Julie James: I haven't had any conversation with the energy companies about smart meters. We have had some conversation with the industry round-table about getting energy to the masts themselves. But I agree entirely with Russell George's analysis that the lack of mobile coverage is a real issue for a whole range of services, including smart meters. Any number of services rely, increasingly these days,...
Julie James: The national strategy sets out our policies and action for tackling domestic abuse. These include awareness-raising, educating children and young people about healthy relationships, working with perpetrators, funding a helpline for victims, and training professionals to recognise, and act on, signs of abuse and violence.
Julie James: Through Digital Communities Wales we are working in partnership with organisations and programmes across the Rhondda to provide the basic digital skills support needed to secure improved economic, learning and health outcomes.
Julie James: 'Digital First' sets out the steps needed to create the right environment for the delivery of effective digital public services. There are a range of improvements being made across and within all Cabinet Secretary portfolios.
Julie James: We are committed to ensuring support for victims of stalking and for all victims and survivors of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. Our national strategy sets out the actions we are taking to achieve this, which include awareness-raising, education, and funding a helpline for victims.
Julie James: There is a wide range of activity across Welsh Government that contributes to the aims of the framework including in relation to housing, education and employment. We are actively working with disabled people and their representative organisations to finalise a new framework with clear actions.
Julie James: I am currently procuring a successor scheme to the Superfast Cymru project and have identified around 8,554 premises across Pembrokeshire that could potentially see coverage under the new initiative over the coming 12 months and beyond. Further detail will be available after the awarding of the new contract.
Julie James: On that one, if you want to write to me with the specific details, I can do something about that. We do not like the two-tier system, Deputy Presiding Officer. The Welsh Government is doing everything it can to minimise the discrepancies by ensuring that all refugees are eligible for Welsh Government schemes in Wales. So, we're doing our best. A two-tier system has been put in place by the UK...
Julie James: Yes, that's a really great initiative. The more that can be encouraged to ensure that young people have a mutual understanding of how they got to be where they are, and what they bring to the classroom, the better. She asked a number of questions, which I can just quickly say something about. We are very interested in looking at schemes to recognise other qualifications, but actually what we...
Julie James: Joyce Watson raises a number of very important issues. As I've said, we've had five sessions across Wales, and nearly 100 social workers and advocates have been trained in age assessment of children and young people, so that we do not have some of the miscarriages of justice that we have seen in the system. We'll be publishing a series of information and advice resources that will assist...
Julie James: Yes, of course, I'm very happy to acknowledge the work across Wales of a large number of organisations who have worked very hard to co-produce our plans with us, and who, of course, work daily to make sure that refugee and asylum-seeking people across Wales are integrated. The Croeso movement, we hope, will spread even further; it's a great initiative. But, as I said, there are a large number...
Julie James: Well, I'm glad you support the principle, but I fundamentally disagree with your argument, I have to say. Refugee Week, as I said, started in the UK in 1998 as a direct reaction to hostility in the media and society in general towards refugees and asylum seekers. It's now one of the leading UK initiatives working to counter this negative climate, as I said to Siân Gwenllian earlier,...
Julie James: We have made a lot of progress in the last year, but we are very frustrated, as I said earlier on: the UK Government's refusal to share details of the contracts—of the forthcoming asylum accommodation support contracts—because, as John Griffiths has rightly pointed out, the accommodation system is crucial to ensuring the well-being of those claiming asylum. And, of course, the system will...
Julie James: Thank you for that. There's a range of different issues raised there. Obviously, the whole point of Refugee Week is to combat some of the media representations. I entirely agree with Siân Gwenllian that a large part of the problem has been some of the—I don't know how to describe it—hysteria and hyperbole. Its really very detrimental reporting, and entirely untrue, usually. I think I'm...
Julie James: Thank you for that series of questions. I don't have the exact number here, so I'll write to the Member about the exact number of children who were under the Dubs scheme. But there were some serious issues around why we weren't able to take as many as we would like and I'll make sure that the Member has a communication about the exact number. We have worked extremely hard to make sure that...
Julie James: The Welsh Government firmly believes that the integration of refugees and asylum seekers should begin on day one of their arrival. This approach is essential in ensuring the best possible outcomes for individuals and communities. We know there is strong public support for recent arrivals to learn English or Welsh—or both, bearing in mind that many refugees have excellent language...
Julie James: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. This week is Refugee Week, a celebration of the contribution that refugees make to our society, and an event to encourage better understanding between communities. This year is the twentieth anniversary of its launch, and Refugee Week organisers are asking people to take part by doing one simple act to support refugees. This can be as simple as having a...
Julie James: Yes, I share the Member's concern about this, and we discussed it quite recently in the Chamber. The Cabinet Secretary for health and I wrote to the Advertising Standards Authority, and we've had quite a comprehensive response. Llywydd, I'll investigate what the best way of sharing that with Members is and make sure that it's shared as soon as possible as it reiterates a number of the issues...
Julie James: Yes. On that last point, I think we're all very deeply concerned about the fundamental flaws of universal credit, and we're very disappointed that the UK Government is persisting with the roll-out, given the National Audit Office's really quite scathing report about the effects that it has. Llywydd, many Members in this Chamber have highlighted the issues with universal credit and the...
Julie James: Rail safety was very much a priority of the Cabinet Secretary in looking at the rail franchise, and he has included it in a number of his statements, and there are many opportunities for you to question him on it. But I will, Llywydd, make sure that the issue of rail safety is highlighted the next time rail is discussed in the Chamber.
