5. Statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip: Making Wales a Nation of Sanctuary

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:21 pm on 29 January 2019.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 5:21, 29 January 2019

Thank you. A large number of questions that I very much welcome from Helen Mary Jones on behalf of Plaid Cymru. I just want to say, in terms of the engagement and co-production and extensive consultation, that 150 people seeking sanctuary engaged with us during the development of the plan. But obviously, I've mentioned that the coalition of organisations on the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership, the Welsh Refugee Coalition and local authorities are very much engaged following the committee's report. Because in 'I used to be someone' the committee said we must seek the views of refugees and asylum seekers, and that's what we've sought to do.

Your points about issues around housing are very important, particularly because that is where the UK Government has clear responsibility. And we have sought to work closely with the UK Government in terms of new asylum accommodation and support contracts but, unfortunately, I have to say many of our recommendations appear to have been rejected. And you will know, I'm sure, that there's been a recent report by the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration identifying that 18.6 per cent of inspected asylum properties in Wales and the south-west were uninhabitable or unsafe. So, in terms of your call to scrutinise on those points—which, of course, I will take back and raise with the UK Government, because, too often, people are forced to occupy substandard housing, or aren't permitted to access accommodation at all. That is totally counter to our aims in terms of the nation of sanctuary.

But I have mentioned already that we are doing more to support the Refugee Well Housing project, and we're repeatedly asking—and thank you again for your support for this—the UK Government to extend the move-on period to 56 days, because that aligns it with other homelessness support, both in England and Wales. But so far, the UK Government has refused to adopt our recommendations. These do not help in terms of the fact that there is a feeling of negativity, even though there are many ways in which we are gaining respect, as you've seen from the UN high commissioner in terms of the way that we're using the powers and skills that we have, recognising the assets of people who come and how they will enhance our Welsh communities, and how we've welcomed them, and counteracting the negative perceptions that, of course, are so unhelpful.

I said in my statement that it's a very challenging climate for refugees and asylum seekers. Indeed, because of the political discourse, the media has a role to play as well as Government policies. I think we have to go back again, I'm afraid, to some of the statements and legislative changes that have led to the hostile environment policies, which, unfortunately, are being implemented, and they are contained, of course, in the Immigration Act 2014. It's now referred to as 'compliant environment policy', but this was about measures to identify and reduce the number of immigrants in the UK. I know that the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee has addressed this.  

Finally, I will make the point about bullying, because this is an issue where, again, with the education Minister, our vision, obviously, is to tackle bullying holistically, addressing the root causes, including those from asylum seeking and refugee families. What's great about the Cardiff City of Sanctuary is that I believe that, now, organisations are getting accreditation. I think even Lisvane comprehensive school—my colleague from Cardiff North. Others are getting that kind of recognition. Schools need to be part of it.

And just on your final point about doctors and refusals of visas, I'm very proud of the fact that, in Wales, we have overcome many obstacles for refugee doctors—and I said that in my statement—to come and work, since I was health Minister, to ensure that we now have a large number of refugee doctors who, actually, have been accepted by the General Medical Council and are now practicing throughout the UK.