We move now to item 9, the Stage 4 of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill. The Minister for Climate Change wishes to move a motion without notice that the Bill be passed. Before the Senedd takes a decision on whether to pass the Bill, I must state for the record, in accordance with section 111A(3) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 that, in my view, the provisions of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill do not relate to a protected subject matter. 

I can therefore move to call the Minister for Climate Change to move the motion. Julie James.

Motion

To propose that the Senedd in accordance with Standing Order 26.47:

Approves the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill.

Motion moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I'm absolutely delighted to move the motion before the Senedd today for Stage 4 of the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill, which I introduced into the Senedd on 20 September 2022. Since the Bill was introduced, it has progressed successfully through Stages in the Senedd's legislation process on a fast-tracked timetable. I'm most grateful to the Business Committee for agreeing this. I also commend everyone here today for recognising the environmental importance and urgency of this Bill and supporting its rapid passage through the Senedd. To add to this, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Llywydd, for agreeing for Stage 4 to proceed immediately after Stage 3. I would also like to thank the Chairs, members and the staff of the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee for the high quality of their consideration, scrutiny and reports regarding the Bill and the supporting explanatory memorandum and regulatory impact assessment.

I'm extremely grateful to all the stakeholders, delivery partners, communities and young people who have been able to contribute to our policy and this legislative process by providing evidence both in person and in writing, in particular to the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee during their consultation. The positive discussions with Members, together with public evidence sessions from stakeholders, have ensured that the Bill has had real scrutiny, despite its expedited nature. Your knowledge and experience have been invaluable.

I do, of course, want to thank Members for their support of technical amendments brought by the Welsh Government to improve the consistency and clarity of the Bill. It has also been truly gratifying to be able to work with Members on areas of common ground to bring forward amendments that truly enhance the Bill. This has been a true example of collaboration and joint working.

Finally, I would like to thank the officials who have worked very hard and at pace on this Bill to get it over the line. This spirit of collaboration will endure as we work with stakeholders to produce comprehensive guidance on the Bill. I think we should all be extremely proud of this landmark Bill, which goes beyond banning an initial set of single-use plastic products. We have achieved a firm foundation to ban further problematic single-use plastic products in the future, securing the Bill's lasting legacy. This is a Bill that protects our uniquely beautiful Welsh landscape from unsightly and toxic single-use plastic waste. This Bill protects our green spaces, our sparkling waters and our diverse and rich ecology. The action starts now, not only for us, but the future generations of Wales.

In this vein, I would like to pay tribute to the young people of Wales who have spoken so passionately to me about environmental protection and the issue of single-use plastic. Through our engagement with Eco-Schools and Plastic Free Schools, we will highlight to all schools in Wales the impact of plastic pollution and how that relates to the new schools curriculum for Wales that supports our children and young people to be ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world. And finally, I want to acknowledge our fantastic Welsh businesses who led the way in innovating environmentally sound alternatives to single-used plastics, exploiting the potential of new technologies, contributing to a circular economy and the creation of a truly sustainable Wales. Working collaboratively with all stakeholders, genuinely seeking views and understanding, has broken down barriers between sectors, which will result in a coherent change in behaviour and willingness to work together to meet the overarching agenda to fight climate change in the most effective and efficient way possible.

During the Bill's general principles debate on 11 October, all Members present at the time supported and agreed on the need for this Bill. I hope that, across the Chamber, we will continue to provide that same unanimous and passionate support to take the Bill to full enactment. Diolch, Llywydd.

Really, I'd just echo and endorse everything that the Minister has said in terms of thanking everybody. There have been legal teams—. I think, not often—. People don't realise just the work that goes on behind the scenes from people who are not here in the Chamber today, and another quick mention of Beth Taylor, a researcher that I've worked with, and it was her first piece of legislation that she's ever worked on and she's done a pretty good job. And I would like to thank you, Minister, for accepting the amendments. Clearly, when we come here with the numbers that we do, we want to win, but there has been collaborative working, there's been cross-party agreement on this, and that's how law should be made here in Wales.

To me, this is a landmark moment in the history of law making in Wales. Really, I've just been repeating everything you've said about how we want to put an end to single-use plastic waste. I do a lot of beach cleans, and I'll be monitoring this Bill in time to come. It would be fantastic when we do a beach clean to certainly not pick up the tonnage of waste plastic that we do, thereby protecting our natural environment, our countryside and our fantastic bird and sea life. So, thank you, everybody. I'm really chuffed with today. Thank you.

This is an important step towards our objective as a Senedd to protect nature and biodiversity, and to reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources. Three years ago, I called in a speech for legislation to ban single-use plastics, and here we are today, turning that aspiration—not just my aspiration but that of so many of us—into reality. It shows what's possible when this Senedd works together in order to try and create a better future.

It also shows that the Senedd has the ability to legislate relatively quickly when it has to. I know that there have been some complexities, but I think there are lessons to be learned there that political will is what ultimately delivers results.

Of course, there are some things I would have liked to have seen to strengthen the Bill further, but this is such an important step forward. I'd like to thank the organisations who gave us evidence as a committee, the Chair, the clerking team and the Minister for being so ready to collaborate when there was an opportunity to do so. The Welsh Parliament recognises its duty to future generations and to the world around us through this legislation. Action is the realisation of duty, and passing this Bill into law today will cleanse our nation's conscience somewhat, but we still have a lot of work to do again. We should not rest on our laurels after this. We should use this Act as a springboard in order to do everything that we can to protect our future and the generations to come. Thank you.

This Bill, as we've just heard, has received cross-party support during its journey through the Senedd, but it's also been slightly contentious because of the Welsh Government insisted on using an expedited scrutiny process for it. Now, I'm not suggesting that Senedd procedures have been misused, but what we have seen is far from being good practice.

The Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee was concerned that Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill was bypassed. Although the committee was able to undertake a degree of scrutiny on a draft Bill, it was not adequate as a replacement for scrutiny at Stage 1, and if we had not conducted that work, then we would not have had a public consultation on the detailed provisions of the Bill, nor an opportunity for those affected by the proposals to have their say.

But it wasn't just the climate change committee that expressed concerns. The Finance Committee has expressed disappointment in the fact that the Minister hasn't been able to provide the financial information requested. The Minister suggested that officials might take at least six months to complete this work. As the Chair of the Finance Committee pointed out in his letter to the First Minister, the Bill will have completed its legislative passage through the Senedd by the time this important financial information is available, and I agree with the Chair that this simply isn't good enough.

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee also raised several concerns about the expedited process followed. The Minister has said that the intention is for all of the provisions in the Bill to be commenced by April 2026. The Chair of the committee has rightly questioned whether an expedited process was necessary on that basis. That process is an important part of our procedures, of course, and there will be times when we will need to use it. However, it should only be used when necessary, not because of convenience. The scrutiny of legislation should be seen by Government as a fundamental part of the law-making process, not as something that needs to be tolerated or, in the case of this Bill, avoided.

Having said that, I, like almost everyone else, I'm sure, hope that this Bill will be passed, but I do believe the Minister and the First Minister should reflect on the adequacy of the process that got us here. Thank you.

The Minister for Climate Change to reply to the debate—Minister.

Diolch, Llywydd. Only simply to say again my thanks to everyone who's worked very hard on the Bill, all of the committees, all of the Members, but, most especially, to the people, businesses and young people of Wales who have worked tirelessly and hard, and have pressed me very hard to get this Bill onto the statute book, and I am delighted to have been able to do it for them and for our future generations. Diolch.

Not quite yet.

In accordance with Standing Order 26.50C, a recorded vote must be taken on Stage 4 motions. We will, therefore, move to that vote, and I call for a vote on the motion to approve the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill. I open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 53, no abstentions, one against, and therefore the motion is agreed.

Stage 4—the Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill: For: 53, Against: 1, Abstain: 0

Motion has been agreed

Thank you, all. That brings today's proceedings to a close.

The meeting ended at 18:09.