Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd
Plenary - Fifth Senedd
30/04/2019Cynnwys
Contents
Cyfarfu’r Cynulliad am 13:30 gyda’r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Assembly met at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Galw'r Aelodau i drefn.
I call Members to order.
Yr eitem gyntaf ar ein hagenda ni'r prynhawn yma, unwaith eto, yw'r cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Lynne Neagle.
The first item on our agenda this afternoon, once again, is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Lynne Neagle.
1. Pa gamau y mae'r Prif Weinidog yn eu cymryd i warchod yr amgylchedd naturiol yng Nghymoedd y De? OAQ53781
1. What steps is the First Minister taking to protect the natural environment in the south Wales Valleys? OAQ53781
Diolch, Llywydd. Amongst the steps being taken to protect the natural environment is the proposed creation of the Valleys regional park. It will support innovative responses to climate change, water quality and management, and the protection of biodiversity and unique local habitats.
Diolch, Llywydd. Un o'r camau sy'n cael eu cymryd i ddiogelu'r amgylchedd naturiol yw'r bwriad i greu parc rhanbarthol y Cymoedd. Bydd yn cefnogi ymatebion arloesol i'r newid yn yr hinsawdd, ansawdd a rheolaeth dŵr, a diogelu bioamrywiaeth a chynefinoedd lleol unigryw.
Thank you, First Minister. First Minister, the report into the public inquiry on proposals to mine aggregate at a much-loved local beauty spot, known as 'the canyons', is currently with your Minister for Housing and Local Government, awaiting decision. And I'm really grateful for the cross-party support for our campaign to stop the development, and in particular to the many AMs, from all parties, who've signed my giant postcard depicting the area, in recognition of its unique natural beauty. Now, I realise that you cannot comment on an individual planning application, but will you take this opportunity to restate the Welsh Government's commitment to protecting our environment in the south Wales Valleys, not just for local residents, but also in order to unlock their massive tourism and leisure potential?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Prif Weinidog, mae'r adroddiad ar yr ymchwiliad cyhoeddus i'r cynigion i gloddio am agregau mewn llecyn o harddwch lleol y mae pobl yn hoff iawn ohono, a adnabyddir fel 'y canyons', gyda'ch Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol ar hyn o bryd, yn disgwyl penderfyniad. Ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am y gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i'n hymgyrch i atal y datblygiad, ac yn arbennig i'r ACau niferus, o bob plaid, sydd wedi llofnodi fy ngherdyn post anferth yn darlunio'r ardal, i gydnabod ei harddwch naturiol unigryw. Nawr, rwy'n sylweddoli na allwch chi wneud sylwadau ar gais cynllunio unigol, ond a wnewch chi achub ar y cyfle hwn i ailddatgan ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i ddiogelu ein hamgylchedd yng Nghymoedd y de, nid ar gyfer trigolion lleol yn unig, ond hefyd er mwyn datgloi eu potensial enfawr o ran twristiaeth a hamdden?
I thank Lynne Neagle for that question. Of course, I'm very pleased indeed to put on record, again, the Welsh Government's commitment to our irreplaceable natural resources, the significance that they have for the value of the landscape, for biodiversity and, indeed, for local heritage. And I commend, of course, the campaign that she has led and the imaginative way in which it has drawn attention to an issue that I know means a great deal to her and to local residents. Now, as Lynne knows, decisions on whether to recover an appeal follow a set of established and published criteria. If an appeal meets one of the criteria, then recovery is automatic, and that is what has happened in this case. Recovered appeals are processed by the Planning Inspectorate in the normal way, and that has now been completed. The decision then lies with Welsh Ministers, and, as the Member has said, it's not possible for me, or for anyone else at the Welsh Government, to comment on the merits of the proposal so as not to prejudice the final decision. But the Member's constituents will have heard what she has said today and I know will appreciate the efforts that she is making on their behalf.
Diolchaf i Lynne Neagle am y cwestiwn yna. Wrth gwrs, rwy'n falch iawn yn wir o roi ar gofnod, eto, ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i'n hadnoddau naturiol unigryw, yr arwyddocâd sydd ganddynt i werth y dirwedd, i fioamrywiaeth ac, yn wir, i dreftadaeth leol. Ac rwy'n cymeradwyo, wrth gwrs, yr ymgyrch y mae wedi hi ei harwain a'r ffordd llawn dychymyg y mae hyn wedi tynnu sylw at fater y gwn sy'n golygu llawer iawn iddi hi ac i drigolion lleol. Nawr, fel y mae Lynne yn gwybod, mae penderfyniadau ynghylch pa un a ddylid adennill apêl yn dilyn cyfres o feini prawf sydd wedi ei sefydlu a'u cyhoeddi. Os bydd apêl yn bodloni un o'r meini prawf, yna mae'r adenilliad yn awtomatig, a dyna sydd wedi digwydd yn yr achos hwn. Caiff apeliadau a adenillir eu prosesu gan yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio yn y ffordd arferol, a chwblhawyd y gwaith hwnnw erbyn hyn. Mae'r penderfyniad yn nwylo Gweinidogion Cymru ar ôl hynny, ac fel y mae'r Aelod wedi ei ddweud, nid yw'n bosibl i mi, nac i unrhyw un arall yn Llywodraeth Cymru, wneud sylwadau ar rinweddau'r cynnig fel nad wyf yn amharu ar y penderfyniad terfynol. Ond bydd etholwyr yr Aelod wedi clywed yr hyn a ddywedodd heddiw a gwn y byddan nhw'n gwerthfawrogi'r ymdrechion y mae'n eu gwneud ar eu rhan.
Good afternoon, Minister. A recent survey found that Wales has been particularly affected by the spread of deadly fungus known as ash dieback. As a result, millions of diseased trees near buildings, roads and railways will have to be cut down, having a very significant impact on the landscape and our wildlife. First Minister, what action is the Welsh Government taking, alongside Natural Resources Wales, to increase tree planting in the Valleys, and elsewhere, to protect and preserve this vital part of our natural environment in Wales?
Prynhawn da, Gweinidog. Canfu arolwg diweddar bod Cymru wedi cael ei heffeithio'n arbennig gan ledaeniad ffwng marwol o'r enw clefyd (Chalara) coed ynn. O ganlyniad, bydd yn rhaid torri miliynau o goed i lawr sydd wedi eu heintio ger adeiladau, ffyrdd a rheilffyrdd, gan gael effaith sylweddol iawn ar y dirwedd ac ar ein bywyd gwyllt. Prif Weinidog, pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd, ochr yn ochr â Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, i gynyddu'r gyfradd plannu coed yn y Cymoedd, ac mewn mannau eraill, i ddiogelu a gwarchod y rhan hanfodol hon o'n hamgylchedd naturiol yng Nghymru?
Llywydd, can I thank the Member for that question? He's absolutely right to point to the recent reports of the impact that ash dieback is already having in Wales and that it could go on having into the future. It's an example of the way in which threats to species do not observe any geographical barriers. Natural Resources Wales will lead for the Welsh Government in our response to ash dieback. Part of that response is about planting more trees in future, to take forward our plan for a national forest here in Wales, and to do everything that we can to deal with the specifics of ash dieback, but to advance the benefits of reforestation across Wales in the process.
Llywydd, a gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna? Mae yn llygad ei le i dynnu sylw at yr adroddiadau diweddar am yr effaith y mae clefyd (Chalara) coed ynn eisoes yn ei chael yng Nghymru ac y gallai barhau i'w chael yn y dyfodol. Mae'n enghraifft o'r ffordd nad yw bygythiadau i rywogaethau yn cymryd sylw o unrhyw rwystrau daearyddol. Bydd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn arwain ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru yn ein hymateb i'r clefyd (Chalara) coed ynn. Mae rhan o'r ymateb hwnnw'n ymwneud â phlannu mwy o goed yn y dyfodol, i fwrw ymlaen â'n cynllun ar gyfer coedwig genedlaethol yma yng Nghymru, ac i wneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i ymdrin â manylion penodol clefyd (Chalara) coed ynn, ond i hyrwyddo manteision ailgoedwigo ledled Cymru wrth wneud hynny.
Although we're celebrating new-found species like the Maerdy monster, recently found on a Rhondda coal tip, the picture for other species isn't so rosy. Anyone watching the brilliant recent BBC programme Land of the Wild will be concerned by the message at the end of the series by Iolo Williams about the extent of species decline in this country. Species decline and soil degradation are key concerns of extinction rebellion, so how will you address these concerns? Now that you've agreed that we face a climate emergency, when will you outline how you are going to meet their demands on immediate emission reductions and the setting up of a citizens' assembly? And do you accept that you now need to pull your finger out on this? As this stand, you are missing your previously agreed emissions targets, and a new M4 black route decision will make things much worse, which all makes the case for the setting up of a citizens' assembly so that we can hold you to account on this.
Er ein bod yn dathlu rhywogaethau newydd fel anghenfil Maerdy, a ganfuwyd yn ddiweddar ar domen lo yn y Rhondda, nid yw'r darlun yr un mor obeithiol i rywogaethau eraill. Bydd unrhyw un sy'n gwylio'r rhaglen BBC wych ddiweddar, Land of the Wild, yn poeni am y neges ar ddiwedd y gyfres gan Iolo Williams am raddau dirywiad rhywogaethau yn y wlad hon. Mae dirywiad rhywogaethau a diraddiad pridd yn bryderon allweddol i Extinction Rebellion, felly sut y byddwch chi'n mynd i'r afael â'r pryderon hyn? A chithau bellach wedi cytuno ein bod ni'n wynebu argyfwng hinsawdd, pryd wnewch chi amlinellu sut yr ydych chi'n mynd i fodloni eu gofynion o ran lleihau allyriadau ar unwaith a sefydlu cynulliad dinasyddion? Ac a ydych chi'n derbyn bod angen i chi dynnu'r ewinedd o'r blew ynghylch hyn bellach? Ar hyn o bryd, rydych chi'n methu eich targedau allyriadau y cytunwyd arnynt yn y gorffennol, a bydd penderfyniad llwybr du newydd yr M4 yn gwneud pethau'n waeth o lawer, ac mae hynny i gyd yn dadlau'r achos dros sefydlu cynulliad dinasyddion fel y gallwn ni eich dwyn i gyfrif ar hyn.
I want to agree with the Member about the seriousness of the position that we face in relation to biodiversity and the decline in species here in Wales. And the reason why, yesterday, my colleague Lesley Griffiths declared a climate emergency on behalf of Wales is both a recognition of the seriousness of intent that we have as a Welsh Government, our commitment to galvanize action inside the Welsh Government but far beyond, and to support the social movement that there is emerging in relation to climate change, because, while Government has a core responsibility—and we set out in our low-carbon plan 100 different actions that the Government intended to take—if we are to succeed in addressing what may be the single greatest threat to humankind at any time in our history, then those actions will have to go far beyond what Government itself is able to do, and that's why the social movement is so important.
Now, Leanne Wood pointed to the fall in vertebrate populations across the United Kingdom—a fall of 60 per cent since 1970. She pointed to the problems of topsoil—85 per cent of the topsoil of East Anglia has disappeared since 1850, since intensive agriculture began. These are absolutely and fundamentally serious signs of what is happening in our environment, and we are determined as a Government to play our part in moving from a period of environmental decline to one of environmental growth. I think that support across this Chamber will be necessary to make that happen, and I know that there are Members in all parties who are committed to making that happen.
Hoffwn gytuno â'r Aelod am ddifrifoldeb y sefyllfa sy'n ein hwynebu o ran bioamrywiaeth a'r dirywiad i rywogaethau yma yng Nghymru. Ac mae'r rheswm pam, ddoe, y gwnaeth fy nghyd-Aelod Lesley Griffiths ddatgan argyfwng hinsawdd ar ran Cymru yn gydnabyddiaeth o ddifrifoldeb y bwriad sydd gennym ni fel Llywodraeth Cymru, ein hymrwymiad i weithredu'n frwd o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru ond ymhell y tu hwnt, ac i gefnogi'r mudiad cymdeithasol sy'n dod i'r amlwg o ran y newid yn yr hinsawdd, oherwydd, er bod gan Lywodraeth gyfrifoldeb craidd—ac rydym ni'n nodi 100 o wahanol gamau yr oedd y Llywodraeth yn bwriadu eu cymryd yn ein cynllun carbon isel—os ydym ni'n mynd i lwyddo i fynd i'r afael â'r hyn a allai fod yr un bygythiad mwyaf i ddynoliaeth ar unrhyw adeg yn ein hanes, yna bydd yn rhaid i'r camau gweithredu hynny fynd ymhell y tu hwnt i'r hyn y gall Llywodraeth ei wneud ar ben ei hun , a dyna pam mae'r mudiad cymdeithasol mor bwysig.
Nawr, tynnodd Leanne Wood sylw at y gostyngiad i boblogaethau fertebratau ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig—gostyngiad o 60 y cant ers 1970. Tynnodd sylw at broblemau uwchbridd—mae 85 y cant o uwchbridd East Anglia wedi diflannu ers 1850, ers dechrau amaethu dwys. Mae'r rhain yn sicr yn arwyddion difrifol a sylfaenol o'r hyn sy'n digwydd yn ein hamgylchedd, ac rydym ni'n benderfynol fel Llywodraeth i chwarae ein rhan i symud o gyfnod o ddirywiad amgylcheddol i un o dwf amgylcheddol. Credaf y bydd angen cefnogaeth ar draws y Siambr hon i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd, a gwn fod Aelodau ym mhob plaid sydd wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd.
2. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog amlinellu sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi awdurdodau lleol i ddarparu gwasanaethau hamdden? OAQ53769
2. Will the First Minister set out how the Welsh Government supports local authorities to provide leisure services? OAQ53769
I thank the Member for that question, Llywydd. Even after a decade of austerity, the Welsh Government supports local authorities through revenue and capital funding for leisure purposes. Earlier this year we announced an additional £5 million worth of capital, through Sport Wales, to support the development of leisure facilities across our country.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna, Llywydd. Hyd yn oed ar ôl degawd o gyni cyllidol, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cynorthwyo awdurdodau lleol trwy gyllid refeniw a chyllid cyfalaf at ddibenion hamdden. Cyhoeddwyd gwerth £5 miliwn o gyfalaf ychwanegol gennym yn gynharach eleni, drwy Chwaraeon Cymru, i gefnogi datblygiad cyfleusterau hamdden ledled ein gwlad.
Thank you, First Minister. I'm sure you'll be aware that leisure services or leisure centres that have been transferred to independent, charitable trusts are applicable for non-domestic rate relief, while those that are retained by councils aren't. This means that, across Wales, leisure trusts receive rate relief of approximately £5.4 million, whilst local authorities are paying around £3.1 million. This is obviously unfair, and I know that the finance Minister has already agreed to meet with representatives from my local authority, Rhondda Cynon Taf, to further discuss this discrepancy. However, when these centres and services are so important in improving health and well-being, can the Welsh Government commit to doing all that is in its power to level this particular playing field?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod gwasanaethau hamdden neu ganolfannau hamdden sydd wedi eu trosglwyddo i ymddiriedolaethau elusennol annibynnol yn gymwys ar gyfer rhyddhad ardrethi annomestig, er nad yw hynny'n wir ar gyfer y rhai a gadwyd gan gynghorau. Mae hyn yn golygu bod ymddiriedolaethau hamdden, ledled Cymru, yn cael rhyddhad ardrethi o tua £5.4 miliwn, tra bod awdurdodau lleol yn talu tua £3.1 miliwn. Mae hyn yn amlwg yn annheg, a gwn fod y Gweinidog cyllid eisoes wedi cytuno i gyfarfod â chynrychiolwyr o'm hawdurdod lleol i, Rhondda Cynon Taf, i drafod yr anghysondeb hwn ymhellach. Fodd bynnag, pan fo'r canolfannau a'r gwasanaethau hyn mor bwysig o ran gwella iechyd a llesiant, a all Llywodraeth Cymru ymrwymo i wneud popeth o fewn ei gallu i sicrhau tegwch yn hyn o beth?
Well, Llywydd, can I begin by agreeing with what Vikki Howells has said about the importance of sport and leisure to improving health and well-being? It was a particular pleasure to be with her in March at the opening of Cwmaman Primary School, and one of the really striking things that we saw that day was the multi-use games area available to the school during school hours but open for wider community use during the evening. And, indeed, I want to commend RCT as a local authority for the actions that it is taking to make use of the £15 million that the Welsh Government has set aside to support community-focused schools in Valley areas.
As for the specific supplementary question on non-domestic rate relief, I think it's fair for me to say, Llywydd, that while local authorities pay in money to the non-domestic rate relief pool, they get every single penny of that back. So, they are paying money in, but every penny that they pay is redistributed through the pool, and redistributed on the basis of need. Nonetheless, the Member has identified an important issue. I'm glad that Rebecca Evans will be meeting with the local authority and others on 15 May, I believe, so that we can explore in more detail with local authorities whether there is a discrepancy here and whether there is action that could be taken to address it.
Wel, Llywydd, a gaf i ddechrau trwy gytuno â'r hyn a ddywedodd Vikki Howells am bwysigrwydd chwaraeon a hamdden i wella iechyd a llesiant? Roedd yn bleser arbennig cael bod gyda hi ym mis Mawrth wrth agor Ysgol Gynradd Cwmaman, ac un o'r pethau gwirioneddol drawiadol a welsom y diwrnod hwnnw oedd y man gemau aml-ddefnydd a oedd ar gael i'r ysgol yn ystod oriau ysgol ond ar agor at ddefnydd y gymuned ehangach fin nos. Ac, yn wir, hoffwn gymeradwyo RhCT fel awdurdod lleol am y camau y mae'n eu cymryd i wneud defnydd o'r £15 miliwn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ei neilltuo i gynorthwyo ysgolion bro yn ardaloedd y Cymoedd.
O ran y cwestiwn atodol penodol am ryddhad ardrethi annomestig, credaf ei bod yn deg i mi ddweud, Llywydd, er bod awdurdodau lleol yn cyfrannu arian at y gronfa rhyddhad ardrethi annomestig, eu bod nhw'n cael pob ceiniog o hynny yn ôl. Felly, maen nhw'n talu arian i mewn, ond mae pob ceiniog y maen nhw'n ei thalu yn cael ei hailddosbarthu drwy'r gronfa, ac yn cael ei hailddosbarthu ar sail angen. Er hynny, mae'r Aelod wedi nodi mater pwysig. Rwy'n falch y bydd Rebecca Evans yn cyfarfod â'r awdurdod lleol ac eraill ar 15 Mai, rwy'n credu, fel y gallwn archwilio'n fwy manwl gydag awdurdodau lleol pa un a oes anghysondeb yn y fan yma a pha un a oes camau y gellid eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â hynny.
First Minister, I'm sure you're aware of the situation at the city of Cardiff swimming club where, earlier this year, following the transfer of the Cardiff international swimming pool to Legacy Leisure, and a subsequent reduction in the council subsidy of £100,000, the club found themselves having to find £53,000 a year and a loss of pool time. This club has run for over 40 years, has seen dozens of its swimmers go on to represent Wales and the UK at Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games, including Mark Foster, David Davies and Ieuan Lloyd. I think it's very important that when we see a change in these arrangements, we remember the need to involve all our clubs and organisations using these facilities, including the elite ones that bring such honour to our nation and are really important right down the sporting pyramid, because what we see achieved at the highest level has a big impact on our ability to take up sport in general.
Prif Weinidog, rwy'n siŵr eich bod chi'n ymwybodol o'r sefyllfa yng nghlwb nofio dinas Caerdydd lle, yn gynharach eleni, ar ôl trosglwyddo pwll nofio rhyngwladol Caerdydd i Legacy Leisure, a gostyngiad dilynol i gymhorthdal y Cyngor o £100,000, canfu'r clwb bod yn rhaid iddyn nhw ddod o hyd i £53,000 y flwyddyn a cholli amser yn y pwll. Mae'r clwb hwn wedi bod yn weithredol am dros 40 mlynedd, ac mae dwsinau o'i nofwyr wedi mynd ymlaen i gynrychioli Cymru a'r DU yn y Gemau Olympaidd a Gemau'r Gymanwlad, gan gynnwys Mark Foster, David Davies ac Ieuan Lloyd. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn, pan welwn ni newid i'r trefniadau hyn, ein bod ni'n cofio'r angen i gynnwys ein holl glybiau a sefydliadau sy'n defnyddio'r cyfleusterau hyn, gan gynnwys y rhai elitaidd sy'n dod â chymaint o anrhydedd i'n cenedl ac sy'n wirioneddol bwysig yr holl ffordd i lawr y pyramid chwaraeon, oherwydd mae'r hyn a welwn yn cael ei gyflawni ar y lefel uchaf yn cael effaith fawr ar ein gallu i ddechrau cymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon yn gyffredinol.
I thank David Melding for that. I am indeed aware of the issue and of the history of the club, both in terms of the role models that it has supplied and the work that it does in grass-roots swimming as well. I believe that the local authority remains in discussions with the club, looking for a way to resolve some of the issues that the club has identified.
Diolchaf i David Melding am hynna. Rwyf yn ymwybodol o'r mater, yn wir, ac o hanes y clwb, o ran yr esiamplau y mae wedi eu cyflenwi a'r gwaith y mae'n ei wneud ym myd nofio ar lawr gwlad hefyd. Credaf fod yr awdurdod lleol yn dal i fod mewn trafodaethau gyda'r clwb, gan chwilio am ffordd i ddatrys rhai o'r problemau y mae'r clwb wedi eu nodi.
First Minister, leisure services across Wales have taken a hammering over recent years and, obviously, as you've said, while Tory UK Government austerity has driven much of this, over recent years a lack of Welsh Government funding to local government has compounded the issue. Now, these concerns over funding have been well made by council leaders of all political persuasions by the Welsh Local Government Association. Local leisure services clearly play a vital societal role in terms of tackling loneliness and isolation, physical fitness and social cohesion. Do you now recognise that your Government will need to commit to providing more money to local government in future years so that these vital services can be protected?
Prif Weinidog, mae gwasanaethau hamdden ledled Cymru wedi cael ergyd drom yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf ac, yn amlwg, fel y dywedasoch, er mai cyni cyllidol Llywodraeth Dorïaidd y DU sydd wedi ysgogi llawer o hyn, mae diffyg cyllid gan Lywodraeth Cymru i lywodraeth leol dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf wedi gwaethygu'r broblem. Nawr, mae'r pryderon hyn ynghylch cyllid wedi cael eu cyfleu'n eglur gan arweinwyr cynghorau o bob argyhoeddiad gwleidyddol gan Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru. Mae'n amlwg bod gwasanaethau hamdden lleol yn cyflawni swyddogaeth gymdeithasol bwysig o ran mynd i'r afael ag unigrwydd ac arwahanrwydd, ffitrwydd corfforol a chydlyniant cymdeithasol. A ydych chi'n cydnabod erbyn hyn y bydd angen i'ch Llywodraeth chi ymrwymo i ddarparu mwy o arian i lywodraeth leol yn y dyfodol fel y gellir diogelu'r gwasanaethau hanfodol hyn?
Well, Llywydd, the Welsh Government's record of supporting local government in Wales bears any examination in comparison with what has happened in other parts of the country. That is why local authorities in Wales in this financial year have a very modest uplift in the investment that we are able to provide them, whereas further cuts are happening across our border. That does not mean for a minute that, nearly a decade into austerity, there aren't real pinch points and pressures that our local authority colleagues feel, and we discussed those with them absolutely regularly, and, as a Cabinet, we worked right through last summer to find money from every place we were able to go to in the Welsh Government to provide more funding for local authorities in the current financial year
Now, for next year, we have no budget at all. There is no comprehensive spending review that has been completed and we have no knowledge of what the revenue for Welsh public services will be from 1 April next year onwards. Those are tremendously difficult circumstances for local authorities, but also for every other public service that this National Assembly supports across Wales. We will do everything we can, working with local authorities and others, to protect those vital services, but the impact of austerity on the one hand and the absolute absence of a budget within which to plan for next year make that inevitably hugely difficult for us and for all of those services that depend upon the decisions that are made here in this Chamber.
Wel, Llywydd, mae hanes Llywodraeth Cymru o gefnogi llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn gwrthsefyll unrhyw archwiliad o'i gymharu â'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd mewn rhannau eraill o'r wlad. Dyna pam mai ychydig iawn yn ychwanegol y gallwn ddarparu i awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, tra bod rhagor o doriadau yn cael eu gwneud ar draws y ffin. Nid yw hynny'n golygu am eiliad nad oes, ar ôl bron i ddegawd o gyni cyllidol, mannau cyfyng a phwysau gwirioneddol y mae ein cydweithwyr mewn awdurdodau lleol yn eu teimlo, ac rydym ni wedi trafod y rheini gyda nhw yn dra reolaidd, ac, fel Cabinet, buom yn gweithio drwy gydol yr haf diwethaf i ddod o hyd i arian o bob man y gallem fynd iddo yn Llywodraeth Cymru i ddarparu mwy o gyllid i awdurdodau lleol yn y flwyddyn ariannol bresennol.
Nawr, ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf, nid oes gennym unrhyw gyllideb o gwbl. Nid oes adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant wedi'i gwblhau ac nid oes gennym unrhyw wybodaeth o ran beth fydd y refeniw ar gyfer gwasanaethau cyhoeddus Cymru o 1 Ebrill y flwyddyn nesaf ymlaen. Mae'r rhain yn amgylchiadau eithriadol o anodd i awdurdodau lleol, ond hefyd i bob gwasanaeth cyhoeddus arall y mae'r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn yn ei gefnogi ledled Cymru. Byddwn yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu, gan weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol ac eraill, i ddiogelu'r gwasanaethau hanfodol hynny, ond mae effaith cyni cyllidol ar y naill law a'r diffyg cyllideb llwyr i gynllunio ar ei sail ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf yn gwneud hynny, yn anochel, yn eithriadol o anodd i ni ac i'r holl wasanaethau hynny sy'n dibynnu ar y penderfyniadau a wneir yn y fan yma yn y Siambr hon.
Cwestiynau nawr gan arweinwyr y pleidiau. Arweinydd yr wrthblaid, Paul Davies.
Questions now from the party leaders. The leader of the opposition, Paul Davies.
Diolch, Llywydd. Someone must take responsibility for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board slipping into special measures, First Minister. Who is to blame?
Diolch, Llywydd. Mae'n rhaid i rywun gymryd cyfrifoldeb am y ffaith fod Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf Morgannwg wedi llithro i'r sefyllfa o fod yn destun mesurau arbennig, Prif Weinidog. Pwy sydd ar fai?
Well, the report that has been published today, Llywydd, is a very difficult read, and something went seriously wrong in Cwm Taf maternity services. What I think the report demonstrates is that failures happened at many levels. They were professional failures. The report undoubtedly demonstrates that there were behaviours by doctors and other clinical staff, sometimes, but not always, because of the pressures that they were working under, that do not stand up to the test of professional conduct, that there was a failure of leadership and that that created a blame culture inside that service that meant that when people felt they had something to say, they were reluctant to say it. It demonstrates that there was a systems failure, so it's not just about individuals—it is about the way the system itself responded to those concerns. And then there was a failure of the organisation itself to see what was going on and then to respond to it properly. So, I don't think it is as simple as being able to point the finger at particular individuals, because the report demonstrates that those failures took place at many levels, and putting those things right will require action right across the board and amongst those people who work for it.
Wel, mae'r adroddiad a gyhoeddwyd heddiw, Llywydd, yn anodd iawn i'w ddarllen, ac aeth rhywbeth o'i le yn ddifrifol yng ngwasanaethau mamolaeth Cwm Taf. Yr hyn yr wyf i'n credu y mae'r adroddiad yn ei ddangos yw bod methiannau wedi digwydd ar sawl lefel. Methiannau proffesiynol oedden nhw. Mae'r adroddiad yn dangos yn ddiamau bod meddygon a staff clinigol eraill wedi ymddwyn, weithiau, ond nid bob amser, oherwydd y pwysau yr oedden nhw'n gweithio oddi tano, mewn ffyrdd nad ydynt yn gwrthsefyll prawf ymddygiad proffesiynol, bod methiant o ran arweinyddiaeth a bod hynny wedi creu diwylliant o feio y tu mewn i'r gwasanaeth hwnnw a oedd yn golygu pan oedd pobl yn teimlo bod ganddyn nhw rywbeth i'w ddweud, eu bod nhw'n gyndyn o'i ddweud. Mae'n dangos bod systemau wedi methu, felly nid yw'n ymwneud ag unigolion yn unig—mae'n ymwneud â'r ffordd yr ymatebodd y system ei hun i'r pryderon hynny. Ac yna roedd methiant y sefydliad ei hun i weld beth oedd yn digwydd ac yna ymateb iddo'n briodol. Felly, nid wyf i'n credu ei fod mor syml â gallu pwyntio bys at unigolion penodol, gan fod yr adroddiad yn dangos bod y methiannau hynny wedi digwydd ar sawl lefel, a bydd unioni'r pethau hynny yn gofyn am gamau gweithredu ar draws y bwrdd cyfan ac ymhlith y bobl hynny sy'n gweithio iddo.
Well, you're right, First Minister, to question leadership on this matter, and people are questioning the leadership of your Government under these circumstances. And let me remind you, First Minister, this isn't the first time we've raised this terrible situation in this Chamber. And the last time I questioned you in March, you told me that mothers and babies are no longer at risk under Cwm Taf. If that was the case, I for one have been left wondering why the health Minister today has actually ordered maternity services at the Royal Glamorgan and Prince Charles hospitals to be put into special measures.
It's quite clear that you as a Government didn't have a grip on our health service, because your Minister has admitted today in his statement that he was unaware of an internal investigation from September last year. Surely your Government should have known what state of crisis these services were in, and why has it taken you so long to publish today's report, given that the first formal concerns at Cwm Taf were reported nearly seven years ago? And now, a review of 43 pregnancies will have to be carried out. Isn't it true that the health Minister and your Government have failed for far too long? You must be more transparent, First Minister, with the people of Wales. Instead of rearranging the seating plan around the board table, who will now actually take responsibility for this?
Wel, rydych chi'n iawn, Prif Weinidog, i gwestiynu arweinyddiaeth ar y mater hwn, ac mae pobl yn cwestiynu arweinyddiaeth eich Llywodraeth chi o dan yr amgylchiadau hyn. A gadewch i mi eich atgoffa, Prif Weinidog, nid dyma'r tro cyntaf i ni godi'r sefyllfa ofnadwy hon yn y Siambr hon. A'r tro diwethaf i mi eich holi ym mis Mawrth, dywedasoch wrthyf nad yw mamau a babanod mewn perygl o dan Gwm Taf mwyach. Pe byddai hynny'n wir, rwyf i'n un o lawer sydd wedi cael fy ngadael yn pendroni pam mae'r Gweinidog iechyd heddiw wedi gorchymyn bod gwasanaethau mamolaeth yn ysbytai Brenhinol Morgannwg a'r Tywysog Siarl yn cael eu gwneud yn destun mesurau arbennig.
Mae'n gwbl amlwg nad oedd gennych chi fel Llywodraeth afael ar ein gwasanaeth iechyd, oherwydd mae eich Gweinidog wedi cyfaddef heddiw yn ei ddatganiad nad oedd yn ymwybodol o ymchwiliad mewnol o fis Medi y llynedd. Oni ddylai eich Llywodraeth fod wedi gwybod faint o argyfwng yr oedd y gwasanaethau hyn ynddo, a pham mae wedi cymryd cyhyd i gyhoeddi'r adroddiad heddiw, o gofio i'r pryderon ffurfiol cyntaf yng Nghwm Taf gael eu hadrodd bron i saith mlynedd yn ôl? A nawr, bydd yn rhaid cynnal adolygiad o 43 o achosion o feichiogrwydd. Onid yw'n wir bod y Gweinidog iechyd a'ch Llywodraeth chi wedi methu am lawer gormod o amser? Mae'n rhaid i chi fod yn fwy tryloyw, Prif Weinidog, gyda phobl Cymru. Yn hytrach nag aildrefnu'r cynllun seddau o amgylch bwrdd y Bwrdd, pwy wnaiff gymryd cyfrifoldeb am hyn nawr mewn gwirionedd?
Well, Llywydd, the reason that we are having this very difficult conversation today is because the Minister commissioned an independent inquiry into what went on in Cwm Taf in October of last year. And I don't think there's any lack of transparency on behalf of the Government in having commissioned that report and having published it for the National Assembly to be able to debate it in the first week that we are back after Easter. And the reason that the Minister commissioned that report is in recognition of the bravery of those women and families in Cwm Taf who insisted on having the things that they could see brought to public attention. And those of us who've had an opportunity to read it will know just how powerful and how distressing it is to read the words of those women reported to us when they reflect on the experiences that they have had. And the actions of this Government are designed to make sure that the recommendations of that report are implemented, that they are implemented urgently and in full, that the failings that have taken place are corrected, and that we rebuild the confidence of patients and of staff who rely on that service every single day. There will be people using that service today, there will be people booked in to use that service over the coming weeks, and the actions that the Minister has taken are designed to ensure that those people, sometimes from some of the most health compromised parts of the whole of Wales, whose needs are greatest—that those people can be confident that the service that they receive is one that matches those needs.
Wel, Llywydd, y rheswm pam yr ydym ni'n cael y sgwrs anodd iawn hon heddiw yw bod y Gweinidog wedi comisiynu ymchwiliad annibynnol i'r hyn a ddigwyddodd yng Nghwm Taf fis Hydref y llynedd. Ac nid wyf i'n credu bod unrhyw ddiffyg tryloywder ar ran y Llywodraeth o gomisiynu'r adroddiad hwnnw a'i gyhoeddi er mwyn i'r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol allu ei drafod yn yr wythnos gyntaf yr ydym ni yn ôl ar ôl y Pasg. A'r rheswm y comisiynodd y Gweinidog yr adroddiad hwnnw oedd i gydnabod dewrder y menywod a'r teuluoedd hynny yng Nghwm Taf a fynnodd i sylw'r cyhoedd gael ei dynnu at y pethau yr oedden nhw'n gallu eu gweld. A bydd y rhai hynny ohonom sydd wedi cael cyfle i'w ddarllen yn gwybod yn union pa mor rymus a pha mor ofidus yw darllen geiriau'r menywod hynny a adroddwyd i ni wrth iddyn nhw fyfyrio ar y profiadau y maen nhw wedi eu cael. Ac mae camau gweithredu'r Llywodraeth hon wedi eu cynllunio i sicrhau bod argymhellion yr adroddiad hwnnw yn cael eu gweithredu, eu bod nhw'n cael eu gweithredu ar frys ac yn llawn, bod y methiannau a welwyd yn cael eu hunioni, a'n bod yn ailennyn hyder cleifion a staff sy'n dibynnu ar y gwasanaeth hwnnw bob un dydd. Bydd pobl yn defnyddio'r gwasanaeth hwnnw heddiw, bydd pobl wedi trefnu i ddefnyddio'r gwasanaeth hwnnw dros yr wythnosau nesaf, a bwriad y camau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi eu cymryd yw sicrhau y gall y bobl hynny, sydd weithiau o rai o'r rhannau o Gymru gyfan lle mae iechyd yn peri'r problemau mwyaf, sydd â'r anghenion mwyaf—y gall y bobl hynny fod yn ffyddiog bod y gwasanaeth y maen nhw'n ei dderbyn yn un sy'n diwallu'r anghenion hynny.
But, First Minister, this latest development does call into question your leadership and the leadership of this Government to run our NHS. It's a sad fact, isn't it, that with five out of seven health boards across the country under special measures or targeted interventions, there is barely anything special or unusual about it anymore? This seems the new norm and the sad reality for the people of Wales under your Government. It takes an enormous amount of resources to heavily monitor so many services. Most notably, we are now approaching the four-year mark of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board being placed into special measures, making it the longest running special measurers health board in Britain. So, how is your Government keeping up with these extra demands? With such a dangerous record of established and proven healthcare failings under successive Labour and Labour-led Governments, can you today reassure the people of Wales how you intend to turn around the fortunes of our Welsh health service?
Ond, Prif Weinidog, mae'r datblygiad diweddaraf hwn yn codi amheuon ynghylch eich arweinyddiaeth chi ac arweinyddiaeth y Llywodraeth hon i redeg ein GIG. Mae'n ffaith drist, onid yw, gyda phump o'r saith bwrdd iechyd ar draws y wlad yn destun mesurau arbennig neu ymyraethau wedi eu targedu, nad oes prin unrhyw beth arbennig neu anarferol yn ei gylch erbyn hyn? Mae'n ymddangos mai dyma'r norm newydd a'r gwirionedd trist i bobl Cymru o dan eich Llywodraeth chi. Mae angen cryn dipyn o adnoddau i fonitro cymaint o wasanaethau yn ddwys. Yn fwyaf nodedig, rydym ni'n nesáu at bedair blynedd erbyn hyn ers i Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr gael ei wneud yn destun mesurau arbennig, sy'n golygu mai dyma'r bwrdd iechyd sydd wedi bod yn destun mesurau arbennig ers y cyfnod hwyaf ym Mhrydain. Felly, sut mae eich Llywodraeth chi yn ymdopi â'r gofynion ychwanegol hyn? Gyda hanes mor beryglus o fethiannau gofal iechyd sefydledig a phrofedig o dan Lywodraethau Llafur a Llywodraethau olynol dan arweiniad Llafur, a allwch chi roi sicrwydd heddiw i bobl Cymru sut yr ydych chi'n bwriadu gweddnewid tynged ein gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru?
Llywydd, I don't believe that what we have read in this report is emblematic of maternity services across Wales. I have met midwives in every single part of Wales. They are amongst some of the most impressive health professionals I have ever met and they provide and absolutely dedicated and determined service for people. I was asked by the leader of the opposition whether this was emblematic of the service that is provided by staff of the NHS across Wales and I'm simply saying to him that, in my view, it is not and it does not reflect my experience of meeting front-line staff in every part of Wales.
Nevertheless, we recognise that people across Wales need an assurance that what has been discovered at Cwm Taf is not characteristic of the service that they provide. That is why, in addition to the independent maternity oversight panel that the Minister has established, and in addition to the actions that are being taken to improve the effectiveness of board leadership and governance in that local health board, the Minister has also announced today in his statement that across the NHS in Wales, we will carry out an assurance exercise, led by the chief nursing officer and the chief medical officer, and there will be a review later this year by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales of maternity services across Wales. Because while I don't think that this is emblematic of maternity services across Wales, patients across Wales deserve to have that independent assurance that the service they are providing is one that we in this Chamber would be proud to receive ourselves.
Llywydd, nid wyf i'n credu bod yr hyn yr ydym ni wedi ei ddarllen yn yr adroddiad hwn yn nodweddiadol o wasanaethau mamolaeth ledled Cymru. Rwyf i wedi cyfarfod â bydwragedd ym mhob rhan o Gymru. Maen nhw ymhlith rhai o'r gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol gorau i mi eu cyfarfod erioed ac maen nhw'n darparu gwasanaeth cwbl ymroddedig a phenderfynol i bobl. Gofynnwyd i mi gan arweinydd yr wrthblaid a oedd hyn yn nodweddiadol o'r gwasanaeth a ddarperir gan staff y GIG ledled Cymru ac rwy'n dweud wrtho'n syml nad ydyw, yn fy marn i, ac nid yw'n adlewyrchu fy mhrofiad i o gyfarfod staff rheng flaen ym mhob rhan o Gymru.
Serch hynny, rydym ni'n cydnabod bod pobl ledled Cymru angen sicrwydd nad yw'r hyn a ddarganfuwyd yng Nghwm Taf yn nodweddiadol o'r gwasanaeth y maen nhw'n ei ddarparu. Dyna pam, yn ogystal â'r panel goruchwylio mamolaeth annibynnol y mae'r Gweinidog wedi ei sefydlu, ac yn ychwanegol at y camau sy'n cael eu cymryd i wella effeithiolrwydd arweinyddiaeth a llywodraethiant byrddau yn y bwrdd iechyd lleol hwnnw, y mae'r Gweinidog hefyd wedi cyhoeddi heddiw yn ei ddatganiad y byddwn yn cynnal, ar draws y GIG yng Nghymru, ymarfer sicrwydd, dan arweiniad y prif swyddog nyrsio a'r prif swyddog meddygol, a bydd adolygiad yn ddiweddarach eleni gan Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru o wasanaethau mamolaeth ledled Cymru. Oherwydd, er nad wyf i'n credu bod hyn yn nodweddiadol o wasanaethau mamolaeth ledled Cymru, mae cleifion ledled Cymru yn haeddu cael y sicrwydd annibynnol hwnnw bod y gwasanaeth y maen nhw'n ei ddarparu yn un y byddem ni yn y Siambr hon yn falch o'i gael ein hunain.
Arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price.
Wrth fynd trwy'r lefelau gwahanol o gyfrifoldeb yn yr achos yma jest nawr, roedd un lefel wnaethoch chi ddim enwi, sef y lefel weinidogol, y lefel lywodraethol—y lefel rŷch chi'n gyfrifol amdani. Does neb wedi ymddiswyddo o ganlyniad i'r methiannau damniol yn y gwasanaeth mamolaeth yng Nghwm Taf, ac eto, does bosib, mae'n rhaid i rywun gymryd cyfrifoldeb, a Gweinidogion sy'n gorfod dal y cyfrifoldeb yn y pen draw. Ac mae hynny'n eich cynnwys chi, Brif Weinidog, achos mae un o'r adroddiadau'n tynnu sylw at bryderon yn dyddio nôl i 2015, a'ch cyfnod chi fel Gweinidog iechyd.
Mae adroddiad mewnol gan fydwraig uwch wedi codi'r llen ar achosion pellach o farw-enedigaethau yn mynd nôl wyth mlynedd na wnaeth y bwrdd iechyd roi gwybod amdanyn nhw, ac mae awduron yr adroddiad, mae'n bwysig i nodi, wedi argymell bod yr achosion hynny yn cael eu gwneud yn destun ymchwiliad hefyd. Nawr, y bore yma mewn cyfweliad â'r BBC, dywedodd mam a wnaeth roi genedigaeth i'w merch yn Ysbyty Brenhinol Morgannwg y llynedd, ac a fu farw wedyn, y byddai ymddiswyddiad y Gweinidog iechyd yn rhoi peth sicrwydd iddi hi a rhai tebyg iddi hi na fyddai pobl eraill yn y dyfodol yn wynebu'r un dioddefaint, er na fyddai'n dod â'i merch yn ôl. O ystyried y cyfrifoldeb rŷch chi a'ch Gweinidog iechyd yn ei rannu dros y methiannau systemig yng Nghwm Taf, onid y peth cywir i chi fel Prif Weinidog ei wneud yw nid yn unig gofyn i'ch Gweinidog iechyd ymddiheuro wrth y teuluoedd yma ond gofyn iddo hefyd wneud y peth anrhydeddus ac ymddiswyddo?
In going through the various levels of responsibility in this case a moment ago, there was one level that you failed to mention, namely the ministerial level, the governmental level—the level that you're responsible for. Nobody has resigned as a result of these damning failings in maternity services in Cwm Taf, and yet, surely somebody has to take responsibility, and it's Ministers who do have to carry the can, ultimately. And that includes you, First Minister, because one of the reports highlights concerns dating back to 2015, and your tenure as health Minister.
An internal report from a senior midwife has raised the curtain on further cases of stillbirth going back eight years that the health board didn't report on, and the authors of the report, it's important to note, have recommended that those cases should be subject to inquiry too. Now, this morning, in an interview on the BBC, a mother who gave birth to her daughter at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital last year, who subsequently passed away, said that the resignation of the health Minister would give her and those in the same position as her some assurance that others in future wouldn't face the same suffering, although it wouldn't, of course, bring her daughter back. Given the responsibility that you and your health Minister share for the systemic failures in Cwm Taf, wouldn't it be the right thing for you as First Minister to not only ask your health Minister to apologise to these families, but also to ask him to do the honourable thing and resign?
Wel, dwi ddim yn cytuno â beth mae'r Aelod wedi dweud. Fel esboniais i yn yr ateb i Paul Davies, rŷn ni yn y sefyllfa rŷn ni ynddi heddiw, yn gallu trafod beth sydd wedi digwydd yng Nghwm Taf, achos bod y Gweinidog wedi gwneud yr hyn y mae e wedi ei wneud.
Well, I do not agree with what the Member has said. As I explained in my reply to Paul Davies, we're in the situation that we are in today, where we're able to discuss what's happened in Cwm Taf, because the Minister took the action that he did.
And I don't believe, myself, Llywydd, that the terribly difficult days that those families have gone through and the very difficult day that they will go through today—that they look to a single individual as the way of resolving those difficulties. It is because of the actions that the Minister has taken that these matters have come to light. It is because of the actions that the Minister has taken that we have an independent report, and it is because of the actions that the Minister has taken that we now have a set of measures in place to give those families assurance about what has happened in the past and, to those families who still need to use that service, an assurance of the standard of care that they will receive. I commend the Minister for the fact that he is meeting those families directly, that he will speak to them, that he will hear from them of their experiences, and that he will be responsible for the actions that this Government has taken. I think that is a far better way to respond seriously, as we ought to, to the history of what has happened and to the individual experiences that lie behind the report we are discussing this afternoon.
Ac nid wyf i'n credu, yn bersonol, Llywydd, bod y dyddiau ofnadwy o anodd y mae'r teuluoedd hynny wedi eu dioddef a'r diwrnod anodd iawn y byddan nhw'n ei ddioddef heddiw—eu bod nhw'n troi at un unigolyn fel y ffordd o ddatrys yr anawsterau hynny. Oherwydd y camau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi eu cymryd y mae'r materion hyn wedi dod i'r amlwg. Oherwydd y camau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi eu cymryd y mae gennym ni adroddiad annibynnol, ac oherwydd y camau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi eu cymryd y mae gennym ni gyfres o fesurau ar waith erbyn hyn i roi sicrwydd i'r teuluoedd hynny am yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd yn y gorffennol ac, i'r teuluoedd hynny sy'n dal i fod angen defnyddio'r gwasanaeth hwnnw, sicrwydd ynghylch safon y gofal y byddan nhw yn ei dderbyn. Rwy'n canmol y Gweinidog am y ffaith ei fod yn cyfarfod â'r teuluoedd hynny yn uniongyrchol, y bydd yn siarad â nhw, y bydd yn clywed ganddyn nhw am eu profiadau, ac y bydd yn gyfrifol am y camau y mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi eu cymryd. Credaf fod honno'n ffordd well o lawer o ymateb o ddifrif, fel y dylem ni ei wneud, i hanes yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd ac i'r profiadau unigol sy'n sail i'r adroddiad yr ydym ni'n ei drafod y prynhawn yma.
First Minister, yesterday, your Government declared a climate emergency, which we on this side obviously welcome and which we hope the Senedd will endorse through our motion tomorrow. Most people will be reasonably of the view that yesterday's announcement will be incompatible with any subsequent decision to plough ahead with the environmentally destructive M4 black route. Can you confirm that the declaration of a climate emergency, presuming it has substance and isn't merely declaratory, is a change in policy that will be a new and materially relevant factor in your decision making on the M4, and have you asked officials for additional advice on that basis?
You have today also confirmed that you will not be making an announcement on the M4 until the first week of June. Given your party is deeply divided on this issue, isn't it just a little bit convenient, First Minister, to kick this down the road, all £2 billion-worth of it, until after the European elections? You said on Sunday you were seeking advice on whether this decision would be caught by the rules on pre-election announcements. Have you received that advice? Is that the justification for this further delay? And did the advice from officials remind you of the general principles set out in guidance that, although in some cases it may be better to defer an announcement, that needs to be balanced carefully against any implication that deferral could itself influence the political outcome?
Prif Weinidog, ddoe, fe wnaeth eich Llywodraeth ddatgan argyfwng hinsawdd, yr ydym ni ar yr ochr hon yn amlwg yn ei groesawu ac yr ydym ni'n gobeithio y bydd y Senedd yn ei gymeradwyo drwy ein cynnig yfory. Bydd y rhan fwyaf o bobl o'r farn resymol y bydd cyhoeddiad ddoe yn anghydnaws ag unrhyw benderfyniad dilynol i fwrw ymlaen â llwybr y DU yr M4 a fydd mor ddinistriol i'r amgylchedd. A allwch chi gadarnhau bod y datganiad o argyfwng hinsawdd, gan dybio bod sylwedd iddo ac nad yw'n ddatganol yn unig, yn newid polisi a fydd yn ffactor newydd a pherthnasol yn eich penderfyniad ar yr M4, ac a ydych chi wedi gofyn i swyddogion am gyngor ychwanegol ar y sail honno?
Rydych chi wedi cadarnhau heddiw hefyd na fyddwch chi'n gwneud cyhoeddiad ar y M4 tan yr wythnos gyntaf ym mis Mehefin. O gofio bod eich plaid yn rhanedig iawn ar y mater hwn, onid yw ddim ond ychydig bach yn gyfleus, Prif Weinidog, gohirio’r penderfyniad hwn, y penderfyniad gwerth £2 biliwn cyfan, tan ar ôl yr etholiadau Ewropeaidd? Dywedasoch ddydd Sul eich bod yn ceisio cyngor ynghylch pa un a fyddai'r penderfyniad hwn yn cael ei ddal gan y rheolau ar gyhoeddiadau cyn etholiad. A ydych chi wedi cael y cyngor hwnnw? Ai dyna'r cyfiawnhad dros yr oedi pellach hwn? Ac a wnaeth y cyngor gan swyddogion eich atgoffa chi o'r egwyddorion cyffredinol a nodwyd mewn canllawiau, er y gallai fod yn well gohirio cyhoeddiad mewn rhai achosion, bod angen cydbwyso hynny'n ofalus yn erbyn unrhyw awgrym y gallai'r gohirio ei hun ddylanwadu ar y canlyniad gwleidyddol?
Llywydd, I don't believe that the declaration of climate emergency is a new policy for this Government or, indeed, for this National Assembly, because I think that the environmental principles that have been important across this Chamber and across the period of devolution are summed up in that decision. Of course the decision to declare an emergency is meant to galvanise action; of course it is meant to draw attention to the emergency; of course it is meant to make sure that Wales is positioned where we would wish to see Wales positioned, which is at the leading edge of the social movement that is developing around the world on this matter, but I don't believe that it represents a sharp difference in policy. It sums up the significance and the importance that we have attached to the environment, ever since the sustainable development principle was introduced into the founding legislation of this National Assembly. And that's why we decided to do it yesterday: because we wanted to make sure that we remained consistent with and true to the history that we have developed in this institution and then to use that to go further still.
So, my colleague Lesley Griffiths has been seeking further advice on the targets that we have announced so far to see whether there is more that we could still do. I know that that advice is expected to be received on Thursday of this week and that the Minister will be meeting directly with those who have provided that advice, and we will then see whether there is even more that we can do, building on the 100 actions in the low-carbon plan that we published in March, to do even more to play our part in dealing with, as I said in my answer to Leanne Wood earlier, what may be the single greatest threat to human beings that we have ever faced.
I hope—and I'll say it again: I hope that, if we are to make the impact that we want to make, then where we share a sense of the urgency and where we share a sense of the necessity to galvanise action within Government and beyond that we will work together across the Chamber to create that new sense of urgency that is needed in our society. If we do it that way, then we will have a better chance of being able to address the problem than if we treat it as some sort of party political matter.
As far as the M4 relief road is concerned, then Adam Price is right that I've said today—I've set out, as I promised I would, the decision-making timetable for the M4. In the end, the purdah issue became irrelevant. I received further advice yesterday, which will lead to questions that I will need to explore with officials. So, there is further advice and further meetings that will need to happen over the next few weeks. Then there will need to be the legal documentation drawn up to support whatever decision I come to. Members here will know, as Adam Price said, that the M4 relief road is an inherently controversial topic, and whatever decision is made is vulnerable to potential legal challenge, so the legal documentation to support that decision has to be in the best possible order. All of that will take another small number of weeks, but I'm now confident that I will be in a position to make that decision in the first week after the Whitsun break and that it will be announced here, on the floor of the National Assembly.
Llywydd, nid wyf i'n credu bod y datganiad o argyfwng hinsawdd yn bolisi newydd i'r Llywodraeth hon nac, yn wir, i'r Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn, gan fy mod i'n credu bod yr egwyddorion amgylcheddol sydd wedi bod yn bwysig ar draws y Siambr hon ac ar draws y cyfnod datganoli yn cael eu crynhoi yn y penderfyniad hwnnw. Wrth gwrs, bwriedir i'r penderfyniad i ddatgan argyfwng ysgogi gweithredu; wrth gwrs y bwriedir iddo dynnu sylw at yr argyfwng; wrth gwrs y bwriedir iddo sicrhau bod Cymru wedi'i lleoli lle byddem yn dymuno gweld Cymru fod wedi ei lleoli, sef ar flaen y gad o ran y mudiad cymdeithasol sy'n datblygu ledled y byd ar y mater hwn, ond nid wyf i'n credu ei fod yn cynrychioli gwahaniaeth mawr o ran polisi. Mae'n crynhoi'r arwyddocâd a'r pwysigrwydd yr ydym ni wedi eu neilltuo i'r amgylchedd, ers cyflwyno'r egwyddor datblygu cynaliadwy yn neddfwriaeth sefydlol y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn. A dyna pam y penderfynasom ni wneud hynny ddoe: gan ein bod ni eisiau gwneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n cadw'n gyson â'r hanes yr ydym ni wedi ei ddatblygu yn y sefydliad hwn ac yna defnyddio hwnnw i fynd ymhellach fyth.
Felly, mae fy nghyd-Aelod Lesley Griffiths wedi bod yn ceisio cyngor pellach ar y targedau yr ydym ni wedi eu cyhoeddi hyd yma i weld a oes mwy y gallem ni ei wneud o hyd. Gwn y disgwylir i'r cyngor hwnnw gael ei dderbyn ddydd Iau yr wythnos hon ac y bydd y Gweinidog yn cyfarfod yn uniongyrchol â'r rhai sydd wedi darparu'r cyngor hwnnw, ac wedyn byddwn yn gweld a oes rhagor eto y gallwn ni ei wneud, gan adeiladu ar y 100 o gamau gweithredu yn y cynllun carbon isel a gyhoeddwyd gennym ym mis Mawrth, i wneud mwy fyth i chwarae ein rhan wrth ymdrin ymdrin â'r hyn a allai fod y bygythiad mwyaf, fel y dywedais yn fy ateb i Leanne Wood yn gynharach, i fodau dynol ag yr ydym ni wedi ei wynebu erioed.
Rwy'n gobeithio—ac fe'i dywedaf eto: rwy'n gobeithio, os ydym ni'n mynd i gael yr effaith yr ydym ni eisiau ei chael, y byddwn yn cydweithio ar draws y Siambr hon pan ein bod yn rhannu synnwyr o'r brys a phan rydym yn rhannu synnwyr o'r rheidrwydd i ysgogi gweithredu o fewn y Llywodraeth a'r tu hwnt, i greu'r synnwyr newydd hwnnw o frys sydd ei angen yn ein cymdeithas. Os byddwn yn ei wneud fel hynny, yna bydd gennym ni well siawns o allu mynd i'r afael â'r broblem na phe baem ni'n ei thrin fel rhyw fath o fater gwleidyddol pleidiol.
Cyn belled ag y mae ffordd liniaru'r M4 yn y cwestiwn, yna mae Adam Price yn iawn fy mod i wedi dweud heddiw—rwyf i wedi nodi, fel yr addewais y byddwn yn ei wneud, yr amserlen ar gyfer gwneud penderfyniad ar yr M4. Yn y pen draw, daeth y mater 'purdah' yn amherthnasol. Cefais ragor o gyngor ddoe, a fydd yn arwain at gwestiynau y bydd angen i mi eu harchwilio gyda swyddogion. Felly, ceir rhagor o gyngor a rhagor o gyfarfodydd y bydd angen eu cynnal yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf. Bydd angen llunio'r dogfennau cyfreithiol wedyn i gefnogi pa bynnag benderfyniad y byddaf yn ei wneud. Bydd yr Aelodau yn y fan yma yn gwybod, fel y dywedodd Adam Price, bod ffordd liniaru'r M4 yn bwnc dadleuol yn ei hanfod, ac mae pa bynnag benderfyniad a fydd yn cael ei wneud yn agored i her gyfreithiol bosibl, felly mae'n rhaid i'r dogfennau cyfreithiol i gefnogi'r penderfyniad hwnnw fod yn y drefn orau bosibl. Bydd hynny i gyd yn cymryd nifer fach arall o wythnosau, ond rwy'n ffyddiog erbyn hyn y byddaf mewn sefyllfa i wneud y penderfyniad hwnnw yn yr wythnos gyntaf ar ôl toriad y Sulgwyn ac y bydd yn cael ei gyhoeddi yma, ar lawr y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol.
Now, as we know, the British Labour Party national executive committee is meeting now to decide their policy on a second referendum. Now, I know you either don't know or won't say how your nominee on the executive is going to vote, and I must admit, having just watched Mick Antoniw interviewed by the BBC, I'm none the wiser either. My question is simply this: what is the current policy of the Welsh Labour Government, because there does seem to be some degree of confusion? You said over the weekend that a confirmatory referendum should be 'in the mix', which prompted Alun Davies AM to say, referring to you:
'Well that wasn’t the policy that he asked me to vote for. We agreed as a Labour Group that we would vote for a policy which included a firm commitment to a referendum and @fmwales needs to be delivering on that policy.'
Given this disagreement in your own ranks, and even in your own Cabinet, can you set the record straight? Is it your Government's current policy to advocate a confirmatory referendum on any Brexit deal? If a different line emerges from the NEC in London this afternoon, does that then automatically become your Government's new policy?
Nawr, fel y gwyddom, mae pwyllgor gweithredol cenedlaethol Plaid Lafur Prydain yn cyfarfod nawr i benderfynu ar eu polisi ar ail refferendwm. Nawr, gwn naill ai nad ydych chi'n gwybod neu'n gwrthod dweud sut y bydd eich enwebai ar y bwrdd gweithredol yn pleidleisio, ac mae'n rhaid i mi gyfaddef, a minnau newydd wylio Mick Antoniw yn cael ei gyfweld gan y BBC, nad wyf innau ddim callach ychwaith. Fy nghwestiwn i yn syml yw hwn: beth yw polisi presennol Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru, oherwydd mae'n ymddangos bod rhywfaint o ddryswch? Dywedasoch dros y penwythnos y dylai refferendwm cadarnhau fod yn rhan o'r drafodaeth, a ysgogodd Alun Davies AC i ddweud, gan gyfeirio atoch chi:
Wel nid dyna oedd y polisi y gofynnodd i mi bleidleisio drosto. Fe wnaethom gytuno fel Grŵp Llafur y byddem ni'n pleidleisio dros bolisi a oedd yn cynnwys ymrwymiad cadarn i refferendwm ac mae angen i @fmwales fod yn cyflawni ar y polisi hwnnw.
O ystyried yr anghytuno hwn yn eich rhengoedd eich hun, a hyd yn oed yn eich Cabinet eich hun, a allwch chi egluro'r sefyllfa? Ai polisi presennol eich Llywodraeth yw cefnogi refferendwm cadarnhau unrhyw gytundeb Brexit? Os ceir gwahanol neges gan yr NEC yn Llundain y prynhawn yma, a fydd hynny wedyn yn awtomatig yn dod yn bolisi newydd eich Llywodraeth chi?
Llywydd, here is the policy: if the UK Parliament cannot unite around an alternative proposition that includes participation in the single market and a customs union, then the only option that remains is to give the decision back to the people. That is the policy—that is the policy as set out in a motion sponsored jointly by his party and mine in front of this National Assembly earlier this year. That is the policy that I voted for—that is the policy that he voted for—and I'm very happy to be able to confirm that it remains the policy of the Government this afternoon.
Llywydd, dyma'r polisi: os na all Senedd y DU gytuno ar un cynnig amgen sy'n cynnwys bod yn rhan o'r farchnad sengl ac undeb tollau, yna'r unig ddewis sydd ar ôl yw rhoi'r penderfyniad yn ôl i'r bobl. Dyna'r polisi—dyna'r polisi fel y'i nodwyd mewn cynnig a noddwyd ar y cyd gan ei blaid ef a'm plaid innau gerbron y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn yn gynharach eleni. Dyna'r polisi y pleidleisiais i drosto—dyna'r polisi y pleidleisiodd ef drosto—ac rwy'n falch iawn o allu cadarnhau y prynhawn yma mai dyna yw polisi'r Llywodraeth o hyd.
3. Pa strategaeth y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei dilyn i gryfhau ac atgyfnerthu ei hymrwymiad i fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd? OAQ53760
3. What strategy will the Welsh Government follow to strengthen and reinforce its commitment to tackle climate change? OAQ53760
Llywydd, the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 sets the legislative framework for tackling climate change in Wales. Commitments were further strengthened and reinforced in the 'A Low Carbon Wales' document published last month.
Llywydd, mae Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Cymru) 2016 yn pennu'r fframwaith deddfwriaethol ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â'r newid yn yr hinsawdd yng Nghymru. Cryfhawyd ac atgyfnerthwyd yr ymrwymiadau ymhellach yn y ddogfen 'Cymru Carbon Isel' a gyhoeddwyd fis diwethaf.
First Minister, it's clear that a growing number of people—our young people and, indeed, the older generation concerned for their grandchildren—do not think that the current scale and pace of action to combat climate change is sufficient. I think we've seen, with Extinction Rebellion and the number of people protesting, the number of arrests and, indeed, Greta Thunberg, as an amazing 16-year-old advocate for our environment, manifestations of that strength of feeling. As you say, there's a worldwide movement now to do more and, I think, to go faster. So, I very much welcome the Welsh Government's declaration of a climate emergency but I do believe it needs to be followed by new energy and new action. One key area, I believe, is transport, and I do think we need a more integrated, a much more integrated, transport system in Wales. One great opportunity is the south Wales metro, and I wonder, First Minister, if Welsh Government will now look at whether it's possible to radically strengthen and accelerate the programme of work for that south Wales metro.
Prif Weinidog, mae'n amlwg bod nifer gynyddol o bobl—ein pobl ifanc ac, yn wir, y genhedlaeth hŷn sy'n poeni am eu hwyrion a'u hwyresau—nad ydyn nhw'n credu bod maint a chyflymder presennol y camau i frwydro'r newid yn yr hinsawdd yn ddigonol. Rwy'n credu ein bod ni wedi gweld, gydag Extinction Rebellion a nifer y bobl sy'n protestio, y nifer o arestiadau ac, yn wir, Greta Thunberg, fel hyrwyddwr 16 mlwydd oed anhygoel dros ein hamgylchedd, amlygiad o gryfder y teimlad hwnnw. Fel y dywedwch, ceir mudiad byd-eang erbyn hyn i wneud mwy ac, yn fy marn i, i weithredu'n gyflymach. Felly, rwy'n croesawu'n fawr datganiad Llywodraeth Cymru o argyfwng hinsawdd ond credaf fod angen ei ddilyn gydag egni newydd a chamau newydd. Un maes allweddol, yn fy marn i, yw trafnidiaeth, ac rwy'n credu ein bod ni angen system drafnidiaeth fwy integredig, llawer mwy integredig, yng Nghymru. Un cyfle gwych yw metro de Cymru, a tybed, Prif Weinidog, a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru edrych nawr i weld a yw'n bosibl cryfhau a chyflymu'n sylweddol y rhaglen waith ar gyfer y metro de Cymru hwnnw.
Well, I thank John Griffiths for that. I completely agree with him, but of course we have to take actions to support any declaration and the transport field is certainly one where carbon emissions and the transition to a low-carbon economy has to take place, and the south Wales metro is key to our ambitions in this part of our country. John Griffiths will know that the White Paper, 'Improving public transport', has integrated transport at the very heart of it, encouraging people to walk more and cycle more, but also to look at the way in which bus transportation, which after all carries far more people every day than trains do—that we make bus travel a public service responsibility again. Because, when planning bus services is properly back in public hands, then we will be able to carry out the sort of integration of public transport that John Griffiths referred to in his question, and it's exactly that approach that the Minister intends to set out in the new Wales transport strategy, which is promised for later this year.
Wel, diolchaf i John Griffiths am hynna. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr ag ef, ond wrth gwrs mae'n rhaid i ni gymryd camau i gefnogi unrhyw ddatganiad ac mae'r maes trafnidiaeth yn sicr yn un lle mae'n rhaid i allyriadau carbon a'r newid i economi carbon isel ddigwydd, ac mae metro de Cymru yn allweddol i'n huchelgeisiau yn y rhan hon o'n gwlad. Bydd John Griffiths yn gwybod bod trafnidiaeth integredig yn ganolog i'r Papur Gwyn, 'Gwella trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus', gan annog pobl i gerdded mwy a beicio mwy, ond hefyd i edrych ar y ffordd y mae cludiant bysiau, sy'n cludo llawer mwy bobl bob dydd na threnau wedi'r cyfan—ein bod ni'n gwneud teithio ar fysiau yn gyfrifoldeb gwasanaeth cyhoeddus unwaith eto. Oherwydd, pan fydd cynllunio gwasanaethau bysiau yn ôl mewn dwylo cyhoeddus yn wirioneddol, yna byddwn yn gallu cyflawni'r math o integreiddio trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus y cyfeiriodd John Griffiths ato yn ei gwestiwn, a dyna'r union ddull y mae'r Gweinidog yn bwriadu ei gyflwyno yn strategaeth drafnidiaeth newydd Cymru, yr addawyd y bydd ar gael yn ddiweddarach eleni.
Minister, yesterday—obviously we've heard previously that the Government had called a climate change emergency here in Wales. I had expected to at least see a statement today because you don't use the word 'emergency' lightly. I had hoped to have heard more positive actions from you as First Minister to a series of questions that have been placed in front of the Assembly this afternoon. I have to say, I can't see, other than the press release that went out yesterday, what has changed in the Government's philosophy. So, can you enlarge maybe on, because you've called this emergency, what have you done to change the dynamics? Surely, you're not just chasing the next press release.
Gweinidog, ddoe—yn amlwg rydym ni wedi clywed eisoes bod y Llywodraeth wedi datgan argyfwng newid yn yr hinsawdd yma yng Nghymru. Roeddwn i wedi disgwyl gweld o leiaf datganiad heddiw oherwydd nid ydych chi'n defnyddio'r gair 'argyfwng' ar chwarae bach. Roeddwn i wedi gobeithio cael clywed am fwy o gamau cadarnhaol gennych chi fel Prif Weinidog i gyfres o gwestiynau a osodwyd gerbron y Cynulliad y prynhawn yma. Mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, nid wyf i'n gallu gweld, ac eithrio'r datganiad i'r wasg a gyhoeddwyd ddoe, beth sydd wedi newid yn athroniaeth y Llywodraeth. Felly, a allwch chi ymhelaethu, efallai, oherwydd eich bod chi wedi datgan yr argyfwng hwn, beth ydych chi wedi ei wneud i newid y ddynameg? Siawns nad ydych chi ddim ond yn mynd ar drywydd y datganiad i'r wasg nesaf.
Well, Llywydd, there is a written statement. I'm not sure if Members have had it as yet but, if not, it will be with Members very shortly and that will set out a series of the actions that lie behind the declaration. But the declaration is important for its declaratory purpose. That is what the campaign has asked us to do and I know that it was welcomed by a large number of those people who are involved in the campaign. And sometimes in politics—personally, I think relatively rarely, but sometimes in politics—declarations are important because they send a message. That's why the campaign has asked us to do that. That is why the motion that Plaid Cymru has proposed refers to it, because political declarations create a context in which those actions can then be taken. Of course it must be more than a declaration, and it is more than a declaration here in Wales. The written statement sets out a series of those actions, drawing, as I've said, on the low-carbon plan. But the declaration itself is significant and it gives confidence and it gives hope and it gives a sense of purpose to those young people and others who have made this cause their cause and want it to be the cause of this National Assembly as well. So, I make no apologies for the declaration, because it's there for a purpose and it will be backed up, as the written statement will demonstrate, by the actions that we can take and then the actions that need to be taken by others beyond this Assembly and in Wales.
Wel, Llywydd, mae datganiad ysgrifenedig. Nid wyf i'n siŵr a yw'r Aelodau wedi ei gael eto ond, os nad ydyn nhw, bydd gyda'r Aelodau yn fuan iawn a bydd hwnnw'n nodi cyfres o'r camau sy'n sail i'r datganiad. Ond mae'r datganiad yn bwysig oherwydd ei ddiben datganiadol. Dyna'r hyn y mae'r ymgyrch wedi gofyn i ni ei wneud a gwn iddo gael ei groesawu gan nifer fawr o'r bobl hynny sy'n rhan o'r ymgyrch. Ac weithiau ym myd gwleidyddiaeth—yn gymharol anaml, yn fy marn bersonol i, ond weithiau ym myd gwleidyddiaeth—mae datganiadau yn bwysig gan eu bod yn anfon neges. Dyna pam mae'r ymgyrch wedi gofyn i ni wneud hynny. Dyna pam mae'r cynnig y mae Plaid Cymru wedi ei wneud yn cyfeirio ato, gan fod datganiadau gwleidyddol yn creu cyd-destun lle gellir cymryd y camau hynny wedyn. Wrth gwrs, mae'n rhaid iddo fod yn fwy na datganiad, ac mae'n fwy na datganiad yma yng Nghymru. Mae'r datganiad ysgrifenedig yn cyflwyno cyfres o'r camau hynny, gan dynnu, fel y dywedais, ar y cynllun carbon isel. Ond mae'r datganiad ei hun yn arwyddocaol ac mae'n rhoi hyder ac mae'n rhoi gobaith ac mae'n rhoi synnwyr o bwrpas i'r bobl ifanc hynny ac eraill sydd wedi mabwysiadu'r achos hwn fel eu hachos nhw ac a hoffai iddo gael ei fabwysiadu fel achos y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol hwn hefyd. Felly, ni wnaf i ymddiheuro o gwbl am y datganiad, gan ei fod yno i bwrpas a bydd yn cael ei ategu, fel y bydd y datganiad ysgrifenedig yn ei ddangos, drwy'r camau y gallwn ni eu cymryd ac yna'r camau y mae angen i eraill y tu hwnt i'r Cynulliad hwn ac yng Nghymru eu cymryd.
4. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i wella'r rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth ffyrdd? OAQ53747
4. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve the road transport network? OAQ53747
I thank the Member for that. Our national transport finance plan sets out our priorities for the road transport network in Wales. The Minister for Economy and Transport will provide an updated plan in May of this year.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am hynna. Mae ein cynllun cyllid trafnidiaeth cenedlaethol yn nodi ein blaenoriaethau ar gyfer y rhwydwaith trafnidiaeth ffyrdd yng Nghymru. Bydd Gweinidog yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth yn darparu cynllun wedi'i ddiweddaru ym mis Mai eleni.
Thank you very much, First Minister. The cost of widening the A465 Heads of the Valleys road between Gilwern and Brynmawr was originally budgeted at £220 million. In November 2017, it was announced that costs had risen by £51 million and that the completion of the project was delayed until the end of this year. We now hear that the cost has increased by another £54 million and that the completion date will be missed again. First Minister, can you now please provide this Assembly with the revised completion date for this project? When will your Government receive the Welsh Audit Office report into the project's commercial position, which was begun last year?
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Prif Weinidog. Cyllidebwyd y gost o ledaenu ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd yr A465 rhwng Gilwern a Bryn-mawr yn £220 miliwn yn wreiddiol. Cyhoeddwyd ym mis Tachwedd 2017 bod costau wedi cynyddu £51 miliwn a bod y gwaith o gwblhau'r prosiect wedi ei ohirio tan ddiwedd eleni. Rydym ni'n clywed nawr bod y gost wedi cynyddu £54 miliwn arall ac y bydd y dyddiad cwblhau yn cael ei fethu eto. Prif Weinidog, a allwch chi roi'r dyddiad cwblhau diwygiedig ar gyfer y prosiect hwn i'r Cynulliad hwn nawr? Pryd fydd eich Llywodraeth yn cael adroddiad Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru ar sefyllfa fasnachol y prosiect, a ddechreuwyd y llynedd?
I thank the Member for that question. I want to recognise the seriousness of the issue to which he has pointed and Members will know that the Minister for Economy and Transport's written statement published on 3 April provided the detail that lies behind the issue that the Member has highlighted. So, here was a complex construction scheme where a solution was required to address a particular geographical feature that the company, the contractor, argue was only discoverable once construction had begun. It is a matter of regret to the Welsh Government that the contractor has then incurred substantial overspend and programme delays and the detail of that is set out in the Minister's statement. While we will not now have full completion by the end of this year, the bulk of the work will be completed—the significant bulk of the work will be completed—during 2019 and we expect the remainder of the scheme to be completed in the early part of next year.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna. Hoffwn gydnabod difrifoldeb y mater y mae wedi cyfeirio ato a bydd yr Aelodau'n gwybod bod datganiad ysgrifenedig Gweinidog yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth a gyhoeddwyd ar 3 Ebrill yn rhoi'r manylion sy'n sail i'r mater y mae'r Aelod wedi tynnu sylw ato. Felly, cynllun adeiladu cymhleth oedd hwn lle'r oedd angen ateb i fynd i'r afael â nodwedd ddaearyddol benodol yr oedd y cwmni, y contractwr, yn dadlau y gellid dim ond ei chanfod ar ôl i waith adeiladu ddechrau. Mae'n destun gofid i Lywodraeth Cymru bod y contractwr wedyn wedi gorfod gorwario'n sylweddol ac oedi'r rhaglen a nodir manylion hynny yn natganiad y Gweinidog. Er na fydd y gwaith bellach wedi ei gwblhau'n llawn erbyn diwedd eleni, bydd y rhan fwyaf ohono wedi ei gwblhau—bydd mwyafrif llethol y gwaith wedi ei gwblhau—yn ystod 2019 a disgwyliwn i weddill y cynllun gael ei gwblhau yn gynnar yn y flwyddyn nesaf.
Un ffordd gost-effeithiol o wella rhwydweithiau ffyrdd ydy chwilio am gyd-fuddsoddiad. Mae o'n bosib weithiau. Mae yna sôn wedi bod ers tro am gael y National Grid i gyfrannu at gost pont newydd dros y Fenai er mwyn cludo gwifrau fel rhan o gynllun Wylfa Newydd—pont fyddai'n caniatáu seiclo diogel, er enghraifft, i'r gwaith i Barc Menai am y tro cyntaf. Rŵan bod y cynllun Wylfa Newydd ar stop, ydy'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno efo fi ei bod hi'n bwysig peidio â cholli momentwm efo cynllun y bont newydd, ac ydy o'n cytuno bod yna achos cryf iawn i barhau i chwilio am gyd-fuddsoddiad gan y grid drwy eu cael nhw i roi eu gwifrau presennol dros y Fenai ar y bont newydd honno fel rhan o broject gwerth biliynau o bunnau sy'n digwydd mewn rhannau eraill o Brydain i dynnu peilonau i lawr a chladdu gwifrau o dan ddaear mewn ardaloedd o harddwch naturiol? Mi fyddai hefyd yn ffordd o dynnu'r peilonau sydd ar hyn o bryd yn rhedeg drwy ganol pentref Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
One cost-effective way of improving road networks is to find joint investment, and it's possible occasionally. There has been some talk about getting the National Grid to contribute to the cost of a new Menai crossing in order to carry cables as part of the Wylfa Newydd development—a bridge that would allow safe cycling to work to Parc Menai, for example, for the very first time. Now that the Wylfa Newydd proposal has been paused, does the First Minister agree with me that it's important not to lose momentum with the new bridge proposal, and does he agree that there is a very strong case to continue to seek joint investment from the grid by encouraging them to put the current cabling over the Menai on that new bridge as part of the project worth billions of pounds that is happening in other parts of the UK to remove pylons and underground cables in areas of outstanding natural beauty? It would also be a way of removing the pylons that currently run through the middle of the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll.
Wel, diolch i'r Aelod am y pwyntiau yna. Dwi'n cytuno—mae yn bwysig i ni beidio â cholli momentwm yn y cynllun sydd gyda ni am y trydydd bont dros y Menai. Dwi'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o hynny ac dyw'r oedi yn Wylfa ddim—. Rŷn ni'n awyddus fydd yr oedi yn Wylfa ddim yn cael effaith ar y cynllun am y bont newydd. Mae yn bwysig i dynnu pobl eraill i mewn, ac mae National Grid yn rhan o hynny, ond mae partneriaethau eraill rŷn ni'n gallu meddwl amdanynt. Dwi'n gwybod mae'r Gweinidog wedi clywed beth mae'r Aelod wedi'i ddweud prynhawn yma, a rŷn ni yn gweithio'n galed i gario ymlaen gyda'r cynllun a rhoi mwy o fanylion at ei gilydd, ac, i fod yn glir, dydyn ni ddim eisiau colli momentwm ar gynllun sydd mor bwysig i bobl leol.
May I thank the Member for the points he makes? I do agree that it is important for us not to lose momentum in the scheme that we have for the third crossing over the Menai straits. I know that the Minister is fully aware of that and we are keen that the pause of Wylfa does not impact the new bridge scheme. It is important to bring other people in, and the National Grid is part of that, but there are other partners that we can also think of. I know the Minister has heard the Member's words this afternoon, and we are working hard to progress the scheme and to put more details together, and, to be clear, we do not wish to lose momentum on such a crucially important scheme for local people.
5. Beth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i atal y DU rhag arwain yr Undeb Ewropeaidd o ran darparu cymorthdaliadau i danwyddau ffosil? OAQ53791
5. What can the Welsh Government do to stop the UK from leading the European Union on providing subsidies to fossil fuels? OAQ53791
Llywydd, the Welsh Government uses our own powers to limit the extraction of fossil fuels in Wales. UK subsidies are provided using reserved powers. We continue to lobby the UK Government to invest instead in renewable energy generation, where Wales possesses such an abundance of natural resources.
Llywydd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn defnyddio ein pwerau ein hunain i gyfyngu ar echdynnu tanwydd ffosil yng Nghymru. Darperir cymorthdaliadau'r DU gan ddefnyddio pwerau a gadwyd yn ôl. Rydym yn parhau i lobïo Llywodraeth y DU i fuddsoddi yn hytrach mewn cynhyrchu ynni adnewyddadwy, lle mae gan Gymru gymaint o adnoddau naturiol.
Of course, these subsidies come at a price, because the suppression of the fuel duty rises that were due to be taking place for climate change reasons have meant that Governments have had to forgo a sum of money equivalent to twice the amount of money we pay for doctors and nurses in this country. So, we are talking about very large sums of money. And it seems to me that it's completely contradictory to charge the consumption of gas and electric in people's homes with 5 per cent taxes and to charge the insulation of people's homes, which will reduce the amount they'll have to use in the way of electric and gas, by 20 per cent. These are, obviously, really important issues as we move forward in how we tackle the climate emergency, and whilst I hear what you say about endeavouring to influence the neanderthal UK Government, what can we do in Wales to ensure that we have a level playing field to encourage people to invest in renewables rather than fossil fuels?
Wrth gwrs, mae pris i'w dalu am y cymorthdaliadau hyn, gan fod atal y cynnydd i drethi tanwydd a oedd i fod i ddigwydd am resymau newid yn yr hinsawdd wedi golygu bod Llywodraethau wedi gorfod mynd heb swm o arian sy'n cyfateb i ddwywaith y swm o arian yr ydym yn ei dalu am feddygon a nyrsys yn y wlad hon. Felly, rydym ni'n sôn am symiau mawr iawn o arian. Ac mae'n ymddangos i mi bod codi treth o 5 y cant ar y defnydd o nwy a thrydan yng nghartrefi pobl a chodi tâl am inswleiddio cartrefi pobl, a fydd yn lleihau faint y bydd yn rhaid iddyn nhw ei ddefnyddio o ran trydan a nwy gan 20 y cant, yn gwbl groes i'w gilydd. Mae'r rhain, yn amlwg, yn faterion gwirioneddol bwysig wrth i ni symud ymlaen o ran sut yr ydym yn mynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng hinsawdd, ac er fy mod i'n clywed yr hyn a ddywedwch am geisio dylanwadu ar Lywodraeth neanderthalaidd y DU, beth allwn ni ei wneud yng Nghymru i sicrhau bod gennym ni sefyllfa deg i annog pobl i fuddsoddi mewn ynni adnewyddadwy yn hytrach na thanwyddau ffosil?
I thank the Member for that. As I said in my first answer, the Welsh Government already uses our own powers in relation to fossil fuel licensing to withhold support for new energy mineral extraction. The European Commission report that highlighted the UK's subsidy of fossil fuels also refers to the importance of demand reduction, energy efficiency and investment in renewables, and the Welsh Government directly plays a part in all of those things, using powers and resources that we have ourselves.
It nevertheless remains the case, Llywydd, that fuel subsidies, taxes and financial incentives are complex and largely reserved matters. What we want to see is use of the substantial financial and legislative levers in the hands of the UK Government put to work to drive down the use of fossil fuels and drive up the use of renewables—not just in wind and solar, but in marine energy particularly, where the failure to deliver a 'contract for difference' mechanism is inhibiting the growth of this vital Welsh possibility.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am hynna. Fel y dywedais yn fy ateb cyntaf, mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes yn defnyddio ein pwerau ein hunain o ran trwyddedu tanwydd ffosil i beidio â chefnogi cloddio am fwynau ynni newydd. Mae adroddiad y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd a dynnodd sylw at gymorthdaliadau'r DU ar gyfer tanwyddau ffosil hefyd yn cyfeirio at bwysigrwydd lleihau'r galw, effeithlonrwydd ynni a buddsoddi mewn ynni adnewyddadwy, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn chwarae rhan uniongyrchol ym mhob un o'r pethau hynny, gan ddefnyddio pwerau ac adnoddau sydd gennym ni ein hunain.
Serch hynny, mae'n dal i fod yn wir, Llywydd, bod cymorthdaliadau, treth a chymhellion ariannol yn ymwneud â thanwydd yn gymhleth ac yn faterion a gadwyd yn ôl i raddau helaeth. Yr hyn yr ydym ni eisiau ei weld yw'r defnydd o'r ysgogiadau ariannol a deddfwriaethol sylweddol sydd yn nwylo Llywodraeth y DU yn cael eu rhoi ar waith i leihau'r defnydd o danwyddau ffosil ac i gynyddu'r defnydd o ynni adnewyddadwy—nid yn unig ynni'r gwynt a'r haul, ond ynni'r môr yn arbennig, lle mae'r methiant i ddarparu dull 'contract ar gyfer gwahaniaeth' yn llesteirio twf y posibilrwydd hanfodol hwn yng Nghymru.
Surely the UK Government has been taxing rather than subsidising carbon use. Will the First Minister not congratulate George Osborne on his carbon tax, which has cut coal use by three quarters, or congratulate the UK Government rather than call it neanderthal, as UK carbon emissions have fallen faster than almost anywhere else in the world, by around 40 per cent since 1990 compared to only 17 per cent in Wales, or indeed congratulate the first world leader to campaign on climate change, who was Margaret Thatcher?
Siawns mai trethu yn hytrach na rhoi cymorthdaliadau i'r defnydd o garbon y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi bod yn ei wneud. Oni wnaiff y Prif Weinidog longyfarch George Osborne ar ei dreth carbon, sydd wedi lleihau'r defnydd o lo gan dri chwarter, neu longyfarch Llywodraeth y DU yn hytrach na'i galw'n neanderthalaidd, gan fod allyriadau carbon y DU wedi gostwng yn gyflymach na bron unrhyw le arall yn y byd, gan oddeutu 40 y cant ers 1990 o'i gymharu â dim ond 17 y cant yng Nghymru, neu yn wir yn llongyfarch yr arweinydd cyntaf yn y byd i ymgyrchu ar newid yn yr hinsawdd, sef Margaret Thatcher?
Llywydd, the European Commission's report to which Jenny Rathbone drew attention highlighted the fact that the UK Government subsidises fossil fuels in the United Kingdom at a level far in excess of any other European nation. I see nothing at all to congratulate them on on that record.
Llywydd, roedd adroddiad y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd, y tynnodd Jenny Rathbone sylw ato, yn amlygu'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth y DU yn rhoi cymorthdaliadau ar gyfer tanwyddau ffosil yn y Deyrnas Unedig ar lefel lawer uwch nag unrhyw wlad Ewropeaidd arall. Ni welaf ddim o gwbl i'w llongyfarch arno ar sail yr hanes hwnnw.
Dwi’n siŵr bydd nifer o bobl wedi'u brawychu gan yr hyn ddywedodd y Prif Weinidog yn gynharach mewn ymateb i Adam Price—hynny yw, 24 awr ar ôl datgan argyfwng hinsawdd, eich bod chi’n dweud bod hynny ddim o reidrwydd yn golygu bod rhaid newid polisïau. Nawr, un polisi, yn amlwg, y byddwn i’n awyddus i weld yw mwy o annog dadfuddsoddi, achos mae yna lawer o arian yn y sector cyhoeddus, yn enwedig mewn pensiynau, wrth gwrs, wedi buddsoddi mewn cwmnïau ynni ffosil. Mi ges i lythyr oddi wrth y Gweinidog cyllid yn ddiweddar a oedd yn dweud y byddai’r Llywodraeth yn annog awdurdodau pensiynau llywodraeth leol, er enghraifft, i sicrhau eu bod nhw’n ystyried y materion yma. Allwn ni gael datganiad llawer mwy diflewyn-ar-dafod oddi wrth y Llywodraeth yn ei gwneud hi’n gwbl glir, os edrychwch chi ar Ddeddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015, na ddylai’r math yma o fuddsoddiadau fod yn digwydd?
I'm sure that people will be shocked by what the First Minister said earlier in response to Adam Price—that is, just 24 hours after declaring a climate emergency, that you say that that didn't necessarily mean that you needed a change of policy. Now, one policy that I would clearly want to see implemented is more encouragement for disinvestment, because there is much money in public sector pensions, particularly, invested in fossil fuel companies. I had a letter from the Minister for finance recently that said the Government would welcome local authority pension investors considering these issues. Can we have a far more unambiguous statement from Government, making it entirely clear that, if you look at the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, these kinds of investments should not be happening?
Mae’r Gweinidog yn fodlon rhoi mwy o fanylion i’r Aelod, a'r Aelodau eraill sydd â diddordeb yn y maes yma.
The Minister is willing to give more information to the Member, and other Members who have an interest in this.
6. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am gynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru i wella'r rhwydwaith ffyrdd strategol yng nghanolbarth Cymru? OAQ53763
6. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's plans to improve the strategic road network in mid Wales? OAQ53763
On 14 February, the Minister for Economy and Transport officially opened the £95 million Newtown bypass. We also plan further investments in the region that will improve connectivity and road safety.
Ar 14 Chwefror, agorwyd ffordd osgoi gwerth £95 miliwn y Drenewydd yn swyddogol gan Weinidog yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth. Rydym hefyd yn bwriadu gwneud mwy o fuddsoddiadau yn y rhanbarth a fydd yn gwella cysylltedd a diogelwch ar y ffyrdd.
Thank you, First Minister, for your answer. The Cefn bridge on the A458 near Trewern is one of the main routes from mid Wales into the midlands. There's growing frustration on the ongoing delays to repair works on this bridge following an accident that occurred last December. The delay has caused extensive queuing, especially during the holiday period, and there is currently no planned date for the works to begin. That's the latest information from the trunk road agency to my constituents. There doesn't appear to be any immediate date in sight for permanent repairs to take place due to agreements that have to take place with Network Rail, due to the safety concerns of operating on a live track. I hope you can give me a date, First Minister, but if you can't, can you also exert your influence on the trunk road agency and Network Rail to bring about a date for repair work to start on this important bridge?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog, am eich ateb. Mae Pont Cefn ar yr A458 ger Trewern yn un o'r prif lwybrau o ganolbarth Cymru i ganolbarth Lloegr. Ceir rhwystredigaeth gynyddol ynghylch yr oedi parhaus i waith atgyweirio ar y bont hon yn dilyn damwain a ddigwyddodd fis Rhagfyr diwethaf. Mae'r oedi wedi achosi ciwio helaeth, yn enwedig yn ystod cyfnod y gwyliau, ac nid oes unrhyw ddyddiad arfaethedig i'r gwaith ddechrau ar hyn o bryd. Dyna'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf gan yr asiantaeth cefnffyrdd i'm hetholwyr. Nid yw'n ymddangos bod unrhyw ddyddiad uniongyrchol ar y gweill i atgyweiriadau parhaol gael eu gwneud oherwydd cytundebau y mae'n rhaid eu cytuno gyda Network Rail, oherwydd pryderon diogelwch o weithredu ar gledrau byw. Rwy'n gobeithio y gallwch chi roi dyddiad i mi, Prif Weinidog, ond os na allwch, a allwch chi ddefnyddio eich dylanwad i bwyso ar yr asiantaeth cefnffyrdd a Network Rail i roi dyddiad i waith atgyweirio ddechrau ar y bont bwysig hon?
Can I thank the Member for that question? He is absolutely right that two heavy goods vehicles collided on the Cefn bridge in December of last year and that caused major damage to the bridge. The bridge carries the trunk road over a railway and Russell George is quite right to point to the safety constraints that are inevitably in place where you have a live railway track and a bridge that needs repair. The bridge also has required a new steel parapet and that has had to be manufactured specifically, but that manufacture has now taken place. It's also been necessary to acquire the services of a specialist installer, but that installer is now ready to carry out the work. I'm pleased to be able to let the Member and his constituents know that Network Rail have now confirmed that track access has been granted for the weekend of Friday 7 June to Saturday 9 June, and that will allow that repair work to be carried out.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna? Mae yn llygad ei le bod dau gerbyd nwyddau trwm wedi gwrthdaro ar bont Cefn ym mis Rhagfyr y llynedd a bod hynny wedi achosi difrod mawr i'r bont. Mae'r bont yn cario'r gefnffordd dros reilffordd ac mae Russell George yn llygad ei le i dynnu sylw at y cyfyngiadau diogelwch sydd yn anochel ar waith lle mae gennych chi gledrau rheilffordd byw a phont y mae angen ei thrwsio. Bu'n rhaid cael parapet dur newydd ar gyfer y bont hefyd a bu'n rhaid gweithgynhyrchu hwnnw'n benodol, ond mae'r gweithgynhyrchu hwnnw wedi digwydd erbyn hyn. Bu'n angenrheidiol hefyd caffael gwasanaethau gosodwr arbenigol, ond mae'r gosodwr hwnnw yn barod i wneud y gwaith erbyn hyn. Rwy'n falch o allu rhoi gwybod i'r Aelod a'i etholwyr bod Network Rail wedi cadarnhau erbyn hyn y caniatawyd mynediad at y cledrau ar gyfer penwythnos dydd Gwener 7 Mehefin hyd at ddydd Sadwrn 9 Mehefin, a bydd hynny'n caniatáu i'r gwaith atgyweirio hwnnw gael ei wneud.
7. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynnydd y Bil Anifeiliaid Gwyllt mewn Syrcasau Teithio (Cymru)? OAQ53789
7. Will the First Minister provide an update on the progress of the Wild Animals in Travelling Circuses (Wales) Bill? OAQ53789
I thank the Member for that. Good progress is being made on introducing this Bill in Wales. The consultation on the Welsh Government's proposals received an overwhelmingly positive response and it is the intention of the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs intention to lay the Bill before this Assembly prior to the summer recess so that scrutiny can begin.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am hynna. Mae cynnydd da yn cael ei wneud o ran cyflwyno'r Bil hwn yng Nghymru. Cafwyd ymateb hynod o gadarnhaol i'r ymgynghoriad ar gynigion Llywodraeth Cymru, a bwriad Gweinidog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig yw gosod y Bil gerbron y Cynulliad hwn cyn toriad yr haf fel y gall y gwaith craffu ddechrau.
That's very welcome news, First Minister. At the moment, the Circus Mondao is one of the few travelling circuses in Wales that exhibit wild animals and they're currently in my constituency. You know they're there because they fly-post all over the borough and put their trailers illegally on public land to advertise what they're doing. I've no confidence that they are willing to obey the law on that ground, but I'm sure that legislation brought by the Welsh Government will compel them to obey the law by banning the use of wild animals. This is their second visit to my constituency since I've been here and I sincerely hope that this legislation will prevent a third visit.
Mae hynny'n newyddion da iawn, Prif Weinidog. Ar hyn o bryd, mae syrcas Mondao yn un o'r syrcasau teithio prin yng Nghymru sy'n arddangos anifeiliaid gwyllt, ac maen nhw yn fy etholaeth i ar hyn o bryd. Rydych chi'n gwybod eu bod nhw yno gan eu bod rhoi posteri anghyfreithlon ym mhob rhan o'r fwrdeistref ac yn rhoi eu trelars ar dir cyhoeddus yn anghyfreithlon i hysbysebu'r hyn y maen nhw'n ei wneud. Does gen i ddim ffydd eu bod nhw'n fodlon ufuddhau i'r gyfraith ar y sail honno, ond rwy'n siŵr y bydd deddfwriaeth a gyflwynir gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn eu gorfodi i ufuddhau i'r gyfraith drwy wahardd y defnydd o anifeiliaid gwyllt. Dyma eu hail ymweliad â'm hetholaeth i ers i mi fod yma ac rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd y ddeddfwriaeth hon yn atal trydydd ymweliad.
I thank the Member for his support for the legislation. Circus Mondao have a licence under English licensing regulations, but of course, that arrangement will be overtaken by legislation that will be passed in this Assembly, should it succeed in gaining support across the Chamber. Then, they and any other operators will have to obey the new legislative requirements here in Wales.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am ei gefnogaeth i'r ddeddfwriaeth. Mae gan syrcas Mondao drwydded o dan reoliadau trwyddedu Lloegr, ond wrth gwrs, bydd y trefniant hwnnw'n cael ei oddiweddyd gan ddeddfwriaeth a gaiff ei phasio yn y Cynulliad hwn, pe byddai'n llwyddo i ennill cefnogaeth ar draws y Siambr. Yna, bydd yn rhaid iddyn nhw ac unrhyw weithredwyr eraill ufuddhau i'r gofynion deddfwriaethol newydd yma yng Nghymru.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, David Rowlands.
Finally, question 8, David Rowlands.
8. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i ddatblygu polisïau yn unol â Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015? OAQ53749
8. Will the First Minister provide an update on the work the Welsh Government is doing to develop policies in accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015? OAQ53749
Llywydd, the Welsh Government is committed to embedding the five ways of working that underpin the Act into all policy development. We continue to make progress as we consider the long-term impact of all policies, work collaboratively with our delivery partners and look to involve our citizens in the process of policy making here in Wales.
Llywydd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i ymgorffori'r pum ffordd o weithio sy'n sail i'r Ddeddf ym mhob datblygiad polisi. Rydym ni'n parhau i wneud cynnydd wrth i ni ystyried effaith hirdymor pob polisi, gweithio ar y cyd â'n partneriaid cyflawni, a cheisio cynnwys ein dinasyddion yn y broses o lunio polisi yma yng Nghymru.
I thank the First Minister for that answer. The work of the 70/30 organisation plays a vital part in combating child abuse. Their target of reducing such abuse by 70 per cent by 2030 goes with an acceptance that parenting skills do not always come naturally to some. It would therefore seem that this issue needs to be vigorously addressed. Will the First Minister ensure that his social justice programme will have at its heart combating child abuse?
Diolchaf i'r Prif Weinidog am yr ateb yna. Mae gwaith sefydliad 70/30 yn chwarae rhan hanfodol yn y frwydr yn erbyn cam-drin plant. Mae eu targed o leihau cam-drin o'r fath gan 70 y cant erbyn 2030 yn mynd law yn llaw â derbyn nad yw sgiliau rhianta bob amser yn dod yn naturiol i rai. Byddai'n ymddangos felly bod angen rhoi sylw cadarn i'r mater hwn. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog sicrhau y bydd y frwydr yn erbyn cam-drin plant yn ganolog i'w raglen cyfiawnder cymdeithasol?
I entirely agree with the Member that child abuse is a matter that Governments have to take very seriously and that parents have to be helped with the skills that they need, sometimes to carry out the very difficult business of bringing up children in significantly adverse circumstances. We already invest significant sums of money, both through the education service and through our social services, in providing that sort of assistance and have every intention of continuing to do so in the future.
Cytunaf yn llwyr â'r aelod bod cam-drin plant yn fater y mae'n rhaid i Lywodraethau roi sylw difrifol iawn iddo a bod yn rhaid i rieni gael eu cynorthwyo gyda'r sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt, weithiau i gyflawni'r busnes anodd iawn o fagu plant o dan amgylchiadau arbennig o andwyol. Rydym ni eisoes yn buddsoddi symiau sylweddol o arian, drwy'r gwasanaeth addysg a thrwy ein gwasanaethau cymdeithasol, i ddarparu'r math hwnnw o gymorth ac mae gennym bob bwriad o barhau i wneud hynny yn y dyfodol.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
Thank you, First Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, a dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog Cyllid a'r Trefnydd i wneud ei datganiad—Rebecca Evans.
The next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd to make the statement—Rebecca Evans.
Diolch, Llywydd. There's one change to today's business: the Counsel General and Brexit Minister will make a statement shortly to update the Assembly on Brexit negotiations. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Diolch, Llywydd. Mae un newid i fusnes heddiw: bydd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol a'r Gweinidog Brexit yn gwneud datganiad yn fuan i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Cynulliad am drafodaethau BREXIT. Mae'r busnes drafft ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi yn y datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, sydd i'w weld ymhlith y papurau cyfarfod sydd ar gael i'r Aelodau yn electronig.
Minister, could we please have a statement from the Minister for health on drug rehabilitation services in Wales? Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that the number of people dying as a result of drug poisoning in Wales has increased by 40 per cent since 2003. However, the only Welsh Government-approved residential rehabilitation centre, Brynawel Rehab, is not getting the referrals needed from the council to be cost-effective and is operating only at 60 per cent of its capacity. Last year, Healthcare Inspectorate Wales called on the Welsh Government to improve the availability of drug rehabilitation provision. Minister, can we have a statement from the Minister outlining the reasons why this vital facility is being underused, when the figures show its services are vitally needed here? Thank you.
Gweinidog, a oes modd inni gael datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd am wasanaethau adsefydlu ar gyfer y rhai sy'n gaeth i gyffuriau yng Nghymru, os gwelwch yn dda? Mae'r ffigurau a gyhoeddwyd gan y Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol yn dangos bod nifer y bobl sy'n marw o ganlyniad i wenwyn cyffuriau yng Nghymru wedi cynyddu 40 y cant ers 2003. Fodd bynnag, nid yw'r unig ganolfan adsefydlu preswyl a gymeradwyir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, Rehab Brynawel, yn cael yr atgyfeiriadau y mae eu hangen gan y Cyngor i fod yn gost-effeithiol ac mae'n gweithredu ar 60 y cant o'i gapasiti yn unig. Llynedd, galwodd Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru ar Lywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau bod mwy o ddarpariaeth adsefydlu ar gyfer cyffuriau ar gael. Gweinidog, a gawn ni ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog yn amlinellu'r rhesymau pam nad yw'r cyfleuster hanfodol hwn yn cael ei ddefnyddio'n ddigonol, pan fo'r ffigurau'n dangos bod angen dybryd am y gwasanaethau? Diolch.
Thank you for raising this important issue. Of course, residential rehabilitation and in-patient detoxification play a really important role in helping service users secure a long-term recovery. The Welsh Government remains committed to ensuring that such services are available and will remain an important element of the Welsh Government's substance misuse strategy in terms of its ongoing priorities. This year, we've committed more than £50 million to ensuring that people have the right help and support that they need to deal with the impact of substance misuse and £1 million of that will specifically support residential detox and rehab. Around half of the funding—so, £25 million—goes directly to our area planning boards, which are responsible for the assessing, commissioning and delivering of substance misuse services, and they commission those services in line with clinical guidance and with input from service users themselves.
With particular regard to organisations such as Brynawel, it is certainly for the chief executives of those organisations to advertise the good work that they do and to make those contacts and make those links in order to ensure that they are viable businesses. I know Welsh Government has supported Brynawel in a number of ways over the years, and, of course, Business Wales is very keen to engage with them to see what further support, information and advice we can offer for the future.
Diolch ichi am godi'r mater pwysig hwn. Wrth gwrs, mae canolfan breswyl a dadwenwyno cleifion mewnol yn chwarae rhan bwysig iawn wrth helpu defnyddwyr gwasanaeth i sicrhau adferiad hirdymor. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i sicrhau bod gwasanaethau o'r fath ar gael ac y byddant yn parhau i fod yn elfen bwysig o strategaeth camddefnyddio sylweddau Llywodraeth Cymru o ran ei blaenoriaethau parhaus. Eleni, rydym wedi ymrwymo mwy na £50 miliwn i sicrhau bod pobl yn cael yr help a'r gefnogaeth iawn sydd eu hangen arnynt i ymdrin ag effaith camddefnyddio sylweddau ac y bydd £1 miliwn o hynny'n cefnogi dadwenwyno ac adsefydlu preswyl yn benodol. Mae tua hanner y cyllid, £25 miliwn felly—yn mynd yn uniongyrchol i'n byrddau cynllunio ardal, sy'n gyfrifol am asesu, comisiynu a darparu gwasanaethau camddefnyddio sylweddau, ac maent yn comisiynu'r gwasanaethau hynny yn unol â chanllawiau clinigol a chyda mewnbwn gan ddefnyddwyr y gwasanaeth eu hunain.
Gan gyfeirio'n benodol at fudiadau megis Brynawel, cyfrifoldeb Prif Weithredwyr y sefydliadau hynny yn sicr yw hysbysebu'r gwaith da a wnânt a gwneud y cysylltiadau hynny er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn fusnesau hyfyw. Gwn fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cefnogi Brynawel mewn nifer o ffyrdd dros y blynyddoedd ac, wrth gwrs, mae Busnes Cymru yn awyddus iawn i ymgysylltu â nhw i weld pa gymorth, gwybodaeth a chyngor pellach y gallwn eu cynnig ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Trefnydd, you will recall that on 14 February last year, this Assembly unanimously supported a motion proposed by myself, and supported by colleagues across the Chamber, regarding the issue of unadopted roads in Wales. The motion called for the establishment of a taskforce to look at the issues facing residents across Wales who are living on these unadopted roads. These roads have often been unadopted for decades, are in a poor state of repair and result in significant levels of letters, e-mails and phone calls between residents and county councils across Wales, often going around in circles with no endpoint in sight. Now, following that vote in February 2018, the taskforce was established and has been consulting with a range of bodies, including local authorities, housing associations, utility companies, the Home Builders Federation, One Voice Wales, and everybody else, it seems to me. You will recall that the motion also sought to develop a Wales-wide programme to deliver a reduction in the number of unadopted roads in Wales. Now, in answering a written question on 26 March, the Minister for Economy and Transport stated that the taskforce was finalising its recommendations and that he expected to receive its report later that month, meaning at the end of last month. It's now the end of April. Could I ask the Government for an update in terms of the progress on this issue and when it expects to make a statement in this Chamber on the taskforce's recommendation?
Trefnydd, byddwch yn cofio, ar 14 Chwefror y llynedd, fod y Cynulliad hwn wedi cefnogi'n unfrydol y cynnig a gyflwynais i, ac a gefnogwyd gan fy nghyd-Aelodau ar draws y Siambr, ynghylch y mater o ffyrdd heb eu mabwysiadu yng Nghymru. Roedd y cynnig yn galw am sefydlu tasglu i edrych ar y materion sy'n wynebu trigolion ledled Cymru sy'n byw ar y ffyrdd hyn sydd heb eu mabwysiadu. Mae'r ffyrdd hyn yn aml wedi cael eu dad-fabwysiadu ers degawdau, maent mewn cyflwr gwael ac yn arwain at lawer iawn o lythyrau, negeseuon e-bost a galwadau ffôn rhwng trigolion a chynghorau sir ar draws Cymru, yn aml yn mynd o gwmpas mewn cylchoedd heb ddim diwedd i'w weld. Nawr, yn dilyn y bleidlais honno ym mis Chwefror 2018, sefydlwyd y tasglu ac mae wedi bod yn ymgynghori ag ystod o gyrff, gan gynnwys awdurdodau lleol, cymdeithasau tai, cwmnïau cyfleustodau, Ffederasiwn Adeiladwyr Cartrefi, Un Llais Cymru, a phawb arall, yn ôl yr hyn a welaf i. Byddwch yn cofio bod y cynnig hefyd yn ceisio datblygu rhaglen Cymru gyfan i sicrhau gostyngiad yn nifer y ffyrdd heb eu mabwysiadu yng Nghymru. Nawr, wrth ateb cwestiwn ysgrifenedig ar 26 Mawrth, dywedodd y Gweinidog dros yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth fod y tasglu'n llunio'i argymhellion terfynol a'i fod yn disgwyl cael ei adroddiad yn ddiweddarach y mis hwnnw, sef diwedd y mis diwethaf. Erbyn hyn mae'n ddiwedd mis Ebrill. A gaf i ofyn i'r Llywodraeth am yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf o ran y cynnydd ar y mater hwn a phryd y mae'n disgwyl gwneud datganiad yn y Siambr hon ar argymhelliad y tasglu?
Thank you for raising this issue. Of course, the issue of unadopted roads is one of concern to a great many of us in this Chamber. The work that's going on through that task and finish group really complements the work that is going on in terms of our leasehold reform agenda more widely in ensuring that there is good management of estates across Wales. I'll certainly ask the Minister with responsibility for the economy and transport to write to you with an update on progress on the issue, and to give you an idea of the timescales as to when he'll be able to provide more information on the work of that task and finish group.
Diolch ichi am godi'r mater hwn. Wrth gwrs, mae mater ffyrdd heb eu mabwysiadu yn destun pryder i lawer iawn ohonom yn y Siambr hon. Mae'r gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo drwy'r grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen hwnnw'n ategu'r gwaith sy'n digwydd ar ein hagenda diwygio lesddaliad yn fwy eang er mwyn sicrhau rheolaeth dda o ystadau ar draws Cymru. Yn sicr, fe ofynnaf i'r Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb dros yr economi a thrafnidiaeth i ysgrifennu atoch gyda'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynnydd ar y mater, ac i roi syniad ichi o'r amserlen ar gyfer pryd y bydd yn gallu rhoi mwy o wybodaeth am waith y grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen hwnnw .
I would like to ask for two Government statements. Firstly, I'm asking for a Government statement outlining what support has been given to staff who lost their jobs following the closure of Dawnus, which will affect your constituents as much as it affects mine, and what further help will be provided. Because it was a catastrophic closure, because it happened virtually overnight.
Secondly, I'm asking for either a Government statement, or preferably a debate, on incineration. This should include how the waste incineration directive is being implemented, whether buffer zones from properties, such as those that exist for opencast mining, could be implemented, and the reason why the Government is not bringing in a moratorium on incinerators, which I and many others in this Chamber have asked for.
Hoffwn ofyn am ddau ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth. Yn gyntaf, rwy'n gofyn am ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth yn amlinellu pa gefnogaeth sydd wedi cael ei rhoi i staff a gollodd eu swyddi ar ôl i gwmni Dawnus ddod i ben, a fydd yn effeithio ar eich etholwyr chi gymaint ag y mae'n effeithio ar fy etholaeth i, a pha gymorth pellach fydd yn cael ei ddarparu. Daeth i ben mewn modd trychinebus, oherwydd digwyddodd dros nos bron.
Yn ail, rwyf yn gofyn am naill ai ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth, neu ddadl, os oes modd, ar losgi. Dylai hyn gynnwys sut y caiff y gyfarwyddeb llosgi gwastraff ei gweithredu, a ellid gweithredu clustogfeydd o eiddo, fel y rhai sy'n bodoli ar gyfer cloddio glo brig, a'r rheswm pam nad yw'r Llywodraeth yn cyflwyno moratoriwm ar losgyddion, rhywbeth yr wyf fi a llawer o rai eraill yn y Siambr hon wedi gofyn amdano.
Thank you again for raising both of these issues. And as Mike Hedges will know, Dawnus directly employed 705 people across Wales and the UK, and 430 of those employees were based here in Wales. As he will know, the Welsh Government established a taskforce to support those individuals who were directly affected as a result of the business entering into administration. The Welsh Government's ReAct programme, Careers Wales, and the Department for Work and Pensions' Jobcentre Plus have been deployed, and they're actively supporting those individuals who have been directly affected.
The administrator has appointed a specialist recruitment agency to manage the redundancy process, with all former employees notified and either paid or expecting their redundancy payments imminently. A number of regional construction businesses across Wales have taken on a number of those former employees who were directly affected, and a new business, based on one of the subsidiary businesses of the Dawnus group, has been established, with those staff transferring across to the new entity, and that safeguards around 37 direct jobs. Officials are aware that there's an ongoing dialogue with potential buyers for the acquisition of another subsidiary business in the Dawnus group, and that could safeguard more jobs within the group.
I can also inform Mike Hedges that 35 apprentices have been identified within the business, and officials have engaged with the construction industry training board to ensure that they have continued support, to ensure that they can complete their training with other organisations. And, of course, the taskforce will continue to work with the support organisations to help those individuals affected, and the Lighthouse Club charity can provide mental health support to those construction employees who have been affected.
On the issue of your request for a statement on Welsh Government policy on incineration, I will again speak to the Minister with responsibility and ask what she thinks would be the best way to provide an update.
Diolch eto am godi'r materion hyn. Ac fel y bydd Mike Hedges yn gwybod, roedd Dawnus yn cyflogi 705 o bobl ledled Cymru a'r DU yn uniongyrchol, ac roedd 430 o'r gweithwyr hynny wedi'u lleoli yma yng Nghymru. Fel y bydd yn gwybod, sefydlodd Llywodraeth Cymru dasglu i gefnogi'r unigolion hynny yr effeithiwyd arnynt yn uniongyrchol pan aeth y busnes i ddwylo'r gweinyddwyr. Mae rhaglen ReAct Llywodraeth Cymru, Gyrfa Cymru a'r Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau wedi cael eu defnyddio, ac maent wrthi'n cefnogi'r unigolion hynny yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw'n uniongyrchol.
Mae'r gweinyddwr wedi penodi asiantaeth recriwtio arbenigol i reoli'r broses ddiswyddo, a chafodd yr holl gyn-weithwyr eu hysbysu, eu talu neu disgwylir iddynt gael eu taliadau diswyddo yn fuan. Mae nifer o fusnesau adeiladu rhanbarthol ledled Cymru wedi cyflogi nifer o'r cyn-weithwyr hynny yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw'n uniongyrchol, ac mae busnes newydd, yn seiliedig ar un o is-fusnesau grŵp Dawnus, wedi cael ei sefydlu, gyda'r staff hynny'n trosglwyddo i'r endid newydd. Mae hynny'n diogelu tua 37 o swyddi uniongyrchol. Mae swyddogion yn ymwybodol bod deialog barhaus gyda darpar brynwyr ar gyfer caffael is-fusnes arall yng ngrŵp Dawnus, a gallai hynny ddiogelu mwy o swyddi o fewn y grŵp.
Gallaf ddweud hefyd wrth Mike Hedges fod 35 o brentisiaid wedi cael eu nodi o fewn y busnes, a bod swyddogion wedi ymgysylltu â bwrdd hyfforddi'r diwydiant adeiladu i sicrhau bod ganddynt gymorth parhaus, fel y gallant gwblhau eu hyfforddiant gyda sefydliadau eraill. Ac, wrth gwrs, bydd y tasglu yn parhau i weithio gyda'r sefydliadau cefnogi i helpu'r unigolion hynny yr effeithir arnyn nhw, a gall elusen Clwb y Goleudy ddarparu cefnogaeth iechyd meddwl i'r gweithwyr adeiladu hynny yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw.
O ran eich cais am ddatganiad ar bolisi Llywodraeth Cymru ar losgi gwastraff, byddaf yn siarad eto â'r Gweinidog sydd â chyfrifoldeb ac yn gofyn beth yn ei barn hi fyddai'r ffordd orau o ddarparu diweddariad.
Can I call for a statement on waiting times for patients in north Wales, please, from the Minister for Health and Social Services? The Trefnydd will be aware that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board had £1 million clawed back from it this year—this is on top of £3 million being clawed back last year—because of its failure to meet expectations from the Welsh Government in terms of delivering improvements on waiting time performance. And of course, over the Easter recess, it emerged that there was a row between the Welsh Government and the Countess of Chester Hospital in terms of the payments due for Welsh patients being treated there. Given that the capacity of the hospitals in north Wales is not geared up to take additional referrals as a result of the loss of the Countess of Chester's activity, this is absolutely going to add to the pressure in north Wales, lengthen waiting times, and unfortunately, I think, cause many people to languish in a lot of pain on waiting lists in the future. As I understand it, the Welsh Government has been provided with a plan, over 18 months ago, by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to address orthopaedic waiting times in particular, and they are still waiting for that plan to be given the sign-off. Without that plan, they're unable to build the capacity in the system to be able to enable them to meet the waiting time targets. So I do think that we need a statement on this urgently, and we need an update on the situation with the Countess of Chester Hospital and whether patients are now able to be referred to there for their treatment.
A gaf i alw am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ar amseroedd aros i gleifion yng Ngogledd Cymru, os gwelwch yn dda? Bydd y Trefnydd yn ymwybodol bod £1 miliwn wedi ei gymryd yn ôl oddi wrth Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr eleni—mae hyn ar ben y £3 miliwn a gymerwyd yn ôl y llynedd—oherwydd ei fethiant i fodloni disgwyliadau gan Lywodraeth Cymru o ran cyflawni gwelliannau i berfformiad amseroedd aros. Ac wrth gwrs, dros doriad y Pasg, daeth yn amlwg fod ffrae rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru ac Ysbyty Iarlles Caer o ran y taliadau sy'n ddyledus o ganlyniad i gleifion o Gymru sy'n cael eu trin yno. O gofio nad yw capasiti'r ysbytai yn y Gogledd yn barod i dderbyn atgyfeiriadau ychwanegol o ganlyniad i golli gweithgaredd Ysbyty Iarlles Caer, mae hyn yn mynd i ychwanegu at y pwysau yn y Gogledd. Bydd yn ymestyn yr amseroedd aros, ac yn anffodus, credaf y bydd yn peri i lawer o bobl fyw mewn cryn boen ar restri aros yn y dyfodol. Yn ôl yr hyn a ddeallaf, mae Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr wedi darparu cynllun, dros 18 mis yn ôl, i fynd i'r afael ag amseroedd aros orthopedig yn benodol, ac maent yn dal i aros i'r cynllun hwnnw gael ei gymeradwyo. Heb y cynllun hwnnw, ni allant feithrin y capasiti yn y system i'w galluogi i gyrraedd y targedau amser aros. Felly, credaf fod angen inni gael datganiad ar hyn ar frys, ac mae angen inni gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y sefyllfa gydag Ysbyty Iarlles Caer ac a oes modd cyfeirio cleifion atynt yn awr i gael eu triniaeth.
Thank you for raising this. And, of course, the Minister for health will be answering questions in the Chamber tomorrow, and I see that you've tabled precisely this question for him, which will be question 4. So I know that he'll be pleased to answer that tomorrow. But I can say, with regard to the Countess of Chester, that the Minister has been very clear that the action taken by the trust is unacceptable and not in line with the statement and values and principles that we have agreed between the NHS in Wales and NHS England, and that we will always act in the best interests of patients at all times. I spoke to the Minister about this issue earlier on today, and he said that he would expect to be in a position to provide Assembly Members with an update, certainly, hopefully, by the end of this week.
Diolch am godi hyn. Ac, wrth gwrs, bydd y Gweinidog Iechyd yn ateb cwestiynau yn y Siambr yfory, a gwelaf eich bod wedi cyflwyno'r union gwestiwn hwn iddo, sef cwestiwn 4. Felly, gwn y bydd yn falch o ateb hynny yfory. Ond gallaf ddweud, o ran Ysbyty Iarlles Caer, fod y Gweinidog wedi bod yn glir iawn bod y camau a gymerwyd gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth yn annerbyniol ac nad ydynt yn cyd-fynd â'r datganiad a'r gwerthoedd a'r egwyddorion yr ydym wedi cytuno arnynt rhwng y GIG yng Nghymru a GIG Lloegr, ac y byddwn bob amser yn gweithredu er budd y cleifion. Siaradais â'r Gweinidog am y mater hwn yn gynharach heddiw, a dywedodd y byddai'n disgwyl bod mewn sefyllfa i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i Aelodau'r Cynulliad, yn sicr, gobeithio, erbyn diwedd yr wythnos hon.
Trefnydd, I'd like to raise some matters that were brought to my attention during a recent visit to the Rhondda campus at Coleg y Cymoedd. I was informed by senior management at the college, and ColegauCymru, about the serious financial constraints, not just on colleges, but also on students. Education maintenance allowance payments, which could mean up to £30 a week for some students, have not increased with the cost of living since 2004. Adjusted for inflation, payments should now stand at £45.25 a week—50 per cent higher than what they are now for some students. I've been told that a shortage of funds is often the reason for students from poorer backgrounds dropping out of their courses. So, can I ask for a statement from the education Minister about addressing the financial constraints on college students to ensure that education is accessible to all regardless of family income?
ColegauCymru and the principal at Coleg y Cymoedd are also concerned about the apprenticeship levy, which they say is a tax on Welsh employers. And many feel that Welsh employers are being penalised. Since Wales doesn't operate the digital voucher scheme, there's a feeling among employers that they are not getting their levy contributions back. In England, this scheme works differently and employers can get their contributions back. So, some companies now in Wales train their apprentices in England as a result of that. Does the Welsh Government have any idea as to how many Wales-based companies are training their apprentices in England? And furthermore, I'd like to know if this Government is able to work with the sector to overcome the problems around the apprenticeship levy to prevent Welsh employers from losing out, and to address the bureaucratic problems that companies in Wales face. A statement or a debate on this matter would be more than welcome.
Trefnydd, hoffwn godi rhai materion a ddaeth i'm sylw yn ystod ymweliad diweddar â champws y Rhondda yng Ngholeg y Cymoedd. Fe'm hysbyswyd gan uwch reolwyr yn y coleg, a ColegauCymru, am y cyfyngiadau ariannol difrifol, nid yn unig ar golegau, ond ar fyfyrwyr hefyd. Nid yw taliadau lwfans cynhaliaeth addysg, a allai olygu hyd at £30 yr wythnos i rai myfyrwyr, wedi cynyddu gyda chostau byw ers 2004. Wedi'i addasu ar gyfer chwyddiant, dylai taliadau sefyll yn awr ar £45.25 yr wythnos—50 y cant yn uwch na'r hyn y mae rhai myfyrwyr yn ei gael nawr. Cefais fy hysbysu mai prinder arian yn aml yw'r rheswm pam mae myfyrwyr o gefndiroedd tlotach yn rhoi'r gorau i'w cyrsiau. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Addysg ynghylch mynd i'r afael â'r cyfyngiadau ariannol ar fyfyrwyr coleg er mwyn sicrhau bod addysg yn hygyrch i bawb, waeth beth fo incwm y teulu?
Mae ColegauCymru a'r prifathro yng Ngholeg y Cymoedd hefyd yn pryderu am yr ardoll prentisiaethau, sydd yn eu barn nhw yn dreth ar gyflogwyr Cymru. Ac mae llawer yn teimlo bod cyflogwyr Cymru yn cael eu cosbi. Gan nad yw Cymru yn gweithredu'r cynllun talebau digidol, ceir teimlad ymhlith cyflogwyr nad ydynt yn cael eu cyfraniadau ardoll yn ôl. Yn Lloegr, mae'r cynllun hwn yn gweithio'n wahanol a gall cyflogwyr gael eu cyfraniadau'n ôl. Felly, yn sgil hynny, mae rhai cwmnïau yng Nghymru bellach yn hyfforddi eu prentisiaid yn Lloegr. A oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru unrhyw syniad faint o gwmnïau o Gymru sy'n hyfforddi eu prentisiaid yn Lloegr? Ac ymhellach, hoffwn wybod a all y Llywodraeth hon weithio gyda'r sector i oresgyn y problemau sy'n gysylltiedig â'r ardoll prentisiaethau er mwyn atal cyflogwyr Cymru rhag colli allan, ac i fynd i'r afael â'r problemau biwrocrataidd y mae cwmnïau yng Nghymru yn eu hwynebu. Byddwn yn croesawu datganiad neu ddadl ar y mater hwn yn fawr.
Thank you. In relation to your first concern, I think that the most opportune moment to raise that with the education Minister would be during the debate this afternoon on support for disadvantaged and vulnerable learners. And, in regards to the apprenticeship levy, there were several detailed questions there, and I'll ensure that you are furnished with a response.
Diolch. O ran eich pryder cyntaf, credaf mai'r cyfle gorau ichi godi hynny gyda'r Gweinidog Addysg fyddai yn ystod y ddadl y prynhawn yma ar gefnogaeth i ddysgwyr difreintiedig ac agored i niwed. Ac, o ran yr ardoll prentisiaethau, roedd gennych nifer o gwestiynau manwl a byddaf yn sicrhau eich bod yn cael ymateb.
Trefnydd, I'd be grateful for two Government statements concerning the protection of wildlife. But firstly, last week, we had yet another slurry spill from a farm in west Wales near Cilgerran, with an estimated 120,000 gallons that have leached into the Afon Dyfan, a tributary of the Teifi. Natural Resources Wales, we know, is investigating, but goodness knows what damage has been done, and it will continue to be done as the pollution works its way through the food chain. I actually received an excellent poem this week from a constituent about Gammarus pulex. I wouldn't say I've got the pronunciation right, but in plain English, it's the water flea. And it says 'I'm an important indicator species for the environmental health of aquatic beasties.' And I think that's an important point, because this latest spill comes on the back of a serious incident in the same water system shortly before Christmas, and that spill near Tregaron was estimated to have killed 1,000 fish. We very often measure the damage in the number of fish that have been killed, but it won't be only fish that have been killed; it will be absolutely everything else within that environment that has been killed as well. And if we keep on as we are at the moment, with repeated slurry spills into our rivers, we won't have any life whatsoever left in those rivers, and it will take decades for that life to return. So, I believe that we need urgent action to address this, and I think we need to hold people to account who should be looking at this, and also look at the inspection regime that I hope is in place to inspect slurry facilities across the land, and also look further at whether some of these slurries are in the appropriate place, so that they cannot leach when they spill into our environment and absolutely destroy it.
The second statement that I would like is on hedge and tree netting. We've seen the recent campaigns that focused on developers using nets to prevent birds from nesting and therefore hindering planning applications and construction work, and I know that Mick Antoniw has raised this earlier this year. But I've received, as a request from a column I put in a newspaper this week, anecdotal evidence where this is happening on farm land. I know that there is a petition in front of the Assembly that is calling on us to do something seriously about reducing the use of netting that prevents birds from nesting and making it a criminal offence. I think, given that there is clear public interest in this subject, it would be really useful if the Government now did make a statement on this, because it is ridiculous to say that you're putting netting on a hedge that will stop birds from nesting, because birds will get within it and if you have any loose netting, not only will it allow the birds to get through, but it will most definitely prevent them from getting back out.
Trefnydd, byddwn yn ddiolchgar am ddau ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth ynghylch diogelu bywyd gwyllt. Ond yn gyntaf, yr wythnos diwethaf, cafwyd digwyddiad arall lle'r oedd slyri wedi gollwng o fferm yng ngorllewin Cymru ger Cilgerran, gydag amcangyfrif o 120,000 o alwyni wedi diferu i afon Dyfan, un o lednentydd y Teifi. Gwyddom fod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn ymchwilio i hyn, ond dyn a ŵyr pa ddifrod a wnaed, a bydd yn parhau i gael ei wneud wrth i'r llygredd weithio'i ffordd drwy'r gadwyn fwyd. Daeth cerdd ragorol i'm llaw yr wythnos hon gan un o'm hetholwyr ynglŷn â'r Gammarus Pulex. Fyddwn i ddim yn dweud bod yr ynganiad yn gywir, ond pryf yw hwn sy'n byw mewn dŵr glân. Dywed y gerdd, 'Dwi'n rhywogaeth bwysig ac yn ddangosydd ar gyfer iechyd amgylcheddol creaduriaid y dŵr'. A dwi'n meddwl bod hwnnw'n bwynt pwysig, achos mae'r gorlif diweddaraf yma yn dod ar ôl digwyddiad difrifol yn yr un system ddŵr ychydig cyn y Nadolig, ac amcangyfrifwyd fod y digwyddiad hwnnw ger Tregaron wedi lladd 1,000 o bysgod. Yn aml iawn, rydym yn mesur y difrod yn nifer y pysgod sydd wedi'u lladd, ond nid pysgod yn unig a laddwyd; lladdwyd popeth arall yn yr amgylchedd hwnnw hefyd. Ac os byddwn yn dal ati fel yr ydym ar hyn o bryd, ac yn gollwng mwy o slyri i'n hafonydd, ni fydd bywyd o gwbl ar ôl yn yr afonydd hynny, a bydd yn cymryd degawdau i'r bywyd hwnnw ddychwelyd. Felly, credaf fod angen gweithredu ar frys i fynd i'r afael â hyn, a chredaf fod angen inni ddwyn i gyfrif y bobl a ddylai fod yn edrych ar hyn, ac edrych hefyd ar y gyfundrefn arolygu sydd ar waith, gobeithio, i archwilio cyfleusterau slyri ar draws y tir. Hefyd mae angen edrych ymhellach i weld a yw rhai o'r slyrïau hyn yn y lle priodol, fel na allant drwytholchi wrth ollwng i mewn i'n hamgylchedd ac yn ei ddinistrio'n llwyr.
Yr ail ddatganiad yr hoffwn ei gael yw ar wrychoedd a rhwydi coed. Rydym wedi gweld yr ymgyrchoedd diweddar a oedd yn canolbwyntio ar ddatblygwyr yn defnyddio rhwydi i atal adar rhag nythu ac felly'n llesteirio ceisiadau cynllunio a gwaith adeiladu, a gwn fod Mick Antoniw wedi codi hyn yn gynharach eleni. Ond, fel cais o golofn a ysgrifennais mewn papur newydd yr wythnos hon, mae tystiolaeth anecdotaidd wedi dod i'm llaw lle mae hyn yn digwydd ar dir fferm. Gwn fod deiseb gerbron y Cynulliad sy'n galw arnom i wneud rhywbeth o ddifrif ynghylch lleihau'r defnydd o rwydi sy'n atal adar rhag nythu a'i gwneud yn drosedd. Credaf, o gofio bod diddordeb amlwg gan y cyhoedd yn y pwnc hwn, y byddai'n ddefnyddiol iawn pe bai'r Llywodraeth yn gwneud datganiad ar hyn yn awr, gan ei bod yn hurt dweud eich bod yn rhoi rhwyd ar berth a fydd yn atal adar rhag nythu, gan y bydd yr adar yn mynd i mewn yno ac os oes gennych unrhyw rwydo llac, nid yn unig y bydd hyn yn caniatáu i'r adar fynd drwodd, ond bydd yn bendant yn eu hatal rhag dod allan o'r rhwyd.
I thank Joyce Watson very much for raising two extremely important issues this afternoon. The first issue related to agricultural pollution incidents and the incident that Joyce described is subject to ongoing investigation. But, as we set out in our water strategy, agriculture is a major cause of water pollution, which is why the Minister is so keen to work with farming unions to develop sustainable solutions, whether through the better targeting of our financial assistance or by improved training through Farming Connect.
The Minister issued a statement on agricultural pollution last December, and in that she set out the requirement for regulations to be introduced, and they will come into force in 2020. And that is the right thing to do, not only for the environment, but also to ensure that Wales maintains its excellent international reputation in terms of farming. The number of incidents has increased over the last year, so that's obviously of great concern, and the Minister will work closely with the sector in terms of developing the regulatory reform and knowledge transfer, which I think are both necessary to address this particular issue.
I know that you've raised your concerns regarding netting in correspondence to the Minister and that she's prepared a response to you on that. We have received some reports of netting. We're not yet aware of how widespread it is, but clearly any incident is of real concern to us. Joyce Watson referred to the petition, which has just opened at the National Assembly for Wales. There's also one in Parliament with 330,000 signatures. So, I think that this is a real concern to members of the public. There might be occasions when the netting of trees would be legitimate, but that is only when it is absolutely genuinely needed to protect birds and prevent them from nesting during developments so that they don't come to harm, and that kind of circumstance would be extremely rare indeed. So, on the whole, I think that our policy certainly is moving away from mitigating harm and damage to integrating biodiversity and ecosystem resilience into the very earliest stages of due development control.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i Joyce Watson am godi dau fater eithriadol o bwysig y prynhawn yma. Roedd y mater cyntaf yn ymwneud â digwyddiadau llygredd amaethyddol ac mae'r digwyddiad a ddisgrifiodd Joyce yn destun ymchwiliad parhaus. Ond, fel y nodwyd yn ein strategaeth ddŵr, amaethyddiaeth yw un o brif achosion llygru dŵr, a dyna pam mae'r Gweinidog mor awyddus i weithio gydag undebau ffermio i ddatblygu atebion cynaliadwy, boed hynny drwy dargedu ein cymorth ariannol yn well neu drwy hyfforddiant gwell drwy Cyswllt Ffermio.
Cyhoeddodd y Gweinidog ddatganiad ar lygredd amaethyddol fis Rhagfyr diwethaf, ac yn hwnnw amlinellwyd y gofyniad i gyflwyno rheoliadau, a byddant yn dod i rym yn 2020. A dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud, nid yn unig i'r amgylchedd, ond hefyd i sicrhau bod Cymru yn cynnal ei henw da rhyngwladol o ran ffermio. Mae nifer y digwyddiadau wedi cynyddu dros y flwyddyn a aeth heibio, felly mae hynny'n amlwg yn destun pryder mawr, a bydd y Gweinidog yn cydweithio'n agos â'r sector i ddatblygu'r diwygio rheoleiddiol a throsglwyddo gwybodaeth, sydd yn angenrheidiol, yn fy marn i, i fynd i'r afael â'r mater penodol hwn.
Gwn eich bod wedi mynegi eich pryderon ynghylch rhwydo mewn gohebiaeth at y Gweinidog a'i bod wedi paratoi ymateb ichi ynghylch hynny. Rydym wedi cael rhai adroddiadau am rwydo. Nid ydym yn ymwybodol eto pa mor gyffredin ydyw, ond yn amlwg mae unrhyw ddigwyddiad yn peri pryder gwirioneddol inni. Cyfeiriodd Joyce Watson at y ddeiseb, sydd newydd agor yng Nghynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru. Mae yna un hefyd yn y Senedd gyda 330,000 o lofnodion arni. Felly, credaf fod hyn yn bryder gwirioneddol i aelodau'r cyhoedd. Efallai fod adegau pan fyddai rhwydo coed yn gyfreithlon, ond dim ond pan fydd gwir angen hynny i ddiogelu adar a'u hatal rhag nythu yn ystod datblygiadau fel nad ydynt yn dod i niwed y byddai hynny'n digwydd, a byddai'r math hwnnw o amgylchiad yn eithriadol o brin yn wir. Felly, ar y cyfan, rwy'n credu bod ein polisi yn sicr yn symud i ffwrdd o liniaru niwed a difrod i integreiddio bioamrywiaeth a gwydnwch ecosystemau tuag at y camau cynharaf un o reolaeth ddatblygu briodol.
Can I firstly concur with the comments made by Joyce Watson and the Minister regarding the netting of trees? I first became aware of this over the last few weeks, and it does seem to be a cynical circumventing of the rules. It's not what the rules did intend originally, and I do hope the Welsh Government will look at it, and I'm happy to support that campaign, Trefnydd.
On a lighter, more pleasant note, I'm sure you'll want to join with me in congratulating Abergavenny RFC, who beat Oakdale—well, maybe the Member won't want to join in—to become the WRU national bowl champions recently. I wonder if we could have an update from the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism on the Welsh Government's support for locally based grass-roots sport like the national bowl championship. I think that it really does a great deal to grow sport from the grass roots, and we need to do all we can to support that.
Secondly, or thirdly I should say, over Easter we saw the tragic fire at Notre Dame in France. I'm sure that we all want to send our best wishes to the people of France as they face that enormous challenge of rebuilding that iconic cathedral. It just so happened that that very week, we had a group of 200 or so residents from Beaupréau in France in Abergavenny, the twin town of Beaupréau, and that brought to my mind the importance of twinning associations and the valuable role of twinning associations, particularly at this time with some of the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing Brexit issue. I wonder if we could have a statement or an update from the Minister for international relations on support given by the Welsh Government to twinning associations and campaigns across Wales. I think they've been going on for a very long time in different towns and villages, indeed, across Wales but often don't get the respect that they deserve, and I think that a lot of people are working behind the scenes to make those campaigns a success. So, I'd be grateful to hear from the Welsh Government on what support has been given.
Yn gyntaf, a gaf i gytuno â'r sylwadau a wnaed gan Joyce Watson a'r Gweinidog ynghylch rhwydo coed? Deuthum yn ymwybodol o hyn am y tro cyntaf dros yr wythnosau diwethaf, ac mae'n ymddangos i fod yn ffordd sinigaidd o drechu'r rheolau. Nid dyna oedd bwriad y rheolau yn wreiddiol, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn edrych arno, ac rwy'n hapus i gefnogi'r ymgyrch honno, Trefnydd.
Ar nodyn ysgafnach, mwy dymunol, rwy'n siŵr y byddwch eisiau ymuno â mi i longyfarch Clwb Rygbi'r Fenni, a gurodd Oakdale— Wel, efallai na fydd yr Aelod am ymuno—i fod yn bencampwyr bowlio cenedlaethol Undeb Rygbi Cymru yn ddiweddar. Tybed a allem gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Diwylliant, Chwaraeon a Thwristiaeth am gefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru i chwaraeon lleol fel pencampwriaeth y fowlen genedlaethol. Credaf ei fod yn gwneud llawer iawn i dyfu chwaraeon o'r gwaelod, ac mae angen inni wneud popeth a allwn i gefnogi hynny.
Yn ail, neu yn drydydd dylwn ddweud, dros y Pasg gwelsom y tân trasig yn Notre Dame yn Ffrainc. Rwy'n siŵr ein bod i gyd am anfon ein dymuniadau gorau at bobl Ffrainc wrth iddynt wynebu'r her enfawr o ailadeiladu'r Gadeirlan eiconig honno. Fel mae'n digwydd, yr wythnos honno roedd gennym grŵp o 200 neu fwy o drigolion Beaupréau yn Ffrainc yn aros yn y Fenni, gefeilldref Beaupréau, a gwnaeth hynny i fi feddwl am bwysigrwydd cymdeithasau gefeillio a rôl werthfawr cymdeithasau gefeillio, yn enwedig ar yr adeg hon o ansicrwydd ynghylch BREXIT. Tybed a gawn ni ddatganiad neu ddiweddariad gan y Gweinidog dros Gysylltiadau Rhyngwladol am y gefnogaeth a roddwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gymdeithasau gefeillio ac ymgyrchoedd ledled Cymru. Credaf eu bod nhw wedi bod yn digwydd am gyfnod hir iawn mewn gwahanol drefi a phentrefi ledled Cymru yn wir, ond yn aml dydyn nhw ddim yn cael y parch y maen nhw'n ei haeddu, a chredaf fod llawer o bobl yn gweithio y tu ôl i'r llenni i wneud yr ymgyrchoedd hynny'n llwyddiant. Felly, byddwn yn ddiolchgar o gael clywed gan Lywodraeth Cymru pa gymorth sydd wedi cael ei roi.
Thank you for raising those two issues this afternoon, and, of course, the Minister was here to hear your request for a statement on Welsh Government support for local sporting organisations and clubs and groups. You'll have heard the First Minister, in response to one of the questions just this afternoon, talking about the importance of local sporting opportunities in terms of public health and, of course, well-being.
Again, on your concern about the importance of twinning organisations, I will ensure that the Minister is aware of your request for a statement on that particular issue.
Diolch ichi am godi'r ddau fater hynny'r prynhawn yma, ac, wrth gwrs, roedd y Gweinidog yma i glywed eich cais am ddatganiad ar gefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru i fudiadau a chlybiau chwaraeon lleol. Byddwch wedi clywed y Prif Weinidog, mewn ymateb i un o'r cwestiynau'r prynhawn yma, yn sôn am bwysigrwydd cyfleoedd chwaraeon lleol i iechyd y cyhoedd ac wrth gwrs, i les y cyhoedd.
Eto, o ran eich pryder am bwysigrwydd mudiadau gefeillio, byddaf yn sicrhau bod y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o'ch cais am ddatganiad ar y mater penodol hwnnw.
I've asked on numerous occasions if we could have an update from the health Minister on the eating disorders framework. We know that this is in its consultation stage, and patients and carers have been key in putting forward their ideas, although I know that there's some kickback from consultants in the field, unfortunately. This week, I've had new cases of people with eating disorders as young as nine years old, and that's very worrying indeed. So, I would really like to see the culmination of this proposal so that we can get to grips with this issue now and refocus our energy on a new framework, if that would be entirely possible.
My second request is if I could have a statement—well, he was here earlier—from Dafydd Elis-Thomas on the current discussions happening in Port Talbot with regard to the movement of the Banksy art display. We know that the only way in which the council locally can afford to adapt the building that they're going to put it in is if they can have financial support from the Welsh Government to develop a hub there as part of the Welsh Government's vision for a national art gallery for Wales. And so, in the spirit of trying to make this work, and to try and attract more people to Wales, would it be possible for the Deputy Minister, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, to provide a statement to us? They have written to him to ask whether he'd be minded to fund this—whether he could reply to them, for one, and whether he could let us know whether he is minded to support it, given the enthusiasm locally and internationally for the Banksy that will also attract other pieces of art internationally, if stages 2 and 3 can go ahead. Stage 1, we believe—touch wood—will go ahead, but we need financial backing from the Welsh Government for the next few stages, so a statement from him would be very welcome indeed.
Rwyf wedi gofyn ar sawl achlysur a oes modd cael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf gan y Gweinidog Iechyd am y fframwaith anhwylderau bwyta. Gwyddom fod hyn yn ei gyfnod ymgynghori, ac mae cleifion a gofalwyr wedi bod yn allweddol o ran cyflwyno eu syniadau, er fy mod yn gwybod bod peth ymateb negyddol gan ymgynghorwyr yn y maes, yn anffodus. Yr wythnos hon, rwyf wedi cael achosion newydd o bobl ag anhwylderau bwyta mor ifanc â naw mlwydd oed, ac mae hynny'n destun pryder mawr. Felly, byddwn yn hoffi gweld penllanw'r cynnig hwn fel y gallwn fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn yn awr ac ail-ganolbwyntio ein hegni ar fframwaith newydd, os byddai hynny'n bosib o gwbl.
Fy ail gais yw a oes modd cael datganiad—wel, roedd yma'n gynharach—gan Dafydd Elis-Thomas ar y trafodaethau cyfredol sy'n digwydd ym Mhort Talbot ynghylch symud arddangosfa gelf Banksy. Gwyddom mai'r unig ffordd y gall y Cyngor yn lleol fforddio i addasu'r adeilad ar ei gyfer yw os gallant gael cymorth ariannol gan Lywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu canolfan yno fel rhan o weledigaeth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer oriel gelf genedlaethol i Gymru. Ac felly, yn yr ysbryd o geisio gwneud i hyn weithio, a cheisio denu mwy o bobl i Gymru, a fyddai modd i'r Dirprwy Weinidog, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, ddarparu datganiad i ni? Maent wedi ysgrifennu ato i ofyn a fyddai'n fodlon ariannu hyn—a fyddai modd iddo eu hateb, yn un peth, ac a allai roi gwybod inni a yw'n bwriadu cefnogi hyn, o gofio'r brwdfrydedd yn lleol ac yn rhyngwladol dros y gwaith Banksy a fydd hefyd yn denu darnau eraill o gelf yn rhyngwladol, os gall camau 2 a 3 fynd yn eu blaenau. Bydd cam 1, yr ydym yn credu —a chroesi bysedd—yn mynd yn ei flaen, ond mae angen cefnogaeth ariannol gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer yr ychydig gamau nesaf, felly byddai datganiad ganddo ef yn dderbyniol iawn.
Thank you very much for raising those issues. In terms of the eating disorder framework, the health Minister has confirmed that he has now received the report and he is waiting for some further advice on that from officials, but he will certainly make a statement as soon as he is able to do so, having considered that report.
On the Banksy issue, I'm sure that the Deputy Minister will respond to the request that he's received and reply to that correspondence, but, of course, we do have the statement on Creative Wales this afternoon, which might be another opportunity to raise this.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am godi'r materion hynny. O ran y fframwaith anhwylderau bwyta, mae'r Gweinidog Iechyd wedi cadarnhau ei fod bellach wedi cael yr adroddiad ac mae'n aros am rywfaint o gyngor pellach ar hynny gan swyddogion. Ond yn sicr bydd yn gwneud datganiad cyn gynted ag y gall wneud hynny, ar ôl ystyried yr adroddiad hwnnw.
O ran mater Banksy, rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Dirprwy Weinidog yn ymateb i'r cais a gafodd ac yn ymateb i'r ohebiaeth honno, ond, wrth gwrs, mae gennym y datganiad ar Gymru Greadigol y prynhawn yma, a allai fod yn gyfle arall i godi hyn.
Trefnydd, I'd like to request two statements this afternoon. The first is from the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding grass fires. Just four months into the year, and we've already seen 102 grass fires in the Cynon Valley, and I'd like to pay tribute to the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service for the way in which they've dealt with those. But shockingly, of those 102 grass fires, 98 were started deliberately. I'd welcome the opportunity for a statement from the Minister to outline what can be done by Welsh Government and partners to tackle this trend.
On a separate matter, I'd also like to request a statement on the EU settlement scheme. I've been contacted by a constituent whose German partner has lived in and contributed to this country for 30 years. To apply for status, he has to present his identification documents, and the only location in Wales where documents can be presented is in Hengoed, in Caerphilly. Now, that's a two-hour journey from Aberdare by bus or train, despite it being in a neighbouring constituency to mine, so goodness knows how long it would take for residents from other parts of the country to travel there. So, could we have a statement from Welsh Government, please, about what it can do to support people during this difficult process?
Trefnydd, hoffwn ofyn am ddau ddatganiad y prynhawn yma. Daw'r cyntaf gan y Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol ynghylch tanau gwair. Bedwar mis yn unig i mewn i'r flwyddyn, ac rydym eisoes wedi gweld 102 o danau gwair yng Nghwm Cynon, a hoffwn dalu teyrnged i Wasanaeth Tân ac Achub De Cymru am y ffordd y maent wedi ymdrin â'r rheini. Ond yn frawychus, allan o'r 102 o danau gwair hynny, dechreuwyd 98 ohonynt yn fwriadol. Byddwn yn croesawu'r cyfle am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog i amlinellu'r hyn y gall Llywodraeth Cymru a phartneriaid ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r duedd hon.
Ar fater gwahanol, hoffwn hefyd ofyn am ddatganiad ar gynllun setliad yr UE. Cysylltwyd â mi gan etholwr y mae ei bartner Almaenig wedi byw a chyfrannu i'r wlad hon ers 30 mlynedd. I wneud cais am statws, mae'n rhaid iddo gyflwyno'i ddogfennau adnabod, a'r unig leoliad yng Nghymru lle gellir cyflwyno dogfennau yw Hengoed, yng Nghaerffili. Nawr mae honno'n daith o ddwy awr o Aberdâr ar fws neu ar drên, er ei bod mewn etholaeth gyfagos i mi. Felly dyn a ŵyr faint o amser y byddai'n ei gymryd i breswylwyr o rannau eraill o'r wlad deithio yno. Felly, a gawn ni ddatganiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru, os gwelwch yn dda, am yr hyn y gall ei wneud i gefnogi pobl yn ystod y broses anodd hon?
Thank you, Vikki Howells, for raising these issues. I will certainly ask the Minister for local government to provide you with an update on Welsh Government action and the action of our partners in terms of preventing grass fires. I understand that the number of fires this month has been relatively modest and that, overall, they're likely to be far short of the level that we had in April 2015. But when you provide me with the figures that you've seen for grass fires in your constituency, then, certainly, I think that we do still have a serious issue here to address, and I've seen it certainly in my own constituency of Gower in recent weeks. I'll make sure that that advice is forthcoming to you.
And on the issue of the EU citizens, we are disappointed, to say the least, at the lack of document scanning locations that have been provided in Wales and we recognise the huge difficulties that this will cause to EU citizens without having access to Android phones, which they would need otherwise to send that documentation. I do understand that the Home Office is looking to provide more scanning locations, and we would certainly like to see more of those in Wales. I know that the Counsel General has written to the Home Office about this matter, and if you'd like to share some more specific examples of your own constituents and the trouble that that has caused, we'd certainly be able to use those as a case study.
Of course, we're providing additional support to EU citizens via Citizens Advice, to provide information about the settlement scheme, and we've also contracted with a Welsh law firm to provide a EU citizens immigration advice service here in Wales. That service will deliver a public awareness campaign about EU settled status and an individual advisory service that will encompass a legal service that is sensitive to the circumstances of individual applicants, including any family members that they might have, to enable an understanding, completion and submission of those settled status scheme applications, and we'll shortly be making a written statement about these services.
Diolch i chi, Vikki Howells, am godi'r materion hyn. Byddaf yn sicr yn gofyn i'r Gweinidog Llywodraeth Leol roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ichi am gamau gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru a gweithredoedd ein partneriaid o ran atal tanau gwair. Deallaf fod nifer y tanau'r mis hwn wedi bod yn gymharol fach ac, yn gyffredinol, eu bod yn debygol o fod ymhell o fod yn uwch na'r lefel a gawsom ym mis Ebrill 2015. Ond pan fyddwch yn rhoi'r ffigurau imi a welsoch ar gyfer tanau gwair yn eich etholaeth, yna, yn sicr, credaf fod gennym fater difrifol i fynd i'r afael ag ef o hyd, ac rwyf wedi'i weld yn sicr yn fy etholaeth i ym Mhenrhyn Gŵyr yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf. Byddaf yn sicrhau bod y cyngor hwnnw ar gael ichi.
Ac ar fater dinasyddion yr UE, rydym yn siomedig, a dweud y lleiaf, am y diffyg lleoliadau sganio dogfennau a ddarparwyd yng Nghymru. Rydym yn cydnabod yr anawsterau enfawr y bydd hyn yn eu hachosi i ddinasyddion yr UE sydd heb gael mynediad i ffonau Android , a byddai angen iddynt anfon y dogfennau hynny fel arall. Rwy'n deall bod y Swyddfa Gartref yn bwriadu darparu mwy o leoliadau sganio, a byddem yn sicr yn hoffi gweld mwy ohonynt yng Nghymru. Gwn fod y Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi ysgrifennu at y Swyddfa Gartref ynghylch y mater hwn, ac os hoffech rannu rhai enghreifftiau mwy penodol o'ch etholwyr eich hun a'r drafferth y mae hynny wedi'i hachosi, byddem yn sicr yn gallu defnyddio'r rheini fel astudiaeth achos.
Wrth gwrs, rydym yn rhoi cymorth ychwanegol i ddinasyddion yr UE drwy Gyngor ar Bopeth, er mwyn darparu gwybodaeth am y cynllun setliad, ac rydym hefyd wedi creu contract â chwmni cyfreithiol o Gymru i ddarparu gwasanaeth cyngor ar fewnfudo i ddinasyddion yr UE yma yng Nghymru. Bydd y gwasanaeth hwnnw'n cyflwyno ymgyrch ymwybyddiaeth gyhoeddus am statws Sefydlog yr UE a gwasanaeth cynghori unigol a fydd yn cwmpasu gwasanaeth cyfreithiol sy'n sensitif i amgylchiadau ymgeiswyr unigol, gan gynnwys unrhyw aelodau o'r teulu a allai fod ganddynt, i alluogi dealltwriaeth, cwblhau a chyflwyno ceisiadau cynllun statws sefydledig. Byddwn yn gwneud datganiad ysgrifenedig am y gwasanaethau hyn maes o law.
I'd like a statement on the position that minority-care-time parents find themselves in. I had a constituent in my office earlier today being forced to pay bedroom tax, and being put into debt as a result. He cares for his daughter on the weekends and the extra room is needed. If you look at every council across Wales, those rooms that are needed to take care of children when parents work in partnership don't count in terms of bedroom tax. So, what can be done? I'd like a statement on what you could do, please.
Hoffwn gael datganiad ar y sefyllfa y mae rhieni sy'n ofalwyr rhan amser yn eu cael eu hunain ynddi. Cefais etholwr yn fy swyddfa yn gynharach heddiw sy'n cael ei orfodi i dalu treth ystafell wely, ac yn mynd i ddyled o ganlyniad i hynny. Mae'n gofalu am ei ferch ar y penwythnosau ac mae angen yr ystafell ychwanegol arno. Os edrychwch ar bob cyngor ledled Cymru, nid yw'r ystafelloedd hynny sydd eu hangen ar gyfer gofalu am blant pan fydd rhieni'n gweithio mewn partneriaeth yn cyfrif o ran y dreth ystafell wely. Felly, beth ellir ei wneud? Hoffwn gael datganiad ar yr hyn y gallech ei wneud, os gwelwch yn dda.
Thank you for raising this and, of course, the Member will be aware that Welsh Government has, over a long period, made extensive representations to the UK Government about its bedroom tax and the fact that it is unfair to parents and families who find themselves in a variety of circumstances, such as that which you describe, but also parents and people who are disabled, for example, who need a room for carers to stay in occasionally or who need an extra room for some of the equipment, and so on, that they require. So, we've been clear for years that the bedroom tax is an unfair tax on disabled people, and we'll continue to press the UK Government on this.
Diolch am godi hyn ac, wrth gwrs, fe fydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol bod Llywodraeth Cymru, dros gyfnod hir, wedi cyflwyno sylwadau helaeth i Lywodraeth y DU am ei threth ystafell wely a'r ffaith ei bod yn annheg â rhieni a theuluoedd sy'n eu cael eu hunain mewn amrywiaeth o amgylchiadau, megis yr un a ddisgrifiwch chi. Ond hefyd mae'n annheg ar rieni a phobl sy'n anabl sydd angen ystafell i ofalwyr aros ynddi o bryd i'w gilydd er enghraifft, neu sydd angen ystafell ychwanegol ar gyfer rhywfaint o'r cyfarpar, ac ati, sydd ei angen arnynt. Felly, rydym wedi bod yn glir ers blynyddoedd bod y dreth ystafell wely'n dreth annheg ar bobl anabl, a byddwn yn parhau i bwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU ar hyn.
Business Minister, you'll be aware that the First Minister announced at your party's conference early in April that section 21 evictions will be abolished. The UK Government has made a similar announcement that these so-called no-fault evictions will come to an end, and they're considered at the moment to be one of the biggest causes of family homelessness. The UK Government made a written statement to Parliament about what is now planned by way of consultation. I think we need an oral statement to scrutinise the way that this reform will be taken forward. It is very important to examine the way the consultation will also be conducted. Whilst I think this is a desirable reform, it has to be implemented carefully because there are many interests on both sides of the question, and how in certain circumstances landlords are able to acquire their property for sale or major repair is something that needs careful investigation. I think a lot of us have realised that section 21 is no longer fit for purpose given that 20 per cent of people now are in private rental accommodation. This is a very important issue and I think we should have an oral statement as soon as possible.
Trefnydd, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol bod y Prif Weinidog wedi cyhoeddi yng nghynhadledd eich plaid ddechrau mis Ebrill y bydd adran 21 ar droi pobl allan o'u cartrefi yn cael ei dileu. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi gwneud cyhoeddiad tebyg y bydd y rhain yn dod i ben, a'u bod yn cael eu hystyried ar hyn o bryd yn un o brif achosion digartrefedd ymhlith teuluoedd. Gwnaeth Llywodraeth y DU ddatganiad ysgrifenedig i'r Senedd am yr hyn sydd bellach wedi'i gynllunio drwy ymgynghori. Credaf fod angen datganiad llafar arnom i graffu ar y ffordd y caiff y diwygiad hwn ei fwrw ymlaen. Mae'n bwysig iawn edrych ar y ffordd y bydd yr ymgynghoriad yn cael ei gynnal hefyd. Er fy mod yn credu bod hwn yn ddiwygiad dymunol, mae'n rhaid ei weithredu'n ofalus oherwydd bod llawer o ddiddordebau ar ddwy ochr y cwestiwn, ac mae sut y gall landlordiaid brynu eu heiddo i'w werthu neu ei drwsio'n sylweddol mewn rhai amgylchiadau yn rhywbeth y mae angen ymchwilio iddo'n ofalus. Credaf fod llawer ohonom wedi sylweddoli nad yw adran 21 bellach yn addas i'r diben, o gofio bod 20 y cant o bobl bellach yn cael llety preifat ar rent. Mae hwn yn fater pwysig iawn a chredaf y dylem gael datganiad llafar cyn gynted ag y bo modd.
Thank you very much. This is an important announcement in terms of how we will approach the issue of section 21 in future, and David Melding is right that it is a sensitive issue that must be handled very carefully because there are strong views on both sides of the argument. I know that the First Minister has already had an early meeting with representatives of the Residential Landlords Association to understand their concerns, and, of course, they will be important consultees as we move forward. Clearly, this will require, I think, legislative change, so it will all be subject to the full scrutiny of the Assembly. The Minister will bring forward the appropriate statement when she's able to.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Mae hwn yn gyhoeddiad pwysig o ran sut y byddwn yn ymdrin â mater adran 21 yn y dyfodol, ac mae David Melding yn iawn ei fod yn fater sensitif y mae'n rhaid ei drin yn ofalus iawn, oherwydd mae teimladau cryf ar ddwy ochr y ddadl. Gwn fod y Prif Weinidog eisoes wedi cael cyfarfod cynnar â chynrychiolwyr Cymdeithas Landlordiaid Preswyl er mwyn deall eu pryderon, ac, wrth gwrs, byddant yn ymgyngoreion pwysig wrth inni symud ymlaen. Yn amlwg, bydd hyn yn gofyn am newid deddfwriaethol, yn fy nhyb i, felly bydd y cyfan yn destun craffu llawn gan y Cynulliad. Bydd y Gweinidog yn cyflwyno'r datganiad priodol pan fydd modd iddi wneud hynny.
For the past month, people from north Wales have been blocked from accessing the Countess of Chester hospital as out-patient referrals, and that includes, by the way, urgent suspected cancer referrals. You did say earlier that the Minister would probably be making a written statement, I think, quite soon. I was going to ask whether we could have an oral statement so that we as Members could ask some questions, because my understanding is that there would be broader implications not just for patients in north Wales, but for the health service across Wales. I understand that the NHS in England are asking for an 8 per cent increase in charges, and the chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr health board has made it perfectly clear that if that is the case, then any agreement would have to be replicated across all English providers. Welsh patients currently access services in 50 different health trusts in England. We can all do the maths, and I'm sure that we will all be concerned about those kinds of implications.
But, of course, in the meantime, this stand-off is causing a great deal of distress to patients, who feel as though they're being used as bargaining chips in this dispute. Many are asking how it could have come to this, because we knew that there were issues as early as last year. But similarly as well, of course, when there was a similar issue with Gobowen hospital some years ago, then there was an agreement to go to arbitration. I wouldn't mind hearing from the Minister whether he feels we might be getting to that kind of position in the near future. We need to hear really from the Minister how long he expects this stand-off, if you like, to continue and how long it'll take to resolve the situation, because, in the meantime, do you not agree with me that, at the very least, the Countess of Chester hospital should be accepting patients from Wales and not punishing those patients for the failures of others?
Yn ystod y mis diwethaf, mae pobl yn y Gogledd wedi cael eu rhwystro rhag mynd i Ysbyty Iarlles Caer fel cleifion allanol a gafodd eu hatgyfeirio, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys, gyda llaw, atgyfeiriadau achosion brys lle ceir amheuaeth o ganser. Fe ddywedoch chi'n gynharach ei bod yn debygol y byddai'r Gweinidog yn gwneud datganiad ysgrifenedig, credaf, yn eithaf buan. Roeddwn yn mynd i ofyn a gawn ni ddatganiad llafar er mwyn inni fel Aelodau allu gofyn rhai cwestiynau, oherwydd caf ar ddeall y byddai goblygiadau ehangach nid yn unig i gleifion yn y Gogledd, ond i'r gwasanaeth iechyd ledled Cymru. Deallaf fod y GIG yn Lloegr yn gofyn am gynnydd o 8 y cant mewn taliadau, ac mae Prif Weithredwr Bwrdd Iechyd Betsi Cadwaladr wedi ei gwneud yn gwbl glir, os yw hynny'n wir, y byddai'n rhaid i unrhyw gytundeb gael ei efelychu ar draws yr holl ddarparwyr yn Lloegr. Ar hyn o bryd mae cleifion o Gymru yn cael gwasanaethau mewn 50 o wahanol ymddiriedolaethau iechyd yn Lloegr. Gallwn ni i gyd wneud y symiau, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwn i gyd yn pryderu am y mathau hynny o oblygiadau.
Ond, wrth gwrs, yn y cyfamser, mae'r anghytuno hwn yn achosi llawer iawn o ofid i gleifion, sy'n teimlo fel petaent yn cael eu defnyddio yn rhan o'r broses fargeinio yn yr anghydfod hwn. Mae llawer yn gofyn sut y gallai pethau fod wedi dod i hyn, oherwydd roeddem ni'n gwybod bod problemau mor gynnar â'r llynedd. Ond hefyd, wrth gwrs, pan oedd problem debyg gan Ysbyty Gobowen rai blynyddoedd yn ôl, yna roedd cytundeb i fynd i'r broses gymrodeddu. Hoffwn glywed gan y Gweinidog a yw'n teimlo y byddem, o bosib yn cyrraedd y math hwnnw o sefyllfa yn y dyfodol agos. Mae angen inni glywed yn iawn gan y Gweinidog am faint y mae'n disgwyl i'r sefyllfa hon barhau, os mynnwch chi, a pha mor hir y bydd yn ei gymryd i ddatrys y sefyllfa, oherwydd, yn y cyfamser, onid ydych chi'n cytuno â mi, o leiaf y dylai Ysbyty Iarlles Caer gymryd cleifion o Gymru a pheidio â chosbi'r cleifion hynny am fethiannau pobl eraill?
Thank you. You would have heard me in my response to Darren Millar earlier saying that there will be opportunities to question the health Minister on this tomorrow, because there are questions tabled that are relevant to this particular issue. Our understanding is that this is a unilateral decision that has been taken by the Countess of Chester and that other providers in England are not planning similar action. I do understand that there is a meeting taking place this week and it will be after that point that the Minister will be able to provide an update to Members.
Diolch. Byddech chi wedi fy nghlywed i yn fy ateb i Darren Millar yn gynharach yn dweud y bydd cyfleoedd i holi'r Gweinidog iechyd am hyn yfory, oherwydd mae cwestiynau wedi'u cyflwyno sy'n berthnasol i'r mater penodol hwn. Ein dealltwriaeth ni yw mai penderfyniad unochrog yw hwn sydd wedi'i wneud gan Iarlles Caer ac nad yw darparwyr eraill yn Lloegr yn cynllunio camau tebyg. Rwy'n deall bod cyfarfod yn cael ei gynnal yr wythnos hon a bydd y Gweinidog, ar ôl yr amser hwnnw, yn gallu rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau.
Ac yn olaf, Alun Davies.
Finally, Alun Davies.
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. Minister, I think many of us welcomed the announcement from the Welsh Government yesterday in declaring a climate emergency, but many of us also want to know what the substance of the Welsh Government's actions are going to be as a consequence of that. I have to say, the written statement we've had this morning from the Minister is a wholly inadequate response to the declaration that was made yesterday. If this is an emergency—[Interruption.] I welcome the First Minister responding to this, if he wishes to. If this is an emergency—[Interruption.] If this is an emergency, I would—. I'm happy for the First Minister to answer this question if he's so anxious to do so. If this is an emergency—
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Gweinidog, credaf fod llawer ohonom wedi croesawu'r cyhoeddiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru ddoe wrth ddatgan argyfwng hinsawdd, ond mae llawer ohonom hefyd yn dymuno gwybod beth fydd sylwedd camau gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru o ganlyniad i hynny. Rhaid imi ddweud, mae'r datganiad ysgrifenedig yr ydym wedi'i gael y bore yma gan y Gweinidog yn ymateb cwbl annigonol i'r datganiad a wnaed ddoe. Os yw hyn yn argyfwng—[Torri ar draws.] Croeso i'r Prif Weinidog ymateb i hyn, os yw'n dymuno. Os yw hyn yn argyfwng—[Torri ar draws.] Os yw hyn yn argyfwng, byddwn i—. Rwy'n hapus i'r Prif Weinidog ateb y cwestiwn hwn os yw mor awyddus i wneud hynny. Os yw hwn yn argyfwng—
Carry on with your questioning of the Trefnydd.
Parhewch i holi'r Trefnydd.
If this is an emergency, I would like to ask for a statement from every single one of the Ministers in front of us today on what their actions will be, what their department is going to be doing to respond to this, and what the Government is going to do to ensure that the emergency they've declared is going to have a response, which it deserves and it requires. I would also invite the Ministers to make statements to us first, to this place. A declaration of this sort should have been made in the Chamber here to allow scrutiny to take place of Ministers and Ministers' actions. A plan for a low-carbon Wales was announced, I think, three sitting weeks ago, at the end of March, yet no statement has been brought to this Chamber on the contents of that document and no opportunity has been provided for Members to scrutinise Ministers on that. We read from today's business statement that no statement is planned to be made on that either. So, I hope, Trefnydd, that you will be able to reassure me and other Members on all sides of the Chamber that we will have a series of statements from Ministers that live up to the statements that have been made to date, the declarations that have been made, and which demonstrate to us that Welsh Government is taking this seriously and that this isn't simply a press release.
Os mai argyfwng yw hwn, hoffwn ofyn am ddatganiad gan bob un o'r Gweinidogion sydd ger ein bron heddiw ynghylch beth fydd eu gweithredoedd, beth y mae eu hadran yn mynd i'w wneud i ymateb i hyn, a beth y mae'r Llywodraeth yn mynd i'w wneud i sicrhau bod yr argyfwng y maent wedi'i ddatgan yn mynd i gael ymateb, yr hwn y mae'n ei haeddu ac sydd ei angen. Byddwn hefyd yn gwahodd y Gweinidogion i wneud datganiadau i ni yn gyntaf, i'r fan hon. Dylai datganiad o'r math hwn fod wedi cael ei wneud yn y Siambr hon yma er mwyn caniatáu i waith craffu gael ei wneud ar Weinidogion a chamau gweithredu Gweinidogion. Cyhoeddwyd cynllun ar gyfer Cymru carbon isel, dair wythnos yn ôl, ar ddiwedd mis Mawrth, mi gredaf, ac eto ni chafodd datganiad ei gyflwyno gerbron y Siambr hon ar gynnwys y ddogfen honno ac nid oes cyfle wedi'i roi i'r Aelodau graffu ar Weinidogion ynghylch hynny. Darllenwn o'r datganiad busnes heddiw mai'r bwriad yw peidio â gwneud datganiad ar hynny ychwaith. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio, Trefnydd, y byddwch yn gallu rhoi sicrwydd i mi ac i'r Aelodau eraill ar bob ochr i'r Siambr y cawn gyfres o ddatganiadau gan Weinidogion sydd yn bodloni'r datganiadau a wnaed hyd yma, y datganiadau a wnaed, ac sy'n dangos i ni fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cymryd hyn o ddifrif ac nad datganiad i'r wasg yn unig yw hyn.
Well, the Member will have heard the First Minister speaking passionately this afternoon about our declaration of a climate emergency, and he will have heard the commitment that we have to addressing this issue across Government. And he would also have heard me, in a business statement prior to Easter, make the point that the low-carbon delivery plan has been published and that we were giving Members the opportunity to digest that plan, and I've already made a commitment that it will be brought forward for an opportunity for Members to discuss it on the floor of the Assembly.
Wel, bydd yr Aelod wedi clywed y Prif Weinidog yn siarad yn angerddol y prynhawn yma am ein datganiad o argyfwng hinsawdd, a bydd wedi clywed yr ymrwymiad sydd gennym ni i fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn ym mhob rhan o'r Llywodraeth. A byddai hefyd wedi fy nghlywed i, mewn datganiad busnes cyn y Pasg, yn gwneud y pwynt bod y cynllun cyflawni carbon isel wedi'i gyhoeddi a'n bod yn rhoi cyfle i'r Aelodau ystyried y cynllun hwnnw, ac rwyf eisoes wedi gwneud ymrwymiad y caiff ei gyflwyno fel y bydd cyfle i'r Aelodau ei drafod ar lawr y Cynulliad.
Diolch i'r Trefnydd.
Thank you, Trefnydd.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r datganiad gan y Cwnsler Cyffredinol a'r Gweinidog Brexit ar y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am negodiadau Brexit. A dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog Brexit, Jeremy Miles, i wneud ei ddatganiad.
The next item is a statement by the Counsel General and Brexit Minister: an update on the Brexit negotiations. And I call on the Brexit Minister, Jeremy Miles, to make the statement.
Diolch, Llywydd. Ar yr wyneb, o leiaf, mae llawer wedi newid ers y tro diwethaf inni gael cyfle i ystyried proses Brexit. Rwy’n siŵr bod y rhan fwyaf o’r Aelodau wedi croesawu penderfyniad cyfarfod eithriadol y Cyngor Ewropeaidd i gytuno i ymestyn dyddiad erthygl 50 hyd at 31 Hydref. Mae’r penderfyniad hwnnw’n golygu ein bod ni wedi llwyddo i osgoi, am nawr o leiaf, y peryg o Brexit chaotic, heb gytundeb—sefyllfa a oedd yn gwbl amhosibl i’r wlad baratoi yn iawn ar ei chyfer. Mae wedi rhoi cyfle inni anadlu a chyfle inni ystyried, ond dydy hynny ddim yn golygu’n bendant na fydd Brexit heb gytundeb yn digwydd. Dydy hyn yn ddim byd mwy, ar hyn o bryd, na symud y gorwel ymhellach ymlaen.
Wrth gwrs, fel yr ydw i ac eraill wedi dweud yn glir, rydym ni yn Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i leddfu’r canlyniadau tebygol os na fydd cytundeb. Rwyf am fanteisio nawr ar y cyfle i gydnabod yr holl waith caled gan staff ar draws y Llywodraeth a’r sector gyhoeddus yn ehangach dros y misoedd diwethaf er mwyn gwneud yr holl gynlluniau a pharatoadau wrth gefn a oedd yn angenrheidiol. Rydyn ni wedi gweld y gwasanaeth sifil a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus Cymru ar eu gorau. Yn sgil yr estyniad, rydyn ni wedi addasu dwyster ein paratoadau. Fe fyddwn ni, wrth gwrs, yn adolygu hyn yn gyson, ond yn yr un ffordd ag y mae’n rhaid inni baratoi, mae hefyd angen inni reoli’n hadnoddau mewn ffordd gyfrifol ac ymateb pan fo’r manylion yn newid.
Er hynny, ar adeg o gyni mor ddifrifol, pan fo pwysau aruthrol ar ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, mae’n warthus bod yn rhaid dargyfeirio adnoddau fel hyn. I beth? I amddiffyn pobl Cymru rhag bygythiad y gellid bod wedi ei osgoi pe bai Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig wedi cydnabod llawer yn gynt nad oedd modd achub y cytundeb a gafodd ei negodi a gofyn am estyniad hir.
Thank you, Llywydd. Superficially, at least, much has changed since we last had the opportunity to take stock of the Brexit process. I'm sure most Members will have welcomed the decision of the extraordinary meeting of the European Council to agree to an extension to the article 50 deadline until 31 October. The decision has meant that we have averted, for now at least, the prospect of a chaotic 'no deal' Brexit, a situation that would have been impossible for the country to prepare properly for. It has provided a breathing space, and an opportunity to reflect. What is has not provided is the certainty that a 'no deal' Brexit will not happen; it has merely moved the horizon.
Of course, as I and other colleagues have made clear, we in the Welsh Government have been doing everything we can within our control to mitigate the likely consequences of a 'no deal' outcome. And here I would like to pay tribute to the immensely hard work undertaken by staff across the whole Government and the broader public sector over many months to undertake the planning and preparations needed for this contingency. We have seen the civil service and public services in Wales at their best. Given the extension, the intensity of our preparations has been revised accordingly. We will keep this, of course, under constant review, but just as it is incumbent on us to prepare, it is also incumbent on us to manage resources responsibly and respond when the details have changed.
Yet, particularly at a time of such severe austerity, when our public services are under enormous pressure, it is nothing short of scandalous that resources have had to be diverted in this way. For what? Simply to protect the Welsh people against a threat that could have been averted had the UK Government recognised much earlier that the deal it had negotiated was unsalvageable and asked for a long extension.
The UK Government has squandered literally billions of pounds on 'no deal' preparations, on hiring new staff who now have little or nothing to do, on designing information technology systems we may never need and, most notoriously, on chartering ferry capacity from a company with no ships and then paying more than £30 million in compensation to aggrieved competitors, all in a vain effort to bolster the Prime Minister’s assertion that a 'no deal' outcome was acceptable—part of her failed negotiating strategy that keeping 'no deal' on the table strengthened her position when in reality it was only intended to keep her backbench colleagues at bay. But while at one level much appears to have changed, we should be in no doubt that the fundamentals remain the same.
There is, as yet, no majority in Parliament for any clear way forward. The negotiations between Government and opposition remain crucial. Both parties must engage fully, responsibly and creatively. The Government appears to view the negotiations with the opposition as an opportunity to try to sell its deal rather than to find a compromise—a compromise that, at the bare minimum, needs to involve a commitment to a permanent customs union and enshrining the Chequers commitments to regulatory alignment. Even more importantly, businesses still have no certainty about the long-term future—investment is on hold or being cancelled and jobs are being lost. This is the real damage of the Prime Minister’s disastrous handling of Brexit: livelihoods being lost, the economic prospects of whole communities being threatened and long-term damage to the future credibility of the UK as a major global player. And that looks set to continue. Because while the article 50 extension is welcome, it also entails considerable dangers. It’s tempting to agree with Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s Brexit co-ordinator, that six months is
‘too near for a substantial rethink of Brexit and at the same time too far away to prompt any action’.
The split in the Tory party is becoming a chasm, with the Prime Minister in office but not in power. Discontent and disillusion with politics and politicians is growing, with more than half the population, apparently, wanting a strong leader who breaks the rules, and nearly three quarters believing our democratic system needs significant reform.
There is a real risk that, rather than making decisive progress, the six months will be spent in Tory bloodletting, continued Parliamentary stasis and a European election, which, though Welsh Labour has every reason to be confident about it, will be bitter and divisive. It is already more than a month since 29 March. Before we know it, it will be September and we will be no further forward and facing a new cliff edge—that must not be allowed to happen.
What we need is clear: real progress on the cross-party negotiations, or a speedy recognition that the Government is not prepared to move sufficiently to gain the support of the opposition, and, in parallel, serious, meaningful negotiations with the devolved administrations to shape an acceptable deal; if there is no agreement, one further opportunity for Parliament to find a majority for a way forward; and preparations for a potential referendum, including draft legislation and the other steps required under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
As a Welsh Government, we will do all that we can to press both the UK Government and the opposition to take these critically important steps.
Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi gwastraffu biliynau o bunnau yn llythrennol ar baratoadau 'dim cytundeb', ar gyflogi staff newydd nad oes ganddyn nhw ddim neu fawr ddim i'w wneud, ar gynllunio systemau technoleg gwybodaeth na fydd o bosib eu hangen arnom ni fyth ac, yn fwyaf nodedig, ar sicrhau capasiti fferi gan gwmni heb longau ac yna talu mwy na £30,000,000 mewn iawndal i gystadleuwyr a dramgwyddwyd, i gyd mewn ymdrech ofer i ategu haeriad y Prif Weinidog fod canlyniad 'dim cytundeb' yn dderbyniol—rhan o'i strategaeth negodi fethedig sef bod cadw 'dim cytundeb' ar y bwrdd yn cryfhau ei sefyllfa pan mai'r unig fwriad, mewn gwirionedd, oedd cadw ei chydweithwyr ar y meinciau cefn led braich oddi wrthi. Ond er ei bod hi'n ymddangos ar un ystyr fod llawer wedi newid, ni ddylem ni fod ag unrhyw amheuaeth bod yr hanfodion yn aros yr un fath.
Hyd yn hyn, nid oes mwyafrif yn y Senedd ar gyfer unrhyw ffordd glir ymlaen. Mae'r trafodaethau rhwng y Llywodraeth a'r wrthblaid yn dal yn hanfodol. Rhaid i'r ddwy ochr ymgysylltu'n llawn, yn gyfrifol ac yn greadigol. Mae'n ymddangos bod y Llywodraeth yn gweld y trafodaethau gyda'r gwrthbleidiau fel cyfle i geisio gwerthu ei chytundeb yn hytrach na cheisio cyfaddawd—cyfaddawd sydd, beth bynnag arall, angen cynnwys ymrwymiad i undeb tollau parhaol ac ymgorffori ymrwymiadau Chequers i alinio rheoleiddiol. Yn bwysicach fyth, nid oes gan fusnesau unrhyw sicrwydd o hyd ynghylch y dyfodol hirdymor—mae buddsoddiad yn cael ei ohirio neu ei ganslo ac mae swyddi'n cael eu colli. Dyma'r gwir ddifrod o ganlyniad i'r modd trychinebus y bu'r Prif Weinidog yn ymdrin â Brexit: bywoliaethau yn cael eu colli, rhagolygon economaidd cymunedau cyfan yn cael eu bygwth a niwed tymor hir i hygrededd y DU yn y dyfodol fel un o wladwriaethau mwyaf blaenllaw y byd. Ac mae hynny'n edrych yn debygol iawn o barhau. Oherwydd er y croesewir yr estyniad i Erthygl 50, mae hefyd yn golygu peryglon sylweddol. Mae'n demtasiwn i gytuno â Guy Verhofstadt, Cydlynydd Brexit Senedd Ewrop, bod chwe mis yn
rhy agos i ailfeddwl yn sylweddol ynghylch Brexit ac ar yr un pryd yn rhy bell i annog unrhyw weithredu.
Mae'r hollt yn y blaid Dorïaidd yn troi'n agendor, gyda'r Prif Weinidog yn ei swydd ond heb fod mewn grym. Mae dadrithiad ac anfodlonrwydd â gwleidyddiaeth a gwleidyddion yn cynyddu, gyda mwy na hanner y boblogaeth, yn ôl pob golwg, yn dymuno cael arweinydd cryf sy'n torri'r rheolau, a bron i dri chwarter yn credu bod angen diwygio ein system ddemocrataidd yn sylweddol.
Mae perygl gwirioneddol, yn hytrach na gwneud cynnydd pendant, y caiff y chwe mis ei dreulio ar ddadlau ymysg y Torïaid, rhagor o barlys Seneddol ac etholiad Ewropeaidd, a fydd, er bod gan Lafur Cymru bob rheswm i fod yn hyderus yn ei gylch, yn chwerw a chynhennus. Mae'n fwy na mis eisoes ers 29 Mawrth. Cyn inni sylweddoli hynny, bydd hi'n fis Medi ac ni fyddwn ni ymhellach ymlaen ac yn wynebu dibyn newydd—ni ddylid caniatáu i hynny ddigwydd.
Mae'r hyn sydd ei angen arnom ni yn glir: cynnydd gwirioneddol ar y negodiadau trawsbleidiol, neu gydnabyddiaeth gyflym nad yw'r Llywodraeth yn barod i symud yn ddigonol i ennill cefnogaeth y gwrthbleidiau, ac, yn gyfochrog, negodiadau difrifol, ystyrlon â'r gweinyddiaethau datganoledig i lunio cytundeb derbyniol; os nad oes cytundeb, un cyfle pellach i'r Senedd ganfod mwyafrif ar gyfer ffordd ymlaen; a pharatoadau ar gyfer refferendwm posibl, gan gynnwys deddfwriaeth ddrafft a'r camau eraill sy'n ofynnol o dan Ddeddf Pleidiau Gwleidyddol, Etholiadau a Refferenda 2000.
Byddwn ni, Llywodraeth Cymru, yn gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i bwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU a'r wrthblaid i gymryd y camau hollbwysig hyn.
Thank you to the Brexit Minister for an advance copy of his statement, although I have to say that, once again, it was merely a refrain from previous statements that he has made—there was absolutely nothing new in that statement in addition to the things that he has previously said.
I think it is a bit strange that the Brexit Minister and the Welsh Government take a position that criticises the Prime Minister for attempting to bring matters to a conclusion through seeking agreement for her withdrawal agreement when you are in a position, and your party is in a position in Westminster, to support the withdrawal agreement and put an end to the uncertainty so that we can get on negotiating the future relationship with the EU going forward.
So, do you accept that the Labour Party in Westminster is a roadblock to securing an end to this uncertainty, because of the ability that it has to back the Prime Minister's withdrawal deal? You've accused the UK Government of squandering literally billions of pounds on 'no deal' preparations. Isn't that the responsible thing to do—to prepare for all eventualities? You could easily criticise your own Government for making similar preparations, yet, of course, you wouldn't dare, because the reality is that you have to prepare for these eventualities because it's not in our gift—it's not in the gift of one side, in a discussion and a negotiation, to determine what the outcome might actually be.
Now, you know full well that the EU has made it abundantly clear that the withdrawal agreement is the only agreement on the table. You're telling the Prime Minister and the UK Government to go away and to compromise and yet I've heard no compromise from you. I've heard no compromise whatsoever from the Welsh Government on its position, which it set out in the aftermath of the EU referendum result. You know, no compromise whatsoever—you're still regurgitating the same lines, frankly, that you were regurgitating almost three years ago when the referendum result actually came about. Now, you know that there's no majority for your proposals either in the House of Commons, frankly. They've also been rejected, the proposals that your party has put forward. So, get over the criticism of the Prime Minister. Get around the table and start working to put an end to this uncertainty. And the one way that we can all do that—the one way we can bring an end to this uncertainty is to back that withdrawal agreement.
Now, I want to ask you, in terms of the criticism as well of the discontent in the Conservative Party—of course, there's division in all parties, including your own. There's even division just a few seats down from you on that front row. You've got someone who takes a contrary view to the view of other colleagues in Government. I don't hear you criticising your own side for those divisions. We've seen divisions even in your literature for the EU elections, should we regretfully have to have them, in recent weeks over recess. So, I think pointing fingers and trying to highlight some of the difficulties in securing agreement within parties—you ought to have a look in the mirror at times, Minister, frankly, to see those contradictions on your own side. You say that you've got a lot of confidence for the European elections. I think that a lot of that is very misplaced indeed, because, of course, we've been seeing the problems, as I've just highlighted, already.
Now, you've highlighted a number of different options—things that you think need to be done. You think that it would be helpful to prepare for a potential referendum although it wasn't clear in your conference speech recently whether you felt that we should have one after we've exited the EU, before we've exited the EU, or what principally your position might be on the questions that might be asked in that referendum. Do you accept that holding another referendum before implementing the outcome of the referendum in June 2016 would be an affront to democracy, would be an affront to the democratic processes that this country has always abided by and would be an affront to the constitution? Because, of course, we have always, as a country, implemented the outcomes of referendums regardless of whether the political establishment have always been happy with the outcome of those referendums. Quite rightly so too. So, do you think that it is wise to not implement the outcome of that referendum when it was very clear that Wales, and especially your constituency, voted to leave the EU?
Diolch i'r Gweinidog Brexit am gopi ymlaen llaw o'i ddatganiad, er bod yn rhaid imi ddweud, unwaith eto, nad oedd yn ddim ond ailbobiad o ddatganiadau blaenorol y mae wedi eu gwneud—nid oedd dim byd newydd o gwbl yn y datganiad hwnnw yn ychwanegol at y pethau a ddywedodd o'r blaen.
Rwy'n credu ei bod hi braidd yn rhyfedd fod y Gweinidog Brexit a Llywodraeth Cymru yn arddel safbwynt sy'n beirniadu Prif Weinidog y DU am geisio can pen y mwdwl ar faterion drwy geisio cytundeb ar gyfer ei chytundeb ymadael pan rydych chi mewn sefyllfa, a'ch plaid mewn sefyllfa yn San Steffan, i gefnogi'r cytundeb ymadael a rhoi terfyn ar yr ansicrwydd fel y gallwn ni fynd ati i drafod y berthynas â'r UE yn y dyfodol.
Felly, a ydych chi'n derbyn fod y Blaid Lafur yn San Steffan yn rhwystr rhag rhoi terfyn ar yr ansicrwydd hwn, oherwydd y gallu sydd ganddi i gefnogi cytundeb ymadael y Prif Weinidog? Rydych chi wedi cyhuddo Llywodraeth y DU o afradu biliynau o bunnau yn llythrennol ar baratoi ar gyfer 'dim cytundeb'. Onid dyna'r peth cyfrifol i'w wneud—i baratoi ar gyfer pob posibilrwydd? Gallech feirniadu eich Llywodraeth eich hun yn hawdd am wneud paratoadau tebyg, ac eto, wrth gwrs, ni fyddech chi'n meiddio, oherwydd y gwir amdani yw bod yn rhaid ichi baratoi ar gyfer y digwyddiadau hyn oherwydd nid yw hi yn ein dwylo ni—nid yw hi yn nwylo un ochr, wrth drafod a negodi, i benderfynu beth allai'r canlyniad fod mewn gwirionedd.
Nawr, fe wyddoch chi'n iawn fod yr UE wedi'i gwneud hi'n gwbl glir mai'r cytundeb ymadael yw'r unig gytundeb posib. Rydych chi'n dweud wrth Brif Weinidog a Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig am fynd ymaith a chyfaddawdu ac eto nid wyf wedi clywed unrhyw gyfaddawd gennych. Nid wyf wedi clywed unrhyw gyfaddawd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar ei safbwynt, a nodwyd ganddi yn sgil canlyniad refferendwm yr UE. Wyddoch chi, dim cyfaddawdu o gwbl—rydych chi'n dal i ganu'r un hen dôn gron ag yr oeddech chi'n ei chanu bron i dair blynedd yn ôl pan gafwyd canlyniad y refferendwm mewn gwirionedd. Nawr, fe wyddoch chi nad oes mwyafrif i'ch cynigion yn Nhŷ'r Cyffredin chwaith, a dweud y gwir. Maen nhw hefyd wedi cael eu gwrthod, y cynigion y mae eich plaid wedi'u cyflwyno. Felly, rhowch ddiwedd ar feirniadu'r Prif Weinidog. Dechreuwch gydweithio a cheisio rhoi diwedd ar yr ansicrwydd hwn. A'r un ffordd y gallwn ni i gyd wneud hynny—yr un ffordd y gallwn ni roi terfyn ar yr ansicrwydd hwn yw cefnogi'r cytundeb ymadael hwnnw.
Nawr, rwyf eisiau gofyn ichi, o ran y feirniadaeth hefyd o'r anfodlonrwydd yn y Blaid Geidwadol—wrth gwrs, mae rhaniad ym mhob plaid, gan gynnwys eich un chi. Mae hyd yn oed rhaniad ychydig seddau o'ch blaen ar y rhes flaen honno. Mae gennych chi rywun sy'n arddel barn wahanol i farn cyd-Aelodau eraill yn y Llywodraeth. Nid wyf yn eich clywed yn beirniadu eich ochr chi eich hun am y rhaniadau hynny. Rydym ni wedi gweld rhaniadau hyd yn oed yn eich llenyddiaeth ar gyfer etholiadau'r UE, pe bai'n rhaid i ni, yn anffodus, eu cael, yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf dros y toriad. Felly, rwy'n credu bod bwrw'r bai a cheisio tynnu sylw at rai o'r anawsterau o ran sicrhau cytundeb o fewn pleidiau—y dylech chi gael golwg yn y drych ar adegau, Gweinidog, a dweud y gwir, i weld yr anghysonderau hynny yn eich plaid eich hun. Rydych chi'n dweud bod gennych chi lawer o ffydd ynghylch yr etholiadau Ewropeaidd. Rwy'n credu bod llawer o hynny'n gwbl gyfeiliornus, gan ein bod, wrth gwrs, wedi gweld y problemau, fel yr wyf i newydd dynnu sylw atyn nhw, yn barod.
Nawr, rydych chi wedi tynnu sylw at nifer o wahanol ddewisiadau—pethau y credwch chi fod angen eu gwneud. Rydych chi o'r farn y byddai'n ddefnyddiol paratoi ar gyfer refferendwm posib er nad oedd hi'n glir yn eich araith yn y gynhadledd yn ddiweddar pa un a oeddech chi'n teimlo y dylem ni gael un ar ôl inni ymadael â'r UE, cyn inni ymadael â'r UE, neu beth fyddai eich safbwynt yn bennaf ar y cwestiynau y gellid eu gofyn yn y refferendwm hwnnw. A ydych chi'n derbyn y byddai cynnal refferendwm arall cyn gweithredu canlyniad y refferendwm ym mis Mehefin 2016 yn sarhad ar ddemocratiaeth, y byddai'n sarhad ar y prosesau democrataidd y mae'r wlad hon wedi eu dilyn bob amser ac y byddai'n sarhad ar y cyfansoddiad? Oherwydd, wrth gwrs, rydym ni bob amser, fel gwlad, wedi gweithredu canlyniadau refferenda ni waeth a yw'r sefydliad gwleidyddol bob amser wedi bod yn fodlon ar ganlyniad y refferenda hynny. Ac yn gwbl briodol hefyd. Felly, a ydych chi'n credu ei bod hi'n ddoeth peidio â gweithredu canlyniad y refferendwm hwnnw pan roedd hi'n amlwg iawn bod Cymru, ac yn enwedig eich etholaeth chi, wedi pleidleisio i adael yr UE?
Well, I'll just start by saying that I do regret the Member's lack of welcome for the opportunity for this Chamber to continue to discuss the impact on Wales of, surely, the single biggest issue that any of us face, including his constituents. I think it's important that this forum, this Chamber, is able to give its opinion on the evolving situation in Parliament, in Europe and in Wales on this most vital issue, and I would welcome his engagement with the debate with that spirit.
He talks about my party being a roadblock in Westminster. The truth of the matter is that the Prime Minister could have avoided the situation that we are in and could have avoided the affront to democracy that he referred to obliquely in his last remarks if she had done what national leadership demanded that she should do and not seek to placate competing factions in her own party, but seek to reach out across the House of Commons and across the country, in fact, to seek to find, difficult though it would be, a form of consensus coming out of the result of the 2016 referendum. That was the task that lay in front of her. That was the responsibility of national leadership, and she has failed it, and his remarks fail to recognise that. She looked inwards rather than looking outwards at a point when that was the challenge ahead of her. He talks about compromise: we have been absolutely clear on these benches that the task for both the Government and the opposition is to enter into those discussions seeking to find an agreement and that that will require compromise. We have been clear here for more than two and a half years in the paper that we put together with Plaid Cymru, 'Securing Wales' Future', of the sort of arrangement we would see as in Wales's interests post Brexit. We have been absolutely clear that those things must be principal to those discussions but the discussions must be allowed to continue to seek to find, as I said in my statement, fully, responsibly and creatively, an outcome for that discussion. And I absolutely reject his view that the House of Commons's position hasn't moved on this. The reason we are only now discovering what the House of Commons's view is on these matters is that the Prime Minister has consistently prevented them from debating this in a democratic forum by imposing on them constraints that meant that only her deal—which was never acceptable to the House of Commons and barely acceptable to most of her party—was to be debated in the House of Commons. We are now at the eleventh hour dealing with this when we should have been dealing with it in June 2016, and it's her failure to approach that in the right spirit in June 2016 that puts us in this position.
He asked about the waste of money, and I do recognise that there's been money spent in all Governments in all parts of the UK, but who is in control of that decision? It's the Prime Minister, and, actually, she's pursued a negotiation allowing 'no deal' to remain on the table while irresponsibly not taking steps to prepare for that eventuality for the last three years. That lies at her door, not at this Government's door. And flattered though I am to hear that the Member listened to my conference speech, perhaps if he'd listened a little bit more—[Interruption.] Perhaps if he'd listened a bit more closely he'd have heard the answer to some of the questions he's raised today.
Wel, dechreuaf drwy ddweud fy mod i yn gresynu at ddiffyg croeso'r aelod i'r cyfle i'r Siambr hon barhau i drafod sut y bydd y pwnc unigol mwyaf y mae unrhyw un ohonom yn ei wynebu, gan gynnwys ei etholwyr ei hun, yn effeithio ar Gymru. Credaf ei bod hi'n bwysig bod y fforwm hwn, y Siambr hon, yn gallu mynegi barn am y sefyllfa sy'n datblygu yn y Senedd, yn Ewrop ac yng Nghymru o ran y mater hollbwysig hwn, a byddwn yn croesawu pe byddai'n cymryd rhan yn y ddadl â'r ysbryd hwnnw.
Mae'n sôn bod fy mhlaid i'n faen tramgwydd yn San Steffan. Y gwir amdani yw y gallai'r Prif Weinidog fod wedi osgoi'r sefyllfa yr ydym ni ynddi a gallai fod wedi osgoi'r sarhad i ddemocratiaeth y cyfeiriodd ato'n anuniongyrchol yn ei sylwadau diwethaf pe bai hi wedi gwneud yr hyn y mynnodd arweinyddiaeth genedlaethol y dylai ei wneud a pheidio â cheisio tawelu'r carfanau sy'n cystadlu yn ei phlaid ei hun, ond ceisio ymestyn ar draws Tŷ'r Cyffredin ac ar draws y wlad, mewn gwirionedd, er mwyn ceisio canfod, er mor anodd y byddai, ffurf ar gonsensws yn deillio o ganlyniad refferendwm 2016. Dyna'r dasg a oedd o'i blaen. Cyfrifoldeb arweinyddiaeth genedlaethol oedd hynny, ac mae hi wedi methu â gwneud hynny, ac mae ei sylwadau yntau yn methu â chydnabod hynny. Fe wnaeth hi edrych tuag at i mewn yn hytrach nag edrych tuag allan ar adeg pan mai dyna oedd yr her o'i blaen. Mae'n sôn am gyfaddawdu: rydym ni wedi bod yn gwbl glir ar y meinciau hyn mai'r dasg i'r Llywodraeth a'r wrthblaid yw dechrau ar y trafodaethau hynny gan geisio canfod cytundeb ac y bydd hynny'n gofyn am gyfaddawd. Rydym ni wedi bod yn glir yma ers dros ddwy flynedd a hanner yn y papur y gwnaethom ni ei lunio ar y cyd â Phlaid Cymru, 'Diogelu Dyfodol Cymru ', o'r math o drefniant y byddem yn ei weld fel un sy'n gwarchod buddiannau Cymru yn dilyn Brexit. Rydym ni wedi bod yn gwbl glir bod yn rhaid i'r pethau hynny fod yn rhan annatod o'r trafodaethau hynny ond mae'n rhaid caniatáu i'r trafodaethau barhau i geisio dod o hyd, fel y dywedais yn fy natganiad, i ganlyniad i'r drafodaeth hon, a hynny mewn modd cyflawn, cyfrifol a chreadigol. Ac rwyf yn gwrthod yn llwyr ei farn nad yw safbwynt Tŷ'r Cyffredin wedi newid yn hyn o beth. Y rheswm nad ydym ni ond yn darganfod yn awr beth yw barn Tŷ'r Cyffredin ar y materion hyn yw bod y Prif Weinidog wedi eu hatal yn gyson rhag cael dadl ar hyn mewn fforwm democrataidd drwy osod cyfyngiadau arnyn nhw a olygai mai dim ond ei chytundeb hi—nad oedd byth yn dderbyniol i Dŷ'r Cyffredin a phrin yn dderbyniol i'r rhan fwyaf o'i phlaid—oedd i'w drafod yn Nhŷ'r Cyffredin. Rydym ni bellach ar yr unfed awr ar ddeg yn ymdrin â hyn pan ddylem ni fod wedi bod yn ymdrin ag ef ym mis Mehefin 2016, a'i methiant hi i fynd i'r afael â hynny yn yr ysbryd priodol ym mis Mehefin 2016 sy'n ein rhoi ni yn y sefyllfa hon
Gofynnodd am y gwastraffu arian, ac rwyf yn cydnabod bod arian wedi'i wario yn yr holl Lywodraethau ym mhob rhan o'r DU, ond pwy sy'n rheoli'r penderfyniad hwnnw? Y Prif Weinidog, ac, mewn gwirionedd, mae hi wedi negodi mewn ffordd a oedd yn caniatáu i 'ddim cytundeb' barhau i fod yn bosibilrwydd, gan beidio, yn anghyfrifol, â pharatoi ar gyfer y posibilrwydd hwnnw dros y tair blynedd diwethaf. Ei bai hi yw hynny, nid bai'r Llywodraeth hon. Ac er mor falch yr wyf i o glywed bod yr Aelod wedi gwrando ar fy araith a wnes yn y gynhadledd, efallai pe byddai wedi gwrando ychydig yn fwy—[Torri ar draws.] Efallai pe byddai wedi gwrando ychydig yn fwy astud y byddai wedi clywed yr ateb i rai o'r cwestiynau y mae wedi eu holi heddiw.
Thank you for your statement, Minister. I'll begin with matters that we agree on. I'd like to support your words of thanks to Welsh Government and public sector staff who have been working so diligently to prepare Wales for the catastrophic possibility of a 'no deal' Brexit. Their hard work is appreciated. I agree with you as well that it is scandalous that resources are being squandered on preparing for an eventuality that should have been ruled out from the outset. It's particularly galling to consider how this money could otherwise have been spent, given that our public services are under such financial pressures as a result of the austerity policies of the British Government.
The Prime Minister's actions in this regard are truly disgraceful, throwing money away for the sake of appeasing the extremists within her own party—money that could have been spent otherwise on the NHS, on schools, on improving infrastructure, on improving people's lives. It goes to show that the welfare of Welsh citizens means nothing to the negligent British state and that the only way to secure our own future is by taking it into our own hands as an independent country. Westminster is not exactly doing itself any favours at the moment.
But, Minister, I'd like to turn to your criticism of the length of the article 50 extension as being neither short enough to force an outcome nor long enough to rethink the doomed endeavour. I asked you on 30 March how long you believed the extension should be, but you chose not to answer my question. At that point, you relied on strategic ambiguity rather than stating a view, and it's ironic that you're now critical of others for doing the same. Plaid Cymru was clear that the extension should be a long one, up to the end of 2020, to give time and space to deal with Brexit appropriately. Do you, therefore, now regret not supporting our call in this regard?
I'd also like to ask you for some clarity in terms of your claim that you're putting pressure on the opposition, that is, your own party, to achieve real progress in cross-party negotiations. Does this mean that Welsh Government's negotiating priorities differ in some respect from Jeremy Corbyn's, and, if so, could you please provide this Chamber with details in terms of what Welsh Government is asking for specifically?
You also say that you're pressing for discussion with the devolved administrations. I welcome this, and I hope that you're successful in securing the parallel meaningful negotiations that you've mentioned. Of course, in a parallel reality, the Labour Party would have taken a principled stand on Brexit and would have a clear policy on holding a public vote so that any deal goes back to the people to decide whether to accept it or remain in the EU. Instead, we have an incomprehensible policy wrapped in convolution. When asked by BBC journalists today about how he would vote on the matter in Labour's NEC, Welsh Labour's representative, Mick Antoniw, gave an answer that succeeded only in raising the level of confusion to a new level. He said he supported a legitimisation of any Brexit deal through a vote, but that this should not be in the form of a referendum, because referendums give a range of options, as opposed to, presumably, letting people have a narrow choice of accepting or rejecting a deal that does not exist. If the definition of a referendum is 'a choice between a range of options', then I'm not sure what exactly happened on 23 June 2016. What he seemed to be saying was that the policy has now morphed into actually supporting a referendum—without calling it that—as long as remain is not an option on the ballot paper. I may have misunderstood him, so I'll quote his response. He said, 'A referendum can give you a number of options. You could actually put the key issue of whether we want to remain in the EU or not; a legitimisation could actually be saying, "This is the deal we have. Are you prepared to accept this deal and these negotiations?"' Minister, can you therefore confirm whether or not Mick Antoniw is reflecting Welsh Government policy on that committee, or is the stance of Welsh Labour somehow not the same as that of the Government? I'm unclear as to whether Welsh Government support having a confirmatory vote on any deal or just on a deal it doesn't agree with. If so, what is the democratic justification for this stance?
Finally, I welcome your call for the UK Government to begin preparations for a referendum, even though it's currently unclear whether or not you would wish this referendum to actually happen. This Assembly agreed on 13 January that work should begin immediately on preparing for a public vote. Could you set out what steps your Government has taken in this regard, either in terms of Executive action or making the case to the UK Government or the opposition?
Diolch ichi am eich datganiad, Gweinidog. Dechreuaf gyda materion yr ydym ni'n cytuno arnyn nhw. Fe hoffwn i ategu eich geiriau o ddiolch i staff Llywodraeth Cymru a'r sector cyhoeddus sydd wedi bod yn gweithio mor ddiwyd i baratoi Cymru ar gyfer y posibilrwydd trychinebus o Brexit heb gytundeb. Gwerthfawrogir eu gwaith caled. Cytunaf â chi hefyd ei bod hi'n gywilyddus bod adnoddau'n cael eu gwastraffu ar baratoi ar gyfer digwyddiad a ddylai fod wedi cael ei ddiystyru o'r cychwyn. Mae'n arbennig o anodd meddwl sut y gellid bod wedi gwario'r arian hwn fel arall, o gofio bod ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus o dan y fath bwysau ariannol o ganlyniad i bolisïau cyni Llywodraeth Prydain.
Mae gweithredoedd Prif Weinidog y DU yn hyn o beth yn gwbl warthus, gan afradu arian er mwyn tawelu'r eithafwyr yn ei phlaid ei hun—arian y gellid bod wedi ei wario fel arall ar y GIG, ar ysgolion, ar wella seilwaith, ar wella bywydau pobl. Mae'n dangos nad yw lles dinasyddion Cymru yn golygu dim i'r wladwriaeth Brydeinig esgeulus ac mai'r unig ffordd o sicrhau ein dyfodol ein hunain yw drwy ei roi yn ein dwylo ein hunain fel gwlad annibynnol. Nid yw San Steffan yn gwneud unrhyw gymwynas â'i hun ar hyn o bryd.
Ond, Gweinidog, fe hoffwn i droi at eich beirniadaeth o hyd estyniad Erthygl 50 fel un nad yw'n ddigon byr i orfodi canlyniad nac yn ddigon hir i ailfeddwl am yr ymgais ffaeledig. Gofynnais ichi ar 30 Mawrth pa mor hir y credech chi y dylai'r estyniad fod, ond fe wnaethoch chi ddewis peidio ag Fcyhydateb fy nghwestiwn. Bryd hynny, roeddech chi'n dibynnu ar amwysedd strategol yn hytrach na datgan barn, ac mae'n eironig eich bod bellach yn feirniadol o eraill am wneud yr un peth. Roedd Plaid Cymru yn glir y dylai'r estyniad fod yn un hir, hyd at ddiwedd 2020, i roi amser a modd i ymdrin â Brexit yn briodol. A ydych chi'n edifar, felly, am beidio â chefnogi ein galwad yn hyn o beth?
Hoffwn hefyd ofyn i chi am rywfaint o eglurder o ran eich honiad eich bod yn rhoi pwysau ar y gwrthbleidiau, hynny yw, eich plaid eich hun, i sicrhau cynnydd gwirioneddol mewn trafodaethau trawsbleidiol. A yw hyn yn golygu bod blaenoriaethau negodi Llywodraeth Cymru yn wahanol mewn rhyw ffordd i rai Jeremy Corbyn, ac, os felly, a allech chi roi manylion i'r Siambr hon o ran yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gofyn amdano'n benodol?
Rydych chi hefyd yn dweud eich bod yn pwyso am drafodaeth gyda'r gweinyddiaethau datganoledig. Rwyf yn croesawu hyn, ac rwy'n gobeithio eich bod yn llwyddo i sicrhau'r cyd-drafodaethau ystyrlon cyfochrog yr ydych chi wedi'u crybwyll. Wrth gwrs, mewn realiti cyfochrog, byddai'r Blaid Lafur wedi gwneud safiad egwyddorol o ran Brexit a byddai ganddi bolisi clir ynglŷn â chynnal pleidlais gyhoeddus fel bod unrhyw gytundeb yn mynd yn ôl at y bobl i benderfynu a ddylid ei dderbyn neu aros yn yr UE. Yn hytrach, mae gennym ni bolisi annealladwy sy'n ddryslyd ar y naw. Pan ofynnwyd iddo gan newyddiadurwyr y BBC heddiw sut y byddai'n pleidleisio ar y mater ym Mhwyllgor Gweithredu Lleol Llafur, rhoddodd cynrychiolydd Llafur Cymru, Mick Antoniw, ateb a lwyddodd i wneud dim ond creu mwy fyth o ddryswch. Dywedodd ei fod o blaid dilysu unrhyw gytundeb Brexit drwy bleidlais, ond na ddylai hyn fod ar ffurf refferendwm, gan fod refferenda yn rhoi amrywiaeth o ddewisiadau, yn hytrach na bod pobl yn cael dewis syml o dderbyn neu wrthod cytundeb nad yw'n bodoli. Os mai'r diffiniad o refferendwm yw 'dewis rhwng ystod o ddewisiadau', yna nid wyf yn siŵr beth yn union ddigwyddodd ar 23 Mehefin 2016. Yr hyn yr oedd yn ei ddweud am wn i oedd bod y polisi wedi ymffurfio bellach i gefnogi refferendwm mewn gwirionedd—heb ei alw'n hynny—ar yr amod nad yw aros yn ddewis ar y papur pleidleisio. Efallai fy mod i wedi ei gamddeall, felly dyfynnaf ei ymateb. Dywedodd gall refferendwm roi nifer o ddewisiadau i chi. Mewn gwirionedd, fe allech chi ofyn y cwestiwn allweddol, sef a ydym ni eisiau aros yn yr UE ai peidio; gallai dilysu olygu dweud mewn gwirionedd, "Dyma'r cytundeb sydd gennym ni. A ydych chi'n barod i dderbyn y cytundeb hwn a'r trafodaethau hyn?" Gweinidog, a wnewch chi gadarnhau felly a yw Mick Antoniw yn adlewyrchu polisi Llywodraeth Cymru ar y pwyllgor hwnnw, neu a yw safiad Llafur Cymru rywsut yn wahanol i safbwynt y Llywodraeth? Nid wyf yn siŵr a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi cael pleidlais gadarnhau ar unrhyw gytundeb neu dim ond ar gytundeb nad yw'n cytuno ag ef. Os felly, beth yw'r cyfiawnhad democrataidd dros y safiad hwn?
Yn olaf, croesawaf eich galwad ar i Lywodraeth y DU ddechrau paratoi ar gyfer refferendwm, er nad yw hi'n glir ar hyn o bryd a ydych chi'n dymuno i'r refferendwm hwn ddigwydd mewn gwirionedd ai peidio. Cytunodd y Cynulliad ar 13 Ionawr y dylai gwaith ddechrau ar unwaith i baratoi ar gyfer pleidlais gyhoeddus. A allwch chi amlinellu beth mae eich Llywodraeth wedi ei wneud yn hyn o beth, naill ai o ran camau gweithredol neu wrth ddadlau'r achos i Lywodraeth y DU neu'r wrthblaid?
I thank the Member for that series of questions. I do welcome the remarks that she opened with, to thank civil servants and people across the public sector in Wales for all the work they've been doing. That will have been very well received by those who have been engaged so hard over that period. And I also welcome the attention that she draws in her question to the relationship between Brexit and the preparations for a 'no deal' Brexit in particular and the pressures of austerity. Those twin challenges, I think, place particularly acute pressures on all parts of Government, public services and, indeed, the third sector and the private sector as well, so I welcome that remark.
In relation to the question of duration, I was actually quoting Guy Verhofstadt's remark about the duration. She will know that we have indicated that, in our view, the renegotiation of the political declaration to reflect the kinds of principles that her party and mine set out jointly in 'Securing Wales' Future' was something that could be done in relatively short order that would not require that level of extension—the kind of extension that's been now given by the European Council. But it's evident, equally, that the existence of that extension reflects, really, I think, on their part, a sense of exhaustion about continuing discussion, dialogue, and, as they perhaps would describe it, the distraction from the other business and priorities that our European Union colleagues inevitably will have. But, having provided that significant extension, my point was simply to say that we need to continue to press to make sure that the discussions under way are meaningful and not regard that period as a period in which to retrench into preferences and perhaps into a sense that we don't need to engage. That would be the wrong interpretation of that period of time, of that extension.
In relation to discussions that we've had with the frontbench, obviously, those are discussions within the party, but it's absolutely clear that those reflect the principles that we've espoused publicly here, and, again, as I will say, jointly with her party in 'Securing Wales' Future', for dynamic alignment of rights, a close relationship with the single market and membership of a customs union, amongst other things. And she'll be familiar, I know, with the priorities that we have both jointly set out. I have been clear and I've provided statutory language that would enable there to be parallel discussions with the devolved administrations in relation to the development of the negotiation of the political declaration. I know that that is also an ambition of the Scottish Government, she will be unsurprised to hear. And, having written to David Lidington on exactly that point, I also followed that up in a conversation with him perhaps two weeks ago to reiterate how important it was for that to continue. I welcome the engagement that the Member continues to make in relation to this issue. I think, on the question of preparations in particular, her closing point, just to be clear—I think I've said this publicly before—we have pressed the UK Government to make sure that steps are taken by the UK Government, which is principally responsible for this, and the Electoral Commission. I raised that again with David Lidington in that same conversation only two or three weeks ago. And I know also that the First Minister has written to the Permanent Secretary asking her to reflect on what steps the Welsh Government at large need to take in order to prepare for that. But she will hear from my statement the statutory basis for most of those steps, and those steps largely lie in Westminster.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y gyfres honno o gwestiynau. Rwyf yn croesawu ei sylwadau agoriadol, a oedd yn diolch i weision sifil ac i bobl ym mhob rhan o'r sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru am yr holl waith y maen nhw wedi bod yn ei wneud. Bydd hynny wedi cael derbyniad da iawn gan y rhai sydd wedi bod yn gweithio mor galed dros y cyfnod hwnnw. Ac rwyf hefyd yn croesawu'r modd y mae hi'n dal sylw yn ei chwestiwn ar y berthynas rhwng Brexit a'r paratoadau ar gyfer Brexit heb gytundeb yn arbennig a phwysau cyni. Mae'r ddwy her hynny, rwy'n credu, yn rhoi pwysau arbennig o drwm ar bob rhan o'r Llywodraeth, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac, yn wir, y trydydd sector a'r sector preifat hefyd, felly rwy'n croesawu'r sylw yna.
O ran y cwestiwn ynghylch hyd, roeddwn i mewn gwirionedd yn dyfynnu sylw Guy Verhofstadt ynglŷn â'r hyd. Bydd hi'n gwybod ein bod ni wedi nodi, yn ein barn ni, fod ailnegodi’r datganiad gwleidyddol i adlewyrchu'r math o egwyddorion a osododd ei phlaid hi a minnau ar y cyd yn 'Diogelu Dyfodol Cymru' yn rhywbeth y gellid ei wneud mewn amser cymharol fyr pryd na fyddai angen estyniad mor hir â hynny—y math o estyniad a roddwyd bellach gan y Cyngor Ewropeaidd. Ond mae'n amlwg, yn yr un modd, bod bodolaeth yr estyniad hwnnw yn adlewyrchu, rwy'n credu, ar eu rhan nhw, ymdeimlad o flinder o ran parhau i drin a thrafod ac, fel y bydden nhw'n ei ddisgrifio efallai, y tynnu sylw oddi ar y materion a'r blaenoriaethau eraill a fydd yn anochel gan ein cydweithwyr yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Ond, ar ôl darparu'r estyniad sylweddol hwnnw, y sylw a wneuthum i oedd dweud yn syml fod angen inni barhau i bwyso i sicrhau bod y trafodaethau sydd ar y gweill yn ystyrlon ac nad ydyn nhw'n gweld y cyfnod hwnnw yn gyfnod o ddychwelyd i'r status quo ac efallai i ymdeimlad nad oes angen i ni ymgysylltu. Byddai hynny'n ddehongliad anghywir o'r cyfnod hwnnw o amser, o'r estyniad hwnnw.
O ran y trafodaethau a gawsom ni gyda'r fainc flaen, yn amlwg, trafodaethau o fewn y blaid yw'r rheini, ond mae'n gwbl glir bod y rheini'n adlewyrchu'r egwyddorion a arddelwyd gennym ni yn gyhoeddus yma, ac, eto, fel y dywedaf, ar y cyd â'i phlaid yn 'Diogelu Dyfodol Cymru', er mwyn cysoni hawliau mewn modd deinamig, cael perthynas agos â'r farchnad sengl ac aelodaeth o undeb tollau, ymysg pethau eraill. A bydd hi'n gyfarwydd, rwy'n gwybod, â'r blaenoriaethau yr ydym ni wedi'u gosod ar y cyd. Rwyf wedi bod yn glir ac rwyf wedi defnyddio ieithwedd statudol a fyddai'n ei gwneud hi'n bosib cynnal trafodaethau cyfochrog â'r gweinyddiaethau datganoledig ynghylch datblygu'r trafodaethau ar y datganiad gwleidyddol. Rwy'n gwybod fod hynny'n uchelgais gan Lywodraeth yr Alban hefyd, na fydd yn syndod ganddi glywed. Ac, wedi ysgrifennu at David Lidington ar yr union bwynt hwnnw, fe wnes i hefyd holi eto ynghylch hynny mewn sgwrs gydag ef efallai bythefnos yn ôl i ddweud eto pa mor bwysig oedd hi i hynny barhau. Rwy'n croesawu'r sylw parhaus y mae'r Aelod yn ei roi ynghylch y mater hwn. Credaf, o ran paratoadau yn arbennig, ei sylw terfynol, i fod yn glir—rwy'n credu fy mod i wedi dweud hyn yn gyhoeddus o'r blaen—rydym ni wedi pwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i sicrhau bod Llywodraeth y DU, sy'n bennaf gyfrifol am hyn, a'r Comisiwn Etholiadol, yn gweithredu. Codais hynny eto gyda David Lidington yn yr un sgwrs dim ond dwy neu dair wythnos yn ôl. A gwn hefyd fod Prif Weinidog Cymru wedi ysgrifennu at yr Ysgrifennydd Parhaol yn gofyn iddi ystyried beth y mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru ei wneud er mwyn paratoi ar gyfer hynny. Ond bydd yn clywed o'm datganiad y sail statudol ar gyfer y rhan fwyaf o'r camau hynny, a San Steffan sy'n bennaf gyfrifol am y camau hynny.
Well, there was nothing new in the statement today, but I still welcome the opportunity to debate this issue, because it does point out the utter absurdity of the Labour Party's position on the deal that it wants with the EU, encapsulated in one sentence of the statement, which says that they want
'A compromise which at the bare minimum needs to involve a commitment to a permanent Customs Union over and enshrining the Chequers commitments to regulatory alignment.'
Well, what a preposterous position that it is. We will remain subject to decisions taken by the EU, but in which we have had no part to participate and in which we've not had a vote. The Commission—. We've got at the moment one commissioner out of 28. The Council of Ministers—. We've got 8.5 per cent of the votes on qualified majority voting decisions and we've got roughly 10 per cent of the seats in the European Parliament. If we were to leave the EU on the kind of arrangements that the Counsel General has set out today, we would have no votes whatsoever in any of those decisions, and yet we would be subject to whatever decisions the EU made. That, whatever it is, is not Brexit. And this, I think, points out the fundamental hypocrisy of the Labour Party's position, because they claim to want to respect the result of the referendum whilst on the other hand committing themselves to a policy that actually produces the exact opposite of leaving the EU except in the even more damaging situation whereby we can actually have no influence whatsoever over decisions in which currently we do at least have a minimal part to play.
And let's be in no doubt that the EU would have no interest whatsoever in taking decisions that were in our interest and indeed, very often, would have every interest in doing the opposite to favour their own member states over the interests of Britain. We would actually be in a worse position than Turkey is now, but at least Turkey is prepared to accept that ignominy because it is, at least theoretically, a candidate member of the EU, whereas, we would be the opposite; we would be on the point of departure, so why on earth would we want to make those commitments whilst we were legally outside the EU? It does go to the very heart of what leaving the EU should all be about—taking back control, making decisions for ourselves, making our own laws and having the British people, ultimately, as the sovereign body that determines the way in which Governments behave. Because the European Commission has made it absolutely clear what the customs union is about. It's about a system of common rules—I'm quoting from one of their documents—that goes beyond
'the Customs Union as such—with its common tariff—and extend to all aspects of trade policy, such as preferential trade, health and environmental controls, the common agricultural and fisheries policies, the protection of our economic interests by non-tariff instruments and external relations policy measures.'
That is everything that goes to the very heart of trade and we would be giving up all that under Labour's proposals. We would, in fact, be in a state of vassalage, as Boris Johnson has previously pointed out. And as Mervyn King, the former governor of the Bank of England, has said, there are arguments for remaining in the EU and there are arguments for leaving the EU, but there is no case whatsoever for giving up the benefits of remaining without obtaining the benefits of leaving. And that is exactly what the Labour policy would mean.
And does the Counsel General not agree with me that the customs tariff that he wants to commit ourselves to in perpetuity is actually a tax on the poor, a tax on working people? There's a 15 per cent tax on footwear and clothes imports, for example, an 11.5 per cent tax on coffee, a 17 per cent tax on oranges, which we can't grow in this country anywhere, anymore than we can grow coffee. And there are lots of senseless tariffs as well. There's a tariff of 1.7 per cent on swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and scabbards; a tax of 15 per cent on unicycles. Now, I don't know what threat the importation of unicycles poses to the British bicycle-making industry, but I can see no justification for that whatsoever. There's even a 4.7 per cent tax on umbrellas with telescopic shafts. There are 12,160 of these absurd impositions upon working people. But also, of course, in many other respects, there are taxes on food and other necessities of life—a 5 per cent VAT on central heating fuel, for example. These are all things that are going to hit the poorest hardest, and that's what the Labour Party is committing itself to.
So, I do agree with the Counsel General in one respect: that the tragedy of the situation we've now arrived at—and he said this in answer to the Conservative spokesman—is that Theresa May has made no preparations whatsoever for coping with the dislocation that a 'no deal' arrangement would inevitably involve. We should have spent the last three years actually putting together, in outline, our trade deals with the rest of the world. We haven't even begun that process. And also we should have put in process the technical infrastructure for how to cope with trade flows across the United Kingdom borders, with a tariff regime if one were to be imposed. But also—and my last point is this—part and parcel of what the Labour Party proposes is a permanent open-door immigration policy, in effect, because that also is an essential part of the four freedoms that the single market entails.
Wel, nid oedd unrhyw beth newydd yn y datganiad heddiw, ond rwy'n dal i groesawu'r cyfle i gael dadl ar y mater hwn, gan ei fod yn tynnu sylw at ffolineb llwyr safbwynt y Blaid Lafur ar y cytundeb y mae arni ei eisiau gyda'r UE, wedi'i chrynhoi mewn un frawddeg yn y datganiad, sy'n dweud eu bod eisiau
cyfaddawd sydd angen cynnwys ymrwymiad o leiaf i Undeb Tollau parhaol yn ychwanegol at ac yn arddel ymrwymiadau Chequers o ran cyfliniad rheoleiddiol.
Wel, am sefyllfa hurt yw hynny. Byddwn yn parhau'n ddarostyngedig i benderfyniadau a wneir gan yr UE, ond lle nad ydym ni wedi cael unrhyw fodd i gymryd rhan ac nad ydym mi wedi cael pleidlais arnyn nhw. Mae'r Comisiwn—. Mae gennym ni ar hyn o bryd un Comisiynydd o 28. Cyngor y Gweinidogion—. Mae gennym ni 8.5 y cant o'r pleidleisiau ar benderfyniadau pleidleisio mwyafrifol amodol ac mae gennym ni oddeutu 10 y cant o'r seddi yn Senedd Ewrop. Petaem ni'n gadael yr UE ar y math o drefniadau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u hamlinellu heddiw, ni fyddai gennym ni bleidleisiau o gwbl ar unrhyw un o'r penderfyniadau hynny, ac eto byddem yn ddarostyngedig i ba benderfyniadau bynnag y byddai'r UE yn eu gwneud. Nid yw hynny, beth bynnag ydyw, yn Brexit. Ac mae hyn, rwy'n credu, yn tynnu sylw at ragrith sylfaenol safbwynt y Blaid Lafur, gan eu bod yn honni eu bod eisiau parchu canlyniad y refferendwm pan fo nhw ar y llaw arall yn ymrwymo i bolisi sydd mewn gwirionedd yn creu'r gwrthwyneb llwyr i adael yr UE ac eithrio yn y sefyllfa hyd yn oed yn fwy niweidiol lle na allwn ni ddylanwadu o gwbl ar benderfyniadau y mae gennym ni ar hyn o bryd o leiaf rhan fach i'w chwarae ynddyn nhw.
A gadewch i ni fod yn gwbl sicr na fyddai gan yr UE unrhyw ddiddordeb o gwbl mewn gwneud penderfyniadau a fyddai o fudd i ni ac yn wir, yn aml iawn, byddai ganddi bob diddordeb mewn gwneud y gwrthwyneb er mwyn ffafrio eu haelod-wladwriaethau eu hunain dros fuddiannau Prydain. Byddem ni mewn gwirionedd mewn sefyllfa waeth na mae Twrci ynddi ar hyn o bryd, ond o leiaf mae Twrci'n barod i dderbyn y cywilydd hwnnw gan fod awydd arni, yn ddamcaniaethol o leiaf, bod yn aelod o'r UE, ond byddem ni i'r gwrthwyneb; byddem ar fin gadael, felly pam ar y ddaear y byddem ni eisiau gwneud yr ymrwymiadau hynny pan fyddem ni yn gyfreithiol y tu allan i'r UE? Mae'n mynd at wraidd yr hyn y dylai gadael yr UE i gyd fod yn ymwneud ag ef—adfer rheolaeth, gwneud penderfyniadau drosom ni ein hunain, gwneud ein deddfau ein hunain a chael pobl Prydain, yn y pen draw, fel y corff sofran sy'n pennu'r ffordd y mae Llywodraethau'n ymddwyn. Oherwydd bod y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd wedi ei gwneud hi'n gwbl glir beth yw ystyr yr undeb tollau. Mae'n ymwneud â system o reolau cyffredin—rwy'n dyfynnu o un o'u dogfennau—sy'n mynd y tu hwnt i:
yr Undeb tollau fel y cyfryw—gyda'i dariff cyffredin—ac sy'n ymestyn i bob agwedd ar bolisi masnach, megis masnach ffafriol, rheolaethau iechyd ac amgylcheddol, y polisïau amaethyddol a physgodfeydd cyffredin, diogelu ein buddiannau economaidd drwy gael offerynnau di-dariff a mesurau polisi cysylltiadau allanol.
Mae hynny'n bopeth sydd wrth wraidd masnach a byddem yn ildio hynny i gyd o dan gynigion y Blaid Lafur. Mewn gwirionedd, byddem yn wladwriaeth gaeth, fel y mae Boris Johnson wedi ei ddweud o'r blaen. Ac fel y dywedodd Mervyn King, cyn-lywodraethwr Banc Lloegr, mae dadleuon o blaid aros yn yr UE ac mae dadleuon o blaid gadael yr UE, ond nid oes achos o gwbl dros roi'r gorau i'r buddion o aros heb gael y manteision o adael. A dyna'n union fyddai polisi Llafur yn ei olygu.
Ac onid yw'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn cytuno â mi bod y tariff tollau y mae eisiau inni ymrwymo ein hunain iddo am byth yn dreth ar y tlodion mewn gwirionedd, yn dreth ar bobl sy'n gweithio? Mae treth o 15 y cant ar ddillad ac esgidiau sy'n cael eu mewnforio, er enghraifft, treth o 11.5 y cant ar goffi, treth o 17 y cant ar orennau, na allwn ni eu tyfu yn y wlad hon yn unman, mwy nag y gallwn ni dyfu coffi. Ac mae llawer o dariffau di-synnwyr hefyd. Mae tariff o 1.7 y cant ar gleddyfau, cytlasau, bidogau, gwaywffyn a gweiniau; treth o 15 y cant ar feiciau un olwyn. Nawr, wn i ddim faint o fygythiad yw mewnforio beiciau un olwyn i'r diwydiant gwneud beiciau ym Mhrydain, ond ni allaf weld unrhyw gyfiawnhad dros hynny o gwbl. Mae treth o 4.7 y cant hyd yn oed ar ymbarelau gyda choesau telesgopig. Mae 12,160 o'r beichiau hurt hyn ar bobl sy'n gweithio. Ond hefyd, wrth gwrs, mewn sawl ffordd arall, ceir trethi ar fwyd ac angenrheidiau eraill bywyd—Treth Ar Werth o 5 y cant ar danwydd gwres canolog, er enghraifft. Mae'r rhain i gyd yn bethau sy'n mynd i daro'r tlotaf galetaf, a dyna mae'r Blaid Lafur yn ymrwymo ei hun iddo.
Felly, rwyf yn cytuno â'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol ar un ystyr: mai trychineb y sefyllfa yr ydym ni wedi'i chyrraedd yn awr—a dywedodd hyn wrth ateb llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr—yw nad yw Theresa May wedi gwneud unrhyw baratoadau o gwbl ar gyfer ymdopi â'r dryswch a fyddai yn anochel yn dod yn sgil trefniant o ymadael heb gytundeb. Dylem ni fod wedi treulio'r tair blynedd diwethaf yn llunio, yn fras, ein cytundebau masnach â gweddill y byd. Nid ydym ni hyd yn oed wedi dechrau'r broses honno. A hefyd fe ddylem ni fod wedi dechrau ar y broses o sefydlu'r seilwaith technegol ar gyfer sut i ymdopi â llif masnach ar draws ffiniau'r Deyrnas Unedig, gyda chyfundrefn dariff os byddai un yn cael ei gosod. Ond hefyd—a fy mhwynt olaf yw hyn—rhan annatod o'r hyn y mae'r Blaid Lafur yn ei gynnig yw polisi mewnfudo agored parhaol, i bob pwrpas, gan fod hynny hefyd yn rhan hanfodol o'r pedwar rhyddid y mae'r farchnad sengl yn ei olygu.
And we end where, I suspect, the Member would have preferred to begin. I'm glad he welcomes the opportunity to discuss the issue in the Chamber. He talks about the loss of democratic influence as a consequence of leaving the European Union, and that is inevitably the case. But if I am presented with the choice between the kind of hard Brexit that he evidently favours and the kind of Brexit that I've been describing, which, whilst it comes at the cost of direct political influence, does what it can, outside the European Union, to protect the jobs and livelihoods of the people of Wales—we on these benches will always choose that second option.
His antipathy to a customs union is predicated on the positive alternative of a flourishing UK trade policy, entering magnificently into free trade agreements with grateful nations across the world that felt shut out by our relationship with the European Union. We were promised 40 trade deals by the point of exit day. We are now on 29 April, and we have eight mutual recognition agreements, none of which—apart from one—makes any significant contribution to Welsh exports, thus imperiling not just the 60 per cent of Welsh exports that go to the European Union, but the 10 per cent of Welsh exports that go to countries that are the subject of those trade deals. It harks back to some fictitious past when we had a fantastic capacity to negotiate an independent trade agreement, which is simply not a reflection of the political realities of the UK for decades, perhaps even a century or more. And it is a dangerous folly to persuade people, or seek to persuade people, that that is a responsible alternative future to describe to them.
He finishes by talking about the impact on the poor. Well, all I will say to him is that the kind of Brexit that he favours, by any measure, will lead to an economy in Wales that is between 8 per cent and 10 per cent smaller than it would have been otherwise. And that is not just a number on a graph, it is not just a statistic, it's not just a mathematical calculation—it's jobs, it's livelihoods, it's standards of living, it's communities, it's organisations, right across Wales. We will always stand up for those people.
Ac rydym ni'n gorffen lle, dybiwn i, y byddai wedi bod yn well gan yr aelod ddechrau. Rwy'n falch ei fod yn croesawu'r cyfle i drafod y mater yn y Siambr. Mae'n sôn am golli dylanwad democrataidd o ganlyniad i adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ac mae hynny'n sicr yn wir. Ond os caf y dewis rhwng y math o Brexit caled y mae'n amlwg yn ei ffafrio a'r math o Brexit yr wyf i wedi bod yn ei ddisgrifio, sydd, er ei fod yn dod ar draul dylanwad gwleidyddol uniongyrchol, yn gwneud yr hyn a all, y tu allan i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, i ddiogelu swyddi a bywoliaeth pobl Cymru—byddwn ni ar y meinciau hyn bob amser yn dewis yr ail ddewis hwnnw.
Mae ei elyniaeth at undeb tollau wedi'i briodoli i'r dewis amgen cadarnhaol o bolisi masnachu llewyrchus yn y DU, llunio cytundebau masnach rydd gogoneddus gyda chenhedloedd diolchgar ledled y byd sy'n teimlo eu bod wedi'u heithrio gan ein perthynas â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Addawyd 40 o gytundebau masnach inni erbyn y dyddiad ymadael. Rydym ni bellach wedi cyrraedd 29 Ebrill, ac mae gennym ni wyth cytundeb o gydnabyddiaeth ddwyochrog, ac nid oes yr un ohonyn nhw—heblaw am un—yn gwneud unrhyw gyfraniad o bwys i allforion o Gymru, gan beryglu nid dim ond y 60 y cant o allforion Cymru a aiff i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, ond y 10 y cant o allforion Cymru sy'n mynd i wledydd y lluniwyd y cytundebau masnach hynny gyda nhw. Mae'n mynd yn ôl i ryw orffennol dychmygol pan oedd gennym ni allu rhagorol i negodi cytundeb masnach annibynnol, nad yw'n adlewyrchiad o wirioneddau gwleidyddol y Deyrnas Unedig ers degawdau, efallai ers canrif a mwy hyd yn oed. Ac mae'n ffolineb peryglus i ddarbwyllo pobl, neu geisio darbwyllo pobl, bod hynny'n ddyfodol amgen cyfrifol i'w ddisgrifio iddynt.
Mae'n gorffen drwy sôn am yr effaith ar y tlodion. Wel, y cyfan yr wyf i yn ei ddweud wrtho yw y bydd y math o Brexit y mae'n ei ffafrio, ar unrhyw gyfrif, yn arwain at economi yng Nghymru sydd rhwng 8 y cant a 10 y cant yn llai nag y byddai wedi bod fel arall. Ac nid rhif ar graff yn unig mo hynny, nid ystadegyn yn unig ydyw, nid cyfrifiad mathemategol yn unig ydyw—mae'n golygu swyddi, mae'n golygu bywoliaeth pobl, mae'n golygu safonau byw, mae'n golygu cymunedau, mae'n golygu sefydliadau, ledled Cymru. Byddwn bob amser yn sefyll dros y bobl hynny.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (Ann Jones) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Ann Jones) took the Chair.
Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary—sorry, the Minister for Brexit—for his statement this afternoon? And can I also join with Delyth Jewell in supporting the comments about the hard work and dedication of the public servants who work on this, and have been working on it for so many months? You've highlighted clearly in your statement the shambles that we are seeing as a consequence of the failed leadership of the current Prime Minister. This afternoon, we've heard the Conservatives trying to defend the indefensible, and we've heard UKIP trying to deny the economic evidence that has been put in place with regard to the impact of Brexit on Wales, particularly of a 'no deal' and World Trade Organization rules, which would damage this Welsh economy severely.
But you focused on a few things as to what's been going on, and we all know that the only thing really that's changed since we last met is the fact that there is now an extension that's been put in place—until Halloween, of all nights—of the departure date. But we are still in an impasse, because the Prime Minister has failed to convince her party that her deal is worthy of being supported. And we all know why: because it actually is not good for the country, and she needs to start changing her red lines. She has not made any compromise whatsoever. Her red lines are still the same as they were 12 months ago, and I think that's the reason why we are where we are. There's no doubt about that.
There are few questions I want to ask, perhaps beyond the negotiations, but which are consequential upon those negotiations and which actually impact upon Wales very severely. This involves, perhaps, your discussions with your UK Government colleagues in relation to some of these things. Where are we on getting the movement towards a Joint Ministerial Committee on international trade so the Welsh Government can have a say in future trade agreements? Because it's important that, as we move forward, we now have an extra bit of time to do some work on getting a forum that works for Wales, and not just works for the Tory party in London.
Could I also look at some of the actions taken by the UK Government on state aid? I understand that there is a regulation being put forward that would give powers to the Secretary of State on state aid. There is a claim that it's a reserved matter, but clearly we have a very important say on the implications of using state aid. There has also been talk about changing it to the Competition and Markets Authority. But where's the Welsh representation on that? Where's the Welsh Government representation? On other public authorities—. We had an argument on the Trade Bill about Welsh representation or Welsh nomination for the trade remedies authority. What about other bodies, such as the Migration Advisory Committee? Where are the discussions going on during this time that we have to ensure that the Welsh Government voice is actually being heard in these bodies that are making important decisions?
Also, the joint scrutiny committee, which is part of the withdrawal agreement—is there going to be any involvement of the devolved nations in this joint committee scrutiny process? Are we there yet? Are the UK Government moving in that direction? Do they recognise that devolution exists, and that actually we should be having a say in some of these bodies, particularly this joint scrutiny committee, which will oversee the transition period, if there is one?
Minister, only this week we've seen the uncertainty of the student fees fiasco going on, where clearly it is possible that EU students may be now required to pay full fees—full overseas fees, I might add—which is completely going to put people off coming here and it's going to affect Welsh higher education institutions—a devolved area. It's going to affect Welsh HE research collaboration—a devolved area. So, are you having negotiations on those matters?
You haven't mentioned much in your statement about the preparations for 'no deal', other than we've gone a long way. Have you learnt lessons from it? We've passed the date of 12 April. We've gone beyond that now. We know Halloween is our next deadline. Have you learnt lessons? Or are you undertaking a review to ensure that lessons learnt on the 'no deal' preparations up to 12 April can be put into place if we have to—because we may still be in that situation on 31 October—look at a 'no deal' scenario? Are you learning lessons? How much of what you've done to date can be transferred to October?
Now, we know about the Welsh Government's purchase or lease of a warehouse. Is that going to continue until 31 October? What's the situation? Where is the stock that we may need to put in place for that and other products? Where are we in those situations? And how much does the Welsh Government expect to spend in the next six months holding those situations, whilst we await a possibility of a deal or no deal? We just don't know. Our businesses, I'm sure, would want to know exactly what support they'd have from you as well.
A gaf i ddiolch i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet—mae'n ddrwg gennyf, y Gweinidog dros Brexit—am ei ddatganiad y prynhawn yma? Ac a gaf i hefyd ategu Delyth Jewell a chefnogi'r sylwadau am waith caled ac ymroddiad y gweision cyhoeddus sy'n gweithio ar hyn, ac sydd wedi bod yn gweithio arno ers misoedd lawer? Rydych chi wedi nodi'n glir yn eich datganiad y llanast yr ydym ni'n ei weld yn sgil methiant Prif Weinidog presennol y DU i arwain y ffordd. Y prynhawn yma, rydym ni wedi clywed y Ceidwadwyr yn ceisio amddiffyn yr hyn na ellir ei amddiffyn, ac rydym ni wedi clywed UKIP yn ceisio gwadu'r dystiolaeth economaidd sydd wedi ei chyflwyno o ran effaith Brexit ar Gymru, yn enwedig 'dim cytundeb' a rheolau Sefydliad Masnach y Byd, a fyddai'n niweidio economi Cymru yn ddifrifol.
Ond fe wnaethoch chi ganolbwyntio ar rai pethau o ran yr hyn sydd wedi bod yn digwydd, ac rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod mai'r unig beth mewn difrif sydd wedi newid yn wirioneddol ers i ni gyfarfod ddiwethaf yw'r ffaith bod y dyddiad gadael bellach wedi ei ymestyn tan Calan Gaeaf, o bob noson. Ond rydym ni'n dal mewn cyfyngder, oherwydd mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi methu ag argyhoeddi ei phlaid fod ei chytundeb yn deilwng o gael ei gefnogi. Ac rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod pam: gan nad yw mewn gwirionedd yn dda i'r wlad, ac mae angen iddi hi ddechrau newid ei safbwyntiau. Nid yw hi wedi cyfaddawdu o gwbl. Mae ei safbwyntiau yn dal yr un fath ag yr oedden nhw 12 mis yn ôl, ac rwy'n credu mai dyna'r rheswm pam ein bod ni yn y sefyllfa yr ydym ni ynddi. Does dim dwywaith am hynny.
Mae ambell gwestiwn yr wyf i eisiau eu gofyn, efallai y tu hwnt i'r trafodaethau, ond sy'n ganlyniad i'r trafodaethau hynny ac sy'n effeithio'n ddifrifol iawn ar Gymru. Mae hyn yn cynnwys, efallai, eich trafodaethau gyda'ch cydweithwyr yn Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â rhai o'r pethau hyn. Beth yw'r sefyllfa o ran cael Cyd-bwyllgor Gweinidogion ar fasnach ryngwladol fel y gall Llywodraeth Cymru gael llais yn y cytundebau masnachu yn y dyfodol? Oherwydd mae hi'n bwysig, wrth inni gamu i'r dyfodol, fod gennym ni bellach ychydig o amser ychwanegol i wneud rhywfaint o waith i gael fforwm sy'n gweithio dros Gymru, ac nid un sy'n gweithio dim ond i'r blaid Dorïaidd yn Llundain.
A gaf i hefyd edrych ar rai o'r pethau y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi eu gwneud ynglŷn â chymorth gwladwriaethol? Rwy'n deall fod rheoliad yn cael ei gyflwyno a fyddai'n rhoi pwerau i'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol o ran cymorth gwladwriaethol. Mae honiad ei fod yn fater a gedwir yn ôl, ond mae'n amlwg bod gennym ni lais pwysig iawn o ran goblygiadau defnyddio cymorth gwladwriaethol. Bu sôn hefyd am ei newid i'r Awdurdod Cystadleuaeth a Marchnadoedd. Ond ble mae'r gynrychiolaeth Gymreig ar hynny? Ble mae cynrychiolaeth Llywodraeth Cymru? Ar awdurdodau cyhoeddus eraill—. Fe gawsom ni ddadl ar y Bil Masnach ynghylch cynrychiolaeth o Gymru neu enwebiad o Gymru i'r awdurdod atebion masnachol. Beth am gyrff eraill, megis y Pwyllgor Ymgynghorol ar Fudo? Ble mae'r trafodaethau'n mynd rhagddyn nhw yn ystod y cyfnod hwn lle mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod llais Llywodraeth Cymru yn cael ei glywed mewn gwirionedd yn y cyrff hyn sy'n gwneud penderfyniadau pwysig?
Hefyd, mae'r cyd-bwyllgor craffu, sy'n rhan o'r cytundeb ymadael—a yw'r gwledydd datganoledig yn mynd i gael eu cynnwys o gwbl yn y broses hon lle bydd y cyd-bwyllgor yn craffu ar bethau? A ydym ni wedi cyrraedd y sefyllfa honno eto? A yw Llywodraeth y DU yn symud i'r cyfeiriad hwnnw? A ydyn nhw'n cydnabod bod datganoli'n bodoli, ac y dylem ni mewn gwirionedd gael llais yn rhai o'r cyrff hyn, yn enwedig y cyd-bwyllgor craffu hwn, a fydd yn goruchwylio'r cyfnod pontio, os oes un?
Gweinidog, dim ond yr wythnos hon rydym ni wedi gweld ansicrwydd y traed moch ynghylch ffioedd myfyrwyr, lle mae'n amlwg ei bod hi'n bosib y bydd hi'n ofynnol yn awr i fyfyrwyr yr UE dalu ffioedd llawn—ffioedd tramor llawn, a gaf i ychwanegu—sy'n mynd i fod yn faen tramgwydd i bobl ddod yma ac mae'n mynd i effeithio ar sefydliadau addysg uwch Cymru—maes datganoledig. Mae'n mynd i effeithio ar gydweithrediad ymchwil Addysg Uwch Cymru—maes sydd wedi'i ddatganoli. Felly, a ydych chi'n cael trafodaethau ar y materion hynny?
Nid ydych chi wedi sôn llawer yn eich datganiad am y paratoadau ar gyfer ymadael heb gytundeb, heblaw ein bod wedi gwneud cynnydd sylweddol. Ydych chi wedi dysgu gwersi o hynny? Rydym ni wedi pasio 12 Ebrill. Rydym ni wedi mynd y tu hwnt i hynny nawr. Rydym ni'n gwybod mai Calan Gaeaf yw ein dyddiad terfynol nesaf. Ydych chi wedi dysgu gwersi? Neu a ydych chi'n cynnal adolygiad i sicrhau y gall y gwersi a ddysgwyd o ran y paratoadau 'dim cytundeb' hyd at 12 Ebrill gael eu rhoi ar waith os bydd yn rhaid inni—oherwydd efallai y byddwn ni'n dal yn y sefyllfa honno ar 31 Hydref—edrych ar sefyllfa o 'ddim cytundeb'? Ydych chi'n dysgu gwersi? Faint o'r hyn yr ydych chi wedi'i wneud hyd yma y mae modd ei drosglwyddo i fis Hydref?
Nawr, fe wyddom ni am y modd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi prynu neu brydlesu warws. A fydd hynny'n parhau tan 31 Hydref? Beth yw'r sefyllfa? Ble mae'r stoc y bydd angen inni ei hel o bosib ar gyfer y cynnyrch hwnnw a chynhyrchion eraill? Ble'r ydym ni arni o ran y sefyllfaoedd hynny? A faint mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn disgwyl ei wario yn y chwe mis nesaf wrth barhau i gynnal y sefyllfaoedd hynny, wrth inni aros am bosibilrwydd o gytundeb neu ddim cytundeb? Nid ydym ni'n gwybod. Byddai ein busnesau, rwy'n siŵr, eisiau gwybod yn union pa gymorth y byddant yn ei gael gennych hefyd.
I thank the Member for that range of questions. He started by talking about the parliamentary response to the Prime Minister's deal reflecting the very simple principle that it was not good for the country, and I think in that simple phrase he's hit the nail on the head. That is fundamentally the reason why there is no progress being made in Parliament.
He asked a question in relation to state aid. He will, I think, have seen the correspondence that I sent to the Chair of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee, which dealt specifically with the question of state aid and the way in which the statutory instruments converting EU law into domestic law had operated in the context of state aid, which, as he will know, the Welsh Government was not happy with. From a policy point of view, in terms of the end result, the objective, of the statutory instrument that I referred to, in fact, we agree that that is the right outcome: to remain aligned with the EU-wide state aid arrangements and to have a UK-wide system that reflects that. But the process and the democratic principles—the devolution principles that inform that process—we disagree about with the UK Government. The UK Government's position, as he knows, is that state aid is not a devolved matter, and our position is that it is. So, from the UK Government's position, they had proceeded in the way that they had described to themselves and to us as the way they felt it ought to work. We disagreed with that, we've made that very plain to the relevant Minister and, indeed, I'll be writing shortly more broadly on the question of respecting the devolution settlement in discussions like that.
He asked for assurance that the Welsh Government is making representations to ensure that the Welsh voice is heard in the arrangements on monitoring the transition, and I can confirm to him that those discussions are under way. They have been under way for some time. They haven't yet reached the outcome that we would wish to see, but we continue to press UK Government Ministers in relation to that so that those arrangements obviously reflect the voice of people in Wales, but, importantly, are also credible and can command confidence, which is so important in this process in its entirety.
Finally, he asked about the preparation that we've undertaken to date and how much of that is relevant to a potential 'no deal' scenario delayed to the end of October. Of course, the bulk of that is going to be relevant. Clearly, though, moving, if we do, to a position where—. I described in my statement the risk of simply moving the horizon, didn't I? If that is what happens—and we fervently hope that that is not what happens—clearly, there will be considerations around departure at a different time of year, for example, and having experienced a further five or six-month delay. So, all those factors are being assessed at this point to ensure that we have the full picture.
Fe hoffwn i ddiolch i'r Aelod am yr ystod honno o gwestiynau. Dechreuodd drwy siarad am yr ymateb seneddol i gytundeb y Prif Weinidog gan adlewyrchu'r egwyddor syml iawn nad oedd yn dda i'r wlad, a chredaf yn yr ymadrodd syml hwnnw ei fod wedi taro'r hoelen ar ei phen. Yn y bôn, dyna'r rheswm pam nad oes cynnydd yn cael ei wneud yn y Senedd.
Gofynnodd gwestiwn ynghylch cymorth gwladwriaethol. Rwy'n credu ei fod wedi gweld yr ohebiaeth a anfonais at Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Materion Cyfansoddiadol a Deddfwriaethol, a oedd yn ymdrin yn benodol â'r cwestiwn o gymorth gwladwriaethol a'r ffordd y mae'r offerynnau statudol yn troi cyfraith yr UE yn gyfraith ddomestig wedi gweithredu yng nghyd-destun cymorth gwladwriaethol, nad oedd Llywodraeth Cymru, fel y bydd yn gwybod, yn hapus â hi. O safbwynt polisi, o ran y canlyniad yn y pen draw, nod yr offeryn statudol y cyfeiriais ato, mewn gwirionedd, fe wnaethom ni gytuno mai dyna'r canlyniad priodol: parhau i fod yn gyson â'r trefniadau ar gyfer cymorth gwladwriaethol ledled yr UE a chael system ar gyfer y DU gyfan sy'n adlewyrchu hynny. Ond mae'r broses a'r egwyddorion democrataidd—yr egwyddorion datganoli sy'n sail i'r broses honno—rydym ni'n anghytuno â Llywodraeth y DU. Safbwynt Llywodraeth y DU, fel y bydd yn gwybod, yw nad yw cymorth gwladwriaethol yn fater datganoledig, a'n safbwynt ni yw ei fod. Felly, o safbwynt Llywodraeth y DU, roedden nhw wedi mynd rhagddynt yn y ffordd yr oedden nhw wedi'i disgrifio iddyn nhw eu hunain ac i ni fel y ffordd y teimlent y dylai weithio. Roeddem ni'n anghytuno â hynny, rydym ni wedi gwneud hynny'n glir iawn i'r Gweinidog perthnasol ac, yn wir, byddaf yn ysgrifennu yn fuan yn ehangach ar y cwestiwn o barchu'r setliad datganoli mewn trafodaethau fel hynny.
Gofynnodd am sicrwydd bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn cyflwyno sylwadau i sicrhau bod llais Cymru yn cael ei glywed yn y trefniadau ar gyfer monitro'r pontio, a gallaf gadarnhau iddo fod y trafodaethau hynny ar y gweill. Maen nhw wedi bod ar y gweill ers tro. Nid ydyn nhw wedi cyrraedd y canlyniad yr hoffem ni ei weld eto, ond rydym ni'n parhau i bwyso ar Weinidogion Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch hynny fel bod y trefniadau hynny'n amlwg yn adlewyrchu llais pobl Cymru, ond, yn bwysig, eu bod hefyd yn gredadwy ac y gallan nhw ennyn hyder, sydd mor bwysig yn y broses hon yn ei chyfanrwydd.
Yn olaf, gofynnodd am y paratoadau yr ydym ni wedi'u gwneud hyd yma a faint o hynny sy'n berthnasol i sefyllfa bosib o 'ddim cytundeb' sydd wedi'i ohirio tan ddiwedd mis Hydref. Wrth gwrs, mae'r rhan fwyaf o hynny'n mynd i fod yn berthnasol. Yn amlwg, er hynny, byddai symud, os gwnawn ni hynny, i sefyllfa—. Disgrifiais yn fy natganiad y perygl o symud y llinell derfyn, oni wnes i? Os dyna fydd yn digwydd—ac rydym ni'n gobeithio'n daer nad dyna fydd yn digwydd—yn amlwg, bydd ystyriaethau ynghylch gadael ar adeg wahanol o'r flwyddyn, er enghraifft, ac ar ôl profi oedi pellach o bump neu chwe mis. Felly, mae'r holl ffactorau hynny'n cael eu hasesu ar hyn o bryd er mwyn sicrhau bod gennym ni'r darlun llawn.
I would like to welcome strongly the actions of the Welsh Government and, in particular, the First Minister and the Brexit Minister. At a time of febrile political discourse, Welsh Labour leaders have offered a calm, measured and constructive approach to safeguard the Welsh economy and people, whilst recognising the political decision of the people of Wales, and also upholding the democratic position supported by the Labour Party conference and members that where there is failure to uphold single market and customs union access and environmental and workers' protections, the option of a public vote is on the table. And we are seeing clearly in Westminster that, as yet, there is no majority in Parliament for any clear way forward, and, therefore, a clear prospect of a vote of no confidence in the UK Government, and I welcome this. I equally welcome the responsible and creative approach that Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party have displayed in the present negotiations between the Government and Her Majesty's opposition. But, once again, time is running out, so what dangers does the Brexit Minister foresee if a 'no deal' hard Brexit is the outcome, and what are the likely consequences for my constituents in Islwyn? What actual confidence is there in getting the UK Government to agree to include the Welsh Government in its discussions about any reform of the political declaration?
Hoffwn groesawu'n gryf weithredoedd Llywodraeth Cymru ac, yn benodol, y Prif Weinidog a'r Gweinidog Brexit. Ar adeg o anghydfod gwleidyddol cynhennus, mae arweinwyr Llafur Cymru wedi mynd ati mewn modd digyffro, pwyllog ac adeiladol i ddiogelu economi a phobl Cymru, gan gydnabod penderfyniad gwleidyddol pobl Cymru, a chan anrhydeddu hefyd y safbwynt democrataidd a gefnogwyd gan gynhadledd y Blaid Lafur ac Aelodau, sef, os na ellir parhau i elwa ar y farchnad sengl ac undeb tollau a'r agweddau hynny sy'n amddiffyn yr amgylchedd a gweithwyr, caiff y dewis o gael pleidlais gyhoeddus ei gyflwyno. Ac rydym ni'n gweld yn glir yn San Steffan nad oes, hyd yn hyn, fwyafrif yn y Senedd ar gyfer unrhyw ffordd glir ymlaen, ac, felly, bod posibilrwydd clir o gael pleidlais o ddiffyg hyder yn Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, ac rwy'n croesawu hyn. Rwyf hefyd yn croesawu'r agwedd gyfrifol a chreadigol y mae Jeremy Corbyn a'r Blaid Lafur wedi'i dangos yn y trafodaethau sy'n mynd rhagddyn nhw ar hyn o bryd rhwng y Llywodraeth a gwrthblaid ei Mawrhydi. Ond, unwaith eto, mae amser yn prinhau, felly pa beryglon mae'r Gweinidog Brexit yn eu rhagweld os mai Brexit caled heb gytundeb yw'r canlyniad, a beth yw'r canlyniadau tebygol i'm hetholwyr yn Islwyn? Pa wir hyder sydd yna o ran cael Llywodraeth y DU i gytuno i gynnwys Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei thrafodaethau am unrhyw ddiwygio ar y datganiad gwleidyddol?
I thank the Member for those questions. She asked me about the impact of a 'no deal' Brexit and our assessment of the impact of that on Wales. Well, she will know that we regard that as the worst possible outcome for people in Wales. Just the impact on the economy is extremely adverse—between 8 per cent and 10 per cent smaller than otherwise it would be. And that has a very real effect on people, businesses and organisations in Wales, and on the public services at large. It is the worst outcome. We hear in Parliament that there is no appetite for 'no deal', but we need to be absolutely clear that without the prospect of an alternative deal, that remains on the table. Whilst the time frame within which we're preparing for that is now significantly different, clearly, we keep under review those preparations to ensure that they are current.
She asked, in relation to her final question, about levels of confidence that the Welsh Government would be involved in reforms to the political declaration. I wrote to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David Lidington, in relation to this, providing statutory language that would enable there to be a legislative footing to enable the Welsh Government, Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive to be involved in parallel discussions, if you like, in relation to the evolution of the political declaration, and I reiterated the importance of that in a conversation with him very recently.
With regard to the broader set of relationships between the Welsh Government and the UK Government, she will know that there is an ongoing inter-governmental review of those relationships, which we had hoped would have resulted in some outputs around this time, but because of the diversion of energies in Governments to deal with other aspects of Brexit, including 'no deal' preparations, that has not been possible. But the First Minister, I know, has been pressing very hard to ensure that that work comes back to the plenary session of the JMC at the next available opportunity. And with regard to involvement in negotiations for future phases of Brexit negotiations, I met with the relevant Government Minister only last week, to impress upon him the importance of resolving our requests in relation to fuller participation in those negotiating structures, and I very much hope that that will be a subject of discussion at the next JMC(EN).
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiynau hynny. Gofynnodd i mi am effaith Brexit heb gytundeb a'n hasesiad ni o effaith hynny ar Gymru. Wel, bydd hi'n gwybod ein bod o'r farn mai dyna yw'r canlyniad gwaethaf posib i bobl Cymru. Mae'r effaith ar yr economi yn eithriadol o anffafriol—rhwng 8 y cant a 10 y cant yn llai nag y byddai fel arall. Ac mae hynny'n cael effaith wirioneddol ar bobl, busnesau a sefydliadau yng Nghymru, ac ar y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn gyffredinol. Hwn yw'r canlyniad gwaethaf. Clywn yn y Senedd nad oes unrhyw archwaeth am 'ddim cytundeb', ond mae angen inni fod yn gwbl glir, heb argoel o gytundeb arall, bod hynny'n dal i fod yn bosibilrwydd. Er bod yr amserlen yr ydym ni'n ei pharatoi ar gyfer hynny yn sylweddol wahanol, yn amlwg, rydym ni'n dal i adolygu'r paratoadau hynny er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn gyfredol.
Gofynnodd, o ran ei chwestiwn olaf, ynglŷn â pha mor ffyddiog oedd Llywodraeth Cymru y byddai hi'n rhan o ddiwygio'r datganiad gwleidyddol. Ysgrifennais at Ganghellor Dugiaeth Caerhirfryn, David Lidington, ynghylch hyn, gan gynnig ieithwedd statudol a fyddai'n caniatáu sylfaen ddeddfwriaethol er mwyn galluogi Llywodraeth Cymru, Llywodraeth yr Alban a Gweithrediaeth Gogledd Iwerddon i gymryd rhan mewn trafodaethau cyfochrog, os mynnwch chi, ynghylch esblygiad y datganiad gwleidyddol, ac ailbwysleisais bwysigrwydd hynny mewn sgwrs ag ef yn ddiweddar iawn.
O ran y berthynas ehangach rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU, bydd hi'n gwybod bod adolygiad rhynglywodraethol yn mynd rhagddo o'r cydberthnasau hynny, yr oeddem ni wedi gobeithio y byddai wedi arwain at rai canlyniadau tua'r adeg hon, ond oherwydd bod Llywodraethau wedi dargyfeirio egni i ymdrin ag agweddau eraill ar Brexit, gan gynnwys paratoadau ar gyfer sefyllfa o 'ddim cytundeb', ni fu hynny'n bosib. Ond mae Prif Weinidog Cymru, rwy'n gwybod, wedi bod yn pwyso'n galed iawn i sicrhau bod y gwaith hwnnw'n cael ei gyflwyno i gyfarfod llawn Cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion ar y cyfle nesaf posib. Ac ynglŷn â bod yn rhan o negodiadau ar gyfer camau negodi Brexit yn y dyfodol, fe wnes i gyfarfod â'r Gweinidog perthnasol yn y Llywodraeth yr wythnos diwethaf, er mwyn pwysleisio iddo bwysigrwydd datrys ein ceisiadau o ran cyfranogiad llawnach yn y strwythurau trafod hynny, ac rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd hynny'n bwnc trafod yng nghyfarfod nesaf Y Cyd-bwyllgor Gweinidogion (Negodiadau’r UE).
Thank you. Diolch.
Diolch i chi. Diolch.
Item 4 is the statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services on Cwm Taf maternity services, and I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething.
Eitem 4 yw'r datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol am Wasanaethau Mamolaeth Cwm Taf, ac rwy'n galw ar y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, Vaughan Gething.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I have today published the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives report, following their review of maternity services at the former Cwm Taf university health board. This is accompanied by a further report, which provides accounts from the women and families who have used these services. Members will now have had an initial opportunity to consider the reports, and my written statement issued this morning.
I want to start by reiterating my apology to all the women and families affected by the failings and poor care described in the royal colleges' report. There is no doubt that the service provided to many women and their families fell well below the standard that I or anyone else would and should expect from our national health service. I do, though, want to thank the women and their families who shared their experiences to inform the review. I can't begin to fully understand the impact for those who have experienced unsafe or uncaring practice. Like most parents across Wales, our family's experience of maternity services was a positive one—one that every parent has a right to expect. The failings described in the report have no place within our NHS. I'm determined to ensure that this report is a catalyst for immediate and sustained improvement.
I commissioned the independent review of both royal colleges in October last year, after concerns relating to the under-reporting of serious incidents were brought to the attention of the Government. The reviewers have spoken with families and staff, and considered the information provided to them by the health board in forming their conclusions. My officials received the final reports on 16 April.
The report describes a number of serious concerns and there is a clear call for action. It highlights failings in governance, data accuracy, serious incident reporting, leadership and culture. The review makes clear that this has had an impact on pregnancy outcomes. The accounts from women and their families provide a deeply upsetting insight into how these failings have impacted on their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. The report also acknowledges the extreme pressure that some of our staff have been working under. There are also significant concerns and questions about the effectiveness of the wider board leadership and governance.
In my statement this morning, I set out the steps that the Welsh Government is taking, and I'll now take this opportunity to confirm those measures for Assembly Members. As part of this response, I have placed maternity services at the former Cwm Taf university health board into special measures.
It was incredibly distressing for me to read that women and families did not feel that they were taken seriously when voicing their concerns and worries. Whilst within the report there was feedback that reflected individual good practice, overwhelmingly those who contributed spoke about distressing experiences and poor care. This morning, my officials have met with some of the women and their families affected to discuss the report, and to seek their continued engagement to improve the service. It is vital that their voices continue to be heard, and I again want to extend my thanks to them for the courage and resilience they have shown in telling their stories.
Diolch i chi, Dirprwy Lywydd. Heddiw, cyhoeddais yr adroddiad gan Goleg Brenhinol yr Obstetryddion a'r Gynaecolegwyr a Choleg Brenhinol y Bydwragedd, yn dilyn eu hadolygiad nhw o wasanaethau mamolaeth ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf gynt. Daw adroddiad arall gyda hwn, sy'n cynnwys adroddiadau gan y menywod a'r teuluoedd sydd wedi defnyddio'r gwasanaethau hyn. Bydd yr Aelodau wedi cael cyfle erbyn hyn i ystyried yr adroddiadau, a'r datganiad ysgrifenedig gennyf a gyhoeddwyd fore heddiw.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ymddiheuro unwaith eto i'r holl fenywod a'r teuluoedd a gafodd eu heffeithio gan y methiannau a'r gofal o ansawdd gwael a ddisgrifiwyd yn adroddiad y colegau brenhinol. Nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth bod y gwasanaeth a roddwyd i lawer o fenywod a'u teuluoedd lawer yn is na'r safon y byddwn i neu unrhyw un arall yn ei disgwyl gan ein gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Fe hoffwn i, er hynny, ddiolch i'r menywod a'u teuluoedd a rannodd eu profiadau i lywio'r adolygiad. Ni allaf ddechrau deall yn iawn yr effaith a fu ar y rhai sydd wedi cael profiad o ymarfer anniogel neu esgeulus. Fel y rhan fwyaf o rieni ledled Cymru, roedd profiad ein teulu ni o wasanaethau mamolaeth yn un cadarnhaol—yn un y mae gan bob rhiant hawl i'w ddisgwyl. Nid oes lle i'r methiannau a ddisgrifir yn yr adroddiad yn ein GIG ni. Rwy'n benderfynol o sicrhau y bydd yr adroddiad hwn yn gatalydd i welliant parhaol ar unwaith.
Comisiynais yr adolygiad annibynnol gan y ddau goleg brenhinol ym mis Hydref y llynedd, ar ôl i bryderon yn ymwneud â than-gofnodi digwyddiadau difrifol gael eu dwyn i sylw'r Llywodraeth. Mae'r adolygwyr wedi siarad â theuluoedd ac aelodau staff, ac wedi ystyried yr wybodaeth a roddwyd iddyn nhw gan y bwrdd iechyd wrth ddod i'w casgliadau. Daeth yr adroddiadau terfynol gerbron fy swyddogion i ar 16 Ebrill.
Mae'r adroddiad yn disgrifio nifer o bryderon difrifol a cheir galwad eglur ynddo am weithredu. Mae'n tynnu sylw at fethiannau o ran llywodraethu, cywirdeb data, adrodd am ddigwyddiadau difrifol, arweinyddiaeth a diwylliant. Mae'r adolygiad yn nodi'n glir bod hyn wedi cael effaith ar ganlyniadau beichiogrwydd. Mae'r adroddiadau gan fenywod a'u teuluoedd yn bwrw golwg gofidus iawn ar y modd y mae'r methiannau hyn wedi effeithio ar eu profiadau nhw o feichiogrwydd a rhoi genedigaeth. Mae'r adroddiad yn cydnabod hefyd y pwysau eithafol sydd wedi bod ar rai aelodau o'n staff wrth iddyn nhw weithio. Ceir hefyd bryderon a chwestiynau pwysig o ran effeithiolrwydd arweinyddiaeth a llywodraethu'r bwrdd yn fwy eang.
Yn fy natganiad y bore yma, amlinellais y camau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd, a byddaf yn manteisio ar y cyfle hwn nawr i gadarnhau'r mesurau hynny i Aelodau'r Cynulliad. Yn rhan o'r ymateb hwn, rwyf wedi gosod gwasanaethau mamolaeth ym mwrdd iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf gynt mewn mesurau arbennig.
Roedd yn dorcalonnus gennyf i ddarllen nad oedd menywod na theuluoedd yn teimlo eu bod wedi cael eu cymryd o ddifrif wrth fynegi eu pryderon a'u gofidiau. Er y cafwyd adborth yn yr adroddiad a oedd yn sôn am arfer da gan unigolion, roedd y mwyafrif llethol o'r cyfraniadau yn sôn am brofiadau trallodus a gofal gwael. Mae fy swyddogion i wedi cwrdd fore heddiw â rhai o'r menywod a'u teuluoedd yr effeithiwyd arnyn nhw i drafod yr adroddiad, a cheisio parhad eu hymgysylltiad nhw ar gyfer gwella'r gwasanaeth. Mae'n hanfodol y parheir i glywed eu lleisiau nhw, ac unwaith eto hoffwn i ddiolch iddyn nhw am y dewrder a'r cydnerthedd y maen nhw wedi ei ddangos wrth ddweud eu stori.
The report makes a significant number of recommendations, grouped across 10 main areas in the terms of reference that I set. I fully accept the recommendations of the report and I am grateful to the reviewers for their work. The focus now must be on implementing their recommendations. In order to achieve this progress, I'm taking action across three main areas: maternity services in the former Cwm Taf area; broader governance in Cwm Taf Morgannwg; and finally, seeking assurances on provision across Wales.
Firstly, I'm establishing an independent maternity oversight panel. This panel will be tasked with seeking robust assurance from the health board that the report recommendations are being implemented against agreed milestones. The panel will establish an independent, multidisciplinary clinical review of the 43 pregnancies considered by the report. These were identified in a look-back exercise to January 2016. The panel will also ensure that a look-back exercise to 2010 is undertaken, as recommended by the royal college's review. I want to offer reassurance that women who feel they have had an adverse outcome will be able to have their care reviewed.
The independent panel will also have a role in advising the health board on how to effectively re-engage the public whilst improving maternity services in the former Cwm Taf area in a way that generally does rebuild trust and confidence in the service. Mick Giannasi, the former chair of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, also a former commissioner for Anglesey council and a former chief constable of Gwent Police, has agreed to chair the panel. He will be supported by Cath Broderick, the author of the women and families report, who will continue to engage with women and their families. And they will be joined on the panel by senior midwifery and obstetrics leads who are, of course, independent of Cwm Taf.
Secondly, I am putting in place arrangements to improve the effectiveness of board leadership and governance in the organisation. I've asked David Jenkins, the former chair of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, to support the chair of Cwm Taf Morgannwg to provide assurance on the implementation of the recommendations. And Mr Jenkins will also advise me of any further action that may be required to improve governance at the board. The NHS Wales Delivery Unit will work with the health board to ensure that there are effective arrangements for the reporting, management and review of patient safety incidents and concerns. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales has confirmed that it intends to undertake a governance review that will align with any further review work to be undertaken by the Wales Audit Office.
And finally, I am seeking immediate assurance across Wales on the provision of maternity care. I've asked all health boards to consider the reports and how the findings may be relevant to their own services. I expect all health boards to provide assurance to me within the next two weeks. The chief nursing officer and the chief medical officer will work with health boards to ensure that the learning from these reports informs actions for Wales in the new five-year vision for maternity services.
There have been significant developments in recent years across maternity services in Wales—significant and positive. For example, OBS Cymru is a national quality improvement project that aims to reduce harm from bleeding following birth, and has received national and international accolades. Most women in Wales receive high-quality services and have a positive experience from pregnancy and childbirth. Nonetheless, many expectant mothers and their families will understandably be shaken and concerned by the reports published today.
As I said, the reports made for incredibly difficult reading, and they will do for all of us who take the time to look at the reports. At their core are mothers and babies, their experiences in pregnancy, during birth, and the level of safety that every family has a right to expect. The measures that I have announced today are the next essential step in ensuring that high-quality, effective maternity services are available to every mother and family in Wales.
I want pregnancy and childbirth and the maternity care that is provided to be a positive experience that women and their families can look back on and cherish.
Mae'r adroddiad yn gwneud nifer mawr o argymhellion, wedi eu grwpio ar draws 10 o brif feysydd yn y cylch gorchwyl a osodais i. Rwy'n derbyn argymhellion yr adroddiad yn llawn ac rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r adolygwyr am eu gwaith. Mae'n rhaid inni ganolbwyntio nawr ar weithredu eu hargymhellion nhw. I gyflawni'r cynnydd hwn, rwy'n cymryd camau ar draws tri phrif faes: gwasanaethau mamolaeth yn ardal Cwm Taf gynt; llywodraethu yn fwy eang yng Nghwm Taf Morgannwg; ac yn olaf, ceisio sicrwydd ynghylch y ddarpariaeth ledled Cymru.
Yn gyntaf, rwy'n bwriadu sefydlu panel annibynnol i oruchwylio mamolaeth. Cyfrifoldeb y panel hwn fydd ceisio sicrwydd pendant gan y bwrdd iechyd fod argymhellion yr adroddiad yn cael eu gweithredu yn ôl y cyfarwyddyd y cytunwyd arno. Bydd y Panel yn sefydlu adolygiad clinigol annibynnol, amlddisgyblaethol o'r 43 achos o feichiogrwydd a ystyriwyd yn yr adroddiad. Cafodd y rhain eu nodi mewn ymarfer i fwrw golwg yn ôl hyd at fis Ionawr 2016. Bydd y Panel yn sicrhau hefyd y cynhelir ymarfer i fwrw golwg yn ôl hyd at 2010, yn unol ag argymhelliad adolygiad y colegau brenhinol. Rwy'n awyddus i roi sicrwydd y bydd menywod sy'n teimlo eu bod wedi cael canlyniad andwyol yn gallu cael adolygiad o'r gofal a gawsant.
Bydd gan y panel annibynnol swyddogaeth hefyd o ran cynghori'r bwrdd iechyd ar sut i ailgysylltu â'r cyhoedd yn effeithiol wrth wella gwasanaethau mamolaeth yn ardal Cwm Taf gynt mewn ffordd sydd, yn gyffredinol, yn adfer yr ymddiriedaeth a'r hyder yn y gwasanaeth. Mae Mick Giannasi, cyn Gadeirydd Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Gwasanaethau Ambiwlans Cymru, sydd hefyd yn gyn Gomisiynydd Cyngor Ynys Môn a chyn-brif gwnstabl Heddlu Gwent, wedi cytuno i gadeirio'r panel. Bydd ef yn cael ei gefnogi gan Cath Broderick, awdur yr adroddiad ar fenywod a theuluoedd, a fydd yn parhau i ymgysylltu â menywod a'u teuluoedd. A bydd uwch swyddogion bydwreigiaeth ac obstetreg sydd, wrth gwrs, yn annibynnol ar Gwm Taf yn ymuno â nhw ar y panel.
Yn ail, rwy'n rhoi trefniadau ar waith i wella effeithiolrwydd arweinyddiaeth a llywodraethu'r byrddau yn y sefydliad. Rwyf wedi gofyn i David Jenkins, cyn gadeirydd Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan, i gefnogi cadeirydd Cwm Taf Morgannwg i roi sicrwydd ynghylch gweithrediad yr argymhellion. A bydd Mr Jenkins yn rhoi gwybod imi hefyd am unrhyw gamau pellach a allai fod yn angenrheidiol i wella trefniadau llywodraethu'r bwrdd. Bydd Uned Gyflawni GIG Cymru yn gweithio gyda'r bwrdd iechyd i sicrhau bod trefniadau effeithiol ar waith ar gyfer adrodd, rheoli ac adolygu digwyddiadau a phryderon sy'n ymwneud â diogelwch cleifion. Mae Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru wedi cadarnhau ei bod yn bwriadu cynnal adolygiad o lywodraethu a fydd yn gyson ag unrhyw waith arolygu pellach y bydd Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru yn ymgymryd ag ef.
Ac yn olaf, rwy'n ceisio sicrwydd ar unwaith ledled Cymru ynglŷn â'r ddarpariaeth o ofal mamolaeth. Rwyf wedi gofyn i bob bwrdd iechyd ystyried yr adroddiadau a sut y gallai'r canfyddiadau fod yn berthnasol i'w gwasanaethau nhw eu hunain. Rwy'n disgwyl i bob bwrdd iechyd roi sicrwydd imi o fewn y pythefnos nesaf. Bydd y prif swyddog nyrsio a'r prif swyddog meddygol yn gweithio gyda byrddau iechyd i sicrhau bod yr hyn a gaiff ei ddysgu yn sgil yr adroddiadau hyn yn cyfrannu at gamau gweithredu i Gymru yn y weledigaeth bum mlynedd newydd ar gyfer gwasanaethau mamolaeth.
Cafwyd datblygiadau sylweddol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf ar draws gwasanaethau mamolaeth yng Nghymru—rhai sylweddol a chadarnhaol. Er enghraifft, mae OBS Cymru yn brosiect i wella ansawdd ledled y wlad sy'n ceisio lleihau gwaedu niweidiol wedi genedigaeth, ac mae wedi ennill gwobrau yn genedlaethol ac yn rhyngwladol. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o fenywod yng Nghymru yn cael gwasanaethau o ansawdd uchel ac yn cael profiad cadarnhaol yn ystod beichiogrwydd a genedigaeth. Er hynny, mae'n ddealladwy y bydd llawer o famau beichiog a'u teuluoedd yn cael ysgytwad ac yn bryderus yn sgil yr adroddiadau a gyhoeddir heddiw.
Fel y dywedais i, roedd yr adroddiadau yn eithriadol o anodd eu darllen, ac fe fyddan nhw felly i bob un ohonom ni sy'n rhoi o'n hamser i edrych ar yr adroddiadau. Wrth wraidd hyn mae'r mamau a'r babanod, eu profiadau nhw yn ystod beichiogrwydd, wrth roi genedigaeth, a'r lefel o ddiogelwch y mae gan bob teulu yr hawl i'w disgwyl. Mae'r camau a gyhoeddais heddiw yn gam nesaf hanfodol i sicrhau bod gwasanaethau mamolaeth effeithiol o safon uchel ar gael i bob mam a theulu yng Nghymru.
Rwy'n dymuno gweld beichiogrwydd a genedigaeth a'r gofal mamolaeth a ddarperir yn brofiad cadarnhaol y gall menywod a'u teuluoedd edrych yn ôl arno a'i drysori.
Can I thank the Minister for his statement, and indeed for the briefings that have been made available to Assembly Members and their staff today? These reports make for very grim reading indeed. They expose some very serious shortcomings at the heart of an organisation, the Cwm Taf health board at that time, which failed those in its care. The staffing, the leadership and the governance issues have had tragic consequences, frankly, for mothers, babies and their families and loved ones, and those responsible for what went wrong must be held to account for it.
The culture in these organisations is set by the leaders in the organisations. That includes members of the board and indeed senior managers in that health board. I think that some of the information that has come to light following the publication of these reports—and I do welcome the fact that they were published in full in the public domain—is very alarming indeed. It's particularly alarming and galling to see that there had been some evidence of problems that was not relayed to the Welsh Government sooner, and shared with the Welsh Government, particularly the consultant midwife who undertook a review of some of the issues in relation to the reporting of serious incidents and stillbirths, which was clearly very inadequate. I do think that it calls into question the integrity of those senior managers who would have had sight of that report and failed to disclose it to the Welsh Government and indeed to your senior officials.
So, my first question is this: what action is going to be taken to hold those individuals to account for failing to disclose the very serious issues that were identified in that report, which was completed and given to the health board back in September? I'm also very alarmed that the report suggests that basic governance processes were not met. The risk register, it says, was not even updated since 2014—2014. We're in 2019, for goodness' sake. These are things that the board should naturally be focusing on in terms of reviewing those risk registers from time to time. So, what accountability have those independent board members, who you appoint, Minister, to you for their lack of focus on some of these basic processes that ought to be in place on any board as far as governance is concerned?
I note as well that the report goes on to identify a timeline of previous reports—no fewer than nine reports raising concerns over a period from 2012 right up to September 2018, all of which provided opportunities for intervention and an opportunity to lift the lid and expose some of the problems that clearly were beginning to emerge in those maternity services. Yet, time after time, it would appear that recommendations were not followed up, that the outcomes of those reports were not fully shared with the people that they needed to be shared with, and that the things that should have been implemented arising from them were not implemented arising from them.
It calls again into question the role of senior managers in that organisation, executives in that organisation, for not being able to share that information more widely. I would remind everybody in this Chamber that the consequences of those actions have been that babies have died. That is the reality. Babies have died. Mothers, fathers, families have lost their next generation as a result of what has happened at Cwm Taf.
I wonder also whether you can tell us what is going to be done by the Welsh Government to address the workforce issues, which are not just evident at this health board in this report but more widely across Wales, in terms of the midwifery workforce and indeed in terms of the obstetrics and clinician workforce to support those midwifery services. You will know that my party has raised, on many occasions, concerns about the fact that around a third of the midwifery workforce are going to be eligible for retirement by 2023, but at the current rate of replacement we are not going to be able to fill the gaps that are there in the midwifery workforce already, and which are now growing in terms of the positions that you are currently funding for training. So, we need to make sure that there is a massive increase, frankly, in capacity to make sure that the overstretched workforce that we have is not overstretched in the future.
It is appalling, frankly, to see that there were times when doctors should have been available, but they were not available. They were on call, but wouldn't respond for three quarters of an hour. Now, in an emergency, every single minute matters. Forty-five minutes in an emergency is not acceptable, yet that's what we read about. We read about a lack of mandatory training being undertaken. As few as a quarter of the staff actually participated in some training courses. It's not good enough, and we need to make sure that there are sufficient people in these wards to be able to deliver the high-quality care that I know we all want to see.
I'm concerned as well that the voice of patients, in terms of the concerns that they had raised, had far too often been ignored. And it was harrowing—absolutely harrowing—to read those patient accounts and some of the statements in there about the lack of dignity, the lack of respect, the flippant way, frankly, that some individuals had been informed of their babies' deaths. Absolutely harrowing. And I wonder what on earth is it about some so-called professionals that leaves them in a position to treat people inhumanely in the way that some of those people had clearly been treated by people in our Welsh health service.
There's also a hint in the report about the important role of CHCs in being able to help manage—community health councils—the complaints process and perhaps be able to assist health boards in learning lessons from complaints. And I wonder whether you'll be able to tell us, today, whether you see an enhanced role for community health councils going forward in supporting health boards, in listening to the voice of patients and in implementing change when there are lessons that need to be learnt.
And finally, can you also tell us, Minister: some of the things that I read in the report suggest to me that there need to be many referrals to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and to the General Medical Council about the lack of competence from some professionals. Will the Welsh Government, or will the Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board be making those referrals and, indeed, if necessary, will the police be informed and be asked to undertake a review, particularly given that medical records clearly were going missing and were inaccurate at times also? Thank you.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad, ac yn wir am y briffiadau a roddwyd i Aelodau'r Cynulliad a'u staff heddiw? Mae'r adroddiadau hyn yn cyflwyno darlun difrifol iawn o'u darllen. Maen nhw'n amlygu diffygion difrifol iawn wrth wraidd y sefydliad sef bwrdd iechyd Cwm Taf ar y pryd, a wnaeth gam â'r rhai oedd dan ei ofal. Mae'r materion ynglŷn â'r staff, yr arweinyddiaeth a'r llywodraethu wedi dod â chanlyniadau trasig, a dweud y gwir, i famau, babanod a'u teuluoedd a'u hanwyliaid, ac mae'n rhaid i'r rhai a oedd yn gyfrifol am yr hyn a aeth o'i le gael eu dwyn i gyfrif am hynny.
Mae'r diwylliant yn y sefydliadau hyn yn cael ei bennu gan arweinyddion y sefydliadau. Mae hynny'n cynnwys aelodau'r bwrdd ac yn wir uwch reolwyr yn y bwrdd iechyd hwnnw. Rwyf i o'r farn fod peth o'r wybodaeth sydd wedi dod i'r amlwg yn dilyn cyhoeddi'r adroddiadau hyn—ac rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith eu bod nhw wedi cael eu cyhoeddi'n llawn yn y byd cyhoeddus—yn frawychus iawn. Mae'n arbennig o frawychus a chythruddol i sylweddoli na chafodd rhywfaint o dystiolaeth am broblemau ei thraddodi i Lywodraeth Cymru ynghynt, a'i rhannu â Llywodraeth Cymru, yn enwedig y fydwraig ymgynghorol a gynhaliodd adolygiad o rai o'r materion mewn cysylltiad ag adrodd am ddigwyddiadau difrifol a marw-enedigaethau, a oedd yn amlwg yn annigonol iawn. Credaf ei fod yn bwrw amheuaeth ar onestrwydd yr uwch reolwyr hynny a fyddai wedi gweld yr adroddiad hwnnw ac wedi methu â'i ddangos i Lywodraeth Cymru ac, yn wir, i'ch uwch swyddogion chi.
Felly, fy nghwestiwn cyntaf i yw hwn: pa gamau a gymerir i ddwyn yr unigolion hynny i gyfrif am fethu â datgelu'r materion difrifol iawn a nodwyd yn yr adroddiad hwnnw, a gwblhawyd ac a roddwyd i'r bwrdd iechyd yn ôl ym mis Medi? Rwy'n bryderus iawn hefyd fod yr adroddiad yn awgrymu na chafodd prosesau llywodraethu sylfaenol eu bodloni. Dywed na chafodd y gofrestr risg ei diweddaru ers 2014 hyd yn oed—2014. Mae'n 2019 bellach, er mwyn popeth. Mae'r rhain yn bethau y dylai'r bwrdd fod yn canolbwyntio arnyn nhw'n naturiol o ran adolygu'r cofrestrau risg hynny o bryd i'w gilydd. Felly, pa atebolrwydd fydd gan yr aelodau annibynnol hynny o'r bwrdd, y byddwch chi'n eu penodi, Gweinidog, i chi am eu diffyg canolbwyntio ar rai o'r prosesau sylfaenol hyn a ddylai fod ar waith ar unrhyw fwrdd o ran llywodraethu?
Rwy'n sylwi hefyd bod yr adroddiad yn mynd rhagddo i nodi llinell amser o adroddiadau blaenorol—dim llai na naw adroddiad yn codi pryderon yn ystod y cyfnod rhwng 2012 a mis Medi 2018, a phob un yn darparu cyfleoedd i ymyrryd a chyfle i dynnu'r gorchudd a dadlennu rhai o'r problemau a oedd yn glir yn dechrau dod i'r amlwg yn y gwasanaethau mamolaeth hynny. Ac eto i gyd, dro ar ôl tro, mae'n ymddangos na weithredwyd yr argymhellion, nad oedd canlyniadau'r adroddiadau hynny wedi eu rhannu'n llawn â'r bobl yr oedd angen eu rhannu â nhw, ac nad oedd y pethau a ddylai fod wedi cael eu gweithredu, a oedd yn codi ohonynt, wedi cael eu gweithredu.
Mae'n codi cwestiynau eto am waith uwch reolwyr y sefydliad hwnnw, swyddogion gweithredol y sefydliad hwnnw, am fethu â rhannu'r wybodaeth honno'n fwy eang. Fe hoffwn i atgoffa pawb yn y Siambr hon mai canlyniadau'r camau hynny yw bod babanod wedi marw. Dyna'r gwirionedd. Mae babanod wedi marw. Mae mamau, tadau, teuluoedd wedi colli eu cenhedlaeth nesaf o ganlyniad i'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd yng Nghwm Taf.
Tybed hefyd a allech chi ddweud wrthym beth sy'n mynd i gael ei wneud gan Lywodraeth Cymru i fynd i'r afael â materion yn ymwneud â'r gweithlu. Nid yn unig y mae'r rhain yn amlwg yn y bwrdd iechyd hwn yn yr adroddiad hwn, ond hefyd yn fwy eang ledled Cymru, o ran gweithlu'r bydwragedd ac yn wir o ran y gweithwyr obstetreg a'r clinigwyr sy'n cefnogi'r gwasanaethau bydwreigiaeth hynny. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod fy mhlaid i wedi crybwyll, ar sawl achlysur, bryderon ynghylch y ffaith y bydd tua thraean o'r gweithlu bydwreigiaeth yn gymwys i ymddeol erbyn 2023. Ond ar y gyfradd bresennol, ni fyddwn ni'n gallu llenwi'r bylchau sydd eisoes yn y gweithlu bydwreigiaeth, ac sydd bellach yn ehangu, o ran y swyddi yr ydych chi'n eu hariannu ar hyn o bryd ar gyfer hyfforddiant. Felly, mae angen inni sicrhau, a dweud y gwir, bod cynnydd aruthrol yn y capasiti er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr nad yw'r gweithlu sydd dan ormod o bwysau nawr yn cael ei orymestyn eto yn y dyfodol.
Mae'n arswydus, a dweud y gwir, i ystyried y cafwyd adegau pan ddylai meddygon fod wedi bod ar gael, ond nad oedden nhw ar gael. Roedden nhw ar alwad, ond ni fydden nhw'n ymateb am dri chwarter awr. Nawr, mewn argyfwng, mae pob munud yn bwysig. Nid yw pedwar deg a phump o funudau yn dderbyniol mewn argyfwng, ac eto dyna'r oedden yn darllen amdano. Roeddem yn darllen am ddiffyg hyfforddiant gorfodol. Roedd cyn lleied â chwarter y staff wedi cymryd rhan mewn unrhyw gyrsiau hyfforddi. Nid yw hynny'n ddigon da, ac mae angen inni sicrhau bod digon o bobl yn y wardiau hyn sy'n gallu darparu'r gofal o safon uchel y gwn ein bod ni i gyd yn dymuno ei weld.
Rwy'n bryderus hefyd fod llais y cleifion, o ran y pryderon a godwyd ganddynt, wedi cael ei anwybyddu'n rhy aml o lawer. Ac roedd hi'n ddirdynnol—yn gwbl frawychus—i ddarllen yr adroddiadau gan y cleifion a datganiadau am y diffyg urddas, y diffyg parch, a'r ffordd ffwrdd-a-hi y cafodd unigolion eu hysbysu am farwolaethau eu babanod. Mae'n gwbl frawychus. A sut yn y byd y gall rhai gweithwyr honedig broffesiynol fod yn y fath sefyllfa fel y gallant drin pobl mewn modd mor anhrugarog ag y cafodd rhai o'r bobl hynny'n amlwg eu trin gan bobl yn ein gwasanaeth iechyd ni yng Nghymru.
Ceir awgrym yn yr adroddiad hefyd ynglŷn â swyddogaeth bwysig y cynghorau iechyd cymuned o ran gallu helpu i reoli'r broses gwyno ac efallai gynorthwyo byrddau iechyd i ddysgu gwersi o'r cwynion. Tybed a allwch ddweud wrthym ni heddiw a ydych chi'n gweld mwy o swyddogaeth i gynghorau iechyd cymuned wrth symud ymlaen i gefnogi byrddau iechyd, o ran gwrando ar lais cleifion a gweithredu newid pan mae gwersi sydd angen eu dysgu.
Ac yn olaf, a wnewch chi ddweud wrthym hefyd, Gweinidog: mae rhai o'r pethau a ddarllenais yn yr adroddiad yn awgrymu i mi fod angen llawer o atgyfeiradau i'r Cyngor Nyrsio a Bydwreigiaeth ac i'r Cyngor Meddygol Cyffredinol ynglŷn â diffyg cymhwysedd rhai gweithwyr proffesiynol. A fydd Llywodraeth Cymru neu a fydd Bwrdd Iechyd Cwm Taf Morgannwg yn gwneud yr atgyfeiriadau hynny ac, yn wir, pe bai angen, a fydd yr heddlu'n cael ei hysbysu ac yn cael eu gofyn i ymgymryd ag adolygiad, yn enwedig o ystyried ei bod yn amlwg fod cofnodion meddygol wedi mynd ar goll a'u bod yn anghywir ar brydiau hefyd? Diolch.
Thank you for the series of questions that I'll now try to run through. I'll try and deal with those matters that are broader and then some of the specific points that you've made.
The matter in terms of regulators: ordinarily, you would expect referrals to be made by the employer, and I actually think it'll come back to some of the work that the independent oversight panel will do to identify what had happened in the 43 cases, and a broader look back to see if referrals are required, but we have ensured that the reports have been directly shared with both regulators, the GMC and the NMC, and referrals should be made as appropriate. But it's not for me to determine that individual referrals should be made, but I am trying to ensure that we do have a level of understanding to know whether that should be the case.
In terms of community health councils, we actually have proposals to enhance the voice of the citizen across health and social care and reforming the way that they work, and that broader role across our continually more integrated health and social care system. I think those new proposals are outside the scope of this report, but with the current way that community health councils are constituted, of course they have a role in supporting people in making their complaints, and in the information we've put out today, we've been clear that community health councils are there to support families to do so.
Coming onto your broader point about staff numbers, there are two distinct points, I think, to make here. One is that, on midwifery numbers, it's clear that there were not enough midwives within the service, and there's a challenge about when the health board itself recognised that it was not Birthrate Plus compliant, and that, of course, is the tool that is used to understand the right number of midwives to deliver the service.
Diolch am y gyfres o gwestiynau y byddaf i'n ceisio mynd drwyddyn nhw nawr. Byddaf yn ceisio ymdrin â'r materion hynny sy'n fwy eang ac yna rai o'r pwyntiau penodol yr ydych chi wedi eu gwneud.
Y mater o ran y rheoleiddwyr: fel arfer, byddech yn disgwyl i atgyfeiriadau gael eu gwneud gan y cyflogwr, ac rwy'n credu mewn gwirionedd y bydd hynny'n dod yn ôl at beth o'r gwaith y bydd y panel goruchwylio annibynnol yn ei wneud i nodi'r hyn oedd wedi digwydd yn y 43 achos, a golwg ehangach yn ôl i weld a oes angen atgyfeiriadau. Ond rydym wedi sicrhau bod yr adroddiadau wedi cael eu rhannu'n uniongyrchol â'r ddau reoleiddiwr, sef y GMC a'r NMC, a dylid gwneud atgyfeiriadau fel y bydd yn briodol. Nid fy lle i yw penderfynu a ddylid gwneud atgyfeiriadau unigol, ond rwy'n ceisio sicrhau y bydd gennym lefel o ddealltwriaeth er mwyn gwybod a ddylai hynny ddigwydd.
O ran cynghorau iechyd cymuned, mae gennym gynigion mewn gwirionedd i wneud llais y dinesydd yn fwy hyglyw ledled y byd iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ac i ddiwygio'r ffordd y mae'r rhain yn gweithio, a'r swyddogaeth ehangach honno ar draws ein system iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol sy'n fwy integredig byth. Credaf fod y cynigion newydd hynny y tu allan i gwmpas yr adroddiad hwn. Ond oherwydd cyfansoddiad y cynghorau iechyd cymuned ar hyn o bryd, wrth gwrs mae ganddyn nhw swyddogaeth i gefnogi pobl i wneud eu cwynion, ac yn yr wybodaeth a gyhoeddwyd gennym heddiw, rydym wedi egluro bod cynghorau iechyd cymuned ar gael i gefnogi teuluoedd i wneud hynny.
Gan ddod at eich pwynt ehangach am niferoedd staff, mae dau wahanol bwynt, i'w gwneud yma, yn fy marn i. Un ohonyn nhw yw ei bod yn amlwg, o ran niferoedd bydwragedd, nad oedd digon o fydwragedd o fewn y gwasanaeth, a cheir her ynglŷn â pha bryd wnaeth y bwrdd iechyd ei hun gydnabod nad oedd yn cydymffurfio â Birthrate Plus, a hwnnw, wrth gwrs, yw'r offeryn a ddefnyddir i wybod beth yw'r nifer cywir o fydwragedd ar gyfer darparu'r gwasanaeth.
Generally, within Wales we have found that our health boards have been Birthrate Plus compliant. The challenge about the future workforce that has been highlighted has been the need to do something to ensure that we recruit and train enough midwives for the future. It's part of my disappointment that the health board declared at a relatively late stage that it was not Birthrate Plus complaint. Of course, that was then re-highlighted in the report because the experience of staff has been that they were working understaffed, and patients and families recognised that themselves.
So, there's a job of work to be done immediately that is both about recruitment but also the way that health boards work together, not just within Cwm Taf Morgannwg but around them, to try to make sure that the units are adequately staffed as we try to both recruit and train for the future. But I have already recognised the need to train more midwives for the future, because, two years ago, I decided to increase midwife training places by 43 per cent. So, we are actually taking steps to make sure that, for the future, we're training many, many more midwives.
On the point about doctors, the numbers aren't actually the issue—it's the practice and behaviour that are the issue. The report sets out quite clearly that there is an adequate number of doctors in this part of the service—it's the way that they have behaved that is the challenge, and that, actually, is much more difficult to deal with in many ways. If you have the right number of staff behaving in the wrong way, then it still provides a challenge, and this report sets out that that is part of what has happened.
On your point about, in any event, the way that our staff behave, it's part of our expectation and we do not expect staff within the health service to be insensitive, unprofessional and to provide a lack of dignity for people who are often at their most vulnerable when they interact with the health service at any point, and that obviously includes people who are due to be giving birth or people who know that they may have a potentially poor outcome from their pregnancy. That was part of what I found particularly difficult to read in the report. It took me several days to read the report because it's genuinely upsetting.
On your other point about the internal report that the health board commissioned, which was provided in September 2018, it's plainly not acceptable that that report was not properly addressed through the board's reporting mechanism, that it was not provided to the board's quality and safety committee and it was not provided to the board, and action was not taken at that time. The health board chair and the chief executive have both recognised, in publishing that report today, that the health board got that completely wrong.
It's important to recognise what the health board has got wrong to actually make progress for the future. There is a question for the board that the chair is addressing, with a review led by an independent member of the board, to understand what happened at that time, why it did not come to the board, what can be a lesson in looking backwards but also what that means going forward. There are broader questions there about leadership and governance, not just to be addressed in that one individual instance—that's why the work that Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and the Wales Audit Office do will be important, and the broader support of what David Jenkins will be doing as well.
It is plain that there have been system failures within the health board—that's acknowledged not just within the report but in the briefings and statements that have already been made today. But the accountability for that is not a simple question of lining up a discrete number of people to be removed from the organisation.
As you heard the First Minister point out, the report sets out challenges and failings in a number of different areas within the service, from the direct contact with individuals to people who had an area of leadership and management responsibility, to the clinical direction of the service, all the way through to the advice, information and challenge provided at executive and board level by independent members. That is why I believe it is hugely important that there is independent oversight of the work that's required to implement the recommendations of this review, and that independence comes not just from looking at the 43 serious incidents in the 2010 look-back, but that that will then provide a proper evidence base for where accountability lies and how we move on.
There's something that is very difficult here, because the report highlights that there was a punitive culture within the workplace, where people were frightened and fearful of raising concerns. That is wholly inappropriate and in no way acceptable. To get to the point where people are more confident where they could and should raise concerns, we actually need to be open about people acknowledging now what went wrong, as opposed to people looking to walk away from that because they fear for their jobs. Actually, if we don't have that more open-cultured environment, we're more likely to compromise the quality and the safety that people who use those services have a right to expect. So, a fundamental change in the culture is what is required, that is why the independence I've inserted into taking forward those recommendations is so important. But I will, of course, report back to Members when there is more information to be provided about that work and the immediate assurance exercise that I've required to be undertaken.
Yn gyffredinol, yng Nghymru rydym wedi canfod bod ein byrddau iechyd wedi cydymffurfio â Birthrate Plus. Yr her ynglŷn â gweithlu'r dyfodol sydd wedi dod i'r amlwg yw'r angen i wneud rhywbeth i sicrhau ein bod ni'n recriwtio ac yn hyfforddi digon o fydwragedd i'r dyfodol. Rhan o'r siom a gefais i yw bod y bwrdd iechyd wedi datgan yn gymharol hwyr nad oedd yn cydymffurfio â Birthrate Plus. Wrth gwrs, daeth hynny i'r amlwg eto yn yr adroddiad oherwydd profiad y staff yn gweithio heb ddigon o weithwyr, ac roedd y cleifion a'r teuluoedd eu hunain yn cydnabod hynny.
Felly, mae gwaith i'w wneud ar unwaith sy'n ymwneud â recriwtio ond, yn ogystal â hynny, â'r ffordd y mae'r byrddau iechyd yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd, nid yn unig yng Nghwm Taf Morgannwg ond o'u cwmpas nhw, er mwyn ceisio sicrhau bod digon o staff yn yr unedau wrth inni geisio recriwtio a hyfforddi ar gyfer y dyfodol. Ond rwyf eisoes wedi cydnabod yr angen i hyfforddi mwy o fydwragedd ar gyfer y dyfodol. Ddwy flynedd yn ôl, penderfynais gynyddu nifer y lleoliadau i hyfforddi bydwragedd 43 y cant. Felly, rydym yn cymryd camau i sicrhau ein bod yn hyfforddi llawer iawn mwy o fydwragedd i'r dyfodol.
Ar y pwynt ynglŷn â meddygon, nid y niferoedd sy'n ganolog mewn gwirionedd—yr ymarfer a'r ymddygiad sy'n ganolog. Mae'r adroddiad yn nodi'n gwbl glir fod nifer digonol o feddygon yn y rhan hon o'r gwasanaeth—yr her yw'r ffordd y maen nhw wedi bod yn ymddwyn, ac mae hynny, mewn gwirionedd, mewn llawer ffordd yn fwy anodd i ymdrin ag ef. Os oes gennych y nifer cywir o staff yn ymddwyn yn y ffordd anghywir, yna mae hynny o hyd yn heriol, ac mae'r adroddiad hwn yn nodi bod hynny'n rhan o'r hyn a ddigwyddodd.
O ran eich pwynt ynglŷn ag ymddygiad ein staff, mae hynny'n rhywbeth yr ydym yn ei ddisgwyl ohonynt ac nid ydym yn dymuno gweld staff o fewn y gwasanaeth iechyd yn ymddwyn yn ansensitif, yn amhroffesiynol ac yn dangos diffyg urddas tuag at y bobl sy'n aml yn fregus iawn pan fyddan nhw'n rhyngweithio â'r gwasanaeth iechyd mewn unrhyw ffordd. Ac mae hynny'n amlwg yn cynnwys pobl sydd ar fin rhoi genedigaeth neu bobl sy'n gwybod y gallai eu canlyniadau fod yn wael yn sgil eu beichiogrwydd. Roedd hynny'n rhan o'r hyn a oedd yn arbennig o anodd i mi ei ddarllen yn yr adroddiad. Cymerodd sawl diwrnod imi ddarllen yr adroddiad gan fod hynny'n wirioneddol boenus i mi.
O ran eich pwynt arall am yr adroddiad mewnol a gomisiynwyd gan y bwrdd iechyd, a ddarparwyd ym mis Medi 2018, mae'n amlwg nad yw'n dderbyniol na chafodd sylw priodol ei roi i'r adroddiad hwnnw drwy fecanwaith adrodd y bwrdd, ac na chafodd ei roi i bwyllgor ansawdd a diogelwch y bwrdd ac na chafodd ei roi i'r bwrdd, ac na chymerwyd camau bryd hynny. Mae cadeirydd y bwrdd iechyd a'r prif weithredwr ill dau wedi cydnabod, wrth gyhoeddi'r adroddiad hwn heddiw, fod y bwrdd iechyd wedi cyfeiliorni'n llwyr yn hynny o beth.
Mae'n bwysig cydnabod yr hyn a wnaeth y bwrdd iechyd yn anghywir er mwyn gwneud cynnydd yn y dyfodol. Mae yna gwestiwn i'r bwrdd y mae'r cadeirydd yn ymdrin ag ef, gydag adolygiad dan arweiniad aelod annibynnol o'r bwrdd, i ddeall yr hyn a ddigwyddodd ar y pryd, pam na ddaeth gerbron y bwrdd, a'r hyn a all fod yn wers wrth edrych yn ôl ond hefyd yr hyn y mae'n ei olygu wrth fynd ymlaen. Ceir cwestiynau ehangach yn y fan honno ynglŷn ag arweinyddiaeth a llywodraethu, nid yn unig i gael sylw yn yr un enghraifft unigol honno—dyna pam y bydd y gwaith y mae Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru a Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru yn ei wneud yn bwysig, a chefnogaeth ehangach yr hyn y bydd David Jenkins yn ei wneud hefyd.
Mae'n amlwg fod methiannau wedi bod yn y system o fewn y bwrdd iechyd—mae hynny wedi cael ei gydnabod nid yn unig yn yr adroddiad ond yn y sesiynau briffio a'r datganiadau sydd wedi bod eisoes heddiw. Ond mater syml o ddidol nifer o bobl mewn rhes i gael eu diarddel o'r sefydliad yw'r ateb.
Fel y clywsoch chi'r Prif Weinidog yn ei nodi, mae'r adroddiad yn nodi heriau a methiannau mewn nifer o wahanol feysydd o fewn y gwasanaeth, o'r cyswllt uniongyrchol ag unigolion hyd at bobl a oedd â chyfrifoldeb dros arwain a rheoli, hyd at gyfeiriad clinigol y gwasanaeth, yr holl ffordd drwodd i'r cyngor, yr wybodaeth a'r her a ddarparwyd gan aelodau annibynnol ar lefel weithredol a lefel y bwrdd. Dyna pam yr wyf i'n credu ei bod yn hynod bwysig bod goruchwyliaeth annibynnol ar y gwaith sydd ei angen i weithredu argymhellion yr adolygiad hwn, ac y daw'r annibyniaeth honno nid yn unig o ystyried y 43 digwyddiad difrifol wrth edrych yn ôl i 2010, ond y bydd hynny wedyn yn rhoi sail dystiolaeth briodol ar gyfer atebolrwydd a sut y byddwn yn symud ymlaen.
Mae rhywbeth anodd iawn yma, oherwydd mae'r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at y ffaith bod diwylliant o gosbi o fewn y gweithle, lle'r oedd pobl yn ofnus ac yn bryderus am godi pryderon. Mae hynny'n gwbl amhriodol ac nid yw'n dderbyniol. Er mwyn cyrraedd y pwynt lle mae pobl yn fwy hyderus o ran pryd y gallen nhw ac y dylen nhw godi pryderon, mae gwir angen inni fod yn agored ynghylch pobl yn cydnabod nawr beth aeth o'i le, yn hytrach na phobl yn ceisio anwybyddu hynny gan eu bod yn pryderu am eu swyddi. Yn wir, os na chawn y diwylliant mwy agored hwnnw, rydym yn fwy tebygol o beryglu'r ansawdd a'r diogelwch y mae gan bobl sy'n defnyddio'r gwasanaethau hynny yr hawl i'w disgwyl. Felly, mae'n ofynnol cael newid sylfaenol yn y diwylliant, a dyna pam mae'r annibyniaeth honno o ran datblygu'r argymhellion hynny mor bwysig. Ond fe fyddaf i, wrth gwrs, yn adrodd yn ôl i'r Aelodau pan fydd rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael am y gwaith hwnnw a'r ymarfer sicrwydd uniongyrchol yr wyf wedi gofyn amdano.
