Much hard work goes into the Senedd's scrutiny role, almost all of it behind the scenes, especially in relation to legislation. This is my first Bill as responsible Minister, and I wish to put on record my thanks to the committees for their careful Stage 1 consideration and considered recommendations. 

I'd like to start by addressing the Equality and Social Justice Committee recommendations and welcoming the recommendation by a majority of the Members that the general principles of the Bill should be agreed by the Senedd. 

Recommendation 2 in the ESJ committee report asks that the Government be clear about what we are seeking to achieve through the Bill, and set out metrics and outcomes against which progress can be measured. I'm happy to accept this in principle and to accept recommendation 20, which urged us to ensure that any reporting arrangements that we place on our partners be proportionate, and avoid duplication. My officials are working with stakeholders to agree the indicators and outcomes necessary to monitor the impact of this legislation, although that work will take time and depend, to a certain extent, on the issues that the social partnership council decides to focus on. 

Recommendations 10, 14 and 24 deal with the guidance that will be issued to partners ahead of implementation. The Government accepts 10 and 14, and that guidance will be clear on the objectives that we are pursuing and the expectations and duties we are placing on ourselves and our partners. Recommendation 24 asks that we publish statutory guidance in draft form for consultation, including with the Senedd. We accept this in principle, on the basis that we will certainly consult with stakeholders, but we do not consider that there should be a duty on Welsh Ministers to consult with the Senedd in relation to the production of statutory guidance, something already undertaken by Government in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. This helps to ensure that any guidance is fit for purpose and targeted to the audience at which it is aimed. 

Recommendations 3, 5 and 6 relate to the operation of the social partnership council. The Government will not be accepting these recommendations as, in our view, they will impinge on the autonomy and independence of the council and potentially undermine the principles of social partnership working in practice. Terms of reference are not required since the Bill itself sets out the functions of the council on how it is to be consulted. In keeping with the social partnership approach, it is not for Government to tell the council how many sub-groups it should establish and what matters they should deal with, or the approach it should take to its work. These matters are really for the council itself to decide.