, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I know, before I came into portfolio, there was an informal survey undertaken with organisations, and when I came into portfolio, I looked at that. As I say, at the moment, there is still a huge amount of work we are doing. You've got to look at…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
So, at the moment, I've asked for, not a pause, but we're still doing so much work with people who've sought refuge here, so I want to make sure that what we're doing now is fit for purpose. Since I came into portfolio, I've asked officials to continue to…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Will do.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
But it's the head of my department, and it's fair to say that we now have a full team, led by Lorna and I think you can see already the progress that Lorna and the team are making.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes. I think it's fair to say, and I know that you're aware, and, obviously, staffing of officials is not for me, but—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I think that's really important, and one of the things—. I've had—I don't know how many I've had; it seems I've had about six, I think, so you can see how hard the team are working—Gypsy Traveller accommodation assessments. So, again, we didn't have all of…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes. Well, I'm not, personally, but officials are working with them. I think there's a bit more hand-holding going on. We've had guidance to them, we've revised the guidance, because I think that was, perhaps, a barrier. So, it's really important that local…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I think you're right. There has been a lack of progress, and this is an area where, again, right at the beginning, working with Lorna and the team, I've been really keen to have a focus. A little bit of good news. You'll be aware of the capital grant that we…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
This is a piece of work that has been right at the fore of my workload. I've met with Professor Debbie Foster who co-chairs the disability rights taskforce, and you may be aware—I hope I'm not telling you something that you already know—but this has been a…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
We could also—. Obviously, we provide funding to BAWSO to help us in this aspect, so we could certainly see if they've got any data as well, Jane.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I was just going to ask Amelia if she knows.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
We give guidance to all local authorities. I don't know why there are only two. Amelia, I think you're the official who deals with this. I don't know why there are only two, because we give guidance to all. I don't know why they don't collate it.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I get confused with all the research. Sorry, it will be spring next year.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
It's now going to be spring next year, because we didn't have any bids. Sorry, I forgot that. We didn't have any bids, but we have had some bids now, and I think you're looking—
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Originally, the work should have been completed by, I think, the autumn of this year.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
No.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I certainly recognise that if you devolved powers relating to the administration of social security to the Welsh Government, we certainly would have a wider range of tools, which we were referring to, and levers, to offer much more sustainable routes out of…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
The logic was what you’ve just explained, really. I think the eligibility criteria aligned, some local authorities had already started to do it. So, whilst I appreciate you might think it’s not very ambitious, I think the approach that Jane Hutt took was it…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I think the Welsh benefits charter will make sure that happens—so that you only have to do it once, and if you’re entitled to four different things, you will get them.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I was going to answer your other question as well. You were asking about welfare reform, and I don't disagree with anything you say, but, obviously, welfare reform is a reserved matter. I think we have seen a complete eradication of what is absolutely needed…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Yes, but it might not be from theirs. It's about making sure that their policy decisions and the way their budget—. Baby bundles is a classic example. I really didn't think I discussed baby bundles with her, although I'm now starting to think that maybe we…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I go back to what I was saying: I've got the overarching policy. I gave you an example about what I think worked really well last time I was in this portfolio: having that Cabinet sub-committee, where you've got—. It sounds as if I'm interrogating them…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I don't have a target. She probably does have a target.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Obviously, I've had discussions with her. I don't have the figure that you referred to to hand, but the conversations I have had with the Minister for housing and local government have been about making sure that officials—and the majority of those are her…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
As I say, the policy sits with Julie James, so I don't have that figure to hand.
