Item 6 on our agenda is a statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip on the Wales race equality action plan—an anti-racist Wales, and I call on the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt.

Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Racism and race inequalities have adversely impacted global society for hundreds of years. Back in October 2020, the Senedd supported a motion to wholeheartedly root out racism and racist ideology, and strive towards a more equal Wales, tackling systemic and structural race inequality. The Runnymede Trust says that racial inequalities persist in almost every arena of British society from birth to death, and events throughout the last year have demonstrated the tragic reality of that statement. The disproportionate and more severe impact of COVID-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities expose the inherent racial inequality in our society, and in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, Black Lives Matter and others have ensured that racism and race inequality are issues that no-one can ignore.

Now is the time for action, and as we mark again the international day for the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, I'm pleased to announced that, this week, the Welsh Government will publish the race equality action plan for Wales for consultation. The race equality action plan for Wales—an anti-racist Wales sets out a series of goals and actions designed to improve the outcomes for black, Asian and minority ethnic people in Wales. It's based on a number of themes developed in co-production with ethnic minority communities. It's grounded in evidence and shaped by expert academics from across Wales and the wider UK.

The detail and scale of the race equality action plan is bold, to reflect our ambitious and radical vision for Wales—a vision of a Wales that is anti-racist. Not non-racist, not more equal—a Wales in which there is zero tolerance for racism in all its forms. Taking this stance is vitally important to our black, Asian and minority ethnic stakeholders and communities because it provides for an active and conscious understanding that our society is structured in a way that excludes ethnic minorities. An anti-racist stance challenges the status quo and rebuilds systems for the benefit of us all. Anti-racism shifts the burden of racism from the victims to everyone in society. There will be many people in Wales who do not consider themselves racist, but anti-racism requires us all to make a conscious, active effort to call out racism wherever we see it. Simply standing by and staying silent is not enough. Taking an anti-racist stance sets the race equality action plan apart from any other policy intervention of this kind, either previously in Wales, or across the UK.

There are other distinguishing features within this plan that set it apart from other plans of this nature. The principle of co-creation has been fundamental to the development of the race equality action plan. The content of the plan is grounded in the lived experience of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in Wales. Around 2,000 individuals have shared their views on what the plan should include and the plan would not have been possible without their contributions. It has been incredibly powerful and is already proving a catalyst for change. Sharing these lived experiences has been painful for those involved, and I acknowledge the emotional labour inherent in such work. These individuals have given so much of themselves in pursuit of a plan that creates tangible change and it is crucial that we now deliver in acknowledgment of those contributions.

I am grateful to the 17 black, Asian and minority ethnic community mentors who are currently working alongside Welsh Government officials and sharing their expertise. They have added value, enriched our understanding and demonstrated why diversity across a workforce is essential to achieve impactful policy development. Beyond those with lived experience of racism, the plan is a result of collaboration between many stakeholders, and I want to take this opportunity to thank every participant for their generosity of expertise, contribution, guidance and advice provided in support of the plan. I express special thanks to Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, who has provided challenging, thoughtful and supportive leadership for the work, alongside his role in chairing the COVID-19 socioeconomic group.

The Welsh Government has always prioritised equality in its work. The strategic equality plan and implementation of the socioeconomic duty are demonstrable examples of action we are taking to address inequalities in Wales. The history of Wales in all its diversity will be mandatory within the new curriculum, and last Friday, as further evidence of our commitment to equality, the Minister for Education committed to embedding these principles within the Curriculum for Wales by accepting all recommendations made in the final report by the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, contributions and cynefin in the new curriculum working group, led by Professor Charlotte Williams.

The race equality action plan emphasises the importance of closing the 'implementation gap'. The plan must, in the words of one of our stakeholders, move us from 'rhetoric to reality'. It must deliver our anti-racist vision and create culture change. The actions delivered must be meaningful and result in tangible equality of outcomes. We must think differently about how we measure and monitor progress and delivery. In time, this may require legislative underpinning, but in the short term, we will utilise all of the levers at our disposal to deliver our transformational work alongside stakeholders, as co-owners of the plan, to ensure accountability.

The race equality action plan is ambitious, it is radical and it is a result of a unique form of co-creation and shared ownership. Deputy Llywydd, the successful implementation of the race equality action plan will benefit all citizens in Wales. An equitable employment market will improve overall productivity and economic growth that will benefit us all. A fairer education and training system will develop aspiration, opportunity and improved outcomes for us all. Equalising opportunities and outcomes in health and social care will improve the system for us all. In the words of Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, 'the imperative for implementing the plan is the mutually beneficial nature of the outcomes; we all stand to benefit from racial equality'.

I invite all Members of the Senedd to consider the race equality action plan and to share in our vision for an anti-racist Wales, where systems that perpetuate inequality are dismantled, where racial diversity is valued, and where we work to achieve equality of opportunities and outcomes for all. Diolch.

Deputy Minister, I just want to say that I concur with all that you said. We very much welcome this plan today. May I first just take this opportunity, though, to thank the Deputy Minister, Jane Hutt, for all her hard work in this role? She was the perfect person to be in such a role, being such a caring and compassionate human herself. She's helped to bring this Senedd and our country great strides forward in talking about, debating and acting upon subjects that were often thought as taboo subjects. 

Black Lives Matter and the pandemic have highlighted systematic inequality, particularly within our BME communities. It has really brought to the forefront the very real issues that many in our society and our communities face on a daily basis in 2021. And I state the year, because it is quite bewildering that this severe inequality and racism still exists in our society in 2021. This plan is therefore welcome, timely and much needed. 

We very much welcome this cross-cutting and cross-department policy development approach, and the proactive rather than reactive approach that the Minister has outlined in her statement today about the plan—for example, as she has already outlined, incorporating black history to now be taught in the new curriculum. I hope that any successor Government and Ministers like Kirsty Williams would also adopt this approach going forward. If we as a nation are truly serious in combating racism in all its forms and guises, then this is the way we need to do it. 

Luckily, I believe that a lot of racism is generational and will die out naturally. It is always incredibly reassuring when you talk to our young people how important it is that we do tackle racism and inequality in our communities. In terms of Black Lives Matter, seeing the interaction with young people on Twitter, for example, with Manchester United Football Club—I say that because I'm a big fan myself—and how they're supporting the players when they've been abused, and things like that, is just wonderful to see and it's heartwarming. If that's a sign of things to come, I'm very happy to be a part of it, but we must remember that we are acting for those young people now, so action needs to be taken now.

We will need, obviously, very real innovative thinking and multiple partnership working to ensure that we get to the root of these systematic inequalities, and that we work in partnership with our local communities, our local authorities and community leaders to ensure that all backgrounds, all cultures, people of all languages within our communities engage with one another, and have opportunities to integrate naturally. I bring up sport again, as I do, but it's an example of a perfect enabler of bringing communities together in a natural way. It's important that we use that as one of the tools in doing so. 

It's fundamentally important and vital that we think about these things now, and our hopes, values and anti-racist stance, and that it's embedded in everything that we do—in our psyches when we're creating policy throughout the Senedd, and going forward into the sixth Senedd and beyond. I'm very pleased to say that the Welsh Conservatives are right behind you, Deputy Minister, on this plan and the approach, and we welcome this statement. 

Thank you very much, Laura, and thank you for your kind words and for your support for this plan. It does take me back to that debate we had back in October 2020. It was a debate and a motion that was supported by the vast majority of Senedd Members, a real cross-party consensus that we want to tackle racism and race inequality in Wales. Actually, it did recognise the need for a race equality action plan for Wales. It recognised structural and systemic inequality and that we had to address this in terms of developing a plan. So, now is the time for change, as you say. And of course, it's an opportunity for everyone in a position of power—Welsh Government, local government, public bodies and business. I'm glad that I've been able to share the draft plan ready for consultation with the shadow social partnership council, where, of course, we have not only trade unions but employers, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, the private sector, as well as the third sector, embracing the plan and recognising this is for the whole of Wales. It's for the whole of the Welsh Government as well as the whole of Wales.

What we're doing also, I think, importantly, is actually setting out deliverable and achievable actions to tackle racism and inequality. Over the last few weeks I've been meeting with all my colleagues in the Welsh Government, because this is about health and social care, it's about housing, education, income and employment, culture, arts, heritage and sport. And you've given that vivid example where we see that racism and racism being tackled, and also our communities and our young people responding to that as well, as a result of their understanding, and grasping the impact of Black Lives Matter and wanting to be part of the response. But it's also recognising that this is about leadership and representation. It's about the environment, the Welsh language, and it's about areas where we do work with the UK Government, like crime and justice.

This plan is about fairness. It's about ensuring that everyone is entitled to equal treatment and equal services, but the experiences of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in Wales, and years of data—years of data—show that it's simply not happening. What's come over, as I said, very clearly, is that this must not just be a strategy, it must be a plan of action. That's why we're engaging with those community mentors who've come into the Welsh Government, funding over 50 community organisations all over Wales, so all Senedd Members will have groups in their communities engaging with this—and also the Wales Race Forum and race equality organisations guiding us through. But of course, the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic people, and the death of George Floyd, have shone a light on those deep-seated inequalities that we must now address. I think this is a really good sign that we are getting this kind of response already in the Senedd this afternoon. Thank you.

Systemic and systematic racism in Wales have long been rife. Inequalities have been shown up even more during COVID, through its disproportionate effects on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. I'm still staggered that we still have yet to have a woman from a black, Asian or minority ethnic community representing people here in this Senedd, so we do have an awful long way to go.

The report from the Welsh Government's advisory group emphasising these issues should have been a final wake-up call for the Welsh Government to take urgent and immediate action to tackle the long-standing inequalities that exist in this country. Plaid Cymru called last summer for a full and thorough investigation into systemic racism in Wales, with concrete recommendations to be honoured. We led various debates here in the Senedd and outside, with various networks of people calling for change—for the mandatory inclusion of the history of black people and people of colour in the new curriculum, to inform pupils and set a precedent for a modern, forward-thinking country, free of prejudice, to enable the challenging of racist rhetoric. And we have led the debates against the toxic rhetoric on this front from the vocal far right. There is still so much work to be done on this front. You all know that Plaid Cymru wants Wales to have its own justice system so that we have the tools here to properly tackle all the different forms of inequalities that exist within the criminal justice system, including the disproportionate imprisonment rates of people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

So, my questions to you are: do you agree with me that more could be done if we had the criminal justice system fully devolved? Do you agree that more needs to be done in terms of giving teaching staff not just the resources but also the confidence to tackle and challenge racist attitudes when they arise in school? Do you accept that you haven't acted fast enough in tackling these inequalities that I've referred to? And while I commend an approach that commits to an anti-racist Wales, do you accept that challenging political rhetoric and embedding basic respect for difference at all levels within our society and communities is essential if this is going to be achieved?

Thank you very much, Leanne. And thank you, Leanne, because I know of your commitment to this and you've spoken up and it's very clear that, again, your support for the way forward in terms of tackling racism and racial injustice in Wales is something that you clearly embrace. And that's why it's so important that we've actually, in a sense, enabled black, Asian and minority ethnic people to create, to actually guide us and steer this plan, to the point where we believe it's not just going to be another plan, another strategy—it's going to be a plan that's shaped by the lived experience of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in Wales. And to have a plan that was co-created in that way, where we have a steering group, co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary and Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, where we've had mentors coming into the Welsh Government, who actually I met with yesterday, who said that it's changed their lives being actually listened to—that they've actually felt they have been treated as equals and that their everyday experience of racism in their lives, that now they feel there's a real chance, a real hope. And of course, this will only be delivered in terms of responding to that expectation if we all join together and deliver on this plan.

Now, it is important that the stakeholders said that we should include the criminal justice system in the plan, even though it isn't devolved. And we know that, of course, in terms of our powers and indeed the evidence of the David Lammy report from 2017, which revealed that lack of trust in our criminal justice system, and that we have to address this. And of course, this is something that I've taken to the policing partnership board. And everyone who comes into contact with the criminal justice system should receive equal treatment and equal outcomes, whatever their ethnicity. And the race equality action plan is an important vehicle in helping us to ensure that it actually does address this and includes crime and justice as a theme. And of course, as we strive to have influence in the policy area of crime and justice, this is crucial in terms of delivering on the race equality action plan.

But it is also important that we recognise that this is actually about delivery and implementation. So, implementation gap came over very clearly—a desire to have an accountability group to see, as we go through 12 weeks of consultation, that there's an accountability group, and the next Government has got to deliver on this, and will be tested and held to account by the Senedd, I know, in terms of the commitment that is coming through. So, there is a real opportunity here, and also it is an expectation that all of us have got to live up to. And I think your point about political representation is a message here in this Senedd, isn't it, as we move into a pre-election period, and to recognise that all political parties have got that responsibility and that opportunity to redress that lack of representation, but also in our public appointments. And that's why our 'Reflecting Wales in Running Wales' equality and inclusion strategy for public appointments is so important, and why we, for the first time, recruited—nowhere else in the UK—our independent panel members openly and transparently to get more diversity, but clearly we have got to deliver on this and that will be our expectation. 

I very much welcome the action plan, Minister, and I very much take the point that you've made, and that so many of the stakeholders have made, consistently over a period of time, that there's been a lot of identification of problems, but not nearly enough action to deal with them, and I think that's why an action plan is so welcome.

As you say, the pandemic has put the issues, the inequalities faced by our black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, in stark relief. Just this morning, I visited the Jamia mosque in Newport, which was set up as a one-day vaccination centre for today, because there's been not enough take-up within those communities of the vaccination. And we know that they've suffered disproportionately in terms of the physical harm and, indeed, the economic and social effects of COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. So, there's work to be done there, and it was good to see that initiative in Newport today. 

It's perhaps a slight paradox in some ways, Minister, that although there's been a lot of identification of the problems, we still don't have enough statistics really in terms of the prejudice, the discrimination, faced by our ethnic minorities here in Wales. So, I very much welcome what you say about, 'We need to think differently in terms of measuring and monitoring progress', because obviously, if we don't know our starting point and we're not able to measure the progress that we've made through the action plan, then, we're not in a position to comment effectively on its effectiveness and see whether change and tweaking is necessary. 

So, I wonder if you could provide just a little bit more detail in terms of what thinking differently is likely to mean in terms of measuring and monitoring progress on that essential delivery. And just, finally, Minister, in terms of the work done thus far, to what extent does it involve consideration of stakeholders from the Roma community, the Gypsy and Traveller community and those European Union state citizens still living in Wales? We need to make sure it's as inclusive as possible and, very often, there's a need for outreach into these communities, and I'd be grateful for your advice on to what extent that's likely to feature in the action plan. Diolch yn fawr. 

Diolch yn fawr, John Griffiths, and can I thank you, in your capacity as Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, for bringing this to the fore, in terms of your seminal reports in terms of exposing the inequalities, as a result of the impact of coronavirus, particularly on black, Asian, and minority ethnic people in communities, but also other people in groups with protected characteristics. And it's been important to have that scrutiny and that questioning from the Senedd in terms of preparations for taking this work forward, and, also, in terms of your role as Senedd Member for Newport East.

And I know that you and Jayne Bryant, your colleague, had a meeting, of course, with Vaughan Gething recently, and with community leaders, to look at the importance of raising the message of community engagement about the roll-out of the vaccination programme, and it's very good to hear of the mosque opening its doors to be a vaccination centre. But that's about trust—trust and engagement—that you have developed in your role as a Senedd Member and, also, Chair of the committee, and saying that this is about thinking differently and this has got to actually deliver change. And, also, seeing that this is something where, for example, one of our mentors—. One of our mentors is a councillor, Councillor Abdul-Majid Rahman, from Newport, who has huge experience and, also, being a member of the cabinet in Newport City Council, bringing to us not just his experience, but also saying how important local government is in terms of delivering those services, and recognising this is not a strategy, it's an action plan, and we had the Welsh Local Government Association clearly involved as a stakeholder.

But also, Gypsy, Traveller and Roma experience through mentoring and through also their engagement on the race forum, is very much impacting on the outcomes in the action plan. If you look at every department in the Welsh Government, they have responsibilities and action points that include that community. And also, that we've managed to extend the funding for the support for EU citizens in terms of settled status up until the end of this calendar year and having their voice and engagement as well to reflect the wonderful diversity of Wales; and also, going back to the points that I've made about the contribution in terms of the economy, community and particularly our health service and social care. Thank you.

I just want to thank Jane Hutt for all the work that she's done on this really challenging issue, which we know is not about to be finished any time soon. We really do have to ensure that those of us who return in the next Parliament really grasp this issue with both hands because this is a really complex area of work, because it's fantastic that Professor Williams's report on how we're going to teach black history in the curriculum is very, very important. But we're not going to be reaping the harvest of that for many years because, obviously, it takes time for children to work their way through the education system, and there's so much more that we need to do now.

I'm afraid that the death of people like Mohamud Hassan, Christopher Kapessa and Moyied Bashir really do make black and ethnic minority people feel very fearful about the workings of the criminal justice system. As Leanne said, there are far more black and ethnic minority people locked up than from any other ethnic group. But I think these unresolved, unexplained deaths also undermine people's faith in the police as the guardian of the law. So, there is a great deal more work to be done on that.

I also think it's also about people's sense of 'cynefin' in our community. And one of the most important things we did in this Parliament was not just to give the vote to 16 and 17-year-olds, but to give the vote to all citizens, whatever their nationality. And I just wonder, Deputy Minister, if you could tell us how the Government, as well as the Parliament, is ensuring or trying to reach out to people at this very difficult time to ensure that people know that they are entitled to vote in the elections on 6 May. There are so many people who I've met in the past who say, 'Oh, I'm not entitled to vote in this election', and we really do need to get that across to ensure that they have their say on how their taxes are being deployed on all our behalf.

Thank you very much, Jenny Rathbone, and thank you for all your support in this area and your commitment to an anti-racist Wales, because that's the vision—it's an anti-racist Wales. It was fantastic at the weekend to see national headlines outside of Wales saying, 'Lessons on black history to be compulsory in Welsh schools'. That was a headline. Thanks to Kirsty Williams for accepting all of the recommendations and for commissioning Charlotte Williams to do that work in the first place, but to also say that there will be mandatory anti-racism and diversity training for all our trainee and acting teachers—adopting that recommendation. And BAME history is to be mandatory in schools. There will be scholarships to support more BAME students to enter teacher training as well as mentoring and social support offered to teachers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. This is a fundamental change that we have to see coming back into the Senedd after this election. And it is important that this message goes out today, before the election, and that the leaders of the political parties in Wales stand against racism during this election campaign. And that's what we would be calling for, as a result of my statement today, in terms of the expectations that are now on us to deliver on this race equality action plan.

But I would say also that you have mentioned some very tragic criminal justice cases: the recent deaths of Mohamud Hassan and Moyied Bashir—absolute tragedies—and, of course, our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time. And, of course, referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct communication, and also a light shining on the outcomes of those cases. And, of course, this is where we have to ensure that we use every opportunity, transparently and openly, to support our communities and those we represent. But I think if we move forward in terms of the race equality action plan it is going to be, as I said in my statement, to the benefit of us all to embrace the opportunities of that vision that delivers an anti-racist Wales that will be for ourselves, for our economy, for our public services and for the people who have been blighted by racism. That, of course, is at the forefront of our goal and objectives. Diolch yn fawr.