Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:28 pm on 12 June 2018.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Indeed, at Stage 2, we discussed an amendment tabled by Rhun ap Iorwerth in relation to the duty to promote awareness. And at the time, I indicated I would be pleased to have further constructive discussions with him and I'd hoped to come to this point where we could support the amendments that he wished to provide. And I am happy to say, the Government will be supporting amendments 7 and 8.
We plan to act in accordance with amendment 8 in particular in the communications work we're planning to promote awareness of the requirements of the legislation, as well as the public health aims of the policy, namely to tackle alcohol-related harm by reducing alcohol consumption, especially in hazardous and harmful drinkers. I appreciate the importance of communication has been raised during scrutiny sessions and, indeed, with stakeholders—that includes our key partners in Welsh heads of trading standards, who welcome the sums of money that we've put aside specifically for them to work with retailers and trade. We're planning to develop a set of national communications to underpin that work with them and, indeed, with a wider group of stakeholders. That will cover both work in the lead up to the legislation coming into force as well as afterwards. And in working with stakeholders and service providers, we will of course produce not just communication materials, but guidance as well. I have, this week, written to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee with an outline of that guidance and how we will be developing that further. It will of course include looking at what is already happening within Scotland, and I'm pleased to report there continues to be constructive and helpful relations between officials from the two Governments to share information and good practice. We are also engaged with area planning boards and other stakeholders, like the children's commissioner and indeed the older person's commissioner and the substance misuse network.
We fully recognise the need to work with service providers and their clients to share information about the forthcoming legislation and identify ways to help those who may need help and advice. We'll also undertake a range of public attitudes surveys before and after implementation, to measure public awareness of the new law as part of our ongoing evaluation work. So, I take on board the points that have been made, not just retail and trade, but a broader public health message as well about the understanding of why this legislation is being introduced. I look forward to working with Members across parties to not just outline what we will do, but hopefully we can celebrate the success of this legislation in making a real difference to public health right across the country.