Siambr · Member of the Senedd · Register of record
Dafydd Trystan Davies
Tenures
- Seventh Senedd Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf Plaid Cymru
Ministerial roles
- Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution Y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Effeithiolrwydd Llywodraeth A’r Cyfansoddiad
Contributions, by sitting day
137 contributions on record, newest first. Official verbatim record.
10
Open this sitting on the stage
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Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Today, I am updating Members on the next steps regarding the Glyndŵr National Park (Designation) Order submitted to Welsh Ministers by Natural Resources Wales in January of this year. Following careful consideration of the designation Order, the evidence assembled by Natural Resources Wales, the representations and objections received during the designation process, and the associated impact assessments, I have reached a provisional view in respect of the question of whether to confirm, confirm with modifications or to reject the designation Order. I am currently minded not to confirm the designation Order, and consequently minded not to proceed with a public local inquiry at this stage. Not confirming the designation Order and not proceeding with a public local inquiry will mean that no new national park is established at this time. I do want to be clear with Members that this is not a final decision. Before reaching a final decision, I intend to provide a short opportunity for everyone with an interest in this proposal to make further representations in respect of the provisional view that I have reached.
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Bydd Aelodau'n cofio bod y weinyddiaeth flaenorol wedi gofyn i Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i asesu'r achos o blaid parc cenedlaethol newydd. Yn dilyn rhaglen drwyadl o gasglu tystiolaeth, trafod ac ymgynghori, daeth Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i'r casgliad bod ardal y parc cenedlaethol Glyndŵr arfaethedig yn bodloni'r profion statudol ar gyfer ei dynodi, a chyflwynodd Orchymyn dynodi i Weinidogion Cymru. Ers hynny, mae llwyth o dystiolaeth wedi'i chasglu. Daeth dros 400 o ymatebion i law yn ystod y cyfnod hysbysu. Roedd y rhain yn adlewyrchu amrywiaeth o safbwyntiau, gyda llawer o ymatebwyr yn cefnogi a llawer yn gwrthwynebu. Cyflwynwyd gwrthwynebiadau sylweddol hefyd, gan gynnwys gwrthwynebiadau gan bob un o'r pum awdurdod lleol yn yr ardal berthnasol. Teimladau cryf o blaid a theimladau cryf yn erbyn. Mae llawer wedi tynnu sylw at y manteision posibl: cyfleoedd i adfer natur, gwrthsefyll newid hinsawdd yn well, rhoi arweiniad strategol ar gyfer rheoli'r dirwedd, cefnogi hamddena a thwristiaeth gynaliadwy. Mae'r dystiolaeth gan Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn nodi nifer o gyfleoedd yn y meysydd hyn. Ar yr un pryd, mae cwestiynau pwysig wedi'u codi ar hyd y broses yn ymwneud â fforddiadwyedd, gofynion cyllidol y dyfodol, gwerth am arian, trefniadau llywodraethu ac effeithiau posibl ar gymunedau lleol, seilwaith, datblygiadau ynni, tai a'r iaith Gymraeg. Mae'r pryderon yma wedi'u codi gan awdurdodau lleol a chynrychiolwyr y sectorau busnes a rheoli tir. Wrth i fi ddod i gasgliad dros dro, dwi wedi ystyried y materion yma'n fanwl. Dwi wedi ystyried canlyniadau'r asesiad effaith rheoleiddiol a'r asesiad effaith integredig gafodd eu paratoi gan swyddogion. Mae'r dadansoddiad yn nodi manteision posibl ynghyd ag ansicrwydd sylweddol. Mae'r asesiad effaith rheoleiddiol yn amcangyfrif costau sefydlu o dros £11 miliwn ac yn nodi'r costau wedi hynny sy'n gysylltiedig â sefydlu a gweithredu awdurdod parc cenedlaethol newydd. Mae hefyd yn nodi ansicrwydd yn y sylfaen dystiolaeth.
Official English translation
Members will be aware that the previous administration asked Natural Resources Wales to assess the case for a new national park. Following an extensive programme of evidence gathering, engagement and consultation, NRW concluded that the area comprising the proposed Glyndŵr national park did meet the statutory tests for designation, and submitted the designation Order to Welsh Ministers. Since then, a significant volume of evidence has been gathered. Over 400 responses were received during the notification period. These reflected a variety of views, with many respondents supporting the proposal and many opposing it. Significant objections were also submitted, including objections from every one of the five local authorities in the area. There were strong feelings in favour and strong feelings against. Many have highlighted the potential benefits: these include opportunities to enhance nature recovery, strengthen climate resilience, provide strategic leadership for landscape management, and support recreation and sustainable tourism. The evidence presented by NRW identifies a number of opportunities in these areas. At the same time, important questions have been raised throughout the process relating to affordability, funding requirements in the future, value for money, governance arrangements and potential impacts on local communities, infrastructure, energy developments, housing and the Welsh language. These concerns have been raised by local authorities, businesses and land managers. In reaching my provisional view, I have carefully considered these issues. I have considered the findings of the regulatory impact assessment and integrated impact assessment prepared by officials. That analysis highlights both possible benefits and significant uncertainties. The regulatory impact assessment estimates establishment costs of over £11 million and identifies ongoing costs associated with establishing and operating a new national park authority. It also notes uncertainty in the evidence base.
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Fel dwi eisoes wedi'i nodi, gwnaeth y pum awdurdod lleol yn yr ardal wrthwynebu'r dynodiad. Er fy mod wedi ystyried yn ofalus yr holl sylwadau sydd wedi dod i law, dwi'n cydnabod ei bod yn bwysig iawn deall barn yr awdurdodau lleol yma, sydd eisoes yn chwarae rhan wrth gyflawni llawer o’r canlyniadau a geisir trwy ddynodi ac a fyddai’n bartneriaid pwysig pe bai parc cenedlaethol yn cael ei sefydlu yn y pen draw. Dwi'n ystyried felly fod gwerth mawr mewn parhau i gadw ffocws cryf ar alluogi'r dynodiadau a'r partneriaethau presennol yma i gyflawni ar gyfer natur, hinsawdd, treftadaeth ddiwylliannol, hamdden a chymunedau lleol, tra'n parhau i fynd ar drywydd yr amcanion a nodwyd drwy broses ddynodi parc Glyndŵr drwy fecanweithiau eraill. Er enghraifft, rŷn ni'n cymryd camau ymarferol i adfer natur ac adeiladu gwydnwch hinsawdd ar draws y gogledd-ddwyrain. Drwy raglen genedlaethol mawndir Llywodraeth Cymru, cyflawnwyd gwaith adfer sylweddol o fewn tirwedd genedlaethol bryniau Clwyd a dyffryn Dyfrdwy, gan gynnwys safle rhostir Llandegla sydd o ddiddordeb gwyddonol arbennig, gan ddod â thua 120 hectar o fawndir i gyflwr gwell. Mae'r dystiolaeth yn dangos bod llawer o'r heriau a nodwyd gan Gyfoeth Naturiol Cymru eisoes dan ystyriaeth gan raglenni presennol y Llywodraeth hon. Yn eu plith mae ein gwaith ar adfer bioamrywiaeth, adfer mawndiroedd, rhwydweithiau natur, y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, gan gynnwys Ffermio Bro, gweithredu ar hinsawdd a natur, twristiaeth gynaliadwy a buddsoddi ehangach yng nghefn gwlad. Yn bwysig, mae'r polisïau yma eisoes yn cyflawni canlyniadau gwirioneddol i gymunedau, ffermwyr a'r amgylchedd. Mae Ffermio Bro, ein cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy pwrpasol ar gyfer tirweddau dynodedig, yn cefnogi ffermwyr i weithredu’n ymarferol ar gyfer adferiad natur, gwydnwch hinsawdd a rheoli tir cynaliadwy. Mae ffermwyr yn fferm Llangwyfan yn adfer gwrychoedd i ailgysylltu coetir hynafol a gwella rheoli coetiroedd i gryfhau cynefinoedd ar gyfer fflora a ffawna brodorol. Mae hyn yn helpu i greu tirwedd fwy cysylltiedig a gwydn. Mae'n ymddangos i mi, felly, y gellir cyflawni'r amcanion a gafodd eu nodi gan y broses ddynodi trwy fecanweithiau amgen, heb sefydlu awdurdod parc cenedlaethol newydd a heb ysgwyddo'r ymrwymiadau ariannol y byddai ar y dynodiad eu hangen wedi hynny. Wrth edrych ymlaen, dwi'n credu bydd yna gyfleoedd pellach i sicrhau'r canlyniadau hyn drwy waith y Llywodraeth, drwy ein cynllun gweithredu hinsawdd a natur sydd ar ein gweill, ein strategaeth ddiwylliant, ein dyletswydd diogelu gwledig a chynaliadwyedd amgylcheddol arfaethedig, a fydd yn cryfhau'r ystyriaeth o gynaliadwyedd amgylcheddol, gwydnwch hinsawdd ac effeithiau gwledig ar draws penderfyniadau'r sector cyhoeddus. Dwi hefyd am ystyried a ellir cryfhau'r trefniadau presennol ar gyfer tirweddau cenedlaethol, ochr yn ochr â dulliau integredig eraill sy'n cefnogi adferiad natur, rheoli tir cynaliadwy a chymunedau gwledig ffyniannus. Wedi dweud hynny i gyd, dwi'n cydnabod arwyddocâd y cynnig hwn sydd o'n blaenau heddiw a'r diddordeb mawr sydd ynddo. Fy nghyfrifoldeb i yw dod i gasgliad rhesymol ar sail yr holl wybodaeth berthnasol. Am y rheswm hwnnw, dwi ddim am wneud penderfyniad terfynol heddiw. Yn hytrach, dwi’n gwahodd unrhyw barti i gyflwyno sylwadau pellach cyn inni wneud penderfyniad terfynol. Dyma gyfle felly i awdurdodau lleol, sefydliadau cynrychioladol, busnesau, grwpiau cymunedol ac aelodau o'r cyhoedd gyflwyno unrhyw dystiolaeth, dadleuon neu ystyriaethau materol ychwanegol y credant y dylai Gweinidogion Cymru eu hystyried. Gall pobl a sefydliadau gyflwyno'u barn drwy e-bost neu drwy'r post, a bydd y manylion ar wefan Llywodraeth Cymru wrth i ni ddod i ddiwedd y datganiad hwn yn y Senedd heddiw. Byddaf hefyd yn cyhoeddi dolenni i ystod o'r dystiolaeth sydd wedi'i ddatblygu yn ystod y broses hyd yma i lywio'r ystyriaethau ymhellach. Byddwn i'n annog pobl i gyflwyno sylwadau yn benodol sy'n darparu tystiolaeth neu wybodaeth newydd nad ydynt eisoes wedi eu hystyried drwy'r gwaith helaeth a wnaed hyd yn hyn. Nid bwriad y camau hyn yw ailadrodd ymarferion ymgynghori cynharach; yn hytrach, mae'n bwriadu sicrhau bod yr holl dystiolaeth berthnasol wedi ei hystyried yn briodol ac yn rhesymol cyn gwneud penderfyniad terfynol. Ar ôl i'r cyfnod hwn ddod i ben, mewn pedair wythnos, bydd swyddogion yn dadansoddi'r sylwadau a dderbyniwyd ac yn rhoi cyngor pellach i mi. Yna byddaf yn ystyried yr holl gyflwyniadau yn ofalus cyn dod i benderfyniad terfynol, ynghyd â chyhoeddi fy rhesymau. Mae tirweddau cymunedau a threftadaeth ddiwylliannol y gogledd-ddwyrain yn bwysig yn genedlaethol. Beth bynnag yw'r canlyniad terfynol, mae'r dystiolaeth a gasglwyd dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf wedi tynnu sylw at eu rhinweddau arbennig a'r heriau maen nhw'n eu hwynebu. Dwi'n parhau i ymrwymo i weithio gyda phartneriaid i sicrhau canlyniadau cadarnhaol i'r tirweddau, i'r cymunedau a chenedlaethau'r dyfodol. Nodwch eto: mae'r cyhoeddiad hwn yn cynrychioli barn dros dro yn unig. Dwi'n annog pawb sydd â diddordeb i ymgysylltu'n adeiladol ar y camau nesaf, fel bod unrhyw benderfyniad terfynol yn cael ei lywio gan yr ystyriaeth lawnaf bosib o'r dystiolaeth sydd o'n blaenau. Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
As I have already noted, all five local authorities in the area objected to the designation. While I have carefully considered all representations received, I do recognise the importance of understanding the views of these local authorities, which already play a role in delivering many of the outcomes that are sought through designation and which would be important partners should a national park ultimately be established. I therefore consider that there is great value in continuing to maintain a strong focus on enabling those existing designations and partnerships to deliver for nature, climate, cultural heritage, recreation and local communities, while continuing to pursue the objectives identified through the Glyndŵr park designation process through other mechanisms. For example, we are taking practical action to restore nature and build climate resilience across the north-east. Through the Welsh Government’s national peatland programme, significant restoration work has been delivered within the Clwydian range and Dee valley national landscape, including at Llandegla moor site, which is of special scientific interest, bringing around 120 hectares of peatland into a more favourable condition. The evidence demonstrates that many of the challenges identified by Natural Resources Wales are already being addressed through this Welsh Government's current programmes. These include our work on biodiversity recovery, peatland restoration, nature networks, the sustainable farming scheme, including Ffermio Bro, climate and nature action, sustainable tourism and wider rural investment. Importantly, these policies are already delivering real outcomes for communities, farmers and the environment. Ffermio Bro, our bespoke sustainable farming scheme for designated landscapes, is supporting farmers to deliver practical action for nature recovery, climate resilience and sustainable land management. Farmers at Llangwyfan farm are restoring hedgerows to reconnect ancient woodland and improve woodland management to strengthen habitats for native flora and fauna. This is helping to create a more connected and resilient landscape. It therefore appears to me that the objectives identified through the designation process may be delivered through alternative mechanisms, without establishing a new national park authority and without incurring the ongoing financial commitments that the designation would require. Looking ahead, I believe there will be further opportunities to secure these outcomes through the Welsh Government's work, through our climate and nature action plan, our culture strategy, our proposed rural-proofing and environmental sustainability duty, which will strengthen the consideration of environmental sustainability, climate resilience and rural impacts across public sector decision making. I will also consider whether existing arrangements for national landscapes can be further strengthened, alongside other integrated approaches that support nature recovery, sustainable land management and thriving rural communities. Having said all that, I do recognise the significance of this proposal in front of us today and the strong interest it continues to generate. My responsibility is to reach a reasonable conclusion on the basis of all the relevant information. It's for that reason that I am not making a final decision today. Instead, I invite any party to submit further representations before reaching a final decision. This is therefore an opportunity for local authorities, representative organisations, businesses, community groups and members of the public to present any additional evidence, arguments or material considerations that they believe Welsh Ministers should take into account. People and organisations can submit their views via e-mail or through the post, the details of which will be on the Welsh Government's website as we bring the statement in the Senedd today to a close. I will also be publishing links to a range of evidence that has been developed during the process so far to further inform these considerations. I would encourage people to provide new evidence, in particular, or information that has not already been considered through the extensive work carried out to date. The intention of these steps is not to repeat earlier consultation exercises; rather, it is intended to ensure that all relevant evidence has been properly considered and in a reasonable manner before a final decision is made. Once this period has concluded, in four weeks' time, officials will analyse the representations received and provide further advice to me. Then I will consider all submissions carefully before coming to a final decision, as well as publishing my reasons. The landscapes, communities and cultural heritage of the north-east are nationally important. Whatever the final outcome, the evidence assembled over recent years has highlighted both their special qualities and the challenges they face. I remain committed to working with partners to secure positive outcomes for those landscapes, communities and future generations. Note again that this announcement represents a provisional view only. I encourage all interested parties to engage constructively with the next steps so that any final decision is informed by the fullest possible consideration of the evidence before us. Thank you very much.
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Thank you to the opposition spokesperson for his comments. My intention, Dirprwy Lywydd, is not to get into immense detail in my responses, because we are now in a phase of listening. I have set out the rationale for why I will be listening over the next four weeks before I make my final decision. But the points are clearly well made by the opposition spokesperson, and I thank him for those comments.
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Thank you to the opposition spokesperson for those questions. There are some points of substance there. I've heard the view expressed clearly, which I will obviously take into account, and I will reiterate my request to anyone who has an interest in these matters to write to the Government through the Welsh Government website or through the Royal Mail to offer us their views. I will welcome those views, and I will consider them carefully and reasonably. It is a period of four weeks, and that is the timetable. It would be my intention, and I have asked my officials, to assess and analyse those representations in short order, because I do not believe that uncertainty helps anyone. I would hope to be in a position to update this Senedd either by Christmas or early in the new year as to the next steps—the next step either being the commissioning of a public inquiry or a rejection of the designation Order. There is a point raised here about whether we should always turn to a public inquiry or to a 54:46 result on a consultation to guide us as a Government. Fundamentally, it is my belief that Government Ministers must make political judgments. At times, those judgments will be balanced, and there will be people who are proponents of one side or the other, but we have to consider the evidence carefully and come to a conclusion. That is what I have sought to do here, and I have set out a follow-on process that will allow people to make further representations. Diolch.
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I thank the Member for those generally positive comments. As my colleague has highlighted, there was no money allocated in the previous Government's budget for this purpose, which I think is interesting, shall we say. You make some interesting points more broadly about the governance of national parks. It is something that I shall certainly be considering and my colleagues will certainly be considering. The landscape of governance in Wales is potentially more complicated than it needs to be. How we move from here to where we would like to be is another question and I'm sure we will have lively debates in this Senedd around some of those issues. But it is a point well made.
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Diolch i’r Aelod. Mi allaf i gadarnhau na fyddwn ni'n gwario ffortiwn, ond yn argymell pobl i hala e-bost atom ni gyda’u sylwadau nhw yn y cam nesaf—nag ar y dadansoddi chwaith. Hynny yw, mae angen i ni symud ymlaen i ddod i benderfyniad rhesymol a chall ar y materion yma rhag blaen.
Official English translation
I thank the Member. I can confirm that we won't be spending a fortune, but recommending that people send their comments via e-mail in the next phase. We won't be spending a great amount of money on the analysis either. That is, we need to make a wise decision on these issues as a matter of urgency.
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I thank the Member for the question. I think allusion has been made to the sum spent by a previous Government on this programme, and I've given a commitment to the Senedd that, over this next period, we will be spending very little indeed in simply assessing the information we get in, and affording an opportunity for people to e-mail us. I understand the point made that it should be rejected permanently today. I am minded towards that point of view, but, for the reasons I've outlined, I have set out that extra short process, so that interested parties—. Because it is not a matter of consensus, even across this Chamber, but I am minded to make that decision. I have set out the reasons why I am minded to make that decision, but I have also set out a short timescale for reaching that decision. You raise an interesting point, and maybe I may make some positive points about the previous Government here. The financial context that we face is clearly an issue. I think, if we were in a position, if we were back in the halcyon dates of public sector growth in spending between 1997 and 2005, we might be having a different discussion here. I'm sceptical about layers of bureaucracy generally, but if the financial position was different—. I think that is an issue. I also think—and it is something that I'm hoping to bring to my role, and colleagues are hoping to bring to their role—that we have, as a Senedd, and as a Government in past years, sought out major pieces of legislation, major new initiatives, without following through every time on working out what the outcomes will be for people in communities right across Wales. And if we can bring that focus back to outcomes and to making an improvement to people's lives, we can improve housing, the Welsh language, businesses, tourism, sustainability, in a more integrated way. So, I think there is an opportunity there to bring things together across Government. As I've set out, I am not persuaded that that requires a new national park in the Glyndŵr area, as of today. I've offered that opportunity for people to make further representations, and I welcome all comments on that point. Diolch yn fawr.
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Mae'n rhaid cyfaddef fy mod i fymryn yn siomedig â sylwadau fy nghyfaill o'r cefn yn fanna. Dwi'n un sydd wedi mwynhau mynyddoedd y Berwyn—dwi wedi rhedeg mynyddoedd y Berwyn ar adegau. Dwi'n cydnabod ac yn cytuno â'r Aelod ar ei bwyntiau ar bwysigrwydd ein hardaloedd naturiol a'r cyfle sydd gyda ni fel Llywodraeth i wella hynny. Mae yna sawl strategaeth dwi wedi eu hamlygu yn fy natganiad heddiw a fydd yn gwneud yn union hynny: twristiaeth gynaliadwy, cymunedau gwledig cynaliadwy, cymunedau gwledig ffyniannus. Dyna'r cyfle sydd gyda ni wrth gymryd camau reit ar draws y Llywodraeth i wella pethau. Dyna dwi am ei wneud, a dyna sydd yn pwyso ar fy meddwl i wrth symud tuag at benderfyniad ar y materion hyn.
Official English translation
I have to admit that I'm slightly disappointed by the comments made by my colleague behind me there. I am one who has enjoyed the Berwyn range—I've run in the Berwyn mountains on occasion. I do acknowledge and agree with the Member on the points that he's made on the importance of our natural areas and the opportunity that we have as a Government to improve that. There are a number of strategies that I've highlighted in my statement today that will do exactly that: sustainable tourism, sustainable rural communities, prosperous rural communities. Those are the opportunities that we have in taking steps across Government to make improvements. That's what I want to do, and that's what's at the forefront of my mind as I move towards a decision on these issues.
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I thank the Member. I can give that reassurance to communities. I can give that reassurance to everyone who will be submitting comments during that four-week period. I have committed to the Senedd to aim to give a final decision by Christmas, and that is my commitment to the Senedd. I believe that minimises the risk of uncertainty and disruption that these proposals have created to communities right across the area affected.
2
Open this sitting on the stage
8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en
Could I ask you to clarify, are you talking about nationality as self-recorded or are you talking about citizenship and UK passport holders, because there is a difference between both?
8. Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals en
Llywydd, I'd like to raise a point of order about the proposing Member's speech at the beginning. I believe that there was an error of fact and I invite the Member, in her response, to correct that. There was a conflation of nation, nationality and citizenship. The census provides us with accurate data on social rented housing in Cardiff and can be accessed by all Members on the census website. Of social rented housing, there were 19,400 UK passport holders, and 1,800—less than 10 per cent—who held other passports. Of rented from the local authority, there were 19,605 UK passport holders. Other passport holders were 1,848. So, I invite the Member, as a matter of order, to correct the record. Passport holders are those numbers. I believe the Member was talking about self-described nationality. Diolch, Lywydd.
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Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
The Welsh Government is committed to establishing a national commission for Wales and is taking forward the final arrangements necessary for its establishment. I will make a further statement to Senedd Members in due course, setting out the commission’s remit, membership and next steps.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. The case is very clearly made for the devolution of the Crown Estate. If you look over the past decade, there have been hundreds of millions of pounds of profits made by the Crown Estate in Wales. We believe that money should be invested in Wales and in Welsh energy and in supporting Welsh families and communities. The Welsh Government has established an expert group on the devolution of the Crown Estate and the future of the Crown Estate, which is building the evidence case. I expect a final report from the group to be published next summer. Then they will move forward to work on the broader issues of energy devolution.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
As a Government, we recognise the value that trade unions bring to Government effectiveness. They provide structures for meaningful dialogue, negotiation and problem solving, enabling early intervention that saves time and money. Social partnership ensures workforce voices are heard early in decision making and remains the most effective way to address Wales's challenges.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
As I said in my first response, this Government remains committed to social partnership. It is something that we believe in, in principle and on principle. There will be Members across this Chamber who have led organisations and who have managed organisations with trade unions and built effective relationships with those trade unions. We will make no apology for supporting trade unions, for working with them. There will be times, as everyone knows, when we will not see eye to eye on everything with those trade unions, but a strong and happy workforce is an effective workforce, and I'm proud to say that this Government will work with our trade union partners.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Well, I welcome the Member to his new position on the Reform frontbench. Had he been at a previous question time, he would have heard me say from this position that this Government is committed to delivering on its priorities for the people of Wales—on childcare, on child poverty, on the economy, on educational standards and on tackling waiting lists. Those are our priorities. That mission is underpinned by standing up for Wales, and we make no apology for seeking devolution of the Crown Estate, for the very reasons we've heard outlined earlier, for improving our rail services, and for making our communities safer by devolving policing. That is our agenda as a Government, as I set out in my oral statement on the priorities on the constitution.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
There's a simple answer to that question, which is 'yes', because, as a Government, we are committed to outcomes. We have been critical of previous Governments who have poured money into projects and focused on inputs and outputs rather than outcomes that people can feel in their daily lives across the country. Part of my role is to challenge and to work with every one of my Cabinet colleagues to look at those Government programmes, to ensure that we are both getting value for taxpayers' money and ensuring that we're delivering outcomes for people right across Wales, whether that's on childcare, on the economy, on education—change that people can feel.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Again, I thank the Member for the question. This Government has a very limited set of bodies that it seeks to set up. There has been widespread debate about the national economic development agency. There is widespread consensus across this Chamber that the Welsh economy is not performing as it should, and an arm's-length, business-driven development agency is a clear way forward there. However, I share the Member's scepticism for the proliferation of bureaucracy, for more bodies for bodies' sake. You will be aware that the Government publishes the budget and the grant letter for every Government sponsored body on an annual basis. Where there are efficiencies to be gained, I will certainly pursue them. Thank you.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I think what we're seeing across the public services in Wales is a legacy of a decade and more of austerity that has seen cuts and challenges, and public services that are genuinely facing crisis point. I am very pleased that my colleague the Minister for education has been engaging effectively with a range of teaching unions. There's been more progress with some than others. I said in my earlier answer that trade union colleagues and us will not always agree. Those negotiations are ongoing, and I'm sure we would all wish to see a positive conclusion to those negotiations. My colleague the Cabinet Minister for education has focused on raising standards in our schools, and if we are to achieve that, it must be done in collaboration and co-operation with both the teachers and those who lead our schools.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
As my colleague will know full well, the Cabinet Minister for health is responsible for the health service and our health priorities, and has set out our approach and our encouragement to all of those partners in the debate in Cwm Taf, to reach a negotiated conclusion. We very much hope that will happen at the soonest time possible. The point more generally about the NHS is an important one. People right across Wales are currently being let down by a service that has not invested significantly enough in tackling waiting lists. We have invested, as the First Minister said earlier, £145 million in bringing down waiting lists, because the impact of that on individuals, on families, on workplaces right across Wales is unconscionable, and those are our priorities as a Government.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
One of the areas that we are looking at as a centralised Cabinet office in the Government is looking right across our Government priorities and ensuring that there is effective delivery on those and there is effective value for money. I know my colleague the Cabinet Minister for Finance has been engaging with Cabinet colleagues about their budgets for the year ahead, working closely with them to ensure that there is value for money at the heart of those programmes. Government effectiveness is about value for money, it is about delivering outcomes for people, and it comes back to the question posed earlier: if there are programmes that are not delivering measurable, tangible outcomes for people in communities right across Wales, then we should indeed reconsider them.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I think if anyone had seen the evidence from colleagues in the media, in BBC and in S4C, to the culture committee in Westminster and in other places on the challenges facing the media landscape, and the very real challenges facing the media landscape right across Wales, they would understand that broadcasting in Wales would be in a stronger place if it was indeed devolved. That is why this Government is committed to the devolution of broadcasting, so that we can have effective media, so that we can have effective scrutiny of this Government, amongst other things. That is what we support, and we make no apology for supporting that.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Diolch, Safa. Trustworthy statistics play a vital role in effective decision making across Wales. They help us understand where need is greatest, target resources effectively and judge whether outcomes are improving. As a Government, we are committed to using high-quality evidence to shape policy and delivery, and to publish clear outcomes that strengthen accountability.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Diolch yn fawr. The Member, from her professional background, speaks clearly from experience. I believe there is more work to be done in the NHS on improving productivity. I also believe that throwing money at a problem as a sticking plaster is not a long-term solution. Decisions should be informed by evidence on outcomes, value for money and long-term sustainability, not simply the upfront costs. Health economics is an important part of that evidence base, helping decision makers understand what delivers the best outcomes from available resources. For example, health economics is being used in our work as a Government to bring care closer to home, often referred to as Community by Design, including community resource teams, virtual wards, integrated community hubs for health and social care.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Diolch yn fawr. Thank you to the Member for their question. I also pay tribute to the work that she did in a previous life with TUC Cymru, doing very important work on behalf of trade unions in Wales. The focus of the question on recruitment and retention is an important one in the health service. There is work on a workforce strategy being undertaken currently, both by Welsh Government and our colleagues in Health Education and Improvement Wales. Getting these data right and planning for the long term is crucial, because we need the right staffing in the right places, with the right mix of skills, in order to deliver long-term, sustainable success for our health service.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question and for highlighting some of those very local issues. Clearly, I'm not abreast of the precise nature of the issues in Gwaun Cae Gurwen, but if the Member would like to write to myself or my Cabinet colleague the Cabinet Minister for health, I'm sure we can look specifically at that. I think there is a broader question here about how Government listens, takes concerns on board and what those avenues are for citizens right across the country to make progress when those concerns are not being listened to. We've heard various examples over the last hour or so from colleagues across this Chamber. It is something that we need to be clear about, and there is almost certainly a case for ensuring that that is as effective as possible, and it's one of those areas I'd be happy to look at.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I have regular discussions with the Cabinet Minister for Finance on public procurement and its contribution to the Welsh economy. These discussions have included strengthening Welsh supply chains, improving access to opportunities for Welsh businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises and social enterprises, and increasing expenditure with Wales-based suppliers towards our 70 per cent ambition.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. The point is very well made. We need to support our small and medium-sized enterprises, and in my view, we can do more as a Government to support those small and medium-sized enterprises. We track supplier and contract award data through our procurement systems and business intelligence reporting and supplier information, including SME status where available, is drawn from core procurement platforms and analysed through departmental dashboards. And what this enables us to do is monitor the participation and success of SMEs in winning contracts, assess trends over time and identify opportunities to increase access to public sector procurement for local businesses.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you very much.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Presiding Officer, I understand that you have given your permission for questions 5 and 9 to be grouped. In my role, I am focused on strengthening delivery across Government. Through our programme for government, we have set clear priorities. I am working to keep our efforts focused on those priorities, support joined-up working and maintain a clear focus on outcomes.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I think Members should be very careful in this Chamber of accusing colleagues of misleading the Chamber or—
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
—misleading people. Our manifesto in the election, upon which we stood, upon which we fought the election and won the election, was based on prioritising bringing waiting lists down, on tackling waiting lists, prioritising the health service and developing productivity within the NHS. That is our priority and I will remain focused on that priority.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you to the Member, and I'm very well aware of those thriving and important cross-border relationships in the north-east to the north-west of England, and also in the south-east to the south-west of England, and we support those important relationships. I think the broader question relating to Government priorities is very clear in my mind. Our priorities are childcare, child poverty, the health service, schools and the economy. And on each of those, we intend to make progress. As the Cabinet Minister for the constitution, specifically charged with looking at constitutional issues, there are a range of areas—railways, the Crown Estate, policing—where I believe we can make progress, working with the UK Government, to deliver better services for people in Wales. And that remains the core focus of my work as a Government Minister and a core focus of our work as a Welsh Government—delivering better public services, whether it's in schools, health or education.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Wel, diolch yn fawr i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn, a dwi'n gwybod bod yntau wedi gwasanaethu'r NHS am flynyddoedd lawer, ac yn effeithiol iawn, yn Abertawe. Mae yna graidd i'r cwestiynau yma, onid oes, sef, gyda'r buddsoddiad ychwanegol mae'r Llywodraeth yma yn ei roi yng ngofal plant, yn y gwasanaeth iechyd, yn yr economi, mae angen canlyniadau i bobl. Ac felly, mae angen edrych yn fanwl iawn, fel mae'n cyfaill y Gweinidog Cabinet dros iechyd wedi'i wneud, ar beth yn union yw'r cynlluniau. Ydyn nhw'n gynlluniau sy'n mynd i ddelifro i'r tymor hir? Ydyn nhw'n sicrhau bod yna gydweithio rhwng y gwasanaeth iechyd a'r gwasanaeth gofal trwy awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau bod y pecyn gofal yn gyflawn, i sicrhau bod rhai o'r heriau sydd yn y system yn cael eu hannerch? Ydyn nhw'n edrych, fel y gwnaeth fy nghydweithwraig gynnau fach gyfeirio atyn nhw, i'r hirdymor gyda'r gweithlu? Mae'r holl faterion yna'n gorfod dod at ei gilydd, a gofyn y cwestiwn bob tro: ydy'r arian yma yn mynd i wneud newid go iawn yn yr hirdymor, nid jest am y tymor byr? Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
Well, I thank the Member very much for the question, and I know that he has served the NHS for many years, and very effectively, in Swansea. There is a common theme to these questions, isn't there, that, with this additional funding that the Government's providing in childcare, in the health service, in the economy, we need outcomes for the people of Wales. And therefore, we need to look in great detail, as my colleague the Cabinet Minister for health has done, at what exactly those plans are. Are they plans that will deliver for the longer term? Do they ensure that there is collaboration between the health service and the care service provided through local authorities in order to ensure that the care package is complete, to ensure that some of the challenges in the system are addressed? Do they look, as our colleague earlier referred to, to the longer term with the workforce? So, all of those issues have to coalesce, and we always have to ask the question as to whether this money is going to deliver real change in the long term, not just in the short term. Thank you.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Ein hasesiad ni yw y dylai Cymru gael y pwerau sydd eu hangen i gyflawni dros bobl Cymru, gwella gwasanaethau a chryfhau atebolrwydd. Rŷn ni yn pwyso am setliad tecach i Gymru. Byddai Bil Cymru newydd yn darparu'r ffordd gliriaf a mwyaf effeithiol o wneud y newidiadau y cytunir arnynt.
Official English translation
Our assessment is that Wales should have the powers that it needs to deliver for the people of Wales, improve services and strengthen accountability. We are pressing for a fairer settlement for Wales. A new Wales Bill would provide the clearest way and the most effective way of implementing agreed changes.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch yn fawr. Dwi'n credu bod yr Aelod yn gofyn i fi ymrwymo i bwyso ar Lywodraeth Prydain i sicrhau cynnydd. Dwi'n gwneud yr ymrwymiad hwnnw yn glir ac yn hapus. Dwi'n credu ei bod hi'n werth adrodd wrth y Senedd fod fy nghyfarfodydd cychwynnol i gyda Gweinidogion Cabinet o Lywodraeth Prydain wedi bod yn adeiladol ac yn gydweithredol. Wrth gwrs, wrth i'r trafodaethau fynd yn eu blaen, fe ddown ni i mewn i'r manylion. Ond dwi yn awyddus i bwysleisio bod yr ymateb sydd wedi dod hyd yn hyn wedi bod yn gadarnhaol, ac felly dwi'n gobeithio y bydd hynny yn sail i gynnydd pellach.
Official English translation
Thank you. I believe the Member is asking me to commit to press the UK Government to secure progress. I make that clear commitment this afternoon, and I do so happily. I think it's worth reporting to the Senedd that my initial meetings with UK Cabinet Ministers have been constructive and collaborative. Of course, as the discussions develop, we will get into the minutiae. But I am eager to emphasise that the response that I've received to date has been positive, and I therefore hope that that will be the basis for further progress.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
The Welsh Government will work closely with partners at a local and regional level to ensure that decision making and service delivery take place in ways that support effective delivery of public services.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Well, I'm delighted to see that the Welsh Conservatives are now in favour of the single transferrable vote. I should encourage everyone—[Interruption.] I should encourage everyone in this—[Interruption.] Well, that is the best way—[Interruption.] That is the best way—[Interruption.] That is the best way to ensure effective accountability, and I hope in due course that every Member of the Senedd will support such a development of the Welsh electoral system.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Mae'r heriau mwyaf sy'n wynebu Cymru yn galw am ymateb ar draws y Llywodraeth gyfan. Dyna pam mae ein rhaglen lywodraethu yn nodi uchelgais newydd i Gymru, wedi'i seilio ar flaenoriaethau a rennir yn hytrach nag ar seilos adrannol. Dwi'n gweithio'n agos iawn gyda chydweithwyr reit ar draws y Cabinet i sicrhau bod y Llywodraeth yn cydweithio ar draws portffolios er mwyn sicrhau canlyniadau ystyrlon i bobl ledled Cymru.
Official English translation
The greatest challenges facing Wales demand a whole-Government response. That is why our programme for government sets out a new ambition for Wales, based on shared priorities rather than departmental silos. I work closely with colleagues right across the Cabinet to ensure that the Government collaborates across portfolios to ensure meaningful outcomes for people across Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn, a dwi'n talu teyrnged i'r gwaith mae hi wedi'i wneud, ac eraill yn y Siambr hon, ar sail drawsbleidiol, i ddatblygu ein dealltwriaeth ni o'r effaith mae trawma yn ei gael ar blant ac, yn wir, ar y sawl sy'n oedolion sydd wedi profi trawma yn blant. Trwy fframwaith Cymru sy'n ystyriol o drawma, cefnogaeth Hyb ACE Cymru a chydweithio agos ar draws portffolios gweinidogol, rŷm ni'n ymgorffori dulliau sy'n ystyriol o adverse childhood experiences a thrawma ar draws datblygu polisïau a darparu gwasanaethau. Mae atal profiadau niweidiol yn ystod plentyndod ac ymateb yn effeithiol i drawma yn gyfrifoldeb a rennir ar draws y Llywodraeth a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Mae'n ddull gweithredu wedi ei gynllunio i sicrhau bod y gwaith yn cael ei gydlynu, yn hytrach na'i adael i adrannau a sefydliadau unigol i weithredu ar eu pennau eu hunain. Dyna'n huchelgais, Lywydd. Fy ngobaith i fel rhan o fy rôl i yw sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd. Mae'r uchelgais honno, sydd wedi'i rhannu gan Lywodraethau yn y gorffennol, heb o reidrwydd bob tro wedi cael ei gweithredu ar lawr gwlad, a dyna fyddwn i'n dymuno canolbwyntio arno.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for the question, and I pay tribute to the work that she has carried out, and others in the Chamber, on a cross-party basis, to develop our understanding of the impact that trauma does have on children and, indeed, on adults who have experienced trauma as children. Through the trauma-informed Wales framework and the support of ACE Hub Wales and close collaboration across ministerial portfolios, we're implementing approaches informed by adverse childhood experiences and trauma across the development of policies and the provision of services. Preventing ACEs and responding effectively to trauma is a responsibility that's shared across the Government and public services. Our approach has been planned to ensure that the work is co-ordinated, rather than left to individual organisations and departments to implement themselves. That's our ambition, Llywydd. My hope as part of my role is to ensure that that does happen. That ambition, which was shared by Governments of the past, hasn't always been implemented at grass-roots level, and that's what I would wish to focus on.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
This Government’s position is clear: policing should be fully devolved to Wales. The Dirprwy Brif Weinidog and I have met with the policing Minister to discuss devolution and other policing priorities. I've also had an introductory meeting with the Secretary of State for Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. I'm not entirely sure that he is convinced of a record of failings after five months. I should probably remind him that another party was in Government for 27 years, and if he wants to address—[Interruption.] If he wants to address questions to Members of that party, I'm sure he can do so afterwards in the tea room. Our focus as a Government is on delivery, on schools, on childcare, on child poverty, on the NHS and on the economy. We have identified that there is a programme of policing reform taking place now for the England and Wales jurisdiction, led by the Home Office. There is an opportunity there to make the case for greater devolution for Wales, for greater responsibility for the Welsh Government, which will make communities in Wales safer, and that is what we will pursue.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Mae’r rhaglen lywodraethu a'n hamcanion llesiant yn un fframwaith gweithredu sy’n cysylltu'r blaenoriaethau mae pobl wedi ymddiried ynom i’w cyflawni a’r canlyniadau hirdymor yn y Ddeddf rydym am eu cyflawni. Dwi hefyd wedi cytuno i adolygiad o'r Ddeddf, gan ganolbwyntio ar wella’r ffordd mae’r Ddeddf yn cael ei gweithredu.
Official English translation
The programme for government and our well-being objectives are a single framework for action, linking the priorities people have entrusted us to deliver and the long-term outcomes of the Act that we want to achieve. I've also agreed to a review of the Act, focusing on enhancing the Act’s implementation in practice.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch yn fawr i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Mae yna ymrwymiad clir gan y Llywodraeth yma i hybu diwylliant a chwaraeon. Mae yna strategaeth diwylliant a chwaraeon newydd dan ofal y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chwaraeon a'r Trefnydd. Mae yna ffocws clir gan y Llywodraeth hon ar hybu a hyrwyddo chwaraeon a diwylliant, ond hefyd cydnabod, fel rŷch chi wedi nodi, y rôl bwysig mae diwylliant a chwaraeon yn gallu ei chael ar draws ystod polisi cyhoeddus, gan gynnwys yr agenda iechyd ataliol, sy'n bwysig iawn i'r Llywodraeth hon. Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for that question. There is a clear commitment from this Government to promote culture and sport. There is a new culture and sport strategy, which is being led by the Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport and Trefnydd. There is a clear focus from this Government on promoting sport and culture, whilst also recognising, as you have set out, the important role that culture and sport can have across a range of public policies, including the preventative health agenda, which is hugely important to this Government. Thank you.
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Open this sitting on the stage
7. Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom cy
Yn ffurfiol, Lywydd.
Official English translation
Formally, Llywydd.
7. Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Lywydd. A gaf i atgoffa pawb yn y Siambr hon bod hon yn ddadl sydd wedi'i alw gan Reform UK? Roedd Prif Weinidog Cymru ddoe yn siarad am iechyd, am ofal plant, am yr economi. Reform UK sy'n dewis canolbwyntio ar faterion cyfansoddiadol. Ond mae gwelliant y Llywodraeth yn un syml—a dwi'n falch i glywed bod yna gefnogaeth iddo fe mewn mwy nag un plaid ar lawr y Siambr yma—sef y dylai pobl Cymru benderfynu ar ddyfodol cyfansoddiadol ein gwlad. Fel rŷn ni wedi'i glywed heddiw, mae gan Aelodau o'r Senedd hon farn wahanol am ble y dylai Cymru fod yn y pen draw yn gyfansoddiadol. Mae'r gwahaniaethau hynny yn gwbl ddilys mewn deddfwrfa ddemocrataidd. Ond dwi'n gobeithio y gallwn ni i gyd gytuno ar ddau beth: y dylai dyfodol Cymru gael ei benderfynu'n ddemocrataidd gan bobl Cymru, ac yn ail, y dylai Cymru gael y pwerau, yr adnoddau a'r offer sydd eu hangen i gyflawni dros bobl yma ac yn awr. Yr egwyddorion hyn sy'n sail i welliant y Llywodraeth heddiw. Dyw ein gwelliant ni ddim yn gofyn i Aelodau roi'r gorau i'w barn; mae'n gofyn i ni gydnabod egwyddor y gobeithiaf y gall ennyn cefnogaeth ar draws y Siambr, a dyw e ddim yn safbwynt pleidiol.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Llywydd. May I remind everyone in this Chamber that this is a debate that has been called by Reform UK? The First Minister yesterday was talking about health, about childcare, about the economy. Reform UK has chosen to focus on constitutional issues. But the Government's amendment is a simple one—and I'm pleased to hear that there is support for it from more than one party on the floor of this Chamber—which is that the people of Wales should determine the constitutional future of our country. As we have heard today, Members of this Senedd have different views about where Wales should be constitutionally, and those differences are completely valid in a democratic legislature. But I do hope that we can all agree on two things: that Wales's future should be determined democratically by the people of Wales, and secondly, that Wales should have the powers, the resources and the tools that it needs to deliver on behalf of people here and now. It is these principles that are the basis of the Government's amendment today. Our amendment doesn't ask Members to give up their views; it asks us to acknowledge a principle that hopefully will gain support from across the Chamber, and it is not a party political viewpoint.
7. Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom en
The principle is one that has been widely recognised. 'National aspirations must be respected; peoples may...be...governed only by their own consent.' That was Woodrow Wilson to Congress in 1918. The self-determination of peoples is in the first article of the UN charter. Talking of our Scottish friends, 'as a nation, they have an undoubted right to national self-determination'. I didn't expect myself to be quoting Baroness Thatcher approvingly in this Chamber, but she was right, of course—on that matter. [Interruption.] Wait for it. But we must put the people at the heart of constitutional change, because the UK is a 'voluntary nation of nations'—Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, in the commission on the UK's future. And yesterday, the Scottish Parliament agreed that 'the Parliament agrees that Scotland...has a right to decide its own future.'
7. Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom cy
Os oes un wers o'r chwarter canrif diwethaf o ddatganoli, dyma hi: dyw'r setliad cyfansoddiadol ddim yn sefyll yn ei hunfan. Mi ddywedodd rhywun rhywle fod datganoli yn broses, ddim yn ddigwyddiad. Nid y cwestiwn yw a fydd newid cyfansoddiadol yn digwydd; y cwestiwn yw sut y gallwn sicrhau bod Cymru yn barod ar gyfer y newid hwnnw, yn gallu dylanwadu arno ac yn elwa ohono. I'r Llywodraeth hon, mae hynny'n golygu diwygiadau ymarferol sy'n ein helpu ni i sicrhau canlyniadau gwell i bobl ar lawr gwlad ac i gymunedau. Nid mater damcaniaethol yn unig yw diwygio cyfansoddiadol; mae'n sicrhau bod gennym y pwerau, yr adnoddau a'r offer i gyflawni dros bobl Cymru.
Official English translation
If there is one lesson to learn from the last quarter of a century of devolution, it is this: the constitutional settlement is not static. Someone somewhere said that devolution is a process, not an event. The question is not will constitutional change happen; the question is how can we ensure that Wales is ready for that change, can influence it and benefit from it. For this Government, that means practical changes that help us to ensure better results and outcomes for people on the ground and for communities. This is not a theoretical matter, that's not what constitutional change is; it is ensuring that we have the powers, the resources and the tools to deliver for the people of Wales.
7. Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom en
That's why our priorities in terms of devolution are clear. We made the case for progress on devolving rail infrastructure, on justice and policing, and on the Crown Estate. These are areas where there is substantial evidence, significant public interest and support that reaches well beyond a single political party. They will lead to a better train service, to lower energy bills, to safer communities—real changes to people's lives here in Wales. I've been heartened by the positive approach from the UK Government in response to those calls, and I hope we can conclude those discussions constructively. Our objective isn't to move powers between institutions, but to ensure responsibilities sit at the level where they can be exercised most effectively and deliver the best outcomes for people and communities. And let me be clear to my colleagues here: it does indeed mean decentralisation within Wales as part of that package. We are decentralists in Plaid Cymru and we believe in those principles as a key area for us. Turning to some of the points made in the debate, I do reflect there is a certain irony, particularly from colleagues opposite, in their support for the free movement of goods, capital, services and people, and of a large union that would bring all of those freedoms together. I would remind people that that was voted upon some years ago, and it remains our position that Wales would be better off in such a large European union. There have also been points about the proud history of Wales, the proud history of Wales in the industrial revolution. And yet we have also heard from the benches opposite that that great nation that powered the industrial revolution—and we've heard of its great success—has fiscal challenges today. That is the legacy of the British state. We've heard about Slovenia, which saw a growth of 33 per cent in its gross domestic product in 10 years. We've heard about other countries who've seen growth far in excess of the Welsh context—successful independent countries—in this debate here. But let's return to the fundamental point of our amendment and of this debate, in the view of the Government. Members here will disagree as to where Wales should ultimately be heading, but I do sincerely hope that we can agree on some basic fundamentals: that Wales's future should be determined democratically, and that change should be informed by evidence, not assertion. The public debate is stronger when it includes a wide range of voices and perspectives, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure that Wales has the confidence, the capacity and the tools to shape its own future. The people of Wales, Llywydd, are sovereign. It is for us to determine our future, wherever that may lead us. Diolch yn fawr.
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Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
The Welsh Government uses a range of measures to assess effectiveness across departments, depending on the policy area and the outcomes being delivered. These include management information, official statistics, evaluation evidence, financial and performance reporting, and feedback from service users and those with lived experience.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you. I can offer the Member some reassurance here, because my colleagues in the statistics team plan meticulously based on the evidence, based on the demographic figures, and based on the whole range of factors that impact on the population of Wales, on the health of Wales, on the economy of Wales. The Member will be familiar with a number of the statistical publications that appear on a weekly basis, if not more so, from the statistics team that undertake that detailed analysis. You will also be familiar with the fact that those statistics teams look at the future population of Wales and the changing demographics in local areas. So, I can offer that reassurance to the Member.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I do fear the Member is a little pessimistic about our plans for Government efficiency and delivery on outcomes. I set out in my oral statement, and I've set out in this Senedd before, how we're going to focus on outcomes. What I'm doing and what we're doing as a team in the Cabinet Office, supporting my colleagues right across Government, is ensuring that every one of our plans, every one of our developments, is focused on changing the lives of the people of Wales for the better. That is what we will do. That is what we will continue to do. Again, as I alluded to in a previous contribution to this Senedd, the first 100 days puts the foundation blocks in place. We will then move rapidly into that delivery phase and ensure that the lives of the people of Wales are duly improved.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Work is progressing on the Government’s priorities dashboard, which will provide a clear way to track progress against our five priorities. An initial version of this dashboard will be published during the first 100 days of this Government, with key measures to support transparency, delivery and accountability.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you to the Member and thank you for his support in the work that we will be doing at the Cabinet Office and across Government. I think the first thing to point out clearly is that these dashboards are going to be focused on the five priorities we've set out as a Government. We have said we will cut waiting lists, we will tackle child poverty, we will help families with childcare, we will raise school standards and we will improve productivity in the Welsh economy. [Interruption.] Colleagues opposite ask, 'When?' The Minister for enterprise and connectivity has already set out the time frame for the productivity goals. But there is an interesting point here that we should reflect on, which is that we've set out a 10-year productivity goal. My colleague the Cabinet Minister—[Interruption.] Wait for it, wait for it. But what we need to do is to have interim measures so that we may track progress along the way, and we're committed to developing those measures.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Na. Yr hyn sy'n glir iawn wrth asesu'r sefyllfa ariannol sy'n wynebu Cymru yw bod angen cyllido teg ar Gymru a chyllido sy'n adlewyrchu anghenion y boblogaeth. Does gan Gymru ddim i'w ofni o adolygiad o'r fath.
Official English translation
No. What has become very clear in assessing the financial situation facing Wales is that we need fair funding for Wales and funding that reflects the needs of the population. Wales has nothing to fear from a review of that kind.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Dwi'n diolch i'r llefarydd am y sylwadau. Dwi yn gallu cyfrif, diolch yn fawr iawn; un o fy hoff bethau i yw cyfrif ac adio data at ei gilydd. Mae gennym ni gynlluniau clir mewn lle ar gyfer ein gwariant. Dwi'n gobeithio'n fawr y daw yna gefnogaeth ar draws y Senedd i'r gyllideb atodol, sy'n adlewyrchu'r blaenoriaethau y gwnaeth pobl Cymru bleidleisio drostyn nhw yn yr etholiad. Dwi'n gobeithio y bydd yna gydweithwyr ar draws y Senedd hon yn gweithio ar sicrhau bod Llywodraeth Cymru a'r sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru yn gweithio ar eu mwyaf effeithiol a'n bod ni, ar draws y pedair blynedd nesaf, yn adnabod mwy o gyllid y gellid ei fuddsoddi ym mlaenoriaethau pobl, i gefnogi gofal plant, i gefnogi'r economi, i gefnogi'r gwasanaeth iechyd.
Official English translation
I thank the spokesperson for those comments. I can count, thank you very much; one of my favourite things to do is counting and adding up data. We have clear plans in place for our expenditure. I very much hope that there will be cross-Senedd support for the supplementary budget, which reflects the priorities that the people of Wales voted for in the election. I hope that colleagues across this Senedd will work to ensure that the Welsh Government and the public sector in Wales work at their most effective and that we, over the next four years, can identify more funding that can be invested in the priorities of the people, to support childcare, to support the economy, to support the health service.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Dwi'n diolch i'r llefarydd am y cwestiwn yna. Dwi'n siŵr bod nifer o bobl yn y Siambr hon ac ar draws Cymru, fel fi, wedi cael eu heffeithio gan COVID. Mae gen i aelod o'r teulu sydd wedi dioddef o COVID hir, a bydd nifer ohonoch chi yn ei hadnabod hi. Mae yna heriau, yn amlwg, yn fanna. Mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi ymrwymo i gynnal adolygiad o COVID. Dyna beth y dywedon ni yn ein maniffesto, dyna beth rydyn ni'n bwriadu ei wneud. Mae'n dda gen i ddweud fy mod i eisoes wedi bod yn gohebu gyda'r COVID bereaved families am ein bwriadau ni ac yn gobeithio trefnu cyfarfod gyda nhw yn fuan, achos mae'n bwysig bod lleisiau'r sawl sydd wedi dioddef yn rhan o'r drafodaeth yna, yn bwydo i mewn i waith y Llywodraeth. Dwi'n gobeithio, maes o law, diweddaru'r Senedd ar ein cynlluniau ni ar yr adolygiad hwnnw, yn unol â'r hyn y mae'r llefarydd yn gofyn.
Official English translation
I thank the spokesperson for that question. I'm sure that many people in this Chamber and across Wales will have been impacted by COVID, as have I. I have a member of the family who has suffered long COVID, and many of you will know her. There are clearly challenges there. This Government has committed to conduct a review of COVID. That's what we said in our manifesto and that's what we intend to do. I'm pleased to say that I have already been in correspondence with the COVID bereaved families on our intentions and hope to arrange a meeting with them soon, because it's important that the voices of those who have suffered are part of that discussion and feed in to the work of Government. I hope, in due course, to update the Senedd on our plans on that review, in accordance with what the spokesperson asked for.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch i'r llefarydd am y sylwadau hynny. Mae fy nghydweithiwr yr aelod Cabinet dros lywodraeth leol yn symud ymlaen gydag adolygiad y fformiwla gyllido. Fel gyda phob darn o ystadegau swyddogol, mae'r Llywodraeth yn cadw golwg manwl ar gywirdeb ac effeithiolrwydd y data yna i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n cael eu hadlewyrchu'n gywir yn y fformiwlâu. Mae'r llefarydd ei hun yn dod o Aberystwyth, ac fe ŵyr y llefarydd yn iawn bod yna ardaloedd o dlodi sylweddol yn y Gymru wledig yn ogystal â'r Gymru ddiwydiannol. Mae gosod cymunedau felly yn erbyn ei gilydd yn approach siomedig, carwn i awgrymu.
Official English translation
I thank the spokesperson for those questions. My colleague the Cabinet member for local government is progressing with the review of the funding formula. As with all official statistics, the Government keeps a close eye on the accuracy and effectiveness of that data to ensure that they are clearly and accurately reflected in the formulas. The spokesperson himself comes from Aberystwyth and he knows full well that there are areas of significant poverty in rural Wales as well as industrial Wales. Setting those communities against each other is a disappointing approach from the spokesperson, I would suggest.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Buaswn i'n awgrymu'n garedig mai mater i'r Llywodraeth gyfan yw sicrhau bod y Senedd yn ymwybodol o'r cynlluniau sy'n datblygu. Roeddwn i yn y Siambr yn gwrando ar fy nghyfaill y Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni yn diweddaru'r Siambr am y cynlluniau i ddatblygu asiantaeth datblygu economaidd genedlaethol newydd. Dyna'r math o ymagwedd rydyn ni'n ei chymryd fel Llywodraeth, a dyna y byddwn ni'n parhau i'w wneud i sicrhau bod y Llywodraeth yn gallu bod yn glir am ei chynlluniau hithau a bod yna gyfle priodol i'r Senedd hon i graffu ar y cynlluniau hynny.
Official English translation
I would kindly suggest that ensuring that the Senedd is aware of the plans that are being developed is a matter for the whole Government. I was in the Chamber to listen to my colleague the Cabinet Secretary for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy when he updated the Chamber on plans to create a new economic development agency for Wales. That's the kind of approach that we are taking as a Government and that's what we will continue to do in order to ensure that the Government can be clear on its plans and that there is an appropriate opportunity for this Senedd to scrutinise those plans.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. Work is progressing on our COVID review. As I indicated earlier, I will be making a statement to this Senedd in due course about that review, and I will be liaising closely with a number of those groups—the COVID bereaved families, amongst others—who have made very strong representations to this Government and to previous Governments about the importance of that review being thorough, looking at the issues from a Welsh perspective, and ensuring that the lessons that can be learnt are fully learnt for the future.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I heard the opposition spokesperson's passion for the issue and the importance of the issue. Reading the most recent module report on COVID brings home the sobering impact of COVID right across this country. Those lessons must be learnt, and the review that we are committed to undertaking must have the ability to address those precise issues that you have set out and that is what we will seek to do.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Delivering meaningful change for people in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, and across Wales, is at the heart of this Government's approach. That starts with our first 100 days plan, on which I'm working collaboratively with Cabinet colleagues to deliver. The programme for government will build on this foundation, with improved cross-Government working and a clear focus on delivery.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Well, I thank the Member, Dr Thomas, for his question. The analysis of the challenges facing families in Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg, and across Wales, is one that we share. Standards in education need to improve, waiting-list times need to come down, far broader childcare needs to be provided for families to make lives easier for people who are today struggling. We've been here for, I think, eight weeks. We are working at pace to seek to deliver meaningful change for those people in Bro Morgannwg and in other areas. For me, fundamentally, if we are to succeed as a Government, those very people you refer to have to feel the measurable change to their daily lives, and if we succeed in that, then we can be pleased, in four years' time, that it is a job well done. Our dashboards and our progress mechanisms across Government will allow us to track progress, but they will also allow us to work with Cabinet colleagues right across Government to ensure that, where one part of the system isn't necessarily supporting those aims, we work together to break down those silos and make progress. It is work in progress. It is a significant task of work after 27 years of Labour Government. It is a task that I am committed to doing right across this Government. Diolch.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. I'm familiar with the Penarth Dawnstalkers who head to the water in Penarth on a daily basis, come rain, shine or however cold it is—braver people than me. On the matter of water, we are taking a whole-system approach to improving water quality in Wales, strengthening regulation, accountability and investment across the sector. Through our water reform programme, targeted action on pollution sources and closer collaboration with regulators, water companies and land managers, we are seeking to drive long-term improvements in rivers and coastal waters.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Dwi'n gweithio gyda Gweinidogion Cabinet i sicrhau bod yr ymrwymiadau yng nghynllun y 100 diwrnod yn cael eu cyflawni. Mae swyddogion yn datblygu opsiynau ar gyfer comisiynu adolygiad annibynnol o berfformiad yr NHS yng Nghymru. Fe fydd yr adolygiad yn ystyried achosion ac effeithiau'r heriau presennol o ran perfformiad, gan gynnwys yr effaith ar ganlyniadau iechyd y boblogaeth, er mwyn llywio gwelliannau a datblygiadau i'r dyfodol.
Official English translation
I am working with Cabinet Ministers to ensure delivery of the commitments set out in the 100-day plan. Officials are developing options for commissioning an independent review of NHS performance in Wales. The review will consider the causes and impacts of current performance challenges, including population health outcomes, to inform future improvement and reform.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Wel, diolch am y cwestiwn, ac mae'r Aelod yn amlinellu nifer o ardaloedd o aneffeithlonrwydd fanna sydd angen eu taclo, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen at fynd ati i'w taclo. Fel rhan o'r trefniadau atebolrwydd newydd a weithredwyd o Ebrill y llynedd, rydym ni'n cynnal cyfarfodydd rheolaidd gyda byrddau iechyd i herio eu cyflawniad a'u perfformiad mewn meysydd allweddol. Mae ein cynllun 100 diwrnod wedi gwneud nifer o ymrwymiadau i ysgogi gwella system yn y gwasanaeth iechyd, gan gynnwys adolygiad ar y cyd o drefniadau cynyddu ac ymyrryd. Bydd yr adolygiad yn canolbwyntio nid yn unig ar broses, ond ar a yw goruchwyliaeth a chynnydd yn gyrru gwelliant gwirioneddol mewn canlyniadau i gleifion. Dyna, i fi, ble dwi'n dechrau ac yn gorffen: ydyn ni'n mynd i lwyddo i yrru gwell canlyniadau i gleifion?
Official English translation
Thank you for the question, and the Member outlines a number of areas of inefficiency that need to be tackled, and I look forward to tackling them. As part of the new accountability arrangements that were implemented from April last year, we are holding regular meetings with health boards to challenge their delivery and performance in key areas. Our 100-day plan has made a number of commitments to stimulate system improvement in the NHS, including a joint review of escalation and intervention arrangements. It will concentrate not only on process, but on whether oversight and progress drive real improvement in outcomes for patients. For me, that's where I start and end: are we going to succeed in driving better outcomes for patients?
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you for that question and those choice quotes. I haven't had the pleasure of reading Eye News yet, but I'm sure the library will provide me with a copy in due course so that I may read the whole article in context. I think there's an interesting issue here around public sector absence and how you work with people to tackle that absence. This may not win favour with the opposition benches there, but I had a very interesting conversation with colleagues from the trade unions about a health board that had proactively put an absence management team in to support people to return to work more effectively and quicker and, in light of that, saw a significant fall in absence rates. So, it can be done, working with staff. Our NHS professionals are ones that want to serve the NHS, and I believe that collaborative and co-operative work is rather better than potentially sending people to the gulag.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you for the question. The assessment I have undertaken concludes that the United Kingdom is a deeply unequal and unfair state with too much power and wealth concentrated in London and the south-east of England to the detriment of Wales and other parts of the UK, as indeed has been noted by Members of this Senedd across this Senedd in debates in recent weeks.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you for the question. As somebody who is a fan of net fiscal statistics, it is plainly evident that Wales is a net fiscal beneficiary of the United Kingdom. But I put this to the Member: isn't that a remarkable indictment of the United Kingdom's stewardship of this country that we call home, that we remain one of the poorest parts of the United Kingdom, we remain an area where child poverty is at its highest, where our economic development is behind, where our wage growth is behind? The Member has usefully highlighted the truth of the United Kingdom, and if he'd like some figures, let me tell him, too, about some smaller independent successful countries. Since 2014, New Zealand has seen a 30 per cent growth in gross domestic product, Latvia has seen a 20 per cent growth in GDP, Slovenia 33 per cent, Slovakia—Slovakia, from the former eastern bloc—27 per cent, where the UK has seen growth of 15 per cent. Small, independent, successful countries.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. I think I'd probably add to his list that we should also note that the UK has been responsible for a decade of austerity, which has led to the unravelling of the fabric of our society: community centres, leisure centres, banks, libraries and all those facilities that are the beating heart of Welsh communities. Now, let me be clear: whether Wales should or should not be part of the UK is a question for the people of Wales, and for the people of Wales alone.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
No, thank you, Mike. We answered that question several times in our previous session, I believe. But for my part, I want to see our nation empowered so that more decisions are taken in Wales for the benefit of Wales. This would mean greater control over fiscal levers, over natural resources, over the Crown Estate, justice, policing, welfare and rail. Put simply, Wales shouldn't be denied the powers granted to Scotland, so that the primary driver of policy making is the best interests of our community, not the vested interests so entrenched in the broken Westminster system.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
We are working closely with the UK Government on their forthcoming clean water Bill to ensure that the final proposals avoid any regulatory gaps, establish the powers needed for a new Welsh regulator and support effective cross-border working arrangements where these are required.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member, who has made a very clear question and statement about the dangers of sewage and the very real impact on communities and community facilities, and for that very reason, we are seeking to take control of water in Wales. Our approach is to work collaboratively with the UK Government, focusing on practical delivery and maintaining system stability. The Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability is meeting Minister Hardy from the UK Government this Thursday to progress those discussions.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
We are committed to working with a new Welsh water regulator to improve sewage discharges in Wales, to bring down bills in Wales. The performance of water companies right across the UK has not been good enough in recent years, and I think that has led to the UK position where we're moving towards a UK clean Water bill. I've been pleased with the engagement we've had with colleagues in the UK Government—productive, collaborative engagement—to ensure that we have the powers in Wales to deliver a better deal for people in Wales on water, as on many other matters.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
All Ministers have a duty to promote sustainable development throughout our work. We are committed to working collaboratively to deliver our requirements under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and it's central to the way policy options are developed across the Welsh Government and in the advice provided to Ministers.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you to the Member for the question. Colleagues will know that I have in the past taken some interest in matters of active travel, but I know my colleague the Deputy Minister for Transport is developing plans across the whole range of transport interventions. But the approach of the well-being Act is to embed issues like active travel right across Government, in the ways of working and in delivering on the seven well-being goals. It is important for me in active travel, as in all of the issues we face, to ask the question, 'What outcomes are changing?'—not how much money is being spent on something, but are more people, in that case, walking and cycling?
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I'm working closely with the Cabinet Minister for Finance to ensure reform of Wales’s funding arrangements, and that is at the forefront of our engagement with the UK Government. I raised fair funding at a meeting of UK Ministers at the Interministerial Standing Committee on 24 June in Belfast.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you for the question. I very much hope that this Senedd and councils across Wales will speak with one voice, securing fair funding for Wales. We will continue to press the UK Government for improvements to the current funding arrangements, through discussions on the wider fiscal framework and inter-governmental finance mechanisms. I should say to the Senedd that in our initial discussions with colleagues from the UK Government, they have been co-operative and collaborative, and that forms a sound basis, I think, for future engagement.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. I think there are two fiscal—. I mean, we are ambitious—we're aiming for two funding reforms at the moment. There's the funding reform that the Welsh Government seeks from the UK Government, for which I take responsibility, working with my colleague the Cabinet Minister for Finance, and we are pressing the UK Government for progress there. My colleague the local government Minister is working on the funding system to ensure fairness right across our councils for local authorities in Wales. But I do very much hear the point about the pressure on local authority budgets in Wales, which I am sure my colleague will be taking into account as that work develops.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Public services boards are central to bringing public service partners together to collaborate on assessing and addressing the well-being needs of their areas. I will work closely with all public services board chairs to provide national support and ensure their implementation is efficient in enacting existing legislation.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. My understanding, and colleagues will be aware, is that the public sector, the PSBs and the regional partnership boards are separate bodies that have separate responsibilities, and, as such, the RPBs, established under the social services and well-being Act, are the responsibility of the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care. However, recently I’ve been looking at how we might tie together more effectively the work of the public services boards and the regional partnership boards, because what’s been happening here is that assessments of the local community needs have been happening by one board at a given timescale and not necessarily on the same, consistent data, and then by another set of people, for the same area or for a very similar area, at the same time. So, I'm working with colleagues in Government to make progress as to how we might better use evidence—use the same evidence, use robust, independent data—to build more effective performance from both the regional partnership boards and the PSBs. I hope that that kind of work will then lead to improvements in both social services and in public services more generally.
13
Open this sitting on the stage
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Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Erbyn diwedd y Senedd hon, byddwn ni i gyd yn gallu adrodd y teitl hir hwnnw. Dwi'n falch iawn i fod yma i osod allan fy mlaenoriaethau ar gyfer tymor y Llywodraeth hon. Mae ymddiriedaeth a hyder mewn Llywodraeth yn cymryd llawer o ymdrech i'w meithrin, ond mae'n hawdd iawn eu colli. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru dros y blynyddoedd diweddar wedi colli ymddiriedaeth pobl Cymru. Mae canfyddiad wedi bod fod y Llywodraeth yn bell, yn siarad yn hytrach na gwrando, yn addo yn hytrach na chyflawni ac yn methu adlewyrchu blaenoriaethau'r genedl. Mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn benderfynol o wrthdroi'r duedd honno ac adfer ymddiriedaeth drwy gyflawni'r ymrwymiadau rŷn ni wedi'u gwneud a sicrhau newid y mae pobl ledled Cymru yn gallu ei weld a'i deimlo. Pan safodd y Prif Weinidog yma fis Mai i nodi ein blaenoriaethau ni—yr NHS, costau byw, swyddi da, ysgolion cryf, taclo tlodi a sefyll i fyny dros Gymru—roedd hi'n glir bod rhaid i'r Llywodraeth ganolbwyntio o'r newydd ar effeithiolrwydd a chanlyniadau. Ac yn fy mhortffolio i, mae yna arfau i wireddu hynny, o oruchwylio'r gwaith o gyflawni blaenoriaethau'r Llywodraeth a chefnogi fy nghydweithwyr yn eu portffolios i gryfhau ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus a sicrhau trefniadau cyfansoddiadol sy'n helpu Cymru i gyflawni ein huchelgais. Ddirprwy Lywydd, dyw gosod y cyfeiriad ddim yn ddigon; rhaid i lywodraeth dda gyflawni newid go iawn. Mae effeithiolrwydd yn golygu troi blaenoriaethau yn ganlyniadau—amcanion clir, ymdrech ar y cyd, data tryloyw ar berfformiad, a gweithredu'n gynnar pan aiff pethau o chwith, fel maen nhw'n bownd o wneud o dro i dro. Mae e hefyd yn golygu sicrhau bod ein hadnoddau yn cyd-fynd â'n blaenoriaethau. Fe fydd y gyllideb atodol heddiw yn dangos y dull hwnnw ar waith—canolbwyntio cyllid ar y blaenoriaethau pwysicaf, gwneud i bob punt weithio'n galetach i Gymru a gosod y sylfeini ar gyfer ad-drefnu mwy cynhwysfawr yn ein cyllideb nesaf. Mae gan bob adran, pob Gweinidog a phob rhan o Lywodraeth Cymru rôl i'w chwarae wrth droi ein blaenoriaethau yn newid go iawn sy'n amlwg i bobl ar hyd a lled Cymru. Er mwyn gwireddu hynny, rhaid i ni sicrhau ymdrech ar y cyd, sy'n cael ei chefnogi a'i harwain yn glir o'r canol. Dyna pam rydyn ni eisoes wedi cymryd camau i gryfhau Swyddfa'r Cabinet ac i greu canol i'r Llywodraeth sy'n fwy pwrpasol ac effeithiol. Gyda'i dulliau digidol, mae'r Swyddfa Cabinet newydd yn dwyn ynghyd arbenigedd ym meysydd strategaeth, delivery a data, a hynny wrth galon y Llywodraeth. Fel hyn rŷn ni'n mynd i allu symud pethau ymlaen yn glir, yn gyflym ac yn gadarn. Fe fydd Swyddfa'r Cabinet yn ein helpu ni i roi canlyniadau a cherrig milltir clir a mesuradwy ar waith. Yn ogystal, fe fydd dangosfwrdd cyhoeddus yn cael ei gyhoeddi yn ein meysydd blaenoriaeth. Fe fydd hyn yn gwella tryloywder ac yn sicrhau bod llwyddiant yn cael ei ddiffinio gan y gwahaniaeth a wnawn i fywydau pobl. Drwy ein cynllun 100 diwrnod, mae gwaith dwys eisoes yn digwydd ar draws y Llywodraeth, gan gefnogi cyflawni o'r diwrnod cyntaf. Mae hyn yn golygu nodi rhwystrau'n gynnar, dileu heriau'n gyflym a gwneud cynnydd yn gynt, lle bo'n bosib—bwrw i lawr waliau, chwalu seilos, neu efallai, hyd yn oed, gymryd llwybr ychydig yn wahanol er mwyn cyrraedd y nod, ac, wrth gwrs, defnyddio data yn fwy effeithiol nid dim ond i adrodd ar yr hyn sydd wedi bod, ond i ddeall beth sy'n digwydd nawr a gweithredu lle bo angen, fel ein bod ni'n gallu rhagweld ac atal problemau cyn iddyn nhw godi. Fe fyddwn ni hefyd yn cryfhau sut mae Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015 yn berthnasol ar draws y Llywodraeth, ac, wrth gydweithio â’r comisiynydd, fe fyddwn ni'n sicrhau bod y Ddeddf yn cyflawni newid ystyrlon a mesuradwy. Mae hyn yn hanfodol, Ddirprwy Lywydd, oherwydd all y Llywodraeth ddim cyflawni ar ei phen ei hun; mae angen dull system gyfan i ddelifro. Fy uchelgais yw i Gymru ddod yn adnabyddus ar draws y byd am ei harloesedd a'i heffeithiolrwydd wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, gan newid bywydau pobl er gwell, ac, er mwyn cyflawni hyn, mae’n rhaid inni dynnu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus at ei gilydd yn llawer mwy effeithiol. Mae’n golygu cryfhau gallu a chwalu seilos ar draws adrannau, ar draws sefydliadau ac ar draws pob lefel o Lywodraeth. Mae'r defnydd effeithiol o ddulliau digidol a deallusrwydd artiffisial yn cynnig cyfle sylweddol i feithrin capasiti, cynyddu cynhyrchiant, gwneud gwasanaethau'n fwy ymatebol a chryfhau ein darpariaeth ddwyieithog. A dwi am roi'r seiliau yn eu lle ar gyfer defnydd diogel, moesegol a dwyieithog o ddulliau digidol a deallusrwydd artiffisial ar draws gwasanaethau cyhoeddus Cymru. Mae’r gwaith hefyd wedi dechrau ar ysgol lywodraethu i greu canolfan ragoriaeth ar gyfer arweinyddiaeth gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, gan adeiladu ar waith Academi Wales er mwyn arwain gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru at ddyfodol gwell. Ac wrth wraidd hyn oll mae ethos Gwasanaeth Cyhoeddus Cymru'n Un, sy'n meithrin arweinwyr y presennol a'r dyfodol ac yn rhoi’r sgiliau, yr hyder a'r nod cyffredin iddyn nhw i arwain newidiadau a gwella canlyniadau, oherwydd dyw strwythurau ar eu pennau eu hunain ddim yn sicrhau newid; pobl, sgiliau a diwylliant sy'n cyflawni hynny.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. By the end of this Senedd, we'll all be able to repeat that very long title. I'm very pleased to be here today to set out my priorities for this Government term. Trust and confidence in Government is hard-earned but easily lost. The Welsh Government, over recent years, has lost the trust of the people of Wales. There has been a perception that it is distant, talking rather than listening, promising rather than doing and failing to reflect the priorities of the nation. This Government is determined to reverse that trend, restoring trust by delivering on the commitments we have made and ensuring change that people across Wales can see and feel. When the First Minister stood here in May to set out our priorities—the NHS, the cost of living, good jobs, strong schools, tackling poverty and standing up for Wales—he was clear that the Government must put a new focus on effectiveness and outcomes. My portfolio brings together the levers needed to make that happen, from overseeing the delivery of the Government’s priorities and supporting my colleagues in their portfolios to strengthening our public services and ensuring constitutional arrangements that help Wales to achieve its ambitions. Dirprwy Lywydd, setting a direction is not enough; a good government must ensure real change. Effectiveness means turning priorities into outcomes—clear objectives, aligned effort, transparent performance data and early action where delivery goes off track, as is bound to happen from time to time. It also means making sure that our resources follow our priorities. Today’s supplementary budget will reflect that approach in action, in focusing funding on the most important priorities, making every pound work harder for Wales and laying the foundations for fuller realignment in our next budget. Every department, every Minister and every part of the Welsh Government has a role to play in turning our priorities into real change that is visible to people across Wales. To achieve that, we must ensure that efforts are aligned, which are supported and driven with clarity from the centre. That is why we have already taken action to strengthen the Cabinet Office and to create a more purposeful centre of Government. With its digital approaches, the new Cabinet Office brings together expertise in strategy, delivery and data, and does so at the heart of Government. In that way, we can drive progress with clarity, pace and robustness. The Cabinet Office will support us to put in place clear, measurable outcomes and milestones. Also, a public dashboard will be published for our priority areas. This will improve transparency and ensure that success is defined by the difference that we make to people’s lives. Through our 100-day plan, intensive work is already taking place across Government, supporting delivery from day one. This means identifying barriers early, removing challenges quickly and accelerating progress wherever we can—breaking down walls, destroying silos and maybe taking slightly different routes to achieve the aims, and, of course, using data more effectively not just to report on what has happened, but to understand what is happening now and where we need to act, so that we can anticipate and prevent problems before they arise. We will also strengthen how the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 applies across Government, and, by working in close partnership with the commissioner, we will ensure that the Act delivers meaningful and measurable change. This is essential, Dirprwy Lywydd, because the Government cannot deliver alone; we need a whole-system approach. My ambition is for Wales to become known across the world for its innovation and effectiveness in public service delivery, changing people's lives for the better, and, to do this, we must bring our public services together much more effectively. That means improving capability and breaking down silos between departments, organisations and across all levels of Government. The effective use of digital approaches and AI offers a significant opportunity to build capability, increase productivity, make services more responsive and strengthen bilingual provision. And I want to put the foundations in place for safe, ethical and bilingual use of digital approaches and AI across Welsh public services. Work has also begun on a school of governance to establish a centre of excellence for leadership and capability in public services, and building on the work of Academi Wales to lead public services in Wales to a better future. And at its heart is the ethos of the One Wales Public Service, developing current and future leaders and giving them the skills, confidence and shared purpose to lead change and improve outcomes, because structures in and of themselves don't ensure change; it is people, skills and culture that do that.
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Dirprwy Lywydd, my approach is clear: priorities translated into measurable outcomes, driven from the centre, delivered through our public services and judged by results that people can see in their everyday lives, and grounded in a clear set of principles, a relentless focus on outcomes, clarity of purpose so that every part of Government is aligned to shared priorities, delivery discipline, transparency and openness, because trust depends on people being able to see what we are doing and what we are achieving, and co-operation and collaboration across public services and, I very much hope, across this Senedd. These principles apply not only to how we organise and deliver within Government, but also to the constitutional framework within which Wales operates, because Government effectiveness and constitutional reform are fundamentally connected. Constitutional reform is not an abstract concept; it is about whether we have the powers, the resources and the tools to deliver better outcomes for our people, including on justice, on policing, on rail infrastructure, as we heard earlier, on funding, on energy, on natural resources and the Crown Estate. And we know that there is strong support right across this Senedd—in most parts of the Senedd, at least—for progress in a number of these areas and a clear democratic mandate from the people of Wales. That is why, as part of our first 100 days plan, work will be taken forward to reset the relationship with Westminster, grounded in fairness, partnership and mutual respect, and focused on consistent, meaningful engagement that delivers for Wales. And I look forward very much to my first inter-ministerial standing committee, which takes place in Belfast tomorrow, and positive and productive conversations with colleagues from Governments across these four nations. This Government is also calling for a new Wales Bill, to ensure that our constitutional settlement is clear and fit for purpose, and pressing for a fair, needs-based funding formula, to address historic underfunding and ensure that Wales receives the resources it requires. It is important that this constitutional work is taken forward in an open and collaborative way. This has to be a conversation that belongs to Wales as a whole. So, as part of the 100-day plan, we will also begin work on establishing a standing national commission on the constitution to support informed, inclusive and deliberative engagement on Wales's future. I look forward to keeping Members updated on progress as we take forward work to establish this commission on a broad basis. Dirprwy Lywydd, my ambition is to help to build a Government known for its effectiveness, for doing what it says, for focusing on what matters, and for being transparent about the progress it is making. A Government that stands up for Wales, ensuring that we have the powers, resources and partnerships we need to succeed for the people of Wales. My aim is to turn purpose into progress, progress into better outcomes, and better outcomes into renewed trust in the Government across Wales. Diolch yn fawr.
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The Member can at least be assured that there was a significant chunk of my priorities set out there, which was about precisely better government and doing things differently, because the previous Government did not operate in that way, and we have made clear, definitive changes to the structure of Government so that we may indeed deliver on the NHS, on schools, on the economy, on child poverty, on the cost of living, which my Cabinet colleagues have all outlined to the Chamber, those priorities already. So, I am a little at a loss at those comments. I'll turn to the comments regarding the constitution specifically. What I set out in my questions last week, and I have reiterated today, is that I seek powers not for power's sake, but for a purpose. Where there is a clear and definitive improvement that we can make to the lives of the people of Wales, if it is on water, if it is on railways, if it is on policing, then I will make that case and we will deliver improvements to the lives of the people of Wales. Because if this Senedd is about anything, it is about improving the lives of the people of Wales and that is the focus of this Government.
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Diolch yn fawr i'r llefarydd. Tra bod y cyfraniad blaenorol, dwi ddim yn siŵr, wedi holi unrhyw gwestiynau, dwi'n credu bod y llefarydd wedi llwyddo i ofyn dwsinau o gwestiynau yn fanna, ac felly mi wnaf i fy ngorau i wneud cyfiawnder â'r rheini. Cychwyn gydag a oes angen adolygiadau neu gomisiynau neu gynlluniau, fe fydd y llefarydd yn gyfarwydd gyda'r adnodd sy'n sôn am adeiladu tŷ ar y graig, nid ar y tywod, ac mae yna wirionedd yn hynny, onid oes? Mae angen seiliau cadarn; er mwyn symud gyda phwrpas, mae angen sicrhau ein bod ni'n symud i'r cyfeiriad cywir. Mae angen adeiladu tŷ ar y graig, nid ar y tywod. Felly, dwi ddim yn ymddiheuro mai dyna ran o dasg gyntaf Llywodraeth Plaid Cymru, ond dwi yn gobeithio eich bod chi'n glir, trwy gydol y datganiad yma, ein bod ni'n sôn am gyflawni ac am ddelifro, ac ymhen rhai misoedd, dwi'n siŵr y byddwn ni'n cael ein holi am y cynnydd sydd wedi'i wneud ar yr ymrwymiadau maniffesto dros y pedair blynedd nesaf. Mi fuoch chi'n holi am y cyfansoddiad a'r berthynas adeiladol gyda Llywodraeth San Steffan. Mi fues i yn y bwrdd gwrthderfysgaeth gweinidogol yn y Swyddfa Gartref yr wythnos diwethaf, a chael croeso cynnes, a chael trafodaethau adeiladol iawn gyda chyd-Weinidogion o Lywodraeth Prydain yn fanna. Ddiwedd yr wythnos diwethaf, ges i lythyr hyfryd iawn o gyfarch gan y Prif Ysgrifennydd i'r Prif Weinidog, Darren Jones, oedd yn dweud bod e'n edrych ymlaen at fy nghwrdd yn Belfast. Dwi ddim yn siŵr a fydd e yn Belfast yfory, ond mae'r ymroddiad yna at fod yn adeiladol ac yn gydweithredol yn sicr yno gan Lywodraeth Cymru, a dwi'n gobeithio y bydd e yna gan Lywodraeth Prydain hefyd. Mi fuoch chi'n sôn am y dashfyrddau. Dwi'n awyddus bod y dashfyrddau yma yn rhai cenedlaethol sydd o ddefnydd i'r Llywodraeth ac i'r Senedd ac i bobl Cymru. Mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn golygu wedyn bod y data mor fyw â phosib a'i fod e'n cael ei ddiweddaru yn rheolaidd. Dwi'n hapus iawn i wneud yr ymrwymiadau yna. Dwi'n hapus hefyd i ymrwymo i gydweithio a chyd-drafod gydag unigolion, yn y Senedd hon a thu hwnt, er mwyn sicrhau bod y dashfyrddau yna yn ffit i bwrpas ac yn addas. Dwi'n credu bod hynny'n addas iawn. Aethoch chi ymlaen wedyn i drafod y gwasanaeth sifil. Dwi o'r farn bod angen carfan o weision sifil er mwyn delifro blaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae'r newidiadau sydd wedi'u gwneud wedi'u gwneud o fewn ffrâm gyllideb y gwasanaeth sifil yng Nghymru. Dwi hefyd o'r farn, fel sosialydd datganoledig, bod datganoli i lefelau is yn rhywbeth yr ydym ni, fel plaid ac fel Llywodraeth, yn cytuno ag ef. Ond mae'n rhaid i mi ddadlau gyda'r syniad nad yw creu asiantaeth hyd braich—sydd wedi'i arwain gan bobl ddynamig, arloesol, sydd wedi llwyddo ym myd busnes—i ddatblygu economi Cymru yn ateb gwell i broblem economaidd Cymru na'r hyn sydd gyda ni ar hyn o bryd. Dwi'n gefnogol iawn i gynllun y Llywodraeth hon i greu asiantaeth ddatblygu newydd. Mae dirfawr angen datblygu ein heconomi ni. Dyw'r hyn sy'n digwydd ar hyn o bryd heb weithio, ac mae angen datblygiadau felly i symud pethau yn eu blaenau. Diolch.
Official English translation
I thank the spokesperson. While the previous contribution, I'm not sure, didn't ask any questions, I think that the spokesperson managed to ask dozens of questions there, and so I'll do my best to do justice to those. To start with whether we need new plans or commissions or reviews, the spokesperson will be familiar with the verse that talks about building a house on rock rather than on sand, and there is truth in that, isn't there? You need firm foundations; in order to move along with purpose, we need to ensure that we are moving in the right direction. We need to build the house on rock, not on sand. So, I don't apologise that that's part of the first task of the Plaid Cymru Government, but I do hope that you are clear that, throughout this statement, we talk about delivery, and in a few months' time, I'm sure we will be scrutinised on the progress that's been made on the manifesto commitments for the next four years. You asked about the constitution and the constructive relationship with the Westminster Government. I was at the ministerial anti-terrorism board at the Home Office last week, and I had a warm welcome, and I had very constructive discussions with fellow Ministers from the UK Government there. At the end of last week, I had a lovely letter of welcome from the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones, who said he was looking forward to meeting me in Belfast. I'm not sure whether he will be in Belfast tomorrow, but that commitment to being constructive and collaborative is certainly there from the Welsh Government, and I hope that it will be there from the UK Government as well. You talked about the dashboards. I'm eager to see these dashboards being national ones that would be of use to the Government and the Senedd and the people of Wales. Of course, that means that the data is as live as possible and that it's updated regularly. I am very pleased to make those commitments. I'm also pleased to make a commitment to collaborate and discuss with individuals, within this Senedd and beyond, in order to ensure that those dashboards are fit for purpose. I think that's very appropriate. You went on to talk about the civil service. I think that we do need a cohort of civil servants to deliver the priorities of the Welsh Government. The changes that have been made have been made within the budget framework of the civil service in Wales. As a devolved socialist, I think that devolving power to lower levels is something that we, as a party and as a Government, agree with. But I have to contest the idea that creating an arm's-length agency—led by dynamic and innovative people that have succeeded in the world of business—to develop the economy in Wales isn't a better solution to the Welsh economy than what we have at present. I'm very supportive of the Welsh Government's plans to create a new development agency. We greatly need to develop our economy. What's happening now hasn't worked, and we need further developments to progress that issue. Thank you.
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Thank you for those questions and comments. I think you do a disservice to members of the independent commission. I don't know how much time you've spent with the former archbishop, Rowan Williams, but the suggestion that he would come to a view because he was being paid by a particular Government I think does the commission a disservice, and those members of the commission. Anyone who has ever met Rowan Williams would know that that is a suggestion that is probably beneath the Member. He raises the question of the membership of the commission. I, in my questions, made a commitment to the Senedd that we would seek a broad-based membership to the commission. I reiterate that commitment today. I should like to engage with colleagues right across the Senedd to see if there are individuals who might contribute constructively and effectively to that commission from a whole range of perspectives. The dashboards are about measurable data and being able to track measurable progress. That's what we want to do. That's how we can be held to account, but also the whole system can be held to account, and I'd be very keen to make progress on that. You ask why I talked about the future generations Act, which is an underpinning piece of legislation that deals with public bodies across Wales. Of course, I will be engaging with every one of the commissioners appointed with this Government. When we say we are seeking to bring together the public services as one to deliver on our priorities, we mean it, and that is what I shall be doing as a Minister. Diolch.
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Diolch yn fawr. The case for devolution of justice and policing has been made powerfully and independently by the Thomas commission, the Silk commission, and the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, so that Wales could be in the same position as both Scotland and Northern Ireland. I look forward to meeting with colleagues from both of those Governments over the next week to discuss some of these issues. But it surely cannot be right that we have fewer powers than the Manchester area. That is clearly unconscionable. There is also an opportunity, with the police reforms currently progressing at a UK level, for that case to be advanced in a co-operative, collaborative and productive manner.
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Diolch. We will be updating the Senedd in terms of the COVID review in due course. As you'll be aware, there is the UK COVID inquiry, which is an enormous piece of work. What I am keen to do is to understand fully which aspects that inquiry has focused on in the Welsh context, and build upon that, so that when we come forward with proposals, they are suitable for this Senedd and reflect the views already expressed in the previous Senedd about the importance of looking at our experience through COVID. The Member is absolutely right to highlight the potential changes to police and crime commissioners. That forms part of the package of changes to policing in the England and Wales context. Therefore, that will be part of the discussions with Ministers at the UK level, and I look forward to those productive discussions with them. The independent commission on the constitution, I am informed by officials, cost £1.5 million last time, and there is a budget that has been part of the budget line of the previous Government on that. As Members will be aware, I've committed to look at the effectiveness of all Government spending, and therefore that will clearly be part of our progress.
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Diolch i'r Aelod. Fel mae'r Aelod wedi nodi, fe fydd y Gweinidog sydd yn gyfrifol am newid hinsawdd yn y Llywodraeth yn gwneud datganiad toc i'r Senedd hon. Mae e'n bwysig. Mae e'n allweddol. Fel rŷn ni'n profi ar hyn o bryd, mae newid hinsawdd yn bodoli. Mae e'n effeithio ar gymunedau ar draws ein gwlad, ac ar draws y byd, ac mae e'n flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth hon. Fe fyddaf i, fel dywedais i, Ddirprwy Lywydd, yn diweddaru'r Senedd maes o law am drefniadau'r comisiwn. A gobeithio, wrth amlinellu'r gwahanol elfennau o'r gwaith hwnnw—. Achos bydd yr Aelod hefyd yn gwybod bod y grŵp cynghori ar arloesi democratiaeth wedi gwneud gwaith pwysig iawn yn edrych ar ddemocratiaeth gyfranogol yng Nghymru. Gan adeiladu ar y gwaith hwnnw, mae yna gyfle yn fanna inni adeiladu ymhellach ar y gwaith hwnnw. Diolch.
Official English translation
I thank the Member. As the Member noted, the Minister with responsibility for climate change will be making a statement very soon to this Senedd. It is important. It is crucial. As we are experiencing at the moment, climate change exists. It impacts communities across our country, and across the globe, and it is a priority for this Government. As I said, Dirprwy Lywydd, I will be updating the Senedd in due course on the commission's arrangements. And hopefully, in outlining different elements of that work—. Because the Member will also know that the innovating democracy advisory group has done very important work in looking at participative democracy in Wales. Building on that work, there is an opportunity there for us to develop that further. Thank you.
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Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Mae yna her, wrth gwrs, gyda'r ansefydlogrwydd yn San Steffan ar hyn o bryd, ac rŷn ni'n gobeithio na fydd hynny yn amharu gormod ar ein cyfeillion ni yn San Steffan. Mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn focused ac yn symud ymlaen â'i hagenda o ran datganoli Ystad y Goron. Mi gafwyd cyfarfod adeiladol iawn gydag Ystad y Goron yn y dyddiau diwethaf, gyda'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni yn chwarae rôl greiddiol yn hynny. Fel mae'r Aelod wedi nodi, fe godwyd £700 miliwn o'r rownd ddiweddaraf o wynt ar y môr, ac felly mae yna gyfle sylweddol i Gymru wrth ddatganoli Ystad y Goron. Ond dwi'n credu hefyd—. Felly, mae yna drafodaethau i'w cael gyda Llywodraeth Prydain ar y materion yma, ond mae yna hefyd gyfle inni weithio'n adeiladol ac yn rhagweithiol gydag Ystad y Goron nawr i sicrhau bod buddsoddiad sylweddol yn yr economi Gymreig, yn y gadwyn gyflenwi Gymreig, a thrwy hynny sicrhau gwelliannau i'r seilwaith economaidd yma yng Nghymru. A dwi'n awyddus i wneud y ddau: datblygu'r drafodaeth am ddatganoli Ystad y Goron, ond hefyd i gymryd pob mantais ar fuddsoddiad Ystad y Goron nawr.
Official English translation
I thank the Member for that question. There is a challenge, of course, in terms of the uncertainty in Westminster at present, and we do hope that that won't affect our colleagues in Westminster too much. This Government is focused and is moving ahead with this agenda in terms of the devolution of the Crown Estate. We had a constructive meeting with the Crown Estate in recent days, with the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy playing a key part in that. As the Member noted, £700 million was raised in the latest round of offshore wind, and therefore there is a significant opportunity for Wales in devolving the Crown Estate. But I also think—. Therefore, there are discussions to be had with the UK Government on these issues, but there is also an opportunity for us to work constructively and proactively with the Crown Estate now to ensure that significant investment is made in the Welsh economy, and in the Welsh supply chain, and through that to ensure improvements to the economic infrastructure of Wales. And I'm eager to do both: to develop the discussion on the devolution of the Crown Estate, but also to capitalise on investment in the Crown Estate now.
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Diolch am y cwestiynau.
Official English translation
Thank you for those questions.
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My colleague the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy will be making further statements to the Senedd about the national development agency, which I'm sure will include a focus on the kinds of jobs we need to create, the kind of investment we need to attract and support in Wales, and how we grow Welsh businesses through the framework of the national development agency.
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Thank you for the question. The NHS is fully devolved presently. As my colleague the Minister for health has set out, we work effectively with partners across the border, we seek to work more effectively, and we envisage those partnerships continuing, as they do in cross-border regions in many parts of the UK and across Europe.
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Thank you to the Member for the question. As we've rehearsed, we are, as a Government, committed to both the well-being of future generations Act, but also a review to make sure that that Act is working in the most effective and efficient way possible to deliver on its great potential. Wales has become known across the world for its pioneering legislation on the well-being of future generations. But my initial suggestion to colleagues is that the link between the declarations of the Act and the ways of working, and how that has been translated across the public sector, isn't always as it could be. Therefore, things like the cabinet office, the one Welsh public service, developing right across the public sector, a focus on those ways of working on the future and on the people of Wales, are a strong foundation to develop in a sustainable way, in a way that can deliver for people now, and leave a positive legacy behind for future generations. We'll see that again with the imminent 'Future Trends' report, which we'll be laying as a Government before this Senedd and will give an opportunity for all Members across this Senedd to discuss and debate those trends that are crucially important. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
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Open this sitting on the stage
6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending cy
Cynnig yn ffurfiol.
Official English translation
Yes, formally.
6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending en
Diolch, Lywydd. I think I should take a few moments at the beginning of this contribution to reflect on the tone of the debate. You, Llywydd, began your contribution by reminding people that we are parliamentarians, and I'm afraid that the standard of this debate has descended to the level of a public house, not of a national Senedd, at some points. And let me say, that isn't about disagreement. My friend the leader of the Welsh Conservatives made a speech, and I disagree with more or less all of it, and yet it was conducted properly and in line with the Standing Orders and the procedures of this Senedd. I think we should all take our duties properly as parliamentarians, whatever views we agree or disagree on. As the Minister responsible for Government effectiveness, my priority is straightforward: to ensure that this Government demonstrates leadership and delivers efficiently, transparently and in the interests of the people of Wales. I'm proud that this Government is providing leadership, working for its people and acting to promote social well-being while positioning Wales as a confident, globally connected nation. That is what effective Government looks like, and that is what we will deliver. The Welsh Government's spending on international work is, as we've heard, some £9 million, or 0.03 per cent of the overall budget—a small contribution, I would suggest, to building our prosperity, protecting our public services, strengthening our culture and promoting our values. It is how Wales places our place in the world, demonstrating confidence, responsibility and a clear sense of who we are. Our international work turns that belief into action, creating jobs and investment. [Interruption.] I think, Llywydd, we've heard enough from our friends opposite today. In future, I may well take interventions, but today I shall make progress. Our international work turns that belief into action, creating jobs and investment, exports and partnerships, life-changing experiences for students, new colleagues for our NHS and enabling communities in Wales and beyond to learn from one another. When Wales works internationally, Welsh people benefit. Our businesses reach new markets, universities build global partnerships, young people return home with skills and confidence, and Wales's reputation grows. We should be proud of that, not in a narrow way, not with our backs turned to others, but proud to be generous and outward-looking, proud to share, proud to learn—internationalist, not isolationist. Our international relationships matter. In a turbulent world, they are bridges over which trade, knowledge and culture can pass. Whether it is deepening links with our neighbours in the European Union—and our friends opposite may not like that either—strengthening ties with Asia or building partnerships across North America, Wales is saying, 'We are here, we have something to offer and we want to work with you'. Internationalism, not isolationism. These relationships help Welsh companies export, attract investment into our communities, create jobs for Welsh people, support research collaboration, and open doors for artists, athletes, students and entrepreneurs. But they also do something more profound; they remind the world that Wales is not a footnote. We're a country with a living language, a democratic voice, talent and a deep moral imagination. Our diaspora tell Wales's story overseas and are an asset to supporting our ambitions. We are here to learn and to share what we know with others. Our international relationships bring economic benefits, whether this is the multimillion pound investment by Vishay, securing 500 jobs in Newport's semiconductor sector, or an additional £475 million in export orders for Welsh companies who have received Welsh Government support. These results are real for every one of our constituents right across Wales. We celebrated our relationship with Japan, recognising half a century of investment into Wales, with the twinning of two UNESCO sites, Conwy and Himeji castles. And this week, it was announced that tourist numbers to the north from Japan are increasing to such an extent that we could see a £4.5 million boost for our tourism sector for that part of the country alone. The Wales and Africa programme has, for over 20 years, shown how international partnerships can change lives, as we've heard from my colleague from Gŵyr Abertawe, through mutual respect, shared learning and practical action. From climate action and health links to education, fair trade and community solidarity, the benefits flow both ways, bringing skills, confidence and connection back to Wales.
6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending en
I will, Darren.
6. Reform UK Debate: Government international spending en
I think I'm indulging my friend after destroying his street cred there. But there's £4.5 million in a tourism boost, £475 million of exports, companies in Wales benefiting from our international partnerships. Culture is diplomacy of the deepest kind, because it reaches beyond policy and speaks to the soul. Threatened languages thrive as a result of our shared experiences. And sport—what an incredible platform for Wales. Rugby, football, cycling and so many other sports give Wales that global visibility that no advertising campaign could ever buy. The Tour de France comes to Wales next year. That would not have happened if we looked inward. I note that opposition party manifestos outlined plans for Wales to be seen as a major international sporting destination. How does that happen if we look inwards and remain closed to the world? There are some who say that a small nation should know its place. I say Wales knows its place. Our place is in the world. Our place is out there seeking investment and exporting our goods. Our place is beside those who share our values. Our place is with young people hungry for opportunity. Our place is with patients who need care, communities that are ready to connect and cultures that are ready to meet. So, let us be ambitious for Wales internationally. Let us celebrate the partnerships that bring communities together, value the healthcare workers who bring their skill and care to our NHS, champion the life-changing power of exchange, and send our culture and our sport into the world with confidence. Our bilateral relationships will deliver for our economy and express our values. Our Government is proudly internationalist. Wales as a country is proudly internationalist, and I am confident that, as a Senedd today, we will say to the world who we are. Diolch.
7. Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists cy
Diolch yn fawr, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a diolch i bob un o'r cyfranwyr. Rŷn ni wedi cael trafodaeth adeiladol, ystyriol, amryw o bersbectifau, ond trafodaeth seneddol, a dwi’n diolch i bawb am eu cyfraniadau. Mae yna gryn gonsensws hefyd ar draws y Siambr hon. Mae bod yn agored ac yn dryloyw yn un o'r gwerthoedd yna mae ein Prif Weinidog wedi gosod allan i ni fel Llywodraeth. Felly, mae e'n dilyn, os ŷn ni am fod yn agored ac yn dryloyw fel Llywodraeth, y byddwn ni'n cefnogi'r ffaith bod y Senedd hon yn agored ac yn dryloyw. Felly, fe fyddwn ni'n cefnogi'r cynnig sydd wedi ei osod yn enw Llŷr Powell prynhawn yma. Ni ddylai sefydliadau deimlo bod angen iddyn nhw gyflogi corff allanol er mwyn cael gafael ar Weinidog neu gyfleu eu safbwynt i Lywodraeth Cymru, boed hynny ar lefel Gweinidog neu swyddog. Wrth gwrs, dwi'n cydnabod bod modd i'r sector materion cyhoeddus yng Nghymru chwarae rôl ddilys, fel rŷn ni wedi clywed gan sawl cydweithiwr heddiw, a’i fod yn gwneud hynny o ran gwella dealltwriaeth o wleidyddiaeth a llywodraeth ddatganoledig, ond ni ddylai cwmnïau materion cyhoeddus fod mewn sefyllfa lle mae canfyddiad bod ganddyn nhw unrhyw fath o fantais pan ddaw hi i gael gafael ar wybodaeth, Gweinidogion neu swyddogion. Dwi wedi nodi, fel Llywodraeth, ein bod ni wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod gwybodaeth ar gael mewn ffordd sy'n agored ac yn dryloyw trwy wefan y Llywodraeth a thrwy ddatganiadau i'r Senedd. Dwi'n awyddus i wneud mwy o hynny, a byddwn i’n falch i glywed unrhyw syniadau ar draws y Siambr hon i gefnogi'r egwyddor honno y dylem ni fod yn agored ac yn dryloyw.
Official English translation
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to all the participants. We've had a constructive, meaningful debate with various perspectives provided, but a parliamentary debate, and I thank everyone for their contributions. There is some consensus, too, across the Chamber. Being open and transparent is one of those values that our First Minister has set out for us as a Government. Therefore, it follows that if we want to be open and transparent as a Government, we would support the fact that this Parliament should be open and transparent too. Therefore, we will be supporting the motion tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell this afternoon. Institutions shouldn't feel that they need to employ an external body in order to get hold of a Minister or to convey their views to the Welsh Government, be that at a ministerial or official level. Of course, I acknowledge that the public affairs sector in Wales can play a valid role, as we've heard from many colleagues this afternoon, and that it does so in terms of improving understanding of politics and devolved government, but public affairs companies should not be in a position where there is a perception that they have any sort of advantage when it comes to access to information, Ministers or officials. I've set out that, as a Government, we are committed to ensuring that information is available in a way that is open and transparent through the Welsh Government website and through statements to the Senedd. I'm eager to do more of that, and I'd be pleased to hear any ideas from across this Chamber in order to support that principle that we should be open and transparent.
7. Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists en
Yes, Andrew.
7. Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists en
I thank the Member for the intervention. In line with our commitment to openness and transparency, we will align our practices as a Government with those of the Senedd, as we should do.
7. Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists cy
Gaf i droi at y cynnig ei hun? Mae'r Llywodraeth wedi nodi bod yr adroddiad gwaddol—fel rŷn ni wedi clywed gan sawl person—gan Bwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad y chweched Senedd yn argymell bod y pwyllgor nesaf yn parhau â'r gwaith ar atebolrwydd Aelodau unigol drwy ystyried lobïo a rhoddion ymhellach. Rŷn ni'n cefnogi hynny, yn ogystal â rhagor o waith ar gofrestr lobïwyr. Fe ddaeth gwaith blaenorol y pwyllgor i'r casgliad—ac rŷn ni wedi clywed gan rai Aelodau—fod systemau Prydain a'r Alban ddim yn ddigon clir. Dwi’n credu bod yr awgrym yn fanna fod angen i ni ddatblygu ar sail dystiolaeth yn un cadarn a phwysig. Mae adroddiad y pwyllgor safonau yn awgrymu bod nifer o ffactorau i'w hystyried. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys angen amddiffyniad gwell a chlir sy'n gwahaniaethu rhwng lobïo ac eiriolaeth, sy'n cydnabod y rôl gadarnhaol y mae eiriolaeth yn gallu ei chwarae, ac sy'n cydnabod y materion sy'n cyfrannu at ganfyddiad negyddol y cyhoedd ohoni. Mae'r adroddiad yn nodi hefyd yr angen am hyfforddiant rheolaidd a sesiynau gloywi i Aelodau ac eraill ar y rheolau lobïo. Mae'n rhaid hyrwyddo'r canllawiau yn weithredol a'u gwella drwy enghreifftiau ymarferol, darpariadau, esboniadau clir o gyfrifoldebau, ac ymestyn yr hyfforddiant i bawb sydd yma yn y Senedd. Mae gan Gomisiwn y Senedd rôl allweddol i'w chwarae ochr yn ochr â'r pwyllgor safonau wrth ddatblygu'r sail dystiolaeth ac i symud y pethau yma yn eu blaen. Mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn gefnogol i'r symudiad yna ac yn dymuno'n dda iawn i'r Senedd a'r pwyllgor newydd yn ei waith. Mae'r gwelliant sydd wedi'i gyflwyno gan y Blaid Lafur yn un rŷn ni hefyd yn ei gefnogi. Mae'n cyd-fynd â'n safbwynt ni, sef mai mater i Gomisiwn y Senedd a'r Pwyllgor Safonau Ymddygiad yw bwrw ymlaen, a bwrw ymlaen gydag egni a phrydlondeb, gyda'r gwaith allweddol. Dwi'n ailadrodd y dylid bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith hwn ar sail trawsbleidiol drwy'r pwyllgor. Fel Llywodraeth sy'n ymroddedig i dryloywder a bod yn agored, fe fyddwn ni'n cefnogi'r gwaith hwnnw. Diolch yn fawr.
Official English translation
If I could turn to the motion itself, the Government has noted that the legacy report—as mentioned by many people—from the Standards of Conduct Committee in the sixth Senedd recommends that the successor committee should continue with the work on individual Member accountability by further considering lobbying and gifts. We support that, as well as further work on a register of lobbyists. The previous work of the committee came to the conclusion—and we've heard from some Members—that the UK and Scottish systems weren't sufficiently clear. I think that the suggestion there that we need to develop on the basis of evidence is robust and important. The standards committee report suggests that there are a number of factors to be taken into account. These include the need for better and clearer protections that differentiate between lobbying and advocacy, while recognising the positive role that advocacy can play, and recognising those issues that contribute to a negative perception among the public. The report also notes the need for regular training and updating sessions for Members and others on lobbying rules. We need to promote the guidance actively and improve it by using practical examples, provisions, clear explanations of responsibility, and extending that training to everyone here in the Senedd. The Senedd Commission has a key role to play alongside the standards committee in developing that evidence base and in progressing these things. This Government is supportive of that move and wishes the Senedd and the new committee well in their work. The amendment tabled by the Labour Party is one that we also support. It aligns with our own views that it's a matter for the Senedd Commission and the Standards of Conduct Committee to progress, and to progress with timeliness, this crucial work. I repeat that we should proceed with this work on a cross-party basis through the committee. As a Government that is committed to transparency and openness, we will be supporting that work. Thank you.
33
Open this sitting on the stage
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Mae sicrhau cyllid rheilffyrdd tecach, ynghyd â llwybr at ddatganoli llawn, yn flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi codi cyllid rheilffyrdd gyda Phrif Weinidog y Deyrnas Gyfunol. Mae'r Dirprwy Weinidog trafnidiaeth wedi ysgrifennu at yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol dros Drafnidiaeth ar y mater, ac mae e'n cyfarfod yn fuan gyda'r Gweinidog rheilffyrdd i ddatblygu'r trafodaethau hynny.
Official English translation
Securing fairer rail funding, along with a pathway to full devolution, is a key priority for the Welsh Government. The First Minister has raised rail funding with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Deputy Minister for Transport has written to the Secretary of State for Transport on this issue and is meeting soon with the UK rail Minister to progress those discussions.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch yn fawr am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
Thank you for the question.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
The figures are stark. The UK Government has promised an investment of £445 million, which sounds like a large figure, but when you compare it to the £4.5 billion owed to Wales under HS2 money, it is merely a drop in the ocean. That £4.5 billion would allow us to invest in Abertillery, it would allow us to invest in rail and bus services across the country. It is our fair share, it is chwarae teg for Wales. That is why I am proud that my colleague the Deputy Minister for Transport is pursuing this case energetically with the UK Government. It is only right, it is only fair.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Indeed, and I thank the Member for the question. There is clearly work to be done in our detailed negotiations with the UK Department for Transport. The Member will know that we would do pretty well out of relative track length, because of the geography of Wales. We have historically received a disproportionately low share of rail enhancement funding from the UK Government. Transport for Wales set out a vision of £14 billion of rail spending. That is the kind of rail funding that Wales needs to improve our rail services and to ensure that we have a twenty-first century rail system. I welcome the support of the Member and we will pursue those negotiations with the UK Government energetically.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you. The Welsh Government is committed to continuous improvement, pursuing reform through its multi‑year WG2025 programme. This has helped to strengthen organisational capability and effectiveness, alongside improving workforce capacity and estate efficiency. We continue to work to align resources to priorities. Strong internal and external scrutiny helps to ensure continuous improvement. No stand-alone fundamental review is planned, although we remain open to conversations about how we strengthen the civil service in the Welsh Government.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. It is right to note that the Welsh civil service sits within the framework of the UK civil service. She will also be aware that the Permanent Secretary is responsible for the day-to-day running of the civil service. I think the Maude review, and the review in Scotland of the civil service, suggest a number of pointers. I know colleagues at the UK level are looking at civil service reform. It is a conversation that we as a Government, and I as the Government Minister responsible, are very open to having across this Senedd and more broadly. I think it is very interesting and very telling that when we look at the figures for civil service employees over the past five years, there has been growth at the UK level, there has been significant growth of the civil service in Scotland, and yet in Wales, we've seen a fall in the number of civil servants. I'm not yet in a position to take a view as to whether our civil service complement is at the right level, but I think we should be having a serious, open and constructive conversation about what that level should be for the future. That is one I hope that all parties—and I welcome the input of the Member and others on the opposition benches into that conversation—would take part in.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for her question. We are committed to public services in Plaid Cymru. It is part of our DNA. We are committed to effective and efficient public services. As part of that work, we have established a strengthened Cabinet office to oversee and regularly review progress, co-ordinate activity across Government and ensure that barriers to delivery are identified and resolved. This supports both effective internal monitoring and external scrutiny. Our plan is to make full use of existing high-quality data sources, ensuring that information used to track progress is robust and can be used with confidence. At the same time, we will be transparent where data gaps exist and consider how these can be addressed over time. I'm pleased to report that I've asked the chief statistician to work on these data issues. I'll be updating Members within the 100 days as to progress on those transparently published measures and dashboards that this Senedd can look at and scrutinise on a regular basis.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question. Absolutely, our view is that we should strengthen our capacity and capability to deliver on the people's priorities here in Wales. I am totally committed to the social partnership model. I should probably declare that I was once a member of the PCS union many years ago in one of my earlier professional backgrounds. I am committed to working with the trade unions. What we've seen, and what I've seen in my role already, is how productive and effective trade union representation can be in delivering and driving positive change across our public services.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I welcome the opposition spokesperson to his role. We in Plaid Cymru are clear that we are a new Government, we set out a new course, focused on the people's priorities—on childcare, on child poverty, on the economy, on schools, on healthcare. I think it is clear to everyone in this Chamber that the legacy of 27 years of Labour Government led to their election result. That is why so many of our fellow countrymen and women voted for a new leadership for Wales, and that is a Plaid Cymru leadership. Turning to the question of powers that you raise, for us, powers is about delivering the people's priorities. Therefore, if we can do a better job of delivering on justice and policing where we have integration with health and education, then that is what we will do, because it will improve the lives of people in Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Let us begin with the question of independence. Our Prif Weinidog, our leader, set out clearly during the election, and it was clear in our manifesto, that there will be no referendum on independence during this term. I repeat that commitment here today, and I am happy to repeat it. Let us move forward to your question about more powers. Where there are opportunities to improve the lives of people in Wales, then we will take them. There are discussions ongoing on natural resources and water and tackling the scandal of pollution in our rivers. Yes, we will pursue those negotiations with the UK Government with vigour, to seek to improve the lives of people in Wales. We will make no apology whatsoever for that. We are on a constitutional journey in Wales. It is a journey that is best served by consensus and collaboration, and that is what we will seek to do.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you. I think I was very clear that there would be no referendum in this Senedd term. Turning to the matter of delivery, I have been clear, and our party was clear during the election, the 27 years of failure to deliver was an indictment of the previous Labour Government. The challenge is to deliver on childcare, on child poverty, on health, on education, on the economy, and by those measures shall we be known.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch yn fawr i'r llefarydd, a diolch iddo am ei ddymuniadau gorau. Rydw innau'n dymuno'n dda iawn iddo fe. Fe fydd e'n gwybod fy mod i, fel Aelod etholaeth, wedi dilyn dau o'i gydweithwyr ef a oedd yn frwd iawn dros faterion amgylcheddol a chynaliadwy a theithio llesol. Dwi'n talu teyrnged iddyn nhw, os caf i—Jenny Rathbone a Julie Morgan—ac yn dymuno'n dda iddyn nhw yn eu hymddeoliad. O ran y rhaglen ddeddfwriaethol, mae yna waith manwl yn digwydd ar hyn o bryd gan y tîm gwasanaethau cyfreithiol i lunio'r rhaglen honno, i ystyried cymhlethdodau y rhaglen sylweddol iawn sydd ger ein bron o ran y ddeddfwriaeth gynradd ac o ran y ddeddfwriaeth eilradd y bydd yn rhaid i ni graffu arni. Hefyd, fel y bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod, mae rhaglen sylweddol yn sgil Araith y Brenin yn y Deyrnas Gyfunol o legislative consent motions ac ati, ac felly mae'r gwaith hwnnw yn mynd yn ei flaen ar hyn o bryd. Rwy'n gobeithio y byddwn ni, fel Llywodraeth, mewn sefyllfa i ddiweddaru'r Senedd ac i wneud cyhoeddiad yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf ar y rhaglen ddeddfwriaethol.
Official English translation
I thank the spokesperson for his best wishes. I wish him well, too. He will know that I, as a constituency Member, follow two of his colleagues who were very enthusiastic about environmental and sustainability issues and about active travel. I pay tribute to them as well, if I may—Jenny Rathbone and Julie Morgan—and I wish them well in their retirement. In terms of the legislative programme, detailed work is happening at present among the legal services team to draw up that programme, to consider the complexities of the significant programme that we have before us in terms of primary legislation and secondary legislation that we will need to scrutinise. Also, as the Member will know, there's a significant programme in the light of the King's Speech in the UK in terms of legislative consent motions and so forth, and therefore that work is progressing at present. I hope that, as a Government, we'll be in a position to update the Senedd and to make a statement during the coming weeks on the legislative programme.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch am y cwestiwn.
Official English translation
I thank him for the question.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
As I set out to the Senedd, we are undertaking detailed work on the legislative programme at the moment and we will be making an announcement to the Senedd in due course on those priorities. But the Prif Weinidog, I and my Cabinet colleagues have been clear: our priorities set out in the manifesto around childcare, around child poverty, around the health service and reducing waiting times, around improving standards in school, around improving the economy are our priorities, and people must understand that those are the areas that we seek to deliver on and those are the areas on which we will be judged by the people of Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch i'r llefarydd.
Official English translation
I thank the spokesperson.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I welcome him to his role and thank him for his congratulations. For me, and for us, the test of this Government will be how we deliver on those bread-and-butter issues, if you'd like to describe them as such, on childcare, on child poverty and the issues I've outlined. I expect, and we have agreed, that the Government will focus on those priorities. I have outlined, and I'll outline over the next few weeks in my oral statement, my priorities on the constitution. I will work across this Senedd on matters of the constitution and seek to bring consensus and collaboration to those issues. Therefore, in line with the Plaid Cymru manifesto, our focus will be on those public priorities that we have set out, and, on the constitution, it will be focused on those very specific priorities that we set out in our manifesto that will improve people's lives—on water, on policing, on justice, on the Crown Estate, to improve people's lives in Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I can assure the Member that there is plenty of energy to go around in this Plaid Cymru Government and Plaid Cymru Cabinet. I'm not sure whether I was clear enough, but I shall repeat myself again: our priority is delivering tangible improvements to people's lives in Wales. Every morning, I receive from my colleagues in the Cabinet office a spreadsheet of progress on all of those priorities that we've set out and how we are progressing on those 100-day plans. We have set out clearly the way forward we want to go on the constitution, and those are our priorities.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Mae comisiwn cenedlaethol newydd yn cael ei ddatblygu fel rhan o'n cynllun 100 diwrnod. Bydd yn goruchwylio cynnydd o ran datganoli pellach, yn ymgysylltu â'r cyhoedd fel rhan o drafodaeth genedlaethol am ddyfodol cyfansoddiadol Cymru, ac yn cryfhau'r sylfaen dystiolaeth ar gyfer rhaglen o ddiwygio. Byddaf yn diweddaru'r Senedd wrth i'r gwaith pwysig hwn fynd rhagddo.
Official English translation
A new national commission is being developed as part of our 100-day plan. It will oversee progress on further devolution, engage with the public in a national conversation about Wales's constitutional future, and strengthen the evidence base for further reform. I will update the Senedd as this important work develops.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Wel, diolch am gyfres o gwestiynau, mewn gwirionedd, yn fanna. Dwi'n credu, er mwyn cychwyn, gawn ni gychwn gydag adeiladu ar y gwaith a fu? Roeddwn i'n ffodus iawn i gyfarfod gyda'r cyn-archesgob, Rowan Williams, dros y dyddiau diwethaf, a dwi'n cyfarfod gyda Laura McAllister yn y dyddiau sy'n dod hefyd, oherwydd yr hyn dwi'n gweld y comisiwn newydd yn ei wneud yw adeiladu ar y gwaith da mae'r comisiwn annibynnol wedi'i wneud, a chomisiwn Silk, comisiwn Thomas. Mae yna sail dystiolaeth gadarn yn y fan yna. Yr hyn dwi am ofyn i'r comisiwn ei wneud ac i drafod ymhellach yw ble mae yna gaps. Ble mae yna elfennau lle mae angen mwy o waith? Ac un enghraifft sydd eisoes wedi dod i'r amlwg yn barod yw rhywfaint o'r gwaith o gwmpas sut byddai function cyfiawnder yn Llywodraeth Cymru yn edrych. Beth yw hyd a lled hwnnw? Beth fyddai siâp hwnnw er mwyn gallu delifro llwyddiant ym maes cyfiawnder ieuenctid, er enghraifft? Felly, dyna'r math o waith y byddwn ni'n gobeithio gweld yn fanna. Ond byddwn i hefyd yn dymuno gweld mwy o waith yn cael ei wneud ar ddemocratiaeth gyfranogol sy'n tynnu pobl i mewn, sy'n tynnu'r sgwrs genedlaethol yna yn ei blaen, ac yn tynnu pob math o perspectives—rŷn ni wedi clywed sawl un heddiw ar ddyfodol cyfansoddiadol Cymru—ac yn tynnu'r holl perspectives hynny at ei gilydd mewn sgwrs genedlaethol wirioneddol wedi ei harwain gan y bobl.
Official English translation
Well, thank you for a range of questions there. If we could start with building on the work that's been done in the past, I was fortunate to meet with the former archbishop, Rowan Williams, over recent days, and I will be meeting Laura McAllister in the coming days, because what I see the new commission doing is building on the good work that the independent commission did, and the Silk commission, the Thomas commission. There is a robust evidence base there. What I will ask the commission to do and to discuss further is where the gaps are. Where are the elements where more work is needed? And one example that's already emerged is some of the work around how the function of justice within Welsh Government would look. What's the length and breadth of that? How would it be shaped in order to deliver successfully in terms of youth justice, for example? So, that's the kind of work that I would hope to see done there. But I would also wish to see more work done on participative democracy that draws people in, that generates that national conversation, and draws on all sorts of perspectives. We've heard a number of different perspectives on the constitutional future of Wales today, and we need to draw all of those perspectives together in a real national conversation that is led by the people.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for his congratulations and for the question. I think we've rehearsed several times the interplay between constitutional powers and priorities of the Government already in this question time; I suspect we might rehearse them a few more times before this Senedd term is out. I do want to make an absolute commitment, which is that the national commission that we are seeking to establish must be broad based and must reflect the wide range of views that the people of Wales hold. That is a commitment I am happy to make here in the Senedd. It is how we have operated as a party in the past, and it is how we seek to operate as a Government. I would question the Member if no elector in Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd has no concern whatsoever of the sewage in their rivers or of the police on their street or of the windfarm developments and energy infrastructure. These are the very issues that are illuminated by some of the constitutional issues that we are currently grappling with, and we will seek to grapple with them and seek to ensure that those decisions are made in Wales and are driven by the priorities of the people of Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd and of Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Devolving policing has been the recommendation of a series of independent commissions, dating back to the Silk commission in 2014. Each one of those commissions considered the financial implications amongst other implications in reaching their conclusions.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Okay. So, I shall repeat again: our priorities are the NHS, are schools, are the economy, are child poverty and childcare. Llywydd, I think it'll be a very long four years if we carry on like this. However, the Member has highlighted one important area where we will be discussing with the UK Government, when we come round to policing. There clearly are negotiations to be had around the transfer of functions and how effectively those resources are transferred from the UK level to the Welsh level. We will be robust and energetic in those discussions with our UK counterparts. I should also note—and some Members will be aware of this—there is a significant programme of policing reform being led by the UK Government at the moment, and therefore there is a significant opportunity, as part of those discussions, to advance the case for a more Welsh-focused solution to policing and justice in our country.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for his support for devolving policing, and he has set out previously in this Chamber and elsewhere the case for devolution. Policing, of course, is not only, as he reminds us, devolved to Scotland and Northern Ireland, but also to a number of the mayors in England. It is a complete anomaly that Wales sits apart from that. It is an anomaly that we hope to address as a Government.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Diolch yn fawr iawn i'r Aelod. Mae yna nifer o bethau yn fanna o ran gwasanaethau i fenywod sydd ddim yn ddigon da o dan y system gyfiawnder bresennol. Dwi'n credu bod yna waith i'w wneud o ran y system gyfiawnder a datganoli. Mae yna waith i'w wneud o ran y system heddlua sy'n gysylltiedig â datganoli. Er mwyn gwneud cynnydd ar hyn, mae'n rhaid wrth adeiladu perthynas effeithiol a chynhyrchiol gyda Llywodraeth Prydain. Mae yna gyfarfod eisoes wedi'i drefnu gyda Gweinidog heddlua Prydain, y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a minnau. Ddydd Mercher diwethaf, roeddwn i yn y Swyddfa Gartref yn y bwrdd gwrthderfysgaeth gweinidogol ar draws Prydain, lle buon ni'n trafod materion o gydweithio rhwng Llywodraethau datganoledig a Llywodraeth Prydain. A'r hyn oedd yn drawiadol, hyd yn oed mewn sefyllfa ddifrifol iawn, felly, oedd bod angen cydweithio effeithiol rhwng yr adran gyfiawnder, yr adran iechyd a'r adran addysg.
Official English translation
Thank you very much to the Member. There are a number of issues there in terms of services for women that are currently not good enough under the current justice system. I do think that there is work to be done in terms of the justice system and devolution. There is work to be done in terms of policing that is related to devolution. In order to make progress on this, we must build an effective, productive relationship with the UK Government. A meeting has already been arranged with the Minister for policing in the UK, the Deputy First Minister and myself. Last Wednesday, I was at the Home Office at the ministerial anti-terrorism board, where we discussed issues of collaboration between devolved Governments and the UK Government. And what was striking, even in such grave circumstances, was that there needed to be effective collaboration between justice, health and education.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Supporting public services to tangibly improve people's lives is at the forefront of this Government's agenda. It is this principle that will guide us in any requests for new powers, as I've outlined already to some of your colleagues. Taking a one Welsh public service approach, we will reduce fragmentation, increase collaboration and invest in capability through a new national school of government.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Thank you for the question. I'm not wholly sure, Llywydd, how that relates to public service reform. However, I will make this commitment quite clearly, as my colleagues have already made: the Welsh Government will follow the law and will uphold the law in everything it does.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Mae safbwynt y Llywodraeth hon yn glir: mi ddylai cyfiawnder gael ei ddatganoli’n llawn i Gymru, fel sydd wedi digwydd yn yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon. Yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf, mi fyddaf i'n cyfarfod â Gweinidogion Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig i egluro ein safbwynt ac i ddechrau'r trafodaethau hynny. Mi fyddwn ni’n mynd ar drywydd datganoli cyfiawnder a phlismona fel un o’n blaenoriaethau yn y maes cyfansoddiadol.
Official English translation
This Government’s position is clear: justice should be fully devolved to Wales, as it is in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the coming weeks, I’ll be meeting with UK Government Ministers to set out our position and to start those discussions. We will pursue the devolution of justice and policing as an immediate constitutional priority.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution cy
Ein hasesiad ni yw'r union bwyntiau y mae'r Aelod yn cyfeirio atyn nhw yn fanna. Byddai datganoli yn caniatáu inni fabwysiadu dull system gyfan, yn ymgorffori set gyson o werthoedd ag arweinir gan dystiolaeth a thrawma ar draws pob gwasanaeth. Byddai’n rhoi cyfle inni ddod â chyfiawnder a phlismona ynghyd â'r gwasanaethau datganoledig sy'n hanfodol i atal troseddu, cefnogi dioddefwyr ac adsefydlu pobl.
Official English translation
Our assessment is the exact points that the Member refers to there. Devolution would allow us to adopt a whole-system approach, embedding a consistent set of values led by evidence and trauma across all services. It would enable us to bring justice and policing together with the other devolved services that are vital to prevent offending, support victims and rehabilitate people.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
Diolch. Thank you for the question, and I pay tribute to the Member's long-standing service on our behalf, keeping everyone safe. I think there is an important discussion around probation, around prisons, around justice that we need to have, that we need to have as a Senedd, that we need to have as a nation, as we move towards devolving justice. As I mentioned, I was recently at the counter-terrorism ministerial board, where the Welsh Government could play a positive role in working with colleagues in the Home Office, right across the UK. That is what I expect our Government to do, and that is what I hope our Government would do were we successful in devolving justice.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
The Government is united in its vision for Wales. That starts with our 100-day plan, which I am working collaboratively and co-operatively with all my Cabinet colleagues to deliver. The programme for government will build upon this foundation, with clarity of focus, improved cross-Government working and meaningful outcomes for the people of Wales.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I thank the Member for the question, and I have some sympathy for the points he makes. If we are to be successful, our Government must deliver on outcomes not on activities, because, if we deliver on outcomes, they will be felt and measurable to the people of Wales, and, when we face the electors in four-years times, we will be able to point to those outcomes that are not only in a Government press release but are felt in communities right across Wales. I'm working with colleagues, as I've mentioned, our director of statistics and others to develop those measurable outcomes, to develop dashboards, which will be transparently available, and I look forward to updating the Senedd in due course on progress on those matters.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
This Government’s position is clear and unequivocal: justice, including policing, should be fully devolved to Wales, as it is in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The policing reforms in England are an excellent opportunity to progress the devolution of policing.
2. Questions to the Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution en
I can wholeheartedly agree with that. In principle, and on principle, policing should be devolved to Wales. The current reforms offer an excellent opportunity. As I mentioned in a previous answer, I have already met with colleagues at the Home Office. The Dirprwy Brif Weinidog and I will be pursuing the conversation around further devolution with the policing Minister in coming weeks, and, ahead of that, we will be in discussions with our police and crime commissioners here in Wales, with the chief constables, with representatives from local government and the policing partnership board for Wales at the end of the month. We are also arranging meetings with Lord Hogan-Howe. There is a significant opportunity here to get it right. I look forward to working with Members in Government, but across this Chamber, in delivering the devolution of policing to Wales.
Roll-call divisions, by sitting day
70 recorded votes. Official division result.
- For
- 31
- Against
- 22
- Abstain
- 2
- Did not vote
- 15
Counted by Siambr: a sum of the official division rows.
For Against Abstain Unlit desk: did not vote
3 divisions
Members' Legislative Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): An NHS first Bill
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- Motion For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Prostate cancer strategy
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- Motion For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: The M4 around Newport
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- Motion Against Agreed
3 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Local referendums on council tax rises
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
6 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Regional rugby
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Not agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
Reform UK Debate: Access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan a Lynne Neagle For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Family Drug and Alcohol Courts
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- Motion Abstain Agreed
1 division
Debate: Fiscal Reform
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- Motion For Agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Default 20 mph speed limit
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Welsh Conservatives Debate: The defence sector
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- Motion Against Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Wales and the United Kingdom
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- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Further education
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- Motion Against Agreed
10 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Grooming gangs
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board health visitor pay dispute
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Not agreed
- Amendment 4tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle For Agreed
- Motion as amended Against Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
5 divisions
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Deposit-return scheme
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Bovine TB
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- Motion For Agreed
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Young people and employment
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- Motion For Agreed
2 divisions
Legislative Consent Motion: Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Bill
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- Motion For Agreed
Debate: The First Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion For Not agreed
4 divisions
Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Ophthalmology services
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- Motion Abstain Agreed
Reform UK Debate: The tourism sector
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
4 divisions
Debate: Fair Funding
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Against Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell Against Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Against Not agreed
- Motion For Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Nation of Sanctuary
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- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
- Motion Against Not agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: Funding for additional learning needs in the first Supplementary Budget 2026-27
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- Motion Against Agreed
10 divisions
Welsh Conservatives Debate: Hospital services and hospital closures
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Llŷr Powell Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 4tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Not agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Agreed
Reform UK Debate: A Welsh Rivers Act
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 3tabled in the name of Paul Davies Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Not agreed
4 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Government international spending
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- Motion Against Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan For Agreed
- Motion as amended For Agreed
Reform UK Debate: Statutory register for lobbyists
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- Motion For Agreed
5 divisions
Reform UK Debate: Childcare offer
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- Motion Did not vote Not agreed
- Amendment 1tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan Did not vote Agreed
- Amendment 2tabled in the name of Lynne Neagle Did not vote Agreed
- Motion as amended Did not vote Agreed
Welsh Labour Debate: School support staff negotiating body
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- Motion Did not vote Agreed