Item 5 is the Digital Government (Welsh Bodies) (Wales) Regulations 2018. I call on the leader of the house to move the motion—Julie James.

Motion NDM6705 Julie James

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales, in accordance with Standing Order 27.5:

1. Approves that the draft Digital Government (Welsh Bodies) (Wales) Regulations 2018 is made in accordance with the draft laid in the Table Office on 13 March 2018.

Motion moved.

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion to approve the Digital Government (Welsh Bodies) (Wales) Regulations 2018. The Digital Economy Act 2017, which received Royal Assent in April 2017, grants new powers to public authorities to share data with other public authorities to improve the delivery of public services, identify and take action on debts owed to the public sector, and identify and tackle fraud against the private sector. For a public body to be able to exercise these new powers, they need to be specified in the legislation. For the public service delivery powers, a public body will also need to be named against a specific policy objective, which will be set out in separate regulations. 

Devolved Welsh bodies are not currently named in the Digital Economy Act 2017 and cannot make use of any of the new powers. The UK Government is preparing to lay new regulations, which will set out the first four objectives of the public service delivery powers: supporting individuals and households affected by multiple disadvantages, for example, disability, unemployment, or care leavers; identifying and supporting individuals and households that may be eligible for support under a television returning scheme; identifying and supporting individuals and households that are living in fuel poverty; and identifying and supporting individuals and households that are living in water poverty.

The regulations being considered by Members today will ensure that devolved Welsh organisations are able to use the new powers alongside their English and Scottish counterparts. It is vital that our devolved public bodies are able to use these new powers alongside English and non-devolved bodies to deliver the best possible services. Data sharing, when done securely and for the right reason, is critical for enabling services to integrate and work together to deliver better outcomes for citizens. If Welsh bodies are not able to access these powers, Welsh citizens will be at a disadvantage in terms of water and fuel poverty.

We have consulted publicly on the regulations, and, in general, respondents recognised the positive benefits of Welsh public bodies being included, and, in fact, many respondents wanted more public bodies named. In future, this Assembly will also be able to set new policy objectives for data sharing amongst devolved public bodies to deliver better public services for Wales. I urge Members to support these regulations.  

Thank you. I have no speakers in the debate, therefore the proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? No. Therefore, the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Before we move to the debate on Stage 3 of the Regulation of Registered Social Landlords (Wales) Bill, I intend to suspend proceedings for 10 minutes. The bell will be rung five minutes before we reconvene, and I would encourage Members to return to the Chamber promptly. The sitting is now suspended for 10 minutes.

Plenary was suspended at 16:09.

The Assembly reconvened at 16:19, with the Llywydd in the Chair.

I call Members to order.