2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:38 pm on 7 March 2023.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 2:38, 7 March 2023

Trefnydd, I'd like two statements, please, on housing issues, and I'm glad you've indicated already the willingness to give one. But firstly, could the Welsh Government provide an oral statement on the impact of the local housing allowance in Wales? The Bevan Foundation recently found that there's a significant gap between local housing allowance and rent, this leading into poverty and homelessness. And in Wales, 70 per cent of the private rental tenants who get help with their housing costs from local housing allowance do not get enough to cover their rent; 70 per cent, that's the highest proportion in Britain. So, could we look into that, please, Trefnydd?

Secondly, to reiterate the points raised by my colleagues Janet Finch-Saunders and Jane Dodds, could we have a debate, please, on fire safety in our high-rise flats, and the effectiveness of the Welsh building safety fund? I was struck, like Jane Dodds, by some of the comments in that meeting, especially young families, like my own, worried about bringing up their children in their homes, and also retired people, who are struggling financially when they really should be enjoying retirement. There was a real sense of frustration and, at times, anger at that meeting, and, rightly or wrongly, Trefnydd, they really do feel ignored. So, another debate at the Senedd on the effectiveness of the Welsh building safety fund, I think, would go a long way for them to feel heard and feel appreciated. Diolch yn fawr.