Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Laura, and thank you for your kind words and for your support for this plan. It does take me back to that debate we had back in October 2020. It was a debate and a motion that was supported by the vast majority of Senedd Members, a real cross-party consensus that we want to tackle racism and race inequality in Wales. Actually, it did recognise the need for a race equality...
Jane Hutt: The detail and scale of the race equality action plan is bold, to reflect our ambitious and radical vision for Wales—a vision of a Wales that is anti-racist. Not non-racist, not more equal—a Wales in which there is zero tolerance for racism in all its forms. Taking this stance is vitally important to our black, Asian and minority ethnic stakeholders and communities because it provides for...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Racism and race inequalities have adversely impacted global society for hundreds of years. Back in October 2020, the Senedd supported a motion to wholeheartedly root out racism and racist ideology, and strive towards a more equal Wales, tackling systemic and structural race inequality. The Runnymede Trust says that racial inequalities persist in almost every...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood. Can I thank you also for speaking up as a father and in terms of all the women in your life? We know that men are standing up, as they do year in, year out. The November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is an important event. Every year we have our vigil, don't we? Our virtual vigil this year was very much led by Joyce...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Delyth Jewell, for that very strong, impassioned and committed speech. As a woman of the age of Sarah Everard, you have enabled us to again remember, as I did yesterday, the recent killing—that senseless, awful killing of Sarah Everard. It has sent a shock wave through us all, it has reignited this national conversation about women's safety, and you'll have seen that...
Jane Hutt: I thank Delyth Jewell for this question. The Welsh Government received the final version of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill upon its introduction, last Tuesday, 9 March. We are considering the provisions in detail and how they will impact on Wales, including the safety of women and girls.
Jane Hutt: Just briefly to say that I welcome the comments and the consideration by the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, and, once again, say that it is vital that Members support the motion that the Senedd agrees the UK Parliament should consider the provisions in clause 34 of the Financial Services Bill, in order that we can support our citizens, as COVID-19 has put...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion that the Senedd agrees the UK Parliament should consider the provisions in clause 34 of the UK Government's Financial Services Bill. Clause 34 of the Bill makes provisions that relate to personal debt management, designed to help people in problem debt to repay what they owe to their creditors in a managed way. Consent is required because these...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd, and I'd like to thank you all for the contributions. First of all, the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee—I think you answered the point, Mick Antoniw, that we did see, as you did see, that the Welsh Government considered that consent would be required in relation to the provisions for Wales in this Bill, and I think this debate...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I start by saying that I'm pleased to propose this legislative consent motion and welcome the opportunity to explain why I believe the Senedd should approve it? It is very timely that we're debating this today. I want to start by offering our condolences—and I'm sure this is shared across the Senedd—to the family of Sarah Everard. As I said in my written...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank Mick Antoniw, the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, and his committee for considering the proposed Order? Just in response to the two points that you highlighted that merited scrutiny, in relation to your first point, on lack of formal consultation on the Order, it is right to say that a formal written consultation...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. The last 12 months have been exceptionally challenging for public services in Wales, and it has also prevented them from taking some work forward where this requires face-to-face contact with communities. Under section 101 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, local housing authorities are under a duty to complete a Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment, or...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you very much to the Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for the report on the merits. He was able to answer the points that were made in terms of your questions relating to the integrated impact assessment, and what the impact of that work would be in terms of guidance, in terms of publishing those sections...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Members will be aware that on 15 July 2020 the First Minister, in his legislative programme statement, announced that the socioeconomic duty was one of five areas for delivery before the end of this Senedd term. This is one of our levers to reduce inequality, and I'm pleased that today we're able to debate the regulations laid before Members of...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Janet Finch-Saunders. Of course, as you know, we've got a long and proud history of supporting older people's rights. We were the first UK nation to establish an older people's commissioner, and those older people's commissioners over the years—including, of course, Helena now—have played such an important role in advocating and championing older people. We invest £1.5 million a...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Janet Finch-Saunders. The Welsh Government is committed to upholding and protecting the rights of older people in Wales. Throughout the pandemic, we've worked with the older people’s commissioner, Equality and Human Rights Commission Cymru and Age Cymru to monitor its impact on older people’s rights and take appropriate action.
Jane Hutt: Well, Nick Ramsay raises a very important issue in relation to the services that are provided by the voluntary sector, but the new needs, if you like, that have arisen. There have always been needs in terms of particular pressures and issues in rural areas, but you're also focusing on loneliness and isolation. I think that's where the third sector and voluntary sector have really risen to the...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Nick Ramsay. Of course, the voluntary sector in Wales has played, as I said, a significant and crucial role in our efforts to fight the pandemic. It's about delivering key services, co-ordinating local support and helping to support our dedicated and compassionate volunteers. I'm sure you would join me, and all of us today, in saying a huge 'thank you' to all our...
Jane Hutt: That's a very important question in terms of the pressures on the voluntary sector during the pandemic and the fact they've had to diversify, and many have diversified in order to respond to the pandemic in different ways. I do remember, of course, visiting the CYCA project myself in past times and seeing the good work that they've undertaken. Of course, back in April of last year, while...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Helen Mary Jones, for that question. The Welsh Government provides core funding for the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and county voluntary councils to enable them to support local voluntary organisations and volunteering groups across Wales, and we've provided £4 million via our third sector COVID response fund to the third sector in Mid and West Wales.
