Jane Hutt
Welsh Labour · Wales
“But, clearly, this is something where I think it's important that people do turn to the opportunities that we have through the Warm Homes programme, through take-up not just through the Fuel Bank Foundation, but also through the discretionary assistance fund.”
“Thank you very much, Sam Rowlands, and thank you for bringing this to our attention as a result of the cross-party group on outdoor activities meeting in Llanberis and meeting with all those volunteers in mountain rescue.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Darren Millar. The Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership has heard your question about apprenticeships. I think it would be helpful to have an update on the positive progress that's been made in terms of delivery of apprenticeships.”
“In fact, I know Luke Fletcher was hosting this. Many of us attended, because this was an example of innovation at Cardiff and Vale College with their junior apprenticeship scheme route. I'm sure the Minister for Further and Higher Education was interested in that as well.”
“But I can say, you’ve raised this question, it is being considered, and there may be opportunities for a modal shift, which could be developed with the south-west Wales regional transport plan engaging with the corporate joint committee, and also having an influence on investment in the strategic road network by the Welsh Government in ou…”
“But it is also important that we link this to the Warm Homes programme. Of course, Jayne Bryant, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government is responsible for that programme, but is working very closely with me in terms of delivery. And I know that we’re going to be updating on this very soon.”
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“Just to say, we’ve also got a national equality objective to create a Wales where everyone from a full diversity of backgrounds can participate in public life, have their voices heard, and see themselves reflected in leadership positions. I think Sioned mentioned the fact that we’re still pretty poor in terms of a diverse representation in local government. And you will see, because I’ve given some statistics in the guidance, the fact that we still have a long way to go in terms of all protected characteristics. But the same will be said about this Senedd as well. So, unless we take this sort of action, unless we get our parties to respond to the consultation and develop a diversity and inclusion strategy, adopt the voluntary gender quotas, and that’s what we’re calling for—.”
“Multiple barriers might be faced as well, and we know that that is a huge deterrent, for example for women, who perhaps have the main caring responsibilities, and single parents—it's difficult to consider the way forward in terms of, 'Could I stand?' We actually filled the Chamber last year, with Elect Her, with women from all over Wales. It was a very diverse group of women. It was a fantastic event, and people said they would put themselves forward to stand for the Senedd, for different political parties, which is what we want. But this is also about men as well as women in terms of class and socioeconomic circumstances.”
“Thank you, John Griffiths. I would draw your attention to the appendix of the guidance. I won't go over all of the mechanisms, the financial support et cetera that we're already looking at and considering. I've mentioned the fact that we have enacted the socioeconomic duty, and that is to improve outcomes for people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage. And of course, this is about class, and we have to make sure that we can—. And for many people with protected characteristics, often they are also experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage as well. So, we have got to look at not just one type of barrier, but to look at it in terms of intersectional characteristics.”
“We fund both WEN Wales and Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales. There's Equal Power Equal Voice; we're looking at how we can support them into the future. And I've just mentioned the Elect Her democratic engagement grant. But this is about wider intersectional diversity and inclusion, and I very much hope that political parties and Members today will take this forward and respond positively to this opportunity.”
“It's also interesting that, in terms of the seventh Senedd, the independent rem board is looking at Members' pay and personal support, because this isn't just about getting people to feel that they are going to stand, that they can be selected; it's actually that you make those decisions on, 'Can I fit this into my life? With my life and my children and my family, if I've got any, or my circumstances or the issues that I face in my life'—which could be discriminatory, socioeconomic—'is it worth me putting my name forward?' So, we've got diverse and equal leadership, women's rights, caring responsibilities. WEN Wales is taking forward work, which we're funding. Fair Treatment for the Women of Wales are also looking at the lived experiences of women and considering how that should impact on policy.”
“So, we're required, and I think this is an important point to make, we're actually required under the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act to include measures aimed at creating a more inclusive political environment, including establishing and maintaining this fund, not just for disabled candidates' additional costs, but also making sure that there are additional services and schemes to support people with under-represented characteristics, socioeconomic challenges, or other specific circumstances to stand. We're looking at this now in terms of barriers to standing for electoral office caused by those socioeconomic circumstances, and we'll be able to report on that very shortly.”
“But, obviously, it's not just about finance; it is about political parties actually embracing the message of diversity and inclusion for the seventh Senedd. And this is not just a responsibility on us in Government and political parties; it's also on the Senedd Commission and the seventh Senedd committee that's meeting. It's important for the independent remuneration board of the Senedd. It's important for all of our elected bodies and their members that we look at this from a diversity perspective.”
“Thank you very much, and I hope, Heledd—. This is draft consultation, and it's important that you do raise these issues about support. Absolutely. What support are we going to give to political parties? But more than that, what support are we going to give to the people we want to come forward and stand? This is something where we've already mentioned the fund that was developed for disabled people—the access to elected office fund—and I've already said in my statement that we're now looking at how we could use that fund and widen it out to other under-represented groups. These challenges and questions, they're already feeding in to the consultation today, so I want you to recognise that those are important points to make.”
“But unless we address some of the reasons why people haven't put themselves forward from under-represented groups, even if there was a statutory duty, in statute, for gender quotas, I still think we would have challenges, because politics isn't a place that many people feel they want to be, particularly because of the increasing abuse of politicians, and that point was raised earlier on, and I'm certainly working with all Governments in the UK on that issue. So, let's try and make this a positive call for the diverse people of Wales to come forward and stand for our political parties. We need hundreds of people to consider today, 'Yes, I think that seventh Senedd could be for me.'”
“We need mentoring, we need support, Elect Her, Equal Power, Equal Voice, and we need commitment to financial support, but also we need to demonstrate that we are an anti-racist Senedd, that our parties are, and that we are serious about bringing people forward, encouraging people to come forward and stand for election here. I certainly hope, and I'm sure you are—. We are all, in our party, going out and calling on people to come and stand. We're having meetings.”
“We've got to make sure that people feel, 'Does this mean they want us here?', the people out there who are not represented here, who are under-represented here, and that includes not just diverse women, but black, Asian and minority ethnic people, disabled people, older people, younger people, LGBTQ+ people, and socioeconomic circumstances, we know, is—. We enacted the socioeconomic duty in the Equality Act 2010. It still hasn't yet been enacted by the UK Government. We've got to use this guidance also to build all those mechanisms of support, on which I think that, across the board, we all agree.”
“On the other hand, political parties, if they commit themselves to following this guidance, could deliver a diverse and inclusive Senedd, and it is for political parties to think about, again, putting the statutory basis of gender quotas into their manifestos for the next election. Indeed, as you know, and I know it was disappointing, but the issues around competence and timing meant that we weren't even going to have statutory gender quotas for 2026; it was going to be for 2030. So, these are all important points to make, but I think the guidance that I've given, that we've produced today for consultation, is actually—.”
“Thank you, Jane Dodds, and thank you for that warning. I would say that that warning from the director of the Electoral Reform Society is a warning for this Senedd, a warning for all political parties represented here and those who are not represented here, but who may be represented here in 2026. That's why this guidance, this consultation, is so important, and we must test political parties during this period of consultation in terms of their commitment to this being a diverse and inclusive Senedd. The statutory duty is only on us through section 30 of the Act to produce this guidance, but the implementation, as I said and as you know, is voluntary.”
“But don't forget that we won't have the final, as I said, confirmation of boundaries until, probably, the end of March—it's 1 April that they have to deliver on that—but parties are already beginning their selection processes.”
“We've awarded funding for this financial year and I hope that will continue, with a full-time programme co-ordinator working solely in Wales. I think some of us were at the Elect Her event when women took over the Senedd last year. Outreach activities, grass-roots organisations, the facilitation of a network of Welsh women in elected office, and the development of a series of resources and training courses as well. So, I think that will help to move things forward. But it is for political parties to consider the evidence, the guidance. It's draft, so we look forward to the response, and I would wish to publish this as soon as possible—and that's sort of responding to Sioned's question as well—after the end of the consultation period in January.”
“Obviously, our different political parties are going to take this away, and the point about part 3 was to put down the guidance on voluntary gender quotas, and I hope you'll find that valuable. I did also just—. So, we will, I'm sure, hear from our political parties, as we move through the next few weeks, questions about the implementation of gender quotas, and there'll be opportunities, obviously, with technical briefings and with our own engagement to look at that. Also, I want to look at this from an intersectional perspective in terms of the diverse women of Wales, particularly in terms of looking at gender parity and women's representation. I'm pleased to just announce that we're funding Elect Her.”
“Diolch yn fawr, and those are really welcome responses and points that you made in leading up to that crucial question about where we think we are going to move forward in terms of achieving gender parity in the Senedd and in the seventh Senedd elections. I think it is really important that we are looking at this from the point of evidence of under-represented groups in this Senedd. Clearly, in terms of under-represented groups, we don't reflect the population of Wales in terms of diversity. Women make up 51.1 per cent of the population of Wales, so, clearly, gender quotas and gender parity is what we should achieve for a fully representative Senedd. I think it's also important to recognise that this isn't going to change unless we have that commitment from political parties.”
“In fact, Mick Antoniw, as Counsel General, was leading it at that stage when he took the Bill through the Senedd. So, for example, officials had already engaged with a number of stakeholders on proposals for the draft guidance. There was a draft high-level document, shared with the Women's Equality Network Wales—WEN Wales—and the Electoral Reform Society in June, and, for initial feedback, a stakeholder workshop was held in July; a draft outline of the guidance shared in advance of every one. And, of course, this was officials engaging with these organisations. This is the kind of important balance, that this is a Government duty—so, officials and civil servants have been involved, in order to help inform us as a Ministers in terms of developing the guidance.”
“Thank you very much indeed, Darren Millar. I was very pleased to be able to meet with you and brief you before I came forward with this statement, and also to say, most importantly, that this is draft guidance, and we've got this opportunity now over the next few weeks to fully engage and to get the feedback. I'm very much hoping that all of the parties here will be discussing this within their groups, within all of their networks and with their party executives, because, obviously, this is for the political parties that we are members of. I think, just to say, that because this was, actually, a statutory duty in the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act, which, as you recall, we passed in July of this year, 2024—section 30—work had already started from officials.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Rwy'n falch iawn fy mod heddiw yn gallu cyhoeddi ein canllawiau drafft ar gyfer pleidiau gwleidyddol, gyda'r nod o sicrhau bod ein cyrff democrataidd yn cynrychioli pawb yng Nghymru. Mae'r ymgynghoriad ar agor tan 7 Ionawr.”
“I will speak to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales about this to make sure that Transport for Wales are listening to passengers, stakeholders, and I'm sure you will be feeding back representations that you've made—that have been made to you—and thank you again for putting this on to the record today.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Mabon ap Gwynfor. Of course, the question on the case for change was raised earlier by Carolyn Thomas, and I did make it clear that NRW have said that they will continue management of these sites, including the three visitor centres, of course including the sites that you refer to. They will remain open for walking, biking, play areas, car parking and toilet provision, but they're now also looking out for expressions of interest from businesses and community groups for taking over the retail and catering services at the centres. Thank you again for raising an issue about transport in rural Wales, following on from Jane Dodds's question about the Heart of Wales line. You've now raised the Cambrian line and discussions that are taking place.”
“I understand it's South Wales Football Association's jurisdiction for the referee in this situation, in terms of what's happened to referees, and they are taking action against the alleged perpetrators of the incidents. South Wales Police is investigating too. A meeting took place between the FAW, South Wales Football Association and Cardiff Referees' Society on 31 October, and that dialogue is remaining open to provide support and discussion around policies and campaigns to avoid this outcome in the future.”
“Thank you very much, Jenny Rathbone, and can I very quickly say 'thank you' again for acknowledging the Wampís Nation delegation, following on from Llyr Gruffydd, and also the Creative for Climate Justice champions, the young people, who we know, in our schools, can educate us about their understanding and awareness, and obviously others around the Chamber are also able to appreciate that? Yes, we will raise with the culture Minister the very sad circumstances in terms of the referees and the impact of totally inappropriate behaviour. Everyone should feel very safe when they're participating in sport, and that's volunteers and officials as well as those who are playing it as the players. It's the lifeblood of grass-roots sport.”
“But it is, again, a matter of what capacity can be prioritised and how we can safeguard and improve the services on the Heart of Wales line.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Jane Dodds. Clearly, in terms of the Heart of Wales line, it is such an important transport facility in terms of not just your constituency but for Wales as a whole. It's very regrettable when services are removed, and it's also really important that services, actually, are improved on the Heart of Wales line. I understand that they will be improved by the provision of additional seating and cycle capacity, for example, on the services. But I can assure you that Transport for Wales are listening to passengers, key stakeholders, and changes to their service plans are based on this feedback, but I would hope that they also will be meeting with you, to ensure that you can raise these issues as a Senedd Member. And, of course, they did have a public meeting in Knighton on 7 November.”
“Thank you for raising that question. It hasn't been raised for a number of weeks, so I would have understood that the changes for the recycling arrangements of Denbighshire County Council were bedding in and being now managed more effectively. But, unfortunately, from what you say, there are still major issues that are emerging. I will raise this with the Deputy First Minister and Minister for climate change so that we can have an update on the circumstances in Denbighshire.”
“This is the devastation that so many communities are facing, but we have got a responsibility, and the responsibility for Wales in the world and in our international strategies is clear to this Government.”
“I'm very interested in your second question as well. The front line of climate change—. I wasn't able to hear those representations, but I know that the Counsel General and the Deputy First Minister themselves were engaged. It is the front line, as you say, that organisation, but, importantly—. I recall the Counsel General, when she was previously Minister for climate change, was able to help make a grant to the organisation—I think it was £50,000—which has made a huge difference in enabling some water facilities—a boat, a canoe—to enable children to access schooling. I'm only just reporting on what she was telling us earlier on today at another meeting. But I think it is very important that we recognise, with COP 29 going on today, that this is at the forefront of our understanding of the impact of climate change on the front line.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Llyr Gruffydd. Your first point, I think, is really important, for us to look again at prostate cancer, what consideration is being given to screening and the role and advice to GPs. I also heard an interview with Sir Chris Hoy and he is very reassuring but also encouraging men to go forward and to have those all-important checks. You have also contributed to that awareness raising this afternoon, Llyr, in a really important way. Obviously, I'll talk to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care about where we are, particularly listening to the prostate cancer charity in terms of our situation. But raising awareness is the key point—the starting point—isn't it, in terms of leading to a recognition that that's something they may wish to, or need to, share with their GPs if there are any concerns.”
“But, indeed, you've raised it now, and I hope that leaseholders can find some assistance and expert response from the Leasehold Advisory Service.”
“In terms of leaseholders, the Leasehold Advisory Service can help leaseholders to understand their rights and obligations, either in respect of the individual terms of their lease or in relation to legislation which may apply, for example, in relation to their service charges. I think it is important that that is tested in terms of the support from the Leasehold Advisory Service and, of course, in terms of tenants entering into lease agreements at SA1, contractual terms are laid out and a requirement for tenants to contribute to the wider estate service charge. But the Welsh Government also carries out, as you know, the estate-wide service charge services as a landlord, including maintenance and health and safety, and that's publicly procured.”
“But one important point is that, recently, officials met with individuals with lived experience to better understand their perspectives, and we’re actively exploring the issues raised to see where improvements can be made. But, certainly, this again leads to an airing in this Senedd in terms of scrutiny and updating on that work. On your questions about the SA1 Swansea waterfront project, which, of course, yes, is hugely successful, attracting significant investment, £250 million of private-public funding, University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s wonderful new Matrix development, and Coastal Housing, constructing 104 new affordable units next to the River Tawe, part funded through the social housing grant programme—.”
“Thank you very much for those two questions, Mike Hedges. You followed on on the blue badge line of questioning. I think I’ve responded already about the particular challenges for degenerative conditions, which, of course, can end up being permanent or actually worsen in terms of the impact on someone’s life. But also, the fact is, it’s very difficult for that person to actually be able to, at that point, make that challenging application. I think it is important to say that, at the point of diagnosis, even if a condition is progressive and degenerative, it may not yet impact on a person’s mobility to the extent required to meet the criteria for a blue badge, because it is about, as you know, how mobility is currently affected rather than just on the diagnosis.”
“And it is very true, as you say, that libraries are key to not just our children and young people and access to reading the children’s libraries, but to older people, to all generations. Recently, I visited the Ely and Caerau hub in Cardiff, which is the library, but it’s also got a cafe, it’s also got a children’s library, it’s got a job club, it’s got Citizens Advice, it’s got all of the things that a community needs, and I understand that actually more books are taken out now because it’s part of a hub. I think there are some good examples that local authorities have developed across Wales, and hopefully those will be taken into account in that consultation.”
“Thank you for raising this really important issue, Delyth Jewell, in terms of the future of our community libraries. In fact, this was one of the key features of the impact of austerity and reducing budgets over the last 14 years, when local authorities were having to make very difficult choices about the services that they provide and what they could safeguard. But also, it did prompt, of course, moves to look at other ways in which libraries could be provided through our community asset transfers. So, across Wales, and certainly in my constituency, many of the small community libraries now are actually run by local charities with the support of the library service. It varies around Wales; there are many different models. But you have a consultation, and I’m sure some of these models for the future will be considered.”
“And, of course, he will also have his oral Senedd questions next week, so there's an opportunity to raise it there as well. But it's brought, again, to the attention of the Government concerns about the way the blue badge—. The scheme, crucially, must ensure that those who experience barriers to their mobility can access on-street parking concessions. So, I would also, in terms of your second question—. I think I can assure you, but I know that the Minister for Mental Health and Well-being will also want to respond positively to the call for the inclusion of deaf people in the new mental health strategy. It is an opportunity, as we work very much as we did in the disability rights taskforce, for co-production, and I'm sure that that will be the way forward in terms of the new mental health strategy.”
“Thank you very much, Mark Isherwood, and thank you for also building on the question that was put by Carolyn Thomas on blue badges. I'm also interested in the issue and circumstances around appeals, and the concerns that have been expressed about understanding of the criteria, and lifetime awards opportunities as well. As I said, we've introduced updates and adjustments, which you're well aware of, having been involved in much of the scrutiny in terms of the blue badge. But also, those changes have come about as a result of engagement with stakeholders and healthcare professionals, as well as local government. And, obviously, you've got some feedback from meeting with people, confected in north Wales. So, I will draw this to the attention of the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales.”
“Thank you very much, Darren Millar. As you know, of course, the matter of the resignation of the executive director of finance is an employment matter and it's therefore a matter for the Betsi Cadwaladr health board to respond to. We're very aware of the importance of the Act FAST stroke campaign. Of course, we have our stroke pathway in Wales, which is well established and proven in terms of evidence, but, clearly, the importance of action in terms of stroke response is key. That's something that health boards will have to respond to, and, indeed, we support.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Mae un newid i'r agenda heddiw. Yn amodol ar atal y Rheolau Sefydlog, bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Drafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru yn arwain dadl ar y cofio. Mae hyn yn lle datganiad llafar. Mae busnes drafft ar gyfer y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi yn y datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, sydd ar gael i Aelodau yn electronig.”
“But can I just say that one of the most important things in the refreshed plan is that we're going to set up a new expert Gypsy, Roma and Traveller group? We need those voices, lived experience, influencing policy. We've just approved a new contract to Travelling Ahead at TGP Cymru. I'm delighted that Julie Morgan is now chairing a new cross-party group for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller people, and the work that we're doing also with criminal justice partners to ensure that we look at the impact of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 on Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities. I think that we will never go there now. We've got a new UK Government and we will deliver this through transit sites that meet the needs of Travelling people.”
“And I'm very pleased that, this year, we are not only now getting bids through for site development, which will mean that we will be spending the capital that we allocate every year, but also working very closely with local authorities on those transit sites. And it is something where you need local authorities working not just one by one, but actually regionally, and we as a Welsh Government are going to undertake a sort of national view about travelling and where sites could be located to support local authorities, and then work with them for where those transit sites should be. So, I think the site capital grant funding is available for transit sites as well, and we will look to work with local authorities when we've undertaken this work.”
“Thank you very much, John Griffiths, and thank you for the work of the Local Government and Housing Committee, which I was pleased to go in front of recently for scrutiny on how we can actually achieve those equitable outcomes for our Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people, recognising that they are some of the most disadvantaged and discriminated against in our society. All racism, including racism and discrimination faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, is wholly unacceptable and has no place in Wales. We have made progress and the scrutiny and the impact of being held to account is really important in terms of moving forward. Local authorities have got a statutory duty not just in terms of permanent sites, but also in terms of transit as well.”
“She was the first black history teacher, and she's led the way in terms of moving this forward and DARPL is making a difference.”
“There is a lack of data; this is the other big cross-cutting theme at a national level, and I recognise the recommendation about bullying, for example, and the guidance is being updated. But I think in terms of the role of DARPL, it will make such a difference. But also, let's just go back to the fact that the curriculum is crucial to this, isn't it? And the Cynefin report, chaired by Professor Charlotte Williams, who sits on our external advisory group. We're the first nation in the UK to make it mandatory to teach black, Asian and minority ethnic histories and experiences in the new Curriculum for Wales. Isn't that a breakthrough? And that actually is a breakthrough that we will always honour when we see the Betty Campbell statue in the centre of Cardiff.”
“Diolch, Carolyn Thomas. Well, I think this is one of the most exciting and amazing results of our 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'. And actually I am meeting people; I'm going to look at the work of Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed in Newport, because they've been doing some pioneering work. But this goes back to the fact that, if you actually invest and train teachers, leaders and governors, then you will make a difference. So, again, the education Secretary and the former education Secretary have totally signed up to DARPL. We're supporting it, we're investing in it. I would also very much welcome Members going to visit the schools to ask the questions about professional learning and data collection.”
“But this is going to take us forward, and I hope—I know—that it will with the expertise that we're getting from outside Wales as well as inside Wales, but also the lived experience of those who work in the service. I've been invited to speak to the British Medical Association's black physicians committee in the new year, but also the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin. We learn from those, but we now have to deliver on identifying and measuring progress in tackling racism in the NHS.”
“Diolch yn fawr, Jenny Rathbone, and thank you for the recognition for Altaf Hussain. He's not here, but I would also recognise his contribution in terms of all debates and statements that are made in terms of social justice. I think health is crucial, and the most important point I made in my oral statement is that we've commenced this workforce race equality standard for Wales, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care knows how important this is, because this actually has to identify and measure progress in the NHS and social care workforce on race inequality, which we know from the evidence is rife. And that percentage, that large percentage, of ethnic minorities working in and running our NHS—and we saw that in the pandemic—that has led very much to our anti-racist approach.”
“So, I will be meeting not just with Dr Jones, but also bringing in His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service to help just to break down that ideological block, I have to say, that existed in terms of not sharing that disaggregated data, and moving forward with discussions with Robert Jones and the Wales Governance Centre.”
“And can I say also that you can see change not just from the Ministers and Secretaries of State that we're meeting, at the highest level in terms of what we want to achieve, and this includes women's justice as well? There was a meeting last week, when we were calling for progress with the residential women's centre. There's a lot of interest in what we've done with the women's justice blueprint and the youth justice blueprint, but also we are looking at this in terms of what we can achieve with our long-term ambitions in terms of devolving justice, but starting with ensuring that we can get that justice data.”