Y Cyfarfod Llawn

Plenary

13/11/2024

Cofnodir y trafodion yn yr iaith y llefarwyd hwy ynddi yn y pwyllgor. Yn ogystal, cynhwysir trawsgrifiad o’r cyfieithu ar y pryd. Lle mae cyfranwyr wedi darparu cywiriadau i’w tystiolaeth, nodir y rheini yn y trawsgrifiad.

The proceedings are reported in the language in which they were spoken in the committee. In addition, a transcription of the simultaneous interpretation is included. Where contributors have supplied corrections to their evidence, these are noted in the transcript.

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.

1. Cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyllid a’r Gymraeg
1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language

Prynhawn da a chroeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Y cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyllid a’r Gymraeg sydd gyntaf y prynhawn yma ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Heledd Fychan.

Good afternoon and welcome to this Plenary meeting. The first item on the agenda is questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, and the first question is from Heledd Fychan.

Cyllid Awdurdodau Lleol
Local Authority Funding

1. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi eu cael gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol a Thai ynglŷn a sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol Cymru yn derbyn cyllid digonol i barhau i ddarparu gwasanaethau? OQ61844

1. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government about ensuring that Welsh local authorities receive sufficient funding to continue to deliver services? OQ61844

Wel, Llywydd, rwy'n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd â holl gyd-weithwyr y Cabinet, yn unigol ac ar y cyd, yn ystod y broses o osod cyllideb ddrafft. Mynychais yr is-grŵp cyllid gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ar 22 Hydref, i glywed gan awdurdodau lleol yn uniongyrchol am eu pwysau a'u blaenoriaethau. A chwrddais i eto ag arweinwyr y cyngor a phrif swyddogion ddydd Llun diwethaf.

Llywydd, I meet regularly with all Cabinet colleagues individually and collectively during the draft budget-setting process. I attended the finance sub-group with the Cabinet Secretary on 22 October, to hear from local authorities directly on their pressures and priorities. And I met again with council leaders and chief officers on Monday.

Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae’n fuddiol iawn gwybod eich bod chi yn cyfarfod mor rheolaidd, ac, yn amlwg, dwi'n siŵr y bydd arweinyddion llywodraeth leol wedi pwysleisio efo chi y ffaith eu bod nhw'n pryderu'n fawr ynglŷn â'u gallu nhw i ddarparu gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol yn benodol oherwydd yr heriau ariannol. Yn fy rhanbarth i, ac yn benodol yn Rhondda Cynon Taf, mae'r cyngor yn ymgynghori ynglŷn â chau dau gartref gofal er mwyn gwneud arbedion ar y funud: Cae Glas a Ferndale House. Mae hyn er gwaetha'r ffaith bod yna drigolion mewn gwelyau yn yr ysbytai lleol sy'n barod i gael eu rhyddhau ond yn aros am le mewn cartref gofal, weithiau am wythnosau.

Sut, felly, ydych chi'n gweithio gyda’r Ysgrifenyddion Cabinet perthnasol i sicrhau nad oes yna unrhyw benderfyniadau byrbwyll, megis cau cartrefi gofal, yn digwydd nes bod y darlun cyllid yn gliriach ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf? Ac onid ydy hi'n bwysig, o ran sefyllfa gyllidol y gwasanaeth iechyd, fod y cartrefi hyn yn parhau ar agor fel nad ydyn ni'n rhoi mwy o bwysau ar gyllidebau amgen?

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. It's good to know that you do meet so regularly, and, clearly, I'm sure that local authority leaders will have emphasised to you the fact that they are hugely concerned about their ability to provide social care services specifically because of the financial challenges that they face. In my region, and specifically in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the council is consulting on the closure of two care homes in order to make savings at the moment: Cae Glas and Ferndale House. This is despite the fact that there are residents in beds in local hospitals who are ready to be released but are awaiting a place in a care home, sometimes for weeks.

How, then, are you working with the relevant Cabinet Secretaries to ensure that no hasty decisions are made, such as the closure of care homes, until the funding picture is clearer for next year? And isn't it important, in terms of the funding position of the health service, that these homes remain open so that we're not putting more pressure on other budgets?

Wel, Llywydd, diolch yn fawr i Heledd Fychan am y cwestiwn atodol yna. Rŷch chi'n iawn—mae arweinwyr cynghorau lleol yn sôn bob tro rwy'n cwrdd â nhw am y pwysau y maen nhw'n ei wynebu yn y maes gofal cymdeithasol, ond ar draws eu cyfrifoldebau nhw i gyd.

Wrth gwrs, mae’r berthynas rhwng awdurdodau lleol a byrddau iechyd yn un bwysig ac rŷn ni'n gwybod bod pobl mewn ysbytai yn awr sy'n ddigon da i fynd yn ôl adref neu i gael gofal y tu fas i'r ysbyty. Dwi ddim yn siŵr os yw’n wir i ddweud mai jest mater o arian yw e pan fydd cynghorau lleol yn symud i gau rhai cartrefi preswyl. Fel dwi'n deall, yn RhCT, mae gwelyau yn wag nawr yn y cartrefi gofal sydd ganddyn nhw. So, ar un ochr, mae arian, wrth gwrs, yn bwysig a dyna beth dwi'n ei drafod gyda nhw, ond hefyd mae'r galw am wasanaethau i bobl yn y gymuned yn newid a dyna beth mae awdurdodau lleol yn ei wynebu hefyd.

Well, Llywydd, I thank Heledd Fychan for that supplementary question. You are right—local council leaders tell me every time I meet them about the pressures they're facing in the area of social care, but across their responsibilities as well. 

Of course, the relationship between local authorities and health boards is a very important one and we know that there are people in hospitals now who are well enough to return home or to receive care outside of a hospital setting. I'm not sure if it's true to say that it's just an issue of funding when local councils are moving to close some residential homes. As I understand it, in RCT, there are empty beds now within their care homes. So, on the one hand, funding is important and that's what I do discuss with them, but also the demand for services for people in the community is changing and that's what local authorities are facing as well.

I thank my colleague for raising this important issue. Cabinet Secretary, all the talk has been about more money for the NHS in order to tackle waiting times. In fact, the main reason Wales is getting so much extra funding is due to the money that the UK Government is spending to tackle NHS waiting times in England. However, pumping billions extra into health is not the answer to tackling waiting times. We need to direct spending into social care, and that means directing funds to local authorities. Cabinet Secretary, how will the Welsh Government ensure that social care is properly funded in order to eliminate delayed transfers of care, which you mentioned earlier?

Diolch i fy nghyd-Aelod am godi'r mater pwysig hwn. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae’r holl sôn wedi bod am fwy o arian i’r GIG er mwyn mynd i’r afael ag amseroedd aros. Mewn gwirionedd, y prif reswm pam fod Cymru’n cael cymaint o arian ychwanegol yw oherwydd yr arian y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ei wario ar fynd i’r afael ag amseroedd aros y GIG yn Lloegr. Fodd bynnag, nid pwmpio biliynau ychwanegol i iechyd yw'r ateb i fynd i’r afael ag amseroedd aros. Mae angen inni gyfeirio gwariant at ofal cymdeithasol, ac mae hynny’n golygu cyfeirio arian at awdurdodau lleol. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau bod gofal cymdeithasol yn cael ei ariannu’n briodol er mwyn dileu oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal, a grybwyllwyd gennych yn gynharach?

Well, Llywydd, of course, I agree with the Member that investment in social care is part of a solution to the pressures that the system in the round experiences. From the point of view of the individual, it really doesn't matter whether the money is being spent in the health service or in social care, provided that they get the service that is the one that they themselves need.

I think there is a wider point, though, than the one that Altaf Hussein has made this afternoon, which is that, historically, in all public services, we focus on supply—we supply more services, we create more of this, we provide more of that—whereas, in fact, we need to look at demand in services as well. Why do people present themselves for care in the NHS, particularly when the conditions that they present with are conditions avoidable if different choices are made and different sources of help are available to people earlier in the progression of the difficulty that eventually means you need a secondary care service? So, it's rebalancing the way our public services not only are funded, but in the way they approach the work that they do so that there is more emphasis on helping to deal with demand, rather than simply dealing with the consequences of demand once that demand has crystallised.

Wel, Lywydd, wrth gwrs, rwy'n cytuno â’r Aelod fod buddsoddi mewn gofal cymdeithasol yn rhan o'r ateb i fynd i'r afael â’r pwysau cyffredinol ar ein system. O safbwynt yr unigolyn, nid oes ots a yw’r arian yn cael ei wario yn y gwasanaeth iechyd neu mewn gofal cymdeithasol, ar yr amod eu bod yn cael y gwasanaeth sydd ei angen arnynt hwy eu hunain.

Credaf fod pwynt ehangach, serch hynny, na’r un y mae Altaf Hussein wedi’i wneud y prynhawn yma, sef yn hanesyddol, ym mhob gwasanaeth cyhoeddus, ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar ddarparu—rydym yn darparu mwy o wasanaethau, rydym yn creu mwy o hyn, rydym yn darparu mwy o'r llall—tra bo angen inni edrych, mewn gwirionedd, ar y galw mewn gwasanaethau hefyd. Pam fod pobl yn ymgyflwyno am ofal yn y GIG, yn enwedig pan fo’r cyflyrau y maent yn ymgyflwyno â hwy yn gyflyrau y gellir eu hosgoi os gwneir dewisiadau gwahanol, ac os oes ffynonellau cymorth gwahanol ar gael i bobl yn gynharach yn natblygiad y broblem sy’n golygu, yn y pen draw, mai gwasanaeth gofal eilaidd sydd ei angen arnoch? Felly, mae a wnelo ag ailgydbwyso'r ffordd y mae ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus nid yn unig yn cael eu hariannu, ond y ffordd y maent yn mynd ati i wneud y gwaith a wnânt fel bod mwy o bwyslais ar helpu i ymdrin â galw, yn hytrach na dim ond ymdrin â chanlyniadau'r galw pan fydd y galw hwnnw wedi crisialu.

13:35

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, we're all too aware that years of austerity have had a devastating impact on public services, and we've spoken before in this place that it's going to take more than last month's budget to finally turn that around. But we know too, as we've heard already this afternoon, that our local authorities face an immediate catalogue of challenges, and challenges that are felt most acutely in my corner of the country, whether that's in social care, the impact of legislation, or those bread-and-butter issues such as road repairs. So, felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, can I ask, in the context of the current climate, what consideration has and could be given to any shorter term funding solutions, whether that's around revenue and capital, or what scope is there to do things, do anything, differently—one of the things that's been suggested to me is around looking at reserves—but a way in which we can perhaps bridge that gap to, hopefully, a brighter financial future?

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fe wyddom yn iawn fod blynyddoedd o gyni wedi cael effaith ddinistriol ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus, ac rydym wedi dweud o'r blaen yn y lle hwn ei bod yn mynd i gymryd mwy na chyllideb y mis diwethaf i drawsnewid y sefyllfa honno. Ond fe wyddom hefyd, fel rydym eisoes wedi'i glywed y prynhawn yma, fod ein hawdurdodau lleol yn wynebu cyfres o heriau uniongyrchol, a'r heriau a deimlir yn fwyaf difrifol yn fy nghornel i o'r wlad, boed hynny ym maes gofal cymdeithasol, effaith deddfwriaeth, neu faterion bara menyn fel atgyweirio ffyrdd. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a gaf i ofyn, yng nghyd-destun yr hinsawdd sydd ohoni, pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd ac y gellid ei rhoi i unrhyw atebion ariannu tymor byrrach, boed hynny’n refeniw a chyfalaf, neu'r posibilrwydd o wneud pethau, unrhyw beth, yn wahanol—mae un o'r pethau a awgrymwyd i mi yn ymwneud ag edrych ar gronfeydd wrth gefn—ond ffordd o bontio'r bwlch hwnnw, efallai, i ddyfodol ariannol mwy disglair, gobeithio?

I thank the Member for that question. She's right about the pressures that local authorities face, but, 14 years into an era of resource constraint, public services of all sorts are facing those types of challenges. My aim in the budget next year is to assist our local authorities to move back from the brink of the worst of the challenges that they are facing and to allow them a pathway then beyond that into days when we hope they will have the resources they need to match the needs of their local populations. In the short run, I am in discussions of course with Cabinet colleagues about this year's budget. There is an increase in the resources available to the Welsh Government in the current year. And in the very short run, there are actions that we hope to be able to take to mitigate some of the pressures that our public services face. I am very anxious, in the spirit of the previous question, to encourage Cabinet colleagues and our public services to use short-term investments as a pathway to longer term sustainability. And there are ways in which capital expenditure, particularly, can be deployed to make the revenue resources that an authority has to be used more effectively and more efficiently. And it is those sorts of short-term steps that we are focusing on as part of that longer pathway into a time when our public services have the investments that they have been starved of for so long.

Diolch i’r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Mae'n llygad ei lle am y pwysau y mae awdurdodau lleol yn ei wynebu, ond 14 mlynedd i mewn i gyfnod o gyfyngiadau ar adnoddau, mae gwasanaethau cyhoeddus o bob math yn wynebu'r mathau hynny o heriau. Fy nod yn y gyllideb y flwyddyn nesaf yw cynorthwyo ein hawdurdodau lleol i gamu'n ôl o'r dibyn o ran yr heriau gwaethaf y maent yn eu hwynebu a chaniatáu llwybr iddynt y tu hwnt i hynny tuag at ddyddiau pan fydd ganddynt, gobeithio, yr adnoddau sydd eu hangen arnynt i ddiwallu anghenion eu poblogaethau lleol. Yn y tymor byr, rwyf mewn trafodaethau, wrth gwrs, gyda chyd-Aelodau o'r Cabinet ynglŷn â chyllideb eleni. Mae cynnydd yn yr adnoddau sydd ar gael i Lywodraeth Cymru yn y flwyddyn gyfredol. Ac yn y tymor byr iawn, mae camau y gobeithiwn allu eu cymryd i liniaru rhywfaint o'r pwysau y mae ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn ei wynebu. Rwy’n awyddus iawn, yn ysbryd y cwestiwn blaenorol, i annog cyd-Aelodau o'r Cabinet a’n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i ddefnyddio buddsoddiadau tymor byr fel llwybr at gynaliadwyedd mwy hirdymor. Ac mae ffyrdd y gellir defnyddio gwariant cyfalaf, yn arbennig, i wneud yr adnoddau refeniw sydd gan awdurdod i'w defnyddio yn fwy effeithiol ac yn fwy effeithlon. Ac rydym yn canolbwyntio ar y mathau hynny o gamau tymor byr fel rhan o’r llwybr pellach tuag at gyfnod pan fydd gan ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus y buddsoddiadau y cawsant eu hamddifadu ohonynt ers cyhyd.

Cyllideb Hydref Llywodraeth y DU
The UK Government's Autumn Budget

2. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'u cael â Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn a chyllideb hydref Llywodraeth y DU? OQ61856

2. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the UK Government regarding the UK Government's autumn budget? OQ61856

I thank the leader of the opposition for that question. Llywydd, a set of collaborative discussions took place with UK Ministers, focusing on Welsh priorities, ahead of the UK budget. These will continue as we head into the second phase of the UK spending review, which is due to conclude in the spring.

Diolch i arweinydd yr wrthblaid am ei gwestiwn. Lywydd, cafwyd cyfres o drafodaethau cydweithredol gyda Gweinidogion y DU, yn canolbwyntio ar flaenoriaethau Cymru, cyn cyllideb y DU. Bydd y rhain yn parhau wrth inni symud ymlaen at ail gam adolygiad o wariant y DU, a fydd yn cael ei gwblhau yn y gwanwyn.

Thank you, finance Minister. It's a bit of a groundhog day standing here asking you questions. Obviously, one of the measures that came out of the UK Government budget was the increase in national insurance contributions to employers. That, potentially, has a devastating impact on the ability of companies to employ. A company employing someone on the medium wage would end up paying an additional £900 in national insurance, and, on the minimum wage, it would be £770. You are formulating the Welsh Government budget at the moment, finance Secretary. I wouldn't ask you to disclose what's in that budget, because you wouldn't tell me. But is there an ability for you, as finance Minister, to look at the ability of the resource that is available to the Welsh Government to reinstate the business rate relief at the full value that was prior to last year's Welsh Government budget of 75 per cent to Welsh businesses, because that would be a very useful tool in allowing money to be retained within those businesses and to offset the increased costs that those businesses face in employing people, going forward?

Diolch, Weinidog cyllid. Mae'n teimlo fel yr un hen stori yn sefyll yma'n gofyn cwestiynau i chi. Yn amlwg, un o’r mesurau a ddaeth o gyllideb Llywodraeth y DU oedd y cynnydd mewn cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol i gyflogwyr. Mae hynny, o bosibl, yn cael effaith ddinistriol ar allu cwmnïau i gyflogi. Byddai cwmni sy’n cyflogi rhywun ar y cyflog canolrifol yn talu £900 yn ychwanegol mewn yswiriant gwladol yn y pen draw, ac ar yr isafswm cyflog, byddai’n £770. Rydych wrthi'n llunio cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru ar hyn o bryd, Ysgrifennydd cyllid. Ni fuaswn yn gofyn ichi ddatgelu beth sydd yn y gyllideb honno, gan na fyddech yn dweud wrthyf. Ond a oes gallu gennych chi, fel Gweinidog cyllid, i edrych ar allu’r adnoddau sydd ar gael i Lywodraeth Cymru i adfer y rhyddhad ardrethi busnes ar y gwerth llawn o 75 y cant i fusnesau Cymru, fel yr oedd cyn cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru y llynedd, gan y byddai hwnnw’n arf defnyddiol iawn o ran caniatáu i arian gael ei gadw o fewn y busnesau hynny, ac i wrthbwyso’r costau cynyddol y mae’r busnesau hynny’n eu hwynebu wrth gyflogi pobl yn y dyfodol?

13:40

Llywydd, I thank Andrew R.T. Davies for that. The UK Government has said that it will provide compensation to public services for the additional national insurance contributions that public service employers will incur. The definition they are using of a public sector worker is the one used by the last Government and set out in the Office for National Statistics classifications.

I will be discussing with colleagues in the UK Government the impact that the change has on those who fall outside that ambit. I don’t have any plans to restore the level of temporary rate relief to tourism, leisure and hospitality. That is now in its fifth year of a temporary relief. It’s clear to me from the UK budget that that relief will not be repeated after the next financial year, because the Chancellor announced a new approach to multipliers for those sectors. We are on a glide path out of the help that has been there to help the sector recover from the COVID pandemic, and I think the glide path we have established in Wales is one that will help the sector to deal with the fact that that help is not going to be there in the long term and was never intended to be so.

Lywydd, diolch i Andrew R.T. Davies. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi dweud y bydd yn rhoi iawndal i wasanaethau cyhoeddus am y cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol ychwanegol y bydd cyflogwyr gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn eu hysgwyddo. Y diffiniad a ddefnyddiant o weithiwr sector cyhoeddus yw’r un a ddefnyddiwyd gan y Llywodraeth ddiwethaf ac a nodir yn nosbarthiadau’r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol.

Byddaf yn trafod gydag Aelodau o Lywodraeth y DU yr effaith y mae’r newid yn ei chael ar y rheini y tu allan i’r cwmpas hwnnw. Nid oes gennyf unrhyw gynlluniau i adfer lefel y rhyddhad ardrethi dros dro i fusnesau twristiaeth, hamdden a lletygarwch. Mae hynny bellach yn ei bumed flwyddyn o ryddhad dros dro. Mae’n amlwg i mi o gyllideb y DU na fydd y rhyddhad hwnnw’n cael ei ailadrodd ar ôl y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf, gan i'r Canghellor gyhoeddi dull newydd o ymdrin â'r lluosyddion ar gyfer y sectorau hynny. Rydym ar lwybr llithro allan o’r cymorth a roddwyd i helpu’r sector i adfer ar ôl pandemig COVID, a chredaf fod y llwybr llithro rydym wedi’i sefydlu yng Nghymru yn un a fydd yn helpu’r sector i ymdrin â’r ffaith nad yw'r cymorth yn mynd i fod yno yn y tymor hir ac na fwriadwyd erioed iddo fod.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Peter Fox.

Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Peter Fox.  

Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, we all know that public sector services rely heavily on those private providers—as Heledd Fychan has already pointed out, care homes, but domiciliary care providers as well. As a result of that recent budget and those increased costs, certainly around national insurance and the thresholds relating to that, we are going to see those providers really struggling. And they are fundamental to the delivery of our public services and for the recovery journey that we need to be on in many ways.

Now, we did see Wales offer, or going to put in place, 100 per cent relief from non-domestic rates for childcare providers across Wales, which was extremely welcome. Bearing in mind some of the things that Heledd was saying earlier, I wondered what support could the wider care sector be given to enable them to make sure they have resilience, and that they can continue to support our public sector in the way we need them to. We see so many unmet hours of need in domiciliary care, and if we see a further erosion of businesses that are delivering that, that will not help the current system we’re in.

Diolch, Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fe ŵyr pob un ohonom fod gwasanaethau’r sector cyhoeddus yn dibynnu’n helaeth ar y darparwyr preifat hynny—fel y mae Heledd Fychan eisoes wedi'i nodi, cartrefi gofal, ond darparwyr gofal cartref hefyd. O ganlyniad i’r gyllideb ddiweddar a’r costau cynyddol, yn sicr mewn perthynas ag yswiriant gwladol, a’r trothwyon yn gysylltiedig â hynny, rydym yn mynd i weld y darparwyr hynny’n ei chael hi'n wirioneddol anodd. Ac maent yn hollbwysig i ddarparu ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac ar gyfer y daith adfer y mae angen inni fod arni mewn sawl ffordd.

Nawr, fe welsom Gymru yn cynnig, neu'n mynd i gynnig rhyddhad ardrethi annomestig o 100 y cant ar gyfer darparwyr gofal plant ledled Cymru, ac roedd hynny i'w groesawu'n fawr. O gofio rhai o’r pethau yr oedd Heledd yn eu dweud yn gynharach, tybed pa gymorth y gellid ei roi i’r sector gofal ehangach i’w galluogi i sicrhau eu bod yn wydn, ac y gallant barhau i gefnogi ein sector cyhoeddus yn y ffordd rydym angen iddynt ei wneud. Rydym yn gweld cymaint o oriau o angen nas diwallwyd mewn gofal cartref, ac os bydd y busnesau sy’n darparu hynny'n erydu ymhellach, ni fydd hynny’n helpu’r system bresennol rydym ynddi.

Well, Llywydd, I give the Member an assurance that the needs of the care sector are being actively discussed as part of the budget-setting process. I was in a conversation with the health Minister and the social care Minister only this morning on that. The budget available to the Welsh Government next year does mean that we will be in a position to reinvest in our public services. That's not to the degree we would like, but the care sector is very much in our thoughts as we do that. We have provided the sector with support ever since the start of this Senedd term to meet the costs of the real living wage for those employed in domiciliary care, and it will be our ambition to continue to do that.  

Wel, Lywydd, gallaf roi sicrwydd i’r Aelod fod anghenion y sector gofal yn cael eu trafod yn weithredol fel rhan o’r broses o osod y gyllideb. Cefais sgwrs gyda’r Gweinidog iechyd a’r Gweinidog gofal cymdeithasol y bore yma ynglŷn â hynny. Mae’r gyllideb sydd ar gael i Lywodraeth Cymru y flwyddyn nesaf yn golygu y byddwn mewn sefyllfa i ailfuddsoddi yn ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Nid i'r graddau yr hoffem, ond bydd y sector gofal yn bendant iawn yn ein meddyliau wrth wneud hynny. Ers dechrau tymor y Senedd hon, rydym wedi rhoi cymorth i’r sector dalu costau’r cyflog byw gwirioneddol i’r rheini sy’n cael eu cyflogi mewn gofal cartref, a bydd yn uchelgais gennym i barhau i wneud hynny.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, and I think we’re all on the same page in wanting to see these services really protected, because this rises above politics because it’s so fundamental to the whole of society, and we need to make progress on that.

Andrew R.T. Davies touched on some of the areas I was going to focus on in my second question, and that is looking at trying to put some reassurance for the struggling sectors that are fearful that future NDR relief may not continue in Wales, where we know that it is going to continue in England. But we know that they are freezing their multiplier there as well. Now, we have the use of, or to put a multiplier in now in Wales—. We haven’t used that yet. Is there an opportunity now, do you think, Cabinet Secretary, that we can use that multiplier opportunity to lessen the impact on the smaller businesses in our communities?

Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a chredaf fod pob un ohonom yn dymuno gweld y gwasanaethau hyn yn cael eu diogelu, gan fod hyn yn bwysicach na gwleidyddiaeth am ei fod mor sylfaenol i'r gymdeithas gyfan, ac mae angen inni wneud cynnydd ar hynny.

Soniodd Andrew R.T. Davies am rai o’r pethau roeddwn yn mynd i ganolbwyntio arnynt yn fy ail gwestiwn, gan gynnwys ceisio rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i’r sectorau sy’n ei chael hi’n anodd ac sy’n ofni efallai na fydd rhyddhad ardrethi annomestig yn parhau yn y dyfodol yng Nghymru, lle gwyddom ei fod yn mynd i barhau yn Lloegr. Ond gwyddom eu bod yn rhewi eu lluosydd yno hefyd. Nawr, mae'r gallu gennym i ddefnyddio lluosydd, neu i roi lluosydd ar waith nawr yng Nghymru—. Nid ydym wedi gwneud hynny eto. A ydych chi'n credu bod cyfle nawr, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, i ni ddefnyddio’r lluosydd i leihau’r effaith ar y busnesau llai yn ein cymunedau?

13:45

Llywydd, the first thing to say is that half of small businesses in Wales pay no business rates at all. So, the multiplier has no impact on them because they don’t pay anything in business rates. Over 30 per cent more of businesses in Wales have relief from at least part of their business rates. Only 20 per cent of businesses in Wales pay full business rates.

I myself believe that the system is ripe for quite fundamental reform when you get to a position in which only one in five businesses are actually paying business rates as are set. I think it tells you that, over the years, the system has built in reliefs here, added help there, and is ripe for a more fundamental look at it.

We took new powers in the Bill that went through the Senedd earlier this year to be able to respond more flexibly on the multiplier front. Those powers do not become available in Wales until 1 April next year. So, the budget that will come in front of the Senedd on 10 December reflects the current powers that we have, but there will be new possibilities for us as a result of the Senedd’s decision from next year onwards.

Lywydd, y peth cyntaf i'w ddweud yw nad yw hanner busnesau bach Cymru yn talu unrhyw ardrethi busnes o gwbl. Felly, nid yw’r lluosydd yn cael unrhyw effaith arnynt hwy am nad ydynt yn talu unrhyw beth mewn ardrethi busnes. Mae dros 30 y cant yn fwy o fusnesau yng Nghymru yn cael rhyddhad rhag o leiaf rywfaint o’u hardrethi busnes. Dim ond 20 y cant o fusnesau yng Nghymru sy’n talu ardrethi busnes llawn.

Credaf ei bod yn bryd diwygio'r system yn sylweddol pan fyddwch yn cyrraedd sefyllfa lle nad oes ond un o bob pum busnes yn talu'r ardrethi busnes fel y’u gosodwyd. Credaf fod hynny'n dweud wrthych fod y system, dros y blynyddoedd, wedi cynnwys rhyddhad fan hyn, cymorth ychwanegol fan draw, a'i bod yn bryd edrych arni'n agosach.

Cawsom bwerau newydd yn y Bil a aeth drwy’r Senedd yn gynharach eleni i allu ymateb yn fwy hyblyg o ran lluosydd. Ni fydd y pwerau hynny ar gael yng Nghymru tan 1 Ebrill y flwyddyn nesaf. Felly, mae’r gyllideb a fydd yn dod gerbron y Senedd ar 10 Rhagfyr yn adlewyrchu’r pwerau presennol sydd gennym, ond bydd posibiliadau newydd i ni o ganlyniad i benderfyniad y Senedd o’r flwyddyn nesaf ymlaen.

Thank you for that answer. I know it’s frustrating when we talk about non-domestic rates often, but when I was with colleagues from the Federation of Small Businesses yesterday, they were stressing again the pressures that NDR businesses are facing. So, there’s a mismatch between the narrative and the experience that businesses face.

Moving on to my last point, which moves us into a different area a little, we know that local authorities are facing some £560 million-worth of funding pressures—we’ve heard this a lot—on children’s services, social care and education, but I think there’s another time bomb out there, and that’s our crumbling infrastructure here in Wales, be that our potholed roads or our worn-out bridges. And there are hundreds of bridges, thousands of bridges, that need massive money spent on them. As we move into winter, these pressures are only set to increase, especially with the adverse weather we’ve seen over recent years. That increases things like flooding, but also a lot of landslides and the like. We’ve seen many of those, and they hang around for years sometimes because councils can’t seem to grapple with them. Cabinet Secretary, how will the Welsh Government help to ensure there is sufficient resilience within local government to enable them to cope and keep our communities safe and connected?

Diolch am eich ateb. Gwn ei bod yn rhwystredig pan fyddwn yn sôn yn aml am ardrethi annomestig, ond pan oeddwn gyda chymheiriaid o’r Ffederasiwn Busnesau Bach ddoe, roeddent yn pwysleisio unwaith eto y pwysau y mae busnesau sy'n talu ardrethi annomestig yn ei wynebu. Felly, nid yw'r naratif yn cyfateb i'r profiad y mae busnesau'n ei gael.

Gan symud ymlaen at fy mhwynt olaf, sy'n mynd â ni i faes ychydig yn wahanol, fe wyddom fod awdurdodau lleol yn wynebu gwerth oddeutu £560 miliwn o bwysau ariannol—rydym wedi clywed hyn yn aml—ar wasanaethau plant, gofal cymdeithasol ac addysg, ond credaf fod gennym fom amser arall, sef ein seilwaith bregus yma yng Nghymru, boed yn ffyrdd llawn tyllau neu'n hen bontydd gwan. Ac mae cannoedd o bontydd, miloedd o bontydd, y mae angen gwario arian enfawr arnynt. Wrth inni symud i mewn i'r gaeaf, dim ond cynyddu a wnaiff y pwysau hwn, yn enwedig gyda'r tywydd garw a welsom dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae hynny’n cynyddu pethau fel llifogydd, ond hefyd llawer o dirlithriadau ac ati. Rydym wedi gweld llawer o’r rheini, ac maent yn para blynyddoedd weithiau gan ei bod yn ymddangos na all cynghorau fynd i’r afael â hwy. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn helpu i sicrhau bod digon o wytnwch o fewn llywodraeth leol i’w galluogi i ymdopi a chadw ein cymunedau’n ddiogel ac wedi'u cysylltu?

I thank Peter Fox for that third question. I should just simply say that what he described as 'the narrative' on non-domestic rates was simply a statement of fact. Those are the facts of the matter. Half of businesses in Wales pay no business rates at all, and another 30 per cent of them have their bills reduced by the public, because it is the other council tax payers and other income tax payers who are providing that help to those businesses.

On infrastructure, though, he makes some important points. This is where the budget of 30 October does mark a real step-change for public services. Because he will remember that Jeremy Hunt, in his budget in March, gave us £1 million in capital investment, and on 30 October, the Chancellor provided £235 million. That does mean that we are in a different position going into next year, and with a spring budget that will give us a further three years of capital budgets, we will be in a different position again to marshal the investment that is needed to repair the damage that has been done by resource starvation over the previous decade.

I am keen to make sure that local authorities have their share in that new set of possibilities, and I’m prepared to work imaginatively with local authorities, as we have in the past, to think about how we might be able to use some of the opportunities they can create in order to go on investing in their roads, in the maintenance of schools, and the other backlogs that we know have built up while resource has been in such short supply.

Diolch i Peter Fox am ei drydydd cwestiwn. Dylwn ddweud, yn syml, mai dim ond datganiad o ffaith oedd yr hyn a ddisgrifiodd fel 'y naratif' ar ardrethi annomestig. Dyna'r ffeithiau. Nid yw hanner busnesau Cymru yn talu unrhyw ardrethi busnes o gwbl, ac mae biliau 30 y cant arall ohonynt yn cael eu lleihau gan y cyhoedd, gan mai talwyr eraill y dreth gyngor a thalwyr treth incwm eraill sy’n darparu’r cymorth hwnnw i’r busnesau hynny.

Ar seilwaith, fodd bynnag, mae'n gwneud rhai pwyntiau pwysig. Dyma lle mae cyllideb 30 Hydref yn nodi newid sylweddol i wasanaethau cyhoeddus. Oherwydd bydd yn cofio i Jeremy Hunt, yn ei gyllideb ym mis Mawrth, roi £1 filiwn o fuddsoddiad cyfalaf i ni, ac ar 30 Hydref, darparodd y Canghellor £235 miliwn. Mae hynny'n golygu ein bod mewn sefyllfa wahanol yn mynd i mewn i'r flwyddyn nesaf, a chyda chyllideb y gwanwyn, a fydd yn rhoi tair blynedd arall o gyllidebau cyfalaf i ni, byddwn mewn sefyllfa wahanol eto i drefnu'r buddsoddiad sydd ei angen i atgyweirio'r difrod a wnaed yn sgil diffyg adnoddau dros y degawd blaenorol.

Rwy’n awyddus i sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn cael eu cyfran deg o'r gyfres newydd honno o bosibiliadau, ac rwy’n barod i weithio’n ddychmygus gydag awdurdodau lleol, fel rydym wedi'i wneud yn y gorffennol, i feddwl sut y gallem ddefnyddio rhai o’r cyfleoedd y gallant eu creu er mwyn parhau i fuddsoddi yn eu ffyrdd, mewn cynnal a chadw ysgolion, a’r ôl-groniadau eraill y gwyddom eu bod wedi cronni tra bo adnoddau wedi bod mor brin.

Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Heledd Fychan.

Diolch, Llywydd. Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, os caf i ddychwelyd at bwyntiau roeddech chi wedi'u gwneud bach yn gynharach yn eich ymateb i Andrew R.T. Davies, jest o ran yswiriant gwladol yn benodol, roeddech chi'n sôn ynglŷn â diffiniad ONS, a bod yna bosibilrwydd o ddefnyddio'r un un ar hyn o bryd, ond yn amlwg mae yna ffigurau gwahanol iawn ynglŷn â pha ddiffiniad ONS sy'n cael ei ddefnyddio, wrth gwrs. Mae'r mesur sy'n cael ei ddefnyddio gan Stats Wales, sef y labour force survey, yn lot mwy ffafriol o ran Cymru. Gaf i ofyn, felly, pa ddiffiniad y byddwch chi'n pwyso amdano fo efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig?

Thank you, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, if I may return to some points that you made a little earlier in your response to Andrew R.T. Davies, just in terms of national insurance specifically, you mentioned the ONS definition, and that there was a possibility of using the same one as is currently being used, but there are very different figures in terms of which ONS definition is adopted, of course. The measure used by Stats Wales, which is the labour force survey, is far more favourable for Wales. Can I ask you, therefore, what definition you will be pressing for with the UK Government?

13:50

Wel, mae'r posibiliadau yn dod ataf i achos dwi'n bwriadu bod yn Llundain nid yr wythnos nesaf, ond yr wythnos ar ôl hynny, i gael cyfleon i gael cyfarfodydd wyneb yn wyneb â'r Gweinidogion yn y Trysorlys. Wrth gwrs, rydw i yna i roi gwybodaeth a thystiolaeth iddyn nhw am y sefyllfa yma yng Nghymru—rhai o'r pwyntiau rydyn ni wedi eu clywed yn barod am yr effaith ar y maes gofal, ac yn y blaen. So, dyna pam dwi'n mynd, jest i fod yn glir gyda'r Trysorlys am bethau ar lawr gwlad yn fan hyn, a thrwy hynny, a thrwy bopeth arall y bydd y Trysorlys yn ei glywed gan bobl yn Lloegr ac yn yr Alban hefyd, jest iddyn nhw gael y wybodaeth lawn am y sefyllfa rydyn ni'n ei hwynebu yn y sector cyhoeddus, ond hefyd gyda'r asiantaethau rydyn ni'n gweithio â nhw tu fas y sector cyhoeddus. 

Well, the possibilities come to me because my intention is to be in London not next week, but the week after that, to have opportunities to have face-to-face meetings with Ministers in the Treasury. Of course, I'm there to provide information and evidence to them about the situation here in Wales—some of the points that we've heard already about the impact in the area of care, and so forth. So, that's why I'm going, just to be clear with the Treasury about things on the ground here, and through that, and through everything else that the Treasury will hear from people in England and Scotland as well, just for them to have the full information about the situation that we face in the public sector, but also with the agencies that we work with outside the public sector. 

Diolch. Mi fydd yn hynod o fuddiol, a gobeithio eich bod chi'n gallu rhoi'r achos gerbron, oherwydd mi fyddwch chithau hefyd wedi derbyn, dwi'n siŵr, llu o gyfathrebiadau gan sefydliadau o'r trydydd sector sy'n hynod o bryderus ynglŷn â'r sefyllfa. Gwnes i sôn wythnos diwethaf am Cyngor ar Bopeth. Yn amlwg, rydyn ni hefyd wedi clywed gan hosbisau, ac mae Platfform wedi amcangyfrif cost ychwanegol o £0.25 miliwn; St John Ambulance, £50,000; Mirus, mudiad yn y sector gofal, cost ychwanegol o £1.6 miliwn. Mae un arweinydd cyngor wedi dweud wrthyf y bydd yn costio £2.5 miliwn i'r holl fudiadau trydydd sector sy'n darparu gwasanaethau i'r cyngor hwnnw. Felly, yr hyn dwi'n ei ofyn ydy: o ran y pwynt yswiriant gwladol yn benodol, beth fyddwch chi'n gofyn i'r diffiniad ONS fod? Oherwydd gan ein bod ni'n derbyn bod yna wahanol ddiffiniadau, beth fyddwn i'n hoffi ei wybod yn union ydy: beth fyddwch chi'n galw ar y Canghellor i'w wneud er mwyn unioni'r sefyllfa hon?

Thank you. It will be very beneficial, and I hope that you can put that case forward, because you too, I'm sure, will have received a whole host of communications from third sector organisations who are extremely concerned about the situation. Last week, I mentioned Citizens Advice. Obviously, we've heard also from hospices, and Platfform have estimated an additional cost of £0.25 million; St John Ambulance, £50,000; Mirus, which is a care-sector organisation, an additional cost of £1.6 million. One council leader told me that it would cost £2.5 million for all the third sector organisations providing services for that council. So, what I'm asking is: in terms of the national insurance point particularly, what will you be asking for the ONS definition to be? As we accept that there are different definitions, what I would like to know specifically is: what will you be calling on the Chancellor to do to put this situation right?

Well, Llywydd, I'm not the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the decisions on national insurance contributions are not ones made by the Welsh Government. But, if I were the Chancellor, I'm sure I would be saying to you that the £1 billion extra that the Welsh Government has next year has to be paid for somehow, and that what she has done is to return the level of national insurance contributions by employers to where it was in 13 of the 14 years of the last Conservative Government. It's sometimes talked about as though she has done something absolutely extraordinary in increasing employer contributions, but she's put them back to where they were just 12 months earlier. Now, I will be making the case, not so much on a different definition, but I will be explaining to Treasury Ministers the impact that the rise in employer contribuitions will have here in Wales on those organisations that we rely on for public services, and beyond that as well. Because my job is to make sure that those who make decisions are as well informed as they can be of Welsh circumstances and Welsh needs, and that is what I will be doing. 

Wel, Lywydd, nid fi yw Canghellor y Trysorlys, ac nid yw’r penderfyniadau ar gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol yn rhai a wneir gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Ond pe bawn i'n Ganghellor, rwy’n siŵr y buaswn yn dweud wrthych fod yn rhaid talu am yr £1 biliwn ychwanegol sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru y flwyddyn nesaf rywsut, ac mai’r hyn y mae wedi’i wneud yw newid lefel y cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol gan gyflogwyr yn ôl i beth oeddent am 13 o 14 mlynedd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiwethaf. Sonnir am hyn weithiau fel pe bai wedi gwneud rhywbeth cwbl eithriadol yn cynyddu cyfraniadau cyflogwyr, ond nid yw ond wedi eu newid yn ôl i'r hyn oeddent 12 mis yn gynharach. Nawr, byddaf yn dadlau’r achos, nid dros ddiffiniad gwahanol yn union, ond byddaf yn egluro i Weinidogion y Trysorlys yr effaith y bydd y cynnydd yng nghyfraniadau cyflogwyr yn ei chael yma yng Nghymru ar y sefydliadau yr ydym yn dibynnu arnynt am wasanaethau cyhoeddus, a'r tu hwnt i hynny hefyd. Oherwydd fy ngwaith i yw sicrhau bod y rhai sy’n gwneud penderfyniadau mor wybodus ag y gallant fod am amgylchiadau Cymru ac anghenion Cymru, a dyna fyddaf i'n ei wneud.

Diolch am yr ymateb. Yn amlwg, y pryder ydy, o ran y penderfyniad hwn gan y Canghellor, efallai ei bod hi heb gymryd i ystyriaeth beth fyddai'r oblygiadau ehangach o'r codiad hwn, oherwydd yn amlwg, mae o yn wyneb toriadau i gyllidebau hefyd. Felly, dwi'n gwybod eich bod chi'n sôn am fesur 12 mis, ond mae'r sefyllfa wedi dirywio i nifer o'r sefydliadau hyn ac maen nhw dan straen aruthrol. Gaf i ofyn, felly, os na fydd yna gefnogaeth ariannol ychwanegol ar gael iddyn nhw yn y gyllideb, beth ydy'r plan B o ran Llywodraeth Cymru? Oherwydd byddwch chi wedi clywed o'ch trafodaethau chi gyda llywodraeth leol pa mor bryderus ydyn nhw o ran y trydydd sector a'r gwasanaethau maen nhw'n eu darparu—mae cymaint o gynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru, er enghraifft, i fynd i'r afael â thlodi ac ati, sydd mor allweddol, gan y trydydd sector hwn. Felly, beth ydy'r cynllun gan Lywodraeth Cymru os nad ydy'r diffiniad yn newid?

Thank you for that response. Clearly, the concern is that perhaps this decision by the Chancellor didn't take into account the broader implications of this increase, because clearly, it's in the face of cuts to budgets, too. So, I know you're talking about a period of 12 months, but the situation has declined for many of these organisations and they're under huge pressure. Can I ask you therefore, if there is no additional financial support for them in the budget, what's plan B in terms of the Welsh Government? Because you will have heard from your discussions with local government how concerned they are in terms of the third sector and the services that they provide—so many Welsh Government plans, for example, in order to tackle poverty, and so on, which are so crucial, are in the hands of the third sector. So, what is the Welsh Government's plan if the definition doesn't change?

Well, of course, Llywydd, it's my intention, with my colleagues, to use the extra money we have to be able to go on supporting the third sector and other organisations we are able to fund in Wales. They will have extra money from the Welsh Government, I feel confident, next year. I'm afraid you will have to wait to have a draft budget to see the extent of that, and then those organisations, like any other organisation, will have to look at the demands that they have to satisfy and how they prioritise the funding that is available to them. But the fact that we have £1 billion that we didn't have before 30 October will mean that those sectors will see some benefit from that, even if at the same time they have extra costs that they now need to meet.

Wel, wrth gwrs, Lywydd, fy mwriad, gyda fy nghyd-Aelodau, yw defnyddio’r arian ychwanegol sydd gennym i allu parhau i gefnogi’r trydydd sector a sefydliadau eraill y gallwn eu hariannu yng Nghymru. Rwy’n hyderus y byddant yn cael arian ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth Cymru y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae arnaf ofn y bydd yn rhaid ichi aros i gael cyllideb ddrafft i weld yn union faint, ac yna bydd yn rhaid i'r sefydliadau hynny, fel unrhyw sefydliad arall, edrych ar y gofynion y mae'n rhaid iddynt eu bodloni a sut y maent yn blaenoriaethu'r cyllid sydd ar gael iddynt. Ond bydd y ffaith y bydd gennym £1 biliwn nad oedd gennym cyn 30 Hydref yn golygu y bydd y sectorau hynny'n cael budd o hynny, hyd yn oed os oes ganddynt, ar yr un pryd, gostau ychwanegol y mae angen iddynt eu talu.

13:55
Blaenoriaethau Gwariant ar gyfer Arian Ychwanegol
Spending Priorities for Extra Funds

3. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am flaenoriaethau gwariant Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer yr arian ychwanegol a ddyrannwyd iddi yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth y DU? OQ61848

3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government’s spending priorities for the extra funds allocated to it in the UK Government budget? OQ61848

Llywydd, the spending priorities for the Welsh Government will be set out in the draft budget on 10 December.

Lywydd, bydd y blaenoriaethau gwariant ar gyfer Llywodraeth Cymru yn cael eu nodi yn y gyllideb ddrafft ar 10 Rhagfyr.

Thank you for that brief answer, Cabinet Secretary. One of the priorities that people in my constituency, and indeed the wider communities of Conwy and Denbighshire, want to see on your list is the delivery of a new community hospital for the people of north Denbighshire. It's long been promised, but thus far, unfortunately, there has been insufficient progress on the delivery of that promise. It's been 11 years since you made an announcement that there was going to be a new hospital with additional beds to take pressure off Glan Clwyd Hospital just down the road. When can people expect to see an announcement on the funding being available to deliver that project, so that once and for all we can deal with some of the acute pressures in our acute hospital site?

Diolch am yr ateb byr hwnnw, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Un o’r blaenoriaethau y mae pobl yn fy etholaeth i, ac yn wir, cymunedau ehangach Conwy a sir Ddinbych, am ei weld ar eich rhestr yw darparu ysbyty cymunedol newydd ar gyfer pobl gogledd sir Ddinbych. Mae wedi cael ei addo ers tro, ond hyd yma, yn anffodus, ni fu digon o gynnydd ar gyflawni’r addewid hwnnw. Mae 11 mlynedd ers eich cyhoeddiad y byddai ysbyty newydd yn agor gyda gwelyau ychwanegol i fynd â pheth o'r pwysau oddi ar Ysbyty Glan Clwyd i lawr y ffordd. Pryd y gall pobl ddisgwyl gweld cyhoeddiad ar y cyllid sydd ar gael i gyflawni’r prosiect hwnnw, fel y gallwn fynd ati i ymdrin unwaith ac am byth â rhywfaint o’r pwysau acíwt ar safle ein hysbyty acíwt?

Well, Llywydd, I recognise the frustration that Darren Millar expresses, just as I recognise the consistency with which he has made the case for that investment. He will know that the 11 years since I was first able to identify that work as something the Welsh Government would wish to support, those 11 years have been 11 years of rising costs and falling resource, so that by the time the last full business case was submitted in March 2021, the costs had escalated to over £100 million.

However, two bits of better news for the Member: first of all, work has been going on, and I know he'll be aware of this, because there has been a wide range of partners involved in it, to review the scope of the development and to identify a realistic way forward. The scheme will, I'm sure, be seeking support both from the Welsh Government's health capital fund and from the rebalancing capital fund that we have between health and social care. We're expecting that that business case will be submitted to the Welsh Government for consideration in this financial year. So, that's one piece of—. I hope you will think that that is of good news, that we appear to have a date by which we will see that new plan. And the second piece of good news is that with £235 million additional capital available to us in Wales next year, then the needs of the health service will be much in my mind as I have discussions across the whole of the Welsh Government, and my hope will be that we will be able to see, compared to what we have had, a significant increase in the capital available to the NHS in Wales, so that schemes such as that at the Royal Alexandra can be moved forward.

Wel, Lywydd, rwy’n cydnabod y rhwystredigaeth y mae Darren Millar yn ei mynegi, yn union fel rwy'n cydnabod ei gysondeb yn dadlau’r achos dros y buddsoddiad hwnnw. Fe fydd yn gwybod, yn yr 11 mlynedd ers imi allu nodi’r gwaith hwnnw gyntaf fel rhywbeth y byddai Llywodraeth Cymru yn dymuno ei gefnogi, fod yr 11 mlynedd hynny wedi bod yn 11 mlynedd o gostau cynyddol a llai o adnoddau, sy'n golygu, erbyn i'r achos busnes llawn diwethaf gael ei gyflwyno ym mis Mawrth 2021, fod y costau wedi codi i dros £100 miliwn.

Fodd bynnag, dau ddarn o newyddion gwell i’r Aelod: yn gyntaf oll, mae gwaith wedi bod yn mynd rhagddo, a gwn y bydd yn ymwybodol o hyn, gan fod amrywiaeth eang o bartneriaid wedi bod ynghlwm wrtho, i adolygu cwmpas y datblygiad ac i nodi ffordd realistig ymlaen. Bydd y cynllun, rwy’n siŵr, yn ceisio cymorth gan gronfa cyfalaf iechyd Llywodraeth Cymru a chan y gronfa gyfalaf ailgydbwyso sydd gennym rhwng iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol. Rydym yn disgwyl y bydd yr achos busnes hwnnw’n cael ei gyflwyno i Lywodraeth Cymru ei ystyried yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Felly, dyna un darn o—. Rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch yn meddwl bod hynny'n newyddion da, ei bod yn ymddangos bod gennym ddyddiad ar gyfer gweld y cynllun newydd hwnnw. A'r ail ddarn o newyddion da yw, gyda £235 miliwn o gyfalaf ychwanegol ar gael i ni yng Nghymru y flwyddyn nesaf, bydd anghenion y gwasanaeth iechyd yn bendant iawn yn fy meddwl wrth imi gael trafodaethau ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru gyfan, ac rwy'n gobeithio y byddwn yn gallu gweld, o gymharu â’r hyn rydym wedi’i gael, cynnydd sylweddol yn y cyfalaf sydd ar gael i’r GIG yng Nghymru, fel y gellir bwrw ymlaen â chynlluniau fel yr un yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Alexandra.

Many of us over the years, including council leader Jason McLellan, the cabinet member Elen Heaton, and local member Barry Mellor, have been lobbying for investment in the Royal Alexandra. I was pleased to attend a meeting with the health board just last week and to hear that proposals have been updated so that the social healthcare need can be addressed, along with the minor injuries unit, and I was told that a fully costed plan will be presented next year to the health board and to Welsh Government. But I know that this cannot be achieved without the funds that I've been consistently calling for, and an end to the Tory austerity that starved Wales, and I was delighted that the UK Government understands this and wants to actually invest in public services. So, Cabinet Secretary, what difference will the £553 million extra capital funding—that's 250 times more than the previous UK Government—make to ensure that projects such as this really important one will actually go ahead?

Mae llawer ohonom dros y blynyddoedd, gan gynnwys arweinydd y cyngor Jason McLellan, yr aelod o'r cabinet Elen Heaton, a’r aelod lleol Barry Mellor, wedi bod yn lobïo am fuddsoddiad yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Alexandra. Roeddwn yn falch o fynychu cyfarfod gyda’r bwrdd iechyd yr wythnos diwethaf a chlywed bod cynigion wedi’u diweddaru fel y gellir mynd i’r afael â’r angen gofal iechyd cymdeithasol, ynghyd â’r uned mân anafiadau, a dywedwyd wrthyf y bydd cynllun wedi’i gostio’n llawn yn cael ei gyflwyno y flwyddyn nesaf i’r bwrdd iechyd ac i Lywodraeth Cymru. Ond gwn na ellir cyflawni hyn heb y cyllid y bûm yn galw'n gyson amdano, a diwedd ar y cyni Torïaidd sydd wedi amddifadu Cymru o gyllid, ac roeddwn wrth fy modd fod Llywodraeth y DU yn deall hyn ac yn awyddus i fuddsoddi mewn gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa wahaniaeth y bydd y £553 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf ychwanegol—250 gwaith yn fwy na Llywodraeth flaenorol y DU—yn ei wneud i sicrhau y bydd prosiectau fel yr un hynod bwysig hwn yn mynd yn eu blaenau?

I thank Carolyn Thomas for that and acknowledge that this development has been one that has been very widely supported by our local authorities, as well as the health board itself. The frustration has not been in the support for the scheme; the frustration has been in the lack of resource for us to be able to take forward so many of the necessary investments across Wales. Next year's uplift in capital will allow us to make a start in addressing the accumulated backlogs that have built up during the period of austerity, and it will make a material difference. It'll make a material difference both in the plans that are now maturing for the community provision and the interface between health and social care at the Rhyl site and in so many other aspects of public life in Wales. We heard earlier from Peter Fox, and he was making completely fair points about demands on local authorities for investment in transport infrastructure. Everywhere you look in Wales, 14 years of not having the investments we need has left demands that we cannot satisfy in a single year. But next year, quite certainly, we will be able to make a start on that journey in a way that was unimaginable back in March.

Diolch i Carolyn Thomas, ac rwy'n cydnabod bod y datblygiad hwn wedi bod yn un sydd wedi cael cefnogaeth eang iawn gan ein hawdurdodau lleol, yn ogystal â’r bwrdd iechyd ei hun. Nid gyda'r gefnogaeth i’r cynllun y mae'r rhwystredigaeth wedi bod; mae’r rhwystredigaeth wedi bod ynghylch y diffyg adnoddau inni allu bwrw ymlaen â chymaint o’r buddsoddiadau angenrheidiol ledled Cymru. Bydd y cynnydd mewn cyfalaf y flwyddyn nesaf yn ein galluogi i ddechrau mynd i'r afael â'r ôl-groniadau sydd wedi cronni dros y cyfnod o gyni, a bydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol. Bydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol yn y cynlluniau sydd bellach yn aeddfedu ar gyfer y ddarpariaeth gymunedol a'r rhyngwyneb rhwng iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ar safle'r Rhyl ac mewn cymaint o agweddau eraill ar fywyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Clywsom yn gynharach gan Peter Fox, a wnaeth bwyntiau cwbl deg am y galw ar awdurdodau lleol i fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith trafnidiaeth. Ym mhob man yr edrychwch chi yng Nghymru, mae 14 mlynedd o fod heb y buddsoddiadau sydd eu hangen arnom wedi gadael gofynion na allwn eu bodloni mewn un flwyddyn. Ond y flwyddyn nesaf, yn sicr, byddwn yn gallu dechrau ar y daith honno mewn ffordd na ellid ei dychmygu yn ôl ym mis Mawrth.

14:00
Effaith Cyllideb Llywodraeth y DU
The Impact of the UK Government's Budget

4. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am effaith cyllideb ddiweddar Llywodraeth y DU ar Gymru? OQ61835

4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the impact of the recent UK Government budget on Wales? OQ61835

I thank Joyce Watson. The UK budget provides a much-needed boost for working people and takes the first steps to rebuilding vital public services. The UK Government has listened to what Wales needs, including providing £25 million towards coal tip safety and an increase in our settlement of £1.7 billion over two financial years.

Diolch, Joyce Watson. Mae cyllideb y DU yn rhoi hwb mawr ei angen i bobl sy'n gweithio ac yn cymryd y camau cyntaf i ailadeiladu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus hanfodol. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi gwrando ar yr hyn sydd ei angen ar Gymru, gan gynnwys darparu £25 miliwn tuag at ddiogelwch tomenni glo a chynnydd o £1.7 biliwn yn ein setliad dros ddwy flynedd ariannol.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Of course, it was good news for us, receiving the best-ever settlement that we have had. The UK Minister said the budget will enable investment in schools and other public services, as an example. Cabinet Secretary, without disclosing too much—because I know you won't—are you able to give us any details on what difference the consequentials could have on education here in Wales, particularly on the additional learning needs sector?

Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Wrth gwrs, roedd derbyn y setliad gorau a gawsom erioed yn dda i ni. Dywedodd Gweinidog y DU y bydd y gyllideb yn galluogi buddsoddiad mewn ysgolion a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus eraill, er enghraifft. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, heb ddatgelu gormod—oherwydd rwy'n gwybod na wnewch chi—a ydych chi'n gallu rhoi unrhyw fanylion i ni am y gwahaniaeth y gallai'r symiau canlyniadol ei gael ar addysg yma yng Nghymru, yn enwedig ar y sector anghenion dysgu ychwanegol?

I thank Joyce Watson for that. I gave her just one example of the Welsh-specific issues in the budget that she herself has often highlighted here on the floor of the Senedd. There are others as well; there's the Celtic free port investment, the hydrogen project in Milford Haven, to talk of just two in the Member's own immediate locality, on top of all the investments that the Member has highlighted in relation to carers, and unpaid carers as well.

In relation to education, I'm very well aware, from my conversations with the Cabinet Secretary for Education, of the extraordinary rise in the number of young people who are being identified as having additional learning needs. There has been funding year on year added to additional learning needs in Wales, but the call for that extra support has significantly outstripped previous estimates of what that call would be. So, in my conversations with her in preparing the budget, those new demands have been very much highlighted by her.

On the capital front that Joyce Watson mentioned, of course, here in Wales, the twenty-first century schools programme means that we're in a very different position, nearly a decade into that programme, than schools in England are facing. But I'm also aware, from the points made to me by both the Cabinet Secretary and local authority leaders as I've met them in recent weeks, of the repairs issue at a school level—not new schools now, but keeping the existing fabric of buildings up to the standard that they need to be. And on the capital side, that has also very much been part of my conversations with Lynne Neagle.

Diolch i Joyce Watson am hynny. Rhoddais un enghraifft yn unig iddi o'r materion Cymreig penodol yn y gyllideb y mae hi ei hun wedi tynnu sylw atynt yma ar sawl achlysur ar lawr y Senedd. Mae yna rai eraill hefyd; mae buddsoddiad y porthladd rhydd Celtaidd, a'r prosiect hydrogen yn Aberdaugleddau, yn ddim ond dau yn ardal uniongyrchol yr Aelod ei hun, ar ben yr holl fuddsoddiadau y mae'r Aelod wedi'u nodi mewn perthynas â gofalwyr, a gofalwyr di-dâl hefyd.

Ar addysg, o fy sgyrsiau gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r cynnydd rhyfeddol yn nifer y bobl ifanc sy'n cael eu nodi fel rhai ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Mae cyllid wedi cael ei ychwanegu flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn ar gyfer anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yng Nghymru, ond mae'r alwad am y cymorth ychwanegol hwnnw wedi bod yn llawer uwch nag amcangyfrifon blaenorol o beth fyddai'r alwad honno. Felly, yn fy sgyrsiau gyda hi wrth baratoi'r gyllideb, mae'r galwadau newydd hynny wedi cael eu nodi'n amlwg ganddi.

O ran cyfalaf y soniodd Joyce Watson amdano, wrth gwrs, yma yng Nghymru, mae rhaglen ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain yn golygu ein bod mewn sefyllfa wahanol iawn, bron i ddegawd i mewn i'r rhaglen honno, nag y mae ysgolion yn Lloegr yn ei wynebu. Ond o'r pwyntiau a wnaethpwyd i mi gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ac arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol wrth imi eu cyfarfod dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, rwy'n ymwybodol o'r broblem gydag atgyweirio ar lefel ysgol—nid ysgolion newydd nawr, ond cadw adeiladwaith presennol adeiladau ar y safon y mae angen iddynt fod. Ac ar yr ochr gyfalaf, mae hynny hefyd wedi bod yn rhan fawr iawn o fy sgyrsiau gyda Lynne Neagle.

Following on from one of your answers earlier, one of the damaging consequences of the UK Government's recent budget was the national insurance hike on charities and third sector bodies. Office of Budget Responsibility figures show that the average annual tax increase for employers will be in excess of £800 per employee. With approximately 134,500 people working in the Welsh voluntary sector, even with part-time work this would suggest a total increase in the sector's national insurance bill of around £100 million a year. As the WCVA's letter to you states:

'Many voluntary organisations in Wales operate under tight financial constraints and play a vital role in delivering essential services alongside the public sector, yet only public sector employers are set to be reimbursed for these increased costs.

'This...is a significant new cost that many organisations simply cannot absorb without a corresponding impact on their service delivery.'

The Welsh Government relies on these services, so what, if any, support will you provide the charitable sector to safeguard these vital services and mitigate this short-sighted policy?

Yn dilyn un o'ch atebion yn gynharach, un o ganlyniadau niweidiol cyllideb ddiweddar Llywodraeth y DU oedd y codiad i'r yswiriant gwladol i elusennau a chyrff trydydd sector. Mae ffigurau'r Swyddfa Cyfrifoldeb Cyllidebol yn dangos y bydd y cynnydd treth blynyddol cyfartalog i gyflogwyr yn fwy na £800 y gweithiwr. Gyda thua 134,500 o bobl yn gweithio yn y sector gwirfoddol yng Nghymru, hyd yn oed gyda gwaith rhan-amser, byddai hyn yn awgrymu cynnydd o oddeutu £100 miliwn y flwyddyn ym mil yswiriant gwladol y sector. Fel y dywed llythyr Cyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru atoch:

'Mae llawer o fudiadau gwirfoddol yng Nghymru yn gweithredu o dan gyfyngiadau ariannol tynn ac yn chwarae rhan hanfodol mewn darparu gwasanaethau hanfodol ochr yn ochr â’r sector cyhoeddus, ond dim ond cyflogwyr y sector cyhoeddus sy’n mynd i gael eu had-dalu am y costau cynyddol hyn.

'Mae’r cynnydd hwn...yn gost newydd sylweddol na fydd llawer o fudiadau yn gallu ei thalu heb iddi gael effaith gyfatebol ar y gwasanaethau a ddarperir ganddynt.'

Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn dibynnu ar y gwasanaethau hyn, felly beth, os o gwbl, y byddwch chi'n ei ddarparu i'r sector elusennol i ddiogelu'r gwasanaethau hanfodol hyn a lliniaru'r polisi annoeth hwn?

14:05

The Chancellor faced a £22 billion black hole in the income that she had available to her and the expenditure that had already been committed by the outgoing Conservative Government. That £22 billion black hole is almost exactly matched by the irresponsible tax cut in national insurance contributions of the previous Chancellor. So, the problem that is facing the sectors here in Wales is the legacy of the decisions made by that previous Government. I've already answered questions this afternoon, Llywydd, about the actions that I hope we will be able to take in supporting those sectors that are affected by that decision, and I don't think there's anything further that I can offer the Member this afternoon.

Roedd y Canghellor yn wynebu twll du gwerth £22 biliwn yn yr incwm a oedd ganddi ar gael iddi a'r gwariant a oedd eisoes wedi'i ymrwymo gan y Llywodraeth Geidwadol a oedd yn gadael. Mae'r twll du £22 biliwn hwnnw yn cyfateb bron yn union i'r toriad treth anghyfrifol yn y cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol gan y Canghellor blaenorol. Felly, y broblem sy'n wynebu'r sectorau yma yng Nghymru yw gwaddol y penderfyniadau a wnaed gan y Llywodraeth flaenorol honno. Rwyf eisoes wedi ateb cwestiynau y prynhawn yma, Lywydd, am y camau y gobeithiaf y gallwn eu cymryd i gefnogi'r sectorau y mae'r penderfyniad hwnnw'n effeithio arnynt, ac nid wyf yn credu bod unrhyw beth pellach y gallaf ei gynnig i'r Aelod y prynhawn yma.

Diwygio Ardrethi Busnes
Reforming Business Rates

5. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am waith Llywodraeth Cymru i ddiwygio ardrethi busnes? OQ61841

5. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the Welsh Government's work to reform business rates? OQ61841

I thank Luke Fletcher for that. We remain on track to deliver the reforms announced for this Senedd term. The Local Government Finance (Wales) Act 2024 makes significant improvements, including more frequent revaluations, actions to address avoidance and, as from next year, a power to introduce differential multipliers.

Diolch i Luke Fletcher am hynny. Rydym yn parhau i fod ar y trywydd iawn i gyflawni'r diwygiadau a gyhoeddwyd ar gyfer tymor y Senedd hon. Mae Deddf Cyllid Llywodraeth Leol (Cymru) 2024 yn gwneud gwelliannau sylweddol, gan gynnwys ailbrisiadau amlach, camau i fynd i'r afael ag osgoi trethi, ac o'r flwyddyn nesaf ymlaen, pŵer i gyflwyno lluosyddion gwahaniaethol.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that answer. I listened with great interest to the exchanges across the Chamber earlier on in this session. I take the Cabinet Secretary's point that half of businesses in Wales don't pay business rates, but I'm not sure if that detracts from the potential of varying the multiplier for business rates, because, as far as I can see it, what varying the multiplier could do is shift the burden of who pays those business rates, and whether or not they are paying enough of that share of the overall pot. If we look at that, and we do shift that burden, there's a potential there to free up some of that cash that we use for business rate relief to be invested elsewhere. Is that fair to say? In anticipating the Government gaining the ability to use the powers in the local government finance Act, what preparatory work is being done in the context of wider reform of the system?

Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am yr ateb hwnnw. Gwrandawais â diddordeb mawr ar y dadleuon ar draws y Siambr yn gynharach yn y sesiwn hon. Rwy'n cymryd pwynt Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet nad yw hanner busnesau Cymru yn talu ardrethi busnes, ond nid wyf yn siŵr a yw hynny'n amharu ar botensial amrywio'r lluosydd ar gyfer ardrethi busnes, oherwydd, hyd y gwelaf, yr hyn y gallai'r lluosydd ei wneud yw symud baich pwy sy'n talu'r ardrethi busnes hynny, ac a ydynt yn talu digon o gyfran o'r pot cyffredinol ai peidio. Os edrychwn ar hynny, a'n bod yn newid y baich hwnnw, mae potensial yno i ryddhau rhywfaint o'r arian a ddefnyddiwn er mwyn i ryddhad ardrethi busnes gael ei fuddsoddi mewn mannau eraill. A yw'n deg dweud hynny? Wrth ragweld y bydd y Llywodraeth yn ennill y gallu i ddefnyddio'r pwerau yn y Ddeddf cyllid llywodraeth leol, pa waith paratoi sy'n cael ei wneud yng nghyd-destun diwygio'r system yn ehangach?

I thank Luke Fletcher for that, and I apologise for the fact that I ran out of time before answering this point that he made in the debate we had on these matters last week. He's absolutely right, that is exactly how the multiplier operates: it shifts the burden of business rates from smaller businesses to larger businesses.

The issue that you face in Wales is that our pattern of businesses is very different to the pattern in England. There, it is much easier, I believe, to shift the burden to very large employers, because the number of very large employers in England is very different to the number of large employers in the Welsh economy. The average rateable value in Wales is £19,000, and the average in England is £34,000. The structures of our economy mean that some of the policy levers available across our border are not as easily used here in Wales.

That does not mean to say that they cannot be used at all, and that's why the powers in the 2024 Act are important. We undertook, during the passage of that Act, to consult on any proposals to introduce differential multipliers here in Wales, so work is going on to map what the impact would be of moving in that direction. But I can provide an assurance to Members that whatever proposals come forward will be subject to the full consultation that the Senedd was anxious to see during the passage of that Bill.

Diolch i Luke Fletcher am hynny, ac rwy'n ymddiheuro bod fy amser wedi dod i ben cyn ateb y pwynt a wnaeth yn y ddadl a gawsom ar y materion hyn yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae'n hollol gywir, dyna'n union sut y mae'r lluosydd yn gweithredu: mae'n symud baich ardrethi busnes o fusnesau llai i fusnesau mwy.

Yr hyn sy'n eich wynebu yng Nghymru yw bod patrwm ein busnesau'n wahanol iawn i'r patrwm yn Lloegr. Yno, mae'n llawer haws symud y baich i gyflogwyr mawr iawn, gan fod nifer y cyflogwyr mawr iawn yn Lloegr yn wahanol iawn i nifer y cyflogwyr mawr yn economi Cymru. Y gwerth ardrethol cyfartalog yng Nghymru yw £19,000, a'r cyfartaledd yn Lloegr yw £34,000. Mae strwythurau ein heconomi yn golygu nad oes modd defnyddio rhai o'r ysgogiadau polisi sydd ar gael dros y ffin mor hawdd yma yng Nghymru.

Nid yw hynny'n golygu na ellir eu defnyddio o gwbl, a dyna pam y mae'r pwerau yn Neddf 2024 yn bwysig. Yn ystod hynt y Ddeddf honno, aethom ati i ymgynghori ar unrhyw gynigion i gyflwyno lluosyddion gwahaniaethol yma yng Nghymru, felly mae gwaith yn mynd rhagddo ar fapio beth fyddai effaith symud i'r cyfeiriad hwnnw. Ond gallaf roi sicrwydd i'r Aelodau y bydd pa bynnag gynigion a ddaw gerbron yn ddarostyngedig i'r ymgynghoriad llawn yr oedd y Senedd yn awyddus i'w weld yn ystod hynt y Bil hwnnw.

I've listened eagerly to what's already been said, but these proposed changes to business rates in Wales have been driven by a Welsh Labour Government that has already slashed small business relief from the 75 per cent to 40 per cent, and as a result, small family-run businesses like our local pubs and restaurants are now paying significantly higher rates than their counterparts in England, as you've said. I've spoken to many business owners who feel the strain and believe that this Government simply doesn't understand or care about business. These enterprises are the backbone of our communities. As you said, some don't have to pay business rates, but still, there are many that do. So, will you commit today, as part of these so-called reforms, that the Welsh Labour Government will consider reinstating the 75 per cent relief for small businesses in Wales, for those that are still being affected?

Rwyf wedi gwrando'n astud ar yr hyn a ddywedwyd eisoes, ond mae'r newidiadau arfaethedig hyn i ardrethi busnes yng Nghymru wedi cael eu gyrru gan Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru sydd eisoes wedi torri rhyddhad busnesau bach o 75 y cant i 40 y cant, ac o ganlyniad, mae busnesau bach teuluol fel ein tafarndai a'n bwytai lleol bellach yn talu ardrethi sydd gryn dipyn yn uwch na'u cymheiriaid yn Lloegr, fel rydych chi wedi'i ddweud. Rwyf wedi siarad â llawer o berchnogion busnes sy'n teimlo'r straen ac yn credu nad yw'r Llywodraeth hon yn deall nac yn malio am fusnes. Y mentrau hyn yw asgwrn cefn ein cymunedau. Fel y dywedoch chi, nid oes rhaid i rai dalu ardrethi busnes, ond er hynny, mae yna lawer sy'n gwneud. Felly, fel rhan o'r diwygiadau honedig hyn, a wnewch chi ymrwymo heddiw y bydd Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yn ystyried adfer y rhyddhad o 75 y cant i fusnesau bach yng Nghymru, i'r rhai sy'n dal i gael eu heffeithio?

14:10

I've already said that I don't have any plans to reinstate it. We're investing an additional £78 million this year to provide a fifth successive year of temporary support for those sectors. The Member says 'some' businesses don't pay business rates—50 per cent of businesses don't pay any business rates in Wales. It's not just 'some'; almost half of them don't. And of those that do, another 30 per cent—more than 30 per cent—get help, on a sliding scale, with those bills. We invest, year on year, over £300 million of taxpayers' money in providing relief for businesses here in Wales. We're pleased to do that, because it allows those businesses to create the conditions in which they can be successful. But the notion that businesses in Wales are short-changed by the system we have simply doesn't bear practical examination.

Rwyf eisoes wedi dweud nad oes gennyf unrhyw gynlluniau i'w adfer. Rydym yn buddsoddi £78 miliwn ychwanegol eleni i ddarparu pumed flwyddyn olynol o gefnogaeth dros dro i'r sectorau hynny. Dywed yr Aelod nad yw 'rhai' busnesau yn talu ardrethi busnes—nid yw 50 y cant o fusnesau yn talu unrhyw ardrethi busnes yng Nghymru. Nid 'rhai' yn unig mohono; nid yw bron eu hanner yn gwneud hynny. Ac o'r rhai sy'n gwneud, mae 30 y cant arall—mwy na 30 y cant—yn cael help, ar raddfa gynyddol, gyda'r biliau hynny. Flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, rydym yn buddsoddi dros £300 miliwn o arian trethdalwyr i ddarparu rhyddhad i fusnesau yma yng Nghymru. Rydym yn falch o'i wneud, oherwydd mae'n caniatáu i'r busnesau hynny greu'r amodau y gallant fod yn llwyddiannus ynddynt. Ond nid yw'r syniad fod busnesau yng Nghymru yn cael cam gan y system sydd gennym yn dal dŵr.

Cefnogi Busnesau yn Ne-ddwyrain Cymru
Supporting Businesses in South-east Wales

6. Sut y mae polisi trethi Llywodraeth Cymru yn cael ei ddefnyddio i gefnogi busnesau yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru? OQ61847

6. How is the Welsh Government's taxation policy used to support businesses in south-east Wales? OQ61847

I thank Peter Fox. Our focus is on keeping our taxes clear, simple and stable. Through this and such things as our non-domestic rates support package, we demonstrate our commitment to supporting businesses in Wales.

Diolch i Peter Fox. Rydym yn canolbwyntio ar gadw ein trethi'n glir, yn syml ac yn sefydlog. Drwy hyn a phethau fel ein pecyn cymorth ardrethi annomestig, rydym yn dangos ein hymrwymiad i gefnogi busnesau yng Nghymru.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Soon, this Parliament will undergo scrutiny of the tourism levy here in Wales—a new dimension to your taxation policy, should its passage be secured. My colleagues and I, as you know, strongly oppose the implementation of such a levy and I know that businesses across Wales have deep anxiety over its impact. They and we do not believe that it will support the industry—to the contrary, we believe it will damage our economy.

We know that it will be down to local authorities to manage this levy. However, too often, we see councils forced to rely on revenue raising to make up for rising pressures that the local government settlement hasn't always addressed. With this in mind, Cabinet Secretary, what safeguards can be given to the tourism sector that, if this tax succeeds in coming forward, it will be used as additional investment and not funnelled to support other struggling services?

Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Cyn bo hir, bydd y Senedd hon yn gwneud gwaith craffu ar yr ardoll twristiaeth yma yng Nghymru—dimensiwn newydd i'ch polisi trethiant, os caiff ei basio. Fel y gwyddoch, mae fy nghyd-Aelodau a minnau yn gwrthwynebu gweithredu ardoll o'r fath yn gryf, a gwn fod gan fusnesau ledled Cymru bryderon dwfn ynghylch ei heffaith. Nid ydynt hwy na ninnau'n credu y bydd yn cefnogi'r diwydiant—i'r gwrthwyneb, credwn y bydd yn niweidio ein heconomi.

Rydym yn gwybod mai awdurdodau lleol fydd yn gyfrifol am reoli'r ardoll hon. Fodd bynnag, yn rhy aml, gwelwn gynghorau'n cael eu gorfodi i ddibynnu ar godi refeniw i wneud iawn am bwysau cynyddol nad yw'r setliad llywodraeth leol bob amser wedi bod yn ddigon i fynd i'r afael ag ef. Gyda hyn mewn golwg, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, os caiff y dreth hon ei chyflwyno, pa fesurau diogelwch y gellir eu rhoi i'r sector twristiaeth y caiff ei defnyddio fel buddsoddiad ychwanegol ac nid ei sianelu i gefnogi gwasanaethau eraill sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd?

I look forward to bringing the visitor levy Bill to the floor of the Senedd. I completely disagree with the viewpoint of the Conservative Party; it is a way of dealing with the impact of tourism in those parts of Wales that most rely upon it that helps to make sure that those places go on being attractive to visitors in the future. Right around the globe, this has been used and there is no evidence that it leads to a detrimental impact, because the money that is raised will be reinvested in making sure that the things that bring tourists to an area go on being available to them. When the Bill is introduced, the Member will see that it uses a definition that would require those local authorities who choose to have a visitor levy—. Because it's not just that local authorities will administer the levy, it will be for local authorities to decide whether or not this is a useful tool in their armoury. It is part of this Government's commitment to devolution not just to Wales but within Wales. The way in which the money collected by a visitor levy is deployed will also be subject to an annual consultation with tourism businesses in that area. So, the businesses concerned will have a direct voice in the way in which that revenue is deployed. I am confident that our local authorities will use the money, should they choose to raise it, in ways that make that industry, which is very important in a number of our local authorities in Wales, an industry that goes on being successful and attractive into the future.

Edrychaf ymlaen at ddod â'r Bil ardoll ymwelwyr i lawr y Senedd. Rwy'n anghytuno'n llwyr â safbwynt y Blaid Geidwadol; mae'n ffordd o ymdrin ag effaith twristiaeth yn y rhannau o Gymru sy'n dibynnu fwyaf arni sy'n helpu i sicrhau bod y lleoedd hynny'n dal ati i fod yn ddeniadol i ymwelwyr yn y dyfodol. Ar draws y byd, mae hyn wedi cael ei ddefnyddio ac nid oes unrhyw dystiolaeth ei fod yn arwain at effaith niweidiol, oherwydd bydd yr arian a godir yn cael ei ailfuddsoddi i sicrhau bod y pethau sy'n dod â thwristiaid i ardal yn parhau i fod ar gael iddynt. Pan gyflwynir y Bil, bydd yr Aelod yn gweld ei fod yn defnyddio diffiniad a fyddai'n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i'r awdurdodau lleol sy'n dewis cael ardoll ymwelwyr—. Oherwydd nid gweinyddu'r ardoll yn unig fydd awdurdodau lleol, mater i awdurdodau lleol fydd penderfynu a yw hwn yn offeryn defnyddiol yn eu harfogaeth ai peidio. Mae'n rhan o ymrwymiad y Llywodraeth hon i ddatganoli nid yn unig i Gymru ond o fewn Cymru. Bydd y ffordd y caiff yr arian a gesglir gan ardoll ymwelwyr ei ddefnyddio hefyd yn destun ymgynghoriad blynyddol gyda busnesau twristiaeth yn yr ardal honno. Felly bydd gan y busnesau dan sylw lais uniongyrchol yn y ffordd y caiff y refeniw hwnnw ei ddefnyddio. Os ydynt yn dewis ei godi, rwy'n hyderus y bydd ein hawdurdodau lleol yn defnyddio'r arian mewn ffyrdd sy'n gwneud y diwydiant, sy'n bwysig iawn yn nifer o'n hawdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru, yn ddiwydiant sy'n parhau i fod yn llwyddiannus ac yn ddeniadol i'r dyfodol.

14:15
Argymhellion y Comisiwn Cymunedau Cymraeg
Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities Recommendations

7. Ydy'r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu diweddaru Cymru’r Dyfodol: Y Cynllun Cenedlaethol 2040 i ymgorffori ardaloedd o arwyddocâd ieithyddol dwysedd uwch yn dilyn argymhellion y Comisiwn Cymunedau Cymraeg? OQ61833

7. Does the Government intend to update Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 to incorporate areas of higher density linguistic significance following the recommendations of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities? OQ61833

Diolch yn fawr, wrth gwrs, am y cwestiwn, Llywydd. Rŷn ni wrthi’n llunio ymateb i adroddiad y Comisiwn Cymunedau Cymraeg ar hyn o bryd. Pan fyddwn ni’n adolygu 'Cymru’r Dyfodol', byddwn ni’n ystyried pob tystiolaeth, gan gynnwys argymhellion y comisiwn.

Thank you very much, of course, for the question, Llywydd. We are drafting our response to the report by the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities at the moment. When we review 'Future Wales', we will consider all evidence, including the commission's recommendations.

Ddoe, wrth drafod adroddiad blynyddol Comisiynydd y Gymraeg a'i rôl hi mewn datblygu polisi, fe wnes i grybwyll pwysigrwydd sicrhau nad yw un agwedd o waith polisi'r Llywodraeth yn tanseilio gwaith polisi arall.

Un arall o'r meysydd lle mae potensial am wrthdaro mawr yw gyda'r cynllun datblygu cenedlaethol 'Cymru'r Dyfodol', a'r gwaith o ddatblygu cynlluniau datblygu strategol drwy'r cydbwyllgorau corfforedig. Byddwn yn gofyn i'r Llywodraeth ailystyried yr egwyddorion sydd yn gyrru'r gwaith, oherwydd bod peryg i'r cynlluniau strategol rhanbarthol filwrio yn erbyn gwaith polisi pwysig sy'n digwydd drwy'r Comisiwn Cymunedau Cymraeg, a hefyd ym milwrio yn erbyn cynllun Arfor, sydd yn uno ardaloedd gorllewin ein gwlad.

Beth, felly, ydy'ch gweledigaeth chi, fel Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros y Gymraeg, o safbwynt yr ardaloedd o arwyddocâd ieithyddol dwysedd uchel, a beth ydy'ch gweledigaeth chi ar gyfer Arfor 3, sef y cam nesaf synhwyrol i'w gymryd efo'r cynllun arloesol hwn?

Yesterday, when discussing the Welsh Language Commissioner's annual report and her role in policy development, I mentioned the importance of ensuring that one aspect of the Government's policy work doesn't undermine other policy work.

Another area where there is potential for conflict is with the Government's 'Future Wales' national development plan, and the work of developing strategic development plans through the corporate joint committees. I'd ask the Government to reconsider the principles driving this work, because there is a danger that the regional strategic plans will militate against important policy work that's taking place through the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities, and also militate against the Arfor plan, which unites areas in the west of our country.

What, therefore, is your vision, as Cabinet Secretary for the Welsh language, from the perspective of the areas of high-intensity linguistic significance, and what is your vision for Arfor 3, which is the next sensible step to take with this innovative plan?

Diolch yn fawr i Siân Gwenllian. Llywydd, fe wrandawais i'n ofalus ar y pwyntiau roedd hi wedi'u gwneud yn y ddadl ddoe, a dwi'n barod wedi siarad gyda swyddogion y bore yma i gael mwy o gyngor ar y pwynt roedd hi'n codi am ble mae un polisi yn gwrthdaro â pholisïau eraill. So, diolch yn fawr am godi'r pwyntiau yna.

Rŷn ni'n aros, fel dwi'n siŵr mae Siân Gwenllian yn gwybod, am adroddiad penodol oddi wrth y Comisiwn Cymunedau Cymraeg yn y maes cynllunio, a oedd yn rhan o gam cyntaf y comisiwn, ond maen nhw wedi penderfynu rhoi adroddiad ar wahân i ni ym mis Rhagfyr, gobeithio, am eu hargymhellion nhw yn y maes cynllunio. So, fe allwn ni ddefnyddio hwnnw. A'm huchelgais i yw defnyddio'r profiadau rŷn ni wedi'u cael yn barod gydag Arfor 1 ac Arfor 2 i adeiladu ar rai o'r argymhellion yn yr adroddiad rŷn ni wedi'i weld yn barod a gafodd ei lansio yn yr Eisteddfod. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at ddod yn ôl at lawr y Senedd yn y flwyddyn nesaf gydag ymatebion y Llywodraeth i bob un o'r argymhellion yn yr adroddiad cyntaf, ac ystyried y pwyntiau mae Siân Gwenllian wedi'u codi y prynhawn yma drwy'r broses o ymateb i'r argymhellion.

I thank Siân Gwenllian. Llywydd, I listened carefully to the points that she made in yesterday's debate, and I've already spoken to officials this morning to have more advice on the point that she raised about where one policy conflicts with other policies. So, thank you for raising those points.

As I'm sure Siân Gwenllian knows, we're waiting for a specific report from the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities in the area of planning, which was part of the first phase of the commission, but they have decided to provide a separate report in December, hopefully, about their recommendations in the area of planning. So, we can use that. And my ambition is to use the experiences that we've already had with Arfor 1 and Arfor 2 to build on some of the recommendations in the report that we've seen already and that was launched in the Eisteddfod. I'm looking forward to returning to the floor of the Senedd next year with the Government's response to all of the recommendations in the first report, and considering the points made by Siân Gwenllian this afternoon in the process of responding to the recommendations.

Yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Rhys ab Owen.

Finally, question 8, Rhys ab Owen.

Hybu'r Gymraeg
Promoting the Welsh Language

8. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi ei gael gyda'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros Addysg a gyda awdurdodau lleol ynglŷn a hybu y Gymraeg ymysg pobl o leiafrifoedd ethnig? OQ61830

8. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and with local authorities about promoting the Welsh language among people from ethnic minority people? OQ61830

Llywydd, yn ogystal â’n gwaith ledled Cymru i hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg i helpu sicrhau ei bod yn iaith i bawb, rydyn ni’n gofyn i bob awdurdod lleol roi gwybodaeth yn eu hadroddiadau blynyddol cynlluniau strategol Cymraeg mewn addysg ar sut maen nhw’n hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg ymysg cymunedau ethnig lleiafrifol.

Llywydd, in addition to our work across Wales to promote the Welsh language to help ensure that it is a language for all, we ask all local authorities to provide information in their Welsh in education strategic plan annual reports on how they promote the Welsh language among ethnic minority communities.

Diolch yn fawr, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Pam oeddwn i'n mynychu ysgol gynradd Gymraeg yng Nghaerdydd yn y 1990au, un plentyn o leiafrif ethnig oedd yn y flwyddyn o 70 o blant, ac un teulu Mwslemaidd mewn ysgol o dros 400 o blant. Nawr, mae pethau wedi gwella, ond mae lot fawr i'w wneud o hyd, ac rŷn ni'n sicr yn methu denu plant o gartrefi lle nad y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg yw'r iaith gyntaf—mae hynny'n amlwg pan rŷch chi'n mynd i ymweld ag ysgolion yng Nglan yr Afon a Threganna.

Nawr, dwi wedi gofyn cwestiwn tebyg i chi yn ddiweddar, ond mae'r ffigurau gyda fi nawr, a'r ffigurau ar draws Cymru—2.5 y cant o blant o gartrefi lle nad ydy'r Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg yn iaith gyntaf sy'n cael addysg Gymraeg. Tynnwch mas Gwynedd ac mae'n syrthio lawr canran arall i 1.6 y cant. Dyw'r rhain ddim yn ffigurau bach, chwaith, o ran nifer y plant—1.6 y cant o blant o gartrefi lle nad ydy'r Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg yn iaith gyntaf sy'n derbyn addysg Gymraeg. Rwy'n siŵr ein bod ni'n deall beth yw'r rheswm—mae'r rhieni eisiau i'w plant siarad Saesneg, ond mae hynny'n bosib trwy addysg Gymraeg. Rŷn ni'n gwybod hynny. Felly, a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ymrwymo i wneud ymgyrch penodol i ddenu plant o leiafrifoedd ethnig i addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg? Diolch yn fawr.

Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary. When I attended a Welsh-medium primary school in Cardiff in the 1990s, there was just one child from an ethnic minority in a year of 70 children, and there was just one Muslim family at the school of over 400 children. Now, things have improved, but there is a lot of work to do still, and we certainly can't attract children from families where Welsh and English are not the first language—that's obvious when you visit schools in Riverside and Canton.

Now, I've asked a similar question to you recently, but I have the figures now, and the figures across Wales show that just 2.5 per cent of children from families where Welsh and English are not the first language receive Welsh education. If you take Gwynedd out, the figure falls to 1.6 per cent. They're shocking figures, and they're not small figures in terms of the numbers of children—1.6 per cent of children from families where English and Welsh are not the first language receive Welsh education. I'm sure we understand the reason, that parents want their children to speak English, but that is possible through Welsh education. We know that. So, will the Cabinet Secretary make a commitment to undertake a specific campaign to attract minority ethnic children to Welsh education?

14:20

Wel, Llywydd, dwi'n cytuno gyda Rhys ab Owen am y pwysigrwydd o dynnu mwy o blant mas o gymunedau BAME i mewn i addysg trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Dwi'n cofio yn y flwyddyn gyntaf o Ysgol Treganna, doedd neb, neb o gwbl, o gymunedau lleiafrifoedd ethnig yn yr ysgol, a nawr mae'r ysgol yn hollol wahanol.

Dwi eisiau gweld mwy o bosibiliadau i dynnu pobl i mewn, a'r ffordd i'w wneud e, dwi'n meddwl—un o'r ffyrdd i'w wneud e—yw trwy ddefnyddio'r profiadau rŷn ni wedi'u cael nawr yn barod gyda theuluoedd o'r cymunedau yna, i esbonio i bobl eraill—word of mouth, fel rŷn dweud yn Saesneg—a'u perswadio nhw fod plentyn sy'n mynd i ysgol lle mae'r addysg yn cael ei gyflwyno drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg wrth gwrs yn deall, ac yn dysgu Saesneg ar yr un pryd, ond nawr maen nhw'n gallu siarad Cymraeg hefyd.

So, rŷn ni wedi llwyddo, ond ddim wedi gwneud digon eto. Ond nawr, gyda'r teuluoedd sydd wedi cael y profiad yn barod, rŷn ni'n gallu defnyddio popeth y maen nhw wedi'i weld, a phopeth maen nhw wedi'i ddysgu, a'r profiadau maen nhw wedi'u cael, i berswadio pobl eraill.

Well, Llywydd, I agree with Rhys ab Owen on the importance of attracting more children from BAME communities into Welsh-medium education. I recall in the first year of Ysgol Treganna, there wasn't a single person, no-one at all, from a minority ethnic community at the school, and now the school is very different indeed.

I want to see more possibilities in terms of bringing people into the sector, and the way to do that, or one of the ways of doing it, in my opinion, is by using the experiences that we've now had with families from those communities in order to explain to others, and to use word of mouth, and to persuade them that a child who attends a school where the education is provided through the medium of Welsh of course will understand, and will learn English simultaneously, but they will also be able to speak Welsh.

So, we have been successful, but we haven't yet done enough. But now, with those families who've already been through the experience, we can use the lessons that they've learned, and the experiences that they've had, to persuade others.

Diolch yn fawr i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary.

2. Cwestiynau i’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig
2. Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Eitem 2 fydd y cwestiynau i’r Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig. Y cwestiwn cyntaf gan Tom Giffard. 

Item 2 is questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, and the first question is from Tom Giffard.

Amddiffyn Rhag Llifogydd yn y Mwmbwls
Flood Protection in Mumbles

1. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi diweddariad ar y gwaith amddiffyn rhag llifogydd parhaus yn y Mwmbwls? OQ61826

1. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the ongoing flood protection works in Mumbles? OQ61826

Member
Huw Irranca-Davies 14:22:46
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Yes. The coastal risk management programme construction scheme at Mumbles is progressing at pace. The risk management authority have confirmed that the construction is due to complete in April 2025.

Gwnaf. Mae cynllun adeiladu'r rhaglen rheoli risg arfordirol yn y Mwmbwls yn mynd rhagddo'n gyflym. Mae'r awdurdod rheoli risg wedi cadarnhau y bydd y gwaith adeiladu yn cael ei gwblhau ym mis Ebrill 2025.

Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, for the update. These works to defend the coastline of Mumbles are very welcome, and much needed to safeguard the village, hopefully long into the future. The attraction and the appeal of Mumbles doesn't need to be explained. I think many of us understand that. But also what makes Mumbles what it is are the local businesses that thrive and operate in the village. But the works have caused significant disruption for them in terms of reduced parking and reduced footfall in recent months. I've been speaking with local Mumbles councillors Francesca O'Brien, Will Thomas and Angela O'Connor, who tell me that those businesses feel unsupported whilst those works go on, and have received no financial assistance. So, Cabinet Secretary, will you look at the assistance on offer to support businesses who suffer disruption to their business when works like these flood defences take place? 

Diolch yn fawr am y diweddariad, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog. Mae'r gwaith hwn ar ddiogelu arfordir y Mwmbwls i'w groesawu'n fawr, ac mae ei angen yn fawr i ddiogelu'r pentref, ymhell i'r dyfodol gobeithio. Nid oes angen egluro atyniad ac apêl y Mwmbwls. Rwy'n credu bod llawer ohonom yn deall hynny. Ond hefyd yr hyn sy'n gwneud y Mwmbwls yr hyn ydyw yw'r busnesau lleol sy'n ffynnu ac yn gweithredu yn y pentref. Ond mae'r gwaith wedi achosi tarfu sylweddol iddynt yn yr ystyr fod yna lai o lefydd parcio a llai o ymwelwyr yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf. Siaradais â chynghorwyr lleol y Mwmbwls, Francesca O'Brien, Will Thomas ac Angela O'Connor, sy'n dweud wrthyf nad yw'r busnesau hynny'n teimlo eu bod yn cael eu cefnogi tra bod y gwaith hwnnw'n mynd rhagddo, ac nid ydynt wedi cael unrhyw gymorth ariannol. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a wnewch chi edrych ar y cymorth sydd ar gael i gefnogi busnesau sy'n dioddef tarfu ar eu busnes pan fydd gwaith fel yr amddiffynfeydd llifogydd hyn yn digwydd? 

Thank you, it's a really important point, and you, like me, who love the Mumbles, recognise the importance of this work, and getting it done in a timely manner as well. It's a significant piece of work and it does cause disruption to some extent. Indeed, we understand that the risk management authority and also the contractors have acknowledged the impact of the construction within the community, and they're working with the community liaison officer to try and reduce the impacts.

Now, the construction works have been programmed to try and reduce the impact to local businesses, even with regard to my comments there that they acknowledge that there is an impact, and also to residents to reduce the impact on residents. So, access to businesses remains open throughout the construction, I'm told, and deliveries are programmed as well to minimise disruption to the operation of those businesses. The contractors, I'm told, are also providing monthly drop-in sessions for businesses and for residents as well, but if I could urge any residents or businesses to get involved with those regular drop-in sessions and to feed back their views through the risk management authority and to the contractors.

But can I simply say, Tom, as well, as you do—it was good to hear you welcome the works that are going on because they are much needed. It's protecting 126 properties at a cost of £26.5 million, which is 85 per cent funded by Welsh Government. It also, as you and I know, has those wider benefits, including regeneration of those lovely public open spaces on the front and the objectives, of course, are those of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. So, please urge your constituents to keep feeding in their thoughts on any disruption, but I'm told that both the contractor and the risk management authority really want to minimise it and to work with residents and businesses. 

Diolch, mae'n bwynt pwysig iawn, ac rydych chi, fel fi, sy'n caru'r Mwmbwls, yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd y gwaith hwn, a'i gael wedi'i wneud mewn modd amserol hefyd. Mae'n waith sylweddol ac mae'n achosi tarfu i ryw raddau. Yn wir, rydym yn deall bod yr awdurdod rheoli risg a'r contractwyr wedi cydnabod effaith y gwaith adeiladu o fewn y gymuned, ac maent yn gweithio gyda'r swyddog cyswllt cymunedol i geisio lleihau'r effeithiau.

Nawr, mae'r gwaith adeiladu wedi'i raglennu i geisio lleihau'r effaith ar fusnesau lleol, hyd yn oed a derbyn fy sylwadau yno eu bod yn cydnabod bod yna effaith, a hefyd i leihau'r effaith ar breswylwyr. Felly, dywedir wrthyf fod mynediad at fusnesau yn parhau i fod ar agor drwy gydol y gwaith adeiladu, a chaiff danfoniadau eu rhaglennu hefyd i leihau tarfu ar weithrediad y busnesau hynny. Dywedir wrthyf fod y contractwyr hefyd yn darparu sesiynau galw heibio misol i fusnesau ac i breswylwyr, ond hoffwn annog unrhyw drigolion neu fusnesau i gymryd rhan yn y sesiynau galw heibio rheolaidd hyn ac i fwydo'u safbwyntiau trwy'r awdurdod rheoli risg ac i'r contractwyr.

Ond os caf ddweud yn ogystal, Tom, fel chi—roedd hi'n dda clywed eich bod chi'n croesawu'r gwaith sy'n digwydd oherwydd mae ei angen yn fawr. Mae'n diogelu 126 eiddo ar gost o £26.5 miliwn, gydag 85 y cant yn cael ei ariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Fel y gwyddoch chi a minnau, mae iddo fanteision ehangach, yn cynnwys adfywio mannau agored cyhoeddus hyfryd ar yr arfordir a'r amcanion, wrth gwrs, yw rhai Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015. Felly, anogwch eich etholwyr i barhau i fwydo eu safbwyntiau am unrhyw darfu, ond rwy'n clywed bod y contractwr a'r awdurdod rheoli risg yn awyddus iawn i'w leihau a gweithio gyda thrigolion a busnesau. 

14:25
Ffermio Gwymon
Seaweed Farming

2. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am ffermio gwymon yng Nghymru? OQ61829

2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on seaweed farming in Wales? OQ61829

There is significant interest in seaweed farming in Wales for a range of purposes. We are supportive of industry-led growth of the aquaculture sector and would welcome any proposals from industry that deliver growth in our coastal communities whilst aligning with the policies of the Welsh national marine plan.

Mae diddordeb sylweddol mewn ffermio gwymon yng Nghymru at amryw o ddibenion. Rydym yn cefnogi twf a arweinir gan ddiwydiant y sector dyframaeth a byddem yn croesawu unrhyw gynigion gan ddiwydiant sy'n sicrhau twf yn ein cymunedau arfordirol gan gydymffurfio â pholisïau cynllun morol cenedlaethol Cymru.

Cabinet Secretary, as you are aware, the global seaweed market is valued at over £7 billion and has an annual growth rate of around 12 per cent. It is increasingly used in food products, animal feed, cosmetics, biofuels, bioplastics and fertiliser, but despite our potential in the UK to grow and harvest seaweed, we are heavily reliant on imported seaweed from Asia, which accounts for up to 95 per cent of all total supplies. Seaweed farming is hampered in the UK by insufficient seeding supplies, logistical issues and a lack of processing facilities, which prevents the potential growth of the industry. 

The marine plan area around Wales is 32,000 sq km, of which 50 per cent is suitable for cultivating kelp, and there is enormous potential for us to develop seaweed cultivation commercial ventures, which has been estimated to be worth over £100 million a year to the Welsh economy. I recognise that work is being done to help generate this industry, however the pace is far too slow and we need to act. We need you, Cabinet Secretary, to set out a robust and forward-thinking plan for growing this industry in Wales. When can we expect to see such a plan being brought forward? Thank you.

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fel y gwyddoch, mae'r farchnad wymon fyd-eang yn werth dros £7 biliwn ac mae ganddi gyfradd twf flynyddol o tua 12 y cant. Fe'i defnyddir fwyfwy mewn cynhyrchion bwyd, bwyd anifeiliaid, colur, biodanwydd, bioblastigau a gwrtaith, ond er gwaethaf ein potensial yn y DU i dyfu a chynaeafu gwymon, rydym yn dibynnu'n fawr ar wymon wedi'i fewnforio o Asia, sy'n 95 y cant o gyfanswm y cyflenwadau. Mae ffermio gwymon yn cael ei lesteirio yn y DU am nad oes digon o gyflenwadau hadu, problemau logistaidd a diffyg cyfleusterau prosesu, sy'n atal twf posibl y diwydiant. 

Mae ardal y cynllun morol o amgylch Cymru yn 32,000 km sgwâr, ac mae 50 y cant ohoni'n addas ar gyfer tyfu lludwymon, ac mae potensial enfawr inni ddatblygu mentrau tyfu gwymon masnachol, yr amcangyfrifir y byddai'n werth dros £100 miliwn y flwyddyn i economi Cymru. Rwy'n cydnabod bod gwaith yn cael ei wneud ar helpu i gynhyrchu'r diwydiant hwn, ond mae'n llawer rhy araf ac mae angen inni weithredu. Mae angen i chi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, nodi cynllun cadarn a blaengar ar gyfer tyfu'r diwydiant hwn yng Nghymru. Pryd y gallwn ni ddisgwyl gweld cynllun o'r fath yn cael ei gyflwyno? Diolch.

Thank you very much, Joel, and I notice your consistent advocacy for the potential of the seaweed sector for all of those diverse applications, which do have really exciting potential. We have noted there is significant interest in the potential benefits of seaweed farming, but—and it is a big 'but', Joel—we've yet to see this actually translated into viable projects and commercial propositions. And, of course, we also need to be cognisant of analysing that in terms of the wider marine environment and marine planning as well, if they were to come forward. 

But one thing that might be of help and that you could encourage, Joel, people to feed into—. I will be setting out a strategic approach to Welsh fisheries and aquaculture—via a written statement, Llywydd, if it receives your approbation as well—within the next few weeks. So, in the meantime, I expect our future direction to remain as we've already set out with the delivery of sustainable management at its core, and a focus on delivery of fisheries management plans and adapted management measures. All of this needs to be supported by the science and engagement with stakeholders. So, we will continue to deliver this in line with our statutory duties on fisheries and aquaculture. We will seek opportunities and initiatives to support the industry to develop and grow, but we need to see those proposals coming forward and the commercial viability of them, and them fitting in with our wider sustainability of the marine environment. 

On a final point, our regular funding rounds through the Welsh marine and fisheries scheme, Joel, will be designed to underpin the priorities that help deliver those outcomes that we all want to see.

Diolch, Joel, ac rwy'n nodi eich bod yn hyrwyddo potensial y sector gwymon yn gyson i'r holl ddefnyddiau amrywiol hynny, sydd â photensial cyffrous iawn. Rydym wedi nodi bod diddordeb sylweddol ym manteision posibl ffermio gwymon, ond—ac mae'n 'ond' mawr, Joel—nid ydym eto wedi gweld hyn yn cael ei droi'n brosiectau hyfyw a chynigion masnachol. Ac wrth gwrs, mae angen inni allu dadansoddi hynny yng nghyd-destun yr amgylchedd morol ehangach a chynlluniau morol hefyd, pe baent yn cael eu datblygu. 

Ond un peth a allai fod o gymorth ac y gallech chi ei annog, Joel, yw i bobl fwydo i mewn—. Byddaf yn nodi dull strategol o ymdrin â physgodfeydd a dyframaethu Cymru—drwy ddatganiad ysgrifenedig, Lywydd, gyda'ch cydsyniad chi—o fewn yr wythnosau nesaf. Felly, yn y cyfamser, rwy'n disgwyl i'n cyfeiriad yn y dyfodol aros fel rydym eisoes wedi'i nodi gyda chyflawni rheolaeth gynaliadwy wrth ei wraidd, a ffocws ar gyflawni cynlluniau rheoli pysgodfeydd a mesurau rheoli wedi'u haddasu. Mae angen i hyn i gyd gael ei gefnogi gan y wyddoniaeth ac ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid. Felly, byddwn yn parhau i gyflawni hyn yn unol â'n dyletswyddau statudol ar bysgodfeydd a dyframaethu. Byddwn yn chwilio am gyfleoedd a mentrau i gefnogi'r diwydiant i ddatblygu a thyfu, ond mae angen inni weld y cynigion hynny'n cael eu cyflwyno a'u hyfywedd masnachol, a'u bod yn cyd-fynd â chynaliadwyedd ehangach yr amgylchedd morol. 

Ar bwynt olaf, Joel, bydd ein rowndiau ariannu rheolaidd trwy gynllun môr a physgodfeydd Cymru yn cael eu cynllunio i danategu'r blaenoriaethau sy'n helpu i gyflawni'r canlyniadau yr ydym i gyd am eu gweld.

I recently took an opportunity to visit Câr-y-Môr regenerative seaweed and shellfish farm in St Davids—well, not actually in St Davids; in the water off St Davids—and they're going to build a new seaweed processing facility, and it'll be the first of its kind in Wales. Seaweed, as you will know, has biostimulants and contains substances that are mostly organic. Those stimulate plants' natural processes for growth, flowering, fruiting and resistance to drought, heat and cold. Can you look at the possibility, and you mentioned some of them, of supporting this as a way of sustainable farming? Because those biostimulants are an alternative to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, so they feed nicely into that sustainable farming agenda that you have.

So, what I'm really asking is, they're going through a trial and testing stage at the moment—because you're right, the viability of the project is key—but will you support them to go through that testing procedure so that, if that viability is what we hope it will be, it sustains our environment for the future, but also sustains farming for the future and growing for the future as well?

Yn ddiweddar, manteisiais ar y cyfle i ymweld â fferm wymon a physgod cregyn adfywiol Câr-y-Môr yn Nhyddewi—wel, nid yn Nhyddewi mewn gwirionedd; yn y dŵr oddi ar Dyddewi—ac maent yn mynd i adeiladu cyfleuster prosesu gwymon newydd, a hwn fydd y cyntaf o'i fath yng Nghymru. Fel y gwyddoch, mae gan wymon biosymbylyddion ac mae'n cynnwys sylweddau organig yn bennaf. Mae'r rhain yn ysgogi prosesau naturiol planhigion ar gyfer twf, blodeuo, ffrwytho a gwrthsefyll sychder, gwres ac oerfel. A allwch chi edrych ar y posibiliadau, ac fe sonioch chi am rai ohonynt, o gefnogi hyn fel ffordd o ffermio cynaliadwy? Oherwydd mae'r biosymbylyddion yn atebion amgen yn lle gwrteithiau a phlaladdwyr synthetig, felly maent yn bwydo i mewn yn dda i'r agenda ffermio cynaliadwy sydd gennych.

Felly, yr hyn rwy'n ei ofyn mewn gwirionedd yw, mae treialon a phrofion yn cael eu cynnal arnynt ar hyn o bryd—oherwydd rydych chi'n iawn, mae hyfywedd y prosiect yn allweddol—ond a wnewch chi eu cefnogi i fynd drwy'r weithdrefn brofi honno, ac os yw mor hyfyw ag y gobeithiwn y bydd, gall gynnal ein hamgylchedd ar gyfer y dyfodol, a gall gynnal ffermio ar gyfer y dyfodol a thyfu ar gyfer y dyfodol hefyd?

14:30

Joyce, thank you very much for that question and, again, I recognise your sustained advocacy for the potential of this sector and particularly for Câr-y-Môr. And indeed, Câr-y-Môr, the first commercial seaweed farm within Wales, located off Ramsey Sound in St David’s, interestingly, it is a community benefit society and it does have some exciting potential in terms of producing seaweed-based biofertilizer and livestock feed additives, and the potential of that in the reduction of methane as well. So, it is genuinely exciting, but they are at those early stages and there are challenges in bringing this forward.

There can also be potential with bringing shellfish produce to the domestic market I understand, with a current capacity to process, I’m told, some four tonnes per day of fresh seaweed, and they are looking to expand further. So, we would definitely encourage initiatives like this. There are challenges in getting these off the ground and taking them from the early stages and growing them. But we’re keen to support, as I said in my response to Joel as well, where there is potential, to encourage and support them to get through those barriers and to grow in that context as well of the wider marine environment and marine planning as well. So, they need to be commercially viable—we’re certainly encouraging of them—and fit within our sustainability approach for fisheries and agriculture.

Joyce, diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn hwnnw ac, unwaith eto, rwy'n cydnabod eich cefnogaeth barhaus i botensial y sector hwn ac yn enwedig i Câr-y-Môr. Ac yn wir, Câr-y-Môr, y fferm wymon fasnachol gyntaf yng Nghymru, wedi'i lleoli oddi ar Swnt Dewi yn Nhyddewi, yn ddiddorol iawn, mae'n gymdeithas budd cymunedol ac mae ganddi botensial cyffrous o ran cynhyrchu biowrtaith gwymon ac ychwanegion bwyd da byw, a photensial hynny i leihau methan hefyd. Felly, mae'n wirioneddol gyffrous, ond mae'n ddyddiau cynnar ac mae heriau o ran datblygu hyn.

Rwy'n deall y gall fod potensial hefyd i ddod â chynnyrch pysgod cregyn i'r farchnad ddomestig, gyda chapasiti cyfredol i brosesu oddeutu pedair tunnell y dydd o wymon ffres, ac maent yn awyddus i ehangu ymhellach. Felly, byddem yn bendant yn annog mentrau fel hyn. Mae heriau o ran cael y rhain yn weithredol a mynd â hwy o'r camau cynnar a'u tyfu. Ond rydym yn awyddus i gefnogi lle mae potensial, fel y dywedais yn fy ateb i Joel, i'w hannog a'u cefnogi i fynd heibio i'r rhwystrau hynny ac i dyfu yn y cyd-destun hwnnw yn ogystal â'r amgylchedd morol ehangach a chynlluniau morol hefyd. Felly, mae angen iddynt fod yn fasnachol hyfyw—rydym yn sicr yn eu hannog—a chyd-fynd â'n dull cynaliadwyedd ar gyfer pysgodfeydd ac amaethyddiaeth.

Cwestiynau Heb Rybudd gan Lefarwyr y Pleidiau
Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Janet Finch-Saunders.

Questions now from the party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Janet Finch-Saunders.

Diolch, Llywydd. The risk and cost of increased rainfall due to climate change are rising without doubt, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent. Last winter, Natural Resources Wales issued 483 flood alerts—a 16 per cent increase on the previous year. UK winters are now 10 per cent wetter.

Increasing rainfall is, though, putting increased pressure on our reservoirs. Earlier this year, the Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth county, Minnesota failed due to intense flooding, leading to urgent evacuation of nearby residents. Similarly, here in the UK in 2019, thousands of people were evacuated from Whaley Bridge because part of a reservoir wall had collapsed, and, a decade ago, a whole village in Gwynedd had to be evacuated due to a landslide that caused a crack in a nearby reservoir.

Now, there’s been much talk about coal tip safety, and, really, what I’m very concerned about—. My own constituency saw a dreadful disaster in Dolgarrog. You announced last week by written statement that you will be co-operating with the UK Government to reform reservoir safety. Bearing in mind that there are over 20 privately owned and high-risk reservoirs in Wales, why was this not brought before our Senedd for scrutiny?

Diolch, Lywydd. Mae'r risg a'r gost o fwy o law oherwydd newid hinsawdd yn codi'n ddiau, gyda digwyddiadau tywydd eithafol yn dod yn fwy aml. Y gaeaf diwethaf, cyhoeddodd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru 483 o rybuddion llifogydd—cynnydd o 16 y cant o'i gymharu â'r flwyddyn flaenorol. Mae gaeafau'r Deyrnas Unedig 10 y cant yn fwy gwlyb erbyn hyn.

Fodd bynnag, mae glaw cynyddol yn rhoi mwy o bwysau ar ein cronfeydd dŵr. Yn gynharach eleni, methodd Argae Rapidan yn sir Blue Earth, Minnesota, oherwydd llifogydd dwys, gan arwain at symud trigolion cyfagos ar frys. Yn yr un modd, yma yn y DU yn 2019, cafodd miloedd o bobl eu symud o Whaley Bridge oherwydd bod rhan o wal cronfa ddŵr wedi cwympo, a ddegawd yn ôl, bu'n rhaid symud pentref cyfan yng Ngwynedd oherwydd tirlithriad a achosodd grac mewn cronfa ddŵr gyfagos.

Nawr, mae llawer o sôn wedi bod am ddiogelwch tomenni glo, ac mewn gwirionedd, yr hyn rwy'n bryderus iawn yn ei gylch—. Gwelodd fy etholaeth fy hun drychineb ofnadwy yn Nolgarrog. Yr wythnos diwethaf, fe gyhoeddoch chi drwy ddatganiad ysgrifenedig y byddwch chi'n cydweithio â Llywodraeth y DU i ddiwygio diogelwch cronfeydd dŵr. O gofio bod dros 20 o gronfeydd dŵr preifat a risg uchel yng Nghymru, pam na ddaeth hyn gerbron ein Senedd ni i'w graffu?

Thank you very much, Janet, for that question. Reservoir safety is a key issue for Welsh Government and the opportunity has arisen to work with the UK Government on an England-and-Wales basis to review the whole landscape of the regulation of reservoirs across England and Wales. And I think it’s right that we take that opportunity because, where there is a will to work across Governments and to make sure that we have a fit-for-purpose now and for the future, when, as you rightly say, we are facing, not just increased in rainfall but deluges—. As we look to the advice from the Met Office, we’re not only seeing increasing levels of rainfall, but rainfall that stops over areas, as we have seen recently, but not only, in the tragedies unfolding within Spain and other parts of central Europe. Now, this does cause major issues for all of our infrastructure, including reservoirs. So, we are keen to work with the UK Government on this jointly. It's a signal of the approach that we are taking now that we have a Government at the other end of the M4 that is willing to work with us on it. But, rest assured, there will be opportunities, undoubtedly, for the Senedd also to consider the way forward. We've started on the engagement with the UK Government, but we'll make sure those opportunities are here as well, for the committee, and for Senedd Members, Janet.

Diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw, Janet. Mae diogelwch cronfeydd dŵr yn fater allweddol i Lywodraeth Cymru ac mae'r cyfle wedi codi i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar sail Cymru a Lloegr i adolygu tirwedd gyfan rheoleiddio cronfeydd dŵr ledled Cymru a Lloegr. Ac rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n iawn ein bod yn manteisio ar y cyfle hwnnw oherwydd, lle mae ewyllys i weithio ar draws Llywodraethau ac i wneud yn siŵr fod gennym rywbeth sy'n addas i'r diben nawr ac i'r dyfodol, pan ydym, fel rydych chi'n gywir i ddweud, yn wynebu, nid yn unig glawiadau cynyddol ond llifogydd—. Wrth inni ystyried cyngor y Swyddfa Dywydd, rydym nid yn unig yn gweld lefelau cynyddol o law, ond glaw sy'n oedi dros ardaloedd, fel yr hyn a welsom yn ddiweddar, ond nid yn unig, yn y trychinebau sy'n datblygu yn Sbaen a rhannau eraill o ganolbarth Ewrop. Nawr, mae hyn yn achosi problemau mawr i'n holl seilwaith, gan gynnwys cronfeydd dŵr. Felly, rydym yn awyddus i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar hyn ar y cyd. Mae'n arwydd o'r dull yr ydym yn ei fabwysiadu gan fod gennym Lywodraeth ar ben arall yr M4 bellach sy'n fodlon gweithio gyda ni yn ei gylch. Ond gallwch fod yn dawel eich meddwl y bydd cyfleoedd, heb os, i'r Senedd hefyd ystyried y ffordd ymlaen. Rydym wedi dechrau ymgysylltu â Llywodraeth y DU, ond byddwn yn sicrhau bod y cyfleoedd hynny yma hefyd, i'r pwyllgor, ac i Aelodau'r Senedd, Janet.

14:35

Now, the written statement outlined the ambition to create a modern approach to hazard management and updating regulation and enforcement. There are concerns, though, for funding. NRW alone has 20 high-risk reservoirs, and they've already spent £2.68 million in 2019-20, and £3.72 million in 2020-21 on only 10, and they were essential safety projects. That's averaging out at around £600,000 per reservoir. Bearing in mind the phenomenal costs that can be associated with making our reservoirs more substantial, do you stand by your comments to the Senedd last month that every private owner of a reservoir now needs to know that they have these responsibilities, and, with them, the liability?

Nawr, amlinellodd y datganiad ysgrifenedig yr uchelgais i greu dull modern o reoli peryglon a diweddaru gwaith rheoleiddio a gorfodi. Fodd bynnag, mae pryderon o ran cyllid. Mae gan Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn unig 20 cronfa ddŵr risg uchel, ac maent eisoes wedi gwario £2.68 miliwn yn 2019-20, a £3.72 miliwn yn 2020-21 ar 10 yn unig, ac roeddent yn brosiectau diogelwch hanfodol. Ar gyfartaledd, mae hynny'n oddeutu £600,000 i bob cronfa ddŵr. O gofio'r costau syfrdanol a all fod yn gysylltiedig â gwneud ein cronfeydd dŵr yn fwy solet, a ydych chi'n cadw at eich sylwadau i'r Senedd y mis diwethaf fod angen i bob perchennog cronfa ddŵr breifat wybod nawr fod ganddynt y cyfrifoldebau hyn, a chyda hynny, yr atebolrwydd?

Thank you, Janet. I absolutely stand by that. Anybody who owns a reservoir on their land, big or small, that is caught within the regulations needs to be very clear on their responsibilities. It's an onerous responsibility to take on the maintenance and the public safety aspects of actually having a reservoir on your land. Now, every landowner should be aware of those—they should be aware of them. But, if they're not, you, and I, and others, along with NRW, need to signal them directly, to make sure that they are aware of that and what that means. Because this is not only a case of public taxpayer money going towards the large assets that are controlled in different parts of Wales and England, it's also those large companies, such as Dŵr Cymru and others, who have large reservoir assets. They know their responsibilities and their liabilities. But it's also those smaller landowners who have reservoirs. I noticed with interest recently there was an advertisement for a reservoir for sale—one that those of us within the south Wales area know quite well. It was pitched as a very attractive real estate proposition. We would hope that—what do we call them in this country; we don't call them real estate agents—[Interruption.]—yes, indeed—those people who are selling the land are also making clear to the potential buyers that they are aware of the liabilities that come with taking on a property with a reservoir on it. Because it carries significant responsibilities.

Diolch, Janet. Rwy'n cadw at hynny'n llwyr. Mae angen i unrhyw un sy'n berchen ar gronfa ddŵr ar eu tir, yn fawr neu'n fach, sy'n rhwym i'r rheoliadau fod yn glir iawn ynghylch eu cyfrifoldebau. Mae'n gyfrifoldeb beichus i ymgymryd â'r agweddau ar gynnal a chadw a diogelwch y cyhoedd o gael cronfa ddŵr ar eich tir. Nawr, dylai pob tirfeddiannwr fod yn ymwybodol o'r rheini—dylent fod yn ymwybodol ohonynt. Ond os nad ydynt, mae angen i chi a finnau, ac eraill, ynghyd â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, eu hysbysu'n uniongyrchol, i sicrhau eu bod yn ymwybodol o hynny a'r hyn y mae hynny'n ei olygu. Oherwydd mae hwn yn fater sy'n ymwneud â mwy nag arian trethdalwyr cyhoeddus yn mynd tuag at yr asedau mawr sy'n cael eu rheoli mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru a Lloegr, mae hefyd yn ymwneud â'r cwmnïau mawr, fel Dŵr Cymru ac eraill, sydd ag asedau cronfa ddŵr mawr. Maent yn gwybod beth yw eu cyfrifoldebau a'u hatebolrwydd. Ond hefyd mae'n ymwneud â'r tirfeddianwyr llai hynny sydd â chronfeydd dŵr. Nodais gyda diddordeb yn ddiweddar fod hysbyseb am gronfa ddŵr ar werth—un y mae'r rhai ohonom yn ardal de Cymru yn eithaf cyfarwydd â hi. Fe'i cyflwynwyd fel cynnig eiddo tirol deniadol iawn. Byddem yn gobeithio—beth ydym ni'n eu galw yn y wlad hon; nid ydym yn eu galw'n asiantau eiddo tirol—[Torri ar draws.]—ie, yn wir—fod y bobl hynny sy'n gwerthu'r tir hefyd yn ei gwneud yn glir i'r darpar brynwyr eu bod yn ymwybodol o'r atebolrwydd sy'n dod yn sgil ymgymryd ag eiddo gyda chronfa ddŵr arno. Oherwydd mae cyfrifoldebau sylweddol ynghlwm wrth hynny.

I'm aware of conveyancing methods whereby, sometimes, they don't always inform, when you're buying land, of your obligations regarding culverts, ditches and whatever, but also too with reservoirs. Now, between 2019 and 2021, £0.5 million of taxpayers' money was spent on orphan reservoirs. I find this fascinating, because it just baffles me how people can walk away from responsibilities, and then these reservoirs are classed as orphan reservoirs. It bothers me why, under Land Registry rules, you can't find out who owns them. And also, only £20,000 has been allocated to NRW's reservoir regulation team for their work in relation to the private reservoirs. There isn't a single penny of support for owners of private reservoirs, despite the costs that could be involved, and, more, the significant risk to whole communities. I believe this situation can be, potentially, as dangerous as coal tip safety. So, with around 20 privately owned reservoirs in Wales classified as high risk, wouldn't it be wiser now, Cabinet Secretary, as part of the new reservoir approach that you will be developing with the UK Government, to take a more proactive approach, which sees the state and the private owners co-operate together? It's not something that private landowners will or can do on their own. And then we've got the orphan reservoirs, and then we've got other reservoirs, owned by Dŵr Cymru and things like that. So, do you think you could almost have a task and—I don't like 'task and finish group', but a taskforce, to make sure that there's a cohesive approach to this?

Rwy'n ymwybodol o ddulliau trawsgludo lle nad ydynt, weithiau, bob amser yn hysbysu, pan fyddwch yn prynu tir, o'ch rhwymedigaethau mewn perthynas â chwlfertau, ffosydd a beth bynnag, ond hefyd gyda chronfeydd dŵr. Nawr, rhwng 2019 a 2021, gwariwyd £0.5 miliwn o arian trethdalwyr ar gronfeydd dŵr amddifad. Rwy'n gweld hyn yn ddiddorol, oherwydd mae'n fy rhyfeddu sut y gall pobl osgoi cyfrifoldebau, ac mae'r cronfeydd hyn yn cael eu hystyried yn gronfeydd dŵr amddifad. Mae'n fy mhoeni pam, o dan reolau'r Gofrestrfa Tir, na allwch chi ddod o hyd i bwy sy'n berchen arnynt. A hefyd, dim ond £20,000 sydd wedi'i ddyrannu i dîm rheoleiddio cronfeydd dŵr Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru ar gyfer eu gwaith mewn perthynas â'r cronfeydd dŵr preifat. Nid oes un geiniog o gefnogaeth i berchnogion cronfeydd dŵr preifat, er gwaethaf y costau a allai fod yn gysylltiedig, ac yn fwy na hynny, y risg sylweddol i gymunedau cyfan. Rwy'n credu y gallai'r sefyllfa hon fod yr un mor beryglus â diogelwch tomenni glo. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, gydag oddeutu 20 o gronfeydd dŵr preifat yng Nghymru yn cael eu hystyried yn risg uchel, oni fyddai'n ddoethach mabwysiadu dull rhagweithiol nawr yn rhan o'r dull newydd ar gyfer cronfeydd dŵr y byddwch yn ei ddatblygu gyda Llywodraeth y DU, lle mae'r wladwriaeth a'r perchnogion preifat yn cydweithredu â'i gilydd? Nid yw'n rhywbeth y bydd tirfeddianwyr preifat yn ei wneud neu'n gallu ei wneud ar eu pen eu hunain. Ac yna mae gennym y cronfeydd dŵr amddifad, ac yna mae gennym gronfeydd dŵr eraill, sy'n eiddo i Dŵr Cymru a phethau felly. Felly, a ydych chi'n meddwl y gallech gael grŵp gorchwyl a—nid wyf yn hoffi 'grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen', ond tasglu, i wneud yn siŵr fod yna ddull cydlynol o ymdrin â hyn?

Thank you, Janet. I'm worried, Llywydd, that we might run out of people to people these task and finish groups. We might run out of the great Welsh will to, actually, work with us on it. But, look, I do take the serious point behind this. This is the exact reason why we are doing this proper joined-up approach to look at it, because the same issues, by the way, are happening right over the border, the other side of Offa's Dyke. As a former Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Minister with responsibility for this area, crikey, 15 years ago now, I'm very aware that we're facing the same challenges. So, I think the regulatory joint work that we're doing is the right way to do it. I look forward, if the Senedd or the committee looks at the issue of how we actually fund this, in ideas coming forward. But let me make it very clear: this cannot nor should not fall entirely on the taxpayer. If I owned a piece of land with a reservoir on it, grand or small, it is my liability within that. Now, there are ways in which we can assist, looking at this going forward.

The other assurance I want to give, because there is a danger within this, particularly when we've seen some of the near-catastrophic incidents in other parts of the UK, is to give the assurance that NRW and the risk management authorities tightly monitor the condition of these reservoirs, so we're not looking at imminent danger or damage from any of these small or large reservoirs; they're tightly risk assessing them. That's why we know, by the way, where the risks are, same as with coal tips—the piece of work that we've done within Welsh Government. But now we need to look properly at, well, how do we make sure that the responsibilities and the liabilities that come from having a reservoir on your land—big and small—are properly accounted for. And yes, you raise the important point of orphan reservoirs, where they are left as stranded not assets but liabilities. Well, that's part of what we're looking at as well, how we deal with that. And I look forward to having the opportunity in front of the Senedd or in front of committees to engage in this in more detail.

Diolch, Janet. Rwy'n poeni, Lywydd, na fydd gennym ddigon o bobl i lenwi'r grwpiau gorchwyl a gorffen hyn. Efallai na fydd gennym ddigon o ewyllys wych Gymreig i weithio gyda ni arno, mewn gwirionedd. Ond edrychwch, rwy'n derbyn y pwynt difrifol y tu ôl i hyn. Dyma'r union reswm pam ein bod yn mabwysiadu'r dull cydgysylltiedig hwn o edrych arno, oherwydd mae'r un materion, gyda llaw, yn digwydd dros y ffin, ar yr ochr arall i Glawdd Offa. Fel cyn-Weinidog Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig a oedd â chyfrifoldeb am y maes hwn, nefoedd, 15 mlynedd yn ôl erbyn hyn, rwy'n ymwybodol iawn ein bod yn wynebu'r un heriau. Felly, rwy'n credu mai'r gwaith rheoleiddio ar y cyd a wnawn yw'r ffordd iawn o'i wneud. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen, os yw'r Senedd neu'r pwyllgor yn edrych ar sut rydym ni'n ariannu hyn, at y syniadau a gaiff eu cyflwyno. Ond gadewch imi ei gwneud hi'n glir iawn: ni all hyn fod yn gyfrifoldeb i'r trethdalwr yn gyfan gwbl ac ni ddylai fod. Pe bawn yn berchen ar ddarn o dir gyda chronfa ddŵr arno, yn fawr neu'n fach, fy nghyfrifoldeb i fyddai hynny. Nawr, mae yna ffyrdd y gallwn helpu, wrth edrych ar hyn wrth symud ymlaen.

Y sicrwydd arall rwyf am ei roi, oherwydd mae yna berygl yn hyn, yn enwedig pan ydym wedi gweld rhai o'r digwyddiadau bron yn drychinebus mewn rhannau eraill o'r DU, yw rhoi'r sicrwydd fod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru a'r awdurdodau rheoli risg yn monitro cyflwr y cronfeydd dŵr hyn yn agos, felly nid ydym yn edrych ar berygl neu ddifrod sydd ar fin digwydd i unrhyw un o'r cronfeydd dŵr bach neu fawr hyn; maent yn asesu'r risg yn agos. Dyna pam ein bod yn gwybod, gyda llaw, lle mae'r peryglon, yr un fath â chyda thomenni glo—y gwaith a wnaethom o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru. Ond nawr mae angen inni edrych yn iawn ar, wel, sut i sicrhau bod y cyfrifoldebau a'r atebolrwydd sy'n dod o gael cronfa ddŵr ar eich tir—yn fawr a bach—yn cael eu hysgwyddo'n iawn. Ac rydych yn codi'r pwynt pwysig o ran cronfeydd dŵr amddifad, lle cânt eu gadael yn amddifad nid fel asedau ond fel atebolrwydd. Wel, mae hynny'n rhan o'r hyn rydym yn ei ystyried hefyd, sut i ymdrin â hynny. Ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at gael cyfle gerbron y Senedd neu gerbron pwyllgorau i gymryd rhan fwy manwl yn hyn.

14:40

Llefarydd Plaid Cymru nawr, Delyth Jewell. 

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Delyth Jewell. 

Diolch, Llywydd. The warning signals of climate breakdown are flashing red, with intensifying floods, storms, heatwaves. Climate leadership by Wales and the UK is more essential than ever. But the imminent return of Trump, a recognised climate denier, means the prospect of the US once again abandoning the Paris agreement looms large. Analysts predict Trump's agenda could pump billions more tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. In that context, Keir Starmer's pledge to cut UK emissions by 81 per cent by 2035, it's a step in the right direction. It must surely be seen as a baseline not a limit, though. Could you clarify, please, what conversations you've had with the UK Government about that new pledge, and, crucially, to what degree the Welsh Government has been involved in shaping that goal? Can you assure us that Wales's specific needs, our perspectives, are being taken into account as we respond to this urgent, increasingly alarming climate crisis?

Diolch, Lywydd. Mae'r arwyddion rhybudd o chwalfa hinsawdd yn fflachio'n goch, gyda llifogydd, stormydd, tywydd poeth yn dwysáu. Mae arweinyddiaeth ar yr hinsawdd gan Gymru a'r DU yn fwy hanfodol nag erioed. Ond mae Trump, sy'n wadwr hinsawdd amlwg, ar fin dychwelyd, sy'n golygu bod y posibilrwydd y bydd yr Unol Daleithiau unwaith eto yn cefnu ar gytundeb Paris yn fawr iawn. Mae dadansoddwyr yn rhagweld y gallai agenda Trump bwmpio biliynau yn fwy o dunelli o nwyon tŷ gwydr i'r atmosffer. Yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, mae addewid Keir Starmer i dorri allyriadau'r Deyrnas Unedig 81 y cant erbyn 2035 yn gam i'r cyfeiriad cywir. Rhaid ei weld fel llinell sylfaen nid terfyn, serch hynny. A allwch chi egluro, os gwelwch yn dda, pa sgyrsiau a gawsoch gyda Llywodraeth y DU am yr addewid newydd hwnnw, ac yn hollbwysig, i ba raddau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn rhan o lunio'r nod hwnnw? A allwch chi ein sicrhau bod anghenion penodol Cymru, ein safbwyntiau ni, yn cael eu hystyried wrth inni ymateb i'r argyfwng hinsawdd brys, cynyddol frawychus hwn?

Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much for raising this on the floor today in the middle of these hundreds of climate conversations that we're having right across Wales this week, with young people, older people, community groups, business, commerce, academics and so on. I've been deep in those conversations this week, and there is a serious acknowledgement across Welsh civic society of the way we need, individually and collectively, as Government and individual citizens, to step up to the mark so that we can deal with what is already locked in there, which is around 1.5 degrees and, actually, turn the dial back down and make sure that we can get ahead of this. And we can do it.

I was speaking to young people, as part of our, if you like, COP with young people, in the peace temple in Cathays Park today—hundreds of young children from across Wales; there's another event in Wrexham later on this week there—and they're absolutely driving us, in the same way, Delyth, that I've had those conversations with our UK Ministers to say, 'We will support you to show leadership, go further.' I'm delighted to see that—. I understand you've described it as a 'step'; I think it's, actually, a step change from what we've seen in recent years, to say an 81 per cent cut in emissions, and, yes, Wales will be not only at the table with UK Ministers in making sure that that fits in what we are doing. We know the three biggest challenges for us in Wales are manufacturing and industry—and we want manufacturing and industry, but—actually helping them go through that transition towards a greener, fairer future; it's in transport, of course, and we need to bring forward that bus Bill, we need to invest in rail and we need to invest in walking and cycling as well and all those other modal shifts; and it's in agriculture, and the work we do with farmers not to farmers, so that we can help them so that we can help them build in climate resilience. But we need to drive those emissions down. We are quietly confident that we’re on target to bring in Wales within carbon budget 2, in terms of where we are, but carbon budget 3, which we’re already working on—and we will need all of your support—will be like Eryri compared to the hill I walk up on the way back home every night. It will be a lot steeper.

Gallaf, yn sicr. Diolch am godi hyn ar y llawr heddiw yng nghanol y cannoedd o sgyrsiau hinsawdd yr ydym yn eu cael ledled Cymru yr wythnos hon, gyda phobl ifanc, pobl hŷn, grwpiau cymunedol, busnes, masnach, academyddion ac ati. Rwyf wedi bod yn ddwfn yn y sgyrsiau hynny yr wythnos hon, ac mae cydnabyddiaeth ddifrifol ar draws cymdeithas ddinesig Cymru o'r ffordd y mae angen i ni, yn unigol ac ar y cyd, fel Llywodraeth a dinasyddion unigol, gamu i'r adwy fel y gallwn fynd i'r afael â'r hyn sydd eisoes wedi'i gloi i mewn yno, sef tua 1.5 gradd a gostwng hynny mewn gwirionedd, a gwneud yn siŵr y gallwn achub y blaen ar hyn. Ac fe allwn wneud hynny.

Roeddwn yn siarad â phobl ifanc, fel rhan o'n COP ni, os mynnwch, gyda phobl ifanc, yn y deml heddwch ym Mharc Cathays heddiw—cannoedd o blant ifanc o bob rhan o Gymru; mae digwyddiad arall yn Wrecsam yn ddiweddarach yr wythnos hon—ac maent yn ein gyrru ni, yn yr un ffordd, Delyth, ag y cefais y sgyrsiau hynny gyda Gweinidogion y DU i ddweud, 'Byddwn yn eich cefnogi i ddangos arweiniad, i fynd ymhellach.' Rwy'n falch iawn o weld hynny—. Rwy'n deall eich bod wedi ei ddisgrifio fel 'cam'; rwy'n credu ei fod yn newid sylweddol o'r hyn a welsom yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, i ddweud toriad o 81 y cant mewn allyriadau, a bydd, fe fydd Cymru nid yn unig wrth y bwrdd gyda Gweinidogion y DU yn sicrhau bod hynny'n cyd-fynd â'r hyn a wnawn. Rydym yn gwybod mai'r tair her fwyaf i ni yng Nghymru yw gweithgynhyrchu a diwydiant—ac rydym am gael gweithgynhyrchu a diwydiant, ond—eu helpu i bontio tuag at ddyfodol gwyrddach, tecach; mae'n ymwneud â thrafnidiaeth, wrth gwrs, ac mae angen inni gyflwyno'r Bil bws hwnnw, mae angen inni fuddsoddi mewn rheilffyrdd ac mae angen inni fuddsoddi mewn cerdded a beicio hefyd a'r holl newidiadau eraill i ddulliau teithio; ac mae'n ymwneud ag amaethyddiaeth, a'r gwaith a wnawn gyda ffermwyr, nid i ffermwyr, fel y gallwn eu helpu i ymgorffori gwytnwch hinsawdd. Ond mae angen inni ostwng yr allyriadau. Rydym yn dawel hyderus ein bod ar y trywydd iawn i ddod â Chymru o fewn cyllideb garbon 2, o ran lle rydym arni, ond bydd cyllideb garbon 3, yr ydym eisoes yn gweithio arni—a bydd angen eich cefnogaeth i gyd arnom—fel Eryri o'i gymharu â'r bryn rwy'n ei gerdded ar y ffordd adref bob nos. Bydd yn llawer mwy serth.

14:45

Thank you for that and for setting down that challenge. It’s fair to expect that, given this new commitment on a UK level to accelerate emissions targets, this will come with increased Government support for a just transition, and you’ve just been setting that out. Now, that creates a vital opportunity for us to take forward all of those ambitions you have set out, Cabinet Secretary. The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group have provided clear pathways for achieving net zero by 2035. Now, as you’ve just outlined, the Senedd will soon decide carbon budget 4 targets. The next Welsh Government will outline its strategy for carbon budget 3. There is a pressing need for Wales to align with that faster pace. So, is the Welsh Government giving serious consideration to adopting the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group pathways in order to reach net zero by 2035 because of this accelerated commitment that’s needed?

Diolch am hynny ac am nodi'r her honno. Mae'n deg disgwyl, o ystyried yr ymrwymiad newydd hwn ar lefel y DU i gyflymu targedau allyriadau, y bydd hyn yn dod â mwy o gefnogaeth gan y Llywodraeth i bontio teg, ac rydych chi newydd egluro hynny. Nawr, mae hynny'n creu cyfle hanfodol inni fwrw ymlaen â'r holl uchelgeisiau a nodwyd gennych, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae Grŵp Her Sero Net 2035 Cymru wedi darparu llwybrau clir ar gyfer cyflawni sero net erbyn 2035. Nawr, fel rydych chi newydd ei amlinellu, bydd y Senedd yn penderfynu ar dargedau cyllideb garbon 4 cyn bo hir. Bydd Llywodraeth nesaf Cymru yn amlinellu ei strategaeth ar gyfer cyllideb garbon 3. Mae angen dybryd i Gymru gyflymu ochr yn ochr â hynny. Felly, a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi ystyriaeth ddifrifol i fabwysiadu llwybrau Grŵp Her Sero Net 2035 Cymru er mwyn cyrraedd sero net erbyn 2035 oherwydd yr ymrwymiad cyflymach sydd ei angen?

Yes, thank you, Delyth. My predecessor was really pleased, with the support of colleagues as well, to establish that 2035 challenge group. They’ve done remarkable work, they really have. But even they recognise—and I pay tribute to Jane Davidson in chairing that, but also all the individuals who brought their ideas together—that there are parts of their proposals to get to 2035 net zero that will be incredibly challenging not just for Government, but for individuals. So, we are going to consider seriously everything that is within that report.

But I think, in this just transition piece, and bringing people with us, we also need to not just think about the scientific evidence that underpins how we get there, in the data driving towards reducing emissions and decarbonisation and so on, but we need to use the behavioural sciences and how we bring people with us, and where there are those nudges, regulations and other things making it easy for people to make the right choices. I got onto the train the other day going to the Netherlands—the train, there’s a choice; not a plane, a train. But when I got onto the train at Cardiff first thing in the morning, I picked up, from that kiosk we all know there, a coffee. I got onto that train, with the coffee in front of me and said to the colleague who was travelling with me, ‘Look at that. Why is that significant?’ Because we in Wales, with the support of citizens in Wales, have changed our approach to single-use plastics. There was not a bit of plastic within it. It was all branded, recyclable material. I didn’t have to think about that; I just went and bought a cup of coffee, and there it was—Wales making a difference. And there’s the message this week as well, because we’re in climate week, because some of those climate change deniers will say, ‘What can Wales do?’ Well, we can change the world. We just have to show the leadership. 

Diolch, Delyth. Roedd fy rhagflaenydd yn falch iawn, gyda chefnogaeth cyd-Aelodau, o sefydlu'r grŵp her 2035 hwnnw. Maent wedi gwneud gwaith gwirioneddol anhygoel. Ond maent hwy hyd yn oed yn cydnabod—ac rwy'n talu teyrnged i Jane Davidson am gadeirio hwnnw, ond hefyd yr holl unigolion a ddaeth â'u syniadau at ei gilydd—fod rhannau o'u cynigion i gyrraedd sero net 2035 a fydd yn hynod heriol nid yn unig i'r Llywodraeth, ond i unigolion. Felly, rydym yn mynd i roi ystyriaeth ddifrifol i bopeth sydd o fewn yr adroddiad hwnnw.

Ond o ran pontio teg, a dod â phobl gyda ni, rwy'n credu bod angen inni feddwl hefyd nid yn unig am y dystiolaeth wyddonol sy'n sail i sut y cyrhaeddwn yno, yn y data sy'n ysgogi lleihau allyriadau a datgarboneiddio ac yn y blaen, mae angen hefyd inni ddefnyddio'r gwyddorau ymddygiad a sut y down â phobl gyda ni, a lle mae'r ysgogiadau, rheoliadau a phethau eraill hynny yn ei gwneud hi'n hawdd i bobl wneud y dewisiadau cywir. Fe euthum y trên y diwrnod o'r blaen er mwyn mynd i'r Iseldiroedd—y trên, dyna ddewis; nid awyren, trên. Ond pan gyrhaeddais y trên yng Nghaerdydd y peth cyntaf yn y bore, fe brynais goffi o'r ciosg y mae pawb ohonom yn gwybod amdano yno. Euthum ar y trên, gyda'r coffi o'm blaen a dweud wrth y cyfaill a oedd yn teithio gyda mi, 'Edrychwch ar hwn. Pam y mae hwn yn bwysig?' Oherwydd ein bod ni yng Nghymru, gyda chefnogaeth dinasyddion yng Nghymru, wedi newid ein dull o ymdrin â phlastigau untro. Nid oedd unrhyw blastig ynddo. Roedd y cyfan yn ddeunydd brand, ailgylchadwy. Nid oedd yn rhaid imi feddwl am hynny; fe brynais baned o goffi, a dyna lle roedd Cymru'n gwneud gwahaniaeth. A yna lle mae'r neges yr wythnos hon hefyd, oherwydd mae'n wythnos yr hinsawdd, oherwydd bydd rhai o'r rhai sy'n gwadu newid hinsawdd yn dweud, 'Beth y gall Cymru ei wneud?' Wel, gallwn newid y byd. Mae'n rhaid inni ddangos arweiniad, dyna i gyd. 

We absolutely can change the world. And one of the possibly more quiet elements of that—a quiet element of changing our natural world, but an element that is nevertheless fundamentally important—is about addressing biodiversity loss. In your recent session with the climate change committee on this, you set out that the biodiversity targets under the environmental governance Bill could take up to three years after the Bill is passed. Given that we expect the Bill to pass in 2026, that could mean delays until 2029. Now, that is a serious concern because the legislation is crucial to Wales’s responsibility to halt biodiversity loss, and, yes, changing the natural world. And I head some sniggers from another part of the Chamber when we said that, but that is essentially what we’re looking to do. Could you assure us that you’re working to shorten that time frame as much as possible, to start to develop those targets in parallel with the Bill’s passage, so that we can meet this urgent challenge of reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, because the longer the delay, the more irreversible losses we’ll see, and the more things that we’ll lose that we’ll never get back in our natural world?

Yn sicr, gallwn newid y byd. Ac un o elfennau mwy tawel hynny o bosibl—elfen dawel o newid ein byd natur, ond elfen sydd serch hynny yn sylfaenol bwysig—yw mynd i'r afael â cholli bioamrywiaeth. Yn eich sesiwn ddiweddar gyda'r pwyllgor newid hinsawdd ar hyn, fe nodoch chi y gallai'r targedau bioamrywiaeth o dan y Bil llywodraethu amgylcheddol gymryd hyd at dair blynedd ar ôl i'r Bil gael ei basio. O ystyried ein bod yn disgwyl i'r Bil basio yn 2026, gallai hynny olygu oedi tan 2029. Nawr, mae hynny'n bryder difrifol oherwydd mae'r ddeddfwriaeth yn allweddol i gyfrifoldeb Cymru i atal colli bioamrywiaeth, ac ie, i newid byd natur. A chlywais rai o ran arall o'r Siambr yn chwerthin pan ddywedom hynny, ond dyna yn ei hanfod y ceisiwn ei wneud. A allwch chi ein sicrhau eich bod yn gweithio i fyrhau'r amserlen honno cymaint â phosibl, i ddechrau datblygu'r targedau hynny ochr yn ochr â hynt y Bil, fel y gallwn ateb her ddybryd gwrthdroi colli bioamrywiaeth erbyn 2030, oherwydd po hwyaf yw'r oedi, y mwyaf o golledion na ellir eu gwrthdroi a welwn, a'r mwyaf o bethau na fydd modd inni eu cael yn ôl yn ein byd natur?

Yes, Delyth, you’re absolutely right. And the biodiversity restoration piece goes hand in hand with the climate adaptation and resilience piece. We need to do both together. I had significant challenge from that committee when I set out our working timetable on bringing forward the targets. There is a rationale behind it, which I’m keen to share with the committee, but I’m also keen to come back in front of the committee and see whether—and it is the question I put back to my officials—we can expedite the progress towards bringing those targets earlier, whilst getting the right targets and making sure that they are the right targets and they’re well grounded in the evidence as well. So, let’s carry on that discussion. I was taken by the pushback from committee, from you and the Chair and others. So, let’s see where we get to. It’s a Bill in progress. I’m always a Minister who likes to work with committees to see if we can make improvements.

Ie, Delyth, rydych chi'n hollol gywir. Ac mae adfer bioamrywiaeth yn mynd law yn llaw ag addasu i newid hinsawdd a gwytnwch. Mae'n rhaid inni wneud y ddau gyda'i gilydd. Cefais her sylweddol gan y pwyllgor hwnnw pan osodais ein hamserlen waith ar gyflwyno'r targedau'n gynharach. Mae sail resymegol iddo, ac rwy'n awyddus i'w rhannu gyda'r pwyllgor, ond rwyf hefyd yn awyddus i ddychwelyd o flaen y pwyllgor a gweld—a dyma'r cwestiwn a ofynnais i fy swyddogion—a allwn gyflymu'r cynnydd tuag at ddod â'r targedau'n gynharach, gan gael y targedau cywir a gwneud yn siŵr mai'r rheini yw'r targedau cywir a'u bod wedi'u seilio ar y dystiolaeth hefyd. Felly, gadewch inni barhau â'r drafodaeth honno. Roeddwn yn falch o'r ymateb, oddi wrthych chi a'r Cadeirydd ac eraill. Felly, gadewch inni weld lle byddwn yn cyrraedd. Mae'n Fil sydd ar y gweill. Rwyf bob amser yn Weinidog sy'n hoffi gweithio gyda phwyllgorau i weld a allwn wneud gwelliannau.

14:50
Ffermydd Teuluol
Family Farms

3. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'u cael â Llywodraeth y DU am effaith cyllideb Llywodraeth y DU ar ffermydd teuluol yng Nghymru? OQ61849

3. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the UK Government about the impact of the UK Government's budget on family farms in Wales? OQ61849

Since the UK Government published their budget on 30 October, Welsh Government officials have had numerous discussions with the UK Government on this matter.

Ers i Lywodraeth y DU gyhoeddi eu cyllideb ar 30 Hydref, mae swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cael trafodaethau niferus gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar y mater hwn.

Cabinet Secretary, this week, I heard from a local farmer in Monmouthshire who fears that small family farms like hers will be driven into the ground by Labour’s changes to inheritance tax, turning once thriving farms into prey for developers and ripping apart the heart of our rural communities. Let’s call it what it is: it’s a Labour-driven rural land grab. But it gets worse, earlier this week, former senior Labour aid John McTernan said, and I quote,

'we don’t need small farmers',

and this is

'an industry we can do without'.

It’s disgraceful, and I ask you, Cabinet Secretary, do Mr McTernan’s views reflect the disdain that Labour harbours for the working people of the countryside who tirelessly work to feed our nation? Will you stand up to the UK Labour Government, who are sacrificing the backbone of our agricultural communities while senior Labour figures imply our small farms are disposable?

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yr wythnos hon, clywais gan ffermwr lleol yn sir Fynwy sy'n ofni y bydd ffermydd teuluol bach fel ei hun hi yn cael eu dinistrio gan newidiadau Llafur i'r dreth etifeddiant, gan droi ffermydd a oedd ar un adeg yn ffynnu yn ysglyfaeth i ddatblygwyr a rhwygo'r galon o'n cymunedau gwledig. Gadewch inni ei alw yr hyn ydyw: cipio tir gwledig wedi'i ysgogi gan Lafur. Ond mae'n mynd yn waeth, yn gynharach yr wythnos hon, dywedodd y cyn uwch-gynorthwyydd Llafur, John McTernan, ac rwy'n dyfynnu,

'nid oes angen ffermwyr bach arnom',

ac mae hwn yn

'ddiwydiant y gallwn wneud hebddo'.

Mae'n warthus, a gofynnaf i chi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a yw barn Mr McTernan yn adlewyrchu'r dirmyg sydd gan Lafur tuag at weithwyr cefn gwlad sy'n gweithio'n ddiflino i fwydo ein cenedl? A wnewch chi herio Llywodraeth Lafur y DU, sy'n aberthu asgwrn cefn ein cymunedau amaethyddol tra bod ffigyrau Llafur blaenllaw'n awgrymu bod ein ffermydd bach yn bethau y gellir cael gwared arnynt?

Laura, thank you for that question. Let me say where I am exactly. First of all, I think we should take real pride in the fact that, on 30 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, presented the first ever UK budget by a female Chancellor in British history. It does represent, Laura, I must say, the first steps towards fixing 14 years' damage that has been caused to our public services and our communities by the previous Conservative UK Government. But, the Government have had to make some very tough decisions, addressing challenges inherited from the previous administration.

Now, whilst there are indeed concerns about the impacts of changes to inheritance tax, specifically the agricultural property relief, and those are understandable, it’s certainly not helpful to speculate on numbers of affected farms given the many complex factors that are involved. Those include the farm ownership structures, the inheritance plans, the applicable reliefs that may apply, which all affect the application of APR. Farm values themselves also fluctuate, making it quite difficult to estimate how many are valued over the IHT threshold at any given point. But, simply to say, this is a reserved matter, but I am very aware, and I was at the NFU Cymru conference last week and spoke not only on the platform, taking questions on this and many other matters, like the sustainable farming scheme and many other things, but I also spoke to farmers directly about it as well. I have farmers in my extended family as well who I’ve also had discussions with. They will be taking advice on this to see whether or not this does affect them.

But in the absence of specific figures, because of all those complexities, I think the Treasury figures that have been presented about their estimate of the scale of farms that will be affected—. And bear in mind, there is a different structure, by and large, to farms in Wales. When we talk about family farming in Wales, those small and medium-scale farms, it is by characteristic significantly different from what there might be on average across the other side of the border in England. So, we have to see how this works out. I understand NFU Cymru and others will be making representations to the Chancellor, and I wish them well with that, to put forward the data and the evidence on their analysis. But, meanwhile, it is a reserved matter, Llywydd.

Laura, diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Gadewch imi ddweud yn union lle rwy'n sefyll. Yn gyntaf oll, credaf y dylem ymfalchïo yn y ffaith bod Canghellor y Trysorlys, Rachel Reeves, wedi cyflwyno cyllideb gyntaf erioed y DU gan Ganghellor benywaidd ar 30 Hydref. Rhaid imi ddweud, Laura, mae'n cynrychioli'r camau cyntaf tuag at atgyweirio 14 mlynedd o niwed a achoswyd i'n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a'n cymunedau gan Lywodraeth Geidwadol flaenorol y DU. Ond bu'n rhaid i'r Llywodraeth wneud penderfyniadau anodd iawn, gan fynd i'r afael â heriau a etifeddwyd gan y weinyddiaeth flaenorol.

Nawr, er bod pryderon am effeithiau newidiadau i'r dreth etifeddiant, yn fwyaf penodol y rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol, ac mae'r rheini'n ddealladwy, yn sicr, nid yw'n ddefnyddiol dyfalu ynghylch nifer y ffermydd yr effeithir arnynt o ystyried y nifer o ffactorau cymhleth sy'n gysylltiedig. Mae'r rheini'n cynnwys strwythurau perchnogaeth fferm, y cynlluniau etifeddiant, y rhyddhadau cymwys a allai fod yn berthnasol, sydd i gyd yn effeithio ar y modd y cymhwysir y rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol. Mae gwerthoedd ffermydd eu hunain hefyd yn amrywio, gan ei gwneud hi'n eithaf anodd amcangyfrif faint a gaiff eu prisio dros drothwy treth etifeddiant ar unrhyw bwynt penodol. Ond yn syml, mae hwn yn fater a gadwyd yn ôl, ond rwy'n ymwybodol iawn, ac roeddwn yng nghynhadledd NFU Cymru yr wythnos diwethaf a siaradais nid yn unig ar y platfform, gan ateb cwestiynau ar hyn a llawer o faterion eraill, fel y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy a llawer o bethau eraill, ond fe siaradais â ffermwyr yn uniongyrchol yn ei gylch hefyd. Mae gennyf ffermwyr yn fy nheulu estynedig y cefais drafodaethau â hwy yn ogystal. Byddant yn cael cyngor ar hyn i weld a yw'n effeithio arnynt hwy ai peidio.

Ond yn absenoldeb ffigurau penodol, oherwydd yr holl gymhlethdodau hynny, rwy'n credu bod ffigurau'r Trysorlys sydd wedi eu cyflwyno am eu hamcangyfrif o faint o ffermydd yr effeithir arnynt—. A chofiwch, mae yna strwythur gwahanol, ar y cyfan, i ffermydd yng Nghymru. Pan fyddwn yn sôn am ffermio teuluol yng Nghymru, y ffermydd bach a chanolig hynny, mae'n wahanol iawn o ran nodweddion i'r hyn a allai fod ar gyfartaledd ar yr ochr arall i'r ffin yn Lloegr. Felly, mae'n rhaid inni weld sut y bydd hyn yn gweithio. Rwy'n deall y bydd NFU Cymru ac eraill yn cyflwyno sylwadau i'r Canghellor, ac rwy'n dymuno'n dda iddynt gyda hynny, i gyflwyno'r data a'r dystiolaeth ar eu dadansoddiad. Ond yn y cyfamser, mae'n fater a gadwyd yn ôl, Lywydd.

And the question is: will you be making those representations as well?

Now, you’re right—the nature of farms between England and Wales is very different. I’ve actually been looking at some of the Welsh Government’s own figures. The sustainable farming scheme’s economic impact assessment, published at the end of last year, considers the farms responsible for around 84 per cent of Wales’s total utilised agricultural area, 89 per cent of Welsh agricultural standard output, and 93 per cent of total grazing livestock—so, basically, working farms in Wales. The area of the farms considered in that report equates to an average farm value that’s well over double the proposed £1 million agricultural property relief threshold, equating to an inheritance tax bill that could actually be six times or more the average annual income of livestock farmers in Wales. So, the First Minister says that a very small proportion of Welsh farms would be affected. You've said that you don't have the figures to be able to quantify that, so I'm not sure where the First Minister got the figure. But, your own figures, published less than 12 months ago, suggest a very different picture—that a vast number of farms in Wales would not only be affected, but they won't be, actually, in a position to be able to afford to pay the tax bill. So, the question here is: will the Welsh Government, therefore, commit to publishing a comprehensive analysis of the possible impacts of the new APR threshold for all farm sizes and categories to answer the question that you've actually posed here yourself? And that, of course, doesn't include, then, the smallholdings and the other holdings that your own Government excluded from your economic impact assessment for the sustainable farming scheme.

A'r cwestiwn yw: a wnewch chi gyflwyno'r sylwadau hynny hefyd?

Nawr, rydych chi'n iawn—mae natur ffermydd yn wahanol iawn rhwng Cymru a Lloegr. Rwyf wedi bod yn edrych ar rai o ffigurau Llywodraeth Cymru ei hun. Mae asesiad effaith economaidd y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, a gyhoeddwyd ddiwedd y llynedd, yn ystyried y ffermydd sy'n gyfrifol am oddeutu 84 y cant o gyfanswm yr arwynebedd amaethyddol a ddefnyddir yng Nghymru, 89 y cant o allbwn safonol amaethyddol Cymru, a 93 y cant o gyfanswm y da byw sy'n pori—felly, yn y bôn, ffermydd gweithiol yng Nghymru. Mae arwynebedd y ffermydd sydd dan ystyriaeth yn yr adroddiad hwnnw'n cyfateb i werth fferm gyfartalog sydd ymhell dros ddwbl y trothwy arfaethedig o £1 filiwn ar gyfer rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol, sy'n cyfateb i fil treth etifeddiant a allai fod dros chwe gwaith incwm blynyddol cyfartalog ffermwyr da byw yng Nghymru. Felly, mae'r Prif Weinidog yn dweud mai cyfran fach iawn o ffermydd Cymru fydd yn cael eu heffeithio. Rydych chi wedi dweud nad oes gennych ffigurau i allu mesur hynny, felly nid wyf yn siŵr o ble y cafodd y Prif Weinidog y ffigur. Ond mae eich ffigurau chi, a gyhoeddwyd lai na 12 mis yn ôl, yn awgrymu darlun gwahanol iawn—y byddai nifer helaeth o ffermydd yng Nghymru nid yn unig yn cael eu heffeithio, ond na fyddant mewn sefyllfa i allu fforddio talu'r bil treth. Felly, y cwestiwn yma yw: a fydd Llywodraeth Cymru, felly, yn ymrwymo i gyhoeddi dadansoddiad cynhwysfawr o effeithiau posibl trothwy rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol newydd ar gyfer pob maint a chategori fferm i ateb y cwestiwn yr ydych chi wedi'i ofyn yma eich hun? Ac nid yw hynny, wrth gwrs, yn cynnwys y tyddynnod a'r daliadau eraill a anwybyddwyd gan eich Llywodraeth eich hun o'ch asesiad effaith economaidd ar gyfer y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy.

14:55

So, Llyr, look—thank you for that question—for the reasons I outlined before, that every single farm, as we know, is very, very different, and they're different in how they approach their tax advice, whether they gift, whether there is a spousal arrangement as well, the application of this will be very, very different on every single individual landholding. So, to actually do what some have been asking, which is, 'Can you give us the specific number of farms that will be affected?', it is not possible—[Interruption.] It is not possible to do it, Llyr. [Interruption.]

Felly, Llyr, edrychwch—diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw—am y rhesymau a amlinellais o'r blaen, fod pob fferm, fel y gwyddom, yn wahanol iawn, ac yn wahanol o ran sut y cânt gyngor treth, a ydynt yn gwneud rhodd, a oes cytundeb priodasol hefyd, bydd cymhwyso hyn yn wahanol iawn ar gyfer pob daliad tir unigol. Felly, i wneud yr hyn y mae rhai wedi bod yn gofyn amdano, sef, 'A allwch chi roi nifer penodol y ffermydd a fydd yn cael eu heffeithio?', nid yw'n bosibl—[Torri ar draws.] Nid yw'n bosibl ei wneud, Llyr. [Torri ar draws.]

Allow the Cabinet Secretary to provide the response now. 

Gadewch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet roi'r ymateb nawr. 

So, what the First Minister was doing was, rightly, referring to the published His Majesty's Treasury data. Now, the HMT figures show that most farms will be unaffected by these changes. They show that, for 2021-22, in the most recent available data, across the whole of the United Kingdom there were just 462 claims for agricultural relief that were more than £1 million, and extrapolations have been made by some people then about what that means for Wales. But, let me add to that. Paul Johnson, the director of the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has concluded that the changes should only affect a small number of the most valuable farms. However, as I said in response to the initial question, if stakeholders such as farming unions are able to generate alternative data, I'd be interested myself to look at that, but they need also to present that, as I understand they will be doing, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in London; not to my colleague here, but actually to Rachel Reeves. 

And it is important that all members of the farming unions, but also those who are not members of the farming unions, who will be listening to something of the clamour over this now, get into the detail of this and take good, sound advice. And, by the way, Llywydd, Farming Connect also are one of the organisations in this space, but I know that some farmers will be taking their own independent advice as well, which they will pay for, and so on. But, the details of the changes are all on HMT's website.

And simply to say, on one aspect that I haven't been asked about today but is really important in terms of this, the Welsh Government did, indeed, work with the UK Government to make sure that Welsh farmers joining the work that we're still doing on the sustainable farming scheme are not disadvantaged in any way by the agricultural property relief proposals. So, we're very keen to make sure that that is there as well. So, meanwhile, I would also say that I do have a worry, Llywydd—something of a worry—that some of the understandable noise around this will heighten worries and anxiety out there, and I do want to make sure that we refer anybody who is concerned about this not only to take good advice and to do the rational economic and fiscal thing for their farm, but also to know that there is support out there as well from many farming charities, such as the DPJ Foundation, Tir Dewi, RABI and the Farming Community Network. So, anybody who is worried about this, beyond the financial measures, 'Pick up the phone; there are people to talk to about this as well.'

Felly, yr hyn roedd y Prif Weinidog yn ei wneud, yn briodol, oedd cyfeirio at ddata Trysorlys Ei Fawrhydi a gyhoeddwyd. Nawr, mae ffigurau Trysorlys Ei Fawrhydi yn dangos na fydd y newidiadau hyn yn effeithio ar y rhan fwyaf o ffermydd. Maent yn dangos, ar gyfer 2021-22, yn y data diweddaraf sydd ar gael, ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig gyfan, mai dim ond 462 o hawliadau am ryddhad amaethyddol oedd yn fwy nag £1 filiwn, ac mae pobl wedi gwneud allosodiadau am yr hyn y mae hynny'n ei olygu i Gymru. Ond gadewch imi ychwanegu at hynny. Mae Paul Johnson, cyfarwyddwr y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid annibynnol, wedi dod i'r casgliad y dylai'r newidiadau effeithio ar nifer fach o'r ffermydd mwyaf gwerthfawr yn unig. Fodd bynnag, fel y dywedais mewn ymateb i'r cwestiwn cychwynnol, os yw rhanddeiliaid fel undebau ffermio yn gallu cynhyrchu data amgen, fe hoffwn edrych ar hynny, ond mae angen iddynt gyflwyno hynny, fel y deallaf y byddant yn ei wneud, i Ganghellor y Trysorlys yn Llundain; nid i fy nghyd-Aelod yma, ond i Rachel Reeves. 

Ac mae'n bwysig fod pob aelod o'r undebau ffermio, ond hefyd y rhai nad ydynt yn aelodau o'r undebau ffermio, a fydd yn gwrando ar y twrw ynglŷn â hyn nawr, yn edrych ar y manylion ac yn cael cyngor da, cadarn. Gyda llaw, Lywydd, mae Cyswllt Ffermio yn un o'r sefydliadau sy'n ymwneud â hyn, ond gwn y bydd rhai ffermwyr yn cael cyngor annibynnol eu hunain hefyd, y byddant yn talu amdano, ac yn y blaen. Ond mae manylion y newidiadau i gyd ar wefan Trysorlys Ei Fawrhydi.

Ac os caf ddweud, ar un agwedd na ofynnwyd imi amdani heddiw ond sy'n bwysig iawn yn hyn, fe wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU i sicrhau nad yw ffermwyr Cymru sy'n ymuno â'r gwaith yr ydym yn dal i'w wneud ar y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy o dan anfantais mewn unrhyw ffordd yn sgil cynigion y rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol. Felly, rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod hynny yno hefyd. Felly, yn y cyfamser, hoffwn ddweud hefyd fod gennyf bryder, Lywydd—rhywfaint o bryder—y bydd peth o'r sŵn dealladwy o gwmpas hyn yn dwysáu pryderon a gofidiau allan yno, ac rwyf am sicrhau ein bod yn cyfeirio unrhyw un sy'n pryderu am hyn nid yn unig i gael cyngor da ac i wneud y peth economaidd a chyllidol resymegol ar gyfer eu fferm, ond hefyd i wybod bod cefnogaeth allan yno hefyd gan lawer o elusennau ffermio, megis Sefydliad DPJ, Tir Dewi, y Sefydliad Amaethyddol Llesiannol Brenhinol a Rhwydwaith y Gymuned Ffermio. Felly, unrhyw un sy'n poeni am hyn, y tu hwnt i'r mesurau ariannol, 'Codwch y ffôn; mae yna bobl ar gael i siarad â hwy ynglŷn â hyn hefyd.'

Llifogydd yn Ardal Caerdydd
Flooding in the Cardiff Area

4. Sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'r afael â llifogydd yn ardal Caerdydd? OQ61831

4. How will the Welsh Government tackle flooding in the Cardiff area? OQ61831

This year, the Welsh Government has allocated £1.7 million to Cardiff Council for three capital schemes and £119,000 for three small-scale projects under the flood and coastal risk management programme. We have also provided over £32 million to Cardiff Council to construct a coastal defence scheme under the coastal risk management programme.

Eleni, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi dyrannu £1.7 miliwn i Gyngor Caerdydd ar gyfer tri chynllun cyfalaf a £119,000 ar gyfer tri phrosiect ar raddfa fach o dan y rhaglen rheoli perygl llifogydd ac arfordiroedd. Rydym hefyd wedi darparu dros £32 miliwn i Gyngor Caerdydd i adeiladu cynllun diogelu'r arfordir o dan y rhaglen rheoli risgiau arfordirol.

Diolch, Dirprwy Brif Weinidog. Some in this Chamber will remember the big floods in the early 1980s. I have only seen photos of them, when Cathedral Rd and many parts of Pontcanna and Canton were under water. But, Cardiff is still under threat from flooding. Rainfall just this year left many streets left many streets under water, and a couple had to be rescued from their car—in the capital city. Because Cardiff is fighting flooding on three fronts: we're the fourth most at-risk city from rising sea levels; we have three rivers flowing through Cardiff; and they then flow into the Severn estuary, the second highest tidal estuary in the whole world. In total, flooding is estimated to cost £200 million in damage every year, without the personal impact on individuals. Due to the high risk of flooding in Cardiff, will the Welsh Government expedite the future flooding framework, to help build flood resilience in the capital city? Diolch yn fawr.

Diolch, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog. Bydd rhai yn y Siambr yn cofio'r llifogydd mawr ar ddechrau'r 1980au. Dim ond lluniau ohonynt a welais i, pan oedd Heol y Gadeirlan a sawl rhan o Bontcanna a Threganna dan ddŵr. Ond mae Caerdydd yn dal dan fygythiad oherwydd llifogydd. Mae glaw eleni yn unig wedi gadael llawer o strydoedd dan ddŵr, a bu'n rhaid achub cwpl o'u car—yn y brifddinas. Oherwydd mae Caerdydd yn ymladd llifogydd ar dair ffrynt: ni yw'r bedwaredd ddinas sydd fwyaf mewn perygl yn sgil lefelau'r môr yn codi; mae gennym dair afon yn llifo trwy Gaerdydd; ac maent yn llifo i aber Afon Hafren wedyn, yr aber llanw ail uchaf yn y byd i gyd. Amcangyfrifir bod llifogydd yn costio cyfanswm o £200 miliwn mewn difrod bob blwyddyn, heb yr effaith bersonol ar unigolion. Oherwydd y risg uchel o lifogydd yng Nghaerdydd, a fydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei gwneud hi'n haws i'r fframwaith llifogydd helpu i adeiladu gallu i wrthsefyll llifogydd yn y brifddinas yn y dyfodol? Diolch yn fawr.

15:00

Thank you, Rhys, for that follow-up question. We're keen to do everything within our power, including some of the significant quantum of funding that I indicated in my initial response to you, which we are giving to Cardiff for a range of things. And you're right: it's actually river fluvial flooding combined with deluges, and surface water flooding, combined with coastal inundation and rising sea levels. In this week that we are having these conversations around climate action, we need to have those conversations with communities in Cardiff, which we are having as well, about their ideas of how we turn this around. But we will maintain, and we have, indeed, both last year and this year going ahead, record levels of investment in flood mitigation and alleviation.

It's not all hard defences. Some of this is to do, including in parts of Cardiff, with the use of a thing that bores many people in here, but I love it, and that's sustainable drainage systems. So, when you have those new developments, you're not discharging straight into the rivers, which could overload, you're actually slowing the water down. It is to do with the planting of the right tree in the right place as well. It's all of those things. And we need communities to be involved. Welsh Government has their role to play, with the funding that we are putting in. We also need the risk management authorities in those areas to step up and take forward that funding, and deliver the projects on the ground, some of which will be small, relevant to a small number of householders, to do with resilience and so on; some will be major, as they will be in Cardiff. Because we know, under the mapping, if we don't take the right action now to slow down the temperature rises that we're seeing, and the sea level rises, the mapping for Cardiff is not good. But we'll continue to invest in defending Cardiff, don't you worry.

Diolch am eich cwestiwn dilynol, Rhys. Rydym yn awyddus i wneud popeth a allwn, gan gynnwys rhywfaint o'r swm sylweddol o gyllid a nodais yn fy ymateb cychwynnol i chi, rydym yn ei roi i Gaerdydd at amryw o ddibenion. Ac rydych chi'n llygad eich lle: mae'n ymwneud â llifogydd afonol wedi'u cyfuno â dilywiau, a llifogydd dŵr wyneb, ynghyd â llifogydd o’r môr a chynnydd yn lefel y môr. Yn yr wythnos hon lle rydym yn cael sgyrsiau ynghylch gweithredu ar yr hinsawdd, mae angen inni gael y sgyrsiau hynny â chymunedau yng Nghaerdydd, ac rydym yn eu cael hefyd, ynglŷn â'u syniadau ynghylch sut i unioni'r sefyllfa. Ond byddwn yn cynnal, ac yn wir, rydym wedi cynnal, y llynedd ac eleni wrth symud ymlaen, y lefelau uchaf erioed o fuddsoddiad mewn atal a lliniaru llifogydd.

Nid amddiffynfeydd caled yw'r unig ateb. Mae rhywfaint o hyn, gan gynnwys mewn rhannau o Gaerdydd, yn ymwneud ynglŷn â'r defnydd o rywbeth sy'n diflasu llawer o bobl yma, ond mae gennyf i ddiddordeb mawr ynddo, sef systemau draenio cynaliadwy. Felly, pan fydd gennych y datblygiadau newydd hynny, nid ydych yn gollwng yn syth i'r afonydd, a allai orlifo, ond rydych chi'n arafu'r dŵr. Mae a wnelo â phlannu'r goeden iawn yn y lle iawn hefyd. Mae a wnelo â'r holl bethau hynny. Ac mae angen inni gynnwys cymunedau. Mae gan Lywodraeth Cymru ei rhan i'w chwarae, gyda'r cyllid a ddarparwn. Mae angen i'r awdurdodau rheoli perygl yn yr ardaloedd hynny fynd ati hefyd i ddefnyddio'r cyllid hwnnw, a chyflawni'r prosiectau ar lawr gwlad, y bydd rhai ohonynt yn fach, yn berthnasol i nifer fach o ddeiliaid tai, yn ymwneud â gwydnwch ac ati; bydd rhai yn fawr, fel y byddant yng Nghaerdydd. Oherwydd fe wyddom, o'r gwaith mapio, os na chymerwn y camau cywir nawr i arafu’r cynnydd a welwn yn y tymheredd, a lefel y môr yn codi, nid yw’r mapio ar gyfer Caerdydd yn dda. Ond byddwn yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn mesurau i amddiffyn Caerdydd, peidiwch â phoeni.

Cabinet Secretary, as we have heard, flooding is becoming a more frequent occurrence in Cardiff, and the council has stated that the issue is caused in part by blocked drains, which they aim to rectify as quickly as possible, but also by the sewer system, which is unable to cope with the sheer amount of water that falls in our capital city. Worryingly, the situation is only going to get worse, as heavier rainfall continues to be predicted for this country. What conversations have you had, or what conversations have you and the Welsh Government had, with Welsh Water, to address this and increase the city's sewage capacity? Thank you.

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fel y clywsom, mae llifogydd yn digwydd yn amlach yng Nghaerdydd, ac mae'r cyngor wedi datgan bod y broblem yn cael ei hachosi'n rhannol gan ddraeniau wedi'u blocio, problem y maent yn gobeithio ei hunioni cyn gynted â phosibl, ond hefyd gan y system garthffosiaeth, nad yw'n gallu ymdopi â faint o ddŵr sy’n disgyn yn ein prifddinas. Nid yw’r sefyllfa ond yn mynd i waethygu wrth i law trymach barhau i gael ei ddarogan ar gyfer y wlad hon, sy'n destun pryder. Pa sgyrsiau rydych chi wedi'u cael, neu pa sgyrsiau rydych chi a Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’u cael, gyda Dŵr Cymru, i fynd i’r afael â hyn a chynyddu capasiti carthffosiaeth y ddinas? Diolch.

Yes, this is a problem in Cardiff, but right across Wales as well, the load that we have on what was a fit-for-a-previous-century approach of having combined sewers and water discharge, where the load could be safely carried at that time, at that level of population, through that pipework. It is now antiquated and it's overloaded and, Joel, that's exactly why we are now at the forefront in Wales. In fact, we recently hosted a UK-wide event, in offices only 50 yards from here, that brought together SuDS engineers from across the UK. And I have to say, the plaudits that were given to Wales, for moving ahead rapidly within sustainable urban drainage systems—. And for those who don't know what these are, they're exactly to avoid the situation where all the discharge off roofs and the wider water system goes down the pipework directly, and then basically is beyond the capacity of that pipework. The idea here is that you use natural processes instead, and local authorities are engaging with this in Wales, to develop them into their town planning and the new streets, the new homes that they do, so that we're not discharging straight into the combined sewer network, but we're actually discharging into natural processes and slowing down the process of that into rivers. So, Joel, we'll keep on supporting local authorities, including Cardiff, to do that. And, in fact, Cardiff have got some brilliant schemes that, at that event, they took delegates around to show them what they were doing in new housing development.

Ydy, mae hon yn broblem yng Nghaerdydd, ond ledled Cymru hefyd, y pwysau ar system a oedd yn addas ar gyfer y ganrif ddiwethaf gyda charthffosydd cyfun a gollyngiadau dŵr, lle gellid cludo’r llwyth yn ddiogel ar y pryd, gyda phoblogaeth o'r maint hwnnw, drwy’r pibellau hyn. Mae'r system bellach wedi dyddio ac yn cael ei gorlwytho, a Joel, dyna’n union pam ein bod ni nawr ar flaen y gad yng Nghymru. Mewn gwirionedd, yn ddiweddar, fe wnaethom gynnal digwyddiad DU gyfan, mewn swyddfeydd 50 llath yn unig o’r fan hon, a ddaeth â pheirianwyr systemau draenio cynaliadwy o bob rhan o’r DU ynghyd. Ac mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, y clod a roddwyd i Gymru, am symud ymlaen yn gyflym gyda systemau draenio trefol cynaliadwy—. Ac i'r rhai nad ydynt yn gwybod beth yw'r rhain, maent yno i osgoi sefyllfa lle mae'r holl ollyngiadau oddi ar doeau a'r system ddŵr ehangach yn mynd i lawr y pibellau'n uniongyrchol ac yn gorlwytho capasiti'r pibellau hynny. Y syniad yma yw eich bod yn defnyddio prosesau naturiol yn lle hynny, ac mae awdurdodau lleol yn gweithio ar hyn yng Nghymru, i'w gynnwys yn eu gwaith cynllunio trefol a strydoedd newydd, y cartrefi newydd y maent yn eu codi, fel nad ydym yn gollwng yn syth i mewn i'r rhwydwaith carthffosydd cyfun, ond ein bod ni mewn gwirionedd yn gollwng i mewn i brosesau naturiol ac yn arafu'r llif i mewn i afonydd. Felly, Joel, byddwn yn parhau i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol, gan gynnwys Caerdydd, i wneud hynny. Ac mewn gwirionedd, mae gan Gaerdydd gynlluniau gwych y gwnaethant eu dangos i gynrychiolwyr yn y digwyddiad hwnnw, i ddangos beth y maent yn ei wneud mewn datblygiadau tai newydd.

Well, my office, my home and those of most of my constituents will be underwater unless we all change our ways. So, I wanted to ask you about the Greener Grangetown project, because here we've got a really good example of sustainable urban drainage, which has saved huge amounts of rain water going into the sewage system, saving money on energy, and obviously improving the environment. So, I want to explore not just why we don't have more Greener Grangetown-type systems across the city, where we do know that there's already flooding going on, as already referred to by Rhys ab Owen, but also how we are going to tap into the rain water system, and indeed where we wash our hands, to be used for flushing the toilet. Because it really is ridiculous that we're using drinking water for flushing the toilet, and then we don't even have enough rain water harvested to water the gardens, where drinking water is not the best option. So, we've really got to think quite differently in relation to reduce, reuse, recycle and how we're going to do that. Is it just money, or is it the lack of imagination and urgency going into this?

Wel, bydd fy swyddfa, fy nghartref a chartrefi'r rhan fwyaf o fy etholwyr o dan ddŵr oni bai bod pob un ohonom yn newid ein ffyrdd. Felly, hoffwn eich holi ynglŷn â phrosiect Grangetown Werddach, gan ei bod yn enghraifft wirioneddol dda o ddraenio trefol cynaliadwy, sydd wedi arbed llawer iawn o ddŵr glaw rhag mynd i mewn i'r system garthffosiaeth, gan arbed arian ar ynni, a gwella'r amgylchedd wrth gwrs. Felly, hoffwn archwilio nid yn unig pam nad oes gennym fwy o systemau tebyg i Grangetown Werddach ar waith ar draws y ddinas, lle gwyddom fod llifogydd eisoes yn digwydd, fel y nodwyd eisoes gan Rhys ab Owen, ond hefyd sut rydym yn mynd i fanteisio ar y system ddŵr glaw, ac yn wir, lle rydym yn golchi ein dwylo, i'w defnyddio ar gyfer fflysio'r toiled. Oherwydd mae'n warthus ein bod yn defnyddio dŵr yfed ar gyfer fflysio'r toiled, ac nid oes gennym ddigon o ddŵr glaw wedi'i gasglu i ddyfrio gerddi hyd yn oed, lle nad dŵr yfed yw'r opsiwn gorau. Felly, mae'n rhaid inni feddwl yn hollol wahanol mewn perthynas â lleihau defnydd, ailddefnyddio ac ailgylchu a sut y gwnawn hynny. Ai diffyg arian yw'r broblem, neu ai diffyg dychymyg a brys mewn perthynas â hyn?

15:05

Jenny, thank you for that supplementary. Can I applaud, because I was talking about that SuDS conference and they went to see the Greener Grangetown initiative, and they were blown away by it, and thought, 'Well, how can we make this mainstream in England as well?' We need to do more of it in Wales. Now, it does mean a different way of thinking for engineers, who are traditionally thinking, 'Well, just plumb it into the pipelines. Just do a traditional hard engineering', but we now have a cadre of very well-informed SuDS engineers throughout Wales, with the support of Welsh Government, and they're in every local authority and starting to think very differently about it.

You rightly talk as well about the issue of what is sometimes referred to as, 'How do we use brown water systems?' I declare an interest here, Llywydd, as 15 years ago, when I built my house, we've got a submarine under the garden. It's a submarine-sized thing that harvests all the brown water. We flush our toilets with it; we make other uses of it. If we don't use the water butts in the garden to water the tomatoes, then we use the brown water system to do it and so on. But we somehow need to work across Government and local government to make this more normal and to innovate in that space, so that housing developments can do more of that as well. SuDS on one hand, rain water collection on another, which can be used for other purposes.

And the other simple thing is, Llywydd, frankly, saying to people, 'Don't waste water.' We've never had a proper value, if you like, on water, so people will fill the bath, they will use clean water that's been treated for a range of purposes that it doesn't need to be used for, and we need to get that message out there again. We have to do this constantly, to say to people, 'Value your water, because it isn't actually cheap or free. There is a cost in this, and some of those costs are actually to do with what we've been talking about here today, which is climate change.'

Jenny, diolch am eich cwestiwn atodol. A gaf i gymeradwyo, gan imi sôn am y gynhadledd systemau draenio cynaliadwy ac fe aethant i weld menter Grangetown Werddach, a gwnaeth argraff enfawr arnynt, ac roeddent yn meddwl, 'Wel, sut y gallwn wneud hyn yn brif ffrwd yn Lloegr hefyd?' Mae angen inni wneud mwy ohono yng Nghymru. Nawr, mae'n golygu ffordd wahanol o feddwl i beirianwyr, sy'n draddodiadol yn meddwl, 'Wel, plymiwch ef i mewn i'r pibellau. Defnyddiwch beirianneg galed draddodiadol', ond erbyn hyn, mae gennym garfan o beirianwyr systemau draenio cynaliadwy gwybodus iawn ledled Cymru, gyda chefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru, ac maent ym mhob awdurdod lleol ac yn dechrau meddwl yn wahanol iawn am y peth.

Rydych chi'n siarad hefyd, yn gywir ddigon, am fater y cyfeirir ato weithiau fel, 'Sut y defnyddiwn systemau dŵr coch?' Rwy’n datgan buddiant yma, Lywydd, oherwydd 15 mlynedd yn ôl, pan adeiladais fy nhŷ, mae gennym long danfor o dan yr ardd. Mae'n beth maint llong danfor sy'n casglu'r holl ddŵr coch. Rydym yn fflysio ein toiledau gydag ef; rydym yn gwneud defnydd arall ohono. Os nad ydym yn defnyddio'r casgenni dŵr yn yr ardd i ddyfrio'r tomatos, rydym yn defnyddio'r system ddŵr coch i'w wneud, ac yn y blaen. Ond rywsut, mae angen inni weithio ar draws y Llywodraeth a llywodraeth leol i wneud hyn yn fwy normal ac i arloesi yn y gofod hwnnw, fel y gall datblygiadau tai wneud mwy o hynny hefyd. Systemau draenio cynaliadwy ar un llaw, casglu dŵr glaw ar y llall, y gellir ei ddefnyddio at ddibenion eraill.

A'r peth syml arall, Lywydd, yw dweud wrth bobl, 'Peidiwch â gwastraffu dŵr.' Nid ydym erioed wedi cael gwerth priodol, os mynnwch, wedi'i roi ar ddŵr, felly bydd pobl yn llenwi'r bath, byddant yn defnyddio dŵr glân sydd wedi'i drin at ystod o ddibenion nad oes angen ei ddefnyddio ar eu cyfer, ac mae angen inni gyfleu'r neges honno iddynt eto. Mae’n rhaid inni wneud hyn yn gyson, dweud wrth bobl, 'Gwerthfawrogwch eich dŵr, gan nad yw’n rhad nac am ddim mewn gwirionedd. Mae cost i hyn, ac mae a wnelo rhai o'r costau hynny â'r hyn y buom yn sôn amdano yma heddiw, sef newid hinsawdd.'

Amaethyddiaeth Cymru
Welsh Agriculture

5. Pa asesiad y mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'i wneud o effaith cyllideb hydref Llywodraeth y DU ar amaethyddiaeth Cymru? OQ61855

5. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the impact on Welsh agriculture of the UK Government's autumn budget? OQ61855

It's too early to have made a detailed assessment, but Welsh Ministers, with the Senedd's approval, will decide how to allocate the Welsh Government's budget to reflect our national priorities in Wales, including the £1.7 billion increase to our budget settlement, which will make a real difference to people in all our communities.

Mae'n rhy gynnar i fod wedi gwneud asesiad manwl, ond bydd Gweinidogion Cymru, gyda chymeradwyaeth y Senedd, yn penderfynu sut i ddyrannu cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru i adlewyrchu ein blaenoriaethau cenedlaethol yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys y cynnydd o £1.7 biliwn i setliad y gyllideb, a fydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol i bobl yn ein holl gymunedau.

Minister, thank you for that answer. I recall the First Minister saying last week in First Minister's questions that the Welsh Government had done an analysis, but I think, in response to Llyr Gruffydd's question, you indicated that it was more of a general assessment that you'd taken from HM Revenue and Customs figures about the withdrawal of agricultural property relief. Is the Welsh Government minded to do a detailed piece of work that is specific to Welsh agriculture, so that we can get to fully understand the implications for the viability of Welsh agriculture that these proposals represent? Because if you take the Treasury's own figures, this will affect about 2,000 farms across the whole of the United Kingdom, and in a five-year parliamentary term, that's 10,000 farms. That is a big number of businesses that could be affected on a UK basis, but in a Welsh basis, we're talking several hundred, which would have a dramatic impact on the landscape and the productivity and viability of Welsh agriculture. So, is the Cabinet Secretary minded to undertake a piece of work that would support the assertion that the First Minister made in FMQs that a piece of work was under way?

Weinidog, diolch am eich ateb. Rwy’n cofio’r Prif Weinidog yn dweud yr wythnos diwethaf yn y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud dadansoddiad, ond credaf ichi nodi, mewn ymateb i gwestiwn Llyr Gruffydd, ei fod yn fwy o asesiad cyffredinol yr oeddech wedi’i wneud o ffigurau Cyllid a Thollau EF ynghylch diddymu rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol. A yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu gwneud gwaith manwl penodol ar amaethyddiaeth Cymru, fel y gallwn ddeall yn llawn y goblygiadau y mae’r cynigion hyn yn eu cynrychioli i hyfywedd amaethyddiaeth Cymru? Oherwydd os cymerwch ffigurau’r Trysorlys ei hun, bydd hyn yn effeithio ar oddeutu 2,000 o ffermydd ledled y Deyrnas Unedig gyfan, ac mewn tymor seneddol o bum mlynedd, mae hynny'n 10,000 o ffermydd. Mae hynny’n nifer fawr o fusnesau a allai gael eu heffeithio ar lefel y DU, ond ar lefel Cymru, rydym yn sôn am rai cannoedd, a fyddai’n cael effaith ddramatig ar dirwedd, cynhyrchiant a hyfywedd amaethyddiaeth Cymru. Felly, a yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn bwriadu gwneud gwaith a fyddai'n cefnogi'r honiad a wnaeth y Prif Weinidog yn y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog fod gwaith ar y gweill?

Andrew, thank you for that follow-up question. I anticipated it would be about the wider budget in terms of Wales, but it's focused on inheritance tax and the agricultural property relief, which I'm happy to address again. In two other previous answers I've explained that the complexity of this means that to drill down to one individual figure is near impossible because of farm ownership structures; inheritance plans, or the absence thereof; the applicable reliefs that may be applied, or not; spouses, or not; gifting to children and so on, or not. The application of APR will vary enormously and so will the aspect of farm value as well. So, it's very difficult to get to a single point where you say, 'That is the impact.' So, as a result, as I've made clear, what we are relying on is the analysis that's been done by the Treasury, as I made clear in response to previous questions, but also some of the independent analysis that has come from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and others, which has also agreed with the Treasury analysis that the impact will not be on the scale that some are saying—it will be far less.

But let me just also point out here, on the budget, the difficulty of the current Chancellor of the Exchequer in filling the gap when walking into that office—and there's an impact here in Wales as well—and finding that what we thought had been committed financially had not been, and she then had to scrabble round to find ways of filling that. Well, farmers also, many of the farmers I know, will rely on good public services, they will rely on the NHS functioning well, and yet the last 14 years of deep cuts through the years after years of austerity, for which we've never had an apology in this Chamber—. It feels very much to me, Llywydd, like the arsonists who lit the match, stoked the fire, tried to burn the economy and public services, are now complaining about the damage, while warming their hands on the embers. Farmers and their families also want public services that are good, an NHS and public healthcare that is good, and all of these have been under sustained attack for a decade and more of Conservative Governments. So, underlying this is: to what extent are we all willing to contribute to the public wealth of this realm? And I think, and I say this confidently because of the conversations I've had, that farmers also recognise that they rely on these public services, they want to pay the due amount to make sure that we have good public services, and they look back on these 14 years as a constant attack from the people who tried to set fire to our economy.

Andrew, diolch am eich cwestiwn dilynol. Roeddwn yn rhagweld y byddai’n ymwneud â’r gyllideb ehangach mewn perthynas â Chymru, ond mae’n canolbwyntio ar dreth etifeddiant a’r rhyddhad eiddo amaethyddol, ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i'w trafod eto. Mewn dau ateb blaenorol arall, rwyf wedi egluro bod cymhlethdod hyn yn golygu ei bod bron yn amhosibl pennu un ffigur oherwydd strwythurau perchnogaeth ffermydd; cynlluniau neu ddiffyg cynlluniau etifeddiaeth; y rhyddhadau perthnasol y gellir eu cymhwyso neu beidio; i briod neu beidio; gwneud rhoddion i blant neu beidio, ac yn y blaen. Bydd y defnydd o ryddhad eiddo amaethyddol yn amrywio'n fawr ac felly hefyd yr elfen o werth ffermydd. Felly, mae'n anodd iawn cyrraedd un pwynt lle rydych chi'n dweud, 'Dyna'r effaith.' Felly, o ganlyniad, yr hyn y dibynnwn arno yw’r dadansoddiad a wnaed gan y Trysorlys, fel yr eglurais mewn ymateb i gwestiynau blaenorol, ond hefyd peth o’r dadansoddiadau annibynnol a gafwyd gan y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid ac eraill, sydd hefyd wedi cytuno â dadansoddiad y Trysorlys na fydd yr effaith ar y raddfa y mae rhai yn ei honni—bydd yn llawer llai.

Ond gadewch imi nodi yma ar y gyllideb pa mor anodd yw hi i Ganghellor presennol y Trysorlys lenwi’r bwlch wrth gerdded i mewn i’r swyddfa honno—ac mae effaith yma yng Nghymru hefyd—a chanfod nad oedd yr hyn yr oeddem o dan yr argraff ei fod wedi'i ymrwymo'n ariannol wedi'i ymrwymo mewn gwirionedd, ac yna bu'n rhaid iddi ddod o hyd i ffyrdd o lenwi'r bwlch hwnnw. Wel, bydd ffermwyr hefyd, llawer o’r ffermwyr rwy’n eu hadnabod, yn dibynnu ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus da, byddant yn dibynnu ar y GIG i weithredu’n dda, ac eto, mae’r 14 mlynedd diwethaf o doriadau dwfn drwy flwyddyn ar ôl flwyddyn o gyni, nad ydym erioed wedi cael ymddiheuriad amdanynt yn y Siambr hon—. Mae’n teimlo i mi, Lywydd, fel pe bai'r bobl a daniodd y fatsien, a feginodd y tân, a geisiodd losgi’r economi a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, bellach yn cwyno am y difrod wrth gynhesu eu dwylo ar y cols. Mae eisiau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, GIG a gofal iechyd cyhoeddus da ar ffermwyr a’u teuluoedd hefyd, ac mae pob un o’r rhain wedi bod dan ymosodiad parhaus ers degawd a mwy o Lywodraethau Ceidwadol. Felly, yn sail i hyn mae: i ba raddau rydym yn barod i gyfrannu at gyfoeth cyhoeddus y deyrnas hon? Ac rwy'n credu, ac rwy’n dweud hyn yn hyderus oherwydd y sgyrsiau a gefais, fod ffermwyr hefyd yn cydnabod eu bod yn dibynnu ar y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus hyn, fod arnynt eisiau talu’r swm dyledus i sicrhau bod gennym wasanaethau cyhoeddus da, ac maent yn edrych yn ôl ar y 14 mlynedd hyn fel ymosodiad cyson gan y bobl a geisiodd losgi ein heconomi.

15:10
Cefnogi'r Diwydiant Amaethyddol
Supporting the Agricultural Industry

6. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi'r diwydiant amaethyddol yng Ngorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro? OQ61846

6. How is the Welsh Government supporting the agricultural industry in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ61846

We provide a wide range of direct and indirect support for farmers in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. Our grants for investment in on-farm improvements, equipment and technology, and the learning and development on offer from Farming Connect all demonstrate our commitment to supporting a sustainable future for Welsh agriculture.

Rydym yn darparu ystod eang o gymorth uniongyrchol ac anuniongyrchol i ffermwyr yng Ngorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro. Mae ein grantiau ar gyfer buddsoddi mewn gwelliannau ar y fferm, offer a thechnoleg, a’r dysgu a’r datblygu a gynigir gan Cyswllt Ffermio oll yn dangos ein hymrwymiad i gefnogi dyfodol cynaliadwy i amaethyddiaeth Cymru.

Thank you, Deputy First Minister. One thing that went under the radar slightly at the budget was the fact that, unnecessarily and without need, the Chancellor decided to redefine agricultural funding for the devolved nations through the Barnett formula, which was completely unnecessary. Previously, I've asked you and your predecessor, with regard to the sustainable farming scheme, to write to the Treasury to ask for a quantifiable amount of money that would be needed to deliver the scheme in Wales. Using the Bank of England’s interest rate calculator, that would be approximately £500 million. Can you confirm on the floor of this Chamber if you or your predecessor ever did write to the Chancellor or the Treasury on that, and whether you have had correspondence with them asking them not to change, not to redefine agricultural payments through the Barnett formula?

Diolch, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog. Un peth a aeth o dan y radar i raddau yn y gyllideb oedd y ffaith bod y Canghellor, yn ddiangen a heb fod rhaid, wedi penderfynu ailddiffinio cyllid amaethyddol ar gyfer y gwledydd datganoledig drwy fformiwla Barnett, a oedd yn gwbl ddiangen. Yn y gorffennol, rwyf wedi gofyn i chi a’ch rhagflaenydd, mewn perthynas â'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, ysgrifennu at y Trysorlys i ofyn am swm mesuradwy o arian y byddai ei angen i roi'r cynllun ar waith yng Nghymru. Gan ddefnyddio cyfrifiannell cyfradd llog Banc Lloegr, byddai hynny oddeutu £500 miliwn. A allwch chi gadarnhau ar lawr y Siambr hon pa un a wnaethoch chi neu’ch rhagflaenydd ysgrifennu at y Canghellor neu’r Trysorlys ynglŷn â hynny, ac a ydych chi wedi cael gohebiaeth â hwy yn gofyn iddynt beidio â newid neu ailddiffinio taliadau amaethyddol drwy fformiwla Barnett?

Thank you, Sam, for that question, and just to point out that the discussions with the UK Treasury were, of course, led by my colleague, who was here a moment ago, the finance Secretary, but in discussion with myself and my officials as well. Despite welcoming the removal of the ring-fenced replacement EU agriculture funding, we've long argued, long argued, and maintain that position, that resources should be allocated across the UK on the basis of relative need, as set out in 'Reforming our Union'. That reform will need to be agreed by all four nations, and set within a new fiscal agreement, overseen and operated by a body independent of UK Government. This would be far more efficient, far more effective. It would help to reduce the distortions and inefficiencies arising in the current system. It would enable a more rational and transparent allocation of public spending across the UK. Our priority going forward is to ensure, however, that the current funding formula delivers for Wales, and we will continue to make that case. In response to a previous answer, Sam, I made clear our satisfaction that the future of the sustainable farming scheme for Wales would not be affected by any of the changes within the UK budget. We made that clear representation and I'm glad it's been heard.

Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Sam, a dylwn nodi bod y trafodaethau gyda Thrysorlys y DU wedi’u harwain, wrth gwrs, gan fy nghyd-Aelod, a oedd yma funud yn ôl, yr Ysgrifennydd cyllid, ond mewn trafodaeth gyda fi a fy swyddogion hefyd. Er ein bod yn croesawu cael gwared ar gyllid amaethyddol a glustnodwyd yn lle cyllid yr UE, rydym wedi dadlau ers tro, ers amser maith, ac yn dal i fod o'r farn, y dylid dyrannu adnoddau ledled y DU ar sail angen cymharol, fel y nodir yn 'Diwygio ein Hundeb'. Bydd angen i’r pedair gwlad gytuno ar y diwygiad hwnnw, a’i osod o fewn cytundeb cyllidol newydd, wedi’i oruchwylio a’i weithredu gan gorff sy’n annibynnol ar Lywodraeth y DU. Byddai hyn yn llawer mwy effeithlon, yn llawer mwy effeithiol. Byddai'n helpu i leihau'r aflunio a'r aneffeithlonrwydd sy'n codi yn y system bresennol. Byddai’n galluogi dyraniad mwy rhesymegol a thryloyw o wariant cyhoeddus ar draws y DU. Ein blaenoriaeth wrth symud ymlaen yw sicrhau, fodd bynnag, fod y fformiwla ariannu bresennol yn cyflawni ar gyfer Cymru, a byddwn yn parhau i ddadlau'r achos hwnnw. Mewn ymateb i ateb blaenorol, Sam, nodais yn glir ein boddhad na fyddai unrhyw un o’r newidiadau yng nghyllideb y DU yn effeithio ar ddyfodol y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy i Gymru. Fe wnaethom nodi hynny'n glir, ac rwy'n falch fod hynny wedi'i glywed.

15:15
Treth Etifeddiaeth
Inheritance Tax

7. Pa asesiad y mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'i wneud o effaith economaidd bosibl Llywodraeth y DU yn newid treth etifeddiant ar Gymru wledig? OQ61842

7. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the potential economic impact on rural Wales of the UK Government's changes to inheritance tax? OQ61842

Inheritance tax is a reserved tax controlled by the UK Government and it applies across the UK. HMT figures suggest that most farms will be unaffected by the changes announced by the UK Government.

Mae treth etifeddiant yn dreth a gedwir yn ôl ac a reolir gan Lywodraeth y DU, ac mae’n gymwys ledled y DU. Mae ffigurau Trysorlys EF yn awgrymu na fydd y rhan fwyaf o ffermydd yn cael eu heffeithio gan y newidiadau a gyhoeddwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU.

Diolch yn fawr iawn. Just to follow through on some of the issues that have been raised this afternoon, it really is very interesting to hear you say that very few farms will be affected, because we do need those numbers, if that's your view. We need that backed up with evidence. I just want to say that while a £1 million threshold may seem substantial, Welsh family farms are often asset rich but cash poor. These families live modestly and work tirelessly on the same land, year after year, yet they are now facing an onslaught of financial pressures, two of which I learned about further in terms of the effect of the UK Government budget. From next April, work vehicles such as double-cab pick-up trucks, which our farmers depend on daily for transporting materials and equipment, will be reclassified for tax purposes. This change could see benefit-in-kind charges soar, with some farms facing an elevenfold increase annually. The introduction of the carbon border adjustment mechanism in 2027 will further add pressures on our farms. So, again, following through on some of the issues raised this afternoon, what assessment have you made of the impact on Welsh farms of these changes in the UK budget? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch yn fawr iawn. Gan ddilyn trywydd rhai o'r materion a godwyd y prynhawn yma, mae'n ddiddorol iawn eich clywed yn dweud mai ychydig iawn o ffermydd yr effeithir arnynt, gan fod angen y ffigurau hynny arnom, os mai dyna yw eich barn. Mae arnom angen y dystiolaeth i ategu hynny. Er bod trothwy o £1 filiwn yn swnio'n sylweddol, mae mwy o asedau nag arian yn aml gan ffermydd teuluol Cymru. Mae’r teuluoedd hyn yn byw’n gynnil ac yn gweithio’n ddiflino ar yr un tir, flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, ac eto maent bellach yn wynebu ymosodiad o bwysau ariannol, a dysgais fwy am ddau wahanol fath o bwysau yn sgil cyllideb Llywodraeth y DU. O fis Ebrill nesaf, bydd cerbydau gwaith fel tryciau codi cab dwbl, y mae ein ffermwyr yn dibynnu arnynt bob dydd i gludo deunyddiau ac offer, yn cael eu hailddosbarthu at ddibenion treth. Gallai’r newid hwn arwain at gynnydd sylweddol mewn taliadau budd mewn nwyddau, gyda rhai ffermydd yn wynebu cynnydd 11 gwaith y flwyddyn. Bydd cyflwyno’r mecanwaith addasu pris carbon ar draws ffiniau yn 2027 yn rhoi rhagor o bwysau ar ein ffermydd. Felly, unwaith eto, yn dilyn rhai o'r materion a godwyd y prynhawn yma, pa asesiad a wnaethpwyd gennych o effaith y newidiadau hyn yng nghyllideb y DU ar ffermydd Cymru? Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Jane, thank you very much. I'm at risk of repeating myself, but I do want to be really clear on this. Whilst the concerns about the impact of the changes are understandable, and there are a lot of people—a lot of individual farmers and their families—now looking at, 'Does this apply to me? What does it mean?' and so on, and I would strongly advise them to look at it properly, to look at the detail that's on the HMT website, and then work through it as well, and see if it does apply, actually speculating on the precise number of affected farms is not either helpful or in fact possible to arrive at a figure, because of the complexity of the issues that I talked about before. So, on that basis, we revert to the published HMT data. But I would say very strongly, and in your discussion with farmers in your area, if farmers are able to put forward alternative analyses or alternative data, they need to put those arguments to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I would also be interested in seeing that as well, but the complexity of this, because of the value of the farms, the inheritance plans that they may or may not have, the ownership structures of different farms, whether applicable reliefs apply or not—. All of those things and more make it very difficult to arrive at one figure when individual farm businesses will make individual farm business decisions. But genuinely, I'd advise everybody to look at what it actually says on the HM Treasury site. Take advice, including, if you have individual financial advisers, from them, but also Farming Connect. And then, if the farming unions or others have an alternative analysis, put that to HM Treasury and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I'm willing to look at that as well, because what I do want to make sure is that we have the future viability, particularly as we're taking through the sustainable farming scheme. Hard work that that is, we are making good progress steadily, but I want to make sure that, with our focus there on small and medium-scale farms, long-term sustainability financially can be made to happen. So, I hope that helps in some way, but trying to narrow it down into one figure is going to be nigh impossible.

Jane, diolch yn fawr iawn. Rwyf mewn perygl o ailadrodd fy hun, ond hoffwn fod yn glir iawn ar hyn. Er bod y pryderon ynghylch effaith y newidiadau yn ddealladwy, ac mae llawer o bobl—llawer o ffermwyr unigol a'u teuluoedd—bellach yn gofyn, 'A yw hyn yn berthnasol i mi? Beth y mae'n ei olygu?' ac yn y blaen, a buaswn yn eu cynghori'n gryf i edrych arno'n iawn, i edrych ar y manylion ar wefan Trysorlys EF, a gweithio drwyddo hefyd, a gweld a yw'n berthnasol, nid yw dyfalu ynghylch union nifer y ffermydd yr effeithir arnynt naill ai’n ddefnyddiol nac yn bosibl o ran pennu ffigur, oherwydd cymhlethdod y materion y soniais amdanynt ynghynt. Felly, ar y sail honno, rydym yn defnyddio'r data a gyhoeddwyd gan Drysorlys EF. Ond rwyf am ddweud yn gryf iawn, ac yn eich sgyrsiau â ffermwyr yn eich ardal, os yw ffermwyr yn gallu cyflwyno dadansoddiadau amgen neu ddata amgen, fod angen iddynt gyflwyno’r dadleuon hynny i Ganghellor y Trysorlys.

Byddai gennyf innau ddiddordeb mewn gweld hynny hefyd, ond mae cymhlethdod hyn, oherwydd gwerth y ffermydd, y cynlluniau etifeddiant a allai fod ganddynt neu beidio, strwythurau perchnogaeth gwahanol ffermydd, a yw rhyddhad perthnasol yn gymwys ai peidio—. Mae pob un o’r pethau hynny, a mwy, yn ei gwneud yn anodd iawn pennu un ffigur pan fydd busnesau fferm unigol yn gwneud penderfyniadau ar gyfer busnes fferm unigol. Ond o ddifrif, buaswn yn cynghori pawb i edrych ar yr hyn y mae'n ei ddweud ar wefan Trysorlys EF. Gofynnwch am gyngor, gan gynnwys gan gynghorwyr ariannol unigol os oes gennych rai, ond gan Cyswllt Ffermio hefyd. Ac yna, os oes gan yr undebau ffermio neu eraill ddadansoddiad amgen, dylech gyfleu hynny i Drysorlys EF ac i Ganghellor y Trysorlys. Rwy’n fodlon edrych ar hynny hefyd, gan fy mod yn awyddus i sicrhau bod gennym yr hyfywedd yn y dyfodol, yn enwedig wrth inni fwrw ymlaen â’r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy. Er bod hynny'n waith caled, rydym yn gwneud cynnydd da a chyson, ond hoffwn wneud yn siŵr, gyda’n ffocws ar ffermydd bach a chanolig, y gellir sicrhau cynaliadwyedd hirdymor yn ariannol. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio bod hynny o gymorth mewn rhyw ffordd, ond mae ceisio ei gyfyngu i un ffigur yn mynd i fod bron yn amhosibl.

Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Heledd Fychan.

And finally, question 8, Heledd Fychan.

Llifogydd yng Nghanol De Cymru
Floods in South Wales Central

8. Pa fesurau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i leihau’r risg o lifogydd yng Nghanol De Cymru, gan ystyried effeithiau newid hinsawdd a llifogydd dinistriol diweddar ledled Ewrop? OQ61845

8. What measures is the Welsh Government taking to reduce the risk of floods in South Wales Central, considering the impacts of climate change and recent devastating floods across Europe? OQ61845

15:20

First of all, my heartfelt sympathies go out to all those affected by the recent flooding in Europe, particularly in Spain. The Welsh Government is taking steps to build more resilient communities as we combat the threat of climate change, and that's why this Government has now invested £60 million in South Wales Central since 2021, benefiting 2,800 properties.

Yn gyntaf oll, rwy'n cydymdeimlo â phawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y llifogydd diweddar yn Ewrop, yn enwedig yn Sbaen. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd camau i adeiladu cymunedau mwy gwydn wrth inni frwydro yn erbyn bygythiad newid hinsawdd, a dyna pam y mae'r Llywodraeth hon bellach wedi buddsoddi £60 miliwn yng Nghanol De Cymru ers 2021, a fydd o fudd i 2,800 eiddo.

Thank you for your response, Deputy First Minister. You will be aware from our recent visits to Clydach Terrace in Ynysybwl of the devastating impact of the 2020 floods. Luckily, no lives were lost, but we know that, in 2020, areas such as South Wales Central suffered three and a half to four months' worth of rain due to that storm. You only have to look at what happened in Spain to see a year's worth of rainfall in such a short space of time. Can I therefore ask what lessons you're taking from what's happening elsewhere to understand the potential impact here on communities in Wales, and also the assurances we can provide communities that were already devastated and concerned after 2020 but are watching the news now, knowing that they are at risk and their lives are at risk if a similar situation to storm Dennis happens, but are left asking, 'What if it's worse next time?'?

Diolch am eich ymateb, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o’n hymweliadau diweddar â Theras Clydach yn Ynys-y-bwl o effaith ddinistriol llifogydd 2020. Yn ffodus, ni chollwyd unrhyw fywydau, ond fe wyddom, yn 2020, fod ardaloedd fel Canol De Cymru wedi dioddef gwerth tri mis a hanner i bedwar mis o law oherwydd y storm honno. Nid oes ond angen edrych ar yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yn Sbaen i weld gwerth blwyddyn o law mewn cyfnod mor fyr. A gaf i ofyn, felly, pa wersi a ddysgwyd gennych o’r hyn sy’n digwydd mewn mannau eraill i ddeall yr effaith bosibl ar gymunedau yma yng Nghymru, a hefyd y sicrwydd y gallwn ei roi i gymunedau a oedd eisoes yn dioddef ac yn bryderus ar ôl 2020 ond sy’n gwylio’r newyddion yn awr, gan wybod eu bod mewn perygl ac y bydd eu bywydau mewn perygl pe bai sefyllfa debyg i storm Dennis yn digwydd, ond sy'n gofyn, 'Beth os yw'n waeth y tro nesaf?'?

Thank you for that supplementary question and for the advocacy that you and Vikki and others have been doing on behalf of the residents. I think that's been very important. And thanks for the opportunity to meet with residents of Clydach Terrace as well, to try and explore ways forward for them, but also, you are right, to ask what have we learnt.

What we've learnt is this: way back into 2008 when the Cumbrian floods happened, when there was utter devastation through many of the towns of Cumbria, when it changed landscapes, it rerouted rivers, the power of that, what we saw then with the help of the Met Office was one of the early examples of not simply traumatic weather, but where that weather front moved over and stopped on top of a community. If you look now at what's happened tragically in Spain, it's a similar situation; in other parts of Europe, the same thing.

We had a presentation this week as part of the climate conversations from somebody senior in the Met Office who showed exactly that: what's changed is these fronts are holding over communities in almost an eddy above them, and then deluging those communities. That is important to note. Things are changing. It's not just the increased amount of water that is being dumped with climate change; it's that they're stopping in some places on top of communities. So, we do need to think creatively and we do need to think differently.

My thoughts are with those in Clydach Terrace and also many other communities, because what we're also finding now is communities who never thought they would be flooded are being flooded. Communities on tops of hills are being flooded in flash flooding. So, we need to anticipate this and prepare for this in the way that we go forward.

Can I just say, as well, thanks for the representations you and Vikki made in terms of the National Flood Forum? I heard at that meeting how important they are. I believe you may have had my letter now confirming that we've extended the funding to the National Flood Forum to work with the residents of Clydach Terrace for the remainder of this financial year. I think that will give some reassurance to them as well, because I know how useful the NFF have been in working with them.

Diolch am eich cwestiwn atodol ac am eich cefnogaeth chi a Vikki ac eraill i'r trigolion. Credaf fod hynny wedi bod yn bwysig iawn. A diolch am y cyfle i gyfarfod â thrigolion Teras Clydach hefyd, i geisio archwilio ffyrdd ymlaen iddynt, ond hefyd, rydych chi'n llygad eich lle, i ofyn beth rydym wedi'i ddysgu.

Yr hyn rydym wedi’i ddysgu yw hyn: amser maith yn ôl yn 2008 adeg llifogydd Cumbria, pan welwyd dinistr llwyr drwy lawer o drefi Cumbria, pan newidiwyd tirweddau, ailgyfeiriwyd afonydd, grym hynny, yr hyn a welsom bryd hynny gyda chymorth y Swyddfa Dywydd oedd un o’r enghreifftiau cynnar nid yn unig o dywydd trawmatig, ond lle symudodd y ffrynt tywydd ac oedi uwchben cymuned. Os edrychwch chi nawr ar y digwyddiadau trasig yn Sbaen, mae'n sefyllfa debyg; mewn rhannau eraill o Ewrop, yr un peth.

Cawsom gyflwyniad yr wythnos hon yn rhan o’r sgyrsiau hinsawdd gan un o uwch swyddogion y Swyddfa Dywydd a ddangosodd hynny: yr hyn sydd wedi newid yw bod y ffryntiau hyn yn oedi uwchben cymunedau bron fel trolif uwch eu pennau, ac yna’n creu dilyw yn y cymunedau hynny. Mae hynny’n bwysig i’w nodi. Mae pethau'n newid. Nid yn unig fod cynnydd yn y dŵr sy'n cael ei ollwng gyda newid hinsawdd; ond mae ffryntiau'n oedi mewn rhai mannau uwchben cymunedau. Felly, mae angen inni feddwl yn greadigol ac mae angen inni feddwl yn wahanol.

Rwy'n cydymdeimlo â'r rheini yn Nheras Clydach, a llawer o gymunedau eraill hefyd, am ein bod yn darganfod bod cymunedau nad oeddent yn meddwl y caent lifogydd bellach yn cael llifogydd. Mae cymunedau ar ben bryniau'n cael fflachlifoedd. Felly, mae angen inni achub y blaen ar hyn a pharatoi ar gyfer hyn yn y ffordd y symudwn ymlaen.

A gaf i ddiolch hefyd am y sylwadau a wnaethoch chi a Vikki o ran y Fforwm Llifogydd Cenedlaethol? Clywais yn y cyfarfod hwnnw pa mor bwysig ydynt. Rwy'n credu efallai eich bod wedi cael fy llythyr yn cadarnhau ein bod wedi ymestyn cyllid i'r Fforwm Llifogydd Cenedlaethol i weithio gyda thrigolion Teras Clydach am weddill y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Rwy'n credu y bydd hynny’n rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd iddynt hefyd, gan y gwn pa mor ddefnyddiol y mae’r Fforwm Llifogydd Cenedlaethol wedi bod wrth weithio gyda hwy.

Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary. 

3. Cwestiynau Amserol
3. Topical Questions

Yr eitem nesaf fydd y cwestiynau amserol. Mae dau gwestiwn wedi eu cytuno heddiw. Mae'r cyntaf gan Peredur Owen Griffiths.

The next item will be topical questions. There are two questions that have been agreed today. The first is from Peredur Owen Griffiths.

1. Pa gymorth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei gynnig i fusnesau ac unigolion sydd wedi'u heffeithio gan y tân yn y Fenni? TQ1239

1. What support is Welsh Government offering to businesses and individuals affected by the fire in Abergavenny? TQ1239

We sympathise with all those affected by the fire. We're engaged with policing and community safety partners on any broader issues impacting on the community relating to the incident. In response to the damage and disruption caused to businesses by the fire, Business Wales can provide post-fire recovery business support.

Rydym yn cydymdeimlo â phawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y tân. Rydym yn ymgysylltu â phartneriaid plismona a diogelwch cymunedol ar unrhyw faterion ehangach sy'n effeithio ar y gymuned mewn perthynas â'r digwyddiad. Mewn ymateb i’r difrod a’r tarfu ar fusnesau yn sgil y tân, gall Busnes Cymru ddarparu cymorth i fusnesau adfer ar ôl y tân.

Diolch am yr ateb yna.

Thank you for that answer.

The fire that broke out in Abergavenny over the weekend has devastated a historic part of the town centre. I'd like to pay tribute to the emergency service response that ensured the safety of local residents and battled bravely to contain the blaze as much as possible. Once an investigation into the cause has been completed, attentions will turn to rebuilding the livelihoods of those affected. I'm also concerned at the impact the fire has had on the charity The Magic Cottage, which supports children and young people under the age of 25 with additional needs and chronic and life-limiting illnesses. They work across four counties—Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Powys. They've told the media that they lost absolutely everything in the fire, but, as a testament to the generosity of the public, The Magic Cottage has been inundated with more stock since the fire. They're now looking for new premises to store this stock. As an idea of scale, the shop in Abergavenny was about 10,000 sq ft of retail space, which is probably the biggest charity shop in Wales. So, Cabinet Secretary, what expertise, guidance and financial support can this Government provide to all those affected by the fire in Abergavenny, and what help can you provide to ensure that the disruption is kept to a minimum and that lives, businesses and the town centre and the work of this very important charity can get back on track as soon as possible? Diolch.

Mae'r tân a welwyd yn y Fenni dros y penwythnos wedi difrodi rhan hanesyddol o ganol y dref. Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i ymateb y gwasanaethau brys a sicrhaodd ddiogelwch trigolion lleol ac a frwydrodd yn ddewr i atal y tân i'r graddau mwyaf posibl. Pan fydd ymchwiliad i'r achos wedi'i gwblhau, bydd sylw'n troi at ailadeiladu bywoliaeth y bobl yr effeithiwyd arnynt. Rwy'n bryderus hefyd ynglŷn â'r effaith y mae’r tân wedi’i chael ar elusen The Magic Cottage, sy’n cefnogi plant a phobl ifanc o dan 25 oed ag anghenion ychwanegol a salwch cronig a chyflyrau sy'n cyfyngu ar fywyd. Maent yn gweithio ar draws pedair sir—sir Fynwy, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen a Phowys. Maent wedi dweud wrth y cyfryngau eu bod wedi colli popeth yn y tân, ond yn dyst i haelioni'r cyhoedd, mae llawer o stoc wedi'i roi i The Magic Cottage ers y tân. Maent bellach yn chwilio am eiddo newydd i storio'r stoc. I roi syniad o raddfa, roedd oddeutu 10,000 troedfedd sgwâr o ofod manwerthu yn y siop yn y Fenni, sef y siop elusen fwyaf yng Nghymru, mae'n debyg. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa arbenigedd, canllawiau a chymorth ariannol y gall y Llywodraeth hon eu darparu i bawb yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y tân yn y Fenni, a pha gymorth y gallwch chi ei ddarparu i sicrhau y ceir cyn lleied â phosibl o darfu a bod bywydau, busnesau a chanol y dref a gwaith yr elusen hynod bwysig hon yn gallu dychwelyd i'r hyn yr arferai fod cyn gynted â phosibl? Diolch.

15:25

I'd very much like to associate myself with the comments from Peredur Owen Griffiths in relation to commending the work of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and, of course, the other emergency services and agencies, for their very swift and effective response. In relation to the support that can be provided, the Development Bank of Wales is available to support businesses that have been impacted and who may be able to benefit from the Wales micro loan fund that offers fast-tracked loans between £1,000 and £50,000. So, I would encourage any business in the first instance to make contact with the Business Wales helpline. They'll be able to provide some practical information and advice, or they could signpost on to relevant agencies and organisations who might be able to provide support.

They could also provide some signposting to a specific Business Wales adviser, who can help with some more detailed recovery plans as well. Those might include cash flow, liquidity and effects from disrupted trading. They might also be able to help them find alternative business space as well. That might be offices or warehouses, for example, to help the businesses continue trading and recover from the fire damage too. So, as I say, in the first instance, the calls should be to Business Wales, who can talk about the recovery support that's available.

Hoffwn eilio’r sylwadau a wnaed gan Peredur Owen Griffiths mewn perthynas â chanmol gwaith Gwasanaeth Tân ac Achub De Cymru, ac wrth gwrs, y gwasanaethau brys a’r asiantaethau eraill am eu hymateb cyflym ac effeithiol iawn. Mewn perthynas â’r cymorth y gellir ei ddarparu, mae Banc Datblygu Cymru ar gael i gefnogi busnesau yr effeithiwyd arnynt ac a allai elwa o gronfa micro fenthyciadau Cymru sy’n cynnig benthyciadau carlam o rhwng £1,000 a £50,000. Felly, buaswn yn annog unrhyw fusnes, yn y lle cyntaf, i gysylltu â llinell gymorth Busnes Cymru. Byddant yn gallu darparu gwybodaeth a chyngor ymarferol, neu gallant gyfeirio at asiantaethau a sefydliadau perthnasol a allai roi cymorth.

Gallent hefyd gyfeirio at gynghorydd Busnes Cymru penodol, a all helpu gyda chynlluniau adfer manylach hefyd. Gallai’r rheini gynnwys llif arian, hylifedd ac effeithiau tarfu ar fasnachu. Efallai y gallant eu helpu i ddod o hyd i ofod busnes amgen. Gallai hynny fod ar ffurf swyddfeydd neu warysau, er enghraifft, i helpu'r busnesau i barhau i fasnachu ac ymadfer wedi'r difrod tân. Felly, fel y dywedaf, yn y lle cyntaf, dylid ffonio Busnes Cymru, a all sôn am y cymorth adfer sydd ar gael.

Cabinet Secretary, like so many others around this Chamber, I was left devastated by the truly awful scenes that we saw unfold in Abergavenny on Sunday night. Understandably, the community has been left in complete shock, with homes lost, businesses destroyed and, obviously, as my colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths said earlier, the Magic Cottage children's charity losing absolutely everything.

Presiding Officer, I'm incredibly grateful and thankful that there were no casualties, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the 100 plus firefighters who tackled the flames, and each and every single person who's played a part in supporting those affected. Abergavenny naturally has an incredible community spirit, and it's been a heartwarming exercise to see locals rally around and do what they can to help, including launching online fundraising efforts left, right and centre.

Cabinet Secretary, I do appreciate your previous answers to my colleague setting out the Welsh Government's position, because I believe we all do sincerely have an opportunity to help. So, I'd like to know what conversations Ministers, particularly yourself, have had with Monmouthshire County Council to ensure that they are in the best possible position to provide help and support. As you mentioned previously in your answer, there are various groups and organisations, but it is also imperative that we support businesses, especially in the run-up to Christmas. So, will the Government work with the key stakeholders, even the ones that you mentioned in your previous answer, to see what can be done to help those individuals and businesses truly bounce back? Thank you.

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fel cymaint o rai eraill yn y Siambr hon, cefais fy niflasu'n fawr gan y golygfeydd gwirioneddol ofnadwy a welsom yn y Fenni nos Sul. Yn ddealladwy, mae’r gymuned mewn sioc, gyda chartrefi wedi'u colli, busnesau wedi’u dinistrio, ac yn amlwg, fel y dywedodd fy nghyd-Aelod Peredur Owen Griffiths yn gynharach, elusen plant The Magic Cottage yn colli popeth.

Lywydd, rwy'n hynod ddiolchgar na fu unrhyw anafusion, a hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i'r 100 a mwy o ddiffoddwyr tân a fu'n ymladd y fflamau, a phob unigolyn sydd wedi chwarae rhan yn cefnogi'r rheini yr effeithiwyd arnynt. Yn naturiol, mae gan y Fenni ysbryd cymunedol anhygoel, ac mae wedi bod yn galonogol gweld pobl leol yn dod ynghyd i wneud yr hyn a allant i helpu, gan gynnwys lansio llu o ymdrechion codi arian ar-lein.

Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwy'n gwerthfawrogi eich atebion blaenorol i fy nghyd-Aelod yn nodi safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru, gan y credaf fod gan bob un ohonom gyfle diffuant i helpu. Felly, hoffwn wybod pa sgyrsiau y mae Gweinidogion, a chi'n enwedig, wedi’u cael gyda Chyngor Sir Fynwy i sicrhau eu bod yn y sefyllfa orau bosibl i ddarparu cymorth a chefnogaeth. Fel y sonioch chi yn eich ateb blaenorol, mae yna wahanol grwpiau a sefydliadau, ond mae hefyd yn hollbwysig ein bod yn cefnogi busnesau, yn enwedig yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig. Felly, a wnaiff y Llywodraeth weithio gyda’r rhanddeiliaid allweddol, hyd yn oed y rhai y sonioch chi amdanynt yn eich ateb blaenorol, i weld beth y gellir ei wneud i helpu'r unigolion a’r busnesau hynny allu ymadfer yn iawn? Diolch.

I'm very grateful for the question, and, again, for that recognition of the bravery of those responders who were at the scene, but also the generosity of spirit of the community, which has absolutely rallied around, as well, which is absolutely wonderful. The question specifically laid was in relation to business support, so, as I said, the key point of contact would be through Business Wales to explore with a Business Wales adviser what kind of plan can be put in place in terms of recovery from the incident. But in terms of those wider conversations, those would be led by other colleagues who have the responsibility for local government and also the fire and rescue service. But I just want to reassure colleagues that, as I said in my initial answer to the question, we are engaged with policing and community safety partners on those broader impacts in relation to the wider community.

Rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn am eich cwestiwn, ac unwaith eto, am gydnabod dewrder yr ymatebwyr, a haelioni'r gymuned hefyd, sydd wedi dod ynghyd, ac sy’n gwbl wych. Roedd y cwestiwn a ofynnwyd yn ymwneud yn benodol â chymorth i fusnesau, felly, fel y dywedais, y pwynt cyswllt allweddol fyddai drwy Busnes Cymru i archwilio gyda chynghorydd Busnes Cymru pa fath o gynllun y gellir ei roi ar waith i adfer wedi'r digwyddiad. Ond o ran y sgyrsiau ehangach hynny, byddai’r rheini’n cael eu harwain gan gyd-Aelodau eraill sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros lywodraeth leol, a hefyd y gwasanaeth tân ac achub. Ond hoffwn roi sicrwydd i fy nghyd-Aelodau, fel y dywedais yn fy ateb cychwynnol i'r cwestiwn, ein bod yn ymgysylltu â phartneriaid plismona a diogelwch cymunedol ar yr effeithiau ehangach mewn perthynas â'r gymuned yn fwy cyffredinol.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Cabinet Secretary, the recent fire in Abergavenny, as has already been said by my colleagues—and I concur with all the comments that have been made—had a devastating impact on the local community and local businesses there, including Cable News, a cherished establishment run by Paul Cable for over 30 years now, and the Magic Cottage charity shop, whose owners have worked tirelessly to support young people in need. So, I concur with the comments that have just been made and thank you for outlining what support you think can be available to them and others in rebuilding, and particularly in supporting those vulnerable groups in our community. As I'm sure you'll agree, this is of the utmost importance. And do you agree with me that one thing that we could do now is really work hard together, collectively, to ensure that people visit Abergavenny in the run-up to Christmas and support our local businesses?

Diolch am y cyfle i siarad. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, cafodd y tân diweddar yn y Fenni, fel y dywedwyd eisoes gan fy nghyd-Aelodau—ac rwy’n cytuno â’r holl sylwadau a wnaed—effaith ddinistriol ar y gymuned leol a busnesau lleol yno, gan gynnwys Cable News, siop boblogaidd sydd wedi cael ei rhedeg gan Paul Cable ers dros 30 mlynedd bellach, a siop elusen The Magic Cottage, y mae ei pherchnogion wedi gweithio’n ddiflino i gefnogi pobl ifanc mewn angen. Felly, rwy'n cytuno â’r sylwadau a wnaethoch, a diolch am nodi'r cymorth y credwch y gall fod ar gael iddynt hwy ac eraill i ailadeiladu, ac yn enwedig o ran cefnogi’r grwpiau agored i niwed hynny yn ein cymuned. Fel y byddwch yn cytuno, rwy'n siŵr, mae hyn o'r pwys mwyaf. Ac a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi mai un peth y gallem ei wneud nawr yw gweithio'n galed gyda'n gilydd, ar y cyd, i sicrhau bod pobl yn ymweld â'r Fenni yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig ac yn cefnogi ein busnesau lleol?

15:30

Absolutely I would encourage people to visit Abergavenny in the run-up to Christmas, but actually all year round, because it is an absolutely beautiful place to visit—so many independent shops that you just wouldn't be able to find elsewhere. And it's absolutely somewhere that we would encourage people to visit for all kinds of reasons, but especially so now to experience some of that wonderful community spirit that your colleague Natasha mentioned in her contribution.

Yn sicr, rwy'n annog pobl i ymweld â'r Fenni yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig, ond drwy gydol y flwyddyn mewn gwirionedd, oherwydd mae'n lle prydferth iawn i ymweld ag ef—cymaint o siopau annibynnol na fyddech chi'n gallu dod o hyd iddynt mewn mannau eraill. Ac mae'n rhywle y byddem yn annog pobl i ymweld ag ef am bob math o resymau, ond yn enwedig nawr, i brofi peth o'r ysbryd cymunedol gwych y soniodd eich cyd-Aelod Natasha amdano yn ei chyfraniad.

Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Mae'r cwestiwn amserol nesaf i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol ac i'w ofyn gan Mabon ap Gwynfor.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary. The next topical question is to be answered by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services and to be asked by Mabon ap Gwynfor.

Y Her 50 Diwrnod i Fyrddau Iechyd
The 50-day Challenge to Health Boards

1. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am yr her 50 diwrnod newydd i fyrddau iechyd fynd i'r afael ag oedi wrth ryddhau cleifion o’r ysbyty? TQ1244

1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement regarding the new 50 day challenge to health boards to address delays in hospital discharges? TQ1244

The 50-day winter challenge identifies 10 best-practice initiatives to help people to stay well at home and leave hospital once clinical needs are met. It challenges both health and social care partners to target support on the 25 per cent of those patients with delayed discharges, putting plans in place to support them to return home.

Mae her 50 diwrnod y gaeaf yn nodi 10 cynllun arfer gorau i helpu pobl i aros yn iach gartref a gadael yr ysbyty pan fydd anghenion clinigol wedi'u diwallu. Mae'n herio partneriaid iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol i dargedu cymorth at y 2 y cant o gleifion sy'n destun oedi wrth ryddhau, a rhoi cynlluniau ar waith i'w cynorthwyo i ddychwelyd adref.

I welcome the fact that the Government has belatedly recognised the need for a fresh approach to the long-standing problem of delayed hospital discharges, but I do worry that the substance of the plan leaves a lot to be desired. Firstly, it’s clear that it will largely be underpinned by existing rather than new resources. The regional integration fund, for example, was put in place back in April 2022, with the specific aim of better integrating health and social care. So, this begs the question: if it hasn’t been effective over the past two years, why should we expect different results now?

Secondly, it’s difficult to see where this fits in with Labour Government’s propensity for short-term sticking-plaster solutions, at the expense of a coherent overarching vision for transforming the NHS. It’s worth referencing the NHS Confederation's verdict in this respect: 

'Unless the broader challenges of demand and capacity across the whole health and care system are addressed, a 50-day challenge and action plan won’t be enough to achieve a sustainable health and care system in the long term.'

I share the NHS Confederation’s understandable scepticism at the potential of this plan to deliver in isolation. Does the Cabinet Secretary agree with the NHS Confederation’s analysis?

Finally, as we’ve mentioned so often in relation to Welsh Government plans, there is a conspicuous absence of targets. So, I’d like to finish with a very simple question to the Cabinet Secretary: in September 2024, the latest reporting date, there were 1,596 delayed hospital discharges across Wales; what figure does he expect to see at the end of the 50-day challenge period?

Rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod y Llywodraeth wedi cydnabod yr angen o'r diwedd am agwedd newydd tuag at broblem hirsefydlog oedi wrth ryddhau cleifion o ysbytai, ond rwy'n poeni bod sylwedd y cynllun yn bell o gyrraedd y nod. Yn gyntaf, mae'n amlwg y bydd yn seiliedig i raddau helaeth ar adnoddau presennol yn hytrach nag adnoddau newydd. Rhoddwyd y gronfa integreiddio rhanbarthol, er enghraifft, ar waith yn ôl ym mis Ebrill 2022, gyda'r nod penodol o integreiddio iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn well. Felly, rhaid gofyn y cwestiwn: os nad yw wedi bod yn effeithiol dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, pam y dylem ddisgwyl canlyniadau gwahanol nawr?

Yn ail, mae'n anodd gweld lle mae hyn yn cyd-fynd â thueddiad y Llywodraeth Lafur o fynd ar drywydd atebion byrdymor ar draul gweledigaeth drosfwaol gydlynol ar gyfer trawsnewid y GIG. Mae'n werth cyfeirio at ddyfarniad Cydffederasiwn y GIG yn hyn o beth: 

'Oni bai bod heriau ehangach y galw a'r capasiti ar draws y system iechyd a gofal gyfan yn cael sylw, ni fydd her 50 diwrnod a chynllun gweithredu yn ddigon i sicrhau system iechyd a gofal gynaliadwy yn y tymor hir.'

Rwy'n rhannu amheuaeth ddealladwy Cydffederasiwn y GIG ynghylch potensial y cynllun hwn i gyflawni ar ei ben ei hun. A yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn cytuno â dadansoddiad Cydffederasiwn y GIG?

Yn olaf, fel rydym wedi sôn mor aml mewn perthynas â chynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru, mae yna ddiffyg targedau amlwg. Felly, hoffwn orffen gyda chwestiwn syml iawn i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet: ym mis Medi 2024, y dyddiad adrodd diweddaraf, gwelwyd 1,596 achos o oedi wrth ryddhau o ysbytai ledled Cymru; pa ffigur y mae'n disgwyl ei weld ar ddiwedd cyfnod yr her 50 diwrnod?

I thank the Member for those questions. Perhaps I might suggest that the point at which to assess the success of this initiative is after it's completed rather than before it starts. But on the point that he puts specifically to me, this is an example of the approach that I've been advocating, as he knows, since I took on these responsibilities, which is to identify rapidly within the health and social care system those interventions that many parts of the system are already undertaking and that have had demonstrable success and making sure that those are identified and rapidly spread through the system. So, this is an example of that happening in action. Of the 10 things on the action list, most of them are already being taken forward in some parts of Wales. The challenge now is for services to be reconfigured so that all parts of Wales offer as many of those as possible.

He makes an important point about resourcing. In the discussions that we've had with both health board and local authority partners, there's been a recognition that the regional integration fund, together with the Further Faster fund and others, are in the system and are capable of being deployed to support some of these initiatives. Many of them are actually cost neutral and others involve the reallocation of existing resource. What is new here, I think, is the recognition of most effective interventions and the readiness to reconfigure services to reflect those in all health board areas. And I think that's been a challenge that partners have taken up with real commitment, actually, over the course of the last number of weeks. I'm afraid I didn't hear what the NHS Confederation had to say, but what I do know is that we work directly with their members, who are actually involved in delivering on the ground. And I'm grateful to them all, because they have engaged very constructively with us in relation to this work.

The Member I think was in the Chamber yesterday when the point was put to the First Minister about the target. Of course, she answered as I did in my initial question, that the support is aimed at 25 per cent of the longest waiters, and so that's roughly 350 people. So, this challenge is about putting new ways of working in place and targeting support on that 25 per cent, and making sure that as many as possible of those can be returned home. But, critically, the point here is to make sure that that success is sustained. It's important for those individuals to go home, but, actually, what we want to make sure is that delays come down across the system. And so actually making sure that that is sustained is important, so we are having conversations with partners during these 50 days about what resources might be required to make the intervention sustainable in the longer term. And that will be looked at in light of the experience over the coming weeks.

Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiynau hyn. Carwn awgrymu mai'r adeg i asesu llwyddiant y fenter hon yw ar ôl iddi gael ei chwblhau yn hytrach na chyn iddi ddechrau. Ond ar y pwynt y mae'n ei roi yn benodol i mi, mae hon yn enghraifft o'r dull y bûm yn ei argymell, fel y mae'n gwybod, ers i mi ymgymryd â'r cyfrifoldebau hyn, sef nodi'n gyflym o fewn y system iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yr ymyriadau hynny y mae sawl rhan o'r system eisoes yn eu cyflawni ac sydd wedi cael llwyddiant amlwg a sicrhau bod y rheini'n cael eu nodi a'u lledaenu'n gyflym drwy'r system. Felly, dyma enghraifft o hyn yn digwydd yn weithredol. O'r 10 peth sydd ar y rhestr weithredu, mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonynt eisoes yn cael eu gweithredu mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru. Yr her nawr yw ad-drefnu gwasanaethau fel bod pob rhan o Gymru yn cynnig cymaint o'r rheini â phosibl.

Mae'n gwneud pwynt pwysig ynglŷn ag adnoddau. Yn y trafodaethau a gawsom gyda'r bwrdd iechyd a phartneriaid awdurdodau lleol, cafwyd cydnabyddiaeth fod y gronfa integreiddio rhanbarthol, ynghyd â'r gronfa Ymhellach, yn Gyflymach ac eraill, yn y system ac yn gallu cael eu defnyddio i gefnogi rhai o'r mentrau hyn. Mae llawer ohonynt yn niwtral o ran cost mewn gwirionedd ac mae eraill yn cynnwys ailddyrannu adnoddau presennol. Yr hyn sy'n newydd yma, rwy'n credu, yw cydnabyddiaeth o'r ymyriadau mwyaf effeithiol a'r parodrwydd i ad-drefnu gwasanaethau i adlewyrchu'r rheini ym mhob ardal bwrdd iechyd. Ac rwy'n credu bod honno wedi bod yn her y mae partneriaid wedi ymgymryd â hi gydag ymroddiad gwirioneddol dros yr wythnosau diwethaf. Mae arnaf ofn na chlywais yr hyn a oedd gan Gydffederasiwn y GIG i'w ddweud, ond rwy'n gwybod ein bod yn gweithio'n uniongyrchol gyda'u haelodau sy'n cyflawni ar lawr gwlad. Ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iddynt i gyd, oherwydd maent wedi ymgysylltu'n adeiladol iawn â ni mewn perthynas â'r gwaith hwn.

Roedd yr Aelod yn y Siambr ddoe pan gafodd y pwynt ei roi i'r Prif Weinidog ynglŷn â'r targed. Wrth gwrs, fe atebodd fel y gwneuthum innau yn fy nghwestiwn cychwynnol, fod y gefnogaeth wedi'i hanelu at 25 y cant o'r rhai sydd wedi bod yn aros hiraf, sef oddeutu 350 o bobl. Felly, mae'r her hon yn ymwneud â ffyrdd newydd o weithio a thargedu cefnogaeth at y 25 y cant, a sicrhau y gellir rhyddhau cymaint â phosibl o'r rheini adref. Ond yn hollbwysig, y pwynt yma yw sicrhau bod y llwyddiant yn cael ei gynnal. Mae'n bwysig i'r unigolion hynny fynd adref, ond rydym am sicrhau bod cyfraddau oedi'n dod i lawr ar draws y system. Ac mae sicrhau bod hynny'n cael ei gynnal yn bwysig, felly rydym yn cael sgyrsiau â phartneriaid yn ystod y 50 diwrnod ynglŷn â pha adnoddau y gallai fod eu hangen i wneud yr ymyrraeth yn gynaliadwy yn y tymor hwy. A bydd hynny'n cael ei ystyried yn sgil y profiad dros yr wythnosau nesaf.

15:35

I'm grateful to Mabon ap Gwynfor for bringing this question to the Senedd here today. I'm grateful, Cabinet Secretary, for your response to Mabon ap Gwynfor just now as well. Also, I just wanted to put on record again my gratitude to those health and care workers who are now going to face the winter pressures and the challenges that face them. And we all know in this Chamber that they are doing their best, and want to do their best, to ensure that people are discharged at the most appropriate time, and, hopefully, for more people, that will be faster than it has been over recent years.

I heard your comments in terms of the elements within the 10-point plan, and I understand, Cabinet Secretary, that the desire here is to seek some consistency, not necessarily to reinvent the wheel across Wales. But I wonder if you could comment on which of those 10 points you think will make the biggest difference to this 50-day target that you've set. I think that would be helpful for us to understand the elements within that 10-point plan, and which would make the biggest difference. I'm also interested to understand where this 50-days number has come from, and whether you knocked around some other numbers as to which might be the most effective target to aim for—whether it's clinical evidence or the evidence you have to ensure that that 50-day target is something that is either achievable or realistic for health boards working with social care services to reach.

I agreed with Mabon ap Gwynfor's point around the risks of this being seen as a short-term moment. And, actually, what we do need to see, of course—and I think you would agree with this—is a longer term plan, to ensure that people aren't in hospital longer than they need to be. So, I'm interested to know, at the end of this target challenge that you've put in place—I think it runs up to the end of the year, which is what's been described—how those health boards, local authorities and others will be held accountable and supported to ensure that these discharges happen in a timely manner.

And my final question—sorry, Llywydd—is just understanding your expectation around the impact on waiting lists more broadly. Because of course this will, and should, create more capacity in our hospitals, to ensure that people are treated who are on existing waiting lists. I'm wondering, in your analysis, how you expect waiting lists to be reduced as a result of this 50-day challenge. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Diolch i Mabon ap Gwynfor am ddod â'r cwestiwn hwn i'r Senedd heddiw. Rwy'n ddiolchgar, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, am eich ymateb i Mabon ap Gwynfor nawr hefyd. Roeddwn eisiau diolch eto i'r gweithwyr iechyd a gofal sy'n mynd i wynebu pwysau'r gaeaf a'r heriau o'u blaenau. Ac rydym i gyd yn gwybod yn y Siambr hon eu bod yn gwneud eu gorau, ac eisiau gwneud eu gorau, i sicrhau bod pobl yn cael eu rhyddhau ar yr adeg fwyaf priodol, a gobeithio, i fwy o bobl, y bydd hynny'n gyflymach nag y bu dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf.

Clywais eich sylwadau ynghylch yr elfennau o fewn y cynllun 10 pwynt, ac rwy'n deall, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mai'r awydd yma yw sicrhau rhywfaint o gysondeb, nid o reidrwydd ailddyfeisio'r olwyn ledled Cymru. Ond tybed a allech chi wneud sylwadau ar ba rai o'r 10 pwynt y credwch chi y byddant yn gwneud y gwahaniaeth mwyaf i'r targed 50 diwrnod a osodwyd gennych. Rwy'n credu y byddai hynny'n ddefnyddiol i ni ddeall yr elfennau o fewn y cynllun 10 pwynt, a pha rai a fyddai'n gwneud y gwahaniaeth mwyaf. Hoffwn ddeall hefyd o ble y daw'r ffigur o 50 diwrnod, ac a wnaethoch chi ystyried niferoedd eraill o ddyddiau fel rhai a allai fod yn dargedau mwyaf effeithiol i anelu atynt—boed yn dystiolaeth glinigol neu'r dystiolaeth sydd gennych chi i sicrhau bod y targed 50 diwrnod hwnnw'n rhywbeth sydd naill ai'n gyraeddadwy neu'n realistig i fyrddau iechyd yn gweithio gyda gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol.

Roeddwn yn cytuno â phwynt Mabon ap Gwynfor ynghylch y risg y byddai hon yn cael ei hystyried yn foment dymor byr. A'r hyn sydd angen inni ei weld, wrth gwrs—ac rwy'n meddwl y byddech chi'n cytuno â hyn—yw cynllun mwy hirdymor, er mwyn sicrhau nad yw pobl yn yr ysbyty'n hwy na sydd angen iddynt fod. Felly, hoffwn wybod, ar ddiwedd yr her darged hon a roddwyd ar waith gennych—rwy'n credu ei bod yn weithredol hyd at ddiwedd y flwyddyn, dyna sut y'i disgrifiwyd—sut y bydd y byrddau iechyd, awdurdodau lleol ac eraill yn cael eu dwyn i gyfrif ac yn cael eu cefnogi i sicrhau bod rhyddhau cleifion yn digwydd mewn modd amserol.

A fy nghwestiwn olaf—mae'n ddrwg gennyf, Lywydd—yw yr hoffwn ddeall beth yw eich disgwyliadau ynghylch yr effaith ar restrau aros yn ehangach. Oherwydd fe ddylai, ac fe fydd hyn yn creu mwy o gapasiti yn ein hysbytai, i sicrhau bod pobl sydd ar restrau aros ar hyn o bryd yn cael eu trin. Yn eich dadansoddiad, sut rydych chi'n disgwyl i restrau aros gael eu lleihau o ganlyniad i'r her 50 diwrnod. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

I thank Sam Rowlands for those questions. I think each of the 10 steps plays a different role, actually, in supporting the system overall. So, some are, if you like, hospital-based interventions. So, the integrated discharge service that the Minister for social care and I saw in action in Cardiff last week, but also works in other parts of Wales, is really about how existing resources can be co-located in a hospital setting, to make sure that the patient's journey, really, ideally, from the moment at which they cross the threshold or are admitted, is increasingly understood and responded to. So, there are some hospital-located interventions, if you like, and there are others in the plan, as he will have seen, which are really about making sure that, for example, we make greater use of care home and community beds for continuing healthcare assessments. Those don't have to then happen in a hospital setting. So, some of it is about the location in which the intervention takes place, but some of it is about, if you like, the underpinning support in the system for this range of interventions. So, a focus on reablement is critical in order for that to succeed. Whichever the interventions you put in place, they will all basically benefit from enhanced reablement. So, I think it's probably not that scientific to rank them; I think they play a different role in that sense.

Why 50 days? Well, we know that the period at which the NHS and care is under the most intense pressure is during the winter, and so it's 50 days between now and the end of the year, and typically we see the most intense pressures at the start of the new year. So, the period, if you like, is dictated by the timescale available. We've tried to project how many individuals we think it is reasonable to try and support within that context.

But the Member's last question, I think, in a way, is the most important. Critically, as I was saying to Mabon ap Gwynfor, what we want to see—. It's not a 50-day job-done approach, it's a 50-day period to put these provisions in place. And doing that successfully is what gives us the best chance of making sure that the benefits, both for individual patients and for the system, are sustained, which is obviously what we want to see. So, the 50-day period is, if you like, a period of intense working to put the new arrangements in place and help as many of that 25 per cent cohort as possible. But the success of this will be judged by whether that progress is maintained into the medium and longer term beyond that.

Diolch i Sam Rowlands am y cwestiynau hynny. Rwy'n credu bod pob un o'r 10 cam yn chwarae rôl wahanol, mewn gwirionedd, yn cefnogi'r system yn gyffredinol. Felly, mae rhai, os mynnwch, yn ymyriadau yn yr ysbyty. Felly, mae'r gwasanaeth rhyddhau integredig a welodd y Gweinidog gofal cymdeithasol a minnau ar waith yng Nghaerdydd yr wythnos diwethaf, ond sydd hefyd yn weithredol mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, yn ymwneud â sut y gellir cydleoli adnoddau presennol mewn lleoliad ysbyty, i sicrhau bod taith y claf, yn ddelfrydol, o'r eiliad y croesant y trothwy neu gael eu derbyn, yn cael ei ddeall yn gynyddol ac yr ymatebir iddi. Felly, mae rhai ymyriadau mewn ysbytai, os mynnwch, ac mae eraill yn y cynllun, fel y bydd wedi'i weld, sy'n ymwneud â gwneud yn siŵr ein bod, er enghraifft, yn gwneud mwy o ddefnydd o welyau cartrefi gofal a chymunedol ar gyfer asesiadau gofal iechyd parhaus. Nid oes rhaid i'r rhain ddigwydd mewn ysbyty. Felly, mae rhywfaint ohono'n ymwneud â'r lleoliad lle mae'r ymyrraeth yn digwydd, ond mae rhywfaint ohono'n ymwneud â'r gefnogaeth ategol, os mynnwch, yn y system ar gyfer yr ystod hon o ymyriadau. Felly, mae ffocws ar ailalluogi yn hanfodol er mwyn i hynny lwyddo. Pa bynnag ymyriadau a roddwch ar waith, byddant i gyd yn y bôn yn elwa o ailalluogi gwell. Felly, nid wyf yn credu bod eu graddio'n ffordd wyddonol o edrych arno; rwy'n credu eu bod yn chwarae rhan wahanol yn yr ystyr honno.

Pam 50 diwrnod? Wel, fe wyddom mai'r gaeaf yw'r cyfnod pan fo'r GIG a gofal o dan y pwysau mwyaf dwys, ac felly mae 50 diwrnod rhwng nawr a diwedd y flwyddyn, ac fel arfer fe welwn y pwysau dwysaf ar ddechrau'r flwyddyn newydd. Felly, mae'r cyfnod, os mynnwch, wedi ei bennu gan yr amserlen sydd ar gael. Rydym wedi ceisio taflunio faint o unigolion y credwn ei bod hi'n rhesymol ceisio eu cefnogi o fewn y cyd-destun hwnnw.

Ond mewn ffordd, rwy'n credu mai cwestiwn olaf yr Aelod yw'r pwysicaf. Yn allweddol, fel roeddwn i'n dweud wrth Mabon ap Gwynfor, yr hyn yr hoffem ei weld—. Nid yw'n ddull 50 diwrnod a dyna ni, mae'n gyfnod o 50 diwrnod i roi'r darpariaethau hyn ar waith. A gwneud hynny'n llwyddiannus yw'r hyn sy'n mynd i roi'r cyfle gorau i ni sicrhau bod y manteision, i gleifion unigol ac i'r system, yn cael eu cynnal, sef yr hyn yr hoffem ei weld wrth gwrs. Felly, mae'r cyfnod o 50 diwrnod, os mynnwch, yn gyfnod o weithio dwys i roi'r trefniadau newydd ar waith a helpu cymaint o'r garfan 25 y cant â phosibl. Ond caiff y llwyddiant ei farnu yn ôl y graddau y caiff y cynnydd hwnnw ei gynnal yn y tymor canolig a'r tymor hwy y tu hwnt i hynny.

Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.

15:40

I'd like to ask you a specific question about my region, please, Cabinet Secretary. You may be aware that there is consultation in Rhondda Cynon Taf council at the moment about the potential closure of two care homes, Ferndale House and Cae Glas. I've had staff working at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital contact me concerned because there is a freeze on admissions to care homes whilst this consultation goes ahead, meaning that, because they're uncertain of the future of those, there are people who should be going to residential care homes that are currently in hospital beds. So, can I ask what discussions are taking place with local authorities in light of this announcement to ensure that consultations that are currently being held actually are reflecting the budgetary situation that we now know and won't actually worsen the situation? I spoke directly with residents in Ferndale House. They are fit and well, but not well enough to live at home. Many told me, directly themselves, that they feel that they wouldn't be alive now if they weren't in a care home. They'd tried being at home unsuccessfully and unfortunately that's not sustainable for them, and they're really concerned that a move from that home will kill them, that their only option will be to bedblock in a hospital, because there won't be care packages; they've had to sell their homes as well, there are no homes for them to return to. So, what conversations are you having with local authorities around this freeze now in taking cases and how that's going to be reflected in this 50-day challenge? 

Hoffwn ofyn cwestiwn penodol i chi am fy rhanbarth, os gwelwch yn dda, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Efallai eich bod yn ymwybodol fod ymgynghoriad yng nghyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf ar hyn o bryd ynghylch y posibilrwydd o gau dau gartref gofal, Tŷ Glynrhedyn a Chae Glas. Rwyf wedi cael staff sy'n gweithio yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg yn cysylltu â mi yn bryderus am fod derbyniadau i gartrefi gofal wedi eu rhewi tra bo'r ymgynghoriad hwn yn mynd rhagddo, sy'n golygu, am eu bod yn ansicr ynghylch dyfodol y rheini, fod yna bobl a ddylai fod yn mynd i gartrefi gofal preswyl mewn gwelyau ysbyty ar hyn o bryd. Felly, a gaf i ofyn pa drafodaethau sy'n digwydd gydag awdurdodau lleol yng ngoleuni'r cyhoeddiad hwn i sicrhau bod ymgynghoriadau sy'n cael eu cynnal ar hyn o bryd yn adlewyrchu'r sefyllfa gyllidebol y gwyddom amdani ac na fydd yn gwaethygu'r sefyllfa mewn gwirionedd? Siaradais yn uniongyrchol â phreswylwyr yn Nhŷ Glynrhedyn. Maent yn iach ac yn heini, ond nid ydynt yn ddigon da i fyw gartref. Dywedodd sawl un wrthyf, yn uniongyrchol eu hunain, eu bod yn teimlo na fyddent yn fyw nawr pe na baent mewn cartref gofal. Roeddent wedi ceisio byw gartref, ond wedi methu ac yn anffodus nid yw hynny'n gynaliadwy iddynt, ac maent yn bryderus iawn y bydd symud o'r cartref hwnnw'n eu lladd, mai eu hunig opsiwn fydd blocio gwelyau mewn ysbyty, am na fydd pecynnau gofal ar gael; maent wedi gorfod gwerthu eu cartrefi hefyd, nid oes cartrefi iddynt ddychwelyd iddynt. Felly, pa sgyrsiau rydych chi'n eu cael gydag awdurdodau lleol ynglŷn â rhewi'r nifer sy'n cael eu derbyn a sut y bydd hynny'n cael ei adlewyrchu yn yr her 50 diwrnod hon? 

I don't know the circumstances of the individual residents, naturally, as the Member would not expect me to, and I don't know where the consultations are in relation to the particular care homes, but what I can tell the Member is that Rhondda Cynon Taf council, as all councils, have been very, very fully engaged in the development and taking forward of these plans. The Minister for social care and I have met with each of the health board regions and the local authorities in partnership to discuss both their plans generally, but specifically in relation to the 50-day challenge, and part of the discussion has been around the availability and the capacity in the care home sector in each of those regions, so just to give the Member reassurance. There will obviously be, in different parts of Wales, a different underlying level of capacity and choices and decisions that are being made in the way that she describes examples in her own region. But just to give her the reassurance, all the data in relation to the availability of care home places is taken fully into account in the discussions that we've been having with our partners. 

Nid wyf yn gwybod beth yw amgylchiadau'r preswylwyr unigol, yn naturiol, ac ni fyddai'r Aelod yn disgwyl hynny, ac nid wyf yn gwybod ble mae'r ymgynghoriadau mewn perthynas â'r cartrefi gofal penodol, ond yr hyn y gallaf ei ddweud wrth yr Aelod yw bod cyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, fel pob cyngor, wedi bod yn ymwneud yn drwyadl iawn â datblygu a bwrw ymlaen â'r cynlluniau hyn. Mae'r Gweinidog gofal cymdeithasol a minnau wedi cyfarfod â phob un o ranbarthau'r byrddau iechyd a'r awdurdodau lleol mewn partneriaeth i drafod eu cynlluniau yn gyffredinol, ond yn benodol mewn perthynas â'r her 50 diwrnod, ac mae rhan o'r drafodaeth wedi ymwneud ag argaeledd a chapasiti'r sector cartrefi gofal ym mhob un o'r rhanbarthau hynny, felly gallaf roi sicrwydd i'r Aelod ynglŷn â hynny. Yn amlwg, mewn gwahanol rannau o Gymru, bydd lefel sylfaenol wahanol o gapasiti a dewisiadau a phenderfyniadau'n cael eu gwneud yn y ffordd y mae'n disgrifio enghreifftiau yn ei rhanbarth ei hun. Ond os caf ei sicrhau, mae'r holl ddata mewn perthynas ag argaeledd lleoedd mewn cartrefi gofal yn cael ei ystyried yn llawn yn y trafodaethau a gawsom gyda'n partneriaid. 

4. Datganiadau 90 Eiliad
4. 90-second Statements

Eitem 4 heddiw yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad, ac yn gyntaf, Llyr Gruffydd. 

Item 4 today is the 90-second statements, and the first is from Llyr Gruffydd. 

Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Dwi am ddefnyddio'r cyfle yma i longyfarch clybiau ffermwyr ifanc Cymru ar eu llwyddiant yn eisteddfod y ffermwyr ifanc a gynhaliwyd yng Nghaerfyrddin yr wythnos diwethaf. Fe ddaeth nifer o gystadleuwyr i’r brig, yn cynnwys llawer un o’m rhanbarth i yn y gogledd, mewn meysydd mor amrywiol â’r ensemble lleisiol, lle cipiodd Clwb Rhosybol yn Ynys Môn y wobr gyntaf, Hawys Grug o Glwyd yn ennill yr unawd ieuenctid, a Mared Edwards o Fôn yn ennill y gystadleuaeth adrodd digri.

Llongyfarchiadau mawr hefyd i Mared Fflur Jones o Ynys Môn ar ennill y gadair, ac i Elain Iorwerth, sydd yn astudio ym Mhrifysgol Bangor, ar ennill y goron. Mae llwyddiant ysgubol yr eisteddfod unwaith eto eleni yn deyrnged i rôl hanfodol y mudiad fel un o gonglfeini cefn gwlad, diwylliant Cymreig a'r iaith Gymraeg.

Ond y tu hwnt i Gymru hefyd, fe ddaeth llwyddiant i’r ffermwyr ifanc yng ngwobrau cymunedol Prydeinig clybiau'r ffermwyr ifanc, a gynhaliwyd yn Birmingham yn ddiweddar. Un o sêr ffermwyr ifanc ardal Uwchaled, Ceridwen Edwards, a ddaeth i’r brig yng nghategori 'Calon y CFfI', gyda'r beirniaid wrth eu bodd efo egni a gwaith di-flino Ceridwen dros ei chlwb.

Un arall o lwyddiannau mawr y noson oedd Clwb Ffermwyr Ifanc Llangwyryfon yng Ngheredigion. Nhw enillodd wobr 'Ysbryd Cymunedol Ffederasiwn Cenedlaethol Clybiau Ffermwyr Ifanc', gyda chanmoliaeth am rôl y clwb wrth helpu i achub y neuadd bentref leol, a'u cyfraniad at hyfywedd yr iaith Gymraeg.

Mae gan glybiau ffermwyr ifanc Cymru dros 5,500 o aelodau, a'r rheini yn cyflawni dros filiwn o oriau gwaith gwirfoddol yn flynyddol. Gadewch i ni, felly, ddathlu'r holl lwyddiannau yma, a chyfraniad amhrisiadwy'r mudiad i gymunedau ar hyd a lled y wlad. 

Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the young farmers of Wales clubs on their success in the young farmers’ eisteddfod, held in Carmarthen last week. A number of competitors came out on top, including some from my region in North Wales, in areas as diverse as the vocal ensemble, where Rhosybol Club in Anglesey took first prize, Hawys Grug from Clwyd won the youth solo, and Mared Edwards from Anglesey won the humorous recital competition.

Many congratulations also to Mared Fflur Jones from Anglesey, who won the chair, and to Elain Iorwerth, a Bangor University student, who won the crown. The resounding success of the eisteddfod again this year is a testament to the essential role that the organisation plays as a backbone of Welsh culture and the Welsh language.

Also, beyond Wales, success was enjoyed by the young farmers in the young farmers clubs British community awards held in Birmingham recently. One of the stars of the Uwchaled Young Farmers Club, Ceridwen Edwards, came top in the 'Heart of the YFC' category, where the judges were delighted with her energy and her tireless work for the club.

Another big winner that evening was Llangwyryfon Young Farmers Club in Ceredigion, which won the 'Community Spirit Award of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs', with praise given for the club's role in rescuing the local village hall, and their contribution to the viabilty of the Welsh language.

Young farmers clubs across Wales have 5,500 members, contributing more than a million voluntary work hours every year. So, let us celebrate all of these successes, and the invaluable contribution of the movement to communities across the country.

15:45

I have 90 seconds to mark the ninetieth anniversary since the miners' welfare hall was opened in Ystradgynlais. This wonderful hall was built from the miners’ pennies and cost them at the time £9,000. The opening ceremony was followed by a week of celebrations, including a grand production of 'The Bells of Beaulieu' by the Ystradgynlais Juvenile Operatic Society, produced by Mr Cynlais Davies.

Since 1934, the hall has gone through various transformations, and, today, is a vibrant arts centre and community hub. Sometimes, it’s also a radio station, sometimes it’s a tv studio. It has a cinema, showing all the latest films, and it hosts events like—wait for it—an Abba live tribute band, and has a variety of workshops and activities. It also boasts the Josef Herman Art Foundation Cymru, which is dedicated to promoting an appreciation of the life and work of Josef Herman, who has exhibited at the Tate Britain.

Indeed, the welfare hall is proud of the fact that it is one of the few welfare halls throughout the whole of the country that has retained its original purpose of being a place of culture and education. This hall is by and for the whole community of Ystradgynlais. Diolch to all of the staff and volunteers who have been there over the past 90 years, and we wish them well for the next 90 years. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Mae gennyf 90 eiliad i nodi 90 mlynedd ers agor neuadd les y glowyr yn Ystradgynlais. Adeiladwyd y neuadd wych hon â cheiniogau'r glowyr ac fe gostiodd £9,000 ar y pryd. Dilynwyd y seremoni agoriadol gan wythnos o ddathliadau, gan gynnwys cynhyrchiad mawreddog o 'The Bells of Beaulieu' gan Gymdeithas Operatig Ieuenctid Ystradgynlais, a gynhyrchwyd gan Mr Cynlais Davies.

Ers 1934, mae'r neuadd wedi mynd drwy drawsnewidiadau amrywiol, a heddiw, mae'n ganolfan gelfyddydol fywiog ac yn ganolfan gymunedol. Weithiau, mae'n orsaf radio hefyd, weithiau'n stiwdio deledu. Mae ganddi sinema, sy'n dangos yr holl ffilmiau diweddaraf, ac mae'n cynnal digwyddiadau fel—credwch neu beidio—band teyrnged Abba byw, ac mae ganddi amrywiaeth o weithdai a gweithgareddau. Mae hefyd yn gartref i Sefydliad Celf Josef Herman Cymru, sy'n ymroddedig i hyrwyddo gwerthfawrogiad o fywyd a gwaith Josef Herman, sydd wedi arddangos gwaith yn y Tate Britain.

Yn wir, mae'r neuadd les yn falch o'r ffaith ei bod yn un o'r ychydig neuaddau lles ledled y wlad gyfan sydd wedi cadw ei phwrpas gwreiddiol o fod yn lle o ddiwylliant ac addysg. Mae'r neuadd hon gan ac ar gyfer cymuned gyfan Ystradgynlais. Diolch i'r holl staff a gwirfoddolwyr sydd wedi bod yno dros y 90 mlynedd diwethaf, ac rydym yn dymuno'n dda iddynt ar gyfer y 90 mlynedd nesaf. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

5. Dadl ar Adroddiad y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg, 'A yw plant a phobl ifanc anabl yn cael mynediad cyfartal at addysg a gofal plant?'
5. Debate on the Children, Young People and Education Committee Report, 'Do disabled children and young people have equal access to education and childcare?'