National Assembly for Wales

The latest figures show that as at 31 March 2017 there were just over 1,300 empty social sector homes and around 25,200 private sector properties that had been vacant for six months or more across Wales.

Our aim is to support people to live independently in their own home, regardless of whether they are disabled or have a reduced mobility. We are taking action across a broad front in support of this aim.

We have developed a specific housing referral pathway to assist ex-service personnel and their families in transitioning back to civilian life. We remain committed to ensuring veterans have access to services that meet their needs, and are not disadvantaged as a result of their service.

I am extremely concerned by the devastating impact that the UK Government’s welfare reforms are having on low-income families, particularly those with children, in the south Wales Valleys and elsewhere. We have repeatedly expressed our concerns to the UK Government calling for a halt to rolling out of universal credit.

As I set out in my recent oral statement, rough sleeping remains at a persistent and unacceptable level in Wales. We remain committed to tackling the issue, and early indications from policy initiatives such as Housing First show signs of success with some of our most complex rough sleepers.  

Registered social landlords make a positive contribution to the communities where they work including providing homes, employment and training opportunities. I will be meeting Community Housing Cymru, who represent registered social landlords, and will engage with RSL chief executives across Wales, to discuss the work they do with communities.

I remain strongly committed to introducing a Wales agriculture Bill during this Assembly term. As I have stated previously, it is my ambition to bring forward a Bill as soon as practicable, subject to Cabinet decisions on the future legislative programme.

The UK Government is currently responsible for assessments in relation to nuclear energy production. However, from 1 April Welsh Government will be responsible for the consenting of energy projects of less than 350 MW and we are currently gathering the evidence required to develop an appropriate small nuclear policy.

I have always been clear, a 'no deal' Brexit would be catastrophic for our agricultural sector and rural communities, which will bear the brunt of any loss of markets. Crashing out of the European Union without a deal would be hugely damaging and must be avoided at all costs.

In June 2018, I met with members of the Menai Strait Fishery Order Management Association, the applicants for a several Order in the western Menai straits. My officials subsequently met with representatives from MSFOMA in September 2018. Since then, there has been regular telephone contact with members of the MSFOMA board. 

The Wales animal health and welfare framework implementation plan sets out Welsh Government priorities across Wales. I updated Plenary on plans to improve animal welfare in my oral statements in June and November. With Brexit on the horizon, we will review priorities to ensure the welfare of animals in Wales remains paramount. 

We have published guidance for planning authorities on assessing the impacts of different renewable energy technologies, including solar. We need solar power projects to deliver clearer benefits to those in their local communities. We will work with communities through the Welsh Government energy service to seek to do this.

This scheme was established as part of our budget settlement with Plaid Cymru. I am pleased that 110 young people into agriculture applicants have been offered contracts providing each with £40,000 in support towards developing their business. A further 40 applications are being developed and are expected to be agreed this month.