I’m very pleased to see this motion being debated in the Chamber today, and I’d like to thank the Members for bringing this forward. As Mick Antoniw says, we must pay tribute to everyone who has come forward today. My constituent, Pauline Saunders, who is in the public gallery today, is a tenacious campaigner and, I think, recognised by many of us around this Chamber. I'd like to commend Pauline for all of the work that she has done on behalf of many people in Wales and the UK.

As we’ve heard, thousands of people have been adversely affected by the poor installation of cavity wall insulation, and today I am going to focus on Pauline’s experience. Pauline’s semi-detached home had always been free from damp. But shortly after the cavity wall insulation, the wallpaper began to bubble and wood panelling became mouldy, with walls damp to the touch. Pauline contacted Mark Group, the initial installers, who sent a surveyor to inspect the property. They said that the damp issue was due to property maintenance. And having had no previous issues with the property, Pauline knew that this did not seem likely. The company offered no solution, responsibility or compensation for the problems.

Following this, Pauline requested that a CIGA surveyor inspect the property. CIGA offer a 25-year guarantee if anything goes wrong with an installation. Knowing this, she asked specifically about the rubble in the wall. It was through Pauline’s own research that she knew that cavity wall insulation should never be carried out if there is debris within the cavity. Even after insisting that CIGA conduct checks thoroughly, my constituent was told that no debris was present. It was only when her husband removed a brick from the wall that they found copious amounts within the cavity.

Eventually, Pauline received £1,750 in compensation, and the insulation was removed. But she only received this after a report that was sent to her in error. The report stated:

‘The property was and is unsuitable for cavity wall insulation and should not have been insulated.’

Now, that is scandalous. Without that report, which was never intended for her eyes, she believes that she would never have received the compensation.

Although her case has been resolved, Pauline realised that her experience had unearthed genuine concerns with how the industry dealt with their customers. She thought that many others would be in a similar position, but less able to present their claims. Many who contacted Pauline were elderly and vulnerable and they financially struggled with the persistent problems caused by unsuitable insulation. It was at this point that Pauline, along with others, formed CIVALLI— the Cavity Insulation Victims Alliance. Since then, she has continued to campaign tirelessly for residents who have been the victim of poor workmanship or installations that should never have happened in the first place.

Pauline has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with and is an inspiration. The testimonies of people who have been helped by CIVALLI prove how much of an impact Pauline and other volunteers have had. One said: 

'She gave us well informed advice each step of the way, which has helped enormously...Without Pauline’s support and advice I don’t know where we’d be. We are so grateful. She is a wonderful, passionate and driven lady who deserves a medal!' 

And I think we all agree with that.

Pauline and others at CIVALLI did this entirely voluntarily, helping others to navigate the minefield and tortuous process, as Mick has already said. While CIVALLI have been tremendously successful in highlighting these issues and providing support to victims, it's important that we, as Assembly Members, and the Welsh Government act to protect those who have been affected and who are vulnerable from falling into this position. That's why I'm proud to speak for this motion today, firstly to pay tribute to my constituent, Pauline Saunders, for all she's done and continues to do, and secondly to urge the Welsh Government to work with and press the UK Government and CIGA to provide proper accountability and compensation for incorrect insulation. It's crucial that we strengthen our consumer protection to ensure that no-one has to go through the same difficulties as my constituent and many others in Wales.