Jane Hutt: I thank Alun Davies for that question, and also thank him for the work that he undertook, as my predecessor, leading up to the publication of those two blueprints on female offending and youth justice. I will be very happy to bring back an update to this Assembly in terms of the robust governance arrangements we're developing—that's both internally, in terms of Welsh Government policy, and...
Jane Hutt: While responsibility for justice policies and the justice system in Wales rests with the UK Government, delivery of justice services is inextricably linked to devolved services. The blueprints for youth justice and female offending, which I published in May, set out our distinct approach to the delivery of justice services in Wales.
Jane Hutt: It is, I think, very important that we do engage, as we have responsibilities for, with the devolved services around offenders and the criminal justice system. Of course, I've already mentioned the importance of our responsibilities relating to housing, to health and social care, and welfare, and of course substance misuse comes into that line of responsibilities. It's also very important...
Jane Hutt: I thank the Member for that question, and I would say that we were pleased to accept the recommendations of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee in its report on voting rights for prisoners, and we'll work to introduce legislation in the Assembly to enable some Welsh prisoners to vote in local government elections. But, I entirely agree that we need to invest, and ensure...
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government seeks to ensure that the Ministry of Justice and its agencies embed and uphold all human rights issues associated with Welsh people within the non-devolved criminal justice system.
Jane Hutt: Well, thank you, Paul Davies, for that question. HOPE in Neyland sounds a very inspiring, local project. I'm not sure whether it's constituted as a local charity, but it's clearly going to be eligible for a range of funding sources. I think Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services are local county voluntary councils who we fund to help those organisations access funding, and also...
Jane Hutt: Welsh Government provides core funding for the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and county voluntary councils to deliver third sector support infrastructure across Wales, and £154,134 of this funding is provided to Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, who help support the third sector in Pembrokeshire.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Nick Ramsay, for that question. I think, as there is a rolling programme of grants awarded—I know that over the years, Monmouthshire has benefited, but it very much depends on applications coming forward. As I said, there are 22 new projects just recently announced, and 157 since this programme started. I'll certainly write to you on any Monmouthshire projects that have come...
Jane Hutt: I thank Vikki Howells very much for her question and also for recognition of what the community facilities programme has brought in terms of investment to her constituency of Cynon Valley. But it is also very helpful to have that feedback regarding the application process. I think one of the strengths of the community facilities programme is that it is a rolling programme; there's not one...
Jane Hutt: I'm pleased to say that I've recently agreed community facilities programme grants worth £2.72 million to 22 projects. These awards bring the total number of projects funded by the programme to 157, a total of £27.3 million helping to improve community-run facilities across Wales.
Jane Hutt: I thank Vikki Howells for that question, which she has already raised. It is an important one to repeat the Welsh Government's response to. We've introduced mechanisms to drive and support our work with responsible employers through the economic contract and the code of practice on ethical employment, but also accepting the recommendations of the Fair Work Commission, working across...
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government is working with key partners to explore action needed to safeguard and advance human rights in Wales. This work is aligned with the gender equality review, the existing framework provided by the Equality Act 2010 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.
Jane Hutt: This is an issue that, of course, has already been considered in terms of the red route by not just the Petitions Committee, but in response from the Minister for transport. We announced the red option as a preferred route to resolve traffic congestion in the Flintshire corridor in September 2017, and we're also progressing with the next steps of appointing technical advisers to develop a...
Jane Hutt: The commissioner provides both support and challenge to the Welsh Government on a range of policy areas, in particular those that reflect her priorities.
Jane Hutt: I thank Mick Antoniw for that supplementary question, because it was mentioned, as you know, last week by the First Minister in the social partnership statement that we would enact Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010—the socioeconomic duty. In fact, this is a priority for me. In terms of taking this forward, to enact it by the end of this calendar year is our target. I'm meeting tomorrow with...
Jane Hutt: Certainly, Russell George, I will be backing the Minister for transport in respect of access, not just to that particular service, but in terms of the opportunities that Transport for Wales has to improve access. And, of course, we also have the opportunity with the new rolling stock to really be transformational in the way that we deliver on that.
Jane Hutt: Last week, a symposium that I attended, organised with the Equality and Human Rights Commission, explored how the Welsh-specific regulations on the public sector equality duty could be strengthened. We're also commencing the socioeconomic duty, Part 1 of the equality Act.
Jane Hutt: I also welcome, Suzy Davies, the all-Wales BAME mentoring engagement programme, and I've been very inspired by the mentees and I'm sure you have, and others who have taken part in that are also keen. I think you might be, Suzy Davies, a mentor in the Women's Equality Network Wales mentoring programme, as others are across this Chamber. We see this as a key role to play in terms of supporting...
Jane Hutt: Well, I thank the Member for his question. I recognise there is a way to go with PCCs. Some of the police and crime commissioners have appointed deputies who reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, and this has been a very positive step. But, of course, like all elected offices, it's political parties who need to make efforts to ensure that they encourage and support people from...
Jane Hutt: A report on the Welsh Government diversity and democracy initiative was published on 26 June. A further phase of the project will commence shortly and will build on that earlier work in advance of the next local government elections.
