Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:49 pm on 8 March 2022.
We will absolutely give a meaningful and positive welcome to people coming from Ukraine. Obviously, there are discussions with local government in respect of any funding required. But I will say that, just reflecting on that meeting, it really was an example of compassionate leadership in action. And that's the kind of leadership that we are all absolutely crying out for our UK Government now to be starting to turn its mind to. Because compassionate leadership isn't about being a pushover or an easy or soft touch, it's about seeing people as people. And, you know, we talk about one of these refugees coming to Wales, but, of course, in the UK at the moment, we've just got a handful of them. So, when the refugees do arrive, they will be assured of a really warm welcome. And that meeting that we had with local government leaders and others last week, really did make me positive that we will be able to provide that kind of warm and important welcome to them, and the support, of course, that they will need after fleeing such terrible circumstances.
We would expect that there would be consequential funding from the UK Government in respect of any resettlement kind of schemes that it would introduce, but, of course, we're still waiting, really, for the shape of those schemes to be clear from the UK Government, but, of course, local government and Welsh Government stand ready to welcome people.
So, just turning back to the settlement, Llywydd, I do commend it to the Senedd, it does reflect our commitment to public services and continues to support local government across Wales to deliver for the people of Wales.