Jane Hutt: ...welcome people fleeing the conflict and we're working through these as quickly and carefully as we can. I'm aware that some children arriving have not yet been able to join their new classmates in school. We're attempting to minimise risks of multi-drug-resistant TB, which remains a public health threat in Ukraine, by providing TB screening for all arrivals. The chief medical officer has...
Jane Hutt: ...it to ensure that it could meet the needs of the pandemic. But it's important that we recognise that this is an issue about local communities influencing what they want, like the Al-Ikhlas cultural education centre in Cardiff—awarded £0.25 million to convert two adjacent properties into a community hub. And I've been very keen that there should be an interfaith approach in terms of...
Jane Hutt: ...in Wales. But it's also crucially important that we look to the other ways of standing up for local authorities: the £0.75 billion extra in the local government settlement, and funding for schools, social care, the real living wage. It's crucially important in terms of social care workers—that's the £43 million allocated to health boards to implement it—and the extraordinary...
Jane Hutt: ...further £25 million—all important for local authorities that they have that discretionary fund as well, to meet those whom they know need it most. There's £21.4 million allocated to extend free school meals through Easter, Whitsun and summer, and, crucially important and called for in this Chamber, we're extending the discretionary assistance fund—£100 million more for that—and...
Jane Hutt: ...s the loss of the £2 million EU transition funding, supporting community food organisations, and 40 grant awards that are now going from Welsh Government to local authorities, third sector groups, schools and churches.
Jane Hutt: ...is very important about the pilot is that it is unconditional. They will be getting their funding but also support in terms of the way that they can then access housing, access jobs, training and education. The basic income pilot is focused, of course, on those leaving care from 18. It's going to be launched in this financial year, and it is going to provide that cohort with £1,600 per...
Jane Hutt: ...skills as well in the health sector, as well as business skills. So, it's vital that, in terms of integration, those contributions can be made. So, we provide the information on access to health, education and employment, and the website also has translation text-to-speech software to ensure the site is accessible to people seeking sanctuary and now joining us in Wales, integrating and, of...
Jane Hutt: ...with in north Wales—. They're very important to share with us to ensure that we can avert people, and give that information more formally in terms of our guidance. It's crucial in terms of education that children can obtain admission to schools, and, indeed, also, I have to say, to the health service, to their GPs, to the health checks that are under way. This is monitored on a daily basis.
Jane Hutt: ...with the public. It's so important that we had that in terms of our press conferences on the pandemic, throughout. It's been so important to have that visible opportunity to communicate, but the education opportunities as well, and in the delivery of all public services. But we really will be taking forward the BDA's audit in the work through the disability rights taskforce. I think, as...
Jane Hutt: ..., but also giving hope and opportunity to, particularly, young people. This is why it should be devolved, as you say, Peredur, because it's all linked to the youth service, it's linked to the schools programme, and it's linked to the ways in which our housing services operate. It all should come together and, when we publish very shortly our justice paper, you will see our commitments in...
Jane Hutt: ...and care homes. PCSOs are also instrumental in engaging with and encouraging young people. Activities range from a diversionary boxing club scheme in Dyfed Powys to delivering the Wales police schools programme. These types of preventative initiatives are a fantastic and effective way to divert young people away from the criminal justice system. I particularly want to highlight how...
Jane Hutt: ...difficulties; that's more evidence that is important for me. But we need to address it, the UK Government needs to address it. We have responsibility for ensuring that children can have access to schools—that is our responsibility. And we've issued guidance, as you know, on school admission applications for children. Obviously, we need to look at the admission arrangements for the...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Sioned. Diolch. It's great to hear of that welcome that was given today that you witnessed, and the fact that the community and the school yard, that parents, the community, want to engage and have engaged in such a positive way. Approximately 10,000 individuals in Wales have registered their interest in participating in the Homes for Ukraine scheme since the register opened on 14...
Jane Hutt: ...they're receiving wraparound support to help them settle into life in Wales. This includes health checks, support with language skills if needed, help opening a bank account and accessing benefits, education for children and support finding a job. Everyone arriving in Wales, whether at welcome centres or living with an individual sponsor, will have access to health services. This includes...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Peter Fox. All Ministers are engaging with their particular sectors. So, I know the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, and, indeed, working with myself and his officials, is working with all the universities in Wales, one way or another, and making links. Some of them already had links with universities in Ukraine. But there is a particular link to medical...
Jane Hutt: ...this week and we'll be meeting regularly, including the contact you gave us, Mark, from north Wales. They're also beginning to offer their support in terms of access to translation, interpretation, educational resources, and also mental health resources. It was very good to have the children's commissioner there, Sally Holland, who has links directly with the Ukrainian children's...
Jane Hutt: ...Translation services will be available for people who don't speak English and there will be opportunities to start learning English and Welsh. Health services will be available; children will start school and there will be advice to help people find their way in a new country; help with money and welfare benefits and advice about finding work. Accommodation will be available on site at the...
Jane Hutt: ..., for example, Voice of Ukraine Wales, how they've got resources. Also the children's commissioner is linking up with the Ukrainian children's commissioner; we met with her today. There are lots of educational resources that have been brought together as well. But I think in terms of the cultural and higher education institutions and the ways in which we can bring their links together and...
Jane Hutt: .... Obviously, I'm aware of this, it's very concerning, but I would also draw your attention to the £65 million Taith programme, open for applications now, supporting students and staff from all education sectors in Wales to study and learn across the globe, and also recognising we do have a proud history of welcoming healthcare and social care professionals from all over the world. You'll...
Jane Hutt: ...to an issue experienced by your constituent as a result of your consultation. We're keeping a watching brief on this in terms of these regulations, and we're also in touch with all the further education colleges' additional learning needs co-ordinators, so that they can be aware and know of the issues.
