Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
25/10/2022Cynnwys
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 dyma gychwyn ar ein cyfarfod ni y prynhawn yma. Yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Sioned Williams.
Good afternoon. We begin our meeting this afternoon. The first item this afternoon is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Sioned Williams.
1. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am fesurau Llywodraeth Cymru i drechu tlodi plant yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OQ58632
1. Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government measures to tackle child poverty in South Wales West? OQ58632
Llywydd, diolch i Sioned Williams am y cwestiwn. Rydyn ni yng nghanol argyfwng tlodi, ac yn gwneud popeth y gallwn ni ar gyfer y rhai sydd fwyaf agored i niwed, gan gynnwys plant. Eleni, drwy raglenni sy’n amddiffyn cartrefi sydd dan anfantais, a chynlluniau sy’n rhoi arian nôl ym mhocedi pobl, rydyn ni wedi darparu gwerth £1.6 biliwn o gymorth.
I thank Sioned Williams for the question. We are in the midst of a poverty crisis, and we are doing everything within our powers for those who are most vulnerable, including children. This year, through programmes that protect disadvantaged households, and schemes that put money back in people’s pockets, we have provided support worth £1.6 billion.
Diolch, Brif Weinidog. The latest research by the Bevan Foundation revealed that the number of people in households with one or two children who are having to cut back on food has nearly doubled since this time last year, with one in 10 families with one child, and one in five families with two children cutting back on food for children. So, that staggering number of 6,300 children who've been recorded as living in poverty in my home county of Neath Port Talbot, in the region I represent, has surely risen even higher over past weeks as everyday costs have soared. And we know this poverty causes health inequalities in our communities, something that 114 members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have highlighted in their recent open letter to you, which warns that Wales lacks a focused and prominent strategy, setting specific targets to reduce child poverty and unequal health outcomes. Plaid Cymru have announced a people's plan which would make the pay packet go further, extend free school meals in secondary schools and increase education maintenance allowance. Brif Weinidog, will you heed the words of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and will you work with Plaid Cymru to protect Welsh children from poverty?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Datgelodd y gwaith ymchwil diweddaraf gan Sefydliad Bevan bod nifer y bobl ar aelwydydd ag un neu ddau o blant sy'n gorfod lleihau faint o fwyd maen nhw'n eu bwyta bron wedi dyblu ers yr adeg yma y llynedd, gydag un o bob 10 teulu ag un plentyn, ac un o bob pum teulu â dau blentyn yn lleihau'r bwyd y maen nhw'n ei roi i'w plant. Felly, mae'r nifer syfrdanol yna o 6,300 o blant y cofnodwyd eu bod yn byw mewn tlodi yn fy sir enedigol, Castell-nedd Port Talbot, yn y rhanbarth rwy'n ei gynrychioli, wedi codi hyd yn oed yn uwch dros yr wythnosau diwethaf wrth i gostau bob dydd saethu i fyny. Ac rydym ni'n gwybod bod y tlodi hwn yn achosi anghydraddoldebau iechyd yn ein cymunedau, rhywbeth y mae 114 aelod o'r Coleg Brenhinol Pediatreg ac Iechyd Plant wedi tynnu sylw ato yn eu llythyr agored diweddar atoch chi, sy'n rhybuddio nad oes gan Gymru strategaeth wedi'i chanolbwyntio ac amlwg, sy'n pennu targedau penodol i leihau tlodi plant a chanlyniadau iechyd anghyfartal. Mae Plaid Cymru wedi cyhoeddi cynllun y bobl a fyddai'n gwneud i'r pecyn cyflog fynd ymhellach, yn ymestyn prydau ysgol am ddim mewn ysgolion uwchradd ac yn cynyddu'r lwfans cynhaliaeth addysg. Prif Weinidog, a wnewch chi wrando ar eiriau'r Coleg Brenhinol Pediatreg ac Iechyd Plant, ac a wnewch chi weithio gyda Phlaid Cymru i ddiogelu plant Cymru rhag tlodi?
Well, Llywydd, I thank Sioned Williams for some of those very important facts. I think I've reported previously to the Senedd that the Cabinet's cost-of-living committee is meeting weekly, and, at the start of each meeting, we are currently hearing from expert groups who are able to give us the most up-to-date information and ideas as to how we can do more to help people in Wales. The Cabinet committee met yesterday, and yesterday the expert evidence was indeed from the Bevan Foundation. The chief executive of the foundation went through a number of the points that Sioned Williams has raised this afternoon, and went through with us the things that the foundation believes are having a positive impact here in Wales, both the things that we have done jointly with Plaid Cymru in extending free school meals—and there are over 4,000 children additionally in the Member's region receiving a free school meal as a result of the work that we have done together—and looking at the impact of the help that we give with the cost of the school day, and with the discretionary assistance fund, with over 4,500 awards in the Member's region alone in September. All of those practical things that we are able to do, and it is the practicalities that this Government is focused on. There is work going on, led by my colleague Jane Hutt, on a child poverty strategy, but, for the moment, we are focused less on strategising than we are on identifying those practical actions that we can assist with that will help those families and those children through this winter.
I'm very pleased, Llywydd, to see more local authorities setting out the ways in which they will use the discretionary fund that we've provided to them to help families through this winter, and I know that Sioned Williams will be pleased to see that, in Bridgend for example, in her region, the local authority has decided to use the money that they now have to provide families with £50 for every child in every family who is receiving free school meals, and £150 to all those families with children who are living in temporary accommodation. Where there are further ideas, and further things that we can work on together, then, of course, the Welsh Government will always be keen to explore ideas that are practical, and which, from a financial perspective, are within the bounds of the possible.
Wel, Llywydd, diolch i Sioned Williams am rai o'r ffeithiau pwysig iawn hynny. Rwy'n credu fy mod i wedi adrodd yn flaenorol i'r Senedd bod pwyllgor costau byw'r Cabinet yn cyfarfod yn wythnosol, ac, ar ddechrau pob cyfarfod, rydym ni'n clywed ar hyn o bryd gan grwpiau arbenigol sy'n gallu rhoi'r wybodaeth a'r syniadau diweddaraf i ni ynglŷn â sut y gallwn ni wneud mwy i helpu pobl yng Nghymru. Fe wnaeth pwyllgor y Cabinet gyfarfod ddoe, a ddoe roedd y dystiolaeth arbenigol yn wir gan Sefydliad Bevan. Aeth prif weithredwr y sefydliad drwy nifer o'r pwyntiau y mae Sioned Williams wedi eu codi y prynhawn yma, ac aeth drwy'r pethau y mae'r sefydliad yn credu sy'n cael effaith gadarnhaol yma yng Nghymru gyda ni, y pethau rydym ni wedi eu gwneud ar y cyd â Phlaid Cymru i ymestyn prydau ysgol am ddim—ac mae dros 4,000 o blant ychwanegol yn rhanbarth yr Aelod yn derbyn pryd ysgol am ddim o ganlyniad i'r gwaith rydym ni wedi ei wneud gyda'n gilydd—ac edrych ar effaith y cymorth rydym ni'n ei roi gyda chost y diwrnod ysgol, a gyda'r gronfa cymorth dewisol, gyda dros 4,500 o ddyfarniadau yn rhanbarth yr Aelod yn unig ym mis Medi. Yr holl bethau ymarferol hynny yr ydym ni'n gallu eu gwneud, a'r agweddau ymarferol y mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn canolbwyntio arnyn nhw. Mae gwaith yn cael ei wneud, dan arweiniad fy nghyd-Weinidog Jane Hutt, ar strategaeth tlodi plant ond, ar hyn o bryd, rydym ni'n canolbwyntio llai ar strategeiddio nag yr ydym ni ar nodi'r camau ymarferol hynny y gallwn ni gynorthwyo â nhw a fydd yn helpu'r teuluoedd hynny a'r plant hynny drwy'r gaeaf hwn.
Rwy'n falch iawn, Llywydd, o weld mwy o awdurdodau lleol yn nodi'r ffyrdd y byddan nhw'n defnyddio'r gronfa ddewisol yr ydym ni wedi ei darparu iddyn nhw i helpu teuluoedd drwy'r gaeaf hwn, a gwn y bydd Sioned Williams yn falch o weld, ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr, er enghraifft, yn ei rhanbarth hi, bod yr awdurdod lleol wedi penderfynu defnyddio'r arian sydd ganddyn nhw nawr i ddarparu £50 i deuluoedd ar gyfer pob plentyn ym mhob teulu sy'n derbyn prydau ysgol am ddim, a £150 i'r holl deuluoedd hynny sydd â phlant sy'n byw mewn llety dros dro. Lle mae syniadau pellach, a phethau pellach y gallwn ni weithio arnyn nhw gyda'n gilydd, yna, wrth gwrs, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru bob amser yn awyddus i ymchwilio i syniadau sy'n ymarferol, ac sydd, o safbwynt ariannol, o fewn ffiniau'r posibl.
First Minister, you'll be aware of the recent report by Loughborough University that showed that, in 2020-21, child poverty across the UK went down by 4 per cent, but, in Wales, it had gone up by 5 per cent. So, can you tell us, First Minister, why the statistics are telling us that your Welsh Labour Government is failing to tackle child poverty?
Prif Weinidog, byddwch yn ymwybodol o'r adroddiad diweddar gan Brifysgol Loughborough a ddangosodd bod tlodi plant ledled y DU, yn 2020-21, wedi gostwng 4 y cant, ond, yng Nghymru, roedd wedi cynyddu 5 y cant. Felly, a allwch chi ddweud wrthym ni, Prif Weinidog, pam mae'r ystadegau yn dweud wrthym ni fod eich Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru yn methu â mynd i'r afael â thlodi plant?
Llywydd, the figures show no such thing. What the figures demonstrate is the impact of cuts to benefits by the UK Government. And if you live in a part of the country where more families depend upon benefits, then the cuts to those benefits, of course, have a greater effect. Let me tell him what the latest research is saying to us about the actions of his Government. The Resolution Foundation finds that if benefits are not raised in line with inflation, then a further 300,000 children across the United Kingdom will find themselves in absolute poverty. I think this is probably the fourth week in a row in which I've invited the Welsh Conservatives to say that they believe that benefits should be uprated—[Interruption.] Well, if you said it last week, then I'm very glad—[Interruption.] If you said it last week, I'm very glad indeed to acknowledge it, because I think the more that we can speak together on that matter, the more influence that we will have. And given that, as a party, you have a direct ability to influence a Conservative Government at Westminster to know that you too believe that benefits should be uprated in line with inflation, that would be good news for those poor families in Wales. Even if benefits are uprated in line with inflation, then the Resolution Foundation says that child poverty across the United Kingdom will rise to 34 per cent—the highest for over 20 years. And for people reliant on basic out-of-work support, the real value of that support will be lower than it was at the time when Mrs Thatcher was Prime Minister. That's why you see the figures that you quote—because of the impact of the last 12 years on the incomes of the very poorest families across Wales and the United Kingdom.
Llywydd, nid yw'r ffigyrau'n dangos y fath beth. Yr hyn mae'r ffigyrau'n ei ddangos yw effaith toriadau i fudd-daliadau gan Lywodraeth y DU. Ac os ydych chi'n byw mewn rhan o'r wlad lle mae mwy o deuluoedd yn dibynnu ar fudd-daliadau, yna mae'r toriadau i'r budd-daliadau hynny, wrth gwrs, yn cael mwy o effaith. Gadewch i mi ddweud wrtho beth mae'r gwaith ymchwil ddiweddaraf yn ei ddweud wrthym ni am weithredoedd ei Lywodraeth. Mae'r Resolution Foundation yn canfod, os nad yw budd-daliadau'n cael eu codi yn unol â chwyddiant, yna bydd 300,000 o blant eraill ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig yn canfod eu hunain mewn tlodi llwyr. Mae'n debyg mai dyma'r bedwaredd wythnos yn olynol yr wyf i wedi gwahodd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig i ddweud eu bod nhw'n credu y dylid cynyddu budd-daliadau—[Torri ar draws.] Wel, os gwnaethoch chi ddweud hynny wythnos diwethaf, yna rwy'n falch iawn—[Torri ar draws.] Os gwnaethoch chi ei ddweud yr wythnos diwethaf, rwy'n falch dros ben o'i gydnabod, oherwydd rwy'n meddwl po fwyaf y gallwn ni siarad gyda'n gilydd ar y mater hwnnw, y mwyaf o ddylanwad fydd gennym ni. Ac o ystyried hynny, fel plaid, mae gennych chi allu uniongyrchol i ddylanwadu ar Lywodraeth Geidwadol yn San Steffan i wybod eich bod chithau hefyd yn credu y dylid cynyddu budd-daliadau yn unol â chwyddiant, byddai hynny'n newyddion da i'r teuluoedd tlawd hynny yng Nghymru. Hyd yn oed os yw budd-daliadau'n cael eu cynyddu yn unol â chwyddiant, yna mae'r Resolution Foundation yn dweud y bydd tlodi plant ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig yn codi i 34 y cant—yr uchaf ers dros 20 mlynedd. Ac i bobl sy'n ddibynnol ar gymorth di-waith sylfaenol, bydd gwir werth y cymorth hwnnw yn is nag yr oedd ar yr adeg pan oedd Mrs Thatcher yn Brif Weinidog y DU. Dyna pam rydych chi'n gweld y ffigurau rydych chi'n eu dyfynnu—oherwydd effaith y 12 mlynedd diwethaf ar incwm y teuluoedd tlotaf ar draws Cymru a'r Deyrnas Unedig.
Many children are living in poverty not caused by parental indolence or wastefulness; many parents are working two or three jobs, but at minimum wage, on irregular hours. The expansion of free school meals to a universal provision of meals is very welcome. What further help can the Welsh Government give to support foodbanks, and will the Welsh Government make representation to end the fixed charge by energy companies, which means people are paying for energy on days they do not use any? This is the cruellest charge you've got—you don't use any energy for five days, and you then heat a bowl of soup, which costs you somewhere around £2.50 or £3.00.
Mae llawer o blant yn byw mewn tlodi nad yw wedi'i achosi gan ddiogi neu afradlondeb rhieni; mae llawer o rieni yn gweithio dwy neu dair swydd, ond am isafswm cyflog, ar oriau afreolaidd. Mae ehangu prydau ysgol am ddim i ddarpariaeth gyffredinol o brydau bwyd i'w groesawu'n fawr. Pa gymorth pellach all Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi i gynorthwyo banciau bwyd, ac a fydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud dadl i roi terfyn ar y tâl sefydlog gan gwmnïau ynni, sy'n golygu bod pobl yn talu am ynni ar ddiwrnodau nad ydyn nhw'n defnyddio unrhyw ynni? Dyma'r tâl mwyaf creulon sydd gennych chi—dydych chi ddim yn defnyddio unrhyw ynni am bum diwrnod, ac yna rydych chi'n cynhesu powlen o gawl, sy'n costio tua £2.50 neu £3.00 i chi.
Mike Hedges makes some really important points, Llywydd. I think it's one of the most pernicious myths of poverty that poverty is somehow caused by the people who are in poverty. I've never met people who could manage money better than those people who have the least of all to manage by—they have to. And the idea that it's parental indolence or neglect is absolutely to be rejected. The Welsh Government announced a further £1 million to support anti-poverty work at community level in Wales only a couple of weeks ago. That comes now to £5 million in this financial year. And much of that goes directly to foodbanks, who now find that the donations that they were able to rely on previously are drying up as families even further up the income level are unable to manage the impact of energy price and food inflation. Sioned Williams drew attention to the work of the Bevan Foundation, Llywydd, and she will now that, in that work, it isn't just families who are on the very lowest incomes who report that they cannot now afford the basics; it's families further up the income range as well, as people find that the things that they've made commitments to while they were in better times are now beyond their reach.
And the point that Mike Hedges makes about standing charges and pre-payment meters, Llywydd, is, I think, one of the great injustices of our time. I raised this directly with UK Ministers at the British-Irish Council when it met in July, and I wrote immediately afterwards to the UK Government Minister who attended, asking him to take action at a UK level to cancel standing charges for people who rely on pre-payment meters. There can be nothing worse, Llywydd, can there, than to find, having not had access to energy for many days and scraping the money together to be able to charge the pre-payment meter again, that the money you've put into it is nothing like the money that you have found because it has already been taken away from you? In many cases, you will have been put on a pre-payment meter because of debt. There are 60,000 new pre-payment meter customers in the United Kingdom so far this year. Their meters are calibrated so that the first thing they have to do is pay back the money they owe. Then they find that, in all the days where they had no electricity at all, they have to pay a standing charge for a time when they weren't able to access the service. Imagine how galling that must be. The point that Mike Hedges makes about the action that could be taken, at very little cost, I believe, to the Government or to the companies, to put that injustice right is a really important call we've heard this afternoon.
Mae Mike Hedges yn gwneud rhai pwyntiau pwysig iawn, Llywydd. Rwy'n meddwl mai un o gelwyddau mwyaf niweidiol tlodi yw bod tlodi yn cael ei achosi rywsut gan y bobl sydd mewn tlodi. Nid wyf i erioed wedi cwrdd â phobl a allai reoli arian yn well na'r bobl hynny sydd â'r lleiaf i ymdopi ag ef—mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw. Ac mae'r syniad mai diogi neu afradlondeb rhieni sy'n gyfrifol i'w wrthod yn llwyr. Cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru £1 miliwn arall i gynorthwyo gwaith gwrth-dlodi ar lefel gymunedol yng Nghymru dim ond wythnos neu ddwy yn ôl. Mae hynny bellach yn £5 miliwn yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon. Ac mae llawer o hynny'n mynd yn uniongyrchol i fanciau bwyd, sydd bellach yn gweld bod y rhoddion yr oedden nhw'n gallu dibynnu arnyn nhw cynt yn lleihau wrth i deuluoedd hyd yn oed ymhellach i fyny'r lefel incwm fethu â rheoli effaith prisiau ynni a chwyddiant bwyd. Tynnodd Sioned Williams sylw at waith Sefydliad Bevan, Llywydd, a bydd yn gwybod nawr, yn y gwaith hwnnw, nad teuluoedd sydd ar yr incwm isaf oll yn unig sy'n dweud na allan nhw fforddio'r pethau sylfaenol erbyn hyn; mae teuluoedd ymhellach i fyny'r raddfa incwm yn dweud hynny hefyd, wrth i bobl ganfod bod y pethau y maen nhw wedi gwneud ymrwymiadau iddyn nhw pan oedden nhw mewn cyfnod gwell bellach y tu hwnt i'w cyrraedd.
Ac mae'r pwynt y mae Mike Hedges yn ei wneud am daliadau sefydlog a'r mesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw, Llywydd, yn fy marn i, yn un o anghyfiawnderau mawr ein hoes. Codais hyn yn uniongyrchol gyda Gweinidogion y DU yng Nghyngor Prydain-Iwerddon pan gyfarfu ym mis Gorffennaf, ac ysgrifennais yn syth wedyn at Weinidog Llywodraeth y DU a oedd yn bresennol, gan ofyn iddo weithredu ar lefel y DU i ganslo taliadau sefydlog i bobl sy'n dibynnu ar fesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw. Ni all fod dim gwaeth, Llywydd, a all yna, na chanfod, ar ôl methu â chael mynediad at ynni ers llawer o ddiwrnodau a chrafu'r arian at ei gilydd er mwyn gallu llenwi'r mesurydd talu ymlaen llaw eto, nad yw'r arian rydych chi wedi ei roi ynddo yn ddim byd tebyg i'r arian yr ydych chi wedi ei ganfod gan ei fod eisoes wedi cael ei gymryd oddi arnoch? Mewn llawer o achosion, byddwch wedi cael eich rhoi ar fesurydd talu ymlaen llaw oherwydd dyled. Mae 60,000 o gwsmeriaid mesuryddion talu ymlaen llaw newydd yn y Deyrnas Unedig hyd yma eleni. Mae eu mesuryddion yn cael eu graddnodi fel mai'r peth cyntaf y mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw ei wneud yw talu'r arian sy'n ddyledus ganddyn nhw yn ôl. Wedyn maen nhw'n canfod, yn yr holl ddiwrnodau pan nad oedd ganddyn nhw unrhyw drydan o gwbl, bod yn rhaid iddyn nhw dalu tâl sefydlog am gyfnod pan nad oedden nhw'n gallu cael mynediad at y gwasanaeth. Dychmygwch faint y mae'n rhaid bod hynny'n brifo. Mae'r pwynt y mae Mike Hedges yn ei wneud am y camau y gellid eu cymryd, am gost isel iawn, rwy'n credu, i'r Llywodraeth neu i'r cwmnïau, i unioni'r anghyfiawnder hwnnw yn alwad hynod bwysig rydym ni wedi ei chlywed y prynhawn yma.
2. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog nodi strategaeth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer twf economaidd? OQ58597
2. Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government’s strategy for economic growth? OQ58597
Llywydd, good afternoon to Dr Hussain. The Welsh Government strategy is diametrically different to the disastrous approach of the latest Conservative Government. Alongside and in partnership with businesses, we invest in the physical infrastructure that promotes investment and the human capital that improves productivity.
Llywydd, prynhawn da i Dr Hussain. Mae strategaeth Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwbl groes i ddull trychinebus y Llywodraeth Geidwadol ddiweddaraf. Ochr yn ochr â busnesau ac mewn partneriaeth â nhw, rydym ni'n buddsoddi yn y seilwaith ffisegol sy'n hyrwyddo buddsoddiad a'r cyfalaf dynol sy'n gwella cynhyrchiant.
In March last year, your Government published its 'Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan—Project Pipeline', setting out a range of investments in communities in Wales, including those which local authorities had committed to. Whilst I welcome the attempt to capture these activities, it is clear that there is a range of major challenges now facing the south of the country that are not being addressed, not least the continued M4 congestion at the Brynglas tunnels in Newport. CBI Wales has long argued for this to be tackled for our prosperity and employment in south and west Wales. This week also marks the Road Haulage Association's National Lorry Week, which they launched in my region yesterday. Hauliers told me at the launch that hold-ups around Newport often push drivers over their allotted hours and that the lack of lorry parks was also taking a toll. First Minister, in the absence of doing the right thing and building a relief road, what alternative solutions do you now have up your sleeve to unblock this vital link into Wales and improve the situation for Wales's road hauliers? Thank you.
Ym mis Mawrth y llynedd, cyhoeddodd eich Llywodraeth ei 'Chynllun Buddsoddi yn Seilwaith Cymru—Llif Prosiectau', yn cyflwyno amrywiaeth o fuddsoddiadau mewn cymunedau yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys y rhai yr oedd awdurdodau lleol wedi ymrwymo iddyn nhw. Er fy mod i'n croesawu'r ymgais i nodi'r gweithgareddau hyn, mae'n amlwg bod amrywiaeth o heriau mawr bellach yn wynebu de'r wlad nad ydyn nhw'n cael sylw, ac nid lleiaf y tagfeydd parhaus ar yr M4 yn nhwneli Brynglas yng Nghasnewydd. Mae CBI Cymru wedi dadlau ers amser maith dros roi sylw i hyn er budd ein ffyniant a'n cyflogaeth yn ne a gorllewin Cymru. Yr wythnos hon hefyd yw Wythnos Genedlaethol Lorïau y Gymdeithas Cludo ar y Ffyrdd, a lansiwyd ganddyn nhw yn fy rhanbarth i ddoe. Dywedodd cludwyr ar y ffyrdd wrthyf i yn y lansiad bod oedi o amgylch Casnewydd yn aml yn gwthio gyrwyr dros eu horiau penodedig a bod y diffyg parciau lorïau hefyd yn cael effaith. Prif Weinidog, yn absenoldeb gwneud y peth iawn ac adeiladu ffordd liniaru, pa atebion amgen sydd gennych chi ar y gweill i ddatgloi'r cysylltiad hanfodol hwn i Gymru a gwella'r sefyllfa i gludwyr ar y ffyrdd Cymru? Diolch.
Llywydd, I don't plan to relitigate an issue that has long been settled here in Wales. The Conservative Party put their case to the people in Wales at the last Senedd election. The building of the M4 relief road was a prominent promise that the Welsh Conservative Party made, and your party failed to win a single seat—a single seat—along the whole length of the M4 in south Wales. So, if you believe that your case is a sound one, you can continue to put it to people in Wales, and you'll continue to get the same answer.
What we are doing is we are pressing ahead with the proposals of the Burns commission—a series of practical actions that can be taken to address congestion at the M4. We will complete the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road, which will mean that heavy traffic coming from the midlands will be able to go directly to south-west Wales without having to come down and pass through Newport. There is, as I've said before, Llywydd, a major challenge now facing the UK Government. The Johnson Government launched the UK connectivity review. We put evidence to the Sir Peter Hendy review—I don't believe the Welsh Conservatives did—and we promoted there the investment that is needed to improve the second railway line, the second main line, down from south Wales, in order to be able to draw traffic away from the M4 and so that people have better public transport alternatives. The Hendy review endorsed the case that we have made, and, to be fair, the UK Government has provided a small amount of money to develop the ideas that the Hendy review endorsed. Now there will be a major decision. Shall we see whether the latest UK Prime Minister will take up the promises that were made in the UK connectivity review and demonstrate that they are prepared to invest in Wales, so that some of the issues that Dr Hussain has mentioned can be properly addressed?
Llywydd, nid wyf yn bwriadu ail-fyw mater sydd wedi ei hen setlo yma yng Nghymru. Fe wnaeth y Blaid Geidwadol gyflwyno eu hachos i'r bobl yng Nghymru yn etholiad diwethaf y Senedd. Roedd adeiladu ffordd liniaru'r M4 yn addewid blaenllaw a wnaeth Plaid Geidwadol Cymru, a methodd eich plaid ag ennill yr un sedd—yr un sedd—ar hyd yr M4 gyfan yn ne Cymru. Felly, os ydych chi'n credu bod eich dadl yn un gadarn, gallwch chi barhau i'w chyflwyno i bobl yng Nghymru, a byddwch yn parhau i gael yr un ateb.
Yr hyn rydym ni'n ei wneud yw bwrw ymlaen â chynigion comisiwn Burns—cyfres o gamau ymarferol y gellir eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â thagfeydd wrth yr M4. Byddwn yn cwblhau'r gwaith o ddeuoli ffordd Blaenau'r Cymoedd, fydd yn golygu y bydd traffig trwm sy'n dod o ganolbarth Lloegr yn gallu mynd yn uniongyrchol i dde-orllewin Cymru heb orfod dod i lawr a mynd trwy Gasnewydd. Fel yr wyf i wedi ei ddweud o'r blaen, Llywydd, ceir her fawr sy'n wynebu Llywodraeth y DU nawr. Lansiodd Llywodraeth Johnson adolygiad cysylltedd y DU. Fe wnaethon ni roi tystiolaeth i adolygiad Syr Peter Hendy—nid wyf i'n credu bod y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig wedi gwneud hynny—ac fe wnaethon ni hyrwyddo yno'r buddsoddiad sydd ei angen i wella'r ail reilffordd, yr ail brif linell, i lawr o dde Cymru, er mwyn gallu tynnu traffig oddi wrth yr M4 ac fel bod gan bobl well dewisiadau trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus amgen. Fe wnaeth adolygiad Hendy gymeradwyo'r ddadl yr ydym ni wedi ei gwneud, ac, i fod yn deg, mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi darparu swm bach o arian i ddatblygu'r syniadau a gymeradwywyd gan adolygiad Hendy. Nawr fe fydd penderfyniad mawr. Fe gawn ni weld a fydd Prif Weinidog diweddaraf y DU yn bwrw ymlaen â'r addewidion a wnaed yn adolygiad cysylltedd y DU a dangos eu bod nhw'n barod i fuddsoddi yng Nghymru, fel y gellir mynd i'r afael yn briodol â rhai o'r materion y mae Dr Hussain wedi'u crybwyll.
I'm sure that the First Minister meant to say 'a single constituency seat along the M4'.
Rwy'n siŵr bod y Prif Weinidog yn bwriadu dweud 'yr un sedd etholaeth ar hyd yr M4'.
What did I say?
Beth ddywedais i?
You said 'single seat'.
Fe ddywedoch chi 'yr un sedd'.
A single constituency seat—I beg your pardon.
Yr un sedd etholaeth—mae'n ddrwg gen i.
Delyth Jewell.
Delyth Jewell.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'm afraid that efforts to promote growth have been fatally undermined by what the Tories have done to our economy, and I'm concerned about the prospect of job losses and the damage that that will mean not only to our economy, but to people's lives. Businesses across my region are under pressure with rising energy bills and inflation. The Federation of Small Businesses' small business index recently found that business confidence has plummeted, as they face rising costs and decreasing revenue, and public sector employees also face the prospect of a new wave of hyper austerity, with council leaders and Ministers warning that the financial situation is serious. So will you assure the Senedd, Prif Weinidog, that you'll do everything you can to protect jobs in Wales over the coming period, and explain what discussions you'll be having with representatives of businesses and public services to try to avoid job losses?
Diolch, Llywydd. Rwy'n ofni bod ymdrechion i hybu twf wedi cael eu tanseilio'n angheuol gan yr hyn mae'r Torïaid wedi ei wneud i'n heconomi, ac rwy'n pryderu am y posibilrwydd o golli swyddi a'r niwed y bydd hynny'n ei olygu nid yn unig i'n heconomi, ond i fywydau pobl. Mae busnesau ar draws fy rhanbarth dan bwysau gyda biliau ynni cynyddol a chwyddiant. Canfu mynegai busnesau bach Ffederasiwn y Busnesau Bach yn ddiweddar bod hyder busnesau wedi plymio, wrth iddyn nhw wynebu costau cynyddol a refeniw gostyngol, ac mae cyflogeion sector cyhoeddus hefyd yn wynebu'r posibilrwydd o don newydd o hyper-gyni, gydag arweinwyr cynghorau a Gweinidogion yn rhybuddio bod y sefyllfa ariannol yn ddifrifol. Felly a wnewch chi sicrhau'r Senedd, Prif Weinidog, y byddwch chi'n gwneud popeth o fewn eich gallu i ddiogelu swyddi yng Nghymru dros y cyfnod sydd i ddod, ac egluro pa drafodaethau y byddwch chi'n eu cael gyda chynrychiolwyr busnesau a gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i geisio osgoi colli swyddi?
I thank Delyth Jewell for that question, Llywydd, because she is right: on any reasonable reading of the current prospectus, job losses are coming to Wales and to the United Kingdom. I think I said on the floor of the Senedd in the last couple of weeks that, if we were to see cuts in public expenditure of the eye-watering variety promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, then that will result in hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs being lost in public services in Wales. It is absolutely unavoidable. Somewhere around 50 per cent to 56 per cent of all the money spent in public services in Wales is spent on people; employing people to do the jobs that other people then rely on. If there are to be cuts in those budgets, then those jobs will be lost. It's simply unavoidable, and it will be a direct consequence of having to deal with the catastrophic results of the briefest Prime Minister in UK history.
Again, Delyth Jewell is right to point to the fact that those pressures appear in the private sector as well as in the public sector. The Bank of England says that the UK economy is already in recession and it will raise interest rates again in November despite the fact that, in any other circumstances, it will be cutting interest rates in order to support a shrinking economy, and that will put great pressure on employment in the private sector as well.
The Welsh Government, of course, works with our colleagues in local authorities and in the NHS to minimise, as best we can, whatever impact there will be from the statement on 31 October. And we work with our major employers as well, many of whom have plans to expand employment here in Wales, because of the approach that the Welsh Government takes to these matters. They understand that we are partners with them, in the business of helping them. Think, Llywydd, for a moment, of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre Cymru in north Wales, built with £20 million of Welsh Government money, and the reason why the Wing of Tomorrow is being built by Airbus in north Wales; the reason why, with the food and drink sector in north Wales, we now have the Factory of the Future project based in the AMRC—because we understand, in a way that the Tories never do, that public investment used properly crowds in private investment, and doesn't crowd it out, and that it is a responsibility of Government to invest in the skills of a workforce that brings employment to Wales in the future. That's the story of Airbus; that's the story of the cyber security cluster in south Wales. They are examples of the way in which a sensible approach to economic growth can make things happen, just as we have seen what a disastrous approach to economic growth can do to the future prospects of the country.
Diolch i Delyth Jewell am y cwestiwn yna, Llywydd, oherwydd mae'n iawn: ar unrhyw ddarlleniad rhesymol o'r prosbectws presennol, mae colledion swyddi yn dod i Gymru ac i'r Deyrnas Unedig. Rwy'n credu i mi ddweud ar lawr y Senedd yn yr wythnos neu ddwy ddiwethaf, pe baem ni'n gweld toriadau i wariant cyhoeddus o'r math sy'n tynnu dŵr i'r llygaid a addawyd gan Ganghellor y Trysorlys, yna bydd hynny'n arwain at golli cannoedd, os nad miloedd, o swyddi mewn gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Mae'n gwbl anochel. Mae tua 50 y cant i 56 y cant o'r holl arian sy'n cael ei wario yn y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru yn cael ei wario ar bobl; cyflogi pobl i wneud y swyddi y mae pobl eraill wedyn yn dibynnu arnyn nhw. Os bydd toriadau i'r cyllidebau hynny, yna bydd y swyddi hynny'n cael eu colli. Mae'n gwbl anochel, a bydd yn ganlyniad uniongyrchol o orfod ymdrin â chanlyniadau trychinebus y Prif Weinidog mwyaf byrhoedlog yn hanes y DU.
Eto, mae Delyth Jewell yn iawn i gyfeirio at y ffaith bod y pwysau hynny'n ymddangos yn y sector preifat yn ogystal ag yn y sector cyhoeddus. Mae Banc Lloegr yn dweud bod economi'r DU eisoes mewn dirwasgiad a bydd yn codi cyfraddau llog eto ym mis Tachwedd er gwaethaf y ffaith y bydd, o dan unrhyw amgylchiadau eraill, yn torri cyfraddau llog er mwyn cefnogi economi sy'n crebachu, a bydd hynny'n rhoi pwysau mawr ar gyflogaeth yn y sector preifat hefyd.
Wrth gwrs, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda'n cydweithwyr mewn awdurdodau lleol ac yn y GIG i sicrhau, y gorau gallwn ni, bod pa bynnag effaith a ddaw o'r datganiad ar 31 Hydref cyn lleied â phosibl. Ac rydym ni'n gweithio gyda'n cyflogwyr mawr hefyd, y mae gan lawer ohonyn nhw gynlluniau i ehangu cyflogaeth yma yng Nghymru, oherwydd yr agwedd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei chymryd i'r materion hyn. Maen nhw'n deall ein bod ni'n bartneriaid gyda nhw, yn y busnes o'u helpu. Meddyliwch, Llywydd, am eiliad, am Ganolfan Ymchwil Gweithgynhyrchu Uwch Cymru yn y gogledd, a adeiladwyd gyda £20 miliwn o arian Llywodraeth Cymru, a'r rheswm pam mae Wing of Tomorrow yn cael ei adeiladu gan Airbus yn y gogledd; y rheswm pam, gyda'r sector bwyd a diod yn y gogledd, mae gennym ni brosiect Ffatri'r Dyfodol wedi'i leoli yn yr AMRC—oherwydd ein bod ni'n deall, mewn ffordd nad yw'r Torïaid byth yn ei ddeall, fod buddsoddiad cyhoeddus sy'n cael ei ddefnyddio'n briodol yn denu buddsoddiad preifat, ac ddim yn ei gau allan, a'i bod yn gyfrifoldeb ar Lywodraeth i fuddsoddi mewn sgiliau gweithlu sy'n dod â chyflogaeth i Gymru yn y dyfodol. Dyna hanes Airbus; dyna hanes y clwstwr seiberddiogelwch yn y de. Maen nhw'n enghreifftiau o'r ffordd y gall agwedd synhwyrol at dwf economaidd wneud i bethau ddigwydd, yn union fel rydym ni wedi gweld beth all agwedd drychinebus tuag at dwf economaidd ei wneud i ragolygon y wlad ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Of course, the last time we met, First Minister, the Tories were telling us that Liz Truss was the best Prime Minister that we've ever had and that Conservative economic policy was unchallengeable. We've seen some change in that in the last few days. But, what we haven't seen, of course, is any change in the reality of Tory economic incompetence, which means that Wales doesn't get the investment that should come to us. The people of Blaenau Gwent want to see investment in the Ebbw valley line, but they don't get it because rail isn't devolved and the Tories will not invest in Wales.
First Minister, do you agree with me that what we need to see is not only a change of Government, but we need to see a change in attitude from the UK Treasury that means that countries like Wales and Scotland, and the north of England, get the same priority and investment as London and the south-east of England?
Wrth gwrs, y tro diwethaf i ni gyfarfod, Prif Weinidog, roedd y Torïaid yn dweud wrthym ni mai Liz Truss oedd y Prif Weinidog gorau i ni ei gael erioed ac nad oedd hi'n bosibl herio polisi economaidd y Ceidwadwyr. Rydym ni wedi gweld rhywfaint o newid i hynny yn ystod y dyddiau diwethaf. Ond, yr hyn nad ydym wedi ei weld, wrth gwrs, yw unrhyw newid yn realiti anallu economaidd y Torïaid, sy'n golygu nad yw Cymru'n cael y buddsoddiad a ddylai ddod i ni. Mae pobl Blaenau Gwent eisiau gweld buddsoddiad yn rheilffordd Glynebwy, ond dydyn nhw ddim yn ei gael gan nad yw'r rheilffyrdd wedi'u datganoli, ac ni wnaiff y Torïaid fuddsoddi yng Nghymru.
Prif Weinidog, a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi mai'r hyn sydd angen i ni ei weld yw nid yn unig newid Llywodraeth, ond mae angen i ni weld newid agwedd gan Drysorlys y DU sy'n golygu bod gwledydd fel Cymru a'r Alban, a gogledd Lloegr, yn cael yr un flaenoriaeth a buddsoddiad â Llundain a de-ddwyrain Lloegr?
Well, Llywydd, of course I agree with Alun Davies that what this country needs is a general election—an opportunity for all parties to make their case to people and for the people to decide how they believe the crisis that we face should best be tackled. That general election is a democratic necessity, but it's also an economic necessity because you need a Government with a mandate and with the stability to take the difficult decisions that undoubtedly are there to be made. If we had that opportunity, I believe not only would Wales be better off, but the United Kingdom, of course, would be better off as well.
As to the point that the Member has made about the Treasury, I'm afraid I've long believed that the Treasury, driven by the Barnett formula, is essentially a Treasury for England, and that other parts of the United Kingdom simply get the consequences of decisions that are made in that way. We need a Treasury that is prepared to make the decisions that recognise the different needs of the United Kingdom and is prepared to invest in that way. Let's give one example of just how differently things are thought of in London and by the Conservative party: the now-discredited package of tax cuts made by Liz Truss would have resulted in three times—[Interruption.]
Wel, Llywydd, wrth gwrs rwy'n cytuno ag Alun Davies mai'r hyn sydd ei angen ar y wlad hon yw etholiad cyffredinol—cyfle i bob plaid wneud eu dadleuon i bobl ac i'r bobl benderfynu beth maen nhw'n ei gredu yw'r ffordd orau o fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng sy'n ein hwynebu. Mae'r etholiad cyffredinol hwnnw'n anghenraid democrataidd, ond mae hefyd yn anghenraid economaidd oherwydd mae angen Llywodraeth arnoch chi sydd â mandad ac â'r sefydlogrwydd i wneud y penderfyniadau anodd sydd yn ddiamheuaeth yno i'w gwneud. Pe bai gennym ni'r cyfle hwnnw, rwy'n credu nid yn unig y byddai Cymru ar ei hennill, ond byddai'r Deyrnas Unedig, wrth gwrs, ar ei hennill hefyd.
O ran y pwynt y mae'r Aelod wedi ei wneud am y Trysorlys, mae gen i ofn fy mod i wedi credu ers tro bod y Trysorlys, wedi'i yrru gan fformiwla Barnett, yn Drysorlys i Loegr yn ei hanfod, a bod rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig, yn syml, yn cael canlyniadau penderfyniadau sy'n cael eu gwneud yn y ffordd honno. Mae angen Trysorlys arnom ni sy'n barod i wneud y penderfyniadau sy'n cydnabod gwahanol anghenion y Deyrnas Unedig ac sy'n barod i fuddsoddi yn y ffordd honno. Gadewch i ni roi un enghraifft o ba mor wahanol yr ystyrir pethau yn Llundain a chan y blaid Geidwadol: byddai'r pecyn o doriadau treth a wnaed gan Liz Truss, sydd bellach wedi cael eu tanseilio, wedi arwain at dair gwaith—[Torri ar draws.]
Okay, let's hear the First Minister finish his answer to the question.
Iawn, gadewch i ni glywed y Prif Weinidog yn gorffen ei ateb i'r cwestiwn.
Thank you, Llywydd. I'm just explaining the importance of the point that Alun Davies made. Had the Liz Truss Government had their way, those tax cuts would have provided three times as much to London and the south-east than they would have provided to Wales or to northern England. They, of course, were very pleased to support all of that only two weeks ago, just as today, they're no doubt pleased to turn their back on it all as though it had never happened. But, the point that Alun Davies makes is exactly that: we need a Treasury prepared to think of the needs of the country as a whole, not just London and the south-east of England.
Diolch, Llywydd. Y cwbl rwy'n ei wneud yw egluro pwysigrwydd y pwynt a wnaeth Alun Davies. Pe bai Llywodraeth Liz Truss wedi cael eu ffordd, byddai'r toriadau treth hynny wedi darparu tair gwaith cymaint i Lundain a'r de-ddwyrain nag y bydden nhw wedi ei ddarparu i Gymru neu i ogledd Lloegr. Roedden nhw, wrth gwrs, yn falch iawn o gefnogi hynny i gyd dim ond pythefnos yn ôl, yn union fel heddiw, mae'n siŵr eu bod nhw'n falch o droi eu cefnau ar y cyfan fel pe na bai erioed wedi digwydd. Ond, y pwynt y mae Alun Davies yn ei wneud yw hynny'n union: mae angen Trysorlys arnom ni sy'n barod i feddwl am anghenion y wlad yn ei chyfanrwydd, nid Llundain a de-ddwyrain Lloegr yn unig.
Cwestiynau nawr gan arweinwyr y pleidiau. Arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Questions now from the party leaders. Leader of the Conservatives, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, I would just like to inform you that we do have six regional Members and one constituency Member who do run in parallel with the M4, so we do have a vested interest, and that's an increase in the number of Members who came back after the 2021 elections.
What I would like to ask you, First Minister, is: after the waiting time figures that came out last Thursday, one of the big issues that many people struggle with is to get a general practitioner appointment. I've seen that, in other parts of the UK, commitments have been made that if someone requires a GP appointment, they will get it within two days. Are you prepared to make a similar commitment here in Wales?
Diolch, Llywydd. Prif Weinidog, hoffwn eich hysbysu bod gennym ni chwe Aelod rhanbarthol ac un Aelod etholaeth sy'n rhedeg ochr yn ochr â'r M4, felly mae gennym ni fudd personol, ac mae hynny'n gynnydd i nifer yr Aelodau a ddaeth yn ôl ar ôl etholiadau 2021.
Yr hyn yr hoffwn ei ofyn i chi, Prif Weinidog, yw: ar ôl y ffigurau amseroedd aros a gyhoeddwyd ddydd Iau diwethaf, un o'r materion mawr y mae llawer o bobl yn cael trafferth ag ef yw cael apwyntiad gyda meddyg teulu. Rwyf i wedi gweld, mewn rhannau eraill o'r DU, bod ymrwymiadau wedi cael eu gwneud, os bydd rhywun angen apwyntiad gyda meddyg teulu, y bydd yn ei gael o fewn deuddydd. A ydych chi'n barod i wneud ymrwymiad tebyg yma yng Nghymru?
Llywydd, it's important to get the facts right, and I'm happy to correct the fact that the Welsh Conservative Party did win one constituency seat across the whole length of the M4 in south Wales.
As far as GP appointments are concerned, let us be clear that there is no guarantee whatsoever that that promise will be delivered. I've heard it made by Conservative health Ministers repeatedly over more than a decade. They've never managed to make it happen so far; they're certainly not going to make it happen this time either.
The Member will be aware that only last week, the Care Quality Commission published its report on the state of healthcare and adult social care in England. It described a system, as they say, in gridlock: only two people in five able to leave hospital when they are ready to do so because the state of social care and primary care in England means that those people cannot leave hospital. People in England in the health service and social care, Llywydd, are working as hard as they possibly can. I make absolutely no criticism of them. It's just that they are facing, as we do, very, very significant headwinds in being able to provide the service to everybody in the way that we would wish to do so. I spent Friday morning in a GP practice here in Wales, hearing from GPs and the wider primary care team about all the extraordinary efforts they make to be able to provide appointments for the population that they serve, and they know that every day, they're not able to do the job in the way that they would like that job to be done, but it's absolutely not because they are not doing everything they can to make that happen, and they have the full support of the Welsh Government in doing so.
Llywydd, mae'n bwysig cael y ffeithiau'n iawn, ac rwy'n hapus i gywiro'r ffaith bod Plaid Geidwadol Cymru wedi ennill un sedd etholaethol ar hyd cyfan yr M4 yn ne Cymru.
O ran apwyntiadau meddyg teulu, gadewch i ni fod yn eglur nad oes unrhyw sicrwydd o gwbl y bydd yr addewid hwnnw'n cael ei gyflawni. Rwyf i wedi ei glywed yn cael ei wneud gan Weinidogion iechyd Ceidwadol dro ar ôl tro dros fwy na degawd. Dydyn nhw erioed wedi llwyddo i wneud iddo ddigwydd hyd yma; yn sicr dydyn nhw ddim yn mynd i wneud iddo ddigwydd y tro hwn chwaith.
Bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol mai bod y Comisiwn Ansawdd gofal, dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf, wedi cyhoeddi ei adroddiad ar gyflwr gofal iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol i oedolion yn Lloegr. Disgrifiodd system, fel maen nhw'n dweud, sy'n sefyll yn stond: dim ond dau berson o bob pump sy'n gallu gadael yr ysbyty pan fyddan nhw'n barod i wneud hynny oherwydd bod cyflwr gofal cymdeithasol a gofal sylfaenol yn Lloegr yn golygu na all y bobl hynny adael yr ysbyty. Mae pobl yn Lloegr yn y gwasanaeth iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol, Llywydd, yn gweithio mor galed ag y gallan nhw. Nid wyf i'n gwneud dim beirniadaeth ohonyn nhw o gwbl. Dim ond eu bod nhw'n wynebu, fel yr ydym ni, rwystrau sylweddol dros ben o ran gallu darparu'r gwasanaeth i bawb yn y ffordd y byddem ni'n dymuno gwneud hynny. Treuliais fore dydd Gwener mewn meddygfa deulu yma yng Nghymru, yn clywed gan feddygon teulu a'r tîm gofal sylfaenol ehangach am yr holl ymdrechion rhyfeddol y maen nhw'n eu gwneud i allu darparu apwyntiadau ar gyfer y boblogaeth y maen nhw'n ei gwasanaethu, ac maen nhw'n gwybod bob dydd, nad ydyn nhw'n gallu gwneud y swydd yn y ffordd y bydden nhw'n hoffi i'r swydd honno gael ei gwneud, ond yn sicr nid yw hynny oherwydd nad ydyn nhw'n gwneud popeth o fewn eu gallu i wneud i hynny ddigwydd, ac mae ganddyn nhw gefnogaeth lawn Llywodraeth Cymru i wneud hynny.
Well, it's interesting that that commitment was made by the Labour health spokesperson at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, so I'm sure that you'll pick up the phone and tell him that that commitment can't be made, considering that they're looking to Wales each time to see what can be delivered at a Westminster level. That was an interesting comment that you made, First Minister, there.
What about two-year waits? In particular, here in Wales we have just under 60,000 people waiting two years or more to have their procedure undertaken on the NHS. In other parts of the United Kingdom, in England, those two-year waits have been wiped out, and in Scotland, they've virtually been wiped out. Will you give us a timeline when that will happen here in Wales, and when the 59,000 that are two years or more on a waiting list can expect the same level of service here in Wales?
Wel, mae'n ddiddorol mai llefarydd iechyd y Blaid Lafur wnaeth yr ymrwymiad hwnnw yng nghynhadledd y Blaid Lafur yn Lerpwl, felly rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi'n codi'r ffôn ac yn dweud wrtho nad oes modd cyflawni'r ymrwymiad hwnnw, o gofio eu bod nhw'n edrych at Gymru bob tro i weld yr hyn y gellir ei gyflawni ar lefel San Steffan. Roedd hwnna'n sylw diddorol i chi ei wneud yn y fan yna, Prif Weinidog.
Beth am arosiadau o ddwy flynedd? Yn benodol, yma yng Nghymru mae gennym ni ychydig yn llai na 60,000 o bobl yn aros dwy flynedd neu fwy i gael cwblhau eu triniaeth ar y GIG. Mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig, yn Lloegr, mae'r arosiadau dwy flynedd hynny wedi cael eu dileu, ac yn yr Alban, maen nhw bron wedi cael eu dileu. A wnewch chi roi amserlen i ni o ran pryd fydd hynny'n digwydd yma yng Nghymru, a phryd y gall y 59,000 sydd wedi bod ar restr aros am ddwy flynedd neu fwy ddisgwyl yr un lefel o wasanaeth yma yng Nghymru?
Llywydd, in the figures to which the Member referred last week, it showed that those long waits continue to fall. They've now fallen for five months in a row. They fell again in July, and provided that the system is able to continue in that way, then of course those long waits will be eliminated.
What the figures also showed is the extent to which the health service in Wales, despite the huge pressures that it faces, has now been able to recover activity levels. Out-patient activity in July was at 102 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. In other words, not only is the system delivering everything it did before the pandemic hit, but still operating in a condition where over 500 patients are occupying a bed in the Welsh NHS today with COVID, where over 1,000 are not in work because of COVID—the system is delivering out-patient appointments over and above what it was able to do before the pandemic hit. And operations, elective in-patient care, have recovered to 92 per cent of the level that they were at before the pandemic. That's the highest level we've seen since the pandemic struck, and all of this while the system continues to do everything else we asked of it. This week, we have gone above 500,000 COVID vaccinations carried out over this autumn period. Who is involved in doing all of that? Well, it's the GPs that the Member mentioned in his first question, and all those other staff who turn up at weekends and run the clinics that mean that we've seen that extraordinary success.
So, while the health service works hard every day to recover the ground that was lost during COVID, to respond to the emergencies that people present, to do the other things we ask of them in vaccination not only for COVID, but for flu as well, we are seeing those long waits continuing to fall.
Llywydd, yn y ffigurau y cyfeiriodd yr Aelod atyn nhw yr wythnos diwethaf, dangoswyd bod yr arosiadau hir hynny yn parhau i leihau. Maen nhw bellach wedi lleihau bum mis yn olynol. Fe wnaethon nhw leihau eto ym mis Gorffennaf, a chyn belled ag y bo'r system yn gallu parhau yn y ffordd honno, yna wrth gwrs bydd yr arosiadau hir hynny'n cael eu dileu.
Yr hyn yr oedd y ffigurau yn ei ddangos hefyd yw i ba raddau y mae'r gwasanaeth iechyd yng Nghymru, er gwaethaf y pwysau aruthrol sy'n ei wynebu, wedi gallu adfer lefelau gweithgarwch bellach. Roedd gweithgarwch cleifion allanol ym mis Gorffennaf ar 102 y cant o'r lefelau cyn y pandemig. Mewn geiriau eraill, nid yn unig y mae'r system yn darparu popeth yr oedd cyn i'r pandemig daro, ond mae'n dal i weithredu mewn cyflwr lle mae dros 500 o gleifion yn meddiannu gwely yn GIG Cymru heddiw gyda COVID, lle nad yw dros 1,000 mewn gwaith oherwydd COVID—mae'r system yn darparu apwyntiadau cleifion allanol i lefelau uwch na'r hyn yr oedd yn gallu ei wneud cyn i'r pandemig daro. Ac mae llawdriniaethau, gofal cleifion mewnol dewisol, wedi gwella i 92 y cant o'r lefel yr oedden nhw arni cyn y pandemig. Dyna'r lefel uchaf yr ydym ni wedi ei gweld ers i'r pandemig daro, a hyn oll tra bod y system yn parhau i wneud popeth arall y gwnaethom ni ofyn ganddi. Yr wythnos hon, rydym ni wedi mynd dros 500,000 o frechiadau COVID a roddwyd dros gyfnod yr hydref hwn. Pwy sy'n rhan o wneud hynny i gyd? Wel, y meddygon teulu y soniodd yr Aelod amdanyn nhw yn ei gwestiwn cyntaf, a'r holl staff eraill hynny sy'n troi i fyny ar benwythnosau ac yn rhedeg y clinigau sy'n golygu ein bod ni wedi gweld y llwyddiant rhyfeddol hwnnw.
Felly, er bod y gwasanaeth iechyd yn gweithio'n galed bob dydd i adennill y tir a gollwyd yn ystod COVID, i ymateb i'r argyfyngau y mae pobl yn eu cyflwyno, i wneud y pethau eraill rydym ni'n eu gofyn ganddyn nhw o ran brechu nid yn unig ar gyfer COVID, ond ar gyfer y ffliw hefyd, rydym ni'n gweld yr arosiadau hir hynny yn parhau i leihau.
In my first question, First Minister, I asked you to support a commitment that the Labour health spokesperson in Westminster said that Labour would deliver, and you said that was undeliverable. In the second question, I asked you to give a commitment and a road map to wiping out the two-year waits here in the NHS. I've been contacted by a constituent this week, Richard Cooper, who got told that, to have his hip operations on the NHS here in Wales—because he required both hips to be done—he could expect a four to five-year wait for those procedures to be undertaken. He had to access his own private savings to go to a clinic in Poland to have the procedure undertaken. Now, I can't get a commitment out on GP response times, I can't get a commitment on two-year waits out of you; what is the advice I should tell my constituents, like Richard Cooper, who are having to access their own savings, their pension pots, because you can't deliver a health service that can meet the needs of the people of Wales?
Yn fy nghwestiwn cyntaf, Prif Weinidog, gofynnais i chi gefnogi ymrwymiad y dywedodd llefarydd iechyd y blaid Lafur yn San Steffan y byddai Llafur yn ei gyflawni, ac fe ddywedoch chi nad oedd modd ei gyflawni. Yn yr ail gwestiwn, gofynnais i chi roi ymrwymiad a map ffordd i ddileu'r arosiadau dwy flynedd yma yn y GIG. Mae etholwr wedi cysylltu â mi yr wythnos hon, Richard Cooper, a gafodd ei hysbysu, i gael ei lawdriniaethau clun ar y GIG yma yng Nghymru—oherwydd roedd angen llawdriniaeth ar y ddwy glun—gallai ddisgwyl arhosiad o bedair i bum mlynedd i'r llawdriniaethau hynny gael eu cyflawni. Bu'n rhaid iddo ddefnyddio ei gynilion preifat ei hun i fynd i glinig yng Ngwlad Pwyl i gael y llawdriniaeth. Nawr, ni allaf gael ymrwymiad ar amseroedd ymateb meddygon teulu, ni allaf gael ymrwymiad ar arosiadau dwy flynedd gennych chi; beth yw'r cyngor y dylwn i ei roi i'm hetholwyr, fel Richard Cooper, sy'n gorfod defnyddio eu cynilion eu hunain, eu potiau pensiwn, oherwydd na allwch chi ddarparu gwasanaeth iechyd sy'n gallu diwallu anghenion pobl Cymru?
On those three points, Llywydd, first of all, as soon as there is a Labour Government, we will be able to implement the Labour promises. I've explained to you—[Interruption.] I've explained to you why, under your Government, with budgets falling year by year, and now another era of austerity facing us all, the promises that your health Secretary made in England will not be met. With a Labour Government, then those things will be different and then of course we will see things improve, as we did under the last Labour Government. And I explained to you that long waits in the NHS continue to fall, despite everything else that the health service is doing, and everything else the health service is doing extends to trying to make sure that we have a sustainable orthopaedic service here in Wales. That is a challenge, Llywydd. We have an ageing population. We have more work that needs to be done. We have operating theatres still not able to complete the volume of activity that they were before the pandemic, and yet, as I said, in August alone there were 24,000 operations carried out in the Welsh NHS, and 230,000 out-patient appointments. While I regret anybody who is waiting too long for the operation they need, what I say to them is the system is working as hard as it can, it is gaining ground not losing ground, and we will continue to invest both financially but also in the staff that we need to make sure that our NHS continues to provide the treatment it does at that industrial volume that I've just described to you from the month of August alone.
Ar y tri phwynt hynny, Llywydd, yn gyntaf oll, cyn gynted ag y bydd Llywodraeth Lafur, byddwn yn gallu gweithredu addewidion y Blaid Lafur. Rwyf i wedi esbonio i chi—[Torri ar draws.] Rwyf i wedi esbonio i chi pam, o dan eich Llywodraeth chi, gyda chyllidebau'n gostwng o un flwyddyn i'r llall, a nawr cyfnod arall o gyni cyllidol yn ein hwynebu ni i gyd, ni fydd yr addewidion a wnaed gan eich Ysgrifennydd iechyd yn Lloegr yn cael eu cyflawni. Gyda Llywodraeth Lafur, yna bydd y pethau hynny'n wahanol ac yna wrth gwrs byddwn ni'n gweld pethau'n gwella, fel y gwnaethom ni o dan y Llywodraeth Lafur ddiwethaf. Ac esboniais i chi bod arosiadau hir yn y GIG yn parhau i leihau, er gwaethaf popeth arall y mae'r gwasanaeth iechyd yn ei wneud, ac mae popeth arall y mae'r gwasanaeth iechyd yn ei wneud yn ymestyn i geisio gwneud yn siŵr bod gennym ni wasanaeth orthopedig cynaliadwy yma yng Nghymru. Mae hynny'n her, Llywydd. Mae gennym ni boblogaeth sy'n heneiddio. Mae gennym ni fwy o waith y mae angen ei wneud. Mae gennym ni theatrau llawdriniaeth nad ydyn nhw'n gallu cwblhau lefel y gweithgarwch yr oedden nhw'n gallu ei gwblhau cyn y pandemig o hyd, ac eto, fel y dywedais i, ym mis Awst yn unig cyflawnwyd 24,000 o lawdriniaethau yn y GIG yng Nghymru, a 230,000 o apwyntiadau cleifion allanol. Er fy mod i'n gresynu unrhyw un sy'n aros yn rhy hir am y llawdriniaeth sydd ei hangen arnyn nhw, yr hyn rwy'n ei ddweud wrthyn nhw yw bod y system yn gweithio mor galed ag y gall, mae'n ennill tir nid colli tir, a byddwn yn parhau i fuddsoddi yn ariannol ond hefyd yn y staff sydd ei angen arnom ni i wneud yn siŵr bod ein GIG yn parhau i ddarparu'r driniaeth y mae'n ei darparu ar y lefel ddiwydiannol honno yr wyf i newydd ei disgrifio i chi o fis Awst yn unig.
Arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Leader of Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, you quite rightly complained that the last Tory Prime Minister failed to pick up the phone to you, and indeed treated yours and the other devolved Governments with contempt. How do you intend to approach relations with the latest Prime Minister? Will you perhaps decide to change tack and try and pick up the phone to him, as leaders of other national Governments are set to do over the next few days? If you do speak, you will no doubt want to congratulate him on being the first British Asian to be elected as Prime Minister, which is indeed a historic event and all the more fitting that it's on Diwali. But will you also want to underline that the one thing he must not do in his Halloween budget is to usher in a new era of austerity and plunge the economy into recession, people into poverty and our public services, including the NHS, into yet a deeper crisis?
Diolch, Llywydd. Prif Weinidog, fe wnaethoch chi gwyno'n gwbl briodol bod Prif Weinidog Torïaidd diwethaf y DU wedi methu â chodi'r ffôn i chi, ac yn wir yn trin eich Llywodraeth chi a'r Llywodraethau datganoledig eraill â dirmyg. Sut ydych chi'n bwriadu mynd i'r afael â'r berthynas gyda Phrif Weinidog diweddaraf y DU? A wnewch chi benderfynu newid tac efallai a cheisio codi'r ffôn iddo ef, fel y mae arweinwyr Llywodraethau cenedlaethol eraill ar fin ei wneud dros y dyddiau nesaf? Os byddwch chi'n sgwrsio, mae'n siŵr y byddwch chi eisiau ei longyfarch ar fod yr unigolyn Asiaidd Prydeinig cyntaf i gael ei ethol yn Brif Weinidog y DU, sydd wir yn ddigwyddiad hanesyddol ac yn fwy addas fyth ei fod yn ystod Diwali. Ond a fyddwch chi hefyd eisiau tanlinellu mai'r un peth y mae'n rhaid iddo beidio â'i wneud yn ei gyllideb Calan Gaeaf yw cychwyn cyfnod newydd o gyni cyllidol a phlymio'r economi i ddirwasgiad, pobl i dlodi a'n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, gan gynnwys y GIG, i argyfwng mwy dwys fyth?
Llywydd, I hope of course that the new Prime Minister will take a different approach to relations with the devolved Governments across the United Kingdom. I see a series of Welsh Conservative MPs today calling on the new Prime Minister to take that initiative, and it is the initiative for the Prime Minister to take. So, I hope very much that there will be early contact from the latest administration, and, if there is, then you can be sure that I will want to have a constructive relationship with the new Prime Minister. If I have an opportunity, there will be a series of things that I will want to put early on his list of priorities. The future of the United Kingdom itself—I'll remind him, no doubt, that the Welsh Government is the only other unambiguously unionist Government with which he will have contact, and I would want to work with him to make sure that there is a successful future for the United Kingdom.
I want to talk to him about some very important individual issues that are important here in Wales—the future of Tata Steel, for example. When I wrote to the Prime Minister but one ago earlier in the summer, he replied to me acknowledging the seriousness of the position of Tata Steel, but saying that it would be for the next Prime Minister to make the decisions about the level of support that could be offered to the company; well, that latest Prime Minister came and went and no decision of that sort was made. So, if I have the opportunity, I will certainly be saying to the new Prime Minister that attending to that very important issue, as far as Wales is concerned, should be high on his list of priorities. And, of course, Llywydd, I will say as well that the very last thing people in Wales or across the United Kingdom need is a further dose of Tory austerity.
Llywydd, rwy'n gobeithio wrth gwrs y bydd Prif Weinidog newydd y DU yn mabwysiadu agwedd wahanol o ran y berthynas â'r Llywodraethau datganoledig ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig. Rwy'n gweld cyfres o Aelodau Seneddol Ceidwadol o Gymru heddiw yn galw ar Brif Weinidog newydd y DU i achub y blaen yn hynny o beth, ac mae'n gam i Brif Weinidog y DU ei gymryd. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr iawn y bydd yna gyswllt cynnar gan y weinyddiaeth ddiweddaraf, ac, os oes, yna gallwch fod yn sicr y byddaf eisiau cael perthynas adeiladol gyda Phrif Weinidog newydd y DU. Os caf gyfle, bydd cyfres o bethau y byddaf i eisiau eu rhoi'n gynnar ar ei restr o flaenoriaethau. Dyfodol y Deyrnas Unedig ei hun—byddaf yn ei atgoffa, rwy'n siŵr, mai Llywodraeth Cymru yw'r unig Lywodraeth unoliaethol ddiamwys arall y bydd ganddo gysylltiad â hi, a byddwn eisiau gweithio gydag ef i wneud yn siŵr bod dyfodol llwyddiannus i'r Deyrnas Unedig.
Rwyf i eisiau siarad ag ef am faterion unigol pwysig iawn sy'n bwysig yma yng Nghymru—dyfodol Tata Steel, er enghraifft. Pan ysgrifennais at y Prif Weinidog ond un yn ôl yn gynharach yn yr haf, fe wnaeth fy ateb gan gydnabod difrifoldeb sefyllfa Tata Steel, ond gan ddweud mai mater i Brif Weinidog nesaf y DU fyddai gwneud y penderfyniadau am lefel y cymorth y gellid ei chynnig i'r cwmni; wel, mae'r Prif Weinidog diweddaraf hwnnw wedi mynd a dod ac ni wnaed penderfyniad o'r math hwnnw. Felly, os caf gyfle, byddaf yn sicr yn dweud wrth Brif Weinidog newydd y DU y dylai rhoi sylw i'r mater pwysig iawn hwnnw, cyn belled ag y mae Cymru yn y cwestiwn, fod yn uchel ar ei restr o flaenoriaethau. Ac, wrth gwrs, Llywydd, dywedaf hefyd mai'r peth olaf un sydd ei angen ar bobl yng Nghymru neu ar draws y Deyrnas Unedig yw dos pellach o gyni cyllidol Torïaidd.
You've been calling for a general election, and there is an unanswerable case for having one, given now we've had two Prime Ministers without a democratic mandate. The truth is that Prime Minister Sunak is free to ignore that, as he is free to ignore you. The UK's unwritten constitution concentrates huge power in the hands of the PM, which explains the mess we're in. Now, the doctrine of Westminster supremacy means the new Prime Minister is free to repeal any Act of this Senedd and revoke any power, even though he has no mandate to do so, certainly not here in Wales. Now, the political pendulum may swing at the next election, whenever it comes, but how can we stop being in exactly the same position in years to come, when the pendulum swings back? How do you propose an incoming Labour Government would entrench our Welsh democracy in a political system where Westminster reigns supreme?
Rydych chi wedi bod yn galw am etholiad cyffredinol, ac mae dadl na ellir ei hateb dros gael un, o ystyried ein bod ni bellach wedi cael dau Brif Weinidog y DU heb fandad democrataidd. Y gwir amdani yw bod y Prif Weinidog Sunak yn rhydd i anwybyddu hynny, fel y mae'n rhydd i'ch anwybyddu chi. Mae cyfansoddiad anysgrifenedig y DU yn canolbwyntio grym enfawr yn nwylo Prif Weinidog y DU, sy'n esbonio'r llanast rydym ni ynddo. Nawr, mae athrawiaeth goruchafiaeth San Steffan yn golygu bod Prif Weinidog newydd y DU yn rhydd i ddiddymu unrhyw Ddeddf y Senedd hon a diddymu unrhyw rym, er nad oes ganddo unrhyw fandad i wneud hynny, yn sicr nid yma yng Nghymru. Nawr, efallai y bydd y pendil gwleidyddol yn troi yn yr etholiad nesaf, pryd bynnag y daw, ond sut gallwn ni roi'r gorau i fod yn union yr un sefyllfa mewn blynyddoedd i ddod, pan fydd y pendil yn troi'n ôl? Sut ydych chi'n cynnig y byddai Llywodraeth Lafur newydd yn gwreiddio ein democratiaeth yng Nghymru mewn system wleidyddol lle mae San Steffan yn oruchaf?
Llywydd, I agree that there is an unanswerable case for an election, and I don't think that the Prime Minister is in quite the unassailable position that the leader of Plaid Cymru has suggested. The deep divisions inside the Conservative Party may be papered over for a few weeks yet. We may see Conservative Members of Parliament playing football against one another on the green outside Parliament in some form of Christmas truce, but, once Christmas is out of the way, then I'm afraid the incoming Prime Minister will face the very, very deep divisions inside the Conservative Party, as the last four predecessors have done as well. And I'm not in quite the same position as the leader of Plaid Cymru in thinking that a general election won't be coming our way sooner rather than later. After that election, there will be an opportunity, I hope, for an incoming Labour Government to do exactly what Adam Price has said: to entrench devolution, so that it cannot be rolled back in the way that we have seen since 2019. I think there are a series of practical ways in which that can be done, and, when the Gordon Brown report into the future arrangements of the United Kingdom is published, I think we will see a number of those practical ideas. I'm not going to rehearse them this afternoon necessarily, Llywydd, but they are there. They are there in ways that would guarantee that the things that have been endorsed in two referendums by people in Wales can be organised in a way that those preferences can be delivered without the risk that they're always under pressure of being rolled back.
Llywydd, rwy'n cytuno bod dadl na ellir ei hateb dros etholiad, ac nid wyf i'n credu bod Prif Weinidog y DU yn y sefyllfa anorchfygol y mae arweinydd Plaid Cymru wedi'i awgrymu. Efallai y bydd y rhaniadau dwfn y tu mewn i'r Blaid Geidwadol yn cael eu cuddio am ychydig wythnosau eto. Efallai y byddwn ni'n gweld Aelodau Seneddol Ceidwadol yn chwarae pêl-droed yn erbyn ei gilydd ar y lawnt y tu allan i Senedd San Steffan mewn rhyw fath o gadoediad Nadolig, ond, unwaith y bydd y Nadolig allan o'r ffordd, yna mae gen i ofn y bydd y Prif Weinidog newydd yn wynebu'r rhaniadau dwfn iawn, iawn y tu mewn i'r Blaid Geidwadol, fel y mae'r pedwar rhagflaenydd diwethaf wedi ei wneud hefyd. Ac nid wyf i o'r un farn yn union ag arweinydd Plaid Cymru o feddwl na fydd etholiad cyffredinol ar ei ffordd i ni yn gynt yn hytrach nag yn hwyrach. Ar ôl yr etholiad hwnnw, bydd cyfle, rwy'n gobeithio, i Lywodraeth Lafur newydd wneud yr union beth y mae Adam Price wedi ei ddweud: gwreiddio datganoli, fel na ellir ei erydu yn y modd rydym ni wedi ei weld ers 2019. Rwy'n credu bod cyfres o ffyrdd ymarferol y gellir gwneud hynny, a phan fydd adroddiad Gordon Brown ar drefniadau'r Deyrnas Unedig yn y dyfodol yn cael ei gyhoeddi, rwy'n credu y byddwn ni'n gweld nifer o'r syniadau ymarferol hynny. Nid wyf i'n mynd i'w trafod nhw y prynhawn yma o reidrwydd, Llywydd, ond maen nhw yna. Maen nhw yna mewn ffyrdd a fyddai'n sicrhau y gellir trefnu'r pethau a gymeradwywyd mewn dau refferendwm gan bobl yng Nghymru mewn ffordd y gellir darparu'r dewisiadau hynny heb y risg eu bod nhw bob amser o dan bwysau o gael eu herydu.
When you were in Ireland recently, you reiterated your view that the United Kingdom represents, for Wales, a great insurance policy, but how is that policy working for us when the contract can constantly be changed over our heads, against our wishes and against our interests? You talked about the pooling of risk through the union, but surely the events of the last few weeks have demonstrated that the union actually exposes us in Wales to risk, to uncertainty and to avoidable harm. Now, you've said you would never ever support an independent Wales, but would you accept that there are some circumstances at least—another Tory Government elected against our wishes in Wales, or a Scottish 'yes' vote in an independence referendum—where independence might become, for Wales, and even for your party, the more progressive option? I understand that you prefer a continuing union, but isn't saying 'never' to independence simply wedding ourselves to a future that will be never our own to decide?
Pan oeddech chi yn Iwerddon yn ddiweddar, fe wnaethoch chi ail-bwysleisio eich barn bod y Deyrnas Unedig, i Gymru, yn bolisi yswiriant gwych, ond sut mae'r polisi hwnnw'n gweithio i ni pan fo modd newid y contract yn gyson dros ein pennau, yn erbyn ein dymuniadau ac yn erbyn ein buddiannau? Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am gyfuno risg drwy'r undeb, ond siawns nad yw digwyddiadau'r wythnosau diwethaf wedi dangos bod yr undeb mewn gwirionedd yn ein hamlygu ni yng Nghymru i risg, i ansicrwydd ac i niwed y gellir ei osgoi. Nawr, rydych chi wedi dweud na fyddech chi byth yn cefnogi Cymru annibynnol, ond a fyddech chi'n derbyn bod rhai amgylchiadau o leiaf—Llywodraeth Dorïaidd arall yn cael ei hethol yn erbyn ein dymuniadau yng Nghymru, neu bleidlais dros annibyniaeth i'r Alban mewn refferendwm—lle gallai annibyniaeth ddod, i Gymru, a hyd yn oed i'ch plaid, yr opsiwn mwy blaengar? Rwy'n deall bod yn well gennych chi undeb barhaus, ond onid yw dweud 'byth' i annibyniaeth yn gwneud dim ond clymu ein hunain i ddyfodol na fydd byth yn eiddo i ni ei benderfynu?
Llywydd, the issue of whether Wales should be independent is a matter for people in Wales, and I've always said that if a party were to put that as a prospect in a manifesto and they were to win a majority of seats here in the Senedd, then, of course, if people choose that course of action, then that is the democratic will of people in Wales. Their voice is the important one—not mine, whether I think it's right or wrong. Where I will agree with the leader of Plaid Cymru is this: that if the political geometry of the United Kingdom were to alter, if one of its constituent parts were to choose a different future, that doesn't leave what remains untouched. You would have to have a very serious set of discussions about how Wales's future could best be designed in those different circumstances, and it's why, as the leader of Plaid Cymru knows, we have established our own constitutional commission to help us to think about what choices there would be available to Wales in those circumstances. Independence could be one of them, as it has been ever since his party was established and ever since it's put that prospect in front of the people of Wales. So far, people have not been persuaded of that, and there will be alternative futures that others of us would rather advocate. But that's the right place for these decisions to be debated; they're not for me as First Minister or even for political parties here to make that determination. Just as the leader of Plaid Cymru said there was an unanswerable case for a general election to determine the future economic direction of the United Kingdom, so it would be an unanswerable need for such decisions of the sort that he's outlined this afternoon to be made by the people who put us here.
Llywydd, mae'r cwestiwn a ddylai Cymru fod yn annibynnol yn gwestiwn i bobl yng Nghymru, ac rwyf i wedi dweud erioed pe bai plaid yn cynnig hynny fel dewis mewn maniffesto ac y bydden nhw'n ennill mwyafrif y seddi yma yn y Senedd, yna, wrth gwrs, os yw pobl yn dewis y cam hwnnw, yna dyna ewyllys ddemocrataidd pobl yng Nghymru. Eu llais nhw yw'r un pwysig—nid fy un i, pa un a ydw i'n meddwl ei fod yn iawn neu'n anghywir. Lle byddaf yn cytuno ag arweinydd Plaid Cymru yw hyn: pe bai geometreg wleidyddol y Deyrnas Unedig yn newid, pe bai un o'i rhannau cyfansoddol yn dewis gwahanol ddyfodol, nid yw hynny'n gadael yr hyn sy'n weddill heb ei gyffwrdd. Byddai'n rhaid i chi gael cyfres ddifrifol iawn o drafodaethau ynglŷn â'r ffordd orau y gellid cynllunio dyfodol Cymru o dan yr amgylchiadau gwahanol hynny, a dyna pam, fel y mae arweinydd Plaid Cymru yn gwybod, rydym ni wedi sefydlu ein comisiwn cyfansoddiadol ein hunain i'n helpu i feddwl pa ddewisiadau fyddai ar gael i Gymru o dan yr amgylchiadau hynny. Gallai annibyniaeth fod yn un ohonyn nhw, fel y bu ers sefydlu ei blaid ac ers iddi roi'r dewis hwnnw gerbron pobl Cymru. Hyd yn hyn, nid yw pobl wedi cael eu perswadio o hynny, a bydd gwahanol fathau o ddyfodol y byddai'n well gan eraill ohonom ni eu hyrwyddo. Ond dyna'r lle iawn i'r penderfyniadau hyn gael eu trafod; dydyn nhw ddim yn fater i mi fel Prif Weinidog na hyd yn oed i bleidiau gwleidyddol yma wneud y penderfyniad hwnnw. Yn union fel y dywedodd arweinydd Plaid Cymru bod dadl na ellir ei hateb dros etholiad cyffredinol i benderfynu cyfeiriad economaidd y Deyrnas Unedig yn y dyfodol, felly hefyd y byddai'n angen na ellir ei ateb am benderfyniadau o'r fath y mae wedi'u hamlinellu y prynhawn yma i gael eu gwneud gan y bobl sy'n ein rhoi ni yma.
3. Pa asesiad mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi'i wneud o effaith rhaglen prentisiaethau gradd Llywodraeth Cymru ar niferoedd mynediad am brentisiaethau gradd? OQ58629
3. What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact of the Welsh Government's degree apprenticeships programme on admission numbers for degree apprenticeships? OQ58629
Llywydd, since the degree apprenticeship programme began in Wales in 2018, we have achieved more than a fivefold increase in enrolments. In the current academic year, 780 apprenticeships are working to achieve degree-level qualifications in digital, energy and advanced manufacturing.
Llywydd, ers i'r rhaglen prentisiaeth gradd ddechrau yng Nghymru yn 2018, rydym ni wedi sicrhau cynnydd o fwy na phum gwaith i gofrestriadau. Yn y flwyddyn academaidd bresennol, mae 780 o brentisiaethau yn gweithio i ennill cymwysterau lefel gradd ym meysydd digidol, ynni a gweithgynhyrchu uwch.
Thank you, First Minister. It's interesting, what you said, and I just want to note that the Welsh Conservatives fully support degree apprenticeships, and, in fact, we go further than the current policy. But, First Minister, a few weeks ago, I stood here and raised some concerning statistics highlighting that white working-class males are the least likely to attend university across the UK, but the picture is worse in Wales. You implied the problem wasn't as bad as I said, trying to excuse the figures. You said, and I quote:
'Our degree apprenticeship programme will not be counted in the figures that the Member has suggested this afternoon',
as if that would somehow make the situation look better. For the academic year 2019-20, there were 380 new and continuing apprentices in the degree apprenticeship programme. In the very same cohort, 83,800 Welsh students went to university—453 per cent more than the amount taking degree apprenticeships; 380 is just 0.45 per cent of 83,800. First Minister, it's quite clear from the statistics that degree apprenticeships, even if included in the figures, and your new figures that you outlined just now, would make very little difference to those overall numbers that I outlined. So, First Minister, the problem still remains: we are seeing low numbers of university admissions for white working-class males. How exactly are you trying to rectify the situation, and, again, what practical solutions are you going to put in place to ensure that that trend doesn't continue?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Mae'n ddiddorol, yr hyn a ddywedoch chi, a hoffwn nodi bod y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cefnogi prentisiaethau gradd yn llawn, ac, a dweud y gwir, rydym ni'n mynd ymhellach na'r polisi presennol. Ond, Prif Weinidog, ychydig wythnosau yn ôl, sefais yma a chodais rai ystadegau pryderus yn amlygu mai gwrywod dosbarth gweithiol gwyn yw'r rhai lleiaf tebygol o fynd i'r brifysgol ar draws y DU, ond mae'r darlun yn waeth yng Nghymru. Fe wnaethoch chi awgrymu nad oedd y broblem cynddrwg ag y dywedais i, gan geisio esgusodi'r ffigurau. Fe ddywedoch chi, ac rwy'n dyfynnu:
'Ni fydd ein rhaglen prentisiaethau gradd yn cael ei chyfri yn y ffigurau y mae'r Aelod wedi'u hawgrymu y prynhawn yma',
fel pe bai hynny rhywsut yn gwneud i'r sefyllfa edrych yn well. Ar gyfer blwyddyn academaidd 2019-20, roedd 380 o brentisiaid newydd a pharhaus yn y rhaglen prentisiaeth gradd. Yn yr un cohort, aeth 83,800 o fyfyrwyr o Gymru i'r brifysgol—453 y cant yn fwy na'r nifer sy'n dilyn prentisiaethau gradd; dim ond 0.45 y cant o 83,800 yw 380. Prif Weinidog, mae'n gwbl eglur o'r ystadegau y byddai prentisiaethau gradd, hyd yn oed pe baen nhw'n cael eu cynnwys yn y ffigurau, a'ch ffigurau newydd a amlinellwyd gennych chi nawr, yn gwneud ychydig iawn o wahaniaeth i'r niferoedd cyffredinol hynny a amlinellais. Felly, Prif Weinidog, mae'r broblem yn parhau: rydym ni'n gweld niferoedd isel o dderbyniadau prifysgol ymhlith dynion dosbarth gweithiol gwyn. Sut yn union ydych chi'n ceisio unioni'r sefyllfa, ac, eto, pa atebion ymarferol ydych chi'n mynd i'w rhoi ar waith i sicrhau nad yw'r duedd honno'n parhau?
Well, Llywydd, I've enjoyed Laura Anne Jones's latest contribution to her leadership campaign, but I have to say this to her: that she will need to slow down on the numbers to allow people to follow the points that she is making. I look forward to reading the transcript so I'm better able to follow the argument that she was making.
The apprenticeship programme—degree apprenticeship programme—Llywydd, is designed to focus on, as I said in my answer, those areas where we have particular needs in the Welsh economy—digital, energy and advanced manufacturing being amongst them—areas where, historically, women have been under-represented but white young men are very much in the majority and, despite our efforts to attract young women into those areas through the degree apprenticeship programme, that remains the case.
What is more important in terms of the question put to me, though, Llywydd, is whether we are attracting through the degree apprenticeship route young people who otherwise wouldn't be in higher education. I am encouraged that over 57 per cent of those young people who come to take up degree apprenticeships in Wales come from families where there is no parent who has ever been to higher education. In other words, we are recruiting through that route people who would not be as likely to have higher education experience by the conventional routes. And in that sense, I'm glad that the Member has welcomed the degree apprenticeship programme, because I think—I don't think I followed her completely here, but I think, when I study her figures, I will find that, actually, it is doing what she wants it to do; it is reaching into those parts of the community that more conventional routes into higher education fail to achieve the penetration that we would like to see.
Wel, Llywydd, rwyf i wedi mwynhau cyfraniad diweddaraf Laura Anne Jones at ei hymgyrch arweinyddol, ond mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud hyn wrthi: y bydd angen iddi arafu ar y niferoedd er mwyn caniatáu i bobl ddilyn y pwyntiau y mae hi'n eu gwneud. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at ddarllen y trawsgrifiad fel y gallaf ddilyn y ddadl yr oedd hi'n ei gwneud yn well.
Mae'r rhaglen brentisiaeth—y rhaglen prentisiaeth gradd—Llywydd, wedi ei chynllunio i ganolbwyntio, fel y dywedais i yn fy ateb, ar y meysydd hynny lle mae gennym ni anghenion arbennig yn economi Cymru—digidol, ynni a gweithgynhyrchu uwch yn eu plith—meysydd lle, yn hanesyddol, y mae menywod wedi cael eu tangynrychioli ond mae dynion ifanc gwyn yn sicr yn y mwyafrif ac, er gwaethaf ein hymdrechion i ddenu menywod ifanc i'r meysydd hynny drwy'r rhaglen prentisiaeth gradd, mae hynny'n parhau i fod yn wir.
Ond yr hyn sy'n bwysicach o ran y cwestiwn a ofynnwyd i mi, Llywydd, yw a ydym ni'n denu drwy'r llwybr prentisiaeth gradd pobl ifanc na fyddai fel arall mewn addysg uwch. Rwy'n cael fy nghalonogi bod dros 57 y cant o'r bobl ifanc hynny sy'n dod i ddilyn prentisiaethau gradd yng Nghymru yn dod o deuluoedd lle nad oes rhiant erioed wedi bod mewn addysg uwch. Mewn geiriau eraill, rydym ni'n recriwtio drwy'r llwybr hwnnw pobl na fyddai mor debygol o gael profiad addysg uwch drwy'r llwybrau confensiynol. Ac yn yr ystyr hwnnw, rwy'n falch bod yr Aelod wedi croesawu'r rhaglen prentisiaeth gradd, oherwydd rwy'n meddwl—nid wyf i'n credu fy mod i wedi ei dilyn hi'n llwyr yma, ond rwy'n meddwl, pan fyddaf yn astudio ei ffigurau, y byddaf yn gweld, mewn gwirionedd, ei bod yn gwneud yr hyn y mae hi eisiau iddi ei wneud; mae'n cyrraedd y rhannau hynny o'r gymuned y mae llwybrau mwy confensiynol i addysg uwch yn methu â sicrhau'r treiddiad yr hoffem ni ei weld.
This Friday, I'll be visiting DRB Group in my own constituency of Alyn and Deeside, and I'm proud to have completed my apprenticeship in advanced manufacturing at DRB, with the help of the Welsh Labour Government. I'm also extremely grateful to the company for funding my part-time degree whilst I was there. Before I visit and return to my former workplace, I will be speaking at a skills-shortage conference, organised by Deeside Business Forum. What message can I send from you, as First Minister of Wales, to the conference, to companies like DRB Group in Alyn and Deeside, about the Welsh Government's commitment to equipping the next workforce with the skills to develop the next generation of green industrial products in north-east Wales?
Ddydd Gwener yma, byddaf yn ymweld â Grŵp DRB yn fy etholaeth fy hun, sef Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy, ac rwy'n falch o fod wedi cwblhau fy mhrentisiaeth mewn gweithgynhyrchu uwch yn DRB, gyda chymorth Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru. Rwyf i hefyd yn hynod ddiolchgar i'r cwmni am ariannu fy ngradd rhan amser tra'r oeddwn i yno. Cyn i mi ymweld a dychwelyd i fy hen weithle, byddaf yn siarad mewn cynhadledd prinder sgiliau, a drefnwyd gan Fforwm Busnes Glannau Dyfrdwy. Pa neges gaf i ei hanfon gennych chi, fel Prif Weinidog Cymru, i'r gynhadledd, i gwmnïau fel Grŵp DRB yn Alun a Glannau Dyfrdwy, am ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i roi'r sgiliau i'r gweithlu nesaf i ddatblygu'r genhedlaeth nesaf o gynhyrchion diwydiannol gwyrdd yn y gogledd-ddwyrain?
I thank Jack Sargeant for that and congratulate him, of course, on the way that he himself came through that apprenticeship system and did so so successfully. What you can quite certainly say to the business forum is that, in Wales, they have a Government that fully understands the responsibility that we have to invest in the skills that will allow businesses in that part of Wales to continue to thrive. Unemployment, Llywydd, in Wales is at its very lowest in the north-east of Wales. I met companies in the Deeside area when I was in north Wales only a couple of weeks ago. They know it's a competitive market to attract, particularly, young people to take up the job opportunities that are there for them, and they were very appreciative of the work that the Welsh Government does and particularly those on-the-ground providers—Coleg Cambria and others—the things that they do to align the programmes that they provide with the needs of that great green industrial future that we want to create here in Wales. And I'd be really grateful to Jack Sargeant if, on our behalf, on behalf of the Welsh Government, he can reinforce, with that business forum, our determination to go on working alongside them and the education system to make sure that we turn out young people who have the skills that they will need to create successful futures for themselves, and to contribute to those great employers that we have in the north-east of Wales.
Diolchaf i Jack Sargeant am hynny a'i longyfarch, wrth gwrs, ar y ffordd y daeth ef ei hun drwy'r system brentisiaeth honno a gwneud hynny'n llwyddiannus. Yr hyn y gallwch chi ei ddweud yn eithaf sicr wrth y fforwm busnes yw bod ganddyn nhw, yng Nghymru, Lywodraeth sy'n deall yn iawn y cyfrifoldeb sydd gennym ni i fuddsoddi yn y sgiliau a fydd yn caniatáu i fusnesau yn y rhan honno o Gymru i barhau i ffynnu. Mae diweithdra, Llywydd, yng Nghymru ar ei isaf yn y gogledd-ddwyrain. Fe wnes i gyfarfod â chwmnïau yn ardal Glannau Dyfrdwy pan oeddwn i yn y gogledd dim ond cwpwl o wythnosau yn ôl. Maen nhw'n gwybod ei bod hi'n farchnad gystadleuol i ddenu, yn enwedig, pobl ifanc i fanteisio ar y cyfleoedd gwaith sydd ar gael iddyn nhw, ac roedden nhw'n gwerthfawrogi'n fawr y gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud ac yn enwedig y darparwyr llawr gwlad hynny—Coleg Cambria ac eraill—y pethau y maen nhw'n eu gwneud i alinio'r rhaglenni y maen nhw'n eu darparu gydag anghenion y dyfodol diwydiannol gwyrdd gwych hwnnw rydym ni eisiau ei greu yma yng Nghymru. A byddwn yn ddiolchgar iawn i Jack Sargeant pe gallai, ar ein rhan ni, ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru, atgyfnerthu, gyda'r fforwm busnes hwnnw, ein penderfyniad i barhau i weithio ochr yn ochr â nhw a'r system addysg i wneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n cynhyrchu pobl ifanc sydd â'r sgiliau y bydd eu hangen arnyn nhw i greu dyfodol llwyddiannus iddyn nhw eu hunain, ac i gyfrannu at y cyflogwyr gwych hynny sydd gennym ni yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru.
4. Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o effaith dolydd blodau gwyllt ar fywyd gwyllt yn Sir Ddinbych? OQ58599
4. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of wildflower meadows on wildlife in Denbighshire? OQ58599
Llywydd, the Denbighshire wildflower project recorded 268 wildflower species on their sites in 2021. One-hundred-and-thirty-six of those species had not been found there before, and the site network of the project is growing every year, supported by Welsh Government's Local Places for Nature initiative.
Llywydd, cofnododd prosiect blodau gwyllt sir Ddinbych 268 o rywogaethau blodau gwyllt ar eu safleoedd yn 2021. Nid oedd 136 o'r rhywogaethau hynny wedi cael eu canfod yno o'r blaen, ac mae rhwydwaith safleoedd y prosiect yn tyfu bob blwyddyn, wedi'i gefnogi gan fenter Lleoedd Lleol ar gyfer Natur Llywodraeth Cymru.
Thank you for that response, First Minister, and the reason I ask the question this afternoon is that I've been contacted by many residents from the Nant Close area of Rhuddlan, and from the coastal areas of Rhyl and Prestatyn over the summer, who are very concerned about some of the uses of wildflower meadows in built-up residential areas. Now, I can certainly see the benefit of wildflower meadows and the positive effects these have on promoting biodiversity and wildlife in Denbighshire, but would you join me, First Minister, in calling on Denbighshire and local authorities to adopt a more common-sense approach to such projects? So, where there is good evidence of effectiveness, then by all means keep them, but when there is little evidence of this, then to cut them down and restore some horticultural order, so that we can dispel the myth that the council can't be bothered to cut the lawn and give my constituents assurances that—[Interruption.]
Diolch am yr ymateb yna, Prif Weinidog, a'r rheswm rwy'n gofyn y cwestiwn y prynhawn yma yw bod nifer o drigolion ardal Nant Close yn Rhuddlan wedi cysylltu â mi, ac o ardaloedd arfordirol y Rhyl a Phrestatyn dros yr haf, sy'n bryderus iawn am rai o ddefnyddiau dolydd blodau gwyllt mewn ardaloedd preswyl adeiledig. Nawr, gallaf yn sicr weld budd dolydd blodau gwyllt a'r effeithiau cadarnhaol y mae'r rhain yn eu cael ar hybu bioamrywiaeth a bywyd gwyllt yn sir Ddinbych, ond a fyddech chi'n ymuno â mi, Prif Weinidog, i alw ar sir Ddinbych ac awdurdodau lleol i fabwysiadu agwedd fwy synnwyr cyffredin at brosiectau o'r fath? Felly, lle ceir tystiolaeth dda o effeithiolrwydd, yna cadwch nhw ar bob cyfrif, ond pan nad oes llawer o dystiolaeth o hyn, yna torrwch nhw i lawr ac adfer rhywfaint o drefn arddwriaethol, fel y gallwn ni chwalu'r myth bod y cyngor yn rhy ddiog i dorri'r lawnt a rhoi sicrwydd i'm hetholwyr bod—[Torri ar draws.]
Let the Member finish his question. Let the Member finish his question, please.
Gadewch i'r Aelod orffen ei gwestiwn. Gadewch i'r Aelod orffen ei gwestiwn, os gwelwch yn dda.
Thank you. So that we can dispel the myth that the council can't be bothered to cut the lawn and give my constituents assurances that next summer will be more effective than this one.
Diolch. Fel y gallwn ni chwalu'r myth bod y cyngor yn rhy ddiog i dorri'r lawnt a rhoi sicrwydd i'm hetholwyr y bydd yr haf nesaf yn fwy effeithiol na'r un yma.
Well, Llywydd, I genuinely didn't imagine this afternoon that we would hear that the Welsh Conservative party is against flowers. [Laughter.] They're against almost everything else, but I hadn't expected to see wildflower meadows added to their list of things that they don't support in modern Wales. Of course, I do not support what he said this afternoon. In fact, I absolutely congratulate Denbighshire council.
And by the way, Llywydd, these would have been the actions of Denbighshire council at a time when the Conservative Party was part of the administration of Denbighshire council, because you don't create a wildflower meadow in five minutes. It can take a number of years to achieve what his colleagues managed to achieve in Denbighshire.
I think it's a matter of genuine congratulation to the Denbighshire wildflower project, working with the local authority, that they have been able to create nearly 50 acres of native local-provenance meadows across the county. That is a really significant achievement. It is a proper contribution to sustaining biodiversity, to doing the things that we can do that make a difference. I congratulate them, and I think their local Member would be far better off supporting those efforts rather than carping from the sidelines about them.
Wel, Llywydd, wnes i wir ddim dychmygu'r prynhawn yma y byddem ni'n clywed bod plaid Geidwadol Cymru yn erbyn blodau. [Chwerthin.] Maen nhw yn erbyn bron popeth arall, ond doeddwn i ddim wedi disgwyl gweld dolydd blodau gwyllt yn cael eu hychwanegu at eu rhestr o bethau nad ydyn nhw'n eu cefnogi yn y Gymru fodern. Wrth gwrs, nid wyf i'n cefnogi'r hyn a ddywedodd y prynhawn yma. A dweud y gwir, rwy'n llongyfarch Cyngor Sir Ddinbych yn llwyr.
A gyda llaw, Llywydd, dyma fyddai gweithredoedd Cyngor Sir Ddinbych wedi bod ar adeg pan oedd y Blaid Geidwadol yn rhan o weinyddiaeth Cyngor Sir Ddinbych, oherwydd nid ydych chi'n creu dôl blodau gwyllt mewn pum munud. Gall hi gymryd nifer o flynyddoedd i gyflawni'r hyn y llwyddodd ei gydweithwyr i'w gyflawni yn sir Ddinbych.
Rwy'n credu ei fod yn fater o glod gwirioneddol i brosiect blodau gwyllt sir Ddinbych, yn gweithio gyda'r awdurdod lleol, eu bod nhw wedi gallu creu bron i 50 erw o ddolydd brodorol lleol ar draws y sir. Mae honno'n gamp sylweddol iawn. Mae'n gyfraniad go iawn at gynnal bioamrywiaeth, i wneud y pethau y gallwn ni eu gwneud sy'n gwneud gwahaniaeth. Rwy'n eu llongyfarch, ac rwy'n credu y byddai'n llawer gwell i'w Haelod lleol gefnogi'r ymdrechion hynny yn hytrach na lladd arnyn nhw o'r ymylon.
Can I just declare an interest? I'm a member of the North Wales Wildlife Trust. Thank you. I attended the wildlife trust annual general meeting on Saturday. They do great work with landowners regarding managing them for nature, and the chief executive officer spoke of significant concerns about UK Government policies weakening environmental protections on leaving the EU, and also deregulation under investment zones. She spoke about how Wales is leading the way regarding policies for nature, and one great project is the 'It's for Them' Welsh Government nature project, working with councils and local nature partnerships, managing verges and amenity grasslands for biodiversity, taking the residents along with them. North Wales Conservative MPs have been writing to council leaders, including Denbighshire's, encouraging them to show an interest in these investment deregulation zones, and I know that two bordering English council leaders were not consulted before being added to the list.
So, First Minister, will you write to north Wales council leaders, sharing your concerns regarding the pressure put on them regarding the natural environment under the deregulated investment zones? And could you also write in support of the good work they're doing in the 'It's for Them' project, managing our wildlife areas and grass verges for biodiversity, so we can bring our residents along with them? I'm worried that it might fall lower down the list under austerity 2. Thank you.
A gaf i ddatgan diddordeb yn gyflym? Rwy'n aelod o Ymddiriedolaeth Natur Gogledd Cymru. Diolch. Fe es i gyfarfod cyffredinol blynyddol yr ymddiriedolaeth natur ddydd Sadwrn. Maen nhw'n gwneud gwaith gwych gyda thirfeddianwyr o ran eu rheoli nhw ar gyfer natur, a siaradodd y prif swyddog gweithredol am bryderon sylweddol am bolisïau Llywodraeth y DU yn gwanhau amddiffyniadau amgylcheddol o adael yr UE, a hefyd dadreoleiddio o dan barthau buddsoddi. Siaradodd am y ffordd y mae Cymru'n arwain y ffordd o ran polisïau natur, ac un prosiect gwych yw prosiect natur 'Iddyn Nhw' Llywodraeth Cymru, yn gweithio gyda chynghorau a phartneriaethau natur lleol, gan reoli lleiniau ymyl ffordd a glaswelltiroedd amwynder ar gyfer bioamrywiaeth, gan sicrhau cefnogaeth y trigolion. Mae Aelodau Seneddol Ceidwadol y gogledd wedi bod yn ysgrifennu at arweinwyr cynghorau, gan gynnwys rhai sir Ddinbych, yn eu hannog i ddangos diddordeb yn y parthau dadreoleiddio buddsoddi hyn, a gwn na ymgynghorwyd â dau arweinydd cynghorau yn Lloegr sydd ar y ffin cyn iddyn nhw gael eu hychwanegu at y rhestr.
Felly, Prif Weinidog, a wnewch chi ysgrifennu at arweinwyr cynghorau gogledd Cymru, i rannu eich pryderon ynglŷn â'r pwysau sydd arnyn nhw o ran yr amgylchedd naturiol o dan y parthau buddsoddi wedi'u dadreoleiddio? Ac a allech chi hefyd ysgrifennu i gefnogi'r gwaith da y maen nhw'n ei wneud yn y prosiect 'Iddyn Nhw', yn rheoli ein hardaloedd bywyd gwyllt a'n lleiniau glaswellt ar gyfer bioamrywiaeth, fel y gallwn sicrhau cefnogaeth ein trigolion ynghyd â nhw? Rwy'n poeni y gallai ddisgyn ymhellach i lawr y rhestr o dan gyni cyllidol 2. Diolch.
Well, Llywydd, first of all, can I thank Carolyn Thomas for all the work that she has done, commissioned by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, to champion better management of our road verges and grasslands across north Wales? Carolyn Thomas is absolutely right, Llywydd. This is what deregulation means. In practice, what it means is stripping away the protections that you and I have so that we can preserve our environment, so that we can make sure that the rights we enjoy are there for us for the future. This is a real issue for us here in Wales, because we have cross-border designated sites where we will want to make sure that the highest standards are maintained, and we will not take kindly to the idea that those standards should be lowered in pursuit of some sort of ideological commitment to removing the protections that exist at the moment.
I'm very happy to write, in the way that the Member has suggested, to congratulate those north Wales authorities who are doing great work in this area and to make sure that they understand that in the Welsh Government they have a Government that is on their side.FootnoteLink
Wel, Llywydd, yn gyntaf oll, a gaf i ddiolch i Carolyn Thomas am yr holl waith y mae hi wedi ei wneud, a gomisiynwyd gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd, i hyrwyddo gwell rheolaeth o'n lleiniau ffyrdd a'n glaswelltiroedd ar draws y gogledd? Mae Carolyn Thomas yn llygad ei lle, Llywydd. Dyma beth mae dadreoleiddio yn ei olygu. Yn ymarferol, yr hyn y mae'n ei olygu yw diddymu'r amddiffyniadau sydd gennych chi a minnau fel y gallwn ni warchod ein hamgylchedd, fel y gallwn ni wneud yn siŵr bod yr hawliau rydym ni'n eu mwynhau yno ar ein cyfer ni ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae hon yn broblem wirioneddol i ni yma yng Nghymru, oherwydd mae gennym ni safleoedd dynodedig trawsffiniol lle byddwn ni eisiau gwneud yn siŵr bod y safonau uchaf yn cael eu cynnal, ac ni fyddwn yn hapus iawn â'r syniad y dylid gostwng y safonau hynny i fynd ar drywydd rhyw fath o ymrwymiad ideolegol i ddileu'r amddiffyniadau sy'n bodoli ar hyn o bryd.
Rwy'n hapus iawn i ysgrifennu, yn y ffordd y mae'r Aelod wedi awgrymu, i longyfarch yr awdurdodau hynny yn y gogledd sy'n gwneud gwaith gwych yn y maes hwn a gwneud yn siŵr eu bod nhw'n deall bod ganddyn nhw yn Llywodraeth Cymru Lywodraeth sydd ar eu hochr nhw.FootnoteLink
5. Pa gefnogaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei darparu i weithlu gofal cymdeithasol Cymru? OQ58637
5. What support is the Welsh Government providing to Wales's social care workforce? OQ58637
Wel, Llywydd, diolch i Hefin David am y cwestiwn. Rydyn ni'n gweithio'n agos gyda'n partneriaid gofal cymdeithasol i wella telerau ac amodau cyflogaeth y gweithlu. Mae £43 miliwn wedi cael ei ddarparu i'r sector i'w helpu i gynyddu cyflogau i'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae £45 miliwn wedi cael ei roi ar ffurf grant y gweithlu i awdurdodau lleol eleni.
Well, Llywydd, I thank Hefin David for the question. We are working closely with our social care partners to improve the employment terms and conditions of the workforce. Forty-three million pounds has been provided to the sector to help it increase wages to the real living wage. In addition to that, £45 million has been distributed as a workforce grant to local authorities this year.
Diolch am yr ateb.
Thank you for that answer.
This question follows on, in many ways, from my question last week about the ambulance service. This is the other end of the scale, where delays further down the way with the ambulance service might be caused by delayed transfers of care, which of course rely hugely on the social care workforce. I took a call this week and last week as well from Neville Southall, who is working for Unison, trying to get care homes to recognise the value of their workforce, and working with care homes and Unison to do that, and he said there are a few things that could happen to help things improve. First of all, pay, and the First Minister has recognised that the real living wage is vital; there is also recruitment, as those people who are working in the care sector are finding that they are overburdened with work; there is working conditions, which lack parity with the NHS; there is trade union recognition, which is vitally important; and overall that amounts to parity of esteem with their fellow NHS workers. And what Neville Southall told me was that he was finding that people in the care sector were feeling less recognised than their NHS counterparts during the pandemic. So, all of these things together are important. Would the First Minister be willing to allow officials to meet with me and with Neville Southall, and the Minister, to discuss some of these issues and try to find a way through that would be helpful to him in his work?
Mae'r cwestiwn yma'n dilyn ymlaen, mewn sawl ffordd, o fy nghwestiwn yr wythnos diwethaf am y gwasanaeth ambiwlans. Pen arall y raddfa yw hon, lle gallai oedi ymhellach i lawr y ffordd gyda'r gwasanaeth ambiwlans gael ei achosi drwy oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal, sydd wrth gwrs yn dibynnu'n enfawr ar y gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol. Cefais alwad yr wythnos hon a'r wythnos ddiwethaf hefyd gan Neville Southall, sy'n gweithio i Unsain, yn ceisio cael cartrefi gofal i gydnabod gwerth eu gweithlu, a gweithio gyda chartrefi gofal ac Unsain i wneud hynny, a dywedodd bod ychydig o bethau a allai ddigwydd i helpu pethau i wella. Yn gyntaf oll, cyflog, ac mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi cydnabod bod y cyflog byw gwirioneddol yn hanfodol; ceir recriwtio hefyd, gan fod y bobl hynny sy'n gweithio yn y sector gofal yn gweld eu bod nhw'n cael eu gorlwytho â gwaith; ceir amodau gwaith, nad ydyn nhw'n gyfartal â'r GIG; ceir cydnabyddiaeth undebau llafur, sy'n hanfodol bwysig; ac ar y cyfan mae hynny'n gyfystyr â chyd-barch â'u cydweithwyr yn y GIG. A'r hyn a ddywedodd Neville Southall wrthyf i oedd ei fod yn canfod bod pobl yn y sector gofal yn teimlo eu bod nhw'n cael eu cydnabod llai na'u cymheiriaid yn y GIG yn ystod y pandemig. Felly, mae'r pethau hyn i gyd gyda'i gilydd yn bwysig. A fyddai'r Prif Weinidog yn barod i ganiatáu i swyddogion gyfarfod gyda mi a gyda Neville Southall, a'r Gweinidog, i drafod rhai o'r materion hyn a cheisio dod o hyd i ffordd drwy hynny a fyddai o gymorth iddo yn ei waith?
Well, Llywydd, Hefin David made a series of important points there, all of which I think the Welsh Government would agree with and all of which are areas in which we continue to make our efforts. I mentioned the £43 million we're investing in securing the real living wage for our social care workforce, the additional investment that we have made—£10 million in fact, on top of the £45 million we normally provide in the annual workforce grant, to help local authorities in their efforts to recruit and then to retain social care workers, and raising the status of the profession is really important in doing that. It's why this Senedd passed legislation to require the registration of the workforce. More than 40,000 workers in social care are already registered or are about to be registered here in Wales. We began with the registration of domiciliary care workers, we moved on to the registration of adult care homes as well, and that is important because it's through registration that you open the door to career progression, training, opportunities, leadership training. The social care fair work forum, which we've established as part of the social partnership forum, has just concluded the first iteration of a model that they are going to promote for progression by workers in social care. So, if you become a social care worker, you can see how a career could lie in front of you, as you would, indeed, if you joined the NHS. I'm very happy to look to see whether a conversation between the forum and Mr Southall would be a good way of taking forward some of the points he has made, relayed by the Member for Caerphilly this afternoon.FootnoteLink
Wel, Llywydd, fe wnaeth Hefin David gyfres o bwyntiau pwysig yn y fan yna, yr wyf i'n credu y byddai Llywodraeth Cymru yn cytuno â phob un ohonyn nhw ac sydd i gyd yn feysydd yr ydym ni'n parhau i wneud ein hymdrechion ynddyn nhw. Soniais am y £43 miliwn yr ydym ni'n ei fuddsoddi mewn sicrhau'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol i'n gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol, y buddsoddiad ychwanegol rydym ni wedi ei wneud—£10 miliwn a dweud y gwir, ar ben y £45 miliwn rydym ni'n ei ddarparu fel rheol yn y grant gweithlu blynyddol, i helpu awdurdodau lleol yn eu hymdrechion i recriwtio ac yna chadw gweithwyr gofal cymdeithasol, ac mae codi statws y proffesiwn yn bwysig iawn i wneud hynny. Dyna pam y pasiodd y Senedd hon ddeddfwriaeth i'w gwneud yn ofynnol cofrestru'r gweithlu. Mae dros 40,000 o weithwyr ym maes gofal cymdeithasol eisoes wedi'u cofrestru neu ar fin cael eu cofrestru yma yng Nghymru. Fe wnaethon ni ddechrau trwy gofrestru gweithwyr gofal cartref, fe wnaethon ni symud ymlaen i gofrestru cartrefi gofal i oedolion hefyd, ac mae hynny'n bwysig gan mai trwy gofrestru rydych chi'n agor y drws i ddatblygiad gyrfaol, hyfforddiant, cyfleoedd, hyfforddiant arweinyddiaeth. Mae'r fforwm gwaith teg gofal cymdeithasol, yr ydym ni wedi ei sefydlu yn rhan o'r fforwm partneriaeth gymdeithasol, newydd gwblhau'r fersiwn gyntaf o fodel y maen nhw'n mynd i'w hyrwyddo ar gyfer datblygiad gan weithwyr ym maes gofal cymdeithasol. Felly, os byddwch chi'n dod yn weithiwr gofal cymdeithasol, gallwch weld sut y gallai gyrfa ddatblygu o'ch blaen, fel y byddech chi, yn wir, pe byddech chi'n ymuno â'r GIG. Rwy'n hapus iawn i edrych i weld a fyddai sgwrs rhwng y fforwm a Mr Southall yn ffordd dda o fwrw ymlaen â rhai o'r pwyntiau y mae wedi eu gwneud, a gyflëwyd gan yr Aelod dros Gaerffili y prynhawn yma.FootnoteLink
My own local authority, Conwy County Borough Council, currently commissions around 790 beds supporting individuals in residential and/or nursing care. The gross spend within Conwy on residential and nursing services was £23 million in the last financial year, with only a potential uplift going forward of around 7 to 9 per cent—that's 7 to 9 per cent, not 79 per cent. Yet, in some other local authorities, where year on year they hold back in reserve, in some local authorities, a couple of hundred million in reserves, providers are indicating to the local authority that the combination of unpredicted high levels of inflation, increasing care levels, complex services and current workforce pressures are resulting in a financial shortfall relating to residential and nursing care—and I saw this first-hand when I visited a care home recently. First Minister, do you agree with me that the rates paid by any local authority to care homes should increase by at least inflation? And what steps are you taking to ensure that there's a fairer funding settlement and one that better reflects the true cost of social care need within our local authorities? Diolch.
Ar hyn o bryd mae fy awdurdod lleol fy hun, Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy, yn comisiynu tua 790 o welyau sy'n cefnogi unigolion mewn gofal preswyl a/neu nyrsio. £23 miliwn oedd y gwariant gros yng Nghonwy ar wasanaethau preswyl a nyrsio yn y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf, gyda chynnydd posibl yn y dyfodol o ddim ond tua 7 i 9 y cant—7 i 9 y cant, nid 79 y cant. Ac eto, mewn rhai awdurdodau lleol eraill, lle maen nhw'n cadw cronfa wrth gefn flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, mewn rhai awdurdodau lleol, cwpl o gannoedd o filiynau wrth gefn, mae darparwyr yn hysbysu'r awdurdod lleol bod y cyfuniad o lefelau uchel na ragwelwyd o chwyddiant, lefelau gofal cynyddol, gwasanaethau cymhleth a phwysau gweithlu cyfredol yn arwain at ddiffyg ariannol yn ymwneud â gofal preswyl a nyrsio—ac fe welais hyn yn bersonol pan ymwelais â chartref gofal yn ddiweddar. Prif Weinidog, a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi y dylai'r cyfraddau a delir gan unrhyw awdurdod lleol i gartrefi gofal gynyddu yn unol â chwyddiant o leiaf? A pha gamau ydych chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod setliad ariannu tecach ac un sy'n adlewyrchu'n well gwir gost yr angen gofal cymdeithasol yn ein hawdurdodau lleol? Diolch.
Llywydd, we've rehearsed many times here the calls that come from different parts of Wales to reform the funding formula, and we have always said, as a Government, that when local authorities come forward with a proposal for reform, of course we will be prepared to discuss it with them. What we cannot possibly do, as the Member will understand, is negotiate a separate formula for each of the 22 local authorities. There is a single formula, as there is in England, as there is in Scotland. It's unavoidable that you have a single system. The system can be reformed, but it can only be reformed with the agreement of local authorities themselves. And, as to the point that she makes about guaranteeing an in-line-with-inflation rise in the funding of those services, I hope she is relaying that point to the new Government at Westminster, because if they will give us that uplift, we will definitely give it to the services that she has spoken about this afternoon.
Llywydd, rydym wedi trafod droeon yma y galwadau a ddaw o wahanol rannau o Gymru i ddiwygio'r fformiwla ariannu, ac rydym ni bob amser wedi dweud, fel Llywodraeth, y byddwn ni, wrth gwrs, yn barod i drafod y peth gydag awdurdodau lleol pan fyddan nhw'n cyflwyno cynnig ar gyfer diwygio. Yr hyn na allwn ei wneud o bosibl, fel y bydd yr Aelod yn ei ddeall, yw cytuno ar fformiwla ar wahân ar gyfer pob un o'r 22 awdurdod lleol. Ceir un fformiwla, fel sydd yn Lloegr, fel sydd yn yr Alban. Nid oes modd osgoi bod gennych chi un system. Gellir diwygio'r system, ond dim ond gyda chytundeb awdurdodau lleol eu hunain y gellir ei diwygio. Ac, o ran y pwynt y mae hi'n ei wneud ynglŷn â sicrhau cynnydd yn unol â chwyddiant i gyllid ar gyfer y gwasanaethau hynny, rwy'n gobeithio ei bod hi'n cyfleu'r pwynt hwnnw i'r Llywodraeth newydd yn San Steffan, oherwydd os byddan nhw'n rhoi'r cynnydd hwnnw i ni, byddwn yn bendant yn ei roi i'r gwasanaethau y mae hi wedi siarad amdanyn nhw y prynhawn yma.
6. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i wella amseroedd aros canser y GIG? OQ58607
6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve NHS cancer waiting times? OQ58607
Innovation, additional investment and recruitment of specialist staff are amongst the actions being taken alongside clinical leaders to reduce cancer waiting times.
Mae arloesedd, buddsoddiad ychwanegol a recriwtio staff arbenigol ymhlith y camau sy'n cael eu cymryd ochr yn ochr ag arweinwyr clinigol i leihau amseroedd aros canser.
Thank you, First Minister. The latest data released on cancer cases showed that, in August, only 52.5 per cent reached the Government's 62-day target of starting treatment—the lowest number since records were collected. One of my constituents has been waiting over seven months for cancer treatment. In previous years, he had mouth cancer and had accessed Hereford hospital, where he was successfully treated within three months following referral for both mouth cancer and subsequent nose cancer. Upon moving to my constituency, he developed a small cancer on his ear, requiring a relatively small procedure. However, as a direct result of being stuck on the Welsh NHS waiting list, he is likely now to lose his hearing and his ear. What started as a small cancerous growth, which could have been removed with early intervention, has now grown into something absolutely horrendous for the individual.
I thank the health Minister for her correspondence in relation to this, but, First Minister, whilst it's welcome news that Wales is rolling out rapid diagnosis centres, unfortunately, it's too late for my constituent. Do you agree that more action is needed to tackle lagging treatment in Wales to stop people going through such an ordeal, and what hope can the Government provide to people who are suffering like my constituent?
Diolch. Dangosodd y data ddiweddaraf a gafodd ei ryddhau ar achosion canser, mai dim ond 52.5 y cant ym mis Awst a gyrhaeddodd nod y Llywodraeth o ddechrau triniaeth o fewn 62 diwrnod—y nifer lleiaf ers i gofnodion gael eu casglu. Mae un o fy etholwyr i wedi bod yn aros dros saith mis am driniaeth canser. Yn y blynyddoedd blaenorol, roedd wedi cael canser y geg ac roedd wedi cael mynediad i ysbyty Henffordd, lle cafodd driniaeth lwyddiannus o fewn tri mis ar ôl cael ei gyfeirio am ganser y geg a chanser y trwyn wedi hynny. Ar ôl symud i fy etholaeth i, datblygodd ganser bach ar ei glust, a oedd yn gofyn am driniaeth gymharol fach. Ond o ganlyniad uniongyrchol i fod yn sownd ar restr aros GIG Cymru, mae'n debygol nawr o golli ei glyw a'i glust. Mae'r hyn a ddechreuodd fel twf bach canseraidd, a allai fod wedi'i dynnu gydag ymyrraeth gynnar, nawr wedi tyfu'n rhywbeth cwbl erchyll i'r unigolyn.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog iechyd am ei gohebiaeth o ran hyn, ond, yn gyntaf Prif Weinidog, er ei fod yn newyddion i'w groesawu bod Cymru'n cyflwyno canolfannau diagnosis cyflym, yn anffodus, mae'n rhy hwyr i fy etholwr i. Ydych chi'n cytuno bod angen mwy o weithredu i ymdrin â thriniaeth ar ei hôl hi yng Nghymru i atal pobl rhag mynd drwy ddioddefaint o'r fath, a pha obaith y gall y Llywodraeth ei ddarparu i bobl sy'n dioddef fel fy etholwr i?
I thank Peter Fox for that question. I've been able to read his letter to the health Minister and I've seen her reply. I hope that it will provide some information that is useful for his constituent in what are clearly very distressing individual circumstances.
The system works hard every month to deal with the increased volume of cases that come through the door. And it's a good thing that more cases come through the door, because we want to ensure that people are referred into the system as early as possible. August saw the highest number of patients treated in this financial year, and it saw the highest ever number of patients told that they did not have cancer—13,500 patients in Wales in August went through the system and were told that they didn't have that awful disease hanging over them. When you count up the people who were treated, and the people who were told they didn't need treatment, that comes to over 14,500 people, which are the highest numbers we've ever managed. And yet 16,000 people were referred into the system in the same month. As I say, Llywydd, that is good news, because that means we are seeing more people, and earlier, and hopefully more of those people will find out that they don't have to face a cancer diagnosis.
But you will see, and the Member for Monmouth will see, that even if you are managing record numbers of people coming through the system, if you've got record numbers of people coming into the system, the system is still flat out. That's why we do have the new rapid diagnostic centres, that's why we have the new one-stop clinics, that's why we are developing the straight-to-test diagnostics system. All of these are efforts being made by clinicians to find a way of both responding to the new referrals and dealing with people who have been in the system too long already.
Diolch i Peter Fox am y cwestiwn yna. Rydw i wedi gallu darllen ei lythyr at y Gweinidog iechyd ac rydw i wedi gweld ei hateb. Gobeithio y bydd yn rhoi rhywfaint o wybodaeth sy'n ddefnyddiol i'w etholwr yn yr hyn sy'n amlwg yn amgylchiadau unigol sy'n peri gofid mawr.
Mae'r system yn gweithio'n galed bob mis i ymdrin â'r cynnydd yn nifer yr achosion sy'n dod drwy'r drws. Ac mae'n beth da bod mwy o achosion yn dod drwy'r drws, oherwydd rydym ni eisiau sicrhau bod pobl yn cael eu cyfeirio i'r system mor gynnar â phosibl. Ym mis Awst, cafodd y nifer uchaf o gleifion eu trin yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon, a chafodd y nifer uchaf erioed o gleifion wybod nad oedd ganddyn nhw ganser—aeth 13,500 o gleifion yng Nghymru ym mis Awst drwy'r system a chael gwybod nad oedd ganddyn nhw'r clefyd ofnadwy hwnnw'n pwyso arnyn nhw. Pan ydych chi'n cyfri'r bobl a gafodd eu trin, a'r bobl a gafodd wybod nad oedden nhw angen triniaeth, mae hynny'n dod i dros 14,500 o bobl, sef y niferoedd uchaf yr ydym ni erioed wedi ymdopi ag ef. Ac eto cafodd 16,000 o bobl eu cyfeirio at y system yn yr un mis. Fel yr wyf i'n ei ddweud, Llywydd, mae hynny'n newyddion da, oherwydd mae hynny'n golygu ein bod ni'n gweld mwy o bobl, ac yn gynharach, a gobeithio bydd mwy o'r bobl yna'n darganfod nad oed angen iddyn nhw wynebu diagnosis o ganser.
Ond fe welwch chi, a bydd yr Aelod dros Fynwy yn gweld, hyd yn oed os ydych chi'n ymdopi â nifer uchaf erioed o bobl sy'n dod trwy'r system, os oes gennych chi'r niferoedd uchaf erioed o bobl yn dod i mewn i'r system, mae'r system yn dal i fod wedi'i hymestyn i'r eithaf. Dyna pam mae gennym ni'r canolfannau diagnostig cyflym newydd, dyna pam mae gennym ni'r clinigau un stop newydd, dyna pam ein bod ni'n datblygu'r system diagnosteg symud yn syth at brofion. Mae'r rhain i gyd yn ymdrechion sy'n cael eu gwneud gan glinigwyr i ddod o hyd i ffordd o ymateb i'r cyfeiriadau newydd ac ymdrin â phobl sydd wedi bod yn y system yn rhy hir yn barod.
Good afternoon, First Minister. As well as paying tribute to the health workers and those in our health professions who deal with cancer, there is also a range of charities who meet the needs of everybody suffering from cancer, and that includes the families of those suffering from cancer. Many of those have mental health issues, and people want to talk, not just the cancer sufferer, but those within the family and extended family. It's a very difficult time, and I thank my colleague Peter Fox for raising the issue and talking about that very sad situation. I do hope that the family of that person, as well as that sufferer, get the support that they need.
As well as the bigger charities like Macmillan and the Marie Curie trust, we also have, in Mid and West Wales, the wonderful Bracken Trust, based in Llandrindod Wells, which meets the needs of families and their carers. They have a drop-in service, a wig exchange service, and they just offer that support for families affected. I wonder if I could ask you, First Minister, what support can the Welsh Government give to those wonderful charities operating in the field with both the sufferer and the wider family? Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Prif Weinidog. Yn ogystal â thalu teyrnged i'r gweithwyr iechyd a'r rhai yn ein proffesiynau iechyd sy'n ymdrin â chanser, mae amrywiaeth o elusennau hefyd sy'n diwallu anghenion pawb sy'n dioddef o ganser, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys teuluoedd y rhai sy'n dioddef o ganser. Mae gan nifer o'r rheiny broblemau iechyd meddwl, ac mae pobl eisiau siarad, nid yn unig y dioddefwr canser, ond y rhai o fewn y teulu a'r teulu estynedig. Mae'n gyfnod anodd iawn, a diolch i fy nghydweithiwr Peter Fox am godi'r mater a siarad am y sefyllfa drist iawn honno. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd teulu'r person hwnnw, yn ogystal â'r dioddefwr hwnnw, yn cael y gefnogaeth sydd ei angen arnyn nhw.
Yn ogystal â'r elusennau mwy fel Macmillan ac ymddiriedolaeth Marie Curie, mae gennym ni hefyd, yn y canolbarth a'r gorllewin, y Bracken Trust wych yn Llandrindod, sy'n cwrdd ag anghenion teuluoedd a'u gofalwyr. Mae ganddyn nhw wasanaeth galw heibio, gwasanaeth cyfnewid wig, ac maen nhw yn cynnig y gefnogaeth yna i deuluoedd sy'n cael eu heffeithio. Tybed a gaf i ofyn i chi, Prif Weinidog, pa gefnogaeth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei rhoi i'r elusennau gwych hynny sy'n gweithredu yn y maes gyda'r dioddefwr a'r teulu ehangach? Diolch. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I thank Jane Dodds; those are all very important points. She's absolutely right—it isn't just the individual, it's the family of the individual that gets caught up in a cancer diagnosis. And the physical impact of a cancer diagnosis is only one of the difficulties that families face. There is fantastic work done by third sector organisations in Wales, simply on trying to make sure that people get the financial help that they need. To be ill with cancer often means that people aren't able to earn in a way that they would have previously, and the benefits system is not sympathetic, in the way that it ought to be, to people who face those difficulties. So, there are practical issues, there are the wider health issues, including mental health impacts, of a diagnosis of that sort. The very many small and local organisations that exist throughout Wales are a sign of the strength of Welsh civic society—that people give their time, raise those moneys, provide those services. And there's the work that the Welsh Government does with the third sector partnership council, a part of our landscape since the very foundation of devolution. We recognise and work with that wider group of people in our society, who want to make sure that the core public services that are provided can be supported and augmented, particularly for people whose needs are greatest.
Diolch i Jane Dodds; mae'r rheiny i gyd yn bwyntiau pwysig iawn. Mae hi'n hollol gywir—nid yr unigolyn yn unig sydd yma, teulu'r unigolyn sy'n cael ei ddal mewn diagnosis canser. A dim ond un o'r anawsterau mae teuluoedd yn ei wynebu yw effaith gorfforol diagnosis canser. Mae gwaith gwych yn cael ei wneud gan sefydliadau'r trydydd sector yng Nghymru, dim ond ar geisio sicrhau bod pobl yn cael yr help ariannol sydd ei angen arnyn nhw. Mae bod yn sâl gyda chanser yn aml yn golygu nad yw pobl yn gallu ennill arian mewn ffordd y byddai ganddyn nhw o'r blaen, ac nid yw'r system fudd-daliadau yn cydymdeimlo, yn y ffordd y dylai, â phobl sy'n wynebu'r anawsterau hynny. Felly, mae yna broblemau ymarferol, mae'r problemau iechyd ehangach, gan gynnwys effeithiau iechyd meddwl, o ddiagnosis o'r math yna. Mae'r llawer iawn o sefydliadau bach a lleol sy'n bodoli ledled Cymru yn arwydd o gryfder cymdeithas ddinesig Cymru—bod pobl yn rhoi o'u hamser, yn codi'r arian hynny, yn darparu'r gwasanaethau hynny. Ac mae'r gwaith mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud gyda chyngor partneriaeth y trydydd sector, rhan o'n tirwedd ers sefydlu datganoli gyntaf. Rydym ni'n cydnabod ac yn gweithio gyda'r grŵp ehangach hwnnw o bobl yn ein cymdeithas, sydd eisiau sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau cyhoeddus craidd a ddarperir yn cael eu cefnogi a'u hymestyn, yn enwedig i bobl â'r anghenion mwyaf.
7. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ddarparu gwasanaethau iechyd yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda? OQ58598
7. Will the First Minister make a statement on the delivery of health services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area? OQ58598
Hywel Dda University Health Board is responsible for the provision of safe, sustainable, high-quality healthcare services for its local population, based on the most up-to-date clinical evidence and advice.
Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda sy'n gyfrifol am ddarparu gwasanaethau gofal iechyd diogel, cynaliadwy o ansawdd uchel i'w phoblogaeth leol, wedi'i seilio ar y dystiolaeth a'r cyngor clinigol diweddaraf.
First Minister, as I'm sure you're aware, on Saturday, it's World Stroke Day, and I hope Members all took the opportunity to meet with the Stroke Association outside on the Senedd steps earlier to learn more about stroke care and the positive impact that thrombectomy can have on stroke patients. In my health board area, the rate of thrombectomy in 2020-21 was 0.15 per cent, meaning that far too few stroke patients were able to have one. And yet we know that this treatment can make a life-changing difference and significantly reduce the chance of disabilities like paralysis, blindness or communication difficulties. So, First Minister, what work is being done to urgently increase the thrombectomy rate in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area, so that more and more people in my constituency can have access to this very vital treatment?
Prif Weinidog, fel yr wyf i'n siŵr eich bod chi'n ymwybodol, ddydd Sadwrn, mae'n Ddiwrnod Strôc y Byd, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr Aelodau i gyd wedi manteisio ar y cyfle i gwrdd â'r Gymdeithas Strôc y tu allan ar risiau'r Senedd yn gynharach i ddysgu mwy am ofal strôc a'r effaith gadarnhaol y gall thrombectomy ei gael ar gleifion strôc. Yn ardal fy mwrdd iechyd i, roedd y gyfradd thrombectomy yn 2020-21 yn 0.15 y cant, sy'n golygu nad oedd yn bosibl i ddigon o gleifion strôc gael un. Ac eto, rydym ni'n gwybod y gall y driniaeth hon wneud gwahaniaeth sy'n newid bywydau a lleihau'r siawns o anableddau fel parlys, dallineb neu anawsterau cyfathrebu yn sylweddol. Felly, Prif Weinidog, pa waith sy'n cael ei wneud i gynyddu'r gyfradd thrombectomy ar frys yn ardal Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda, fel bod mwy a mwy o bobl yn fy etholaeth i'n gallu cael gafael ar y driniaeth hanfodol iawn hon?
I'm sure that Members across the Chamber will want to mark World Stroke Day, and to recognise the very significant advances that there have been in recent times in treatments available for stroke patients and the way in which the NHS has been able to respond to that. I'm not familiar enough with the specifics of the Member's question to give him a direct answer on those points this afternoon, but the health Minister is in her place, and I'm sure that she will have things that she can say tomorrow, I believe, when she is contributing on the floor of the Senedd, that will help to answer the important points that Paul Davies has made this afternoon.
Rwy'n siŵr y bydd aelodau ar draws y Siambr eisiau nodi Diwrnod Strôc y Byd, ac i gydnabod y datblygiadau sylweddol iawn sydd wedi bod yn ddiweddar mewn triniaethau sydd ar gael i gleifion strôc a'r ffordd y mae'r GIG wedi gallu ymateb i hynny. Nid ydw i'n ddigon cyfarwydd â manylion cwestiwn yr Aelod i roi ateb uniongyrchol iddo ar y pwyntiau hynny y prynhawn yma, ond mae'r Gweinidog iechyd yn ei lle, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd ganddi hi bethau y gall hi eu dweud yfory, rwy'n credu, pan fydd hi'n cyfrannu ar lawr y Senedd, bydd hynny'n help i ateb y pwyntiau pwysig mae Paul Davies wedi'u gwneud y prynhawn yma.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Joel James.
And finally, question 8, Joel James.
8. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o'r angen am ddatgarboneiddio digidol? OQ58620
8. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the need for digital decarbonisation? OQ58620
Digital technologies can materially assist the necessary effort to decarbonise Wales. However, deployment can, of itself, create a carbon footprint. Sustainable digital decarbonisation is therefore the ambition of the digital strategy for Wales.
Gall technolegau digidol gynorthwyo'r ymdrech angenrheidiol i ddatgarboneiddio Cymru yn sylweddol. Fodd bynnag, gall y weithred o ddefnyddio, ei hun, greu ôl troed carbon. Datgarboneiddio digidol cynaliadwy felly yw uchelgais strategaeth ddigidol Cymru.
First Minister, more than 60 per cent of the digital data that firms generate is collected, processed and stored for single-use purposes only. This could include outdated spreadsheets, multiple near-identical images, or the thousands upon thousands of unread or stored e-mails that will never, ever be looked at again. This type of data is known as 'dark data' or 'unstructured data'. It currently produces 2.5 per cent of all global human-induced carbon dioxide emissions, which is more than the total aviation sector combined at 2.1 per cent. Worryingly, the volume of dark data is growing at a rate of 62 per cent a year, and the subsequent carbon dioxide that is produced is predicted to account for more than the aviation, automotive and energy sectors combined in only just a few years. Government policy and technological innovations focus primarily on tackling traditional carbon emissions and carbon sequestration without addressing the growing problem of dark data, but part of this Government's digital vision is to drive economic prosperity and resilience by embracing and exploiting digital innovation. With this in mind, First Minister, what steps are the Welsh Government taking to ensure that public bodies and private companies in Wales are putting mechanisms in place to address the carbon dioxide from dark data? Thank you.
Prif Weinidog, mae mwy na 60 y cant o'r data digidol y mae cwmnïau'n ei gynhyrchu yn cael ei gasglu, ei brosesu a'i storio at ddibenion untro yn unig. Gallai hyn gynnwys hen daenlenni, nifer o ddelweddau bron yr un fath, neu'r miloedd ar filoedd o e-byst heb eu darllen neu wedi'u storio na fydd byth, byth yn cael eu hystyried eto. Caiff y math hwn o ddata ei alw'n 'ddata tywyll' neu 'ddata anstrwythuredig'. Ar hyn o bryd mae'n cynhyrchu 2.5 y cant o'r holl allyriadau carbon deuocsid byd-eang sy'n cael eu hachosi gan bobl, sy'n fwy na chyfanswm y sector hedfan at ei gilydd ar 2.1 y cant. Yn bryderus, mae maint y data tywyll yn tyfu ar gyfradd o 62 y cant y flwyddyn, a rhagwelir y bydd y carbon deuocsid dilynol sy'n cael ei gynhyrchu yn cyfrif am fwy na'r sectorau hedfan, modurol ac ynni gyda'i gilydd mewn dim ond ychydig flynyddoedd. Mae polisi'r Llywodraeth ac arloesi technolegol yn canolbwyntio'n bennaf ar ymdrin ag allyriadau carbon traddodiadol a dal a storio carbon heb ymdrin â phroblem gynyddol data tywyll, ond rhan o weledigaeth ddigidol y Llywodraeth hon yw hyrwyddo ffyniant a chadernid economaidd drwy groesawu a manteisio ar arloesi digidol. Gyda hyn mewn golwg, Prif Weinidog, pa gamau mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod cyrff cyhoeddus a chwmnïau preifat yng Nghymru yn rhoi dulliau ar waith i ymdrin â'r carbon deuocsid o ddata tywyll? Diolch.
I thank Joel James for that question. As it happens, because I make no claims to be an expert in this field, I was discussing that very issue with the chief digital officer for Wales very recently. I think it's an important question because it exposes an issue that in some ways has only come to the fore in public debate very recently. From the discussion I had, my understanding is there are two possible solutions to the point that the Member has made. First of all, there is a responsibility on those major companies that store data, including data stored in the cloud, to put into place actions that they could take already to reduce the storage of dark data and therefore to reduce its carbon imprint. In future, now that this is an issue that has come to greater prominence and greater understanding, when contracts are struck between public bodies and other businesses with the data provider, part of those new contract arrangements ought to be a way in which the fruitless storage of data that will never be used or seen again can become part of the contract you have with the provider, so that that data is disposed of in a way that does not lead to the adverse impacts that Joel James has highlighted this afternoon.
Diolch i Joel James am y cwestiwn yna. Fel mae'n digwydd, oherwydd nid wyf i'n gwneud unrhyw honiadau fy mod i'n arbenigwr yn y maes hwn, roeddwn i'n trafod yr union fater yna gyda phrif swyddog digidol Cymru yn ddiweddar iawn. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn gwestiwn pwysig oherwydd mae'n amlygu mater sydd mewn rhai ffyrdd ond wedi dod i'r fei mewn dadl gyhoeddus yn ddiweddar iawn. O'r drafodaeth a gefais, fy nealltwriaeth i yw bod dau ateb posibl i'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod wedi'i wneud. Yn gyntaf oll, mae cyfrifoldeb ar y cwmnïau mawr hynny sy'n storio data, gan gynnwys data sy'n cael ei storio yn y cwmwl, i roi camau ar waith y gallen nhw eu cymryd eisoes i leihau storio data tywyll ac felly i leihau ei ôl carbon. Yn y dyfodol, nawr bod hwn yn fater sydd wedi dod i fwy o amlygrwydd a mwy o ddealltwriaeth, pan fydd contractau'n cael eu taro rhwng cyrff cyhoeddus a busnesau eraill gyda'r darparwr data, dylai rhan o'r trefniadau contract newydd hynny fod yn ffordd y gall storio data yn ofer na fydd byth yn cael ei ddefnyddio na'i weld eto ddod yn rhan o'r cytundeb sydd gennych chi gyda'r darparwr, fel bod y data hwnnw'n cael ei waredu mewn ffordd nad yw'n arwain at yr effeithiau niweidiol y mae Joel James wedi'u hamlygu y prynhawn yma.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
Thank you, First Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf yw'r datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes. Fe gaiff y Trefnydd wneud y datganiad hwnnw—Lesley Griffiths.
The next item is the business statement and announcement. The Trefnydd will make that statement—Lesley Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. There are three changes to this week's business. The statement on the national contemporary art gallery has been withdrawn. Additionally, the debate on the Welsh Language Commissioner's annual report has been postponed until 15 November. Finally, an oral statement on the closure of the Menai bridge has been added as the last item on today's agenda. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Diolch, Llywydd. Mae tri newid i'r busnes yr wythnos hon. Mae'r datganiad ar yr oriel gelf gyfoes genedlaethol wedi ei dynnu'n ôl. Hefyd, mae'r drafodaeth ar adroddiad blynyddol Comisiynydd y Gymraeg wedi'i gohirio tan 15 Tachwedd. Yn olaf, mae datganiad llafar ar gau pont Menai wedi'i ychwanegu fel yr eitem olaf ar agenda heddiw. Mae busnes drafft ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi ar y datganiad busnes a'r cyhoeddiad, sydd i'w weld ymhlith y papurau cyfarfod sydd ar gael i Aelodau yn electronig.
Trefnydd, last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Diabetes UK and Member of Parliament Sir James Duddridge to discuss the lesser know type 3c diabetes, something that both James and my father suffer with. For those in the Chamber that aren't aware, type 3c is diagnosed when the pancreas not only stops producing insulin for the body but inhibits the production of digestive enzymes as well. This is often brought on by a host of other conditions, such an pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and haemochromatosis. However, despite its causes, it's frequently misdiagnosed, most often as type 2 diabetes. So, given its rarity and the importance of accurate diagnosis, can I ask that the health Minister, either orally or in a written statement, make a statement about the steps that the Welsh Government are taking to raise clinical awareness about type 3c diabetes and how individuals living with the condition can be supported? Diolch, Llywydd.
Trefnydd, yr wythnos diwethaf, cefais i'r pleser o gyfarfod â Diabetes UK a'r Aelod Seneddol Syr James Duddridge i drafod y clefyd llai adnabyddus diabetes math 3c, rhywbeth y mae James a fy nhad yn dioddef ohono. I'r rhai yn y Siambr nad ydyn nhw'n ymwybodol, mae diagnosis math 3c yn digwydd pan fydd y pancreas nid yn unig yn stopio cynhyrchu inswlin ar gyfer y corff ond yn rhwystro cynhyrchu ensymau treuliol hefyd. Mae llu o gyflyrau eraill yn achosi hyn yn aml, fel pancreatitis, canser y pancreas, ffibrosis systig a haemochromatosis. Fodd bynnag, er gwaethaf ei achosion, yn aml mae'n cael camddiagnosis, gan amlaf fel diabetes math 2. Felly, o ystyried ei brinder a phwysigrwydd cael diagnosis cywir, a gaf i ofyn i'r Gweinidog iechyd, naill ai ar lafar neu mewn datganiad ysgrifenedig, wneud datganiad am y camau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i godi ymwybyddiaeth glinigol am ddiabetes math 3c a sut y mae modd cefnogi unigolion sy'n byw gyda'r cyflwr? Diolch, Llywydd.
Thank you. I certainly think you've done a very good job in raising awareness of a very unknown, I think, type of diabetes. The Minister for Health and Social Services is in her place and has agreed to write to you on it.
Diolch. Yn sicr, rwy'n credu eich bod chi wedi gwneud gwaith da iawn o ran codi ymwybyddiaeth o fath o ddiabetes anhysbys iawn. Mae'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn ei lle ac wedi cytuno i ysgrifennu atoch chi am hyn.
Trefnydd, figures supplied to my office lay bare the capacity problems within the Welsh NHS. The Welsh ambulance trust is routinely losing more than 2,000 hours per month due to ambulances waiting outside just one hospital in my region. The fact that this hospital is the flagship Grange hospital is even more problematic, as this was meant to herald an improvement in health services for constituents. Can this Government therefore order a review into capacity issues within the NHS and the knock-on effect that this is having on other services and patient well-being? The status quo is failing patients, it's failing hospitals and it's failing ambulance staff. I hope you agree things are unacceptable and things cannot go on like this.
Trefnydd, roedd y ffigyrau a gafodd eu rhoi i fy swyddfa yn amlygu'r problemau capasiti o fewn GIG Cymru. Mae ymddiriedolaeth ambiwlansys Cymru yn colli mwy na 2,000 awr y mis yn rheolaidd oherwydd ambiwlansys yn aros y tu allan i un ysbyty yn unig yn fy rhanbarth i. Mae'r ffaith mai'r ysbyty hwn yw ysbyty blaenllaw y Faenor hyd yn oed yn fwy problematig, gan fod hyn i fod i gyflwyno gwelliant mewn gwasanaethau iechyd i etholwyr. A all y Llywodraeth hon felly orchymyn adolygiad i faterion capasiti o fewn y GIG a'r sgil-effaith y mae hyn yn ei gael ar wasanaethau eraill a lles cleifion? Mae'r drefn bresennol yn methu cleifion, mae'n methu ysbytai ac mae'n methu staff ambiwlans. Gobeithio eich bod chi'n cytuno bod pethau'n annerbyniol ac na all pethau fynd ymlaen fel hyn.
Thank you. Well, the Member does raise a very important point, and it's certainly something that I think we've seen outside many of our hospitals in Wales, which is something that we don't want to see, and I know the Minister's been working very hard with all the health boards to try and improve the times that ambulances are waiting outside. Obviously, this is an issue with capacity in our emergency departments, and, again, I know the Minister's been working very hard to recruit more emergency consultants. I know, certainly, Betsi Cadwaladr, which I appreciate is not in your area, is an area where they've had a real focus.
Diolch. Wel, mae'r Aelod yn codi pwynt pwysig iawn, ac yn sicr mae'n rhywbeth rwy'n meddwl ein bod ni wedi'i weld y tu allan i lawer o'n hysbytai yng Nghymru, sy'n rhywbeth nad ydym ni eisiau'i weld, ac rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed iawn gyda'r holl fyrddau iechyd i geisio gwella'r amseroedd y mae ambiwlansys yn aros y tu allan. Yn amlwg, mae hwn yn broblem gyda gallu yn ein hadrannau brys, ac, unwaith eto, rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed iawn i recriwtio mwy o ymgynghorwyr meddygol brys. Rwy'n gwybod, yn sicr, bod Betsi Cadwaladr, nad yw, rwy'n gwerthfawrogi, yn eich ardal chi, yn faes lle maen nhw wir wedi bod â phwyslais gwirioneddol.
I ask for only one statement and it's by way of update. There was a real sense of optimism a year ago, when the Welsh Government stepped into the breach in terms of the Caerau Arbed community energy saving programme issues, with over 100 householders—not all through the Welsh scheme, in fact, the majority through the English CESP programme—deeply affected, with their homes and their standard of life as well, I have to say. It's a real issue. But the Welsh Government stepped up and it said it would work with Bridgend County Borough Council to bring forward a business case that would then be signed off and we could get on with remedying the homes of all those people. But time has gone by; I think it's eight months since the business case was being presented. I know there's been to-ing and fro-ing between the council and Welsh Government finessing it, because I've written before. Other Members in the Senedd have raised this issue as well. But we need a statement, so that we can give the reassurance to people that this is progressing, despite delays, despite refining, despite having to get all the bureaucracy signed off, because it's a heck of a lot of money we're talking about, but we want to see it progress. So, is there any chance that we could have a statement of update so that all those householders—over 100 in Caerau—will know that this work is finally going to be done, and sooner rather than later?
Rwy'n gofyn am un datganiad yn unig fel cyfrwng ar gyfer yr wybodaeth diweddaraf. Roedd gwir deimlad o optimistiaeth flwyddyn yn ôl, pan gamodd Llywodraeth Cymru i'r adwy o ran materion rhaglen arbed ynni cymunedol Caerau Arbed, gyda dros 100 o ddeiliaid tai—nid pob un drwy gynllun Cymru, mewn gwirionedd, y mwyafrif drwy raglen CESP Lloegr—wedi'u heffeithio'n ddwfn, a'u cartrefi a'u safon byw hefyd, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud. Mae hi wir yn broblem. Ond fe gamodd Llywodraeth Cymru i'r adwy a dywedodd y byddai'n gweithio gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr i gyflwyno achos busnes a fyddai wedyn yn cael ei gymeradwyo a gallen ni fynd ati i wella cartrefi'r holl bobl hynny. Ond mae amser wedi mynd heibio; rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n wyth mis ers i'r achos busnes gael ei gyflwyno. Rwy'n gwybod bod yna 'nôl a blaen' wedi bod rhwng y cyngor a Llywodraeth Cymru yn mireinio'r peth, oherwydd yr wyf i wedi ysgrifennu o'r blaen. Mae Aelodau eraill yn y Senedd wedi codi'r mater yma hefyd. Ond mae angen datganiad, fel y gallwn ni roi'r sicrwydd i bobl bod hyn yn mynd yn ei flaen, er gwaethaf yr oedi, er gwaethaf mireinio, er gwaethaf gorfod cael yr holl fiwrocratiaeth wedi'i chymeradwyo, oherwydd mae'n swm anferth o arian yr ydym ni'n sôn amdano, ond rydym ni eisiau'i weld yn symud ymlaen. Felly, a oes unrhyw obaith y gallem ni gael datganiad o'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf fel y bydd yr holl ddeiliaid tai hynny—dros 100 yng Nghaerau—yn gwybod y bydd y gwaith hwn yn cael ei wneud o'r diwedd, ac yn gynt yn hytrach nag yn hwyrach?
Thank you. I know the Minister for Climate Change, who obviously has responsibility for this scheme, has recently written to Councillor Huw David, the leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, thanking his officers, particularly, for their ongoing engagement with her officials in developing the detailed business case. As you said, the Minister approved the scheme in principle, back in last November, so it has been nearly a year, and obviously there's been a subsequent submission of the detailed business case, and I know the Minister's officials are working on advice, which will be given to the Minister imminently.
Diolch. Rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd, sydd yn amlwg â chyfrifoldeb am y cynllun hwn, wedi ysgrifennu at y Cynghorydd Huw David, arweinydd Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, gan ddiolch i'w swyddogion, yn enwedig, am eu hymgysylltiad parhaus gyda'i swyddogion wrth ddatblygu'r achos busnes manwl. Fel y dywedoch chi, cymeradwyodd y Gweinidog y cynllun mewn egwyddor, nôl ym mis Tachwedd diwethaf, felly mae bron i flwyddyn wedi bod, ac yn amlwg mae cyflwyniad wedi bod ers hynny o'r achos busnes manwl, ac rwy'n gwybod bod swyddogion y Gweinidog yn gweithio ar gyngor, a fydd yn cael ei roi i'r Gweinidog a hynny ar fin digwydd.
Could I ask for an urgent statement from the health Minister this afternoon on waiting times in Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan, as I have been contacted overnight by Chelsea Clark from Meliden, whose grandmother has been sat in A&E for 35 hours—35 hours in a dirty corridor with a blood clot in her leg, pneumonia, and has previously had sepsis and meningitis, which has caused kidney disease? This is a live case, Trefnydd, which is causing much distress to the patient and her family, and something needs to be done, as we see all too often cases such as this. So, I'd like an urgent statement from the Welsh Government this afternoon detailing what mechanisms they're going to use to bring the health board to account on these problems. And, failing this, will the Welsh Government accept that they've completely lost control of health services in north Wales? My constituents need answers and they need them now.
A gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad brys gan y Gweinidog iechyd y prynhawn yma ar amseroedd aros yn ysbyty Glan Clwyd ym Modelwyddan, gan fod Chelsea Clark o Meliden wedi cysylltu â mi dros nos, y mae ei nain wedi bod yn eistedd yn yr adran damweiniau ac achosion brys am 35 awr—35 awr mewn coridor budr gyda chlot gwaed yn ei choes, niwmonia, ac mae hi eisoes wedi cael sepsis a llid yr ymennydd, sydd wedi achosi clefyd yr arennau? Mae hwn yn achos byw, Trefnydd, sydd yn achosi llawer o drallod i'r claf a'i theulu, ac mae angen gwneud rhywbeth, gan ein bod ni'n gweld o achosion fel hyn yn rhy aml. Felly, hoffwn i gael datganiad brys gan Lywodraeth Cymru prynhawn yma yn manylu ar ba ddulliau maen nhw'n mynd i'w defnyddio i ddod â'r bwrdd iechyd i gyfrif ar y problemau hyn. A gan fethu hyn, a fydd Llywodraeth Cymru'n derbyn eu bod nhw wedi colli rheolaeth dros wasanaethau iechyd yn y gogledd yn llwyr? Mae angen atebion ar fy etholwyr i ac maen nhw eu hangen nhw arnyn nhw nawr.
Well, the Member knows that we can't possibly do an urgent statement this afternoon on a very distressing individual case, and I'm sorry the Minister isn't in the Chamber, but I will make sure she hears about the individual case. While she can't obviously comment on a specific case, you will be very well aware of the significant work that the Minister is doing with Betsi Cadwaldar University Health Board particularly around A&E. I mentioned in my earlier answer to Peredur the work she has been doing to make sure that we can get—[Interruption.]
Wel, mae'r Aelod yn gwybod nad oes modd i ni wneud datganiad brys y prynhawn yma ar achos unigol gofidus iawn, ac mae'n ddrwg gennyf i nad yw'r Gweinidog yn y Siambr, ond byddaf i'n sicrhau ei bod hi'n clywed am yr achos unigol. Er na all hi wneud sylwadau ar achos penodol yn amlwg, byddwch chi'n ymwybodol iawn o'r gwaith arwyddocaol y mae'r Gweinidog yn ei wneud gyda Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr yn enwedig ynghylch yr adran damweiniau ac achosion brys. Gwnes i sôn yn fy ateb cynharach i Peredur am y gwaith y mae hi wedi bod yn ei wneud i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gallu cael—[Torri ar draws.]
Allow the Minister—[Inaudible.]
Gadewch i'r Gweinidog—[Anghlywadwy.]
—to make sure that—
—i wneud yn siŵr bod—
What's happening to my microphone? Allow the Trefnydd to carry on. I think she heard me.
Beth sy'n digwydd i fy meicroffon? Gadwch i'r Trefnydd fynd yn ei blaen. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi wedi fy nghlywed i.
—to make sure that our major hospitals in north Wales do have the emergency care consultants that are required.
—i wneud yn siŵr bod gan ein prif ysbytai yn y gogledd yr ymgynghorwyr gofal brys sy'n ofynnol.
Minister, as a clinician, I appreciate the enormous pressure on the NHS, on our patients waiting for treatment, and on our staff, who have shown such professionalism in the face of unprecedented challenges. Whilst I know we have to resolve the short-term crisis, we also need to look to the longer term strategically and with purpose. In the field of cancer care, this is vitally important. Both England and Scotland have a national cancer plan, and Northern Ireland consulted on this last November. Wales, by contrast, is now the only nation of the UK that does not have a cancer plan. I know that you owe it to those needing care and treatment and to those delivering our services for there to be a strategy to set out the outcomes that are needed. Will the Minister schedule a debate in the Government's time to allow the Minister to set out her thinking? Thank you.
Gweinidog, fel clinigwr, rwy'n gwerthfawrogi'r pwysau enfawr ar y GIG, ar ein cleifion sy'n aros am driniaeth, ac ar ein staff, sydd wedi dangos y fath broffesiynoldeb yn wyneb heriau digynsail. Er fy mod i'n gwybod bod yn rhaid i ni ddatrys yr argyfwng tymor byr, mae angen i ni hefyd edrych i'r tymor hwy yn strategol a gyda phwrpas. Ym maes gofal canser, mae hyn yn hanfodol bwysig. Mae gan Loegr a'r Alban gynllun canser cenedlaethol, ac fe wnaeth Gogledd Iwerddon ymgynghori ar hyn fis Tachwedd diwethaf. Ar y llaw arall, Cymru yw'r unig genedl o'r DU nawr sydd heb gynllun canser. Rwy'n gwybod ei bod yn ddyletswydd arnoch, i'r rhai sydd angen gofal a thriniaeth ac i'r rhai sy'n darparu ein gwasanaethau, sefydlu strategaeth i nodi'r canlyniadau sydd eu hangen. A wnaiff y Gweinidog drefnu dadl yn amser y Llywodraeth i ganiatáu i'r Gweinidog nodi ei syniadau? Diolch.
I will certainly ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to consider making a statement on cancer services in Wales. I think she does do so most years, but I'm not quite sure in the cycle where we are, but I will certainly ask the Minister—who's just heard your question—if she's prepared to do so.
Yn sicr, fe wnaf i ofyn i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ystyried gwneud datganiad ar wasanaethau canser yng Nghymru. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n gwneud hynny bron bob blwyddyn, ond nid ydw i'n hollol siŵr lle yr ydym ni yn y cylch, ond yn sicr, fe wnaf i ofyn i'r Gweinidog—sydd newydd glywed eich cwestiwn—os yw hi'n barod i wneud hynny.
Good afternoon, Trefnydd. The particular financial situation at the moment means that those who are the poorest in our society are going to be particularly hard hit and those who are currently in debt are going to suffer particular problems. This was highlighted in an online story by the BBC that focused on the terrible case of a single mother who worked as a carer. Julie spoke of the shame she felt. She spoke of the terror her young daughter experienced when bailiffs in full body armour were banging on the door. I'm sure you would agree that no-one should have to live like this. We know that Wales has the highest proportion of financial exclusion in the UK and we need to be willing to consider radical solutions to address the effects of debt on our residents here.
So, this is also by way of a follow-up. I was very pleased to be part of the social justice committee gthat recommended that Wales consider a debt bonfire. Therefore, could I ask for a statement from the Minister for Social Justice on this topic and an update on the situation? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Trefnydd. Mae'r sefyllfa ariannol benodol ar hyn o bryd yn golygu bod y rhai tlotaf yn ein cymdeithas yn mynd i ddioddef ergyd arbennig o galed ac mae'r rheiny sydd mewn dyled ar hyn o bryd yn mynd i ddioddef problemau penodol. Cafodd hyn ei amlygu mewn stori ar-lein gan y BBC a ganolbwyntiodd ar achos ofnadwy mam sengl a oedd yn gweithio fel gofalwr. Soniodd Julie am y cywilydd roedd hi'n ei deimlo. Soniodd hi am braw a wynebodd ei merch ifanc pan oedd beilïaid mewn arfwisg corff llawn yn curo ar y drws. Rwy'n siŵr y byddech chi'n cytuno na ddylai neb orfod byw fel hyn. Rydym yn gwybod mai Cymru sydd â'r gyfran uchaf o waharddiadau ariannol yn y DU ac mae angen i ni fod yn barod i ystyried atebion radical i ymdrin ag effeithiau dyled ar ein trigolion yma.
Felly, mae hyn hefyd drwy ddilyniant. Roeddwn i'n falch iawn o fod yn rhan o'r pwyllgor cyfiawnder cymdeithasol a wnaeth argymell y dylai Cymru ystyried coelcerth ddyled. Felly, a gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ar y pwnc hwn a'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ar y sefyllfa? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you. Well, we certainly know that, for many people, this cost-of-living crisis will absolutely tip them over the edge, unfortunately, in relation to their finances, and I know the Minister for Social Justice considered the report very carefully, and that she is looking—. I know one area where she is doing some work is debt owed to the public sector creditors, for instance, and that includes local authority, which is becoming a growing concern as people are faced with the cost-of-living crisis, and officials continue to research the proposal for a debt bonfire.
As a Government, we are certainly doing all we can to support our residents in relation to being able to access financial support, and doing what we can to help people with debt and with the cost-of-living crisis, and you will have heard the First Minister say in his answer during his question session how, as a Cabinet, every week we have a cost-of-living sub-committee of Cabinet, where we have experts coming in to give us advice as to how we can be more radical and what more we can do to help people.
Diolch. Wel, rydym ni'n sicr yn gwybod, i lawer o bobl, y bydd yr argyfwng costau byw hwn yn eu gwthio dros y diben, yn anffodus, o ran eu cyllid, ac rwy'n gwybod bod y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol wedi ystyried yr adroddiad yn ofalus iawn, a'i bod hi'n edrych—. Rwy'n gwybod mai un maes lle mae hi'n gwneud rhywfaint o waith yw dyled sy'n ddyledus i gredydwyr y sector cyhoeddus, er enghraifft, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys awdurdodau lleol, sy'n dod yn bryder cynyddol wrth i bobl wynebu'r argyfwng costau byw, ac mae swyddogion yn parhau i ymchwilio i'r cynnig am goelcerth ddyled.
Fel Llywodraeth, rydym ni'n sicr yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu ni i gefnogi ein trigolion o ran gallu manteisio ar gefnogaeth ariannol, a gwneud yr hyn y gallwn ni i helpu pobl gyda dyled a gyda'r argyfwng costau byw, a byddwch chi wedi clywed y Prif Weinidog yn dweud yn ei ateb yn ystod ei sesiwn holi sut, fel Cabinet, bob wythnos mae gennym ni is-bwyllgor costau byw o'r Cabinet, lle mae gennym ni arbenigwyr yn dod i mewn i roi cyngor i ni ynglŷn â sut y gallwn ni fod yn fwy radical a beth arall y gallwn ni ei wneud i helpu pobl.
Please can I ask for a statement from the Minister for Economy about what work the Welsh Government is doing to boost pre-Christmas trade for our hard-working town-centre businesses? I'm a firm believer that we should be doing all we can to help businesses thrive, not just survive, across Wales, and they face rising cost-of-living pressures and continue to deal with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. In my region of south-east Wales, I've launched a new initiative to give businesses a much-needed boost in the run-up to the festive period and increase footfall in our town centres. I've written to all the leaders of all the local authorities across south-east Wales, asking them to back my proposals and work with me to make this a reality. My plan is to see car parking fees scrapped in all council-controlled car parks throughout December in a bid to encourage more people to get out and about as the festive period approaches. Not only will businesses benefit as a result of free car parking, but it would also go a long way in helping families who are feeling the financial squeeze. Many town centres across the UK have rolled out similar schemes, which have been incredibly successful, and I do appreciate that Monmouth council has indeed embarked upon this as well. So, any support the Welsh Government can give to my initiative would be greatly appreciated, and I'd also appreciate if the economy Minister could outline how exactly he is working with local authorities and other stakeholders to help Welsh business in the run-up to Christmas.
A gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad gan Weinidog yr Economi am ba waith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i hybu masnach cyn y Nadolig i'n busnesau canol trefi sy'n gweithio'n galed? Rwy'n credu'n gryf y dylem ni fod yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i helpu busnesau i ffynnu, nid dim ond goroesi, ledled Cymru, ac maen nhw'n wynebu pwysau costau byw cynyddol a pharhau i ymdrin â chanlyniadau'r pandemig coronafeirws. Yn fy rhanbarth i yn y de-ddwyrain, rwyf i wedi lansio menter newydd i roi hwb angenrheidiol i fusnesau yn ystod cyfnod yr ŵyl a chynyddu nifer yr ymwelwyr yng nghanol ein trefi. Rwyf i wedi ysgrifennu at holl arweinwyr yr holl awdurdodau lleol ar draws y de-ddwyrain, yn gofyn iddyn nhw gefnogi fy nghynigion a gweithio gyda mi i wireddu hyn. Fy nghynllun i yw gweld ffioedd parcio ceir yn cael eu dileu ym mhob maes parcio sy'n cael eu rheoli gan y cyngor drwy gydol mis Rhagfyr mewn ymgais i annog mwy o bobl i fynd allan wrth i gyfnod yr ŵyl agosáu. Bydd busnesau nid yn unig yn elwa o ganlyniad i barcio am ddim, ond byddai hefyd yn cyfrannu'n helaeth at helpu teuluoedd sy'n teimlo'r wasgfa ariannol. Mae llawer o ganol trefi ledled y DU wedi cyflwyno cynlluniau tebyg, sydd wedi bod yn hynod lwyddiannus, ac rwy'n gwerthfawrogi bod cyngor Mynwy yn wir wedi dechrau ar hyn hefyd. Felly, byddai unrhyw gefnogaeth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei roi i fy menter i'n cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr, a byddwn i hefyd yn gwerthfawrogi pe bai Gweinidog yr economi yn gallu amlinellu sut yn union y mae'n gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol a rhanddeiliaid eraill i helpu busnesau Cymru yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig.
Thank you. I certainly think it would be worth you writing to the Minister for Economy, outlining the proposals that you suggested, and I know we have undertaken quite a lot of work as part of town-centre regeneration, particularly in the run-up to Christmas over previous years, to highlight how they can get more footfall into our town centres, and, clearly, free car parking is one area.
Diolch. Yn sicr, rwy'n credu y byddai'n werth i chi ysgrifennu at Weinidog yr Economi, gan amlinellu'r cynigion sydd wedi'u hawgrymu gennych chi, ac rwy'n gwybod ein bod ni wedi gwneud cryn dipyn o waith fel rhan o adfywio canol tref, yn enwedig yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig yn ystod y blynyddoedd blaenorol, i dynnu sylw at sut y gallan nhw gael mwy o ymwelwyr i ganol ein trefi, ac, yn amlwg, mae parcio am ddim yn un maes.
Good afternoon, Trefnydd. I would like a statement from the Minister for education on the fact that some primary schools now are in urgent need of support to extend their kitchens and employ more staff to manage the free school meal policy. Indeed, in a response to a written question, the Minister for education advised me, and I quote,
'further work will take place during October to understand whether any additional kitchen upgrade works are required to deliver the next stages of universal primary free school meals.'
He was then, however, unable
'to confirm the number of primary schools in Wales requiring upgrades to their kitchens.'
Without the staff that are employed to work in our school kitchens in Aberconwy and across Wales, the delivery of this universal offer is not going to be possible. I met one of those teams—a school kitchen team, the other day—and they were working incredibly hard, but they themselves now are beginning to panic about how they're going to take this policy and do it properly, with the number of pupils in various schools. So, could we have a statement from the Minister? Will he update the Chamber on the outcome of the work this month so that school kitchen teams themselves can find out whether they're going to be receiving this help? And, in the main, it's finances as well they're looking for. Thank you.
Prynhawn da, Trefnydd. Hoffwn ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Addysg am y ffaith bod angen cefnogaeth frys ar rai ysgolion cynradd i ymestyn eu ceginau a chyflogi mwy o staff i reoli'r polisi prydau ysgol am ddim. Yn wir, mewn ymateb i gwestiwn ysgrifenedig, gwnaeth y Gweinidog addysg fy nghyngori i, ac rwy'n dyfynnu,
'Bydd gwaith arall yn cael ei wneud yn ystod mis Hydref i ddeall a oes angen unrhyw waith uwchraddio ceginau ychwanegol i gyflawni camau nesaf prydau ysgol cynradd cyffredinol.'
Yr oedd bryd hynny, fodd bynnag, yn methu
'cadarnhau nifer yr ysgolion cynradd yng Nghymru y mae angen uwchraddio eu ceginau.'
Heb y staff sy'n cael eu cyflogi i weithio yng ngheginau ein hysgolion yn Aberconwy ac ar draws Cymru, nid yw darparu'r cynnig cyffredinol hwn yn mynd i fod yn bosibl. Gwnes i gyfarfod ag un o'r timau hynny—tîm cegin ysgol, y diwrnod o'r blaen—ac roedden nhw'n gweithio'n anhygoel o galed, ond maen nhw eu hunain nawr yn dechrau mynd i banig ynghylch sut maen nhw'n mynd i gymryd y polisi hwn a'i gyflawni'n gywir, gyda nifer y disgyblion mewn gwahanol ysgolion. Felly, a gawn ni ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog? A wnaiff e' roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Siambr ar ganlyniad y gwaith y mis hwn fel bod timau cegin ysgol eu hunain yn gallu darganfod a ydyn nhw'n mynd i fod yn derbyn yr help hwn? Ac, yn bennaf, cyllid hefyd maen nhw'n chwilio amdano. Diolch.
Thank you. Obviously, as we roll out this policy, more work will be done and has been done with our schools. You mentioned that you'd had a response from the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language in relation to further work that was being undertaken during the month of October. Obviously, we're still in the month of October, so I would hope that when he has that information to hand, if he feels he needs to do an update, he will do so.
Diolch. Yn amlwg, wrth i ni gyflwyno'r polisi hwn, bydd mwy o waith yn cael ei wneud gyda'n hysgolion, ac mae hynny eisoes yn digwydd. Fe wnaethoch chi sôn eich bod wedi cael ymateb gan Weinidog y Gymraeg ac Addysg mewn perthynas â gwaith pellach oedd yn cael ei wneud yn ystod mis Hydref. Yn amlwg, rydym ni'n dal ym mis Hydref, felly byddwn yn gobeithio pan fydd ganddo'r wybodaeth honno wrth law, os yw'n teimlo bod angen iddo wneud diweddariad, y bydd yn gwneud hynny.
Thank you, business Minister. I would like to request a statement, as well, from the Minister for education stating the Government's position on the charity Mermaids and their influence on educational material in Wales. There is currently an investigation under way by the Charity Commission surrounding the compliance of the charity, and, just this month, the Department for Education has removed Mermaids as a mental health and well-being resource for schools as a result of an ongoing investigation, the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect our children and young people. Could I therefore ask the education Minister for an oral or written statement outlining this Welsh Government's stance on Mermaids and the concerns that I outlined? Thank you.
Diolch, Gweinidog busnes. Hoffwn ofyn am ddatganiad, hefyd, gan y Gweinidog addysg yn datgan safbwynt y Llywodraeth ar yr elusen Mermaids a'u dylanwad ar ddeunydd addysgol yng Nghymru. Ar hyn o bryd mae ymchwiliad ar y gweill gan y Comisiwn Elusennau ynghylch cydymffurfiaeth yr elusen, ac, y mis yma, mae'r Adran Addysg wedi dileu Mermaids fel adnodd iechyd meddwl a lles i ysgolion o ganlyniad i ymchwiliad sy'n parhau, difrifoldeb yr honiadau a'r angen i amddiffyn ein plant a'n pobl ifanc. A gaf i ofyn felly i'r Gweinidog Addysg am ddatganiad llafar neu ysgrifenedig yn amlinellu safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru ynghylch Mermaids a'r pryderon yr amlinellais i? Diolch.
I'm not aware of any work being undertaken by the organisation that you refer to, but if that is the case, I will ask the Minister to write to the Member.
Dydw i ddim yn ymwybodol o unrhyw waith sy'n cael ei wneud gan y sefydliad rydych chi'n cyfeirio ato, ond os yw hynny'n wir, fe wnaf ofyn i'r Gweinidog ysgrifennu at yr Aelod.
Diolch i'r Trefnydd.
I thank the Trefnydd.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ar y fframwaith imiwneiddio cenedlaethol, a dwi'n galw ar y Gweinidog i wneud ei datganiad—Eluned Morgan.
The next item is a statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services on the national immunisation framework for Wales, and I call on the Minister to make the statement—Eluned Morgan.
Diolch yn fawr. Today, I am publishing our new national immunisation framework. Vaccination has long been a critical part of NHS Wales's delivery to protect our citizens and our communities. The pandemic required us to think differently about the deployment of vaccination, in particular the need to maximise uptake and to ensure equity. We must learn these lessons and apply them to our future arrangements, and it is through this national immunisation framework that we will do that. I want this framework to enable positive changes to deliver and improve vaccination arrangements and to increase uptake across all our vaccination programmes.
The vaccination transformation programme was established earlier this year to look at the provision of vaccination services to ensure arrangements are fit for the future. In July, I published the winter respiratory vaccination strategy, which paved the way for an integrated COVID-19 and influenza vaccination programme that launched on 1 September. The programme is progressing well, with both the COVID-19 and flu campaigns now in full swing. All those eligible for a COVID-19 booster will have their invites by the end of November, and those eligible for flu vaccination will have theirs by the end of December. It’s so important that we maximise the uptake of both vaccines, and I encourage everyone to take up their appointments this autumn to protect themselves and their families.
As important as they are, especially at this time of year, this framework is about much more than vaccination against respiratory viruses; it covers all our vaccination programmes, including childhood immunisations. And it is the success and good practice of these programmes that has been the foundation for the transformation process. Indeed, they provided the basis for our world-leading COVID-19 vaccination programme.
Our vision for the future of immunisation in Wales is high uptake of a sustainably delivered, effective vaccine at the right time to reduce severe illness and death. We want to see vaccination services that are clear, where people know what vaccinations they are eligible for and how to receive them, with high levels of uptake and equity of access at the heart of service design and provision. This is the first national immunisation framework to be issued for Wales and its development has been on a co-production basis, with the Welsh Government and the NHS working as one team to identify and use lessons from the pandemic to transition to a position of improved business as usual for all vaccination programmes.
Health board accountability will remain unchanged, with boards assessing local need, commissioning, performance managing and evaluating provision in line with the national strategic direction. Our intention is to support that, to enable improvements and to maximise uptake to protect everyone in Wales. The NHS executive will have a key role in planning and performance managing vaccination programmes in the future.
So, the framework identifies six key areas of focus, within which our strategic priorities and expectations are set, and these are vaccination equity, digitally enabled vaccination, eligibility, public vaccination literacy, deployment and governance. The majority of commitments outlined in the framework build on practices that have worked well from our experience and flexibility of the COVID-19 programme or best practice from existing, long-standing programmes. All have been identified by key partners, including those delivering services on the ground. We know that health harms from COVID-19 have not affected people in Wales equally. Tailored support has been needed to enable and encourage underserved groups to take up the offer of vaccination. People from harder-to-reach communities will come forward for vaccination, which points to accessibility rather than acceptability being a key barrier. That is something that we must tackle, and it is why we have put vaccination equity at the core of Wales’s vaccination approach and this framework.
Public understanding and engagement are critical in supporting people to come forward for vaccination, so the framework focuses in on this. It includes priorities on the co-production of patient materials, robust communications and engagement strategies, and training to increase awareness of vaccination among the health and care workforce, and community and trusted figures, so that they can advocate for vaccination and make every contact count.
Diolch yn fawr. Heddiw, rydw i'n cyhoeddi ein fframwaith imiwneiddio cenedlaethol newydd. Mae brechu wedi bod yn rhan hanfodol o ddarpariaeth GIG Cymru i ddiogelu ein dinasyddion a'n cymunedau ers amser maith. Roedd y pandemig yn gofyn i ni feddwl yn wahanol am ddefnyddio brechiadau, yn enwedig yr angen i gael cynifer â phosib i'w cymryd ac i sicrhau tegwch. Mae'n rhaid i ni ddysgu'r gwersi hyn a'u cynnwys yn ein trefniadau yn y dyfodol, a thrwy'r fframwaith imiwneiddio cenedlaethol hwn y byddwn yn gwneud hynny. Mae arna i eisiau i'r fframwaith hwn alluogi newidiadau cadarnhaol i gyflawni a gwella trefniadau brechu a chynyddu'r niferoedd sy'n cael eu brechu ar draws ein holl raglenni brechu.
Cafodd y rhaglen trawsnewid brechiadau ei sefydlu yn gynharach eleni i edrych ar ddarparu gwasanaethau brechu er mwyn sicrhau bod y trefniadau'n addas i'r dyfodol. Ym mis Gorffennaf, cyhoeddais strategaeth frechu'r gaeaf yn erbyn feirysau anadlol, a fraenarodd y tir ar gyfer rhaglen gyfunol i frechu yn erbyn COVID-19 a'r ffliw a lansiwyd ar 1 Medi. Mae'r rhaglen yn bwrw ymlaen yn dda, gyda'r ymgyrchoedd COVID-19 a'r ffliw bellach ar eu hanterth. Bydd pawb sy'n gymwys i gael pigiad atgyfnerthu COVID-19 yn cael gwahoddiad erbyn diwedd Tachwedd, a bydd y rhai sy'n gymwys i gael brechiad ffliw yn cael gwahoddiad erbyn diwedd Rhagfyr. Mae mor bwysig ein bod yn sicrhau bod cynifer â phosib yn cael y ddau frechlyn, ac rwy'n annog pawb i fynd i'w hapwyntiadau yr hydref hwn i amddiffyn eu hunain a'u teuluoedd.
Er mor bwysig ydynt, yn enwedig yr adeg hon o'r flwyddyn, mae'r fframwaith hwn yn ymwneud â llawer mwy na brechu yn erbyn firysau anadlol; mae'n cynnwys ein holl raglenni brechu, gan gynnwys brechiadau plentyndod. A llwyddiant ac arfer da'r rhaglenni yma sydd wedi bod yn sylfaen i'r broses drawsnewid. Yn wir, fe wnaethant ddarparu sail i'n rhaglen frechu COVID-19 sy'n arwain y byd.
Ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer dyfodol imiwneiddio yng Nghymru yw bod cynifer â phosib yn cael brechlyn effeithiol mewn ffordd gynaliadwy ar yr adeg gywir i leihau salwch difrifol a marwolaeth. Mae arnom ni eisiau gweld gwasanaethau brechu sydd yn glir, lle mae pobl yn gwybod pa frechiadau y maent yn gymwys i'w cael, a sut i'w derbyn, gyda chynifer â phosib yn eu cael a thegwch yn y ffordd y gwneir hynny wrth galon dylunio a darparu gwasanaethau. Dyma'r fframwaith imiwneiddio cenedlaethol cyntaf i'w gyhoeddi ar gyfer Cymru, ac fe'i datblygwyd ar y cyd, gyda Llywodraeth Cymru a'r GIG yn gweithio fel un tîm i adnabod a defnyddio gwersi o'r pandemig i drosglwyddo i sefyllfa o well gweithredu rheolaidd ar gyfer pob rhaglen frechu.
Bydd atebolrwydd y byrddau iechyd yn parhau heb newid, gyda byrddau yn asesu angen lleol, comisiynu, rheoli perfformiad a gwerthuso'r ddarpariaeth yn unol â'r cyfeiriad strategol cenedlaethol. Ein bwriad yw cefnogi hynny, galluogi gwelliannau ac i sicrhau bod cymaint â phosib o bobl yn manteisio i'r eithaf ar ddiogelu pawb yng Nghymru. Bydd gan fwrdd gweithredu'r GIG ran allweddol yn y gwaith o gynllunio a rheoli perfformiad rhaglenni brechu yn y dyfodol.
Felly, mae'r fframwaith yn nodi chwe maes pwyslais allweddol, lle mae ein blaenoriaethau a'n disgwyliadau strategol yn cael eu gosod, a'r rhain yw tegwch brechu, brechu digidol, cymhwysedd, llythrennedd brechu cyhoeddus, rhoi a llywodraethu. Mae mwyafrif yr ymrwymiadau a amlinellir yn y fframwaith yn adeiladu ar arferion sydd wedi gweithio'n dda o'n profiad o raglen COVID-19 ac o hyblygrwydd hynny neu ar yr arferion gorau o raglenni presennol, hirsefydlog. Mae'r cyfan wedi'u nodi gan bartneriaid allweddol, gan gynnwys y rhai sy'n darparu gwasanaethau ar lawr gwlad. Rydym ni'n gwybod nad yw niwed iechyd yn sgil COVID-19 wedi effeithio ar bobl yng Nghymru yn yr un modd. Roedd angen cefnogaeth benodol i alluogi ac annog grwpiau sydd wedi'u hesgeuluso i fanteisio ar y cynnig o frechu. Bydd pobl o gymunedau anoddach eu cyrraedd yn dod ymlaen i gael eu brechu, sy'n awgrymu bod hygyrchedd yn hytrach nac argaeledd yn rhwystr allweddol. Mae hynny'n rhywbeth y mae'n rhaid i ni fynd i'r afael ag ef, a dyna pam rydym ni wedi rhoi tegwch o ran brechu wrth wraidd dull brechu Cymru a'r fframwaith hwn.
Mae dealltwriaeth a diddordeb y cyhoedd yn hanfodol wrth gefnogi pobl i gael eu brechu, felly mae'r fframwaith yn canolbwyntio ar hyn. Mae'n cynnwys blaenoriaethau ar gyd-gynhyrchu deunyddiau i gleifion, strategaethau cyfathrebu ac ymgysylltu cadarn, a hyfforddiant i gynyddu ymwybyddiaeth o frechu ymhlith y gweithlu iechyd a gofal, a ffigyrau cymunedol a dibynadwy, fel y gallant eirioli dros frechu a gwneud i bob cyswllt gyfrif.
Daeth Joyce Watson i’r Gadair.
Joyce Watson took the Chair.
Mae'r fframwaith yn ymrwymo i greu adnodd imiwneiddio craidd mewn byrddau iechyd. Mae'n newid strwythurau llywodraethu i sicrhau goruchwyliaeth a rheolaeth briodol ac integredig i'r holl raglenni brechu a llifoedd gwaith i drawsnewid y seilwaith digidol ar gyfer brechu, sy'n cynnig cyfleoedd enfawr i wasanaethau a dinasyddion.
Ymrwymiad arall o bwys yn y fframwaith yw symud i broses gaffael ganolog ar gyfer brechlyn y ffliw. Rŷn ni wedi gweld lefelau digynsail yn manteisio ar y brechlyn yn ein rhaglen COVID-19. Dwi'n derbyn bod hyn yn rhannol oherwydd y cyd-destun, ond mae peth o'r diolch hefyd i'r ffordd y mae'r system wedi meithrin cysylltiadau a chynnwys grwpiau sydd wedi bod yn anodd eu cynnwys yn y gorffennol. Dwi am i'r pwyslais hwn ar ddiogelu iechyd gael ei ddefnyddio yn y rhaglen ffliw yn y dyfodol hefyd. Gallwn ni ddim disgwyl i ddarparwyr gofal sylfaenol ysgwyddo'r risg o archebu mwy o'r brechlyn. Rŷn ni'n cydnabod bod yn rhaid cadw'r risg hon ar lefel genedlaethol, felly rŷn ni'n archwilio sut allwn ni symud at fodel caffael cenedlaethol o 2024 ymlaen.
Bydd darparwyr gofal sylfaenol, gan gynnwys fferyllfeydd cymunedol, yn dal i chwarae rhan bwysig iawn wrth ddarparu brechlyn y ffliw a rhaglenni brechu eraill ar ôl 2024. Maen nhw'n elfen hollbwysig o'r opsiynau y dylid eu rhoi i ddinasyddion er mwyn sicrhau bod y nifer mwyaf posibl o bobl yn manteisio ar y brechlynnau. Rŷn ni'n gweithio'n agos gyda phawb sy'n rhan o'r gwaith hwn i roi'r newidiadau ar waith.
Mae cyhoeddi’r fframwaith imiwneiddio cenedlaethol yn garreg filltir allweddol sy'n dangos ein bod wedi symud i gyfnod gweithredu'r rhaglen drawsnewid frechu. Rŷn ni'n disgwyl y bydd y broses o bontio i'r trefniadau newydd yn digwydd yn ystod 2023 a 2024. Drwy gydol y cyfnod gweithredu, bydd y rhaglenni presennol yn parhau i gael eu cyflawni'n effeithiol, a bydd ein trefniadau llywodraethu yn adlewyrchu hyn. Uned gyflawni'r gwasanaethau iechyd fydd yn goruchwylio'r gwaith gweithredu, a bydd yr uned yn dod yn rhan o waith gweithredu'r gwasanaeth iechyd yn 2023, gyda Llywodraeth Cymru yn symud i rôl oruchwylio. Rŷn ni wedi ymrwymo i barhau i weithio ar y cyd yn ystod y cyfnod gweithredu, a'r bwriad yw cyhoeddi diweddariad yn 2023 i roi gwybod am y cynnydd sy'n digwydd o ran y newidiadau a'r ymrwymiadau sydd wedi'u nodi yn y fframwaith imiwneiddio cenedlaethol. Diolch.
The framework commits to building a core immunisation resource in health boards. It changes governance structures to ensure that there is appropriate, integrated oversight and management of all vaccination programmes and work streams to transform the digital infrastructure for vaccination, which presents huge opportunities for services and citizens.
Another significant commitment within the framework is a move to a central procurement process for the flu vaccine. We have seen unprecedented levels of uptake in our COVID-19 programme. I accept that some of this is about the context, but some of it is also due to the way that the system has engaged with and included groups that it has struggled to capture in the past. I want to apply this focus on health protection to the flu programme in the future. We cannot expect primary care providers to carry the risk of ordering more vaccines. We recognise that the risk must be borne at a national level, so we are exploring how we can move to a model of national procurement from 2024 onwards.
Primary care providers, including community pharmacies, will continue to play a really important role in the delivery of the flu vaccine and other vaccination programmes beyond 2024. They are a key element of the options that should be provided to citizens in order to maximise vaccination uptake. We are working closely with all those involved in the implementation of these changes.
Publication of the national immunisation framework is a key milestone that marks a move into the implementation phase of the transformation of vaccination, with a process of transition to the new arrangements expected during 2023 and 2024. Throughout the implementation period, existing programmes will continue to be delivered effectively and our governance arrangements will reflect that. The NHS Wales delivery unit will oversee the implementation, and that unit will become part of the NHS executive in 2023, with the Welsh Government moving into an oversight role. We remain committed to co-production during the implementation phase, and our intention is to publish an update in 2023 to share progress towards the transformational change and commitments set out in the national immunisation framework. Thank you.
Can I thank the Minister for her statement today? I know that the First Minister and you have stated on numerous occasions throughout the pandemic that your Government would be guided by the science. I agree, of course, with that approach as well, and the Government set up the technical advisory cell and has also taken on board the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation’s recommendations as well, on which groups should take COVID vaccinations. Now, in your framework, you note that you’re guided by the advice of the JCVI, but the framework also goes on to say,
‘However, even with normally stable programmes, there will be times where an emergency response is required at pace.’
So I just wanted to ask what does this mean in the context of when you are waiting for advice from JCVI. Of course, the JCVI is an incredibly important organisation, made up of clinicians and experts across the UK, and the UK health security agency. It also provides recommendations to all the UK health authorities on other vaccinations, not just COVID-19. So I’m just trying to ask you where you see the future for JCVI, for example, will its role be strengthened, or do you take a different view?
I also read with interest, Minister, the section on digitally enabled vaccination, and it notes that you have commissioned Digital Health and Care Wales—previously NHS Wales Informatics Service—to review all vaccination systems, but that you’re looking for shorter term solutions. So, I’m aware that the current Welsh immunisation system was set up during the pandemic to log and manage COVID vaccine delivery, but I’m also told that NWIS is, or can be, burdensome and inflexible, so perhaps you could give a view on that. But, while the system has been, perhaps, adequate for logging COVID vaccines that were scheduled in advance, I’m just speculating that the system may not be likely to be appropriate in its current form for recording flu vaccines and other vaccinations that patients may need. So I wonder, Minister, whether, therefore, you expect NWIS to become the primary IT system for managing and recording vaccines in the future, and if so, how do you plan to improve the system so it’s more flexible, less bureaucratic and simpler to use?
A quick update on the flu and COVID vaccinations among health and social care workers would be appreciated. I know that you, or I think your officials, wrote to health boards in that regard, so an update on that would be appreciated. And finally, Minister, I did read with delight that you’ve mentioned using the long-awaited NHS Wales app in the framework, but there’s no information on when this will happen. Will this be before the winter, within the next six months, next year? We’re waiting for something that will revolutionise patient access to appointments, prescriptions and more, so can you confirm when this will be introduced? Thanks, Minister.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei datganiad heddiw? Rwy'n gwybod bod y Prif Weinidog a chi wedi datgan droeon trwy gydol y pandemig y byddai'r wyddoniaeth yn arwain eich Llywodraeth. Rwy'n cytuno, wrth gwrs, gyda'r dull hwnnw hefyd, a sefydlodd y Llywodraeth y gell gynghori dechnegol sydd hefyd wedi derbyn argymhellion y cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu, o ran pa grwpiau ddylai gael brechiadau COVID. Nawr, yn eich fframwaith, rydych yn nodi eich bod yn cael eich tywys gan gyngor y cyd-bwyllgor, ond mae'r fframwaith hefyd yn mynd ymlaen i ddweud,
'Wedi dweud hynny, hyd yn oed mewn rhaglenni sydd fel arfer
yn sefydlog, bydd angen ymateb brys a chyflym weithiau'.
Felly dim ond eisiau gofyn oeddwn i beth mae hyn yn ei olygu yng nghyd-destun pryd rydych chi'n aros am gyngor gan y cyd-bwyllgor. Wrth gwrs, mae'r cyd-bwyllgor yn sefydliad hynod bwysig, sy'n cynnwys clinigwyr ac arbenigwyr ar draws y DU, ac asiantaeth diogelwch iechyd y DU. Mae hefyd yn rhoi argymhellion i holl awdurdodau iechyd y DU ar frechiadau eraill, nid dim ond COVID-19. Felly dim ond ceisio gofyn i chi ydw i pa ddyfodol ydych chi'n gweld sydd i'r cyd-bwyllgor, er enghraifft, a gaiff ei swyddogaeth ei gryfhau, neu ydych chi'n cymryd safbwynt gwahanol?
Darllenais hefyd gyda diddordeb, Gweinidog, yr adran ar frechu'n ddigidol, ac mae'n nodi eich bod wedi comisiynu Iechyd a Gofal Digidol Cymru—Gwasanaeth Gwybodeg GIG Cymru gynt—i adolygu'r holl systemau brechu, ond eich bod yn chwilio am atebion tymor byrrach. Felly, rwy'n ymwybodol bod y system imiwneiddio Gymreig bresennol wedi'i sefydlu yn ystod y pandemig i gofnodi a rheoli darparu brechlynnau COVID, ond rwyf hefyd wedi cael gwybod bod y gwasanaeth gwybodeg, neu y gall fod, yn feichus ac yn anhyblyg, felly efallai y gallech roi barn ar hynny. Ond, er y bu'r system, efallai, yn ddigonol i gofnodi brechlynnau COVID a drefnwyd ymlaen llaw, rwy'n dyfalu efallai na fydd y system yn debygol o fod yn briodol yn ei ffurf bresennol i gofnodi brechlynnau ffliw a brechiadau eraill y gallai fod eu hangen ar gleifion. Felly tybed, Gweinidog, p'un ai, felly, rydych chi'n disgwyl i'r gwasanaeth gwybodeg ddod y brif system TG ar gyfer rheoli a chofnodi brechlynnau yn y dyfodol, ac os felly, sut ydych chi'n bwriadu gwella'r system fel ei bod yn fwy hyblyg, llai biwrocrataidd a symlach i'w defnyddio?
Byddai diweddariad cyflym ynghylch brechiadau ffliw a COVID ymhlith gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn cael ei werthfawrogi. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod chi, neu rwy'n credu bod eich swyddogion, wedi ysgrifennu at fyrddau iechyd yn hynny o beth, felly byddai diweddariad ar hynny'n cael ei werthfawrogi. Ac yn olaf, Gweinidog, darllenais gyda hyfrydwch eich bod wedi sôn am ddefnyddio ap hir-ddisgwyliedig GIG Cymru yn y fframwaith, ond does dim gwybodaeth ynglŷn â phryd y bydd hyn yn digwydd. Fydd hyn cyn y gaeaf, o fewn y chwe mis nesaf, y flwyddyn nesaf? Rydym yn aros am rywbeth a fydd yn chwyldroi mynediad cleifion i apwyntiadau, presgripsiynau a mwy, felly allwch chi gadarnhau pryd y cyflwynir hynny? Diolch, Gweinidog.
Thank you very much, Russell. We have, throughout the pandemic, been following the advice of the JCVI, which, as you know, is embedded in science and a clinically led approach, and we will continue to do that. Obviously, if there are times when we need to work at pace, they have also demonstrated, during the pandemic, that they can also work at pace. I think we'd have to have quite a good reason to go away from JCVI advice, so that's certainly the model that we've followed so far.
When it comes to digitally enabled vaccination, we will develop a person-centred digital vaccination journey, and that will include an integrated vaccination record, digital consent and improved booking and communication and recording functionality. So, as you've noted, Digital Health and Care Wales are going to review all vaccination systems. At the moment, they don't speak to each other, so interoperability is absolutely key, and that's what they're working to do. So, while thinking about long-term digital solutions, we are going to need to have some shorter term fixes to make improvements with an immediate effect. There are existing digital improvement schemes that will link to things like our digital medicines transformation portfolio, the national data resource and the digital services for patients and public programme.
The NHS Wales app—. Okay, I'm going to tell you quietly, Russell. It is actually being tested at the moment; it has been tested. What we want to do is to make sure that it works and that the functionality works. It's got to have three very key issues that make it work well. One is that the technical bits need to work well. The second is that you need the patient to be able to use it, and so make sure that it's a very simple process that everybody can access. And the third is that you need, for example, GPs to be able to link in with it. So, that is being tested at the moment in a real live operation; 1,000 people are using that as we speak. So, things are progressing, but what I don't want to do is to launch something, as they did in England, that then all the GPs switch off because it's just too overwhelming. We're just trying to make sure that we're taking things and not launching it formally until we are absolutely sure that the thing is going to work.
Diolch yn fawr, Russell. Rydym ni, trwy gydol y pandemig, wedi bod yn dilyn cyngor y cyd-bwyllgor ar imiwneiddio a brechu, sydd, fel y gwyddoch chi, wedi'i ymgorffori mewn gwyddoniaeth a dull gweithredu clinigol, a byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny. Yn amlwg, os oes adegau pan fydd angen i ni weithio ar gyflymder, maen nhw hefyd wedi dangos, yn ystod y pandemig, y gallan nhw hefyd weithio ar gyflymder. Rwy'n credu y byddai'n rhaid i ni gael rheswm eithaf da i gefnu ar gyngor y cyd-bwyllgor, felly yn sicr dyna'r model rydym ni wedi'i ddilyn hyd yn hyn.
O ran brechu digidol, byddwn ni'n datblygu taith frechu ddigidol sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn, a bydd hynny'n cynnwys cofnod brechu integredig, cydsyniad digidol ac ymarferoldeb archebu a chyfathrebu a chofnodi gwell. Felly, fel rydych chi wedi ei nodi, mae Iechyd a Gofal Digidol Cymru yn mynd i adolygu'r holl systemau brechu. Ar hyn o bryd, dydyn nhw ddim yn cyfathrebu â'i gilydd, felly mae rhyngweithrededd yn gwbl allweddol, a dyna beth maen nhw'n gweithio i'w wneud. Felly, wrth feddwl am atebion digidol tymor hir, bydd angen i ni gael rhai atebion tymor byrrach i wneud gwelliannau ar unwaith. Mae cynlluniau gwella digidol presennol a fydd yn cysylltu â phethau fel ein portffolio trawsnewid meddyginiaethau digidol, yr adnodd data cenedlaethol a'r gwasanaethau digidol i gleifion a rhaglen gyhoeddus.
Mae ap GIG Cymru—. Iawn, rwy'n mynd i ddweud wrthych chi'n dawel, Russell. Mewn gwirionedd mae'n cael ei brofi ar hyn o bryd; mae wedi cael ei brofi. Yr hyn mae arnom ni eisiau ei wneud yw sicrhau ei fod yn gweithio a bod y swyddogaeth yn gweithio. Mae'n rhaid cael tri mater allweddol iawn sy'n gwneud iddo weithio'n dda. Un yw bod angen i'r darnau technegol weithio'n dda. Yr ail yw eich bod angen i'r claf allu ei ddefnyddio, ac felly gwneud yn siŵr ei bod yn broses syml iawn y gall pawb ei ddefnyddio. A'r trydydd yw bod angen, er enghraifft, i feddygon teulu i allu cysylltu ag ef. Felly, mae hynny'n cael ei brofi ar hyn o bryd mewn gweithrediad byw go iawn; mae 1,000 o bobl yn ei ddefnyddio wrth i ni siarad. Felly, mae pethau'n dod yn eu blaen, ond yr hyn nad ydw i eisiau ei wneud yw lansio rhywbeth, fel y gwnaethon nhw yn Lloegr, y mae'r holl feddygon teulu wedyn yn ei ddiffodd oherwydd ei fod yn rhy llethol. Dim ond ceisio sicrhau ydym ni ein bod ni'n ystyried pethau a ddim yn ei lansio'n ffurfiol nes ein bod ni'n hollol sicr bod y peth yn mynd i weithio.
Diolch am y datganiad. Dwi'n eiddgar, wrth gwrs, i gadarnhau cefnogaeth frwd y meinciau yma i raglenni brechu yn gyffredinol a'u cyfraniad nhw at iechyd y genedl. Mewn ffordd, mae'n od, tra'n croesawu'r fframwaith newydd, nad oedd gennym ni fframwaith ynghynt, mor bwysig ydy brechu fel rhan o'r tirwedd iechyd yng Nghymru. Ond, wrth gwrs, rydyn ni wedi bod drwy gyfnod lle mae yna fwy o sylw wedi cael ei roi i frechiadau nag ar unrhyw gyfnod yn ein hanes ni, debyg iawn, efo'r pandemig. Un cwestiwn ar raglen frechu'r pandemig. Mae'r Llywodraeth yn dweud bod rhaglen booster yr hydref yn mynd yn iawn, ond mae'r ffigurau yn awgrymu bod yr uptake yn llai nag y mae o wedi bod, yn enwedig pobl immunosuppressed. Tybed all y Gweinidog ymchwilio, neu roi ymrwymiad i ymchwilio i pam fod yr uptake wedi bod, mae'n ymddangos, gymaint llai yr hydref yma.
Ond yn ôl at y datganiad yn gyffredinol, dwi'n meddwl bod y chwe maes ffocws yn y fframwaith yn synhwyrol. Dwi'n croesawu'n arbennig, mae'n rhaid dweud, y sylw sydd yna ar anelu am system lle mae pawb yn gyfartal, lle mae pawb yn cael mynediad cyfartal at frechiadau, achos ar hyn o bryd, fel mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i ddweud, nid dyna yr achos.
Dwi am roi sylw i un peth yn benodol yn fan hyn. Mae'r datganiad yn cyfeirio at y bwriad i greu system gaffael ganolog ar gyfer brechiad y ffliw o 2024 ymlaen. Ar hyn o bryd, wrth gwrs, mae meddygfeydd yn caffael brechiadau eu hunain yn uniongyrchol gan gyflenwyr. Mae'r Alban wedi dweud yn barod eu bod nhw'n troi at system gaffael ganolog, lle mae'r byrddau iechyd yn prynu'r holl frechlynnau ac yn eu dosbarthu nhw yn lleol. Rŵan, tra bod yna fanteision, dwi'n meddwl, i symud i system ganolog fel hyn ar gyfer yr hirdymor, mae'n bwysig, dwi'n meddwl, ar y pwynt cynnar yma yn y trafodaethau, i gadw mewn golwg yr heriau sy'n debyg iawn o godi, ac rydyn ni'n gwybod hynny o brofiad yr Alban. Pan wnaeth yr Alban gyflwyno'r system, mi wnaethon nhw sylweddoli (1) y byddai hi'n cymryd cyfnod o bosib tair blynedd i gyflwyno system fel hyn, ond (2) y byddai fo'n cael effaith negyddol ar y fferyllfeydd—ar y meddygfeydd, sori. Mi oedd angen ymateb i'r ansicrwydd yna; beth wnaethon nhw, fel Llywodraeth yr Alban, oedd rhoi £5 miliwn yn ychwanegol i wneud yn siŵr bod y broses nid yn unig yn cyflymu, yn digwydd yn effeithiol, ond, yn fwy na hynny, yn digolledi meddygfeydd yn ystod y cyfnod cychwynnol yna. Felly, gaf i ofyn a wnaiff y Gweinidog roi ymrwymiad i gydweithio'n agos iawn â meddygon a meddygfeydd i chwilio am ffyrdd o liniaru'r effeithiau negyddol posib yna, os bydd hwn yn cael ei gyflwyno? A hefyd a wnaiff hi gytuno i ystyried dilyn esiampl yr Alban a chynnig cymorth ariannol penodol lle bo angen gwneud hynny?
Thank you for the statement. I'm eager to confirm the strong support of these benches to vaccination programmes in general and their contribution to the nation's health. In a way, it's strange, whilst welcoming the new framework, that we didn't have a framework previously, because vaccination is such an important a part of the health landscape in Wales. But, we have been through a period where more focus has been placed on vaccinations than at any other time in our history, given the pandemic. One question on the pandemic vaccination programme. The Government said that the autumn booster programme is progressing well, but the figures do suggest that the uptake is lower than it has been, particularly among the immunosuppressed. So, I wonder whether the Minister could look into or give a commitment to look into why the uptake seems to be so much lower this autumn.
But to return to the statement in more general terms, I think the six focus areas are sensible. I particularly welcome the focus on aiming for a system where everyone has equal access to vaccination, because at the moment, as the Minister has said, that isn't the case.
I want to focus on one thing particularly here. The statement refers to the intention to create a central procurement system for flu vaccination from 2024 onwards. At the moment, surgeries procure their own vaccinations directly from suppliers. Scotland has already said that they will turn to a central procurement system, where health boards buy all of the vaccinations and distribute them locally. Now, whilst there are benefits to moving to a centralised system such as this one for the longer term, I think it is important, at this early stage in the discussions, to bear in mind the challenges that are very likely to arise, and we know that from the Scottish experience. When Scotland introduced the system, they realised that (1) it would take a period of around three years to introduce such a system, but, secondly, that it would have a negative impact on pharmacies—or, rather, surgeries. In responding to that uncertainty, what the Scottish Government did was to provide an additional £5 million to ensure that the process not only accelerated and happened effectively, but also compensated surgeries during that initial period. So, can I ask whether the Minister will give a commitment to work closely with GPs and surgeries to find ways of mitigating those possible negative impacts, if this is introduced? And also will she agree to consider following the Scottish example and providing particular financial support where required?
Diolch yn fawr. Wel, jest o ran y booster, felly, dwi'n falch o ddweud, ar yr ail ar bymtheg o'r mis yma, roedd 471,488 o bobl wedi cael y booster. Mae targed gyda ni o 75 y cant. Dwi'n falch o ddweud, os ydych chi mewn cartref gofal, rŷn ni lan at 74 y cant eisoes. Felly, mae hwnna ymhell o flaen ein targed ni. Rŷn ni yn poeni rhywfaint am staff sy'n gweithio mewn cartrefi gofal a staff yn y byrddau iechyd, felly dwi'n gwybod bod chief executive yr NHS wedi ysgrifennu nawr at y byrddau iechyd i ofyn iddyn nhw roi tipyn bach mwy o ymdrech i gael staff. Dwi'n gwybod eu bod nhw wedi blino a'u bod nhw'n gwneud ymdrech fawr, ac efallai mai pwysau gwaith sydd wedi'u stopio nhw rhag gwneud hynny, ond mae yn bwysig iddyn nhw ddiogelu eu hunain wrth inni fynd i mewn i beth rŷn ni'n gwybod fydd yn aeaf caled. Rŷch chi'n iawn ynglŷn â'r grŵp risg yna: felly, rŷn ni'n edrych ar tua 7 y cant o bobl o bump i 49, ond dyw'r ffocws ddim wedi bod ar hynny eto; rŷn ni yn ei gwneud hi mewn trefn blaenoriaeth, a dyna pam rŷn ni wedi sicrhau ein bod ni'n canolbwyntio'n gyntaf ar y cartrefi gofal yna.
O ran y system caffael cenedlaethol, yn amlwg dyw hwn ddim yn mynd i ddigwydd yfory, ond mae hyd yn oed beth sydd wedi digwydd eleni, lle rŷn ni wedi gweld GPs, er enghraifft, yn prynu'r y flu vaccine—dydyn nhw ddim wedi ordro digon ac rŷn ni wedi gorfod camu mewn fel Llywodraeth. Felly, eisoes, rŷn ni'n camu i mewn, ac, wrth gwrs, mae hwnna'n golygu bod arian ychwanegol yn mynd mewn. Ond, os ydych chi'n mynd i system caffael cenedlaethol, rŷch chi'n fwy tebygol o gael gwell dêl hefyd, felly dwi yn gobeithio y bydd hwnna'n gwneud gwahaniaeth.
Thank you very much. In terms of the booster, I'm pleased to say that, on the seventeenth of this month, 471,488 people had received the booster. We have a target of 75 per cent. I'm pleased to say that, if you're in a care home, we're up to 74 per cent already. So, that is well on the way to our target. We are somewhat concerned about staff working in care homes and staff working in the health boards, so I know that the chief executive of the NHS has written to the health boards to ask them to make a little bit more effort with the staff. I know that they're tired and that they're making a big effort, and maybe it's work pressure that's stopped them from doing that, but it is important for them to protect themselves as we go into what we know will be a very hard winter. You're right about the risk group: so, we are looking at about 7 per cent of people between five and 49, but the focus hasn't been placed on that yet; we're doing it in order of priority, and that's why we've ensured that we are focusing first on care homes.
In terms of the national procurement system, evidently this is not going to happen tomorrow, but even what's happened this year, where we've seen GPs, for example, procuring the flu vaccine—they haven't ordered enough and we've had to step in as the Government. So, we're already intervening, and that means that additional funding is being provided. But, if you're going to a procurement system on a national level, you're more likely to get a better deal, so I do hope that that will make a difference.
Thank you.
Diolch i chi.
We now move on to item 4, a statement by the Minister for Economy, Development Bank of Wales—investing with ambition. I call the Minister, Vaughan Gething.
Fe symudwn ni ymlaen nawr at eitem 4, sef datganiad gan Weinidog yr Economi, Banc Datblygu Cymru—Buddsoddi Uchelgeisiol. Rwy'n galw ar y Gweinidog, Vaughan Gething.
Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. I know that businesses and workers are grappling with very real trauma all over again. From the many discussions that I have had with businesses in recent weeks, I recognise the enormous difficulties that they face. The Welsh Government is in no doubt about the gravity of the situation. Our economy is more reliant upon small businesses, so the risks that they face will of course hit our communities disproportionately. Many small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and act as a meeting place, forming a part of the character of neighbourhoods across Wales. In the devolution era, I am proud that we have worked together to create support that is responsive to small and medium-sized businesses.
I know that the Development Bank is taking a proactive role in facilitating help for businesses. That came across loud and clear in our recent economic summit. There are of course differing views on how we go about securing a stronger Welsh economy in the short term and long term, but all of us want to foster an environment where we are more resilient. For me, that means an economy where people have the skills and the protections that offer security through the tough times ahead.
Diolch i chi, Llywydd dros dro. Rwy'n gwybod bod busnesau a gweithwyr yn ymgodymu o'r newydd ag ysgytwadau gwirioneddol unwaith eto. Yn dilyn llawer o drafodaethau a gefais i gyda busnesau yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf, rwy'n cydnabod yr anawsterau aruthrol y maen nhw'n eu hwynebu. Nid oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru unrhyw amheuaeth ynghylch difrifoldeb y sefyllfa. Mae ein heconomi ni'n fwy dibynnol ar fusnesau bach, felly fe fydd y risgiau y maen nhw'n eu hwynebu yn sicr o ergydio ein cymunedau ni'n anghymesur. Mae llawer o fusnesau bach yn anadl einioes i'n cymunedau ni ac yn cynnig man cyfarfod i bobl, gan lunio rhan o gymeriad y cymdogaethau ledled Cymru. Yn oes datganoli, rwy'n falch ein bod ni wedi cydweithio i estyn cefnogaeth sy'n ymateb i fusnesau bach a chanolig.
Rwy'n gwybod bod y Banc Datblygu â rhan ragweithiol wrth hwyluso cymorth i fusnesau. Cafodd hynny ei fynegi yn hyglyw ac eglur yn ein huwchgynhadledd economaidd ni'n ddiweddar. Fe geir safbwyntiau amrywiol wrth gwrs o ran ein dull ni o sicrhau economi gryfach yng Nghymru yn y tymor byr a'r tymor hir, ond mae pob un ohonom ni'n awyddus i feithrin amgylchedd sy'n rhoi mwy o gydnerthedd i ni. Yn fy marn i, mae hynny'n golygu economi lle ceir sgiliau ac amddiffyniadau sy'n rhoi diogelwch i bobl drwy'r cyfnodau anodd sydd i ddod.
Now, Wales possesses natural resilience. Welsh businesses have stepped up and developed a remarkable capacity to adapt to the toughest of challenges. It’s this spirit that has kept so many businesses afloat during the recent uncertainties. In stark contrast with the UK Government, Wales has a stable, mature Government and a network of social partners that help us to make the right calls. The summit earlier this month was a prime example of team Wales working together to quantify problems and to propose solutions.
I will be meeting key stakeholders once more in early November to take their feedback on the UK Government’s attempts to stabilise the economy following the Halloween budget. Hopefully, we can then assess with more certainty the range of support required here in Wales and the practical levers available to us if the UK Government goes ahead and further cuts the Welsh Government budget.
But, today, I want to mark the fifth anniversary of the Development Bank of Wales, the UK’s first regional development bank, and to speak to my ambitions for its future. The development bank has grown to manage funds in the order of £2 billion, and in so doing has become a key part of the economic development and finance ecosystem here in Wales. The bank plays a pivotal role in financing businesses who have sound business plans but struggle to access finance from the market. It does this by working hand in glove alongside the advice and support provided by Business Wales and through very close ties with mainstream banks and other co-investors, where it often forms only part of the total investment package. By addressing market gaps, the bank allows businesses to access the finance that they need. Over its first five years, the bank has exceeded investment targets, delivering an economic impact of £1.2 billion. Overall debt and equity investment in 2021-22 reached £110 million against a target, set in 2017, to reach £80 million by that year.
As a result of the UK Government taking direct control over the promised replacement for EU-funded programmes, the funding landscape is now far more complex than it was five years ago. The fact that we have our own now well-capitalised development bank here in Wales means we can maintain capability and stability to help drive economic development.
In planning for the next five years, we have taken into account this changing funding landscape, which includes new funds from the Cardiff capital region and the British Business Bank. Together, these funds have the potential to bring around £35 million a year of additional capital into Wales. That is a welcome development, which, when combined with the targeted annual investments by the development bank, which will rise above £120 million a year over the same period, will help to ensure that more businesses in Wales will have access to finance. The development bank will work closely with them to ensure that their investment from the Cardiff capital region and the British Business Bank is complementary and supports businesses across our country.
In our programme for government, we set out our ambition to increase the use of equity stakes in business support. Equity investment can support innovative businesses with growth potential, creating high-value jobs and driving exports. Equity stakes bring not only finance resource but also expertise to businesses, and can be a powerful catalyst for long-term economic growth.
To date, our development bank has invested £78 million of equity into Welsh businesses, which, alongside other investors, has helped them to raise over £200 million. I have tasked the development bank to pursue a total equity investment target of at least £100 million, which, alongside private sector co-investment, can deliver over £250 million of capital to innovative businesses—an injection of capital that will help to create new jobs, expand new growth sectors in our economy, and help position Wales for the future.
This new equity investment will be even more targeted, with other Welsh Government support, from business advice to innovation support, making it a complete and best-in-class offer. Going forward, businesses receiving equity investment will have unparalleled support through their investment journey. We believe that this will make a difference in supporting exciting new technology companies to take their product from early concept through to market, ambitious businesses to target high growth, and management teams wanting to buy existing businesses and keep them in Welsh ownership. And, in fact, only this lunchtime, before attending First Minister's questions, I attended an event chaired by Huw Irranca-Davies this lunchtime with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies. And for those who are interested, also in attendance was Huw Lewis, once of this parish, in his new role.
Of immediate concern to businesses are the challenges driven by increasing costs for materials, wages and, of course, energy. To help businesses, the development bank will continue to offer flexibility to its customers through forbearance and, where appropriate, repayment holidays. Whilst interest rates on development bank loans are fixed at the point of issue—that protects those customers from the current volatility—we also know rates are not the only issue, and businesses can be confident that the bank is committed to working with them through these difficult times.
The development bank has a major role in supporting business transition on an 'invest to save' principle and already has funding in place to support businesses on their journey to net zero. Right now, the bank is fast-tracking development of a new scheme that will allow businesses to take on borrowing to fund capital investment that delivers on decarbonisation. It will aim to offer more flexible repayment terms, attractive interest rates and other support, such as help towards consultancy costs, as part of this offer to enable businesses to take advantage of current generous capital allowances and to ensure that they are confident that the technologies and solutions being adopted are right for them. I am asking the development bank to do all they can to accelerate their plans so that delivery can begin this year, delivering a double win for eligible businesses by helping them cut future energy costs and progressing our shared ambition for decarbonisation.
The Development Bank of Wales is a national asset. It continues to help businesses across Wales survive, grow and prosper. I am proud of what it has achieved to date and have confidence in the plans it has to deliver on my ambitions for the future of the Welsh economy.
Nawr, mae gan Gymru gydnerthedd cynhenid. Mae busnesau Cymru wedi camu i'r adwy ac wedi datblygu gallu rhyfeddol i addasu i'r heriau anoddaf. Yr ysbryd hwn sydd wedi cynnal cymaint o fusnesau yn ystod ansicrwydd y cyfnod diweddar. Yn gwrthgyferbynu yn llwyr â Llywodraeth y DU, mae gan Gymru Lywodraeth sefydlog, aeddfed yn ogystal â rhwydwaith o bartneriaid cymdeithasol sy'n ein helpu i wneud y penderfyniadau cywir. Roedd yr uwchgynhadledd yn gynharach y mis hwn yn enghraifft ardderchog o dîm Cymru yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd i feintioli problemau a chynnig datrysiadau.
Fe fyddaf i'n cwrdd â rhanddeiliaid allweddol unwaith yn rhagor ar ddechrau mis Tachwedd i gael eu hadborth nhw ynglŷn ag ymdrechion Llywodraeth y DU i sefydlogi'r economi yn dilyn y gyllideb Calan Gaeaf. Y gobaith yw y gallwn ni asesu gyda mwy o sicrwydd wedyn o ran yr ystod o gymorth sydd ei angen yma yng Nghymru a'r ysgogiadau ymarferol sydd ar gael i ni os bydd Llywodraeth y DU yn bwrw ymlaen ac yn torri cyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru eto.
Ond, heddiw, fe hoffwn i nodi pum mlynedd ers sefydlu Banc Datblygu Cymru, banc datblygu rhanbarthol cyntaf y DU, a sôn am fy uchelgeisiau ar gyfer ei ddyfodol. Mae'r banc datblygu wedi tyfu i reoli arian gyda chyfanswm o tua £2 biliwn, ac wrth wneud hynny mae wedi dod yn rhan allweddol o'r ecosystem datblygu economaidd a chyllid yma yng Nghymru. Mae'r banc â rhan ganolog wrth ariannu busnesau sydd â chynlluniau busnes cadarn ond sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd cael gafael ar gyllid o'r farchnad. Mae'n gwneud hyn drwy weithio law yn llaw yn gyfochrog â'r cyngor a'r cymorth sy'n cael eu darparu gan Busnes Cymru a thrwy gysylltiadau clos iawn â banciau prif ffrwd a chyd-fuddsoddwyr eraill, lle mae'n llunio rhan yn unig o'r pecyn buddsoddiad yn ei gyfanrwydd. Drwy fynd i'r afael â bylchau yn y farchnad, mae'r banc yn caniatáu i fusnesau gael gafael ar y cyllid sydd ei angen arnyn nhw. Dros bum mlynedd gyntaf ei fodolaeth, mae'r banc wedi rhagori ar nodau buddsoddi, gan gyflawni effaith economaidd o £1.2 biliwn. Fe gyrhaeddodd buddsoddiad cyffredinol o ran dyled ac ecwiti £110 miliwn yn 2021-22 yn ôl bwriad, a bennwyd yn ôl yn 2017, i gyrraedd £80 miliwn erbyn y flwyddyn honno.
O ganlyniad i benderfyniad Llywodraeth y DU i gymryd rheolaeth uniongyrchol ar y rhaglenni a addawyd yn lle'r rhaglenni a oedd yn cael eu hariannu gan yr UE, mae'r dirwedd ariannu yn llawer mwy cymhleth erbyn hyn nag yr oedd hi bum mlynedd yn ôl. Mae'r ffaith bod ein banc datblygu ein hunain sydd â digon o gyfalaf gennym ni nawr yma yng Nghymru yn golygu y gallwn ni gynnal y gallu a'r sefydlogrwydd i helpu i ysgogi datblygiad economaidd.
Wrth gynllunio ar gyfer y pum mlynedd nesaf, rydym ni wedi ystyried y dirwedd newidiol hon o ran ariannu, sy'n cynnwys arian newydd gan brifddinas-ranbarth Caerdydd a Banc Busnes Prydain. Gyda'i gilydd, mae hi'n bosibl y bydd yr arian hwn yn dod â thua £35 miliwn y flwyddyn o gyfalaf ychwanegol i Gymru. Mae hwnnw'n ddatblygiad i'w groesawu, a fydd, o'i gyfuno â'r buddsoddiadau blynyddol a fwriedir gan y banc datblygu, sydd am godi i dros £120 miliwn y flwyddyn dros yr un cyfnod, yn helpu i sicrhau y bydd mwy o fusnesau yng Nghymru yn gallu manteisio ar gyllid. Fe fydd y banc datblygu yn cydweithio yn glos â nhw i sicrhau bod eu buddsoddiad oddi wrth brifddinas-ranbarth Caerdydd a Banc Busnes Prydain yn ategu ei gilydd ac yn cefnogi busnesau ledled ein cenedl ni.
Yn ein rhaglen lywodraethu ni, rydym ni'n amlinellu ein huchelgais i gynyddu'r defnydd o gyfran ecwiti mewn cymorth busnes. Fe all buddsoddi ecwiti gefnogi busnesau arloesol sydd â thwf dichonadwy, gan greu swyddi o werth mawr a rhoi hwb i allforion. Mae cyfran ecwiti nid yn unig yn dod ag adnodd y cyllid ond ag arbenigedd i fusnesau hefyd, ac fe all fod yn gatalydd pwerus ar gyfer twf economaidd hirdymor.
Hyd yn hyn, mae ein banc datblygu ni wedi buddsoddi £78 miliwn o ecwiti mewn busnesau yng Nghymru, sydd, ochr yn ochr â buddsoddwyr eraill, wedi eu helpu i godi dros £200 miliwn. Rwyf i wedi rhoi gorchwyl i'r banc datblygu i anelu at nod o £100 miliwn o leiaf o ran cyfanswm buddsoddi ecwiti, a all, ochr yn ochr â chyd-fuddsoddi'r sector preifat, gyflawni dros £250 miliwn o gyfalaf i fusnesau arloesol—chwistrelliad o gyfalaf a fydd yn helpu i greu swyddi newydd, ehangu sectorau twf newydd yn ein heconomi, a helpu i ddiogelu safle Cymru i'r dyfodol.
Bydd y buddsoddiad ecwiti newydd hwn yn cael ei gyfeirio yn fwy uniongyrchol eto hyd yn oed, gyda chefnogaeth arall gan Lywodraeth Cymru, o gyngor busnes hyd gymorth arloesi, sy'n ei wneud yn gynnig cyflawn a'r gorau o'r fath. Wrth symud ymlaen, fe fydd gan fusnesau sy'n cael buddsoddiad ecwiti gefnogaeth ddigyffelyb ar hyd eu taith fuddsoddi. Rydym ni o'r farn y bydd hyn yn gwneud gwahaniaeth o ran cefnogi cwmnïau technoleg newydd cyffrous i fynd â'u cynnyrch o fod yn gysyniad cynnar hyd at ei farchnata, a rhoi cymorth i fusnesau uchelgeisiol i anelu at fod â thwf cryf, a thimau rheoli sy'n awyddus i brynu busnesau presennol a'u cadw nhw yn eiddo Cymru. Ac yn wir, dim ond amser cinio heddiw, cyn bod yn bresennol yng nghwestiynau'r Prif Weinidog, bûm mewn digwyddiad dan gadeiryddiaeth Huw Irranca-Davies gyda'r Ganolfan Strategaethau Economaidd Lleol. Ac i'r rhai sydd â diddordeb, roedd Huw Lewis yn bresennol hefyd, gynt o'r parthau hyn, yn ei swydd newydd ef.
O bryder uniongyrchol i fusnesau yw'r heriau sy'n cael eu hachosi gan gostau cynyddol am ddeunyddiau, cyflogau ac, wrth gwrs, ynni. I helpu busnesau, fe fydd y banc datblygu yn parhau i gynnig hyblygrwydd i'w cwsmeriaid nhw drwy ymataliad a gwyliau ad-dalu lle bo hynny'n briodol. Er bod cyfraddau llog ar fenthyciadau'r banc datblygu wedi cael eu pennu wrth eu rhoi nhw—mae hynny'n amddiffyn y cwsmeriaid hyn rhag yr anwadalwch presennol—rydym ni'n gwybod hefyd nad y cyfraddau yw'r unig fater, ac fe all busnesau fod â ffydd fod y banc wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda nhw drwy'r cyfnod anodd hwn.
Mae gan y banc datblygu swyddogaeth bwysig wrth gefnogi pontio busnes ar egwyddor 'buddsoddi i arbed' ac mae cyllid ganddo ar waith eisoes i gefnogi busnesau ar eu taith hyd at sero net. Ar hyn o bryd, mae'r banc yn datblygu cynllun newydd yn gyflym a fydd yn caniatáu i fusnesau ymgymryd â benthyca i ariannu buddsoddiad cyfalaf sy'n darparu ar gyfer datgarboneiddio. Ei nod fydd cynnig telerau ad-dalu sy'n fwy hyblyg, cyfraddau llog deniadol a chymorth fel arall, megis cymorth tuag at gostau ymgynghori, yn rhan o'r cynnig hwn i alluogi busnesau i fanteisio ar y lwfansau cyfalaf hael presennol a sicrhau eu bod nhw â ffydd fod y technolegau a'r datrysiadau sy'n cael eu mabwysiadu yn addas ar eu cyfer nhw. Rwy'n gofyn i'r banc datblygu wneud popeth yn ei allu i gyflymu ei gynlluniau er mwyn i'r gwaith cyflenwi ddechrau eleni, gan sicrhau buddugoliaeth ddwbl i fusnesau cymwys drwy eu helpu nhw i dorri costau ynni'r dyfodol a symud ymlaen â'n huchelgais gyffredin ni o ran datgarboneiddio.
Mae Banc Datblygu Cymru yn ased i'r genedl. Mae'n parhau i helpu busnesau ledled Cymru i oroesi, tyfu a ffynnu. Rwy'n falch o'r hyn a gyflawnodd hyd yn hyn ac mae gennyf i ffydd yn y cynlluniau sydd ganddo i gyflawni fy uchelgeisiau i o ran dyfodol yr economi yng Nghymru.
Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon and congratulate the development bank on its fifth anniversary? Now, the Development Bank of Wales has been very open to scrutiny from the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee, and I know Members welcome the ability to question the team on its investments and progress. Now, today's statement rightly recognises that the Welsh economy is more reliant upon small businesses, so it's crucial that the development bank is reaching out to small and medium-sized enterprises and offering support. The Minister has said that the development bank is taking a proactive role in facilitating help for businesses, but doesn't quite tell us how that work is taking place, and so perhaps the Minister could tell us exactly how the development bank is working with small businesses specifically, given the current financial climate.
Today's statement rightly highlights some really good work by the development bank. It's great to hear that it has invested £78 million of equity into Welsh businesses. Of course, we need to ensure that funding is reaching businesses in all parts of Wales, and so perhaps the Minister could tell us more about how the Welsh Government will ensure that the bank is raising awareness of its services to businesses in all parts of the country.
The Minister has already given the bank a total equity investment target of £100 million, which, alongside private sector co-investment, can deliver over £250 million of capital to businesses. Working with co-investors will be critical if the bank is to maximise the impact of its investment in Welsh businesses. Of course, to do so, the bank must continue to encourage the private sector to invest alongside itself, and so perhaps the Minister can tell us more on the work being done to increase that co-investment.
Now, we know the COVID pandemic has had an enormous impact on businesses in Wales, and the development bank has an important role in supporting economic recovery and supporting businesses. It's vital that a one-size-fits-all approach is not blanketly adopted by the bank, and I'm pleased to hear the Minister talk about offering flexibility to its customers through forbearance and repayment holidays. Today’s statement acknowledges that businesses are facing challenges due to increasing costs for materials, wages and, of course, energy, and therefore perhaps the Minister could tell us a bit more about how the bank can provide tailored support to businesses in relation to these specific challenges.
It's vital that we recognise the jobs that are being created by the development bank, and there has been some good work taking place to identify and measure productivity too. According to the bank's corporate plan, its baseline jobs target for 2022 to 2027 is 20,000 jobs, but it's vital that there is some measure of the quality of jobs. And, so, I'd be grateful if the Minister could tell us how the Welsh Government recognises success in terms of jobs, and what does success look like to the Welsh Government in this specific area.
The Minister has made it clear today that, going forward, businesses receiving equity investment will have unparalleled support throughout their investment journey. Today's statement confirms that the bank will be supporting new technology companies to take their products from early concept through to market, as well as businesses targeting high growth, and management teams to buy existing businesses and keep them in Welsh ownership.
I, of course, welcome this ambition, and perhaps the Minister can tell us more about how the bank is investing in new technology start-ups in particular. There has been some good work around the Wales technology seed fund, but more needs to be done, and so I'd be grateful for any further information the Minister can provide on this front.
Equally, it's important that there is support for management teams that want to buy out existing businesses and keep them in Welsh ownership. To date, the Wales flexible investment fund, which is operated by the Development Bank of Wales, has been offering a potential debt-based funding route for employee buy-outs. And I know there is support for management buy-outs available through the Wales management succession fund, but perhaps the Minister could tell us a bit more about how those funds are being evaluated and monitored, so we can ensure that the right support is out there for businesses.
And, finally, today's statement refers to the development bank's work to promote a transition in Wales to a significantly more decarbonised business environment. I'm particularly interested in the development of a new scheme that will allow businesses to take on borrowing to fund capital investment that delivers on decarbonisation. Indeed, the bank's annual report highlights that 41 per cent of its customers have indicated that they are motivated to act on climate change, but actually lack the expertise. And, so, I'd be grateful if the Minister could tell us a bit more about the new scheme that is being developed and when it's likely to become operational.
Therefore, in closing, acting Presiding Officer, we know that one of the key themes of the bank is investing in businesses that reflect the diversity in our communities, and we must remember that the bank, at its core, is an impact investor with a social purpose. And, so, can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon, and say that I look forward to hearing more about the development bank's work in the coming weeks and months? Thank you.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad ef y prynhawn yma a llongyfarch y banc datblygu ar gyrraedd ei ben-blwydd yn bump oed? Nawr, mae Banc Datblygu Cymru wedi bod yn agored iawn i graffu gan Bwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach, a Materion Gwledig, ac rwy'n gwybod bod yr Aelodau yn croesawu'r gallu i holi'r tîm ynglŷn â'i fuddsoddiadau a'i gynnydd. Nawr, mae'r datganiad heddiw yn briodol yn cydnabod bod economi Cymru yn dibynnu mwy ar fusnesau bach, ac felly mae hi'n hollbwysig bod y banc datblygu yn ymestyn at fentrau bach a chanolig ac yn cynnig cefnogaeth. Mae'r Gweinidog wedi dweud bod y banc datblygu â swyddogaeth ragweithiol wrth hwyluso cymorth i fusnesau, ond nid yw yn dweud yn iawn wrthym ni sut mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n digwydd, ac felly efallai y gallai'r Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni sut yn union y mae'r banc datblygu yn gweithio gyda busnesau bach yn benodol, o ystyried yr hinsawdd ariannol bresennol.
Mae datganiad heddiw yn tynnu sylw at waith da iawn gan y banc datblygu. Mae hi'n wych clywed ei fod wedi buddsoddi £78 miliwn o ecwiti i fusnesau yng Nghymru. Wrth gwrs, mae angen i ni sicrhau bod yr arian yn mynd i fusnesau ym mhob rhan o Gymru, ac felly fe allai'r Gweinidog ddweud mwy wrthym ni efallai ynglŷn â sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru am sicrhau bod y banc yn codi ymwybyddiaeth o'i wasanaethau i fusnesau ym mhob cwr o'r wlad.
Mae'r Gweinidog wedi rhoi nod i'r banc o gyfanswm o £100 miliwn o ran buddsoddi ecwiti, sydd, ochr yn ochr â chyd-fuddsoddiad y sector preifat, yn gallu darparu dros £250 miliwn o gyfalaf i fusnesau. Fe fydd gweithio gyda chyd-fuddsoddwyr yn hanfodol os yw'r banc yn dymuno i'w fuddsoddiad mewn busnesau yng Nghymru fod â'r effaith fwyaf. Wrth gwrs, ar gyfer gwneud hynny, mae'n rhaid i'r banc barhau i annog y sector preifat i fuddsoddi ochr yn ochr ag ef ei hun, ac felly efallai y gall y Gweinidog ddweud mwy wrthym ni am y gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud i gynyddu'r cyd-fuddsoddiad hwnnw.
Nawr, rydym ni'n gwybod am effaith aruthrol pandemig COVID ar fusnesau yng Nghymru, ac mae gan y banc datblygu swyddogaeth bwysig o ran cefnogi adferiad economaidd a chefnogi busnesau. Mae hi'n hanfodol nad yw dull sy'n trin pawb yr un fath trwy'r amser yn cael ei fabwysiadu gan y banc, ac rwy'n falch o glywed y Gweinidog yn siarad am gynnig hyblygrwydd i'w gwsmeriaid trwy ataliad a gwyliau ad-dalu. Mae datganiad heddiw yn cydnabod yr heriau oherwydd costau cynyddol am ddeunyddiau, cyflogau ac, wrth gwrs, ynni y mae busnesau yn eu hwynebu ac felly efallai gall y Gweinidog ddweud ychydig mwy wrthym ni ynglŷn â sut y gall y banc roi cefnogaeth wedi'i theilwra ar gyfer busnesau o ran yr heriau penodol hyn.
Mae hi'n hanfodol ein bod ni'n cydnabod y swyddi sy'n cael eu creu gan y banc datblygu, ac mae swm o waith da wedi bod yn mynd rhagddo i nodi a mesur cynhyrchiant hefyd. Yn ôl cynllun corfforaethol y banc, ei nod o ran swyddi sylfaenol ar gyfer 2022 i 2027 yw 20,000 o swyddi, ond mae hi'n hanfodol bod cyfran o feintioli ansawdd swyddi. Ac felly, fe fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar pe bai'r Gweinidog yn dweud wrthym sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cydnabod llwyddiant o ran swyddi, a'r hyn y mae llwyddiant yn ei olygu i Lywodraeth Cymru yn y maes penodol hwn.
Mae'r Gweinidog wedi dweud yn eglur heddiw y bydd busnesau sy'n derbyn buddsoddiad ecwiti yn cael cefnogaeth ddigyffelyb ar hyd eu taith fuddsoddi nhw. Mae datganiad heddiw yn cadarnhau y bydd y banc yn cefnogi cwmnïau technoleg newydd i ddwyn eu cynnyrch nhw ymlaen o gysyniad cynnar hyd at y farchnad, yn ogystal â busnesau sy'n anelu at dwf mawr, a thimau rheoli i brynu busnesau presennol a'u cadw nhw ym mherchnogaeth Cymru.
Rydw i, wrth gwrs, yn croesawu'r uchelgais yma, ac fe wnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud mwy wrthym ni efallai ynglŷn â sut mae'r banc yn buddsoddi mewn busnesau newydd ym maes technoleg newydd yn benodol. Mae rhywfaint o waith da wedi digwydd ynghylch cronfa sbarduno technoleg Cymru, ond mae angen gwneud mwy, ac felly fe fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar am unrhyw wybodaeth bellach y gall y Gweinidog ei rhoi yn hyn o beth.
Yn yr un modd, mae hi'n bwysig fod yna gefnogaeth i dimau rheoli sy'n awyddus i brynu busnesau cyfredol a'u cadw nhw ym mherchnogaeth Cymru. Hyd yma, mae Cronfa Buddsoddi Hyblyg Cymru, sy'n cael ei gweithredu gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru, wedi bod yn cynnig llwybr ariannu posibl ar sail dyled i'r gweithwyr allu prynu eu busnesau. Ac rwy'n gwybod bod cefnogaeth ar gael i reolwyr brynu busnesau drwy gronfa olyniaeth rheoli Cymru, ond efallai y gwnaiff y Gweinidog ddweud ychydig mwy wrthym ni ynglŷn â sut mae'r cronfeydd hynny'n cael eu gwerthuso a'u monitro, er mwyn i ni sicrhau bod y gefnogaeth briodol ar gael i fusnesau.
Ac yn olaf, mae datganiad heddiw yn cyfeirio at waith y banc datblygu i hyrwyddo trawsnewid yng Nghymru i amgylchedd busnes sy'n cynnig cryn dipyn yn fwy o ran datgarboneiddio. Mae gennyf i ddiddordeb arbennig yn natblygiad cynllun newydd a fydd yn caniatáu i fusnesau ymgymryd â benthyca ar gyfer ariannu buddsoddiad cyfalaf sy'n cyflawni datgarboneiddio. Yn wir, mae adroddiad blynyddol y banc yn dangos bod 41 y cant o'i gwsmeriaid wedi mynegi eu bod yn cael eu hysgogi i weithredu ynglŷn â newid hinsawdd, ond nad yw'r arbenigedd hwnnw ganddyn nhw mewn gwirionedd. Ac felly, fe fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar pe bai'r Gweinidog yn gallu dweud ychydig mwy wrthym ni am y cynllun newydd sy'n cael ei ddatblygu a phryd mae hwnnw'n debygol o fod ar waith.
Felly, wrth gloi, Llywydd dros dro, rydym ni'n gwybod mai un o brif themâu'r banc yw buddsoddi mewn busnesau sy'n adlewyrchu'r amrywiaeth yn ein cymunedau ni, ac mae'n rhaid i ni gofio bod y banc, yn ei hanfod, yn fuddsoddwr sy'n ceisio creu effaith sydd â phwrpas cymdeithasol. Ac, felly, a gaf i ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad ef y prynhawn yma, a dweud fy mod i'n edrych ymlaen at glywed mwy am waith y banc datblygu yn yr wythnosau a'r misoedd nesaf? Diolch i chi.
Thank you for the series of questions. It's a good place to be making a statement, five years after Ken Skates launched the development bank. It's fair to say that, at the time, not everyone was as optimistic that we'd be at this point celebrating its successful journey, with it overachieving its investment targets.
On your point around small businesses and how aware they are, actually, the Federation of Small Businesses undertook their own survey, which was published in February of this year, and it found that two thirds of their members were already aware of the development bank, and, also, there had been a significant increase in brand perception of the development bank over that five years since it was introduced, and that, actually, 92 per cent of customers had stated that they would use the development bank for future funding needs, and, again, that nine in 10 associated the development bank with being honest and trustworthy. And, I think, actually, when you think about financial institutions, that does show that not only has it got a significant amount of penetration and awareness within just five years, but that it also has a good reputation among its existing customers as well. We're interested in getting more of those people in that final third more aware of what the bank does and taking advantage of the products that it has to offer.
As I said in my statement, the investment that can take place from the development bank, whether loan or equity, or a combination of both, is often part of the package of investment support, and that, I think, goes into your point around co-investment. Recently, I met with high-street banks and the development bank to talk about some of the challenges for the economy in Wales, the challenges that we've been seeing with the rise in interest rates, and what the investment climate looked like. Now, there is always a challenge in that some businesses are retrenching and not making investment choices, which is understandable given what's happened in the last six or seven weeks. But there are still businesses that are looking to invest.
What we're talking about today is the launch, or the indication that we're going to be able launch within the turn of this year—that's my target; if not, then early in the new year—a new product to help people to invest in their future, to decarbonise and help with energy costs as well. So, we are looking to acquire more people to come into that area. And that's also an area where lots of high-street banks say that they have funds available for further investment. So, the challenge will be on co-investment, what DBW can do, what businesses themselves often put up—they're often looking for someone to bridge the gap between their finance and someone else—but also other potential investors, not just high-street banks. It does include, as I have mentioned, other equity investors.
Part of our challenge is that most of the equity investment that takes place across the UK is concentrated in London and the south-east. If you were having this conversation with the south-west of England or the north of England, they would be looking on and saying, 'The problem is, there's too much in the over-heating south-east corner of England.' And they themselves—and if you talk to the FSB—would say, 'We would like to have a regional development bank like the Development Bank of Wales.' It's a positive advantage that people and business recognise, but we also do need to make sure that other equity investors look at Wales, to add to what we're doing in the development bank.
Now, I mentioned the Cardiff capital region and their investment, but also the British Business Bank. They're unlikely to have their funds ready until next year. When the investment was announced by the former Chancellor, who's now the Prime Minister, he announced there would be a fund in Wales. It's fair to say that, at that time, there wasn't a plan. There is now something that looks more like a plan, and the development bank, as I say, have been engaging and really constructing what that would look like. It will still take time for that to get up and running, so I'm looking forward to that extra investment coming in to add to the picture. And, in addition, there are also not just individual private investors, but a number of sovereign wealth investors—from Europe and beyond—who are looking at opportunities in Wales. And part of the balance that we have to strike is, where is that a real opportunity, and how can we make sure that we get a deal that doesn't mean that those assets are taken out of Wales, but are grown here as well.
I think that it goes on to your point about the tech sector. Both fintech and cyber are really good examples of where we have a strong sector in Wales and the opportunity to grow more—certainly in parts of the conversations I've had with banking institutions, with other sovereign wealth funds, and indeed with the sectors themselves. We really do have a very positive group of sectors within Wales. I think that it's one of the things we under-appreciate, that the rest of the world is looking at what we're doing and is very positive about it, both in terms of learning how we've got here, but also looking at whether they can invest in helping to grow the sector here as well. And in each of those sectors, we're likely to see high-value employment.
The offer from both DBW and Business Wales includes tailored support, which I've mentioned in my statement, so it won't just be you'll get money—you'll get some support and consultancy around that. We've indicated that, in the new fund on investing in decarbonisation, consultancy support could be part of what's created, to understand the specific needs of an individual business. I'm very pleased to reiterate what I said about employee ownership, not just the management buy-out funds, but what we're already doing with groups like Cwmpas Cymru and the funds that they are running, to try to increase the number of employee-owned businesses across Wales and meet our manifesto pledge to double the sector.
And finally, on your point about how we'll make sure that this is well known around Wales, of course, the development bank has five offices, located in Cardiff, Llanelli, Llandudno Junction, Newtown, and the headquarters, of course, in Wrexham.
Diolch am y gyfres o gwestiynau. Mae hon yn sefyllfa fanteisiol i fod yn gwneud datganiad ynddi hi, sef bum mlynedd ar ôl i Ken Skates lansio'r banc datblygu. Mae hi'n deg dweud, ar y pryd, nad oedd pawb mor obeithiol y byddem ni'n gallu dathlu ei daith lwyddiannus ef nawr, a'i gyflawniadau o ran ei nodau buddsoddi sydd wedi bod yn well na'r disgwyl.
O ran eich pwynt chi ynglŷn â busnesau bach a pha mor ymwybodol ydyn nhw o hyn, mewn gwirionedd, fe ymgymerodd Ffederasiwn y Busnesau Bach â'u harolwg eu hunain, a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Chwefror eleni, ac roedd hwnnw'n canfod bod dwy ran o dair o'u haelodau yn ymwybodol o'r banc datblygu eisoes, a bu cynnydd sylweddol hefyd mewn ymwybyddiaeth o frand y banc datblygu dros y pum mlynedd ers ei sefydlu, a bod 92 y cant o gwsmeriaid, mewn gwirionedd, wedi dweud y bydden nhw'n defnyddio'r banc datblygu ar gyfer anghenion cyllido yn y dyfodol, ac, unwaith eto, bod naw o bob 10 yn cysylltu'r banc datblygu gyda gonestrwydd a hygrededd. Ac, yn fy marn i, mewn gwirionedd, pan fyddwch chi'n meddwl am sefydliadau ariannol, mae hynny'n dangos nid yn unig ei fod wedi ennill ei blwyf ac wedi codi'r ymwybyddiaeth ohono i'r fath raddau mewn dim ond pum mlynedd, ond bod enw da iddo hefyd ymhlith ei gwsmeriaid cyfredol, yn ogystal â hynny. Fe fyddem ni'n hoffi gweld mwy o'r bobl hynny yn y traean olaf hwnnw yn fwy ymwybodol o'r hyn y mae'r banc yn ei wneud ac yn manteisio ar y cynhyrchion sydd ganddo i'w gynnig.
Fel y dywedais i yn fy natganiad, mae'r buddsoddiad a all ddigwydd gan y banc datblygu, boed yn fenthyciad neu'n ecwiti, neu'n gyfuniad o'r ddau, yn rhan o'r pecyn o gefnogaeth buddsoddi yn aml, ac mae hynny, rwy'n credu, yn cyffwrdd â'ch pwynt chi ynglŷn â chyd-fuddsoddi. Yn ddiweddar, fe wnes i gwrdd â banciau'r stryd fawr a'r banc datblygu i siarad am rai o'r heriau i'r economi yng Nghymru, yr heriau yr ydym ni wedi bod yn eu gweld nhw gyda'r cynnydd mewn cyfraddau llog, a sut olwg a oedd ar yr hinsawdd fuddsoddi. Nawr, mae yna her bob amser oherwydd bod rhai busnesau yn ceisio arbed arian ac yn peidio â gwneud dewisiadau o ran buddsoddi, sy'n ddealladwy o ystyried yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd yn ystod y chwech neu saith wythnos diwethaf. Ond mae yna fusnesau sy'n bwriadu buddsoddi o hyd.
Yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei sôn amdano heddiw yw'r lansiad, neu'r arwydd ein bod ni'n mynd i allu lansio o fewn y flwyddyn eleni—dyna fy nod i; os nad felly, yna yn gynnar yn y flwyddyn newydd—gynnyrch newydd i helpu pobl i fuddsoddi yn eu dyfodol nhw, i ddatgarboneiddio a helpu gyda chostau ynni hefyd. Felly, rydym ni'n gobeithio cael mwy o bobl i ddod i mewn i'r maes hwnnw. A dyna faes hefyd lle mae llawer o fanciau ar y stryd fawr yn dweud bod ganddyn nhw arian ar gael i'w fuddsoddi ymhellach. Felly, fe fydd yr her o ran cyd-fuddsoddi, yr hyn y gall Banc Datblygu Cymru ei wneud, yr hyn y mae'r busnesau eu hunain yn ei godi yn aml—mae nhw'n aml yn chwilio am rywun i bontio'r bwlch rhwng eu cyllid nhw a rhywun arall—ond buddsoddwyr posibl eraill hefyd, nid banciau'r stryd fawr yn unig. Mae hynny'n cynnwys, fel dywedais i, fuddsoddwyr ecwiti eraill.
Rhan o'n her ni yw bod y rhan fwyaf o'r buddsoddiad ecwiti sy'n digwydd ledled y DU wedi ei ganoli yn Llundain a de-ddwyrain Lloegr. Os oeddech chi'n cael y sgwrs yma gyda de-orllewin Lloegr neu ogledd Lloegr, fe fydden nhw'n dweud fel hyn, 'Y broblem yw, mae gormod o arian yng nghornel de-ddwyrain Lloegr sy'n gorlifo.' Ac maen nhw eu hunain—ac os ydych chi'n siarad â'r Ffederasiwn Busnesau Bach—yn dweud, 'Fe hoffem ninnau gael banc datblygu rhanbarthol fel Banc Datblygu Cymru.' Mae hi'n fantais fawr y mae pobl a busnesau yn ei chydnabod, ond mae angen i ni sicrhau bod buddsoddwyr ecwiti eraill yn edrych ar Gymru hefyd, ar gyfer ychwanegu at yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud yn y banc datblygu.
Nawr, roeddwn i'n sôn am brifddinas-ranbarth Caerdydd a'u buddsoddiad nhw, ond am Fanc Busnes Prydain hefyd. Maen nhw'n annhebygol o fod â'u harian nhw'n barod tan y flwyddyn nesaf. Pan gyhoeddwyd y buddsoddiad gan y cyn-Ganghellor, sy'n Brif Weinidog y DU erbyn hyn, fe gyhoeddodd ef y byddai cronfa yng Nghymru. Mae hi'n deg dweud, bryd hynny, nad oedd yna unrhyw gynllun arbennig. Erbyn hyn mae yna rywbeth sy'n edrych yn fwy tebyg i gynllun, ac mae'r banc datblygu, fel rwy'n dweud, wedi bod yn ymgysylltu ac yn cynllunio yn wirioneddol sut wedd a fyddai ar hynny. Fe fydd rhoi hynny ar waith yn cymryd peth amser eto, ac felly rwy'n edrych ymlaen at y buddsoddiad ychwanegol hwnnw sy'n dod i mewn i ategu'r darlun hwnnw. Ac, yn ogystal â hynny, ac nid buddsoddwyr preifat unigol yn unig chwaith, mae nifer o fuddsoddwyr cyfoeth sofran—o Ewrop a thu hwnt—sy'n edrych ar gyfleoedd yng Nghymru. A rhan o'r cydbwysedd y mae'n rhaid i ni ei daro yw, pan fo hwnnw'n gyfle gwirioneddol, yw sut ydym ni am wneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n cael cytundeb nad yw'n golygu y bydd yr asedau hynny'n cael eu diwreiddio o Gymru, ond eu bod nhw'n cael eu tyfu yma hefyd.
Rwy'n credu bod hyn yn cyffwrdd â'ch pwynt chi am y sector technoleg. Mae technoleg ariannol a seiber yn enghreifftiau da iawn o sector sy'n gryf yng Nghymru a'r cyfle i hwnnw dyfu eto—yn sicr mewn rhannau o'r sgyrsiau a gefais i gyda sefydliadau bancio, gyda chronfeydd cyfoeth sofran eraill, ac yn wir gyda'r sectorau eu hunain. Mae gennym ni grŵp cadarnhaol iawn o sectorau yng Nghymru. Rwyf i o'r farn ei fod yn un o'r pethau yr ydym ni'n ei werthfawrogi, a bod gweddill y byd yn edrych ar yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud ac yn gadarnhaol iawn ynglŷn â'r peth, o ran dysgu sut y daethom ni yma, ond ar gyfer ystyried hefyd a allen nhw fuddsoddi er mwyn helpu i dyfu'r sector yn y fan hon hefyd. Ac ym mhob un o'r sectorau hynny, rydym ni'n debygol o weld cyflogaeth o werth mawr.
Mae'r cynnig gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru a Busnes Cymru yn cynnwys cefnogaeth a deilwrwyd, fel crybwyllais i yn fy natganiad, felly nid yn unig y cewch chi arian—fe gewch chi rywfaint o gefnogaeth ac ymgynghoriaeth ynglŷn â hwnnw. Rydym ni wedi dweud, yn y gronfa newydd ar gyfer buddsoddi mewn datgarboneiddio, y gallai cymorth ymgynghori fod yn rhan o'r hyn a gaiff ei greu, i ddeall anghenion penodol busnes unigol. Rwy'n falch iawn o ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedais i am berchnogaeth gweithwyr, nid yn unig y cronfeydd ar gyfer prynu busnesau gan eu rheolwyr nhw, ond yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud eisoes gyda grwpiau fel Cwmpas Cymru a'r cronfeydd y maen nhw'n eu gweinyddu, i geisio cynyddu nifer y busnesau sy'n perthyn i'w gweithwyr ledled Cymru a gwireddu ein haddewid maniffesto i ddyblu'r sector.
Ac yn olaf, ynglŷn â'ch pwynt chi am ein dull ni o sicrhau y bydd hyn yn hysbys o gwmpas Cymru, wrth gwrs, mae gan y banc datblygu bum swyddfa, a leolir yng Nghaerdydd, Llanelli, Cyffordd Llandudno, y Drenewydd, a'r pencadlys, wrth gwrs, sydd yn Wrecsam.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad. Ac wrth gwrs, mae yna rôl bwysig gan y banc yn nyfodol economi Cymru.
I thank the Minister for the statement. And of course, there is an important role for the bank to play in the future of the Welsh economy.
The Development Bank of Wales offers support to its customers through a number of organisations, including Business Wales. Business Wales offers a range of free services to Welsh companies and sole traders. Nearly a year ago now, there were discussions in committee and Plenary over funding concerns for Business Wales, much of which goes to supporting those businesses. On 11 December 2021, you, Minister, noted that over a third of Business Wales funding comes from European sources. A year on, how has this impacted the Development Bank of Wales and Business Wales, and has an impact assessment been done? Around the same time, I also asked the Minister about the courses on offer from Business Wales, and I was grateful for the follow-up meeting we had on this topic. Since then, has there been any growth in the number and availability of courses provided?
Now, co-operatives and social partnerships allow the Welsh economy to grow in a more sustainable way, and will play a huge role in tackling the cost-of-living crisis. And I'll take this opportunity to plug the cross-party group on co-operatives and mutuals tomorrow, where we'll be looking at exactly this issue. In June 2021, the Welsh Government committed to doubling the number of employee-owned businesses in Wales. Earlier this year, I asked the Minister about funding available for co-operatives, to help reach the Welsh Government's target of doubling the number of employee-owned businesses in Wales. I'd be keen to know what progress has been made to reach that target. I did note that, in his statement, there was talk of supporting management buy-outs. Is that rather than worker buy-outs in that particular context? There is an important distinction to make between manager and worker buy-outs. Both groups will have different priorities and intentions going forward.
Finally, the net-zero business incentive next year. The initiative hopes to incentivise businesses to lower their carbon footprint based on an invest-to-save principle that should reduce energy consumption and lower businesses' bills in the long term. That, of course, is to be welcomed. Businesses looking at investing in renewables or energy-efficiency measures will be offered more favourable terms. Businesses can take on borrowing to fund capital investment that delivers on decarbonisation through more flexible repayment terms, attractive interest rates and wider support, such as help towards consultancy costs. The Minister is also tasking the bank with pursuing an ambitious equity investment target of £100 million over the next five to seven years.
While this announcement to help towards net-zero targets in Wales is welcome, it's something I recently questioned you and the First Minister on, and it has been called for by many in this Chamber. How does this increased investment fit in with the principle of the just transition? In my line of questioning, I referred to businesses, specifically small independent breweries, that have stretched their finances further than they thought possible during the pandemic, and now, during the cost-of-living crisis, they may be reluctant to take on more debt. What would you say to them as well as those who would not be potentially eligible for this scheme?
Also, would the Development Bank of Wales, within this initiative, be able to operate a fabric-first approach to energy efficiency, with the most favourable terms prioritising it? The fabric-first approach to building energy efficiency looks at maximising the performance of components and materials that make up a building itself, before the use of mechanical or electrical systems. Diolch yn fawr.
Mae Banc Datblygu Cymru yn estyn cymorth i'w gwsmeriaid trwy nifer o sefydliadau, gan gynnwys Busnes Cymru. Mae Busnes Cymru yn cynnig amrywiaeth o wasanaethau yn rhad ac am ddim i gwmnïau ac unig fasnachwyr o Gymru. Bron i flwyddyn yn ôl bellach, cafwyd trafodaethau mewn pwyllgorau a'r Cyfarfod Llawn hefyd am bryderon ynglŷn â chyllid i Fusnes Cymru, y mae llawer ohono'n mynd at gefnogi'r busnesau hynny. Ar 11 o fis Rhagfyr 2021, fe wnaethoch chi, Gweinidog, nodi bod dros draean o arian Busnes Cymru yn dod o ffynonellau Ewropeaidd. Flwyddyn yn ddiweddarach, sut mae hyn wedi effeithio ar Fanc Datblygu Cymru a Busnes Cymru, ac a oes asesiad effaith wedi cael ei wneud? Tua'r un pryd, fe ofynnais i'r Gweinidog hefyd am y cyrsiau a gynigir gan Fusnes Cymru, ac roeddwn i'n ddiolchgar am y cyfarfod dilynol a gawsom ni ynglŷn â'r pwnc hwnnw. Ers hynny, a oes unrhyw ehangu wedi bod o ran niferoedd y cyrsiau a faint sydd ar gael?
Nawr, mae cwmnïau cydweithredol a phartneriaethau cymdeithasol yn caniatáu i economi Cymru dyfu mewn ffordd fwy cynaliadwy, ac fe fydd rhan enfawr ganddyn nhw wrth fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng costau byw. Ac rwyf i am achub ar y cyfle hwn i roi cyhoeddusrwydd i'r grŵp trawsbleidiol ar gwmnïau cydweithredol a chydfuddiannol sy'n cael ei gynnal yfory, pryd byddwn ni'n edrych ar yr union fater hwn. Ym mis Mehefin 2021, ymrwymodd Llywodraeth Cymru i ddyblu nifer y busnesau sy'n perthyn i'w gweithwyr yng Nghymru. Yn gynharach eleni, fe ofynnais i'r Gweinidog am y cyllid sydd ar gael ar gyfer cwmnïau cydweithredol, ar gyfer helpu i gyrraedd nod Llywodraeth Cymru o ddyblu nifer y busnesau sy'n eiddo i'w gweithwyr yng Nghymru. Fe fyddwn i'n awyddus i wybod pa gynnydd sydd wedi bod o ran cyrraedd y nod hwnnw. Fe wnes i nodi, yn ei ddatganiad ef, ei fod wedi sôn am gefnogi rheolwyr sy'n prynu busnesau. Ai hynny felly yn hytrach na gweithwyr yn prynu busnesau yn y cyd-destun penodol hwnnw? Mae gwahaniaeth pwysig i'w nodi rhwng rheolwyr yn prynu a gweithwyr yn prynu. Fe fydd gan y ddau grŵp flaenoriaethau a bwriadau gwahanol wrth symud ymlaen.
Yn olaf, cymhelliant sero net busnesau'r flwyddyn nesaf. Mae'r fenter honno'n gobeithio cymell busnesau i ostwng eu hôl troed carbon ar sail yr egwyddor o fuddsoddi i arbed ac fe ddylai hynny leihau'r defnydd o ynni a biliau busnesau is yn yr hirdymor. Mae hynny, wrth gwrs, i'w groesawu. Fe fydd busnesau sy'n ystyried buddsoddi mewn ynni adnewyddadwy neu fesurau effeithlonrwydd ynni yn cael cynnig o delerau mwy ffafriol. Fe all busnesau fenthyca i ariannu buddsoddiad cyfalaf sy'n cyflawni datgarboneiddio drwy delerau ad-dalu mwy hyblyg, cyfraddau llog deniadol a chefnogaeth yn fwy eang, fel cymorth tuag at gostau ymgynghoriaeth. Mae'r Gweinidog yn rhoi'r gorchwyl i'r banc hefyd i anelu at nod uchelgeisiol o fuddsoddi ecwiti o £100 miliwn dros y pump i saith mlynedd nesaf.
Er bod y cyhoeddiad hwn i helpu anelu at nodau sero net yng Nghymru i'w groesawu, mae hwn yn rhywbeth y gwnes i eich holi chi a'r Prif Weinidog ynglŷn ag ef yn ddiweddar, ac fe alwyd amdano gan lawer yn y Siambr hon. Sut mae'r cynnydd hwn mewn buddsoddi yn cyd-fynd ag egwyddor pontio teg? Wrth i mi holi, roeddwn i'n cyfeirio at fusnesau, bragdai annibynnol bychain yn benodol, sydd wedi ymestyn eu cyllid ymhellach nag yr oedden nhw'n credu ei bod hi'n bosibl yn ystod y pandemig, a nawr, yn ystod yr argyfwng costau byw, efallai eu bod nhw'n amharod i ysgwyddo mwy o ddyled. Beth fyddech chi'n ei ddweud wrthyn nhw yn ogystal â'r rhai na fydden nhw o bosibl yn gymwys ar gyfer y cynllun hwn?
Hefyd, a fyddai Banc Datblygu Cymru, yn sgil y fenter hon, yn gallu rhedeg dull gweithredu sy'n rhoi blaenoriaeth i ddeunyddiau adeiladu effeithlon o ran ynni, gyda'r telerau mwyaf ffafriol yn cael eu rhoi ar gyfer adeiladu â'r deunyddiau hynny? Mae'r dull o sicrhau effeithlonrwydd ynni sy'n rhoi blaenoriaeth i ddeunyddiau yn ceisio gwella perfformiad y darnau a'r deunyddiau yn lluniad yr adeilad ei hun, cyn defnyddio unrhyw systemau mecanyddol neu drydanol. Diolch yn fawr.
To start with, on your point about the individual courses available, I'm not in a position to answer that individual point now, but I will make sure I come back to you with the detail on that particular point.
On your final point around net-zero investment and the announcement that we've made today on the new support that should be available to help with decarbonisation and energy efficiency and reducing energy costs, the last time we spoke I did indicate I'd have more to say in the coming weeks, and here we are. We've been working on this for a period of time. It isn't something that's been created in the last week or so.
Part of this is about trying to generate a just transition, to make sure that, as we decarbonise, we don't simply keep the jobs we have, but we actually help to de-risk some of the future, not just from a broader climate perspective, but from the business costs that exist now. It's something that I think a number of businesses will want to look very closely at. And, as I say, on the point about the individual circumstances you mentioned for each business, well, they vary from one business to another. Individual businesses in the same sector will have different needs, they may have different opportunities to take advantage of that. That is, both looking at the fabric of their own institutions as they are now and their opportunities to maximise that. It's why I pointed out that the opportunity is to look at what's possible for that individual business. It's also possible we may end up being able to support district energy schemes as well, if you think about the number of businesses that may share a common broad footprint around a business park or an area and would want to have a look at whether it's possible to do more within a particular setting and not simply on each individual business. So, there'll be a range of circumstances that will be individual.
The other reality we have to confront is that, even with the support that is available, and this is from the bank and its lending, whether it's equity or loan finance individually or a combination thereof, the Welsh Government doesn't, as we've talked about today, have the firepower to provide a grants based scheme to reach into every area of the economy. I know there are more businesses with challenges that I do think would otherwise be viable businesses than we have the means to support. It's why we await so keenly the outcome of the Halloween budget. I don't know if you had an opportunity to listen to the finance Minister in today's Welsh Government press conference, but the reality of our budget is one where we simply don't have additional money that is being kept back in the hope that we can then invest it over the coming weeks and months. It's a very, very difficult financial picture that we face, and businesses themselves know that.
In the conversations I've had with a variety of business groups of different sizes in different sectors, they all know that we don't have the money waiting for them. In fact, manufacturing businesses were very clear that they were anxious about the future, not because they didn't have full order books, but because they knew about the rising costs and prices for goods, the challenges in inflation, and they know that really it requires the UK Government to act like they are really on their side to help them through what's coming. We're all going to find out fairly soon what that really looks like. I'd be delighted to be proven wrong and that there is going to be a generous package available to help businesses to not just survive where they are, but to genuinely prosper in the future. Here in Wales, though, we will make the most of the advantages we do have, and DBW is one of those. But I can't tell you or anyone else that we can save every single business that we would otherwise want to.
When it comes to DBW and Business Wales and the reality of where we are with post-European funding, as I've indicated—and I've been absolutely upfront from the outset—there is a real and significant impact from European funds disappearing and not being replaced on a like-for-like basis in terms of the value or, indeed, how they're then purposed. What it does mean, though, is that to maintain Business Wales, which is what I have done, I've had to make really difficult choices in the rest of my departmental budget. That means other areas I would otherwise have wanted to invest in to help support the future of the Welsh economy I haven't been able to, because I think the Business Wales service is really important across the whole of Wales, and you can see that from the outcomes and the numbers of businesses that have had help, support and advice from Business Wales. Again, the Federation of Small Businesses regularly tell their counterparts in the rest of the UK that what we have in Wales is really worthwhile. Actually, the FSB in England would like to see a service like Business Wales in regions across England. That explains why I protected the budgets for the future for the services they provide. If we did have the same amount of money to invest in different choices, it would mean I could do more, and, indeed, that DBW could grow more as well.
Finally, when it comes to support practically for employee-owned businesses—and I recognise the point that management buy-outs aren't necessarily exactly the same—we're now up to 40 employee-owned businesses, and I've recently confirmed that extra £170,000 to Cwmpas Cymru to help with that practical support to move businesses from one ownership model into another. There are really good examples of new employee-owned businesses in Wales, and I look forward to announcing when we have, as I'm confident that we will do, achieved our manifesto goal of doubling the size of the sector.
I ddechrau, ynglŷn â'ch pwynt chi am y cyrsiau unigol sydd ar gael, nid wyf i mewn sefyllfa i ateb y pwynt arbennig hwnnw nawr, ond fe fyddaf i'n gwneud yn siŵr fy mod yn dod yn ôl atoch chi gyda'r manylion o ran y pwynt arbennig hwnnw.
Ynglŷn â'ch pwynt olaf chi ynghylch buddsoddiad sero net a'r cyhoeddiad a wnaethom ni heddiw ynghylch y gefnogaeth newydd a ddylai fod ar gael i helpu gyda datgarboneiddio ac effeithlonrwydd ynni a lleihau costau ynni, y tro diwethaf i ni siarad fe fynegais i y byddai gennyf i fwy i'w ddweud yn ystod yr wythnosau nesaf, a dyma ni. Rydym ni wedi bod yn gweithio ar hynny ers cryn amser. Nid rhywbeth sydd wedi ei greu yn ystod yr wythnos diwethaf fwy neu lai mohono.
Ystyr hyn yn rhannol yw ceisio creu pontio teg, i sicrhau, wrth i ni ddatgarboneiddio, nad ydym ni dim ond yn cadw'r swyddi sydd gennym ni, ond ein bod ni mewn gwirionedd yn helpu i leihau risgiau'r dyfodol i raddau, nid yn unig o safbwynt ehangach o ran yr hinsawdd, ond o ran y costau sy'n bodoli nawr i fusnesau. Dyma rywbeth yn fy marn i y bydd nifer o fusnesau yn awyddus i'w ystyried yn fanwl iawn. Ac, fel dywedaf i, ar y pwynt ynglŷn ag amgylchiadau unigryw busnesau unigol fel roeddech chi'n sôn, wel, mae'r rhain yw amrywio yn fawr rhwng y naill fusnes a'r llall. Bydd anghenion busnesau unigol yn yr un sector yn wahanol, a chyfleoedd amrywiol ganddyn nhw, efallai, i fanteisio ar hynny. Hynny yw, edrych ar wead eu sefydliadau nhw ar hyn o bryd a'u cyfleoedd nhw i wneud y gorau o hynny. Dyna pam yr oeddwn i'n tynnu sylw at y ffaith mai'r cyfle sydd yma yw gallu edrych ar yr hyn sy'n bosibl i'r busnes unigol hwnnw. Yn ogystal â hynny, fe fydd hi'n bosibl y byddwn ni'n gallu cefnogi cynlluniau ynni ardal yn y pen draw hefyd, os ydych chi'n meddwl am nifer y busnesau a allai rannu ôl troed eang cyffredin yng nghyd-destun parc busnes neu ardal ac sy'n awyddus i ystyried a fyddai hi'n bosib gwneud mwy o fewn lleoliad arbennig ac nid yn unig yng nghyd-destun busnesau unigol. Felly, fe fydd yna amrywiaeth o wahanol amgylchiadau unigol.
Y gwirionedd arall y mae'n rhaid i ni ei wynebu yw, hyd yn oed gyda'r gefnogaeth sydd ar gael, ac mae hyn oddi wrth y banc a'r benthyciadau a gynigir ganddo, pa un a yw ar ffurf ecwiti neu'n gyllid benthyg unigol neu gyfuniad o'r pethau hyn, nid oes gan Lywodraeth Cymru, fel rydym ni wedi dweud heddiw, mo'r grym noeth i ddarparu cynllun ar sail grantiau a fydd yn ymestyn at bob maes yn yr economi. Fe wn i fod yna fwy o fusnesau â heriau a fyddai'n fusnesau hyfyw fel arall yn fy marn i ond nid oes gennym ni fodd i'w cefnogi nhw. Dyna pam yr ydym ni'n aros mor ddisgwylgar am ganlyniad y gyllideb Calan Gaeaf. 'Wn i ddim a gawsoch chi gyfle i wrando ar y Gweinidog cyllid yng nghynhadledd Llywodraeth Cymru i'r wasg heddiw, ond y sefyllfa wirioneddol o ran ein cyllideb ni'n syml yw nad oes gennym ni arian ychwanegol sy'n cael ei ddal yn ôl mewn gobaith y gallwn ni ei fuddsoddi eto dros yr wythnosau a'r misoedd nesaf. Mae hwn yn ddarlun ariannol dyrys tu hwnt sy'n ein hwynebu ni, ac mae'r busnesau eu hunain yn gwybod hynny hefyd.
Yn y sgyrsiau a gefais i ag amrywiaeth o grwpiau busnes o wahanol feintiau mewn gwahanol sectorau, roedden nhw i gyd yn gwybod nad yw'r arian gennym ni'n aros ar eu cyfer nhw. Mewn gwirionedd, roedd busnesau gweithgynhyrchu yn eglur iawn eu bod nhw'n bryderus ynglŷn â'r dyfodol, nid am nad oedd ganddyn nhw lyfrau'n llawn archebion, ond oherwydd eu bod nhw'n ymwybodol o'r costau a'r prisiau cynyddol ar gyfer nwyddau, yr heriau o ran chwyddiant, ac maen nhw'n gwybod mewn gwirionedd bod angen i Lywodraeth y DU weithio fel pe byddai hi ar eu hochr nhw i'w helpu nhw drwy'r hyn sydd i ddod. Fe fyddwn ni i gyd yn canfod yn weddol fuan sut wedd fydd ar bethau mewn gwirionedd. Fe fyddwn i'n falch iawn o gael fy nghywiro ac y bydd pecyn hael ar gael i helpu busnesau i oroesi yn eu sefyllfa bresennol, ond nid yn unig hynny, i ffynnu mewn gwirionedd yn y dyfodol. Yma yng Nghymru, serch hynny, fe fyddwn yn gwneud y gorau o'r manteision sydd gennym ni, ac mae Banc Datblygu Cymru yn un o'r rhain. Ond ni allaf i ddweud wrthych chi na neb arall y byddwn ni'n gallu achub pob busnes unigol y byddem ni fel arall yn awyddus i'w achub.
O ran Banc Datblygu Cymru a Busnes Cymru a'r sefyllfa bresennol wirioneddol gyda chyllid yn lle cyllid o Ewrop, fel nodais i—ac rwyf i wedi bod yn gwbl agored o'r cychwyn cyntaf—fe geir effaith wirioneddol ac arwyddocaol oherwydd y cronfeydd Ewropeaidd sy'n diflannu heb unrhyw beth tebyg o ran gwerth yn eu lle nhw neu, yn wir, o ran eu dibenion nhw. Yr hyn y mae'n yn ei olygu, er hynny, yw ar gyfer cynnal Busnes Cymru, sef yr hyn a wnes i, rwyf i wedi gorfod gwneud dewisiadau anodd iawn gyda gweddill fy nghyllideb adrannol i. Mae hynny'n golygu nad wyf i wedi gallu buddsoddi mewn meysydd eraill y byddwn i fel arall wedi bod yn awyddus i fuddsoddi ynddyn nhw i helpu i gefnogi dyfodol economi Cymru, am fy mod i o'r farn fod gwasanaeth Busnes Cymru yn wir bwysig ledled Cymru, ac fe allwch chi weld hynny o'r canlyniadau a'r niferoedd o fusnesau sydd wedi cael cefnogaeth, cymorth a chyngor gan Fusnes Cymru. Unwaith eto, mae Ffederasiwn y Busnesau Bach yn dweud wrth eu cymheiriaid yng ngweddill y DU yn rheolaidd fod yr hyn sydd gennym ni yng Nghymru mewn gwirionedd yn werthfawr iawn. Mewn gwirionedd, fe hoffai Ffederasiwn y Busnesau Bach yn Lloegr weld gwasanaeth fel Busnes Cymru mewn rhanbarthau ledled Lloegr. Mae hynny'n esbonio pam y bu i mi warchod y cyllidebau i'r dyfodol ar gyfer y gwasanaethau y maen nhw'n eu cynnig. Pe byddai swm tebyg o arian gennym ni i fuddsoddi mewn gwahanol ddewisiadau, fe fyddai'n golygu y byddem ni'n gallu gwneud mwy, ac, yn wir, fe allai Banc Datblygu Cymru ehangu eto hefyd.
Yn olaf, o ran cefnogaeth ymarferol i fusnesau sy'n eiddo i'w gweithwyr—ac rwy'n cydnabod y pwynt nad yw rheolwyr yn prynu busnesau yn gwbl gyfystyr â hynny o reidrwydd—mae gennym ni hyd at 40 o fusnesau sy'n eiddo i'w gweithwyr erbyn hyn, ac yn ddiweddar rwyf i wedi cadarnhau bod £170,000 ychwanegol ar gael i Gwmpas Cymru i helpu gyda'r cymorth ymarferol hwnnw i symud busnesau o un dull o berchnogaeth i un arall. Fe geir enghreifftiau da iawn o fusnesau newydd sy'n eiddo i'w gweithwyr yng Nghymru, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at gyhoeddi pryd y byddwn ni, fel rwy'n ffyddiog y byddwn ni, wedi cyflawni ein nod maniffesto ni, sef dyblu maint y sector.
I very much welcome the statement. I agree with the Minister that the development bank here in Wales means we can maintain capability and stability to drive economic development. I, like Paul Davies, am pleased that the development bank is taking a proactive role in facilitating help for businesses. I have three questions. How is it intended to help businesses move from small to medium-sized enterprises, which is one of the weaknesses of the Welsh economy? Is it the Minister's intention to prioritise the three growth sectors of life sciences, ICT and financial services? And, perhaps, most importantly to me, from Swansea, will the bank further support the Swansea bay city region projects?
Rwy'n croesawu'r datganiad yn fawr iawn. Rwy'n cytuno â'r Gweinidog fod y banc datblygu yma yng Nghymru yn golygu y gallwn ni gynnal y gallu a'r sefydlogrwydd i ysgogi datblygiad economaidd. Rwyf i, fel Paul Davies, yn falch fod y banc datblygu am fod â rhan ragweithiol wrth hwyluso cymorth i fusnesau. Mae gennyf i dri chwestiwn. Ym mha ffordd y bwriedir iddyn nhw helpu busnesau i symud o fod yn fentrau bach i rai canolig, sef un o wendidau economi Cymru? Ai bwriad y Gweinidog yw blaenoriaethu tri o sectorau twf sef gwyddorau bywyd, TGCh a gwasanaethau ariannol? Ac, efallai, yn bwysicaf i gyd o fy safbwynt i, yn Abertawe, a fydd y banc yn rhoi mwy o gefnogaeth i brosiectau dinas-ranbarth Bae Abertawe?
Thank you for the questions. You're right; growth from small to medium and then from medium to large is one of our big challenges in the economy. Actually, it is exactly part of what DBW can do, because, often, it is the access to finance that holds people back. It's where high-street banks have seen a gap in what they do and DBW has been able to plug that gap. When it comes to the jobs and investment choices, it isn't just the funds that have helped to create about 2,600 jobs—to either safeguard or create those from the investment that's been made from the last financial year—but, actually, that adds to an increase in Welsh GVA of around £85.8 million within that year, and you expect that to carry on growing as we move forward. So, it is one of the things that I am genuinely concerned about.
Yes, there is activity in life sciences, and there's activity in financial services, especially in the growing fintech sector we have. And on your broader point around the broader technology sector and what that looks like, actually these services go into most businesses now, and so there is something about what our broader tech sector is doing. On a recent trip, the trade mission that I led to the United Arab Emirates, we had lots and lots of tech businesses, small and medium-sized businesses, looking for investment and recognising that they had an opportunity, including businesses based in Swansea, you'll be very pleased to hear.
And, yes, on your point around the Swansea bay city deal, we are looking at what DBW can do; how it can help to work with that and other growth deals in Wales to advance the projects they've got. I'm actually very positive about the practical progress that the Swansea bay city deal group is making on not just having a portfolio of projects, but on the investment that is already being made.
Diolch i chi am y cwestiynau. Rydych chi'n iawn; mae twf o fach i ganolig ac o ganolig i fawr wedyn yn un o'r heriau mawr i ni o ran yr economi. Mewn gwirionedd, dyma un o'r union bethau y gall Banc Datblygu Cymru ei wneud, oherwydd, yn aml, methu â chael gafael ar gyllid sy'n dal pobl yn ôl. Dyma pryd mae banciau ar y stryd fawr wedi gweld bwlch yn yr hyn y maen nhw'n ei wneud ac mae Banc Datblygu Cymru wedi gallu cau'r bwlch hwnnw. O ran y swyddi a'r dewisiadau o ran buddsoddi, nid arian yn unig sydd wedi helpu i greu tua 2,600 o swyddi—i naill ai ddiogelu neu greu rhai oherwydd y buddsoddiadau a fu yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf—ond, mewn gwirionedd, mae hynny'n ychwanegu at gynnydd yng ngwerth ychwanegol gros Cymru o tua £85.8 miliwn yn ystod y flwyddyn honno, ac rydych chi'n disgwyl i hynny barhau i dyfu wrth i ni symud ymlaen. Felly, dyna un o'r pethau yr wyf i'n wirioneddol bryderus yn ei gylch.
Oes, mae gweithgarwch mewn gwyddorau bywyd, ac fe geir gweithgarwch mewn gwasanaethau ariannol, yn enwedig yn y sector technoleg ariannol sy'n tyfu yma. Ac ynglŷn â'ch pwynt ehangach chi am y sector technoleg ehangach a sut olwg sydd ar hwnnw, mewn gwirionedd mae'r gwasanaethau hyn yn mynd i mewn i'r rhan fwyaf o fusnesau nawr, ac felly mae yna dipyn o ystyr i'r hyn y mae ein sector technoleg ehangach ni'n ei wneud. Ar daith ddiweddar, y daith fasnach a arweiniais i'r Emiradau Arabaidd Unedig, roedd gennym ni lawer iawn o fusnesau technoleg, busnesau bach a chanolig, yn chwilio am fuddsoddiad ac yn cydnabod bod cyfle iddyn nhw yn hyn o beth, gan gynnwys busnesau yn Abertawe, fe fyddwch chi'n falch iawn o'i glywed.
Ac ie, ynglŷn â'ch pwynt chi o ran bargen ddinesig Bae Abertawe, rydym ni'n edrych ar yr hyn y gall Banc Datblygu Cymru ei wneud; sut y gall helpu i weithio gyda honno a bargeinion twf eraill yng Nghymru i ddatblygu'r prosiectau sydd ganddyn nhw. Mewn gwirionedd rwy'n gadarnhaol iawn o ran y cynnydd ymarferol y mae grŵp bargen ddinesig Bae Abertawe yn ei wneud nid yn unig o ran bod â phortffolio o brosiectau, ond o ran y buddsoddiad sy'n cael ei wneud eisoes.
Last week, Mervyn King, the former governor of the Bank of England, gave various interviews, including on the fact that we still haven't cracked the ongoing moral hazard of organisations that are too big to fail, which is why the Bank of England had to intervene in the markets following Liz Truss's disastrous mini-budget, to rescue pension funds that had dabbled in risky investments to increase the dividends they dish up. So, I very much welcome the role of the Development Bank of Wales, and we need many more organisations like that to provide a bit more stability in the financial markets. I very much welcome all the information you've provided about the equity investment that the development bank is providing for companies who want to decarbonise; that seems absolutely a win-win for those companies, as well as for our net-zero targets across the whole of Wales.
Last week, I attended a conference organised by the Landworkers' Alliance and heard about the successful development of small-scale horticulture businesses that are profitable and require no subsidy. Both of them are based reasonably locally in south-east Wales, in both the Gower and the Vale of Glamorgan. You talk about wanting an economy where people have the skills and the protections that offer security through tough times. Did the recent economic summit discuss food security in the context of the fact that—
Yr wythnos diwethaf, rhoddodd Mervyn King, cyn-lywodraethwr Banc Lloegr, gyfweliadau amrywiol, gan gynnwys rhai ynglŷn â'r ffaith nad ydym ni wedi datrys y broblem o berygl moesol parhaus sefydliadau sy'n rhy fawr i fethu, a dyna pam y bu'n rhaid i Fanc Lloegr ymyrryd yn y marchnadoedd yn dilyn cyllideb fechan drychinebus Liz Truss, i achub cronfeydd pensiwn a oedd wedi ymhél â buddsoddiadau llawn risg i gynyddu'r difidendau y maen nhw'n eu dosbarthu. Felly, rwy'n croesawu gwaith Banc Datblygu Cymru yn fawr iawn, ac mae angen llawer mwy o sefydliadau fel hyn i gynnig ychydig mwy o sefydlogrwydd yn y marchnadoedd ariannol. Rwy'n croesawu'r wybodaeth i gyd y gwnaethoch chi ei rhannu ynglŷn â'r buddsoddiad ecwiti y mae'r banc datblygu yn ei ddarparu ar gyfer cwmnïau sy'n dymuno datgarboneiddio; mae honno'n ymddangos yn fuddugoliaeth lwyr i'r cwmnïau hynny, yn ogystal ag o ran ein nodau sero net ni ledled Cymru.
Yr wythnos diwethaf, roeddwn i mewn cynhadledd a drefnwyd gan Gynghrair Gweithwyr y Tir ac fe glywais i am ddatblygiad llwyddiannus busnesau garddwriaeth bychain sy'n gwneud elw ac nad oes angen unrhyw gymhorthdal arnyn nhw. Mae'r ddau wedi eu lleoli yn weddol leol yn y de-ddwyrain, ym Mhenrhyn Gŵyr a Bro Morgannwg. Rydych chi'n sôn bod eisiau economi lle mae'r sgiliau a'r amddiffyniadau gan bobl i roi diogelwch iddyn nhw mewn cyfnodau anodd. A wnaeth yr uwchgynhadledd economaidd ddiweddar drafod diogelwch bwyd yng nghyd-destun y ffaith—
Could the Member ask her question, please?
A wnaiff yr Aelod ofyn ei chwestiwn hi, os gwelwch hi'n dda?
—food is not coming into the wholesale market? And what investments are you aware of that the Development Bank of Wales may be investing in increasing the amount of food we are growing in Wales?
—nad yw bwyd yn dod i mewn i'r farchnad gyfanwerthu? A pha fuddsoddiadau a ydych chi'n ymwybodol ohonyn nhw y gallai Banc Datblygu Cymru fod yn eu buddsoddi i gynyddu swm y bwyd yr ydym ni'n ei dyfu yng Nghymru?
It's not a specific objective of the development bank to increase food security in the country. It's not a specific objective that we've set. However, we have set objectives around helping to transition Wales to a more sustainable economy and plans around net zero. Lesley Griffiths, as you know, is the Minister who leads on the food sector. I mentioned this last week, and Alun Davies noted his lifetime's work in supporting the food and drink sector, sometimes personally—that actually we have seen a real growth in the sector from an export point of view. But there is something also about what we do need to do, and we recognise this within the Government, in broader food security for how food is produced, where it's produced, and how local it is as well.
I'm not trying to avoid the issue; I just think that it's not the development bank that is the primary lever in doing that. It doesn't mean that projects that will help food security will not be supported. In fact, in the food and drink sector we have supported a number of projects to grow and to expand. At the economic summit it was much more about businesses in survival mode and wanting to understand what is likely to happen, and trade unions being interested in the terms and conditions of workers moving forward and what that means, but positively wanting to support businesses to have a good future. So, I think we're potentially talking at cross purposes about what the point and purpose of the summit was, because there wasn't a particular business that talked about food security in that event, and I wouldn't have necessarily expected there to be.
I do take on board your point around pension funds, both the level of debt that they had and the level of risk they had. And of course what really changed and was very unexpected just a few weeks ago is actually that Government debt changed its profile as well. So, the value of that Government debt and that Government investment was a real factor for pension funds that were looking to provide a stable return for pension holders. I certainly hope, from the point of view of businesses, pensioners, and indeed householders, that we will see more stability from the UK market. It has a real impact not just on individual families but on individual businesses, because the terms of debt available are a real factor in holding off investment in the Welsh economy.
Nid yw cynyddu diogelwch bwyd yn y wlad yn amcan penodol i'r banc datblygu. Nid yw'n amcan penodol y gwnaethom ni ei bennu. Er hynny, rydym ni wedi pennu amcanion ynghylch helpu Cymru i bontio i economi fwy cynaliadwy a chynlluniau ynghylch sero net. Lesley Griffiths, fel gwyddoch chi, yw'r Gweinidog sy'n arwain y sector fwyd. Fe soniais i am hynny'r wythnos diwethaf, ac fe nododd Alun Davies waith o ran cefnogi'r sector bwyd a diod ar hyd ei oes, mewn ffordd bersonol weithiau—ein bod ni mewn gwirionedd wedi gweld twf gwirioneddol yn y sector o safbwynt allforio. Ond mae yma rywbeth hefyd ynglŷn â'r hyn sydd ei angen i ni ei wneud, ac rydym ni'n cydnabod hynny yn y Llywodraeth, yng nghyd-destun diogelwch bwyd ehangach o ran sut caiff bwyd ei gynhyrchu, ymhle y caiff ei gynhyrchu, a pha mor lleol hefyd.
Nid wyf i'n ceisio osgoi'r mater; dim ond mai fy marn i yw nad y banc datblygu yw'r prif ysgogydd yn hyn o beth. Nid yw hynny'n golygu na fydd yna gefnogaeth i brosiectau sy'n cynnig diogelwch bwyd. Yn wir, yn y sector bwyd a diod rydym ni wedi cefnogi nifer o brosiectau i dyfu ac ehangu. Yn yr uwchgynhadledd economaidd roedd llawer mwy o sôn am fusnesau yn ceisio goroesi ac yn awyddus i ddeall yr hyn sy'n debyg o ddigwydd, ac undebau llafur â diddordeb yn nhelerau ac amodau gweithwyr sy'n symud ymlaen a'r hyn y mae hynny'n ei olygu, ond yn sicr yn dymuno cefnogi busnesau i fwynhau dyfodol llewyrchus. Felly, rwy'n credu ein bod ni'n siarad yn groes i'n gilydd o ran diben a phwrpas yr uwchgynhadledd, oherwydd ni wnaeth unrhyw fusnes arbennig sôn am ddiogelwch bwyd yn y digwyddiad hwnnw, ac ni fyddwn i wedi disgwyl hynny o reidrwydd.
Rwy'n deall eich pwynt chi ynglŷn â chronfeydd pensiynau, maint y ddyled a oedd ganddyn nhw a chyfradd y risg a oedden nhw'n ei hwynebu hefyd. Ac wrth gwrs yr hyn a newidiodd mewn gwirionedd ac a oedd yn annisgwyl iawn ychydig wythnosau yn ôl, yw bod dyled y Llywodraeth wedi newid ei phroffil. Felly, roedd gwerth dyled y Llywodraeth honno a buddsoddiad y Llywodraeth yn ffactor gwirioneddol ar gyfer cronfeydd pensiynau a oedd yn ceisio darparu elw sefydlog i ddeiliaid y pensiynau. Rwyf i'n sicr yn gobeithio, o safbwynt busnesau, pensiynwyr, a deiliaid tai, yn wir, y byddwn ni'n gweld mwy o sefydlogrwydd o du marchnad y DU. Mae ganddo effaith wirioneddol nid yn unig ar deuluoedd unigol ond ar fusnesau unigol, oherwydd mae amodau'r ddyled sydd ar gael yn ffactor gwirioneddol wrth rwystro buddsoddi yn economi Cymru.
I enjoy the Minister's statements and I enjoy the conversations that he embarks upon across the Chamber. In discussing a lot of his different priorities for the investment bank he's made it very clear that he wants to see the development bank acting in a very agile way, looking for opportunities, and also investing in a creative way, and I very much welcome what he said this afternoon about decarbonisation.
What I worry sometimes, Minister, is that there are not very clear objectives and targets set for this activity. For example, one of the biggest issues facing us in the Welsh economy is that of productivity. What guidance or advice have you given the development bank to address issues of productivity in the economy, and how will you measure whether the development bank is having an impact on that?
The constituency I represent in Blaenau Gwent, of course, is one of the areas where we need greater investment, not only in productivity but in economic activity. Do you give the development bank clear guidance on a spatial aspect to their investment, so that you look and you set targets for investment in the Heads of the Valleys, for example, to ensure that you actually are investing not simply in businesses to achieve global outcomes, which would drive investment to places like Cardiff and the M4 corridor, but to drive investment into some of the more difficult parts of Wales, which are suffering from significant market failure?
Rwy'n mwynhau datganiadau'r Gweinidog ac yn mwynhau'r sgyrsiau y mae'n eu cychwyn ar draws y Siambr. Wrth drafod llawer o'i flaenoriaethau amrywiol ef ar gyfer y banc buddsoddi fe'i gwnaeth hi'n eglur ei fod ef yn awyddus i weld y banc datblygu yn gweithio mewn ffordd ystwyth iawn, yn chwilio am gyfleoedd, ac yn buddsoddi mewn ffordd greadigol hefyd, ac rwy'n croesawu'r hyn a ddywedodd ef brynhawn heddiw am ddatgarboneiddio yn fawr iawn.
Yr hyn sy'n fy mhoeni i weithiau, Gweinidog, yw na osodwyd amcanion na nodau eglur iawn ar gyfer y gweithgarwch hwn. Er enghraifft, un o'r materion mwyaf sy'n ein hwynebu ni yn economi Cymru yw cynhyrchiant. Pa ganllawiau neu gyngor a wnaethoch chi eu rhoi i'r banc datblygu ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â materion cynhyrchiant yn yr economi, a sut fyddwch chi'n mesur a yw'r banc datblygu yn cael effaith yn hynny o beth?
Mae'r etholaeth yr wyf i'n ei chynrychioli ym Mlaenau Gwent, wrth gwrs, yn un o'r ardaloedd lle mae angen mwy o fuddsoddiad arnom ni, nid yn unig o ran cynhyrchiant ond o ran gweithgarwch economaidd. A ydych chi'n rhoi canllawiau eglur i'r banc datblygu ynglŷn ag agwedd ofodol ei fuddsoddiad, fel eich bod chi'n edrych a'ch bod chi'n pennu nodau ar gyfer buddsoddi ym Mlaenau'r Cymoedd, er enghraifft, i sicrhau eich bod chi'n buddsoddi mewn gwirionedd nid yn unig mewn busnesau i sicrhau canlyniadau byd-eang, a fyddai'n ysgogi buddsoddiad i fannau fel Caerdydd a choridor yr M4, ond yn ysgogi buddsoddiad i rai o rannau llai breintiedig Cymru, sy'n dioddef o ran methiant sylweddol yn y farchnad?