, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Can I first of all thank Peredur Griffiths and Plaid Cymru for the work we've done collectively on the LGBTQ+ action plan and that solidarity and collaborative working, which are so important on these fundamental issues of equality and human rights and…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
I welcome the Member's interest in this area and very much share what he said in terms of the—whilst one-off payments are welcome, it is about the implementation of the real living wage, but actually the real living wage is just one part of an element of a…
, Plenary
Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill
Moved.
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual Progress and Priorities
I thank Joyce Watson for her contribution today, and I very much resonate the contribution and comments you make around the value of social partnership and that it's not just in the interests of workers and trade unions; it's in the interests of employers…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual Progress and Priorities
I thank Vikki Howells for her contribution and for her warm comments about some of the work we did. I know this an area that, not just as a former teacher, you’re very passionate about, but as somebody that advocates for fairer and better work in communities…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual Progress and Priorities
Diolch. Can I thank Peredur Owen Griffiths for his questions and also his commitment in this area? I know that we have been able to work together in the spirit of partnership very collaboratively on a number of these issues. I think I'll just pick up on the…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual Progress and Priorities
I'll start by addressing the most substantive contributions from Joel James, and in particular around the very important points that he makes around support for disabled workers, people with disabilities, around fair work. I'm more than happy to commit to…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual Progress and Priorities
Diolch. In 2018, the then Welsh Government established the Fair Work Commission, which subsequently made a number of recommendations back in 2019. Since then, the world and work as we know it has changed, but despite these challenges, we have made significant…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
I thank Sarah Murphy for her contribution, and can I thank YPOP for their work and the contributions that they've made? I'm looking forward to the meeting I have with Sarah and my colleague Jeremy Miles later with week with the Member of the Youth Parliament…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
I've nothing more to say to Laura Anne Jones, Deputy Presiding Officer.
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
Deputy Presiding Officer, it's hard to find the right words to respond to Laura Anne Jones's contribution. [Interruption.] Yes, 'shameful', and I don't think I have much to say in response to that. We have just talked in this Chamber earlier today, and we've…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
Can I thank Mike Hedges for his contribution and also for his commitment as a committed ally for the LGBTQ+ community in Wales? I was proud to march alongside Mike at the most recent Swansea Pride—the first march post pandemic—and it was wonderful to see lots…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
Diolch, Sioned. Indeed, I share your sentiments that this is a proud day for us, not just in this Siambr, but in communities across Wales, and I've had lost of positive feedback already about, actually, how important to have the plan itself is. But, like you…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. As this is a 30-minute statement, I don't think I've got enough time to pick up every contradiction that Altaf Hussain made in his contribution then. I welcome the opening remarks and the profound words you said—that we're…
, Plenary
Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: The LGBTQ+ Action Plan
LGBT History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, and to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ people who, for too long and too often, have been hidden from history. But, we don’t just need to reflect on our…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Can I thank Jane Dodds for your question and your interest in this area? Because, like you, I recognise that, for many communities across Wales, it is retained fire services that provide that much-needed and valued cover, and it's the same for myself in the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Can I thank the Member for his question? And this is something that's been raised with me previously as well. I would say, I understand the position of the fire and rescue authorities, but like them and constituent local authorities, we all face many funding…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
The fire and rescue authorities determine almost all of their funding themselves through levying contributions on their constituent local authorities. The fire and rescue authorities in Wales do not receive core funding from the Welsh Government.
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Diolch. Can I thank Mike Hedges for helping answer my question there in advance? I will say at the outset that I welcome Joel James putting on the record that he recognises that it's a person's right to take industrial action, and the decision to take…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Can I thank Carolyn Thomas for her question? I know this is an area that the Member's very committed to and passionate about, not least because of her own background as well. And it is good to have people here with lived experience, especially when something…
, Plenary
Questions to the Minister for Social Justice
Whilst Royal Mail remains a reserved matter, I have regular contact with both the Communications Workers Union and Royal Mail, given the significance of the service to both workers and communities across Wales. I last met with the CWU and Royal Mail…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Group 17: Guidance and coming into force (Amendments 10, 11)
Thank you, Chair.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Group 17: Guidance and coming into force (Amendments 10, 11)
Thank you Chair. The committee’s Stage 1 recommendation 5 asked that we add a duty to consult in developing or revising the socially responsible public procurement guidance we will be issuing in due course. I confirmed at the time that the Government accepted…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Group 16: Setting of targets (Amendments 87, 88, 89, 90, 91)
Thank you, Chair. In responding, in my opening remarks, I think I said this is the first time we are legislating on procurement in Wales, recognising, as you say, the value and the strength and the potential that we have in the levers through public…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Group 15: Contracts register (registrable interests) (Amendments 8, 84, 85, 9, 86, 93)
Thank you, Chair. Just to say, briefly, that the Government amendments regarding the contracts, which are in this group, are designed to make more information available to citizens and potential suppliers about existing public sector contracts. Providing an…
