9. Plaid Cymru Debate: The school uniform grant

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:08 pm on 25 April 2018.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 7:08, 25 April 2018

Well, thank you very much, and I think that's been a really useful debate and that's what these debates should be about. And it's been a lively one and I'm glad that everybody's contributed in the way that they have, and can I thank those who have contributed, particularly Lynne Neagle? You're right, we needed, and we still do need, actually, more clarity and assurances. But it's taken a Plaid Cymru debate to try and tease out some of this information from the Welsh Government—it should have been forthcoming months ago and not this rearguard action now after it's been across the news headlines. And Darren Millar is perfectly right: where has the engagement been on this? Although, you know, maybe you would want to suggest that to Alun Cairns as well, with reference to the previous debate this afternoon.

Now, the Cabinet Secretary tells us that you're going to review the guidance on school uniforms—great, excellent, long overdue, but where have you been? Where have you been until now? Surely, if you're so passionate, and I'm not doubting your commitment, then—.  Well, yes, you can blow and shrug your shoulders, but, if you're so passionate about this, then, come on, we should have been on it before now, I have to say. You say it was in the budget, okay. You say it was in the budget. Well, I'm not sure what that says about Welsh Government transparency, and accountability in terms of the Welsh Government, because—. You assert that it's there, and, okay, we won't quarrel about it, but the Children, Young People and Education Committee didn't see it, the children's commissioner didn't see it, nobody that I've spoken to had seen it, except for yourself as you play your annual game of budget scrutiny charades with Assembly committees. So, maybe next time—[Interruption.] Maybe next time we need more information upfront, more honesty. If you see an issue like this that may come back and bite you, then maybe you should flag it up to us, and maybe you could tell us as well where the replacement funding for this scheme was in the budget as well.