5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the role of the third sector in Wales? OAQ(5)0446(FM)

The third sector plays an important role in Wales. There are over 33,000 third sector organisations providing services in every sphere, from the environment through to supporting health services.

Diolch, First Minister. Are you aware that Public Affairs Cymru revealed that over half its members had stated that the examples have occurred—I'm quoting now—

‘where lobbyists and campaigners have been asked to reconsider standpoints or not to say certain things with which the Welsh Government is not in agreement’?

Well, first of all, I thought lobbyists had no contact with Government—we've been told in this Chamber—but, really, in other words, your Government is leaning on people, and leaning on organisations. It's censorship, and it’s undemocratic. So, in light of this scandal, in light of these scandalous allegations, why won't you investigate this matter?

I don't know if he's suggesting that the third sector, which is was what his question was actually about, is involved in this, because, certainly, the supplementary wasn't to do with the third sector. It's something that I think exists mainly in his own mind. What evidence is given to a committee is a matter for the committee to consider and produce a report, not actually say in the middle of an inquiry that—. It's not appropriate, I think, for a Member, in the middle of an inquiry, to comment on the evidence as the inquiry is ongoing. We as a Government respond to reports in due course, but the evidence hasn't been considered. I can say that, as far as we're concerned, we don't tell organisations what they should or should not say. Otherwise, there’d be little point in having organisations whose job it is to hold Government to account, as well as this Assembly.

Will the First Minister join me in celebrating the recent anniversary of one of the leading third sector organisations in my constituency, Tiddlywinks children's centre in Ystalyfera, where I recently visited and saw for myself the excellent service that’s provided by an organisation that was the first of its kind in Wales and is now a self-sustaining social enterprise? There are many others of the same ilk in the Neath constituency. I was with one with the Minister for lifelong learning on Monday, discussing the work of the Valleys taskforce. They provide key childcare services and are a significant source of employment. So, will he join me in acknowledging the invaluable role of the third sector in providing childcare services, both in Neath and across Wales, and does he agree with me that the third sector, a vibrant third sector, can actively shape policy and, with the right support and imagination, can also deliver services to our communities, making them more resilient? And does he agree with me that it is, and should be, a priority for the Welsh Government to support the sector?

I thank the Member for the question. I'd like to congratulate the staff, trustees and volunteers who have been part of Tiddlywinks’s journey over the last 20 years; they shaped and influenced the minds of many children who, I've no doubt, have fond memories of their time there, and I, of course, hope they're able to continue do so in the future as well.

First Minister, Fairtrade Fortnight runs from 27 February to 12 March, and I think we should be rightly proud that Wales has been a Fairtrade Nation since 2008, and it's the first ever. Eighty-two per cent of local authorities and 93 per cent of universities have fair trade status, 150 schools, and a further 50 per cent are registered on the fair trade schools scheme. The Welsh Government has fair-trade status, but concerns have been raised with me about some ambiguity as to how you are applying the fair-trade model. Will you look into this to ensure that it isn’t just a status, that there is a culture of fair-trade acknowledgement in terms of procurement within your own departments across the Welsh Government?

If the Member could provide me with further information I would be pleased, of course, to look at this for her.

First Minister, the third sector and its army of volunteers save the public purse millions of pounds each year and provide valuable services that the public sector cannot. The third sector protects us when we go to the beach or the rugby, provides valuable research into numerous diseases and conditions, campaigns for better rights, housing and a whole host of other services. Without the third sector, our lives would be much, much poorer. First Minister, what more can the Welsh Government do to ensure the third sector can continue to thrive in Wales and provide recognition and thanks to the volunteers who drive this sector?

The Member’s right. The Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s research suggests that the value of the third sector in Wales is £3.8 billion. The sector employs 79,000 people and works with 938,000 volunteers, a startling number. That’s nearly one in three people in Wales volunteering in some capacity. We have provided £4.4 million in 2016-17 as core funding for the WCVA and Welsh county voluntary councils across Wales, and they, of course, are in a good position to assist voluntary organisations in terms of their own financial security, and in assisting them to understand where they should go to seek financial help. So, that money goes a long way in terms of providing support to so many organisations that provide so many services to so many people.