Carl Sargeant: Indeed, and the commissioner is absolutely right to make reference to this. We see much better outcomes where social services and housing departments work together, as opposed to in isolation. Otherwise, we see young people ending up in bed and breakfasts or other solutions that they may find appropriate within that department. I’ve told my team that I expect all organisations that have...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for her question. House building is a priority for this Government, and latest quarterly statistics suggest an increase in new homes built in Mid and West Wales compared with the previous year. This progress has been supported by Help to Buy—Wales, rural housing enablers and our 20,000 affordable homes target.
Carl Sargeant: Of course, the Member’s right and is always an advocate for the mid and west region that she represents. I can’t say to the Member categorically that you will receive a fifth of the 20,000, but I can assure you that the products that we have in place, such as Help to Buy—Wales and the other projects that we are delivering across Wales, will be available to your constituents too, and...
Carl Sargeant: I’ve actually had some discussions with the planning Minister, and also with some public companies to make sure we can consider this as we move forward. It is an important part of moving technology forward, and I often hear the Member relate to the adequacy of broadband in his constituency also. But, it is something that we are taking up with developers and registered social landlords.
Carl Sargeant: I think that there are two parts to this. I think the investment that the Government’s made with its programmes for refurbishment around gas boilers and insulation et cetera is an important part of that. But, I’m really encouraged about the innovation, and I talk this through often with one of my Members from the back benches, Jenny, regarding the energy efficiency of new homes and why we...
Carl Sargeant: Thank you. The Supporting People programme helps people avoid or overcome homelessness and live as independently as possible. In recognition of its vital role, we have protected the £124.4 million of funding from cuts since 2015-16.
Carl Sargeant: Well, what we do know is that, in Wales, we protected this. In England, they scrapped the Supporting People programme in terms of the ring fencing, which has a massive negative effect on individuals up and down the length of England. I’ve got a very progressive Supporting People sector that’s currently supported by a great leader in Cymorth Cymru’s Katie Dalton, who’s working very...
Carl Sargeant: Of course, and I’d be happy to write to the Member with some further details and examples. There are some great operating bodies across Wales that can very clearly show the investment of a small amount of Supporting People funding stream, which has multiple benefits in that way. Of course, that’s how Government and agencies should be thinking in the consideration of the WFG Act, making...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for Newport West. Welsh Government has an important role in working with a range of partners in supporting resilient communities in all parts of Wales. Further details of a new regeneration programme will shortly be announced, and the regeneration priorities for Newport will need to feed into those considerations.
Carl Sargeant: Of course, and I’m grateful for the Member’s involvement in that scheme. I’ve visited Pill three times over the last six months to see what progress has been made and it was remarkable only last week, when I visited on my last occasion. The Member’s right to raise the issue of community involvement because it’s their community and we’ve got to make sure that it’s built in the...
Carl Sargeant: All lead delivery bodies are currently finalising transition plans that will give detailed information on their activities for the year ahead. My officials have been supporting LDBs, including Cardiff, in the development of these plans and have been in regular contact. We look forward to receiving their plans shortly.
Carl Sargeant: We have an excellent record of providing support for post offices in Wales under the Post Office development and Post Office diversification funds. Post offices provide many important services to their communities including free access to cash and personal and business bank accounts.
Carl Sargeant: The Welsh Government will support a range of housing tenures, in Pembrokeshire and across Wales. We will continue to invest in social housing and home ownership. In addition, we are bringing forward new programmes aiming to make buying a home more accessible, and support innovation.
Carl Sargeant: Foster carers play a vital role in looking after children in care, and high-quality foster placements are essential in achieving better outcomes for children. We are developing a national fostering framework for Wales, which will build capacity and ensure more consistent outcomes for looked-after children.
Carl Sargeant: Formally.
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Deputy Llywydd, and I thank and welcome this debate today from the Conservative Party. The availability of sustainable housing is a key priority for this Government, and even the UK Government appears now to be waking up to the importance of this issue, judging by their recent White Paper. We welcome their belated conversion. Indeed, Dawn Bowden was right about the launch of the...
Carl Sargeant: I'm more than happy to give way to the Member.
Carl Sargeant: Why would we start believing you now, when we've seen Theresa May turn on her policies year on year? The facts are that, since 1923, you are lower in this term of government than any other Government, Labour or Conservative. You've got not a leg to stand on. I acknowledge more needs to be done, Llywydd, to meet the needs for social housing, and I am committed to doing all we can to achieve...
Carl Sargeant: Okay, I will withdraw that. Half the millionaires who aren't on the front row have written to me in terms of not applying new homes. Llywydd, I'm particularly keen to see SME house builders enter and re-enter the housing building sector. And the number of new homes being built in the UK by SMEs has fallen from around two thirds in the late 1980s to more than a quarter. Now, I plan to make a...
Carl Sargeant: Yes, of course.
