, Plenary
Motion under Standing Order 26.91 seeking the Senedd's agreement to introduce a Member Bill—British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. And thank you to Mark Isherwood for bringing forward this Member debate—I know it's something that you've long taken an interest in. I am very aware of how important this issue is and the importance of ensuring full and…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Refugee Week: Our home
Yes, absolutely. I would be very happy to speak to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. I think the point you make around no woman being on their own when they give birth is really important, and I mentioned, to come to this country and land in a…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Refugee Week: Our home
Thank you. I just mentioned to John Griffiths that sanctuary seekers are almost always escaping persecution. They're often trying to be reunited with their family members. I think what is really important, and, for me, this is the most important message of…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Refugee Week: Our home
Thank you. Yes, I would actually absolutely recognise those specific cases of, as you say, best practice. I visited Newport Live with you; it was a different scheme that we were looking at, but I could see the amazing work that they do, and that integration…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Refugee Week: Our home
Thank you. I'm going to start—. First of all, I'd like to say, and I mentioned it in my original part of the statement, that we were really pleased to support the Nation of Sanctuary Awards last night. I too would like to congratulate all the winners and…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Refugee Week: Our home
Thank you very much for that series of questions. I'm going to start with transport, because I agree with you that transport is really important. We're very proud of what the welcome ticket scheme did contribute for over two years. I remember travelling back…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Refugee Week: Our home
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. This week marks Refugee Week, a celebration of the contributions sanctuary seekers make to Wales. Refugee Week brings together people from all backgrounds to create better understanding within our communities, and promotes…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I'll certainly be having conversations with whatever colour Government is at the other end of the M4. I think this is a really important piece of work and, as I say, prisons are of particular interest to me. So, I will certainly be having discussions.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I appreciate it's a matter for health boards, how they employ them.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I know my predecessor did arrange a summit back in—I think it was January, the beginning of the year. I haven't got an update on that. I've certainly had—. I know for a fact that we need to recruit more speech and language therapists right across Wales. I…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, I've not read that report. I'd be very interested to do so.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
You've done it.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, absolutely. When I was in post last time, I visited both Styal and Eastwood Park, and I could probably tell you minute by minute what went on when I was in Eastwood Park prison. I found that a very, very challenging visit. It was quite horrifying in the…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Sorry.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
For me, the big plus in this area is the partnership working—so, the work we do with our police forces, with our police and crime commissioners. It's really important that we have that collaboration, to make sure we bring forward the approach that we have…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Please. Sorry.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
We can tell.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I'm really sorry, I didn't catch a bit of that. Is it me? I'm not sure if it—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. So, there was a review of that programme. I think, again, it was to make sure that the design of the programme, the delivery of the programme, was fit for purpose. There was lots of engagement with public sector organisations, third sector…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I can't give succinct answers. [Laughter.]
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Sorry, Amelia—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
No, I appreciate that. The difficulty is that when we only have one-year funding, it's really difficult to do that. I must admit, I haven't spent a lot of time on the budget. I inherited a budget, which obviously was part of the collective responsibility, and…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Did you say migrant women? Yes. So, officials work closely with migration policy officials, social services officials, housing policy officials. As you know, migration and asylum are reserved to the UK Government, but I think, for us as a Government, it's for…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
You and I did have a discussion around this in the letter that I sent to you, so I did bring the letter to committee with me. Obviously, a lot of this will sit in Lynne Neagle's portfolio, so I've asked for a meeting with her to discuss it. So, I can write to…
