Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:32 pm on 22 June 2021.
Thank you, Llywydd. Well, it is true that, for technical reasons largely connected to the reconfiguration of the English solution to meet Welsh requirements, it was not possible to launch the app in Wales at the same time as it was launched in NHS England. I don't agree that the solution that has been in place in Wales in the last four weeks is archaic. Over 10,000 people have received certificates through that way of doing things, and it's due to the very hard work of the team in the Swansea bay health board that that's been possible. Once the English system manages to do its job, and to make access for Welsh people available to it, I'm afraid, Llywydd it will not be available in Welsh. Despite repeated requests to the UK Government to respect the law here in Wales, they tell us they won't be able to do that for several more months, but, within the next few days, we do anticipate that it will be possible for Welsh citizens to use the same solution, albeit it not via the app but via a website portal. The journey thereafter will be identical to the app and Welsh people will be able to use it in real time in the way that the English system has been available in England since 17 May.