Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:26 pm on 14 September 2021.
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer, and thank you very much, Minister, for a great job. I'm sure that the Minister will join me in recognising the enormous contribution of our armed forces in airlifting 15,000 people from Afghanistan to the United Kingdom. I know that the US and UK handling of the withdrawal is subject to much debate, but for me, as someone who has made his home in this country, our key focus now needs to be on what we are doing to help to ensure we discharge our humanitarian duties to those who have fled the fear, the discrimination and the pain of an Afghanistan that is sadly no longer theirs. I hope the Minister agrees with me that in welcoming people to Wales, we need to do more than merely offer people a building in which to rest, but a home where connections to the local community are forged to help people to readjust to their new lives and where our land of opportunity can reach out to them in offering the chance to study and to work.
Before I ask a couple of questions, I do want to raise one concern, and that is the work that is needed to mitigate the risk of radicalisation. Islam teaches universal brotherhood, freedom from fear, racial equality, fight against despair, and fearlessness. There is urgency for communities to come together and accommodate each other in the greater interest of this country.
Now, going to the questions, Minister: does the Minister have a steer at this point as to how many of those 15,000 we're able to house and support in Wales? Can the Minister detail the level of accommodation she believes is now available to support those who can settle in Wales?
The Prime Minister announced financial support for the NHS and to charities to provide mental health support for our military personnel; can the Minister outline what plans are now in place to ensure support for those who are travelling home?
The Prime Minister also announced free English courses and university scholarships; what discussions has she had with partners in the education and higher education sectors about the scope and resources needed to provide similar support to those settling in Wales?
Last: what contact has she had with colleagues in the United Kingdom Government about the funding requirements for school places, and what assessment has been conducted across Wales to identify capacity? Thank you, Minister.