, er enghraifft, yn debygol o fod ychydig yn hŷn ac efallai fod angen math gwahanol o ymateb deintyddol i'r rhai mewn rhannau eraill o'r wlad. Felly, mae'r holl bethau hynny'n bethau y gwyddom fod angen mynd i'r afael â nhw. Ein her bresennol, wrth gwrs, yw cyllid. Felly, rydym yn gwybod beth sydd angen ei wneud, ond yn amlwg, rydym wedi ein cyfyngu'n ariannol gan y ffaith bod eich Llywodraeth chi yn y DU wedi chwalu'r economi ac wedi rhoi bargen wael inni o ran arian ar gyfer iechyd.
2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i atal clefydau drwy hyrwyddo byw'n iach? OQ60995
2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to prevent disease through the promotion of healthy living? OQ60995
We deploy a range of strategies to support people in Wales to live healthy lives. Not smoking, being physically active where possible and being a healthy weight are all positive steps we can take to prevent avoidable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.
Rydym yn defnyddio amrywiaeth o strategaethau i gefnogi pobl yng Nghymru i fyw bywydau iach. Mae peidio ag ysmygu, bod yn gorfforol egnïol lle bo hynny'n bosibl a chario pwysau iach i gyd yn gamau cadarnhaol y gallwn eu cymryd i atal clefydau y gellir eu hosgoi, fel diabetes math 2.
I thank the Minister for that response. Lifestyle and health are closely related, and the choices made about diet, activity, sleep and smoking can affect health and well-being. A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of many diseases, improve quality of life and promote recovery. Improvement in lifestyle is necessary for many people, with obesity being a major cause of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, some types of cancer, such as breast cancer and bowel cancer, and strokes. So, with its early preventative approach, social prescribing can help ease the burden on front-line specialist services. What progress is being made on increasing social prescribing, so that we get people fit and well, rather than visiting doctors, visiting accident and emergency departments, due to being seriously ill?
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am yr ymateb hwnnw. Mae cysylltiad agos rhwng ffordd o fyw ac iechyd, a gall y dewisiadau a wneir am ddeiet, gweithgarwch, cwsg ac ysmygu effeithio ar iechyd a lles. Gall ffordd iach o fyw leihau'r risg o lawer o glefydau, gwella ansawdd bywyd a hyrwyddo adferiad. Mae llawer o bobl angen gwella'u ffordd o fyw, gyda gordewdra'n un o brif achosion diabetes math 2, clefyd coronaidd y galon, rhai mathau o ganser, fel canser y fron a chanser y coluddyn, a strôc. Felly, gyda'i ddull ataliol cynnar, gall presgripsiynu cymdeithasol helpu i leddfu'r baich ar wasanaethau arbenigol rheng flaen. Pa gynnydd sy'n cael ei wneud ar gynyddu presgripsiynu cymdeithasol, fel ein bod yn gwella ffitrwydd ac iechyd pobl, yn hytrach na'u bod yn ymweld â meddygon, yn ymweld ag adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys, am eu bod yn ddifrifol wael?
Thank you very much. Well, I do think we need to be really careful. We perhaps sometimes overmedicalise some of issues that come through our GP surgeries, and that's why I do think that there's a real opportunity when it comes to social prescribing. This, of course, is not something new; it's something that's been going on throughout Wales, but in pockets. And one of the issues that certainly the former well-being Minister was keen to address, and I know that the new mental health Minister is keen to look at as well, is the issue of making sure that, when people are referred in relation to social prescribing, there is a quality around that, so that GPs can—. These, very often, are vulnerable people; you need to have some assurances around it. So, I think there are real opportunities when it comes to social prescribing. That framework now has been consulted upon, so we are charging ahead in relation to the opportunities around social prescribing. But you're quite right, particularly in relation to how do you change people's lifestyles. It's very difficult, it's very personal. What is it that motivates people? And I do hope that people will take up the opportunities, not just through social prescribing, but also through looking at the support that we have that can be effectively tailored to the individual. So, Healthy Weight Healthy You, for example, people can go onto that website and get fairly tailored support that will help them, for example, in their efforts to lose weight.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Rwy'n credu bod angen inni fod yn ofalus iawn. Efallai ein bod weithiau'n gor-feddygoli rhai o'r materion sy'n dod trwy ein meddygfeydd, a dyna pam y credaf fod cyfle gwirioneddol yn sgil presgripsiynu cymdeithasol. Nid yw hyn yn rhywbeth newydd wrth gwrs; mae'n rhywbeth sydd wedi bod yn digwydd ledled Cymru, ond mewn pocedi. Ac un o'r materion yr oedd y cyn Weinidog llesiant yn sicr yn awyddus i fynd i'r afael â nhw, a gwn fod y Gweinidog iechyd meddwl newydd yn awyddus i edrych arno hefyd, yw gwneud yn siŵr, pan gaiff pobl eu hatgyfeirio mewn perthynas â phresgripsiynu cymdeithasol, fod yna ansawdd ynghlwm wrth hynny, fel bod meddygon teulu yn gallu—. Mae'r rhain, yn aml iawn, yn bobl fregus; mae angen ichi gael rhywfaint o sicrwydd o'i gwmpas. Felly, rwy'n credu bod cyfleoedd go iawn i'w cael yn sgil presgripsiynu cymdeithasol. Cafwyd ymgynghoriad ar y fframwaith hwnnw bellach, felly rydym yn bwrw ymlaen mewn perthynas â'r cyfleoedd sy'n gysylltiedig â phresgripsiynu cymdeithasol. Ond rydych chi'n llygad eich lle, yn enwedig o ran y ffordd yr ewch ati i newid ffordd o fyw pobl. Mae'n anodd iawn, mae'n bersonol iawn. Beth sy'n ysgogi pobl? Ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd pobl yn manteisio ar y cyfleoedd, nid yn unig drwy bresgripsiynu cymdeithasol, ond hefyd drwy edrych ar y gefnogaeth sydd gennym y gellir ei theilwra'n effeithiol i'r unigolyn. Felly, Pwysau Iach Byw'n Iach, er enghraifft, gall pobl fynd ar y wefan honno a chael cefnogaeth wedi'i theilwra'n deg a fydd yn eu helpu, er enghraifft yn eu hymdrechion i golli pwysau.
With the issue of preventative health being raised, I would like to take the opportunity to raise the issue of bowel cancer prevention in Wales. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second-biggest cancer killer in Wales. There has been good progress on testing for Lynch syndrome in Wales, which is a condition associated with genetic predisposition to bowel cancer, but approximately 30 per cent of bowel cancer cases in the UK are linked to a fibre-deficient diet, 11 per cent linked to obesity, and 7 per cent linked to tobacco. A combination of these behaviours will significantly increase your chances of developing the disease. So, could the Cabinet Secretary outline what action the Welsh Government is taking to raise awareness of the behavioural risk factors associated with bowel cancer? Thank you.
Gyda iechyd ataliol wedi cael ei godi, hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle i sôn am atal canser y coluddyn yng Nghymru. Canser y coluddyn yw'r pedwerydd canser mwyaf cyffredin a'r ail laddwr canser mwyaf yng Nghymru. Mae cynnydd da wedi bod o ran profi am syndrom Lynch yng Nghymru, sef cyflwr sy'n gysylltiedig â rhagdueddiad genetig i ganser y coluddyn, ond mae tua 30 y cant o achosion canser y coluddyn yn y DU yn gysylltiedig â diffyg ffeibr yn y deiet, mae 11 y cant yn gysylltiedig â gordewdra, a 7 y cant yn gysylltiedig â thybaco. Bydd cyfuniad o'r ymddygiadau hyn yn cynyddu eich perygl o ddatblygu'r clefyd yn sylweddol. Felly, a allai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet amlinellu pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r ffactorau risg ymddygiadol sy'n gysylltiedig â chanser y coluddyn? Diolch.
Thanks very much. Well, one of the things I'm very proud of is the fact that we've now reduced the age at which screening takes place in relation to bowel cancer, and that is already making a difference. And people are quite keen to get involved in that. Some of the problem though, if you look at the disparities and outcomes when it comes to people who have cancer—any kind of cancer—is the difference between the poorer areas and the richer areas, and we have to do more to get some of our poorer areas to engage in this. So, targeted action to make sure that people in those poorer areas are returning that screening is absolutely crucial. I think that that certainly has got to be a part of what we do, but you're quite right: we've got to get, before that, into the prevention space, and certainly I hope that, with the Healthy Weight Healthy You kind of support that we can put in place, people will recognise what they need to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Diolch yn fawr. Wel, un o'r pethau rwy'n falch iawn ohono yw'r ffaith ein bod bellach wedi gostwng yr oedran y mae sgrinio'n dechrau mewn perthynas â chanser y coluddyn, ac mae hynny eisoes yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Ac mae pobl yn awyddus iawn i gymryd rhan yn hynny. Mae rhan o'r broblem serch hynny, os edrychwch chi ar y gwahaniaethau a'r canlyniadau o ran pobl sydd â chanser—unrhyw fath o ganser—yn ymwneud â'r gwahaniaeth rhwng yr ardaloedd tlotach a'r ardaloedd cyfoethocach, ac mae'n rhaid inni wneud mwy i gael ein hardaloedd tlotach yn rhan o hyn. Felly, mae'n gwbl hanfodol fod gennym gamau wedi'u targedu i sicrhau bod pobl yn yr ardaloedd tlotach yn dychwelyd y profion sgrinio hynny. Yn sicr, rwy'n credu bod yn rhaid i hynny fod yn rhan o'r hyn a wnawn, ond rydych chi'n hollol gywir: cyn hynny, mae'n rhaid inni wneud gwaith atal, ac yn sicr rwy'n gobeithio, gyda'r math o gefnogaeth Pwysau Iach Byw'n Iach y gallwn ei rhoi ar waith, y bydd pobl yn cydnabod yr hyn y mae angen iddynt ei wneud i gynnal ffordd o fyw iach.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Sam Rowlands.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservatives' spokesperson, Sam Rowlands.
Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, this is my first opportunity to question you in my new role as shadow health spokesperson and I'm certainly looking forward to our exchanges in this Chamber. I'm looking forward to working constructively with you on areas and on issues where I can, but also looking to hold you to account, and the Welsh Government to account, on areas that need improving.
One such area that I want to start on here today is around accident and emergency. Only yesterday, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board issued an urgent warning regarding the emergency unit at University Hospital Wales—the largest hospital in Wales—and that was on the same day, yesterday, that, in this place, we had four hours allocated for us to debate putting 36 more politicians in this Chamber at the cost of tens of millions of pounds. So, do you think you have the right priorities?
Diolch, Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, dyma fy nghyfle cyntaf i'ch holi yn fy rôl newydd fel llefarydd iechyd yr wrthblaid ac rwy'n sicr yn edrych ymlaen at ein trafodaethau yn y Siambr hon. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at weithio'n adeiladol gyda chi ar feysydd ac ar faterion lle gallaf wneud hynny, ond hefyd rwy'n bwriadu eich dwyn i gyfrif, a dwyn Llywodraeth Cymru i gyfrif, ar feysydd y mae angen eu gwella.
Mae un maes o'r fath yr wyf eisiau ei grybwyll yma heddiw yn ymwneud ag adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Ddoe, cyhoeddodd Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro rybudd brys ynglŷn â'r uned frys yn Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru—yr ysbyty mwyaf yng Nghymru—a hynny ar yr un diwrnod, ddoe, ag yr oedd gennym bedair awr wedi'u neilltuo i drafod cael 36 yn fwy o wleidyddion yn y Siambr hon ar gost o ddegau o filiynau o bunnoedd. Felly, a ydych chi'n credu bod gennych chi'r blaenoriaethau cywir?
Well, thanks very much. First of all, can I welcome Sam to your new role as Conservative spokesperson? And before we get into a discussion, I just want to pay tribute also to Russell George, with whom I worked over a number of years. I just want to pay tribute to him on the way you carried out that role, Russell, and thank you for the kind of relationship that we were able to—. You held me to account; you kept me on my toes, but we were able to make sure that we did continue a dialogue. I know that my task is challenging, but I have a small army to support me, and I don't underestimate the kind of work that opposition spokespersons, including Plaid Cymru, have to do without the kind of support that I can rely on. So, thank you also for taking on what is a difficult task.
Just in relation to accident and emergency, I think probably one of the things to point out is that performance in major emergency departments, of course, is challenged at the moment. We have real issues in relation to delayed transfers of care—that is always part of the reason why there are hold-ups—but it's probably worth also noting that performance in emergency departments was better in Wales than in England in eight out of the last 12 months against the four-hour target.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Yn gyntaf oll, a gaf i groesawu Sam i'ch rôl newydd fel llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr? A chyn inni barhau â'r drafodaeth, hoffwn dalu teyrnged hefyd i Russell George, y bûm yn gweithio gydag ef dros nifer o flynyddoedd. Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i chi am y ffordd y gwnaethoch chi gyflawni'r rôl honno, Russell, a diolch am y math o berthynas y gwnaethom—. Fe wnaethoch chi fy nwyn i gyfrif; fe wnaethoch chi fy nghadw ar flaenau fy nhraed, ond fe lwyddasom i sicrhau ein bod ni'n parhau'r ddeialog. Rwy'n gwybod bod fy nhasg yn heriol, ond mae gennyf fyddin fach i fy nghefnogi, ac nid wyf yn tanbrisio'r math o waith y mae'n rhaid i lefarwyr y gwrthbleidiau, gan gynnwys Plaid Cymru, ei wneud heb y math o gefnogaeth y gallaf ddibynnu arni. Felly, diolch i chi hefyd am ymgymryd â'r dasg anodd hon.
Mewn perthynas ag adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys, rwy'n credu y dylwn nodi bod perfformiad mewn adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys mawr, wrth gwrs, yn heriol ar hyn o bryd. Mae gennym broblemau go iawn mewn perthynas ag oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal—mae hynny bob amser yn rhan o'r rheswm pam fod oedi—ond mae'n debyg ei bod yn werth nodi hefyd bod perfformiad mewn adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys wedi bod yn well yng Nghymru nag yn Lloegr mewn wyth o'r deuddeg mis diwethaf yn erbyn y targed pedair awr.
Thank you for your response, Cabinet Secretary, and thank you also for acknowledging some of the challenges that do exist in our accident and emergency rooms at the moment. But this goes back to having the right priorities and having a Government that is focused on dealing with the areas of concern that the people of Wales have.
And one such person wrote to me just last week, a member of the public, who, sadly, has terminal cancer, who wanted to express his experiences at a north Wales hospital, where they attended A&E with a letter from his GP to secure a bed on a ward to counter an ailment, but the hospital refused this and put him in the A&E waiting room, where they waited for 11 hours. By midnight, they were told they were better to go home. So, they came back in the next day and had a very similar experience, with people waiting more than 12 hours. Sadly, this isn't a one-off occasion, and there are far too many people having these experiences in our A&E waiting rooms. So, I wonder, for the sake of our doctors and nurses, who are having to work through this, and certainly for the patients, who are having to experience these conditions, could you outline what plan you have to tackle these excessive A&E waits?
Diolch am eich ymateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a diolch hefyd am gydnabod rhai o'r heriau sy'n bodoli yn ein hadrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys ar hyn o bryd. Ond mae hyn yn ymwneud â chael y blaenoriaethau cywir a chael Llywodraeth sy'n canolbwyntio ar ymdrin â'r meysydd sy'n peri pryder i bobl Cymru.
Ac ysgrifennodd un person o'r fath ataf yr wythnos diwethaf, aelod o'r cyhoedd, sydd, yn anffodus, â chanser angheuol, eisiau mynegi ei brofiadau mewn ysbyty yng ngogledd Cymru, lle aethant i adran ddamweiniau ac achosion brys gyda llythyr gan ei feddyg teulu i sicrhau gwely ar ward i drin anhwylder, ond gwrthododd yr ysbyty hyn a'i roi yn yr ystafell aros yr adran ddamweiniau ac achosion brys, lle bu'n aros am 11 awr. Erbyn hanner nos, dywedwyd wrthynt y byddai'n well iddynt fynd adref. Felly, daethant yn ôl drannoeth a chael profiad tebyg iawn, gyda phobl yn aros mwy na 12 awr. Yn anffodus, nid yw hwn yn achlysur untro, ac mae llawer gormod o bobl yn cael y profiadau hyn yn ystafelloedd aros ein hadrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Felly, er mwyn ein meddygon a'n nyrsys, sy'n gorfod gweithio drwy hyn, ac yn sicr er mwyn y cleifion, sy'n gorfod dioddef y cyflyrau hyn, tybed a allech chi amlinellu pa gynllun sydd gennych i fynd i'r afael â'r arosiadau gormodol hyn mewn adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys?
Thanks very much. We've actually got a whole strategy around this. It's called the six goals programme. It's a very comprehensive programme, and it's made a huge difference already. So, I know it may not feel like that, but if you think about things like the 111 system, which meant that 90,000 people were diverted from potentially going to A&E in just one month, in February, that gives you a kind of idea of new initiatives that have been introduced. We also have urgent primary care centres that have been introduced; we have same-day emergency care centres that have also been introduced.
And of course, if you're talking about priorities, I've made it very clear that one of my key priorities is to get the waiting lists down. I spend a huge amount of work really trying to delve into the detail of where the problems are. I've spoken to Betsi just this morning about some of the really difficult issues that they're confronting in particular areas. Of course, part of the problem is these delayed transfers of care. We work very closely with local government to see if we can work together on that, because it is a joint responsibility. But there are too many people in our hospitals who are ready for discharge but who can't be discharged, and that's a challenge for us, but it's also a challenge for local government. And certainly, working hand in hand with councils is absolutely critical, and that's what we do, certainly through the winter months, on a fortnightly basis.
Diolch yn fawr. Mae gennym strategaeth gyfan yn ymwneud â hyn. Fe'i gelwir yn rhaglen chwe nod. Mae'n rhaglen gynhwysfawr iawn, ac mae wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr yn barod. Felly, rwy'n gwybod efallai na fydd yn teimlo felly, ond os ydych chi'n meddwl am bethau fel y system 111, a oedd yn golygu bod 90,000 o bobl wedi cael eu dargyfeirio rhag mynd i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys mewn un mis yn unig, ym mis Chwefror, mae hynny'n rhoi rhyw fath o syniad i chi o fentrau newydd sydd wedi'u cyflwyno. Hefyd, mae gennym ganolfannau gofal sylfaenol brys wedi'u cyflwyno; mae gennym ganolfannau gofal argyfwng yr un diwrnod wedi'u cyflwyno.
Ac wrth gwrs, os ydych chi'n sôn am flaenoriaethau, rwyf wedi'i gwneud hi'n glir iawn mai un o fy mlaenoriaethau allweddol yw lleihau'r rhestrau. Rwy'n gwneud llawer iawn o waith yn ceisio ymchwilio'n fanwl lle mae'r problemau. Rwyf wedi siarad â Betsi y bore yma am rai o'r materion anodd iawn y maent yn eu hwynebu mewn meysydd penodol. Wrth gwrs, rhan o'r broblem yw'r oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal. Rydym yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda llywodraeth leol i weld a allwn weithio gyda'n gilydd ar hynny, gan ei fod yn gyfrifoldeb ar y cyd. Ond mae yna ormod o bobl yn ein hysbytai sy'n barod i gael eu rhyddhau ond na ellir eu rhyddhau, ac mae hynny'n her i ni, ond mae hefyd yn her i lywodraeth leol. Ac yn sicr, mae gweithio law yn llaw â chynghorau'n gwbl hanfodol, a dyna a wnawn, yn sicr drwy fisoedd y gaeaf, ar sail bythefnosol.
I thank you, Cabinet Secretary, again for outlining the challenges there are at the backdoor of the hospital, as it were, in terms of those discharges. I'm certainly willing to work with you to see what approaches can be put together to see that improve. Because we all want to see a better A&E system here in Wales and those waiting lists and waiting times reduced.
But you referred to your plan, and there clearly has to be robust monitoring and oversight of the plan and the implementation of that plan. Our leader of the Conservatives here, Andrew R.T. Davies, recently submitted a question to you, asking what are the three leading causes of accident and emergency attendance in Wales this calendar year. Certainly, knowing those causes allows you to understand the robustness of the plan that you described having in place. But your answer, sadly, Cabinet Secretary, was that you do not hold this information. So, I just wonder if you can be confident in the robustness of your plan to deal with A&E waits when you don't hold what I see as pretty basic information about what are the leading causes of people attending accident and emergency waiting rooms.
Diolch i chi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, am amlinellu'r heriau sydd i'w canfod wrth ddrws cefn yr ysbyty, fel petai, o ran y gallu i ryddhau cleifion. Rwy'n sicr yn barod i weithio gyda chi i weld pa ddulliau y gellir eu rhoi ar waith i wella hynny. Oherwydd rydym i gyd eisiau gweld system ddamweiniau ac achosion brys well yma yng Nghymru ac rydym i gyd eisiau gweld y rhestrau aros a'r amseroedd aros yn lleihau.
Ond fe wnaethoch chi gyfeirio at eich cynllun, ac mae'n amlwg fod yn rhaid monitro a goruchwylio'r cynllun a'i weithredu mewn modd cadarn. Cyflwynodd arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr yma, Andrew R.T. Davies, gwestiwn i chi yn ddiweddar, yn gofyn beth yw'r tri phrif reswm pam fod pobl wedi mynychu adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys yng Nghymru yn ystod y flwyddyn galendr hon. Yn sicr, mae gwybod y rhesymau'n eich galluogi i ddeall cadernid y cynllun rydych wedi dweud ei fod ar waith. Ond yn eich ateb, yn anffodus, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fe ddywedoch chi nad oedd gennych y wybodaeth hon. Felly, tybed a allwch chi fod yn hyderus ynghylch cadernid eich cynllun i ymdrin ag arosiadau mewn adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys pan nad oes gennych chi'r hyn rwy'n ei ystyried yn wybodaeth eithaf sylfaenol am beth yw'r prif resymau pam fod pobl yn mynychu ystafelloedd aros adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys.
Well, of course, I would expect the health boards themselves to be holding that information. But what we do have now is the NHS Wales Executive, which is really honing in on some of that detail. And the six goals programme that I referred to is an example of where there is a national approach, where there's an expectation of delivery on the local level. We've put £25 million into that, and it is making a significant difference.
So, obviously, one of the things that we've been involved with also is trying to roll out things like Professor Shepherd's programme of identifying violent behaviour, for example—where that's happening, how do we work with police and other authorities to identify where the problems are coming into emergency departments. It's not all violence; some of it is elderly people falling and tripping. It was very interesting last week to attend a conference that looks at the fracture liaison service. What do we do to intervene to stop people before they break a leg or they break a bone? There's a huge amount of evidence-based work that is going into that. We've put £1 million into that, to try and avoid people from going into hospital. So, it's all trying to push things into the prevention space, which is quite difficult when you've got the heat of the moment in ED really upon you, and those waiting lists.
Wel, wrth gwrs, byddwn yn disgwyl i'r byrddau iechyd eu hunain fod yn cadw'r wybodaeth honno. Ond yr hyn sydd gennym nawr yw Gweithrediaeth GIG Cymru, sy'n edrych yn agos iawn ar y manylder hwnnw. Ac mae'r rhaglen chwe nod y cyfeiriais ati yn enghraifft o ddull cenedlaethol, lle mae disgwyl cyflawni ar lefel leol. Rydym wedi dyrannu £25 miliwn i mewn i hwnnw, ac mae'n gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol.
Felly, yn amlwg, un o'r pethau eraill y buom yn ymwneud â nhw yw ceisio cyflwyno pethau fel rhaglen yr Athro Shepherd o adnabod ymddygiad treisgar, er enghraifft—lle mae hynny'n digwydd, sut rydym yn gweithio gyda'r heddlu ac awdurdodau eraill i nodi pan fo'r problemau'n dod i mewn i adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Mae'n ymwneud â mwy na thrais yn unig; mae rhywfaint ohono'n ymwneud â phobl oedrannus yn baglu ac yn cwympo. Yr wythnos diwethaf, mynychais gynhadledd sy'n edrych ar y gwasanaeth cyswllt toresgyrn, a oedd yn ddiddorol iawn. Beth y gallwn ni ei wneud i ymyrryd i atal pobl rhag torri coes neu dorri asgwrn? Mae llawer iawn o waith sy'n seiliedig ar dystiolaeth yn mynd i mewn i hynny. Rydym wedi dyrannu £1 filiwn ar gyfer hynny, er mwyn ceisio atal pobl rhag gorfod mynd i'r ysbyty. Felly, mae'r cyfan yn ceisio gwthio pethau i'r gofod atal, sy'n eithaf anodd pan ydych yng nghanol gwres y funud gyda'r adrannau brys, a'r rhestrau aros.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Sioned Williams.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Sioned Williams.
Diolch, Llywydd. Croeso i'ch rôl newydd chi, Weinidog. Hoffwn godi gyda chi y pryder mawr sydd yna am nifer y canolfannau dydd sy'n cau ledled Cymru. Mae'r canolfannau hyn wedi bod yn fwy nag adeiladau i gymaint o bobl sydd angen cefnogaeth yn y gymuned. Maen nhw'n ganolbwynt i fywydau pobl, yn cynnig pwynt cyswllt hollbwysig, yn cynnig gweithgareddau, cwmni, a chyfle i chwerthin, ac yn helpu lleddfu'r pwysau ar ofalwyr di-dâl. Mae Age Cymru wedi canfod bod nifer o awdurdodau lleol heb ailagor canolfannau ers y pandemig, er bod yr oedi cyn cael mynediad i wasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol wedi golygu bod angen y canolfannau hyn yn fwy nag erioed. Mae'r cyfyngiadau ar gyllidebau awdurdodau lleol yn golygu eu bod nhw'n torri gwasanaethau dydd, gydag o leiaf un awdurdod yng Nghymru yn awgrymu y byddan nhw'n cau pob canolfan, ac un arall yn dweud ei bod nhw'n mynd i haneru’r gyllideb ar gyfer rhoi seibiant i ofalwyr.
Yn sgil hyn, ydych chi'n cytuno bod angen mwy o ffocws, ac nid llai, ar ymyrraeth gynnar a gwaith ataliol a chefnogi yn y gymuned y mae gwasanaethau dydd yn rhan ganolog ohono? A pha ddata sy'n cael ei gasglu gan Lywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau bod y rhai sydd angen cefnogaeth yn y gymuned yn ei dderbyn, yn wyneb cau canolfannau dydd?
Thank you, Llywydd. Welcome to your new role, Minister. I'd like to raise with you the great concern that exists about the number of day centres closing across Wales. These centres have been more than just buildings for so many people who need support in the community. They have been at the heart of people's lives, offering a vital community contact point, offering activities, company, and a chance to laugh, and helping to ease the pressure on unpaid carers. Age Cymru has found that a number of local authorities have not reopened centres since the pandemic, even though the delays in accessing social care services has meant that the centres are needed more than ever. Restrictions on local authority budgets mean that they are cutting day services, with at least one local authority in Wales suggesting it will close all centres, and another saying that it will almost halve the budget for providing carers with respite.
As a result of this, do you agree that we need more of a focus, and not less of a focus, on early intervention and preventative work and support in the community, of which day services are a central part? And what data are being collected by the Government to ensure that those who need support in the community do receive it, in view of the closure of day centres?
Well, can I thank Sioned Williams for that question? And I very much look forward to working with you in your portfolio. I think I'm covering some aspects of it with Mabon as well, so I look forward very much to working with Mabon, because, I think, across my portfolio there are issues that are of common concern to all of us, and I hope we can work collaboratively together, not just with Plaid Cymru, but also with the Conservatives. We have many programme for government commitments and co-operation agreement commitments across the portfolio, particularly in relation to improved outcomes for children, which I know is a particular interest of yours, so I'm very much looking forward to that.
But the points that you make are obviously very important. The operation of day centres, of course, is a matter for local authorities, and we know, absolutely, that local authorities' finances have been under tremendous pressure, despite the fact that we have tried to prioritise their funding, along with funding for the NHS, within the budget constraints that we have. All of local authorities' budgets, as you know, are within the rates support grant, so they're not ring-fenced for any particular service. So, it is a matter for the local authority themselves—they're unhypothecated—whether they choose to prioritise social care and so on.
But I can be very clear that both the Cabinet Secretary for health and I have an absolute priority around the issue of delayed transfers of care, and I think that ties in very much with your question. You will have seen, for instance, over the weekend, last week, in the area that I represent—the Cwm Taf health area—Cwm Taf health board made it very clear to Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority that there were some 300 people in hospitals in the Cwm Taf area—that's the equivalent of a single general hospital—occupying beds who shouldn't have been there. And we know that that is an issue that has been going on for far too long. I met with the Welsh Local Government Association well-being and social care leads just last week, and talked about the need for us to press forward on this agenda of reducing the waits for people that are no longer required to be in hospital to come out. And day-care centres and social care provision are absolutely key to that.
So, all I can say to you is that I am having those conversations with local authorities. It is very much a priority that both the Cabinet Secretary for health and I have in terms of moving forward on the pathways for care, and we are continuing to have as constructive a dialogue as we can with local authorities about how, within the constraints of their budgets, and the constraints of our budget, we can both meet those joint objectives.
Wel, a gaf i ddiolch i Sioned Williams am y cwestiwn hwnnw? Edrychaf ymlaen yn fawr at weithio gyda chi yn eich portffolio. Rwy'n credu fy mod i'n ymdrin â rhai agweddau arno gyda Mabon hefyd, felly rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weithio gyda Mabon, oherwydd, rwy'n credu bod yna faterion ar draws fy mhortffolio sy'n peri pryder cyffredin i bob un ohonom, ac rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn weithio gyda'n gilydd, nid yn unig gyda Phlaid Cymru, ond hefyd gyda'r Ceidwadwyr. Mae gennym lawer o ymrwymiadau rhaglen lywodraethu ac ymrwymiadau'r cytundeb cydweithio ar draws y portffolio, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â gwell canlyniadau i blant, y gwn eu bod o ddiddordeb arbennig i chi, felly rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at hynny.
Ond mae'r pwyntiau a wnewch yn amlwg yn bwysig iawn. Mater i awdurdodau lleol yw gweithrediad canolfannau dydd wrth gwrs, ac fe wyddom, yn sicr, fod cyllid awdurdodau lleol wedi bod dan bwysau aruthrol, er ein bod wedi ceisio blaenoriaethu eu cyllid, ynghyd â chyllid i'r GIG, o fewn y cyfyngiadau cyllidebol sy'n ein hwynebu. Mae holl gyllidebau awdurdodau lleol, fel y gwyddoch, o fewn y grant cynnal ardrethi, felly nid ydynt wedi'u neilltuo ar gyfer unrhyw wasanaeth penodol. Felly, mater i'r awdurdod lleol eu hunain—nid ydynt wedi cael eu neilltuo—yw penderfynu a ydynt yn dewis blaenoriaethu gofal cymdeithasol ac yn y blaen.
Ond gallaf fod yn glir iawn fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros iechyd a minnau yn sicr yn blaenoriaethu oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal, ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n cyd-fynd â'ch cwestiwn. Byddwch wedi gweld, er enghraifft, dros y penwythnos, yr wythnos diwethaf, yn yr ardal rwy'n ei chynrychioli—ardal bwrdd iechyd Cwm Taf—mae bwrdd iechyd Cwm Taf wedi'i gwneud yn glir iawn i awdurdod lleol Rhondda Cynon Taf fod tua 300 o bobl mewn gwelyau mewn ysbytai yn ardal Cwm Taf—mae hynny'n cyfateb i un ysbyty cyffredinol—na ddylent fod yno. Ac fe wyddom fod hon yn broblem ers llawer gormod o amser. Cyfarfûm ag arweinwyr llesiant a gofal cymdeithasol Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru yr wythnos diwethaf, a soniais am yr angen i ni fwrw ymlaen â'r agenda hon o leihau'r amseroedd aros i ryddhau pobl nad oes angen iddynt fod yn yr ysbyty mwyach. Ac mae canolfannau gofal dydd a darpariaeth gofal cymdeithasol yn gwbl allweddol i hynny.
Felly, y cyfan y gallaf ei ddweud wrthych yw fy mod yn cael y sgyrsiau hynny gydag awdurdodau lleol. Mae'n sicr yn flaenoriaeth yr wyf fi ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros iechyd yn ei rhannu wrth symud ymlaen ar y llwybrau gofal, ac rydym yn parhau i gael deialog mor adeiladol ag y gallwn gydag awdurdodau lleol ynglŷn â sut y gallwn gyflawni'r amcanion hynny ar y cyd o fewn cyfyngiadau eu cyllidebau nhw, a chyfyngiadau ein cyllideb ni.
Diolch yn fawr. Ie, y pwynt yw bod y gwasanaethau dydd yna yn chwarae rhan mor bwysig yn y gwaith ataliol yna rhag bod pobl yn gorfod cael mynediad at wasanaethau iechyd a gofal yn y lle cyntaf, a lleddfu'r pwysau. Mae nifer o bobl wedi gofyn i Age Cymru am gymorth yn sgil y ffaith nad ydyn nhw wedi cael gwybod o flaen llaw y byddai'n rhaid iddyn nhw dalu am ofal cymdeithasol. Maen nhw wedi tynnu sylw at achosion lle mae pobl hŷn wedi gorfod talu yn sylweddol yn fwy na'r hyn mae'r ddeddfwriaeth yn caniatáu. Ac, yn eu harolwg blynyddol, dywedodd 34 y cant eu bod yn ei ffeindio fe'n anodd neu'n hynod anodd i ddeall trefniadau codi tâl am ofal. Gan fod y drefn taliadau wedi bod mewn lle ers peth amser, pa waith sy'n cael ei wneud i sicrhau bod y broses yn glir ac yn deg? Ac, wrth gwrs, mae'r Llywodraeth yn ymgynghori ar hyn o bryd ar ddiwygio'r rheoliadau a'r cod ymarfer sy'n rheoli'r hyn mae awdurdodau lleol yn gallu ei godi, ac, yn benodol, ar godi'r uchafswm wythnosol nawr i £120—rhywbeth y gwnaeth y Llywodraeth addo peidio â gwneud, wrth gwrs.
Nawr eich bod chi yn y portffolio yma, a ydych chi'n credu, Weinidog, ei bod hi'n deg gofyn i ofalwyr a phobl hŷn, a phobl anabl, rhai sydd yn teimlo'r pwysau ariannol ac emosiynol fwyaf yn ein cymdeithas, i dalu mwy am eu gofal, o ystyried nad yw hyn, yn ei gyfanrwydd, yn swm anferthol o arian i'r Llywodraeth ei ganfod?
Thank you very much. Yes, the point is that those day centres do play such an important role in that preventative work to prevent people from having to access health and care services in the first place, and ameliorate that pressure. A number of people have asked Age Cymru for support due to the fact that they have not been informed in advance that they would have to pay for social care. They have also cited cases where elderly people have had to pay significantly more than what the legislation allows for. And, in their annual engagement survey, 34 per cent said that they find it difficult or extremely difficult to understand the payment arrangements for care. Given that the payment system has been in place for some time, what work is being done to ensure that the process is clear and fair? And, of course, the Government is currently consulting on amending the regulations and the code of practice that govern what local authorities can charge, and, specifically, on raising the weekly maximum to £120. This is something that the Government promised not to do, of course.
Now that you have this portfolio, do you believe, Cabinet Secretary, that it is fair to ask carers and older people, and disabled people, those who feel the greatest financial and emotional pressure in our society, to pay more for their care, considering that this, in its entirety, is not a huge amount of money for the Government to find?
I thank you for that further question, which I think, again, is very important when we're looking at the whole way in which social care is currently delivered. Again, in co-operation with Plaid Cymru, we are moving towards a national care service in due course. It's a 10-year programme, and it may take us some time to get there. But we have a shared objective around that and in making sure that that provision is available for the very people that you've just been talking about. I would want to be very sure that people do understand very clearly what they have to pay for and what they don't have to pay for. And, if I can find that that is not happening, I would certainly want to have that conversation with officials to make sure that local authorities are producing very, very clear and understandable guidance. I know, from my own experience—
Diolch i chi am y cwestiwn pellach hwnnw, sy'n bwysig iawn unwaith eto wrth edrych ar y ffordd y mae gofal cymdeithasol yn cael ei ddarparu ar hyn o bryd. Unwaith eto, mewn cydweithrediad â Phlaid Cymru, rydym yn symud tuag at wasanaeth gofal cenedlaethol maes o law. Mae'n rhaglen 10 mlynedd, ac efallai y bydd yn cymryd peth amser i ni ei chyflawni. Ond mae gennym amcan a rennir yn hynny o beth ac wrth sicrhau bod y ddarpariaeth honno ar gael i'r union bobl yr ydych newydd sôn amdanynt. Byddwn eisiau bod yn sicr fod pobl yn deall yn glir iawn beth mae'n rhaid iddynt dalu amdano a'r hyn nad oes rhaid iddynt dalu amdano. Ac os gwelaf nad yw hynny'n digwydd, byddwn yn sicr eisiau cael y sgwrs honno gyda swyddogion i sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn cynhyrchu canllawiau clir a dealladwy iawn. Rwy'n gwybod, o fy mhrofiad fy hun—
[Inaudible.]
[Anghlywadwy.]
—yes, absolutely, absolutely. I absolutely know, Sioned, from my own experience, when my father was going through the system before he died. And this is somebody like me, who probably does have an idea of how the system works. And I really struggled to try to get to speak to the right people, at the right time, with the right information, being passed from pillar to post, and that is extremely stressful for individuals and their families. So, we do need to make the system more transparent. We need to ensure that absolutely—you're right—that the staff themselves have all the information that they need, and, if that is not happening, I would want to make sure that it is, that it becomes clearer and is a simpler and more unified process for people to navigate.
On the consultation around domiciliary care in particular, that hasn't closed yet; that's going on through until May. This is something very much that local authorities have been asking for. I tend to agree with your analysis that what is being suggested, in terms of the lifting of the cap, is not a huge amount of money, but it is something that local authorities are saying that they need. But there is very robust process within that, which does ensure that people that can't afford to pay more than the current maximum level shouldn't pay. Now, I would want to ensure that, absolutely, that stays, and if that means that we have to review those rules to make sure that nobody falls through the gaps, then I'm absolutely clear that we should do that, because nobody should be denied care because they can't afford it.
—ie, yn hollol. Rwy'n gwybod yn iawn, Sioned, o fy mhrofiad fy hun, pan oedd fy nhad yn mynd drwy'r system cyn iddo farw. A rhywun fel fi yw hyn, sydd â syniad o sut mae'r system yn gweithio, mae'n debyg. Ac roeddwn i'n ei chael hi'n anodd iawn siarad â'r bobl gywir, ar yr adeg gywir, gyda'r wybodaeth gywir, yn cael fy nhrosglwyddo o bant i bentan, ac mae hynny'n straen fawr ar unigolion a'u teuluoedd. Felly, mae angen inni wneud y system yn fwy tryloyw. Mae angen inni sicrhau—rydych chi'n iawn—fod gan y staff eu hunain yr holl wybodaeth y maent ei hangen, ac os nad yw hynny'n digwydd, byddwn eisiau sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd, a sicrhau bod y broses yn dod yn gliriach ac yn symlach ac yn fwy unedig i bobl ei llywio.
Ar yr ymgynghoriad ar ofal cartref yn benodol, nid yw hwnnw wedi cau eto; mae'n parhau tan fis Mai. Mae hwn yn rhywbeth y mae awdurdodau lleol wedi bod yn gofyn amdano. Rwy'n tueddu i gytuno â'ch dadansoddiad nad yw'r hyn sy'n cael ei awgrymu, o ran codi'r cap, yn swm enfawr o arian, ond mae awdurdodau lleol yn dweud eu bod ei angen. Ond mae yna broses gadarn iawn o fewn hynny, sy'n sicrhau na ddylai pobl na allant fforddio talu mwy na'r lefel uchaf bresennol orfod talu. Nawr, hoffwn sicrhau, yn sicr, fod hynny'n aros, ac os yw hynny'n golygu bod yn rhaid inni adolygu'r rheolau hynny i sicrhau nad oes neb yn syrthio drwy'r bylchau, rwy'n gwbl sicr y dylem wneud hynny, oherwydd ni ddylid gwrthod gofal i unrhyw un am na allant ei fforddio.
3. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am gynnydd Llywodraeth Cymru wrth fynd i'r afael â rhestrau aros y GIG? OQ61025
3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's progress in tackling NHS waiting lists? OQ61025
Latest figures show six of seven health boards have hit the target to ensure 97 per cent of all waits are less than 104 weeks. The number of pathways waiting for more than two years fell again for the twenty-third month in a row. The average waiting time is now around 21 weeks.
Mae'r ffigurau diweddaraf yn dangos bod chwech o saith bwrdd iechyd wedi cyrraedd y targed i sicrhau bod 97 y cant o'r holl arosiadau yn llai na 104 wythnos. Mae nifer y llwybrau sy'n aros am fwy na dwy flynedd wedi gostwng eto am y trydydd mis ar hugain yn olynol. Mae'r amser aros cyfartalog oddeutu 21 wythnos erbyn hyn.
Thank you for your response, Cabinet Secretary. I recently spoke with Together for Short Lives and Tŷ Hafan about the critical support they provide to children with life-changing illnesses, as well as their families. This care is predominantly centred around palliative care and provides invaluable respite and support for families at some of the most difficult moments imaginable. Tŷ Hafan and Together for Short Lives have outlined their need for further funding to cater for a much needed boost in the number of community children nurses, and have previously called for funding to cover 21 per cent of their costs, despite only currently receiving between 5 per cent and 10 per cent from the Welsh Government to cover this critical service. This is understandably impacting the number of patients these organisations are able to reach. At the moment, the figure stands at one in 10 children in Wales who are getting the critical care that they and their families so desperately need and want. So, Cabinet Secretary, as I'm sure you can appreciate, this has a knock-on effect on our NHS, meaning that nine out of 10 of these children are, therefore, going to be put on a waiting list. So, with this in mind, Cabinet Secretary, what plans do you have to improve access to care in the community for critically ill children across Wales, which will in tandem alleviate this pressure on our NHS waiting lists? Thank you.
Diolch am eich ymateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Yn ddiweddar, siaradais â Together for Short Lives a Tŷ Hafan am y gefnogaeth hanfodol y maent yn ei darparu i blant sydd â salwch sy'n newid bywyd, yn ogystal â'u teuluoedd. Mae'r gofal hwn yn canolbwyntio'n bennaf ar ofal lliniarol ac mae'n darparu seibiant a chymorth amhrisiadwy i deuluoedd ar rai o'r adegau anoddaf posibl. Mae Tŷ Hafan a Together for Short Lives wedi amlinellu eu hangen am gyllid pellach i ddarparu ar gyfer hwb mawr ei angen yn nifer y nyrsys plant cymunedol, ac maent wedi galw o'r blaen am gyllid i dalu am 21 y cant o'u costau, er mai dim ond rhwng 5 y cant a 10 y cant y maent yn ei gael gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar hyn o bryd i dalu am y gwasanaeth hanfodol hwn. Mae hyn yn ddealladwy yn effeithio ar nifer y cleifion y gall y sefydliadau hyn eu cyrraedd. Ar hyn o bryd, un o bob 10 plentyn yng Nghymru sy'n cael y gofal critigol y maent hwy a'u teuluoedd ei angen a'i eisiau'n daer. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fel y gallwch ddeall, mae hyn yn cael effaith ganlyniadol ar ein GIG, sy'n golygu y bydd naw o bob deg o'r plant hyn felly yn cael eu rhoi ar restr aros. Felly, gyda hyn mewn golwg, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa gynlluniau sydd gennych i wella mynediad at ofal yn y gymuned i blant sy'n ddifrifol wael ledled Cymru, a fydd hefyd yn lleddfu'r pwysau ar restrau aros y GIG? Diolch.
Thanks very much, Natasha, and you're quite right that it's probably the most difficult area of all and an area that I'm absolutely committed to addressing. That's why, in the past month, I have given an extra £4 million to hospices in Wales. Let's not forget that, in hospices, the vast majority of the work is done in the community. Certainly, on a visit to St David's Hospice with my colleague Jayne Bryant a few months ago, it really came home to me how much of that work is done in the community. We recognised that, whilst many of the experts who work in this field—and you can imagine the kind of expertise you need in that role, and you've got to be a pretty robust person to be able to work in that very, very challenging space—. One of the challenges was that, actually, we'd given a pay rise to those working in the NHS, but we hadn't given a commensurate pay rise to those working in hospices. So, we hope that the £4 million will go some way towards addressing that issue. I met with those hospices a couple of weeks ago, and I know they were very grateful for that additional funding.
Diolch yn fawr, Natasha, ac rydych chi'n hollol iawn mai hwn, mwy na thebyg, yw'r maes anoddaf ohonynt i gyd ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i fynd i'r afael ag ef. Dyna pam, yn ystod y mis diwethaf, rwyf wedi rhoi £4 miliwn ychwanegol i hosbisau yng Nghymru. Gadewch inni beidio ag anghofio, mewn hosbisau, fod y rhan fwyaf o'r gwaith yn cael ei wneud yn y gymuned. Yn sicr, ar ymweliad â Hosbis Dewi Sant gyda fy nghyd-Aelod Jayne Bryant ychydig fisoedd yn ôl, sylweddolais faint o'r gwaith hwnnw sy'n cael ei wneud yn y gymuned. Fe wnaethom ni gydnabod, er bod llawer o'r arbenigwyr sy'n gweithio yn y maes hwn—a gallwch ddychmygu'r math o arbenigedd sydd ei angen arnoch yn y rôl honno, ac mae'n rhaid ichi fod yn berson eithaf cadarn i allu gweithio yn y maes hynod heriol hwnnw—. Un o'r heriau oedd ein bod, mewn gwirionedd, wedi rhoi codiad cyflog i'r rhai sy'n gweithio yn y GIG, ond nid oeddem wedi rhoi codiad cyflog cymesur i'r rhai sy'n gweithio mewn hosbisau. Felly, rydym yn gobeithio y bydd y £4 miliwn yn mynd rywfaint o'r ffordd tuag at fynd i'r afael â hynny. Cyfarfûm â'r hosbisau hynny ychydig wythnosau'n ôl, a gwn eu bod yn ddiolchgar iawn am y cyllid ychwanegol hwnnw.
The Cabinet Secretary said in an interview with the PA news agency recently,
'What we’ve been trying to do is to concentrate on the longest waiters.'
Should she be concentrating on the longest waiters or, in fact, should she be concentrating on those in greatest need?
Dywedodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet mewn cyfweliad gydag asiantaeth newyddion PA yn ddiweddar,
'Yr hyn y buom yn ceisio ei wneud yw canolbwyntio ar y rhai sydd wedi bod yn aros hiraf.'
A ddylai fod yn canolbwyntio ar y rhai sydd wedi bod yn aros hiraf neu a ddylai fod yn canolbwyntio ar y rhai sydd â'r angen mwyaf?
Thanks very much. The fact is, we've been—. If you look at the overall numbers who need support, we are talking about hundreds of thousands of people. So, how do you prioritise those? You're absolutely right—we have to look at the most urgent cases. The question for me is, if you balance off and if you look at the experts who say what percentage, more or less, are in the urgent bracket, most health boards are categorising far too many as urgent cases, which means that those people who are waiting longest, sometimes with quite complex cases, are put on 'never' lists, and that is not an acceptable situation, which is why one of the things I've been doing is spending a huge amount of time really chasing down those people who've been on very long waiting lists, unacceptably long, waiting in pain. Of course, urgent cases always go to the front of the queue, but there are too many of them jumping the queue at the expense of those people who've been on the waiting lists for a very, very long time.
Diolch yn fawr. Y gwir amdani yw, rydym wedi bod—. Os edrychwch chi ar y niferoedd cyffredinol sydd angen cefnogaeth, rydym yn siarad am gannoedd o filoedd o bobl. Felly, sut rydych chi'n blaenoriaethu'r rheini? Rydych chi'n hollol iawn—mae'n rhaid inni edrych ar yr achosion mwyaf difrifol. Y cwestiwn i mi yw, os ydych chi'n ceisio cydbwyso ac os edrychwch chi ar yr arbenigwyr sy'n dweud pa ganran, fwy neu lai, sydd yn y categori brys, mae'r rhan fwyaf o fyrddau iechyd yn categoreiddio llawer gormod fel achosion brys, sy'n golygu bod y bobl sy'n aros am yr amser hiraf, gydag achosion eithaf cymhleth weithiau, yn cael eu rhoi ar restrau 'byth', ac nid yw honno'n sefyllfa dderbyniol, a dyna pam mai un o'r pethau y bûm yn eu gwneud yw treulio llawer iawn o amser yn mynd ar drywydd y bobl sydd wedi bod ar restrau aros hir iawn, annerbyniol o hir, yn aros mewn poen. Wrth gwrs, mae achosion brys bob amser yn mynd i flaen y ciw, ond mae gormod ohonynt yn neidio'r ciw ar draul y bobl sydd wedi bod ar y rhestrau aros am amser hir iawn.
4. Pa waith cynllunio gweithlu, hyfforddiant, a datblygu y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud ar gyfer deintyddiaeth yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru? OQ61018
4. What workforce, training, and development planning has the Welsh Government undertaken for dentistry in Mid and West Wales? OQ61018
Byrddau iechyd unigol sy'n gyfrifol am gynllunio'r gweithlu, ar sail anghenion a gofynion penodol eu poblogaeth. Maen nhw’n gwneud hyn drwy eu cynlluniau tymor canolig integredig, sy’n cael eu cyflwyno i Addysg a Gwella Iechyd Cymru. Mae’r cynlluniau hyn yn llywio cynllun comisiynu addysg a hyfforddiant Cymru.
Workforce planning is the responsibility of individual health boards, based on the specific needs and requirements of their population. This is done via their integrated medium-term plans, which are submitted to Health Education and Improvement Wales. These plans inform the education and training commissioning plan for Wales.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Fel rydyn ni wedi clywed nifer o weithiau yn y Siambr yn barod heddiw, mae yna brinder deintyddion, prinder deintyddion sy'n siarad Cymraeg, yn ein canolbarth ni'n dau ac yn ehangach hefyd. Dwi'n falch o glywed bod gosod cyfundrefn hyfforddiant briodol yn hollbwysig er mwyn sicrhau'r genhedlaeth nesaf o ddeintyddion. Felly, fe wnes i synnu wrth glywed yn ddiweddar iawn am ferch ifanc o Geredigion oedd wedi cael ei gwrthod a ddim wedi cael ei derbyn ar gwrs deintyddiaeth yng Nghaerdydd, a ddim hyd yn oed wedi cael cynnig cyfweliad. Roedd disgwyl iddi gyrraedd y graddau disgwyliedig i fynd mewn i'r ysgol ddeintyddiaeth. Erbyn hyn, mae hi bellach yn ystyried astudio y tu fas i Gymru. Dyw'r stori hon ddim yn newydd. Nôl yn 2019, dangosodd adroddiad ar ddeintyddiaeth yng Nghymru gan y pwyllgor iechyd yn y Senedd yma fod angen system recriwtio mwy effeithiol i sicrhau cynnydd yng nghyfraddau myfyrwyr o Gymru sydd yn astudio deintyddiaeth—y rhai sydd yn dod o Gymru. Felly, gan ystyried profiad yr etholwraig dwi wedi cyfeirio ati, gaf i ofyn beth mae'r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu gwneud er mwyn mynd i'r afael â'r argymhelliad penodol yna, a sut fedrwch chi fynd ati i sicrhau bod cenhedlaeth newydd o ddeintyddion y dyfodol yn hanu o Gymru, gan gynnwys rhai sy'n siarad Cymraeg?
Thank you very much. As we've heard on a number of occasions in the Chamber this afternoon, there is a shortage of dentists, a shortage of Welsh-speaking dentists, in mid and west Wales and more broadly too. I'm pleased to hear that putting the appropriate training resource in place is crucial to ensure the next generation of dentists. So, I was surprised to hear recently about a young woman from Ceredigion who had been denied a place on a dentistry course in Cardiff, and hadn't even been offered an interview. She was expected to meet the grades to enter the school of dentistry. She is now considering studying outside of Wales. This is not a new story. Back in 2019, a report on dentistry in Wales by the Senedd's health committee highlighted the need for a more effective recruitment system to ensure an increase in the rates of students from Wales studying dentistry—those coming from Wales. So, given the experiences of the constituent to whom I've referred, can I ask what the Government is intending to do in order to tackle that particular recommendation, and how can you ensure that a new generation of dentists for the future comes from Wales and includes Welsh speakers?
Diolch yn fawr. Rŷch chi'n iawn—dwi'n meddwl bod problem wedi bod yn y maes yma. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ariannu tu 74 lle yn ysgol deintyddiaeth Caerdydd, ac mae ceisiadau a llefydd wedi cynyddu 23 y cant ers 2023. Ond mae wirioneddol yn siomedig faint o fyfyrwyr o Gymru sy'n cael lle ar y cwrs. Mae'r ysgol feddygaeth wedi gwneud camau anhygoel i wella'r sefyllfa, ac rŷch chi wedi gweld gwahaniaeth yn y niferoedd sy'n dod o Gymru.
Nawr, dwi'n gwybod bod yr ysgol deintyddiaeth yn rhoi cyfweliadau i bob ymgeisydd o Gymru sy'n cwrdd â gofynion academaidd a safonau'r cwrs, ond hefyd y rhai sydd wedi cymryd rhan yng nghyrsiau ehangu cyfranogiad a sawl cwrs arall. Ond y ffaith yw efallai fod hwnna'n anodd i rywun sydd yn y gorllewin, i gael mynediad at y cyrsiau hynny. Felly, rŷn ni wedi gwneud hwn yn glir nawr—ces i gyfarfod yn ddiweddar gyda'r ysgol deintyddiaeth ar ôl i mi gael sgwrs gyda'r Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol am Gymraeg, achos dwi yn meddwl bod hyn yn broblem. Dwi'n falch dros ben eu bod nhw wedi cydnabod bod yna broblem yma, ac maen nhw wedi gwneud ymrwymiad i gynyddu'r niferoedd i tua 40 y cant o fyfyrwyr ar y cwrs yn ystod y tair blynedd nesaf. Os yw hwnna'n digwydd, bydd hwnna'n chwyldro, ac felly, yn amlwg, mae'n rhaid i ni gadw golwg ar hynny.
Dwi wedi cytuno i fynd i gwrs maen nhw'n ei gynnal yn ysgol Glantaf, lle maen nhw'n dod â lot o blant o ysgolion gwahanol sy'n medru'r Gymraeg sydd â diddordeb i fynd i mewn i feddygaeth a deintyddiaeth jest i wneud yn siŵr eu bod nhw'n deall bod yna lwybr yma iddyn nhw. Ac, wrth gwrs, rŷch chi'n ymwybodol hefyd fod yna grant ychwanegol o £7,000 i annog pobl sydd ar y cwrs yna i wneud eu hyfforddiant nhw yng nghefn gwlad Nghymru.
Thank you very much. You are quite right—I think there has been a problem in this area. The Welsh Government is funding around 74 places in the Cardiff school of dentistry, but applications and places have increased 23 per cent since 2023. But it is truly disappointing how many students from Wales are given places on the course. The school of dentistry has taken huge steps to improve the situation, and you will have seen a difference in the numbers coming from Wales.
Now, I know that the school of dentistry is giving interviews to all Welsh applicants who meet the academic requirements and the standards of the course, but also those who have participated in enhancing participation courses and a number of other courses. But the fact is that that might be difficult for someone in west Wales, to actually access those courses. So, we have made this clear now—and I did have a recent meeting with the school of dentistry, having had a conversation with the Minister responsible for the Welsh language, because I do think that this is a problem. I am delighted that they have acknowledged that there is a problem here, and they have made a commitment to increase the numbers to around 40 per cent of students on the course over the next three years. Now, if that happens, then that is transformative, and, clearly, we need to keep an eye on that.
I have agreed to attend a course at ysgol Glantaf, where they bring a number of pupils from different schools who are Welsh speakers and are interested in going into medicine and dentistry just to ensure that they understand that there is a pathway for them here. Of course, you'll also be aware that there is an additional grant of £7,000 to encourage people on that course to undertake their training in rural Wales.
Minister, I think the position of accessing NHS dentists was pretty dire 12 months ago, and I’ve heard what you’ve said today in response to other questions, but the position is even more dire today. Just this week, I had a constituent in Welshpool unable to access an NHS dentist. They are four NHS dentists short in Welshpool. In Newtown, the largest town in my constituency, the last full-time NHS dentist moved away over the border to England last week. There is now no full-time dentist in Newtown, the largest town in my constituency, at all. So, the position is pretty dire.
Now, I’ve heard some of the exchanges today in this Chamber, and my concern is you continue to get questions from Senedd Members across all parties here about the position, but what is going to happen? What can be done? Now, I’ve heard your response to Janet Finch-Saunders’s question today, and I welcome the financial grant that’s available in order to persuade people to be recruited, and that rural offer. I welcome that, but, as you said yourself—and I agree with you—you can’t just conjure up new dentists overnight. So, in addition to that, I think there are two other things that need to be done. We need to re-examine the NHS contract, because it’s clearly not working. If it was working, we wouldn’t be in the position that we’re in. We need to stop dentists moving from NHS to private and moving over the border. And we also need an offer to attract experienced dentists to come and place themselves in Wales, particularly rural Wales as well—so, experienced dentists working elsewhere in the UK, and there needs to be a financial incentive for that. But, ultimately, when do you think that my constituents, people living in towns like Newtown and Welshpool, will be able to access an NHS dentist in the town where they live?
Weinidog, rwy'n credu bod y sefyllfa o ran mynediad at ddeintyddion y GIG yn eithaf enbyd 12 mis yn ôl, ac rwyf wedi clywed yr hyn rydych chi wedi'i ddweud heddiw mewn ymateb i gwestiynau eraill, ond mae'r sefyllfa hyd yn oed yn fwy enbyd heddiw. Yr wythnos hon, roedd gennyf etholwr yn y Trallwng yn methu cael mynediad at ddeintydd y GIG. Maent bedwar deintydd GIG yn fyr yn y Trallwng. Yn y Drenewydd, y dref fwyaf yn fy etholaeth i, symudodd deintydd amser llawn olaf y GIG dros y ffin i Loegr yr wythnos diwethaf. Erbyn hyn, nid oes unrhyw ddeintydd amser llawn yn y Drenewydd, y dref fwyaf yn fy etholaeth. Felly, mae'r sefyllfa'n enbyd.
Nawr, rwyf wedi clywed rhai o'r pethau a ddywedwyd heddiw yn y Siambr, a fy mhryder i yw eich bod yn parhau i gael cwestiynau gan Aelodau'r Senedd o bob plaid yma am y sefyllfa, ond beth sy'n mynd i ddigwydd? Beth y gellir ei wneud? Nawr, rwyf wedi clywed eich ymateb i gwestiwn Janet Finch-Saunders heddiw, ac rwy'n croesawu'r grant ariannol sydd ar gael er mwyn perswadio pobl i gael eu recriwtio, a'r cynnig gwledig. Rwy'n croesawu hynny, ond fel y dywedoch chi'ch hun—ac rwy'n cytuno â chi—ni allwch gonsurio deintyddion newydd dros nos. Felly, yn ogystal â hynny, rwy'n credu bod dau beth arall y mae angen eu gwneud. Mae angen inni ailedrych ar gontract y GIG, oherwydd mae'n amlwg nad yw'n gweithio. Pe bai'n gweithio, ni fyddem yn y sefyllfa yr ydym ynddi. Mae angen inni atal deintyddion rhag symud o'r GIG i'r sector preifat a symud dros y ffin. Ac rydym hefyd angen cynnig i ddenu deintyddion profiadol i ddod i Gymru, yn enwedig y Gymru wledig hefyd—felly, deintyddion profiadol sy'n gweithio mewn mannau eraill yn y DU, ac mae angen cymhelliant ariannol ar gyfer hynny. Ond yn y pen draw, pryd rydych chi'n meddwl y bydd fy etholwyr, pobl sy'n byw mewn trefi fel y Drenewydd a'r Trallwng, yn gallu cael mynediad at ddeintydd y GIG yn y dref lle maent yn byw?
Thanks very much. As you know, we've done a huge amount of work to try and already change the contract. It's very interesting that England is looking at changing the model that they've got because they recognise that something has to be done there. So, we do have those 300,000 new NHS appointments that have been delivered. We are actually in the middle of negotiating a new contract with NHS dentists. It's very difficult because, actually, they have a choice—they can go and practise privately, and we simply don't have the money, very often, to compete. They do get lots more security if they work in the NHS, and they get pensions and lots of other benefits, but they have to balance that off against what they can get in the private sector. So, it is very difficult, at a time of tight financial constraints, for us to do that. And, of course, it's much more expensive to get your NHS treatment done in England compared to Wales, although we've had to put up prices recently. And, of course, today they've announced that there's going to be a £9.90 charge for any prescription in England. Of course, that is free for people in Wales, and I’m pleased that that is the case.
Diolch yn fawr. Fel y gwyddoch, rydym wedi gwneud llawer iawn o waith i geisio newid y contract yn barod. Mae'n ddiddorol iawn fod Lloegr yn edrych ar newid y model sydd ganddynt oherwydd eu bod yn cydnabod bod rhaid gwneud rhywbeth yno. Felly, mae gennym y 300,000 o apwyntiadau GIG newydd wedi'u cyflawni. Rydym yn y broses o drafod contract newydd gyda deintyddion y GIG. Mae'n anodd iawn oherwydd, mewn gwirionedd, mae ganddynt ddewis—gallant fynd i weithio yn y sector preifat, ac yn aml iawn, nid oes gennym ni'r arian i gystadlu. Maent yn cael llawer mwy o ddiogelwch os ydynt yn gweithio yn y GIG, ac maent yn cael pensiynau a llawer o fudd-daliadau eraill, ond mae'n rhaid iddynt gydbwyso hynny yn erbyn yr hyn y gallant ei gael yn y sector preifat. Felly, mae'n anodd iawn i ni wneud hynny, ar adeg o gyfyngiadau ariannol tynn. Ac wrth gwrs, mae'n llawer mwy costus i rywun gael eu trin gan y GIG yn Lloegr o'i gymharu â Chymru, er ein bod wedi gorfod codi prisiau yn ddiweddar. Ac wrth gwrs, maent wedi cyhoeddi heddiw y bydd tâl o £9.90 am unrhyw bresgripsiwn yn Lloegr. Wrth gwrs, mae hynny'n rhad ac am ddim i bobl yng Nghymru, ac rwy'n falch o hynny.
5. Beth yw strategaeth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer gwella'r ddarpariaeth gofal iechyd yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OQ61026
5. What is the Welsh Government's strategy for improving healthcare provision in South Wales West? OQ61026
We recognise the need to improve healthcare provision throughout Wales, and are working with health boards to achieve this through 'A Healthier Wales', our 10-year plan for health and care.
Rydym yn cydnabod yr angen i wella darpariaeth gofal iechyd ledled Cymru, ac rydym yn gweithio gyda byrddau iechyd i gyflawni hyn drwy 'Cymru Iachach', ein cynllun 10 mlynedd ar gyfer iechyd a gofal.
Diolch yn fawr. Cabinet Secretary, earlier this month Morriston Hospital in Swansea issued yet another black alert due to exceptional demand. It's not the first time Morriston Hospital has had to issue such a notice. In fact, there have been nine separate black alert incidents in the last 12 months at Morriston. A black alert should only be implemented in exceptional circumstances, but the frequency with which we're seeing them now in Morriston suggests that they're anything but exceptional. It's experiencing continually high demand that they are clearly struggling to meet, and we all know why. It's because this Welsh Labour Government is the only one in the UK to cut an NHS budget not once, not twice, but three times in total. So, isn't it clear for all to see that the decision of this Welsh Labour Government to prioritise vanity projects like 20 mph speed limits and more politicians is having a real-world impact on our NHS and on those that rely on it the most?
Diolch yn fawr. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yn gynharach y mis hwn, cyhoeddodd Ysbyty Treforys yn Abertawe rybudd du arall fyth oherwydd galw eithriadol. Nid dyma'r tro cyntaf i Ysbyty Treforys orfod cyhoeddi hysbysiad o'r fath. Yn wir, bu naw gwahanol ddigwyddiad rhybudd du yn ystod y 12 mis diwethaf yn Nhreforys. Dim ond mewn amgylchiadau eithriadol y dylid cyhoeddi rhybudd du, ond mae'r amlder a welwn yn Nhreforys yn awgrymu eu bod yn unrhyw beth ond eithriadol. Mae'n amlwg eu bod yn ei chael hi'n anodd ateb galw uchel parhaus, a gŵyr pob un ohonom pam. Mae'n digwydd am mai Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yw’r unig un yn y DU i dorri cyllideb y GIG nid unwaith, nid ddwywaith, ond deirgwaith i gyd. Felly, onid yw'n glir i bawb fod penderfyniad Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru i flaenoriaethu prosiectau porthi balchder fel terfynau cyflymder 20 mya a rhagor o wleidyddion yn cael effaith ddiriaethol ar ein GIG ac ar y rhai sy'n dibynnu arno fwyaf?
You're quite right—the demand on the service is quite incredible. One of the things we've seen is a huge increase in the number of referrals to the NHS. In 2019, it was 1 million a year; in 2023, 1.2 million a year. That's a significant increase in the number of people. The number of people tested for cancer in 2019 was 8,000. Today, it's 14,000. That's a 75 per cent increase. So, of course, the pressures on our services are increasing. Some of that is a good thing in the sense that if you check people out, then you're more likely to catch cancer early, and that's a good thing for the patient.
Of course, those challenges in Swansea need to be addressed. Some of that is about delayed transfers of care, so there is a need to work much more closely with local authorities. But I do think that it's a bit self-indulgent to look at the fantasy politics that you're talking about, Tom. The fact is it's your Government that crashed the economy and has left us in a situation where we invest significantly less in health compared to the rest of Europe.
Rydych yn llygad eich lle—mae'r galw ar y gwasanaeth yn anhygoel. Un o'r pethau a welsom yw cynnydd enfawr yn nifer yr atgyfeiriadau i'r GIG. Yn 2019, roedd yn 1 filiwn y flwyddyn; yn 2023, 1.2 miliwn y flwyddyn. Mae hwnnw’n gynnydd sylweddol yn nifer y bobl. Nifer y bobl a gafodd brawf am ganser yn 2019 oedd 8,000. Heddiw, mae'n 14,000. Dyna gynnydd o 75 y cant. Felly, wrth gwrs, mae’r pwysau ar ein gwasanaethau'n cynyddu. Mae rhywfaint o hynny'n beth da yn yr ystyr, os ydych chi'n archwilio pobl, rydych chi'n fwy tebygol o ddal canser yn gynnar, ac mae hynny'n beth da i'r claf.
Wrth gwrs, mae angen mynd i’r afael â’r heriau hynny yn Abertawe. Mae rhywfaint o hynny'n ymwneud ag oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal, felly mae angen gweithio’n llawer agosach gydag awdurdodau lleol. Ond credaf ei bod braidd yn hunanfoddhaol i edrych ar y wleidyddiaeth ffantasïol y soniwch chi amdani, Tom. Y gwir amdani yw mai eich Llywodraeth chi a chwalodd yr economi ac sydd wedi ein gadael mewn sefyllfa lle rydym yn buddsoddi llawer llai mewn iechyd o gymharu â gweddill Ewrop.
6. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod pobl ag anableddau dysgu'n cael gofal priodol yn y gymuned? OQ61013
6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that people with learning disabilities receive appropriate care in the community? OQ61013
Diolch. The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, people with learning disabilities are cared for at home rather than in a hospital. It is for health boards and local authorities to determine how people are best cared for based on their individual clinical and care needs.
Diolch. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau, lle bynnag y bo modd, fod pobl ag anableddau dysgu yn cael gofal gartref yn hytrach nag mewn ysbyty. Mater i fyrddau iechyd ac awdurdodau lleol yw penderfynu ar y ffordd orau o ofalu am bobl ar sail eu hanghenion clinigol a gofal unigol.
Diolch a chroeso, Weinidog.
Thank you and welcome, Minister.
I met last year with representatives of the Stolen Lives campaign, and I know Sioned Williams was at the protest last week on the steps. I joined her as well to talk to young adults who have been detained in care for far too long. They've launched a petition entitled 'Stop the detention of learning disabled and autistic children, young people and adults in hospitals'. Again, I always think of my own daughter, who is nine years old this year. In 10 years' time, could she be facing those same circumstances alongside so many parents that turned up at the protest last week?
I've also met with constituents of mine whose autistic son is currently an in-patient at a mental health unit in a local hospital, but between November 2023 and April 2024 was held in prison where staff and psychologists remarked on how well he reacted to the structure and routine of prison life. I've met with the Equality and Human Rights Commission to ask that these issues are addressed and investigated. I think however well he adapted to prison, he shouldn't have been there in the first place. Anyone else remanded would've been on bail. There's a whole load of issues going on under the surface that, because the criminal justice system is not devolved, I think the Welsh Government is unaware of.
Therefore, can we meet, can we talk—and I would also extend my invitation to Mark Isherwood, as chair of the autism cross-party group—and have a discussion about this? I know Sioned is meeting with you. Unfortunately, I'm in committee that day asking questions of the education Minister, but I would appreciate a chance to meet with you and discuss this.
Cyfarfûm y llynedd â chynrychiolwyr ymgyrch Bywydau Wedi'u Dwyn, a gwn fod Sioned Williams yn y brotest yr wythnos diwethaf ar y grisiau. Ymunais â hi hefyd i siarad ag oedolion ifanc sydd wedi cael eu cadw mewn gofal am lawer gormod o amser. Maent wedi lansio deiseb o'r enw 'Stopio cadw plant, pobl ifanc ac oedolion ag anableddau dysgu ac awtistiaeth mewn ysbytai'. Unwaith eto, rwyf bob amser yn meddwl am fy merch fy hun, sy'n naw oed eleni. Ymhen 10 mlynedd, a allai hi fod yn wynebu'r un amgylchiadau ochr yn ochr â chymaint o rieni a ddaeth i'r brotest yr wythnos diwethaf?
Rwyf hefyd wedi cyfarfod ag etholwyr i mi y mae eu mab awtistig ar hyn o bryd yn glaf mewnol yn yr uned iechyd meddwl mewn ysbyty lleol, ond a gafodd ei gadw rhwng mis Tachwedd 2023 a mis Ebrill 2024 mewn carchar, lle nododd staff a seicolegwyr pa mor dda yr ymatebai i strwythur a threfn bywyd yn y carchar. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â'r Comisiwn Cydraddoldeb a Hawliau Dynol i ofyn am sylw ac ymchwiliad i'r materion hyn. Ni waeth pa mor dda yr addasodd i'r carchar, nid wyf yn credu y dylai fod wedi bod yno yn y lle cyntaf. Byddai unrhyw un arall ar remánd wedi bod ar fechnïaeth. Mae llwyth o faterion o dan yr wyneb y credaf fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn anymwybodol ohonynt am nad yw'r system cyfiawnder troseddol wedi'i datganoli.
Felly, a gawn ni gyfarfod, a gawn ni siarad—a hoffwn estyn gwahoddiad hefyd i Mark Isherwood, fel cadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar awtistiaeth—a chael trafodaeth am hyn? Gwn fod Sioned yn cyfarfod â chi. Yn anffodus, rwyf mewn pwyllgor y diwrnod hwnnw yn gofyn cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog addysg, ond byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi cyfle i gyfarfod â chi a thrafod hyn.
Diolch, Hefin. I'd like to thank Hefin for raising this important issue and for highlighting his constituents' case. As Hefin has said, I am aware that he has met with campaigners from the Stolen Lives campaign. I'd also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to my predecessor, Julie Morgan, for her work in this area. I'd like to assure the Member that I and the Welsh Government share the ambition of the Stolen Lives campaign. We're committed to minimising the number of people with a learning disability cared for in a hospital setting. The key principle remains that, as far as practicable, individuals should be cared for at home, or as close to home as possible, and that a hospital bed is not a home. Indeed, this is a specific action within the Welsh Government's learning disability strategic action plan, which was published in 2022. I will be meeting representatives of the Stolen Lives campaign next week, with Sioned Williams, and I'm keen to hear directly from them. And, of course, while I cannot get involved in individual cases, I would very much be happy to meet with Hefin to discuss the wider issues raised. I believe my office has already been in touch with your office, Hefin, and dates are being discussed for such a meeting. I know that that meeting is extended to Mark Isherwood as well, due to the work that he's doing and his interest in this area. If there are other Members, do please let me know.
Diolch, Hefin. Hoffwn ddiolch i Hefin am godi’r mater pwysig hwn ac am dynnu sylw at achos ei etholwyr. Fel y dywedodd Hefin, rwy’n ymwybodol ei fod wedi cyfarfod ag ymgyrchwyr o ymgyrch Bywydau Wedi’u Dwyn. Hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i dalu teyrnged i fy rhagflaenydd, Julie Morgan, am ei gwaith yn y maes hwn. Hoffwn roi sicrwydd i'r Aelod fy mod i a Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhannu uchelgais ymgyrch Bywydau Wedi’u Dwyn. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i leihau nifer y bobl ag anabledd dysgu y gofelir amdanynt mewn ysbyty. Erys yr egwyddor allweddol, cyn belled ag y bo’n ymarferol, y dylid gofalu am unigolion gartref, neu mor agos at eu cartrefi â phosibl, ac nad yw gwely ysbyty yn gartref. Yn wir, mae hwn yn gam gweithredu penodol yng nghynllun gweithredu strategol anabledd dysgu Llywodraeth Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd yn 2022. Byddaf yn cyfarfod â chynrychiolwyr ymgyrch Bywydau Wedi’u Dwyn yr wythnos nesaf, gyda Sioned Williams, ac rwy’n awyddus i glywed yn uniongyrchol ganddynt. Ac wrth gwrs, er na allaf ymwneud ag achosion unigol, rwy'n fwy na pharod i gyfarfod â Hefin i drafod y materion ehangach a godwyd. Rwy'n credu bod fy swyddfa eisoes wedi cysylltu â’ch swyddfa chi, Hefin, a bod dyddiadau’n cael eu trafod ar gyfer cyfarfod o’r fath. Gwn fod gwahoddiad i'r cyfarfod hwnnw wedi’i roi i Mark Isherwood hefyd, oherwydd y gwaith y mae’n ei wneud a’i ddiddordeb yn y maes hwn. Os oes Aelodau eraill, rhowch wybod i mi.
Sioned, thank you very much for raising this issue already. Yesterday, I attended a briefing organised by Disability Wales regarding the increased charges for non-residential care and support. I was shocked to learn that, despite assurances to the contrary, many of the poorest people in Wales are having to pay these charges and are often faced with the choice between paying for social care and food. Any increase in charges will undoubtedly force more people into this situation. With this in mind, Minister, will you abandon these plans or, at the very least, review the minimum income amount calculations?
Sioned, diolch yn fawr iawn am godi'r mater hwn yn barod. Ddoe, bûm mewn sesiwn friffio a drefnwyd gan Anabledd Cymru ynghylch y taliadau uwch am ofal a chymorth dibreswyl. Cefais sioc o glywed, er gwaethaf sicrwydd i’r gwrthwyneb, fod llawer o’r bobl dlotaf yng Nghymru yn gorfod talu’r taliadau hyn ac yn aml yn wynebu’r dewis rhwng talu am ofal cymdeithasol a bwyd. Bydd unrhyw godiad i daliadau, heb os, yn gorfodi mwy o bobl i'r sefyllfa hon. Gyda hyn mewn golwg, Weinidog, a wnewch chi roi’r gorau i’r cynlluniau hyn, neu o leiaf adolygu’r cyfrifiadau isafswm incwm?
Diolch. Thank you very much for that question, Altaf. Social care sits with my colleague Dawn Bowden, so, certainly, I'll happily discuss these issues with Dawn, and I'm sure she'll get in touch with you as well.FootnoteLink
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Altaf. Fy nghyd-Aelod Dawn Bowden sy'n gyfrifol am ofal cymdeithasol, felly yn sicr, rwy'n fwy na pharod i drafod y materion hyn gyda Dawn, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd hi'n cysylltu â chi hefyd.FootnoteLink
7. Pa gymorth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i roi i Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan i gynyddu cymorth iechyd meddwl ar-lein i bobl Islwyn? OQ61022
7. What support has the Welsh Government provided to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to increase online mental health support for the people of Islwyn? OQ61022
Diolch. We'll continue to provide sustained funding to Aneurin Bevan University Health Board for the provision of mental health services in response to local needs. This includes the provision of online support. We also fund online and telephone-based mental health support nationally, which is available across Wales.
Diolch. Byddwn yn parhau i ddarparu cyllid parhaus i Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan ar gyfer darparu gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl mewn ymateb i anghenion lleol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys darparu cymorth ar-lein. Rydym hefyd yn ariannu cymorth iechyd meddwl ar-lein a thros y ffôn yn genedlaethol, sydd ar gael ledled Cymru.
Minister, may I take this opportunity to welcome you, as a close colleague, to your new role on behalf of the people of Islwyn?
SilverCloud is a project that offers interactive programmes designed to teach practical skills for coping with mild to moderate mental health issues. The service is open to anyone over 16 in Wales and can be accessed for free via any digital service. It is groundbreaking and innovative. Since its pilot in Powys in 2018, funded by the Welsh Government, SilverCloud has helped and supported approximately 30,000 people and is now being used in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board region, supporting the people of Gwent. Minister, this is a welcome development, helping to meet the increasing demand for therapy via a holistic suite of online self-help programmes, based on cognitive behavioural therapy.
What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the ability and capacity of mental health professionals to support and supervise its use, check understanding and monitor progress or lack of progress of the participants? Because the obvious potential concern is that whilst more people gain access to initial mental health support, those with more serious problems would require bespoke intervention and pathways to higher intensity in-person therapy during or straight after their interaction with SilverCloud. What evidence and assurances can you provide to me that such quality control and assessments are indeed taking place?
Weinidog, a gaf i achub ar y cyfle hwn i’ch croesawu, fel cydweithiwr agos, i’ch rôl newydd ar ran pobl Islwyn?
Mae SilverCloud yn brosiect sy’n cynnig rhaglenni rhyngweithiol wedi’u cynllunio i addysgu sgiliau ymarferol ar gyfer ymdopi â materion iechyd meddwl mân i gymedrol. Mae’r gwasanaeth yn agored i unrhyw un dros 16 oed yng Nghymru, a gellir cael mynediad ato am ddim drwy unrhyw wasanaeth digidol. Mae'n torri tir newydd ac yn arloesol. Ers ei gynllun peilot ym Mhowys yn 2018, a ariannwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, mae SilverCloud wedi helpu a chefnogi oddeutu 30,000 o bobl, ac mae bellach yn cael ei ddefnyddio yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan i gefnogi pobl Gwent. Weinidog, mae hwn yn ddatblygiad i’w groesawu, sy'n helpu i ateb y galw cynyddol am therapi drwy gyfres gyfannol o raglenni hunangymorth ar-lein, yn seiliedig ar therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol.
Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’i wneud o allu a chapasiti gweithwyr iechyd meddwl proffesiynol i gefnogi a goruchwylio ei ddefnydd, gwirio dealltwriaeth a monitro cynnydd neu ddiffyg cynnydd y cyfranogwyr? Oherwydd er bod mwy o bobl yn cael mynediad at gymorth iechyd meddwl cychwynnol, y pryder posibl amlwg yw y byddai angen ymyrraeth bwrpasol a llwybrau at therapi wyneb yn wyneb dwyster uwch ar y rheini sydd â phroblemau mwy difrifol yn ystod neu’n syth ar ôl eu cyswllt â SilverCloud. Pa dystiolaeth a sicrwydd y gallwch eu rhoi i mi fod prosesau rheoli ansawdd ac asesiadau o’r fath yn cael eu cynnal?
Diolch. Thank you very much for that question, Rhianon, and for your really kind words of welcome—very much appreciated.
As you said, cognitive behavioural therapy has been a very positive development in this area. The aim of providing access to online CBT is to prevent escalation to more specialised support. Whilst the programme is online, it is supported by a team of clinicians in Powys health board who can help identify if individuals accessing the support need different or more specialist support through the screening questionnaire and the sign-up. A range of information is also recorded about outcomes and experiences, and these are reviewed regularly to ensure that support is meeting need. Powys health board, who lead the programme for NHS Wales, are currently working with our NHS joint commissioning committee and the NHS executive to develop the future model of online CBT to ensure that needs are met and a more standardised approach across Wales. As you have mentioned, the service has received around 30,000 sign-ups, with approximately 30 per cent from the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area. The online CBT is one of a number of easy-to-access mental health services that the Welsh Government funds nationally. This includes our CALL listening and advice line and the Beat eating disorder helpline, and this is part of our approach to improve access to support.
I'd also just like to take this opportunity to highlight specifically within the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area that residents are also able to access free self-help for their mental health and well-being through the Melo website. This website provides access to information about how to look after your mental health and well-being, as well as signposting to other services if help is required. So, I just wanted to highlight that particular area.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn, Rhianon, ac am eich geiriau caredig o groeso—fe'u gwerthfawrogir yn fawr iawn.
Fel y dywedoch chi, mae therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol wedi bod yn ddatblygiad cadarnhaol iawn yn y maes hwn. Nod darparu mynediad at therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol ar-lein yw atal uwchgyfeirio at gymorth mwy arbenigol. Er ei bod yn rhaglen ar-lein, fe’i cefnogir gan dîm o glinigwyr ym Mwrdd Iechyd Powys a all helpu i nodi a oes angen cymorth gwahanol neu fwy arbenigol ar unigolion sy’n cael mynediad at y cymorth drwy’r holiadur sgrinio a’r broses gofrestru. Mae ystod o wybodaeth hefyd yn cael ei chofnodi am ganlyniadau a phrofiadau, ac mae'r rhain yn cael eu hadolygu'n rheolaidd i sicrhau bod cymorth yn diwallu'r angen. Mae bwrdd iechyd Powys, sy’n arwain y rhaglen ar gyfer GIG Cymru, yn gweithio ar hyn o bryd gyda chyd-bwyllgor comisiynu'r GIG a gweithrediaeth y GIG i ddatblygu model therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol ar-lein ar gyfer y dyfodol i sicrhau bod anghenion yn cael eu diwallu a dull gweithredu mwy safonol ar waith ledled Cymru. Fel rydych chi wedi sôn, mae oddeutu 30,000 o bobl wedi cofrestru â'r gwasanaeth, gydag oddeutu 30 y cant o ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan. Mae’r gwasanaeth therapi gwybyddol ymddygiadol ar-lein yn un o nifer o wasanaethau iechyd meddwl hawdd eu cyrchu y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hariannu’n genedlaethol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys ein llinell wrando a chyngor CALL a llinell gymorth anhwylderau bwyta Beat, ac mae hyn yn rhan o’n dull o wella mynediad at gymorth.
Hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i dynnu sylw at y ffaith bod preswylwyr yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan yn benodol hefyd yn gallu cael mynediad am ddim at hunangymorth iechyd meddwl a llesiant meddyliol drwy wefan Melo. Mae'r wefan hon yn darparu mynediad at wybodaeth ynglŷn â sut i ofalu am eich iechyd meddwl a'ch llesiant meddyliol, yn ogystal â chyfeirio at wasanaethau eraill os oes angen cymorth. Felly, roeddwn yn awyddus i dynnu sylw at y maes penodol hwnnw.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8—Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Finally, question 8—Rhun ap Iorwerth.
8. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau i ddatblygu canolfan gofal iechyd amlddisgyblaethol newydd yng Nghaergybi? OQ61010
8. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on plans to develop a new multidisciplinary healthcare centre in Holyhead? OQ61010
Dwi yn ymwybodol am y cynnig i ddatblygu canolfan iechyd a lles newydd yng Nghaergybi. Mae trafodaethau yn mynd ymlaen rhwng swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru a'r bwrdd iechyd.
I am aware of proposals for the development of a new health and well-being centre in Holyhead, and discussions are ongoing between Welsh Government officials and the health board.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am yr ymateb yna. Mae hi bron i bum mlynedd bellach ers i feddygfeydd Longford Road a Cambria orfod cael eu cymryd drosodd gan y bwrdd iechyd yn uniongyrchol. Mi unwyd y ddwy feddygfa yn dilyn hynny, ond mae'r gwasanaeth sydd wedi bod mewn bodolaeth yng Nghaergybi ers hynny wedi bod yn fregus tu hwnt. Yn ddiweddar, mi glywsom ni'r meddygon yn codi pryderon ynglŷn â chynaliadwyedd staffio yno. Mi enillon ni'r frwydr a chael yr adduned bod yna feddygfa amlddisgyblaethol newydd yn mynd i gael ei datblygu yng Nghaergybi, ond yn anffodus mae pethau wedi mynd yn dawel—does yna ddim diweddariadau wedi bod. Mae pobl Caergybi yn haeddu hyn; maen nhw angen y gwasanaeth hwn. A gaf i annog a gofyn am ymrwymiad clir gan y Gweinidog y bydd hi'n mynd ar ôl y bwrdd iechyd i sicrhau bod y mater yma'n cael ei ddilyn i fyny, a hynny'n fuan?
Thank you very much for that response. It's almost five years now since the Longford Road and Cambria surgeries had to be taken over by the health board directly. The surgeries were merged following that, but the service that has existed in Holyhead since then has been very fragile indeed. Recently, we heard GPs raising concerns about the sustainability of staffing there. We won the battle and got the pledge that there would be a new multidisciplinary healthcare centre developed in Holyhead, but unfortunately things have gone very quiet—there have been no updates. The people of Holyhead deserve this; they need this service. Can I ask for a clear commitment from the Minister that she will pursue the health board to ensure that this issue is followed up urgently?
Diolch yn fawr. Fel rŷch chi'n ymwybodol, roedd proposal wedi dod i Lywodraeth Cymru trwy pathfinder project y cronfa gyfalaf integreiddio ac ailgydbwyso yn 2022. Roedd angen lot mwy o waith arno, felly roedd rhaid i'r bwrdd iechyd wneud mwy o feasibility study ynglŷn ag opsiynau. Dwi yn meddwl bod hwn yn rhan o ddatblygiad lle rŷn ni eisiau gweld lot mwy o ffocws ar prevention ac ymyrraeth yn gynnar. Dwi yn gobeithio y bydd blaenoriaeth yn cael ei wneud trwy brosesau'r bwrdd partneriaeth rhanbarthol, a bydd rhaid iddyn nhw benderfynu beth sy'n cael blaenoriaeth tu fewn i'r bwrdd iechyd. Dwi'n gwybod bod y bwrdd iechyd yn gobeithio y bydd application am business case development fees yn dod trwy'r IRCF erbyn mis Medi.
Thank you. As you're aware, a proposal was made to the Welsh Government by the integration and rebalancing capital fund pathfinder project in 2022. There was a need for a lot more work done on that proposal, and therefore the health board had to carry out more feasibility studies on options. I do think that this is part of a development where we do want to see far more focus on prevention and early intervention. I do hope that priority can be given through the regional partnership board process, and they will have to decide what is prioritised within the health board. I do know that the health board hopes that an application for business case development fees will be coming through the IRCF by September.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Dyna ddiwedd ar y cwestiynau yna.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary. That concludes that set of questions.
Y cwestiwn amserol sydd nesaf. Mae'r cwestiwn yma i'w ateb gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr economi ac i'w ofyn gan Heledd Fychan.
We have a topical question next. This is to be answered by the Cabinet Secretary for economy and to be asked by Heledd Fychan.
1. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad yn ymateb i'r newyddion bod dros 100 o swyddi gyda chwmni Everest mewn perygl o'u colli yn Rhondda Cynon Taf? TQ1062
1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement in response to the news that over 100 jobs with Everest are at risk of being lost in Rhondda Cynon Taf? TQ1062
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r effaith fydd hyn yn ei gael ar staff a’r gymuned ehangach yn Nhreherbert. Mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid, yn cynnwys cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, y Department for Work and Pensions a Gyrfa Cymru i gefnogi’r gweithwyr sy'n cael eu heffeithio drwy’r broses hon.
Thank you for the question. I'm aware of the impact that this will have on staff and the broader community in Treherbert. My officials are working with partners, including RCT council, the Department for Work and Pensions and Careers Wales to support the workers who will be affected through this process.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Diolch yn fawr, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Yn amlwg, yn dod mor fuan wedi colli bron i 500 o swyddi yn ôl ym mis Hydref efo UK Windows and Doors, mae hyn yn newydd trychinebus i'r ardal. Yn amlwg, mae rhai o'r bobl oedd wedi’u cyflogi gan Everest wedi ffeindio cyflogaeth yn dilyn colli swyddi, ac am yr eilwaith yn wynebu dyfodol ansicr. Mae nifer o bobl hefyd gollodd eu swyddi yn ôl ym mis Hydref dal heb ffeindio swydd amgen, felly does yna ddim swyddi sydd yn talu cystal na chwaith yn yr ardal hon.
Yn amlwg, fe fuodd yna gysylltiad rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a'r cwmni hwn rhai blynyddoedd yn ôl pan fuodd y cwmni mewn trafferth. Gaf i ofyn, felly, pa gysylltiad diweddar sydd wedi bod gyda'r cwmni er mwyn gweld a oedd posib achub y swyddi hyn? Hefyd, o ystyried bod UK Windows and Doors ac Everest wedi arwain at ddiswyddiadau mor sylweddol, pa asesiad sy'n cael ei wneud o sefyllfa cwmnïau eraill yn Rhondda Cynon Taf? A pha waith mae’ch swyddogion chi’n ei wneud i sicrhau ein bod ni ddim yn mynd i gael sioc arall fel hyn, gyda chynifer o swyddi yn cael eu colli, a’n bod ni'n gweithio er mwyn sicrhau pob swydd sydd yna’n bresennol, ond hefyd i greu swyddi mewn ardal sydd dirfawr angen buddsoddiad a swyddi sy'n mynd i gadw pobl yn yr ardal, er mwyn rhoi yr hwb economaidd i ardal lle mae lefel difreintiedig mor uchel, a lle mae'n rhaid inni gael datrysiadau?
Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary. Now, clearly, coming so soon after the loss of almost 500 jobs back in October at UK Windows and Doors, this is disastrous news for the area. Clearly, some of the people who were employed by Everest had found employment having lost their jobs, and for the second time are facing an uncertain future. Many people who lost their jobs back in October still haven't found alternative employment, so there are no jobs that are as well paying or available in this area.
Now, clearly, there was contact between the Welsh Government and this company some years ago when the company faced difficulties. Can I ask you, therefore, what recent contact there's been with the company to see whether it was possible to save these posts? Also, given that UK Windows and Doors and Everest have led to substantial job losses, what assessment is being made of the situation and position of other companies in RCT? And what work are your officials doing in order to ensure that we won't get another shock such as this one, with so many jobs being lost, and that we do work in order to secure all the jobs there currently, but also to create jobs in an area that desperately needs investment and jobs that will keep people in the area, in order to give an economic boost to an area where the levels of disadvantage are so high, and where we do have to have those jobs?
Well, fel mae'r Aelod yn dweud, mae'r gweithlu yno, yn Everest, yn un rŷn ni wedi ei gefnogi yn y gorffennol pan oedd y cwmni o dan bwysau. Ein ffocws ni nawr yw gwneud popeth y gallwn ni i ddod o hyd i gyfleoedd gwahanol iddyn nhw, ble bynnag mae angen gwneud hynny. Rŷn ni wedi siarad gyda'r cyngor ac, fel roeddwn i'n dweud, gyda'r cyrff eraill er mwyn sicrhau ein bod ni'n cydweithio. Mae rhaglen ReAct wedi'i chychwyn i gefnogi’r unigolion sydd yn colli eu swyddi. Rwyf wedi siarad fy hunan gyda'r cynghorydd lleol, gyda Buffy Williams fel yr Aelod ar gyfer y Rhondda, ac mae fy swyddogion i hefyd wedi bod mewn cysylltiad gyda'r cwmni pan oedd e’n amlwg bod her yn codi, felly buon nhw mewn cysylltiad yn syth ar ôl inni ddarganfod bod risg.
O ran beth sydd yn digwydd yn yr economi ehangach, y drafferth yn aml yw dyw’r her ddim yn dod yn amlwg i ni fel Llywodraeth tan ei bod hi’n agos at fod yn rhy hwyr. Dyna sut mae pethau, yn aml, yn gweithio, yn anffodus. Ond rŷn ni yn gweithio’r gyda'r corporate joint committee a gyda'r cyngor i sicrhau bod y rhanbarth a dêl y rhanbarth yn ffocysu ar gynllun penodol ar gyfer y Rhondda, gan gadw mewn golwg y ffaith ein bod ni ddim yn gwybod beth a ddaw yn y dyfodol.
Mae'r northern Valleys initiative, sydd yn gynllun sydd gan y rhanbarth, a'r gronfa sites and premises—mae cyfleoedd iddyn nhw hefyd i fod yn edrych am gyfleoedd yn y Cymoedd, yn y Rhondda yn benodol, ac yn ehangach na hynny hefyd. Felly, dyna’r sefyllfa o’n safbwynt ni ar hyn o bryd.
Well, as the Member says, the workforce there, in Everest, is one that we've supported in the past when the company was under pressure. Our focus now is to do everything that we can to find different opportunities for them, wherever we are able to do that. We have spoken to the council and the other bodies, as I mentioned, to ensure that we do collaborate. The ReAct programme has been started to support the individuals who will lose their jobs. I've spoken to the local councillor, with Buffy Williams, as the RCT Member, and my officials have been in contact with the company when it was obvious that there were challenges arising, so they were in contact immediately after we found that there was a risk.
In terms of what's happening in the broader economy, the problem often is that the challenge doesn't emerge for the Government until it's nearly too late. That's how things often work, unfortunately. But we are working with the corporate joint committee and with the council to ensure that the region and the regional deal are focusing on a specific plan for Rhondda, bearing in mind the fact that we don't know what the future holds.
The northern Valleys initiative, which is a scheme that the region has, and the sites and premises fund—there are opportunities for them as well to be looking at opportunities in the Valleys, and in Rhondda in particular, and more broadly too. So, that's the situation from our perspective at present.
Cabinet Secretary, can I begin by echoing the thoughts of Heledd in terms of saying how devastated I am for the workers of the Everest site, with so many people being made redundant, as has been reported? I appreciate that this must be a worrying time for them and their families, and I hope that they're able to find work quickly.
Sadly, it seems that we will always face issues such as this as our economy adapts to technological advances and decarbonisation. Industries change, and our economy weathers the storms that come from global influences outside of our control. Ultimately, we need to be able to provide workers with skills that enable them to be resilient in the jobs market, and to be able to quickly find work when circumstances such as these come about. With this in mind, Cabinet Secretary, what efforts are the Welsh Government making to ensure that those people who have lost their jobs from the Everest site in Treherbert are made aware of the help and support that is available to them, to apply for new roles or to access additional training to reskill, and what steps are the Government taking to build that employee resilience in the job market? Thank you.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a gaf i ddechrau drwy adleisio'r hyn a ddywedodd Heledd o ran pa mor ofidus wyf i ar ran gweithwyr safle Everest, gyda chymaint o bobl wedi cael eu diswyddo, fel yr adroddwyd? Rwy’n sylweddoli bod yn rhaid bod hwn yn gyfnod pryderus iddynt hwy a’u teuluoedd, ac rwy'n gobeithio y gallant ddod o hyd i waith yn gyflym.
Yn anffodus, ymddengys y byddwn bob amser yn wynebu materion fel hyn wrth i’n heconomi addasu i ddatblygiadau technolegol a datgarboneiddio. Mae diwydiannau’n newid, ac mae ein heconomi yn gorfod ymdopi â stormydd sy’n deillio o ddylanwadau byd-eang y tu hwnt i’n rheolaeth. Yn y pen draw, mae angen inni allu darparu sgiliau i weithwyr sy’n eu galluogi i fod yn wydn yn y farchnad swyddi, ac i allu dod o hyd i waith yn gyflym pan fo amgylchiadau fel hyn yn codi. Gyda hyn mewn golwg, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa ymdrechion y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu gwneud i sicrhau bod y bobl sydd wedi colli eu swyddi ar safle Everest yn Nhreherbert yn cael gwybod am y cymorth a'r gefnogaeth sydd ar gael iddynt, i wneud cais am swyddi newydd neu i gael mynediad at hyfforddiant ychwanegol i ailsgilio, a pha gamau y mae’r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd i feithrin y gwytnwch hwnnw ymhlith gweithwyr yn y farchnad swyddi? Diolch.
Thank you to Joel James for that further question. Well, as Heledd Fychan was saying, this is an experience that some workers have had very recently as well, so it's particularly distressing, I think, for people who have been made redundant once and are, within a few months, in the same situation again. I know there are many people in that situation who have been employed at Everest.
What we are doing is that the ReAct programme, which is for the purpose of providing skills and support for those facing redundancy, has now been activated and is supporting individuals who have been impacted critically. My officials are working closely with the council, who I know, when this kind of event has happened in the past, have been very proactive in making sure they bring together all the relevant sources of support in that multi-agency way. So, we will be working alongside them in relation to that, to make it as accessible as possible for the employees who are affected. And as I mentioned earlier, my officials have also been in touch with the company to highlight to them the support that the Welsh Government is able to bring.
Diolch i Joel James am ei gwestiwn pellach. Wel, fel y dywedodd Heledd Fychan, mae hwn yn brofiad y mae rhai gweithwyr wedi’i gael yn ddiweddar iawn hefyd, felly credaf ei fod yn peri gofid arbennig i bobl sydd wedi cael eu diswyddo unwaith ac sydd, o fewn ychydig fisoedd, yn yr un sefyllfa unwaith eto. Gwn fod llawer o bobl a oedd wedi'u cyflogi yn Everest yn y sefyllfa honno.
Yr hyn a wnawn yw sicrhau bod rhaglen ReAct, a luniwyd er mwyn darparu sgiliau a chymorth i bobl sy’n wynebu colli eu swyddi, bellach ar waith ac yn cefnogi unigolion yr effeithiwyd yn ddifrifol arnynt. Mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio’n agos gyda’r cyngor, y gwn eu bod, pan fo'r math hwn o ddigwyddiad wedi codi yn y gorffennol, wedi bod yn rhagweithiol iawn yn sicrhau eu bod yn dod â’r holl ffynonellau cymorth perthnasol ynghyd yn y ffordd amlasiantaethol honno. Felly, byddwn yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â nhw yn y cyswllt hwnnw, i'w wneud mor hygyrch â phosibl i'r gweithwyr yr effeithir arnynt. Ac fel y soniais yn gynharach, mae fy swyddogion hefyd wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â'r cwmni i dynnu sylw at y cymorth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi.
Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary.
Eitem 4 heddiw yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad. Dim ond un datganiad sydd heddiw, gan Heledd Fychan.
Item 4 today is the 90-second statements. There is only one statement today, and that's from Heledd Fychan.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. This week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. This year's theme is 'rediscovering you'. The journey to motherhood is not always an easy one, and too many new mothers are left alone and unsure on where to turn to for support. Up to one in five will suffer from maternal mental health disorders such as postpartum depression, and less than 15 per cent of women receive treatment. This is why today I would like to take a moment to highlight the remarkable work being done by Katy and her team at Mothers Matter. Developed during lockdown by Katy, Mothers Matter is a community-led perinatal mental health and well-being organisation based in my region, in Tonypandy, that is dedicated to supporting mothers, fathers and their families before, during and after childbirth. They provide unwavering support to expectant and new parents throughout the critical early stages of their child's development, up to the age of five.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Katy and her team at their newly opened parenting centre, the first of its kind in Wales. The centre provides families with essentials such as nappies, milk and clothing, offering support to parents during financially difficult times. In addition, they offer a range of free services, such as community-based home support, individual counselling, community groups, well-being hubs, befriending groups and educational classes. All these services are carefully crafted to address perinatal mental health challenges among new parents. Many of you had the opportunity to learn more about Mothers Matter and their new baby loss project yesterday. But for any new parent struggling, please know that you are not alone. Support is available, and as the testimonies of those supported by organisations like Mothers Matter show, things can get better with the right support, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Mae'r wythnos hon yn Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl Mamau. Thema eleni yw 'ailddarganfod eich hun'. Nid yw’r daith i fod yn fam bob amser yn un hawdd, ac mae gormod o famau newydd yn cael eu gadael ar eu pen eu hunain ac yn ansicr ble i droi am gymorth. Bydd hyd at un o bob pum mam newydd yn dioddef o anhwylderau iechyd meddwl fel iselder ôl-enedigol, ac mae llai na 15 y cant o fenywod yn cael triniaeth. Dyma pam yr hoffwn roi eiliad heddiw i dynnu sylw at y gwaith rhyfeddol sy'n cael ei wneud gan Katy a'i thîm yn Mothers Matter. Sefydlwyd Mothers Matter gan Katy yn ystod y cyfyngiadau symud ac mae'n sefydliad iechyd meddwl a llesiant meddyliol amenedigol a arweinir gan y gymuned yn fy rhanbarth i, yn Nhonypandy, sy'n ymroddedig i gefnogi mamau, tadau a’u teuluoedd cyn, yn ystod ac ar ôl genedigaeth. Maent yn darparu cefnogaeth ddiwyro i ddarpar rieni a rhieni newydd drwy gydol y cyfnodau cynnar hanfodol yn natblygiad eu plentyn, hyd at bum mlwydd oed.
Yn ddiweddar, cefais gyfle i ymweld â Katy a’i thîm yn eu canolfan rianta newydd, y gyntaf o’i bath yng Nghymru. Mae’r ganolfan yn darparu hanfodion fel cewynnau, llaeth a dillad i deuluoedd, gan gynnig cymorth i rieni mewn cyfnodau anodd yn ariannol. Yn ogystal, maent yn cynnig ystod o wasanaethau am ddim, fel cymorth cartref yn y gymuned, cwnsela unigol, grwpiau cymunedol, hybiau llesiant, grwpiau cyfeillio a dosbarthiadau addysgol. Mae'r holl wasanaethau hyn wedi'u llunio'n ofalus i fynd i'r afael â heriau iechyd meddwl amenedigol ymhlith rhieni newydd. Cafodd llawer ohonoch gyfle i ddysgu mwy am Mothers Matter a’u prosiect colli babi newydd ddoe. Ond i unrhyw riant newydd sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd, cofiwch nad ydych chi ar eich pen eich hun. Mae cymorth ar gael, ac fel y mae tystiolaeth y rheini sydd wedi'u cefnogi gan sefydliadau fel Mothers Matter yn ei ddangos, fe all pethau wella gyda’r cymorth cywir, ac mae goleuni ym mhen draw'r twnnel.
Diolch, Heledd. I did meet with them yesterday at lunchtime.
Diolch, Heledd. Fe wneuthum gyfarfod â nhw ddoe amser cinio.
Eitem 5 yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Deisebau, 'Gaeaf cynhesach: P-06-1326 Dylai’r Senedd graffu ar y sgandal mesuryddion rhagdalu yng Nghymru'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—Jack Sargeant.
Item 5 is the debate on the Petitions Committee report, 'A Warmer Winter: P-06-1326 The Senedd should scrutinise the prepayment meter scandal in Wales'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—Jack Sargeant.
Cynnig NDM8559 Jack Sargeant
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Deisebau, ‘Gaeaf cynhesach: P-06-1326 Dylai’r Senedd graffu ar y sgandal mesuryddion rhagdalu yng Nghymru', a osodwyd yn y Swyddfa Gyflwyno ar 30 Tachwedd 2023.
Motion NDM8559 Jack Sargeant
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the report of the Petitions Committee, ‘A Warmer Winter: P-06-1326 The Senedd should scrutinise the prepayment meter scandal in Wales’, which was laid in the Table Office on 30 November 2023.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. At the end of last year, the Petitions Committee published its report titled, 'A Warmer Winter'. The report made a series of recommendations to the Government and other stakeholders to ensure that energy companies would not and could not repeat their actions of the previous winter, where thousands of vulnerable customers were treated disgracefully—their homes invaded and then forced on to a payment method that they had not asked for.
Some of these customers, Deputy Presiding Officer, were running medical equipment at home; some of them had chronic conditions; some of them with very young children and young families. 'Involuntary installation' is an industry term for the fitting of prepayment meters without the consent of the customer. This can be done via warrant from a court, or by remotely switching a smart meter to prepay mode.
The committee was moved to undertake this work by a petition submitted by Climate Cymru, and we're grateful to them for engaging with our process. We are also grateful to all those who provided evidence for our work, including the third sector campaigners, one of the journalists who did so much to uncover the scandal, Dean Kirby, and the representatives of the energy companies and their regulator, Ofgem. Deputy Presiding Officer, I'd also like to put on record our thanks as a committee to the chair and all of the team at Splott Community Volunteers in Cardiff for allowing us to launch our report at one of their energy advice sessions. I'm also grateful to the Welsh Government and Ofgem for producing thoughtful responses to the committee's recommendations. Our hope in undertaking this work and producing our report was to ensure that the first duty of energy companies and the industry regulator Ofgem will be to the people, not the enormous profits of energy suppliers.
Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Ddiwedd y llynedd, cyhoeddodd y Pwyllgor Deisebau adroddiad o'r enw 'Gaeaf Cynhesach'. Fe wnaeth yr adroddiad gyfres o argymhellion i’r Llywodraeth a rhanddeiliaid eraill i sicrhau na fyddai ac na allai cwmnïau ynni ailadrodd gweithredoedd y gaeaf blaenorol, lle cafodd miloedd o gwsmeriaid agored i niwed eu trin yn warthus—pobl yn gwthio'u ffordd i mewn i'w cartrefi a'u gorfodi i ddefnyddio dull o dalu nad oeddent wedi gofyn amdano.
Roedd rhai o’r cwsmeriaid hyn, Ddirprwy Lywydd, yn defnyddio offer meddygol gartref; roedd gan rai ohonynt gyflyrau cronig; roedd gan rai ohonynt blant ifanc iawn a theuluoedd ifanc. 'Gosod anwirfoddol' yw term y diwydiant ar gyfer gosod mesurydd rhagdalu heb gydsyniad y defnyddiwr. Gellir gwneud hyn drwy warant gan y llysoedd, neu drwy newid mesurydd deallus o bell i'r modd rhagdalu.
Ysgogwyd y pwyllgor i wneud y gwaith hwn gan ddeiseb a gyflwynwyd gan Climate Cymru, ac rydym yn ddiolchgar iddynt am ymgysylltu â’n proses. Rydym hefyd yn ddiolchgar i bawb a ddarparodd dystiolaeth ar gyfer ein gwaith, gan gynnwys ymgyrchwyr y trydydd sector, un o’r newyddiadurwyr a wnaeth gymaint i ddatgelu’r sgandal, Dean Kirby, a chynrychiolwyr y cwmnïau ynni a’u rheoleiddiwr, Ofgem. Ddirprwy Lywydd, hoffwn hefyd gofnodi ein diolch fel pwyllgor i’r cadeirydd a’r tîm cyfan yn Gwirfoddolwyr Cymunedol Sblot yng Nghaerdydd am ganiatáu inni lansio ein hadroddiad yn un o’u sesiynau cyngor ar ynni. Rwyf hefyd yn ddiolchgar i Lywodraeth Cymru ac i Ofgem am ddarparu ymatebion ystyriol i argymhellion y pwyllgor. Ein gobaith wrth ymgymryd â’r gwaith hwn a chynhyrchu ein hadroddiad oedd sicrhau mai i’r bobl y mae dyletswydd gyntaf cwmnïau ynni a rheoleiddiwr y diwydiant, Ofgem, nid i elw enfawr cyflenwyr ynni.
Deputy Presiding Officer, I'm pleased to say that since we started our work, there have been some changes, and although I would like very much to see more changes, it is important to recognise the ones that have been made. Ofgem has introduced the mandatory code of conduct that we wanted to see, and it could have been more generous, but at least it does give some protection to consumers. But as we speak here today, as we hold this debate, we know that seven energy suppliers have already been given the green light to restart involuntary installation of prepayment meters in Wales and the United Kingdom. And despite the new mandatory code of conduct, vulnerable people in Wales could still have a prepayment meter forcibly installed in their home this winter, just because they don't meet the strict criteria for exemption. What is vital now is that the energy regulator Ofgem continues to monitor the code of practice and, more importantly, makes changes if things are not working.
There are approximately 200,000 households in Wales using the prepayment meter for their mains gas and their mains electricity, and with energy debts across Britain at record levels, there is a danger that that number grows even higher. Now, while the energy price cap came down in April this year, it is far from the end of the crisis in the cost of energy. Energy prices are still 49 per cent higher than they were before the crisis started. Energy debt is at record levels. Fuel poverty in Wales—and in some cases, Deputy Presiding Officer, extreme fuel poverty—has become the norm for many low-income households. The lesson from this scandal is clear: we should not trust the suppliers to mark their own homework. The UK Government and the regulator Ofgem should have acted quicker when the scale of the scandal became clear to many. The way suppliers view their vulnerable customers is all wrong, and it shaped the way they behaved over the prepayment meter scandal. During evidence to the committee, this is what one chief executive of an energy supplier said when giving evidence, and I quote, Deputy Presiding Officer:
'I think we have a real problem still in the UK about people who can pay for their energy but who decide they won’t pay. And if society was such that people were completely honest and we wouldn’t need to have this debate, then we probably wouldn’t be in this situation. But it is a real problem. Every day, we have thousands of people who just decide they would prefer to go on holiday rather pay for their energy, or prioritise something else.'
Deputy Presiding Officer, I was stunned by this statement of this particular chief executive of a supplier. For me, this is not someone running an organisation that understands the needs of vulnerable customers in Wales and the United Kingdom.
I look forward to hearing the debate today, but one thing that is clear to me, that there is more that will need to be done in the months and years to come to ensure that there is no backsliding from Ofgem and energy suppliers. And all of us in this Chamber will need to maintain the political pressure that ensures the needs of vulnerable consumers in Cymru are not forgotten in the rush to making multimillion pound profits. I'm grateful for the time, Deputy Presiding Officer; I'm grateful to committee members as well. I look forward to the debate today. Diolch.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, rwy’n falch o ddweud, ers inni ddechrau ar ein gwaith, fod rhai newidiadau wedi bod, ac er yr hoffwn yn fawr iawn weld mwy o newidiadau, mae’n bwysig cydnabod y rheini sydd wedi’u gwneud. Mae Ofgem wedi cyflwyno’r cod ymddygiad gorfodol yr oeddem am ei weld, a gallai fod wedi bod yn fwy hael, ond o leiaf mae’n rhoi rhywfaint o amddiffyniad i ddefnyddwyr. Ond wrth inni siarad yma heddiw, wrth inni gynnal y ddadl hon, gwyddom fod saith cyflenwr ynni eisoes wedi cael caniatâd i ailddechrau gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu yn anwirfoddol yng Nghymru a’r Deyrnas Unedig. Ac er gwaethaf y cod ymddygiad gorfodol newydd, gallai pobl sy'n agored i niwed yng Nghymru ddal i gael mesurydd rhagdalu gorfodol wedi'i osod yn eu cartref y gaeaf hwn, am ddim rheswm heblaw nad ydynt yn bodloni'r meini prawf llym ar gyfer eithrio. Yr hyn sy’n hanfodol nawr yw bod y rheoleiddiwr ynni, Ofgem, yn parhau i fonitro’r cod ymarfer, ac yn bwysicach, yn gwneud newidiadau os nad yw pethau’n gweithio.
Mae oddeutu 200,000 o aelwydydd yng Nghymru yn defnyddio mesuryddion rhagdalu ar gyfer eu prif gyflenwad nwy a’u prif gyflenwad trydan, a chyda dyledion ynni ledled Prydain ar y lefelau uchaf erioed, mae perygl i’r nifer honno godi hyd yn oed yn uwch. Nawr, er bod y cap ar brisiau ynni wedi gostwng ym mis Ebrill eleni, mae'n bell o fod yn ddiwedd ar yr argyfwng costau ynni. Mae prisiau ynni'n dal i fod 49 y cant yn uwch nag yr oeddent cyn i'r argyfwng ddechrau. Mae dyledion ynni ar y lefelau uchaf erioed. Mae tlodi o ran tanwydd yng Nghymru—ac mewn rhai achosion, Ddirprwy Lywydd, tlodi eithafol o ran tanwydd—wedi dod yn norm i lawer o aelwydydd incwm isel. Mae’r wers o’r sgandal hon yn glir: ni ddylem ymddiried yn y cyflenwyr i farcio eu gwaith cartref eu hunain. Dylai Llywodraeth y DU a’r rheoleiddiwr, Ofgem, fod wedi gweithredu'n gynt pan ddaeth hyd a lled y sgandal yn amlwg i lawer. Mae'r ffordd y mae cyflenwyr yn trin eu cwsmeriaid agored i niwed yn anghywir, ac fe siapiodd y ffordd y gwnaethant ymddwyn yn ystod sgandal y mesuryddion rhagdalu. Yn ystod tystiolaeth i’r pwyllgor, dyma a ddywedodd prif weithredwr un cyflenwr ynni wrth roi tystiolaeth:
'Rwy'n credu bod problem wirioneddol gennym yn y DU o hyd gyda phobl sy'n gallu talu am eu hynni ond sy'n penderfynu nad ydynt am dalu. A phe baem yn byw mewn cymdeithas lle mae pobl yn gwbl onest a lle na fyddai angen inni gael y ddadl hon, mae'n debyg na fyddem yn y sefyllfa hon. Ond mae'n broblem wirioneddol. Bob dydd, mae gennym filoedd o bobl sy'n penderfynu y byddai'n well ganddynt fynd ar wyliau yn hytrach na thalu am eu hynni, neu flaenoriaethu rhywbeth arall.'
Ddirprwy Lywydd, cefais fy syfrdanu gan y datganiad hwn gan brif weithredwr y cyflenwr penodol hwn. I mi, nid yw'n enghraifft o rywun sy’n rhedeg sefydliad sy’n deall anghenion cwsmeriaid agored i niwed yng Nghymru a’r Deyrnas Unedig.
Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed y ddadl heddiw, ond mae un peth yn amlwg i mi, sef bod mwy y bydd angen ei wneud yn y misoedd a’r blynyddoedd i ddod i sicrhau nad yw Ofgem a'r cyflenwyr ynni'n llusgo'u traed. A bydd angen i bob un ohonom yn y Siambr gynnal y pwysau gwleidyddol sy'n sicrhau nad yw anghenion defnyddwyr agored i niwed yng Nghymru yn cael eu hanghofio yn y rhuthr i wneud miliynau o bunnoedd o elw. Rwy’n ddiolchgar am yr amser, Ddirprwy Lywydd; rwy’n ddiolchgar i aelodau’r pwyllgor hefyd. Edrychaf ymlaen at y ddadl heddiw. Diolch.
I'd like to start by thanking the Petitions Committee Chair, Jack Sargeant, for opening such an important debate and all those who took part in the evidence sessions. I think all Members across this Chamber recognise the complex issues that exist around utility bills and that this is complicated by the application of prepayment meters. Whilst there are households and groups that are particularly vulnerable and need assistance with paying their bills, there are also households and individuals who can adequately afford their electricity and gas bills, who, for one reason or another, choose not to pay them and instead run up high debt.
Whilst this may not seem problematic for some, because their view is that utility companies can easily weather this loss of income, what it actually means is that that loss is pushed on to other bill payers, who end up subsidising those who refuse to pay. Therefore, there is still a need for prepayment meters and, in some cases, the need for prepayment meters to be mandatory.
There is evidence that prepayment meters can be an effective way of helping to manage household budgets, especially for those living in shared accommodation or temporary rented accommodation, because it reduces the administration of setting up new accounts for short periods. But, as we all know, one of the major issues with this and with prepayment meters is that they traditionally, as we’ve heard, then charge a far higher tariff than direct debits.
As such, I’m pleased to see that the UK Government, as of July last year, have now enforced the scrapping of prepayment meter premiums by energy companies, and I think this is a big step forward in promoting a fairer and more just system. I do think, Dirprwy Lywydd, as the report points out, that, despite this, there needs to be a more thorough understanding of an individual’s vulnerability before prepayment meters are installed. I know that utility companies are fully aware of the needs of vulnerable customers and have made considerable efforts to understand vulnerability and put into place services to help meet those needs. However, it was fundamentally wrong of them to involuntarily install meters during a time of huge inflationary pressure from the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine, because they were fully aware that many of their customers would have been vulnerable and struggling to pay.
On average, Dirprwy Lywydd, it takes about two years before people facing financial difficulty come forward to seek help. And during this time, they often make poorer financial decisions out of desperation, and this can impact their mental and physical health. We also know that vulnerability can be transient, whereby people are vulnerable for short periods of time, such as after a bereavement or job loss. And therefore, I wholeheartedly believe that we should be making efforts to reduce, and indeed eliminate, the stigma that people can feel with regards to their vulnerability, and there needs to be more awareness of how they can access support.
From a personal perspective, I believe that there is considerable merit in energy companies developing a system that can override prepayment meters in times of vulnerability and supply electricity and gas to customers, such as households with children or elderly people, during cold weather and winter months. And this, in the grand scheme of things, would be unlikely to cost utility companies that much. I would be interested to know whether or not companies have considered that option, because it could benefit a lot of people in Wales.
I’m glad to see that the Government has accepted all of the recommendations of the report either fully or in principle, and I believe that it is right that the utility companies and Ofgem are continually pushed on this issue, because, in truth, it is not an issue that I think will ever go away. We will always have people with these needs in our country.
Finally, I would like to mention recommendation 3, one that I fully support. One of the major issues that vulnerable people face is having to retell their experiences and circumstances to multiple organisations, and it would be a great benefit to both them and the utility providers if they only had to explain the situation once. I understand that water companies have done a considerable amount of work with regards to sharing priority registers and that there have been successful trials between water companies and energy providers in sharing this data. I am also aware, however, that there are limitations in terms of general data protection regulation and data sharing and, of course, in protecting that information from being abused. But, nevertheless, I do believe that this really is the way forward in helping the most vulnerable in our society and I’m glad to see the Welsh Government recognise this, and I would be pleased to see more effort from the Government in pushing for this from companies operating in Wales. Thank you.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deisebau, Jack Sargeant, am agor dadl mor bwysig a phawb a gymerodd ran yn y sesiynau tystiolaeth. Rwy'n credu bod pob Aelod ar draws y Siambr hon yn cydnabod y materion cymhleth sy'n bodoli mewn perthynas â biliau cyfleustodau a bod hyn yn cael ei gymhlethu drwy osod mesuryddion rhagdalu. Er bod yna aelwydydd a grwpiau sy'n arbennig o agored i niwed ac angen cymorth i dalu eu biliau, mae yna hefyd aelwydydd ac unigolion sy'n gallu fforddio eu biliau trydan a nwy yn ddigonol, sydd, am ryw reswm neu'i gilydd, yn dewis peidio â'u talu ac yn hytrach, yn mynd i ddyled fawr.
Er efallai nad yw hyn yn ymddangos yn broblem i rai, oherwydd eu bod o'r farn y gall cwmnïau cyfleustodau oddef colli incwm o'r fath yn hawdd, yr hyn y mae'n ei olygu mewn gwirionedd yw bod y golled honno'n cael ei throsglwyddo ymlaen i dalwyr biliau eraill, sy'n sybsideiddio'r rhai sy'n gwrthod talu. Felly, mae'n dal i fod angen mesuryddion rhagdalu ac mewn rhai achosion, mae'n dal i fod angen i fesuryddion rhagdalu fod yn orfodol.
Ceir tystiolaeth y gall mesuryddion rhagdalu fod yn ffordd effeithiol o helpu i reoli cyllidebau aelwydydd, yn enwedig i'r rhai sy'n byw mewn llety a rennir neu lety rhent dros dro, am ei fod yn lleihau'r gwaith o weinyddu sefydlu cyfrifon newydd am gyfnodau byr. Ond fel y gwyddom i gyd, un o'r prif broblemau gyda hyn a chyda mesuryddion rhagdalu yw eu bod yn draddodiadol, fel y clywsom, yn codi tariff llawer uwch na debyd uniongyrchol.
Felly, rwy'n falch o weld bod Llywodraeth y DU, o fis Gorffennaf y llynedd, wedi gorfodi camau i ddileu premiymau mesuryddion rhagdalu gan gwmnïau ynni, ac rwy'n credu bod hwn yn gam mawr ymlaen tuag at hyrwyddo system decach a mwy cyfiawn. Er hynny, Ddirprwy Lywydd, fel y mae'r adroddiad yn nodi, rwy'n credu bod angen dealltwriaeth fwy trylwyr o fregusrwydd unigolyn cyn gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu. Rwy'n gwybod bod cwmnïau cyfleustodau yn gwbl ymwybodol o anghenion cwsmeriaid agored i niwed ac wedi gwneud ymdrechion sylweddol i ddeall bregusrwydd a rhoi gwasanaethau ar waith i helpu i ddiwallu'r anghenion hynny. Fodd bynnag, roedd gosod mesuryddion anwirfoddol yn ystod cyfnod o bwysau chwyddiant enfawr yn sgil pandemig COVID a'r rhyfel yn Wcráin yn sylfaenol anghywir, oherwydd eu bod yn gwbl ymwybodol y byddai llawer o'u cwsmeriaid wedi bod yn agored i niwed ac yn cael trafferth talu.
Ar gyfartaledd, Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae'n cymryd tua dwy flynedd cyn i bobl sy'n wynebu anhawster ariannol ofyn am gymorth. Ac yn ystod y cyfnod hwn, maent yn aml yn gwneud penderfyniadau ariannol gwaeth mewn anobaith, a gall hyn effeithio ar eu hiechyd meddyliol a chorfforol. Rydym hefyd yn gwybod y gall bregusrwydd fod yn sefyllfa dros dro, lle mae pobl yn agored i niwed am gyfnodau byr, megis ar ôl profedigaeth neu golli swydd. Ac felly, rwy'n credu'n gryf y dylem ymdrechu i leihau, ac yn wir i ddileu'r stigma y gall pobl ei deimlo yn sgil eu bregusrwydd, ac mae angen mwy o ymwybyddiaeth o sut y gallant gael gafael ar gymorth.
O safbwynt personol, credaf fod cryn rinwedd mewn gweld cwmnïau ynni'n datblygu system a all ddiystyru mesuryddion rhagdalu ar adegau o fregusrwydd a chyflenwi trydan a nwy i gwsmeriaid, fel aelwydydd â phlant neu bobl oedrannus, yn ystod tywydd oer a misoedd y gaeaf. A byddai hyn, yn y pen draw, yn annhebygol o gostio cymaint â hynny i gwmnïau cyfleustodau. Hoffwn wybod a yw cwmnïau wedi ystyried yr opsiwn hwnnw ai peidio, oherwydd gallai fod o fudd i lawer o bobl yng Nghymru.
Rwy'n falch o weld bod y Llywodraeth wedi derbyn holl argymhellion yr adroddiad naill ai'n llawn neu mewn egwyddor, a chredaf ei bod yn iawn fod y cwmnïau cyfleustodau ac Ofgem yn cael eu gwthio'n barhaus ar y mater hwn, oherwydd, mewn gwirionedd, nid yw'n fater y credaf y bydd byth yn diflannu. Bydd gennym bob amser bobl sydd â'r anghenion hyn yn ein gwlad.
Yn olaf, hoffwn sôn am argymhelliad 3, un rwy'n ei gefnogi'n llawn. Un o'r prif bethau y mae pobl agored i niwed yn eu hwynebu yw gorfod ailadrodd eu profiadau a'u hamgylchiadau i sawl sefydliad, a byddai o fudd mawr iddynt hwy a'r darparwyr cyfleustodau pe bai ond yn rhaid iddynt esbonio'r sefyllfa un waith. Rwy'n deall bod cwmnïau dŵr wedi gwneud cryn dipyn o waith ar rannu cofrestrau â blaenoriaeth a bod treialon llwyddiannus wedi bod rhwng cwmnïau dŵr a darparwyr ynni ar gyfer rhannu'r data hwn. Rwyf hefyd yn ymwybodol, fodd bynnag, fod cyfyngiadau ynghlwm wrth reoleiddio diogelu data cyffredinol a rhannu data ac wrth gwrs, wrth ddiogelu'r wybodaeth honno rhag cael ei chamddefnyddio. Ond rwy'n credu mai dyma'r ffordd ymlaen serch hynny i helpu'r rhai mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas ac rwy'n falch o weld Llywodraeth Cymru yn cydnabod hyn, a byddwn yn falch o weld mwy o ymdrech gan y Llywodraeth i wthio am hyn gan gwmnïau sy'n gweithredu yng Nghymru. Diolch.
Diolch i'r deisebwyr am ddod â hwn gerbron a diolch i bawb a wnaeth gyfrannu tuag at yr adroddiad, a diolch hefyd i Jack Sargeant, fel Cadeirydd y pwyllgor, am gadw hwn ar yr agenda a gwneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n dilyn drwodd ar hyn. So, diolch yn fawr i'r rheini.
Thank you to the petitioners for bringing this forward and thank you to everyone who contributed to this report, and thank you also to Jack Sargeant, as committee Chair, for keeping this on the agenda and ensuring that we are following through on this. So, thank you very much.
As a member of the Petitions Committee, I have to say that this is one of the most important items that has come before the committee. Taking evidence for the report was quite alarming, because the deeper you delve into the scandal of forced prepayment meter installations, the more shocking it gets. For example, the committee were alarmed at the upper and lower age limit that prevented a prepayment meter from being fitted. Despite the World Health Organization defining patients as elderly if they are over 65, the code of practice on prepayment meters has deemed that 75 and above is the age limit at which you are not permitted to fit one. Families with preschool children above the age of two can also have a meter installed against their will. That is clearly wrong.
But no matter what the age, people should not be forced into making a decision between heating and eating in twenty-first century Wales. Unfortunately, that is what is happening in many, perhaps even a majority, of the communities that we represent in the Senedd. That is an injustice and a national scandal. Households should be getting more support from both Westminster and Welsh Governments on this matter. With that in mind, and given that the price of energy is still much higher than it was pre-crisis levels, I want to know what the Government of Wales is doing to alleviate the high levels of energy debt. I also want to know how this report will, in tandem with the findings of the Wales expert group report on the cost-of-living crisis, influence the Cabinet Secretary's work. Diolch yn fawr.
Fel aelod o'r Pwyllgor Deisebau, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud mai dyma un o'r eitemau pwysicaf sydd wedi dod ger bron y pwyllgor. Roedd casglu tystiolaeth ar gyfer yr adroddiad yn eithaf brawychus, oherwydd po ddyfnaf yr ymchwiliwch i sgandal mesuryddion rhagdalu gorfodol, y mwyaf brawychus y bydd. Er enghraifft, syfrdanwyd y pwyllgor gan y terfyn oedran uchaf ac isaf a oedd yn atal mesurydd rhagdalu rhag cael ei osod. Er bod Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd yn diffinio cleifion fel rhai oedrannus os ydynt dros 65 oed, mae'r cod ymarfer ar fesuryddion rhagdalu wedi barnu mai 75 a hŷn yw'r terfyn oedran lle na chaniateir i chi osod un. Gall teuluoedd sydd â phlant cyn oed ysgol dros ddwy oed hefyd gael mesurydd wedi'i osod yn erbyn eu hewyllys. Mae hynny'n amlwg yn anghywir.
Ond ni waeth beth yw'r oedran, ni ddylid gorfodi pobl i wneud penderfyniad rhwng gwresogi a bwyta yng Nghymru'r unfed ganrif ar hugain. Yn anffodus, dyna sy'n digwydd mewn llawer, a mwyafrif efallai hyd yn oed, o'r cymunedau yr ydym yn eu cynrychioli yn y Senedd. Mae'n anghyfiawnder ac yn sgandal genedlaethol. Dylai aelwydydd fod yn cael mwy o gefnogaeth gan Lywodraeth San Steffan a Llywodraeth Cymru ar y mater hwn. Gyda hynny mewn golwg, ac o gofio bod pris ynni yn dal i fod yn llawer uwch na chyn yr argyfwng, rwyf am wybod beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i wella'r lefelau uchel o ddyled ynni. Rwyf hefyd eisiau gwybod sut y bydd yr adroddiad hwn, ochr yn ochr â chanfyddiadau adroddiad grŵp arbenigol Cymru ar yr argyfwng costau byw, yn dylanwadu ar waith Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Diolch yn fawr.
May I thank also the Petitions Committee for bringing this important report to the floor of the Siambr today? I also want to place on record my appreciation to committee Chair Jack Sargeant for his leadership in this critical field—for some, life and death.
The Times undercover investigation into a company used by British Gas to pursue debts led to shock waves around the United Kingdom. It found that British Gas routinely sent debt collectors to literally break into customers' homes, and force-fit pay-as-you-go meters, even when they were known to have extreme and intersectional vulnerabilities. The investigation found that agents were sent in by British Gas to force-fit a meter at the home of a young mother with a four-week-old baby. Her bills had risen sevenfold during the cost-of-living crisis. What a symbolic and bullying institutional act.
As the Chair's foreword notes, having access to heat and light can be a matter of life and death, so I welcome the response of the Welsh Labour Government and Ofgem to this report, which sees them both in principle accepting every single recommendation of the Petitions Committee's report, although Ofgem has been slow to react and there is still much more to be done. The new code of practice for the involuntary installation of prepayment meters is still new, and will need due diligence and an assessment made of its effectivity. Ofgem also has much to do, as it is estimated that only 1,502 people have been awarded compensation, despite over 150,000 installations being assessed by energy companies.
So, Minister, what actions or representations can the Welsh Government make to ensure that debt collection agencies should not be the arbiter of whether a household is vulnerable, that Ofgem monitor the impact of the new code of practice, and consider lowering the age for the do-not-install category from 75 to 65 years, and for the introduction of a social tariff for energy? The backdrop to this British scandal was a devastating cost-of-living crisis, as the owner of British Gas in 2023 announced a record £3 billion of annual profit. Centrica, the owner of British Gas, is a FTSE 100 company that adjusted profits of £3 billion—the highest in its history at this point. Under the rule of the UK Tory Government in Westminster, capitalist giants drown in profit, at the expense of the poorest and most vulnerable members of society. So, the quickest and most definitive way to bring radical change for Welsh households in this field is the election of a new UK Labour Government, come the general election, that prioritises people over profits. Thank you.
A gaf i ddiolch hefyd i'r Pwyllgor Deisebau am ddod â'r adroddiad pwysig hwn i lawr y Siambr heddiw? Rwyf hefyd am gofnodi fy ngwerthfawrogiad i Gadeirydd y pwyllgor, Jack Sargeant, am ei arweinyddiaeth yn y maes hollbwysig hwn—mater o fywyd a marwolaeth i rai.
Arweiniodd ymchwiliad cudd The Times i gwmni a ddefnyddiwyd gan Nwy Prydain i fynd ar drywydd dyledion at siocdonnau ledled y Deyrnas Unedig. Canfu fod Nwy Prydain yn anfon casglwyr dyledion yn rheolaidd, i dorri i mewn yn llythrennol i gartrefi cwsmeriaid, a gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu drwy orfodaeth, hyd yn oed pan oedd yn hysbys fod ganddynt fregusrwydd eithafol a rhyngblethol. Canfu'r ymchwiliad fod asiantau wedi cael eu hanfon i mewn gan Nwy Prydain i osod mesurydd yn orfodol yng nghartref mam ifanc gyda babi pedair wythnos oed. Roedd ei biliau wedi codi saith gwaith drosodd yn ystod yr argyfwng costau byw. Am weithred sefydliadol symbolaidd a bwlïaidd.
Fel mae rhagair y Cadeirydd yn nodi, gall cael mynediad at wres a golau fod yn fater o fywyd a marwolaeth, felly rwy'n croesawu ymateb Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru ac Ofgem i'r adroddiad hwn, lle mae'r ddau sefydliad mewn egwyddor yn derbyn pob argymhelliad o adroddiad y Pwyllgor Deisebau, er bod Ofgem wedi bod yn araf i ymateb ac mae llawer mwy i'w wneud o hyd. Mae'r cod ymarfer newydd ar gyfer gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu yn anwirfoddol yn dal i fod yn newydd, a bydd angen diwydrwydd dyladwy a gwneud asesiad o'i effeithiolrwydd. Mae gan Ofgem lawer i'w wneud hefyd, gan yr amcangyfrifir mai dim ond 1,502 o bobl sydd wedi cael iawndal, er bod dros 150,000 o osodiadau yn cael eu hasesu gan gwmnïau ynni.
Felly, Weinidog, pa gamau neu sylwadau y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu gwneud i sicrhau nad asiantaethau casglu dyledion sydd i benderfynu a yw aelwyd yn agored i niwed, fod Ofgem yn monitro effaith y cod ymarfer newydd, ac ystyried gostwng yr oedran ar gyfer y categori peidio â gosod o 75 i 65 oed, a chyflwyno tariff cymdeithasol ar gyfer ynni? Cefndir y sgandal Brydeinig hon oedd yr argyfwng costau byw dinistriol, wrth i berchennog Nwy Prydain gyhoeddi £3 biliwn o elw blynyddol uwch nag erioed yn 2023. Mae Centrica, perchennog Nwy Prydain, yn gwmni FTSE 100 a welodd elw a addaswyd o £3 biliwn—yr uchaf yn ei hanes hyd yma. O dan reolaeth Llywodraeth Dorïaidd y DU yn San Steffan, mae cewri cyfalafol yn boddi mewn elw, ar draul aelodau tlotaf a mwyaf bregus cymdeithas. Felly, y ffordd gyflymaf a mwyaf diffiniol o ddod â newid radical i aelwydydd Cymru yn y maes hwn yw ethol Llywodraeth Lafur newydd yn y DU pan ddaw'r etholiad cyffredinol, Llywodraeth Lafur sy'n blaenoriaethu pobl dros elw. Diolch.
Rwy'n falch o gael y cyfle i gyfrannu i'r ddadl hon, achos mae tlodi tanwydd wedi bod yn un o brif feysydd ymchwiliad y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol rwy'n aelod ohono. Ac fel llefarydd Plaid Cymru ar gyfiawnder cymdeithasol, mae'r modd y mae prisiau uchel tanwydd ac arferion annheg, sydd, yng ngeiriau'r adroddiad, yn destun sgandal, wedi cyfrannu at lefelau ac effaith tlodi a'r argyfwng costau byw wedi bod yn bryder rwyf wedi ei godi'n rheolaidd yn y Senedd. A dwi ddim yn ymddiheuro am ailadrodd unwaith eto yr hyn sy'n rhoi cyd-destun i'r adroddiad yma, achos mae'r sefyllfa yn creu poen meddwl enbyd, caledi annerbyniol, ac yn achosi salwch a marwolaeth yn ddiangen. Mae'n gwbl anghynaliadwy a chywilyddus mewn gwladwriaeth sydd gyda'r mwyaf cyfoethog yn y byd.
Fel y clywon ni, mae tlodi tanwydd wedi cynyddu yng Nghymru ac yn parhau ar lefel argyfyngus o uchel, gan gynnwys 98 y cant o aelwydydd incwm isel, gyda'r biliau ynni yn dal i fod bron 50 y cant yn uwch nag oedden nhw cyn yr argyfwng ynni, ac unrhyw ostyngiad yn y cap ar brisiau wedi ei ddileu'n llwyr gan y cynnydd aruthrol mewn dyled ynni. Yn ôl Ofgem, mae'r dyled ar filiau ynni wedi mwy na dyblu dros y tair blynedd diwethaf, a gan nad yw'r nifer o aelwydydd wedi cynyddu yn yr un modd, mae'n amlwg bod y dyled hwnnw, felly, yn awr hyd yn oed yn ddyfnach.
Ac mae'r darlun yng Nghymru yn dduach, o gofio bod y de a'r gogledd yn y tair uchaf o ran y rhanbarthau drutaf ar gyfer ynni, a'r taliadau sefydlog ar eu lefelau uchaf erioed. Ac, wrth gwrs, mae adroddiad y pwyllgor yn gosod mas y sefyllfa yn gwbl blaen—hynny yw, sut mae arferion y cwmnïau ynni wrth ymdrin â chwsmeriaid bregus sydd yn dioddef o dlodi tanwydd yn gwaethygu'r sefyllfa.
Mae nifer o'r argymhellion yn yr adroddiad, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Tachwedd y llynedd, yn cyd-fynd â chasgliadau'r grŵp arbenigol ar yr argyfwng costau byw, a gyhoeddwyd nôl ym Medi'r llynedd, a oedd yn gofyn am fesurau brys gan Lywodraeth Cymru a San Steffan i leddfu'r argyfwng economaidd ac annhegwch oedd yn wynebu gormod o bobl Cymru. Roedd y grŵp arbenigol yn galw am bwysau gan y ddwy Lywodraeth ar gwmnïau ynni i sicrhau camau i'w cefnogi, a gweithredu ar yr arferion annheg a gwahaniaethau rhanbarthol.
Mae misoedd lawer, felly, ers cyhoeddi'r ddau set o argymhellion hyn, a miloedd o bobl, yn anffodus, wedi dioddef drwy fisoedd oer y gaeaf rhwng hynny a nawr. Bu hefyd, fel y clywon ni, rai datblygiadau ers hynny o ran y cod ymarfer statudol newydd ynghylch gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu anwirfoddol, a fyddai'n rhan o'r amodau trwyddedu ar gyfer cyflenwyr. Ond mae'n glir bod angen gostwng y nifer o fesuryddion rhagdalu sy'n cael eu defnyddio, ac, i wneud hynny, rhaid mynd i'r afael â lefelau dyled a'r hyn sy'n arwain at i bobl fod yn y fath ddyled yn y lle cyntaf. Allwn ni ddim parhau i weld sefyllfa lle mae lefel a dyfnder y dyled hwn yn arwain at bobl yn gorfod mynd heb ynni hanfodol, ac felly'r modd o gadw'n dwym, yn lân, ac yn medru coginio bwyd.
Nod cynllun Llywodraeth Cymru 'Trechu tlodi tanwydd 2021 i 2035' yw sicrhau bod nifer yr aelwydydd yng Nghymru sy'n byw mewn tlodi tanwydd yn gostwng i 5 y cant erbyn 2035. Mae hynny ond ychydig dros 10 mlynedd i ffwrdd. O gofio'r ffigurau yna yr adroddais i ar ddechrau fy nghyfraniad, mae'n amlwg bod angen gwaith mawr a brys i sicrhau cynnydd. Mae mesur cynnydd yn hanfodol os ydym am gyrraedd y nod, ond er gwaethaf y ffaith bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru rwymedigaeth statudol i osod y targedau interim yn y cynllun, ac er gwaethaf y galwadau gan nifer o bwyllgorau'r Senedd hon i wneud hynny, nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gweithredu.
Felly, hoffwn ofyn, Weinidog: pryd y bydd y targedau interim hyn yn cael eu gosod? A heb y cerrig milltir, beth sy'n gyrru'r gwaith hanfodol sydd ei angen i fynd i'r afael â'n hargyfwng tlodi tanwydd, a sut ydym ni'n mesur beth sy'n effeithiol? Hoffwn hefyd glywed beth ymhellach mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r lefelau uchel o ddyled ynni ar draws Cymru. Pryd cawn ni ddiweddariad ar waith y rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd newydd er enghraifft? Pa ymrwymiadau sydd wedi cael eu rhoi hefyd gan y Blaid Lafur yn San Steffan i sicrhau diwedd ar y taliadau sefydlog annheg y mae aelwydydd Cymru yn eu hwynebu? Diolch.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate, because fuel poverty has been one of the main areas of inquiry of the Equality and Social Justice Committee, of which I am a member. And, as Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on social justice, the way in which high fuel prices and unfair practices, which, in the words of the report, are a scandal, have contributed to the levels and impact of poverty and the cost-of-living crisis has been a concern that I have raised regularly in the Senedd. I will not apologise for repeating once again what provides a context for the report, because this is a situation that creates severe mental anguish, unacceptable hardship, and causes unnecessary illness and death. It is completely unsustainable and shameful in a state that is among the wealthiest in the world.
As we heard, fuel poverty has increased in Wales and remains at a critically high level, including 98 per cent of low-income households. Energy bills are still nearly 50 per cent higher than they were before the energy crisis, and any reduction in the cap on energy prices has been completely wiped out by the massive increase in energy debt. According to Ofgem, the debt on energy bills has more than doubled over the last three years, and, as the number of households has not increased in the same way, it is clear that those debt levels are now even deeper.
And the picture in Wales is bleaker, given that the south and the north are in the top three most expensive regions for energy, and given that standing charges are at their highest levels ever. And, of course, the committee's report sets out the extent of the situation very plainly—that is, how the practices of the energy companies when dealing with vulnerable customers who suffer from fuel poverty exacerbate the situation.
Many of the recommendations in the report, published in November last year, are in line with the conclusions of the expert group on the cost-of-living crisis, which were published back in September last year, which called for urgent measures from the Welsh Government and Westminster to alleviate the economic crisis and unfairness facing too many people in Wales. The expert group called for pressure from both Governments on energy companies to ensure action to support them, and action on unfair practices and regional variations.
It has been many months now since these two sets of recommendations were published, and thousands of people, unfortunately, have suffered through the cold winter months between then and now. There have also been, as we heard, some developments since then in terms of the new statutory code of practice regarding the involuntary installation of prepayment meters that would form part of the licensing conditions for suppliers. But it is clear that we need to reduce the number of prepayment meters in use, and, to do that, we need to tackle debt levels and the factors that lead people to be in such debt in the first place. We cannot continue to see a situation where the level and depth of this debt leads to people having to go without essential energy, and, therefore, the means of keeping warm, clean, and being able to cook their food.
The aim of the Welsh Government's plan, ‘Tackling fuel poverty 2021 to 2035', is to ensure that the number of households in Wales living in fuel poverty falls to 5 per cent by 2035. That is just over 10 years away. Bearing in mind the figures that I reported at the beginning of my contribution, it is clear that major and urgent work is needed to ensure progress. Measuring progress is vital if we want to reach the goal, but, despite the fact that the Welsh Government has a statutory obligation to set the interim targets in the plan, and despite the calls from several committees in this Senedd to do so, the Welsh Government has not taken action.
So, I would like to ask, Minister: when will these interim targets be set? And without these milestones, what is driving the critical momentum needed to tackle our fuel poverty crisis, and how do we measure what's effective? I would also like to hear what further action the Government is taking to tackle the high levels of energy debt across Wales. When will we get an update on the work of the new Warm Homes programme, for example? What commitments have been given by the Labour Party in Westminster as well to ensure an end to the unfair standing charges that Welsh households face? Thank you.
I wouldn't say it's a pleasure to take part in this debate, but it's a privilege to be able to speak on this issue. And I commend Climate Cymru and others for bringing forth this really important petition, as well as, as I would call him, the 'superman of fuel poverty', Jack Sargeant, who continues, really, to champion this particular issue. Thank you to you.
We know that this crisis disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable citizens—those in social housing, households with children and the elderly. Alarmingly, Citizens Advice reports a third of Welsh prepayment meter users faced disconnection last year, due to unaffordable top-up costs, with 13 per cent going over a week without essential energy supplies. Forcing prepayment meters without safeguards, therefore, flagrantly violates consumer protections and does not safeguard our most vulnerable and those that we are responsible for. With six suppliers forcing prepayment this year, more must be done to ensure fewer face potential disconnection over debt. I do welcome the Welsh Government, therefore, accepting most recommendations that came out of the committee report, including supporting a vital social tariff for the vulnerable and enhancing advice surgeries, but bolder action is still needed.
There is a pressing need, in collaboration with the UK Government and Ofgem, to implement legally binding legislation, prohibiting all non-consensual meter transfers and the installation of prepayment meters, whether through warrant action or through the transitioning of smart meters, without the say-so of the consumer. Similarly, while Ofgem's introduction of a vulnerability principle and a mandatory code of practice are positive steps, their response to the Petitions Committee sorely lacks detail on those enforcement mechanisms and an oversight to protect our most vulnerable groups beyond Ofgem's narrow criteria. Relying on suppliers' self-governance is absolutely unacceptable, as they have the financial incentives conflicting with robust consumer protection. Additionally, allowing debt collection agencies to conduct initial vulnerability assessments is unacceptable as well. They lack the necessary training and the impartiality to properly evaluate those vulnerabilities. I would welcome comments from the Cabinet Secretary about how you will work with Ofgem to ensure that these robust measures are in place.
But the wider point, raised by my colleague on the ESJ committee, and, as well, by Rhianon Passmore, is how we address the issue of fuel poverty. It is a scourge across the whole of Wales. Around 98 per cent of those people in Wales living in low-income households are struggling. Rural communities, such as my own of Mid and West Wales, are disproportionately affected, suffering from fuel and energy poverty rates far exceeding the national average. And, whilst I do welcome the long-awaited launch of the Warm Homes programme, which Sioned has also touched on, it's a full year later than anticipated. And the current plan to improve only 1,600 properties per year over a seven-year period is absolutely unacceptable. Some of my poor staff have worked out how long that would take to address all fuel-poor homes in Wales. It is 130 years. That will outlive us all. We have to do more and faster.
With the last annual report for Nest showing that insulation accounted for less than 7 per cent of all energy efficiency measures installed, severe questions are raised about the scale and pace of change. To truly make fuel poverty a thing of the past and meet its 2035 targets, the Welsh Government needs to take urgent and aggressive action to accelerate the programme. So, will the Cabinet Secretary outline, to finish, what specific and substantial measures will be taken to accelerate the Warm Homes programme and ensure that it reaches those who need it the most? Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Ni fyddwn yn dweud ei bod yn bleser cymryd rhan yn y ddadl hon, ond mae'n fraint gallu siarad ar y mater hwn. Ac rwy'n cymeradwyo Climate Cymru ac eraill am gyflwyno'r ddeiseb bwysig hon, yn ogystal â'r 'uwch-arwr tlodi tanwydd' fel y byddwn i'n ei alw, Jack Sargeant, sy'n parhau i hyrwyddo'r mater penodol hwn. Diolch yn fawr i chi.
Fe wyddom fod yr argyfwng hwn yn effeithio'n anghymesur ar ein dinasyddion mwyaf agored i niwed—y rhai mewn tai cymdeithasol, cartrefi â phlant a'r henoed. Yn frawychus, mae Cyngor ar Bopeth yn dweud bod traean o ddefnyddwyr mesuryddion rhagdalu Cymru wedi wynebu datgysylltiad y llynedd oherwydd costau atodol anfforddiadwy, gydag 13 y cant yn mynd dros wythnos heb gyflenwad ynni hanfodol. Felly, mae gorfodi mesuryddion rhagdalu heb fesurau diogelu yn amlwg yn torri amddiffyniadau i ddefnyddwyr ac nid yw'n diogelu ein pobl fwyaf bregus a'r rhai yr ydym yn gyfrifol amdanynt. Gyda chwe chyflenwr yn gorfodi rhagdaliad eleni, mae'n rhaid gwneud mwy i sicrhau bod llai yn wynebu datgysylltiad posibl oherwydd dyled. Rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru, felly, yn derbyn y rhan fwyaf o'r argymhellion a ddaeth o adroddiad y pwyllgor, gan gynnwys cefnogi tariff cymdeithasol hanfodol ar gyfer rhai sy'n agored i niwed a gwella cymorthfeydd cynghori, ond mae angen gweithredu mwy mentrus o hyd.
Mewn cydweithrediad â Llywodraeth y DU ac Ofgem, mae gwir angen gweithredu deddfwriaeth cyfreithiol rwymol, gan wahardd pob newid i fesurydd na chafwyd cydsyniad iddo a gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu, boed drwy warant neu drwy drosglwyddo i fesuryddion deallus heb gydsyniad y defnyddiwr. Yn yr un modd, er bod cyflwyno egwyddor fregusrwydd a chod ymarfer gorfodol gan Ofgem yn gamau cadarnhaol, mae eu hymateb i'r Pwyllgor Deisebau yn brin iawn o fanylion am y mecanweithiau gorfodi hynny a goruchwyliaeth i amddiffyn ein grwpiau mwyaf agored i niwed y tu hwnt i feini prawf cul Ofgem. Mae dibynnu ar hunanreolaeth cyflenwyr yn gwbl annerbyniol, gan fod ganddynt gymhellion ariannol sy'n gwrthdaro â diogelwch cadarn i ddefnyddwyr. Yn ogystal, mae caniatáu i asiantaethau casglu dyledion gynnal asesiadau bregusrwydd cychwynnol yn annerbyniol hefyd. Nid ydynt wedi cael yr hyfforddiant angenrheidiol ac nid ydynt yn ddigon diduedd i werthuso bregusrwydd yn iawn. Byddwn yn croesawu sylwadau gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ynglŷn â sut y byddwch yn gweithio gydag Ofgem i sicrhau bod y mesurau cadarn hyn ar waith.
Ond y pwynt ehangach, a godwyd gan fy nghyd-Aelod ar y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, a Rhianon Passmore hefyd, yw sut yr awn i'r afael â phroblem tlodi o ran tanwydd. Mae'n bla ar draws Cymru gyfan. Mae tua 98 y cant o'r bobl yng Nghymru sy'n byw mewn cartrefi incwm isel yn ei chael hi'n anodd. Mae cymunedau gwledig, fel fy un i yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru, yn cael eu heffeithio'n anghymesur, gan eu bod yn dioddef cyfraddau tlodi tanwydd ac ynni sy'n llawer uwch na'r cyfartaledd cenedlaethol. Ac er fy mod yn croesawu lansiad hirddisgwyliedig y rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd, y soniodd Sioned amdani hefyd, mae flwyddyn gyfan yn hwyrach na'r disgwyl. Ac mae'r cynllun presennol i wella 1,600 eiddo y flwyddyn yn unig dros gyfnod o saith mlynedd yn gwbl annerbyniol. Mae rhai o fy staff wedi cyfrif pa mor hir y byddai hynny'n ei gymryd i fynd i'r afael â phob cartref sy'n dlawd o ran tanwydd yng Nghymru. Mae'n 130 o flynyddoedd. Bydd yn dal yno ar ein holau ni i gyd. Mae'n rhaid inni wneud mwy yn gyflymach.
Gyda'r adroddiad blynyddol diwethaf ar gyfer Nyth yn dangos bod inswleiddio yn llai na 7 y cant o'r holl fesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni a osodwyd, mae cwestiynau difrifol i'w gofyn am faint a chyflymder y newid. Er mwyn gwneud tlodi tanwydd yn rhywbeth sy'n perthyn i'r gorffennol a chyrraedd ei thargedau ar gyfer 2035, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru roi camau brys ac ymosodol ar waith i gyflymu'r rhaglen. Felly, i orffen, a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet amlinellu pa fesurau penodol a sylweddol a gaiff eu cymryd i gyflymu'r rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd a sicrhau ei bod yn cyrraedd y rhai sydd ei hangen fwyaf? Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
A galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, Lesley Griffiths.
And I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Lesley Griffiths.
Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. And I'd really like to thank members of the Petitions Committee for their report on the prepayment meter scandal in Wales and for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Government this afternoon. The report made several important recommendations in line with our policy positions and actions in this important area. Our response to the committee's recommendations outlined all the work Welsh Government is doing in this area, including where we do not have devolved powers, where we continue to raise our concerns with the UK Government.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ddirprwy Lywydd. A hoffwn ddiolch yn fawr iawn i aelodau'r Pwyllgor Deisebau am eu hadroddiad ar y sgandal mesuryddion rhagdalu yng Nghymru ac am y cyfle i siarad ar ran y Llywodraeth y prynhawn yma. Gwnaeth yr adroddiad sawl argymhelliad pwysig yn unol â'n safbwyntiau polisi a'n camau gweithredu yn y maes pwysig hwn. Roedd ein hymateb i argymhellion y pwyllgor yn amlinellu'r holl waith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud yn y maes hwn, gan gynnwys lle nad oes gennym bwerau datganoledig, lle rydym yn parhau i ddwyn ein pryderon i sylw Llywodraeth y DU.
The Welsh Government did raise concerns about the prepayment system and the fact it was failing the most vulnerable people in society before the scandal broke in early 2023. My predecessor, the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, wrote to suppliers in November 2022 and gained assurances on the support that they would give households in Wales during the winter of 2022-23. However, despite those assurances, we all witnessed shocking reports of debt collectors breaking into homes to force-fit prepayment meters. A self-imposed ban followed, and Ofgem introduced a voluntary code of practice. I'm pleased that Ofgem accepted our call to make its voluntary code of practice a mandatory part of the supply licence. Breaches of the code can now lead to enforcement action and fines. It is vital that eligible householders are protected. The new code is a welcome step to provide better safeguards for the most vulnerable households in our society. I'm pleased that Ofgem engaged with a variety of stakeholders in developing this code. We fully expect Ofgem to monitor suppliers' compliance with the vulnerability checks and whether the new rules go far enough to protect those most in need.
Several Members this afternoon have mentioned Ofgem, and I've today written to the chair of Ofgem, asking him to ensure the new rules are implemented effectively. I want to have an early meeting with them. There are other things that need discussion with Ofgem, I think, which, again, Members have alluded to. One of the concerns for me is around standing charges. There's also the call for the social tariff. So, I think there's a huge amount of work that we need to do as a Government with Ofgem.
Welsh Government will continue to keep a close eye on the situation, to ensure we do not see a repeat of the devastating impact of the forced installation of prepayment meters on our vulnerable households. I know Members will also be watching very closely. With the practice of forcibly installing prepayment meters resuming, I'm pleased to see the Petitions Committee report recommending actions in line with Welsh Government's policy positions and actions.
I think it's worth reiterating the point that, again, many Members have said this afternoon, that prepayment customers are usually among the most vulnerable in our society. We must ensure that there are safeguards in place to protect them, and that those safeguards are adhered to. We've long called for a social tariff to be introduced, which would provide an additional way to fairly protect the worst off. The Chancellor made a commitment in November 2022 to develop a new approach to consumer protection by April 2024, yet we know no such action has been taken. This is deeply frustrating and has meant that vulnerable households have now had to endure two difficult winters with soaring energy costs since the commitment was made.
In these last two years, however, the Welsh Government did not stand idly by. Free, impartial advice was available to all householders via our Warm Homes programme Nest scheme, and we actively signposted the Nest advice service through the 'Here to help with the cost of living' campaign last winter. Our Climate Action Wales website contains advice on home energy use and our recently launched new Nest Warm Homes programme will continue to offer free energy-savings advice to all households. Since June 2022, we've allocated nearly £4.5 million of funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation to support eligible households that prepay for their fuel and are at risk of disconnection. Our discretionary assistance fund has supported over 210,000 individuals with over £28.9 million-worth of grants since last April. That includes over £16 million in cash payments to support financially vulnerable individuals and families with basic living costs such as food, gas and electricity. Our new Nest Warm Homes scheme provides continuity of support to fuel poor households.
We want to see energy suppliers supporting their customers who are struggling, not forcing entry. It is important for households in energy debt to contact their energy suppliers at the earliest opportunity. By engaging early, suppliers and customers can agree an affordable repayment plan to avoid reaching the point of involuntary prepayment meters being fitted. Where enforcement action is appropriate, we want to ensure that everyone experiencing such action is treated fairly and is protected from poor practice. I can assure Members that I will continue to press for actions that deliver this.
I am aware that Ofgem does not regulate debt collection agencies, but it is important that it encourages suppliers to use authorised debt collection agencies and accredited agents. Welsh Government has been calling for energy suppliers to use only Enforcement Conduct Board-accredited agents. We believe that having accredited debt collection strengthens the protection available to our prepayment customers. This is of particular importance now that energy suppliers can resume the practice of installing prepayment meters by force, albeit under the newly mandated code of practice. Welsh Government continues to have a role to play in supporting vulnerable households, and, as the Petitions Committee has demonstrated, we all want to achieve the same outcome: protecting the lives and well-being of our most vulnerable households. Diolch.
Fe wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru godi pryderon am y system ragdalu a'r ffaith ei bod yn gwneud cam â'r bobl fwyaf bregus mewn cymdeithas cyn i'r sgandal dorri yn gynnar yn 2023. Ysgrifennodd fy rhagflaenydd, y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol a'r Prif Chwip, Jane Hutt, at gyflenwyr ym mis Tachwedd 2022 a chael sicrwydd ynglŷn â'r gefnogaeth y byddent yn ei rhoi i aelwydydd yng Nghymru yn ystod gaeaf 2022-23. Fodd bynnag, er gwaethaf y sicrwydd hwnnw, gwelsom i gyd adroddiadau brawychus am gasglwyr dyledion yn torri i mewn i gartrefi i osod mesuryddion rhagdalu drwy orfodaeth. Dilynwyd hyn gan waharddiad hunanosodedig, a chyflwynodd Ofgem god ymarfer gwirfoddol. Rwy'n falch fod Ofgem wedi derbyn ein galwad i wneud ei god ymarfer gwirfoddol yn rhan orfodol o'r drwydded gyflenwi. Bellach, gall torri'r cod arwain at gamau gorfodi a dirwyon. Mae'n hanfodol fod deiliaid tai cymwys yn cael eu diogelu. Mae'r cod newydd yn gam i'w groesawu tuag at ddarparu gwell mesurau diogelu ar gyfer yr aelwydydd mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas. Rwy'n falch fod Ofgem wedi ymgysylltu ag amrywiaeth o randdeiliaid wrth ddatblygu'r cod hwn. Rydym yn disgwyl i Ofgem fonitro cydymffurfiaeth cyflenwyr â'r gwiriadau bregusrwydd ac i weld a yw'r rheolau newydd yn mynd yn ddigon pell i ddiogelu'r rhai mwyaf anghenus.
Mae sawl Aelod y prynhawn yma wedi sôn am Ofgem, ac rwyf wedi ysgrifennu at gadeirydd Ofgem heddiw, yn gofyn iddo sicrhau bod y rheolau newydd yn cael eu gweithredu'n effeithiol. Rwyf am gael cyfarfod cynnar gyda nhw. Mae yna bethau eraill sydd angen eu trafod gydag Ofgem, ac mae'r Aelodau wedi cyfeirio at y rheini hefyd. Un o'r pryderon i mi yw taliadau sefydlog. Mae yna alwad hefyd am y tariff cymdeithasol. Felly, rwy'n credu bod llawer iawn o waith y mae angen i ni ei wneud fel Llywodraeth gydag Ofgem.
Bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i gadw llygad barcud ar y sefyllfa, er mwyn sicrhau nad ydym yn gweld ailadrodd effaith ddinistriol gosod mesuryddion rhagdalu gorfodol ar ein haelwydydd bregus. Rwy'n gwybod y bydd yr Aelodau'n gwylio'n agos iawn hefyd. Gyda'r arfer o osod mesuryddion rhagdalu yn orfodol yn ailddechrau, rwy'n falch o weld adroddiad y Pwyllgor Deisebau yn argymell camau gweithredu yn unol â safbwyntiau polisi a chamau gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru.
Rwy'n credu ei bod yn werth ailadrodd y pwynt, unwaith eto, fod llawer o Aelodau wedi dweud y prynhawn yma, fod cwsmeriaid rhagdalu fel arfer ymhlith y rhai mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas. Mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod mesurau diogelu ar waith i'w gwarchod, a bod cydymffurfiaeth â'r mesurau diogelu hynny. Rydym wedi galw ers tro am gyflwyno tariff cymdeithasol, a fyddai'n ffordd ychwanegol o ddiogelu'r bobl dlotaf. Fe wnaeth y Canghellor ymrwymiad ym mis Tachwedd 2022 i ddatblygu dull newydd o amddiffyn defnyddwyr erbyn mis Ebrill 2024, ac eto rydym yn gwybod na chymerwyd camau o'r fath. Mae hyn yn rhwystredig iawn ac mae wedi golygu bod aelwydydd bregus bellach wedi gorfod dioddef dau aeaf anodd gyda chostau ynni uchel iawn ers i'r ymrwymiad gael ei wneud.
Yn ystod y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf fodd bynnag, ni fu Llywodraeth Cymru'n segur. Roedd cyngor diduedd am ddim ar gael i bob deiliad tŷ drwy gynllun Nyth ein rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd, ac fe wnaethom fynd ati i gyfeirio'n weithredol at wasanaeth cynghori Nyth drwy'r ymgyrch 'Yma i helpu gyda chostau byw' y gaeaf diwethaf. Mae ein gwefan Gweithredu ar Newid Hinsawdd yn cynnwys cyngor ar y defnydd o ynni yn y cartref a bydd ein rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd Nyth newydd a lansiwyd yn ddiweddar yn parhau i gynnig cyngor arbed ynni am ddim i bob aelwyd. Ers mis Mehefin 2022, rydym wedi dyrannu bron i £4.5 miliwn o gyllid i'r Sefydliad Banc Tanwydd i gefnogi aelwydydd cymwys sy'n rhagdalu am eu tanwydd ac sydd mewn perygl o gael eu datgysylltu. Mae ein cronfa cymorth dewisol wedi cefnogi dros 210,000 o unigolion gyda gwerth dros £28.9 miliwn o grantiau ers mis Ebrill diwethaf. Mae hynny'n cynnwys dros £16 miliwn mewn taliadau arian parod i gefnogi unigolion a theuluoedd sy'n fregus yn ariannol gyda chostau byw sylfaenol fel bwyd, nwy a thrydan. Mae ein cynllun Cartrefi Clyd Nyth newydd yn darparu cefnogaeth barhaol i aelwydydd tlawd o ran tanwydd.
Rydym am weld cyflenwyr ynni yn cefnogi eu cwsmeriaid sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd, nid gorfodi mynediad. Mae'n bwysig i aelwydydd sydd mewn dyled ynni gysylltu â'u cyflenwyr ynni cyn gynted â phosibl. Drwy ymgysylltu'n gynnar, gall cyflenwyr a chwsmeriaid gytuno ar gynllun ad-dalu fforddiadwy i osgoi cyrraedd pwynt lle caiff mesuryddion rhagdalu eu gosod yn anwirfoddol. Pan fo camau gorfodi'n briodol, rydym am sicrhau bod pawb sy'n profi camau o'r fath yn cael eu trin yn deg a'u bod yn cael eu hamddiffyn rhag arferion gwael. Gallaf sicrhau'r Aelodau y byddaf yn parhau i bwyso am gamau gweithredu sy'n cyflawni hyn.
Rwy'n ymwybodol nad yw Ofgem yn rheoleiddio asiantaethau casglu dyledion, ond mae'n bwysig ei fod yn annog cyflenwyr i ddefnyddio asiantaethau casglu dyledion awdurdodedig ac asiantau achrededig. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn galw ar gyflenwyr ynni i ddefnyddio asiantau sydd wedi'u hachredu gan y Bwrdd Ymddygiad Gorfodi yn unig. Credwn fod cael trefn gasglu dyledion achrededig yn cryfhau'r amddiffyniad sydd ar gael i'n cwsmeriaid rhagdalu. Mae hyn yn arbennig o bwysig gan y gall cyflenwyr ynni ailddechrau'r arfer o osod mesuryddion rhagdalu yn orfodol bellach, o dan y cod ymarfer sydd newydd gael ei fandadu. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru rôl i'w chwarae o hyd yn cefnogi aelwydydd bregus, ac fel y mae'r Pwyllgor Deisebau wedi dangos, rydym i gyd eisiau cyflawni'r un canlyniad: diogelu bywydau a llesiant ein haelwydydd mwyaf agored i niwed. Diolch.