Sioned Williams: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate, and Plaid Cymru will be supporting the motion, because it's crucial that we protect and promote the rights of children in Wales, and we cannot cut any corners while doing so. We know that children in Wales are particularly socioeconomically disadvantaged as we have the highest child poverty rate of any UK nation. The...
Sioned Williams: 'I couldn't phone services, friends or families and certainly couldn't risk accessing any help because everything was being monitored. Being deaf had its own issues but I am aware that accessing services wouldn't have been able to meet my needs if I had managed to make a call, I wouldn't have been able to hear the response.'
Sioned Williams: Such experiences are a symptom, I think, of the current deficiencies in the strategy and the way in which services are funded.
Sioned Williams: Only this morning on Radio Cymru I heard Rhian Bowen-Davies, who was appointed first national adviser for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence back in September 2015, confirm that the voices of survivors are not being adequately listened to, especially those from marginalised and disadvantaged groups. I am therefore encouraged to see the Government's commitment to a...
Sioned Williams: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I welcome the statement from the Minister today and the actions set out to tackle the current unacceptable level of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence, which is scarring our society here in Wales. The latest statistics, as the Minister mentioned, show clearly that we need to do more to tackle the situations that lead to these types...
Sioned Williams: The First Minister made reference in his statement to some of the major changes made to the programme for government in light of the co-operation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government. Without doubt, the commitment to introduce free school meals for all primary school children, and to extend free childcare to all two-year-olds, are two practical steps that will benefit...
Sioned Williams: What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers are able to seek sanctuary and support in Wales?
Sioned Williams: While the limited measures put in place by Welsh Government to mitigate this horrendous and unacceptable level of household debt are, of course, welcome, we feel that more could be done to support families not just over the coming months but also in the longer term. The recent announcement on the winter fuel support scheme means that households in receipt of working-age means-tested welfare...
Sioned Williams: A recent report by the Bevan Foundation on household debt in Wales found that tens of thousands of people across the country were living with problem debt long before the pandemic struck, but that the economic impact of COVID-19 had deepened that crisis. Across Wales, 130,000 households—that is, one in 10 of all households in Wales—were in arrears regarding a bill between January and May...
Sioned Williams: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I welcome the opportunity to open this important debate and move the motion before you. The first inquiry I had the privilege of being a part of as a member of the Equality and Social Justice Committee was on debt and the pandemic. As a committee, we decided that the picture of economic hardship that was clearly beginning to form a year and more into the COVID crisis...
Sioned Williams: Will the Minister make a statement on vaccination levels in South Wales West?
Sioned Williams: Thank you to the Minister for the statement. We are glad of the stated determination to tackle the inequity faced by disabled people in Wales that's included in the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru. One of my close family members is disabled, so I know first-hand the challenges and barriers that are, unfortunately, part of his everyday life and, of course, the lives of thousands of...
Sioned Williams: Minister, it's crucial now that the difficulties that I'm sure we, as Members, have all heard of in terms of getting the booster and these concerns that we've discussed this afternoon are resolved. A constituent of mine in her late seventies suffers from a serious allergy, and this is clear on her medical records and it was taken into account when she had the first two vaccinations. She has...
Sioned Williams: Thank you, First Minister. I'd like to congratulate Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government for drawing up an innovative and comprehensive co-operation agreement, which will make a positive difference to the lives of the people of Wales, in terms of tackling child poverty particularly. Since being elected, I and others in Plaid Cymru have questioned the First Minister on expanding free school...
Sioned Williams: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Government's strategy to eradicate child poverty? OQ57286
Sioned Williams: Diolch. I'm sure the Minister remembers the powerful testimony we had, and the important points made here in the Chamber recently, in the debate held on the prevention of spiking. What progress has been made, and what are the next steps for the Government, following the positive vote in favour of the motion, specifically with reference to supporting initiatives that actively challenge...
Sioned Williams: Thank you, Minister. The relationships and sexuality education duty in the new curriculum should provide high-quality education through a whole-education approach to eradicating violence against women. So, could the Minister outline how the new curriculum will assist in the aim of bringing violence against women and girls to an end? Thank you.
Sioned Williams: Diolch, Llywydd. As we've heard, tomorrow will mark this year's White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the launch of 16 days of activism that aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, by calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on...
Sioned Williams: I'm seeking some clarity, Minister. You mentioned in the statement that—one of the things you listed was new ways of raising awareness of Welsh language place names and promoting them. Now, raising awareness, not safeguarding. But, I note in the English translation that we received on e-mail—clearly, I wasn't listening to the interpretation, but in the English translation of the statement...
Sioned Williams: Thank you, Minister. Between August and October 2021, the RSPCA responded to 5,263 cases across Wales, which is an increase of 10.2 per cent on the same period last year. Of these cases, 463 were in the county of Swansea, in my region—the second highest of local authorities in Wales. And Neath Port Talbot, also in my region, had the fifth highest level in Wales, with 298 cases, which is an...
