10. Statement by the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee: United Nations Universal Children's Day

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 7:30 pm on 20 November 2018.

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Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour 7:30, 20 November 2018

Can I thank Rhianon Passmore for her comments? I agree that we have a very good record in Wales, one that we can be proud of, but we can't be complacent, especially at a time of austerity when there are such competing priorities. It's incumbent on all of us to do what we can to ensure that the rights of children are central to what we're doing.

Thank you for mentioning youth services. They are crucially important. It was our first inquiry. They're important to the most vulnerable children, but it's also important that we remember that they're there for all children, and that was a very clear message in our inquiry, that this should be universal provision that is open access for all children and young people so that everybody is catered for.

I agree again with your remarks about the UN report. I think it is something that we will have to look at. I hope that it's something that the committees can work together to look at, and I hope that everybody will convey the messages in it, because there is only so much that we can do on some things while we are still having some very adverse welfare reforms inflicted on us. At the end of the day, poverty is such a big driver for all the other issues like mental health problems, family relationship breakdown, et cetera. So, I hope that we can all work together on it. Thank you.