Jane Hutt: I've been working closely with those most affected by COVID-19 in Wales. The Women's Equality Network Wales, for example, has highlighted how women have been disproportionately affected as carers, as mothers and in the workplace. Equality is central to the First Minister's framework for recovery from the pandemic.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Lynne Neagle. These are key questions that I'm sure we're all being asked. It's important that also our social partners are engaged with this. I know that the Wales TUC is very much sending out the message up until schools reopen next week that employers should keep staff on furlough and not be expecting them to return to work until they reopen, and that will be on a gradual basis....
Jane Hutt: As we come out of the COVID lockdown period, the Welsh Government will continue to keep equality at the heart of its actions. Equality forms one of the three pillars of the First Minister’s framework for recovery, and this will be supported by legislative, research and engagement activities.
Jane Hutt: The events that I'm sure we've all been aware of and taken part in virtually—events that I've been engaged in organised by Race Council Cymru and also the report that's been published this week, a report on the socioeconomic factors in terms of disproportionate impact on BAME people and communities—are fundamental to taking us forward to address these issues. As the First Minister...
Jane Hutt: As I said in my earlier response to David Melding’s question, on 6 April I outlined the Welsh Government’s £24 million package of support for Wales’s voluntary sector in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This funding includes both direct support for the sector’s response and support for individual organisations.
Jane Hutt: We work closely with our partners, including local government, police and HMPPS to ensure our communities are safe. We have worked collaboratively to ensure there is a robust joint response to both protect people from coronavirus and keep communities safe during these unprecedented times.
Jane Hutt: The voluntary sector in Wales has been crucial to our efforts in fighting the pandemic. Delivering key services, co-ordinating local support and helping to guide our dedicated and compassionate army of volunteers. I’d like to say a huge 'thank you' to all our volunteers and voluntary sector organisations.
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: I'd like to thank Plaid Cymru for tabling this motion in the last session of this Senedd. It's provided a very lively debate, which I think has focused on the positive impact of devolution for Wales, with the Welsh Government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. And I think the debate has provided the opportunity to highlight the many ways in which we've used our powers, with growing...
Jane Hutt: —in living memory and that, I think—
Jane Hutt: Okay. The steps that were outlined last week by the Chancellor don't go far enough to meet the scale of the challenges we face. We need more extensive and far-reaching action to tackle this crisis head on, and to build back better. I'll say finally, Llywydd, that our priority for the Welsh Government today, and every day in the coming weeks, is to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, and the...
Jane Hutt: I recognise and support the freedom to hold and practise belief in Wales. I'm pleased to have worked with the Wales faith communities forum and the reopening places of worship task and finish group to support the phased and safe reopening of places of worship.
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Darren Millar, for that supplementary question. I would say at the outset that the Welsh Government is very grateful to our Wales faith communities forum, and you're well aware of the full and diverse membership of that, and their advice and guidance they've given us—they have a task and finish group—advice and guidance they've given us on reopening places of worship....
Jane Hutt: Through working with partner organisations across the UK, our delivery of awareness raising, accredited training, and through improved intelligence gathering to support criminal investigations and support for victims, the Welsh Government is at the forefront of the fight against these appalling crimes.
Jane Hutt: I would thank again the Member for that additional question, because it is vital that we recognise that this can be an issue in terms of the adverse impact of COVID-19, which could lead to an increase in trafficking. What's very important—. As I've said, it's about co-ordinated action. The response to slavery in Wales was bolstered, as, of course, we know, by the appointment of the Welsh...
Jane Hutt: Thank you to Huw Irranca-Davies. Following on that important point about the impact of the pandemic, and just to add to the points that I made earlier on, we are continuing to work with our partners in the National Crime Agency, police, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, but also including all those non-governmental organisations and charities, such as BAWSO, New Pathways and Barnardo's...
Jane Hutt: Well, I will acknowledge that David Rowlands has mentioned this more than once in this Chamber. I'd just like to briefly, in terms of employment, refer to the ethical employment in supply chains code of practice, which was launched in 2017, aimed at making supply chains transparent, but also preventing exploitation of workers. And it was actually a first for Wales and the UK, and over 200...
Jane Hutt: Well, until recently, I would say that slavery was a hidden crime. It's still under-reported and these questions and concerns have been raised this afternoon. And that's why we introduced new data collection systems in Wales and we continue to work with partners to develop that better evidence base—Huw Irranca-Davies referred to that as well—that more accurately reflects the level of...
Jane Hutt: The socioeconomic duty will come into force on 31 March 2021. We're working closely with public bodies to prepare for the duty and, earlier this year, we co-produced guidance, and further resources to guide public bodies will be published shortly.
Jane Hutt: Well, I thank Mick Antoniw for raising that and drawing our attention—because we've all seen it—to the incredible contribution made by those women scientists. Of course, the global pandemic has highlighted the vital role that STEM plays in the world today. We've never had more STEM professionals, scientists, in the public eye as we've had in recent months. But I'm very pleased to chair...
