Hannah Blythyn: Yes.
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch, Llywydd. I welcome this debate, and thank most Members for their contributions. The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is an attack on workers, workers' rights and trade unions. The Welsh Government opposes the Bill in the strongest terms, as set out in the Government amendment. In particular, the Government amendment highlights the written statement containing the First Minister's...
Hannah Blythyn: Formally.
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you for that. I think one of the dangers of this discussion—the topic—is that we degenerate into party political point scoring and matters. I think, if a future UK Labour Government was going to legislate on this and gender recognition reform, I'd be very happy to work collaboratively with that to ensure that we do support the trans community here in Wales and...
Hannah Blythyn: Can I first of all thank Peredur Griffiths and Plaid Cymru for the work we've done collectively on the LGBTQ+ action plan and that solidarity and collaborative working, which are so important on these fundamental issues of equality and human rights and dignity? The Welsh Labour Government's position with regards to supporting the trans community and the devolution of gender recognition powers...
Hannah Blythyn: I welcome the Member's interest in this area and very much share what he said in terms of the—whilst one-off payments are welcome, it is about the implementation of the real living wage, but actually the real living wage is just one part of an element of a fair work package and what we're seeking to do through the social care fair work forum to sustain the sector well into the future, as...
Hannah Blythyn: Moved.
Hannah Blythyn: I thank Joyce Watson for her contribution today, and I very much resonate the contribution and comments you make around the value of social partnership and that it's not just in the interests of workers and trade unions; it's in the interests of employers, whether public, private, voluntary sector or others. We've seen that recognised through the work that we've done in Wales, and the whole...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank Vikki Howells for her contribution and for her warm comments about some of the work we did. I know this an area that, not just as a former teacher, you’re very passionate about, but as somebody that advocates for fairer and better work in communities right across the country. Just to touch on the social care fair work forum and how we’re moving forward, and the need to address...
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch. Can I thank Peredur Owen Griffiths for his questions and also his commitment in this area? I know that we have been able to work together in the spirit of partnership very collaboratively on a number of these issues. I think I'll just pick up on the last point first around the Fair Work Commission definition around fair work. Just to clarify, this is the first time we've published a...
Hannah Blythyn: I'll start by addressing the most substantive contributions from Joel James, and in particular around the very important points that he makes around support for disabled workers, people with disabilities, around fair work. I'm more than happy to commit to including that in a future update, but I'm also happy to go away and see if we can update Members in writing, ahead of that as well. I...
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch. In 2018, the then Welsh Government established the Fair Work Commission, which subsequently made a number of recommendations back in 2019. Since then, the world and work as we know it has changed, but despite these challenges, we have made significant progress on the commission's recommendations. It's important to be transparent about what we have done to date and that is why, to...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank Sarah Murphy for her contribution, and can I thank YPOP for their work and the contributions that they've made? I'm looking forward to the meeting I have with Sarah and my colleague Jeremy Miles later with week with the Member of the Youth Parliament, but if you have young people's groups like that and you'd like to bring them to this place to engage further, then I'm sure I and many...
Hannah Blythyn: I've nothing more to say to Laura Anne Jones, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Hannah Blythyn: Deputy Presiding Officer, it's hard to find the right words to respond to Laura Anne Jones's contribution. [Interruption.] Yes, 'shameful', and I don't think I have much to say in response to that. We have just talked in this Chamber earlier today, and we've got members of the community who are here watching—your words have a dangerous impact, Laura Anne Jones. They harm people, the words...
Hannah Blythyn: Can I thank Mike Hedges for his contribution and also for his commitment as a committed ally for the LGBTQ+ community in Wales? I was proud to march alongside Mike at the most recent Swansea Pride—the first march post pandemic—and it was wonderful to see lots of young people there as well, with the younger community coming out. It's important that we pass the baton on. This is what it's...
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch, Sioned. Indeed, I share your sentiments that this is a proud day for us, not just in this Siambr, but in communities across Wales, and I've had lost of positive feedback already about, actually, how important to have the plan itself is. But, like you say, the proof is in the application of those actions and actually how we make people feel safe and supported in the future. And I'd...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. As this is a 30-minute statement, I don't think I've got enough time to pick up every contradiction that Altaf Hussain made in his contribution then. I welcome the opening remarks and the profound words you said—that we're all equal in the eyes of God. Yes, I can celebrate my life in church by having a funeral there, but I'm yet to be able to celebrate...
Hannah Blythyn: LGBT History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come in the struggle for LGBTQ+ rights, and to celebrate the lives of LGBTQ+ people who, for too long and too often, have been hidden from history. But, we don’t just need to reflect on our past; we need to learn lessons from it. We will not forget the harm that discrimination, hate and exclusion have caused to so many...
Hannah Blythyn: Can I thank Jane Dodds for your question and your interest in this area? Because, like you, I recognise that, for many communities across Wales, it is retained fire services that provide that much-needed and valued cover, and it's the same for myself in the north Wales area as well. I do want to point out, at the outset, though, that we don't directly fund fire and rescue authorities in...
