, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. As you say, it's a very large portfolio, it's a very diverse portfolio, but I do think that culture and social justice go very well together. I've been in post 12 weeks now, I think it is, and I've been looking at the opportunities to do that. I…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
General scrutiny of the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Sorry, just to say that Ruth Meadows isn't here.
, Plenary
Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee Report, 'Actions, not words: towards an anti-racist Wales by 2030'
I think it's really important that we work collaboratively. I'm not aware of the specific words that you referred to, but I think it is really important that we work together. You can say this about many aspects of policy development: the Welsh Government…
, Plenary
Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee Report, 'Actions, not words: towards an anti-racist Wales by 2030'
Can I just finish this? John Griffiths very eloquently identified Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, which absolutely do face that. Yes, I'll take an intervention.
, Plenary
Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee Report, 'Actions, not words: towards an anti-racist Wales by 2030'
Sorry?
, Plenary
Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee Report, 'Actions, not words: towards an anti-racist Wales by 2030'
Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Welsh Government regarding the 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan' inquiry, and I very much welcome the Equality and Social Justice Committee's report, 'Action…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Absolutely. I mentioned I'd had meetings with the senior leadership team, so obviously the officials in the probation service, the representatives for Wales, and I met with the deputy directors—that was on one occasion—from Parc prison. And we did discuss…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you. I will certainly be seeking a meeting with Will Styles who, as you say, is the new director at HMP Parc. I mentioned in my answer to Altaf Hussain that I had a joint meeting with the Minister for mental health because I thought it was really…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Well, as I say, the operational running of the prison is absolutely the responsibility of the UK Government, and it is imperative that the staff and inmates are not impacted again in the way that they have. My thoughts certainly go out to the staff and the…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
Thank you. Well, I will certainly be making that case, as you say, hopefully to a UK Labour Government, but I shall be doing be doing it to any colour Government, because I absolutely think the Welsh Government's position is very clear: we do believe that…
, Plenary
Topical Questions
The operational running of HMP Parc is reserved to the UK Government. I'm extremely concerned at the recent events and have sought frequent meetings with the relevant senior leadership teams.
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice—Reaffirmation of our values
Thank you. I was just reflecting, when you were talking about nation of sanctuary and cohesive communities, that this morning I met with HOPE Not Hate, and we had a very interesting discussion about information sharing and how important that is. We'd focused…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice—Reaffirmation of our values
Thank you. I have already met with both Prospect and PCS, and I think I'm having a separate meeting with the Musicians' Union, who I've also met, but I think they've asked for a further meeting. You will know that, as part of the co-operation agreement, Dawn…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice—Reaffirmation of our values
Thank you. Well, as I think I mentioned earlier, I have already met with the WNO, with the interim director, and I look forward to meeting with you also. I think it's fair to say we've never quite seen or heard a protest like the one we had from the WNO…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice—Reaffirmation of our values
Thank you very much and I absolutely recognise the importance you too put on working with us around eradicating child poverty. When I came into the portfolio, having been in this portfolio 10 years ago, it's incredibly disappointing to see child poverty at…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice—Reaffirmation of our values
Thank you. Well, I did say at the start of my statement that I've got a very diverse portfolio, so it is very hard to kind of narrow it down to your priorities, but if I can encompass it in three from that statement—and I made this very clear to my Cabinet…
, Plenary
Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice: Culture and Social Justice—Reaffirmation of our values
Diolch, Llywydd. I am pleased to make this statement on my priorities for the culture and social justice portfolio. This is a diverse portfolio that reaches across many aspects of Government, and which has the potential to make profound and lasting change to…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. Well, the Member will be aware that I'm two months in post, and this is certainly something that we're looking at in the round around all issues of poverty.
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Diolch. Our discretionary assistance fund and support for the Fuel Bank Foundation provides a lifeline to households in immediate need. Our Warm Homes Nest scheme and optimised retrofit programme are transforming the homes of low-income households for the…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
I wasn't aware of that group, either. I think I wrote it all down correctly, but I will certainly have a look at that. Following my meeting with the four new—well, two new, two re-elected—PCCs, I'll certainly—. This is an area that I'm very keen to look at in…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Diolch. I am aware of the report that the Member refers to of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, and the recommendations within that report to tackle stalking. You'll be very well aware that we work very closely with our police colleagues. The issues, I think, raised…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Our 'Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence: strategy 2022 to 2026' prioritises tackling all forms of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Our commitment to tackling stalking and harassment is being delivered through our VAWDASV blueprint…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Well, I mentioned the need to build up the capacity here in Wales. We were the first country in the UK to recognise British Sign Language alongside English, Welsh and other languages in its curriculum, and we now need to make sure that we support the increase…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
Thank you. I think you raise a very important point, Mike Hedges. Under the Equality Act 2010, service providers must provide reasonable adjustments, and that includes BSL interpreters, who are essential to ensure access to services. But we do, however…
, Plenary
Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice
The Welsh Government has set up a working group to focus on access to services as part of the disability rights taskforce. This work is integral to driving forward access to all services in Wales, including for those with hearing loss.
