Jane Hutt: I thank the Member 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...
Jane Hutt: I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for that question. We are determined to make all parts of Wales hostile to modern slavery. We are continuing to work with police and crime commissioners and our multi-agency partners in Wales, and across the UK, to protect vulnerable people, and to prevent and put an end to this heinous crime.
Jane Hutt: I recognise the significant challenges, as the Member said, that people living with conditions like MS, ME, arthritis and deafness face. And, also, the additional impact, of course, that COVID has had on carers, friends and families. I know the Member recognises the social model of disability, which the Welsh Government is committed to using, and it makes that important distinction between...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much for that question, Mike Hedges. The Welsh Government is committed to leading the way in eliminating discrimination towards disabled people. Our disability equality forum has led the way in highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on disabled people during the pandemic.
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank Mark Isherwood for bringing forward this important Member's legislative proposal and for the stimulating and important debate contributions from Members across the Chamber this afternoon? Also, I'll just say how important all of the purposes are of such a Bill that you put forward today in your proposal, Mark Isherwood, and I want to...
Jane Hutt: I'd particularly like to thank Joyce Watson for giving me the opportunity to thank those who are volunteers, those third sector organisations that have risen to the challenge of the pandemic. I think everyone here in the Senedd, in all their constituencies, will have seen the results of that incredible volunteering response to the pandemic, in communities, neighbourhoods, and also new...
Jane Hutt: In April last year, I announced £24 million to support the third sector in Wales through the pandemic. This recognised the vital role the sector plays and has played in the response to COVID-19. In December, I announced a further £2.5 million to ensure this support continues until the end of March.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Delyth Jewell, for raising that important question, because we must make sure that this money that's been allocated does actually reach those specialist services. Because the sector itself—and, as I said, my officials, and indeed myself, when I can, meet the sector regularly—have received over £4 million of additional funding this year; it's an extra 67 per cent compared with...
Jane Hutt: I can't thank the specialist services enough for their responses to victims during the pandemic. They've been a crucial lifeline to so many, and they've shown resilience, strength and a great ability to adapt. My officials meet with the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategic group regularly to discuss the impact on the sector in supporting survivors of domestic...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Jayne Bryant, for bringing attention to this important charity in your constituency. In fact, inspirational work, as you've described, is done by charities like Sparkle. And, of course, all their volunteers in the Gwent area are particularly helping to support disabled children and young people and their families. So, as you say, Sparkle did benefit from the £90,000 grant from...
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government provides core funding to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and county voluntary councils to enable them to support local voluntary organisations and volunteering groups across Wales. We have approved £26.5 million, with an additional £5.7 million for the voluntary sector—that final £5.7 million was approved this week—to support the sector during the pandemic.
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Vikki Howells, for that question, an important question about promoting community safety, and, as you say, thanking all of those in your constituency in the Cynon Valley, and across Wales, for the ways in which they have worked to ensure there is community safety. But you've raised the issue of off-road biking. I'm very much aware, and obviously your evidence today shows...
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring our communities are safe, strong and resilient. We continue to work with our four police forces, local authorities, UK Government and other agencies to help ensure our people and our communities remain safe.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, acting Deputy Presiding Officer. I would like to thank Members of the Senedd for participating today, clearly demonstrating why it's important that the Equality and Human Rights Commission continues to have a strong and distinct presence in Wales, taking on board, of course, Mick Antoniw's challenges, as far as that's concerned their ability to deliver in terms of the restrictions...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I welcome this debate on the Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales impact report for 2019-20. This is an unprecedented time for equality and human rights in the UK and communities have been facing exceptional challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We're all aware some people are disproportionately and adversely affected more than others. I'd like to...
Jane Hutt: I thank Angela Burns for that question and for her earlier questions this afternoon. I certainly endorse and welcome Royal Mail's initiative with their new portal. Indeed, I'm very impressed, across the public and private sectors, by the ways in which organisations are responding to this need. It's not just for the public sector; it is, indeed, for all those organisations who have a role to...
Jane Hutt: This year, the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence sector has received over £4 million of new money, much of it to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic. The mid and west Wales regional partnership received over £685,000 this year.
Jane Hutt: I thank Paul Davies for that important question, and, of course, the loss of fundraising has particularly hit those medical charities, indeed, we have to say all charities, but those where perhaps there has been a crucial response—Marie Curie. We look to so many of those medical charities that often come here in order to launch, for example, the daffodil campaign. The emergency fund has, of...
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government has already provided £24 million to support the third sector in Wales through the pandemic. This recognised the vital role the sector has played in the response to COVID-19. And I am now making an additional £2.5 million available to ensure this support continues until the end of March.
Jane Hutt: I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for that important question, because the pandemic has led to an unprecedented level of engagement with all our stakeholders, including reaching out to young people, but also to many of our equality fora and groups. I mentioned the race equality action plan, and that has enabled me to meet with many young people through the Ethnic Youth Support Team, Race Council...
