Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
17/05/2023Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Prynhawn da a chroeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Russell George.
Good afternoon and welcome to this Plenary meeting. The first item on our agenda this afternoon will be questions to the Minister for Social Justice, and the first question is from Russell George.
1. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol am sicrhau mynediad cyfartal at doiledau cyhoeddus i bobl anabl? OQ59514
1. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Health and Social Services about ensuring equal access to public toilets for disabled people? OQ59514
Thank you for your question. I have set up the disability rights taskforce to advance disability rights in Wales. I engaged with all ministerial colleagues to determine the action that needs to be taken in each portfolio area, including access to public toilets for disabled people.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Rwyf wedi sefydlu’r tasglu hawliau pobl anabl i hyrwyddo hawliau pobl anabl yng Nghymru. Ymgysylltais â phob cyd-Weinidog i benderfynu ar y camau y mae angen eu cymryd ym mhob maes portffolio, gan gynnwys mynediad i doiledau cyhoeddus ar gyfer pobl anabl.
Thank you for your answer, Minister. According to the Great British Public Toilet Map, there are 25 public toilets in Montgomeryshire, in my constituency, but only seven of those are available to those with disabilities. This is really concerning, particularly as there are a lot of people across the county who do have disabilities and need to use a public toilet more than most for various reasons, and they need to have confidence that when they go to a public toilet that there are going to be appropriate facilities for them, not to mention, of course, that Montgomeryshire is a tourism hotspot, at least it is at the moment. And I hope, Minister, you also recognise how important it is in attracting holidaymakers who will also have disabilities. I'm thinking particularly of a project in my constituency. Berriew Community Council, just off the trunk road, are very keen to bring forward facilities for those with disabilities also. But, I wonder what advice you can give in terms of what the Welsh Government can support, because so far they're having real difficulty in attracting the appropriate funds in order to update the facilities.
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Yn ôl y Great British Public Toilet Map, mae 25 o doiledau cyhoeddus yn sir Drefaldwyn, yn fy etholaeth i, ond saith o’r rheini'n unig sydd ar gael i bobl anabl. Mae hyn yn peri cryn bryder, yn enwedig gan fod llawer o bobl anabl ar draws y sir sydd angen defnyddio toiled cyhoeddus yn fwy na’r rhan fwyaf o bobl am wahanol resymau, ac mae angen iddynt fod yn hyderus, pan fyddant yn mynd i doiled cyhoeddus, y bydd cyfleusterau priodol ar eu cyfer, heb sôn, wrth gwrs, am y ffaith bod sir Drefaldwyn yn boblogaidd iawn gyda thwristiaid, ar hyn o bryd o leiaf. Ac rwy'n gobeithio, Weinidog, eich bod hefyd yn cydnabod pa mor bwysig yw hyn wrth ddenu pobl anabl i ddod ar eu gwyliau. Rwy'n meddwl yn benodol am brosiect yn fy etholaeth i. Mae Cyngor Cymuned Aberriw, ychydig oddi ar y gefnffordd, yn awyddus iawn i ddarparu cyfleusterau ar gyfer pobl anabl hefyd. Ond tybed pa gyngor y gallwch ei roi ynghylch yr hyn y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei gefnogi, oherwydd hyd yma, maent yn ei chael hi'n wirioneddol anodd denu digon o arian i wella'r cyfleusterau?
Diolch yn fawr, Russell George. A really important question. We know that a lack of accessible local toilets can limit disabled people's lives, stopping them going out, leading to isolation, anxiety, health conditions, and those are the factors that we need to address. In fact, the Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination not only in the workplace, but in wider society, and we need to promote and deliver on our ambitions to give equal rights and dignity to disabled people in Wales. Now, we have got public toilets provision, and the provision of changing places is moving forward, because—they're not in my portfolio—changes have been made to the building regulations regarding the provision of changing places specifically focused for disabled people. These changes came into force on 3 January.
I think your community council would be well advised to engage with the local authority—Powys County Council in this respect—because we also have, under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, a requirement for each local authority in Wales to produce a local toilet strategy for its area, in consultation with residents and other delivery partners, which would be your community council. It's important, actually, that that Act's provisions are designed to improve toilet provision for everyone and to recognise that, as part of their local toilet strategies, local authorities are required to assess the needs of their communities, including those of disabled people and their carers, and to take steps through the strategy to meet those needs.
Diolch yn fawr, Russell George. Cwestiwn pwysig iawn. Gwyddom y gall diffyg toiledau lleol hygyrch gyfyngu ar fywydau pobl anabl a'u hatal rhag mynd allan, gan arwain at ynysigrwydd, gorbryder, cyflyrau iechyd, a dyna'r ffactorau y mae angen inni fynd i'r afael â nhw. Mewn gwirionedd, mae Deddf Cydraddoldeb 2010 yn amddiffyn pobl yn gyfreithiol rhag gwahaniaethu nid yn unig yn y gweithle, ond yn y gymdeithas ehangach, ac mae angen inni hyrwyddo a chyflawni ein huchelgeisiau i roi hawliau cyfartal ac urddas i bobl anabl yng Nghymru. Nawr, mae gennym ddarpariaeth doiledau cyhoeddus, ac mae darpariaeth lleoedd newid yn dod yn ei blaen, oherwydd—nid ydynt yn fy mhortffolio i—mae newidiadau wedi'u gwneud i'r rheoliadau adeiladu ynghylch darparu lleoedd newid yn benodol ar gyfer pobl anabl. Daeth y newidiadau hyn i rym ar 3 Ionawr.
Credaf y byddai’n ddoeth i’ch cyngor cymuned ymgysylltu â’r awdurdod lleol—Cyngor Sir Powys yn yr achos hwn—gan fod gennym ofyniad hefyd, o dan Ddeddf Iechyd y Cyhoedd (Cymru) 2017, i bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru lunio strategaeth toiledau lleol ar gyfer ei ardal, mewn ymgynghoriad â thrigolion a phartneriaid cyflenwi eraill, sef eich cyngor cymuned yn yr achos hwn. Mae'n bwysig fod darpariaethau’r Ddeddf honno wedi’u cynllunio i wella darpariaeth toiledau i bawb ac i gydnabod ei bod yn ofynnol, fel rhan o’u strategaethau toiledau lleol, i awdurdodau lleol asesu anghenion eu cymunedau, gan gynnwys anghenion pobl anabl a’u gofalwyr, ac i gymryd camau drwy'r strategaeth i ddiwallu’r anghenion hynny.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am yr hyn a ddysgwyd hyd yma o'r cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol ar gyfer pobl sy'n gadael gofal? OQ59510
2. Will the Minister provide an update on the learning to date from the care leavers basic income pilot? OQ59510
Thank you very much for your question. A comprehensive and detailed research strategy is in place to evaluate the basic income pilot, led by Cardiff University, but it is too early to provide data on the impact of the programme. We anticipate being able to publish further monitoring data on the basic income pilot in the autumn.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn. Mae strategaeth ymchwil gynhwysfawr a manwl ar waith i werthuso’r cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol, dan arweiniad Prifysgol Caerdydd, ond mae’n rhy gynnar i ddarparu data ar effaith y rhaglen. Rydym yn rhagweld y gellir gyhoeddi data monitro pellach ar y cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol yn yr hydref.
Thank you so much, Minister. It's pleasing to hear the promising early feedback surrounding the basic income pilot for care leavers, especially comments from you noting that we're already beginning to see the benefits of the scheme. I remember, as well, the motion that I tabled last year, back in July, which called on the Welsh Government to consider how a basic income pilot could be extended to include workers employed in heavy industry—the transition basic income pilot. We've got a legal challenge with Aberpergwm mine ongoing and the announcement this year that Liberty Steel would be letting go of 150 workers from its Newport and Torfaen sites. Therefore, there is a dire need to provide workers with stability and security as these industries change. And the Government is expected to look at their just transition framework for a net-zero Wales in the future. We need to take communities with us and to provide the support that they need. So, could I ask you what conversations you've had, perhaps, across with Ministers for climate change and economy as part of creating a just transition framework on expanding the basic income pilot, following its current iteration, to support workers to transition to green jobs? Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Weinidog. Mae’n braf clywed yr adborth cynnar addawol ynghylch y cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol ar gyfer pobl sy’n gadael gofal, yn enwedig eich sylwadau'n nodi ein bod eisoes yn dechrau gweld manteision y cynllun. Cofiaf, hefyd, y cynnig a gyflwynais y llynedd, yn ôl ym mis Gorffennaf, a oedd yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ystyried sut y gellid ymestyn cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol i gynnwys gweithwyr sy’n gweithio yn y diwydiannau trwm—y cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol ar gyfer pontio. Mae gennym her gyfreithiol yn mynd rhagddi gyda phwll glo Aberpergwm a'r cyhoeddiad eleni y byddai Liberty Steel yn diswyddo 150 o'u gweithwyr yn eu safleoedd yng Nghasnewydd a Thorfaen. Felly, mae taer angen sefydlogrwydd a diogelwch ar weithwyr wrth i'r diwydiannau hyn newid. Ac mae disgwyl i’r Llywodraeth edrych ar eu fframwaith pontio teg ar gyfer Cymru sero net yn y dyfodol. Mae angen inni fynd â chymunedau gyda ni a darparu’r cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn i chi pa sgyrsiau rydych wedi’u cael, efallai, gyda’r Gweinidogion newid hinsawdd a’r economi, fel rhan o'r gwaith o greu fframwaith pontio teg ar ehangu’r cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol, ar ôl ei iteriad presennol, i gynorthwyo gweithwyr i bontio i swyddi gwyrdd? Diolch.
Diolch, Jane Dodds. And I'd like to thank you for your consistent support for the basic income pilot for our care leavers, with the support you've given since the day we announced it here in the Senedd. I just want to say that the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan, and I met with care leavers at the end of October to discuss the pilot and their experience of it, and learning from them is going to feed into the evaluation. I'm pleased that, of the young people who were eligible in the first six months of the pilot, 92 per cent signed up and were already receiving their monthly payment. And it is important that we link this to your debate and the questions that you've also asked, about updates on this work.
In terms of the just transition, you'll be aware, of course, that the Minister for Climate Change took a call for evidence on just transition between last year and 15 March. There has been a good response to that and they're being analysed, so that will come through. And I think what's important to recognise is that the policy drive for our basic income pilot is to support care leavers to make that positive transition from local authority care, using basic income as a means. And, as I've said before, basic income is the mechanism for this, rather than the purpose of the programme, to give care leavers a real chance and opportunity in life. So, I know that we will be able to look at not just the evaluation of the basic income pilot in terms of that use of that mechanism and the impact it has on care leavers, but also how you could look at it in terms, clearly, of the just transition and opportunities there, when we hear from that call for evidence.
Diolch, Jane Dodds. A hoffwn ddiolch am eich cefnogaeth gyson i'r cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol ar gyfer rhai sy'n gadael gofal, gyda'r gefnogaeth rydych wedi'i rhoi ers y diwrnod y gwnaethom ei gyhoeddi yma yn y Senedd. Hoffwn ddweud bod y Dirprwy Weinidog Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, Julie Morgan, a minnau wedi cyfarfod â phobl sy’n gadael gofal ddiwedd mis Hydref, i drafod y cynllun peilot a’u profiad ohono, ac mae'r hyn a ddysgwyd ganddynt yn mynd i lywio’r gwerthusiad. O'r bobl ifanc a oedd yn gymwys yn ystod chwe mis cyntaf y cynllun peilot, rwy'n falch fod 92 y cant wedi ymuno â'r cynllun a'u bod eisoes yn cael eu taliad misol. Ac mae'n bwysig ein bod yn cysylltu hyn â'ch dadl a'r cwestiynau rydych hefyd wedi'u gofyn, ynglŷn â'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gwaith hwn.
O ran pontio teg, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol, wrth gwrs, i’r Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd dderbyn galwad am dystiolaeth ar bontio teg rhwng y llynedd a 15 Mawrth. Cafwyd ymateb da i hynny, ac maent yn cael eu dadansoddi, felly bydd hynny'n dod drwodd. A chredaf mai'r hyn sy'n bwysig i'w gydnabod yw mai'r ysgogiad polisi ar gyfer ein cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol yw cefnogi pobl sy'n gadael gofal i allu cwblhau cyfnod pontio cadarnhaol o ofal awdurdod lleol, gan ddefnyddio incwm sylfaenol fel modd. Ac fel rwyf wedi'i ddweud o'r blaen, incwm sylfaenol yw'r mecanwaith ar gyfer hyn, yn hytrach na diben y rhaglen, i roi cyfle gwirioneddol mewn bywyd i bobl sy'n gadael gofal. Felly, gwn y byddwn yn gallu edrych nid yn unig ar y gwerthusiad o’r cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol mewn perthynas â'r defnydd o’r mecanwaith a’r effaith a gaiff ar rai sy’n gadael gofal, ond hefyd, sut y gallech edrych arno yn nhermau pontio teg, yn amlwg, a’r cyfleoedd yn hynny o beth, pan glywn o’r alwad honno am dystiolaeth.
As you will know, Minister, research has continually shown that those who have gone through foster, residential or kinship care are more likely to become parents at a far younger age than others. Indeed, studies in the UK have shown that almost a quarter of young care leavers have children at the point of leaving care, and this proportion increases to almost 50 per cent around two years later, with evidence showing the reasons behind this being the conscious and unconscious seeking of unmet relational and familial needs. I'm extremely supportive that more needs to be done to help those who have gone through the care system, but I still question whether or not a UBI trial is the right way, especially as it has a cliff-edge end to it when the monthly income of £1,600 comes to an end after two years. With this in mind, what assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact that this trial will have on young care-experienced parents and their children when their extra income ends, because I'm genuinely concerned about the negative ramifications that can happen when people who have adjusted their spending patterns and lifestyle to accommodate extra income suddenly find themselves without it? Thank you.
Fel y gwyddoch, Weinidog, mae ymchwil wedi dangos yn gyson fod pobl sydd wedi mynd drwy ofal maeth, gofal preswyl neu ofal gan berthynas yn fwy tebygol o ddod yn rhieni'n llawer iau nag eraill. Yn wir, mae astudiaethau yn y DU wedi dangos bod gan bron i chwarter y bobl sy’n gadael gofal yn ifanc blant pan fyddant yn gadael gofal, ac mae’r gyfran hon yn cynyddu i bron i 50 y cant oddeutu dwy flynedd yn ddiweddarach, gyda thystiolaeth yn dangos mai’r rheswm dros hyn yw ceisio diwallu, yn ymwybodol ac yn anymwybodol, anghenion perthynol a theuluol nad ydynt wedi'u diwallu. Rwy’n hynod o gefnogol i'r syniad fod angen gwneud mwy i helpu’r rheini sydd wedi mynd drwy’r system ofal, ond rwy’n dal i gwestiynu ai treial incwm sylfaenol cyffredinol yw’r ffordd gywir ai peidio, yn enwedig gan fod ymyl clogwyn ar ei ddiwedd pan ddaw'r incwm misol o £1,600 i ben ar ôl dwy flynedd. Gyda hyn mewn golwg, pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi’i wneud o’r effaith y bydd y treial hwn yn ei chael ar rieni ifanc â phrofiad o ofal a’u plant pan ddaw eu hincwm ychwanegol i ben, oherwydd rwy'n wirioneddol bryderus am y goblygiadau negyddol a all ddigwydd pan fydd pobl sydd wedi addasu eu patrymau gwario a'u ffordd o fyw i'r incwm ychwanegol, yn sydyn iawn yn gorfod mynd hebddo? Diolch.
Thank you very much, Joel James, for that question. I know you will anticipate and, I'm sure, be very interested in the interim results from this Cascade—the Cardiff University Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre—independent evaluation. And this is about seeking to understand the impact of the pilot on the lives of care leavers, and, as you know, it runs until 2026, very much engaging with the views and experiences of young people involved in the pilot. And, of course, we have much engagement support around those young people—local authority stakeholders, Voices from Care Cymru, Citizens Advice partners—helping and supporting our young people in terms of overcoming challenges. But also, just from our experience of meeting with the young people, the scope of their ambition, their interest, their determination for their lives to progress as a result of this opportunity they've been given sets them in very good stead for their future—their whole adult life, I'd say. This is about actually seeing if their whole adult life ahead of them could be transformed by this trust and funding and financial support that we're giving to these young people. Yes, of course, already some of those care-experienced young people who are on the pilot will be in this situation—there will be young parents—and they will move on, as all young people do, into adult life. But I think that's a very useful observation in terms of looking at their experience.
Can I just say that 50 per cent of young people enrolled have responded to the Your Life Beyond Care survey? That's a really important survey. Obviously, the Deputy Minister for Social Services is responsible for care leavers and care-experienced young people, and I'm delighted that the First Minister launched, with a number of Ministers, the declaration that came from care-experienced young people. And I do urge the Member, and all Members, to look at that declaration, because that declaration came from work that they did themselves—young people—to tell us in Government how they felt we could do better, at local authority and at Welsh Government level, in supporting care leavers at every stage of their young lives.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiwn, Joel James. Gwn y byddwch yn edrych ymlaen, ac y bydd gennych gryn ddiddordeb, rwy'n siŵr, yng nghanlyniadau interim gwerthusiad annibynnol Cascade—Canolfan Ymchwil a Datblygu Gofal Cymdeithasol Plant Prifysgol Caerdydd. Ac mae'n ymwneud â cheisio deall effaith y cynllun peilot ar fywydau pobl sy'n gadael gofal, ac fel y gwyddoch, mae'n para tan 2026, gan ymgysylltu'n agos â safbwyntiau a phrofiadau pobl ifanc a gymerodd ran yn y cynllun peilot. Ac wrth gwrs, mae gennym lawer o gymorth ymgysylltu ar gyfer y bobl ifanc hynny—rhanddeiliaid awdurdodau lleol, Voices from Care Cymru, partneriaid Cyngor ar Bopeth—yn helpu a chefnogi ein pobl ifanc i oresgyn heriau. Ond hefyd, o’n profiad o gyfarfod â’r bobl ifanc, mae eu huchelgais, eu diddordeb, eu penderfyniad i'w bywydau symud yn eu blaenau o ganlyniad i’r cyfle hwn a roddwyd iddynt yn eu rhoi mewn sefyllfa dda iawn ar gyfer eu dyfodol—eu bywyd cyfan fel oedolyn, yn fy marn i. Mae'n ymwneud â gweld a all yr ymddiriedaeth a'r cyllid a'r cymorth ariannol a roddwn i'r bobl ifanc hyn drawsnewid eu bywydau cyfan o'u blaenau. Felly bydd, wrth gwrs, fe fydd rhai o'r bobl ifanc hynny â phrofiad o ofal ac sy'n cymryd rhan yn y cynllun peilot yn y sefyllfa hon yn barod—bydd rhai'n rhieni ifanc—a byddant yn symud yn eu blaenau, fel y mae pob unigolyn ifanc yn ei wneud, i fywyd fel oedolyn. Ond credaf fod hwnnw’n sylw defnyddiol iawn wrth edrych ar eu profiad.
A gaf fi ddweud bod 50 y cant o'r bobl ifanc sydd wedi cofrestru wedi ymateb i arolwg Eich Bywyd y tu hwnt i Ofal? Mae hwnnw'n arolwg pwysig iawn. Yn amlwg, y Dirprwy Weinidog Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol sy’n gyfrifol am bobl sy'n gadael gofal a phobl ifanc â phrofiad o fod mewn gofal, ac rwy’n falch iawn fod y Prif Weinidog, gyda nifer o Weinidogion, wedi lansio'r datganiad gan bobl ifanc â phrofiad o fod mewn gofal. Ac rwy’n annog yr Aelod, a’r holl Aelodau, i edrych ar y datganiad hwnnw, gan ei fod yn deillio o waith a wnaed ganddynt hwy—pobl ifanc—i ddweud wrthym ni yn y Llywodraeth sut roeddent yn teimlo y gallem wneud yn well, ar lefel awdurdodau lleol a Llywodraeth Cymru, i gefnogi pobl sy’n gadael gofal ar bob cam o’u bywydau ifanc.
It will be no surprise to hear that Plaid Cymru is in favour of the care leavers basic income pilot, and there's pleasure that the pilot is ongoing. That has been replaced by disgust at some of the ways that Tory Members across the floor from me have twisted this policy. To those who are peddling dog-whistle politics reminiscent of Trump, I say this, 'You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.'
Minister, I'd like to see the timescale set out by the Government, so that when the results of this trial come back—and I anticipate that they will be positive—there are clear markers rolled out, so that extensive basic income can continue. We cannot afford to let a scheme that could be as transformational as this to drift into the ether.
Ni fydd yn syndod clywed bod Plaid Cymru o blaid y cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol ar gyfer pobl sy’n gadael gofal, ac mae’n bleser fod y cynllun peilot yn mynd rhagddo. Mae hynny wedi’i ddisodli gan ffieidd-dod at rai o’r ffyrdd y mae'r Aelodau Torïaidd ar ochr arall y llawr wedi ystumio'r polisi hwn. I'r rhai sy'n arddel gwleidyddiaeth 'chwiban y ci' sy'n atgoffa rhywun o Trump, dywedaf hyn, 'Rhag eich cywilydd.'
Weinidog, hoffwn weld yr amserlen a bennwyd gan y Llywodraeth, fel y bydd marcwyr eglur yn cael eu cyflwyno pan ddaw canlyniadau’r treial hwn yn ôl—ac rwy’n rhagweld y byddant yn gadarnhaol—fel y gall incwm sylfaenol helaeth barhau. Ni allwn fforddio gadael i gynllun a allai fod mor drawsnewidiol â hwn fynd yn angof.
Diolch yn fawr, Peredur, and such an important question. I'm reluctant to go back—but I will do—to say how shocked we were by this attack on our basic income pilot, which came from ill-informed, inaccurate and misleading information that came from the Conservatives. We are clear about that. It wanted to undermine what we were doing, but, most of all, undermine those young people who are most vulnerable in our nation of sanctuary—our unaccompanied asylum seeker children, who have always been included as eligible. And can I put that on the record again for the basic income pilot? As category 3 care leavers—. I have to say to everyone here, you have all got young people, care leavers, in this pilot. Every single local authority in this Chamber has got care leavers in this pilot. Remember that. And they are, I'm sure, wanting to ensure that we are backing them as they go through this important pilot and, of course, as I've said, the comprehensive detailed research and publishing further monitoring data later on this year.
But also, just to say, as to those young people we are supporting, we will want, as you have described very clearly, to support them through every entitlement that they have—every entitlement that they have. And that includes a right to claim asylum in the UK.
So, I hope we can move on from that, but also, just to say, as far as our care leavers and care-experienced young people are concerned, they are listening and watching what we are saying in this Chamber, backing them in their prospects—and there are prospects—for their life chances and life opportunities.
Diolch yn fawr, Peredur, a chwestiwn mor bwysig. Rwy’n gyndyn o fynd yn ôl—ond fe wnaf—i ddweud cymaint o syndod a gawsom gan yr ymosodiad hwn ar ein cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol, a seiliwyd ar wybodaeth gyfeiliornus, anghywir a chamarweiniol gan y Ceidwadwyr. Rydym yn sicr ynglŷn â hynny. Ei nod oedd tanseilio’r hyn rydym yn ei wneud, ond yn bennaf oll, tanseilio'r bobl ifanc mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cenedl noddfa—ein plant ar eu pen eu hunain sy'n ceisio lloches, sydd bob amser wedi’u cynnwys fel rhai cymwys. Ac a gaf fi gofnodi hynny eto ar gyfer y cynllun peilot incwm sylfaenol? Fel pobl sy'n gadael gofal yng nghategori 3—. Mae’n rhaid imi ddweud wrth bawb yma, mae gan bob un ohonoch bobl ifanc, pobl sy’n gadael gofal, yn y cynllun peilot hwn. Mae gan bob un awdurdod lleol yn y Siambr hon bobl sy’n gadael gofal yn y cynllun peilot hwn. Cofiwch hynny. Ac maent yn awyddus, rwy’n siŵr, i sicrhau ein bod yn eu cefnogi wrth iddynt fynd drwy’r cynllun peilot pwysig hwn, ac wrth gwrs, fel y dywedais, yr ymchwil manwl cynhwysfawr, a chyhoeddi data monitro pellach yn nes ymlaen eleni.
Ond hoffwn ddweud hefyd, am y bobl ifanc rydym yn eu cefnogi, byddwn yn awyddus, fel rydych wedi'i nodi'n glir iawn, i'w cefnogi drwy bob hawl sydd ganddynt—pob hawl sydd ganddynt. Ac mae hynny’n cynnwys hawl i hawlio lloches yn y DU.
Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn symud ymlaen o hynny, ond hefyd, hoffwn ddweud, o ran ein pobl sy’n gadael gofal a phobl ifanc â phrofiad o fod mewn gofal, maent yn gwrando ac yn gwylio’r hyn rydym yn ei ddweud yn y Siambr hon, yn eu cefnogi gyda'u rhagolygon—ac mae ganddynt ragolygon—ar gyfer eu cyfleoedd bywyd.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Mark Isherwood.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Mark Isherwood.
Diolch, Llywydd. Your ministerial responsibilities, as you know, include co-ordination of cross-cutting measures to promote prosperity and tackle poverty. Speaking here last October in the debate on a Member's legislative proposal for a take-up of benefits Bill, I challenged the Welsh Government on the actions it had taken to establish a coherent and integrated Welsh benefits system for all the means-tested benefits it is responsible for, as recommended in the 2019 committee report on benefits in Wales. Last month's Bevan Foundation report on a common approach to Welsh benefits stated that they have long called for a single framework of grants and allowances termed a 'Welsh benefits system', that this system would remove the complex and confusing application process and has the potential to lift people out of poverty. Their findings demonstrate that establishing a Welsh benefits system is feasible in terms of data, that millions of pounds of unclaimed benefits could support those on low incomes, and that the regulations governing Welsh benefits are set by a Welsh Government and so it's within their power to introduce regulatory amendment to facilitate greater uniformity. How do you therefore respond to these findings, and what action are you now taking further to the debate last year and to the report last month? Thank you.
Diolch, Lywydd. Mae eich cyfrifoldebau gweinidogol, fel y gwyddoch, yn cynnwys cydgysylltu mesurau trawsbynciol i hybu ffyniant a threchu tlodi. Wrth siarad yma fis Hydref diwethaf yn y ddadl ar gynnig deddfwriaethol Aelod ar gyfer Bil i sicrhau bod pobl yn hawlio budd-daliadau, heriais Lywodraeth Cymru ar y camau roedd wedi’u cymryd i sefydlu system fudd-daliadau gydlynol ac integredig yng Nghymru ar gyfer yr holl fudd-daliadau sy'n dibynnu ar brawf modd y mae'n gyfrifol amdanynt, fel yr argymhellwyd yn adroddiad pwyllgor 2019 ar fudd-daliadau yng Nghymru. Nododd adroddiad Sefydliad Bevan fis diwethaf ar ddull cyffredin o weithredu budd-daliadau Cymru eu bod wedi galw ers tro am un fframwaith o grantiau a lwfansau a elwir yn ‘system fudd-daliadau Gymreig’, y byddai’r system hon yn cael gwared ar y broses ymgeisio gymhleth a dryslyd a bod ganddi’r potensial i ddod â phobl allan o dlodi. Mae eu canfyddiadau’n dangos bod sefydlu system fudd-daliadau Gymreig yn ymarferol o ran data, ac y gallai miliynau o bunnoedd o fudd-daliadau heb eu hawlio gefnogi pobl ar incwm isel, a bod y rheoliadau sy’n llywodraethu budd-daliadau Cymru yn cael eu pennu gan Lywodraeth Cymru ac felly mae cyflwyno diwygiadau rheoliadol i hwyluso mwy o unffurfiaeth o fewn eu pŵer. Sut felly rydych chi'n ymateb i’r canfyddiadau hyn, a pha gamau rydych chi'n eu cymryd nawr yn dilyn y ddadl y llynedd a'r adroddiad fis diwethaf? Diolch.
Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood. I fully support and welcome the report from the Bevan Foundation; indeed, we are working very closely with the Bevan Foundation. And I have to say this is also part of our work in the co-operation agreement, so that we can work towards looking at exploring what we feel has to be a real prospect of devolving the administration of benefits to Wales. What we have already done of course, in terms of moving towards a Wales social security system, is we have introduced a charter. We’re working with the Bevan Foundation to introduce a charter on how we would deliver and how we do actually deliver our existing benefits in Wales. And I think that, also, we’ve been very much helped and guided by previous committee reports on this and by, indeed, contributions from debates.
Maximising the take-up of welfare benefits must be a priority for all those involved, and I have to say that, today, I have written to Stephen Crabb, the Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, to urge him to look back at the inquiry that they undertook to look at social security in Wales. I was very disappointed that the UK Government did not back one single recommendation. I’m talking about a Westminster cross-party Welsh Affairs Committee. And one of the key points that I would hope you would support, Mark Isherwood—one of the key recommendations—is that there should be a UK Government and Welsh Government advisory committee on benefits, so that we can maximise the take-up of all benefits in Wales.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Mark Isherwood. Rwy’n llwyr gefnogi a chroesawu'r adroddiad gan Sefydliad Bevan; yn wir, rydym yn gweithio’n agos iawn gyda Sefydliad Bevan. Ac mae'n rhaid imi ddweud bod hyn hefyd yn rhan o'n gwaith yn y cytundeb cydweithio, fel y gallwn weithio tuag at edrych ar archwilio'r hyn y teimlwn sy'n rhaid iddo fod yn bosibilrwydd gwirioneddol o ddatganoli gweinyddu budd-daliadau i Gymru. Yr hyn rydym wedi’i wneud eisoes wrth gwrs, o ran symud tuag at system nawdd cymdeithasol i Gymru, yw cyflwyno siarter. Rydym yn gweithio gyda Sefydliad Bevan i gyflwyno siarter ar sut y byddem yn darparu a sut rydym yn darparu ein budd-daliadau presennol yng Nghymru. A chredaf hefyd ein bod wedi cael ein cynorthwyo a’n harwain gan adroddiadau pwyllgor blaenorol ar hyn, ac yn wir, gan gyfraniadau o ddadleuon.
Rhaid i sicrhau bod cymaint o bobl â phosibl yn manteisio ar fudd-daliadau lles fod yn flaenoriaeth i bawb sy'n gysylltiedig â hyn, ac mae’n rhaid imi ddweud fy mod wedi ysgrifennu at Stephen Crabb, Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig, heddiw i’w annog i edrych eto ar yr ymchwiliad a gynhaliwyd ganddynt i edrych ar nawdd cymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Roeddwn yn siomedig iawn na chefnogodd Llywodraeth y DU unrhyw un o'r argymhellion. Rwy’n sôn am Bwyllgor Materion Cymreig trawsbleidiol yn San Steffan. Ac un o'r pwyntiau allweddol y byddwn yn gobeithio y byddech yn eu cefnogi, Mark Isherwood—un o'r argymhellion allweddol—yw y dylid cael pwyllgor cynghori ar fudd-daliadau ar gyfer Llywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru, er mwyn inni allu sicrhau bod cymaint o bobl â phosibl yn manteisio ar fudd-daliadau yng Nghymru.
Thank you. As I said, the regulations governing Welsh benefits are set by the Welsh Government and this relates to a Welsh benefits system for the benefits already within the Welsh Government’s gift. I would appreciate a statement to the Senedd telling us whether the Welsh Government is going to proceed with introducing at least a pilot, and, hopefully, a full Welsh benefits system for those benefits.
But your responsibilities also include fuel poverty and the Welsh Government’s fuel support scheme offered for 2022-23 offered a payment to eligible low-income households to help them with the rising cost of energy. You confirmed in written answers to my office that the Welsh Government made up to £90 million available for this and estimated that approximately 427,000 households would be eligible. However, you also confirmed to my office that, as of 28 February this year, less than £65 million had been spent on this and that local authorities across Wales reported that just 316,000 households had applied to the scheme and that only 341,468 had received a payment. Will this underspend therefore be carried forward, and if not, why not? And what work is being undertaken to establish the lessons that could be learned from this to ensure better take-up of Welsh Government support schemes in the future?
Diolch. Fel y dywedais, mae’r rheoliadau sy’n llywodraethu budd-daliadau Cymru yn cael eu gosod gan Lywodraeth Cymru ac mae hyn yn ymwneud â system fudd-daliadau Gymreig ar gyfer y budd-daliadau sydd eisoes o dan reolaeth Llywodraeth Cymru. Byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi datganiad i’r Senedd i ddweud wrthym a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i fwrw ymlaen â chynllun peilot fan lleiaf, a system fudd-daliadau Gymreig lawn ar gyfer y budd-daliadau hynny, gobeithio.
Ond mae eich cyfrifoldebau hefyd yn cynnwys tlodi tanwydd, ac roedd cynllun cymorth tanwydd Llywodraeth Cymru a gynigiwyd ar gyfer 2022-23 yn cynnig taliad i aelwydydd incwm isel cymwys i’w helpu gyda chost gynyddol ynni. Cadarnhawyd gennych mewn atebion ysgrifenedig i fy swyddfa fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu hyd at £90 miliwn ar gyfer hyn a'i bod yn amcangyfrif y byddai oddeutu 427,000 o aelwydydd yn gymwys. Fodd bynnag, cadarnhawyd gennych hefyd i fy swyddfa fod llai na £65 miliwn wedi’i wario ar hyn hyd at 28 Chwefror eleni, a bod awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru wedi nodi mai 316,000 o aelwydydd yn unig a oedd wedi gwneud cais i’r cynllun ac mai 341,468 yn unig a oedd wedi cael taliad. A fydd y tanwariant hwn yn cael ei gario ymlaen felly, ac os na fydd, pam hynny? A pha waith sy'n mynd rhagddo i sefydlu pa wersi y gellid eu dysgu o hyn er mwyn sicrhau bod mwy o bobl yn manteisio ar gynlluniau cymorth Llywodraeth Cymru yn y dyfodol?
Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood. Can I just go back to the point related to your first question? Not only are we working with the Bevan Foundation, but very shortly, we’re meeting with them to look at the work that they’ve undertaken with the Policy in Practice consultancy, which is looking at how we could deliver on a benefits system in Wales. And can I just say that this benefits system in Wales, which is already in existence—? And you now referred to one key benefit that we’ve been paying to people, to put money in people’s pockets: the fuel support scheme. This benefits system will be a compassionate benefits system—a compassionate benefits system that actually seeks to meet the needs of our residents.
We heard from the Trussell Trust at our cost-of-living Cabinet committee on Monday, who are calling on the UK Government to make universal credit actually meet the basic essentials of people’s lives. This is a UK-wide campaign. I would hope we would sign up to it, but Policy in Practice is guiding us. It’s very much working with local authorities, because it’s through them that we have, for example, delivered on our winter fuel support scheme. To update you, the latest figures are that 349,000 households received that £200 payment towards their fuel costs from our fuel support scheme. And I’m glad that we are continuing with our Fuel Bank Foundation scheme, which enables fuel vouchers and the heat fund scheme in Wales to continue into this financial year.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Mark Isherwood. A gaf fi fynd yn ôl at y pwynt a oedd yn ymwneud â'ch cwestiwn cyntaf? Nid yn unig ein bod yn gweithio gyda Sefydliad Bevan, ond cyn bo hir, byddwn yn cyfarfod â nhw i edrych ar y gwaith y maent wedi’i wneud gydag ymgynghoriaeth Policy in Practice, sy’n edrych ar sut y gallem gyflwyno system fudd-daliadau yng Nghymru. Ac a gaf fi ddweud bod y system fudd-daliadau hon yng Nghymru, sydd eisoes yn bodoli—? Ac fe gyfeirioch chi nawr at un budd-dal allweddol rydym wedi bod yn ei dalu i bobl, i roi arian ym mhocedi pobl: y cynllun cymorth tanwydd. Bydd y system fudd-daliadau hon yn system fudd-daliadau dosturiol—system fudd-daliadau dosturiol sy'n mynd ati i ddiwallu anghenion ein trigolion.
Clywsom gan Ymddiriedolaeth Trussell ym mhwyllgor y Cabinet ar gostau byw ddydd Llun, sy’n galw ar Lywodraeth y DU i gynyddu credyd cynhwysol fel ei fod yn ddigon i dalu am hanfodion sylfaenol bywydau pobl. Mae hon yn ymgyrch ledled y DU. Byddwn yn gobeithio y byddem yn ymuno â hi, ond mae Policy in Practice yn ein harwain. Mae'n gweithio'n agos iawn gydag awdurdodau lleol, oherwydd drwyddynt hwy, er enghraifft, rydym wedi darparu ein cynllun cymorth tanwydd gaeaf. I roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i chi, y ffigurau diweddaraf yw bod 349,000 o aelwydydd wedi cael y taliad o £200 tuag at eu costau tanwydd drwy ein cynllun cymorth tanwydd. Ac rwy’n falch ein bod yn parhau â’n cynllun Sefydliad Banc Tanwydd, sy’n ei gwneud hi'n bosibl i dalebau tanwydd a chynllun y gronfa wres yng Nghymru barhau i mewn i’r flwyddyn ariannol hon.
Which means that 78,000 fewer households than estimated by the Welsh Government accessed that programme and £30 million to £35 million allocated for it wasn't utilised. Therefore, we need to learn from that, I hope you'll agree, so that we can better reach the people who are eligible in the future.
But finally, the Welsh Government's discretionary assistance fund, or DAF, provides grants to people who need to live independently in the community or have experienced an emergency, crisis or disaster. In written answer, again, to a Plaid Cymru Member in February last year, you said that:
'In the current financial year 1 April 2021 until 16 February 2022 there have been 14,130 applications to the Discretionary Assistance Fund for emergency payments, with 8,175 awards totalling £470,616 to clients aged 60 and over.'
In March this year, my office asked you:
'How many people aged 60 and over, 70 and over and 80 and over have accessed the Welsh Government's discretionary assistance fund during 2021-22 and 2022-23?'
However, you now replied:
'The Welsh Government does not hold information on the age of people accessing the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).'
Well, my office then submitted a further question to you, using the same terminology as the February 2022 question you provided an answer to to a Plaid Cymru colleague:
'How many people over 60 have made applications to the discretionary assistance fund for an emergency assistance payment during 2022-23?'
You replied:
'As my previous answer...refers, the Welsh Government does not hold information on the age of people accessing the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).'
So, does the Welsh Government, therefore, hold information on how many people over 60 have made applications to DAF, as you told Plaid Cymru, or does it not, as you told me? If you have such data, will you now provide it? And why the inconsistency in your answer to a Plaid Cymru Member last year, when you provided those figures, and your answers to me this year, when you said you could not?
Golyga hynny fod 78,000 yn llai o aelwydydd nag a amcangyfrifwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru wedi defnyddio'r rhaglen honno ac na ddefnyddiwyd £30 miliwn i £35 miliwn a ddyrannwyd ar ei chyfer. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch yn cytuno bod angen inni ddysgu o hynny fel y gallwn wneud mwy i gyrraedd y bobl sy’n gymwys yn y dyfodol.
Ond yn olaf, mae cronfa cymorth dewisol Llywodraeth Cymru yn darparu grantiau i bobl sydd angen byw’n annibynnol yn y gymuned neu sydd wedi bod drwy argyfwng neu drychineb. Mewn ateb ysgrifenedig, unwaith eto, i Aelod o Blaid Cymru ym mis Chwefror y llynedd, fe ddywedoch chi:
'Yn y flwyddyn ariannol bresennol 1 Ebrill 2021 tan 16 Chwefror 2022, gwnaed 14,130 o geisiadau i'r Gronfa Cymorth Dewisol am daliadau brys, gydag 8,175 o ddyfarniadau, gan ddod i gyfanswm o £470,616 i gleientiaid 60 oed a hŷn.'
Ym mis Mawrth eleni, gofynnodd fy swyddfa i chi:
'Faint o bobl 60 oed a throsodd, 70 oed a throsodd ac 80 oed a throsodd sydd wedi defnyddio cronfa gymorth dewisol Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystod 2021-22 a 2022-23?'
Fodd bynnag, fe ateboch chi bryd hynny:
'Nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn cadw gwybodaeth am oedran y bobl sy'n defnyddio'r Gronfa Cymorth Dewisol.'
Wel, cyflwynodd fy swyddfa gwestiwn pellach i chi wedyn, gan ddefnyddio’r un derminoleg â'r cwestiwn a ateboch chi i'r Aelod o Blaid Cymru ym mis Chwefror 2022:
'Faint o bobl dros 60 oed sydd wedi gwneud ceisiadau i'r gronfa cymorth dewisol ar gyfer taliad cymorth brys yn ystod 2022-23?'
Fe ateboch chi:
'Fel y nodwyd yn fy ateb blaenorol...nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn cadw gwybodaeth am oedran y bobl sy'n defnyddio'r Gronfa Cymorth Dewisol.'
Felly, a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn cadw gwybodaeth am faint o bobl dros 60 oed sydd wedi gwneud ceisiadau i'r gronfa cymorth dewisol, fel y dywedoch chi wrth Blaid Cymru, ai peidio, fel y dywedoch chi wrthyf innau? Os oes gennych ddata o'r fath, a wnewch chi ei ddarparu nawr? A pham yr anghysondeb rhwng eich ateb i'r Aelod o Blaid Cymru y llynedd, pan ddarparwyd y ffigurau hynny gennych, a’ch atebion i mi eleni, pan ddywedoch chi na allech wneud hynny?
Well, I'm really pleased to have the opportunity to update on the discretionary assistance fund. Can I also, again, we've mentioned the Bevan Foundation more than once this afternoon, thank them for their guidance and the engagement that we've had in ensuring, in this financial year, that we can deliver a more streamlined and fairer and equitable discretionary assistance fund? So, from April of this year, all applicants to the DAF are eligible for three emergency assistance payment awards in a rolling 12-month period. And what's important is those payments have been increased in value by 11 per cent—each payment by 11 per cent—in line with inflation. We've got to give as much support as we can to help people meet their basic living costs, such as food and fuel. So, we've already, over the last year, given 527,885 people grants, and many more.
Now, obviously, we want to try and understand if it's reaching the most vulnerable who need that emergency assistance, and I will make sure that we can drill down to provide as much information for Members as possible, in terms of those needs.
Wel, rwy’n falch iawn o gael cyfle i roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gronfa cymorth dewisol. Ac rydym wedi sôn am Sefydliad Bevan fwy nag unwaith y prynhawn yma, a gaf fi ddiolch iddynt unwaith eto am eu harweiniad a'r ymgysylltiad rydym wedi'i gael wrth sicrhau, yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, y gallwn ddarparu cronfa cymorth dewisol symlach a thecach? Felly, o fis Ebrill eleni, mae pob ymgeisydd i'r gronfa cymorth dewisol yn gymwys am dri thaliad cymorth brys mewn cyfnod treigl o 12 mis. A'r hyn sy'n bwysig yw bod y taliadau hynny wedi cynyddu 11 y cant—mae pob taliad wedi cynyddu 11 y cant—yn unol â chwyddiant. Mae'n rhaid inni roi cymaint o gymorth ag y gallwn i helpu pobl i dalu am eu costau byw sylfaenol, fel bwyd a thanwydd. Felly, rydym eisoes, dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, wedi rhoi grantiau, i 527,885 o bobl, a llawer mwy.
Nawr, yn amlwg, rydym am geisio deall a yw'n cyrraedd y rhai mwyaf agored i niwed sydd angen y cymorth brys hwnnw, a byddaf yn sicrhau y gallwn ymchwilio i ddarparu cymaint o wybodaeth â phosibl i'r Aelodau mewn perthynas â'r anghenion hynny.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Sioned Williams.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Sioned Williams.
Diolch, Llywydd. Prynhawn da, Weinidog.
Thank you, Llywydd. Good afternoon, Minister.
We've heard again today about the enormous and increasing economic pressure households are under. Across the UK, the number of people struggling to pay their bills and debts has soared to nearly 11 million, with 11 per cent of adults missing a bill or loan payment in the last three of the previous six months, according to new research by the Financial Conduct Authority. It's therefore imperative that Welsh Government uses every means possible to support people and lift them also out of poverty.
In Wales, households with young children are more likely to be living in relative poverty. The baby box scheme has been very successful in Scotland as one way of helping people cope with the extra financial pressure having a new baby brings. And a baby bundle scheme was piloted by Welsh Government in the Swansea Bay University Health Board area between September 2020 and March 2021, and deemed successful according to the evaluation published by the Government. Further positive scoping research for a national roll-out of this was also recently published. It's two years since the end of the pilot. We now have further research completed. So, does the Minister agree that baby bundles should be rolled out universally in Wales as soon as possible to help new parents during this cost-of-living crisis? And could the Government publish details of how and when they intend to increase the provision of baby bundles? Diolch.
Rydym wedi clywed eto heddiw am y pwysau economaidd enfawr a chynyddol sydd ar aelwydydd. Ledled y DU, mae nifer y bobl sy’n ei chael hi'n anodd talu eu biliau a’u dyledion wedi cynyddu i bron i 11 miliwn, gydag 11 y cant o oedolion wedi methu bil neu daliad benthyciad yn ystod tri mis olaf y chwe mis blaenorol, yn ôl ymchwil newydd gan yr Awdurdod Ymddygiad Ariannol. Mae'n hollbwysig felly fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn defnyddio pob dull posibl i gefnogi pobl a dod â nhw allan o dlodi hefyd.
Yng Nghymru, mae aelwydydd â phlant ifanc yn fwy tebygol o fod yn byw mewn tlodi cymharol. Mae'r cynllun bocsys babanod wedi bod yn llwyddiannus iawn yn yr Alban fel un ffordd o helpu pobl i ymdopi â'r pwysau ariannol ychwanegol a ddaw yn sgil cael baban newydd. A chafodd cynllun bwndeli babanod ei dreialu gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bae Abertawe rhwng mis Medi 2020 a mis Mawrth 2021, a barnwyd ei fod yn llwyddiannus yn ôl y gwerthusiad a gyhoeddwyd gan y Llywodraeth. Yn ddiweddar, cyhoeddwyd rhagor o ymchwil gwmpasu gadarnhaol ar gyfer cyflwyno hyn yn genedlaethol. Mae dwy flynedd wedi bod ers diwedd y cynllun peilot. Bellach, mae rhagor o ymchwil wedi'i chwblhau gennym. Felly, a yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno y dylid cyflwyno bwndeli babanod ledled Cymru cyn gynted â phosibl i helpu rhieni newydd yn ystod yr argyfwng costau byw? Ac a allai’r Llywodraeth gyhoeddi manylion ynglŷn â sut a phryd y maent yn bwriadu cynyddu’r ddarpariaeth o fwndeli babanod? Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. The baby bundle scheme, as you say, has been successfully piloted. I was delighted to be at the launch of that. It's very much an initiative of the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan. It's a universal gift, and that's what's so important. It is universal. Every baby born in Wales. A gift from Welsh Government to expectant parents living in Wales, including all those essential items that support a baby in the first year of life, and their parents, of course. What's crucial is that we've learned from the pilot what parents’ views are, what appropriate items there should be, and also from midwives and professionals. And the key point, of course, as you say, Sioned, is about the cost-of-living crisis. So, it's a universal offer, the budget is £6 million for this financial year, and they aim to procure and appoint a supplier to deliver this by the end of the year, and are starting project delivery during spring of next year.
Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams. Mae’r cynllun bwndeli babanod, fel y dywedwch, wedi’i dreialu’n llwyddiannus. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o gael bod yn lansiad y cynllun hwnnw. Mae’n fenter a ysgogwyd i raddau helaeth gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, Julie Morgan. Mae'n anrheg ar gyfer pawb, a dyna sydd mor bwysig. Mae ar gyfer pawb. Yr holl fabanod sy'n cael eu geni yng Nghymru. Anrheg gan Lywodraeth Cymru i ddarpar rieni sy’n byw yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys yr holl eitemau hanfodol sy’n cynorthwyo babanod ym mlwyddyn gyntaf eu bywydau, a’u rhieni, wrth gwrs. Yr hyn sy’n hanfodol yw ein bod wedi dysgu o’r cynllun peilot beth yw barn rhieni, pa eitemau priodol y dylid eu darparu, a hefyd gan fydwragedd a gweithwyr proffesiynol. A’r pwynt allweddol, wrth gwrs, fel y dywedwch, Sioned, yw’r argyfwng costau byw. Felly, mae'n gynnig ar gyfer pawb, y gyllideb yw £6 miliwn ar gyfer y flwyddyn ariannol hon, a'u nod yw caffael a phenodi cyflenwr i ddarparu hyn erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn, ac maent yn dechrau cyflawni'r prosiect yn ystod gwanwyn y flwyddyn nesaf.
Diolch, Weinidog. It's good to hear that progress is finally being made on this. I'm very proud to be chair of the cross-party group on learning disabilities, and unfortunately the inequality faced by people with learning disabilities in everyday life is a regular topic of discussion in our meetings.
There can be nothing more everyday than money, but over the last few months Mencap Cymru have heard from many people concerned that more and more businesses and organisations are moving to cashless payments only for their goods and services. As many people who have a learning disability do not have access to their own bank accounts, or their cards may only allow them to withdraw cash but not pay by card, they're unable to pay for everyday things solely by card. This means they're unable to have equal access to many shops, restaurants and leisure amenities.
But while an individual with a learning disability may not have the capacity to manage a bank account, or use debit or credit cards, they certainly have the capacity to use cash, and this is an important part of their independence; it helps them with budgeting items, ensuring they don't get into debt. So, Minister, what is Welsh Government doing to enable people with learning disabilities to pay for things with cash wherever and whenever they need to, to preserve their independence, confidence and agency, ensuring that they can participate fully in society? Will you respond to the calls made by a petition started by Mencap Cymru for publicly funded venues, or those receiving grants, such as leisure centres, museums, et cetera, to retain cash payments alongside card payments?
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae’n dda clywed bod cynnydd yn cael ei wneud ar hyn o’r diwedd. Rwy’n falch iawn o fod yn gadeirydd y grŵp trawsbleidiol ar anableddau dysgu, ac yn anffodus, mae’r anghydraddoldeb a wynebir gan bobl ag anableddau dysgu mewn bywyd bob dydd yn bwnc trafod rheolaidd yn ein cyfarfodydd.
Nid oes unrhyw beth yn fwy normal nag arian, ond dros yr ychydig fisoedd diwethaf, mae Mencap Cymru wedi clywed gan lawer o bobl sy’n pryderu bod mwy a mwy o fusnesau a sefydliadau yn newid i daliadau heb arian parod yn unig am eu nwyddau a’u gwasanaethau. Gan nad oes gan lawer o bobl sydd ag anableddau dysgu fynediad at eu cyfrifon banc eu hunain, neu efallai y bydd eu cardiau'n caniatáu iddynt godi arian parod ond nid i dalu â cherdyn, ni allant dalu am bethau bob dydd gyda cherdyn yn unig. Golyga hyn na allant gael mynediad cyfartal at lawer o siopau, bwytai a chyfleusterau hamdden.
Ond er ei bod yn bosibl nad oes gan unigolyn ag anabledd dysgu allu i ddefnyddio cyfrif banc, neu ddefnyddio cardiau debyd neu gredyd, yn sicr, mae ganddynt allu i ddefnyddio arian parod, ac mae hyn yn rhan bwysig o’u hannibyniaeth; mae'n eu helpu gyda chyllidebu eitemau, i sicrhau nad ydynt yn mynd i ddyled. Felly, Weinidog, beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i alluogi pobl ag anableddau dysgu i dalu am bethau ag arian parod lle bynnag a phryd bynnag y mae angen iddynt wneud hynny, er mwyn cadw eu hannibyniaeth, eu hyder a’u rhydd-ewyllys, gan sicrhau y gallant gymryd rhan lawn mewn cymdeithas? A wnewch chi ymateb i’r galwadau a wnaed gan ddeiseb a gychwynnwyd gan Mencap Cymru i leoliadau a ariennir ag arian cyhoeddus, neu’r rhai sy’n cael grantiau, megis canolfannau hamdden, amgueddfeydd ac ati barhau i dderbyn taliadau arian parod yn ogystal â thaliadau â cherdyn?
Thank you very much, Sioned Williams. I'm delighted that I've only just recently written to the Chair of the Petitions Committee, Jack Sargeant, responding to that petition—the petition with concerns raised by Mencap Cymru about disabled people being unable to pay, as you say, for goods and services with cash in some businesses in Wales, and therefore being refused service.
Can I, just at this point, say how pleased we were to see that BBC Wales has had a real focus on disabled people in recent times? You will have seen this, and this came up, actually, in an item on BBC Wales, so that we could hear from disabled people directly what this meant for them. Obviously, we're not responsible for banking and financial services, and we don't have the levers to force businesses to retain cash systems, but the Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, is looking at the matter from a business perspective. I've also asked the disability rights taskforce to look at this and to raise it at every opportunity with the retail and hospitality sector, and to take on board the views and the experiences of young, disabled people in this respect.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sioned Williams. Rwy'n falch iawn fy mod wedi ysgrifennu yn ddiweddar at Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deisebau, Jack Sargeant, yn ymateb i'r ddeiseb honno—y ddeiseb gyda'r pryderon a godwyd gan Mencap Cymru ynghylch pobl anabl yn methu talu, fel y dywedwch, am nwyddau a gwasanaethau gydag arian parod mewn rhai busnesau yng Nghymru, ac nad ydynt felly'n cael defnyddio'r gwasanaeth hwnnw.
A gaf fi ddweud, ar y pwynt hwn, pa mor falch roeddem ni o weld bod BBC Wales wedi canolbwyntio fawr ar bobl anabl yn ddiweddar? Fe fyddwch wedi gweld hyn, a chodwyd hyn, mewn gwirionedd, mewn eitem ar BBC Wales, fel y gallem glywed gan bobl anabl yn uniongyrchol beth mae hyn yn ei olygu iddynt. Yn amlwg, nid ydym yn gyfrifol am fancio a gwasanaethau ariannol, ac nid oes gennym yr ysgogiadau i orfodi busnesau i gadw systemau arian parod, ond mae Gweinidog yr Economi, Vaughan Gething, yn edrych ar y mater o safbwynt busnes. Rwyf hefyd wedi gofyn i'r tasglu hawliau pobl anabl edrych ar hyn a'i godi ar bob cyfle posibl gyda'r sector manwerthu a lletygarwch, ac i ystyried safbwyntiau a phrofiadau pobl ifanc, anabl yn y cyd-desun hwn.
3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gymorth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer banciau bwyd? OQ59512
3. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for foodbanks? OQ59512
Thank you very much, Mike Hedges. We continue to support community food organisations to manage an increase in demand. In 2023, we provided £3.5 million to support community food organisations to help them to overcome barriers to accessing, storing and distributing additional supplies of good-quality food, including good surplus food.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Mike Hedges. Rydym yn parhau i gefnogi sefydliadau bwyd cymunedol i reoli cynnydd yn y galw. Yn 2023, darparwyd £3.5 miliwn gennym i gefnogi sefydliadau bwyd cymunedol i’w helpu i oresgyn rhwystrau gyda chael mynediad at, storio a dosbarthu cyflenwadau ychwanegol o fwyd o ansawdd da, gan gynnwys bwyd dros ben o ansawdd da.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. Unfortunately, we're seeing a growing need for foodbanks. Some people are going hungry. The expansion of free school meals is helping, but will not solve the problems that foodbanks are addressing. Sickness, a funeral, or a sudden reduction in working hours can cause severe financial pressure. I'm sure the Minister will join me in congratulating and thanking those who organise foodbanks throughout Wales, including in every ward in my constituency. What non-financial help can the Welsh Government give to foodbanks?
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Yn anffodus, rydym yn gweld angen cynyddol am fanciau bwyd. Mae rhai pobl yn mynd heb fwyd. Mae ehangu'r ddarpariaeth o brydau ysgol am ddim yn helpu, ond ni fydd yn datrys y problemau y mae banciau bwyd yn mynd i’r afael â nhw. Gall salwch, angladd, neu ostyngiad sydyn mewn oriau gwaith achosi pwysau ariannol difrifol. Rwy’n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn ymuno â mi i longyfarch a diolch i’r rhai sy’n trefnu banciau bwyd ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys ym mhob ward yn fy etholaeth. Pa gymorth anariannol y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi i fanciau bwyd?
Diolch yn fawr, Mike Hedges. Absolutely, I hope everybody in this Chamber will thank all those, mostly volunteers, who are setting up and running foodbanks. We actually had the Trussell Trust come to the cost-of-living Cabinet committee—I've mentioned that already—earlier on this week. They say they want to get to the point where we don't need foodbanks, the Trussell Trust that was set up and initiated, way back, in Salisbury, and is now in every community. They not only provide emergency food and support to people in poverty, but one of the points that was made in the presentation and with partners there from the third sector was that they also, at those foodbanks, provide a range of support, including financial and welfare advice, and access to benefits, cost-of-living advice. But also, we are linking this—and this is very much addressing the issue that you've raised, Mike Hedges—to raising awareness about how people can access affordable credit, which is crucial, and working with and supporting our credit unions, and also looking at community employability programmes to provide more housing and debt advice.
I think it is important just to reflect on the fact that, in your constituency in Swansea—. I'd like to say and congratulate the fact that Swansea is already delivering universal free school meals to reception and year 1, with 3,470 pupils newly eligible. Swansea Council plan to roll out to year 2 pupils from September, with an additional 1,700 pupils newly eligible for a free school meal. That is a great outcome in terms of that way forward with free school meals, but also accessing the single advice as well.
Could I just ask Mike Hedges that he would also support some of the calls we are making—and they were made on Monday—to the UK Government? If the UK Government actually took some action to help tackle poverty and reduce the need for foodbanks, they'd abolish the benefit cap and the two-child limit; they'd make changes to the universal credit deduction policy to ease pressures on the most financially vulnerable households; they'd increase local housing allowance payments; and they'd provide funding for discretionary housing payments.
Diolch yn fawr, Mike Hedges. Yn bendant, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd pawb yn y Siambr hon yn diolch i bawb, gwirfoddolwyr yn bennaf, sy’n sefydlu ac yn rhedeg banciau bwyd. Daeth Ymddiriedolaeth Trussell i bwyllgor costau byw'r Cabinet mewn gwirionedd—rwyf eisoes wedi sôn am hynny—yn gynharach yr wythnos hon. Dywedant eu bod am gyrraedd y pwynt lle nad oes angen banciau bwyd arnom mwyach, Ymddiriedolaeth Trussell, a sefydlwyd ac a gychwynnwyd, ymhell yn ôl, yn Salisbury, ac sydd bellach ym mhob cymuned. Nid yn unig eu bod yn darparu bwyd a chymorth brys i bobl sy'n byw mewn tlodi, ond un o’r pwyntiau a wnaed yn y cyflwyniad a chyda phartneriaid yno o’r trydydd sector oedd eu bod hefyd, yn y banciau bwyd hynny, yn darparu amrywiaeth o gymorth, gan gynnwys cyngor ariannol a lles, a mynediad at fudd-daliadau, cyngor ar gostau byw. Ond hefyd, rydym yn cysylltu hyn—ac mae hyn yn mynd i'r afael â'r mater rydych wedi'i godi, Mike Hedges—â chodi ymwybyddiaeth o sut y gall pobl gael mynediad at gredyd fforddiadwy, sy'n hollbwysig, ac yn gweithio gyda'n hundebau credyd a'u cefnogi, ac yn edrych hefyd ar raglenni cyflogadwyedd cymunedol i ddarparu mwy o gyngor ar dai a dyled.
Credaf ei bod yn bwysig ystyried y ffaith, yn eich etholaeth chi yn Abertawe—. Hoffwn nodi a llongyfarch y ffaith bod Abertawe eisoes yn darparu prydau ysgol am ddim i bawb yn y dosbarth derbyn a blwyddyn 1, gyda 3,470 o ddisgyblion newydd yn gymwys. Mae Cyngor Abertawe'n bwriadu ehangu'r cynllun i ddisgyblion blwyddyn 2 o fis Medi ymlaen, gyda 1,700 o ddisgyblion ychwanegol yn gymwys i gael pryd ysgol am ddim. Mae hwnnw’n ganlyniad gwych o ran y ffordd honno ymlaen gyda chinio ysgol am ddim, ond o ran cael mynediad at y gronfa gynghori sengl hefyd.
A gaf fi ofyn i Mike Hedges gefnogi rhai o'r galwadau a wnawn hefyd—ac fe'u gwnaed ddydd Llun—ar Lywodraeth y DU? Pe bai Llywodraeth y DU yn cymryd rhai camau i helpu i drechu tlodi a lleihau’r angen am fanciau bwyd, byddent yn diddymu’r cap ar fudd-daliadau a’r terfyn dau blentyn; byddent yn gwneud newidiadau i'r polisi didynnu credyd cynhwysol i leddfu'r pwysau ar yr aelwydydd mwyaf bregus yn ariannol; byddent yn cynyddu taliadau'r lwfans tai lleol; a byddent yn darparu cyllid ar gyfer taliadau disgresiwn at gostau tai.
Minister, foodbanks are an essential lifeline for many families, and their use has soared in recent months, as the price of food skyrockets. While we have the lowest food price inflation in western Europe, well below the EU average, it is still running at about 19 per cent. As a result, we are seeing many families using foodbanks for the first time. But we also hear stories of constituents too embarrassed to visit a foodbank, opting to go without instead. Minister, do you agree that we need to end the stigma and that comments from Labour councillors in Torfaen are unhelpful when they talk about shaming people who use foodbanks in a way that those councillors deem inappropriate? Thank you.
Weinidog, mae banciau bwyd yn achubiaeth hanfodol i lawer o deuluoedd, ac mae eu defnydd wedi cynyddu’n aruthrol yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf, wrth i bris bwyd godi i’r entrychion. Er bod gennym y chwyddiant prisiau bwyd isaf yng ngorllewin Ewrop, sy’n llawer is na chyfartaledd yr UE, mae’n dal i fod oddeutu 19 y cant. O ganlyniad, rydym yn gweld llawer o deuluoedd yn defnyddio banciau bwyd am y tro cyntaf. Ond rydym hefyd yn clywed straeon am etholwyr sydd â gormod o gywilydd i ymweld â banc bwyd yn dewis mynd heb yn lle hynny. Weinidog, a gytunwch fod angen inni roi diwedd ar y stigma a bod sylwadau gan gynghorwyr Llafur yn Nhorfaen yn ddi-fudd pan fyddant yn siarad am godi cywilydd ar bobl sy’n defnyddio banciau bwyd mewn ffordd y mae'r cynghorwyr hynny'n ei ystyried yn amhriodol? Diolch.
Well, Altaf, you've made it clear, and you're absolutely right in your statement, in terms of the cost-of-living crisis having a huge and detrimental impact on the lives of our citizens—food inflation running at 19 per cent, and people now who are in work forced to turn to foodbanks because it is the only emergency food and support that they can receive.
But I think also what's very important is that, as well as the Trussell Trust volunteers running foodbanks across Wales, there are a number of other initiatives that are developing, such as the food pantries. In your part of the world—and I visited with Luke Fletcher and Huw Irranca-Davies—I congratulate the Baobab Bach trust, which is now spreading across south Wales, where people become members for a small fee, and then they can come and they can get a large quantity of food every week, but pay towards it, and then also get information and advice. There are lots of different ways in which people are accessing food. I spoke to someone in my local Baobab Bach initiative. She and her husband were working, they had four children, and they had to come to this position, and they were pleased that they were coming to the Baobab fund, where they could actually meet people, get advice and access food. But also, the Big Bocs Bwyd in our schools is tremendous.
But the point is that we should be tackling the causes of this. I go back to the fact the causes are that people are struggling right now. And I know the Llywydd won't want me to do this, but please can I ask Altaf Hussain, will he join—and his Members—with us, with a call to the UK Government? One thing that we should be united in is that we must increase local housing allowances. It's raised every time we have questions on social justice on housing. If we don't increase local housing allowances, as well as abolishing the benefit cap and the two-child limit and uprating universal credit, we will continue to have people put into the position where, because of their circumstances—working and not working, very vulnerable—they are turning to foodbanks. But please let us all thank those volunteers as we move into Volunteers' Week on 1 June for all that they’re doing in our foodbanks in Wales.
Wel, Altaf, rydych wedi ei wneud yn glir, ac rydych yn llygad eich lle yn eich datganiad fod yr argyfwng costau byw yn cael effaith enfawr a niweidiol ar fywydau ein dinasyddion—mae chwyddiant bwyd yn 19 y cant, a phobl sy'n gweithio bellach yn cael eu gorfodi i droi at fanciau bwyd am mai dyna’r unig fwyd a chymorth mewn argyfwng y gallant ei gael.
Ond rwy'n meddwl hefyd ei bod hi’n bwysig fod nifer o fentrau eraill yn datblygu yn ogystal â gwirfoddolwyr Ymddiriedolaeth Trussell sy'n rhedeg banciau bwyd ledled Cymru, mentrau fel y pantrïau bwyd. Yn eich rhan chi o’r byd—ymwelais gyda Luke Fletcher a Huw Irranca-Davies—rwy’n llongyfarch ymddiriedolaeth Baobab Bach, sydd bellach yn lledaenu ar draws de Cymru, lle mae pobl yn dod yn aelodau am ffi fechan, ac yna gallant ddod i gael llawer o fwyd bob wythnos, ond maent yn talu tuag ato, ac yna'n cael cyngor a gwybodaeth hefyd. Mae llawer o wahanol ffyrdd i bobl allu cael mynediad at fwyd. Siaradais â rhywun yn fy menter Baobab Bach leol. Roedd hi a’i gŵr yn gweithio, roedd ganddynt bedwar o blant, ac roeddent wedi dod i’r sefyllfa hon, ac roeddent yn falch eu bod yn dod i gronfa Baobab lle gallent gyfarfod â phobl, cael cyngor a chael gafael ar fwyd. Ond hefyd, mae’r Big Bocs Bwyd yn ein hysgolion yn ardderchog.
Ond y pwynt yw y dylem fod yn mynd i’r afael ag achosion hyn. Rwy’n dychwelyd at y ffaith mai’r achosion yw bod pobl yn cael trafferth yr eiliad hon. A gwn na fydd y Llywydd eisiau imi wneud hyn, ond a gaf fi ofyn i Altaf Hussain, a wnaiff ymuno gyda ni—ef a'i Aelodau—i alw ar Lywodraeth y DU? Un peth y dylem fod yn unedig yn ei gylch yw bod rhaid inni gynyddu lwfansau tai lleol. Mae’n fater sy’n cael ei godi bob tro y bydd gennym gwestiynau am gyfiawnder cymdeithasol ym maes tai. Os na wnawn gynyddu lwfansau tai lleol yn ogystal â diddymu’r cap ar fudd-daliadau a’r terfyn dau blentyn ac uwchraddio credyd cynhwysol, byddwn yn parhau i gael pobl wedi’u rhoi mewn sefyllfa, oherwydd eu hamgylchiadau—mewn gwaith a heb fod yn gweithio, yn agored iawn i niwed—lle maent yn troi at fanciau bwyd. Ond os gwelwch yn dda, gadewch i bawb ohonom ddiolch i'r gwirfoddolwyr hynny wrth i ni agosáu at Wythnos y Gwirfoddolwyr ar 1 Mehefin am bopeth a wnânt yn ein banciau bwyd yng Nghymru.
4. Beth yw blaenoriaethau Llywodraeth Cymru o ran mynd i'r afael ag allgáu ariannol? OQ59527
4. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for tackling financial exclusion? OQ59527
Thank you, Luke Fletcher. We are working closely with credit unions across Wales so financially excluded people can access affordable credit and savings products locally. I'm also engaging regularly with responsible lenders to ensure they're doing all they can to support people through the cost-of-living crisis.
Diolch i chi, Luke Fletcher. Rydym yn gweithio’n agos gydag undebau credyd ledled Cymru fel bod pobl sydd wedi’u hallgáu’n ariannol yn gallu cael gafael ar gredyd fforddiadwy a chynnyrch cynilo yn lleol. Rwyf hefyd yn ymgysylltu'n rheolaidd â benthycwyr cyfrifol i sicrhau eu bod yn gwneud popeth yn eu gallu i gefnogi pobl drwy'r argyfwng costau byw.
Diolch am yr ateb, Weinidog.
Thank you for the answer, Minister.
Big banks have been hot on each other’s heels shutting their doors in our communities. The lack of cash and dependence on high-cost lending that can result from this has been resisted somewhat by the network of credit unions we have here in Wales, but ultimately this is no substitute for access to a full array of services. As a non-devolved matter, we know the Welsh Government engages with Link, but closures are far outpacing efforts at countering them. A variety of charities, including Age UK, as well as financial inclusion groups, are calling for an acceleration in the introduction of banking hubs. Can we expect this from the Welsh Government?
Mae banciau mawr wedi bod yn mynd ati fel lladd nadroedd i gau eu drysau yn ein cymunedau. Mae’r diffyg arian parod a dibyniaeth ar fenthyca cost uchel sy'n gallu deillio o hyn wedi'i wrthsefyll i ryw raddau gan y rhwydwaith o undebau credyd sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru, ond yn y pen draw nid yw’n cymryd lle amrywiaeth lawn o wasanaethau. Fel mater nad yw wedi'i ddatganoli, rydym yn gwybod bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymgysylltu â Link, ond mae cau banciau'n digwydd yn llawer cyflymach na'r ymdrechion i'w atal. Mae amrywiaeth o elusennau, gan gynnwys Age UK yn ogystal â grwpiau cynhwysiant ariannol, yn galw am gyflymu'r broses o gyflwyno hybiau bancio. A allwn ddisgwyl hyn gan Lywodraeth Cymru?
Diolch yn fawr, Luke, am eich cwestiwn pwysig iawn.
Thank you very much, Luke, for your very important question.
Of course the loss of banks from our high streets is such a challenge to communities and businesses. All parts of Wales are affected, but particularly rural and more deprived communities. To help ensure face-to-face access to banking services continues to be available we are working closely with Link on the roll-out of shared banking hubs, which will bring banking services back into communities. Just to say for the benefit of all colleagues here, there are five banking hubs currently earmarked for Wales: Treorchy, Prestatyn, Welshpool, Abergele and Porthcawl. Indeed, the hub in Welshpool is opening later this year. But we have to address this together, and I thank Luke for this because we need to look at this in terms of every community.
Wrth gwrs mae colli banciau o’n stryd fawr yn gymaint o her i gymunedau a busnesau. Effeithir ar bob rhan o Gymru, ond yn enwedig cymunedau gwledig a mwy difreintiedig. Er mwyn helpu i sicrhau bod mynediad wyneb yn wyneb at wasanaethau bancio yn parhau i fod ar gael, rydym yn gweithio'n agos gyda Link ar y gwaith o gyflwyno hybiau bancio a rennir, a fydd yn dod â gwasanaethau bancio banciau yn ôl i mewn i gymunedau. Rwyf am ddweud er budd yr holl gyd-Aelodau yma fod pump o hybiau bancio wedi’u clustnodi ar gyfer Cymru ar hyn o bryd: Treorci, Prestatyn, y Trallwng, Abergele a Phorthcawl. Yn wir, mae'r hyb yn y Trallwng yn agor yn ddiweddarach eleni. Ond mae’n rhaid inni fynd i’r afael â hyn gyda’n gilydd, a diolch i Luke am hyn oherwydd mae angen inni edrych arno yng nghyd-destun pob cymuned.
Weinidog, in your response to Sioned Williams earlier with regard to the Mencap Cymru petition in terms of access to cash for vulnerable people, this has been accelerated—our move to a cashless society—following the pandemic. But there is a worry, as Sioned eloquently put it, that disabled people don't have access to electronic forms of payment, and therefore aren't able to have equal access to goods and services. Will you commit today to meet with Mencap Cymru and the economy Minister who you mentioned in your previous answer to Sioned to offer as much support as possible to Mencap Cymru and their members to ensure that these people do have access that is fair and just? Because let's remember, cash is king.
Weinidog, yn eich ymateb i Sioned Williams yn gynharach ar ddeiseb Mencap Cymru ar fynediad at arian parod i bobl agored i niwed, mae hyn wedi’i gyflymu—y newid i gymdeithas heb arian parod—yn sgil y pandemig. Ond fel y dywedodd Sioned yn huawdl, mae yna bryder nad oes gan bobl anabl fynediad at ddulliau talu electronig, ac felly ni allant gael mynediad cyfartal at nwyddau a gwasanaethau. A wnewch chi ymrwymo heddiw i gyfarfod â Mencap Cymru a Gweinidog yr Economi a grybwyllwyd gennych yn eich ateb blaenorol i Sioned er mwyn gallu cynnig cymaint o gefnogaeth â phosibl i Mencap Cymru a’u haelodau i sicrhau bod y bobl hyn yn cael mynediad sy'n deg a chyfiawn? Oherwydd gadewch inni gofio bod arian parod yn hollbwysig.
Absolutely, cash is key. I'm really glad we've got this focus on access to finance and cash for disabled people, and the questions that have been put to me this afternoon. I certainly, through not just responding to the Petitions Committee, which has already written to me, and liaising with the economy Minister as well, will be working with disabled people to look at this through the disability rights taskforce. That disability rights taskforce is made up of disabled people, with all public sector links, to address these needs. But I will be very happy to meet Mencap and colleagues on this matter.
Yn sicr, mae arian parod yn gwbl allweddol. Rwy'n falch iawn fod gennym ffocws ar fynediad at gyllid ac arian parod i bobl anabl, a'r cwestiynau a ofynnwyd imi y prynhawn yma. Yn sicr, drwy ymateb i’r Pwyllgor Deisebau, sydd eisoes wedi ysgrifennu ataf, a chydgysylltu â Gweinidog yr Economi hefyd, byddaf yn gweithio gyda phobl anabl i edrych ar hyn drwy’r tasglu hawliau anabledd. Mae’r tasglu hwnnw’n cynnwys pobl anabl, gyda phob cysylltiad sector cyhoeddus, i fynd i’r afael â’r anghenion hyn. Ond byddaf yn hapus iawn i gyfarfod â Mencap a chyd-Weinidogion ynglŷn â’r mater hwn.
Vikki Howells. We're all waiting in anticipation. There you go.
Vikki Howells. Rydym i gyd yn disgwyl yn eiddgar. Dyna chi.
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, I know that you will soon be visiting Hwb Cana in Penywaun, which has been brought back to life as a community space by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust using funding from the Welsh Government's community facilities programme. I recently visited Hwb Cana and I was very pleased to learn that Smart Money Cymru Community Bank will be offering a face-to-face financial advice service from there. Credit unions have a significant role to play in tackling financial exclusion, so how is the Welsh Government working to promote awareness and understanding of what they do, and also to encourage innovation like Smart Money's banking app?
Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, gwn y byddwch yn ymweld â Hwb Cana ym Mhen-y-waun cyn bo hir, lle sydd wedi’i adfer fel man cymunedol gan Ymddiriedolaeth Adfywio’r Meysydd Glo gan ddefnyddio arian sy’n cynnwys cyllid o raglen cyfleusterau cymunedol Llywodraeth Cymru. Ymwelais â Hwb Cana yn ddiweddar ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o glywed y bydd Banc Cymunedol Smart Money Cymru yn cynnig gwasanaeth cyngor ariannol wyneb yn wyneb oddi yno. Mae gan undebau credyd rôl sylweddol i’w chwarae yn mynd i’r afael ag allgáu ariannol, felly sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio i hybu ymwybyddiaeth a dealltwriaeth o’r hyn a wnânt, a hefyd i annog arloesedd fel ap bancio Smart Money?
Thank you very much, Vikki Howells. Isn't it good that we've got your question in? Because you've actually opened up a whole new area of work, which others, I'm sure, across the Chamber will want to consider and look at in their communities. I'm really pleased that Smart Money Cymru Community Bank is now providing credit union and wider banking services from that newly opened Hwb Cana in Penywaun, Aberdare; in fact, I think we're visiting next week, Vikki. It's a really important asset for the community of Penywaun. It is one of the most deprived areas of south Wales, and we provided that funding. The way in which we could help was through the community facilities programme, which gave capital money for that centre, because, often, that's what's needed to actually bring all of those organisations together.
Also, just to say, in terms of the funding for credit unions, which we're putting in through this year, it's going to set up other banking hubs, not just in the Cynon valley but in Blaenau Gwent and in Powys, over the next three years. So, we will learn from Smart Money Cymru and the work that they're doing, because this is about accessing affordable loans, savings products and ethical banking services from the hub.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Vikki Howells. Onid yw'n dda ein bod wedi cynnwys eich cwestiwn? Oherwydd rydych chi wedi agor maes gwaith cwbl newydd, y bydd eraill ar draws y Siambr, rwy'n siŵr, yn awyddus i'w ystyried ac i edrych arno yn eu cymunedau. Felly, rwy’n wirioneddol falch fod Banc Cymunedol Smart Money Cymru bellach yn darparu gwasanaethau undeb credyd a gwasanaethau bancio ehangach o Hwb Cana sydd newydd agor ym Mhen-y- waun, Aberdâr; a dweud y gwir, rwy'n meddwl ein bod yn ymweld yr wythnos nesaf, Vikki. Mae’n ased gwirioneddol bwysig i gymuned Pen-y-waun. Mae’n un o ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig de Cymru, a darparwyd y cyllid hwnnw gennym ni. Y ffordd y gallem helpu oedd drwy'r rhaglen cyfleusterau cymunedol, a roddodd arian cyfalaf ar gyfer y ganolfan honno, oherwydd, yn aml, dyna sydd ei angen i ddod â'r holl sefydliadau hynny at ei gilydd.
Hefyd, os caf ddweud, o ran y cyllid a roddwn ar gyfer undebau credyd drwy gydol eleni, mae'n mynd i sefydlu hybiau bancio eraill, nid yn unig yng nghwm Cynon ond ym Mlaenau Gwent ac ym Mhowys, dros y tair blynedd nesaf. Felly, byddwn yn dysgu gan Smart Money Cymru a'r gwaith y maent yn ei wneud, oherwydd mae hyn yn ymwneud â chael mynediad at fenthyciadau fforddiadwy, cynhyrchion cynilo a gwasanaethau bancio moesegol o'r hyb.
5. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i leihau tlodi plant yng Nghanol De Cymru? OQ59505
5. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to reduce child poverty in South Wales Central? OQ59505
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd. Rydyn ni'n dal i roi blaenoriaeth i leihau tlodi plant, gan gynnwys yng Nghanol De Cymru. Yn ystod 2022-23 a 2023-24, rydyn ni wedi rhoi cymorth gwerth mwy na £3.3 biliwn drwy raglenni sy'n helpu i ddiogelu cartrefi dan anfantais, ac i roi arian yn ôl ym mhocedi teuluoedd.
Thank you very much, Heledd. We continue to prioritise actions to reduce child poverty, including within South Wales Central. During 2022-23 and 2023-24, we have allocated support worth more than £3.3 billion, through programmes that go towards helping protect disadvantaged households and support putting money back into families’ pockets.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Weinidog. Dwi'n gwybod bod yna nifer o bethau yn cael eu gwneud, ond, fel rydyn ni wedi clywed eisoes heddiw, mae hi'n sefyllfa ddirdynnol. Dwi'n siŵr ein bod ni i gyd wedi gweld gyda'n llygaid ein hunain, gan etholwyr a sefydliadau rydyn ni'n gweithio efo nhw, mai gwaethygu mae'r sefyllfa ar lawr gwlad. Mae pobl yn dod atom ni sydd ddim jest yn methu fforddio bwyd, a methu fforddio trydan, ynni ac ati, ond methu fforddio rhoi dodrefn yn eu tai—pobl heb welyau i'w plant. Mae hon yn sefyllfa argyfyngus.
Mae Barnardo's Cymru heddiw wedi cyhoeddi papur briffio sydd yn sôn am effaith gynyddol tlodi ac yn dweud, o ran arolwg YouGov a gomisiynwyd gan Barnardo's yn Chwefror 2023, fod 61 y cant o rieni yn dweud bod eu sefyllfa ariannol wedi dirywio yn y pedwar mis cyn hynny. Felly, dwi'n gwybod bod nifer o'r pethau rydych chi wedi eu hamlinellau yn bethau y mae angen i Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig fod yn gyfrifol amdanyn nhw, ond oherwydd y sefyllfa argyfyngus ar lawr gwlad, beth fedrwn ni ei wneud ar frys i sicrhau bod yna ddim un plentyn heb wely i gysgu ynddo fo, sef y sefyllfa yna o dlodi yr oeddem ni'n arfer darllen amdani hi mewn llyfrau hanes? Dyna'r realiti ar lawr gwlad rŵan, a dwi ddim yn siŵr os ydyn ni'n gallu delio â'r sefyllfa efo'r holl fesurau rydyn ni yn eu rhoi yn eu lle ar y funud.
Thank you very much, Minister. I know that there are a number of things being done, but, as we've already heard today, it is a heart-rending situation. I'm sure that we will have all seen with our own eyes, from constituents and organisations that we work with, that the situation is getting worse on the ground. People are coming to us not just being unable to afford food, but they can't afford electricity and they can't even afford furniture in their homes—they don't have beds for their children. This is a critical situation.
Barnardo's Cymru has today published a briefing paper, which talks about the increasing impact of poverty, and states, in the case of a YouGov survey commissioned by Barnardo's in 2023, that 61 per cent of parents say that their financial situation has gotten worse in the four months prior to February. I know that many of the things that you've outlined are things that the UK Government is responsible for, but, given the critical situation on the ground, what can we do as a matter of urgency to ensure that no child doesn't have a bed to sleep in? We shouldn't be facing that situation of poverty that we used to read about in history books. That's the reality on the ground now, and I'm not sure whether we can deal with the situation with all of the measures that we are putting in place at the moment.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan. I do want to say at this point that I have given a commitment to publish a revised child poverty strategy by the end of the year. We've spent quite a lot of time in the last few weeks and months engaging with people with lived experience—children and young people particularly, and their parents, grandparents and carers—to see what we can do, what is most effective, what we are doing already that is really helping and what works. I go back to some of the earlier questions about the work that we're doing with the Bevan Foundation, learning from policy in practice. As you say, key levers for tackling child poverty are the powers over the tax and welfare system, sitting with the UK Government. But we need to take action where we can.
I'm just going to focus for a moment on holiday support, free school meals and childcare, because childcare is a key priority for the Welsh Government, reflected not just in our programme for government but our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru. Investing heavily in these plans, expanding childcare and early years provision, is short and long term. It helps people, particularly parents and women, to work, and in terms of addressing poverty. We can give all of that local support—the discretionary fund, single advice fund—but also I'd just like to mention the fact that we are, in partnership with Plaid Cymru, extending free-school-meal holiday provision to all eligible children until the end of the summer half term 2023, and that's all bank holidays during this period. That is part of that wider package of support to help families directly every day with those meals, with the cost-of-living crisis, and to ensure that those children don't go hungry during the school holidays.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan. Rwyf am ddweud ar y pwynt hwn fy mod wedi ymrwymo i gyhoeddi strategaeth tlodi plant ddiwygiedig erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn. Rydym wedi treulio cryn dipyn o amser yn ystod yr wythnosau a'r misoedd diwethaf yn ymgysylltu â phobl sydd â phrofiad bywyd—plant a phobl ifanc yn enwedig, a'u rhieni, eu neiniau a'u teidiau a'u gofalwyr—i weld beth y gallwn ei wneud, beth sydd fwyaf effeithiol, beth rydym yn ei wneud yn barod sy'n helpu go iawn a beth sy'n gweithio. Rwy'n mynd yn ôl at rai o'r cwestiynau cynharach am y gwaith a wnawn gyda Sefydliad Bevan, gan ddysgu o bolisi ar waith. Fel y dywedwch, ysgogiadau allweddol ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â thlodi plant yw'r pwerau dros y system dreth a lles sydd yn nwylo Llywodraeth y DU. Ond mae angen inni weithredu lle bynnag y gallwn.
Rwy'n mynd i ganolbwyntio am eiliad ar gymorth gwyliau, prydau ysgol am ddim a gofal plant, oherwydd mae gofal plant yn flaenoriaeth allweddol i Lywodraeth Cymru, blaenoriaeth a adlewyrchir nid yn unig yn ein rhaglen lywodraethu ond yn ein cytundeb cydweithio â Phlaid Cymru. Mae buddsoddi'n helaeth yn y cynlluniau hyn, ehangu gofal plant a darpariaeth blynyddoedd cynnar, yn digwydd yn y tymor byr ac yn hirdymor. Mae'n helpu pobl, yn enwedig rhieni a menywod, i weithio, ac i fynd i'r afael â thlodi. Gallwn roi'r holl gefnogaeth leol—y gronfa ddewisol, y gronfa gynghori sengl—ond hefyd hoffwn sôn am y ffaith ein bod, mewn partneriaeth â Phlaid Cymru, yn ymestyn y ddarpariaeth o brydau ysgol am ddim dros y gwyliau i bob plentyn cymwys tan ddiwedd hanner tymor yr haf 2023, a phob gŵyl y banc yn ystod y cyfnod hwn. Mae hynny'n rhan o'r pecyn cymorth ehangach i helpu teuluoedd yn uniongyrchol bob dydd gyda'r prydau hynny, gyda'r argyfwng costau byw, ac i sicrhau nad yw'r plant hynny'n mynd heb fwyd yn ystod gwyliau'r ysgol.
Minister, we know, through education, you can empower people to get on in life and, in particular, reach themselves out of the depths of poverty. You will have heard me challenging the First Minister last week around additional learning needs numbers here in Wales and that 19,000 students had dropped off the additional learning needs register through new assessments that had been done. I think there's a question mark about whether that is correct—that those numbers have dropped off—given what we know through COVID and the impact that COVID had on education. But have you had any discussions with the education Minister to test, from a social justice point of view, that pupils are getting the ALN assessments that they need so that they can get the statements and get the benefit of a whole educational programme so that they can be in the best place possible to get quality jobs at the end of their education?
Weinidog, drwy addysg, fe wyddom y gallwch rymuso pobl i gamu ymlaen mewn bywyd, a chodi eu hunain allan o ddyfnderoedd tlodi yn arbennig. Fe fyddwch wedi fy nghlywed yn herio'r Prif Weinidog yr wythnos diwethaf ynghylch niferoedd anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yma yng Nghymru a bod 19,000 o fyfyrwyr wedi disgyn oddi ar y gofrestr anghenion dysgu ychwanegol drwy asesiadau newydd a wnaed. Rwy'n credu bod marc cwestiwn ynglŷn â pha mor gywir yw hynny—fod y niferoedd hynny wedi gostwng—o ystyried yr hyn a wyddom drwy COVID a'r effaith a gafodd COVID ar addysg. Ond a ydych chi wedi cael unrhyw drafodaethau gyda'r Gweinidog addysg i brofi, o safbwynt cyfiawnder cymdeithasol, fod disgyblion yn cael yr asesiadau ADY sydd eu hangen arnynt fel y gallant gael y datganiadau a chael budd o raglen addysgol gyfan fel y gallant fod yn y lle gorau posibl i gael swyddi o safon ar ddiwedd eu haddysg?
Thank you very much, Andrew R.T. Davies. The way in which we're developing this child poverty strategy, this forthcoming strategy for consultation, is engaging. I engage with all Ministers, because every Minister in this Government has a responsibility, so, clearly, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, addressing these very issues about those who are disadvantaged, who aren't accessing education, those with additional learning needs. You'll be aware from the statements he's made and the policies he's put forward, of many of those I've acknowledged and discussed in terms of the roll-out of free school meals during the school holidays as well.
One of the most important initiatives he's taken is the development of community-focused schools, with substantial funding going out. There's evidence already that that engagement with community-focused schools, family engagement officers, to make sure that everyone is accessing school and education is already beginning to make a difference. That's key to the child poverty strategy.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Andrew R.T. Davies. Y ffordd rydym yn datblygu'r strategaeth tlodi plant, y strategaeth sydd ar y ffordd ar gyfer ymgynghori arni, yw drwy ymgysylltu. Rwy'n ymgysylltu â'r holl Weinidogion, oherwydd mae gan bob Gweinidog yn y Llywodraeth hon gyfrifoldeb, felly, yn amlwg, Gweinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg, gan fynd i'r afael â'r union faterion hyn ynglŷn â'r rhai sydd dan anfantais, y rhai nad ydynt yn cael mynediad at addysg, y rhai sydd ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o'r datganiadau y mae wedi'u gwneud a'r polisïau y mae wedi'u cyflwyno, ac rwyf wedi cydnabod a thrafod llawer o'r rheini yng nghyd-destun cyflwyno prydau ysgol am ddim yn ystod gwyliau'r ysgol hefyd.
Un o'r mentrau pwysicaf y mae wedi'u cymryd yw datblygu ysgolion bro, gyda chyllid sylweddol yn mynd allan. Ceir tystiolaeth eisoes fod yr ymgysylltu ag ysgolion bro, swyddogion ymgysylltu â theuluoedd, i sicrhau bod pawb yn gwneud defnydd o'r ysgol ac addysg eisoes yn dechrau gwneud gwahaniaeth. Mae hynny'n allweddol i'r strategaeth tlodi plant.
6. Pa ystyriaeth mae'r Gweinidog wedi ei rhoi i effaith wythnos waith pedwar diwrnod ar economi Cymru? OQ59526
6. What consideration has the Minister given to the impact of a four-day working week on the Welsh economy? OQ59526
A shorter working week has the potential to have a significant economic, environmental and social impact. We have established a social partnership working group of our workforce partnership council to consider the four-day week in more detail and to make recommendations on the feasibility, suitability and acceptability of a pilot in Wales.
Mae gan wythnos waith fyrrach botensial i gael effaith economaidd, amgylcheddol a chymdeithasol sylweddol. Rydym wedi sefydlu gweithgor partneriaeth gymdeithasol yn ein cyngor partneriaeth y gweithlu i ystyried yr wythnos waith pedwar diwrnod yn fanylach ac i wneud argymhellion ar ddichonoldeb, addasrwydd a derbynioldeb cynllun peilot yng Nghymru.
Thank you, Minister. Whilst a four-day working week might sound ideal for many, perhaps, office-based jobs, the truth is that this policy will be unworkable for the vast majority of businesses and hard-working people of Wales. Rather than improving working conditions, many of us believe that this policy would create a vastly unequal society, neglecting many in vital industries and small and medium-sized enterprises. Now, we all know that productivity in Wales is an area that leaves much to be desired; Wales has 5 per cent of the United Kingdom population, but we know it only has 3.4 per cent of its wealth. So, Minister, how do you believe, if this was implemented, cutting the working week would improve productivity across Wales, considering we have some of the lowest GVA stats in the United Kingdom?
Diolch, Weinidog. Er y gallai wythnos waith pedwar diwrnod swnio'n ddelfrydol ar gyfer llawer o swyddi mewn swyddfeydd efallai, y gwir amdani yw na fydd y polisi hwn yn ymarferol i'r mwyafrif helaeth o fusnesau a phobl weithgar yng Nghymru. Yn hytrach na gwella amodau gwaith, mae llawer ohonom yn credu y byddai'r polisi hwn yn creu cymdeithas anghyfartal iawn, gan esgeuluso llawer mewn diwydiannau hanfodol a mentrau bach a chanolig. Nawr, rydym i gyd yn gwybod bod cynhyrchiant yng Nghymru yn faes nad yw'n cyflawni cystal ag y byddem yn ei ddymuno; 5 y cant o boblogaeth y Deyrnas Unedig sydd gan Gymru, ond gwyddom mai dim ond 3.4% o'i chyfoeth sydd ganddi. Felly, Weinidog, pe bai hyn yn cael ei weithredu, sut y credwch y byddai torri'r wythnos waith yn gwella cynhyrchiant ledled Cymru, o ystyried bod gennym rai o'r ystadegau gwerth ychwanegol gros isaf yn y Deyrnas Unedig?
I thank the Member for his questions. I think one of the things to say is that, if we'd taken that approach in the past, we wouldn't have the flexible workplaces, we wouldn't have the weekend and we wouldn't have many of the rights and responsibilities at work that we now take for granted.
But there is no single model of a shorter working week, and no single model of a pilot, and we've seen pilots take place, whether on a voluntary basis in individual businesses right across the world, or pilots in the pipeline. The whole point of having that exercise in partnership through our partnership workforce council is to gather more evidence and look at, actually, what that would mean in Wales and do it in a way that brings both representatives of the workforce and employers together as well, so that we can learn and build that evidence. Actually, it's not just about a four-day working week alone, it's about all the things that we can do that are in our gift, the levers we have to make a difference. Because you talk about productivity, but that's based on people too. People provide that, and, actually, providing that well-being for them has productivity gains, not just for businesses, but for the country as a whole.
Diolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiynau. Rwy'n credu mai un o'r pethau i'w dweud yw, pe byddem wedi mabwysiadu'r ymagwedd honno yn y gorffennol, na fyddai gennym y gweithleoedd hyblyg, ni fyddai gennym y penwythnos ac ni fyddai gennym lawer o'r hawliau a'r cyfrifoldebau yn y gwaith rydym bellach yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol.
Ond nid un model o wythnos waith fyrrach sydd yna, nac un model o gynllun peilot, ac rydym wedi gweld cynlluniau peilot yn digwydd, boed ar sail wirfoddol mewn busnesau unigol ledled y byd, neu gynlluniau peilot sydd yn yr arfaeth. Yr holl bwynt o gael yr ymarfer hwnnw mewn partneriaeth drwy ein cyngor partneriaeth y gweithlu yw er mwyn casglu mwy o dystiolaeth ac edrych ar beth fyddai hynny'n ei olygu yng Nghymru a'i wneud mewn ffordd sy'n dod â chynrychiolwyr y gweithlu a chyflogwyr at ei gilydd hefyd, fel y gallwn ddysgu ac adeiladu'r dystiolaeth honno. A dweud y gwir, mae'n ymwneud â mwy na wythnos waith pedwar diwrnod yn unig, mae'n ymwneud â'r holl bethau y gallwn eu gwneud sydd o fewn ein pwerau i'w gwneud, yr ysgogiadau sydd gennym i wneud gwahaniaeth. Oherwydd rydych chi'n siarad am gynhyrchiant, ond mae hynny'n seiliedig ar bobl hefyd. Pobl sy'n ei ddarparu, ac mae darparu llesiant ar eu cyfer yn arwain at enillion i gynhyrchiant, nid yn unig i fusnesau, ond i'r wlad gyfan.
7. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am greu'r ganolfan breswyl gyntaf i fenywod yng Nghymru ar gyfer menywod sy'n ymwneud â'r system cyfiawnder troseddol? OQ59516
7. Will the Minister provide an update on the creation of the first residential women’s centre in Wales for women involved in the criminal justice system? OQ59516
Diolch yn fawr. The Ministry of Justice’s application to create a residential women’s centre in Swansea is currently going through an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.
Diolch yn fawr. Ar hyn o bryd mae cais y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder i greu canolfan breswyl i fenywod yn Abertawe yn mynd drwy broses apêl Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru.
Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. It is a real shame that, despite the announcement early in May 2020, over three years ago, planning permission still hasn't been granted for the site of this five-year pilot. In the meantime, we've seen an increase in women from Wales being sent to prisons far away from their homes, and we've seen an increase in regressive justice policy and legislation coming from Westminster. Minister, do you know, is it still the plan to open a residential centre in 2024? And what support is offered to women beyond the Swansea area, and indeed in the Swansea area, in the meantime? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. Mae'n drueni gwirioneddol, er gwaethaf y cyhoeddiad yn gynnar ym mis Mai 2020, dros dair blynedd yn ôl, nad yw caniatâd cynllunio wedi'i roi o hyd ar gyfer safle'r cynllun peilot pum mlynedd hwn. Yn y cyfamser, rydym wedi gweld cynnydd yn nifer y menywod o Gymru sy'n cael eu hanfon i garchardai ymhell o'u cartrefi, ac rydym wedi gweld cynnydd yn y polisïau a deddfwriaeth cyfiawnder anflaengar sy'n dod o San Steffan. Weinidog, a ydych chi'n gwybod, a yw'n dal i fod yn fwriad i agor canolfan breswyl yn 2024? A pha gymorth sy'n cael ei gynnig i fenywod tu hwnt i ardal Abertawe, ac yn wir yn ardal Abertawe, yn y cyfamser? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch yn fawr. Welsh Government has also always recognised the value of this women’s residential centre as an alternative to a custodial sentence, and in providing much-needed support for vulnerable women in the criminal justice system. It is a pilot; it’s a pilot for the UK. It will go ahead, and can I just say that I look forward to the Senedd's Equality and Social Justice Committee inquiry into women’s experience of the justice system? I look forward to a debate on this, because this will also guide us and inform us, as well as build on our female offending blueprint, which brought this into being.
Diolch yn fawr. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd bob amser wedi cydnabod gwerth y ganolfan breswyl hon i fenywod fel dewis arall yn lle dedfryd o garchar, ac i ddarparu cefnogaeth fawr ei hangen i fenywod bregus yn y system cyfiawnder troseddol. Cynllun peilot ydyw; cynllun peilot ar gyfer y DU. Bydd yn mynd rhagddo, ac a gaf fi ddweud fy mod yn edrych ymlaen at ymchwiliad Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol y Senedd i brofiad menywod o'r system gyfiawnder? Edrychaf ymlaen at ddadl ar hyn, oherwydd bydd yn ein harwain ac yn ein llywio hefyd, yn ogystal ag adeiladu ar ein glasbrint troseddu benywaidd, a ysgogodd hyn yn y lle cyntaf.
Cwestiwn 8 yn olaf, Alun Davies.
Finally, question 8, Alun Davies.
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
Diolch, Lywydd.
8. Pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â thlodi plant ym Mlaenau Gwent? OQ59518
8. What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle child poverty in Blaenau Gwent? OQ59518
Diolch yn fawr, Alun Davies. We know how pertinent our actions on child poverty must be, and we continue to focus our activity and budgets towards supporting people, including in Blaenau Gwent. We involved nearly 3,000 people over the spring, many with lived experience of poverty, to co-construct a child-poverty strategy for consultation this summer.
Diolch yn fawr, Alun Davies. Gwyddom pa mor gymwys sy'n rhaid i'n gweithredoedd fod ar dlodi plant, ac rydym yn parhau i ganolbwyntio ein gweithgaredd a'n cyllidebau ar gefnogi pobl, yn cynnwys ym Mlaenau Gwent. Fe wnaethom gynnwys 3,000 o bobl dros y gwanwyn, gyda llawer ohonynt â phrofiad bywyd o dlodi, yn y gwaith o ddatblygu strategaeth tlodi plant ar y cyd ar gyfer ymgynghori arni yr haf hwn.
I’m grateful to the Minister for that response. The Minister saw pupils from Coed-y-Garn school, of course, in Blaenau Gwent in the gallery just before we started questions, and I’m grateful to the Llywydd and the Deputy Minister and the leader of the opposition as well for taking time to acknowledge them.
We all want the best for children in our constituencies, wherever we happen to sit, and whatever part of the Chamber we are, but we are also aware that children are growing up amidst a cost-of-living crisis that’s been largely created in Downing Street and has been accentuated by Brexit, and we recognise that the pressures on families are greater today than they have been in most of our lifetimes. I also recognise, and pupils in schools in Blaenau Gwent and elsewhere recognise, the importance of free school meals and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has driven that forward and that’s having a real impact as well. But the uplift for the education maintenance allowance means that we’re able to tackle the issues facing older children and young people in accessing education.
Minister, the cost-of-living crisis is impacting families up and down Wales, but particularly in places like Blaenau Gwent. Will the Welsh Government ensure that the projects and policies and the programmes that they’re putting in place will be prioritised to meet the greatest need in Blaenau Gwent, and other communities such as Blaenau Gwent, and that you will continue to argue for a strong social policy and economic policy to ensure that the children you met today, and we all represent, can grow up in secure childhoods with the knowledge that this is a Government on their side?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am yr ymateb hwnnw. Fe welodd y Gweinidog ddisgyblion o ysgol Coed-y-Garn ym Mlaenau Gwent yn yr oriel ychydig cyn i ni ddechrau'r sesiwn gwestiynau, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Llywydd a'r Dirprwy Weinidog ac arweinydd yr wrthblaid hefyd am roi amser i'w cydnabod.
Rydym i gyd eisiau'r gorau i blant yn ein hetholaethau lle bynnag y maent, a pha ran bynnag o'r Siambr yr eisteddwn ynddi, ond rydym hefyd yn ymwybodol fod plant yn tyfu i fyny yng nghanol argyfwng costau byw sydd wedi'i greu i raddau helaeth yn Stryd Downing ac sydd wedi'i waethygu gan Brexit, ac rydym yn cydnabod bod y pwysau ar deuluoedd yn fwy heddiw nag y bu dros y rhan fwyaf o'n hoes. Rwyf hefyd yn cydnabod, ac mae disgyblion mewn ysgolion ym Mlaenau Gwent a mannau eraill yn cydnabod, pwysigrwydd prydau ysgol am ddim ac mae Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Blaenau Gwent wedi gyrru hynny yn ei flaen ac mae hynny'n cael effaith wirioneddol hefyd. Ond mae'r cynnydd yn y lwfans cynhaliaeth addysg yn golygu ein bod yn gallu mynd i'r afael â'r problemau sy'n wynebu plant hŷn a phobl ifanc o ran mynediad at addysg.
Weinidog, mae'r argyfwng costau byw yn effeithio ar deuluoedd ledled Cymru, ond yn enwedig mewn lleoedd fel Blaenau Gwent. A wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru sicrhau y bydd y prosiectau a'r polisïau a'r rhaglenni y maent yn eu rhoi ar waith yn cael eu blaenoriaethu i ddiwallu'r angen mwyaf ym Mlaenau Gwent, a chymunedau eraill fel Blaenau Gwent, ac y byddwch yn parhau i ddadlau dros bolisi cymdeithasol cryf a pholisi economaidd i sicrhau bod y plant y gwnaethoch gyfarfod â nhw heddiw, ac a gynrychiolir gan bob un ohonom, yn gallu tyfu i fyny'n ddiogel drwy eu plentyndod gan wybod bod hon yn Llywodraeth sydd o'u plaid?
Diolch yn fawr, Alun Davies. It was very good to see your pupils today in the public gallery from Blaenau Gwent, and I think they were asking you some testing questions as well, which shows that they have ambitions for their lives, because people across Wales, including Blaenau Gwent, are experiencing the biggest fall in living standards since records began. So, we have to do all we can with our powers to tackle inequalities.
So, I just want to mention not only the universal free primary school meals and congratulate Blaenau Gwent council on rolling those out, but also recognise Flying Start, the earliest years, the increase in funding that we’re putting into that is crucially important. And the childcare offer that helps people to work, and also to make sure we reach out and maximise people’s incomes. But it is the children of Blaenau Gwent and all of our constituencies, particularly those who face the most disadvantage that we must focus on.
Diolch yn fawr, Alun Davies. Roedd yn dda iawn gweld eich disgyblion heddiw yn yr oriel gyhoeddus o Flaenau Gwent, ac rwy'n credu eu bod wedi gofyn cwestiynau anodd i chi hefyd, sy'n dangos bod ganddynt uchelgeisiau ar gyfer eu bywydau, oherwydd mae pobl ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys Blaenau Gwent, yn profi'r gostyngiad mwyaf yn eu safonau byw ers dechrau cadw cofnodion. Felly, mae'n rhaid inni wneud popeth yn ein gallu gyda'n pwerau i fynd i'r afael ag anghydraddoldebau.
Felly, hoffwn sôn nid yn unig am brydau ysgol gynradd am ddim i bawb a llongyfarch cyngor Blaenau Gwent ar gyflwyno'r rheini, ond cydnabod Dechrau'n Deg hefyd, y blynyddoedd cynharaf, mae'r cynnydd yn y cyllid rydym yn ei roi tuag at hynny yn hanfodol bwysig. A'r cynnig gofal plant sy'n helpu pobl i weithio, a hefyd i sicrhau ein bod yn estyn allan ac yn gwneud y gorau o incwm pobl. Ond rhaid i ni ganolbwyntio ar blant Blaenau Gwent a'n holl etholaethau, yn enwedig y rhai sy'n wynebu'r anfantais fwyaf.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 9, Joel James.
Finally, question 9, Joel James.
Sorry, Deputy Presiding Officer. The previous Presiding Officer said that that was the last question. [Laughter.]
Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Fe ddywedodd y Llywydd blaenorol mai dyna oedd y cwestiwn olaf. [Chwerthin.]
Well, you'll be glad to know, you've got the last question. [Laughter.]
Wel, fe fyddwch yn falch o wybod mai chi sydd â'r cwestiwn olaf. [Chwerthin.]
Thank you.
Diolch.
9. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ei sgyrsiau gyda Phlaid Cymru am y Cytundeb Cydweithio? OQ59520
9. Will the Minister provide an update on her conversations with Plaid Cymru on the Co-operation Agreement? OQ59520
Thank you very much, Joel James. And I am glad that I am able to answer your question, I have to say.
As Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip, I have taken on a ministerial role for the co-operation agreement to support progress against the commitments as we enter the second half of the three-year agreement with Plaid Cymru, and I will work closely with designated Members and Ministers to oversee progress.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Joel James. Ac rwy'n falch fy mod yn gallu ateb eich cwestiwn, rhaid dweud.
Fel y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol a'r Prif Chwip, rwyf wedi ymgymryd â rôl weinidogol dros y cytundeb cydweithio i gefnogi cynnydd yn erbyn yr ymrwymiadau wrth inni ddechrau ar ail hanner y cytundeb tair blynedd gyda Phlaid Cymru, a byddaf yn gweithio'n agos gydag Aelodau dynodedig a Gweinidogion i oruchwylio cynnydd.
Thank you, Minister, for your response. I believe that I speak for everyone here when I say how shocked we were to read about the culture of bullying and misogyny within Plaid Cymru. And it’s disappointing to hear the comments earlier from my colleagues across the Chamber about Donald Trump and dog-whistle politics, because it was genuinely upsetting to read how my fellow colleagues in this Chamber, their staff, and other members of Plaid Cymru have been treated and what they had to endure. You'll no doubt agree, Minister, that these findings have now imparted a very poor public perception of the Welsh Government's dealings with Plaid Cymru with regard to the co-operation agreement, and this has also been echoed by a former Welsh Government Cabinet Minister, who has called for the agreement to end completely.
Minister, I'm conscious of the statement just released prior to commencement from Llyr Gruffydd, but I'm keen to know, and I'm sure many Members here are interested to know, whether you think the Welsh Government should scrap the co-operation agreement in light of these findings, and if not, will the Minister confirm that the Welsh Government has absolutely no intention whatsoever to reopen renegotiations with the new elected Plaid Cymru leader? Thank you.
Diolch am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Rwy'n credu fy mod yn siarad dros bawb yma pan ddywedaf cymaint o sioc a gawsom wrth ddarllen am ddiwylliant o fwlio a gwreig-gasineb o fewn Plaid Cymru. Ac mae'n siomedig clywed y sylwadau yn gynharach gan fy nghyd-Aelodau ar draws y Siambr am Donald Trump a gwleidyddiaeth 'chwiban y ci', oherwydd roedd yn wirioneddol ofidus darllen sut mae fy nghyd-Aelodau yn y Siambr hon, eu staff, ac aelodau eraill o Blaid Cymru wedi cael eu trin a'r hyn y bu'n rhaid iddynt ei ddioddef. Mae'n siŵr y byddwch yn cytuno, Weinidog, fod y canfyddiadau hyn wedi arwain at ganfyddiad gwael iawn ar ran y cyhoedd o ymwneud Llywodraeth Cymru â Phlaid Cymru mewn perthynas â'r cytundeb cydweithio, a chafodd hyn ei adleisio hefyd gan gyn-Weinidog Cabinet Llywodraeth Cymru, sydd wedi galw am i'r cytundeb ddod i ben yn llwyr.
Weinidog, rwy'n ymwybodol o'r datganiad sydd newydd gael ei ryddhau cyn dechrau'r cyfarfod gan Llyr Gruffydd, ond rwy'n awyddus i wybod, ac rwy'n siŵr fod gan lawer o Aelodau yma ddiddordeb mewn gwybod, a ydych chi'n credu y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ddileu'r cytundeb cydweithio yng ngoleuni'r canfyddiadau hyn, ac os na, a wnaiff y Gweinidog gadarnhau nad oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru unrhyw fwriad o gwbl i ailagor trafodaethau gyda'r arweinydd Plaid Cymru newydd a etholir? Diolch.
There are a number of points there that I would want to respond to, but I think I ought to start by saying that the events of last week have once again brought the issues of bullying, misogyny, sexual harassment and abuse into sharp focus, and this is across the board in terms of our workplaces. Nobody is immune from recognising that this is something—and I hope it's across this Chamber—that we need to look at. We believe everyone has the right to work or volunteer in a safe environment where their rights are protected and they're treated with respect and dignity. So, as far as the Labour Party is concerned, the First Minister and leader of Welsh Labour, Mark Drakeford, has written to members of all the party in Wales to make sure they know how to make a complaint and are aware of the support available. He's set out a series of actions for us in the Senedd Labour group that we will be taking to strengthen training for Labour Members of the Senedd and their staff. It's important that all of us do what we can do to make politics a safer place for everyone. That is something that we should all sign up to in this Chamber, but it's also part of our violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy, where we have a work stream on tackling violence in the workplace.
I don't know whether you listened yesterday to the very powerful speech from the then leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price, and the response from our First Minister, in which he was acknowledging the outcome of parties working together, working together on policy commitments, on shared priorities, policies in which we have common interests, to implement progressive solutions. That's what we're doing in the co-operation agreement. It's an ambitious agenda. We're working together to address issues that take the greatest political and policy effect to resolve, and where agreement is possible, as Adam Price said yesterday, people rightly expect political parties to work together, and that's what we're doing.
Mae nifer o bwyntiau yno yr hoffwn ymateb iddynt, ond credaf y dylwn ddechrau drwy ddweud bod digwyddiadau'r wythnos diwethaf unwaith eto wedi rhoi ffocws cryf ar faterion yn ymwneud â bwlio, gwreig-gasineb, aflonyddu rhywiol a chamdriniaeth, a hynny'n gyffredinol yn ein gweithleoedd. Nid oes neb yn rhydd rhag cydnabod bod hyn yn rhywbeth—ac ar draws y Siambr hon gobeithio—y mae angen inni edrych arno. Credwn fod gan bawb hawl i weithio neu wirfoddoli mewn amgylchedd diogel lle mae eu hawliau'n cael eu diogelu a'u bod yn cael eu trin gyda pharch ac urddas. Felly, o ran y Blaid Lafur, mae Prif Weinidog Cymru ac arweinydd Llafur Cymru, Mark Drakeford, wedi ysgrifennu at aelodau'r holl blaid yng Nghymru i sicrhau eu bod yn gwybod sut i wneud cwyn a'u bod yn ymwybodol o'r gefnogaeth sydd ar gael. Mae wedi nodi cyfres o gamau gweithredu i ni yng ngrŵp Llafur y Senedd eu cymryd i gryfhau hyfforddiant i Aelodau Llafur y Senedd a'u staff. Mae'n bwysig fod pob un ohonom yn gwneud yr hyn a allwn i wneud gwleidyddiaeth yn lle mwy diogel i bawb. Mae hynny'n rhywbeth y dylai pawb ohonom ymrwymo iddo yn y Siambr hon, ond mae hefyd yn rhan o'n strategaeth trais yn erbyn menywod, cam-drin domestig a thrais rhywiol, lle mae gennym ffrwd waith ar fynd i'r afael â thrais yn y gweithle.
Nid wyf yn gwybod a glywsoch chi'r araith bwerus iawn a wnaeth arweinydd Plaid Cymru ar y pryd, Adam Price, ddoe a'r ymateb gan ein Prif Weinidog, lle roedd yn cydnabod canlyniad pleidiau'n gweithio gyda'i gilydd, gan gydweithio ar ymrwymiadau polisi, ar flaenoriaethau a rennir, polisïau y mae gennym ddiddordeb cyffredin ynddynt, i weithredu atebion blaengar. Dyna beth a wnawn yn y cytundeb cydweithio. Mae'n agenda uchelgeisiol. Rydym yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i fynd i'r afael â materion y bydd eu datrys yn cael yr effaith wleidyddol a'r effaith polisi fwyaf, a lle bo cytundeb yn bosibl, fel y dywedodd Adam Price ddoe, mae pobl yn iawn i ddisgwyl i bleidiau gwleidyddol weithio gyda'i gilydd, a dyna a wnawn.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
Eitem 2, cwestiynau i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol a Gweinidog y Cyfansoddiad. Yn gyntaf, Rhys ab Owen.
Item 2, questions to the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution. The first question is from Rhys ab Owen.
1. Pa drafodaethau mae’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cynnal gyda Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol yn dilyn penderfyniad y Senedd ar 25 Ebrill 2023 yn atal ei chydsyniad ar gyfer y Bil Streiciau (Lefelau Gwasanaeth Gofynnol)? OQ59530
1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with the UK Government following the Senedd's decision on 25 April 2023 to withhold its consent for the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill? OQ59530
Thank you for the question. We have opposed this misguided Bill strongly, vociferously, and at every turn since its publication. We continue to make our position clear to the UK Government. We expect them to reflect on the lack of consent expressed by this Senedd and by the amendments that were passed in the House of Lords.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Rydym wedi gwrthwynebu'r Bill cyfeiliornus hwn yn gryf, yn groch, ac ar bob cyfle ers ei gyhoeddi. Rydym yn parhau i wneud ein safbwynt yn glir i Lywodraeth y DU. Rydym yn disgwyl iddynt ystyried y diffyg cydsyniad a fynegwyd gan y Senedd hon a thrwy'r gwelliannau a basiwyd yn Nhŷ'r Arglwyddi.
Diolch, Cwnsler Cyffredinol. As I've previously mentioned, the Fire Brigades Union believe that the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales have a powerful role to resist the implementation of this Bill. The Scottish Government have already pledged never to issue or enforce a single work notice if this legislation becomes law. Will the Welsh Government provide the same pledge? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Fel y soniais eisoes, mae Undeb y Brigadau Tân yn credu bod gan y gweinyddiaethau datganoledig yng Nghymru a'r Alban rôl bwerus i wrthsefyll gweithredu'r Bil hwn. Mae Llywodraeth yr Alban eisoes wedi addo peidio â chyhoeddi na gorfodi unrhyw hysbysiad gwaith os daw'r ddeddfwriaeth hon yn gyfraith. A wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru roi'r un addewid? Diolch yn fawr.
Thank you for that. The Scottish Government's statement was,
'Be in no doubt, the Scottish Government will never issue or enforce a single work notice. We will continue to do everything we can to oppose this disgraceful, abhorrent legislation.'
I can repeat that on behalf of the Welsh Government, but I would point out, of course, that Welsh Government is not the employer, as is the case in respect of Scottish Government, as well. But the key position, I think, is clear. We have absolutely no doubt about our opposition to the Bill, the strength of our views, and our desire to defend Wales from the Bill's harmful effects. The Welsh Government isn't the employer, as I've said, but if the Bill becomes law and if minimum service regulations are made, we will not be supporting the use of these work notices in any way. We're also making it very clear that we support the amendments that were passed by the members of the House of Lords, which have excluded Wales and Scotland from the legislation, and we'll be seeking commitments from the UK Government to respect that decision.
Diolch am hynny. Datganiad Llywodraeth yr Alban oedd,
'Na foed unrhyw amheuaeth, ni fydd Llywodraeth yr Alban byth yn cyhoeddi nac yn gorfodi unrhyw hysbysiad gwaith. Byddwn yn parhau i wneud popeth a allwn i wrthwynebu'r ddeddfwriaeth warthus a ffiaidd hon.'
Gallaf ailadrodd hynny ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru, ond carwn nodi wrth gwrs nad Llywodraeth Cymru yw'r cyflogwr, fel sy'n wir yn achos Llywodraeth yr Alban hefyd. Ond rwy'n credu bod y safbwynt allweddol yn glir. Nid oes gennym unrhyw amheuaeth o gwbl ynglŷn â'n gwrthwynebiad i'r Bil, cryfder ein barn, a'n hawydd i amddiffyn Cymru rhag effeithiau niweidiol y Bil. Nid Llywodraeth Cymru yw'r cyflogwr, fel y dywedais, ond os daw'r Bil yn gyfraith ac os gwneir rheoliadau gwasanaeth gofynnol, ni fyddwn yn cefnogi'r defnydd o'r hysbysiadau gwaith hyn mewn unrhyw ffordd. Rydym hefyd yn ei gwneud yn glir iawn ein bod yn cefnogi'r gwelliannau a basiwyd gan aelodau Tŷ'r Arglwyddi, sydd wedi eithrio Cymru a'r Alban o'r ddeddfwriaeth, a byddwn yn gofyn am ymrwymiadau gan Lywodraeth y DU i barchu'r penderfyniad hwnnw.
I'd echo Rhys and the FBU's comments with regard to Welsh Government's important role to play in opposing the Bill, and I'm glad to hear positive soundings from the Counsel General there. We must do everything we can to resist a Government that is clearly looking to break unions and break workers who are striking for a better workplace and a better life for their families. Counsel General, what discussions are happening now in the Welsh Government about what we can do to protect workers, not just now, but into the future as well? We know the Trades Union Congress is exploring what devolution of employment law might look like—is the Welsh Government too?
Carwn adleisio sylwadau Rhys ac Undeb y Brigadau Tân ynglŷn â'r rôl bwysig sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i'w chwarae yn gwrthwynebu'r Bil, ac rwy'n falch o glywed sylwadau cadarnhaol gan y Cwnsler Cyffredinol yno. Rhaid inni wneud popeth a allwn i wrthsefyll Llywodraeth sy'n amlwg yn ceisio torri undebau a thorri gweithwyr sy'n streicio am weithle gwell a bywyd gwell i'w teuluoedd. Gwnsler Cyffredinol, pa drafodaethau sy'n digwydd nawr yn Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud i ddiogelu gweithwyr, nid yn unig nawr, ond yn y dyfodol hefyd? Rydym yn gwybod bod Cyngres yr Undebau Llafur yn archwilio goblygiadau datganoli cyfraith cyflogaeth—a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud hynny hefyd?
Thank you. At the moment, industrial relations and employment law per se is a reserved matter. We will work with all those who want to actually support and improve working conditions to improve legislation that impacts on working people. There are areas that are ancillary to that. Of course, we do work in conjunction with our social partners and, of course, we have passed the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill, which is now an Act, or is about to become an Act, I think, officially, once it is sealed in a week's time. We've also shown that we've done that in respect of various other pieces of legislation. At the moment, the key areas that I'm focusing on—. And I will be having discussions later on this afternoon, which are really to seek assurance from UK Government to respect the House of Lords' decisions. That would mean that the legislation will not apply to Wales. I'll report back to the Senedd in due course, when we know the response from the UK Government. The other area, of course, where there have been some significant changes, I think, in response to the various representations, is in terms of retained EU law, which possibly provided a mechanism for the removal of employment rights and so on, and that's another matter that I'll report back on in due course.
Diolch. Ar hyn o bryd, mae cysylltiadau diwydiannol a chyfraith cyflogaeth fel y cyfryw yn fater a gadwyd yn ôl. Byddwn yn gweithio gyda phawb sydd am gefnogi a gwella amodau gwaith i wella deddfwriaeth sy'n effeithio ar bobl sy'n gweithio. Mae yna feysydd sy'n ategol i hynny. Wrth gwrs, rydym yn gweithio ar y cyd â'n partneriaid cymdeithasol ac wrth gwrs, rydym wedi pasio'r Bil Partneriaeth Gymdeithasol a Chaffael Cyhoeddus (Cymru), sydd bellach yn Ddeddf, neu sydd ar fin dod yn Ddeddf yn swyddogol, rwy'n credu, pan gaiff ei selio ymhen wythnos. Rydym hefyd wedi dangos ein bod wedi gwneud hynny mewn perthynas ag amrywiol ddarnau eraill o ddeddfwriaeth. Ar hyn o bryd, y meysydd allweddol rwy'n canolbwyntio arnynt—. A byddaf yn cael trafodaethau yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma, i geisio sicrwydd gan Lywodraeth y DU mewn gwirionedd y bydd yn parchu penderfyniadau Tŷ'r Arglwyddi. Byddai hynny'n golygu na fydd y ddeddfwriaeth yn berthnasol i Gymru. Byddaf yn adrodd yn ôl i'r Senedd maes o law, pan fyddwn yn gwybod beth fydd ymateb Llywodraeth y DU. Mae'r maes arall, wrth gwrs, lle bu rhai newidiadau sylweddol, rwy'n credu, mewn ymateb i'r gwahanol sylwadau a gyflwynwyd, yn ymwneud â chyfraith yr UE a ddargedwir, a oedd o bosibl yn darparu mecanwaith ar gyfer dileu hawliau cyflogaeth ac ati, ac mae hwnnw'n fater arall y byddaf yn adrodd yn ôl arno maes o law.
2. Pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi ei rhoi i ddatblygu rôl Fforwm Rhyng-Seneddol y DU o ran craffu ar faterion deddfwriaethol a chyfansoddiadol a'u goruchwylio? OQ59525
2. What consideration has the Counsel General given to the developing role of the UK Inter-Parliamentary Forum in the scrutiny and oversight of legislative and constitutional matters? OQ59525
Thank you for your question. I welcome the developing role of the forum and the improved scrutiny opportunity that it presents with regard to Governments across the United Kingdom.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Rwy'n croesawu rôl ddatblygol y fforwm a'r cyfle ar gyfer craffu gwell y mae'n ei gyflwyno mewn perthynas â Llywodraethau ledled y Deyrnas Unedig.
I'm sure the Counsel General would agree with me that the quality of government is only as good as the quality of the scrutiny of that Government, or, in this case, of those Governments across the UK. And indeed, the UK inter-parliamentary forum is starting to develop some musculature in its role now in the way that it does scrutiny—the increasing intergovernmental machinery, the agreements between Governments, the understandings between Governments. It's great to see the inroads, Dirprwy Lywydd, that we've made during this Senedd, with greater transparency and visibility here, where Ministers who attend inter-parliamentary committees will tell us in advance they're attending, what the agenda is, and report back to us. We can always do more here, but would he agree with me that the inter-parliamentary forum on a UK level probably has a greater role to play, now more than ever, in increasing the visibility of those discussions across the piste of the UK in this post-EU framework that we have? In the last meeting, we discussed the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, the Sewel convention, delegated legislation and more. Felicity Buchan MP, the Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, met with us to discuss those intergovernmental arrangements and we're looking to do more. So, does he share my hope that we can go further on the inter-parliamentary forum and raise the visibility and transparency and the quality of scrutiny of all of our Governments in this inter-governmental working?
Rwy'n siŵr y byddai'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn cytuno â mi fod ansawdd Llywodraeth ond cystal ag ansawdd y gwaith craffu ar y Llywodraeth honno, neu, yn yr achos hwn, ar y Llywodraethau ledled y DU. Ac yn wir, mae fforwm rhyng-seneddol y DU yn dechrau datblygu rhywfaint o gyhyrau yn ei rôl nawr yn y ffordd y mae'n craffu —y peiriannau rhynglywodraethol cynyddol, y cytundebau rhwng Llywodraethau, y ddealltwriaeth rhwng Llywodraethau. Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae'n wych gweld y tir rydym wedi'i ennill yn ystod y Senedd hon, gyda rhagor o dryloywder a gwelededd yma, lle bydd Gweinidogion sy'n mynychu pwyllgorau rhyng-seneddol yn dweud wrthym ymlaen llaw eu bod yn mynychu, beth yw'r agenda, ac yn adrodd yn ôl. Gallwn wneud mwy yma bob amser, ond a fyddai'n cytuno â mi fod gan y fforwm rhyng-seneddol ar lefel y DU fwy o rôl i'w chwarae yn ôl pob tebyg, nawr yn fwy nag erioed, yn cynyddu gwelededd y trafodaethau hynny ledled y DU yn y fframwaith ôl-UE sydd gennym? Yn y cyfarfod diwethaf, buom yn trafod Bil Cyfraith yr UE a Ddargedwir (Dirymu a Diwygio), confensiwn Sewel, deddfwriaeth ddirprwyedig a mwy. Cyfarfu Felicity Buchan AS, Is-Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yr Adran Ffyniant Bro, Tai a Chymunedau, â ni i drafod y trefniadau rhynglywodraethol hynny ac rydym yn gobeithio gwneud mwy. Felly, a yw'n rhannu fy ngobaith y gallwn fynd ymhellach ar y fforwm rhyng-seneddol a chodi gwelededd a thryloywder ac ansawdd craffu ar ein holl Lywodraethau yn y gwaith rhynglywodraethol hwn?
I thank the Member for those comments, because the points you make are very important. I have attended those, as you do now. The co-operation and collaboration of parliamentarians I think is an incredibly useful means of ensuring effective and consistent scrutiny of UK Government. I think what the forum also does, as a UK parliamentary forum, is it brings together all those or many of those organisations and bodies that are involved in scrutiny in the various Parliaments of the UK in a rather unique way. I've certainly been of the view for some time that it should actually become a formal parliamentary body that is supported by the four Parliaments of the United Kingdom.
What is also interesting about it, of course, is, in those constitutional areas, there is an incredible amount of cross-party support for many of the issues. So, sometimes, the polarisation that exists in some of the arguments or discussions on constitutional issues isn't quite as significant, because they are looked at on a whole-UK basis, involving all four parties. I attended the second meeting of the forum, in October 2022, and I'd certainly be very willing and keen to attend future meetings, and I hope future meetings will be held in Wales. I will be happy to engage with it. I'm happy to engage in its evidence sessions. And then just to re-emphasise the point, which I think is probably the substance of your question, that it really just needs to now be brought onto a formal parliamentary level.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y sylwadau hynny, oherwydd mae'r pwyntiau a wnewch yn bwysig iawn. Rwyf wedi mynychu'r rheini, fel rydych chi'n ei wneud nawr. Credaf fod cydweithrediad seneddwyr yn ffordd hynod ddefnyddiol o sicrhau craffu effeithiol a chyson ar Lywodraeth y DU. Rwy'n credu mai'r hyn y mae'r fforwm hefyd yn ei wneud, fel fforwm seneddol y DU, yw dwyn ynghyd yr holl sefydliadau a chyrff sy'n ymwneud â chraffu ar wahanol Seneddau'r DU mewn ffordd eithaf unigryw. Yn sicr, fy marn ers peth amser yw y dylai ddod yn gorff seneddol ffurfiol a gefnogir gan bedair Senedd y Deyrnas Unedig.
Yr hyn sydd hefyd yn ddiddorol amdano wrth gwrs, yn y meysydd cyfansoddiadol hynny, yw bod yna lawer iawn o gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i lawer o'r materion. Felly, weithiau, nid yw'r polareiddio sy'n bodoli yn rhai o'r dadleuon neu'r trafodaethau ar faterion cyfansoddiadol lawn mor arwyddocaol, oherwydd eu bod yn cael eu hystyried ar sail y DU gyfan, gan gynnwys y pedwar parti. Mynychais ail gyfarfod y fforwm ym mis Hydref 2022, a byddwn yn sicr yn barod iawn ac yn awyddus i fynychu cyfarfodydd yn y dyfodol, ac rwy'n gobeithio y cynhelir cyfarfodydd yn y dyfodol yng Nghymru. Byddaf yn hapus i ymwneud â hynny. Rwy'n hapus i gymryd rhan yn ei sesiynau tystiolaeth. Ac i ail-bwysleisio'r pwynt felly, sef sylwedd eich cwestiwn rwy'n credu, mae angen iddo gael ei godi i lefel seneddol ffurfiol nawr.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Ac yn gyntaf, llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Darren Millar.
We turn now to questions from the party spokespeople. First of all, the Conservatives' spokesperson, Darren Millar.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, will you provide an update on the latest proposals for a Senedd reform Bill?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Weinidog, a wnewch chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y cynigion diweddaraf ar gyfer Bil diwygio'r Senedd?
Thank you for your question. The Senedd reform Bill is work in progress. Of course, it is a matter that is linked very strongly to the co-operation agreement, and preparations are under way in respect of a number of the aspects of the Senedd reform Bill. I would hope that, by the autumn, it will be possible to table legislation setting out the terms of Senedd reform. Senedd reform, of course, is based very much on the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform recommendations. It's not a Bill that is being brought by Government, per se, but it is in fact a Senedd Bill, based on the special purpose committee recommendations, and the role I see, as the Minister who'll be taking this forward, is to convert those recommendations and agreements into legislation.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Mae Bil diwygio'r Senedd yn waith sydd ar y gweill. Wrth gwrs, mae'n fater sydd wedi'i gysylltu'n gryf iawn â'r cytundeb cydweithio, ac mae paratoadau ar y gweill mewn perthynas â nifer o'r agweddau ar Fil diwygio'r Senedd. Byddwn yn gobeithio, erbyn yr hydref, y bydd modd cyflwyno deddfwriaeth sy'n nodi telerau diwygio'r Senedd. Mae diwygio'r Senedd, wrth gwrs, wedi'i seilio'n fawr ar argymhellion y Pwyllgor Diben Arbennig ar Ddiwygio'r Senedd. Nid yw'n Fil sy'n cael ei gyflwyno gan y Llywodraeth, fel y cyfryw, ond Bil y Senedd ydyw mewn gwirionedd, sy'n seiliedig ar argymhellion y pwyllgor diben arbennig, a'r rôl a welaf i, fel y Gweinidog a fydd yn bwrw ymlaen â hyn, yw trosi'r argymhellion a'r cytundebau hynny'n ddeddfwriaeth.
As you well know, Minister, the Senedd reform Bill is the product of a dodgy backroom deal between the First Minister and the now former leader of Plaid Cymru, and it's not a Bill that we will be supporting. We don't believe that the public has an appetite for more politicians here in Wales, especially when it's going to cost around £100 million—[Interruption.]
Fel y gwyddoch yn iawn, Weinidog, mae Bil diwygio'r Senedd yn gynnyrch cytundeb cyfrinachol amheus rhwng y Prif Weinidog a chyn arweinydd Plaid Cymru erbyn hyn, ac nid yw'n Fil y byddwn yn ei gefnogi. Nid ydym yn credu bod gan y cyhoedd awydd am fwy o wleidyddion yma yng Nghymru, yn enwedig pan fo'n mynd i gostio oddeutu £100 miliwn—[Torri ar draws.]
Can we all allow the question to be asked, please?
A gawn ni i gyd ganiatáu i'r cwestiwn gael ei ofyn, os gwelwch yn dda?
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Especially when it's going to cost over £100 million over a five-year term. Now, one of the things that you referred to yesterday in your statement on electoral reform was the suggestion that you would progress work on electoral reform in the new Senedd reform Bill, which will come out later this year. That's raised the spectre of the return, potentially, of extending the franchise for voting to prisoners. Can you tell us: are you planning to introduce an extension to the franchise to allow prisoners to vote in Welsh elections?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
Yn enwedig pan fydd yn costio dros £100 miliwn dros gyfnod o bum mlynedd. Nawr, un o'r pethau roeddech yn cyfeirio ato ddoe yn eich datganiad ar ddiwygio etholiadol oedd yr awgrym y byddech yn bwrw ymlaen â gwaith ar ddiwygio etholiadol yn y Bil newydd ar ddiwygio'r Senedd, a fydd yn cael ei gyhoeddi yn ddiweddarach eleni. Mae hynny wedi codi'r pryder y gallem weld estyn yr etholfraint pleidleisio i garcharorion yn dychwelyd. A wnewch chi ddweud wrthym: a ydych yn bwriadu cyflwyno estyniad i'r etholfraint i ganiatáu i garcharorion bleidleisio yn etholiadau Cymru?
I can tell you that that last issue that you raised is not on my agenda in terms of the content of the legislation.
Gallaf ddweud wrthych nad yw'r mater olaf a godwyd gennych ar fy agenda o ran cynnwys y ddeddfwriaeth.
Well, I'm very, very pleased to hear that, Minister, and so will members of the public be pleased to hear it. Because what we did not want to see was a return to the attempt that your Government made in the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act, back in 2021, when you were planning to introduce an extension to the franchise, so that rapists, sexual offenders, people who were—[Interruption.]—people who were convicted of child pornography offences, and others—[Interruption.] It's not nonsense. This was—[Interruption.] This was—[Interruption.] These are statements of fact.
Wel, rwy'n falch iawn o glywed hynny, Weinidog, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd y cyhoedd yn falch o'i glywed hefyd. Oherwydd nid oeddem am ddychwelyd at yr ymgais a wnaeth eich Llywodraeth yn Neddf Llywodraeth Leol ac Etholiadau (Cymru), yn ôl yn 2021, pan oeddech yn bwriadu cyflwyno estyniad i'r etholfraint, fel bod treiswyr, troseddwyr rhywiol, pobl a oedd—[Torri ar draws.]—pobl a gafwyd yn euog o droseddau pornograffi plant, ac eraill—[Torri ar draws.] Nid yw'n nonsens. Roedd hyn—[Torri ar draws.] Roedd hyn—[Torri ar draws.] Mae'r rhain yn ddatganiadau ffeithiol.
Can I ensure, please, that the Member is allowed to ask the question, and that the Member focuses upon the question?
A gaf fi sicrhau, os gwelwch yn dda, fod yr Aelod yn cael gofyn y cwestiwn, a bod yr Aelod yn canolbwyntio ar y cwestiwn?
I am focusing upon the question. And the point of the matter is that your Government has previously brought plans forward for enabling the franchise to be extended to prisoners who have sentences of four years or less, which includes, according to the sentencing guidelines, those sorts of offences that I just listed. Now, given that those plans and proposals were dropped, and that you've committed to not bringing them back, because they're about as popular as a cup of cold sick, will you agree with me that you need to take into account the views of the public when it comes to the new Senedd reform Bill, and that there needs to be a condition that it will not be actually implemented unless there's a referendum? [Laughter.]
Rwy'n canolbwyntio ar y cwestiwn. A phwynt y mater yw bod eich Llywodraeth wedi cyflwyno cynlluniau o'r blaen ar gyfer estyn yr etholfraint i garcharorion sydd â dedfryd o bedair blynedd neu lai, sy'n cynnwys, yn unol â'r canllawiau dedfrydu, y mathau o droseddau rwyf newydd eu rhestru. Nawr, o ystyried bod y cynlluniau a'r cynigion hynny wedi'u gollwng, a'ch bod wedi ymrwymo i beidio â'u dwyn yn ôl, oherwydd eu bod yn amhoblogaidd iawn, a ydych yn cytuno â mi bod angen ichi ystyried safbwyntiau'r cyhoedd ar y Bil newydd i ddiwygio'r Senedd, a bod angen amod na fydd yn cael ei weithredu oni cheir refferendwm? [Chwerthin.]
Well, thank you for the question.
Wel, diolch am y cwestiwn.
I know you don't like popular public opinion.
Rwy'n gwybod nad ydych yn hoffi barn gyhoeddus boblogaidd.
Can I just say I'm really, really surprised at the attitude? Because one of my concerns is that, in the legislation that we bring forward, and the reforms that we do, there are many things we would like to do, there are many things we might do in the future. I have very much in mind the integrity of legislation, the need that it has to be clear, particularly when you're making changes. So, the issues in terms of the potential for prisoners voting, which occurs in many countries, actually, around the world—it's not on that particular principle. What I would say is this: with our prison system, which is growing and growing under this Government, where, in actual fact, we have many people in prison who probably should not be in prison, one of the things we should be really paying attention to—and it's why things like youth justice and the devolution of probation and so on are so important—is how people who have ended up in prison, who have committed offences, can be rehabilitated into becoming citizens again, becoming integrated in society.
Now, I think the approach that you're adopting, basically, is, once you're in prison, that's it, lock the door, throw away the key. That seems to be the whole approach of the Conservative Party to justice. We actually take justice seriously. We also take the rehabilitation of issues around prisoners seriously, and how you bring people back in, because, when people do come out of prison, we have very great concerns over the levels of recidivism—the fact that people end up back in prison. It is not only extremely costly, it's costly socially, economically, it has impacts on families and so on. So, we actually want what is an improved prison and probation service, and we want an improved justice system. The reality is, under the Conservatives, all of those have deteriorated, to an appalling state. If this Government were ever to be elected, we'd be back into Victorian types of punishment and imprisonment.
A gaf fi ddweud fy mod yn synnu'n fawr at yr agwedd? Oherwydd un o fy mhryderon yw bod yna lawer o bethau y byddem yn hoffi eu gwneud yn y ddeddfwriaeth rydym yn ei chyflwyno, a'r diwygiadau a wnawn, a bod yna lawer o bethau y gallem eu gwneud yn y dyfodol. Mae cywirdeb deddfwriaeth ar flaen fy meddwl, a'r angen iddi fod yn glir, yn enwedig pan fyddwch yn gwneud newidiadau. Felly, mae'r materion sy'n ymwneud â'r potensial i garcharorion bleidleisio, sy'n digwydd mewn llawer o wledydd o gwmpas y byd mewn gwirionedd—nid yw'n ymwneud â'r egwyddor benodol honno. Yr hyn y byddwn i'n ei ddweud yw hyn: gyda'n system garchardai, sy'n tyfu a thyfu o dan y Llywodraeth hon, lle mae gennym lawer o bobl yn y carchar na ddylent fod yn y carchar yn ôl pob tebyg, un o'r pethau y dylem roi sylw go iawn iddo—a dyma pam mae pethau fel cyfiawnder ieuenctid a datganoli prawf ac ati mor bwysig—yw sut y gellir adsefydlu pobl sydd wedi cyrraedd y carchar, sydd wedi cyflawni troseddau, i ddod yn ddinasyddion eto, a chael eu hintegreiddio yn y gymdeithas.
Nawr, rwy'n credu mai'r dull rydych chi'n ei fabwysiadu, yn y bôn, yw, pan fyddwch yn y carchar, dyna ni, clowch y drws, taflwch yr allwedd. Ymddengys mai dyna yw dull y Blaid Geidwadol o weithredu cyfiawnder. Rydym ni o ddifrif ynglŷn â chyfiawnder. Rydym o ddifrif hefyd ynghylch materion yn ymwneud ag adsefydlu carcharorion, a sut rydych yn cynnwys pobl unwaith eto, oherwydd, pan fydd pobl yn gadael y carchar, mae gennym bryderon mawr iawn ynghylch lefelau aildroseddu—y ffaith bod pobl yn dychwelyd i'r carchar. Mae’n gostus tu hwnt, ond mae hefyd yn gostus yn gymdeithasol, yn economaidd, mae'n cael effaith ar deuluoedd ac yn y blaen. Felly, rydym eisiau gwell gwasanaeth carchardai a phrawf ac rydym eisiau gwell system gyfiawnder. O dan y Ceidwadwyr, y realiti yw bod pob un o'r rheini wedi dirywio, i gyflwr echrydus. Pe bai'r Llywodraeth hon yn cael ei hethol byth, byddem yn dychwelyd i fathau Fictoraidd o gosbi a charcharu.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The arrest of scores of peaceful protestors at the coronation marks the latest chilling chapter in this Conservative Government's clamp down on civic dissent. As has been the case for some time, there are no more prolific purveyors of cancel culture than the current iteration of the Tory party, who have introduced a series of draconian measures when confronted by the merest suggestion that their ideological agenda might not be universally popular. The targeting of republican protestors at the coronation was the first major use of powers granted by the Public Order Bill, which has granted police in Wales and England the ability to stop and search without suspicion, and act upon disproportionately authoritarian provision of the serious disruption prevention orders.
The expansion of stop-and-search powers will also carry with it problematic racial implications, especially at a time when public confidence in police attitudes towards race has been profoundly shaken. Statistics show that black people are already six to seven times more likely to be subjected to stop and search, compared to white people. Unfortunately, since justice and policing is not devolved in Wales, in contrast to Scotland and Northern Ireland, this piece of legislation has been imposed upon us whether we like it or not. Furthermore, in the latest attempt to perfect his Tory tribute act, Keir Starmer has repeatedly refused to repeal the legislation if Labour form the next Westminster Government.
Can I therefore ask the Minister for the Welsh Government’s position on the Public Order Act 2023, and does he agree that the only way to prevent such damaging and badly thought-through legislation being imposed upon Wales in future is to push for the full devolution of policing and justice?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Mae arestio ugeiniau o brotestwyr heddychlon yn ystod y coroni yn nodi'r bennod iasol ddiweddaraf yng nghyfyngiadau'r Llywodraeth Geidwadol hon ar anghydweld dinesig. Fel sydd wedi bod yn wir ers peth amser, cefnogwyr mwyaf tanbaid diwylliant canslo yw'r ffurf bresennol ar y blaid Dorïaidd, sydd wedi cyflwyno cyfres o fesurau llym yn wyneb yr awgrym lleiaf nad yw eu hagenda ideolegol yn boblogaidd yn gyffredinol. Targedu protestwyr gweriniaethol yn y coroni oedd y defnydd mawr cyntaf o bwerau a roddwyd gan y Bil Trefn Gyhoeddus, sydd wedi rhoi gallu i'r heddlu yng Nghymru a Lloegr stopio a chwilio heb amheuaeth, a gweithredu ar ddarpariaeth anghymesur o awdurdodaidd y gorchmynion atal tarfu difrifol.
Bydd ehangu pwerau stopio a chwilio hefyd yn arwain at oblygiadau hiliol problemus, yn enwedig ar adeg pan fo hyder y cyhoedd yn agweddau'r heddlu tuag at hil wedi'i ysgwyd yn ddirfawr. Mae ystadegau'n dangos bod pobl ddu eisoes chwech i saith gwaith yn fwy tebygol o fod yn destun stopio a chwilio, o'i gymharu â phobl wyn. Yn anffodus, gan nad yw cyfiawnder a phlismona wedi'u datganoli yng Nghymru, yn wahanol i'r Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon, mae'r ddeddfwriaeth hon wedi'i gosod arnom p'un a ydym yn hoffi hynny ai peidio. Ar ben hynny, yn yr ymgais ddiweddaraf i berffeithio ei ddynwarediad o'r Torïaid, dro ar ôl tro mae Keir Starmer wedi gwrthod diddymu'r ddeddfwriaeth os mai Llafur fydd yn ffurfio Llywodraeth nesaf San Steffan.
A gaf fi ofyn i'r Gweinidog felly am safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru ar Ddeddf Trefn Gyhoeddus 2023, ac a yw'n cytuno mai'r unig ffordd o atal deddfwriaeth mor niweidiol a difeddwl rhag cael ei gorfodi ar Gymru yn y dyfodol yw pwyso am ddatganoli plismona a chyfiawnder yn llawn?
Well, thank you for the question. Of course, the position of Welsh Government is for the devolution of policing, and I think that is something that will happen. We've actually moved quite a long way towards it, insofar as the partnership models and so on that have been created, where a lot of that is already happening. And I see very little resistance to the logic of that actually happening. And if you talk to members of the public, I think they are supportive of that as well, and, when you talk about policing, you talk about communities and community safety.
Can I just make a comment, then, on the point you raised about the Public Order Act 2023? The position of Welsh Government is very much opposed to that legislation. We had no engagement with it. We had no consultation over it. It is a reserved matter at the moment, but, clearly, it impacts on the broader interests that we have in civil liberties in our society, freedoms within our society more generally. The reason why it concerned me, and I think it's probably the reason why the Metropolitan Police have now issued an apology in respect of a number of the arrests, is when I looked at what was happening in Moscow, and you saw an individual stand up and protest and hold a blank placard, and do nothing else, and getting arrested for the sake of it, and then when you see the same thing happening in London, it is a question of asking what is the difference between the two. How can we be outraged at the one, but then we can't be outraged when it happens in our own backyard? And I think that probably says it all.
Wel, diolch am y cwestiwn. Wrth gwrs, safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru yw y dylid datganoli plismona, a chredaf fod hynny'n rhywbeth a fydd yn digwydd. Rydym wedi symud cryn dipyn tuag ato mewn gwirionedd, i'r graddau fod y modelau partneriaeth ac ati wedi'u creu, lle mae llawer o hynny eisoes yn digwydd. Ac ychydig iawn o wrthwynebiad a welaf i'r rhesymeg dros wneud hynny. Ac os siaradwch ag aelodau o'r cyhoedd, rwy'n credu eu bod yn gefnogol i hynny hefyd, a phan siaradwch am blismona, rydych yn sôn am gymunedau a diogelwch cymunedol.
A gaf fi wneud sylw, felly, ar y pwynt a godwyd gennych am Ddeddf Trefn Gyhoeddus 2023? Mae safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru yn wrthwynebus iawn i'r ddeddfwriaeth honno. Ni chawsom unrhyw ymwneud â hi. Ni wnaed unrhyw ymgynghori â ni yn ei chylch. Mae'n fater a gedwir yn ôl ar hyn o bryd, ond yn amlwg, mae'n effeithio ar y buddiannau ehangach sydd gennym o ran rhyddid sifil yn ein cymdeithas, a rhyddid o fewn ein cymdeithas yn fwy cyffredinol. Y rheswm pam ei bod yn fy mhoeni, ac rwy'n credu mai dyma'r rheswm pam mae'r Heddlu Metropolitanaidd bellach wedi cyhoeddi ymddiheuriad mewn perthynas â nifer o'r arestiadau, yw pan edrychais ar yr hyn a oedd yn digwydd yn Moskva (Moscow), ac fe weloch chi unigolyn yn sefyll a phrotestio a chodi placard gwag, a gwneud dim byd arall, a chael ei arestio am y peth, ac yna pan welwch yr un peth yn digwydd yn Llundain, mae'n fater o ofyn beth yw'r gwahaniaeth rhwng y ddau. Sut y gallwn ddangos dicter tuag at un, a pheidio â dangos dicter pan fydd yn digwydd yn ein gwlad ni? Ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n dweud y cyfan.
Diolch am yr ateb yna.
Thank you for that response.
Yes, thank you very much for that answer.
I'd like now to turn to another example of the Tory Government legislating in bad faith, namely the Elections Act 2022, which has implemented the new voter identification requirements for UK-wide elections. As has been confirmed by extensive analysis into the matter by the Electoral Commission, instances of voter fraud across the UK are exceedingly rare. Indeed, in the whole of 2022, only seven cases of alleged electoral fraud at the polling stations were investigated by the police, and none resulted in any further action being taken. The new requirements are therefore a solution to a problem that does not exist, and are estimated to cost approximately £200 million to implement at a time when public finances are stretched to breaking point. But even more unsettling are the implications for voting rights and how these new requirements could impose barriers to electoral participation. The problem is particularly pertinent to Wales. A recent study for the London School of Economics and Political Science showed that over a quarter of residents in Blaenau Gwent, Dwyfor Meirionnydd and Preseli Pembrokeshire are not UK passport holders. Meanwhile—
Ie, diolch yn fawr iawn am yr ateb hwnnw.
Hoffwn droi nawr at enghraifft arall o'r Llywodraeth Dorïaidd yn deddfu'n amhriodol, sef Deddf Etholiadau 2022, sydd wedi gweithredu'r gofynion newydd mewn perthynas ag adnabod pleidleiswyr ar gyfer etholiadau'r DU. Fel y cadarnhawyd gan ddadansoddiadau helaeth o'r mater gan y Comisiwn Etholiadol, mae achosion o dwyll pleidleiswyr ledled y DU yn hynod o brin. Yn wir, yn 2022, dim ond saith achos o dwyll etholiadol honedig yn y gorsafoedd pleidleisio a archwiliwyd gan yr heddlu, ac nid arweiniodd yr un ohonynt at roi unrhyw gamau pellach ar waith. Felly, mae'r gofynion newydd yn ddatrysiad i broblem nad yw'n bodoli, ac amcangyfrifir eu bod yn costio tua £200 miliwn i'w gweithredu ar adeg pan fo cyllid cyhoeddus yn cael ei ymestyn i'r eithaf. Ond mae'r goblygiadau i hawliau pleidleisio a sut y gallai'r gofynion newydd hyn osod rhwystrau i gyfranogiad etholiadol yn fwy gofidus byth. Mae'r broblem yn arbennig o berthnasol i Gymru. Dangosodd astudiaeth ddiweddar ar gyfer Ysgol Economeg a Gwyddor Gwleidyddiaeth Llundain nad yw dros chwarter y trigolion ym Mlaenau Gwent, Dwyfor Meirionnydd a Preseli Sir Benfro yn ddeiliaid pasbort y DU. Yn y cyfamser—
Peredur, I gave you a lot of flexibility in the first question. You need now to ask your second question.
Peredur, rhoddais lawer o hyblygrwydd i chi yn y cwestiwn cyntaf. Mae angen i chi ofyn eich ail gwestiwn nawr.
Sorry, okay. Does the Minister therefore agree that it should be a democratic imperative for any Government to ensure that the ability to vote is as accessible as possible? And could he confirm that the Welsh Government will not seek to replicate voter ID measures in Welsh elections?
Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, o'r gorau. A yw'r Gweinidog felly'n cytuno y dylai fod yn rheidrwydd democrataidd i unrhyw Lywodraeth sicrhau bod y gallu i bleidleisio mor hygyrch â phosibl? Ac a wnaiff gadarnhau na fydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ceisio efelychu mesurau adnabod pleidleiswyr yn etholiadau Cymru?
Thank you for the question. I think you probably know the answer because I've said it so many times in this Chamber that we have absolutely no intention as far Welsh elections are concerned, which are essentially the council and the Senedd elections, of introducing voter ID. I think the experience of what has happened—. As you say, it's a project that cost somewhere in the region of £200 million, and tens of thousands of people across the UK were actually denied a vote, and the fact is that, quite frankly, the introduction of that legislation was about voter suppression. As we know, a senior Cabinet Tory Member has made that admission very clear. His concern was not about the fact that they'd introduced the ID in that way, but they hadn't thought it through because it turned out that it seemed as though a lot of Conservative voters were turned away. So, it was the fact that the voter suppression had a different impact to what he expected, and that might explain why the Conservatives lost over 1,000 council seats.
Can I say it also raises the anomaly in terms of, when we look here—? In terms of the ethos underpinning our electoral strategy and reform agenda, it's about modernisation. It's about inclusion. I make this statement very clear. I don't care how people vote, in terms of our reforms, but what I want our reforms to do is to make it easier for people to vote and to maximise the number of people who actually do vote and participate within our democracy.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Rwy'n credu eich bod yn gwybod yr ateb oherwydd rwyf wedi dweud cymaint o weithiau yn y Siambr hon nad oes gennym unrhyw fwriad o gwbl yn etholiadau Cymru, sef yr etholiadau cynghorau a'r Senedd yn y bôn, o gyflwyno dull adnabod pleidleiswyr. Rwy'n meddwl bod y profiad o'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd—. Fel y dywedwch, mae'n brosiect a gostiodd oddeutu £200 miliwn, a gwrthodwyd pleidlais i ddegau o filoedd o bobl ledled y DU, a'r gwir amdani yw bod cyflwyno'r ddeddfwriaeth honno'n ymwneud ag atal pleidleiswyr. Fel y gwyddom, mae uwch Aelod o'r Cabinet Torïaidd wedi cyfaddef hynny'n glir iawn. Nid oedd yn pryderu eu bod wedi cyflwyno'r dull adnabod yn y ffordd honno, ond yn hytrach, nad oeddent wedi meddwl drwy'r peth yn iawn oherwydd roedd hi'n ymddangos bod llawer o bleidleiswyr Ceidwadol wedi'u gwrthod. Felly, roedd yn ymwneud â'r ffaith bod atal pleidleiswyr wedi cael effaith wahanol i'r hyn roedd wedi'i ddisgwyl, ac fe allai hynny egluro pam y collodd y Ceidwadwyr dros 1,000 o seddi cyngor.
A gaf fi ddweud ei fod hefyd yn dangos yr anghysondeb o ran, pan edrychwn yma—? O ran yr ethos sy'n sail i'n strategaeth etholiadol a'n hagenda ddiwygio, mae'n ymwneud â moderneiddio. Mae'n ymwneud â chynhwysiant. Rwy'n gwneud y datganiad hwn yn glir iawn. Nid wyf yn poeni sut mae pobl yn pleidleisio, o ran ein diwygiadau, ond yr hyn rwyf am i'n diwygiadau ei wneud yw ei gwneud yn haws i bobl bleidleisio a chael cynifer â phosibl o bobl i bleidleisio ac i gymryd rhan yn ein democratiaeth.
3. A wnaiff y Cwnsler Cyffredinol amlinellu'r costau i Lywodraeth Cymru o ddarparu diwygio'r Senedd? OQ59509
3. Will the Counsel General outline the costs to the Welsh Government of delivering Senedd reform? OQ59509
Preparation and delivery of Senedd reform legislation requires expenditure that is allocated in the 2023-24 budget. Detailed estimates of the financial implications of Senedd reform will be published alongside the Bill on introduction, in accordance with Standing Orders, for scrutiny by Members during the Bill's passage.
Mae paratoi a chyflawni deddfwriaeth diwygio'r Senedd yn galw am wariant sy'n cael ei ddyrannu yng nghyllideb 2023-24. Cyhoeddir amcangyfrifon manwl o oblygiadau ariannol diwygio'r Senedd ochr yn ochr â'r Bil wrth ei gyflwyno, yn unol â'r Rheolau Sefydlog, i'w craffu gan Aelodau yn ystod hynt y Bil.
I'd like to thank the Counsel General for his response. In a statement the First Minister made, he did state that it was an intention that the legislation would allow the Welsh Government to have up to 19 Ministers. The cost of these Ministers is as follows: if they were full Ministers, with senior special advisers, it would cost £869,000. If they were Deputy Ministers, with standard special advisers, it would be £645,000. Counsel General, do you agree with me that the general public out there watching these proceedings would much prefer that money be spent on people in need who are struggling, rather than actually putting Ministers behind desks in Welsh Government offices in Cathays Park?
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol am ei ymateb. Mewn datganiad a wnaed gan y Prif Weinidog, dywedodd fod bwriad i'r ddeddfwriaeth ganiatáu i Lywodraeth Cymru gael hyd at 19 o Weinidogion. Mae cost y Gweinidogion hyn fel a ganlyn: pe baent yn Weinidogion llawn, gydag uwch-gynghorwyr arbennig, byddai'n costio £869,000. Pe baent yn Ddirprwy Weinidogion, gyda chynghorwyr arbennig arferol, byddai'n £645,000. Gwnsler Cyffredinol, a ydych yn cytuno â mi y byddai'n well gan y cyhoedd sy'n gwylio'r trafodion hyn fod arian yn cael ei wario ar bobl mewn angen sy'n ei chael yn anodd, yn hytrach nag ar roi Gweinidogion y tu ôl i ddesgiau yn swyddfeydd Llywodraeth Cymru ym Mharc Cathays?
Well, I certainly think probably members of the public would not want a Government to be spending £200 million on voter ID cards to make it difficult for people to actually vote. I think what people do respect is a well-argued case that is put and, I believe, actually has cross-party support—perhaps more cross-party in certain areas than others—of the fact that there is a justifiable need for reform within this Senedd. The role of this Senedd has changed significantly since 1999, the responsibilities. From your side, very frequently you talk about the importance of scrutiny and the capacity for scrutiny. That is an important aspect of our democracy, and it's a matter that's been reported on; it's a matter where there was a special purposes committee that was set up that has looked at it, that has explored it. This is a process about improving our democracy, and all I can really say in response to the approach that you've adopted is that it's typical of the Tory party, isn't it? You know the price of everything, but you know the value of nothing. We see from the legislation that you've brought in that there's such little value of the civil liberties and the civil rights that we have within our society, that I'm very pleased that there is support within this Parliament for actually doing things that actually modernise to improve the democracy of this Parliament.
Wel, rwy'n sicr yn credu na fyddai aelodau o'r cyhoedd eisiau i Lywodraeth fod yn gwario £200 miliwn ar gardiau adnabod pleidleiswyr i'w gwneud yn anodd i bobl bleidleisio. Rwy'n credu mai'r hyn y mae pobl yn ei barchu yw achos wedi'i ddadlau'n dda ac sy'n ennyn cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol—efallai'n fwy trawsbleidiol mewn rhai meysydd nag eraill—i'r ffaith bod angen y gellir ei gyfiawnhau i ddiwygio o fewn y Senedd hon. Mae rôl y Senedd wedi newid yn sylweddol ers 1999, y cyfrifoldebau. O'ch ochr chi, yn aml iawn rydych yn siarad am bwysigrwydd craffu a'r gallu i graffu. Mae hynny'n agwedd bwysig ar ein democratiaeth, ac mae'n fater sydd wedi cael sylw; mae'n fater lle cafodd pwyllgor dibenion arbennig ei sefydlu i edrych arno, i'w archwilio. Mae hon yn broses sy'n ymwneud â gwella ein democratiaeth, a'r cyfan y gallaf ei ddweud wrth ymateb i'r ymagwedd rydych chi wedi'i mabwysiadu yw ei bod yn nodweddiadol o'r blaid Dorïaidd, onid yw? Rydych yn gwybod pris popeth, a gwerth dim byd. Gwelwn o'r ddeddfwriaeth rydych wedi'i chyflwyno cyn lleied o werth sydd i ryddid sifil a'r hawliau sifil sydd gennym yn ein cymdeithas, ac rwy'n falch iawn fod cefnogaeth o fewn y Senedd hon i wneud pethau sy'n moderneiddio er mwyn gwella democratiaeth y Senedd hon.
4. Beth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i atal lledaenu twyllwybodaeth yn ystod etholiadau Cymru? OQ59511
4. What is the Welsh Government doing to prevent the dissemination of disinformation during Welsh elections? OQ59511
We are committed to supporting voters exercising their democratic rights with access to good-quality information. We are helping young people recognise misinformation through the curriculum and we are exploring voter information provision as part of our electoral reform agenda.
Rydym wedi ymrwymo i gefnogi pleidleiswyr i arfer eu hawliau democrataidd gyda mynediad at wybodaeth o ansawdd da. Rydym yn helpu pobl ifanc i adnabod camwybodaeth drwy'r cwricwlwm ac rydym yn archwilio darparu gwybodaeth i bleidleiswyr fel rhan o'n hagenda diwygio etholiadol.
Thank you, Counsel General. Elections provoke a lot of online activity, and, at one level, that's a very good thing, to enable people to engage with the issues thrown up at any given election. However, there has been a tendency by online residents groups to be hijacked as promoters of one candidate or another whilst masquerading as something that's independent, and enabling them to block any views from members of the public that are at variance with that individual candidate. I don't wish to stifle debate in any way, but this can be seen as a way of getting round the absolutely appropriate restrictions on election campaigning to provide a level playing field for all candidates where they can only have a certain amount of expenditure by law, and also that they have to provide the details of the agent of that person so that there's a comeback if there's anything libellous or incorrect. So, what discussions has the Counsel General had with the Electoral Commission to ensure that any online groups are either giving equal access to all candidates during an election period, or, if not, are included as part of an individual candidate's election expenses to be declared as political advertising?
Diolch yn fawr, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Mae etholiadau'n ysgogi llawer o weithgarwch ar-lein, ac ar un lefel, mae hynny'n beth da iawn, i alluogi pobl i ymgysylltu â materion sy'n codi mewn unrhyw etholiad penodol. Fodd bynnag, gwelwyd tueddiad gan grwpiau preswylwyr ar-lein i gael eu cymryd drosodd fel hyrwyddwyr un ymgeisydd neu'r llall gan ymhonni bod yn rhywbeth sy'n annibynnol, a'u galluogi i atal unrhyw farn gan aelodau o'r cyhoedd sy'n wahanol i farn yr ymgeisydd unigol hwnnw. Nid wyf yn dymuno mygu trafodaeth mewn unrhyw ffordd, ond gellir ystyried hon yn ffordd o osgoi'r cyfyngiadau cwbl briodol ar ymgyrchu etholiadol i roi chwarae teg i bob ymgeisydd lle na allant gael mwy na swm penodol o wariant yn ôl y gyfraith, a bod rhaid iddynt ddarparu manylion asiant yr unigolyn hwnnw fel bod rhywun yn atebol os ceir unrhyw beth enllibus neu anghywir. Felly, pa drafodaethau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cael gyda'r Comisiwn Etholiadol i sicrhau bod unrhyw grwpiau ar-lein naill ai'n rhoi mynediad cyfartal i'r holl ymgeiswyr yn ystod cyfnod etholiad, neu fel arall, yn cael eu cynnwys yn rhan o dreuliau etholiad ymgeisydd unigol sydd i'w datgan fel hysbysebu gwleidyddol?
Well, can I say, the issues you raise are matters of considerable concern? I think they're concerns, really, across all particular parties. They relate to the development of social media, which is a phenomenon that has increased year on year and is one that is subject to considerable abuse, and we see that around the world. We have to look within the areas where there's capacity for us to see how we can impact on that. Of course, some of the aspects are reserved matters, and matters that we can engage with but we don't have the specific responsibility for. But over 55 per cent of the responses to our October electoral administration reform White Paper consultation were supportive of proposals, for example, for an online voter information platform. So, we're now, for example, exploring the feasibility of a platform to allow better access to information for all candidates within those processes. We're also working constructively with a range of organisations who have interest in this space, including the electoral commission and the Electoral Reform Society. I was discussing this specifically with them and others yesterday. We endorse their work in this area, and we're working very closely with them. We do want to see increasingly factual campaigning, and not some of the campaigning that we've seen or some of the things that we see on social media.
There are, of course, issues through the new curriculum. We're supporting young people to help them identify misinformation as they see it, and we've published a guide to help teachers to confidently tackle that. And there is also the issue of democratic health, and we intend to strengthen the offence of undue influence at elections. We will all know, and probably across all parties, people who might have stood as representatives who've chosen not to because they do not want to subject themselves to the sort of abuse on social media that actually takes place. So, the point you raise is a very concerning one.
There are some issues as well with regard to the fact that we consented last year to UK Government legislation, applying digital imprints as part of the Elections Act 2022, at that. So, this is a matter that is ongoing, keeping it very closely under review, looking at all ways in which we can actually ensure that our democratic health is protected and the freedom of people to stand and to participate and the rights of voters to have genuine and factual information presented to them are upheld.
Wel, a gaf fi ddweud, mae'r materion rydych yn eu codi yn bethau sy'n peri cryn bryder? Rwy'n credu eu bod yn bryderon ar draws pob plaid. Maent yn ymwneud â datblygiad cyfryngau cymdeithasol, ffenomen sydd wedi cynyddu flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn ac yn un sy'n destun cam-drin sylweddol, ac rydym yn gweld hynny ledled y byd. Mae'n rhaid inni edrych o fewn y meysydd lle mae gennym allu i weld sut y gallwn effeithio ar hynny. Wrth gwrs, mae rhai o'r agweddau yn faterion a gadwyd yn ôl, ac yn faterion y gallwn ymwneud â nhw ond nad oes gennym gyfrifoldeb penodol amdanynt. Ond roedd dros 55 y cant o'r ymatebion i'n hymgynghoriad Papur Gwyn ar ddiwygio gweinyddiaeth etholiadol ym mis Hydref yn gefnogol i gynigion, er enghraifft, ar gyfer platfform gwybodaeth i bleidleiswyr ar-lein. Felly, er enghraifft, rydym bellach yn archwilio dichonoldeb platfform i ganiatáu gwell mynediad at wybodaeth ar gyfer pob ymgeisydd yn y prosesau hynny. Rydym hefyd yn gweithio'n adeiladol gydag amrywiaeth o sefydliadau sydd â diddordeb yn y maes hwn, gan gynnwys y comisiwn etholiadol a'r Gymdeithas Diwygio Etholiadol. Roeddwn yn trafod hyn yn benodol gyda nhw ac eraill ddoe. Rydym yn cefnogi eu gwaith yn y maes hwn, ac rydym yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda nhw. Rydym am weld ymgyrchu cynyddol ffeithiol, ac nid peth o'r ymgyrchu a welsom na rhai o'r pethau a welsom ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol.
Wrth gwrs, mae materion yn codi yn y cwricwlwm newydd. Rydym yn cefnogi pobl ifanc i'w helpu i nodi camwybodaeth wrth iddynt ei gweld, ac rydym wedi cyhoeddi canllaw i helpu athrawon i fynd i'r afael â hynny'n hyderus. A cheir mater iechyd democrataidd hefyd, ac rydym yn bwriadu cryfhau'r drosedd o ddylanwad gormodol mewn etholiadau. Byddwn i gyd yn gwybod am bobl, ac ar draws pob plaid yn ôl pob tebyg, a allai fod wedi sefyll fel cynrychiolwyr ond sydd wedi dewis peidio â gwneud hynny am nad ydynt am ddod yn agored i'r math o gam-drin sy'n digwydd ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol. Felly, mae'r pwynt rydych yn ei godi yn un pryderus iawn.
Ceir rhai problemau hefyd mewn perthynas â'r ffaith ein bod wedi cydsynio i ddeddfwriaeth Llywodraeth y DU y llynedd, gan gymhwyso argraffnodau digidol fel rhan o Ddeddf Etholiadau 2022. Felly, mae hwn yn fater sy'n parhau, ac mae'n cael ei adolygu'n agos iawn, gan edrych ar bob ffordd y gallwn sicrhau bod ein hiechyd democrataidd yn cael ei ddiogelu a bod rhyddid pobl i sefyll a chymryd rhan, a hawliau pleidleiswyr i gael gwybodaeth ddilys a ffeithiol wedi'i chyflwyno iddynt yn cael eu cynnal.
5. Pa gyngor mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i roi i Lywodraeth Cymru ynglŷn â sicrhau bod y rheoliadau a wneir o dan Fil Caffael y Gwasanaeth Iechyd (Cymru) yn gydnaws â Deddf Marchnad Fewnol y Deyrnas Unedig 2020? OQ59515
5. What advice has the Counsel General provided to the Welsh Government regarding ensuring that regulations made under the Health Service Procurement (Wales) Bill are compatible with the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020? OQ59515
Well, thank you for your question. The Welsh Government's position in relation to the UK internal market Act is that when the Senedd legislates in non-reserved areas, it does so free from the requirements of the Act. This includes a situation where the Senedd legislates to confer regulation powers on the Welsh Ministers.
Wel, diolch am eich cwestiwn. Safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru mewn perthynas â Deddf marchnad fewnol y DU, pan fydd y Senedd yn deddfu mewn meysydd heb eu cadw'n ôl, yw ei bod yn gwneud hynny'n rhydd o ofynion y Ddeddf. Mae hyn yn cynnwys sefyllfa lle mae'r Senedd yn deddfu i roi pwerau rheoleiddio i Weinidogion Cymru.
Thank you for your response, Counsel General. I did actually raise this question with the Minister when she appeared before the Health and Social Care Committee, and I think we're still left with some confusion, because I just wonder how there can be such certainty that the regulations that come out from the Bill, should it become an Act, will not engage the internal market Act, when we do not know, of course, what those regulations will look like. Now, I understand, in terms of the health procurement Bill, that the working assumption is that the regulations will mirror those of England. But, should they diverge in the future, as the health Minister has made clear may happen, if desired, surely that will then change the legal advice to the Welsh Government. So, I'm asking how the Welsh Government can be so sure and confident that the internal market Act won't impact this particular set of regulations.
Diolch am eich ymateb, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Fe godais y cwestiwn hwn gyda'r Gweinidog pan ymddangosodd gerbron y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol, ac rwy'n credu ein bod yn dal i fod mewn peth dryswch, oherwydd tybed sut y gall fod cymaint o sicrwydd na fydd y rheoliadau sy'n deillio o'r Bil, pe bai'n dod yn Ddeddf, yn effeithio ar Ddeddf y farchnad fewnol, pan nad ydym yn gwybod, wrth gwrs, sut fydd y rheoliadau hynny'n edrych. Nawr, rwy'n deall, o ran Bil caffael y gwasanaeth iechyd, mai'r dybiaeth weithredol yw y bydd y rheoliadau'n adlewyrchu rhai Lloegr. Ond pe baent yn ymwahanu yn y dyfodol, fel y mae'r Gweinidog Iechyd wedi dweud yn glir y gallai ddigwydd, os dymunir, yn sicr ni fydd hynny'n newid y cyngor cyfreithiol i Lywodraeth Cymru. Felly, rwy'n gofyn sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru fod mor sicr a hyderus na fydd Deddf y farchnad fewnol yn effeithio ar y set benodol hon o reoliadau.
Well, I think we can say it's probably because the Welsh Government has excellent legal advisers. Look, our position is this: the Senedd's legislative competence isn't impacted by the UK internal market Act because the Government of Wales Act 2006 is a constitutional statute. And, in order for that to be amended for our devolved responsibilities to be impacted upon, any changes to that would have to be by express legislation. The UK internal market Act does not expressly do this. It does not, therefore, undermine the protected status of the Government of Wales Act. As I say, if that were to happen, it would have to be an amendment that would require express not implied amendment, and the UK internal market Act does not do this.
Wel, rwy'n credu y gallwn ddweud mai'r rheswm yn ôl pob tebyg yw bod gan Lywodraeth Cymru gynghorwyr cyfreithiol rhagorol. Edrychwch, ein safbwynt ni yw hyn: nid yw cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd yn cael ei effeithio gan Ddeddf marchnad fewnol y DU oherwydd bod Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006 yn statud cyfansoddiadol. Ac er mwyn i hynny gael ei ddiwygio er mwyn effeithio ar ein cyfrifoldebau datganoledig, byddai'n rhaid i unrhyw newidiadau i hynny ddigwydd drwy ddeddfwriaeth ddatganedig. Nid yw Deddf marchnad fewnol y DU yn gwneud hyn yn ddatganedig. Nid yw, felly, yn tanseilio statws gwarchodedig Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru. Fel y dywedais, pe bai hynny'n digwydd, byddai'n rhaid iddo fod yn welliant a fyddai'n galw am welliant datganedig nid gwelliant ymhlyg, ac nid yw Deddf marchnad fewnol y DU yn gwneud hyn.
6. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cael gyda swyddogion y gyfraith ynglŷn â gweithredu Deddf Trefn Gyhoeddus 2023? OQ59529
6. What discussions has the Counsel General had with law officers regarding the implementation of the Public Order Act 2023? OQ59529
Mae'r Ddeddf Trefn Gyhoeddus 2023 yn ymwneud â materion sydd wedi eu cadw yn ôl, a doedd Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig ddim wedi ymgynghori gyda ni am eu bwriad i gychwyn rhai darpariaethau penodol. Mae'n hanfodol bod pobl yn cael hawl a rhyddid i ddweud eu dweud a mynegi eu pryderon yn ddiogel a heddychlon.
The Public Order Act 2023 concerns reserved matters, and the UK Government did not consult with us regarding their plans to commence certain provisions when they did so. It is vital that people have the right to have their voices heard and express their concerns freely in a safe and peaceful way.
Diolch, Cwnsler Cyffredinol. You might correct me with this, because you probably have a slightly longer memory than I have, but I can't remember another occasion where the police have publicly expressed regret so shortly following an arrest. And it's clear that they've done that because there was no legal basis at all to arrest protesters at the coronation or, indeed, a super-royal fan who happened to be standing next to the protesters. What is also unusual is that this law was brought into force through a UK regulation with only a day's notice that it could be used against the protesters. Months are usually given to allow time to explain how a new offence will work in practice. Again, Cwnsler Cyffredinol, another example of rushed legislation being bad legislation. I'm sure this wasn't the intention of Parliament.
I'm pleased, in response to my colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths, that the Welsh Government, unlike the leader of the opposition in Westminster, still opposes this Act. Fortunately, protestors in Cardiff were not affected, but as policing in many ways is in fact devolved through the police and crime commissioners, what steps will the Counsel General take to ensure that this Act does not hinder peaceful protest here in Wales? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Efallai y byddwch yn fy nghywiro ar hyn, oherwydd mae'n debyg fod gennych gof ychydig yn hirach na fy un i, ond ni allaf gofio achlysur arall lle mae'r heddlu wedi mynegi edifeirwch yn gyhoeddus mor fuan ar ôl arestio. Ac mae'n amlwg eu bod wedi gwneud hynny oherwydd nad oedd sail gyfreithiol o gwbl i arestio protestwyr yn ystod y coroni, na'r cefnogwr brenhinol brwd a oedd yn digwydd sefyll wrth ymyl y protestwyr, yn wir. Yr hyn sy'n anarferol hefyd yw bod y gyfraith hon wedi dod i rym drwy reoliad y DU gyda dim ond diwrnod o rybudd y gellid ei defnyddio yn erbyn y protestwyr. Fel arfer, rhoddir misoedd i ganiatáu amser i esbonio sut y bydd trosedd newydd yn gweithio'n ymarferol. Unwaith eto, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, enghraifft arall o ddeddfwriaeth frysiog sy'n ddeddfwriaeth wael. Rwy'n siŵr nad dyna oedd bwriad y Senedd.
Mewn ymateb i fy nghyd-Aelod Peredur Owen Griffiths, rwy'n falch fod Llywodraeth Cymru, yn wahanol i arweinydd yr wrthblaid yn San Steffan, yn dal i wrthwynebu'r Ddeddf hon. Yn ffodus, nid effeithiwyd ar brotestwyr yng Nghaerdydd, ond gan fod plismona mewn sawl ffordd wedi'i ddatganoli drwy'r comisiynwyr heddlu a throseddu, pa gamau y bydd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn eu cymryd i sicrhau nad yw'r Ddeddf hon yn rhwystro protestio heddychlon yma yng Nghymru? Diolch yn fawr.
Thank you. You are right. I think what was interesting when you saw those arrests was that many of the people who were upset by the fact that it happened were people who were even there going to watch the coronation, who wanted to support it. Because I think deep down all people, whatever their views are on the issue of monarchy and so on, nevertheless are very, very strong upholders of some of our basic civil rights. And I think what became very clear was, when the outrage was beginning to be expressed on social media and in interviews by people across the board in the crowd that were there, I think the police realised that a big mistake had been made.
What was a real concern to me watching this, watching some of the events subsequently, was that there seemed to be considerable confusion among the police about what their role was, and what their responsibilities were—because their responsibilities are not just to uphold the law, but they also have responsibilities to protect the rights of citizens as well. So, that was a major concern to me, and was probably partly a result of the fact this Bill was very deliberately, specifically, rushed through in a non-parliamentarian way without due proper scrutiny and attention. And that point was actually raised by Conservative Members of Parliament as well, so there were cross-party voices on that as that Bill was going through.
I am reassured also that police here in Wales have confirmed that there were no arrests, and I think, as we’ve seen on previous occasions, the relationship we have, the partnership, the engagement, the ongoing engagement with the police and crime commissioners, I think means that we actually have what I think is a far more thoughtful and responsive way in which some of these issues are actually dealt with, including matters from other legislation—the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022—as well.
What I have an interest in keeping a very close eye on is that the UK Parliament's Home Affairs Committee will be holding an evidence session examining the Metropolitan Police’s approach to policing public protests, and the practical implications of the Public Order Act. So, I’ll take a very keen interest in that, and obviously there is ongoing engagement with our elected police and crime commissioners.
Diolch. Rydych yn llygad eich lle. Credaf mai’r hyn a oedd yn ddiddorol pan welsoch yr arestiadau hynny oedd bod llawer o’r bobl a oedd wedi’u cynhyrfu gan y ffaith ei fod wedi digwydd yn bobl a oedd yno i wylio’r coroni, ac a oedd am ei gefnogi. Oherwydd credaf fod pobl, yn y bôn, beth bynnag fo'u barn ar frenhiniaeth ac yn y blaen, yn gryf iawn o blaid rhai o'n hawliau sifil sylfaenol. Ac rwy'n credu mai'r hyn a ddaeth yn amlwg iawn, pan oedd y dicter yn dechrau cael ei fynegi ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol ac mewn cyfweliadau gan bobl o bob anian yn y dorf a oedd yno, yw bod yr heddlu wedi sylweddoli bod camgymeriad mawr wedi'i wneud.
Yr hyn a oedd yn bryder gwirioneddol i mi wrth wylio hyn, wrth wylio rhai o’r digwyddiadau wedyn, oedd ei bod yn ymddangos bod cryn ddryswch ymhlith yr heddlu ynglŷn â beth oedd eu rôl, a beth oedd eu cyfrifoldebau—gan nad cynnal y gyfraith yw eu hunig gyfrifoldeb, mae ganddynt gyfrifoldebau hefyd i ddiogelu hawliau dinasyddion. Felly, roedd hynny’n bryder mawr i mi, ac mae’n debyg fod hynny'n rhannol o ganlyniad i’r ffaith bod y Bil hwn wedi’i ruthro drwodd yn fwriadol ac yn benodol mewn ffordd anseneddol, heb y gwaith craffu a'r sylw priodol. A chodwyd y pwynt hwnnw gan Aelodau Seneddol Ceidwadol hefyd, felly codwyd lleisiau trawsbleidiol ar hynny wrth i’r Bil hwnnw fynd drwodd.
Rwyf hefyd wedi cael sicrwydd fod yr heddlu yma yng Nghymru wedi cadarnhau na wnaed unrhyw arestiadau, ac fel y gwelsom ar achlysuron blaenorol, rwy'n credu bod y berthynas sydd gennym, y bartneriaeth, yr ymgysylltiad, yr ymgysylltu parhaus â’r comisiynwyr heddlu a throseddu, yn golygu bod gennym ffordd sy'n llawer mwy ystyriol ac ymatebol yn fy marn i o ymdrin â rhai o'r materion hyn, gan gynnwys materion sy'n codi o ddeddfau eraill—Deddf yr Heddlu, Troseddu, Dedfrydu a’r Llysoedd 2022—hefyd.
Yr hyn y mae gennyf ddiddordeb mewn cadw llygad barcud arno yw y bydd Pwyllgor Materion Cartref Senedd y DU yn cynnal sesiwn dystiolaeth i archwilio dull yr Heddlu Metropolitanaidd o blismona protestiadau cyhoeddus, a goblygiadau ymarferol y Ddeddf Trefn Gyhoeddus. Felly, bydd gennyf gryn ddiddordeb yn hynny, ac yn amlwg, ceir ymgysylltiad parhaus â'n comisiynwyr heddlu a throseddu etholedig.
Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Y cwestiwn diwethaf—.
The last question—.
Cwestiwn 7, Huw Irranca-Davies.
Question 7, Huw Irranca-Davies.
7. Pa ystyriaeth y mae'r Gweinidog wedi ei rhoi i gynrychiolaeth Cymru ar gyngor partneriaeth y cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu? OQ59524
7. What consideration has the Minister given to Wales's representation on the trade and co-operation agreement partnership council? OQ59524
Thank you. The partnership council is in fact a meeting between the UK Government, which has the responsibility for international relations, and the European Commission. The devolved nations have observer status, as do the member states of the European Union, and take part in preparatory meetings including those of the inter-ministerial group on UK-EU relations.
Diolch. Mae’r cyngor partneriaeth mewn gwirionedd yn gyfarfod rhwng Llywodraeth y DU, sydd â’r cyfrifoldeb dros gysylltiadau rhyngwladol, a’r Comisiwn Ewropeaidd. Mae gan y gwledydd datganoledig statws sylwedydd, fel sydd gan aelod-wladwriaethau’r Undeb Ewropeaidd, ac maent yn cymryd rhan mewn cyfarfodydd paratoadol gan gynnwys cyfarfodydd y grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar gysylltiadau rhwng y DU a’r UE.
I thank the Counsel General for that response. Can I put on record my thanks to the UK delegation and the leadership, not least Sir Oliver Heald, for the way in which they’ve sought to include this Parliament in the proceedings of the parliamentary part of the partnership council when we meet, albeit with an observer status rather than full delegate status? At the last meeting in London, we joined others from devolved legislatures to address delegates at the full plenary session, in a special session. We observed the main debates on energy, trade, security, Ukraine, the Windsor agreement and much more, and we participated fully in the wider discussions and workshops outside of plenary too. Could I ask, what hopes does the Counsel General have for developing further the voice of Welsh Government in its role? But also, as that develops—and I hope that it will over time—that there’s a constructive engagement between UK Government and Welsh Government in making sure that the voice of Wales is heard at an EU level, and that also the voice of parliamentarians is heard as well.
Diolch i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol am ei ymateb. A gaf fi gofnodi fy niolch i ddirprwyaeth y DU a’r arweinyddiaeth, yn enwedig Syr Oliver Heald, am y ffordd y maent wedi ceisio cynnwys y Senedd hon yn nhrafodion rhan seneddol y cyngor partneriaeth pan fyddwn yn cyfarfod, er gyda statws sylwedydd yn hytrach na statws cynrychiolydd llawn? Yn y cyfarfod diwethaf yn Llundain, fe wnaethom ymuno ag eraill o'r deddfwrfeydd datganoledig i annerch cynrychiolwyr yn y cyfarfod llawn, mewn sesiwn arbennig. Fe wnaethom arsylwi ar y prif ddadleuon ar ynni, masnach, diogelwch, Wcráin, cytundeb Windsor a llawer mwy, ac fe wnaethom gymryd rhan lawn yn y trafodaethau ehangach a'r gweithdai y tu allan i'r cyfarfod llawn hefyd. A gaf fi ofyn, pa obeithion sydd gan y Cwnsler Cyffredinol ar gyfer datblygu llais Llywodraeth Cymru ymhellach yn ei rôl? Ond hefyd, wrth i hynny ddatblygu—ac rwy'n gobeithio y gwnaiff, dros amser—fod ymgysylltu adeiladol rhwng Llywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau bod llais Cymru yn cael ei glywed ar lefel yr UE, a bod llais seneddwyr yn cael ei glywed hefyd.
Thank you. Of course, just referring to the partnership council, there have been two meetings—21 June and, of course, there was then COVID and so on, and then 24 March. I think that what is interesting about it is that the observer status we have is the same observer status that Germany has, that France has and so on. So, it is an important one, but, of course, what is important is the extent to which devolved Governments are involved in the preparatory work that takes place before those particular meetings.
The inter-ministerial group is, therefore, an extremely important one. I think there is a need to look at the issue in terms of international trade issues and how those are impacted. But, the inter-ministerial group met on 21 March, ahead of the meeting of the partnership council on 24 March. It considered items that were specifically on the agenda for the partnership council. The Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, attended this meeting of the IMG on behalf of the Minister for Economy, who wasn't there.
There's also oversight of specialist committees. I think it is an important and growing area, because so many of these discussions impact on devolved functions. Therefore, that genuine engagement with the devolved Governments is an extremely important one, and I know it's one that's being kept under very close observation. It's something that we want to, obviously, see become consistent, regular and improved in quality, and be secure.
Diolch. Wrth gwrs, gan gyfeirio at y cyngor partneriaeth, cafwyd dau gyfarfod—21 Mehefin, ac wrth gwrs, daeth COVID ac yn y blaen wedyn, ac yna, 24 Mawrth. Credaf mai’r hyn sy’n ddiddorol amdano yw bod y statws sylwedydd sydd gennym yr un fath â'r statws sylwedydd sydd gan yr Almaen, Ffrainc ac yn y blaen. Felly, mae’n un pwysig, ond wrth gwrs, yr hyn sy’n bwysig yw i ba raddau y mae Llywodraethau datganoledig yn rhan o’r gwaith paratoi sy’n digwydd cyn y cyfarfodydd penodol hynny.
Mae’r grŵp rhyngweinidogol, felly, yn un eithriadol o bwysig. Credaf fod angen edrych ar y mater yng nghyd-destun materion masnach ryngwladol a sut yr effeithir arnynt. Ond cyfarfu’r grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar 21 Mawrth, cyn cyfarfod y cyngor partneriaeth ar 24 Mawrth. Ystyriodd eitemau a oedd yn benodol ar yr agenda ar gyfer y cyngor partneriaeth. Roedd y Gweinidog Materion Gwledig a Gogledd Cymru, a’r Trefnydd yn bresennol yng nghyfarfod y grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar ran Gweinidog yr Economi, nad oedd yno.
Ceir trosolwg hefyd ar bwyllgorau arbenigol. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn faes pwysig sy’n tyfu, gan fod cymaint o’r trafodaethau hyn yn effeithio ar swyddogaethau datganoledig. Felly, mae'r ymgysylltu gwirioneddol hwnnw â'r Llywodraethau datganoledig yn eithriadol o bwysig, a gwn ei fod yn rhywbeth sy'n cael ei gadw dan oruchwyliaeth fanwl iawn. Yn amlwg, mae'n rhywbeth rydym am ei weld yn dod yn gyson, yn rheolaidd ac yn well o ran ei ansawdd, ac yn fwy sicr.
Y cwestiwn olaf gan Jack Sargeant.
The final question, Jack Sargeant.
8. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cael gyda swyddogion y gyfraith ynglŷn ag ymgyrch cyfraith Hillsborough? OQ59528
8. What discussions has the Counsel General had with law officers regarding the Hillsborough law campaign? OQ59528
Thank you for your question. On this, we are committed to exploring the best ways to help ensure that victims and their families have their voices heard following any major incident, and are considering what we can do in Wales to make sure that victims are advocated for at a national level when tragedies occur.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn. Ar hyn, rydym wedi ymrwymo i archwilio’r ffyrdd gorau o helpu i sicrhau bod lleisiau dioddefwyr a’u teuluoedd yn cael eu clywed yn dilyn unrhyw ddigwyddiad mawr, ac rydym yn ystyried yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud yng Nghymru i sicrhau bod dioddefwyr yn cael eiriolaeth ar lefel genedlaethol pan fo trasiedïau'n digwydd.
I'm very grateful to the Counsel General for his answer. As the Counsel General knows, the Hillsborough Law Now campaign is about giving ordinary people real access to justice. The UK Conservative Government are bringing forward a Victims and Prisoners Bill that will simply not achieve this; it does not go far enough, Counsel General. Keir Starmer has committed to bringing forward a Hillsborough law when he is Prime Minister. Given your continuous support, which I'm very grateful for, Counsel General, will you begin the work here in Wales to ensure the Welsh Government will do all it can to support Keir Starmer and a Labour Government in implementing and bringing forward a Hillsborough law now?
Rwy’n ddiolchgar iawn i’r Cwnsler Cyffredinol am ei ateb. Fel y gŵyr y Cwnsler Cyffredinol, mae ymgyrch Hillsborough Law Now yn ymwneud â rhoi mynediad gwirioneddol at gyfiawnder i bobl gyffredin. Mae Llywodraeth Geidwadol y DU yn cyflwyno Bil Dioddefwyr a Charcharorion na fydd yn cyflawni hyn; nid yw’n mynd yn ddigon pell, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Mae Keir Starmer wedi ymrwymo i gyflwyno cyfraith Hillsborough pan fydd yn Brif Weinidog y DU. O ystyried eich cefnogaeth barhaus, cefnogaeth rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn amdani, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, a wnewch chi ddechrau ar y gwaith yma yng Nghymru i sicrhau y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud popeth yn ei gallu i gefnogi Keir Starmer a Llywodraeth Lafur i weithredu a chyflwyno cyfraith Hillsborough nawr?
Well, can I first of all thank the Member for his continual and consistent advocacy of the rights of those people who are victims of major tragedies? Can I also make the comment, and it's one that I've made before, that the real answer to this is the fact that legal aid should be made available to people as a matter of right. There would be no great complexity in actually including a provision whereby when a major incident occurs, legal aid will be made available.
The UK Government is bringing forward a Victims and Prisoners Bill. It includes provisions for the UK Secretary of State to appoint an independent public advocate to support victims of major incidents in England and Wales. It is not at all clear who those people would be, what their status would be, what their role and their functions would be, what their powers would be and whether they're there to support and give assistance, because if that's the case, it really isn't adequate. It has been difficult to get clarity from the UK Government as to what their thinking is on this, so there are, of course, ongoing engagements to ascertain what that would be.
I have quite a number of concerns, because were there to be a major incident within Wales, we would want to ensure that the Welsh Government was able to provide a mechanism whereby citizens of Wales were impacted. Of course, events, when they occur, are very rarely just tied to one particular country. Quite often, there are also conflicts between those people who are impacted, so there are all of those issues that have to be thought through as well.
What I can say is that I do think we have to explore everything that we can do within our powers to help people secure access to justice in all circumstances. We do support the idea of an advocate for victims in the wake of major incidents, but we have real concerns that these provisions do not properly reflect the devolution settlement; they've not been properly thought out yet and there's still quite a lot of discussion and work to be ongoing to see where these provisions go. I support the commitment that Keir Starmer has given to the fact that they will introduce a Hillsborough law, but in the meantime, we will certainly continue to explore this, we’ll continue to work, and I thank you for your engagement, for raising this issue.
Wel, a gaf fi ddiolch yn gyntaf i’r Aelod am y modd parhaus a chyson y mae'n dadlau dros hawliau’r bobl sy’n ddioddefwyr trasiedïau mawr? A gaf fi hefyd wneud y sylw, ac mae'n un rwyf wedi'i wneud o'r blaen, mai'r ateb go iawn i hyn yw'r ffaith y dylai cymorth cyfreithiol fod ar gael i bobl fel hawl? Ni fyddai unrhyw gymhlethdod mawr ynghlwm wrth gynnwys darpariaeth y bydd cymorth cyfreithiol ar gael pan fydd digwyddiad mawr yn digwydd.
Mae Llywodraeth y DU yn cyflwyno Bil Dioddefwyr a Charcharorion. Mae’n cynnwys darpariaethau i Ysgrifennydd Gwladol y DU benodi eiriolwr cyhoeddus annibynnol i gefnogi dioddefwyr digwyddiadau mawr yng Nghymru a Lloegr. Nid yw’n glir o gwbl pwy fyddai’r bobl hynny, beth fyddai eu statws, beth fyddai eu rôl a’u swyddogaethau, beth fyddai eu pwerau ac a ydynt yno i gefnogi a rhoi cymorth, oherwydd os ydynt, ni fyddai hynny'n ddigonol. Mae wedi bod yn anodd cael eglurder gan Lywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â beth yw eu barn ar hyn, felly mae ymgysylltu parhaus yn mynd rhagddo i ganfod beth fyddai hynny.
Mae gennyf nifer sylweddol o bryderon, oherwydd pe bai digwyddiad mawr yn digwydd yng Nghymru, byddem eisiau sicrhau bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn gallu darparu mecanwaith a fyddai'n cael effaith ar ddinasyddion Cymru. Wrth gwrs, anaml iawn y mae digwyddiadau, pan fyddant yn digwydd, yn gysylltiedig ag un wlad benodol. Yn aml iawn, ceir gwrthdaro hefyd rhwng y bobl yr effeithir arnynt, felly mae'n rhaid rhoi ystyriaeth drylwyr i bob un o'r pethau hynny hefyd.
Yr hyn y gallaf ei ddweud yw fy mod yn credu bod rhaid inni archwilio popeth y gallwn ei wneud o fewn ein pwerau i helpu pobl i gael mynediad at gyfiawnder ym mhob sefyllfa. Rydym yn cefnogi'r syniad o eiriolwr dros ddioddefwyr yn sgil digwyddiadau mawr, ond mae gennym bryderon gwirioneddol nad yw'r darpariaethau hyn yn adlewyrchu'r setliad datganoli'n briodol; nid ydynt wedi cael eu hystyried yn briodol eto, ac mae cryn dipyn o drafod a gwaith i'w wneud o hyd i weld i ble mae'r darpariaethau hyn yn mynd. Rwy'n cefnogi’r ymrwymiad a gafwyd gan Keir Starmer i’r ffaith y byddant yn cyflwyno cyfraith Hillsborough, ond yn y cyfamser, byddwn yn sicr yn parhau i archwilio hyn, byddwn yn parhau i weithio, a diolch i chi am ymgysylltu, am godi'r mater hwn.
Diolch i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol.
I thank the Counsel General.
Eitem 3 yw'r cwestiynau i Gomisiwn y Senedd, a bydd Mark Isherwood yn gofyn cwestiwn 1.
Item 3 is questions to the Senedd Commission, and Mark Isherwood will ask question 1.
1. Pa gamau mae'r Comisiwn yn eu cymryd i hyrwyddo Senedd Cymru i'r byd? OQ59506
1. What action is the Commission taking to promote the Welsh Parliament to the world? OQ59506
Mae'r Comisiwn yn cefnogi cyfleoedd i hyrwyddo ac arddangos ein Senedd a'i gwaith arloesol ar lwyfan rhyngwladol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cefnogi Aelodau i gymryd rhan mewn rhwydweithiau rhyngwladol megis yng nghyfarfod llawn y Cynulliad Seneddol Prydeinig-Gwyddelig a gynhaliwyd yn Jersey yn ystod y dyddiau diwethaf yma. Cytunwyd ar ein fframwaith rhyngwladol fis Tachwedd diwethaf yn y Comisiwn. Mae’n amlinellu'r nod o godi proffil y Senedd a gwerth meithrin ein henw da drwy ymgysylltu a chydweithio, p'un ai yw'r gwaith hynny'n cael ei arwain gan Aelodau neu bwyllgorau, neu ai yw'n digwydd ar lefel swyddogion neu rhwng Seneddau.
The Commission supports opportunities to promote and showcase our Parliament and its innovative work on the international stage. This includes supporting Members to participate in international networks such as the British–Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary held in Jersey over the past few days. Our international framework was agreed last November. It sets out the objective of raising the Senedd’s profile and the value of building our reputation through engagement and collaboration, whether that is Member- or committee-led, or if it happens at official level or Parliament to Parliament.
Okay, well, in addition to promoting the Welsh Parliament to the wider world, there’s still a need to promote this Parliament within the world of Wales itself. With less than half the electorate voting for anyone in the 2021 Welsh general election, it’s clear that the democratic deficit is still alive and kicking with many still not understanding where the decisions are taken, who is responsible, and how much power the Welsh Government actually has over their lives.
Although the Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament customer services team do a great job reaching out to engage schools and community groups and hosting visits to the Senedd, I’m still contacted daily by people who don’t understand the separation between the Welsh Parliament and the Welsh Government, or when the Welsh Government rather than the UK Government should be held accountable. Representative democracy requires every Government to know that it is on probation and can be kicked out, and every Parliament to be seen to be holding their Government to account.
What action is the Commission therefore taking to spread wider understanding of the Welsh Parliament to the parts of the world of Wales where the democratic deficit is most acute?
Iawn, wel, yn ogystal â hyrwyddo Senedd Cymru i'r byd ehangach, mae angen hyrwyddo'r Senedd hon ym myd Cymru hefyd. Gyda llai na hanner yr etholwyr yn pleidleisio dros unrhyw un yn etholiad cyffredinol Cymru yn 2021, mae’n amlwg fod y diffyg democrataidd yn dal i fod yn fyw ac yn iach, gyda llawer yn dal heb ddeall ble caiff y penderfyniadau eu gwneud, pwy sy’n gyfrifol, a faint o bŵer sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru dros eu bywydau mewn gwirionedd.
Er bod tîm gwasanaethau cwsmeriaid Senedd Cymru yn gwneud gwaith gwych yn estyn allan i ymgysylltu ag ysgolion a grwpiau cymunedol a chynnal ymweliadau â’r Senedd, mae pobl yn dal i gysylltu â mi bob dydd nad ydynt yn deall yr ymwahaniad rhwng Senedd Cymru a Llywodraeth Cymru, neu pryd y dylid dwyn Llywodraeth Cymru i gyfrif yn hytrach na Llywodraeth y DU. Mae democratiaeth gynrychioliadol yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i bob Llywodraeth wybod ei bod ar brawf ac y gellir cael gwared arni, ac i bob Senedd gael ei gweld yn dwyn eu Llywodraeth i gyfrif.
Pa gamau y mae’r Comisiwn yn eu cymryd, felly, i ledaenu dealltwriaeth ehangach o Senedd Cymru i’r rhannau o fyd Cymru lle mae’r diffyg democrataidd ar ei waethaf?
I love the attempt to make your supplementary fit into the original question by talking about Wales in the world there just at the end. That was very neatly done, if I may say so.
And to answer the supplementary, then: I agree with you; I would love to spend more money, have more people involved in directly engaging with the people of Wales on the work that we do here. But we live within the resources that we have, and we are continually working with our committees and with individual Members to see how we can extend the engagement work that our committees do, in particular with the real-life experiences of people in Wales. And that’s the direct engagement, of course, is to make our work here relevant to the real-life experiences and to be enriched by the real-life experiences of people in Wales. So, we can do that directly.
We are where we are with how our Senedd is covered by both press and media, and I could go on for quite a long time, as you could, on the lack of coverage generally for Welsh politics in the media and press that the people of Wales read and listen to. But our greatest champions in all of this are us as 60 Members, in the work that we do both in our constituencies and regions, and also in how we engage with people in our constituencies and regions and make the issues that are important to them important to Welsh Government here, and that we scrutinise the actions of Welsh Government in improving the lives of the people of Wales.
Rwyf wrth fy modd â’r ymgais i wneud i’ch cwestiwn atodol gyd-fynd â’r cwestiwn gwreiddiol drwy sôn am Gymru yn y byd ar y diwedd. Fe wnaethoch hynny’n daclus iawn, os caf ddweud.
A'r ateb i'r cwestiwn atodol, felly: rwy'n cytuno â chi; byddwn wrth fy modd yn gwario mwy o arian, a chael mwy o bobl i fynd ati i ymgysylltu’n uniongyrchol â phobl Cymru ar y gwaith a wnawn yma. Ond rydym yn byw o fewn yr adnoddau sydd gennym, ac rydym yn gweithio’n barhaus gyda’n pwyllgorau a chydag Aelodau unigol i weld sut y gallwn ymestyn y gwaith ymgysylltu y mae ein pwyllgorau'n ei wneud, yn enwedig gyda phrofiadau bywyd go iawn pobl yng Nghymru. Ac mae'r ymgysylltiad uniongyrchol hwnnw, wrth gwrs, yn digwydd er mwyn gwneud ein gwaith yma'n berthnasol i brofiadau bywyd go iawn ac er mwyn iddo gael ei gyfoethogi gan brofiadau go iawn pobl Cymru. Felly, gallwn wneud hynny’n uniongyrchol.
Rydym yn y sefyllfa rydym ynddi o ran sut y mae’r wasg a’r cyfryngau yn rhoi sylw i'r Senedd, a gallwn sôn am beth amser, fel y gallech chi, am y diffyg sylw i wleidyddiaeth Gymreig yn gyffredinol yn y wasg y mae pobl Cymru yn ei darllen a'r cyfryngau y maent yn gwrando arnynt. Ond ni, fel 60 Aelod, yw ein hyrwyddwyr pennaf, yn y gwaith a wnawn yn ein hetholaethau a’n rhanbarthau, a hefyd yn y ffordd yr ymgysylltwn â phobl yn ein hetholaethau a’n rhanbarthau ac y gwnawn y materion sy’n bwysig iddynt yn bwysig i Lywodraeth Cymru yma, a’r ffordd y craffwn ar weithredoedd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwella bywydau pobl Cymru.
2. A wnaiff y Comisiwn roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gefnogaeth y mae'n ei ddarparu i staff y Comisiwn a staff yr Aelodau sy'n profi aflonyddu? OQ59513
2. Will the Commission provide an update on the information and support it provides for Commission and Member staff experiencing harassment? OQ59513
Thank you for your question, Mike. The Commission is committed to ensuring that the Senedd is an inclusive organisation, free from intimidation and harassment. Our tripartite dignity and respect policy was put in place in 2018, and the policies are supported, for example, through training, contact officers, and support for well-being, such as occupational health, and our employee assistance programme. The policy and how to access it is regularly communicated to all concerned through a variety of means, such as news page articles, service-level meetings, and with full details of support on dedicated intranet pages. A proactive review of the dignity and respect policy was conducted in recognition of the new Members' code of conduct, and the number of new Members elected to the sixth Senedd. A task and finish group of Senedd Commission officials was established to lead the review process, the findings of which will be submitted to the Commissioners at their next meeting on 22 May. The Commission has also taken extensive steps to ensure the safety of Members and their constituency support staff. Senedd security have set up a robust incident reporting platform that ensures individuals can access support and guidance as needed from the dedicated Member security team.
Diolch am eich cwestiwn, Mike. Mae’r Comisiwn wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod y Senedd yn sefydliad cynhwysol, sy’n rhydd rhag bygythiadau ac aflonyddu. Rhoddwyd ein polisi urddas a pharch teirochrog ar waith yn 2018, a chaiff y polisïau eu cefnogi, er enghraifft, drwy hyfforddiant, swyddogion cyswllt, a chymorth ar gyfer llesiant, megis iechyd galwedigaethol, a’n rhaglen cymorth i weithwyr. Caiff y polisi a sut i gael gafael arno ei gyfathrebu’n rheolaidd i bawb dan sylw drwy amrywiaeth o ddulliau, megis erthyglau ar dudalennau newyddion, cyfarfodydd lefel gwasanaeth, gyda manylion llawn y cymorth sydd ar gael ar dudalennau pwrpasol ar y fewnrwyd. Cynhaliwyd adolygiad rhagweithiol o’r polisi urddas a pharch i gydnabod y cod ymddygiad i Aelodau newydd, a nifer yr Aelodau newydd a etholwyd i’r chweched Senedd. Sefydlwyd grŵp gorchwyl a gorffen o swyddogion Comisiwn y Senedd i arwain y broses adolygu, a chaiff y canfyddiadau eu cyflwyno i’r Comisiynwyr yn eu cyfarfod nesaf ar 22 Mai. Mae’r Comisiwn hefyd wedi cymryd camau helaeth i sicrhau diogelwch Aelodau a’u staff cymorth etholaethol. Mae swyddogion diogelwch y Senedd wedi sefydlu platfform cadarn ar gyfer rhoi gwybod am ddigwyddiadau sy’n sicrhau bod unigolion yn gallu cael gafael ar gymorth ac arweiniad yn ôl yr angen gan dîm diogelwch penodedig yr Aelodau.
Can I thank Joyce Watson for that response? I think the policy is brilliant. Most policies that we produce are brilliant. It's actually getting them out so people know about them. I'm sure it's been published in all sorts of places that I and most other people in this room have not read, and I think that's one of the problems we have—getting things across to other people. How do people know who to go to? If one of my staff was suffering harassment from another Member here, who would they go to apart from me? How can people get early intervention? I'm a great believer in early intervention. We need named contacts. We need an early intervention strategy so that someone can be told that what they're doing is out of order and unwelcome, because sometimes people don't know that, and I'll give you an example. When I was a lecturer, I told one student to stop bullying. He was very aggrieved and very upset and said, 'I have never bullied anyone in my life—I was just joshing with him.' I said, 'It was joshing to you, but bullying to him.' He apologised and it stopped. It's getting this early intervention so if people do things that upset others then they know about it, rather than it continuing.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Joyce Watson am ei hymateb? Credaf fod y polisi'n wych. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o'r polisïau a gynhyrchwn yn wych. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â'u cael allan fel bod pobl yn gwybod amdanynt. Rwy'n siŵr ei fod wedi'i gyhoeddi mewn pob math o leoedd nad wyf i a'r rhan fwyaf o bobl eraill yn yr ystafell hon wedi'u darllen, a chredaf mai dyna un o'r problemau sydd gennym—cyfleu pethau i bobl eraill. Sut mae pobl yn gwybod at bwy i fynd? Pe bai Aelod arall yma'n aflonyddu ar un o fy staff, at bwy y byddent yn mynd ar wahân i mi? Sut y gall pobl gael ymyrraeth gynnar? Rwy’n gredwr mawr mewn ymyrraeth gynnar. Mae angen enwau cyswllt arnom. Mae arnom angen strategaeth ymyrraeth gynnar fel y gellir dweud wrth rywun fod yr hyn y maent yn ei wneud yn amhriodol ac nad oes croeso iddo, oherwydd weithiau, nid yw pobl yn gwybod hynny, a rhoddaf enghraifft i chi. Pan oeddwn yn ddarlithydd, dywedais wrth un myfyriwr am roi'r gorau i fwlio. Roedd yn ddig iawn ac yn ofidus iawn a dywedodd, 'Nid wyf erioed wedi bwlio unrhyw un yn fy mywyd—dim ond tynnu ei goes oeddwn i.' Dywedais wrtho, 'Roedd yn dynnu coes i ti, ond yn fwlio iddo ef.' Fe ymddiheurodd, a daeth y peth i ben. Mae hyn yn ymwneud â chael yr ymyrraeth gynnar hon fel bod pobl yn gwybod os ydynt yn gwneud pethau sy'n peri gofid i eraill, yn hytrach na'i fod yn parhau.
Thank you for that, and what you say is hugely important. Dignity and respect training was delivered to Members, Member support staff and Commission staff in the fifth Senedd, and it now forms part of the Commission's ongoing professional development programme, so that covers off the first part on how should you know what you're doing isn't acceptable. Dignity and respect training is provided to all new Commission staff as part of the core induction programme, and contact officers have been appointed to guide potential complainants and to provide confidential support. There is emotional support available to potential complainants and those who have allegations made against them through the employee assistance programme and the occupational health nurse. The employee assistance programme provides confidential emotional and practical support for issues at home or at work, because people work in both places now.
Enhanced support was provided to the standards commissioner's office to facilitate an improved and gender-balanced service from his office, and website improvements and a mystery shopper—and this is key, actually, to your question—exercise was conducted to test whether the information, search tools and the language were clear and accessible. Specialist independent and confidential support is now available through the standards commissioner's office, to support those who wish to complain about alleged instances of inappropriate behaviour by Members. That dedicated confidential service is provided by the independent charity Victim Support. It's absolutely key here that we have independent advice and support.
We have collected robust data about current case numbers, and it is difficult to establish, due to the highly sensitive and personal nature of cases, but we can be reasonably confident that there are few cases. However, as highlighted again in recent reports, there is a risk that some cases will go unreported. So, both as a Commissioner and a Member of this Senedd, I hope that anyone listening here today will feel confident that we are doing our very best, that there is an independent advice line through Victim Support, that they will access that, and I sincerely hope that all Members will avail themselves, if they haven't already, of the training that they will need to go through. We know that there has been clear direction to our political party, and I'm sure others will take that on board.
Diolch, ac mae’r hyn a ddywedwch yn hynod bwysig. Cyflwynwyd hyfforddiant urddas a pharch i’r Aelodau, staff cymorth yr Aelodau a staff y Comisiwn yn y pumed Senedd, ac mae bellach yn rhan o raglen datblygiad proffesiynol parhaus y Comisiwn, felly mae hynny’n ateb y rhan gyntaf o sut y dylech wybod nad yw'r hyn a wnewch yn dderbyniol. Darperir hyfforddiant urddas a pharch i holl staff newydd y Comisiwn yn rhan o'r rhaglen gynefino graidd, a phenodwyd swyddogion cyswllt i roi arweiniad i achwynwyr posibl ac i ddarparu cymorth cyfrinachol. Mae cymorth emosiynol ar gael i achwynwyr posibl a'r rhai y gwneir honiadau yn eu herbyn drwy'r rhaglen cymorth i weithwyr a'r nyrs iechyd galwedigaethol. Mae'r rhaglen cymorth i weithwyr yn darparu cymorth emosiynol ac ymarferol cyfrinachol ar gyfer materion gartref neu yn y gwaith, gan fod pobl yn gweithio yn y ddau le bellach.
Darparwyd cymorth ychwanegol i swyddfa’r comisiynydd safonau er mwyn hwyluso gwasanaeth gwell sy'n gydradd o ran y rhywiau o’i swyddfa, a gwelliannau i’r wefan, a chynhaliwyd ymarfer cwsmer cudd—ac mae hyn yn allweddol i'ch cwestiwn mewn gwirionedd—i brofi a oedd yr wybodaeth, yr offer chwilio a'r iaith yn glir ac yn hygyrch. Mae cymorth annibynnol a chyfrinachol arbenigol ar gael bellach drwy swyddfa’r comisiynydd safonau, i gefnogi’r rheini sy’n dymuno achwyn am achosion honedig o ymddygiad anaddas gan Aelodau. Darperir y gwasanaeth cyfrinachol penodol hwnnw gan yr elusen annibynnol Cymorth i Ddioddefwyr. Mae'n gwbl allweddol yma fod gennym gyngor a chymorth annibynnol.
Rydym wedi casglu data cadarn am niferoedd achosion cyfredol, ac mae hynny’n anodd ei sefydlu, oherwydd natur hynod sensitif a phersonol achosion, ond gallwn fod yn weddol hyderus mai prin yw’r achosion. Fodd bynnag, fel yr amlygwyd eto mewn adroddiadau diweddar, mae perygl na roddir gwybod am rai achosion. Felly, fel Comisiynydd ac fel Aelod o’r Senedd hon, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd unrhyw un sy’n gwrando yma heddiw'n teimlo’n hyderus ein bod yn gwneud ein gorau glas, fod llinell gyngor annibynnol ar gael drwy Cymorth i Ddioddefwyr, y byddant yn ei defnyddio, ac rwy'n mawr obeithio y bydd pob Aelod yn manteisio, os nad ydynt wedi gwneud hynny eisoes, ar yr hyfforddiant y bydd ei angen arnynt. Fe wyddom fod cyfarwyddyd clir wedi'i roi i’n plaid wleidyddol, ac rwy’n siŵr y bydd eraill yn ystyried hynny.
3. Pa waith allgymorth y mae'r Comisiwn yn ei wneud i hyrwyddo gwaith y Senedd ledled Cymru? OQ59508
3. What outreach is the Commission doing to promote the work of the Senedd across Wales? OQ59508
Mae'r Comisiwn yn darparu amrywiaeth o wasanaethau i hyrwyddo gwaith y Senedd ledled Cymru. Mae ein rhaglen addysg yn ymgysylltu â phobl ifanc drwy ysgolion, colegau, grwpiau ieuenctid mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru, yn bersonol ac ar-lein, ac yn croesawu grwpiau i'r ganolfan addysg yn Siambr Hywel. Rydym yn cefnogi 60 o Aelodau Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, o bob rhan o Gymru, i gyflawni eu gwaith, gan gynnal cyfarfodydd rheolaidd ledled Cymru, ac mi fydd y Senedd yn nigwyddiadau mawr yr haf, gan gychwyn o fewn y bythefnos nesaf yma yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd, sydd o fewn cyrraedd gweddol agos i’ch etholaeth chi, a hefyd, wrth gwrs, yn y sioe frenhinol yng Ngorffennaf, sydd yn eich etholaeth chi.
The Commission provides a variety of services to promote the Senedd's work across Wales. Our education programme engages with young people through schools, colleges, and youth groups in communities across Wales, in person and online, and welcomes groups to the education centre in Siambr Hywel. We support 60 Welsh Youth Parliament Members, from all parts of Wales, in delivering their work, holding regular meetings across Wales, and the Senedd will attend the major summer events, starting within the next fortnight at the Urdd Eisteddfod, which is within easy reach of your constituency, and, of course, at the royal Welsh in July, which is in your constituency.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to thank you for your answer, and also my colleague Mark Isherwood for asking my supplementary question. So, in the interest of time, Llywydd, I respect the answer you gave earlier to a colleague of mine.
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i chi am eich ateb, a hefyd i fy nghyd-Aelod, Mark Isherwood, am ofyn fy nghwestiwn atodol. Felly, oherwydd bod amser yn brin, Lywydd, rwy’n parchu’r ateb a roesoch yn gynharach i fy nghyd-Aelod.
I'm willing to answer that question by giving the prepared answer I'd worked on for Mark Isherwood's question, but in the interest of time, I'll refrain from doing that. Thank you.
Rwy’n fodlon ateb y cwestiwn hwnnw drwy roi’r ateb parod y gweithiais arno i gwestiwn Mark Isherwood, ond oherwydd bod amser yn brin, fe wnaf ymatal rhag gwneud hynny. Diolch.
4. Sut mae'r Comisiwn yn cefnogi ysgolion mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig i ymweld â'r Senedd? OQ59522
4. How is the Commission supporting schools in deprived areas to visit the Senedd? OQ59522
Mae ein rhaglen addysg fewnol yn rhoi cyfle i ysgolion gymryd rhan mewn dadleuon yn y ganolfan addysg yn Siambr Hywel ac ymweld â’r Senedd fel rhan o'u hamser gyda ni. Mae chwe slot ar gael bob wythnos yn ystod y tymor, sydd ar gael i grwpiau o bob rhan o Gymru. Er mwyn cefnogi ysgolion gyda'r costau sy'n gysylltiedig â'u hymweliad, megis talu ar gyfer petrol a llogi bysiau, mae cymhorthdal teithio o £1 am bob milltir ar gael i'r rhai sy'n byw mwy na 10 milltir i ffwrdd o'r Senedd ym Mae Caerdydd. Mae argaeledd y sesiynau yma'n cael eu rhannu ag ysgolion drwy ein cylchlythyr a anfonir at bob ysgol yng Nghymru, ac ar ein sianelau cyfryngau cymdeithasol.
Our in-house education programme provides schools with an opportunity to take part in debates in the education centre in Siambr Hywel and to visit the Senedd as part of their time with us. There are six slots available every week during term time, which are available to groups from all parts of Wales. To support schools with the cost associated with their visit, such as fuel and bus hire, a travel subsidy of £1 per mile is available for those outside a 10-mile radius of the Senedd here in Cardiff Bay. The availability of these sessions gets shared with schools via our newsletter, which is sent to all schools across Wales, and on our social media channels.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'm sure I can speak for all Members here in saying that welcoming schools from our constituency to the Senedd is an absolute highlight of the role that we have, and it's wonderful to have that engagement and the great questions that children ask. The commitment of the staff is very evident to try and engage with the democracy that we have here in Wales. So, I'm sure like everyone else, I'm keen to build on that and see that develop as much as possible.
One of the issues for schools in my constituency, Llywydd, and again I'm sure it's the same all over Wales, is the cost of coming here. You mentioned the transport cost—I think that's a really significant issue—and the £1 per mile. Schools serving the more deprived areas, Llywydd, have particular difficulty, because their budgets tend to be a lot more strained and it's much more difficult to fundraise from parents and parents' associations and so on, and local businesses, because of the nature of the areas that they serve. So, I wonder if there might be some special consideration for schools serving our more deprived communities, and perhaps a more generous contribution towards their costs. Otherwise, I think there's a real social justice issue in terms of the schools that come here and the engagement that we have.
Diolch, Lywydd. Rwy’n siŵr y gallaf siarad ar ran yr holl Aelodau yma wrth ddweud bod croesawu ysgolion o’n hetholaeth i’r Senedd yn un o uchafbwyntiau pennaf y rôl sydd gennym, ac mae’n hyfryd gweld yr ymgysylltiad hwnnw a’r cwestiynau gwych y mae plant yn eu gofyn. Mae ymrwymiad y staff yn amlwg iawn i geisio cymryd rhan yn y ddemocratiaeth sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru. Felly, fel pawb arall rwy’n siŵr, rwy’n awyddus i adeiladu ar hynny a'i weld yn datblygu gymaint â phosibl.
Un o'r problemau i ysgolion yn fy etholaeth, Lywydd, ac unwaith eto, rwy'n siŵr fod yr un peth yn wir ledled Cymru, yw cost dod yma. Fe sonioch chi am gost trafnidiaeth—credaf fod honno'n broblem sylweddol iawn—a'r £1 y filltir. Mae'n arbennig o anodd i ysgolion sy’n gwasanaethu’r ardaloedd mwy difreintiedig, Lywydd, gan fod eu cyllidebau’n tueddu i fod o dan lawer mwy o bwysau, ac mae’n llawer anos codi arian gan rieni a chymdeithasau rhieni ac ati, a busnesau lleol, oherwydd natur yr ardaloedd y maent yn eu gwasanaethu. Felly, tybed a ellir rhoi rhywfaint o ystyriaeth arbennig i ysgolion sy'n gwasanaethu ein cymunedau mwy difreintiedig, a chyfraniad mwy hael, efallai, tuag at eu costau. Fel arall, credaf fod mater cyfiawnder cymdeithasol gwirioneddol yn codi o ran yr ysgolion a ddaw yma a’r ymgysylltu a wnawn.
I know, as a Member for Ceredigion, I enjoy seeing the schools from my constituency come here, and I know how much the young people appreciate the opportunity themselves. The point you make is that schools such my schools from Ceredigion really benefit from the travel cost contribution because of the length of the journey and the cost of the journey involved, but there are different costs that affect differently schools, depending on the area that they're in, and I think you make a very good point during what is a very difficult time for a lot of families throughout Wales. So, I'll take it away and we'll look at it as a Commission to see whether there are additional interventions that can be made available to schools in some areas where they are under-represented possibly already in their ability to attend the Senedd, and whether we need to focus in on that particular area of work. So, thank you for raising that—it's really an important issue. I think that all of us, right across the Chamber, can think creatively as to how we can help.
Fel Aelod dros Geredigion, gwn fy mod yn mwynhau gweld yr ysgolion o fy etholaeth yn dod yma, a gwn gymaint y mae’r bobl ifanc eu hunain yn gwerthfawrogi’r cyfle. Y pwynt a wnewch yw bod ysgolion fel fy ysgolion i o Geredigion yn elwa’n fawr o’r cyfraniad at gostau teithio oherwydd hyd a chost y daith, ond mae costau gwahanol yn effeithio’n wahanol ar wahanol ysgolion, yn dibynnu ar yr ardal y maent ynddi, ac rwy'n credu eich bod yn gwneud pwynt da iawn mewn cyfnod anodd iawn i lawer o deuluoedd ledled Cymru. Felly, fe wnaf ystyried y mater a byddwn yn edrych arno fel Comisiwn i weld a oes ymyriadau ychwanegol y gellir eu darparu i ysgolion mewn rhai ardaloedd lle maent yn cael eu tangynrychioli eisoes, o bosibl, yn eu gallu i ddod i'r Senedd, ac a oes angen inni ganolbwyntio ar y maes penodol hwnnw o waith. Felly, diolch am godi hynny—mae'n fater pwysig iawn. Rwy'n credu y gall pob un ohonom, ar draws y Siambr, feddwl yn greadigol ynglŷn â sut y gallwn helpu.
5. Pa drafodaethau gafodd y Comisiwn ynglŷn â chynrychiolaeth y Senedd yng nghoroni Brenin Charles III? OQ59535
5. What discussions did the Commission have about Senedd representation at the coronation of King Charles III? OQ59535
Ni fuodd unrhyw drafodaeth o fewn y Comisiwn ynghylch cynrychiolaeth y Senedd yn y digwyddiad coroni. Trafododd y Dirprwy Lywydd a finnau y mater o bresenoldeb y Senedd ar fy nghais i, a cytunodd y Dirprwy Lywydd i gynrychioli'r Senedd yn y digwyddiad hwnnw.
No discussions were had by the Commission about Senedd representation at the coronation. The Deputy Presiding Officer and I discussed the matter of attendance and the Senedd's presence at my request, and the Deputy Presiding Officer agreed to represent the Senedd at the event.
Thank you for your answer, Presiding Officer. You already know of the disappointment from these benches at your decision not to attend the coronation despite the fact, of course, that you hold the role representing the Senedd. I think it raises a number of important questions about the way this place works and the role of the Presiding Officer. We know of discussions in this place at the moment about Senedd reform, and in that context, Llywydd, there's actually something fundamental related to your position. If we look at the role of the Senedd Presiding Officer, that role sees the holder remain affiliated to a political party, which I expect can sometimes put you in an awkward position. We know that in Westminster the speaker severs ties with his or her political party when they hold the role of speaker, and there's a clear precedent also in devolved parliaments—the Presiding Officer in the Scottish Parliament is in a neutral position as well. There's nothing personal with you at all, Llywydd; it's about the position of Llywydd and the maturity or otherwise of the Senedd as well. Indeed, the fact that you had to rule yourself out of the Plaid Cymru leadership race recently perhaps also points to that blur between political affiliation and the neutral role of the Llywydd. So, I wonder, especially in the context of Senedd reform, what is being done to look at the status of Presiding Officer to best represent this institution and the country as well. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch am eich ateb, Lywydd. Rydych eisoes yn ymwybodol o'r siom ar y meinciau hyn ynghylch eich penderfyniad i beidio â mynychu’r coroni er gwaethaf y ffaith, wrth gwrs, mai chi sydd â'r rôl o gynrychioli’r Senedd. Credaf fod hyn yn codi nifer o gwestiynau pwysig ynglŷn â'r ffordd y mae’r lle hwn yn gweithio a rôl y Llywydd. Gwyddom am y trafodaethau yn y lle hwn ar hyn o bryd ynglŷn â diwygio'r Senedd, ac yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, Lywydd, mae rhywbeth sylfaenol ynghlwm wrth eich rôl mewn gwirionedd. Os edrychwn ar rôl Llywydd y Senedd, mae deiliad y rôl honno’n parhau i fod ag ymlyniad â phlaid wleidyddol, sy'n gallu eich rhoi mewn sefyllfa letchwith weithiau, byddwn yn dychmygu. Fe wyddom fod y llefarydd yn San Steffan yn torri pob cysylltiad â'u plaid wleidyddol pan fyddant yn rôl y llefarydd, ac mae cynsail amlwg hefyd yn y seneddau datganoledig—mae Llywydd Senedd yr Alban yn niwtral hefyd. Nid yw'n ddim byd personol i'w wneud â chi o gwbl, Lywydd; mae'n ymwneud â rôl y Llywydd ac aeddfedrwydd y Senedd, neu fel arall. Yn wir, mae’r ffaith eich bod wedi gorfod dweud na allech gymryd rhan yn ras arweinyddiaeth Plaid Cymru yn ddiweddar hefyd o bosibl yn dynodi aneglurder rhwng ymlyniad gwleidyddol a rôl niwtral y Llywydd. Felly, tybed beth sy'n cael ei wneud, yn enwedig yng nghyd-destun diwygio’r Senedd, i edrych ar statws y Llywydd i gynrychioli’r sefydliad hwn, a’r wlad hefyd, yn y ffordd orau. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Two weeks after the coronation, I'm actually quite pleased that I have an opportunity here to reflect on the record on my decision not to attend the coronation, so thank you for the question, Sam Rowlands.
On a personal level, it is never easy to say 'no' when all around you are saying 'yes'. However, I took the decision to pass on my invitation to the Deputy Llywydd based on my personal view that attending a celebration of coronation was not for me. The Senedd was ably represented by the Deputy Llywydd. I did not seek any publicity for my decision, and merely answered a factual question from a journalist. I turned down all requests for media interviews, as I thought that was the most respectful thing to do.
I know that some Senedd Members have criticised my decision, and others have supported it. We're a Senedd where there are different views on the future of the monarchy, where there are different views on whether a Llywydd has to accept any and all invitations to royal events. We're at our strongest as a Senedd when we respect each other's different views, and from one Llywydd to the next, we're not copycats of each other; we remain individuals within our roles. Looking back at previous Presiding Officers, I can probably surmise that one would have embraced the opportunity to attend a coronation, and one might equally have embraced the opportunity, but with an interesting constitutional twist to interpret his enthusiasm.
So, as elected Members, we're all different in our opinions. We probably have 60 differently nuanced opinions on my non-attendance. Vive la difference, I say. I personally enjoy the difference. I enjoyed seeing a photo of Sam Rowlands and Darren Millar on coronation day in your union jack waistcoats, braces and bow ties, ringing bells, I think. I even enjoyed seeing an interview on Twitter on GB News with Andrew R.T. Davies, where I was told to 'put my big girl pants on'—not by Andrew R.T. Davies, by the way. And, for the avoidance of doubt, in every decision I take I have my big girl pants on.
Your exact question, Sam, is on the role of Llywydd and whether Senedd reform legislation is an opportunity to define that role differently. I agree, actually, that the scrutiny of that legislation is certainly an opportunity to have that debate. As a small, 60-Member Senedd, we've always been an all-hands-on-deck kind of Senedd. I've been a Government Minister and now I'm Llywydd. A previous Llywydd became a Government Minister after three terms as Llywydd. In a larger Senedd, we can create new practices and protocols, and if my non-attendance at a coronation is what instigated a discussion on this, then that's a good thing and, on that, we can agree.
Bythefnos ar ôl y coroni, rwy'n eithaf balch o gael cyfle yma mewn gwirionedd i gofnodi fy mhenderfyniad i beidio â mynychu'r coroni, felly diolch am y cwestiwn, Sam Rowlands.
Ar lefel bersonol, nid yw byth yn hawdd dweud 'na' pan fydd pawb o'ch cwmpas yn dweud 'ie'. Fodd bynnag, penderfynais drosglwyddo fy ngwahoddiad i’r Dirprwy Lywydd ar sail fy marn bersonol nad oedd mynychu dathliad coroni'n rhywbeth roeddwn yn dymuno'i wneud. Cynrychiolwyd y Senedd yn fedrus gan y Dirprwy Lywydd. Ni cheisiais unrhyw gyhoeddusrwydd i fy mhenderfyniad, dim ond ateb cwestiwn ffeithiol gan newyddiadurwr. Gwrthodais bob cais am gyfweliad gan y cyfryngau, gan fy mod yn credu mai dyna'r peth mwyaf parchus i'w wneud.
Gwn fod rhai Aelodau o’r Senedd wedi beirniadu fy mhenderfyniad, ac eraill wedi'i gefnogi. Rydym yn Senedd lle ceir safbwyntiau gwahanol ar ddyfodol y frenhiniaeth, lle ceir safbwyntiau gwahanol ynglŷn ag a oes rhaid i Lywydd dderbyn unrhyw wahoddiad a phob gwahoddiad i ddigwyddiadau brenhinol. Rydym ar ein cryfaf fel Senedd pan fyddwn yn parchu safbwyntiau gwahanol ein gilydd, ac o un Llywydd i’r nesaf, nid ydym yn gopïau o’n gilydd; rydym yn parhau i fod yn unigolion o fewn ein rolau. Os edrychaf yn ôl ar Lywyddion blaenorol, mae’n debyg y gallaf gasglu y byddai un ohonynt wedi croesawu'r cyfle i fynychu coroni, ac efallai y byddai un arall wedi croesawu'r cyfle, ond gyda thro cyfansoddiadol diddorol i ddehongli ei frwdfrydedd.
Felly, fel Aelodau etholedig, mae safbwyntiau pob un ohonom yn wahanol. Mae'n debyg y bydd gennym 60 o safbwyntiau gwahanol ar fy absenoldeb. Vive la difference, rwy'n dweud. Yn bersonol, rwy'n mwynhau'r gwahaniaeth. Mwynheais weld llun o Sam Rowlands a Darren Millar ar ddiwrnod y coroni yn eich gwasgodau, eich bresys a'ch dici-bôs jac yr undeb, yn canu clychau, rwy'n credu. Mwynheais weld cyfweliad ar Twitter ar GB News gydag Andrew R.T. Davies hyd yn oed, lle dywedwyd wrthyf am 'wisgo fy mhans merch fawr'—nid gan Andrew R.T. Davies, gyda llaw. Ac er mwyn osgoi unrhyw amheuaeth, ym mhob penderfyniad a wnaf, rwy'n gwisgo fy mhans merch fawr.
Mae union eiriad eich cwestiwn, Sam, yn ymwneud â rôl y Llywydd ac a yw'r deddfwriaeth i ddiwygio’r Senedd yn gyfle i ddiffinio’r rôl honno’n wahanol. Rwy'n cytuno, mewn gwirionedd, fod y gwaith craffu ar y ddeddfwriaeth honno yn sicr yn gyfle i gael y ddadl honno. Fel Senedd fach, 60 Aelod, rydym bob amser wedi bod yn Senedd 'pawb at ei waith', os mynnwch. Rwyf wedi bod yn Weinidog y Llywodraeth, a bellach, rwy’n Llywydd. Daeth Llywydd blaenorol yn Weinidog y Llywodraeth ar ôl tri thymor fel Llywydd. Mewn Senedd fwy o faint, gallwn greu arferion a phrotocolau newydd, ac os mai fy absenoldeb o seremoni coroni yw'r hyn a ysgogodd drafodaeth ar hyn, yna mae hynny'n beth da, ac ar hynny, gallwn gytuno.
6. A wnaiff y Comisiwn ystyried treial o ddarparu dyddiau gwyliau blynyddol ychwanegol i'r gweithwyr hynny sy'n teithio dramor ar eu gwyliau drwy ddulliau heblaw am hedfan, fel ar drenau a coetsys, i helpu i fynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd? OQ59517
6. Will the Commission consider a trial of additional annual leave days for those employees travelling overseas for holidays by means other than flights, such as rail and coach, to help tackle climate change? OQ59517
Okay. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you call me. There are no plans to introduce proposals relating to additional annual leave subject to travel methods. Senedd Cymru aims to be an exemplar in sustainability and environmental performance. Indeed, as one of the leading public institutions in Wales, we recognise our own responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment and operate in an environmentally responsible manner in all our activities. We have a carbon-neutral strategy in place, our third strategy, running until 2030, which contains a range of challenging targets for further reducing our energy use and emissions. It should be noted also that the Senedd is now operating at half of the carbon footprint we had when we started. Thank you.
O'r gorau. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, ni wnes eich clywed yn fy ngalw. Nid oes unrhyw gynlluniau i gyflwyno cynigion yn ymwneud ag absenoldeb blynyddol ychwanegol yn amodol ar ddulliau teithio. Nod Senedd Cymru yw bod yn batrwm o gynaliadwyedd a pherfformiad amgylcheddol. Yn wir, fel un o'r sefydliadau cyhoeddus mwyaf blaenllaw yng Nghymru, rydym yn cydnabod ein cyfrifoldeb ein hunain i leihau ein heffaith ar yr amgylchedd a gweithredu mewn modd amgylcheddol gyfrifol yn ein holl weithgareddau. Mae gennym strategaeth carbon niwtral ar waith, ein trydedd strategaeth, sy'n rhedeg tan 2030, ac sy'n cynnwys ystod o dargedau heriol ar gyfer lleihau ein defnydd o ynni a'n hallyriadau ymhellach. Dylid nodi hefyd fod y Senedd bellach yn gweithredu ar hanner yr ôl troed carbon a oedd gennym pan ddechreuasom. Diolch.
That's really good to hear, and I thank you for the written answer to a question similar, but not quite the same as this, a few weeks ago. And it's good to hear that the Senedd, the Commission, is trying to be a leader in climate change and carbon reduction. And it's in that spirit I push again once on this question.
Just to say, I think I may be the first Member of the Senedd, MSP or MP that is now operating a trial in this, where I have said to my employees, should they want to take a holiday this year in a European destination where they can substitute a flight for rail or coach or other—and I think some are interested—then they will get that additional day that will enable them to travel without eating into their travel time, and the additional cost as well, because I also want to lead on climate change. So, I wonder, will you go back and have a look again? Because there is an organisation called Climate Perks that many leading companies—private companies, voluntary sector bodies, public sector organisations and, I have to say, the Climate Change Committee—are signed up to, who operate this now. I'm trialling it this year. This is something that the Commission should look at and see if you can trial it as well. It may not work, not many people may want it, but for those who do, one of the biggest contributions we can make to zero carbon and reducing our carbon take is having fewer flights to short-haul destinations.
Mae hynny'n dda iawn i'w glywed, a diolch am yr ateb ysgrifenedig i gwestiwn tebyg i hwn, ond nid yn hollol yr un fath, ychydig wythnosau yn ôl. Ac mae'n dda clywed bod y Senedd, y Comisiwn, yn ceisio bod yn arweinydd ym maes newid hinsawdd a lleihau carbon. Ac yn yr ysbryd hwnnw rwy'n gwthio unwaith eto ar y cwestiwn hwn.
Hoffwn ddweud fy mod yn credu efallai mai fi yw'r Aelod cyntaf o'r Senedd, Senedd yr Alban neu AS sydd bellach yn gweithredu treial ar hyn, lle rwyf wedi dweud wrth fy ngweithwyr, os ydynt eisiau cael gwyliau eleni mewn cyrchfan Ewropeaidd lle gallant fynd ar y trên neu ar fws neu rywbeth arall yn lle hedfan—ac rwy'n credu bod gan rai ohonynt ddiddordeb—yna byddant yn cael y diwrnod ychwanegol a fydd yn eu galluogi i deithio heb fwyta i mewn i'w hamser teithio, a'r gost ychwanegol hefyd, oherwydd rwyf innau hefyd eisiau arwain ar newid hinsawdd. Felly, a wnewch chi fynd yn ôl a chael golwg eto? Oherwydd mae yna sefydliad o'r enw Climate Perks y mae llawer o gwmnïau blaenllaw—cwmnïau preifat, cyrff y sector gwirfoddol, sefydliadau'r sector cyhoeddus, a'r Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, rhaid i mi ddweud—yn ei gefnogi, sy'n gweithredu hyn nawr. Rwy'n ei dreialu eleni. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth y dylai'r Comisiwn edrych arno a gweld a allwch chi ei dreialu hefyd. Efallai na fydd yn gweithio, efallai na fydd llawer o bobl ei eisiau, ond i'r rhai sydd ei eisiau, un o'r cyfraniadau mwyaf y gallwn ei wneud i amcanion di-garbon a lleihau ein defnydd o garbon yw gwneud llai o hediadau i gyrchfannau pellter byr.
Thank you. I applaud the fact that you've decided, within your office—your decision to do that. However, along with the rest of the public sector, this Commission is under financial pressure, and any such offer for additional leave, which would have to be funded, could require a relatively significant budget increase. The Commission already does offer a most generous annual leave package to staff. That said, we have a Commission meeting on Monday, and it's something that I can actually just raise that this is what you're doing. However, I cannot make any promises here on behalf of the Senedd Commission that we will follow suit. Thank you.
Diolch. Rwy'n cymeradwyo'r ffaith eich bod wedi penderfynu, yn eich swyddfa—eich penderfyniad i wneud hynny. Fodd bynnag, fel gweddill y sector cyhoeddus, mae'r Comisiwn hwn o dan bwysau ariannol, a gallai unrhyw gynnig o'r fath ar gyfer gwyliau ychwanegol, y byddai'n rhaid ei ariannu, alw am gynnydd go sylweddol yn y gyllideb. Mae'r Comisiwn eisoes yn cynnig pecyn gwyliau blynyddol hael iawn i staff. Wedi dweud hynny, mae gennym gyfarfod Comisiwn ddydd Llun, a gallwn grybwyll yno eich bod yn gwneud hyn. Fodd bynnag, ni allaf wneud unrhyw addewidion yma ar ran Comisiwn y Senedd y byddwn yn gwneud yr un peth. Diolch.
Diolch, oll, i Aelodau'r Commission.
I thank you, Commission Members.
Symudwn ymlaen yn awr at gwestiwn amserol a fydd yn cael ei ofyn gan Samuel Kurtz a'i ateb gan y Gweinidog Materion Gwledig a Gogledd Cymru, a'r Trefnydd. Samuel Kurtz.
We now move on to a topical question that will be asked by Samuel Kurtz and answered by the Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales, and Trefnydd.
1. Pa fesurau bioddiogelwch y mae'r Gweinidog yn ymgymryd â hwy i atal ymlediad H5N1 yng Nghymru yn sgil dau weithiwr dofednod yn Lloegr yn dal ffliw adar? TQ776
1. What bio-security measures is the Minister pursuing to prevent the spread of H5N1 in Wales in light of two poultry workers in England contracting avian flu? TQ776
H5N1 Avian influenza is a disease of birds, but we are actively mitigating the small risk of spread to people. Our avian influenza prevention zone includes a range of important biosecurity measures to stop the spread of this virus. Our partners and contractors who deal with outbreaks are equipped with all appropriate PPE. Members of the public are advised not to touch sick or dead birds.
Clefyd adar yw ffliw adar H5N1, ond rydym wrthi'n lliniaru'r perygl bach o ledaeniad i bobl. Mae ein parth atal ffliw adar yn cynnwys ystod o fesurau bioddiogelwch pwysig i atal lledaeniad y feirws. Mae gan ein partneriaid a'n contractwyr sy'n ymdrin ag achosion yr holl gyfarpar diogelu personol priodol. Cynghorir y cyhoedd i beidio â chyffwrdd ag adar sâl neu farw.
Diolch, Minister.
Diolch, Weinidog.
Diolch hefyd i'r Dirprwy Lywydd.
I also thank the Deputy Presiding Officer.
I'm grateful that this topical question has been selected today, and I'm grateful to the Minister for taking time to answer the question, especially given the mammoth session on the agriculture Bill yesterday evening. But to be absolutely clear, I'm not trying to cause alarm with this topical question; instead, I wish to further understand, as does Wales's poultry sector, the steps that the Welsh Government are taking to protect the industry and its workforce. As with any disease, the best way to control the spread and reduce transmission is to adhere to strict biosecurity protocols. Therefore, I would be grateful if you could provide an update to the Chamber on whether any updated or any detailed biosecurity guidance has been issued to the poultry sector, in light of zoonotic transmission. In addition to this, is there any additional support being offered through Farming Connect in terms of training for poultry workers, or support to meet the financial costs of implementing biosecurity measures or personal protective equipment investment? And is the Minister aware of any future availability of a cost-effective vaccine and its delivery? Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar fod y cwestiwn amserol hwn wedi'i ddewis heddiw, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am roi amser i ateb y cwestiwn, yn enwedig o ystyried y sesiwn hirfaith ar y Bil amaeth neithiwr. Ond i fod yn hollol glir, nid wyf yn ceisio codi ofn gyda'r cwestiwn amserol hwn; yn hytrach, hoffwn ddeall ymhellach, fel yr hoffai sector dofednod Cymru, pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i ddiogelu'r diwydiant a'i weithlu. Fel gydag unrhyw afiechyd, y ffordd orau o reoli'r lledaeniad a lleihau trosglwyddiad yw cadw at brotocolau bioddiogelwch llym. Felly, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Siambr ynglŷn ag a oes unrhyw ganllawiau bioddiogelwch wedi'u diweddaru neu unrhyw ganllawiau bioddiogelwch manwl wedi'u cyhoeddi i'r sector dofednod, yng ngoleuni trosglwyddiad milheintiol. Yn ogystal â hyn, a oes unrhyw gymorth ychwanegol yn cael ei gynnig drwy Cyswllt Ffermio ar ffurf hyfforddiant i weithwyr dofednod, neu gymorth i dalu costau ariannol gweithredu mesurau bioddiogelwch neu fuddsoddi mewn cyfarpar diogelu personol? Ac a yw'r Gweinidog yn ymwybodol o unrhyw frechlyn cost-effeithiol a fydd ar gael yn y dyfodol a'r modd o'i gyflwyno? Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
I suppose the short answer to your question is 'no'. Obviously, we've got stringent guidelines; biosecurity, as you point out, is absolutely mandatory, and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist is available for all our poultry keepers. I mentioned that any contractors that we have had where we've had outbreaks of AI that have had to go in, have got the appropriate PPE, et cetera, et cetera. I think we need to reflect, don't we, on the reasons why we control avian influenza, and there are three reasons: it kills birds, it disrupts trade and we need to do it to protect public health. And I absolutely understand that the risk to humans is very small, but, as we've seen in England with these two poultry workers who tested positive, even though they were completely asymptomatic, they were part of a surveillance testing pilot that was being undertaken by the UK Health Security Agency. And of course, when you have that occupational exposure, it's something that you need to be aware of. So, I think it's really important that we continue with the additional biosecurity measures that we've had, unfortunately, off and on, over the past 18 months.
And it's a good opportunity, as I said in my original answer to you, to remind members of the public—. Because, of course, we can control it with our flocks and kept birds, but there are wild birds as well, and it's really important that people understand that, if they see sick or dead birds, they do not touch them. It's really important also that any, as I say, contractors—when you think about the horrendous, I think, scenario that some of these people have to deal with on our behalf, when we've had birds being culled, there's a lot of dust, there are a lot of feathers, there's a lot of other material—it's really important that they have that appropriate PPE and that they wear face coverings as well.
Mae'n debyg mai'r ateb byr i'ch cwestiwn yw 'na'. Yn amlwg, mae gennym ganllawiau llym; mae bioddiogelwch, fel y nodwch, yn gwbl orfodol, ac mae rhestr wirio hunanasesu bioddiogelwch ar gael i'n holl geidwaid dofednod. Soniais fod y cyfarpar diogelu personol ac ati gan unrhyw gontractwyr a fu gennym y bu'n rhaid iddynt fynd i mewn lle rydym wedi cael achosion o ffliw adar. Rwy'n credu bod angen i ni ystyried, onid oes, y rhesymau pam ein bod ni'n rheoli ffliw adar, ac mae tri rheswm: mae'n lladd adar, mae'n tarfu ar fasnach ac mae angen inni ei wneud er mwyn diogelu iechyd y cyhoedd. Ac rwy'n deall yn llwyr fod y risg i bobl yn fach iawn, ond fel y gwelsom yn Lloegr gyda'r ddau weithiwr dofednod a brofodd yn bositif, er eu bod yn gwbl asymptomatig, roeddent yn rhan o gynllun peilot profi gwyliadwriaeth a oedd yn cael ei gynnal gan Asiantaeth Diogelwch Iechyd y DU. Ac wrth gwrs, pan fydd gennych gysylltiad galwedigaethol, mae'n rhywbeth y mae angen ichi fod yn ymwybodol ohono. Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn parhau â'r mesurau bioddiogelwch ychwanegol a fu gennym yn ysbeidiol dros y 18 mis diwethaf, yn anffodus.
Ac fel y dywedais yn fy ateb gwreiddiol i chi, mae'n gyfle da i atgoffa'r cyhoedd—. Oherwydd, wrth gwrs, gallwn ei reoli gyda'n heidiau ac adar sy'n cael eu cadw, ond mae yna adar gwyllt hefyd, ac mae'n bwysig iawn fod pobl yn deall nad ydynt i fod i gyffwrdd unrhyw adar sâl neu farw os dônt ar eu traws. Mae'n bwysig iawn hefyd fod unrhyw gontractwyr—pan feddyliwch am y senario erchyll y mae'n rhaid i rai o'r bobl hyn ymdrin â hi ar ein rhan, pan ydym wedi cael adar yn cael eu difa, mae yna lawer o lwch, mae yna lawer o blu, mae yna lawer o ddeunydd arall—mae'n bwysig iawn fod ganddynt gyfarpar diogelu personol priodol a'u bod yn gwisgo gorchuddion wyneb hefyd.
Diolch i Sam Kurtz am ofyn y cwestiwn yma heddiw. Bydd y Gweinidog yn cofio i fi godi'r mater yma efo hi ar lawr y Senedd yr wythnos diwethaf, felly, dwi ddim am ailadrodd fy hun, a dwi'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am y diweddariad sydd newydd gael ei gyflwyno heddiw. Ond mae yna un elfen sy'n mynd yn angof yn aml yn y drafodaeth am ffliw adar, sef ei effaith ar gynhyrchwyr wyau. Mae'r sector hwn eisoes wedi dioddef cyfnod anodd iawn, efo rhai ffermwyr yn dweud bod yna fai ar yr archfarchnadoedd, ond does yna ddim amheuaeth bod mater ffliw adar yn effeithio ar y cyflenwad o wyau. Felly, hoffwn i ofyn i'r Gweinidog: pa asesiad y mae hi wedi ei wneud o effaith hyn ar y sector wyau, a pha gamau sy'n cael eu cymryd er mwyn sicrhau na fydd ffermwyr wyau Cymru yn dioddef yn sgil y datblygiadau yma? A pha gefnogaeth sydd am gael ei rhoi mewn lle os ydy'r sector yma am gael ei effeithio? Diolch.
Thank you to Sam Kurtz for asking this question today. The Minister will recall that I raised this issue with her on the floor of the Senedd just last week, so I won't rehearse what I said then, and I'm grateful to the Minister for the update that's just been presented today. But there is one element that is often forgotten in the discussion on avian flu, which is its impact on egg producers. This sector has already suffered a very difficult time, with some farmers saying that there is blame on the supermarkets, but there is no doubt that the issue of avian flu does affect the supply of eggs. Therefore, I'd like to ask the Minister what assessment she has made of the impact of this on the egg sector, and what steps are being taken to ensure that egg farmers in Wales won't suffer as a result of these developments. And what support will be provided if this sector is to be affected? Thank you.
Thank you. Well, clearly, our egg producers have been affected; if you think about free-range for instance, because of the mandatory housing Orders that we had, obviously, free-range egg production was affected. I think I probably said to you that this is being dealt with at a UK level, and, certainly, the UK Government had co-ordinated a meeting around egg producers. I'm not aware of any specific support or funding that is available, but, obviously, we need to keep a very close eye on that, and see what the outcome is for our egg producers.
Diolch. Wel, yn amlwg, effeithiwyd ar ein cynhyrchwyr wyau; os ydych chi'n meddwl am wyau maes er enghraifft, oherwydd y Gorchmynion gorfodol a gawsom i gadw adar dan do, fe effeithiwyd ar gynhyrchiant wyau maes wrth gwrs. Rwy'n credu fy mod wedi dweud wrthych yn ôl pob tebyg fod hyn yn cael sylw ar lefel y DU, ac yn sicr, roedd Llywodraeth y DU wedi cydlynu cyfarfod yn ymwneud â chynhyrchwyr wyau. Nid wyf yn ymwybodol o unrhyw gymorth neu gyllid penodol sydd ar gael, ond yn amlwg, mae angen inni gadw llygad barcud ar hynny, a gweld beth yw'r canlyniad i'n cynhyrchwyr wyau.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
Eitem 5 yw'r datganiadau 90 eiliad. Ac yn gyntaf, galwaf ar Tom Giffard.
Item 5 is the 90-second statements. And firstly, I call on Tom Giffard.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Dirprwy Lywydd. This week is Wales Tourism Week, when we champion all that this beautiful nation of ours has to offer. I've had the pleasure of visiting a number of tourism businesses—many of them fantastic—across my region of South Wales West, seeing first hand the tremendous benefits that these companies bring, not only to the tourism offer in their local areas, but to the communities that they live in themselves. What I'll say that I've had from conversations with local operators is that, when it comes to marketing Wales to the world, we have to be clear that there's something for everyone, whether that's the spectacular beaches or the depths of the countryside, or everything in between—suffice to say that Wales has so much more to offer than just castles and rugby, proud as we are of that heritage. In other words, the sheer diversity, the length and the breadth of Wales, extends far beyond those common stereotypes. And in South Wales West, we have some truly amazing places to visit, from the wonderful beaches of Gower, to the grand surroundings of Porthcawl, to the centuries tied up in the Neath valley and beyond. We have so much to offer right across my region. And, of course, the strength of our tourism offer wouldn't be possible without the tremendous hard work of our local businesses, hospitality staff, historic trusts and volunteers, and I'd like to give my heartfelt thanks to all of those people.
And throughout this week, and indeed every week, I look forward to hearing more about the lives and experiences of our amazing tourism businesses right across Wales. Wherever you are in Wales, enjoy Wales Tourism Week as we commemorate it here in the Senedd.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Yr wythnos hon yw Wythnos Twristiaeth Cymru, pan fyddwn yn hyrwyddo popeth sydd gan y genedl brydferth hon i'w gynnig. Cefais y pleser o ymweld â nifer o fusnesau twristiaeth—nifer ohonynt yn wych—ar draws fy rhanbarth yng Ngorllewin De Cymru, a gweld yn uniongyrchol y manteision aruthrol y mae'r cwmnïau hyn yn eu cynnig, nid yn unig i'r arlwy twristiaeth yn eu hardaloedd lleol, ond i'r cymunedau y maent yn byw ynddynt eu hunain. O sgyrsiau gyda gweithredwyr lleol am farchnata Cymru i'r byd, mae'n rhaid inni fod yn glir fod yna rywbeth at ddant pawb, boed yn draethau ysblennydd neu'n ardaloedd cefn gwlad, neu bopeth rhyngddynt—digon yw dweud bod gan Gymru gymaint mwy i'w gynnig na chestyll a rygbi yn unig, er mor falch yr ydym o'r dreftadaeth honno. Mewn geiriau eraill, mae'r amrywiaeth fawr, ar hyd a lled Cymru, yn ymestyn ymhell y tu hwnt i'r ystrydebau cyffredin hynny. Ac yng Ngorllewin De Cymru, mae gennym leoedd gwirioneddol anhygoel i ymweld â nhw, o draethau gwych Gŵyr, i amgylcheddau mawreddog Porthcawl, i'r canrifoedd sydd wedi gadael eu hôl ar gwm Nedd a thu hwnt. Mae gennym gymaint i'w gynnig ar draws fy rhanbarth. Ac wrth gwrs, ni fyddai cryfder ein cynnig twristiaeth yn bosibl heb waith caled aruthrol ein busnesau lleol, staff lletygarwch, ymddiriedolaethau hanes a gwirfoddolwyr, a hoffwn ddiolch o galon i'r holl bobl hynny.
A thrwy gydol yr wythnos hon, a phob wythnos yn wir, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at glywed mwy am fywydau a phrofiadau ein busnesau twristiaeth anhygoel ledled Cymru. Lle bynnag y byddwch yng Nghymru, mwynhewch Wythnos Twristiaeth Cymru wrth inni ei nodi yma yn y Senedd.
It's important that we preserve our local history, and that includes women's history, which can so often be overlooked. The purple plaque campaign does exactly that, remembering remarkable Welsh women. At the end of last week, I attended the unveiling of Cynon Valley Museum's—in my constituency—first purple plaque. It was appropriate that the plaque was in commemoration of Rose Davies, who's record is itself one of a remarkable series of firsts. Rose was the first woman to chair an education committee in Wales; the first secretary of the Co-operative Women's Guild in Aberdare; the first woman chair of Aberdare Trades and Labour Executive Council; in 1920, the first woman to be elected to Glamorgan County Council, representing the Aberaman ward. And, then, in 1949, Rose became the county council's first female chair.
Born in Aberdare in 1882, Rose worked as a teacher, then embarked on a lengthy career of public service. With her husband Ted, she became close friends with Keir Hardie, including advising him on education policy. This was one of her passions, as were the Labour peace and women's movements, including the provision of maternity services and birth control. Rose was a remarkable Welsh woman, so it is only fitting that she is remembered. My thanks to colleagues from the Senedd, and to all those local people who attended, to make sure that that is the case.
Mae'n bwysig ein bod yn gwarchod ein hanes lleol, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys hanes menywod, sy'n aml yn cael ei anwybyddu. Mae'r ymgyrch plac porffor yn gwneud hynny i gofio am fenywod nodedig Cymru. Ddiwedd yr wythnos diwethaf, mynychais seremoni ddadorchuddio plac porffor cyntaf Amgueddfa Cwm Cynon yn fy etholaeth. Roedd yn briodol fod y plac yn coffáu Rose Davies y mae ei chyflawniad yn un o gyfres ryfeddol o gyflawniadau cyntaf. Rose oedd y fenyw gyntaf i gadeirio pwyllgor addysg yng Nghymru; ysgrifennydd cyntaf Urdd Gydweithredol y Menywod yn Aberdâr; y fenyw gyntaf i gadeirio Cyngor Gweithredol Crefftau a Llafur Aberdâr; ym 1920, y fenyw gyntaf i gael ei hethol i Gyngor Sir Forgannwg, gan gynrychioli ward Aberaman. Ac yna, ym 1949, Rose oedd cadeirydd benywaidd cyntaf y cyngor sir.
Ganed Rose yn Aberdâr ym 1882, a gweithiodd fel athrawes cyn dechrau ar yrfa hir o wasanaeth cyhoeddus. Gyda'i gŵr Ted, daeth yn ffrindiau agos â Keir Hardie, a bu'n ei gynghori ar bolisi addysg. Dyma un o'r pethau y teimlai'n angerddol yn eu cylch, yn ogystal â mudiadau heddwch a menywod Llafur, gan gynnwys darparu gwasanaethau mamolaeth ac atal cenhedlu. Roedd Rose yn Gymraes ryfeddol, felly mae'n addas iawn ei bod hi'n cael ei chofio. Diolch i gyd-Aelodau o'r Senedd, ac i'r holl bobl leol a fynychodd, i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd.
Tomorrow marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Welsh Mountain Zoo—the national zoo of Wales. Based in Colwyn Bay, the zoo is one of north Wales's top tourist attractions, welcoming around 170,000 people through its gates each and every year. And it's gone from strength to strength since it was opened by its founder, Robert Jackson, and the mayor of the bay of Colwyn in 1963. From those small beginnings, the zoo is now home to 1,500 animals, and more than 100 species. It employs 40 members of staff, and that rises to 55 members of staff during the busy summer season.
I've been blessed to visit the zoo on many occasions over the years to hear more about its educational and conservation work, including, of course, its vital role in the UK-wide red squirrel breeding programme. I've also helped the keepers to feed the parrots, the chimps, the gibbons, the bears, tigers, lemurs, sea lions, meerkats and the snow leopards over the years, and, this weekend, visitors have been invited to celebrate the zoo's diamond anniversary with half-price tickets and a host of special activities. The Welsh Mountain Zoo is a Welsh success story, and I hope that all Members in this Chamber will join me in wishing everybody there a hearty congratulations on this special anniversary, and every success for the decades to come.
Yfory, fe fydd hi'n 60 mlynedd ers agor Sw Mynydd Cymru—sw cenedlaethol Cymru. Wedi'i lleoli ym Mae Colwyn, mae'r sw yn un o atyniadau twristiaeth gorau gogledd Cymru, ac mae'n croesawu tua 170,000 o bobl drwy ei gatiau bob blwyddyn. Ac mae wedi mynd o nerth i nerth ers iddi gael ei hagor gan ei sylfaenydd, Robert Jackson, a maer bae Colwyn ym 1963. O'r dechreuadau bach hynny, mae'r sw bellach yn gartref i 1,500 o anifeiliaid, a mwy na 100 o rywogaethau. Mae'n cyflogi 40 aelod o staff, ac mae hynny'n codi i 55 aelod o staff yn ystod tymor prysur yr haf.
Cefais y fraint o ymweld â'r sw ar sawl achlysur dros y blynyddoedd i glywed mwy am ei gwaith addysgol a chadwraethol, gan gynnwys ei rôl hanfodol wrth gwrs yn y rhaglen DU gyfan ar gyfer bridio gwiwerod coch. Rwyf hefyd wedi helpu'r ceidwaid i fwydo'r parotiaid, y tsimpansîaid, y giboniaid, yr eirth, teigrod, lemyriaid, morlewod, swricatiaid a llewpardiaid yr eira dros y blynyddoedd, a'r penwythnos hwn, gwahoddwyd ymwelwyr i ddathlu pen-blwydd diemwnt y sw gyda thocynnau hanner pris a llu o weithgareddau arbennig. Mae Sw Mynydd Cymru yn stori lwyddiant Gymreig, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr holl Aelodau yn y Siambr yn ymuno â mi i ddymuno llongyfarchiadau calonnog i bawb ar y pen-blwydd arbennig hwn, a phob llwyddiant ar gyfer y degawdau i ddod.
This week is Dementia Action Week, where the focus this year is on the importance of a timely diagnosis. An accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial to help people manage their symptoms and allow access to the treatment, support and advice that a diagnosis unlocks. Research by the Alzheimer's Society Cymru has revealed that almost one in three people in Wales who notice symptoms of dementia in themselves or a loved one wait more than a month before voicing their concerns, with almost one in five people in Wales waiting for more than six months before speaking to a medical professional. Confusing dementia symptoms with signs of ageing was the main reason why people stayed silent about potential symptoms of dementia. This was followed by not wanting to worry loved ones, as well as fears of how their relationships might change. Asking the same question over and over again is not called getting old, it's called getting ill, and it could be a sign of dementia. Therefore, this week, Dementia Action Week, I would like my constituents and everyone in Wales to know that there is support out there from organisations such as Alzheimer's Society Cymru if you're confused about your symptoms. So, go and get the help you need and deserve.
Yr wythnos hon yw Wythnos Gweithredu ar Ddementia, ac mae'r ffocws eleni ar bwysigrwydd diagnosis amserol. Mae diagnosis cywir ac amserol yn hanfodol i helpu pobl i reoli eu symptomau a chaniatáu mynediad at y driniaeth, y cymorth a'r cyngor y mae diagnosis yn eu cynnig. Mae ymchwil gan Gymdeithas Alzheimer's Cymru wedi datgelu bod bron i un o bob tri o bobl yng Nghymru sy'n sylwi ar symptomau dementia ynddynt eu hunain neu rywun annwyl yn aros mwy na mis cyn lleisio eu pryderon, gyda bron i un o bob pump o bobl yng Nghymru yn aros am fwy na chwe mis cyn siarad â gweithiwr meddygol proffesiynol. Drysu symptomau dementia ag arwyddion o heneiddio oedd y prif reswm pam fod pobl yn cadw'n dawel am symptomau posibl dementia. Dilynwyd hyn gan beidio â bod eisiau poeni anwyliaid, yn ogystal ag ofnau ynglŷn â sut y gallai eu perthynas ag anwyliaid newid. Nid mynd yn hen yw gofyn yr un cwestiwn drosodd a throsodd, ond mynd yn sâl, a gallai fod yn arwydd o ddementia. Felly, yr wythnos hon, Wythnos Gweithredu ar Ddementia, hoffwn i fy etholwyr a phawb yng Nghymru wybod bod cefnogaeth ar gael gan sefydliadau fel Cymdeithas Alzheimer's Cymru os ydych chi'n ddryslyd ynglŷn â'ch symptomau. Felly, ewch i gael yr help rydych chi ei angen ac yn ei haeddu.
Mae’n Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl, ac rwy’n siŵr ein bod ni i gyd yn ymwybodol o’r rôl bwysig mae cadw’n heini yn ei chwarae wrth gynnal iechyd meddwl da. Felly, hoffwn gymryd y cyfle i sôn am y gwaith rhagorol mae ColegauCymru yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod bywyd pob dydd dysgwyr yn weithgar a heini, a’r effaith gadarnhaol caiff hyn ar eu hiechyd meddwl.
Yn ddiweddar, noddais gyfarfod gan ColegauCymru, lle dywedodd dysgwyr wrthyf am y budd o fod yn heini a’r effaith ar eu iechyd corfforol a meddyliol. Roedd yn galonogol clywed pobl ifanc yn siarad mor frwd am eu profiadau.
Yn 2021, comisiynodd Colegau Cymru dri prosiect ymchwil ansoddol gyda cholegau, oedd yn canolbwyntio ar ddarpariaeth lles actif. Ariannwyd y prosiectau ymchwil lles actif gan Lywodraeth Cymru fel rhan o’u rhaglen i gefnogi mentrau iechyd meddwl a lles mewn colegau addysg bellach.
Mae dros 300 o ddysgwyr, tiwtoriaid ac aelodau staff wedi cymryd rhan yn yr ymchwil erbyn hyn. Maent yn darparu lles actif mewn sefydliadau addysg bellach, ac mewn sefydliadau cenedlaethol eraill. Canfu’r ymchwil fod darpariaeth lles actif yn cael ei groesawu gan ddysgwyr a’i fod wedi eu helpu i ddeall y cysylltiad rhwng gweithgaredd corfforol, iechyd meddwl a lles. Mae’r rheini sy’n cymryd rhan mewn cyfleoedd lles actif yn adrodd eu bod yn cael hwyl, mwynhad a rhyddhad rhag straen, pryder a phwysau gwaith, yn ogystal â chyfle i gymdeithasu.
Er bod gwaith gwych yn digwydd mewn y colegau, mae tystiolaeth bod llai o bobl 15 oed ac 16 oed yn cadw’n heini, yn enwedig merched, pobl o gefndir incwm isel, a'r rheini o gefndiroedd du, Asiaidd, lleiafrifoedd ethnig, a nodweddion gwarchodedig eraill.
Mae colegau mewn sefyllfa dda i gefnogi’r dysgwyr hyn ond mae’r her yn barhaus ac mae cyllid gan Lywodraeth Cymru a Chwaraeon Cymru yn hanfodol yn y maes hwn—rhywbeth, gobeithio, y gallwn ni oll gytuno arno.
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and I am sure that we're all aware of the important role that keeping fit plays in maintaining good mental health. Therefore, I'd like to take the opportunity to mention the excellent work that ColegauCymru is doing to ensure that learners' everyday lives are active and fit, and the positive impact that this has on their mental health.
Recently, I sponsored a ColegauCymru meeting, where learners told me about the benefits of being fit and the impact on their physical and mental health. It was heartening to hear young people speak so enthusiastically about their experiences.
In 2021, ColegauCymru commissioned three qualitative research projects with colleges, which focused on the provision of active well-being. Funding for the active well-being research projects was provided by the Welsh Government as part of its programme to support mental health and well-being initiatives in further education colleges.
More than 300 learners, tutors and staff members have now taken part in the research. They provide active wellbeing in further education institutions, and in other national institutions. The research found that active well-being provision is welcomed by learners, and that it has helped them to understand the link between physical activity, mental health and well-being. Those who take part in active well-being opportunities report that they have fun, enjoyment and relief from stress, anxiety and work pressures, as well as opportunities to socialise.
Although great work is happening in the colleges, there is evidence that fewer 15 and 16-year-olds are keeping fit, especially girls, people from lower income backgrounds, and those from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, and with other protected characteristics.
Colleges are well placed to support these learners, but the challenge is ongoing, and continued funding from the Welsh Government and Sport Wales is essential in this area—something we can all agree on, hopefully.
Diolch, bawb.
Thank you, all.
Eitem 6 yw'r ddadl ar gynnig deddfwriaethol gan Aelod, diogelwch adeiladau uchel. Galwaf ar Janet Finch-Saunders i wneud y cynnig.
Item 6 is the debate on a Member's legislative proposal, high-rise building safety, and I call on Janet Finch-Saunders to move the motion.
Cynnig NDM8230 Janet Finch-Saunders, Jane Dodds, Rhys ab Owen
Cefnogwyd gan Gareth Davies, Joel James, Natasha Asghar
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi cynnig ar gyfer Bil i sicrhau bod datblygwyr adeiladau uchel iawn yn gyfrifol am faterion diogelwch.
2. Yn nodi mai diben y Bil hwn fyddai:
a) creu dyletswydd ar ddatblygwyr i ad-dalu lesddeiliaid am gostau rhesymol a gronnwyd o ganlyniad i faterion diogelwch adeiladau; a
b) gwahardd unrhyw ddatblygwr sy’n gwrthod cyweirio’r diffygion diogelwch tân ar adeiladau a ddatblygwyd ganddynt rhag cael caniatâd cynllunio ar gyfer unrhyw ddatblygiadau newydd yng Nghymru.
Motion NDM8230 Janet Finch-Saunders, Jane Dodds, Rhys ab Owen
Supported by Gareth Davies, Joel James, Natasha Asghar
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes a proposal for a Bill to ensure that high-rise building developers are responsible for safety issues.
2. Notes that the purpose of this Bill would be to:
a) create a duty on developers to refund leaseholders for reasonable costs accrued due to building safety issues; and
b) prohibit any developer who refuses to remediate the fire safety defects on buildings they developed from being awarded planning permission for any new developments in Wales.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Now then, I will have to declare an interest in this—an interest I didn't know that I had, even yesterday as I sat here. So, I arrived home yesterday, at the apartments that I am in—I know that other Members are in also—and I had a letter from the property management company, which said that there's a joint survey of the external cladding that's been undertaken, and the initial report has come back, which suggests that remediation work will be required, and, due to the intolerable level of risk at the building, a waking watch must be installed whilst the installation of a heightened fire alarm system can be implemented. Waking watch is a fire safety system, where suitably trained staff continually patrol the floors and the exterior perimeter of a building to maintain the safety of its occupants from fire. The aim of a waking watch is to ensure there is sufficient warning in the event of a fire to support the evacuation strategy. I understand that yesterday there were two gentlemen wandering around in high-vis jackets with a horn, a foghorn-type thing, so if they noticed anything untoward they were on site. Now, I've only found this out today, so there'll be others who have yet, perhaps, to find this out. But what we do know is that there are thousands trapped in these leasehold apartments as we speak.
Now, the purpose of this proposal is to see this Welsh Parliament use its legislative power to back these trapped leaseholders. I'd also like to thank Rhys ab Owen and Jane Dodds, because this is something we feel cross-party and we feel about very strongly, and I know that they've been very supportive to date.
So, it has taken us, Dirprwy Lywydd, five years from the Grenfell tragedy to now reach the point where developers are signing the pact. It is good that this is taking place. Now, I've seen a letter sent last week by your deputy director for housing safety, regulation and standards. And it reads: 'The terms of the legal agreement that underpins the pact does not require developers to cover costs for interim measures, such as waking watches. However, it does require developers to address fire safety issues as soon as reasonably practicable so that interim measures are no longer required.' Now, the pact is a brilliant Michael-Gove-inspired stick. Now, for the sake of clarity, Minister, please can you provide your rationale for not requiring developers to cover costs for interim measures?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Nawr, bydd yn rhaid imi ddatgan diddordeb yn hyn—diddordeb nad oeddwn yn gwybod ei fod gennyf, ddoe hyd yn oed wrth imi eistedd yma. Cyrhaeddais adref ddoe, i'r fflatiau rwyf ynddynt—rwy'n gwybod bod Aelodau eraill ynddynt hefyd—ac roedd llythyr yno gan y cwmni rheoli eiddo a ddywedai fod arolwg ar y cyd wedi'i gynnal o'r cladin allanol, ac adroddiad cychwynnol wedi dod yn ôl, sy'n awgrymu y bydd angen gwaith cyweirio, ac oherwydd y lefel annioddefol o risg yn yr adeilad, rhaid cynnal gwyliadwriaeth effro tra bod system larwm tân estynedig yn cael ei gosod. System diogelwch tân yw gwyliadwriaeth effro lle mae staff sydd wedi'u hyfforddi'n addas yn patrolio'r lloriau a therfyn allanol yr adeilad yn barhaus i gadw'r bobl sy'n byw ynddo'n ddiogel rhag tân. Nod gwyliadwriaeth effro yw sicrhau bod digon o rybudd pe bai tân yn digwydd i gefnogi'r strategaeth wacáu. Deallaf fod dau ŵr bonheddig yn crwydro o gwmpas ddoe mewn siacedi llachar ac yn cario corn, peth tebyg i gorn niwl, felly pe baent yn sylwi ar unrhyw beth o'i le roeddent ar y safle. Nawr, heddiw y deallais hyn, felly efallai y bydd eraill heb glywed eto. Ond yr hyn a wyddom yw bod miloedd wedi'u dal yn y fflatiau lesddaliadol hyn yr eiliad hon.
Nawr, pwrpas y cynnig hwn yw gweld Senedd Cymru'n defnyddio ei phŵer deddfwriaethol i gefnogi'r lesddeiliaid caeth hyn. Hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i Rhys ab Owen a Jane Dodds, oherwydd mae hyn yn rhywbeth rydym yn ei deimlo'n gryf ac yn drawsbleidiol, a gwn eu bod wedi bod yn gefnogol iawn hyd yma.
Felly, Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae wedi cymryd pum mlynedd ers trasiedi Grenfell i gyrraedd y pwynt lle mae datblygwyr yn llofnodi'r ymrwymiad. Mae'n dda bod hyn yn digwydd. Nawr, rwyf wedi gweld llythyr a anfonwyd yr wythnos diwethaf gan eich dirprwy gyfarwyddwr diogelwch, rheoleiddio a safonau tai. Ac mae'n dweud: 'Nid yw telerau'r cytundeb cyfreithiol sy'n sail i'r ymrwymiad yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i ddatblygwyr dalu costau am fesurau dros dro, fel gwyliadwriaeth effro. Fodd bynnag, mae'n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i ddatblygwyr fynd i'r afael â materion diogelwch tân cyn gynted ag y bo'n rhesymol yn ymarferol fel nad oes angen mesurau dros dro mwyach.' Nawr, mae'r ymrwymiad yn ffon wych a ysbrydolwyd gan Michael Gove. Er eglurder, Weinidog, a allwch chi roi eich rhesymeg dros beidio â'i gwneud yn ofynnol i ddatblygwyr dalu costau ar gyfer mesurau dros dro?
The reason why waking watches are required is because, such as in the case of one development in south Wales, an independent fire engineer, in consultation with south Wales fire and rescue service, recommended that an interim waking watch was the correct course of action to keep residents safe. The costs, however, should not fall on these victims, these leaseholders. Now, because I’m always at work during the day, I’m probably—you know, the times, the number of days I’m down here, I'm probably not going to be impacted by the people and seeing the people who are protecting everybody in those apartments; basically, I leave that behind. But there are those leaseholders, or landlords of properties, bought in all innocence, who have to now be aware of this.
The costs—. Oh, I have said that. You’ve already agreed to reimburse survey costs, where surveys took place prior to the launch of the Welsh building safety fund in September 2021. However, that is even on condition that the following criteria are met: the survey work must have taken place prior to September 2021; a procurement process must—and just on that, not everyone has actually been able to have that survey work undertaken by 2021—a procurement process must have been followed; the work must have been carried out by a suitably qualified person—who would argue with that—the survey report must be of an equivalent standard to those being carried out by the Welsh Government’s appointed surveyors. And therein lies a very grey area, because some people are finding out that they are in one of these very dangerous buildings. And we know, whilst we talk about Cladiators and cladding, as you have rightly pointed out, Minister, over many months here, there’s a lot more to it than that. There are properties where—. I know you’ve mentioned things like fire curtains; it’s not just a cladding scandal. The survey report is—. Oh, yes, I've said that. It makes no sense to me, though, that you are applying such strict criteria retrospectively. Every single person living in one of these buildings needs your help and support. So, you should be using the levers at your disposal to make access to support for every single householder and make it as easy as possible.
Another example of a Welsh Government barrier is that you have made no commitment to retrospectively pay for all works carried out. The Welsh building safety fund was launched in September 2021, over four years after Grenfell. It is perfectly reasonable to have expected concerned residents to have taken decisive action to make their homes safer in the time it took your Welsh Government to act. As it stands, access to support is felt to be incredibly difficult for these leaseholders. So now, we believe, they believe, and I think any reasonably minded person would believe, there is need now to use our law-making abilities to provide this justice for these individuals.
Now, I have had time to read a deed of bilateral contract between Welsh Ministers and any developer. It is noted in section 20—breaches and termination—that the Welsh Ministers may pursue any of the remedies available to the Welsh Ministers at law for such material breach, including those remedies referred to within clause 27.5. Clause 27.5 refers to damages, injunction and specific performance. The legislation before us today would put in law that any developer who refuses to remediate the fire safety defects on buildings that they had developed would be barred from being awarded planning permission for any new developments in Wales.
Now, whilst I would like this Welsh Parliament to consider options as to how the prohibition could be achieved, one option is replicating banning orders. In England, such orders are used by the first-tier tribunal to ban a landlord from letting housing in England, engaging in English letting agency work and engaging in English property management work. Another option would be introducing a TAN, a technical advice note, which makes a developer's past failure to remediate fire safety defects a valid ground for objection to any application they present. Or we can simply look to the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP's example, yet again, and replicate the responsible actors scheme. The regulations will enable eligible developers who do not join and comply with the scheme conditions—
Y rheswm pam mae angen gwyliadwriaeth effro, megis yn achos un datblygiad yn ne Cymru, yw bod peiriannydd tân annibynnol, mewn ymgynghoriad â gwasanaeth tân ac achub de Cymru, wedi awgrymu mai gwyliadwriaeth effro dros dro oedd y llwybr cywir i'w ddilyn er mwyn cadw preswylwyr yn ddiogel. Fodd bynnag, ni ddylai'r dioddefwyr, y lesddeiliaid hyn, orfod talu'r costau. Nawr, am fy mod bob amser yn y gwaith yn ystod y dydd, mae'n debyg fy mod—wyddoch chi, yr adegau, y nifer o ddyddiau rwyf i lawr yn y fan hon, mae'n debyg na fydd y bobl a gweld y bobl sy'n diogelu pawb yn y fflatiau hynny'n effeithio arnaf fi; yn y bôn, rwy'n gadael hynny ar ôl. Ond mae yna lesddeiliaid, neu landlordiaid eiddo a brynwyd mewn diniweidrwydd llwyr, sy'n gorfod bod yn ymwybodol o hyn nawr.
Mae'r costau—. O, rwyf wedi dweud hynny. Rydych eisoes wedi cytuno i ad-dalu costau arolwg, lle cynhaliwyd arolygon cyn lansio cronfa diogelwch adeiladau Cymru ym mis Medi 2021. Fodd bynnag, mae hynny ar yr amod fod y meini prawf canlynol yn cael eu bodloni: rhaid bod y gwaith arolygu wedi digwydd cyn mis Medi 2021; rhaid bod proses gaffael—ac ar hynny, nid yw pawb wedi gallu cael y gwaith arolygu wedi'i wneud erbyn 2021—rhaid bod proses gaffael wedi cael ei dilyn; rhaid i'r gwaith fod wedi'i gyflawni gan berson â chymwysterau addas—pwy fyddai'n dadlau â hynny—rhaid i adroddiad yr arolwg fod o safon gyfatebol i'r rhai sy'n cael eu cyflawni gan syrfewyr a benodwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Ac mae hwnnw'n dir llwyd iawn, oherwydd mae rhai pobl yn darganfod eu bod yn un o'r adeiladau peryglus hyn. Ac er inni fod yn siarad am y Cladiators a chladin ers misoedd lawer yma fel y nodoch chi'n gywir, Weinidog, fe wyddom fod llawer mwy iddo na hynny. Mae yna eiddo lle—. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod wedi sôn am bethau fel llenni tân; nid sgandal am gladin yn unig mohoni. Mae adroddiad yr arolwg yn—. O ydw, rwyf wedi dweud hynny. Nid yw'n gwneud unrhyw synnwyr i mi, er hynny, eich bod yn gosod meini prawf mor llym yn ôl-weithredol. Mae pob person sy'n byw yn un o'r adeiladau hyn angen eich help a'ch cymorth. Felly, dylech fod yn defnyddio'r ysgogiadau sydd ar gael i chi i sicrhau mynediad at gymorth i bob deiliad tŷ unigol a'i wneud mor hawdd â phosibl.
Enghraifft arall o rwystr Llywodraeth Cymru yw nad ydych chi wedi ymrwymo i dalu'n ôl-weithredol am yr holl waith a wnaed. Lansiwyd cronfa diogelwch adeiladau Cymru ym mis Medi 2021, dros bedair blynedd ar ôl Grenfell. Mae'n gwbl rhesymol i fod wedi disgwyl i breswylwyr pryderus gymryd camau pendant i wneud eu cartrefi'n fwy diogel yn yr amser y cymerodd i Lywodraeth Cymru weithredu. Fel y mae, teimlir bod mynediad at gymorth yn hynod o anodd i'r lesddeiliaid hyn. Felly nawr, rydym yn credu, maent hwy'n credu, ac rwyf i'n credu y byddai unrhyw berson rhesymol yn credu, fod angen defnyddio ein gallu i ddeddfu nawr i sicrhau cyfiawnder i'r unigolion hyn.
Nawr, rwyf wedi cael amser i ddarllen gweithred contract dwyochrog rhwng Gweinidogion Cymru ac unrhyw ddatblygwr. Nodir yn adran 20—torri amodau a therfynu—y caiff Gweinidogion Cymru fynd ar drywydd unrhyw un o'r camau unioni sydd ar gael i Weinidogion Cymru yn y gyfraith am dorri amodau perthnasol o'r fath, gan gynnwys y camau unioni y cyfeirir atynt yng nghymal 27.5. Mae cymal 27.5 yn cyfeirio at iawndal, gwaharddeb a pherfformiad penodol. Byddai'r ddeddfwriaeth sydd ger ein bron heddiw yn datgan mewn cyfraith y byddai unrhyw ddatblygwr sy'n gwrthod cyweirio diffygion diogelwch tân ar adeiladau a ddatblygwyd ganddynt yn cael eu gwahardd rhag cael caniatâd cynllunio ar gyfer unrhyw ddatblygiadau newydd yng Nghymru.
Nawr, er y byddwn yn hoffi i Senedd Cymru ystyried opsiynau ynglŷn â sut y gellid cyflawni'r gwaharddiad, un opsiwn yw ailadrodd gorchmynion gwahardd. Yn Lloegr, mae gorchmynion o'r fath yn cael eu defnyddio gan y tribiwnlys haen gyntaf i wahardd landlord rhag gosod tai yn Lloegr, rhag cymryd rhan mewn gwaith asiantaeth gosod yn Lloegr a rhag cymryd rhan mewn gwaith rheoli eiddo yn Lloegr. Opsiwn arall fyddai cyflwyno TAN, nodyn cyngor technegol, sy'n gwneud methiant datblygwr yn y gorffennol i gyweirio diffygion diogelwch tân yn sail ddilys ar gyfer gwrthwynebu unrhyw gais a gyflwynid ganddynt. Neu gallwn edrych ar esiampl y Gwir Anrhydeddus Michael Gove AS unwaith eto, ac ailadrodd cynllun gweithredwyr cyfrifol. Bydd y rheoliadau'n galluogi datblygwyr cymwys nad ydynt yn ymuno ac yn cydymffurfio ag amodau'r cynllun—
Janet, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but you've used all of the time you were allocated for opening and closing, so I suggest that perhaps you want to finish there and close.
Janet, mae'n ddrwg gennyf dorri ar eich traws, ond rydych chi wedi defnyddio'r holl amser a ddyrannwyd i chi ar gyfer agor a chloi, felly awgrymaf efallai eich bod am ddod i ben yn y fan honno.
Oh, sorry, I thought I had eight minutes to open and—.
O, mae'n ddrwg gennyf, roeddwn yn meddwl bod gennyf wyth munud i agor a—.
No, eight minutes in total.
Na, wyth munud i gyd.
Oh, right, okay. Well, I now implore all Members to support my proposal today that we now put this into law. That will protect these leaseholders who are innocent victims. Diolch.
O, iawn, o'r gorau. Wel, rwy'n erfyn ar bob Aelod i gefnogi fy nghynnig heddiw ein bod yn rhoi hyn mewn cyfraith nawr. Bydd hynny'n diogelu'r lesddeiliaid sy'n ddioddefwyr diniwed. Diolch.
I will give you a minute to sum up at the end, okay.
Fe roddaf funud i chi grynhoi ar y diwedd, iawn.
Thank you.
Diolch.
Jane Dodds.
Jane Dodds.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch i Janet hefyd am y cyfle i gyfrannu yn y ddadl yma.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to Janet for the opportunity to participate in this debate.
We have been here many times before, and I'm sure the Minister must be a tad frustrated that we are returning to it again, but it is the case that it is an issue that has not gone away, and/or it is that people are not having the communications that recognise the work that's being done. I'm pleased that this is a cross-party motion, and I'm just going to focus on three particular issues—three particular questions, if you like.
We know that some developers have signed a Government pledge to undertake and pay for remediation, but I'm concerned that the pact is not legally binding and I'd just like some clarity on that, please. The fallout from the pact in England, and steps taken, does show that anything without a legal basis will not drive change.
Secondly, if I could also understand if there is a willingness, obligation, commitment—call it what you will—following up on Janet's point, to pay for the unreasonable and ongoing costs associated with the very real building safety failures of the developers' making—.
Thirdly, and finally, something I just touched on in my opening remarks was: what communications plan to leaseholders, with clear timescales as well, is in place at the moment? Many of us know that, if you have information, if you're communicated with, then you will perhaps feel in a better position, your stress levels may feel a little bit lower and your mental health may be a little bit more stable. We know that many of these leaseholders are very stressed and they are suffering in terms of their mental health; that's from families and young people up to, particularly, older people—people who have retired and have put all of their life savings, in essence, into their property.
Janet has highlighted, and is now affected by, the concept of the waking watch, which people have paid thousands towards. This is a massive hole in their savings or in their income. So, I'm just going to finish there, but I'd just add this: I speak from sentiments of the many people who have contacted me, and I know many others in the Siambr as well, over many, many months, if not the past year, that what we have in place now is too little, too weak and too slow to act. I would like to hear from the Minister about how we address all those three elements. Thank you—diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rydym wedi bod yma droeon o'r blaen, ac rwy'n siŵr fod y Gweinidog ychydig bach yn rhwystredig ein bod yn dychwelyd ato eto, ond mae'n wir ei fod yn fater nad yw wedi diflannu, a/neu nad yw pobl yn cael y cyfathrebiadau sy'n cydnabod y gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud. Rwy'n falch fod hwn yn gynnig trawsbleidiol, ac rwy'n mynd i ganolbwyntio ar dri mater penodol—tri chwestiwn penodol, os mynnwch.
Gwyddom fod rhai datblygwyr wedi llofnodi addewid Llywodraeth i wneud gwaith cyweirio a thalu amdano, ond rwy'n pryderu nad yw'r ymrwymiad yn gyfreithiol rwymol a hoffwn gael rhywfaint o eglurder ar hynny, os gwelwch yn dda. Mae canlyniadau'r ymrwymiad yn Lloegr, a'r camau a gymerwyd, yn dangos na fydd unrhyw beth heb sail gyfreithiol yn sbarduno newid.
Yn ail, hoffwn ddeall hefyd a oes parodrwydd, rhwymedigaeth, ymrwymiad—gallwch ei alw'n beth bynnag a fynnwch—i ddilyn pwynt Janet, i dalu am y costau afresymol a pharhaus sy'n gysylltiedig â'r methiannau diogelwch adeiladau real iawn ar ran y datblygwyr—.
Yn drydydd, ac yn olaf, rhywbeth y cyffyrddais ag ef yn fy sylwadau agoriadol oedd: pa gynllun cyfathrebu i lesddeiliaid, gydag amserlenni clir hefyd, sydd ar waith ar hyn o bryd? Mae llawer ohonom yn gwybod, os oes gennych wybodaeth, os cyfathrebir â chi, yna efallai y byddwch yn teimlo mewn sefyllfa well, efallai y bydd eich lefelau straen yn teimlo ychydig yn is ac efallai y bydd eich iechyd meddwl ychydig yn fwy sefydlog. Gwyddom fod llawer o'r lesddeiliaid hyn dan straen mawr ac yn dioddef gyda'u hiechyd meddwl; clywn fod hynny'n wir am deuluoedd a phobl ifanc, a phobl hŷn yn enwedig—pobl sydd wedi ymddeol ac sydd wedi rhoi eu holl gynilion oes, yn y bôn, yn eu heiddo.
Mae Janet wedi tynnu sylw at y cysyniad o wyliadwriaeth effro, rhywbeth sy'n effeithio arni hi bellach, ac mae pobl wedi talu miloedd tuag at hyn. Mae'n dwll enfawr yn eu cynilion neu eu hincwm. Felly, rwy'n mynd i orffen yn y fan honno, ond hoffwn ychwanegu hyn: rwy'n siarad am deimladau'r nifer fawr o bobl sydd wedi cysylltu â mi, ac rwy'n gwybod bod nifer o rai eraill yn y Siambr hefyd, dros fisoedd lawer, os nad y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, yn credu bod yr hyn sydd gennym ar waith nawr yn rhy ychydig, yn rhy wan ac yn rhy araf i weithredu. Hoffwn glywed gan y Gweinidog ynglŷn â sut yr awn i'r afael â'r tair elfen honno. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rhys ab Owen.
Rhys ab Owen.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch hefyd i Janet Finch-Saunders am y cynnig deddfwriaethol pwysig yma, ac i Jane Dodds am ei chyfraniad hi.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to Janet Finch-Saunders for bringing forward this important legislative proposal, and to Jane Dodds for her contribution.
Minister, you have committed on several occasions that developers and the building industry must take responsibility to remediate fire safety defects. I was pleased to hear in March that you were making the developers' pacts legally binding. Could you please update us on how many developers have now signed a legally binding contract with the Welsh Government?
You've mentioned several times before also about the many practical issues with regard to remediation work, such as who to prioritise and to ensure sufficient resources and skills. What practical support is the Welsh Government providing to tackle these issues?
You've also said that you will consider legislation and prohibition against developers that do not take responsibility. Campaigners are very frustrated that developers involved in deficient buildings are still being awarded planning permission and local government contracts. The UK Government have indicated that they will ban developers from future developments under sections 126 to 129 of the Building Safety Act 2022. Can you please update us on any action you will take against developers and whether you're providing any guidance to local authorities?
You'll be aware, Minister, that some residents have already taken their own legal action against developers under the Defective Premises Act 1972. Without a timetable from Welsh Government, and I understand the reasons you've given prior to today about the reasons you cannot give a timetable, they are of the view that the courts will deliver well before the Welsh Government. What would you say to these residents and are you concerned about different standards applying to the Defective Premises Act to the Building Safety Act?
Weinidog, rydych wedi datgan sawl gwaith fod rhaid i ddatblygwyr a'r diwydiant adeiladu gymryd cyfrifoldeb am gyweirio diffygion diogelwch tân. Roeddwn yn falch o glywed ym mis Mawrth eich bod yn gwneud ymrwymiadau datblygwyr yn gyfreithiol rwymol. A wnewch chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni ynglŷn â faint o ddatblygwyr sydd bellach wedi llofnodi contract cyfreithiol rwymol gyda Llywodraeth Cymru?
Rydych chi wedi sôn sawl gwaith o'r blaen hefyd am y materion ymarferol niferus sy'n codi mewn perthynas â gwaith cyweirio, megis pwy i'w flaenoriaethu a sicrhau digon o adnoddau a sgiliau. Pa gymorth ymarferol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddarparu i fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn?
Rydych chi hefyd wedi dweud y byddwch chi'n ystyried deddfwriaeth a gwaharddiad yn erbyn datblygwyr nad ydynt yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb. Mae ymgyrchwyr yn rhwystredig iawn fod datblygwyr sy'n gysylltiedig ag adeiladau diffygiol yn dal i gael caniatâd cynllunio a chontractau llywodraeth leol. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi nodi y byddant yn gwahardd datblygwyr rhag datblygiadau yn y dyfodol o dan adrannau 126 i 129 o Ddeddf Diogelwch Adeiladau 2022. A wnewch chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am unrhyw gamau y byddwch yn eu cymryd yn erbyn datblygwyr ac a ydych yn darparu unrhyw ganllawiau i awdurdodau lleol?
Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol, Weinidog, fod rhai preswylwyr eisoes wedi cymryd camau cyfreithiol eu hunain yn erbyn datblygwyr o dan Ddeddf Mangreoedd Diffygiol 1972. Heb amserlen gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ac rwy'n deall y rhesymau rydych wedi'u rhoi cyn heddiw pam na allwch roi amserlen, maent o'r farn y bydd y llysoedd yn cyflawni ymhell cyn i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud. Beth fyddech chi'n ei ddweud wrth y preswylwyr hyn ac a ydych chi'n pryderu bod safonau'r Ddeddf Mangreoedd Diffygiol yn wahanol i'r hyn a geir yn y Ddeddf Diogelwch Adeiladau?
Gwnaf i orffen drwy ddyfynnu geiriau Non a Gwenallt Rees, dau bensiynwr sy'n byw yn Victoria Wharf, nid nepell o fan hyn.
'Pam ŷn ni breswylwyr fflatiau yn dal yn gyfrifol am gostau anferth...a grëwyd gan eraill?'
Dyna pam ŷn ni'n cefnogi'r Bil heddiw ac yn gobeithio bydd y Senedd yn ei gefnogi hefyd. Diolch yn fawr.
I will conclude by quoting Non and Gwenallt Rees, two pensioners who live in Victoria Wharf, a stone's throw from here.
'Why are we as owners of flats responsible for facing the huge costs...created by others?'
That's why we support the Bill today and hope that the Senedd will support it too. Thank you.
There is a problem with high-rise buildings in Wales. This has become apparent following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Residents, through no fault of their own, have been left with homes that are unsaleable and that require substantial expenditure on remedial work. I have two in Swansea East. The first is South Quay, which was built by Carillion. Carillion no longer exists, so this proposed legislation will not benefit residents in South Quay.
Carillion no longer exists, so the proposal to legislate to refund leaseholders for reasonable costs accrued due to building safety issues will do no good. There's no Carillion to make the payments, and the proposal that prohibits any developer who refuses to remediate the fire safety defects on buildings they develop from being awarded planning permission for any new developments in Wales—well, the company doesn't exist. How would it affect a company that does not exist?
My residents in South Quay are seriously concerned about the position that we're in at the moment. Carillion will not apply for planning permission, it won't apply for anything; it doesn't exist. I'm sure Carillion didn't only develop South Quay. This has left people seriously concerned that if they end up having to take legal action, how do you take it against something that has gone bankrupt?
For these buildings deemed orphan buildings by the Government, this proposed legislation is of no use, but the Minister has made offers, has made statements of support for these orphaned buildings, and I think that will do my constituents in South Quay a lot more good than this legislation.
Altamar is the other affected development, where Bellway Homes are involved as a developer. Altamar residents were advised that Bellway have signed the pact. This is definitely progress. It was also announced that payment for remedial work already done is being looked at in an internal process within Welsh Government, which, when complete, will be sent to Julie James for acceptance. I hope the Minister in her reply can provide an update on payment for the remedial work already done and a timeline for action by the developer.
What are small sums for Governments are very large sums for individuals. Some buildings, although not in Swansea, would have been built by single-purpose companies that, in the event of claims, can be easily liquidated and will not be applying for planning in the future.
If passed today, this will take over two years to go through the Senedd procedures. The Bill has to be written, the detailed legislation, followed by Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the Senedd. Despite all these concerns I have, I'll be voting for it to show my support for my residents, but I think that those of you who have told them that this is a quick fix have misled them. This needs resolving now, well before this proposed legislation goes through the Senedd. People are hoping to see it resolved very quickly.
Of course, I will make a request to the Conservatives: will you refuse all political donations from the companies involved?
Mae problem gydag adeiladau uchel iawn yng Nghymru. Mae hyn wedi dod i’r amlwg yn dilyn trasiedi Tŵr Grenfell. Mae preswylwyr, heb unrhyw fai arnynt eu hunain, mewn sefyllfa lle mae ganddynt gartrefi na ellir eu gwerthu ac sydd angen gwariant sylweddol ar waith cyweirio. Mae gennyf ddau yn Nwyrain Abertawe. Y cyntaf yw Cei'r De, a adeiladwyd gan Carillion. Nid yw Carillion yn bodoli mwyach, felly ni fydd y ddeddfwriaeth arfaethedig hon o fudd i drigolion yng Nghei'r De.
Nid yw Carillion yn bodoli mwyach, felly ni fydd y cynnig i ddeddfu i ad-dalu costau rhesymol sy'n deillio o faterion diogelwch adeiladau i lesddeiliaid yn gwneud unrhyw les. Nid yw Carillion yn bodoli i wneud y taliadau, ac mae’r cynnig sy’n gwahardd unrhyw ddatblygwr sy’n gwrthod cyweirio'r diffygion diogelwch tân ar adeiladau y maent yn eu datblygu rhag cael caniatâd cynllunio ar gyfer unrhyw ddatblygiadau newydd yng Nghymru—wel, nid yw’r cwmni’n bodoli. Sut y byddai'n effeithio ar gwmni nad yw'n bodoli?
Mae fy mhreswylwyr yng Nghei'r De'n bryderus iawn am y sefyllfa rydym ynddi ar hyn o bryd. Ni fydd Carillion yn gwneud cais am ganiatâd cynllunio, ni fydd yn gwneud cais am unrhyw beth; nid yw'n bodoli. Rwy’n siŵr nad Cei'r De yw unig ddatblygiad Carillion. Mae hyn wedi golygu bod pobl yn bryderus iawn, os bydd rhaid iddynt gymryd camau cyfreithiol yn y pen draw, sut rydych yn eu cymryd yn erbyn cwmni sydd wedi mynd i'r wal?
Ar gyfer yr adeiladau hyn y mae’r Llywodraeth yn eu hystyried yn adeiladau amddifad, nid yw’r ddeddfwriaeth arfaethedig hon o unrhyw ddefnydd, ond mae’r Gweinidog wedi gwneud cynigion, wedi gwneud datganiadau o gefnogaeth ar gyfer yr adeiladau amddifad hyn, a chredaf y bydd hynny’n gwneud llawer mwy o les i fy etholwyr yng Nghei'r De na'r ddeddfwriaeth hon.
Altamar yw’r datblygiad arall yr effeithir arno, lle mae Bellway Homes yn gysylltiedig â'r gwaith fel datblygwr. Dywedwyd wrth drigolion Altamar fod Bellway wedi llofnodi'r ymrwymiad. Mae hyn yn bendant yn gynnydd. Cyhoeddwyd hefyd fod taliad am waith cyweirio a wnaed eisoes yn cael ei ystyried mewn proses fewnol yn Llywodraeth Cymru, a fydd, pan fydd wedi’i chwblhau, yn cael ei hanfon at Julie James i’w derbyn. Rwy'n gobeithio y gall y Gweinidog, yn ei hateb, roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am daliad am y gwaith cyweirio a wnaed eisoes ac amserlen ar gyfer gweithredu gan y datblygwr.
Mae symiau bach i Lywodraethau yn symiau mawr iawn i unigolion. Byddai rhai adeiladau, er nad yn Abertawe, wedi cael eu hadeiladu gan gwmnïau un diben y gellir eu dirwyn i ben yn hawdd pe gwneir hawliadau, ac na fyddant yn gwneud cais cynllunio yn y dyfodol.
Os caiff y ddeddfwriaeth hon ei derbyn heddiw, bydd yn cymryd dros ddwy flynedd i fynd drwy weithdrefnau’r Senedd. Mae’n rhaid ysgrifennu’r Bil, y ddeddfwriaeth fanwl, a dilyn hynny gyda Chyfnodau 1, 2, 3 a 4 yn y Senedd. Er gwaethaf yr holl bryderon sydd gennyf, byddaf yn pleidleisio drosto i ddangos fy nghefnogaeth i fy nhrigolion, ond credaf fod y rhai ohonoch sydd wedi dweud wrthynt fod hwn yn ateb cyflym wedi eu camarwain. Mae angen datrys hyn nawr, ymhell cyn i’r ddeddfwriaeth arfaethedig hon fynd drwy’r Senedd. Mae pobl yn gobeithio gweld y mater yn cael ei ddatrys yn gyflym iawn.
Wrth gwrs, fe wnaf gais i’r Ceidwadwyr: a wnewch chi wrthod pob rhodd wleidyddol gan y cwmnïau dan sylw?
Diolch yn fawr iawn i Janet Finch-Saunders am ddod â'r ddadl yma ger ein bron ni heddiw, ac mae Janet wedi bod yn gyson wrth hyrwyddo'r mater yma dros y ddwy flynedd diwethaf, o leiaf. Mae’r cynnig yn clymu i mewn yn arbennig o dda efo'r gwaith mae’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai wedi bod yn ei wneud dros y misoedd diwethaf, o dan arweiniad celfydd John Griffiths yn y fan acw. Ac mae'r pwyllgor wedi cymryd tystiolaeth bwysig iawn yn ystod yr ymchwiliad, ac yn wir wedi agor fy llygaid i sawl peth newydd.
Mae’r cynnig yma gan Janet yn adlewyrchu llawer iawn o’r gwaith sydd wedi mynd yn ei flaen, ac mae hi wedi llwyddo i gyfleu hynny mewn modd cryno yng ngeiriad y cynnig, felly diolch iddi am y gwaith yn hynny o beth.
Wrth i’r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai edrych ar cladin a diogelwch tân, yr hyn sydd wedi dod yn hynod o amlwg ydy bod y problemau yn llawer o’r adeiladau yma yn mynd y tu hwnt i’r materion penodol sydd o dan gwestiwn yma, ac mewn gwirionedd, yn dangos gwendidau sylfaenol yn y drefn ddiogelwch a safon adeiladu. Yn wir, mi fuaswn i'n mynd mor bell â dweud bod y sector wedi bod fel y gorllewin gwyllt, gyda bron dim goruchwylio wedi bod i sicrhau safonau adeiladu a diogelwch, a chwmnïau wedi torri corneli yn sylweddol er mwyn cynyddu eu helw.
Dyma ddyfyniad gan un o’r tystion o Gaerdydd:
I'd like to thank Janet Finch-Saunders for bringing this debate forward today, and Janet has been consistent in promoting this issue over the last couple of years, at least. The proposal ties in particularly well with the work that the Local Government and Housing Committee has been doing over the past few months, under the very skilful leadership of John Griffiths over there. And the committee has taken very important evidence during its inquiry, and has genuinely opened my eyes to many new things.
This proposal by Janet reflects a great deal of the work that has been done, and she has succeeded in summarising that in an adroit way in the motion, so I thank her for the work in that regard.
And as the Local Government and Housing Committee explored cladding and fire safety, what became extremely clear is that the problems in many of these buildings go beyond the specific issues under consideration here, and in fact, they show fundamental weaknesses in the safety regime and building standards. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that the sector has been like the wild west, with almost no oversight to ensure standards of construction and safety, and companies cutting corners significantly in order to increase their profits.
Here is a quote from one of the witnesses from Cardiff:
'if you look at the quality, it's a toxic industry. It's built by the lowest bidder...we had a soil stack problem in Celestia. The soil stacks are the pipes in the building that remove human waste, and one failed. And when we went behind—this is a very famous, iconic story now—they found a bend that was held up by an empty Starbucks cup. The reality is that a lot of these buildings were thrown up, and the level of quality and professionalism is just not there.'
'os edrychwch ar yr ansawdd, mae'n ddiwydiant gwenwynig. Mae wedi'i adeiladu gan y cynigydd isaf… cawson broblem gyda'r staciau gwastraff yn Celestia. Y staciau gwastraff yw'r pibellau yn yr adeilad sy'n cael gwared ar wastraff dynol, ac fe fethodd un. A phan aethom i edrych—mae hon yn stori enwog ac eiconig iawn bellach—daethant o hyd i blyg a oedd yn cael ei ddal i fyny gan gwpan Starbucks gwag. Y gwir amdani yw bod llawer o'r adeiladau hyn wedi'u codi mewn dim o dro, heb y lefel ofynnol o ansawdd a phroffesiynoldeb.'
A dyma dystiolaeth arall, y tro yma gan berson o Abertawe, ac yntau'n dweud:
And here is further evidence, this time from a person from Swansea, who said:
'There's a floor-to-ceiling grill 2m wide, a louvred grille, with an automated actuator in it...this building was first built and occupied in 2004 or 2005. Two weeks ago, we did an in-depth survey ourselves and we found that the delivery retaining straps were still in place on five out of those 43 devices, and they were installed and never removed.'
'Mae yna ddellt 2m o led o'r llawr i'r nenfwd, dellt awyru, gyda dyfais gychwyn awtomatig ynddi… cafodd yr adeilad hwn ei adeiladu a'i feddiannu gyntaf yn 2004 neu 2005. Bythefnos yn ôl, fe wnaethom arolwg manwl ein hunain a chanfuom fod y strapiau i gadw'r dyfeisiau yn eu lle wrth eu cludo'n dal i fod yn eu lle ar bump o'r 43 dyfais hynny, a chawsant eu gosod yn yr adeilad heb gael gwared ar y strapiau.'
Dim ond rhai enghreifftiau ydy'r rhain, yn dangos safon gwael y gwaith adeiladu. Mae tystiolaeth arall gan bobl efo gwahanol anableddau yn dangos y byddant mewn perygl sylweddol pe byddai yna dân neu argyfwng, gyda dim ystyriaeth go iawn yn cael ei rhoi i anghenion pobl ag anableddau.
Felly, mae’r cynnig yma heddiw yn sôn am wahardd unrhyw ddatblygwr sy’n gwrthod cyweirio'r diffygion diogelwch tân ar adeiladau a ddatblygwyd ganddynt rhag cael caniatâd cynllunio ar gyfer unrhyw ddatblygiad newydd yng Nghymru. Mae hyn yn atseinio'r galwadau rydw i a Phlaid Cymru wedi’u gwneud yn y Siambr yma ar sawl achlysur erbyn hyn, felly fydd o ddim yn dod yn syndod ein bod ni'n cefnogi hyn. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at glywed ymateb y Gweinidog i’r cais yma yn benodol, ac yn gobeithio ei bod hi'n meddwl yn ddwys am yr opsiwn yma yn ei hystyriaethau.
Efallai, hefyd, y gall y Gweinidog yn ei hymateb roi diweddariad inni am y trafodaethau efo'r datblygwyr. Ydy Taylor Wimpey, Crest Nicholson a Barrett Homes bellach wedi arwyddo’r cytundeb i'w rhwymo i wneud gwaith atal tanau ar adeiladau uchel a chanolig yng Nghymru? Hefyd, ydy Redrow, McCarthy and Stone, Lovell, Vistry, a Persimmon, sydd eisoes wedi llofnodi'r cytundeb newydd, wedi dechrau ar y gwaith hynny? Efallai y gallwn ni gael adroddiad cynnydd gan y Gweinidog yn ei hymateb. Diolch.
These are just a couple of examples, showing the poor standard of construction. Other evidence from people with various disabilities shows that they will be in significant danger in the event of a fire or emergency, with no real consideration being given to the needs of people with disabilities.
The proposal here today talks of banning any developer who refuses to rectify fire safety defects on buildings that have been developed by them from obtaining planning permission for any new developments in Wales. This echoes the calls that I and Plaid Cymru have made in this Chamber on several occasions now, and so, it should surprise no-one that we support this. I'm looking forward to hearing the Minister's response to this request in particular, and I hope that she thinks deeply about this option in her considerations.
Perhaps the Minister can also give us an update in her response on the discussions taking place with the developers. Have Taylor Wimpey, Crest Nicholson and Barrett Homes now signed the pact binding them to carry out fire prevention work on high-rise and mid-sized buildings in Wales? Also, have Redrow, McCarthy and Stone, Lovell, Vistry, and Persimmon, who have already signed the new pact, started this work? Perhaps we can get a progress report from the Minister in this regard. Thank you.
Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, Julie James.
I call on the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you for the opportunity to discuss once more the important issue of building safety in Wales, and so soon after the previous debate held on 22 March.
My position has not changed: developers should indeed take responsibility for fire issues in buildings they have developed. And here in Wales, we have not restricted this to high-rise buildings of 18m and over, as suggested by colleagues who have instigated this debate, but, instead, we've extended that responsibility to include medium-rise buildings of 11m and over in height. Work is under way to address fire safety in such buildings.
However, I completely agree there needs to be a comprehensive reform of building safety across the lifecycle of buildings; that is why as well as addressing fire safety issues in our existing building stock, we are taking forward a significant programme of reform to establish a fit-for-purpose building safety regime in Wales.
We have already set out our aspirations for culture change in the way buildings are designed and constructed in the White Paper, 'Safer Buildings in Wales', which was published in January 2021. It also confirmed our ambition to establish a robust and coherent regulatory system that will hold those responsible to account and ensure accurate up-to-date information is held on all in-scope multi-occupied residential buildings. This includes the identification of an accountable person who will be responsible for managing fire safety and wider building safety risks.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a diolch am y cyfle unwaith eto i drafod mater pwysig diogelwch adeiladau yng Nghymru, ac mor fuan ar ôl y ddadl flaenorol a gynhaliwyd ar 22 Mawrth.
Nid yw fy safbwynt wedi newid: dylai datblygwyr gymryd cyfrifoldeb am faterion tân mewn adeiladau y maent wedi'u datblygu. Ac yma yng Nghymru, nid ydym wedi cyfyngu hyn i adeiladau uchel iawn o 18m neu fwy o uchder, fel yr awgrymodd ein cyd-Aelodau a gyflwynodd y ddadl hon, ond, yn hytrach, rydym wedi ymestyn y cyfrifoldeb i gynnwys adeiladau canolig o 11m neu fwy o uchder. Mae gwaith yn mynd rhagddo i fynd i'r afael â diogelwch tân mewn adeiladau o'r fath.
Fodd bynnag, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod angen diwygio diogelwch adeiladau yn gynhwysfawr dros gylch oes adeiladau; dyna pam ein bod, yn ogystal â mynd i’r afael â materion diogelwch tân yn ein stoc adeiladau bresennol, yn bwrw ymlaen â rhaglen ddiwygio sylweddol i sefydlu trefn ddiogelwch adeiladau sy'n addas i’r diben yng Nghymru.
Rydym eisoes wedi nodi ein dyheadau ar gyfer newid diwylliannol yn y ffordd y caiff adeiladau eu cynllunio a’u hadeiladu yn y Papur Gwyn, ‘Adeiladau Mwy Diogel yng Nghymru’, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Ionawr 2021. Cadarnhaodd ein huchelgais hefyd i sefydlu system reoleiddio gadarn a chydlynol a fydd yn dwyn y rhai sy'n gyfrifol i gyfrif ac yn sicrhau y ceir gwybodaeth gyfredol gywir am yr holl adeiladau preswyl amlfeddiannaeth o fewn y cwmpas. Mae hyn yn cynnwys nodi person atebol a fydd yn gyfrifol am reoli diogelwch tân a risgiau ehangach mewn perthynas â diogelwch adeiladau.
I've made a commitment to work with developers to ensure fire safety defects are remediated at their cost. To this end, I wrote to over 50 of the UK's largest residential developers to ask them to confirm their position in Wales. All these developers have responded. The developers either confirmed they had developed no residential buildings of 11m or over in height in Wales, confirmed they had already remediated buildings, or have signed up to the Welsh Government's developers pact. I made a statement, Dirprwy Lywydd, to this effect in October in this very Chamber. At the time, I also made reference to two developers who were yet to engage. Both of these developers have now been in touch and confirmed they have not developed residential buildings of 11m or over in height in Wales.
The pact itself is a public rather than legal commitment, but to reassure Janet and Jane and Mabon and others in this Chamber who have asked a question over the past months, the legally binding contract to underpin the pact has been prepared and shared with developers. Let me just be crystal clear. I have said this a number of times and I will say it again. All of the developers we expected to sign our legal contract have done so. I remember your comments following my oral statement, Janet, when developers had indicated their intent to sign, that an intent to sign was not worth the paper it's written on, so I hope this news will give you some comfort.
Given that not all developers have signed up in England, I do appreciate the need to lay regulations there, but this is just not the case in Wales. In Wales, with a binding legal agreement in place, we are able to pursue a contractual resolution to issues rather than take the legislative approach. My colleague Mike Hedges has just set out the problems with the timescale on a legislative approach, and Janet, you very helpfully read out the parts of the contract that set out why we have a contractual remedy. The scale of the problem in Wales is not the same as that in England, and therefore we have taken these proportionate steps to address building safety.
The developers who have signed, for Mabon's information's in particular—Dirprwy Lywydd, I have read this into the Record before and I'll read it in again—are Redrow, Bellway, Barratt Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Lovell Homes, Persimmon, Crest Nicholson, Vistry, Countryside and McCarthy and Stone, so some of the biggest residential developers operating in the UK. Between them, these developers have identified 121 buildings of 11m or over in height, of which 84 will be taken forward through this agreement, the remainder of which either do not require works, have already been remediated, or have works ongoing.
We will now use these contracts to ensure works are completed to an appropriate standard within as short a timescale as is possible, to end the absolutely undoubted suffering of leaseholders and allow them to move forward with their lives. I've also been pleased to hear of developers who have fully stepped up to their moral responsibility and reimbursed leaseholders for any costs they have incurred to rectify fire safety issues in their buildings prior to these agreements being signed.
I have also recently announced the first cohort of 28 orphan buildings to be taken forward—those without an identified developer, or where the developer has ceased trading. As well as supporting remediation works on these buildings, I have also agreed that costs incurred by leaseholders should be reimbursed, where they were for works to rectify fire safety issues relating to the construction of their building.
And just to be clear, Janet—you read out the criteria for that—I make no excuse for that. This is public money; of course it should be paid out when the surveys have been correctly conducted and are reliable to be relied on. The reason for the cut-off date is that after that date you could have an expression of interest and do it through our survey, so there's no need for you to do a separate survey at that date, and to this second you can still do that. So, if you're aware of a building who thinks they've missed the boat because they didn't commission their own survey, they don't need to. All they have to do is put an expression of interest in, and our survey will take over from that point.
It is absolutely not right that leaseholders should be out of pocket for fire safety issues not of their making, and I've always been clear that they should not bear these costs. As Mike Hedges also pointed out, for an orphan building where somebody has gone out of business, it would not be possible to pursue the route that you outlined, and therefore we have picked up the orphan buildings and we will remediate those buildings at public expense.
The choice I have made is to focus on actually getting the job done. I do not apologise for this approach. I take these responsibilities very seriously and I have made my commitment to work hard for leaseholders and residents affected by these fire issues very plain. That being said, I've always been clear in the past and remain clear today that I am prepared to go down a legislative route if developers do not act appropriately to rectify fire safety issues in their buildings, but at present this is just not necessary. I have a contractual route to ensure developers do what is needed to make these buildings as safe from fire as is possible. To take a legislative approach, which would pull valuable resources away from work to ensure all buildings in Wales have a route to remediation, whether they have an identified developer or not, would simply not be a good use of resources.
So, Dirprwy Lywydd, I think I've comprehensively set out why I think this Bill is not necessary or needed. Most of what it does is either already being done or will be included in the fire safety building reform Bill, which has already been trailed to the Senedd. Diolch.
Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda datblygwyr i sicrhau bod diffygion diogelwch tân yn cael eu cyweirio a'u bod yn talu am y gwaith. I’r perwyl hwn, ysgrifennais at dros 50 o ddatblygwyr preswyl mwyaf y DU i ofyn iddynt gadarnhau eu sefyllfa yng Nghymru. Mae'r holl ddatblygwyr hyn wedi ymateb. Cadarnhaodd y datblygwyr naill ai nad oeddent wedi datblygu unrhyw adeiladau preswyl o 11m neu fwy o uchder yng Nghymru, eu bod eisoes wedi cyweirio eu hadeiladau, neu eu bod wedi llofnodi ymrwymiad datblygwyr Llywodraeth Cymru. Ddirprwy Lywydd, gwneuthum ddatganiad i'r perwyl hwn ym mis Hydref yn yr union Siambr hon. Ar y pryd, cyfeiriais hefyd at ddau ddatblygwr nad oeddent wedi ymgysylltu eto. Mae'r ddau ddatblygwr wedi cysylltu erbyn hyn ac wedi cadarnhau nad ydynt wedi datblygu adeiladau preswyl o 11m neu fwy o uchder yng Nghymru.
Mae’r ymrwymiad ei hun yn ymrwymiad cyhoeddus yn hytrach nag un cyfreithiol, ond i dawelu meddwl Janet a Jane a Mabon ac eraill yn y Siambr hon sydd wedi gofyn cwestiwn dros y misoedd diwethaf, mae’r contract cyfreithiol rwymol sy'n sail i'r ymrwymiad wedi’i baratoi a’i rannu gyda datblygwyr. Gadewch imi fod yn gwbl glir. Rwyf wedi dweud hyn nifer o weithiau, ac fe'i dywedaf eto. Mae pob un o'r datblygwyr roeddem yn disgwyl iddynt lofnodi ein contract cyfreithiol wedi gwneud hynny. Cofiaf eich sylwadau yn dilyn fy natganiad llafar, Janet, pan oedd datblygwyr wedi nodi eu bwriad i lofnodi, nad oedd bwriad i lofnodi yn unig yn werth y papur y mae wedi’i ysgrifennu arno, felly rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y newydd hwn yn rhoi rhywfaint o gysur i chi.
O ystyried nad yw pob datblygwr wedi ymrwymo i wneud hyn yn Lloegr, rwy’n gwerthfawrogi’r angen i osod rheoliadau yno, ond nid yw hyn yn wir yng Nghymru. Yng Nghymru, gyda chytundeb cyfreithiol rwymol ar waith, gallwn geisio sicrhau datrysiad contractiol i faterion yn hytrach na dilyn y dull deddfwriaethol. Mae fy nghyd-Aelod Mike Hedges newydd nodi’r problemau gyda’r amserlen ar gyfer dull deddfwriaethol, a Janet, roedd y ffaith eich bod wedi darllen y rhannau o'r contract sy'n nodi pam fod gennym gamau unioni contractiol yn ddefnyddiol iawn. Nid yw maint y broblem yng Nghymru yr un fath ag yn Lloegr, ac felly rydym wedi cymryd y camau cymesur hyn i fynd i’r afael â diogelwch adeiladau.
Er gwybodaeth i Mabon yn arbennig, y datblygwyr sydd wedi llofnodi—Ddirprwy Lywydd, rwyf wedi darllen hyn ar gyfer y Cofnod o’r blaen ac fe'i darllenaf eto—yw Redrow, Bellway, Barratt Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Lovell Homes, Persimmon, Crest Nicholson, Vistry, Countryside a McCarthy and Stone, felly rhai o’r datblygwyr preswyl mwyaf sy’n gweithredu yn y DU. Rhyngddynt, mae'r datblygwyr hyn wedi nodi 121 o adeiladau 11m neu fwy o uchder, a bydd 84 ohonynt yn cael eu cyweirio drwy'r cytundeb hwn, ac am y gweddill, naill ai nid oes angen gwaith arnynt, maent eisoes wedi'u cyweirio, neu mae gwaith ar y gweill.
Byddwn yn defnyddio’r contractau hyn nawr i sicrhau bod gwaith yn cael ei gwblhau i safon briodol o fewn amserlen mor fyr ag sy’n bosibl, i roi terfyn ar ddioddefaint ddiamheuol lesddeiliaid a chaniatáu iddynt symud ymlaen â’u bywydau. Rwyf hefyd wedi bod yn falch o glywed am ddatblygwyr sydd wedi ysgwyddo'u cyfrifoldeb moesol ac wedi ad-dalu lesddeiliaid am unrhyw gostau a ddeilliodd o gyweirio materion diogelwch tân yn eu hadeiladau cyn i'r cytundebau hyn gael eu llofnodi.
Yn ddiweddar, rwyf hefyd wedi cyhoeddi’r garfan gyntaf o 28 o adeiladau amddifad i’w datblygu—y rhai heb ddatblygwr dynodedig, neu lle mae’r datblygwr wedi rhoi’r gorau i fasnachu. Yn ogystal â chefnogi gwaith cyweirio ar yr adeiladau hyn, rwyf hefyd wedi cytuno y dylid ad-dalu lesddeiliaid am unrhyw gostau a ddeilliodd o waith cyweirio materion diogelwch tân sy’n ymwneud ag adeiladwaith eu hadeilad.
Ac i fod yn glir, Janet—fe wnaethoch ddarllen y meini prawf ar gyfer hynny—nid wyf yn gwneud unrhyw esgus dros hynny. Arian cyhoeddus yw hwn; wrth gwrs y dylid ei dalu pan fydd yr arolygon wedi'u cynnal yn gywir ac y gellir dibynnu arnynt. Y rheswm am y dyddiad terfyn yw y gallech fynegi diddordeb ar ôl y dyddiad hwnnw a'i wneud drwy ein harolwg, felly nid oes angen ichi wneud arolwg ar wahân bryd hynny, a gallwch wneud hynny o hyd. Felly, os ydych yn ymwybodol o adeilad sy'n credu eu bod wedi colli eu cyfle am na wnaethant gomisiynu eu harolwg eu hunain, nid oes angen iddynt wneud hynny. Y cyfan sy'n rhaid iddynt ei wneud yw mynegi diddordeb, a bydd ein harolwg yn cymryd drosodd o'r pwynt hwnnw.
Nid yw'n iawn o gwbl i lesddeiliaid fod ar eu colled mewn perthynas â materion diogelwch tân nad ydynt yn fai arnynt hwy, ac rwyf bob amser wedi dweud yn glir na ddylent ysgwyddo'r costau hyn. Fel y nododd Mike Hedges hefyd, ar gyfer adeilad amddifad lle mae busnes wedi mynd i'r wal, ni fyddai’n bosibl dilyn y llwybr a amlinellwyd gennych, ac felly rydym wedi ysgwyddo'r cyfrifoldeb am adeiladau amddifad a byddwn yn cyweirio'r adeiladau hynny gydag arian cyhoeddus.
Rwyf wedi dewis canolbwyntio ar gael y gwaith wedi'i wneud. Nid wyf yn ymddiheuro am y dull hwn o weithredu. Rwyf o ddifrif ynglŷn â'r cyfrifoldebau hyn ac rwyf wedi gwneud ymrwymiad clir iawn i weithio’n galed dros lesddeiliaid a thrigolion yr effeithir arnynt gan y materion tân hyn. Wedi dweud hynny, rwyf bob amser wedi dweud yn glir yn y gorffennol, ac rwy'n dal i ddweud yn glir heddiw, fy mod yn barod i ddilyn llwybr deddfwriaethol os nad yw datblygwyr yn gweithredu'n briodol i unioni materion diogelwch tân yn eu hadeiladau, ond ar hyn o bryd, nid yw'n angenrheidiol. Mae gennyf lwybr contractiol i wneud yn siŵr fod datblygwyr yn gwneud yr hyn sydd ei angen i sicrhau bod yr adeiladau hyn mor ddiogel rhag tân â phosibl. Ni fyddai mabwysiadu dull deddfwriaethol, a fyddai’n mynd ag adnoddau gwerthfawr oddi ar y gwaith i sicrhau bod gan bob adeilad yng Nghymru lwybr at gael eu cyweirio, p’un a oes ganddynt ddatblygwr dynodedig ai peidio, yn ddefnydd da o adnoddau.
Felly, Ddirprwy Lywydd, credaf fy mod wedi nodi rhesymau cynhwysfawr pam nad yw'r Bil hwn yn angenrheidiol yn fy marn i. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r hyn y mae’n ei wneud naill ai’n digwydd eisoes neu bydd yn cael ei gynnwys yn y Bil diwygio adeiladau a diogelwch tân, sydd eisoes wedi’i gyfeirio at y Senedd. Diolch.
Janet, I did say I'd give you some time, so if you could sum up and respond to the debate.
Janet, dywedais y byddwn yn rhoi rhywfaint o amser i chi, felly os gallwch grynhoi ac ymateb i'r ddadl.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I would just like to thank the Minister and indeed everybody, in particular Jane Dodds and Rhys ab Owen, and everybody else who have spoken on this. I brought this forward with Jane and Rhys. We've been dealing with the people affected by this, these innocent victims, and it is now believed that this legislative proposal is very valid indeed. And I would ask all Members to sign up to that and vote for it today. Thank you.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i’r Gweinidog, ac yn wir i bawb, yn enwedig Jane Dodds a Rhys ab Owen, a phawb arall sydd wedi siarad ar hyn. Cyflwynais hyn gyda Jane a Rhys. Rydym wedi bod yn ymdrin â'r bobl yr effeithir arnynt gan hyn, y dioddefwyr diniwed hyn, a chredir bellach fod y cynnig deddfwriaethol hwn yn ddilys iawn yn wir. A hoffwn ofyn i bob Aelod gefnogi hynny a phleidleisio drosto heddiw. Diolch.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi'r cynnig? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Oes. Gohirir y bleidlais ar y cynnig tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
The proposal is to note the proposal. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Yes, there's objection. I will defer voting under this item until voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Eitem 7 heddiw yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai ar ddigartrefedd. Galwaf ar gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—John Griffiths.
Item 7 today is the debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee report on homelessness. I call on the chair of the committee to move the motion—John Griffiths.
Cynnig NDM8267 John Griffiths
Cynnig bod Senedd Cymru:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai, ‘Digartrefedd’, a osodwyd yn y Swyddfa Gyflwyno ar 9 Mawrth 2023.
Motion NDM8267 John Griffiths
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the report of the Local Government and Housing Committee, ‘Homelessness’, which was laid in the Table Office on 9 March 2023.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to open today's debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee's report on homelessness. We made 24 recommendations to the Welsh Government that were accepted fully or in principle, and I would like to start by thanking all those who contributed to our inquiry.
We began our work by meeting informally with individuals and groups who had lived experience of homelessness, and services that directly support them. This helped us better understand the main issues faced by service users. As with much else, Dirprwy Lywydd, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically changed the approach to homelessness in Wales. The 'no-one left out' approach adopted by the Welsh Government and its partners meant that everyone in need of shelter is entitled to it. This has undoubtedly saved many lives, and we've seen and commend the extraordinary efforts by local authorities and support services to move forward in this way.
Following the pandemic, the Welsh Government's ending homelessness action plan, published in 2021, sets out a number of actions, with the goal of moving to a rapid rehousing approach. We heard that the changes in policies have created a drastic increase in the number of homeless cases in Wales, as well as new challenges for local authorities and homelessness support services. We also know that the context has changed again since the action plan was published, and that the Minister for Climate Change intends to update the plan this year. Minister, we would be grateful if you can update us as to when you expect a refreshed action plan to be in place.
The demand for temporary accommodation has grown significantly, which has impacted local authorities, staff providing services, and the people experiencing homelessness. We looked at this in detail, as well as at the supply, quality and suitability of temporary accommodation. We were concerned to hear of the poor standard of some temporary accommodation, and the impact on the people housed there. For example, evidence consistently suggested that people placed in hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, particularly families, faced difficult living conditions due to the lack of adequate facilities and, usually, cramped conditions. Also, the rules of some temporary accommodation mean that many lose their usual freedoms, by being unable to have visitors and having to abide by curfews, exacerbating the feelings of isolation and loneliness. This needs to be improved urgently. We made a number of recommendations relating to the improvement of standards and the supply of temporary accommodation.
We were particularly concerned that people do not know how long they will have to stay in temporary accommodation before finding a settled home. As a result, people feel in limbo and as if their life is on hold, which can have a detrimental effect on their mental health as well as impacting on other aspects of their life, like work and relationships. We recognise the difficulties faced by local authorities in addressing this situation, given the lack of move-on accommodation. However, it is important that people living in temporary accommodation are given regular, realistic updates on how long their stay is likely to be. We therefore recommended that the Welsh Government should review how local authorities ensure people staying in temporary accommodation are kept informed of their ongoing housing status. This recommendation was accepted in principle. The Welsh Government's response says that it is developing a document aimed at disseminating good practice examples surrounding support and move-on from temporary accommodation. So, I wonder, Minister, whether you are able to share with the committee that information when it becomes available.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rwy’n falch o agor y ddadl heddiw ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai ar ddigartrefedd. Gwnaethom 24 o argymhellion i Lywodraeth Cymru a chawsant eu derbyn yn llawn neu mewn egwyddor, a hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i bawb a gyfrannodd at ein hymchwiliad.
Dechreuasom ein gwaith drwy gyfarfod yn anffurfiol ag unigolion a grwpiau â phrofiad bywyd o ddigartrefedd, a gwasanaethau sy'n eu cefnogi'n uniongyrchol. Gwnaeth hyn ein helpu i ddeall y prif broblemau y mae defnyddwyr gwasanaethau'n eu hwynebu yn well. Fel gyda llawer o bethau eraill, Ddirprwy Lywydd, newidiodd pandemig COVID-19 y dull o ymdrin â digartrefedd yng Nghymru yn sylweddol. Roedd y dull 'neb heb help' a fabwysiadwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru a’i phartneriaid yn golygu bod gan bawb sydd angen lloches hawl iddo. Heb os, mae hyn wedi achub llawer o fywydau, ac rydym wedi gweld a chanmol yr ymdrechion eithriadol gan awdurdodau lleol a gwasanaethau cymorth i symud ymlaen yn y modd hwn.
Yn dilyn y pandemig, mae cynllun gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru ar roi terfyn ar ddigartrefedd, a gyhoeddwyd yn 2021, yn nodi nifer o gamau gweithredu, gyda’r nod o newid i ddull ailgartrefu cyflym. Clywsom fod y newidiadau mewn polisïau wedi creu cynnydd aruthrol yn nifer yr achosion o ddigartrefedd yng Nghymru, yn ogystal â heriau newydd i awdurdodau lleol a gwasanaethau cymorth digartrefedd. Gwyddom hefyd fod y cyd-destun wedi newid eto ers cyhoeddi’r cynllun gweithredu, a bod y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd yn bwriadu diweddaru’r cynllun eleni. Weinidog, byddem yn ddiolchgar pe gallech roi’r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni ynglŷn â phryd y disgwyliwch i gynllun gweithredu wedi’i adnewyddu fod ar waith.
Mae’r galw am lety dros dro wedi cynyddu’n sylweddol, gan effeithio ar awdurdodau lleol, staff sy’n darparu gwasanaethau, a'r bobl sy'n ddigartref. Fe wnaethom edrych ar hyn yn fanwl, yn ogystal ag ar y cyflenwad o lety dros dro, ynghyd â'i ansawdd a'i addasrwydd. Roeddem yn bryderus o glywed am safon wael peth o'r llety dros dro, a’r effaith ar y bobl sy’n cael eu cartrefu yno. Er enghraifft, roedd tystiolaeth yn awgrymu’n gyson fod pobl a oedd yn cael eu rhoi mewn gwestai a llety gwely a brecwast, yn enwedig teuluoedd, yn wynebu amodau byw anodd oherwydd diffyg cyfleusterau digonol, ac amodau cyfyng fel arfer. Hefyd, mae rheolau peth o'r ddarpariaeth llety dros dro yn golygu bod llawer yn colli eu rhyddid arferol, wrth orfod peidio â chael ymwelwyr a gorfod cadw at gwrffyw, gan waethygu’r teimladau o ynysigrwydd ac unigrwydd. Mae angen gwella hyn ar frys. Fe wnaethom nifer o argymhellion yn ymwneud â gwella safonau a’r cyflenwad o ddarpariaeth llety dros dro.
Roeddem yn arbennig o bryderus nad yw pobl yn gwybod am ba hyd y bydd yn rhaid iddynt aros mewn llety dros dro cyn dod o hyd i gartref sefydlog. O ganlyniad, mae pobl yn teimlo fel pe baent mewn limbo a bod eu bywydau wedi dod i stop dros dro, sy’n gallu cael effaith niweidiol ar eu hiechyd meddwl yn ogystal ag effeithio ar agweddau eraill ar eu bywydau, fel gwaith a pherthnasoedd. Rydym yn cydnabod yr anawsterau i awdurdodau lleol gyda mynd i’r afael â’r sefyllfa hon o ystyried y prinder llety symud ymlaen. Fodd bynnag, mae’n bwysig fod pobl sy’n byw mewn llety dros dro yn cael gwybodaeth reolaidd a realistig ynglŷn â pha mor hir y mae eu harhosiad yn debygol o fod. Felly, fe wnaethom argymell y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru adolygu'r ffordd y mae awdurdodau lleol yn sicrhau bod pobl sy’n aros mewn llety dros dro yn cael gwybod am eu statws tai parhaus. Derbyniwyd yr argymhelliad hwn mewn egwyddor. Mae ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru yn dweud ei bod yn datblygu dogfen sy'n anelu at ledaenu enghreifftiau o arferion da o ran cymorth a symud o lety dros dro. Felly Weinidog, a wnewch chi rannu’r wybodaeth honno gyda’r pwyllgor pan fydd ar gael?
We heard calls from stakeholders for a homelessness regulator, particularly to have oversight over temporary accommodation standards. We were persuaded by the evidence received, and see the merit in establishing one in the future. We were therefore disappointed that this recommendation was only accepted in principle. We would urge the expert review panel, established to make recommendations for reform of current housing legislation, to give serious consideration to establishing a homelessness regulator.
During our evidence gathering, we heard about the importance of tackling homelessness using a multi-agency approach. We recognise the extraordinary work that support services do to help people experiencing homelessness, and we were particularly concerned about the impact of the current situation on staff. We recommended an increase to the housing support grant allocation, as well as a review of the guidance for the grant. This grant is crucial to fund important homelessness prevention services, which are currently needed more than ever. We were therefore disappointed that these recommendations were only accepted in principle. Despite the grant remaining at £166.8 million in cash terms, given inflation, this is a real-terms reduction.
Dirprwy Lywydd, we are deeply concerned about the immense pressure that staff working in the sector are currently under, and the impact of this pressure on recruitment and retention, not to mention morale and well-being. We welcome the Welsh Government's homelessness and housing support recruitment campaign, which ended at the end of March this year. We would be grateful if the Minister could share any findings as to the success of the recruitment campaign with us.
A large part of our work looked at housing supply, with a lack of social housing being a fundamental cause of homelessness in Wales. We heard about a number of related factors contributing to the current homelessness situation, including a lack of the right type of social housing homes in the right locations, as well as a lack of affordable homes. This problem extends to the private rented sector, and we heard about significant shortfalls in local housing allowance. We heard that market rents were simply unaffordable in many areas, and we were particularly concerned to hear that some local authorities had no properties at all available at LHA rates.
Some witnesses suggested that better data on rents would help inform discussions on levels of local housing allowance as well as future work on rent controls, and that Rent Smart Wales could undertake this work. The Welsh Government's response to our report states that consideration of mechanisms for improving rental data in Wales will be included within the Green Paper and subsequent White Paper on fair rents. We look forward to considering the Green Paper next summer.
We also heard of the challenges in finding suitable homes to meet the demands of single people in temporary accommodation. We were told of a significant lack of appropriate, affordable, one-bedroomed accommodation, and that more needs to be done to address this. Some called for legislation to ensure the development of one-bedroomed properties, as developers may be unlikely to willingly change direction themselves, as it's less commercially viable to build smaller homes. We also heard that there is a need to look at the way housing need is being calculated when drafting local development plans.
The transitional accommodation capital programme includes 390 one-bedroomed properties, but we feel that more needs to be done to increase this type of accommodation. We therefore recommended that the Welsh Government should explore all possible options for increasing the availability of one-bedroomed accommodation. This was accepted in principle, with the Minister stating that it is the responsibility of local authorities to undertake periodic reviews of housing need, through the local housing market assessment process, and that work has been undertaken to align the social housing grant funding process more closely with evidence of local housing need. We would urge the Welsh Government to work closely with local authorities to ensure the provision of more one-bedroomed properties.
It is also important that we make best use of our existing housing stock. We were concerned to hear that there is variation among registered social landlords in making vacant properties available for new tenants, and that properties too often lie empty. We recommended that the Welsh Government should set out what data it collects on social housing vacancies, including the time taken to let properties when they become vacant, reasons why properties remain vacant and how it supports social landlords to ensure properties are available for letting. The Minister accepted this in principle, stating that the collection of real-time social housing data is a matter under consideration. We would urge the Welsh Government to give this serious consideration, as empty homes are contributing to the housing crisis and to homelessness.
We must reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation in Wales. A fundamental cause of homelessness is the lack of social housing supply in Wales, but the private rented sector also has a part to play. We will be undertaking further work on social housing supply and looking at the private rented sector in the autumn term. All options for boosting housing supply need to be looked into. Dirprwy Lywydd, diolch yn fawr.
Clywsom alwadau gan randdeiliaid am reoleiddiwr digartrefedd, yn enwedig er mwyn cadw golwg ar safonau llety dros dro. Cawsom ein hargyhoeddi gan y dystiolaeth a ddaeth i law ac rydym yn gweld gwerth mewn creu rôl rheoleiddiwr digartrefedd yn y dyfodol. Roeddem yn siomedig, felly, mai dim ond mewn egwyddor y derbyniwyd yr argymhelliad hwn. Byddem yn annog y panel adolygu arbenigol, a sefydlwyd i wneud argymhellion ar gyfer diwygio’r ddeddfwriaeth dai gyfredol, i roi ystyriaeth o ddifrif i sefydlu rheoleiddiwr digartrefedd.
Wrth gasglu tystiolaeth, clywsom am bwysigrwydd mynd i’r afael â digartrefedd gan ddefnyddio dull amlasiantaethol. Rydym yn cydnabod y gwaith eithriadol y mae gwasanaethau cymorth yn ei wneud i helpu pobl sy’n ddigartref, ac roeddem yn arbennig o bryderus am effaith y sefyllfa bresennol ar staff. Argymhellwyd gennym y dylid cynyddu’r dyraniad ar gyfer y grant cymorth tai, yn ogystal ag adolygu canllawiau'r grant. Mae’r grant hwn yn hanfodol i ariannu gwasanaethau pwysig i atal digartrefedd sydd eu hangen fwy nag erioed ar hyn o bryd. Roeddem yn siomedig felly mai dim ond mewn egwyddor y derbyniwyd yr argymhellion hyn. Er bod y grant yn parhau i fod yn £166.8 miliwn mewn arian parod, o ystyried chwyddiant, mae hwn yn ostyngiad mewn termau real.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, rydym yn bryderus iawn am y pwysau aruthrol sydd ar staff sy'n gweithio yn y sector ar hyn o bryd, ac effaith y pwysau hwn ar recriwtio a chadw, heb sôn am forâl a llesiant. Rydym yn croesawu ymgyrch recriwtio Llywodraeth Cymru i ddenu mwy o bobl i'r maes tai a digartrefedd, a ddaeth i ben ddiwedd mis Mawrth eleni. Byddem yn ddiolchgar pe gallai’r Gweinidog rannu unrhyw ganfyddiadau ynghylch llwyddiant yr ymgyrch recriwtio gyda ni.
Roedd rhan fawr o’n gwaith yn ymwneud ag edrych ar y cyflenwad tai, gyda diffyg tai cymdeithasol yn un o achosion sylfaenol digartrefedd yng Nghymru. Clywsom am nifer o ffactorau cysylltiedig sy’n cyfrannu at y sefyllfa bresennol o ran digartrefedd, gan gynnwys diffyg y math cywir o dai cymdeithasol yn y lleoliadau cywir, yn ogystal â diffyg tai fforddiadwy. Mae’r broblem hon yn ymestyn i’r sector rhentu preifat, a chlywsom am ddiffygion sylweddol yn y lwfans tai lleol. Clywsom fod rhenti’r farchnad yn anfforddiadwy mewn llawer o ardaloedd, ac roeddem yn arbennig o bryderus o glywed nad oedd gan rai awdurdodau lleol unrhyw eiddo o gwbl ar gael ar gyfraddau'r lwfans tai lleol.
Awgrymodd rhai tystion y byddai data gwell ar renti yn helpu i lywio trafodaethau ar lefelau'r lwfans tai lleol yn ogystal â gwaith ar reolaethau rhent yn y dyfodol, ac y gallai Rhentu Doeth Cymru wneud y gwaith hwn. Mae ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i’n hadroddiad yn nodi y byddai'n ystyried dulliau o wella data rhentu yng Nghymru yn y Papur Gwyrdd ac yna'r Papur Gwyn ar renti teg. Edrychwn ymlaen at ystyried y Papur Gwyrdd yr haf nesaf.
Clywsom hefyd am yr heriau o ran dod o hyd i gartrefi addas i ddiwallu anghenion pobl sengl mewn llety dros dro. Dywedwyd wrthym am ddiffyg sylweddol o lety un ystafell wely fforddiadwy priodol, a bod angen gwneud mwy i fynd i’r afael â hyn. Galwodd rhai am ddeddfwriaeth i sicrhau bod eiddo un ystafell wely yn cael eu datblygu gan y gallai datblygwyr fod yn annhebygol o fod yn fodlon newid cyfeiriad yn wirfoddol eu hunain, gan fod adeiladu cartrefi llai o faint yn llai hyfyw'n fasnachol. Clywsom hefyd fod angen edrych ar sut mae’r galw am dai yn cael ei gyfrifo wrth ddrafftio cynlluniau datblygu lleol.
Mae’r rhaglen gyfalaf ar gyfer llety dros dro yn cynnwys 390 eiddo un ystafell wely, ond teimlwn fod angen gwneud mwy i gynyddu nifer y math hwn o lety. Felly, fe wnaethom argymell y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru archwilio’r holl opsiynau posibl ar gyfer cynyddu nifer y llety un ystafell wely sydd ar gael. Derbyniwyd hyn mewn egwyddor, gyda’r Gweinidog yn datgan mai cyfrifoldeb awdurdodau lleol yw cynnal adolygiadau cyfnodol o'r angen am dai, drwy broses yr asesiad o'r farchnad dai leol, a bod gwaith wedi cael ei wneud i gysoni proses gyllido'r grant tai cymdeithasol yn well â'r dystiolaeth o'r angen lleol am dai. Byddem yn annog Llywodraeth Cymru i weithio’n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau bod mwy o eiddo un ystafell wely yn cael ei ddarparu.
Mae'n bwysig ein bod hefyd yn gwneud y defnydd gorau o’n stoc dai bresennol. Roeddem yn bryderus o glywed bod amrywiaeth hefyd ymhlith landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig o ran sicrhau bod eiddo gwag ar gael i denantiaid newydd, a bod eiddo'n aros yn wag yn rhy aml. Gwnaethom argymell y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru nodi pa ddata mae’n ei gasglu ar dai cymdeithasol gwag, gan gynnwys yr amser a gymerir i ailosod eiddo gwag, y rhesymau pam fod eiddo’n aros yn wag, a sut mae’n cefnogi landlordiaid cymdeithasol i sicrhau bod eiddo ar gael i’w osod. Derbyniodd y Gweinidog hyn mewn egwyddor, gan nodi bod mater casglu data tai cymdeithasol amser real wrthi'n cael ei ystyried. Byddem yn annog Llywodraeth Cymru i roi ystyriaeth o ddifrif i hyn, gan fod cartrefi gwag yn cyfrannu at yr argyfwng tai ac at ddigartrefedd.
Mae'n rhaid inni leihau’r ddibyniaeth ar lety dros dro yng Nghymru. Un o achosion sylfaenol digartrefedd yw’r diffyg cyflenwad tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, ond mae gan y sector rhentu preifat ran i’w chwarae hefyd. Byddwn yn gwneud rhagor o waith ar y cyflenwad o dai cymdeithasol ac yn edrych ar y sector rhentu preifat yn nhymor yr hydref. Mae angen edrych ar yr holl opsiynau ar gyfer cynyddu'r cyflenwad tai. Ddirprwy Lywydd, diolch yn fawr.
I'd like to start by thanking my fellow committee members for their work on this report. It's of course a hugely important topic, and I was very pleased to play just a small part in its production, but also to thank our clerking team, research teams and all those who shared evidence as part of the report.
For brevity, Members will be pleased I just want to focus on a couple of recommendations in the report that really stood out to me, because, of course, the Chairman has already given an eloquent outline of the items of the report, in particular recommendation 14, which says that Welsh Government should ensure that Rent Smart Wales collects data on the number of private landlords leaving the sector and their reasons for doing so. I think we'd all agree that the role of private landlords is really significant in terms of tackling homelessness and finding people a place to live. Indeed, many people across Wales are supported by private landlords, and if landlords keep properties in the system, then, clearly, fewer people will have to be homeless. And we know the councils are spending huge amounts of money in this area of work already, and the decline in the number of private landlords has a risk of making a crisis even worse. So, I think it's important to collect that data on why private landlords are leaving the sector. And it's imperative that Welsh Government policy isn't aimed at driving out private landlords and they can learn as to why many are leaving at the moment.
The second recommendation I want to draw Members' attention to is recommendation 15, which I think, probably, in the grand scheme of things, is the most important recommendation in the report. It relates to how Welsh Government should set out how it is working with the private rented sector to improve the supply of quality, affordable homes, including what actions it has explored to incentivise landlords to stay in the sector. I think, Members, this dual-pronged approach is a pragmatic way to help tackle the homelessness problem in the short, medium and long term. We know that not enough homes are being built in Wales, and of course that doesn't just deal with the problem right now in terms of homelessness, but longer term problems, especially for younger people trying to access housing right across Wales.
I raised yesterday with the First Minister my concern around policy decisions that are making some developers or social landlords—it's making it impossible to build homes. In particular, the Welsh Government policy on phosphates, where we see, literally, houses being built on the English side of a field but not able to be developed on the Welsh side of the field. I understand and appreciate the reason why some of that policy is in place, but we did hear in our committee from Wrexham council, the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, the Welsh Local Government Association, how they have all identified how the restrictions are a direct barrier to house building. Indeed, it's restrictions like this—I now understand that the average cost of a three-bedroom, semi-detached social house is around £240,000 to build. So, for every £1 million being spent on building social housing in Wales, you get on average four homes. So you can see the challenges that are being faced, in significant part, to do with some of the policy decisions being put in place that make it very difficult for social landlords to build the houses that are required urgently.
So, I think it needs an urgent solution. The current situation, in my view, is not good enough in relation to this. I think it should be an absolute priority for Welsh Government and I hope this report, as well as other work that I know Government is undertaking, will go some way to stimulate this urgent action. So, again, Deputy Presiding Officer, thank you to committee colleagues and everyone who contributed to the report. It's a really important issue and I hope the Government continues to take the recommendations very seriously. Thank you very much.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i fy nghyd-Aelodau ar y pwyllgor am eu gwaith ar yr adroddiad hwn. Mae'n bwnc hynod bwysig wrth gwrs, ac roeddwn yn falch iawn o chwarae rhan fach yn y broses o'i gynhyrchu, ond diolch hefyd i'n tîm clercio, ein timau ymchwil a phawb a rannodd dystiolaeth yn rhan o'r adroddiad.
Er mwyn bod yn gryno, bydd yr Aelodau’n falch fy mod am ganolbwyntio ar un neu ddau o argymhellion yn yr adroddiad a oedd yn sefyll allan i mi, gan fod y Cadeirydd eisoes wedi rhoi amlinelliad huawdl o eitemau’r adroddiad, ac argymhelliad 14 yn benodol, sy’n dweud y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru sicrhau bod Rhentu Doeth Cymru yn casglu data ar nifer y landlordiaid preifat sy’n gadael y sector a’u rhesymau dros wneud hynny. Credaf y byddai pob un ohonom yn cytuno bod rôl landlordiaid preifat yn wirioneddol bwysig wrth fynd i’r afael â digartrefedd a dod o hyd i le i bobl fyw. Yn wir, mae llawer o bobl ledled Cymru yn cael eu cefnogi gan landlordiaid preifat, ac os yw landlordiaid yn cadw eiddo yn y system, yna, yn amlwg, bydd llai o bobl yn ddigartref. A gwyddom fod y cynghorau'n gwario cryn dipyn o arian yn y maes gwaith hwn yn barod, ac mae'r gostyngiad yn nifer y landlordiaid preifat yn peri risg o waethygu'r argyfwng ymhellach fyth. Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig casglu’r data hwnnw ynglŷn â pam fod landlordiaid preifat yn gadael y sector. Ac mae'n hollbwysig nad yw polisi Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i anelu at gael gwared ar landlordiaid preifat a gallant ddysgu pam fod llawer yn gadael ar hyn o bryd.
Yr ail argymhelliad yr hoffwn dynnu sylw’r Aelodau ato yw argymhelliad 15, sef yr argymhelliad pwysicaf yn yr adroddiad, yn ôl pob tebyg. Mae’n ymwneud â sut y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru nodi sut mae’n gweithio gyda’r sector rhentu preifat i wella’r cyflenwad o gartrefi fforddiadwy o safon, gan gynnwys pa gamau y mae wedi’u hystyried i gymell landlordiaid i aros yn y sector. Aelodau, rwy'n credu bod y dull deublyg hwn yn ffordd bragmatig o helpu i fynd i’r afael â digartrefedd yn y tymor byr, y tymor canolig a’r tymor hir. Gwyddom nad oes digon o gartrefi’n cael eu hadeiladu yng Nghymru, ac wrth gwrs, nid yn unig fod hynny’n mynd i'r afael â phroblem digartrefedd ar hyn o bryd, mae'n datrys problemau mwy hirdymor hefyd, yn enwedig i bobl iau sy’n ceisio cael mynediad at dai ledled Cymru.
Crybwyllais fy mhryder wrth y Prif Weinidog ddoe ynglŷn â phenderfyniadau polisi sy’n gwneud rhai datblygwyr neu landlordiaid cymdeithasol—mae'n gwneud adeiladu cartrefi yn amhosibl. Yn benodol, polisi Llywodraeth Cymru ar ffosffadau, lle gwelwn dai'n cael eu hadeiladu, yn llythrennol, ar ochr Lloegr i gae, ond ni ellir eu datblygu yn y rhan o'r cae sydd yng Nghymru. Rwy’n deall ac yn gwerthfawrogi’r rheswm pam fod rhywfaint o’r polisi hwnnw ar waith, ond clywsom yn ein pwyllgor gan gyngor Wrecsam, Sefydliad Tai Siartredig Cymru, Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, sut mae pob un ohonynt wedi nodi sut mae’r cyfyngiadau yn rhwystr uniongyrchol i adeiladu tai. Yn wir, cyfyngiadau fel hyn—rwy'n deall nawr fod cost gyfartalog adeiladu tŷ cymdeithasol tair ystafell wely oddeutu £240,000. Felly, am bob £1 filiwn a werir ar adeiladu tai cymdeithasol yng Nghymru, rydych yn cael pedwar cartref ar gyfartaledd. Felly gallwch weld yr heriau a wynebir, sy'n ymwneud i raddau helaeth â rhai o’r penderfyniadau polisi sy’n cael eu rhoi ar waith ac sy’n ei gwneud yn anodd iawn i landlordiaid cymdeithasol adeiladu’r tai sydd eu hangen ar frys.
Felly, credaf fod angen ateb brys i'r broblem. Nid yw’r sefyllfa bresennol mewn perthynas â hyn yn ddigon da yn fy marn i. Credaf y dylai fod yn flaenoriaeth lwyr i Lywodraeth Cymru ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr adroddiad hwn, yn ogystal â gwaith arall y gwn fod y Llywodraeth yn ei wneud, yn cyfrannu rhywfaint at ysgogi’r camau gweithredu brys hyn. Felly, unwaith eto, Ddirprwy Lywydd, diolch i fy nghyd-Aelodau ar y pwyllgor a phawb a gyfrannodd at yr adroddiad. Mae'n fater pwysig iawn ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y Llywodraeth yn parhau i fod o ddifrif ynghylch yr argymhellion. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch am y cyfle i gael cyfrannu at y ddadl yma ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Tai a Llywodraeth Leol i mewn i ddi-gartrefedd. Dwi am ddechrau drwy mynegi fy edmygedd a diolch i’r Cadeirydd, John Griffiths, ar lywio'r ymchwiliad mor ddeheuig, ac hefyd diolch i bob un aelod arall o'r pwyllgor ac i'r tîm cynorthwyol. Os caf i yn sydyn roi ar record fy niolch i ymchwilydd rhagorol y Senedd yn y materion yma, Jonathan Baxter, sydd bellach wedi symud i weithio i’r Llywodraeth.
Mae’r adroddiad yn un hunanesboniadol, ac mae’n dda gweld bod y Llywodraeth wedi naill ai derbyn pob un o’r argymhellion yn llawn neu eu derbyn mewn egwyddor. Y drafferth efo derbyn mewn egwyddor, wrth gwrs, ydy ein bod ni'n gwybod na fyddwn ni'n gweld gweithredu yn y meysydd yma. Ond, o blith yr holl argymhellion pwysig sydd yn yr adroddiad, dwi am dynnu eich sylw at ddwy yn benodol. Ond cyn hynny, dwi am gyfeirio at Sara.
Mae Sara Lewis yn ddynes arbennig. Mae hi'n byw yn Aberllefenni, pentref bach chwarelyddol yn ne Meirionnydd, ger Corris. Cafodd Sara ei geni a’i magu yn y pentref a magodd ei theulu yno. Yn anffodus, mae hi’n dioddef o glefyd rhwystrol cronig yr ysgyfaint, sydd yn golygu ei bod hi'n cael trafferth anferthol i anadlu a gwneud unrhyw waith. Mae hi felly yn ddibynnol ar rwyd ddiogelwch y wladwriaeth am ei hincwm, ond er gwaethaf hynny, mae hi wedi trio sefydlu ei busnes crefftau ei hun, ac mae hi am fynychu'r brifysgol er mwyn cael gradd a gwella ei chyfleodd swyddi. Yn anffodus i Sara, gwerthodd ei landlord ei thŷ—a nifer o dai eraill yn y pentref—ac yn dilyn hyn, fe gynyddodd y landlordiaid newydd ei rhent 26 y cant. Y gwir trist ydy nad oes gan Sara y gallu ariannol i dalu'r math yna o rent. Esgus y landlord ydy eu bod nhw wedi codi’r rhent i gyd-fynd â chyfartaledd rhent yr ardal. Dydy hyn ddim yn rheswm. Mae’r cyfartaledd yma wedi chwyddo dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf yn sgil trachwant a chynnydd Airbnbs a dim mecanwaith i reoli rhent. Dydy o ddim yn adlewyrchu gallu pobl leol i dalu.
Mae hi’n chwilio am eiriolwyr i’w chynorthwyo, ond mae’r eiriolwyr yma yn mynd yn fwy ac yn fwy prin gan fod y gweithlu yn gadael y sector cymorth di-gartrefedd. Mae ei lwfans tai lleol wedi ei gapio ar tua £300, ond mae ei rhent yn £550. Does ganddi ddim y gallu ariannol i wneud y gwahaniaeth yna i fyny. Mae hi rŵan o dan fygythiad o gael ei gwneud yn ddigartref, a fyddai'n ei gorfodi i symud o’i thŷ ac o’i chymuned.
Dydy Sara ddim ar ei phen ei hun; mae eraill yn Aberllefenni yn yr un sefyllfa, heb sôn am bobl mewn cymunedau ar draws Cymru. Dydy’r system ddigartrefedd ddim yn gwegian, mae hi wrthi'n torri—mae’r ystadegau yn profi hynny. Ym mis Chwefror, roedd bron i 10,000 o bobl mewn llety dros dro, a threian ohonyn nhw'n blant o dan 16. Nid yn unig hynny, mae’r sector sydd i fod i gefnogi pobl sydd yn canfod eu hunain yn y fath drallod yn araf ymddatod. Mae bron i dreian y staff sydd yn gweithio yn y maes ac yn cael eu hariannu gan y grant cefnogi tai, yr housing support grant, yn derbyn cyflog is na’r cyflog byw. Yr eironi trist ydy fod bron un o bob pump o’r gweithlu digartrefedd yn ei chael hi’n anodd talu eu rhent eu hunain, a dros hanner yn ei chael hi'n anodd talu eu biliau. Felly, mae’r gweithlu yn gadael i chwilio am swyddi eraill, sydd yn golygu nad oes cymorth, na chyngor nag eiriolaeth arbenigol ar gael i bobl fel Sara sydd yn canfod eu hunain yn ddigartref neu'n wynebu digartrefedd.
Fe ddangosodd ymchwiliad y pwyllgor hyn yn glir. Fe ddangosodd fod angen i Lywodraeth San Steffan gynyddu'r lwfans tai lleol er mwyn adlewyrchu'r cynnydd sydd wedi bod mewn rhenti preifat. Gwn fod y Llywodraeth yma eisoes wedi trio dwyn pwysau ar Lywodraeth Llundain i wneud hyn, ond mae’n rhaid i ni godi llais eto yn hyn o beth; mae argymhelliad 16 yn galw am hynny. Wrth gwrs, datrysiad tymor byr ydy hyn. Dydy o ddim yn gwneud unrhyw synnwyr fod pres cyhoeddus yn cael ei drosglwyddo yn syth i gyfrifon banc landlordiaid. Felly, yn y tymor hir, mae’n rhaid gweld shifft sylweddol yn ein defnydd o bres cyhoeddus, gan ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer adeiladu tai o dan berchnogaeth gyhoeddus. Mae hynny yn rhan o’r datrysiad hirdymor er mwyn cael gwared ar ddigartrefedd.
Ond, rhywbeth sydd o fewn gallu y Llywodraeth yma ydy’r grant cymorth tai. Mi roeddem ni oll yn hynod siomedig gweld nad oedd yna gynnydd wedi bod i ariannu hyn yn y gyllideb. Heb y gwasanaethau arbenigol yma, yna mi fyddwn ni’n gweld digartrefedd o bob math yn cynyddu. Mae darparwyr y gwasanaethau hanfodol yma eisoes yn gadael, gan beidio â rhoi cais am dendrau cytundebau i fewn ar hyn o bryd. Mae’r argyfwng am waethygu, felly mae’n andros o bwysig gweld y Llywodraeth yn gweithredu argymhelliad 10 hefyd, nid dim ond mewn egwyddor ond trwy weithredu. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at glywed ymateb y Gweinidog.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the report by the Housing and Local Government Committee on homelessness. At the outset, I would like to express my admiration and thanks to the Chair, John Griffiths, who steered the inquiry so ably, and I would also like to thank all the members of the committee and the support team. If I may, I’d like to quickly put on record my thanks to the Senedd's excellent researcher on these matters, Jonathan Baxter, who has now moved to work for the Government.
The report is self-explanatory, and it is good to see that the Government has either accepted all of the recommendations in full or accepted them in principle. The trouble with accepting recommendations in principle, of course, is that we know that we will not see action in these areas. But, with regard to all of the important recommendations in the report, I would like to draw your attention to two specific ones. But before that, I'd like to talk about Sara.
Sara Lewis is a special woman. She lives in Aberllefenni, a small quarrying village in southern Meirionnydd, near Corris. Sara was born and raised in the village, and raised her family there. Unfortunately, she suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which means that she has enormous difficulty breathing and doing any work. She is therefore dependent on the state's safety net for her income, but despite that, she has tried to establish her own crafts business, and wishes to go to university in order to obtain a degree to improve her job opportunities. Unfortunately for Sara, her landlord sold her house—and several other houses in the village—and in the wake of this, the new landlords increased her rent by 26 per cent. The sad truth is that Sara does not have the financial means to pay that kind of rent. The landlords’ excuse is that they have raised the rent to match the average rent in the area. That's no reason. That average has surged over the last few years due to greed and the rise of Airbnbs and so forth and no mechanism to control the rent. It does not reflect the ability of local people to pay.
She is seeking advocates to help her, but these advocates are becoming more and more scarce as workers are leaving the homeless support sector. Her local housing allowance has been capped at around £300, but her rent is £550. She doesn't have the financial means to make up that difference. She is now under threat of being made homeless, and having to move out of her home and community.
Sara is not alone; there are others in Aberllefenni in a similar situation, never mind people in other communities across Wales. The homelessness system isn't just creaking, it is breaking, and the statistics prove it. In February, there were almost 10,000 people in temporary accommodation, and a third of them were children under 16. Not only that, the sector that is supposed to support people who find themselves in such distress is slowly disintegrating. Almost a third of the staff who work in this area and are funded by the housing support grant receive a salary that is lower than the living wage. The sad irony is that almost one in five of the workforce are finding it difficult to pay their rent, and over half are finding it difficult to pay their bills. Therefore, members of the workforce are leaving to look for other jobs, which means that there is no support, advice or specialist advocacy services available for people like Sara, who find themselves homeless or facing homelessness.
Our inquiry clearly showed that the Westminster Government needs to increase the local housing allowance to reflect the increase that has been seen in private rents. I know that this Government has already tried to pressure the London Government into doing this, but we have to make our voice heard on this again, and recommendation 16 calls for this. Of course, this is a short-term solution. It doesn't make any sense that public funds are being transferred directly into the landlords' bank accounts. So, in the long term, we must see a significant shift in our use of public money, using it to build houses under public ownership. That is part of the long-term solution to ending homelessness.
But, one matter that is within the reach of the Government here is the housing support grant. We were all extremely disappointed to see that there had been no progress to fund this in the budget. Without these specialist services, we will see homelessness of all kinds increasing. The providers of these essential services are already leaving and are not submitting bids for contract tenders. This crisis is about to get worse, so it is extremely important to see the Government implement recommendation 10, not just in principle but through action. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response.
I'd like to thank the Local Government and Housing Committee for a really interesting report. This is something that affects, I imagine, all Members, but it certainly is a major problem in my constituency. I think you've captured a lot of the challenges and things that we really need to reflect on.
I recently was supporting a mother who became homeless with two children, following eviction from a private tenancy, simply because the tenancy was ended. Following a period of sofa surfing, the Housing Options service in Cardiff provided them with hostel accommodation. This was extremely difficult for this family, because there was a huge amount of disruption going on in the hostel—lots of sleepless nights—and the distance from the children's school meant that there was a lot of non-attendance or late arrivals. So, the mother decided that her children would be better off staying with a family member and that she would sleep in her car, splitting up the family, which was already traumatised by not having a home and no nearer to resolving their housing circumstances. Once she engaged with my office, we were able to persuade her to re-engage with housing services, and, hopefully, they'll be able to eventually get allocated a house that is fit for their needs.
But, it really does illustrate the shortage of social housing that's needed for families. Private accommodation is absolutely fine for students, because they're passing through, in terms of where they're going to live this year, next year and the following year. But, if you're somebody with children going to school, the threat of being kicked out of where you've got your home, with no control over where you're going to end up next, means that you're at risk of your children having to leave that school and go to another school, which is an adverse childhood experience, in my view. Private housing simply can't provide the level of stability that you need to offer to children where possible, but it is something we rely on nevertheless, but it isn't the best.
I dealt with somebody else recently who was in her late fifties and she was accommodated in a YMCA hostel for nine months, and this she found very difficult, because it was mainly young people, and they were behaving like young people. And she suffers from asthma, which got drastically worse as a result of being in a very uncomfortable environment for her, which sort of emphasised the unsatisfactory nature of her situation. Thankfully, she has now been rehoused in permanent sheltered accommodation, and it underlines the importance of having appropriate accommodation for people of all ages, and over fifties accommodation can be fantastic for somebody in that sort of situation.
Now, many young men refuse to engage with Housing Options simply because they think that it will be like the experience they've heard about at the Huggard, where I'm constantly being told about people taking drugs, and related problems going on there. Now, whether it's true or not, it obviously becomes an active barrier for people seeking support, and if you talk to people on the street, that's one of the reasons they give for being on the street, rather than getting the housing that they are being offered. I share the Wallich's reservations about large hostels, because I think once you have gatherings of people who have, clearly, problems—that's why they've become homeless in the main—they have challenges, and putting loads of people with problems together is not a useful cocktail, and it needs really skilful people. Every time I go to the Wallich, I'm impressed by their ability to actively manage the situation and give support informally and formally to people in temporary accommodation to give them the skills they need to hold down a tenancy.
Brilliant accommodation is provided by Cadwyn housing for young mums with children who have become homeless because they simply have never developed the skills to hold down tenancies, because they don't understand that you've got to put the rent by first of all, rather than going out and buying other things they might like to have. They don't understand that the rent must be paid first of all, and also, that you need the skills required to look after children, and how to cook, et cetera. They do an outstanding job.
I think the solutions have to be around more prefabricated buildings, because some of the stuff that's on Bute Street, just around the corner, is fantastic for single people; it gives them safe accommodation, their own front door, and modern prefabricated buildings. We built 170,000 prefabricated buildings between 1942 and 1951, and a further 500,000 after that, and most of them are still being lived in. You know, we thought—
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Pwyllgor Llywodraeth Leol a Thai am adroddiad diddorol iawn. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth sy'n effeithio ar yr holl Aelodau, rwy'n credu, ond mae'n sicr yn broblem fawr yn fy etholaeth i. Rwy'n credu eich bod wedi cynnwys llawer o'r heriau a'r pethau y mae gwir angen i ni eu hystyried.
Yn ddiweddar roeddwn yn cefnogi mam a oedd yn ddigartref gyda dau o blant wedi iddi gael ei throi allan o denantiaeth breifat am ddim rheswm heblaw bod y denantiaeth wedi dod i ben. Yn dilyn cyfnod o syrffio soffas, rhoddodd y gwasanaeth Opsiynau Tai yng Nghaerdydd lety iddynt mewn hostel. Roedd hyn yn anodd tu hwnt i'r teulu, am fod llawer iawn o aflonyddwch yn digwydd yn yr hostel—llawer iawn o nosweithiau di-gwsg—ac roedd y pellter o ysgol y plant yn golygu eu bod yn colli llawer o ysgol neu'n cyrraedd yn hwyr. Felly, penderfynodd y fam y byddai'n well i'w phlant aros gydag aelod o'r teulu ac y byddai hi'n cysgu yn ei char, gan chwalu'r teulu, a oedd eisoes wedi'u trawmateiddio am nad oedd ganddynt gartref a heb fod gam yn agosach at ddatrys eu sefyllfa dai. Ar ôl iddi gysylltu â fy swyddfa, gallasom ei pherswadio i ailgysylltu â gwasanaethau tai, a byddant yn gallu cael tŷ sy'n addas ar gyfer eu hanghenion yn y pen draw, gobeithio.
Ond mae'n dangos yn glir pa mor brin yw'r tai cymdeithasol sydd eu hangen ar deuluoedd. Mae llety preifat yn hollol iawn i fyfyrwyr, am mai pasio drwodd y maent, o ran ble maent yn mynd i fyw eleni, y flwyddyn nesaf a'r flwyddyn ganlynol. Ond os oes gennych blant sy'n mynd i'r ysgol, mae'r bygythiad o gael eich troi allan o'ch cartref, heb unrhyw reolaeth dros ble rydych chi'n mynd i fod nesaf, yn golygu bod eich plant mewn perygl o orfod gadael yr ysgol honno a mynd i ysgol arall, sy'n brofiad niweidiol yn ystod plentyndod yn fy marn i. Yn syml, ni all tai preifat ddarparu'r lefel o sefydlogrwydd sydd ei angen i'w gynnig i blant lle bo hynny'n bosibl, ac er ei fod yn rhywbeth rydym yn dibynnu arno, nid dyna'r ateb gorau.
Fe wneuthum ymdrin â rhywun arall yn ddiweddar a oedd yn ei phumdegau hwyr ac a fu'n byw mewn hostel YMCA am naw mis, ac roedd hynny'n anodd iawn iddi, am mai pobl ifanc yn bennaf oedd yno, ac roeddent yn ymddwyn fel pobl ifanc. Ac mae hi'n dioddef o asthma, a waethygodd yn sylweddol o ganlyniad i fod mewn amgylchedd anghyfforddus iawn iddi, sy'n rhyw fath o bwysleisio natur anfoddhaol ei sefyllfa. Diolch byth, mae hi bellach wedi cael ei hailgartrefu mewn llety gwarchod parhaol, ac mae hyn yn tanlinellu pwysigrwydd cael llety priodol i bobl o bob oed, a gall llety i bobl dros 50 fod yn wych i rywun mewn sefyllfa o'r fath.
Nawr, mae llawer o ddynion ifanc yn gwrthod ymgysylltu ag Opsiynau Tai am eu bod yn credu y bydd fel y profiad y clywsant amdano yn Huggard, lle clywaf yn gyson am bobl yn cymryd cyffuriau, a phroblemau cysylltiedig sy'n digwydd yno. Nawr, boed hynny'n wir ai peidio, mae'n amlwg yn dod yn rhwystr gweithredol i bobl sy'n ceisio cymorth, ac os siaradwch â phobl ar y stryd, dyna un o'r rhesymau a roddant dros fod ar y stryd, yn hytrach na derbyn y llety sy'n cael ei gynnig iddynt. Rwy'n rhannu amheuon Wallich am hosteli mawr, oherwydd pan fydd llawer o bobl sydd â phroblemau—dyna pam eu bod yn ddigartref i raddau helaeth—yn dod at ei gilydd, yn amlwg mae ganddynt heriau, ac nid yw rhoi llawer o bobl â phroblemau at ei gilydd yn gyfuniad defnyddiol, ac mae angen pobl fedrus iawn i'w wneud. Bob tro rwy'n mynd i'r Wallich, mae eu gallu i reoli'r sefyllfa, a rhoi cefnogaeth anffurfiol a ffurfiol i bobl mewn llety dros dro i roi'r sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt i gynnal y denantiaeth yn creu argraff arnaf.
Darperir llety gwych gan dai Cadwyn ar gyfer mamau ifanc â phlant sy'n ddigartref am nad ydynt erioed wedi datblygu sgiliau i gynnal tenantiaeth, am nad ydynt yn deall bod rhaid i chi roi'r rhent heibio'n gyntaf oll, yn hytrach na mynd allan a phrynu pethau eraill y byddent yn hoffi eu cael. Nid ydynt yn deall bod rhaid talu'r rhent yn gyntaf oll, a hefyd, fod angen y sgiliau sydd eu hangen i ofalu am blant, a sut i goginio, ac ati. Maent yn gwneud gwaith ardderchog.
Rwy'n credu bod rhaid i'r atebion ymwneud ag adeiladau mwy parod, oherwydd mae peth o'r stwff sydd ar Stryd Bute, rownd y gornel, yn wych i bobl sengl; mae'n rhoi llety diogel iddynt, eu drws blaen eu hunain, ac adeiladau parod modern. Adeiladwyd 170,000 o adeiladau parod rhwng 1942 a 1951, a 500,000 arall ar ôl hynny, ac mae pobl yn dal i fyw yn y rhan fwyaf ohonynt. Wyddoch chi, roeddem yn meddwl—
Jenny, you need to conclude now, please.
Jenny, mae angen i chi ddod i ben nawr, os gwelwch yn dda.
—we thought they were only going to be 10 minutes, but actually, modern timber-framed homes can be constructed on site in two to three weeks. And I appreciate that the Welsh Government hasn't got the capital to meet the need, so we need to have a look at the role of pension funds, because this is a good investment. Investing in housing provides a guaranteed return on rent, and we need to have more solutions to deal with what is a very challenging problem.
—roeddem yn meddwl mai dim ond 10 munud y byddent yn ei gymryd, ond mewn gwirionedd, gellir adeiladu cartrefi ffrâm bren modern ar safle mewn dwy i dair wythnos. Ac rwy'n deall nad oes cyfalaf gan Lywodraeth Cymru i ddiwallu'r angen, felly mae angen inni edrych ar rôl cronfeydd pensiwn, gan fod hwn yn fuddsoddiad da. Mae buddsoddi mewn tai yn gwarantu elw ar rent, ac mae angen inni gael mwy o atebion i ymdrin â'r hyn sy'n broblem heriol iawn.
I refer Members to my published declarations of interest. I'd like to thank the committee and the Chair for the report, but how sad, isn't it, that, in 2023, such a report is needed, and to learn of the thousands of people homeless or waiting in need in temporary accommodation. And when you think about it, there are 90,000 social homes needed, with nearly 10,000 in February in temporary accommodation, of which, shockingly, 3,000 are children.
Now, I noticed—. I'll talk about recommendation 3 first of all, which calls on the Welsh Government to explore opportunities for further funding for temporary and transitional accommodation. Now, while it's needed, I can't help feeling, myself, that we should be actually looking more at the cause, rather than the symptoms—I hope I got that the right way around.
Rwy'n cyfeirio'r Aelodau at fy natganiadau o ddiddordeb cyhoeddedig. Hoffwn ddiolch i'r pwyllgor a'r Cadeirydd am yr adroddiad, ond mae'n drist, onid yw, yn 2023, fod angen adroddiad o'r fath, a dysgu am y miloedd o bobl ddigartref neu sy'n aros mewn angen mewn llety dros dro. A phan feddyliwch am y peth, mae angen 90,000 o gartrefi cymdeithasol, gyda bron i 10,000 ym mis Chwefror mewn llety dros dro, ac o'r rhain, mae frawychus fod 3,000 ohonynt yn blant.
Nawr, fe sylwais—. Fe siaradaf am argymhelliad 3 yn gyntaf, sy'n galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i archwilio cyfleoedd i ddarparu cyllid pellach ar gyfer llety dros dro a llety trosiannol. Nawr, er bod ei angen, yn bersonol, ni allaf ond teimlo y dylem fod yn edrych mwy ar yr achosion, yn hytrach na'r symptomau—gobeithio fy mod wedi dweud hynny'n gywir.
Whilst TACP was awarded no specific additional funding within the 2023-24 Welsh Government budget, it just—. I can’t understand why that funding wasn’t increased. But I do acknowledge, Minister, that you’re now making £15 million extra available to local authorities. But, when you look at some of the figures and the massive increases, I’m not too sure how far £15 million is going to go around 22 local authorities. Now, apparently, the funding has been allocated on a formula basis to ensure a fair distribution. But, I guess, in terms of the formula, how this will work, in terms of the numbers—our numbers in Conwy county have just shot up, tripled in the last two or three years—so, whether you could just give us some information as to how that formula will work going forward.
Now, in response to recommendation 4, you’ve stated that Welsh Government is developing a document aimed at disseminating good practice. Now, more paperwork is not going to help the fact that some local authority officers have higher-than-average case loads, nor is it going to tackle the fact that maintaining regular contact with people staying in temporary accommodation is hard. This is a problem in my own local authority. Every month, I hold a regular housing surgery with Cartrefi Conwy and Conwy Housing Solutions, and I have to say, it's—. I finish my weekend and I go home having met several families, several children, where they are absolutely desperate for a roof above their heads.
Now, there is an urgent need to consider the standard of those living or trapped, almost, now in temporary accommodation. And when we say ‘temporary accommodation’, we used to talk about six to eight weeks; I’ve got children and families, Minister, who’ve been in temporary accommodation for 14, 15 months. And they just think, ‘That’s it; this is all there is to life.' I’ve had people coming in to see me on my Friday afternoons and my staff during the week, saying, ‘We just feel suicidal; we see no hope.'
Now, recommendation 6 urges you to explore what can be done to monitor and improve standards. And we hear, so often, criticism of the private sector landlords, and yet, basically, I’m getting complaints now about these people who run the temporary accommodation, and they can be hostels, pubs, B&Bs, guest houses. And some of the issues that come forward, where the property isn’t habitable, really, or fit for families to live in—. I’d really like to know, Minister, how you feel that you’re going to be able to address quite quickly the fact that they have no kitchen, no washing machine—a sink in a hotel room for three or four people, where they have to sometimes—. I think they’re given a microwave sometimes. So, they have to wash and learn to prepare food in the same sink. It’s just—. I’ve even heard of families being put above licensed premises. So, you can imagine how this is impacting on them.
Now, have you thought—? I’m not really into commissioners, but have you not thought of having a designated—. Apart from the Senedd Commission, of course. But have you thought of having a responsible person who could work with local authorities, Minister, to actually help them with the temporary accommodation, help to—? Almost like someone monitoring where these people are staying in terms of this sort of temporary accommodation.
I’ve also asked you previously to review Rent Smart Wales. Is there not more work that they could be doing? If they’re collecting data on private landlords, Minister, could they not be also—? Or some other—[Inaudible.]—within your department, where they could be actually helping? We need consistency. We need some form of permanence now moving forward. We need more houses built.
Yesterday, I was in a forum where we were told that even just to stand still—just to stand still—. Even at 12,000 to 14,000 houses a year, that would be just standing still. We’re now—. If there are 6,000 being built, you can see we're falling behind. So, my plea is: empty homes brought back into homes, and also more houses to be built. Diolch. Thank you.
Er na chafodd y rhaglen gyfalaf ar gyfer llety dros dro unrhyw gyllid ychwanegol penodol yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru 2023-24, dim ond —. Ni allaf ddeall pam na chynyddwyd yr arian hwnnw. Ond rwy'n cydnabod, Weinidog, eich bod bellach yn darparu £15 miliwn ychwanegol i awdurdodau lleol. Ond pan edrychwch ar rai o'r ffigurau a'r cynnydd enfawr, nid wyf yn rhy siŵr pa mor bell yr aiff £15 miliwn i 22 o awdurdodau lleol. Nawr, mae'n debyg fod y cyllid wedi'i ddyrannu ar sail fformiwla i sicrhau dosbarthiad teg. Ond rwy'n dyfalu, o ran y fformiwla, mai'r ffordd y bydd hyn yn gweithio, o ran y niferoedd—mae ein niferoedd yn sir Conwy newydd saethu i fyny, wedi treblu yn y ddwy neu dair blynedd ddiwethaf—felly, a wnewch chi roi rhywfaint o wybodaeth i ni ynglŷn â sut y bydd y fformiwla honno'n gweithio yn y dyfodol.
Nawr, mewn ymateb i argymhelliad 4, rydych chi wedi dweud bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn datblygu dogfen gyda'r nod o ledaenu arferion da. Nawr, nid yw mwy o waith papur yn mynd i helpu'r ffaith bod gan rai swyddogion awdurdodau lleol lwyth achosion uwch na'r cyfartaledd, ac nid yw'n mynd i'r afael â'r ffaith bod cadw cysylltiad rheolaidd â phobl sy'n aros mewn llety dros dro yn anodd. Mae hon yn broblem yn fy awdurdod lleol fy hun. Bob mis, rwy'n cynnal cymhorthfa dai reolaidd gyda Cartrefi Conwy a Conwy Housing Solutions, a rhaid imi ddweud, mae—. Rwy'n gorffen fy mhenwythnos ac rwy'n mynd adref ar ôl cyfarfod â sawl teulu, sawl plentyn, lle maent yn ysu i gael to uwch eu pennau.
Nawr, mae gwir angen ystyried y safon ar gyfer rhai sy'n byw neu sy'n gaeth, bron, mewn llety dros dro. A phan ddywedwn 'llety dros dro', roeddem yn arfer siarad am oddeutu chwech i wyth wythnos; Weinidog, mae gennyf blant a theuluoedd sydd wedi bod mewn llety dros dro ers 14, 15 mis. Ac maent yn meddwl, 'Dyna ni; dyna'r cyfan sydd i fywyd.' Rwyf wedi cael pobl yn dod i fy ngweld i ar fy mhrynhawniau Gwener, ac i weld fy staff yn ystod yr wythnos, sy'n dweud, 'Rydym yn teimlo'n hunanladdol; rydym yn teimlo'n gwbl ddiobaith.'
Nawr, mae argymhelliad 6 yn eich annog i archwilio'r hyn y gellir ei wneud i fonitro a gwella safonau. Ac mor aml, clywn ladd ar landlordiaid y sector preifat, ac eto, yn y bôn, rwy'n cael cwynion nawr am y bobl sy'n rhedeg y llety dros dro, a gallant fod yn hosteli, yn dafarndai, yn llety gwely a brecwast. Ac mae rhai o'r problemau a welir, lle nad oes modd byw yn yr eiddo mewn gwirionedd, neu lle nad yw'n addas i deuluoedd fyw ynddo—. Hoffwn wybod, Weinidog, sut rydych chi'n teimlo y gallwch chi fynd i'r afael yn eithaf cyflym â'r ffaith nad oes ganddynt gegin, dim peiriant golchi—sinc mewn ystafell westy i dri neu bedwar o bobl, lle mae'n rhaid iddynt weithiau—. Rwy'n credu eu bod yn cael microdon weithiau. Felly, mae'n rhaid iddynt ymolchi a dysgu paratoi bwyd yn yr un sinc. Mae'n—. Rwyf hyd yn oed wedi clywed am deuluoedd yn cael eu rhoi uwchben safleoedd trwyddedig. Felly, gallwch ddychmygu sut mae'n effeithio arnynt.
Nawr, a ydych chi wedi meddwl—? Nid wyf yn credu mewn cael comisiynwyr mewn gwirionedd, ond onid ydych chi wedi meddwl am gael rhywun dynodedig—. Ar wahân i Gomisiwn y Senedd, wrth gwrs. Ond Weinidog, a ydych chi wedi meddwl am gael person cyfrifol a allai weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i'w helpu gyda llety dros dro, helpu i—? Bron fel rhywun yn monitro lle mae'r bobl hyn yn aros o ran llety dros dro o'r fath.
Rwyf wedi gofyn i chi adolygu Rhentu Doeth Cymru o'r blaen hefyd. Onid oes mwy o waith y gallent hwy ei wneud? Os ydynt yn casglu data ar landlordiaid preifat, Weinidog, oni allent hefyd—? Neu ryw—[Anghlywadwy.]—arall yn eich adran, lle gallent fod yn helpu mewn gwirionedd? Mae angen cysondeb arnom. Mae angen rhyw fath o sefydlogrwydd nawr ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae angen adeiladu mwy o dai.
Ddoe, roeddwn mewn fforwm lle dywedwyd wrthym, er mwyn aros lle rydym ni hyd yn oed—dim ond aros lle rydym ni—. Hyd yn oed gyda rhwng 12,000 a 14,000 o dai y flwyddyn, ni fyddai hynny ond yn ein cadw lle rydym. Rydym ni nawr—. Os oes 6,000 yn cael eu hadeiladu, gallwch weld ein bod yn llusgo ar ei hôl hi. Felly, fy mhle yw: trowch gartrefi gwag yn ôl yn gartrefi, ac adeiladu mwy o dai hefyd. Diolch.
Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, Julie James.
I call on the Minister for Climate Change, Julie James.
Diolch, Llywydd. Firstly, I would also like to thank the committee for the opportunity to respond to this debate today. The report raises awareness of the critical issue of homelessness across Wales, and the recommendations put forward by the committee have been informed, as the committee Chair said, by the voices of the many partners engaged in the sector, and crucially by people with lived experience of using homelessness services. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their time and for the evidence they provided to the inquiry.
Diolch, Lywydd. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn innau hefyd ddiolch i'r pwyllgor am y cyfle i ymateb i'r ddadl hon heddiw. Mae'r adroddiad yn codi ymwybyddiaeth o fater allweddol digartrefedd ledled Cymru, ac mae'r argymhellion a gyflwynwyd gan y pwyllgor wedi cael eu llywio, fel y dywedodd Cadeirydd y pwyllgor, gan leisiau'r nifer o bartneriaid sy'n ymwneud â'r sector, ac yn hollbwysig, gan bobl sydd â phrofiad bywyd o ddefnyddio gwasanaethau digartrefedd. Hoffwn innau achub ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i ddiolch i bob un ohonynt am eu hamser ac am y dystiolaeth a ddarparwyd ganddynt i'r ymchwiliad.
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
Senedd Members will be well aware of the Welsh Government's ambition to help end homelessness across Wales by making it rare, brief and unrepeated. It is absolutely vital that we have a shared understanding, not only of the Government's long-term ambition and the steps needed to achieve it, but also of the immediate pressures in the system and how we can work together across sectors and public services to address them. In Wales, unlike the rest of the UK, we have maintained the 'no-one left out' approach taken since the start of the pandemic. This has highlighted the true scale of homelessness in Wales, which has been exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis. I'm afraid, Llywydd, I cannot let this opportunity pass to say that the contributions from the two Conservatives here today seem to be made without any recognition whatsoever of the current cost-of-living crisis and its contribution to the driving of homelessness across Wales, which is something they really should reflect on.
We remain committed to moving to a rapid rehousing approach and reducing our dependency on temporary accommodation. I do recognise and acknowledge that the current pressures in the system mean this. The end goal remains the same, but it will take us longer to achieve than we would like. Now, as we all know, anyone at all can find themselves homeless, and for many different reasons. As a result of the current cost-of-living crisis, many more people are finding the need to reach out for advice and access to services, which they would never, ever have thought they would ever have to use.
It's really clear from the committee's findings and our own data that housing and homelessness teams are facing increasing presentations, and I want to take this opportunity to express my continuing gratitude to them, and those in the support sector, for everything they do to help people facing or experiencing homelessness. They have supported and implemented the Welsh Government's 'no-one left out' approach, demonstrating what working together can achieve. This partnership working must continue, and it will continue, as people are very dedicated to it, and we need to strengthen it as we face these new and future challenges.
On the point of the budget situation, I absolutely accept the budget situation is not what we would like it to be. We have put £166.7 million into the budget. That maintains the 30 per cent increase from 2020 to 2021. I would very much have liked to have increased it again this year, but this is the worst budget settlement we have ever had, and even just maintaining that 30 per cent increase was a push. But if we can, we will increase that budget—I absolutely accept the point being made.
We recognise that the significant challenge and enabler to ending homelessness in Wales is, of course, increasing the supply of affordable homes. As part of our programme for government, we are actively working towards providing 20,000 good-quality homes for social rent, with all new builds being low carbon. We've also developed creative initiatives to further support increasing the availability of homes, including widening the scope of leasing scheme Wales and developing the transitional accommodation capital programme to provide flexibility within the system.
But, again, I'm sorry to bring it back to the Conservatives, but both the contributions really didn't take this into account. We absolutely have to unfreeze local housing allowance. It makes no economic sense. It makes no social sense. It's not just. It's not right. It's driving people out of the private rented sector. I simply do not understand the rationale for it, and I'm very happy to engage with either one of you outside the Chamber if you can explain what on earth the rationale for freezing local housing allowance is. It makes absolutely no sense at all, and it really needs to be put back to 50 per cent, or at the very least the 30 per cent that the Conservatives used to maintain it at. It's completely ridiculous.
And I'm afraid, Sam, arguing that we should ignore the phosphate problems in our rivers and build substandard homes on the banks of them is really not the way to address the supply problem. I do not have, Llywydd, anything like the time it would take me to explain what we're doing in that regard, but I can refer Members, as John, the committee Chair, said, to the written response I provided to the committee on each of the recommendations. I simply don't have the time to address them all today.
The transitional programme does, though, provide homes to assist people to move on from temporary accommodation into longer term provision. During 2022-23, we invested another £76 million to deliver 936 properties and additional homes, which will be funded this year and next. We absolutely recognise the importance of finding suitable homes, sustainable homes, for people as quickly as possible. The report highlights that homelessness brings with it significant negative consequences for individuals and families who find themselves in that position. Families who become homeless face other disruptions in areas of their lives as a direct result. We know that it affects education, employment, access to health advice services and mental health support services. Lack of access in all of these areas accumulates to further exacerbate an individual's or family's circumstances and experience. The consequential trauma, as the committee well found, will frequently result in a long-lasting detrimental impact on that individual and their future prospects. That is why—I can't speak now—the implications of being homeless are so much more than not having a home. It is all too often not having adequate access to healthcare, education, employment as well, and all of that compounds and hampers a person's ability to function as part of society and impacts their resilience and drastically affects their quality of life.
In taking forward our work to end homelessness, we recognise all of those things, and it's why our focus is on preventing homelessness in the first place, and, where it cannot be prevented, ensuring it is brief and unrepeated. This is set out in our ending homelessness action plan, which includes the introduction of the concept of rapid rehousing across Wales, focusing on that prevention activity. It focuses on supporting individuals at an early stage to gain access to support services and advice, delivering a person-centred trauma-informed service to help people through the housing system and to access the right housing for them as quickly as possible. This does not mean instant access to housing, but a quicker support service into the right home for their individual needs. Evidence shows that a multi-agency approach results in sustained tenancies for people in long-term settled homes in a much more informed way.
We work closely with local authorities and wider partners, like social landlords and support providers, to make the shift towards rapid rehousing. Rapid rehousing transition plans are being developed and relationship managers are liaising closely with authorities to ensure support and implementation, identify risks to delivery and recognise and share best practice. We all know new policies and action plans shape service provision and support our aspirations to improve the lives of people in Wales, but it's legislation that sets out the duties of public bodies, and clearly there is an expectation on how partners will develop and provide the support that will make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated.
So, later this year, I will publish a White Paper, which will set out the policy and legislative proposals to strengthen our approach to homelessness prevention and supporting households who find themselves without a home. This programme of work is being taken forward as part of our co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, working closely with partners and with people with lived experience front and centre of that work. I acknowledge the considerable and unprecedented pressure in the homelessness system. The transformative reform we are driving forward through our ending homelessness action plan to move us to a system of prevention and rapid rehousing is the way we will address these pressures in both the short and longer term. The expert review panel is currently in session, and will make recommendations to me in the summer, to answer the timescale point that the committee Chair raised.
The committee's recommendations align closely with the actions set out in our action plan, and, for those of you who have seen my written response to the committee, you will see that I have accepted the recommendations—all or in principle—and, just to address the point brought up by Mabon in particular, the ones that are addressed in principle are not because there isn't a plan associated with them, but in almost all of them—I think all of them, but almost all of them, certainly—because we're already doing something, it's just slightly different to the way that the committee made their recommendation. So, we absolutely accept the point of the recommendation, but we're already doing something in that that didn't quite fit. So, I don't want you to think that the 'in principle' approach means we don't accept it; we absolutely do.
The policies of the Welsh Government and the approach taken since the pandemic, together with the tireless actions of our local authority housing teams and third sector partners, are helping us take the huge steps forward that we need to do. We've started a journey, but, as the committee recommendations illustrate, it needs increased partnership working and actions from all of us to reach the goal of ending homelessness across Wales. So, Llywydd, once again, my thanks to the committee for their report and recommendations, and to those who took the time to provide evidence and inform these findings. I think, together, we really can make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated across Wales.
Bydd Aelodau'r Senedd yn ymwybodol iawn o uchelgais Llywodraeth Cymru i helpu i roi diwedd ar ddigartrefedd ledled Cymru drwy ei wneud yn rhywbeth prin, tymor byr, nad yw'n cael ei ailadrodd. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol fod gennym ddealltwriaeth gyffredin, nid yn unig o uchelgais hirdymor y Llywodraeth a'r camau sydd eu hangen i'w gyflawni, ond hefyd o'r pwysau uniongyrchol yn y system a sut y gallwn weithio gyda'n gilydd ar draws sectorau a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i fynd i'r afael â'r pwysau hwn. Yng Nghymru, yn wahanol i weddill y DU, rydym wedi cynnal yr ymagwedd 'neb heb help' a fabwysiadwyd ers dechrau'r pandemig. Mae hyn wedi tynnu sylw at wir raddfa digartrefedd yng Nghymru, a waethygwyd gan yr argyfwng costau byw. Mae arnaf ofn, Lywydd, na allaf adael i'r cyfle fynd heibio i ddweud ei bod yn ymddangos bod y cyfraniadau gan y ddau Geidwadwr yma heddiw wedi'u gwneud heb gydnabod yr argyfwng costau byw presennol o gwbl na'i gyfraniad at gynyddu digartrefedd ledled Cymru, sy'n rhywbeth y dylent fyfyrio arno.
Rydym yn parhau i fod wedi ymrwymo i symud i ddull o ailgartrefu'n gyflym a lleihau ein dibyniaeth ar lety dros dro. Rwy'n cydnabod bod y pwysau presennol yn y system yn golygu hyn. Mae'r nod terfynol yn aros yr un fath, ond bydd yn cymryd mwy o amser i ni ei gyflawni nag y byddem yn hoffi. Nawr, fel y gwyddom i gyd, gall unrhyw un o gwbl fynd yn ddigartref, ac am lawer o wahanol resymau. O ganlyniad i'r argyfwng costau byw presennol, mae llawer mwy o bobl yn gweld angen i estyn allan am gyngor a mynediad at wasanaethau na fyddent byth wedi meddwl y byddai'n rhaid iddynt eu defnyddio.
Mae'n amlwg iawn o ganfyddiadau'r pwyllgor a'n data ein hunain fod timau tai a digartrefedd yn wynebu niferoedd cynyddol o achosion, ac rwyf am achub ar y cyfle i fynegi fy niolch parhaus iddynt, ac i'r rhai yn y sector cymorth, am bopeth a wnânt i helpu pobl sy'n ddigartref neu mewn perygl o fod yn ddigartref. Maent wedi cefnogi a gweithredu dull 'neb heb help' Llywodraeth Cymru, gan ddangos yr hyn y gall gweithio gyda'n gilydd ei gyflawni. Rhaid i'r gwaith partneriaeth hwn barhau, ac fe fydd yn parhau, am fod pobl yn ymroddedig iawn iddo, ac mae angen inni ei gryfhau wrth inni wynebu'r heriau newydd hyn yn y dyfodol.
Ar y pwynt ynglŷn â sefyllfa'r gyllideb, rwy'n derbyn yn llwyr nad yw'r sefyllfa gyllidebol yr hyn yr hoffem iddi fod. Rydym wedi rhoi £166.7 miliwn yn y gyllideb. Mae hynny'n cadw'r cynnydd o 30% rhwng 2020 a 2021. Byddwn wedi hoffi ei gynyddu eto eleni, ond dyma'r setliad cyllideb gwaethaf a gawsom erioed, ac roedd hyd yn oed cadw'r cynnydd o 30 y cant yn anodd. Ond os gallwn, byddwn yn cynyddu'r gyllideb honno—rwy'n derbyn y pwynt sy'n cael ei wneud yn llwyr.
Rydym yn cydnabod mai'r her sylweddol a'r hyn sy'n mynd i'n galluogi i roi diwedd ar ddigartrefedd yng Nghymru, wrth gwrs, yw cynyddu'r cyflenwad o dai fforddiadwy. Fel rhan o'n rhaglen lywodraethu, rydym wrthi'n gweithio tuag at ddarparu 20,000 o gartrefi o ansawdd da ar gyfer rhent cymdeithasol, gyda'r holl adeiladu newydd yn garbon isel. Rydym hefyd wedi datblygu cynlluniau creadigol i gefnogi cynnydd pellach yn nifer y tai sydd ar gael, gan gynnwys ehangu cwmpas cynllun prydlesu Cymru a datblygu'r rhaglen gyfalaf ar gyfer llety dros dro i ddarparu hyblygrwydd o fewn y system.
Ond unwaith eto, mae'n ddrwg gennyf ddod â'r mater yn ôl at y Ceidwadwyr, ond ni wnaeth y ddau gyfraniad ystyried hyn. Mae'n rhaid inni ddadrewi lwfans tai lleol. Nid yw'n gwneud unrhyw synnwyr yn economaidd. Nid yw'n gwneud unrhyw synnwyr yn gymdeithasol. Nid yw'n deg. Nid yw'n iawn. Mae'n hel pobl allan o'r sector rhentu preifat. Nid wyf yn deall y rhesymeg dros wneud hyn, ac rwy'n hapus iawn i ymgysylltu ag unrhyw un ohonoch y tu allan i'r Siambr os gallwch egluro beth ar y ddaear yw'r rhesymeg dros rewi lwfans tai lleol. Nid yw'n gwneud unrhyw synnwyr o gwbl, ac mae gwir angen ei roi yn ôl ar 50 y cant, neu o leiaf ar 30 y cant lle'r arferai'r Ceidwadwyr ei gynnal. Mae'n hollol hurt.
Ac mae arnaf ofn, Sam, nad dadlau y dylem anwybyddu'r problemau ffosffad yn ein hafonydd ac adeiladu cartrefi is na'r safon ar eu glannau yw'r ffordd o fynd i'r afael â'r broblem gyflenwi. Lywydd, nid oes gennyf unrhyw beth tebyg i'r amser y byddai'n ei gymryd imi egluro beth rydym yn ei wneud ar hynny, ond gallaf gyfeirio'r Aelodau, fel y dywedodd John, Cadeirydd y pwyllgor, at yr ymateb ysgrifenedig a roddais i'r pwyllgor ar bob un o'r argymhellion. Nid oes gennyf amser i fynd i'r afael â phob un ohonynt heddiw.
Fodd bynnag, mae'r rhaglen drosiannol yn darparu cartrefi i gynorthwyo pobl i symud o lety dros dro i ddarpariaeth fwy hirdymor. Yn ystod 2022-23, fe wnaethom fuddsoddi £76 miliwn arall i ddarparu 936 eiddo a chartrefi ychwanegol, a fydd yn cael eu hariannu eleni a'r flwyddyn nesaf. Rydym yn llwyr gydnabod pwysigrwydd dod o hyd i gartrefi addas, cartrefi cynaliadwy, i bobl cyn gynted â phosibl. Mae'r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at y ffaith bod digartrefedd yn dod â chanlyniadau negyddol sylweddol yn ei sgil i unigolion a theuluoedd sydd yn y sefyllfa honno. Mae teuluoedd sy'n ddigartref yn wynebu aflonyddwch mewn rhannau eraill o'u bywydau o ganlyniad uniongyrchol. Gwyddom ei fod yn effeithio ar addysg, cyflogaeth, mynediad at wasanaethau cyngor iechyd a gwasanaethau cymorth iechyd meddwl. Mae diffyg mynediad ym mhob un o'r meysydd hyn yn cronni i waethygu amgylchiadau a phrofiad unigolyn neu deulu ymhellach. Bydd y trawma i'w ganlyn, fel y canfu'r pwyllgor yn dda, yn aml yn arwain at effaith andwyol hirhoedlog ar yr unigolyn a'i ragolygon yn y dyfodol. Dyna pam—ni allaf siarad nawr—mae goblygiadau bod yn ddigartref gymaint yn fwy na bod heb gartref. Yn rhy aml, mae'n golygu bod heb fynediad digonol at ofal iechyd, addysg, cyflogaeth hefyd, ac mae hynny i gyd yn gwaethygu ac yn rhwystro gallu unigolyn i weithredu'n rhan o gymdeithas ac yn cael effaith ar eu gwytnwch ac yn effeithio'n sylweddol ar ansawdd eu bywyd.
Wrth fwrw ymlaen â'n gwaith i ddod â digartrefedd i ben, rydym yn cydnabod yr holl bethau hynny, a dyna pam ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar atal digartrefedd yn y lle cyntaf, a lle na ellir ei atal, ar sicrhau ei fod ond yn digwydd am gyfnod byr ac nad yw'n cael ei ailadrodd. Nodwyd hyn yn ein cynllun gweithredu ar gyfer dod â digartrefedd i ben, sy'n cynnwys cyflwyno'r cysyniad o ailgartrefu'n gyflym ledled Cymru, gan ganolbwyntio ar weithgaredd atal. Mae'n canolbwyntio ar gynorthwyo unigolion yn gynnar i gael mynediad at wasanaethau cymorth a chyngor, gan ddarparu gwasanaeth sy'n ystyriol o drawma ac yn canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn i helpu pobl drwy'r system dai ac i gael mynediad at dai priodol ar eu cyfer cyn gynted â phosibl. Nid yw hyn yn golygu mynediad ar unwaith at dai, ond yn hytrach, gwasanaeth cymorth cyflymach i mewn i'r cartref cywir ar gyfer eu hanghenion unigol. Mae tystiolaeth yn dangos bod dull amlasiantaethol yn arwain at gynnal tenantiaethau pobl mewn cartrefi sefydlog hirdymor mewn ffordd lawer mwy gwybodus.
Rydym yn gweithio'n agos gydag awdurdodau lleol a phartneriaid ehangach, fel landlordiaid cymdeithasol a darparwyr cymorth, i symud tuag at ailgartrefu cyflym. Mae cynlluniau trosiannol ailgartrefu cyflym yn cael eu datblygu ac mae rheolwyr cysylltiadau'n cysylltu'n agos ag awdurdodau i sicrhau cefnogaeth a gweithredu, i nodi risgiau i gyflawniad a chydnabod a rhannu arferion gorau. Rydym i gyd yn gwybod bod polisïau a chynlluniau gweithredu newydd yn siapio'r ffordd y caiff gwasanaethau eu darparu ac yn cefnogi ein dyheadau i wella bywydau pobl yng Nghymru, ond deddfwriaeth sy'n nodi dyletswyddau cyrff cyhoeddus, ac yn amlwg ceir disgwyliad o ran sut y bydd partneriaid yn datblygu ac yn darparu'r cymorth a fydd yn gwneud digartrefedd yn rhywbeth prin, tymor byr, nad yw'n cael ei ailadrodd.
Felly, yn ddiweddarach eleni, byddaf yn cyhoeddi Papur Gwyn a fydd yn nodi'r polisi a'r cynigion deddfwriaethol i gryfhau ein dull o atal digartrefedd a chefnogi aelwydydd sy'n mynd yn ddigartref. Mae'r rhaglen waith hon yn cael ei datblygu yn rhan o'n cytundeb cydweithio gyda Phlaid Cymru, gan weithio'n agos gyda phartneriaid a chyda phobl sydd â phrofiad bywyd yn ganolog yn y gwaith hwnnw. Rwy'n cydnabod y pwysau sylweddol a digynsail yn y system ddigartrefedd. Y diwygio trawsnewidiol rydym yn ei yrru yn ei flaen drwy ein cynllun gweithredu ar ddod â digartrefedd i ben i'n symud i system atal ac ailgartrefu cyflym yw'r ffordd yr awn i'r afael â'r pwysau yn y tymor byr ac yn fwy hirdymor. Mae'r panel adolygu arbenigol yn cyfarfod ar hyn o bryd, a bydd yn gwneud argymhellion i mi yn yr haf, i ateb y pwynt ynglŷn ag amserlen a godwyd gan Gadeirydd y pwyllgor.
Mae argymhellion y pwyllgor yn cyd-fynd yn agos â'r camau a nodir yn ein cynllun gweithredu, ac i'r rhai ohonoch sydd wedi gweld fy ymateb ysgrifenedig i'r pwyllgor, fe welwch fy mod wedi derbyn yr argymhellion—yn llwyr neu mewn egwyddor—ac i nodi'r pwynt a wnaeth Mabon yn enwedig, nid am nad oes cynllun yn gysylltiedig â nhw y derbyniwyd rhai mewn egwyddor yn unig, ond oherwydd ein bod, ym mhob un ohonynt, bron—pob un ohonynt, rwy'n credu, ond bron bob un, yn sicr—yn gwneud rhywbeth yn barod, ac mae ychydig yn wahanol i'r ffordd y gwnaeth y pwyllgor eu hargymhelliad. Felly, rydym yn derbyn pwynt yr argymhelliad yn llwyr, ond rydym eisoes yn gwneud rhywbeth ar hynny nad oedd yn union yr un peth. Felly, nid wyf am ichi feddwl bod y term 'mewn egwyddor' yn golygu nad ydym yn ei dderbyn; rydym yn sicr yn ei dderbyn.
Mae polisïau Llywodraeth Cymru a'r dull o weithredu a fabwysiadwyd ers y pandemig, ynghyd â chamau diflino timau tai ein hawdurdodau lleol a phartneriaid yn y trydydd sector, yn ein helpu i gymryd y camau enfawr ymlaen y mae angen i ni eu gwneud. Rydym wedi cychwyn y daith, ond fel y dengys argymhellion y pwyllgor, mae angen mwy o waith partneriaeth a chamau gweithredu gan bob un ohonom i gyrraedd y nod o roi diwedd ar ddigartrefedd ledled Cymru. Felly, Lywydd, unwaith eto, diolch i'r pwyllgor am eu hadroddiad a'u hargymhellion, ac i'r rhai a roddodd amser i ddarparu tystiolaeth a llywio'r canfyddiadau hyn. Gyda'n gilydd, rwy'n credu y gallwn wneud digartrefedd yn rhywbeth prin, tymor byr, na chaiff ei ailadrodd, a hynny ym mhob rhan o Gymru.
Y Cadeirydd, John Griffiths, i ymateb i'r ddadl.
The Chair, John Griffiths, to reply to the debate.
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I'd like to start by thanking all who have taken part in the debate and committee members for their commitment, and the clerking team and research staff, because as a committee and predecessor committees we've done a lot of work on housing issues and homelessness issues over quite an extended period of time, but it is something we certainly intend to stick with, because of the importance of this agenda.
Sam mentioned the role of the private rented sector, and I think we're all agreed that we need to see a bigger role for the private rented sector. We need to enable and facilitate and encourage, and find ways of enabling that sector to play a bigger part in providing housing for our people here in Wales.
Also, I think, in terms of the phosphate issues that Sam mentioned and the Minister addressed, obviously this is a significant current issue and does have to be addressed. I know that the Minister and, indeed, the First Minister have pointed to some of the meetings that have taken place to pull the key partners together not to apportion blame, but to find practical solutions to get beyond these issues, and I think that must be the spirit of the approach that we go forward with, but it does need to be an urgent approach.
I was very pleased that Mabon referred to Jonathan Baxter. I've just spoken about the commitment of the clerking team and the research staff, and that certainly was well demonstrated by Jonathan, who, as Mabon has said, has now gone to Welsh Government. So, Welsh Government's gain is the committee's and the Research Service's loss, here in the Senedd, but we certainly wish Jonathan all the best for the future and thank him very much for the work that he's done, again over a period of years on housing issues, for this committee and predecessor committees.
Could I thank Mabon as well, Llywydd, and indeed Jenny Rathbone, for putting a human face, really, to the issues that we face? I think we're all conscious that you can look at the statistics and obviously they tell a very powerful story, but it's when you meet families and individuals at the rough end of this situation that it really comes home to you in terms of the impact that homelessness and rough-sleeping have on our communities. I certainly wish all of those that Members have mentioned today the very best in the future, because we know about that huge impact on people and families, to be threatened with homelessness, to be homeless, and to really be at a loss to find and see a way through the difficulties. And, of course, that's where the support services are so crucially important. As Mabon said, staff are under a great deal of pressure, and issues of retention and recruitment are very real and need to be addressed.
I think Jenny was looking at some ways of perhaps thinking outside the box a little in terms of pension funds, for example. I'm sure the Minister would be very willing to explore all possible options to bring more investment to the table. So, it's really good to have those ideas coming forward for consideration. And, as Jenny also mentioned, prefabricated buildings, timber-framed buildings are part of possible solutions. And I know the Minister has been very keen to bring forward new modular housing and, again, I'm sure will look at new possibilities.
Llywydd, sadly I see that the screen is red as far as my time is concerned. So, let me just close by saying that although there's never a total consensus in terms of the possible solutions and ways forward, I think it's very clear that there is a consensus in terms of the importance of these issues and the need to grasp them and deal with them urgently. So, that gives us a good basis, I think, as a Senedd, as a Welsh Government, to move forward on.
I must say that I do very much welcome the Minister's commitment to this area of work and I know that's reflected in the sector here in Wales. We have a very strong ministerial drive now, which the committee is seeking to work with and to encourage, and sometimes to point in slightly different directions and to possibly speed up a little, but we know that we're working with a Minister that has real commitment to the improvements that are needed. It was good to hear the Minister accept some of the funding issues that were raised during this debate and in the committee's report, and I hope to make further progress on that front as well.
So, thank you very much to everyone and I hope we can see urgent and significant further progress in the very short, near future. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y ddadl ac aelodau'r pwyllgor am eu hymroddiad, a'r tîm clercio a staff ymchwil, oherwydd fel pwyllgor a phwyllgorau rhagflaenol rydym wedi gwneud llawer o waith ar faterion tai a digartrefedd dros gyfnod eithaf estynedig, ond mae'n rhywbeth rydym yn sicr yn bwriadu cadw ato, oherwydd pwysigrwydd yr agenda hon.
Soniodd Sam am rôl y sector rhentu preifat, ac rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn gytûn fod angen inni weld rôl fwy i'r sector rhentu preifat. Mae angen inni alluogi a hwyluso ac annog, a dod o hyd i ffyrdd o alluogi'r sector hwnnw i chwarae rhan fwy yn y gwaith o ddarparu tai i'n pobl yma yng Nghymru.
Hefyd, ar y materion ffosffad y soniodd Sam amdanynt ac a nodwyd gan y Gweinidog, yn amlwg mae hwn yn fater o bwys ar hyn o bryd ac mae'n rhaid mynd i'r afael ag ef. Gwn fod y Gweinidog, a'r Prif Weinidog yn wir, wedi tynnu sylw at rai o'r cyfarfodydd sydd wedi digwydd i ddod â'r partneriaid allweddol at ei gilydd nid i feio, ond yn hytrach, i ddod o hyd i atebion ymarferol i fynd y tu hwnt i'r materion hyn, ac rwy'n credu mai yn yr ysbryd hwnnw y dylem symud ymlaen, ond mae angen gweithredu'n gyflym.
Roeddwn yn falch iawn fod Mabon wedi cyfeirio at Jonathan Baxter. Rwyf newydd siarad am ymrwymiad y tîm clercio a'r staff ymchwil, ac yn sicr cafodd hynny ei ddangos yn dda gan Jonathan, sydd, fel y dywedodd Mabon, wedi symud i Lywodraeth Cymru erbyn hyn. Felly, budd Llywodraeth Cymru yw colled y pwyllgor a'r Gwasanaeth Ymchwil yma yn y Senedd, ond rydym yn sicr yn dymuno'r gorau i Jonathan ar gyfer y dyfodol a diolch yn fawr iddo am y gwaith y mae wedi'i wneud, unwaith eto dros gyfnod o flynyddoedd ar faterion tai, i'r pwyllgor hwn a'r pwyllgorau a'i rhagflaenodd.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Mabon hefyd, Lywydd, a Jenny Rathbone yn wir, am roi wyneb dynol i'r materion sy'n ein hwynebu? Rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn ymwybodol y gallwch chi edrych ar yr ystadegau ac yn amlwg maent yn adrodd stori bwerus iawn, ond pan fyddwch chi'n cyfarfod â theuluoedd ac unigolion ar ben garw'r sefyllfa hon, bydd yr effaith y mae digartrefedd a chysgu ar y stryd yn ei chael ar ein cymunedau yn eich taro go iawn. Rwy'n dymuno'r gorau yn y dyfodol i bob un o'r rhai y soniodd yr Aelodau amdanynt heddiw, oherwydd gwyddom am yr effaith enfawr ar bobl a theuluoedd a gaiff bygythiad o ddigartrefedd, a bod yn ddigartref, a methu dod o hyd i ffordd drwy'r anawsterau. Ac wrth gwrs, dyna lle mae'r gwasanaethau cymorth mor hanfodol bwysig. Fel y dywedodd Mabon, mae staff o dan bwysau mawr, ac mae materion cadw a recriwtio'n real iawn ac angen sylw.
Rwy'n credu bod Jenny'n edrych ar ffyrdd o feddwl y tu allan i'r bocs i ryw raddau o ran cronfeydd pensiwn, er enghraifft. Rwy'n siŵr y byddai'r Gweinidog yn barod iawn i archwilio'r holl opsiynau posibl i ddenu mwy o fuddsoddiad. Felly, mae'n dda iawn cael y syniadau hynny i'w hystyried. Ac fel y soniodd Jenny hefyd, mae adeiladau parod, adeiladau ffrâm bren, yn rhan o'r atebion posibl. Ac rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog wedi bod yn awyddus iawn i gyflwyno tai modiwlar newydd ac unwaith eto, rwy'n siŵr y bydd yn edrych ar bosibiliadau newydd.
Lywydd, yn anffodus rwy'n gweld bod y sgrin yn goch a fy amser ar ben. Felly, gadewch imi orffen drwy ddweud, er nad oes consensws llwyr ar yr atebion a'r ffyrdd posibl ymlaen, rwy'n credu ei bod yn glir iawn fod yna gonsensws ynghylch pwysigrwydd y materion hyn a'r angen i'w deall ac i ymdrin â nhw ar fyrder. Felly, rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhoi sail dda i ni fel Senedd, fel Llywodraeth Cymru, ar gyfer symud ymlaen.
Rhaid imi ddweud fy mod yn croesawu'n fawr ymrwymiad y Gweinidog i'r maes gwaith hwn a gwn fod hynny'n cael ei adlewyrchu yn y sector yma yng Nghymru. Mae gennym ymdrech weinidogol gref iawn nawr, ac mae'r pwyllgor yn awyddus i weithio gyda nhw a'u hannog, a weithiau i bwyntio i gyfeiriadau ychydig yn wahanol ac o bosibl i gyflymu ychydig, ond fe wyddom ein bod yn gweithio gyda Gweinidog sydd ag ymrwymiad gwirioneddol i'r gwelliannau sydd eu hangen. Roedd hi'n dda clywed y Gweinidog yn derbyn rhai o'r materion ariannu a godwyd yn ystod y ddadl hon ac yn adroddiad y pwyllgor, ac rwy'n gobeithio gwneud cynnydd pellach ar hynny hefyd.
Felly, diolch yn fawr iawn i bawb ac rwy'n gobeithio y cawn weld cryn dipyn o gynnydd pellach, a hynny ar fyrder yn y dyfodol agos iawn. Diolch yn fawr.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi adroddiad y pwyllgor? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Nac oes, felly mae'r adroddiad yna wedi ei dderbyn.
The proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? No. The report is therefore noted.
Derbyniwyd y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Detholwyd y gwelliant canlynol: gwelliant 1 yn enw Lesley Griffiths.
The following amendment has been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Lesley Griffiths.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, fydd dadl Plaid Cymru ar glefydau anadlol, a dwi'n galw ar Rhun ap Iorwerth i wneud y cynnig yma.
The next item will be the Plaid Cymru debate on respiratory disease, and I call on Rhun ap Iorwerth to move the motion.
Cynnig NDM8266 Siân Gwenllian
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi:
a) bod 1 ym mhob 5 o bobl yn byw gyda chyflwr ysgyfaint yng Nghymru;
b) bod gan Gymru'r lefel uchaf o farwolaethau anadlol yng ngorllewin Ewrop;
c) nad yw'r gwasanaethau anadlu wedi adfer yn dilyn y pandemig, gyda rhestrau aros ar gyfer adsefydlu ysgyfeiniol mor uchel â thair blynedd mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru;
d) bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi datblygu datganiad ansawdd newydd ond nid oes cynllun gweithredu.
2. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu cynllun gwella ar gyfer clefydau anadlol i drawsnewid bywydau pobl sy'n byw gyda chyflyrau'r ysgyfaint.
Motion NDM8266 Siân Gwenllian
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes:
a) that 1 in 5 people live with a lung condition in Wales;
b) that Wales has the highest level of respiratory deaths in western Europe;
c) that respiratory services have not recovered post-pandemic, with waiting lists for pulmonary rehabilitation being as high as three years in some parts of Wales;
d) that the Welsh Government has developed a new quality statement but there is no implementation plan.
2. Calls upon the Welsh Government to develop an improvement plan for respiratory disease to transform improve the lives of people living with lung conditions.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Mae'n bleser gen i agor y ddadl bwysig yma heddiw gan Blaid Cymru am iechyd yr ysgyfaint.
Thank you very much, Llywydd, and it's my pleasure to open this important debate today in the name of Plaid Cymru on lung health.
A gadewch inni fod yn hollol o glir o'r dechrau un yn fan hyn, mae gennym ni broblem wirioneddol yng Nghymru efo iechyd yr ysgyfaint a chlefydau resbiradol. Mae bod efo'r nifer fwyaf o farwolaethau o'r math yng ngorllewin Ewrop i'n poblogaeth ni yn rhywbeth dwi'n ei ganfod yn frawychus, ac mi ddylai'r sylweddoliad yna fynnu gweithredu brys gan y Llywodraeth. Rydym ni ar y meinciau yma heddiw yn galw ar y Llywodraeth i ymateb i'r argyfwng yna, achos mae o yn argyfwng. Ac mae'r broblem yng Nghymru i'w gweld yn glir mewn sawl ffordd ac mewn cyfres o ystadegau. Mae un o bob pump o bobl Cymru yn byw efo cyflwr yr ysgyfaint, a'r rhan fwyaf o'r rheini'n dioddef o gyflyrau fel asthma neu glefyd pwlmonaidd, ond mae'n rhaid hefyd cofio, wrth gwrs, fod yna nifer eang iawn o gyflyrau llai cyffredin: bronciectasis ac apnoea cwsg, ac yn y blaen. Mae 61 y cant o'r rheini sy'n dioddef yn methu â chael mynediad at ofal cynnar, sy'n arwain gyflyrau yn mynd heb eu trin tan eu bod nhw wedi datblygu i fod yn fwy difrifol. Mae gen i ystadegyn ddod ar ei draws o rŵan, yn dilyn sgwrs efo Siân Gwenllian, Aelod Arfon, yn dangos mai dim ond 13.7 y cant o bobl sydd yn derbyn yr hyn sy'n ddisgwyliedig o ran gofal COPD yng Nghymru ac, yn Betsi Cadwaladr, llai na 10 y cant yn derbyn yr hyn sy'n cael ei ystyried yn ofal cwbl greiddiol ar gyfer trin COPD.
Mae amseroedd aros, yn gyffredinol, am driniaeth yn rhy hir ac yn hirach nag erioed, wrth gwrs, ers y pandemig. Mae hyn, yn aml, yn golygu nad y driniaeth orau sydd yn cael ei chynnig i bobl, ond y driniaeth hawsaf neu'r driniaeth gyflymaf—y pwmp bach glas yna rydyn ni i gyd yn ei adnabod yn cael ei roi yn llawer rhy hawdd, o bosibl. Hyd yn oed pan fydd y pwmp yn cael ei ragnodi i gleifion, dydy'r hyfforddiant ar sut i ddefnyddio’r pwmp ddim yn cael ei ddarparu yn gywir bob tro, sy'n arwain at ystadegyn rhyfeddol bod tri chwarter o gleifion ddim yn defnyddio eu pympiau asthma yn gywir. Dydy hynny ddim yn gwneud synnwyr, dydy o ddim yn dderbyniol.
Mae yna broblemau mawr efo dealltwriaeth cleifion, a'r cyhoedd yn fwy cyffredinol, ar sut i atal clefyd yr ysgyfaint drwy wneud newidiadau, weithiau'n newidiadau bach iawn, yn eu bywydau bob dydd, a hefyd wedyn sut i ymdopi efo cyflyrau ysgyfaint ar ôl diagnosis. Dydy'r addysg a'r gefnogaeth sy'n cael eu cynnig i ddelio efo'r newid mawr mae cael diagnosis yn gallu golygu ddim yn ddigonol, sy'n golygu bod cleifion yn tyfu'n ddibynnol ar bethau sy'n cynnig rhyddhad tymor byr, fel y pympiau glas yna, yn lle dysgu sut i reoli a byw yn iach efo'r cyflyrau, neu o leiaf yn fwy iach.
Mae yn broblemau ehangach hefyd, wrth reswm, i'w hystyried yn fan hyn, sy'n mynd yn bellach nag amseroedd aros a thriniaethau ar gyfer cleifion unigol. Mae yna broblemau amgylcheddol enfawr sy'n cael effaith wirioneddol negatif ar ein hiechyd ysgyfaint ni fel gwlad—cymaint â 2,000 o bobl yn marw yng Nghymru y llynedd oherwydd sgil-effaith llygredd aer. Ffigur cwbl, cwbl annerbyniol, ac mae'n rhaid inni ddeffro i hyn. Rydyn ni wedi bod yn llawer rhy araf i ymateb i'r pryderon. Mae yna gynigion wedi cael eu gwneud yma yn y Senedd, mae yna bwysau wedi dod ar draws y pleidiau i gyd yma am weithredu cwbl, cwbl eglur ar y Llywodraeth. Oes, mae yna gamau yn cael eu cymryd ymlaen, ac mae'r Llywodraeth yn dweud y pethau iawn yn aml, ond rydyn ni'n wynebu argyfwng. Dwi'n falch o weld y cytundeb cydweithio yn rhoi cymaint o sylw i wthio tuag at sero net a'r manteision ddaw o ran glanhau awyr yn hynny o beth.
Dwi'n cydnabod, o edrych ar welliant y Llywodraeth heddiw, fod y Llywodraeth wedi cymryd rhai camau mewn perthynas â chlefydau resbiradol. Dwi'n cytuno efo'r egwyddorion sydd wedi cael eu rhestru yn natganiad ansawdd y Llywodraeth: fod y gwasanaeth yn gorfod bod yn un effeithiol a diogel, yn rhoi ffocws ar anghenion y claf—hynny yw patient-centered, felly. Mae hynny'n allweddol. Ond does yna ddim cynllun yn ei le sydd yn dangos yn glir i ni sut i weithredu'r math o newidiadau rydyn ni angen eu gweld er mwyn gallu darparu gwasanaethau o ansawdd. Does yna ddim cynllun cadarn yn ei le ar sut i daclo'r rhestrau aros sy'n llawer rhy hir, a dim cynllun yn ei le ar sut i symud i ffwrdd o'r orddibyniaeth ar anadlwyr glas a symud ymlaen i driniaethau sy'n rheoli symptomau'n well, a cheisio mynd i'r afael ag achosion a'r rhesymau y tu ôl i symptomau yn hytrach na'u harafu nhw dros dro neu gynnig rhyddhad. Does yna ddim cynllun ar sut i addysgu pobl i ymdopi'n well efo cyflyrau, a sut, fel dwi'n dweud, i atal afiechydon yn y lle cyntaf.
Gwnes i fwynhau cymryd rhan yn y digwyddiad yma yn y Senedd wedi'i noddi gan John Griffiths ychydig wythnosau yn ôl—lansiad adroddiad gan Asthma and Lung UK. Roedd y digwyddiad hwnnw'n cynnig ffordd wahanol i fynd ymlaen—ffordd amgen i fynd i'r afael â'r problemau maith sydd gennym ni efo iechyd yr ysgyfaint yma yng Nghymru, a'r pwyslais ar yr angen am gynllun gwella. Roedd cael y math yna o gynllun clir a realistig ynglŷn â lle y gallem ni fynd ac o fewn pa amserlen yn ganolog i'r argymhellion yna.
Ym mis Ionawr eleni, mi gyhoeddodd y Llywodraeth gynllun gwella ar gyfer gwasanaethau canser—rhywbeth roeddwn i'n sicr yn falch iawn o'i weld. Ond onid yw hynny'n dangos bod gwirioneddol werth yn y Llywodraeth yn adnabod pwysigrwydd y mathau yna o gynlluniau ar gyfer gwahanol gyflyrau a bod angen cynlluniau gwella clir er mwyn i ni allu gwireddu amcanion?
Mi wnaf i adael fy nghyfraniad cychwynnol yn y fan yna. Dwi'n hyderus y clywn ni dystiolaeth bwerus iawn ar draws y Siambr y prynhawn yma am yr angen am gynllun o'r fath. Mae'r Llywodraeth, yn eu gwelliant nhw, yn dileu'r galw am gynllun gwella. Gadewch i ni felly glywed gan y Gweinidog sut mae'r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu gwneud neu gymryd y mathau o gamau bras ymlaen rydyn ni eu hangen mewn ffordd amgen. Ond, fel dwi'n dweud, mi glywn ni dystiolaeth glir yma'r prynhawn yma, a'r un peth na allwn ni wneud ydy caniatáu i'r ystadegau dwi wedi sôn amdanyn nhw allu parhau: y nifer uchaf o farwolaethau yng ngorllewin Ewrop. Mae'n argyfwng; mae angen gweithredu brys i ymateb iddo fo.
And let us be entirely clear from the very outset here, we have a very real problem in Wales with lung health and respiratory disease, with the highest number of deaths in western Europe in our population, and that is something that I find frightening, and that realisation should require urgent action from Government. We on these benches are calling on the Government to respond to that crisis, because it is a crisis. And the problem in Wales can be clearly seen in many ways and in a series of statistics. One in five people in Wales live with a lung condition, most of these suffer from conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but we must also bear in mind that there are a number of less common conditions: bronchiectasis and sleep apnoea, and so on and so fourth. Sixty-one per cent of those suffering can't access early care, which leads to conditions going untreated until they have developed to be more serious. I have a statistic that I've just found now, following a conversation with Siân Gwenllian, the Member for Arfon, which demonstrates that only 13.7 per cent of people receive what would be expected in terms of COPD care in Wales and, in Betsi Cadwaladr, the figure is less than 10 per cent in terms of what is thought of as basic treatment for COPD.
Waiting times for treatment are generally too long and are longer than ever as a result of the pandemic. This often means that it's not the best treatment that's provided to people, but the easiest or the swiftest—that blue pump that we all recognise being given far too easily. Even when the pump is prescribed for patients, the training on how to use the pump isn't always provided correctly, which leads to the incredible statistic that three quarters of patients don't use their asthma pumps in the right way. That makes no sense and it's not acceptable.
There are major problems with patients' understanding, and the general public's understanding more generally, as how to prevent pulmonary conditions by making changes, which can be very small changes, to their daily lives, and then how to cope with pulmonary conditions after diagnosis. The education and support to deal with the major change that a diagnosis can lead to are not adequate, which means that patients become reliant on things that provide short-term relief, such as those blue pumps, rather than learning how to manage their condition and learn to live healthily or more healthily.
There are broader problems too, of course, that we need to consider here that go beyond waiting times and treatments for individual patients. There are huge environmental problems that have a truly negative impact on our pulmonary health. As many as 2,000 people died in Wales last year because of the impacts of air pollution. That is an entirely unacceptable statistic, and we must wake up to this. We have been far too slow in responding to the concerns. There have been proposals made here in the Senedd, there has been pressure across parties here for clear action from Government. And, yes, there are steps being taken, and the Government is saying the right things very often, but we are facing a crisis. I'm pleased to see the co-operation agreement putting so much emphasis on pushing towards net zero and the benefit that will come in terms of cleaner air in that regard.
I acknowledge, having looked at the Government's amendment today, that the Government has taken some steps in relation to respiratory conditions. I agree with the principles listed in the Government's quality statement: that the service has to be effective and safe, and must focus on patient needs—it must be patient-centred, if you like. That is crucial. But there is no plan in place that clearly sets out how we can implement the kinds of changes that we need to see in order to provide quality services. There is no firm plan in place on how to tackle waiting lists that are far too long; no plan in place on how to move away from the over-reliance on those blue pumps that I mentioned and move to treatments that manage symptoms more effectively, and trying to tackle cases and the reasons behind the symptoms rather than simply slowing them or offering short-term relief; there is no plan on how to educate people to cope better with respiratory conditions and how to prevent ill health in the first instance.
Now, I enjoyed taking part in an event here in the Senedd sponsored by John Griffiths a few weeks ago. It was the launch of a report by Asthma and Lung UK. That event proposed an alternative way forward—an alternative way of dealing with these problems that we have with lung health here in Wales, and the emphasis was on the need for an improvement plan. Having that kind of clear, realistic plan as to the direction of travel and the timetable for travel was central to those recommendations.
In January of this year, the Government published an improvement plan for cancer services—something that I was certainly very pleased to see. But doesn't that demonstrate that there is real value in the Government identifying the importance of those kinds of plans for different conditions, and that we need improvement plans in order to deliver our objectives?
I will leave my initial contribution there. I am confident that we will hear very powerful evidence across the Chamber this afternoon on the need for a plan of this kind. The Government, in their amendment, actually delete the demand for an improvement plan. So, let's hear from the Minister how the Government intend to take the kinds of bold steps that we need in an alternative way. But, as I say, we will hear clear evidence this afternoon, and the one thing that we can't do is allow the statistics that I've quoted to continue: the highest number of deaths in western Europe. It is a crisis, and we need urgent action in response.
Rwyf wedi dethol y gwelliant i'r cynnig, a dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog iechyd i gynnig yn ffurfiol welliant 1.
I have selected the amendment to the motion, and I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to move formally amendment 1.
Gwelliant 1—Lesley Griffiths
Dileu popeth ar ôl 1(b) a rhoi yn ei le:
bod Cymru’n arwain y ffordd yn y DU mewn llawer o agweddau ar wella gwasanaethau clefydau anadlol, gan gynnwys defnyddio addysg ddigidol yn helaeth i wella gofal clinigol, defnyddio apiau i gleifion i leihau’r angen am ofal brys a gofal mewn argyfwng, a helpu cleifion i newid i ddefnyddio anadlyddion ag ôl troed carbon is.
y bydd y GIG yn ymateb i’r Datganiad Ansawdd ar gyfer Clefydau Anadlol drwy ei waith cynllunio gweithredol lleol ac y bydd yn cael ei gefnogi’n genedlaethol gan rwydwaith clinigol Gweithrediaeth y GIG ar gyfer clefydau anadlol.
Amendment 1—Lesley Griffiths
Delete all after 1(b) and replace with:
that Wales is leading the way in the UK in many aspects of improving respiratory disease services, including the use of digital education at scale to improve clinical care, the use of patient apps to reduce the need for urgent and emergency care, and supporting patients to move to using lower carbon footprint inhalers;
that the NHS will respond to the Quality Statement for Respiratory Disease through its local operational planning and will be supported nationally by the NHS Executive's clinical network for respiratory disease.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 1.
Amendment 1 moved.
Iawn. Mae thumbs-up yn gwneud y tro. Diolch yn fawr i'r Gweinidog. Russell George.
Okay. A thumbs-up will do. Thank you very much to the Minister. Russell George.
Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to thank Plaid for bringing forward this motion today and indicate that the Welsh Conservatives will be supporting this as well. It is, I think, disappointing that the Government have decided to table an amendment that whitewashes the facts about respiratory diseases in the original motion. I think the Government could have easily accepted these points to acknowledge that there is more to be done. And as has been pointed out, and as the motion points out, a fifth of the Welsh population has a lung condition—the same proportion that is on an NHS waiting list, and it's a cause of concern that should spur the Welsh Government into action beyond the quality statement. Such statements are only good intentions if they're not backed up with a plan. The quality statement describes what good-quality services for respiratory conditions should look like, but if the Minister wants to make ambition a reality, then we need to see that improvement plan, as has been mentioned.
Wales has the second-highest rate of respiratory disease in Europe—hardly in keeping with, I would suggest, the relaxed tone, I would say, of the Government's amendment. It is particularly frustrating to read also that the quality statement told us that the focus on the proper diagnosis, management and treatment of respiratory diseases will be complemented by other national strategy and policy related to other communicable diseases, as well as plans related to tobacco and obesity. Later, the statement confirmed it would be individual health boards that would be responsible for planning the delivery of their respiratory care services themselves, rather than being able to work from a national strategy with a set of steps and expectations. So, I would suggest not only has the Welsh Government not taken the most fundamental of steps towards helping rebuild these services, but they have passed the buck on delivering the necessary transformation, in my view.
The motion talks about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which affects 74,000 people in Wales—that's an entire parliamentary constituency—yet there's a three-year waiting list. Now, I know we talk a lot about waiting lists in this Chamber, with 40,000 people still waiting for over two years for treatment across the nation, but just imagine struggling to breathe and seeking medical attention and being told it'll be over three years before help comes.
Now, yes, there are the cost-of-living pressures or no cost-of-living pressures, people will—and I see evidence of this myself—spend their life savings to get treatment privately, and this is not, certainly, an acceptable state of affairs. And not only do these conditions make life difficult for people with them, but many will need carers, and these include unpaid carers, of course, as well. So, I want to use this opportunity to ask the Minister and the Welsh Government to make it clear, or easier for them, through a right to respite, free bus travel and grants to access education, training and quality employment opportunities as well. But, ultimately today, Llywydd, I agree with the motion: I agree that the Government does need to bring forward an improvement plan for respiratory disease.
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i Blaid Cymru am gyflwyno’r cynnig hwn heddiw a nodi y bydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cefnogi hyn hefyd. Credaf ei bod yn siomedig fod y Llywodraeth wedi penderfynu cyflwyno gwelliant sy’n gwyngalchu’r ffeithiau am glefydau anadlol yn y cynnig gwreiddiol. Credaf y gallai’r Llywodraeth yn hawdd fod wedi derbyn y pwyntiau hyn i gydnabod bod mwy i’w wneud. Ac fel y nodwyd, ac fel y mae'r cynnig yn ei nodi, mae gan un rhan o bump o boblogaeth Cymru gyflwr ar yr ysgyfaint—yr un gyfran ag sydd ar restr aros y GIG, ac mae'n destun pryder a ddylai ysgogi Llywodraeth Cymru i weithredu y tu hwnt i'r datganiad ansawdd. Dim ond bwriadau da yw datganiadau o'r fath os nad oes cynllun i'w cefnogi. Mae’r datganiad ansawdd yn disgrifio sut y dylai gwasanaethau o ansawdd da ar gyfer cyflyrau anadlol edrych, ond os yw’r Gweinidog am wireddu'r uchelgais, mae angen inni weld y cynllun gwella hwnnw, fel y nodwyd.
Gan Gymru y mae’r gyfradd uchaf ond un o glefydau anadlol yn Ewrop—carwn awgrymu mai prin fod hynny'n cyd-fynd â chywair hamddenol gwelliant y Llywodraeth. Mae’n arbennig o rwystredig darllen hefyd fod y datganiad ansawdd wedi dweud wrthym y bydd y ffocws ar wneud diagnosis, rheoli a thrin clefydau anadlol yn briodol yn cael ei ategu gan strategaeth a pholisi cenedlaethol arall sy’n ymwneud â chlefydau trosglwyddadwy eraill, yn ogystal â chynlluniau’n ymwneud â thybaco a gordewdra. Yn nes ymlaen, roedd y datganiad yn cadarnhau mai byrddau iechyd unigol a fyddai’n gyfrifol am gynllunio’r ffordd y darperir eu gwasanaethau gofal anadlol eu hunain, yn hytrach na gallu gweithio o strategaeth genedlaethol gyda set o gamau a disgwyliadau. Felly, carwn awgrymu nid yn unig nad yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cymryd y camau mwyaf sylfaenol tuag at helpu i ailadeiladu'r gwasanaethau hyn, ond eu bod wedi taflu'r baich o gyflawni'r trawsnewidiad sydd ei angen, yn fy marn i.
Mae’r cynnig yn sôn am glefyd rhwystrol cronig yr ysgyfaint, sy’n effeithio ar 74,000 o bobl yng Nghymru—mae hynny'n etholaeth seneddol gyfan—ond eto, ceir rhestr aros o dair blynedd. Nawr, gwn ein bod yn sôn am restrau aros yn y Siambr hon yn aml, gyda 40,000 o bobl yn dal i aros dros ddwy flynedd am driniaeth ledled y wlad, ond dychmygwch eich bod yn cael trafferth anadlu ac angen sylw meddygol ac yna'n cael gwybod na fyddwch yn cael cymorth am fwy na thair blynedd.
Nawr, oes, ceir pwysau costau byw neu ddim pwysau costau byw, bydd pobl—a gwelaf dystiolaeth o hyn fy hun—yn gwario eu cynilion i gael triniaeth breifat, ac yn sicr nid yw hon yn sefyllfa dderbyniol. Ac nid yn unig fod y cyflyrau hyn yn gwneud bywyd yn anodd i'r bobl sy'n eu dioddef, bydd angen gofalwyr ar lawer ohonynt hefyd, ac mae’r rhain yn cynnwys gofalwyr di-dâl wrth gwrs. Felly, hoffwn ddefnyddio’r cyfle hwn i ofyn i’r Gweinidog a Llywodraeth Cymru wneud pethau'n glir, neu’n haws iddynt, drwy hawl i seibiant, teithiau bws am ddim a grantiau i gael mynediad at addysg, hyfforddiant a chyfleoedd cyflogaeth o safon. Ond yn y pen draw, Lywydd, rwy’n cytuno â’r cynnig heddiw: rwy’n cytuno bod angen i’r Llywodraeth gyflwyno cynllun gwella ar gyfer clefydau anadlol.
Diolch i Rhun am agor y ddadl yma y prynhawn yma. Mae hi yn ddadl bwysig. Ddaru Rhun, yn ei agoriad, sôn am y pwmp bach glas yna. Mae pob un ohonom ni wrth gwrs yn gyfarwydd â'r pwmp bach glas, a llawer yn ei weld o a meddwl, 'Wel, dim ond y fogfa ydy o.' Pan fo rhywun yn mynd allan o wynt, yna mae'n rhaid dim ond cymryd pwff bach o'r pwmp a bydd pob dim yn iawn. Ond mae’r argraff yma yn gwbl gamarweiniol, ac fel rydym ni wedi'i glywed eisoes gan Rhun, mae e'n fater hynod o ddifrifol.
Mae'n siŵr bod yn well i fi ddatgan diddordeb yn hyn o beth. Dwi hefyd yn gorfod cymryd y pwmp yma; dwi ar bwmp steroid yn y bore, yr un brown, a'r Ventolin glas yna ar gyfer adegau o argyfwng, ac mae aelodau o fy nheulu hefyd yn byw efo'r fogfa. Ond dwi am dreulio yr ychydig funudau nesaf sydd gen i i sôn am ddwy elfen yn benodol, sef llygredd awyr a thai.
Mae Rhun eisoes wedi sôn am y 2,000 o bobl sydd yn marw yma yng Nghymru o ganlyniad i lygredd awyr, ac yn ein trafodaethau ni yn ddiweddar iawn ar ffordd osgoi Llanbedr, fe ddaeth y mater o lygredd awyr yn rhywbeth byw go iawn i fi. Roeddwn i'n trafod efo trigolion ardal Llanbedr, a hwythau yn sôn wrthyf i fod eu hiechyd nhw yn andros o wael o ganlyniad i'r ciwiau o gerbydau oedd yn sefyll yn y pentref yna efo'r injan ynghyn a'r mwg yn dod allan o'r cerbydau yna yn effeithio ar eu hiechyd nhw, a hwythau'n cwyno bod lles eu hysgyfaint yn dioddef yn arbennig.
Mi ddaeth o'n sioc i mi wedyn i ddeall mai llygredd aer oedd y bygythiad amgylcheddol mwyaf i'n hiechyd cyhoeddus ni yng Nghymru ag eithrio ysmygu. Felly, pan ystyriwch chi fod heintiau yr ysgyfaint yn costio dros £0.5 biliwn i'r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru bob blwyddyn, yna pe gellir mynd i'r afael â'r llygredd yn yr aer, byddai hynny yn mynd gam mawr o ffordd i wella iechyd pobl ac arbed arian prin yn y gwasanaeth iechyd.
Wrth gwrs, mae pawb yn edrych ar Gymru fel cenedl fach yn llawn mynyddoedd a glannau môr yn llawn awyr iach, ond mae gan rannau o Gymru safon aer ymhlith y gwaethaf yn y Deyrnas Gyfunol. Cymerwch Caerdydd a Phort Talbot, sydd wedi cofrestru lefelau uwch o allyriadau mater gronynnol na Manceinion a Birmingham. Ac, wrth gwrs, mae pawb yma yn gyfarwydd erbyn hyn â llygredd yr A472 yn Hafodyrynys, oedd yn dangos y lefelau uchaf o lygredd y tu allan i Lundain. Ddylai ddim felly fod yn syndod inni fod ClientEarth wedi cymryd y Llywodraeth yma i'r llys nôl yn 2018 oherwydd y diffyg gweithredu ym maes llygredd aer.
Mae llygredd aer yn effeithio ar bob un ohonom ni, ond mae'n effeithio ar rai yn fwy nag eraill, efo pobl sy'n byw mewn ardaloedd difreintiedig yn cael eu heffeithio yn waeth nag eraill. Ond mae lefelau uchel o lygredd yn yr awyr yn cynyddu y cyfleoedd o bobl yn dioddef o ganser yr ysgyfaint, y fogfa, COPD, camesgor, babanod yn cael eu geni'n gynnar neu o dan bwysau, clefyd y galon, dementia, iechyd meddwl, wrth gwrs, gorbwysau, a llawer iawn mwy na hynny. Felly mae’n amlwg, er lles ein hiechyd cyhoeddus a’r pwrs cyhoeddus, fod angen strategaeth glir er mwyn mynd i’r afael â hyn.
Yn ail, mae’r elfen dai—mater sydd yn agos iawn at fy nghalon i. Unwaith eto, y tlotaf, y mwyaf bregus, a’r mwyaf difreintiedig sydd yn dioddef fwyaf o ganlyniad i broblem llygredd aer a thai ag ansawdd gwael, sy'n effeithio ar eu hiechyd. Mae tai tamp ac sydd efo llwydni yn effeithio yn andwyol ar iechyd ysgyfaint pobl. Yn wir, mae plant sydd yn byw mewn tai efo llwydni a thamp hyd at dair gwaith yn fwy tebygol o ddioddef o beswch cyson neu wichian ar y frest na phlant sy’n byw mewn tai sych. Ac mae plant sydd yn byw mewn tai sydd heb eu gwresogi'n addas ddwywaith yn fwy tebygol o ddioddef o broblemau y frest a phroblemau anadlol, megis y fogfa a broncitis. Mae hyn yn ei dro yn arwain at y plentyn hwnnw yn dioddef o’r cyflwr am flynyddoedd, o bosib am oes, gan leihau cyfleoedd y person yna mewn bywyd os nad yw’r cyflwr yn cael ei drin yn iawn. Yn yr un modd, tamprwydd; mae hwn hefyd yn gallu arwain at gyflyrau ac effeithiau tebyg.
Mae’n rhaid felly cymryd iechyd yr ysgyfaint o ddifrif, a rhaid iddo fod yn flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth. Mae'n amlwg bod angen cynllun gweithredu er mwyn taclo llygredd aer a gwella safon ein tai; mae’n rhaid felly i hyn fod yn gynllun traws-adrannol o fewn y Llywodraeth. Os medrwn ni gael cynllun o’r fath sydd yn pwysleisio yr angen am wella ansawdd ein haer a gwella safon ein tai, yna fe allwn ni weld ansawdd bywyd pobl yn gwella a llai yn dioddef o broblemau yn ymwneud â’r ysgyfaint. Diolch.
I'd like to thank Rhun for opening this debate this afternoon. It is an important debate. Rhun, in his opening remarks, mentioned the little blue pump. All of us are very familiar with the little blue pump, and many people look at it and think, 'Well, it's just asthma.' When somebody is out of breath, they just have to take a little puff from the pump and everything will be fine. But that impression is completely misleading, and as we've just heard from Rhun, it is an extremely serious matter.
I should declare an interest in this context. I also have to take this pump. I have a steroid pump in the morning, the brown one, and that blue Ventolin pump at times of emergency, and members of my family also live with asthma. But I want to use the next few minutes to talk about two specific elements, namely air pollution and housing.
Rhun has already talked about the 2,000 people who die here in Wales as a result of air pollution, and in our recent discussions regarding the Llanbedr bypass, the issue of air pollution became a real live issue for me. I was discussing the issue with residents of the area, and they complained that their health was being seriously affected by the queues of vehicles in the village, waiting with their engines running, and the smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes affecting their health, and they were complaining that the health of their lungs was suffering especially.
It was shocking to me to learn that air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to our public health in Wales aside from smoking. So, when you consider that lung conditions cost over £0.5 billion to the health service in Wales every year, then if we could tackle air pollution, that would be a big step in improving people's health and saving scarce funding in the health service.
Of course, everyone looks at Wales as a small nation full of mountains and beaches, a place so full of fresh air, but parts of Wales have some of the worst air pollution in the United Kingdom. Take Cardiff and Port Talbot, which have registered higher levels of particulate matter emissions than Manchester and Birmingham. And, of course, everyone here is familiar with the pollution of the A472 in Hafodyrynys, which showed the highest levels of pollution outside of London. It should therefore surprise no-one that ClientEarth took this Government to court back in 2018, due to a lack of action in this area of air pollution.
Air pollution affects all of us, but it affects some more than others, with people living in deprived areas suffering the worst effects. But high levels of air pollution increase the chances of people suffering from lung cancer, asthma, COPD, miscarriages, babies being born early or underweight, heart disease, dementia, mental health, of course, obesity, and a great deal more. So, it is clear that, for the benefit of our public health and the public purse, we need a clear strategy to address this.
Secondly, we have the housing element—a matter that is very close to my heart. Again, it is the poorest, the most vulnerable, and the most deprived who suffer the most as a result of air pollution and poor-quality housing, which affect their health. Damp and mouldy houses have an adverse effect on people's lung health. Indeed, children who live in houses with mould and damp are up to three times more likely to suffer from constant coughing or wheezing than children who live in dry houses. And children who live in homes that are not heated appropriately are twice as likely to suffer from chest problems and breathing problems, such as asthma and bronchitis. This, in turn, leads to that child suffering from the condition for years, possibly for life, reducing that person's chances in life if the condition is not treated properly. In the same way, dampness can also lead to similar conditions and effects.
Lung health must therefore be taken seriously, and must be a priority for the Government. It is clear that we need an action plan in order to tackle air pollution and improve the quality of our homes; this must therefore be a cross-departmental plan within the Government. If we can have such a plan, which emphasises the need to improve the quality of our air and improve the standard of our homes, then we can see people's quality of life improving and see fewer people suffering from problems related to their lungs. Thank you.
I'd like to, I think, agree with many of the points already made, and concentrate on some of the preventative aspects of producing better lung health in Wales. We've heard very effectively, Llywydd, of the extent of the problem—one in five people in Wales suffering with lung conditions, the prevalence of asthma and COPD. I was very pleased to host that recent Asthma Cymru event here in the Senedd, looking at health services in response to the scale of the challenge, and making suggestions as to the way forward. And obviously, it is vital that we improve our health services for people with respiratory conditions, and the quality statement must be made a reality in our health services, right across Wales.
But as I said, I would like to concentrate on prevention, and there is much more that can be done to deal with the air quality issues, as we've heard. And indeed, areas of Wales have been breaching European Union regulations for several years now, and we know that there's a real problem—particulate matter and other. Public Health Wales has described outdoor air pollution as the greatest environmental risk to health, and estimated that between 1,000 and 1,400 deaths per year in Wales can be attributed to exposure to air pollution. It has a huge impact on health and, of course, it is a social justice issue, because poorer people are disproportionately affected—the areas, the houses that they occupy are disproportionately affected.
So, obviously, it's really important that we address this issue, and that's why I very much welcome the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill that Welsh Government have set out, in terms of the impact it can have on addressing these problems and improving the situation. Having a national air quality strategy, together with local air quality management, controlling smoke, the possibilities of trunk road charging, combating idling vehicles—which, I must say, you see all the time, whether it's outside schools or in our town and city centres; there is absolutely no reason why that should be happening, and it must be stamped out—and, of course, having a duty on Welsh Ministers to promote awareness of air pollution will be extremely important.
As ever, we need adequate funding, to take forward policies, and there is a budget available. It is about prevention in part, because it does seek to improve air quality and prevent the worsening of concentrations of pollution, and to aid mitigation, and also to look at more innovative approaches and new technologies. So, we need the money in place and we need the legislation in place, and I hope all of that can go forward as quickly as possible.
Of course, smoking—. Jenny, yes.
Rwy'n credu yr hoffwn gytuno â llawer o’r pwyntiau a wnaed eisoes, a chanolbwyntio ar rai o’r agweddau ataliol ar wella iechyd yr ysgyfaint yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi clywed, yn effeithiol iawn, Lywydd, am faint y broblem—fod un o bob pump o bobl yng Nghymru yn dioddef o gyflyrau ar yr ysgyfaint, pa mor gyffredin yw asthma a chlefyd rhwystrol cronig yr ysgyfaint. Roeddwn yn falch iawn o gynnal digwyddiad Asthma Cymru yma yn y Senedd yn ddiweddar, i edrych ar wasanaethau iechyd mewn ymateb i faint yr her, ac i wneud awgrymiadau ynghylch y ffordd ymlaen. Ac yn amlwg, mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn gwella ein gwasanaethau iechyd i bobl â chyflyrau anadlol, ac mae'n rhaid gwireddu'r datganiad ansawdd yn ein gwasanaethau iechyd ledled Cymru gyfan.
Ond fel y dywedais, hoffwn ganolbwyntio ar atal, ac mae llawer mwy y gellir ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â materion ansawdd aer, fel y clywsom. Ac yn wir, mae ardaloedd o Gymru wedi bod yn mynd yn groes i reoliadau'r Undeb Ewropeaidd ers sawl blwyddyn bellach, a gwyddom fod problem wirioneddol— deunydd gronynnol a materion eraill. Mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru wedi disgrifio llygredd aer yn yr awyr agored fel y risg amgylcheddol fwyaf i iechyd, ac amcangyfrifir y gellir priodoli rhwng 1,000 a 1,400 o farwolaethau y flwyddyn yng Nghymru i gysylltiad â llygredd aer. Mae'n cael effaith enfawr ar iechyd, ac wrth gwrs, mae'n fater cyfiawnder cymdeithasol, gan fod pobl dlotach yn cael eu heffeithio'n anghymesur—caiff yr ardaloedd, y tai y maent yn byw ynddynt eu heffeithio'n anghymesur.
Felly, yn amlwg, mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn mynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn, a dyna pam rwy'n croesawu'r Bil Amgylchedd (Ansawdd Aer a Seinweddau) (Cymru) a gyflwynwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, o ran yr effaith y gall ei chael ar fynd i'r afael â'r problemau hyn a gwella'r sefyllfa. Mae cael strategaeth ansawdd aer genedlaethol, ynghyd â rheoli ansawdd aer lleol, rheoli mwg, y posibiliadau o godi tâl ar gefnffyrdd, mynd i’r afael â cherbydau sy'n segura—sy'n rhywbeth a welwch drwy'r amser, mae'n rhaid imi ddweud, boed y tu allan i ysgolion neu yng nghanol ein trefi a’n dinasoedd; nid oes unrhyw reswm o gwbl pam y dylai hynny fod yn digwydd, ac mae'n rhaid rhoi diwedd arno—ac wrth gwrs, bydd cael dyletswydd ar Weinidogion Cymru i hybu ymwybyddiaeth o lygredd aer yn hynod o bwysig.
Fel bob amser, mae angen cyllid digonol arnom i fwrw ymlaen â pholisïau, ac mae cyllideb ar gael. Mae'n ymwneud yn rhannol ag atal, gan ei fod yn ceisio gwella ansawdd aer ac atal crynodiadau llygredd rhag gwaethygu, a chynorthwyo i liniaru, ac edrych hefyd ar ddulliau mwy arloesol a thechnolegau newydd. Felly, mae arnom angen i'r arian gael ei ddarparu ac mae arnom angen i'r ddeddfwriaeth fod ar waith, ac rwy'n gobeithio y gall hynny ddigwydd cyn gynted â phosibl.
Wrth gwrs, mae ysmygu—. Jenny, iawn.
I absolutely agree with you, and thank you for pointing out the importance of the legislation that’s currently being scrutinised in the climate change committee. Would you agree with me that vehicle idling is one of the most pointless and harmful activities that ought to be put a stop to now? We don’t need further legislation; we need firmer fines to be imposed on people who are doing something that is completely avoidable and completely unnecessary.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â chi, a diolch am dynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd y ddeddfwriaeth y mae’r pwyllgor newid hinsawdd yn craffu arni ar hyn o bryd. A fyddech yn cytuno â mi mai cerbydau'n segura yw un o’r gweithgareddau mwyaf dibwrpas a niweidiol, ac y dylid rhoi diwedd ar hynny ar unwaith? Nid oes angen deddfwriaeth bellach arnom; mae angen inni roi dirwyon llymach i bobl sy’n gwneud rhywbeth y gellir ei osgoi’n llwyr ac sy’n gwbl ddiangen.
Yes, I very much agree, and it does make you think of the need for awareness raising and education, because I’m sure a lot of people, if they understood the impact on health, would stop doing it. But, yes, you see it all too often, and it’s a very practical example of the problem, and one that needs to be addressed right now. As you say, it doesn’t need to wait for legislation; it needs enforcement and action now.
Just to come on briefly to smoking, Llywydd, the latest figures I’ve seen are that around 13 per cent of people in Wales are currently smokers. Again, it takes a huge toll on health in Wales. It’s disabling as well as such a big contributor to premature death, and again, it’s also a social justice issue. We know that so many more people smoke in our more deprived areas. The figures I have are 21 per cent of adults in the most deprived areas of Wales smoke compared to 8 per cent in the least deprived. It's such a big health inequality issue, and again, Public Health Wales have done a lot in terms of reporting on this and bringing to public attention and the attention of policy makers the scale of the problem and the need to move forward. We do have some practical examples of the way that people can be helped to quit with the Help Me Quit programme, and of course the bans on smoking in public places I think are very valuable. But there’s more that can be done to extend those areas and make it even clearer how socially unacceptable smoking is, and the damage it does to our health.
So, practical things we can do now, important legislation coming forward, and we really need to drive this preventative health agenda and tackle air pollution effectively.
Ydw, rwy’n cytuno’n llwyr, ac mae’n gwneud ichi feddwl am yr angen i godi ymwybyddiaeth ac addysg, gan fy mod yn siŵr y byddai llawer o bobl, pe baent yn deall yr effaith ar iechyd, yn rhoi’r gorau i wneud hynny. Ond ydych, rydych yn ei weld yn rhy aml o lawer, ac mae'n enghraifft ymarferol iawn o'r broblem, ac yn un y mae angen mynd i'r afael â hi ar unwaith. Fel y dywedwch, nid oes angen aros am ddeddfwriaeth; mae angen gorfodi a gweithredu nawr.
I ddod yn fyr at ysmygu, Lywydd, y ffigurau diweddaraf a welais yw bod oddeutu 13 y cant o bobl Cymru yn ysmygwyr ar hyn o bryd. Unwaith eto, mae hyn yn cael effaith enfawr ar iechyd yng Nghymru. Mae'n anablu yn ogystal â chyfrannu'n helaeth at farwolaethau cyn pryd, ac unwaith eto, mae hefyd yn fater cyfiawnder cymdeithasol. Gwyddom fod cymaint yn rhagor o bobl yn ysmygu yn ein hardaloedd mwy difreintiedig. Y ffigurau sydd gennyf yw bod 21 y cant o oedolion yn ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig Cymru yn ysmygu o gymharu ag 8 y cant yn yr ardaloedd lleiaf difreintiedig. Mae’n fater anghydraddoldeb iechyd mor fawr, ac unwaith eto, mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru wedi adrodd cryn dipyn ar hyn ac wedi tynnu sylw’r cyhoedd a llunwyr polisi at faint y broblem a’r angen i symud ymlaen. Mae gennym rai enghreifftiau ymarferol o’r ffordd y gellir helpu pobl i roi’r gorau i ysmygu gyda’r rhaglen Helpa Fi i Stopio, ac wrth gwrs, mae’r gwaharddiadau ar ysmygu mewn mannau cyhoeddus yn werthfawr iawn yn fy marn i. Ond mae mwy y gellir ei wneud i ymestyn y mannau hynny a’i gwneud yn gliriach fyth pa mor annerbyniol yn gymdeithasol yw ysmygu, a’r niwed y mae’n ei wneud i’n hiechyd.
Felly, mae yna bethau ymarferol y gallwn eu gwneud nawr, mae deddfwriaeth bwysig ar y ffordd, ac mae gwir angen inni sbarduno’r agenda iechyd ataliol hon a mynd i’r afael â llygredd aer yn effeithiol.
Bu farw fy mam-gu, Mari Owens, o asthma pan oedd hi'n 50 oed, cyn i mi gael fy ngeni. Roedd hi'n wraig i löwr, ac yn byw yn Rhymni, pentref glofaol tlawd, lle roedd llwch a llygredd y diwydiant glo yn llenwi'r awyr adeg ei marwolaeth ym 1958. Ond, fel rŷn ni wedi clywed, mae pobl yn dal i farw o asthma yng Nghymru heddiw—pobl fel fy mam-gu, sy'n byw mewn ardaloedd tlawd, lle mae llygredd awyr yn dal i fod yn uchel, sy'n byw mewn tai oer a thamp.
Nawr, fel yr adeg honno, mae'n gyflwr sydd llawer mwy cyffredin mewn menywod, gyda menywod yn dioddef symptomau llawer mwy difrifol ac yn fwy tebygol o farw o asthma. Mae astudiaeth gan Asthma and Lung UK yn dangos bod menywod bron ddwywaith yn fwy tebygol o farw o bwl o asthma na dynion. Amcangyfrifir bod 180,000 o fenywod yng Nghymru yn byw ag asthma ac mae'r adroddiad yn dangos nad oes digon o waith ymchwil wedi'i wneud i archwilio effeithiau hormonau rhyw benywaidd ar asthma. Gall amrywiadau mewn hormonau rhyw benywaidd a achosir gan lasoed, beichiogrwydd, y mislif a menopos waethygu neu hyd yn oed ysgogi pyliau o asthma sy'n bygwth bywyd. Wrth gofio bod fy mam-gu yr oedran oedd hi pan fu farw, 50, mae hyn yn amlwg hefyd o bosib yn ffactor yn yr hyn ddigwyddodd iddi hi.
Felly, mae’n hynod o bryderus, yn arswydus, fel dywedodd Rhun ap Iorwerth, fod yna fenywod fel fy mam-gu yn dal i farw o asthma yng Nghymru heddiw. Mae meddyginiaethu a thriniaethau gwell i'w cael, ond mae ffactorau fel tlodi, diffyg aer glân ac effaith anghydraddoldebau iechyd yn dal i chwarae eu rhan yn y marwolaethau hyn, ac mae yn rhan fawr. Mae hwn yn faes y mae angen ymchwilio iddo ymhellach gan fod yr ymagwedd yr un maint i bawb bresennol ar gyfer trin asthma yn beryglus i lawer o fenywod yng Nghymru.
Gallai deall y gwahaniaethau yn rôl hormonau rhyw mewn asthma menywod helpu i ddatblygu ymyriadau priodol sy’n cael effaith fawr ac yn trawsnewid canlyniadau i fenywod. Ond am gyfnod rhy hir o lawer, dyw iechyd yr ysgyfaint ddim wedi'i drin yn ddigonol ac heb dderbyn y lefel o fuddsoddiad sydd ei angen. Er bod cyflyrau'r ysgyfaint yn effeithio ar un o bob pump o bobl yng Nghymru, fel rŷn ni wedi clywed, dim ond 1.8 y cant o'r £2.56 biliwn a fuddsoddwyd mewn ymchwil iechyd a gafodd ei fuddsoddi mewn ymchwil i gyflyrau anadlol.
Yn y rhanbarth o Gymru dwi'n ei chynrychioli, yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bae Abertawe, mae 7.3 y cant o bobl ag asthma, yn uwch na chyfartaledd Cymru. Mae'r rhanbarth hefyd yn cynnwys rhai o gymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig Cymru. Mae 15 y cant o Gastell-nedd Port Talbot, y sir ble dwi'n byw, yn y 10 y cant o gymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig yng Nghymru a 33 y cant yn yr 20 y cant mwyaf difreintiedig. Mae'r 20 y cant tlotaf ddwy neu dair gwaith yn fwy tebygol o angen derbyniadau brys i’r ysbyty oherwydd asthma o gymharu â'r 20 y cant cyfoethocaf.
Rŷn ni wedi clywed gan Mabon ap Gwynfor am effaith ansawdd wael yr awyr, gyda Phort Talbot yn fy rhanbarth i yn un o'r llefydd gwaethaf am lygredd awyr yn y Deyrnas Gyfunol. Yn Aberafan, mae 75 y cant o feddygfeydd ac 11 y cant o ysgolion mewn ardaloedd sy'n torri terfynau Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd ar gyfer nitrogen deuocsid. Mae 75.9 y cant o bobl â COPD sy'n byw mewn amddifadedd yn nodi bod llygredd aer yn effeithio ar eu hiechyd. Mae anghydraddoldebau iechyd sylweddol yn sicr yn gysylltiedig â COPD, gyda phobl o'r aelwydydd mwyaf difreintiedig yn fwy tebygol o gael pwl dwys pan fyddant yn cael trafferth anadlu.
Mae ein cynnig heddiw yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu cynllun gwella ar gyfer clefydau anadlol i drawsnewid bywydau pobl sy'n byw gyda chyflyrau'r ysgyfaint. Mae angen i'r cynllun gwella hwn ystyried yn llawn yr anghydraddoldebau sydd ynghlwm wrth achosion o'r clefydau hyn, yn benodol tlodi ac anghydraddoldebau rhywedd, a'r amodau sy'n medru ysgogi pyliau a gwaethygu symptomau fel tai gwael a diffyg aer glan. Hoffwn i glywed gan y Gweinidog, felly, sut mae hyn yn cael ei fewngorffori yn yr hyn sy'n digwydd o ran gweithrediadau'r gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol.
Dyw hi ddim dderbyniol bod y ffactorau hyn a gyfrannodd at farwolaeth fy mam-gu yn lawer rhy ifanc ym 1958, a miloedd o'i chyd-Gymry ers hynny, yn dal i beryglu a thorri bywydau yn fyr yn 2023. Rwy'n eich annog i gefnogi'r cynnig.
My grandmother, Mari Owens, died of asthma when she was 50 years old, before I was born. She was a miner's wife, and lived in Rhymney, a poor mining village, where the dust and pollution of the coal industry filled the air at the time of her death in 1958. But, as we have heard, people are still dying from asthma in Wales today—people like my grandmother, who live in poor areas, where air pollution remains high, people who live in cold and damp houses.
Now, as then, the condition is much more common among women, with women suffering much more severe symptoms and more likely to die from asthma. A study by Asthma and Lung UK shows that women are almost twice as likely to die from an asthma attack than men. It is estimated that 180,000 women in Wales are living with asthma, and the report shows that not enough research has been done to examine the effects of female sex hormones on asthma. Fluctuations in female sex hormones caused by puberty, pregnancy, menstruation and menopause can worsen or even trigger life-threatening asthma attacks. In remembering that my grandmother was the age that she was when she died—50 years old—this is also obviously a possible factor in what happened to her.
So, it's very concerning, shocking, as Rhun ap Iorwerth, that there are women like my grandmother still dying from asthma in Wales today. Medicine and better treatments are available, but factors such as poverty, a lack of clean air and the impact of health inequalities still play their part in these deaths, and it's a large part. This is an area that needs further investigation, as the one-size-fits-all approach currently used to treat asthma is dangerous for many women in Wales.
Understanding the differences in the role of sex hormones in women's asthma could help develop appropriate interventions that could have a high impact and transform outcomes for women. But for far too long, lung health has not been treated adequately and has not received the level of attention that it needs. Although lung conditions affect one in five people in Wales, as we've heard, only 1.8 per cent of the £2.56 billion that was invested in health research was invested in respiratory research.
In the region of Wales that I represent, the Swansea Bay University Health Board area, 7.3 per cent of people have asthma, which is higher than the Welsh average. The region also contains some of the most deprived communities in Wales. Fifteen per cent of Neath Port Talbot, the county where I live, is included in the 10 per cent most deprived communities in Wales, and 33 per cent is included in the 20 per cent most deprived. The poorest 20 per cent are two to three times more likely to require emergency hospital admissions due to asthma, compared with the wealthiest 20 per cent.
We have heard from Mabon ap Gwynfor about the impact of poor air quality, with Port Talbot in my region being one of the worst places for air pollution in the UK. In Aberavon, 75 per cent of surgeries and 11 per cent of schools are in areas that breach the WHO limits for NO2. Seventy-five point nine per cent of people with COPD who live in deprivation note that air pollution affects their health. Significant health inequalities are certainly associated with COPD, with people from the most deprived households more likely to have an acute attack when they have difficulty breathing.
Our motion today calls on the Welsh Government to develop an improvement plan for respiratory diseases to transform the lives of people living with lung conditions. This improvement plan needs to take full account of the inequalities associated with the occurrence of these diseases, specifically poverty and gender inequalities, and the conditions that can trigger attacks and exacerbate symptoms such as poor housing and a lack of clean air. I'd like to hear from the Minister, therefore, how this will be incorporated in what's happening in terms of the actions of the NHS.
It's not acceptable that these factors, which contributed to the death of my grandmother far too young in 1958, and thousands of other Welsh people since then, are still endangering lives and cutting lives short in 2023. I urge you to support the motion.
I thank Plaid Cymru for tabling this important debate today. As Asthma and Lung UK so ably put it,
'Lung health is everybody's problem, yet millions of people with lung conditions still aren't getting the help they need or deserve.'
My region of South Wales West sees some of the highest rates of respiratory deaths in the United Kingdom and western Europe. It is therefore vital that we put in place an improvement plan for respiratory diseases and do all we can to tackle our horrendous record on respiratory deaths.
As any good clinician will tell you, prevention is better than cure. One way we can prevent respiratory deaths is by tackling the scourge of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops from mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs. The most commonly area affected is the lining of the lungs and chest wall. The vast majority of cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. According to a recent inquiry by the House of Commons work and pensions select committee, asbestos remains the biggest cause of work-related death in the UK. That is a shocking statistic when we consider that the use of asbestos has been banned for over two decades, but not surprising when we consider how prevalent the material is in many of our public buildings. The Work and Pensions Committee warned that while extreme exposures might be a thing of the past, the risks were likely to escalate. The retrofitting of buildings to meet net-zero requirements mean more materials containing asbestos would be disturbed in the coming decades.
While both the Health and Safety Executive and the UK Government have said they believe it should be removed, the committee said neither had put forward a clear and comprehensive strategy for achieving this. This hidden killer still lurks in many of our public buildings in Wales. While deaths from asbestos-related lung cancers has declined in those working in heavy industry, the work and pensions select committee were told that female primary school teachers now have one of the highest prevalence of mesothelioma as an occupational group. We can't continue to kick the can down the road. Covering up asbestos is not the answer; we must eradicate it from the fabric of our buildings.
I would therefore urge the Welsh Government to introduce plans for the urgent removal of all asbestos in public buildings as part of their improvement plan for respiratory health. It's all well and good tackling air pollution on our streets, but we can no longer ignore the invisible killer in our classrooms and hospital wards. We need action; we need to eradicate asbestos. We need the Welsh Government to step up. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch i Blaid Cymru am gyflwyno'r ddadl bwysig hon heddiw. Fel y mae Asthma and Lung UK wedi'i ddweud mor briodol,
'Mae iechyd yr ysgyfaint yn broblem i bawb, ac eto ceir miliynau o bobl â chyflyrau'r ysgyfaint o hyd nad ydynt yn cael yr help y maent ei angen ac yn ei haeddu.'
Yn fy rhanbarth i yng Ngorllewin De Cymru y ceir rhai o'r cyfraddau uchaf o farwolaethau o glefydau anadlol yn y Deyrnas Unedig a gorllewin Ewrop. Felly, mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn rhoi cynllun gwella ar waith ar gyfer clefydau anadlol ac yn gwneud popeth yn ein gallu i fynd i'r afael â'n record erchyll ar farwolaethau o glefydau anadlol.
Fel y bydd unrhyw glinigydd da yn dweud wrthych, mae atal yn well na gwella. Un ffordd y gallwn atal marwolaethau o glefydau anadlol yw drwy fynd i'r afael â malltod mesothelioma. Math o ganser yw mesothelioma sy'n datblygu o'r mesotheliwm, haen denau o feinwe sy'n gorchuddio llawer o'r organau mewnol. Y rhan yr effeithir arni'n fwyaf cyffredin yw leinin yr ysgyfaint a wal y frest. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o achosion yn cael eu hachosi drwy ddod i gysylltiad ag asbestos. Yn ôl ymchwiliad diweddar gan bwyllgor dethol gwaith a phensiynau Tŷ'r Cyffredin, asbestos yw prif achos marwolaethau sy'n gysylltiedig â gwaith yn y DU o hyd. Mae hwnnw'n ystadegyn ysgytwol pan ystyriwn fod y defnydd o asbestos wedi'i wahardd ers dros ddau ddegawd, ond nid yw'n syndod pan ystyriwn pa mor gyffredin yw'r deunydd mewn llawer o'n hadeiladau cyhoeddus. Rhybuddiodd y Pwyllgor Gwaith a Phensiynau, er y gallai cysylltiad eithafol fod yn rhywbeth sy'n perthyn i'r gorffennol, mae'r risgiau'n debygol o waethygu. Mae ôl-osod adeiladau i fodloni gofynion sero net yn golygu yr aflonyddir ar fwy o ddeunyddiau sy'n cynnwys asbestos yn y degawdau nesaf.
Er bod yr Awdurdod Gweithredol Iechyd a Diogelwch a Llywodraeth y DU wedi dweud eu bod yn credu y dylid ei ddileu, dywedodd y pwyllgor nad oedd y naill na'r llall wedi cyflwyno strategaeth glir a chynhwysfawr ar gyfer cyflawni hyn. Mae'r lladdwr cudd hwn yn dal i lechu mewn llawer o'n hadeiladau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Er bod nifer y marwolaethau o ganser yr ysgyfaint sy'n gysylltiedig ag asbestos wedi gostwng yn y rhai sy'n gweithio mewn diwydiant trwm, dywedwyd wrth y pwyllgor dethol gwaith a phensiynau mai ymhlith athrawon ysgolion cynradd benywaidd y gwelir un o'r lefelau uchaf o achosion o mesothelioma fel grŵp galwedigaethol. Ni allwn barhau i ohirio gweithredu. Nid gorchuddio asbestos yw'r ateb; mae'n rhaid ei ddileu o ffabrig ein hadeiladau.
Felly, rwy'n annog Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno cynlluniau i gael gwared ar yr holl asbestos mewn adeiladau cyhoeddus ar frys yn rhan o'u cynllun gwella ar gyfer iechyd anadlol. Un peth yw mynd i'r afael â llygredd aer ar ein strydoedd, ond ni allwn anwybyddu'r lladdwr anweledig yn ein hystafelloedd dosbarth a'n wardiau ysbytai mwyach. Mae angen gweithredu; rhaid i ni ddileu asbestos. Mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru gamu i'r adwy. Diolch yn fawr.
Y Gweinidog iechyd nawr i gyfrannu i'r ddadl. Eluned Morgan.
The Minister for health to contribute to the debate. Eluned Morgan.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Thank you for putting this important matter on the agenda, because I recognise that respiratory disease has a significant impact on our population, and the pandemic has reinforced this for all of us.
There are many people who suffer from asthma or have respiratory issues in Wales. If you’re a person with difficult asthma or more severe COPD, your whole life can become about managing your condition, and what you can do in your day-to-day life may be severely limited. You have to make sure that you're never more than an arm's length from your medication or oxygen, and every winter brings with it the risk of flu and other circulating diseases that may exacerbate your condition. You worry that you might end up in hospital dealing with severe breathlessness. For many people who deal with less serious forms of respiratory disease, it can be more about keeping on top of your management, not letting it get in in the way of living your life.
We’ve heard today that estimates vary from one in five to one in seven of the UK population being affected, but the national survey of Wales indicates that around 8 per cent or one in twelve of the adult population in Wales report a long-term respiratory illness. Whatever the result is, it’s too high, and we need to do something about it, and we do have measures in place to tackle this. The rates for respiratory-related deaths in the motion are certainly concerning, and I’ll be looking into those 2018 figures, just to make sure that I understand the causes, and to see that we are actually making improvements since those 2018 figures.
Regardless of the precise figures, what matters is that there are several hundred thousand people in Wales affected by conditions such as asthma, COPD, lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as communicable diseases such as flu, TB and, of course, coronavirus. And that means it will remain a priority for any Government to address. Outcomes for respiratory disease reflect our historic rates of smoking, levels of air pollution—as so many have touched on today—exposure of industrial contaminants and poor housing, and I think this presents us with a larger burden of respiratory illness that healthcare services have to try and mitigate.
It’s not solely, as so many have mentioned today, a matter of access to healthcare services, it's the wider determinants that we have to address in tandem with providing high-quality treatment services. And some of those things have been touched upon by people like John Griffiths. That's why our wider action on, for example, the clean air plan for Wales and the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill, is so important. It's why the progress we've made in reducing the smoking rate must be sustained. Smoking rates in 2021-22 were 13 per cent, which is the lowest since records began. Our NHS can and does help thousands of people manage their conditions and intervenes when people are in crisis, but if we want to have the best outcomes in Europe rather than some of the worst, then we need to reduce exposure to things that damage our lungs: air pollution, tobacco smoke, and cold, damp air in our homes. Underpinning all of this must be action to address deprivation and inequality, as they make all these risks harder to address.
When it comes to NHS-delivered care, we’ve had many years of work under way to support NHS services to improve. We saw this in the case of the development of the patient self-managed apps for COPD and asthma, and the development of specialist services for dealing with difficult asthma, as well as important resources to support primary care to manage respiratory conditions to a common standard. Significant progress has been made, but the advent of the pandemic really did have a significant impact on all these efforts, and we’re still seeing some of that impact, particularly with regard to access to spirometry and pulmonary rehabilitation services.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Diolch am roi'r mater pwysig hwn ar yr agenda, oherwydd rwy'n cydnabod bod clefyd anadlol yn cael effaith sylweddol ar ein poblogaeth, ac mae'r pandemig wedi atgyfnerthu hyn i bob un ohonom.
Mae yna lawer o bobl sy'n dioddef o asthma neu sydd â phroblemau anadlol yng Nghymru. Os ydych chi'n berson sydd ag asthma anodd neu glefyd rhwystrol cronig yr ysgyfaint mwy difrifol, gall eich bywyd cyfan ddod i ymwneud â rheoli'ch cyflwr, a bydd yr hyn y gallwch ei wneud yn eich bywyd o ddydd i ddydd yn gyfyngedig iawn. Rhaid ichi sicrhau nad ydych chi byth yn fwy na hyd braich oddi wrth eich meddyginiaeth neu'ch ocsigen, ac mae pob gaeaf yn dod â risg o ffliw a chlefydau eraill sy'n cylchredeg a allai waethygu eich cyflwr. Rydych chi'n poeni y gallech orfod mynd i'r ysbyty er mwyn trin diffyg anadl difrifol. I lawer o bobl sy'n ymdrin â mathau llai difrifol o glefyd anadlol, gall ymwneud mwy â pharhau i reoli eich clefyd, a pheidio â gadael iddo amharu ar y ffordd rydych chi'n byw eich bywyd.
Clywsom heddiw fod amcangyfrifon yn amrywio rhwng bod un o bob pump i fod un o bob saith o boblogaeth y DU wedi'u heffeithio, ond mae arolwg cenedlaethol Cymru yn dangos bod oddeutu 8 y cant neu un o bob 12 o'r boblogaeth oedolion yng Nghymru yn nodi salwch anadlol hirdymor. Beth bynnag yw'r canlyniad, mae'n rhy uchel, mae angen inni wneud rhywbeth yn ei gylch, ac mae gennym fesurau ar waith i fynd i'r afael â hyn. Mae'r cyfraddau marwolaethau sy'n gysylltiedig â chlefydau anadlol yn y cynnig yn sicr yn peri pryder, a byddaf yn edrych ar y ffigurau hynny ar gyfer 2018, i wneud yn siŵr fy mod yn deall yr achosion, ac i weld ein bod yn gwneud gwelliannau ers y ffigurau hynny yn 2018.
Beth bynnag yw'r union ffigurau, yr hyn sy'n bwysig yw bod sawl can mil o bobl yng Nghymru yn cael eu heffeithio gan gyflyrau fel asthma, clefyd rhwystrol cronig yr ysgyfaint, canser yr ysgyfaint a ffibrosis yr ysgyfaint, yn ogystal â chlefydau trosglwyddadwy fel y ffliw, TB, a coronafeirws wrth gwrs. Ac mae hynny'n golygu y bydd yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i unrhyw Lywodraeth fynd i'r afael â hi. Mae canlyniadau ar gyfer clefydau anadlol yn adlewyrchu ein cyfraddau hanesyddol o ysmygu, lefelau llygredd aer—fel y mae cynifer wedi cyffwrdd arno heddiw—cysylltiad â halogyddion diwydiannol a thai gwael, ac rwy'n credu bod hyn yn creu baich mwy o salwch anadlol sy'n rhaid i wasanaethau gofal iechyd geisio ei liniaru.
Mae'n ymwneud â mwy na mynediad at wasanaethau gofal iechyd yn unig, fel y mae cymaint wedi crybwyll heddiw, mae a wnelo â'r penderfynyddion ehangach y mae'n rhaid inni fynd i'r afael â nhw ochr yn ochr â darparu gwasanaethau triniaeth o ansawdd uchel. Ac mae rhai o'r pethau hynny wedi cael sylw gan bobl fel John Griffiths. Dyna pam mae ein camau gweithredu ehangach ar, er enghraifft, y cynllun aer glân i Gymru a'r Bil Amgylchedd (Ansawdd Aer a Seinweddau) (Cymru), mor bwysig. Dyna pam mae'n rhaid cynnal y cynnydd a wnaethom ar leihau'r gyfradd ysmygu. Roedd cyfraddau ysmygu yn 2021-22 yn 13 y cant, sef y gyfradd isaf ers dechrau cadw cofnodion. Fe all ein GIG helpu miloedd o bobl i reoli eu cyflyrau ac ymyrryd pan fo pobl mewn argyfwng, ac mae'n gwneud hynny, ond os ydym am gael y canlyniadau gorau yn Ewrop yn hytrach na rhai o'r gwaethaf, mae angen inni leihau cysylltiad â phethau sy'n niweidio ein hysgyfaint: llygredd aer, mwg tybaco, ac aer oer a llaith yn ein cartrefi. Yn sail i hyn oll, rhaid gweithredu i fynd i'r afael ag amddifadedd ac anghydraddoldeb, gan eu bod yn gwneud yr holl risgiau hyn yn anos eu goresgyn.
Ar ofal a ddarperir gan y GIG, rydym wedi cael blynyddoedd lawer o waith ar y gweill i gynorthwyo gwasanaethau'r GIG i wella. Gwelsom hyn yn achos datblygu'r apiau hunanreoli cleifion ar gyfer clefyd rhwystrol cronig yr ysgyfaint ac asthma, a datblygu gwasanaethau arbenigol ar gyfer ymdrin ag asthma anodd, yn ogystal ag adnoddau pwysig i gynorthwyo gofal sylfaenol i reoli cyflyrau anadlol i safon gyffredinol. Gwnaed cynnydd sylweddol, ond cafodd dyfodiad y pandemig effaith fawr ar yr holl ymdrechion hyn, ac rydym yn dal i weld rhywfaint o'r effaith honno, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â mynediad at wasanaethau spirometreg ac adsefydlu ysgyfeintiol.
Mae’r cynnig gwreiddiol o’n blaenau ni heddiw yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu cynllun gwella ar gyfer clefydau anadlol. Fe fyddai’r trywydd yma, pe byddem ni am ei ddilyn, yn debyg iawn i’r cyn-gynllun cyflawni ar gyfer iechyd anadlol. Ond er ein bod ni wedi cyflawni llawer o dan y cynllun yma, mae cael sawl cynllun cenedlaethol ar gyfer y gwasanaethau clinigol yma wedi dangos inni, os ydym ni am sicrhau newid o bwys, bod rhaid inni weithio o fewn y ffordd y mae’r NHS yn cael ei drefnu, ei ariannu, ei gynllunio a’i ddwyn i gyfrif.
Llynedd, fe wnes i gyhoeddi datganiad ansawdd ar gyfer clefydau anadlol, ym mis Tachwedd 2022. O fewn y datganiad, fe wnes i nodi ein disgwyliadau o ran ansawdd y gwasanaethau sy’n cael eu darparu gan yr NHS yn y maes hwn. A gyda chefnogaeth gweithrediaeth yr NHS, dwi’n disgwyl i fyrddau iechyd ymateb gyda’r camau y bydden nhw yn eu cymryd i gwrdd â’r gofynion hyn fel rhan o’u cynllunio gweithredol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys cyflwyno llwybrau gofal sydd wedi’u cytuno’n genedlaethol y dylai’r gwasanaeth iechyd gynllunio i’w cyflawni. Mae’n cynnwys ystod eang o addysg broffesiynol ym maes gofal iechyd i helpu gweithlu'r gwasanaeth iechyd i wella ansawdd y gofal i bobl sydd â chyflyrau anadlol.
Ochr yn ochr â hyn, mae’n cynnwys rhoi sylw i leihau effaith carbon dyfeisiadau anadlu sy’n cael eu rhoi ar bresgripsiwn. A rŷn ni wedi gweld gwelliant sylweddol yn hynny o beth yn barod. Ac yn derfynol, mae hefyd yn cynnwys defnyddio apiau hunanreoli NHS Cymru ar gyfer asthma a COPD. Mae adborth gan gleifion yn dangos bod 36 y cant o ddefnyddwyr rheolaidd yr ap yn ymweld â’r meddyg teulu yn llai aml, a bod 19 y cant yn mynd i’r adrannau brys yn llai aml hefyd. Ar gyfer pobl sy’n methu rheoli eu clefydau, mae’r gostyngiad yn fwy byth, sef 44 y cant a 33 y cant.
Mae’r dull gweithredu newydd yn sicrhau’r arweiniad a’r gefnogaeth genedlaethol hanfodol fydd nawr yn cael ei ddarparu gan y rhwydwaith clinigol clefydau anadlol, sy’n rhan o weithrediaeth yr NHS. Amcan sylfaenol y gwaith yw nodi beth mae gofal o ansawdd uchel yn ei olygu, gan ddal ati i weithio gyda’r byrddau iechyd a’r ymddiriedolaethau i’w wella. Bydd y data yn cael ei ddefnyddio i ddelio â’r amrywiad mewn mynediad at wasanaethau fel adsefydlu cleifion yr ysgyfaint, adolygiadau blynyddol, a gofal o ansawdd i gleifion mewnol.
Mae'r ffordd newydd yma o weithio wedi cychwyn yn barod, ac mae'r cynnydd ffurfiol mewn mynediad at barametrig yn y gymuned yn enghraifft gynnar o sut bydd hyn yn gweithio. Mae mannau eraill yn y Deyrnas Unedig wedi dangos diddordeb yn ein gwaith ni yng Nghymru nawr. Dwi'n gwerthfawrogi bod hyn yn ffordd newydd o weithio, a gall pobl eraill ddysgu wrthon ni. Gallaf sicrhau Aelodau y byddwn ni'n gofyn i'r NHS asesu ei ddarpariaeth yn erbyn y disgwyliadau sydd wedi'u nodi yn y datganiad ansawdd. A byddwn ni hefyd yn gofyn iddo ddatblygu cynlluniau gweithredol lleol i wella gwasanaethau gyda chymorth cenedlaethol parhaus gan weithrediaeth yr NHS. Diolch yn fawr.
The original motion before us today calls on the Welsh Government to develop an improvement plan for respiratory disease. This particular route, if we were to take it, would be very similar to the former delivery plan for respiratory health. But although we have achieved a great deal under the plan, having many national plans for these clinical services has demonstrated to us that, if we do want to secure real change, we have to work within the way the NHS is arranged, planned, funded and held to account.
Last year, I published a quality statement for respiratory disease, in November 2022. Within that statement, I set out our expectations in terms of the quality of services provided by the NHS in this area. And with the support of the NHS executive, I do expect health boards to respond with the steps that they would take to meet these requirements as part of their operational planning. This includes developing nationally agreed care pathways that the NHS should plan to deliver. It includes a broad range of professional learning in healthcare to help the NHS workforce to improve the quality of care for people with respiratory conditions.
Alongside this, it includes addressing reducing the carbon impact of respiratory devices provided on prescription. We have seen a great improvement in that regard already. And finally, it also includes the use of NHS Wales self-management apps for asthma and COPD. Patient feedback does demonstrate that 36 per cent of regular app users visit their GP less often, and that 19 per cent go to A&E less often too. For people who can't manage their conditions, the reduction is even greater, namely 44 per cent and 33 per cent.
Our new approach secures the national leadership, which is crucial, and will now be provided by the respiratory conditions clinical network, which is part of the NHS executive. The basic objective is to set out what high-quality care means, whilst continuing to work with health boards and trusts in order to make improvements. The data will be used to deal with any variation in access to services such as pulmonary rehabilitation, annual reporting and quality care for patients.
And this new approach is already in train, and formal increases in access to services in the community are an early example of how this works. Other areas of the UK have shown an interest in our work here in Wales, and I appreciate that this is a new way of working, and that people can learn lessons from us. I can assure Members that we will be asking the NHS to assess its provision against our expectations, which are set out in the quality statement. And we will also ask the NHS to develop local action plans to improve services with ongoing national support from the NHS executive. Thank you very much.
Rhun ap Iorwerth i ymateb i'r ddadl.
Rhun ap Iorwerth to respond to the debate.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd, a diolch i bawb, yn cynnwys y Gweinidog, wrth gwrs, sydd wedi cymryd rhan yn y ddadl yma heddiw. Mi wnes i rhagweld y byddem ni'n clywed tystiolaeth gref, ac mi wnaethon ni glywed tystiolaeth gref iawn ynglŷn â'r angen i weithredu yn y maes yma. Dŷn ni wedi clywed ystadegau lu. Dŷn ni wedi clywed profiadau—profiadau personol, profiadau Aelodau hyd yn oed, oherwydd mae afiechyd yr ysgyfaint a phroblemau resbiradol yn effeithio ar bob un o'n teuluoedd ni, yn fwy na thebyg. Mi sylweddolon ni, dwi'n meddwl, yn eithaf clir, er mai'r Gweinidog iechyd oedd o'n blaenau ni yn fan hyn, ein bod ni angen gweithredu ar draws Llywodraeth o ran yr ymateb i'r argyfwng yma. Dŷn ni'n sôn am elfennau yn ymwneud â thai a chynllunio, trafnidiaeth, ac mae cael gwared ar asbestos yn gorfod bod yn rhan o'r ateb, yn ôl Altaf Hussain, ysmygu hefyd, ac, wrth gwrs, yr angen i daclo tlodi. Roedd yn fy nharo i wrth wrando ar rai o'r cyfraniadau faint o bobl sydd wedi dewis brwydro a llwyddo i roi'r gorau i ysmygu oherwydd y sylweddoliad o'r drwg mae ysmygu yn ei wneud i ni'n hunan, ond faint wedyn sydd â dim dewis o gwbl ynglŷn â pha mor llygredig ydy'r awyr y mae nhw'n gorfod ei anadlu oherwydd eu bod nhw yn byw mewn tlodi, yn byw ger ffordd sydd yn llygru'r awyr. Mae hwn yn faes sydd yn cyffwrdd ar gymaint o agweddau o bortffolios Gweinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru.
Dwi'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am ei hymateb hi. Dwi'n cytuno, yn sicr, â hi ar yr angen i bwysleisio o hyd y gwaith ataliol. Mi wnaf wastad gefnogi ac annog y Gweinidog i wneud mwy a mwy o ran gyrru chwyldro ataliol, ac, wrth gwrs, mae hynny'n cynnwys elfennau fel y gwaith ar atal ysmygu ac yn y blaen.
Ond mae angen cynllun gwella. Dwi'n falch o glywed y Gweinidog yn sôn am y gwaith y mae hi yn gofyn i gael ei wneud gan y byrddau iechyd ar ddatblygu'r gwasanaethau; mae hynny'n bwysig, wrth gwrs. Ond nid ni fel gwleidyddion yn fan hyn sy'n gofyn am gynllun gwella clir a phendant, ond y rheini sydd yn ymwneud â'r maes yma o ddydd i ddydd—ie, Asthma and Lung UK, ond meddygon, ac, wrth gwrs, teuluoedd y rhai sydd yn dioddef. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni, rywsut, symud ymlaen yn y ffordd hwnnw. Dwi'n sylweddoli bod y Llywodraeth wedi ymrwymo ers blynyddoedd bellach i ddatganiadau ansawdd. Ynddyn nhw eu hunain, dydy datganiadau ansawdd ddim yn beth drwg, ond hanner y gwaith ydy datganiad ansawdd. Fel y gwelson ni efo canser, y broblem efo cael datganiad ansawdd heb gamau gweithredu ydy bod dim byd yn gyrru yr hyn sydd angen ei gymryd fel camau er mwyn gwneud gwahaniaeth go iawn i fywydau pobl.
Felly, oes, mae angen gwella mynediad i driniaeth. Mae angen taclo'r triniaethau hen ffasiwn, os liciwch chi, sydd dal yn cael eu rhoi yn llawer rhy hawdd, yn hytrach nag edrych ar opsiynau mwy newydd, mwy effeithiol. Mae angen edrych ar addysgu. Mae addysg yn annigonol ar hyn o bryd ar sut i atal neu ymdopi efo gwahanol gyflyrau. Ac, wrth gwrs, fel y dywedon ni, mae lefelau llygredd aer ymhell rhy uchel, ac yn achosi dioddefaint a marwolaeth di-angen.
Thank you very much, Llywydd, and I'd like to thank everyone, including the Minister, who has taken part in this debate. I did foresee that we would hear very strong evidence, and we did hear very strong evidence about the need to act in this area. We've heard many statistics, and we've heard about experiences—personal experiences, experiences of Members even, because lung disease and respiratory problems affect all of our families, probably. And we realised clearly, even though the Minister for health is in front of us today, that we need to act across the Government in terms of the response to this crisis. We are talking about elements relating to planning and housing and transport, getting rid of asbestos—that has to be part of the solution according to Altaf Hussain—smoking as well, and, of course, the need to tackle poverty. It struck me in listening to some of the contributions how many people have chosen to fight and have succeeded in quitting smoking, because of the realisation of the harm that smoking does to ourselves, and, then, how many have no choice at all about how polluted the air is that they have to breathe in, because they live in poverty, and they live near a road that pollutes the air. And this is an area that touches upon so many aspects of ministerial portfolios in the Welsh Government.
I'm grateful to the Minister for her response. I agree, certainly, with her about the need to emphasise the preventative work. I will always encourage the Minister to do more in terms of driving a preventative revolution, and that includes elements such as smoking prevention and cessation and so forth.
But we do need an improvement plan. I'm pleased to hear the Minister talk about the work that she is requesting from the health boards on developing services; that's important, of course. But it's not us, as politicians here, who are asking for an improvement plan that is clear and definitive, but those who are involved with this area from day to day—yes, Asthma and Lung UK, but also, GPs, and the families of those who are suffering. So, we have to move forward in that way. I do realise that the Government has committed for many years now to quality statements. In themselves, quality statements aren't a bad thing, but they are half the work. As we saw with cancer, the problem with having a quality statement without action is that nothing drives the action that needs to be taken to make a real difference to people's lives.
So, we do need to improve access to treatment. We need to tackle the old-fashioned treatments, if you like, that are still being given out too easily rather than looking at more effective alternatives. And we need to look at training and education, which is inadequate at present, in terms of dealing with different conditions. And, as we've heard, air pollution levels are far too high and causing suffering and unnecessary death.
I'm grateful to John Griffiths, and to the Minister, for recognising the scale of the issue that we do face. I'm grateful to the Conservatives for saying that they will be supporting our motion, unamended, today. But to all Labour Members, let me say this: take a deep breath, recognise and realise how precious that is, and vote for our motion unamended today.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i John Griffiths, ac i'r Gweinidog, am gydnabod maint yr hyn sy'n ein hwynebu. Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Ceidwadwyr am ddweud y byddant yn cefnogi ein cynnig heb ei ddiwygio heddiw. Ond wrth bob Aelod Llafur, gadewch imi ddweud hyn: cymerwch anadl ddofn, cydnabyddwch a sylweddolwch pa mor werthfawr yw hynny, a phleidleisiwch dros ein cynnig heb ei ddiwygio heddiw.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Oes, mae yna wrthwynebiad. Felly, fe fyddwn ni yn gohirio'r bleidlais ar y cynnig yma tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There is objection. Therefore, I will defer voting on this motion until voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Rŷn ni'n cyrraedd y cyfnod pleidleisio nawr ac, os nad oes yna dri Aelod yn dymuno i fi ganu'r gloch, fe wnawn ni symud at y bleidlais.
Ac felly, mae'r bleidlais gyntaf y prynhawn yma ar y ddadl ar gynnig deddfwriaethol gan Aelod ar ddiogelwch adeiladau uchel, a dwi'n galw am bleidlais ar y cynnig a gyflwynwyd yn enw Janet Finch-Saunders. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 29, 18 yn ymatal, a neb yn erbyn, ac felly mae'r cynnig yna wedi'i dderbyn.
That brings us to voting time and, unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, we will proceed directly to the vote.
And therefore the first vote this afternoon is on the debate on a Member's legislative proposal on high-rise building safety, and I call for a vote on the motion, tabled in the name of Janet Finch-Saunders. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 29, 18 abstentions, and none against, and therefore the motion is agreed.
Eitem 6. Dadl ar Gynnig Deddfwriaethol gan Aelod - Diogelwch adeiladau uchel: O blaid: 29, Yn erbyn: 0, Ymatal: 18
Derbyniwyd y cynnig
Item 6. Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal - High-rise building safety: For: 29, Against: 0, Abstain: 18
Motion has been agreed
Y bleidlais nesaf yw'r gyfres bleidleisio ar eitem 8, sef dadl Plaid Cymru ar glefydau anadlol. Dwi'n galw am bleidlais yn gyntaf ar y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio a gyflwynwyd yn enw Siân Gwenllian. Agor y bleidlais. Mae'r bleidlais yn gyfartal, felly fe rydw i yn defnyddio fy mhleidlais fwrw yn erbyn y cynnig, ac felly mae'r cynnig wedi ei wrthod o 24 o bleidleisiau i 25 yn erbyn.
The next votes will be on item 8, the Plaid Cymru debate on respiratory diseases. And I call for a vote first of all on the motion without amendment, tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian. Open the vote. The vote is tied, and therefore I exercise my casting vote against the motion, and therefore the motion in not agreed, with 24 in favour and 25 against.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Clefydau anadlol. Cynnig heb ei ddiwygio: O blaid: 24, Yn erbyn: 24, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Llywydd ei phleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig
Item 8. Plaid Cymru Debate - Respiratory disease. Motion without amendment : For: 24, Against: 24, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Llywydd used her casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Motion has been rejected
Sy'n caniatáu inni gael pleidlais nesaf ar welliant 1. Mae gwelliant 1 wedi'i gyflwyno gan Lesley Griffiths. Agor y bleidlais. Mae'r bleidlais yn gyfartal, ac felly fe dwi'n defnyddio fy mhleidlais fwrw yn erbyn y gwelliant, sy'n golygu bod y gwelliant wedi ei drechu o 24 pleidlais i 25 yn erbyn, sy'n golygu fod naill ai'r cynnig na'r gwelliant wedi ei dderbyn, felly does yna ddim byd wedi ei dderbyn o dan yr eitem yna.
Which takes us now to a vote on amendment 1. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths. Open the vote. The vote is again tied, and therefore I exercise my casting vote against the amendment, which means that the amendment is not agreed, 24 in favour, 25 against, which means that neither the motion nor the amendment have been agreed, so therefore nothing is agreed on that particular item.
Eitem 8. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Clefydau anadlol. Gwelliant 1, cyflwynwyd yn enw Lesley Griffiths: O blaid: 24, Yn erbyn: 24, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Llywydd ei phleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 8. Plaid Cymru debate - Respiratory disease. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Lesley Griffiths: For: 24, Against: 24, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Llywydd used her casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Amendment has been rejected
Felly, dyna ddiwedd ar ein pleidleisio ni am heddiw.
That concludes voting for today.
Sy'n caniatáu inni symud ymlaen i'r ddadl fer, eitem 10. Cyn i fi alw ar Peter Fox, mi wnaf i ofyn i Aelodau i adael y Siambr yn dawel.
Which allows us to move on to the short debate under item 10. Before I call on Peter Fox, I will ask Members to leave the Chamber quietly.
If Members who are leaving can do so quickly and quietly, that would be appreciated, and I'll call Peter Fox to introduce his short debate.
Os gall yr Aelodau sy'n gadael wneud hynny'n gyflym ac yn dawel, byddem yn gwerthfawrogi hynny, ac fe alwaf ar Peter Fox i gyflwyno ei ddadl fer.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to allow Mark Isherwood, Mike Hedges, Jack Sargeant and Peredur Owen Griffiths to have a minute of my time. The theme of this debate is why Wales needs a strategic plan to prioritise brain tumour research.
Brain tumours are indiscriminate and can strike any one at any age. It's shocking that this disease kills more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. That's an absolutely shocking statistic. The indiscriminate nature of brain tumours leaves a devastating impact, not just for the sufferer, but also for their loved ones, and I know from personal experience, as others will here—my dear mother was diagnosed with a glioblastoma tumour that grew inside her brain and its tentacles devastated and destroyed that brain with great speed. She was given three to six months, and sadly passed away, at the age of 81, in 2019. Some may think that that's a good age, but we know that the tumour robbed her of at least 10 or more years; her family lived way into their nineties, almost to 100.
It's a devastating illness that takes few prisoners. It's so hard when somebody you love and care for deeply gets taken before their time, and with little notice. And for all those, like my mum, who have died of brain cancer, we have no choice but to accept that they have passed away. But, I believe it's now incumbent on each and every one of us in this Chamber today to do all we can to highlight this truly dreadful disease with an ultimate aim to prevent or at least reduce the number of people being affected by it. I was shocked to learn that, historically, just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Let that sink in for a moment: just 1 per cent of funding allocated, despite 16,000 people across the UK of all ages being struck down by this brain cancer every single year. I learnt this shocking fact following a recent meeting here in the Senedd with the Brain Tumour Research charity, and I would like to commend that charity for the sterling work that it does, day in, day out, in raising vital awareness surrounding brain cancer. Charity officials told me that we must, and I quote,
'Recognise a uniquely complex disease with a unique response'.
For those suffering from a brain tumour, time is of the essence. And Minister, that is why I decided to bring forward this short debate. There is so much we can do collaboratively to help halt this growing indiscriminate disease.
Having liaised in depth with the Brain Tumour Research charity, today, I'm calling for support to help achieve seven bold points. No. 1, the Welsh Government should recognise brain tumour research as a critical priority, developing a strategic plan for adequately resourcing and funding discovery, translational and clinical research; No. 2, the Welsh Government must ensure that a robust tissue collection and storage infrastructure is in place across the country; No.3, more action is needed to build research capacity, encouraging and retaining talent through fellowships and research initiatives; No. 4, we must ensure equity of access to clinical trials, and that the clinical trial database is robust and up to date, this will undoubtedly improve clinical trials; No. 5, with some pharmaceutical companies choosing not to pursue the development of brain cancer drugs in the UK, the Welsh Government needs to simplify the regulatory process to encourage investment for the longer time periods necessary to develop and deliver new brain tumour drugs; No. 6, funding bodies should ring-fence specific funding for research into childhood brain tumours where survival rates for the most aggressive tumours have remained unchanged for decades, leading to frustrated families obviously seeking costly and unproven, often, treatment abroad; and No. 7, a ministerial meeting is vitally needed between Welsh Government Ministers, the Brain Tumour Research charity, Welsh brain tumour campaigners, and brain tumour researchers based in Wales, to discuss how to improve outcomes for present and future brain tumour patients and their families.
The mission of these seven points is to raise awareness and increase funding for vital research. With brain tumours killing more women under 35 than breast cancer, and killing more men under 70 than prostate cancer, the time for inaction is over. Our next actions could make a huge difference to those diagnosed and their families. Thank you.
Diolch, Lywydd. Rwy'n falch o ganiatáu i Mark Isherwood, Mike Hedges, Jack Sargeant a Peredur Owen Griffiths gael munud o fy amser. Thema'r ddadl hon yw pam mae angen cynllun strategol ar Gymru i flaenoriaethu ymchwil i diwmorau'r ymennydd.
Nid yw tiwmorau'r ymennydd yn anwahaniaethol a gallant daro unrhyw un ar unrhyw oedran. Mae'n frawychus fod y clefyd hwn yn lladd mwy o blant ac oedolion o dan 40 oed nag unrhyw ganser arall, sy'n ystadegyn cwbl syfrdanol. Mae natur anwahaniaethol tiwmorau'r ymennydd yn gadael effaith ddinistriol, nid yn unig ar y dioddefwr, ond hefyd ar eu hanwyliaid, ac rwy'n gwybod o brofiad personol, fel y bydd eraill yma—cafodd fy mam annwyl ddiagnosis o diwmor glioblastoma a dyfodd y tu mewn i'w hymennydd ac fe wnaeth ei dentaclau ddinistrio a difa'r ymennydd hwnnw'n gyflym iawn. Rhoddwyd tri i chwe mis iddi, a bu farw, yn 81 oed, yn 2019. Efallai fod rhai yn meddwl bod hwnnw'n oedran da, ond gwyddom fod y tiwmor wedi dwyn o leiaf 10 mlynedd neu fwy oddi arni; roedd ei theulu wedi byw ymhell i mewn i'w nawdegau, bron yn 100 oed.
Mae'n salwch dinistriol nad yw'n arbed fawr o neb. Mae mor anodd pan fydd rhywun rydych chi'n ei garu'n fawr yn cael eu cymryd cyn eu hamser, a heb fawr o rybudd. Ac i bawb, fel fy mam, a fu farw o ganser yr ymennydd, nid oes gennym unrhyw ddewis ond derbyn eu bod wedi marw. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod bellach yn ddyletswydd ar bob un ohonom yn y Siambr hon heddiw i wneud popeth yn ein gallu i dynnu sylw at y clefyd gwirioneddol ofnadwy hwn gyda'r nod yn y pen draw o atal neu o leiaf leihau nifer y bobl y mae'n effeithio arnynt. Cefais fy synnu o glywed mai dim ond 1 y cant o'r gwariant cenedlaethol ar ymchwil canser sydd wedi'i ddyrannu i'r clefyd dinistriol hwn yn hanesyddol. Gadewch i hynny suddo i mewn am eiliad: dim ond 1% o'r cyllid a ddyrannir, er bod 16,000 o bobl ledled y DU o bob oed yn cael eu taro gan y canser ymennydd hwn bob blwyddyn. Dysgais y ffaith frawychus hon yn dilyn cyfarfod diweddar yma yn y Senedd gydag elusen Ymchwil Tiwmorau'r Ymennydd, a hoffwn ganmol yr elusen honno am y gwaith rhagorol y mae'n ei wneud, bob dydd o'r flwyddyn, i godi ymwybyddiaeth hanfodol o ganser yr ymennydd. Dywedodd swyddogion yr elusen wrthyf fod yn rhaid i ni, ac rwy'n dyfynnu,
'Gydnabod clefyd sy'n unigryw o gymhleth gydag ymateb sy'n unigryw'.
I'r rhai sy'n dioddef o diwmor ar yr ymennydd, mae amser yn allweddol. Weinidog, dyna pam y penderfynais gyflwyno'r ddadl fer hon. Mae cymaint y gallwn ei wneud ar y cyd i helpu i atal cynnydd y clefyd anwahaniaethol hwn.
Ar ôl cysylltu'n agos ag elusen Ymchwil Tiwmorau'r Ymennydd, rwy'n galw heddiw am gefnogaeth i helpu i gyflawni saith pwynt beiddgar. Rhif 1, dylai Llywodraeth Cymru gydnabod ymchwil i diwmorau'r ymennydd fel blaenoriaeth hollbwysig, a datblygu cynllun strategol ar gyfer darparu adnoddau digonol ac ariannu ymchwil ddarganfyddiadol, drosiadol a chlinigol; Rhif 2, rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru sicrhau bod seilwaith casglu a storio meinwe cadarn ar waith ledled y wlad; Rhif 3, mae angen mwy o weithredu i feithrin gallu ymchwil, gan annog a chadw talent drwy gymrodoriaethau a mentrau ymchwil; Rhif 4, rhaid inni sicrhau mynediad teg at dreialon clinigol, a bod cronfa ddata'r treialon clinigol yn gadarn ac yn gyfredol, bydd hyn yn sicr yn gwella treialon clinigol; Rhif 5, gyda rhai cwmnïau fferyllol yn dewis peidio â datblygu cyffuriau canser yr ymennydd yn y DU, mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru symleiddio'r broses reoleiddio i annog buddsoddiad am y cyfnodau hirach sy'n angenrheidiol i ddatblygu a darparu cyffuriau newydd ar gyfer tiwmorau'r ymennydd; Rhif 6, dylai cyrff cyllido neilltuo cyllid penodol ar gyfer ymchwil i diwmorau'r ymennydd yn ystod plentyndod lle mae cyfraddau goroesi'r tiwmorau mwyaf ymosodol wedi aros yn ddigyfnewid ers degawdau, gan arwain at deuluoedd rhwystredig yn amlwg yn chwilio am driniaeth gostus dramor, sy'n aml heb ei phrofi; a Rhif 7, mae dirfawr angen cyfarfod gweinidogol rhwng Gweinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru, elusen Ymchwil Tiwmorau'r Ymennydd, ymgyrchwyr tiwmorau'r ymennydd yng Nghymru, ac ymchwilwyr i diwmorau'r ymennydd yng Nghymru, i drafod sut i wella canlyniadau ar gyfer cleifion tiwmorau'r ymennydd a'u teuluoedd nawr ac yn y dyfodol.
Y genhadaeth gyda'r saith pwynt yw codi ymwybyddiaeth a chynyddu cyllid ar gyfer ymchwil hanfodol. Gyda thiwmorau'r ymennydd yn lladd mwy o fenywod o dan 35 na chanser y fron, ac yn lladd mwy o ddynion o dan 70 oed na chanser y prostad, mae'n bryd gweithredu. Gallai ein camau nesaf wneud gwahaniaeth enfawr i'r rhai sy'n cael diagnosis a'u teuluoedd. Diolch.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair.
When I attended the Brain Tumour Research awareness event on 25 April, I heard that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically, just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease, and that more must be done by the Welsh Government to build research capacity, encouraging and retaining talent.
Brain cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the under-40s, second only to leukaemia, with 10.3 per cent of male cancer deaths and 6.7 per cent of female cancer deaths under 40 years of age due to brain and central nervous system tumours. Welsh Government should therefore recognise brain tumour research as a critical priority and agree to a ministerial meeting with Brain Tumour Research, Welsh brain tumour campaigners and brain tumour researchers based in Wales to discuss how best to take forward a pathway to improve options and outcomes for present and future brain tumour patients and their families. Diolch.
Pan fynychais ddigwyddiad codi ymwybyddiaeth Ymchwil Tiwmorau'r Ymennydd ar 25 Ebrill, clywais fod tiwmorau'r ymennydd yn lladd mwy o blant ac oedolion o dan 40 nag unrhyw ganser arall, ond mai dim ond 1 y cant o'r gwariant cenedlaethol ar ymchwil canser yn hanesyddol sydd wedi'i ddyrannu i'r clefyd dinistriol hwn, a bod rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud mwy i feithrin gallu ymchwil, gan annog a chadw talent.
Canser yr ymennydd yw'r ail brif achos marwolaeth o ganser mewn rhai dan 40 oed, yn ail yn unig i lewcemia, gyda 10.3% o farwolaethau canser gwrywaidd a 6.7 y cant o farwolaethau canser benywaidd o dan 40 oed i'w priodoli i diwmorau'r ymennydd a'r system nerfol ganolog. Felly, dylai Llywodraeth Cymru gydnabod ymchwil tiwmorau'r ymennydd fel blaenoriaeth allweddol a chytuno i gyfarfod gweinidogol gydag Ymchwil Tiwmorau'r Ymennydd, ymgyrchwyr tiwmorau'r ymennydd ac ymchwilwyr i diwmorau'r ymennydd yng Nghymru i drafod y ffordd orau o ddatblygu llwybr i wella opsiynau a chanlyniadau ar gyfer cleifion tiwmorau'r ymennydd a'u teuluoedd nawr ac yn y dyfodol. Diolch.
Can I first of all thank Peter Fox not only for a minute in this debate but for bringing this short debate today? I was very pleased to sponsor an event on 25 April in the Senedd relating to brain tumours. My mother died of a brain tumour, which went undetected until it reached stage 4. She was being treated for a thyroid problem. The symptoms develop, as Peter said, gradually over several months, but only 40 per cent of people diagnosed with malignant brain tumours live for more than a year, and less than 20 per cent for more than five years. Several factors contribute to the high mortality rates of brain cancer, including the aggressive nature of the disease and impediments to treatment, so catching tumours early allows for more treatment options. What we need is more research into brain tumours, how we can stop them developing, and we need GPs to be better trained in identifying the existence of brain tumours and arranging for earlier tests.
A gaf fi ddiolch yn gyntaf i Peter Fox, nid yn unig am funud yn y ddadl hon ond am gyflwyno'r ddadl fer hon heddiw? Roeddwn yn falch iawn o noddi digwyddiad ar 25 Ebrill yn y Senedd yn ymwneud â thiwmorau'r ymennydd. Bu farw fy mam o diwmor ar yr ymennydd a aeth heb ei ganfod nes iddo gyrraedd cam 4. Roedd hi'n cael ei thrin am broblem thyroid. Fel y dywedodd Peter, mae'r symptomau'n datblygu'n raddol dros sawl mis, ond dim ond 40 y cant o'r bobl sy'n cael diagnosis o diwmor malaen ar yr ymennydd sy'n byw am fwy na blwyddyn, a llai nag 20 y cant am fwy na phum mlynedd. Mae nifer o ffactorau'n cyfrannu at gyfraddau marwolaeth uchel canser yr ymennydd, gan gynnwys natur ymosodol y clefyd a'r rhwystrau i driniaeth, felly mae dal tiwmorau'n gynnar yn caniatáu ar gyfer mwy o opsiynau triniaeth. Yr hyn sydd ei angen arnom yw mwy o ymchwil ar diwmorau'r ymennydd, sut y gallwn eu hatal rhag datblygu, ac mae angen i feddygon teulu gael eu hyfforddi'n well i nodi bodolaeth tiwmorau'r ymennydd a threfnu profion cynharach.
I'm grateful, Presiding Officer, to follow my colleague Mike Hedges in thanking Peter Fox, not only for a minute of his time, but bringing forward this extremely important debate today.
Llywydd, I'd like to use my time today to talk about Aaron Wharton and his parents, Nicola and Lee Wharton. Tragically, Aaron died of a rare brain tumour in April of this year. During his illness, both Aaron and his parents were, quite simply, incredibly brave, and to quote his parents from our local paper, The Leader:
'We kept life as conventional as possible for Aaron, encouraging him to live the life a "normal" little boy should. I think it was this attitude which saw him not only survive, but thrive.'
Presiding Officer, that takes amazing strength, and we should recognise that. Aaron's parents want to do all they can to raise awareness of brain tumours and to support the research Peter Fox has talked about this evening into treatments. This is an endeavour I fully support and I hope that, in Aaron's memory, the Welsh Government can support too.
Lywydd, rwy'n falch o ddilyn fy nghyd-Aelod Mike Hedges i ddiolch i Peter Fox, nid yn unig am funud o'i amser, ond hefyd am gyflwyno'r ddadl hynod bwysig hon heddiw.
Lywydd, hoffwn ddefnyddio fy amser heddiw i siarad am Aaron Wharton a'i rieni, Nicola a Lee Wharton. Bu farw Aaron o diwmor prin ar yr ymennydd ym mis Ebrill eleni. Yn ystod ei salwch, roedd Aaron a'i rieni yn anhygoel o ddewr, a dyma ddyfynnu ei rieni yn ein papur lleol, The Leader:
'Roeddem yn cadw bywyd mor gonfensiynol â phosibl i Aaron, gan ei annog i fyw'r bywyd y dylai bachgen bach "normal" ei fyw. Rwy'n credu mai'r agwedd hon a'i gwelodd nid yn unig yn goroesi, ond yn ffynnu.'
Lywydd, mae hynny'n galw am gryfder anhygoel, a dylem gydnabod hynny. Mae rhieni Aaron eisiau gwneud popeth yn eu gallu i godi ymwybyddiaeth o diwmorau'r ymennydd ac i gefnogi'r ymchwil i driniaethau mae Peter Fox wedi siarad amdani heno. Mae hon yn ymdrech rwy'n ei chefnogi'n llwyr ac rwy'n gobeithio, er cof am Aaron, y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei chefnogi hefyd.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Peter, am gael cyfle i siarad yn y drafodaeth yma.
Thank you very much, Peter, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this debate.
Thank you very much for bringing this debate. And I echo a lot of what has been said already.
When I read the topic of this debate last week, it triggered a painful memory. I was transported to a phone call that I had with my brother in December 2014. He'd just come out of a meeting with doctors and my parents to discuss why my mam wasn't well. She had not been right for about 12 months, but had deteriorated, and she was suffering from stroke-like symptoms. During that emotional phone call, he told me she had multiple brain tumours. Over the next six weeks, she deteriorated and passed away peacefully at the end of January, having received excellent palliative care at St David's Hospice in Llandudno. And my thanks will always go out to hospices across Wales for the service and the care they give to patients and families.
By telling this story, I just wanted to highlight three things. We need better early testing, because the prognosis is much better if brain tumours are caught early. We need research specifically for brain tumours, to develop treatments to save lives. And if things don't go well, we need to continue to fund our hospices across Wales, especially children's hospices, to ensure that end-of-life care is the best it can be. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am gyflwyno'r ddadl hon. Ac rwy'n adleisio llawer o'r hyn a ddywedwyd eisoes.
Pan ddarllenais bwnc y ddadl hon yr wythnos diwethaf, fe sbardunodd atgof poenus. Cefais fy nghario'n ôl i alwad ffôn a gefais gyda fy mrawd ym mis Rhagfyr 2014. Roedd newydd ddod allan o gyfarfod gyda doctoriaid a fy rhieni i drafod pam nad oedd fy mam yn iach. Nid oedd hi wedi bod yn iawn ers tua 12 mis, ond roedd hi wedi dirywio, ac roedd hi'n dioddef o symptomau tebyg i strôc. Yn ystod yr alwad ffôn emosiynol honno, dywedodd wrthyf fod ganddi sawl tiwmor ar yr ymennydd. Dros y chwe wythnos nesaf, dirywiodd a bu farw'n dawel ddiwedd mis Ionawr, ar ôl derbyn gofal lliniarol ardderchog yn Hosbis Dewi Sant yn Llandudno. A byddaf bob amser yn ddiolchgar i hosbisau ledled Cymru am y gwasanaeth a'r gofal y maent yn ei roi i gleifion a theuluoedd.
Drwy adrodd y stori hon, roeddwn eisiau tynnu sylw at dri pheth. Mae angen profion cynnar gwell, oherwydd mae'r rhagolygon yn llawer gwell os yw tiwmorau'r ymennydd yn cael eu dal yn gynnar. Mae angen ymchwil penodol ar diwmorau'r ymennydd, er mwyn datblygu triniaethau i achub bywydau. Ac os nad yw pethau'n mynd yn dda, mae angen inni barhau i ariannu ein hosbisau ledled Cymru, yn enwedig hosbisau plant, er mwyn sicrhau'r gofal diwedd oes gorau sy'n bosibl. Diolch yn fawr.
Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol i ymateb i'r ddadl. Eluned Morgan.
I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services to reply to the debate. Eluned Morgan.
Diolch yn fawr. I want to thank Peter Fox and, actually, many of the Members who clearly have a real personal interest in this particular subject area. And it's been really heartfelt, I think, to hear people's stories, their personal stories, and understandable why they see the need for high-quality cancer research, which is of course vital for patients who are suffering. I think it provides the evidence required to provide the best care, experience and services, and that's why that high-quality cancer research is so vital.
Diolch yn fawr. Hoffwn ddiolch i Peter Fox ac i'r nifer o Aelodau sy'n amlwg â diddordeb personol go iawn yn y maes penodol hwn. Ac mae wedi bod yn emosiynol iawn clywed straeon pobl, eu straeon personol, ac yn ddealladwy pam eu bod yn gweld yr angen am ymchwil canser o ansawdd uchel, sydd wrth gwrs yn hanfodol i gleifion sy'n dioddef. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn darparu'r dystiolaeth sydd ei hangen i ddarparu'r gofal, y profiad a'r gwasanaethau gorau, a dyna pam fod ymchwil canser o ansawdd uchel mor hanfodol.
But with so many types of cancer, many of which have very low prevalence rates per country, in order to produce the evidence required to make the necessary improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, we must see cancer research as a global endeavour. With that in mind, it's important that we have a strong cancer research environment in Wales that can contribute to this global endeavour and support the delivery of research within our NHS, across many types of cancer, including brain and central nervous system cancers. And I'd just like to state that we do have to do this in order to make sure we respect the memory of people like Aaron Wharton, who Jack talked about. And it's just heart-wrenching to think about the pain that the parents had to go through in that situation, and heart-wrenching to hear so many of you talk about your mothers and what they've had to suffer.
Over the years, cancer has been the single biggest area of Welsh Government health research investment. Significant Government funding has, for example, built key cancer research infrastructure, such as the Wales Cancer Research Centre and the brain repair and intracranial neurotherapeutics unit. Now, in collaboration, these two groups are currently working to better understand and predict treatment responses in brain tumours, as well as developing novel technology to support Welsh-led first-in-human trials of therapies delivered directly into the brain. Of particular relevance to brain tumour research, Wales also benefits from the world-leading brain imaging centre at Cardiff University, and I was really honoured to go and visit this. Working in collaboration with Velindre, the centre is supporting the development of neuroimaging biomarkers to better understand the response and toxicity of radiotherapy treatment in brain tumours.
We also have significant activity in cancer research in our NHS organisations themselves. Many of you have talked about the need for clinical trials; they are vital in both understanding conditions and offering treatment opportunities to patients. Here in Wales, we have around 10 brain tumour studies open, ranging from trials looking at understanding the causes of brain cancer to trials testing treatments, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Ensuring all patients have access to research opportunities is vital. Health and Care Research Wales routinely work closely with clinical teams to offer support to patients who may wish to access trials in specialist centres outside of Wales, so no-one is excluded from opportunities to try new treatments.
Many of you will know that, last year, our research community, in partnership with stakeholders and Health and Care Research Wales, published the first cancer research strategy for Wales. The strategy focuses on six priority research themes where there is recognised Welsh research strength and where Welsh researchers can make the biggest contribution in support of the global research endeavour. And these themes are precision and mechanistic oncology; immuno-oncology; radiotherapy; cancer clinical trials; palliative and supportive oncology; and population and health-based cancer prevention, early diagnosis, primary care and health services research.
Now, this new strategic approach recognises that, as we strive for improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment and work hard to address inequality, including gender inequality, we must focus on areas of critical mass and excellence that enable the research we support in Wales to deliver better patient outcomes. As well as Welsh Government funding, via Health and Care Research Wales, for the BRAIN unit and the Welsh Cancer Research Centre, there are other ways in which we're supporting brain cancer research. In partnership with Cancer Research UK, we invest in a UK-wide experimental cancer research centre network, supporting both adult and paediatric Welsh research involvement. And this experimental cancer medicine centre network supports the delivery of early-phase cancer studies between research partners to enable faster and more personalised patient benefit, both for adult and paediatric networks that cover brain cancer trials.
Ond gyda chymaint o fathau o ganser, a llawer ohonynt â chyfraddau achosion isel iawn fesul gwlad, er mwyn cynhyrchu'r dystiolaeth sydd ei hangen i wneud y gwelliannau angenrheidiol ym maes atal, diagnosis a thriniaeth, rhaid inni weld ymchwil canser fel ymdrech fyd-eang. Gyda hynny mewn golwg, mae'n bwysig fod gennym amgylchedd ymchwil canser cryf yng Nghymru a all gyfrannu at yr ymdrech fyd-eang hon a chefnogi'r gwaith o ddarparu ymchwil yn ein GIG, ar draws sawl math o ganser, gan gynnwys canser yr ymennydd a chanserau'r system nerfol ganolog. A rhaid inni wneud hyn er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn parchu cof am bobl fel Aaron Wharton, y soniodd Jack amdano. Ac mae'n dorcalonnus meddwl am y boen y bu'n rhaid i'r rhieni fynd drwyddo yn y sefyllfa honno, ac yn dorcalonnus clywed cymaint ohonoch chi'n siarad am eich mamau a'r hyn y bu'n rhaid iddynt hwy ei ddioddef.
Dros y blynyddoedd, canser yw'r maes unigol mwyaf o fuddsoddiad ymchwil iechyd Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae cyllid sylweddol gan y Llywodraeth wedi adeiladu seilwaith ymchwil canser allweddol, er enghraifft, megis Canolfan Ymchwil Canser Cymru a'r uned atgyweirio'r ymennydd a niwrotherapiwteg mewngreuanol. Nawr, gyda'i gilydd, mae'r ddau grŵp ar hyn o bryd yn gweithio i ddeall a rhagweld ymatebion triniaeth yn well mewn tiwmorau'r ymennydd, yn ogystal â datblygu technoleg newydd i gefnogi treialon am y tro cyntaf mewn pobl a arweinir gan Gymru ar therapïau a ddarperir yn uniongyrchol i'r ymennydd. Yn berthnasol iawn i ymchwil i diwmorau'r ymennydd, mae Cymru hefyd yn elwa o ganolfan ddelweddu'r ymennydd sy'n arwain y byd ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd, ac roedd yn anrhydedd mawr cael mynd i ymweld â hi. Gan weithio mewn cydweithrediad â Felindre, mae'r ganolfan yn cefnogi datblygiad biofarcwyr niwroddelweddu er mwyn deall ymateb a gwenwyndra triniaeth radiotherapi yn well mewn tiwmorau'r ymennydd.
Mae gennym hefyd weithgaredd sylweddol mewn ymchwil canser yn ein sefydliadau GIG eu hunain. Mae llawer ohonoch wedi siarad am yr angen am dreialon clinigol; maent yn hanfodol er mwyn deall cyflyrau a chynnig cyfleoedd triniaeth i gleifion. Yma yng Nghymru, mae gennym oddeutu 10 o astudiaethau tiwmorau'r ymennydd ar y gweill, yn amrywio o dreialon sy'n edrych ar ddeall achosion canser yr ymennydd i dreialu triniaethau, gan gynnwys radiotherapi a chemotherapi. Mae sicrhau bod gan bob claf fynediad at gyfleoedd ymchwil yn hanfodol. Mae Ymchwil Iechyd a Gofal Cymru yn gweithio'n agos gyda thimau clinigol yn rheolaidd i gynnig cymorth i gleifion a allai fod eisiau cymryd rhan mewn treialon mewn canolfannau arbenigol y tu allan i Gymru, felly nid oes unrhyw un yn cael ei eithrio o gyfleoedd i roi cynnig ar driniaethau newydd.
Bydd llawer ohonoch yn gwybod, y llynedd, fod ein cymuned ymchwil, mewn partneriaeth â rhanddeiliaid ac Ymchwil Iechyd a Gofal Cymru, wedi cyhoeddi'r strategaeth ymchwil canser gyntaf i Gymru. Mae'r strategaeth yn canolbwyntio ar chwe thema ymchwil â blaenoriaeth lle ceir cryfder ymchwil cydnabyddedig yng Nghymru a lle gall ymchwilwyr o Gymru wneud y cyfraniad mwyaf i gefnogi'r ymdrech ymchwil fyd-eang. A'r themâu hyn yw oncoleg fanwl a mecanistig; imiwno-oncoleg; radiotherapi; treialon clinigol canser; oncoleg liniarol a chefnogol; ac atal canser yn seiliedig ar y boblogaeth ac iechyd, diagnosis cynnar, gofal sylfaenol ac ymchwil gwasanaethau iechyd.
Nawr, mae'r dull strategol newydd hwn yn cydnabod, wrth inni ymdrechu i wella atal, diagnosis a thriniaeth a gweithio'n galed i fynd i'r afael ag anghydraddoldeb, gan gynnwys anghydraddoldeb rhwng y rhywiau, fod rhaid inni ganolbwyntio ar feysydd màs critigol a rhagoriaeth sy'n galluogi'r ymchwil a gefnogwn yng Nghymru i sicrhau gwell canlyniadau i gleifion. Yn ogystal â chyllid Llywodraeth Cymru, drwy Ymchwil Iechyd a Gofal Cymru, ar gyfer yr uned atgyweirio'r ymennydd a niwrotherapiwteg mewngreuanol a Chanolfan Ymchwil Canser Cymru, rydym yn cefnogi ymchwil canser yr ymennydd mewn ffyrdd eraill hefyd. Mewn partneriaeth â Cancer Research UK, rydym yn buddsoddi mewn rhwydwaith o ganolfannau ymchwil canser arbrofol ledled y DU, gan gefnogi cyfraniad ymchwil oedolion a phediatrig yng Nghymru. Ac mae'r rhwydwaith hwn o ganolfannau meddygaeth canser arbrofol yn cefnogi cyflwyno astudiaethau canser cam cynnar rhwng partneriaid ymchwil i fod o fudd yn gyflymach ac yn fwy personol i gleifion, ar gyfer rhwydweithiau oedolion a phediatrig sy'n ymdrin â threialon canser yr ymennydd.
Mae hyn yn ailadrodd pwysigrwydd gweithio mewn partneriaeth, ac mae'n rhaid inni barhau gyda'r gwaith o weithio ar draws ffiniau cenedlaethol, prifysgolion, sefydliadau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ac arianwyr i greu cyfleoedd cyllido i ymchwilwyr Cymreig. Mae'n rhaid inni roi ein hymchwilwyr mewn cysylltiad â grwpiau ymchwil o safon uchel eraill a chynyddu cyfleoedd sydd gan gleifion Cymreig i gymryd rhan mewn ymchwil. A ninnau'n aelodau o'r National Cancer Research Institute, rŷn ni'n parhau i fod yn ymroddedig i archwilio cyfleon gyda phartneriaid.
Tu hwnt i ymchwil, mae ein dull ehangach o wella gwasanaethau canser a deilliannau yn cael ei osod allan yn y datganiad ansawdd ar gyfer canser, y quality statement for cancer, wnes i ei gyhoeddi ym mis Mawrth 2021. Fel ŷch chi'n gwybod, dwi'n rhoi ffocws sylweddol ar wella gwasanaethau canser a gwella deilliannau. Mae'n un o'n chwe blaenoriaeth ni yn fframwaith cynllunio'r NHS ar gyfer eleni, ac rŷn ni'n gweithio'n agos gyda gwasanaethau'r NHS ar wneud gwelliannau. Dwi'n falch o weld bod y gwasanaeth clinigol ar gyfer triniaeth canser yr ymennydd yng ngogledd Cymru ac yn ne Cymru wedi derbyn statws canolfan ragoriaeth gan ymgyrch canser yr ymennydd Tessa Jowell, y Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission. Ac mae hyn yn llwyddiant hynod o bwysig, sy'n dangos rhagoriaeth mewn triniaeth y claf a gofal ac ymchwil sydd ar gael i boblogaeth Cymru.
Dwi'n hynod o ddiolchgar o'r cyfle i siarad gyda chi heddiw i gael tynnu'ch sylw chi at bwysigrwydd ymchwil canser yr ymennydd rŷn ni'n ei osod fel Llywodraeth, ac i roi syniad clir ichi o'i le yng nghyd-destun y strategaeth ymchwil canser ac yn y dirwedd ymchwil yma yng Nghymru. Diolch yn fawr.
This emphasises the importance of working in partnership, and we must continue with the work of working across national boundaries, universities, health and social care institutions and funders in order to create funding opportunities for Welsh researchers. We must ensure that our researchers are in touch with other quality research groups and increase the opportunities that Welsh patients have to participate in research. Given that we are members of the National Cancer Research Institute, we continue to be committed to looking for opportunities with partners.
Beyond research, our broader approach to improving cancer services and outcomes is set out in the quality statement for cancer, which I published in March 2021. As you know, I put significant focus on improving cancer services and outcomes. One of our six priorities in the NHS planning framework this year is cancer, and we are working closely with NHS services to make improvements. I'm pleased to see that the clinical services for brain cancer in north and south Wales have been given centre of excellence status by the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission. And this is extremely important, and it shows excellence in the patient treatment and care and research available to the people of Wales.
I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to discuss this issue with you today to highlight the importance of brain cancer research for us as a Government, and to give you a clear idea of its role in the context of the cancer research strategy and in the broader research environment here in Wales. Thank you.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog, ac i'r holl siaradwyr ar yr eitem hon heddiw.
Thank you, Minister, and all the speakers on this item today.
And on behalf of the cross-party group on cancer, which I chair, thank you, Peter, for bringing this debate forward, because we forget sometimes the different forms of cancer that affect individuals, and this is another one of those forms that sort of gets put by the side as we talk about other things. It's important that we raise the profile of all. Thank you.
That brings us to the end of business for the day.
Ac ar ran y grŵp trawsbleidiol rwy'n ei gadeirio ar ganser, diolch am gyflwyno'r ddadl hon, Peter, oherwydd rydym yn anghofio weithiau am y gwahanol fathau o ganser sy'n effeithio ar unigolion, ac mae hwn yn un arall o'r ffurfiau hynny sy'n cael eu rhoi i'r naill ochr mewn ffordd wrth inni siarad am bethau eraill. Mae'n bwysig ein bod yn codi proffil y cyfan. Diolch.
Daw hynny â'r trafodion i ben am heddiw.
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 18:12.
The meeting ended at 18:12.