Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children

QNR – in the Senedd on 20 September 2017.

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Photo of Dawn Bowden Dawn Bowden Labour

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on advice services in Wales that can help reduce pressures and costs for welfare claimants?

Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour

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.

Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government’s housing priorities for the next 12 months?

Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour

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.

Photo of Jayne Bryant Jayne Bryant Labour

(Translated) Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the work of police community support officers in Wales?

Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour

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.

Photo of Huw Irranca-Davies Huw Irranca-Davies Labour

(Translated) What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the level of assaults on front-line staff in the fire-service?

Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour

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.

Photo of Leanne Wood Leanne Wood Plaid Cymru

(Translated) What steps is the Welsh Government taking to address homelessness?

Photo of Carl Sargeant Carl Sargeant Labour

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.