Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood, and thank you for your opening words and for the opportunity to have a discussion prior to this statement this afternoon. You do make a very important point about the way in which we support our refugees and asylum seekers, and I think in the plan, as you highlight, in our recognition of asylum seekers and refugees, we use the phrase 'people seeking sanctuary' in our plan, and we're using that as a term to refer to refugees or asylum seekers from any background and in any circumstances. We need to recognise these members, as we say in the plan, as people first and foremost, and, of course, their immigration status is key to this in terms of their rights, their opportunities and obligations. So, we have to recognise this in terms of well-being and protection.

You did ask that first question about the situation where there are refused asylum seekers who maybe in the position I think you mentioned, where they may be under appeal, but there are obviously situations we've raised in this Chamber, across this Chamber, about people in those circumstances, and people have made representations. We can only make representations, as we do as elected Members, and indeed as a Welsh Government, on behalf of those people. But what we need to do is say that we will provide within our powers essential support to refused asylum seekers, and I think that's where all of the services and all of the agencies, as you say, come together in order to provide that kind of support, because there is a danger of trafficking, exploitation, destitution or even serious health conditions arising from people who can't claim public funds, which of course is often the circumstance. We continue to ensure that refused asylum seekers are not denied healthcare; they're entitled to the same services as any other citizen. The plan does contain the action to work towards preventing people seeking sanctuary, including those with no recourse to public funds, becoming human trafficking or modern slavery victims. So, this is a point where we have to look at the holistic approach, within our powers, to the circumstances of refugees in terms of their needs, particularly if they have been refused in terms of their situation.

Now, we do need to move forward, and this plan does, in terms of the ways in which we can help with integration. The ReStart: Refugee Integration project, which, of course, I highlight in the statement, is going to be a very ambitious integration support programme for refugees, and primarily, of course, in the four asylum dispersal clusters—Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham. That's going to provide particular support for, as I've said, at least 520 refugees. The total cost is £2 million, and that is going to include match funding from the Welsh Government as well.

It is about also ensuring that we can focus on some of those key areas, such as housing needs. You mentioned that, of course, access to appropriate accommodation is a key issue for people seeking sanctuary. We're seeking to work more closely with the UK Government in terms of the new asylum accommodation and support contracts, but, obviously, that's something where we're very dependent on UK Government co-operation. But, we can work, particularly in our Refugee Well Housing project, in terms of supporting and funding the Move-On project after refugees receive recognition of their status.

You make a very important point, Mark, about the organisations, civic society and communities that are playing their part. You described that yourself, in terms of the events you've attended and the organisation that you're already a patron of—a president of. I think, also, we need to recognise that, in terms of the Welsh Refugee Coalition, there are over 30 organisations. Many of those are all-Wales organisations, and some are more local.

You also ask the question about the statistics, and updating those statistics that you asked the former leader of the house about, in terms of the interim statement she made on the plan. I certainly will provide the update on those statistics for you,FootnoteLink but I think it is very welcome that we see that we are reaching nearly 1,000 refugees, in terms of the Syrian displacement scheme. That's something that is a result of local authorities agreeing to support and resettle Syrian refugees. Across this Chamber, we will all know where our local authorities are in terms of that support, but I will give you the update on that.

I'm also very keen to support—it goes back to the community—the community sponsorship schemes that are taking place across Wales. I think we saw Wales highlighted in terms of the Refugees Welcome campaign—the growth of community sponsorship organisations was actually started in west Wales, in the town of Narberth, and has spread. Certainly, Penarth and, in my own constituency, Croeso Llantwit are progressing the same community sponsorship. So, clearly, we have a lot to develop as a result of the plan, and I thank you for your questions.