, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Diolch yn fawr. I mean, it is shocking what was said by the former Home Secretary. I can't see that anyone across the Chamber would have subscribed to that view, that living in a tent is a lifestyle choice. It was shocking then. She's no longer Home…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Diolch. Welsh Government remains committed to ending homelessness, ensuring everyone has a safe home that meets their needs to support a healthy and prosperous life. We recognise poverty is an underlying structural cause of homelessness and our work to tackle…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Diolch yn fawr, Peredur. Following up that important question from Alun Davies, I've already mentioned the funding that we've been providing to support community food organisations, and I've also mentioned—which links to it—the funding we're giving to the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Well, thank you very much, Alun Davies. It is an indictment. In fact, the evidence that's coming through of the impact of austerity—. Austerity, 13 years of austerity—let's take us back to those early days. The introduction of the bedroom tax, for example…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Since 2019 the Welsh Government has allocated over £18 million to support foodbanks and community food organisations across Wales, including in Blaenau Gwent, to tackle food poverty and provide a wider range of services to help individuals and households…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. It is very important that we continue—and we debated this last week—to do what we can, not just in terms of community cohesion, which I expressed and updated Members on ways in which we're engaging with communities in Wales…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Diolch yn fawr. Well, this is something where bringing all those reports together the evidence is very clear and, indeed, the consultation that we undertook in terms of moving forward with our child poverty strategy—. We did commission, of course, the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Thank you very much. I think this very much follows on from the responses from the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership earlier on. And it is good that you have drawn our attention to reports, like the one from Samaritans UK, and that we link closely to and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
I'm also grateful for that question and the follow-on question. As I said, we're updating our statutory anti-bullying guidance, led, of course, by the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. It's also really important that it's strengthening our…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Thank you very much, Altaf Hussain, for that really important question. We've just had a really important exchange about tackling bullying in schools in relation to our 'Rights, respect and equality' bullying guidance, which is actually being updated. And of…
, Plenary
Plaid Cymru Debate: Conflict in Israel and Gaza
Diolch, Llywydd. I am very thankful and glad to have the opportunity today to respond to the motion tabled by Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservative amendment, because it does provide me with the opportunity to confirm our position and to report to Members on…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Thank you very much—a very important question. It will be for the Minister for Climate Change, but also the—. I have met with an organisation in Caerphilly, actually, a charity that looks after pets, dogs particularly, if a woman has to flee her home. They…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Diolch yn fawr, Joyce Watson, and for your leadership in terms of the White Ribbon campaign. Next Monday, we'll be meeting and paying tribute to the National Federation of Women's Institutes, who have always worked with you, and then with BAWSO we'll be…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Diolch. I certainly would like to report back on progress. On that in particular, I haven't—. I can raise this with the domestic abuse commissioner when I next meet her. This is another reason why our national advisers are so important, because they liaise…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
I thank Jenny Rathbone for her question today but also for chairing those inquiries, and we look forward to the outcome of your current inquiry. I've already mentioned the fact that we have a children and young people work stream, and I think this also has a…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Diolch yn fawr, Jane Dodds. Can I just say that the fact is the change—as Jack Sargeant has said—can come from men, and certainly our elected Members, but from all of us in terms of any responsibilities that we've got? Can I thank you? I hope this will be…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Diolch yn fawr, Jack Sargeant. Can I say, and I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone in this Chamber, that we are with you in our thoughts, our memories of your beloved father and former Minister, who played such a key role? I think we all remember, and as I…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. I agree with you completely: it continues to be frustrating that we don't have access to the full data, to understand the nature and extent of VAWDASV in Wales. And, indeed, this is very much part of our work to devolve…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
I think it's also just important to acknowledge the work that's been done, particularly in relation to the objective, objective 3, which is about increasing the focus on holding those who commit abuse to account, supporting those who may carry out abusive or…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood. I think it is really important to recognise the role of our national advisers, and I very much welcomed their annual report. They have been established under the provision of the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Annual Report 2022-23
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. It is an appalling fact that violence against women and girls continues to blight lives, with harassment, abuse and violence a daily occurrence for many. It is shocking that on average two women a week are killed by a current…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on Criminal Justice Blueprints
Thank you very much, Jenny Rathbone. I do look always to the Jean Corston report back in 2007, as you say, to look for the guidance and the evidence that underpins so much of our policy. Thank you for your committee inquiry and your report and recognition of…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on Criminal Justice Blueprints
Diolch yn fawr, Alun Davies, and thank you for not only your commitment today and your questions to me today, but your commitment in this area of policy and your commitment to seeing justice for women in terms of this crucial policy area, and your influence…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on Criminal Justice Blueprints
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. Can I at this point reflect on the Senedd Equality and Social Justice Committee's important report? I'm sure we'll hear more of this this afternoon. It was a vital report, I would say, on the evidence gained on women's…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on Criminal Justice Blueprints
Diolch yn fawr, Mark Isherwood. As you say, the women's justice blueprint is a joint initiative between the Welsh Government, HMPPS and also with other partners, such as HM Courts and Tribunals Service, which is very closely involved. And, of course, we have…
