3. Statement by the Minister for Social Justice: Afghanistan

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:34 pm on 14 September 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 3:34, 14 September 2021

Thank you very much, Joyce Watson, and, as I said, thank you for your support for the nation of sanctuary and everything that we are striving to achieve here in Wales in this response. I think it's very important that we recognise that they will have indefinite leave to remain as a result of arriving under either of these two schemes. And that's so crucial in terms of access to services and access to people and access to democratic arrangements that we have here in Wales.

So, I've said that it would be very good if we can meet together; I would hope that, particularly with your experience, we could reach out to the women who are arriving as mothers, workers, as well as partners in families, and the girls and young women as well. There will be lots of outreach, and it's already starting, in terms of the temporary outreach from the Urdd. But I think the point of their concerns as well about what they've left behind, and the concerns that they have that they will be here. But they have skills that we will also—and a voice that we want to hear and learn from.

We do want to support them to re-enter the labour market as soon as possible, and also we've got—. So, as part of that, the Department for Work and Pensions are actually involved with this. There are already businesses and companies who are interested in seeing what employment opportunities there will be. And of course that's why some of that work in terms of getting your national insurance number, et cetera, bank account, is crucially important.

But I think there's—. Many of us have the experience of supporting and working with Syrian refugees in Wales, and the amazing role the women are playing and the ways in which the children and everyone are such an important, vital part—citizens in our communities. And that's what we would want to see progress.