Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Laura Anne Jones, for those very positive comments and contributions, acknowledging the importance of Interfaith Week. I'm glad you mentioned the fact that Interfaith Week actually coincides and starts with Remembrance Day, and in fact I was very privileged, and I'm sure that everyone was aware of the fact that Race Council Cymru, for the second year running, organised a...
Jane Hutt: In February, communities were devastated by storm Dennis, Ciara and Jorge, and, just a few weeks later, we moved into a national lockdown that brought unprecedented and extraordinary restrictions on every aspect of our lives. The critical need for such restrictions has never diminished, however difficult they have been. As we know, the virus is cruel, spreading from loved one to loved one,...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Interfaith Week celebrates the contribution people of faith across this country have made to their communities. It's hard to imagine when than in the recent history of the COVID-19 pandemic this contribution has been more necessary or more appreciated by so many, and it is at times like this, times of adversity, that care and compassion in people and communities of...
Jane Hutt: I thank Jenny Rathbone for that question. And I do welcome the Romani Cultural and Arts Company report, 'The impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic upon Romani and Traveller communities in Wales 2020', and many insights and recommendations from that report that we are now considering, alongside other evidence, to inform work—very relevant as well to our race equality action plan. So, we...
Jane Hutt: We've worked to support Gypsy and Traveller communities during the pandemic to address issues related to employment, education, digital exclusion, healthcare, utilities provision and communication.
Jane Hutt: I'm grateful to Llyr Gruffydd for that specific focus on the environmental third sector, also recognising of course that, as well as tackling and responding to the coronavirus, we've also had the flooding. And that of course has had a huge environmental impact, and the third sector, again—and the volunteers—rose to respond to that. But I think the £24 million to support the Wales...
Jane Hutt: The sector’s response to the crisis has shown the strength and depth of the sector. It has also highlighted the importance of a strong and resilient third sector, which is why I have established the third sector partnership council recovery group to ensure a fair, just and green recovery.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Dawn Bowden, for raising those very important questions. And, of course, the peaceful transfer of power is a critical element to any democracy, and a smooth transition is even more critical, given the times we're in and the need for the incoming administration to prepare and meet the challenge of coronavirus. Of course, it has been widely recognised and supported that our First...
Jane Hutt: We have just published international relations action plans, which set out the short and medium-term priorities for delivering on the international strategy. We're focusing on key initiatives to showcase Wales and demonstrate that we're an outward-facing and globally responsible nation.
Jane Hutt: I thank David Rees for that question and also agree with him about the way in which the voluntary sector, indeed volunteers particularly, have come forward in response to the pandemic and shown the care and compassion that they displayed, particularly at the height of the pandemic during the lockdown, but since then. And if we look now, we've got 34,229 registered volunteers on our...
Jane Hutt: I have regular conversations with the third sector. At my recent third sector partnership council meeting, third sector networks reported on the impact of COVID-19 on their operations. In particular, the decision by the UK Government not to extend the furlough scheme during our firebreak.
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. As Carwyn Jones has said, I think the responses to the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee have demonstrated that this is the appropriate time to proceed. If introduced in Wales in May 2021, breathing space will help those people who have been suffering from debt, the households whose financial burden is considerable, particularly...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you for the opportunity to open the debate seeking Members' approval of the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020. These regulations, commonly referred to as 'breathing space', fall outside of the Senedd's legislative competence. However, without the approval of the Senedd,...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Rhianon Passmore. As you say, the statistics that we have today demonstrate the tip of the iceberg in terms of unreported crimes, and evidence of that is quite clear from those partners who are working to meet the needs of victims of hate crime. I think the additional funding that we provided for the national hate crime report and support centre is important to...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much indeed, Leanne Wood. It's very important that you draw attention to the actual lived experience of victims of hate crime and that you draw attention to the evidence and the statistics of those who are actually supporting victims of hate crime. We need to acknowledge that and recognise that as well, indeed, as the Home Office statistics. I mentioned the inappropriate way...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much indeed, Laura Anne Jones. Thank you for your support for today's statement, reminding us of the hate crime, again, that blights so many people's lives. There's no doubt that we need this further measure and this endorsement that you've given today, particularly to addressing this in terms of our hate crime awareness week. I'm particularly pleased, and will comment on the...
Jane Hutt: As well as engagement on social media, there will be a number of online events and launches taking place during this the week. For example, Race Equality First is holding a virtual launch of its discrimination and hate crime project today, which will be providing assistance to victims of hate crime and discrimination across Wales over the next three years. Victim Support Cymru will be...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, acting Presiding Officer. Today we mark Hate Crime Awareness Week, a national event that aims to increase knowledge and understanding of hate crime, encourage its reporting, and promote the importance of communities standing together against intolerance and prejudice. This, of course, is a very different Hate Crime Awareness Week to usual. A cornerstone of the annual week...
Jane Hutt: Yes, I'm trying to unmute myself. Can you hear me now? I'm really glad that I've actually delivered on my answer to the question from Laura Anne Jones, but this is a very serious issue for us, not just in terms of Government and what the Minister for Housing and Local Government is doing to promote the opportunities for diversity, particularly, I would say, in local government, but also in...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Laura Anne Jones. I have regular discussions with the Minister for Housing and Local Government and Cabinet members about increasing diversity across all sectors. Action does include the pilot of the access-to-elected-office fund to support disabled candidates with the additional expenses incurred as a result of their access or communication requirements.
