8. Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for tackling poverty in Caerphilly? OAQ(5)0018(CC)

I thank the Member for his question. In my portfolio, we are aligning key programmes to support those living in low-income households across Wales, including Caerphilly. Communities First, Flying Start, Families First and the Supporting People programme are working towards the common goals of a more prosperous and equal Wales.

Thank you. Last week, in response to a question from my colleague, the Member for Cynon Valley, Vikki Howells, the Cabinet Secretary commended the work of the Trussell Trust and the volunteers who carry out that work across Wales. Many Members in this Chamber will be aware of the work of the Wales chair for the Trussell Trust and, indeed, the chair for Northern Ireland as well, Tony Graham, who happens to be a constituent of mine. He’s talked about the Trussell Trust’s More Than Food programme that takes the work they do beyond food banks to providing services such as debt advice, cooking and budgetary skills courses. Will the Minister praise the work that the Trussell Trust does but also welcome these additional services that provide vital help to individuals in our communities that have been affected particularly by the UK Government’s benefit sanctions, and recognise that this work is vital in making up for those problems?

Indeed, and, like the member, I’d like to place on record my thanks to the members of the Trussell Trust, who work across the UK, and particularly in Wales, for the good work that they do, and the Trussell Trust plus effect, which is not just about food banks but it’s the other bits that they do as well—the financial advice and support. The Welsh Government advocate services, working together to support those in need, is reflected in our financial inclusion strategy. Collaboration between food banks and quality-assured advice services can offer people help through a period of crisis, and Trussell Trust do it very well.

Food poverty remains a problem for many households in Caerphilly and throughout Wales, Cabinet Secretary. Last winter, more than 2 million of the most vulnerable people benefited from help with their fuel bills from £310 million of assistance through the UK’s Government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme. Will the Cabinet Secretary join me in welcoming news that changes to the scheme mean that an additional 70,000 struggling families, disabled customers and other vulnerable people will be eligible to apply this winter for help to heat their homes in Wales?

For a moment I thought I saw some crocodile tears from the Member in regard to his question. It does worry me that there is a sense of irony that comes from those benches, of washing their hands of the impact that his Government in the UK is having on our constituents here in Wales—the ones that he claims to represent in Caerphilly are the very ones that are members, as Hefin David—. It is really important that we work together to get the most benefit for our communities, but I would ask the Member to reflect on his questions and maybe ask his colleagues in the UK for a fair funding stream for here in Wales.