18 contributions on record, and 995 chaired, counted apart. Newest first, by sitting day. Page 18 of 30. Counted by Siambr
Prynhawn da, bawb. Eitem 1 heddiw yw cwestiynau i’r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Fenter, Cysylltedd ac Ynni. Yn gyntaf, cwestiwn 1, Sera Evans.
Good afternoon. Item 1 this afternoon is questions to the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, and the first question is from Sera Evans.
Galwaf yn awr ar lefarwyr y pleidiau i holi'r Gweinidog Cabinet. Yn gyntaf, llefarydd Reform UK, Jason O'Connell.
I now call the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. First of all, Reform UK spokesperson, Jason O'Connell.
Llefarydd Llafur Cymru, Vikki Howells.
Welsh Labour spokesperson, Vikki Howells.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Janet Finch-Saunders.
Welsh Conservatives spokesperson, Janet Finch-Saunders.
[Inaudible.]
[Inaudible.]
We are indeed a nation of story-tellers, but I'm going to ask for the Cabinet Minister's help now to rattle along through some other questions, so we can get through the order paper. [Laughter.]
Cwestiwn 4, Carmelo Colasanto.
Question 4, Carmelo Colasanto.
Yn olaf, cwestiwn 7, Gareth Beer.
Finally, question 7, Gareth Beer.
Oes supplementary gyda chi?
Do you have a supplementary?
Paid â phoeni. Diolch, Weinidog Cabinet.
Don't worry. Thank you, Cabinet Minister.
Gadewch i ni fynd ymlaen nawr i'r cwestiynau nesaf: eitem 2, cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Addysg a'r Gymraeg. Cwestiwn 1, Paul Marr.
Let's move on now to our next set of questions: item 2, questions to the Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language. Question 1, Paul Marr.
Galwaf yn awr ar lefarwyr y pleidiau i holi'r Gweinidog Cabinet. Yn gyntaf, llefarydd Reform UK, Helen Jenner.
I now call on the party spokespeople to question the Cabinet Minister. First of all, Reform UK's spokesperson, Helen Jenner.
Llefarydd Llafur Cymru, Lynne Neagle.
Welsh Labour spokesperson, Lynne Neagle.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Sam Rowlands.
Welsh Conservative spokesperson, Sam Rowlands.
Diolch, Sarah. Dirprwy Lywydd, the Commission provides Members with training and guidance on standards and behaviour from the outset of each Senedd. Following the election, this was included at multiple points in the welcome, the onboarding and the induction programme, including pre-arrival information, the successful candidate pack, welcome activity and briefings, and phase 1 training within the first fortnight. This covered the code of conduct, register of interests, use of Senedd resources, dignity and respect, leadership and behaviour as employers. Attendance and completion are monitored through booking and attendance records, including through the learning management system.
Yes, indeed. Thank you for that supplementary. And it is important to note that this is an ongoing programme, it's not a one-off, and it's not done for the sake of it, either, because we recognise in the Commission that the awareness of legal and reputational risks is key for every single Member within the Senedd, both in relation to their role as a Member, but also as an employer as well. So, that training is available to all Members on an ongoing basis, and they can refresh and update that training as well. So, that'll continue throughout the duration of the four-year Senedd term for Members and also for their staff as well.
And we do recognise, by the way, that Members need information at the right time; there's been a welter of information thrown at Members in the initial few weeks, and my thanks to all those members of the Commission staff who provided that as well, but we recognise we're going to need to come back. But there's been a good uptake initially, I have to say, in terms of code of conduct training on live courses, and also encouraging around dignity and respect as well, and some Members who weren't able to attend have sought to have the information then sent to them as well.
So, I definitely agree with the Member in saying this needs to be an ongoing process, and it's in the interests of each Member as an employer, as well as within this place.
Diolch. Mae'r Comisiwn yn ymgysylltu'n rheolaidd â staff ac undebau llafur cydnabyddedig ar bynciau iechyd, diogelwch a llesiant, gan gynnwys effaith gwres eithafol. Rhannwyd gohebiaeth ar y gwres eithafol diweddar â chynrychiolwyr undebau llafur. Mae'r Comisiwn hefyd wedi cyhoeddi canllawiau ar y fewnrwyd i Aelodau, eu staff cymorth a staff y Comisiwn ynghylch sut i aros yn gyfforddus mewn tywydd poeth a sut i reoli tymheredd ystafelloedd ar draws yr ystâd. Cefnogir hyn gan fesurau ymarferol, sy'n cynnwys mynediad at fannau oeri, hydradu a gweithio hyblyg.
Thank you. The Commission engages regularly with staff and recognised trade unions on health, safety and well-being issues, including the impact of extreme heat. Correspondence on the recent extreme heat was shared with trade union representatives. The Commission has also published guidance on the intranet for Members, their support staff and Commission staff, covering how to stay comfortable in hot weather and how to manage room temperatures across the estate. This is supported by practical measures, including access to cooling spaces, hydration and flexible working.
In addition, the Senedd Commission’s leadership team, comprising all its senior managers, has had briefings, which have ensured a co-ordinated response across the organisation, with all heads of service actively engaging with their managers and teams to share information, provide support and check on staff welfare during periods of extreme heat. We'll continue to work in partnership with staff representatives to review these arrangements and to ensure that this estate remains a safe and comfortable working environment.
I recognise the long-standing trade union campaign around maximum heat. That's not within our gift here, to take that forward. I should, Dirprwy Lywydd, refer Members to my own declaration of interest around union membership as well—there are several unions there. But what we have been able to do is to work with the TUS, the trade union side here, in an established partnership approach, which is the way we do it here within this estate. We've engaged in all these health and safety matters, including temperature issues, including the recent incidents as well. So, that joint working has included committee discussions and working groups addressing the environmental conditions on the estate. In the very recent extreme red weather warnings—and we may see more of these in times to come—we made adjustments to working patterns and locations in discussion with the trade union side, we put in place additional support for vulnerable staff, we took forward business continuity planning in relation to things like school closures that were affecting members of staff as well, and also made sure that this is a safe working environment. We'll keep that partnership approach going.
Diolch, Gwyn. There has been no Senedd Commission activity undertaken in relation to opening an office in Swansea. [Interruption.] Diolch, Mike. During the financial year 2023-24, the Senedd Commission Ways of Working programme created a work stream to ensure an effective regional base for outreach, public information, education and translation services in north Wales, and also to explore potential opportunities for developing the Senedd Commission’s regional footprint over time and bringing forward proposals for doing so. Whilst the north Wales office move to Llandudno Junction was successfully completed in summer 2024, no further work has been undertaken to explore further regional offices at this time as, following extensive engagement with Members in the sixth Senedd, there was no identified demand at that time for such a facility.
The Member, in his sterling advocacy for all things Swansea, has received both cheers and jeers during his contribution, from different Members from different areas. Can I just say that we always keep alive to this? There is a commitment from the Senedd Commission to review, as and when the need is identified and arises. We simply haven't undertaken any work at the moment because, in the sixth Senedd, they looked at this and there was no identified need.
But can I just say on the positive side here? Separate from moving offices and opening new facilities, we do actually, as a Commission, attend many, many events and activities in different areas. Indeed, last summer we were at the Swansea air shows. During the past few months, we've attended a range of events in places like Swansea University, Swansea multicultural hub, Port Talbot YMCA, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and many more. So, we do get out and about, regardless of physically relocating or opening new offices. But thank you for the question.
I am worried, Dirprwy Lywydd, that we're opening now a bidding war over the coming weeks of people who want offices opened in their area. But I do understand what the Member is saying. I would simply reflect on my earlier response, which is we always keep this live and we look for where the identified demand is. But the Member also said to me, 'We need to make sure that we're making efficient use of resources', and we agree as well. And of course, there is a difference between the Senedd offices and Welsh Government offices. So, I won't be drawn on that particular matter, if you don't mind.
A comprehensive security framework is in place to support Members in carrying out their duties. This combines a strong protective security presence on the Senedd estate, along with Members having access to tailored advice, guidance, incident reporting and security measures in Members' homes and their constituency offices. Members also have access to a dedicated social media monitoring service, operated by Senedd security.
These arrangements are further strengthened by close partnership working with the police, including a substantial onsite presence and intelligence sharing through national programmes, alongside collaboration with other security partners across Wales and the UK, so we have a consistent and joined-up approach to Member security. There is also an annual planning process for Senedd security, to assess and plan for resource requirements, alongside a structured approach assessing the provision of police resources.
Finally, this is complemented, Dirprwy Lywydd, by continuous, dynamic risk assessments, undertaken by Senedd security, the police locally and nationally, and by UK-wide security service partners.
The Member draws important attention to the fact that many people now in public life—both here in the Senedd and in the UK Parliament, but anybody in high-profile work—are now subject to this type of scrutiny, which can indeed lead to abuse, hostility, violence and worse, as we have seen. And it is unacceptable, and the message should go out from this Senedd Siambr that it is simply unacceptable. We can have debate and differences of opinion, but we can do it in a respectful way that does not lead to this open hostility and violence that we are seeing.
You're absolutely true in saying that, in our monitoring of incidents, we see common themes. That can include racial abuse and misogyny, discriminatory cultural assumptions, targeted harassment, strongly expressed political views and grievances, some of which include inappropriate language, which then escalate into abuse and hostile or intimidating commentary, or worse, as the Member has said, and we should all condemn that.
So, certainly, in terms of our approach, the security and the policing presence that we have, and the security monitoring, is very carefully calibrated, considering the risk and ensuring visibility and reassurance without being unduly intrusive, and there is a question of engaging with the Members individually. If any Member here—any Member—has any cause for concern, they should raise it directly with our security and policing presence, so that we can respond to their concerns. We want all Members to be safe in doing their job and able to engage with their community.
We take on board the point that the Member makes, which is that the discourse we have here in the Chamber and outside can either moderate and temper wider behaviour and wider societal norms, or it can escalate and inflame issues. I was taken recently, when I attended a really well-organised event in public that follows on from the Jo Cox Foundation—a More in Common event; many people will have attended them—bringing people together in neighbourhoods, in celebration, in joy and in happiness. People of different views, people of different backgrounds, different nations, different creeds and colours and so on, but bringing everybody together around that idea that we have more in common. And if we can collectively appeal to that approach, then I think we can do a good job here in the Senedd Chamber—in the Siambr—but also outside as well. Political differences are one thing, but we can do that in a way that is respectful of those political differences and sends a message to wider society that we can have political differences, but respect each other as well.
A wide range of television channels and radio stations, including GB News, can be accessed using the Senedd IT network on laptops and other Senedd Commission-issued devices. The primary purpose of the internal tv system on the Senedd estate is to provide broadcast feeds of the Siambr and committee rooms, so that staff can follow business proceedings. In addition, and under our existing policy, only those channels that have public service obligations as set out in the Communications Act 2003 can be accessed, with the one addition of Sky News to ensure plurality of news programmes. The policy was agreed by the previous Commissioners. All our policies are subject to occasional review, and we could consider whether to do so at the appropriate time.
Thank you for the supplementary. Those competing perspectives can be accessed, and I repeat, by all Members on the devices that are provided to them, whether it's on their laptops or other Senedd devices, and they can access them here within their workspace as well. I came from a different political institution, where green screens were in common use. The primary purpose was to inform Members who was speaking in the chamber and in committees. You didn't walk around watching tv screens, you watched to see who was on, and if they were good, you'd run and see them.
However, as I pointed out, this can be reviewed from time to time, if there's an appropriate time to review. In fact, the new commissioners have recently been appointed, as Members will know. We held our first meeting only last week. Should it be the will of the Commissioners to bring this for discussion, then, of course, we can look at it. But I come back to that primary point: the purpose of monitors around the building is not to watch news or daytime tv or whatever. They're to follow the business of the Chamber and committees.
Thank you for that supplementary. I have little to add to that. The history of this is indeed that GB News was originally removed from the Senedd Commission's internal tv network, following a broadcast that was deemed by Ofcom to break broadcasting rules, to protect viewers from offensive content. At that time, the decision was made by the Llywydd to remove the channel from internal networks in response to a broadcast that was deemed to be deliberately offensive to women in public life in particular, and to dignified public debate more generally. So, bearing in mind the conversation we had in response to a previous question, we just need to think about this very carefully going forward.
The Commission is tightly managing costs while protecting the services the Senedd needs. Through our medium-term resourcing framework, we challenge spending, cap staffing, control growth, and target resources where they matter most. Services are required to report on efficiencies each financial year and we are using better procurement, digital tools, automation and collaboration to deliver better value and reduce unnecessary costs.
Thank you. You are right that the Commission doesn't have an explicit efficiency target. However, the Commission does set its budget each year in accordance with the needs of the Senedd in full transparency and with an assessment of the resources needed to support it. We're always looking for efficiencies and ways in which we can support Members as effectively as we do now by either doing more for less or doing more with the resources that we have. And this includes, by the way, the appropriate use of AI and process redesign.
In terms of where we go next, you're absolutely right; the Commissioners and I are fully focused on making sure that, in the plans for the estate that we have and going forward, costs engaged with renovation, leasing buildings et cetera are fully factored into decisions that can be brought for consideration here within the Senedd, and in full transparency. We all have an interest in making the most effective use of the money available to us, and you can rest assured that that's what we're seeking to do.
The Senedd Commission expects all Members to comply with the rules and guidance on the use of Senedd resources at all times, as required by the code of conduct. Responsibility for ensuring compliance, including the use of public-facing spaces such as office windows, rests with those individual Members and their staff.
At this point—and thank you for raising this very important issue, which applies to all Members within this Chamber—there is very clear established guidance in place on the appropriate use of Senedd resources, which I referred to earlier. The rules and guidance on the use of these resources, including offices and so on, and the code of conduct, have been provided to every single Member at the start of this seventh Senedd. Those Members are also supported through advice and clarification where needed. If any Members are in doubt that they might be straying beyond, they can come and seek some advice and clarification. It's also included, of course, in training sessions and one-to-one discussions.
In terms of rule 1 in the rules and guidance on the use of Senedd resources, in terms of personal accountability, Members are personally accountable for the use of Commission resources made available to them, and must not use them for party political activity, or for any purpose other than the discharge of their duties as a Member. The point on public-facing displays has been well made; it's a timely reminder for everybody here in the building.
The Senedd Commission actively manages and reviews the performance of its staff against strategic goals, service requirements and individual objectives, at all times. We also monitor onsite attendance, as well as annual leave, flexi leave and sickness absence levels. The Commission does not, however, collate information on daily rates of working from home by its staff. Onsite attendance across the organisation is determined by business need, operational priorities and role requirements.
However, there are a number of roles within the Commission, such as security, porters and front of house staff, whose work cannot be conducted anywhere but on the Senedd estate. Based on the most recent workforce analysis, these roles equate to 12 per cent of Commission staff. All other roles have the ability to work from home where this supports service delivery and management agreement.
One thing to say, as Members will shortly be very aware, is that this place will not only be operating on Tuesday and Wednesday. It has already started work on Monday and Thursday with the committees. And some poor Members are on two committees, so they will be here four days a week. The staff required to service those committees and the work they're doing will be available. If Members feel that the operational effect is affecting them, let us know. But I have to say that the feedback we have consistently is that our ways of working, where staff can work, for example, with hybrid working, or here onsite, but making themselves available to the outcomes that Members need, are very effective indeed.
In terms of the sorts of roles we have, we have rota-based roles, we have hybrid arrangements, we have team-specific requirements, including those who service committees. A single measure such as saying to staff, 'You will be monitored on five days a week onsite' may not provide any meaningful insight into how effective those members of staff are. That said, we keep our data and reporting regularly under review to ensure we have the right information to support both transparency and effective management across the estate.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. I just want to begin by thanking the Members who've brought forward and supported this debate and spoken in it. The contributions have been heartfelt and, as we've heard, informed often by personal experience, and therefore they've been quite selfless, generous and courageous too.
Mae'r ddadl hon yn ymdrin â mater o bwys mawr—effaith trawma, yn enwedig profiadau niweidiol yn ystod plentyndod, ar unigolion ac ar y gymdeithas gyfan ledled Cymru. Wrth gydnabod y materion pwysig hyn sydd wedi cael eu gosod gan yr Aelodau, mae'n glir bod trawma'n gallu achosi canlyniadau parhaol a phellgyrhaeddol. Mae'n effeithio ar brofiadau ar hyd oes, gan ddylanwadu ar iechyd, llesiant, cydberthnasau a chyfleoedd.
Mae'r dystiolaeth bod cyfran sylweddol o oedolion yng Nghymru wedi cael o leiaf un profiad niweidiol yn ystod plentyndod yn pwysleisio maint y broblem hon a phwysigrwydd ymateb cynaliadwy ar y cyd. Rwy'n siŵr, yn ôl beth yr ydym wedi'i glywed heddiw, y bydd Aelodau yn y Siambr hon sydd wedi wynebu o leiaf un yn ystod eu bywydau.
This debate deals with an issue of profound importance—the impact of trauma, particularly adverse childhood experiences, on individuals and society as a whole across Wales. In recognising these important matters set forward by Members, it is clear that trauma can have lasting and far-reaching consequences. It shapes experiences across the course of one's life, influencing health, well-being, relationships and opportunities.
The evidence that a significant proportion of adults in Wales have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience underlines the scale of the issue and the importance of a sustained collective response. I am sure, from what we have heard today, that Members in this Chamber will have encountered at least one during the course of their lives.
The links between such experiences and poorer outcomes, as we've heard, whether in physical or mental health or in wider life chances, are well established, but complex. Yet these carry not only individual or isolated impacts, but they're matters that affect communities, public services and the resilience of our society as a whole. It is therefore welcome that action to address adverse childhood experiences has already been embedded across a range of Welsh Government policy areas. Indeed, the publication of the ACE Hub Wales's partner communications toolkit also represents a significant further step forward. It offers practical support to strengthen trauma‑informed approaches across public sector organisations. If we take these together, these points reflect both a growing awareness and an increasing commitment across Wales to respond to trauma in a more informed and a more compassionate way.
Turning to the matters raised in point 6 of the motion, which relate specifically to the Senedd Commission, let me address each in turn. Firstly, on the question of developing plans to adopt trauma‑informed approaches across Senedd activities and services, the Commission firmly recognises the importance of considering how our working practices, our services and engagement can reflect an understanding of trauma. The Senedd is not only a legislative body, but it's also a public institution, and it is appropriate that we consider how our environment supports Members, staff and those who engage with us. This includes our reflections on our organisational culture, our accessibility and the way we design services and deliver those services.
Secondly, on increasing awareness of the impact of trauma among Members, among Commission staff and among others engaging with the Senedd, this awareness and understanding are the essential building blocks of a trauma‑informed approach. There is clear value in ensuring that those working within and alongside the Senedd are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and guidance. This can include opportunities for learning, for training, the sharing of good practice, enabling individuals to better understand the potential impact of trauma on our behaviour, our communication and our engagement.
Thirdly, on promoting the approaches that place individuals at the very centre of services, this speaks to the importance of ensuring that our communications, our processes, our physical and digital environments, are accessible and are sensitive and that they are inclusive. A trauma‑informed approach encourages us to consider how individuals experience the services that we provide, and that we seek to avoid unintended distress or retraumatisation. This aligns closely with our broader principles of dignity, respect and inclusion, which underpin the work of this very institution.
In supporting this approach, the Commission recognises that being truly people centred requires us to listen and to reflect lived experience in how we work. We are increasingly doing this through our engagement with our staff networks and with representative groups, which provide valuable insight into how policies and practices are experienced in reality. By shaping our approaches in partnership with those voices, we are better able to align and design our services and environments as ones that are inclusive, that are sensitive and that are grounded in real experience, rather than working on assumption.
Aelodau, mae'r materion sydd wedi cael eu codi gan y cynnig hwn yn tynnu sylw nid yn unig at yr heriau sy'n gysylltiedig â thrawma, ond hefyd at y cyfle a'r cyfrifoldeb sydd gan gyrff cyhoeddus i ymateb mewn modd meddylgar ac effeithiol. Bydd Comisiwn y Senedd yn parhau i fyfyrio ynghylch sut y gall ei rôl, ei gyfrifoldebau a'i wasanaethau gyfrannu at y nod hwn, a hynny mewn modd sy'n gyson â'i ddyletswyddau a'i adnoddau. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Members, the matters raised in this motion highlight not only the challenges associated with trauma, but also the opportunity and the responsibility for public bodies to respond thoughtfully and effectively. The Senedd Commission will continue to reflect on how its role, responsibilities and services can contribute to this aim in a manner consistent with its duties and its resources. Thank you very much.
Short interventions, please.
Rwyf wedi dethol y gwelliant i'r cynnig. Galwaf ar y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyfiawnder Cymdeithasol a Chydraddoldeb i gynnig yn ffurfiol welliant 1, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Heledd Fychan.
I have selected the amendment to the motion. I call on the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality to move formally amendment 1, tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan.
Diolch yn fawr iawn. Shav Taj.
Thank you very much. Shav Taj.
[Inaudible.] Sorry, are you taking an intervention or not?
He's not taking an intervention.
Galwaf yn awr ar y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog a'r Gweinidog Cabinet dros Gyfiawnder Cymdeithasol a Chydraddoldeb, Sioned Williams.
I now call on the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Equality, Sioned Williams.
Galwaf ar Francesca O'Brien i ymateb i'r ddadl.
I call on Francesca O'Brien to reply to the debate.
Francesca, sorry, I've given you a little bit more because of the intervention, but if you could move to concluding remarks.
Indeed. Francesca, if you could conclude—
Before I move on to putting this motion forward and to see if there are any objections, can I just thank Elfed Williams for giving me some advance notice of a point of order that you wish to raise? Elfed.
Thank you very much. And thank you for the advance notice, because I've been able to reflect with my clerking team as well. You're attempting to put a factual correction. This is not a point of order. It's not a matter for me, but I will give the Member an opportunity, should he wish, to clarify his remarks in light of the point that's been made—if the Member so wishes.
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