Carl Sargeant: Indeed, and the Member’s right to raise that very issue. That’s why the Member voted against the housing Act in the last Government, when we were introducing this legislation. He should think back about his actions. Our research shows how the programme helps to reduce unnecessary demands on the NHS—a significant benefit in its own right. It provides the case for early intervention and...
Carl Sargeant: I’m not sure the Member was in when the Conservative amendment was debated, but it’s impressive that he remembers. I trust that no-one will seek to misrepresent or disrespect the proper budgetary process of this Assembly as the Welsh Government puts itself at odds with the views expressed across the Chamber on the importance of this work, Llywydd—that united messages must not get lost...
Carl Sargeant: I’m very grateful. The Member has been talking about England a lot. Angela said in the previous debate that we shouldn’t reflect on England and what they’re doing in England. Maybe the Member would like to tell us what the junior doctors are doing in England and not in Wales.
Carl Sargeant: Formally.
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m grateful for the opportunity to respond to this debate today. Our town and city centres face complex challenges that we recognise—the difficulties they face remaining relevant and competitive, as many Members have alluded to today. The circumstances in which they operate are continually changing, and they face challenges from both economic...
Carl Sargeant: I will do.
Carl Sargeant: I think it is common ground, and that’s exactly what Lee did say, I think. Your point is well made and reiterated by the Member. Can I say that I’m not opposed to the collective responsibility of trying to rebuild our communities and our town centres? All of these things should feed into the consideration by the Minister responsible for business rates over the next few weeks. I’m...
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome today’s debate—the third on housing, I think, in as many weeks. A safe, secure and affordable home is a basic need. It’s crucial to people’s health, well-being and ability to realise their full potential. Housing is a priority for this Government. I’m deeply committed to ensuring we do all we can to help people meet their housing needs...
Carl Sargeant: I will take an intervention from the Member.
Carl Sargeant: We’ve got a raft of schemes. The 20,000 model, which I’ll come onto in a second—. I know that David tries to pretend that he doesn’t understand the figures, but I know that the Member is good at this. I will explain them in more detail. Let me tell you one fundamental fact about the right to buy and what’s actually happened in this sector: the fact is that, as years have passed, the...
Carl Sargeant: [Continues.]—with the support of Plaid Cymru, and we will be the ones who champion house building here in Wales.
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Presiding Officer. This Government is determined to deliver more and better jobs through a stronger, fairer economy. We are committed to improving and reforming our public services and we are intent on building a united, connected and sustainable Wales. Within my portfolio, my priorities are well-being and economic prosperity. I’m absolutely determined to meet them. To do that, I...
Carl Sargeant: Change is never easy, and we cannot duck the new and serious challenges that we face. Rather, we must find a fresh way to respond. Beginning now, we will engage internal and external stakeholders on our future approach, including the proposal to phase out Communities First, and how we will continue to deliver Communities for Work and Lift. We will seek views on how we engage, support and...
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I thank Bethan Jenkins for her measured questions there. I think that while the Member picked up on the issue of Communities First, actually there’s lots in the statement, I believe, that’s quite exciting with an opportunity to drive Wales forward. I’ll give the Member some examples of the choices that we’ve made and the reasoning behind some...
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Presiding Officer, and I’m grateful for Mark Isherwood’s contribution. I think, underneath all of that, Mark was actually subtly saying, ‘Well done’ to the Minister, as I think he actually agrees with us, on the basis he was trying to claim credit for some of that. But, on a very real point, the Member raised a couple of issues that I can pick up on. Why was the decision...
Carl Sargeant: I’m grateful to the Member for raising the issues about the things that Communities First does really well, and I also celebrate the work from many communities that has been engaged in by staff and volunteers right across the 52 areas within Wales. But, as I’ve said, we have to consider the time and place now, and I think that there are much stronger interventions that we can lead on...
Carl Sargeant: I’m very grateful for the positive contribution that the Member makes and raises about the important work that community-focused schools do in the way that they change their local community. I’m encouraged that the Cabinet Secretary for Education would be happy to meet with the Member, actually, to discuss the very issues that the Member raises. On the issue around childcare, as listed...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member. Can I also pay tribute to many staff members in Communities First areas right across Wales who do a fantastic job in changing and creating a resilient community? I don’t doubt the work and intention of those, but we are in a conversation space. We want to talk to Communities First units about what the future looks like for these clusters and how they are shaping. The...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for his contribution. It will be no surprise that I don’t agree with him on all he said; I do think that the interventions of Communities First have worked in some areas and worked very well in some areas, and Lynne Neagle and her colleagues have alluded to that. I do agree with him that the issue around the school and space is something we need to concentrate more on....
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for her support and the comprehensive question she raises. As I said in my statement, the Communities First programme is one programme and we must rely on other aspects of what Government interventions do—what Government, local government, third sector organisations bring to our communities—and build resilience around that. We are challenged financially—all aspects of...
