Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you for your statement, leader of the house. I welcome your Government's updated framework for action on independent living. Independent living is something we all take for granted, but for a person with disabilities there are so many barriers that make independent living almost impossible for many. My neighbour, for example, travels 15 minutes in his wheelchair to catch a bus so that he can meet his friends and live as independently as he wishes. But very often there is insufficient room on the bus to take him, so he waits in all weathers for another bus to come along; he waits hopefully that this will happen. So, this desperately needs addressing.

The previous framework, although far from perfect, was widely welcomed, as it outlined the actions needed to remove many of the barriers facing disabled people in Wales. Unfortunately, it has failed to make major improvements in many areas, as highlighted.

The proportion of disabled people living in poverty in Wales has risen by over 40 per cent in recent years. Around two fifths of Wales’s disabled people now live in income poverty. Whilst some of this increase can be attributed to the ill-conceived welfare reform policies of the UK Government, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, this is not the main cause for the increasing poverty in Wales. They point to the growing employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people.

The Cabinet Secretary called the poverty statistics a national disgrace, and unless we take positive action to address the barriers it will be a matter of national shame. I look forward to reading the specific actions your Government will take to address some of these barriers, leader of the house, however I would be grateful if you would outline the actions you are taking to address the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reforms.

I welcome the news that the roll-out of universal credit has been delayed once again. Hopefully, the UK Government will rethink this scheme. It may have been introduced with the best intentions but it has left many people destitute. Leader of the house, will you be making representations to the UK Government to ensure that universal credit is not rolled out in Wales until it can be guaranteed that disabled people will not be worse off?

Leader of the house, barrier-free transport has a key role to play in providing not only independence but a route out of poverty and the examples that I have highlighted of disabled people being refused taxis or charged extra because they require an accessible vehicle. So, what can the Welsh Government do to ensure that local authorities stamp out this immoral and illegal practice? 

Finally, leader of the house, the Equality and Human Rights Commission highlighted the chronic shortage of accessible housing in Wales, calling it Wales's hidden crisis. So, can you outline the actions you are taking to increase the availability of accessible housing in Wales?

Thank you once again for your statement, and I look forward to scrutinising the details of the updated framework and action plan.