I'd like to start my contribution today by thanking the new children's commissioner and her team for their work in producing this comprehensive report. I'd also like to join colleagues from across the Siambr in offering my thanks to Professor Sally Holland for all that she achieved during her term of office.

Sally was a robust champion of the rights of children and young people in Wales. I was able to join her on a visit to Cynon Valley Organic Adventures in Abercynon in my constituency last year. This was for their big lunch during Volunteers' Week, and it was a great opportunity for Sally to speak to some of the young people that Janis and her team worked with. Thanks to Sally for taking the time to visit. I know that this is a field in which she will continue to make a significant contribution.

Turning to the annual report, I want to focus on a few key areas—firstly, the sections relating to tackling child poverty. We all know, of course, that this is one of the most fundamental issues facing our society. The data quoted in the report on the scale of the challenge is sobering enough. However, the latest figures from Loughborough University’s Centre for Research in Social Policy suggest the number of children in poverty in Wales has increased even beyond this. We also know this is likely to have been further exacerbated by the unprecedented cost-of-living pressure. In the context of these facts, I am truly shocked and appalled by the lack of engagement with the children’s commissioner from the UK Government. The report notes multiple occasions where members of the UK Cabinet refused to meet with the children’s commissioner, or even reply to correspondence. As one of those who failed to respond, the then work and pensions Secretary, is currently Deputy Prime Minister, it does not augur well for the Truss administration in the key challenge of rising to the issue of tackling child poverty.

I note in contrast the actions of the Welsh Government, which the children’s commissioner has welcomed. Policies such as the roll-out of universal free school meals, the provision of free school breakfasts, an expanded childcare offer, Flying Start and an enhanced PDG access grant to help with the cost of the school day all make a real difference. From my engagement with the project in my constituency, I also want to mention the food and fun clubs that provide such benefits to those families eligible to participate. These actions and more demonstrate the commitment of Welsh Ministers to eliminate child poverty. That said, I am sympathetic to the commissioner’s comments around the child poverty action plan. If taken on board, that could lead to a really strong piece of work that ensures a relentless laser focus from all of us on giving every Welsh child the best possible start.

I’m also sympathetic to the commissioner’s recommendation around free public transport for under-18s in Wales. I recently hosted an event for the National Education Union Cymru and the Child Poverty Action Group here at the Senedd. This was to mark the launch of the ‘Tackling Child Poverty Together’ short guide for schools. Quite a few children and young people from Welsh schools attended, and their big ask was that they should be able to freely use public transport. I know the Deputy Minister for Climate Change is passionately keen to change habits and encourage greater use of buses and trains. I appreciate money is tight, but meeting this recommendation, even in terms of the requested pilot, could go a long way to encouraging excellent lifelong habits of public transport use.

Finally, the section around whole-school mental health and well-being support. As a former teacher, as a mother of a teenager, and from my constituency postbag, I know this work is completely necessary. The commissioner rightly praises the interventions the Welsh Government has made—that’s both in terms of the approach itself and providing funding so that it can properly be implemented. When our children and young people are under such pressures, we should offer them no less. I look forward to the swift and effective roll-out of this across Wales as a matter of urgency. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.