6. Statement by the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip: The Wales Race Equality Action Plan — an anti-racist Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:43 pm on 23 March 2021.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 5:43, 23 March 2021

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.