3. Statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government: The Fair Work Commission's Report

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:10 pm on 7 May 2019.

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Photo of David Lloyd David Lloyd Plaid Cymru 3:10, 7 May 2019

Can I welcome the Minister's report on the publication of the Fair Work Commission's report? Of course, on this side, here on the Plaid Cymru benches, as we've expressed quite recently, we believe in the fair work agenda because of all the background that the Minister's outlined in her statement—the growing concern about the quality of jobs, the growth of low paid, low skilled, insecure jobs, and the consequences of this in terms of low productivity, indebtedness, inequality and in-work poverty.

So, I'd like to welcome the fact that the Welsh Government are taking this forward. I particularly welcome the fact that the Government will not only consult with the relevant stakeholders, as it is key to get them on board, but also the fact that this will be the responsibility of all Welsh Government Ministers.

Now, obviously, going forward, our job on this side of the Chamber is to ensure that implementation of the fair work agenda happens, and that it is consistently considered in legislation drafted by this Government, because, as we have seen in the past, and, as a former member of Cabinet has expressed in a session of the Finance Committee, the future generations Act can be and has been overlooked in the drafting, say, of a budget, and in other pieces of legislation as well. So, can I ask first of all that the Minister can assure us that due regard will be paid to the provisions of the future generations Act as we move forward with the fair work agenda?

In addition, can I ask: how will the provisions of the Fair Work Commission's work be reflected in future public procurement? We've heard, obviously, there's a lot of work being done at present, and the Minister emphasised all the work that is happening now that matches up with the Fair Work Commission's agenda, but what will change then in the future, because we've got the Fair Work Commission's report—how will that facilitate any change, particularly as regards future public procurement provision? And, finally, can I confirm the timeline when we can see some of the fair work agenda actually being brought into operation? Thank you.