, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
We'll get that information, just like what's happening now up until—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
I think so, because we've put the £30 million into the budget two weeks ago. That doesn't mean to say that we're—. The work is funded, it's under way. And you're absolutely right, Chair, I mean, this is about what's going to happen in October. The cap, it…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Well, we have got to press ahead with this to ensure that we do get, as I said, that we do recommend that approach to the whole-home approach, the fabric-first approach, but also that this is absolutely appropriate in terms of what we can do. Pennington…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Thank you.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
This is something, again, where—. Julie James is responsible for the Warm Homes programme and taking this forward as a result of the consultation. I'm working so closely with her in terms of tackling fuel poverty. I think home energy efficiencies are…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Well, in a sense, in terms of the programme of delivery, there may be different elements and there may be another route to this in terms of tackling fuel poverty, but we're looking to try and see these as policy objectives in the Warm Homes programme, aren't…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
It's so important, this inquiry, that you're looking into that, and you're getting that evidence. I'd say it's a challenge, the 'but', in terms of the objectives that we are committed to. Welsh Government and you all are committed to decarbonisation and…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
It doesn't sound acceptable to me at all, and I think we're very much now in the hands, aren't we, of those distributors and companies. So, I mean, Stephen can—. Without answering, I think we can take this back now, because we have our contacts directly with…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Thank you very much, Jane. Thank you for the question. I think you asked me this question last week; it was very valuable before today. On heating oil in rural areas, I've already mentioned in terms of the off-grid, the impact in terms of the cost of oil, et…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
We have obviously already made announcements through the budget in terms of the home energy efficiency scheme. I think, in terms of ballpark estimates made in reports like that, it's very useful. But we need to be able to be realistic, and, in terms of…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
It's always very helpful to have the reports, like the one from—. I mentioned the engagement of the future generations commissioner and the work that she commissioned with the New Economics Foundation. It's a very, very welcome addition, that report. And…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
This is crucially important, and it will come out of the final stages of the consultation, when it's completed, on the Warm Homes programme, and then the procurement stages as they come forward from that. I think Steve has mentioned the fact that we're…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
We've got to look at this, and recognise the work that the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has done on this as well. We have got to demonstrate how the seven well-being goals and five principles of sustainable development—. They've got to be taken…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Thank you, Ken. This is crucial, that we learn the lessons, isn't it, in terms of the procurement procedures and impact, and what came out of it. What we're particularly looking at now is an integrated impact assessment that's going to be published alongside…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
These are very important questions, and you will have had evidence from local authorities of good and bad, I think, to be fair. You have had evidence of good examples of joint working. This is going to be a key factor in the consultation, which is obviously…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Well, this is where we have got to be very clear. We're out to consultation now, looking at the next phase of the Warm Homes programme, and it's crucially important that we look at what happened, what the outcome is. Your inquiry will help us do this. You've…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
A very important question, Jenny, that we're looking at now. Actually, can I just clarify? It was nearly 200,000 applications made to the scheme before the end of February closing date. In fact, I think they haven't all been paid out yet. I think there are…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Well, we do. I think everything I've said—and I won't go over it again—and everything that we know, is that we do expect to see more people living in fuel poverty, and I think, actually, National Energy Action will have said to you that they've estimated an…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Well, I'm going to certainly get the report, and we'll get the statistics as well. So, we'll get those out in the public domain as quickly as possible.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
The actual interim—. Obviously, we've got estimates and projections here, which is really important. So, the initial report is due to me at the end of April, and also we'll get some statistics shortly after that. That's due no later than June.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Thank you. Eligibility's crucial in getting the information. We do expect the tool to be available by the end of May, and it is going to enable households to actually check, and particularly those organisations as well who support lower income households to…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Well, this is the current challenge, isn't it? That has to be an absolute priority in terms of the cost-of-living crisis. So, I've mentioned the fact that we're already committed to a periodic review of our fuel poverty plan, and that's going to start later…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session 5
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned, and thank you for those questions. In terms of the targets, obviously, I realise just in terms of our fuel poverty plan, looking at this now, that we have got those targets, which were set up until 2035, and obviously you'll be aware…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Thank you. I can absolutely assure you, Delyth Jewell, that this is crucial to us delivering on our race equality action plan for an anti-racist Wales. Obviously, I'm aware of this, it's very concerning, but I would also draw your attention to the £65 million…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Wales welcomes international students and the Welsh Government is committed to creating a fairer society where people do not face discrimination on the grounds of their race. Equality and employment law provides protections for job applicants and we will…
