4. Statement by the Leader of the House and Chief Whip: Refugee Week — Wales, a Nation of Sanctuary

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:11 pm on 19 June 2018.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 4:11, 19 June 2018

Yes, of course, I'm very happy to acknowledge the work across Wales of a large number of organisations who have worked very hard to co-produce our plans with us, and who, of course, work daily to make sure that refugee and asylum-seeking people across Wales are integrated. The Croeso movement, we hope, will spread even further; it's a great initiative. But, as I said, there are a large number of other organisations who've worked carefully with us, because we very much want this plan to be something co-produced with the communities, so that it really is meaningful to them.

We're very grateful to the committee for producing its comprehensive reports, and we've worked very carefully through the recommendations with the communities in order to support them. There are a number of very specific things that we can say. I've said something about the disappointment around the accommodation, but we will be working with local authority partners to make sure that where we can intervene, we do, and that people do live in accommodation that's fit for purpose. As I said, there are a number of other improvements around the complaints process and so on that can be put in place.

We also recognise the real issue with destitution, and so we've put a number of advice services in place to assist people to find the help that they need. I would, Deputy Presiding Officer, like to say again to the UK Government that we very much want them to not place Welsh Government funds on the list of 'no recourse to public funds' scheme, so that, here in Wales, we can make sure that we do not have destitute refugee and asylum-seeking people on our doorstep and that we can extend our public funding to them appropriately.