Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for her question. We will be providing over £1.5 billion in this Assembly term to support affordable housing. We’ll be encouraging new design, developing new schemes, working closely to deliver affordable homes with all our partners, and abolishing the right to buy.
Carl Sargeant: Mental health provision in north Wales is still a position that we continue to support. There is a fine facility in Darren Millar’s constituency, and it’s something that we recognise in that there are pressures in the system, but it’s an important one that we must continue to help.
Carl Sargeant: Well, I think we’ve done—the previous Government and the Ministers involved in the creating of the National Adoption Service did a great job, and I think what we are learning continuously is about where there are pressures within a system that we either have not recognised, or they’re new to the system. I will take into consideration her question, and will issue a written statement on...
Carl Sargeant: I think the Member has continued on her plight to ensure that we get the best outcome for young people in terms of financial literacy. It’s a conversation I’m grateful she’s able to have with my officials. I saw the minutes of the meeting that she had this week, and I would urge her to continue those discussions with my team and that of the education Minister to see how we can get a...
Carl Sargeant: I think the Member is right to raise the issue—not particularly about Rent Smart Wales and process, but actually the reason why we introduced this in the first place, and the Member is right in raising the issue about rogue landlords. What we do know is that there are many good landlords in the system, but there are far too many rogue landlords. It is disappointing, but not unexpected. The...
Carl Sargeant: Anybody who has been active in the way of engagement in terms of seeking to register will not be the first port of call for any enforcement action.
Carl Sargeant: I agree with the principle of the organisation and what they’re trying to set out, but I have a duty to make sure that we have consistency across all of Wales. That’s why we recently announced the issue around resilient communities and what they look like. Engagement is a key part of that, making sure that we understand from stakeholders and service users about their real-life...
Carl Sargeant: I don’t disagree with the commissioner; I think it’s the use of language. As I explained earlier, I think the commissioner’s role as WFG commissioner is typical of the way we’ve embedded policy development in this organisation and the other public bodies that she also holds to account.
Carl Sargeant: I think it’s a fair question from the Member; I think it’s just about the use of language. I think what we’ve actually done in Government is legislate for this in terms of the well-being of future generations Act. Forty-four public bodies now are being enabled to deliver on the five principles of the Act, where intervention and engagement are part of that process. So, the Member uses...
Carl Sargeant: I think that’s an interesting prospect from the Member. I’ve been having many meetings with the education Cabinet Secretary. We’re looking at the manifesto, which is very clear in terms of its proposal for delivering for three and four-year-olds. What we’re looking for is a seamless progression between foundation phase and childcare, but also looking beyond that to our whole offer for...
Carl Sargeant: Indeed, and the Member is right to raise this very issue. There are two components within my department, and we’re moving that out across all our intervention opportunities around economic well-being and jobs, skills and growth for communities and individuals, but also the well-being of an individual as well, tackling issues around adverse childhood experiences and well-being. The childcare...
Carl Sargeant: I agree with the Member in terms of the ability of parents to have some choice and the ability for flexibility in the system. Ensuring that we have good-quality childcare and services is a discussion that I continue to have with the education Minister, and other Ministers within Government, and the pilot schemes will enable us to learn from that programme.
Carl Sargeant: I’ve visited Ynys Môn, actually, under the Communities First programmes in the past, and I’ve seen some great work that goes on and the activity in that area. But as you’re aware of my statement, we are doing a full review of the Communities First programme. Communities for Work and the Lift programme will be a protected part of that procedure as we move forward. I have given...
Carl Sargeant: I thank the Member for Monmouth for his question. Our childcare offer will provide working parents with 30 hours of Government-funded early years education and childcare for three and four-year-olds for 48 weeks per year. We will begin piloting the offer in specific areas of six local authorities in September of 2017.
Carl Sargeant: Thank you, Mike, for your question. You are, and continue to be, a great advocate for Communities First in your particular area. Local authorities have a crucial role in building resilient communities, as place shapers as well as service providers. Local councillors are elected to represent their communities, so they also have a key role to play. Partnership is key for the delivery of good...
Carl Sargeant: I think we’ve got to recognise Communities First programmes have done some great work in many constituencies around Wales. There are some great examples of partnership working. As you will be aware, I’ve made a very clear statement that I will be reviewing the Communities First programme, and making a statement in the early new year about the future of that particular programme.
Carl Sargeant: The Communities First evaluation by Ipsos MORI in 2015 recognised that Communities First clusters are engaging with a range of local and national partners, who are essential to the delivery of the programme. These partners include communities, the third and the statutory sectors.
Carl Sargeant: The Welsh Government continues to mitigate the worst impacts of the UK Government’s welfare reforms, including the benefit cap. We have programmes that help people to access sustainable work and affordable housing. In addition, we provide advisory support and continue to maintain full entitlements for the council tax reduction scheme.
Carl Sargeant: Our position and commitment regarding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child remain unchanged. The Welsh Government will continue to lead the way in promoting the rights of children and young people. How we do this is clearly set out in our children’s rights scheme.
Carl Sargeant: For the three-year period ending 2014/15, 29 per cent of children in Wales were in relative income poverty, down 2 percentage points. Despite this reduction, it still means approximately 200,000 children are living in poverty. This is unacceptable and all departments are working to reduce poverty.
