Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
14/09/2021Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Croeso i bawb yn ôl i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Prynhawn da i chi i gyd. Cyn i ni ddechrau, dwi angen nodi ychydig o bwyntiau. Cynhelir y cyfarfod hwn ar ffurf hybrid, gyda rhai Aelodau yn y Siambr ac eraill yn ymuno drwy gyswllt fideo. Bydd yr holl Aelodau sy'n cymryd rhan yn nhrafodion y Senedd, ble bynnag y bônt, yn cael eu trin yn gyfartal. Mae Cyfarfod Llawn a gynhelir drwy gynhadledd fideo, yn unol â Rheolau Sefydlog Senedd Cymru, yn gyfystyr â thrafodion y Senedd at ddibenion Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006. Bydd rhai o ddarpariaethau Rheol Sefydlog 34 yn gymwys ar gyfer y Cyfarfod Llawn heddiw, ac mae'r rheini wedi'u nodi ar eich agenda chi. Dwi eisiau atgoffa Aelodau fod y Rheolau Sefydlog sy'n ymwneud â threfn yn y Cyfarfod Llawn yn berthnasol i'r cyfarfod yma, ac yr un mor berthnasol i'r Aelodau yn y Siambr ag i'r rheini ohonoch chi sydd yn ymuno drwy gyswllt fideo.
Welcome to this Plenary session. Good afternoon to you all. Before we begin, I need to set out a few points. This meeting will be held in hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference. All Members participating in proceedings of the Senedd, wherever they may be, will be treated equitably. A Plenary meeting held using video-conference, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament, constitutes Senedd proceedings for the purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006. Some of the provisions of Standing Order 34 will apply for today's Plenary meeting, and these are set out on your agenda. I would remind Members that Standing Orders relating to order in Plenary meetings apply to this meeting, and apply equally to Members in the Chamber as to those joining virtually.
Felly, yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Mabon ap Gwynfor.
The first item this afternoon is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Mabon ap Gwynfor.
1. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad ar gynlluniau’r Llywodraeth ynghylch tai cymdeithasol? OQ56811
1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Government's plans for social housing? OQ56811
Wel, Llywydd, dros dymor y Senedd hon, mae’r Llywodraeth yn bwriadu rhoi cymorth i ddarparu 20,000 o dai rhent cymdeithasol carbon isel. Bydd y tai hyn yn addas ar gyfer y dyfodol. Byddant yn cael eu hadeiladu’n gyflymach, i fodloni safonau cyfredol o ran lle ac ansawdd.
Well, Llywydd, over this Senedd term, the Government plans to support the provision of 20,000 low-carbon homes for social rent. These will be homes that are fit for the future, built more quickly and to contemporary standards of space and quality.
Diolch am yr ateb, Brif Weinidog. Wel, mi ges i gyfarfod yn ddiweddar efo swyddogion Llywodraeth De'r Tyrol yng ngogledd yr Eidal, un o'r rhanbarthau cyfoethocaf yn Ewrop, ac yno does nemor ddim ail dai ac mae twristiaeth yn llewyrchu. Ond er gwaethaf llewyrch yr ardal, mae 60 y cant o'r tai yno yn dai cymdeithasol ac yn ymateb i'r galw cymunedol. Onid dyma'r math o uchelgais y dylen ni fod yn ei ddangos yma yng Nghymru, a pha gamau felly ydych chi am eu cymryd er mwyn newid y diwylliant yng Nghymru a sicrhau bod datblygiadau tai a gwerthiant yn ymateb i'r galw cymunedol ac nid yn fuddsoddiad economaidd i bobl sydd eisoes yn ariannog? Diolch.
Thank you for that response, First Minister. Well, I had a meeting recently with officials from the Government of South Tyrol in northern Italy, one of the richest regions in Europe, and a region where there are virtually no second homes and tourism prospers. But despite the prosperity of the area, 60 per cent of the homes there are social housing and respond to community need. Isn't this the kind of ambition that we should be showing here in Wales, and what steps are you going to take in order to change the culture in Wales and to ensure that housing developments and sales respond to community demand rather than being an economic investment for people who are already well off? Thank you.
Wel, Llywydd, mae Mabon ap Gwynfor yn codi cyfres o gwestiynau pwysig, sy'n amlwg yn berthnasol i'r rhan o Gymru y mae e'n cynrychioli, ond yn tynnu hefyd ar dystiolaeth dramor. Mae nifer o enghreifftiau tramor sy'n berthnasol i'r pethau rŷn ni'n eu hwynebu yma yng Nghymru—yn y Swistir, mae'r pethau mae'r parti gwleidyddol yn eu dadlau, ac yng Nghanada ar hyn o bryd yn yr un maes.
Dwi'n cytuno â beth mae Mabon ap Gwynfor wedi'i ddweud am bwysigrwydd cynyddu nifer y tai sydd ar gael i'w rhentu a rhentu cymdeithasol hefyd. Ac mae yn bwysig i ni i gyd weithio gyda'r cymunedau lleol. Ambell waith mae cymunedau lle mae prinder o dai ar gael ac nid yw rhai pobl yn croesawu cynlluniau i adeiladu mwy o dai yn yr ardal yna. So, mae gwaith i ni i gyd ei wneud i drio perswadio pobl am bwysigrwydd adeiladu mwy o dai, mwy o dai cymdeithasol, mwy o gyfle i bobl leol brynu neu rentu tai ac i aros yn lleol. A thrwy gydweithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol, ac ar draws partïau ar lawr y Cynulliad hefyd, dwi'n hyderus y bydd syniadau gyda ni yng Nghymru, syniadau ymarferol, lle gallwn ni fwrw ymlaen i roi mwy o gyfleon i bobl leol.
Well, Llywydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor has raised a series of important questions that are evidently relevant to the part of Wales that he represents, and he's also drawn on evidence from abroad. There are a number of examples from abroad that are relevant to the position here in Wales—for example, there is what some of the political parties are arguing in Switzerland, and likewise in Canada currently in the same field.
I agree with what Mabon ap Gwynfor has said, and I can give an assurance that we will be increasing the number of houses available for rent and as social housing. And it's important that we all collaborate with local communities, because sometimes there are communities where there is a shortage of houses available and some people do not welcome plans to build more houses in that area. So, there's work for us all to do to try to persuade people of the importance of constructing more houses, more social housing, and to give local people more opportunity to purchase and to rent houses and to remain in their locale. And by collaborating with the local authorities, and also by having cross-party collaboration, I am confident that ideas will be forthcoming in Wales, practical ideas that will give more opportunities for local people.
Janet Finch-Saunders.
Janet Finch-Saunders.
Diolch, Llywydd, and good afternoon, First Minister. You'll be aware, of course, that housing associations provide around 165,000 homes and related housing services for around 10 per cent of our population. According to Community Housing Cymru, in 2019-20, associations spent £1.3 billion directly into the Welsh economy, and for every one of the around 10,000 full-time staff, another 1.5 jobs were supported elsewhere. Also, in addition to achieving 99 per cent compliance with the Welsh housing quality standard, in comparison to 84 per cent by local authorities, housing associations in Wales are committed to bringing a further £1 billion in private investment during the next five years, matching every pound invested to build new social housing, and increasing its membership spend from 85p to 90p in every pound.
There are so many good examples, proving that our 59 RSLs are now delivering for our communities. Yet, despite such huge successes, 11 local authorities have not yet transferred their stock. The last local authority to transfer 100 per cent of its stock was Neath Port Talbot, in 2011. Given the benefits that I've mentioned—and, believe me, there are considerably more—what steps are you taking to work with our local authorities to see the further transfer of social housing to a registered social landlord model, given the advantages this could bring? Diolch.
Diolch, Llywydd, a phrynhawn da, Prif Weinidog. Byddwch chi'n ymwybodol, wrth gwrs, fod cymdeithasau tai yn darparu tua 165,000 o gartrefi a gwasanaethau tai cysylltiedig ar gyfer tua 10 y cant o'n poblogaeth. Yn ôl Cartrefi Cymunedol Cymru, yn 2019-20, gwariodd cymdeithasau £1.3 biliwn yn uniongyrchol i economi Cymru, ac am bob un o'r tua 10,000 o staff llawnamser, cefnogwyd 1.5 swydd arall mewn mannau eraill. Hefyd, yn ogystal â sicrhau cydymffurfiad o 99 y cant â safon ansawdd tai Cymru, o'i gymharu ag 84 y cant gan awdurdodau lleol, mae cymdeithasau tai yng Nghymru wedi ymrwymo i ddod ag £1 biliwn arall mewn buddsoddiad preifat yn ystod y pum mlynedd nesaf, gan wneud taliad cyfatebol am bob punt a fuddsoddir i adeiladu tai cymdeithasol newydd, a chynyddu eu gwariant aelodaeth o 85c i 90c ym mhob punt.
Ceir cymaint o enghreifftiau da, sy'n profi bod ein 59 o landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig bellach yn cyflawni dros ein cymunedau. Ac eto, er gwaethaf llwyddiannau mor enfawr, nid yw 11 o awdurdodau lleol wedi trosglwyddo eu stoc eto. Yr awdurdod lleol diwethaf i drosglwyddo 100 y cant o'i stoc oedd Castell-nedd Port Talbot, yn 2011. O ystyried y manteision yr wyf i wedi eu crybwyll—a chredwch chi fi, ceir llawer mwy—pa gamau ydych chi'n eu cymryd i weithio gyda'n hawdurdodau lleol i weld rhagor o drosglwyddiadau o dai cymdeithasol i fodel landlordiaid cymdeithasol cofrestredig, o ystyried y manteision y gallai hyn eu cynnig? Diolch.
Llywydd, I agreed with a great deal of what the Member said, right up until her final conclusion. I agree with everything she said about the economic importance of housing associations, of the enormous amount of social good that they do, about the way in which they lever private investment—absolutely necessary private investment—into the development of new housing here in Wales. All of that I think is absolutely to be commended.
Stock transfer, however, is not a matter of a decision of the local authority. It is a matter of the decision of the local tenants—they have to vote on propositions. In Wales, some local authorities have put proposals to their tenants, who have decided to opt for stock transfer, and some have decided to remain with the local authority, because local authorities too do an enormous amount of economic good. Local authorities too have an enormous social impact, and local authorities increasingly in Wales are going to be the direct builders of new social housing for the future.
So, both options are there—they remain there in Wales. It is not a matter for the local authority to decide; it is where tenants feel that there is a more compelling proposition elsewhere, they are able to opt for it. When they choose to remain with the local authority, they will have made that decision too.
Llywydd, roeddwn i'n cytuno â llawer iawn o'r hyn a ddywedodd yr Aelod, hyd at ei chasgliad terfynol. Rwy'n cytuno â phopeth a ddywedodd am bwysigrwydd economaidd cymdeithasau tai, am y lles cymdeithasol enfawr y maen nhw'n ei gyflawni, am y ffordd y maen nhw'n ysgogi buddsoddiad preifat—buddsoddiad preifat cwbl angenrheidiol—i ddatblygu tai newydd yma yng Nghymru. Mae hynny i gyd yn sicr i'w ganmol.
Fodd bynnag, nid yw trosglwyddo stoc yn fater o benderfyniad gan yr awdurdod lleol. Mae'n fater o benderfyniad y tenantiaid lleol—mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw bleidleisio ar gynigion. Yng Nghymru, mae rhai awdurdodau lleol wedi cyflwyno cynigion i'w tenantiaid, sydd wedi penderfynu dewis trosglwyddiad stoc, ac mae rhai wedi penderfynu aros gyda'r awdurdod lleol, oherwydd bod awdurdodau lleol hefyd yn cyflawni llawer iawn o les economaidd. Mae awdurdodau lleol hefyd yn cael effaith gymdeithasol enfawr, a bydd awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru yn gynyddol yn adeiladwyr uniongyrchol tai cymdeithasol newydd ar gyfer y dyfodol.
Felly, mae'r ddau opsiwn ar gael—maen nhw'n parhau i fod ar gael yng Nghymru. Nid yw'n fater i'r awdurdod lleol benderfynu arno; mae'n pan fo tenantiaid yn teimlo bod cynnig mwy cymhellol yn rhywle arall, gallan nhw ei ddewis. Pan fyddan nhw'n dewis aros gyda'r awdurdod lleol, nhw fydd wedi gwneud y penderfyniad hwnnw hefyd.
First Minister, over recent years, my constituency of Cynon Valley has benefited hugely from the Welsh Government's investment in social housing, with many old and disused buildings being faithfully converted into high-quality accommodation, as well as new builds. One issue that frequently arises, however, is the demand for adapted and adaptable properties. It's often challenging for the local authority to adequately predict demand for such properties and to feed the information through so that sufficient properties are available when needed. What more can Welsh Government do, First Minister, to ensure that all those who require adapted social housing are able to access this, and to access it in a timely manner?
Prif Weinidog, dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, mae fy etholaeth i yng Nghwm Cynon wedi elwa yn aruthrol ar fuddsoddiad Llywodraeth Cymru mewn tai cymdeithasol, wrth i lawer o hen adeiladau segur gael eu troi yn gywir yn llety o ansawdd uchel, yn ogystal ag adeiladau newydd sbon. Un mater sy'n codi'n aml, fodd bynnag, yw'r galw am eiddo wedi ei addasu ac y gellir ei addasu. Mae'n aml yn anodd i'r awdurdod lleol ragweld yn ddigonol y galw am eiddo o'r fath a bwydo'r wybodaeth drwodd fel bod digon o eiddo ar gael pan fo'i angen. Beth arall y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud, Prif Weinidog, i sicrhau bod pawb sydd angen tai cymdeithasol wedi eu haddasu yn gallu cael gafael arnyn nhw, a'u cael yn brydlon?
Llywydd, I thank Vikki Howells for that question. She's right to point to a genuine area of challenge for local authorities, because these are not predictable needs. But when the needs occur, they are often very significant, and, from the point of view of the individual, urgent. I was very glad to see that, in the last financial year, with help through the social housing grant, Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority, in the Member's own constituency, was able to carry out specific adaptations to properties in Cwmbach and Penrhiwceiber exactly in order to make sure that properties are properly available for people with specific disabilities.
It's very important thereafter that local authorities maintain the register of those properties. When their current users no longer need to access them, they need to be made available to others who need similarly adapted accommodation. I know Vikki Howells will have seen, Llywydd, that, back on 12 August, the Welsh Government published our new standards for the future of social housing here in Wales. And part of the purpose of those new standards is to make sure that the size of rooms and buildings that will be provided in the social rented sector will make it easier for local authorities to carry out those adaptations in future, so that housing can be more readily and, indeed, more efficiently, from a financial point of view, translated into accommodation that people can use, in exactly the circumstances that the Member for Cynon Valley has referred to.
Llywydd, diolchaf i Vikki Howells am y cwestiwn yna. Mae'n iawn iddi gyfeirio at faes gwirioneddol o her i awdurdodau lleol, oherwydd nid yw'r rhain yn anghenion rhagweladwy. Ond pan fydd yr anghenion yn codi, maen nhw'n aml yn sylweddol iawn, ac, o safbwynt yr unigolyn, yn rhai brys. Roeddwn i'n falch iawn o weld, yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf, gyda chymorth drwy'r grant tai cymdeithasol, fod awdurdod lleol Rhondda Cynon Taf, yn etholaeth yr Aelod ei hun, wedi gallu gwneud addasiadau penodol i eiddo yng Nghwm-bach a Phenrhiwceibr yn union er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr bod eiddo ar gael yn briodol i bobl ag anableddau penodol.
Mae'n bwysig iawn wedi hynny bod awdurdodau lleol yn cadw cofrestr o'r eiddo hynny. Pan na fydd eu defnyddwyr presennol eu hangen nhw mwyach, mae angen iddyn nhw fod ar gael i bobl eraill sydd angen llety wedi'i addasu yn yr un modd. Rwy'n gwybod y bydd Vikki Howells wedi gweld, Llywydd, bod Llywodraeth Cymru, ar 12 Awst, wedi cyhoeddi ein safonau newydd ar gyfer dyfodol tai cymdeithasol yma yng Nghymru. A rhan o ddiben y safonau newydd hynny yw gwneud yn siŵr y bydd maint yr ystafelloedd a'r adeiladau a fydd yn cael eu darparu yn y sector rhentu cymdeithasol yn ei gwneud yn haws i awdurdodau lleol wneud yr addasiadau hynny yn y dyfodol, fel y gellir troi tai yn fwy parod ac, yn wir, yn fwy effeithlon, o safbwynt ariannol, yn llety y gall pobl ei ddefnyddio, o dan yr union amgylchiadau y mae'r Aelod dros Gwm Cynon wedi cyfeirio atyn nhw.
2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i liniaru tlodi bwyd yn Islwyn? OQ56842
2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to alleviate food poverty in Islwyn? OQ56842
I thank the Member for that question, Llywydd. On 6 September, we announced over £1.9 million-worth of new funding to help tackle food poverty and food insecurity. The Caerphilly Cares About Food project is one of those to benefit from that funding. It will bring communities together—food producers and growing initiatives—to form a network of organisations aimed at tackling food insecurity in the Islwyn area.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna, Llywydd. Ar 6 Medi, fe wnaethom ni gyhoeddi gwerth dros £1.9 miliwn o gyllid newydd i helpu i fynd i'r afael â thlodi bwyd ac ansicrwydd bwyd. Mae prosiect bwyd Gofalu am Gaerffili yn un o'r rhai i elwa ar y cyllid hwnnw. Bydd yn dod â chymunedau ynghyd—cynhyrchwyr bwyd a mentrau tyfu—i ffurfio rhwydwaith o sefydliadau sydd â'r nod o fynd i'r afael ag ansicrwydd bwyd yn ardal Islwyn.
Diolch, First Minister. Last week, it was announced that over £1.9 million of funding is awarded to organisations across Wales, as you say, to help tackle food poverty and address food insecurity within local communities. In Islwyn, in Pantside, where I was born, local volunteers set up in February 2020 the Pantside foodbank, and volunteers, such as Jayne Jeremiah, Wendy Hussey, Adrian Hussey, Cath Davies, Peter and Chyeran Cho, Simone Hockey, Jackie Ann Simette and Viv Smithey, have been supported by the local community, the Co-ops, the Asdas and David Wood bakeries. During this pandemic, these amazing individuals—and I do mean that will all sincerity—and these companies have stepped forward to co-ordinate the community's giving to help those in food poverty. First Minister, what further actions then can the Welsh Government take to aid local campaigners, like the Pantside foodbank volunteers, who are needed more than ever as the UK Tory Government seek to cut £20 a week from universal credit claimants in October?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Cyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf bod dros £1.9 miliwn o gyllid yn cael ei ddyfarnu i sefydliadau ledled Cymru, fel yr ydych chi'n ei ddweud, i helpu i fynd i'r afael â thlodi bwyd ac i roi sylw i ansicrwydd bwyd mewn cymunedau lleol. Yn Islwyn, ym Mhantside, lle cefais i fy ngeni, fe wnaeth gwirfoddolwyr lleol sefydlu banc bwyd Panstide ym mis Chwefror 2020, ac mae gwirfoddolwyr, fel Jayne Jeremiah, Wendy Hussey, Adrian Hussey, Cath Davies, Peter a Chyeran Cho, Simone Hockey, Jackie Ann Simette a Viv Smithey, wedi cael eu cynorthwyo gan y gymuned leol, y siopau Co-op, Asda a siopau bara David Wood. Yn ystod y pandemig hwn, mae'r unigolion rhyfeddol hyn—ac rwy'n dweud hynny yn gwbl ddiffuant—a'r cwmnïau hyn wedi camu ymlaen i gydgysylltu rhoddion y gymuned i helpu'r rhai mewn tlodi bwyd. Prif Weinidog, pa gamau pellach all Llywodraeth Cymru eu cymryd felly i gynorthwyo ymgyrchwyr lleol, fel gwirfoddolwyr banc bwyd Pantside, y mae eu hangen yn fwy nag erioed wrth i Lywodraeth Dorïaidd y DU geisio torri £20 yr wythnos i hawlwyr credyd cynhwysol ym mis Hydref?
Well, Llywydd, Rhianon Passmore makes a very important point at the very end of her supplementary question. Those fantastic volunteers at the St Peter's Church in the Pantside foodbank—a remarkable foodbank, by the way, Llywydd, because it operates with no referrals, no vouchers, no appointments; people can simply turn up and know that they will be helped—and it is a very sad fact indeed that, as from the removal of that £20 a week, those volunteers, and others like them right across Wales, will find themselves having to respond to the needs of even more families, working families, here in Wales, Llywydd. There are 97,000 families in Wales who are working and receiving universal credit. Nearly 300,000 families who will be worse off every single week, forced, as the Trussell Trust said last week, to choose again between heating, eating or being able to afford to travel to work. It is deliberate, it is calculated and it is callous. It is a decision that this UK Government should, even now, reconsider so that those families and those volunteers right throughout Wales can focus their efforts on the help that is already needed in our communities, without adding thousands more people who will struggle every week to make ends meet.
Wel, Llywydd, mae Rhianon Passmore yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn ar ddiwedd oll ei chwestiwn atodol. Mae'r gwirfoddolwyr gwych hynny yn Eglwys San Pedr ym manc bwyd Pantside—banc bwyd rhyfeddol, gyda llaw, Llywydd, gan ei fod yn gweithredu heb unrhyw atgyfeiriadau, heb unrhyw dalebau, heb unrhyw apwyntiadau; gall pobl alw draw a gwybod y byddan nhw'n cael cymorth—ac mae'n ffaith drist iawn yn wir, o ddileu yr £20 yr wythnos hwnnw, y bydd y gwirfoddolwyr hynny, ac eraill tebyg iddyn nhw ledled Cymru gyfan, yn cael eu hunain yn gorfod ymateb i anghenion hyd yn oed mwy o deuluoedd, teuluoedd sy'n gweithio, yma yng Nghymru, Llywydd. Mae yna 97,000 o deuluoedd yng Nghymru sy'n gweithio ac yn derbyn credyd cynhwysol. Mae bron i 300,000 o deuluoedd a fydd yn waeth eu byd bob un wythnos, yn cael eu gorfodi, fel y dywedodd Ymddiriedolaeth Trussell yr wythnos diwethaf, i ddewis eto rhwng gwresogi, bwyta neu allu fforddio teithio i'r gwaith. Mae'n fwriadol, mae'n bwrpasol ac mae'n ddideimlad. Mae'n benderfyniad y dylai Llywodraeth y DU, hyd yn oed nawr, ei ailystyried fel y gall y teuluoedd hynny a'r gwirfoddolwyr hynny ledled Cymru gyfan ganolbwyntio eu hymdrechion ar y cymorth sydd ei angen eisoes yn ein cymunedau, heb ychwanegu miloedd yn fwy o bobl a fydd yn ei chael hi'n anodd bob wythnos i gael dau ben llinyn ynghyd.
Cwestiynau nawr gan arweinwyr y pleidiau. Arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Questions now from the party leaders. The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. First Minister, vaccine passports have been determined to be necessary in Scotland. The UK Government have indicated they will not be putting vaccine passports into action in England. The people of Wales are waiting to see what action you will be taking later this week. On 13 July, you said that you were fundamentally against the introduction of vaccine passports. Now, I appreciate, if I asked you what your Government will do on Friday, you will say those discussions are still live, so I am specifically asking you, given your previous position of objecting to the use of COVID passports, will you be leading the discussion in the same vein in Cabinet or has your position changed. And are we expecting a change in the Government's overall view of vaccine passports on Friday?
Diolch, Llywydd. Prif Weinidog, penderfynwyd bod pasbortau brechlyn yn angenrheidiol yn yr Alban. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi dweud na fyddan nhw'n rhoi pasbortau brechlyn ar waith yn Lloegr. Mae pobl Cymru yn aros i weld pa gamau y byddwch chi'n eu cymryd yn ddiweddarach yr wythnos hon. Ar 13 Gorffennaf, fe wnaethoch chi ddweud eich bod chi'n gwrthwynebu yn ei hanfod gyflwyno pasbortau brechlyn. Nawr, rwy'n sylweddoli, pe bawn i'n gofyn i chi beth fydd eich Llywodraeth yn ei wneud ddydd Gwener, y byddwch chi'n dweud bod y trafodaethau hynny yn dal i gael eu cynnal, felly rwy'n gofyn i chi yn benodol, o gofio eich safbwynt blaenorol o wrthwynebu'r defnydd o basbortau COVID, a fyddwch chi'n arwain y drafodaeth yn yr un modd yn y Cabinet neu a yw eich safbwynt wedi newid. Ac a ydym ni'n disgwyl newid i safbwynt cyffredinol y Llywodraeth ar basbortau brechlyn ddydd Gwener?
Well, Llywydd, I start always from a position of scepticism about any measures that place additional barriers in the path of people going about their everyday lives. It should always be a proper discussion, and you need to be persuaded to do something, rather than starting from a position of being in favour of them. There are real ethical issues to be considered in relation to vaccine certification, there are practical issues, there are legal issues, and I think it's right that our starting point in Wales should have been that we would need to be persuaded that there was a public health benefit from vaccine certification. That debate does indeed go on this week in the Cabinet. We've met twice on the issue already. We will meet again on it this week, making sure that we have the best possible information about the public health benefits that vaccine certification might produce, against the disbenefits that come from it.
We've not been helped, Llywydd, I have to say, by the position of the UK Government on this. I have lost count, Llywydd, of the number of meetings that I have sat through with UK Ministers, in which they have lectured me about the necessity of vaccine certification. And when I have raised with them the ethical, the legal, and the practical issues that need to be resolved, I've generally been treated as though these were details that ought not to get in the way of this necessary course of action. As late as the end of last week, we were being told by UK Ministers that they would be going ahead with vaccine certification in England. If I was in the leader of the opposition's position, I would probably wait to hear what they actually say on that matter today, in case there is yet another change in their position since the weekend.
Here in Wales, we will not make a decision on the basis of what is convenient for the Conservative Party and the various factions that exist within it. We will continue to weigh up the public health benefits against the very real concerns that there are with vaccine certification. Then we will come to the best decision that we are able to make.
Wel, Llywydd, rwyf i bob amser yn dechrau o safbwynt amheus ynghylch unrhyw fesurau sy'n gosod rhwystrau ychwanegol ar lwybr pobl sy'n byw eu bywydau bob dydd. Dylai fod yn drafodaeth briodol bob amser, ac mae angen i chi gael eich perswadio i wneud rhywbeth, yn hytrach na dechrau o safbwynt o fod o'u plaid. Ceir materion moesegol gwirioneddol i'w hystyried o ran ardystiad brechlyn, ceir materion ymarferol, ceir materion cyfreithiol, ac rwyf i'n credu ei bod hi'n iawn y dylai ein man cychwyn yng Nghymru ddechrau o fod angen i ni gael ein darbwyllo bod budd i iechyd y cyhoedd o gael ardystiad brechlyn. Yn wir, mae'r ddadl honno yn parhau yr wythnos hon yn y Cabinet. Rydym ni wedi cyfarfod ddwywaith ar y mater yn barod. Byddwn yn cyfarfod i'w drafod eto yr wythnos hon, gan wneud yn siŵr bod gennym ni'r wybodaeth orau bosibl am y manteision i iechyd y cyhoedd y gallai ardystiad brechlyn eu cynnig, yn erbyn yr anfanteision sy'n deillio ohono.
Nid ydym ni wedi cael ein helpu, Llywydd, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, gan safbwynt Llywodraeth y DU ar hyn. Rwyf i wedi colli cyfrif, Llywydd, o nifer y cyfarfodydd yr wyf i wedi eistedd drwyddyn nhw gyda Gweinidogion y DU, lle maen nhw wedi pregethu i mi ar yr angen am ardystiad brechlyn. A phan rwyf i wedi codi gyda nhw y materion moesegol, cyfreithiol ac ymarferol y mae angen eu datrys, rwyf i wedi cael fy nhrin yn gyffredinol fel pe bai'r rhain yn fanylion na ddylen nhw rwystro'r camau gweithredu angenrheidiol hyn. Mor hwyr â diwedd wythnos diwethaf, roedd Gweinidogion y DU yn dweud wrthym ni y bydden nhw'n bwrw ymlaen ag ardystiad brechlyn yn Lloegr. Pe bawn i yn sefyllfa arweinydd yr wrthblaid, mae'n debyg y byddwn i'n aros i glywed yr hyn y maen nhw'n ei ddweud mewn gwirionedd ar y mater hwnnw heddiw, rhag ofn bod newid arall eto i'w safbwynt ers y penwythnos.
Yma yng Nghymru, ni fyddwn ni'n gwneud penderfyniad ar sail yr hyn sy'n gyfleus i'r Blaid Geidwadol a'r gwahanol garfannau sy'n bodoli ynddi. Byddwn yn parhau i bwyso a mesur y manteision i iechyd y cyhoedd yn erbyn y pryderon gwirioneddol iawn sy'n bodoli o ran ardystiad brechlyn. Yna byddwn yn gwneud y penderfyniad gorau y gallwn ni ei wneud.
Clearly, on these benches, we've been consistent, First Minister. We've always said that vaccine passports should not be introduced in Wales. We've held that position, and we continue to hold that position.
I notice that, in the near two and a half minutes in which you responded to the question—and I am grateful for the detail that you gave—you did not indicate whether your position has changed on the position of vaccine passports, which is what I asked you about. I was asking: would you lead the discussions in Cabinet from your position on 13 July, which was against vaccine passports, or has your position moved now, and you are more favourable to the introduction of vaccine passports?
I think that it is important that people know how the First Minister of Wales will lead those discussions. So, I ask again: will you be sticking to your 13 July position of not accepting the need for vaccine passports, or has your position changed? It's a simple question, First Minister.
Yn amlwg, ar y meinciau hyn, rydym ni wedi bod yn gyson, Prif Weinidog. Rydym ni wedi dweud erioed na ddylid cyflwyno pasbortau brechlyn yng Nghymru. Rydym ni wedi dal y safbwynt hwnnw, ac rydym ni'n parhau i ddal y safbwynt hwnnw.
Rwy'n sylwi, yn y bron i ddau funud a hanner y gwnaethoch chi ei dreulio yn ymateb i'r cwestiwn—ac rwy'n ddiolchgar am y manylion y gwnaethoch chi eu rhoi—na wnaethoch chi nodi a yw eich safbwynt wedi newid ar sefyllfa pasbortau brechlyn, sef yr hyn a ofynnais i chi amdano. Roeddwn i'n gofyn: a fyddech chi'n arwain y trafodaethau yn y Cabinet o'ch safbwynt chi ar 13 Gorffennaf, a oedd yn erbyn pasbortau brechlyn, neu a yw eich safbwynt wedi newid erbyn hyn, a'ch bod yn fwy ffafriol tuag at gyflwyno pasbortau brechlyn?
Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig bod pobl yn gwybod sut y bydd Prif Weinidog Cymru yn arwain y trafodaethau hynny. Felly, gofynnaf eto: a fyddwch chi'n glynu at eich safbwynt ar 13 Gorffennaf o beidio â derbyn yr angen am basbortau brechlyn, neu a yw eich safbwynt wedi newid? Mae'n gwestiwn syml, Prif Weinidog.
My position, Llywydd, is the one that I set out. I start from a position of scepticism about vaccine certification. That doesn't mean that I cannot be persuaded, if the evidence of their public health benefits in September, in a different context to the one that we faced in July, outweighs the disadvantages. That is a very closely balanced set of arguments, which is why the Cabinet will have a third discussion of it all, based on the best evidence that we can secure.
If the balance of advantages has tipped in favour of some use of vaccine certification, then that is what the Cabinet will collectively determine. If the balance remains on the more sceptical side of it—and if we don't see that we've reached the point where it would be beneficial—then the Cabinet will decide that as well. What we don't do is to do what the leader of the opposition appears to do: to take a position and say that, regardless of the evidence and regardless of the context, he knows what he thinks.
Fy safbwynt i, Llywydd, yw'r un a nodais. Rwy'n dechrau o safbwynt amheuaeth ynghylch ardystiad brechlyn. Nid yw hynny'n golygu na allaf gael fy narbwyllo, os yw'r dystiolaeth o'i fanteision i iechyd y cyhoedd ym mis Medi, mewn gwahanol gyd-destun i'r un yr oeddem yn ei wynebu ym mis Gorffennaf, yn drech na'r anfanteision. Mae honno'n gyfres o ddadleuon cytbwys iawn, a dyna pam y bydd y Cabinet yn cael trydedd drafodaeth ar y cyfan, wedi'i seilio ar y dystiolaeth orau y gallwn ni ei sicrhau.
Os yw cydbwysedd y manteision wedi pwyso o blaid rhywfaint o ddefnydd o ardystiad brechlyn, yna dyna fydd y Cabinet yn ei benderfynu ar y cyd. Os yw'r cydbwysedd yn parhau ar yr ochr fwy amheus ohono—ac os na fyddwn ni'n ystyried ein bod ni wedi cyrraedd y pwynt lle byddai'n fuddiol—yna bydd y Cabinet yn penderfynu hynny hefyd. Yr hyn nad ydym ni'n ei wneud yw gwneud yr hyn y mae'n ymddangos bod arweinydd yr wrthblaid yn ei wneud: mabwysiadu safbwynt a dweud, ni waeth beth fo'r dystiolaeth a beth fo'r cyd-destun, ei fod yn gwybod beth mae'n ei feddwl.
I certainly do know what I think, and I asked a second time to see whether I knew what you think, and I don't really now know what the hell you think, First Minister. It was a simple enough question.
The two questions that I have asked on COVID passports indicate clearly that decisions have been taken here in Wales that are different from other parts of the United Kingdom, as rightly they should. We are standing here in the Welsh Parliament. We have a Welsh Government. It is vitally important that we have an independent inquiry. I pushed you on this before the summer recess. The Senedd had the chance to vote on that, and the governing parties came together and voted that motion down, regrettably.
But, it is a fact that, over the summer recess, the Scottish Government has commissioned an independent inquiry. The UK Government has commissioned an independent inquiry. Organisations such as Asthma UK, the British Lung Foundation, Medics4MaskUpWales and COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru have come out asking for this independent inquiry to be commissioned here in Wales.
You have the power to do that, First Minister. The Scottish First Minister has done it. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has done it. Will you today now reflect on that position, and give the assurance to the Welsh Parliament that you will commission a Welsh independent public inquiry that can look into the very matters that your Government Ministers have been making decisions over, so that we can have that scrutiny and we can have that clarity here in Wales, and ultimately get the successes highlighted, but also understand where the failures occurred?
Rwyf i'n sicr yn gwybod beth rwyf i'n ei feddwl, a gofynnais eilwaith i weld a oeddwn i'n gwybod beth rydych chi'n ei feddwl, ac nid wyf i'n gwybod bellach beth ddiawl yr ydych chi'n ei feddwl, Prif Weinidog. Roedd yn gwestiwn digon syml.
Mae'r ddau gwestiwn yr wyf i wedi eu gofyn am basbortau COVID yn dangos yn eglur bod penderfyniadau wedi eu gwneud yma yng Nghymru sy'n wahanol i rannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig, fel sy'n briodol. Rydym ni'n sefyll yma yn Senedd Cymru. Mae gennym ni Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae'n hanfodol bwysig ein bod ni'n cael ymchwiliad annibynnol. Fe wnes i bwyso arnoch chi am hyn cyn toriad yr haf. Cafodd y Senedd gyfle i bleidleisio ar hynny, a daeth y pleidiau llywodraethol at ei gilydd a phleidleisio yn erbyn y cynnig hwnnw, yn anffodus.
Ond, mae'n ffaith bod Llywodraeth yr Alban, dros doriad yr haf, wedi comisiynu ymchwiliad annibynnol. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi comisiynu ymchwiliad annibynnol. Mae sefydliadau fel Asthma UK, Sefydliad Prydeinig yr Ysgyfaint, Medics4MaskUpWales a COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru wedi gofyn yn gyhoeddus i'r ymchwiliad annibynnol hwn gael ei gomisiynu yma yng Nghymru.
Mae gennych chi'r grym i wneud hynny, Prif Weinidog. Mae Prif Weinidog yr Alban wedi gwneud hynny. Mae Prif Weinidog y Deyrnas Unedig wedi gwneud hynny. A wnewch chi fyfyrio yn awr heddiw ar y sefyllfa honno, a rhoi'r sicrwydd i Senedd Cymru y byddwch chi'n comisiynu ymchwiliad cyhoeddus annibynnol i Gymru a all ymchwilio i'r union faterion y mae Gweinidogion eich Llywodraeth wedi bod yn gwneud penderfyniadau yn eu cylch, fel y gallwn ni gael y craffu hwnnw ac y gallwn ni gael yr eglurder hwnnw yma yng Nghymru, ac yn y pen draw cael sylw i'r llwyddiannau, ond hefyd deall ble cafwyd y methiannau?
Well, Llywydd, the Scottish First Minister has honoured a manifesto commitment of her party in the Scottish election. There was no such manifesto commitment from my party—we’re not in the same position at all. We are in the same position as the UK Prime Minister, because the independent inquiry that he has announced was announced with the agreement of the Welsh Government and on the basis that the actions that have been taken here in Wales would be independently and fully scrutinised by that inquiry. That is the agreement that we have come to. I know that he doesn’t agree with the Prime Minister on that, but I have reached an agreement with him, and I intend, provided that the terms on which we have agreed are carried through, to honour the agreement we have made.
I discussed all of this again, Llywydd, in a meeting with the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove, less than two weeks ago. I’ve written to him since to set out the terms on which I believe we reached our original agreement. I say in my letter to him that I want to be very clear that the Welsh Government’s decisions should be scrutinised in a full and comprehensive manner, that Wales must not be an afterthought or a footnote to a UK inquiry, and that for the UK inquiry to have credibility in Wales it is important it is able to proceed in a way that allows it to focus discretely on Wales as part of its remit. I set out a series of ways in which that can be secured.
I make it clear in the letter that if the UK Government isn’t able to give us assurances that the terms of reference, its membership, its resourcing, its methodology—. If they are not able to give us assurances that the UK inquiry will do what it was intended to do—have a specific focus on the decisions here in Wales in the context of what has happened across the whole of the UK: the common advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies that we have received; the UK chief medical officers network; the decisions of the Treasury; the decisions of the UK Government itself—. All of those create the context in which Welsh decisions have to be understood and can best be understood. An inquiry of that sort will offer people here in Wales the very best insight into decisions that were made fully and independently—made here in Wales, made in the UK context. I’m looking forward to a reply to that letter. Provided that I get the assurances that I think that we’ve had previously, then I will be prepared to go ahead with the agreement we have already reached with the Prime Minister.
Wel, Llywydd, mae Prif Weinidog yr Alban wedi anrhydeddu ymrwymiad maniffesto ei phlaid yn etholiad yr Alban. Nid oedd ymrwymiad maniffesto o'r fath gan fy mhlaid i—nid ydym ni yn yr un sefyllfa o gwbl. Rydym ni yn yr un sefyllfa â Phrif Weinidog y DU, oherwydd cyhoeddwyd yr ymchwiliad annibynnol y mae wedi ei gyhoeddi gyda chytundeb Llywodraeth Cymru ac ar y sail y byddai'r ymchwiliad hwnnw yn craffu yn annibynnol ac yn llawn ar y camau a gymerwyd yma yng Nghymru. Dyna'r cytundeb yr ydym ni wedi ei wneud. Rwy'n gwybod nad yw'n cytuno â Phrif Weinidog y DU ar hynny, ond rwyf i wedi dod i gytundeb ag ef, ac rwy'n bwriadu, ar yr amod bod y telerau yr ydym ni wedi cytuno arnyn nhw yn cael eu bodloni, anrhydeddu'r cytundeb yr ydym ni wedi ei wneud.
Trafodais hyn i gyd eto, Llywydd, mewn cyfarfod â Changhellor Dugiaeth Caerhirfryn, Michael Gove, lai na phythefnos yn ôl. Rwyf i wedi ysgrifennu ato ers hynny i nodi'r telerau yr wyf i'n credu ein bod ni wedi dod i'n cytundeb gwreiddiol ar eu sail. Rwy'n dweud yn fy llythyr ato fy mod i eisiau bod yn eglur iawn y dylid craffu ar benderfyniadau Llywodraeth Cymru mewn modd llawn a chynhwysfawr, na ddylai Cymru fod yn ôl-ystyriaeth nac yn droednodyn i ymchwiliad y DU, a'i bod yn bwysig, er mwyn i ymchwiliad y DU fod â hygrededd yng Nghymru, ei fod yn gallu cael ei gynnal mewn ffordd sy'n caniatáu iddo ganolbwyntio ar Gymru ar wahân yn rhan o'i gylch gwaith. Nodais gyfres o ffyrdd y gellir sicrhau hynny.
Rwy'n ei gwneud yn eglur yn y llythyr, os na all Llywodraeth y DU roi sicrwydd i ni fod y cylch gorchwyl, ei aelodaeth, ei adnoddau, ei ddull—. Os na allan nhw roi sicrwydd i ni y bydd ymchwiliad y DU yn gwneud yr hyn y bwriadwyd iddo ei wneud—canolbwyntio yn benodol ar y penderfyniadau yma yng Nghymru yng nghyd-destun yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd ledled y DU gyfan: y cyngor cyffredin gan y Grŵp Cynghori Gwyddonol ar gyfer Argyfyngau yr ydym ni wedi ei gael; rhwydwaith prif swyddogion meddygol y DU; penderfyniadau'r Trysorlys; penderfyniadau Llywodraeth y DU ei hun—. Mae pob un ohonyn nhw yn creu'r cyd-destun y mae'n rhaid deall penderfyniadau Cymru ynddo ac y gellir eu deall orau. Bydd ymchwiliad o'r math hwnnw yn cynnig y ddirnadaeth orau bosibl i bobl yma yng Nghymru o benderfyniadau a wnaed yn llawn ac yn annibynnol—a wnaed yma yng Nghymru, a wnaed yng nghyd-destun y DU. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at ateb i'r llythyr hwnnw. Cyn belled ag fy mod i'n cael y sicrwydd yr wyf i'n credu ein bod ni wedi ei gael yn y gorffennol, yna byddaf yn barod i fwrw ymlaen â'r cytundeb yr ydym ni eisoes wedi ei wneud gyda Phrif Weinidog y DU.
Arweniydd Plaid Cymru, Adam Price.
Plaid Cymru leader, Adam Price.
Diolch, Llywydd. When faced with the choice of using a regressive tax—like national insurance—to fund public services, or a progressive alternative, then a Tory Westminster Government will always choose the former. Do you think this strengthens the case for devolving national insurance to Wales, particularly given the prime Minister’s insistence on ripping the devolution settlement to shreds in dictating how the additional revenue is to be spent? Given also that the amount of money raised is going to be as inadequate to the task as the Prime Minister is to his job, does the Welsh Government believe there remains merit in pursuing a Welsh-made solution in the form of the Holtham levy or some other alternative? Will this be one of the questions addressed by the inter-ministerial group, which today you’ve announced you are reconvening?
Diolch, Llywydd. Wrth wynebu'r dewis o ddefnyddio treth atchwel—fel yswiriant gwladol—i ariannu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, neu ddewis amgen blaengar, yna bydd Llywodraeth Dorïaidd yn San Steffan bob amser yn dewis y cyntaf. A ydych chi'n credu bod hyn yn cryfhau'r ddadl dros ddatganoli yswiriant gwladol i Gymru, yn enwedig o gofio bod Prif Weinidog y DU yn mynnu rhwygo'r setliad datganoli yn ddarnau wrth bennu sut y dylai'r refeniw ychwanegol gael ei wario? O ystyried hefyd y bydd y swm o arian a fydd yn cael ei godi mor annigonol ar gyfer y dasg ag y mae Prif Weinidog y DU ar gyfer ei swydd, a yw Llywodraeth Cymru o'r farn bod rhinwedd o hyd o fynd ar drywydd ateb wedi'i lunio yng Nghymru ar ffurf ardoll Holtham neu ryw ddewis arall? A fydd hwn yn un o'r cwestiynau y bydd y grŵp rhyng-weinidogol, yr ydych chi wedi cyhoeddi heddiw eich bod yn ei ailymgynnull, yn rhoi sylw iddo?
I thank the leader of Plaid Cymru for that question. He reminded me in his opening question that I once, in a different capacity, gave evidence to the Silk commission, just across the corridor here when they were taking evidence in this building, where I argued that the devolution of national insurance would be a more useful tool for a Welsh Government than the devolution of income tax powers. They didn’t agree, as you know. I definitely agree with what Adam Price has said about the choice the UK Government has made to fund the future of health and social care. There were better decisions that could and should have been made that will not add the £20 that is to be lost in universal credit with, now, national insurance contributions that fall regressively, as Adam Price said, more on those who earn the least than on those who earn the most. Nevertheless, we have to recognise that people in Wales now will be making that contribution.
Where the Holtham report is relevant, I believe, is in the advice it gives us as to how the money that is raised could be applied, the use that could be made of it, rather than, I believe at this point, thinking that we could impose a further subvention on people in Wales, raising more money from them, even for this very important purpose. So, the inter-ministerial group, the paying for care group that met regularly during the last Senedd term, will be reconvened. It will look at the sums of money, when we have confirmation of them, that will come to Wales, and will then look at, including the proposals made by Holtham, how that money can be put to best use to secure the future of social care services in Wales.
Diolchaf i arweinydd Plaid Cymru am y cwestiwn yna. Fe wnaeth fy atgoffa yn ei gwestiwn agoriadol i mi roi tystiolaeth ar un adeg, mewn swydd wahanol, i gomisiwn Silk, ar draws y coridor yma pan roedden nhw'n cymryd tystiolaeth yn yr adeilad hwn, lle gwnes i ddadlau y byddai datganoli yswiriant gwladol yn arf mwy defnyddiol i Lywodraeth Cymru na datganoli pwerau treth incwm. Nid oedden nhw'n cytuno, fel y gwyddoch. Rwy'n sicr yn cytuno â'r hyn y mae Adam Price wedi ei ddweud am y dewis y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi ei wneud i ariannu dyfodol iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol. Roedd penderfyniadau gwell y gellid ac y dylid bod wedi eu gwneud na fydd yn ychwanegu'r £20 a fydd yn cael ei golli mewn credyd cynhwysol gyda chyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol sydd, erbyn hyn, yn disgyn mewn modd atchwel, fel y dywedodd Adam Price, yn fwy ar y rhai sy'n ennill y lleiaf nag ar y rhai sy'n ennill y mwyaf. Serch hynny, mae'n rhaid i ni gydnabod y bydd pobl yng Nghymru yn gwneud y cyfraniad hwnnw bellach.
Lle mae adroddiad Holtham yn berthnasol, yn fy marn i, yw yn y cyngor y mae'n ei roi i ni ar sut y gellid defnyddio'r arian sy'n cael ei godi, y defnydd y gellid ei wneud ohono, yn hytrach, yn fy marn i ar hyn o bryd, na meddwl y gallem ni orfodi israniad pellach ar bobl yng Nghymru, gan godi mwy o arian ganddyn nhw, hyd yn oed at y diben pwysig iawn hwn. Felly, bydd y grŵp rhyng-weinidogol, y grŵp talu am ofal a fu'n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd yn ystod tymor diwethaf y Senedd, yn cael ei ailgynnull. Bydd yn edrych ar y symiau o arian, pan gawn ni gadarnhad ohonyn nhw, a fydd yn dod i Gymru, ac yna bydd yn edrych, gan gynnwys y cynigion a wnaed gan Holtham, ar sut y gellir gwneud y defnydd gorau o'r arian hwnnw i sicrhau dyfodol gwasanaethau gofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru.
It says something about the callousness of this Conservative Government that you've already referenced this afternoon that they believe the right thing to do now is to remove the universal credit uplift when millions of families are facing devastating hardship. So long as our welfare in Wales is the responsibility of the moral vacuum that is Westminster, then families here will continue to suffer.
You and I have discussed this theme many, many times, and I note that the Government's amendment to our Plaid Cymru motion tomorrow refers to you continuing to explore the case for the devolution of the administration of welfare. Could you share with us how that work is progressing and give us some sense of its scope, and particularly a timetable, as many of the families the policy could help are in a state of urgent need?
Mae'n dweud rhywbeth am ddideimladrwydd y Llywodraeth Geidwadol hon yr ydych chi wedi cyfeirio ato eisoes y prynhawn yma eu bod nhw'n credu mai'r peth iawn i'w wneud nawr yw cael gwared ar y cynnydd i gredyd cynhwysol pan fo miliynau o deuluoedd yn wynebu caledi ofnadwy. Cyn belled â bod ein lles yng Nghymru yn gyfrifoldeb i'r gwactod moesol sy'n bodoli yn San Steffan, yna bydd teuluoedd yma yn parhau i ddioddef.
Rydych chi a minnau wedi trafod y thema hon droeon, a nodaf fod gwelliant y Llywodraeth i'n cynnig gan Blaid Cymru yfory yn cyfeirio atoch yn parhau i ymchwilio i'r achos dros ddatganoli'r broses o weinyddu lles. A wnewch chi rannu â ni sut y mae'r gwaith hwnnw yn mynd rhagddo a rhoi rhywfaint o syniad i ni o'i gwmpas, ac amserlen yn benodol, gan fod llawer o'r teuluoedd y gallai'r polisi eu helpu mewn sefyllfa o angen taer?
I again thank the leader of Plaid Cymru for that supplementary question. He'll remember that I welcomed the report of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, chaired by John Griffiths in the last Senedd term, when they produced their report, 'Benefits in Wales: options for better delivery'. That was the start of a debate about the devolution of the administration of welfare benefits. It was followed up, as he will know, by a piece of work that the Government commissioned from the Wales Centre for Public Policy, leading to their report, 'Administering social security in Wales'.
One of the focuses for our action is the inquiry announced by the Welsh Affairs Committee on 15 June. They are to have a benefits inquiry. It's an important inquiry, because it allows us to conduct these arguments in the Westminster context, where, in the end, the decisions about devolution of welfare benefit administration would be made. Officials of the Welsh Government have already supplied evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee at the start of their inquiry. I'm sure that if they invite Ministers to give evidence to it, we'll be happy to do that as well. I think it offers us an opportunity to develop the argument for how, if the devolution of administration of certain benefits could be transferred to Wales, with all the necessary financial costs that would come with it, that would allow us to administer benefits in a way that will be consistent with the preferences of the Senedd and, I believe, the preferences of people in Wales.
These are rights that people have. They are often in difficult circumstances. They deserve to be treated in a way that is fair and is compassionate. I don't think you could think that either of those are characteristics of the way that the benefits system has been administered over the last 10 years.
Diolchaf eto i arweinydd Plaid Cymru am y cwestiwn atodol yna. Bydd yn cofio i mi groesawu adroddiad y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb, Llywodraeth Leol a Chymunedau, dan gadeiryddiaeth John Griffiths yn nhymor diwethaf y Senedd, pan wnaethon nhw lunio eu hadroddiad, 'Budd-daliadau yng Nghymru: opsiynau i'w cyflawni'n well'. Dyna ddechrau dadl am ddatganoli'r gwaith o weinyddu budd-daliadau lles. Fe'i dilynwyd, fel y bydd yn gwybod, gan ddarn o waith a gomisiynwyd gan y Llywodraeth gan Ganolfan Polisi Cyhoeddus Cymru, a arweiniodd at eu hadroddiad, 'Gweinyddu nawdd cymdeithasol yng Nghymru'.
Un o'r meysydd pwyslais ar gyfer ein gweithredu yw'r ymchwiliad a gyhoeddwyd gan y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig ar 15 Mehefin. Maen nhw'n mynd i gael ymchwiliad budd-daliadau. Mae'n ymchwiliad pwysig, gan ei fod yn caniatáu i ni gynnal y dadleuon hyn yng nghyd-destun San Steffan, lle byddai'r penderfyniadau ynghylch datganoli gweinyddu budd-daliadau lles yn cael eu gwneud yn y pen draw. Mae swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi rhoi tystiolaeth i'r Pwyllgor ar Faterion Cymreig ar ddechrau eu hymchwiliad. Rwy'n siŵr, os byddan nhw'n gwahodd Gweinidogion i roi tystiolaeth iddo, y byddwn ni'n hapus i wneud hynny hefyd. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn cynnig cyfle i ni ddatblygu'r ddadl dros sut, pe gellid trosglwyddo datganoli budd-daliadau penodol i Gymru, gyda'r holl gostau ariannol angenrheidiol a fyddai'n dod yn sgil hynny, byddai hynny yn caniatáu i ni weinyddu budd-daliadau mewn ffordd a fydd yn gyson â dymuniadau'r Senedd ac, yn fy marn i, dymuniadau pobl yng Nghymru.
Mae'r rhain yn hawliau sydd gan bobl. Maen nhw'n aml mewn amgylchiadau anodd. Maen nhw'n haeddu cael eu trin mewn ffordd sy'n deg ac sy'n dosturiol. Nid wyf i'n credu y gallech chi feddwl bod yr un o'r rheini yn nodweddion o'r ffordd y mae'r system fudd-daliadau wedi ei gweinyddu dros y 10 mlynedd diwethaf.
'The solutions to Wales's problems will never come from Westminster' is, for many us, a foundational truth of Welsh democracy. That's true of the problems that are unique to Wales, but also of the global problems to which Wales is not immune, but which we can make, possibly, our own unique contribution to solving. In that context, it's inspiring to see the momentum growing behind exciting, pioneering ideas like the universal basic income pilot. We in Plaid Cymru welcome the embrace of a new policy experimentalism at the heart of Government, and in that spirit, can I ask: would you be prepared to actively consider extending this to a four-day-working-week pilot that could be run in parallel to that and the UBI? And do you accept, First Minister, if these radical experiments in Welsh social innovation succeed at the pilot stage, then the necessary next step will be identifying those reserved powers in employment, taxation and welfare, which we'll need to fully implement across the country? Wales needs its pilots, but don't we also need a new map and a new shared sense of where we may be heading?
I lawer ohonom ni, mae 'ni fydd yr atebion i broblemau Cymru byth yn dod o San Steffan' yn wirionedd sylfaenol o ddemocratiaeth Cymru. Mae hynny'n wir am y problemau sy'n unigryw i Gymru, ond hefyd am y problemau byd-eang nad yw Cymru yn ddiogel rhagddyn nhw, ond y gallwn ni, o bosibl, wneud ein cyfraniad unigryw ein hunain at eu datrys. Yn y cyd-destun hwnnw, mae'n ysbrydoliaeth gweld y momentwm yn tyfu y tu ôl i syniadau cyffrous, arloesol fel y cynllun treialu incwm sylfaenol cyffredinol. Rydym ni ym Mhlaid Cymru yn croesawu bod yn agored i arbrofi polisi newydd sy'n ganolog i Lywodraeth, ac yn yr ysbryd hwnnw, a gaf i ofyn: a fyddech chi'n barod i ystyried yn weithredol ymestyn hyn i gynllun treialu wythnos waith pedwar diwrnod y gellid ei gynnal ochr yn ochr â'r un incwm sylfaenol cyffredinol? Ac a ydych chi'n derbyn, Prif Weinidog, os bydd yr arbrofion radical hyn ym maes arloesi cymdeithasol yng Nghymru yn llwyddo ar y cam treialu, mai'r cam nesaf angenrheidiol fydd nodi'r pwerau hynny a gadwyd yn ôl ym meysydd cyflogaeth, trethiant a lles, y bydd angen i ni eu gweithredu yn llawn ledled y wlad? Mae angen ei chynlluniau treialu ar Gymru, ond onid oes angen map newydd arnom ni hefyd a theimlad cyffredin newydd o le y gallem ni fod yn mynd?
Well, I agree with two important things in what the leader of Plaid Cymru has said, Llywydd. First of all, I absolutely agree that one of the huge advantages of devolution is that it allows for experimentation; that it allows for policy ideas to be tried out, for radical ideas to be given a practical opportunity to demonstrate what they can achieve. And I definitely want this term and this Government to be part of that living laboratory of devolution, as it was referred to, wasn't it, by Bill Clinton in the American context. And I agree as well that the current settlement is far too full of ragged edges, and frankly inexplicable anomalies. How is it that Wales has responsibility for bus services, for train services, for active travel, but it explicitly in the Government of Wales Act said that we have no responsibility for hovercraft services? Now, who was it in Whitewall who thought that of all the things that we could be in charge of in Wales, we expressly could not be trusted to be in charge of hovercrafts? And that is just one example. The last Act that set out the reserved-powers model is shot through with anomalies of that sort. Indeed, the Welsh Government produced a draft Bill that would have produced a much more coherent line between reserved and devolved responsibilities. So, I agree very much with what the leader of Plaid Cymru said: that that is a debate that nobody sensible could regard as concluded.
Wel, rwy'n cytuno â dau beth pwysig yn yr hyn y mae arweinydd Plaid Cymru wedi ei ddweud, Llywydd. Yn gyntaf, rwy'n cytuno yn llwyr mai un o fanteision enfawr datganoli yw ei fod yn caniatáu arbrofi; ei fod yn caniatáu i ni roi cynnig ar syniadau polisi, i syniadau radical gael cyfle ymarferol i ddangos yr hyn y gallan nhw ei gyflawni. Ac rwy'n sicr yn dymuno i'r tymor hwn a'r Llywodraeth hon fod yn rhan o'r labordy byw hwnnw o ddatganoli, fel y cyfeiriwyd ato, onid oedd, gan Bill Clinton yng nghyd-destun America. Ac rwy'n cytuno hefyd fod y setliad presennol yn llawer rhy llawn o ymylon geirwon, ac anghysondebau di-synnwyr a dweud y gwir. Sut y mae Cymru yn gyfrifol am wasanaethau bysiau, am wasanaethau trên, am deithio llesol, ond ei fod yn dweud yn benodol yn Neddf Llywodraeth Cymru nad oes gennym ni unrhyw gyfrifoldeb am wasanaethau hofrenfadau? Nawr, pwy yn Whitehall oedd yn credu, o'r holl bethau y gallem ni fod yn gyfrifol amdanyn nhw yng Nghymru, na ellid ymddiried ynom ni yn benodol i fod yn gyfrifol am hofrenfadau? A dim ond un enghraifft yw honno. Mae'r Ddeddf ddiwethaf a nododd y model pwerau a gadwyd yn ôl yn llawn anghysondebau o'r math yna. Yn wir, lluniodd Llywodraeth Cymru Fil drafft a fyddai wedi creu llinell lawer mwy cydlynol rhwng cyfrifoldebau a gadwyd yn ôl a chyfrifoldebau datganoledig. Felly, rwy'n cytuno yn llwyr â'r hyn a ddywedodd arweinydd Plaid Cymru: bod honno yn ddadl na allai neb synhwyrol ystyried ei bod wedi ei dirwyn i ben.
3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am fesurau diogelwch COVID-19 mewn ysgolion? OQ56807
3. Will the Minister make a statement on COVID-19 safety measures in schools? OQ56807
Diolch yn fawr i Siân Gwenllian am y cwestiwn, Llywydd. Cafodd y cyngor diweddaraf ar fesurau diogelwch COVID-19 mewn ysgolion ei gyhoeddi ddydd Gwener 27 Awst. Mae'n nodi camau penodol gan adlewyrchu risg ac amgylchiadau lleol. Mae disgwyl i bob ysgol fabwysiadu'r dull sydd wedi ei nodi yn y cyngor erbyn 20 Medi.
May I thank Siân Gwenllian for that question, Llywydd? The latest advice on COVID-19 safety measures in schools was published on Friday 27 August. It sets out specific actions to reflect local risk and circumstances. All schools are expected to adopt the approach set out in the advice by 20 September.
Ddydd Llun gŵyl y banc, fe gyhoeddodd y Gweinidog addysg gyllideb o dros £3 miliwn ar gyfer darparu 1,800 o beiriannau diheintio osôn yn ein hysgolion, colegau a phrifysgolion. Ddeuddydd yn ddiweddarach, yn dilyn galwadau am sicrwydd ynghylch diogelwch gan Blaid Cymru ac eraill, fe ddaeth hi i'r amlwg bod Gweinidogion wedi gwneud tro pedol ar y penderfyniad. Fedrwch chi egluro'r broses a arweiniodd at y penderfyniad dadleuol i gaffael a defnyddio'r peiriannau, a hefyd beth oedd tu ôl i'r penderfyniad i beidio â phrynu'r peiriannau? Ydych chi'n cytuno efo fi y dylai'r Llywodraeth gynnal adolygiad i'r broses o wneud y penderfyniadau yma ar y peiriannau osôn, ac ydy'r Llywodraeth rŵan yn barod i roi ffocws ar lanhau'r awyr, yn cynnwys darparu peiriannau ffiltro awyr sy'n cael eu defnyddio'n helaeth mewn gwledydd eraill erbyn hyn?
On bank holiday Monday, the Minister for education announced a budget of over £3 million for the provision of 1,800 ozone disinfectant machines in our schools, colleges and universities. Two days later, following calls for assurances on the safety of the equipment from Plaid Cymru and others, it became apparent that Ministers had carried out a u-turn on that decision. Can you explain the process that led to that contentious decision to procure and use those machines, and what was behind the decision not to purchase those? Now, would you agree with me that the Government should conduct a review of the process of making these decisions on ozone equipment, and will the Government now provide a focus on ventilation, including providing air-filtration machines used a great deal in other nations?
Well, Llywydd, the origin of the ozone approach to cleanliness comes through work carried out at Swansea University, carried out with an innovation grant from the Welsh Government. The work at Swansea University was focused on the efficiency of using ozone as a cleaning agent in the cleaning of ambulances, and the result of that innovative programme was thought to be successful. It had demonstrated that ozone disinfecting machines had a part to play in making the cleaning of ambulances as effective as it could be and that the learning that had been acquired in that field could be translated to help support schools in their cleaning efforts. That's what the original press release from the Welsh Government referred to. Now, having published that idea, there were, as Siân Gwenllian said, a number of concerns raised as to whether or not the effectiveness of the approach that Swansea University had developed in the ambulance context could simply be translated into school cleaning as well. Because of the concerns raised, we decided that the sensible thing to do was to pause in that programme—no actual machines had been procured at that point—and to get further advice from Swansea University itself, but also from our own technical advisory group, as an independent voice on all of that, to see whether the use of ozone disinfecting machines do present a new technological possibility for cleaning in education settings. There's a rapid review being carried out by the technical advisory cell, therefore, of the technology, of its possibility, because we would not, of course, want to proceed until we were certain that the benefits of doing so had been maximised and any risks mitigated, and that we were able to share that evidence with people who work in the field.
In the meantime, I agree with what Siân Gwenllian said at the end of her question, Llywydd, that of course we need to go on looking for effective ways in making sure that schools are safe. We've invested considerable amounts of money on enhanced cleaning regimes in schools in Wales over the period of the pandemic and through our school social partnership arrangements, we go on working with our partners to make sure that we have the highest possible standards of cleanliness and of safety in schools for teachers, other staff and students alike.
Wel, Llywydd, daw tarddiad y dull osôn o sicrhau glendid o waith a wnaed ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, a wnaed gyda grant arloesi gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Roedd y gwaith ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe yn canolbwyntio ar effeithlonrwydd defnyddio osôn fel asiant glanhau wrth lanhau ambiwlansys, a chredwyd bod canlyniad y rhaglen arloesol honno yn llwyddiannus. Roedd wedi dangos bod gan beiriannau diheintio osôn ran i'w chwarae i wneud y gwaith o lanhau ambiwlansys mor effeithiol ag y gallai fod ac y gellid trosglwyddo'r dysgu a gaffaelwyd yn y maes hwnnw i helpu i gynorthwyo ysgolion yn eu hymdrechion glanhau. Dyna yr oedd y datganiad gwreiddiol i'r wasg gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn cyfeirio ato. Nawr, ar ôl cyhoeddi'r syniad hwnnw, codwyd nifer o bryderon, fel y dywedodd Siân Gwenllian, ynghylch pa un a ellid trosglwyddo yn syml effeithiolrwydd y dull yr oedd Prifysgol Abertawe wedi ei ddatblygu yng nghyd-destun ambiwlansys i lanhau ysgolion hefyd. Oherwydd y pryderon a godwyd, gwnaethom y penderfyniad mai'r peth synhwyrol i'w wneud oedd oedi'r rhaglen honno—nid oedd unrhyw beiriannau wedi eu caffael bryd hynny—ac i gael rhagor o gyngor gan Brifysgol Abertawe ei hun, ond hefyd gan ein grŵp cynghori technegol ein hunain, fel llais annibynnol ar hynny i gyd, i weld a yw defnyddio peiriannau diheintio osôn yn cynnig posibilrwydd technolegol newydd ar gyfer glanhau mewn lleoliadau addysg. Mae adolygiad cyflym yn cael ei gynnal gan y gell cyngor technegol, felly, o'r dechnoleg, o'i phosibilrwydd, oherwydd ni fyddem ni eisiau bwrw ymlaen, wrth gwrs, tan ein bod ni'n sicr bod manteision gwneud hynny gymaint â phosibl a bod unrhyw risgiau yn cael eu lliniaru, a'n bod ni'n gallu rhannu'r dystiolaeth honno â phobl sy'n gweithio yn y maes.
Yn y cyfamser, rwy'n cytuno â'r hyn a ddywedodd Siân Gwenllian ar ddiwedd ei chwestiwn, Llywydd, bod angen i ni, wrth gwrs, fynd ati i chwilio am ffyrdd effeithiol o wneud yn siŵr bod ysgolion yn ddiogel. Rydym ni wedi buddsoddi symiau sylweddol o arian mewn gwell trefnau glanhau mewn ysgolion yng Nghymru dros gyfnod y pandemig a thrwy ein trefniadau partneriaeth gymdeithasol ysgolion, rydym ni'n parhau i weithio gyda'n partneriaid i sicrhau bod gennym ni'r safonau glendid a diogelwch uchaf posibl mewn ysgolion ar gyfer athrawon, staff eraill a myfyrwyr hefyd.
First Minister, just on the back of that, quickly, I'd like to say, moving forward now, we need to make sure that the Government—it's absolutely paramount that they're forthcoming with any risk assessments on any proposals such as the ozone machines.
First Minister, on safety, due to the massive disruptions over the last year, our emphasis needs to be on keeping children in the classroom as much as possible to prevent further disruption to their education. Headteachers have, however, and constituents raised understandable concerns over children advised to still attend schools when they have tested negative on a lateral flow test but a member of their household has tested positive for COVID-19. We obviously need to ensure schools are a safe environment and to help stop the spread, so can you reassure headteachers and families why your Government's advice is as it is on this and whether you're looking to make any changes to Government advice in this regard?
Prif Weinidog, dim ond i ddilyn hynny, yn gyflym, hoffwn i ddweud, wrth symud ymlaen yn awr, fod angen i ni wneud yn siŵr bod y Llywodraeth—mae'n hollbwysig eu bod nhw'n barod i gyflwyno unrhyw asesiadau risg ar unrhyw gynigion fel y peiriannau osôn.
Prif Weinidog, o ran diogelwch, oherwydd y tarfu enfawr dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, mae angen i ni roi ein pwyslais ar gadw plant yn yr ystafell ddosbarth gymaint â phosibl er mwyn atal tarfu pellach ar eu haddysg. Fodd bynnag, mae penaethiaid ac etholwyr wedi codi pryderon dealladwy ynghylch plant yn cael eu cynghori i barhau i fynychu ysgolion pan fyddan nhw wedi profi'n negyddol ar brawf llif ochrol ond bod aelod o'u haelwyd wedi cael prawf positif ar gyfer COVID-19. Mae'n amlwg bod angen i ni sicrhau bod ysgolion yn amgylchedd diogel ac i helpu i atal y lledaeniad, felly a wnewch chi dawelu meddyliau penaethiaid a theuluoedd o ran pam mae cyngor eich Llywodraeth fel y mae ar hyn a pha un a ydych chi'n bwriadu gwneud unrhyw newidiadau i gyngor y Llywodraeth yn hyn o beth?
I thank Laura Jones for that point, which I know has been of concern to some parents, and there are some local authorities who have taken a particular view and provided advice to their own schools on it. The advice of the Welsh Government does remain in place, but, as I said in my answer to Siân Gwenllian's question, we meet regularly through the schools partnership forum. Local authorities are represented there, as are the teacher unions, including headteacher unions, and there will be opportunities this month for that issue and any other issues that have emerged as schools return in September to be considered and a shared approach to them developed.
The good news about the forum, Llywydd, is this: that it starts with a shared belief of all participants that our ambition should be to make sure that the education of our young people is disrupted to the least possible extent during this term, given everything that they've had to live through over the last 18 months, and, of course, we work with partners to try and make sure that everything practical is in place to secure that outcome.
Diolchaf i Laura Jones am y pwynt yna, y gwn y bu'n destun pryder i rai rhieni, ac mae rhai awdurdodau lleol sydd wedi mabwysiadu safbwynt penodol ac wedi rhoi cyngor i'w hysgolion eu hunain arno. Mae cyngor Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i fod ar waith, ond, fel y dywedais i yn fy ateb i gwestiwn Siân Gwenllian, rydym ni'n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd drwy'r fforwm partneriaeth ysgolion. Mae awdurdodau lleol wedi eu cynrychioli yno, yn ogystal â'r undebau athrawon, gan gynnwys undebau penaethiaid, a bydd cyfleoedd y mis hwn i'r mater hwnnw ac unrhyw faterion eraill sydd wedi dod i'r amlwg wrth i ysgolion ddychwelyd ym mis Medi gael eu hystyried ac i ddull cyffredin o ymdrin â nhw gael ei ddatblygu.
Y newyddion da am y fforwm, Llywydd, yw hyn: ei fod yn dechrau gyda chred gyffredin ymhlith pawb sy'n cymryd rhan mai ein huchelgais ddylai fod i wneud yn siŵr bod cyn lleied â phosibl o darfu ar addysg ein pobl ifanc yn ystod y tymor hwn, o ystyried popeth y bu'n rhaid iddyn nhw fyw drwyddo dros y 18 mis diwethaf, ac, wrth gwrs, rydym ni'n gweithio gyda phartneriaid i geisio gwneud yn siŵr bod popeth ymarferol ar waith i sicrhau'r canlyniad hwnnw.
I just want to go back to these ozone disinfecting machines, because I completely understand the rationale for using them in ambulances; these are very expensive pieces of capital equipment and are required to be used 24 hours a day, and ambulance operators are highly trained in the use of complex pieces of equipment. But I struggle to understand how we'd be able to translate that technology into a really different context to be operated by school cleaners, who are very important members of the school community but, in the main, they have had little or no training of any sort at all. So, what training do you think would be required to enable ozone disinfecting machines to be operated safely as a method of cleansing classrooms of COVID?
Hoffwn i ddychwelyd at y peiriannau diheintio osôn hyn, oherwydd rwy'n deall yn llwyr y sail resymegol dros eu defnyddio mewn ambiwlansys; mae'r rhain yn ddarnau drud iawn o offer cyfalaf ac mae'n ofynnol eu defnyddio 24 awr y dydd, ac mae gweithredwyr ambiwlans wedi eu hyfforddi yn dda i ddefnyddio darnau cymhleth o offer. Ond rwy'n ei chael hi'n anodd deall sut y byddem ni'n gallu trosglwyddo'r dechnoleg honno i gyd-destun gwahanol iawn i gael ei gweithredu gan lanhawyr ysgol, sy'n aelodau pwysig iawn o gymuned yr ysgol ond, ar y cyfan, prin neu ddim hyfforddiant o unrhyw fath o gwbl y maen nhw wedi ei gael. Felly, pa hyfforddiant ydych chi'n credu y byddai ei angen i ganiatáu i beiriannau diheintio osôn gael eu gweithredu yn ddiogel fel dull o lanhau COVID o ystafelloedd dosbarth?
Well, it's an important point that Jenny Rathbone makes, Llywydd. Of course, were the outcome of the TAC review to be that ozone cleaning machines have a part to play in the school context, then they would have to be properly prepared, and that would include the training of staff to make sure they can be used safely and effectively. School cleaning staff already use sophisticated equipment in many of our schools, but they only do so because they've been properly prepared and equipped for that task. I'm quite sure that if, and it is a very open question—if the technical advisory cell do conclude that this new innovative technology can have a more widespread use, then making sure that it is deployed safely and with all the training that will be needed will, I'm sure, be part of the advice that they will give us.
Wel, mae'n bwynt pwysig y mae Jenny Rathbone yn ei wneud, Llywydd. Wrth gwrs, pe bai adolygiad y gell cyngor technegol yn golygu bod gan beiriannau glanhau osôn ran i'w chwarae yng nghyd-destun ysgolion, yna byddai'n rhaid eu paratoi yn briodol, a byddai hynny yn cynnwys hyfforddi staff i wneud yn siŵr eu bod yn gallu eu defnyddio yn ddiogel ac yn effeithiol. Mae staff glanhau ysgolion eisoes yn defnyddio offer soffistigedig mewn llawer o'n hysgolion, ond maen nhw'n gwneud hynny dim ond oherwydd eu bod nhw wedi eu paratoi a'u harfogi yn briodol ar gyfer y dasg honno. Rwy'n eithaf sicr, ac mae'n gwestiwn agored iawn—os daw'r gell cyngor technegol i'r casgliad y gall y dechnoleg arloesol newydd hon gael ei defnyddio yn fwy eang, yna rwy'n siŵr y bydd sicrhau ei bod yn cael ei defnyddio yn ddiogel a gyda'r holl hyfforddiant y bydd ei angen yn rhan o'r cyngor y byddan nhw'n ei roi i ni.
4. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi cynaliadwyedd yn yr economi wledig? OQ56799
4. How is the Welsh Government supporting sustainability in the rural economy? OQ56799
Llywydd, the Welsh Government supports sustainability in the rural economy through the basic payment scheme, the rural development programme and many other sources. Applications to the latest round of farm business grant funding, for example, opened on 1 September.
Llywydd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi cynaliadwyedd yn yr economi wledig drwy'r cynllun taliad sylfaenol, y rhaglen datblygu gwledig a llawer o ffynonellau eraill. Agorodd ceisiadau i'r rownd ddiweddaraf o gyllid grant busnes fferm, er enghraifft, ar 1 Medi.
Diolch. Earlier this month, I visited farm owners Einion and Elliw Jones at Mynydd Mostyn farm in Trelogan near Holywell whose innovative and hugely popular COVID-driven milk vending machine business supplying fresh milk and milkshakes is under threat after Flintshire planning officers said the site was not lawful. In accordance with the Welsh Government's 'Planning Policy Wales' 11—PPW 11—it was clear that this farm-based business represents a small-scale diversification run as part of the farm business. Contrary to the planning officer's report, it was apparent from my visit that the provision of the milk vending machines is an ancillary use to the main dairy farm, not an entirely separate development to the farm, and that the goods being sold are produced primarily on the farm, with welcome sales of additional local and regional products. Rather than having an adverse effect on any other local business, this enterprise is welcomed and supported by the local community, and a petition has already attracted over 9,000 signatures, evidencing an apparent breach with PPW 11's statement that planning authorities should work collaboratively with the local community.
And it stated in the planning officer's report that the site was only accessible by vehicle; I witnessed contrary to that, that the site is accessible to walkers and cyclists in particular, and a wide range of sources or modes of travel. How will you therefore ensure that local planning authorities understand and comply with Welsh Government policy and the clear evidence that would be available to them on a site visit when considering diversification and sustainability in the rural economy?
Diolch. Yn gynharach y mis hwn, ymwelais â'r perchnogion fferm Einion ac Elliw Jones ar fferm Mynydd Mostyn yn Nhrelogan ger Treffynnon. Mae eu busnes peiriannau gwerthu llaeth arloesol a hynod boblogaidd a ysgogwyd gan COVID ac sy'n cyflenwi llaeth ffres ac ysgytlaeth o dan fygythiad ar ôl i swyddogion cynllunio sir y Fflint ddweud nad oedd y safle yn gyfreithlon. Yn unol â 'Pholisi Cynllunio Cymru' 11 Llywodraeth Cymru—PCC 11—roedd yn amlwg bod y busnes fferm hwn yn cynrychioli arallgyfeirio ar raddfa fach yn rhan o fusnes y fferm. Yn groes i adroddiad y swyddog cynllunio, yr oedd yn amlwg o fy ymweliad i fod darparu'r peiriannau gwerthu llaeth yn ddefnydd ategol i'r brif fferm laeth, nid datblygiad cwbl ar wahân i'r fferm, a bod y nwyddau sy'n cael eu gwerthu yn cael eu cynhyrchu'n bennaf ar y fferm, gyda gwerthiant cynnyrch lleol a rhanbarthol ychwanegol sydd i'w groesawu. Yn hytrach na chael effaith niweidiol ar unrhyw fusnes lleol arall, mae'r fenter hon yn cael ei chroesawu a'i chefnogi gan y gymuned leol, ac mae deiseb eisoes wedi denu dros 9,000 o lofnodion, sy'n dystiolaeth i anghysondeb ymddangosiadol â datganiad PCC 11 y dylai awdurdodau cynllunio gydweithio â'r gymuned leol.
A nodwyd yn adroddiad y swyddog cynllunio nad oedd modd cyrraedd y safle heblaw mewn cerbyd; rwy'n dyst bod y gwrthwyneb yn wir, bod y safle yn hygyrch i gerddwyr a beicwyr yn arbennig, ac amrywiaeth eang o ffynonellau neu ddulliau teithio. Sut felly wnewch chi sicrhau bod awdurdodau cynllunio lleol yn deall ac yn cydymffurfio â pholisi Llywodraeth Cymru a'r dystiolaeth eglur a fyddai ar gael iddyn nhw ar ymweliad safle wrth ystyried arallgyfeirio a chynaliadwyedd yn yr economi wledig?
Llywydd, I thank the Member for that question. I am aware of the case to which he refers, and the points that he has made this afternoon will now be properly on the record. I'm sorry that I'm going to have to disappoint him by not being able to say anything further, but I'm very clearly advised by my officials that the local authority having made its decision, the applicant, the farmer in this question, has a right of appeal to Welsh Ministers. And therefore because anything I might say might prejudice that decision, I should do no more than recognise the points that the Member has made, and I'm sure that they will be taken into account should the applicant choose to appeal.
Llywydd, diolchaf i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn yna. Rwy'n ymwybodol o'r achos y mae'n cyfeirio ato, a bydd y pwyntiau y mae wedi eu gwneud y prynhawn yma bellach ar y cofnod yn briodol. Mae'n ddrwg gen i y bydd yn rhaid i mi ei siomi drwy beidio â gallu dweud dim pellach, ond mae fy swyddogion yn fy nghynghori yn eglur iawn gan fod yr awdurdod lleol wedi gwneud ei benderfyniad, bod gan yr ymgeisydd, y ffermwr yn yr achos hwn, hawl i apelio i Weinidogion Cymru. Ac felly oherwydd y gallai unrhyw beth y gallwn i ei ddweud ragfarnu'r penderfyniad hwnnw, ni ddylwn i wneud dim mwy na chydnabod y pwyntiau y mae'r Aelod wedi eu gwneud, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddan nhw'n cael eu hystyried pe bai'r ymgeisydd yn dewis apelio.
5. Pa fesurau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru'n eu cymryd i wella mynediad at wasanaethau meddygon teulu yng Nghymru? OQ56840
5. What measures is the Welsh Government taking to improve access to GP services in Wales? OQ56840
I thank the Member for that, Llywydd. GP services across Wales face enormous pressures in dealing with the continuing public health emergency alongside high levels of patient demand for non-COVID conditions. The Welsh Government has made available £18.4 million over the past two years to support the profession in responding to the access challenges it faces.
Diolchaf i'r Aelod am hynny, Llywydd. Mae gwasanaethau meddygon teulu ledled Cymru yn wynebu pwysau enfawr wrth ymdrin â'r argyfwng iechyd cyhoeddus parhaus ochr yn ochr â lefelau uchel o alw ymhlith cleifion ar gyfer cyflyrau nad ydyn nhw'n yn ymwneud â COVID. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi darparu £18.4 miliwn dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf i gynorthwyo'r proffesiwn wrth ymateb i'r heriau mynediad y mae'n eu hwynebu.
Thank you for that answer, First Minister. As restrictions have eased, our GP practices have faced increased pressures, not only in my constituency, but across Wales and the rest of the UK. Throughout the pandemic, primary care teams have done an incredible job, from being part of the vaccination effort and adapting their services so that patients can be seen remotely. However, it's clear that they are under pressure, and the demand for physical appointments has increased greatly. With the winter months set to only add to this, what short-term measures can the Welsh Government take to ensure that the public are as informed as possible about how the pandemic is impacting primary care, and that people know which service is best to use for their needs? And what long-term measures can we take to ensure that a significant level of the investment in the NHS recovery is focused on securing additional activity in primary care to maximise access to patients to help speed up diagnosis and prevent hospitalisations?
Diolch am yr ateb yna, Prif Weinidog. Wrth i'r cyfyngiadau lacio, mae ein meddygfeydd teulu wedi wynebu pwysau cynyddol, nid yn unig yn fy etholaeth i, ond ledled Cymru a gweddill y DU. Drwy gydol y pandemig, mae timau gofal sylfaenol wedi gwneud gwaith anhygoel, o fod yn rhan o'r ymdrech frechu ac addasu eu gwasanaethau er mwyn gallu gweld cleifion o bell. Fodd bynnag, mae'n amlwg eu bod nhw dan bwysau, ac mae'r galw am apwyntiadau yn bersonol wedi cynyddu yn fawr. A hithau'n bur debyg mai dim ond ychwanegu at hyn y gwnaiff misoedd y gaeaf, pa fesurau tymor byr y gall Llywodraeth Cymru eu rhoi ar waith i sicrhau bod y cyhoedd mor wybodus â phosibl am sut y mae'r pandemig yn effeithio ar ofal sylfaenol, a bod pobl yn gwybod pa wasanaeth sydd orau i'w ddefnyddio ar gyfer eu hanghenion? A pha fesurau hirdymor allwn ni eu rhoi ar waith i sicrhau bod lefel sylweddol o'r buddsoddiad yn adferiad y GIG yn canolbwyntio ar sicrhau gweithgarwch ychwanegol ym maes gofal sylfaenol i sicrhau'r mynediad mwyaf posibl i gleifion er mwyn helpu i gyflymu diagnosis ac atal pobl rhag gorfod mynd i'r ysbyty?
Llywydd, I thank Jayne Bryant for all of those points. She is right, isn't she, to point to the enormous pressure that our primary care colleagues have faced over the pandemic and continue to face today and we're going to be asking these same people now to embark on the flu campaign, which will be more important than ever in Wales this winter, and, as Members will have heard, the primary care community will also be part of delivering the autumn booster vaccination campaign for people in the top priority group. So, we're going to be asking even more of people over the weeks and months ahead, and the public really does have a part to play, as Jayne Bryant said. Remote consultations are here to stay, Llywydd, and a very good thing that is too. We do hear—as the leader of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Professor Martin Marshall, said at the weekend—we do hear a lot from people who feel that they would rather be seen face to face. We hear less of the experience of those people who would much rather be able to have a consultation over the phone or over the video because of the way that that allows them to go about other parts of their daily lives. In that same article, Professor Marshall calculated that over half of consultations by primary care clinicians are now carried out face to face. But we have to persuade the public that there are other parts of the primary care family beyond the GPs themselves—pharmacy, community pharmacy, is particularly important here in Wales—and that we can all help to keep a system that is under significant strain, and when real demands are to be made, we can all help by making sure that we go to the right place. That is why the 'Help Us, Help You' campaign that the Welsh Government has been running recently seeks to persuade people to make sure that they only seek a face-to-face consultation with a GP when that is the right clinical course of action.
And in the longer run, we will continue to pursue the approach we have had in Wales now for a number of years: GPs should see only people who need the level of skill and qualification that a GP possesses. There are many other members of the primary care team—physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, paramedics—who are equally capable clinically of providing a service to many people who go to primary care, and that team approach to the delivery of services is one we will continue to promote to secure the long-term health of primary care services in Wales.
Llywydd, diolchaf i Jayne Bryant am yr holl bwyntiau yna. Mae'n iawn, onid yw, i dynnu sylw at y pwysau enfawr y mae ein cydweithwyr ym maes gofal sylfaenol wedi eu hwynebu dros y pandemig ac yn parhau i'w hwynebu heddiw ac rydym ni'n mynd i fod yn gofyn i'r un bobl hyn ddechrau ar yr ymgyrch ffliw nawr, a fydd yn bwysicach nag erioed yng Nghymru y gaeaf hwn, ac, fel y bydd yr Aelodau wedi clywed, bydd y gymuned gofal sylfaenol hefyd yn rhan o'r gwaith o ddarparu ymgyrch brechiad atgyfnerthu'r hydref i bobl yn y grŵp blaenoriaeth uchaf. Felly, rydym ni'n mynd i fod yn gofyn hyd yn oed mwy gan bobl dros yr wythnosau a'r misoedd sydd i ddod, ac mae gan y cyhoedd ran wirioneddol i'w chwarae, fel y dywedodd Jayne Bryant. Mae ymgynghoriadau o bell yma i aros, Llywydd, a pheth da iawn yw hynny hefyd. Rydym ni yn clywed—fel y dywedodd arweinydd Coleg Brenhinol yr Ymarferwyr Cyffredinol, yr Athro Martin Marshall, dros y penwythnos—rydym ni yn clywed llawer gan bobl sy'n teimlo y byddai'n well ganddyn nhw gael eu gweld wyneb yn wyneb. Rydym ni'n clywed llai am brofiad y bobl hynny y byddai'n llawer gwell ganddyn nhw allu cael ymgynghoriad dros y ffôn neu dros y fideo oherwydd y ffordd y mae hynny yn caniatáu iddyn nhw fyw rhannau eraill o'u bywydau bob dydd. Yn yr un erthygl honno, cyfrifodd yr Athro Marshall fod dros hanner yr ymgynghoriadau gan glinigwyr gofal sylfaenol yn cael eu cynnal wyneb yn wyneb erbyn hyn. Ond mae'n rhaid i ni berswadio'r cyhoedd bod rhannau eraill o'r teulu gofal sylfaenol y tu hwnt i'r meddygon teulu eu hunain—mae fferylliaeth, fferylliaeth gymunedol, yn arbennig o bwysig yma yng Nghymru—ac y gallwn ni i gyd helpu i gadw system sydd o dan straen sylweddol, a phan fydd gofynion gwirioneddol yn cael eu gwneud, y gallwn ni i gyd helpu drwy wneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n mynd i'r lle iawn. Dyna pam mae'r ymgyrch 'Helpwch Ni i'ch Helpu Chi' y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn ei chynnal yn ddiweddar yn ceisio perswadio pobl i wneud yn siŵr eu bod nhw'n gofyn am ymgynghoriad wyneb yn wyneb gyda meddyg teulu dim ond pan mai dyna'r llwybr clinigol cywir i'w ddilyn.
Ac yn y tymor hwy, byddwn yn parhau i fynd ar drywydd y dull a fu gennym ni yng Nghymru bellach ers nifer o flynyddoedd: dylai meddygon teulu weld y bobl y mae angen lefel y sgiliau a'r cymhwyster sydd gan feddyg teulu arnyn nhw yn unig. Ceir llawer o aelodau eraill o'r tîm gofal sylfaenol—ffisiotherapyddion, fferyllwyr, therapyddion galwedigaethol, parafeddygon—sydd yr un mor abl yn glinigol o ddarparu gwasanaeth i lawer o bobl sy'n mynd i ofal sylfaenol, ac mae'r dull tîm hwnnw o ddarparu gwasanaethau yn un y byddwn ni'n parhau i'w hyrwyddo i sicrhau iechyd hirdymor gwasanaethau gofal sylfaenol yng Nghymru.
Jane Dodds.
Jane Dodds.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd, a neis gweld pawb yn ôl hefyd. Prif Weinidog, yn ddiweddar, mae fforwm cleifion y Drenewydd wedi codi pryderon ynghylch pwysau enfawr ar wasanaethau meddyg teulu. Tra bod y coronafeirws wedi gwaethygu'r problemau yn y Drenewydd a thu hwnt hefyd, mae sawl practis yn y rhanbarth wedi gweld pwysau enfawr ers blynyddoedd.
Thank you very much, Lywydd; it's nice to see everyone back. First Minister, recently, the Newtown patients' forum has raised concerns about the huge pressures on GP services. Whilst coronavirus has exacerbated the problems in Newtown and beyond, a number of practices in the region have seen huge pressures for years.
I'd like to pay tribute to Russell George, the Aelod of the Senedd for Montgomeryshire, for the work that he has done in pushing forward the north Powys well-being programme, which would help to address some of these problems. May I ask the First Minister, please, for a timetable for when we can see this programme, which would make such a difference to north Powys? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Hoffwn i dalu teyrnged i Russell George, yr Aelod o'r Senedd dros sir Drefaldwyn, am y gwaith y mae wedi ei wneud i fwrw ymlaen â rhaglen lesiant gogledd Powys, a fyddai'n helpu i fynd i'r afael â rhai o'r problemau hyn. A gaf i ofyn i'r Prif Weinidog, os gwelwch yn dda, am amserlen ar gyfer pryd y gallwn ni weld y rhaglen hon, a fyddai'n gwneud cymaint o wahaniaeth i ogledd Powys? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch i Jane Dodds am y cwestiwn. Wrth gwrs, dwi'n cydnabod, fel dywedais i yn yr ateb diweddaraf, y pwyslais sydd wedi bod ar bobl sy'n gweithio yn y maes ym Mhowys, a dwi'n cydnabod hefyd y gwaith mae Russell George wedi'i wneud. Dwi wedi ateb nifer o gwestiynau ar lawr y Cynulliad am ddatblygiadau yn y Drenewydd.
May I thank Jane Dodds for the question? Of course, I acknowledge, as I said in the last response, the pressure that people who work in the field have been under in Powys, and I acknowledge what Russell George has done. I've answered a number of questions on the floor of the Senedd about the developments in Newtown.
Llywydd, I was pleased to see the press release put out by the leaders of the north Powys programme on 17 August, a joint press release between the chief executive of the health board and the cabinet member for adult social care in Powys council. It reported on the work that they were doing to take forward the very important plans for development of a primary care campus in the centre of Newtown. It reported on engagement work that had been carried out with Powys residents and goes on to say that that will now feed into the next stage, the strategic outline case for the whole programme, which they hope to complete in the coming months. That's what the press release says. That strategic outline case then gets presented to the Welsh Government, and I repeat what I've said previously on the floor of the Senedd to Mr George, that the Welsh Government looks to support the scheme, and looks forward to having the latest iteration of those plans coming forward as a result of the work that has been carried out to date.
Llywydd, roeddwn i'n falch o weld y datganiad i'r wasg a gyhoeddwyd gan arweinwyr rhaglen gogledd Powys ar 17 Awst, datganiad i'r wasg ar y cyd rhwng prif weithredwr y bwrdd iechyd a'r aelod cabinet dros ofal cymdeithasol i oedolion yng nghyngor Powys. Adroddodd ar y gwaith yr oedden nhw'n ei wneud i fwrw ymlaen â'r cynlluniau pwysig iawn ar gyfer datblygu campws gofal sylfaenol yng nghanol y Drenewydd. Adroddodd ar waith ymgysylltu a wnaed gyda thrigolion Powys ac mae'n mynd ymlaen i ddweud y bydd hynny yn cyfrannu bellach at y cam nesaf, yr achos amlinellol strategol ar gyfer y rhaglen gyfan, y maen nhw'n gobeithio ei gwblhau yn ystod y misoedd nesaf. Dyna y mae'r datganiad i'r wasg yn ei ddweud. Yna caiff yr achos amlinellol strategol hwnnw ei gyflwyno i Lywodraeth Cymru, ac ailadroddaf yr hyn yr wyf i wedi ei ddweud o'r blaen ar lawr y Senedd wrth Mr George, bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu cefnogi'r cynllun, ac yn edrych ymlaen at weld y fersiwn ddiweddaraf o'r cynlluniau hynny yn cael eu cyflwyno o ganlyniad i'r gwaith a wnaed hyd yma.
I think I'd better call you, Mr George, after all of that. Russell George.
Rwy'n meddwl y byddai'n well i mi eich galw chi, Mr George, ar ôl hynny i gyd. Russell George.
Thank you, Llywydd. I'm grateful for Jane Dodds and the First Minister raising these points, and for the First Minister's answer. I think there's a great deal of cross-party support for that north Powys hub, and I believe it'll continue in the same vein, so that's very much appreciated.
I was listening very carefully to your response, First Minister, to Jayne Bryant. I can agree with every word you said in response to Jayne, so I ask my question in that context. There is a great pressure, and a number of people who do want to see their GP face to face, and there is of course the considerable issue of misdiagnosis if a GP doesn't see somebody face to face and has a telephone or online consultation. I ask the question, though, in the vein and the spirit of your response to Jayne Bryant and agreeing with what you said, but I wonder, now we are ahead of the winter pressures and of pressures on the ambulance service, whether this is something you can revisit with GPs in terms of more face-to-face consultations being available, in the context of what you've said.
Diolch, Llywydd. Rwy'n ddiolchgar i Jane Dodds a'r Prif Weinidog am godi'r pwyntiau hyn, ac am ateb y Prif Weinidog. Rwy'n credu bod llawer iawn o gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i'r ganolfan honno yng ngogledd Powys, ac rwy'n credu y bydd yn parhau yn yr un modd, felly mae hynny'n cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.
Roeddwn i'n gwrando'n astud iawn ar eich ymateb, Prif Weinidog, i Jayne Bryant. Gallaf i gytuno â phob gair y gwnaethoch ei ddweud mewn ymateb i Jayne, felly gofynnaf fy nghwestiwn yn y cyd-destun hwnnw. Ceir pwysau mawr, a nifer o bobl sydd eisiau gweld eu meddyg teulu wyneb yn wyneb, ac wrth gwrs ceir y mater sylweddol o gamddiagnosis os nad yw meddyg teulu yn gweld rhywun wyneb yn wyneb ac yn cael ymgynghoriad dros y ffôn neu ar-lein. Gofynnaf y cwestiwn, serch hynny, yng nghywair ac ysbryd eich ymateb i Jayne Bryant a gan gytuno â'r hyn y gwnaethoch ei ddweud, ond tybed, nawr ein bod ni ar y blaen i bwysau'r gaeaf a'r pwysau ar y gwasanaeth ambiwlans, a yw hyn yn rhywbeth y gallwch chi ei ailystyried gyda meddygon teulu o ran galluogi mwy o ymgynghoriadau wyneb yn wyneb, yng nghyd-destun yr hyn yr ydych chi wedi ei ddweud.
Llywydd, I understand the points that are being made. The proportion of contacts with GPs and the rest of the clinical team that have been carrying out face to face is growing, but nobody, I think, should encourage the belief that a telephone consultation, a video consultation, is somehow a second-class or second-best form of contact with a GP. For many, many people, that will be their preferred route. It will be more effective; it will release GPs' time for other work. I've had reason myself over the summer to speak to a member of the primary care team, and I was able to do it because I didn't have to take myself all the way to the surgery in order to be able to do so, and I got all the advice that I needed very straightforwardly and easily over the telephone. We have to rely on the clinical judgment of our very skilled professionals to know when a face-to-face consultation is clinically necessary, and if we are going to ask them to continue doing all the things that we're asking them to do, and the extra things we're going to be asking them to do as well, then I think we have to show some confidence in their ability to use the new technology that they have effectively and to distinguish between those people who can be properly advised in that way and those people for whom a face-to-face consultation is a necessary part of the clinical investigation.
Llywydd, rwy'n deall y pwyntiau sy'n cael eu gwneud. Mae cyfran y cysylltiadau â meddygon teulu a gweddill y tîm clinigol sydd wedi bod yn cynnal ymgynghoriadau wyneb yn wyneb yn tyfu, ond ni ddylai neb, yn fy marn i, annog y gred bod ymgynghoriad dros y ffôn, ymgynghoriad fideo, rywsut yn fath eilradd neu ail orau o gyswllt â meddyg teulu. I lawer iawn o bobl, dyna fydd y llwybr y maen nhw'n ei ffafrio. Bydd yn fwy effeithiol; bydd yn rhyddhau amser meddygon teulu ar gyfer gwaith arall. Cefais reswm fy hun dros yr haf i siarad ag aelod o'r tîm gofal sylfaenol, ac roeddwn i'n gallu gwneud hynny oherwydd nad oedd yn rhaid i mi fynd â fy hun yr holl ffordd i'r feddygfa er mwyn gallu gwneud hynny, a chefais yr holl gyngor yr oedd ei angen arnaf i yn syml ac yn hawdd iawn dros y ffôn. Mae'n rhaid i ni ddibynnu ar farn glinigol ein gweithwyr proffesiynol medrus iawn i wybod pryd mae angen clinigol am ymgynghoriad wyneb yn wyneb, ac os ydym ni'n mynd i ofyn iddyn nhw barhau i wneud yr holl bethau yr ydym ni'n gofyn iddyn nhw eu gwneud, a'r pethau ychwanegol y byddwn ni'n gofyn iddyn nhw eu gwneud hefyd, yna rwy'n credu bod yn rhaid i ni ddangos rhywfaint o hyder yn eu gallu i ddefnyddio'r dechnoleg newydd sydd ganddyn nhw yn effeithiol ac i wahaniaethu rhwng y bobl hynny y gellir eu cynghori yn briodol yn y ffordd honno a'r bobl hynny y mae ymgynghoriad wyneb yn wyneb yn rhan angenrheidiol o'u hymchwiliad clinigol.
6. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i'r ffordd y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn diwygio sut y mae gofal cymdeithasol yn cael ei gyllido? OQ56834
6. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's response to the UK Government's reform of social care funding? OQ56834
I thank Hefin David, Llywydd, for that. The Welsh Government continues to seek clarity on a series of issues that lie behind the headlines of last week’s announcement. That includes the quantum of funding available to Wales and, very importantly, the treatment of cross-border cases. Our ministerial paying for care group, as you've heard, will reconvene to bring forward proposals for Wales.
Diolchaf i Hefin David, Llywydd, am hynny. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i geisio eglurder ar gyfres o faterion sydd y tu ôl i benawdau cyhoeddiad yr wythnos diwethaf. Mae hynny yn cynnwys faint o gyllid sydd ar gael i Gymru ac, yn bwysig iawn, y driniaeth o achosion trawsffiniol. Bydd ein grŵp gweinidogol talu am ofal, fel y clywsoch, yn ailymgynnull i gyflwyno cynigion ar gyfer Cymru.
I'd respectfully say to the First Minister it would have been helpful, perhaps, to have had a verbal statement in the Chamber this afternoon on this, given that it was raised by the Deputy Minister for Social Services at the press conference and a written statement's been issued, and I think not least because national insurance is the most regressive way of funding additional social care, and I would have liked to have heard the Conservatives, because I know some of them have reservations about this—. I would like to hear their views on this way of funding social care. There is a better way to do it, and we've heard already the leader of Plaid Cymru make reference to the Holtham levy, which I've already said would have been a far better way to do it. And no doubt, First Minister, you are frustrated that that cannot happen. I think we are seeing the limits now of the devolution settlement that needs radical change.
Can you guarantee that every penny that comes from this rise is directed to social care in Wales? Can you give that guarantee? And we can see that the UK Government spending review is scheduled for 27 October. How soon after that will we then know the detail of the Welsh Government's plans?
Dywedaf yn barchus wrth y Prif Weinidog y byddai wedi bod o gymorth, efallai, i gael datganiad llafar yn y Siambr y prynhawn yma ar hyn, o gofio iddo gael ei godi gan y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Wasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn y gynhadledd i'r wasg a bod datganiad ysgrifenedig wedi ei gyhoeddi, ac rwy'n credu yn anad dim oherwydd mai yswiriant gwladol yw'r ffordd fwyaf atchweliadol o ariannu gofal cymdeithasol ychwanegol, a byddwn i wedi hoffi clywed y Ceidwadwyr, oherwydd gwn fod gan rai ohonyn nhw amheuon am hyn—. Hoffwn i glywed eu barn ar y ffordd hon o ariannu gofal cymdeithasol. Mae ffordd well o'i wneud, ac rydym ni eisoes wedi clywed arweinydd Plaid Cymru yn cyfeirio at ardoll Holtham, yr wyf i eisoes wedi dweud y byddai wedi bod yn ffordd well o lawer o'i wneud. Ac rwy'n siŵr, Prif Weinidog, eich bod chi'n teimlo rhwystredigaeth na all hynny ddigwydd. Rwy'n credu ein bod ni'n gweld cyfyngiadau'r setliad datganoli bellach, ac mae angen ei newid yn sylweddol.
A allwch chi sicrhau bod pob ceiniog sy'n dod o'r cynnydd hwn yn cael ei chyfeirio i ofal cymdeithasol yng Nghymru? A allwch chi roi'r sicrwydd hwnnw? A gallwn ni weld bod adolygiad gwariant Llywodraeth y DU wedi ei drefnu ar gyfer 27 Hydref. Pa mor fuan ar ôl hynny y byddwn ni wedyn yn gwybod manylion cynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru?
Llywydd, Hefin David points to a very important continuing flaw in the settlement. Health and social care services in England now have certainty about how much money they will have for the rest of this financial year and in the next financial year. No devolved Government has the same certainty. We will not know until 27 October how much money will come to Wales. We know what the product of the recent announcements amounts to, but what we don't know is what other decisions will be made inside the UK Government that would have negative Barnett consequentials. So, we are just as likely to lose money for other decisions as we have been to gain money through this. That isn't the case for the Department of Health in England. They now know that, whatever other spending decisions are made, they're guaranteed to get the money that was announced. We will not know that. We will not know it until after 27 October, and the Member makes a very important point about the unfairness of that.
Now, last year that was partially mitigated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, because he provided an overall funding guarantee to Wales, to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and we welcomed that because it ironed out some of this uncertainty for us. He's not been willing to do that this year and, as a result, we won't have the certainty that the Member asked for until we know both the money that will come to Wales and other decisions. Members here will remember the completely perverse decision that was made in terms of Barnett comparabilities in relation to the HS2 scheme, where we offered no comparabilities at all, despite the fact that it has direct impacts for us in Wales. We'll be watching for further such decisions over the weeks ahead, and then after 27 October, once we know what we've actually got for health, for social care and for the other very important responsibilities that this Senedd discharges, of course we will return to the floor here with the Government's proposals.
Llywydd, mae Hefin David yn cyfeirio at ddiffyg parhaus pwysig iawn yn y setliad. Mae gan wasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn Lloegr sicrwydd bellach ynghylch faint o arian y bydd ganddyn nhw am weddill y flwyddyn ariannol hon ac yn y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf. Nid oes gan yr un Llywodraeth ddatganoledig yr un sicrwydd. Ni fyddwn ni'n gwybod tan 27 Hydref faint o arian fydd yn dod i Gymru. Rydym ni'n gwybod beth yw cyfanswm cynnyrch y cyhoeddiadau diweddar, ond yr hyn nad ydym ni'n ei wybod yw pa benderfyniadau eraill fydd yn cael eu gwneud o fewn Llywodraeth y DU a fyddai'n arwain at symiau canlyniadol Barnett negyddol. Felly, rydym ni yr un mor debygol o golli arian ar gyfer penderfyniadau eraill ag yr ydym ni wedi bod o gael arian drwy hyn. Nid yw hynny'n wir i'r Adran Iechyd yn Lloegr. Maen nhw bellach yn gwybod, pa bynnag benderfyniadau gwario eraill sy'n cael eu gwneud, eu bod nhw'n sicr o gael yr arian a gyhoeddwyd. Ni fyddwn ni'n gwybod hynny. Ni fyddwn yn ei wybod tan ar ôl 27 Hydref, ac mae'r Aelod yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn am annhegwch hynny.
Nawr, y llynedd cafodd hynny ei liniaru yn rhannol gan Ganghellor y Trysorlys, oherwydd iddo roi sicrwydd cyllid cyffredinol i Gymru, i'r Alban ac i Ogledd Iwerddon, ac fe wnaethom ni groesawu hynny gan ei fod yn datrys rhywfaint o'r ansicrwydd hwn i ni. Nid yw wedi bod yn barod i wneud hynny eleni ac, o ganlyniad, ni fydd gennym ni'r sicrwydd y gofynnodd yr Aelod amdano tan y byddwn ni'n gwybod am yr arian a fydd yn dod i Gymru a phenderfyniadau eraill. Bydd yr Aelodau yma yn cofio'r penderfyniad cwbl wrthnysig a wnaed o ran cymaroldeb Barnett yng nghyswllt cynllun HS2, pan na chynigiwyd unrhyw gymaroldeb o gwbl i ni, er gwaethaf y ffaith ei fod yn cael effeithiau uniongyrchol arnom ni yng Nghymru. Byddwn yn gwylio am benderfyniadau pellach o'r fath dros yr wythnosau nesaf, ac yna ar ôl 27 Hydref, pan fyddwn ni'n gwybod beth sydd gennym ni mewn gwirionedd ar gyfer iechyd, ar gyfer gofal cymdeithasol ac ar gyfer y cyfrifoldebau pwysig iawn eraill y mae'r Senedd hon yn eu cyflawni, wrth gwrs byddwn yn dychwelyd i'r llawr yma gyda chynigion y Llywodraeth.
7. Pa asesiad y mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi'i wneud o gynnydd bargen twf Gogledd Cymru? OQ56839
7. What assessment has the First Minister made of the progress of the North Wales growth deal? OQ56839
Our assessment, Llywydd, is that good progress is being made by the portfolio office of the north Wales growth deal in moving forward into the delivery phase of the deal. Several business cases have now been drafted and presented to the North Wales Economic Ambition Board for their approval.
Ein hasesiad, Llywydd, yw bod cynnydd da yn cael ei wneud gan swyddfa bortffolio bargen twf gogledd Cymru wrth symud ymlaen i gam cyflawni'r fargen. Mae nifer o achosion busnes wedi eu drafftio bellach a'u cyflwyno i Fwrdd Uchelgais Economaidd Gogledd Cymru i'w cymeradwyo.
Thank you, First Minister, for your answer. We all know how important the north Wales growth deal is to the region. I'd like to welcome the work across Governments, with local authorities and other bodies, in seeing this progress that we all seek for the region.
One of the projects, and an important project amongst many, is a project to further develop the port at Holyhead. And you'll know the importance of this in terms of its opportunity to bring prosperity to the region, as well as developing that economic relationship with Ireland. Of course, with complex projects there can be challenges at times in terms of delivery. So, would you, First Minister, commit to working with stakeholders in order to provide continued certainty and appropriate support to ensure this particular project is delivered as quickly as possible?
Diolch, Prif Weinidog, am eich ateb. Rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod pa mor bwysig yw bargen twf gogledd Cymru i'r rhanbarth. Hoffwn i groesawu'r gwaith ar draws Llywodraethau, gydag awdurdodau lleol a chyrff eraill, i weld y cynnydd hwn yr ydym ni i gyd yn dymuno ei weld ar gyfer y rhanbarth.
Un o'r prosiectau, a phrosiect pwysig ymysg llawer, yw prosiect i ddatblygu'r porthladd yng Nghaergybi ymhellach. A byddwch chi'n ymwybodol o bwysigrwydd hyn o ran ei gyfle i ddod â ffyniant i'r rhanbarth, yn ogystal â datblygu'r berthynas economaidd honno ag Iwerddon. Wrth gwrs, gyda phrosiectau cymhleth gall fod heriau ar adegau o ran eu cyflawni. Felly, a wnewch chi, Prif Weinidog, ymrwymo i weithio gyda rhanddeiliaid er mwyn rhoi sicrwydd parhaus a chymorth priodol i sicrhau bod y prosiect penodol hwn yn cael ei gyflawni cyn gynted â phosibl?
Well, Llywydd, I thank the Member for that. Of course, I am aware that the Holyhead gateway project is part of the land and property theme of the growth deal, and we do take a direct and continuing interest in it. The Member will be aware of the significant challenges that there are for Welsh ports as a result of the Northern Ireland protocol, and we continue to raise these matters with colleagues in the UK Government as well. Until some of those matters are properly resolved, then the current levels of trade through Holyhead will not recover to the levels that we saw prior to the agreement of the terms on which we've left the European Union. So, I agree with what the Member said: it is a complex project, and one that has become all the more complex because of the context in which it now operates.
Wel, Llywydd, diolch i'r Aelod am hynny. Wrth gwrs, rwy'n ymwybodol bod prosiect porth Caergybi yn rhan o thema tir ac eiddo y fargen dwf, ac rydym ni yn ymddiddori ynddo yn uniongyrchol ac yn barhaus. Bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol o'r heriau sylweddol sydd i borthladdoedd Cymru o ganlyniad i brotocol Gogledd Iwerddon, ac rydym yn parhau i godi'r materion hyn gyda chydweithwyr yn Llywodraeth y DU hefyd. Hyd nes y caiff rhai o'r materion hynny eu datrys yn briodol, ni fydd y lefelau masnach presennol trwy Gaergybi yn adfer i'r lefelau y gwnaethom eu gweld cyn cytuno ar y telerau yr ydym wedi gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd arnyn nhw. Felly, rwy'n cytuno â'r hyn yr oedd yr Aelod wedi ei ddweud: mae'n brosiect cymhleth, ac yn un sy'n fwy cymhleth byth erbyn hyn oherwydd y cyd-destun y mae'n gweithredu ynddo bellach.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
I thank the First Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf felly yw'r datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, a dwi'n galw ar y Trefnydd i wneud y datganiad hwnnw. Lesley Griffiths.
The next item is the business statement and announcement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement. Lesley Griffiths.
Diolch, Llywydd. I've added three statements to today's agenda, a statement on Afghanistan from the Minister for Social Justice, a statement to update Members on the latest situation with regard to COVID-19 from the Minister for Health and Social Services, and a statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership updating Members on developments with the social partnership and public procurement (Wales) Bill. Finally, the legislative consent motion on the Environment Bill has been postponed until 28 September. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Diolch, Llywydd. Rwyf i wedi ychwanegu tri datganiad at yr agenda heddiw, datganiad ar Afghanistan gan y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, datganiad i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am y sefyllfa COVID-19 gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, a datganiad gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Partneriaeth Gymdeithasol yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am ddatblygiadau gyda'r Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael cyhoeddus (Cymru). Yn olaf, mae'r cynnig cydsyniad deddfwriaethol ar Fil yr Amgylchedd wedi'i ohirio tan 28 Medi. Mae'r busnes drafft ar gyfer y tair wythnos eistedd nesaf wedi'i nodi ar y datganiad a'r cyhoeddiad busnes, sydd i'w weld ymysg papurau'r cyfarfod sydd ar gael i'r Aelodau'n electronig.
Trefnydd, I'd like to call for a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services on the Welsh ambulance service. I understand that the Welsh ambulance service is currently undertaking a pan-Wales roster review, and I've received representations from worried NHS staff about plans for the service in my own area, in Pembrokeshire. The current plans are to reduce the emergency ambulance capacity within Pembrokeshire from seven down to five. Now, needless to say, this will have a very serious impact on the people of Pembrokeshire, and indeed on our ambulance staff. One member of staff told me that they were 'genuinely frightened' at the impact that these changes would have on them, given that they were already struggling with the current demand, and I'm sure you'll agree with me that this is totally unacceptable.
It's also understood that Hywel Dda University Health Board is the only health board in Wales that will see this level of reduction in emergency ambulance cover. Therefore, given the seriousness of these plans, and the impact that they will have on users and staff in Pembrokeshire, could you please ensure that the health Minister brings forward a statement now as a matter of urgency?
Trefnydd, hoffwn i alw am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ar wasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru. Rwy'n deall bod gwasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru yn cynnal adolygiad Cymru gyfan o restrau ar hyn o bryd, ac rwyf i wedi cael sylwadau gan staff pryderus y GIG ynghylch cynlluniau ar gyfer y gwasanaeth yn fy ardal i, yn sir Benfro. Y cynlluniau ar hyn o bryd yw lleihau nifer yr ambiwlansys brys yn sir Benfro o saith i bump. Nawr, nid oes angen dweud, bydd hyn yn cael effaith ddifrifol iawn ar bobl sir Benfro, ac yn wir ar ein staff ambiwlans. Dywedodd un aelod o staff wrthyf fod 'ofn gwirioneddol' arno ynghylch yr effaith y byddai'r newidiadau hyn yn ei chael arnyn nhw, o gofio eu bod eisoes yn cael trafferth gyda'r galw presennol, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwch yn cytuno â mi fod hyn yn gwbl annerbyniol.
Mae'n debyg hefyd mai Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Hywel Dda yw'r unig fwrdd iechyd yng Nghymru a fydd yn gweld y lefel hon o ostyngiad i nifer yr ambiwlansys brys. Felly, o ystyried difrifoldeb y cynlluniau hyn, a'r effaith y byddan nhw'n ei chael ar ddefnyddwyr a staff yn sir Benfro, a wnewch chi sicrhau bod y Gweinidog iechyd yn cyflwyno datganiad yn awr fel mater o frys?
Thank you for that question. As you stated yourself, there is currently a review of the Welsh ambulance service. I think it would be very foolish to pre-empt any outcome of that, but I'm sure, at the most appropriate time, the health Minister will bring forward further information.FootnoteLink
Diolch i chi am y cwestiwn yna. Fel yr ydych chi eich hun wedi ei ddweud, mae adolygiad ar hyn o bryd o wasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru. Rwy'n credu y byddai'n ffôl iawn achub y blaen ar unrhyw ganlyniad i hynny, ond rwy'n siŵr, ar yr adeg fwyaf priodol, y bydd y Gweinidog iechyd yn cyflwyno rhagor o wybodaeth.FootnoteLink
Braf oedd gweld disgyblion Ysgol Mynydd Bychan o Gaerdydd yn y galeri, yn yr Oriel heddiw, a Heledd Fychan a fi yn derbyn nifer o gwestiynau heriol oddi wrthyn nhw, gan gynnwys pa blaid fyddem ni oni bai am Blaid Cymru. Gallaf i ddweud, yn amlwg, dim Tories oedd yr ateb.
Ond, Trefnydd, licen i fod mor hy a gofyn am dri datganiad heddiw. Yn gyntaf, oherwydd ei bod hi'n Wythnos Senedd Ieuenctid, a oes modd i'r Llywodraeth amlinellu pa gydweithio maen nhw'n ei wneud gydag eraill, gan gynnwys y Comisiwn, i sicrhau bod cynifer â phosib o bobl ifanc o wahanol gefndiroedd yn cymryd rhan yn y weithgaredd bwysig yma?
It was good to see pupils from Ysgol Mynydd Bychan in the gallery today, and Heledd Fychan and I took a number of challenging questions from them, including which party we would join other than Plaid Cymru. I can clearly say that the answer was not the Tories.
But, Trefnydd, could I be so bold as to ask for three statements today? First of all, because it is Youth Parliament Week, could the Government outline what collaboration they have with others, including the Commission, to ensure that as many young people as possible from various backgrounds participate in this important activity?
Trefnydd, could I also ask for a statement regarding the issue of building safety in high rises? Does the Welsh Government agree with Plaid Cymru that innocent leaseholders should not pay for defective work by developers? And Trefnydd, could we also have a written statement about the mental health impact this has on leaseholders? I've met many now, and the strain is obvious on their faces. Could you look into the impact on these people's lives, through no fault of their own? Diolch yn fawr.
Trefnydd, a gaf i hefyd ofyn am ddatganiad ynghylch diogelwch adeiladau mewn adeiladau uchel iawn? A yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn cytuno â Phlaid Cymru na ddylai lesddeiliaid diniwed dalu am waith diffygiol gan ddatblygwyr? A, Trefnydd, a gawn ni ddatganiad ysgrifenedig hefyd o ran yr effaith y mae hyn yn ei chael ar lesddeiliaid? Rwyf i wedi cwrdd â llawer erbyn hyn, ac mae'r straen yn amlwg ar eu hwynebau. A wnewch chi ymchwilio i'r effaith ar fywydau'r bobl hyn, heb unrhyw fai arnyn nhw? Diolch yn fawr.
Thank you. Just in relation to your first bit, I think it's excellent to see members of the public back in the public gallery, but it's always really good to see children and young people in the public gallery. And as you say, obviously, it's Youth Parliament Week, and it's really important that we do engage with children and young people about the democratic process and politics in general.
In relation to your second question around building safety, you'll be aware that the Minister for Climate Change issued a written statement on 14 July, announcing the grant funding for survey work to be undertaken on some of these residential buildings that you referred to. We anticipate that the scheme will be ready to accept applications in the autumn of this year, so there will be a further announcement.
Diolch. O ran eich rhan gyntaf, rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n wych gweld aelodau o'r cyhoedd yn ôl yn yr oriel gyhoeddus, ond mae hi bob amser yn dda iawn gweld plant a phobl ifanc yn yr oriel gyhoeddus. Ac fel yr ydych chi wedi ei ddweud, yn amlwg, mae'n Wythnos y Senedd Ieuenctid, ac mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n ymgysylltu â phlant a phobl ifanc ynghylch y broses ddemocrataidd a gwleidyddiaeth yn gyffredinol.
O ran eich ail gwestiwn ynghylch diogelwch adeiladau, byddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd wedi cyhoeddi datganiad ysgrifenedig ar 14 Gorffennaf, yn cyhoeddi'r cyllid grant ar gyfer gwaith arolwg a fydd yn cael ei wneud ar rai o'r adeiladau preswyl hyn yr ydych chi wedi cyfeirio atyn nhw. Rydym yn rhagweld y bydd y cynllun yn barod i dderbyn ceisiadau yn yr hydref eleni, felly bydd cyhoeddiad pellach.
Mike Hedges.
Mike Hedges.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I wish you'd called me before Rhys ab Owen, because I was also going to raise the problem of problem high rises. I'll still raise it because it is a serious concern to a number of my constituents living in SA1. I believe we are now in the autumn and, as such, how soon can we expect this statement, because it is really affecting a number of people? We talk about mental health issues. I can think of nothing that would have a greater effect on somebody's mental health than the fact they own a property, which they paid £100,000 to £150,000 for, which they're paying interest on their loan for, and the building is now worthless. In fact, they would probably have to pay somebody to take it off their hands. So, it really is a matter of great urgency; I've got a lot of very unhappy constituents, as I'm sure other people in this room have. So, please, can we ask that we get this as soon as is practicable?
The second issue I would like to raise—and it's something we haven't talked about for some time—is regarding enterprise zones. In 2012, the Welsh Government launched seven enterprise zones across Wales; the Port Talbot waterfront was added later. Can we have a Government statement regarding the success of these zones, and which ones are planned to continue after next year?
Diolch, Llywydd. Byddai'n dda gen i pe baech chi wedi fy ngalw i cyn Rhys ab Owen, oherwydd roeddwn i hefyd yn mynd i godi'r broblem o ran adeiladau uchel iawn problemus. Byddaf i'n dal i'w chodi oherwydd ei bod yn bryder difrifol i nifer o fy etholwyr i sy'n byw yn SA1. Rwy'n credu ein bod ni yn yr hydref bellach ac felly, pa mor fuan y gallwn ni ddisgwyl y datganiad hwn, gan ei fod yn effeithio'n wirioneddol ar nifer o bobl? Rydym ni'n sôn am faterion iechyd meddwl. Ni allaf i feddwl am ddim a fyddai'n cael mwy o effaith ar iechyd meddwl rhywun na'r ffaith ei fod yn berchen ar eiddo y mae wedi talu £100,000 i £150,000 amdano, y mae'n talu llog ar fenthyciad arno, a bod yr adeilad yn ddiwerth bellach. Yn wir, mae'n debyg y byddai'n rhaid talu rhywun arall i gael gwared arno. Felly, mae'n fater o frys mawr; mae gen i lawer o etholwyr anhapus iawn, yn yr un modd ag sydd gan bobl eraill yn yr ystafell hon rwy'n siŵr. Felly, os gwelwch yn dda, a gawn ni ofyn i gael hyn cyn gynted ag y bo'n ymarferol?
Mae'r ail fater yr hoffwn i ei godi—ac mae'n rhywbeth nad ydym ni wedi sôn amdano ers cryn amser—yn ymwneud ag ardaloedd menter. Yn 2012, lansiodd Llywodraeth Cymru saith ardal fenter ledled Cymru; cafodd glannau Port Talbot eu hychwanegu'n ddiweddarach. A gawn ni ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth ynghylch llwyddiant yr ardaloedd hyn, a pha rai y mae bwriad parhau â nhw ar ôl y flwyddyn nesaf?
Thank you. I don't disagree with what you said around the point of cladding and the issue that has just been raised with me. And when I gave my answer, I did think as I said the word 'autumn', I was thinking, 'Well, that could be several months.' And I agree with you, we are in the autumn now, but I know that the Minister is very hopeful to bring forward a statement at the earliest possibility.
In relation to enterprise zones, the Member will be aware that they were introduced and created here to help promote economic activity and development in very distinct zones. And it is absolutely timely, I think, to review that enterprise zone programme, and also the governance structures that were put in to support it when we first brought them forward in light of our priorities. And obviously, we've now had the emergence of a regional approach to economic development, and the end of current terms of appointment for the boards is also nearing as well. So, the Minister for Economy will be making a statement on enterprise zones.
Diolch. Nid wyf i'n anghytuno â'r hyn y gwnaethoch ei ddweud ynghylch cladin a'r mater sydd newydd gael ei godi gyda mi. A phan roddais i fy ateb, fe wnes i feddwl, wrth i mi ddweud y gair 'hydref', roeddwn i'n meddwl, 'Wel, gallai hynny fod yn sawl mis.' Ac rwy'n cytuno â chi, rydym ni yn yr hydref nawr, ond gwn fod y Gweinidog yn obeithiol iawn o gyflwyno datganiad cyn gynted â phosibl.
O ran ardaloedd menter, bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol eu bod wedi eu cyflwyno a'u creu yma i helpu i hyrwyddo gweithgaredd a datblygiad economaidd mewn ardaloedd gwahanol iawn. Ac mae'n gwbl amserol, yn fy marn i, i adolygu'r rhaglen ardaloedd menter honno, a hefyd y strwythurau llywodraethu a gyflwynwyd i'w chefnogi pan wnaethom eu cyflwyno yn gyntaf yng ngoleuni ein blaenoriaethau. Ac yn amlwg, erbyn hyn rydym ni wedi datblygu dull rhanbarthol o weithredu datblygiad economaidd, ac mae diwedd y cyfnodau gwaith presennol y byrddau yn agosáu hefyd. Felly, bydd Gweinidog yr Economi yn gwneud datganiad ar ardaloedd menter.
Like my colleague Paul Davies, I have also been contacted by large numbers of constituents, concerned about ambulance waiting times. Our hard-working ambulance crews and accident and emergency teams are amazing, working tirelessly, but ambulance crews are spending all of their shifts sat outside hospitals, waiting to hand over patients, causing long delays, leaving rural communities like mine in Brecon and Radnorshire without adequate cover in case of emergency.
Here's an example of correspondence that I received earlier in the week. A 92-year-old lady, just outside Brecon, fell with a suspected broken hip. The ambulance was called at 4 p.m.. The lady remained in considerable pain, unable to move, unable to travel by car, unable to eat or drink. The ambulance arrived next morning because there were no ambulances across my constituency. This is not isolated. Over 400 people, right across Wales, earlier in the year, were waiting over 12 hours for an ambulance. I'm sure nobody in this Chamber finds that acceptable.
So, Trefnydd, will you please now ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to make an urgent statement on this crisis, and outline the proposals on how the Welsh Government will improve access to ambulances, because people waiting on the floor for 12 hours for an ambulance is absolutely shameful?
Fel fy nghyd-Aelod Paul Davies, mae llawer o etholwyr wedi cysylltu â mi hefyd, yn pryderu ynghylch amseroedd aros ambiwlansys. Mae ein criwiau ambiwlans gweithgar a'n timau damweiniau ac achosion brys yn anhygoel, ac yn gweithio'n ddiflino, ond mae criwiau ambiwlans yn treulio eu holl sifftiau yn eistedd y tu allan i ysbytai, yn aros i drosglwyddo cleifion, sy'n achosi oedi hir, gan adael cymunedau gwledig fel fy un i ym Mrycheiniog a Sir Faesyfed heb wasanaeth digonol pan fydd argyfwng.
Dyma enghraifft o ohebiaeth a gefais i'n gynharach yn yr wythnos. Syrthiodd dynes 92 oed, nepell i Aberhonddu, ac roedd amheuaeth bod ei chlun wedi torri. Cafodd yr ambiwlans ei alw am 4 p.m. Arhosodd y fenyw mewn cryn boen, yn methu â symud, yn methu â theithio mewn car, yn methu â bwyta nac yfed. Cyrhaeddodd yr ambiwlans y bore wedyn gan nad oedd ambiwlansys ar gael ledled fy etholaeth i. Nid yw hyn yn unigryw. Roedd dros 400 o bobl, ledled Cymru, yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn, yn aros am fwy na 12 awr am ambiwlans. Rwy'n siŵr nad oes neb yn y Siambr hon o'r farn bod hynny'n dderbyniol.
Felly, Trefnydd, a wnewch chi ofyn i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol yn awr i wneud datganiad brys ar yr argyfwng hwn, ac amlinellu'r cynigion o ran sut y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwella'r gallu i gael defnydd o ambiwlans, oherwydd ei bod yn gwbl gywilyddus bod pobl yn aros ar y llawr am ambiwlans am 12 awr?
I would caution the Member. You quote, and I'm going to quote you now, 'All of ambulances are spending their time sitting outside hospitals.' That is completely not true—[Interruption.]—and I think you should be very, very cautious in using those exact words and also the word 'crisis'. You will have heard my answer to Paul Davies about the review. I, personally, and no-one in this Chamber would want to hear the story that you relayed. I can't personally comment on a specific case, and I would ask you to write to the Minister for Health and Social Services.
Byddwn i'n rhybuddio'r Aelod. Rydych chi'n dyfynnu, ac rwyf i am eich dyfynnu chi nawr, 'Mae'r holl ambiwlansys yn treulio eu hamser yn eistedd y tu allan i ysbytai.' Nid yw hynny'n wir o gwbl—[Torri ar draws.]—ac rwy'n credu y dylech chi fod yn ofalus iawn, iawn wrth ddefnyddio'r union eiriau hynny a hefyd y gair 'argyfwng'. Byddwch chi wedi clywed fy ateb i Paul Davies o ran yr adolygiad. Ni fyddwn i, yn bersonol, na neb yn y Siambr hon yn dymuno clywed yr hanes yr ydych chi wedi ei adrodd. Ni allaf wneud sylw personol ar achos penodol, a gofynnaf i chi ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol.
I'd like a Government statement, please, about the importance of respite for carers and day-care services for people with disabilities. This is an issue that I've raised many times over the past year, and there are lots of families in my region, principally in Caerphilly, that are still without the respite support that they had before the pandemic. Now, I understand that the council has made a statement very recently confirming that there are no plans to close day centres, and that will be a huge relief to families, but they are consulting on current provision, and with the limited services available, families without cars can't always travel to get the help that is available. What I'd like the Government to do, please, is to provide some clarity about what support is being given to local authorities, and what incentives are there to restart these services that provide such significant support for entire families. Many unpaid carers have been looking after their loved ones 24 hours a day for the past 18 months, and that takes a physical toll; it also takes an emotional toll. I'd really welcome a statement from the Government setting out what will be done to help them.
Hoffwn i gael datganiad gan y Llywodraeth, os gwelwch yn dda, ynghylch pwysigrwydd seibiant ar gyfer gofalwyr a gwasanaethau gofal dydd i bobl ag anableddau. Mae hwn yn fater yr wyf i wedi ei godi droeon yn ystod y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, ac mae llawer o deuluoedd yn fy rhanbarth i, yng Nghaerffili yn bennaf, nad oes ganddyn nhw'r cymorth seibiant a oedd ganddyn nhw cyn y pandemig. Nawr, rwy'n deall bod y cyngor wedi gwneud datganiad yn ddiweddar iawn yn cadarnhau nad oes unrhyw gynlluniau i gau canolfannau dydd, a bydd hynny'n rhyddhad enfawr i deuluoedd, ond maen nhw'n ymgynghori ar y ddarpariaeth bresennol, ac oherwydd y gwasanaethau cyfyngedig sydd ar gael, ni all teuluoedd heb geir deithio i gael y cymorth sydd ar gael bob amser. Yr hyn yr hoffwn i'r Llywodraeth ei wneud, os gwelwch yn dda, yw rhoi rhywfaint o eglurder ynghylch pa gymorth sy'n cael ei roi i awdurdodau lleol, a pha gymhellion sydd ar gael i ailgychwyn y gwasanaethau hyn sy'n rhoi cymorth mor sylweddol i deuluoedd cyfan. Mae llawer o ofalwyr di-dâl wedi bod yn gofalu am eu hanwyliaid 24 awr y dydd am y 18 mis diwethaf, ac mae hynny'n cael effaith gorfforol; mae hefyd yn arwain at draul emosiynol. Byddwn i'n croesawu'n fawr ddatganiad gan y Llywodraeth yn nodi'r hyn a fydd yn cael ei wneud i'w helpu.
Thank you, and I think the Member raises a very important point. It's absolutely vital that we value our carers and, as you say, COVID-19 has brought another pressure on people who are caring for the vulnerable members of their family or friends. I'm not aware of the consultation by Caerphilly County Borough Council, but I would really urge all constituents in your region to put into that consultation. I think it's very important that the council hear what people's needs and requirements are.
Diolch, ac rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod yn codi pwynt pwysig iawn. Mae'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod ni'n gwerthfawrogi ein gofalwyr ac, fel yr ydych chi'n ei ddweud, mae COVID-19 wedi rhoi pwysau arall ar bobl sy'n gofalu am aelodau eu teulu neu eu cylch ffrindiau sy'n agored i niwed. Nid wyf i'n ymwybodol o'r ymgynghoriad gan Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Caerffili, ond byddwn i'n annog pob etholwr yn eich rhanbarth chi i gyfrannu at yr ymgynghoriad hwnnw. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn bod y cyngor yn clywed beth yw anghenion a gofynion pobl.
Trefnydd, could we have a statement on emergency mental health provision in Wales? A recent BBC article highlighted that the police are increasingly having to deal with calls from family and friends who fear a loved one may be suicidal and do not know where to turn. My local police force, Gwent Police, has seen the number of 999 and 101 calls increase by a third between January and July. However, more than half of the calls did not report crimes, but are often relating to other services. On average, between 6 per cent and 8 per cent of all contacts with Gwent Police involve concerns for someone's mental health. Gwent Police are adapting admirably, and have a mental health team and a social worker who sit alongside operators in the call room, and I know that Welsh Government have made some really positive announcements and investments on this subject over the summer, and there's some great work being trialled in the Swansea bay area, which includes a 111 mental health crisis helpline team, but the sooner we can improve services across Wales the better, so that individuals who are suffering find the best and most appropriate support.
Trefnydd, a gawn ni ddatganiad ynghylch darpariaeth iechyd meddwl brys yng Nghymru? Tynnodd erthygl ddiweddar gan y BBC sylw at y ffaith bod yr heddlu'n gorfod ymdrin fwyfwy â galwadau gan deulu a ffrindiau sy'n ofni y gall anwyliaid fod yn hunanladdol ac nad ydyn nhw'n gwybod ble i droi. Mae fy heddlu lleol i, Heddlu Gwent, wedi gweld cynnydd o draean i nifer y galwadau 999 a 101 rhwng mis Ionawr a mis Gorffennaf. Fodd bynnag, nid oedd mwy na hanner y galwadau yn adrodd am droseddau, maen nhw'n aml yn ymwneud â gwasanaethau eraill. Ar gyfartaledd, mae rhwng 6 y cant ac 8 y cant o'r holl gysylltiadau â Heddlu Gwent yn ymwneud â phryderon ynghylch iechyd meddwl rhywun. Mae Heddlu Gwent yn addasu'n rhagorol, ac mae ganddyn nhw dîm iechyd meddwl a gweithiwr cymdeithasol sy'n eistedd ochr yn ochr â gweithredwyr yn yr ystafell alwadau, ac rwy'n gwybod bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud cyhoeddiadau a buddsoddiadau cadarnhaol iawn yn y maes hwn yn ystod yr haf, ac mae gwaith gwych yn cael ei dreialu yn ardal Bae Abertawe, sy'n cynnwys tîm llinell gymorth argyfwng iechyd meddwl 111, ond gorau po gyntaf y gallwn ni wella gwasanaethau ledled Cymru, fel bod unigolion sy'n dioddef yn cael y cymorth gorau a mwyaf priodol.
Thank you. Again, you raise a very important point and, as you say, we've worked very closely with the NHS and also with the police and other organisations to try and understand the needs of individuals at that point of crisis that you referred to. Most individuals in those circumstances do need a multi-agency response, rather than a specific or a specialist mental health service. So, we will continue to work with our partners in relation to that multi-agency approach and make sure that that pathway is there, and, as part of that commitment, we have committed £6 million this year to support crisis care. That does include the roll-out of the mental health single point of contact, and you mentioned the pilot work that is being undertaken. It's also really important, I think, to improve response times for those crisis situations, and also reduce the need for other forms of transport, and I know from back in the day when I was health Minister that the use of police vehicles is not appropriate for many of these cases. So, I think it's really important that we reduce the need for those other forms of transport. So, we will continue to work with the NHS, with the police and other organisations.
Diolch. Unwaith eto, rydych chi'n codi pwynt pwysig iawn ac, fel yr ydych chi'n ei ddweud, rydym ni wedi gweithio'n agos iawn gyda'r GIG a gyda'r heddlu a sefydliadau eraill hefyd i geisio deall anghenion unigolion ar y pwynt hwnnw o argyfwng y gwnaethoch chi gyfeirio ato. Mae angen ymateb amlasiantaethol ar y rhan fwyaf o unigolion o dan yr amgylchiadau hynny, yn hytrach na gwasanaeth iechyd meddwl penodol neu arbenigol. Felly, byddwn ni'n parhau i weithio gyda'n partneriaid mewn cysylltiad â'r dull amlasiantaethol hwnnw o weithredu ac yn sicrhau bod y llwybr hwnnw ar gael, ac, yn rhan o'r ymrwymiad hwnnw, rydym ni wedi ymrwymo £6 miliwn eleni i gefnogi gofal argyfwng. Mae hynny yn cynnwys cyflwyno'r pwynt cyswllt unigol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl, a gwnaethoch chi sôn am y gwaith treialu sy'n cael ei wneud. Mae hefyd yn bwysig iawn, rwy'n credu, i wella amseroedd ymateb ar gyfer y sefyllfaoedd argyfwng hynny, a hefyd i leihau'r angen am fathau eraill o drafnidiaeth, ac rwy'n gwybod o'r amser pan oeddwn i'n Weinidog iechyd, nad yw defnyddio cerbydau'r heddlu yn briodol ar gyfer llawer o'r achosion hyn. Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n lleihau'r angen am y mathau eraill hynny o drafnidiaeth. Felly, byddwn yn parhau i weithio gyda'r GIG, gyda'r heddlu a sefydliadau eraill.
I wonder if I could ask you to provide a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services, please, on dentists across Wales, particularly within Mid and West Wales. We have a particular challenge in this very rural area in being able to access NHS dentists, and I'd particularly be interested in the availability of dentists within the Llandrindod Wells and Knighton areas, where there has been cross-party support for us to attempt to improve the situation.
The second statement, I was wondering, could come from the Minister for Climate Change on the state of the River Wye. We all know that this is a very polluted river, from a variety of sources, and I would be grateful for a statement around pollution in the River Wye. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Tybed a gaf i ofyn i chi ddarparu datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, os gwelwch yn dda, ar ddeintyddion ledled Cymru, yn enwedig yng Nghanolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru. Mae gennym ni her arbennig yn yr ardal wledig iawn hon o ran gallu cael defnydd o ddeintyddion y GIG, a byddai gen i ddiddordeb arbennig yn y deintyddion sydd ar gael yn ardaloedd Llandrindod a Thref-y-clawdd, lle bu cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i ni geisio gwella'r sefyllfa.
Yr ail ddatganiad yr oeddwn i'n tybio, allai fod gan y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd ar gyflwr Afon Gwy. Rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod bod hon yn afon lygredig iawn, o amrywiaeth o ffynonellau, a byddwn i'n ddiolchgar am ddatganiad ynghylch llygredd yn Afon Gwy. Diolch. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you. In relation to your question around dental provision, you mention very specific areas of your region, so I will ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to write to you about that—I think it was Llandrindod Wells and Knighton.
Again, you'll be aware there's a great deal of work being done around pollution of our rivers. It's really important that we improve our waterways in the same way as I think we've already improved sea water around Wales, and that work is ongoing.
Diolch. O ran eich cwestiwn ynghylch darpariaeth ddeintyddol, rydych chi'n sôn am ardaloedd penodol iawn yn eich rhanbarth chi, felly gofynnaf i'r Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol ysgrifennu atoch chi ynghylch hynny—rwy'n credu mai Llandrindod a Thref-y-clawdd ydoedd.
Unwaith eto, byddwch chi'n ymwybodol bod llawer iawn o waith yn cael ei wneud o ran llygredd ein hafonydd. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n gwella ein dyfrffyrdd yn yr un modd ag yr wyf i'n credu ein bod ni eisoes wedi gwella dŵr môr o amgylch Cymru, ac mae'r gwaith hynny yn mynd rhagddo.
Trefnydd, I call for a statement from the Minister for health regarding the redevelopment of the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rhyl. The redevelopment of the Royal Alex and the creation of a community hospital are integral to providing top quality healthcare to my constituents—constituents who cannot understand the delays. When I last spoke to the chair and chief exec of the health board over the summer, they, like me, were frustrated at the lack of progress and were surprised when my written question revealed that Welsh Government had further questions regarding the full business case. Trefnydd, there are concerns that the Welsh Government are revisiting existing agreed projects in light of a shortage of capital funding. I therefore ask that the health Minister comes forward at the earliest opportunity with a statement to confirm or deny these concerns and provide my residents with an update on the status of the Royal Alexandra redevelopment. Thank you very much.
Trefnydd, rwy'n galw am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog iechyd ynghylch ailddatblygu Ysbyty Brenhinol Alexandra yn y Rhyl. Mae ailddatblygu Ysbyty Brenhinol Alexandra a chreu ysbyty cymunedol yn rhan annatod o ddarparu gofal iechyd o'r radd flaenaf i fy etholwyr i—etholwyr na allan nhw ddeall yr oedi. Pan siaradais i ddiwethaf â chadeirydd a phrif weithredwr y bwrdd iechyd yn ystod yr haf, roedden nhw, fel fi, yn rhwystredig oherwydd y diffyg cynnydd ac yn synnu pan ddatgelodd fy nghwestiwn ysgrifenedig fod gan Lywodraeth Cymru rhagor o gwestiynau ynghylch yr achos busnes llawn. Trefnydd, mae yna bryderon bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ailystyried prosiectau a gafodd eu cytuno eisoes yn sgil prinder cyllid cyfalaf. Rwy'n gofyn felly i'r Gweinidog iechyd gyflwyno datganiad cyn gynted â phosibl i gadarnhau neu wadu'r pryderon hyn a rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i fy nhrigolion am statws prosiect ailddatblygu Ysbyty Brenhinol Alexandra. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I don't think that would be appropriate for an oral statement. Clearly, you said yourself that, in the answer to your written question, the Minister for Health and Social Services made it clear that there were further questions to be asked of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in relation to the business case. So, I think, obviously, that process will be going through the stages that are required.
Nid wyf i'n credu y byddai hynny'n briodol ar gyfer datganiad llafar. Yn amlwg, fe wnaethoch chi eich hun ddweud, yn yr ateb i'ch cwestiwn ysgrifenedig, fod y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol wedi ei gwneud yn glir bod rhagor o gwestiynau i'w gofyn i Fwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr o ran yr achos busnes. Felly, rwy'n credu, yn amlwg, y bydd y broses honno'n mynd drwy'r camau sy'n ofynnol.
I'd like to ask the Trefnydd for a statement to update Members on the support the Welsh Government is giving to the Rhondda Tunnel Society and other similar projects. Like many Members here, I was able to plunge into the depths of the tunnel for a visit organised by Tony and the group, and if you haven't done it already, Trefnydd, I thoroughly recommend it. The project will bring a variety of different benefits to both Blaencwm and Blaengwynfi, both economically and culturally, and the tunnel will provide us with an opportunity to tell the story of the Valleys in a similar way to what is being done in New Zealand, where old gold mine tracks have been turned into walking and cycling routes, and double up as a history walk. I know the team are keen to do something similar, but they need as much help as they can get.
Hoffwn i ofyn i'r Trefnydd am ddatganiad i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am y cymorth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei roi i Gymdeithas Twnnel y Rhondda a phrosiectau tebyg eraill. Fel llawer o'r Aelodau yma, cefais i gyfle i blymio i ddyfnderoedd y twnnel ar gyfer ymweliad a gafodd ei drefnu gan Tony a'r grŵp, ac os nad ydych chi wedi gwneud hynny'n barod, Trefnydd, rwy'n ei argymell yn fawr. Bydd y prosiect yn cyflwyno amrywiaeth o fanteision gwahanol i Flaencwm a Blaengwynfi, yn economaidd ac yn ddiwylliannol, a bydd y twnnel yn rhoi cyfle i ni adrodd hanes y Cymoedd mewn modd tebyg i'r hyn sy'n cael ei wneud yn Seland Newydd, lle mae hen draciau mwynglawdd aur wedi eu troi'n llwybrau cerdded a beicio, ac yn gweithredu fel taith gerdded hanes hefyd. Rwy'n gwybod bod y tîm yn awyddus i wneud rhywbeth tebyg, ond mae angen cymaint o gymorth arnyn nhw ag y gallan nhw ei gael.
Thank you. I actually haven't done the walk through the Rhondda tunnel, but it is something that certainly—Buffy's left the Chamber now—Buffy Williams and I have discussed. I'm not aware of any specific support that can be given, but I will certainly ask the Minister to have a look into it.
Diolch. Nid wyf i wedi gwneud y daith gerdded trwy dwnnel y Rhondda, ond mae'n sicr yn rhywbeth—mae Buffy wedi gadael y Siambr nawr—y mae Buffy Williams a minnau wedi ei drafod. Nid wyf i'n ymwybodol o unrhyw gymorth penodol y mae modd ei roi, ond byddaf i'n sicr yn gofyn i'r Gweinidog gael golwg arno.
Trefnydd, can I ask for a statement from the economy Minister on the announcement of two factories in the community of Gorseinon that have announced their intention to close over the next year? 3M have announced that 89 jobs will be lost, and Toyoda Gosei have said 228 positions at their site are under threat too. These are two major employers in the community of Gorseinon, and their loss will be felt very significantly in the community, directly by people and families and the supply chain. So, while I'm grateful the Minister issued a written statement on the subject on 3 September, I'm asking whether the economy Minister is able to provide a further update on the floor of the Senedd on the Welsh Government's discussions with these companies, their employees, trade unions and other stakeholders about the future employability of this workforce, and to outline the Welsh Government's plan to help Gorseinon recover.
A gaf i ofyn am ddatganiad gan Weinidog yr economi ynghylch y cyhoeddiad bod dwy ffatri yng nghymuned Gorseinon wedi cyhoeddi eu bwriad i gau yn ystod y flwyddyn nesaf? Mae 3M wedi cyhoeddi y bydd 89 o swyddi yn cael eu colli, ac mae Toyoda Gosei wedi dweud bod 228 o swyddi ar eu safle dan fygythiad hefyd. Mae'r rhain yn ddau gyflogwr pwysig yng nghymuned Gorseinon, a bydd effaith eu colli yn sylweddol iawn ar y gymuned, yn uniongyrchol i bobl a theuluoedd a'r gadwyn gyflenwi. Felly, er fy mod i'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog gyhoeddi datganiad ysgrifenedig ar y pwnc ar 3 Medi, rwy'n gofyn a wnaiff Gweinidog yr economi roi diweddariad arall ar lawr y Senedd am drafodaethau Llywodraeth Cymru â'r cwmnïau hyn, eu cyflogeion, undebau llafur a rhanddeiliaid eraill ynghylch cyflogadwyedd y gweithlu hwn yn y dyfodol, ac amlinellu cynllun Llywodraeth Cymru i helpu Gorseinon i adfer.
Thank you. I know officials have been working with the company that you refer to. I don't think there's anything further that the Minister for Economy at this time can add to his written statement.
Diolch. Rwy'n gwybod bod swyddogion wedi bod yn gweithio gyda'r cwmni yr ydych chi'n cyfeirio ato. Nid wyf i'n credu bod unrhyw beth arall y gall Gweinidog yr Economi ei ychwanegu at ei ddatganiad ysgrifenedig ar hyn o bryd.
Diolch, Trefnydd. Byddwch yn ymwybodol, dwi'n siŵr, fod cryn sylw wedi bod yn y wasg a gwrthwynebu chwyrn a phryderon lleol ynglŷn â'r ymgynghori a fu dros yr haf ynghylch codi tâl ar yrwyr i ddefnyddio'r A470 rhwng Glan-bad a Phontypridd a hefyd ar rannau o draffordd yr M4. Gwn fod y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Newid Hinsawdd wedi datgan ar Twitter nad oes unrhyw gynlluniau na thrafodaethau ynglŷn â chodi tâl ar yrwyr. Ond, oes modd cael datganiad o ran hyn, os gwelwch yn dda, yn arbennig, felly, o ran beth yw cynlluniau'r Llywodraeth i leihau'r lefel uchel o lygredd ar y rhan yma o'r A470, a hwythau'n parhau yn rhy uchel er gwaethaf y mesurau cyfyngu cyflymder sydd wedi eisoes eu rhoi mewn grym?
Thank you, Trefnydd. You'll be aware, I'm sure, that there has been some coverage in the press and fierce opposition and local concerns about the consultation that took place over the summer on charging drivers to use the A470 between Upper Boat and Pontypridd and also on parts of the M4. I know that the Deputy Minister for Climate Change has stated on Twitter that there are no plans or discussions on charging drivers. But, could we have a statement on this, please, particularly in terms of what the Government's plans are to reduce the high level of pollution on this section of the A470, and they continue to be too high despite the speed limits that have already been put in place?
Thank you. I am aware of the press interest to which you refer and also of the Deputy Minister for Climate Change's comments. There is a significant amount of work going on in relation to clean air zones, and, obviously, the A470 is one of those areas. There were some surveys undertaken that were completed at the end of August—so, just a couple of weeks ago—so I know that, at the time when, obviously, these have been assessed, the results will be reviewed and then shared with the Minister and Deputy Minister. At the moment, there are no intentions to implement clean air zones at either location, but there will be detailed investigations and, obviously, the Ministers will make a statement at the appropriate time.
Diolch. Rwy'n ymwybodol o ddiddordeb y wasg yr ydych chi'n cyfeirio ato ac o sylwadau'r Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd. Mae cryn dipyn o waith yn digwydd o ran parthau aer glân, ac, yn amlwg, mae'r A470 yn un o'r ardaloedd hynny. Fe gynhaliwyd rhai arolygon ac fe gafodd y rhain eu cwblhau ddiwedd mis Awst—felly, ychydig wythnosau 'nôl—felly fe wn i, pan y cafodd y rhain, yn amlwg, eu hasesu, fe gaiff y canlyniadau eu hadolygu ac yna eu rhannu gyda'r Gweinidog a'r Dirprwy Weinidog. Ar hyn o bryd, nid oes unrhyw fwriad i weithredu parthau aer glân yn y naill leoliad na'r llall, ond fe fydd yna ymchwiliadau manwl ac, yn amlwg, fe fydd y Gweinidogion yn gwneud datganiad ar yr adeg briodol.
Trefnydd, I rise to request a statement from the Minister for Climate Change with regard to the Welsh Government's roads review. Recent correspondence obtained from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change appears to suggest now that the administration is progressing the statutory process for junctions 15 and 16 on the A55 despite the possibility that the works could actually be scrapped by the roads review panel. The update also appears to contradict the Deputy Minister's statement made earlier this year that he was freezing all new road projects in Wales.
Consecutive Welsh Governments have actually repeatedly dragged their feet on pushing forward these proposed improvement works, which has left my residents and businesses in Dwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan in limbo. It simply cannot be right that the Welsh Government are progressing a statutory process for these junctions, spending more taxpayers' money, only for a roads review panel to then potentially come and scrap the entire project. So, with this in mind, I'm calling now for a statement from the Minister to clarify what is a ridiculous situation. Diolch.
Trefnydd, rwy'n codi i ofyn am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd ynglŷn ag adolygiad Llywodraeth Cymru o ffyrdd. Mae hi'n ymddangos bod gohebiaeth ddiweddar a gafwyd oddi wrth y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd yn awgrymu nawr fod y weinyddiaeth yn datblygu'r broses statudol ar gyfer cyffyrdd 15 ac 16 ar yr A55 er gwaethaf y posibilrwydd y gallai'r gwaith hwnnw gael ei ddiddymu gan y panel sy'n adolygu'r ffyrdd. Mae hi'n ymddangos hefyd fod y diweddariad yn gwrth-ddweud datganiad y Dirprwy Weinidog a wnaethpwyd yn gynharach eleni sef ei fod yn rhewi pob prosiect ffyrdd newydd yng Nghymru.
Mewn gwirionedd, mae Llywodraethau Cymru olynol wedi llusgo eu traed dro ar ôl tro o ran bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith arfaethedig hwn i wella ffyrdd, gan anghofio'r cyfan am y trigolion a'r busnesau yn Nwygyfylchi, Penmaenmawr a Llanfairfechan yn fy etholaeth i. Nid yw hi'n iawn i Lywodraeth Cymru fod yn bwrw ymlaen â phroses statudol ar gyfer y cyffyrdd hyn, gan wario rhagor o arian y trethdalwyr, dim ond i banel adolygu ffyrdd ddod ymlaen a diddymu'r prosiect yn gyfan gwbl. Felly, gyda hyn mewn golwg, rwy'n galw nawr am ddatganiad gan y Gweinidog i egluro'r sefyllfa hurt hon. Diolch.
Llywydd, the Deputy Minister will publish a written statement tomorrow that will provide Members with further information about the roads review.
Llywydd, bydd y Dirprwy Weinidog yn cyhoeddi datganiad ysgrifenedig yfory a fydd yn rhoi rhagor o wybodaeth i'r Aelodau am yr adolygiad o ffyrdd.
Dyna ni. Diolch yn fawr i'r Trefnydd.
Thank you, Trefnydd.
Y datganiad nesaf, gan y Gweinidog Cyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ar Affganistan—y Gweinidog, Jane Hutt.
The next statement is from the Minister for Social Justice on Afghanistan—Jane Hutt.
Diolch, Llywydd. Prynhawn da. I am pleased to update the Senedd on the steps we have taken in Wales to respond to the evacuation of Afghan citizens over the past few weeks, with my thanks to Members across this Chamber for their engagement in promoting Wales as a nation of sanctuary. Wales has now welcomed more than 50 families from Afghanistan and work continues to increase this further. I am sure that Members will agree that this is an important milestone we have reached.
I have met with the UK Government and Ministers from Scotland and Northern Ireland on two occasions to support a four-nations approach to resettlement. And yesterday, the Home Secretary and communities Secretary wrote to me to set out more details of the schemes. I was encouraged that some of my requests regarding the eligibility criteria for the new Afghan citizens scheme and the level of funding being made available have been accepted. There are still many questions that need exploring.
Members have also received, I know, a great deal of generosity from their constituents in their responses. This kindness, I believe, is the embodiment of what it means to be a nation of sanctuary. And that concept doesn't belong to the Welsh Government; it belongs to all the people and institutions that make up our country and want to give what they can for a humanitarian purpose. I've been truly heartened by the responses of members of the public, charities and organisations across Wales to support those who need help. We are working hard to find an effective outlet for this support.
I am very grateful to every Welsh local authority that has come forward to pledge their support to the two new schemes—the Afghan relocation and assistance policy, or ARAP, and the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme. This support should also be seen in the wider context that every Welsh local authority previously supported and continues to support the Syrian resettlement scheme, and many have continued to support the asylum system day in, day out for the last couple of decades. We will always challenge ourselves to do more, but there can be no doubt that Welsh local government is playing a full part in this endeavour. To that end, approximately 230 individuals from 50 families have so far arrived in Wales. This work has only been possible through the committed work of local authority resettlement teams, dedicated funding from the Home Office to procure the accommodation, and, in some cases, the kindness of landlords and other institutions to make their properties available.
The vast majority of the families that we have accommodated so far have existing links to Wales through their work alongside the Wales-facing armed forces who have been active in Afghanistan over 20 years. They have shown bravery and skill in supporting our armed forces, and we've worked in tandem with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that these families can be accommodated in Wales, alongside the friends whom they worked to protect in Afghanistan. And it will be my privilege to welcome some members of these families to meet Members at the Senedd in the near future.
This made-in-Wales solution has required innovative ways of working. I am particularly grateful to Urdd Gobaith Cymru for genuinely embodying their long humanitarian purpose by stepping up and offering temporary accommodation to those desperately in need. The Urdd’s deep connection to Welsh culture and work with children and young people provides significant added value, which will make their temporary stay far more supportive and helpful to integration than any other temporary arrangement that could be offered.
I want to thank local government for their consent and rapid mobilisation of support, the Home Office for ensuring that we could progress this solution, and the WLGA for their unstinting efforts to co-ordinate such an important humanitarian response. We have worked closely with refugee support organisations, faith leaders, Welsh Afghan communities already living here in Wales, and many more, to ensure that those arriving receive the best support possible.
Providing accommodation is key, but we must also ensure that those who arrive can understand Welsh life and be supported to rebuild their lives. Our collective experience in Wales from the Syrian resettlement scheme and the asylum system puts us in good stead, but we are continuing to discuss ways to ensure the most appropriate welcome that we can. Our commitment to these schemes is clear, but I want to recognise that we have a long-term commitment to supporting people seeking sanctuary in Wales. Anyone who is resettled or dispersed to Wales will be supported, as far as we are able, as a nation of sanctuary.
People living now in our communities have been forced to flee their country for fear of persecution, and this is not just in relation to Afghanistan. We have urged the UK Government to think again about the proposals put forward in the Nationality and Borders Bill, which would create an unhelpful two-tier system between asylum seekers and resettled refugees. These proposals should be scrapped, and we're happy to work with the UK Government on an asylum system that genuinely works and is humane.
Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini once said,
'Refugees are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, with the same hopes and ambitions as us—except that a twist of fate has bound their lives to a global refugee crisis on an unprecedented scale.'
I call upon everyone here to pledge to work with us on our shared nation of sanctuary vision, and I will be happy to update Members further in due course. Diolch.
Diolch, Llywydd. Prynhawn da. Rwy'n falch iawn o gael rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Senedd am y camau yr ydym ni wedi'u cymryd yng Nghymru i ymateb i ymadawiad rhai o ddinasyddion Affganistan â'u gwlad dros yr ychydig wythnosau diwethaf, ac rwy'n diolch i Aelodau ar draws y Siambr hon am eu hymgysylltiad nhw â hyrwyddo Cymru fel cenedl noddfa. Mae Cymru wedi croesawu dros 50 o deuluoedd o Affganistan erbyn hyn ac mae gwaith yn parhau i gynyddu hyn eto. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd yr Aelodau yn cytuno i ni gyrraedd carreg filltir bwysig iawn.
Rwyf wedi cyfarfod â Llywodraeth y DU a Gweinidogion o'r Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon ar ddau achlysur i gefnogi dull pedair gwlad o ailsefydlu pobl. Ac fe ysgrifennodd yr Ysgrifennydd Cartref a'r Ysgrifennydd Cymunedau ataf i ddoe i nodi mwy o fanylion ynglŷn â'r cynlluniau. Fe gefais i fy nghalonogi bod rhai o'm ceisiadau i ynghylch y meini prawf cymhwysedd ar gyfer cynllun newydd i gefnogi dinasyddion o Affganistan a lefel y cyllid sydd ar gael wedi cael eu derbyn. Mae llawer o gwestiynau yn parhau i fod angen eu hateb.
Mae Aelodau wedi gweld llawer iawn o haelioni o ran ymatebion eu hetholwyr nhw. Mae'r caredigrwydd hwn, yn fy marn i, yn ymgorfforiad o'r hyn y mae'n ei olygu i fod yn genedl noddfa. Ac nid yw'r cysyniad hwnnw yn perthyn i Lywodraeth Cymru; mae'n perthyn i'r holl bobl a'r sefydliadau sy'n rhan o'n gwlad ni ac sy'n awyddus i roi'r hyn y gallan nhw at ddiben dyngarol. Fe gefais i fy ngwir galonogi gan ymatebion y cyhoedd, yr elusennau a'r sefydliadau ledled Cymru i gefnogi'r rhai y mae angen cymorth arnyn nhw. Rydym ni'n gweithio'n galed i ddod o hyd i gyfrwng effeithiol ar gyfer y cymorth hwn.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru sydd wedi addo eu cefnogaeth i'r ddau gynllun newydd—polisi adleoli a chynorthwyo Affganistan, neu ARAP, a'r cynllun i ailsefydlu dinasyddion Affganistan. Fe ddylid ystyried y cymorth hwn hefyd yn y cyd-destun ehangach a gefnogwyd gan bob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru yn flaenorol ac sy'n parhau sef y cynllun i ailsefydlu pobl o Syria, ac mae llawer wedi parhau i gefnogi'r system o ddydd i ddydd ar gyfer rhoi noddfa i bobl drwy gydol y degawdau diwethaf. Fe fyddwn ni yn ein herio ein hunain i wneud rhagor bob amser, ond nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth nad yw llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn chwarae rhan lawn yn yr ymdrech hon. I'r perwyl hwnnw, mae tua 230 o unigolion o 50 o deuluoedd wedi cyrraedd Cymru erbyn hyn. Dim ond trwy waith ymroddedig timau ailsefydlu awdurdodau lleol y bu'r gwaith hwn yn bosibl, a chyllid penodol gan y Swyddfa Gartref i gaffael y llety, ac, mewn rhai achosion, garedigrwydd landlordiaid a sefydliadau eraill i sicrhau bod eu tai nhw ar gael.
Hyd yma, mae gan fwyafrif llethol y teuluoedd hyn yr ydym ni wedi rhoi llety iddyn nhw gysylltiadau eisoes â Chymru yn sgil eu gwaith ochr yn ochr â'r lluoedd arfog sydd â chyswllt cryf â Chymru sydd wedi bod yn weithgar yn Affganistan dros 20 mlynedd. Maen nhw wedi dangos dewrder a sgiliau wrth gefnogi ein lluoedd arfog ni, ac rydym ni wedi gweithio ar y cyd â'r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn i sicrhau y gellir lletya'r teuluoedd hyn yng Nghymru, ochr yn ochr â'r ffrindiau y buon nhw'n gweithio i'w hamddiffyn nhw yn Affganistan. Ac fe fydd hi'n fraint i mi gael croesawu rhai o blith y teuluoedd hyn i gwrdd ag Aelodau yn y Senedd yn y dyfodol agos.
Mae'r datrysiad hwn a luniwyd yng Nghymru wedi gofyn am ffyrdd arloesol o weithio. Rwy'n arbennig o ddiolchgar i Urdd Gobaith Cymru am ymgorffori ei ddibenion dyngarol hirsefydlog drwy ddod i'r adwy a chynnig llety dros dro i'r rhai sydd mewn angen dybryd. Mae cysylltiad dwfn yr Urdd â diwylliant a gwaith Cymru gyda phlant a phobl ifanc yn ychwanegu gwerth sylweddol, ac fe fydd hynny'n gwneud eu harhosiad dros dro nhw yn brofiad llawer mwy cefnogol a hwylus o ran integreiddio nag unrhyw drefniant dros dro arall y gellid ei gynnig iddyn nhw.
Fe hoffwn i ddiolch i lywodraeth leol am roi eu caniatâd a threfnu'r cymorth yn gyflym, y Swyddfa Gartref am sicrhau y gallem ni ddatblygu'r datrysiad hwn, a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru am eu hymdrechion diflino i gydlynu ymateb dyngarol mor bwysig. Rydym ni wedi gweithio'n agos gyda sefydliadau sy'n cefnogi ffoaduriaid, arweinwyr ffydd, cymunedau Affganistan Cymru sydd eisoes yn byw yma yng Nghymru, a llawer mwy, i sicrhau bod y rhai sy'n cyrraedd yn cael y cymorth gorau posibl.
Mae darparu llety yn allweddol, ond mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau bod y rhai sy'n cyrraedd yn gallu deall bywyd Cymru hefyd a chael eu cefnogi i ailadeiladu eu bywydau nhw. Mae ein profiad cyfunol ni yng Nghymru yn sgil y cynllun ailsefydlu pobl o Syria a'r system ceisio lloches yn golygu ein bod ni mewn sefyllfa dda, ond rydym ni'n parhau i drafod ffyrdd o estyn y croeso mwyaf priodol y gallwn ni. Mae ein hymrwymiad i'r cynlluniau hyn yn amlwg, ond rwy'n awyddus i gydnabod bod gennym ni ymrwymiad hirdymor i gefnogi pobl sy'n chwilio am noddfa yng Nghymru. Fe gaiff unrhyw un sy'n cael ei ailsefydlu neu ei wasgaru i Gymru ei gefnogi, cyn belled ag y gallwn ni, fel cenedl noddfa.
Mae pobl sy'n byw yn ein cymunedau ni nawr wedi cael eu gorfodi i ffoi o'u gwlad nhw am eu bod nhw'n ofni erledigaeth, ac nid o ran Affganistan yn unig y mae hynny'n wir. Rydym ni wedi annog Llywodraeth y DU i ailfeddwl am y cynigion a gyflwynwyd yn y Bil Cenedligrwydd a Ffiniau, a fyddai'n creu system ddwy haen ddi-fudd rhwng y rhai sy'n ceisio lloches a ffoaduriaid sydd wedi cael eu hailsefydlu. Fe ddylid diddymu'r cynigion hyn, ac fe fyddwn ni'n hapus i weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar system ceisio lloches sy'n gweithio mewn gwirionedd ac sy'n ddyngarol.
Fe ddywedodd yr awdur Affgan-Americanaidd Khaled Hosseini un tro,
'Mamau, tadau, chwiorydd, brodyr, plant yw ffoaduriaid sydd â'r un gobeithion a'r un uchelgeisiau â ni—dim ond eu bod nhw, drwy ryw dynged, wedi gweld eu bywydau nhw'n cael eu rhwymo i argyfwng ffoaduriaid byd-eang ar raddfa ddigynsail.'
Rwy'n galw ar bawb yn y fan hon i addo gweithio gyda ni ar ein gweledigaeth ni a rennir o genedl noddfa, ac fe fyddaf i'n hapus i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau maes o law. Diolch.
We continue to maintain our long-standing commitment to Wales as a nation of sanctuary. As the Minister may recall, I sponsored and hosted the Sanctuary in the Senedd event five years ago. We must ensure that Afghans who have had to flee their homes, including those coming to the UK who worked closely with the British military and the UK Government in Afghanistan, and risked their lives in doing so, receive the vital support they will need to rebuild their lives and have a future with stability and security. Wales must play its full part in this.
However, in late August, I was asked for a press comment by Voice of Wales, after it was reported that the Pontins holiday park in Prestatyn could house refugees from Afghanistan. I was told that the decision didn't seem popular with local residents that they had spoken to. I was subsequently advised that Pontins Prestatyn was not being considered for this purpose. However, in your technical briefing last Thursday, you stated that Urdd Gobaith Cymru accommodation would be used for this purpose, as you have reconfirmed in your statement today. What sites, including this, will therefore be used across Wales? How will you ensure that they all meet the necessary quality standards for individuals and families? And importantly, how will you ensure engagement with local communities to minimise opposition and maximise understanding and support?
Press coverage on 1 September confirmed that each of Wales's 22 councils had pledged to house refugees from Afghanistan, but responses then range from Carmarthenshire saying they would take three families comprising 15 people, and both Monmouthshire and Neath Port Talbot saying they would supply initial support for three families and for two more later, to Pembrokeshire stating, 'Zero but subject to community response', and Bridgend, Caerphilly, Flintshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Denbighshire failing to answer the same four questions put to every council. However, Denbighshire subsequently confirmed that it will provide support for five refugee families under the UK Government's Afghan relocation assistance policy, and that the number could be increased to 10 families, dependent on a comprehensive funding settlement or commitment beyond the then one-year time frame.
What, therefore, is your understanding of the number of placements now on offer from councils across Wales? How will you endeavour to ensure that they all take a fair share? And how will you work with the UK Government to ensure that funding support from both Governments reaches the right places, now that the UK Government has announced a funding package under which councils supporting people through the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme or Afghan relocation and assistance policy scheme will receive £20,520 per person over three years for resettlement and integration costs, and local councils and health partners that resettle families will receive up to £4,500 per child for education, £850 to cover English language provision for adults requiring this support, and £2,600 to cover healthcare?
What action will you be taking to ensure wider support from the devolved services for which the Welsh Government is responsible, especially health, education, and social services? And finally, given the key role that the third sector, churches and other faith groups that you referred to will play in supporting the Afghan adults and children settled in Wales after having to flee their homes, how will you ensure that they are directly integrated into the planning, design and delivery of support services from inception?
Rydym ni'n parhau i gadw at ein hymrwymiad hirsefydlog ni i Gymru fod yn genedl noddfa. Fel y bydd y Gweinidog o bosibl yn ei gofio, fe wnes i noddi a chynnal y digwyddiad Noddfa yn y Senedd bum mlynedd yn ôl. Mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau y bydd pobl o Affganistan sydd wedi gorfod ffoi o'u cartrefi, gan gynnwys rhai sy'n dod i'r DU a fu'n gweithio'n agos gyda'r fyddin Brydeinig a Llywodraeth y DU yn Affganistan, ac wedi peryglu eu bywydau wrth wneud hynny, yn cael y cymorth hanfodol y bydd ei angen arnyn nhw i ailadeiladu eu bywydau a bod â dyfodol sy'n sefydlog a diogel. Mae'n rhaid i Gymru wneud ei rhan lawn yn hyn o beth.
Fodd bynnag, ddiwedd mis Awst, fe ofynnwyd i mi am sylw i'r wasg gan Voice of Wales, ar ôl yr adroddiad y gallai parc gwyliau Pontins ym Mhrestatyn gartrefu ffoaduriaid o Affganistan. Fe ddywedwyd wrthyf i nad oedd hi'n ymddangos bod y penderfyniad yn boblogaidd gyda thrigolion lleol yr oedden nhw wedi bod yn siarad â nhw. Fe dderbyniais i wybodaeth wedyn nad oedd Pontins Prestatyn yn cael ei ystyried at y diben hwn. Er hynny, yn eich sesiwn friffio dechnegol chi ddydd Iau diwethaf, roeddech chi'n dweud y byddai llety Urdd Gobaith Cymru yn cael ei ddefnyddio at y diben hwn, fel yr ydych chi wedi ei gadarnhau eto yn eich datganiad heddiw. Pa safleoedd, gan gynnwys hwnnw, a gaiff eu defnyddio ledled Cymru felly? Sut y byddwch chi'n sicrhau eu bod nhw i gyd yn bodloni'r safonau angenrheidiol o ran ansawdd bywyd i unigolion a theuluoedd? Ac yn bwysig iawn, sut ydych chi am sicrhau ymgysylltiad â chymunedau lleol i leihau'r gwrthwynebiad a sicrhau'r ddealltwriaeth a'r gefnogaeth orau bosibl?
Roedd y sylw yn y wasg ar y cyntaf o Fedi yn cadarnhau bod pob un o 22 cyngor Cymru wedi addo cartrefu ffoaduriaid o Affganistan, ond roedd yr ymatebion wedyn yn amrywio o sir Gaerfyrddin yn dweud y bydden nhw'n derbyn tri theulu yn cynnwys 15 o bobl, a sir Fynwy a Chastell-nedd Port Talbot yn dweud y bydden nhw'n rhoi cymorth cychwynnol i dri theulu ac i ddau arall yn ddiweddarach, i sir Benfro yn datgan, 'Dim, ond yn amodol ar ymateb y gymuned', a Phen-y-bont ar Ogwr, Caerffili, sir y Fflint, Rhondda Cynon Taf a sir Ddinbych yn methu ag ateb yr un pedwar cwestiwn a roddwyd i bob cyngor. Serch hynny, fe gadarnhaodd sir Ddinbych wedyn y bydd yn rhoi cymorth i bum teulu sy'n ffoaduriaid o dan bolisi cymorth adleoli Affganistan Llywodraeth y DU, ac y gellid cynyddu'r nifer hyd at 10 teulu, yn dibynnu ar setliad ariannu cynhwysfawr neu ymrwymiad y tu hwnt i'r amserlen un flwyddyn ar y pryd.
Beth, felly, yw eich dealltwriaeth chi o ran nifer y lleoliadau sydd ar gael gan gynghorau ledled Cymru erbyn hyn? Sut fyddwch chi'n ceisio sicrhau eu bod nhw i gyd yn cymryd cyfran deg? A sut ydych chi am weithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU i sicrhau y bydd cymorth ariannol gan y ddwy Lywodraeth yn mynd i'r mannau priodol, gan fod Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyhoeddi pecyn ariannu erbyn hyn lle bydd cynghorau sy'n cefnogi pobl drwy gynllun ailsefydlu dinasyddion Affganistan neu gynllun polisi adleoli a chymorth Affganistan yn cael £20,520 y pen dros dair blynedd ar gyfer costau ailsefydlu ac integreiddio, a chynghorau lleol a phartneriaid iechyd sy'n adsefydlu teuluoedd yn derbyn hyd at £4,500 y plentyn ar gyfer addysg, £850 i dalu am ddarpariaeth Saesneg i oedolion sydd ag angen am gymorth fel hyn, a £2,600 i dalu am ofal iechyd?
Pa gamau y byddwch chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau cefnogaeth ehangach gan y gwasanaethau datganoledig y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gyfrifol amdanyn nhw, yn enwedig iechyd, addysg a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol? Ac yn olaf, o ystyried y swyddogaeth allweddol a fydd gan y trydydd sector, eglwysi, a grwpiau ffydd eraill yr oeddech chi'n cyfeirio atyn nhw yn y gefnogaeth i oedolion a phlant Affganistan sydd wedi ymgartrefu yng Nghymru wedi iddyn nhw orfod ffoi o'u cartrefi, sut ydych chi am sicrhau eu bod nhw'n cael eu hintegreiddio yn uniongyrchol i gynlluniau, dyluniad, a darpariaeth y gwasanaethau cymorth o'r cychwyn cyntaf?
I thank Mark Isherwood for those questions and thank him and the Welsh Conservatives for their support for the nation of sanctuary. I’m very happy to respond to the questions, particularly recognising that we are initially talking about that temporary accommodation response. I think it is very helpful for us to, at this point—. Again, I’ve made it quite clear in my statement that it is a made-in-Wales solution that we have got that Urdd Gobaith Cymru involvement, in fact, enabling us to reach to the 50-family milestone as quickly as we have, and so appropriately in terms of the temporary accommodation that is being provided, but very much in the short term. So, obviously, in order to get that commitment, in terms of being able to respond to the Urdd’s humanitarian vision and response and offer, which came very early on when we realised that we would be welcoming refugees—that was done with support from the Home Office, local government, and all those who engaged in terms of responding to them and working with them.
But, obviously, what’s important is that this is temporary accommodation in the short term as we continue to work closely with local government to ensure appropriate onward accommodation. The quality of support, as everyone would understand and recognise, being received by families is high, building on the Urdd’s extensive expertise of working with children. I think it is important to actually talk about where we go from here in terms of moving forward in terms of support, because this is about the temporary accommodation, but the ways in which local authorities are welcoming families under these schemes, I think, should be a source of great pride. As I’ve said, all Welsh local authorities are rising to this challenge. In fact, the leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, Councillor Andrew Morgan—he wrote early on in August to all authorities, and to the UK Government, saying that they were urging all authorities to engage, as they have done, in response. Half of those have already received families; others are working towards the outcome as quickly as possible.
There's an urgent need to ensure that families are accommodated now, so we have the temporary bridging accommodation. But then, of course, we have to move to onward dispersal, to more sustainable accommodation. And that's exactly what local authorities have been doing, playing their part in the asylum accommodation system for so many years. Because we don't want families to be in temporary bridging accommodation any longer than is necessary, because then that, of course, leads to the questions that you've raised, Mark, about ensuring that families then can put down roots, integrate with their communities, with the support of all those organisations who are going to engage and who are fully engaging. I met with all of the third sector organisations, faith groups, churches, as you've indicated, the voluntary sector, like Red Cross, the British legion—everyone who's got a stake in making this work.
I want to just finally comment on your point about funding. You have given the details, Mark Isherwood, about the funding—the integration package that I just received yesterday from the Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. What is important about that funding is that it does provide some clarity, although, as I said, there are further questions to be asked. But it's important as well in terms of that funding clarity that we look to our responsibilities, the shared responsibilities that we have in terms of devolved services. So, for example, just last week—I think it was only last week—when we knew about the arrival of the families, there was close working co-operation with Cardiff council, with the health board, with local police, with everybody who's got a role to play in integrating and supporting those families, very much following on what we successfully did with the Syrian vulnerable persons resettlement scheme.
Rwy'n diolch i Mark Isherwood am y cwestiynau yna ac yn diolch iddo a'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig am eu cefnogaeth nhw i'r genedl noddfa. Rwy'n hapus iawn i ymateb i'r cwestiynau, gan gydnabod yn arbennig ein bod ni'n sôn i ddechrau am yr ymateb hwnnw a fu i'r cais am lety dros dro. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n ddefnyddiol iawn i ni, ar hyn o bryd—. Unwaith eto, rwyf i wedi ei gwneud hi'n gwbl eglur yn fy natganiad i mai yn ein hymateb Cymreig ni rydym ni wedi gweld Urdd Gobaith Cymru yn gallu bod â rhan, mewn gwirionedd, gan ein galluogi ni i gyrraedd y garreg filltir o 50 teulu cyn gynted ag y gwnaethom ni, ac mor briodol o ran y llety dros dro sy'n cael ei ddarparu, ond yn y tymor byr i raddau helaeth iawn. Felly, yn amlwg, i gael yr ymrwymiad hwnnw, o ran gallu ymateb i weledigaeth ac ymateb a chynnig dyngarol yr Urdd, a ddaeth yn gynnar iawn pan wnaethom ni sylweddoli y byddem ni'n croesawu ffoaduriaid—fe wnaethpwyd hynny gyda chymorth y Swyddfa Gartref, llywodraeth leol, a phawb a fu'n ymwneud â'r ymateb iddyn nhw a gweithio gyda nhw.
Ond, yn amlwg, yr hyn sy'n bwysig yw mai llety dros dro yw hwn yn y tymor byr wrth i ni barhau i weithio'n agos gyda llywodraeth leol i sicrhau llety priodol i'r dyfodol. Mae ansawdd y gefnogaeth y mae'r teuluoedd yn ei chael yn uchel, fel mae pawb yn ei ddeall a'i gydnabod, ac yn adeiladu ar arbenigedd helaeth yr Urdd o weithio gyda phlant. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig siarad mewn gwirionedd am ein cyrchfan ni o ran symud ymlaen gyda'r cymorth, oherwydd mae hyn yn ymwneud â llety dros dro, ond fe ddylai'r ffyrdd y mae awdurdodau lleol yn croesawu teuluoedd o dan y cynlluniau hyn, yn fy marn i, fod yn destun balchder mawr. Fel y dywedais i, mae pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru yn ymateb i'r her hon. Yn wir, fe ysgrifennodd arweinydd Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru, y Cynghorydd Andrew Morgan—at bob awdurdod yn gynnar ym mis Awst, ac at Lywodraeth y DU, gan ddweud eu bod yn annog pob awdurdod i ymgysylltu, fel y maen nhw wedi gwneud, wrth ymateb. Mae hanner y rhain wedi derbyn teuluoedd eisoes; ac eraill yn gweithio tuag at y canlyniad hwn cyn gynted â phosibl.
Mae yna angen dybryd i sicrhau bod teuluoedd yn cael eu lletya nawr, ac felly mae'r llety pontio dros dro hwn gennym ni. Ond yna, wrth gwrs, fe fydd hi'n rhaid i ni symud ymlaen i wasgaru pobl, i lety mwy cynaliadwy. A dyna'n union y mae awdurdodau lleol wedi bod yn ei wneud, gan chwarae eu rhan nhw yn y system llety lloches ers cynifer o flynyddoedd. Gan nad ydym ni'n dymuno i deuluoedd fod mewn llety pontio dros dro am fwy o amser nag sy'n angenrheidiol, oherwydd mae hynny, wrth gwrs, yn arwain at y cwestiynau y gwnaethoch chi eu codi nhw, Mark, ynghylch sicrhau bod teuluoedd wedyn yn gallu rhoi gwreiddiau i lawr, integreiddio â'u cymunedau, gyda chefnogaeth yr holl sefydliadau hynny a fydd yn ymgysylltu â nhw ac sy'n ymgysylltu yn llawn ar hyn o bryd. Rwyf i wedi cyfarfod â phob un o sefydliadau'r trydydd sector, grwpiau ffydd, eglwysi, fel yr oeddech chi'n dweud, y sector gwirfoddol, fel y Groes Goch, y Lleng Brydeinig—pawb sydd â rhan yn y gwaith hwn.
Fe hoffwn i wneud sylwadau i orffen ar eich pwynt chi ynglŷn â chyllid. Rydych chi wedi rhoi'r manylion, Mark Isherwood, am y cyllid—y pecyn integreiddio a gefais i ddoe gan y Swyddfa Gartref a'r Weinyddiaeth Tai, Cymunedau a Llywodraeth Leol. Yr hyn sy'n bwysig am y cyllid hwn yw ei fod yn rhoi rhywfaint o eglurder, er hynny, fel y dywedais i, fe geir cwestiynau i'w gofyn eto. Ond mae hi'n bwysig hefyd o ran yr eglurder ariannol hwnnw ein bod ni'n edrych ar ein cyfrifoldebau ni, y cyfrifoldebau sydd gennym ni a rennir o ran gwasanaethau datganoledig. Felly, er enghraifft, yr wythnos diwethaf—rwy'n credu mai dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf yr oedd hi—pan oeddem ni'n gwybod am ddyfodiad y teuluoedd, roedd yna gydweithrediad agos â chyngor Caerdydd, gyda'r bwrdd iechyd, gyda'r heddlu lleol, gyda phawb sydd â rhan i'w chwarae o ran integreiddio a chefnogi'r teuluoedd hyn, gan ddilyn i raddau helaeth iawn yr hyn a wnaethom ni'n llwyddiannus iawn gyda'r cynllun i ailsefydlu pobl agored i niwed o Syria.
Dwi'n croesawu'r cyfle i ymateb i’r datganiad hwn ynglŷn â’r cynllun adsefydlu yn sgil y sefyllfa ddirdynnol yn Affganistan, a thrafod sut mae a sut gall Cymru roddi cymorth a noddfa i’r rhai sydd eu hangen. A hoffwn ddechrau hefyd drwy ddiolch i’r Gweinidog am drefnu briff inni fel Aelodau o’r Senedd wythnos diwethaf fel bod peth cyfle i gael ein diweddaru hefyd.
Fe wrthwynebodd Plaid Cymru i’r rhyfel yn Affganistan o’r cychwyn cyntaf, gan gwestiynu amcanion milwrol yr ymgyrch a’r tactegau a ddefnyddiwyd, gan rybuddio y gallai peidio â chael strategaeth a nodau pendant arwain at ymyriad tymor hir aneffeithiol. Ac, yn anffodus, dyna’r sefyllfa rydym ynddi heddiw, yng nghanol argyfwng sy’n datblygu ac sydd yn parhau i waethygu oherwydd methiannau Llywodraethau Llafur a’r Ceidwadwyr yn San Steffan. Ond er nad oedd hwn yn rhyfel roeddem yn ei gefnogi, hoffwn ddatgan yn glir heddiw ein cefnogaeth lwyr o ran rhoddi noddfa i’r rhai sy’n ffoi o Affganistan. Fel cenedl noddfa, mae’n allweddol bwysig ein bod yn gwneud popeth i’w croesawu a’u cefnogi.
Fe wnaethoch nodi yn eich datganiad eich bod ddoe wedi derbyn mwy o fanylion am y cynlluniau adleoli ac adsefydlu, a bod rhai o’ch ceisiadau o ran meini prawf wedi’u derbyn. Allwch chi gadarnhau neu rannu, os gwelwch yn dda, pa rai sydd wedi’u derbyn a pha rai sydd wedi’u gwrthod? Hefyd, o ran y cynllun dinasyddion, oes yna unrhyw amcan o ran pryd y bydd hyn yn cychwyn, ac os nad oes dyddiadau, sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu helpu dinasyddion yn Affganistan sydd angen cymorth ond methu ei dderbyn fel rhan o’r cynlluniau presennol?
Fe wnaethoch hefyd gyfeirio yn eich datganiad, a hefyd mewn ymateb i Mark Isherwood, ynglŷn â chyllid a bod eich cais o ran hynny wedi’i dderbyn. Ydy hynny’n llwyr, neu oes yna rai pryderon gennych chi yn parhau? A byddwn i’n hoffi gwybod yn glir, felly, beth ydy’r sefyllfa ddiweddaraf ynghylch darparu cyllid digonol i awdurdodau lleol. Ydych chi hefyd wedi derbyn cadarnhad y bydd cefnogaeth ariannol yn dod gan San Steffan os nad oes cyllid digonol ar gael yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru?
Mi ydym ni i gyd wedi cyfeirio at yr Urdd, a hoffwn innau ategu ein diolch bod yr Urdd wedi ymrwymo i gynnig lloches, a hefyd eu bod am drefnu amrywiaeth o weithgareddau chwaraeon, celfyddydol ac addysgol er mwyn cefnogi'r teuluoedd wrth iddynt setlo. Mi welsom ni werth hynny, o ran sut mae cymunedau yn medru setlo yma yng Nghymru, dros yr haf, efo cyfweliadau yn y Gymraeg gyda ffoaduriaid o Syria—rhywbeth oedd yn emosiynol ac yn gwneud imi deimlo'n falch iawn o fod yn Gymraes. A dwi'n gobeithio y gwelwn ni y math yna o olygfeydd gyda ffoaduriaid o Affganistan yn y dyfodol. A yw'r Gweinidog, felly, yn cytuno, fel rhan o roi pob cyfle i ffoaduriaid gwmpasu eu bywyd yng Nghymru yma yn llawn, y dylid hefyd gynnwys rhoi cyfle iddynt ddysgu Cymraeg os ydynt eisiau? Rydych chi hefyd wedi cyfeirio at yr holl sefydliadau trydydd sector a gwirfoddol ac ati sy'n barod iawn i roi cymorth; oes yna unrhyw gymorth ariannol gan Lywodraeth Cymru o ran hynny?
Wrth gwrs, mae'r sefyllfa yn Affganistan yn digwydd yng nghyd-destun toriadau Llywodraeth San Steffan i gyllideb cymorth datblygu tramor y Deyrnas Unedig, ac, yn anffodus, yn gynharach eleni, fe gyhoeddwyd hynny yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig. Bydd gollwng yr ymrwymiad hwn yn tanseilio nodau Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig o fod yn rym er daioni yn y byd. Ydych chi, felly, Weinidog, yn poeni y bydd y toriadau yma yn golygu llai o gefnogaeth yn y dyfodol i'r rhai sydd mewn angen yn Affganistan, ac a yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwneud unrhyw asesiad o sut bydd y toriad yma yn effeithio ar allu Llywodraeth Cymru i gefnogi pobl a gwledydd sydd mewn angen ar draws y byd, gan gynnwys Affganistan, yn y dyfodol?
Yn olaf, allwn ni ddim ond dychmygu'r hyn mae'r unigolion a'r teuluoedd hyn wedi'i wynebu, ac yn parhau i'w wynebu, ac mae'n bwysig heddiw ein bod ni fel Senedd yn gyrru neges glir bod croeso cynnes a Chymreig a thwymgalon i bawb sydd yn dod yma i Gymru. Yn anffodus, fel oedd wedi'i amlygu yn adroddiad diweddar Hope Not Hate, er ein bod yn genedl o noddfa, mae hiliaeth yn parhau yn broblem yma yng Nghymru, ac mae cyfrifoldeb arnom oll i yrru neges bendant nad yw hyn yn dderbyniol. Cymru yw eu cartref rŵan, ac mae cyfrifoldeb arnom i sicrhau eu bod yn derbyn y croeso a'r gefnogaeth sydd yn gwneud iddynt deimlo'n ddiogel yma.
I welcome the opportunity to respond to this statement on the resettlement scheme, given the heart-rending situation in Afghanistan, and to discuss how Wales can and will provide refuge and support to those who need it. And I'd like to thank the Minister for organising a brief for us as Senedd Members last week so that there is an opportunity for an update.
Plaid Cymru opposed the war in Afghanistan from the very outset, questioning the military objectives of the campaign and the tactics used, warning that failing to have specific aims and a strategy could lead to a long-term ineffective intervention. And, unfortunately, that's the situation we find ourselves in today—in the midst of a crisis that is developing and growing worse because of the failings of Labour and Conservative Governments in Westminster. But, although this wasn't a war we supported, I would like to make it clear today our full support in terms of providing asylum and refuge to those fleeing Afghanistan. As a nation of sanctuary, it's crucial that we do everything we can to welcome them and support them.
You noted in your statement that you yesterday received more details about the relocation and resettlement plans, and that some of your requests in terms of criteria had been accepted. Can you confirm or share with us which have now been accepted and which have been rejected? Also, in terms of the citizenship programme, is there any objective in terms of when this will begin, and if there are no dates, how is the Welsh Government intending to help citizens in Afghanistan who need support but can't receive it as part of the current programmes?
You also made reference in your statement, and also in response to Mark Isherwood, to the issue of funding, and that your request in that regard had been accepted. Has that been accepted in full or do you still have ongoing concerns? I would like to know clearly what the latest situation is in terms of providing adequate funding for local authorities. Have you also received confirmation that financial support will be provided from Westminster if there is no sufficient money available in the Welsh Government budget?
We have all referred to the Urdd, and I would like to echo our thanks that the Urdd has committed to providing sanctuary, and that they are also going to arrange a range of activities—sporting, cultural and educational—to support these families as they settle. We saw the value of that, in terms of how communities can resettle here in Wales, over the summer, with interviews through the medium of Welsh with refugees from Syria—something that was very emotional and made me very, very proud to be Welsh. And I very much hope that we will see similar scenes with refugees from Afghanistan in the future too. Does the Minister therefore agree, as part of providing all opportunities for refugees to make a full life here in Wales, that we should also include giving them the opportunity to learn Welsh if they choose to do so? You've also made reference to all of the third sector and voluntary organisations who are very willing to provide support; is there any financial support available from the Welsh Government in that regard?
Of course, the situation in Afghanistan is happening in the context of Westminster Government cuts to the foreign development budgets, and, unfortunately, this was announced earlier this year in the UK Government budget. Dropping this commitment will undermine the UK Government's aims of being a power for good on a global level. Minister, are you therefore concerned that these cuts will mean less support in future for those in need in Afghanistan, and has the Welsh Government carried out any assessment of how this cut will impact the Welsh Government's ability to support people and nations in need across the globe, including Afghanistan, in the future?
Finally, we can only imagine what these individuals and families have been through, and continue to go through, and it's important today that we as a Senedd send a clear message that there is a warm Welsh welcome for everyone who comes here to Wales. Unfortunately, as became clear in the recent report from Hope Not Hate, although we are a nation of sanctuary, racism continues to be a problem here in Wales, and we all have a responsibility to send a clear message that this is not acceptable. Wales is their home now, and we have a responsibility to ensure that they get the welcome and support that will make them feel safe here.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan. I thank you so much for your strong statements this afternoon in support of our, as we've said, made-in-Wales humanitarian response to the situation with the Afghan citizens who we're now welcoming to Wales, and particular recognition of our ambition and our aspiration to be a nation of sanctuary. We have a lot to do to achieve that, clearly. I think, again, your support and recognition of the role of Urdd Gobaith Cymru—we must express it many times this afternoon, I'm sure. But I think it is very important that you can help me, as your Minister, in this respect, to actually engage fully in what the challenges are. And these are challenges for our local authorities; they're challenges for the third sector organisations who are engaged; they're challenges that they're rising too. So, clarity about the funding was vitally important. And if I could just respond particularly on that, because it relates to your questions about what next, integration and funding levels.
We are pleased that there'll be parity between funding arrangements for the two schemes, the ARAP scheme and the ACRS scheme, and we did want this so that there'll be no perverse outcomes in terms of the support that local authorities could provide to those families arriving. Perhaps I could just say also at this point that I'm very pleased that the UK Government has accepted that anyone arriving under the ARAP or ACRS will receive indefinite leave to remain. I've said I've attended two four-nations meetings. These are issues that we've raised at these meetings. It's an important step to ensure families can then access the services that they need. And also, we are continuing to urge the UK Government to ensure that those with any fear of persecution, which would normally entitle them to refugee status, aren't disadvantaged in terms of access to services—these are our public services—if their status under either of these schemes isn't technically considered to be refugee status. These should not be technical issues; these are key humanitarian issues that we closely watch.
But I also wanted to just say that we've also pressed hard to ensure that, under the citizens' resettlement scheme, special consideration should be made of vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, members of minority communities at risk, including LGBTQ+, ethnic and religious minorities. That point has been made, and the UK Government has confirmed a recognition of that consideration. But also, having met with Afghan families in Wales who've been living here for many years, many of them are concerned about their relatives, because there may be links, obviously, concerns of risk among our Wales-based Afghan communities with any links that they might have with families in Afghanistan. So, those are the kinds of issues that we are addressing.
But I think what's important in terms of the questions that I asked and that have been answered is that the tariff of the schemes is going to be provided over three years instead of five. Now, obviously, we need to see what happens as we move forward, because that was different from the Syrian scheme, the five-year scheme. But also, the UK Government has agreed that this level of funding is necessary, but we will also have to explore what this means in terms of an integration package.
We still don't have clarity yet about how the funding will be awarded, whether it's going to be directly awarded to Welsh local authorities and Welsh local health boards. So, we're seeking clarity on this. We don't want to have any gaps in support, and we can build on our experience of the Syrian system and resettlement scheme. We are pleased that UK Government has stated a further £20 million fund of flexible funding in the current financial year to support local authorities with higher cost bases with any additional costs in the provision of services. We don't know what this means in practice, but this is something where we'll be working with our colleagues in local government to take this forward.
I think, as we know, there are many refugees in Wales who have wanted and been willing and have learnt Welsh. We must now look at our schemes, our existing schemes, and how we can assure they're good, but I also think children are already, in terms of our education system and their experience with the Urdd already for those who have been temporarily accommodated, who have arrived. They are going to very quickly see they're in Wales and what that means as a bilingual nation. So, we need to address all these issues, and I would want you to help me in terms of scrutiny and questioning as we move forward in our welcome to ensure that we can be a nation of sanctuary, as you support, for these citizens from Afghanistan.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan. Diolch yn fawr i chi am eich datganiadau cadarn chi y prynhawn yma sy'n cefnogi ein hymateb dyngarol ni a luniwyd yng Nghymru, fel roeddem ni'n dweud, i'r sefyllfa gyda dinasyddion o Affganistan sy'n cael eu croesawu gennym ni yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, a chydnabyddiaeth arbennig o'n huchelgais ni a'n dyhead ni i fod yn genedl noddfa. Mae gennym lawer i'w wneud eto i gyflawni hynny, mae hi'n amlwg. Rwy'n credu, unwaith eto, eich cefnogaeth chi a'ch cydnabyddiaeth chi o waith Urdd Gobaith Cymru—fe ddylem ni fynegi hynny fwy nag unwaith y prynhawn yma, rwy'n siŵr. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn eich bod chi'n gallu fy helpu i, yn Weinidog i chi, yn hyn o beth, i ymgysylltu'n llawn â'r heriau gwirioneddol sydd i'w cael. Ac mae'r rhain yn heriau i'n hawdurdodau lleol ni; maen nhw'n heriau i'r sefydliadau trydydd sector sydd â rhan; maen nhw'n heriau y maen nhw eu hunain yn eu codi hefyd. Felly, roedd eglurder ynglŷn â'r cyllid yn hanfodol bwysig. A phe cawn i ymateb i hynny'n arbennig, oherwydd mae hyn yn ymwneud â'ch cwestiynau chi ynghylch yr hyn ddaw nesaf, o ran integreiddio a chyfraddau cyllido.
Rydym ni'n falch y bydd yna gydraddoldeb rhwng trefniadau ariannu ar gyfer y ddau gynllun, y cynllun ARAP a'r cynllun ACRS, ac roeddem ni'n awyddus i gael hynny fel na fydd unrhyw ganlyniadau croes o ran y cymorth y gallai awdurdodau lleol ei roi i'r teuluoedd hyn sy'n cyrraedd. Efallai y caf i ddweud nawr hefyd fy mod i'n falch iawn bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi derbyn y bydd unrhyw un sy'n cyrraedd o dan yr ARAP neu'r ACRS yn cael caniatâd parhaus i aros. Rwyf i wedi dweud fy mod i wedi mynychu dau gyfarfod o'r pedair gwlad. Mae'r rhain yn faterion y gwnaethom ni eu codi yn y cyfarfodydd hyn. Mae sicrhau bod teuluoedd yn gallu cael gafael ar y gwasanaethau sydd eu hangen arnyn nhw yn gam pwysig iawn. Ac yn ogystal â hynny, rydym ni'n parhau i annog Llywodraeth y DU i sicrhau nad yw'r rhai sy'n ofni erledigaeth o unrhyw fath, a fyddai, fel arfer, yn rhoi'r hawl iddyn nhw fod â statws ffoadur, o dan anfantais o ran cael gafael ar wasanaethau—ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ni yw'r rhain—os nad yw eu statws nhw yn ôl y naill gynllun neu'r llall yn cael ei ystyried yn statws ffoadur yn dechnegol. Nid materion technegol ddylai'r rhain fod; materion dyngarol allweddol yw'r rhain ac rydym ni'n cadw llygad barcud arnyn nhw.
Ond roeddwn i'n dymuno dweud hefyd ein bod ni, yn ogystal â hynny, wedi pwyso'n galed i sicrhau, yn ôl y cynllun ailsefydlu dinasyddion, y dylid rhoi ystyriaeth arbennig i bobl sy'n agored i niwed, gan gynnwys menywod a merched sydd mewn perygl, ac aelodau o gymunedau lleiafrifol sydd mewn perygl, sy'n gynnwys LGBTQ+, a lleiafrifoedd ethnig a chrefyddol. Fe gafodd y pwynt hwnnw ei wneud, ac mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cadarnhau cydnabyddiaeth o'r ystyriaeth honno. Ond hefyd, ar ôl cyfarfod â theuluoedd o Affganistan yng Nghymru sydd wedi bod yn byw yma ers blynyddoedd lawer, mae llawer ohonyn nhw'n ofidus am eu perthnasau nhw, oherwydd efallai y bydd cysylltiadau, yn amlwg, â phryderon am beryglon ymhlith ein cymunedau o Affganistan yng Nghymru gydag unrhyw gysylltiadau a allai fod ganddyn nhw â theuluoedd yn Affganistan. Felly, dyna rai o'r materion yr ydym ni'n mynd i'r afael â nhw.
Ond rwy'n credu mai'r hyn sy'n bwysig o ran y cwestiynau a ofynnais i ac sydd wedi cael eu hateb yw y caiff cost y cynlluniau ei ddarparu dros dair blynedd yn hytrach na phump. Nawr, yn amlwg, fe fydd angen i ni ystyried yr hyn sy'n digwydd wrth i ni fwrw ymlaen, oherwydd roedd hwn yn wahanol i gynllun Syria, y cynllun pum mlynedd. Ond yn ogystal â hynny, mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cytuno bod angen y gyfradd hon o gyllid, ond fe fydd yn rhaid i ni edrych ar yr hyn mae hynny'n ei olygu o ran pecyn integreiddio hefyd.
Nid oes gennym eglurder eto ynghylch sut y caiff yr arian ei ddyfarnu, a gaiff ei ddyfarnu yn uniongyrchol i awdurdodau lleol Cymru a byrddau iechyd lleol Cymru. Felly, rydym ni'n gofyn am eglurder ynglŷn â hyn. Nid ydym ni'n dymuno gweld unrhyw fylchau yn y gefnogaeth, ac fe allwn ni adeiladu ar ein profiad ni o system a chynllun ailsefydlu Syria. Rydym yn falch bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi datgan cronfa arall o £20 miliwn o gyllid hyblyg yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol sydd â seiliau cost uwch gydag unrhyw gostau ychwanegol wrth ddarparu gwasanaethau. Nid ydym ni'n gwybod beth mae hynny'n ei olygu yn ymarferol, ond mae hyn yn rhywbeth y byddwn ni'n gweithio arno gyda'n cydweithwyr ni mewn llywodraeth leol wrth fwrw ymlaen â hyn.
Rwyf i o'r farn, fel y gwyddom ni, fod llawer o ffoaduriaid yng Nghymru sydd wedi bod yn awyddus i ddysgu Cymraeg ac wedi gwneud hynny. Mae'n rhaid i ni edrych ar ein cynlluniau ni nawr, ein cynlluniau presennol ni, ac ar sut y gallwn ni sicrhau eu bod nhw'n rhai da, ond rwy'n credu bod plant eisoes, o ran ein system addysg ni a'u profiad nhw gyda'r Urdd eisoes o ran y rhai sydd wedi cael llety dros dro, sydd wedi cyrraedd. Fe gânt weld yn gyflym iawn eu bod nhw yng Nghymru a'r hyn y mae hynny'n ei olygu o ran cenedl sy'n ddwyieithog. Felly, mae angen i ni fynd i'r afael â'r holl faterion hyn, ac fe hoffwn i chi fy helpu i o ran craffu a holi wrth i ni symud ymlaen yn ein croeso ni ar gyfer sicrhau y gallwn ni fod yn genedl noddfa, yr ydych chi'n ei chefnogi hi, i'r dinasyddion hyn o Affganistan.
Thank you, Minister, for bringing today's statement. I think many of the points I was probably going to raise with you, you've already covered off this afternoon, but I'd like to recognise the exceptional work that's been carried out by our servicemen and women in supporting those fleeing persecution in Afghanistan, alongside Government agencies and those in Afghanistan to ensure those people who need it most were able to escape the Taliban. I also very much welcome the four-nation approach that you highlighted in your statement. It was really quite reassuring to see nations working together in the best interests of those who need it. And also, I was very pleased to see, as you mentioned, all local authorities in Wales taking part in the relocation and assistance policy, and they, as you mentioned, will be supporting and assisting Afghan citizens who've been resettled, I think, here. And I think a huge amount of credit is due to local authorities for the urgency and the speed with which they've reacted to this situation, whilst also managing pressures on the ground in other areas.
My concern, perhaps like yours, Minister, has been to ensure, actually, that there's a long-term plan and integration and opportunity for refugees coming into Wales, and I thank you for recognising the significant difference that the additional money from UK Government will make to ensure this integration and opportunity are available for those refugees. You did mention some lack of clarity around how that funding will arrive at councils and health boards. I was wondering whether today you could commit, if that money is going via Welsh Government, that actually all the money does end up at those councils that need it, rather than some being siphoned off to work in the Welsh Government. And also would you commit to listening to councils and continuing that engagement with councils, not just in these reactive stages now but also over the coming months and perhaps even years to make sure that we do get this real integration of these refugees into our communities and it's not a flash-in-the-pan programme right now? Thanks, Minister.
Diolch, Gweinidog, am ddod â'r datganiad heddiw. Rwy'n credu bod llawer o'r pwyntiau yr oeddwn i'n mynd i'w codi gyda chi, mae'n debyg, wedi cael eu gofyn a'u hateb eisoes y prynhawn yma, ond fe hoffwn i gydnabod y gwaith eithriadol sydd wedi cael ei wneud gan ein personél ni yn y lluoedd arfog wrth gefnogi'r rhai sy'n ffoi rhag erledigaeth yn Affganistan, ynghyd ag asiantaethau'r Llywodraeth a rhai yn Affganistan i sicrhau bod y bobl sydd â'r angen mwyaf i wneud hynny'n gallu dianc rhag y Taliban. Rwy'n croesawu'r dull pedair gwlad y gwnaethoch chi ei egluro yn eich datganiad chi'n fawr iawn hefyd. Roedd hi'n galonogol iawn i weld cenhedloedd yn cydweithio er lles rhai sydd mewn angen. Ac yn ogystal â hynny, roeddwn i'n falch iawn o weld, fel roeddech chi'n sôn, yr holl awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru yn cymryd rhan yn y polisi adleoli a chymorth, ac fe fyddan nhw, fel roeddech chi'n sôn, yn cefnogi ac yn cynorthwyo dinasyddion Affganistan sydd wedi cael eu hailsefydlu yn hyn o beth, yn fy marn i. Ac rwy'n credu bod llawer iawn o glod yn ddyledus i awdurdodau lleol am eu cyflymder a pha mor chwim y maen nhw wedi bod wrth ymateb i'r sefyllfa hon, ac wrth reoli'r pwysau ar lawr gwlad hefyd mewn meysydd eraill.
Rwy'n pryderu, fel y gwnewch chithau efallai, Gweinidog, ynglŷn â gwneud yn siŵr fod yna gynllun ac integreiddio hirdymor a chyfle gwirioneddol i ffoaduriaid wrth iddyn nhw ddod i Gymru ac rwy'n diolch i chi am gydnabod y gwahaniaeth sylweddol y bydd yr arian ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth y DU yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod yr integreiddio a'r cyfle hwn ar gael i'r ffoaduriaid hynny. Roeddech chi'n sôn am rywfaint o ddiffyg eglurder ynghylch sut y bydd y cyllid hwnnw'n cyrraedd cynghorau a byrddau iechyd. Meddwl oeddwn i tybed a wnewch chi ymrwymo heddiw, os daw'r arian hwnnw drwy gyfrwng Llywodraeth Cymru, y bydd holl arian sy'n cael ei roi yn mynd i'r cynghorau hynny sydd ag angen gwirioneddol amdano, yn hytrach na bod rhywfaint ohono'n cael ei ailgyfeirio i waith yn Llywodraeth Cymru. Ac a wnewch chi ymrwymo hefyd i wrando ar gynghorau a pharhau â'r ymgysylltu hwn â chynghorau, nid yn unig yn ystod y camau adweithiol hyn nawr ond dros y misoedd nesaf hefyd a blynyddoedd hyd yn oed, efallai, i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gweld yr integreiddio gwirioneddol hwn ymysg y ffoaduriaid hyn i'n cymunedau ni ac nad oes yna fwy o dwrw nag o daro o ran y rhaglen gyfredol hon? Diolch, Gweinidog.
Thank you very much, Sam Rowlands, and thank you for acknowledging the way in which we have worked together across the four nations and, indeed, with all our partners in Wales, and also, as much as we can, on a cross-party basis in terms of this humanitarian response—an all-Wales and a made-in-Wales response. I think it's very important that at the meetings that we've had we've included, for example, Sion Walker from the 160th (Welsh) Brigade, Colonel Walker. In his statement, alongside a statement from the Urdd and Cardiff Council leaderships, Sion Walker made the point of the direct historical links with Wales-based, and Wales-facing, units. And many of the families coming to Wales have worked alongside each other during very difficult times in Afghanistan. There's a recognition of the comradeship that has developed during these times and pride in the part that they're playing.
So, I think it has been an extraordinary response that has come forward, with everybody working together, but it is crucially important that we recognise what does this actually mean, particularly at the sharp end for local authorities, because many arriving will have experienced so much trauma as a result of the evacuation. So, we're working with Traumatic Stress Wales and local health boards to ensure mental health support is considered. We've got the local authorities assessing what's needed in terms of school places, what's available, and also language tuition—we've mentioned this—which, for new migrant arrivals, is a crucial component of effective integration. We're assessing, again, what it actually means in terms of the funding support for us in terms of those particular needs.
I think also that we've got to recognise there are other needs, like COVID-19, and effective support for new arrivals so that they can have access to our effective—highly effective—vaccine roll-out programme, and also that health screening for general health needs is being considered. Every cultural consideration as well, from food to worship needs, are being considered. And also, local authorities are ensuring that citizens are able to register for bank accounts, national insurance numbers, GP and dentists' surgeries, and are able to submit for social security benefits. So, we've got this commitment because of experience, because of long-term experience, here in Wales but I also just want to thank very much, finally, the Wales Strategic Migration Partnership, which is already effectively working in Wales. They're a key conduit between ourselves, local government and the Home Office. So, we're meeting with them. They're engaged with authorities particularly in relation to the move on from temporary to settlement, with more sustainable accommodation. So, it's a close, team Wales approach that we're following through. Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sam Rowlands, a diolch i chi am gydnabod y ffordd yr ydym ni wedi cydweithio ar draws y pedair gwlad ac, yn wir, gyda'n holl bartneriaid ni yng Nghymru, a hefyd, cyn belled ag y gallwn ni, ar sail drawsbleidiol o ran yr ymateb dyngarol hwn—ymateb Cymru gyfan ac ymateb a luniwyd yng Nghymru. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn, yn y cyfarfodydd a gawsom ni ein bod ni wedi cynnwys, er enghraifft, Sion Walker o'r 160fed Brigâd (Gymreig), Cyrnol Walker. Yn ei ddatganiad ef, ynghyd â datganiad gan arweinywyr yr Urdd a Chyngor Caerdydd, fe grybwyllodd Sion Walker y cysylltiadau hanesyddol uniongyrchol ag unedau sydd â sail a phresenoldeb yng Nghymru. Ac mae llawer o'r teuluoedd sy'n dod i Gymru wedi gweithio ochr yn ochr â'i gilydd yn ystod cyfnodau anodd iawn yn Affganistan. Mae cydnabyddiaeth o'r cwmnigarwch sydd wedi datblygu yn ystod y cyfnod hwn yn ogystal â balchder yn eu rhan nhw yn yr ymdrech.
Felly, rwyf i o'r farn bod hwn wedi bod yn ymateb arbennig iawn a ddaeth i'r golwg, gyda phawb yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd, ond mae hi'n hollbwysig ein bod ni'n cydnabod yr hyn y mae'n ei olygu mewn gwirionedd, yn enwedig yn rheng flaen yr awdurdodau lleol, oherwydd fe fydd yna lawer sy'n cyrraedd wedi profi llawer iawn o drawma o ganlyniad i'w hymadawiad nhw. Felly, rydym ni'n gweithio gyda Straen Trawmatig Cymru a byrddau iechyd lleol i sicrhau bod cymorth iechyd meddwl yn cael ei ystyried. Rydym ni'n gweld yr awdurdodau lleol yn asesu'r hyn sy'n angenrheidiol o ran lleoedd ysgol, yr hyn sydd ar gael, a hyfforddiant iaith hefyd—rydym ni wedi sôn am hyn—sydd, ar gyfer mudwyr newydd sy'n cyrraedd, yn elfen hanfodol o integreiddio effeithiol. Rydym ni'n asesu, unwaith eto, yr hyn y mae'n ei olygu mewn gwirionedd o ran y cymorth ariannol i ni o ystyried yr anghenion penodol hynny.
Rwyf i o'r farn hefyd fod yn rhaid i ni gydnabod y ceir anghenion eraill, fel COVID-19, a chymorth effeithiol ar gyfer newydd-ddyfodiaid fel y gallan nhw gael eu cynnwys yn ein rhaglen effeithiol ni—hynod effeithiol—i gyflwyno brechlynnau, ac y bydd sgrinio iechyd ar gyfer anghenion iechyd cyffredinol yn cael ei ystyried hefyd. Fe geir pob ystyriaeth ddiwylliannol hefyd, o anghenion bwyd hyd at addoli, fe fydden nhw'n cael eu hystyried. A hefyd, mae awdurdodau lleol yn sicrhau bod dinasyddion yn gallu cofrestru ar gyfer cyfrifon banc, rhifau yswiriant gwladol, meddygfeydd meddygon teulu a deintyddion, a'u bod nhw'n gallu gwneud cais am fudd-daliadau nawdd cymdeithasol. Felly, mae'r ymrwymiad hwn gennym ni oherwydd ein profiad ni, oherwydd y profiad hirdymor sydd gennym ni yma yng Nghymru ond rwyf i hefyd yn dymuno diolch yn fawr iawn, yn olaf, i Bartneriaeth Ymfudo Strategol Cymru, sydd eisoes yn gweithio'n effeithiol yng Nghymru. Maen nhw'n gyfrwng allweddol rhyngom ni, llywodraeth leol a'r Swyddfa Gartref. Felly, rydym ni'n cael cyfarfodydd â nhw. Maen nhw'n ymgysylltu ag awdurdodau, yn enwedig o ran symud ymlaen o'r llety dros dro i'r ymgartrefu, gyda llety mwy cynaliadwy. Felly, dull o gydweithio agos iawn sydd gan dîm Cymru yn hyn o beth. Diolch.
Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Diwylliant, Cyfathrebu, y Gymraeg, Chwaraeon, a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol, Delyth Jewell.
The Chair of the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee, Delyth Jewell.
Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you, Minister, for the statement. In the recent response you sent to a joint letter that was sent from me and the Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee, you set out a number of details. Could you tell us more about the discussions you've had with the UK Government about progressing the timeline for the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme, building on what Heledd Fychan asked you earlier? I'm particularly concerned about the plight of women and girls who are at risk of dehumanising treatment and human rights abuses by the Taliban. And finally, Minister, in your letter to our committees, you set out that the UK Government, you were hoping, would engage with the Welsh Government and the UN Refugee Agency, the UNHCR, about eligibility for that scheme. Have you had any engagement as yet with the UNHCR itself about this matter from an international relations perspective, please?
Diolch, Llywydd. Diolch, Gweinidog, am y datganiad. Yn yr ymateb diweddar fe wnaethoch chi anfon llythyr ar y cyd a anfonwyd oddi wrth Gadeirydd y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol a minnau, ac ynddo fe wnaethoch chi nodi nifer o fanylion. A wnewch chi ddweud mwy wrthym ni am y trafodaethau a gawsoch chi gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch datblygu'r amserlen ar gyfer cynllun ailsefydlu dinasyddion o Affganistan, gan adeiladu ar yr hyn a ofynnodd Heledd Fychan i chi'n gynharach? Rwy'n pryderu yn arbennig am drafferthion menywod a merched sydd mewn perygl o driniaeth annynol ac anghyfiawnder o ran eu hawliau dynol gan y Taliban. Ac yn olaf, Gweinidog, yn eich llythyr chi at ein pwyllgorau ni, roeddech chi'n dweud y byddai Llywodraeth y DU, roeddech chi'n gobeithio, yn ymgysylltu â Llywodraeth Cymru ac Asiantaeth Ffoaduriaid y Cenhedloedd Unedig, yr UNHCR, ynghylch cymhwysedd ar gyfer y cynllun hwnnw. A ydych chi wedi bod ag unrhyw gysylltiad â'r UNHCR ei hun hyd yma ynghylch y mater hwn o safbwynt cysylltiadau rhyngwladol, os gwelwch chi'n dda?
Diolch yn fawr, Delyth Jewell. I was very pleased to have an early letter from both Delyth Jewell and Jenny Rathbone as Chair of the committee for equality and social justice as well as yourself as Chair of your committee, and because it also set out questions that we were ready to be answered as soon as we had the responses from the UK Government and the engagement that we needed, but it also helps prepare, I'm sure, for committee attendance as well with following up these questions.
I think we've got some more clarity now in terms of the Afghan citizens' resettlement scheme. It is going to welcome up to 5,000 people in the first year, up to a total of 20,000 over the coming years. And as I said, there is a recognition that vulnerable refugees from Afghanistan and those that are particularly put at risk by recent events need this route to safety, and I'm pleased also in the letter that I have had from the UK Government that this includes, as they've said, people who've stood up for values such as democracy, women's rights, and freedom of speech: journalists, women's rights activists are vulnerable people; I've mentioned this already, women and girls at risk. I've had representations and concerns raised with me about women in sport and you will have seen some of the concerns and outcomes people have that there is a real issue about who's been left behind and what the circumstances are for them, in terms of their situations.
So, I hope that gives you a starting point in terms of a response, and I've been able to respond to you, Jenny Rathbone, initially, but there's a lot more to respond to, I understand.
Diolch yn fawr, Delyth Jewell. Roeddwn i'n falch iawn o gael llythyr cynnar gan Delyth Jewell a Jenny Rathbone fel Cadeirydd y pwyllgor cydraddoldeb a chyfiawnder cymdeithasol yn ogystal â chithau fel Cadeirydd eich pwyllgor chi eich hun, a gan fod hwnnw'n nodi cwestiynau hefyd yr oeddem ni'n barod i'w hateb cyn gynted ag y cawsom ni'r ymatebion gan Lywodraeth y DU a'r ymgysylltiad yr oedd ei angen arnom ni, ond mae cyfle i baratoi yn rhywbeth gwerthfawr, rwy'n siŵr, ar gyfer presenoldeb mewn pwyllgorau yn ogystal ag ymateb i'r cwestiynau hyn.
Rwyf i o'r farn bod gennym ni fwy o eglurder nawr o ran cynllun ailsefydlu dinasyddion Affganistan. Fe fydd hwn yn croesawu hyd at 5,000 o bobl yn ei flwyddyn gyntaf, hyd at gyfanswm o 20,000 dros y blynyddoedd nesaf. Ac fel y dywedais i, fe gydnabyddir bod angen y llwybr hwn at ddiogelwch ar ffoaduriaid sy'n agored i niwed o Affganistan a'r rhai sy'n cael eu rhoi mewn perygl oherwydd digwyddiadau diweddar yn arbennig felly, ac rwy'n falch hefyd o ddarllen yn y llythyr a gefais i oddi wrth Lywodraeth y DU fod hyn yn cynnwys pobl, fel maen nhw wedi dweud, sydd wedi sefyll o blaid gwerthoedd fel democratiaeth, hawliau menywod, a rhyddid i lefaru: mae newyddiadurwyr, gweithredwyr hawliau menywod yn rhai sy'n agored i niwed; rwyf i wedi sôn am hyn eisoes, menywod a merched sydd mewn perygl. Rwyf i wedi clywed sylwadau a phryderon yn cael eu codi gyda mi ynglŷn â menywod ym myd chwaraeon ac rydych chi wedi clywed sôn am rai o'r pryderon a'r canlyniadau sydd gan bobl oherwydd y broblem wirioneddol ynghylch y rhai sydd wedi cael eu gadael ar ôl a'r amgylchiadau iddyn nhw, o ran eu sefyllfa nhw.
Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hyn yn rhoi man cychwyn i chi o ran ymateb, ac rwyf i wedi gallu ymateb i chi, Jenny Rathbone, i ddechrau, ond mae yna lawer mwy o bethau i ymateb iddyn nhw, rwy'n deall hynny.
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer, and thank you very much, Minister, for a great job. I'm sure that the Minister will join me in recognising the enormous contribution of our armed forces in airlifting 15,000 people from Afghanistan to the United Kingdom. I know that the US and UK handling of the withdrawal is subject to much debate, but for me, as someone who has made his home in this country, our key focus now needs to be on what we are doing to help to ensure we discharge our humanitarian duties to those who have fled the fear, the discrimination and the pain of an Afghanistan that is sadly no longer theirs. I hope the Minister agrees with me that in welcoming people to Wales, we need to do more than merely offer people a building in which to rest, but a home where connections to the local community are forged to help people to readjust to their new lives and where our land of opportunity can reach out to them in offering the chance to study and to work.
Before I ask a couple of questions, I do want to raise one concern, and that is the work that is needed to mitigate the risk of radicalisation. Islam teaches universal brotherhood, freedom from fear, racial equality, fight against despair, and fearlessness. There is urgency for communities to come together and accommodate each other in the greater interest of this country.
Now, going to the questions, Minister: does the Minister have a steer at this point as to how many of those 15,000 we're able to house and support in Wales? Can the Minister detail the level of accommodation she believes is now available to support those who can settle in Wales?
The Prime Minister announced financial support for the NHS and to charities to provide mental health support for our military personnel; can the Minister outline what plans are now in place to ensure support for those who are travelling home?
The Prime Minister also announced free English courses and university scholarships; what discussions has she had with partners in the education and higher education sectors about the scope and resources needed to provide similar support to those settling in Wales?
Last: what contact has she had with colleagues in the United Kingdom Government about the funding requirements for school places, and what assessment has been conducted across Wales to identify capacity? Thank you, Minister.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd, a diolch yn fawr iawn, Gweinidog, am waith rhagorol. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn ymuno â mi i gydnabod cyfraniad enfawr ein lluoedd arfog ni wrth gludo 15,000 o bobl o Affganistan i'r Deyrnas Unedig. Fe wn i fod y modd y gwnaeth yr Unol Daleithiau a'r DU ymdrin â'r cilio wedi bod yn destun llawer o ddadleuon, ond i mi, sy'n rhywun sydd wedi ymgartrefu yn y wlad hon, mae angen i'n pwyslais allweddol ni yn awr fod ar yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud i helpu i sicrhau ein bod ni'n cyflawni ein dyletswyddau dyngarol ni i'r rhai sydd wedi dianc rhag yr ofnau, y gwahaniaethu, a dioddefaint yng ngwlad Affganistan nad yw hi'n perthyn iddyn nhw mwyach. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y Gweinidog yn cytuno â mi, wrth groesawu pobl i Gymru, fod angen i ni wneud mwy na dim ond cynnig adeilad i bobl orffwys ynddo, ond cynnig cartref lle mae cysylltiadau â'r gymuned leol yn cael eu creu i helpu pobl i ailaddasu i'w bywydau newydd nhw hefyd a chynnig cyfleoedd yn ein cenedl ni iddyn nhw allu ymestyn at astudiaethau a gwaith yma.
Cyn i mi ofyn un neu ddau o gwestiynau, rwy'n dymuno crybwyll un o'm pryderon i, a'r gwaith sydd ei angen i liniaru'r risg o radicaleiddio yw hwnnw. Mae Islam yn dysgu brawdoliaeth gyffredinol, rhyddid oddi wrth ofn, cydraddoldeb hiliol, ymladd yn erbyn anobaith, a gwroldeb. Mae yna frys o ran gweld cymunedau yn dod at ei gilydd ac yn darparu ar gyfer ei gilydd er lles cyffredinol y wlad hon.
Nawr, gan droi at y cwestiynau, Gweinidog: a oes gan y Gweinidog arweiniad i'w roi ar hyn o bryd ynghylch pa gyfran o'r 15,000 hwnnw y gallwn ni eu cartrefu a'u cefnogi yng Nghymru? A wnaiff y Gweinidog fanylu ar faint o lety y mae hi'n credu sydd ar gael erbyn hyn i gefnogi'r rhai sy'n gallu ymgartrefu yng Nghymru?
Fe gyhoeddodd Prif Weinidog y DU gymorth ariannol i'r GIG ac elusennau i ddarparu cymorth iechyd meddwl i'n personél milwrol ni; a wnaiff y Gweinidog amlinellu pa gynlluniau sydd ar waith ar hyn o bryd i sicrhau cefnogaeth i'r rhai sydd ar eu ffordd adref?
Fe gyhoeddodd Prif Weinidog y DU gyrsiau Saesneg rhad ac am ddim ac ysgoloriaethau prifysgol hefyd; pa drafodaethau a gafodd hi gyda phartneriaid yn y sectorau addysg ac addysg uwch ynghylch cwmpas ac adnoddau'r hyn sydd ei angen i ddarparu cymorth cyfatebol i'r rhai sy'n ymgartrefu yng Nghymru?
Yn olaf: pa gyswllt y mae hi wedi'i gael gyda chydweithwyr yn Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig ynghylch y gofynion ariannu ar gyfer lleoedd ysgolion, a pha asesiadau a gynhaliwyd ledled Cymru i nodi capasiti? Diolch, Gweinidog.
Thank you, Altaf Hussain, and thank you for attending the technical briefing last week with the very relevant questions, as all Members raised with me last week, which has helped us with our planning. The majority of families who've arrived in Wales so far, as I've said, have direct links to those Wales-based and Wales-facing armed forces units. There's actually been, I understand, over the past weekend, some emotional reunions that perhaps I could just comment on between Afghan arrivals and armed forces personnel here in south Wales. And I've mentioned the fact that the Ministry of Defence have been supporting us with planners, and very much reflecting what they helped us with through the COVID-19 pandemic in our vaccination centres, as you will all recall.
We've had a great many offers of support from communities across Wales—obviously, local authorities are at the forefront, but the third sector as well, and I think very much people are motivated by the situation in Afghanistan, but we need to harness that support, and I know many Members are asking me how can they harness the support. In terms of offers of accommodation, that must go to the local authority. I have commented on the fact that local authorities are assessing their needs in terms of school places. You've mentioned higher education as well. That will all be part of the work that they're undertaking at the moment, but I then will be able to, as we assess the needs, make representations as necessary to the UK Government and account for the impact—you know, assess the impact that it's having on local authorities and our public services, and the good response that has already come forward.
So, again, I think there's much more that will come out over the next few weeks, and, hopefully, I can come back and report to the Senedd here and to the committees as well.
Diolch, Altaf Hussain, a diolch i chi am fod yn bresennol yn y briff technegol yr wythnos diwethaf gyda chwestiynau perthnasol iawn, fel y cododd yr Aelodau i gyd gyda mi'r wythnos diwethaf, sydd wedi ein helpu ni gyda'n gwaith cynllunio. Mae gan y rhan fwyaf o deuluoedd sydd wedi cyrraedd Cymru hyd yn hyn, fel y dywedais i, gysylltiadau uniongyrchol ag unedau'r lluoedd arfog a leolir yng Nghymru neu sydd ag agwedd yng Nghymru. Rwy'n deall, dros y penwythnos diwethaf, fe fu yna rai aduniadau emosiynol y gallaf i wneud sylwadau arnyn nhw efallai rhwng pobl yn cyrraedd o Affganistan a phersonél y lluoedd arfog yma yn y de. Ac rwyf i wedi sôn am y ffaith bod y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn wedi bod yn ein cefnogi ni gyda chynllunwyr, ac mae hynny'n adlewyrchu'r ffaith i raddau helaeth iawn eu bod nhw wedi ein helpu ni drwy bandemig COVID-19 yn ein canolfannau brechu, fel mae pawb ohonoch chi'n cofio.
Rydym ni wedi cael llawer iawn o gynigion oddi wrth gymunedau ledled Cymru—yn amlwg, yr awdurdodau lleol sydd ar flaen y gad, ond mae'r trydydd sector wedi cynnig hefyd, ac rwy'n credu bod llawer iawn o bobl yn cael eu hysgogi gan y sefyllfa yn Affganistan, ond mae angen i ni ddefnyddio'r gefnogaeth honno, ac fe wn i fod llawer o Aelodau yn gofyn i mi sut y gallan nhw ddefnyddio'r gefnogaeth sydd i'w chael. O ran cynigion o lety, mae'n rhaid i hynny fynd gerbron yr awdurdod lleol. Rwyf i wedi sôn am y ffaith bod awdurdodau lleol yn asesu eu hanghenion nhw o ran lleoedd mewn ysgolion. Rydych chi wedi sôn am addysg uwch hefyd. Fe fydd hynny i gyd yn rhan o'r gwaith y maen nhw'n ei wneud ar hyn o bryd, ond fe fyddaf i'n gallu cyflwyno sylwadau wedyn, wrth i ni asesu'r anghenion, yn ôl yr angen i Lywodraeth y DU a rhoi cyfrif am yr effaith—wyddoch chi, i asesu'r effaith y mae hyn yn ei gael ar awdurdodau lleol a'n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ni, a'r ymateb da a gyflwynwyd eisoes.
Felly, unwaith eto, rwyf i o'r farn bod llawer mwy i ddod eto dros yr wythnosau nesaf, ac, rwy'n gobeithio, fe allaf i ddod yn ôl ac adrodd i'r Senedd yn y fan hon a'r pwyllgorau hefyd.
Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I think it's absolutely essential that we support those who've supported us, albeit that they've supported us in another country. We know that we support our own armed forces, and that is absolutely right, yet the work that they do, predominantly, is elsewhere. So, I'm really proud that we here in Wales are a nation of sanctuary. Of course, many of the questions I was going to ask you have already been asked, so I won't restate those. But there are a few obvious questions I think that we need looking at.
In terms of the settled status, once individuals have achieved that, of course, if they are in a position to do so, they can then share their expertise with the communities they find themselves settled into by working. And that is an advantage, of course, to everybody. And the ongoing support, of course, that has been mentioned several times, is essential. But I'm concerned, and it's been raised elsewhere, about the impact within families, particularly on girls and women, and making sure that they're not cut off from the wider support that's afforded to everybody. I think it's essential that women's voices are heard, and that when we're speaking to leaders in those communities we make absolutely every effort, and that we do speak to the women and to the girls to make sure that they are safe in the homes that they now find themselves in. Thank you.
Diolch, Gweinidog, am eich datganiad chi. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n gwbl hanfodol ein bod ni'n cefnogi'r rhai sydd wedi ein cefnogi ni, er eu bod nhw wedi ein cefnogi ni mewn gwlad arall. Fe wyddom ni ein bod ni'n cefnogi ein lluoedd arfog ein hunain, ac mae hynny'n gwbl briodol, ac eto mae'r gwaith a wnân nhw, yn bennaf, yn digwydd mewn mannau eraill. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn ein bod ni yma yng Nghymru yn genedl noddfa. Wrth gwrs, mae llawer o'r cwestiynau yr oeddwn yn mynd i'w gofyn i chi wedi cael eu gofyn yn barod, felly nid wyf i am ofyn yr un rhai eto. Ond mae yna rai cwestiynau amlwg rwy'n credu bod angen i ni eu hystyried.
O ran statws preswylydd sefydlog, pan fydd unigolion wedi cael hwnnw, wrth gwrs, os ydyn nhw mewn sefyllfa i wneud felly, fe allan nhw rannu eu harbenigedd nhw wedyn gyda'r cymunedau y maen nhw'n cael eu setlo ynddyn nhw drwy eu gwaith. Ac mae honno'n fantais fawr, wrth gwrs, i bawb. Ac mae'r gefnogaeth barhaus, wrth gwrs, sydd wedi cael ei chrybwyll sawl tro, yn hanfodol. Ond rwyf i'n pryderu, ac mae hyn wedi cael ei godi mewn mannau eraill, am yr effaith o fewn teuluoedd, yn enwedig ar ferched a menywod, a sicrhau nad ydyn nhw'n cael eu torri i ffwrdd oddi wrth y gefnogaeth fwy eang a roddir i bawb. Rwyf i o'r farn ei bod hi'n hanfodol i leisiau menywod gael eu clywed, a phan fyddwn ni'n siarad ag arweinwyr yn y cymunedau hynny rydym ni'n gwneud pob ymdrech bosibl, a'n bod ni yn siarad â'r menywod a'r merched i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n ddiogel yn y cartrefi y maen nhw'n eu cael eu hunain ynddyn nhw nawr. Diolch.
Thank you very much, Joyce Watson, and, as I said, thank you for your support for the nation of sanctuary and everything that we are striving to achieve here in Wales in this response. I think it's very important that we recognise that they will have indefinite leave to remain as a result of arriving under either of these two schemes. And that's so crucial in terms of access to services and access to people and access to democratic arrangements that we have here in Wales.
So, I've said that it would be very good if we can meet together; I would hope that, particularly with your experience, we could reach out to the women who are arriving as mothers, workers, as well as partners in families, and the girls and young women as well. There will be lots of outreach, and it's already starting, in terms of the temporary outreach from the Urdd. But I think the point of their concerns as well about what they've left behind, and the concerns that they have that they will be here. But they have skills that we will also—and a voice that we want to hear and learn from.
We do want to support them to re-enter the labour market as soon as possible, and also we've got—. So, as part of that, the Department for Work and Pensions are actually involved with this. There are already businesses and companies who are interested in seeing what employment opportunities there will be. And of course that's why some of that work in terms of getting your national insurance number, et cetera, bank account, is crucially important.
But I think there's—. Many of us have the experience of supporting and working with Syrian refugees in Wales, and the amazing role the women are playing and the ways in which the children and everyone are such an important, vital part—citizens in our communities. And that's what we would want to see progress.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Joyce Watson, ac, fel y dywedais i, diolch i chi am eich cefnogaeth i'r genedl noddfa a phopeth yr ydym ni'n ymdrechu i'w gyflawni yma yng Nghymru yn yr ymateb i hyn. Rwyf i o'r farn ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn i ni gydnabod y bydden nhw'n cael caniatâd parhaol i aros o ganlyniad i gyrraedd o dan y ddau gynllun hyn. Ac mae hynny mor hanfodol o ran gallu defnyddio gwasanaethau a chael mynd at bobl am gymorth a gallu manteisio ar y trefniadau democrataidd sydd gennym ni yma yng Nghymru.
Felly, rwyf i wedi dweud y byddai hi'n dda iawn i ni allu cyfarfod â'n gilydd; fe fyddwn i'n gobeithio, yn enwedig gyda'ch profiad chi, y gallem ni estyn allan at y menywod sy'n cyrraedd yn famau, yn weithwyr, yn ogystal â phartneriaid mewn teuluoedd, a'r merched a menywod ifanc hefyd. Fe fydd yna lawer o allgymorth, ac mae hynny'n dechrau eisoes, o ran yr allgymorth dros dro gan yr Urdd. Ond rwy'n credu mai'r pwynt o ran eu pryderon nhw, yn ogystal â'r hyn y maen nhw wedi ei adael ar ôl, a'r pryderon sydd ganddyn nhw am eu bod nhw yma. Ond mae ganddyn nhw sgiliau y byddwn ni hefyd—a llais yr ydym ni'n awyddus i'w glywed a dysgu oddi wrtho.
Rydym ni'n awyddus i'w cefnogi nhw i ailymuno â'r farchnad lafur cyn gynted â phosibl, ac mae gennym ni hefyd—. Felly, yn rhan o hynny, yr Adran Gwaith a Phensiynau sy'n ymwneud â hyn mewn gwirionedd. Fe geir busnesau a chwmnïau eisoes sydd â diddordeb o ran gweld pa gyfleoedd cyflogaeth a fydd ganddyn nhw. Ac wrth gwrs, dyna pam mae rhywfaint o'r gwaith hwnnw o ran cael eich rhif yswiriant gwladol, ac ati, cyfrif banc, yn gwbl hanfodol.
Ond rwy'n credu bod—. Mae gan lawer ohonom ni yng Nghymru brofiad o gefnogi a gweithio gyda ffoaduriaid o Syria, a'r swyddogaeth anhygoel sydd gan y menywod a'r ffyrdd y mae'r plant a phawb yn rhan mor bwysig, hanfodol—yn ddinasyddion yn ein cymunedau ni. A dyna a fyddem ni'n dymuno ei weld yn digwydd.
Diolch yn fawr i'r Gweinidog. Byddwn ni nawr yn cymryd toriad byr er mwyn caniatáu ambell i newid yn y Siambr. Felly'r toriad i ddilyn.
I thank the Minister. We will now take a short break to allow for some changeovers in the Chamber.
Ataliwyd y Cyfarfod Llawn am 15:36.
Plenary was suspended at 15:36.
Ailymgynullodd y Senedd am 15:48, gyda'r Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd reconvened at 15:48, with the Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) in the Chair.
Croeso nôl. Yr eitem nesaf yw'r datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf—too much of a recess—am COVID-19. Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Iechyd a Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, Eluned Morgan.
Welcome back. The next item is a statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services, an update on COVID-19. I call on the Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I would like to thank you for this opportunity to update Members about what continues to be a fast-moving and evolving public health situation.
Now, much has changed since the last Senedd, since we last met to discuss coronavirus in Wales before the summer recess. Wales has been at alert level 0 for seven weeks now and, as Members will know, this means that all businesses are able to open and that we have fewer legal restrictions in place than at any time since the pandemic started 18 months ago. But there are still some important protections in place to help keep us all safe, including the requirement for all businesses and employers to carry out a risk assessment.
Most of us have enjoyed this summer, meeting friends and family and holidaying in this beautiful country of ours. Coronavirus is, of course, a virus that thrives on human contact. And as we have gathered in greater numbers over the summer, cases of the virus have predictably increased. Further increases may be seen as the new term begins for schools, colleges and universities.
Wales is at alert level 0, but the pandemic is clearly not yet over. Our modelling would suggest that we are approaching the peak of the third wave of the pandemic, driven by the delta variant. We now have very high rates of coronavirus in all our communities. Our modelling scenarios, which have been carefully calculated by experts at Swansea University, predict that these are likely to get worse over the next few weeks as the wave begins to peak. If the virus continues to spread at its current rate, we can expect to see around 3,200 cases confirmed every day towards the end of the month.
Until now, this rise has been manageable because of our incredible vaccination programme, which has helped to weaken the link between infection and serious illness. But with the rapid spread of coronavirus in our communities, pandemic pressure on the NHS is increasing once again, and there are increasing reports that even people who've been double vaccinated are being admitted to hospital with COVID-19.
At the moment, there are around 40 COVID-19 hospital admissions a day. There are just over 480 confirmed cases in hospitals across Wales—the highest number since March. Now, our modelling suggests there could be 100 new COVID-19 hospital admissions every day as the delta wave peaks. The NHS is already under intense pressure as it responds to emergency healthcare demands, and provides more planned operations and treatment. And our health and care services are already experiencing staffing pressures through a combination of annual leave, staff working in other areas, sickness and isolation. Our health and care staff are exhausted after working so hard and so intensely over the last 18 months.
Now, this week there are two significant developments in relation to vaccination. Today, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has published its final advice for the autumn booster programme, and we will accept that advice that they have given. This is important in light of concerning emerging evidence about the waning effectiveness of vaccines. We will start sending out invitations from 20 September, and our NHS has worked hard to make sure it is ready to start the programme and invite those who had their vaccinations at the earliest point.
At the same time, the four UK chief medical officers have been discussing and taking expert evidence about whether the vaccine should be available to 12 to 15-year-olds. They have now recommended that, due to the likely benefits of reducing educational disruption and the impact this has on children and young people's welfare and mental health, Ministers extend the offer of universal vaccination to these children. This will mean a first dose offer of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to all children and young people aged to 12 to 15 not already covered by existing JCVI advice.
Now, in considering all the advice, I agree with the CMOs that there is a benefit in offering the vaccine to 12 to 15-year-olds, and we will begin to offer vaccination appointments from next week with the aim of vaccinating all those who wish to come forward by October half term.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i chi am y cyfle hwn i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau am yr hyn sy'n parhau i fod yn sefyllfa iechyd cyhoeddus sy'n symud yn gyflym ac sy'n esblygu.
Nawr, mae llawer wedi newid ers y Senedd ddiwethaf, ers i ni gyfarfod ddiwethaf i drafod y coronafeirws yng Nghymru cyn toriad yr haf. Mae Cymru wedi bod ar lefel rhybudd 0 ers saith wythnos bellach ac, fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau, mae hyn yn golygu bod pob busnes yn gallu agor a bod gennym lai o gyfyngiadau cyfreithiol ar waith nag ar unrhyw adeg ers i'r pandemig ddechrau 18 mis yn ôl. Ond mae rhai amddiffyniadau pwysig ar waith o hyd i helpu i'n cadw ni i gyd yn ddiogel, gan gynnwys y gofyniad i bob busnes a chyflogwr gynnal asesiad risg.
Mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonom wedi mwynhau'r haf hwn, yn cwrdd â ffrindiau a theulu ac yn mynd ar wyliau yn ein gwlad hardd. Mae'r coronafeirws, wrth gwrs, yn feirws sy'n ffynnu ar gyswllt dynol. Ac wrth i ni ymgynnull mewn niferoedd mwy dros yr haf, mae achosion o'r feirws wedi cynyddu yn ôl y disgwyl. Gallwn weld cynnydd pellach wrth i'r tymor newydd ddechrau ar gyfer ysgolion, colegau a phrifysgolion.
Mae Cymru ar lefel rhybudd 0, ond mae'n amlwg nad yw'r pandemig drosodd eto. Byddai ein modelu'n awgrymu ein bod yn nesáu at uchafbwynt trydedd don y pandemig, wedi'i ysgogi gan yr amrywiolyn delta. Erbyn hyn mae gennym gyfraddau uchel iawn o'r coronafeirws ym mhob un o'n cymunedau. Mae ein senarios modelu, sydd wedi'u cyfrifo'n ofalus gan arbenigwyr ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, yn rhagweld bod y rhain yn debygol o waethygu dros yr wythnosau nesaf wrth i'r don ddechrau cyrraedd uchafbwynt. Os bydd y feirws yn parhau i ledaenu ar ei gyfradd bresennol, gallwn ddisgwyl gweld tua 3,200 o achosion yn cael eu cadarnhau bob dydd tua diwedd y mis.
Hyd yn hyn, mae'r cynnydd hwn wedi bod dan reolaeth oherwydd ein rhaglen frechu anhygoel, sydd wedi helpu i wanhau'r cysylltiad rhwng haint a salwch difrifol. Ond gyda lledaeniad cyflym y coronafeirws yn ein cymunedau, mae pwysau'r pandemig ar y GIG yn cynyddu unwaith eto, ac mae adroddiadau cynyddol bod hyd yn oed pobl sydd wedi cael eu brechu ddwywaith yn cael eu derbyn i'r ysbyty gyda COVID-19.
Ar hyn o bryd, mae tua 40 o dderbyniadau i'r ysbyty COVID-19 y diwrnod. Mae ychydig dros 480 o achosion wedi'u cadarnhau mewn ysbytai ledled Cymru—y nifer uchaf ers mis Mawrth. Nawr, mae ein modelu'n awgrymu y gallai fod 100 o dderbyniadau newydd i'r ysbyty oherwydd COVID-19 bob dydd wrth i'r don delta gyrraedd uchafbwynt. Mae'r GIG eisoes dan bwysau dwys gan ei fod yn ymateb i ofynion gofal iechyd brys, ac yn darparu mwy o lawdriniaethau a thriniaethau wedi'u cynllunio. Ac mae ein gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal eisoes yn profi pwysau staffio drwy gyfuniad o wyliau blynyddol, staff sy'n gweithio mewn meysydd eraill, salwch ac ynysu. Mae ein staff iechyd a gofal wedi blino ar ôl gweithio mor galed ac mor ddwys dros y 18 mis diwethaf.
Nawr, yr wythnos hon mae dau ddatblygiad sylweddol yn gysylltiedig â brechu. Heddiw, mae'r Cyd-bwyllgor ar Imiwneiddio a Brechu wedi cyhoeddi ei gyngor terfynol ar gyfer rhaglen atgyfnerthu'r hydref, a byddwn yn derbyn y cyngor hwnnw maen nhw wedi'i roi. Mae hyn yn bwysig yng ngoleuni'r dystiolaeth sy'n dod i'r amlwg am effeithiolrwydd y brechlynnau sy'n gwanhau. Byddwn yn dechrau anfon gwahoddiadau o 20 Medi ymlaen, ac mae ein GIG wedi gweithio'n galed i sicrhau ei fod yn barod i ddechrau'r rhaglen a gwahodd y rhai a gafodd eu brechiadau gynharaf.
Ar yr un pryd, mae pedwar prif swyddog meddygol y DU wedi bod yn trafod ac yn cymryd tystiolaeth arbenigol ynghylch p’un a ddylai'r brechlyn fod ar gael i bobl ifanc 12 i 15 mlwydd oed. Maen nhw bellach wedi argymell, oherwydd y manteision tebygol o leihau aflonyddwch addysgol a'r effaith mae hyn yn ei chael ar les ac iechyd meddwl plant a phobl ifanc, fod Gweinidogion yn ymestyn y cynnig o frechu cyffredinol i'r plant hyn. Bydd hyn yn golygu cynnig dos cyntaf o frechlyn COVID-19 Pfizer BioNTech i bob plentyn a pherson ifanc rhwng 12 a 15 mlwydd oed nad ydynt eisoes wedi'u cynnwys yng nghyngor presennol y JCVI.
Nawr, wrth ystyried yr holl gyngor, rwy'n cytuno â'r prif swyddogion meddygol fod budd o ran cynnig y brechlyn i bobl ifanc 12 i 15 mlwydd oed, a byddwn yn dechrau cynnig apwyntiadau brechu o'r wythnos nesaf gyda'r nod o frechu pawb sy'n dymuno dod ymlaen erbyn hanner tymor mis Hydref.
Llywydd, os yw ein gwaith modelu ni'n gywir—ac mae wedi bod hyd yma—bydd nifer yr achosion o COVID-19 a'r rhai a fydd yn cael eu derbyn i'r ysbyty ar ei anterth yr union adeg y bydd cyfnod y gaeaf yn dechrau ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd. Bydd hwn yn rhoi rhagor o bwysau ar ein systemau iechyd a gofal, system sydd, fel y gwyddoch, o dan bwysau yn barod. Mewn rhai rhannau o'r Deyrnas Unedig, mae llawdriniaethau sydd wedi'u cynllunio o flaen llaw wedi cael eu gohirio'n barod er mwyn galluogi'r ymddiriedolaethau gwasanaeth iechyd i ymdopi â phwysau'r pandemig a'r argyfyngau eraill rŷm ni'n wynebu.
Pan fydd lefelau heintiau COVID yn uchel, mae'n bosibl y bydd nifer y bobl sy'n dioddef o COVID hir yn cynyddu. Dŷn ni ddim yn gwybod faint yn union o bobl sydd â COVID hir ac mae'r sylfaen dystiolaeth yn dal i ddatblygu. Mae lefelau uchel o heintiau hefyd yn cynyddu'r risg y bydd amrywiolyn newydd yn dod i'r amlwg. Rŷn ni i gyd yn cofio'r boen a'r dioddefaint a achosodd yr amrywiolyn alffa, neu Caint, yn ystod y gaeaf, ac rŷm ni yn awr yn delio â'r amrywiolyn delta.
Wrth i ni edrych ymlaen tuag at y gaeaf, mae heintiau anadlol eraill fel RSV a'r ffliw tymhorol hefyd yn fygythiad. Os ydyn ni am lwyddo i reoli'r coronafeirws a heintiau anadlol eraill yr hydref a'r gaeaf hwn, rhaid i ni barhau i ganolbwyntio ar gynyddu'r niferoedd sy'n cael eu brechu rhag COVID, yn arbennig ymhlith y grwpiau a'r cymunedau hynny lle mae'r niferoedd sydd wedi cael y brechlyn yn gymharol isel.
Ar hyn o bryd, mae tua 373,000 o bobl sydd heb eu brechu yng Nghymru a allai fod wedi cael y brechlyn, ac mae'r rhan fwyaf ohonyn nhw o dan 50 oed. Rŷm ni'n poeni yn arbennig am y nifer isel o fenywod beichiog sydd wedi cael eu brechu. Yn anffodus, dros y tair wythnos diwethaf, mae cynnydd wedi bod yn nifer y menywod beichiog sydd heb eu brechu sy'n cael eu derbyn i'r ysbyty. Rhywbeth arall sydd yr un mor bwysig hefyd yw gwneud yn siŵr bod pawb sy'n gymwys yn cael y pigiad atgyfnerthu, neu'r booster. Byddwn ni hefyd yn gweithio'n galed i annog pobl i gael y brechlyn rhag y ffliw, er mwyn adeiladu ar y nifer a gafodd y brechlyn y llynedd—y nifer mwyaf erioed.
Yn olaf, Dirprwy Lywydd, hoffwn i orffen y datganiad hwn drwy atgoffa pawb am y pethau y gallwn ni eu gwneud i ddiogelu ein hunain a'r rheini sy'n annwyl i ni. Os byddwch chi'n teimlo'n sâl a bod gennych chi symptomau COVID, rhaid i chi aros gartref a chael prawf PCR. Os bydd canlyniad y prawf yn bositif, rhaid i chi hunanynysu. Bydd hyn yn helpu i atal lledaeniad y feirws ddychrynllyd yma. Meddyliwch am bwy ŷch chi'n mynd i gyfarfod â nhw, a phryd. Os allwn ni i gyd dorri i lawr ar y nifer o bobl rŷm ni'n cwrdd â nhw wyneb yn wyneb, a'r amser byddwn ni'n ei dreulio gyda nhw, bydd e'n help i ni gadw'n ddiogel. Pan fydd yn bosibl, dylech chi gwrdd â phobl yn yr awyr agored, ond os byddwch chi o dan do, agorwch y drysau a'r ffenestri. Gwisgwch orchudd wyneb mewn mannau cyhoeddus lle mae llawer o bobl dan do, a golchwch eich dwylo yn rheolaidd. A gweithiwch gartref o hyd pan allwch chi wneud hynny. Rŷm ni wedi gweithio gyda'n gilydd o'r blaen, ac rŷm ni wedi newid cwrs y pandemig hwn. Gallwn ni i gyd wneud hynny eto nawr a chadw Cymru'n ddiogel gyda'n gilydd. Diolch.
Llywydd, if our modelling is correct—and it has been so far—we will be facing a peak in COVID-19 hospital admissions and cases just as the NHS winter period starts. This will put further pressure on our health and care system, a system that, as you know, is already stretched. In some parts of the UK, elective surgery has already been postponed to enable the NHS trusts to cope with pandemic pressures and with the other emergency pressures that we face.
High levels of COVID infection potentially increase the number of people who will suffer from long COVID. We don't know exactly how many people have long COVID and the evidence base is still emerging. High levels of infection also increase the risk of new variants emerging. We all remember the pain and suffering caused by the alpha, or Kent, variant during the winter, and we're now dealing with the delta variant.
As we look further ahead to the winter, there are also threats from other respiratory infections, such as RSV and seasonal flu. If we are to be successful in controlling both coronavirus and other respiratory infections this autumn and winter, we must continue to focus on improving the take-up of COVID vaccination, especially amongst those groups and communities where take-up of the vaccine is relatively low.
Currently, there are around 373,000 unvaccinated people in Wales who could have had the vaccine, and the majority of those are under 50 years of age. We're particularly worried about the low take-up of the vaccine amongst pregnant women. Unfortunately, over the past three weeks, there's been an increase in COVID-related hospital admissions amongst unvaccinated pregnant women. Just as important, we will be making sure everyone who is eligible receives the booster jab. We'll also be working hard to encourage people to receive the flu jab, to build on last year's take-up numbers—the record numbers last year.
Finally, Dirprwy Lywydd, I want to end this statement by reminding everyone about the things that we can all do to protect ourselves and our loved ones. If you're feeling unwell and you have symptoms of COVID, you must stay at home and have a PCR test. If the test is positive, you must self-isolate. This will help to prevent the spread of this awful virus. Please think about who you meet and when. If we can all cut down on the number of people we meet face to face and the time we spend with them, this will help to keep us all safe. Wherever possible, you should meet people outdoors, but if you are indoors, do open the doors and the windows. Wear a face covering in crowded and indoor public spaces, and wash your hands regularly. And, please, continue to work from home when you can. We have all worked together before, and we have changed the course of this pandemic. We can do so again now, and together we will keep Wales safe. Thank you.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Russell George.
Conservative spokesperson, Russell George.
Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Minister, can I thank you for your statement this afternoon and also for your raft of statements earlier today as well? I very much appreciated that those statements and that information came to us as Members and Members of this Senedd first, before any media outlets. That's very much appreciated.
Can I say, first of all, with regard to the JCVI vaccination advice—? Today I accept that you've made the right decision there. I believe that that's the correct approach that you've taken in following their advice in regard to the booster advice this autumn. Also, I'm very pleased that the chief medical officers of the four UK nations gave united advice together, and that's very much welcome as well. I think you've taken the right approach in that regard and the right decision in that regard of following the CMOs' advice as well.
What I am concerned about, and I'm asking for your feedback on this, is that this group of people, the 12 to 15-year-olds, and the vaccination booster programme will be running roughly round about the same time, I think I'm right to say. So, I'm concerned about the impact that that will have on running those two programmes at the same time, together, of course, with the fact that you've said yourself that the Welsh NHS is under extreme pressure at the moment. So, those three combinations together, I'd appreciate your assessment on that and how you are helping the Welsh NHS and the health boards to cope with delivering those vaccination boosters and the first dose to 12 to 15-year-olds at the same time.
Also, any useful information, as well, would be appreciated with regard to how that's going to be rolled out for 12 to 15-year-olds. Will this take place in mass vaccination centres or within schools? There are various challenges around all of those issues, but I think people will want to know how that is going to work. It certainly is a challenge to get that programme completed by October half term for all those children and parents who want to take that first dose. So, I'd appreciate any information in that regard.
You've said in your statement that, in some parts of the UK, elective surgery has already been postponed. That's happening in Wales, as I understand it, but perhaps I can ask for some confirmation on that. As I understand it, Hywel Dda health board has been postponing elective operations at the Prince Philip and Withybush hospitals to cope with a number of multiple challenges—high demand, COVID-19, staff shortages. Is that correct? Perhaps you could confirm that. Are you aware of any other health boards that are in that same position as well? Any further information on that would be appreciated.
We are seeing ambulances in long queues outside A&E units, and at the Grange, the Government's flagship hospital, at least 15 ambulances were waiting and A&E waiting times there were reportedly up to 18 hours. The Minister probably heard the comments today and questions and examples during the business statement. We're very concerned about this. In July, as I understand it, 400 patients in Wales were waiting more than 12 hours for an ambulance—that is pretty staggering; that is hugely concerning, and I think saying that is an understatement. I would go as far as to say that the ambulance service is in crisis. Does the Minister agree with that assessment? I should put on record that I pay huge tribute to the ambulance staff who are working under great, great pressure, as well.
I've raised with you on a number of occasions that we need COVID-lite surgical hubs to reduce the backlog in the Welsh NHS. We know that one in four patient pathways are now waiting over a year for treatment. The Department for Health and Social Care announced just last week that they were investing in surgical hubs to treat around 30 per cent more elective patients by 2024 and accelerate England's backlog reduction. Given the extra funding that the UK Government is providing to Wales, are you now able to confirm that you are ensuring that initiatives such as this are urgently being brought forward to help the NHS recover?
And lastly, with regard to vaccination passports, Edinburgh has a position, London has a position, Cardiff doesn't. I've heard the First Minister's response to the leader of the opposition today, and I know that you are discussing this in Cabinet this week—that was confirmed by the First Minister this morning. Can I just ask what plans you are making for vaccination passports? I'm somebody who, as a Welsh Conservative, does not agree that vaccination passports are the correct approach for ethical, legal and operational issues—I should put that firmly on the record. But if this is something that the Welsh Government are exploring and investigating, can you confirm what plans and contingencies the Welsh Government have been discussing, if any, with regard to vaccination passports? Finally, will you be bringing this to a vote to the Senedd, Minister, with regard to this important issue of vaccination passports? Diolch, Llywydd.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Gweinidog, a gaf i ddiolch i chi am eich datganiad y prynhawn yma a hefyd am eich llu o ddatganiadau yn gynharach heddiw hefyd? Roeddwn i’n gwerthfawrogi'n fawr fod y datganiadau hynny a'r wybodaeth honno wedi dod atom fel Aelodau ac Aelodau'r Senedd hon yn gyntaf, cyn unrhyw gyfryngau. Mae hynny'n cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.
A gaf fi ddweud, yn gyntaf oll, o ran cyngor brechu'r JCVI—? Heddiw rwy'n derbyn eich bod wedi gwneud y penderfyniad cywir ar hynny. Rwy'n credu eich bod wedi cymryd y dull cywir wrth ddilyn eu cyngor o ran y cyngor atgyfnerthu yr hydref hwn. Hefyd, rwy'n falch iawn bod prif swyddogion meddygol pedair gwlad y DU wedi rhoi cyngor unedig gyda'i gilydd, ac mae hynny i'w groesawu'n fawr hefyd. Rwy’n credu eich bod wedi mabwysiadu'r dull cywir yn hynny o beth a'r penderfyniad cywir yn hynny o beth o ran dilyn cyngor y prif swyddogion meddygol hefyd.
Yr hyn rwy’n pryderu amdano, ac rwy'n gofyn am eich adborth ar hyn, yw bod y grŵp hwn o bobl, y rhai 12 i 15 mlwydd oed, a'r rhaglen atgyfnerthu brechu yn cael eu cynnal tua'r un pryd, rwy'n credu fy mod yn iawn i ddweud. Felly, rwy’n pryderu am yr effaith y bydd hynny'n ei gael ar gynnal y ddwy raglen hynny ar yr un pryd, gyda'i gilydd, wrth gwrs, gyda'r ffaith eich bod wedi dweud eich hun bod GIG Cymru dan bwysau eithafol ar hyn o bryd. Felly, y tri chyfuniad hynny gyda'i gilydd, byddwn yn gwerthfawrogi eich asesiad ar hyn a sut rydych chi’n helpu GIG Cymru a'r byrddau iechyd i ymdopi â darparu'r brechlynnau atgyfnerthu hynny a'r dos cyntaf i bobl ifanc 12 i 15 mlwydd oed ar yr un pryd.
Hefyd, byddai unrhyw wybodaeth ddefnyddiol yn cael ei gwerthfawrogi o ran sut y bydd hynny'n cael ei gyflwyno ar gyfer pobl ifanc 12 i 15 mlwydd oed. A fydd hyn yn digwydd mewn canolfannau brechu torfol neu mewn ysgolion? Mae heriau amrywiol yn ymwneud â'r holl faterion hynny, ond rwy’n credu y bydd pobl yn dymuno gwybod sut y bydd yn gweithio. Mae'n sicr yn her i gwblhau'r rhaglen honno erbyn hanner tymor mis Hydref i'r holl blant a rhieni hynny sydd am gymryd y dos cyntaf hwnnw. Felly, byddwn i'n gwerthfawrogi unrhyw wybodaeth yn hynny o beth.
Rydych chi wedi dweud yn eich datganiad fod llawdriniaethau dewisol eisoes wedi'u gohirio mewn rhai rhannau o'r DU. Mae hynny'n digwydd yng Nghymru, yn ôl yr hyn rwy’n ei ddeall, ond efallai y gallaf ofyn am rywfaint o gadarnhad ar hynny. Fel rydw i’n ei ddeall, mae bwrdd iechyd Hywel Dda wedi bod yn gohirio llawdriniaethau dewisol yn ysbytai'r Tywysog Philip a Llwynhelyg i ymdopi â nifer o heriau lluosog—galw uchel, COVID-19, prinder staff. Ydy hynny'n gywir? Efallai y gallech chi gadarnhau hynny. Ydych chi’n ymwybodol o unrhyw fyrddau iechyd eraill sydd yn yr un sefyllfa hefyd? Byddai unrhyw wybodaeth bellach am hynny'n cael ei gwerthfawrogi.
Rydym yn gweld ambiwlansys mewn ciwiau hir y tu allan i unedau damweiniau ac achosion brys, ac yn y Faenor, ysbyty blaenllaw'r Llywodraeth, roedd o leiaf 15 ambiwlans yn aros ac roedd amseroedd aros ar gyfer damweiniau ac achosion brys yno hyd at 18 awr. Mae'n debyg i'r Gweinidog glywed y sylwadau heddiw a chwestiynau ac enghreifftiau yn ystod y datganiad busnes. Rydym yn bryderus iawn am hyn. Ym mis Gorffennaf, yn ôl yr hyn rwy’n ei ddeall, roedd 400 o gleifion yng Nghymru yn aros mwy na 12 awr am ambiwlans—mae hynny'n eithaf syfrdanol; mae hynny'n peri pryder mawr, ac mae hynny i ddweud y lleiaf. Byddwn i'n mynd mor bell â dweud bod y gwasanaeth ambiwlans mewn argyfwng. Ydy'r Gweinidog yn cytuno â'r asesiad hwnnw? Dylwn i gofnodi fy mod yn talu teyrnged enfawr i'r staff ambiwlans sy'n gweithio dan bwysau mawr, mawr hefyd.
Rwyf wedi codi gyda chi droeon ein bod angen canolfannau llawfeddygol sy'n ysgafn o ran COVID i leihau'r ôl-groniad yn GIG Cymru. Rydym yn gwybod bod un o bob pedwar llwybr cleifion bellach yn aros dros flwyddyn am driniaeth. Cyhoeddodd yr Adran Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol yr wythnos diwethaf eu bod yn buddsoddi mewn canolfannau llawfeddygol i drin tua 30 y cant yn fwy o gleifion dewisol erbyn 2024 a chyflymu'r gostyngiad yn ôl-groniad Lloegr. O ystyried yr arian ychwanegol mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ei ddarparu i Gymru, ydych chi nawr yn gallu cadarnhau eich bod yn sicrhau bod mentrau fel hyn yn cael eu cyflwyno ar frys i helpu'r GIG i adfer?
Ac yn olaf, o ran pasbortau brechu, mae gan Gaeredin farn, mae gan Lundain farn, ond nid oes gan Gaerdydd. Rwyf wedi clywed ymateb y Prif Weinidog i arweinydd yr wrthblaid heddiw, a gwn eich bod yn trafod hyn yn y Cabinet yr wythnos hon—cadarnhawyd hynny gan y Prif Weinidog y bore yma. A gaf i ofyn pa gynlluniau ydych chi’n eu gwneud ar gyfer pasbortau brechu? Rydw i’n rhywun, fel Ceidwadwr Cymreig, nad yw’n cytuno mai pasbortau brechu yw'r dull cywir o ymdrin â materion moesegol, cyfreithiol a gweithredol—dylwn i gofnodi hynny'n gadarn. Ond os yw hyn yn rhywbeth mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei archwilio ac yn ymchwilio iddo, a allwch chi gadarnhau pa gynlluniau a chynlluniau wrth gefn mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn eu trafod, os o gwbl, o ran pasbortau brechu? Yn olaf, a fyddwch yn dod â hyn i bleidlais i'r Senedd, Weinidog, o ran y mater pwysig hwn o basbortau brechu? Diolch, Llywydd.
I'm very pleased that you agree with our position in relation to the booster vaccination. The fact is that we've been ready to roll out the booster vaccination for a long time in Wales. We've been waiting for that JCVI advice for a very long time, which is why we are able, now, to press the button. Those invitations will be going out at the beginning of next week, and hopefully, the first people will be coming through in the following week. So, we're all ready to run. You're quite right; it's going to be a real challenge to get that done at the same time as the vaccination for the 12 to 15-year-olds. But we have been planning for this; we've got all of the plans in place. We've been working with health boards for a very long time and they're all ready to roll. So, I'm very confident that that is not going to be a problem to run both of those in parallel.
In terms of the practicalities of how that's going to happen, most of it in relation to 12 to 15-year-olds will probably take place via mass vaccination centres, but there will be some examples where this is done, in particular, in some of the larger schools. So, that will be available to them. There will be an opportunity, therefore, in the mass vaccination centres for the children to be accompanied by their parents. Obviously, they will then have the opportunity to hear the pros and cons of this situation. Of course, it is a voluntary situation that we are talking about. We are not talking about compulsory vaccinations.
In relation to elective surgery, you are quite right to point out that, already, some elective surgery has been postponed in Hywel Dda. That is also true in Betsi Cadwaladr. I was speaking to some of the health workers in Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd last week. They are under incredible pressure. As you know, they have now stopped visiting into those hospitals and others around Wales because of the community spread of COVID.
You are quite right; waiting times are extremely difficult at the moment. Actually, a lot of the pressure on the NHS at the moment is because we are unable to get patients from hospital who are ready to be discharged. There are over 1,000 patients in hospital at the moment who could be discharged, but because of the brittle state of the care sector, they are unable to be discharged. So, we are spending a lot of time at the moment really focused on this, having weekly meetings with representatives of the Welsh Local Government Association and with health boards, to make sure that we can address what is actually a short-term issue before we address the longer term plan, now that we have got a better sense of what the future looks like, certainly in terms of financing from the UK Government.
The same is true for accident and emergency. There is a very active team within the Welsh Government just keeping the pressure on. There is a plan in place to address these issues, so that is being acted upon. But, it is very difficult if there are no beds. That's the bottom line. You can't offload people if there are no beds, so that's something that we are trying to address urgently.
In relation to surgical hubs, you will have heard over the summer that we have announced an extra £140 million to address the situation in relation to the backlog, on top of the £100 million that's already been announced. I was fortunate enough to have a conversation yesterday with representatives from the Royal College of Surgeons, who were giving me their ideas in terms of how we should be addressing this issue. Regional centres are certainly something that we are considering, and we are just working through the proposals that have come from health boards at the moment.
In relation to vaccine passports, we have already been deliberating on this issue. There are, as you say, a lot of practical and ethical issues for us to consider, which is why we haven't come to a conclusion on this yet. What I can tell you is that, if we were to go down this route, it is not something that you can just switch on—make a decision one day, and see it enacted the next. So, that's why you will need to think about putting, possibly, some legislation in place. So, there are lots of things to consider in this space. That is something that is still under consideration. So, I can't give you a final answer on that, but hopefully, by the end of this week, the First Minister will be able to make an announcement on that.
Rwy'n falch iawn eich bod yn cytuno â'n safbwynt mewn perthynas â'r brechiad atgyfnerthu. Y gwir amdani yw ein bod wedi bod yn barod i gyflwyno'r brechiad atgyfnerthu ers amser maith yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi bod yn aros am y cyngor hwnnw gan y Cyd-bwyllgor ar Imiwneiddio a Brechu am amser hir iawn, a dyna pam y gallwn ni, yn awr, bwyso'r botwm. Bydd y gwahoddiadau hynny'n mynd allan ddechrau'r wythnos nesaf, a gobeithio y bydd y bobl gyntaf yn dod drwodd yn yr wythnos ganlynol. Felly, rydyn ni i gyd yn barod i fynd. Rydych chi yn llygad eich lle; mae'n mynd i fod yn her wirioneddol i wneud hynny ar yr un pryd â'r brechiad ar gyfer pobl ifanc 12 i 15 mlwydd oed. Ond rydym wedi bod yn cynllunio ar gyfer hyn; mae’r holl gynlluniau ar waith gennym ni. Rydym wedi bod yn gweithio gyda byrddau iechyd ers amser maith ac maen nhw i gyd yn barod i'w cyflwyno. Felly, rwy'n hyderus iawn nad yw'n mynd i fod yn broblem i redeg y ddau beth ochr yn ochr.
O ran ymarferoldeb sut y bydd hynny'n digwydd, mae'n debyg y bydd y rhan fwyaf ohono o ran plant 12 i 15 mlwydd oed yn digwydd drwy ganolfannau brechu torfol, ond bydd rhai enghreifftiau lle gwneir hyn, yn arbennig, yn rhai o'r ysgolion mwy. Felly, bydd hynny ar gael iddynt. Bydd cyfle, felly, yn y canolfannau brechu torfol i'r plant fod yng nghwmni eu rhieni. Yn amlwg, byddan nhw wedyn yn cael cyfle i glywed manteision ac anfanteision y sefyllfa hon. Wrth gwrs, sefyllfa wirfoddol yr ydym ni'n sôn amdani. Nid ydym yn sôn am frechiadau gorfodol.
O ran llawdriniaethau dewisol, rydych chi’n llygad eich lle wrth dynnu sylw at y ffaith bod rhywfaint o lawdriniaethau dewisol eisoes wedi'u gohirio yn Hywel Dda. Mae hynny'n wir hefyd yn Betsi Cadwaladr. Roeddwn i’n siarad â rhai o'r gweithwyr iechyd yng Nglan Clwyd ac Ysbyty Gwynedd yr wythnos diwethaf. Maen nhw dan bwysau anhygoel. Fel y gwyddoch chi, maen nhw bellach wedi atal ymwelwyr â'r ysbytai hynny ac eraill ledled Cymru oherwydd lledaeniad COVID yn y gymuned.
Rydych chi’n llygad eich lle; mae amseroedd aros yn anodd iawn ar hyn o bryd. Mewn gwirionedd, mae llawer o'r pwysau ar y GIG ar hyn o bryd oherwydd na allwn gael cleifion sy'n barod i gael eu rhyddhau allan o'r ysbyty. Mae dros 1,000 o gleifion yn yr ysbyty ar hyn o bryd y gellid eu rhyddhau, ond oherwydd cyflwr llwm y sector gofal, ni ellir eu rhyddhau. Felly, rydym yn treulio llawer o amser ar hyn o bryd yn canolbwyntio'n wirioneddol ar hyn, gan gael cyfarfodydd wythnosol gyda chynrychiolwyr Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a gyda byrddau iechyd, i sicrhau y gallwn fynd i'r afael â'r hyn sy'n fater tymor byr mewn gwirionedd cyn i ni fynd i'r afael â'r cynllun tymor hwy, nawr fod gennym well ymdeimlad o sut mae’r dyfodol yn edrych, yn sicr o ran cyllid gan Lywodraeth y DU.
Mae'r un peth yn wir am adrannau damweiniau ac achosion brys. Mae tîm gweithgar iawn o fewn Llywodraeth Cymru yn cadw'r pwysau ymlaen. Mae cynllun ar waith i fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn, felly rydym yn gweithredu ar hynny. Ond, mae'n anodd iawn os nad oes gwelyau. Dyna'r llinell sylfaen. Allwch chi ddim gadael i bobl fynd os nad oes gwelyau, felly mae hynny'n rhywbeth rydyn ni’n ceisio mynd i'r afael ag ef ar frys.
O ran canolfannau llawfeddygol, byddwch wedi clywed dros yr haf ein bod wedi cyhoeddi £140 miliwn ychwanegol i fynd i'r afael â'r sefyllfa mewn perthynas â'r ôl-groniad, ar ben y £100 miliwn sydd eisoes wedi'i gyhoeddi. Roeddwn i’n ddigon ffodus i gael sgwrs ddoe gyda chynrychiolwyr o Goleg Brenhinol y Llawfeddygon, a roddodd eu syniadau i mi o ran sut y dylem fod yn mynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn. Mae canolfannau rhanbarthol yn sicr yn rhywbeth rydyn ni’n ei ystyried, ac rydym yn gweithio drwy'r cynigion sydd wedi dod gan fyrddau iechyd ar hyn o bryd.
O ran pasbortau brechu, rydym eisoes wedi bod yn trafod y mater hwn. Fel rydych chi’n ei ddweud, mae llawer o faterion ymarferol a moesegol i ni eu hystyried, a dyna pam nad ydym wedi dod i gasgliad ar hyn eto. Yr hyn y gallaf ei ddweud wrthych yw, pe byddem yn dilyn y llwybr hwn, nad yw'n rhywbeth y gallwch ei droi ymlaen ar ddim — gwneud penderfyniad un diwrnod, a'i weld yn cael ei roi ar waith y diwrnod nesaf. Felly, dyna pam y bydd angen i chi feddwl am roi rhywfaint o ddeddfwriaeth ar waith, o bosibl. Felly, mae llawer o bethau i'w hystyried yn y gofod hwn. Mae hynny'n rhywbeth sy'n dal i gael ei ystyried. Felly, ni allaf roi ateb terfynol i chi ar hynny, ond gobeithio, erbyn diwedd yr wythnos hon, y bydd y Prif Weinidog yn gallu gwneud cyhoeddiad ar hynny.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Ie, mae yna bethau sydd heb gael eu setlo eto—vaccine passports yn un o'r rheini. Dwi'n meddwl bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn iawn i gadw'r opsiwn ar agor. Dwi'n gweld bod Sajid Javid yn San Steffan wedi cadarnhau y bydd Llywodraeth Geidwadol Prydain yn cadw hwn fel opsiwn ar gyfer plan B ar gyfer y gaeaf. Felly, gwahaniaeth barn rhwng Ceidwadwyr Cymru a Cheidwadwyr yn Llywodraeth Prydain yn hynny o beth.
Ond, os gwnaf i droi at y pethau sydd wedi cael eu cyhoeddi heddiw a dros y dyddiau diwethaf, dwi'n croesawu'r cyhoeddiad ynglŷn â'r boosters. Dwi'n croesawu'r penderfyniad hefyd o ran brechu, a chynnig y brechiad, i blant rhwng 12 a 15 oed. Dwi'n nodi, yn arbennig, groeso cynnes iawn y Coleg Brenhinol Pediatreg ac Iechyd Plant i hwn fel cam i warchod lles ehangach plant a phobl ifanc. A gaf i ofyn y cwestiwn yma ar hynny: pa adnoddau a chefnogaeth fydd yn cael eu rhoi i rieni a theuluoedd a phlant er mwyn eu galluogi nhw i ddod i benderfyniad ynglŷn â'r brechiad?
Mi fydd hyn yn cymryd amser rŵan, wrth gwrs. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen at weld rhagor o fanylion ynglŷn â'r broses frechu i'r grŵp yma. Ond rydym ni, wrth gwrs, yn gwybod yn y cyfamser fod nifer yr achosion yn dal i gynyddu. Mae yna ddwy sir heddiw wedi rhoi ysgolion yn y categori risg uchaf—Abertawe a Chastell-nedd Port Talbot—efo nifer o gyfyngiadau yn disgwyl i gael eu cyflwyno yn yr ysgolion yn y siroedd hynny. Ydych chi'n disgwyl i hyn ddod yn gam cyffredin i'w gymryd ym mhob rhan o Gymru?
A hefyd, tra rydym ni’n dal i chwilio am warchodaeth frys i ysgolion, dwi’n falch bod y Llywodraeth wedi gwneud tro pedol ar y cyhoeddiad ar beiriannau osôn. Mi wnes i godi pryderon, a llawer iawn o bobl eraill, ynglŷn â’r dewis rhyfedd yma o’r dechnoleg honno. Dwi yn gofyn yn daer i’r Gweinidog edrych ar dechnolegau eraill mae gennym ni fwy o brofiad o’u defnyddio nhw. Dwi wedi sôn wrth y Gweinidog o’r blaen ynglŷn â golau uwchfioled. Dwi wedi bod yn darllen ac yn cymryd diddordeb mawr mewn peiriannau ffiltro awyr sy’n cael eu defnyddio’n eang iawn erbyn hyn, yn cynnwys yn Efrog Newydd lle maen nhw’n cael eu defnyddio’n eang. Ydy’r Gweinidog yn barod i edrych ar hynny ac yn barod i wrando ar a darllen gwybodaeth y gallwn i ei rhannu efo’r Gweinidog ynglŷn â darparwyr posibl peiriannau o’r math yna?
Cwpl o faterion eraill. Dwi’n croesawu’r cyfeiriad at COVID hir ac yn dal i wthio’r Llywodraeth i wneud yn siŵr bod Cymru’n bod yn flaengar wrth drio dod i ddeall mwy am y cyflwr yma a’r camau sydd angen eu cymryd i warchod pobl sydd wedi dioddef yn hir iawn, rhai ohonyn nhw, ac yn ddwys iawn, llawer ohonyn nhw, yn sgil contractio’r feirws yma.
Ond dwi eisiau gorffen drwy edrych ar y pwysau ehangach ar yr NHS. Mae fy niolch i a phawb mor fawr i bawb sydd yn gweithio o fewn gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal. Mi glywsom ni gyfeiriad at y gwasanaethau ambiwlans sydd o dan bwysau rhyfeddol ar hyn o bryd, ond ar draws yr holl wasanaethau mae ein diolch ni yn fawr, ac mae yna gwestiynau mawr ynglŷn â chamau sydd angen eu cymryd ar frys er mwyn gwarchod ein gwasanaethau ni.
Un peth fyddwn i’n licio ei glywed ydy ymrwymiad i roi llawer gwell data i weld beth sy’n digwydd yn union mewn ysbytai, yn benodol y berthynas rhwng faint o bobl sydd mewn ysbytai, mewn adrannau gofal dwys, sy’n colli eu bywydau hyd yn oed, sydd wedi cael y brechiad ac sydd ddim. Dwi’n meddwl y byddai hynny’n ddefnyddiol i ni allu cael darlun gwell a mwy deallus o’r hyn sy’n digwydd o ran y feirws ar hyn o bryd.
Ac o ran y pwysau ar ein hysbytai ni, dwi’n deall bod Ysbyty Abergele wedi penderfynu cau oherwydd pwysau yn yr ysbytai cyffredinol. O bosib gall y Gweinidog gadarnhau hynny, a’r ffaith bod triniaethau elective orthopedig yn y fan honno eto yn cael eu gohirio. Allwn ni ddim fforddio colli mwy o amser trin pobl non-COVID achos mae yna argyfwng gennym ni yn barod. Dwi’n apelio yn y fan hyn am gynllun sy’n gwarchod yr elfen yna o’n darpariaeth iechyd ni, achos wrth i ni wynebu’r gaeaf yma, lle rydym ni’n cael problem bob amser, mae yna beryg rŵan bod y problemau yn dwysáu fwy fyth, a dyna pam ei bod hi’n hen bryd sicrhau bod y gweithgarwch non-COVID yna yn gallu parhau heb fwy o rwystr na sydd raid.
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. Yes, there are things that haven't been decided yet. Vaccine passports are one of those things. I think that the Welsh Government is correct to keep the option open. I note that Sajid Javid in Westminster today has confirmed that the Conservative UK Government will keep this as an option for plan B for the winter. So, a difference of opinion between the Welsh Conservatives and the Conservatives in the UK Government in that regard.
But, if I can turn to the things that have been announced today and over the past few days, I welcome the announcement with regard to the boosters. I welcome the decision too in terms of vaccination, and offering the vaccine to children between 12 and 15 years of age. I note, in particular, the warm welcome of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for this as a step to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people. May I ask this question on that: what resources and support will be given to parents and families and children to enable them to make a decision regarding vaccination?
This will take time now, of course. I look forward to seeing more detail on the vaccination process for this cohort. But, we know in the meantime, of course, that the number of cases is still increasing. There are two counties today that have placed schools in the highest risk category—Neath Port Talbot and Swansea—with a number of restrictions expected to be introduced in schools in those counties. Do you expect this to become a common step to be taken in all parts of Wales?
And also, as we are still seeking the emergency protections for schools, I am pleased that the Government has made a u-turn on the announcement on ozone machines. I raised concerns, as did many other people, regarding this strange choice of that technology. I ask you, as Minister, to look at the other technologies that we have more experience of using. I’ve talked to the Minister before about UV light; I’ve been reading and taking an interest in air filtration machines, which are used very widely now, including in New York, where they’re used very widely. Is the Minister willing to look at that and willing to listen to and read information that I could provide to the Minister, in terms of potential providers of those kinds of machines?
A few other issues. I welcome the reference to long COVID and I still press the Government to ensure that Wales is in the vanguard in trying to understand more about this condition and the steps that need to be taken to safeguard people who have suffered for a very long time, some of them, and very intensely, some of them, as a result of contracting this virus.
But I want to conclude by looking at the wider pressure on the NHS. My thanks to everyone are so great, to everyone within the health services and care. We heard earlier reference to the ambulance service, which is under huge pressure at the moment, but across all of the health services and care services, our thanks are great, and there are questions about the steps that need to be taken as a matter of urgency to protect our health services.
One thing that I would like to hear more about is a commitment to provide much better data to understand what is happening in hospitals, particularly the relationship between the number of people in hospitals, in intensive care units, who lose their lives even, who’ve received the vaccine and those who haven’t. I think that would be useful for us to get a better picture and a more informed picture in terms of what’s happening with regard to the virus at the moment.
In terms of the pressure on our hospitals, I understand that Abergele Hospital has decided to close because of pressure in general hospitals. Perhaps the Minister could confirm that, along with the fact that elective orthopaedic surgeries there have again been postponed. We can’t afford to lose more time in treating non-COVID cases because we already have a crisis in that regard. I appeal here for a plan that safeguards that element of our health provision, because as we face the winter, where we always have a problem, there is a danger now that the problems will become even more intensive, and that’s why it’s high time to ensure that non-COVID activity can continue without more barriers than are needed.
Diolch yn fawr. Gallaf gadarnhau, beth bynnag yw penderfyniad yr wythnos yma o ran y Cabinet, fy mod i'n siŵr bydd vaccine passports yn aros ar y bwrdd. Os na fyddwn ni’n mynd amdano, bydd e yno er mwyn i ni ei gysidro yn y dyfodol. Dydyn ni ddim wedi dod i benderfyniad. Mae hi’n benderfyniad anodd.
Dwi yn falch eich bod chi’n cytuno gyda ni o ran y penderfyniad ar y boosters ac ar y brechlynnau i blant. Mae'r CMOs wedi’i gwneud hi’n glir eu bod nhw eisiau gweld gwybodaeth ar gael ar gyfer rhieni sy’n dod o arbenigwyr, felly ein bod ni’n cael y wybodaeth gywir, bod pobl yn gallu pwyso a mesur beth sydd angen ei gysidro cyn bod eu plant nhw’n cael y brechlyn. Hefyd, dwi wedi bod yn siarad gyda'r comisiynydd plant, sy'n awyddus iawn i wneud yn siwr bod y ffordd mae hynny'n cael ei gyflwyno i blant yn rhywbeth sy'n ddealladwy iddyn nhw. Felly, mae hynny'n sicr yn rhywbeth mi fyddwn ni'n ei wneud.
O ran yr ysgolion, wrth gwrs, mae yna fframwaith mewn lle, achos roedden ni'n rhagweld y byddai sefyllfa fel yr un rŷn ni wedi'i gweld yn Abertawe a Chastell-nedd yn codi. Felly, dwi'n falch bod hynny wedi dechrau hyd yn oed cyn yr amserlen yr oeddem ni wedi'i rhagweld. Dwi'n gwybod bod yr Aelod wedi bod yn awyddus i sicrhau ein bod ni'n cymryd mesurau i wella safon yr awyr yn ein hysgolion ni. Felly, dwi’n falch eich bod chi wedi gweld ein bod ni wedi gwneud cyhoeddiad ar sut rŷn ni'n mynd i fynd ati i wneud hynny. Dwi'n barod i edrych ar bethau eraill o ran ffiltro awyr, felly os oes unrhyw wybodaeth gyda chi, rwy'n hapus ichi anfon hynny ataf i.
O ran COVID hir, dwi'n ymwybodol iawn bod yna broblem fan hyn. Dŷn ni ddim cweit yn siŵr o'r hyd a lled ohoni, ac un o'r rhesymau pam roeddwn i'n barod i dderbyn canllawiau gan y CMOs oedd achos fy mod i wedi darllen bod un mewn saith o blant yn gallu dioddef o COVID hir. Felly, roedd hwnna'n rhan o'r penderfyniad o'm safbwynt i.
O ran data, dwi'n siŵr gallwn ni gael mwy o ddata ynglŷn â faint sydd yn ein hysbytai a faint sydd wedi cael y brechlyn, a faint sydd yn ein ITUs ni. Dwi'n meddwl, o beth dwi wedi'i weld, mae lot o comorbidity yn bodoli hefyd. Hyd yn oed pobl sydd wedi cael y brechlyn, mae lot ohonyn nhw gyda phroblemau eraill—y rhai sydd yn dioddef o COVID ac yn mynd i mewn i'n hysbytai ni—felly'r rheini sy'n dioddef fwyaf. Ond dwi'n hapus i edrych i weld os gallwn ni dorri hynny i lawr. Wrth gwrs, mae pob bwrdd iechyd yn ei wneud ychydig yn wahanol.
Mae'n wir i ddweud bod ysbytai ar hyd a lled y gogledd wedi dechrau gohirio elective surgery erbyn hyn. Roedd hwn yn neges glir ces i o'r Royal College of Surgeons ddoe: a fyddai hyn yn rhywbeth rŷn ni'n barod i'w weld, lle rŷn ni jest yn sicrhau bod yna gwelyau rŷn ni'n eu paratoi ac yn eu cadw, fel ein bod ni'n gallu cadw ymlaen gyda'r elective surgeries? Felly, mae hwnna, yn sicr, ar ôl y drafodaeth neithiwr, yn rhywbeth dwi'n awyddus i drafod ymhellach gyda'm swyddogion i.
Thank you very much. I can confirm that, whatever the decision taken this week in Cabinet, I’m sure vaccine passports will remain on the table. If we don’t progress with them, they will remain an option for the future. We’ve yet to come to a decision. It is a difficult decision.
I’m pleased that you agree with us in terms of the decision on boosters and vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds. The CMOs have made it clear that they want to see information made available to parents, provided by experts, so that we get the right information out there, so that people can weigh up what needs to be considered before their child is vaccinated. I have also spoken to the children’s commissioner, who’s very eager to ensure that the way in which this is presented to children can be understood by them. That is certainly something we will be doing.
In terms of schools, of course, there is a framework in place, because we had anticipated that a situation similar to the one in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot would arise. So, I’m pleased that that has started even before the timetable that we had anticipated. I know that the Member has been eager to ensure that we do take steps to improve air quality in our schools. So, I'm pleased that you've seen that we made an announcement on how we're going to do that. I am willing to look at issues around air filtration, so if you do have any information, I'd be pleased if you'd send that to me.
In terms of long COVID, I am highly aware that there is a problem here. We don't quite know the extent of the problem, and one of the reasons that I was willing to accept guidance from the CMOs was because I had read that one in seven children could suffer long COVID. So, that was a factor in my decision making.
In terms of data, I'm sure we could provide more data in terms of how many of the people in our hospitals have been vaccinated and have not, and how many in our ITUs. From what I've seen, there's a great deal of comorbidity too. So, people who have been vaccinated, they also have other problems, and they seem to be the ones suffering from COVID and are entering our hospitals; they are suffering the most, perhaps. But I'll be happy to look at whether we could break that down. Because, of course, every health board works slightly differently in that regard.
It's true to say that hospitals across north Wales have started to postpone elective surgery now. This was a clear message that I received from the Royal College of Surgeons yesterday as to whether this would be something we would be willing to see, where we just ensure that there are beds retained so that we can continue with elective surgeries. So, certainly, after yesterday evening's discussion, it's something I'd be ready to discuss further with my officials.
Thank you for the statement, Minister. I'd firstly like to commend those who have been at the fore of rolling out the vaccine across Wales, and those staff working to keep us safe, as well, with the number, as you say, of COVID cases and hospitalisations continuing to rise.
I note that health boards in our region have spoken over the weekend about a perfect storm of COVID hospitalisations, sickness absence and staff vacancies. It is, as I'm sure you would agree, absolutely essential that staff and patients are clear on what the recovery plan looks like, not least for those 600,000 people who are still waiting for treatments. People in Wales have stuck to the rules to help to keep them, their families and their communities safe, but despite that, COVID cases and hospitalisations have continued to rise.
Minister, I just have this question: could you please comment on the working relationship with the UK Government with regard to public messaging around the prevalence of COVID in our communities? Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch i chi am y datganiad, Gweinidog. Yn gyntaf, hoffwn ganmol y rhai sydd wedi bod ar flaen y gad o ran cyflwyno'r brechlyn ledled Cymru, a'r staff hynny sy'n gweithio i'n cadw'n ddiogel, hefyd, gyda'r nifer, fel rydych chi'n ei ddweud, o achosion COVID a derbyniadau i'r ysbyty yn parhau i godi.
Rwy'n sylwi bod byrddau iechyd yn ein rhanbarth ni wedi siarad dros y penwythnos am storm berffaith o dderbyniadau COVID i ysbytai, absenoldeb oherwydd salwch a swyddi gwag staff. Fel y byddech, rwy'n siŵr, yn cytuno, mae'n gwbl hanfodol bod staff a chleifion yn glir ynghylch sut olwg sydd ar y cynllun adfer, yn enwedig i'r 600,000 o bobl hynny sy'n dal i aros am driniaethau. Mae pobl yng Nghymru wedi cadw at y rheolau i helpu i'w cadw nhw, eu teuluoedd a'u cymunedau'n ddiogel, ond er gwaethaf hynny, mae achosion COVID a derbyniadau i'r ysbyty wedi parhau i godi.
Gweinidog, dim ond y cwestiwn hwn sydd gen i: a wnewch chi roi sylwadau ar y berthynas waith â Llywodraeth y DU o ran negeseuon cyhoeddus ynghylch nifer yr achosion o COVID yn ein cymunedau? Diolch. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch yn fawr. Thank you, Jane, and lovely to see you back, as it is to see so many people back, and it's great to see a few more people in the Chamber.
I would like to extend my thanks, as you've extended yours, to the incredible vaccination teams we have, up and down the country, who have done a truly magnificent job, and I hope they're all ready to go at it again with the enthusiasm that they have in the past. It's been slightly frustrating, if I'm honest, to have been at the front of the pack, although we know it wasn't a race, but we were at the front of the pack and then having to wait for this decision from the JCVI. But we will get up and running as soon as we can.
I did note the comments of the chair of the Hywel Dda health board also, talking about the perfect storm, and I think she's correct to describe this storm that is hitting our NHS at the moment as the perfect storm, noting of course, some of the points that you've made, that there are real recruitment issues; that there are real staffing issues; that there are issues in terms of people who've been waiting a long time for surgery; people who have acute illnesses. So, there are all kinds of issues that are hitting our health boards currently, and, of course, we need to stand by them. And the best way we can stand by them is by making sure that the constituents that we represent actually do their very best to try and avoid going to A&E or to GP surgeries unless they have to, because the pressure is genuinely intense at the moment. Of course, those services do remain open always for emergencies, and I'd just like to underline that as well.
In terms of recovery plans, of course we do have a broad recovery plan that we had set out before the election. It's very difficult to get going with that recovery plan if you keep on getting battered by another wave, but, of course, we will keep an eye on those and we'll update those where necessary.
In terms of the working relationship with the UK Government, let's just say it ebbs and flows. So, I do have fairly regular meetings with the Minister of the four nations of the UK, in particular in relation to health. I think the messages, if I were honest, I think ours are slightly stricter, I hope, to the Welsh public, just to make sure that they do understand the very real dangers of the spread of COVID at the moment within our communities. But, ultimately, we've got to understand that we are very interconnected as a nation, and what happens in England is likely to have an impact on us here in Wales. So, we do need those rates in England to come down, as we do need them to come down in Wales.
Diolch yn fawr. Diolch, Jane, ac mae'n hyfryd eich gweld chi yn ôl, fel y mae i weld cymaint o bobl yn ôl, ac mae'n wych gweld ychydig mwy o bobl yn y Siambr.
Hoffwn estyn fy niolch, fel yr ydych chi wedi ymestyn eich un chi, i'r timau brechu anhygoel sydd gennym, ar hyd a lled y wlad, sydd wedi gwneud gwaith gwirioneddol wych, a gobeithio eu bod i gyd yn barod i fynd ati eto gyda'r brwdfrydedd sydd wedi bod ganddyn nhw yn y gorffennol. Mae wedi bod ychydig yn rhwystredig, os ydw i'n onest, i fod wedi bod ar flaen y gad, er ein bod yn gwybod nad oedd yn ras, ond roeddem ar flaen y gad ac yna'n gorfod aros am y penderfyniad hwn gan y Cyd-bwyllgor ar Imiwneiddio a Brechu. Ond byddwn ni'n cael ein hunain yn barod cyn gynted ag y gallwn.
Sylwais ar sylwadau cadeirydd bwrdd iechyd Hywel Dda hefyd, yn sôn am y storm berffaith, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn gywir disgrifio'r storm hon sy'n taro ein GIG ar hyn o bryd fel y storm berffaith, gan nodi wrth gwrs, rai o'r pwyntiau yr ydych chi wedi'u gwneud, bod problemau recriwtio gwirioneddol; bod problemau staffio gwirioneddol; bod problemau o ran pobl sydd wedi bod yn aros yn hir am lawdriniaeth; pobl sydd ag afiechydon acíwt. Felly, mae pob math o faterion sy'n taro ein byrddau iechyd ar hyn o bryd, ac, wrth gwrs, mae angen inni eu cefnogi. A'r ffordd orau y gallwn ni eu cefnogi yw drwy sicrhau bod yr etholwyr yr ydym ni'n eu cynrychioli yn gwneud eu gorau glas i geisio osgoi mynd i'r adran damweiniau ac achosion brys neu i feddygfeydd meddygon teulu oni bai bod yn rhaid iddyn nhw, oherwydd bod y pwysau'n wirioneddol ddwys ar hyn o bryd. Wrth gwrs, mae'r gwasanaethau hynny'n parhau i fod ar agor bob amser ar gyfer argyfyngau, a hoffwn danlinellu hynny hefyd.
O ran cynlluniau adfer, wrth gwrs mae gennym gynllun adfer eang yr oeddem ni wedi'i nodi cyn yr etholiad. Mae'n anodd iawn bwrw ymlaen â'r cynllun adfer hwnnw os byddwch yn parhau i gael eich taro gan don arall, ond, wrth gwrs, byddwn yn cadw llygad ar y rheini a byddwn yn diweddaru'r rheini pan fo angen.
O ran y berthynas waith â Llywodraeth y DU, gadewch i ni ddweud ei bod yn mynd a dod. Felly, rwy'n cael cyfarfodydd eithaf rheolaidd gyda Gweinidog pedair gwlad y DU, yn enwedig o ran iechyd. Rwy'n credu bod y negeseuon, pe bawn yn onest, rwy'n credu bod ein rhai ni ychydig yn fwy llym, gobeithio, i'r cyhoedd yng Nghymru, dim ond i sicrhau eu bod yn deall peryglon gwirioneddol lledaeniad COVID ar hyn o bryd yn ein cymunedau. Ond, yn y pen draw, mae'n rhaid i ni ddeall ein bod yn gydgysylltiedig iawn fel cenedl, ac mae'r hyn sy'n digwydd yn Lloegr yn debygol o gael effaith arnom ni yma yng Nghymru. Felly, mae angen i'r cyfraddau hynny yn Lloegr ostwng, fel y mae angen iddyn nhw ddod i lawr yng Nghymru.
Minister, I hear your comments around elective surgery and getting people out of hospital to free up beds, but my colleague Russell George asked you a question—do you agree that the Welsh ambulance service is in crisis—and I'd be really grateful if you could answer that comment.
But, Minister, even before the pandemic, we were seeing waiting list times increasing, with people right across Wales living with life-changing pain. Over the pandemic, people understood that there would be delays, but it comes to a point where we do need to start to treat people. I know first hand what this is like. Someone very close to me was a fit and health person no more than two years ago. They've been waiting for a hip operation, and now, they're on the strongest type of painkillers that doctors can prescribe, and they cannot even get out of bed in the morning without assistance from friends and family. I hear cases like this on a daily basis from my constituents, who are taking out loans and remortgaging their homes so they can access private treatment, so that they can live a pain-free life. After years of paying into the system, this simply cannot continue to happen. You told me months ago that people would need to be understanding, you've put extra money into the system and that we would need to manage expectations. But I think the time has now come to take urgent action, and I ask you: what steps can you take to address this issue before some people will be confined to a life of agony and suffering? Diolch, Deputy Llywydd.
Gweinidog, rwy'n clywed eich sylwadau ynghylch llawdriniaeth ddewisol a chael pobl allan o'r ysbyty i ryddhau gwelyau, ond gofynnodd fy nghyd-Aelod Russell George gwestiwn i chi—ydych chi'n cytuno bod gwasanaeth ambiwlans Cymru mewn argyfwng—a byddwn i'n ddiolchgar iawn pe gallech chi ateb y sylw hwnnw.
Ond, Gweinidog, hyd yn oed cyn y pandemig, roeddem ni'n gweld amseroedd rhestrau aros yn cynyddu, a phobl ledled Cymru yn byw gyda phoen sy'n newid bywydau. Dros y pandemig, roedd pobl yn deall y byddai oedi, ond mae'n dod i bwynt lle mae angen i ni ddechrau trin pobl. Rwy'n gwybod yn uniongyrchol sut beth yw hyn. Roedd rhywun agos iawn i mi yn berson ffit ac iach ddim mwy na dwy flynedd yn ôl. Maen nhw wedi bod yn aros am lawdriniaeth clun, ac yn awr, maen nhw ar y math cryfaf o gyffuriau lladd poen y gall meddygon eu rhagnodi, ac ni all hyd yn oed godi allan o'r gwely yn y bore heb gymorth gan ffrindiau a theulu. Rwy'n clywed am achosion fel hyn yn ddyddiol gan fy etholwyr, sy'n cymryd benthyciadau ac yn ailforgeisio eu cartrefi er mwyn gallu cael triniaeth breifat, er mwyn iddyn nhw allu byw bywyd di-boen. Ar ôl blynyddoedd o dalu i mewn i'r system, ni all hyn barhau i ddigwydd. Fe wnaethoch chi ddweud wrthyf fisoedd yn ôl y byddai angen i bobl fod yn amyneddgar, eich bod wedi rhoi arian ychwanegol i'r system ac y byddai angen i ni reoli disgwyliadau. Ond rwy'n credu bod yr amser wedi dod nawr i gymryd camau brys, ac rwy'n gofyn i chi: pa gamau allwch chi eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn cyn y bydd rhai pobl yn cael eu cyfyngu i fywyd o ofid a dioddefaint? Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Thanks very much, James. And I acknowledge that there is real pressure on the ambulance service at the moment, but, no, I wouldn't describe it as a crisis at the moment. I think it's really important for us to understand that the pressures are very much intense. The issue, of course—. I'm very understanding of the fact that there are 620,000 operations that need to be carried out in Wales. I'm acutely aware of that, let me tell you, as the health Minister. I know that every one of those people is an individual who, like your friend, is suffering in pain, and it's my responsibility to relieve them of that pain, and I don't want to be in a situation where you can only be relieved of that pain if you can access the private sector. That is not the place we want to be as a Government, and certainly we are determined to address this issue.
You will have heard that we have announced £240 million over this summer to address these issues, but, frankly, the biggest problem that we're confronting at the moment is the fact that there are no beds in the hospitals because we can't get them out of hospital because there is an issue within the care service. Although I wouldn't describe it as a crisis at the moment—the care service—it's coming pretty close, and therefore my attention at the moment, along with my colleague Julie Morgan, is absolutely to try and do what we can to get through this winter in relation to care. We've had a massive recruitment campaign over the past three weeks, trying to attract people to what is an incredibly rewarding job, trying to get more people into that sector, so that we can release the over 1,000 people who are in our hospitals at the moment who are ready to go home. So, we need to provide that support, and that's what we're focusing our attention on at the moment. We are having weekly meetings, as I say, with representatives of the Welsh Local Government Association and health boards to make sure that everybody understands where the responsibility lies, and the fact that this needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, James. Ac rwy'n cydnabod bod pwysau gwirioneddol ar y gwasanaeth ambiwlans ar hyn o bryd, ond, na, ni fyddwn i'n ei ddisgrifio fel argyfwng ar hyn o bryd. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn i ni ddeall bod y pwysau'n ddwys iawn. Y mater, wrth gwrs—. Rwy'n deall yn iawn y ffaith bod 620,000 o lawdriniaethau y mae angen eu cynnal yng Nghymru. Rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o hynny, gadewch imi ddweud wrthych, fel y Gweinidog iechyd. Gwn fod pob un o'r bobl hynny'n unigolyn sydd, fel eich ffrind, yn dioddef poen, a'm cyfrifoldeb i yw eu rhyddhau o'r boen honno, ac nid wyf yn dymuno bod mewn sefyllfa lle mai'r unig ffordd o gael rhyddhad o'r boen honno yw os gallwch ddefnyddio'r sector preifat. Nid dyna lle yr ydym ni eisiau bod fel Llywodraeth, ac yn sicr rydym yn benderfynol o fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn.
Byddwch wedi clywed ein bod wedi cyhoeddi £240 miliwn dros yr haf i fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn, ond, a dweud y gwir, y broblem fwyaf yr ydym ni'n ei hwynebu ar hyn o bryd yw'r ffaith nad oes gwelyau yn yr ysbytai oherwydd na allwn eu cael allan o'r ysbyty oherwydd bod problem yn y gwasanaeth gofal. Er na fyddwn i'n ei ddisgrifio fel argyfwng ar hyn o bryd—y gwasanaeth gofal—mae'n dod yn eithaf agos, ac felly fy sylw ar hyn o bryd, ynghyd â'm cyd-Aelod Julie Morgan, yw ceisio gwneud yr hyn a allwn ni i ymdopi â'r gaeaf hwn o ran gofal. Rydym wedi cynnal ymgyrch recriwtio enfawr dros y tair wythnos diwethaf, gan geisio denu pobl i'r hyn sy'n swydd sy'n rhoi llawer iawn o foddhad, gan geisio cael mwy o bobl i mewn i'r sector hwnnw, fel y gallwn ryddhau'r dros 1,000 o bobl sydd yn ein hysbytai ar hyn o bryd sy'n barod i fynd adref. Felly, mae angen inni ddarparu'r cymorth hwnnw, a dyna yr ydym ni'n canolbwyntio ein sylw arno ar hyn o bryd. Rydym yn cynnal cyfarfodydd wythnosol, fel y dywedais i, gyda chynrychiolwyr Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a byrddau iechyd i sicrhau bod pawb yn deall ble mae'r cyfrifoldeb, a'r ffaith bod angen mynd i'r afael â hyn fel mater o frys.
Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol, fel nifer o fyrddau iechyd, fod Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Cwm Taf Morgannwg wedi rhoi mesurau mewn grym unwaith eto i gyfyngu ymwelwyr i'w safleoedd, sydd, wrth gwrs, yn ddealladwy. Ond, unwaith eto, rydym wedi gweld cyfyngu o ran pryd gall bartner neu berson arall fod gyda dynes sy'n rhoi genedigaeth, a dim ond yn ystod y geni ac yn syth wedi'r geni mae hynny, sef active labour. Does dim ymwelwyr i'r wardiau cyn-enedigol ac ôl-enedigol chwaith, a dim ond un person o ran apwyntiadau pediatrig a neonatal. Gyda dros 20,000 o bobl yn y stadiwm wythnos diwethaf yn gwylio Cymru, a finnau'n un ohonyn nhw, dwi wedi cael galwadau ffôn ac e-byst eithriadol o emosiynol gan famau yn sôn am effaith hyn o ran eu hiechyd meddwl nhw, tadau yn sôn bod hyn yn effeithio'r bond pwysig yna rhyngddyn nhw â'u plant, ac o ran pediatrig, plant eisiau'r ddau riant yna a phlant yn crio oherwydd eu bod nhw'n methu cael y ddau riant yna gyda nhw. Oes yna unrhyw beth a allwn ni ei wneud i roi'r sicrwydd yna a sicrhau bod pobl yn cael cefnogaeth pan maen nhw ar eu mwyaf bregus ac angen y gwmnïaeth yna a hefyd cael y bond gyda'u plant, fel ei bod hi'n gydradd a ddim yn disgyn fel bod hyn yn gyfrifoldeb jest i famau yn unig?
You will be aware that a number of health boards, including Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, have put measures in place once again to restrict visitors to their sites, which, of course, is understandable. But, once again, we've seen restrictions in terms of when a partner or another individual can be with a woman giving birth, and it's only during birth and immediately afterwards that can happen—during active labour, as it's described. There are no visitors to prenatal or postnatal wards either, and there's only one person in terms of paediatric and neonatal appointments. With over 20,000 people in the stadium last week watching Wales, and I was one of them, I have received phone calls and e-mails that are very emotional from mothers talking about the impact of this on their own mental health, fathers saying that this impacts that important bond between themselves and their children, and in terms of paediatrics, children wanting both parents there, and children in tears because that can't happen. Is there anything that we can do to provide those assurances and to ensure that people get the support when they are most vulnerable and in most need of that company and to have that bond with their children so that this doesn't become a responsibility for mothers alone?
Wel, diolch yn fawr. Dwi'n ymwybodol fod nifer o'r byrddau iechyd erbyn hyn wedi cyfyngu ar yr ymwelwyr. Dwi'n falch i weld bod yna eithriadau a bod hawl gyda phobl i fynd i'r enedigaeth, ac mae'n rhaid dweud bod hwnna eisoes yn eithriad, a dwi'n meddwl bod hwnna, wrth gwrs, yn bwysig. A dwi'n deall hefyd fod pobl yn edrych ar y stadiwm, ond mae stadiwm tu fas, a beth rydym ni'n sôn amdano yw awyrgylch sydd tu fewn lle mae yna eisoes lot o haint. Mae'n rhan o'n swydd ni i ddiogelu pobl rhag yr haint yma, ac felly dwi'n ymwybodol iawn bod yna bosibilrwydd y byddwch chi'n sefyll lan yr wythnos nesaf a gofyn i fi pam mae cymaint o haint yn ein hysbytai ni, pam mae cymaint o bobl yn dal COVID yn ein hysbytai ni. Felly, mae'r balans yma yn rili anodd, a dyna pam dwi'n falch bod yna eithriad, bod o leiaf pobl yn gallu mynd i weld eu plant nhw yn cael eu geni, ond dwi'n deall y sensitifrwydd eu bod nhw eisiau bod yna ar ôl y geni hefyd. Ond mae'n rhaid i ni adael i'r byrddau iechyd edrych ar y sefyllfa yn eu cymunedau nhw a gwneud y galwad, achos mae'r galwad yna yn rhywbeth sy'n glinigol, sy'n bwysig hefyd, mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw ei ystyried.
Well, thank you very much. I'm aware that a number of the health boards have now restricted visitors. I'm very pleased to see that there are exceptions, and that people do have a right to attend the birth, and I have to say that that is already an exception. I think that, of course, is very important. And I understand too that people are looking at the stadium, but the stadium is an outdoor venue, and what we're talking about here is an indoor environment where there is a great deal of infection already, and part of our job is to protect people from this infection. So, I'm very aware that there are possibilities that you will stand up again next week and ask, 'Well, why are there so many infections in our hospitals? Why is there so much COVID around still in our hospitals?' So, this balance is really difficult to strike, and that's why I'm very pleased that there's an exception that at least people can attend to see their children being born. But I understand the sensitivity, that they want to be there post-birth as well, but we do have to allow the health boards to look at the situation in their communities and to make that call, because that call is a clinical decision, it's very important, and they have to consider that.
Ac yn olaf, Laura Anne Jones.
And finally, Laura Anne Jones.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Thank you for that statement, Minister. I welcome and support the decision that you've come to that 12 to 15-year-olds should have the opportunity now to be vaccinated, and it's also great to see the importance of keeping our children in schools and educated in schools as being a factor in making that decision. It is paramount, obviously, that we keep our children in school as much as possible, and it's also important that, as the child makes that final decision on whether to be vaccinated, parents and children work together on coming to that conclusion on whether they should have the vaccination. As we know, in some cases, that won't happen. Now, as the parent of an 11-year-old, a nearly 12-year-old, I'm a little concerned about him coming to a different conclusion than I would want for him, and my concerns are centred around the information that will be given to him and how that's presented to him as has already been outlined by Rhun and Russell. But it's how we are going to reach out to those children and how we are going to engage with them, and expanding on the children commissioner's concerns as well, we need to ensure that the quality of information is there and the impact of their decision is also included. Are we going to use videos? Because I can't see my child, for example, reading through reams of paper, or the equivalent online. So, I just wanted your reassurance on that, that we are going to actively engage children in a way that they will respond to—
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Diolch i chi am y datganiad hwnnw, Gweinidog. Rwyf yn croesawu ac yn cefnogi'r penderfyniad yr ydych chi wedi dod iddo y dylai pobl ifanc 12 i 15 mlwydd oed gael y cyfle nawr i gael eu brechu, ac mae hefyd yn wych gweld pwysigrwydd cadw ein plant mewn ysgolion a'u haddysgu mewn ysgolion yn ffactor wrth wneud y penderfyniad hwnnw. Yn amlwg, mae'n hollbwysig ein bod yn cadw ein plant yn yr ysgol gymaint â phosibl, ac mae'n bwysig hefyd, wrth i'r plentyn wneud y penderfyniad terfynol hwnnw ynghylch a ddylai gael ei frechu, fod rhieni a phlant yn cydweithio i ddod i'r casgliad hwnnw ynghylch a ddylent gael y brechiad. Fel y gwyddom ni, mewn rhai achosion, ni fydd hynny'n digwydd. Nawr, fel rhiant i blentyn 11 mlwydd oed, bron yn 12 mlwydd oed, rwy'n poeni braidd amdano'n dod i gasgliad gwahanol nag y byddwn i yn dymuno iddo ddod iddo, ac mae fy mhryderon yn canolbwyntio ar y wybodaeth fydd yn cael ei rhoi iddo a sut mae hynny'n cael ei gyflwyno iddo fel sydd eisoes wedi'i amlinellu gan Rhun a Russell. Ond sut ydym ni'n mynd i estyn allan at y plant hynny a sut ydym ni'n mynd i ymgysylltu â nhw, ac ehangu ar bryderon y comisiynydd plant hefyd, mae angen i ni sicrhau bod ansawdd y wybodaeth yno a bod effaith eu penderfyniad hefyd yn cael ei chynnwys. Ydyn ni'n mynd i ddefnyddio fideos? Oherwydd ni allaf ddychmygu fy mhlentyn i, er enghraifft, yn darllen drwy lwythi o bapurau, neu gyfwerth ar-lein. Felly, roeddwn i eisiau cael eich sicrwydd ynghylch hynny, ein bod yn mynd i ymgysylltu'n weithredol â phlant mewn ffordd y byddan nhw'n ymateb iddi—
The Member's had her time. I'm sorry, but we'll have to stop and ask the question there.
Mae'r Aelod wedi cael ei hamser. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, ond bydd yn rhaid i ni stopio a gofyn y cwestiwn yn y fan yna.
Diolch yn fawr, Laura. I'm delighted that we are going to, hopefully, be able to keep more of our children in school. We're intensely aware of the fact that for a child, if they lose six months of schooling, then they will, over the course of their lifetime, be likely to lose about £37,000 in terms of earnings. So, there's a direct impact on these children, and I just think it's really important we don't lose sight of that. That's why we are so keen to keep our children in school.
In terms of the information that's given out, we'll be making sure we bounce off our ideas with the children's commissioner to make sure that we get feedback directly, perhaps, from children before we send things out. We have to send these things out pretty quickly, but a lot of that work has already been commissioned. I'm sure you'll be interested to know as well that, when you receive the Pfizer jab, you've got about 15 minutes to wait. And one of the things I'm very pleased that we're going to be able to do is to use that 15 minutes to give much broader health advice to people. The public health issue in Wales is something I'm absolutely determined to address. So, while people are waiting, hopefully they will have access to a lot of public health advice. Certainly, videos have been commissioned for that, but I will check to make sure that we have got those videos commissioned for children as well.
Diolch yn fawr, Laura. Rwy'n falch iawn ein bod ni'n mynd i, gobeithio, allu cadw mwy o'n plant yn yr ysgol. Rydym yn ymwybodol iawn o'r ffaith, ar gyfer plentyn, os bydd yn colli chwe mis o addysg, y bydd, yn ystod eu hoes, yn debygol o golli tua £37,000 o ran enillion. Felly, mae effaith uniongyrchol ar y plant hyn, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn nad ydym yn colli golwg ar hynny. Dyna pam rydym mor awyddus i gadw ein plant yn yr ysgol.
O ran y wybodaeth sy'n cael ei rhoi allan, byddwn ni'n sicrhau ein bod yn trafod ein syniadau gyda'r comisiynydd plant i sicrhau ein bod yn cael adborth yn uniongyrchol, efallai, gan blant cyn i ni anfon pethau allan. Rhaid i ni anfon y pethau hyn allan yn eithaf cyflym, ond mae llawer o'r gwaith hwnnw eisoes wedi'i gomisiynu. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd gennych ddiddordeb mewn gwybod hefyd, pan fyddwch chi'n derbyn y pigiad Pfizer, fod gennych tua 15 munud i aros. Ac un o'r pethau rwy'n falch iawn y byddwn ni'n gallu ei wneud yw defnyddio'r 15 munud hwnnw i roi cyngor iechyd llawer ehangach i bobl. Mae'r mater iechyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru yn rhywbeth yr wyf yn gwbl benderfynol o fynd i'r afael ag ef. Felly, tra bod pobl yn aros, gobeithio y byddan nhw'n gallu cael llawer o gyngor iechyd cyhoeddus. Yn sicr, mae fideos wedi'u comisiynu ar gyfer hynny, ond byddaf yn gwirio i sicrhau ein bod wedi comisiynu'r fideos hynny i blant hefyd.
Diolch, Weinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
Eitem 5, datganiad gan y Dirprwy Weinidog Partneriaeth Gymdeithasol: y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael cyhoeddus (Cymru). Galwaf ar y Dirprwy Weinidog, Hannah Blythyn.
Item 5, a statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: an update on the social partnership and public procurement (Wales) Bill. And I call on the Deputy Minister, Hannah Blythyn.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The Welsh Government is committed to using every lever available to us to improve working lives and workplaces across the country. We are resolute in our ambition to become a nation of fair work, working together to ensure decent and dignified work that brings broader benefits for our communities, our economy and our environment. The social partnership and public procurement (Wales) Bill is an important part of this.
Consultation on our draft Bill closed shortly before the Senedd elections in May. The response was very positive, with 85 responses broadly endorsing our proposals and a summary analysis of responses was published on 13 July. The draft Bill included provisions to strengthen and promote consistency in social partnership in Wales. It will put social partnership on a more formal footing by creating a statutory social partnership council and place a new duty on specified public bodies in Wales to involve the recognised trade unions when carrying out certain functions.
The draft Bill included measures to allow us to achieve socially responsible public procurement. As my colleague the Minister for Finance and Local Government confirmed, we are working closely with the UK Government on public procurement reform and will use their legislation for the basic processes that underpin procurement. But we believe that decisions on the policy outcomes from procurement should be made in Wales. We will establish a statutory framework that will place our priorities of fair work, decarbonisation and well-being at the heart of our procurement. The legislation will improve the link between procurement processes and the delivery of better outcomes through stronger contract management provisions to improve transparency. This will highlight areas for improvement and allow the sharing of good practice. Our aim is to establish a system in which organisations can be held to account for ensuring that contract conditions support socially responsible practices throughout supply chains, particularly in large construction contracts and outsourcing services contracts.
Finally, the Bill will introduce a specific duty on Welsh Ministers to take action to promote and encourage fair work when we are undertaking activity to improve the delivery of public services or the economic, social, environmental or cultural well-being of Wales. In practical terms, the Bill's fair work duty will mean that Welsh Ministers will be under a legal obligation to take action that promotes and encourages fair work as defined by the Fair Work Commission's report. The Bill will strengthen how we approach fair work across Government, providing us with a common approach underpinned by legislation. Promoting and encouraging fair work will no longer be a policy choice, where 'do nothing' is a potential option for Ministers and officials, because we will be under a duty to take action.
The Bill will also introduce a duty on Welsh Ministers to report annually on the activities we have taken to promote and encourage fair work. These specific fair work provisions, alongside the social partnership and sustainable procurement duties in the Bill, will provide added impetus, certainty and clarity to the actions we take to advance fair work.
The social partnership and public procurement Bill will therefore make good on a central recommendation of the Fair Work Commission by providing a framework to use all of our influence and policy levers to advance fair work. However, it's not just about legislation alone. We are already demonstrating how we will interpret the fair work duty and put our commitment to fair work into practice to ensure a better deal for workers, something which we are committed to building on.
The social care forum is at the forefront of informing our approach to delivering our programme for government commitment to pay social care workers the real living wage. The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on those workers whom we depend on for so much, from caring for our nearest and dearest to going about our daily lives. In response to this, we are exploring how a social partnership approach in other sectors can help respond to challenges not solely in terms of pay and conditions but also the sustainability of those sectors as a whole, such as hospitality and retail. And we are continuing to work with others to safeguard against a regression on workers' rights. We're working with social partners and a range of stakeholders to raise knowledge and awareness of workers' rights and where to access support and advice. We're also working to build and communicate the business benefits of fair work, including promoting real living wage adoption and accreditation. The ongoing refresh and strengthening of the economic contract and the fair work pillar within it will be an essential tool in our ongoing conversations and engagement with business.
In all of this, we are seeking to promote that, by working together, both employers and workers have a collective interest in the shared benefits of fair work. Trade unions should be front and centre of this work; they are the best route for collective representation in the workplace and have a central part to play not simply in driving up terms and conditions but more broadly in unlocking our economy as whole. With this in mind, alongside the Bill, we are committed to continuing to make the social and economic case for trade union membership and trade unions within workplaces in Wales.
Over the course of devolution, social partnership has very much come to be seen as a Welsh way of working. The past 18 months have demonstrated beyond any doubt the value of working in social partnership to tackle the big issues facing Wales. The social partnership and public procurement (Wales) Bill is an ambitious and progressive piece of legislation that places these values at the heart of decision making in Government, in Welsh public services and in taking forward our commitment to a more equal Wales. Throughout the summer, we have worked with social partners and key stakeholders to refine the provisions and we remain on track to introduce the legislation in the first year of this Senedd term.
I look forward to bringing the social partnership and public procurement (Wales) Bill before the Senedd and working together to deliver these benefits for workers in Wales and for the delivery of public services. But this is an important agenda that cannot wait, and we will continue to use non-legislative opportunities to progress fair work in the meantime.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i ddefnyddio pob ysgogiad sydd ar gael i ni i wella bywydau gwaith a gweithleoedd ledled y wlad. Rydym yn benderfynol o fod yn genedl o waith teg, gan gydweithio i sicrhau gwaith boddhaol ac urddasol sy'n cyflwyno manteision ehangach i'n cymunedau, ein heconomi a'n hamgylchedd. Mae'r Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael cyhoeddus (Cymru) yn rhan bwysig o hyn.
Daeth yr ymgynghoriad ar ein Bil drafft i ben yn fuan cyn etholiadau'r Senedd ym mis Mai. Roedd yr ymateb yn gadarnhaol iawn, gydag 85 o ymatebion yn cymeradwyo ein cynigion yn fras a chyhoeddwyd dadansoddiad cryno o'r ymatebion ar 13 Gorffennaf. Roedd y Bil drafft yn cynnwys darpariaethau i gryfhau a hyrwyddo cysondeb mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol yng Nghymru. Bydd yn rhoi partneriaeth gymdeithasol ar sail fwy ffurfiol drwy greu cyngor partneriaeth gymdeithasol statudol ac yn gosod dyletswydd newydd ar gyrff cyhoeddus penodedig yng Nghymru i gynnwys yr undebau llafur cydnabyddedig wrth gyflawni swyddogaethau penodol.
Roedd y Bil drafft yn cynnwys mesurau i'n galluogi ni i sicrhau caffael cyhoeddus sy'n gyfrifol yn gymdeithasol. Fel y cadarnhaodd fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, rydym yn gweithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar ddiwygio caffael cyhoeddus a byddwn yn defnyddio eu deddfwriaeth ar gyfer y prosesau sylfaenol sy'n sail i gaffael. Ond rydym ni o'r farn y dylid gwneud y penderfyniadau ar ganlyniadau polisi caffael yng Nghymru. Byddwn yn sefydlu fframwaith statudol a fydd yn gosod ein blaenoriaethau o waith teg, datgarboneiddio a llesiant wrth wraidd ein proses gaffael. Bydd y ddeddfwriaeth yn gwella'r cysylltiad rhwng prosesau caffael a chyflawni canlyniadau gwell drwy ddarpariaethau rheoli contractau cryfach i wella tryloywder. Bydd hyn yn amlygu meysydd i'w gwella ac yn caniatáu rhannu arfer da. Ein nod yw sefydlu system lle gellir dwyn sefydliadau i gyfrif am sicrhau bod amodau contract yn cefnogi arferion sy'n gyfrifol yn gymdeithasol ar draws cadwyni cyflenwi, yn enwedig mewn contractau adeiladu mawr a chontractau gwasanaethau allanol.
Yn olaf, bydd y Bil yn cyflwyno dyletswydd benodol ar Weinidogion Cymru i gymryd camau i hyrwyddo ac annog gwaith teg pan fyddwn yn ymgymryd â gweithgarwch i wella'r modd y mae gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn cael eu darparu neu lesiant economaidd, cymdeithasol, amgylcheddol neu ddiwylliannol Cymru. Yn ymarferol, bydd dyletswydd gwaith teg y Bil yn golygu y bydd Gweinidogion Cymru o dan rwymedigaeth gyfreithiol i gymryd camau sy'n hyrwyddo ac yn annog gwaith teg yn unol â'r diffiniad a geir yn adroddiad y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg. Bydd y Bil yn cryfhau'r ffordd yr ydym yn mynd ati i ymdrin â gwaith teg ar draws y Llywodraeth, gan roi dull cyffredin i ni wedi ei ategu gan ddeddfwriaeth. Ni fydd hyrwyddo ac annog gwaith teg yn ddewis polisi mwyach, lle mae 'gwneud dim' yn opsiwn posibl i Weinidogion a swyddogion, oherwydd bydd dyletswydd arnom i weithredu.
Bydd y Bil hefyd yn cyflwyno dyletswydd ar Weinidogion Cymru i adrodd yn flynyddol ar y gweithgareddau yr ydym ni wedi eu cynnal i hyrwyddo ac annog gwaith teg. Bydd y darpariaethau gwaith teg penodol hyn, ochr yn ochr â'r bartneriaeth gymdeithasol a'r dyletswyddau caffael cynaliadwy yn y Bil, yn rhoi hwb, sicrwydd ac eglurder ychwanegol i'r camau y byddwn yn eu cymryd i ddatblygu gwaith teg.
Felly, bydd y Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael cyhoeddus yn cyflawni argymhelliad canolog y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg drwy ddarparu fframwaith i ddefnyddio ein holl ddylanwad a'n hysgogiadau polisi i ddatblygu gwaith teg. Fodd bynnag, nid yw'n ymwneud â deddfwriaeth yn unig. Rydym ni eisoes yn dangos sut y byddwn yn dehongli'r ddyletswydd gwaith teg ac yn rhoi ein hymrwymiad i waith teg ar waith er mwyn sicrhau gwell bargen i weithwyr, rhywbeth yr ydym ni wedi ymrwymo i barhau i'w ddatblygu.
Mae'r fforwm gofal cymdeithasol ar flaen y gad o ran llywio ein dull o gyflawni ein rhaglen ar gyfer ymrwymiad y llywodraeth i dalu'r cyflog byw gwirioneddol i weithwyr gofal cymdeithasol. Mae'r pandemig coronafeirws wedi tynnu sylw at y gweithwyr hynny yr ydym yn dibynnu arnyn nhw gymaint, i ofalu am ein hanwyliaid a byw ein bywydau bob dydd. Mewn ymateb i hyn, rydym yn archwilio sut y gall dull partneriaeth gymdeithasol mewn sectorau eraill helpu i ymateb i heriau nid yn unig o ran cyflog ac amodau ond hefyd o ran cynaliadwyedd y sectorau hynny yn gyffredinol, fel lletygarwch a manwerthu. Ac rydym yn parhau i weithio gydag eraill i ddiogelu rhag atchweliad ar hawliau gweithwyr. Rydym yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid cymdeithasol ac amrywiaeth o randdeiliaid i wella gwybodaeth ac ymwybyddiaeth o hawliau gweithwyr a ble i gael gafael ar gymorth a chyngor. Rydym ni hefyd yn gweithio i ddatblygu a chyfleu manteision busnes gwaith teg, gan gynnwys hyrwyddo mabwysiadu ac achredu cyflogau byw gwirioneddol. Bydd adnewyddu a chryfhau'r contract economaidd a'r piler gwaith teg ynddo yn arf hanfodol yn ein sgyrsiau parhaus ac wrth ymgysylltu â busnes.
Yn hyn oll, rydym yn ceisio hyrwyddo, drwy gydweithio, fod gan gyflogwyr a gweithwyr fuddiant cyfunol yn y manteision cyffredin o waith teg. Dylai undebau llafur fod yn flaenllaw ac yn ganolog i'r gwaith hwn; nhw yw'r llwybr gorau ar gyfer cynrychiolaeth gyfunol yn y gweithle ac mae ganddyn nhw ran ganolog i'w chwarae nid yn unig wrth wella telerau ac amodau ond yn fwy cyffredinol wrth ddatgloi ein heconomi yn gyffredinol. Gan ystyried hyn, ochr yn ochr â'r Bil, rydym ni wedi ymrwymo i barhau i gyflwyno'r achos cymdeithasol ac economaidd dros undebau llafur ac aelodaeth undebau llafur mewn gweithleoedd yng Nghymru.
Yn ystod datganoli, mae partneriaeth gymdeithasol wedi datblygu i gael ei hystyried fel ffordd Gymreig o weithio. Mae'r deunaw mis diwethaf wedi dangos y tu hwnt i unrhyw amheuaeth werth gweithio mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol i fynd i'r afael â'r materion mawr sy'n wynebu Cymru. Mae'r Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael cyhoeddus (Cymru) yn ddarn uchelgeisiol a blaengar o ddeddfwriaeth sy'n rhoi'r gwerthoedd hyn wrth wraidd y broses o wneud penderfyniadau mewn Llywodraeth, yng ngwasanaethau cyhoeddus Cymru ac wrth fwrw ymlaen â'n hymrwymiad i Gymru fwy cyfartal. Drwy gydol yr haf, rydym ni wedi gweithio gyda phartneriaid cymdeithasol a rhanddeiliaid allweddol i fireinio'r darpariaethau ac rydym yn parhau ar y trywydd iawn i gyflwyno'r ddeddfwriaeth ym mlwyddyn gyntaf tymor y Senedd hon.
Edrychaf ymlaen at ddod â'r Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael cyhoeddus (Cymru) gerbron y Senedd a chydweithio i sicrhau'r manteision hyn i weithwyr yng Nghymru ac i ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Ond mae hon yn agenda bwysig na all aros, a byddwn yn parhau i ddefnyddio cyfleoedd anneddfwriaethol i ddatblygu gwaith teg yn y cyfamser.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Joel James.
Conservative spokesman, Joel James.
Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. The first Bill this Welsh Government has chosen to put forward to the sixth Senedd is not one that deals with the ambulance response crisis or the thousands of people waiting more than two years for an operation, nor does it even deal with the current COVID pandemic. [Interruption.] Instead, this Government is chiefly concerned with looking after their trade union paymasters. [Interruption.] The major issue with this Bill is that it demands a public body to consult with trade unions and requires a sign-off from them in order for procurement contracts to proceed.
In itself, consulting with an outside body to ensure full impartiality and to make sure that fair processes are enforced is not a new development. However, surely the Deputy Minister can see that there is a clear issue in how trade unions will now have undue influence over public procurement and how trade unions will now effectively police the public procurement system in Wales. Under this proposed legislation, any social partnership report must be agreed with the public body's recognised trade unions or the public body will have to answer to the Welsh Government, writing a full report explaining why they have failed to meet the trade union demands. [Interruption.] This Welsh Government, using this Bill, will effectively be setting themselves up to act as Tartarus, punishing those who stand up to their trade union gods.
In your own consultation, several local authority employers felt the benefits of fair work are already recognised, and they could not see what benefits this legislation would bring. Therefore, can the Deputy Minister explain what, if any, are the benefits of this legislation—[Interruption.]—that cannot already be achieved under current legislation? Can the Deputy Minister also clarify if trade unions will receive remuneration for their involvement with meeting the requirements of the Bill and who will ultimately fund this? [Interruption.] I presume that the trade unions will seek remuneration for their endeavours, and so what this Bill is creating is a Government-backed income stream for the trade unions, because no doubt they will be tasked with employing and I also presume training the necessary people to scrutinise public contracts. I suspect that many trade unions are therefore not staffed to meet the requirements of this Bill. This Government will be funnelling public money to increase the working capacity of these trade unions who will then be directly funding, through their subscriptions and donations, the Welsh Labour Party. The Deputy Minister must clearly see how this is not only unethical behaviour, but a tremendous slap in the face of hospitals, charities, schools and councils who are crying out for extra funding to deliver basic services. The Deputy Minister should no doubt be able to see another glaring problem in that the whole system, by its very nature, can be subjected to accusations of corruption, whereby trade unions could be seen to favour one employer or contract over another. This is seeding the bed of corruption and is something that I am—and, I'm sure, many other Members here—exceptionally concerned about.
The view that trade unions will now have undue influence over public contracts can also be clearly seen in the fact that the social partnership council for Wales will have a third of its membership made up of them, while you propose only three representatives from the whole of the private sector, on whom this Bill will have a direct influence. Unquestionably, the Deputy Minister would have already recognised this, so therefore I can only assume it has been done with deliberate intention, and highlights once again that the Welsh Government is primarily concerned with increasing the power of the trade unions in this nation. The Minister must surely agree with me that the private sector is massively under-represented, and I would ask them if they can explain why so few private sector representatives are on the social partnership council.
Furthermore, because the Bill will rely so heavily on trade union involvement, there is a risk that workers within sectors where unionisation rates are low or non-existent would be excluded from the social partnership arrangements and their associated benefits. Knowing this, can the Deputy Minister explain why this Bill relies so heavily on trade unions and asks them to scrutinise and sign off public procurement and construction contracts? Why couldn't an independent body be given the same powers of review? Existing arrangements with trade unions would still be in place, and therefore, in my mind, there is no good reason to task trade unions with signing off social partnership contracts.
Finally, I would like to say that I agree with, and my party supports, the benefits that fair work and fair pay—
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Nid yw'r Bil cyntaf y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi dewis ei gyflwyno i'r chweched Senedd yn un sy'n ymdrin â'r argyfwng ymateb ambiwlansys nac â'r miloedd o bobl sy'n aros mwy na dwy flynedd am lawdriniaeth, ac nid yw'n ymdrin â'r pandemig COVID presennol hyd yn oed. [Torri ar draws.] Yn hytrach, mae'r Llywodraeth hon yn poeni'n bennaf am ofalu am eu cyflogwyr undebau llafur. [Torri ar draws.] Y broblem fwyaf ynghylch y Bil hwn yw ei fod yn mynnu bod corff cyhoeddus yn ymgynghori ag undebau llafur ac yn gofyn iddyn nhw am gymeradwyaeth er mwyn i gontractau caffael fynd yn eu blaenau.
Ynddo'i hun, nid yw ymgynghori â chorff allanol i sicrhau didueddrwydd llawn ac i sicrhau bod prosesau teg yn cael eu gorfodi yn ddatblygiad newydd. Fodd bynnag, siawns na all y Dirprwy Weinidog weld bod problem amlwg o ran sut y bydd undebau llafur yn cael dylanwad gormodol ar gaffael cyhoeddus bellach a sut y bydd undebau llafur i bob pwrpas yn plismona'r system caffael cyhoeddus yng Nghymru bellach. O dan y ddeddfwriaeth arfaethedig hon, mae'n rhaid cytuno ar unrhyw adroddiad partneriaeth gymdeithasol gydag undebau llafur cydnabyddedig y corff cyhoeddus neu bydd yn rhaid i'r corff cyhoeddus fod yn atebol i Lywodraeth Cymru, gan ysgrifennu adroddiad llawn yn egluro pam ei fod wedi methu â bodloni gofynion yr undebau llafur. [Torri ar draws.] Bydd Llywodraeth Cymru, drwy ddefnyddio'r Bil hwn, i bob pwrpas yn sefydlu ei hun i weithredu fel Tartarws, gan gosbi'r rhai sy'n herio ei duwiau undebau llafur.
Yn eich ymgynghoriad eich hun, teimlai nifer o gyflogwyr awdurdodau lleol fod manteision gwaith teg eisoes yn cael eu cydnabod, ac ni allan nhw weld pa fanteision a ddaw yn sgil y ddeddfwriaeth hon. Felly, a wnaiff y Dirprwy Weinidog egluro beth, os o gwbl, yw manteision y ddeddfwriaeth hon—[Torri ar draws.]—na ellir eu cyflawni eisoes o dan y ddeddfwriaeth bresennol? A wnaiff y Dirprwy Weinidog hefyd egluro a fydd undebau llafur yn cael cydnabyddiaeth ariannol am eu rhan mewn bodloni gofynion y Bil a phwy fydd yn ariannu hyn yn y pen draw? [Torri ar draws.] Rwy'n rhagdybio y bydd yr undebau llafur yn gofyn am gydnabyddiaeth ariannol am eu hymdrechion, ac felly yr hyn y mae'r Bil hwn yn ei greu yw ffrwd incwm i'r undebau llafur a gefnogir gan y Llywodraeth, oherwydd mae'n siŵr y byddan nhw'n cael y gwaith o gyflogi ac rwy'n rhagdybio hefyd y gwaith o hyfforddi'r bobl angenrheidiol i graffu ar gontractau cyhoeddus. Rwy'n amau felly nad oes gan lawer o undebau llafur y staff i fodloni gofynion y Bil hwn. Bydd y Llywodraeth hon yn rhoi arian cyhoeddus i gynyddu capasiti gwaith yr undebau llafur hyn a fydd wedyn yn ariannu'n uniongyrchol, drwy eu tanysgrifiadau a'u rhoddion, Blaid Lafur Cymru. Mae'n rhaid bod y Dirprwy Weinidog yn gweld yn glir bod hyn, yn ogystal â bod yn ymddygiad anfoesol, hefyd yn sarhad aruthrol ar ysbytai, elusennau, ysgolion a chynghorau sy'n galw am arian ychwanegol i ddarparu gwasanaethau sylfaenol. Dylai'r Dirprwy Weinidog, heb amheuaeth, allu gweld problem amlwg arall o ran y ffaith y gallai'r system gyfan, wrth ei natur, fod yn destun cyhuddiadau o lygredigaeth, lle gellid ystyried bod undebau llafur yn ffafrio un cyflogwr neu gontract dros un arall. Mae hyn fel bwrw had llygredigaeth ac mae'n rhywbeth yr wyf i—ac rwy'n siŵr, llawer o Aelodau eraill yma—yn pryderu'n eithriadol yn ei gylch.
Gellir deall yn glir y farn y bydd gan undebau llafur ddylanwad gormodol bellach dros gontractau cyhoeddus hefyd oherwydd y ffaith mai nhw fydd traean o aelodaeth cyngor partneriaeth gymdeithasol Cymru, er mai dim ond tri chynrychiolydd yr ydych chi'n eu cynnig o'r sector preifat cyfan, y bydd gan y Bil hwn ddylanwad uniongyrchol arno. Yn ddiamau, byddai'r Dirprwy Weinidog eisoes wedi gweld hyn, felly ni allaf ond tybio fod hyn wedi ei wneud yn fwriadol, ac unwaith eto mae'n amlygu'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymwneud yn bennaf â chynyddu grym yr undebau llafur yn y wlad hon. Mae'n rhaid bod y Gweinidog yn cytuno â mi fod y sector preifat yn cael ei dangynrychioli'n aruthrol, a gofynnaf iddyn nhw a allan nhw egluro pam y mae cyn lleied o gynrychiolwyr y sector preifat ar y cyngor partneriaeth gymdeithasol.
Hefyd, oherwydd bydd y Bil yn dibynnu cymaint ar gyfranogiad undebau llafur, mae perygl y byddai gweithwyr o fewn sectorau lle mae cyfraddau undebol yn isel neu nad ydyn nhw'n bodoli yn cael eu heithrio o'r trefniadau partneriaeth gymdeithasol a'u manteision cysylltiedig. O wybod hyn, a wnaiff y Dirprwy Weinidog egluro pam y mae'r Bil hwn yn dibynnu cymaint ar undebau llafur ac yn gofyn iddyn nhw graffu ar gontractau caffael ac adeiladu cyhoeddus a'u cymeradwyo? Pam na ellid rhoi'r un pwerau adolygu i gorff annibynnol? Byddai'r trefniadau presennol gydag undebau llafur yn dal i fod ar waith, ac felly, yn fy marn i, nid oes unrhyw reswm da dros roi'r gwaith o gymeradwyo contractau'r bartneriaeth gymdeithasol i undebau llafur.
Yn olaf, hoffwn i ddweud fy mod i'n cytuno, ac mae fy mhlaid yn cefnogi hyn, sef bod y manteision y mae gwaith teg a chyflog teg—
Can the Member ask the final question now? You're over time.
A wnaiff yr Aelod ofyn y cwestiwn olaf nawr? Rydych chi dros eich amser.
—can bring to companies in construction in Wales.
Surely, Deputy Minister, given what has been said, you recognise that there are higher priorities for the people of Wales that need far more urgent attention than this social partnership and procurement Bill. Thank you.
—yn gallu eu creu i gwmnïau adeiladu yng Nghymru.
Does bosib Dirprwy Weinidog, o gofio'r hyn sydd wedi ei ddweud, nad ydych chi'n cydnabod bod blaenoriaethau uwch ar gyfer bobl Cymru y mae angen rhoi llawer mwy o sylw brys iddyn nhw na'r Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol a chaffael hwn. Diolch.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm not quite sure where to start with that—it's straight out of the Conservative caricature playbook in reverting back to the 1970s narrative when it comes to trade unions and working people. It's disappointing, but sadly unsurprising. The Member seems to either completely misunderstand the purposes of the Bill—and I'm more than happy to offer a technical briefing at a later stage to enlighten him around that—but also seeks to deliberately misinterpret the purpose of the Bill and the role of trade unions within working within this country. The social partnership council gives an equal footing and equal say around the table to trade unions, to employers from the private, public and voluntary sectors and to Welsh Government. It's about working together to make a difference. You said you support fair work. This is using the levers that we have at our disposal to make a difference, and we've seen during the pandemic just how important that is as we build back not just better, but fairer, and achieve a Wales of fair work.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Nid wyf i'n hollol siŵr ble i ddechrau gyda hynny—mae'n syth allan o lyfr dychanol y Ceidwadwyr ac yn dychwelyd i naratif y 1970au o ran undebau llafur a phobl sy'n gweithio. Mae'n destun siom, ond yn anffodus nid yw'n syndod. Mae'n ymddangos bod yr Aelod naill ai'n camddeall dibenion y Bil yn llwyr—ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i gynnig sesiwn friffio dechnegol yn ddiweddarach i'w roi ar ben ffordd ynghylch hynny—ond mae hefyd yn ceisio camddehongli diben y Bil yn fwriadol a swyddogaeth undebau llafur o fewn y maes gwaith yn y wlad hon. Mae'r cyngor partneriaeth gymdeithasol yn rhoi telerau cyfartal a chyfle cyfartal i undebau llafur, i gyflogwyr o'r sectorau preifat, cyhoeddus a gwirfoddol ac i Lywodraeth Cymru ddweud eu dweud o amgylch y bwrdd. Mae'n ymwneud â chydweithio i wneud gwahaniaeth. Fe wnaethoch chi ddweud eich bod yn cefnogi gwaith teg. Mae hyn yn defnyddio'r ysgogiadau sydd ar gael i ni i wneud gwahaniaeth, ac rydym ni wedi gweld yn ystod y pandemig pa mor bwysig yw hynny wrth i ni ailgodi, nid yn unig yn gryfach, ond yn decach, a chyflawni Cymru lle ceir gwaith teg.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Peredur Owen Griffiths.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch am y diweddariad a gafwyd gan y Gweinidog heddiw. Croesawaf y gydnabyddiaeth y bu gwaith dros yr haf gyda phartneriaid allweddol i fireinio cynigion a geir o fewn drafft cynharach o'r Bil. Mae llawer o fewn y drafft rydyn ni'n ei groesawu yn gyffredinol, ac mae Plaid Cymru wedi hyrwyddo caffael lleol ers blynyddoedd llawer fel ffordd o gefnogi busnesau lleol ac ysgogi twf economaidd.
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you very much for that update from the Minister today. I very much welcome the recognition that there has been work over the summer with key partners to refine the proposals within the early draft of the Bill. There is a great deal within the draft that we welcome in general, and Plaid Cymru has promoted local procurement for several years as a way of supporting local businesses and encouraging economic growth.
Since 2012, Plaid Cymru has continually called for increased public procurement, a policy we featured once again in our most recent manifesto. We want to increase Welsh firms' share of contracts from 52 per cent to 75 per cent of the public procurement budget. It is estimated that this would create 46,000 additional jobs and safeguard many existing jobs in the Welsh economy. That is a potential benefit that would be transformational for our local economy, our local businesses and our local communities. This Government should finally grasp the opportunity that public procurement presents, and I hope this Bill, when finalised, will do just that.
I note from the consultation responses released earlier this year that several issues of concern were raised by key partners. The Bevan Foundation raised a number of important points during their consultation response, including the need to address the wider labour market context in which the social partnership Bill will operate. This context includes the nature and supply of other jobs in the labour market, the skills and qualifications of the workforce, the UK regulatory context, and the ownership and business models of employers. Without addressing these matters, the Bevan Foundation say that the Bill will not reach its full potential.
The Bevan Foundation also call for the conditions of the social partnership to be attached to all those employers in receipt of public funds, rather than just public bodies only. They also expressed disappointment that the paper does not go into supply chains with Welsh suppliers, something that is essential if this Bill is to have the kind of transformational impact on our economy, as I mentioned earlier. The Trades Union Congress also proffered a new definition of social responsible public procurement to ensure that no workers are exploited through public funds, something this Bill should be very careful to guard against.
These are just some of the points highlighted during the consultation, so I would like to know now how much has been, to quote your statement, refined over the summer to make this legislation the strongest, the fairest and the most effective it can possibly be. Diolch yn fawr.
Ers 2012, mae Plaid Cymru wedi galw'n barhaus am fwy o gaffael cyhoeddus, polisi a nodwyd gennym unwaith eto yn ein maniffesto diweddaraf. Rydym ni eisiau cynyddu cyfran cwmnïau Cymru o gontractau o 52 y cant i 75 y cant o'r gyllideb caffael cyhoeddus. Amcangyfrifir y byddai hyn yn creu 46,000 o swyddi ychwanegol ac yn diogelu llawer o swyddi presennol yn economi Cymru. Mae hynny'n fantais bosibl a fyddai'n trawsnewid ein heconomi leol, ein busnesau lleol a'n cymunedau lleol. Dylai'r Llywodraeth hon, o'r diwedd, fanteisio ar y cyfle y mae caffael cyhoeddus yn ei gyflwyno, a gobeithio y bydd y Bil hwn, pan gaiff ei gwblhau, yn gwneud hynny.
Rwy'n sylwi o'r ymatebion i'r ymgynghoriad a gyhoeddwyd yn gynharach eleni fod nifer o faterion sy'n peri pryder wedi eu codi gan bartneriaid allweddol. Cododd Sefydliad Bevan nifer o bwyntiau pwysig yn ystod eu hymateb i'r ymgynghoriad, gan gynnwys yr angen i fynd i'r afael â chyd-destun ehangach y farchnad lafur y bydd y Bil partneriaeth gymdeithasol yn gweithredu ynddi. Mae'r cyd-destun hwn yn cynnwys natur a chyflenwad swyddi eraill yn y farchnad lafur, sgiliau a chymwysterau'r gweithlu, cyd-destun rheoleiddio'r DU, a pherchnogaeth a modelau busnes cyflogwyr. Heb fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn, dywed Sefydliad Bevan na fydd y Bil yn cyrraedd ei lawn botensial.
Mae Sefydliad Bevan hefyd yn gofyn i amodau'r bartneriaeth gymdeithasol fod yn berthnasol i'r holl gyflogwyr hynny sy'n cael arian cyhoeddus, yn hytrach na chyrff cyhoeddus yn unig. Fe wnaethon nhw fynegi siom hefyd nad yw'r papur yn ymestyn i gadwyni cyflenwi gyda chyflenwyr o Gymru, rhywbeth sy'n hanfodol er mwyn i'r Bil hwn gael y math o effaith drawsnewidiol ar ein heconomi y soniais amdano yn gynharach. Cynigiodd Cyngres yr Undebau Llafur hefyd ddiffiniad newydd o gaffael cyhoeddus sy'n gyfrifol yn gymdeithasol er mwyn sicrhau nad oes unrhyw weithwyr yn cael eu hecsbloetio drwy gronfeydd cyhoeddus, rhywbeth y dylai'r Bil hwn fod yn ofalus iawn i warchod rhagddo.
Dyma rai o'r pwyntiau sydd wedi eu hamlygu yn ystod yr ymgynghoriad, felly hoffwn i wybod nawr, faint, i ddyfynnu eich datganiad, sydd wedi ei fireinio dros yr haf i'w gwneud hi'r ddeddfwriaeth gryfaf, decaf a mwyaf effeithiol y gall fod. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch am y cwestiynau.
Thank you for your questions.
I'll try my best to address some of the key points there. You touched on, at the outset of your contribution, the potential, the power and the leverage that's there with procurement within Wales. As I said in the statement, we think the policy direction of procurement should be set here in Wales, but we're working closely across Government with my colleague the Minister for Finance and Local Government on how we can take the opportunity of procurement reform to take that policy direction to look at actually how we can maximise its potential, its outputs and the opportunities there, but also, actually, to support the procurement profession and the sector as well. One of the things we said in this Bill was to try to simplify things rather than create extra layers, and actually how we can support the profession to maximise, to grow and to develop as part of that. So, I'm sure as we move down the course of this Bill and wider procurement reform, there will be further updates and opportunities for Members to influence and shape that direction as well.
I'm familiar with the Bevan Foundation's response and a number of other consultation responses. I think I spent a half-term recess trying to read myself through all the consultation responses, as I find it really helpful to personally get to grips with the points that people are raising. And I think there were a number of things there, too. I said within the statement that legislation alone isn't going to address all these things, so there will probably be policy that can sit around the legislation too, to address some of those challenges and issues as well. For example, looking at those sectors that we know are facing particular challenges and, really, there's a business case for the businesses to get around the table too, to talk about actually how we can perhaps upskill and support workers, and that will provide them with more stable and decent employment, but will also provide stability for the sectors as well. So, within the points that the Bevan Foundation made around the wider labour market and upskilling, the fair work duty around the things that we can do within our devolved responsibilities around supporting skills and training, I think that will bring opportunities and, like you said, place that duty on Welsh Ministers to have to consider that and have to do something about it, and be a cross-Government priority as well.
You mentioned the social partnership duty and the calls for that to cover other bodies and other organisations. As is set out in the draft Bill, it was in line with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the public bodies over there and, of course, people have pointed out that since that Bill was enacted, other public bodies have come into force. So, as part of this process of working with stakeholders over the summer, and other partners, to refine the Bill and to move things forward to be in a position to actually introduce it in this place, there was actually, alongside this, going to be a review of the bodies as recommended by the committee report, to review those bodies that are covered by the well-being of future generations Act. That work will go alongside us progressing the Bill and will then help to shape how we can better align that and look if the right bodies are covered by this Act.
So, there's been a lot of work going on over the summer, predominantly around the fair work duty, of course, and also around actually how the procurement will work in practice. That has been done in partnership with stakeholders and social partners, and that is something that we'll continue as we look more now to bring the Bill forward, but also, actually, look at the operational nature of the legislation as well.
Fe wnaf fy ngorau i ymdrin â rhai o'r pwyntiau allweddol yna. Fe wnaethoch chi gyfeirio, ar ddechrau eich cyfraniad, at y potensial, y pŵer a'r ysgogiadau a geir yn sgil caffael yng Nghymru. Fel y dywedais i yn y datganiad, rydym ni'n credu y dylid pennu cyfeiriad polisi caffael yma yng Nghymru, ond rydym ni'n gweithio'n agos ar draws y Llywodraeth gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol ar sut y gallwn ni fanteisio ar y cyfle i ddiwygio caffael i fynd i'r cyfeiriad polisi hwnnw i weld sut y gallwn ni sicrhau ei fod yn cyflawni'r potensial, yr allbynnau a'r cyfleoedd gorau sydd ar gael, ond hefyd, mewn gwirionedd, i gefnogi'r proffesiwn caffael a'r sector hefyd. Un o'r pethau y gwnaethom ei ddweud yn y Bil hwn oedd ceisio symleiddio pethau yn hytrach na chreu haenau ychwanegol, a sut y gallwn gefnogi'r proffesiwn i gyflawni i'r eithaf, i dyfu ac i ddatblygu yn rhan o hynny. Felly, rwy'n siŵr yn ystod hynt y Bil hwn a diwygio caffael yn ehangach, y bydd diweddariadau a chyfleoedd pellach i Aelodau ddylanwadu ar y cyfeiriad hwnnw a'i lywio hefyd.
Rwy'n gyfarwydd ag ymateb Sefydliad Bevan a nifer o ymatebion eraill i'r ymgynghoriad. Rwy'n credu i mi dreulio'r toriad hanner tymor yn ceisio darllen drwy'r holl ymatebion i'r ymgynghoriad, gan fy mod i'n ei chael yn ddefnyddiol iawn i ddeall yn bersonol y pwyntiau y mae pobl yn eu codi. Ac rwy'n credu bod nifer o bethau yno hefyd. Dywedais yn y datganiad nad yw deddfwriaeth yn unig yn mynd i fynd i'r afael â'r holl bethau hyn, felly mae'n debygol y bydd polisi a all ategu'r ddeddfwriaeth hefyd, er mwyn ymdrin â rhai o'r heriau a'r materion hynny hefyd. Er enghraifft, o edrych ar y sectorau hynny yr ydym ni'n gwybod eu bod yn wynebu heriau penodol ac, yn wir, mae achos busnes dros gael busnesau o amgylch y bwrdd hefyd, i siarad am sut y gallwn ni wella sgiliau a chefnogi gweithwyr o bosib, a bydd hynny yn rhoi cyflogaeth fwy sefydlog a boddhaol iddyn nhw, ond bydd hefyd yn rhoi sefydlogrwydd i'r sectorau. Felly, o fewn y pwyntiau a wnaeth Sefydliad Bevan o ran y farchnad lafur ehangach a gwella sgiliau, y ddyletswydd gwaith teg ynghylch y pethau y gallwn ni eu gwneud o fewn ein cyfrifoldebau datganoledig o ran cefnogi sgiliau a hyfforddiant, rwy'n credu y bydd hynny'n cyflwyno cyfleoedd ac, fel y gwnaethoch chi ei ddweud, yn gosod y ddyletswydd honno ar Weinidogion Cymru i orfod ystyried hynny a gorfod gwneud rhywbeth yn ei gylch, ac iddo fod yn flaenoriaeth ar draws y Llywodraeth hefyd.
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am y ddyletswydd partneriaeth gymdeithasol a'r galwadau i hynny gynnwys cyrff eraill a sefydliadau eraill. Fel y nodir yn y Bil drafft, roedd yn unol â Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015 a'r cyrff cyhoeddus hynny ac, wrth gwrs, mae pobl wedi nodi bod cyrff cyhoeddus eraill wedi dod i rym ers i'r Bil hwnnw gael ei ddeddfu. Felly, yn rhan o'r broses hon o weithio gyda rhanddeiliaid dros yr haf, a phartneriaid eraill, i fireinio'r Bil ac i symud pethau ymlaen er mwyn bod mewn sefyllfa i'w gyflwyno yn y lle hwn, ochr yn ochr â hyn, mewn gwirionedd, roedd adolygiad o'r cyrff fel yr argymhellwyd gan adroddiad y pwyllgor, i'w gynnal i adolygu'r cyrff hynny sydd wedi eu cynnwys o dan Ddeddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol. Bydd y gwaith hwnnw yn digwydd ochr yn ochr â'n gwaith ni o fwrw ymlaen â'r Bil ac yna bydd yn helpu i lunio sut y gallwn ni alinio hynny'n well ac edrych a yw'r cyrff iawn wedi eu cynnwys o dan y Ddeddf hon.
Felly, mae llawer o waith wedi bod yn digwydd dros yr haf, yn ymwneud yn bennaf â'r ddyletswydd gwaith teg, wrth gwrs, a hefyd o ran sut y bydd y broses gaffael yn gweithio'n ymarferol. Gwnaed hynny mewn partneriaeth â rhanddeiliaid a phartneriaid cymdeithasol, ac mae hynny yn rhywbeth y byddwn yn parhau i'w wneud wrth i ni geisio cyflwyno'r Bil bellach, ond hefyd, mewn gwirionedd, wrth edrych ar natur weithredol y ddeddfwriaeth hefyd.
I think, for the record, I'll state that I'm a proud trade union member, and I would consider people in this Chamber, Members in this Chamber, reflecting on some of the comments made during today's contributions, because in fact it was trade unions like Unite Wales in my constituency who supported Airbus and saved hundreds of jobs at Airbus throughout the pandemic, whilst the UK Conservative Government continued to let them down and failed the workforce yet again.
So, I thank the Minister for today's statement. These are great proposals and a great opportunity to make workplaces throughout the length and breadth of Wales fairer and more collaborative places. What is crucial to me, Minister, is that this Act does have teeth to make a real difference to the workforce, whether it's trade union members or individual workers who seek a voice for better terms and conditions and even proper recognition. Now, one of the steps, Minister, to achieving this, is a robust definition of fair work, so perhaps, Minister, you could update the Chamber on what that is and how confident you are that that will work for workers.
Rwy'n credu, i'w roi ar gofnod, y byddaf i'n datgan fy mod i'n aelod balch o undeb llafur, a byddwn i'n annog pobl yn y Siambr hon, Aelodau yn y Siambr hon, i fyfyrio ar rai o'r sylwadau sydd wedi eu gwneud yn ystod y cyfraniadau heddiw, oherwydd yn wir, undebau llafur fel Unite Wales yn fy etholaeth i a gefnogodd Airbus ac a achubodd gannoedd o swyddi yn Airbus drwy gydol y pandemig, pan oedd Llywodraeth Geidwadol y DU yn parhau i'w siomi ac yn esgeuluso'r gweithlu unwaith eto.
Felly, rwy'n diolch i'r Gweinidog am y datganiad heddiw. Mae'r rhain yn gynigion gwych ac yn gyfle gwych i wneud gweithleoedd ar hyd a lled Cymru yn lleoedd tecach a mwy cydweithredol. Yr hyn sy'n hanfodol i mi, Gweinidog, yw bod gan y Ddeddf hon ddannedd i wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol i'r gweithlu, boed yn aelodau o undebau llafur neu'n weithwyr unigol sy'n chwilio am lais i fynnu telerau ac amodau gwell a hyd yn oed gydnabyddiaeth briodol. Nawr, un o'r camau, Gweinidog, i gyflawni hyn, yw cael diffiniad cadarn o waith teg, felly efallai, Gweinidog, y gallech chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Siambr am beth yw hwnnw a pha mor ffyddiog yr ydych chi y bydd hwnnw'n gweithio ar gyfer gweithwyr.
I thank the Member, Jack Sargeant, for his contribution, and for actually using the opportunity to highlight the positive case for trade unions and actually to disabuse the reality from the rhetoric and the myths around it. We saw in north-east Wales thousands of well-paid jobs saved because, in social partnership, the trade unions worked with the employer to actually come up with a solution to safeguard those jobs for the future as well.
The Member is absolutely right to make sure we've got a piece of legislation that can make the difference we want it to make. So, as you'll be familiar with, in the draft Bill we left the definition around the fair work duty open, and from the conversations we have had with partners and stakeholders, the definition that will be on the Bill will be the definition as recommended by the Fair Work Commission, which we're already signed up to. Then, of course, around that, we will have to explore what the levers are that we have that we are responsible for, where we can make those practical differences, whether that be through things that we said before like skills, training or other opportunities as well.
Diolch i'r Aelod, Jack Sargeant, am ei gyfraniad, ac am ddefnyddio'r cyfle i dynnu sylw at yr achos cadarnhaol dros undebau llafur ac i agor ein llygaid i realiti yn hytrach na gwrando ar y rhethreg a'r mythau o'i gwmpas. Fe wnaethom ni weld yn y gogledd-ddwyrain filoedd o swyddi â chyflogau da yn cael eu harbed oherwydd, mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol, gweithiodd yr undebau llafur gyda'r cyflogwr i lunio ateb er mwyn diogelu'r swyddi hynny ar gyfer y dyfodol hefyd.
Mae'r Aelod yn llygad ei le wrth ddweud y dylem ni sicrhau bod gennym ni ddarn o ddeddfwriaeth a all wneud y gwahaniaeth yr ydym ni eisiau iddo ei wneud. Felly, fel y byddwch chi'n gyfarwydd ag ef, yn y Bil drafft, fe wnaethom ni adael y diffiniad ynghylch y ddyletswydd gwaith teg yn agored, ac o'r sgyrsiau yr ydym ni wedi eu cael â phartneriaid a rhanddeiliaid, y diffiniad a fydd ar y Bil fydd y diffiniad a argymhellwyd gan y Comisiwn Gwaith Teg yr ydym ni eisoes wedi ymrwymo iddo. Yna, wrth gwrs, o ran hynny, bydd yn rhaid i ni archwilio pa ysgogiadau sydd gennym yr ydym yn gyfrifol amdanyn nhw, lle y gallwn wneud y gwahaniaethau ymarferol hynny, boed hynny drwy bethau yr ydym ni wedi sôn amdanyn nhw eisoes fel sgiliau, hyfforddiant neu gyfleoedd eraill hefyd.
Deputy Minister, this Bill, I think, does also present opportunities for Wales, I think especially around public procurement. As a previous local government cabinet member for economy, one of the things that I used to have all the time from businesses across Powys was, 'How can we get into public procurement? How can we help develop the local economy?' And I do think we need to be bold here and actually try and be world leading in public procurement. Public procurement can add massive benefits to the local economy in terms of jobs and opportunities; also in our schools, providing locally sourced meals, educating young people on where their food actually comes from, and chapter 7 of the Bill, I think, is very, very important to do that in the wider education of our children. I'd just like to know what conversations you've had with local government colleagues to prepare them for if this Bill is passed here and also with the Ministry of Defence, who do have a big presence in Wales and are a big part of public procurement within the country. I think it's very, very important that we get them on board early to make sure that they can procure locally sourced products that actually benefit jobs and the livelihoods of people in Wales. So, I'd like to see some commitments from yourself that we will be making sure, with the powers we have here, that local businesses can access and bid for public procurement, because I think that is the way we can protect jobs and livelihoods as we come out of this pandemic. Diolch, Deputy Llywydd.
Dirprwy Weinidog, rwy'n credu bod y Bil hwn hefyd yn cynnig cyfleoedd i Gymru, yn arbennig o ran caffael cyhoeddus. Fel aelod blaenorol o gabinet llywodraeth leol dros yr economi, un o'r pethau yr oeddwn i'n arfer ei glywed drwy'r amser gan fusnesau ledled Powys oedd, 'Sut gallwn ni fod yn rhan o gaffael cyhoeddus? Sut gallwn ni helpu i ddatblygu'r economi leol?' Ac rwy'n credu bod angen i ni fod yn feiddgar yma a cheisio arwain y byd ym maes caffael cyhoeddus yn wirioneddol. Gall caffael cyhoeddus ychwanegu manteision enfawr i'r economi leol o ran swyddi a chyfleoedd; hefyd yn ein hysgolion, drwy ddarparu prydau o ffynonellau lleol, addysgu pobl ifanc o ble mae eu bwyd yn dod, ac mae pennod 7 o'r Bil, rwy'n credu, yn bwysig iawn ar gyfer gwneud hynny o fewn addysg ehangach ein plant. Hoffwn i wybod pa sgyrsiau yr ydych chi wedi eu cael â chydweithwyr llywodraeth leol i'w paratoi nhw os caiff y Bil hwn ei basio yma a hefyd â'r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn, sydd â phresenoldeb mawr yng Nghymru ac sy'n rhan fawr o gaffael cyhoeddus yn y wlad. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n sicrhau ei bod hi'n rhan o hyn yn gynnar er mwyn sicrhau ei bod yn gallu caffael cynnyrch lleol sydd o fudd i swyddi a bywoliaeth pobl yng Nghymru. Felly, hoffwn i weld rhai ymrwymiadau gennych chi y byddwn ni'n sicrhau, drwy'r pwerau sydd gennym ni yma, y bydd caffael cyhoeddus ar gael i fusnesau lleol ac y gallan nhw wneud cais amdano, oherwydd rwy'n credu mai dyna'r ffordd y gallwn ni ddiogelu swyddi a bywoliaeth wrth i ni ddod allan o'r pandemig hwn. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Thanks, Deputy Llywydd, and the Member makes some really constructive points around, like you said before, the potential that procurement gives us here in Wales to really make a difference, to actually support work, but by default to actually support the local economy, because if people are in decent employment they're more likely to spend in the local economy as well, so there's that connection there. Very much, like I said before, this Bill is one aspect of that but amongst wider procurement reform. And one thing I would suggest is that when you were growing up you would never have said, 'Procurement offers a very exciting opportunity,' but it absolutely does, and it's one of those key levers that we have at our disposal in Wales and it's absolutely one, I know, not just within this Bill and from a social partnership, public procurement perspective in this Bill itself, but right across Government, and it's working on how we can maximise those opportunities. I'd be more than happy to keep the Member updated, and also if you've got any suggestions you want to feed into that process I would welcome them as well.
Just to touch on the point you made with—. Absolutely, we can talk about partnership, and this Bill has been developed by having those conversations with the people and the organisations that it will impact. So, we have worked with local government through the local government association, but clearly more in-depth conversations and guidance and support are going to be needed as we work up the detail and the operational impact of the new legislation as well.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, ac mae'r Aelod yn gwneud rhai pwyntiau adeiladol iawn, fel y gwnaethoch chi ei ddweud o'r blaen, y potensial y mae caffael yn ei roi i ni yma yng Nghymru i wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol, i gefnogi gwaith mewn gwirionedd, ond yn ddiofyn i gefnogi'r economi leol, oherwydd os yw pobl mewn swyddi boddhaol, maen nhw'n fwy tebygol o wario yn yr economi leol hefyd, felly mae'r cysylltiad hwnnw yno. Fel y dywedais i o'r blaen, mae'r Bil hwn yn un agwedd ar hynny ond ymysg diwygio caffael ehangach. Ac un peth y byddwn i'n ei awgrymu yw, pan oeddech chi'n tyfu i fyny na fyddech chi byth wedi dweud, 'Mae caffael yn cynnig cyfle cyffrous iawn,' ond y mae'n gwneud hynny'n llwyr, ac mae'n un o'r ysgogiadau allweddol hynny sydd ar gael i ni yng Nghymru heb amheuaeth, rwy'n gwybod, nid yn unig o fewn y Bil hwn ac o safbwynt partneriaeth gymdeithasol, caffael cyhoeddus yn y Bil hwn ei hun, ond ar draws y Llywodraeth, ac mae'n gweithio ar y ffordd y gallwn ni fanteisio i'r eithaf ar y cyfleoedd hynny. Byddwn i'n fwy na pharod i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelod, a hefyd os oes gennych chi unrhyw awgrymiadau yr hoffech eu cyfrannu at y broses honno, byddwn i'n eu croesawu hefyd.
Dim ond i grybwyll y pwynt a wnaethoch—. Yn bendant, gallwn ni siarad am bartneriaeth, ac mae'r Bil hwn wedi ei ddatblygu drwy gael y sgyrsiau hynny â'r bobl a'r sefydliadau y bydd yn effeithio arnyn nhw. Felly, rydym ni wedi gweithio gyda llywodraeth leol drwy'r gymdeithas llywodraeth leol, ond mae'n amlwg y bydd angen sgyrsiau ac arweiniad a chymorth manylach wrth i ni lunio manylion ac effaith weithredol y ddeddfwriaeth newydd hefyd.
Ac yn olaf, Sarah Murphy.
And finally, Sarah Murphy.
Diolch. Thank you, Minister. As another proud trade unionist, I very much welcome your statement and that Welsh Government is prioritising a Bill with fair work at its heart, and a commitment to promoting trade unions and collective bargaining, so that industry development and growth can benefit employers and employees.
However, alarmingly, when myself and Professor Lina Dencik of the Data Justice Lab at Cardiff University interviewed trade union members last year, they described an array of new data, driven monitoring and surveillance practices that can hinder worker autonomy and collective bargaining. For example, facial recognition technology can be used to scan work spaces and identify when union reps are talking with workers. And we know from publicly available reports that multinational conglomerate Amazon has its analysts closely monitor the labour and union organising activity of their workers throughout Europe, and has allegedly been caught smearing employees who attempted to organise their colleagues. So, Minister, what consideration has been given to how new technologies and workplace surveillance could impact collective bargaining and trade unions' ability to organise, to ensure that this Bill is fit for the world of work now and achieves that level playing field for all to thrive?
Diolch i chi, Gweinidog. A minnau yn undebwraig lafur falch arall, rwy'n croesawu eich datganiad yn fawr a'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn blaenoriaethu Bil gyda gwaith teg wrth ei wraidd, ac ymrwymiad i hyrwyddo undebau llafur a chydfargeinio, fel y gall datblygu a thwf diwydiant fod o fudd i gyflogwyr a gweithwyr.
Fodd bynnag, yn frawychus, pan wnes i a'r Athro Lina Dencik o'r Labordy Cyfiawnder a Chasglu Data ym Mhrifysgol Caerdydd gyfweld ag aelodau undebau llafur y llynedd, fe wnaethon nhw ddisgrifio amrywiaeth o ddata newydd, monitro pwrpasol ac arferion gwyliadwriaeth a all lesteirio awtonomiaeth gweithwyr a chydfargeinio. Er enghraifft, gellir defnyddio technoleg adnabod wynebau i sganio mannau gwaith a nodi pryd y mae cynrychiolwyr undeb yn siarad â gweithwyr. Ac rydym ni'n gwybod o adroddiadau sydd ar gael i'r cyhoedd fod yr uwchgwmni rhyngwladol Amazon yn trefnu i'w ddadansoddwyr fonitro'n ofalus weithgaredd trefnu llafur ac undebau eu gweithwyr ledled Ewrop, ac fe honnir iddo gael ei ddal yn pardduo enw da gweithwyr a geisiodd drefnu eu cydweithwyr. Felly, Gweinidog, pa ystyriaeth sydd wedi ei rhoi i sut y gallai technolegau newydd a gwyliadwriaeth yn y gweithle effeithio ar gydfargeinio a gallu undebau llafur i drefnu, er mwyn sicrhau bod y Bil hwn yn addas ar gyfer y byd gwaith yn awr ac yn cyflawni'r nod y caiff pawb eu trin yn yr un modd er mwyn i bawb ffynnu?
Can I thank the Member for her question? And I note that the Member has done a lot of work around the challenges of what digital means for the world of work, the future of work and the pitfalls that that could actually bring as well as potential. We know that, when deployed responsibly, technology can be a force for good; it provides support and flexibility, as we've seen in many cases in the past 18 months during the pandemic, when many of us have had to work differently. Some organisations that have perhaps resisted that change in the past have seen that, actually, people can be as productive when they're working in a different setting. But, like you say, there is the flipside of it when it can be used for different motives.
There are challenges for us, aren't there, because employment law and industrial relations aren't devolved. I think, around what does the future of work mean, what levers do we have and how we can influence, it's the sort of thing that you would probably—. It's not for me to determine what the social partnership council, when hopefully it comes into being, should work on. But future work and the impact of things like digital changes in work patterns and what that work looks like in the future and how it works for workplaces, for workers and for the country as a whole is definitely something that should be on their agenda. And I think, in the meantime, I'd be very happy to perhaps meet with you to learn more about that work and perhaps to start to look at actually what we can be doing now.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei chwestiwn? A sylwaf fod yr Aelod wedi gwneud llawer o waith ynghylch yr heriau sy'n ymwneud â beth y mae technoleg ddigidol yn ei olygu i'r byd gwaith, dyfodol gwaith a'r peryglon a allai ddod yn sgil hynny mewn gwirionedd yn ogystal â photensial. Rydym ni'n gwybod, pan gaiff ei defnyddio'n gyfrifol, y gall technoleg fod yn rym er lles; mae'n darparu cymorth a hyblygrwydd, fel yr ydym ni wedi ei weld mewn llawer o achosion yn ystod y 18 mis diwethaf yn ystod y pandemig, pan fu'n rhaid i lawer ohonom ni weithio'n wahanol. Mae rhai sefydliadau sydd efallai wedi gwrthsefyll y newid hwnnw yn y gorffennol wedi gweld y gall pobl, mewn gwirionedd, fod yr un mor gynhyrchiol pan fyddan nhw'n gweithio mewn lleoliad gwahanol. Ond, fel yr ydych chi'n ei ddweud, mae ochr arall i'r geiniog pan ellir ei defnyddio ar gyfer gwahanol gymhellion.
Mae heriau i ni, onid oes, oherwydd nid yw cyfraith cyflogaeth a chysylltiadau diwydiannol wedi eu datganoli. Rwy'n myfyrio, o ran beth y mae dyfodol gwaith yn ei olygu, ar ba ddulliau dylanwadu sydd gennym ni a sut y gallwn ni ddylanwadu, dyma'r math o beth y byddech chi, mae'n debyg—. Nid fy lle i yw penderfynu beth ddylai'r cyngor partneriaeth gymdeithasol, pan ddaw i fodolaeth gobeithio, weithio arno. Ond mae gwaith yn y dyfodol ac effaith pethau fel newidiadau digidol mewn patrymau gwaith a sut y mae'r gwaith hwnnw yn edrych yn y dyfodol a sut y mae'n gweithio ar gyfer gweithleoedd, i weithwyr ac i'r wlad gyfan yn bendant yn rhywbeth a ddylai fod ar ei agenda. Ac rwy'n credu, yn y cyfamser, y byddwn i'n hapus iawn i gyfarfod â chi efallai i ddysgu mwy am y gwaith hwnnw ac efallai i ddechrau edrych ar yr hyn y gallwn ni fod yn ei wneud nawr mewn gwirionedd.
I have received a request to ask one further question from a Member and it was within the time and we have sufficient time, so I'm allowing it, but please remember that it's a question on a statement and not a speech. So, Mark Isherwood.
Rwyf i wedi cael cais gan Aelod i ofyn un cwestiwn arall ac roedd o fewn yr amser ac mae gennym ni ddigon o amser, felly rwy'n ei ganiatáu, ond cofiwch ei fod yn gwestiwn ar ddatganiad ac nid araith. Felly, Mark Isherwood.
Thank you. In your statement, you say you will place fair work, decarbonisation and well-being at the heart of procurement, but don't mention the current guidance for procurement, which is based on quality, value and price and also the flexibility of locality and community causes to benefit local communities. So, how will you ensure that the priorities you identify will not lead to higher cost, lower quality procurement and that issues such as cost, quality, value and community benefit are still at the centre of decisions made?
Diolch. Yn eich datganiad, rydych chi'n dweud y byddwch chi'n rhoi gwaith teg, datgarboneiddio a llesiant wrth wraidd caffael, ond nid ydych chi'n sôn am y canllawiau presennol ar gyfer caffael, sy'n seiliedig ar ansawdd, gwerth a phris a hefyd hyblygrwydd achosion lleol a chymunedol er budd cymunedau lleol. Felly, sut y byddwch chi'n sicrhau na fydd y blaenoriaethau yr ydych yn eu nodi yn arwain at gaffael drytach o ansawdd is a bod materion fel cost, ansawdd, gwerth a budd cymunedol yn dal i fod wrth wraidd y penderfyniadau a wneir?
I thank the Member for getting the question in at the eleventh hour. It's a really key question in terms of actually making sure that we don't impact on things when we know that there's value there already. And like I said in the statement, there'll be more work to follow that sits in the broader opportunities of procurement reform, as we align ourselves in terms of the process with UK Government and actually how we can look at that across the piece. So, I know that my colleague the Minister for Finance and Local Government will be providing further updates on that. But we're very mindful that, like I said before, we don't want to create extra bureaucracy and we don't want to duplicate; we want to complement, enhance and make sure that it all fits together in much better ways in the future.
Diolch i'r Aelod am gael y cwestiwn i mewn ar yr unfed awr ar ddeg. Mae'n gwestiwn allweddol iawn o ran sicrhau mewn gwirionedd nad ydym ni'n effeithio ar bethau pan fyddwn yn gwybod bod gwerth yno'n barod. Ac fel y dywedais yn y datganiad, bydd mwy o waith i ddilyn sy'n rhan o gyfleoedd ehangach diwygio caffael, wrth i ni weithredu'n gyson â phroses Llywodraeth y DU ac edrych ar hynny'n ehangach. Felly, gwn y bydd fy nghyd-Aelod, y Gweinidog Cyllid a Llywodraeth Leol, yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am hynny. Ond rydym yn ymwybodol iawn, fel y dywedais o'r blaen, nad ydym ni eisiau creu biwrocratiaeth ychwanegol ac nid ydym ni eisiau dyblygu; rydym ni eisiau ategu, gwella a sicrhau bod y cyfan yn cyd-fynd â'i gilydd mewn ffyrdd llawer gwell yn y dyfodol.
I have another Member now, in the fifty-ninth minute of the eleventh hour. I ask all Members that they try and get their requests in in appropriate time, please, so that it gives us an opportunity. Mike Hedges. And this is the last speaker. [Laughter.]
Mae gen i Aelod arall nawr, yn y nawfed munud wedi'r hanner cant o'r unfed awr ar ddeg. Gofynnaf i bob Aelod ymdrechu i gyflwyno eu ceisiadau mewn amser priodol, os gwelwch yn dda, er mwyn i ni gael cyfle. Mike Hedges. A dyma'r siaradwr olaf. [Chwerthin.]
Diolch. Thank you. Can I just agree with what Sarah Murphy raised, because I think that's a matter that is going to be of grave concern and greater concern as time goes on?
But the question I want to ask is: what can we do to make contracts smaller? I agree that far too little is given out to smaller companies inside communities, but the reason is that people package it—including the Welsh Government, including local authorities—in such large contracts that only big companies can apply. If you take the A55 development, the last time it was put out, it was put out at such a size that no company in north Wales was able to apply, and all of the people who could apply were those from large companies dotted around the world. So, how do we get contracts smaller, so that local companies and local people can benefit?
Diolch. A gaf i gytuno â'r hyn a gododd Sarah Murphy, oherwydd rwy'n credu bod hwnnw yn fater sy'n mynd i fod yn destun pryder mawr ac yn fwy o bryder wrth i amser fynd heibio?
Ond y cwestiwn yr wyf i eisiau ei ofyn yw: beth allwn ni ei wneud i wneud contractau yn llai? Rwy'n cytuno nad oes hanner digon yn cael ei roi i gwmnïau llai y tu mewn i gymunedau, ond y rheswm yw bod pobl yn ei becynnu—gan gynnwys Llywodraeth Cymru, gan gynnwys awdurdodau lleol—mewn contractau mor fawr fel mai dim ond cwmnïau mawr a all ymgeisio. Os cymerwch chi ddatblygiad yr A55, y tro diwethaf iddo gael ei gynnig, cafodd ei gynnig ar raddfa mor fawr fel na allai unrhyw gwmni yn y gogledd ymgeisio, ac roedd yr holl bobl a allai ymgeisio yn rhai o gwmnïau mawr a oedd wedi eu lleoli ar draws y byd. Felly, sut y gallwn ni wneud contractau yn llai, fel y gall cwmnïau lleol a phobl leol elwa?
I thank the Member for making it in with his question there, and again raising some very valid points around the accessibility of procurement and the opportunities that it brings, not just in terms of creating decent work, but actually in supporting those smaller companies, the foundational economy, local communities. So, it's certainly something that is there at the heart of looking at procurement reform, to make sure that those opportunities are there, for companies and for the people who could potentially work for them in the future in each and every one of our constituencies and communities across the country.
Diolch i'r Aelod am lwyddo i ofyn ei gwestiwn ar yr unfed awr ar ddeg, gan godi unwaith eto rai pwyntiau dilys iawn ynghylch pa mor agored yw'r broses gaffael a'r cyfleoedd a ddaw yn ei sgil, nid yn unig o ran creu gwaith boddhaol, ond wrth gefnogi'r cwmnïau llai hynny, yr economi sylfaenol, cymunedau lleol mewn gwirionedd. Felly, mae'n sicr yn rhywbeth sydd wrth wraidd y gwaith o ystyried diwygio'r broses gaffael, i sicrhau bod y cyfleoedd hynny ar gael, i gwmnïau ac i'r bobl a allai weithio iddyn nhw yn y dyfodol o bosibl ym mhob un o'n hetholaethau a'n cymunedau ledled y wlad.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Weinidog.
Thank you, Deputy Minister.
Eitem 6. Gohiriwyd yr eitem hon tan 28 Medi. Daw hynny â thrafodion heddiw i ben.
Item 6 has been postponed until 28 September. That brings today's proceedings to a close.
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 17:01.
The meeting ended at 17:01.