Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:51 pm on 10 January 2023.
Turning now to the UK Government's energy bill support scheme, I share your concern, Minister, that BEIS's latest statistics suggest 33 per cent of the vouchers provided up until December haven't yet been redeemed. This is very concerning, because these households are some of the most vulnerable, usually on low incomes, and can already be in debt to their supplier. Has BEIS published a disaggregated breakdown of take-up in each nation and, if so, what is the picture in Wales? And given we're approaching the eleventh hour of the scheme, Minister, what is the Welsh Government doing to urge the UK Government to find a way to ensure any unspent or unredeemed moneys are used or recycled to support these households, especially in Wales, where we have a higher proportion of households, of course, on prepayment meters? Will the Government be asking the UK Government that any underspend in Wales is given to them to spend on supporting those households? I'd also like to ask what is being done to monitor the effectiveness and consistency of delivery of the Fuel Bank Foundation fuel vouchers to those in need throughout Wales. I visited a large food bank in my region before Christmas, and they were completely unaware of the scheme.
It's also, I would say, the eleventh hour as regards simplifying and streamlining access to Welsh support payments—something that Plaid Cymru has raised many times with you. Can you give us an update on this work beyond what you said in your statement, that work is happening? How is it making a difference, where and to who? This work is so truly urgent. We must ensure every pound available, especially in these constrained economic times, reaches people's pockets.
And lastly, on your points about the Welsh Government's draft budget containing additional funding to pay the real living wage to social care workers, will this pay rise for social care workers, as well as any one-off additional payment for NHS and social care staff agreed, apply to third sector workers performing work for the NHS or local authorities? If so, will the Welsh Government make it clear to local authorities that is applies to the third sector as well? Because we remember the inconsistency of Welsh Government guidance in relation to the £500 one-off payment for social care workers during COVID—it was given to some and not others. And furthermore, the Welsh Government's inconsistent advice to local authorities on contract uplifts, in practice means third sector pay lacks behind NHS care workers. Some local authorities gave contract uplifts, others did not. And like everyone else in the sector, the crucial third sector staff are struggling to recruit and retain staff, despite their services preventing people ending up in expensive institutional care settings. I hope you agree that they are facing the same financial hardships as social care workers and that they are crucial, valuable, invaluable workers. Diolch.