Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 1:51 pm on 5 October 2022.

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Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 1:51, 5 October 2022

Thank you very much, Sioned Williams. Of course, the First Minister did answer this question yesterday from your leader, and he did comment on the Scottish Government's Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Bill that is before the Scottish Parliament. Also, he recognised in his response to that that, in respect particularly of protecting social tenants in Wales, for example, over the winter from rent increases, social rents are set annually, with the next change in social rents not due until April 2023. I think the key thing is that the Minister for Climate Change, of course, responsible for housing, will be considering evidence and options for future social rents over the coming weeks to inform us in terms of future decisions. 

I went to a cost-of-living event this morning organised by Hafod in my constituency. They were offering financial support and advice to all of their tenants who are struggling in Wales now with the cost-of-living crisis. What they were doing was making sure that they knew about our winter fuel support scheme, the £200 that they can get into people's bank accounts and support them now, making sure that they knew about announcements that we've made as a Welsh Government about not just the income maximisation but the warm hubs, and also my announcement yesterday. I think you will have seen my written statement on more funding for food poverty and making sure that children and parents are aware of the Healthy Start vouchers. So, there's a lot of support, and it's to all generations, in terms of also making sure that older people are aware of pension credit and their entitlements. 

Can I just say that we are committed to supporting tenants at this difficult time, supporting them to remain in their homes? We've invested an additional £6 million via our homelessness prevention grant, but we are reviewing with interest the Scottish Government's approach. But clearly, also, as we discuss often with our Scottish Government colleagues, there are different ways to achieve the same objective.