6. Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: A Bill on a rights-based approach to services for older people

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:28 pm on 30 June 2021.

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Photo of Gareth Davies Gareth Davies Conservative 4:28, 30 June 2021

Thank you very much again, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to thank everybody this afternoon for their fantastic contributions.

Janet Finch-Saunders talked about the legislation that has been a priority of the Welsh Conservatives for some time now, further protection of rights, elderly people being in isolation, and the great community support from Llandudno rotary club, and others in the local community, who are there to help our elderly people in a particularly difficult time during the pandemic over the last 15 months, and that holistic approach that comes as a result of that. Because, essentially, it's a non-exhaustive list of needs, sometimes, with some individuals, and that's really important to highlight.

Thanks very much as well to Peredur, who takes a great interest in this subject. It's good to see you being Plaid's spokesman on this, on a subject that you feel really passionate about. You highlighted the lack of online banking facilities or the lack of knowledge from—or perhaps a lack of knowledge from—elderly people of how to use that, and they felt isolated as a result, and scams and death rates in care homes increasing.

And thank you as well to Julie Morgan for rightly covering human rights and some of the UK legislation that's already in place. But, I think, in terms of not being able to support this this afternoon is quite disappointing. We have a chance here where we have the devolved powers to enact these things, and the Welsh Government have a good opportunity to stand up for the population that makes up a fifth of this country, and it's a fantastic opportunity to do that this afternoon. I just want to come back and say this isn't political, it's got cross-party support. I've had some supportive messages from even some Labour MSs this afternoon. So, you know, it goes to show that this is a consensus, and it's all nice when we agree on things. So, I'm quite disappointed that the Welsh Government can't support this this afternoon.

I'll just close by urging colleagues to support this motion in front of you this afternoon. Thank you very much.