7. Statement by the Leader of the House and Chief Whip: Action on Disability: The Right to Independent Living

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:33 pm on 16 October 2018.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 4:33, 16 October 2018

I recognise Siân Gwenllian's first point. The timing is always a problem. I very much, though, wanted to highlight the launch, give it as much publicity as possible and encourage as much response as possible. I will, Deputy Presiding Officer, once we've got the consultation responses in, be coming back to the Chamber to give another statement to make sure that people can scrutinise the substance of it as well. I think that's a fair point. It's always very difficult to know whether it's better to go afterwards or beforehand, but I very much wanted to emphasise (a) the role of disabled people and their representatives across Wales have had in putting together the framework on which we're about to consult, and then the opportunity for further consultation. We absolutely want to get this to be as good as it possibly can be for the disabled people themselves. So, I take her point. I think it's a point well made, but it was a judgment call really to highlight the framework before we launch it to make sure that Members are aware and expecting it, and then I absolutely undertake to come back with the substance of it once we've had the consultation. I think that's a fair point. 

In terms of the independent living grant, my colleague the Minister behind me has just very kindly passed me a note that tells me—as I explained to Siân Gwenllian when I was answering questions on my own portfolio, last week I think that was, I have an overview across the piece for Welsh Government and an influencing role with colleagues, but quite a lot of the detail of this is actually in different portfolios. So, that particular grant is actually in my colleague Minister's portfolio. But I'm told that the transition is proceeding well—we're very closely monitoring it. They're independently carrying out an evaluation of people's experience—we're doing it under the social model, so, 'What matters to me'. We've had this conversation between us quite a lot. It's very much around making sure that what we go forward with matters, works and is what people actually want. Our experience with people who transition is that it's been very good indeed, in answer to your question, but I do take your original point and I will undertake to come back with the substance.