The measures already announced by Welsh Government referenced in their amendments are, of course, welcome. Some, like free school meals, will be transformational. But there is much more that needs to be done; some of these are just not going to touch the sides. We heard the First Minister yesterday announce only one new measure, support for warm banks, and insist that efforts must be not on funding new initiatives to tackle this crisis but on maximising the take-up of those currently available. The purpose of our motion, passed before the recess, on making the winter fuel support scheme fit for purpose was to highlight that very vital need for the support available to reach the pockets of the eligible. 

The data published recently in answer to questions from the Equality and Social Justice Committee about the delivery of payments under this scheme, which will be again starting soon, listed payments made by local authority but offered no reference either to the proportion of eligible households taking up the payments or if any of those households had protected characteristics. I would like to know how and when the review of the last round took place, which the Prif Weinidog assured me had happened when I asked him yesterday. What crucial lessons have been learnt in order to ensure help is reaching those in need?

I made it clear earlier that this is no sudden catastrophe. One in three of our children have been living in poverty for the last two decades, the highest of all UK constituent countries, and we were the only UK nation to see child poverty rise instead of fall over the pandemic period. As well as the factors that I've already alluded to, which have contributed to this dire situation, attention must be drawn to the inertia and inadequacy of successive Welsh Governments to tackle shameful levels of poverty, which left Welsh households so vulnerable in the face of the storm that is now upon us. Back in 2009, Victoria Winckler of the Bevan Foundation, in response to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on what was needed to eradicate child poverty by 2020, stated, and I quote:

'The opportunity for the Welsh Assembly Government to seek further legislative powers to tackle child poverty should...be considered.'

Let us remind ourselves that a Labour Government was in power in Westminster at that time. Let us remind ourselves it was said in 2009. The Labour Welsh Government has had the opportunity to create change, yet has dragged their heels. And now, in 2022, our people are facing the hardest winter since our nation has had a Welsh Government to serve and support them. The logical wider conclusion to draw from our motion today is that Wales needs more power to protect its people. Even with all the measures announced, tens of thousands of people in Wales still face a winter going without essentials like food or the ability to wash with hot water, or having to borrow money at increasing interest rates just to meet the rising cost of living. If you acknowledge this crisis, vote for our motion. Vote for our motion if you believe that by passing the set of emergency measures we call for we can ensure people have money in their pockets when they need it and that there are more ways in which the Welsh Government can help the people it is meant to serve in the face of these skyrocketing bills, stagnating wages, cruel cuts to welfare and record increases in food prices and essentials.

This may mean looking again at departmental budgets. I think the scale of the crisis merits that. We are suggesting consideration of wide-ranging steps, many of which other Governments are implementing—capping transport costs, freezing rents, banning winter evictions. Vote for our motion if you agree it is the duty of the Welsh Government to act proportionately to the scale of this crisis, holistically and quickly. My fellow Plaid Cymru Members will outline why we are calling for the specific measures, and it would be good to hear Members' views on these measures and suggestions for further actions that can be taken. I look forward to hearing Members' views and urge you to show your constituents that their Senedd hears them and will support them.