, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Thank you. And just to conclude from me, I think I'll go back to what you said at the beginning, and correct me if I misheard you, but I think you said the spending power you anticipated would be £600 million less as a consequence of the inflationary factors…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Before I close the session on the cost of living, there are two points, I think. Jack Sergeant and I met with young people yesterday from Dŵr y Felin Comprehensive School in the education Minister's own constituency, but some of the pupils actually live in my…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
I want to move on now to the next and final—for this theme—section, and that's mental health, because, clearly, the impact that the cost of living will have upon people's mental health is critical. Jack will take us on on this one.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Thank you. We move on to the next section, which is housing, and Sam Rowlands will lead on that.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Just for clarification, then, the emphasis is on supporting and making a difference to children in poverty.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Can I ask a simple question and talk about the strategy? I remember the previous ambition to eradicate child poverty by, I think it was, 2020. And I think, during my first term here, that changed because of recognition and, in fact, when you see the figures…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Thank you, John. Jenny, you also wanted to mention this, and then lead in to your questions on the impact on children and young people.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
We're moving on to an area you've already touched on, First Minister, and that's advice to individuals but also sometimes the processes of seeking that support, and we'll move on with John Griffiths.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Russell, I'll come back to you for your last question, because I want to move on to the next section.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Russell, hang on a second. Sam has got a quick supplementary—and it is going to be quick.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
I want to move on to the next section, and that's the economic impacts upon our communities as a consequence of the current economic crisis. Russell, you can lead on this, please.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Back to you, Delyth, but the last question, because I want to move on to the next section.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Jenny, do you want to ask a quick supplementary?
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Can I ask a question in the meantime? I'm sorry, Delyth. On the £200 winter fuel allowance that you've identified that you've paid this year and that you've already identified you intend to do in the coming winter, there were a lot of concerns about…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Thank you for that introduction. Clearly, as you say, the context needs to be applied, and we've identified some areas, such as energy prices and fuel, economic impacts, poverty, child services, housing and mental health issues. So, there is a collection of…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Thank you, and welcome, Andrew, to the meeting. Can we, then, go straight into questions? I'll open the questions, First Minister, on the more generic picture. Clearly, the cost-of-living crisis is fluid; we are seeing changes on a daily basis. Can you…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Cost of living
Therefore, we move on to the main substance of our business today, and that is the scrutiny of the First Minister. Members will be aware that we take this in two sessions. The first session is on a thematic basis and the second session will be on more topical…
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Thank you, Jenny. Anything else? No.
, Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister
Introductions, apologies, substitutions and declarations of interest
Good afternoon. Can I welcome everyone to this afternoon's meeting of the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister? Can I remind Members the meeting is bilingual, and therefore the option to have simultaneous translation from Welsh to English is…
