Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy – in the Senedd at 1:33 pm on 29 September 2021.
Thank you, Minister, for that initial answer. I've received a letter from the Public and Commercial Services union raising, and I quote, 'real concerns about safety being compromised by Department for Work and Pensions management in Newport, recklessly putting both staff and claimants at risk at Newport jobcentre'. The letter notes a series of concerning issues, Minister, relating to a lack of physical distancing, poor ventilation and cuts to cleaning. Two members of staff are, as I understand, being compelled to work in the jobcentre when they are close contacts of children in their households who've tested positive for COVID. With the imminent ending of furlough, there will be presumably even more pressure on DWP services and we could see even more people being brought into these unsafe spaces and an increase in COVID in the community. Would you agree with me, Minister, that public sector workers deserve certainty and security when it comes to knowing they won't be put in dangerous situations at work?
And finally, Minister, what urgent actions will you take to protect workers and claimants at Newport jobcentre and centres across Wales to ensure safety standards are enforced and that not one member of staff or the public are put at increased risk?