Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The Public Health (Protection from Eviction) (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been made to protect public health by ensuring that tenants are not evicted into homelessness over the Christmas and new year period. In the run-up to Christmas and the period immediately thereafter, those subject to eviction are at much greater risk of being made homeless. Accessibility to services, advice and support is often much reduced. Similarly, the availability of alternative accommodation is likely to be limited at this time of year. A person made homeless is placed at greater risk of both contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it to others. Therefore, we cannot allow a situation where evictions result in homelessness, which, in turn, increases the risk to homeless individuals and public health more widely. Given the situation that we currently face in relation to the virus, it is imperative that we act swiftly to prevent this.

These regulations prevent, except in specified circumstances, attendance by High Court enforcement officers or bailiffs at a dwelling house for the purpose of executing a writ or warrant of possession, executing a writ or warrant of restitution, or delivering a notice of eviction. The specified circumstances include, for example, when a claim is made wholly or partly on the grounds of anti-social behaviour. The regulations will expire on 11 January 2021. The UK Government previously announced through guidance that it intended to suspend evictions across England and Wales between 11 December and 11 January. These regulations provide statutory underpinning to that guidance in relation to Wales.

Ideally, I would've liked my officials to have had an opportunity to engage with stakeholders before making the regulations, however, the UK Government did not alert us to the fact that they had made similar regulations applying to England until after they had come into force on 17 November. Therefore, we have had to make the regulations in respect of Wales with the greatest of urgency. Stakeholders had, however, been informed of the earlier announcement by the UK Government that evictions would be suspended from 11 December to 11 January. I commend the motion of approval to Members.