Questions now from party spokespeople. The Conservative spokesperson, Joel James. 

Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, do you agree with the Older People's Commissioner for Wales's analysis of the recent High Court rulings on testing in care homes during COVID-19?

This is a question that—. Indeed, the First Minister responded to these questions yesterday, and, of course, all these issues will be dealt with by the independent inquiry. 

Thank you. It's a shame, Minister, that you continue to peddle the lines of your First Minister, and the previous health Minister, who seem to think that the Welsh Government's actions or inaction during COVID-19 should have little consequence. It should be remembered that Wales was a full two weeks behind England before your Government introduced blanket testing in care homes, and I remind the Senedd that the older people's commissioner has recently said that the High Court ruling underlines the need for a Wales-specific public inquiry to examine the impact of decisions made by the Welsh Government, and provide people with the much-needed answers they're looking for. Your refusal to have a Wales-specific public inquiry suggests you're happy with the status quo. Will you stand up for older people's rights and place your weight behind the older people's commissioner's call?

Well, I'm very pleased to have regular meetings with the older people's commissioner. In fact, I met with the older people's commissioner only a few weeks ago, and the topics that she wanted to raise with me were ways in which we could improve older people's rights in Wales, and we discussed a range of ways in which we can do that. She was very pleased that we said that we were going to not only boost the access to pensioner credit campaign, which is crucial to the rights of older people in Wales, but also look at issues, for example, like ensuring that our violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence strategy also addresses issues relating to elder abuse. 

It's critically important that the older people's commissioner stands up for the rights of older people in Wales. She is an independent commissioner. And, in my role, and indeed, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, we not only listen to the issues of the older people's commissioner, specifically around those policy areas we know, like the cost of living, which, of course, the Tory Government is making so hard for older people, but we're actually responding to those key issues she raises.

Thank you, Minister, for your comments, but I think many people will still be disappointed with the response you've given. 

Turning to another topic, in the news, we have heard time and time again about just how cash-strapped the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales thinks her budget is. But we then see her wasting money on universal basic income feasibility studies and research into a four-day working week. Only recently, I was scrolling through social media when I stumbled across a music video about the future generations commissioner and the work her office does. I wouldn't even like to imagine how much money was spent on that, and it was quite a cringeworthy video, I must say. Minister, in light of the commissioner's comments about being strapped for cash, do you agree that splashing out on a music video is not the best use of her budget, funded by the Welsh taxpayer? Thank you. 

Well, I'm very pleased from the response that I get to the well-being of future generations legislation and, indeed, the appointment of a strong independent commissioner. And I just wondered whether you also would like to reflect on the points that she made only earlier this week, which I think are very relevant to all of us here in this Chamber. In the last few days, the future generations commissioner, Sophie Howe, and, indeed, Laura Anne Jones, shared their own stories of sexism whilst in public life. I know, unfortunately, there are many colleagues in this Chamber who will have their own examples to share. And it was very brave of the future generations commissioner, and, indeed, colleagues across all parties in this Chamber, to come out with this. I'm proud of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the record of the commissioner. The well-being of future generations agenda is permeating and driving continuous improvement in how Government and public bodies work. This is about future generations expecting a better quality of life on a healthy planet. This is pioneering legislation, which is now being reflected across the world. 

Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Sioned Williams. 

Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, the oil and gas companies are making obscene record-breaking profits, billions upon billions of pounds. It's really hard to stomach and certainly feels unacceptable, while we are witnessing a cost-of-living crisis in Wales on a scale that is difficult to comprehend. Citizens Advice Cymru estimate that more than one in five people in Wales won't have enough money left after paying essential bills to pay for the predicted further rise in energy prices in October. The latest fuel poverty estimates show that 98 per cent of low-income households are living in fuel poverty, and a staggering 41 per cent of low-income households are said to be living in severe fuel poverty. It was unbelievable and, frankly, disgusting to hear Boris Johnson say yesterday that there isn't a magic solution for families in need, when the UK Government has failed to use the power and resources it has available to support people when they need it most.

The attempts the Welsh Government has made to mitigate this crisis are welcome, with measures such as the winter fuel support scheme. I'm sure the Minister agrees with me it's crucial that payments available from Welsh Government reach all eligible households. Therefore, could the Minister, please, provide an update on the level of uptake of the winter fuel support scheme? What lessons have been learnt for the future roll-out of the future scheme, which she has announced to be launched in the autumn? And is it the Minister's intention to make payments ahead of October to help stop people going without heat and power in the coldest months?  

Diolch yn fawr, Sioned Williams, for those important questions. I'm sure you would join with me, as you have already expressed, in our disgust with the way the Prime Minister responded yesterday—disgust with the way that he talked about people without any understanding of what people's lives were really like. He couldn't answer the question when asked, 'What do you think about someone who is actually only able to have one meal a day and who travels in a bus in order to keep warm with their free bus pass?' But it's crucial that we do what we can in the Welsh Government.

On our winter fuel support scheme, we're now with the local government elections, and as soon as those are through, we will get the latest figures on the take-up of the winter fuel support scheme. We're going to extend eligibility, and we will, of course—we've just been talking about pensioners—be looking not just in terms of those on pension credit, but wider eligibility in terms of the take-up. Because I want to make sure that we can get that funding straight into the pockets of those who need it through this terrible crisis in terms of fuel poverty.

Also, next week, I'm having a meeting—a round-table—on tackling food poverty as well, because this is all part of the cost-of-living crisis, to look at what we can do, and to understand the ways in which foodbanks and those organisations who are tackling food poverty are also engaging with tackling fuel poverty as well, and looking at ways in which fuel vouchers, for example, can also be part of the way in which we'll support. I would just say on Citizens Advice, it's so important, the role that they play in terms of Claim What's Yours for every benefit, which is on UK benefit take-up. But we are pressing them. 

Diolch, Weinidog. One of the aims of the Government's UBI pilot scheme is to enhance support available to young people who are leaving care in an attempt to tackle poverty and address inequality. Innovative and radical measures, such as UBI, are key in tackling the cost-of-living crisis. But Barnardo's Cymru, while welcoming the scheme, has raised some questions in relation to sustainable housing. Young people leaving care often access semi-independent accommodation, such as flats in a complex, but this sort of semi-independent accommodation is expensive to run and, as such, rents can be high. For many people leaving care, rent would be paid directly to landlords of this type of accommodation via housing benefit. However, people taking part in the basic income pilot will have reduced benefits as a result of their income. So, Minister, Welsh Government must ensure that participants in the pilot are financially supported to access the best possible support and accommodation. How will the Government ensure participants are not financially disincentivised from accessing supported housing?

I'm very grateful, as I have said before, for your support and for your party's support for our UBI pilot. We're in the stages now of ensuring that we scope the pilot, particularly working with young people themselves, care experienced young people, to make sure that we get this right in terms of their needs and expectations. What is very important about the pilot is that it is unconditional. They will be getting their funding but also support in terms of the way that they can then access housing, access jobs, training and education. The basic income pilot is focused, of course, on those leaving care from 18. It's going to be launched in this financial year, and it is going to provide that cohort with £1,600 per month for a duration of 24 months. This should make a significant and positive change to participants' lives. Also, we need to recognise what this means in terms of their access to funding and to other benefits—in terms of housing benefits, for example. But I will look at that particular point that you've raised with me, because this is a crucial time in terms of us moving forward and indeed scoping our evaluation of the basic income pilot, which will be crucial in terms of lessons learnt.