Found: HO [KM] Jo Churchill MP, Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary care, DHSC [JC] Julie Morgan

Found: broader constitutional perspective, shortly after this Bill was published, a motion proposed by Julie Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
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Found:  in  2006  by  Andrew  George  MP,  Rt  Hon  Nick  Herbert  MP  and  Julie  Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: on Global Tuberculosis was established in 2006 by Andrew George MP, Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP and Julie Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: This delegation was attended by John Barrett MP , Andrew George MP, Nick Herbert MP and Julie Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
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Found: – St Ives and Isles of Scilly), Nick Herbert MP (Conservative – Arundel and South Downs) and Julie Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
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Found: – St Ives and Isles of Scilly), Nick Herbert MP (Conservative – Arundel and South Downs) and Julie Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
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Found: ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON GLOBAL TUBERCULOSIS Co-Chairs: Andrew George, MP; Nick Herbert, MP; Julie Morgan

Global Tuberculosis APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: epidemic: AN AGENDA FOR ACTION 3 Introduction By Andrew George MP, Nick Herbert MP and Julie Morgan

Found: the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review. ” She wrote “I 1538 Letter from Vaughan Gething and Julie Morgan

Found: Following up on this meeting, he wrote to Assembly Member Julie Morgan, Chair of the Cross Party Group

Found: Following up on this meeting, he wrote to Assembly Member Julie Morgan, Chair of the Cross Party Group

Found: the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review. ” She wrote “I 1538 Letter from Vaughan Gething and Julie Morgan

Found: The Welsh will not be sending a Minister, although former Minister Julie Morgan will be attending to

Found: Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick MSP Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Health & Social Services Julie Morgan

Found: the Cabinet Office and Paymaster - Correspondence from Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for PHWH and Julie Morgan

Found: Office and Paymaster GeneralFrom: Jenni Minto MSP, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health Julie Morgan

Found: Julie Morgan 117 Page 5, after line 7, insert a new section— ‘[ ] Independence of the OEGW In exercising

Found: Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill Julie Morgan

Found: Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill Julie Morgan

Found: Welsh Conservatives Committee Chair: Llyr Gruffydd MS Plaid Cymru Joyce Watson MS Welsh Labour Julie Morgan

Found: Julie Morgan MS, Deputy Minister for Social Services , Written Statement: Review of the Childcare Offer

<p>Finally, question 9. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Can I thank Julie Morgan for highlighting the importance&nbsp;of local museums and those of national significance like National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans, and for all her work in promoting young people's access to culture, particularly for those in her own constituency and those from deprived backgrounds as well? I share that passion, and that's why we've invested in the GEM Cymru initiative to make sure children from across Wales will be able to learn about their local history and enjoy Cymru's cultural offer.</p>
<p>The best way of improving access to museums, both local and national, is by investing in them. That's why Members will be pleased to know—all Members in this Chamber—that of the £15 million package from the 'Priorities for Culture', which celebrated its six-month anniversary at St Fagans just two weeks ago, £13.5 million has gone directly to the sector. This is in addition to the <em>amgueddfa</em>'s capital allocation in the budget, which they themselves described to this very Senedd as 'fabulous'.</p>

<p>I'd like to thank&nbsp;Julie Morgan for her question. Of course, the Access for All programme has seen significant investment at many, many stations across Wales. Transport for Wales has been responsible for improvements on the core Valleys lines within the metro area. But it's not just the investment to improve stations that matters, it's the investment to maintain station facilities that also matters. Now, it is disappointing that the lifts at Llandaff have not been working of late. I have asked my officials to liaise with Transport for Wales, as they're responsible for it, to make sure that the facilities are maintained properly and that the lifts are operational again as soon as possible.</p>
<p>I should just assure the Member that all Transport for Wales platform and on-board staff are trained to assist passengers with accessibility needs, and Transport for Wales also ensures that bespoke additional support is provided in the event of lift failure to meet the needs of passengers—all passengers—and to minimise disruption. But, as I say, I have asked officials to liaise with Transport for Wales to address the issue at Llandaff as soon as possible.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan. And it must have been an absolute delight to be there at Rhiwbeina Primary School, to see the thrill of the children, the pupils, because I understand that schools had to apply to receive a Sycamore Gap sapling, and it’s the only school in Wales, I understand, that has received a sapling. And, of course, as you say, we know how important it is that children appreciate and learn about nature, the environment, the circumstances, and I’m sure they’ll see that the tree will thrive.</p>
<p>But it is quite clear, with the strength of public feeling following the illegal felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, that we need to protect our trees. And back in June of this year, the Deputy First Minister issued a written statement setting out our approach to strengthening protections for ancient woodland trees, which we have in all our constituencies, in line with our programme for government commitment. And 'Planning Policy Wales' has been strengthened. We’re revising our tree preservation order regulations as part of the work on the Planning (Wales) Bill, consolidating planning law, and this work also maintains strong protection within the planning system for trees and woodlands, including ancient woodland.</p>

<p>Well, let's discuss that on Wednesday after we've heard from the Chancellor. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Julie Morgan, you wanted to—.</p>

<p>So, can we move on to Julie Morgan?</p>

<p>Thank you. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Well, I think it does give me a very quick opportunity to say that we have done a lot more work, working with Gypsy and Traveller families, and I thank Julie Morgan for chairing the cross-party group on Gypsy, Roma, Travellers, because that has also brought in a lot more feedback and engagement on a variety of policy issues, including housing and education. But in terms of transit and ways in which local authorities can work with Gypsy, Roma, Traveller people, we've set up regional meetings, and the organisations that we fund—we fund three different organisations to help us ensure that we get this right with the lived experience of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Welcome back to the afternoon session, and the final evidence session that we have on the legislation before us, with the Cabinet Secretary making his return journey with his officials from when he was with us two weeks ago. I'd like to welcome Julie Morgan to the committee, who is deputising for Hannah Blythyn. Welcome, Julie. We will have the introductions first of all, and the positions and roles that you've played with the legislation, for the record. I'll start with you, Emma, first, if I may, and work down the table, and then we'll go straight into questions.</p>

<p>Llywydd, I want to thank Hannah Blythyn not simply for those questions, but for the part that she played in securing the passage of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023 here in the Senedd. There's no person better equipped to fly the flag for what we are achieving here in Wales. I thank her very much for the work that she is doing.</p>
<p>This is a particularly important period for the implementation of a number of significant aspects of that Act. One set of regulations has just completed its consultation. Those are&nbsp;the ones that will bring into force the socially responsible public procurement duties of the Act. We are in the middle of a consultation on a second set of regulations, which are those that deal with public service outsourcing and the workforce code, and the consultation will end on 3 December. In the next few days, we will launch the consultation on the public works clauses of the Act. I am very determined, Llywydd, that, before the end of this Senedd term, the Government will do everything we can to make sure that those consultations are completed and the regulations are brought in front of the Senedd for determination.</p>
<p>The Member referred to the Procurex conference, which is the annual conference that brings together people who supply public services and those who procure them. There were over 1,000 people at that in Cardiff, and it allowed us to foreground a number of really important issues of public procurement, coming from both the Act itself and other things that are important in the current context. There was a session on social value, where we focused on the baby bundles. It's good to see Julie Morgan here, who did so much to bring that about, which is a really good example of the way in which we've been able to use a Welsh supplier with very particular social missions to help us to bring that important development to fruition. There were sessions on the global political context, given the difficult context of trade and procurement, and also on project bank accounts, which again flows very much from the Act. So, as to the work that the Member does to draw attention to developments here in Wales more widely, there's a good deal going on that we need to celebrate and make sure we advertise to the rest of the world.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan, and thank you for championing what was then the baby box. I recall coming out and meeting with parents at a childcare setting many moons ago, it feels, doesn't it? But now we are in this position to offer a baby bundle to more families across Wales, and it remains a priority for Welsh Government and, of course, a programme for Government commitment. In fact, I was pleased that on 3 November, alongside Dawn Bowden, the Minister for Children and Social Care, I met with Allied Publicity Services, the main supplier for the baby bundles programme, and their Wales-based subcontractors. It was good that we had local social enterprises engaged in the community—in fact, in the Minister's constituency in Merthyr Tydfil, and also one of the enterprises from Ebbw Vale, so local supplies. Of course, the baby bundles programme will support families in need, but also the Welsh economy, as I've described, by creating and sustaining local employment. Just to say that a baby bundle will include items such as a warm blanket and clothing, as well as helpful information on where to turn to for further help and support. We're on track to deliver the first baby bundles to eligible families from February 2026. This is very timely, this question, because first registrations are being taken from 25 November.</p>
<p>Thank you for also drawing attention to the important world-class research being undertaken at Cardiff University, and thank you for also drawing attention to this, so that the Minister for Further and Higher Education can respond. It is so important that we support universities undertaking research that actually transform lives, and Cardiff University's leadership in mental health research is a prime example of how Welsh institutions contribute to global innovation. What's good, of course, in terms of looking at those issues, like the root causes of conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, that it's also about collaboration—Cardiff University working with the NHS, other universities, and people with lived experience—to ensure research translates into real-world benefits.</p>

<p>Okay. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>We have six papers to note. I wondered if anybody wished to raise any issues arising from this correspondence. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Diolch, Julie Morgan, and thank you for your very important questions.</p>

<p>Thank you very much indeed, Julie Morgan. It is important, when you have this opportunity to raise questions in the business statement, that we follow the issues up—crucial issues like breastfeeding in Wales. I followed this up with the Cabinet Secretary following your question earlier on in this term before the recess. My understanding is that Public Health Wales is continuing to support the implementation of the breastfeeding action plan and is supporting the work on our new infant feeding action plan in Wales. To co-ordinate delivery of this, the secondment of a lead role into Public Health Wales is continuing. I'm not sure if that's the role where there were concerns raised with you from key people who have been involved&nbsp;for a long time in promoting and delivering the all-Wales breastfeeding plan. Public Health Wales, I understand, are currently working to make this role long term, to be able to fully implement the plan, and the lead will continue the development and implementation of the action plan for infant feeding and link the work on infant feeding into the delivery of the women's health plan. So, there are opportunities, and I hope that that's provided some reassurance, but I will take this back to confirm that this secondment is going to be extended.</p>

<p>I'd like to support what Julie Morgan was raising about the importance of breastfeeding, because I attended the Bright Spots event that took place at Public Health Wales in the middle of last month, and it's perfectly clear that there's a great deal more work to be done. It was a great event for sharing good practice, but the struggle that the Vale of Glamorgan had had to have in order to get maternity care assistants to support breastfeeding amongst mothers—because midwives certainly don't have that sort of time—. We have to have the NHS providing a lot more support and not just relying on the charitable sector to train up breastfeeding support workers. So, I hope that you'll take that back. And we need to see this as being an integral part of the women's health plan, because what else is more important than that?</p>
<p>I'd just like to ask you to join me in giving a shout-out to Purple Tuesday, which is today. It's now in its seventh year and it's all about an international movement to improve accessibility and inclusion for all as both customers and employees. I want to congratulate St David's shopping centre in the centre of Cardiff for leading the way on having a neurodivergent-friendly event that includes many different disability groups, to help customers and employers understand the importance of ensuring that they are inclusive—organisations like AP Cymru, which organise short breaks and holidays for families with neurodivergent children. And what a great moment to be shouting out the importance of Sparrows ALN Group, that I'm sure Lindsay Whittle will continue supporting as was hugely supported by Hefin David—parents and grandparents who are providing&nbsp;places where neurodivergent families feel that they can go with their children, without having to feel concerned about the reaction of people who don't simply understand how to be inclusive. But there's also other organisations like Neurodivergent Friendly Cardiff and the Dewis Centre for Independent Living. So, really, this is the date to be asking how we can increase the number of level 3 Disability Confident employers with that accreditation, so that disabled people can be confident that they will be given a fair hearing if they're applying for jobs.</p>

<p>I'm grateful to John Griffiths for his contribution and for also touching, as other Members did, on supply. Obviously, I understand that supply is part of this whole puzzle, but we know that creating more homes is one of our key priorities, not least because we know about social housing and how that can help to reduce poverty, improve physical and mental health and well-being, help educational outcomes and help drive economic growth. But let's be clear, we are putting record levels of investment, over £2 billion this Senedd term, into housing, and we will continue to do that. That is very much part of that whole jigsaw.</p>
<p>Thank you, Peredur, for your contribution. I've been really clear that investment up-front is needed. That was something, again, that you were able to note as well, and that being included in the draft budget as well, as local authorities begin that transition process. That's really important and we'll continue, obviously, to work with our local authority colleagues and other partners, but, as others have said, there really is a cost to doing nothing as well. At the moment, our system pushes people to that crisis point and there is that human cost that we all are aware of as well. There will be a phased approach, and I think that is essential for effective implementation of the Bill, and that will ensure that our delivery partners are fully engaged.</p>
<p>Joel James touched on the workforce, and I know the workforce is absolutely incredible. We can't end homelessness without a strong, skilled and supported workforce. Staff do vital work, often in very tough conditions, and we are, all of the Chamber—I'm sure I can speak for all of us—deeply grateful for all that the workforce do. We do have a task and finish group on workforce, and that's developing recommendations on things such as pay, skills, support staff, recruitment and commissioning.</p>
<p>I'd also like to mention the point that Joel made around veterans as well. We've asked officials to consider plans to prevent local connection acting as a prioritisation mechanism for veterans applying for allocation of social housing, using our existing powers, and this will help stop veterans being pushed down the list for social housing just because they don't have a local link. So, we've also begun to review our national housing pathway for ex-service personnel as well.&nbsp;Siân Gwenllian mentioned that social housing waiting lists are registers of people who would like social housing, but they're not registers of housing need and can't be relied on for assessing housing need, both at a national and local level.</p>
<p>Just in response to Julie Morgan, who I know very much deeply cares about care-experienced young people, as I do and as, I know, do other Members in the Chamber today, I just want to thank her for highlighting the important issues of care-experienced young people and how often they've been left out in the cold by our system. I believe that trying to keep care leavers outside of this homelessness system is absolutely crucial.&nbsp;I think that's one of the things this Bill will do. We do not want to see a young person leaving care and being taken to the homelessness services. That is not what this Bill will do. This is going to, I believe, rectify that. But it is focusing on the transition point. So, when a young person leaves care and is most at risk of homelessness, it ensures that care leavers, whether homeless or not, are prioritised for social housing. So, the Bill mirrors the six categories of care leavers set out&nbsp;in our&nbsp;Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and the new section of 108A duties are intended to operate alongside and not instead of existing duties set out in the social services and well-being Act. But I welcome the recommendation of the Local Government and Housing Committee to assess the case for extending provisions aimed at care leavers in future, and I've accepted this recommendation in principle and will look at this as part of our wider work. I agree with the committee that, if a change to&nbsp;primary legislation is required in the future, then it is better done through the amendment to the social services and well-being Act, as this will require more extensive consideration with stakeholders.</p>
<p>But, Llywydd, this is a policy I know that we all care deeply about, and I urge the Senedd to support the Bill. Diolch.</p>

<p>I'd like to support what Julie Morgan was raising about the importance of breastfeeding, because I attended the Bright Spots event that took place at Public Health Wales in the middle of last month, and it's perfectly clear that there's a great deal more work to be done. It was a great event for sharing good practice, but the struggle that the Vale of Glamorgan had had to have in order to get maternity care assistants to support breastfeeding amongst mothers—because midwives certainly don't have that sort of time—. We have to have the NHS providing a lot more support and not just relying on the charitable sector to train up breastfeeding support workers. So, I hope that you'll take that back. And we need to see this as being an integral part of the women's health plan, because what else is more important than that?</p>
<p>I'd just like to ask you to join me in giving a shout-out <span style="text-decoration: underline;">to Purple Tuesday, which is today.</span></p>

<p>Thank you very much indeed, Julie Morgan. It is important, when you have this opportunity to raise questions in the business statement, that we follow the issues up, on crucial issues like breastfeeding in Wales. I followed this up with the Cabinet Secretary following your question earlier on in this term before the recess. My understanding, again, is that Public Health Wales is continuing to support the implementation of the breastfeeding action plan, and is supporting the work on our new infant feeding action plan in Wales. To co-ordinate delivery of this, the secondment of a lead role into Public Health Wales is continuing—I'm not sure if that's the role where there were concerns raised with you from key people <span style="text-decoration: underline;">who have been involved</span></p>

<p>Thank you. I'm sure we all look forward to the progress that's about to be made. Julie Morgan and I saw this fantastic play called&nbsp;<em>A Visit</em> at the Sherman Theatre a couple of weeks ago, and it has also been a sell-out in Swansea and in Merthyr; the final performance is in Aberystwyth this Friday. It really is a powerful play, which captures the impact on children of sending their mums to prison. I hope you'll congratulate&nbsp;Papertrail, in association with Clean Break, and Siân Owen for creating such a compelling reason for stopping sending women to prison for non-violent offences. To do this, we need to have alternative sentences for women who break the law. Why is the UK Government dragging its feet on developing the Swansea residential centre, which received planning permission in August 2023?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan, and thank you for highlighting and drawing attention to this wonderful new specialist resource base at Llanishen Fach primary. This is, again, a wonderful example of joint funding between the Welsh Government and the local authority, Cardiff city council. Of course, this comes from the Welsh Government, from our Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, and that’s continuing to invest in ALN provision. It’s actually got a proposed £750 million-worth of projects planned over the next nine years. It’s 75 per cent Welsh Government contribution—normally 65 per cent, but it can go up, as it did, to meet that cost in Llanishen Fach primary. And I think this is also important because this is about meeting the growing demand for specialist provision across Wales to ensure that we have this inclusive environment in our schools. Inclusive environments, of course, are what we’re supporting our schools to deliver.</p>
<p>On your question about our breastfeeding strategy, I think it is very timely that we ask the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care for an update on what are the breastfeeding policies, which indeed have to be very much delivered by our healthcare professionals. But we’ve always had an overarching strategy to deliver on this—it actually does cover, I expect, the portfolios of all our health and social care and well-being team; it’s the Cabinet Secretary, it’s the Minister for Mental Health and Well-being, and the Minister for children—because this is the best start for children in life. And it’s just interesting to recall that, of course, this is such a strong commitment by the World Health Organization and Unicef. World Breastfeeding Week is held annually; it’s about 'Forward Together'. It is about tackling health inequalities, as you’ve mentioned—the low levels in more disadvantaged areas of take-up of breastfeeding. I know this is an issue where Flying Start has played a very key part. But I would also like to thank the midwives and health visitors, who actually do help breastfeeding mothers in those really important days, and, indeed, in preparation for it, which I think some of us can recall ourselves, those very early days and a commitment to breastfeeding. So, I will ask for an update, just to also ensure that all Members in this Senedd can see that this is such a vital part of ensuring, a natural way in which we can ensure, that our children have the best start in life.</p>

<p>Thank you Peter Fox for that question.&nbsp;I did mention Flying Start, and I will say again that we are aiming to roll out Flying Start with free childcare across the whole of Wales. In fact, I think some authorities have already achieved that, so there is no postcode lottery. So, Merthyr Tydfil, for example, is an authority where they have now got Flying Start available for every child in that community. And, of course, that does mean free childcare, which is so important, as well as the other elements of Flying Start, which are key, which we discussed earlier on.&nbsp;We do have the most favourable childcare offer in Wales, and I think one of the important features of that is that it also includes holiday care. So often, as I think those of us who are working parents across the whole Chamber know, school holidays are also a great deal of responsibility, and cost and access to school holiday care—. But we are also supporting, through our childcare offer, which is unique to Wales, support for parents in further education and training.</p>
<p>I just wanted to take the opportunity of again praising our school holiday enrichment programme, which has been extended this year. The Cabinet Secretary for Education extended it by £1 million, as a result of a review that Julie Morgan undertook to look at the school holiday enrichment programme, which includes access to food, as well as fun and creative activities. So, we have ways in which we are supporting childcare. But also, don't forget, Peter Fox,&nbsp;I'm sure your constituents welcome the fact that, since 2006, we've had free school breakfasts available for our children. They're only just catching up in England. Those free school breakfasts, I know, and I think we all of us know, do provide a very important free, nutritious breakfast and a free hour or so as well at the start of the school day.</p>

<p>Thank you for that question, Sam Rowlands. Clearly, there was quite extensive engagement, in questions and answers, with the First Minister, which was really important, and she was able to respond to some specific issues and needs in terms of learners with ADHD and autism this afternoon in her answers. But this is something we've already touched on today, earlier on this afternoon, just welcoming, as Julie Morgan drew to our attention, the funding that has gone into a specialist resource base in her constituency in Llanishen Fach Primary School, and the commitment that we've made of £20 million of ALN capital funding available in this financial year, because inclusive environments are also really important in terms of school-based support.&nbsp;But, of course, last week,&nbsp;we had a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education specifically on ALN provision, and I know that that's being followed up by the Children, Young People and Education Committee.</p>

<p>Thank you. Can I call Julie Morgan, please?</p>

<p>Welcome, everyone, to this meeting of the Finance Committee. It's very nice to be here with Members. We have received two apologies, one from Rhianon Passmore and one from Sam Rowlands. They can't be with us this morning, but I'm very pleased to welcome Julie Morgan and Peter Fox—back to the committee, Peter. It's good to see you. A very warm welcome to you both. Also, a very warm welcome to members of the Youth Parliament who are with us in the public gallery today. I hope that you'll find this interesting. You'll have an opportunity later on in private session to ask questions also. So, listen carefully to what's being said today. A warm welcome to you. As you can see, this meeting is bilingual, and interpretation equipment is available for everyone. There will be a Record of Proceedings produced for everyone further on. Can I ask if anyone has any declarations of interest to make, please? Okay, so we'll move on.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Well, thanks to Julie Morgan for that question.&nbsp;It's very good to see Members of the Youth Parliament; I'm looking forward to discussing things directly with them this morning. I wanted to thank the Finance Committee for the general approach that you've taken to engagement, which is a very rich source of information for us, but particularly your work with the Welsh Youth Parliament.</p>
<p>There are a series of investments you see in the budget that are the result of the conversations that we have had in many different ways with young people, and particularly the Youth Parliament. So, some of the investments that you've seen this year in relation to mental health—those are directly the result of the conversations we've had with young people and their emphasis on the continuing impact on mental health of the pandemic and the aftermath of the pandemic. Some of the additional funding that still goes into education to deal with the tail end of that impact you'll see in this budget as well.</p>
<p>I think you can see two new ones. Given that this is a restated budget, there are a limited number of new things that you would see. But I do make provision next year for the remaining months of the £1 bus pilot. So, that's some £22 million altogether over the two years, and that is a very direct response to some of the things that we know young people have said to us about the importance of being able to travel—sometimes for college, sometimes for work, sometimes for leisure, sometimes for culture—and the importance of being able to have affordable transport for young people, and from our point of view to recruit the future users of public transport as well. So, I think you can see that as a specific.</p>
<p>We've had quite a lot of conversations with young people about Welsh language education, given the fact that we had a Bill going through the Senedd this year on that subject, so we've had a lot of engagement with young people around that topic. And there is £700,000 additionally in next year's budget to support the implementation of the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025, and that particularly will fund investment in Welsh language immersion units, which have been one of the big success stories of the more recent past, where we have literally hundreds of young people, including in parts of Wales where the language isn't spoken, necessarily, every day, who missed out on the early part of Welsh-medium education but now want to enter into it, and those immersion units are astonishingly successful in bringing those young people to a level of proficiency in the language where they can join mainstream classes. That's another example, I think, of us listening directly to the views that young people passed to us during the passage of the Bill.</p>

<p>Okay, thank you. I'll bring Julie Morgan in, then, please. Diolch.</p>

<p>Thank you, Julie Morgan, and <em>shwmae</em> to everyone today, on Shwmae Su'mae Day.</p>

<p><em>Shwmae</em>, Senedd. Good afternoon. It is Diwrnod Shwmae today, so <em>shwmae</em>&nbsp;to&nbsp;the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language too—your questions are first on our agenda this afternoon. The first question is from Julie Morgan. <em>Shwmae</em>, Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>I thank Julie Morgan for that set of supplementary questions, Llywydd. The single most important action that the Welsh Government has taken in order to prevent arrears of council tax, of course, was the creation of a national council tax benefit scheme, as far back as 2013. We remain the only part of the United Kingdom with a national scheme of help. It provided £244 million in the last financial year, and 256,000 households benefited from it, and 216,000 households paid no council tax at all. By definition, those are the households least able to pay the tax. That is the single most important thing we do to help prevent those families from falling into arrears. There are other measures that we've taken since then, of course. I know that Julie Morgan was a strong supporter of the decision to exempt care leavers from paying council tax up until the age of 25. Some 2,700 young people have benefited from that decision since that was made in 2018.</p>
<p>Now, as Julie Morgan said, Llywydd, we consulted on a set of specific measures to improve the processes that respond when people do fall into arrears—measures relating to reminder notices, final notices, liability orders, and particularly giving people more time to pay. The previous rules were draconian in the potential impact. Of course, most local authorities didn't act according to the strictest requirements, because the strictest requirements are, if you miss one payment, within seven days, you will become liable for the whole of the annual bill. For people who are struggling in any case, that was obviously not a helpful way to proceed, and most local authorities didn't proceed of course in that way at all.&nbsp;But now people will get 63 days, and that will allow them to seek the help that they will need in order to regularise their position. The measure is a preventative measure in that way, because it aims to stop problems from escalating and becoming even more difficult for individuals to be able to get back on track. It's that provision of advice, it's the use of the benefits charter that we are negotiating with our local authorities, those will be the additional measures that will help people who do find themselves in those difficulties.</p>

<p>Thanks very much. As someone who spend most weekends getting a mere taste of what being a carer is like, I know the heroic efforts that are made by people up and down our country, both professional and unpaid, who are supporting our most vulnerable people.&nbsp;You're quite right—we need to make sure that we're not just supporting the people who need care, but we're supporting the carers, in particular those unpaid carers. I know Julie Morgan has been a champion of unpaid carers&nbsp;for decades, and I'd like to thank her for that work. It is important that they get their assessments done as well. Clearly, we need to make sure also that we focus on the assessment needs of the patients themselves, the people who need care, and make sure that they are supported, and, clearly, that people also access the financial support that is available to them from the UK Government.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan.&nbsp;Thank you for drawing attention to the event that you attended that was held last week, with the pioneering work by Cardiff University's SURE initiative, which is ongoing, of course. Just to reassure you that as far as Welsh Government is concerned, we have our social research literature and systematic reviews done in line with the Government social research quality assurance process, and training is available to provide social researchers and policy makers with the skills to carry out effective searches themselves. It's crucial that reviews of evidence undertaken or commissioned by Government social researchers are undertaken in line with the Government social research and civil service codes, but it is also important that we look to external expertise and evidence, which you've highlighted today, and we can congratulate them and draw attention to it, as far as Cardiff University is concerned.</p>
<p>Thank you for that question about diversity and inclusion guidance. As many across this Chamber will recall, the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to publish diversity and inclusion guidance for political parties. I published this guidance back in March, and that guidance, I think, will help support political parties to publish their diversity and inclusion strategies ahead of the next Senedd election. We're actually leading the way in the UK with this guidance, but it's also pleasing to see that the UK Government is committed to commence section 106 of the Equality Act 2010, which will place a legal requirement on registered political parties to publish anonymised data on the diversity of their Senedd candidates. We've got a head start in terms of that legal requirement that's going to be introduced, in terms of our guidance, but I do hope to see evidence soon that all political parties have taken on board the suggested actions in the diversity and inclusion guidance, as part of their commitment to achieving our shared aim of creating a more diverse Senedd. I hope to see parties' strategies prominently published, so that there's absolute transparency on these matters, and I will be raising this with the Electoral Commission's Senedd political party panel about the guidance. I know they're interested in it as well. I've already met with them to discuss it, and I'm keen to meet with them again in early November to get an update on progress from the panel and from all the parties in Wales.</p>

<p>Thank you to Julie Morgan. She emphasised the point of LTT, and I want to endorse what Mike Hedges has said, because the research is very clear, because LTT rates have gone up and down at different points under different Governments. When LTT rates come down, house prices go up. It's sellers, not buyers, who benefit, because, when there is more money in people's pockets, the price of the house goes up. That is what happens, and first-time buyers and other buyers do not benefit from that move. That is what the research shows unambiguously.</p>
<p>Now, Hannah Blythyn made the point about the social partnership council and I was very pleased to appear in front of the social partnership council a couple of weeks ago as part of this budget-making process. We haven't focused so much on the consequences of not passing a budget here this afternoon, but, believe me, the social partnership council did. They are very fearful of what might happen if this Senedd is not able, as Lee Waters said, to face up to its responsibilities in passing a budget, because you are talking not about the increment, not about the 1.4 per cent that we have still to play for here: instead of me coming forward with a budget that adds £800 million into our public services, I would be coming forward with a budget that cuts everything that this Senedd does by between £6 billion and £7 billion. That is what the social partnership council wanted to talk about, and that's why the responsibility we face here is so important.</p>
<p>I wanted particularly to thank James Evans for his contribution. I thought it was thoughtful; I thought it raised some new points. He makes the important point that there are trade-offs in all of this, and reform—I might disagree with him on the nature of reform, but reform—is a really important thing for us to debate, not simply more money for this, more money for that. There is more to making a budget, and we didn't hear many contributions this afternoon that focused on that wider picture.</p>
<p>He asked me specifically about the central services MEG. Llywydd, since 2010, the number of people employed by the Welsh Government has gone up by 8 per cent. It has gone up 28 per cent at the UK Government level, and it's gone up 57 per cent in the Scottish Government. And that is because, in the 10 years that I have been responsible, I have made it a rule that I wasn't prepared to treat the Welsh Government more favourably than I was able to treat any other public service, and that has meant real constraints in the capacity of the civil service machine to support the Welsh Government in all our ambitions, but I continue to believe that it was the right and fair way for us to treat ourselves in line with everyone else.</p>
<p>Thank you to Carolyn Thomas. She highlighted, as many colleagues have, the impact of the draft budget on local government. I continue to work every week with my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for local government, and local government figures as well, to find new and imaginative ways in which we can assist local government in the challenging circumstances that their unique legislative constraints place on them.</p>
<p>Let me end, Llywydd, where Lee Waters left off. This is not a debate about theoretical decisions; this is not a debate in a debating society. It is a debate in a place that is going to make one of the most consequential decisions in the lives of our fellow citizens that any Parliament of this sort makes. A failure to pass a budget is genuinely catastrophic—catastrophic to the reputation of the Senedd, undermining to the reputation of devolution, but, most importantly of all, catastrophic in the lives of those thousands of people who will be left without a service, without a job, without a prospect that we can hold out in front of them of things continuing to improve in the future. That's why the next few weeks are so important. That's why this is a start, not the end of the process; that's why the conversations that other parties have been good enough to offer this afternoon are so important. I look forward to them all, and I look forward to us returning here at the end of this process determined to discharge our responsibilities.</p>

<p>I agree with that point that the Member has made, Llywydd. Financial flexibilities are an agenda item in the plenary of the Finance: Interministerial Standing Committee on Friday, because all three devolved Governments have an interest in securing a more flexible approach to that, and that certainly would benefit a future Government in managing a £27 billion budget here in Wales.</p>
<p>Very briefly, through a small number of other points, can I assure Lesley Griffiths that we have made an assessment of the UK Government's proposals? It's not completely clear whether they will take any of them forward in the next financial year, but I am ready, should there be any measures taken, that we will act to secure Wales's position and to make sure we don't end up with large amounts of waste coming across our border because people think it's easier to use landfill in Wales compared to England.</p>
<p>Mike Hedges I think usefully set out what happens if a budget doesn't pass—you've heard a number of colleagues say that—but he also made some important points in relation to the use of local government reserves.</p>
<p>Thank you to Jane Dodds for her continuing constructive engagement in getting a budget to pass through the Senedd. There are many, many things that we would like to do, and money isn't always the answer. When it comes to childcare, for example, yes, you need money to invest, but you have to have a workforce, and it's difficult to recruit in this area, and you have to have spaces as well. I think Carolyn Thomas said that childcare places need childcare spaces, and we've abolished the payment of non-domestic rates for childcare spaces, but we still know that that is a challenge in the sector.</p>
<p>Mick Antoniw will have seen that we have made provision for the BSL Bill, the backbench legislation. I expect my colleagues, when they bring forward legislation, to meet the costs of that from their budgets. It's part of the normal work of Government to make sure that Government takes account of the measures it itself expects to take. But where that's not Government legislation then I think there's a responsibility to make sure that the will of the Senedd is supported by budgets.</p>
<p>I did hear Gareth Davies. He said the Government had run out of steam. I think we can safely say that he himself has not run out of clichés.&nbsp;[<em>Interruption</em>.] I fully accept that there will probably be more where they came from. [<em>Laughter</em>.] But I'll pass swiftly on.</p>
<p>Thank you to Julie Morgan for what she said. Look—</p>

<p>Thank you very much, Julie Morgan, and thank you again for sharing that really important feedback from the cross-party group on Gypsies and Travellers. I'm so glad that you've reconvened that group. It's very powerful, and it means that we're learning from Gypsies and Travellers about what it is like to live and to be a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller person in Wales. That's going to help us, in terms of responding to the recommendations. I'm just thinking that this is very key to the work that's been done by the Local Government and Housing Committee and, indeed, the Equality and Social Justice Committee, and it’s reflected in our 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. The refreshed version has got a focus on justice for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people. It's about their rights, their entitlements and respect, recognising that hate crimes against Gypsies and Travellers are often underreported and unjustly not recognised in the same way by members of the public. Perhaps we can share with the cross-party group, with those who attended it, the details about the Wales Hate Support Centre, because Gypsies and Travellers should be able to expect the same level of care, support and attention.</p>
<p>I think also I can say, just back to the point—. I'm sorry, I didn't respond fully to Sioned Williams. The expert group, we will very much look at the interests that you've identified in the committee's report and recommendations as being relevant for membership of this expert group. We already have a hate crime awareness panel, which again actually very much reflects those groups. This has had to be set up because of the increase in hate crime, but very much reaches out to all those who are affected—lived experience, as well as those with statutory responsibility as well. Thank you again for drawing attention to this as part of just the learning and understanding of the lives of Gypsies and Travellers in Wales.</p>

<p>Can I thank Julie Morgan for the supplementary, and very warmly commend the work of the family learning group in Cathays High School? I was really delighted that they won the Hywel Francis Award for community impact. Those of us who've been in the Labour Party for a long time will recall Hywel's long-standing lifelong commitment to lifelong learning. I've seen some of the progress that has come as a result of the work of that group, and it's genuinely really impressive. Over 50 women have gone back to work in various sectors. It's built skills and fostered confidence, it's raised awareness of health issues. But, of course, it also enables those learners to support their children better in their learning and is a vital part of our community-focused schools approach.</p>
<p>If I could take this opportunity, Dirprwy Lywydd, just to congratulate all the winners in the Inspire! awards. I was able to go last year, and it was a truly inspiring evening, because people had faced so many challenges, but had persevered, had continued on their adult learning journey, and they had had really life-changing results as a result of that work. So, I think that's a really positive story. Congratulations to all of them and to Cathays High School.</p>

<p>Item 2 this afternoon is questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle. The first question is from Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan, and thank you for drawing attention to the Black Welsh Music Awards. They have been hailed as 'a historic first for Wales', a nation that's now carved out its own space on the global black music stage.&nbsp;I do think it signals that the era of under-recognition is over and time for visibility, excellence and ownership has begun. Some of those words come from the volunteers, the dedicated team of creatives, volunteers, who actually made this event happen. The Black Welsh Music Awards winners are crowned in Wales—the first ever celebration of black musical excellence—at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, which you were able to attend. I attended the reception the night before.</p>
<p>I think also they would want to really draw attention to the fact that this also included Welsh language awards for black singers and musicians. The best songwriter was Kizzy Crawford for 'Codwr y Meirwon',&nbsp;and best Welsh language track award went to Aleighcia Scott, for 'Dod o'r Galon.' It's great to see that culture coming together, very much part, I would say, of Black History Wales 365, which we also saw launched at St Fagans, the national museum, last weekend. So, thank you for drawing attention to that. I know Members will recognise how important it was. Of course, it did receive financial support from Creative Wales. It sponsored the first Black Welsh Music Awards and also it sponsors other grass-roots initiatives.</p>
<p>But I think also—and it links to your second question—it's very positive that we acknowledge today and we visibly support events like this that promote diversity, particularly in the current climate. So, thank you for also attending and drawing attention to the International Day for Non-Violence and the Gandhi statue, which we all see probably every day as we come into the bay. I remember when that statue was unveiled and how the local community raised the funds for that statue. I know it was a very moving ceremony, as it is annually, for people to come together, led by the Hindu Council of Wales, to remember what Gandhi stood for in terms of peace and also promoting unity and harmony.</p>
<p>Next week, I will be giving a statement on Hate hurts Wales, which is about our very long-standing commitment to promoting community cohesion, and also recognising the importance of people knowing that they can report hate. We have a Wales Hate Support Centre run by Victim Support, and I want to say again, today, please, for you all as Senedd Members, recognising your constituents, that if any of them are victims of hate crime, you can call the hate support centre. The centre's available 24 hours a day, 365, all-year round, at hate.crimewales@victimsupport.org.uk.</p>
<p>And also just to say that I hope Members will have seen my written statement yesterday on the Manchester synagogue attack, saying that acts of violence against places of worship are a stark reminder of the importance of demonstrating our shared commitment to peace and mutual respect. We've been reflecting on that this afternoon. I chaired the faith community forum last week, where we had all faiths coming together—Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Baháʼí, all coming together. Their leadership is so important. The recognition of a faith community is crucial. They do foster unity and resilience in the face of such troubling events, and we work closely with our faith leaders and community representatives to ensure Wales remains a place where diversity is valued and protected.</p>
<p>October is a holy period for our Jewish community, and today is the second anniversary, as we've heard, of the Hamas attack on Israel, the taking of hostages who are yet to be returned. But we've also, as I said in my statement, seen attacks in England on mosques last weekend. We must remember that our society is inclusive and will remain so, despite the heinous actions of a small number of hateful individuals. And I was pleased to speak not only to the south Wales Jewish representative on our faith communities forum after the heinous attack last week—I spoke to her on Friday—I also spoke to the Muslim Council for Wales today. So, thank you for drawing attention again to that symbol in our bay—Gandhi—of peace and non-violence.</p>

<p>A warm welcome to this meeting of the Finance Committee. It's good to see everyone here. I welcome the Members and I also welcome Julie Morgan, who has joined us and is substituting for Rhianon Passmore, because we've received apologies from her. Could I just ask at the outset whether Members have any interests to declare?</p>

<p>Finally, question 8, Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Can I thank Julie Morgan for raising this matter today in the Senedd, and, indeed, for writing to me earlier in the summer? As Members of the Senedd will know, all of the Welsh Government funding for sport is channelled through Sport Wales, and then on to the recognised national governing bodies, and, in this case, that would be Basketball Wales.</p>
<p>Llywydd, I've been very impressed with Basketball Wales and the growth of basketball as a whole across the nation, but I've been particularly impressed to read and hear directly from Julie Morgan of the work of Tribal Basketball in Cardiff North. I think they've done some inspiring work, not just for the sport, but for the community as a whole. The best advice I could give them is to reach out to Basketball Wales and, indeed, Sport Wales, and the officials within those organisations can explore potential avenues for support with them, and the best route. I'd be happy to provide the details to the Member, if they needed them.</p>
<p>And just to say, as we heard yesterday, basketball is a growing game in Wales. I did have the honour of being in the Deputy First Minister's constituency just last Thursday to have a go at basketball myself in the community, as part of one of the court collaboration funds, a fund of £1.4 million of Welsh Government funding across Wales, which has seen facilities transformed in Flint, Maesteg, and lots of others across the area, and, indeed, across the country as well.</p>

<p>Thank you very much for both those questions, very important questions, Julie Morgan. I was also very glad to attend the launch of Black History Cymru 365 on Saturday at the national museum of Wales at St Fagans, which of course was a very public event because there were thousands of people coming in and seeing the celebrations that took place. Can I again use the opportunity to say that the Welsh Government is fully committed to becoming an anti-racist nation by 2030? This commitment is underpinned by the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, co-produced with black, Asian and minoritised people in Wales and refreshed back in November 2024. I think this is a time when we must commit ourselves and publicly state that commitment once more to our Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, moving from words to action. But I do also just want to say what was so great about the event on Saturday was the joyous music that we heard, the speeches, the food we enjoyed. The 2025-26 theme is Black Futures, Welsh Futures. Now, that's something let's hold on to: Black Futures, Welsh Futures. It reflects our shared ambition.</p>
<p>Can I say we're proud to be also supporting work to ensure that every child in Wales should grow up understanding that black history is Welsh history? That was made mandatory. We have a statue of Betty Campbell down in the centre of Cardiff, where she is the expression of—. It was her call for so many years that black history should be taught in our schools. We're proud to be supporting this initiative through grant funding for the Black History Wales 365 project, including funding for a Black History Wales head of communications and marketing, a Black History Wales administrator, and a Black History Wales social media officer. I'm proud that we are funding those posts, to ensure that we can make black history Welsh history in our schools.</p>
<p>I think we must all recognise, and I'm glad I've got the opportunity to recognise, the statement by our chief medical officer in response to the Trump misinformation that came out in terms of the use of effective pain relief during pregnancy. The chief medical officer, Isabel Oliver, posted this message on X and Facebook on the false paracetamol claims; she said:</p>
<p>'Paracetamol is a safe and effective medication for pain relief and fever during pregnancy when taken as directed. There's no evidence that taking paracetamol during pregnancy causes autism in children but untreated pain and fever can pose a risk to pregnant women and the foetus. Pregnant women should continue to follow existing NHS advice, taking paracetamol only when needed and always in accordance with the advice on the label. If you have questions about any medication in pregnancy, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist.'</p>
<p>So, again, you draw attention to the breakthrough for Huntington's disease and the pioneering work of Cardiff University in terms of gene therapy. Advice on the use of medicines is so well regulated anyway, but we must also recognise that we have the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, continuously monitoring the safety of all medicines, including those used during pregnancy—robust monitoring and surveillance, as we've just been discussing. But also to say that these advances that we're taking forward here in Wales, in Cardiff, that we must respect, acknowledge and proclaim those advances in terms of medical scientific advance.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Alun Davies. And thank you for your very pertinent point and question regarding the former Member of this Senedd, the former&nbsp;leader of Reform in this Senedd, and the&nbsp;question about no public resource being used in terms of the fact, as you say, that he has pleaded guilty in terms of the allegations that were put to him and now he has pleaded guilty. And we need to ensure that that is followed up.</p>
<p>For my responsibility, I thank you for your second point about the question about our nation of sanctuary.&nbsp;I would be very happy to issue a statement about what our nation of sanctuary means.&nbsp;And I'm very glad that we had a lot of support for our nation of sanctuary on this side of the Chamber, the Senedd, last week.&nbsp;We seek—. As a Welsh Government, we have a vision of Wales as a nation of sanctuary. We're not a nation of sanctuary yet. We seek, we aspire&nbsp;to be a nation of sanctuary.&nbsp;We seek to ensure sanctuary seekers have access to advice services, information about rights, responsibilities and entitlements, and integration services, so that they can fully contribute to Welsh community life.</p>
<p>Since 2022, around 8,000 Ukrainians have been welcomed to Wales, many of whom are now contributing to their communities.&nbsp;And we've met, very recently, with Ukrainians who are telling us how sad they have been made in the last week by the ways in which—and I have to say I'm very sad that we heard this from the Welsh Conservatives—there was not a recognition that the nation of sanctuary has been an approach which welcomed them, those 8,000 Ukrainians, to Wales. And and&nbsp;they are working, they're volunteering, and they're enriching local life.&nbsp;But I do seek to put the record straight in terms of the nation of sanctuary, and&nbsp;I will issue a statement.&nbsp;Can I just say that the budget spend on our support for Ukrainians in 2022-2024 represents 82 per cent of the Welsh Government's nation of sanctuary budget over six years from 2019 to 2020-25?&nbsp;And so, I'm very sad indeed that Darren Miller, as the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, called for the scrapping of the nation of sanctuary policy.&nbsp;I don't know if you realise how hurtful that has been to those we have welcomed here, particularly those 8,000 Ukrainians, but also many, many more of the people that Julie Morgan and I met on Saturday at the Race Council Cymru event and also at <span style="text-decoration: underline;">many events</span>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thank you. We'll now move on to look at different aspects of the Bill, and, first of all, Julie Morgan has some questions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>I admire your enthusiasm, Dr Wilks, but we're obviously running through every aspect of the Bill at once. So, we will be coming on to the adviser, but I think—. Julie Morgan, were there any further questions you wanted to ask?</p>

<p>Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the Equality and Social Justice Committee. We have apologies from two Members: Mick Antoniw and Julie Morgan. We have no substitute, so there will just be the four Members with us today. Are there any declarations of interest? No. I see none.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>We are proceeding with our scrutiny of the draft&nbsp;British Sign Language (Wales) Bill. So, in addition to our usual simultaneous translation from Welsh to English, we're also delighted to have British Sign Language interpreters with us for all three public sessions today. That means that we will need to take very short two-minute breaks every 30 minutes to enable one signer to be relieved by another. So, if you're watching this live, please stay with us for all three very important sessions on the British Sign Language Bill. They literally will be two-minute breaks.</p>

<p>Before we go on to other matters, I wondered if Members are content to note the 18 papers for publication and public scrutiny that have arrived over the summer. Are there any issues you wish to raise before we note them? I see none. So, therefore, all those 18 papers have been noted.&nbsp;</p>
<p>We have apologies for Julie Morgan, who has an urgent meeting at 2 o'clock, which means that she's unclear what time she may be able to join us. In the meantime, the main witness for our scrutiny of the British Sign Language Bill has been delayed because of disruptions to the train service from north Wales. So, we are unable to begin the scrutiny session on the British Sign Language Bill until approximately 14:30, but we obviously have other business internally that we can conduct now, and we'll then come back as soon as possible, around 14:30, to start our scrutiny of the Bill.</p>

<p>Thank you. I'd now like to call Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>You’re quite right—that is a risk, and that is why some of the processes I’ve just described have been put in place. This is a framework Bill, and the consensus was that we should ensure that what comes forward in the future should not be overly prescribed; we need to hear what deaf communities themselves have to say, what the BSL adviser, who must be a BSL speaker him or herself, and what the assisting panel have to say,&nbsp;representing more widely the deaf community and being in touch with what their priorities are. We want Welsh Government Ministers to have the discretion all Ministers need when monitoring and implementing legislation, and public bodies, again, to be able to flex according to local priorities, because some health boards, some local authorities are further down the road on this, putting it politely, than others, or, putting it another way, some are too far behind. They all have to catch up with where we need to be, but not all necessarily at the same pace. But, I think, as Julie Morgan indicated, there's room there for area working between some of those public bodies also.</p>

<p>It very much follows on from the response that I gave to Julie Morgan earlier. I explained—. I'm sure you're familiar with it from the explanatory memorandum, but the process will apply at the beginning in terms of the plans, the reviews, and the potentially revised reviews, and further revised reports on the reviews and so on. But after that period, potentially, if a public body chooses to take their eye off the ball, for whatever reason, and nobody's keeping an eye on this, you could see slippage, or you could see box ticking rather than real change. To me, it's vitally important that lived experience is at the centre of this, at a local level—that deaf communities, deaf people&nbsp;and their families are given the opportunity to explain what their real experience is at a local level to the public bodies, and hopefully to co-design and co-deliver the solutions necessary at a local and, if necessary, on an area-based level.</p>
<p>This is for Welsh Ministers to consider, but there may be a role for the relevant regulatory bodies, so Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, Care Inspectorate Wales, and we mentioned Estyn earlier and so on—whether this could be something that they ask questions about as they go around their work visiting public bodies, as they do. Of course, committees in councils and health boards have members who should be scrutinising their executives or their executive officers in relation to these, alongside other, matters. It would be nice to think that they are made aware of that and that the plans ensure, at a local level, that they do. And again, potentially, given what we've learned in Scotland, you may wish to ask whether there should be a role for future Welsh Governments to have some strengthened oversight in these areas.</p>

<p>Thank you. Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan. Can I thank you for raising this question? It is a question that, of course, has come to the fore again as a result of this report. Can I just pay tribute to Lynne Kelly, Haemophilia Wales, and the constant work, the diligence, the commitment she has showed to this campaign? I recognise the frustration of those who are affected by the infected blood scandal, and their families and relatives. I think, across the Chamber, we have all got constituents, I certainly have, who we are representing as far as this is concerned.</p>
<p>I think also, the inquiry has been led so ably and with such commitment by Brian Langstaff, and we must recognise that today. This is a matter for the UK Cabinet Office, and, of course<span style="text-decoration: underline;">—I'm sure we've all corresponded with Nick Thomas-Symonds—</span></p>

<p>Thank you very much, Julie Morgan. It was really very much welcomed that we had engagement from the Jo Cox Foundation. Hannah Phillips highlighted the recommendations from the Jo Cox Civility Commission. Of course, the Welsh Government was very pleased to respond positively to the recommendation that safety-related expenses should be exempt. I'm very pleased that, in fact, this regulation went through last Tuesday. I'm not sure how many colleagues across the Chamber were aware of that, but it did go through last Tuesday, through the Welsh Government regulations. And I think it's encompassed in the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025, the conduct Order that's being debated later on this afternoon. So, that is a real step forward.</p>
<p>Can I also thank Joyce Watson and all colleagues across the Chamber who attended the women's caucus? Indeed, last week, I was able to meet with the political parties panel, which is organised by the Electoral Commission. All parties here were represented by your general secretaries or other members of your party units, and we had a robust discussion about how we can protect not just, of course, our existing colleagues and politicians from abuse and intimidation, but also leading up to the elections in May 2026. I look forward to reporting back to the women's caucus on those discussions.</p>

<p>Thank you. Can I now call in Julie Morgan?</p>

<p>Thank&nbsp;you for making all those important points. We'll come back to some of them, but I'll start by asking Julie Morgan to come in.</p>

<p>Thank you. That's excellent scene setting. We now need to look at implementation. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Thank you. Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Finally, question 8, Julie Morgan.</p>

<p>Thank you very much, Julie Morgan. You drew attention to the disabled people's rights plan, as I did. I thank the disabled people who were actively involved in co-producing that plan and who are now consulting on the plan so that we can get it right, and I thank the Members who attended the consultation event last week. What you've drawn to our attention is totally unacceptable, and it just shows that the social model of disability, which is about the disabling barriers of society, it has to be said, can be in the public realm, it can be from public services, it can be statutory services, but also in the private sector. The appalling treatment at McDonald's and the lack of understanding and provision of toilets for use should be shown up, as you have done today.</p>
<p>Just to say, of course, that local authorities are legally required to produce local toilet strategies. McDonald's functions not just in Cardiff but across Wales and the world, so they need to take notice of what you have brought to our attention today. We need to ensure that there are accessible local toilet facilities and that disabled people, of course, are engaged, as they have been so positively and constructively, for example, in the development of Cardiff bus station. I went recently to Cardiff bus station with Guide Dogs Cymru and saw the influence they've had on the design of a new bus station with accessible toilets, and to show what can be done in terms of building regulations and changing places if they're properly implemented.</p>

<p>Thank you, Julie Morgan. We continue to work with disabled people to make Wales a better place to live. The draft disabled people's rights plan seeks to create lasting positive change, putting the social model of disability at the heart of our ambition for Wales.</p>

<p>Absolutely, and I think Julie Morgan made a valuable point&nbsp;right at the end of her contribution then, to say that safety applies to all modes of movement. The fear of travel by cycling applies equally to walking and wheeling, as well, in many areas. This is something that Delyth Jewell has raised with me on a number of occasions, and we've had very good, constructive discussions about how we can improve safety right across all modes of transport. We don't just want safer streets; we want people to feel safer in their streets as well.</p>
<p>I do fully recognise the barriers that many women face when it comes to walking, wheeling and cycling, particularly, of course, around safety and infrastructure, and confidence as well. I don't think it's just a transport issue that we face; it's an equalities issue, it's a fairness issue. That's why we're working together to strengthen how we and local authorities embed equality considerations much earlier in the design process when it comes to investment in walking, wheeling and cycling schemes. We also have the access and inclusion panel as well, right at the heart of Transport for Wales. That is proving to be an incredibly valuable voice for people who are often the most vulnerable and who often express the deepest fear of leaving their homes and accessing public transport or engaging in active travel.</p>
<p>So, we're also building the skills, I should say, Llywydd, and providing support to local authorities and other delivery partners on equality impact assessments, inclusive designs and meaningful community engagement, because women's voices have to be heard from the outset, at the planning and prioritisation stage. This is something that we are insisting on at a local level. We're working with Transport for Wales. We're working with their access and inclusion panel, and, through the agenda that we have described as 'travel for all', we are ensuring that the most vulnerable, including women, are at the forefront of our considerations whenever investment in transport infrastructure is made.</p>

<p>I'd like to thank Julie Morgan for raising this very important issue. You'll be aware, Cabinet Secretary, that changes are in the pipeline in terms of the Rhondda Cynon Taf school transport policy to offer the statutory level of provision, namely a distance of 3 miles for secondary schools, rather than the current 2 miles. Safety is a matter that a number of parents and pupils have raised with me as a cause of great concern, particularly girls, and particularly in winter, when it's dark, when they set off for school on foot or by bike, and on the way home. It's also a matter that comes through clearly in this document, which is a report by parents in Rhondda Cynon Taf, based on comments from the community. What expectations do you have as a Government in terms of what local authorities should do to ensure that school transport policies ensure the safety of learners and that their voices are heard when there are consultations on these issues? Everyone should be able to feel safe as they travel to school.</p>

<p>Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your answer to Julie Morgan.</p>
<p>I want to talk about the visually impaired, if that's OK, Cabinet Secretary, because, in my constituency, in Llandrindod Wells, you're well aware of the active travel scheme that was designed by the Welsh Government. That scheme now is so wide it's actually forcing HGVs to mount the pavement, which is actually creating a real safety hazard for people who are visually impaired, parents pushing prams, and also people who are cycling. I would say that whoever designed the scheme doesn't really have an ounce of common sense, because, if you go there and actually see it, you would actually understand the problems that it is causing pedestrians and HGV drivers, and the risks that it is posing. So, will you commit today to reviewing that scheme, to make sure it is safe for pedestrians, and, if we are going to have any future active travel schemes, that, actually, consideration is taken to the movement of HGVs around narrow roads?</p>

<p>Thank you, First Minister. I'm pleased the the Government has now extended the grant to the end of August 2026, but we need long-term assurances for this school. Following the challenging COVID years, the number of pupils is again increasing. Now is the time to invest in the school. It's far more than just a school. It holds a series of Welsh language and cultural events, such a nursery, an Urdd&nbsp;<em>aelwyd</em>, folk dancing lessons, a choir, and they are ambassadors for us at important events in London.</p>
<p>Last week, the Cabinet Secretary for Welsh language spoke about investing in Saturday classes, but Saturday classes aren't the same as a full-time primary school. Welsh language education in Cardiff started as a Saturday class, with Rhodri Morgan as one of the first pupils. But that wasn't the same as the school that you and I attended, First Minister. And Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain is very grateful for the support of Julie Morgan over the years. Nothing is more effective to ensure fluent Welsh speakers than full-time Welsh-medium education. Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain has done that for nearly 70 years—generation after generation of fluent Welsh speakers who have served Wales in several different areas. With the Government committing to continuing to invest in the Welsh-speaking community in London, are you willing to reconsider this decision, and the best way to do that is by investing in the Welsh language school? Thank you.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr, Julie Morgan. I did also join that meeting that you hosted and chaired—it was a cross-party meeting—and then was able to join a meeting with the First Minister and&nbsp;Mr Lassouaoui. He is the outreach manager for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, and it was important to have that update.</p>
<p>Now, I have issued a written statement this morning, just reflecting on that visit, and I hope just to draw that statement to Members' attention, and also to recognise, as I said in my statement, that UNRWA remains a critical lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees. So, it is important that the Government puts this on the record in terms of that recognition. And just to say again, within my statement, we continue, as a Welsh Government, to call for a lift on the aid blockade to Gaza. We've said that humanitarian aid should never be used as a political tool. We join the UK Government in calling for Israel to respect international law and allow the unhindered flow of aid. Also, we reiterate that humanitarian aid must never be used as a political tool. And I call for urgent restoration of full, unimpeded humanitarian access across Gaza and the West Bank. I won't repeat all the points made in my statement, but we did say that we must ensure that children, the elderly and the displaced receive the food, care and protection they urgently need.</p>

<p>Thank you, Delyth Jewell. I think it's important that Members have made their statements, again, of support—we've had many today. And I just want to respond—and, indeed, Julie Morgan raised this as well—that we're also aware and were horrified to hear last week, as well, from that meeting with the UNRWA about the Palestinians who've been killed at the aid distribution sites. That is becoming daily news, and I'm grateful again that, today, we've aired the concerns from some of the world's biggest charities and aid agencies, to see the Israeli and US-backed body that distributes food in Gaza shut down. So, again, thank you for raising this again, as have many Members across this Chamber today.</p>

<p>Good morning, and welcome to today's meeting of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee. The meeting today is bilingual and simultaneous translation from Welsh to English is available. We have received apologies today from Mick Antoniw, and we are welcoming Julie Morgan as a substitute on his behalf. You are very welcome here again, Julie. Do any Members have any declarations of interest? No, I don't see that any do.</p>

<p>Thank you very much, Julie Morgan. I welcome that announcement last week that the UK Government recognises that we need to have enforcement. Of course, the Enforcement Conduct Board was set up in 2022, which was very welcome, but it was a voluntary accreditation scheme, so I very much agree that the only way this can be enforced, and to ensure that it is enforced, is to have independent statutory regulation of the debt enforcement sector in England and Wales. I know the Enforcement Conduct Board have met with Senedd Members here today, and we've welcomed the fact that all our local authorities, in fact, have signed up to the enforcement code of conduct and also implemented the council tax protocol in 2019. That was a really important step change in the culture of council tax enforcement in Wales, where we know the use of bailiffs has often caused concerns. So, I think the fact that the UK Government is now going to move to statutory underpinning of the debt enforcement sector is very welcome. Of course, there is consultation on this, and I'm sure that particularly our advice sector will respond, but we will be responding, because it's about consultation on the role of an independent statutory regulator, how it will be funded and how it will be held accountable to Parliament. I hope that across the Chamber we will welcome this and respond.</p>
<p>It's very concerning to hear that you're likely to be left and will be left in Cardiff North with no bank branches, with the recent announcement that NatWest are going to close their Llanishen branch in the latest wave of closures between September and February. And this is something that, across this Chamber, we have had so many examples of bank closures of this kind. I mean, we are looking at what banks should be doing. The decision to leave loyal customers—individuals and businesses—without access&nbsp;to branch face-to-face banking services is deeply regrettable, and I'm sure, again, that point is shared and that concern is shared across the Chamber.&nbsp;Regulation, of course, of banking is not devolved. There are opportunities to develop banking hubs, and some of you may have them in your constituencies, and that's something where I would&nbsp;urge you to engage with LINK, the cash point operator, which has a cash-access review service, and that can lead to recommendations for a banking hub. But I think the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning and myself will take this up with the UK Government as well, because this is regulated by the UK Government, and banks are closing and it is resulting in no bank branches in your constituency and many others.</p>

<p>Thank you very much, Sioned Williams, and thank you for raising that question for the First Minister. I will ensure that we get a response to that in terms of your first point, and also to say that you will be aware, of course, that the First Minister, in her role as leader of Welsh Labour, issued a public call on Saturday for peace in Gaza and an end to the suffering of innocent Palestinians, but as First Minister as well, she did join other leaders in making a statement and writing on this point.</p>
<p>I think this is something where we all join together in our huge concern about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the current method of distributing aid, which is not distribution; it's using food as a weapon.&nbsp;Of course, I have&nbsp;issued a written statement calling for a lift on the aid blockade in Gaza and have stated that humanitarian aid should never be used as a political tool.&nbsp;We join the UK Government in calling for Israel to respect international law and allow the UN and other agencies to deliver life-saving aid to those in Gaza who so desperately need it. I also look forward to meeting next week with representatives of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees&nbsp;in the Near East. Julie Morgan is&nbsp;hosting meetings, I know, for all Senedd Members, and I know that the First Minister and myself will also be meeting with them. Hopefully, then, we can comment more on what we've learnt from that meeting.</p>
<p>On your second point, yes, the statement on automatic registration has been deferred. It's not been cancelled; it's been&nbsp;deferred. It's being rescheduled. Also, UK Government are&nbsp;working&nbsp;on automatic registration as well. But I will ask the Cabinet&nbsp;Secretary to—. We can make sure that we get it into the timeline in terms of&nbsp;the business statement.</p>

<p>Diolch yn fawr,&nbsp;Julie Morgan. Well, a globally responsible Wales is one of our key well-being goals, and it is important to think back to those conversations that we had with young people. I think that well-being goal has had a major influence on the development of our curriculum, which will enable our children and our young people to grow up as ethically informed citizens. Global citizenship has been a key part of the curriculum, and a globally responsible Wales has also drawn a connection internationally with countries now who are looking to see whether they can emulate what we're doing. But global solidarity is a moral imperative. It's not about charity but partnership. It's not about aid but mutual respect, and that's why we've built global responsibility into the Act.</p>
<p>So, can I just very briefly say, can I mark the fact, it's Refugee Week this week? We had a wonderful nation of sanctuary awards last night—truly inspirational people who we welcome to Wales, who are making such a contribution. The strength and resilience of people seeking sanctuary, and the enormous contributions they make to Welsh life and in our communities across Wales. But very much on an international basis we felt that we were in Wales, but we were in the world last night; it was such a strong feeling. The nation of sanctuary vision, set out in the 'Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan', a Wales where everyone, regardless of their background, is treated with respect, dignity and humanity. I would also say we're very proud of our Wales and Africa programme, which, of course, is a clear demonstration of our globally responsible Wales goal and our well-being goal in the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">well-being of future generations Act.</span></p>

<p>I'll finish now by just thanking Julie Morgan as well for ensuring that we have looked at this from the perspective of children and young people. Inclusion is at the heart of the education reform in Wales, and I'm glad you acknowledge that the Cabinet Secretary for Education was able to assure you of this, when she also gave evidence to the committee.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Removing barriers—</p>

<p>Thank you very much indeed for all your contributions. I think we covered a lot of new ground, which is very good. Both Altaf Hussain and Jane Dodds highlighted the inadequate response by employers, which is very difficult to understand. It really isn't that difficult to find out the information. Clearly, Business Wales has a role here, and I would say the trade unions have a role with larger companies. They need to also be champions of disabled people.</p>
<p>I was also pleased to hear Altaf Hussain talking about people with invisible health issues, like endometriosis, and we did have evidence in that regard—people who feel reluctant to tell their employer about the particular challenges they face in case they are going to get discriminated against, and they are the first ones to go if people are going to be let go.</p>
<p>We had an excellent intervention on this point from Hefin David. It is the case that some employers do adapt their recruitment policies to align with the life skills, rather than the pieces of paper that have been required. I think Aneurin Bevan Health Board is one that has done that. We need to acknowledge that there is good practice going on. But I think one of the most damning points that was made is the point made by Dan Biddle: if you are not in employment by the age of 26, you are very unlikely you will ever become employed. That was reiterated by both Julie Morgan and by Altaf Hussain.</p>
<p>It was useful for Sioned to raise the issue around the UNDP. I think we should thank the Cabinet Secretary for inviting representatives to go and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">meet the working group</span></p>

<p>I would like an urgent statement, please, Trefnydd, from the Minister for culture following the announcement, with very little warning, that the grant of £90,000 to Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain, the London Welsh School, will come to an end in March of next year, in the middle of the school's academic year. Now, the school is clear: without that £90,000, the school will close, and thereby bring to an end 70 years of Welsh education in London. The school has ensured generation after generation of Welsh speakers. For such a small figure, Trefnydd, £90,000, the implications are huge for the school—teachers will lose their jobs, children will have to leave the school in the middle of an academic year, and the impact will be huge on the broader London community. I know Julie Morgan talked of this during her time in Westminster. The school has faced a number of challenges over the years; it would be a great shame if the school had to close because the Welsh Government wasn't providing £90,000 to them. Thank you.</p>