3. Statement by the Counsel General and Minister for the Constitution: The Legislative Programme

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:22 pm on 6 July 2021.

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Photo of Mick Antoniw Mick Antoniw Labour 3:22, 6 July 2021

I thank Mike Hedges for the comments he's raised, and, of course, he has raised on many occasions during the debates in the Senedd in the last term, but also even this year. Referring to the social partnership and procurement Bill, this is a long-standing commitment that has been made. I think it, potentially, is one of the most radical and foresighted pieces of legislation, particularly in the post-COVID arena where we talk about doing things differently and doing things better, and that must mean, I think, using procurement as a means of driving forward those socioeconomic objectives, which are devolved to us, which are our responsibility, and I think we would be irresponsible not to take those opportunities in order to do that.

Fire and rehire has been one of the disgraces that has emerged out of the COVID pandemic in the way certain employers—and I say 'certain' because many employers have acted with absolute integrity in terms of their workforce and their businesses. But fire and rehire, unfortunately, is an area that comes within the reserved area of employment law, and is an area where there have been calls, from the Labour opposition and others, for a change in legislation to realign the balance in terms of the rights of workers against the interests and opportunities of businesses to take advantage of the pandemic. But, certainly, in terms of the social partnership Bill, one of the objectives is to identify socioeconomic objectives, and, obviously, the conduct of employers in terms of environment, in terms of health, in terms of equality and in terms of many areas that are devolved, in terms of the implementation of section 1 that we implemented of the Equality Act 2010, are factors that will be taken into account in terms of achievement of those socioeconomic objectives. Obviously, a lot of work is going on at the moment in respect of the consultation that has concluded with regard to the social partnership Bill that we'd hope to have tabled before the end of the Senedd year.

In respect of the no-detriment rule, well, we have to absolutely defend that—that if there are changes to taxation arrangements at UK level that impact on the finances of this Senedd, then those have to be compensated for. I welcome the comments you make in respect of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 and the protection of tenants and the rights therein, and I think I've already made those comments about the absolute importance of the prioritisation of the implementation of that legislation.