Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Minister. As I've plainly said earlier, stakeholders that we've engaged with have said themselves that definitions need to be consistent with other UK legislation, and therefore I stand very firm on moving those amendments.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Diolch, Llywydd. What a great day, actually, to be working on legislation coming through this place. I think we've all been wanting this to come forward, and it's actually been quite good to work with the Minister in terms of some of the amendments that I'm putting forward. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Beth Taylor, a researcher working here, who has helped me greatly...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I would like to start by congratulating the people of Wales, and thank you for statement, Minister. It has taken a nationwide effort to achieve the first carbon budget and the 2020 emissions reduction interim target, and, as such, everyone involved should be proud. 'Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales' was your plan for meeting the first plan carbon budget 2016-20 and the 2020 interim...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Oral.
Janet Finch-Saunders: I'd like to ask the Minister for Health, and repeat what our colleague Ken Skates said, for an urgent statement on the high number of cases of strep A and scarlet fever in Wales. I did submit an emergency question regarding this but, unfortunately, it was not accepted. Therefore, I'm using this business statement as the fastest means possible to make the Welsh Government aware of how many...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Not yet. Almost there.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Almost there. Will you now commit to covering this extra expense, and will you also explain to this Senedd what steps you as a Government are actually taking to build the homes these people living in temporary accommodation need? Thank you.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, and I declare an interest regarding property ownership. Now, the pack prepared for the Conwy county cabinet meeting that was held recently on 22 November states: 'The number of people accessing temporary accommodation is increasing at an alarming rate, which is having a significant impact on the homelessness budget.' Given that the Welsh Government continue to ignore our warnings,...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 4. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Climate Change regarding the impact of temporary accommodation spend on local authority budgets? OQ58781
Janet Finch-Saunders: On a point of order, I didn’t say I was a private landlord; I declared my interest in respect of the fact of property ownership, and there’s a difference.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes. We believe that unless amended or paused, as a matter of urgency, the full implementation of the Act will be responsible for breaking the VAWDASV refuge system in Wales. Minister, please, at some stage, listen to all those people—the families—who are desperate. Thank you.
Janet Finch-Saunders: So, there you have it: solid proof from Conwy county that your legislation is a key factor in the increase that we're now seeing in the use of temporary accommodation. I've got to be honest, I've said it before, Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru should be ashamed that they are now making people homeless. These regulations today will make the situation worse. One of the implications of the...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Obviously, I refer Members to my own declaration of interests in terms of property ownership. Now, once again we are talking about the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Amendment of Schedule 12 and Consequential Amendment) Regulations 2022. And I've raised this so many times here now, but I do despair at the lack of realisation of the unintended consequences that this renting Act will have. We...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes, okay. In the 2021 manifesto, you promised to legislate to strengthen partnerships to deliver better integrated care and health. So, in the light of the clear evidence that the breakdown in communication between health and social care in north Wales is posing a threat, what action will you take to ensure better integrated care and health, and that nobody else is left in such a vulnerable...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, and I do look forward to that. The reason I'm asking you the question is I did ask for a statement last week through the Trefnydd, for a statement from the health Minister and social care Minister, because I will declare an interest: I did experience a very poor situation in north Wales last week. A 98-year-old member of my family, who had mobility issues on the day he was...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 7. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that hospitals have safe discharge procedures in place? OQ58780
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes. It was just on the point that you mentioned. In the Commission meeting, you will remember that we were informed that the north Wales Members had been consulted. When I raised it afterwards with my Members, they had no knowledge of it, and I have taken it up with that particular director.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you.
Janet Finch-Saunders: On a point of order—
Janet Finch-Saunders: We have to make sure that we offer value for money to the taxpayer as an institution. In particular, many of the costs associated with Senedd reform, including the £100 million price tag on 36 more Members of the Senedd, are impossible to justify in the current economic environment. The expansion needed in office space, extra staffing and other associated costs can’t even begin to be...
