Buffy Williams: Thank you, Minister. With furlough ending, the devastating £20-a-week universal credit uplift cut and the national insurance increase, it seems that the UK Government cares little for the most vulnerable in our communities, heading into what will already be a tough winter. Thousands of families in Rhondda and across Wales will struggle. Thousands of families will be forced to make impossible...
Buffy Williams: Diolch, acting Llywydd, and diolch to Jack for your contribution in opening today's debate. As a new Member of the Senedd and a new member of the Petitions Committee, I'd like to start by saying just how important petitions are, not only to us as Senedd Members, but for residents living across all four corners of Wales. We—. Sorry, not to only to us as the Senedd Members, but for residents...
Buffy Williams: Will the Minister provide an update on the roll-out of social prescribing in Wales?
Buffy Williams: For a small country, Wales has always punched above its weight on the global stage, from our innovative industrial revolution to being climate trailblazers, and the first Parliament in the world to declare a climate emergency. When Wales speaks, the world sits up and listens. We wouldn't be where we are today without our Valleys. Rhondda was coal rich, but I really believe we have so much...
Buffy Williams: How does the Government plan to lower emissions as part of the net zero Wales plan?
Buffy Williams: 8. What measures is the Welsh Government taking to mitigate child poverty? OQ57218
Buffy Williams: Thank you, Minister. The response I've received from families in Rhondda to the £51 million support package has been overwhelming. I know this will make a real difference this winter for children and their families. It's also great to hear funding announced for the extension of the Big Bocs Bwyd. Ending child poverty in Wales will require partnership working. There are hundreds and hundreds...
Buffy Williams: 4. What action is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of social care workers in Wales? OQ57301
Buffy Williams: Data published earlier this month show that the pressure on our health and care system continues to grow. Social care workers play an essential role in supporting the most vulnerable in our communities and help alleviate pressure on their NHS colleagues. I was so pleased to see their hard work recognised by Rhondda Cynon Taf council, which has committed to providing all of its contracted...
Buffy Williams: From the Gruffalo's friend to Beatrix Potter's Squirrel Nutkin, the red squirrel, the UK's only native squirrel species, has been a much loved part of the UK countryside for thousands of years. The number of them has sadly dwindled over the last decades for many reasons, the main being the introduction of the non-native grey squirrel. Unfortunately, grey squirrels far outnumber red squirrels...
Buffy Williams: What action is the Welsh Government taking to reduce the attainment gap in Wales?
Buffy Williams: I declare an interest here as I still sit on the board of trustees at Canolfan Pentre. The support charities and the voluntary sector provide to the most vulnerable in our communities is invaluable, and throughout the pandemic alleviated an immense amount of pressure for local authorities. We wouldn't be able to provide this support without the all-important funding. Unfortunately, it's...
Buffy Williams: 8. What are the next steps the Welsh Government intends to take in relation to the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy? OQ57405
Buffy Williams: Thank you, Minister. Over the course of the pandemic, we have sadly seen a rise in the number of reported domestic abuse-related offences. Rhondda Cynon Taf Women's Aid received over 3,000 referrals during this period, and supported 69 children under 16 living in refuge. We have seen the horrific murders of women like Sarah Everard and Wenjing Lin at the hands of men, and we have seen female...
Buffy Williams: Will the First Minister provide an update on the holding of exams for secondary school pupils?
Buffy Williams: 6. Will the Minister provide an update on the roll-out of social prescribing in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board area? OQ57442
Buffy Williams: Thank you, Deputy Minister. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we've seen GP surgeries completely change the way that they operate. In Rhondda, this has meant an astronomical increase to the number of residents that GPs support. Around 20 per cent of these residents won't require medical support and will instead benefit from social prescribing. I recently visited Men's Shed Treorchy, who...
Buffy Williams: Diolch to Jack as Chair of the Petitions Committee for making sure this debate could take place at such short notice. Cervical screening isn't a pleasant experience to say the least, and I'm sure I'm not the only woman in Wales to have put off or dreaded attending a screening appointment, but we also understand that cervical screening is one of the most important appointments for us to attend...
Buffy Williams: 8. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the pandemic on the attainment gap? OQ57489
Buffy Williams: Minister, pupils in schools have not been impacted equally in this pandemic. The hundreds of millions of pounds you have allocated to make schools COVID-secure has made a real difference, but there are still specific groups of pupils who have been disadvantaged more than others. We've seen an unprecedented demand for child and adolescent mental health services and school-based services with...
