The next item will be the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement—Lesley Griffiths.

Thank you. There are a few changes to this week's business. I will make a statement on avian influenza later this afternoon, and the statement on the response to the UK Government's financial plan and economic forecast and the debate on the LCM on the Northern Ireland protocol Bill have been postponed until 22 November. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.

Trefnydd, can I call for a statement from the Minister for local government on the news that scores of asylum seekers are being housed at a luxury hotel in rural Conwy in north Wales? This is something that has caused a great deal of concern amongst the community, because there's been no communication whatsoever prior to this arrangement being made with either local representatives or, indeed, I understand, with the Welsh Government or the local authority. Now, clearly, we have to make sure that accommodation is suitable for asylum seekers until their asylum claims are determined, and the UK Government has a significant challenge on its hands, but many people have had their bookings cancelled, wedding events are being cancelled, guests have had their bookings at the hotel cancelled as well. And, of course, we've got a huge strain already on many of our public services in the area, and people want to know what's going to be done to make sure that they're not also given additional burdens as a result of this decision, which appears to have been imposed upon all of us from above.

Can I ask for an urgent statement on that, and what the Welsh Government is doing to work with the UK Government and, indeed, the local authority concerned, Conwy County Borough Council, to make sure that the needs of these individuals are met and that they can be appropriately housed, not in a luxury hotel at a time when we've got lots of housing problems already in north Wales, but in appropriate accommodation that is fit for purpose?

It's very hard for the Welsh Government, or the local authority, I would say, to work with UK Government when they're completely ignored. As you say, we had no prior knowledge of this, and I want to be really clear, Llywydd, that the UK Government is responsible for immigration policy and delivery. They've got a system now that I think is broken and they really need to fix this as quickly as possible, because what we're seeing are the human consequences of that broken system, and I don't think it does anyone any good.

I know that the Minister for Social Justice is or has written to the Home Office as a matter of urgency today to make these points very, very strongly. And this isn't at you at all, but I think I would want to appeal to everybody, as you've raised this issue, that it is really best to avoid the use of inflammatory language when we're dealing with this issue. I've certainly seen words that I wouldn't have wanted to see in relation to this, and words have consequences, and I think it's really important that we all treat this issue with sensitivity and care.

Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement outlining the Welsh Government's position on restricting the sale of fireworks, please. We've just had bonfire night, and as with every year, countless animals have been desperately frightened by the noises and the flashes of fireworks not just on one night, but the three, four or five nights surrounding bonfire night as well. Classic FM had put on soothing music specifically to console people's pets that were distressed, and that's a lovely thing, but surely, it really shouldn't have had to happen.

There are safety concerns for children when it comes to fireworks as well, and there's an immense difference between the wonderful professional displays that are put on in our communities and people setting them off in their own gardens. Would the Welsh Government be able to learn from the Scottish experience and their fireworks and pyrotechnics Bill, and is this an area where the Welsh Government is seeking to do more? I'd welcome a statement setting this out, please.

Thank you. You do raise a very important point, and I know that when I had the environment portfolio, I regularly met with my counterparts in the UK Government and also Scotland, because, obviously, it is a reserved matter, and it would need the UK Government to ban the sale of fireworks. But I think the important point you make is that it's not just one night; this has continued, and even last night I could hear fireworks. So, I think it is certainly something that we would want to look at, to look at the best practice to see if there is anything we could do. I don't know if the Minister for Climate Change is continuing to have those discussions with the UK Government counterpart now that we do have a new Government in place, but I think it's certainly something that we all, as Members of the Senedd, get quite a significant postbag about.

I recently met with Caerphilly constituents Ellie and Owain James. At the age of 34, Owain has been diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour, and if no action is taken, the couple have been told that he will have just months to live. He's been advised on one treatment that could help him extend his life, but it's not yet been approved by NICE or the all-Wales medicines strategy group, and although very promising, it is still in the final stages of clinical trials with the medical and healthcare products regulatory agency. The only option available to them currently, therefore, is for them to pay privately—something that would cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds.

I'm also aware of the case of Caerpilly resident 15-year-old Ethan Hamer, who has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer that requires a similar form of treatment, and that form of treatment is in the early deployment stages. Both Owain and Ethan have crowdfunding sites set up in their names, which I intend to share on my social media. I've written to the Minister for Health and Social Services on the issue, but in the meantime, could the Welsh Government bring forward a statement on accessibility to new medicines that have not yet been approved for use with NHS Wales?

Thank you, and I'm certainly very sorry to hear about the health issues that both Owain and Ethan are experiencing. What we as a Government expect is that people are able to access recommended therapies routinely through the NHS, and it's important to highlight that there are treatments that are routinely available for brain tumours. You obviously referred to new therapies that have to go through, quite correctly, both NICE and the medicines and healthcare regulatory agency trials, and they are normally developed through clinical trials ahead of that. Obviously, we would expect eligible patients in Wales to be able to access open clinical trials as well, prior to licensing any new therapy, if, indeed, that was the clinical decision that had been taken. You've done absolutely the right thing writing to the Minister for Health and Social Services, and I'm sure that she'll respond in due course.

Leader of the house, could I seek two statements? One on care workers, due to the Government's announcement back in the spring to make money available to pay the real living wage to care workers here in Wales—a welcome initiative, I might add. I've been approached by various care providers in my own region, but I understand it's similar across the rest of Wales, that this money was transferred to local authorities and there was an element of local authority discretion as to how much of the £40 million-plus budget was made available to the care providers to hit that target of paying the real living wage. In the COVID crisis, when the Welsh Government had a similar initiative to reward care workers by giving them a £1,500 uplift in their wages, that money was paid directly to the care providers so that the money could be transferred to the employees in their employment. It's my understanding that many care providers are struggling to meet this obligation now, because local authorities have taken discretionary decisions over the allocation of this money. I have written to the Deputy Minister, but could we have a statement to talk about the general implementation of this policy? And, is she conscious of these concerns that have been raised with me, as I understand Care Forum Wales have raised similar concerns with her directly, and what action is the Welsh Government taking to remediate these concerns?

And my second request for a statement is in relation to the cladding announcement that the Minister made, who I can see is in her place today, in relation to the obligations and the voluntary agreement that she reached with developers here in Wales at the start of October. It's my understanding that those developers were to come forward to the Welsh Government within one month of signing the agreement with how they propose to remediate the wrongs of the cladding on buildings in Wales, and those plans, as I understand it, should have arrived with the Welsh Government at the end of last week or beginning of this week. Could I have an indication as to whether the Welsh Government will be bringing forward a statement, so that we can understand how confident the Minister is that the developers are living up to the commitments that they've made in that voluntary agreement, and how the Government will be holding the developers to account to make sure that the remedial action is put in place as a matter of urgency? 

Thank you. In relation to your first ask around the additional payment scheme for our care workers, my understanding is that local authorities have reported that 96 per cent of payments have been paid already. In relation to the 4 per cent, I think you've done absolutely the right thing writing to the Deputy Minister, and she will be able to update you in relation to that 4 per cent.

And on your second question, I'm not aware if the Minister for Climate Change has received all of the plans, but I know that she will be considering those, and if she feels that an update is required, I'll ask her to do a written statement.

I'm asking today for a business statement on the criminal age of responsibility, which is currently just 10 years old in England and Wales. In 2021, Scotland changed their policy to increase the criminal age of responsibility to 12 years old, recognising the vulnerability of some young people in society and the need to improve rehabilitation opportunities. Despite criticism from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UK Government says that it has no plan to make any changes. Children in the youth justice system have often been subjected to high levels of trauma, violence and loss, and the current system takes into account none of this, which is why children's rights groups continue to criticise England and Wales's criminal age of responsibility for its lack of ethical consideration into maturity and the neurological development of young people. Why is it that, as a society, we see children as too young to have responsibility for their own care, and yet, when it comes to crime, children are viewed the same as adults? Youth justice in Wales has centred on the concept of Children First. Children First views the child first, offenders second, and considers that children are, in fact, children and therefore need to be seen as such if and when they are involved in the justice system. How, then, can we champion this progressive approach to some of the most vulnerable children caught up in the youth justice system if UK law states that children as young as 10 have the same responsibility and maturity as adults? 

Thank you. Well, the UK Government, obviously, has responsibility for justice, and that includes youth justice. If justice was devolved to Wales, we would obviously be in a position to consider this question in further detail and, more importantly, in a position to address the very valid points that you've raised. Under the current system, as I say, it is a matter for the UK Government, but I am pleased that you are standing alongside us in calling for a more progressive and evidence-based approach to this issue.

I know that the Minister for Social Justice does continue to have discussions with the UK Government around the age of criminal responsibility here in Wales. That's part of the ongoing joint work on the recommendations from the independent Commission on Justice in Wales, which was chaired by Lord Thomas. The Minister for Social Justice also has the youth justice blueprints here in Wales, which she published back in July 2019, and that does set out the Welsh Government's vision for youth justice in Wales, taking that Children First approach forward.

Please can I ask for a statement, Minister, from the Minister for health, about the real living wage? Since Welsh Government announced its financial support to social care providers to ensure that all support workers will receive the real living wage, there have been complaints that providers are not receiving the funding that was supposed to be channelled to them through local authorities and health boards. There is considerable confusion about how the money should be passed on. Some local authorities and health boards refuse to provide funding if a commissioned service isn't located in their territory, while others take a completely different approach and refuse funding if they do not directly commission services with the local provider.

One Welsh care provider expects to occur additional costs of more than £250,000 per year for implementing the real living wage increase, yet, seven months after rising wages, it has only been offered an additional £23,000 annually to cover its costs. Welsh Government has admitted that they knew that—and I quote—implementation would be challenging for local authorities and health boards in the first year, and that they are aware that there may have been different approaches across local authorities and health boards. Providers have not been reassured by the Welsh Government's vague assertion that independent dynamic evaluation and their own monitoring processes on the effectiveness of the roll-out will be able to identify improvements and develop better processes for the future. And in this economically challenging time, providers are increasingly frustrated that the Welsh Government is not providing greater leadership in resolving this urgent problem, which is causing considerable financial hardship for Welsh social care employers. So, please, Minister, can the health Minister make a statement to provide social care providers with specific details around the process of dynamic evaluation monitoring—who is managing this, what are the timelines for reporting, and when can the planned process improvements be expected? Also, where providers have had to fund the real living wage increases on behalf of the Welsh Government, will the Welsh Government reimburse them for the interest on these moneys? Thank you.

I'm not sure, Llywydd, whether the Member was in her seat when the leader of the opposition asked me the same question, but, as I said, local authorities have reported they made 96 per cent of payments in June. 

Trefnydd, could I ask for an update from the Welsh Government about progress being made on the Heads of the Valleys road project, and on two issues in particular? Firstly, I'd like to ask for an update about the recent news that an eight-mile stretch of the A465 Heads of the Valleys will be subject to a series of further closures over the next 18 months. The road between Brynmawr roundabout and Hardwick roundabout will be closed periodically throughout that period, with a 25-mile diversion taking trips that were 10 minutes up to 40 minutes to complete. Clearly, this will cause massive disruption for residents and businesses, and a number of constituents have already been in touch to voice their grave concerns about the impact that this will have on them and their communities. Trefnydd, this will not be the first time that roadworks have caused disruption, and constituents are getting even more frustrated. So, please could the Government explain what works are being undertaken and why, and how any continuing disruption will be mitigated? 

The other point I'd like to raise is an update of whether businesses have been fairly compensated for losses caused by roadworks linked to the project. Earlier this year, local businesses approached me with their concerns that compensation had not been received despite promises from the Government that financial help was to be made available. And so I'd appreciate it if the Government could outline how much has been paid so far and how much is left outstanding.

Thank you. You obviously refer to a very specific road in your constituency. I think it would be better, because you're obviously asking about financial compensation as well, if you wrote directly to the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. 

Trefnydd, you and other Members will be aware, I'm sure, of the outcomes of the survey of NAHT Cymru, which were published today, which conveyed a very concerning picture in terms of the pressure on school budgets. We heard last week that the idea of teaching online for one day a week had been mentioned in Powys, and, in terms of the survey, that headteachers were considering job losses, as well as cutting budgets to interventions for our most vulnerable pupils. I'd like to ask, therefore, for a statement from the education Minister on the financial situation of schools, and the Government's response to the grave concerns that have been raised by headteachers. 

In relation to the point you make around schools teaching online, I know the Minister for Education and Welsh Language has written to all local authorities saying that we would not wish to see schools do that. We certainly would not wish to see schools close unless the decision is based on emergency or health or safety reasons for instance. And I don't think a one-day school closure would result in significant savings for schools and would just pass the issues on to parents and carers. And we know, don't we, how school closures affect families' ability to work, and, obviously then, put pressures on other services. So, as I say, the Minister has certainly written to all local authorities and has met with NAHT and other trade unions this morning also. In relation to budgets, clearly, there are going to be pressures on all of our budgets, but I don't think the Minister is in a position at the moment, as we're waiting for the UK Government announcement in relation to budgets, and, obviously, we too are looking very closely at our budget going forward.

Trefnydd, can I ask for a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services this afternoon regarding support for armed services veterans in the healthcare system? I was contacted by a local resident from Rhyl over the weekend whose husband, sadly, nearly committed suicide, and, without being too graphic, he was nearly successful, unfortunately. He was since treated, but what was noted by my constituent was the lack of recognition for her husband being a veteran in the triage system. Now, I believe that there is progress being made on this, but could the Welsh Government perhaps expand on why this hasn't been delivered and the plans moving forward to bring recognition for veterans into the triage system, so that they can be adequately treated for mental health problems, and, indeed, physical problems as well? Thank you. 

So, you may have heard me, in an earlier answer to Darren Millar, say that certainly we do recognise that ex-service men and women and their families require access to services in a different way, sometimes, to others, and that certainly has been increased, going forward. I mentioned earlier as well that the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership will be leading a debate this afternoon, and it is a question that perhaps you could raise in that debate also.

Finally, Tom Giffard.

Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Age Cymru West Glamorgan is an independent charity supporting older people across South Wales West, and, for the last 20 years, they've run the Afan Nedd community centre and have provided a lunch club for over 120 people. However, in the last week, they've been forced to close their doors. And while the charity's seen utility bills rise, they've also seen their income significantly impacted by a decision of the local health board. Swansea Bay University Health Board previously announced a third sector procurement timeline so that voluntary organisations could apply to deliver local services. Age Cymru West Glamorgan invested time and funds so that they were up to spec for this, and the health board was due to award contracts this month. However, the health board has now pulled plans and will not be procuring until 2024. That decision, in part, has led to its closure, and now this means many residents will be unable to access the support on which they'd previously relied, while charities like Age Cymru West Glamorgan find themselves in financial difficulty. So could I request an urgent statement on how Welsh Government expects health boards to work with local providers and for an update on the support available for the charities affected?

I'm very sorry to hear of the situation you describe, but this is a matter for the health board, and I don't think it would be for an oral statement here.

Thank you, Trefnydd.