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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:44 pm on 29 January 2019.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 5:44, 29 January 2019

I thank you very much for those questions, John Griffiths. It's thanks to you and your committee that we are here with a refreshed plan on sanctuary in Wales. I hope you will agree with the way we've laid out the plan—the actions and who is responsible, and that includes the divisions of the Welsh Government and other partners that are clearly laid out in the plan. I expect to be rigorously monitored on this plan, as will I expect the Welsh Refugee Coalition to monitor me on it, as well. But it is across the Government that delivery has to be made by, of course, Ministers, and it will be clearly monitored, I know, by your committee. You raise an issue about the community cohesion programme: we're working to a national community cohesion programme. It's already been developed, as I'm sure you're aware. We're putting it out for consultation for a refresh, and we've continued to fund our network of community cohesion co-ordinators across Wales. And, of course, that's crucial in terms of some of the issues that have been raised in the response to this statement today: the very real threat to people in terms of cohesion and also the key issues that have come out of this very challenging climate that we have for refugees and asylum seekers. We can't be complacent about the fact that although we may, in this Chamber, the majority of us, be espousing and supporting and driving actions, the challenge to this is real and deep, as we have already heard today.

I think the funding that's available for the guardianship scheme and unaccompanied asylum-seeker children scheme is going to be made available to all of the local authorities, but, obviously, we need their co-operation in terms of housing.

And your final point: we are particularly looking at what we can do within our powers in terms of housing, and looking at issues, particularly, for example, around the Rent Smart Wales code of practice. I mean, that's crucial in terms of how we can protect many asylum seekers and refugees and to make sure that where people are rehoused, they're with fit and proper people to be granted a licence. And that's particularly key in terms of exploitation, but we will continue to press with the UK Government in terms of better contracts and for them to accept our recommendations in terms of those contracts in terms of asylum accommodation.