Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
04/12/2024Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Prynhawn da a chroeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Wrth inni gychwyn y prynhawn yma, fe wnaf i gychwyn trwy longyfarch ein tîm pêl-droed menywod ni neithiwr wrth iddyn nhw gael buddugoliaeth ardderchog yn Nulyn a sicrhau eu lle, wrth gwrs, yn Euro 2025, y flwyddyn nesaf. Fe fyddwn ni i gyd yna yn eu cefnogi nhw ar hyd y daith hanesyddol yma y maen nhw wedi’i chyflawni yn ystod y cyfnod diweddaraf yma.
A chyn imi symud ymlaen at yr eitem gyntaf o fusnes, dwi hefyd eisiau croesawu y prynhawn yma i'r Cyfarfod Llawn, ac mae'n bleser i wneud hynny, ddirprwyaeth o Senedd Catalunya i'r Senedd heddiw. Croeso i lywydd y Senedd hynny, Josep Rull, ac i bum aelod etholedig arall o Senedd Catalunya sydd yn rhan o’r ddirprwyaeth heddiw.
Good afternoon and welcome to this Plenary meeting. As we begin our proceedings this afternoon, I will start by congratulating the Wales women's football team as they had an excellent victory in Dublin and secured their place, of course, in Euro 2025, next year. We will all be there supporting them on the historic journey that they have brought about through their achievements recently.
And before I move on to the first item of business, I also want to welcome to Plenary this afternoon, and it's a pleasure to do so, a delegation from the Parliament of Catalunya to the Senedd today. We welcome the president of the Parliament, Josep Rull, and five other elected members of the Catalan Parliament who are part of the delegation.
És un plaer donar la benvinguda al president del Parlament de Catalunya i als membres de la Mesa que l'acompanyen. Per nosaltres és un orgull mantenir aquesta relació de solidaritat entre el Parlament de Gal·les i el Parlament de Catalunya. [Applause.]
És un plaer donar la benvinguda al president del Parlament de Catalunya i als membres de la Mesa que l'acompanyen. Per nosaltres és un orgull mantenir aquesta relació de solidaritat entre el Parlament de Gal·les i el Parlament de Catalunya. [Cymeradwyaeth.]
Catalaneg—tic.
Catalan—tick.
Eitem gyntaf ein busnes ni y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau, felly, i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol a Thai, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Julie Morgan.
The first item of business this afternoon is questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, and the first question is from Julie Morgan.
1. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i gefnogi tenantiaid yn y sector rhentu preifat? OQ61982
1. What is the Welsh Government doing to support tenants in the private rental sector? OQ61982
The Welsh Government supports tenants in the private rented sector through a range of measures. This includes offering grants for tenants experiencing hardship, delivering legislative changes to improve standards and tenants' rights, and offering increased security and affordability through Leasing Scheme Wales.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi tenantiaid yn y sector rhentu preifat drwy amrywiaeth o fesurau. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cynnig grantiau i denantiaid sy'n wynebu caledi, cyflawni newidiadau deddfwriaethol i wella safonau a hawliau tenantiaid, a chynnig mwy o sicrwydd a fforddiadwyedd drwy Gynllun Lesio Cymru.
Diolch am yr ateb.
Thank you for that response.
Clause 2 of the Renters' Rights Bill, currently before the UK Parliament, abolishes shorthold tenancies and ends no-fault evictions in England. Information from Shelter Cymru shows that no-fault evictions are still frequently happening in Wales, albeit with a six-month notice needed and the landlord having to ensure that certain conditions are in place. When no-fault evictions were being originally discussed in Wales, there was concern that if they were scrapped here, landlords would migrate to England. Has the Minister been able to make any analysis of the interaction between the law as it will be in England and as it is now in Wales?
Mae Cymal 2 yn y Bil Hawliau Rhentwyr, sydd gerbron Senedd y DU ar hyn o bryd, yn diddymu tenantiaethau byrddaliadol ac yn gwahardd troi allan heb fai yn Lloegr. Mae gwybodaeth gan Shelter Cymru yn dangos bod troi allan heb fai yn dal i ddigwydd yn aml yng Nghymru, er bod angen rhybudd o chwe mis a bod yn rhaid i'r landlord sicrhau bod amodau penodol wedi'u bodloni. Pan oedd troi allan heb fai yn cael ei drafod yng Nghymru gyntaf, roedd yna bryder, pe bai'n cael ei wahardd yma, y byddai landlordiaid yn mudo i Loegr. A yw’r Gweinidog wedi gallu gwneud unrhyw ddadansoddiad o’r rhyngweithio rhwng y gyfraith fel y bydd yn Lloegr ac fel y mae yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd?
Diolch yn fawr. Thank you for the question, Julie. As the provisions in the Renters' Rights Bill are subject to amendments as the Bill passes through the UK Parliament, it would be premature to undertake an analysis of the interaction of the law between England and Wales until those final stages have concluded. However, at present, the Bill sets out certain grounds available to a landlord who wishes to regain possession of a property. The period of notice will vary dependent on the grounds used—from four months to as little as two weeks.
As I previously said, I think we've got the right approach here in Wales, as, in all systems, landlords will still be able to serve notice in circumstances where the tenant is not at fault. We've focused on extended notice periods to enable more time for tenants to plan. And I think, within that, that is what we know that tenants want in terms of what matters to them, which is having the time to plan, and I think we've got that right here in Wales.
Diolch am y cwestiwn, Julie. Gan fod y darpariaethau yn y Bil Hawliau Rhentwyr yn destun gwelliannau wrth i’r Bil fynd drwy Senedd y DU, byddai'n gynamserol cynnal dadansoddiad o’r rhyngweithio rhwng y gyfraith yng Nghymru a Lloegr hyd nes y bydd y cyfnodau olaf hynny wedi dod i ben. Fodd bynnag, ar hyn o bryd, mae’r Bil yn nodi seiliau penodol sydd ar gael i landlord sy’n dymuno adennill meddiant o eiddo. Bydd y cyfnod rhybudd yn amrywio yn dibynnu ar y seiliau a ddefnyddir—o bedwar mis i gyn lleied â phythefnos.
Fel rwyf wedi'i ddweud o'r blaen, credaf fod gennym y dull gweithredu cywir yma yng Nghymru, oherwydd, ym mhob system, bydd landlordiaid yn dal i allu cyflwyno hysbysiad mewn amgylchiadau lle nad yw’r tenant ar fai. Rydym wedi canolbwyntio ar gyfnodau rhybudd estynedig i alluogi mwy o amser i denantiaid gynllunio. Ac o fewn hynny, dyna y gwyddom fod tenantiaid am ei weld o ran yr hyn sy'n bwysig iddynt, sef cael amser i gynllunio, a chredaf fod hynny'n iawn gennym ni yma yng Nghymru.
I'm grateful to the Member for raising this important question in the Chamber today, because, of course, that security of tenancy is really important for tenants up and down Wales. But time and time again, surveys show that the greatest security that people desire is the ability to own their own home. That's the way we can ensure that people have the security of calling a place their home—by having their own home that they can own. So, I wonder, Cabinet Secretary, whether you could outline your plans to ensure that more people in Wales are able to own their own home, seeing houses being built so that people have the ability to do that sooner rather than later.
Rwy’n ddiolchgar i’r Aelod am godi’r cwestiwn pwysig hwn yn y Siambr heddiw, oherwydd wrth gwrs, mae sicrwydd tenantiaeth yn wirioneddol bwysig i denantiaid ledled Cymru. Ond dro ar ôl tro, mae arolygon yn dangos mai'r sicrwydd mwyaf y mae pobl yn dymuno ei gael yw'r gallu i fod yn berchen ar eu cartref eu hunain. Dyna'r ffordd y gallwn sicrhau bod gan bobl y sicrwydd o alw rhywle'n gartref—drwy gael eu cartref eu hunain y gallant fod yn berchen arno. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a wnewch chi amlinellu eich cynlluniau i sicrhau bod mwy o bobl yng Nghymru yn gallu bod yn berchen ar eu cartref eu hunain, gan sicrhau bod tai'n cael eu hadeiladu fel bod pobl yn gallu gwneud hynny'n gynt yn lle'n hwyrach.
Thank you for the question, Sam. I think we have a strong focus on social housing here in Wales, and we're obviously working hard towards that. And we also have—I know that it often comes up in the Chamber—co-operative housing, and issues such as that. But, absolutely, it's important that we're also building houses here in Wales. We know that that's an option and that that's what lots of people do want to have. And we've also tried to encourage that through schemes such as Help to Buy, and, indeed, our other scheme, which is Help to Stay, when people have difficulties with their mortgage payments. So, we've got two schemes there to encourage that. But, certainly, it's something that I'm looking at, and I look forward to meeting developers here in Wales as well in due course.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Sam. Credaf fod gennym ffocws cryf ar dai cymdeithasol yma yng Nghymru, ac rydym yn amlwg yn gweithio'n galed tuag at hynny. Ac mae gennym—gwn ei fod yn codi'n aml yn y Siambr—dai cydweithredol hefyd, a phethau o'r fath. Ond yn sicr, mae'n bwysig ein bod hefyd yn adeiladu tai yma yng Nghymru. Gwyddom fod hynny'n opsiwn ac mai dyna y mae llawer o bobl yn dymuno ei weld. Ac rydym hefyd wedi ceisio annog hynny drwy gynlluniau fel Cymorth i Brynu, ac yn wir, ein cynllun arall, sef Cymorth i Aros, pan fo pobl yn ei chael hi'n anodd talu eu taliadau morgais. Felly, mae gennym ddau gynllun yno i annog hynny. Ond yn sicr, mae'n rhywbeth rwy'n edrych arno, ac edrychaf ymlaen at gyfarfod â datblygwyr yma yng Nghymru hefyd maes o law.
O'r diwedd, fe ddaeth y Papur Gwyn hirddisgwyliedig ar yr hawl i dŷ digonol. Ond, mae o'n un hynod siomedig a gwan, nid yn unig am nad oes yna gynigion i ddeddfu yng Nghymru i greu hawl sylfaenol i gartref digonol, ond am nad oes yna chwaith gynigion i greu system ar gyfer rhentu fforddiadwy yn y sector breifat, er bod pobl ar incwm isel yng Nghymru yn gwario cyfran fwy o'u cyflog ar rent nag yn unman arall yng ngwledydd y Deyrnas Unedig. Felly, wrth i chi ymgynghori ar y Papur Gwyn, a wnewch chi hefyd archwilio rheoli rhentu yn y sector preifat? Mae o'n digwydd ar draws Ewrop, ac ar draws y byd, ac mae o'n digwydd yn y sector tai cymdeithasol yn barod yng Nghymru, wrth gwrs.
Finally, we have seen the arrival of the long-awaited White Paper on the right to adequate housing. But it is an extremely disappointing and weak document, not only because there are no proposals to legislate in Wales to create a basic right to adequate housing, but because there are also no proposals to create a system for affordable renting in the private sector, even though people on low incomes in Wales spend a larger proportion of their pay on rent than anywhere else in the countries of the UK. So, as you consult on the White Paper, will you also examine rent controls in the private sector? It is happening across Europe, and across the world, and it's already happening in the social housing sector in Wales, of course.
Diolch, Siân. Thank you for that question. As you mentioned, we have our White Paper. And I just want to put on record once again that I'm fully supportive of the general principle that everyone should be able to access adequate housing; it's a fundamental human necessity that people are adequately housed. The issue we're dealing with is how we deliver that adequate housing for all, and we need to put those practical steps in place that get us to that goal, which is adequate housing for everyone, and that's something I'm sure we all share here. We need to develop that housing system so that we're in a position where we can ensure that everyone has that access to adequate housing, and that will take time.
In terms of rent control, available evidence on rent control in the private rented sector indicates that such measures would likely be ineffective or may even have negative impacts on affordability. But, as such, and as set out in our White Paper published, we're not currently proposing to take forward national rent control measures.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Siân. Fel y dywedoch chi, mae gennym ein Papur Gwyn. A hoffwn nodi unwaith eto fy mod yn gwbl gefnogol i'r egwyddor gyffredinol y dylai pawb allu cael mynediad at dai digonol; mae'n anghenraid dynol sylfaenol fod gan bobl gartref digonol. Y mater rydym yn ymdrin ag ef yw sut rydym yn darparu’r tai digonol hynny i bawb, ac mae angen inni roi’r camau ymarferol hynny ar waith sy’n ein harwain at y nod hwnnw, sef tai digonol i bawb, ac mae hynny’n rhywbeth rwy’n siŵr fod pob un ohonom yma yn ei rannu. Mae angen inni ddatblygu’r system dai honno fel ein bod mewn sefyllfa lle gallwn sicrhau bod gan bawb fynediad at dai digonol, a bydd hynny’n cymryd amser.
O ran rheoli rhenti, mae'r dystiolaeth sydd ar gael ar reoli rhenti yn y sector rhentu preifat yn dangos y byddai mesurau o'r fath yn debygol o fod yn aneffeithiol neu hyd yn oed yn cael effeithiau negyddol ar fforddiadwyedd. Ond fel y cyfryw, ac fel y nodir yn y Papur Gwyn a gyhoeddwyd gennym, nid ydym yn bwriadu cyflwyno mesurau rheoli rhenti cenedlaethol ar hyn o bryd.
Cabinet Secretary, earlier this year, I asked your predecessor about the issue of pet-friendly rental properties. Half of households have pets, yet just 7 per cent of rentals are advertised as pet friendly, so it's no surprise that it's one of the most common reasons people in Wales are forced to hand their pets over to rescue centres, which are full to, and over, capacity. The emotional toll that this takes on both the owners and the pets is huge, and yet another example of how those who cannot afford to buy their own home are put at a significant disadvantage in life. So, is the Cabinet Secretary willing to work with organisations such as RSPCA Cymru, Dogs Trust, Cats Protection to ensure that the right legislation is in place to support current and prospective pet owners?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yn gynharach eleni, holais eich rhagflaenydd ynglŷn â mater eiddo rhent sy'n croesawu anifeiliaid anwes. Mae gan hanner ein haelwydydd anifeiliaid anwes, ac eto dim ond 7 y cant o eiddo rhent sy'n cael eu hysbysebu fel rhai sy'n croesawu anifeiliaid anwes, felly nid yw'n syndod mai dyma un o'r rhesymau mwyaf cyffredin y mae pobl yng Nghymru yn cael eu gorfodi i roi eu hanifeiliaid anwes i ganolfannau achub, sy'n llawn a thros gapasiti. Mae’r effaith emosiynol y mae hyn yn ei chael ar y perchnogion a’r anifeiliaid anwes yn enfawr, ac yn enghraifft arall eto o sut y mae pobl na allant fforddio prynu eu cartref eu hunain yn cael eu rhoi dan anfantais sylweddol mewn bywyd. Felly, a yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn fodlon gweithio gyda sefydliadau fel RSPCA Cymru, Dogs Trust a Cats Protection i sicrhau bod y ddeddfwriaeth briodol ar waith i gefnogi perchnogion a darpar berchnogion anifeiliaid anwes?
Diolch yn fawr, Carolyn. I know this is something that you've raised over many months, and probably years now, around this issue. I know how passionately you feel about this. We've set out our proposals in the White Paper on adequate housing to improve accessibility to the private rented sector for those wishing to rent with a pet. I recently was very pleased to meet with Cats Protection, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA to discuss both the proposals in our White Paper and the provisions in the Renters' Rights Bill regarding pet insurance. I was really pleased to hear from them directly. They've welcomed our proposals in our White Paper, and I've encouraged them to respond to the White Paper consultation, and that will inform our next steps.
Diolch, Carolyn. Gwn fod hyn yn rhywbeth a godwyd gennych dros fisoedd lawer, a blynyddoedd bellach, mwy na thebyg. Gwn pa mor angerddol y teimlwch ynglŷn â hyn. Rydym wedi nodi ein cynigion yn y Papur Gwyn ar dai digonol i wella hygyrchedd i'r sector rhentu preifat i'r rhai sy'n dymuno rhentu gydag anifail anwes. Yn ddiweddar, roeddwn yn falch iawn o gyfarfod â Cats Protection, Dogs Trust a’r RSPCA i drafod y cynigion yn ein Papur Gwyn a’r darpariaethau yn y Bil Hawliau Rhentwyr ynghylch yswiriant anifeiliaid anwes. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o glywed yn uniongyrchol ganddynt. Maent wedi croesawu'r cynigion yn ein Papur Gwyn, ac rwyf wedi eu hannog i ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad ar y Papur Gwyn, a bydd hynny’n llywio ein camau nesaf.
2. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am adeiladu tai cydweithredol yn Abertawe? OQ61960
2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the building of co-operative housing in Swansea? OQ61960
Diolch, Mike. We are committed to supporting the development of co-operative and community-led development and housing in Wales. Our programme of support, delivered by Cwmpas, is working with community-led housing groups across Wales, including Dream Home Swansea, Swansea Co-Housing and Gŵyr Community Land Trust.
Diolch, Mike. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi datblygiad tai cydweithredol a thai a datblygiadau a arweinir gan y gymuned yng Nghymru. Mae ein rhaglen gymorth, a ddarperir gan Cwmpas, yn gweithio gyda grwpiau tai a arweinir gan y gymuned ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys Dream Home Swansea, Cyd-drigo Abertawe ac Ymddiriedolaeth Tir Cymunedol Gŵyr.
I want to talk about Swansea Co-Housing, whose mission is to provide multigenerational, sustainable and inclusive co-housing. They recognise that people are happier and healthier when they feel a sense of belonging. This, in turn, promotes care for neighbourhoods and active participation by communities in their local environment. They have a community benefit society and a community land trust, with a multiskilled team, whose varied experience encompasses housing projects and businesses, including other co-housing schemes, building design, renovation and project management. This is something I feel very strongly about and am very supportive of. Can the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on further support for projects like this, and will the Cabinet Secretary welcome this project?
Hoffwn sôn am Cyd-drigo Abertawe, a’u cenhadaeth yw darparu cyd-drigfannau amlgenhedlaeth, cynaliadwy a chynhwysol. Maent yn cydnabod bod pobl yn hapusach ac yn iachach pan fydd ganddynt ymdeimlad o berthyn. Mae hyn, yn ei dro, yn hybu gofal am gymdogaethau a chyfranogiad gweithredol gan gymunedau yn eu hamgylchedd lleol. Mae ganddynt gymdeithas budd cymunedol ac ymddiriedolaeth tir cymunedol, gyda thîm amlsgiliau, y mae eu profiad amrywiol yn cwmpasu prosiectau tai a busnesau, gan gynnwys cynlluniau cyd-drigo eraill, dylunio ac adnewyddu adeiladau a rheoli prosiectau. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth rwy’n teimlo’n gryf iawn yn ei gylch ac rwy’n gefnogol iawn iddo. A all Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gymorth pellach i brosiectau fel hyn, ac a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet groesawu’r prosiect hwn?
Diolch yn fawr, Mike, and, again, thank you for raising this issue, which I know is something very close to your heart. Social housing must be our main priority for housing provision in Wales, but we have always been clear that co-operative and community-led housing really does have its part to play in the housing solution in Wales. One of the most effective way to grow community-led housing and co-operative-led housing is to provide support to those who are interested in starting those up. And our support is through Cwmpas, designed to do just that. And I’m pleased that the Communities Creating Homes programme is currently supporting 49 active groups across Wales, with a pipeline to deliver 314 affordable community-led homes. In my initial answer, I touched on some of those projects that are happening in Swansea, Mike, and I’d just like to take the opportunity to wish them every success within that as well.
We continue to support co-operative and community-led housing groups wishing to develop new homes to access our social housing grant programme, where they partner with a registered social landlord. Currently, four groups are working with RSLs to access social housing grants. Community-led housing groups can also access the empty homes grant programme.
Diolch yn fawr, Mike, ac unwaith eto, diolch am godi’r mater hwn, y gwn ei fod yn rhywbeth sy’n agos iawn at eich calon. Mae’n rhaid i dai cymdeithasol fod yn brif flaenoriaeth i ni ar gyfer darpariaeth tai yng Nghymru, ond rydym bob amser wedi dweud yn glir fod gan dai cydweithredol a thai a arweinir gan y gymuned ran bwysig i’w chwarae yn yr ateb tai yng Nghymru. Un o’r ffyrdd mwyaf effeithiol o gynyddu'r nifer o brosiectau tai a arweinir gan y gymuned a thai cydweithredol yw darparu cymorth i bobl a chanddynt ddiddordeb mewn sefydlu’r mentrau hynny. Ac rydym yn darparu cymorth drwy Cwmpas, sydd wedi'i gynllunio i wneud yn union hynny. Ac rwy’n falch fod rhaglen Cymunedau'n Creu Cartrefi yn cefnogi 49 o grwpiau gweithredol ledled Cymru ar hyn o bryd, gyda bwriad i ddarparu 314 o gartrefi fforddiadwy a arweinir gan y gymuned. Yn fy ateb cychwynnol, cyfeiriais at rai o’r prosiectau sydd ar y gweill yn Abertawe, Mike, a hoffwn achub ar y cyfle i ddymuno pob llwyddiant iddynt yn hynny o beth.
Rydym yn parhau i gefnogi grwpiau tai cydweithredol a grwpiau tai a arweinir gan y gymuned sy’n dymuno datblygu cartrefi newydd i gael mynediad at ein rhaglen grant tai cymdeithasol, lle maent yn partneru â landlord cymdeithasol cofrestredig. Ar hyn o bryd, mae pedwar grŵp yn gweithio gyda landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig i gael mynediad at grantiau tai cymdeithasol. Gall grwpiau tai a arweinir gan y gymuned gael mynediad at y rhaglen grant cartrefi gwag yn ogystal.
Can I join with Mike Hedges in praising some of the co-operative housing projects going on in Swansea at the moment? Mike and I, this afternoon, talked about some of them, which are very exciting, including Bon-y-maen in Swansea East, in Mike’s patch. I think co-operative housing is an important part of the housing mix that we need here in Wales, and we should be doing all we can to promote that. I’m curious what you think of this. You mentioned the benefits in your answer to Mike of co-operative housing, but what you didn’t mention was how you to intend to grow this particular sector. You mentioned 49 ongoing projects across Wales, but what we didn’t hear—on the scale, if you like, of the projects going on in Wales, it’s a fairly small proportion—was the plan for growth in this area, so that more community-led projects can take place in different areas across Wales. So, I’d be keen to know how you intend to grow this sector.
A gaf i ymuno â Mike Hedges i ganmol rhai o’r prosiectau tai cydweithredol sydd ar waith yn Abertawe ar hyn o bryd? Y prynhawn yma, siaradodd Mike a minnau am rai ohonynt sy’n gyffrous iawn, gan gynnwys Bôn-y-maen yn Nwyrain Abertawe, yn ardal Mike. Rwy'n credu bod tai cydweithredol yn rhan bwysig o’r cymysgedd o dai sydd ei angen arnom yma yng Nghymru, a dylem wneud popeth a allwn i hyrwyddo hynny. Rwy'n awyddus i wybod beth yw eich barn am hyn. Fe sonioch chi am fanteision tai cydweithredol yn eich ateb i Mike, ond yr hyn na sonioch chi amdano oedd sut y bwriadwch dyfu’r sector penodol hwn. Fe sonioch chi am 49 o brosiectau cyfredol ledled Cymru, ond yr hyn na chlywsom—ar raddfa, os mynnwch, y prosiectau sydd ar waith yng Nghymru, mae'n gyfran eithaf bach—oedd y cynllun ar gyfer twf yn y maes hwn, fel y gellir cynnal mwy o brosiectau a arweinir gan y gymuned mewn gwahanol ardaloedd ledled Cymru. Felly, hoffwn wybod sut y bwriadwch dyfu’r sector hwn.
Diolch, Tom, and thank you for that. And, as I said, there are some really exciting projects that are happening within Swansea and across Wales. We’ve had a long history as the Welsh Government of supporting co-operative housing in Wales—and not just us, as the Government, actually, but the Senedd as a whole. And that support stems back to 2010, with the successful community project that is near my own constituency—it’s in John Griffiths’s constituency—of Loftus Garden, and it’s been really interesting to see how that’s developed over those years.
As I say, one of the best ways and, I think, the strongest ways that we can create that, and encourage that growth, is by developing and supporting those community-led projects to come to fruition. So, that’s why we invest and support Cwmpas in that role, and we encourage people who are interested to contact Cwmpas, because they have been supporting those projects—the ones that I’ve mentioned. For example, I know that they’ve been supporting Dream Home Swansea, which is a really interesting project, and they are in discussion with the local authority, and a potential RSL partner, with young people, and I think they are holding their launch event on 10 December. So, lots of things are happening, and, I think, when we can shine a light on those really successful projects that we see, that will encourage more of that development. But we invest through Cwmpas to support community-led housing.
Diolch am hynny, Tom. Ac fel y dywedais, mae prosiectau gwirioneddol gyffrous ar y gweill yn Abertawe a ledled Cymru. Mae gennym hanes fel Llywodraeth Cymru o gefnogi tai cydweithredol yng Nghymru—ac nid yn unig ni fel y Llywodraeth, ond y Senedd gyfan. Ac mae’r gefnogaeth honno’n dyddio’n ôl i 2010, gyda phrosiect cymunedol llwyddiannus ger fy etholaeth i—mae yn etholaeth John Griffiths—o'r enw Gardd Loftus, ac mae wedi bod yn ddiddorol iawn gweld sut y mae'r prosiect hwnnw wedi datblygu dros y blynyddoedd hynny.
Fel y dywedaf, un o’r ffyrdd gorau, a'r ffyrdd cryfaf y gallwn greu hynny, ac annog y twf hwnnw, yw drwy ddatblygu a chefnogi prosiectau a arweinir gan y gymuned i ddwyn ffrwyth. Felly, dyna pam ein bod yn buddsoddi ac yn cefnogi Cwmpas yn y rôl honno, ac rydym yn annog pobl sydd â diddordeb i gysylltu â Cwmpas, gan eu bod wedi bod yn cefnogi’r prosiectau hynny—y rhai rwyf wedi sôn amdanynt. Er enghraifft, gwn eu bod wedi bod yn cefnogi Dream Home Swansea, sy’n brosiect hynod ddiddorol, ac maent wrthi’n trafod gyda’r awdurdod lleol, a phartner landlord cymdeithasol cofrestredig posibl, gyda phobl ifanc, ac rwy'n credu eu bod yn cynnal eu digwyddiad lansio ar 10 Rhagfyr. Felly, mae llawer o bethau'n digwydd, a phan allwn daflu goleuni ar y prosiectau gwirioneddol lwyddiannus a welwn, bydd hynny'n annog mwy o'r datblygu hwnnw. Ond rydym yn buddsoddi drwy Cwmpas i gefnogi tai a arweinir gan y gymuned.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr heddiw, Darren Millar.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Darren Millar.
Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, one of the challenges faced by local government has been the appallingly poor settlements, frankly, that the Welsh Government has given local councils in recent years. And that’s led, of course, to massive, inflation-busting increases in council tax for many ratepayers. What action are you taking, with your Cabinet colleague the Cabinet Minister for finance, to keep council tax down next year?
Diolch, Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, un o’r heriau a wynebir gan lywodraeth leol yw’r setliadau echrydus o wael, a dweud y gwir, y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’u rhoi i gynghorau lleol yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Ac mae hynny wedi arwain, wrth gwrs, at gynnydd aruthrol sy’n fwy na chwyddiant yn y dreth gyngor i lawer o drethdalwyr. Pa gamau rydych chi'n eu cymryd, gyda’ch cyd-Aelod o'r Cabinet, Gweinidog y Cabinet dros gyllid, i gadw’r dreth gyngor i lawr y flwyddyn nesaf?
Diolch, Darren. Thank you for that question. I think this is obviously a timely question, when we’re all talking and looking at budgets, not just here in the Senedd, but also, obviously, local government are very firmly focused on that. One of the things that I would say is, since coming in to this post, I’ve been really keen to meet regularly with local government cabinet members, but also leaders and chief executives to local authorities—that’s one-on-one and within groups. I think hearing from them directly is really important. I hear about the difficulties over 14 years of austerity.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Darren. Mae hwn, yn amlwg, yn gwestiwn amserol, a ninnau'n siarad ac yn edrych ar gyllidebau, nid yma yn y Senedd yn unig, mae llywodraeth leol yn canolbwyntio’n agos iawn ar hynny yn amlwg. Un o’r pethau yr hoffwn ddweud yw fy mod wedi bod yn awyddus iawn ers dechrau yn y swydd hon i gyfarfod yn rheolaidd ag aelodau cabinet llywodraeth leol, ond hefyd arweinwyr a phrif weithredwyr awdurdodau lleol—yn bersonol ac mewn grwpiau. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn clywed ganddynt yn uniongyrchol. Rwy'n clywed am yr anawsterau dros 14 mlynedd o gyni.
I know you like to blame these things on austerity, but you're responsible for the Welsh Government budget, nobody else. It's up to you how you carve that pie up in terms of the funding that comes to you. And I would remind you that, this year, your settlement was still at record levels. I know you don't like to admit that or say that, but it is the truth. We know that the Welsh Government's budget will increase quite significantly from next year. I'm sure we'd all welcome some additional finance, but what assessment have you made of the impact of the employer national insurance increases on local authority budgets, and what proportion of that will you be able to offset with increases, because you can't give with one hand and take with the other?
Gwn eich bod yn hoffi beio'r pethau hyn ar gyni, ond chi sy'n gyfrifol am gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru, neb arall. Chi sydd i benderfynu sut rydych chi'n torri'r gacen o ran y cyllid a ddaw i chi. A hoffwn eich atgoffa, eleni, fod eich setliad chi yn dal i fod ar y lefelau uchaf erioed. Gwn nad ydych yn hoffi cyfaddef hynny na dweud hynny, ond dyna'r gwir. Gwyddom y bydd cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynyddu’n eithaf sylweddol o’r flwyddyn nesaf ymlaen. Rwy’n siŵr y byddai pob un ohonom yn croesawu rhywfaint o gyllid ychwanegol, ond pa asesiad a wnaethoch o effaith y cynnydd yng nghyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol cyflogwyr ar gyllidebau awdurdodau lleol, a pha gyfran o hynny y byddwch chi'n gallu ei gwrthbwyso â chynnydd, gan na allwch roi ag un llaw a chymryd gyda'r llall?
Thank you. Obviously, we would say that we have had a good settlement from UK Government, with the £1.7 billion over two years, but involved in that are obviously pay issues as well. So, one budget is not going to change everything; we’ve heard the finance Cabinet Secretary say that. But, obviously, I think that our message to local authorities is very much that we hope this is the start of a direction, because we know that, after 14 years of austerity—and I think local authorities know well that, in Wales, we’ve done as much as we can to protect them over that time of austerity—they’ve had to make really difficult decisions because of that. And like I say, I hear—because I talk to them regularly, because here we work in partnership with local government—very much the challenges there.
In terms of national insurance, this is something that is raised with me in my meetings with local authorities, and I can assure you, as I’ve assured the council leaders and chief executives, that the Cabinet Secretary for finance is having close discussions with Treasury officials as well, and officials in Welsh Government, around the national insurance issue, because, obviously, you’ll know it’s a non-devolved tax.
Diolch. Yn amlwg, byddem yn dweud ein bod wedi cael setliad da gan Lywodraeth y DU, gyda’r £1.7 biliwn dros ddwy flynedd, ond mae materion cyflog ynghlwm wrth hynny hefyd, yn amlwg. Felly, nid yw un gyllideb yn mynd i newid popeth; rydym wedi clywed Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid yn dweud hynny. Ond yn amlwg, credaf mai ein neges i awdurdodau lleol yw ein bod yn gobeithio bod hyn yn ddechrau ar gyfeiriad, gan y gwyddom, ar ôl 14 mlynedd o gyni—a chredaf fod awdurdodau lleol yn gwybod yn iawn ein bod ni, yng Nghymru, wedi gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i'w hamddiffyn drwy'r cyfnod hwnnw o gyni—eu bod wedi gorfod gwneud penderfyniadau anodd iawn oherwydd hynny. Ac fel y dywedaf, rwy'n clywed—gan fy mod yn siarad â hwy'n rheolaidd, gan ein bod yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol yma—am yr heriau y maent yn eu hwynebu.
Ar yswiriant gwladol, mae hyn yn rhywbeth sy'n cael ei godi gyda mi yn fy nghyfarfodydd gydag awdurdodau lleol, a gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi, fel rwyf wedi'i roi i arweinwyr y cynghorau a’r prif weithredwyr, fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid yn cael trafodaethau agos â swyddogion y Trysorlys hefyd, a swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru, ynghylch y mater yswiriant gwladol, oherwydd yn amlwg, fe fyddwch yn gwybod ei bod yn dreth sydd heb ei datganoli.
Look, Cabinet Secretary, ratepayers across Wales have seen double-digit increases in their council tax in recent years, and yet they’ve seen bin services cut—I mean, the situation in Denbighshire is they’ve seen rubbish piling up like the 1970s winter of discontent, frankly—we’ve seen libraries closing and hours being cut, we’ve seen public conveniences closing their doors, we’ve seen car parking charges increase, we’ve seen local authorities not able to invest in the infrastructure to protect their communities from flooding either. So, something needs to change.
You clearly have no idea how much it’s going to cost local authorities in terms of the increases in employers’ national insurance and haven’t got a solution to be able to put before the Senedd on that. But one mechanism that people in England have to be able to ensure that their local authorities are held to account for the council tax that they pay is that there’s a requirement for local referendums to take place when excessive council tax increases are proposed. Is that something that you will give Welsh voters the opportunity to have when excessive council tax increases are proposed here in Wales in the future? Because, frankly, the public feel cheated at the moment, and it isn’t good enough.
Edrychwch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae trethdalwyr ledled Cymru wedi gweld cynnydd dau ddigid yn eu treth gyngor yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, ac eto, mae eu gwasanaethau biniau wedi'u torri—yn sir Ddinbych, maent wedi gweld sbwriel yn pentyrru fel y gaeaf o anniddigrwydd yn y 1970au—rydym wedi gweld llyfrgelloedd yn cau ac oriau’n cael eu torri, rydym wedi gweld cyfleusterau cyhoeddus yn cau eu drysau, rydym wedi gweld taliadau parcio ceir yn cynyddu, rydym wedi gweld awdurdodau lleol yn methu buddsoddi yn y seilwaith i ddiogelu eu cymunedau rhag llifogydd ychwaith. Felly, mae angen i rywbeth newid.
Mae’n amlwg nad oes gennych unrhyw syniad faint y bydd yn ei gostio i awdurdodau lleol o ran y cynnydd yng nghyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol cyflogwyr ac nad oes gennych ateb i’w roi i'r Senedd ar hynny. Ond un mecanwaith sydd gan bobl yn Lloegr i allu sicrhau bod eu hawdurdodau lleol yn cael eu dwyn i gyfrif am y dreth gyngor y maent yn ei thalu yw ei bod yn ofynnol cynnal refferenda lleol pan gynigir cynnydd gormodol yn y dreth gyngor. A yw hynny’n rhywbeth y byddwch yn rhoi’r cyfle i bleidleiswyr Cymru ei gael pan gynigir cynnydd gormodol yn y dreth gyngor yma yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol? Oherwydd a dweud y gwir, mae'r cyhoedd yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu twyllo ar hyn o bryd, ac nid yw'n ddigon da.
Thank you for that. Each local authority in Wales, as you know, has the freedom to set its own council tax to meet local needs and its priorities, and it’s accountable to the local electorate for the decision it makes. It’s one part of the budget-setting process for each local authority. Council tax referenda don’t apply in Wales. Such arrangements do not allow the degree of discretion that exists in the current system for Wales, which provides local authorities with the maximum flexibility to plan and manage their budgets more effectively. The complexity and cost of holding a referendum places an additional burden on local authority resources, which I believe would further exacerbate the final pressures that are faced by them. I do understand that any increase in council tax is unwelcome for local communities. It's an important source of funding for local authorities to enable them to deliver those services that we absolutely rely on them to do. So, I continue to urge local authorities to consider hard-pressed households when making those decisions.
Diolch am hynny. Fel y gwyddoch, mae pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru yn rhydd i osod ei dreth gyngor ei hun i ddiwallu anghenion lleol a’i flaenoriaethau, ac mae’n atebol i’r etholwyr lleol am y penderfyniad y mae’n ei wneud. Mae’n rhan o’r broses o osod y gyllideb ar gyfer pob awdurdod lleol. Nid oes gennym refferenda ar y dreth gyngor yng Nghymru. Nid yw trefniadau o’r fath yn caniatáu’r graddau o ddisgresiwn sy’n bodoli yn y system bresennol ar gyfer Cymru, sy’n rhoi’r hyblygrwydd mwyaf posibl i awdurdodau lleol gynllunio a rheoli eu cyllidebau’n fwy effeithiol. Mae cymhlethdod a chost cynnal refferenda yn rhoi baich ychwanegol ar adnoddau awdurdodau lleol, a fyddai, yn fy marn i, yn gwaethygu'r pwysau a wynebir ganddynt yn y pen draw. Rwy’n deall bod unrhyw gynnydd yn y dreth gyngor yn annerbyniol i gymunedau lleol. Mae'n ffynhonnell bwysig o gyllid i awdurdodau lleol i'w galluogi i ddarparu'r gwasanaethau yr ydym yn dibynnu'n llwyr arnynt i'w darparu. Felly, rwy’n parhau i annog awdurdodau lleol i ystyried aelwydydd sydd dan bwysau wrth wneud y penderfyniadau hynny.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru nawr—Siân Gwenllian.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson now—Siân Gwenllian.
Mae'r cynnydd mewn cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol a gyhoeddwyd yng nghyllideb yr hydref yn San Steffan yn fygythiad difrifol i ddyfodol gwasanaethau digartrefedd yng Nghymru y flwyddyn nesaf yma. Mae'r gwasanaethau yma dan bwysau sylweddol yn barod, efo ansicrwydd mawr o gwmpas y grant cymorth tai, yr housing support grant, sy'n gwneud y sefyllfa hyd yn oed yn waeth. Mae Cymorth Cymru a Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru yn amcangyfrif bod 81 y cant o ddarparwyr yn rhedeg ar golled, a heb fwy o gyllid, bydd rhaid i rai ddiddymu eu cytundebau, a fyddai'n gadael rhai o bobl fwyaf bregus ein cymunedau ni heb unrhyw fath o gefnogaeth. Os nad ydy'r Llywodraeth Lafur yn San Steffan yn eithrio'r sector dim elw o'r cynnydd mewn cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol, sut bydd eich Llywodraeth chi yn sicrhau bod gan y darparwyr gyllid digonol?
The increase in national insurance contributions announced in the autumn budget in Westminster is a serious threat to the future of homelessness services in Wales in this next year. These services are under significant pressure already, with great uncertainty around the housing support grant, which makes the situation even worse. Cymorth Cymru and Community Housing Cymru assess that 81 per cent of providers are running at a loss, and without enhanced funding, some will have to cancel their contracts, which will leave some of the most vulnerable people in our communities without any support at all. If the Labour Government in Westminster doesn’t exempt the not-for-profit sector from the increase in national insurance contributions, how will your Government ensure that these providers have adequate funding?
Diolch, Siân, for that question. As I said in my response to Darren Millar, I do understand the concerns, the genuine concerns, of people within the sector around this at the moment. As I said, I can assure you that the Cabinet Secretary for finance and his officials are in discussions with UK colleagues, because, as you'll know, this is something that is very much within their gift. I think one of the things that—. I've been aware of the letter that has come, obviously, informing us of the pressures in terms of housing that you've mentioned. I've seen that myself, and I know the Cabinet Secretary for finance has as well. All I can do is assure you that those discussions are ongoing.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Siân. Fel y dywedais yn fy ymateb i Darren Millar, rwy'n deall pryderon, pryderon gwirioneddol, pobl yn y sector ynghylch hyn ar hyn o bryd. Fel y dywedais, gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid a’i swyddogion yn cael trafodaethau gyda swyddogion cyfatebol ar lefel y DU, oherwydd, fel y byddwch yn gwybod, mae hyn yn rhywbeth sydd yn eu gallu. Credaf mai un o’r pethau sydd—. Yn amlwg, rwy'n ymwybodol o’r llythyr a anfonwyd, yn ein hysbysu o’r pwysau a grybwylloch chi mewn perthynas â thai. Rwyf wedi'i weld fy hun, a gwn fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid wedi'i weld hefyd. Y cyfan y gallaf ei wneud yw rhoi sicrwydd i chi fod y trafodaethau hynny’n parhau.
Yn y pen draw, wrth gwrs, er mwyn taclo digartrefedd, mae'n rhaid adeiladu mwy o dai cymdeithasol er mwyn symud pobl allan o lety dros dro yn gyflym. Mi fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai y Senedd wedi cyhoeddi adroddiad ar gyflenwad tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, sy'n cynnwys nifer o argymhellion allweddol ynglŷn â datrys yr argyfwng tai. Un o'r argymhellion hynny ydy'r angen i sefydlu corfforaeth datblygu genedlaethol, gyda'r grymoedd i yrru'r gwaith o adeiladu tai cymdeithasol yn ei flaen. Mae hyn yn bolisi gan Blaid Cymru ers tro, ac mae'r cam cyntaf wedi dechrau drwy sefydlu Unnos drwy'r cytundeb cydweithio, ond mae angen grymuso Unnos a'i droi'n gorfforaeth datblygu efo dannedd i daclo'r argyfwng anferth yma sydd yn y maes tai. A wnewch chi ymrwymo y byddwch chi'n rhoi ystyriaeth fanwl i hyn, a rhoi ateb llawn a manwl i'r argymhelliad gan y pwyllgor tai—argymhelliad sydd wedi cael ei gefnogi gan bob plaid—yn adroddiad y pwyllgor yma?
Ultimately, of course, to tackle homelessness, we have to build more social housing in order to move people out of temporary accommodation quickly. You will be aware that the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee has published a report on the supply of social housing in Wales, which includes a number of key recommendations on resolving the housing crisis. One of those recommendations is the need to establish a development corporation on a national basis with the powers to drive the work of building social housing. This is a Plaid Cymru policy for some time, and the first step was taken by the establishment of Unnos through the co-operation agreement, but we do need to empower Unnos and to turn it into a development corporation with real teeth in order to tackle this huge crisis in housing. Will you commit to giving detailed consideration to this, and will you give a full and detailed response to that committee recommendation—a recommendation that’s been supported by all parties—in the report of that committee?
Diolch, Siân. I'd like to put on record my thanks for the work the committee has done in this area, and I know that the committee has a long-standing interest as well in it. So, thank you for the work that's gone into that report. Obviously, I'll be taking very careful consideration of the recommendations through that, and I can assure you of that, and I will, obviously, be responding accordingly.
Diolch, Siân. Hoffwn ddiolch am y gwaith y mae’r pwyllgor wedi’i wneud yn y maes hwn, a gwn fod gan y pwyllgor ddiddordeb hirsefydlog ynddo hefyd. Felly, diolch am y gwaith a wnaed ar yr adroddiad hwnnw. Yn amlwg, gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi y byddaf yn ystyried yr argymhellion yn ofalus iawn, ac y byddaf yn ymateb yn unol â hynny.
3. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i ddiogelu awdurdodau lleol yng Ngorllewin De Cymru rhag toriadau ariannol? OQ61994
3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to protect local authorities in South Wales West from funding cuts? OQ61994
Diolch, Altaf. We continue to prioritise front-line public services in our budget decisions. We are committed to continuing to use and maintain a fair and transparent funding formula for the local government settlement, which is agreed with local government.
Diolch, Altaf. Rydym yn parhau i flaenoriaethu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rheng flaen yn ein penderfyniadau cyllidebol. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i barhau i ddefnyddio a chynnal fformiwla ariannu deg a thryloyw ar gyfer y setliad llywodraeth leol, y cytunir arno gyda llywodraeth leol.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The pressures that local authority budgets will now face as a result of an increase in national insurance contributions, an increase in the national minimum wage, and to say nothing on the impact of an increased demand for social care, will leave councils across my region little choice but to make cuts to other essential services. Unless you can pull a rabbit out of the hat and properly fund local authorities in next week's budget, the reality is that councils will have to make tough choices on top of the decisions they have already taken, such as cuts to teaching staff, the axing of school transport and the closure of a range of public services. Cabinet Secretary, what steps are you taking to ensure that more funding gets to front-line services and that increased salary costs do not impact the essential services of our constituents?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Bydd y pwysau y bydd cyllidebau awdurdodau lleol yn ei wynebu nawr o ganlyniad i'r cynnydd mewn cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol, cynnydd yn yr isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol, heb sôn am effaith y galw cynyddol am ofal cymdeithasol, yn gadael fawr o ddewis i gynghorau ar draws fy rhanbarth ond gwneud toriadau i wasanaethau hanfodol eraill. Oni allwch dynnu cwningen o'r het ac ariannu awdurdodau lleol yn briodol yng nghyllideb yr wythnos nesaf, y gwir amdani yw y bydd yn rhaid i gynghorau wneud dewisiadau anodd ar ben y penderfyniadau y maent eisoes wedi'u gwneud, megis toriadau i staff addysgu, torri cludiant i'r ysgol a chau ystod o wasanaethau cyhoeddus. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa gamau rydych chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod mwy o gyllid yn cyrraedd gwasanaethau rheng flaen ac nad yw cost cyflogau uwch yn effeithio ar wasanaethau hanfodol ein hetholwyr?
Diolch, Altaf. I very much understand that local authorities have been making difficult choices over the last 14 years in particular through those difficult times of austerity, and so I think this budget will be an opportunity to hopefully reset some of those difficulties that have happened over the last few years. Again, you've raised the issue of national insurance and I do hear that. As I said, Welsh Government officials are not currently in a position to be able to provide a full analysis of the impact of these changes until we're clear on that financial position. But, as I said, I can assure you that I speak with local authority leaders regularly. I've visited nearly all of them since I've come into post and I know that they are having to make those, and have been making, difficult decisions, and I think that they'll be looking very closely at the draft budget that will be coming on 10 December.
Diolch, Altaf. Rwy’n deall yn iawn fod awdurdodau lleol wedi bod yn gwneud dewisiadau anodd dros y 14 mlynedd diwethaf, yn enwedig drwy'r cyfnod anodd o gyni, ac felly credaf y bydd y gyllideb hon yn gyfle, gobeithio, i unioni rhywfaint o’r anawsterau sydd wedi codi dros yr ychydig flynyddoedd diwethaf. Unwaith eto, rydych chi wedi codi mater yswiriant gwladol, ac rwy'n clywed hynny. Fel y dywedais, nid yw swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru mewn sefyllfa ar hyn o bryd i allu darparu dadansoddiad llawn o effaith y newidiadau hyn hyd nes ein bod yn deall y sefyllfa ariannol honno'n llawn. Ond fel y dywedais, gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi fy mod yn siarad ag arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol yn rheolaidd. Rwyf wedi ymweld â phob un ohonynt, bron, ers imi ddechrau yn y swydd, a gwn eu bod yn gorfod gwneud ac wedi bod yn gwneud y penderfyniadau anodd hynny, ac rwy'n credu y byddant yn edrych yn fanwl iawn ar y gyllideb ddrafft a ddaw ar 10 Rhagfyr.
Bues i mewn cyfarfod ag arweinwyr Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot yn ddiweddar. Dros y ddwy flynedd diwethaf maen nhw wedi gorfod gwneud gwerth £45 miliwn o doriadau, ac mae’r cyngor nawr, fel pob un arall ledled Cymru, yn cynllunio ar gyfer rhagor o doriadau dwfn ac anghynaliadwy. Mae eu costau nhw wedi cynyddu dros £20 miliwn ers y llynedd. Maen nhw hefyd yn delio, wrth gwrs, yn ein hardal ni, â’r angen i ddarparu cymorth a chefnogaeth ychwanegol ar gyfer miloedd o drigolion sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio gan golli miloedd o swyddi yn Tata Steel a’r gadwyn gyflenwi, a’r gymuned ehangach.
Mae angen i’r cyngor, wrth gwrs, nawr barhau i allu buddsoddi a defnyddio adnoddau i helpu ailadeiladu’r economi leol. Felly, a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru sicrhau bod cyllid penodol ar gael i sicrhau bod Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot, ac, efallai, awdurdodau lleol cyfagos sydd hefyd yn cael eu heffeithio, yn cael cymorth ychwanegol a digonol yn y grant refeniw i gwrdd â’r costau ychwanegol penodol yma?
I attended a meeting with leaders of Neath Port Talbot Council recently. Over the past two years they have had to make £45 million-worth of cuts, and the council, like every other one across Wales, is now planning for further deep and unsustainable cuts. Their costs have increased by over £20 million since last year. They are also dealing, of course, in our area, with a need to provide additional assistance and support for thousands of residents who've been impacted by the loss of thousands of jobs at Tata Steel and the supply chain, and the broader community.
Now the council, of course, needs to continue to be able to invest and use resources to help rebuild the local economy. So, will the Welsh Government ensure that specific funding is available to ensure that Neath Port Talbot Council, and, perhaps, neighbouring authorities that are also affected, are given additional and adequate support in the revenue grant to meet these specific additional costs?
Diolch, Sioned. I met with the leader of Neath Port Talbot local authority about a month ago, actually, and he raised some of the challenges and the issues that they're facing there. Just to say as well that local government leaders have discussed their pressures with the Cabinet Secretary for finance, as well as myself, at the finance sub-group last month and at the leaders’ meeting on 11 November. So, there are opportunities to raise some of those issues there. One of the other things that has come up—you've talked about a specific pressure within Neath Port Talbot, but there are also general pressures in terms of social care and education, which I know local authorities have been facing. In terms of the specifics of Neath Port Talbot, I'd be happy to write to you further on that.
Diolch, Sioned. Cyfarfûm ag arweinydd awdurdod lleol Castell-nedd Port Talbot oddeutu mis yn ôl mewn gwirionedd, a chododd rai o'r heriau a'r materion y maent yn eu hwynebu yno. Hoffwn ddweud hefyd fod arweinwyr llywodraeth leol wedi trafod eu pwysau gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid a minnau yn yr is-grŵp cyllid fis diwethaf ac yng nghyfarfod yr arweinwyr ar 11 Tachwedd. Felly, mae cyfleoedd i godi rhai o’r materion hynny yno. Un o'r pethau eraill sydd wedi codi—rydych chi wedi sôn am bwysau penodol yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot, ond mae pwysau cyffredinol hefyd y gwn fod awdurdodau lleol wedi bod yn ei wynebu o ran gofal cymdeithasol ac addysg. O ran manylion achos Castell-nedd Port Talbot, rwy'n fwy na pharod i ysgrifennu atoch ymhellach ynglŷn â hynny.
4. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am ddarparu cyllid y Llywodraeth ar gyfer cymdeithasau tai? OQ61981
4. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the provision of Government funding for housing associations? OQ61981
Diolch, Mabon. Welsh Government provides significant financial support to registered social landlords through grant and low-cost loans. This funding supports delivery of policy objectives, including increasing housing supply, maintenance and improvement of existing stock, decarbonisation and building safety. This year we will support the sector with estimated funding in excess of £450 million.
Diolch, Mabon. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn darparu cymorth ariannol sylweddol i landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig drwy grantiau a benthyciadau cost isel. Mae’r cyllid hwn yn cefnogi'r gwaith o gyflawni amcanion polisi, gan gynnwys cynyddu’r cyflenwad tai, cynnal a chadw a gwella’r stoc bresennol, datgarboneiddio a diogelwch adeiladau. Eleni, byddwn yn cefnogi'r sector gyda chyllid amcangyfrifedig o fwy na £450 miliwn.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi am yr ateb yna, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Dŷch chi wedi sôn am y gwaith sydd yn ddisgwyliedig gan y cymdeithasau tai. Wrth gwrs, mae safon ansawdd tai Cymru 2 yn dod i mewn rŵan, sydd yn llawer iawn mwy uchelgeisiol, ac mae'r disgwyliadau i gyrraedd yr ansawdd yna mewn amser llawer llai na beth oedd safon ansawdd tai Cymru 1. Ond ar ben hynny, wrth gwrs, mae yna ofynion i gymdeithasau tai adeiladu mwy o dai cymdeithasol. Mae yna darged o 20,000 yma ar hyn o bryd, sy'n ymddangos fel na fydd yn cael ei gyrraedd, ac mae yna chwyddiant ar ben bob dim, heb sôn am yr hyn ddaru i Siân Gwenllian sôn amdano ynghynt, sef y national insurance contributions, sy'n mynd i roi mwy o bwysau arnyn nhw. Hynny ydy, mae'r gofynion ar y cymdeithasau tai i gyrraedd yr holl uchelgeisiau yma yn fawr, a dydy'r gyllideb sy'n cael ei rhoi iddyn nhw ddim yn ddigon. Felly, beth ydy'r flaenoriaeth iddyn nhw? A ydych chi'n gallu dweud mai'r flaenoriaeth ydy safon ansawdd y tai, neu ai'r flaenoriaeth ddylai fod adeiladu tai, neu a ydym ni'n gallu disgwyl mwy o gyllideb i fynd er mwyn helpu cymdeithasau tai i gyrraedd y nod yn y gyllideb yma sy'n dod wythnos nesaf? Diolch.
Thank you very much for that response, Cabinet Secretary. You've mentioned the work expected of the housing associations. Of course, the Welsh housing quality standard 2 comes into force now, which is far more ambitious, and the expectation to reach that quality standard in a far briefer period is in place now, which wasn’t the case with the first iteration. But in addition to that, of course, there are requirements for housing associations to build more social housing. There is a target of 20,000 here currently, which it appears won't be delivered, and there is inflation on top of all this, never mind what Siân Gwenllian mentioned earlier in relation to the national insurance contributions, which will place even more pressure on them. Now, the requirements on the housing associations to meet all of these ambitions are very great, and the budget provided to them is insufficient. So, what is the priority for them? Can you state that the priority is the quality standard of the housing, or should the priority be the building of housing, or could we expect an enhanced budget to help housing associations to reach their objectives in the upcoming budget next week? Thank you.
Diolch, Mabon, and obviously I know there's a keen interest in budgets and everybody's, obviously, looking closely at it. Obviously, you know the draft budget will be published on 10 December. This year alone, we're investing £330 million in the social housing grant programme and over £100 million in our transitional accommodation programme. Across 2023-24 and 2024-25, over £79 million of loan funding has been invested through the registered social landlord development loan scheme. The scheme increases long-term funding options available to RSLs to bring forward those much-needed homes for social rent, to unblock those existing sites and to also fund decarbonisation works.
Our land for housing scheme provides loan funding to RSLs to support housing delivery through securing land supply, and we've invested about £90 million across Wales in loan funding for land acquisition through the scheme. To date, including recycled funding, over £287 million of loans have been made. So, there are lots of things going on in this area and, obviously, we've got a real focus on making sure that we're going towards our target of 20,000 homes.
Diolch, Mabon, ac yn amlwg rwy'n gwybod bod diddordeb brwd mewn cyllidebau ac mae pawb yn edrych yn fanwl arno. Rydych chi'n gwybod y bydd y gyllideb ddrafft yn cael ei chyhoeddi ar 10 Rhagfyr. Eleni yn unig, rydym yn buddsoddi £330 miliwn yn y rhaglen grantiau tai cymdeithasol a thros £100 miliwn yn ein rhaglen llety trosiannol. Ar draws 2023-24 a 2024-25, buddsoddwyd dros £79 miliwn o gyllid benthyciad drwy'r cynllun benthyciadau datblygu i landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig. Mae'r cynllun yn cynyddu'r opsiynau ariannu hirdymor sydd ar gael i landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig gyflwyno cartrefi mawr eu hangen ar gyfer eu gosod ar rent cymdeithasol, i ddadflocio safleoedd presennol ac i ariannu gwaith datgarboneiddio.
Mae ein cynllun tir ar gyfer tai yn darparu cyllid benthyciadau i landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig i gefnogi'r ddarpariaeth dai drwy sicrhau cyflenwad tir, ac rydym wedi buddsoddi tua £90 miliwn ledled Cymru mewn cyllid benthyciadau ar gyfer caffael tir drwy'r cynllun. Hyd yma, o gynnwys cyllid wedi'i ailgylchu, mae dros £287 miliwn o fenthyciadau wedi'u gwneud. Felly, mae llawer o bethau'n digwydd yn y maes ac yn amlwg, mae gennym ffocws gwirioneddol ar sicrhau ein bod yn anelu tuag at ein targed o 20,000 o gartrefi.
5. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau sefydlogrwydd ariannol awdurdodau lleol? OQ61963
5. How is the Welsh Government ensuring the financial stability of local authorities? OQ61963
Diolch, Mark. There is a robust framework for financial decision making and accountability for local government, including internal and external audit and local scrutiny.
Diolch, Mark. Mae fframwaith cadarn ar gyfer atebolrwydd a gwneud penderfyniadau ariannol gan lywodraeth leol, gan gynnwys archwilio mewnol ac allanol a chraffu lleol.
Well, for more than two decades I've been highlighting the unfair financial impact of the Labour Welsh Government's local government funding formula on local authorities always left near the bottom, including Flintshire. Speaking here nearly five years ago, I noted that Flintshire was again amongst the councils facing the largest cuts, despite Flintshire councillors' Back the Ask campaign, calling for a fair share of funds. Speaking here in March, I raised concern that four north Wales councils were again amongst the six receiving the lowest settlements in Wales. In September, an Audit Wales report concluded that Flintshire council's external financial sustainability was at serious risk. How, therefore, would you respond to the statement last week by Flintshire's cabinet member for transformation and assets that:
'It's a very odd situation when Audit Wales are asking us to look into the medium to long-term when Welsh Government can't even provide us with a three-year estimate of what we are supposed to receive',
and to the statement by the council's chief executive that:
'In Flintshire a consistently low-funded council is a contributory factor in relation to where we are today'?
Wel, ers dros ddau ddegawd rwyf wedi bod yn tynnu sylw at effaith ariannol annheg fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru ar awdurdodau lleol sydd bob amser yn cael eu gadael yn agos i'r gwaelod, gan gynnwys sir y Fflint. Wrth siarad yma bron i bum mlynedd yn ôl, nodais fod sir y Fflint eto ymhlith y cynghorau a oedd yn wynebu'r toriadau mwyaf, er gwaethaf ymgyrch Back the Ask gan gynghorwyr sir y Fflint yn galw am gyfran deg o arian. Wrth siarad yma ym mis Mawrth, fe wneuthum nodi pryder fod pedwar cyngor yng ngogledd Cymru unwaith eto ymhlith y chwech a oedd yn cael y setliadau isaf yng Nghymru. Ym mis Medi, daeth adroddiad Archwilio Cymru i'r casgliad fod cynaliadwyedd ariannol allanol cyngor sir y Fflint yn wynebu risg ddifrifol. Felly, sut y byddech chi'n ymateb i'r datganiad yr wythnos diwethaf gan aelod cabinet sir y Fflint dros drawsnewid ac asedau:
'Mae'n sefyllfa od iawn pan fo Archwilio Cymru yn gofyn i ni edrych ar y tymor canolig a'r tymor hir pan na all Llywodraeth Cymru roi amcangyfrif tair blynedd i ni hyd yn oed o'r hyn rydym i fod i'w gael',
ac i'r datganiad gan brif weithredwr y cyngor:
'Yn sir y Fflint, mae cyngor sy'n cael ei ariannu'n isel yn gyson yn ffactor sy'n cyfrannu at ble rydym ni heddiw'?
Diolch, Mark, and I had the pleasure of meeting the leader and chief executive of Flintshire council last week as well to discuss specific issues around budgets, but also more generally around what's happening in Flintshire. In terms of the funding formula, over three quarters of the funding formula distributed through the local government settlement formula relies on data that is updated annually. I've discussed the formula with a number of local authority leaders over recent weeks, and I'm committed to working with local government in partnership with them on this.
Each year, some authorities experience smaller increases than others due to relative changes in, for example, population and pupil numbers, but it's important to remember that the formula operates on relative change. An authority may be showing reduced population but the important factor for the formula is how those changes compare with other local authorities. But, as I said, this is something that we do with local government, rather than to local government.
Diolch, Mark, a chefais y pleser o gyfarfod ag arweinydd a phrif weithredwr cyngor sir y Fflint yr wythnos diwethaf i drafod materion penodol yn ymwneud â chyllidebau, ond hefyd yn fwy cyffredinol ynghylch yr hyn sy'n digwydd yn sir y Fflint. O ran y fformiwla ariannu, mae dros dri chwarter y fformiwla ariannu a ddosberthir drwy fformiwla setliad llywodraeth leol yn dibynnu ar ddata sy'n cael ei ddiweddaru'n flynyddol. Rwyf wedi trafod y fformiwla gyda nifer o arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda llywodraeth leol mewn partneriaeth â hwy ar hyn.
Bob blwyddyn, mae rhai awdurdodau'n cael cynnydd llai nag eraill oherwydd newidiadau cymharol yn niferoedd y boblogaeth a disgyblion, er enghraifft, ond mae'n bwysig cofio bod y fformiwla'n gweithredu ar newid cymharol. Efallai fod awdurdod yn dangos llai o boblogaeth ond y ffactor pwysig ar gyfer y fformiwla yw sut y mae'r newidiadau hynny'n cymharu ag awdurdodau lleol eraill. Ond fel y dywedais, mae hyn yn rhywbeth yr ydym yn ei wneud gyda llywodraeth leol, yn hytrach nag i lywodraeth leol.
Good afternoon, Cabinet Secretary. I just wanted to draw the question out to look at support for unpaid carers specifically, and the connection with the local government funding as well. I had the privilege of sponsoring an event here in the Senedd held by the Carers Trust, who do incredible work to improve support and services for unpaid carers. Their payments, their support financially, is completely reliant on local authority support. The event there highlighted the important work that so many organisations do to ensure that unpaid carers get the help that they really need. Through direct grants and local support services, the carers support fund has reached over 22,000 unpaid carers since 2022.
So, I just really wanted to ask you, if I may—. There is concern, from the Carers Trust, about the consistency of local authority funding across all of our local authorities—it really is very inconsistent. So, may I ask you what discussions you've had with the Carers Trust, and other organisations, to help local authorities consistently fund support to the Carers Trust and those organisations supporting unpaid carers? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Roeddwn i eisiau ymestyn y cwestiwn i edrych ar gefnogaeth i ofalwyr di-dâl yn benodol, a'r cysylltiad â chyllid llywodraeth leol hefyd. Cefais y fraint o noddi digwyddiad yma yn y Senedd a gynhaliwyd gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr, sy'n gwneud gwaith anhygoel i wella cefnogaeth a gwasanaethau i ofalwyr di-dâl. Mae eu taliadau, eu cefnogaeth ariannol, yn gwbl ddibynnol ar gefnogaeth awdurdodau lleol. Amlygodd y digwyddiad y gwaith pwysig y mae cymaint o sefydliadau'n ei wneud i sicrhau bod gofalwyr di-dâl yn cael yr help sydd ei angen arnynt yn fawr. Drwy grantiau uniongyrchol a gwasanaethau cymorth lleol, mae'r gronfa cymorth i ofalwyr wedi cyrraedd dros 22,000 o ofalwyr di-dâl ers 2022.
Felly, roeddwn i eisiau gofyn i chi, os caf—. Mae'r Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr yn pryderu am gysondeb cyllid awdurdodau lleol ar draws ein holl awdurdodau lleol—mae'n anghyson iawn mewn gwirionedd. Felly, a gaf i ofyn i chi pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gyda'r Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr, a sefydliadau eraill, i helpu awdurdodau lleol i ariannu cefnogaeth gyson i'r Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr a'r sefydliadau sy'n cefnogi gofalwyr di-dâl? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch, Jane, and thank you for raising that important question, because we all know how important unpaid carers are. We all know many unpaid carers, some of us may be unpaid carers, and I think that we hold them in such a high regard, and I think we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for what they do.
I'm very happy to say—. I've been going around all local authorities recently, and one of the issues that comes up regularly is around social care more generally, but I'm very happy to have more discussions specifically on the issue that you raise, and perhaps you could write to me on the points that you've had those discussions with Carers Trust on.
Diolch, Jane, a diolch i chi am godi'r cwestiwn pwysig hwn, oherwydd rydym i gyd yn gwybod pa mor bwysig yw gofalwyr di-dâl. Rydym i gyd yn adnabod llawer o ofalwyr di-dâl, efallai y bydd rhai ohonom yn ofalwyr di-dâl, ac rwy'n credu ein bod yn eu parchu cymaint, ac mae ein diolch iddynt am yr hyn a wnânt yn enfawr.
Rwy'n hapus iawn i ddweud—. Rwyf wedi bod yn mynd o gwmpas pob awdurdod lleol yn ddiweddar, ac un o'r materion sy'n codi'n rheolaidd yw gofal cymdeithasol yn fwy cyffredinol, ond rwy'n hapus iawn i gael mwy o drafodaethau ar y mater a nodwyd gennych yn benodol, ac efallai y gallech chi ysgrifennu ataf ar y pwyntiau y cawsoch drafodaethau gyda'r Ymddiriedolaeth Gofalwyr yn eu cylch.
6. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod briciau gwenoliaid yn cael eu gosod ar bob adeilad tal? OQ61996
6. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that swift bricks are installed on all tall buildings? OQ61996
Diolch, Jenny. I am aware of the current Senedd petition and recognise the seriousness of the issue. I've been pleased to see for myself new social housing developments incorporating biodiversity innovation into their design and build, including a great example last week on a visit to Glasdir in Denbighshire.
Diolch, Jenny. Rwy'n ymwybodol o'r ddeiseb Senedd bresennol ac yn cydnabod difrifoldeb y mater. Rwyf wedi bod yn falch o weld datblygiadau tai cymdeithasol newydd yn ymgorffori arloesedd bioamrywiaeth wrth gynllunio ac adeiladu, gan gynnwys enghraifft wych yr wythnos diwethaf ar ymweliad â Glasdir yn sir Ddinbych.
Well, excellent to hear that some benefit has arisen from the promise by your predecessor, Julie James, to incorporate swift bricks into innovative housing. It would be useful to know how many swift bricks have been installed as a result of that initiative in the last three years. In any case, this will not be sufficient to tackle the disappearance of the iconic swifts from our summer skies. Of all the species in decline, almost none has been as steep as that for the noble swift and, to date, no recovery on the two-thirds reduction in their numbers in less than 30 years. It's really quite frightening and it means our children and grandchildren will never get to hear their iconic cries. So, what progress can be made on mandating the installation of swift bricks in every new tall building constructed in future, and incentivising the owners of existing tall buildings, e.g. the all-purpose built student accommodation that's mushroomed across Cardiff, to provide house room for swifts to nest to help reverse this terrifying decline?
Wel, mae'n wych clywed bod rhywfaint o fudd wedi codi o'r addewid gan eich rhagflaenydd, Julie James, i ymgorffori briciau gwenoliaid mewn tai arloesol. Byddai'n ddefnyddiol gwybod faint o friciau gwenoliaid sydd wedi'u gosod o ganlyniad i'r fenter honno yn ystod y tair blynedd diwethaf. Beth bynnag, ni fydd hyn yn ddigon i fynd i'r afael â diflaniad y gwenoliaid eiconig o awyr yr haf. O'r holl rywogaethau sy'n dirywio, nid oes nemor un wedi gweld dirywiad mor serth â'r dirywiad yn niferoedd gwenoliaid a hyd yma, ni welwyd unrhyw adferiad yn sgil y gostyngiad o ddwy ran o dair yn eu niferoedd mewn llai na 30 mlynedd. Mae'n eithaf brawychus ac mae'n golygu na fydd ein plant a'n hwyrion byth yn clywed eu trydar eiconig. Felly, pa gynnydd y gellir ei wneud ar orfodaeth i osod briciau gwenoliaid ym mhob adeilad tal newydd a adeiladir yn y dyfodol, a chymell perchnogion adeiladau tal presennol, er enghraifft y darpariaethau llety hollbwrpasol i fyfyrwyr sy'n tyfu fel madarch ledled Caerdydd, i ddarparu lle i wenoliaid nythu i helpu i wrthdroi'r dirywiad brawychus hwn?
Diolch, Jenny, and I recognise the worrying decline in the swift population over the last few decades. I'd just like to take the opportunity to put on record my thanks to Jenny for the work she does as a swift species champion, so thank you for that. I can confirm that swift bricks were included in the developments funded under the innovative housing programme, from the date the previous Minister agreed to do so until that programme came to an end. The Glasdir development in Denbighshire that I visited last week does use swift bricks, bat boxes and hedgehog tunnels. It's a great example of how social landlords are supporting nature. Our social housing new-build standard, the Welsh development quality requirement, requires developments to consider biodiversity, which has meant swift bricks are being used by many social landlords in their new developments. The Welsh development quality requirement is due for review in 2025, and we will consider the mandated use of swift bricks as part of this review.
Diolch, Jenny, ac rwy'n cydnabod y dirywiad pryderus ym mhoblogaeth gwenoliaid dros y degawdau diwethaf. Hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle i gofnodi fy niolch i Jenny am ei gwaith fel hyrwyddwr rhywogaeth y wennol, felly diolch am hynny. Gallaf gadarnhau bod briciau gwenoliaid wedi'u cynnwys yn y datblygiadau a ariannwyd o dan y rhaglen dai arloesol, o'r dyddiad y cytunodd y Gweinidog blaenorol i wneud hynny nes i'r rhaglen honno ddod i ben. Mae datblygiad Glasdir yn sir Ddinbych yr ymwelais ag ef yr wythnos diwethaf yn defnyddio briciau gwenoliaid, blychau ystlumod a thwneli draenogod. Mae'n enghraifft wych o sut y mae landlordiaid cymdeithasol yn cefnogi natur. Mae ein safon adeiladu tai cymdeithasol newydd, gofynion ansawdd datblygu Cymru, yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i ddatblygiadau ystyried bioamrywiaeth, sydd wedi golygu bod briciau gwenoliaid yn cael eu defnyddio gan lawer o landlordiaid cymdeithasol yn eu datblygiadau newydd. Mae disgwyl i ofynion ansawdd datblygu Cymru gael eu hadolygu yn 2025, a byddwn yn ystyried y defnydd gorfodol o friciau gwenoliaid fel rhan o'r adolygiad hwn.
7. Beth y mae yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn ei wneud i leihau nifer y cartrefi gwag yn Aberconwy? OQ61964
7. What is the Cabinet Secretary doing to reduce the number of empty homes in Aberconwy? OQ61964
Diolch, Janet. Increasing the number of homes across the whole of Wales continues to be a priority for this Government. Through our funding programmes, we are working with local authorities to reduce the number of empty properties, including empty homes, across Wales.
Diolch, Janet. Mae cynyddu nifer y cartrefi ar draws Cymru gyfan yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth hon. Drwy ein rhaglenni ariannu, rydym yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i leihau nifer yr eiddo gwag, gan gynnwys cartrefi gwag, ledled Cymru.
Okay, thank you. Well, currently, there are 918 chargeable empty properties in Conwy. This is up from 828 in 2023-24, and up from 686 in 2022-23. They're just not going anywhere, these properties, and my biggest concern is that we have a number of dilapidated empty properties, and some of these are actually in need of enforcement and section 215s to be served, because not only are they empty and not being turned into homes, they're actually causing problems for residents living nearby and businesses. I've got some shocking examples where the local authority will not take any enforcement action. How will you now go forward, working with the local authorities in the new year, to ensure that (a) all empty properties are recorded adequately, and (b) that probate matters, that you work with the UK Government about trying to speed up the probate process, because too often that excuse is used, and also that enforcement is carried out regularly? These could be good homes for all those people who are languishing and lingering on our homeless lists. So, please, Minister, this is long overdue to be done. Thank you.
Iawn, diolch. Wel, ar hyn o bryd, mae 918 eiddo gwag trethadwy yng Nghonwy. Mae hyn i fyny o 828 yn 2023-24, ac i fyny o 686 yn 2022-23. Nid yw'n mynd i unman, yr eiddo hwn, a fy mhryder mwyaf yw bod gennym lawer o eiddo gwag adfeiliedig, ac mae angen gorfodaeth a gorfodi adran 215 ar rai o'r rhain mewn gwirionedd, oherwydd nid yn unig eu bod yn wag ac nad yn cael eu troi'n gartrefi, maent yn achosi problemau i drigolion sy'n byw gerllaw ac i fusnesau. Mae gennyf enghreifftiau brawychus lle nad yw'r awdurdod lleol yn rhoi unrhyw gamau gorfodi ar waith. Sut y byddwch chi'n symud ymlaen, gan weithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol yn y flwyddyn newydd, i sicrhau (a) fod pob eiddo gwag yn cael ei gofnodi'n ddigonol, a (b) materion profiant, eich bod yn gweithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU i geisio cyflymu'r broses brofiant, oherwydd yn rhy aml defnyddir hynny fel esgus, a hefyd fod gorfodaeth yn cael ei wneud yn rheolaidd? Gallai'r rhain fod yn gartrefi da i'r holl bobl sydd ar ein rhestri digartrefedd. Felly, Weinidog, mae'n hen bryd gwneud hyn. Diolch.
Diolch, Janet. I absolutely agree with you in terms of how people feel about seeing empty properties and empty land around that people have to walk past when these could be, actually, homes for people. So, I understand the frustration there. But there are things that we are doing here in the Welsh Government. Conwy were awarded £200,000 of placemaking grant in 2024-25 to help secure the acquisition of the land and buildings on the Plas yn Dre site in Llanrwst, which was to unlock the potential of the full site for future commercial use or housing use. We've also got programmes through our social housing grant programme and our transitional accommodation capital funding programme. We've provided over £500 million to support the purchase and refurbishment of 35 empty properties. And from April 2023, local authorities have been able to apply for a council tax premium, as you know, of up to 300 per cent on either or both second homes or long-term empty properties. So, we also have an empty homes grant, which will accelerate our work to bring those empty properties back into use and complement our existing schemes. There have been 942 valid applications for the scheme to date, as well as 143 properties completed. But there is more to do, and I can assure you that this is something that I've raised on those visits that I've had with local authorities across Wales, and I'll continue to do so.
Diolch, Janet. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â chi ynglŷn â sut y mae pobl yn teimlo am weld eiddo gwag a thir gwag o'u cwmpas y mae'n rhaid i bobl gerdded heibio iddo pan allai'r rhain fod yn gartrefi i bobl mewn gwirionedd. Felly, rwy'n deall y rhwystredigaeth. Ond mae yna bethau yr ydym yn eu gwneud yma yn Llywodraeth Cymru. Dyfarnwyd £200,000 o grant creu lleoedd i Gonwy yn 2024-25 i helpu i brynu tir ac adeiladau ar safle Plas yn Dre yn Llanrwst, i ddatgloi potensial y safle llawn at ddefnydd masnachol neu dai yn y dyfodol. Mae gennym raglenni hefyd drwy ein rhaglen grant tai cymdeithasol a'n rhaglen ariannu cyfalaf llety trosiannol. Rydym wedi darparu dros £500 miliwn i gefnogi prynu ac adnewyddu 35 eiddo gwag. O fis Ebrill 2023, fel y gwyddoch, mae awdurdodau lleol wedi gallu gwneud cais am bremiwm treth gyngor o hyd at 300 y cant ar naill ai ail gartrefi neu eiddo gwag hirdymor. Mae gennym grant tai gwag hefyd a fydd yn cyflymu ein gwaith i ddod ag eiddo gwag yn ôl i ddefnydd ac i ategu ein cynlluniau presennol. Cafwyd 942 o geisiadau dilys ar gyfer y cynllun hyd yma, a chwblhawyd 143 eiddo. Ond mae mwy i'w wneud, a gallaf eich sicrhau bod hyn yn rhywbeth yr wyf wedi'i godi ar ymweliadau ag awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru, a byddaf yn parhau i wneud hynny.
8. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi awdurdodau lleol i gyflawni gwasanaethau? OQ61990
8. How is the Welsh Government supporting local authorities to deliver services? OQ61990
Diolch, Sam. We continue to prioritise front-line public services in our budget decisions. We are committed to continuing to use and maintain a fair and transparent funding formula for the local government settlement, which is agreed with local government.
Diolch, Sam. Rydym yn parhau i flaenoriaethu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rheng flaen yn ein penderfyniadau cyllidebol. Rydym wedi ymrwymo i barhau i ddefnyddio a chynnal fformiwla ariannu deg a thryloyw ar gyfer y setliad llywodraeth leol, y cytunwyd arni gyda llywodraeth leol.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. We know that local authorities deliver key services in our communities, but this Government continues to ask local authorities to do more and more. The registration of holiday lets, the collection of the tourism tax, and the inclusion of local authorities in the new 50-day rule, given the influence of social care on our NHS, is asking our local authorities to do more, and those three things will impact rural local authorities more so than urban local authorities. So, what conversations are you having with your Cabinet colleague the Cabinet Secretary for finance to ensure, as you mentioned in your opening reply, that fair funding is being delivered across the 22 local authorities in Wales, and those rural authorities, that I represent in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, are reimbursed accordingly for the services that this Government is asking them to deliver?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Gwyddom fod awdurdodau lleol yn darparu gwasanaethau allweddol yn ein cymunedau, ond mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn parhau i ofyn i awdurdodau lleol wneud mwy a mwy. Mae cofrestru llety gwyliau, casglu'r dreth dwristiaeth, a chynnwys awdurdodau lleol yn y rheol 50 diwrnod newydd, o ystyried dylanwad gofal cymdeithasol ar ein GIG, yn gofyn i'n hawdurdodau lleol wneud mwy, a bydd y tri pheth hynny'n effeithio ar awdurdodau lleol gwledig yn fwy nag awdurdodau lleol trefol. Felly, pa sgyrsiau rydych chi'n eu cael gyda'ch cyd-aelod o'r Cabinet, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid, i sicrhau, fel y sonioch chi yn eich ateb agoriadol, fod cyllid teg yn cael ei ddarparu ar draws y 22 awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru, a bod yr awdurdodau gwledig a gynrychiolir gennyf yn sir Gaerfyrddin a sir Benfro, yn cael eu had-dalu'n unol â hynny am y gwasanaethau y mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn gofyn iddynt eu darparu?
Diolch, Sam. Thank you for that. As I say, I've been going across Wales, speaking to all local authorities, rural and urban, so I do understand the differences that local authorities face. We know that local authorities are managing in-year pressures from inflation and service demand increases and they're also reporting future year pressures. So, we're working closely with the sector to understand these pressures as we prepare for our draft budget. Obviously, I've had many discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for finance, as I'm sure my colleagues have, in the build up to the draft budget, and that draft budget will be published on 10 December.
Diolch am hynny, Sam. Fel y dywedaf, rwyf wedi bod yn mynd ar hyd a lled Cymru, yn siarad â phob awdurdod lleol, gwledig a threfol, felly rwy'n deall y gwahaniaethau y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu hwynebu. Rydym yn gwybod bod awdurdodau lleol yn rheoli pwysau yn ystod y flwyddyn o ganlyniad i chwyddiant a chynnydd yn y galw am wasanaethau ac maent hefyd yn adrodd am bwysau yn y blynyddoedd i ddod. Felly, rydym yn gweithio'n agos gyda'r sector i ddeall y pwysau hwn wrth inni baratoi ar gyfer ein cyllideb ddrafft. Yn amlwg, rwyf wedi cael llawer o drafodaethau gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid, fel y mae fy nghyd-Aelodau, rwy'n siŵr, yn y cyfnod cyn y gyllideb ddrafft, ac fe gyhoeddir y gyllideb ddrafft honno ar 10 Rhagfyr.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary.
Yr eitem nesaf fydd y cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf i'w ateb gan y Gweinidog Addysg Bellach ac Uwch, ac i'w ofyn gan Mark Isherwood.
The next item will be questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. The first question is to be answered by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, and is to be asked by Mark Isherwood.
1. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda'r sector addysg bellach i gynyddu'r set sgiliau yng Nghymru? OQ61962
1. How is the Welsh Government working with the further education sector to increase the skill set in Wales? OQ61962
Medr collaborates with further education through a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the skill sets in Wales. This partnership focuses on developing tailored skills programmes that align with the needs of the local economy, ensuring that our learners are equipped with the relevant skills required by employers.
Mae Medr yn cydweithio ag addysg bellach drwy amrywiaeth o fentrau gyda'r nod o wella'r setiau sgiliau yng Nghymru. Mae'r bartneriaeth hon yn canolbwyntio ar ddatblygu rhaglenni sgiliau wedi'u teilwra sy'n cyd-fynd ag anghenion yr economi leol, gan sicrhau bod gan ein dysgwyr y sgiliau perthnasol sy'n ofynnol gan gyflogwyr.
Last week’s ColegauCymru CollegesWales report, 'The Impact of Apprenticeship Funding Cuts in Wales', found nearly 6,000 fewer apprenticeship starts in Wales this year, with the cost to the economy of £50.3 million impacting the health, social care and construction sectors the most, and disproportionately affecting the most deprived. CollegesWales have also highlighted concern that, although an independent study has found that junior apprenticeship programmes will save the economy £0.75 million per person in preventative spend, in addition to providing numerous additional benefits to learners, roll-out of junior apprenticeships is patchy across Wales, demand is exceeding supply, and their future funding is uncertain. How, therefore, do you respond to the statement made during my recent visit to a further education college group in north Wales that they had to cut 300 apprenticeship starts and 23 out of 35 planned degree apprenticeship starts this year, and the statement by CollegesWales that we need a national strategy for vocational education and training, and dedicated funding for junior apprenticeships?
Canfu adroddiad ColegauCymru yr wythnos diwethaf, 'Effaith Toriadau Cyllid Prentisiaethau yng Nghymru', fod bron i 6,000 yn llai o brentisiaethau yn dechrau yng Nghymru eleni, gyda'r gost i'r economi o £50.3 miliwn yn effeithio fwyaf ar y sectorau iechyd, gofal cymdeithasol ac adeiladu, ac yn effeithio'n anghymesur ar y rhai mwyaf difreintiedig. Er bod astudiaeth annibynnol wedi canfod y bydd rhaglenni prentisiaeth iau yn arbed £0.75 miliwn y pen i'r economi mewn gwariant ataliol, yn ogystal â darparu nifer o fanteision ychwanegol i ddysgwyr, mae ColegauCymru hefyd wedi tynnu sylw at y pryder fod cyflwyno prentisiaethau iau yn digwydd mewn modd anghyson ledled Cymru, mae'r galw'n fwy na'r cyflenwad, ac mae eu cyllid yn y dyfodol yn ansicr. Felly, sut rydych chi'n ymateb i'r datganiad a wnaed yn ystod fy ymweliad diweddar â grŵp colegau addysg bellach yng ngogledd Cymru fod yn rhaid iddynt dorri 300 o brentisiaethau newydd a 23 o'r 35 o radd-brentisiaethau y cynlluniwyd iddynt ddechrau eleni, a'r datganiad gan Colegau Cymru fod angen strategaeth genedlaethol ar gyfer addysg a hyfforddiant galwedigaethol, a chyllid penodol ar gyfer prentisiaethau iau?
Thank you, Mark, for your supplementary question and for your continued passion in this area. It's an area that is cross-cutting between myself and the Minister for skills, and also the Cabinet Secretary for Education. So, some of the themes that you questioned me about there would sit under the Minister for skills. But if I start by talking broadly about apprenticeships in Wales, since 2020-21, annual funding for apprenticeships in Wales has increased from £128 million to over £143 million this year. So, I hope that that shows that we are fully committed to the role that apprenticeships play within the mix of learning that's offered within the tertiary system, and we are on target to meet that goal of 100,000 apprenticeships during this Senedd term.
I'm particularly interested in the point you raised about junior apprenticeships, because I agree with you that they have got huge value for many of our learners, aged 14 to 16. This is something that I am working closely with the Cabinet Secretary for Education on, and we hope to have something to announce in the not-too-distant future.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn atodol, Mark, ac am eich angerdd parhaus yn y maes hwn. Mae'n faes a rannaf gyda'r Gweinidog sgiliau, a hefyd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg. Felly, byddai rhai o'r themâu y gwnaethoch fy holi amdanynt yno yn perthyn i bortffolio'r Gweinidog sgiliau. Ond os caf ddechrau drwy siarad yn fras am brentisiaethau yng Nghymru, ers 2020-21, mae cyllid blynyddol ar gyfer prentisiaethau yng Nghymru wedi cynyddu o £128 miliwn i dros £143 miliwn eleni. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio bod hynny'n dangos ein bod wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i'r rôl y mae prentisiaethau'n ei chwarae yn y cymysgedd dysgu a gynigir o fewn y system drydyddol, ac rydym ar y trywydd iawn i gyrraedd y nod o 100,000 o brentisiaethau yn ystod tymor y Senedd hon.
Mae gennyf ddiddordeb arbennig yn y pwynt a godwyd gennych am brentisiaethau iau, oherwydd rwy'n cytuno â chi eu bod yn werthfawr iawn i lawer o'n dysgwyr rhwng 14 ac 16 oed. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth yr wyf yn gweithio'n agos gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg arno, ac rydym yn gobeithio cael rhywbeth i'w gyhoeddi yn y dyfodol agos.
2. Pa newidiadau i addysg dinasyddiaeth a gwleidyddol sydd wedi'u gwneud ers cyflwyno pleidleisiau i bobl 16 oed? OQ61967
2. What changes to citizenship and political education have been made since votes for 16 year-olds were introduced? OQ61967
Citizenship and supporting learners to exercise their democratic rights is a mandatory part of the Curriculum for Wales. We've worked with a range of partners to provide resources and support to schools for learning about citizenship and political education.
Mae dinasyddiaeth a chefnogi dysgwyr i arfer eu hawliau democrataidd yn rhan orfodol o'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru. Rydym wedi gweithio gydag amrywiaeth o bartneriaid i ddarparu adnoddau a chymorth i ysgolion ar gyfer dysgu am ddinasyddiaeth ac addysg wleidyddol.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. A report out last week by the Open University said that the Curriculum for Wales would benefit from a more specific focus on political education and active citizenship, and this is not the first report to conclude that giving people the right to vote is not enough to increase engagement in the political process.
It's been some three years now since the excellent Democracy Box project report spelt out quite starkly how little basic understanding there is. Yvonne Murphy’s work with young people between the ages of 16 and 26 found that 62 per cent either do not understand or need more information on the basics of our UK democracy. As one of the participants put it, 'We can only challenge the current status quo if we understand it.' And the report made the critical point that focusing our political education on the mechanics of how to vote is
'at best ineffective and, at worst, and rather ironically, may actually be contributing to our record low levels of voter turn-out.'
People want simple information about what political parties stand for, and they want to know about issues, not about processes. And the research concluded that all citizens need year-round information and education. So, Cabinet Secretary, would you take action on their recommendation by raising with the BBC and the Electoral Commission that they have a role to work together to give citizens more confidence to take part in the democratic process?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Dywedodd adroddiad yr wythnos diwethaf gan y Brifysgol Agored y byddai'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru yn elwa o ffocws mwy penodol ar addysg wleidyddol a dinasyddiaeth weithgar, ac nid dyma'r adroddiad cyntaf i ddod i'r casgliad nad yw rhoi'r hawl i bobl bleidleisio yn ddigon i gynyddu ymgysylltiad yn y broses wleidyddol.
Mae oddeutu tair blynedd bellach ers i adroddiad prosiect rhagorol y Blwch Democratiaeth ddangos yn eithaf clir cyn lleied o ddealltwriaeth sylfaenol sydd yna. Canfu gwaith Yvonne Murphy gyda phobl ifanc rhwng 16 a 26 oed fod 62 y cant naill ai ddim yn deall neu angen mwy o wybodaeth am hanfodion ein democratiaeth yn y DU. Fel y dywedodd un o'r cyfranogwyr, 'Ni allwn herio'r status quo presennol heb ein bod yn ei ddeall.' Ac fe wnaeth yr adroddiad y pwynt allweddol fod canolbwyntio ein haddysg wleidyddol ar fecaneg sut i bleidleisio
'ar y gorau yn aneffeithiol ac ar y gwaethaf, yn eironig, gall fod yn cyfrannu at ein lefelau isel erioed o bleidleiswyr.'
Mae pobl eisiau gwybodaeth syml am yr hyn y mae pleidiau gwleidyddol yn sefyll drosto, ac maent eisiau gwybod am bynciau, nid am brosesau. A daeth yr ymchwil i'r casgliad fod angen gwybodaeth ac addysg drwy gydol y flwyddyn ar bob dinesydd. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a wnewch chi weithredu ar eu hargymhelliad drwy sôn wrth y BBC a'r Comisiwn Etholiadol fod ganddynt rôl i gydweithio er mwyn rhoi mwy o hyder i ddinasyddion gymryd rhan yn y broses ddemocrataidd?
Can I thank Lee Waters for that supplementary question, which raises some very important issues? And I agree, it shouldn't just be about the mechanics of voting, and we do have a purpose-led curriculum in Wales, and for me that should be about young people understanding why it is important that they exercise their vote at the ballot box. The Curriculum for Wales already includes learning and teaching about politics and citizenship, and that's reflected in statutory guidance, with an expectation that learners up to 16 develop an understanding of how systems of Government in Wales operate and affect people's lives, and how they compare with other systems. We're also currently funding democracy-themed projects in schools and at higher education level, providing learners with an opportunity to create a participatory culture.
There are great examples of this work in action, including in your own constituency, and I'm sure you're aware of the work that Llanelli Town Council has been doing, to produce materials and to run sessions with schools focusing on good citizenship, the role of the mayor in Llanelli, why we vote, and the history of voting. And Aberystwyth students union are also engaging with the UK and foreign national students on the importance of engaging with democratic processes.
I'm aware of the Democracy Box report, and we have done some work with Democracy Box and their materials are used in schools. I haven't seen the Open University report, but I will take a look at it, and although obviously the Electoral Commission has an independent role, we do ask that they do work for us in promoting democracy in schools, and I'm very happy to pick up a discussion with officials about what more could be done in this space.
A gaf i ddiolch i Lee Waters am y cwestiwn atodol hwnnw, sy'n codi rhai materion pwysig iawn? Ac rwy'n cytuno, ni ddylai ymwneud â mecaneg pleidleisio'n unig, ac mae gennym gwricwlwm pwrpasol yng Nghymru, ac i mi, dylai hwnnw ymwneud â phobl ifanc yn deall pam ei bod yn bwysig iddynt arfer eu hawl i bleidlais yn y blwch pleidleisio. Mae'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru eisoes yn cynnwys dysgu ac addysgu am wleidyddiaeth a dinasyddiaeth, ac mae hynny'n cael ei adlewyrchu mewn canllawiau statudol, gyda disgwyliad fod dysgwyr hyd at 16 oed yn datblygu dealltwriaeth o sut y mae systemau Llywodraeth yng Nghymru yn gweithredu ac yn effeithio ar fywydau pobl, a sut y maent yn cymharu â systemau eraill. Ar hyn o bryd rydym hefyd yn ariannu prosiectau ar thema democratiaeth mewn ysgolion ac ar lefel addysg uwch, gan roi cyfle i ddysgwyr greu diwylliant cyfranogol.
Ceir enghreifftiau gwych o'r gwaith hwn, gan gynnwys yn eich etholaeth eich hun, ac rwy'n siŵr eich bod yn ymwybodol o'r gwaith y mae Cyngor Tref Llanelli wedi bod yn ei wneud, yn cynhyrchu deunyddiau ac yn cynnal sesiynau gydag ysgolion yn canolbwyntio ar ddinasyddiaeth dda, rôl y maer yn Llanelli, pam ein bod yn pleidleisio, a hanes pleidleisio. Ac mae undeb myfyrwyr Aberystwyth hefyd yn ymgysylltu â myfyrwyr y DU a myfyrwyr o wledydd tramor am bwysigrwydd ymgysylltu â phrosesau democrataidd.
Rwy'n ymwybodol o adroddiad y Blwch Democratiaeth, ac rydym wedi gwneud gwaith gyda hwy ac mae eu deunyddiau'n cael eu defnyddio mewn ysgolion. Nid wyf wedi gweld adroddiad y Brifysgol Agored, ond fe edrychaf arno, ac er bod gan y Comisiwn Etholiadol rôl annibynnol yn amlwg, rydym yn gofyn iddynt wneud gwaith i ni ar hyrwyddo democratiaeth mewn ysgolion, ac rwy'n hapus iawn i gael trafodaeth gyda swyddogion ynglŷn â beth arall y gellid ei wneud yn y maes hwn.
Cabinet Secretary, many Members of this Senedd will have engaged with schools through the Politics Project and the digital dialogue programme. I recently enjoyed a fantastic session with pupils in Ysgol Cynfran in Llysfaen in my constituency. I was interrupted by my dog, by the way, Blue the rescue whippet, who is 15 years old today. It's his very happy birthday. But of course, those sessions give the opportunity for those young people to understand better the Senedd, understand what we do in this place and the decisions that we make that impact them, and I was really impressed at the way that they engaged. They asked very sensible questions—some light-hearted questions as well, of course, but sensible questions—on education funding, on climate change, and a whole host of other subjects. What funding is the Welsh Government making available to support those projects on an ongoing basis? These were primary school children, so some time to go before they get to voting age, but clearly the sooner we can engage people, the better.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, bydd llawer o Aelodau'r Senedd hon wedi ymgysylltu ag ysgolion drwy'r Prosiect Gwleidyddiaeth a'r rhaglen deialog ddigidol. Yn ddiweddar, mwynheais sesiwn wych gyda disgyblion Ysgol Cynfran yn Llysfaen yn fy etholaeth. Fe wnaeth fy nghi dorri ar fy nhraws, gyda llaw, Blue y milgi bach achub, sy'n 15 oed heddiw. Mae'n ben-blwydd hapus iawn arno. Ond wrth gwrs, mae'r sesiynau hynny'n rhoi cyfle i'r bobl ifanc ddeall y Senedd yn well, deall yr hyn a wnawn yn y lle hwn a'r penderfyniadau a wnawn sy'n effeithio arnynt, ac roedd y ffordd y gwnaethant gymryd rhan greu argraff fawr arnaf. Fe wnaethant ofyn cwestiynau synhwyrol iawn—rhai cwestiynau ysgafn hefyd, wrth gwrs, ond cwestiynau synhwyrol—ynglŷn ag ariannu addysg, ar newid hinsawdd, a llu o bynciau eraill. Pa gyllid y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddarparu i gefnogi'r prosiectau ar sail barhaus? Plant ysgol gynradd oedd y rhain, felly peth amser i fynd cyn iddynt gyrraedd oedran pleidleisio, ond yn amlwg, gorau po gynharaf y gallwn ennyn diddordeb pobl.
Thank you, Darren, and I agree with you that the sooner we can engage people the better, and thank you for your positive words about the Politics Project and the digital dialogue programme. I too have taken part in that, in both the constituency, and I'm going to be discussing with learners in north Wales as part of my Cabinet Secretary role. We do support the organisation with £20,000-worth of funding at the moment. You'll be aware that budget discussions are ongoing and so we can't make any commitments today, but I do recognise the importance of this, of engaging young people early. I have to say that whenever I have gone to talk to a school group, I'm just really inspired by how fantastic the young people are, what great values they've got, and it gives me great hope for the future, and we definitely need to do more to channel those opportunities for young people.
Diolch, Darren, ac rwy'n cytuno â chi mai gorau po gyntaf y gallwn ymgysylltu â phobl, a diolch am eich geiriau cadarnhaol am y Prosiect Gwleidyddiaeth a'r rhaglen deialog ddigidol. Rwyf innau hefyd wedi cymryd rhan yn hwnnw, yn yr etholaeth, ac rwy'n mynd i fod yn trafod gyda dysgwyr yng ngogledd Cymru fel rhan o fy rôl Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Rydym yn cefnogi'r sefydliad gyda gwerth £20,000 o gyllid ar hyn o bryd. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod trafodaethau cyllidebol yn parhau ac felly ni allwn wneud unrhyw ymrwymiadau heddiw, ond rwy'n cydnabod pwysigrwydd hyn, ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc yn gynnar. Pryd bynnag yr af i siarad â grŵp ysgol, rhaid imi ddweud fy mod yn cael fy ysbrydoli gan ba mor wych yw'r bobl ifanc, y gwerthoedd gwych sydd ganddynt, ac mae'n rhoi gobaith mawr i mi ar gyfer y dyfodol, ac yn bendant mae angen inni wneud mwy i sianelu'r cyfleoedd hynny i bobl ifanc.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Tom Giffard, i'w ateb gan y Gweinidog Addysg Bellach ac Uwch. Tom Giffard.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. Conservative spokesperson, Tom Giffard, to be answered by the Minister for Further and Higher Education. Tom Giffard.
Good afternoon, Minister. How much will the UK Government's decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions cost Welsh universities?
Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Faint fydd penderfyniad Llywodraeth y DU i gynyddu cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol cyflogwyr yn ei gostio i brifysgolion Cymru?
I thank Tom Giffard for that opening question. We are still working through the cost of that, but we estimate it to be in the region of £21 million. The announcement that I've made today to raise the tuition fee cap in Wales to £9,535 per student is estimated to just about cover those costs to universities, so I am pleased that I've been able to help out with the financial situation in that regard.
Diolch i Tom Giffard am y cwestiwn agoriadol hwnnw. Rydym yn dal i weithio drwy gost hynny, ond rydym yn amcangyfrif ei fod oddeutu £21 miliwn. Amcangyfrifir bod y cyhoeddiad a wneuthum heddiw i godi'r cap ffioedd dysgu yng Nghymru i £9,535 y myfyriwr yn ddigon i dalu'r costau hynny i brifysgolion, felly rwy'n falch fy mod wedi gallu helpu gyda'r sefyllfa ariannol yn hynny o beth.
Thank you. Well, what you've done, Minister, is offset the cost of a Labour UK policy by increasing tuition fees for students to pay for it. You're right, that cost was £20 million. Now, before that announcement about employer national insurance, universities estimated that they were running a deficit cumulatively of about £100 million, and yet nothing that has happened so far will address that black hole, that shortfall. You promised not so long ago in this Chamber to look at the UK Government model of, quote, an emergency fund that they're bringing into play, and that Medr would have its own fund to support our institutions here in Wales. You obviously later clarified that that was at a very exploratory stage and that you're still working through what, if any, a potential support mechanism may look like in partnership with Medr and institutions. Has that work developed at all?
Diolch. Wel, yr hyn rydych chi wedi'i wneud, Weinidog, yw gwrthbwyso cost polisi Llafur yn y DU drwy gynyddu ffioedd dysgu i fyfyrwyr dalu amdano. Rydych chi'n iawn, y gost oedd £20 miliwn. Nawr, cyn y cyhoeddiad am yswiriant gwladol cyflogwyr, roedd prifysgolion yn amcangyfrif bod ganddynt ddiffyg cronnol o tua £100 miliwn, ac eto ni fydd unrhyw beth sydd wedi digwydd hyd yma'n llenwi'r twll du, y diffyg hwnnw. Fe wnaethoch chi addo heb fod mor bell yn ôl yn y Siambr hon y byddech chi'n edrych ar fodel Llywodraeth y DU, ac rwy'n dyfynnu, o gronfa frys y maent yn ei rhoi ar waith, ac y byddai gan Medr ei chronfa ei hun i gefnogi ein sefydliadau yma yng Nghymru. Yn amlwg, fe wnaethoch chi egluro'n ddiweddarach fod hynny ar gam archwiliadol iawn a'ch bod yn dal i weithio drwy'r hyn a allai fod, os o gwbl, yn fecanwaith cymorth posibl mewn partneriaeth â Medr a sefydliadau. A yw'r gwaith wedi datblygu o gwbl?
Thank you, Tom, for your follow-up question there. I'd just like to pick up on the first part of what you said there, when you looked at my motivations for raising the tuition fee cap. It really is quite a complicated area, and it's an area where I need to balance the needs of our students in Wales with the needs of our universities as well. And obviously, we operate within a UK model, a UK market, and if the tuition fee cap was not raised in Wales, then it would definitely put our Welsh universities at a disadvantage. But the decision that I've taken will not affect the amount of money available to students while they study, nor will it result in graduates repaying more each month. Only those who go on to be the higher earning graduates will likely pay back this increased fee, because we've retained the more progressive plan 2 repayment system for student loans here in Wales. So, I am absolutely committed to supporting a sustainable higher education sector. We want strong institutions here in Wales that are able to deliver on our ambitions for students and research, and for driving economic growth in Wales.
Then you went on to ask a broader question about the financial sustainability of the higher education sector as a whole. As you know, I am continuing to visit each higher education institution in Wales, and that brings with it many benefits for me in the conversations that I'm able to have with vice-chancellors, with staff and with students about the particular circumstances of those universities. And it is really important that we remember that those universities are autonomous institutions and that 90 per cent of their funding streams come from outside of Welsh Government. Therefore, there is a role for myself and for Medr to assist them in exploring those other funding opportunities, so that they can partake of lots of different opportunities to increase their financial resilience. And the £10 million that I've announced to go to higher education via Medr today is designed to do just that.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn dilynol, Tom. Hoffwn fynd ar ôl rhan gyntaf yr hyn a ddywedoch chi yno, pan edrychoch chi ar fy nghymhellion dros godi'r cap ffioedd dysgu. Mae'n faes eithaf cymhleth mewn gwirionedd, ac mae'n faes lle mae angen i mi gydbwyso anghenion ein myfyrwyr yng Nghymru ag anghenion ein prifysgolion hefyd. Ac yn amlwg, rydym yn gweithredu o fewn model y DU, marchnad y DU, a phe na bai'r cap ffioedd dysgu yn cael ei godi yng Nghymru, byddai'n sicr yn rhoi ein prifysgolion yng Nghymru dan anfantais. Ond ni fydd y penderfyniad a wneuthum yn effeithio ar faint o arian sydd ar gael i fyfyrwyr wrth iddynt astudio, ac ni fydd ychwaith yn arwain at raddedigion yn ad-dalu mwy bob mis. Dim ond y rhai sy'n mynd i fod yn raddedigion sy'n ennill cyflogau uwch fydd yn debygol o dalu'r ffi uwch hon yn ôl, oherwydd rydym wedi cadw'r system ad-dalu cynllun 2 fwy blaengar ar gyfer benthyciadau myfyrwyr yma yng Nghymru. Felly, rwyf wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i gefnogi sector addysg uwch cynaliadwy. Rydym eisiau sefydliadau cryf yma yng Nghymru sy'n gallu cyflawni ein huchelgeisiau ar gyfer myfyrwyr ac ymchwil, ac ar gyfer sbarduno twf economaidd yng Nghymru.
Fe aethoch ymlaen wedyn i ofyn cwestiwn mwy cyffredinol am gynaliadwyedd ariannol y sector addysg uwch yn ei gyfanrwydd. Fel y gwyddoch, rwy'n parhau i ymweld â phob sefydliad addysg uwch yng Nghymru, a daw hynny â llawer o fanteision i mi yn y sgyrsiau y gallaf eu cael gydag is-gangellorion, gyda staff a myfyrwyr am amgylchiadau penodol y prifysgolion hynny. Ac mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn cofio bod y prifysgolion yn sefydliadau ymreolaethol a bod 90 y cant o'u ffrydiau cyllid yn dod o'r tu allan i Lywodraeth Cymru. Felly, mae rôl i mi ac i Medr eu cynorthwyo i archwilio'r cyfleoedd ariannu eraill hynny, iddynt allu bachu ar lawer o wahanol gyfleoedd i gynyddu eu cadernid ariannol. Ac mae'r £10 miliwn a gyhoeddais ar gyfer addysg uwch trwy Medr heddiw wedi'i gynllunio i wneud hynny.
Thank you. Just to pick you up on the first point, I think that it was in answer to my first question that you said that your decision today would only offset the cost increase in national insurance contributions. Therefore, taking those two policies in combination, it's a zero-sum game. It's one tool, if you like, taken off the table that can be used to address that wider black hole. And I think the thing that students and universities have in common is that they were promised greater support from you, as Minister, from this Welsh Government, from the Labour Party at a UK-wide level, and they've only received greater bills, whether that be through their employer national insurance contributions or the increase that we've seen in fees today. And clearly, that is not what both those groups thought they were voting for in the general election.
On the wider point you made about university funding, we've heard about that £100 million black hole that Universities Wales said—. Actually, I've got the press release that they sent out in response to the announcement that you made today, where they say pretty clearly that the current financial position for universities is not sustainable—they’re very clear about that. They put it down to a third successive year of reductions in HE funding grants, including an additional £20 million for 2024-25, which continues to mean significantly lower funding for universities in Wales than in other parts of the UK.
When is this Government going to get a grip on this? Because we've heard from you now that you're speaking to universities, we've heard previously that there was a support package, which was rowed back. This crisis is real. The university funding crisis is very real and it's immediate. So, what are you going to do about it?
Diolch. Os caf fynd ar ôl y pwynt cyntaf, credaf mai wrth ateb fy nghwestiwn cyntaf y dywedoch chi y byddai eich penderfyniad heddiw ond yn gwrthbwyso'r cynnydd yng nghost cyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol. Felly, gan gymryd y ddau bolisi gyda'i gilydd, nid oes unrhyw fudd ychwanegol. Mae'n un offeryn, os mynnwch, sydd wedi'i dynnu oddi ar y bwrdd y gellir ei ddefnyddio i fynd i'r afael â'r twll du mwy o faint. Ac rwy'n credu mai'r peth sydd gan fyfyrwyr a phrifysgolion yn gyffredin yw eich bod chi, fel Gweinidog, a Llywodraeth Cymru, a'r Blaid Lafur ar lefel y DU wedi addo mwy o gefnogaeth iddynt, a dim ond biliau uwch a gawsant, boed hynny drwy gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol cyflogwr neu'r cynnydd a welsom yn y ffioedd heddiw. Ac yn amlwg, nid dyna y credai myfyrwyr na phrifysgolion eu bod yn pleidleisio drosto yn yr etholiad cyffredinol.
Ar y pwynt ehangach a wnaethoch am gyllid prifysgolion, rydym wedi clywed am y twll du o £100 miliwn y dywedodd Prifysgolion Cymru—. A dweud y gwir, mae gennyf y datganiad i'r wasg a anfonwyd ganddynt mewn ymateb i'r cyhoeddiad a wnaethoch chi heddiw, lle maent yn dweud yn eithaf clir nad yw'r sefyllfa ariannol bresennol i brifysgolion yn gynaliadwy—maent yn glir iawn ynglŷn â hynny. Roeddent yn dweud mai'r rheswm am hynny yw trydedd flwyddyn yn olynol o ostyngiadau i grantiau cyllid addysg uwch, gan gynnwys £20 miliwn ychwanegol ar gyfer 2024-25, sy'n parhau i olygu cyllid sylweddol is i brifysgolion yng Nghymru na mewn rhannau eraill o'r DU.
Pryd yr aiff y Llywodraeth hon i'r afael â hyn? Oherwydd fe glywsom gennych chi nawr eich bod chi'n siarad â phrifysgolion, clywsom o'r blaen fod pecyn cymorth ar gael, ac fe gafodd ei dynnu'n ôl. Mae'r argyfwng hwn yn real. Mae argyfwng ariannu prifysgolion yn real iawn ac mae'n digwydd nawr. Felly, beth rydych chi'n mynd i'w wneud am y peth?
Thanks, Tom. I'm picking up three themes there. Firstly, around the support for students, I am really proud that we do have here in Wales the most generous offer of support to our higher education students. And you don't need to just take my word for that, because an examination of higher education fees and funding across the UK by the London Economics Nuffield Foundation found that Wales does offer the most generous student maintenance support available to Welsh domiciled students irrespective of household income, compared to the rest of the UK.
I'm particularly proud that we have a maintenance grant here that is available to ensure that those who come from the least advantaged backgrounds when entering HE leave with the least amount of debt. That is diametrically opposed to the system that was put in place by the Tory Government in England, where it is those who come from the least advantaged backgrounds who leave university with the most amount of debt.
In terms of your question around support for universities themselves, we do have that additional £10 million that I have announced today. That takes the grant funding for the higher education sector in this last financial year to over £200 million. In all of my conversations with vice-chancellors, they are looking at how they can tweak and change their own models of balancing the books. They are autonomous institutions and we have only a small role to play within that.
I think probably the most important point you raised there is about the sustainability of the funding model for HE overall, and that is definitely something that does need to be looked at again, not just here in Wales, but across the UK. I can tell you two things that we are doing there. Firstly, I had a meeting this week to look at how we will begin our evaluation of the Diamond reforms. It is absolutely essential that we look at how that is able to be maintained and enhanced in the current climate and how it will be able to be implemented in the future. But also, as I've said, this is a UK market that we're operating in, and also, the Welsh Government are, to an extent, in the hands of the UK Treasury in terms of the funding model that we have. So, it's really important that we do work together with the Westminster Government to look at a more sustainable long-term funding model for HE.
Diolch, Tom. Rwy'n nodi tair thema yno. Yn gyntaf, ar y gefnogaeth i fyfyrwyr, rwy'n falch iawn fod gennym yma yng Nghymru y cynnig mwyaf hael o gymorth i'n myfyrwyr addysg uwch. Ac nid oes angen ichi gymryd fy ngair i ar hynny, oherwydd canfu archwiliad o ffioedd addysg uwch a chyllid ledled y DU gan London Economics, Sefydliad Nuffield fod Cymru'n cynnig y cymorth cynhaliaeth myfyrwyr mwyaf hael sydd ar gael i fyfyrwyr sy'n hanu o Gymru ni waeth beth yw incwm y cartref, o'i gymharu â gweddill y DU.
Rwy'n arbennig o falch fod gennym grant cynhaliaeth yma sydd ar gael i sicrhau bod y rhai sy'n dod o'r cefndiroedd lleiaf breintiedig wrth fynd i mewn i addysg uwch yn gadael gyda'r swm lleiaf o ddyled. Mae hynny'n gwbl groes i'r system a roddwyd ar waith gan y Llywodraeth Dorïaidd yn Lloegr, lle mae'r rhai sy'n dod o'r cefndiroedd lleiaf breintiedig yn gadael y brifysgol gyda'r swm mwyaf o ddyled.
Ar eich cwestiwn ynghylch cefnogaeth i'r prifysgolion eu hunain, mae gennym y £10 miliwn ychwanegol a gyhoeddais heddiw. Mae hwnnw'n mynd â'r cyllid grant ar gyfer y sector addysg uwch yn y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf hon i dros £200 miliwn. Ym mhob un o fy sgyrsiau gydag is-gangellorion, maent yn edrych ar sut y gallant addasu a newid eu modelau eu hunain ar gyfer mantoli'r cyfrifon. Maent yn sefydliadau ymreolaethol a dim ond rôl fach sydd gennym ni i'w chwarae yn hynny.
Rwy'n credu mai'r pwynt pwysicaf a godwyd gennych yw'r un am gynaliadwyedd y model cyllido ar gyfer addysg uwch yn gyffredinol, ac mae hynny'n bendant yn rhywbeth y mae angen edrych arno eto, nid yn unig yma yng Nghymru, ond ledled y DU. Gallaf nodi dau beth yr ydym yn eu gwneud ar hynny. Yn gyntaf, cefais gyfarfod yr wythnos hon i edrych ar sut y byddwn yn dechrau ein gwerthusiad o ddiwygiadau Diamond. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn edrych ar sut y gellir cynnal a gwella hynny yn yr hinsawdd bresennol a sut y bydd modd ei weithredu yn y dyfodol. Ond hefyd, fel y dywedais, rydym yn gweithredu ym marchnad y DU, a hefyd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru, i raddau, yn nwylo Trysorlys y DU o ran y model cyllido sydd gennym. Felly, mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn cydweithio â Llywodraeth San Steffan i edrych ar fodel cyllido hirdymor mwy cynaliadwy ar gyfer addysg uwch.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru nesaf. Cefin Campbell.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson next. Cefin Campbell.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Minister, following your statement this morning, increasing tuition fees in Wales will undoubtedly burden students with even greater debt, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—and I'm not talking here about maintenance costs, just the tuition fees. But this decision today from the Welsh Government became inevitable, of course, once fees were increased by Labour in England. Welsh universities, of course, must not be disadvantaged. On these benches, Plaid Cymru believe in the principle of universal access to higher education, but to do this, we must secure the financial sustainability of our higher education institutions.
The Minister has already mentioned £20 million in her statement of support via Medr for this financial year, which could simply be swallowed up straight away by next year's rises to national insurance contributions. It doesn't even touch the sides, as we heard from Tom, of the collective £100 million deficit facing our universities. So, the current funding model for higher education is unsustainable. As it stands, £2 out of every £5 the Welsh Government spends in student fees goes to subsidise universities in England. So, as a result of today's announcement, even more Welsh taxpayers' money will flow over the border to universities outside of Wales. Does that worry you, Minister?
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. Weinidog, yn dilyn eich datganiad y bore yma, heb os, bydd cynyddu ffioedd dysgu yng Nghymru yn faich ar fyfyrwyr â hyd yn oed mwy o ddyled, yn enwedig i'r rhai o gefndiroedd difreintiedig—ac nid wyf yn siarad yma am gostau cynhaliaeth, dim ond y ffioedd dysgu. Ond daeth y penderfyniad yma heddiw gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn anochel, wrth gwrs, ar ôl i'r blaid Lafur yn Lloegr gynyddu ffioedd. Rhaid i brifysgolion Cymru beidio â bod dan anfantais. Ar y meinciau hyn, mae Plaid Cymru yn credu yn yr egwyddor o fynediad i bawb at addysg uwch, ond er mwyn gwneud hyn, mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau cynaliadwyedd ariannol ein sefydliadau addysg uwch.
Mae'r Gweinidog eisoes wedi sôn am £20 miliwn yn ei datganiad o gefnogaeth drwy Medr ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol hon, a allai gael ei lyncu i gyd yn syth gan godiadau y flwyddyn nesaf i gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol. Nid yw hyd yn oed yn cyffwrdd yr ochrau, fel y clywsom gan Tom, o ran y diffyg cyfunol o £100 miliwn sy'n wynebu ein prifysgolion. Felly, mae'r model cyllido presennol ar gyfer addysg uwch yn anghynaliadwy. Ar hyn o bryd, mae £2 o bob £5 y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wario ar ffioedd myfyrwyr yn mynd tuag at sybsideiddio prifysgolion yn Lloegr. Felly, o ganlyniad i'r cyhoeddiad heddiw, bydd hyd yn oed mwy o arian trethdalwyr Cymru yn llifo dros y ffin i brifysgolion y tu allan i Gymru. A yw hynny'n eich poeni, Weinidog?
Thank you, Cefin, for your questions there. I'll start with your first point, where you say that we will, apparently, burden students with more debt. I'd just like to repeat some of the points that I made there to Tom, because I think it's really important that, here in this Chamber, we all unite around the shared goal—because I believe it is your goal as much as mine—of increasing participation in post-16 education. It is really crucial that we get the facts out here—that our Welsh students still benefit from the most generous funding model in the UK, and a model that is geared towards supporting those from the least advantaged backgrounds to have the least amount of debt when they leave university, so that they can go on to have prosperous lives and contribute to our economy.
In terms of your view there that we are merely subsidising universities in England, I would refute that. I would say speak to young people in Wales, speak to people who wish to embark upon a degree, and ask them whether they would like to be constrained by a financial system that only supported them to go to universities in Wales. Our goal, of course, is to bring those graduates back to Wales, but it's really important that they have equity of access wherever they wish to study—we shouldn't be limiting their horizons. Many of our young people do choose to study in Wales, at our excellent institutions here, but others, for a variety of reasons, might choose to study elsewhere, and I and my Welsh Labour Government certainly would not support a system that constrained the ambitions of those young people in Wales.
Diolch am eich cwestiynau, Cefin. Fe ddechreuaf gyda'ch pwynt cyntaf, lle rydych chi'n dweud y byddwn, mae'n debyg, yn rhoi mwy o ddyled i fyfyrwyr. Hoffwn ailadrodd rhai o'r pwyntiau a wneuthum i Tom, oherwydd rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn, yma yn y Siambr, ein bod i gyd yn uno o amgylch y nod cyffredin—oherwydd credaf fod hwn yn nod i chi lawn cymaint ag y mae i mi—sef cynyddu cyfranogiad mewn addysg ôl-16. Mae'n hanfodol iawn ein bod yn cael y ffeithiau allan—fod ein myfyrwyr o Gymru yn dal i elwa o'r model cyllido mwyaf hael yn y DU, a model sydd â'r bwriad o gefnogi'r rhai o'r cefndiroedd lleiaf breintiedig i gael y swm lleiaf o ddyled pan fyddant yn gadael y brifysgol, fel y gallant fynd ymlaen i gael bywydau llewyrchus a chyfrannu at ein heconomi.
Ar eich safbwynt mai dim ond sybsideiddio prifysgolion yn Lloegr a wnawn, rwy'n gwrthod hynny. Rwy'n dweud wrthych am siarad â phobl ifanc yng Nghymru, siaradwch â phobl sy'n dymuno dechrau ar radd, a gofyn iddynt a hoffent gael eu cyfyngu gan system ariannol a oedd ond yn eu cefnogi i fynd i brifysgolion yng Nghymru. Ein nod, wrth gwrs, yw dod â'r graddedigion hynny yn ôl i Gymru, ond mae'n bwysig iawn fod ganddynt fynediad teg i ble bynnag y maent yn dymuno astudio—ni ddylem gyfyngu eu gorwelion. Mae llawer o'n pobl ifanc yn dewis astudio yng Nghymru, yn ein sefydliadau rhagorol yma, ond gallai eraill, am amryw o resymau, ddewis astudio mewn mannau eraill, ac yn sicr, ni fuaswn i na Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yn cefnogi system a fyddai'n cyfyngu ar uchelgeisiau pobl ifanc Cymru.
Gaf i ddilyn ymlaen ar hwnna, Weinidog? Yr wythnos diwethaf, fe wnes i noddi digwyddiad gan Dyfodol i'r Iaith yn y Senedd a oedd yn trafod sut y gallwn ni sicrhau sector addysg uwch mwy cynhaliol yng Nghymru, sy'n gallu cynnig cyfleoedd addysgol a phrofiadau bywyd a safonau uchel i fyfyrwyr o Gymru. Os edrychwn ni ar yr ystadegau, dim ond 5 y cant o fyfyrwyr yr Alban sy'n gadael yr Alban ar gyfer eu haddysg uwch; yn Lloegr, y ffigur yw 9 y cant. Yma yng Nghymru, mae 40 y cant o fyfyrwyr yn gadael Cymru er mwyn derbyn eu haddysg uwch. Ar hyn o bryd, mae miliynau o bunnoedd o'n harian ni yn cael ei wario ar Academi Seren, cynllun sy'n annog miloedd o ddarpar fyfyrwyr i fynd â'u sgiliau, eu talent a'u cyfraniad y tu hwnt i Gymru. Ac ar ben hynny eto, mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n gwario dros £0.5 biliwn y flwyddyn ar gyllido myfyrwyr i astudio y tu fas i Gymru.
Could I follow up on that, Minister? Last week, I sponsored an event by Dyfodol i'r Iaith here in the Senedd that discussed how we can ensure a more sustainable higher education sector here in Wales, which can offer high-quality educational opportunities and life experiences and high standards for Welsh students. If we look at the statistics, only 5 per cent of students from Scotland leave Scotland to receive their higher education; in England, the figure is 9 per cent. Here in Wales, 40 per cent of students leave Wales in order to receive their higher education. At present, millions of pounds of our money are spent every year on the Seren Academy, a scheme that encourages thousands of prospective students to take their skills, their talents and their contribution outside Wales. And on top of that again, the Welsh Government spends over £0.5 billion a year on funding students to study outside Wales.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is not sustainable. Can the Minister name any other country in the world that pays so much of its own taxpayers' money to export so many of their best and brightest students to universities beyond its own border?
Rwyf wedi dweud hyn o'r blaen, ac fe'i dywedaf eto: nid yw hyn yn gynaliadwy. A all y Gweinidog enwi unrhyw wlad arall yn y byd sy'n talu cymaint o arian ei threthdalwyr ei hun i allforio cymaint o'u myfyrwyr gorau a disgleiriaf i brifysgolion y tu hwnt i'w ffin ei hun?
I have to say, Cefin, I think that the arguments you've put forward there are really reductionist. I go back to what I said to you in answer to my earlier question: it is absolutely imperative that we support our young people to study wherever they wish to. We need to empower our young people to make the best decisions that they can. I'm proud that we have a regime here in Wales that encourages our FE and our HE students to participate in study abroad, through Taith; I think that is a huge advantage, which broadens their outlook and provides them with a range of skills that they can bring back here to their home country, to Wales. And also, we've heard these accusations about the Seren Academy from you before. They are without any foundation. The Seren project works really hard for our most able and talented students, to enable them to have the ambition and the knowledge to access courses, wherever they may be, that will allow them to pursue those particular skills and talents. It might be a fine art degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University, which I visited recently, and has outstanding facilities there. It might be the veterinary school in Aberystwyth, which is world leading. Or it just might be that it is a leading course in a university somewhere else in the UK, or somewhere else in the world. I certainly don’t think that we should be restricting our young people from those opportunities.
Mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, Cefin, rwy'n credu bod y dadleuon a gyflwynwch yn wirioneddol leihaol. Rwy'n mynd yn ôl at yr hyn a ddywedais wrthych mewn ateb i gwestiwn cynharach: mae'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn cefnogi ein pobl ifanc i astudio ble bynnag y dymunant. Mae angen inni rymuso ein pobl ifanc i wneud y penderfyniadau gorau y gallant eu gwneud. Rwy'n falch fod gennym drefn yma yng Nghymru sy'n annog ein myfyrwyr addysg bellach a'n myfyrwyr addysg uwch i gymryd rhan mewn astudio dramor, drwy Taith; rwy'n credu bod hynny'n fantais enfawr, sy'n ehangu eu rhagolygon ac yn rhoi amrywiaeth o sgiliau iddynt y gallant ddod â hwy yn ôl yma i'w mamwlad, i Gymru. A hefyd, rydym wedi clywed y cyhuddiadau hyn am Academi Seren gennych chi o'r blaen. Nid oes sylfaen iddynt. Mae prosiect Seren yn gweithio'n galed iawn ar ran ein myfyrwyr mwyaf galluog a thalentog, i'w galluogi i fod â'r uchelgais a'r wybodaeth i gael mynediad at gyrsiau, ble bynnag y bônt, a fydd yn eu galluogi i fynd ar drywydd y sgiliau a'r doniau penodol hynny. Gallai fod yn radd celfyddyd gain ym Mhrifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd, yr ymwelais â hi yn ddiweddar, ac mae ganddi gyfleusterau rhagorol yno. Gallai fod yr ysgol filfeddygol yn Aberystwyth, sydd ymhlith y gorau yn y byd. Neu gallai fod yn gwrs blaenllaw mewn prifysgol yn rhywle arall yn y DU, neu rywle arall yn y byd. Yn sicr, nid wyf yn credu y dylem gyfyngu ar ein pobl ifanc rhag cael y cyfleoedd hynny.
I can’t believe that you’re showing so little confidence in the universities that we have here in Wales. Those universities would love to have a tranche of that 40 per cent that are leaving Wales at the moment. And I note that you couldn’t name any other country that was transporting its young people away from its borders. But it is unbelievable—we are encouraging the exodus of skills and talent from Wales, whilst we’re trying to build the future economy of this country.
Our own universities here in Wales support thousands of jobs in the regions in which they are based, as well as contributing over £10 billion in economic impact. We need to retain this young talent, which will help us grow the economy of the future. Sadly, from my own conversations recently with vice-chancellors, it’s clear to me that these positive contributions are at risk if the Welsh Government can’t get to grips with the problems facing the sector.
So, could you tell me, Minister, which of these most pressing issues is the most important? Is it the unbudgeted £20 million hike to national insurance contributions, the £100 million collective deficit facing Welsh universities, the fact that over £0.5 billion is spent each year on student fees for students in universities outside of Wales, or a Welsh Labour Government that has taken its eye of the ball over the past 25 years and compounded all of these issues, and more, with no coherent strategy for the sector, a lack of funding, investment and support, and cuts to research and innovation?
Ni allaf gredu eich bod yn dangos cyn lleied o hyder yn y prifysgolion sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru. Byddai'r prifysgolion hynny wrth eu bodd yn cael cyfran o'r 40 y cant hwnnw sy'n gadael Cymru ar hyn o bryd. Ac rwy'n nodi na allech enwi unrhyw wlad arall a oedd yn cludo ei phobl ifanc dros ei ffiniau. Ond mae'n anghredadwy—rydym yn annog ecsodus o sgiliau a thalent o Gymru, wrth inni geisio adeiladu economi'r wlad hon yn y dyfodol.
Mae ein prifysgolion ein hunain yma yng Nghymru yn cefnogi miloedd o swyddi yn y rhanbarthau y maent wedi'u lleoli ynddynt, yn ogystal â chyfrannu dros £10 biliwn mewn effaith economaidd. Mae angen inni gadw'r dalent ifanc hon, a fydd yn ein helpu i dyfu economi'r dyfodol. Yn anffodus, o fy sgyrsiau fy hun yn ddiweddar gydag is-gangellorion, mae'n amlwg i mi fod y cyfraniadau cadarnhaol hyn mewn perygl os na all Llywodraeth Cymru fynd i'r afael â'r problemau sy'n wynebu'r sector.
Felly, a allwch chi ddweud wrthyf, Weinidog, pa un o'r materion dybryd hyn yw'r pwysicaf? Ai'r codiad heb ei gyllidebu o £20 miliwn i gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol, y diffyg cyfunol o £100 miliwn sy'n wynebu prifysgolion Cymru, y ffaith bod dros £0.5 biliwn yn cael ei wario bob blwyddyn ar ffioedd myfyrwyr mewn prifysgolion y tu allan i Gymru, neu Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru sydd heb fod yn talu sylw dros y 25 mlynedd diwethaf ac wedi gwaethygu'r holl faterion hyn, ac ar ben hynny, heb unrhyw strategaeth gydlynol i'r sector, diffyg cyllid, buddsoddiad a chefnogaeth, a thoriadau i ymchwil ac arloesi?
I’ll try and pick the questions out of that, Cefin. Firstly, I noticed that even though I’d just given two really good examples of excellent higher education institutions and courses here in Wales, you started by claiming that I didn’t have confidence in our institutions and the courses that they deliver. I could stand here all afternoon citing the different courses in institutions across Wales that are absolutely excellent. But I think that that would be a waste of this Senedd’s time, when I’ve already given you two examples. It would be really good to see if you also had that kind of depth of knowledge that I have gained since taking on this role.
Just some basic numerical points there. Sixty per cent of the students that study at our Welsh universities come from outside Wales. So, by running down the fact that we’ve got 40 per cent of those students from Wales, and you wish to increase that number, that’s suggesting you wish to remove the 60 per cent that come from outside, who, of course, bring with them many skills—international students in very highly skilled degrees, people from across the rest of the UK. It’s really important that we have those people come to study in Wales, to contribute to our research, to contribute to the innovation, and, hopefully, to stay here as well, and they then become Welsh citizens. So, I don’t think that you can say that it’s a diametric argument in the way that you’ve put forward there.
Fe geisiaf nodi'r cwestiynau o hynny, Cefin. Yn gyntaf, er fy mod newydd roi dwy enghraifft dda iawn o sefydliadau a chyrsiau addysg uwch rhagorol yma yng Nghymru, sylwais eich bod wedi dechrau drwy honni nad oedd gennyf hyder yn ein sefydliadau a'r cyrsiau y maent yn eu darparu. Gallwn sefyll yma drwy'r prynhawn yn nodi'r gwahanol gyrsiau mewn sefydliadau ledled Cymru sy'n gwbl ardderchog. Ond rwy'n credu y byddai hynny'n wastraff o amser y Senedd hon, pan wyf eisoes wedi rhoi dwy enghraifft i chi. Byddai'n dda iawn gweld a oes gennych chi'r dyfnder o wybodaeth a gefais i ers imi ymgymryd â'r rôl hon.
Rhai pwyntiau sylfaenol ynglŷn â niferoedd. Mae 60 y cant o'r myfyrwyr sy'n astudio yn ein prifysgolion yng Nghymru yn dod o'r tu allan i Gymru. Felly, trwy ladd ar y ffaith bod 40 y cant o'r myfyrwyr hynny o Gymru, a'ch bod am gynyddu'r nifer hwnnw, mae hynny'n awgrymu eich bod am gael gwared ar y 60 y cant sy'n dod o'r tu allan, sydd, wrth gwrs, yn dod â llawer o sgiliau gyda hwy—myfyrwyr rhyngwladol mewn graddau medrus iawn, pobl o bob rhan o'r DU. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn cael y bobl hynny i ddod i astudio yng Nghymru, i gyfrannu at ein hymchwil, i gyfrannu at ein harloesedd, ac i aros yma hefyd, gobeithio, ac yna dônt yn ddinasyddion Cymreig. Felly, nid wyf yn credu y gallwch ddweud ei bod yn ddadl gwbl groes yn y ffordd y gwnaethoch ei chyflwyno.
3. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi diweddariad ar yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i helpu teuluoedd gyda chostau ysgol? OQ61984
3. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to help families with school costs? OQ61984
Our school essentials grant has made a huge difference to lower-income families, reducing worries about uniform and equipment. Funding of £13.1 million is available for the grant this year. We also make available resources for schools to address the cost of the school day and remove barriers caused by poverty.
Mae ein grant hanfodion ysgol wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i deuluoedd incwm is, gan leihau pryderon am wisg ysgol ac offer. Mae cyllid o £13.1 miliwn ar gael ar gyfer y grant eleni. Rydym hefyd yn sicrhau bod adnoddau ar gael i ysgolion fynd i'r afael â chost y diwrnod ysgol a chael gwared ar rwystrau a achosir gan dlodi.
The school essentials grant has provided, as you say, invaluable help with school costs to many families, particularly those on low incomes. Up to £200 is available to eligible families to help with things like school uniforms. But as well as that, I’m aware of a number of schools who’ve set up initiatives that aim to keep the cost of uniforms down and prevent uniforms ending up in landfill. In these schemes, uniforms are donated and then given to families who want them for free. I was lucky to see a real excellent example of this for myself in Priory Church in Wales Primary School in Brecon, and the swap shop was set up by Councillor Matthew Dorrance and Town Councillor Michaela Davies, working with the Labour action team. But, thanks to funding from the Green Man Trust, they now have a permanent site at that school, instead of trying to access the use of halls, et cetera. Cabinet Secretary, could you join me in urging families to check their eligibility for the school essentials grant and in thanking schools and individuals for setting up initiatives that help families with reducing the cost of school uniforms?
Mae'r grant hanfodion ysgol wedi darparu help amhrisiadwy, fel y dywedwch, gyda chostau ysgol i lawer o deuluoedd, yn enwedig y rhai ar incwm isel. Mae hyd at £200 ar gael i deuluoedd cymwys i helpu gyda phethau fel gwisg ysgol. Ond yn ogystal â hynny, rwy'n ymwybodol o nifer o ysgolion sydd wedi sefydlu mentrau gyda'r nod o gadw cost gwisgoedd ysgol i lawr ac atal gwisgoedd ysgol rhag mynd i safleoedd tirlenwi. Yn y cynlluniau hyn, mae gwisgoedd ysgol yn cael eu rhoi gan unigolion ac yna'n cael eu darparu i deuluoedd sydd eu heisiau am ddim. Roeddwn yn ffodus o weld enghraifft wych o hyn fy hun yn Ysgol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru Priordy yn Aberhonddu, a sefydlwyd y siop gyfnewid gan y Cynghorydd Matthew Dorrance a'r Cynghorydd Tref Michaela Davies, gan weithio gyda'r tîm gweithredu Llafur. Ond diolch i gyllid gan Ymddiriedolaeth y Dyn Gwyrdd, mae ganddynt safle parhaol yn yr ysgol honno erbyn hyn, yn hytrach na cheisio cael mynediad at y defnydd o neuaddau, ac ati. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a wnewch chi ymuno â mi i annog teuluoedd i wirio eu cymhwysedd ar gyfer y grant hanfodion ysgol ac i ddiolch i ysgolion ac unigolion am sefydlu mentrau sy'n helpu teuluoedd i leihau cost gwisgoedd ysgol?
Thank you very much, Joyce, and can I commend Councillor Matthew Dorrance and Councillor Michaela Davies for the work that they’ve done on the swap shop in Brecon? These are really important initiatives. Obviously, the school essentials grant is a big help to families, but we also encourage schools to encourage recycling schemes as well. You'll probably be aware that we revised our statutory guidance for governing bodies on school uniform and appearance policies back in May 2023, and changes to the guidance, as well as including covering things about not having compulsory branded school uniform, also covers the issue of encouraging uniform recycling schemes to be established and avoiding single-supplier arrangements, which can also reduce costs for families. It is absolutely vital that we reduce the cost of the school day because we know that stigma of poverty doesn't just have an impact on attainment, but it can affect things like attendance, and it's something that we all need to work together on to tackle. So, I'm very happy to thank the organisations that are doing the good work that you've highlighted.
Diolch yn fawr, Joyce, ac a gaf i ganmol y Cynghorydd Matthew Dorrance a'r Cynghorydd Michaela Davies am y gwaith y maent wedi'i wneud ar y siop gyfnewid yn Aberhonddu? Mae'r rhain yn fentrau pwysig iawn. Yn amlwg, mae'r grant hanfodion ysgol yn help mawr i deuluoedd, ond rydym hefyd yn annog ysgolion i annog cynlluniau ailgylchu hefyd. Mae'n debyg y byddwch yn ymwybodol ein bod wedi diwygio ein canllawiau statudol i gyrff llywodraethu ar bolisïau gwisg ysgol ac edrychiad yn ôl ym mis Mai 2023, ac mae newidiadau i'r canllawiau, yn ogystal â chynnwys pethau ynghylch peidio â chael gwisg ysgol â brand gorfodol, hefyd yn cynnwys annog sefydlu cynlluniau ailgylchu gwisgoedd ysgol ac osgoi trefniadau un cyflenwr, a allai leihau'r gost i deuluoedd. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn lleihau cost y diwrnod ysgol gan ein bod yn gwybod bod stigma tlodi nid yn unig yn cael effaith ar gyrhaeddiad, gall effeithio ar bethau fel presenoldeb, ac mae'n rhywbeth y mae angen i bawb ohonom weithio arno gyda'n gilydd i fynd i'r afael ag ef. Felly, rwy'n hapus iawn i ddiolch i'r sefydliadau sy'n gwneud y gwaith da a nodwyd gennych.
Knowing that Luke Fletcher and Jack Sargeant aren’t in their places, I can safely say that I’m the youngest Member in this Chamber, and I can remember my time in school very well. What I noticed was that there was a great number of organisations helping students going overseas for additional learning. The Holocaust Educational Trust, which I’ve mentioned in the Chamber before, arranged visits to Auschwitz that I undertook as a student, and going to Mametz Wood with the Urdd when I was a student as well. So, how is the Welsh Government working with organisations such as the Urdd and the Holocaust Educational Trust, and others that are out there, supporting students to be able to go overseas for additional learning, broadening their horizons and learning more about what this world has to offer?
Gan wybod nad yw Luke Fletcher a Jack Sargeant yn eu lle, gallaf ddweud yn sicr mai fi yw'r Aelod ieuengaf yn y Siambr hon, a gallaf gofio fy amser yn yr ysgol yn dda iawn. Yr hyn a nodais oedd bod nifer fawr o sefydliadau'n helpu myfyrwyr i fynd dramor ar gyfer dysgu ychwanegol. Trefnodd Ymddiriedolaeth Addysgol yr Holocost, y soniais amdani yn y Siambr o'r blaen, ymweliadau ag Auschwitz yr euthum arnynt fel myfyriwr, a mynd i Goedwig Mametz gyda'r Urdd pan oeddwn yn fyfyriwr hefyd. Felly, sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda sefydliadau fel yr Urdd ac Ymddiriedolaeth Addysgol yr Holocost, ac eraill sydd ar gael, i gefnogi myfyrwyr i allu mynd dramor ar gyfer dysgu ychwanegol, gan ehangu eu gorwelion a dysgu mwy am yr hyn sydd gan y byd hwn i'w gynnig?
Thank you very much for that important question. It is really vital for young people to have those opportunities in different places overseas. My colleague Vikki Howells has just referred to the Taith programme, which we’re providing around £65 million-worth of funding to, which is benefiting not just older learners, but primary school children as well. You’ll be aware that the Government made this commitment to this programme when the decision was taken entirely unnecessarily to leave the Erasmus programme after we left the EU. So, this Government has invested in continuing to support young people going overseas. I’m not aware whether we fund the Holocaust Educational Trust. I do think those visits are important and I will follow that up and check. Darren tells me that we do, so that’s very good news. [Laughter.]
Diolch am y cwestiwn pwysig hwnnw. Mae'n hanfodol i bobl ifanc gael y cyfleoedd hynny mewn gwahanol leoedd dramor. Mae fy nghyd-Aelod Vikki Howells newydd gyfeirio at raglen Taith, yr ydym yn darparu gwerth tua £65 miliwn o gyllid iddo, sydd o fudd nid yn unig i ddysgwyr hŷn, ond i blant ysgolion cynradd hefyd. Fe wyddoch fod y Llywodraeth wedi gwneud ymrwymiad i'r rhaglen pan wnaed y penderfyniad yn gwbl ddiangen i adael rhaglen Erasmus ar ôl inni adael yr UE. Felly, mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi buddsoddi er mwyn parhau i gefnogi pobl ifanc sy'n mynd dramor. Nid wyf yn gwybod a ydym yn ariannu Ymddiriedolaeth Addysgol yr Holocost. Rwy'n credu bod yr ymweliadau hynny'n bwysig ac fe af ar drywydd hynny ac edrych i weld. Mae Darren yn dweud wrthyf ein bod, felly mae hynny'n newyddion da iawn. [Chwerthin.]
The Auschwitz programme, you do.
Rhaglen Auschwitz, ydych.
4. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi awdurdodau lleol i ddarparu gwasanaethau anghenion dysgu ychwanegol? OQ61999
4. How is the Welsh Government supporting local authorities to provide additional learning needs services? OQ61999
The Welsh Government continues to support local authorities to deliver ALN reform and, since 2020, has invested extra funding of over £170 million to local authorities and schools. There is regular engagement with local authorities, including through our ALN reform steering group and a series of effective practice events.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol i gyflawni diwygiadau anghenion dysgu ychwanegol ac ers 2020, mae wedi buddsoddi cyllid ychwanegol o dros £170 miliwn i awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion. Ceir ymgysylltu rheolaidd ag awdurdodau lleol, gan gynnwys drwy ein grŵp llywio diwygio ADY a chyfres o ddigwyddiadau ymarfer effeithiol.
Mae hwn yn faes sy'n amlwg yn mynd yn fwy a mwy problematig. Mae yna gynnydd sylweddol wedi bod yn nifer yr etholwyr sy'n cysylltu efo fi i siarad am yr heriau y maen nhw'n eu hwynebu wrth drio cael cefnogaeth i'w plant—rhai yn sôn am blant wedi cael eu heithrio, lle maen nhw fod yn cael eu hintegreiddio, eraill yn dweud eu bod nhw'n methu cael cefnogaeth oherwydd eu bod nhw'n methu cael diagnosis, ac eraill sydd wedi cael diagnosis yn dal yn methu cael cefnogaeth. Rŵan, mae awdurdodau lleol, fel Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn, yn eiddgar, wrth gwrs, i wella'r ddarpariaeth anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, ond maen nhw angen Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, i chwarae eu rhan. Felly, a gaf i ofyn i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddau gwestiwn? Pa drafodaethau mae hi yn eu cael efo'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros iechyd er mwyn cryfhau a phrysuro a chyflymu'r broses ddiagnosis? Ac wedyn, sut mae hi am fynd ati i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol yn uniongyrchol i wella darpariaeth drwy ragor o adnoddau a rhagor o gyllid?
This is an area that is clearly getting more and more problematic. There’s been a significant increase in the number of constituents who are contacting me to discuss the challenges that they face in trying to access support for their children—some talking about children being exempted, where they should be integrated, others saying that they can't get support because they can't get a diagnosis, and others who've had a diagnosis still unable to access support. Now, local authorities, such as Anglesey council, are keen, of course, to improve ALN provision, but they need the Welsh Government to play its part. So, can I ask the Cabinet Secretary two questions? What discussions is she having with the Cabinet Secretary for health in order to strengthen and hasten the diagnosis process? And then, how is she going to support local authorities directly to improve provision by providing additional resources and additional funding?
Can I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for that very important question? He'll be aware, I'm sure, that I'd only been in the post several weeks when I identified this as an area of priority and one where we needed to make more progress. I announced a legal review of the ALN code and Act, and that is running parallel with our own efforts to work in partnership with local authorities to deliver implementation on the ground. I should say as well that that is against a really challenging backdrop of rising numbers of learners that are presenting with really complex needs, and that's something that we've discussed in the Chamber before.
You referred to the interface with health. You will have heard me say in the Chamber before that neurodevelopmental waiting times are too long, and my colleague, Sarah Murphy, has announced additional funding to tackle ND waiting times, and there's a whole piece of work underpinning how we tackle that issue generally. There's also work around allied health professionals. But you are right to highlight the need for there to be a strong partnership. We are working with our health colleagues to make sure that there is that seamless support for children and young people. We have a multi-agency collaboration group that is tackling some of the issues around referrals to health. That's developing new performance indicators to make sure that we can track whether children are getting timely support. But the legal review will also look at that.
In terms of local authorities, we've got a really close partnership with local authorities in terms of implementing the ALN legislation. And I want to thank local authorities and schools for all the work that they're doing to implement what is a major reform. You'll be aware as well that we have announced considerable sums of funding to support our ALN reforms. That has included lots of capital funding not just to support units attached to schools, but also to fund new special schools in Wales, and there is, I think, £750 million set aside in the next nine-year rolling programme to support that work on ALN capital. But we continue to work in partnership with local authorities. Officials meet with individual local authorities now monthly, and we're all committed to driving forward that work, which has been underpinned by very significant funding against a backdrop of very significant rising need.
A gaf i ddiolch i Rhun ap Iorwerth am y cwestiwn pwysig hwnnw? Bydd yn ymwybodol, rwy'n siŵr, mai dim ond ers rhai wythnosau yr oeddwn wedi bod yn y swydd pan nodais hyn fel maes blaenoriaeth ac un lle roedd angen inni wneud mwy o gynnydd. Cyhoeddais adolygiad cyfreithiol o'r cod ADY a'r Ddeddf, ac mae hynny'n cydredeg ochr yn ochr â'n hymdrechion ein hunain i weithio mewn partneriaeth ag awdurdodau lleol i weithredu ar lawr gwlad. Dylwn ddweud hefyd fod hynny yn erbyn cefndir heriol iawn gyda niferoedd cynyddol o ddysgwyr ag anghenion cymhleth iawn, ac mae hynny'n rhywbeth yr ydym wedi'i drafod yn y Siambr o'r blaen.
Rydych chi'n cyfeirio at y rhyngwyneb gydag iechyd. Byddwch wedi fy nghlywed yn dweud yn y Siambr o'r blaen fod amseroedd aros niwroddatblygiadol yn rhy hir, ac mae fy nghyd-Aelod, Sarah Murphy, wedi cyhoeddi cyllid ychwanegol i fynd i'r afael ag amseroedd aros niwroddatblygiadol, ac mae yna ddarn cyfan o waith sy'n sail i'r ffordd yr awn i'r afael â'r mater hwnnw'n gyffredinol. Mae yna waith hefyd sy'n ymwneud â gweithwyr proffesiynol perthynol i iechyd. Ond rydych chi'n iawn i dynnu sylw at yr angen am bartneriaeth gref. Rydym yn gweithio gyda'n cydweithwyr iechyd i sicrhau bod cefnogaeth ddi-dor i blant a phobl ifanc. Mae gennym grŵp cydweithio amlasiantaethol sy'n mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r materion yn ymwneud ag atgyfeiriadau at iechyd. Mae hwnnw'n datblygu dangosyddion perfformiad newydd i sicrhau y gallwn olrhain a yw plant yn cael cefnogaeth amserol. Ond bydd yr adolygiad cyfreithiol yn edrych ar hynny yn ogystal.
O ran awdurdodau lleol, mae gennym bartneriaeth agos iawn gydag awdurdodau lleol ar gyfer gweithredu'r ddeddfwriaeth ADY. Ac rwyf am ddiolch i awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion am yr holl waith y maent yn ei wneud ar weithredu'r hyn sy'n ddiwygiad mawr. Fe fyddwch yn gwybod hefyd ein bod wedi cyhoeddi symiau sylweddol o gyllid i gefnogi ein diwygiadau ADY. Mae hynny wedi cynnwys llawer o gyllid cyfalaf nid yn unig i gefnogi unedau sydd ynghlwm wrth ysgolion, ond hefyd i ariannu ysgolion arbennig newydd yng Nghymru, ac rwy'n credu bod yna £750 miliwn wedi'i neilltuo yn y rhaglen dreigl naw mlynedd nesaf i gefnogi'r gwaith hwnnw ar gyfalaf ADY. Ond rydym yn parhau i weithio mewn partneriaeth ag awdurdodau lleol. Mae swyddogion yn cyfarfod ag awdurdodau lleol unigol bob mis bellach, ac rydym i gyd wedi ymrwymo i yrru'r gwaith hwnnw yn ei flaen, gwaith sydd wedi'i ategu gan gyllid sylweddol iawn yn erbyn cefndir o angen cynyddol sylweddol.
Cabinet Secretary, I also share the concerns of the leader of Plaid Cymru. But I also want to ask you how you're working with Cabinet colleagues and local authorities in terms of training drivers of taxis, minibuses and cars that take learners with ALN to and from school, so that they are fully equipped and able to deal with the specific needs that those learners with ALN have and to prevent anything negative happening on that important school journey, to ensure that they have the very best start to the day as possible. I'd just like to say that I'd go as far as making that training compulsory for them. Of course, I know the difficulties around that, but can you assure me that that training is there and it will be adequate to equip those drivers with those skills? Thank you.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwyf innau hefyd yn rhannu pryderon arweinydd Plaid Cymru. Ond rwyf am ofyn ichi sut rydych chi'n gweithio gyda chyd-Aelodau yn y Cabinet ac awdurdodau lleol ar hyfforddi gyrwyr tacsis, bysiau mini a cheir sy'n mynd â dysgwyr ag ADY i'r ysgol ac yn ôl, fel eu bod yn gwbl barod ac yn gallu ymdrin â'r anghenion penodol sydd gan ddysgwyr ag ADY ac i atal unrhyw beth negyddol rhag digwydd ar y daith bwysig honno i'r ysgol ac yn ôl, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn cael y dechrau gorau posibl i'r diwrnod. Hoffwn ddweud yr awn i cyn belled â gwneud yr hyfforddiant hwnnw'n orfodol iddynt. Wrth gwrs, rwy'n ymwybodol o'r anawsterau sy'n gysylltiedig â hynny, ond a allwch chi fy sicrhau bod hyfforddiant ar gael ac y bydd yn ddigonol i arfogi gyrwyr â'r sgiliau hynny? Diolch.
Well, of course, we want all learners to have a good, positive journey to school. Local authorities are responsible for that home-to-school transport provision and they put the contracts in place that transport learners, and they will have mechanisms in place to make sure that learners have a satisfactory experience. We’re also acutely aware of the rising costs of that transport, which is adding to our ALN funding pressures.
Wel, wrth gwrs, rydym am i bob dysgwr gael taith dda a chadarnhaol i'r ysgol. Awdurdodau lleol sy'n gyfrifol am ddarparu cludiant rhwng y cartref a'r ysgol a hwy sy'n rhoi'r contractau ar waith ar gyfer cludo dysgwyr, a bydd ganddynt fecanweithiau ar waith i sicrhau bod dysgwyr yn cael profiad boddhaol. Rydym hefyd yn ymwybodol iawn o gostau cynyddol y drafnidiaeth honno, sy'n ychwanegu at bwysau cyllido ADY.
5. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'r afael a'r cwymp yn nifer y dysgwyr sy'n astudio iaith fodern mewn ysgolion? OQ61980
5. How is the Welsh Government addressing the fall in the number of learners who study a modern language in schools? OQ61980
We have a clear strategy to support international language learning, set out in our Global Futures 2022-25 plan. The plan outlines how we and our Global Futures partners will continue to support our schools. I have recently agreed to extend this plan for a further year.
Mae gennym strategaeth glir i gefnogi dysgu ieithoedd rhyngwladol, a nodir yn ein cynllun Dyfodol Byd-eang 2022-25. Mae'r cynllun yn amlinellu sut y byddwn ni a'n partneriaid Dyfodol Byd-eang yn parhau i gefnogi ein hysgolion. Yn ddiweddar, rwyf wedi cytuno i ymestyn y cynllun hwn am flwyddyn arall.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Dwi'n gwerthfawrogi bod yna gynllun yn ei le, ond, yn anffodus, dydy o ddim yn gweithio. Mae ymchwil gan Mentora ITM yn amlygu, er bod gan fyfyrwyr ddiddordeb mewn dysgu ieithoedd, fod eu llwybrau dysgu yn aml yn cael eu rhwystro gan ffactorau eraill, megis toriadau i adrannau ieithoedd a sut mae pynciau’n cael eu grwpio yn ystod dewisiadau TGAU. Mi wyddom ni hefyd fod yna leihad o ran nid yn unig nifer y dysgwyr, ond hefyd athrawon. Mae nifer o etholwyr wedi cysylltu efo fi yn dweud bod rhai ysgolion ddim hyd yn oed yn cynnig TGAU neu lefel-A mewn ieithoedd modern bellach, neu ddim yn rhedeg y cyrsiau os ydy niferoedd o dan ryw drothwy arbennig. Felly, pa waith sy'n cael ei wneud gan y Llywodraeth i ddeall beth ydy maint y broblem, a sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gydag ysgolion i fynd i'r afael â'r rhwystrau penodol hyn?
Thank you very much. I appreciate that there is a plan in place, but, unfortunately, it’s not working. Research by MFL Mentoring highlights the fact that although students have an interest in learning languages, their learning pathways are blocked by other factors, such as cuts to language departments and how subjects are grouped during the process of choosing GCSEs. We also know that there is a reduction not only in the number of learners, but also teachers. A number of constituents have contacted me saying that some schools don’t even offer a GCSE or A-level in modern languages any more, or that they don’t run the courses if numbers fall below a certain threshold. So, what work is being done by the Government to understand the extent of this problem, and how is the Welsh Government working with schools to tackle these specific barriers?
Thank you very much, Heledd, and I know you’re sponsoring the event this evening, which I’m attending, and very happy to do so. Obviously, the decline in modern foreign languages is part of a general picture across the UK. It’s not unique to Wales, and the aims and actions within the Global Futures plans are designed to address the challenges to international languages. I’m very keen for schools to all engage with our Global Futures partners, as the support they offer is for the benefit of all schools in Wales. I think the introduction of international languages at primary school as part of the Curriculum for Wales, which is obviously very early on, will make a difference. It means more learners than ever in Wales are learning to speak a modern foreign language, and I believe it’s best that they do start that journey in primary school rather than leaving it to secondary school.
We have seen some encouraging signs as well, with things like the increase of 27.6 per cent in the number of German entries in 2024, compared to 2023, which is a positive sign. But we do have more work to do, and you’ve highlighted some of the issues around timetabling. I think you were in the Chamber when I talked about how I had launched the e-sgol partnership in Monmouthshire, where they were bringing schools together to offer virtual Spanish lessons. I think initiatives like that are very important. Obviously, it is for schools to plan their curriculum and to decide what subjects they offer, but I’m really keen that there is a strong focus on modern foreign languages. It’s what I did at university myself; I’m very keen on it.
I’ve looked at the British Council report with interest, and, as you know, we’re supporting things like the modern foreign languages mentoring scheme from Cardiff University, which will be celebrated this evening. I was able to go and see that in action, and that was absolutely brilliant, because what that does is work with year 9 learners who are unsure whether they want to take a modern foreign language, because there are confidence issues often with modern foreign languages, and it’s having a really good impact.
So, there is lots that is going on, but more work to do. We’ve had the year-long extension of the Global Futures programme, and I’ll be working with officials and partners to consider how we take this work further in future. But I’m also hopeful that the fact that we are teaching this now in the curriculum in primary schools will be a big help in terms of the enthusiasm and participation in modern foreign languages in schools.
Diolch, Heledd, ac rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn noddi'r digwyddiad heno, y byddaf yn ei fynychu, ac rwy'n hapus iawn i wneud hynny. Yn amlwg, mae'r dirywiad mewn ieithoedd tramor modern yn rhan o ddarlun cyffredinol ledled y DU. Nid yw'n unigryw i Gymru, ac mae'r nodau a'r camau gweithredu o fewn y cynlluniau Dyfodol Byd-eang wedi'u cynllunio i fynd i'r afael â'r heriau i ieithoedd rhyngwladol. Rwy'n awyddus iawn i'r ysgolion i gyd ymgysylltu â'n partneriaid Dyfodol Byd-eang, gan fod y gefnogaeth y maent yn ei chynnig o fudd i bob ysgol yng Nghymru. Rwy'n credu y bydd cyflwyno ieithoedd rhyngwladol yn yr ysgol gynradd fel rhan o'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru, sy'n amlwg yn gynnar iawn, yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Mae'n golygu bod mwy o ddysgwyr nag erioed yng Nghymru yn dysgu siarad iaith dramor fodern, a chredaf ei bod yn well iddynt ddechrau'r daith honno yn yr ysgol gynradd yn hytrach na'i gadael i'r ysgol uwchradd.
Rydym wedi gweld rhai arwyddion calonogol hefyd, gyda phethau fel cynnydd o 27.6 y cant yn nifer y cofrestriadau Almaeneg yn 2024, o'i gymharu â 2023, sy'n arwydd cadarnhaol. Ond mae gennym fwy o waith i'w wneud, ac rydych wedi tynnu sylw at rai o'r materion sy'n ymwneud ag amserlennu. Rwy'n credu eich bod yn y Siambr pan soniais sut y gwneuthum lansio'r bartneriaeth e-sgol yn sir Fynwy, lle roeddent yn dod ag ysgolion at ei gilydd i gynnig gwersi Sbaeneg rhithwir. Rwy'n credu bod mentrau fel hyn yn bwysig iawn. Yn amlwg, mater i ysgolion yw cynllunio eu cwricwlwm a phenderfynu pa bynciau y maent yn eu cynnig, ond rwy'n awyddus iawn i weld ffocws cryf ar ieithoedd tramor modern. Dyna a astudiais i yn y brifysgol; rwy'n awyddus iawn i weld hynny.
Rwyf wedi edrych ar adroddiad y British Council gyda diddordeb, ac fel y gwyddoch, rydym yn cefnogi pethau fel y cynllun mentora ieithoedd tramor modern gan Brifysgol Caerdydd, a fydd yn cael ei ddathlu heno. Gallais fynd i weld hynny ar waith, ac roedd yn hollol wych, oherwydd yr hyn y mae'n ei wneud yw gweithio gyda dysgwyr blwyddyn 9 sy'n ansicr a ydynt am ddewis iaith dramor fodern, am fod problemau hyder yn aml gydag ieithoedd tramor modern, ac mae'n cael effaith dda iawn.
Felly, mae llawer yn digwydd, ond mae mwy o waith i'w wneud. Rydym wedi cael estyniad blwyddyn o hyd i'r rhaglen Dyfodol Byd-eang, a byddaf yn gweithio gyda swyddogion a phartneriaid i ystyried sut y datblygwn y gwaith hwn ymhellach yn y dyfodol. Ond rwy'n obeithiol hefyd y bydd y ffaith ein bod yn dysgu hyn yn y cwricwlwm mewn ysgolion cynradd bellach yn help mawr i hybu brwdfrydedd a chyfranogiad mewn ieithoedd tramor modern mewn ysgolion.
Coming to mentoring, MFL Mentoring estimates that only around one in 10 learners choose to study a language at GCSE. Of those that do, they predominantly pick French, though this number has halved in the past decade. However, decades-high levels of exam entries into non-traditional languages, those other than German, French and Spanish, which, while remaining relatively small, suggests trends towards preferring greater diversity. Wales's Global Futures strategic plan mentions supporting schools in setting and planning their international language provision. Cabinet Secretary, with this in mind, how is Welsh Government ensuring a broader-based selection and supporting students to take languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean or Arabic?
I droi at fentora, mae MFL Mentoring yn amcangyfrif mai dim ond tua un o bob 10 dysgwr sy'n dewis astudio iaith ar lefel TGAU. O'r rhai sy'n gwneud hynny, maent yn dewis Ffrangeg yn bennaf, er bod y nifer hwn wedi haneru yn ystod y degawd diwethaf. Fodd bynnag, mae'r lefelau uchaf ers degawdau o gofrestriadau arholiad ieithoedd annhraddodiadol, heblaw Almaeneg, Ffrangeg a Sbaeneg, er eu bod yn parhau i fod yn gymharol fach, yn awgrymu tueddiadau tuag at ffafrio mwy o amrywiaeth. Mae cynllun strategol Dyfodol Byd-eang Cymru yn sôn am gefnogi ysgolion i osod a chynllunio eu darpariaeth ieithoedd rhyngwladol. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, gyda hyn mewn golwg, sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau dewis ehangach ac yn cefnogi myfyrwyr i astudio ieithoedd fel Tsieineeg, Japaneeg, Koreeg neu Arabeg?
Thanks, Altaf. I think those are very important points. We have discussed the challenges that we've got in delivering modern foreign languages generally, and I should have said in response to Heledd that, obviously, we've got incentives to encourage people to come into the profession to teach modern foreign languages. But, as you highlight, the offer is on those traditional subjects like French, Spanish and German. We've got a lot of work to do; it's not something that's going to be done overnight. The Curriculum for Wales having international languages at primary school will help. There are examples of where we've supported a scheme for students from China to come and teach Mandarin in schools in Wales. I'm really keen on initiatives like that.
Obviously, things like that do cost money, but I'm very keen to look at how we can promote them, because I'm conscious that, in the public school sector, they do get this opportunity to learn those more unusual languages. So, we are grappling with some challenges in terms of the traditional subjects, which I hope that we'll be able to progress, but I'm also keen to look at how we build on things like the work that we've done with the teaching of Mandarin to teach more unusual languages. The more languages that young people can have access to, the better.
Diolch, Altaf. Credaf fod y rheini’n bwyntiau pwysig iawn. Rydym wedi trafod yr heriau sydd gennym o ran darpariaeth ieithoedd tramor modern yn gyffredinol, a dylwn fod wedi dweud mewn ymateb i Heledd fod gennym, yn amlwg, gymelliadau i annog pobl i ddod i mewn i'r proffesiwn i addysgu ieithoedd tramor modern. Ond fel y dywedwch, mae'r cynnig ar gyfer pynciau traddodiadol fel Ffrangeg, Sbaeneg ac Almaeneg. Mae gennym lawer o waith i'w wneud; nid yw'n rhywbeth sy'n mynd i ddigwydd dros nos. Bydd cael ieithoedd rhyngwladol yn yr ysgol gynradd drwy'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru o gymorth. Ceir enghreifftiau o ble rydym wedi cefnogi cynllun i fyfyrwyr o Tsieina ddod i addysgu Mandarin mewn ysgolion yng Nghymru. Rwy'n hoff iawn o fentrau fel hynny.
Yn amlwg, mae pethau fel hyn yn costio arian, ond rwy’n awyddus iawn i edrych ar sut y gallwn eu hyrwyddo, gan fy mod yn ymwybodol, yn y sector ysgolion preifat, eu bod yn cael cyfle i ddysgu’r ieithoedd mwy anarferol hynny. Felly, rydym yn mynd i’r afael â heriau o ran y pynciau traddodiadol, y gobeithiaf y byddwn yn gallu gwneud cynnydd arnynt, ond rwyf hefyd yn awyddus i edrych ar sut i adeiladu ar bethau fel y gwaith a wnaethom ar addysgu Mandarin er mwyn addysgu ieithoedd mwy anarferol. Gorau po fwyaf o ieithoedd y gall pobl ifanc gael mynediad atynt.
6. Sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi'r sector addysg uwch yng Nghymru? OQ61978
6. How is the Government supporting the higher education sector in Wales? OQ61978
The Welsh Government continues to invest substantial funds into the higher education sector in Wales, and today I have announced that we will increase the full-time undergraduate tuition fee limit by inflation to £9,535. We are also allocating an additional £10 million to Medr to support HE in the current financial year.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i fuddsoddi arian sylweddol yn y sector addysg uwch yng Nghymru, a heddiw, cyhoeddais y byddwn yn cynyddu’r terfyn ar ffioedd dysgu israddedig amser llawn yn unol â chwyddiant i £9,535. Rydym hefyd yn dyrannu £10 miliwn ychwanegol i Medr i gefnogi addysg uwch yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol.
Diolch. Mae gan ein prifysgolion, fel rŷn ni wedi clywed yn gynharach, effaith economaidd flynyddol o bron i £11 biliwn, ond maen nhw'n wynebu'r argyfwng ariannol mwyaf mewn cof. Dyna beth rŷch chi’n ei glywed pan ŷch chi’n siarad gyda phobl sy’n gweithio mewn prifysgolion—a dylwn i ddatgan, Llywydd, fod fy ngŵr yn athro ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe. Dyw ffioedd a chyllid bellach ddim yn cwrdd â chostau addysgu israddedigion, heb sôn am y gwaith ymchwil ac arloesi, ac roedd hi’n anhygoel, a dweud y gwir, eich clywed chi’n dweud yn gynharach mewn ateb eich bod chi’n teimlo bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru ddim ond rôl fach i’w chwarae yn sicrhau llewyrch i’r sector hollbwysig yma.
Un o'r ffactorau sy'n chwarae rhan yn yr argyfwng yw cwymp mewn ceisiadau. Mae gostyngiad o tua 50 y cant yn nifer y myfyrwyr tramor, diolch i bolisïau annoeth ac adweithiol Llywodraeth San Steffan ar amodau fisa myfyrwyr. Mae cyfran y ceisiadau gan ddysgwyr o Gymru ar gyfer prifysgolion ar lefel argyfyngus o isel. Dim ond traean o'n dysgwyr sydd nawr yn cymryd arholiadau safon uwch, o gymharu â bron i 50 y cant yn Lloegr. Mae'r ffigur yn ddim ond 11 y cant o ddysgwyr sy'n gymwys am brydau ysgol am ddim. Tra bod nifer o lwybrau i astudio am radd, dylai eich cefndir economaidd-gymdeithasol ddim pennu’r llwybr honno, na chwaith os ydych chi yn medru cymryd cam ar y llwybr o gwbl.
Felly, pa gamau ydych chi’n eu cymryd i gefnogi prifysgolion Cymru i gynyddu nifer eu myfyrwyr? Fyddech chi’n ystyried addasu’r cynllun Seren i ffocysu'n llwyr ar wella cyfranogiad dysgwyr, ac a fyddech chi'n ystyried gosod targed ar gyfer nifer y dysgwyr sy'n astudio arholiadau safon uwch? Wnewch chi siarad hefyd gyda Llywodraeth newydd San Steffan ynglŷn ag ehangu’r amodau ar gyfer fisa myfyrwyr tramor?
Thank you. Our universities, as we've already heard, have an annual economic impact of almost £11 billion, but they are facing the biggest financial crisis in living memory. That's what you hear when you talk to people who work in universities—and I should state, Llywydd, that my husband is a professor at Swansea University. Student fees and finance don't meet the cost of teaching undergraduates, let alone research and innovation, anymore, and it was shocking, truth be told, to hear you say earlier that the Welsh Government only had a small role to play in ensuring that this crucially important sector prospers.
One of the factors that play a part in the crisis is a decline in applications. There's been a reduction of around 50 per cent in the number of foreign students, thanks to the unwise and reactionary policies of the Westminster Government on student visa conditions. The proportion of applications by learners from Wales for universities is at a critically low level. Only a third of our learners now take A-level examinations, compared with almost 50 per cent in England. The figure is just 11 per cent for learners who are eligible for free school meals. Whilst there are many pathways to study for a degree, your socioeconomic background should not determine that pathway, nor whether you can take a step on that pathway at all.
So, what steps are you taking to support Welsh universities to increase their number of students? Will you consider adapting the Seren programme to focus entirely on increasing the participation of learners, and will you consider setting a target for the number of learners studying A-level examinations? Will you also speak to the new Westminster Government on expanding the conditions on visas for foreign students?
Can I thank you, Sioned, for that supplementary question? It was very long, but you got lots of very important points into it, so I'm happy with that. Firstly, I need to start off by saying that I'm absolutely committed to supporting a sustainable higher education sector, and to have strong institutions here in Wales that are able to deliver on our ambitions for students and research, and to drive economic growth in Wales. I recognise the financial pressure that our HE institutions in Wales, and across the UK and even wider afield, are under. It is a significant period of painful adjustment, following the recent sudden decrease in international student enrolments, and I absolutely agree with the weight that you attributed to that in your question to me. Some of those universities are undertaking a fundamental re-examination of their institutional business models and seeking greater efficiencies and opportunities for collaboration between institutions. And, as you know, I'm meeting regularly with university and college leaders, as well as Universities Wales, to understand the pressures they are facing. You're absolutely right to identify the need for us to work closely with the UK Government on that international student issue, and also, as I've alluded to already this afternoon in the Chamber, to look at a more sustainable funding model for higher education in the long term.
Finally, you talked there about participation rates. That is something that is of great concern to myself and the Cabinet Secretary for Education, and it is where we are funnelling both our economic resources and the wider resources of Government, to really focus in on that. Yes, it would be really important to see more learners undertaking A-levels, but let's not forget as well the role that BTECs can play in accessing universities, and we need to make sure that everyone is aware of that—it's not a tiered model; BTECs are widely accepted by universities across Wales and further afield.
The point you mentioned there about the Seren programme is one that we are looking at and I hope to have some news on that soon. And finally, just to say that that £10 million that I've announced today for Medr—there will be a big focus within that on widening participation.
A gaf i ddiolch i chi am eich cwestiwn atodol, Sioned? Roedd yn hir iawn, ond roedd yn cynnwys llawer o bwyntiau pwysig iawn, felly rwy'n fodlon ar hynny. Yn gyntaf, mae angen imi ddechrau drwy ddweud fy mod wedi llwyr ymrwymo i gefnogi sector addysg uwch cynaliadwy, ac i gael sefydliadau cryf yma yng Nghymru sy’n gallu cyflawni ein huchelgeisiau ar gyfer myfyrwyr ac ymchwil, ac i ysgogi twf economaidd yng Nghymru. Rwy’n cydnabod y pwysau ariannol sydd ar ein sefydliadau addysg uwch yng Nghymru, a ledled y DU a thu hwnt hyd yn oed. Mae’n gyfnod poenus iawn o addasu, yn dilyn y gostyngiad sydyn diweddar yn nifer y myfyrwyr rhyngwladol sy’n cofrestru, ac rwy’n cytuno’n llwyr â’r pwysau a briodolwyd gennych i hynny yn eich cwestiwn i mi. Mae rhai o'r prifysgolion hynny yn cynnal ail archwiliad sylfaenol o'u modelau busnes sefydliadol ac yn ceisio sicrhau mwy o arbedion effeithlonrwydd a chyfleoedd ar gyfer cydweithio rhwng sefydliadau. Ac fel y gwyddoch, rwy’n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd ag arweinwyr prifysgolion a cholegau, yn ogystal â Prifysgolion Cymru, i ddeall y pwysau y maent yn ei wynebu. Rydych yn llygad eich lle i nodi'r angen inni weithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar fater myfyrwyr rhyngwladol, a hefyd, fel rwyf eisoes wedi'i grybwyll y prynhawn yma yn y Siambr, i edrych ar fodel ariannu mwy cynaliadwy ar gyfer addysg uwch yn y tymor hir.
Yn olaf, fe sonioch chi am gyfraddau cyfranogiad. Mae hynny'n rhywbeth sy'n peri cryn bryder i mi ac i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, a dyma ble rydym yn sianelu ein hadnoddau economaidd ac adnoddau ehangach y Llywodraeth, er mwyn canolbwyntio'n agos ar hynny. Byddai wirioneddol bwysig gweld mwy o ddysgwyr yn ymgymryd â chyrsiau Safon Uwch, ond gadewch inni beidio ag anghofio ychwaith y rôl y gall cymwysterau BTEC ei chwarae o ran mynediad i brifysgolion, ac mae angen inni sicrhau bod pawb yn ymwybodol o hynny—nid yw’n fodel haenog; mae llawer o brifysgolion ledled Cymru a thu hwnt yn derbyn cymwysterau BTEC.
Mae eich pwynt ynglŷn â rhaglen Seren yn un yr ydym yn edrych arno, a gobeithiaf gael rhywfaint o newyddion ynglŷn â hynny cyn bo hir. Ac yn olaf, hoffwn ddweud y bydd y £10 miliwn a gyhoeddais heddiw ar gyfer Medr—bydd ffocws mawr o'i fewn ar ehangu cyfranogiad.
I think if we look at higher education in Wales—and Cefin and I have talked about this at length with you today—we see a dashboard with many of the lights going off, and one of the biggest lights going off, I think, on the dashboard of Welsh universities is, in fact, the participation rates of younger people. So, in Wales we've seen 33 per cent of 18-year-olds go on to university, compared to 42 per cent in the UK as a whole. That's the biggest, most stark gap in modern times, and that is a hugely concerning statistic, not only for our universities, but for the life chances of those young people as well. So, can you tell me what work both you and the education Minister will have commissioned to understand the underlying reasons as to why that is happening in Wales, and whether it is to do with the overall educational performance in Wales, which is obviously much worse than the rest of the United Kingdom, or whether there are other factors at play here as well?
Os edrychwn ar addysg uwch yng Nghymru—ac mae Cefin a minnau wedi trafod hyn yn helaeth gyda chi heddiw—gwelwn ddangosfwrdd gyda llawer o’r goleuadau’n diffodd, a chredaf mai un o’r goleuadau mwyaf sy'n diffodd ar ddangosfwrdd prifysgolion Cymru mewn gwirionedd yw cyfraddau cyfranogiad pobl iau. Felly, yng Nghymru rydym wedi gweld 33 y cant o bobl ifanc 18 oed yn camu ymlaen i brifysgol, o gymharu â 42 y cant yn y DU gyfan. Dyna’r bwlch mwyaf amlwg yn y cyfnod modern, ac mae hwnnw’n ystadegyn sy’n peri cryn bryder, nid yn unig i’n prifysgolion, ond i gyfleoedd bywyd y bobl ifanc hynny hefyd. Felly, a allwch chi ddweud wrthyf pa waith y byddwch chi a'r Gweinidog addysg wedi'i gomisiynu i ddeall y rhesymau sylfaenol pam fod hynny'n digwydd yng Nghymru, ac a yw'n ymwneud â pherfformiad addysgol cyffredinol Cymru, sy'n amlwg yn waeth o lawer na gweddill y Deyrnas Unedig, neu a oes ffactorau eraill ar waith yma hefyd?
Thank you, Tom, for that follow-up question. I certainly agree with you that we do need to increase the participation rate of our young people in university here in Wales. In fact, one really startling statistic is that, by 2035, 95 per cent of new jobs here in Wales will be graduate positions. So, it really is imperative that we equip our young people with the skills that they need for the future. But as well as that, let's also recognise the role of apprenticeships, which can be undertaken outside of the higher education sphere as well, and also bring important skills that we need for our economy.
I'm just trying to remember the last part of your question now, because—
Diolch am eich cwestiwn dilynol, Tom. Rwy’n sicr yn cytuno â chi fod angen inni gynyddu cyfraddau cyfranogiad ein pobl ifanc yn y brifysgol yma yng Nghymru. A dweud y gwir, un ystadegyn gwirioneddol syfrdanol yw y bydd 95 y cant o swyddi newydd yma yng Nghymru, erbyn 2035, yn swyddi i raddedigion. Felly, mae'n hollbwysig ein bod yn arfogi ein pobl ifanc â'r sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt ar gyfer y dyfodol. Ond yn ogystal â hynny, gadewch inni gydnabod rôl prentisiaethau, y gellir eu cyflawni y tu allan i'r byd addysg uwch hefyd, ac sy'n creu'r sgiliau pwysig sydd eu hangen arnom ar gyfer ein heconomi.
Rwy'n ceisio cofio rhan olaf eich cwestiwn, oherwydd—
What are you doing about it? [Laughter.]
Beth rydych chi'n ei wneud am y peth? [Chwerthin.]
Yes. That's very important, isn’t it? [Laughter.] So, yes, my officials are very busy working on this area, and they will be reporting back to me in the coming months about the research that they have undertaken. Having data to support our work is really important to myself and the Cabinet Secretary, so that is one of the changes in focus that we've both brought into the education department. And I look forward, within the new year, to being able to update the Senedd on the work and the data that we have collected there.
Iawn. Mae hynny'n bwysig iawn, onid yw? [Chwerthin.] Felly, mae fy swyddogion yn brysur iawn yn gweithio ar y maes hwn, a byddant yn adrodd yn ôl i mi yn y misoedd nesaf ar yr ymchwil y maent wedi’i wneud. Mae cael data i gefnogi ein gwaith yn bwysig iawn i mi ac i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, felly dyna un o'r newidiadau o ran ffocws yr ydym ein dau wedi'u cyflwyno i'r adran addysg. Ac edrychaf ymlaen, yn y flwyddyn newydd, at allu rhoi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Senedd am y gwaith a’r data yr ydym wedi’i gasglu yno.
Good afternoon, Minister. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is Wales's oldest degree-awarding institution, and there is growing concern around the campus at Lampeter, a place that many of us have visited and really regard as such a beating heart of mid Wales. Residents, students and businesses, both from Lampeter and further afield in Ceredigion, are really seriously concerned about the future of their communities. I recognise that you have said—the Government has said—that this is a matter for the university, but the consequences of the devastating blow of the closure of that campus extend far beyond those individuals to the local community and beyond. So, I wondered if I could ask you, in the light of these concerns, what assurances the Welsh Government can give to the residents, staff members and the wider community during this period of real, deep uncertainty. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Weinidog. Prifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant yw sefydliad dyfarnu graddau hynaf Cymru, ac mae pryder cynyddol ynghylch y campws yn Llanbedr Pont Steffan, lle y mae llawer ohonom wedi ymweld ag ef ac yn ei ystyried yn galon i ganolbarth Cymru. Mae trigolion, myfyrwyr a busnesau, o Lanbedr Pont Steffan a thu hwnt yng Ngheredigion, yn wirioneddol bryderus am ddyfodol eu cymunedau. Rwy'n cydnabod eich bod wedi dweud—mae’r Llywodraeth wedi dweud—mai mater i’r brifysgol yw hwn, ond mae canlyniadau ergyd ddinistriol cau’r campws hwnnw yn ymestyn ymhell y tu hwnt i’r unigolion hynny i’r gymuned leol a thu hwnt. Felly, tybed a gaf i ofyn i chi, yng ngoleuni'r pryderon hyn, pa sicrwydd y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi i'r trigolion, aelodau staff a'r gymuned ehangach yn y cyfnod hwn o ansicrwydd gwirioneddol. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you, Jane, for that question. I'd like to begin by saying that I absolutely understand the historic and cultural significance of that university there at Lampeter. I've got a number of friends who actually went to university there, and I know that it has a really special place in people's hearts, especially that iconic, historic building there as well. But it won't come as a surprise to you to hear me say that universities in Wales are autonomous institutions, and it wouldn't be appropriate for Welsh Ministers to intervene in their academic matters, such as course delivery and campus location. I recognise the concern that this announcement may have a negative impact on the local economy, particularly the town centre of Lampeter, and Welsh Ministers, including myself, will remain in regular contact with the university as plans progress.
Whereas across the UK we see humanities courses under threat, I'd just like to say that that is not the case with the proposal by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. This is a proposal about the university responding strategically to challenges to safeguard the study of humanities at their institution by enabling humanities to be co-located with other disciplines and offering a more vibrant student experience. I'm sure you'll be aware that the number of full-time undergraduates at Lampeter now stands at 92, which is smaller than most primary schools in Wales, so we need to be realistic, really, about the situation facing the university. I want to ensure that staff and students are supported, and I would expect to see the principles of social partnership applied as well in providing support for students currently based at Lampeter to continue their studies with the minimum of disruption, should these proposals be enacted.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Jane. Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddweud fy mod yn deall arwyddocâd hanesyddol a diwylliannol y brifysgol honno yn Llanbedr Pont Steffan yn llwyr. Mae gennyf nifer o ffrindiau a aeth i'r brifysgol yno, a gwn fod ganddi le arbennig iawn yng nghalonnau pobl, yn enwedig yr adeilad hanesyddol, eiconig yno hefyd. Ond ni fydd yn syndod i chi fy nghlywed yn dweud bod prifysgolion yng Nghymru yn sefydliadau ymreolaethol, ac ni fyddai'n briodol i Weinidogion Cymru ymyrryd yn eu materion academaidd, megis darpariaeth cyrsiau a lleoliad eu campws. Rwy’n cydnabod y pryder y gallai’r cyhoeddiad hwn gael effaith negyddol ar yr economi leol, yn enwedig canol y dref yn Llanbedr Pont Steffan, a bydd Gweinidogion Cymru, gan fy nghynnwys i, yn parhau i fod mewn cysylltiad rheolaidd â’r brifysgol wrth i gynlluniau ddatblygu.
Er ein bod yn gweld cyrsiau dyniaethau dan fygythiad ledled y DU, hoffwn ddweud nad yw hynny’n wir gyda’r cynnig gan Brifysgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant. Cynnig yw hwn sy'n ymwneud â'r brifysgol yn ymateb yn strategol i heriau i ddiogelu cyrsiau dyniaethau yn eu sefydliad drwy alluogi'r dyniaethau i gael eu cydleoli â disgyblaethau eraill a chynnig profiad mwy bywiog i fyfyrwyr. Rwy’n siŵr y byddwch yn ymwybodol mai dim ond 92 o israddedigion amser llawn sydd yn Llanbedr Pont Steffan bellach, sy’n llai na’r rhan fwyaf o ysgolion cynradd Cymru, felly mae angen inni fod yn realistig am y sefyllfa y mae'r brifysgol yn ei hwynebu. Hoffwn sicrhau bod staff a myfyrwyr yn cael eu cefnogi, a buaswn yn disgwyl gweld egwyddorion partneriaeth gymdeithasol yn cael eu defnyddio hefyd wrth ddarparu cymorth i fyfyrwyr sydd wedi’u lleoli yn Llanbedr Pont Steffan ar hyn o bryd i barhau â’u hastudiaethau gyda chyn lleied o darfu â phosibl, os caiff y cynigion hyn eu rhoi ar waith.
7. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am fuddsoddiad Llywodraeth Cymru yn ysgolion Pontypridd fel rhan o'r rhaglen ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain? OQ61968
7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government investment in Pontypridd schools as part of the twenty-first century schools programme? OQ61968
Fifty-two million pounds of Welsh Government capital funding has been invested in schools in the Pontypridd area through the sustainable communities for learning programme and associated capital funding grants since 2014. Rhondda Cynon Taf's nine-year investment plan identifies a further £84 million investment in years 1-6, subject to business case approval and future budget availability.
Buddsoddwyd £52 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf Llywodraeth Cymru mewn ysgolion yn ardal Pontypridd drwy raglen cymunedau dysgu cynaliadwy a grantiau cyllid cyfalaf cysylltiedig ers 2014. Mae cynllun buddsoddi naw mlynedd Rhondda Cynon Taf yn nodi buddsoddiad pellach o £84 miliwn ym mlynyddoedd 1-6, yn amodol ar gymeradwyo achos busnes ac argaeledd cyllideb yn y dyfodol.
Can I thank you for that answer? I'd like to ask a little bit more about the twenty-first century schools programme. Certainly, in my constituency, in the Pontypridd constituency, we've had Y Pant and Hawthorn schools—£100 million; Bryn Celynnog's sixth form, £21 million; Ffynnon Taf, Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg Llantrisant, Llwyncrwn and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail, £7.2 million; Pontyclun, Penygawsi and Llanilltud Faerdref, £53 million—you attended the recent openings—and Tonyrefail comprehensive, £43 million. There's more than this, but I estimate it at around £0.25 billion that has been invested over the past decade. It's an absolutely transformative programme for education, unlike anything else in the United Kingdom. What guarantees can you give us that there will be a continuation of this programme so that we really do have, throughout the whole of Wales, twenty-first century schools that our children deserve?
A gaf i ddiolch i chi am eich ateb? Hoffwn ofyn mwy am raglen ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Yn sicr, yn fy etholaeth i, yn etholaeth Pontypridd, rydym wedi cael ysgol Y Pant ac ysgol y Ddraenen Wen—£100 miliwn; chweched dosbarth ysgol Bryn Celynnog, £21 miliwn; ysgol Ffynnon Taf, Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg Llantrisant, ysgol Llwyncrwn ac Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tonyrefail, £7.2 miliwn; ysgol Pont-y-clun, ysgol Penygawsi ac ysgol Llanilltud Faerdref, £53 miliwn—roeddech yn yr agoriadau diweddar—ac ysgol gyfun Tonyrefail, £43 miliwn. Mae mwy na hyn, ond rwy'n amcangyfrif bod oddeutu £0.25 biliwn wedi'i fuddsoddi dros y degawd diwethaf. Mae’n rhaglen gwbl drawsnewidiol ar gyfer addysg, yn wahanol i unrhyw beth arall yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Pa warantau y gallwch eu rhoi i ni y bydd y rhaglen hon yn parhau fel bod gennym, ledled Cymru gyfan, yr ysgolion ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain y mae ein plant yn eu haeddu?
Thank you very much, Mick. I think you're very right to highlight the phenomenal amounts of funding that we are investing in school capital, which, of course, is very different to the approach taken over the border. RCT has benefited from £184 million of Welsh Government investment in schools and colleges since the current sustainable communities for learning programme began in 2014. As you’ve highlighted, I came to the opening of the Llanilltud Faerdref Primary School and of Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School’s sixth-form block quite recently, and I’ve also visited Tonyrefail school, which is also a fantastic building. We are committed as a Government to investing in school capital. We want our young people to be educated in twenty-first century buildings. You heard, when we were in Bryn Celynnog, the young people talking with such positivity about their fantastic facilities, and how valued that makes them feel as learners.
You’ll be aware that the budget will be announced next week. There was £20 million of additional in-year capital funding announced yesterday by the First Minister for school repairs, and we do have the nine-year rolling programme of the sustainable communities for learning programme, which I’ve signed off, and local authorities are submitting the bids on that. So, more positive capital expenditure is planned, and, obviously, we await the budget next week as well. Thank you.
Diolch, Mick. Rwy'n credu eich bod yn gwbl iawn i dynnu sylw at y cyllid aruthrol a fuddsoddir gennym mewn cyfalaf ysgolion, sydd, wrth gwrs, yn wahanol iawn i'r dull a fabwysiadwyd dros y ffin. Mae RhCT wedi elwa o £184 miliwn o fuddsoddiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru mewn ysgolion a cholegau ers i’r rhaglen cymunedau dysgu cynaliadwy bresennol ddechrau yn 2014. Fel rydych wedi'i nodi, mynychais agoriad Ysgol Gynradd Llanilltud Faerdref a bloc chweched dosbarth Ysgol Gyfun Bryn Celynnog yn eithaf diweddar, ac rwyf hefyd wedi ymweld ag ysgol Tonyrefail, sydd hefyd yn adeilad gwych. Rydym wedi ymrwymo fel Llywodraeth i fuddsoddi mewn cyfalaf ysgolion. Rydym am i’n pobl ifanc gael eu haddysgu mewn adeiladau sy'n addas ar gyfer yr unfed ganrif ar hugain. Pan oeddem yn ysgol Bryn Celynnog, fe glywsoch chi'r bobl ifanc yn siarad mor angerddol am eu cyfleusterau gwych, a pha mor werthfawr y mae hynny’n gwneud iddynt deimlo fel dysgwyr.
Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol y bydd y gyllideb yn cael ei chyhoeddi yr wythnos nesaf. Cyhoeddwyd £20 miliwn o gyllid cyfalaf ychwanegol yn ystod y flwyddyn ddoe gan y Prif Weinidog ar gyfer atgyweirio ysgolion, ac mae gennym raglen dreigl naw mlynedd y cymunedau dysgu cynaliadwy, a gymeradwywyd gennyf, ac mae awdurdodau lleol yn cyflwyno'r cynigion ar hynny. Felly, mae rhagor o wariant cyfalaf yn yr arfaeth, ac yn amlwg, rydym yn aros am y gyllideb yr wythnos nesaf hefyd. Diolch.
Yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Adam Price.
Finally, question 8, Adam Price.
8. Ydy'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi'r nod o barhad addysg bellach yn Rhydaman? OQ61987
8. Does the Government support the goal of continuing further education in Ammanford? OQ61987
Colleges are responsible for the strategic management of their estate, and decisions around any campus or facilities are taken locally. Coleg Sir Gâr has undertaken an extensive review of its overall estate to ensure it meets the needs of learners across the area it serves.
Y colegau sy'n gyfrifol am reolaeth strategol eu hystad, a gwneir penderfyniadau ynghylch unrhyw gampws neu gyfleusterau yn lleol. Mae Coleg Sir Gâr wedi cynnal adolygiad helaeth o'i ystad gyffredinol i sicrhau ei bod yn bodloni anghenion dysgwyr ar draws yr ardal y mae'n ei gwasanaethu.
Ie, ond ydy'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi darparu addysg bellach yn Rhydaman? O gau'r campws—dyna'r cynlluniau ar hyn o bryd, wrth gwrs, gan y coleg—mi fydd Rhydaman un o'r ychydig drefi o'i faint heb gampws, heb ddarpariaeth addysg bellach o gwbl. Mi fydd e'n cymryd dros awr ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus i gyrraedd safleoedd addysg bellach cyfagos. Does bosib nad yw hynny'n ddarpariaeth ddigonol ar gyfer y dref, a hefyd yr ardal o'i chwmpas. Dwi'n croesawu'r sgwrs gawson ni'n ddiweddar, Gweinidog, a'ch parodrwydd chi i drafod gyda phartneriaid, fel Addysg Oedolion Cymru. Fyddech chi'n fodlon cael cyfarfod pellach gyda fi ac Aelodau eraill yn y rhanbarth i drafod ffordd o sicrhau bod yna ddarpariaeth yn dal i fodoli i Rydaman, ar y cyd â'r coleg, i weld a oes yna gynlluniau amgen maen nhw'n gallu rhoi ar y ford sydd ddim yn golygu mynd o sefyllfa lle mae'r coleg wedi bod yno ers bron i 100 mlynedd a'n bod ni'n cyrraedd sefyllfa lle does yna ddim darpariaeth o gwbl? Fyddai hwnna ddim yn ddigonol, na fyddai?
Yes, but does the Government support the provision of further education in Ammanford? In closing the campus—and those are the plans at the moment by the college—then Ammanford will be one of the few towns of its size without a campus, and without FE provision at all. It will take over an hour on public transport to get to nearby FE sites. Surely that isn’t adequate provision for the town, and also the surrounding area. I welcome the conversation that we had recently, Minister, and your willingness to have discussions with partners, such as Adult Learning Wales. Would you willing to have a further meeting with myself and other Members in the region to discuss a means of ensuring that there is continued provision in Ammanford, jointly with the college, in order to see if there are alternative plans that they could put on the table that wouldn’t mean that we go from a position where the college has been there for almost 100 years and we reach a position where there is no provision whatsoever? Because that wouldn't be adequate, would it?
Thank you, Adam. I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with yourself and Cefin Campbell and Joyce Watson last month to discuss this issue, and I appreciate the passion that all three of you have on this matter too. You know that the decision to close Ammanford campus is one for the college, not for Welsh Ministers. Coleg Sir Gâr's leadership team and governors agreed that rationalising the existing estate to relocate provision from Ammanford and its Job's Well campus to the Pibwrlwyd campus with a £90 million state-of-the-art facility to serve the whole area would be the best option for the college and the learners across the region.
The review that Coleg Sir Gâr has undertaken of its estate identified that rationalisation of the estate would be required to improve its financial stability also, and to allow the college to invest in those state-of-the-art facilities to enhance the curriculum offer and learner experience. And I know that you are aware, as I am, that the facilities at the Ammanford campus are, unfortunately, either in a poor or very poor condition, which means that they are costly to maintain and inefficient. The college has informed us that significant support will be in place for learners and staff throughout the transition, and that transport will be provided for learners from Ammanford to the campus.
And in terms of your final question, I'm always willing to keep up dialogue with Members with such passion in these areas, but I would also urge you, as I did in that meeting, to have that dialogue direct with the college, because that is where the decision itself is being taken.
Diolch, Adam. Roeddwn yn falch o gael y cyfle i gyfarfod â chi a Cefin Campbell a Joyce Watson fis diwethaf i drafod y mater hwn, ac rwy’n deall angerdd y tri ohonoch dros y mater hwn hefyd. Fe wyddoch mai penderfyniad i’r coleg, nid i Weinidogion Cymru, yw cau campws Rhydaman. Cytunodd tîm arweinyddiaeth a llywodraethwyr Coleg Sir Gâr mai ad-drefnu’r ystad bresennol i adleoli’r ddarpariaeth o Rydaman a’i gampws yn Ffynnon Job i gampws Pibwrlwyd gyda chyfleuster blaengar gwerth £90 miliwn i wasanaethu’r ardal gyfan fyddai’r opsiwn gorau ar gyfer y coleg a'r dysgwyr ar draws y rhanbarth.
Nododd yr adolygiad y mae Coleg Sir Gâr wedi’i gynnal o’i ystad y byddai angen ad-drefnu’r ystad er mwyn gwella ei sefydlogrwydd ariannol hefyd, ac i ganiatáu i’r coleg fuddsoddi yn y cyfleusterau blaengar hynny i wella arlwy’r cwricwlwm a phrofiad y dysgwyr. A gwn eich bod yn ymwybodol, fel finnau, fod y cyfleusterau ar gampws Rhydaman naill ai mewn cyflwr gwael neu wael iawn, yn anffodus, sy'n golygu eu bod yn ddrud i'w cynnal ac yn aneffeithlon. Mae’r coleg wedi rhoi gwybod i ni y bydd cymorth sylweddol ar gael i ddysgwyr a staff drwy gydol y cyfnod pontio, ac y bydd cludiant yn cael ei ddarparu i ddysgwyr o Rydaman i’r campws.
Ac ar eich cwestiwn olaf, rwyf bob amser yn barod i gynnal deialog gydag Aelodau sydd mor angerddol yn y meysydd hyn, ond buaswn hefyd yn eich annog, fel y gwneuthum innau yn y cyfarfod hwnnw, i gael y ddeialog honno'n uniongyrchol â'r coleg, gan mai dyna ble y gwneir y penderfyniad ei hun.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
If I was marking my own scorecard on that question session I'd have given myself zero out of 10. I allowed some questions to go on for far too long, I called two spokespeople for supplementaries, which I never do, and I cut Plaid Cymru's spokespeople questions down to two from three, so I did particularly badly. No precedents were set in that session and I will revert to my usual practice next week.
Pe bawn yn marcio fy ngherdyn sgorio fy hun ar y sesiwn gwestiynau honno, buaswn wedi rhoi sero allan o 10 i mi fy hun. Fe ganiateais i rai cwestiynau fynd ymlaen yn rhy hir o lawer, gelwais ddau lefarydd i ofyn cwestiynau atodol, rhywbeth nad wyf i byth yn ei wneud, a thorrais gwestiynau llefarwyr Plaid Cymru i lawr o dri i ddau, felly fe wneuthum yn arbennig o wael. Ni osodwyd unrhyw gynseiliau yn y sesiwn honno, a byddaf yn dychwelyd i fy nhrefn arferol yr wythnos nesaf.
Y cwestiynau amserol sydd nesaf. Cwestiwn amserol i'w ateb gan y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, i'w ofyn gan Delyth Jewell.
The topical questions are next. A topical question to be answered by the Deputy First Minister, and to be asked by Delyth Jewell.
1. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi awdurdodau lleol a phreswylwyr yr effeithir arnynt gan y llyncdwll ym Merthyr Tudful, yn enwedig wrth fynd i'r afael â'r pryderon diogelwch uniongyrchol a'r goblygiadau hirdymor ar gyfer cartrefi yr effeithir arnynt? TQ1266
1. How is the Welsh Government supporting local authorities and residents impacted by the sinkhole in Merthyr Tydfil, particularly in addressing the immediate safety concerns and long-term implications for affected homes? TQ1266
Diolch, Delyth. The emergency financial assistance scheme, EFAS, is available to local authorities facing excessive costs when responding to emergencies. So, my officials are working with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to establish the costs associated with storm Bert, and support will be available for response costs to landslips, coal tip slips and sinkholes.
Diolch, Delyth. Mae’r cynllun cymorth ariannol brys ar gael i awdurdodau lleol sy’n wynebu costau gormodol wrth ymateb i argyfyngau. Felly, mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful i gyfrifo'r costau sy’n gysylltiedig â storm Bert, a bydd cymorth ar gael ar gyfer costau'n ymwneud ag ymateb i dirlithriadau, llithriadau tomenni glo a llyncdyllau.
Diolch am hynna. Rwyf i'n gwerthfawrogi popeth dŷch chi'n ei wneud.
Thanks for that. I appreciate everything you're doing.
In case anyone isn't aware of what had happened, over the weekend a sinkhole opened in the Nant Morlais area of Pant in Merthyr Tydfil, and it resulted in over 30 homes being evacuated. It's a deeply unsettling situation for residents. Many of them are now in temporary accommodation just weeks before Christmas, and there is no certainty about when they'll be able to return to their homes. And the sinkhole is growing—cracks are spreading into roads, gardens and nearby properties.
Now, early investigations suggest it was probably caused by heavy rain damaging a culvert, which was compounded by two landslides. Now, it is worrying for residents of that street, but it also raises serious concerns about the resilience of our infrastructure in communities like Merthyr, where ageing drainage systems are struggling to cope with increasingly severe storms. The council has said the damage could take months to repair, and that would leave families in this prolonged state of uncertainty. I'm worried about the financial effects. I'm also worried about the emotional effects that could have on residents. I'd be grateful to know what longer term support can be made available to them in the run-up to Christmas, as well as after it, please.
But this sinkhole has appeared, as you've alluded to, Dirprwy Brif Weinidog, alongside landslips in villages across the Valleys and a coal tip landslide in Cwmtillery. Surely these underscore how vulnerable our ageing infrastructure is to these fierce storms. For communities across Wales the risk isn't just hypothetical, it's a reality. It threatens homes, livelihoods and public safety as well. Now, I welcome what you've said, because surely the Welsh Government does have a vital role in supporting local authorities in tackling these vulnerabilities. We do need that adequate resource for emergency response, for comprehensive reviews of drainage and land stability systems and improved risk mapping to make sure, when these incidents could happen again, that we are prepared for them.
Rhag ofn fod unrhyw un heb glywed beth a ddigwyddodd, dros y penwythnos, agorodd llyncdwll yn ardal Nant Morlais yn Pant ym Merthyr Tudful, a arweiniodd at wacáu dros 30 o gartrefi. Mae'n sefyllfa hynod gythryblus i drigolion. Mae llawer ohonynt bellach mewn llety dros dro ychydig wythnosau'n unig cyn y Nadolig, ac nid oes sicrwydd pryd y byddant yn gallu dychwelyd i'w cartrefi. Ac mae'r llyncdwll yn tyfu—mae holltau'n ymledu i ffyrdd, gerddi ac eiddo cyfagos.
Nawr, mae ymchwiliadau cynnar yn awgrymu ei fod wedi'i achosi, yn ôl pob tebyg, gan law trwm yn difrodi cwlfert, a waethygwyd gan ddau dirlithriad. Nawr, mae’n peri pryder i drigolion y stryd honno, ond mae hefyd yn codi pryderon difrifol am gydnerthedd ein seilwaith mewn cymunedau fel Merthyr Tudful, lle mae systemau draenio sy’n heneiddio yn ei chael hi'n anodd ymdopi â stormydd cynyddol ddifrifol. Mae'r cyngor wedi dweud y gallai'r difrod gymryd misoedd i'w atgyweirio, a byddai hynny'n gadael teuluoedd mewn ansicrwydd am amser maith. Rwy'n poeni am yr effeithiau ariannol. Rwyf hefyd yn poeni am yr effeithiau emosiynol y gallai hynny ei chael ar drigolion. Hoffwn wybod pa gymorth mwy hirdymor y gellir ei ddarparu iddynt yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig, ac ar ôl hynny, os gwelwch yn dda.
Ond mae'r llyncdwll hwn wedi agor, fel y nodoch chi, Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog, ochr yn ochr â thirlithriadau mewn pentrefi ar draws y Cymoedd a llithriad tomen lo yng Nghwmtyleri. Mae’r digwyddiadau hyn yn tanlinellu pa mor agored i niwed yw ein seilwaith sy’n heneiddio i’r stormydd ffyrnig hyn. I gymunedau ledled Cymru, nid damcaniaethol yn unig yw'r risg, mae'n realiti. Mae'n bygwth cartrefi, bywoliaeth pobl a diogelwch y cyhoedd hefyd. Nawr, rwy'n croesawu'r yr hyn rydych chi wedi'i ddweud, oherwydd mae'n siŵr fod gan Lywodraeth Cymru rôl allweddol yn cefnogi awdurdodau lleol i fynd i'r afael â'r gwendidau hyn. Mae angen adnoddau digonol ar gyfer ymateb brys, ar gyfer adolygiadau cynhwysfawr o systemau draenio a sefydlogrwydd tir a gwell trefniadau mapio risg i sicrhau, pan allai pethau fel hyn ddigwydd eto, ein bod yn barod ar eu cyfer.
Nawr, maen nhw hefyd angen cael sicrwydd, rwyf i'n meddwl, ac rydyn ni angen cael sicrwydd, am fel bydd popeth sydd angen digwydd yn cael ei wneud i sicrhau na fydd hyn yn digwydd eto. Buaswn i'n hoffi gwybod, yn gyntaf, ar gyfer y teuluoedd ym Merthyr sydd wedi cael eu heffeithio, pa gefnogaeth, fel dwi'n ei ddweud, sy'n mynd i gael ei rhoi iddyn nhw ar gyfer yr wythnosau yma sy'n rhedeg ymlaen at y Nadolig. Os oes rhai teuluoedd gyda phlant ifanc, dwi'n meddwl, byddan nhw'n gallu bod yn eithriadol o fregus ar hyn o bryd. Felly, byddai hynna'n bwysig.
Buaswn i hefyd yn gofyn pa gamau mae'r Llywodraeth yn eu cymryd ymhellach at yr hyn dŷch chi newydd ei ddweud, ac rwyf i yn croesawu beth dŷch chi newydd ei ddweud am yr arian, i wneud yn siŵr bod cymorth llety, fod cymorth ariannol, ar gyfer nid dim ond y cyfnod yma o rai wythnosau, a hefyd cefnogaeth emosiynol ar gyfer y teuluoedd. O ran asesiadau risg, a fydd yr arian yna ar gyfer asesiadau trylwyr, fel yr oeddech chi'n ei ddweud, nid dim ond ar gyfer ffosydd, ond ar gyfer ein systemau draenio, ar gyfer tomenni glo hefyd? Ac yn olaf, pa gamau fydd yn cael eu cymryd i gryfhau ein ffosydd ni, sefydlogi'r tir yn y lleoedd hyn sydd efallai fwyaf bregus i'r newidiadau yma?
Now, they also need an assurance, I think, and we need an assurance, as to how everything that needs to be done will be done in order to ensure that this doesn't happen again. I would like to know, first of all, for the families in Merthyr that have been affected, what support will be provided to them for these weeks in the run-up to Christmas. If there are some families with young children they could be particularly vulnerable at the moment. So, that's very important.
I would also ask what steps the Government is taking in addition to what you've just said, and I do welcome what you said about the funding, but what will be done to ensure that accommodation support and financial support is available not just for this period of a few weeks, but also that there is emotional support for the families. In terms of risk assessments, will there be funding there for thorough assessments, as you said, not just for culverts, but also for our drainage systems and coal tips? Finally, what steps are being taken or will be taken to strengthen our culverts, to stabiise the land in these areas that are most vulnerable to these changes?
Diolch yn fawr, Delyth, and thank you for the way you've raised this question. Our thoughts do go out to those that have been affected by this just before Christmas, having to move out of their homes, 30 families. We do understand, by the way, that, as of the council's update of 3 December—so, their most recent update—they are hopeful that some residents—we have to go with caution on this, because it needs to be fully safe, properly assessed—will be able to move back into their homes before the end of the week. But we've got to make sure that things for everybody are right as well. I suspect that that won't be the case for all of the residents affected and displaced at the moment.
So, of those near 30 homes that have been evacuated, those who need it are being supported by the council's housing team as well, so there's a real joined-up piece here. I'm glad to see the Cabinet Secretary colleague next to us, because, in all of the after effects of storm Bert, there's been really close engagement and support from Welsh Government as well, and that ask to councils to say, 'Tell us what the impacts are, tell us what the scale of it is', both in terms of infrastructure costs but also in terms of residents, and, in other contexts, businesses as well. So, we're keeping that live engagement going. I actually met this morning, by the way, in the aftermath of storm Bert, for an initial overview, with all of the resilience partners—so, local authorities, emergency responders, Natural Resources Wales, Met Office, everybody—to get an initial feel for what the scale of the impact was and how we could also learn those lessons going forward to mitigate against.
But, specifically on this, what we understand is that, indeed, it is thought that this is a culvert that has given way because of the sheer force of the water going through it. There are some things that have been done already. So, emergency works on Monday and Tuesday—just to reassure the residents—because of the work with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, engineers onsite and others, they formed a dam on Nant Morlais stream so they can install pumps to overpump the water, stop it flowing through the culvert, to take it away. They're continuing with a drone inspection of the culvert, but they're also doing deep-ground penetration radar surveys to identify if there are any other further voids, because what we don't want is people moving back if we suspect there's something else. So, they're applying all the technological solutions to see what the extent of the problem is.
What they're trying to do is stop the flow of water going into the culvert, and then getting on with stabilisation works to stop it expanding further, for those residents who can to be able then to move back in, but with caution, I have to say—it has to be absolutely safe. But they will be doing a full inspection then once they've reduced the water flow through there so that they can do permanent repairs, and then people can get back into their homes.
You mentioned, quite rightly, the issue of what we are doing in terms of the wider infrastructure assets throughout Wales. I'm pleased to say we're slightly ahead of the game. It looks like it is likely to be a collapsed culvert probably linked to the sheer pressure of the storm water coming through and so on. But, back in 2020, when we took through proposals about a national strategy on our asset database, that led us to introducing a national asset database in Wales. We worked with Natural Resources Wales, the Welsh Local Government Association, local authorities, to produce this. It's available on NRW's website. It's a live document, because it isn't only a database of those underground assets and coastal flood assets and so on—it's the whole list of them—but it's also the condition of them as well. So, it's not good enough simply to say, 'We know where this stuff is.' We want an assessment of what the condition of them is as well. So, I think we can give that reassurance in that way as well.
Now, in terms of further support for residents and also for the local authority, as I say, we have the EFAS scheme in place. I think we've tried as Welsh Government as well, when we've seen there is a real impact on other residents and businesses that have been affected by things related to the recent storm Bert, to step in where we can to help, in addition to the support being given by local authorities themselves. So, we stand ready. We need an assessment of the impact but, most importantly, there are people on the ground now who are making it safe, trying to do the right inspections and, hopefully, then making it safe so people can move back into their homes. I understand how frustrating this is for residents, but the right people are on the ground doing the right stuff.
Diolch, Delyth, a diolch am y ffordd rydych wedi codi’r cwestiwn hwn. Rydym yn cydymdeimlo â'r rheini sydd wedi'u heffeithio gan hyn ychydig cyn y Nadolig, yn gorfod symud allan o'u cartrefi, 30 o deuluoedd. Rydym yn deall, gyda llaw, o ddiweddariad y cyngor ar 3 Rhagfyr—felly, eu diweddariad diweddaraf—eu bod yn obeithiol y bydd rhai trigolion—mae'n rhaid inni fod yn ofalus gyda hyn, gan fod angen iddo fod yn gwbl ddiogel, wedi'u asesu'n briodol—yn gallu symud yn ôl i'w cartrefi cyn diwedd yr wythnos. Ond mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod pethau'n iawn i bawb hefyd. Rwy’n tybio na fydd hynny’n wir i'r holl drigolion yr effeithiwyd arnynt ac sydd wedi’u dadleoli ar hyn o bryd.
Felly, o'r bron i 30 o gartrefi sydd wedi'u gwacáu, mae'r rhai sydd angen cymorth yn cael eu cefnogi gan dîm tai'r cyngor hefyd, felly mae gwaith gwirioneddol gydgysylltiedig yn digwydd yma. Rwy'n falch o weld bod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gyda ni, oherwydd, ym mhob un o sgil-effeithiau storm Bert, cafwyd ymgysylltu agos a chefnogaeth gan Lywodraeth Cymru hefyd, a'r cais hwnnw i gynghorau, 'Dywedwch wrthym beth yw’r effeithiau, dywedwch wrthym beth yw hyd a lled y difrod’, o ran costau seilwaith ond hefyd o ran trigolion, ac mewn cyd-destunau eraill, busnesau hefyd. Felly, rydym yn parhau â'r ymgysylltu byw hwnnw. Cyfarfûm y bore yma, gyda llaw, yn dilyn storm Bert, i gael trosolwg cychwynnol, â’r holl bartneriaid cydnerthedd—felly, awdurdodau lleol, ymatebwyr brys, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, y Swyddfa Dywydd, pawb—i gael syniad cychwynnol o hyd a lled yr effaith a sut y gallem ddysgu gwersi hefyd wrth symud ymlaen, er mwyn lliniaru'r effeithiau.
Ond yn benodol ar hyn, yr hyn a ddeallwn yw y credir bod cwlfert wedi chwalu oherwydd grym y dŵr a oedd yn llifo drwyddo. Mae rhai pethau wedi'u gwneud yn barod. Gwnaed gwaith brys ddydd Llun a dydd Mawrth—i dawelu meddyliau'r trigolion—oherwydd y gwaith gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful, fe wnaeth peirianwyr ar y safle ac eraill greu argae yn Nant Morlais iddynt allu gosod pympiau i bwmpio’r dŵr drosodd, ei atal rhag llifo drwy'r cwlfert, a'i ddargyfeirio. Maent yn parhau i archwilio'r cwlfert gyda drôn, ond maent hefyd yn cynnal arolygon radar treiddiad dwfn i nodi a oes unrhyw wagleoedd eraill, gan mai'r hyn nad ydym am ei weld yw pobl yn dychwelyd os ydym yn amau bod perygl arall. Felly, maent yn defnyddio'r holl atebion technolegol i ganfod hyd a lled y broblem.
Yr hyn y maent yn ceisio ei wneud yw atal y dŵr rhag llifo i mewn i'r cwlfert, a bwrw ymlaen â gwaith sefydlogi wedyn i'w atal rhag lledu ymhellach, er mwyn i'r trigolion sy'n gallu gwneud hynny symud yn ôl i mewn, ond yn ofalus, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud—mae'n rhaid iddi fod yn gwbl ddiogel iddynt wneud hynny. Ond byddant yn cynnal archwiliad llawn wedyn pan fyddant wedi lleihau llif y dŵr fel y gallant wneud atgyweiriadau parhaol, ac yna, gall pobl ddychwelyd i'w cartrefi.
Fe sonioch chi, yn gwbl briodol, am yr hyn a wnawn o ran yr asedau seilwaith ehangach ledled Cymru. Rwy'n falch o ddweud ein bod ychydig ar y blaen yn hyn o beth. Mae'n debygol mai cwlfert yn chwalu oedd wrth wraidd y broblem, yn gysylltiedig, yn ôl pob tebyg, â phwysau aruthrol y dŵr storm a oedd yn dod drwodd ac ati. Ond yn ôl yn 2020, pan wnaethom fwrw ymlaen â chynigion am strategaeth genedlaethol ar gyfer ein cronfa ddata asedau, arweiniodd hynny at gyflwyno cronfa ddata asedau genedlaethol yng Nghymru. Fe wnaethom weithio gyda Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru ac awdurdodau lleol i gynhyrchu'r gronfa ddata hon. Mae ar gael ar wefan CNC. Mae'n ddogfen fyw, oherwydd nid yn unig ei bod yn gronfa ddata o'r asedau tanddaearol hynny a'r asedau llifogydd o'r môr ac ati—mae'n rhestr gyfan o bethau—ond mae a wnelo â chyflwr y rhain hefyd. Felly, nid yw'n ddigon da dweud, 'Rydym yn gwybod ble mae'r pethau hyn.' Mae arnom angen asesiad o'u cyflwr hefyd. Felly, credaf y gallwn roi sicrwydd yn y ffordd honno hefyd.
Nawr, o ran cymorth pellach i drigolion ac i'r awdurdod lleol hefyd, fel y dywedaf, mae gennym gynllun cymorth ariannol brys ar waith. Wrth weld yr effaith wirioneddol ar drigolion a busnesau eraill yr effeithiwyd arnynt yn ddiweddar gan bethau sy'n gysylltiedig â storm Bert, rwy'n credu ein bod fel Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd wedi ceisio camu i'r adwy lle gallwn helpu, yn ychwanegol at y cymorth a roddir gan yr awdurdodau lleol eu hunain. Felly, rydym yn barod. Mae arnom angen asesiad o’r effaith, ond yn bwysicaf oll, mae yna bobl ar lawr gwlad sy’n ei gwneud yn ddiogel, yn ceisio cynnal yr arolygiadau cywir, ac rwy'n gobeithio, yn ei gwneud yn ddiogel wedyn i bobl allu dychwelyd i’w cartrefi. Rwy’n deall pa mor rhwystredig yw hyn i drigolion, ond mae’r bobl iawn ar lawr gwlad yn gwneud y pethau cywir.
Deputy First Minister, first and foremost I would like to express my sympathies to the residents of Nant Morlais and Pant following the sudden appearance of a sinkhole near their properties. From my understanding, and having spoken to some of the residents, they actually stated that it began as the size of a pillow and it's still increasing in size. It's due to go up to 50 ft in depth and 16 ft in width. I'd like to also express my thanks to the staff of Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and, as you mentioned, the housing team for their swift action in evacuating and rehousing the residents from 30 properties across the area.
As my colleague Delyth Jewell mentioned, we all are aware that Christmas is upon us, 2025 is literally around the corner, and therefore it's crucial that the affected residents are indeed able to return to their homes before the festive season. So, I'd be grateful to know, and I know my colleague mentioned this, but is there going to be any additional financial support that you will be able to provide to the residents via the council for this?
I understand that the sinkhole, as you mentioned previously as well, was caused by the collapse of the culvert, which the council had indeed been aware of and had been monitoring on a bi-annual basis due to concerns raised. So, you mentioned that there will be an assessment and that's absolutely fine, but in relation to regular monitoring, what's the plan? Given the fact that the estate is 35 years of age, what assessments have the authorities made, or are they going to be making, of similar issues in the area? As I say, I'm sure we can all accept that it's a relatively new estate and we have many like this and particularly of that age group across Wales, so I'd be interested to know what the plans are. And I'd finally like to know what remedial action is going to be taken to prevent further sinkholes from emerging, potentially causing more disruption and posing a risk to public safety in the future. Thank you.
Ddirprwy Brif Weinidog, yn gyntaf ac yn bennaf, hoffwn fynegi fy nghydymdeimlad â thrigolion Nant Morlais a Pant yn dilyn ymddangosiad sydyn llyncdwll ger eu heiddo. O'r hyn a ddeallaf, ac ar ôl siarad â rhai o'r trigolion, roeddent yn dweud mai maint gobennydd oedd y twll i ddechrau a'i fod yn dal i chwyddo yn ei faint. Mae'n mynd i fod yn 50 troedfedd o ddyfnder a 16 troedfedd o led. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i staff Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Merthyr Tudful, ac fel y sonioch chi, y tîm tai am eu camau cyflym yn gwacáu ac ailgartrefu preswylwyr y 30 eiddo ar draws yr ardal.
Fel y soniodd fy nghyd-Aelod Delyth Jewell, gŵyr pob un ohonom fod y Nadolig ar y gorwel, fod 2025 rownd y gornel yn llythrennol, a'i bod yn hollbwysig felly fod y trigolion yr effeithir arnynt yn gallu dychwelyd i'w cartrefi cyn yr ŵyl. Felly, hoffwn wybod, a gwn fod fy nghyd-Aelod wedi sôn am hyn, ond a fyddwch chi'n gallu rhoi unrhyw gymorth ariannol ychwanegol i'r trigolion drwy'r cyngor ar gyfer hyn?
Deallaf fod y llyncdwll, fel y dywedoch chi'n flaenorol, wedi’i achosi gan gwlfert yn chwalu, rhywbeth roedd y cyngor, yn wir, yn ymwybodol ohono ac wedi bod yn ei fonitro ddwywaith y flwyddyn oherwydd pryderon a godwyd. Felly, fe sonioch chi y bydd asesiad yn cael ei gynnal, ac mae hynny'n hollol iawn, ond o ran monitro rheolaidd, beth yw'r cynllun? O ystyried bod yr ystad yn 35 oed, pa asesiadau y mae’r awdurdodau wedi’u gwneud, neu y byddant yn eu gwneud, o broblemau tebyg yn yr ardal? Fel y dywedais, rwy'n siŵr y gall pob un ohonom dderbyn ei bod yn ystad gymharol newydd a bod gennym lawer o rai tebyg, ac o'r oedran hwnnw'n arbennig, ledled Cymru, felly hoffwn wybod beth yw'r cynlluniau. Ac yn olaf, hoffwn wybod pa gamau unioni sy'n mynd i gael eu cymryd i atal rhagor o lyncdyllau rhag ymddangos gan achosi mwy o darfu a chan beri risg i ddiogelwch y cyhoedd yn y dyfodol. Diolch.
Thank you very much, Natasha, and just to say, in terms of funding, there is funding already available for things like culvert repair and so on, through the flood and coastal erosion risk management programme, so that can be used to fix failed assets such as culverts. But if there is call, because of the scale of the impact, either in Merthyr or in other local authorities dealing with the aftermath of storm Bert, we have demonstrated already that we stand ready to help. What we need then, and they're doing it, is the information from those local authorities; they won't have it immediately, although we've got some working idea already. But we need the detail on the impact, authority by authority by authority, to see whether we can offer any additional support.
And as I say, in terms of residents and businesses, not businesses in terms of this particular instance, but wider impacts from storm Bert, we've already shown that where we can, we've been willing to step up with additional support, including, for example, for homes that didn't have insurance. But fair play to both Merthyr council and Rhondda Cynon Taf council as well, they've also stepped up with their own support by going to their own reserves as well.
You mentioned there in terms of the asset, can I refer you back to the answer I gave earlier on the asset register? We were ahead of the game here in Wales. We can't prevent every incidence like this, particularly where we have weather like this that may impact. Now we don't know for certain yet that this is a result of storm Bert, but there is a working assumption that the collapse of this culvert and the widening of this hole is related to the sheer weight of discharge through that culvert. The good thing is that we have the database—we're ahead of the game here—but that database, again to reflect on my previous answer, is not simply there to map where the assets are, it's actually the condition of them as well.
In terms of whether there are any wider problems within this locality, one of the things that the engineers are doing is using deep-penetration radar, which can identify any other problems that there might be, such as voids or sinkholes as well. So, I'm sure that they will not be wanting to allow anybody back into homes that may be in jeopardy, but they'll also want to make sure that the wider locality is safe as well. So, we need to let them get on with their work and come up with the right decisions to reassure, then, the residents.
Diolch yn fawr, Natasha, ac os caf ddweud, o ran cyllid, mae cyllid eisoes ar gael ar gyfer pethau fel atgyweirio cwlfertau ac yn y blaen, drwy'r rhaglen rheoli risg llifogydd ac erydu arfordirol, felly gellir defnyddio hwnnw i drwsio asedau diffygiol fel cwlfertau. Ond os oes galw, oherwydd maint yr effaith, naill ai ym Merthyr Tudful neu mewn awdurdodau lleol eraill sy'n ymdopi â chanlyniadau storm Bert, rydym eisoes wedi dangos ein bod yn barod i helpu. Yr hyn sydd ei angen arnom wedyn, ac maent yn ei wneud, yw'r wybodaeth gan yr awdurdodau lleol hynny; ni fydd hi ganddynt ar unwaith, er bod gennym syniad eisoes. Ond mae angen y manylion arnom am yr effaith, o un awdurdod i'r llall, i weld a allwn gynnig unrhyw gymorth ychwanegol.
Ac fel y dywedais, o ran trigolion a busnesau, nid busnesau yn yr achos penodol hwn, ond effeithiau ehangach storm Bert, rydym eisoes wedi dangos, lle gallwn, ein bod wedi bod yn barod i gamu i'r adwy gyda chymorth ychwanegol, gan gynnwys, er enghraifft, ar gyfer cartrefi nad oedd ganddynt yswiriant. Ond chwarae teg i gyngor Merthyr Tudful a chyngor Rhondda Cynon Taf, maent hwythau hefyd wedi camu i'r adwy gyda'u cymorth eu hunain trwy fynd i'w cronfeydd wrth gefn eu hunain.
Fe wnaethoch chi grybwyll yr ased, a gaf i eich cyfeirio yn ôl at yr ateb a roddais yn gynharach ar y gofrestr asedau? Roeddem ar y blaen yma yng Nghymru. Ni allwn atal pob ddigwyddiad o'r fath, yn enwedig lle mae gennym dywydd fel hyn a allai effeithio. Nawr nid ydym yn gwybod i sicrwydd eto fod hyn wedi digwydd o ganlyniad i storm Bert, ond ceir rhagdybiaeth fod cwymp y cwlfert a'r twll yn lledu yn gysylltiedig â phwysau'r dŵr sy'n gollwng drwy'r cwlfert hwnnw. Y peth da yw bod gennym y gronfa ddata—rydym ar y blaen gyda hyn—ond i ategu fy ateb blaenorol, mae'r gronfa ddata honno yno i fapio cyflwr asedau yn ogystal â'u lleoliad.
O ran unrhyw broblemau ehangach yn yr ardal, un o'r pethau y mae'r peirianwyr yn ei wneud yw defnyddio radar treiddiad dwfn, a all nodi unrhyw broblemau eraill a allai fodoli, fel gwagleoedd neu lyncdyllau. Felly, rwy'n siŵr na fyddant am ganiatáu i unrhyw un ddychwelyd i gartrefi a allai fod mewn perygl, ond byddant am sicrhau bod yr ardal ehangach yn ddiogel hefyd. Felly, mae angen inni adael iddynt fwrw ymlaen â'u gwaith a meddwl am y penderfyniadau cywir i dawelu meddyliau'r trigolion.
Thank you for the answers that you've given so far and thanks to Delyth for raising this question. And I echo what Natasha was saying about the work that's been done by officials to try and alleviate what's happened. But what’s happened in Pant has been horrendous, and my heart goes out to every family that's affected. Safety must come first, but I hope that there is a way for the residents to have—. As you intimated, some of them might be back in before Christmas, so I'm hopeful for that.
But this isn't just a Merthyr issue; there are other sinkholes opening up in other parts of Wales as a result of storm Bert. And the coal tip in Cwmtillery, I know you went up there, but did you also see the sinkhole near the cafe there—the Pentref Tyleri cafe? That, again, is causing concern. It's not as close to houses, but is still a real concern, and I'm aware of other smaller sinkholes in my region that are causing concern for people. The overriding message to take, I think, from these events is that it's happening in several areas that were once safe, but don't seem to be so any longer.
So, the question then is that we desperately need this futureproofing of the infrastructure against the more frequent freak weather events that we are experiencing. So, do you agree that more needs to be done—and you seem to be saying that—and how are you planning for that futureproofing? So, how are you planning to look at the drainage network and the infrastructure, to cope better with these sheer weights of water? The question would be: if this culvert was inspected, would it have been picked up? That's one of the questions. If it should have been picked up, why wasn't it? If it wasn't picked up, how could it be? And how do you use that technology, that deep-radar technology, to actually look through this? Is that a one-off because it's happened, or is that happening across our coalfields and across the area? So, basically, how often is that happening, and how are we getting to grips with what's underground, and how are we making sure that this isn't happening to other families?
Diolch am yr atebion a roesoch hyd yma a diolch i Delyth am ofyn y cwestiwn. Ac rwy'n adleisio'r hyn a ddywedodd Natasha am y gwaith a wnaed gan swyddogion i geisio lleddfu'r hyn a ddigwyddodd. Ond mae'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd yn Pant wedi bod yn erchyll, ac rwy'n cydymdeimlo â phob teulu yr effeithiwyd arnynt. Rhaid i ddiogelwch ddod yn gyntaf, ond gobeithio bod ffordd i'r trigolion gael—. Fel y dywedoch chi, efallai y bydd rhai ohonynt yn ôl i mewn cyn y Nadolig, felly rwy'n gobeithio hynny.
Ond nid problem ym Merthyr Tudful yn unig yw hi; mae llyncdyllau eraill yn agor mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru o ganlyniad i storm Bert. A'r domen lo yng Nghwmtyleri, gwn eich bod wedi bod yno, ond a welsoch chi hefyd y llyncdwll ger y caffi yno—caffi Pentref Tyleri? Unwaith eto, mae hynny'n peri pryder. Nid yw mor agos at dai, ond mae'n dal i beri pryder gwirioneddol, ac rwy'n ymwybodol o lyncdyllau llai eraill yn fy rhanbarth sy'n peri pryder i bobl. Y neges hollbwysig i'w dysgu o'r digwyddiadau hyn yw ei fod yn digwydd mewn sawl ardal a oedd unwaith yn ddiogel, ond nad yw'n ymddangos eu bod yn ddiogel mwyach.
Felly, y cwestiwn wedyn yw bod gwir angen diogelu'r seilwaith ar gyfer y dyfodol yn erbyn y digwyddiadau tywydd garw mwy mynych a gawn. Felly, a ydych chi'n cytuno bod angen gwneud mwy—ac mae'n ymddangos eich bod chi'n dweud hynny—a sut rydych chi'n cynllunio ar gyfer diogelu at y dyfodol? Sut rydych chi'n bwriadu edrych ar y rhwydwaith draenio a'r seilwaith, er mwyn ymdopi'n well â'r pwysau dŵr? Y cwestiwn fyddai: os cafodd y cwlfert hwn ei archwilio, a fyddai wedi cael ei nodi? Dyna un o'r cwestiynau. Os dylai fod wedi cael ei nodi, pam na chafodd? Os na chafodd ei nodi, sut y gallai hynny fod? A sut rydych chi'n defnyddio'r dechnoleg honno, y dechnoleg radar dwfn, i edrych ar hyn mewn gwirionedd? A yw hynny'n digwydd unwaith am ei fod wedi digwydd, neu a yw'n digwydd ar draws ein meysydd glo ac ar draws yr ardal? Felly, yn y bôn, pa mor aml y mae hynny'n digwydd, a sut yr awn i'r afael â'r hyn sydd o dan y ddaear, a sut y gallwn ni sicrhau nad yw hyn yn digwydd i deuluoedd eraill?
Thank you, Peredur. Local authorities, now that we have the national database, so we know where the assets are—. And these assets can vary, by the way, between culverts and things that actually protect our coastline. There is a range of assets to do with flood and the movement of water, the increasing movement of volumes of water that we see throughout Wales. So, the purpose of that database is, as I mentioned before, not only to map them, but to monitor them. So, local authorities need to be getting on doing that, and they are.
The challenge will be when we're faced with weather incidents like we've just had. If it does turn out, the working assumption, that this was related to those discharges flowing through, the volumes flowing through that culvert, then it could well be that this or other culverts would not show a problem in advance of that, but they've been overwhelmed. But that is exactly why we need to keep on with the regular monitoring of the condition of these assets, not simply knowing where they are.
Just to say as well, Peredur, this is a piece across Government as well, in terms of the way that we respond. It's not only the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, sitting next to me, but my colleague Jayne Bryant—housing and local government—met with the leader, discussed this amongst other things, and the impact of storm Bert, on Monday, I think it was. I've discussed it with him briefly today as part of a bigger meeting with local authority leaders, and others as well. And I'm hopeful that, on the back of an invitation he extended to me, I'll go up and have a look at this myself as well, and learn more, because I always find I learn more by being actually out there looking at it directly, and speaking with residents affected, and so on.
So, what I would say is, though, I think that the piece that we did on the back of the—kicking this off with the national strategy in 2020, to say, 'We must have this database, we need to know where these things are, and we need to know the condition that they're in', has put us on the right footing now. But that doesn't mean we're not going to have eventualities like this again.
Diolch, Peredur. Awdurdodau lleol, gan fod gennym y gronfa ddata genedlaethol bellach, fel ein bod yn gwybod ble mae'r asedau—. A gall yr asedau hyn amrywio, gyda llaw, rhwng cwlfertau a phethau sy'n diogelu ein harfordir. Ceir amrywiaeth o asedau sy'n ymwneud â llifogydd a symudiad dŵr, symudiad cynyddol y cyfeintiau o ddŵr a welwn ledled Cymru. Felly, pwrpas y gronfa ddata honno, fel y soniais o'r blaen, yw monitro yn ogystal â mapio. Felly, mae angen i awdurdodau lleol fwrw ati i wneud hynny, ac maent yn gwneud hynny.
Daw'r her pan gawn ddigwyddiadau tywydd fel rydym newydd eu cael. Os yw'n wir, fel y rhagdybir, fod hyn yn gysylltiedig â dŵr yn llifo drwodd, y cyfeintiau a lifai drwy'r cwlfert, mae'n ddigon posibl na fyddai'r cwlfertau hyn neu rai eraill wedi dangos problem cyn hynny, ond cawsant eu gorlwytho. Ond dyna'n union pam y mae angen inni barhau i fonitro cyflwr yr asedau hyn yn rheolaidd, nid dim ond gwybod ble y maent.
Os caf ddweud hefyd, Peredur, mae hwn yn waith ar draws y Llywodraeth, o ran y ffordd yr ydym yn ymateb. Nid Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyllid a'r Gymraeg yn unig, sy'n eistedd wrth fy ymyl, ond fe wnaeth fy nghyd-Aelod, Jayne Bryant—tai a llywodraeth leol—gyfarfod â'r arweinydd, i drafod hyn ymysg pethau eraill, ac effaith storm Bert, ddydd Llun, rwy'n credu. Rwyf wedi trafod hyn gydag ef yn fyr heddiw fel rhan o gyfarfod mwy gydag arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol, ac eraill hefyd. Ac rwy'n gobeithio, ar sail gwahoddiad a roddodd i mi, y byddaf yn mynd i fyny ac yn edrych ar hyn fy hun hefyd, ac yn dysgu mwy, oherwydd rwyf bob amser yn teimlo fy mod yn dysgu mwy drwy fod allan yno'n edrych arno'n uniongyrchol, a siarad â thrigolion yr effeithir arnynt, ac yn y blaen.
Felly, yr hyn rwy'n ei ddweud, serch hynny, yw bod y gwaith a wnaethom ar—roedd dechrau hyn gyda'r strategaeth genedlaethol yn 2020, a dweud, 'Mae'n rhaid inni gael y gronfa ddata hon, mae angen inni wybod ble mae'r pethau hyn, ac mae angen inni wybod beth yw eu cyflwr', wedi ein rhoi ar y sylfaen gywir nawr. Ond nid yw hynny'n golygu na fyddwn yn cael digwyddiadau fel hyn eto.
Carolyn Thomas, yn olaf.
Finally, Carolyn Thomas.
Diolch, Llywydd. Not to detract from what happened in Pant, but I recall a sinkhole appearing by a school field in north Wales. And when we were doing some highway maintenance work, we lifted a concrete plinth up and there was a void underneath it. So, if it had cracked, it would have been really dangerous for drivers. We need landowners and utility companies to take responsibility, with a programme of maintenance of culverts, pipes and ditches—I've asked for this before—and we need to retain upstream. I know the local authority have been asking Natural Resources Wales to also maintain their culverts and ditches, and they've not been responding to that ask. So, we need to make sure that that does happen.
I wanted to ask you as well about the national underground asset register, which is being proposed by UK Government, and Welsh Government have been in talks about it, which we definitely need. I know it's going to be a massive undertaking, but we need this, more than ever. So, I wanted to ask about an update on that. But I also propose—I don't think I can do it from this—that we take it to our Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee—I know the Chair's just gone—regarding what happened with storm Bert, and any other flooding eventualities, and what we can do more of, and then bring that to you as well in the future. I think it's something that we need to really look into.
Diolch, Lywydd. Nid wyf am dynnu oddi wrth yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yn Pant, ond rwy'n cofio llyncdwll yn ymddangos ger cae ysgol yng ngogledd Cymru. A phan oeddem yn gwneud gwaith cynnal a chadw priffyrdd, fe wnaethom godi plinth concrit i ac roedd gwagle oddi tano. Felly, pe bai wedi cracio, byddai wedi bod yn beryglus iawn i yrwyr. Mae angen i dirfeddianwyr a chwmnïau cyfleustodau gymryd cyfrifoldeb, gyda rhaglen gynnal cwlfertau, pibellau a ffosydd—rwyf wedi gofyn am hyn o'r blaen—ac mae angen inni gynnal i fyny'r afon. Rwy'n gwybod bod yr awdurdod lleol wedi bod yn gofyn i Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru gynnal eu cwlfertau a'u ffosydd hefyd, ac nid ydynt wedi bod yn ymateb i'r cais hwnnw. Felly, mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd.
Roeddwn eisiau gofyn i chi hefyd am y gofrestr asedau tanddaearol genedlaethol, sy'n cael ei hargymell gan Lywodraeth y DU, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod mewn trafodaethau yn ei chylch, ac mae arnom ei hangen yn bendant. Rwy'n gwybod y bydd yn dasg enfawr, ond mae angen hyn arnom, yn fwy nag erioed. Felly, roeddwn eisiau gofyn am y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am hynny. Ond rwy'n argymell hefyd—nid wyf yn credu y gallaf ei wneud o hyn—ein bod yn mynd ag ef at ein Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith—rwy'n gwybod bod y Cadeirydd newydd fynd—ynglŷn â'r hyn a ddigwyddodd gyda storm Bert, ac unrhyw ddigwyddiadau llifogydd eraill, a'r hyn y gallwn wneud mwy ohono, a dod â hynny atoch chi hefyd yn y dyfodol. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid inni edrych arno'n iawn.
Carolyn, thank you very much. I'm loath, Llywydd, to trespass into the work programme of the committee, which I used to be a member of, proudly, but it may well be of interest to look at this issue of assets, where they are, and so on. And you are right: earlier on, I was referring to the database that we’ve put in place already in Wales, that maps those flood and coastal inundation assets, but there’s a separate piece of work, and that separate piece of work is a UK-wide piece of work on an asset register, which really focuses on the utility companies and their underground assets as well, which is part of this picture. Now, the latest we understand—and we are closely engaged with the UK Government on this—is that the intention is that that will be up and running by the end of 2025. So, that’s another piece of the jigsaw—it's starting to come together. So, I hope that’s useful for you, but if the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee want to look at this, then I think that might be a good piece of work.
Carolyn, diolch yn fawr. Lywydd, rwy'n gyndyn i dresmasu ar raglen waith y pwyllgor, yr arferwn fod yn aelod balch ohono, ond mae'n ddigon posibl y bydd yn ddiddorol edrych ar fater asedau, lle maent ac yn y blaen. Ac rydych chi'n iawn: yn gynharach, cyfeiriais at y gronfa ddata a roddwyd ar waith eisoes yng Nghymru, sy'n mapio'r asedau llifogydd a llifogydd o'r môr, ond mae yna waith arall yn mynd rhagddo ar draws y DU ar gofrestr asedau, sy'n canolbwyntio ar y cwmnïau cyfleustodau a'u hasedau tanddaearol hefyd, sy'n rhan o'r darlun hwn. Nawr, y diweddaraf a ddeallwn—ac rydym yn ymwneud yn agos â Llywodraeth y DU ar hyn—yw mai'r bwriad yw iddo fod ar waith erbyn diwedd 2025. Felly, dyna ddarn arall o'r jig-so—mae'n dechrau dod at ei gilydd. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n ddefnyddiol i chi, ond os yw'r Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith am edrych ar hyn, rwy'n credu y gallai fod yn waith da.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Peter Fox sy'n gofyn y cwestiwn nesaf i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet cyllid. Peter Fox.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary. The next question is from Peter Fox to the Cabinet Secretary for finance. Peter Fox.
2. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am y cyllid diweddar a ddyrannwyd ar gyfer cyflawni blaenoriaethau'r Llywodraeth? TQ1268
2. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the recent funding allocated for the delivery of the Government’s priorities? TQ1268
Llywydd, after addressing the additional funding provided to Wales by the UK Government in its autumn budget, £157 million has been allocated to support the First Minister’s priorities in this financial year.
Lywydd, ar ôl mynd i'r afael â'r cyllid ychwanegol a ddarparwyd i Gymru gan Lywodraeth y DU yng nghyllideb yr hydref, dyrannwyd £157 miliwn i gefnogi blaenoriaethau'r Prif Weinidog yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, and, yes, it would be helpful to get some more clarity around the £157 million. It was announced as if it was a new lump of money yesterday, but, clearly, this is £150 million over the course of several months. And I understand that about £122.5 million of that is allocated, and another £34.5 million to be spent. However, I stand corrected if that has been updated.
I note there was no additional funding for social care, a major factor contributing to growing NHS waiting lists, which we know are spiralling out of control. I do welcome the £21 million for diagnostic equipment, which certainly will be helpful, but we can’t get away from the fact that when we're putting money continually into the NHS, the problems don’t seem to be getting much less. I’ve maintained that we need a root-and-branch assessment of NHS funding, because, whilst we see increasing moneys allocated, little seems to be improving, certainly from the public perspective.
So, Cabinet Secretary, can you outline again how the Government assesses the effectiveness of the increased funding that you are putting into certainly things like health? And how did you determine the levels of funding needed for the recent allocations? And would this be the same process you’ll be using for the budget next week?
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ac fe fyddai'n ddefnyddiol cael mwy o eglurder ynghylch y £157 miliwn. Fe'i cyhoeddwyd fel pe bai'n dalp newydd o arian ddoe, ond yn amlwg, £150 miliwn dros gyfnod o sawl mis yw hwn. Ac rwy'n deall bod tua £122.5 miliwn ohono wedi'i ddyrannu, a £34.5 miliwn arall i'w wario. Fodd bynnag, rwy'n hapus i gael fy nghywiro os yw hynny wedi'i ddiweddaru.
Rwy'n nodi nad oedd cyllid ychwanegol ar gael ar gyfer gofal cymdeithasol, ffactor pwysig sy'n cyfrannu at restrau aros cynyddol y GIG y gwyddom eu bod yn tyfu allan o bob rheolaeth. Rwy'n croesawu'r £21 miliwn ar gyfer offer diagnostig, a fydd yn sicr yn ddefnyddiol, ond ni allwn ddianc rhag y ffaith pan fyddwn yn rhoi arian yn barhaus i'r GIG, nad yw'n ymddangos bod y problemau'n mynd yn llawer llai. Rwyf wedi honni bod angen asesiad trylwyr o gyllid y GIG, oherwydd, er ein bod yn gweld mwy o arian yn cael ei ddyrannu, ymddengys nad oes fawr o ddim yn gwella, o safbwynt y cyhoedd yn sicr.
Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a allwch chi amlinellu eto sut y mae'r Llywodraeth yn asesu effeithiolrwydd y cyllid cynyddol a roddwch i bethau fel iechyd? A sut y gwnaethoch chi benderfynu ar y lefelau cyllid sydd eu hangen ar gyfer y dyraniadau diweddar? Ac a fyddwch chi'n defnyddio'r un broses ar gyfer y gyllideb yr wythnos nesaf?
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Dirprwy Lywydd, the £157 million is the first tranche of expenditure that I’m able to allocate from the additional funding that came to Wales for the current financial year in the Chancellor’s budget on 30 October. There will be further allocations to be made, and the relevant portfolio Ministers will make those announcements.
This is money that needs to be spent in the current financial year, so part of my assessment is the extent to which different expenditure headings are able to absorb money in the remaining months of this financial year, and I paid particular priority to those examples of expenditure that did not require recurrent funding in the following financial year. So, the way in which these priority allocations have been made is shaped by the point in the year in which the money has become available, the capacity of services to make good use of it, and those considerations will be part of the plan that will be announced on the floor of the Senedd next week. Next year’s budget will be shaped by a wider set of considerations.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, y £157 miliwn yw'r gyfran gyntaf o wariant y gallaf ei dyrannu o'r cyllid ychwanegol a ddaeth i Gymru ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol yng nghyllideb y Canghellor ar 30 Hydref. Bydd dyraniadau pellach i'w gwneud, a bydd y Gweinidogion portffolio perthnasol yn gwneud y cyhoeddiadau hynny.
Mae hwn yn arian y mae angen ei wario yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol, felly rhan o fy asesiad yw i ba raddau y gall gwahanol benawdau gwariant amsugno arian yn ystod y misoedd sy'n weddill o'r flwyddyn ariannol hon, ac fe roddais flaenoriaeth arbennig i enghreifftiau o wariant nad oedd angen cyllid rheolaidd arno yn y flwyddyn ariannol ganlynol. Felly, mae'r ffordd y gwnaed y dyraniadau blaenoriaethol hyn wedi ei siapio gan y pwynt yn y flwyddyn y daeth yr arian ar gael, gallu gwasanaethau i wneud defnydd da ohono, a bydd yr ystyriaethau hynny'n rhan o'r cynllun a gyhoeddir ar lawr y Senedd yr wythnos nesaf. Bydd cyllideb y flwyddyn nesaf wedi ei siapio gan set ehangach o ystyriaethau.
Diolch i Peter Fox am osod y cwestiwn hwn. Mi oeddwn i wedi codi ddoe yn ystod y datganiad busnes fod jest angen eglurder, efallai, o ran sut mae’r arian yma yn cael ei rannu. Yn amlwg, mae’r datganiad i’r wasg yn sôn ei fod o’n gymysgedd o refeniw a chyfalaf. Mi fyddai’n fuddiol gwybod beth ydy’r toriad hwnnw, o ran faint sydd yn arian refeniw, faint sy’n gyfalaf, oherwydd fel rydych chi wedi sôn, pedwar mis sydd yna i bobl wario’r arian ac mae’n rhaid i chi gael y sicrwydd eu bod nhw’n gallu gwneud. Mae yna heriau efo arian cyfalaf yn aml o ran hynny.
Hefyd, jest er mwyn deall, os caf i adeiladu ar y pwyntiau gan Peter Fox, dim ond o ran sut mae’r pres yma wedi cael ei ddyfarnu a mesur yr effaith, oherwydd yn amlwg o ran amseroedd aros, rydyn ni wedi gweld y cyllid yn mynd o £28 miliwn i £50 miliwn i £71 miliwn mewn cyfnod o rai wythnosau, felly faint o arian sydd ei angen i fynd i’r afael â’r rhestrau aros? Mae’n dda inni gael tryloywder o ran hyn.
Hefyd, pryd fydd yna ddatganiad sydd yn sôn ynglŷn a sut yn union mae’r arian yma yn cael ei rannu? Yn amlwg, mae’n anodd ar y funud cael y trosolwg hwnnw o gael cyhoeddiadau unigol gan Weinidogion. Felly, ydy o’n fwriad gan Llywodraeth Cymru i gyhoeddi yn union lle mae’r arian yma’n mynd a beth fydd ei effaith o?
I thank Peter Fox for tabling this question. I raised yesterday during the business statement that we just need clarity, perhaps, in terms of how this money is to be allocated. Clearly, the press release mentioned that it’s a mix of revenue and capital. It would be good to know what that breakdown is, in terms of how much is revenue and how much is capital, because as you’ve mentioned, there are four months for people to spend this money and you need an assurance that they’re able to do that. There are often challenges with capital funding in that sense.
Also, just to understand, if I can build on Peter Fox's point, in terms of how this money is to be allocated and measuring the impact, because clearly in terms of waiting times, we have seen funding going from £28 million to £50 million to £71 million in a period of just weeks, so how much money is needed to tackle waiting lists? It would be good if we could have transparency in this area.
Also, when will there be a statement that covers how exactly this money is to be spent and allocated? Because it's difficult to get that overview at the moment in seeing individual statements made by Ministers. So, is it the Welsh Government's intention to publish exactly where this funding will go and what its impact will be?
Diolch yn fawr i Heledd Fychan am y cwestiynau ychwanegol.
I thank Heledd Fychan for those supplementary questions.
Once I had made provision for the pay uplifts announced by the UK Government and the consequentials for us here in Wales in this financial year, the money that was left to allocate was capable of being allocated as either revenue or capital. There were no constraints in the way the money came to Wales. That allowed us to have a free hand in that, and the announcements that the First Minister made yesterday are a mixture of those. The extra £1 million for the arts is essentially revenue. The £20 million for school and college repairs is primarily capital. So, there is a mixture in that.
As far as NHS waiting lists are concerned, £50 million has already been made available and announced for the current financial year to bring down those lists. All the funding that has been announced has particular outcomes associated with it. The extra £1 million for the arts, for example, means that 60 organisations will be funded through the additional funding—not just the £1 million but the £1.5 million already announced for the arts council in the current financial year. The same will be true for the £21 million for diagnostic equipment. There will be specific figures on the additional amount of activity in diagnostics that can be generated by that investment. But those are all for the spending Ministers to account for here, rather than me. All I do is try and make sure they have the resources that can be supplied to them.
In terms of the trosolwg, the oversight of it all, my intention will be to report the entire package of in-year investments in the second supplementary budget so that Members will have a view right across all the different allocations that have been able to be made.
Ar ôl imi ddarparu ar gyfer y codiadau cyflog a gyhoeddwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU a'r symiau canlyniadol i ni yma yng Nghymru yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, roedd modd dyrannu'r arian a oedd ar ôl i'w ddyrannu fel naill ai refeniw neu gyfalaf. Nid oedd unrhyw gyfyngiadau yn y ffordd y daeth yr arian i Gymru. Roedd hynny'n caniatáu inni gael rhwydd hynt yn hynny, ac mae'r cyhoeddiadau a wnaeth y Prif Weinidog ddoe yn gymysgedd o'r rheini. Refeniw yw'r £1 filiwn ychwanegol i'r celfyddydau yn y bôn. Cyfalaf yn bennaf yw'r £20 miliwn ar gyfer atgyweirio ysgolion a cholegau. Felly, mae cymysgedd yn hynny.
Ar restrau aros y GIG, mae £50 miliwn eisoes wedi'i ryddhau a'i gyhoeddi ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol i leihau'r rhestrau hynny. Mae gan yr holl gyllid a gyhoeddwyd ganlyniadau penodol yn gysylltiedig ag ef. Mae'r £1 filiwn ychwanegol ar gyfer y celfyddydau, er enghraifft, yn golygu y bydd 60 o sefydliadau yn cael eu hariannu drwy'r cyllid ychwanegol—nid yn unig yr £1 filiwn ond yr £1.5 miliwn sydd eisoes wedi'i gyhoeddi ar gyfer cyngor y celfyddydau yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol. Bydd yr un peth yn wir am y £21 miliwn ar gyfer offer diagnostig. Bydd ffigurau penodol ar faint o weithgarwch ychwanegol mewn diagnosteg y gellir ei gynhyrchu gan y buddsoddiad hwnnw. Ond mae'r rheini i gyd yn bethau i'r Gweinidogion sy'n gwario, yn hytrach na myfi, roi cyfrif amdanynt yma. Y cyfan rwy'n ei wneud yw ceisio sicrhau bod ganddynt yr adnoddau y gellir eu darparu iddynt.
O ran y trosolwg ar y cyfan, fy mwriad fydd rhoi adroddiad ar y pecyn cyfan o fuddsoddiadau yn ystod y flwyddyn yn yr ail gyllideb atodol fel bod yr Aelodau'n gallu gweld yr holl ddyraniadau gwahanol y bu modd eu gwneud.
Ac yn olaf, Laura Anne Jones.
And finally, Laura Anne Jones.
Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Cabinet Secretary, I too was going to ask you whether this money had to be spent in the next three months, or whether in fact public sector bodies will be able to keep back some of that money to plug some of the significant gaps that obviously will be formed by the huge increases in national insurance contributions that are happening next April. Or will they have to wait for that next tranche that you talk about?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, roeddwn innau hefyd yn mynd i ofyn i chi a oedd yn rhaid gwario'r arian hwn yn ystod y tri mis nesaf, neu a fydd cyrff y sector cyhoeddus yn gallu cadw rhywfaint o'r arian yn ôl i lenwi rhai o'r bylchau sylweddol a fydd yn amlwg yn cael eu ffurfio gan y cynnydd enfawr i gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol sy'n digwydd fis Ebrill nesaf. Neu a fydd yn rhaid iddynt aros am y gyfran nesaf yr ydych chi'n sôn amdani?
The answer is it’s a mixture of both. The money must leave the Welsh Government account in this financial year. Sometimes, that goes to organisations who also are under restrictions in the way their finances are organised, so they must spend it in the current financial year. Some organisations will have an ability to use the money we provide to them this year over a longer period of time. I’m sorry to be making it sound complicated, but the truth is it depends upon the financial governance arrangements of the organisations who are being funded. But all the money must be spent by the Welsh Government in the current financial year.
Mae'r ateb yn gyfuniad o'r ddau. Rhaid i'r arian adael cyfrif Llywodraeth Cymru yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Weithiau, mae'n mynd i sefydliadau sydd hefyd o dan gyfyngiadau yn y ffordd y caiff eu cyllid ei drefnu, felly mae'n rhaid iddynt ei wario yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol. Bydd rhai sefydliadau yn gallu defnyddio'r arian a roddwn iddynt eleni dros gyfnod hwy o amser. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf am wneud iddo swnio'n gymhleth, ond y gwir amdani yw ei fod yn dibynnu ar drefniadau llywodraethu ariannol y sefydliadau sy'n cael eu hariannu. Ond mae'n rhaid i'r holl arian gael ei wario gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol.
Diolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.
Eitem 4 yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad. Bydd y datganiad cyntaf gan Julie Morgan.
Item 4 is the 90-second statements. The first statement will be by Julie Morgan.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thirty-five years ago, in 1989, a group of parents had a dream of opening a centre in Cardiff for children with cerebral palsy. At the time, children and their families would have to travel to London to specialty therapy services, often h