3. 3. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:00 pm on 28 June 2016.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 4:00, 28 June 2016

Well, I’m glad also that we’ve had another opportunity, in response to your question on the business statement this afternoon, to again make it very clear that tackling hate crime is a significant priority for Welsh Government. Racism will not be tolerated here in Wales. A very strong statement was made by the First Minister yesterday and repeated again this afternoon. Ministers have made it clear that racism is completely unacceptable and recognise, as we all do, the ugly atmosphere that’s been created following the EU referendum. So, we have to, again, ensure that we get the message out that all victims of hate crimes or incidents must report. The First Minister has written to our police and crime commissioners to highlight the issues raised in the community. But also, of course, the Minister for communities and children is taking a clear lead on this and issued a very important statement as well yesterday on Refugee Week. And I think also, in recognising that we’re funding the National Hate Crime Report and Support Centre through Victim Support Cymru and recognising that that national community cohesion programme, which we’re still supporting, has co-ordinators across Wales, monitoring tensions and working locally with partners to tackle hate crime—there are meetings this week.

But I also notice something that was very good to recognise, which is that, in Llanelli, the Welsh Polish Mutual Association have actually had a great deal of support and I think a recognition there that there was very strong support—‘Thanks for being here then…still glad you’re here now #PolesinUk’.