3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:25 pm on 3 October 2017.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:25, 3 October 2017

I thank Jeremy Miles for both those questions. I think Members will be aware of the latest ‘School Report’ 2017 by Stonewall Cymru, and it is encouraging to note that, in fact, that report shows that the number of lesbian, gay and bi pupils bullied because of their sexual orientation has fallen by almost a third. But we obviously recognise there’s much more we have to do to prevent potentially long-term educational and emotional damage that bullying can cause. The Cabinet Secretary for Education’s been very clear that she expects schools to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of bullying, including homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying, and we recognise, of course, in terms of that school report, and the existing anti-bullying guidance, that that requires us to take into account the latest report and whether updating is required.

On your second point, of course the Welsh Government fully supports the city and county of Swansea’s bid to become UK City of Culture for 2021. It would, obviously if successful, provide Swansea with significant funds. We’ve already provided additional in-kind support to help Swansea with the practical challenges of delivering the year, for example in tourism and marketing expertise, and of course it complements the city deal and accelerates the city’s regeneration. And, of course, post Brexit, it will show the world that Wales remains outward-facing and open for business. So, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will join Swansea council, and senior officials, when the City of Culture assessment panel visits the city on 23 October. I was very pleased to be in Swansea last week, last Thursday, when the bid was formally put in by the leader of the council, with his cabinet and partners, when I visited the Tabernacle in Morriston in Mike Hedges’s constituency to celebrate the fact that they’ve been awarded the Sacred Wales honour.