QNR – in the Senedd on 20 September 2017.
Advice services are vital in helping those who are struggling financially as a result of welfare reforms. These reforms have hit hardest low income earners, families and those who are poorest. Welsh Government remains committed to ensuring that those who need advice can access high quality services.
Housing is a key cross-cutting priority for the Welsh Government, which was reflected in the national strategy launched by the First Minister yesterday. Over the next year we will launch new schemes, invest in established schemes, respond to emerging priorities and continue our legislative programme.
We will continue to provide funding of £16.8 million this financial year for an additional 500 community support officers in Wales. These CSOs contribute to the policing of our communities by being highly visible on patrol and providing reassurance to citizens in making our communities safer.
Attacks on firefighters are sporadic but always serious. We, the fire services and the police are working together to tackle them. The number of attacks on firefighters has decreased from 64 to 39 over an eight-year period.
The Welsh Government continues to support the implementation of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, which is the most progressive homeless legislation in the UK. We are already supporting local services through funding and guidance, and I will shortly be releasing a further £2.1 million to tackle rough sleeping and homelessness.