Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:51 pm on 14 February 2023.
Minister, do you agree that the terms used by those in power when discussing refugees especially and all those marginalised in our society count, because language has consequences? And we saw this in Knowsley this weekend—despicable and potentially terrible consequences. One hundred organisations have signed an open letter to call on all political leaders to condemn Friday's attack on refugees. Has the Welsh Government voiced its concern to the UK Government that hostile words lead to hostile actions?
Our support in Wales over the past year for Ukrainian refugees has shown how responding to need in times of extreme crisis can be an opportunity to bring out the best, not the worst, in society. Many of us have seen examples first-hand how refugees enrich our communities. I met Iryna last week, a graduate of Kyiv university, who came to Wales through the supersponsor scheme and stayed at the welcome centre in Llangrannog. She is now working at Power and Water in Swansea and is at the forefront of that company's groundbreaking work in the field of the chemical-free treatment of waste water. Iryna was fortunate that the company helped find and fund her accommodation initially, so that she could take up that job. Many of her fellow refugees, of course, aren't so lucky, and we know, as you've alluded to, that the pressures on housing are immense.
As Mark Isherwood noted, WalesOnline has published accounts of Ukrainian refugees and sponsors who have struggled with the system in place to accommodate them, with refugees being expected to live in short-term accommodation for long-term periods and being almost rightless tenants under landlord sponsors, to sponsors feeling that they're lacking support during the cost-of-living crisis. Could you please comment on what potential issues with the supersponsor and the other sponsor schemes were identified by Welsh Government at the start of their implementation, and so what preventative measures were put in place? And is it possible for the Minister to confirm the number of settling Ukrainian households, particularly from the current welcoming centres and hotels that each local authority will be expected to welcome, in order that authorities' preparations can be further firmed up by the way of support and integration into local communities?
Cymorth Cymru conducted a survey with 650 front-line workers and held meetings with 68 homelessness and housing support workers across Wales to find out how the cost of living is affecting their lives and their jobs. The impact of the cost-of-living crisis and people's fears for the future were widespread, affecting not just their finances but their mental health and their ability to do their job. They talked extensively about the impact on their mental health, referencing anxiety, having to take time off work, concerns about increasing workload due to people leaving the sector and, of course, increased demand. And of course, during the last year, the cost-of-living crisis has deepened considerably. Cymorth Cymru recently raised concerns about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on front-line homelessness and housing support workers and their families. These workers are facing significant stresses in their jobs due to the crisis, and they will now be facing even more added pressures as they try to protect Ukrainian refugees here in Wales from homelessness and assist them with accommodation. So, has the Welsh Government conducted any assessment as to how changes in support for Ukrainian refugees here in Wales will be affecting our already stretched services? How are they working alongside these services to ensure they are getting the support they need to be able to best support vulnerable refugees here in Wales? Diolch.