1. Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 1:50 pm on 26 August 2020.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 1:50, 26 August 2020

Llywydd, let me begin by saying that the Member will be aware of everything the Welsh Government has done to deal with the position of homeless people at the start of the coronavirus crisis, and the remarkable success that local authorities and third sector organisations have had in being able to respond to the housing needs of those in the most difficult position. And, of course, we do not want to see those people, or others in other forms of tenure, threatened with homelessness here in Wales; there is more than one way in which this issue can be addressed. Adam Price will be aware that the Welsh Government has extended the notice period to six months here in Wales, which in many practical ways has the same effect as the actions taken by the Scottish Government; there's more than one route to solving the problem. We're agreed that the problem needs to be solved, and we've taken some action here in Wales already. 

The Welsh Government is committed to bringing legislation forward to the Senedd during the remainder of this Assembly term. It will deal with the worst outcrops of no-fault evictions, and I remain committed to bringing forward further legislation, if we're in a position to do so, in the next Senedd term to complete that job. And I look forward to the support of the Member's party in making sure, in the very challenging circumstances that the Senedd as well as the Welsh Government faces in scrutinising legislation during the remaining months of this term, that we act together to get that legislation onto the statute book in order to provide protections for people who would otherwise find themselves on the receiving end of no-fault evictions.