Did you mean representations -taxation speaker:Jane Hutt?
Jane Hutt: ...decisions not to add age as a protected characteristic in hate crime laws, and include also people who are homeless, sex workers or alternative sub-cultures. So, we realise we've got to make our representations to the UK Government, but I'd like to assure Sarah Murphy that we are working very closely with non-devolved partners in police, as is Bridgend council, and thank the local...
Jane Hutt: ...—working with my colleagues in Welsh Government, working as a result of our co-operation agreement as we seek to work together to tackle poverty, engaging with the UK Government, making representations and working with our partners in tackling household debt in Wales. Diolch.
Jane Hutt: ...their bills this winter. The household support fund will help to mitigate the UK Government decision to cut the £20 universal credit lifeline for tens of thousands of families, despite widespread representations to halt that cut, made again here today. I want to talk about the household support fund because the first phase will provide families with extra help to pay their energy bills...
Jane Hutt: ...work that's been done with funding from the Deputy Minister for Social Services in terms of Carers Rights Day. I think it is important to recognise that we have serious issues where we are making representations to the UK Government, raising concerns about the impact of welfare reforms in Wales, particularly the impact on certain groups. I'm sure Senedd Members will know from their...
Jane Hutt: ...with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors. And it was so important that we had people with lived experience. I co-chaired it with Professor Debbie Foster, but we also had representation from the Welsh Local Government Association and our steering group of disabled people, many of whom also sit on our disability equality forum. The taskforce is crucial in that...
Jane Hutt: ..., of course, made progress on a number of policy areas and I'm very pleased that our access to elected office fund is live and ready to support more disabled people to run for office, to increase representation, participation and to support their communities. I'm also pleased that we are finalising options for an equalities data and evidence unit in Wales. This unit will ensure that...
Jane Hutt: ...Links Network conference, which I also attended, as you know, and delivered a keynote speech last week. And the theme of this conference for colleagues was global citizenship. Of course, we had representation from all those health boards, the Welsh organisations and African partners, universities, and NHS and health workers from across the UK, who recognise the work that we are doing and...
Jane Hutt: I would say to Huw Irranca-Davies that I think we all join that expression of almost despair about the way that the commercial banks have left our communities. We will be making those representations. I think that we could all repeat examples of the same kind that you describe, and the fact that there is no commitment to the community. What about corporate social responsibility, which there's...
Jane Hutt: ..., of course, it's all aiming to improve health outcomes for victims and survivors of sexual assault. The programme is actually based on a regional approach, so I will take this back in terms of the representations you're making today. We do have an integrated service already available in north Wales, but I think it's your points about distance and access to accredited facilities, for...
Jane Hutt: .... But we'll be able to respond to that in terms of updating by the end of November. This is where the Minister for Climate Change and I are working very closely together, and we are making our representations to the UK Government, which I hope you are as well. You're making representations to me, but representations need to be made to the UK Government in terms of tackling these issues....
Jane Hutt: ...ethnicity, alongside education, employability, skills and culture—it came through in your statement this afternoon, the influence it's already having—Welsh language, heritage, sport, leadership representation, health and social care. All areas of the Welsh Government are now making that change. So, we now have a responsibility. We've come together today, and we will throughout this...
Jane Hutt: ...Governance Centre when he published that report back in 2019. It did give us a very clear picture of the criminal justice system in Wales, and highlighted that trend, as you've identified, of over-representation of black, Asian and minority ethnic people within the criminal justice system. In terms of actions to be taken as far as that's concerned, the race equality action plan provided...
Jane Hutt: ...terms of school places. You've mentioned higher education as well. That will all be part of the work that they're undertaking at the moment, but I then will be able to, as we assess the needs, make representations as necessary to the UK Government and account for the impact—you know, assess the impact that it's having on local authorities and our public services, and the good response...
Jane Hutt: ...up for values such as democracy, women's rights, and freedom of speech: journalists, women's rights activists are vulnerable people; I've mentioned this already, women and girls at risk. I've had representations and concerns raised with me about women in sport and you will have seen some of the concerns and outcomes people have that there is a real issue about who's been left behind and...
Jane Hutt: .... We have to do something about those national governing bodies of sport in Wales, highlighted by that ITV programme, Wales This Week. And you draw attention to the policy theme, leadership and representation. We've made our commitment, Deputy Llywydd, to hold all leaders of public bodies personally accountable for delivering a representative workforce, and inclusive and psychologically...
Jane Hutt: ...work of those who were co-constructing the plan was to look at what should the priorities be: yes, of course, health and social care, but also education, employment and income and leadership and representation, which is where we will make the changes. The criminal justice system also came in, even though it's not devolved. It was very clear, from the discussions and also looking at the...
Jane Hutt: ...repeatedly, pressed the UK Government, to extend the deadline of 30 June 2021, particularly in light of the pandemic, but sadly to no avail. But I actually have mentioned that, as a result of many representations—. In my statement, I drew attention to the fact that the review and updating of caseworker guidance has meant that we've got more flexibility. But obviously we will have to...
Jane Hutt: ...in terms of the commitment that is coming through. So, there is a real opportunity here, and also it is an expectation that all of us have got to live up to. And I think your point about political representation is a message here in this Senedd, isn't it, as we move into a pre-election period, and to recognise that all political parties have got that responsibility and that opportunity to...
Jane Hutt: ...that as well, as a result of their understanding, and grasping the impact of Black Lives Matter and wanting to be part of the response. But it's also recognising that this is about leadership and representation. It's about the environment, the Welsh language, and it's about areas where we do work with the UK Government, like crime and justice. This plan is about fairness. It's about...
Jane Hutt: ...for that important question. The fact that organisations like Soroptimist International are coming forward and taking this as an issue for which they're concerned and seeking evidence, and making representations to tackle modern slavery—. Of course, there is a cross-party group on human trafficking, chaired by Joyce Watson, who actually was also responsible for ensuring that we had the...
