, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
No member of the Welsh Government is happy with the levels of child poverty that we have at the current time, but we do have to face facts that many of the levers do sit with the UK Government and that, up until 2010, when the Tories came in, we did have a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. I think you raise a very important point. I met with the Bevan Foundation very early after coming into this portfolio to talk about a range of issues and, certainly, many of the reports they've brought forward are very helpful in helping us to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, they're certainly not my bosses. I don't disagree with you about the impact I think the removal of that two-child benefit cap could have. Certainly, everything I have read since I came into portfolio makes me believe that. I mean, one of the reasons we…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Our child poverty strategy sets out how the Welsh Government will tackle child poverty in Wales through initiatives to reduce costs, maximise incomes and develop pathways out of poverty so every child can enjoy their rights and have every…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. I think you raised a really important point about funding. For me, it's really important that, when we seek devolution of any further powers, we know why we want those powers. We know they will benefit the people of Wales, but it's really important…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, as Siân Gwenllian knows, the Welsh benefits charter was absolutely a central part of our preparations, as it sets out the commitment that we think is necessary for that compassionate and person-centred design and delivery of benefits I…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Diolch. Through the implementation of the Welsh benefits charter, we are putting in place the infrastructure for a compassionate, person-centred Welsh benefits system. Any future administration of welfare powers would be delivered in line with the charter’s…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, I haven't had any specific discussions with the Cabinet Secretary for housing, but I absolutely agree with you, there are very good reasons for improving energy efficiency of historic buildings. We want them to lower their carbon emissions. They need to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
As I said at the start of my answer to Julie Morgan, it's inappropriate for me to comment on specific cases. But the local planning authority is responsible for regulating changes to listed buildings, for instance, through the requirement for listed building…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Deputy Presiding Officer, before I respond to the specific question, I need to note how it would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific cases as I must not prejudice the role of Welsh Ministers in the listed building consent process. So…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Cadw has published a significant amount of best-practice guidance for owners of listed buildings, which is available on its website. The advice covers subjects including understanding listing, managing change to listed buildings, converting chapels and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I think we have to all recognise, unfortunately, that not everything is going to be put right, even if we have a Labour Government, and, of course, that's absolutely what I hope. But we have to recognise that public finances are going to be very, very…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, we certainly are seeing far too many of our children living in poverty and I think the First Minister said yesterday in First Minister's questions that we were making progress under the previous UK Labour Government in the early 2000s, but…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I certainly haven't done that assessment. You will have heard me say in the Chamber, I think it was last week, that I do think taking away that two-child benefit limit is a powerful lever in the endeavours to reduce child poverty. So, it's certainly a…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I'm not aware of the issue you raise, but I'd be very happy to look into it. If you have any further information, perhaps you could write to me.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I'm a bit unclear as to whether you were saying that Post Office and Royal Mail should be devolved to Wales or shouldn't be devolved to Wales. But as I say, it is a reserved matter, and I hadn't had the opportunity to speak to the relevant Minister before the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, as you know, both Post Office and Royal Mail matters are non-devolved. I am aware of the bid that to you refer to, and I will certainly be endeavouring to have a meeting with the relevant Minister, once the new UK Government has been formed.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. I'm not sure if paddling pools are in my portfolio, but I guess, as a sport facility—and I know the paddling pool very well, as a fellow north Walian. But I'll be very happy to write to the leader of the council, because, as you say, particularly…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Through the funding we provide to Sport Wales, national governing bodies and other national partners are creating, promoting and supporting opportunities for people of all ages to be active in community sport all across Wales, including Aberconwy.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I do recognise those discussions between the WNO and the trade unions—and, obviously, the artists to whom you referred—are ongoing. Obviously, matters relating to employment, and that includes the terms and conditions, and issues around remuneration are an…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, absolutely. I've had discussions with my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, because the WNO are doing some really valuable work as a trusted partner, and that includes in the health sphere. And I know, since 2021, health boards…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, I'll certainly be very happy to meet with you. I think I've met with Rhianon on about three occasions now, who keeps me very updated because of her close links with the WNO. And as I said, I have met with them myself. I absolutely recognise…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Welsh Government funding for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales. Under the arm's-length principle, the Welsh Government does not intervene in ACW’s funding decisions. I met with the WNO on 21 May and assured them I will do all I can to…
, Plenary
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
I would like to thank the Chair of the LJC Committee and Sioned Williams for their contributions today. I'll just pick up on a couple of the points. As the Chair said, I have responded to and we carefully considered all the points raised. We accepted one…
, Plenary
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Diolch, Llywydd, and I move the motion. The regulations before you today add a further eight named public bodies to section 6 of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, bringing the number of public bodies subject to the well-being duty in Part 2 of the Act…
