We've heard already today how the cost-of-living crisis and the housing crisis have a greater impact on certain sections of society or communities than others. As Plaid Cymru's spokesperson for older people and communities, I'm aware just how difficult winter can be at the best of times for older people, and this certainly isn't the best of times. Older people in Wales are amongst those most likely to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis. Given we have a higher proportion of older people living here in Wales, compared to other nations in the UK, this is a particular worry.

For many older people, turning the heating down or off is not an option, and they will be feeling the higher energy costs more than most in the coming months. I hope we can all agree here that no older person in our communities should be at risk of homelessness this winter. Older people should also be able to retire with dignity, with enough income to live comfortably and happily. It is an enduring disgrace that this has been denied to many women in Wales due to the Tory Government's ill-advised and ill-mannered pension equalisation policy, which has pushed many into poverty. This policy was rushed through, and it left the retirement plans of so many women in Wales in absolute tatters. 

The rent freeze and eviction ban we are calling for today would not only protect older people from homelessness, but it will ensure that, in the face of rent inflation, older people can remain connected to their communities and live around the people who support them. This will be essential during winter months to prevent issues such as falls and cold home-related illnesses. If older people have to downgrade to less appropriate housing due to rising prices, they may experience social isolation, illnesses, fuel poverty and even winter deaths. A lot of these consequences can be avoided if the measures in our motion today were to be implemented. 

Moving on, the cost of living and housing crisis will negatively impact on the wider community without emergency measures. Rent inflation threatens to push lower-income tenants out of the neighbourhoods they live in and potentially contribute to the gentrification that we have already seen elsewhere. Another consequence would be increasing commuting times, as well as having potentially psychological and social consequences on the individuals and communities affected. 

Finally, research from the United States has found that rent controls can be particularly effective at preventing the displacement of racial minorities and can help foster diversity in affected areas. If we are to do right by the most vulnerable people in Wales, we need to go further than what we are currently doing. Please support this motion. Diolch yn fawr.