I've mentioned the fact that we have to address the pay gap. I've mentioned the work that's being done, the money that's being invested in accessible transport. I've mentioned our access to elected office fund, and I've also mentioned the ways in which we can reach out to support disabled people through the pandemic. I think our commitments to disabled people in terms of the disability equality forum have been key for us to work with disabled people to get services right. But we do have to recognise that there are huge barriers as well. You've mentioned access to justice, as well. We know that there are issues around mental health and well-being, and it's where we have got the powers to make change that we must demonstrate action and delivery as well.

You've mentioned the access to direct payments. I'm sure that the Member will be aware of the direct payments resource hub. It's hosted on Social Care Wales's website. That's been co-produced, with really good information about direct payments, with disabled people and others. So, that is something where we need to get a comprehensive engagement with our local authorities in terms of good examples of how they work closely with people to develop solutions using access to direct payments, but also that we can look at some of the day centres and respite services. The fact is that closures have had a really adverse impact during lockdown, and also the fact that those have impacted on disabled people and their families and carers. But we've made clear to local authorities that they should continue to reopen day centres and respite services safely and as soon they can. This is happening in a phased process as well, and there's much to be learned from that in terms of some of the work that's been done with funding from the Deputy Minister for Social Services in terms of Carers Rights Day.

I think it is important to recognise that we have serious issues where we are making representations to the UK Government, raising concerns about the impact of welfare reforms in Wales, particularly the impact on certain groups. I'm sure Senedd Members will know from their surgeries and their casework about these issues. Certain protected groups, including disabled people, are being disproportionately affected, as we've said this afternoon, by the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to have a social security system that is actually robust and flexible to respond to challenges. I think there are lessons to be learned as a result of COVID-19 and ways that we can address this. We know that some of those reforms, like the introduction of the personal independent payment to replace disability living allowance, have had adverse impacts, and we are making representations to the UK Government over benefit changes such as PIP and impacts on disabled people. More needs to be done to help disabled people with long-term health conditions as well to understand the benefits system and access their entitlements. So, again, we are working on that, and look forward to exploring that further in terms of the issues around the devolution of the administration of welfare benefits.

I think we have got real opportunities with the disability rights taskforce we've got, within our powers. And also where we have to make representations to the UK Government, we will do that. We have to also recognise that there is still an issue in terms of hate crime and lack of awareness and understanding of the needs and rights of disabled people. I finally want to say that we continue to fund the national hate crime report and support centre, run by Victim Support Cymru. That's free, confidential advice and advocacy to all victims of hate crime. Hate Hurts Wales is our anti-hate crime campaign, and we do see, very sadly, in the national hate crime statistics, a 16 per cent increase in recorded hate crime, of which 11 per cent were disability hate crimes. So, we have a real responsibility, not just in Government but all of us, in terms of raising these issues.