Sioned Williams: Trefnydd, a report published last week by the End Child Poverty coalition showed that parts of Wales have seen a dramatic increase in child poverty over the past five years and that Wales now has the worst child poverty rate of all the nations in the UK, with 31 per cent of children living below the poverty line. The situation of child poverty in Wales is a national scandal. Unfortunately,...
Sioned Williams: Trefnydd, you'll be aware that, as we've heard today, the plans for the Swansea bay and west Wales metro have recently been out for consultation, and today being the deadline for the receipt of comments. Plaid Cymru has long argued for a metro in South Wales West, of course, but we believe that the metro must include rail and light rail services to our Valleys communities and cannot just be...
Sioned Williams: Our role as representatives of the people of Wales is to secure the best possible lives for the people of our nation; to do everything possible to create a prosperous, fair and just Wales, which cares for everyone who calls Wales their home. If we don't do this, then we don't deserve to sit in this Chamber, nor are we worthy of representing those communities that have placed their faith in us...
Sioned Williams: So, why does the Labour Welsh Government continue to drag its feet on devolving powers that will make Wales better off? Why deny Wales a further powerful lever that would help tackle poverty? Why not act to help lift up our people? During the election campaign, the First Minister said he believed powers over welfare benefits and most taxes are 'better discharged at a UK level.' Even if the...
Sioned Williams: If providing dignity for our citizens is the baseline for the fair Wales we should all try to create, then the right to live free of persecution is also fundamental. Last year, after two years of delay, the UK Government announced its response to the consultation on reform of the Gender Recognition Act 2004. That flawed Act was supposed to allow trans people to receive legal recognition, but...
Sioned Williams: We are currently celebrating Pride month, and as we do, we must reaffirm our commitment to the LGBT+ people of Wales that we respect their rights and will fight for their rights. If we devolve powers relating to the Gender Recognition Act to Wales, we could help ensure the right of trans people to live their lives as they wish, with dignity. It is disappointing, therefore, that the Welsh...
Sioned Williams: I will conclude.
Sioned Williams: I quote: 'We will also work to devolve the Gender Recognition Act and support our Trans community.' We need these powers—we need them now. It's time to act on the mandate given to us by the people of Wales, and I'd urge all Members to vote for the motion today. Diolch yn fawr.
Sioned Williams: Thank you, Llywydd. This is Refugee Week, which is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the contributions made by refugees to our communities, and also the long and proud history of Wales of welcoming people who are escaping oppression and violence. World Refugee Day is marked every year internationally on 20 June, which is next Sunday. I hope we will all take the opportunity to learn more...
Sioned Williams: Will the Minister make a statement on the 21st century schools programme in South Wales West?
Sioned Williams: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on town centre redevelopment in South Wales West? OQ56651
Sioned Williams: Diolch, Brif Weinidog. When speaking to retailers and market traders in Neath town centre, it's clear that the town centre is struggling at the moment in terms of tackling anti-social behaviour and of reduced footfall. The development of the swimming pool, cafe, and library in the town will hopefully help bring in additional footfall, but there is a feeling that there's a need for more to be...
Sioned Williams: Minister, while the Welsh Government's briefings and statements on coronavirus have covered a wide range of areas, one area that's not received much attention, certainly lately, is dentistry. Clearly, emergency treatment has been available throughout the COVID period, but figures provided by the British Dental Association show that dentistry in Wales is currently operating at around a fifth...
Sioned Williams: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, as a newly elected Member in the Senedd, I'm very pleased to respond to this statement on such an important issue within my first few weeks as a Member and as Plaid Cymru spokesperson on equalities and social justice. Eradicating racism and creating an anti-racist Wales is crucial to Plaid Cymru and it is an issue that I'm determined to see progress on by...
Sioned Williams: We must give everyone a presence in our history, a role in imagining our future and a voice and visibility in the present.
Sioned Williams: First of all, then, on the plan and the consultation, can you explain how the recommendations made by Professor Ogbonna have been incorporated into the plan? You're also extending the consultation period in order to ensure greater input, so what is your process in ensuring that cross-cutting voices can feed into this? And finally on the plan, you're eager to include a number of public and...
Sioned Williams: 6. Will the Minister provide an update on the rural development programme in South Wales West? OQ56653
Sioned Williams: Thank you, Minister. Despite the fact that the rural development programme has run for a number of years, with the aim of promoting economic growth and sustainable growth in rural areas, we still see income levels in some of our rural areas of South Wales West being stubbornly low. Of course, programmes such as the Swansea bay city deal have the potential to support growth in rural areas,...
Sioned Williams: Will the Minister make a statement on council tax levels in South Wales West?
Sioned Williams: I'd like to nominate Rhys ab Owen.
