4. Will the Deputy Minister make a statement on the role of specialist support services in supporting survivors of domestic violence during the pandemic? OQ56241

I can't thank the specialist services enough for their responses to victims during the pandemic. They've been a crucial lifeline to so many, and they've shown resilience, strength and a great ability to adapt. My officials meet with the violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategic group regularly to discuss the impact on the sector in supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Thank you for that answer. As you'll know, of course, this crisis and the associated lockdowns have led to an escalation of risk for women who are either in abusive relationships or are fleeing them. But there is an equal crisis looming that is related to the funding of the specialist support services that are literally, or figuratively then, a lifeline for these women. Funds were received later than expected and they are struggling to spend the money before the deadline in March. Organisations like Welsh Women's Aid are calling for flexibility in this spending deadline, as it's a particular problem in situations where the funding was earmarked for recruitment—organisations have had a very short time in which to recruit and train new staff to meet the continued demand for services. If that flexibility isn't introduced, Minister, or the funding commitment is made to match that after March, then many staff will be lost. Surely, Minister, no-one would want these organisations to have to re-bid for money after March, as this could be time and resource far better spent on protecting women. So, will the Government please address these concerns and consider this urgently?

Thank you, Delyth Jewell, for raising that important question, because we must make sure that this money that's been allocated does actually reach those specialist services. Because the sector itself—and, as I said, my officials, and indeed myself, when I can, meet the sector regularly—have received over £4 million of additional funding this year; it's an extra 67 per cent compared with last year. And this is also about ensuring that we're investing in the needs of the sector, particularly, for example, in terms of accommodation, the dispersed community based accommodation—so capital as well as revenue. And it is important also that the extra revenue funding does respond to the needs that have been raised with us during the pandemic. I of course will talk to my officials about the ways in which we can ensure that that money not only reaches the specialist services, but that they can spend it and that there is that flexibility. Because it is crucial that the extra money that we've been able to raise in the budget as a result of the pandemic, and, indeed, through into the draft budget, does reach those victims and the women particularly who are escaping domestic violence and abuse, and that five years into our VAWDASV legislation—pioneering legislation—it actually is delivering at the sharp end.

And finally, question 5, Joyce Watson.