I'm also really delighted to welcome you—and congratulate you, which I haven't had the opportunity to do—to be the spokesperson on social justice for Plaid Cymru, and to respond to your questions on this very important statement, which I know Plaid Cymru has fully backed. Indeed, it was very good, in the previous Senedd, when the committee that was chaired by John Griffiths, which obviously had Plaid Members, had Members from across the Senedd—. There was such strong support for the race equality action plan, as we were developing it, and the evidence that they were taking, particularly of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on black, Asian and minority ethnic people, but also looking at the socioeconomic impacts as well—. And what was really important was that, as we looked at the disproportionate impact, we were able to get benefit from Professor Emmanuel Ogbonna, who worked with people with lived experience as they were living it, looking at the socioeconomic impacts. That's why the race equality action plan looks—and, indeed, the programme for government, which is so important—. If you look through the programme for government, it's not just equality that's addressing these issues. There are actions in terms of housing, in terms of employability, in terms of improving access to apprenticeships, and also in terms of education, as I've already said.

Now, one of the most important issues in the early starting work of those who were co-constructing the plan was to look at what should the priorities be: yes, of course, health and social care, but also education, employment and income and leadership and representation, which is where we will make the changes. The criminal justice system also came in, even though it's not devolved. It was very clear, from the discussions and also looking at the evidence from reports like the David Lammy report, that we needed to look at the impact of the criminal justice system and, indeed, what we can do with our powers, but also looking at, again, the programme for government, looking at policing and devolving policing and justice and how we progress that, but looking at housing and accommodation, culture, heritage, sport, local democracy, Welsh language, environment, all of it—everything that we are responsible for as a Senedd—but of course much more than that.

I just also want to say that there is a chapter in the plan, and I'm sure that you will respond to it fully, in terms of the criminal justice system and how we can take action to support and respond within our powers and then look further to what we can do. Some of that will be in partnership as well, in terms of non-devolved policies. The chapter is called 'Crime, Justice, Hateful Attitudes and Community Cohesion', and community cohesion, of course, is crucial in terms of how we address the impact of racism on people, individuals and communities.

Building cohesive and integrated communities is very much part of the actions, recognising that there's underrepresentation of black, Asian and minority ethnic people in the criminal justice system as well, that we need to ensure that that's reflected, particularly in relation to our criminal justice agencies, but also recognising that this is part of how we refresh our Wales hate support centre, and I've already commented on those points. So, with your support, I think there are real opportunities, as committees start forming, and moving forward, to not only engage with how we respond to the race equality action plan, but how we take it forward.

But I have to say that we did provide funding, not only for groups to contribute to the development of the plan, but, as I said in my statement, we wanted to also, within this consultation period, reach out to more groups to really dive deeply into communities. So, we’ve given out more grants to say, 'This is the plan' so that they can respond and contribute to it. So, it’s been a commitment from across the whole of the Welsh Government.

But I think as the values—. If you look at the plan, our purpose is to make a meaningful change to the lives of black, Asian and minority ethnic communities by tackling racism, and we believe that minority ethnic people are asking only for their rights, as opposed to favours in decision making, in the workforce and service delivery and in all aspects of everyday lives.

Thank you also for commenting on Invisible Man and what started in Wales, and Maya Angelou. When I went to—. I spoke to the Windrush elders today, and they spoke of 73 years, when they came on the Empire Windrush. They came because they were asked to come. As they said, 'We answered': 'Britain called—we answered.' That was on the flag, and to hear Roma Taylor, a veteran of the 203 Welsh field hospital, speaking today was very powerful.