4. Statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip: Marking the International Day of People with Disabilities

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:19 pm on 1 December 2020.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 3:19, 1 December 2020

Thank you very much, Joyce Watson. I think it's so important that you are going to be marking the day, as you say, on Thursday, by joining Leonard Cheshire. In fact, I spent time not just with the disability equality forum but also with other organisations like Leonard Cheshire, who have engaged with me and with other Ministers, with young people raising questions with us about the issues that affect them. I know that you'll be able to participate and hopefully reflect on this statement on Thursday.

I think one of the hallmarks of the last few months has been the intensity of the engagement that we've had with organisations. In some respects, we've been able to engage virtually, perhaps, with more organisations, because they've been able to engage from home. From north to south-east and west Wales, we're engaging with disabled people. Tomorrow I've got my Wales race forum; we'll be engaging in the same way from Anglesey to Newport. I know in terms of representations that the Wales TUC also has been meeting regularly. I've been meeting with their equalities committee and, of course, then you hear from all the different unions about the particular issues and challenges and good work that they've been doing in terms of surveys.

But certainly, in terms of Unison's work and representations, we will be looking at that, because as you know, the Welsh Government is itself developing remote working policies and looking at the impact that has on people who can and wish to work from home, given that often, it is perhaps more difficult for front-line people who can't work from home, or who are on lower pay and have less power within their organisation. So, I think the Unison work and evidence and representations will be very important to that. I certainly make sure that for every policy stream that's coming forward, there is an equality impact assessment and that we are asking for the views and engaging with those who are most disadvantaged and don't have as strong a voice as perhaps others do who are perhaps socioeconomically in a better position.

So, yes, we will be looking at that very carefully, and I'm glad that you've used this opportunity, Joyce, to raise those issues around those who experience and suffer from Crohn's. Crohn's week is an important week for raising awareness of extremely vulnerable people, but people who can live their lives—and, of course, where it isn't always visible, as you say; impairments aren't always visible in a whole range of impairments. But Crohn's week does enable you to bring forward these particular calls relating to public toilets, accessibility, signage, and recognition of the particular needs of those who suffer from Crohn's. Thank you.