, Local Government and Housing Committee
Housing Ukrainian Refugees - Evidence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Thank you very much, Altaf. Of course, I've given many statements about the work we're doing with Ukrainians and also the local authorities, and, indeed, in my written evidence updating you on this point. Actually, I was just checking with officials what's…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Housing Ukrainian Refugees - Evidence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
This is something, as I said, where we’re looking at all ways in which we can help Ukrainians stay in safe housing situations, but also recognising that the hosting families arrangement—. I mean, many have gone beyond a year, which is incredible, and we have…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Housing Ukrainian Refugees - Evidence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
I've mentioned the meeting I had most recently with Ukranian guests in Caerphilly and actually some came from other parts of south Wales to that meeting. I think they feel very uncertain, because they feel uncertain about whether they’d want to go back to…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Housing Ukrainian Refugees - Evidence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Thank you very much, Chair. Can I just say, in opening remarks, how pleased I am that you're following up your really important and robust inquiry report on how we're responding to the plight of Ukrainian refugees? We have regular meetings with the Minister…
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Housing Ukrainian Refugees - Evidence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Obviously, my colleague Julie James's official is joining us, because it's very cross-Government, like cross-committee, which is great.
, Local Government and Housing Committee
Housing Ukrainian Refugees - Evidence from the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip
Yes. Can I introduce Ruth Meadows, who is the interim director of our nation of sanctuary, focusing specifically on Ukraine, as we are today? And Jo Valentine, who is—I'm not sure what your absolute title is—deputy director or director of housing.
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
Thank you very much, Heledd Fychan. As I said in my statement, it was really important we published the report today, and I shared it with you earlier today. And you will see from the recommendations that there are many—and I've commented on them—that we're…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
I absolutely agree, and I thank Jack Sargeant again for the campaigning zeal and the influence that he's had in raising these issues. It's important also that you draw attention again, and it has been discussed in this Chamber, to the unfair way in which the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
But it is important just to say in terms of the work, further recommendations that are coming through, and the acknowledgement of evidence: these were taken from academics from the organisations we work closely with, including the Bevan Foundation, Citizens…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. You're absolutely right, we do need to act urgently, and that's what we're doing. We're dealing and acting urgently with the levers, powers and responsibilities we've got, but within a very difficult financial situation, as…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
Diolch yn fawr, Mark Isherwood. In your opening remarks, you lay out the challenging global context. But, of course, the truth is that the UK Government has the key levers and powers to make a real difference to people's lives. I have welcomed the report from…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
Deputy Llywydd, many of the key levers for tackling poverty and the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis rest with the UK Government, and we continue to urge them to live up to their responsibilities to people in Wales. But there is much we can do using the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Cost of Living
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. In January I made a statement to the Senedd about the relentless cost-of-living pressures that people across Wales were facing, and unfortunately there's been no let up. Earlier this month, the Resolution Foundation reported…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on a Nation of Sanctuary
I thank John Griffiths, and, I think, in all our constituencies, we've got those schools of sanctuary. I certainly visited many during the schools of sanctuary week. What inspiring young people—Lliswerry High School—with their cultural week. And can I…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on a Nation of Sanctuary
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. Thank you for your ongoing support for our vision of a nation of sanctuary. It's not just a vision; it's actually how we are delivering on our nation of sanctuary principles and recommendations and actions, which, as I said in…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on a Nation of Sanctuary
Now, I think, of course, we seek to welcome and integrate, but this very much depends on the role of the Home Office—for us to play our part. That's why, and I've mentioned in my statement, we are working with the Welsh Local Government Association to…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on a Nation of Sanctuary
Thank you for those questions, and of course, as you say, very much in line with the 1951 UN convention on refugees—which I do believe is in jeopardy because of the policies of the UK Government—sanctuary is how we treat people when they arrive here, how we…
, Plenary
Statement by the Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip: Update on a Nation of Sanctuary
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm grateful for the opportunity to update Members on progress over the summer months in relation to our nation of sanctuary programme. According to Home Office data, at 12 September, Wales-based sponsors have now welcomed over 7,050…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
Thank you.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
Absolutely, and I'm sure that the experts, specialists and particularly the public you've heard from, and Public Health Wales and the evidence that they've given—. This is what we need to identify in terms of the evidence, and then you can understand what…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
Well, we are rolling out the bystander programme. I think I've got a few things to write to you about, Chair, so I'll give you the details in terms of the cost. I think the most important thing is engagement with 'Don't be a bystander'. So, perhaps we could…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
That's a big question. We have had the ambition to end violence against women to make Wales the safest nation in Europe for women, and that is a call, that is an ambition that you can question in terms of 'Well, could you possibly deliver on this?'. We are…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
It is the Minister for Social Justice, as for many other aspects, although I have a funding stream in order to support particularly those specialist organisations. It has to be and I want it to be a leadership role, in terms of ensuring that the Welsh…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
That's something that, on an operational level, I've had less discussion. Obviously, I've been aware, for example, of DRIVE particularly, which was funded by the police and crime commissioners, and how that was deemed to be effective, and then how it could be…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
The public health approach to preventing gender-based violence: evidence session 10
Diolch. Perhaps I could just say as well that I think this is a step change in the new strategy to have this tackling perpetration focus now. From the first phase of the legislation, it was very much implementation in terms of supporting specialist services…
