Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:12 pm on 18 July 2018.
I'd like to thank all the Members who've contributed to the debate today and, obviously, the Cabinet Secretary, Llywydd. I think we've seen some common themes amongst some of the points raised—for example, the recommendation to have a tackling poverty strategy and its importance was raised by both Siân and Gareth, and I raised it in my opening remarks. As I said then, this is a matter that we will return to as a committee having made this recommendation now in two separate reports.
Also, in terms of the third strand, as Janet put it, of the committee's tackling poverty work, this report is indeed that third strand and I think that highlights the importance that we attach to tackling poverty and of course its significance in Wales, where, as we all know, there are particular socioeconomic challenges within the UK that we need to understand and deal with.
Also, Llywydd, there's been an emphasis on outcomes and measurability of Welsh Government strategy and policy in this area. That applies to the tackling poverty strategy but it also applies more generally. I very much agree with Members that that is something that we need to again return to as we move forward and seek further information and assurance from the Welsh Government.
Also mentioned by Gareth and Siân was our recommendation that there should be an analysis of the risks and benefits of devolving administration of universal credit. Again, this is something that we raised in a previous report. So, again, we've addressed this matter and made these recommendations in two reports now, Llywydd. Again, we will not leave matters there, but I'm sure we'll return to those issues once more and also raise them in our scrutiny sessions with the Cabinet Secretary. So, again, we certainly intend to pursue that matter because we think it's a very important one and one that does require further analysis, further thought and further consideration.
Llywydd, I'm pleased that Jenny Rathbone responded to Gareth Bennett's comments on immigration because I think these are matters that need to be challenged in terms of the comments that Gareth made. I would add to what Jenny said in terms of the importance of people coming here to work to do vital jobs in our public services and how reliant those public services are on those workers, but it's also the case that, if we look at successful economies the world over, very often, they thrive on the energy, the talents, the skills that inward migration brings, and they've very much prospered by being open to that inward migration. People come in with real energy, starting their own firms and employing other people, as well as providing employment to other firms. Yes, Gareth.