Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
14/05/2024Cynnwys
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.
Prynhawn da. Cyn i ni gymryd yr eitem gyntaf ar yr agenda y prynhawn yma, a gaf i hysbysu Aelodau, wrth gwrs, taw 25 mlynedd i ddoe y cynhaliwyd cyfarfod cyntaf y Cynulliad yn Siambr Tŷ Hywel? A, dros nos, fe ddaeth y newydd bod un o'r Aelodau a etholwyd i'r Cynulliad hynny wedi ein gadael ni. Roedd Owen John Thomas yn Aelod Plaid Cymru dros Ganol De Cymru. Mi ddaeth yn llais ac acen gref Caerdydd yn nhrafodaethau'r Cynulliad cyntaf hynny. Gwnaeth gyfraniad arbennig drwy ei oes i dwf addysg Gymraeg yn y brifddinas, ac mi oedd yn un o sylfaenwyr clwb enwog Ifor Bach yn y brifddinas. Mae'n cydymdeimladau ni oll fel Senedd, dwi'n siŵr, gyda theulu Owen John Thomas a'i gyfeillion oll.
Good afternoon. Before we move to our first item on our agenda this afternoon, may I inform Members that, 25 years ago to yesterday, the first meeting of the Assembly was held in the Tŷ Hywel Chamber? And, overnight, we heard the news that one of the Members elected to that Assembly had left us. Owen John Thomas was a Plaid Cymru Member for South Wales Central. He became a strong voice and Cardiff accent in the discussions of that first Assembly. He made a lifelong contribution to the growth of Welsh-medium education in the capital city, and he was one of the founders of the famous Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff. Our sincerest condolences as a Senedd are passed to Owen John Thomas's family and all of his friends.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly—yr un gyntaf—fydd y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Sam Rowlands.
The first item on our agenda is questions to the First Minister, and the first question is from Sam Rowlands.
1. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y ddarpariaeth gofal iechyd yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ61115
1. Will the First Minister provide an update on healthcare provision in north Wales? OQ61115
Thank you. Healthcare overall in north Wales is not where I, nor indeed the staff delivering those services, would want it to be. As part of the special measures escalation, the Welsh Government is working closely with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to improve access to the safe and timely health and care that the people of north Wales deserve.
Diolch. Nid yw gofal iechyd yn gyffredinol yn y gogledd lle y byddwn i, nac yn wir y staff sy'n darparu'r gwasanaethau hynny, eisiau iddo fod. Yn rhan o ddwysau'r mesurau arbennig, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio'n agos gyda Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr i wella mynediad at yr iechyd a gofal diogel a phrydlon y mae pobl y gogledd yn eu haeddu.
Well, thank you for your response, First Minister. And, Llywydd, the First Minister will be aware that, just last week, a black alert was issued in the north Wales health board because hospitals could not cope with the bank holiday levels of demand, and, sadly, this is far too often an occurrence for the residents that I represent in north Wales. And you'll also be aware that, of course, just before the last Senedd election, you felt it right to pull that health board out of special measures, and, then, inevitably, very quickly after the Senedd elections, the health board went straight back into special measures.
Now, things are as bad as they ever have been for the residents that I represent in north Wales, and I shared in this Chamber last week the example of one of my residents who is, sadly, terminally ill with cancer, who had to wait more than 24 hours in an A&E department. So, First Minister, because of the regularity of these occurrences, and because of the severity of the issues that my residents are suffering, would you not think that now is the time for an independent review of the health board, so that the people that I represent can get the healthcare that they deserve?
Wel, diolch am eich ymateb, Prif Weinidog. A, Llywydd, bydd y Prif Weinidog yn ymwybodol y cyhoeddwyd rhybudd du dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf ym mwrdd iechyd y gogledd gan nad oedd ysbytai yn gallu ymdopi â lefelau galw gŵyl y banc, ac, yn anffodus, mae hwn yn digwydd yn llawer rhy aml i'r trigolion yr wyf i'n eu cynrychioli yn y gogledd. A byddwch hefyd yn ymwybodol, wrth gwrs, ychydig cyn etholiad diwethaf y Senedd, eich bod chi'n teimlo ei bod hi'n briodol tynnu'r bwrdd iechyd hwnnw allan o fesurau arbennig, ac, yna, yn anochel, yn gyflym iawn ar ôl etholiadau'r Senedd, aeth y bwrdd iechyd yn syth yn ôl i fesurau arbennig.
Nawr, mae pethau mor wael ag y buon nhw erioed i'r trigolion yr wyf i'n eu cynrychioli yn y gogledd, a rhannais yn y Siambr hon yr wythnos diwethaf enghraifft un o'm trigolion sydd, yn anffodus, yn angheuol sâl â chanser, y bu'n rhaid iddo aros mwy na 24 awr mewn adran damweiniau ac achosion brys. Felly, Prif Weinidog, oherwydd rheoleidd-dra'r digwyddiadau hyn, ac oherwydd difrifoldeb y problemau y mae fy nhrigolion yn eu dioddef, oni fyddech chi'n meddwl mai nawr yw'r amser ar gyfer adolygiad annibynnol o'r bwrdd iechyd, fel y gall y bobl yr wyf i'n eu cynrychioli gael y gofal iechyd y maen nhw'n ei haeddu?
Thank you for the question. Before I deal with the substance of the points, there is a broader point that I want to make, that I hope will have support across the Chamber, because it's just over a week or so ago that there was a case of measles identified following someone who attended Wrexham Maelor. That actual 24-year-old was not vaccinated; they were visiting and actually attended from England to come to the hospital. There's a broader point here—and I think I made this in response to Peter Fox previously—about measles vaccination. It is a serious issue for people across all sides in this Chamber and beyond to encourage adults who are unvaccinated, or under-vaccinated, as well as children, to get vaccinated, because there is a real issue with the scale of measles outbreaks across the country, and it shows that, whilst we have a better position on vaccination than England, we're not immune to the challenges that do exist.
On your questions about, in particular, unscheduled and emergency care, this is an area where we know there's further improvement that is required. I can't comment on individual waits, but I recognise, as indeed does the Cabinet Secretary, that there are too many people who have an experience of waiting too long in an emergency department, or, indeed, an experience that we would not wish for our own loved ones as well. That's why there's a range of improvement action that is taking place. There's some extra resource available. So, there's £2 million for the health board in the financial year that we're just entering, and, indeed, in January, the Cabinet Secretary announced money for the whole of Wales, and Betsi Cadwaladr got the largest share of that. There's quite a lot of work that is being done on trying to make sure that people get to the most appropriate point for their care—so, for example, the same-day emergency service that has been created since Eluned Morgan became the Cabinet Secretary and the additional roll-out of urgent primary care that has taken place across north Wales. Those are thousands of people who are getting seen in a more prompt manner because that is the right thing to do for them.
What we actually have is both the twin challenges of needing to transform our system whilst at the same time seeing demand increase. I think, in February this year, compared to a year before, there's been a 24 per cent increase in demand coming in through our emergency departments, and that's a huge additional wave of demand that we need to be able to see and cope with. What makes that much harder is that we're not able to get people out of hospital when they're medically fit for discharge. And the Member will know, as a former leader of a local authority, that this is joint work between health and local government, to make sure that when the hospital is no longer the right place for their care, those people can leave. In north Wales, there are regularly more than 300 people who are medically fit for discharge but can't leave. To give context to that, that's about two thirds of the entire bed space in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Now, it's in the interest of all of us to work together because, for that person who is in the wrong place, it's actually not a great experience for them, they're actually then subject to additional risks of decommissioning, and the Member will know this from his own time when he had a real job before politics, and actually thinking about the need to make sure that people are properly able to get around and about. So, this is a shared challenge for the two biggest sectors of the public sector, and, crucially, for those individuals as well. Those are the issues we face, and that is what we're going to carry on focusing on with our attention, together with partners and stakeholders.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Cyn i mi ymdrin â sylwedd y pwyntiau, mae pwynt ehangach yr wyf i eisiau ei wneud, yr wyf i'n gobeithio y bydd cefnogaeth iddo ar draws y Siambr, oherwydd ychydig dros wythnos yn ôl y nodwyd achos o'r frech goch yn dilyn rhywun a aeth i Maelor Wrecsam. Nid oedd yr unigolyn 24 oed penodol hwnnw wedi cael ei frechu; roedd yn ymweld a daeth o Loegr i ddod i'r ysbyty mewn gwirionedd. Ceir pwynt ehangach yma—ac rwy'n credu fy mod i wneud gwneud hwn mewn ymateb i Peter Fox yn flaenorol—am frechiad y frech goch. Mae'n fater difrifol i bobl ar draws pob ochr yn y Siambr hon a thu hwnt annog oedolion sydd heb eu brechu, neu nad ydyn nhw wedi'u brechu'n ddigonol, yn ogystal â phlant, i gael eu brechu, oherwydd mae problem wirioneddol gyda graddfa achosion o'r frech goch ledled y wlad, ac mae'n dangos, er bod gennym ni sefyllfa well o ran brechu na Lloegr, nad ydym ni'n ddiogel rhag yr heriau sy'n bodoli.
O ran eich cwestiynau am, yn benodol, gofal heb ei drefnu a brys, mae hwn yn faes lle'r ydym ni'n gwybod bod gwelliant pellach yn ofynnol. Ni allaf wneud sylwadau ar arosiadau unigol, ond rwy'n cydnabod, fel yn wir y mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, bod gormod o bobl sydd â phrofiad o aros yn rhy hir mewn adran achosion brys, neu, yn wir, profiad na fyddem ni'n ei ddymuno i'n hanwyliaid ein hunain hefyd. Dyna pam mae amrywiaeth o gamau gwella sy'n cael eu cymryd. Mae rhai adnoddau ychwanegol ar gael. Felly, ceir £2 filiwn ar gyfer y bwrdd iechyd yn y flwyddyn ariannol yr ydym ni newydd ei chychwyn, ac, yn wir, ym mis Ionawr, cyhoeddodd yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet arian ar gyfer Cymru gyfan, a chafodd Betsi Cadwaladr y gyfran fwyaf o hwnnw. Mae cryn dipyn o waith yn cael ei wneud ar geisio gwneud yn siŵr bod pobl yn cyrraedd y pwynt mwyaf priodol ar gyfer eu gofal—felly, er enghraifft, y gwasanaeth brys yr un diwrnod a grëwyd ers i Eluned Morgan ddod yn Ysgrifennydd Cabinet a'r gwaith ychwanegol o gyflwyno gofal sylfaenol brys sydd wedi digwydd ar draws y gogledd. Mae'r rheini'n filoedd o bobl sy'n cael eu gweld mewn modd mwy prydlon gan mai dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud iddyn nhw.
Yr hyn sydd gennym ni mewn gwirionedd yw'r heriau deublyg o fod angen trawsnewid ein system tra ar yr un pryd gweld galw'n cynyddu. Rwy'n credu, ym mis Chwefror eleni, o'i gymharu â blwyddyn ynghynt, y bu cynnydd o 24 y cant i alw yn dod i mewn drwy ein hadrannau brys, ac mae honno'n don ychwanegol enfawr o alw y mae angen i ni allu ei gweld ac ymdopi â hi. Yr hyn sy'n gwneud hynny'n llawer anoddach yw nad ydym ni'n gallu cael pobl allan o'r ysbyty pan fyddan nhw'n feddygol barod i gael eu rhyddhau. A bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod, fel cyn-arweinydd awdurdod lleol, mai gwaith ar y cyd yw hwn rhwng maes iechyd a llywodraeth leol, i wneud yn siŵr y gall y bobl hynny adael pan nad yr ysbyty yw'r lle iawn ar gyfer eu gofal mwyach. Yn y gogledd, mae mwy na 300 o bobl yn rheolaidd sy'n feddygol barod i gael eu rhyddhau ond nad ydyn nhw'n gallu gadael. I roi cyd-destun i hynny, mae hynny tua dwy ran o dair o'r holl welyau yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. Nawr, mae er budd pob un ohonom ni i weithio gyda'n gilydd oherwydd, i'r unigolyn hwnnw sydd yn y lle anghywir, nid yw'n brofiad gwych iddo mewn gwirionedd, mae wedyn yn agored i risgiau ychwanegol o ddatgomisiynu, a bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod hyn o'i amser ei hun pan oedd ganddo swydd go iawn cyn gwleidyddiaeth, a meddwl mewn gwirionedd am yr angen i wneud yn siŵr bod pobl yn gallu cael eu hunain o gwmpas yn iawn. Felly, mae hon yn her gyffredin i ddau sector mwyaf y sector cyhoeddus, ac, yn hollbwysig, i'r unigolion hynny hefyd. Dyna'r problemau sy'n ein hwynebu, a dyna'r hyn yr ydym ni'n mynd i barhau i ganolbwyntio arno gyda'n sylw, ynghyd â phartneriaid a rhanddeiliaid.
Un o'r problemau amlwg yn y ddarpariaeth gofal iechyd gennym ni yn y gogledd ydy'r rhestrau aros hirfaith. Cymerwch gleifion syndromau Ehlers-Danlos, er enghraifft. Dros y ffin yn Lloegr, mae cleifion yno yn cael eu cyfeirio yn syth at arbenigwyr, ond mae cleifion Ehlers-Danlos yng ngogledd Cymru yn gorfod gwneud cais am ariannu claf unigol, sydd, yn amlach na pheidio, yn cael ei wrthod, sydd felly, yn ei dro, yn golygu eu bod nhw’n mynd heb y gofal angenrheidiol ar gyfer cyflwr difrifol. Ydych chi, Brif Weinidog, yn credu ei bod hi'n iawn bod cleifion Ehlers-Danlos yn gorfod dioddef fel hyn yn y gogledd, ac a wnewch chi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod cleifion gogledd Cymru—a Chymru gyfan, yn wir—yn cael eu cyfeirio'n syth, heb orfod oedi a gwneud ceisiadau am ariannu unigol?
One of the most prominent issues we have in the healthcare provision in north Wales is the long waiting lists. Take Ehlers-Danlos syndromes patients, for example. Over the border in England, patients there are referred straightaway to specialists, but Ehlers-Danlos patients in north Wales have to make an application for individual patient funding, which is, more often than not, rejected, which means, in turn, that they have to go without the vital care that they need for this serious condition. Do you, First Minister, belive that it's right that Ehlers-Danlos patients have to suffer in this way in north Wales, and will you commit to ensuring that patients in north Wales—and the whole of Wales, indeed—are referred directly, without having to wait and make applications for individual funding?
I'm not aware of the individual issue the Member raises. If he writes to me and the Cabinet Secretary for health, we'll happily look into that to see if there is a system-wide change that we could make. Actually, when it comes to access to new medication, we actually do better in Wales than in other parts of the UK. The new treatment fund, which I was proud that we introduced at the start of the last Senedd term, has made a real difference in getting new treatments available promptly and consistently across Wales. If that isn't the case in the area that the Member refers to, then I'd be interested in how we can look at that to understand if there is improvement action that we can take not just for north Wales, but across the whole country.
Nid wyf i'n ymwybodol o'r mater unigol y mae'r Aelod yn ei godi. Os gwnaiff ef ysgrifennu ataf i ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros iechyd, byddwn yn hapus i edrych i mewn i hynny i weld a oes newid ar draws y system gyfan y gallem ni ei wneud. A dweud y gwir, o ran mynediad at feddyginiaeth newydd, rydym ni'n gwneud yn well yng Nghymru nag mewn rhannau eraill o'r DU mewn gwirionedd. Mae'r gronfa triniaethau newydd, yr oeddwn i'n falch iawn i ni ei chyflwyno ar ddechrau tymor diwethaf y Senedd, wedi gwneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol o ran sicrhau bod triniaethau newydd ar gael yn brydlon ac yn gyson ledled Cymru. Os nad yw hynny'n wir yn yr ardal y mae'r Aelod yn cyfeirio ati, yna byddai gen i ddiddordeb mewn sut y gallwn ni edrych ar hynny i ddeall a oes camau gwella y gallwn ni eu cymryd nid yn unig ar gyfer y gogledd, ond ledled y wlad gyfan.
There is a lot of positivity happening as well in the NHS—a lot of people are being seen, and I welcome investment in north Wales, with the new orthopaedic unit being built, well-being hubs, investment in community provision, and extended hours to minor injury units, which is making a difference. I also welcome the new medical school for north Wales, and the new medical training centre for nurses, paramedics and other allied health professionals in Wrexham. And there are training pathways for social healthcare learners at Coleg Llandrillo, which is really positive. Recruitment and retention is really important. I don't want to keep talking the NHS down. However, I am concerned about the retention of staff. I've heard that a dermatologist has recently left to work in the private sector, which we don't want to happen. Betsi employs 19,000 people, and it's really important to the local economy as well, as an employer. So, to improve retention, we need to look at working conditions—offering flexibility, through reduced hours, perhaps, and job shares, would be a good way forward, if possible. First Minister, do you agree that, by investing in people, we can grow both our healthcare workforce and our local economy? Thank you.
Mae llawer o bethau cadarnhaol yn digwydd hefyd yn y GIG—mae llawer o bobl yn cael eu gweld, ac rwy'n croesawu buddsoddiad yn y gogledd, gyda'r uned orthopedig newydd yn cael ei hadeiladu, canolfannau llesiant, buddsoddiad mewn darpariaeth gymunedol, ac oriau estynedig i unedau mân anafiadau, sy'n gwneud gwahaniaeth. Rwyf i hefyd yn croesawu'r ysgol feddygol newydd ar gyfer gogledd Cymru, a'r ganolfan hyfforddiant meddygol newydd ar gyfer nyrsys, parafeddygon a gweithwyr proffesiynol eraill perthynol i iechyd yn Wrecsam. Ac mae llwybrau hyfforddi ar gyfer dysgwyr gofal iechyd cymdeithasol yng Ngholeg Llandrillo, sy'n gadarnhaol iawn. Mae recriwtio a chadw yn bwysig iawn. Nid wyf i eisiau parhau i fychanu'r GIG. Fodd bynnag, rwy'n poeni am gadw staff. Rwyf i wedi clywed bod dermatolegydd wedi gadael yn ddiweddar i weithio yn y sector preifat, rhywbeth nad ydym ni eisiau iddo ddigwydd. Mae Betsi yn cyflogi 19,000 o bobl, ac mae'n bwysig iawn i'r economi leol hefyd, fel cyflogwr. Felly, er mwyn gwella cyfraddau cadw, mae angen i ni edrych ar amodau gwaith—byddai cynnig hyblygrwydd, drwy lai o oriau, efallai, a rhannu swyddi, yn ffordd dda ymlaen, os yw'n bosibl. Prif Weinidog, a ydych chi'n cytuno, trwy fuddsoddi mewn pobl, y gallwn ni dyfu ein gweithlu gofal iechyd a'n heconomi leol? Diolch.
Thank you for the question. I think it's important to reflect, as the Member does, that, whilst there are challenges on healthcare delivery in north Wales, which we acknowledge—that's why there's the special measures framework, and it's why the Cabinet Secretary spends a lot of her time poring over the detail of the improvements that are still required—for most people, they actually have a good experience of healthcare, and that is because of the fantastic work that our staff do, the dedication and the skill they have, and the continued transformation and improvement we're seeking to make.
I'm glad the Member made the point about the importance of the health board as an employer in the economy. Nearly 20,000 people being employed has a significant impact in local economies, right across the area. And I do think that's, therefore, about how you retain staff. It is about what we're doing to invest in the future—our current staff want to see investment in the future, for them to stay. I'm very proud of the steps that this Government has taken to help create a new medical school. We've worked with other partners in doing that in the past, in conversation with Plaid Cymru and others, but we are delivering a budget to make sure that that happens. And in the autumn of this year, the first intake to Bangor medical school will take place, the first direct students, and, by 2029, it will have reached its full capacity—doctors trained in Wales, for Wales. And that is important for our current medical and allied workforce as well, to see that investment taking place.
That goes alongside the point the Member finished on, about having a flexible approach to conditions. As our workforce shifts and trains, as our expectations have done—. It used to be the case that doctors expected to work punishingly long hours during their training. They accepted that as part of what happened, and yet, actually, none of us, I think, would now say that it's acceptable for doctors to work those extraordinary hours. And doctors are humans who want to have other relationships too. So, a flexible approach, where possible, to meet the needs of the patient and the person is what we do want our NHS to progressively undertake and deliver. It's a point well made. I hope the Member will see good examples of that in the health service across north Wales and beyond.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig myfyrio, fel y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud, er bod heriau o ran y ddarpariaeth o ofal iechyd yn y gogledd, yr ydym ni'n eu cydnabod—dyna pam mae fframwaith mesurau arbennig, a dyna pam mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn treulio llawer o'i hamser yn pori dros fanylion y gwelliannau sydd eu hangen o hyd—i'r rhan fwyaf o bobl, mae ganddyn nhw brofiad da o ofal iechyd mewn gwirionedd, ac mae hynny oherwydd y gwaith ardderchog y mae ein staff yn ei wneud, yr ymroddiad a'r sgìl sydd ganddyn nhw, a'r trawsnewidiad a'r gwelliant parhaus yr ydym ni'n ceisio eu gwneud.
Rwy'n falch bod yr Aelod wedi gwneud y pwynt ynglŷn â phwysigrwydd y bwrdd iechyd fel cyflogwr yn yr economi. Mae cyflogi bron i 20,000 o bobl yn cael effaith sylweddol mewn economïau lleol, ar draws yr ardal gyfan. Ac rwy'n credu bod hynny, felly, yn ymwneud â sut rydych chi'n cadw staff. Mae'n ymwneud â'r hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud i fuddsoddi yn y dyfodol—mae ein staff presennol eisiau gweld buddsoddiad yn y dyfodol, iddyn nhw aros. Rwy'n falch iawn o'r camau y mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi eu cymryd i helpu i greu ysgol feddygol newydd. Rydym ni wedi gweithio gyda phartneriaid eraill i wneud hynny yn y gorffennol, mewn sgwrs gyda Phlaid Cymru ac eraill, ond rydym ni'n darparu cyllideb i wneud yn siŵr bod hynny'n digwydd. Ac yn yr hydref eleni, bydd y garfan gyntaf yn cael ei derbyn i ysgol feddygol Bangor, y myfyrwyr uniongyrchol cyntaf, ac, erbyn 2029, bydd wedi cyrraedd ei gapasiti llawn—meddygon wedi'u hyfforddi yng Nghymru, ar gyfer Cymru. Ac mae hynny'n bwysig i'n gweithlu meddygol a perthynol i iechyd presennol hefyd, i weld y buddsoddiad hwnnw'n digwydd.
Mae hynny'n mynd ochr yn ochr â'r pwynt y gwnaeth yr Aelod gloi arno, ynglŷn â chael dull hyblyg o ymdrin ag amodau. Wrth i'n gweithlu newid a hyfforddi, fel y mae ein disgwyliadau wedi eu gwneud—. Roedd yn arfer bod yn wir bod meddygon yn disgwyl gweithio oriau eithriadol o hir yn ystod eu hyfforddiant. Roedden nhw'n derbyn hynny yn rhan o'r hyn a oedd yn digwydd, ac eto, mewn gwirionedd, ni fyddai'r un ohonom ni'n dweud bellach, rwy'n credu, ei bod hi'n dderbyniol i feddygon weithio'r oriau rhyfeddol hynny. Ac mae meddygon yn bobl sydd eisiau bod â pherthnasoedd eraill hefyd. Felly, dull hyblyg, pan fo'n bosibl, i ddiwallu anghenion y claf a'r unigolyn yw'r hyn yr ydym ni eisiau i'n GIG ymgymryd ag ef a'i ddarparu'n raddol. Mae'n bwynt wedi'i wneud yn dda. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr Aelod yn gweld enghreifftiau da o hynny yn y gwasanaeth iechyd ar draws y gogledd a thu hwnt.
2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gynyddu nifer y plant oedran ysgol gynradd sy'n gallu nofio? OQ61121
2. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of primary school children who are able to swim? OQ61121
Thank you for the question. Across the Welsh Government, officials are working closely with both Swim Wales and Water Safety Wales to raise the profile of swimming within the Curriculum for Wales and to support primary school learners with swimming skills and water safety education.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru, mae swyddogion yn gweithio'n agos gyda Nofio Cymru a Diogelwch Dŵr Cymru i godi proffil nofio o fewn y Cwricwlwm i Gymru ac i gynorthwyo dysgwyr ysgol gynradd gyda sgiliau nofio ac addysg diogelwch dŵr.
First Minister, you may have seen the data from Swim Wales, which shows that only one in six or 16 per cent of children can swim. This is a really serious issue for my constituents, particularly up in Pentwyn, where we have a handy lake that children can drown in, but no swimming pool has been available to them since COVID. We still haven't seen the local authority commissioning the refurbishment of the pool, and the earliest it's going to reopen might be the summer of 2025. In the meantime, schools are having to shell out very large sums of money—up to £4,000—to ensure that children get their curriculum entitlement to learn how to swim. So, I wondered what you think the Government can do to accelerate the need to ensure that every child can swim, particularly in the most disadvantaged areas, where people are not being taken on holiday, because families, simply, don't have the money to go on holiday, and, in the summer, they are hugely at risk of water being available to drown in.
Prif Weinidog, efallai eich bod chi wedi gweld y data gan Nofio Cymru, sy'n dangos mai dim ond un o bob chwech neu 16 y cant o blant sy'n gallu nofio. Mae hwn yn fater difrifol iawn i'm hetholwyr, yn enwedig i fyny ym Mhen-twyn, lle mae gennym ni lyn defnyddiol y gall plant foddi ynddo, ond nid oes pwll nofio wedi bod ar gael iddyn nhw ers COVID. Dydyn ni byth wedi gweld yr awdurdod lleol yn comisiynu gwaith ailwampio'r pwll, a'r cynharaf y mae'n mynd i ailagor allai fod haf 2025. Yn y cyfamser, mae ysgolion yn gorfod talu symiau mawr iawn o arian—hyd at £4,000—er mwyn sicrhau bod plant yn cael eu hawl cwricwlwm i ddysgu sut i nofio. Felly, meddwl oeddwn i tybed beth ydych chi'n ei feddwl y gall y Llywodraeth ei wneud i gyflymu'r angen i sicrhau bod pob plentyn yn gallu nofio, yn enwedig yn yr ardaloedd mwyaf difreintiedig, lle nad yw pobl yn cael eu cymryd ar wyliau, gan nad oes gan deuluoedd, yn syml, yr arian i fynd ar wyliau, ac, yn yr haf, maen nhw mewn perygl enfawr o ddŵr sydd ar gael i foddi ynddo.
There's a serious point the Member raises. For many people, swimming is a leisure activity or is an activity for exercise. It's also a skill for life. So, I'm delighted that my own son has taken up the lessons that have been provided through his school. It's a real positive to see that skill for life that children learn early. And I particularly think about my own example. I learnt to swim as an adult. I was in my 30s when I learnt to swim, and I was concerned about the fact that, if I was in water that I could not stand up in, I could not move two or three metres to get myself to safety. So, I learnt to swim in the old Splott pool in Cardiff, which has now been refurbished. There's a new pool with a library and a hub of additional advice services around it. And my understanding is that's what Cardiff Council are looking to do with Pentwyn pool, where they're engaging with the public now on the design for not just a new pool, but the services to go around it. That's part of the answer, together with the work we are doing with schools across the country, including in Cardiff, to make sure that the statutory guidance for the new curriculum about making sure that children can be safe around water is taken up, together with the funding we do provide to local authorities to make sure that free swimming lessons are available. I think about six in 10 Cardiff primary schools do provide free swimming lessons, and I'd be interested in a conversation with the local authority about where those schools are and how that is rolled out to provide those opportunities progressively to a wider group of primary school-aged children. This a key lesson for life, and I would like to see other children take up that opportunity and not have to learn as an adult, as I did.
Ceir pwynt difrifol y mae'r Aelod yn ei godi. I lawer o bobl, mae nofio yn weithgaredd hamdden neu'n weithgaredd ar gyfer ymarfer corff. Mae hefyd yn sgìl am oes. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn bod fy mab fy hun wedi manteisio ar y gwersi a ddarparwyd drwy ei ysgol. Mae'n gadarnhaol iawn gweld y sgìl am oes hwnnw y mae plant yn ei ddysgu'n gynnar. Ac rwy'n meddwl yn benodol am fy enghraifft fy hun. Dysgais i nofio fel oedolyn. Roeddwn i yn fy 30au pan ddysgais sut i nofio, ac roeddwn i'n poeni am y ffaith, pe bawn i mewn dŵr na allwn i sefyll ar fy nhraed ynddo, na allwn i symud dau neu dri metr i gael fy hun i ddiogelwch. Felly, dysgais sut i nofio yn hen bwll Sblot yng Nghaerdydd, sydd bellach wedi cael ei ailwampio. Ceir pwll newydd â llyfrgell a chanolfan o wasanaethau cyngor ychwanegol o gwmpas. Ac fy nealltwriaeth i yw mai dyna y mae Cyngor Caerdydd yn bwriadu ei wneud gyda phwll Pen-twyn, lle maen nhw'n ymgysylltu â'r cyhoedd nawr ar y dyluniad ar gyfer nid yn unig pwll newydd, ond y gwasanaethau i fynd o'i gwmpas. Mae hynny'n rhan o'r ateb, ynghyd â'r gwaith yr ydym ni'n ei wneud gydag ysgolion ledled y wlad, gan gynnwys yng Nghaerdydd, i wneud yn siŵr bod y canllawiau statudol ar gyfer y cwricwlwm newydd ynghylch gwneud yn siŵr y gall plant fod yn ddiogel o gwmpas dŵr yn cael eu mabwysiadu, ynghyd â'r cyllid yr ydym ni'n ei ddarparu i awdurdodau lleol i wneud yn siŵr bod gwersi nofio am ddim ar gael. Rwy'n credu bod tua chwech o bob 10 ysgol gynradd yng Nghaerdydd yn darparu gwersi nofio am ddim, a byddai gen i ddiddordeb mewn cael sgwrs gyda'r awdurdod lleol ynghylch ble mae'r ysgolion hynny a sut mae hynny'n cael ei gyflwyno i ddarparu'r cyfleoedd hynny yn raddol i grŵp ehangach o blant oedran cynradd. Mae hon yn wers allweddol am oes, a hoffwn weld plant eraill yn manteisio ar y cyfle hwnnw a pheidio gorfod dysgu fel oedolyn, fel y bu'n rhaid i mi.
First Minister, as Jenny Rathbone highlighted, the low proficiency amongst children swimming in Wales is, I think, dangerously low. And we do see and hear on the media of young people who lose their lives unnecessarily because they can't swim, or they don't know any safety techniques when they do fall into water and then they get into trouble, and unfortunately they drown. So, First Minister, what plans does the Welsh Government have to make swimming mandatory within the curriculum to make sure that our young people are educated about how to swim, and to make sure that no young person dies unnecessarily in water because they have not got any techniques to make them able to save their own life?
Prif Weinidog, fel yr amlygodd Jenny Rathbone, mae'r hyfedredd isel ymhlith plant sy'n nofio yng Nghymru, rwy'n credu, yn beryglus o isel. Ac rydym ni'n gweld ac yn clywed yn y cyfryngau am bobl ifanc sy'n colli eu bywydau yn ddiangen gan nad ydyn nhw'n gallu nofio, neu nad ydyn nhw'n gwybod unrhyw dechnegau diogelwch pan fyddan nhw'n syrthio i mewn i ddŵr ac yna maen nhw'n mynd i drafferthion, ac yn anffodus maen nhw'n boddi. Felly, Prif Weinidog, pa gynlluniau sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru i wneud nofio yn orfodol o fewn y cwricwlwm i wneud yn siŵr bod ein pobl ifanc yn cael eu haddysgu sut i nofio, ac i wneud yn siŵr nad oes yr un person ifanc yn marw yn ddiangen mewn dŵr oherwydd nad oes ganddo unrhyw dechnegau i roi'r gallu iddo achub ei fywyd ei hun?
I think there are two slightly different things here. The first is, as I said in response to the Member for Cardiff Central, that, actually, we do have clear guidance in the national curriculum about making this available. The challenge is making sure that's taken up progressively—so, we do provide money to support that—and then having the facility that's available to nearby communities, because, practically, if you need to travel a significant amount of time—. I think time more than distance is the issue, because you can move a short distance as the crow flies in our cities but it can actually take a long time to travel. So, the redevelopment of Pentwyn is really important for that section of Jenny Rathbone's constituency. It's one of the least advantaged communities in the capital city. So, the practical access is part of that.
I think the second point is a point that the Member raises quite correctly, and that's not just about access to swimming lessons; it's about water safety and, in particular, understanding when water isn't safe to enter, even if you are a competent swimmer—that's both what's underneath the water as well as the fact that going into cold water can be dangerous for people of all ages. So, that's the point about not just working with Swim Wales, but also Water Safety Wales, to try to educate our children and young people to understand what being safe around water really does mean, as well as the joy of learning the life skill of being able to swim.
Rwy'n credu bod dau beth ychydig yn wahanol yma. Y cyntaf, fel y dywedais i mewn ymateb i'r Aelod dros Ganol Caerdydd, yw bod gennym ni ganllawiau eglur yn y cwricwlwm cenedlaethol mewn gwirionedd ynghylch gwneud hyn ar gael. Yr her yw gwneud yn siŵr bod hynny'n cael ei fabwysiadu yn raddol—felly, rydym ni'n darparu arian i gefnogi hynny—ac yna bod â'r cyfleuster sydd ar gael i gymunedau cyfagos, oherwydd, yn ymarferol, os bydd angen i chi deithio cryn dipyn o amser—. Rwy'n credu mai amser mwy na phellter yw'r broblem, oherwydd gallwch symud pellter byr fel mae'r frân yn hedfan yn ein dinasoedd ond gall gymryd amser hir i deithio. Felly, mae ailddatblygu Pen-twyn yn bwysig iawn i'r rhan honno o etholaeth Jenny Rathbone. Mae'n un o'r cymunedau lleiaf breintiedig yn y brifddinas. Felly, mae'r mynediad ymarferol yn rhan o hynny.
Rwy'n credu bod yr ail bwynt yn bwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei godi'n eithaf cywir, ac nid yw hwnnw'n ymwneud â mynediad at wersi nofio yn unig; mae'n ymwneud â diogelwch dŵr ac, yn benodol, deall pan nad yw'n ddiogel mynd i mewn i ddŵr, hyd yn oed os ydych chi'n nofiwr cymwys—mae hynny'n fater o'r hyn sydd o dan y dŵr yn ogystal â'r ffaith y gall mynd i mewn i ddŵr oer fod yn beryglus i bobl o bob oed. Felly, dyna'r pwynt nid yn unig am weithio gyda Nofio Cymru, ond hefyd Diogelwch Dŵr Cymru, i geisio addysgu ein plant a'n pobl ifanc i ddeall yr hyn y mae bod yn ddiogel o gwmpas dŵr yn ei olygu mewn gwirionedd, yn ogystal â'r llawenydd o ddysgu'r sgìl bywyd o allu nofio.
Prif Weinidog, you've recognised this afternoon the importance of swimming and swimming lessons for all ages, but you will be aware that a number of pools in communities across Wales have closed, either due to revenue costs or because of their physical condition. This really is a question of access, I think. Pontardawe swimming pool in Neath Port Talbot is due to close in August because its life has expired after 50 years and its condition has deteriorated to the extent where it would be dangerous to continue operating. I'm glad that Neath Port Talbot council will be commissioning a feasibility study into building a replacement pool—refurbishment isn't an option. Will the First Minister state what existing funding support is available for the provision of swimming pools by local authorities and leisure trusts in Wales? What new capital funding can be made available to support the building of new and environmentally sustainable pools, which are essential for the health and well-being and safety, as you pointed out, of communities like those of Pontardawe and the Swansea and Aman valleys?
Prif Weinidog, rydych chi wedi cydnabod y prynhawn yma bwysigrwydd nofio a gwersi nofio ar gyfer pob oedran, ond byddwch yn ymwybodol bod nifer o byllau mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru wedi cau, naill ai oherwydd costau refeniw neu oherwydd eu cyflwr ffisegol. Mae hwn yn gwestiwn o fynediad mewn gwirionedd, rwy'n credu. Disgwylir i bwll nofio Pontardawe yng Nghastell-nedd Port Talbot gau ym mis Awst oherwydd bod ei oes wedi dod i ben ar ôl 50 mlynedd ac mae ei gyflwr wedi dirywio i'r graddau y byddai'n beryglus parhau i weithredu. Rwy'n falch y bydd cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot yn comisiynu astudiaeth ddichonoldeb i adeiladu pwll newydd—nid yw ailwampio yn opsiwn. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog nodi pa gymorth ariannol presennol sydd ar gael i awdurdodau lleol ac ymddiriedolaethau hamdden yng Nghymru ddarparu pyllau nofio? Pa gyllid cyfalaf newydd ellir ei wneud ar gael i gynorthwyo adeiladu pyllau newydd sy'n amgylcheddol gynaliadwy, sy'n hanfodol ar gyfer iechyd a llesiant a diogelwch, fel y nodwyd gennych, cymunedau fel rhai Pontardawe a chwm Tawe a dyffryn Aman?
We do provide capital support through Sport Wales to help with some of this. Our challenge, though, is the scale of the capital we have available to us and the scale of the challenge we face. Because the Member is right: a number of the assets that communities have been used to using are coming to the end of their lives, and there is therefore a need to think about the capital investment that's required and the point the Member makes around the sustainability of those buildings. The buildings we'd build today would be quite different to the buildings of 50 years ago and how they're made generally sustainable. There is, of course, lots of innovation taking place around local authorities—Rhondda Cynon Taf, for example, is having open-water pools available. It's not something that I'd choose to do, but there are others who want to do it. It's about the access to the opportunity. Our work with local authorities would have to be bound by the realities of their budgets. Every Member in this room knows that we don't have the resource in terms of revenue or capital that we'd like to have, so this will require sustained investment over a longer period of time, it will require a different settlement on what we're able to generate in capital terms to support local government and communities with the aspirations that I know that they do have.
Rydym ni'n darparu cymorth cyfalaf drwy Chwaraeon Cymru i helpu gyda rhywfaint o hyn. Ein her, fodd bynnag, yw maint y cyfalaf sydd gennym ni ar gael i ni a maint yr her sy'n ein hwynebu. Oherwydd mae'r Aelod yn iawn: mae nifer o'r asedau y mae cymunedau wedi dod i arfer eu defnyddio yn cyrraedd diwedd eu hoes, ac felly mae angen meddwl am y buddsoddiad cyfalaf sydd ei angen a'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud ynghylch cynaliadwyedd yr adeiladau hynny. Byddai'r adeiladau y byddem ni'n eu hadeiladu heddiw yn dra gwahanol i adeiladau 50 mlynedd yn ôl a sut maen nhw'n cael eu gwneud yn gyffredinol gynaliadwy. Wrth gwrs, mae llawer o arloesi yn digwydd ynghylch awdurdodau lleol—mae gan Rondda Cynon Taf, er enghraifft, byllau dŵr agored ar gael. Nid yw'n rhywbeth y byddwn i'n dewis ei wneud, ond mae eraill sydd eisiau ei wneud. Mae'n ymwneud â'r mynediad at y cyfle. Byddai'n rhaid i'n gwaith gydag awdurdodau lleol gael ei rwymo gan realiti eu cyllidebau. Mae pob Aelod yn yr ystafell hon yn gwybod nad oes gennym ni'r adnodd o ran refeniw neu gyfalaf yr hoffem ni feddu arno, felly bydd hyn yn gofyn am fuddsoddiad parhaus dros gyfnod hwy o amser, bydd yn gofyn am wahanol setliad ar yr hyn y gallwn ni ei gynhyrchu mewn termau cyfalaf i gynorthwyo llywodraeth leol a chymunedau gyda'r dyheadau y gwn sydd ganddyn nhw.
Cwestiynau nawr gan arweinwyr y pleidiau. Arweinydd y Ceidwadwyr, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Questions now from the party leaders. Leader of the Conservatives, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. Could I first of all identify with your opening remarks about Owen John Thomas and his commitment to this Welsh Parliament, and obviously to public service throughout his whole life? I extend the Conservatives' condolences to his family at this very difficult time for them as well.
First Minister, the residents around the landfill site at Withyhedge are really having a nightmare of a situation inflicted on them. The smells, the odours, are unbearable for residents in this part of west Wales. They've now had two public health warnings, one in March and one as recently as Friday, about the stench and the impact that could have on public health in the area. It's not unreasonable to ask the question, as many residents have, and as my colleague for the constituency Paul Davies has: why are they having to put up with this awful situation that seems to be going on for ever and a day? Can you answer that simple question, so that they can have confidence that there will be action taken to address the appalling environment that they're having to bring their children up in and live and breathe every day?
Diolch, Llywydd. A gaf i yn gyntaf uniaethu â'ch sylwadau agoriadol am Owen John Thomas a'i ymrwymiad i'r Senedd Cymru hon, ac yn amlwg i wasanaeth cyhoeddus drwy gydol ei oes? Rwy'n estyn cydymdeimlad y Ceidwadwyr i'w deulu ar yr adeg anodd iawn hon iddyn nhw hefyd.
Prif Weinidog, mae'r trigolion o amgylch y safle tirlenwi yn Withyhedge wir yn cael hunllef o sefyllfa wedi'i gwthio arnyn nhw. Mae'r arogleuon yn annioddefol i drigolion yn y rhan hon o orllewin Cymru. Maen nhw wedi cael dau rybudd iechyd cyhoeddus erbyn hyn, un ym mis Mawrth ac un mor ddiweddar â dydd Gwener, am y drewdod a'r effaith y gallai hwnnw ei chael ar iechyd y cyhoedd yn yr ardal. Nid yw'n afresymol gofyn y cwestiwn, fel y mae llawer o drigolion wedi ei wneud, ac fel y mae fy nghyd-Aelod dros yr etholaeth Paul Davies wedi ei wneud: pam maen nhw'n gorfod goddef y sefyllfa ofnadwy hon sy'n ymddangos fel pe bai'n para am byth? A allwch chi ateb y cwestiwn syml hwnnw, fel y gallan nhw fod yn hyderus y bydd camau yn cael eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â'r amgylchedd echrydus y maen nhw'n gorfod magu eu plant ynddo a'i fyw a'i anadlu bob dydd?
I think it's important that improvement action is taken to resolve the issue. I've had the same conversations with regional Members in my own group about making sure that action is taken, indeed, the issues that Paul Davies will have raised as well.
So, the advice from Public Health Wales that was issued in March is the same as has been recently issued about how to take measures whilst the issue is still unresolved. My understanding is that NRW are taking action to both monitor and to require improvement, and the key point here is that the operator meets those requirements. Equally, I understand they've installed monitoring equipment that NRW then take the readings from to see if they're actually taking the steps they're required to do. So, it's what I'd expect of any operator. The regulatory requirements are there, in place, for exactly this reason, and that's why NRW need to keep on making sure that action is taken and that they then communicate with the public about whether that action has been met.
Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig bod camau gwella yn cael eu cymryd i ddatrys y mater. Rwyf i wedi cael yr un sgyrsiau gydag Aelodau rhanbarthol yn fy ngrŵp fy hun ynglŷn â gwneud yn siŵr bod camau'n cael eu cymryd, yn wir, y materion y bydd Paul Davies wedi'u codi hefyd.
Felly, mae'r cyngor gan Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mawrth yr un fath ag a gyhoeddwyd yn ddiweddar ynglŷn â sut i gymryd mesurau tra nad yw'r mater wedi'i ddatrys o hyd. Fy nealltwriaeth i yw bod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn cymryd camau i fonitro ac i wneud gwelliant yn ofynnol, a'r pwynt allweddol yma yw bod y gweithredwr yn bodloni'r gofynion hynny. Yn yr un modd, rwy'n deall eu bod nhw wedi gosod offer monitro y mae Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedyn yn cymryd y darlleniadau ohono i weld a ydyn nhw'n cymryd y camau y mae'n ofynnol iddyn nhw eu cymryd mewn gwirionedd. Felly, dyna y byddwn i'n ei ddisgwyl gan unrhyw weithredwr. Mae'r gofynion rheoleiddio yno, ar waith, am yr union reswm hwn, a dyna pam mae angen i Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru barhau i wneud yn siŵr bod camau'n cael eu cymryd a'u bod wedyn yn cyfathrebu â'r cyhoedd ynghylch a yw'r camau hynny wedi cael eu cymryd.
I'm sure you'll want to put it on the record, First Minister, that you do have a conflict of interest, because the owner of this landfill site is David Neal of Dauson Environmental Group. And that is the issue here. It is all well and good putting monitoring services in there, but two deadlines, as I said in my opening remarks, have been missed; today is another deadline, as I understand it, that has been set to see improvement in that particular area.
Regrettably, I have spoken to people over the last 10 days, and one individual said that, at 6.30 in the morning, the smell was so strong, they were on all fours throwing their guts up. Those were their words. And last Friday, I was talking to another resident of the area who said that he's actually had people not come in to work, to work on his farm, because the smell is so atrocious there. Now, it's all well and good you saying that monitoring measures have been put in place, but this has been going on now for many months, and it looks as if it could continue for many months more. That isn't acceptable. Would you want that on your doorstep in Penarth, because if it's not good enough for you, why is it good enough for the people in west Wales to have to put up with?
Rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi eisiau ei roi ar y cofnod, Prif Weinidog, bod gennych chi achos o wrthdaro buddiannau, gan mai perchennog y safle tirlenwi hwn yw David Neal o Dauson Environmental Group. A dyna'r broblem yma. Mae'n iawn gosod gwasanaethau monitro yno, ond methwyd dau ddyddiad cau, fel y dywedais i yn fy sylwadau agoriadol; mae heddiw yn ddyddiad cau arall, fel yr wyf i'n ei deall, a bennwyd i weld gwelliant yn yr ardal benodol honno.
Yn anffodus, rwyf i wedi siarad â phobl dros y 10 diwrnod diwethaf, a dywedodd un unigolyn, am 6.30 yn y bore, bod yr arogl mor gryf, ei fod ar ei bedwar yn taflu i fyny. Dyna oedd ei eiriau. A dydd Gwener diwethaf, roeddwn i'n siarad ag un o drigolion eraill yr ardal a ddywedodd ei fod wedi cael pobl ddim yn dod i mewn i'r gwaith, i weithio ar ei fferm, gan fod yr arogl mor erchyll yno. Nawr, mae'n iawn i chi ddweud bod mesurau monitro wedi cael eu rhoi ar waith, ond mae hyn wedi bod yn digwydd ers misoedd lawer bellach, ac mae'n edrych fel pe gallai barhau am fisoedd lawer eto. Nid yw hynny'n dderbyniol. A fyddech chi eisiau hynny ar garreg eich drws ym Mhenarth, oherwydd os nad yw'n ddigon da i chi, pam mae'n ddigon da i bobl y gorllewin orfod ei oddef?
I think there are a number of different points that are being made there. I've been clear about where I can and can't act and where there's a conflict of interest. I haven't taken any action in this instance. I was responding to the Member's question about what's happening by making it very clear that NRW, as the regulator, need to take the required action. I'm not aware that a single member of the Government has attempted to influence the action of NRW; it is for them to undertake the required action to ensure that improvement is delivered, and that's the very clear position of the whole Government.
I wouldn't expect any community to simply tolerate what is happening. That's why action needs to be taken. That's why it needs to be led by the regulator, to be clear about when requirement is undertaken and what will happen, whether that required action is undertaken to time or not. That's the important point here. There's no moving away from required improvement, and I expect the regulator to act as it should do in this and any other instance, regardless of the operator.
Rwy'n credu bod nifer o wahanol bwyntiau sy'n cael eu gwneud yn y fan yna. Rwyf i wedi bod yn eglur ynghylch lle y gallaf ac na allaf weithredu a lle mae gwrthdaro buddiannau. Nid wyf i wedi cymryd unrhyw gamau yn yr achos hwn. Roeddwn i'n ymateb i gwestiwn yr Aelod am yr hyn sy'n digwydd trwy ei gwneud yn eglur iawn bod angen i Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, fel y rheoleiddiwr, gymryd y camau gofynnol. Nid wyf i'n ymwybodol bod yr un aelod o'r Llywodraeth wedi ceisio dylanwadu ar weithredoedd Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru; mater iddyn nhw yw cymryd y camau gofynnol i sicrhau bod gwelliant yn cael ei gyflawni, a dyna safbwynt eglur iawn y Llywodraeth gyfan.
Ni fyddwn yn disgwyl i unrhyw gymuned oddef yr hyn sy'n digwydd. Dyna pam mae angen i gamau gael eu cymryd. Dyna pam mae angen i'r rheoleiddiwr eu harwain, i fod yn eglur ynghylch pryd y bydd gofynion yn cael eu bodloni a'r hyn a fydd yn digwydd, pa un a yw'r camau gofynnol hynny'n cael eu cymryd yn brydlon ai peidio. Dyna'r pwynt pwysig yma. Nid oes unrhyw symud i ffwrdd o welliant gofynnol, ac rwy'n disgwyl i'r rheoleiddiwr weithredu fel y dylai wneud yn yr achos hwn ac mewn unrhyw achos arall, waeth pwy yw'r gweithredwr.
No declaration, First Minister. Any other Member would have to make that declaration. On the third question, in your answer, I hope you will make that declaration, because that's going to the core of what many people in the locality perceive as influence and making sure that things aren't remediated as quickly as possible. That tip needs to shut. It has been run very badly, and residents are being affected in their everyday lives. That is just not good enough. I wouldn't tolerate it on my doorstep, and I certainly wouldn't tolerate it in my electoral area, and I'd be putting in all the possible support I could for residents to try to make sure that they had this situation addressed.
Will you send a clear message that the Welsh Government will deal with this, will work with the regulator and the local authority to make sure that this is brought to a conclusion in a timely manner, and that residents will not feel as if they're in some environmental vortex that is dragging them down and making their lives a misery? Give that commitment and send that message if you would today, so that the residents can have hope.
Dim datganiad, Prif Weinidog. Byddai'n rhaid i unrhyw Aelod arall wneud y datganiad hwnnw. O ran y trydydd cwestiwn, yn eich ateb, rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch chi'n gwneud y datganiad hwnnw, oherwydd mae hynny'n mynd at graidd yr hyn y mae llawer o bobl yn yr ardal yn ei ystyried fel dylanwad a gwneud yn siŵr nad yw pethau'n cael eu datrys cyn gynted â phosibl. Mae angen cau'r tip hwnnw. Mae wedi cael ei redeg yn wael iawn, ac mae trigolion yn cael eu heffeithio yn eu bywydau bob dydd. Nid yw hynny'n ddigon da. Ni fyddwn yn ei oddef ar garreg fy nrws i, ac yn sicr ni fyddwn yn ei oddef yn fy ardal etholiadol, a byddwn yn rhoi'r holl gefnogaeth bosibl y gallwn i drigolion geisio gwneud yn siŵr bod sylw'n cael ei roi i'r sefyllfa hon.
A wnewch chi anfon neges eglur y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymdrin â hyn, yn gweithio gyda'r rheoleiddiwr a'r awdurdod lleol i wneud yn siŵr bod hyn yn cael ei ddirwyn i ben yn brydlon, ac na fydd trigolion yn teimlo fel pe baen nhw mewn rhyw fortecs amgylcheddol sy'n eu llusgo nhw i lawr ac yn gwneud eu bywydau yn ofnadwy? Rhowch yr ymrwymiad hwnnw ac anfonwch y neges honno os gwnewch chi heddiw, fel y gellir rhoi gobaith i'r trigolion.
I think it's important to address the two points. The first is that, if I'm conflicted out, then I can't answer the question. And, actually, my record, which has been updated and is available, from Dauson, that's clear and it's on the public record. There's no lack of clarity or honesty about that.
The second point, after being clear about the declaration, is that I don't think that it does prevent me from setting out that the Government's position is that the issue needs to be resolved properly in accordance with the requirements of the regulator, and of course as soon as possible. As I said in answer to your second question, it would not be acceptable in any community in the country for the issue not to be resolved, whether it's in my constituency or a different part of the country. That's why I say again that the regulator, NRW, needs to act to make sure that improvement is undertaken and that they have the assurance that that has been completed. That's my very clear expectation.
If the regulator wants to talk to the Government, they can of course speak to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, but they would not need to come to me, and if they did, I would have to tell them that I cannot undertake any action in this matter. But I can set out the overall position on what the Government expects in any instance where action is required by NRW or any other regulator.
Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig rhoi sylw i'r ddau bwynt. Y cyntaf yw, os wyf i'n destun gwrthdaro buddiannau, yna ni allaf ateb y cwestiwn. Ac, mewn gwirionedd, mae fy nghofnod i, sydd wedi cael ei ddiweddaru ac sydd ar gael, gan Dauson, mae honno'n eglur ac mae ar y cofnod cyhoeddus. Nid oes unrhyw ddiffyg eglurder na gonestrwydd ynglŷn â hynny.
Yr ail bwynt, ar ôl bod yn eglur ynglŷn â'r datganiad, yw nad wyf i'n credu ei fod yn fy atal rhag nodi mai safbwynt y Llywodraeth yw bod angen datrys y broblem yn briodol yn unol â gofynion y rheoleiddiwr, a chyn gynted â phosibl, wrth gwrs. Fel y dywedais i wrth ateb eich ail gwestiwn, ni fyddai'n dderbyniol mewn unrhyw gymuned yn y wlad i'r broblem beidio â chael ei datrys, boed hynny yn fy etholaeth i neu mewn rhan wahanol o'r wlad. Dyna pam rwy'n dweud eto bod angen i'r rheoleiddiwr, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, weithredu i wneud yn siŵr bod gwelliant yn cael ei wneud a bod ganddyn nhw'r sicrwydd bod hynny wedi'i gwblhau. Dyna fy nisgwyliad eglur iawn.
Os yw'r rheoleiddiwr eisiau siarad â'r Llywodraeth, gall wrth gwrs siarad ag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig, ond ni fyddai angen iddyn nhw ddod ataf i, a phe baen nhw, byddai'n rhaid i mi ddweud wrthyn nhw na allaf i gymryd unrhyw gamau yn y mater hwn. Ond gallaf nodi'r safbwynt cyffredinol o ran yr hyn y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei ddisgwyl mewn unrhyw achos lle mae camau yn ofynnol gan Cyfoeth naturiol Cymru neu unrhyw reoleiddiwr arall.
Arweinydd Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Diolch, ac rwyf innau'n ategu geiriau’r Llywydd wrth dalu teyrnged i Owen John Thomas, cymwynaswr ac ymgyrchydd mor frwd dros ei gymuned a dros y Gymraeg a Chymreictod yn y brifddinas. Ac wrth inni gydymdeimlo efo'i anwyliaid a'i deulu heddiw, rydyn ni'n cofio ei gyfraniad at Blaid Cymru ac at ddyfodol Cymru.
Mae yna ddywediad yn y Gymraeg, onid oes, 'gorau arf, arf dysg', ac mae o mor wir, onid ydy, fod codi safonau addysg yn gorfod bod yn un o brif arfau Cymru wrth drio dod â mwy o lewyrch i'n gwlad ni. Ond rydyn ni'n gweld yn y dyddiau diwethaf yma gymaint o'r min sydd wedi cael ei golli oddi ar allu'r sector addysg uwch i fod ar flaen y gad yn hynny o beth: Aberystwyth yn wynebu colli cymaint â 200 o swyddi wrth drio gwneud arbedion o £15 miliwn; is-ganghellor Caerdydd yn sôn am £35 miliwn o ddiffyg yn ei chyllideb eleni. Mae’n sefyllfa argyfyngus, a ni ydy'r unig genedl yn y Deyrnas Unedig sy’n mynd am yn ôl o ran cyfranogiad ein myfyrwyr ni yn ein sector addysg uwch. Mae cannoedd o swyddi dan fygythiad, ein heconomi o dan fygythiad. A all y Prif Weinidog ddweud wrthym ni pa drafodaethau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cael o ran ailflaenoriaethu adnoddau er mwyn gallu cynnig pecyn i ni gael ein prifysgolion ni drwy’r storm yma?
Thank you, and I echo the words of the Presiding Officer in paying tribute to Owen John Thomas, a real friend and campaigner for his community and for Welshness and the Welsh language in the capital city. And as we extend our sympathies to his loved ones and family today, we remember his contribution to Plaid Cymru and to the future of Wales.
There is a saying in Welsh, 'gorau arf, arf dysg'—an education is the best weapon—and it’s so true that raising educational standards has to be one of the main tools used in Wales as we try to bring more prosperity to our nation. And we see in recent days how much the higher education sector has lost the ability to be in the vanguard in that regard: Aberystwyth is facing losing up to 200 jobs in trying to make savings of £15 million; the vice chancellor in Cardiff is talking about a £35 million deficit in the budget for this year. It’s a critical situation, and we’re the only nation in the UK that is moving backwards in terms of student participation in higher education. There are hundreds of jobs under threat, our economy is under threat. Can the First Minister tell us what discussions the Welsh Government is having in terms of reprioritising resources in order to offer a package to get our universities through this particular storm?
I want to start by just noting Owen John Thomas’s contribution—O.J., as I knew him when I was a researcher in the first year of the National Assembly, as it then was. I always found him kind and courteous in my dealings with him, and I wish him and his family well.
On your point around higher education, we have of course taken a range of steps in the last budget around funding, and there’s a separate point about that that I think is beyond funding, because I don’t think that participation is simply about the level of fees. However, we have taken the difficult decision to actually permit higher education to undertake fee increases to try to generate further income for the sector. There is a need to consider the amount of resource that can go into higher education, together with every other part of our public realm.
HE institutions are independent institutions, but they do receive funding from the public purse because of the wider impact of what they provide. They’re also, of course, coping with the reality that they’ve lost a significant chunk of income in the way that former EU funds were then repurposed and centralised in the UK Government, and higher education was deliberately designed out of access to those funds. That has meant, as we’ve discussed before, that high-quality research jobs have been lost to Welsh institutions, and that is part of the financial challenge that they now face.
You’ll be hearing later on this afternoon from the education Secretary about priorities for education, and I know that post-16 participation is something that we are keen to see further progress made on, and that is in all forms of post-16 participation, higher and further education, as well as people going into the world of work. To get that right, we’ve actually got to look further into the system and earlier on. It is both the change that takes place at the top of primary school and also what people’s aspirations are for the future, and whether we're getting more of our young people to undertake post-16 education, with all of the opportunities it can provide for them and indeed the country.
Our economic mission and the opportunities we have from renewable energy and the new economy that we can create will rely on the skills that people will need, which they will need to acquire from both further and higher education. So, we're clear that we do want to see participation rates turned around and increase. You'll hear more, not just today, but in the next two years and beyond about how we will seek to do that.
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy nodi cyfraniad Owen John Thomas—O.J., fel yr oeddwn i'n ei adnabod pan oeddwn i'n ymchwilydd ym mlwyddyn gyntaf y Cynulliad Cenedlaethol, fel yr oedd bryd hynny. Roedd bob amser yn garedig a chwrtais yn fy nghysylltiadau ag ef, ac rwy'n dymuno'n dda iddo ef a'i deulu.
O ran eich pwynt ar addysg uwch, rydym ni, wrth gwrs, wedi cymryd amrywiaeth o gamau yn y gyllideb ddiwethaf o ran cyllid, ac mae pwynt ar wahân ynglŷn â hynny rwy'n credu sydd y tu hwnt i gyllid, oherwydd nid wyf i'n credu bod cyfranogiad yn ymwneud â lefel ffioedd yn unig. Fodd bynnag, rydym ni wedi gwneud y penderfyniad anodd i ganiatáu i addysg uwch gynyddu ffioedd i geisio cynhyrchu incwm pellach i'r sector. Mae angen ystyried faint o adnoddau y gellir eu rhoi i addysg uwch, ynghyd â phob rhan arall o'n byd cyhoeddus.
Mae sefydliadau addysg uwch yn sefydliadau annibynnol, ond maen nhw'n derbyn arian o bwrs y wlad oherwydd effaith ehangach yr hyn y maen nhw'n ei ddarparu. Maen nhw hefyd, wrth gwrs, yn ymdopi â'r realiti eu bod nhw wedi colli talp sylweddol o incwm yn y ffordd y cafodd cyn-gronfeydd yr UE eu haddasu at wahanol ddibenion a'u canoli yn Llywodraeth y DU, a dyluniwyd addysg uwch allan o fynediad at y cronfeydd hynny yn fwriadol. Mae hynny wedi golygu, fel yr ydym ni wedi trafod o'r blaen, bod swyddi ymchwil o ansawdd uchel wedi cael eu colli i sefydliadau Cymru, ac mae hynny'n rhan o'r her ariannol y maen nhw'n yn ei hwynebu bellach.
Byddwch yn clywed yn ddiweddarach y prynhawn yma gan yr Ysgrifennydd addysg am flaenoriaethau ar gyfer addysg, a gwn fod cyfranogiad ôl-16 yn rhywbeth yr ydym ni'n awyddus i weld cynnydd pellach yn cael ei wneud yn ei gylch, ac mae hynny ym mhob math o gyfranogiad ôl-16, addysg uwch ac addysg bellach, yn ogystal â phobl sy'n mynd i fyd gwaith. Er mwyn cael hynny'n iawn, mae'n rhaid i ni edrych ymhellach i'r system ac yn gynharach. Mae'n fater o'r newid sy'n digwydd ar frig yr ysgol gynradd a hefyd beth yw dyheadau pobl ar gyfer y dyfodol, a pha un a ydym ni'n cael mwy o'n pobl ifanc i ymgymryd ag addysg ôl-16, gyda'r holl gyfleoedd y gall eu darparu iddyn nhw ac i'r wlad, yn wir.
Bydd ein cenhadaeth economaidd a'r cyfleoedd sydd gennym ni o ynni adnewyddadwy a'r economi newydd y gallwn ni ei chreu yn dibynnu ar y sgiliau y bydd eu hangen ar bobl, y bydd angen iddyn nhw eu caffael o addysg bellach ac uwch. Felly, rydym ni'n eglur ein bod ni eisiau gweld cyfraddau cyfranogiad yn cael eu gweddnewid ac yn cynyddu. Byddwch yn clywed mwy, nid yn unig heddiw, ond yn ystod y ddwy flynedd nesaf a thu hwnt am sut y byddwn ni'n ceisio gwneud hynny.
I agree with much of that description of the situation, though I would expect more of an urgent response to the crisis that we are facing. One element that the First Minister referred to, falling numbers of international students, certainly has had a significant impact on university finances, and a further threat comes from the Tories' attitude towards immigration. But despite myths peddled by the Tory right, the Migration Advisory Committee concluded today that there is no evidence of widespread abuse of the UK's graduate visa route. They think the graduate visa entitlement allowing international students to work for two or three years after graduating should remain in place. Obviously, that was welcomed by the sector today, as abolishing the graduate visa would spell financial disaster for Welsh universities. But the sector remains concerned that the Tories will cherry-pick elements of the report to satisfy the appetite of its right wing. Can the First Minister assure the Senedd that he will demand a guarantee from his party leader that any move by the Tories to end the graduate visa scheme would be reversed by Labour if it forms a Government, or better still, can he give a guarantee today?
Rwy'n cytuno â llawer o'r disgrifiad hwnnw o'r sefyllfa, er y byddwn i'n disgwyl mwy o ymateb brys i'r argyfwng yr ydym ni'n ei wynebu. Mae un elfen y cyfeiriodd y Prif Weinidog ati, niferoedd gostyngol o fyfyrwyr rhyngwladol, yn sicr wedi cael effaith sylweddol ar gyllid prifysgolion, a daw bygythiad pellach o agwedd y Torïaid at fewnfudo. Ond er gwaethaf anwireddau sy'n cael eu hyrwyddo gan y dde Dorïaidd, daeth y Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Fudo i'r casgliad heddiw nad oes unrhyw dystiolaeth o gamddefnydd eang o lwybr fisa graddedigion y DU. Maen nhw'n credu y dylai'r hawl i fisa graddedigion sy'n caniatáu i fyfyrwyr rhyngwladol weithio am ddwy neu dair blynedd ar ôl graddio aros yn weithredol. Yn amlwg, croesawyd hynny gan y sector heddiw, gan y byddai diddymu'r fisa graddedigion yn drychineb ariannol i brifysgolion Cymru. Ond mae'r sector yn parhau i bryderu y bydd y Torïaid yn dewis elfennau o'r adroddiad i fodloni archwaeth eu hadain dde. A all y Prif Weinidog sicrhau'r Senedd y bydd yn mynnu sicrwydd gan arweinydd ei blaid y byddai unrhyw gamau gan y Torïaid i ddod â'r cynllun fisa graddedigion i ben yn cael eu gwrthdroi gan Lafur os yw'n ffurfio Llywodraeth, neu'n well byth, a all roi sicrwydd heddiw?
I just want to go back to the starting point on action to be taken. The education Secretary has a statement to this Chamber later today, and I expect there'll be not just comments but questions around post-16 participation, so I'm not here to spike the statement that is about to be delivered this afternoon. I'm sure the education Secretary wouldn't thank me if I attempted to do so.
On your broader point, though, about graduate visas, I think it is good news that there is evidence today, clear evidence, that there is no real picture of graduate visas being abused. I would like to see the UK Government taking account of that evidence and moving back from the path that it has set out upon. This is both an issue about the financial picture for higher education across the UK, not just in here Wales, but the model that actually is undercutting how institutions are able to run, to balance their books. But, more than that, I go back to my own experience as an Aberystwyth alumni—it's where, of course, I met the Llywydd when I was still a member of the Aberystwyth higher education community. It's not just the money; I went to university with 80 different nationalities. It is part of the learning experience, not just what takes place in a lecture hall or a seminar room. Meeting and greeting and being part of a community within an international sphere is part of that learning experience we should not surrender. So, yes, I of course want to see that carry on. I expect you'll see positive news on this and a number of other fronts in the future UK Labour manifesto. I'm very clear that the evidence there is no abuse should lead to a change in Government policy. And finally, with regard to what Esther McVey says, this is an example of where real common sense would lead to a welcome change in Government policy.
Hoffwn ddychwelyd i'r man cychwyn ar gamau i'w cymryd. Mae gan yr Ysgrifennydd addysg ddatganiad i'r Siambr hon yn ddiweddarach heddiw, ac rwy'n disgwyl y bydd nid yn unig sylwadau ond cwestiynau am gyfranogiad ôl-16, felly nid wyf i'n bwriadu difetha'r datganiad sydd ar fin cael ei gyflwyno y prynhawn yma. Rwy'n siŵr na fyddai'r Ysgrifennydd addysg yn diolch i mi pe bawn i'n ceisio gwneud hynny.
O ran eich pwynt ehangach, fodd bynnag, am fisâu graddedigion, rwy'n credu ei fod yn newyddion da bod tystiolaeth heddiw, tystiolaeth eglur, nad oes unrhyw ddarlun gwirioneddol o fisâu graddedig yn cael eu camddefnyddio. Hoffwn weld Llywodraeth y DU yn cymryd y dystiolaeth honno i ystyriaeth ac yn symud yn ôl o'r llwybr y mae wedi cychwyn arno. Mae hyn yn fater o'r darlun ariannol ar gyfer addysg uwch ledled y DU, nid yn unig yma yng Nghymru, ond hefyd y model sydd mewn gwirionedd yn tanseilio sut mae sefydliadau'n gallu rhedeg, i fantoli eu cyfrifon. Ond, yn fwy na hynny, rwy'n dychwelyd at fy mhrofiad fy hun fel cyn-fyfyriwr yn Aberystwyth—dyna lle, wrth gwrs, y cwrddais â'r Llywydd pan oeddwn i'n dal i fod yn aelod o gymuned addysg uwch Aberystwyth. Nid mater o'r arian yn unig yw hyn; es i i'r brifysgol gyda phobl o 80 o wahanol wledydd. Mae'n rhan o'r profiad dysgu, nid yr hyn sy'n digwydd mewn neuadd ddarlithio neu ystafell seminar yn unig. Mae cyfarfod a chyfarch a bod yn rhan o gymuned o fewn amgylchedd rhyngwladol yn rhan o'r profiad dysgu hwnnw na ddylem ni ei ildio. Felly, ydw, wrth gwrs, rwyf i eisiau gweld hynny'n parhau. Rwy'n disgwyl y byddwch chi'n gweld newyddion cadarnhaol am hyn a nifer o feysydd eraill ym maniffesto Llafur y DU yn y dyfodol. Rwy'n eglur iawn y dylai'r dystiolaeth nad oes unrhyw gamddefnydd arwain at newid i bolisi'r Llywodraeth. Ac yn olaf, o ran yr hyn y mae Esther McVey yn ei ddweud, mae hon yn enghraifft o le byddai synnwyr cyffredin go iawn yn arwain at newid i'w groesawu i bolisi'r Llywodraeth.
So, it's crossing fingers and hoping for the best. The bottom line is we can't allow the future of higher education in Wales to be at the mercy of Westminster, be that a Tory Government or, dare I say it, a Labour Government with Natalie Elphicke so warmly welcomed into its ranks. Professor Paul Boyle, chair of Universities Wales, warned the Welsh Affairs Committee last month that
'the impact of any changes to the Graduate Route will be magnified in Wales, as international student growth in Wales has not matched that of the UK'.
Our late colleague Steffan Lewis was always a champion of promoting Wales to the world, and he said back in 2017 that it's a matter of great regret that Westminister policies have damaged our reputation here as a destination for international students. He was reflecting then on the recommendations by an all-party group at Westminster that there'd be real benefits to devolving elements of immigration policy. I agree with Steffan that devolving student visas could benefit Welsh universities and our economy. Goodness knows we need a boost now. So, does the First Minister agree with Steffan and myself, or would he rather let the Tories in Westminster decide?
Felly, mae'n fater o groesi bysedd a gobeithio am y gorau. Diwedd y gân yw na allwn ni ganiatáu i ddyfodol addysg uwch yng Nghymru fod ar drugaredd San Steffan, boed hynny'n Llywodraeth Dorïaidd neu, feiddiaf ei ddweud, Llywodraeth Lafur â Natalie Elphicke yn cael croeso mor gynnes i'w rhengoedd. Rhybuddiodd yr Athro Paul Boyle, cadeirydd Prifysgolion Cymru, y Pwyllgor Materion Cymreig fis diwethaf
'bydd effaith unrhyw newidiadau i'r Llwybr Graddedigion yn cael ei chwyddo yng Nghymru, gan nad yw twf myfyrwyr rhyngwladol yng Nghymru wedi cyd-fynd â'r twf ar lefel y DU'.
Roedd ein diweddar gyd-Aelod Steffan Lewis bob amser yn barod i hyrwyddo Cymru i'r byd, a dywedodd yn ôl yn 2017 ei bod yn destun edifeirwch mawr bod polisïau'r San Steffan wedi niweidio ein henw da yma fel cyrchfan i fyfyrwyr rhyngwladol. Roedd yn myfyrio bryd hynny ar argymhellion gan grŵp hollbleidiol yn San Steffan y byddai manteision gwirioneddol o ddatganoli elfennau o bolisi mewnfudo. Rwy'n cytuno â Steffan y gallai datganoli fisâu myfyrwyr fod o fudd i brifysgolion Cymru a'n heconomi. Dyn a ŵyr bod angen hwb arnom ni nawr. Felly, a yw'r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno â Steffan a minnau, neu a fyddai'n well ganddo adael i'r Torïaid yn San Steffan benderfynu?
I think whenever you talk about devolution, you need to be clear about the financial consequences. We've had painful experience of Tory Governments devolving responsibilities and reducing budgets. The council tax benefit scheme was a perfect example: devolution with a 10 per cent budget cut and the pressure that put on the rest of our services and our ability to support the economy. So, I'm always interested in a conversation about where powers best lie and to make sure we have the resource to be able to exercise those powers effectively.
I think the broader point here is that there could and should be a positive offer from the UK for international higher education, but also for home-grown students as well: the learning environment that they go into, how it's funded and the opportunities in the wider world of work that it provides. That's what I'm interested in, and I'm very proud of the work that I have done and other Ministers have done in promoting Wales in the wider world. Our higher and further education is a big part of that. When I was in India recently, I was on the cusp of a trade mission, and we actually had one of our larger further education colleges there. It's still a high-value offer, and, in fact, Indian students are the highest by proportion group of students that come into higher and further education in Wales. So, it is still a real success story.
I believe we can have a Government in the UK that doesn't seek to trash our reputation, that keeps its word and wants to have a different set of relationships with the wider world that will benefit Wales and Britain. We already do that, and I see that work myself. I believe that in the future we can persuade the people of Wales to vote for that as well. I believe two Labour Governments working together for Wales and Britain will improve life here and give us the tools to do the job and have real and reliable partners in the UK Government. I'll be proud to go out and make that case to the people of Wales in the coming months whenever that election comes.
Rwy'n credu pryd bynnag y byddwch chi'n siarad am ddatganoli, bod angen i chi fod yn eglur am y canlyniadau ariannol. Rydym ni wedi cael profiad poenus o Lywodraethau Torïaidd yn datganoli cyfrifoldebau ac yn lleihau cyllidebau. Roedd y cynllun budd-dal treth gyngor yn enghraifft berffaith: datganoli gyda thoriad o 10 y cant i'r gyllideb a'r pwysau a roddodd hynny ar weddill ein gwasanaethau a'n gallu i gefnogi'r economi. Felly, mae gen i ddiddordeb bob amser mewn sgwrs ynglŷn â'r man gorau ar gyfer pwerau ac i wneud yn siŵr bod yr adnoddau gennym ni i allu arfer y pwerau hynny'n effeithiol.
Rwy'n credu mai'r pwynt ehangach yma yw y gallai ac y dylai fod cynnig cadarnhaol gan y DU ar gyfer addysg uwch ryngwladol, ond hefyd i fyfyrwyr cartref: yr amgylchedd dysgu y maen nhw'n mynd iddo, sut mae'n cael ei ariannu a'r cyfleoedd yn y byd gwaith ehangach y mae'n eu cynnig. Dyna sydd o ddiddordeb i mi, ac rwy'n falch iawn o'r gwaith yr wyf i wedi ei wneud ac mae Gweinidogion eraill wedi ei wneud i hyrwyddo Cymru yn y byd ehangach. Mae ein haddysg uwch a phellach yn rhan fawr o hyn. Pan oeddwn i yn India yn ddiweddar, roeddwn i ar drothwy cenhadaeth fasnach, ac roedd gennym ni un o'n colegau addysg bellach mwy yno. Mae'n dal i fod yn gynnig gwerth uchel, ac, a dweud y gwir, myfyrwyr o India yw'r grŵp mwyaf yn ôl cyfran o fyfyrwyr sy'n dod i addysg uwch a phellach yng Nghymru. Felly, mae'n dal i fod yn hanes o lwyddiant go iawn.
Rwy'n credu y gallwn ni gael Llywodraeth yn y DU nad yw'n ceisio pardduo ein henw da, sy'n cadw ei gair ac eisiau fod â gwahanol gyfres o berthnasoedd gyda'r byd ehangach a fydd o fudd i Gymru a Phrydain. Rydym ni eisoes yn gwneud hynny, ac rwy'n gweld y gwaith hwnnw fy hun. Rwy'n credu yn y dyfodol y gallwn ni berswadio pobl Cymru i bleidleisio dros hynny hefyd. Rwy'n credu y bydd dwy Lywodraeth Lafur yn cydweithio dros Gymru a Phrydain yn gwella bywyd yma ac yn rhoi'r arfau i ni wneud y gwaith a bod â phartneriaid gwirioneddol a dibynadwy yn Llywodraeth y DU. Byddaf yn falch o fynd allan a gwneud y ddadl honno i bobl Cymru yn ystod y misoedd nesaf pryd bynnag y daw'r etholiad hwnnw.
3. Beth yw polisi'r Llywodraeth ar bwerdai nwy newydd yn Arfon? OQ61090
3. What is the Government's policy on new gas-fired power plants in Arfon? OQ61090
I can't comment on any specific application. However, our general policy does not support the construction of new fossil fuel power plants as they are a source of additional greenhouse gas emissions.
Ni allaf wneud sylwadau ar unrhyw gais penodol. Fodd bynnag, nid yw ein polisi cyffredinol yn cefnogi adeiladu gweithfeydd pŵer tanwydd ffosil newydd gan eu bod yn ffynhonnell o allyriadau nwyon tŷ gwydr ychwanegol.
Mae yna bryder yn lleol y bydd cais yn cael ei gyflwyno ar gyfer gorsaf drydan yn cael ei bweru gan nwy mewn hen chwarel yng Nghaernarfon. Fel rydych chi'n ei ddweud, fedrwch chi ddim trafod cynlluniau unigol, ond mi fuaswn i'n hoffi gwybod beth yn union ydy safbwynt polisi'r Llywodraeth ar ddatblygiadau o'r math. Roedd safbwynt y cyn Brif Weinidog yn ddiamwys yn erbyn pan wnes i godi'r mater efo fo'n ddiweddar. Wrth ateb cwestiwn gen i ar lawr y Senedd, fe ddyfynodd y cyn Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd, a oedd yn dweud hyn:
'Lle bo galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i benderfynu ar gynigion yn y dyfodol i adeiladu gorsafoedd cynhyrchu ynni...yng Nghymru, bwriad Gweinidogion Cymru yw cadw rhagdybiaeth gryf yn erbyn gorsafoedd ynni tanwydd ffosil newydd.... Bydd gan y rhagdybiaeth hon hefyd effaith ar annog penderfynwyr lleol i beidio â chydsynio i orsafoedd tanwydd ffosil newydd ar raddfa fach.'
Mi fyddwn i'n hoffi cael eich safbwynt chi yn glir ar y cofnod, i glywed eich bod chi'n parhau i arddel y safbwynt yna yr un mor ddiamwys ag oedd yr arweinyddiaeth o'ch blaen chi.
There is concern locally that an application will be submitted for a gas-fired electricity generating plant in a former quarry in Caernarfon. As you say, you can't discuss individual plans, but I would like to know what exactly the Government's policy stance is on developments of this kind. The former First Minister's stance was unequivocally against this issue when I raised the matter with him. In response to a question from me on the floor of the Senedd, he quoted the former Minister for Climate Change, who said this:
'Where the Welsh Government is called to decide on future proposals to build...power generation in Wales, it is the intention of Welsh Ministers to maintain a strong presumption against new fossil fuelled power plant.... This presumption will also have the effect of discouraging local decision makers from consenting new small-scale fossil fuel plant.'
I'd like to hear your stance clearly on the record, to hear that you are continuing to be of that view, just as unequivocally as the previous leadership.
The starting position is a presumption against the development of new fossil fuelled power plants. The challenge will be that, of course, Ministers have to judge everything on its merits. I don't want to get drawn into the individual application. It's worth, though, reflecting that there are 36 weeks for making a decision on developments of national significance, which is why I won't get drawn into the individual applications beyond restating Government policy on this matter. So, it's a live acceptance of a valid application and we will need to understand the total proposals for a Minister to then determine. Julie James is the planning Minister, but we need to understand that Welsh Ministers should not go on the record and comment in any way that could be seen as making individual comments around the application. But I'm happy to restate the policy position of the Government.
Y safbwynt agoriadol yw rhagdybiaeth yn erbyn datblygu gweithfeydd pŵer newydd tanwydd ffosil. Yr her, wrth gwrs, fydd bod yn rhaid i Weinidogion farnu popeth ar sail ei rinweddau. Nid wyf i eisiau cael fy nhynnu i mewn i'r cais unigol. Fodd bynnag, mae'n werth myfyrio bod 36 wythnos i wneud penderfyniad ar ddatblygiadau o arwyddocâd cenedlaethol, a dyna pam na fyddaf yn cael fy nhynnu i'r ceisiadau unigol y tu hwnt i ailddatgan polisi'r Llywodraeth ar y mater hwn. Felly, mae'n dderbyniad byw o gais dilys a bydd angen i ni ddeall cyfanswm y cynigion i Weinidog wneud penderfyniad arnyn nhw wedyn. Julie James yw'r Gweinidog cynllunio, ond mae angen i ni ddeall na ddylai Gweinidogion Cymru fynd ar y cofnod a gwneud sylwadau mewn unrhyw ffordd y gellid ei ystyried fel gwneud sylwadau unigol ynghylch y cais. Ond rwy'n hapus i ailddatgan safbwynt polisi'r Llywodraeth.
Plans to create gas-fired plants in Arfon have referred to the need to shift away from a dependency on fossil fuels to generate energy. The International Energy Agency defines energy security as the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price. Current levels of energy technology and infrastructure necessitate back-up for intermittent renewable energy, which remains dependent upon fossil fuels, primarily gas. This is likely to remain the case for much of the transition period to a carbon-neutral future, and it would be a disservice to the public to pretend otherwise.
It's understood that the proposed gas-fired power plant on Caernarfon's former Seiont Brickworks quarry site would be a short-term operating reserved plant or peaking plant. This would provide rapid response and balanced demand, particularly when wind and solar outputs are low. How does the Welsh Government propose to ensure energy security during the years of transition to a carbon-neutral future in order to ensure that people can stay warm, fed and hydrated without interruption?
Mae cynlluniau i greu gweithfeydd nwy yn Arfon wedi cyfeirio at yr angen i symud oddi wrth dibyniaeth ar danwyddau ffosil i gynhyrchu ynni. Mae'r Asiantaeth Ynni Ryngwladol yn diffinio diogelwch ynni fel ffynonellau ynni di-dor sydd ar gael am bris fforddiadwy. Mae'r lefelau presennol o dechnoleg a seilwaith ynni yn gofyn am opsiwn wrth gefn ar gyfer ynni adnewyddadwy ysbeidiol, sy'n dal i fod yn ddibynnol ar danwyddau ffosil, nwy yn bennaf. Mae hyn yn debygol o barhau i fod yn wir am lawer o'r cyfnod pontio i ddyfodol carbon niwtral, a byddai'n dro gwael â'r cyhoedd esgus fel arall.
Deellir y byddai'r pwerdy nwy arfaethedig ar hen safle chwarel Seiont yng Nghaernarfon yn waith neilltuol neu'n waith adegau brig sy'n gweithredu ar sail fyrdymor. Byddai hyn yn darparu ymateb cyflym a galw cytbwys, yn enwedig pan fo allbynnau gwynt a solar yn isel. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu sicrhau diogelwch ynni yn ystod y blynyddoedd o bontio i ddyfodol carbon niwtral er mwyn sicrhau y gall pobl gadw'n gynnes, ac wedi'u bwydo a'u hydradu heb ymyrraeth?
As the Member knows, I can't and won't comment on the individual application. I recognise the fact that he's talked about it in some detail and I won't respond to any of that. Gas is the predominant peaking technology; hydro and battery storage are also in use as well. That is a fact and a reality. None of that moves away from the position I've set out that there is a presumption against new fossil-fuel-powered production in Wales. Each application must be considered on its merits, which is exactly what will happen with any application the Member has raised today or may do in the future. I do not want to commit myself to any form or indication of support or otherwise for the application the Member has mentioned at some length.
Fel y mae'r Aelod yn gwybod, ni allaf ac ni fyddaf yn gwneud sylwadau ar y cais unigol. Rwy'n cydnabod y ffaith ei fod wedi siarad amdano mewn cryn fanylder ac ni wnaf i ymateb i ddim o hynny. Nwy yw'r brif dechnoleg adegau brig; defnyddir storio hydro a batri hefyd. Mae hynny'n ffaith ac yn realiti. Nid oes dim o hynny yn symud oddi wrth y sefyllfa yr wyf i wedi ei nodi bod rhagdybiaeth yn erbyn cynhyrchu wedi'i danio gan danwyddau ffosil newydd yng Nghymru. Mae'n rhaid ystyried pob cais ar sail ei rinweddau, sef yr union beth a fydd yn digwydd gydag unrhyw gais y mae'r Aelod wedi ei godi heddiw neu y gallai ei godi yn y dyfodol. Nid wyf i eisiau ymrwymo fy hun i unrhyw fath neu arwydd o gefnogaeth neu fel arall i'r cais y mae'r Aelod wedi sôn amdano mewn cryn fanylder.
4. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog amlinellu'r rhesymau pam nad oes Gweinidog penodol ar gyfer babanod, plant a phobl ifanc yn Llywodraeth Cymru ar hyn o bryd? OQ61109
4. Will the First Minister outline the reasons why there is currently no dedicated Minister for babies, children and young people in the Welsh Government? OQ61109
Thank you for the question. I have appointed a Minister for Mental Health and Early Years, and I should note that it is Mental Health Awareness Week this week. Jayne Bryant's portfolio also covers areas related to children, young people and families. However, the duties set out in the Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011 apply to, and are the responsibility of, all Welsh Ministers.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Rwyf i wedi penodi Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl a'r Blynyddoedd Cynnar, a dylwn nodi ei bod hi'n Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl yr wythnos hon. Mae portffolio Jayne Bryant hefyd yn cynnwys meysydd sy'n ymwneud â phlant, pobl ifanc a theuluoedd. Fodd bynnag, mae'r dyletswyddau a nodir ym Mesur Hawliau Plant a Phobl Ifanc (Cymru) 2011 yn berthnasol i holl Weinidogion Cymru ac yn gyfrifoldeb i bob un ohonyn nhw.
Thank you for your response. I would also like to associate myself, on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, with extending our sympathies to the family of Owen John Thomas as well. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I am very clear that the appointment of Jayne Bryant in the role of dedicated Minister for Mental Health and Early Years is really positive. But it isn't the same as having a dedicated Minister for babies, children and young people. I was encouraged to hear you say that the Government is dedicated to the eradication of child poverty, but we are frustrated that there is no Minister totally responsible for overseeing this aim in your Government. The Equality and Social Justice Committee, in its report 'Calling time on child poverty: how Wales can do better', noted that our current efforts in Wales in tackling child poverty lack strategic cohesion, focused leadership and clear accountability. So, let's learn from other countries, perhaps.
If we look at New Zealand, Ireland and Norway, each has a dedicated Minister leading child poverty strategy. And, crucially, they outperform Wales in terms of the numbers of children living in poverty: in Ireland, 14 per cent; in New Zealand, 12 per cent; and in Norway, we have 11 per cent. And that's compared to the shocking 29 per cent that it's operating at here in Wales. We know that Wales does not have total powers to eradicate child poverty, but it does have some. So, I would like to hear from you why we can't be as good as the other countries, and why we need to put up with child poverty in Wales being at 29 per cent. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch am eich ymateb. Hoffwn innau hefyd gysylltu fy hun, ar ran Democratiaid Rhyddfrydol Cymru, ag estyn ein cydymdeimlad i deulu Owen John Thomas hefyd. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rwy'n eglur iawn bod penodiad Jayne Bryant i swydd Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl a'r Blynyddoedd Cynnar penodol yn gadarnhaol iawn. Ond nid yw'r un peth â bod â Gweinidog penodol dros fabanod, plant a phobl ifanc. Cefais fy nghalonogi o'ch clywed chi'n dweud bod y Llywodraeth yn ymroddedig i ddileu tlodi plant, ond rydym ni'n rhwystredig nad oes unrhyw Weinidog yn llwyr gyfrifol am oruchwylio'r nod hwn yn eich Llywodraeth. Nododd y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, yn ei adroddiad 'Amser rhoi diwedd ar dlodi plant: sut y gall Cymru wneud yn well', bod diffyg cydlyniant strategol, arweinyddiaeth â phwyslais ac atebolrwydd eglur yn ein hymdrechion presennol yng Nghymru i fynd i'r afael â thlodi plant. Felly, gadewch i ni ddysgu gan wledydd eraill, efallai.
Os edrychwn ni ar Seland Newydd, Iwerddon a Norwy, mae gan bob un ohonyn nhw Weinidog penodol sy'n arwain strategaeth tlodi plant. Ac, yn hollbwysig, maen nhw'n perfformio'n well na Chymru o ran nifer y plant sy'n byw mewn tlodi: yn Iwerddon, 14 y cant; yn Seland Newydd, 12 y cant; ac yn Norwy, mae gennym ni 11 y cant. Ac mae hynny o'i gymharu â'r 29 y cant ofnadwy sydd gennym ni yma yng Nghymru. Rydym ni'n gwybod nad oes gan Gymru bwerau llwyr i ddileu tlodi plant, ond mae ganddi rai. Felly, hoffwn glywed gennych chi pam na allwn ni fod cystal â'r gwledydd eraill, a pham mae angen i ni ddioddef tlodi plant yng Nghymru ar lefel o 29 y cant. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you for the question. With respect, I don't agree that the design of Government and the titles of Ministers will resolve all of this as an issue. The lead Minister in the Government is Lesley Griffiths, as the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice. This is an area where more than one portfolio needs to make a contribution to have the sort of impact that everyone, I think, in this Chamber would want to have.
It is about marshalling the range of different contributions that we make in different portfolios, from what we are doing on Flying Start—a real success story compared to the disinvestment in Sure Start that has taken place since 2010 in England, a genuine Welsh success story with really positive outcomes—to the pupil development grant that we provide. There's the work that we have done, and that I'm proud that we have done, on making free school meals free for every child in primary school, and the additional support that we provide to help people with school uniforms and additional items around the school day. These are practical measures that we take within our powers.
The Member will know that not all of the levers are in our hands, and I'm glad that she mentioned that. She will have seen this up close during her time in Westminster, when Conservatives continued to make tax and benefit changes that they knew full well would worsen the picture on child poverty. I am proud that she was on the right side of that argument then, and still is today. It is why we both need to see the action that we can take here in Wales, alongside a future UK administration that is prepared to look again at deliberate choices that made more of our children poor—to grow up in a life of poverty; more working-age adults in poverty; more children with an adult in their home who is living in poverty as well.
Our economic future is a part of this, together with the changes that I belive are necessary for tax and benefits. I look forward to working with what I hope will be a much more enlightened UK Government, which has a real commitment to making progress on child poverty, as we did in the first decade of devolution, when two Governments that were committed to taking action on this made real steps to lift hundreds of thousands of children across the UK, and thousands of children here in Wales, out of child poverty. I believe that we can do that again.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Gyda pharch, nid wyf i'n cytuno y bydd dyluniad y Llywodraeth a theitlau Gweinidogion yn datrys hyn i gyd fel problem. Lesley Griffiths, fel Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, yw'r Gweinidog arweiniol yn y Llywodraeth. Mae hwn yn faes lle mae angen i fwy nag un portffolio wneud cyfraniad at gael y math o effaith y byddai pawb, rwy'n credu, yn y Siambr hon eisiau ei chael.
Mae'n golygu trefnu'r amrywiaeth o wahanol gyfraniadau yr ydym ni'n eu gwneud mewn gwahanol bortffolios, o'r hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud ar Dechrau'n Deg—hanes gwirioneddol o lwyddiant o'i gymharu â'r dadfuddsoddi mewn Sure Start sydd wedi digwydd ers 2010 yn Lloegr, hanes gwirioneddol o lwyddiant yng Nghymru â chanlyniadau cadarnhaol iawn—i'r grant datblygu disgyblion yr ydym ni'n ei ddarparu. Ceir y gwaith yr ydym ni wedi ei wneud, ac rwy'n falch ein bod ni wedi ei wneud, ar wneud prydau ysgol am ddim ar gael i bob plentyn yn yr ysgol gynradd, a'r cymorth ychwanegol yr ydym ni'n ei ddarparu i helpu pobl gyda gwisg ysgol ac eitemau ychwanegol o amgylch y diwrnod ysgol. Mae'r rhain yn fesurau ymarferol yr ydym ni'n eu cymryd o fewn ein pwerau.
Bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod nad yw pob un o'r ysgogiadau yn ein dwylo ni, ac rwy'n falch ei bod wedi cyfeirio at hynny. Bydd wedi gweld hyn yn bersonol yn ystod ei chyfnod yn San Steffan, pan barhaodd y Ceidwadwyr i wneud newidiadau i dreth a budd-daliadau yr oedden nhw'n gwybod yn iawn fyddai'n gwaethygu'r darlun o ran tlodi plant. Rwy'n falch ei bod hi ar ochr iawn y ddadl honno bryd hynny, a'i bod hi o hyd heddiw. Dyna pam y mae angen i'r ddau ohonom ni weld y camau y gallwn ni eu cymryd yma yng Nghymru, ochr yn ochr â gweinyddiaeth yn y DU yn y dyfodol sy'n barod i edrych eto ar ddewisiadau bwriadol a wnaeth fwy o'n plant yn dlawd—i dyfu i fyny mewn bywyd o dlodi; mwy o oedolion oedran gweithio mewn tlodi; mwy o blant ag oedolyn yn eu cartref sy'n byw mewn tlodi hefyd.
Mae ein dyfodol economaidd yn rhan o hyn, ynghyd â'r newidiadau yr wyf i'n credu eu bod nhw'n angenrheidiol ar gyfer treth a budd-daliadau. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda'r hyn yr wyf i'n ei obeithio fydd yn Llywodraeth y DU llawer mwy goleuedig, sydd ag ymrwymiad gwirioneddol i wneud cynnydd o ran tlodi plant, fel y gwnaethom ni yn ystod degawd cyntaf datganoli, pan wnaeth dwy Lywodraeth a oedd wedi ymrwymo i weithredu ar hyn gymryd camau gwirioneddol i godi cannoedd o filoedd o blant ledled y DU, a miloedd o blant yma yng Nghymru, allan o dlodi plant. Rwy'n credu y gallwn ni wneud hynny eto.
It's an interesting question that Jane Dodds raises today. But since we don't have a Minister for babies and young people, I would like to know what work the Welsh Government is doing to help parents of infants that have been discharged from special care baby units. I would also like to put on record my admiration and gratitude for the incredible work that doctors and nurses carry out in these units, such as the state-of-the-art sub-regional neonatal intensive care centre at Glan Clwyd Hospital in my constituency.
I'm sure that the First Minister will share these sentiments, and it's great to see that investment paying dividends for north Wales. But I would like to know how the Welsh Government is supporting parents of newborns that have recently been discharged from a special care baby unit. Motherhood and fatherhood is hard enough as it is, but for mothers and fathers of more vulnerable infants, this can be a particularly overwhelming experience. Thank you.
Mae'n gwestiwn diddorol y mae Jane Dodds yn ei godi heddiw. Ond gan nad oes gennym ni Weinidog dros fabanod a phobl ifanc, hoffwn wybod pa waith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud i helpu rhieni babanod sydd wedi cael eu rhyddhau o unedau gofal arbennig i fabanod. Hoffwn hefyd gofnodi fy edmygedd a'm diolch am y gwaith anhygoel y mae meddygon a nyrsys yn ei wneud yn yr unedau hyn, fel y ganolfan gofal dwys newyddenedigol is-ranbarthol fodern yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd yn fy etholaeth i.
Rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Prif Weinidog yn rhannu'r teimladau hyn, ac mae'n wych gweld y buddsoddiad hwnnw yn talu ar ei ganfed i'r gogledd. Ond hoffwn wybod sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi rhieni babanod newydd-anedig sydd wedi cael eu rhyddhau'n ddiweddar o uned gofal arbennig i fabanod. Mae bod yn fam ac yn dad yn ddigon anodd fel y mae, ond i famau a thadau babanod mwy agored i niwed, gall hwn fod yn brofiad arbennig o llethol. Diolch.
Well, I welcome the Members recognition of the investment that previous Welsh Labour Governments made in delivering the SuRNICC unit, not just the physical infrastructure, but the people required to staff that unit and to the quality—. It's a welcome recognition of the point that Carolyn Thomas was making about the fact that there are regular instances of high-quality care right across our NHS, including in north Wales, of course.
The support that is provided comes from what we look to do with our teams of midwives and, indeed, the additional support that can be provided through our community nursing team as well. I know that the support that we had from the health visitor was really important for us, and when you have additional need in the child you bring home, you expect there to be additional support, which is what that health service aims to provide. That's what I expect in every part of the country.
The Member has a difference experience, and he's welcome to raise that with Ministers across the health department field, but I hope the constituents in north Wales and every part of the country do have a level of care and expertise from the midwifery and health visitor family that tries to help them with the most difficult but also the most exciting steps in your journey as a parent.
Wel, rwy'n croesawu cydnabyddiaeth yr Aelodau o'r buddsoddiad a wnaeth Llywodraethau Llafur blaenorol Cymru wrth gyflawni uned SuRNICC, nid dim ond y seilwaith ffisegol, ond y bobl sydd eu hangen i staffio'r uned honno ac i'r ansawdd—. Mae'n gydnabyddiaeth i'w groesawu o'r pwynt yr oedd Carolyn Thomas yn ei wneud am y ffaith bod achosion rheolaidd o ofal o ansawdd uchel ar draws ein GIG, gan gynnwys yn y gogledd, wrth gwrs.
Daw'r gefnogaeth a ddarperir o'r hyn rydym yn gobeithio ei wneud gyda'n timau o fydwragedd ac, yn wir, y cymorth ychwanegol y gellir ei ddarparu trwy ein tîm nyrsio cymunedol hefyd. Rwy'n gwybod bod y gefnogaeth a gawsom gan yr ymwelydd iechyd yn bwysig iawn i ni, a phan fydd gennych angen ychwanegol yn y plentyn y byddwch yn dod ag ef adref, rydych chi'n disgwyl y bydd cymorth ychwanegol, sef yr hyn y mae'r gwasanaeth iechyd hwnnw'n bwriadu ei ddarparu. Dyna beth rydw i'n ei ddisgwyl ym mhob rhan o'r wlad.
Mae gan yr Aelod brofiad gwahanol, ac mae croeso iddo godi hynny gyda Gweinidogion ar draws maes yr adran iechyd, ond rwy'n gobeithio y bydd gan etholwyr y gogledd a phob rhan o'r wlad lefel o ofal ac arbenigedd gan y teulu bydwreigiaeth ac ymwelwyr iechyd sy'n ceisio eu helpu gyda'r camau anoddaf ond hefyd y camau mwyaf cyffrous yn eich taith fel rhiant.
5. Pa effaith y mae'r Prif Weinidog yn disgwyl i Fil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau) ei chael o ran meithrin ymddiriedaeth mewn gwleidyddiaeth a gwleidyddion? OQ61106
5. What impact does the First Minister expect the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill will have on building trust in politics and politicians? OQ61106
The Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill will significantly enhance the scrutiny capacity of the Senedd. The public placed their trust in all Members upon election, including those who hold ministerial office, and those who will hold Ministers to account even more effectively through scrutiny of policy choices, legislation and spending plans, with a larger and fit-for-purpose Senedd.
Bydd Bil Senedd Cymru (Aelodau ac Etholiadau) yn gwella gallu craffu'r Senedd yn sylweddol. Gosododd y cyhoedd eu hymddiriedaeth ym mhob Aelod wrth gael eu hethol, gan gynnwys y rhai sy'n dal swydd weinidogol, a'r rhai a fydd yn dwyn Gweinidogion i gyfrif hyd yn oed yn fwy effeithiol trwy graffu ar ddewisiadau polisi, deddfwriaeth a chynlluniau gwariant, gyda Senedd fwy ac addas i'r diben.
Thank you, First Minister. Last week the Llywydd noted that, on marking 25 years of devolution, this was a people's Senedd and not a politicians' Parliament. In fact, she said it wasn't Sam Kurtz's Parliament, and I do agree with that. [Laughter.] Now, many people who have raised issues around this Bill with me have mentioned not only, obviously, the increase in the number of politicians, but a number of changes they feel takes that, if you like, sentiment away from the people of Wales and makes it less like the people's Parliament that it should be, whether it's the change to the voting system, whether it's enacting the changes without a referendum, or, indeed, the various amendments that were not supported by the Government to introduce a system of recall for Members where electors feel that their mandate should not continue. Now, I understand from what the Counsel General said last week that there does appear to be a degree of cross-party support for the system of a recall. Can you assure the Senedd that that will be in place ahead of the next Senedd elections in 2026?
Diolch yn fawr, Prif Weinidog. Yr wythnos diwethaf, nododd y Llywydd, ar ôl nodi 25 mlynedd o ddatganoli, mai Senedd y bobl oedd hon ac nid Senedd i wleidyddion. Yn wir, dywedodd hi nad Senedd Sam Kurtz oedd hi, ac rwy'n cytuno â hynny. [Chwerthin.] Nawr, mae llawer o bobl sydd wedi codi materion yn ymwneud â'r Bil hwn gyda mi wedi sôn nid yn unig, yn amlwg, am y cynnydd yn nifer y gwleidyddion, ond nifer o newidiadau y maen nhw'n teimlo sy'n cymryd, os mynnwch chi, y teimlad hwnnw i ffwrdd oddi wrth bobl Cymru ac yn ei gwneud hi'n llai tebyg i Senedd y bobl y dylai fod, p'un a yw'n newid i'r system bleidleisio, a yw'n gweithredu'r newidiadau heb refferendwm, neu, yn wir, y gwahanol welliannau na chawsant eu cefnogi gan y Llywodraeth i gyflwyno system adalw ar gyfer Aelodau lle mae etholwyr yn teimlo na ddylai eu mandad barhau. Nawr, rwy'n deall o'r hyn a ddywedodd y Cwnsler Cyffredinol yr wythnos diwethaf ei bod yn ymddangos bod rhywfaint o gefnogaeth drawsbleidiol i'r system adalw. A allwch chi sicrhau'r Senedd y bydd hynny ar waith cyn etholiadau nesaf y Senedd yn 2026?
Well, the starting point is that I disagree with the Member's claim that the Bill that we have passed to reform this Senedd will take our Parliament away from the people. I believe absolutely that people will still see a Parliament that works for them and with them. It is about the job that we do as elected Members to ensure that people feel welcome in what will happen. And if you look around the gallery, you see many people from parts of Wales who have come here to see these proceedings directly themselves—exactly what you would wish. And, actually, our colleagues in Westminster are kept further apart from people in the way that that Parliament operates. We're a much more open institution, and I hope we can keep that in the future as we expand and deliver on the mandate that came in multiple manifestos from the last election.
On your broader point around recall, the Government will work constructively with all parties and, indeed, the standards commission, on the work that they are doing, taking account, of course, of the comments made in Adam Price's amendments, which I'm pleased he didn't move to a vote, because I want to work with people, around the points on deception and honesty. Those have to be things, I think, that take account of the standards process. It may well not be Government legislation that delivers a change, but we are committed to work constructively with all parties to try to have this issue resolved before the next Senedd election, so it is in place so people understand the measures that would bite if Members fell significantly below the standards of conduct that we all should expect of each other.
Wel, y man cychwyn yw fy mod yn anghytuno â honiad yr Aelod y bydd y Bil yr ydym wedi'i basio i ddiwygio'r Senedd hon yn tynnu ein Senedd oddi ar y bobl. Rwy'n credu'n sicr y bydd pobl yn dal i weld Senedd sy'n gweithio iddyn nhw a gyda nhw. Mae'n ymwneud â'r gwaith a wnawn fel Aelodau etholedig i sicrhau bod pobl yn teimlo bod croeso iddyn nhw yn yr hyn a fydd yn digwydd. Ac os edrychwch chi o gwmpas yr oriel, rydych chi'n gweld llawer o bobl o rannau o Gymru sydd wedi dod yma i weld y trafodion hyn yn uniongyrchol eu hunain—yn union beth fyddech chi'n ei ddymuno. Ac, mewn gwirionedd, mae ein cydweithwyr yn San Steffan yn cael eu cadw ymhellach ar wahân i bobl yn y ffordd y mae'r Senedd honno'n gweithredu. Rydyn ni'n sefydliad llawer mwy agored, ac rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn ni gynnal hynny yn y dyfodol wrth i ni ehangu a chyflawni'r mandad a ddaeth mewn sawl maniffesto o'r etholiad diwethaf.
O ran eich pwynt ehangach am adalw, bydd y Llywodraeth yn gweithio'n adeiladol gyda phob plaid ac, yn wir, y comisiwn safonau, ar y gwaith y maen nhw'n ei wneud, gan ystyried, wrth gwrs, y sylwadau a wnaed yng ngwelliannau Adam Price, ac rwy'n falch na symudodd i bleidlais, oherwydd rwyf am weithio gyda phobl, ynghylch y pwyntiau ar dwyll a gonestrwydd. Mae'n rhaid i'r rheini fod yn bethau sy'n cymryd i ystyriaeth y broses safonau, rwy'n credu. Mae'n ddigon posibl nad deddfwriaeth y Llywodraeth sy'n sicrhau newid, ond rydym wedi ymrwymo i weithio'n adeiladol gyda phob plaid i geisio datrys y mater hwn cyn etholiad nesaf y Senedd, felly mae ar waith fel bod pobl yn deall y mesurau a fyddai'n weithredol pe bai'r Aelodau'n disgyn yn sylweddol is na'r safonau ymddygiad y dylem ni i gyd eu disgwyl gan ein gilydd.
Collapsing trust in politics is a problem for Parliaments in many parts of the world, but I think it's important to acknowledge that we are by no means immune from those questions of integrity, of credibility and accountability in this Chamber. If the First Minister accepts that, isn't it, I think, the urgent task of not just maintaining, but restoring trust in politics? It's not something, surely, that we can defer, or, indeed, delegate to a future Senedd. We have to show leadership and take responsibility in getting it right in this Senedd. So, the question to the First Minister is this: is he prepared to commit to bringing forward or facilitating legislation to address the primary legislative changes that are needed in relation to recall and deliberate deception, not in a future Senedd, but in this one?
Mae ymddiriedaeth mewn gwleidyddiaeth sy'n gostwng yn sylweddol yn broblem i Seneddau mewn sawl rhan o'r byd, ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig cydnabod nad ydym yn ddiogel o bell ffordd rhag y cwestiynau hynny o onestrwydd, hygrededd ac atebolrwydd yn y Siambr hon. Os yw'r Prif Weinidog yn derbyn hynny, yn fy marn i, onid y dasg frys yw nid yn unig cynnal, ond adfer ymddiriedaeth mewn gwleidyddiaeth? Nid yw'n rhywbeth, siawns, y gallwn ni ei ohirio, neu, yn wir, ei ddirprwyo i Senedd yn y dyfodol. Mae'n rhaid i ni ddangos arweinyddiaeth a chymryd cyfrifoldeb am wneud pethau'n iawn yn y Senedd hon. Felly, y cwestiwn i'r Prif Weinidog yw hyn: a yw'n barod i ymrwymo i gyflwyno neu hwyluso deddfwriaeth i fynd i'r afael â'r prif newidiadau deddfwriaethol sydd eu hangen mewn perthynas ag adalw a thwyll bwriadol, nid mewn Senedd yn y dyfodol, ond yn hon?
I believe that's what I said, and I'm happy to restate: we will work with all parties in this place to try to have a workable answer that we can actually use and implement. I think it’s more likely, on this issue, that it should be a committee Bill rather than a Government Bill, but we will work alongside people to try to make sure that is delivered, delivered properly and delivered in this Senedd to apply to the next Senedd. I want this in place before people go to the polls, so everyone understands the rules that are in place and the expectations that people have to meet. This is a package, I believe, that will go alongside Senedd reform. So, yes, I want it done within this Senedd, I want it done properly, and I want it to be done a basis where there’s genuine cross-party support for the measures that I believe we will put in place. And I hope, as I say, for the support of Members of all parties to do so.
Rwy'n credu mai dyna ddywedais i, ac rwy'n hapus i'w ailddatgan: byddwn yn gweithio gyda phob plaid yn y lle hwn i geisio cael ateb ymarferol y gallwn ni ei ddefnyddio a'i weithredu. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn fwy tebygol, ar y mater hwn, y dylai fod yn Fil pwyllgor yn hytrach na Bil Llywodraeth, ond byddwn yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â phobl i geisio sicrhau bod hynny'n cael ei gyflawni, ei gyflawni'n briodol a'i gyflawni yn y Senedd hon a'i weithredu yn y Senedd nesaf. Rwyf eisiau hyn ar waith cyn i bobl fynd i bleidleisio, fel bod pawb yn deall y rheolau sydd ar waith a'r disgwyliadau mae'n rhaid i bobl eu bodloni. Pecyn yw hwn, rwy'n credu, a fydd yn cyd-fynd â diwygio'r Senedd. Felly, ydw, rwyf eisiau iddo gael ei wneud yn y Senedd hon, rwyf eisiau iddo gael ei wneud yn iawn, ac rwyf eisiau iddo gael ei wneud ar sail lle mae cefnogaeth drawsbleidiol wirioneddol i'r mesurau y credwn y byddwn yn eu rhoi ar waith. Ac rwy'n gobeithio, fel y dywedais i, cael cefnogaeth Aelodau o bob plaid i wneud hynny.
6. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddatganiad am y defnydd o unedau cyfeirio disgyblion yng Nghymru? OQ61114
6. Will the First Minister make a statement on the use of pupil referral units in Wales? OQ61114
Thank you for the question. Pupil referral units are crucial in ensuring that all children receive the education they are entitled to as they can provide more one-to-one learning and a more focused approach to support the needs of the child or young person in question.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Mae unedau cyfeirio disgyblion yn hanfodol i sicrhau bod pob plentyn yn cael yr addysg y mae ganddo hawl iddi gan y gallan nhw ddarparu mwy o ddysgu unigol a dull mwy penodol i gefnogi anghenion y plentyn neu'r person ifanc dan sylw.
Diolch. Only last week we were talking about the huge number of school absences in Wales, which is frankly quite shocking. Now, according to Estyn’s latest annual report, there are 22 pupil referral units in Wales providing support to 969 students. During the 2022-23 academic year, 2,396 pupils accessed some kind of education otherwise than at school provision. The most commonly used settings were PRUs, having nearly 50 per cent of all enrolments. According to Estyn, too, since the pandemic local authorities have reported increases in referral rates. However, in Aberconwy, we have reached the point now where all provision is full. I know of a school where the local authority is unable to provide any waiting times; it’s indefinite if you have a child that needs to go to a pupil referral unit. The head himself, now, is trying to look at establishing their own PRU, and I’ll be writing to the education Minister to support this. First Minister, there is an urgent need to create more capacity in our PRUs, not just serving Aberconwy, but across Wales. How will you work with schools and the local authorities to ensure that children and young people are not left feeling disenfranchised from the Welsh education system, and make sure that, where those children need a pupil referral unit, to help them to get the basic knowledge and learning that they require, they can do so in Wales? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch. Dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf roeddem yn sôn am y nifer enfawr o absenoldebau ysgol yng Nghymru, sydd yn eithaf brawychus a dweud y gwir. Nawr, yn ôl adroddiad blynyddol diweddaraf Estyn, mae 22 o unedau cyfeirio disgyblion yng Nghymru yn darparu cefnogaeth i 969 o fyfyrwyr. Yn ystod blwyddyn academaidd 2022-23, manteisiodd 2,396 o ddisgyblion ar ryw fath o addysg heblaw am ddarpariaeth mewn ysgol. Y lleoliadau a ddefnyddir amlaf oedd unedau cyfeirio disgyblion, gyda bron i 50 y cant o'r holl gofrestriadau. Yn ôl Estyn, hefyd, ers y pandemig mae awdurdodau lleol wedi nodi cynnydd mewn cyfraddau cyfeirio. Fodd bynnag, yn Aberconwy, rydym wedi cyrraedd y pwynt nawr lle mae'r holl ddarpariaeth yn llawn. Rwy'n gwybod am ysgol lle nad yw'r awdurdod lleol yn gallu darparu unrhyw amseroedd aros; mae'n amhenodol os oes gennych blentyn sydd angen mynd i uned cyfeirio disgyblion. Mae'r pennaeth ei hun, nawr, yn ceisio edrych ar sefydlu ei uned cyfeirio disgyblion ei hun, a byddaf yn ysgrifennu at y Gweinidog addysg i gefnogi hyn. Prif Weinidog, mae angen creu mwy o gapasiti yn ein hunedau cyfeirio disgyblion ar frys, nid yn unig yn gwasanaethu Aberconwy, ond ledled Cymru. Sut y byddwch chi'n gweithio gydag ysgolion a'r awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau nad yw plant a phobl ifanc yn cael eu gadael yn teimlo eu bod wedi'u difreinio o system addysg Cymru, a sicrhau, pan fo angen uned cyfeirio disgyblion ar y plant hynny, i'w helpu i gael yr wybodaeth a'r dysgu sylfaenol sydd eu hangen arnyn nhw, y gallan nhw wneud hynny yng Nghymru? Diolch yn fawr.
The Member raises a genuinely serious issue, and I do recognise it. I'm sure that Members in their regions and constituencies will recognise the additional challenges that our schools are facing. There are a significant number of societal challenges that you see within schools at primary and secondary. Some of that is from the pandemic, some of that comes from other sources, too, but you see them in all of our schools. It's an additional challenge for staff in schools and, indeed, for the learning environment. That's why, when the education Secretary sets out reforms, you'll see a focus on the things that we need to do to help improve outcomes for all of our learners and how health and well-being underpin all of that.
There is, though—. I think the Member mentioned attendance. We're making some progress on attendance. We're now over 90 per cent. The challenge, though, is that, actually, for some of our learners, likely to be our least advantaged learners, we still haven't made the same progress. There's more to do on this, and this is work that the Government needs to do alongside local authorities. It isn't an area to wave a big stick; it is an area where we need to work alongside them, because every local authority will understand the pressures they face. Regardless of the political leadership, members in every ward will have the same challenges and want to see action taken. So, for those children and young people where the school isn't the right environment for them, they can be properly supported to have the best possible educational outcomes to make sure they have a proper platform for life outside of school. So, that's the work we'll be doing alongside them.
Mae'r Aelod yn codi mater gwirioneddol ddifrifol, ac rwy'n cydnabod hynny. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd Aelodau yn eu rhanbarthau a'u hetholaethau yn cydnabod yr heriau ychwanegol y mae ein hysgolion yn eu hwynebu. Mae nifer sylweddol o heriau cymdeithasol rydych chi'n eu gweld mewn ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd. Daw rhywfaint o hynny o'r pandemig, daw rhywfaint o hynny o ffynonellau eraill hefyd, ond rydych chi'n eu gweld ym mhob un o'n hysgolion. Mae'n her ychwanegol i staff mewn ysgolion ac, yn wir, i'r amgylchedd dysgu. Dyna pam, pan fydd yr Ysgrifennydd addysg yn nodi diwygiadau, y byddwch yn gweld pwyslais ar y pethau y mae angen i ni eu gwneud i helpu i wella canlyniadau i'n holl ddysgwyr a sut mae iechyd a llesiant yn sail i hynny i gyd.
Fodd bynnag, mae yna—. Rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod wedi sôn am bresenoldeb. Rydym yn gwneud rhywfaint o gynnydd ar bresenoldeb. Erbyn hyn rydym dros 90 y cant. Yr her, fodd bynnag, yw, mewn gwirionedd, i rai o'n dysgwyr, sy'n debygol o fod ein dysgwyr lleiaf breintiedig, nad ydym wedi gwneud yr un cynnydd o hyd. Mae mwy i'w wneud ar hyn, ac mae hyn yn waith y mae angen i'r Llywodraeth ei wneud ochr yn ochr ag awdurdodau lleol. Nid yw'n faes i chwifio ffon fawr; mae'n faes lle mae angen i ni weithio ochr yn ochr â nhw, oherwydd bydd pob awdurdod lleol yn deall y pwysau maen nhw'n eu hwynebu. Beth bynnag yw'r arweinyddiaeth wleidyddol, bydd gan aelodau ym mhob ward yr un heriau ac maen nhw eisiau gweld camau gweithredu'n cael eu cymryd. Felly, i'r plant a'r bobl ifanc hynny lle nad yw'r ysgol yn amgylchedd priodol iddyn nhw, gellir eu cefnogi'n briodol i gael y canlyniadau addysgol gorau posibl i sicrhau bod ganddyn nhw gyfrwng priodol ar gyfer bywyd y tu allan i'r ysgol. Felly, dyna'r gwaith y byddwn yn ei wneud ochr yn ochr â nhw.
7. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau Llywodraeth Cymru i gyflwyno gwasanaeth gofal cenedlaethol? OQ61089
7. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government’s plans to implement a national care service? OQ61089
Thank you for the question. A number of key activity areas within stage 1 of our initial implementation plan have already progressed at pace through our 'Rebalancing Care and Support' programme. That includes establishing a national office for care and support. Research activities and, indeed, the question of the future funding of social care are planned to commence. And, of course, we may have more funding available to us in the nearer term depending on the budgets available to this institution.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Mae nifer o feysydd gweithgaredd allweddol yng ngham 1 ein cynllun gweithredu cychwynnol eisoes wedi symud ymlaen yn gyflym drwy ein rhaglen 'Ailgydbwyso Gofal a Chymorth'. Mae hynny'n cynnwys sefydlu swyddfa genedlaethol ar gyfer gofal a chymorth. Mae gweithgareddau ymchwil ac, yn wir, y cwestiwn o ariannu gofal cymdeithasol yn y dyfodol wedi'u cynllunio i gychwyn. Ac, wrth gwrs, efallai y bydd gennym fwy o gyllid ar gael i ni yn y tymor agosach, yn dibynnu ar y cyllidebau sydd ar gael i'r sefydliad hwn.
And you're absolutely right to say that the important first step to that national care service for Wales was the launch of the new national office for care and support. That important service will play an important role in supporting the chief social care officer to deliver on the national care service for Wales. And from what I understand, it will also play a key role in implementing the national commissioning framework for care and support in Wales. First Minister, do you agree that we maintain the action that is under way to direct resources where they're needed the most in order to provide outcomes and meet the needs of our older population?
Ac rydych chi yn llygad eich lle i ddweud mai'r cam cyntaf pwysig i'r gwasanaeth gofal cenedlaethol hwnnw i Gymru oedd lansio'r swyddfa gofal a chymorth genedlaethol newydd. Bydd y gwasanaeth pwysig hwnnw'n chwarae rhan bwysig wrth gefnogi'r prif swyddog gofal cymdeithasol i ddarparu gwasanaeth gofal cenedlaethol Cymru. Ac o'r hyn rwy'n ei ddeall, bydd hefyd yn chwarae rhan allweddol wrth weithredu'r fframwaith comisiynu cenedlaethol ar gyfer gofal a chymorth yng Nghymru. Prif Weinidog, a ydych yn cytuno ein bod yn cynnal y camau sydd ar y gweill i gyfeirio adnoddau lle mae eu hangen fwyaf er mwyn darparu canlyniadau a diwallu anghenion ein poblogaeth hŷn?
Thank you for the question. I want to start by recognising and paying tribute to the work that Julie Morgan did when she was a member of the Government on taking forward this reform and improvement area. Dawn Bowden will now lead on the work that still needs to be done to deliver a national care service, and I believe it will make a big difference for older adults, but also, alongside the reforms that will be commencing, more of that will take place next week for children and young people that will also access the social care system. We know that the system we have at the moment needs significant improvement and transformation.
I believe a national care service with national standards, clarity on what the requirements are to look after our staff, clarity on the service that people could and should expect will make a significant difference in both making better use of money but also a better experience and better outcomes for people regardless of what stage of their life they're at. I would like to see that significant transformation, the change in the resources required, continue to take place. We're getting ready to do so.
I believe that's another good reason to want to have a change in Government at a UK level. We'd be much better off in being able to undertake this reform if we could take account of the interaction with the tax and benefit system that affects people of all ages. Having a UK Government prepared to come along with us on this transformation and reform journey would, I believe, have a longer lasting approach to this so that we could actually take steps and much more rapidly too.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Rwyf am ddechrau drwy gydnabod a thalu teyrnged i'r gwaith a wnaeth Julie Morgan pan oedd hi'n aelod o'r Llywodraeth ar fwrw ymlaen â'r maes diwygio a gwella hwn. Bydd Dawn Bowden nawr yn arwain ar y gwaith sydd angen ei wneud o hyd i ddarparu gwasanaeth gofal cenedlaethol, ac rwy'n credu y bydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth mawr i oedolion hŷn, ond hefyd, ochr yn ochr â'r diwygiadau a fydd yn cael eu cymeradwyo, bydd mwy o hynny'n digwydd yr wythnos nesaf i blant a phobl ifanc a fydd hefyd yn defnyddio'r system gofal cymdeithasol. Rydym yn gwybod bod angen gwella a gweddnewid yn sylweddol y system sydd gennym ar hyn o bryd.
Rwy'n credu y bydd gwasanaeth gofal cenedlaethol sydd â safonau cenedlaethol, eglurder ynghylch y gofynion i ofalu am ein staff, eglurder ynghylch y gwasanaeth y gallai ac y dylai pobl ei ddisgwyl yn gwneud gwahaniaeth sylweddol o ran gwneud gwell defnydd o arian ond hefyd gwell profiad a chanlyniadau gwell i bobl, ni waeth pa gam o'u bywyd y maen nhw ynddo. Hoffwn weld bod gweddnewidiad sylweddol, y newid yn yr adnoddau sydd eu hangen, yn parhau i ddigwydd. Rydym yn barod i wneud hynny.
Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rheswm da arall dros fod eisiau newid yn y Llywodraeth ar lefel y DU. Byddem yn llawer gwell ein byd o allu ymgymryd â'r diwygiad hwn pe gallem ystyried y rhyngweithio â'r system dreth a budd-daliadau sy'n effeithio ar bobl o bob oed. Byddai bod â Llywodraeth y DU sydd yn barod i ddod gyda ni ar y daith weddnewid a diwygio hon, rwy'n credu, â dull fyddai'n para'n hirach o weithredu fel y gallem ni gymryd camau ac yn llawer cyflymach hefyd.
Yn olaf, cwestiwn 8, Luke Fletcher.
Finally, question 8, Luke Fletcher.
8. A wnaiff y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ganlyniadau ei gyfarfod â Tata ym Mumbai? OQ61118
8. Will the First Minister provide an update on the outcomes of his meeting with Tata in Mumbai? OQ61118
I had a pragmatic and candid meeting with the chief executive and managing director and the chief financial officer from Tata Steel in Mumbai on Friday last week. I will be making an oral statement about the visit later today.
Cefais gyfarfod pragmatig a gonest gyda phrif weithredwr a rheolwr-gyfarwyddwr a phrif swyddog ariannol Tata Steel ym Mumbai ddydd Gwener yr wythnos diwethaf. Byddaf yn gwneud datganiad llafar am yr ymweliad yn ddiweddarach heddiw.
Diolch am yr ateb.
Thank you for that response.
And I'll declare, Llywydd, that I'm a member of the Port Talbot transition board before asking my question, because it does revolve around some of the work of that transition board. Now, prior to the First Minister's visit to Mumbai, the Government and the further education sector were none the wiser as to who exactly would be at risk if Tata were to go ahead with their proposals. Now, if the transition board is to do its work properly, we need all the information on the table so that we can then plan for any potential outcome that may come from any Tata announcement. So, has that position changed and has Tata provided that information to the Government, and will, then, the Government provide that to the transition board so that it may do its work?
Ac rwyf am ddatgan, Llywydd, fy mod yn aelod o fwrdd pontio Port Talbot cyn gofyn fy nghwestiwn oherwydd ei fod yn ymwneud â pheth o waith y bwrdd pontio hwnnw. Nawr, cyn ymweliad y Prif Weinidog â Mumbai, nid oedd y Llywodraeth a'r sector addysg bellach yn gwybod pwy yn union fyddai mewn perygl pe byddai Tata yn bwrw ymlaen â'u cynigion. Nawr, os yw'r bwrdd pontio i wneud ei waith yn iawn, mae angen yr holl wybodaeth arnom ar y bwrdd fel y gallwn wedyn gynllunio ar gyfer unrhyw ganlyniad posibl a allai ddod o unrhyw gyhoeddiad gan Tata. Felly, a yw'r sefyllfa honno wedi newid ac a yw Tata wedi rhoi'r wybodaeth honno i'r Llywodraeth, ac a fydd, wedyn, y Llywodraeth yn ei rhoi i'r bwrdd pontio er mwyn iddo allu gwneud ei waith?
There's plainly more to do. I was very clear about the need to have information about the direct workforce and, indeed, contractors as well. I know we'll go through this in more detail later on today. There is a question, though, not just about information but about how the transition board is constructed and whether it's the right vehicle to do the work that is required to support workers who could find themselves out of a job. And as we know, the outline plans that are in public would see significant job losses before the end of this calendar year. It's a matter of real concern to Members across the Chamber, real concern to myself and the economy and energy Cabinet Secretary who met trade unions last week. But much more so—and we should never forget this—it's a matter of real concern to thousands of workers and their families as we speak today.
Mae'n amlwg bod mwy i'w wneud. Roeddwn i'n glir iawn ynghylch yr angen i gael gwybodaeth am y gweithlu uniongyrchol ac, yn wir, contractwyr hefyd. Rwy'n gwybod y byddwn ni'n mynd trwy hyn yn fanylach yn nes ymlaen heddiw. Fodd bynnag, mae yna gwestiwn nid yn unig am wybodaeth ond am sut mae'r bwrdd pontio yn cael ei ffurfio ac ai dyma'r cyfrwng cywir i wneud y gwaith sydd ei angen i gefnogi gweithwyr a allai gael eu hunain yn ddi-waith. Ac fel y gwyddom, byddai'r cynlluniau amlinellol sydd yn gyhoeddus yn gweld colli swyddi sylweddol cyn diwedd y flwyddyn galendr hon. Mae'n destun pryder gwirioneddol i Aelodau ar draws y Siambr, pryder gwirioneddol i mi ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr economi ac ynni a gyfarfu ag undebau llafur yr wythnos diwethaf. Ond llawer mwy felly—ac ni ddylem fyth anghofio hyn—mae'n fater o bryder gwirioneddol i filoedd o weithwyr a'u teuluoedd wrth i ni siarad heddiw.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
I thank the First Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf fydd y datganiad busnes, a dwi'n galw ar y Trefnydd i wneud y datganiad hynny. Jane Hutt.
The next item will be the business statement, and I call on the Trefnydd to make that statement. Jane Hutt.
Diolch, Llywydd. Mae un newid i fusnes yr wythnos hon. Yn nes ymlaen y prynhawn yma, bydd y Prif Weinidog yn gwneud datganiad ar Tata Steel. Mae busnes drafft y tair wythnos nesaf wedi'i nodi yn y datganiad a chyhoeddiad busnes, sydd ar gael i Aelodau yn electronig.
Thank you, Llywydd. There is one change to this week's business. Later this afternoon, the First Minister will make a statement on Tata Steel. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Trefnydd, can I call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for climate change, please, in order that we can receive an update on the Welsh Government's approach to recycling? You'll be aware that the UK Government announced last week its simpler recycling plan, which will enable local authorities and others to take a different approach to recycling, which enables all of the dry recyclables to be co-mingled. Now, this is something that happens still in Denbighshire—part of my constituency—where all of the dry recyclables can go into one bin. It's very simple, it's easy for the public to understand, and it stops all of the bin clutter that we see outside many people's homes, on many streets, and particularly in areas where you've got high densities of population in flats. In addition to that, they're extending the opportunity for businesses to follow that route, as many businesses already do in Wales. Now, Denbighshire had recycling rates—using that system—of 66 per cent in the year 2022-23. That's higher than Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, Wrexham, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and a whole host of other local authorities that are required to separate their recycling at the kerbside. So, will the Welsh Government consider trying to simplify the recycling system across Wales, so that homes and businesses can co-mingle their dry recyclable waste, still achieve very high recycling rates across the country, but in a much simpler way for them to be able to deploy?
Trefnydd, a gaf i alw am ddatganiad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros newid hinsawdd, os gwelwch yn dda, er mwyn i ni gael yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am ddull Llywodraeth Cymru o ailgylchu? Byddwch yn ymwybodol bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi cyhoeddi ei chynllun ailgylchu symlach yr wythnos diwethaf, a fydd yn galluogi awdurdodau lleol ac eraill i gymryd agwedd wahanol tuag at ailgylchu, sy'n galluogi i'r holl wastraff ailgylchadwy sych gael eu cymysgu. Nawr, mae hyn yn rhywbeth sy'n digwydd o hyd yn sir Ddinbych—rhan o fy etholaeth i—lle gall yr holl wastraff ailgylchadwy sych fynd i mewn i un bin. Mae'n syml iawn, mae'n hawdd i'r cyhoedd ei ddeall, ac mae'n atal yr holl finiau anniben a welwn y tu allan i gartrefi llawer o bobl, ar lawer o strydoedd, ac yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd lle mae gennych ddwysedd uchel o boblogaeth mewn fflatiau. Yn ogystal â hynny, maent yn ymestyn y cyfle i fusnesau ddilyn y llwybr hwnnw, fel y mae llawer o fusnesau eisoes yn ei wneud yng Nghymru. Nawr, roedd gan sir Ddinbych gyfraddau ailgylchu—gan ddefnyddio'r system honno—o 66 y cant yn y flwyddyn 2022-23. Mae hynny'n uwch na Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, Wrecsam, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerffili, Merthyr Tudful a llu o awdurdodau lleol eraill y mae'n ofynnol iddynt wahanu eu hailgylchu wrth ymyl y ffordd. Felly, a wnaiff Llywodraeth Cymru ystyried ceisio symleiddio'r system ailgylchu ledled Cymru, fel y gall cartrefi a busnesau gymysgu eu gwastraff ailgylchadwy sych, gan ddal i gyflawni cyfraddau ailgylchu uchel iawn ledled y wlad, ond mewn ffordd llawer symlach iddynt allu ei defnyddio?
Well, thank you for that important question. This is a question where I'm really pleased to acknowledge—and I'm sure you will do, as you have, Darren—the huge success of Wales, of course, led by the Welsh Government, but as a result of all the partnership working with our local authorities, and, indeed, our communities and citizens. So, we are right at the top of the world league in terms of recycling rates. And, yes, of course, that has meant local authorities learning from each other and taking pace. In my constituency, we don't have co-mingling, and it all works extremely well and very effectively as well. But it is important that we recognise that we have made not just great progress—we've been leaders in terms of recycling in Wales—but also, obviously, others have learnt from us, and that's where we can learn from any developments, but I think learning from us is the way it's happened with recycling.
Diolch am y cwestiwn pwysig yna. Mae hwn yn gwestiwn lle rwy'n falch iawn o gydnabod—ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi'n gwneud, fel yr ydych wedi ei wneud, Darren—llwyddiant ysgubol Cymru, wrth gwrs, dan arweiniad Llywodraeth Cymru, ond o ganlyniad i'r holl waith partneriaeth gyda'n hawdurdodau lleol, ac, yn wir, ein cymunedau a'n dinasyddion. Felly, rydym ar frig cynghrair y byd o ran cyfraddau ailgylchu. Ac, wrth gwrs, mae hynny wedi golygu bod awdurdodau lleol yn dysgu oddi wrth ei gilydd ac yn cymryd camau gweithredu. Yn fy etholaeth i, nid ydym yn cymysgu'r gwastraff ailgylchadwy, ac mae'r cyfan yn gweithio'n dda iawn ac yn effeithiol iawn hefyd. Ond mae'n bwysig ein bod ni'n cydnabod ein bod ni wedi gwneud nid yn unig cynnydd gwych—rydyn ni wedi bod yn arweinwyr o ran ailgylchu yng Nghymru—ond hefyd, yn amlwg, mae eraill wedi dysgu gennym ni, a dyna lle gallwn ni ddysgu o unrhyw ddatblygiadau, ond rwy'n credu mai dysgu oddi wrthym ni yw'r ffordd mae wedi digwydd gydag ailgylchu.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (David Rees) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.
Trefnydd, mae nifer o etholwyr wedi cysylltu gyda mi yn sgil y cyhoeddiad gan Goleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru fod ei rhaglen gwersi actio a cherddoriaeth ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc yn debygol o ddod i ben oherwydd y sefyllfa gyllidol yn y coleg. Mae sôn yn y datganiad gan y coleg am gydweithio â Gwasanaeth Cerdd Cenedlaethol Cymru ar gynlluniau amgen, ond does dim manylion pellach o ran hynny.
Hoffwn ofyn, felly, am ddatganiad llafar neu ysgrifenedig gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol o ran y cyhoeddiad hwn, ac unrhyw drafodaethau mae hi wedi eu cael gyda'r coleg. Gyda gymaint o blant a phobl ifanc wedi'u heffeithio—nifer ohonyn nhw'n derbyn bwrsariaeth—mae hyn yn rhywbeth a allai gael effaith andwyol arnyn nhw a'u datblygiad fel cerddorion ac actorion i'r dyfodol.
Trefnydd, a number of constituents have contacted me as a result of the announcement by the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama that the programme of music, drama and acting lessons for children and young people is likely to come to an end because of the budgetary situation within the college. There is mention in the statement from the college of collaboration with National Music Service Wales on alternative offers, but there is no further detail on that.
I would like to ask, therefore, for an oral or written statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice in terms of this announcement, and for an update on any discussions she's had with the college. With so many children and young people having been affected—many of them in receipt of bursaries—this is something that could have a detrimental impact on them and their development as musicians and actors for the future.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan, and I'm very aware of this recent announcement and the consultation on proposals to end some of the provision from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in terms of working with young people, which could impact on Saturday music class provision, and also just to recognise that we need to look at this in the context of our national plan for music education. The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama has stated that it remains fully committed to providing opportunities in music for young people and to creating pathways into professional training, and it will be continuing to deliver a number of areas of project work, including weekend immersive workshops in music, the national open youth orchestra residency and holiday courses.
But I think, as I said, it's also recognising that it has to align with our national plan for music education, particularly for learners who want to progress in playing an instrument. And it's a key partner organisation for our national music service, in terms of the national music service's model, and, of course, the college principal is chair of the advisory board to the service. So, obviously, it's an autonomous, independent body, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and it does take its own decisions, but, of course, we then work together to see ways in which they can focus on those links with the national plan for music education and the national music service.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd Fychan, ac rwy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r cyhoeddiad diweddar hwn a'r ymgynghoriad ar gynigion i roi terfyn ar rywfaint o'r ddarpariaeth gan Goleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru o ran gweithio gyda phobl ifanc, a allai effeithio ar ddarpariaeth dosbarthiadau cerdd dydd Sadwrn, a hefyd i gydnabod bod angen i ni edrych ar hyn yng nghyd-destun ein cynllun cenedlaethol ar gyfer addysg cerddoriaeth. Mae Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru wedi datgan ei fod yn parhau i fod yn gwbl ymrwymedig i ddarparu cyfleoedd mewn cerddoriaeth i bobl ifanc ac i greu llwybrau i hyfforddiant proffesiynol, a bydd yn parhau i ddarparu nifer o feysydd gwaith prosiect, gan gynnwys gweithdai ymgolli ar benwythnosau mewn cerddoriaeth, preswylfa Cerddorfa Ieuenctid Agored a chyrsiau gwyliau.
Ond rwy'n credu, fel y dywedais i, ei fod hefyd yn cydnabod bod yn rhaid iddo gyd-fynd â'n cynllun cenedlaethol ar gyfer addysg cerddoriaeth, yn enwedig ar gyfer dysgwyr sydd eisiau symud ymlaen i chwarae offeryn. Ac mae'n sefydliad partner allweddol ar gyfer ein gwasanaeth cerddoriaeth cenedlaethol, o ran model y gwasanaeth cerddoriaeth cenedlaethol, ac, wrth gwrs, pennaeth y coleg yw cadeirydd bwrdd cynghori'r gwasanaeth. Felly, yn amlwg, mae'n gorff ymreolaethol, annibynnol, Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru, ac mae'n gwneud ei benderfyniadau ei hun, ond, wrth gwrs, rydym wedyn yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i weld ffyrdd y gallant ganolbwyntio ar y cysylltiadau hynny â'r cynllun cenedlaethol ar gyfer addysg gerddorol a'r gwasanaeth cerddoriaeth cenedlaethol.
Trefnydd, I'm once again requesting an urgent statement, but, this time, from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, regarding the ongoing situation at Withyhedge landfill site. Now, I heard the First Minister's response to the leader of the opposition earlier, and his replies did not fill me with confidence at all. Now, on Friday afternoon, Public Health Wales issued a statement, saying that odours and emissions from the site could be harmful to people's health and advising people to seek medical advice, which is something my constituents and I have suspected all along. Where has Public Health Wales been until now? There has been a problem at Withyhedge landfill site for months, and now it's looking increasingly likely that the community has been subject to toxic emissions. I've stood up in this Chamber week after week to raise this on behalf of my constituents, and there has been little support from this Government. Well, enough is enough. Welsh Government Cabinet Secretaries cannot stand back and wash their hands of this. There must be an urgent statement outlining exactly what the Welsh Government is going to do to support the community and stop this dangerous operator from harming people even further.
Trefnydd, rwy'n gofyn unwaith eto am ddatganiad brys, ond, y tro hwn, gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol, ynghylch y sefyllfa barhaus ar safle tirlenwi Withyhedge. Nawr, clywais ymateb y Prif Weinidog i arweinydd yr wrthblaid yn gynharach, ac ni wnaeth ei atebion fy llenwi â hyder o gwbl. Nawr, brynhawn Gwener, cyhoeddodd Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru ddatganiad, gan ddweud y gallai arogleuon ac allyriadau o'r safle fod yn niweidiol i iechyd pobl gan gynghori pobl i ofyn am gyngor meddygol, sy'n rhywbeth y mae fy etholwyr a minnau wedi ei amau ar hyd yr amser. Lle mae Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru wedi bod hyd yn hyn? Mae problem wedi bod ar safle tirlenwi Withyhedge ers misoedd, a nawr mae'n edrych yn fwyfwy tebygol bod y gymuned wedi bod yn agored i allyriadau gwenwynig. Rwyf wedi sefyll i fyny yn y Siambr hon wythnos ar ôl wythnos i godi hyn ar ran fy etholwyr, ac ychydig iawn o gefnogaeth a gafwyd gan y Llywodraeth hon. Wel, digon yw digon. Ni all Ysgrifenyddion Cabinet Llywodraeth Cymru sefyll yn ôl a golchi eu dwylo o hyn. Rhaid cael datganiad brys yn amlinellu'n union beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'w wneud i gefnogi'r gymuned ac atal y gweithredwr peryglus hwn rhag niweidio pobl hyd yn oed ymhellach.
Diolch yn fawr, Paul Davies. You have raised this issue on a number of occasions at the business statement, and, indeed, the First Minister responded in full to the leader of the opposition. We recognise Public Health Wales's response and its statement last week, and, most importantly, recognise the concern amongst the local community and the need for that swift action, because, and it's been described vividly, of what that means for that community and people living alongside it. Now, you will be aware that Natural Resources Wales have increased their presence on site; they are continuing to update the community via their website as activities progress. Enforcement notices have been served on the landfill operator, who has to cover all exposed waste and complete landfill engineering work to contain and collect landfill gas. That's the important outcome we are seeking. And if the landfill operator fails to comply with the final deadline of the notice, NRW will take appropriate enforcement action, in line with their enforcement and prosecution policy. So, again, I can assure the Member, and the Chamber, that NRW is responding, as a priority, to resolve the issue, and we do encourage residents, and, indeed, elected representatives, to continue to report any incidences of odour to them, because that, actually, helps inform the effectiveness of tackling this issue of onsite activity by NRW.
Diolch yn fawr, Paul Davies. Rydych chi wedi codi'r mater hwn sawl gwaith yn y datganiad busnes, ac, yn wir, ymatebodd y Prif Weinidog yn llawn i arweinydd yr wrthblaid. Rydym yn cydnabod ymateb Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru a'i ddatganiad yr wythnos diwethaf, ac, yn bwysicaf oll, yn cydnabod y pryder ymhlith y gymuned leol a'r angen am y gweithredu cyflym hwnnw, oherwydd, ac fe'i disgrifiwyd yn fanwl, yr hyn y mae hynny'n ei olygu i'r gymuned honno a'r bobl sy'n byw wrth ei ymyl. Nawr, byddwch yn ymwybodol bod Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru wedi cynyddu eu presenoldeb ar y safle; maen nhw'n parhau i ddiweddaru'r gymuned trwy eu gwefan wrth i weithgareddau fynd yn eu blaen. Cyflwynwyd hysbysiadau gorfodi i'r gweithredwr tirlenwi, sy'n gorfod gorchuddio yr holl wastraff agored a chwblhau gwaith peirianyddol tirlenwi i gynnwys a chasglu nwy tirlenwi. Dyna'r canlyniad pwysig yr ydym yn chwilio amdano. Ac os bydd y gweithredwr tirlenwi yn methu â chydymffurfio â dyddiad cau terfynol yr hysbysiad, bydd CNC yn cymryd camau gorfodi priodol, yn unol â'u polisi gorfodi ac erlyn. Felly, unwaith eto, gallaf sicrhau'r Aelod, a'r Siambr, fod CNC yn ymateb, fel blaenoriaeth, i ddatrys y mater, ac rydym yn annog trigolion, ac, yn wir, cynrychiolwyr etholedig, i barhau i adrodd am unrhyw achosion o arogleuon iddynt, oherwydd bod hynny, mewn gwirionedd, yn helpu i lywio effeithiolrwydd y camau i fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn o weithgarwch ar y safle gan CNC.
Good afternoon, Trefnydd. I'd like to request, please, a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care regarding the concerning state of dentistry waiting lists across Wales. Some good news from Powys Teaching Health Board in terms of children waiting for an NHS dentist: there has been a significant improvement. The figures now stand at 84 children only waiting for an NHS dentist, but we must remember that that is still 84 children. But the number of adults in Powys waiting for an NHS dentist stands at 4,200, which is a staggering number. One of the issues is this lack of centralised data and a central Wales waiting list. When I raised this issue first with the First Minister, he conceded that there had been delays in rolling out this national unified waiting list, but provided no timeline. So, I was just wondering if I could have an indication from the Cabinet Secretary of when we would have a centralised waiting list for NHS dentists in Wales. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Trefnydd. Hoffwn ofyn am ddatganiad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol ynghylch cyflwr pryderus rhestrau aros deintyddiaeth ledled Cymru. Newyddion da gan Fwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys o ran plant sy'n aros am ddeintydd GIG: bu gwelliant sylweddol. Mae'r ffigurau bellach yn 84 o blant yn aros am ddeintydd GIG yn unig, ond mae'n rhaid i ni gofio bod hynny'n dal i fod yn 84 o blant. Ond mae nifer yr oedolion ym Mhowys sy'n aros am ddeintydd GIG yn 4,200, sy'n nifer syfrdanol. Un o'r problemau yw'r diffyg data canolog hwn a rhestr aros ganolog yng Nghymru. Pan godais y mater hwn yn gyntaf gyda'r Prif Weinidog, cyfaddefodd y bu oedi cyn cyflwyno'r rhestr aros gyfunol genedlaethol hon, ond heb ddarparu unrhyw amserlen. Felly, meddwl oeddwn i tybed a gawn ni syniad gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ynghylch pryd y byddai gennym restr aros ganolog ar gyfer deintyddion y GIG yng Nghymru. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch yn fawr, Jane Dodds, am eich cwestiwn pwysig iawn.
Thank you very much, Jane Dodds, for your very important question.
This is important, and it's helpful that you have acknowledged that there has been action taken, and we see dental services being available to children, reducing those waiting lists, which is where we know the priority will be in terms of meeting children's needs. But, of course, there are adults as well. We have to make sure that we get consistency across Wales in terms of developing dental services. So, you will be aware that the Cabinet Secretary has commissioned Digital Health and Care Wales to develop an all-Wales digital solution, and this leads us to this prospect in terms of centralised waiting lists, an all-Wales solution, and it will provide people wishing to access routine dental care with a single and consistent way to register their interest. The system prototype was due to be completed by the end of the last financial year. I can confirm that the system now is due to be tested from mid July by Powys teaching health board, in your region. So, it will roll out across Wales, once the test has been completed and lessons learned from that process have been implemented. But this is a really positive step forward and, of course, it will benefit—. It's being tested in Powys, but will benefit the whole of Wales in terms of access to dental services.
Mae hyn yn bwysig, ac mae'n ddefnyddiol eich bod wedi cydnabod bod camau wedi'u cymryd, ac rydym yn gweld gwasanaethau deintyddol ar gael i blant, gan leihau'r rhestrau aros hynny, a dyna lle rydym yn gwybod y bydd y flaenoriaeth o ran diwallu anghenion plant. Ond, wrth gwrs, mae yna oedolion hefyd. Mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau ein bod yn cael cysondeb ledled Cymru o ran datblygu gwasanaethau deintyddol. Felly, byddwch yn ymwybodol bod yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi comisiynu Iechyd a Gofal Digidol Cymru i ddatblygu datrysiad digidol Cymru gyfan, ac mae hyn yn ein harwain at y gobaith hwn o ran rhestrau aros canolog, datrysiad i Gymru gyfan, a bydd yn darparu un ffordd gyson i bobl sy'n dymuno cael mynediad at ofal deintyddol arferol gofrestru eu diddordeb. Roedd prototeip y system i fod i gael ei gwblhau erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn ariannol ddiwethaf. Gallaf gadarnhau bod y system nawr i fod i gael ei phrofi o ganol Gorffennaf gan Fwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys, yn eich rhanbarth chi. Felly, bydd yn cael ei gyflwyno ledled Cymru, unwaith y bydd y prawf wedi'i gwblhau a gwersi a ddysgwyd o'r broses honno wedi'u gweithredu. Ond mae hwn yn gam cadarnhaol iawn ymlaen ac, wrth gwrs, bydd o fudd—. Mae'n cael ei brofi ym Mhowys, ond bydd o fudd i Gymru gyfan o ran mynediad at wasanaethau deintyddol.
I would like a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice regarding a segment produced by S4C on Rhyl in my constituency that aired back in April. The segment was from a television programme called Hansh, and was intended for viewers to be given an insight into, quote, 'the wild world of strippers', unquote. The segment started with a montage of selectively edited vox pops, with people using obscene language to denigrate and traduce Rhyl. And I'm no Mary Whitehouse by any stretch and by no means a prude, and I have no issue with the subject of the episode; indeed, every industry deserves representation. But I do think it's disappointing that a public service broadcaster would choose to portray my constituency as seedy, playing into harmful stereotypes about the town that we are working hard to change. I know that S4C is an independent public body, appointed by the UK Government, but, as a Welsh language public service broadcaster, we should have some say over its content and running, particularly when the content insults the people it's attempting to entertain or educate. [Interruption.] So, could the Cabinet Secretary outline the view of the Welsh Government on this particular S4C programme, and outline what representations are made to the channel regarding its content?
Hoffwn gael datganiad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ynghylch darn a gynhyrchwyd gan S4C ar Y Rhyl yn fy etholaeth i a ddarlledwyd yn ôl ym mis Ebrill. Roedd y darn o raglen deledu o'r enw Hansh, a'r bwriad oedd i wylwyr gael golwg ar, rwy'n dyfynnu, 'byd gwyllt stripwyr', diwedd y dyfyniad. Dechreuodd y darn gyda montage o vox pops wedi'u golygu'n ddetholus, a phobl yn defnyddio iaith anweddus i bardduo a thramwyo'r Rhyl. A dydw i ddim yn Mary Whitehouse o unrhyw fath ac nid wyf yn orlednais o bell ffordd, a does gen i ddim problem gyda phwnc y bennod; yn wir, mae pob diwydiant yn haeddu cynrychiolaeth. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn siomedig y byddai darlledwr gwasanaeth cyhoeddus yn dewis portreadu fy etholaeth i fel lle gwael, gan ategu ystrydebau niweidiol am y dref yr ydym ni'n gweithio'n galed i'w newid. Rwy'n gwybod bod S4C yn gorff cyhoeddus annibynnol, wedi'i benodi gan Lywodraeth y DU, ond, fel darlledwr gwasanaeth cyhoeddus Cymraeg, dylem fod â rhywfaint o lais dros y cynnwys a'r modd y caiff ei redeg, yn enwedig pan fydd y cynnwys yn sarhau'r bobl y mae'n ceisio eu difyrru neu eu haddysgu. [Torri ar draws.] Felly, a allai'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet amlinellu barn Llywodraeth Cymru ar y rhaglen benodol hon ar S4C, ac amlinellu pa sylwadau a wneir i'r sianel ynglŷn â'i chynnwys?
Well, I do think, has been echoed around the Chamber, and, as you said, S4C is an independent public broadcaster. I think you've made your views known, and presumably you've conveyed your views to the public broadcaster, and I think that's the appropriate route to take.
Wel, rwy'n credu, ei fod wedi ei adleisio o amgylch y Siambr, ac, fel y dywedoch chi, mae S4C yn ddarlledwr cyhoeddus annibynnol. Rwy'n credu eich bod wedi mynegi eich barn, ac mae'n debyg eich bod wedi cyfleu eich barn i'r darlledwr cyhoeddus, ac rwy'n credu mai dyna'r llwybr priodol i'w gymryd.
The Redhouse building in Merthyr Tydfil has been forced to close its doors. I'd appreciate a statement setting out the importance of keeping venues like this open. The building is vitally important for residents. It was the town hall, more recently it's been an arts centre, but it's also proof of the area's past. It was built at a time when Merthyr was at the centre of world industry, and the area in front of it was the scene of the Merthyr Rising. Surely, there's an intervention that the Government can make here. The venue is owned by a local housing association, but the arts centre it houses is run by a leisure trust. Transferring the business has apparently been stalled because of questions over financial viability. The reason I'd like a Government statement is that something similar happened recently with the Aberfan community centre. Now, that venue's future now looks more secure, in part, I think, because of public anger. But the people of these valleys keep getting things taken from them: their services, their assets, their jobs. There are jobs at the Redhouse at risk right now. So, can a statement, please, acknowledge the importance of keeping these buildings in use for the community, so that they don't turn into relics, they aren't just testament to what we used to be, but that they are protected for our future?
Mae adeilad y Redhouse ym Merthyr Tudful wedi cael ei orfodi i gau ei ddrysau. Byddwn i'n gwerthfawrogi datganiad yn nodi pwysigrwydd cadw lleoliadau fel hyn ar agor. Mae'r adeilad yn hanfodol bwysig i breswylwyr. Neuadd y dref oedd hi, yn fwy diweddar mae wedi bod yn ganolfan gelfyddydol, ond mae hefyd yn dystiolaeth o orffennol yr ardal. Cafodd ei hadeiladu ar adeg pan oedd Merthyr yn ganolbwynt i ddiwydiant y byd, a'r ardal o'i blaen oedd lleoliad Gwrthryfel Merthyr. Siawns nad oes yna ymyrraeth y gall y Llywodraeth ei wneud yn y fan yma. Cymdeithas dai leol sy'n berchen ar y lleoliad, ond ymddiriedolaeth hamdden sy'n rhedeg y ganolfan gelfyddydau y mae'n ei chartrefu. Mae'n debyg bod oedi wrth drosglwyddo'r busnes oherwydd cwestiynau ynghylch hyfywedd ariannol. Y rheswm yr hoffwn i gael datganiad gan y Llywodraeth yw bod rhywbeth tebyg wedi digwydd yn ddiweddar gyda chanolfan gymunedol Aberfan. Nawr, mae dyfodol y lleoliad hwnnw bellach yn edrych yn fwy diogel, yn rhannol, rwy'n credu, oherwydd dicter y cyhoedd. Ond mae pobl y cymoedd hyn yn dal i gael pethau wedi'u cymryd oddi arnyn nhw: eu gwasanaethau, eu hasedau, eu swyddi. Mae swyddi yn y Redhouse mewn perygl ar hyn o bryd. Felly, a all datganiad, os gwelwch yn dda, gydnabod pwysigrwydd cadw'r adeiladau hyn mewn defnydd ar gyfer y gymuned, fel nad ydynt yn troi'n greiriau, nad ydynt ond yn dyst i'r hyn yr oeddem ni'n arfer bod, ond eu bod yn cael eu diogelu ar gyfer ein dyfodol?
Diolch yn fawr am eich cwestiwn.
Thank you for your question.
These are buildings of our heritage, aren't they? And indeed, I'm not sure about that particular building, but I suspect it has over the years benefited from not only public funding via the local authority and, indeed, Welsh Government, but also from European funding, for which there was a huge programme for regenerating and preserving and refurbishing these buildings. And, of course, when they do provide those services and those facilities, like the arts facility that you describe, that is where community use and access to those services must be protected, if at all possible, but we are in such difficult financial times in terms of public finances. But, of course, there are community asset transfer options. I don't know how much the community and, indeed, management and trustees have accessed services from, for example, the local council for voluntary services, but I think it would be good if you could certainly write to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, so that all avenues could be explored on behalf of that facility in your constituency, in your region.
Adeiladau ein treftadaeth ni yw'r rhain, onid ydyn nhw? Ac yn wir, dydw i ddim yn siŵr am yr adeilad penodol hwnnw, ond rwy'n amau ei fod dros y blynyddoedd wedi elwa nid yn unig ar gyllid cyhoeddus drwy'r awdurdod lleol ac, yn wir, Llywodraeth Cymru, ond hefyd ar gyllid Ewropeaidd, yr oedd rhaglen enfawr ar ei chyfer ar gyfer adfywio a gwarchod ac adnewyddu'r adeiladau hyn. Ac, wrth gwrs, pan fyddant yn darparu'r gwasanaethau hynny a'r cyfleusterau hynny, fel y cyfleuster celfyddydau yr ydych yn ei ddisgrifio, dyna lle mae'n rhaid diogelu defnydd cymunedol a mynediad at y gwasanaethau hynny, os yw'n bosibl, ond rydym mewn cyfnod ariannol mor anodd o ran cyllid cyhoeddus. Ond, wrth gwrs, mae yna opsiynau trosglwyddo asedau cymunedol. Dydw i ddim yn gwybod faint y mae'r gymuned ac, yn wir, rheolwyr ac ymddiriedolwyr wedi cael gafael ar wasanaethau gan, er enghraifft, y cyngor lleol ar gyfer gwasanaethau gwirfoddol, ond rwy'n credu y byddai'n dda pe gallech chi ysgrifennu at Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, fel y gellid archwilio pob llwybr ar ran y cyfleuster hwnnw yn eich etholaeth, yn eich rhanbarth.
Trefnydd, I would like to request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, please. Welsh National Opera is currently engulfed in a crisis that threatens its future as our flagship arts organisation and only full-time opera company here in Wales. Welsh National Opera is the jewel in Wales's crown. It is the largest arts employer, created in the 1940s by a group of doctors, miners and teachers who wished to build a performing ensemble that would live up to our reputation as the land of song. Welsh National Opera currently stands on a precipice, having received cuts from both the arts councils of Wales and England that amount to 25 per cent of its yearly budget. This is clearly completely untenable. Unless further financial help can be found, WNO is going to be forced to make its orchestra and chorus, the beating heart of the company, part time. It's scaling back its touring venues and has already offered voluntary redundancy to the rest of the company. This will result in a loss of vital skills across the organisation. Without increased funding in the short term, WNO will be unable to continue to deliver a substantial offer of opera education and engagement in wellness programmes, providing artistic, community, educational and health benefits across our communities the length and breadth of Wales. The quality and output of Wales's flagship arts organisation will be severely diluted in the UK and beyond. It is crucial that the Cabinet Secretary comes to the Chamber with a statement that informs us of her recent discussions with the UK Government and also eases the current fears and ensures that the long-term future of Welsh National Opera is no longer in doubt. Diolch.
Trefnydd, hoffwn ofyn am ddatganiad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, os gwelwch yn dda. Ar hyn o bryd mae Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yng nghanol argyfwng sy'n bygwth ei ddyfodol fel ein sefydliad celfyddydol blaenllaw a'r unig gwmni opera llawn amser yma yng Nghymru. Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yw'r em yng nghoron Cymru. Dyma'r cyflogwr celfyddydau mwyaf, a grëwyd yn y 1940au gan grŵp o feddygon, glowyr ac athrawon a oedd yn dymuno creu ensemble perfformio a fyddai'n gwireddu ein henw da fel gwlad y gân. Ar hyn o bryd mae Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yn sefyll ar yr ymyl, ar ôl cael toriadau gan gynghorau celfyddydau Cymru a Lloegr sy'n cyfateb i 25 y cant o'i chyllideb flynyddol. Mae hyn yn amlwg yn gwbl anghynaladwy. Oni bai y gellir dod o hyd i ragor o gymorth ariannol, mae Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yn mynd i gael ei orfodi i wneud ei cherddorfa a'i chorws, calon y cwmni, yn rhan-amser. Mae'n lleihau ei lleoliadau teithiol ac mae eisoes wedi cynnig diswyddo gwirfoddol i weddill y cwmni. Bydd hyn yn arwain at golli sgiliau hanfodol ar draws y sefydliad. Heb fwy o gyllid yn y tymor byr, ni fydd Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru yn gallu parhau i ddarparu cynnig sylweddol o addysg opera ac ymgysylltu â rhaglenni lles, gan ddarparu buddion artistig, cymunedol, addysgol ac iechyd ar draws ein cymunedau ledled Cymru. Bydd ansawdd ac allbwn sefydliad celfyddydau blaenllaw Cymru yn cael eu gwanhau'n ddifrifol yn y DU a thu hwnt. Mae'n hanfodol bod yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn dod i'r Siambr gyda datganiad sy'n ein hysbysu o'i thrafodaethau diweddar gyda Llywodraeth y DU ac sydd hefyd yn lleddfu'r ofnau presennol ac yn sicrhau nad oes amheuaeth bellach ynghylch dyfodol hirdymor Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Diolch.
Diolch, Laura Anne Jones. This was raised in the business statement, certainly, last week as well. Obviously, there have been high-profile, public questions and concerns raised about Welsh National Opera, which we dearly, dearly treasure. Wales's culture and sport sectors are an integral part of our society and well-being, and they enrich our communities and inspire future generations. We do recognise as a Welsh Government the social, cultural and economic value of the arts sector in Wales, including opera. But, of course, as you know, Welsh Government funding for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales. With our arm's-length funding principle, the investment review, of course, was an issue for the Arts Council of Wales. We don't interfere with the Arts Council of Wales's funding decisions. So, that's led to very difficult decisions when it comes to funding, but I note that opera is receiving 71 per cent of the total spend on the music sector for 2024-25. But, of course, as you've said and as has been acknowledged, the budget cut from Arts Council England has had an adverse impact as well, and, of course, that has an impact in terms of touring opportunities for Welsh National Opera. I think this is something where we need to take account of what is emerging. Of course, the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice is engaging in her role, and recognising that this is something where we need to look at the really dire situation we are in in terms of funding—up to £700 million less in Wales in real terms, of our budget, as a result of UK Government cuts has meant these extremely difficult decisions have emanated.
Diolch yn fawr, Laura Anne Jones. Codwyd hyn yn y datganiad busnes, yn sicr, yr wythnos diwethaf hefyd. Yn amlwg, codwyd cwestiynau a phryderon cyhoeddus proffil uchel am Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, rhywbeth yr ydym yn ei drysori'n fawr iawn. Mae sectorau diwylliant a chwaraeon Cymru yn rhan annatod o'n cymdeithas a'n llesiant, ac maen nhw'n cyfoethogi ein cymunedau ac yn ysbrydoli cenedlaethau'r dyfodol. Rydym yn cydnabod, fel Llywodraeth Cymru, werth cymdeithasol, diwylliannol ac economaidd sector y celfyddydau yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys opera. Ond, wrth gwrs, fel y gwyddoch chi, mae cyllid Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer y celfyddydau yn cael ei sianelu drwy Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru. Gydag egwyddor ariannu hyd braich, roedd yr adolygiad buddsoddi, wrth gwrs, yn fater i Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru. Nid ydym yn ymyrryd â phenderfyniadau ariannu Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru. Felly, mae hynny wedi arwain at benderfyniadau anodd iawn o ran cyllid, ond rwy'n nodi bod opera yn derbyn 71 y cant o gyfanswm y gwariant ar y sector cerddoriaeth ar gyfer 2024-25. Ond, wrth gwrs, fel rydych chi wedi'i ddweud, ac fel y cydnabuwyd, mae'r toriad yn y gyllideb gan Gyngor Celfyddydau Lloegr wedi cael effaith andwyol hefyd, ac, wrth gwrs, mae hynny'n cael effaith o ran cyfleoedd teithiol i Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru. Rwy'n credu bod hyn yn rhywbeth lle mae angen i ni ystyried yr hyn sy'n dod i'r amlwg. Wrth gwrs, mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros Ddiwylliant a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol yn ymgysylltu â'i rôl, ac yn cydnabod bod hyn yn rhywbeth lle mae angen i ni edrych ar y sefyllfa wirioneddol enbyd yr ydym ynddi o ran cyllid—hyd at £700 miliwn yn llai yng Nghymru mewn termau real, yn ein cyllideb, o ganlyniad i doriadau Llywodraeth y DU sydd wedi golygu bod y penderfyniadau anodd iawn hyn wedi digwydd.
Ac yn olaf, Sam Rowlands.
Finally, Sam Rowlands.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Trefnydd, I'd like to call for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for health outlining actions to deal with the recent increase in cases of whooping cough. Currently, we're experiencing a peak year for the infection, with some of the highest rates causing concern in babies under three months old, who are a particularly vulnerable group, and five of those babies have sadly died as a result of the infection so far this year. Recent data published by the UK Health Security Agency showed over 1,300 cases confirmed in March alone, which is deeply concerning. We know some of this cause is linked to fewer children receiving their vaccines. Indeed, around only 93 per cent of children have received their six-in-one vaccinations up until now. I think it would be important for this Senedd to receive an update from the Cabinet Secretary on whooping cough numbers and how the Welsh Government is working to bring down any increases in those numbers and make sure that preventative measures are in place in order to protect people, and in particular babies, here in Wales.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Trefnydd, hoffwn alw am ddatganiad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros iechyd yn amlinellu camau i ymdrin â'r cynnydd diweddar mewn achosion o'r pas. Ar hyn o bryd, rydym yn profi blwyddyn frig ar gyfer yr haint, a rhai o'r cyfraddau uchaf yn achosi pryder mewn babanod o dan dri mis oed, sy'n grŵp arbennig o agored i niwed, ac yn anffodus mae pump o'r babanod hynny wedi marw o ganlyniad i'r haint hyd yma eleni. Dangosodd data diweddar a gyhoeddwyd gan Asiantaeth Diogelwch Iechyd y DU fod dros 1,300 o achosion wedi'u cadarnhau ym mis Mawrth yn unig, sy'n peri pryder mawr. Gwyddom fod rhai o'r achosion hyn yn gysylltiedig â llai o blant yn derbyn eu brechlynnau. Yn wir, dim ond 93 y cant o blant sydd wedi derbyn eu brechiadau 6-mewn-1 hyd yn hyn. Rwy'n credu y byddai'n bwysig i'r Senedd hon dderbyn diweddariad gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ar niferoedd y pas a sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio i ostwng unrhyw gynnydd yn y niferoedd hynny a sicrhau bod mesurau ataliol ar waith er mwyn amddiffyn pobl, ac yn enwedig babanod, yma yng Nghymru.
Well, thank you very much for that question, because it is really important, as the First Minister said earlier on, that we encourage the uptake of vaccination. And, in fact, you've done that very ably this afternoon. He was referring to the measles outbreak in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and that single case in north Wales, which shows that we have got to increase the awareness and uptake of vaccination. And, on whooping cough, I haven't got any details about the prevalence or emergence of whooping cough as an issue in terms of numbers of cases, but I will certainly draw this to the attention of the Cabinet Secretary. But, again, thank you for raising awareness this afternoon in raising this question.
Wel, diolch yn fawr iawn i chi am y cwestiwn yna, oherwydd mae hynny'n bwysig iawn, fel dywedodd y Prif Weinidog yn gynharach, sef ein bod ni'n annog pobl i gael eu brechu. Ac mewn gwirionedd, rydych chi wedi gwneud hynny'n effeithiol iawn y prynhawn yma. Fe gyfeiriodd ef at yr achosion o'r frech goch ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Aneurin Bevan a'r achos unigol hwnnw yn y gogledd, sy'n amlygu bod rhaid i ni feithrin ymwybyddiaeth a chynyddu'r niferoedd sy'n cael eu brechiadau. Ac, o ran y pas, nid oes unrhyw fanylion gennyf i ynglŷn â chyffredinrwydd nac ymddangosiad y pas o ran niferoedd yr achosion, ond yn sicr fe fyddaf i'n dwyn hynny i sylw'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Ond, unwaith eto, diolch i chi am godi ymwybyddiaeth y prynhawn yma wrth godi'r cwestiwn hwn.
Diolch i'r Trefnydd.
I thank the Trefnydd.
Eitem 3 heddiw yw'r datganiad gan Ysgrifenydd y Cabinet dros Addysg: ein cenhadaeth genedlaethol—cyflawni blaenoriaethau addysg Cymru. Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, Lynne Neagle.
Item 3 today is a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: our national mission—delivering on Wales’s education priorities. I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's a privilege for me to have been asked by the First Minister to serve as Cabinet Secretary for Education, a role that comes with unique opportunities to make a difference in the lives of people across Wales, especially children and young people. I am clear that I do not underestimate the profound responsibilities that come with this role, and I am in no way complacent about the scale of the challenge.
We have embarked on a significant package of reforms to transform the lives and opportunities of young people, but, at the same time, we must still focus on helping learners and staff to overcome the impact of the pandemic. There is excellence in every part of our system, but I am absolutely clear that we need to aim higher. In particular, we need to raise levels of attainment and close the gap for the poorest children in Wales. And the amazing staff in our schools, colleges and universities want a system that is more joined up and fit to help them face the future challenges of education.
I hope Members will know me well enough to know that my starting point will always be the best interests of our learners, and in particular our children and young people. I will lead an education system that puts them first. When I accepted this job, the First Minister was clear that he wanted a system that was focused on delivering sustained improvement in educational attainment so that every learner could fulfil their potential. Today, I want to set out some of the steps I will take to meet this challenge. I know we can’t do everything overnight, so it is important that, as the Cabinet Secretary, I am clear about the priorities for the immediate future.
My first message is that good mental health will be the platform on which our education system will be built. In my previous role as Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Well-being, I was pleased to work with my predecessor, Jeremy Miles, to introduce the whole-school approach to mental health, which I will continue to champion in my new role. It is fundamental to tackling the issues we have with attainment and attendance. It will continue to be a top priority for the Welsh Government. While I know the importance of good mental health and well-being for learners and staff, I also know that no single issue can be looked at in isolation. Reform and improvement must be aimed at creating a whole system that works for all learners. My job will be to make the whole system work together.
I want to be clear that I remain completely committed to the progress of Curriculum for Wales. I have seen first hand the outstanding work already happening in our schools through embracing the opportunities of the new curriculum. But, I have also heard clearly that schools want more support to make sure everyone is equipped to get it right. I will prioritise support on curriculum design, progression and assessment. I will work with teachers to ensure the right support reaches their classrooms and that they have the knowledge, resources and confidence to ensure that every learner and every part of Wales feels the benefit of the curriculum.
Last week, I gave evidence to the Children, Young People and Education Committee and participated in a Petitions Committee debate, both on additional learning needs reform, a vitally important but complex strand of work. It is vital we all work together to implement a system of ALN support that delivers for learners and which both parents and school staff can navigate. As I set out last week, a focus on ALN reform has been among my first priorities. I want to ensure firm legislative foundations are in place, and I want to strengthen implementation by improving the consistency of the approach being taken.
Collaboration, challenge and partnership working are key to driving forward improvement. I want the whole system working together to improve standards and to raise attainment, and to be ambitious for every single learner. Alongside overall improvements in attainment, it is vital that we close the attainment gap faced by our most disadvantaged learners. I will never accept that children from poorer backgrounds should settle for worse outcomes than their peers or learners elsewhere. I am committed to enhancing our understanding of the attainment gap and identifying where interventions can be best targeted to have maximum impact. I remain committed to the school improvement partnership programme, which is taking forward the findings of the strategic review of education partners in Wales. We are working with all of our partners to take the next step towards a self-improving system, focused on improving learning outcomes in Wales through a more collaborative and partnership-based approach. To be successful, we need to accelerate progress in some key areas: firstly, a strong professional learning offer that supports teachers and is focused on improving the quality of teaching and learning; secondly, a strengthening of school leadership to ensure every school sets the right culture for learners and staff; and maximising impact by getting the basics right, with a continued focus on improving literacy, numeracy and digital skills, including through the mathematics and numeracy plan. I expect every part of the system to be working towards the common goal of improving attainment, particularly within the poorest communities.
Of course, no amount of reform or improvement in our schools can be achieved without the dedicated and talented school workforce. I am committed to listening and working in partnership with the workforce, as we move forward with this programme of work. Our conversations will not always be easy, but I know that we share the same goal: delivering the best possible outcomes for children and young people. And the Welsh language continues to be a priority for this Government, and we will continue to work closely with partners to ensure that all young people achieve Welsh language skills required for life and work.
The consultation on reform of the school year recently closed, with one of the largest-ever responses to a Welsh Government consultation. It is important these responses are fully considered, and I will update the Senedd on the next steps in due course.
But I want to be clear that post-16 education is also a priority for me, and it is vital that we raise participation levels across further and higher education, including vocational education and training. The new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research will be a vital partner in achieving our ambitions for a more connected and co-ordinated tertiary sector, with high-quality education and world-leading research at its heart. I will focus on improving routes into vocational education and training, including ensuring parity of esteem, creating a clear 14-19 pathway for learners and raising participation across all areas.
I also want to recognise the pressures our colleges and universities are currently facing. Many of these pressures are not unique to Wales and represent a wider set of challenges. I want us to work together, including hearing the voices of students, in responding to these challenges. It has often been said in recent years that education in Wales is on a journey. I commit to always doing my best to steer education in the right direction and get us on track. Diolch.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Mae hi'n fraint i mi gael fy ngwahodd gan y Prif Weinidog i fod yn Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, swydd sy'n dod â chyfleoedd unigryw i wneud gwahaniaeth ym mywydau pobl ledled Cymru, yn enwedig bywydau plant a phobl ifanc. Rwy'n dweud yn eglur nad wyf i'n tanbrisio'r cyfrifoldebau dwys sy'n gysylltiedig â'r swydd hon, ac nid wyf i mewn unrhyw fodd yn hunanfodlon ynghylch maint yr her.
Rydym ni wedi cychwyn ar becyn sylweddol o ddiwygiadau i drawsnewid bywydau a chyfleoedd i bobl ifanc, ond, ar yr un pryd, mae'n rhaid i ni ddal ati i ganolbwyntio ar helpu dysgwyr a staff i oresgyn effaith y pandemig. Mae yna ragoriaeth i'w gael ym mhob rhan o'r system, ond rwy'n gwbl eglur ynglŷn â'r angen i ni anelu yn uwch. Yn benodol, mae angen i ni godi cyfraddau cyrhaeddiad a chau'r bwlch er mwyn y plant tlotaf yng Nghymru. Ac mae'r staff anhygoel yn ein hysgolion, colegau a phrifysgolion yn dymuno gweld cyfundrefn sy'n fwy cydgysylltiedig ac addas i'w helpu i wynebu heriau addysg i'r dyfodol.
Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr Aelodau sy'n gwybod digon amdanaf i'n deall mai fy man cychwyn i bob amser fydd lles mwyaf ein dysgwyr, ac yn enwedig ein plant a'n pobl ifanc. Rwy'n bwriadu arwain system addysg sy'n eu rhoi nhw yn gyntaf. Pan dderbyniais i'r swydd hon, roedd y Prif Weinidog yn eglur am ei ddyhead i fod â system sy'n canolbwyntio ar sicrhau gwelliant parhaus o ran cyrhaeddiad addysgol er mwyn i bob dysgwr gyflawni ei botensial. Heddiw, fe hoffwn i nodi rhai o'r camau yr wyf i am eu cymryd i gyflawni'r her hon. Rwy'n gwybod na allwn ni wneud popeth dros nos, felly mae hi'n bwysig, a minnau'n Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, i mi fod yn eglur ynghylch y blaenoriaethau i'r dyfodol agos.
Fy nghenadwri gyntaf yw mai iechyd meddwl da yw'r sail y bydd ein system addysg yn cael ei hadeiladu arni. Yn fy swydd flaenorol yn Ddirprwy Weinidog Iechyd Meddwl a Llesiant, roeddwn i'n falch o weithio gyda fy rhagflaenydd, Jeremy Miles, i gyflwyno'r dull ysgol gyfan o ymdrin ag iechyd meddwl, y byddaf i'n parhau i'w hyrwyddo yn fy swydd newydd. Mae hi'n hanfodol mynd i'r afael â'r materion sy'n ein hwynebu o ran cyrhaeddiad a phresenoldeb. Fe fydd hynny'n parhau i fod yn brif flaenoriaeth i Lywodraeth Cymru. Er fy mod i'n gwybod pa mor bwysig yw iechyd meddwl a llesiant da i ddysgwyr a staff, fe wn i hefyd na ellir ystyried unrhyw fater unigol yn gwbl ar wahân i'r lleill. Mae'n rhaid i ddiwygio a gwelliant gael ei anelu at greu system gyfan sy'n gweithio i bob dysgwr. Fy ngwaith i fydd gwneud i'r system gyfan weithio gyda'i gilydd.
Fe hoffwn i egluro fy mod i'n dal i fod yn gwbl ymrwymedig i gynnydd Cwricwlwm i Gymru. Rwyf i wedi gweld y gwaith rhagorol drosof fy hun sy'n digwydd eisoes yn ein hysgolion ni drwy anwesu'r cyfleoedd yn y cwricwlwm newydd. Ond, fe glywais i'n hyglyw iawn hefyd fod yr ysgolion yn awyddus i fod â rhagor o gefnogaeth ar gyfer sicrhau y bydd yr offer priodol gan bawb i wneud hyn yn iawn. Fe fyddaf i'n blaenoriaethu cymorth ar ddyluniad y cwricwlwm, y cynnydd a wneir ac asesiad ohono. Fe fyddaf i'n gweithio gydag athrawon i sicrhau bod y gefnogaeth gywir yn cyrraedd eu hystafelloedd dosbarth a bod yr wybodaeth, yr adnoddau a'r hyder ganddyn nhw i sicrhau y bydd pob dysgwr a phob cwr o Gymru yn teimlo budd o'r cwricwlwm.
Yr wythnos diwethaf, fe roddais i dystiolaeth i'r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg wrth i mi gymryd rhan mewn dadl Pwyllgor Deisebau, ynglŷn â diwygio anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, edefyn hanfodol bwysig o waith ond sy'n gymhleth hefyd. Mae hi'n hanfodol ein bod i gyd yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd i weithredu system o gymorth ADY sy'n darparu ar gyfer dysgwyr y gall rhieni a staff ysgol ei llywio hi. Fel soniais i'r wythnos diwethaf, mae canolbwyntio ar ddiwygio ADY wedi bod ymhlith y blaenoriaethau cyntaf sydd gennyf i. Rwyf i'n awyddus y bydd sylfeini deddfwriaethol cadarn ar waith, ac rwy'n awyddus i gryfhau gweithredu trwy wella cysondeb yr ymagwedd a gymerir.
Mae cydweithio, herio a gweithio mewn partneriaeth yn allweddol i ysgogi gwelliant i'r dyfodol. Rwy'n awyddus i'r system gyfan weithio gyda'i gilydd i wella safonau a chyrhaeddiad, a bod yn uchelgeisiol er mwyn pob dysgwr unigol. Ochr yn ochr â gwelliannau cyffredinol o ran cyrhaeddiad, mae hi'n hanfodol ein bod yn cau'r bwlch cyrhaeddiad sy'n wynebu ein dysgwyr mwyaf difreintiedig. Ni wnaf i fyth â derbyn y dylai plant o gefndiroedd tlotach fodloni ar ganlyniadau gwaeth na'u cyfoedion neu ddysgwyr mewn mannau eraill. Rwyf i wedi ymrwymo i wella ein dealltwriaeth ni o'r bwlch cyrhaeddiad a nodi'r mannau gorau i anelu ymyraethau er mwyn cael y dylanwad mwyaf. Rwy'n parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i'r rhaglen partneriaeth gwella ysgolion, sy'n bwrw ymlaen â chanfyddiadau'r adolygiad strategol o bartneriaid addysg yng Nghymru. Rydym ni'n gweithio gyda'n partneriaid i gyd i gymryd y cam nesaf tuag at system o hunanwella, sy'n canolbwyntio ar wella canlyniadau dysgu yng Nghymru trwy ddull mwy cydweithredol a seiliedig ar bartneriaeth. I fod yn llwyddiannus, mae angen i ni gyflymu cynnydd mewn rhai meysydd allweddol: yn gyntaf, wrth gynnig dysgu proffesiynol cadarn sy'n cefnogi athrawon ac sy'n canolbwyntio ar wella ansawdd yr addysgu a'r dysgu; yn ail, wrth gryfhau arweinyddiaeth ysgolion i sicrhau bod pob ysgol yn sefydlu'r diwylliant priodol ar gyfer dysgwyr a staff; a sicrhau'r effaith fwyaf posibl drwy wneud y pethau sylfaenol yn iawn, gyda chanolbwynt parhaus ar wella llythrennedd, rhifedd a sgiliau digidol, gan gynnwys drwy'r cynllun mathemateg a rhifedd. Rwy'n disgwyl i bob rhan o'r system fod yn gweithio tuag at y nod cyffredin o wella cyrhaeddiad, yn arbennig felly yn y cymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig.
Wrth gwrs, ni ellir cyflawni unrhyw ddiwygiad na gwelliant yn ein hysgolion heb weithlu ysgol ymroddedig a thalentog. Rwyf i wedi ymrwymo i wrando a gweithio mewn partneriaeth â'r gweithlu, wrth i ni symud ymlaen gyda'r rhaglen hon o waith. Ni fydd y sgyrsiau rhyngom ni'n hawdd bob amser, ond fe wn fod ein nod yn un cyffredin: sef cyflawni'r canlyniadau gorau posibl i blant a phobl ifanc. Ac mae'r Gymraeg yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth hon, ac fe fyddwn ni'n parhau i weithio yn agos gyda phartneriaid i sicrhau y bydd pob unigolyn ifanc yn dysgu medrau iaith Gymraeg sy'n ofynnol ar gyfer bywyd a gwaith.
Fe ddaeth yr ymgynghoriad ar ddiwygio'r flwyddyn ysgol i ben yn ddiweddar, gydag un o'r ymatebion mwyaf cynhwysfawr erioed i ymgynghoriad gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae hi'n bwysig fod yr ymatebion hyn yn cael eu hystyried yn llawn, ac fe fyddaf i'n diweddaru'r Senedd ar y camau nesaf maes o law.
Ond fe hoffwn i fod yn eglur bod addysg ôl-16 yn flaenoriaeth i mi hefyd, ac mae hi'n hanfodol ein bod ni'n codi cyfraddau cyfranogiad ar draws addysg bellach ac uwch, gan gynnwys addysg a hyfforddiant galwedigaethol. Bydd y Comisiwn Addysg Drydyddol ac Ymchwil newydd yn bartner hanfodol wrth gyflawni ein huchelgeisiau ar gyfer sector trydyddol sy'n fwy cysylltiedig a chydlynol, gydag addysg o ansawdd uchel ac ymchwil a fydd yn arwain y byd wrth hanfod ei waith. Rwyf i am ganolbwyntio ar wella llwybrau i addysg a hyfforddiant galwedigaethol, gan gynnwys sicrhau cydraddoldeb bri, creu llwybr eglur 14-19 i ddysgwyr a chynyddu cyfranogiad ym mhob maes.
Yn ogystal â hynny, rwy'n dymuno cydnabod y pwysau sydd ar ein colegau a'n prifysgolion ni ar hyn o bryd. Nid yw llawer o'r pwysau hyn yn unigryw i Gymru ac maen nhw'n golygu set ehangach o heriau. Rwy'n awyddus i ni weithio gyda'n gilydd, gan gynnwys gwrando ar leisiau myfyrwyr, wrth ymateb i'r heriau hyn. Fe ddywedwyd yn aml yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf fod addysg yng Nghymru ar daith. Rwyf i'n ymrwymo i wneud fy ngorau glas bob amser i lywio addysg i'r cyfeiriad cywir a'n rhoi ni ar y trywydd iawn. Diolch.
Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for her statement today? But, I'm afraid to say that was a business-as-usual statement for an education system that is crying out for change. Wales's education priorities are clear: they want to make sure that, when their children go through our education system, they get a world-class education. We know all too well that PISA scores aren't anywhere near as high as they should be, and whilst we're seeing success stories elsewhere in the United Kingdom in educational attainment, after 25 years of this Welsh Labour Government, we sit at the bottom of the league tables in every single subject, and things seem to only be getting worse, Cabinet Secretary.
We heard that the latest set of reforms would change everything: 'We just need to give things time to bed in, and we'll see those improvements.' But we've heard that time and time and time again from Welsh Labour Ministers, and things only seem to be going in the wrong direction. For example, back in 2009, the then education Minister, Leighton Andrews, said that the PISA results for that year were, and I quote,
'a wake-up call to an education system in Wales that had become complacent'.
Well, fast forward 15 years, and the results today are even worse. So, if the system was complacent then, what is it today?
There are significant problems with the latest set of changes adopted by this Welsh Labour Government. The Government has taken a decision to adopt a skills-based approach over a knowledge-based approach in our curriculum, and it seems that the UK Labour Party are intent on taking the same road. The problem with it, however, is that whilst the focus on a knowledge-based approach has paid dividends for pupils in England, the landmark Institute for Fiscal Studies report on education in Wales makes clear, and I quote, that
'declines have happened in essentially every country that has adopted such skills-based curricula'.
But yet that seems to be the model that the Welsh Government are intent on pursuing for our children. Dirprwy Lywydd, it isn't good enough. But, looking again at that IFS report, it makes clear that the differences in educational outcomes are not as a result of funding or even of poverty levels. The reason educational outcomes are worse here in Wales than anywhere else in the UK are, and I quote,
'differences in policy and approach.'
In short, where the Welsh Labour Government tinkers with the education system, it almost inevitably leads to worse outcomes for our young people. So, how will the Cabinet Secretary ensure that she's the exception and not the rule when it comes to this Welsh Labour Government and its failure to deliver on Wales's education priorities?
It would be remiss of me if I didn't touch on ALN reform in the education sector. As you stated in your statement, Cabinet Secretary, you attended the CYPE committee last week to discuss it, as well as responding to a Petitions Committee debate on the topic, and you admitted that there was much to do in terms of getting those reforms right, and that many aspects hadn't worked as intended so far. But what worried me during that committee appearance was that much was made of the fact that the changes that you felt needed to happen wouldn't be able to be undertaken until the right data was made available. The problem was that the work of identifying exactly what data was required didn't appear to have started yet, let alone compiling and then assessing it, so it suggests that this may not be a quick process, and as you know, six months, a year, two years, can be an eternity in a child's life and can have a profound impact on their life chances. Your statement today, and your response to that committee, leave me concerned that you aren't looking at the need to fix the clear issues with ALN reform with the urgency that it so clearly deserves.
Finally, I just want to say that I think this statement today is emblematic of this Welsh Labour Government more widely. Whilst we heard warm words on educational attainment, mental health, ALN, the curriculum, post-16 education and so on, what we didn't hear was a single target, time frame, number, to judge any of those warm words against. How can we be expected to take this Cabinet Secretary's word at face value that things are going to improve when learners and teaching staff across Wales have heard exactly the same thing for 25 years? The evidence sadly suggests that education policy under this Welsh Labour Government is heading in the wrong direction. Wales's education priorities are clear. We don't want warm words; we want a plan, a plan to turn around the damage done to our Welsh education system by successive Welsh Labour Governments, so when can we expect one?
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet am ei datganiad heddiw? Ond, rwy'n teimlo, yn anffodus, mai datganiad o fusnes fel arfer i system addysg sy'n galw allan am newid oedd hwnnw. Mae blaenoriaethau addysg Cymru yn amlwg: maen nhw'n dymuno sicrhau, pan fydd eu plant nhw'n mynd trwy ein system addysg ni, eu bod nhw'n cael addysg o'r radd flaenaf. Fe wyddom ni o'r gorau nad yw sgoriau PISA yn agos at fod mor uchel ag y dylen nhw fod, ac er ein bod ni'n clywed straeon am lwyddiant o rannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig gyda chyrhaeddiad addysgol, ar ôl 25 mlynedd o'r Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru, rydym ni'n gorwedd ar waelod tablau'r gynghrair ym mhob pwnc, ac mae hi'n ymddangos mai dim ond gwaethygu y mae'r sefyllfa, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
Fe glywsom ni y byddai'r set ddiweddaraf o ddiwygiadau yn newid popeth: 'Nid oes angen i ni wneud dim ond rhoi amser i bethau ymwreiddio, ac fe welwn ni'r gwelliannau hynny.' Ond fe glywsom ni hynny dro ar ôl tro oddi wrth Weinidogion Llafur Cymru, ac mae hi'n ymddangos mai dim ond mynd i'r cyfeiriad anghywir y mae pethau. Er enghraifft, yn ôl yn 2009, fe ddywedodd y Gweinidog Addysg ar y pryd, Leighton Andrews, fod canlyniadau PISA ar gyfer y flwyddyn honno, ac rwy'n dyfynnu,
'yn rhybudd amserol i system addysg yng Nghymru a oedd wedi mynd yn hunanfodlon'.
Wel, ewch chi ymlaen 15 mlynedd ar ôl hynny, ac mae canlyniadau heddiw yn waeth fyth. Felly, os oedd y system yn hunanfodlon bryd hynny, beth ydyw hi heddiw?
Mae yna broblemau sylweddol gyda'r set ddiweddaraf o newidiadau a fabwysiadwyd gan y Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru. Mae'r Llywodraeth wedi penderfynu mabwysiadu dull ar sail sgiliau yn hytrach na dull ar sail gwybodaeth yn ein cwricwlwm ni, ac mae hi'n ymddangos bod Plaid Lafur y DU yn benderfynol o fynd ar yr un llwybr. Y broblem gyda hynny, fodd bynnag, yw, er bod y canolbwyntio ar ddull seiliedig ar wybodaeth wedi talu ar ei ganfed i ddisgyblion yn Lloegr, mae adroddiad nodedig y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid ar addysg yng Nghymru yn ei gwneud hi'n amlwg, ac rwy'n dyfynnu,
'mae dirywiadau wedi bod ym mhob gwlad sydd wedi mabwysiadu cwricwlwm o'r fath ar sail sgiliau'.
Ac eto mae hi'n ymddangos mai dyna'r patrwm y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn benderfynol o'i ddilyn ar gyfer ein plant ni. Dirprwy Lywydd, nid yw hynny'n ddigon da. Ond, wrth edrych eto ar yr adroddiad hwnnw gan y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid, mae'n ei gwneud hi'n amlwg nad yw'r gwahaniaethau o ran canlyniadau addysgol yn deillio o arian nac o gyfraddau tlodi hyd yn oed. Y rheswm pam mae canlyniadau addysgol yn waeth yma yng Nghymru nag yn unman arall yn y DU yw, ac rwy'n dyfynnu,
'gwahaniaethau o ran polisi a dull'
Yn fyr, wrth i Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru botsian gyda'r system addysg, mae hynny'n arwain at ganlyniadau gwaeth i'n pobl ifanc ni, bron yn ddi-feth. Felly, sut mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet am sicrhau y bydd hi'n eithriad yn hytrach na rheol i Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru o ran ei methiant wrth gyflawni blaenoriaethau addysg Cymru?
Fe fyddai hi'n esgeulus i mi beidio â sôn am ddiwygio ADY yn y sector addysg. Fel roeddech chi'n dweud yn eich datganiad, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, fe aethoch chi i'r pwyllgor PPIA yr wythnos diwethaf i drafod hynny, yn ogystal ag i ymateb i ddadl y Pwyllgor Deisebau ar y pwnc, ac fe wnaethoch chi gyfaddef bod llawer i'w wneud eto o ran gwneud y diwygiadau hynny'n iawn, ac nad oedd sawl agwedd wedi gweithio fel y bwriadwyd hyd yn hyn. Ond yr hyn a oedd yn fy mhryderu i yn ystod yr ymddangosiad hwnnw yn y pwyllgor oedd bod llawer o sôn wedi bod am y ffaith na fyddai'r newidiadau yr oeddech chi'n teimlo'r angen iddyn nhw fod yn digwydd allu cael eu gwneud hyd nes y bydd y data cywir ar gael. Y broblem oedd nad oedd hi'n ymddangos bod y gwaith o nodi yn union pa ddata a fyddai'n angenrheidiol wedi dechrau eto, heb sôn am lunio ac yna asesu hynny, felly mae hynny'n awgrymu efallai nad proses gyflym fydd hon, ac fel gwyddoch chi, fe all chwe mis, blwyddyn, dwy flynedd, fod yn dragwyddoldeb ym mywyd plentyn ac fe all fod ag effaith ddofn ar gyfleoedd ei fywyd. Mae eich datganiad chi heddiw, a'ch ymateb chi i'r pwyllgor hwnnw, yn fy ngwneud i'n bryderus nad ydych chi'n ystyried yr angen i ddatrys y materion eglur o ran diwygio ADY gyda'r brys y mae'n ei haeddu mor amlwg.
Yn olaf, fe hoffwn i ddweud fy mod i o'r farn fod y datganiad hwn heddiw yn symbol o'r Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru yn fwy eang. Er i ni glywed geiriau teg am gyrhaeddiad addysgol, iechyd meddwl, ADY, y cwricwlwm, addysg ôl-16 ac ati, yr hyn na chlywsom ni amdano oedd unrhyw nod, amserlen, niferoedd, i farnu unrhyw un o'r geiriau teg yn unol â nhw. Sut y gellir disgwyl i ni gredu yng ngair yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet newydd y bydd pethau yn gwella pan fo dysgwyr a staff addysgu ledled Cymru wedi clywed yr un peth yn union ers 25 mlynedd? Mae'r dystiolaeth yn awgrymu yn anffodus fod polisi addysg o dan y Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru yn mynd i'r cyfeiriad anghywir. Mae blaenoriaethau addysg Cymru yn eglur. Nid oes angen geiriau teg arnom ni; rydym ni'n awyddus i fod â chynllun, cynllun i wyrdroi'r difrod a gafodd eu gwneud i'n system addysg ni yng Nghymru gan Lywodraethau Llafur olynol yng Nghymru, felly pa bryd y gallwn ni ddisgwyl cael gweld un?
Can I thank Tom Giffard for his comments and questions, and say to him very clearly that I too want a world-class education system in the same way as everybody else in Wales does? I'm a parent, I can see the importance of having a high-quality education, and we want the best for all our children and young people.
I haven't been in any way complacent on the PISA results. I have said that they were disappointing. It is important to recognise that our PISA results were improving ahead of the pandemic, and I think it's also very important, given that you're putting so much weight on the IFS report, to be clear that the young people tested in those PISA tests had not been through our new curriculum. However, I am taking the messages in the IFS report seriously, even if I don't agree with all of their assessment.
You seem to be suggesting that we should pause all our reforms. I think that is a ridiculous proposition because we are now teaching Curriculum for Wales in all our schools. It still hasn't been fully rolled out. I have been very clear in what I said to the committee last week, and what I've said today, that I think we have more work to do in supporting schools who are finding it more challenging to deliver the new curriculum. Some schools are flying with it, but others have said to me, 'We need more support with that.' So, I am looking to deliver that support.
It is just not the case that we are valuing skills over a knowledge-based curriculum. That is a misunderstanding of the curriculum. Our new curriculum absolutely has a focus on knowledge, but, very importantly, on the discerning use of knowledge. We want our learners not just to have that knowledge, but to be able to take it and use it in different situations in their lives.
In terms of ALN reform, I have to say that I don't really think you were listening to what I said in the committee last week, although I'm glad that you did hear me and quote back to me today my point about a year being a long time in the life of a child, because I said that to emphasise how urgently I am committed to addressing this problem. I highlighted the challenges we've got with data. I know from my time as a health Minister that data is really important to drive good policy. We are developing a work stream to make sure that we have all the data that we need. But at no point did I say that we wouldn't be taking forward improvements without the data.
I explained to the committee that I have got a twin-track approach on this now. It involves a more consistent delivery of ALN across Wales, working with local authorities and schools, who are already working really hard to deliver this complex reform. But I also indicated that I recognise, based on what the president of the tribunal had said, that we had some work to do in making sure that the law was easily understandable for our partners. So, I made it clear that I would be taking forward that work immediately, to make sure that we get immediate improvements, while also looking at some legal clarification.
Just in terms of your final points on targets. The statement today is about priorities. I've been very clear that raising attainment and school standards is a priority for me. We are working on a plan that will be on the lines that I've described, which are around things like improved curriculum design, assessment, progression and a strong focus on literacy and numeracy. And, to underpin that, we are developing a whole information ecosystem that will tell us how our schools are doing. And that will build on what we're already doing with our personalised assessments. I've only been in post seven weeks; I think it's a little bit early for me to be thinking about targets. My priority is to get this right for children and young people, not to look for easy straplines.
A gaf i ddiolch i Tom Giffard am ei sylwadau a'i gwestiynau, a dweud wrtho ef yn eglur iawn fy mod innau hefyd yn dymuno bod â system addysg o'r radd flaenaf yn yr union ffordd ag y mae pawb arall yng Nghymru? Rwyf innau'n rhiant, ac rwy'n gallu gweld pwysigrwydd cael addysg o ansawdd uchel, ac rydym ni'n dyheu am y gorau i'n plant a'n pobl ifanc i gyd.
Ni fues i'n hunanfodlon o ran y canlyniadau PISA mewn unrhyw ffordd. Fe ddywedais i eu bod nhw'n siomedig. Mae hi'n bwysig cydnabod bod ein canlyniadau PISA ni wedi bod yn gwella cyn y pandemig, ac rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn hefyd, o ystyried eich bod chi'n rhoi cymaint o bwysau ar adroddiad y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid, i egluro nad oedd y bobl ifanc a gafodd eu profi yn y profion PISA hynny wedi bod trwy ein cwricwlwm newydd ni. Serch hynny, rwy'n cymryd yr hyn a fynegwyd yn adroddiad y Sefydliad Astudiaethau Cyllid o ddifrif, hyd yn oed os nad wyf i'n cytuno â'i asesiad cyfan.
Mae hi'n ymddangos eich bod chi'n awgrymu y dylem ni ohirio ein diwygiadau i gyd. Rwyf i o'r farn fod hwnnw'n gynnig chwerthinllyd oherwydd mae'r Cwricwlwm i Gymru yn cael ei ddysgu erbyn hyn ym mhob un o'n hysgolion ni. Nid ydyw wedi cael ei gyflwyno yn llawn eto. Fe fues i'n eglur iawn yn yr hyn a ddywedais i wrth y pwyllgor yr wythnos diwethaf, a'r hyn yr wyf yn ei ddweud heddiw, fy mod i o'r farn fod gennym ni fwy o waith i'w wneud o ran cefnogi ysgolion sy'n ei chael hi'n fwy heriol gyda chyflwyniad y cwricwlwm newydd. Mae rhai ysgolion yn hedfan gydag ef, ond mae ysgolion eraill wedi dweud wrthyf i, 'Mae angen mwy o gefnogaeth gyda hwnnw.' Felly, rwyf i'n awyddus i ddarparu'r gefnogaeth honno.
Nid yw hi'n wir ein bod ni'n rhoi sgiliau yn uwch na chwricwlwm ar sail gwybodaeth. Mae hwnnw'n gamddehongliad o'r cwricwlwm. Mae ein cwricwlwm newydd ni'n canolbwyntio yn llwyr ar wybodaeth, ond, yn bwysig iawn, ar ddefnydd deallus o wybodaeth. Rydym ni'n dymuno i'n dysgwyr ni, nid yn unig fod yn meddu ar yr wybodaeth honno, ond eu bod yn gallu ei chymryd a'i defnyddio mewn gwahanol sefyllfaoedd yn eu bywydau.
O ran diwygio ADY, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud nad wyf i'n credu eich bod chi wedi gwrando ar yr hyn a ddywedais yn y pwyllgor yr wythnos diwethaf, er fy mod i'n falch eich bod chi wedi fy nghlywed i ac wedi dyfynnu'r hyn a ddywedais i'n ôl heddiw sef fy mhwynt i fod blwyddyn yn amser maith ym mywyd plentyn, oherwydd fe ddywedais hynny i bwysleisio'r cyflymder yr wyf i wedi ymrwymo iddo ar gyfer mynd i'r afael â'r broblem hon. Fe dynnais i sylw at yr heriau sydd gennym ni o ran data. Rwy'n gwybod o'r cyfnod y bûm i'n Weinidog iechyd fod data yn bwysig iawn i ysgogi polisi da. Rydym ni'n datblygu ffrwd waith i sicrhau bod y data i gyd sydd eu hangen arnom ni gennym ni. Ond ni ddywedais i ar unrhyw bryd na fyddem ni'n bwrw ymlaen â gwelliannau heb y data.
Esboniais wrth y pwyllgor fod gen i ddull ar ddau drywydd ar hyn o bryd. Mae hwnnw'n cynnwys darparu ADY yn fwy cyson ledled Cymru, gan weithio gydag awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion, sydd eisoes yn gweithio yn galed iawn i gyflawni'r diwygiad cymhleth hwn. Ond fe nodais i hefyd fy mod i'n cydnabod, ar sail yr hyn yr oedd llywydd y tribiwnlys yn ei ddweud, fod gennym ni waith i'w wneud eto i sicrhau bod y gyfraith yn hawdd ei deall i'n partneriaid. Felly, fe eglurais i y byddwn i'n bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith hwnnw ar unwaith, i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gweld gwelliannau yn syth, gan ystyried rhywfaint o eglurhad cyfreithiol hefyd.
Ac yn gryno iawn o ran eich pwyntiau terfynol chi ar nodau. Mae datganiad heddiw yn ymwneud â blaenoriaethau. Rwyf i wedi bod yn eglur iawn fod codi cyrhaeddiad a safonau ysgolion yn flaenoriaeth i mi. Rydym ni'n gweithio ar gynllun a fydd ar y llinellau a ddisgrifiais, sy'n ymwneud â phethau fel dylunio cwricwlwm gwell, asesu, dilyniant a chanolbwyntio manwl ar lythrennedd a rhifedd. Ac i ategu hynny, rydym ni'n datblygu ecosystem wybodaeth gyfan a fydd yn dweud wrthym ni sut lwyddiant y mae ein hysgolion ni'n ei gael. Ac fe fydd hynny'n adeiladu ar yr hyn yr ydym ni'n ei wneud gyda'n hasesiadau personol eisoes. Nid wyf i wedi bod ond saith wythnos yn fy swydd; rwy'n credu ei bod hi ychydig bach yn gynnar i mi fod yn meddwl am nodau. Fy mlaenoriaeth i yw gwneud hyn yn iawn er mwyn y plant a'r bobl ifanc, nid ceisio ymhél ag is-benawdau hawdd.
It's quite difficult to disagree with your statement today. I appreciate that you are new, but you have been, previously, Chair of the Senedd's Children, Young People and Education Committee in the fifth Senedd and you've been part of the Cabinet, so I do think it's fair that we ask for more timescales and so on. I would appreciate it if you could commit today to when we will see that level of detail because, obviously, this isn't a post-election, new initiative for Welsh Government, and it's crucial that we do see progress, because after all what I didn't, I'm sorry, hear from your statement was the level of urgency required.
The First Minister, in response to Rhun ap Iorwerth earlier, said that he didn't want to spoil your statement or any announcements. I'm afraid that I was expecting more, and I'm sure higher education institutions would have been expecting more, given what we've seen. The fact that some universities might close, the fact that some courses aren't running that are crucial in terms of our skills, these are urgent questions and I'd like to see urgent action from you. Warm words and listening are not enough at this point, I'm afraid.
There's a recruitment and retention crisis. You mentioned strong professional learning, but what I would like to know is: how are we going to attract teachers, because we know that those bursaries that have been in place haven't always been taken up, that money has been made available to meet some of the budgetary pressures? So, with 75 per cent of teachers having contemplated leaving the profession according to the NASUWT survey in 2022-23, and 78 per cent of them stating that they do not recommend teaching as a career to friends and family, how are we going to turn things around? The workforce are crucial, yet we're failing to recruit and retain teachers.
Violence, both verbal and physical, in schools is increasing. Education and support is often described as a postcode lottery, and this is particularly true in terms of Welsh education and additional learning needs support. And when we look in terms of school absences increasing, the attainment gap widening, a decrease in the number of 16 to 18-year-olds participating in education and subsequently a decrease in the number of young people living in Wales applying to university, I'm afraid we can't wait.
On the new curriculum, the one thing that you mentioned whilst you were giving evidence last week was about creating a scaffold around schools. Well, you'll be aware that much of the support has been provided by regional consortia in recent years, but this approach has been proposed to end, following the ongoing review of school improvement services. I'd like to know if you can confirm today what the Welsh Government approach is to the review, and what scaffolding will be available to schools if the consortium model disappears. And specifically, what lessons in terms of the new curriculum are being learnt from Scotland, so that we understand that those curriculum reforms that we were excited about are actually being delivered, to have that impact for our pupils? Because I hear from parents and teachers that they are still uncertain, and what that might mean then in terms of the impact on education. We can't experiment on those children. We need to get it right the first time around. And we know that teachers are asking for more time, more training, and yet we're at a point where schools are failing to recruit teachers for some of these subjects, so it is really concerning.
You heard, earlier, Rhun ap Iorwerth ask in terms of the Migration Advisory Committee's review, and that it had found today that there is no widespread evidence that the post-study visa is being abused. So, can I ask, therefore, how are you going to be working with the universities in these challenging circumstances?
I've got a number of questions, I'm afraid, Cabinet Secretary, and I think one of the things—. If you will allow me, after reflecting on all of your responses today, I will be writing to you as education spokesperson, and perhaps rather than try and cover everything today, I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss with you about some of the urgent things that need to be prioritised, and how we ensure that it's not just listening, but actually taking action on all these issues.
Mae hi'n anodd iawn anghytuno â'ch datganiad chi heddiw. Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi eich bod chi'n newydd i'ch swydd, ond rydych chi, yn flaenorol, wedi bod yn Gadeirydd Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg y Senedd yn y pumed Senedd ac rydych wedi bod yn rhan o'r Cabinet, felly rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n ddigon teg i ni ofyn am fwy o amserlenni ac ati. Fe fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar pe byddech chi'n ymrwymo heddiw i ddyddiad y byddwn ni'n gallu cael y lefel honno o fanylion oherwydd, yn amlwg, nid yw hon yn fenter wedi etholiad, nac yn newydd i Lywodraeth Cymru, ac mae hi'n hanfodol ein bod yn gweld cynnydd, oherwydd wedi'r cyfan yr hyn na wnes i, yn anffodus, oedd clywed yn eich datganiad chi am faint y brys sydd ei angen.
Dywedodd y Prif Weinidog, mewn ymateb i Rhun ap Iorwerth yn gynharach, nad oedd ef am ddifetha eich datganiad chi nac unrhyw gyhoeddiadau. Mae arna i ofn fy mod i wedi disgwyl mwy na hyn, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddai sefydliadau addysg uwch wedi bod yn disgwyl mwy na hyn, o ystyried yr hyn a welsom ni. Mae'r ffaith y gallai rhai prifysgolion gau, y ffaith nad yw rhai cyrsiau sy'n hanfodol o ran ein sgiliau yn cael eu cynnal, mae'r rhain yn gwestiynau taer ac fe hoffwn i weld gweithredu ar fyrder gennych chi. Nid yw geiriau teg na gwrando yn ddigonol ar hyn o bryd, mae arna i ofn.
Mae yna argyfwng o ran recriwtio a chadw staff. Roeddech chi'n sôn am ddysgu proffesiynol cadarn, ond yr hyn yr hoffwn ei wybod yw: sut ydym ni am ddenu athrawon, oherwydd fe wyddom ni na fanteisiwyd ar y bwrsariaethau hynny sydd wedi bod ar gael bob amser, bod yr arian hwnnw ar gael i ymateb i beth o'r pwysau ar y gyllideb? Felly, gyda 75 y cant o athrawon wedi ystyried gadael y proffesiwn yn ôl arolwg NASUWT yn 2022-23, a 78 y cant ohonyn nhw'n nodi nad ydyn nhw'n argymell gyrfa ym myd addysg i ffrindiau na theulu, sut ydym ni am drawsnewid y sefyllfa? Mae'r gweithlu yn hanfodol, ond eto rydym ni'n methu yn lân â recriwtio a chadw athrawon.
Mae trais, geiriol a chorfforol fel ei gilydd, yn cynyddu mewn ysgolion. Mae addysg a chymorth yn aml yn cael eu disgrifio fel loteri cod post, ac mae hyn yn arbennig o wir o ran addysg Cymru a chymorth anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. A phan edrychwn ni ar yr absenoldebau cynyddol mewn ysgolion, mae'r bwlch cyrhaeddiad yn ehangu, mae gostyngiad yn nifer y bobl ifanc 16 i 18 oed sy'n cyfranogi ym myd addysg a gostyngiad wedyn yn niferoedd y bobl ifanc sy'n byw yng Nghymru a fydd yn gwneud ceisiadau i brifysgolion, nid ydym ni mewn sefyllfa i allu aros dim yn rhagor.
O ran y cwricwlwm newydd, yr un peth a grybwyllwyd gennych chi wrth i chi roi tystiolaeth yr wythnos diwethaf oedd codi sgaffaldiau o amgylch ysgolion. Wel, rydych chi'n ymwybodol bod llawer o'r gefnogaeth wedi cael ei rhoi gan gonsortia rhanbarthol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf, ond mae cynnig wedi bod i ddod â'r dull hwn i ben, yn dilyn yr adolygiad parhaus o wasanaethau gwella ysgolion. Fe hoffwn i wybod a ydych chi'n gallu cadarnhau heddiw beth yw dull gweithredu Llywodraeth Cymru wrth ymdrin â'r adolygiad, a pha sgaffaldiau fydd ar gael i ysgolion os bydd model y consortiwm yn diflannu. Ac yn benodol, pa wersi o ran y cwricwlwm newydd sy'n cael eu dysgu oddi wrth yr Alban, er mwyn i ni ddeall a yw'r diwygiadau hynny i'r cwricwlwm yr oeddem ni'n teimlo'n gyffrous amdanyn nhw yn cael eu cyflawni mewn gwirionedd, i fod â'r effaith honno ar gyfer ein disgyblion? Oherwydd rwy'n clywed gan rieni ac athrawon eu bod nhw'n dal yn ansicr, a'r hyn y gallai hynny ei olygu wedyn o ran yr effaith ar addysg. Ni ddylem ni ddefnyddio'r plant hynny mewn arbrawf. Mae angen i ni wneud pethau yn iawn ar y tro cyntaf. Ac fe wyddom ni fod athrawon yn gofyn am fwy o amser, mwy o hyfforddiant, ac eto rydym ni mewn sefyllfa lle nad yw ysgolion yn gallu recriwtio athrawon ar gyfer rhai o'r pynciau hyn, felly mae hwnnw'n achos pryder mawr.
Fe glywsoch chi, yn gynharach, Rhun ap Iorwerth yn gofyn o ran adolygiad y Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Ymfudo, a'i fod ef wedi darganfod heddiw nad oes tystiolaeth eang bod y fisa ôl-astudio yn cael ei gam-drin. Felly, a gaf i ofyn, felly, sut ydych chi am weithio gyda'r prifysgolion yn yr amgylchiadau heriol hyn?
Mae gen i nifer o gwestiynau, mae arna i ofn, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, ac rwy'n credu mai un o'r pethau—. Os gwnewch chi roi caniatâd i mi, ar ôl meddwl am eich ymatebion chi i gyd heddiw, fe hoffwn i ysgrifennu atoch chi fel llefarydd addysg, ac efallai yn hytrach na cheisio ymdrin â phopeth heddiw, fe fyddwn i'n gwerthfawrogi cyfle i drafod rhai o'r pethau gyda chi y mae taer angen eu blaenoriaethu nhw, a sut y byddwn ni'n sicrhau nad gwrando yw unig ddiben hyn, ond y byddwn ni'n gweithredu mewn gwirionedd ar y materion hyn i gyd.
Thank you very much, Heledd, and of course I recognise that this isn't a post-election statement and that I did chair the committee, which I finished three years ago, but I did feel it was important, coming new into post, that I had time to take stock of what's happening, to listen to as many teachers, school staff, children and young people and others as I can. But it is absolutely about taking action as well.
In terms of timescales, I plan to set out a more detailed plan on raising attainment and school standards during this term, so hopefully before the summer, anyway, you'll be able to have more information on that.
You've raised the recruitment and retention problems with me previously, last week in questions. I do recognise the challenges. I hope that you also recognise that we're working really hard as a Government to promote teaching as an exciting, engaging profession to work in. I think the Curriculum for Wales will help with that. It's next-level teaching and learning, as far as I can see, and I think it would be really appealing for staff to have that agency, working with our new curriculum. But, in addition, we have invested money in the various bursaries that we have. That’s always challenging when we’re struggling with finances, but we’ve continued to do that.
Just to say that I am acutely aware of the pressures that schools are facing, that they’ve got a huge range of societal problems coming into the classroom, that there are challenges with behaviour. You’ve referred to violence; I met with the schools partnership council this morning and we had a really good discussion about behaviour. I’m going to be doing some more work with them on that to make sure that we give them every support they need on that, not just through things like our new behaviour toolkit, but more generally to look at what we can do to make sure that we support them. And we’ve talked before about things like education support, which is providing support for their well-being.
In terms of ALN, you heard me acknowledge last week—I think I was pretty candid with the committee—the challenges that we’re facing, and you’ve heard me say to Tom today that I’m really committed to accelerating that work really quickly and that I’m very happy to provide further updates. Officials are currently working up with me a plan on taking forward those two areas of work, and I can provide a further update in due course.
In terms of the new curriculum, I did talk in the committee about scaffolding. I’m planning to make an oral statement to the Senedd in July, which is the annual report on the new curriculum, and I’ll set out more detail then. But what has been made clear to me from the conversations I’ve been having and officials have been having is that schools would like more national professional learning for curriculum design, building on the success of the curriculum design pilot programme. So, we’re refining this and expanding access to high-quality professional learning, which will be available from the autumn. They would like simplified detail on what progression looks like to help schools understand expectations at different points. They would like some examples of curriculum content, what topics and context could be developed across the curriculum. This is about bringing the curriculum to life for schools.
We’re looking at templates to support schools and teacher planning, both for designing curricula and also assessing the progress learners are making, and better support for schools to build a shared understanding of learners’ progress, to raise the bar of evaluations of progress across schools and enable a more consistent level of challenge across schools’ curricula. But I do have to be clear that some schools are flying with the curriculum, and we don’t want to inhibit the schools that are doing really, really well with it; this is about supporting the ones who need a bit of extra support with what they’re doing.
You referred to the MAC review: I did meet with the Migration Advisory Committee a few weeks ago to talk about their plans, their review of the graduate route, which I was really worried about. I was very clear to them that further restrictions like that would be hugely damaging to higher education in Wales. I am really pleased that they have recommended not making further changes to that, and I will be making representations to the UK Government to urge them to listen to the review. This is also a policy that they’ve taken forward in haste, and that isn’t a good way to make policy. I know how deeply concerned in the discussions I’ve had with universities they are about the impact of the falling numbers of overseas students, so we absolutely have to prioritise this.
And just to conclude by saying I’m very happy either for you to write me or if you want to sit down and have a discussion to allow more time to do that. I’m very happy to do that.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Heledd, ac wrth gwrs rwy'n cydnabod nad datganiad wedi etholiad yw hwn a fy mod i wedi cadeirio'r pwyllgor, a orffennodd dair blynedd yn ôl, ond roeddwn i o'r farn ei bod hi'n bwysig, wrth i mi ddod i'r swydd o'r newydd, fy mod i'n cael amser i bwyso a mesur yr hyn sy'n digwydd, a gwrando cymaint â phosibl ar athrawon, staff ysgol, plant a phobl ifanc ac eraill. Ond ystyr hyn hefyd yw gweithredu, yn hollol.
O ran amserlenni, rwy'n bwriadu nodi cynllun mwy manwl o ran gwella cyrhaeddiad a safonau mewn ysgolion yn ystod y tymor hwn, felly cyn yr haf, beth bynnag, rwy'n gobeithio, ac fe gewch chi fwy o wybodaeth ynglŷn â hynny.
Fe wnaethoch chi godi'r problemau o ran recriwtio a chadw gyda mi'n flaenorol, yr wythnos diwethaf mewn cwestiynau. Rwyf i'n cydnabod yr heriau. Rwy'n gobeithio y byddech chwithau'n cydnabod hefyd ein bod ni'n gweithio yn galed iawn yn y Llywodraeth i hyrwyddo addysgu fel gyrfa gyffrous a diddorol i weithio ynddi. Rwy'n credu y bydd y Cwricwlwm i Gymru o gymorth yn hynny o beth. Dyma addysgu a dysgu amgen, yn fy marn i, ac rwy'n credu y byddai hi'n apelio yn fawr at staff i fod â'r galluedd hwnnw, wrth weithio gyda'n cwricwlwm newydd. Ond, yn ogystal â hynny, rydym ni wedi buddsoddi arian yn y gwahanol fwrsariaethau sydd gennym. Mae hynny bob amser yn heriol pan fyddwn yn cael trafferthion gyda chyllid, ond rydym ni wedi dal ati i wneud hynny.
Dim ond gair bach i ddweud fy mod i'n ymwybodol iawn o'r pwysau sydd ar yr ysgolion, a bod ganddyn nhw ystod enfawr o broblemau cymdeithasol yn dod i mewn i'r ystafell ddosbarth, a bod heriau o ran ymddygiad. Fe wnaethoch chi gyfeirio at drais; fe wnes i gwrdd â'r cyngor partneriaeth ysgolion y bore yma ac fe gawsom ni drafodaeth dda iawn am ymddygiad. Fe fyddaf i'n gwneud ychydig mwy o waith gyda nhw ynglŷn â hynny i sicrhau ein bod ni'n rhoi pob cymorth angenrheidiol yn hynny o beth, nid yn unig trwy bethau fel ein pecyn cymorth ymddygiad newydd, ond wrth ystyried yn fwy cyffredinol yr hyn y gallwn ni ei wneud i sicrhau ein bod ni'n eu cefnogi nhw. Ac rydym ni wedi siarad o'r blaen am bethau fel cymorth addysg, sy'n darparu cefnogaeth i'w llesiant nhw.
O ran ADY, fe wnaethoch chi fy nghlywed i'n cydnabod yr wythnos diwethaf—rwy'n credu i mi fod yn ddi-flewyn-ar-dafod gyda'r pwyllgor—yr heriau yr ydym ni'n eu hwynebu, ac rydych chi wedi fy nghlywed i'n dweud wrth Tom heddiw fy mod i wedi ymrwymo yn wirioneddol i gyflymu'r gwaith hwnnw'n gyflym iawn a fy mod i'n hapus iawn i gyflwyno diweddariadau pellach. Mae swyddogion yn gweithio gyda mi ar gynllun ar hyn o bryd i ddatblygu'r ddau faes hynny o waith, ac fe fyddaf i'n gallu rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf eto maes o law.
O ran y cwricwlwm newydd, fe wnes i siarad yn y pwyllgor am sgaffaldiau. Rwy'n bwriadu gwneud datganiad llafar i'r Senedd ym mis Gorffennaf, sef yr adroddiad blynyddol ar y cwricwlwm newydd, ac fe fyddaf i'n nodi mwy o fanylion bryd hynny. Ond yr hyn a eglurwyd i mi o'r sgyrsiau a gefais i ac mae swyddogion wedi bod yn eu cael nhw yw y byddai ysgolion yn hoffi dysgu proffesiynol sy'n fwy cenedlaethol ar gyfer dylunio'r cwricwlwm, gan adeiladu ar lwyddiant rhaglen cynllun treialu dylunio'r cwricwlwm. Felly, rydym ni'n mireinio hyn ac yn ehangu argaeledd dysgu proffesiynol o ansawdd uchel, a fydd ar gael o'r hydref. Fe hoffen nhw gael manylder mwy uniongyrchol o sut wedd sydd ar gynnydd i helpu ysgolion i ddeall disgwyliadau ar wahanol gyfnodau. Fe hoffen nhw fod â rhai enghreifftiau o gynnwys y cwricwlwm, pa bynciau a chyd-destun y gellid eu datblygu ar draws y cwricwlwm. Ystyr hyn yw dod â'r cwricwlwm yn fyw i ysgolion.
Rydym ni'n edrych ar dempledi i gefnogi'r ysgolion a chynllunio'r athrawon, ar gyfer cynllunio cwricwla ac asesu'r cynnydd y mae dysgwyr yn ei wneud fel ei gilydd, a chynnig cefnogaeth well i ysgolion wrth feithrin dealltwriaeth gyffredin o gynnydd y dysgwyr, ar gyfer codi safonau'r gwerthusiadau cynnydd ar draws ysgolion a chaniatáu cyfradd fwy cyson o her ar draws cwricwla'r ysgolion. Ond mae'n rhaid i mi fod yn eglur bod rhai ysgolion yn hedfan gyda'r cwricwlwm, ac nid ydym ni'n dymuno atal yr ysgolion sy'n gwneud yn wirioneddol dda iawn yn hynny o beth; ystyr hyn yw cefnogi'r rhai sydd ag angen ychydig o gymorth ychwanegol gyda'r hyn y maen nhw'n ei wneud.
Roeddech chi'n cyfeirio at adolygiad y Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Fudo: fe wnes i gyfarfod â'r Pwyllgor Cynghori ar Fudo ychydig wythnosau yn ôl i siarad am ei gynlluniau, ei adolygiad o lwybr graddedigion, yr oeddwn i mor bryderus yn ei gylch. Fe ddywedais i'n eglur iawn iddyn nhw y byddai cyfyngiadau pellach fel hyn yn niweidiol iawn i addysg uwch yng Nghymru. Rwy'n falch iawn eu bod nhw wedi argymell peidio â gwneud newidiadau pellach i hynny, ac fe fyddaf i'n cyflwyno sylwadau i Lywodraeth y DU i'w hannog i wrando ar yr adolygiad. Mae hwn yn bolisi arall y maen nhw wedi ei ddatblygu ar frys, ac nid yw honno'n ffordd dda o lunio polisi. Fe wn i o'r trafodaethau a gefais â'r prifysgolion pa mor bryderus ydyn nhw ynglŷn â'r gostyngiad yn nifer y myfyrwyr o dramor, felly mae taer angen i ni flaenoriaethu hynny.
A dim ond gair wrth gloi i ddweud fy mod i'n hapus iawn naill ai i chi ysgrifennu ataf i neu pe byddech chi'n dymuno eistedd i lawr i drafod i ganiatáu mwy o amser i wneud hynny. Rwy'n hapus iawn i wneud hynny.
I welcome very much the statement you've made this afternoon, Minister. There are two issues I would like to raise with you this afternoon. First of all is additional learning needs. You will remember that I was the Minister who was responsible for taking through the legislation to reform additional learning needs in Wales. I think it was about five or six years ago now we faced each other across the committee table. It's fair to say that I'm pretty disappointed with the way it's been delivered since then, and I would value the opportunity to discuss with you, Minister, why it's taken so long to get some of these things right and to ensure that pupils and learners with additional learning needs have their needs met in the way that the legislation foresees.
The second matter is about Blaenau Gwent. You'll be aware that headteachers from across the borough along with counties elsewhere in Wales have written to all parents talking about the impact of austerity on schools and the impact that falling budgets is having both on schools' ability to deliver the curriculum, but also the richness of the school experience for pupils in the borough and elsewhere. I'd be grateful if, Minister, we could meet to discuss how the Welsh Government can work with local authorities to ensure that all our children have the rich educational experience that everybody has a right to expect and how we can ensure that every child is able to meet the whole of their potential.
Rwy'n croesawu'r datganiad a wnaethoch chi brynhawn heddiw yn fawr iawn, Gweinidog. Mae yna ddau gwestiwn yr hoffwn eu codi gyda chi'r prynhawn yma. Yn gyntaf i gyd, o ran anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Rydych chi siŵr o fod yn cofio mai myfi oedd y Gweinidog a oedd yn gyfrifol am gyflwyno'r ddeddfwriaeth i ddiwygio anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yng Nghymru. Rwy'n credu bod tua phump neu chwe blynedd wedi mynd heibio ers i ni wynebu ein gilydd dros fwrdd y pwyllgor. Mae hi'n deg dweud fy mod i'n eithaf siomedig â'r ffordd y cafodd hyn ei gyflawni oddi ar hynny, ac fe fyddwn i'n gwerthfawrogi'r cyfle i drafod gyda chi, Gweinidog, pam mae hi wedi cymryd cyhyd i gyflawni rhai o'r pethau hyn yn briodol a sicrhau bod anghenion disgyblion a dysgwyr ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn cael eu diwallu yn y ffordd y mae'r ddeddfwriaeth yn ei rhagweld.
Mae'r ail fater yn ymwneud â Blaenau Gwent. Rydych chi'n ymwybodol fod penaethiaid o bob rhan o'r fwrdeistref ynghyd â siroedd eraill yng Nghymru wedi ysgrifennu at bob rhiant yn sôn am effaith cyni ar yr ysgolion a'r effaith y mae cyllidebau gostyngol yn ei chael ar allu'r ysgolion i gyflwyno'r cwricwlwm, a hefyd am gyfoeth y profiad addysgol i ddisgyblion yn y fwrdeistref ac mewn mannau eraill. Fe fyddwn i'n ddiolchgar pe gallem ni gyfarfod i drafod sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru weithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol i sicrhau bod ein plant ni i gyd yn cael y profiad addysgol cyfoethog y mae gan bob un yr hawl i'w ddisgwyl a sut y gallwn ni sicrhau y bydd pob plentyn yn gallu ymgyrraedd â'i botensial yn ei gyfanrwydd.
Can I thank Alun Davies for his questions? Indeed, I remember you taking the legislation through. I think it is important that we remember it is a complex reform, it's a nought to 25 system that provides a unified plan for children and young people, rather than the system of special educational needs where we had those three tiers of support. For that reason, we have undertaken it in a phased way, moving different groups of learners from SEN to the new ALN system, and I think that is the right thing to do. It's important to get it right, and as you heard me say today, there are some challenges in terms of consistent implementation of the legislation that are a priority for me to resolve.
In terms of the issues you've raised about headteachers in Blaenau Gwent, obviously, the cause of that is austerity, as you've rightly pointed out. I just wanted to say that I really recognise the pressures that schools are under and how difficult things are at the moment. Our budget in the Welsh Government is worth £700 million less than it was at the time of the last spending review. We had a very difficult budget round where the decision was made to prioritise health and social care, along with schools through local government. So, we did uplift the funding for local government for schools. Also, the money that we put into the local authority education grant was £379 million, so we have done our utmost, even within the really difficult financial situation we're in, to protect that funding. But I don't want to give any impression that I don't recognise how challenging it is for schools, and we're continuing to work with schools and local authorities. Of course, they all work together as well through the budget fora. But I'm very happy to have a further discussion with you about that.
A gaf i ddiolch i Alun Davies am ei gwestiynau? Yn wir, rwy'n cofio pan wnaethoch chi ddwyn y ddeddfwriaeth drwodd. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig inni gofio mai diwygiad cymhleth yw hwn, system o ddim hyd 25 sy'n darparu cynllun unedig ar gyfer plant a phobl ifanc, yn hytrach na'r system anghenion addysgol arbennig lle roedd gennym ni'r tair haen hynny o gefnogaeth. Am y rheswm hwnnw, fe wnaethom ni hyn o gam i gam, gan symud gwahanol grwpiau o ddysgwyr o AAA i'r system ADY newydd, ac rwyf i o'r farn mai dyna'r peth cymwys i'w wneud. Mae hi'n bwysig inni wneud pethau yn iawn, ac fel clywsoch chi fi'n dweud heddiw, mae yna rai heriau o ran gweithredu'r ddeddfwriaeth gyda chysondeb ac mae datrys hynny'n flaenoriaeth i mi.
O ran y materion y gwnaethoch chi eu codi am benaethiaid ym Mlaenau Gwent, yn amlwg, cyni yw achos hynny, fel roeddech chi'n gywir i'w nodi. Fe hoffwn i ddweud fy mod i wir yn cydnabod y pwysau sydd ar yr ysgolion a pha mor anodd yw hi ar hyn o bryd. Mae ein cyllideb ni yn Llywodraeth Cymru £700 miliwn yn llai yn ei werth na'r hyn ydoedd ar adeg yr adolygiad gwariant diwethaf. Roedd gennym ni rownd gyllideb anodd iawn pryd gwnaethpwyd y penderfyniad i flaenoriaethu iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol, ynghyd ag ysgolion trwy lywodraeth leol. Felly, fe wnaethom ni godi'r cyllid ar gyfer llywodraeth leol ar gyfer yr ysgolion. Yn ogystal â hynny, £379 miliwn oedd yr arian a roddwyd i mewn i grant addysg yr awdurdodau lleol, felly fe wnaethom ni ein gorau, hyd yn oed yn y sefyllfa ariannol anodd iawn yr ydym ni ynddi, i amddiffyn y cyllid hwnnw. Ond nid wyf i'n dymuno rhoi unrhyw argraff nad wyf i'n cydnabod pa mor heriol yw hi ar yr ysgolion, ac rydym ni'n parhau i weithio gyda'r ysgolion ac awdurdodau lleol. Wrth gwrs, maen nhw i gyd yn gweithio gyda'i gilydd hefyd trwy'r fforymau cyllideb. Ond rwy'n hapus iawn i gynnal trafodaeth arall gyda chi ynglŷn â hynny.
Child poverty exists in every part of Wales, causing serious and lifelong harm to our nation's future. We know poverty has a huge impact on learning. Children in poverty are more likely to underachieve, miss out on extracurricular activities and experience bullying at school. It was disappointing to hear no reference to reducing the costs of the school day in your list of priorities, because, Cabinet Secretary, there are no-cost changes that could really make a difference. For example, although the Welsh Government has issued statutory guidance for school governing bodies on uniforms that covers issues of affordability, the only requirement is to have regard for the needs of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. According to Children in Wales, 79 per cent of those who responded to their latest survey said they still have to wear a school badge or logo, despite the guidance—79 per cent—and they say that banning logos would put £75 on average back in the pockets of families. Banning non-uniform days would address poverty-related bullying and absences. So, Cabinet Secretary, will you therefore considering implementing these two simple steps, and what further new measures are you considering to alleviate the impact of the cost of the school day on the growing attainment gap? Diolch.
Mae tlodi plant yn bodoli ym mhob cwr o Gymru, ac mae'n peri niwed difrifol a chydol oes i ddyfodol ein cenedl. Fe wyddom ni fod tlodi ag effaith enfawr ar ddysgu. Mae plant mewn tlodi yn fwy tebygol o dangyflawni, a bod ar eu colled o ran gweithgareddau allgyrsiol a chael eu bwlio yn yr ysgol. Roedd hi'n siomedig na chlywsom ni unrhyw gyfeiriad at leihau costau'r diwrnod ysgol yn eich rhestr chi o flaenoriaethau, oherwydd, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, mae yna newidiadau heb gost a allai wneud gwahaniaeth gwirioneddol. Er enghraifft, er bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyhoeddi canllawiau statudol ar gyfer cyrff llywodraethu ysgolion ar wisgoedd sy'n ymdrin â materion o ran fforddiadwyedd, yr unig ofyniad yw rhoi sylw i anghenion plant o gefndiroedd difreintiedig. Yn ôl Plant yng Nghymru, roedd 79 y cant o'r rhai a ymatebodd i'w harolwg diweddaraf yn dweud eu bod nhw'n dal i orfod gwisgo bathodyn ysgol neu logo, er gwaethaf y canllawiau—79 y cant—ac maen nhw'n dweud y byddai diddymu logos yn rhoi £75 ar gyfartaledd yn ôl yng nghyllidebau teuluoedd. Fe fyddai gwahardd diwrnodau heb wisg ysgol yn mynd i'r afael â bwlio ac absenoldebau sy'n gysylltiedig â thlodi. Felly, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, a wnewch chi ystyried gweithredu'r ddau gam syml hyn felly, a pha fesurau newydd pellach a ydych chi'n eu hystyried i liniaru effaith cost y diwrnod ysgol ar y bwlch cyrhaeddiad cynyddol? Diolch.
Thank you very much, Sioned, for those very important points. Obviously, I had a limited amount of time in the statement, and I've tried to cover what ground I can, but I recognise how vital those links are between poverty and children's experience in school, and the cost of the school day is incredibly important. I'm sure you would acknowledge that, through the work that we've done together with yourselves, providing free school meals for all primary school children, which has been very effectively rolled out, is putting money into the pockets of hard-pressed families. We've got our school essentials grant, and that's apart from all the academic ways in which we're trying to tackle that attainment gap.
Thank you for raising the school uniform guidance. This is an issue that I feel very strongly about and always have. I know that Children in Wales are doing really important work on this and that they're working with families around the impact of poverty. I hadn't seen that figure about the badges; I do think that is really important. I will follow that up with Children in Wales and look at what more we can do in that space. You'll be aware that schools told us that they thought a uniform was important, it's about belonging, which is completely understandable. But I do think it's really important that all schools really think about the impact of the uniform on household budgets. And if other children are anything like my son—. I was keeping the school uniform shop in business, because he lost things practically every week—
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Sioned, am y pwyntiau pwysig iawn yna. Yn amlwg, ychydig iawn o amser a oedd gennyf i yn y datganiad, ac fe geisiais i ymdrin â chymaint â phosibl, ond rwy'n cydnabod pa mor hanfodol yw'r cysylltiadau hynny rhwng tlodi a phrofiadau plant yn yr ysgol, ac mae cost y diwrnod ysgol yn hynod bwysig. Rwy'n siŵr y byddech chi'n cydnabod, drwy'r gwaith a wnaethoch chi gyda ninnau, bod darparu prydau ysgol am ddim i bob plentyn ysgol gynradd, a gyflwynwyd yn effeithiol iawn, yn rhoi arian yng nghyllidebau teuluoedd sydd dan bwysau. Mae'r grant hanfodion ysgol gennym ni, ac mae hwnnw ar wahân i'r holl ddulliau academaidd sydd gennym ni ar waith i geisio mynd i'r afael â'r bwlch hwnnw o ran cyrhaeddiad.
Diolch i chi am godi'r canllawiau o ran gwisg ysgol. Mae hwn yn fater yr wyf i'n teimlo yn gryf iawn amdano fel gwnes i erioed. Rwy'n gwybod bod Plant yng Nghymru yn gwneud gwaith pwysig iawn ar hyn a'u bod nhw'n gweithio gyda theuluoedd ynghylch effaith tlodi. Nid oeddwn i wedi gweld y ffigur yna am y bathodynnau; rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n rhywbeth pwysig iawn. Rwyf i am fynd ar ôl hynny gyda Plant yng Nghymru ac ystyried unrhyw beth arall y gallwn ni ei wneud yn y cyswllt hwnnw. Rydych chi'n ymwybodol bod ysgolion wedi mynegi i ni eu bod nhw o'r farn fod gwisg yn bwysig, a'i bod yn ymwneud â pherthynas, sy'n gwbl ddealladwy. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn bod pob ysgol yn meddwl o ddifrif am effaith y wisg ar gyllidebau aelwydydd. Ac os yw plant eraill unrhyw beth tebyg i fy mab i fy hun—. Roeddwn i'n cadw'r siop gwisgoedd ysgol mewn busnes, oherwydd roedd ef yn arfer colli rhywbeth bob wythnos bron—
You can afford to replace those things.
Ond roeddech chi'n gallu fforddio pethau newydd yn eu lle nhw.
Yes, absolutely. I do recognise that. What I'm saying to you is that I am taking this very seriously; I will take it away and have a look at what more we can do. Obviously, my predecessor reviewed the guidance, but I hear your concerns about the extent to which that is being implemented. I personally think it's really important; I don't want any children to be feeling the effect of stigma in the classroom.
Oeddwn, yn sicr. Rwy'n cydnabod hynny. Yr hyn yr wyf i'n ei ddweud wrthych chi yw fy mod i'n cymryd y peth o ddifrif; rwyf i am fynd ag ef ac ystyried beth arall y gallem ni ei wneud. Yn amlwg, fe wnaeth fy rhagflaenydd i adolygu'r canllawiau, ond rwy'n deall eich pryderon chi ynghylch faint o weithredu sydd ar hynny. Yn bersonol, rwyf i o'r farn fod hyn yn bwysig iawn; nid wyf i'n dymuno i unrhyw blentyn deimlo effaith gwarthnod yn yr ystafell ddosbarth.
Congratulations, Minister. As the former Minister for public health, I know that you know that obesity is a major challenge, and the strategies you used for raising the uptake of families entitled to the healthy eating vouchers mean that I'm absolutely confident that you will make your mark on this portfolio.
You absolutely understand that obesity is a major challenge, in particular the sobering fact that six in 10 children arrive at school, aged five, overweight, and half of those are obese. On our important investment in universal primary free school meals, I believe that the uptake is about 70 per cent. What conversations will you have with headteachers to try and embed getting children to grow, taste and cook the food that is going to help them grow and thrive into the curriculum?
And secondly, on secondary schools, how will you deal with the really serious shortage of students in STEM subjects and the way in which secondary schools are having to apply a dog-eat-dog competition in trying to obtain maths, science, engineering and technology teachers, when, without these specialisms, it's impossible for the child to get the entitlement that they have? This feels like a really wicked issue and one that I do hope you'll have time to think of a solution to.
Llongyfarchiadau, Gweinidog. A minnau wedi bod yn Weinidog iechyd y cyhoedd, fe wn i eich bod chi'n ymwybodol o faint her gordewdra, ac mae'r strategaethau a ddefnyddiwyd gennych chi i godi'r niferoedd o deuluoedd a fydd â hawl i gael talebau bwyta'n iach yn golygu fy mod i'n gwbl hyderus y byddwch chi'n gadael eich ôl ar y portffolio hwn.
Rydych chi'n deall o'r gorau fod gordewdra yn her enfawr, yn enwedig y ffaith sobreiddiol fod chwech o bob 10 plentyn yn cyrraedd yr ysgol, yn bump oed, dros bwysau, a hanner y rhain yn ordew. O ran ein buddsoddiad pwysig mewn prydau ysgol am ddim cyffredinol, rwy'n credu bod y gyfradd sy'n eu cael nhw oddeutu 70 y cant. Pa sgyrsiau a fyddwch chi'n eu cael gyda phenaethiaid i geisio ymwreiddio yn y cwricwlwm y neges i blant dyfu, blasu a choginio'r bwyd a fydd yn eu helpu nhw i dyfu a ffynnu?
Ac yn ail, o ran yr ysgolion uwchradd, sut ydych chi am ymdrin â'r prinder difrifol iawn o fyfyrwyr mewn pynciau STEM a'r ffordd y mae ysgolion uwchradd yn gorfod cymhwyso cystadleuaeth trechaf treisied, gwannaf gwaedded wrth geisio cael athrawon mathemateg, gwyddoniaeth, peirianneg a thechnoleg, pan fyddo hi, heb yr arbenigeddau hyn, yn amhosibl i'r plentyn gael yr hyn y mae ganddo hawl iddo? Mae'r mater hwn yn wirioneddol anfad ac yn un yr wyf i'n gobeithio y bydd gennych chi amser i feddwl am ddatrysiad iddo.
Thank you very much, Jenny. I know that you are really passionate about tackling obesity and I think there are lots of opportunities for me to link up the work that I did in my previous role with the Minister for health, who has now taken on the responsibility for that.
The statistics that you've highlighted are really stark. As I said, the roll-out of the universal free school meals has gone really well. I believe the figures are well over 70 per cent now, but I would need to check that. I know that all bar three local authorities have fully implemented it and those other three will have implemented it by September, which is really good news. But it is a massive investment and we do have to get the biggest bang for our buck in terms of health with this. That's one of the reasons that one of the things we're going to be doing is reviewing the healthy food regulations to make sure that children and young people are getting a healthy meal at the same time. So, there's some further work to do there, and officials are working on that.
Your point on STEM subjects is really well made and, as you're aware, we also have shortages in STEM teachers, which is obviously a critical issue that we need to address. And the bursaries that I mentioned in another answer are also available to people choosing to study STEM subjects. So, we're doing what we can to try and address those shortages.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Jenny. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod chi'n frwdfrydig iawn am fynd i'r afael â gordewdra ac rwy'n credu bod llawer o gyfleoedd i mi gysylltu'r gwaith a wnes i yn fy swydd flaenorol gyda'r Gweinidog iechyd, sydd wedi ysgwyddo'r cyfrifoldeb am hynny erbyn hyn.
Mae'r ystadegau yr oeddech chi'n tynnu sylw atyn nhw'n rhai cignoeth iawn. Fel dywedais i, mae cyflwyno cyffredinol prydau ysgol am ddim wedi mynd yn dda iawn. Rwy'n credu bod y ffigurau ymhell dros 70 y cant erbyn hyn, ond fe fydd angen i mi wirio hynny. Rwy'n gwybod bod pob awdurdod lleol heblaw am dri wedi ei weithredu yn ei gyfanrwydd ac fe fydd y tri arall yn ei weithredu erbyn mis Medi, sy'n newyddion da iawn. Ond mae hwnnw'n fuddsoddiad enfawr ac mae'n rhaid i ni gael y gwerth gorau am ein harian o ran iechyd yn hyn o beth. Dyna un o'r rhesymau pam mai un o'r pethau y byddwn ni'n eu gwneud yw adolygu'r rheoliadau o ran bwyd iach i sicrhau y bydd plant a phobl ifanc yn cael pryd o fwyd iach ar yr un pryd. Felly, mae rhywfaint o waith i'w wneud eto ynglŷn â hyn, ac mae swyddogion yn gweithio ar hynny.
Fe wnaethoch chi eich pwynt ynglŷn â phynciau STEM yn dda iawn ac, fel gwyddoch chi, mae gennym ni brinder o athrawon STEM hefyd, sy'n amlwg yn fater hanfodol y mae angen i ni fynd i'r afael ag ef. Ac mae'r bwrsariaethau y soniais i amdanyn nhw mewn ateb arall ar gael hefyd i bobl sy'n dewis astudio pynciau STEM. Felly, rydym ni'n gwneud y cyfan a allwn i geisio mynd i'r afael â'r prinderau hynny.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for setting out your priorities. Now, we know that Wales is facing a significant skills gap—an issue that was highlighted in the Welsh Government's own 2022 employer survey, and an issue that's worsening over time. Now, what I was concerned about, as part of that statement, is that there is no single document that sets out the Government's detailed strategy on post-compulsory education and skills—something that actually would be of benefit, not just to education leavers, but also to those who are looking to transition into another sector of the economy at a later stage in life. So, will the Cabinet Secretary outline whether we can expect clearer skills planning from this Government, and what role will the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy and Welsh Language play alongside you in putting that plan together?
Diolch i chi, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, am nodi eich blaenoriaethau. Nawr, fe wyddom ni fod Cymru yn wynebu bwlch sgiliau sylweddol—mater a amlygwyd yn arolwg cyflogwyr 2022 Llywodraeth Cymru ei hunan, a mater sy'n gwaethygu gydag amser. Nawr, yr hyn yr oeddwn i'n ofidus amdano, yn rhan o'r datganiad hwnnw, yw nad oes unrhyw ddogfen yn nodi strategaeth addysg a sgiliau ôl-orfodol y Llywodraeth gyda manylder—rhywbeth a fyddai o fantais wirioneddol, nid yn unig i rai sy'n gadael addysg, ond i rai a fyddai'n ceisio trosglwyddo i sector arall o'r economi yn nes ymlaen yn eu bywydau hefyd. Felly, a wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet amlinellu a allwn ni ddisgwyl cynllun sgiliau mwy eglur gan y Llywodraeth hon, a pha swyddogaeth fydd gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr Economi, Ynni a’r Gymraeg yn gyfochrog â chi yn nyluniad y cynllun hwnnw?
Thank you very much, Luke, and I know this is an area that you're passionate about. I'm sure you also wouldn't have expected me to set out all of the detail in the statement. I've been very clear that one of the issues that I'm most concerned about is our participation rates post-16, which do not fare favourably in comparison with the rest of the UK. Having that parity of esteem, building that skills base is vital. Working with employers to make sure that we can match the skills that employers need as well is crucial, and I will be working very closely with Jeremy Miles on this. Obviously, some of this sits in his portfolio. The new commission as well is a really good opportunity to get a more coherent picture on this, and really join up the working and get this right.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Luke, ac fe wn i eich bod chi'n frwdfrydig iawn ynglŷn â'r maes hwn. Rwy'n siŵr na fyddech chi wedi disgwyl i mi nodi'r manylion i gyd yn y datganiad. Rwyf i wedi bod yn eglur iawn mai un o'r materion yr wyf i'n pryderu fwyaf amdano yw ein cyfraddau cyfranogiad ôl-16, nad ydyn nhw'n cymharu yn dda iawn â gweddill y DU. Mae bod â pharch cyfartal, gan adeiladu sylfaen sgiliau yn hanfodol. Mae gweithio gyda chyflogwyr i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gallu cyfateb â'r sgiliau sydd eu hangen ar gyflogwyr yn hanfodol hefyd, ac fe fyddaf i'n gweithio yn agos iawn gyda Jeremy Miles yn hyn o beth. Yn amlwg, mae cyfran o'r gwaith hwn yn perthyn i'w bortffolio ef. Mae'r comisiwn newydd yn rhoi cyfle da iawn hefyd i fod â darlun mwy cydlynol o hyn, a sicrhau cydweithio gwirioneddol ar gyfer gwneud hyn yn iawn.
So, Cabinet Secretary, on behalf of Islwyn, may I firstly welcome you to your post, and place on record my appreciation for your visit to Islwyn on one of your earliest engagements as Cabinet Secretary for Education, and also for your listening approach to the significant challenges and priorities ahead? It was wonderful to welcome you to Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon for its official opening in Cwmcarn—a Victorian school that my own child attended.
Cabinet Secretary, the Welsh Government has led the way on capital investment in our school buildings in a desert of capital investment to Wales, transforming, through twenty-first century schools, the new, for instance, Welsh school in Cwmcarn, thorough the sustainable communities for learning programme, and I also hugely welcome the facilities for learners with additional learning needs included in the Welsh Government's announcement last week of a further £20 million for schools to improve additional learning facilities.
So, post COVID, and still in a time of so-called austerity, can you as Cabinet Secretary outline how this investment will help deliver your overall priorities of sustained improvement in education attainment, and your specific priorities on supporting learners with additional learning needs? And also will you please, if you may, comment to this place on the sudden announcement of the imminent closure at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama of its junior department—the pipeline of excellence, renowned for its equity and access for all, and where a visually impaired student of mine attended and flourished in full?
Felly, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, ar ran Islwyn, a gaf i eich croesawu chi i'ch swydd yn gyntaf i gyd, a mynegi fy ngwerthfawrogiad i ar goedd am i chi ymweld ag Islwyn ar un o'ch ymweliadau cyntaf yn Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg, ac am i chi agor eich clustiau wrth ystyried yr heriau a'r blaenoriaethau sylweddol sydd o'n blaenau ni hefyd? Roedd hi'n hyfryd eich croesawu chi i Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon ar ei hagoriad swyddogol yng Nghwmcarn—ysgol o oes Fictoria yr aeth fy mhlentyn i fy hunan iddi hi.
Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi arwain y ffordd ynghylch buddsoddiad cyfalaf yn adeiladau ein hysgolion drwy brinder o fuddsoddiad cyfalaf i Gymru, gan drawsnewid, drwy ysgolion yr unfed ganrif ar hugain, yr ysgol Gymraeg newydd, er enghraifft, yng Nghwmcarn, drwy'r rhaglen Cymunedau Cynaliadwy ar gyfer Dysgu, ac rwy'n croesawu'r cyfleusterau i ddysgwyr ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol yn fawr a gafodd eu cynnwys yng nghyhoeddiad Llywodraeth Cymru wythnos diwethaf o £20 miliwn arall i ysgolion ar gyfer gwella cyfleusterau dysgu ychwanegol.
Felly, wedi COVID, ac mewn cyfnod o'r hyn a elwir yn gyni, a wnewch chi amlinellu, fel yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, sut wnaiff y buddsoddiad hwn helpu i gyflawni eich blaenoriaethau cyffredinol chi o welliant parhaus o ran cyraeddiadau addysgol, a'ch blaenoriaethau penodol wrth gefnogi dysgwyr ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol? Ac a wnewch chi roi sylwadau hefyd, os gallwch chi, yn y fan hon ar y cyhoeddiad disymwth y bydd Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru yn cau ei adran iau yn fuan iawn—y biblinell rhagoriaeth, sy'n enwog am ei thegwch a'i mynediad i bawb, a lle'r aeth myfyriwr i mi a oedd ag amhariad ar ei olwg a dod yn ei flaen yn ardderchog?
Thank you very much, Rhianon. It was a real pleasure to be in your constituency for the opening of that lovely school—really great to see the fruits of that huge investment. And we've invested well over £2 billion in our school buildings in Wales, and that compares very favourably to the choices made over the border.
As you've highlighted, I announced an extra £20 million for ALN capital funding last week. That will be for local authorities and schools to plan the spending of in partnership with us. When I went to make the announcement at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant in Barry, I was able to see the new unit that they'd established there. Schools will have different needs, really. It might be for special units. It might be for equipment and what have you. So, I think it is very much about responding to local need.
In terms of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama announcement, can I say that I was very grateful to them for keeping me updated? I really do recognise how very difficult the financial pressures are facing higher education institutions in Wales, and recognise the really important work that they do. I know that they have plans to ensure that they do continue really valuable work with children and young people, and I've asked to be kept updated on that. As you're aware, we are committed as a Government to ensuring that children and young people have those musical opportunities—and you've been a massive champion of that work—and our £13 million national music service is making sure that every child has the opportunity to play a musical instrument, sing and make music. And I'm really committed to ensuring that that work continues.
Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi, Rhianon. Roedd hi'n bleser mawr bod yn eich etholaeth chi ar gyfer agor yr ysgol hyfryd honno—gwych iawn gweld ffrwyth y buddsoddiad enfawr hwnnw. Ac rydym ni wedi buddsoddi ymhell dros £2 biliwn yn adeiladau ein hysgolion yng Nghymru, ac mae hynny'n cymharu yn ffafriol iawn â'r dewisiadau a wneir dros y ffin.
Fel y gwnaethoch chi dynnu sylw ato, fe gyhoeddais i £20 miliwn yn ychwanegol ar gyfer cyllid cyfalaf ADY yr wythnos diwethaf. Mater i awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion fydd cynllunio gwariant mewn partneriaeth â ni. Pan es i i wneud y cyhoeddiad yn Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant yn Y Barri, roeddwn i'n gallu gweld yr uned newydd yr oedden nhw wedi ei sefydlu yno. Fe fydd gan ysgolion anghenion amrywiol, mewn gwirionedd. Fe allai hynny fod am unedau neilltuol. Fe allai hynny fod am offer neu unrhyw beth arall. Felly, rwyf i o'r farn mai ymateb i anghenion lleol yw ystyr hyn i raddau helaeth iawn.
O ran cyhoeddiad Coleg Brenhinol Cerdd a Drama Cymru, a gaf i ddweud fy mod yn ddiolchgar iawn iddyn nhw am roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i mi? Rwyf i wir yn cydnabod pa mor anodd yw'r pwysau ariannol sydd ar sefydliadau addysg uwch yng Nghymru, ac yn cydnabod y gwaith pwysig iawn y maen nhw'n ei wneud. Rwy'n gwybod bod cynlluniau ganddyn nhw i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n gallu parhau â gwaith gwerthfawr iawn gyda phlant a phobl ifanc, ac rwyf i wedi gofyn am y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ynglŷn â hynny. Fel gwyddoch chi, rydym wedi ymrwymo yn y Llywodraeth i sicrhau y bydd plant a phobl ifanc yn cael y cyfleoedd cerddorol hynny—ac rydych chi wedi bod yn hyrwyddo'r gwaith hwnnw'n fawr iawn—mae ein gwasanaeth cerddoriaeth cenedlaethol gwerth £13 miliwn yn sicrhau y bydd pob plentyn yn cael cyfle i ganu offeryn cerdd, canu a chreu cerddoriaeth. Ac rwy'n wirioneddol ymrwymedig i sicrhau y bydd y gwaith hwnnw'n parhau.
Ac yn olaf, Adam Price.
And finally, Adam Price.
My colleague Heledd Fychan mentioned physical and mental and verbal violence in schools. That needed to be a priority, I think, addressing that, before the horrific incident in Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, but it's even more urgent and pressing now. That's why I was frankly surprised, exasperated, disappointed when I, after having had a conversation with the staff in the school, called for a national review of school safety, and the response from the Welsh Government spokesperson was that there were no plans for such a review. The staff, the students and parents of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman—they expect that review, they deserve that review, and that's true of school communities throughout Wales. The physical and mental scars of that incident are serious enough, but it could have been far worse, and unless we conduct that national review, I fear for what might happen in the future. I did write to your predecessor about concerns the school had in relation to policies in this area before the incident, and you may want to look at that correspondence and, indeed, correspondence between some of the school leadership and your officials, before making a final decision. But I urge you, Cabinet Secretary, school communities need this national review of school safety.
Gwnaeth fy nghyd-Aelod Heledd Fychan sôn am drais corfforol a meddyliol a geiriol mewn ysgolion. Roedd angen i hynny fod yn flaenoriaeth, rwy'n credu, ymdrin â hynny, cyn y digwyddiad erchyll yn Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, ond mae hyd yn oed mwy o frys i wneud hynny nawr. Dyna pam y cefais i fy synnu, fy nigio a fy siomi a dweud y gwir, pan wnes i, ar ôl cael sgwrs â'r staff yn yr ysgol, alw am adolygiad cenedlaethol o ddiogelwch ysgolion, ac ymateb llefarydd Llywodraeth Cymru oedd nad oedd unrhyw gynlluniau ar gyfer adolygiad o'r fath. Mae'r staff, y myfyrwyr a rhieni Ysgol Dyffryn Aman—maen nhw'n disgwyl yr adolygiad hwnnw, maen nhw'n haeddu'r adolygiad hwnnw, ac mae hynny'n wir am gymunedau ysgolion ledled Cymru. Mae creithiau corfforol a meddyliol y digwyddiad hwnnw'n ddigon difrifol, ond gallai fod wedi bod yn llawer gwaeth, ac oni bai ein bod ni'n cynnal yr adolygiad cenedlaethol hwnnw, rwy'n ofni'r hyn a allai ddigwydd yn y dyfodol. Fe ysgrifennais i at eich rhagflaenydd am bryderon yr oedd gan yr ysgol o ran polisïau yn y maes hwn cyn y digwyddiad, ac efallai yr hoffech chi edrych ar yr ohebiaeth honno ac, yn wir, gohebiaeth rhwng rhai o arweinwyr yr ysgol a'ch swyddogion chi, cyn gwneud penderfyniad terfynol. Ond rwy'n eich annog chi, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, mae cymunedau ysgolion angen yr adolygiad cenedlaethol hwn o ddiogelwch ysgolion.
Thank you very much, Adam. Can I say again how much I commend the way that Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and the local authority and the local emergency services responded to that incredibly difficult situation? I really do recognise the impact that that will have had on everybody involved, and that that will be a long-term impact, and I've been very clear that, as a Government, we are there to provide any support that they need. They've put in place a really comprehensive package of support anyway, for the school community, but I've been clear that, if they need any more, we will provide that for them.
I think I'm aware of what you're talking about, although I haven't seen the letter that you're referring to, because somebody at the school did raise some concerns with me recently, about some aspects of policy around exclusion. So, I am looking at that. And I've also said that we will learn the lessons from what's happened there. It's really important that—. Obviously, this is subject to a criminal investigation now. It has to be handled sensitively, but I have got no doubt that there will be lessons to learn from it. And when you talk about a national review of policy, I was with our trade union partners and the Association of Directors of Education in Wales and the Welsh Local Government Association this morning; they are all looking at their policies for critical incidents, checking that they're working, making sure that they're up to date. So, that work is actually happening. And I made the commitment this morning to our trade union partners that I am taking this work really seriously, in terms of that support that we put in place, to make sure that schools are safe, supportive places, for school staff and for young people.
You know yourself, Adam, that the issues around school behaviour are really complex. There are societal issues that are coming into the school, and I think it's really important to join up things like the work we're doing on mental health with that work on behaviour. But just to assure you, I am taking this very seriously. We are making sure that all areas are updating their policies and that they're being practised and everything. So, I'm not really sure how that differs, really, from a national review, if it's just the way you're describing it, because that work is happening. Everybody has taken what's happened really, really seriously. A few days after what happened in Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, there was a lockdown in Blaenau Gwent as well, following an incident there. So, you know, this is very uppermost in all our minds, so just to give you that assurance.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Adam. A gaf i ddweud eto faint rwy'n canmol y ffordd y gwnaeth Ysgol Dyffryn Aman a'r awdurdod lleol a'r gwasanaethau brys lleol ymateb i'r sefyllfa hynod anodd honno? Rwyf wir yn cydnabod yr effaith y bydd hynny wedi'i chael ar bawb dan sylw, ac y bydd hynny'n effaith hirdymor, ac rwyf wedi bod yn glir iawn ein bod ni, fel Llywodraeth, yno i roi unrhyw gymorth sydd ei angen arnyn nhw. Maen nhw wedi rhoi pecyn cymorth cynhwysfawr iawn ar waith beth bynnag, ar gyfer cymuned yr ysgol, ond rwyf wedi bod yn glir, os oes angen mwy arnyn nhw, y byddwn ni'n darparu hynny ar eu cyfer.
Rwy'n credu fy mod i'n ymwybodol o'r hyn yr ydych chi'n sôn amdano, er nad wyf wedi gweld y llythyr yr ydych chi'n cyfeirio ato, oherwydd fe wnaeth rhywun yn yr ysgol godi rhai pryderon gyda mi yn ddiweddar, am rai agweddau ar bolisi ynghylch gwahardd. Felly, rwy'n edrych ar hynny. Ac rwyf hefyd wedi dweud y byddwn ni'n dysgu'r gwersi o'r hyn sydd wedi digwydd yno. Mae'n bwysig iawn bod—. Yn amlwg, mae hyn yn destun ymchwiliad troseddol nawr. Mae'n rhaid ei drin yn sensitif, ond nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth y bydd gwersi i'w dysgu ohono. A phan yr ydych chi'n sôn am adolygiad cenedlaethol o bolisi, roeddwn i gyda'n partneriaid undebau llafur a Chymdeithas Cyfarwyddwyr Addysg Cymru a Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru y bore yma; maen nhw i gyd yn edrych ar eu polisïau ar gyfer digwyddiadau critigol, yn gwirio eu bod nhw'n gweithio, yn gwneud yn siŵr eu bod nhw'n gyfredol. Felly, mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n digwydd. Ac fe wnes i'r ymrwymiad y bore yma i'n partneriaid undebau llafur fy mod i'n cymryd y gwaith hwn o ddifrif, o ran y cymorth hwnnw yr ydym yn ei roi ar waith, i sicrhau bod ysgolion yn lleoedd diogel, cefnogol, i staff ysgolion ac i bobl ifanc.
Rydych chi'n gwybod eich hun, Adam, fod y materion sy'n ymwneud ag ymddygiad mewn ysgolion yn gymhleth iawn. Mae yna faterion cymdeithasol sy'n dod i mewn i'r ysgol, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn cydgysylltu pethau fel y gwaith rydyn ni'n ei wneud ar iechyd meddwl gyda'r gwaith hwnnw ar ymddygiad. Ond dim ond i'ch sicrhau chi, rwy'n cymryd hyn o ddifrif. Rydyn ni'n sicrhau bod pob maes yn diweddaru eu polisïau a'u bod yn cael eu hymarfer a phopeth. Felly, nid wyf i'n siŵr iawn sut mae hynny'n wahanol, mewn gwirionedd, i adolygiad cenedlaethol, os mai dyna'r ffordd yr ydych chi'n ei ddisgrifio, oherwydd mae'r gwaith hwnnw'n digwydd. Mae pawb wedi cymryd yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd o ddifrif. Ychydig ddyddiau wedi'r hyn a ddigwyddodd yn Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, cafodd ysgol ei rhoi dan glo ym Mlaenau Gwent hefyd, yn dilyn digwyddiad yno. Felly, wyddoch chi, mae hyn yn bennaf yn ein meddyliau i gyd, felly dim ond i roi'r sicrwydd hwnnw i chi.
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Diolch yn fawr.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary. Thank you.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, fydd y datganiad gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig ar ddyfodol ffermio yng Nghymru. Felly, Huw Irranca-Davies i wneud y datganiad yma.
The next item is a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: the future of farming in Wales. Huw Irranca-Davies to make that statement.
Diolch, Llywydd. Fy ngweledigaeth yw dyfodol llwyddiannus i ffermio yng Nghymru, cynhyrchu bwyd yn gynaliadwy, gofalu am ein hamgylchedd ac atgyfnerthu ein cymunedau gwledig. Bydd y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn cynorthwyo ffermwyr i gyflawni'r amcanion hyn. Fy mwriad yw dwyn pobl ynghyd, gwrando a gweithio mewn partneriaeth.
Thank you, Llywydd. My vision is for a successful future for Welsh farming, producing food sustainably, looking after our environment and underpinning our rural communities. The sustainable farming scheme will provide support for farmers to deliver these objectives. My approach is about coming together, listening and working in partnership.
I have seen a draft of the analysis of over 1,200 consultation responses, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond. I expect to publish the analysis and the Government response in June, but it is already clear that some changes are needed. As set out previously, I am setting up a ministerial round-table to engage on what those changes should be. This will have farmers at the heart of the conversation, alongside others who have an interest in delivery of the benefits farming provides. The round-table will work at pace to identify areas of agreement and focus on areas where more work is required.
Responding to Plaid Cymru, as part of the co-operation agreement, the farming unions and others, the scheme is designed to support all farmers in Wales with an annual baseline payment, in return for universal actions, replacing the basic payment scheme. These universal actions will provide a platform for farmers to do more through voluntary optional and collaborative actions, which will help farmers realise economic, environmental and social benefits aligned to our sustainable land management objectives and in support of our national and international commitments.
The SFS must be accessible to all farmers and provide the right level of support to help with business resilience. This is why we will include payment for the wider benefits farming provides, going beyond income forgone and costs incurred, to recognise social value. The round-table will help find an appropriate payment methodology, consider the outcomes from the carbon sequestration review and the updated economic assessment based on the revised scheme. The scheme will support farmers to work with the supply chain to meet changing consumer demands and create new market opportunities. It will focus on food production, but lever the opportunities from timber and sustainable management of the land, such as green finance and carbon sequestration, in support of protecting our communities, our language and our culture.
My commitment to engagement, and to give farmers the time to consider the consequences for their businesses before deciding on joining the scheme, will necessitate a change in the implementation timetable. We will not introduce the scheme until it’s ready. We will initiate a SFS preparatory phase in 2025 to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed universal actions through knowledge transfer, targeted activity and financial support. This will better prepare farmers for entry into the scheme from the start of the proposed transition period in 2026. There'll be engagement with farmers on a data confirmation exercise, to provide an accurate picture of the habitat and the tree cover across all farms. Under the 2024 Habitat Wales scheme, we saw an increase in the area of habitat land under management. So, building on this, I’ll explore giving more farmers the opportunity to access support in 2025, including support to organic farmers.
Existing schemes, such as the small grants schemes, will continue to support infrastructure changes, and we're working on a new integrated natural resources scheme, building on previous landscape scale collaboration. Initially, the aim is to support the development of proposals for further funding. We will focus on schemes that align with SFS and that are expected to provide support in future as optional and collaborative actions.
We intend to undertake activity on sites of special scientific interest and to promote the opportunities of tree cover on farms. We will develop proposals for further optional and collaborative actions, with the aim of introducing these as soon as possible. And through Farming Connect, we will work on knowledge transfer, focusing on on-farm efficiencies and activity that aligns to SFS. To provide certainty, my intention is for BPS to be available in 2025, with the proposed SFS transition period starting from 2026. I will make announcements on the 2025 BPS ceiling and details of the preparatory phase in due course.
Maintaining high standards of animal health and welfare is essential to a thriving agriculture sector. I want Wales to be recognised for its exemplary standards of animal welfare and I'll say more on my plans in due course. I have heard, of course, first-hand the devastating impact that TB has on farms. We remain fully committed to eradicating TB in Wales by 2041. Partnership working is crucial to reaching our shared goal of a TB-free Wales. As part of our five-year TB delivery plan, the technical advisory group is considering on-farm slaughter of TB reactors as its very first priority. I will be updating Members later this week on progress.
The agricultural pollution regulations are designed to tackle the causes of agricultural pollution in Wales. I have heard concerns about how the regulations aim to achieve this. We have initiated the four-year review of the regulations, and I want to identify if changes are needed. I will soon make an announcement on an independent chair for that review.
I have heard also about the impacts on the mental health and well-being of farmers and their families, and we will continue to work with the charities that provide such excellent support to our farmers.
The food and drink industry in Wales had a turnover from farm to fork exceeding £22 billion in 2022. My vision is for a vibrant industry with a global reputation for excellence. We want to be one of the most environmentally and socially responsible supply chains in the world, and we will continue to support Welsh food and drink businesses, including through Food Innovation Wales and Blas Cymru.
Rwyf wedi gweld drafft o'r dadansoddiad o dros 1,200 o ymatebion i'r ymgynghoriad, ac rwyf eisiau diolch i bawb a gymerodd yr amser i ymateb. Rwy'n disgwyl cyhoeddi'r dadansoddiad ac ymateb y Llywodraeth ym mis Mehefin, ond mae eisoes yn glir bod angen rhai newidiadau. Fel sydd wedi'i nodi'n flaenorol, rwy'n sefydlu bord gron weinidogol i ymgysylltu ar yr hyn y dylai'r newidiadau hynny fod. Bydd ffermwyr wrth wraidd y sgwrs hon, ochr yn ochr ag eraill sydd â diddordeb mewn cyflawni'r manteision y mae ffermio yn eu darparu. Bydd y ford gron yn gweithio'n gyflym i nodi meysydd yr ydym yn cytuno arnyn nhw ac yn canolbwyntio ar feysydd lle mae angen mwy o waith.
Wrth ymateb i Blaid Cymru, fel rhan o'r cytundeb cydweithio, yr undebau ffermio ac eraill, mae'r cynllun wedi'i gynllunio i gefnogi pob ffermwr yng Nghymru gyda thaliad sylfaenol blynyddol, yn gyfnewid am gamau gweithredu cyffredinol, gan ddisodli cynllun y taliad sylfaenol. Bydd y camau cyffredinol hyn yn rhoi llwyfan i ffermwyr wneud mwy drwy gamau gweithredu gwirfoddol dewisol a chydweithredol, a fydd yn helpu ffermwyr i wireddu buddion economaidd, amgylcheddol a chymdeithasol sy'n cyd-fynd â'n hamcanion rheoli tir cynaliadwy ac yn cefnogi ein hymrwymiadau cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol.
Rhaid i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy fod yn hygyrch i bob ffermwr a darparu'r lefel gywir o gymorth i helpu gyda chadernid busnes. Dyma pam y byddwn ni'n cynnwys taliad ar gyfer y buddion ehangach y mae ffermio yn eu darparu, gan fynd y tu hwnt i incwm a gollwyd a chostau yr aed iddynt, i gydnabod gwerth cymdeithasol. Bydd y ford gron yn helpu i ddod o hyd i fethodoleg talu briodol, yn ystyried canlyniadau'r adolygiad o atafaelu carbon a'r asesiad economaidd wedi'i ddiweddaru yn seiliedig ar y cynllun diwygiedig. Bydd y cynllun yn cefnogi ffermwyr i weithio gyda'r gadwyn gyflenwi i fodloni gofynion newidiol defnyddwyr a chreu cyfleoedd newydd yn y farchnad. Bydd yn canolbwyntio ar gynhyrchu bwyd, ond yn manteisio ar y cyfleoedd o bren a rheoli tir yn gynaliadwy, fel cyllid gwyrdd ac atafaelu carbon, i gefnogi'r gwaith o warchod ein cymunedau, ein hiaith a'n diwylliant.
Bydd fy ymrwymiad i ymgysylltu, ac i roi amser i ffermwyr ystyried y canlyniadau i'w busnesau cyn penderfynu ymuno â'r cynllun, yn golygu y bydd angen newid i'r amserlen weithredu. Ni fyddwn yn cyflwyno'r cynllun nes ei fod yn barod. Byddwn ni'n cychwyn cyfnod paratoi ar gyfer y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn 2025 i ddangos y buddion sy'n gysylltiedig â'r camau cyffredinol arfaethedig trwy drosglwyddo gwybodaeth, gweithgarwch wedi'i dargedu a chymorth ariannol. Bydd hyn yn paratoi ffermwyr yn well ar gyfer ymuno â'r cynllun o ddechrau'r cyfnod pontio arfaethedig yn 2026. Bydd yna ymgysylltu â ffermwyr ar ymarfer cadarnhau data, er mwyn rhoi darlun cywir o'r cynefin a'r gorchudd coed ar draws pob fferm. O dan gynllun Cynefin Cymru 2024, gwelsom gynnydd yn yr ardal o dir cynefin sy'n cael ei reoli. Felly, gan adeiladu ar hyn, byddaf yn archwilio rhoi cyfle i fwy o ffermwyr gael gafael ar gymorth yn 2025, gan gynnwys cymorth i ffermwyr organig.
Bydd cynlluniau presennol, fel y cynlluniau grantiau bach, yn parhau i gefnogi newidiadau i'r seilwaith, ac rydyn ni'n gweithio ar gynllun adnoddau naturiol integredig newydd, gan adeiladu ar gydweithredu blaenorol ar raddfa tirwedd. I ddechrau, y nod yw cefnogi datblygu cynigion ar gyfer cyllid pellach. Byddwn ni'n canolbwyntio ar gynlluniau sy'n cyd-fynd â'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy ac y disgwylir iddynt roi cymorth yn y dyfodol fel camau dewisol a chydweithredol.
Rydyn ni'n bwriadu ymgymryd â gweithgarwch ar safleoedd o ddiddordeb gwyddonol arbennig a hyrwyddo cyfleoedd o ran gorchudd coed ar ffermydd. Byddwn ni'n datblygu cynigion ar gyfer camau gweithredu dewisol a chydweithredol pellach, gyda'r nod o'u cyflwyno cyn gynted â phosibl. A thrwy Cyswllt Ffermio, byddwn ni'n gweithio ar drosglwyddo gwybodaeth, gan ganolbwyntio ar effeithlonrwydd a gweithgarwch ar ffermydd sy'n cyd-fynd â'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy. Er mwyn rhoi sicrwydd, fy mwriad yw i Gynllun y Taliad Sylfaenol fod ar gael yn 2025, gyda'r cyfnod pontio arfaethedig i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn dechrau o 2026. Byddaf yn gwneud cyhoeddiadau am derfyn uchaf cynllun y taliad sylfaenol 2025 a manylion y cyfnod paratoi maes o law.
Mae cynnal safonau uchel o ran iechyd a lles anifeiliaid yn hanfodol i sector amaeth ffyniannus. Rwyf eisiau i Gymru gael ei chydnabod am ei safonau rhagorol o ran lles anifeiliaid a byddaf yn dweud mwy am fy nghynlluniau maes o law. Rwyf wedi clywed, wrth gwrs, yn uniongyrchol am yr effaith ddinistriol y mae TB yn ei chael ar ffermydd. Rydyn ni'n parhau i fod yn gwbl ymrwymedig i ddileu TB yng Nghymru erbyn 2041. Mae gweithio mewn partneriaeth yn hanfodol er mwyn cyrraedd ein nod cyffredin o Gymru ddi-TB. Fel rhan o'n cynllun cyflawni TB pum mlynedd, mae'r grŵp cynghori technegol yn ystyried lladd anifeiliaid sydd wedi adweithio i'r prawf TB ar ffermydd fel ei flaenoriaeth gyntaf. Byddaf yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Aelodau ar gynnydd yn ddiweddarach yr wythnos hon.
Mae'r rheoliadau llygredd amaethyddol wedi'u cynllunio i ymdrin ag achosion o lygredd amaethyddol yng Nghymru. Rwyf wedi clywed pryderon ynghylch sut mae'r rheoliadau'n bwriadu cyflawni hyn. Rydym wedi dechrau'r adolygiad pedair blynedd o'r rheoliadau, ac rwyf eisiau nodi a oes angen newidiadau. Byddaf yn gwneud cyhoeddiad ar gadeirydd annibynnol ar gyfer yr adolygiad hwnnw cyn bo hir.
Rwyf hefyd wedi clywed am yr effeithiau ar iechyd meddwl a lles ffermwyr a'u teuluoedd, a byddwn ni'n parhau i weithio gyda'r elusennau sy'n darparu cefnogaeth mor wych i'n ffermwyr.
Roedd gan y diwydiant bwyd a diod yng Nghymru drosiant o'r fferm i'r fforc o fwy na £22 biliwn yn 2022. Fy ngweledigaeth i yw diwydiant bywiog sydd ag enw da byd-eang am ragoriaeth. Rydyn ni eisiau bod yn un o'r cadwyni cyflenwi mwyaf cyfrifol yn amgylcheddol ac yn gymdeithasol yn y byd, a byddwn ni'n parhau i gefnogi busnesau bwyd a diod Cymru, gan gynnwys trwy Arloesi Bwyd Cymru a Blas Cymru.
Mae ein polisïau sy'n gysylltiedig â bwyd yn canolbwyntio ar gydweithio, gwaith partneriaeth a llesiant. Rwy'n bwriadu cyhoeddi 'Bwyd o Bwys: Cymru', sy'n amlinellu ein polisïau sy'n gysylltiedig â bwyd a sut maen nhw'n cefnogi cynhyrchwyr, gan gynnwys ffermwyr, a'r gadwyn gyflenwi i sicrhau bod mwy o gynnyrch o Gymru ar gael. Rwyf am weld Cymru ar flaen y gad mewn diwydiant amaethyddol ffyniannus ac arloesol, ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i wrando a gweithio mewn partneriaeth i gyflawni hyn. Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd.
The focus across our food-related policies is on join-up, partnership and well-being. I intend to publish 'Food Matters: Wales', which outlines our food-related policies and how they support producers, including farmers, and the supply chain to increase the availability of Welsh produce. I want to see Wales at the forefront of a thriving and innovative agriculture industry, and I'm committed to listening and working in partnership to achieve this. Thank you very much, Llywydd.
I'd like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for your statement this afternoon, also your written statement this morning, and for speaking with me prior to the release of these statements earlier today. Can I just say that it is encouraging from you, Cabinet Secretary, that you have taken on board the concerns that I have raised with you on the future of farming support here in Wales? I believe it is a positive step to show that you are listening to the industry, the unions and those 12,500 people who responded to the consultation. The delay on the implementation of the sustainable farming scheme and committing to the rolling forward of BPS until 2025, is something that I and the Welsh Conservatives have called for, and we're very pleased to see that this is happening to give that longer-term security for our farmers across Wales.
However, for this scheme to be truly successful, ensuring a broad range of voices is heard is crucial. Therefore, I have some key questions regarding future collaboration and stakeholder engagement. I'm interested, Cabinet Secretary, in how the ministerial round-table is going to be structured to guarantee balance and representation from all farming sectors and relevant stakeholders, including those with specific concerns about aspects of the sustainable farming scheme. Can you also inform us today of what date you intend for this round-table to start? You said last week that you'd burn the midnight oil to make sure we get these things delivered at pace. So, it would be very interesting to know what timescales you've set on setting this up.
Can you give some assurance to the industry as well that, when people partake in these groups, their voices are going to be listened to? Because something that came through during the co-design phase was that people fed into this, and it wasn't listened to. So, I'd like some assurances from you that they are going to be listened to.
The announcement that you made this morning mentioned the sustainable farming scheme, including payments for social value, and this is a very interesting concept. But I think clarity on what that is is actually needed, because I do hope that this is a real positive shift and that, at long last, the Government here recognises that farming adds social value to Wales in terms of environmental, cultural and also economic value to our communities.
We also know that the impact of the initial sustainable farming scheme was devastating for our farm businesses, with 5,500 job losses across the industry. So, I'd be very interested to know—I know Llyr Gruffydd has asked you this question as well—when are we going to see an updated impact assessment, because, if we're having changes to the scheme, obviously we're going to need a new impact assessment to see what any changes are going to do.
As I said earlier, I and my group welcome the extension to BPS into 2025. This does provide some degree of certainty for our farm businesses. I know you said you'll be making an announcement in due course, but I think people today will want to know what that BPS rate is going to be. Will it remain unchanged into 2025, and what additional schemes, like woodland creation, are also going to be carried forward, going forward into 2025?
This pause does give us that opportunity to look at these proposals again, and we do need to see substantive changes to the sustainable farming scheme, because, in its current form, it doesn't work. But, if we need to get it to work, it needs to work for all farmers right across Wales, because the farmers that I speak to, and I'm sure the farmers who you've been speaking to, Cabinet Secretary, still have issues around the tree planting, around common land, around tenant farmers, around SSSIs and some of the universal actions, which some farmers find insulting and overly bureaucratic. And we do need to have some more detail from you about how you intend these changes to feed into your ministerial round-table to make sure that those changes are actually going to be implemented by Government so that, actually, the industry can get on board and actually deliver this scheme for you.
The statement mentions considering the outcomes from the carbon sequestration review for informing payment methodologies. What I'd like to know is: will the review look beyond the sequestration of trees and consider all different types of grass and also hedgerows, because that hasn't actually been looked at before, and I think that we need to have a big piece of work around the carbon sequestration of grass?
I was going to talk about animal welfare, but you said you'll be telling us about that in due course. And also you're going to be making a statement, hopefully, on TB. I hope it's being made to this Chamber, and not written, because I think it gives us an opportunity to scrutinise any work that you're doing.
Cabinet Secretary, I've only got about 30 seconds left, but, from my point of view, this announcement today is welcome. It has been welcomed by the unions, and the people I've spoken to on the phone—my friends and colleagues that I've got in the industry—welcome it as well. And I put an open offer to you, Cabinet Secretary: I'm willing to work with you in a very open and pragmatic and constructive way to make sure that we can have a scheme that delivers for our farmers. But, as I said earlier, we do need to see fundamental change if we're going to make it work. Because that's what I want to see. I want to see a scheme that works, that delivers for future generations, delivers for our farmers now and ensures we have a vibrant rural economy in Wales, because doing that will deliver all the environmental, cultural and biodiversity benefits that you want to see and also the thriving farm businesses that I'm sure everybody around this Chamber wants to see as well. Diolch.
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet am eich datganiad y prynhawn yma, hefyd eich datganiad ysgrifenedig y bore yma, ac am siarad â mi cyn rhyddhau'r datganiadau hyn yn gynharach heddiw. A gaf fi ddweud ei bod yn galonogol gennych chi, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, eich bod chi wedi ystyried y pryderon yr wyf wedi'u codi gyda chi ynghylch dyfodol cymorth ffermio yma yng Nghymru? Rwy'n credu ei bod yn gam cadarnhaol i ddangos eich bod chi'n gwrando ar y diwydiant, yr undebau a'r 12,500 o bobl hynny a ymatebodd i'r ymgynghoriad. Mae'r oedi o ran gweithredu'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy a'r ymrwymiad i symud cynllun y taliad sylfaenol ymlaen tan 2025, yn rhywbeth yr wyf i a'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig wedi galw amdano, ac rydym yn falch iawn o weld bod hyn yn digwydd i roi'r sicrwydd hirdymor hwnnw i'n ffermwyr ledled Cymru.
Fodd bynnag, er mwyn i'r cynllun hwn fod yn wirioneddol lwyddiannus, mae'n hanfodol sicrhau bod amrywiaeth eang o leisiau yn cael eu clywed. Felly, mae gennyf rai cwestiynau allweddol ynghylch cydweithredu yn y dyfodol ac ymgysylltu â rhanddeiliaid. Mae gennyf ddiddordeb, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, yn y modd y bydd y ford gron weinidogol yn cael ei strwythuro i warantu cydbwysedd a chynrychiolaeth gan bob sector ffermio a rhanddeiliaid perthnasol, gan gynnwys y rhai sydd â phryderon penodol am agweddau ar y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy. A allwch chi hefyd roi gwybod i ni heddiw ar ba ddyddiad yr ydych chi'n bwriadu i'r ford gron hon ddechrau? Fe wnaethoch chi ddweud yr wythnos diwethaf y byddech chi'n gweithio drwy'r nos i sicrhau bod y pethau hyn yn cael eu gwneud ar gyflymder. Felly, byddai'n ddiddorol iawn gwybod pa amserlenni rydych chi wedi'u gosod ar sefydlu hyn.
A allwch chi roi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i'r diwydiant hefyd y bydd lleisiau pobl yn cael eu clywed pan fyddan nhw'n cymryd rhan yn y grwpiau hyn? Oherwydd rhywbeth a ddaeth i'r amlwg yn ystod y cyfnod cydlunio, oedd bod pobl yn cyfrannu at hyn, ond nid oedd neb yn gwrando arnyn nhw. Felly, hoffwn gael rhywfaint o sicrwydd gennych chi y bydd rhywun yn gwrando arnyn nhw.
Roedd y cyhoeddiad y gwnaethoch chi'r bore yma yn sôn am y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, gan gynnwys taliadau am werth cymdeithasol, ac mae hwn yn gysyniad diddorol iawn. Ond rwy'n credu bod angen eglurder ynghylch beth yw hynny mewn gwirionedd, oherwydd rwyf yn gobeithio bod hwn yn newid cadarnhaol gwirioneddol a bod y Llywodraeth yma, o'r diwedd, yn cydnabod bod ffermio yn ychwanegu gwerth cymdeithasol i Gymru o ran gwerth amgylcheddol, diwylliannol ac economaidd hefyd i'n cymunedau.
Rydyn ni hefyd yn gwybod bod effaith y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy cychwynnol yn ddinistriol i'n busnesau fferm, gyda 5,500 o swyddi'n cael eu colli ar draws y diwydiant. Felly, byddai diddordeb mawr gennyf i wybod—rwy'n gwybod bod Llyr Gruffydd wedi gofyn y cwestiwn hwn i chi hefyd—pryd ydyn ni'n mynd i weld asesiad effaith wedi'i ddiweddaru, oherwydd, os ydyn ni'n cael newidiadau i'r cynllun, yna yn amlwg, bydd angen asesiad effaith newydd arnon ni i weld beth mae unrhyw newidiadau yn mynd i'w wneud.
Fel y dywedais yn gynharach, rwyf i a fy ngrŵp yn croesawu ymestyn cynllun y taliad sylfaenol i mewn i 2025. Mae hyn yn rhoi rhywfaint o sicrwydd i'n busnesau fferm. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod chi wedi dweud y byddwch chi'n gwneud cyhoeddiad maes o law, ond rwy'n credu y bydd pobl heddiw eisiau gwybod beth fydd y gyfradd honno o ran cynllun y taliad sylfaenol. A fydd yn parhau heb ei newid yn 2025, a pha gynlluniau ychwanegol, fel creu coetir, fydd hefyd yn cael eu cario ymlaen, wrth symud ymlaen i 2025?
Mae'r saib hwn yn rhoi'r cyfle hwnnw i ni edrych ar y cynigion hyn eto, ac mae angen i ni weld newidiadau sylweddol i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, oherwydd, yn ei ffurf bresennol, nid yw'n gweithio. Ond, os oes angen i ni ei gael i weithio, mae angen iddo weithio i bob ffermwr ledled Cymru, oherwydd mae gan y ffermwyr yr wyf yn siarad â nhw, ac rwy'n siŵr y ffermwyr yr ydych chi wedi bod yn siarad â nhw hefyd, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, bryderon o hyd ynghylch plannu coed, ynghylch tir comin, ynghylch ffermwyr tenantiaid, ynghylch SoDdGAau a rhai o'r camau gweithredu cyffredinol, y mae rhai ffermwyr yn eu ystyried yn sarhaus ac yn or-fiwrocrataidd. Ac mae angen i ni gael mwy o fanylion gennych chi ynglŷn â sut yr ydych chi'n bwriadu i'r newidiadau hyn fwydo i mewn i'ch bord gron weinidogol i sicrhau y bydd y newidiadau hynny'n cael eu gweithredu gan y Llywodraeth fel y gall y diwydiant gefnogi a chyflawni'r cynllun hwn i chi.
Mae'r datganiad yn sôn am ystyried canlyniadau'r adolygiad atafaelu carbon ar gyfer llywio methodolegau talu. Yr hyn yr hoffwn ei wybod yw: a fydd yr adolygiad yn edrych y tu hwnt i atafaelu carbon o safbwynt coed ac ystyried pob math o wahanol laswellt a gwrychoedd hefyd, oherwydd nid yw hynny wedi cael ei ystyried o'r blaen, ac rwy'n credu bod angen i ni gael darn mawr o waith ynghylch atafaelu carbon o safbwynt glaswellt?
Roeddwn i'n mynd i siarad am les anifeiliaid, ond fe ddywedoch chi y byddwch chi'n sôn am hynny wrthyn ni maes o law. A hefyd rydych chi'n mynd i fod yn gwneud datganiad, gobeithio, ar TB. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yn cael ei wneud i'r Siambr hon, ac nid yn ysgrifenedig, oherwydd rwy'n credu ei bod yn rhoi cyfle i ni graffu ar unrhyw waith yr ydych chi'n ei wneud.
Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, dim ond tua 30 eiliad sydd gennyf ar ôl, ond, o fy safbwynt i, mae'r cyhoeddiad hwn heddiw yn un i'w groesawu. Mae wedi cael ei groesawu gan yr undebau, ac mae'r bobl rydw i wedi siarad â nhw ar y ffôn—fy ffrindiau a chydweithwyr sydd gennyf yn y diwydiant—yn ei groesawu hefyd. Ac rwy'n rhoi cynnig agored i chi, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet: rwy'n barod i weithio gyda chi mewn ffordd agored a phragmatig a chadarnhaol iawn i sicrhau y gallwn ni gael cynllun sy'n cyflawni ar gyfer ein ffermwyr. Ond, fel y dywedais yn gynharach, mae angen i ni weld newid sylfaenol os ydyn ni'n mynd i wneud iddo weithio. Oherwydd dyna'r hyn rydw i eisiau ei weld. Rwyf eisiau gweld cynllun sy'n gweithio, sy'n cyflawni ar gyfer cenedlaethau'r dyfodol, sy'n cyflawni ar gyfer ein ffermwyr nawr ac yn sicrhau bod gennym ni economi wledig fywiog yng Nghymru, oherwydd bydd gwneud hynny'n sicrhau'r holl fuddion amgylcheddol, diwylliannol a bioamrywiaeth yr ydych chi eisiau'u gweld a hefyd y busnesau fferm ffyniannus rwy'n siŵr bod pawb o gwmpas y Siambr hon eisiau eu gweld hefyd. Diolch.
James, thank you very much, and thank you for your comments welcoming the announcement that was made on the way forward. And, just to say, it is a way forward. I used a rugby analogy earlier on in an interview. A lot of what we are doing now is the preparation for the roll-out of a scheme where there is actually a lot of agreement already—the framework, the objectives, not only in terms of food production, but also social value, environmental imperatives, climate change imperatives—but it's right to actually do some more work on those areas that have been identified in the consultation, which indeed—. We haven't seen the final, the full analysis of the consultation, but I've seen some of the interim findings, and it's pretty clear and obvious where those areas where we need a bit more work are. But it is some more work, and that's where the ministerial round-table becomes very important. And the way that that is working, the reason it is a ministerial round-table, is that there'll be a lot of work behind the scenes, not only with farmers and with the farming unions and so on, but also with the environmental and the wildlife groups as well, to make sure that we get the details right so that then we can proceed and we proceed in a way that all farmers can be part of this, because we need farmers to feel that they want to step up to the mark and be part of this, but we also need to deliver those wider imperatives.
You covered such a lot of ground there, James, but, just to say, very briefly, many of the issues that you covered are exactly the ones that the ministerial round-table, and the work that goes underneath it, is designed to flesh out. So, I am not going to pre-empt it.
So, when you talked about timescales, you will not have to wait long until we make announcements, both on the membership but also on the way that that ministerial round-table will take all this work forward, including, by the way, the streams underneath it. There are two or three areas that we want to bring forward underneath. One of those, by the way, is on sequestration, and it is trees and more. Because arguments have been put forward to say that there are other ways also to do sequestration. We need to test those arguments as well—not just accept them; we need to test them. So, I think that's the work that needs to be done.
We will be making a subsequent announcement on TB, as you say.
Economic impact: one of the conversations that we've had with the farmers' unions is that it was right for Welsh Government to put in front of the public the economic analysis that we had, but it was actually two years out of date, and it was based on a previous iteration of proposals. It wasn't even based on the most recent ones. However, we need to do an updated economic analysis, but the economic analysis needs to be done when we know the details of what that scheme will look like, and not before. Because we need to say to farmers, 'Well, here's the economic analysis, and here are the tools that we're going to lead through this transition as well.' And some of this could be actually creating new opportunities within our rural areas as well.
So, many of the things that you covered there are things that the ministerial round-table will—. And just one final, just to clarify: this isn't a pause whatsoever. There is actually work to be done now, in order that we can get to a point where everybody's on board with the detail of the full roll-out of a sustainable farming scheme that will be there, I think, if we get this right, for the generation ahead. It'll be dynamic, but, if we get this right, in this seven, eight years after EU withdrawal, then we put certainty, not just on farming, but on what we are trying to do as well with landscape management, on climate change and biodiversity and everything else, for many years to come. But thank you, James, for the welcome of this.
James, diolch yn fawr iawn, a diolch am eich sylwadau yn croesawu'r cyhoeddiad a gafodd ei wneud ar y ffordd ymlaen. A dim ond i ddweud, mae hi yn ffordd ymlaen. Fe ddefnyddiais i gyfatebiaeth rygbi yn gynharach mewn cyfweliad. Mae llawer o'r hyn yr ydyn ni'n ei wneud nawr yn paratoi ar gyfer cyflwyno cynllun lle mae llawer o gytundeb yn barod, mewn gwirionedd—y fframwaith, yr amcanion, nid yn unig o ran cynhyrchu bwyd, ond hefyd o ran gwerth cymdeithasol, gofynion amgylcheddol, gofynion newid hinsawdd—ond mae'n iawn gwneud rhywfaint mwy o waith ar y meysydd hynny sydd wedi'u nodi yn yr ymgynghoriad, sydd yn wir—. Nid ydyn ni wedi gweld y dadansoddiad terfynol, y dadansoddiad llawn o'r ymgynghoriad, ond rwyf wedi gweld rhai o'r canfyddiadau dros dro, ac mae'n eithaf clir ac amlwg lle mae'r meysydd hynny y mae angen i ni wneud ychydig mwy o waith arnyn nhw. Ond mae'n fwy o waith, a dyna lle mae'r ford gron weinidogol yn dod yn bwysig iawn. A'r ffordd mae honno'n gweithio, y rheswm ei bod yn ford gron weinidogol, yw y bydd llawer o waith y tu ôl i'r llenni, nid yn unig gyda ffermwyr a chyda'r undebau ffermio ac ati, ond hefyd gyda'r grwpiau amgylcheddol a bywyd gwyllt hefyd, i wneud yn siŵr ein bod ni'n cael y manylion yn iawn fel y gallwn ni symud ymlaen wedyn ac rydyn ni'n bwrw ymlaen mewn ffordd y gall pob ffermwr fod yn rhan ohoni, oherwydd mae angen i ffermwyr deimlo eu bod am gamu i'r adwy a bod yn rhan o hyn, ond mae angen i ni hefyd ddarparu'r gofynion ehangach hynny.
Fe wnaethoch chi ymdrin â chymaint yn y fan yna, James, ond, i ddweud, yn fyr iawn, mai llawer o'r materion yr oeddech chi'n eu trafod yw'r union rai y mae'r ford gron weinidogol, a'r gwaith sy'n mynd oddi tani, wedi'u cynllunio i'w datblygu. Felly, nid wyf am ei rhagflaenu.
Felly, pan wnaethoch chi sôn am amserlenni, ni fydd yn rhaid i chi aros yn hir nes y byddwn ni'n gwneud cyhoeddiadau, ar yr aelodaeth, ond hefyd ar y ffordd y bydd y ford gron weinidogol honno'n mynd â'r holl waith hwn ymlaen, gan gynnwys, gyda llaw, y ffrydiau oddi tani. Mae dau neu dri maes yr ydyn ni eisiau eu cyflwyno oddi tani. Un o'r rheini, gyda llaw, yw atafaelu, ac mae'n ymwneud â choed a mwy. Oherwydd mae dadleuon wedi'u cyflwyno i ddweud bod ffyrdd eraill hefyd o atafaelu. Mae angen i ni brofi'r dadleuon hynny hefyd—nid dim ond eu derbyn; mae angen i ni eu profi nhw. Felly, rwy'n credu mai dyna'r gwaith sydd angen ei wneud.
Byddwn ni'n gwneud cyhoeddiad dilynol ar TB, fel y dywedwch chi.
Effaith economaidd: un o'r sgyrsiau yr ydyn ni wedi'i chael ag undebau'r ffermwyr yw ei bod hi'n iawn i Lywodraeth Cymru roi'r dadansoddiad economaidd yr oedd gennym ni o flaen y cyhoedd, ond roedd dwy flynedd dros ei amser mewn gwirionedd, ac roedd yn seiliedig ar iteriad blaenorol o gynigion. Nid oedd hyd yn oed yn seiliedig ar y rhai mwyaf diweddar. Fodd bynnag, mae angen i ni wneud dadansoddiad economaidd wedi'i ddiweddaru, ond mae angen i'r dadansoddiad economaidd gael ei wneud pan fyddwn ni'n gwybod manylion sut olwg fydd ar y cynllun hwnnw, ac nid cyn hynny. Oherwydd mae angen i ni ddweud wrth ffermwyr, 'Wel, dyma'r dadansoddiad economaidd, a dyma'r adnoddau yr ydyn ni'n mynd i'w harwain trwy'r trawsnewidiad hwn hefyd.' A gallai rhywfaint o hyn fod yn creu cyfleoedd newydd yn ein hardaloedd gwledig hefyd.
Felly, mae llawer o'r pethau y gwnaethoch chi eu trafod yn y fan yna yn bethau y bydd y ford gron weinidogol yn—. A dim ond un peth olaf, dim ond i egluro: nid saib yw hyn o gwbl. Mae yna waith i'w wneud nawr mewn gwirionedd, er mwyn i ni allu cyrraedd pwynt lle mae pawb yn derbyn manylion cyflwyno cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy a fydd yno, rwy'n credu, os cawn ni hyn yn gywir, i'r genhedlaeth sydd i ddod. Bydd yn ddeinamig, ond, os cawn ni hyn yn gywir, yn y saith, wyth mlynedd hyn ar ôl ymadael â'r UE, yna rydyn ni'n rhoi sicrwydd, nid yn unig o ran ffermio, ond o ran yr hyn yr ydyn ni'n ceisio'i wneud hefyd o ran rheoli tirwedd, ar newid yn yr hinsawdd a bioamrywiaeth a phopeth arall, am flynyddoedd lawer i ddod. Ond diolch, James, am groesawu hyn.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd, ac a gaf i hefyd groesawu'r datganiad gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet y prynhawn yma? Rwy’n credu ei fod yn taro cywair pragmatig a synhwyrol, ac dwi’n diolch i chi am hynny. Mae’n ymateb yn bositif i nifer o alwadau Plaid Cymru. Dwi wedi codi nifer o’r pwyntiau yma yn y Siambr, ac dwi’n gwybod—ac dwi eisiau diolch i Cefin Campbell hefyd, fel yr Aelod dynodedig fel rhan o’r cytundeb cydweithio—fod nifer o’r materion yma wedi cael eu trafod yn helaeth, ac dwi’n diolch i Cefin am gael y maen i’r wal ar nifer ohonyn nhw.
Thank you very much, Llywydd, and may I also welcome the statement made by the Cabinet Secretary this afternoon? I think it does strike a pragmatic and sensible note, and I thank you for that. It responds positively to many of the demands made by Plaid Cymru. I've raised many of these points in the Chamber, and I know—and I'd like to thank Cefin Campbell, as the designated Member as part of the co-operation agreement—that many of these issues have been discussed widely, and I thank Cefin for achieving so much on many of them.
Now, Plaid Cymru has been insistent and consistent as well in our call for a delay in the implementation. So, clearly, it’s something that I raised with your predecessor. She pushed back, saying that she wouldn’t accept it. I know initially that you were saying that maybe you could proceed with some elements where there was agreement, and others maybe would need more work. Well, I think that this is the right call, and I welcome the delay that you have outlined today.
The sustainable farming scheme will have an impact on generations of farming, and I think that we all know, deep down, that we have to get it right and not get it done quickly. Even if it means another year of uncertainty, another year of, some would say, unnecessary delay, I think that that 12-month period will be less painful than maybe 12 years and more of making the wrong choices. So, it is the right call, and I thank you for being willing to make that call.
So, it is an opportunity, as I say, to step back and reflect—not pause, because you’re saying that it’s not a pause, so I'll run along with that one, if that’s what you wish. But it is an opportunity to make necessary changes and to ensure, certainly, a buy-in, a greater buy-in, from the farming sector than we have seen so far, but also to make sure that we have scheme that is sustainable, in that it works for farming and for nature.
I think as much as we're refining or amending or changing elements, we're also, hopefully, using this process to build a consensus, a greater consensus, around the action that, collectively, we all need to take. So, I welcome the round-table approach. I think, again, that bringing those voices together is important. It is key that those with lived experience of farming sit around that table, because they will be able to tell us what works on the ground, and I think maybe that’s something that we maybe missed somewhat in the past.
But I want to ask you specifically: can you therefore confirm that your intention now is to no longer demand 10 per cent tree cover from all participants of the scheme? Clearly, you're looking at a broader range of options. That sounds to me like taking the insistence on 10 per cent off the table. It may work for some, but it will now not be a prerequisite of being part of the scheme. Maybe you could confirm that for us.
You referenced the universal actions in your statement. Are you still looking at 17 universal actions, because it read more like a wish list than a practical expectation of the sector, to be honest? Is there, as the round-table and these other groups do their work, now an admittance that maybe you need to rationalise that somewhat?
You reference that you'll develop proposals for further optional and collaborative actions with the aim of introducing these as soon as possible—that's what you say. Are you, therefore, saying that there is a possibility now that maybe those elements, or parts of those aspects of the scheme, could well be introduced at the same time as the universal elements in 2026? Because I know many in the sector, particularly in the environmental sector, would be concerned that that is where a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of achieving for nature will happen, but by delaying the universal, we may well be inadvertently delaying the collaborative and the optional aspects.
People still need to know how much money we're talking about. We can design a scheme, we can talk about principles, but until people know how that practically impacts the viability of their business on an economic level, and, of course, how that impacts how ambitious we really can be in terms of nature and the environment, then it's difficult, isn't it? We're floundering a little bit when it comes to knowing whether we're in or not. So, that further delay, I suppose, doesn't mean that you can articulate in any more solid form what kind of figures we are talking about, but it would be good to understand maybe whether you feel you can do more on that front.
Nawr, mae Plaid Cymru wedi bod yn daer ac yn gyson hefyd wrth alw am oedi o ran y gweithredu. Felly, yn amlwg, mae'n rhywbeth y gwnes i ei godi gyda'ch rhagflaenydd. Fe wthiodd hi nôl, gan ddweud na fyddai hi'n ei dderbyn. Rwy'n gwybod i ddechrau y gwnaethoch chi ddweud efallai y gallech chi fwrw ymlaen â rhai elfennau lle'r oedd cytundeb, ac y byddai angen mwy o waith ar rai eraill efallai. Wel, rwy'n credu mai dyma'r penderfyniad cywir, ac rwy'n croesawu'r oedi yr ydych chi wedi'i amlinellu heddiw.
Bydd y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn cael effaith ar genedlaethau o ffermio, ac rwy'n credu ein bod ni i gyd yn gwybod, yn y bôn, bod yn rhaid i ni ei gael yn iawn a pheidio â'i wneud yn gyflym. Hyd yn oed os yw'n golygu blwyddyn arall o ansicrwydd, blwyddyn arall o oedi diangen, y byddai rhai yn ei ddweud, rwy'n credu y bydd y cyfnod hwnnw o 12 mis yn llai poenus nag efallai 12 mlynedd a mwy o wneud y dewisiadau anghywir. Felly, dyma'r penderfyniad cywir, ac rwy'n diolch i chi am fod yn barod i wneud y penderfyniad hwnnw.
Felly, mae'n gyfle, fel rwy'n ei ddweud, i gamu'n ôl a myfyrio—nid cymryd saib, oherwydd rydych chi'n dweud mai nid saib ydyw, felly fe wna i dderbyn hynny, os mai dyna yw'ch dymuniad. Ond mae'n gyfle i wneud newidiadau angenrheidiol ac i sicrhau, yn bendant, fwy o gefnogaeth gan y sector ffermio nag yr ydyn ni wedi'i gweld hyd yn hyn, ond hefyd i sicrhau bod gennym ni gynllun sy'n gynaliadwy oherwydd ei fod yn gweithio ar gyfer ffermio ac ar gyfer natur.
Rwy'n credu cymaint ag yr ydyn ni'n mireinio neu'n diwygio neu'n newid elfennau, rydyn ni hefyd, gobeithio, yn defnyddio'r broses hon i ddatblygu consensws, mwy o gonsensws, ynghylch y camau y mae angen i bob un ohonon, ni eu cymryd ar y cyd. Felly, rwy'n croesawu'r dull bord gron. Rwy'n credu, unwaith eto, bod dod â'r lleisiau hynny at ei gilydd yn bwysig. Mae'n allweddol bod y rhai sydd â phrofiad bywyd o ffermio yn eistedd o gwmpas y ford honno, oherwydd byddan nhw'n gallu dweud wrthyn ni beth sy'n gweithio ar lawr gwlad, ac rwy'n credu efallai bod hynny'n rhywbeth yr ydyn ni wedi'i golli rhywfaint yn y gorffennol.
Ond rwyf eisiau gofyn yn benodol i chi: a allwch chi gadarnhau felly nad ydych chi nawr yn bwriadu mynnu gorchudd coed o 10 y cant gan bawb sy'n cymryd rhan yn y cynllun? Yn amlwg, rydych chi'n ystyried amrywiaeth ehangach o ddewisiadau. Mae hynny'n swnio i mi fel tynnu'r penderfyniad i fynnu ar 10 y cant oddi ar y bwrdd. Efallai y bydd yn gweithio i rai, ond nawr ni fydd yn rhagofyniad ar gyfer bod yn rhan o'r cynllun. Efallai y gallwch chi gadarnhau hynny i ni.
Fe wnaethoch chi gyfeirio at y camau cyffredinol yn eich datganiad. Ydych chi'n dal i edrych ar 17 o gamau gweithredu cyffredinol, oherwydd roedd yn darllen mwy fel rhestr ddymuniadau na disgwyliad ymarferol ar y sector, a bod yn onest? Wth i'r ford gron a'r grwpiau eraill hyn wneud eu gwaith, oes yna gyfaddef nawr bod angen i chi resymoli hynny rhywfaint efallai?
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn y byddwch chi'n datblygu cynigion ar gyfer camau dewisol a chydweithredol eraill gyda'r nod o gyflwyno'r rhain cyn gynted â phosibl—dyna'r hyn yr ydych chi'n ei ddweud. A ydych chi, felly, yn dweud bod posibilrwydd nawr y gallai'r elfennau hynny, neu rannau o'r agweddau hynny ar y cynllun, gael eu cyflwyno ar yr un pryd â'r elfennau cyffredinol yn 2026? Oherwydd rwy'n gwybod y byddai llawer yn y sector, yn enwedig yn y sector amgylcheddol, yn pryderu mai dyna lle bydd llawer o'r gwaith codi trwm o ran cyflawni dros natur yn digwydd, ond trwy oedi'r cyffredinol, mae'n ddigon posibl ein bod ni'n gohirio'r agweddau cydweithredol a dewisol yn anfwriadol.
Mae dal angen i bobl wybod faint o arian yr ydyn ni'n siarad amdano. Gallwn ni ddylunio cynllun, gallwn ni siarad am egwyddorion, ond hyd nes y bydd pobl yn gwybod sut mae hynny'n effeithio'n ymarferol ar hyfywedd eu busnes ar lefel economaidd, ac, wrth gwrs, sut mae hynny'n effeithio ar ba mor uchelgeisiol y gallwn ni fod o ran natur a'r amgylchedd, yna mae'n anodd, on'd yw e? Rydyn ni'n ymbalfalu ychydig o ran gwybod a ydyn ni mewn ai peidio. Felly, nid yw'r oedi pellach hynny, mae'n debyg, yn golygu y gallwch chi fynegi'n fwy pendant pa fath o ffigurau yr ydyn ni'n sôn amdanyn nhw, ond byddai'n dda deall efallai a ydych chi'n teimlo y gallwch chi wneud mwy o ran hynny.
Mae'r ffocws cryfach ar y gwerth cymdeithasol i amaethyddiaeth yn rhywbeth rŷn ni fel plaid wedi bod yn galw amdano fe yn helaeth iawn. Dwi'n meddwl ei bod hi'n iawn ac yn deg fod yna gydnabyddiaeth ariannol i'r cyfraniad cymdeithasol, diwylliannol ac ieithyddol mae'r sector yn ei wneud. Nawr, mae beth mae hwnna'n edrych fel, wrth gwrs, yn mynd i fod yn destun trafodaeth, ond dwi eisiau rhoi ar record, gan ein bod ni fel plaid wedi sicrhau bod hwnna yn y Ddeddf amaeth, ein bod ni'n falch iawn gweld y pwyslais rŷch chi'n ei roi arno fe yn y cynllun.
Yn olaf, rydych chi'n cyfeirio at y grŵp cynghori technegol ar TB. Wrth gwrs, ystyried difa ar y fferm yw'r peth cyntaf. Mae nifer ohonom ni eisiau gweld newidiadau amgenach a mwy pellgyrhaeddol, ond mae hwnna yn flaenoriaeth. Rydych chi'n awgrymu y byddwch chi'n gwneud datganiad yn nes ymlaen yr wythnos yma. Allwch chi ddweud wrthym ni a fydd yna newid yn digwydd ar y ffrynt yna o fewn wythnosau, a ddim o fewn misoedd? Diolch.
The stronger focus on the social value of agriculture is something that we as a party have been calling for for some time. I think it is right and fair that there is financial recognition of the social, cultural and linguistic contribution made by the sector. Now, what that looks like, of course, will be the subject of debate, but I want to put it on record, as we as a party had ensured that that was in the agriculture Act, that we've very pleased to see the emphasis that you're placing on it in the scheme.
Finally, you refer to the technical advisory group on TB. Of course, considering on-farm slaughter is the first issue. Many of us want to see more far-reaching changes, but that is a priority. You suggest that you'll make a statement later this week. Can you tell us whether there will be a change on that front within weeks, not within months? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr, Llyr. You've raised again many issues there, but can I thank you just for welcoming the pragmatic and sensible approach, as you described it, of the way forward? Because we do have to design a scheme that, when it is ready to go, brings everybody with it, and that does, by the way, include all those people out there who support the wildlife and environmental ambitions, including amongst the farming community, as well as the farming community themselves who are going to be so integral to delivering this, and building the consensus that you mentioned is the way forward.
Just to pick up on a few of the things that you said there, in terms of funding, I'm pleased that we've announced today that we will actually take forward the BPS funding currently, to give some certainty going forward. Now, in doing so, I have to say that I'm asking those in the Chamber behind me to be good and strong behind me, and make representations as well, because we're going to be asking the UK Government to provide at least the same level of funding as we received this financial year, plus inflation, plus more, if they'd like to give it to us, please. The Bill is £339.6 million, please, plus inflation, and anything else they want to throw in. We are working—our officials are working internally, and with colleagues in other administrations—to develop our funding ask. We do know, of course, that that still leaves a short of what we had anticipated when all those great debates were going on about leaving the EU, but we have the funding package that we have and we've got to work with it. And fair play to the farming unions as well, even though you have voices saying, 'Well, get it from somewhere else', those arguments, they do accept that we've got to actually put the ask somewhere else here, to assist with that. But by announcing that the BPS will continue for 2025 now, I'm trying to give as much certainty as I can without knowing the future budget position, but it's a clear statement of our intent. So, I'll try to make an announcement on other details, such as the ceiling, in due course, but it won't be too long, hopefully, there.
The other aspects I wanted to touch on—. You talked about trees and carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration actions in the scheme is an example that I think does need and does merit further consideration. So, I've confirmed that we're convening a carbon sequestration evidence review panel, which will feed up into the ministerial round-table. I expect the group of partners undertaking this work with us to focus on the evidence associated with actions to support additional carbon sequestration, and the scale of opportunity that we may have in Wales. Now, I'm going to await the outputs of that work before taking any decisions, and whilst it might be slightly frustrating, there's a reason we're going to set some of these in path to actually lift up then to the ministerial round-table. But I will keep Members informed as it comes in front of us. I don't want to pre-empt it.
But trees on farms, let's be absolutely clear: they've got multiple benefits other than carbon sequestration. That includes, by the way, some that are often not mentioned, such as shelter for livestock, the reduction of flood risk and improving water quality. There are many positive reasons for farms to consider tree planting, and indeed many do, and many do want to go further. I'd simply say as well that we are already and will continue offering the grants for woodland creation through the woodland creation planning scheme and the woodland creation grant scheme, because these will continue to be available, and we'll be actively promoting them through the preparatory phase. There's no reason for anyone considering planting trees on their land to delay that decision if they want to proceed. So, this is not that we're pausing everything, we're stopping everything; we want to go ahead with that.
You raised a lot of items there. The phasing of the universal, optional and collaborative approaches, this is a really interesting one for the ministerial round-table. Because there are, and I remember when we were in the climate change committee at that evidence session, there were different views put forward. One of the things within the funding envelope we have to do in this preparatory phase is decide where the optimal mix is here of those universal parts of it alongside those other ones, which could indeed take us much further in terms of biodiversity, environmental gain, climate change, flood alleviation and so on. But we're going to have to consider very carefully where the right balance lies, because ideally we would just want a heap more funding to do a heap lot more, but we haven't got it, so that's where the ministerial round-table, and ultimately I, will have to make some decisions.
And it is worth saying, Llywydd, as well, that I don't think this is going to be plain sailing, easy sailing. There will be some points where it's going to be for me as Cabinet Secretary to sign off and say, 'This is now where we go and where we stand', but to pick up that overarching point that you made, we will do this in an open, collegiate, co-operative manner, working together. When we come to difficult points, that's what I get paid for. But we'll do it based on the evidence we see and the arguments put forward, and that's why it is worth taking just that little bit more time to get this right. But thank you, Llyr, for the other points you raised, the ministerial round-table will bring them forward for discussion.
Diolch yn fawr, Llyr. Rydych chi wedi codi llawer o faterion yn y fan yna eto, ond a gaf i ddiolch i chi am groesawu'r dull pragmatig a synhwyrol, fel y gwnaethoch chi ei ddisgrifio, o ran y ffordd ymlaen? Oherwydd mae'n rhaid i ni ddylunio cynllun sydd, pan fydd yn barod i fynd, yn dod â phawb gydag ef, ac sydd, gyda llaw, yn cynnwys yr holl bobl hynny allan yno sy'n cefnogi'r uchelgeisiau bywyd gwyllt ac amgylcheddol, gan gynnwys ymhlith y gymuned ffermio, yn ogystal â'r gymuned ffermio eu hunain sy'n mynd i fod mor ganolog i gyflawni hyn, a datblygu'r consensws y gwnaethoch chi ei grybwyll yw'r ffordd ymlaen.
I fynd ar ôl rhai o'r pethau y gwnaethoch chi ei ddweud yn y fan yna, o ran cyllid, rwy'n falch ein bod ni wedi cyhoeddi heddiw y byddwn ni'n bwrw ymlaen â chyllid cynllun y taliad sylfaenol ar hyn o bryd, i roi rhywfaint o sicrwydd wrth symud ymlaen. Nawr, wrth wneud hynny, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud fy mod i'n gofyn i'r rhai yn y Siambr y tu ôl i mi fod yn gryf y tu ôl i mi, a gwneud sylwadau hefyd, oherwydd rydyn ni'n mynd i fod yn gofyn i Lywodraeth y DU ddarparu'r un lefel o gyllid o leiaf ag a gawson ni'r flwyddyn ariannol hon, ynghyd â chwyddiant, a mwy, os hoffen nhw ei roi e' i ni, os gwelwch yn dda. Mae'r Bil yn £339.6 miliwn, os gwelwch yn dda, ynghyd â chwyddiant, ac unrhyw beth arall y maen nhw eisiau'i ychwanegu. Rydyn ni'n gweithio—mae ein swyddogion yn gweithio'n fewnol, a chyda chydweithwyr mewn gweinyddiaethau eraill—i ddatblygu ein cais am gyllid. Rydyn ni'n gwybod, wrth gwrs, bod hynny'n dal i adael diffyg o ran yr hyn yr oedden ni wedi'i ragweld pan oedd yr holl ddadleuon gwych hynny'n mynd rhagddynt ynghylch gadael yr UE, ond mae gennym ni'r pecyn cyllido sydd gennym ni ac mae'n rhaid i ni weithio gydag ef. A chwarae teg i'r undebau ffermio hefyd, er bod gennych chi leisiau'n dweud, 'Wel, dewch o hyd iddo o rywle arall', y dadleuon hynny, maen nhw yn derbyn bod yn rhaid i ni wneud cais yn rhywle arall yma mewn gwirionedd, i gynorthwyo gyda hynny. Ond trwy gyhoeddi y bydd cynllun y taliad sylfaenol yn parhau ar gyfer 2025 nawr, rwy'n ceisio rhoi cymaint o sicrwydd ag y gallaf heb wybod y sefyllfa gyllidebol yn y dyfodol, ond mae'n ddatganiad clir o'n bwriad. Felly, byddaf yn ceisio gwneud cyhoeddiad ar fanylion eraill, fel y terfyn uchaf, maes o law, ond ni fydd yn rhaid aros yn rhy hir, gobeithio.
Yr agweddau eraill yr wyf eisiau cyffwrdd arnyn nhw—. Roeddech chi'n sôn am goed ac atafaelu carbon. Mae camau atafaelu carbon yn y cynllun yn enghraifft rwy'n credu sydd angen ac sy'n haeddu ystyriaeth bellach. Felly, rwyf wedi cadarnhau ein bod ni'n cynnull panel adolygu tystiolaeth atafaelu carbon, a fydd yn bwydo i fyny i'r ford gron weinidogol. Rwy'n disgwyl i'r grŵp o bartneriaid a fydd yn ymgymryd â'r gwaith hwn gyda ni ganolbwyntio ar y dystiolaeth sy'n gysylltiedig â chamau gweithredu i gefnogi atafaelu carbon ychwanegol, a maint y cyfle sydd gennym, o bosibl, yng Nghymru. Nawr, rwy'n mynd i aros am ganlyniadau'r gwaith hwnnw cyn gwneud unrhyw benderfyniadau, ac er y gallai fod ychydig yn rhwystredig, mae rheswm pam yr ydyn ni'n mynd i osod rhai o'r rhain ar lwybr i'w codi wedyn i'r ford gron weinidogol. Ond byddaf yn rhoi gwybod i'r Aelodau wrth iddo ddod o'n blaenau ni. Nid wyf eisiau achub y blaen arno.
Ond coed ar ffermydd, gadewch i ni fod yn hollol glir: mae ganddyn nhw nifer o fanteision ar wahân i atafaelu carbon. Mae hynny'n cynnwys, gyda llaw, rai nad ydyn nhw'n cael eu crybwyll yn aml, fel cysgod i dda byw, lleihau perygl llifogydd a gwella ansawdd dŵr. Mae llawer o resymau cadarnhaol pam y dylai ffermydd ystyried plannu coed, ac yn wir mae llawer yn gwneud hynny, ac mae llawer eisiau mynd ymhellach. Byddwn i hefyd yn dweud ein bod ni eisoes, a byddwn ni'n parhau i gynnig y grantiau ar gyfer creu coetiroedd drwy'r cynllun cynllunio creu coetiroedd a'r cynllun grant creu coetiroedd, oherwydd bydd y rhain yn parhau i fod ar gael, a byddwn ni'n mynd ati i'w hyrwyddo drwy'r cyfnod paratoi. Nid oes unrhyw reswm i unrhyw un sy'n ystyried plannu coed ar ei dir ohirio'r penderfyniad hwnnw os ydyn nhw eisiau bwrw ymlaen. Felly, dydyn ni ddim yn oedi popeth, dydyn ni ddim yn stopio popeth; rydyn ni eisiau bwrw ymlaen â hynny.
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am lawer o bethau yn y fan yna. Mae cyflwyno'r dulliau cyffredinol, dewisol a chydweithredol yn raddol yn un diddorol iawn i'r ford gron weinidogol. Oherwydd mae yna, ac rwy'n cofio pan oedden ni yn y pwyllgor newid hinsawdd yn y sesiwn dystiolaeth honno, roedd safbwyntiau gwahanol yn cael eu cyflwyno. Un o'r pethau o fewn yr amlen ariannu y mae'n rhaid i ni ei wneud yn y cyfnod paratoi hwn yw penderfynu ble mae'r cymysgedd gorau posibl yma o'r rhannau cyffredinol hynny ohono ochr yn ochr â'r rhai eraill, a allai fynd â ni ymhellach o lawer o ran bioamrywiaeth, budd amgylcheddol, newid hinsawdd, lliniaru llifogydd ac ati. Ond bydd yn rhaid i ni ystyried yn ofalus iawn lle mae'r cydbwysedd cywir, oherwydd yn ddelfrydol, bydden ni eisiau llawer mwy o gyllid i wneud llawer mwy, ond dydy e ddim ar gael i ni, felly dyna lle bydd yn rhaid i'r ford gron weinidogol, a minnau yn y pen draw, wneud rhai penderfyniadau.
Ac mae'n werth dweud hefyd, Llywydd, nad wyf i'n credu y bydd hyn yn fêl i gyd. Bydd rhai pwyntiau lle bydd yn rhaid i mi fel yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet gymeradwyo pethau a dweud, 'Dyma lle'r ydyn ni'n mynd a lle'r ydyn ni'n sefyll nawr', ond i fynd ar ôl y pwynt trosfwaol hwnnw y gwnaethoch chi ei wneud, byddwn ni'n gwneud hyn mewn modd agored, hawddgar, cydweithredol, gan weithio gyda'n gilydd. Pan fyddwn ni'n dod i bwyntiau anodd, dyna'r hyn yr wyf i'n cael fy nhalu amdano. Ond byddwn ni'n ei wneud yn seiliedig ar y dystiolaeth yr ydyn ni'n ei gweld a'r dadleuon sy'n cael eu cyflwyno, a dyna pam ei bod hi'n werth cymryd ychydig mwy o amser i gael hyn yn iawn. Ond diolch i chi, Llyr, am y pwyntiau eraill y gwnaethoch chi eu codi, bydd y ford gron weinidogol yn eu cyflwyno i'w trafod.
Thank you. I just wanted to ask you about trees and soil health. The WWF seminar that took place two weeks ago, which you weren't able to attend, which Llyr Huws Gruffydd was chairing—I don't recall seeing James Evans there—and I think that some of the important messages that came from that—[Interruption.] Some of the important messages that came from that were the work done by Niels Corfield to demonstrate that, if you want to make a weatherproof farm, you need to plant trees, you need to deal with soil compaction so that you don't have excessive run-off, and instead you have healthier soils that are absorbing much more of the inundations of water that we're getting increasingly. Also, we heard from two farmers who were making more money by having reduced the amount of stock they had on their farms, and therefore they had less cost from having to buy in fodder for their animals, relying more on the grass, which was of a better quality as a result of having to deal with less stock on it.
I just wonder how much conversation you're having with the farming unions to ensure that all farmers know that these are strategies we all have to do, because I'm absolutely happy with pausing to get it right, but the climate emergency will not wait. So, how is this preparatory phase to demonstrate the benefits of these universal actions going to deter people from unsustainable farming practices, like phosphate pollution from farming going into our rivers and seas? And how will it encourage farmers to tackle soil compaction and excessive run-off, and also, most seriously, soil loss? Because once it's gone, it's gone forever. We're told that there only are another 40 or 60 harvests in the soil, and therefore this is urgently needed to get change across the board.
Diolch. Roeddwn i eisiau gofyn i chi am goed ac iechyd y pridd. Seminar WWF a gynhaliwyd bythefnos yn ôl, nad oeddech chi'n gallu ei fynychu, yr oedd Llyr Huws Gruffydd yn ei gadeirio—dydw i ddim yn cofio gweld James Evans yno—ac rwy'n credu mai rhai o'r negeseuon pwysig a ddaeth o hynny—[Torri ar draws.] Rhai o'r negeseuon pwysig a ddaeth o hynny oedd y gwaith a wnaed gan Niels Corfield i ddangos, os ydych chi am wneud fferm wrthdywydd, bod angen i chi blannu coed, bod angen i chi ddelio â chywasgu pridd fel nad oes gennych ormodedd o ddŵr ffo, ac yn lle hynny mae gennych chi briddoedd iachach sy'n amsugno llawer mwy o'r dilywiau rydyn ni'n eu cael yn fwy rheolaidd. Hefyd, fe glywson ni gan ddau ffermwr oedd yn gwneud mwy o arian ar ôl lleihau faint o stoc oedd ganddyn nhw ar eu ffermydd, ac felly roedd ganddyn nhw lai o gostau o orfod prynu porthiant i'w hanifeiliaid, ac roedden nhw'n dibynnu mwy ar y glaswellt, a oedd o ansawdd gwell o ganlyniad i orfod delio â llai o stoc arno.
Tybed faint o sgwrsio rydych chi'n ei wneud gyda'r undebau ffermio i sicrhau bod pob ffermwr yn gwybod bod y rhain yn strategaethau y mae'n rhaid i ni i gyd eu gwneud, oherwydd rwy'n hollol hapus gydag oedi i'w gael yn iawn, ond ni fydd yr argyfwng hinsawdd yn aros. Felly, sut mae'r cyfnod paratoi hwn i ddangos manteision y camau cyffredinol hyn yn mynd i atal pobl rhag ymgymryd ag arferion ffermio anghynaliadwy, fel llygredd ffosffad o ffermio sy'n mynd i mewn i'n hafonydd a'n moroedd? A sut y bydd yn annog ffermwyr i fynd i'r afael â chywasgu pridd a gormodedd o ddŵr ffo, a hefyd, yn fwyaf difrifol, colli pridd? Oherwydd unwaith y bydd wedi mynd, bydd wedi mynd am byth. Dywedir wrthym mai dim ond 40 neu 60 o gynaeafau sydd ar ôl yn y pridd, ac felly mae angen hyn ar frys i sicrhau newid drwyddi draw.
Jenny, thank you so much for that question. Do you know, I, like you, am something of a fanatic about soil health, and the way that delivers multiple benefits? And we see it when it goes wrong as well, when you don't have soil, when you just have mud, and you have fields where the run-off is just taking that down into the streams below. Soil health, I can tell you, is part of the deliberations that go forward now in this preparatory phase.
I've come this morning from a visit to a farm not far from here—Sealands Farm, a family-run farm. Some of the work that they are doing that they're quite evangelical about as a family is the way that they're already working—in anticipation, in some ways, of where we should be heading—with multiple diverse crops and rotation, in order to deliver not only nitrogen and feeding the soil and enriching it, and so on and so forth, but doing it in a very scientific and intelligent way, and they've been doing it for some years. It's also bringing down their costs on the farm because what they're doing is using their own crops to feed. They're using it not quite in a closed-farm system, but reducing their reliance on bringing in very expensive outside alternatives and petrochemical-based alternatives, or overdosing their own farm. It's quite scientific, what they're doing. And what they said to me was that this is not unusual now in farming; there are more and more farms doing this.
So, what we need to do as part of the SFS and the wider approach to good sustainable farming in Wales is to make that approach much more normal, because we know that there are parts of Wales or individual farms where that isn't happening. So, how do we then lift them up and inform them, help them, mentor them, educate them, give them the correct advice, so that they can also do it as well?
Soil health is going to be critical to the way we go forward, and not least because of exactly what you've said: it also gives the resilience as well. So, rather than having mud that's being washed away, you have good soil that holds the water, holds the nutrients, and is less costly in the long run to maintain. But what farmers will say to me is they need the support to make that happen, not just in the advice, but actually in the way that we design the scheme as well. Soil health is key, often forgotten about by wider civil society out there, but critical in the way we take forward good farming in Wales.
Jenny, diolch yn fawr iawn am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Wyddoch chi, mae gennyf i, fel chithau, ddiddordeb mawr mewn iechyd pridd, a'r ffordd y mae hynny'n sicrhau nifer o fanteision? Ac rydyn ni'n ei weld pan fydd yn mynd o'i le hefyd, pan nad oes gennych chi bridd, pan fydd gennych chi fwd yn unig, ac mae gennych chi gaeau lle mae'r dŵr ffo yn mynd â hynny i lawr i'r nentydd islaw. Bydd iechyd pridd, gallaf ddweud wrthych, yn rhan o'r trafodaethau a fydd yn mynd ymlaen nawr yn y cyfnod paratoi hwn.
Rwyf wedi dod bore 'ma o ymweld â fferm heb fod ymhell o'r fan hon—Sealands Farm, fferm deuluol. Peth o'r gwaith maen nhw'n ei wneud y maen nhw'n frwdfrydig iawn amdano fel teulu yw'r ffordd maen nhw eisoes yn gweithio—gan ragweld, mewn rhai ffyrdd, ble y dylen ni fod yn mynd—gyda nifer o gnydau amrywiol a system gylchdro, er mwyn darparu nid yn unig nitrogen a bwydo'r pridd a'i gyfoethogi, ac yn y blaen ac yn y blaen, ond ei wneud mewn ffordd wyddonol a deallus iawn, ac maen nhw wedi bod yn gwneud hyn ers rhai blynyddoedd. Mae hefyd yn lleihau eu costau ar y fferm oherwydd yr hyn maen nhw'n ei wneud yw defnyddio eu cnydau eu hunain i fwydo. Maen nhw'n ei ddefnyddio nid yn gyfan gwbl mewn system fferm gaeedig, ond maen nhw'n lleihau eu dibyniaeth ar ddod â dewisiadau amgen drud iawn o'r tu allan a dewisiadau amgen petrocemegol i mewn, neu orddosio eu fferm eu hunain. Mae'n eithaf gwyddonol, yr hyn maen nhw'n ei wneud. A'r hyn ddywedon nhw wrthyf i oedd nad yw hyn yn anarferol nawr ym maes ffermio; mae mwy a mwy o ffermydd yn gwneud hyn.
Felly, yr hyn y mae angen i ni ei wneud fel rhan o'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy a'r dull ehangach o ymdrin â ffermio cynaliadwy da yng Nghymru yw gwneud y dull hwnnw'n llawer mwy normal, oherwydd rydyn ni'n gwybod bod rhannau o Gymru neu ffermydd unigol lle nad yw hynny'n digwydd. Felly, sut ydyn ni wedyn yn eu codi ac yn eu hysbysu, yn eu helpu, yn eu mentora, yn eu haddysgu, yn rhoi'r cyngor cywir iddyn nhw, fel y gallan nhw wneud hynny hefyd?
Mae iechyd pridd yn mynd i fod yn hanfodol i'r ffordd rydyn ni'n symud ymlaen, ac yn anad dim oherwydd yr hyn rydych chi wedi'i ddweud: mae'n rhoi'r gwytnwch hefyd. Felly, yn hytrach na chael mwd sy'n cael ei olchi i ffwrdd, mae gennych chi bridd da sy'n dal y dŵr, sy'n dal y maetholion, ac sy'n llai costus i'w gynnal yn yr hirdymor. Ond yr hyn y bydd ffermwyr yn ei ddweud wrthyf yw bod angen y gefnogaeth arnyn nhw i wneud i hynny ddigwydd, nid yn unig o ran y cyngor, ond o ran y ffordd yr ydyn ni'n dylunio'r cynllun hefyd. Mae iechyd pridd yn allweddol, mae'n cael ei anghofio'n aml gan y gymdeithas sifil ehangach allan yna, ond mae'n hanfodol o ran y ffordd y byddwn ni'n bwrw ymlaen â ffermio da yng Nghymru.
Minister, thank you for your statement today. I don't think I picked it up earlier on, but does the Government still intend to pursue the data confirmation exercise this summer, and if so, can you confirm when that will begin?
On 10 per cent tree planting, I just want to make sure that I've got the answer that you gave correct in my own mind. I think the answer was that 10 per cent remains part of the proposed scheme, but there's a greater willingness to change and introduce more flexibility—so, have I got that right—through your ministerial round-table.
And in regards to TB, it's a devastating disease, it has a devastating impact on farming families and it's cruel in farming stock and also in wildlife as well. I note in your statement today that you mention again the eradication of TB in Wales by 2041. So, my question is: is that ambitious enough? Can there be a greater ambition in bringing forward that date?
You also talk about your TB delivery plan and the technical advisory group. So, my final question there is: to what extent will the technical advisory group drive your decision making? Because, for me, many decisions are perhaps not for the advisory group; they're political decisions, such as the decision to cull affected wildlife, which I really do believe needs to be part of the overall package to eradicate TB. And that seems to be more of a political decision for you, rather than the technical advisory group, and that's why I ask about the extent of you taking your decision making from the advisory group.
Gweinidog, diolch am eich datganiad heddiw. Nid wyf i'n credu fy mod i wedi nodi hynny'n gynharach, ond a yw'r Llywodraeth yn dal i fwriadu dilyn yr ymarfer cadarnhau data yr haf hwn, ac os felly, allwch chi gadarnhau pryd y bydd hynny'n dechrau?
O ran plannu coed ar 10 y cant o dir, rwyf am sicrhau bod gen i'r ateb roddoch chi yn iawn yn fy meddwl fy hun. Rwy'n credu mai'r ateb oedd bod 10 y cant yn dal i fod yn rhan o'r cynllun arfaethedig, ond bod yna fwy o barodrwydd i newid a chyflwyno mwy o hyblygrwydd—felly, ydw i wedi cael hynny'n iawn—trwy eich bord gron weinidogol.
Ac o ran TB, mae'n glefyd dinistriol, mae'n cael effaith ddinistriol ar deuluoedd ffermio ac mae'n greulon i stoc ffermio ac i fywyd gwyllt hefyd. Nodaf yn eich datganiad heddiw eich bod chi'n sôn eto am ddileu TB yng Nghymru erbyn 2041. Felly, fy nghwestiwn i yw: a yw hynny'n ddigon uchelgeisiol? A ellir bod yn fwy uchelgeisiol drwy ddod â'r dyddiad hwnnw ymlaen?
Rydych chi hefyd yn sôn am eich cynllun cyflawni TB a'r grŵp cynghori technegol. Felly, fy nghwestiwn olaf o ran hynny yw: i ba raddau y bydd y grŵp cynghori technegol yn llywio eich penderfyniadau? Oherwydd, i mi, mae yna lawer o benderfyniadau na ddylent gael eu gwneud, o bosibl, gan y grŵp cynghori; penderfyniadau gwleidyddol ydyn nhw, fel y penderfyniad i ddifa bywyd gwyllt yr effeithir arno, yr wyf yn credu'n gryf bod angen iddo fod yn rhan o'r pecyn cyffredinol i ddileu TB. Ac mae'n ymddangos bod hynny'n fwy o benderfyniad gwleidyddol i chi, yn hytrach na'r grŵp cynghori technegol, a dyna pam rwy'n gofyn i ba raddau rydych chi'n cymryd eich penderfyniadau o'r grŵp cynghori.
Thank you very much, Russell. First of all, on the carbon sequestration and the 10 per cent trees, we've set up a panel deliberately to look at that. So, as opposed to ruling anything out, we want to consider those other options as part of that work that others have suggested might be good other ways of doing it. I think quite a lot of people here previously have been signatories to the hedges and edges campaign, and so on and so forth, but there are other options being put forward, including what we can do, actually, in well-managed soil and pastureland, which is quite interesting. So, I think these are the things that need to be explored in there. So, rather than focusing purely at the moment on 10 per cent trees, let's give that work stream the freedom to actually go and look at these, and bottom it out properly. Because some of them might be viable and others might not be, but let's properly bottom it out there.
On the data confirmation exercise, yes, this is key to it, going forward. One of the advantages we had, even though there were some concerns that the HWS may not have the uptake it did, actually, it's been really gratifying to see the response to the HWS, and it has helped, additionally, with some data coming forward. But we know that farmers are saying that some of that isn't accurate, so part of this process will actually be going back to farmers to say, 'Here's what we have, here's our mapping, now can you help us actually fill in the dots or contradict what is actually on that data there, that data there?' and so on. That's going to be integral to this, because if we can get to the point where we have good, accurate data, then we're in a much better position to help farmers and say to them, 'We don't have to do this again and again and again; we'll now know by the end of this preparatory phase.'
One the TB eradication by 2041, I think that is really ambitious. It's often said within this Chamber, 'Look at what's happened in England' and so on, but, actually, the trajectory, over the last 10 years, that we've looked at in Wales, and the decline in herd incidence, has been significant as well, so we're doing some things right here, and we often don't say that we're doing some things right. And some of that is based on this much greater partnership model of working, of giving the autonomy to the farmer, working with on-farm vets and so on, the sorts of things that we see now. Part of it is going to be driven, I have to say now, by, as you rightly say, the TB advisory group, headed by Glyn Hewinson, who chairs part of the Sêr Cymru programme, the TB centre of excellence in Aberystwyth. I've had some discussions with him already; I've made clear, when I've spoken before, saying it's for them now to lift up their advice, as they go forward, to the programme board on TB eradication. Sorry, I realise I haven't addressed the issue on could we be more ambitious. If I thought we could—. But I'm not sure that either side of the border or whatever—. It's quite an ambitious task. If we can eradicate by 2041, if we can do it early, brilliant, but let's see what the TB advisory group actually bring forward as the way forward.
The first thing that they've been looking at—and I'm waiting for the official advice to come up—is the on-farm slaughter, which has been a major issue for many farmers, not least the emotional issue and the impact of standing by as their cattle are slaughtered, with calves in, on the farm in front of them. I'm hoping to have that advice very soon. But where they go from there is where they go from there. They have the expertise, and there's really good—. I don't want to misuse this phrase now, but there's really good farming pedigree and long reach within the people on the TAG as well, but they lift it up, then, to the partnership board, where there is significant direct farming representatives, and ex officio members of the farming unions are on that as well. So, let's see what they bring forward. I'm not going to direct them or misdirect them or whatever. Let's see what they bring forward, but they've got a lot of work cut out in front of them.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Russell. Yn gyntaf oll, o ran atafaelu carbon a 10 y cant o orchudd coed, rydym wedi sefydlu panel yn fwriadol i edrych ar hynny. Felly, yn hytrach na diystyru unrhyw beth, rydym eisiau ystyried yr opsiynau eraill hynny fel rhan o'r gwaith hwnnw y mae eraill wedi'i awgrymu y gallent fod yn ffyrdd da eraill o'i wneud. Rwy'n credu bod cryn dipyn o bobl yma o'r blaen wedi bod yn llofnodwyr i'r ymgyrch gwrychoedd ac ymylon, ac yn y blaen, ac yn y blaen, ond mae yna opsiynau eraill yn cael eu cyflwyno, gan gynnwys yr hyn y gallwn ni ei wneud, mewn gwirionedd, mewn pridd ac ar dir pori a reolir yn dda, sy'n eithaf diddorol. Felly, rwy'n credu mai dyma'r pethau sydd angen eu harchwilio yno. Felly, yn hytrach na chanolbwyntio ar 10 y cant o orchudd coed yn unig ar hyn o bryd, gadewch i ni roi'r rhyddid i'r ffrwd waith honno fynd i edrych ar y rhain, a mynd at wraidd y mater. Oherwydd efallai y bydd rhai ohonynt yn hyfyw ac eraill ddim, ond gadewch i ni fynd at wraidd y mater.
O ran yr ymarfer cadarnhau data, ydy, mae hyn yn allweddol iddo, wrth symud ymlaen. Un o'r manteision oedd gennym, er bod rhai pryderon na fyddai cynifer ag a wnaeth yn manteisio ar gynllun Cynefin Cymru, mewn gwirionedd, mae wedi bod yn braf iawn gweld yr ymateb i gynllun Cynefin Cymru, ac mae wedi helpu, hefyd, gyda rhywfaint o ddata yn dod ymlaen. Ond rydym yn gwybod bod ffermwyr yn dweud nad yw rhywfaint o hynny'n gywir, felly rhan o'r broses hon fydd mynd yn ôl at ffermwyr i ddweud, 'Dyma'r hyn sydd gennym, dyma'r hyn rydym wedi'i fapio, nawr allwch chi ein helpu ni i lenwi'r dotiau neu wrthddweud yr hyn sydd ar y data hwnnw yn y fan yna, y data hwnnw yn y fan yna?' ac yn y blaen. Mae hynny'n mynd i fod yn rhan annatod o hyn, oherwydd os gallwn ni gyrraedd y pwynt lle mae gennym ni ddata da, cywir, yna rydym mewn sefyllfa llawer gwell i helpu ffermwyr a dweud wrthyn nhw, 'Does dim rhaid i ni wneud hyn dro ar ôl tro; byddwn ni'n gwybod nawr erbyn diwedd y cyfnod paratoi hwn.'
O ran dileu TB erbyn 2041, rwy'n credu bod hynny'n uchelgeisiol iawn. Fe'i dywedir yn aml yn y Siambr hon, 'Edrychwch ar yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd yn Lloegr' ac yn y blaen, ond, mewn gwirionedd, mae'r taflwybr dros y 10 mlynedd diwethaf yr ydym wedi edrych arno yng Nghymru, a'r gostyngiad yn nifer yr achosion mewn buchesi, wedi bod yn arwyddocaol hefyd, felly rydyn ni'n gwneud rhai pethau iawn yma, ac yn aml dydyn ni ddim yn dweud ein bod ni'n gwneud rhai pethau'n iawn. Ac mae rhywfaint o hynny yn seiliedig ar y model partneriaeth llawer mwy hwn o weithio, o roi ymreolaeth i'r ffermwr, gweithio gyda milfeddygon ar y fferm ac yn y blaen, y mathau o bethau rydym yn eu gweld nawr. Mae rhan ohono'n mynd i gael ei llywio, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud nawr, drwy, fel y dywedwch yn iawn, y grŵp cynghori TB, dan arweiniad Glyn Hewinson, sy'n cadeirio rhan o raglen Sêr Cymru, y ganolfan ragoriaeth TB yn Aberystwyth. Rwyf wedi cael rhai trafodaethau gydag ef yn barod; rwyf wedi ei gwneud yn glir, pan wyf wedi siarad o'r blaen, gan ddweud bod angen iddyn nhw nawr godi eu cyngor, wrth iddynt symud ymlaen, i fwrdd y rhaglen ar ddileu TB. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, rwy'n sylweddoli nad wyf wedi mynd i'r afael â'r mater ynghylch a allem fod yn fwy uchelgeisiol. Pe bawn i'n meddwl y gallem ni—. Ond dydw i ddim yn siŵr naill ochr i'r ffin neu beth bynnag—. Mae'n dasg eithaf uchelgeisiol. Os gallwn ni ei ddileu erbyn 2041, os gallwn ni wneud hynny'n gynnar, byddai hynny'n wych, ond gadewch i ni weld beth mae'r grŵp cynghori TB yn ei gyflwyno fel y ffordd ymlaen.
Y peth cyntaf maen nhw wedi bod yn edrych arno—ac rwy'n aros am y cyngor swyddogol i ddod i fyny—yw lladd ar y fferm, sydd wedi bod yn broblem fawr i lawer o ffermwyr, yn enwedig y mater emosiynol ac effaith sefyll o'r neilltu wrth i'w gwartheg gael eu lladd, gyda lloi ynddyn nhw, ar y fferm o'u blaenau. Rwy'n gobeithio cael y cyngor hwnnw yn fuan iawn. Ond ble fyddan nhw'n mynd o fanna yw ble fyddan nhw'n mynd o fanna. Mae ganddyn nhw'r arbenigedd, ac maent yn dda iawn—. Dydw i ddim am gamddefnyddio'r ymadrodd hwn nawr, ond mae yna bedigrî ffermio da iawn a chyrhaeddiad hir ymhlith y bobl ar y TAG hefyd, ond maen nhw'n ei godi, wedyn, i'r bwrdd partneriaeth, lle mae nifer sylweddol o gynrychiolwyr ffermio uniongyrchol, ac mae aelodau ex officio o'r undebau ffermio ar y bwrdd hwnnw hefyd. Felly, gadewch i ni weld beth maen nhw'n ei gyflwyno. Dydw i ddim yn mynd i'w cyfarwyddo na'u camgyfeirio neu beth bynnag. Gadewch i ni weld beth maen nhw'n ei gyflwyno, ond mae ganddyn nhw lawer o waith o'u blaenau.
Dwi am fynd ar ôl dau beth yn benodol, un ohonyn nhw’n dilyn cwestiwn yr wythnos diwethaf ddaru'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ofyn i fi ailofyn yr wythnos yma, felly gobeithio y byddwn ni mewn sefyllfa i gael ychydig yn fwy o wybodaeth, ac mae hynny ynghylch y BVD. Roedd yna waith da yn cael ei wneud efo cynllun gwaredu BVD yn flaenorol, ond, yn anffodus, fe gollwyd momentwm ar hynny wrth i'r rhaglen ddirwyn i ben. Mae angen deddfwriaeth er mwyn sicrhau bod profi yn digwydd a bod hyn yn cael ei ariannu yn llawn. Roeddem ni'n disgwyl cyhoeddiad cyn y Pasg, ond rydym ni'n dal i aros. Felly, a wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet osod allan yr amserlen ar gyfer unrhyw Fil i'r perwyl yma, a rhoi sicrhad y bydd y Bil, o'i fabwysiadu, yn cael ei gefnogi gyda'r arian cywir er mwyn sicrhau ei lwyddiant?
Yn olaf, i ddilyn trywydd cwestiynau Russell George, mae ffermwyr yn fy etholaeth i wedi gorfod difa gwartheg oherwydd y dicáu yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf yma. Mae'n brofiad newydd i ffermydd ym Meirionnydd. Mae'r ffermwyr yna yn gwrando y prynhawn yma er mwyn cael y sicrwydd eich bod chi, yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet newydd, yn deall difrifoldeb y sefyllfa y maen nhw'n ei hwynebu ac eich bod chi'n barod i weithredu yn unol â'r gwyddoniaeth. Hynny ydy, ydych chi'n barod i fynd i'r afael â hwn drwy ddifa moch daear mewn modd wedi'i dargedu? Fedrwch chi roi sicrwydd eich bod chi'n deall yr her sydd yn wynebu'r ffermwyr yma, a'ch bod chi'n mynd i ymateb i'w hanghenion nhw? Diolch.
I want to pursue two issues specifically, and one of them follows the question last week that the Cabinet Secretary asked me to ask again this week, so hopefully I'll have a bit more information on that, and that's with regard to BVD. There was good work being done with the BVD eradication plan previously, but unfortunately, momentum was lost on that, as the programme came to a close. Legislation is needed to ensure that testing happens, and that this funded in full. We expected an announcement before Easter, but we are still waiting. So, will the Cabinet Secretary set out the timescale for a Bil in this regard, and give an assurance that the Bill, in being adopted, will be supported with the funding needed to ensure its success?
And finally, to follow on from Russell George's question, farmers in my constituency have had to cull cattle as a result of TB over the past few weeks. It is a new experience for farmers in Meirionnydd. Those farmers are listening this afternoon to receive an assurance that you, as the new Cabinet Secretary, understand the seriousness of the situation that they are facing, and that you are ready to take action in accordance with the science. Are you ready to tackle this through culling badgers in a targeted way? Can you give us an assurance that you understand the challenge facing those farmers and that you will meet their needs? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Mabon. Can I turn, first of all, to the BVD issue? I can give you a further update to the question you raised the other day. First of all, we fully understand and appreciate the very serious impact of BVD, not just on standards of animal health and welfare, but also the impact of the disease on production and the serious economic costs as well to farm businesses. Eradicating BVD in Wales will bring significant benefits to cattle health and productivity, but also to cattle welfare, farm profitability, and also, by the way, carbon footprint. This summer, Welsh Government will make the BVD Wales Order; we'll bring that forward to facilitate an industry-led approach to eradicating the disease. I can bring more detail forward on that subsequently, Mabon, if that's of help, but we will actually bring that forward.
On BTB, I've met with so many farmers now who have been confronted with the emotional turmoil—that's to understate it—of having to go through not just the regularity of TB testing and so on, but also the slaughter, including the on-farm slaughter of cattle. We have to find a way through this. But the programme for government commitment is very clear: it's actually working on the sorts of things that we've done within the Pembrokeshire pathway, working in partnership, using the very best science et cetera; it is exploring the use, as we have done, indeed, of things such as badger vaccination and also supporting the moves to bring forward, ultimately, if we can do it, with the right test to identify that it works, cattle vaccination as well, inevitably. That has to be part of the overall 2041 approach there.
But can I just reiterate what I said to Russell? Our programme for government commitment is very, very clear, but we've set up the TAG with Glyn Hewinson for a very good reason, because it has expertise on there that can bring forward their ideas on where we go next in Wales. I simply want to reiterate one thing here, because people will often raise eyebrows when I say, 'Well, we are doing some good stuff in Wales', and I would say to Members, please contact me and I'll direct you to some of the stuff that we do on the ground, where farmers who are involved in some of these projects are really persuaded that some of the groundbreaking stuff we're doing in Wales is the right one. But, just to be clear, from 2012, which is the year before badger control policy in England, to 2023, on the latest published data, the herd incidence in England decreased from 9.8 to 7.3; it was a 26 per cent decrease.
In Wales, over the same period, herd incidence decreased from 10 to 6.8. It's a 31.3 per cent decrease. I simply put that on record—those are Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs figures, by the way—to say that we are doing things differently in Wales, in line with our programme for government, but we're also succeeding in many ways. The advisory group needs to say, 'Well, where do we go next then?', 'Where is the next way forward?', and that's the right way to do it, I think: to say to them, 'Work with the farming community. Work with the veterinary service and with others. Work with that wide experience you have to lift up ideas on where we go next.'
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Mabon. A gaf droi, yn gyntaf oll, at y mater BVD? Gallaf roi diweddariad pellach i chi i'r cwestiwn y gwnaethoch chi ei godi y diwrnod o'r blaen. Yn gyntaf oll, rydym yn deall ac yn gwerthfawrogi effaith ddifrifol iawn BVD yn llawn, nid yn unig ar safonau iechyd a lles anifeiliaid, ond hefyd effaith y clefyd ar gynhyrchu a'r costau economaidd difrifol hefyd i fusnesau fferm. Bydd dileu BVD yng Nghymru yn dod â manteision sylweddol i gynhyrchiant ac iechyd gwartheg, ond hefyd i les gwartheg, proffidioldeb ffermydd, a hefyd, gyda llaw, ôl troed carbon. Yr haf hwn, bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud Gorchymyn BVD Cymru; byddwn ni'n cyflwyno hynny i hwyluso dull a arweinir gan ddiwydiant o ddileu'r clefyd. Gallaf roi mwy o fanylion ar hynny yn ddiweddarach, Mabon, os yw hynny o gymorth, ond fe fyddwn ni'n cyflwyno hynny.
O ran BTB, rwyf wedi cwrdd â chymaint o ffermwyr nawr sydd wedi wynebu'r cythrwfl emosiynol—mae hynny'n ddweud cynnil—o orfod mynd drwy nid yn unig profion TB rheolaidd ac yn y blaen, ond hefyd y lladd, gan gynnwys lladd gwartheg ar y fferm. Mae'n rhaid i ni ddod o hyd i ffordd drwy hyn. Ond mae'r ymrwymiad yn y rhaglen lywodraethu yn glir iawn: gweithio ar y mathau o bethau rydyn ni wedi'u gwneud o fewn llwybr sir Benfro, gweithio mewn partneriaeth, defnyddio'r wyddoniaeth orau bosibl ac ati; archwilio'r defnydd, fel yr ydym wedi'i wneud, yn wir, o bethau fel brechu moch daear, a hefyd gefnogi'r symudiadau i gyflwyno, yn y pen draw, os gallwn ni wneud hynny, gyda'r prawf cywir i nodi ei fod yn gweithio, brechu gwartheg hefyd, yn anochel. Mae'n rhaid i hynny fod yn rhan o ddull gweithredu cyffredinol 2041.
Ond a gaf i ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedais wrth Russell? Mae'r ymrwymiad yn ein rhaglen lywodraethu yn glir iawn, iawn, ond rydym wedi sefydlu'r TAG gyda Glyn Hewinson am reswm da iawn, oherwydd mae yna arbenigedd yno a all gyflwyno eu syniadau ar ble rydym yn mynd nesaf yng Nghymru. Rwyf am ailadrodd un peth yma, oherwydd bydd pobl yn aml yn codi eu haeliau pan fyddaf yn dweud, 'Wel, rydym yn gwneud pethau da yng Nghymru', a byddwn i'n dweud wrth Aelodau, cysylltwch â mi ac fe wnaf eich cyfeirio at rai o'r pethau rydym yn eu gwneud ar lawr gwlad, lle mae ffermwyr sy'n ymwneud â rhai o'r prosiectau hyn yn cael eu darbwyllo mai rhai o'r pethau arloesol yr ydym yn eu gwneud yng Nghymru yw'r rhai cywir. Ond, i fod yn glir, o 2012, sef y flwyddyn cyn i'r polisi rheoli moch daear gael ei gyflwyno yn Lloegr, i 2023, ar y data cyhoeddedig diweddaraf, gostyngodd nifer yr achosion mewn buchesi yn Lloegr o 9.8 i 7.3; roedd yn ostyngiad o 26 y cant.
Yng Nghymru, dros yr un cyfnod, gostyngodd nifer yr achosion mewn buchesi o 10 i 6.8. Mae'n ostyngiad o 31.3 y cant. Rwy'n rhoi hynny ar gofnod—ffigurau Adran yr Amgylchedd, Bwyd a Materion Gwledig yw'r rheini, gyda llaw—i ddweud ein bod ni'n gwneud pethau'n wahanol yng Nghymru, yn unol â'n rhaglen lywodraethu, ond rydyn ni llwyddo hefyd mewn sawl ffordd. Mae angen i'r grŵp cynghori ddweud, 'Wel, lle awn ni nesa?', 'Ble mae'r ffordd nesaf ymlaen?', a dyna'r ffordd iawn i'w wneud, rwy'n meddwl: i ddweud wrthyn nhw, 'Ewch ati i weithio gyda'r gymuned ffermio. Ewch ati i weithio gyda'r gwasanaeth milfeddygol a chydag eraill. Ewch ati i weithio gyda'r profiad eang hwnnw, mae'n rhaid i chi godi syniadau ar ble rydyn ni'n mynd nesaf.'
I also echo the welcome by others in the room to the reset, as I see it, of the sustainable farming scheme. Really, this is about working in partnership with our farming communities and our rural communities as well. The planned 2025 preparatory period in particular will be crucial for that really robust dialogue with farmers and other stakeholders.
I just have three questions, if that's all right. The first is around the 17 universal actions. You've explained a little bit about the fact that they will be part of a stakeholder group, a working group, but can you just confirm, in your view, will the 17 universal actions still apply to every single farm? Because that is one of the key issues.
In regard to the 10 per cent tree cover, you've talked about it potentially including hedgerows et cetera, and that it has to be evidence based, but in that evidence, will you be listening to farmers as well, many of whom have got a surfeit of evidence and information—farmers like Gary Jones in Llangadog in Carmarthenshire, who has really robust evidence?
And my third question, which is a really general one, is can you tell us what 'good' looks like at the end of 2025 to tell you that it proceeds in full to 2026. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rwyf hefyd yn adleisio'r croeso gan eraill yn yr ystafell i ailosod, fel y gwelaf i o, y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy. Yn wir, mae hyn yn ymwneud â gweithio mewn partneriaeth â'n cymunedau ffermio a'n cymunedau gwledig hefyd. Bydd y cyfnod paratoi arfaethedig ar gyfer 2025 yn benodol yn hanfodol ar gyfer y ddeialog wirioneddol gadarn honno gyda ffermwyr a rhanddeiliaid eraill.
Dim ond tri chwestiwn sydd gen i, os yw hynny'n iawn. Mae'r cyntaf am y 17 o gamau gweithredu cyffredinol. Rydych chi wedi egluro ychydig am y ffaith y byddan nhw'n rhan o grŵp rhanddeiliaid, gweithgor, ond a allwch chi gadarnhau, yn eich barn chi, a fydd y 17 o gamau gweithredu cyffredinol yn dal i fod yn berthnasol i bob un fferm? Oherwydd mae hwnnw yn un o'r materion allweddol.
O ran y gorchudd coed o 10 y cant, rydych chi wedi sôn amdano o bosibl yn cynnwys gwrychoedd ac ati, a bod yn rhaid iddo fod yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth, ond yn y dystiolaeth honno, a fyddwch chi'n gwrando ar ffermwyr hefyd, llawer ohonyn nhw â llawer iawn o dystiolaeth a gwybodaeth—ffermwyr fel Gary Jones yn Llangadog yn sir Gaerfyrddin, sydd â thystiolaeth wirioneddol gadarn?
A fy nhrydydd cwestiwn, sy'n un cyffredinol iawn, yw a allwch chi ddweud wrthym sut olwg sydd ar 'dda' ar ddiwedd 2025 i ddweud wrthych chi ei fod yn mynd yn ei flaen yn llawn i 2026. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
That's a great final question there, Jane. Thank you. I like your terminology there on a 'reset'. There's an enormous amount of work been done on this already—seven years of discussions, consultations, roadshows, whatever. We've got to a place where we do have a lot of agreement—I keep saying this; we genuinely do—on the broad framework, the high-level objectives, and many details of the scheme as well. So, 'reset' is quite a nice way of putting it. I think that analogy of saying, 'Let's just take a little bit more time to get all the details right' links me to what 'good' looks like at the very end.
Let me just touch on the 17 universal actions. One of the things that was clear from what I've read already, the read-out I've had so far—not the full read-out, but the read-out I've had from the consultation—was that many farmers saw complexity within the 17 actions. They worried about would this mean more bureaucracy. Some of them weren't understandable to the farmers either. They went, 'What does this mean?' I think we've got a job, the ministerial group here that this will be lifted up to, to look at those and to see, of those, are they all the right ones, but also are they ones that need better explaining, are they ones that we need to work with farmers to say, 'Well, how do we explain this better? What is this all about?' and so on. So, I'm not saying we're taking any of this out, but I think there's a job of work to actually look at them individually and go through and say, 'Well, if this is going to be something that you take away, outside of a consultation, and say, "Here's a toolkit for farmers", then how do you better present that so it doesn’t look so complex and bureaucratic and so on?'
On the tree cover, will we listen to farmers? Yes, absolutely. And that's why we have set up this carbon sequestration group. But we will also listen, by the way, to those ideas that are coming as well from wildlife and environmental groups on other ways. It's not just coming from one direction. There's been some interesting conversations I've had over the last month and previously on other ways we can take forward carbon sequestration on land throughout Wales, which include trees, but could actually go in other areas as well. But, again, I come back the point that we have to bottom this out with evidence. It can't be just good ideas and aspirations. We have to know that these are going to be effective as well.
On what 'good' looks like when we get to the end of the preparatory phase, what 'good' looks like will be that, as a result of the process we've gone through, there is good agreement and a coalition of the willing to go forward with this. That's one aspect of what 'good' looks like. And the second aspect of what 'good' looks like is it achieves all those objectives that we're trying to do, so we come out the other end with a scheme that, yes, is good for those higher standards of food production, animal welfare, soil, water quality, and all those wider public benefits, including tackling climate change and promoting biodiversity as well. That's what 'good' looks like, but it has to be as well something that we've designed together and that there is a willingness from people to take forward together as well.
That doesn't mean that 'good' looks like everybody being in total agreement on every single issue. That is not going to happen, I can guarantee you now. But if we're all standing at the end of this process and saying, 'We've got broad agreement. We think this is going to be not just good, but it's going to be good for Wales'—. Because other people have said to me, 'Why don't we look at other schemes elsewhere?' One of the things that the farming unions and others have said is that, actually, what we need is something that is bespoke to Wales, the type of farming we have, the type of landscape we have, the type of environment we have. That's what 'good' will look like.
Mae hwnna'n gwestiwn olaf gwych yn y fan yna, Jane. Diolch. Rwy'n hoffi eich terminoleg yn y fan yna ar 'ailosod'. Mae llawer iawn o waith wedi ei wneud ar hyn yn barod—saith mlynedd o drafodaethau, ymgynghoriadau, sioeau teithiol, beth bynnag. Rydym ni wedi dod i le lle mae gennym ni lawer o gytuno—rwy'n dal i ddweud hyn; mae gennym ni yn wir—ar y fframwaith eang, yr amcanion lefel uchel, a llawer o fanylion y cynllun hefyd. Felly, mae 'ailosod' yn ffordd eithaf da o'i roi. Rwy'n credu bod y gyfatebiaeth honno o ddweud, 'Gadewch i ni gymryd ychydig mwy o amser i gael yr holl fanylion yn iawn' yn fy nghysylltu â sut olwg sydd ar 'dda' ar y diwedd un.
Gadewch imi gyffwrdd ar y 17 o gamau gweithredu cyffredinol. Un o'r pethau a oedd yn glir o'r hyn rwyf wedi ei ddarllen yn barod, yr allbwn rwyf wedi ei gael hyd yn hyn—nid yr allbwn llawn, ond yr allbwn rwyf wedi ei gael o'r ymgynghoriad—oedd bod llawer o ffermwyr wedi gweld cymhlethdod yn yr 17 o gamau. Maen nhw'n poeni y byddai hyn yn golygu mwy o fiwrocratiaeth. Doedd rhai ohonyn nhw ddim yn ddealladwy i'r ffermwyr chwaith. Roedden nhw'n gofyn, 'Beth mae hyn yn ei olygu?' Rwy'n credu bod gennym ni dasg, y grŵp gweinidogol yn y fan yma y bydd hyn yn cael ei godi ato, i edrych ar y rheini ac i weld, o'r rheini, ydyn nhw i gyd y rhai iawn, ond hefyd ydyn nhw'n rhai sydd angen eu hesbonio'n well, ydyn nhw'n rhai y mae angen i ni weithio gyda ffermwyr i ddweud, 'Wel, sut ydyn ni'n esbonio hyn yn well? Beth yw hyn i gyd?" ac yn y blaen. Felly, nid wyf yn dweud ein bod yn tynnu unrhyw ran o hyn allan, ond rwy'n credu bod yna waith i edrych arnyn nhw'n unigol a mynd drwodd a dweud, 'Wel, os yw hwn yn mynd i fod yn rhywbeth rydych chi'n ei gymryd i ffwrdd, y tu allan i ymgynghoriad, a dweud, "Dyma becyn cymorth i ffermwyr", yna sut ydych chi'n cyflwyno hynny'n well fel nad yw'n edrych mor gymhleth a biwrocrataidd ac yn y blaen?'
O ran y gorchudd coed, fyddwn ni'n gwrando ar ffermwyr? Byddwn, yn sicr. A dyna pam rydym wedi sefydlu'r grŵp atafaelu carbon hwn. Ond byddwn hefyd yn gwrando, gyda llaw, ar y syniadau hynny sy'n dod yn ogystal gan grwpiau bywyd gwyllt a grwpiau amgylcheddol ar ffyrdd eraill. Nid yw'n dod o un cyfeiriad yn unig. Mae rhai sgyrsiau diddorol yr wyf wedi'u cael dros y mis diwethaf ac yn flaenorol ar ffyrdd eraill y gallwn fwrw ymlaen ag atafaelu carbon ar dir ledled Cymru, sy'n cynnwys coed, ond a allai fynd mewn ardaloedd eraill hefyd. Ond, unwaith eto, rwy'n dod yn ôl at y pwynt bod yn rhaid i ni roi tystiolaeth yn sail i hyn. Ni all fod yn syniadau a dyheadau da yn unig. Mae'n rhaid i ni wybod y bydd y rhain yn effeithiol hefyd.
O ran sut olwg sydd ar 'dda' pan fyddwn ni'n cyrraedd diwedd y cyfnod paratoi, sut beth yw 'da' fydd, o ganlyniad i'r broses rydyn ni wedi mynd drwyddi, bod cytundeb da a chlymblaid o'r rhai sy'n barod i fwrw ymlaen â hyn. Dyna un agwedd ar sut mae 'da' yn edrych. Ac ail agwedd ar sut mae 'da' yn edrych yw ei fod yn cyflawni'r holl amcanion hynny yr ydym yn ceisio eu gwneud, felly rydym yn dod allan y pen arall gyda chynllun sydd, ie, yn dda ar gyfer y safonau uwch hynny o gynhyrchu bwyd, lles anifeiliaid, pridd, ansawdd dŵr, a'r holl fanteision cyhoeddus ehangach hynny, gan gynnwys mynd i'r afael â newid hinsawdd a hyrwyddo bioamrywiaeth hefyd. Dyna sut mae 'da' yn edrych, ond mae'n rhaid iddo hefyd fod yn rhywbeth rydyn ni wedi'i ddylunio gyda'n gilydd a bod pobl yn barod i fwrw ymlaen gyda'i gilydd hefyd.
Nid yw hynny'n golygu bod 'da' yn edrych fel petai pawb yn cytuno'n llwyr ar bob un mater. Nid yw hynny'n mynd i ddigwydd, gallaf eich sicrhau chi yn awr. Ond os ydym ni i gyd yn sefyll ar ddiwedd y broses hon ac yn dweud, 'Mae gennym gytundeb eang. Rydyn ni'n credu bod hyn yn mynd i fod nid yn unig yn dda, ond mae'n mynd i fod yn dda i Gymru'—. Oherwydd mae pobl eraill wedi dweud wrtha i, 'Pam nad ydyn ni'n edrych ar gynlluniau eraill mewn mannau eraill?' Un o'r pethau y mae'r undebau ffermio ac eraill wedi'i ddweud yw, mewn gwirionedd, mai'r hyn sydd ei angen arnom yw rhywbeth sydd wedi'i deilwra i Gymru, y math o ffermio sydd gennym, y math o dirwedd sydd gennym, y math o amgylchedd sydd gennym. Dyna olwg fydd ar 'dda'.
We're way over time on this statement and the time the Government has allocated for it, so if we can have concise questions, and also concise answers.
Rydyn ni ymhell dros amser ar y datganiad hwn a'r amser y mae'r Llywodraeth wedi'i ddyrannu ar ei gyfer, felly os gallwn ni gael cwestiynau cryno, ac atebion cryno hefyd.
I very much welcome your appointment, Minister. I very much welcome the way in which you've hit the ground running. The announcement that you made today, I think, demonstrates a real willingness to move forward, but to do so in conversation with people affected. I actually fear that you're going to spend most of the next few years protecting Welsh agriculture from the impact of Brexit. We've seen that the UK Government has sold Welsh farmers down the road with their trade deals. We also see the way that bureaucracy and barriers are being placed to trade for Welsh agriculture. So, I hope that, in the work that you take forward, Minister, you will ensure that protection of Welsh farmers from the impact of Brexit is at the heart of that. But I also hope, Minister, that you won't lose momentum through the next period, because you've demonstrated a willingness to listen, to talk, to discuss, to debate, to have the conversation across the whole of Wales about what our ambitions and our visions are for agriculture. But we need momentum to deliver that. We need to set those targets, to set those objectives, and then move forward together to deliver that. And the momentum you've created in the last few weeks is going to be essential to drive that policy forward through the next few years.
Rwy'n croesawu eich apwyntiad, Gweinidog. Rwy'n croesawu'n fawr y ffordd rydych chi wedi mynd ati ar unwaith. Mae'r cyhoeddiad a wnaethoch chi heddiw, rwy'n credu, yn dangos parodrwydd gwirioneddol i symud ymlaen, ond i wneud hynny drwy drafod â phobl y bydd yn effeithio arnynt. Rwy'n ofni mewn gwirionedd y byddwch chi'n treulio'r rhan fwyaf o'r blynyddoedd nesaf yn amddiffyn amaethyddiaeth Cymru rhag effaith Brexit. Rydym wedi gweld bod Llywodraeth y DU wedi bradychu ffermwyr Cymru gyda'u cytundebau masnach. Rydym hefyd yn gweld y ffordd y mae biwrocratiaeth a rhwystrau yn cael eu gosod i fasnach ar gyfer amaethyddiaeth Cymru. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio, yn y gwaith yr ydych yn bwrw ymlaen ag ef Gweinidog, y byddwch yn sicrhau bod amddiffyn ffermwyr Cymru rhag effaith Brexit wrth wraidd hynny. Ond rwy'n gobeithio hefyd, Gweinidog, na fyddwch yn colli momentwm yn ystod y cyfnod nesaf, oherwydd eich bod wedi dangos parodrwydd i wrando, siarad, trafod, dadlau, i gael y sgwrs ledled Cymru gyfan am beth yw ein huchelgeisiau a'n gweledigaethau ar gyfer amaethyddiaeth. Ond mae angen momentwm arnom i gyflawni hynny. Mae angen i ni osod y targedau hynny, gosod yr amcanion hynny, ac yna symud ymlaen gyda'n gilydd i gyflawni hynny. Ac mae'r momentwm rydych chi wedi'i greu yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf yn mynd i fod yn hanfodol i fwrw ymlaen â'r polisi hwnnw yn ystod y blynyddoedd nesaf.
Alun, thank you very much. I will take that compliment, and particularly from a former agricultural Minister himself, and the time I genuinely enjoyed working with you when I was UK environment Minister and we sat across the table in Brussels and so on—sometimes we're in danger of harking back to those days a bit too much. I can hear the grumbling going on already so I won't.
Your point on lots of momentum is absolutely key. Look, I've only been in post, I think, for four weeks now, or whatever, but I said from the word go that we would listen, we would engage, and then we would get on with it. So, don't let anybody be under any mistake that this, as has sometimes been referred to today mistakenly, is a pause, a delay or whatever. It ain't. It's a part of the process going forward, with farmers, with the wildlife and environmental organisations, with Welsh wider society, with rural groups and organisations who are so concerned about getting this right. There is no loss of momentum. We've set out a timescale that we need to go forward, but the direction of travel is very, very clear, and we will get on with this and we will do it together, Alun. Diolch yn fawr.
Alun, diolch yn fawr iawn. Fe wnaf gymryd y ganmoliaeth honno, ac yn enwedig gan gyn-Weinidog amaethyddol ei hun, a'r amser y gwnes i wir fwynhau gweithio gyda chi pan oeddwn i'n Weinidog amgylchedd y DU ac fe eisteddon ni ar draws y bwrdd ym Mrwsel ac yn y blaen—weithiau rydyn ni mewn perygl gofio’n ôl am y dyddiau hynny ychydig yn ormod. Gallaf glywed yr achwyn yn digwydd yn barod felly wna i ddim.
Mae eich pwynt ar lawer o fomentwm yn gwbl allweddol. Edrychwch, dim ond ers pedair wythnos, neu beth bynnag, yr ydw i wedi bod yn y swydd, rwy'n credu, ond dywedais i o'r cychwyn cyntaf y byddem ni'n gwrando, y byddem ni'n ymgysylltu, ac yna y byddem ni'n bwrw ati. Felly, peidiwch â gadael i unrhyw un fod o dan unrhyw gamsyniad bod hyn, fel y cyfeiriwyd ato weithiau heddiw ar gam, yn saib, oedi neu beth bynnag. Dydy e ddim. Mae'n rhan o'r broses wrth symud ymlaen, gyda ffermwyr, gyda'r sefydliadau bywyd gwyllt ac amgylcheddol, gyda chymdeithas ehangach Cymru, gyda grwpiau a sefydliadau gwledig sydd mor bryderus am gael hyn yn iawn. Nid oes unrhyw golli momentwm. Rydym wedi nodi amserlen y mae ei hangen er mwyn i ni symud ymlaen, ond mae cyfeiriad y teithio yn glir iawn, iawn, a byddwn ni'n bwrw ymlaen â hyn a byddwn ni'n ei wneud gyda'n gilydd, Alun. Diolch yn fawr.
Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement. Can I first start by thanking NFU Cymru, Farmers Union of Wales, the Tenant Farmers Association, common land associations, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, CLA Cymru, the organisers of the Welshpool mart protest and the mart protest in Carmarthen, and the organisers of the protest that took place on the steps of the Senedd? For three years, I've been plugging away with your predecessor, trying to get changes to the sustainable farming scheme, and it is only when the sector woke up and acknowledged that these big changes were coming, and saw the reality of what was being asked of them by the roadshows that were being held, that Welsh Government finally took notice and has brought forward a delay, which I believe is an acknowledgement that, up until this point, Welsh Government has been missing the mark when it's been coming to this sustainable farming scheme policy.
But one thing that I want to touch on, just briefly, in terms of the Habitat Wales scheme is the roll-out of that, riddled with errors, as you mentioned, where farmers weren't able to upload habitat data of their own farm to the system, which sometimes had been undertaken by Farming Connect. That's a breakdown in the data element of farming policy, which needs to be rectified. I've written to you previously about land mapping as well, and the apps available on that. And also around greenwashing and afforestation, of outside agencies buying up Welsh agricultural land, to totally afforest an area for greenwashing, and offsetting their conscience by not changing their business model but planting trees across a large swathe of agricultural land. I think that needs to be addressed, because there are specific cases in my constituency, around Llanboidy, and other areas as well. How can that be addressed through the sustainable farming scheme?
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, am eich datganiad. A gaf i ddechrau drwy ddiolch i NFU Cymru, Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru, Cymdeithas y Ffermwyr Tenant, cymdeithasau tir comin, y Rhwydwaith Ffermio er Lles Natur, CLA Cymru, trefnwyr protest mart y Trallwng a'r brotest ym mart Caerfyrddin, a threfnwyr y brotest a ddigwyddodd ar risiau'r Senedd? Am dair blynedd, rwyf wedi bod yn bwrw ati gyda'ch rhagflaenydd, yn ceisio cael newidiadau i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, a dim ond pan ddeffrodd y sector a chydnabod bod y newidiadau mawr hyn yn dod, ac wedi gweld realiti'r hyn a ofynnwyd iddyn nhw gan y sioeau teithiol a oedd yn cael eu cynnal, y cymerodd Llywodraeth Cymru sylw o'r diwedd ac mae wedi cyflwyno oedi, sydd, yn fy marn i, yn gydnabyddiaeth bod Llywodraeth Cymru, hyd yn hyn, wedi bod yn methu'r nod pan fo'n dod i'r polisi cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy hwn.
Ond un peth yr wyf i eisiau cyffwrdd arno, yn gryno, o ran cynllun Cynefin Cymru yw cyflwyno hwnnw, yn llawn gwallau, fel y sonioch chi, lle nad oedd ffermwyr yn gallu uwchlwytho data cynefin eu fferm eu hunain i'r system, a oedd weithiau'n gorfod cael ei wneud gan Cyswllt Ffermio. Mae hynny'n fethiant yn elfen ddata polisi ffermio, y mae angen ei gywiro. Rwyf wedi ysgrifennu atoch o'r blaen am fapio tir hefyd, a'r apiau sydd ar gael ar hynny. A hefyd ynghylch gwyrddgalchu a choedwigo, am asiantaethau allanol yn prynu tir amaethyddol Cymru, i lwyr goedwigo ardal ar gyfer gwyrddgalchu, a gwrthbwyso eu cydwybod trwy beidio â newid eu model busnes ond plannu coed ar draws ran fawr o dir amaethyddol. Rwy'n credu bod angen mynd i'r afael â hynny, oherwydd mae achosion penodol yn fy etholaeth i, o gwmpas Llanboidy, ac ardaloedd eraill hefyd. Sut y gellir mynd i'r afael â hynny drwy'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy?
Thank you, Sam. Listen, I'd echo the thanks to all those organisations who made submissions to the consultation but who also engaged, including in the run-up to the protest. And I've said previously, I think, in terms of Senedd Cymru, Welsh Parliament, people actually protesting outside we should welcome. It's part of the political engagement. We really should. And then we should listen to what's being said. It's not that we take everything on face value, but we should listen and engage. That's part of being a proper, mature Parliament.
In terms of the consultation, can I just put on record my thanks to Lesley Griffiths and her officials for all the work that they've done? They've taken some brickbats, particularly when the protests were going on and so on, but there was a genuine, meaningful approach to engage. It was a genuine consultation as well. I think that's reflected in my ability to come in now, at this timely juncture, and just reflect on it and think, 'Right, well, how do we take it forward?' It was a genuine consultation. But the points you make on HWS and the data and the mapping are well made. We do need to get this right going forward, and that will be of help not only to the sustainable farming scheme itself, but actually to wider land management in Wales going forward for many years to come. We haven't got it right. The HWS, curiously, as I mentioned earlier on—the take-up has been greater than expected, which is really good. But what it means now is that we can use some of the things that have come forward to go back to farmers and say, 'Right, what's wrong here?', as well as the other mapping that we have. So, there's work to be done on that.
And finally, your point on greenwashing—you are so right. One of the areas that we are interested in, beyond SFS, is whether we can look at a real scheme with integrity, with real ethical integrity within it, that could lever funds that are beyond the taxpayer funds into enabling farmers to do more, and it could be within biodiversity schemes, landscape management schemes, it could be within tree planting, but not on productive land, yes, but, of course, farmers make commercial decisions as well, they do. But we’ve got to make sure that what is being done in Wales is to the benefit of those land managers, landowners and local communities in Wales. That’s it. So, we need to think collectively about how we can bring forward something that does that, because there is scope. We’re talking about a scheme that is predicated upon, if you like, public funds going into developing the support and the sort of farming we want to see in future, and the sort of food production and the wider benefits. Beyond that, there could well be a quantum of funding out there that if we design something correctly, that could be quite interesting, and there could be more that we could do. There could be more we can do in biodiversity and environmental gain et cetera, et cetera, but getting that right, not having greenwashing, not selling it to outside bodies. So, there's a piece of work to be done.
Diolch yn fawr, Sam. Gwrandewch, byddwn i'n adleisio'r diolch i'r holl sefydliadau hynny a wnaeth gyflwyniadau i'r ymgynghoriad ond a gymerodd ran hefyd, gan gynnwys yn y cyfnod cyn y brotest. Ac rwyf wedi dweud o'r blaen, rwy'n credu, o ran Senedd Cymru, y dylai pobl sy'n protestio y tu allan gael eu croesawu. Mae'n rhan o'r ymgysylltiad gwleidyddol. Dylem ni mewn gwirionedd. Yna dylem ni wrando ar yr hyn sy'n cael ei ddweud. Nid ein bod yn cymryd popeth yn arwynebol, ond dylem wrando ac ymgysylltu. Mae hynny'n rhan o fod yn Senedd briodol, aeddfed.
O ran yr ymgynghoriad, a gaf i gofnodi fy niolch i Lesley Griffiths a'i swyddogion am yr holl waith maen nhw wedi'i wneud? Maen rhai pethau wedi eu hanelu atyn nhw, yn enwedig pan oedd y protestiadau'n digwydd ac yn y blaen, ond roedd dull dilys, ystyrlon o ymgysylltu. Roedd hefyd yn ymgynghoriad gwirioneddol. Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n cael ei adlewyrchu yn fy ngallu i ddod i mewn nawr, ar y pwynt amserol hwn, a dim ond myfyrio arno a meddwl, 'Iawn, wel, sut ydym ni'n bwrw ymlaen ag ef?' Roedd yn ymgynghoriad gwirioneddol. Ond mae'r pwyntiau rydych chi'n eu gwneud ar gynllun Cynefin Cymru a'r data a'r mapio wedi'u gwneud yn dda. Mae angen i ni gael hyn yn iawn wrth fwrw ymlaen, a bydd hynny o gymorth nid yn unig i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy ei hun, ond mewn gwirionedd i reoli tir ehangach yng Nghymru wrth fwrw ymlaen am flynyddoedd lawer i ddod. Nid ydym wedi ei gael yn iawn. Mae cynllun Cynefin Cymru, yn rhyfedd, fel y soniais i yn gynharach—mae'r nifer sy'n manteisio arno wedi bod yn fwy na'r disgwyl, sy'n dda iawn. Ond yr hyn mae'n ei olygu nawr yw y gallwn ni ddefnyddio rhai o'r pethau sydd eu cyflwyno i fynd yn ôl at ffermwyr a dweud, 'Iawn, beth sydd o'i le yma?', yn ogystal â'r mapio arall sydd gennym ni. Felly, mae yna waith i'w wneud ar hynny.
Ac yn olaf, eich pwynt ar wyrddgalchu—rydych chi mor iawn. Un o'r meysydd y mae gennym ddiddordeb ynddo, y tu hwnt i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, yw a allwn ni edrych ar gynllun go iawn gydag uniondeb, gyda gonestrwydd moesegol go iawn ynddo, a allai ysgogi arian sydd y tu hwnt i arian y trethdalwr i alluogi ffermwyr i wneud mwy, a gallai fod o fewn cynlluniau bioamrywiaeth, cynlluniau rheoli tirwedd, gallai fod ym maes plannu coed, ond nid ar dir cynhyrchiol, ie, ond, wrth gwrs, mae ffermwyr yn gwneud penderfyniadau masnachol hefyd, maen nhw. Ond mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau bod yr hyn sy'n cael ei wneud yng Nghymru er budd y rheolwyr tir, tirfeddianwyr a'r cymunedau lleol hynny yng Nghymru. Dyna fe. Felly, mae angen i ni feddwl gyda'n gilydd am sut y gallwn ni gyflwyno rhywbeth sy'n gwneud hynny, oherwydd mae cwmpas. Rydym yn sôn am gynllun sy'n seiliedig ar, os mynnwch chi, arian cyhoeddus yn mynd i ddatblygu'r gefnogaeth a'r math o ffermio rydym am ei weld yn y dyfodol, a'r math o gynhyrchu bwyd a'r manteision ehangach. Y tu hwnt i hynny, mae'n ddigon posibl y bydd cwantwm o gyllid ar gael, pe byddem yn dylunio rhywbeth yn gywir, gallai hynny fod yn eithaf diddorol, a gallai fod mwy y gallem ni ei wneud. Efallai y bydd mwy y gallwn ni ei wneud mewn bioamrywiaeth a budd amgylcheddol ac ati, ac ati, ond cael hynny'n iawn, peidio â bod â gwyrddgalchu, peidio a'i werthu i gyrff allanol. Felly, mae yna ddarn o waith i'w wneud.
Thank you for statement today, Cabinet Secretary. Back in early March, I addressed a packed-out meeting of local farmers in Penderyn who wanted to share with me their hopes and their fears regarding the proposed sustainable farming scheme. The overall message from them was that Welsh Government needed to pause and reflect in order to get this new scheme right for farmers and right for Wales. I’ve already been in touch with some of them this morning and they all very much welcomed the news that you are indeed pausing and reflecting on this crucial scheme.
So, I have two questions for you today. Firstly, how are you ensuring that your ministerial round-table captures views from the diverse strands of our farming communities? I’m thinking, for example, of common land farmers, tenant farmers and non-unionised farmers too. And, secondly, I note your reference to developing proposals for further optional and collaborative actions. Now, farmers that I’ve talked to would really welcome this. And as part of this work, Cabinet Secretary, would you consider some of the approaches used under previous schemes such as Tir Gofal and Glastir, which many farmers believe worked well for them?
Diolch am ddatganiad heddiw, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Yn ôl ar ddechrau mis Mawrth, fe wnes i annerch cyfarfod llawn o ffermwyr lleol ym Mhenderyn a oedd am rannu eu gobeithion a'u hofnau gyda mi ynghylch y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy arfaethedig. Y neges gyffredinol ganddyn nhw oedd bod angen i Lywodraeth Cymru oedi a myfyrio er mwyn cael y cynllun newydd hwn yn iawn i ffermwyr ac yn iawn i Gymru. Rwyf eisoes wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â rhai ohonyn nhw y bore yma ac roedden nhw i gyd yn croesawu'r newyddion eich bod yn wir yn oedi ac yn myfyrio ar y cynllun hanfodol hwn.
Mae gen i ddau gwestiwn i chi heddiw. Yn gyntaf, sut ydych chi'n sicrhau bod eich bord gron gweinidogol yn cyfleu safbwyntiau o feysydd amrywiol ein cymunedau ffermio? Rwy'n meddwl, er enghraifft, am ffermwyr tir comin, ffermwyr tenant a ffermwyr nad ydynt mewn undeb hefyd. Ac, yn ail, nodaf eich cyfeiriad at ddatblygu cynigion ar gyfer camau dewisol a chydweithredol pellach. Nawr, byddai ffermwyr yr wyf i wedi siarad â nhw wir yn croesawu hyn. Ac fel rhan o'r gwaith hwn, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, a fyddech chi'n ystyried rhai o'r dulliau a ddefnyddiwyd o dan gynlluniau blaenorol fel Tir Gofal a Glastir, y mae llawer o ffermwyr yn credu oedd yn gweithio'n dda iddyn nhw?
Thank you, Vikki, and thank you for those suggestions as well. We will certainly consider, going forward, how we get that balance right with the optional collaborative, and where we can learn from previous schemes. And we will certainly make sure that in the membership of the ministerial round-table, going forward, that the interests of those who are tenant farmers but also those who farm common land—sometimes there’s an overlap with those two as well there, in your own constituency, similar to mine. We’ll make sure that there is representation on that as well. We do need to make sure that the membership of that is fully reflective of the farming community and its diversity, but also of those wildlife and environmental groups as well, because I think key to holding this together is getting everybody in the same room and saying, ‘Let’s get to see where we agree and let’s see where we need to do further work', and that’s what this is all about today.
Diolch yn fawr, Vikki, a diolch am yr awgrymiadau hynny hefyd. Byddwn ni yn sicr yn ystyried, wrth fwrw ymlaen, sut y cawn y cydbwysedd hwnnw'n iawn gyda'r cydweithrediad dewisol, a lle gallwn ddysgu o gynlluniau blaenorol. A byddwn yn sicr yn sicrhau, yn aelodaeth y ford gron gweinidogol, wrth symud ymlaen, fod buddiannau'r rhai sy'n ffermwyr tenant ond hefyd y rhai sy'n ffermio tir comin—weithiau mae gorgyffwrdd gyda'r ddau hynny hefyd yn y fan yna, yn eich etholaeth eich hun, yn debyg i fy un i. Byddwn hefyd yn sicrhau bod cynrychiolaeth ar honno hefyd. Mae angen i ni sicrhau bod aelodaeth honno yn adlewyrchu'r gymuned ffermio a'i hamrywiaeth yn llawn, ond hefyd y grwpiau bywyd gwyllt ac amgylcheddol hynny hefyd, oherwydd rwy'n credu mai'r allwedd i ddal hyn at ei gilydd yw cael pawb yn yr un ystafell a dweud, 'Gadewch i ni weld ble rydym yn cytuno a gadewch i ni weld ble mae angen i ni wneud rhagor o waith', a dyna beth mae hyn i gyd amdano heddiw.
Finally, Laura Anne Jones.
Yn olaf, Laura Anne Jones.
Diolch. Thank you for your statement, Cabinet Secretary. It certainly is encouraging, and I want to believe what you say, and I really hope that I can when more detail comes forward in future months. You’ve released this today on World Farmers Day, so I just want to reiterate the importance of the farmers, and that it takes enormous dedication, passion and hard work to be a farmer. Not only that you have to be master of all trades, not just one, being a farmer is something that’s often underestimated, unless you see it first-hand like I did, growing up and having a father that I hardly saw unless I spent time on the farm myself.
But they are masters; I didn’t appreciate until I was older the variety of skills that they have, and those include, of course, getting the best out of the land, preserving hedgerows, planting trees. And it’s nothing new. Farmers have the knowledge, the expertise, and they now have to be an integral part of getting this SFS right. And I want to seek assurances from you today, Minister, that you will involve farmers and that there will be a degree of common sense now, and reality attached and decisions being made, and that when it comes to cross-border issues, you will work with the UK Government to iron those out, and that if we look towards the longer term goal, which is a fantastic goal of improving soil health, then those farmers will be subsidised if they are going to lose money from having fewer crops or something to do so, which can happen.
So, I just want to reiterate the importance of getting this SFS right for the whole of the agricultural community; economically, socially, environmentally it’s so important. And I thank you, and I welcome your statement today. We have great hopes for you, Minister. Please don’t let us down. [Laughter.]
Diolch. Diolch am eich datganiad, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Mae'n sicr yn galonogol, ac rwyf eisiau credu'r hyn rydych chi'n ei ddweud, ac rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y gallaf pan ddaw mwy o fanylion i'r amlwg yn ystod y misoedd i ddod. Rydych chi wedi rhyddhau hyn heddiw ar Ddiwrnod Ffermwyr y Byd, felly rydw i eisiau ailadrodd pwysigrwydd y ffermwyr, a'i bod yn cymryd ymroddiad, angerdd a gwaith caled enfawr i fod yn ffermwr. Nid yn unig bod yn rhaid i chi fod yn feistr ar bob crefft, nid dim ond un, mae bod yn ffermwr yn rhywbeth sy'n cael ei danbrisio'n aml, oni bai eich bod chi'n ei weld yn uniongyrchol fel y gwnes i, yn tyfu i fyny a bod â thad yr oeddwn prin yn ei weld oni bai fy mod yn treulio amser ar y fferm fy hun.
Ond maent yn feistri; doeddwn i ddim yn gwerthfawrogi nes fy mod i'n hŷn yr amrywiaeth o sgiliau sydd ganddyn nhw, ac mae'r rheiny'n cynnwys, wrth gwrs, cael y gorau o'r tir, gwarchod gwrychoedd, plannu coed. Nid yw'n ddim byd newydd. Mae gan ffermwyr y wybodaeth, yr arbenigedd, ac mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw bellach fod yn rhan annatod o gael y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy yn iawn. Ac rwyf am ofyn am sicrwydd gennych chi heddiw, Gweinidog, y byddwch yn cynnwys ffermwyr ac y bydd rhywfaint o synnwyr cyffredin nawr, a realiti ynghlwm a phenderfyniadau sy'n cael eu gwneud, a phan ddaw i faterion trawsffiniol, y byddwch yn gweithio gyda Llywodraeth y DU i ddatrys y rheini, ac os edrychwn ni tuag at y nod tymor hirach, sy'n nod gwych o wella iechyd pridd, yna bydd y ffermwyr hynny'n cael cymhorthdal os byddan nhw'n colli arian o gael llai o gnydau neu rywbeth i wneud hynny, a all ddigwydd.
Felly, rwyf am ailadrodd pwysigrwydd cael y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy hwn yn iawn ar gyfer y gymuned amaethyddol gyfan; yn economaidd, yn gymdeithasol, yn amgylcheddol mae mor bwysig. Diolch yn fawr, ac rwy'n croesawu eich datganiad heddiw. Mae gennym obeithion mawr ar eich cyfer, Gweinidog. Peidiwch â'n gadael ni i lawr. [Chwerthin.]
Okay, no pressure. [Laughter.] Look, I can give you that genuine assurance that the work in some ways only starts today, because, now, this is really the business end of delivering an SFS that is not only coherent and comprehensive, and sets an approach now for a generation, going forward, but also brings everybody with us. There's a job of work to be done with that.
It's interesting that the First Minister has now joined us, and you've touched on your knowledge and background within farming. The First Minister himself also has referred to his background as well. I've got family within farming on my wife's side as well, and very different types of farming, both in Italy and in Wales, and dairy production. My own constituency, similar to Vikki—we often say, Vikki and I, we evangelise about the fact that when you look up to the hills, round about four tenths of our constituencies are upland hill farming, much of it common land, some of it tenanted, but multigenerational farmers as well. Coming off Sealands farm this morning, seeing the work they're doing, which almost looks to the future—they're actually quite well ahead in many areas—you think of all the good work that is going on and we need to make that, then, commonplace through the way that we design this scheme.
Just finally, on your matter on cross-border issues, I genuinely do—you wouldn't be surprised for me to say this as a former UK parliamentarian. I want to make sure that we do work well across borders on farming, but also on a range of issues as well. But I want that to be reciprocal, whether that is to do with actually having our input from other Cabinet Secretaries on trade deals and the implications for our farmers, financial settlements around the quantum of funds we will get going into farming and other matters as well, and also how we can share practice. I think all of those argue for a good, pragmatic, grown-up approach to actually working across, with other devolved nations as well as with the UK Government. Thank you very much.
Iawn, dim pwysau. [Chwerthin.] Edrychwch, gallaf roi'r sicrwydd gwirioneddol hwnnw i chi mai dim ond heddiw y mae'r gwaith yn dechrau mewn rhai ffyrdd, oherwydd, nawr, dyma'r rhan weithredol o gyflawni cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy sydd nid yn unig yn gydlynol ac yn gynhwysfawr, ac sy'n gosod dull nawr ar gyfer cenhedlaeth, wrth fwrw ymlaen, ond sydd hefyd yn dod â phawb gyda ni. Mae gwaith i'w wneud o ran hynny.
Mae'n ddiddorol bod y Prif Weinidog bellach wedi ymuno â ni, ac rydych wedi cyffwrdd ar eich gwybodaeth a'ch cefndir o fewn ffermio. Mae'r Prif Weinidog ei hun hefyd wedi cyfeirio at ei gefndir hefyd. Mae gen i deulu ym maes ffermio ar ochr fy ngwraig hefyd, a mathau gwahanol iawn o ffermio, yn yr Eidal ac yng Nghymru, a chynhyrchu llaeth. Yn fy etholaeth i, yn debyg i Vikki—rydyn ni'n aml yn dweud, Vikki a minnau, rydyn ni'n efengylu am y ffaith pan edrychwch chi i fyny at y bryniau, mae tua phedair rhan o ddeg o'n hetholaethau yn ffermio mynydd yr ucheldir, llawer ohono'n dir comin, peth ohono yn denantiaid, ond ffermwyr aml-genhedlaeth hefyd. Yn dod oddi ar fferm Sealands y bore yma, yn gweld y gwaith maen nhw'n ei wneud, sydd bron yn edrych i'r dyfodol—maen nhw ar y blaen mewn sawl maes—rydych chi'n meddwl am yr holl waith da sy'n digwydd ac mae angen i ni wneud hynny, wedyn, yn gyffredin trwy'r ffordd rydyn ni'n dylunio'r cynllun hwn.
Yn olaf, ar eich sylw ar faterion trawsffiniol, rwyf wir eisiau—fyddech chi ddim yn synnu imi ddweud hyn fel cyn-seneddwr y DU. Rwyf eisiau sicrhau ein bod yn gweithio'n dda ar draws ffiniau ar ffermio, ond hefyd ar ystod o faterion yn ogystal. Ond rwyf am i hynny fod y ddwy ffordd, p'un a yw hynny'n ymwneud â chael ein mewnbwn ni gan Ysgrifenyddion Cabinet eraill ar gytundebau masnach a'r goblygiadau i'n ffermwyr, setliadau ariannol ynghylch y cwantwm o arian y byddwn yn ei gael yn mynd i ffermio a materion eraill hefyd, a hefyd sut y gallwn rannu arferion. Rwy'n credu bod pob un o'r rheini'n dadlau dros ddull da, pragmatig, aeddfed o weithio ar draws gwledydd mewn gwirionedd, gyda gwledydd datganoledig eraill yn ogystal â gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
I thank the Cabinet Secretary.
Eitem 5 sydd nesaf, datganiad gan y Gweinidog Iechyd Meddwl a’r Blynyddoedd Cynnar ar wella iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru. Y Gweinidog, felly, Jayne Bryant.
Item 5 is next, the statement by the Minister for Mental Health and Early Years on improving mental health in Wales. The Minister, Jayne Bryant.
Diolch, Llywydd. I’m really pleased that my first ministerial statement is about improving mental health in Wales as we mark Mental Health Awareness Week. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Movement: moving more for our mental health’. This week highlights the connection between the positive benefits physical activity can have on our mental health. Too often, we only talk about the impact it can have on our physical health, but we know that being active, moving, in whatever way we're able to, is really important to support our mental health and well-being.
When we talk about physical activity, many of us will conjure up images of lifting weights in gyms, running marathons or organised team sports. But while it can be all of those things, physical activity is also about working with your own body to incorporate movement into our daily routines. The Chief Medical Officer for Wales recommends that working-age adults do around 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous, exercise a week. There are different recommendations for other age groups and for disabled people. But the message is clear: whatever you are able to do, benefits are achieved at levels below or above those guidelines. Doing something every day has a positive impact on our physical and mental health. It could be about taking the stairs instead of the lift, doing the parkrun, going for a walk in your local community or doing some yoga.
Our 'Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales' strategy acknowledges this link between physical movement and mental well-being and supports it through a range of interventions. Our 60-plus active leisure scheme, supported by £500,000 of Welsh Government funding, helps to increase physical activity levels, confidence, strength and balance, as well as providing opportunities to increase interactions and reduce social isolation, which we know is a risk factor for poorer mental health and well-being.
We have also invested in supporting the Football Association of Wales and the English Football League Trust in rolling out the Fit Fans programme to football clubs across Wales. With programmes up and running in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham, and projects in Aberystwyth and Newtown in the pipeline, early assessments show positive results. The schemes are not just supporting increased physical activity and weight loss, but also improvements in mental well-being. I look forward to receiving the fuller evaluation in due course.
Diolch, Llywydd. Rwy'n falch iawn bod fy natganiad gweinidogol cyntaf yn ymwneud â gwella iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru wrth i ni nodi Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl. Thema'r digwyddiad eleni yw 'Symud: symud mwy ar gyfer ein hiechyd meddwl'. Mae'r wythnos hon yn amlygu'r cysylltiad rhwng y manteision cadarnhaol y gall gweithgarwch corfforol eu cael ar ein hiechyd meddwl. Yn rhy aml, Rydym ond yn siarad am yr effaith y gall ei chael ar ein hiechyd corfforol, ond gwyddom fod bod yn egnïol, symud, ym mha bynnag ffordd y gallwn, yn bwysig iawn i gefnogi ein hiechyd meddwl a'n llesiant.
Pan fyddwn yn siarad am weithgarwch corfforol, bydd llawer ohonom yn creu delweddau o godi pwysau mewn campfeydd, rhedeg marathonau neu chwaraeon tîm wedi'u trefnu. Ond er y gall fod yr holl bethau hynny, mae gweithgarwch corfforol hefyd yn ymwneud â gweithio gyda'ch corff eich hun i ymgorffori symudiad yn ein harferion beunyddiol. Mae Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru yn argymell bod oedolion o oedran gweithio yn gwneud tua 150 munud o ymarfer corff cymedrol, neu 75 munud o ymarfer corff egnïol yr wythnos. Mae yna wahanol argymhellion ar gyfer grwpiau oedran eraill ac ar gyfer pobl anabl. Ond mae'r neges yn glir: beth bynnag y gallwch ei wneud, mae buddion yn cael eu cyflawni ar lefelau is neu uwch na'r canllawiau hynny. Mae gwneud rhywbeth bob dydd yn cael effaith gadarnhaol ar ein hiechyd corfforol a meddyliol. Gallai fod yn ymwneud â defnyddio'r grisiau yn lle'r lifft, gwneud 'parkrun', mynd am dro yn eich cymuned leol neu wneud rhywfaint o ioga.
Mae ein strategaeth 'Pwysau Iach: Cymru Iach' yn cydnabod y cysylltiad hwn rhwng symudiad corfforol a llesiant meddyliol ac yn ei gefnogi drwy ystod o ymyraethau. Mae ein cynllun hamdden egnïol 60+, gyda chefnogaeth £500,000 o gyllid Llywodraeth Cymru, yn helpu i gynyddu lefelau gweithgarwch corfforol, hyder, cryfder a chydbwysedd, yn ogystal â darparu cyfleoedd i gynyddu rhyngweithio a lleihau unigedd cymdeithasol, y gwyddom ei fod yn ffactor risg o ran gwaethygu iechyd meddwl a llesiant.
Rydym hefyd wedi buddsoddi er mwyn cefnogi Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru ac Ymddiriedolaeth Cynghrair Pêl-droed Lloegr i gyflwyno'r rhaglen Cefnogwyr Ffit i glybiau pêl-droed ledled Cymru. Gyda rhaglenni ar waith yng Nghaerdydd, Abertawe, Casnewydd a Wrecsam, a phrosiectau yn Aberystwyth a'r Drenewydd ar y gweill, mae asesiadau cynnar yn dangos canlyniadau cadarnhaol. Nid dim ond cefnogi mwy o weithgarwch corfforol a cholli pwysau yw'r cynlluniau, ond hefyd gwelliannau mewn llesiant meddyliol. Edrychaf ymlaen at dderbyn y gwerthusiad llawnach maes o law.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair.
We're currently consulting on our new mental health and well-being strategy, which sets out our vision for the next 10 years. Now, I want to pay tribute to the huge amount of work my predecessor, Lynne Neagle, has done in this portfolio, particularly in developing the new mental health and suicide prevention strategies and rolling out the '111 press 2' service. The new mental health strategy has a real focus on prevention, to protect and improve our mental health and well-being. This includes by being more physically active. It also highlights the interconnection between the range of things that we can do to protect our mental health. For instance, joining a local walking group to be more active also helps us feel part of a community, to connect with people and engage with nature. Such interconnectedness demonstrates that improving mental health must be a cross-Government approach to ensure that people have the knowledge, understanding and opportunity to empower them to take action. I am committed to continuing to drive this approach across Welsh Government
Another priority for me is to change how we talk about and understand our mental health. Mental health has become a term that is used to describe a wide range of issues and circumstances and is often linked to NHS services, but many people don’t need specialist mental health support, and there is a range of easy-to-access services where you can get additional support, without the need for a referral from a healthcare professional. Every health board website has links to resources that can provide help and support.
Mental Health Awareness Week is a good opportunity for us to reflect on what we can do change the narrative around mental health. I am, of course, committed to ensuring that mental health services are accessible to all those who need this support and to reducing waiting times. I think it’s vital that we take a preventative approach and we work across services to support the wide range of issues that can impact our mental health and well-being. We all have a role to play in improving mental health and well-being. Moving more this Mental Health Awareness Week and encouraging others to do the same is a good place to start. Diolch.
Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn ymgynghori ar ein strategaeth newydd ar gyfer iechyd meddwl a llesiant, sy'n nodi ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer y 10 mlynedd nesaf. Nawr, rwyf am dalu teyrnged i'r gwaith enfawr y mae fy rhagflaenydd, Lynne Neagle, wedi'i wneud yn y portffolio hwn, yn enwedig wrth ddatblygu'r strategaethau iechyd meddwl ac atal hunanladdiad newydd a chyflwyno'r gwasanaeth '111 Pwyso 2'. Mae'r strategaeth iechyd meddwl newydd yn canolbwyntio'n wirioneddol ar atal, i amddiffyn a gwella ein hiechyd meddwl a'n llesiant. Mae hyn yn cynnwys bod yn fwy egnïol yn gorfforol. Mae hefyd yn tynnu sylw at y cydgysylltiad rhwng yr ystod o bethau y gallwn eu gwneud i ddiogelu ein hiechyd meddwl. Er enghraifft, mae ymuno â grŵp cerdded lleol i fod yn fwy egnïol hefyd yn ein helpu i deimlo'n rhan o gymuned, i gysylltu â phobl ac ymgysylltu â natur. Mae cydgysylltiad o'r fath yn dangos bod yn rhaid i wella iechyd meddwl fod yn ddull trawslywodraethol i sicrhau bod gan bobl yr wybodaeth, y ddealltwriaeth a'r cyfle i'w grymuso i weithredu. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo i barhau i ysgogi'r dull hwn ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru.
Blaenoriaeth arall i mi yw newid sut rydym yn siarad am ein hiechyd meddwl ac yn ei ddeall. Mae iechyd meddwl wedi dod yn derm a ddefnyddir i ddisgrifio ystod eang o faterion ac amgylchiadau ac mae'n aml yn gysylltiedig â gwasanaethau'r GIG, ond nid oes angen cymorth iechyd meddwl arbenigol ar lawer o bobl, ac mae amrywiaeth o wasanaethau hawdd eu cyrchu lle gallwch gael cymorth ychwanegol, heb yr angen am atgyfeiriad gan weithiwr gofal iechyd proffesiynol. Mae gan bob gwefan bwrdd iechyd ddolenni i adnoddau a all ddarparu cymorth a chefnogaeth.
Mae Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl yn gyfle da i ni fyfyrio ar yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud i newid y naratif ynghylch iechyd meddwl. Wrth gwrs, rwyf wedi ymrwymo i sicrhau bod gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn hygyrch i bawb sydd angen y cymorth hwn ac i leihau amseroedd aros. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn hanfodol ein bod yn cymryd ymagwedd ataliol ac rydym yn gweithio ar draws gwasanaethau i gefnogi'r ystod eang o faterion a all effeithio ar ein hiechyd meddwl a'n llesiant. Mae gan bob un ohonom ran i'w chwarae wrth wella iechyd meddwl a llesiant. Mae symud mwy yn ystod yr Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl hon ac annog eraill i wneud yr un peth yn lle da i ddechrau. Diolch.
Thank you very much for your statement this afternoon, Minister. I welcome you to your new role. I hope that you're getting to grips with the portfolio, because, certainly from the shadow side of things, it's been quite a challenge taking on some new responsibilities. I'd just like to thank my predecessor as well, James Evans, for the commitment and passion that he shared on this subject and I hope I can do it some justice from my end of the bargain as well. But thanks again for your statement this afternoon.
We're speaking on this issue during Mental Health Awareness Week, so it's important that, whilst addressing the challenges in mental health treatment in Wales, we also recognise our responsibility to raise awareness, remove the social stigma regarding poor mental health and recognise that it touches everyone's life, in one way or another, with one in four of us experiencing a mental health problem every year.
There are logistical challenges that I would like to address, but also areas that mental health strategies can better address. On the logistical challenges, waiting times for children's mental health support are disgraceful. A freedom of information request that we submitted revealed that children in Wales are waiting almost two years for mental health treatment; a wait of this time means that the problems that these children are presenting with will significantly become more complex and difficult to address if not dealt with in a timely fashion. In the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, someone waited a year and two months to be seen for the first time and, in Swansea Bay University Health Board, someone waited 59 weeks for their first appointment. We shouldn't be shy about the fact that this can sometimes be the difference between life and death, and some of these young people are very vulnerable. Mind Cymru have also described these figures as very concerning. Although, overall, those on a patient pathway waiting longer than four weeks for their first child and adolescent mental health services appointment has been reducing, which is welcome news, the shocking outlier cases are a concern. And not just the outliers, but follow-up appointments are a critical issue to be addressed.
There also should be some recognition of certain groups in society that are more prone to mental health challenges than others, such as those from ethnic minority communities, the elderly, the young, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and those living in poverty. Men are also disproportionately affected by suicide, with three quarters, or 75 per cent, of all suicides being men.
The unique mental health difficulties that many farmers and members of rural communities have been raised in the Senedd before by my colleague James Evans and other Members also. So, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy. Care must sometimes be tailored to the needs of certain demographics, and this is something that the mental health strategy currently fails to do.
Child mental health services need the most attention, not just with the disgraceful waiting times that I have laid out, but also the Welsh Government's strategy. There has been a failure to address the so-called missing middle, with a huge gulf of children in this category who do not meet the threshold for medical diagnosis or a CAMHS referral, but for whom social prescribing or community therapy is a more appropriate remedy. Many mental health experts have also highlighted that, when the appropriate treatment for children in the missing middle is provided, it will often prevent these children from developing from more complex issues and becoming a CAMHS case. Also, many experts draw attention to how children's mental health treatment will be cut off at the age of 18, with resources suddenly withdrawn without consideration of the fact that they are still a vulnerable young person with a developing brain, and in need of continued support.
There are also gross failings in the Swansea Bay University Health Board, which apologised after a patient absconded from a secure unit and went on to fatally attack their father in the family home—negligence with devastating consequences. Healthcare Inspectorate Wales has consistently found and said that care and treatment plans, or CTPs, are of poor quality, are not being co-produced, and are not being completed in accordance with primary legislation.
The proposed new mental health strategy does not do enough to identify or detail what actions need to be taken, and we need to see some new ideas from the Welsh Government. We hear today what they are going to do to improve waiting times for children's mental health treatment, but we need to hear how the Welsh Government plans to address the missing middle—a large number of children who have, sadly, slipped through the net.
We would like to see an independent review into all the tragic deaths of mental health patients, and to see the Minister address the recommendations of the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales report. In light of the current challenges that the Welsh Government is facing with all of these issues, I think that it would be appropriate to hear some contrition for the 8.8 per cent cut to the Welsh Government's mental health budget, which was a terrible decision at the worst possible time. I look forward to hearing your response. Thank you very much.
Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich datganiad y prynhawn yma, Gweinidog. Rwy'n eich croesawu i'ch swydd newydd. Rwy'n gobeithio eich bod yn mynd i'r afael â'r portffolio, oherwydd, yn sicr o safbwynt yr wrthblaid, mae wedi bod yn dipyn o her ymgymryd â rhai cyfrifoldebau newydd. Hoffwn ddiolch i fy rhagflaenydd hefyd, James Evans, am yr ymrwymiad a'r angerdd a rannodd ar y pwnc hwn a gobeithio o'm safbwynt i y gallaf wneud rhywfaint o gyfiawnder â'r pwnc. Diolch unwaith eto am eich datganiad y prynhawn yma.
Rydym yn siarad ar y mater hwn yn ystod Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl, felly mae'n bwysig, wrth fynd i'r afael â'r heriau mewn triniaeth iechyd meddwl yng Nghymru, ein bod hefyd yn cydnabod ein cyfrifoldeb i godi ymwybyddiaeth, dileu'r stigma cymdeithasol ynghylch iechyd meddwl gwael a chydnabod ei fod yn cyffwrdd â bywyd pawb, mewn rhyw ffordd neu'i gilydd, gydag un o bob pedwar ohonom yn profi problem iechyd meddwl bob blwyddyn.
Mae heriau logistaidd yr hoffwn fynd i'r afael â nhw, ond hefyd meysydd y gall strategaethau iechyd meddwl fynd i'r afael â nhw'n well. O ran yr heriau logistaidd, mae amseroedd aros ar gyfer cymorth iechyd meddwl plant yn warthus. Dangosodd cais rhyddid gwybodaeth a gyflwynwyd gennym fod plant yng Nghymru yn aros bron i ddwy flynedd am driniaeth iechyd meddwl; mae aros am yr amser hwn yn golygu y bydd y problemau sydd gan y plant hyn yn dod yn fwy cymhleth a bydd yn anodd iawn mynd i'r afael â nhw os nad ymdrinnir â nhw mewn modd amserol. Ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a'r Fro, arhosodd rhywun am flwyddyn a deufis i gael ei weld am y tro cyntaf ac, ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bae Abertawe, fe arhosodd rhywun 59 wythnos am ei apwyntiad cyntaf. Ni ddylem fod yn swil ynghylch y ffaith y gall hyn fod y gwahaniaeth rhwng bywyd a marwolaeth weithiau, ac mae rhai o'r bobl ifanc hyn yn agored iawn i niwed. Mae Mind Cymru hefyd wedi disgrifio'r ffigurau hyn fel rhai pryderus iawn. Er, ar y cyfan, mae'r rhai ar lwybr cleifion sy'n aros mwy na phedair wythnos am eu hapwyntiaid gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl cyntaf i blant a phobl ifanc wedi bod yn lleihau, sy'n newyddion i'w groesawu, mae'r achosion gwarthus yn peri pryder. Ac nid yr allgleifion yn unig, mae apwyntiadau dilynol yn fater hanfodol sydd angen ei ddatrys.
Dylai fod rhywfaint o gydnabyddiaeth hefyd o rai grwpiau mewn cymdeithas sy'n fwy tueddol o wynebu heriau iechyd meddwl nag eraill, megis y rhai o gymunedau lleiafrifoedd ethnig, yr henoed, yr ifanc, LHDTC+, niwroamrywiol a'r rhai sy'n byw mewn tlodi. Mae hunanladdiad yn effeithio'n anghymesur ar ddynion hefyd, gyda thri chwarter neu 75 y cant o'r holl hunanladdiadau yn rhai dynion.
Hefyd yr anawsterau iechyd meddwl unigryw y mae llawer o ffermwyr ac aelodau o gymunedau gwledig a godwyd yn y Senedd o'r blaen gan fy nghyd-Aelod James Evans ac Aelodau eraill hefyd. Felly, nid oes strategaeth un ateb sy'n addas i bawb. Rhaid i ofal gael ei deilwra weithiau i anghenion demograffeg penodol, ac mae hyn yn rhywbeth nad yw'r strategaeth iechyd meddwl yn ei wneud ar hyn o bryd.
Gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl plant sydd angen y sylw mwyaf, nid yn unig gyda'r amseroedd aros gwarthus a nodais, ond hefyd strategaeth Llywodraeth Cymru. Bu methiant i fynd i'r afael â'r canol coll bondigrybwyll, gyda nifer enfawr o blant yn y categori hwn nad ydynt yn bodloni'r trothwy ar gyfer diagnosis meddygol neu atgyfeiriad CAMHS, ond y mae rhagnodi cymdeithasol neu therapi cymunedol yn feddyginiaeth fwy priodol ar eu cyfer. Mae llawer o arbenigwyr iechyd meddwl hefyd wedi tynnu sylw at y ffaith, pan ddarperir y driniaeth briodol ar gyfer plant yn y canol coll, y bydd yn aml yn atal y plant hyn rhag datblygu problemau mwy cymhleth a dod yn achos CAMHS. Hefyd, mae llawer o arbenigwyr yn tynnu sylw at sut y bydd triniaeth iechyd meddwl plant yn dod i ben yn 18 oed, gydag adnoddau'n cael eu tynnu'n ôl yn sydyn heb ystyried y ffaith eu bod yn dal i fod yn bersonau ifanc agored i niwed gydag ymennydd sy'n datblygu, ac angen cefnogaeth barhaus.
Mae methiannau dybryd hefyd ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Bae Abertawe, a ymddiheurodd ar ôl i glaf ddianc o uned ddiogel ac a aeth ymlaen i ymosod yn angheuol ar ei dad yng nghartref y teulu—esgeulustod gyda chanlyniadau dinistriol. Mae Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru wedi canfod yn gyson a dweud bod cynlluniau gofal a thriniaeth o ansawdd gwael, nad ydynt yn cael eu cydgynhyrchu, ac nad ydynt yn cael eu cwblhau yn unol â deddfwriaeth sylfaenol.
Nid yw'r strategaeth iechyd meddwl newydd arfaethedig yn gwneud digon i nodi na manylu ar ba gamau y mae angen eu cymryd, ac mae angen i ni weld rhai syniadau newydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Rydyn ni'n clywed heddiw beth maen nhw'n mynd i'w wneud i wella amseroedd aros ar gyfer triniaeth iechyd meddwl plant, ond mae angen i ni glywed sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu mynd i'r afael â'r canol coll—y nifer fawr o blant sydd, yn anffodus, wedi llithro drwy'r rhwyd.
Hoffem weld adolygiad annibynnol i holl farwolaethau trasig cleifion iechyd meddwl, a gweld y Gweinidog yn mynd i'r afael ag argymhellion adroddiad Arolygiaeth Gofal Iechyd Cymru. Yng ngoleuni'r heriau presennol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hwynebu gyda'r holl faterion hyn, credaf y byddai'n briodol clywed rhywfaint o edifeirwch ynghylch y toriad o 8.8 y cant i gyllideb iechyd meddwl Llywodraeth Cymru, a oedd yn benderfyniad ofnadwy ar yr adeg waethaf posibl. Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed eich ymateb. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch yn fawr, Gareth. Thank you very much for your kind words at the start, and I welcome you to your post as well. So, we've both come to this portfolio, and I'm sure that we'll work together on lots of issues that I am sure that we can get behind. I'm really looking forward to working with you on that, so welcome to this. I understand that you've got a lot to get to grips with, just like me, on this, so thank you for your kind words. I, too, would like to pay tribute to your predecessor as well, James Evans, who I know campaigns strongly on this issue and worked really hard on that portfolio as well, and I'm sure that you'll do that justice as well. So, thank you for mentioning James, as it gives me an opportunity to say that.
You've given me lots of points to answer on that first question, and I'm sure that we'll come on to those. The first point that you made was around young people. I think that it's really important that we—. And I, again, mention Lynne Neagle and all the work that she's done in this area in the past and I know she'll continue to do in her role as Cabinet Secretary. But I just want to reiterate that protecting young people's mental health is an absolute priority for us as a Government. We must not lose sight of that.
You certainly mentioned a few points on mental health waiting times. Most young people referred to mental health services will be seen within four weeks, and all health boards have plans in place to reduce waiting times. We continue to invest in a range of support to reduce the need for more specialist services, like online access to mental health and support in schools. There's a lot to do, and I can assure you that I'll be keeping my eye on that as well, and I look forward to working with you on that, as with others.
You also mentioned some points around the draft strategy. It gives me an opportunity to mention the draft strategy that's out for consultation at the moment. The consultation closes on 11 June. I hope that you can encourage as many people as possible to contribute to that strategy, because it's important that we do everything we can to move forward in that space. So, again, a reminder that it's 11 June that that consultation closes, and it's our draft mental health and well-being strategy. There's also a new draft suicide and self-harm prevention strategy, which is also out for consultation at the same time. Our policy aim of early intervention and prevention is really to help upstream, to prevent those with a mental health related need requiring specialist case, whilst, at the same time, improving access to specialist care when that is clinically needed. We've included a focus on the particular needs of those with a severe and enduring mental health illness within the draft mental health and well-being strategy as well. But this is a really important area that we need to get right.
You also mentioned particular groups, and I just wanted to say a bit about farming, which you touched on. We've just heard from the Cabinet Secretary as well. One of the events that I was fortunate to go to myself a few weeks ago was an event hosted here in the Senedd, and there a really interesting presentation by a group in Powys, Mamwlad, and it was really good to hear about the work they've been doing, trying to work with farmers and the farming community in that area. It's a project in collaboration between Care and Repair in Powys and Age Cymru Powys, and I'd really encourage you to take a look at that as well. I think it's really important to pick out those areas where there's some really good work, and I'm sure I'll learn more about those positive benefits. I've also spoken to farmers in my own community, in my personal capacity as a Senedd Member, in an area where you don't—it's an urban area—often think of many farmers in particular, and some of the isolation that they might feel. So, it is really important that we remember those groups, and it's important that we do all we can to raise awareness within the farming industry of the importance of looking after mental and physical health.
Diolch yn fawr, Gareth. Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich geiriau caredig ar y dechrau, ac rwy'n eich croesawu i'ch swydd hefyd. Felly, mae'r ddau ohonom wedi dod i'r portffolio hwn, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwn yn gweithio gyda'n gilydd ar lawer o faterion yr wyf yn siŵr y gallwn eu cefnogi. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weithio gyda chi ar hyn, felly croeso i hyn. Rwy'n deall bod gennych lawer i fynd i'r afael ag ef, yn union fel fi, ar hyn, felly diolch am eich geiriau caredig. Hoffwn innau hefyd dalu teyrnged i'ch rhagflaenydd, James Evans, y gwn ei fod yn ymgyrchu'n gryf ar y mater hwn ac wedi gweithio'n galed iawn ar y portffolio hwnnw hefyd, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddwch yn gwneud cyfiawnder â hwnnw hefyd. Felly, diolch am sôn am James, gan ei fod yn rhoi cyfle i mi ddweud hynny.
Rydych chi wedi rhoi llawer o bwyntiau i mi eu hateb yn y cwestiwn cyntaf yna, ac rwy'n siŵr y down at y rheini. Y pwynt cyntaf a wnaethoch chi oedd ynghylch pobl ifanc. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni—. Ac unwaith eto, rwy'n sôn am Lynne Neagle a'r holl waith y mae hi wedi'i wneud yn y maes hwn yn y gorffennol ac rwy'n gwybod y bydd hi'n parhau i'w wneud yn ei rôl fel Ysgrifennydd Cabinet. Ond hoffwn ailadrodd bod diogelu iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc yn flaenoriaeth lwyr i ni fel Llywodraeth. Rhaid i ni beidio â cholli golwg ar hynny.
Yn sicr, fe wnaethoch chi grybwyll ychydig o bwyntiau ar amseroedd aros iechyd meddwl. Bydd y rhan fwyaf o bobl ifanc sy'n cael eu cyfeirio at wasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn cael eu gweld o fewn pedair wythnos, ac mae gan bob bwrdd iechyd gynlluniau ar waith i leihau amseroedd aros. Rydym yn parhau i fuddsoddi mewn amrywiaeth o gymorth i leihau'r angen am wasanaethau mwy arbenigol, fel mynediad ar-lein at iechyd meddwl a chymorth mewn ysgolion. Mae llawer i'w wneud, a gallaf eich sicrhau y byddaf yn cadw fy llygad ar hynny hefyd, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weithio gyda chi ar hynny, fel gydag eraill.
Roeddech hefyd yn sôn am rai pwyntiau ynghylch y strategaeth ddrafft. Mae'n rhoi cyfle i mi sôn am y strategaeth ddrafft sy'n destun ymgynghoriad ar hyn o bryd. Daw'r ymgynghoriad i ben ar 11 Mehefin. Rwy'n gobeithio y gallwch annog cymaint o bobl â phosibl i gyfrannu at y strategaeth honno, oherwydd mae'n bwysig ein bod yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i symud ymlaen yn y maes hwnnw. Felly, unwaith eto, i'ch atgoffa mai 11 Mehefin yw dyddiad cau'r ymgynghoriad hwnnw, sef ar ein strategaeth iechyd meddwl a llesiant ddrafft. Mae yna hefyd strategaeth atal hunanladdiad a hunan-niweidio ddrafft newydd, sydd hefyd yn destun ymgynghoriad ar yr un pryd. Ein nod polisi o ymyrryd ac atal cynnar mewn gwirionedd yw helpu drwy ymyriad rhagofalus er mwyn atal y rhai sydd ag angen sy'n gysylltiedig ag iechyd meddwl rhag gorfod cael achos arbenigol, gan wella, ar yr un pryd, fynediad at ofal arbenigol pan fo angen hynny'n glinigol. Rydym wedi cynnwys pwyslais ar anghenion penodol y rhai sydd â salwch iechyd meddwl difrifol a pharhaus o fewn y strategaeth iechyd meddwl a llesiant ddrafft hefyd. Ond mae hwn yn faes pwysig iawn y mae'n rhaid i ni ei gael yn iawn.
Roeddech chi hefyd yn sôn am grwpiau penodol, ac roeddwn i eisiau dweud ychydig am ffermio, y gwnaethoch chi ei grybwyll. Rydym newydd glywed gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet hefyd. Un o'r digwyddiadau y bûm yn ffodus i fynd iddo fy hun ychydig wythnosau yn ôl oedd digwyddiad a gynhaliwyd yma yn y Senedd, ac yno cafwyd cyflwyniad diddorol iawn gan grŵp ym Mhowys, Mamwlad, ac roedd yn dda iawn clywed am y gwaith maen nhw wedi bod yn ei wneud, gan geisio gweithio gyda ffermwyr a'r gymuned ffermio yn yr ardal honno. Mae'n brosiect ar y cyd rhwng Gofal a Thrwsio ym Mhowys ac Age Cymru Powys, a byddwn yn eich annog i edrych ar hynny hefyd. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn dewis yr ardaloedd hynny lle mae rhywfaint o waith da iawn, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddaf yn dysgu mwy am y manteision cadarnhaol hynny. Rwyf hefyd wedi siarad â ffermwyr yn fy nghymuned fy hun, yn fy rhinwedd personol fel Aelod o'r Senedd, mewn ardal lle nad ydych chi—mae'n ardal drefol—yn aml yn meddwl am ffermwyr yn arbennig, a allent fod yn teimlo'n ynysig. Felly, mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn cofio'r grwpiau hynny, ac mae'n bwysig ein bod yn gwneud popeth o fewn ein gallu i godi ymwybyddiaeth o fewn y diwydiant ffermio o bwysigrwydd gofalu am iechyd meddwl a chorfforol.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am ei datganiad y prynhawn yma. Hoffwn i gychwyn drwy ei llongyfarch hi ar ei phenodiad i'r rôl yma, a dwi'n edrych ymlaen i gydweithio efo hi ar fater sydd mor bwysig.
Thank you to the Minister for her statement this afternoon. I'd like to start by congratulating her on her appointment to this role, and I look forward to working with her on an issue of such great importance.
Before going after specific policy areas or issues, it's worth highlighting one issue that should underpin all others when dealing with broader mental health issues: all new strategies and policy initiatives need to be underpinned by a robust mental health data set. Mind Cymru has recommended developing an effective and transparent set of national indicators, both output and outcome, on mental health, to guide investment and prioritisation. This is also the case for ensuring greater transparency around how the investment made by the Welsh Government, or health boards and other public sector organisations, is making the biggest possible impact. So, can the Minister explain what actions she will be taking to ensure improved data sets and data gathering?
Every time we've had a statement or a debate in this Siambr on mental health, I've made a point of urging the Government to concentrate on perinatal mental health. I therefore welcome the fact that the Minister is Minister for Mental Health and Early Years, and how the First Minister put great emphasis on the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child's life during his leadership campaign. But this is where that rhetoric is now tested. That first 1,000 days of a baby's life starts with having a healthy mother and, sadly, far too often, new mothers are left to look after themselves and suffer in silence. New and expectant parents are disproportionately at risk of experiencing poor mental health, with up to one in five mums affected in the UK, and one in 10 dads also experience mental health problems during the perinatal period. If left untreated, perinatal mental health problems can have a devastating impact on the mental and physical health of mums, partners and babies. While there has been positive progress in establishing specialist perinatal mental health services in Wales, worrying gaps remain, and none of the seven perinatal mental health services in Wales currently meet the 100 per cent of type 1 national College Centre for Quality Improvement standards. The latest MBRRACE-UK report on the confidential inquiry into maternal deaths in the UK and Ireland has shown that 40 per cent of maternal deaths in the first postnatal year are due to mental ill health, and that suicide remains the leading cause of direct maternal death in the first postnatal year. So, how will a new mental health strategy for Wales deal in particular with the issue of perinatal mental health?
Looking next at rural communities, which you touched on earlier, I might also suggest the need for a particular and tailored approach to tackling poor mental health in our rural communities. A 2023 survey by the Farm Safety Foundation found that 94 per cent of farmers under 40 believe that serious mental health problems are the main challenges facing the sector. According to the Farmers Union of Wales, paperwork and animal health were key causes of stress for farmers. So, will a new mental health strategy seek to deal with the causes and consequences of poor mental health in rural areas, and how will the Minister work with the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, and indeed other members of the Cabinet, to deliver this?
The Minister referred to the 60-plus active leisure scheme, and how proud the Government is of the scheme. Can she confirm that the budget for this scheme hasn’t changed over the last year, and that that budget will be maintained moving forward?
Finally, to touch on the majority of the statement made today, I note that the statement puts great responsibility on individuals to look after their health by taking physical exercise. This follows the Cabinet Secretary’s regular statements calling on people to take personal responsibility. However, we know that people’s mental health is linked to their childhood experiences and their economic circumstances, such as poverty and deprivation, so does the Minister not agree that this Government should do more to tackle poverty, domestic violence and other key factors that would help in our ambition to improve people’s mental health, instead of putting blame on individuals? Thank you.
Cyn mynd ar ôl meysydd neu faterion polisi penodol, mae'n werth tynnu sylw at un mater a ddylai fod yn sail i bob un arall wrth ymdrin â materion iechyd meddwl ehangach: mae angen i bob strategaeth a menter polisi newydd gael eu hategu gan set ddata iechyd meddwl gadarn. Mae Mind Cymru wedi argymell datblygu set effeithiol a thryloyw o ddangosyddion cenedlaethol, yn allbwn a chanlyniad, ar iechyd meddwl, i arwain buddsoddiad a blaenoriaethu. Mae hyn hefyd yn wir wrth sicrhau mwy o dryloywder ynghylch sut mae'r buddsoddiad a wneir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, neu fyrddau iechyd a sefydliadau sector cyhoeddus eraill, yn cael yr effaith fwyaf posibl. Felly, a all y Gweinidog egluro pa gamau y bydd hi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau gwell setiau data a chasglu data?
Bob tro rydym wedi cael datganiad neu ddadl yn y Siambr hon ar iechyd meddwl, rwyf wedi gwneud pwynt o annog y Llywodraeth i ganolbwyntio ar iechyd meddwl amenedigol. Felly, rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod y Gweinidog yn Weinidog Iechyd Meddwl a'r Blynyddoedd Cynnar, a sut mae'r Prif Weinidog yn rhoi pwyslais mawr ar bwysigrwydd 1,000 diwrnod cyntaf bywyd plentyn yn ystod ei ymgyrch arweinyddiaeth. Ond dyma lle mae'r rhethreg honno yn cael ei phrofi erbyn hyn. Mae'r 1,000 diwrnod cyntaf hwnnw o fywyd babi yn dechrau gyda bod â mam iach ac, yn anffodus, yn llawer rhy aml, mae mamau newydd yn cael eu gadael i ofalu amdanyn nhw eu hunain a dioddef yn dawel. Mae rhieni newydd a darpar rieni mewn perygl anghymesur o brofi iechyd meddwl gwael, ac yr effeithir ar hyd at un o bob pum mam yn y DU, ac mae un o bob 10 tad hefyd yn profi problemau iechyd meddwl yn ystod y cyfnod amenedigol. Os na chânt eu trin, gall problemau iechyd meddwl amenedigol gael effaith ddinistriol ar iechyd meddwl a chorfforol mamau, partneriaid a babanod. Er y bu cynnydd cadarnhaol o ran sefydlu gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl amenedigol arbenigol yng Nghymru, mae bylchau pryderus yn parhau, ac nid oes yr un o'r saith gwasanaeth iechyd meddwl amenedigol yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd yn cwrdd â'r 100 y cant o safonau cenedlaethol Canolfan Coleg ar gyfer Gwella Ansawdd math 1. Mae'r adroddiad MBRRACE-UK diweddaraf ar yr ymchwiliad cyfrinachol i farwolaethau mamau yn y DU ac Iwerddon wedi dangos bod 40 y cant o farwolaethau mamau yn y flwyddyn ôl-enedigol gyntaf oherwydd salwch meddwl, a bod hunanladdiad yn parhau i fod yn brif achos marwolaeth uniongyrchol mamau yn y flwyddyn ôl-enedigol gyntaf. Felly, sut y bydd strategaeth iechyd meddwl newydd i Gymru yn ymdrin yn benodol â mater iechyd meddwl amenedigol?
Wrth edrych nesaf ar gymunedau gwledig, y gwnaethoch chi gyffwrdd â nhw'n gynharach, efallai y byddaf hefyd yn awgrymu'r angen am ddull penodol wedi'i deilwra o fynd i'r afael ag iechyd meddwl gwael yn ein cymunedau gwledig. Canfu arolwg yn 2023 gan y Sefydliad Diogelwch Fferm fod 94 y cant o ffermwyr dan 40 yn credu mai problemau iechyd meddwl difrifol yw'r prif heriau sy'n wynebu'r sector. Yn ôl Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru, gwaith papur ac iechyd anifeiliaid oedd prif achosion straen i ffermwyr. Felly, a fydd strategaeth iechyd meddwl newydd yn ceisio ymdrin ag achosion a chanlyniadau iechyd meddwl gwael mewn ardaloedd gwledig, a sut y bydd y Gweinidog yn gweithio gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig, ac aelodau eraill o'r Cabinet yn wir, i gyflawni hyn?
Cyfeiriodd y Gweinidog at y cynllun hamdden egnïol 60+, a pha mor falch yw'r Llywodraeth o'r cynllun. A all hi gadarnhau nad yw'r gyllideb ar gyfer y cynllun hwn wedi newid dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, ac y bydd y gyllideb honno'n cael ei chynnal wrth symud ymlaen?
Yn olaf, er mwyn crybwyll y rhan fwyaf o'r datganiad a wnaed heddiw, nodaf fod y datganiad yn rhoi cyfrifoldeb mawr ar unigolion i ofalu am eu hiechyd trwy wneud ymarfer corff. Daw hyn yn dilyn datganiadau rheolaidd yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn galw ar bobl i gymryd cyfrifoldeb personol. Fodd bynnag, gwyddom fod iechyd meddwl pobl yn gysylltiedig â phrofiadau eu plentyndod a'u hamgylchiadau economaidd, fel tlodi ac amddifadedd, felly onid yw'r Gweinidog yn cytuno y dylai'r Llywodraeth hon wneud mwy i fynd i'r afael â thlodi, trais domestig a ffactorau allweddol eraill a fyddai'n helpu yn ein huchelgais i wella iechyd meddwl pobl, yn hytrach na rhoi'r bai ar unigolion? Diolch.
Diolch, Mabon, and thank you very much as well. I’m really looking forward to working with you in this brief, so thank you for your welcome as well. Diolch yn fawr.
On your points around data and the mental health programme, we have provided £2.2 million to establish a strategic mental health programme within the NHS Wales Executive, which will drive improvements in the quality, safety and performance of services, and reduce variation in services. Within the strategy, we’re clear that to deliver both effective and person-centred services, we need to drive improvements within our care and treatment planning, and this will be a key focus of the strategic programme for mental health.
You mentioned the first 1,000 days and the importance of that, and thank you for raising that and also the important issue around perinatal mental health. I know that you have a keen interest in that, and I appreciate you acknowledging the work that’s gone ahead on specialist perinatal mental health and the progress that’s been made on that. We remain committed to improving perinatal mental health services. This is a priority area for action within the refreshed 'Together for Mental Health' delivery plan. Since 2015, we’ve invested in specialist perinatal mental health. There are now services in every health board area and over £3 million of mental health service improvement funding is supporting these services annually. Health boards are also working towards meeting the relevant Royal College of Psychiatrists' quality standards, and we have made service improvement funding available in order to support that. The national clinical lead for perinatal mental health is leading the national network’s work programme. This includes the development of a fully integrated care pathway and supporting health boards to work towards meeting the Royal College of Psychiatrists' quality standards. So, there is work going on in that area and we will continue to do that.
On the point you made around the 60-plus active leisure scheme, promoting physical activity amongst older people is facilitated through that scheme. Our 'Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales' delivery plan commits to the scheme via an investment of £500,000 per annum, and we also provide that transformation programme funding of over £500,000 across 2022-23, 2023-24 to the Football Association of Wales for the Fit Fans programme, which I have already mentioned. So, there is a lot of work going on in this area, but we will continue to progress that.
Diolch, Mabon, yn fawr iawn hefyd. Rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weithio gyda chi yn y briff hwn, felly diolch am eich croeso hefyd. Diolch yn fawr.
O ran eich pwyntiau ynghylch data a'r rhaglen iechyd meddwl, rydym wedi darparu £2.2 miliwn i sefydlu rhaglen iechyd meddwl strategol o fewn Gweithrediaeth GIG Cymru, a fydd yn sbarduno gwelliannau o ran ansawdd, diogelwch a pherfformiad gwasanaethau, a lleihau amrywiaeth mewn gwasanaethau. O fewn y strategaeth, rydym yn glir, er mwyn darparu gwasanaethau effeithiol ac sy'n canolbwyntio ar yr unigolyn, mae angen i ni ysgogi gwelliannau o fewn ein cynllunio gofal a thriniaeth, a bydd hwn yn ganolbwynt allweddol i'r rhaglen strategol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl.
Sonioch chi am y 1,000 diwrnod cyntaf a phwysigrwydd hynny, a diolch am godi hynny a hefyd y mater pwysig o ran iechyd meddwl amenedigol. Rwy'n gwybod bod gennych ddiddordeb brwd yn hynny, ac rwy'n gwerthfawrogi eich bod yn cydnabod y gwaith sydd wedi mynd rhagddo ar iechyd meddwl amenedigol arbenigol a'r cynnydd a wnaed ar hynny. Rydym yn parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i wella gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl amenedigol. Mae hwn yn faes blaenoriaeth ar gyfer gweithredu o fewn y cynllun cyflawni 'Gyda'n Gilydd dros Iechyd Meddwl'. Ers 2015, rydym wedi buddsoddi mewn iechyd meddwl amenedigol arbenigol. Erbyn hyn mae gwasanaethau ym mhob ardal bwrdd iechyd ac mae dros £3 miliwn o gyllid gwella gwasanaethau iechyd meddwl yn cefnogi'r gwasanaethau hyn yn flynyddol. Mae byrddau iechyd hefyd yn gweithio tuag at fodloni safonau ansawdd perthnasol Coleg Brenhinol y Seiciatryddion, ac rydym wedi sicrhau bod cyllid gwella gwasanaethau ar gael er mwyn cefnogi hynny. Mae'r arweinydd clinigol cenedlaethol ar gyfer iechyd meddwl amenedigol yw arwain rhaglen waith y rhwydwaith cenedlaethol. Mae hyn yn cynnwys datblygu llwybr gofal cwbl integredig a chefnogi byrddau iechyd i weithio tuag at fodloni safonau ansawdd Coleg Brenhinol y Seiciatryddion. Felly, mae gwaith yn digwydd yn y maes hwnnw a byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny.
Ar y pwynt a wnaethoch ynghylch y cynllun hamdden egnïol 60+, mae hyrwyddo gweithgarwch corfforol ymhlith pobl hŷn yn cael ei hwyluso drwy'r cynllun hwnnw. Mae ein cynllun cyflawni 'Pwysau Iach: Cymru Iach' yn ymrwymo i'r cynllun drwy fuddsoddiad o £500,000 y flwyddyn, ac rydym hefyd yn darparu'r cyllid rhaglen drawsnewid hwnnw o dros £500,000 ar draws 2022-23, 2023-24 i Gymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru ar gyfer y rhaglen Cefnogwyr Ffit, yr wyf eisoes wedi'i chrybwyll. Felly, mae llawer o waith yn digwydd yn y maes hwn, ond byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny.
Thank you, Minister, for your statement and I'm delighted to welcome you to your role. I'd like to begin with social prescribing, which I feel has a really important role to play in improving mental health, and one that especially fits with this year's theme of movement in mind. I've seen the benefits of this time and again through the excellent work of Cynon Valley Organic Adventures in Abercynon, and I know that Jan and her team would be delighted to welcome you, Minister, if you ever wanted to visit. So, for my first question I'd like to ask: in the context of the national framework for social prescribing, how is Welsh Government working not only to increase opportunities for social prescribing, but also awareness of the benefits of social prescribing too?
Secondly, I was privileged to join New Horizons Mental Health in Aberdare this morning for their event to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. It was a celebration of the importance of positive mental health, but also a recognition of the important role that charities and other grass-roots organisations play in supporting people in the community. So, how can Welsh Government best support and engage with local groups such as those, so that they can help the people living around them in turn? Thank you.
Diolch, Gweinidog, am eich datganiad ac rwy'n falch iawn o'ch croesawu i'ch rôl. Hoffwn ddechrau gyda presgripsiynu cymdeithasol, sydd, yn fy marn i, â rôl bwysig iawn i'w chwarae wrth wella iechyd meddwl, ac un sy'n cyd-fynd yn arbennig â thema eleni 'movement in mind'. Rwyf wedi gweld manteision hyn dro ar ôl tro drwy waith ardderchog Anturiaethau Organig Cwm Cynon yn Abercynon, a gwn y byddai Jan a'i thîm yn falch iawn o'ch croesawu, Gweinidog, pe byddech chi erioed eisiau ymweld. Felly, ar gyfer fy nghwestiwn cyntaf hoffwn ofyn: yng nghyd-destun y fframwaith cenedlaethol ar gyfer presgripsiynu cymdeithasol, sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio nid yn unig i gynyddu cyfleoedd ar gyfer presgripsiynu cymdeithasol, ond hefyd ymwybyddiaeth o fanteision presgripsiynu cymdeithasol?
Yn ail, cefais y fraint o ymuno ag Iechyd Meddwl New Horizons yn Aberdâr y bore yma ar gyfer eu digwyddiad i nodi Wythnos Ymwybyddiaeth Iechyd Meddwl. Roedd yn ddathliad o bwysigrwydd iechyd meddwl cadarnhaol, ond hefyd yn gydnabyddiaeth o'r rôl bwysig y mae elusennau a sefydliadau eraill ar lawr gwlad yn ei chwarae wrth gefnogi pobl yn y gymuned. Felly, sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru gefnogi ac ymgysylltu â grwpiau lleol fel y rheini orau, fel y gallan nhw helpu'r bobl sy'n byw o'u cwmpas yn eu tro? Diolch.
Thank you for that question, Vikki, and I appreciate your kind comments at the start. Diolch yn fawr. You're absolutely right: social prescribing is really important. It's woven into the fabric of what Welsh Government does in terms of empowering people and communities. It really is key. I'm very happy to visit any place that you think would be really helpful for me to learn from and to see, so I look forward to doing that with you.
We're clear within this strategy on the absolutely vital role that the third sector will play in its implementation. We've developed the strategy with the understanding that there will be a need to be aware of setting priorities, ensuring the best use of existing resources and an opportunity to be clear about what we can realistically deliver. And we can only do that by working together, and working together with the third sector. So, they're an important partner and I hope that you will encourage them to take part in the consultation that is out, which closes on 11 June, because it is really important that we get as many voices through that consultation as possible. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch am y cwestiwn yna, Vikki, ac rwy'n gwerthfawrogi eich sylwadau caredig ar y dechrau. Diolch yn fawr. Rydych chi'n hollol iawn: mae presgripsiynu cymdeithasol yn bwysig iawn. Mae wedi'i blethu i wead yr hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud o ran grymuso pobl a chymunedau. Mae'n allweddol mewn gwirionedd. Rwy'n hapus iawn i ymweld ag unrhyw le y credwch a fyddai'n ddefnyddiol iawn i mi ddysgu ohono a'i weld, felly edrychaf ymlaen at wneud hynny gyda chi.
Rydym yn glir o fewn y strategaeth hon ar y rôl gwbl hanfodol y bydd y trydydd sector yn ei chwarae wrth ei weithredu. Rydym wedi datblygu'r strategaeth gyda'r ddealltwriaeth y bydd angen bod yn ymwybodol o osod blaenoriaethau, sicrhau'r defnydd gorau o adnoddau presennol a chyfle i fod yn glir am yr hyn y gallwn ei gyflawni'n realistig. A dim ond trwy weithio gyda'n gilydd y gallwn wneud hynny, a chydweithio â'r trydydd sector. Felly, maen nhw'n bartner pwysig ac rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch chi'n eu hannog i gymryd rhan yn yr ymgynghoriad sy'n digwydd, sy'n dod i ben ar 11 Mehefin, oherwydd mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n cael cymaint o leisiau â phosib drwy'r ymgynghoriad hwnnw. Diolch yn fawr.
Minister, I'd also like to welcome you to your place and out of all the ministerial appointments, this was the one that I was actually quite looking forward to with all the work that you and I did together on the Children, Young People and Education Committee. I know of your commitment to improving the mental health of young people across Wales. I also look forward to working with you on the development of my mental health standards of care (Wales) Bill, which I'm looking forward to having positive, proactive engagement with the Welsh Government on, and I look forward to following that work with you.
My question, Minister, is around waiting lists. We are seeing the amount of people waiting for a first appointment for the child and adolescent mental health service going up—I think Cwm Taf Morgannwg is the worst health board across Wales—but it does beg the question: how long are young people in Wales waiting for their follow-up appointment? And I think that's something that the Welsh Government currently doesn't hold in data terms, and I think that's something that the Welsh Government should look at, because, yes, we can get them their first appointment, but if they don't get the follow-up appointment they're actually still going to be in the situation that they come into the system in. So, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that and whether that's something that you'd be keen to look at the new Minister for mental health.
Gweinidog, hoffwn hefyd eich croesawu i'ch lle ac allan o'r holl benodiadau gweinidogol, hwn oedd yr un yr oeddwn yn edrych ymlaen ato mewn gwirionedd gyda'r holl waith a wnaethoch chi a minnau gyda'n gilydd ar y Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg. Rwy'n gwybod am eich ymrwymiad i wella iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc ledled Cymru. Rwyf hefyd yn edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda chi ar ddatblygu fy Mil safonau gofal iechyd meddwl (Cymru), ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at ymgysylltu'n gadarnhaol a rhagweithiol â Llywodraeth Cymru arno, ac edrychaf ymlaen at ddilyn y gwaith hwnnw gyda chi.
Mae fy nghwestiwn i, Gweinidog, yn ymwneud â rhestrau aros. Rydym yn gweld nifer y bobl sy'n aros am apwyntiad cyntaf ar gyfer y gwasanaeth iechyd meddwl plant a'r glasoed yn cynyddu—rwy'n credu mai Cwm Taf Morgannwg yw'r bwrdd iechyd gwaethaf ledled Cymru—ond mae'n peri i rywun ofyn: pa mor hir mae pobl ifanc yng Nghymru yn aros am eu hapwyntiad dilynol? Ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhywbeth nad yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddal yn nhermau data ar hyn o bryd, ac rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhywbeth y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru edrych arno, oherwydd gallwn sicrhau eu hapwyntiad cyntaf, ond os nad ydyn nhw'n cael yr apwyntiad dilynol, byddant mewn gwirionedd yn dal yn yr un sefyllfa ag yr oedden nhw ynddi pan ddaethant i mewn i'r system. Felly, byddai gennyf ddiddordeb mewn clywed eich barn ar hynny ac a yw hynny'n rhywbeth y byddech chi'n awyddus i edrych arno fel y Gweinidog iechyd meddwl newydd.
Diolch yn fawr, James, and thank you very much, and I know this is an area, as I said, that you're very interested in and you've worked on over the last few years, in particular. I look forward to working with you on the work that you're doing on the Bill. We look forward to seeing some more detail around the proposals, and I know that you have invited me to a round-table. So, I look forward to attending that round-table in due course.
Absolutely, I've heard your comments previously on CAMHS and your concerns around that second appointment, the follow-up appointment. We're providing £13.6 million this year to support schools to implement the whole-school approach to mental health and well-being. This will enable schools to expand and improve school counselling, deliver universal and targeted well-being interventions, and train school staff on well-being. It also will enable continued support to health boards, to provide CAMHS school in-reach across Wales, with dedicated mental health practitioners available in schools, providing consultation, liaison, advice and training. So, you know, there are things that we're looking at, and I look forward to continuing to work with you on this.
Diolch yn fawr, James, ac rwy'n gwybod mai maes yw hwn, fel y dywedais i, y mae gennych ddiddordeb mawr ynddo ac rydych wedi gweithio arno dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf, yn arbennig. Edrychaf ymlaen at weithio gyda chi ar y gwaith rydych yn ei wneud ar y Bil. Edrychwn ymlaen at weld mwy o fanylion am y cynigion, a gwn eich bod wedi fy ngwahodd i ford gron. Felly, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at ddod i'r ford gron honno maes o law.
Yn sicr, rwyf wedi clywed eich sylwadau yn flaenorol ar CAMHS a'ch pryderon ynghylch yr ail apwyntiad hwnnw, yr apwyntiad dilynol. Rydym yn darparu £13.6 miliwn eleni i gefnogi ysgolion i weithredu'r dull ysgol gyfan o ymdrin ag iechyd meddwl a llesiant. Bydd hyn yn galluogi ysgolion i ehangu a gwella cwnsela ysgolion, darparu ymyraethau llesiant cyffredinol a phenodol, a hyfforddi staff ysgolion ar lesiant. Bydd hefyd yn galluogi cymorth parhaus i fyrddau iechyd, i ddarparu addysg CAMHS ar draws Cymru, gydag ymarferwyr iechyd meddwl penodol ar gael mewn ysgolion, gan ddarparu ymgynghoriadau, cyswllt, cyngor a hyfforddiant. Felly, wyddoch chi, mae yna bethau rydyn ni'n edrych arnyn nhw, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at barhau i weithio gyda chi ar hyn.
Gaf i ofyn, os gwelwch yn dda, Weinidog, pa effaith ydych chi'n gweld mae'r toriadau wedi'u cael ar yr hyn rydych chi'n gallu ei gynnig? Rydych chi'n sôn am bwysigrwydd y trydydd sector, ond mae o ar ei liniau, a nifer o'r gwasanaethau yma'n methu â chael eu cynnal, er yn chwarae rôl hanfodol o ran gwella iechyd meddwl. Dwi wedi cael briff gan Chwaraeon ColegauCymru ynglŷn â'r arian hollbwysig mae'r sector yn ei gael ar y funud, ond fel y byddwch chi'n gwybod, mae'r cynnydd yn y nifer o bobl ifanc sydd angen cefnogaeth wedi bod yn aruthrol, ac mae yna ansicrwydd o ran parhad yr arian hwnnw.
Hefyd o ran y cynllun 60-plws, dwi'n meddwl ichi ddweud yn eich ymateb i Mabon ap Gwynfor mai £0.5 miliwn sydd ar gael—toriad o'r £1 miliwn oedd ar gael yn flaenorol. Dwi'n gwybod, yn fy rhanbarth i, fod rhai o'r gweithgareddau hynny wedi gorfod dod i ben. Felly, beth fyddwn i'n hoffi ei wybod ydy—. Rhai o'r pethau rydych chi'n eu henwi, dwi'n gwybod yn barod fod y rhain wedi'u torri, felly sut ydym ni am gynnal y lefel o gefnogaeth a chynyddu?
Ac yn arbennig, os caf i, os gwelwch yn dda, Dirprwy Lywydd, jest gofyn pryd y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymateb i'r Senedd Ieuenctid a'r hyn gwnaethon nhw yn eu hadroddiad 'Meddyliau Iau o Bwys'. Dwy flynedd yn ddiweddarach, does dim ymateb ffurfiol wedi bod; mae'n hollbwysig bod hwnna'n dod. Pryd y cân nhw eu hymateb?
May I ask, Minister, what impact do you believe the cuts have had on what you can provide? You mention the importance of the third sector, but the third sector is on its knees and many of these services can't be sustained, despite playing a crucial role in improving mental health. Also, we've been briefed by ColegauCymru and Sport Wales about the crucial funding that it receives, but as you know, the increase in the number of young people that need support has been huge, and there is uncertainty in terms of the continuation of that funding. [Translation should read: 'I've been briefed by CollegesWales Sport about the crucial funding that the sector receives currently, but as you know, the increase in the number of young people that need support has been huge, and there is uncertainty in terms of the continuation of that funding.']
Also in terms of the 60-plus programme, I think you said in your response to Mabon ap Gwynfor that it was £0.5 million that's available—a cut to the £1 million that was previously available. I know, in my own region, that some of those activities have had to cease. So, what I'd like to know is—. Now, in terms of some of the things that you've named, I know that some of these have already been cut, so how can we sustain the level of support and increase it?
And specifically, Dirprwy Lywydd, if I may just ask: when will the Welsh Government respond to the Youth Parliament and what they put forward in 'Young Minds Matter'? It's two years later and there's been no formal response; it's crucial that that is provided. When will they get that formal response?
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd, and thank you very much for your questions. Obviously, we're in very difficult financial times, and the severe budgetary constraints that the Welsh Government is facing are very real, and I know that that pressure then is put on other organisations, and you mentioned the importance of the third sector, as I have mentioned. You know, we've seen the stress on that particular sector. We are aware of that and I realise that is a very real issue.
Due to the budgetary pressures, we've reduced centrally held funds by around £6 million, alongside not retaining the planned £15 million due to be included in centrally held funds for mental health, to ensure that most funding reaches those front-line services. Whilst the financial position remains challenging, we do remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable. We have invested significantly in open-access support at a national level. This provides easy access to mental health support for all, without the need for a referral from a health professional. The aim is to reduce the pressure on more specialist mental health services.
And your point around Sport Wales funding and the issue around that, I will be working with other Cabinet colleagues around these sorts of issues, because it is important it's across Government as well. So, I can assure you that I'll work with Cabinet colleagues on some of those points that you've raised.
The point around the Welsh Youth Parliament, in my previous role, I attended both of those sessions here in the Siambr, with the Youth Parliament, and I heard the voices very loudly, and they've been consistent over a number of years on the issues that they've raised. I'm new into this post in terms of where we are with that, so I will look into that and respond as well.
Diolch yn fawr, Heledd, a diolch yn fawr iawn am eich cwestiynau. Yn amlwg, rydym mewn cyfnod ariannol anodd iawn, ac mae'r cyfyngiadau cyllidebol difrifol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hwynebu yn real iawn, a gwn fod y pwysau hwnnw'n cael ei roi wedyn ar sefydliadau eraill, ac fe wnaethoch chi sôn am bwysigrwydd y trydydd sector, fel yr wyf wedi sôn. Wyddoch chi, rydyn ni wedi gweld y straen ar y sector penodol hwnnw. Rydym yn ymwybodol o hynny ac rwy'n sylweddoli bod honno'n broblem wirioneddol.
Oherwydd y pwysau cyllidebol, rydym wedi lleihau cyllid a ddelir yn ganolog o tua £6 miliwn, ynghyd â pheidio â chadw'r £15 miliwn arfaethedig sydd i'w gynnwys mewn cronfeydd canolog ar gyfer iechyd meddwl, er mwyn sicrhau bod y rhan fwyaf o gyllid yn cyrraedd y gwasanaethau rheng flaen hynny. Er bod y sefyllfa ariannol yn parhau i fod yn heriol, rydym yn parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i gefnogi'r rhai mwyaf agored i niwed. Rydym wedi buddsoddi'n sylweddol mewn cymorth mynediad agored ar lefel genedlaethol. Mae hyn yn rhoi mynediad hawdd i gymorth iechyd meddwl i bawb, heb fod angen atgyfeiriad gan weithiwr iechyd proffesiynol. Y nod yw lleihau'r pwysau ar wasanaethau iechyd meddwl mwy arbenigol.
A'ch pwynt ynghylch cyllid Chwaraeon Cymru a'r mater ynghylch hynny, byddaf yn gweithio gyda Gweinidogion ac Ysgrifenyddion eraill yn y Cabinet ar faterion o'r fath, oherwydd mae'n bwysig ei fod ar draws y Llywodraeth hefyd. Felly, gallaf eich sicrhau y byddaf yn gweithio gyda Gweinidogion ac Ysgrifenyddion eraill yn y Cabinet ar rai o'r pwyntiau hynny rydych chi wedi'u codi.
Y pwynt ynghylch Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, yn fy rôl flaenorol, roeddwn yn bresennol yn y ddwy sesiwn yma yn y Siambr, gyda'r Senedd Ieuenctid, a chlywais y lleisiau'n uchel iawn, ac maent wedi bod yn gyson dros nifer o flynyddoedd ar y materion y maent wedi'u codi. Rwy'n newydd i'r swydd hon o ran lle rydyn ni gyda hynny, felly byddaf yn edrych i mewn i hynny ac yn ymateb hefyd.
Ac yn olaf, Laura Anne Jones.
Finally, Laura Anne Jones.
Thank you. Minister, I too want to welcome you to your portfolio, and I'll watch with interest what you do with it, considering the knowledge that you have. As a fantastic former chairman of the children and young people's committee, you'll know that we've been told that there is money, apparently, to tackle mental health in schools, but schools I've visited across Wales haven't seen this money. Not only that, there has been no national approach to helping our children and young people, whilst there's been a massive rise in health problems. No national strategy, no guidance, every school has a different approach—some good, some concerningly poor. One school in my own region, in the city that we both represent, have enlisted the help of a third-party organisation, Mind Cymru, originally to be there for one day a week. But due to the high demand in that school—and many schools would chomp at the bit for this—they've increased that provision to five days a week.
Minister, when are we going to see some help, some guidance and a consistent approach across Wales to tackling mental health challenges in our schools, and what are your thoughts on using third-party organisations? Will you take firm action to share the best practice that is happening across Wales, and how will you work with the Cabinet Secretary for Education to achieve this? Diolch.
Diolch. Gweinidog, rwyf innau hefyd eisiau eich croesawu i'ch portffolio, a byddaf yn gwylio gyda diddordeb yr hyn a wnewch ag ef, gan ystyried yr wybodaeth sydd gennych chi. Fel cyn-gadeirydd gwych y pwyllgor plant a phobl ifanc, byddwch yn gwybod ein bod wedi cael gwybod bod arian, mae'n debyg, i fynd i'r afael ag iechyd meddwl mewn ysgolion, ond nid yw ysgolion yr wyf wedi ymweld â nhw ledled Cymru wedi gweld yr arian hwn. Nid yn unig hynny, ni fu dull cenedlaethol o helpu ein plant a'n pobl ifanc, tra bu cynnydd enfawr mewn problemau iechyd. Dim strategaeth genedlaethol, dim arweiniad, mae gan bob ysgol ddull gwahanol—rhai yn dda, rhai yn bryderus o wael. Mae un ysgol yn fy rhanbarth fy hun, yn y ddinas y mae'r ddau ohonom yn ei chynrychioli, wedi gofyn am gymorth mudiad trydydd parti, Mind Cymru, i fod yno am un diwrnod yr wythnos yn wreiddiol. Ond oherwydd y galw mawr yn yr ysgol honno—a byddai llawer o ysgolion ar dân i gael hyn—maen nhw wedi cynyddu'r ddarpariaeth honno i bum diwrnod yr wythnos.
Gweinidog, pryd y byddwn yn gweld rhywfaint o help, rhywfaint o arweiniad a dull cyson ar draws Cymru o fynd i'r afael â heriau iechyd meddwl yn ein hysgolion, a beth yw eich barn ar ddefnyddio sefydliadau trydydd parti? A wnewch chi gymryd camau pendant i rannu'r arfer gorau sy'n digwydd ledled Cymru, a sut y byddwch chi'n gweithio gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg i gyflawni hyn? Diolch.
Thank you very much, Laura. I really appreciate your warm words of welcome, and I look forward to working with you in an area that I know you feel very passionately about. As I said, protecting young people's mental health is a priority for us, it continues to be a priority for us. We are providing £13.6 million this year to support schools to implement that whole-school approach. This will enable schools to expand and improve those services such as school counselling, to deliver universal and targeted well-being interventions, and to train staff. So, there is work going on. You said that there are some really good examples as well, and I look forward to learning about and seeing some of those examples in practice. I'll also be working very closely with the Cabinet Secretary for Education. I know that you're aware of her commitment in this area as well. So, I can assure you that already we have looked at how we can work closely together, and we will continue to do that.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Laura. Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi'n fawr eich geiriau cynnes o groeso, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weithio gyda chi mewn maes yr wyf yn gwybod eich bod yn teimlo'n angerddol iawn amdano. Fel y dywedais i, mae diogelu iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc yn flaenoriaeth i ni, mae'n parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth i ni. Rydym yn darparu £13.6 miliwn eleni i gefnogi ysgolion i weithredu'r dull ysgol gyfan hwnnw. Bydd hyn yn galluogi ysgolion i ehangu a gwella'r gwasanaethau hynny megis cwnsela mewn ysgolion, i ddarparu ymyraethau llesiant cyffredinol ac wedi'i dargedu, ac i hyfforddi staff. Felly, mae gwaith yn mynd rhagddo. Fe ddywedoch chi fod yna rai enghreifftiau da iawn hefyd, ac edrychaf ymlaen at ddysgu am rai o'r enghreifftiau hynny a'u gweld yn ymarferol. Byddaf hefyd yn gweithio'n agos iawn gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg. Rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn ymwybodol o'i hymrwymiad yn y maes hwn hefyd. Felly, gallaf eich sicrhau ein bod ni eisoes wedi edrych ar sut y gallwn weithio'n agos gyda'n gilydd, a byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Eitem 6 yw datganiad gan y Gweinidog Gofal Cymdeithasol: ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer gofal maeth yng Nghymru. Galwaf ar y Gweinidog Gofal Cymdeithasol, Dawn Bowden.
Item 6 is a statement by the Minister for Social Care: our vision for foster care in Wales. I call on the Minister for Social Care, Dawn Bowden.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, a phrynhawn da. I very much welcome the opportunity to make my first statement as Minister for Social Care about our vision for foster care in Wales. As we enter Foster Care Fortnight, this is a real opportunity to celebrate the progress that we're making to improve fostering services and to highlight the important work foster carers do to give children and young people a loving home.
There are more than 7,000 children in the care of local authorities in Wales, and many have experienced abuse and neglect. These children are among the most vulnerable in our society, and they deserve the best possible future. It's our policy to try to keep families together wherever we can, but sometimes it's not possible for children to remain with their families, so foster care is a way of offering children and young people a safe and nurturing home when their birth families are unable to do so.
Our vision is for all children in foster care in Wales to have stable lives, to have trusted relationships, to feel cared for, and to benefit from high-quality foster care for as long as they need it, allowing them to make a successful transition to adulthood and independence.
In the short time that I've been the Minister for Social Care, I've been impressed by what I've learned about the work that's been done to improve the fostering sector, and I want to pay tribute to the dedication and commitment of my predecessor, Julie Morgan, who has done much to promote and improve fostering. This work has been done in the face of pressures on public sector finances and the cost-of-living crisis, which has had such a huge impact on families all over Wales.
Dirprwy Lywydd, at the heart of these improvements has been Foster Wales. Launched in July 2021, Foster Wales is a collaborative national network of the 22 local authority fostering teams across Wales. Its main aim is to improve the ability of local authority fostering services to recruit and retain foster carers so that we can rebalance service provision, address demands, and ultimately improve the quality of placement choice for children.
But it also offers so much more. Foster Wales provides an opportunity to ensure local authority fostering services in Wales continue to develop and adapt to improve outcomes for children. Supporting Foster Wales is one of our key programme for government commitments, and we have provided £3.7 million towards its development. This funding has supported a range of new initiatives to raise the public profile and awareness of fostering, and to improve the offer for our existing foster carers.
We know that we need to continually recruit more foster carers, especially if children are to be looked after in the right place, by the right people, with the right skills to meet their needs. Foster Wales is key to this and is working towards the ambitious target of recruiting an extra 800 foster families by 2026.
To help raise awareness of foster care and encourage people to consider fostering, it has undertaken several campaigns, all of which represent the voice of children and young people in care. Our efforts are having a positive effect. The awareness of the Foster Wales brand has significantly increased, and local authorities are receiving more enquiries from potential foster carers.
But retention of foster carers is just as important, and we have directed significant investment towards this. Offering consistent support to our foster carers is key to retaining their expertise. Foster Wales has launched the national commitment, which is an agreed package of training, support and rewards enjoyed by every one of our foster carers in Wales. And I know that our local authorities are continuing to work hard to ensure the components outlined within this commitment are delivered on a consistent basis.
In response to feedback from foster carers, we’ve also developed a learning and development framework, which offers a consistent approach across Wales. And I'm pleased that foster carers are able to access these opportunities that meet their professional and personal needs, alongside supporting them to provide high-quality care for children and young people.
At the heart of our retention policy is the need to treat foster carers as equal and valued members of the team around the child. We're continuing to fund the foster well-being programme, which is delivered by the Fostering Network and promotes equality of status by bringing together all the professional networks involved in supporting children who are looked after, including foster carers.
Income is often an important consideration for families thinking about or continuing fostering, and I believe that those who care for our children should be adequately resourced to cover the costs of the children in their care. We are in the process of undertaking a comprehensive piece of work to identify the costs of introducing a new approach to fostering allowances that focuses on the actual costs of caring for a child.
I understand and recognise how ambitious our programme of work has been, and the progress we've made to date has been considerable. It's thanks to the energy and the commitment of dedicated staff from across our fostering regions, our third sector partners and our foster carers that we've been able to achieve so much.
However, there's more we can and should be doing to ensure our fostering services in Wales are as effective and efficient as they can be. We've seen the beginnings of a transformation in foster care, and I'm committed to continuing to review our policies and practices in Wales, to ensure that our foster families and fostering services have the support they need to guarantee the best outcomes for the children in their care.
I'm very much looking forward to continuing our journey to develop an effective, co-ordinated Wales-wide approach to transforming our foster care services, and ultimately building better futures for our children here in Wales. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, a phrynhawn da. Rwy'n croesawu'n fawr y cyfle i wneud fy natganiad cyntaf fel Gweinidog Gofal Cymdeithasol am ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer gofal maeth yng Nghymru. Wrth i ni ddechrau Pythefnos Gofal Maeth, mae hwn yn gyfle gwirioneddol i ddathlu'r cynnydd rydym yn ei wneud i wella gwasanaethau maethu ac i dynnu sylw at y gwaith pwysig y mae gofalwyr maeth yn ei wneud i roi cartref cariadus i blant a phobl ifanc.
Mae dros 7,000 o blant yng ngofal awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru, ac mae llawer wedi profi cam-drin ac esgeulustod. Mae'r plant hyn ymhlith y rhai mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas, ac maen nhw'n haeddu'r dyfodol gorau posibl. Ein polisi yw ceisio cadw teuluoedd gyda'i gilydd pryd bynnag y gallwn ni, ond weithiau nid yw'n bosibl i blant aros gyda'u teuluoedd, felly mae gofal maeth yn ffordd o gynnig cartref diogel a meithringar i blant a phobl ifanc pan na all eu teuluoedd genedigol wneud hynny.
Ein gweledigaeth yw i bob plentyn mewn gofal maeth yng Nghymru gael bywyd sefydlog, bod â pherthynas ddibynadwy ag eraill, teimlo eu bod yn cael gofal, ac elwa ar ofal maeth o ansawdd uchel cyhyd ag y bydd ei angen arnyn nhw, gan ganiatáu iddyn nhw bontio'n llwyddiannus i fod yn oedolyn ac yn annibynnol.
Yn yr amser byr rwyf wedi bod yn Weinidog Gofal Cymdeithasol, mae'r hyn rwyf wedi'i ddysgu am y gwaith sydd wedi'i wneud i wella'r sector maethu wedi gwneud argraff wych arnaf, ac rwyf am dalu teyrnged i ymroddiad ac ymrwymiad fy rhagflaenydd, Julie Morgan, sydd wedi gwneud llawer i hyrwyddo a gwella maethu. Gwnaed y gwaith hwn yn wyneb pwysau ar gyllid y sector cyhoeddus a'r argyfwng costau byw, sydd wedi cael effaith mor enfawr ar deuluoedd ledled Cymru.
Dirprwy Lywydd, wrth wraidd y gwelliannau hyn fu Maethu Cymru. Lansiwyd Maethu Cymru ym mis Gorffennaf 2021, ac mae'n rhwydwaith cenedlaethol cydweithredol o'r 22 tîm maethu awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru. Ei brif nod yw gwella gallu gwasanaethau maethu awdurdodau lleol i recriwtio a chadw gofalwyr maeth er mwyn inni allu ailgydbwyso darpariaeth gwasanaethau, mynd i'r afael â gofynion, ac yn y pen draw, gwella ansawdd y dewis o leoliad i blant.
Ond mae hefyd yn cynnig cymaint mwy. Mae Maethu Cymru yn rhoi cyfle i sicrhau bod gwasanaethau maethu awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru yn parhau i ddatblygu ac addasu i wella canlyniadau i blant. Mae cefnogi Maethu Cymru yn un o'n hymrwymiadau allweddol yn y rhaglen lywodraethu, ac rydym wedi darparu £3.7 miliwn tuag at ei ddatblygiad. Mae'r cyllid hwn wedi cefnogi amrywiaeth o fentrau newydd i godi proffil ac ymwybyddiaeth y cyhoedd o faethu, a gwella'r cynnig i'n gofalwyr maeth presennol.
Rydym yn gwybod bod angen i ni recriwtio mwy o ofalwyr maeth yn barhaus, yn enwedig os yw plant am gael gofal yn y lle iawn, gan y bobl iawn, sydd â'r sgiliau iawn i ddiwallu eu hanghenion. Mae Maethu Cymru yn allweddol i hyn ac mae'n gweithio tuag at y targed uchelgeisiol o recriwtio 800 o deuluoedd maeth ychwanegol erbyn 2026.
I helpu i godi ymwybyddiaeth o ofal maeth ac annog pobl i ystyried maethu, mae wedi cynnal sawl ymgyrch, ac mae pob un ohonynt yn cynrychioli llais plant a phobl ifanc mewn gofal. Mae ein hymdrechion yn cael effaith gadarnhaol. Mae'r ymwybyddiaeth o frand Maethu Cymru wedi cynyddu'n sylweddol, ac mae awdurdodau lleol yn derbyn mwy o ymholiadau gan ofalwyr maeth posib.
Ond mae cadw gofalwyr maeth yr un mor bwysig, ac rydym wedi cyfeirio buddsoddiad sylweddol tuag at hyn. Mae cynnig cefnogaeth gyson i'n gofalwyr maeth yn allweddol i gadw eu harbenigedd. Mae Maethu Cymru wedi lansio'r ymrwymiad cenedlaethol, sef pecyn o hyfforddiant, cefnogaeth a gwobrau y cytunwyd arnynt gan bob un o'n gofalwyr maeth yng Nghymru. Ac rwy'n gwybod bod ein hawdurdodau lleol yn parhau i weithio'n galed i sicrhau bod y cydrannau a amlinellir yn yr ymrwymiad hwn yn cael eu cyflawni'n gyson.
Mewn ymateb i adborth gan ofalwyr maeth, rydym hefyd wedi datblygu fframwaith dysgu a datblygu, sy'n cynnig dull cyson ledled Cymru. Ac rwy'n falch bod gofalwyr maeth yn gallu manteisio ar y cyfleoedd hyn sy'n diwallu eu hanghenion proffesiynol a phersonol, ochr yn ochr â'u cefnogi i ddarparu gofal o ansawdd uchel i blant a phobl ifanc.
Wrth wraidd ein polisi cadw y mae'r angen i drin gofalwyr maeth fel aelodau cyfartal a gwerthfawr o'r tîm o amgylch y plentyn. Rydym yn parhau i ariannu'r rhaglen llesiant maeth, a ddarperir gan y Rhwydwaith Maethu ac sy'n hyrwyddo cydraddoldeb statws drwy ddod â'r holl rwydweithiau proffesiynol sy'n ymwneud â chefnogi plant sy'n derbyn gofal, gan gynnwys gofalwyr maeth, at ei gilydd.
Mae incwm yn aml yn ystyriaeth bwysig i deuluoedd sy'n ystyried neu sy'n parhau i faethu, ac rwy'n credu y dylai'r rhai sy'n gofalu am ein plant fod ag adnoddau digonol i dalu costau'r plant yn eu gofal. Rydym wrthi'n ymgymryd â darn cynhwysfawr o waith i nodi costau cyflwyno dull newydd o ymdrin â lwfansau maethu sy'n canolbwyntio ar wir gostau gofalu am blentyn.
Rwy'n deall ac yn cydnabod pa mor uchelgeisiol fu ein rhaglen waith, ac mae'r cynnydd rydym wedi'i wneud hyd yma wedi bod yn sylweddol. Diolch i egni ac ymrwymiad staff ymroddedig o bob rhan o'n rhanbarthau maethu, ein partneriaid yn y trydydd sector a'n gofalwyr maeth y bu modd i ni gyflawni cymaint.
Fodd bynnag, mae mwy y gallwn ac y dylem ni fod yn ei wneud i sicrhau bod ein gwasanaethau maethu yng Nghymru mor effeithiol ac effeithlon ag y gallant fod. Rydym wedi gweld dechrau trawsnewidiad mewn gofal maeth, ac rwyf wedi ymrwymo i barhau i adolygu ein polisïau a'n harferion yng Nghymru, er mwyn sicrhau bod ein teuluoedd maeth a'n gwasanaethau maethu yn cael y cymorth sydd ei angen arnyn nhw i sicrhau'r canlyniadau gorau i'r plant yn eu gofal.
Rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at barhau â'n taith i ddatblygu dull effeithiol a chydgysylltiedig ledled Cymru o drawsnewid ein gwasanaethau gofal maeth, ac yn y pen draw greu dyfodol gwell i'n plant yma yng Nghymru. Diolch yn fawr.
Thank you for your statement, Minister. I welcome you to your new role, and I'm looking forward to working with you. I'm delighted to help highlight Foster Care Fortnight and celebrate the role of foster carers in Wales. Foster carers transform the lives of children and young people who, through no fault of their own, enter the care system. It is right that we put on record our sincere thanks to everyone involved in fostering.
Sadly, in the past decade, we have seen the number of looked-after children increase by over a third. Yet, at the same time, we have seen a decrease in the number of foster carers. While I welcome the Minister's commitment to recruit an extra 800 foster families by 2026, we need action now. According to the Fostering Network, we need around 400 more fostering families today in order to provide care for children and young people across Wales.
We also have an issue with the high turnover in children's social care work teams. Only half of all foster carers have had the same supervised social worker over the past two years, with some families having a staggering four or more. This lack of continuity has a dramatic effect on the child and the foster family. We have to ensure that not only do we have sufficient foster carers, but also a sufficient social care workforce to support them. Minister, what steps are you taking to ensure that Wales recruits enough social workers to meet case loads? We know that, according to Social Care Wales, 42 per cent of all children's services social workers work primarily for an agency. What assessment have you made of the impact providing agency staff is having on children's services budgets across Wales?
I welcome your commitment to the retention of foster carers. One of the biggest asks for foster families is official recognition. The Fostering Network has long called for a national register of foster carers, which would improve their status, both within the sector and in the public eye. Minister, can you provide an update on the Welsh Government's position on such a register? Will you support its urgent introduction? I also welcome the commitment to looking at the fostering allowances. Minister, can you confirm whether or not you are looking at the harmonised rates suggested by Pro Bono Economics and the Fostering Network? Can you also confirm whether allowances are to be harmonised across Wales or left to the individual children's services departments?
Finally, Minister, we have had two successful pilots of a scheme that uses foster carers to support families to safely keep their children at home with them. This edge-of-care prevention programme has proven successful at keeping children out of care. Children's services are under tremendous pressure, and we have seen large delays in section 47 assessments in some parts of the country. The Step Up Step Down programme could help alleviate some of that pressure. Minister, do you have any plans to roll out this programme across Wales? Thank you again for your statement, and I look forward to working with you to improve fostering services in Wales. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch am eich datganiad, Gweinidog. Rwy'n eich croesawu i'ch rôl newydd, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at weithio gyda chi. Rwy'n falch iawn o helpu i dynnu sylw at Bythefnos Gofal Maeth a dathlu rôl gofalwyr maeth yng Nghymru. Mae gofalwyr maeth yn trawsnewid bywydau plant a phobl ifanc sydd, heb unrhyw fai arnyn nhw eu hunain, yn mynd i'r system ofal. Mae'n iawn ein bod wedi diolch yn ddiffuant i bawb sy'n ymwneud â maethu.
Yn anffodus, yn ystod y degawd diwethaf, rydym wedi gweld cynnydd o dros draean yn nifer y plant sy'n derbyn gofal. Ac eto, ar yr un pryd, rydym wedi gweld gostyngiad yn nifer y gofalwyr maeth. Er fy mod yn croesawu ymrwymiad y Gweinidog i recriwtio 800 o deuluoedd maeth ychwanegol erbyn 2026, mae angen gweithredu nawr. Yn ôl y Rhwydwaith Maethu, mae angen tua 400 yn fwy o deuluoedd maethu arnom heddiw er mwyn darparu gofal i blant a phobl ifanc ledled Cymru.
Mae gennym broblem hefyd gyda'r trosiant uchel mewn timau gwaith gofal cymdeithasol plant. Dim ond hanner yr holl ofalwyr maeth sydd wedi cael yr un gweithiwr cymdeithasol goruchwylio dros y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, ac mae rhai teuluoedd yn cael pedwar neu fwy, sy'n syfrdanol. Mae'r diffyg dilyniant hwn yn cael effaith fawr iawn ar y plentyn a'r teulu maeth. Mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau nid yn unig bod gennym ddigon o ofalwyr maeth, ond hefyd gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol digonol i'w cefnogi. Gweinidog, pa gamau ydych chi'n eu cymryd i sicrhau bod Cymru'n recriwtio digon o weithwyr cymdeithasol i gyflawni'r llwythi achosion? Yn ôl Gofal Cymdeithasol Cymru, gwyddom fod 42 y cant o'r holl weithwyr cymdeithasol gwasanaethau plant yn gweithio'n bennaf ar gyfer asiantaeth. Pa asesiad ydych chi wedi'i wneud o'r effaith y mae darparu staff asiantaeth yn ei chael ar gyllidebau gwasanaethau plant ledled Cymru?
Rwy'n croesawu eich ymrwymiad i gadw gofalwyr maeth. Un o'r prif bethau y mae teuluoedd maeth yn gofyn amdano yw cydnabyddiaeth swyddogol. Mae'r Rhwydwaith Maethu wedi galw ers tro am gofrestr genedlaethol o ofalwyr maeth, a fyddai'n gwella eu statws, yn y sector ac yn llygad y cyhoedd. Gweinidog, a allwch roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru ar gofrestr o'r fath? A wnewch chi gefnogi ei gyflwyno ar frys? Rwyf hefyd yn croesawu'r ymrwymiad i edrych ar y lwfansau maethu. Gweinidog, a allwch chi gadarnhau a ydych yn edrych ar y cyfraddau cytûn a awgrymwyd gan Pro Bono Economics a'r Rhwydwaith Maethu ai peidio? A allwch chi hefyd gadarnhau a yw lwfansau i'w cysoni ledled Cymru neu eu gadael i'r adrannau gwasanaethau plant unigol?
Yn olaf, Gweinidog, rydym wedi treialu dau gynllun yn llwyddiannus sy'n defnyddio gofalwyr maeth i gefnogi teuluoedd i gadw eu plant gartref gyda nhw yn ddiogel. Mae'r rhaglen atal ar ffiniau gofal hon wedi bod yn llwyddiannus wrth gadw plant allan o ofal. Mae gwasanaethau plant dan bwysau aruthrol, ac rydym wedi gweld oedi mawr mewn asesiadau adran 47 mewn rhai rhannau o'r wlad. Gallai'r rhaglen Cam i Fyny Cam i Lawr helpu i leddfu rhywfaint o'r pwysau hwnnw. Gweinidog, a oes gennych unrhyw gynlluniau i gyflwyno'r rhaglen hon ledled Cymru? Diolch eto am eich datganiad, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weithio gyda chi i wella gwasanaethau maethu yng Nghymru. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you, Altaf, for those comments, and the number of very important points that you've made. Can I start by joining you in thanking all of those foster carers who provide that invaluable service, as you say, to some of the most vulnerable children in our society?
It is a concern to all of us, isn't it, to see the number of children in care in Wales. Per head of the children's population, we have more children in care in Wales than in any other part of the UK. I don't believe for one moment that that is because the children in Wales are any different to the rest of the UK. But we have to take a very different approach to the way in which we look after those children on the edge of care and coming into care. And that's why the recruitment campaigns that we've been doing around foster carers are so important. There has been a significant number of those recruitment campaigns, and we are seeing some results from that, as I said in my statement. We're seeing an increased number of expressions of interest to come into foster care, but we need to translate those expressions of interest into people actually coming forward and taking up that responsibility.
But just as important to that is retaining those foster carers in the system. And I say that's important because we have a transformation of children's services programme in Wales, which comprises lots of radical reform about the way that we deal with children's services up to and including children who are looked after. And part of that transformation programme is that we try to keep as many of those children out of residential care as we possibly can. In order to do that, we have to do a number of things, one of which you've already touched on, and that's keeping children at home. That's working with families and carers to enable those children to stay safely in the families that they were either born into or that they live with. If we can do that, then obviously that takes the pressure off the children's residential service, which we know is a major problem for us in terms of the number of places available. We need to keep children in their own communities, and we know that that is problematic. So many children, when they go into care, are placed into residential care that is a long way from where they live, is out of county; sometimes it's even in England. So, all of that we have to look at within the transformation of children's services programme that we have.
We're in the early stages of that programme, but it can be transformational if it works. And all of that is leading to various pieces of legislation that we're going to introduce. I will be introducing the social care Bill next week, which will move towards the elimination of profit in children's services. We think that that is hugely important, because we think that any income and any fees associated with children's care should be reinvested into children's care and not given out as dividends to shareholders. And I'm afraid we're seeing too many hedge companies and so on moving into that space at the moment, seeing the children's care sector as a place to make a quick buck.
So, the national register, Altaf, that you talked about, that's really important. It's something that the sector has called for for a long time, and I just want to reaffirm that I'm committed to considering introducing a national register. We need to work with the sector on that and take all of those views into account. We've had initial discussions with the fostering network around that. We've got to do it in consultation with the sector, because it isn't straightforward. It is quite complex, but it is something that needs to be undertaken in a timely and controlled way, ensuring that it's going to be properly resourced. But I'm very committed to working towards that.
Diolch yn fawr, Altaf, am y sylwadau yna, a'r nifer o bwyntiau pwysig iawn rydych chi wedi'u gwneud. A gaf i ddechrau drwy ymuno â chi i ddiolch i'r holl ofalwyr maeth hynny sy'n darparu'r gwasanaeth amhrisiadwy hwnnw, fel y dywedwch chi, i rai o'r plant mwyaf agored i niwed yn ein cymdeithas?
Mae'n bryder i bob un ohonom, onid yw, i weld nifer y plant mewn gofal yng Nghymru. Fesul pen o'r boblogaeth o blant, mae gennym fwy o blant mewn gofal yng Nghymru nag mewn unrhyw ran arall o'r DU. Nid wyf yn credu am un eiliad bod hynny oherwydd bod plant Cymru yn wahanol i weddill y DU. Ond mae'n rhaid i ni fod ag agwedd wahanol iawn at y ffordd yr ydym yn gofalu am y plant hynny sydd ar ffiniau gofal ac sy'n dod i ofal. A dyna pam mae'r ymgyrchoedd recriwtio rydyn ni wedi bod yn eu cynnal o amgylch gofalwyr maeth mor bwysig. Bu nifer sylweddol o'r ymgyrchoedd recriwtio hynny, ac rydym yn gweld rhai canlyniadau o hynny, fel y dywedais i yn fy natganiad. Rydym yn gweld nifer cynyddol yn mynegi diddordeb i ddod i ofal maeth, ond mae angen i ni drosi'r nifer hwnnw sy'n mynegi diddordeb yn bobl sy'n dod ymlaen ac yn cymryd y cyfrifoldeb hwnnw.
Ond yr un mor bwysig i hynny yw cadw'r gofalwyr maeth hynny yn y system. Ac rwy'n dweud bod hynny'n bwysig oherwydd bod gennym raglen trawsnewid gwasanaethau plant yng Nghymru, sy'n cynnwys llawer o ddiwygio radical ynghylch y ffordd yr ydym yn ymdrin â gwasanaethau plant hyd at, ac yn cynnwys plant sy'n derbyn gofal. A rhan o'r rhaglen drawsnewid honno yw ein bod yn ceisio cadw cymaint o'r plant hynny allan o ofal preswyl ag y gallwn. Er mwyn gwneud hynny, mae'n rhaid i ni wneud nifer o bethau, un yr ydych eisoes wedi cyffwrdd arno, sef cadw plant gartref. Sef gweithio gyda theuluoedd a gofalwyr i alluogi'r plant hynny i aros yn ddiogel yn y teuluoedd y cawsant eu geni iddynt neu y maen nhw'n byw gyda nhw. Os gallwn ni wneud hynny, yna mae'n amlwg bod hynny'n tynnu'r pwysau oddi ar y gwasanaeth preswyl i blant, ac rydyn ni'n gwybod bod hynny'n broblem fawr i ni o ran nifer y lleoedd sydd ar gael. Mae angen i ni gadw plant yn eu cymunedau eu hunain, ac rydym yn gwybod bod hynny'n gallu bod yn broblem. Mae cymaint o blant, pan fyddan nhw'n mynd i ofal, yn cael eu rhoi mewn gofal preswyl sy'n bell o ble maen nhw'n byw, y tu allan i'r sir; weithiau hyd yn oed yn Lloegr. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni edrych ar hynny i gyd o fewn y rhaglen trawsnewid gwasanaethau plant sydd gennym.
Rydyn ni yng nghamau cynnar y rhaglen honno, ond gall fod yn drawsnewidiol os yw'n gweithio. Ac mae hynny i gyd yn arwain at wahanol ddarnau o ddeddfwriaeth yr ydym yn mynd i'w cyflwyno. Byddaf yn cyflwyno'r Bil gofal cymdeithasol yr wythnos nesaf, a fydd yn symud tuag at ddileu elw mewn gwasanaethau plant. Credwn fod hynny'n hynod bwysig, oherwydd credwn y dylid ailfuddsoddi unrhyw incwm ac unrhyw ffioedd sy'n gysylltiedig â gofal plant yng ngofal y plant a pheidio â'i roi fel difidendau i gyfranddalwyr. Ac mae gen i ofn ein bod ni'n gweld gormod o gwmnïau rhagfantoli ac yn y blaen yn symud i'r maes hynny ar hyn o bryd, gan weld y sector gofal plant fel lle i wneud arian cyflym.
Felly, mae'r gofrestr genedlaethol, Altaf, y sonioch chi amdani, yn bwysig iawn. Mae'n rhywbeth y mae'r sector wedi galw amdano ers amser maith, ac rwyf eisiau cadarnhau fy mod wedi ymrwymo i ystyried cyflwyno cofrestr genedlaethol. Mae angen i ni weithio gyda'r sector ar hynny a chymryd yr holl safbwyntiau hynny i ystyriaeth. Rydym wedi cael trafodaethau cychwynnol gyda'r rhwydwaith maethu ynghylch hynny. Mae'n rhaid i ni ei wneud mewn ymgynghoriad â'r sector, oherwydd nid yw'n syml. Mae'n eithaf cymhleth, ond mae'n rhywbeth y mae angen ei wneud mewn modd amserol a rheoledig, gan sicrhau y bydd adnoddau priodol ar gael. Ond rwyf wedi ymrwymo'n gryf i weithio tuag at hynny.
Diolch am y datganiad, Weinidog. Rwy'n falch o nodi hefyd, ar ran Plaid Cymru, bwysigrwydd Pythefnos Gofal Maeth ac, wrth gwrs, gwerth amhrisiadwy gofalwyr maeth. Mae Plaid Cymru hefyd yn falch o'r cynnydd sydd wedi'i wneud trwy'r cytundeb cydweithio, cynnydd roedd mawr ei angen i gymryd camau tuag at waredu ar elw mewn gofal. Ac mae'n bwysig bod lleisiau plant a phobl ifanc wrth galon yr hyn sy'n digwydd i wella'r gofal maen nhw'n ei dderbyn yng Nghymru.
Mae bron yn flwyddyn yn union ers i'r Pwyllgor Plant, Pobl Ifanc ac Addysg gyhoeddi adroddiad ar ddiwygio radical o fewn y sector gofal. Roeddwn i'n aelod o'r pwyllgor ar y pryd, ac fe glywon ni yn uniongyrchol gan blant a phobl ifanc am eu profiadau o ofal—nifer yn teimlo'n gryf iawn fod rhai gofalwyr maeth wedi eu cymell yn ormodol gan elw. A mynegwyd hyn yn glir gan aelod o Senedd Ieuenctid Cymru, Rosemary Squires, un o fy etholwyr i o Abertawe, a phwysleisiodd, yn ei geiriau syml ond grymus hi:
'Pobl ŷm ni, nid elw.'
Fe ddywedoch chi yn eich datganiad, Weinidog, fod y plant yma yn ein gofal fel rhieni corfforaethol ymhlith aelodau mwyaf bregus ein cymdeithas, eu bod nhw, yn eich geiriau chi, yn haeddu'r dyfodol gorau posib. Felly, o gofio y gwnaeth y pwyllgor waith manwl ar yr hyn a fyddai'n gwella eu profiad o fod mewn gofal mewn modd gwirioneddol radical, ac o ystyried y gwnaeth y Llywodraeth wrthod pob argymhelliad o ran y diwygiadau radical hynny roeddwn i am eu gweld, namyn un, a ydych chi'n hyderus bod y gwaith sy'n cael ei gyflawni yn ddigonol i gwrdd â'r her a osodwyd gan y bobl ifanc a lywiodd waith y pwyllgor? Fedrwch chi roi gwybod i ni sut mae'r adroddiad hwnnw wedi llywio eich gweledigaeth chi o ran maethu yn benodol?
Fe wnaeth Altaf Hussain godi'r mater o'r gofrestr, a gwnaethoch chi ddweud bod y gwaith ar hynny yn gorfod mynd rhagddo. Wel, fel rhan o ymateb y Llywodraeth i adroddiad y pwyllgor, fe gytunodd y Llywodraeth i ddatblygu cofrestr genedlaethol achos byddai'n rhywbeth a fyddai'n codi statws a chydnabyddiaeth ar eu cyfer, yn gwella diogelu plant a chynnig darlun gwell o'r ddarpariaeth a'r gefnogaeth sydd ar gael ar draws Cymru. Mae'n flwyddyn ers inni gael yr ymrwymiad yna, felly allwn ni gael diweddariad ar yn union beth sy'n digwydd, achos roedd yn swnio fel bod dim lot wedi digwydd o ran hynny? Ac o ran y cynlluniau sydd ar droed gwnaethoch chi restru heddiw a'r buddsoddiad yna sydd wedi'i wneud, sut bydd cynnydd yn cael ei fesur a sut y byddwch chi'n gwerthuso effeithiolrwydd y cynlluniau yma?
Roedd eich rhagflaenydd, Julie Morgan, yn frwd iawn dros y siarter rhianta corfforaethol. Oes modd i chi roi enghreifftiau inni o sut y mae’r siarter wedi gwella’r gwasanaethau y mae plant a phobl ifanc â phrofiad o fod mewn gofal yn eu derbyn gan gyrff cyhoeddus? Ac o gofio ei bod hi’n siarter wirfoddol, oes yna gysondeb nawr awr ar draws Cymru?
Fe wnaethoch chi hefyd sôn fanna am y targed yma sydd gan Faethu Cymru o recriwtio 800 o deuluoedd maeth erbyn 2026. Mae’r Rhwydwaith Maethu yn dweud bod Cymru 400 o leiaf yn brin o ofalwyr maeth ar hyn o bryd. Felly, mi wnaethoch chi ddweud bod yna gynnydd yn hyn o beth, ond wnaethon ni ddim cael lot o eglurder o ran faint o gynnydd. Felly, o ystyried bod Maethu Cymru wedi bod wrthi nawr ers rhai blynyddoedd, oes modd ichi roi syniad inni o ba mor agos ydyn ni at gyrraedd y nod yna o 800?
Fe sonioch chi hefyd am y broses yma sy’n mynd rhagddi o ran edrych ar ffocws newydd ar gyfer lwfansau maethu, gan y dylai’r rhai sy’n gofalu dderbyn cyllid digonol i ddarparu’r gofal gorau posib. Wel, eto, fe glywon ni’r union eiriau hyn gan eich rhagflaenydd ddwy flynedd yn ôl mewn ymateb i gwestiwn gan Heledd Fychan, felly pa waith sydd wedi cael ei wneud eisoes ar hyn? Liciwn i wybod ychydig bach mwy o fanylion, os gwelwch yn dda. A hefyd, pryd fydd y gwaith, ydych chi’n meddwl, yn cael ei gwblhau?
Ac yn olaf, hoffwn i wybod sut yr ydych yn sicrhau bod barn plant a phobl ifanc sydd mewn gofal yn cael ei glywed o ran datblygiad ac effeithioldeb y cynlluniau newydd yma. A yw maint eu huchelgais nhw yn y cynlluniau yma yn cwrdd â dyheadau’r bobl ifanc, a’n dyletswydd ni fel rhieni corfforaethol i sicrhau i’r bobl ifanc yma y tegwch a’r dyfodol gwell y maen nhw’n ei haeddu? Diolch.
Thank you for your statement, Minister. I'm pleased to note on behalf of Plaid Cymru the importance of Foster Care Fortnight and, of course, the invaluable contribution made by foster carers. Plaid Cymru is also proud of the progress that has been made through the co-operation agreement, progress that was very much needed to take steps towards removing profit from care. And it's important that the voices of children and young people are at the heart of efforts to improve the care that they receive in Wales.
It's almost exactly a year since the Children, Young People and Education Committee published its report on radical reform in the care system. I was a member of the committee at the time, and we heard directly from children and young people about their experiences of care, and a number were firmly of the view that some foster carers were overly motivated by profit. And this was clearly expressed by the contribution of a member of the Welsh Youth Parliament, Rosemary Squires, one of my constituents from Swansea, who emphasised, in her simple but powerful words:
'We are people, not profit.'
You said in your statement, Minister, that the children in our care as a corporate parent are among the most vulnerable members of society and that they, in your words, deserve the best possible future. Therefore, bearing in mind that the committee undertook detailed work on what would improve their experiences of care in a genuinely radical way, and bearing in mind, too, that the Government rejected every recommendation that we made regarding those radical reforms that we wanted to see, excepting one, are you confident that the work currently under way is sufficient to respond to the challenge set by the young people who steered the committee's work? And can you tell us how that report has guided your vision in terms of fostering in particular?
Altaf Hussain referred to the register, and you said that that work is under way. Well, as part of the Government's response to the committee report, the Government agreed to develop a national register because it would be something that would raise the status and recognition for foster carers, whilst also improving safeguards for children and provide an enhanced picture of the provision and support available across Wales. So, it's a year since we received that commitment, so can we have an update on exactly what is happening, because it sounds as if not much has happened in that regard? And in terms of the plans afoot that you listed today and the investment that has been made, how will progress be measured and how will you evaluate the effectiveness of these plans?
Your predecessor, Julie Morgan, was strongly in favour of the corporate parenting charter. Could you give us examples of how that charter has improved the services that care-experienced children and young people receive from public services? And bearing in mind that it is a voluntary charter, is there consistency now across Wales?
You also mentioned in your statement about this target that Foster Wales has in terms of recruiting 800 foster families by 2026. The Fostering Network states that Wales is short of 400 foster carers at the moment. You said that there has been progress made in this direction, but we didn’t have a great deal of clarity about how much progress has been made. So, bearing in mind that Foster Wales has been in place now for some years, can you give us an idea of how close we are to reaching that target of recruiting 800 foster families?
You also mentioned this process that is currently under way in terms of a new focus for fostering allowances, as those who care should receive sufficient funds to provide the best possible care. Well ,again, we heard those exact same words from your predecessor two years ago in response to a question from Heledd Fychan, so what work has been done already on this? I’d like to know a little bit more in terms of the details on that. And also, when will the work be completed, do you think?
And finally, I’d like to know how you are ensuring that the views of children and young people in care are heard in terms of the development and effectiveness of these new plans. Does the scale of their ambition in these plans meet the aspirations of those young people, and our duties as corporate parents to ensure that those young people receive the fairness and the better future that they deserve? Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sioned, for those very important points and questions and can I say how appreciative I am of the work that we have done with Plaid Cymru to deliver the programme for government commitments around the transforming children’s services programme? Because that will be transformational, in my view, when we are able to deliver all of the policies that are contained therein. These things don’t happen overnight and I know you understand that. These are long-term programmes with a particular aim. In terms of the eliminating profit from child residential childcare, we’re talking about a 10-year programme to move from where we are now to where we want to be. We know that that will take some time in terms of the transition from where we are now to getting profit out of the sector. All of those organisations that are in the sector for profit, we want as many of those to transfer into the third sector or to the not-for-profit model. Some of them may be prepared to do that, a number of them won't. We’re working on the basis that a number of them won’t, and so, therefore, we have to have alternatives in place, and as I said in my response to Altaf Hussain, foster carers will be critical and crucial in that, in delivering the kind of care that we would want to see that keeps them out of residential services.
I know that my predecessor, Julie Morgan, was very grateful to the children and young people’s committee, as am I, in terms of the work that was done. And I’ve had conversations with Jayne Bryant, who was the previous Chair of that committee, so we’ve been able to catch up on a number of pieces of work that you did on radical reform, and the evidence from that inquiry was hugely important, and I don’t want anybody to think that we haven’t taken any notice of what those children said in that committee in public, because that was very, very important evidence for us. And the fact that we didn’t accept all of the recommendations—we actually accepted in part or in whole around 20 of the recommendations—[Interruption.] Yes, albeit what we didn’t accept was that there was the need to do a lot of that through legislation. So, I think it’s important to say that what we were looking at in the evidence that the committee had was that our programme, that radical programme that we’re trying to transform children services in, and which Plaid Cymru have been very much part of—a lot of those areas of work that we’re doing there is informed by the evidence that those young people gave to that committee. The fact that it’s not necessarily in legislation doesn’t mean that it isn’t being utilised and it’s not going to form part of our work.
You’ve asked particularly about the national fostering register, and I briefly responded to Altaf, and as I say, I’ll repeat what I said then. We do know, and we are aware, that stakeholders have been asking for this for some time, and although there are a lot of benefits to introducing a national register, we do have to take a balanced view in terms of whether or not we adopt that. As I said, although I'm committed to considering the introduction of such a register, we do have to work with the sector and take all those views into account when deciding whether or not that is the right way forward. We are in discussions with the Fostering Network around that, and we're undertaking a scoping exercise to establish what a national register could actually look like, whether there are any legislative requirements attached to that and what the operational feasibility of that might be. So, we'll continue down that road, it's something that I'm keen to continue looking at, and we'll report back in due course.
The other thing—sorry, Altaf, you did raise it and I didn't specifically answer it, but I'll answer it from Sioned instead—is around the financial support for foster carers. It's important to say, isn't it, that foster carers come into foster caring for the right reasons. They don't come into it for the money, but when they do come into it, we have to make sure that they are properly remunerated for what they're doing and that the level of allowance that they get is commensurate with the type of child that they're looking after. There are differences in how much a child costs. You know if you've had children yourself that at different stages of their life—mine are adults now and they cost me more than they did when they were babies. This is how it is. And so we have to take all of that into account.
The payments for foster carers, as you will know, are diverse, right the way across Wales. So, although we have the national minimum allowance, which is the same in every local authority, we do see differences in each local authority. Some local authorities introduce additional benefits to go alongside the national minimum allowance, so we do see some authorities that reduce council tax, that give free access to leisure services, provide free car parking. They give birthday allowances and Christmas allowances and so on. But it's not consistent across the 22 local authorities, and that's part of the work that we are looking at. We commissioned a report to have a look at that, we also asked Foster Wales to undertake a comprehensive piece of work to identify the costs of introducing a new approach to fostering allowances, and at the moment we are in the process of analysing those reports. That isn't going to come without a cost, and there's no point in me standing here and just saying that we can deliver huge increases in those allowances, but we do want to make them more equitable—[Interruption.]—and we do want to—. Yes, we absolutely do want to make sure that there's a fair allowance and that there's an equitable allowance and that it's consistent across the 22 authorities. So, that's a piece of work that is ongoing.
I'm trying to think what else you asked me. Measures—how we'd measure that. So, as part of the standard grant monitoring arrangements, we've got regular meetings with Foster Wales and members of its governance board to discuss performance and metrics. Foster Wales is also a member of the transformation delivery group, which has been established to lead and drive forward the delivery of our transformation programme. That group has established two work streams to look at data metrics to drive and monitor progress, as well as early intervention and prevention to ensure join-up and effective delivery. But, ultimately, what I would say is we will know that our programme has been delivered successfully if we see fewer children in care, we see fewer children being placed in care far away from home or out of county and we see that we have more foster carers coming into our networks so that children can have a more acceptable looked-after life, if you like, in a family setting. So, that's how I would like to see all of that happening, and I think that was everything that you asked. I think I covered everything, anyway, but thank you, Sioned.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Sioned, am y pwyntiau a'r cwestiynau pwysig iawn yna ac a gaf i ddweud pa mor werthfawrogol ydw i o'r gwaith rydyn ni wedi'i wneud gyda Phlaid Cymru i gyflawni'r ymrwymiadau yn y rhaglen lywodraethu o ran y rhaglen trawsnewid gwasanaethau plant? Oherwydd bydd hynny'n drawsnewidiol, yn fy marn i, pan fyddwn ni'n gallu cyflawni'r holl bolisïau sydd wedi'u cynnwys ynddo. Nid yw'r pethau hyn yn digwydd dros nos ac rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn deall hynny. Mae'r rhain yn rhaglenni tymor hir gyda nod penodol. O ran dileu elw o ofal preswyl plant, rydym yn sôn am raglen 10 mlynedd i symud o ble'r ydym ni nawr i ble rydym eisiau bod. Rydym yn gwybod y bydd hynny'n cymryd peth amser o ran y pontio o ble'r ydym ni nawr i ddileu elw o'r sector. Yr holl sefydliadau hynny sydd yn y sector er elw, rydym am i gynifer o'r rheini drosglwyddo i'r trydydd sector neu i'r model nid-er-elw. Efallai y bydd rhai ohonyn nhw'n barod i wneud hynny, ni fydd nifer ohonyn nhw. Rydym yn gweithio ar y sail na fydd nifer ohonyn nhw, ac felly, mae'n rhaid i ni fod â dewisiadau amgen ar waith, ac fel y dywedais i yn fy ymateb i Altaf Hussain, bydd gofalwyr maeth yn allweddol ac yn hanfodol yn hynny, wrth ddarparu'r math o ofal y byddem eisiau ei weld sy'n eu cadw allan o wasanaethau preswyl.
Rwy'n gwybod bod fy rhagflaenydd, Julie Morgan, yn ddiolchgar iawn i'r pwyllgor plant a phobl ifanc, fel yr ydw i, o ran y gwaith a wnaed. Ac rwyf wedi cael sgyrsiau gyda Jayne Bryant, Cadeirydd blaenorol y pwyllgor hwnnw, felly rydym wedi gallu dal i fyny ar nifer o ddarnau o waith a wnaethoch chi ar ddiwygio radical, ac roedd y dystiolaeth o'r ymchwiliad hwnnw'n hynod bwysig, ac nid wyf am i neb feddwl nad ydym wedi cymryd unrhyw sylw o'r hyn a ddywedodd y plant hynny yn y pwyllgor hwnnw yn gyhoeddus, oherwydd roedd yn dystiolaeth bwysig iawn, iawn i ni. A'r ffaith na dderbynion ni'r holl argymhellion—fe wnaethom ni mewn gwirionedd dderbyn yn rhannol neu'n gyfan gwbl tua 20 o'r argymhellion—[Torri ar draws.] Ie, er yr hyn na wnaethom ni ei dderbyn oedd bod angen gwneud llawer o hynny trwy ddeddfwriaeth. Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig dweud mai'r hyn yr oeddem yn edrych arno yn y dystiolaeth a gafodd y pwyllgor oedd bod ein rhaglen, y rhaglen radical honno yr ydym yn ceisio trawsnewid gwasanaethau plant ynddi, ac y mae Plaid Cymru wedi bod yn rhan fawr ohoni—mae llawer o'r meysydd gwaith hynny yr ydym yn eu gwneud yno yn cael eu llywio gan y dystiolaeth a roddodd y bobl ifanc hynny i'r pwyllgor hwnnw. Nid yw'r ffaith nad yw o reidrwydd mewn deddfwriaeth yn golygu nad yw'n cael ei ddefnyddio ac nad yw'n mynd i fod yn rhan o'n gwaith.
Rydych chi wedi gofyn yn benodol am y gofrestr faethu genedlaethol, ac fe wnes i ymateb yn gryno i Altaf, ac fel y dywedais i, byddaf yn ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedais bryd hynny. Rydym yn gwybod, ac rydym yn ymwybodol, bod rhanddeiliaid wedi bod yn gofyn am hyn ers peth amser, ac er bod llawer o fanteision i gyflwyno cofrestr genedlaethol, mae'n rhaid i ni gymryd barn gytbwys o ran p'un a ydym yn mabwysiadu hynny ai peidio. Fel y dywedais i, er fy mod wedi ymrwymo i ystyried cyflwyno cofrestr o'r fath, mae'n rhaid i ni weithio gyda'r sector a chymryd yr holl safbwyntiau hynny i ystyriaeth wrth benderfynu ai dyna'r ffordd iawn ymlaen ai peidio. Rydym mewn trafodaethau gyda'r Rhwydwaith Maethu ynghylch hynny, ac rydym yn cynnal ymarfer cwmpasu i ganfod sut olwg allai fod ar gofrestr genedlaethol mewn gwirionedd, a oes unrhyw ofynion deddfwriaethol ynghlwm wrth hynny a beth allai ymarferoldeb gweithredol hynny fod. Felly, byddwn yn parhau i lawr y ffordd honno, mae'n rhywbeth rwy'n awyddus i barhau i edrych arno, a byddwn yn adrodd yn ôl maes o law.
Y peth arall—mae'n ddrwg gen i, Altaf, fe wnaethoch chi ei godi a wnes i ddim ei ateb yn benodol, ond mi wna i ei ateb ar gyfer Sioned yn lle hynny—yw ynghylch cefnogaeth ariannol i ofalwyr maeth. Mae'n bwysig dweud, onid yw, bod gofalwyr maeth yn dod i ofal maeth am y rhesymau cywir. Dydyn nhw ddim yn dod i mewn iddo am yr arian, ond pan ddônt i mewn iddo, mae'n rhaid i ni sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu talu'n iawn am yr hyn maen nhw'n ei wneud a bod lefel y lwfans maen nhw'n ei gael yn gymesur â'r math o blentyn maen nhw'n gofalu amdano. Mae gwahaniaeth o ran faint mae plentyn yn ei gostio. Rydych chi'n gwybod os ydych chi wedi cael plant eich hun—mae fy rhai i yn oedolion bellach ac maen nhw'n costio mwy i mi nag oedden nhw pan oedden nhw'n fabanod. Dyma sut y mae hi. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni ystyried hyn i gyd.
Mae'r taliadau ar gyfer gofalwyr maeth, fel y gwyddoch chi, yn amrywiol, ledled Cymru. Felly, er bod gennym yr isafswm lwfans cenedlaethol, sydd yr un peth ym mhob awdurdod lleol, rydym yn gweld gwahaniaethau ym mhob awdurdod lleol. Mae rhai awdurdodau lleol yn cyflwyno buddion ychwanegol i fynd ochr yn ochr â'r isafswm lwfans cenedlaethol, felly rydym yn gweld rhai awdurdodau sy'n lleihau'r dreth gyngor, sy'n rhoi mynediad am ddim i wasanaethau hamdden, sy'n darparu parcio ceir am ddim. Maen nhw'n rhoi lwfansau pen-blwydd a lwfansau Nadolig ac yn y blaen. Ond nid yw'n gyson ar draws y 22 o awdurdodau lleol, ac mae hynny'n rhan o'r gwaith yr ydym yn edrych arno. Fe wnaethom ni gomisiynu adroddiad i edrych ar hynny, fe wnaethom hefyd ofyn i Maethu Cymru ymgymryd â darn cynhwysfawr o waith i nodi costau cyflwyno dull newydd o ymdrin â lwfansau maethu, ac ar hyn o bryd rydym wrthi'n dadansoddi'r adroddiadau hynny. Dydy hynny ddim yn mynd i ddod heb gost, a does dim pwynt i mi sefyll yma a dweud y gallwn ni sicrhau cynnydd enfawr yn y lwfansau hynny, ond rydyn ni eisiau eu gwneud nhw'n fwy cyfartal—[Torri ar draws.]—ac rydyn ni eisiau—. Ydyn, rydyn ni wir eisiau sicrhau bod lwfans teg a bod lwfans cyfiawn a'i fod yn gyson ar draws y 22 o awdurdodau. Felly, mae hwnnw'n ddarn o waith sy'n mynd rhagddo.
Rwy'n ceisio meddwl beth arall y gofynnoch chi i mi. Mesurau—sut fydden ni'n mesur hynny. Felly, fel rhan o'r trefniadau monitro grant safonol, mae gennym gyfarfodydd rheolaidd gyda Maethu Cymru ac aelodau o'i fwrdd llywodraethu i drafod perfformiad a metrigau. Mae Maethu Cymru hefyd yn aelod o'r grŵp cyflawni trawsnewid, sydd wedi'i sefydlu i arwain ac ysgogi ein rhaglen drawsnewid. Mae'r grŵp hwnnw wedi sefydlu dwy ffrwd waith i edrych ar fetrigau data i ysgogi a monitro cynnydd, yn ogystal ag ymyrraeth gynnar ac atal er mwyn sicrhau darpariaeth gydgysylltiedig ac effeithiol. Ond, yn y pen draw, yr hyn fyddwn i'n ei ddweud yw y byddwn ni'n gwybod bod ein rhaglen wedi'i chyflwyno'n llwyddiannus os gwelwn lai o blant mewn gofal, rydyn ni'n gweld llai o blant yn cael eu rhoi mewn gofal ymhell i ffwrdd o'u cartrefi neu y tu allan i'r sir ac rydyn ni'n gweld bod gennym fwy o ofalwyr maeth yn dod i mewn i'n rhwydweithiau fel y gall plant gael bywyd mwy derbyniol mewn gofal, os hoffech chi, mewn lleoliad teuluol. Felly, dyna sut yr hoffwn weld popeth yn digwydd, ac rwy'n credu mai dyna'r cyfan yr oeddech chi'n ei ofyn. Rwy'n credu fy mod i wedi ymdrin â phopeth, beth bynnag, ond diolch, Sioned.
Thank you very much to the Minister for making this very important statement today during Foster Care Fortnight. I'd also like to start off by putting on record my thanks to all the foster carers, whose impact on children can be transformational.
So, I'll just very briefly touch on a couple of matters. One of the big issues that care-experienced young people have said to me, during the lots of contacts that I've had with them, about foster care is they consistently bring up the issue of not having enough flexibility in their day-to-day life. They raise the issue of not being able to stay away overnight without getting permission from the social worker, which I don't think is actually necessary, but they still have this perception and that's what's happened, and the ability to go to after-school clubs and going out for tea. I wondered if there was anything you could think of that would help make that more flexible. That was one of the issues that the young people brought up. The other issue was the importance of being placed with sisters and brothers and how crucial that was and, again, that is very important to the young people. That was one of their big, important issues. And then, finally—I think Altaf Hussain did raise this—the Step Up Step Down programme piloted in Pembrokeshire. I know that the Welsh Government's ambition is to keep children at home and I wondered if you had any measure of how successful that was and whether you are going to be able to extend it.
Diolch yn fawr i'r Gweinidog am wneud y datganiad pwysig iawn hwn heddiw yn ystod Pythefnos Gofal Maethu. Hoffwn hefyd ddechrau drwy gofnodi fy niolch i'r holl ofalwyr maeth, y gall eu heffaith ar blant fod yn drawsnewidiol.
Felly, byddaf yn cyffwrdd â chwpl o faterion yn gryno iawn. Un o'r materion mawr y mae pobl ifanc â phrofiad o ofal wedi'i ddweud wrthyf, yn ystod y cysylltiadau lawer yr wyf wedi'u cael gyda nhw, am ofal maeth yw eu bod yn codi'r mater o beidio â bod â digon o hyblygrwydd yn eu bywyd o ddydd i ddydd. Maen nhw'n codi'r mater o beidio gallu aros i ffwrdd dros nos heb gael caniatâd gan y gweithiwr cymdeithasol, nad ydw i'n credu sy'n angenrheidiol mewn gwirionedd, ond mae ganddyn nhw'r canfyddiad hwn o hyd a dyna sydd wedi digwydd, a'r gallu i fynd i glybiau ar ôl ysgol a mynd allan am de. Meddwl oeddwn i tybed a oedd unrhyw beth y gallech feddwl amdano a fyddai'n helpu i wneud hynny'n fwy hyblyg. Dyna oedd un o'r materion a gododd y bobl ifanc. Y mater arall oedd pwysigrwydd cael eu rhoi gyda chwiorydd a brodyr a pha mor hanfodol oedd hynny ac, unwaith eto, mae hynny'n bwysig iawn i'r bobl ifanc. Roedd hwn yn un o'u materion pwysig, mawr. Ac yna, yn olaf—rwy'n credu i Altaf Hussain godi hyn—y rhaglen Cam i Fyny Cam i Lawr, a dreialwyd yn sir Benfro. Rwy'n gwybod mai uchelgais Llywodraeth Cymru yw cadw plant gartref a meddwl oeddwn i tybed a oes gennych unrhyw fesur o ba mor llwyddiannus oedd honno ac a ydych chi'n mynd i allu ei hymestyn.
Can I thank you, Julie, for those questions? And again, thank you so much for the work that you've done already in this field; I feel like I'm coming in on the back of somebody who is making my job an awful lot easier, because of everything that you did in the lead up to me being appointed as a Minister. So, diolch yn fawr for that.
The first thing I would say is that, this morning, actually, I was at the national fostering network round-table and, having that opportunity to sit down and talk directly with foster carers, I don't think there's anything that can substitute for that. You can have briefings from officials and you can talk to people, but actually being sat around a table in the same room, with people who are giving you their lived experience of the kind of things that they have to deal with—. It was interesting that somebody actually raised that very point this morning about—. If you can believe this, they had a child in their care who needed an emergency dental appointment and they took them to the hospital, but, because they weren't the parent or the legal guardian of the child, the hospital couldn't perform the procedure. Now, it was sorted out, but it was an unnecessary delay when this child needed some treatment, because the foster carer didn't have that authority to do it. So, there's all this stuff around that delegated authority, isn't there, and making sure that local authorities, really, are aware of the importance of reducing the unnecessary bureaucracy around that. We know that we've got legislation and supporting guidance that ensures that foster carers are authorised to make those kinds of everyday decisions about their foster child, wherever it is possible. The key to this is about social workers liaising more closely with the foster parents, and, again, I heard stories this morning of where that doesn't always work very effectively.
We are in the process of delivering a national framework that you'll be familiar with and that has got to be—if it does nothing else, it has got to be—about having a consistency of approach across all 22 authorities, much like in my response to Sioned Williams around the foster carer allowances. The way in which social services interact with foster carers and the support that they give needs to be consistent as well. So, I think that's another key piece of work that we need to make sure that we develop, and deliver the kinds of outcomes that you're talking about, particularly when we're talking about—. You know, children are children and they need to play with other children and they shouldn't have things like that put as a barrier in the way, to stop them doing that, going and having interaction with friends and so on.
You talked about the Step Up Step Down pilot—and sorry, Altaf, you did raise this as well—but, again, as part of our transformation of children's services programme, we take the view that, no matter where children live, we want to support them to remain with their families, where possible, with fewer children and young people entering into care. So, we did work alongside the Fostering Network and our statutory sector, as you say, to launch this pilot in Pembrokeshire to support vulnerable families. That pilot offers a very innovative approach to supporting families on the edge of care by providing specialist, highly trained family support to foster carers, who can provide time-limited and preventative support to those families in need, helping them to stay together.
Now, I understand that the pilot is going very well, but it was only launched in November last year. So, it’s still early days and too soon to have done any significant evaluation yet. However, I do plan to visit Northern Ireland soon to learn more about the success of the programme there, as we're looking to the future roll-out across Wales. So, hopefully, I'll be in a position to come back to the Senedd and report on progress on that roll-out in the not-too-distant future.
A gaf i ddiolch i chi, Julie, am y cwestiynau yna? Ac unwaith eto, diolch yn fawr iawn am y gwaith rydych chi eisoes wedi'i wneud yn y maes hwn; rwy'n teimlo fy mod i'n dod i mewn ar gefn rhywun sy'n gwneud fy swydd yn llawer haws, oherwydd popeth a wnaethoch chi yn y cyfnod cyn i mi gael fy mhenodi'n Weinidog. Felly, diolch yn fawr am hynny.
Y peth cyntaf y byddwn i'n ei ddweud yw, y bore yma, mewn gwirionedd, roeddwn i ym mord gron y rhwydwaith maethu cenedlaethol ac, o gael y cyfle hwnnw i eistedd i lawr a siarad yn uniongyrchol â gofalwyr maeth, dydw i ddim yn credu bod unrhyw beth a all gymryd lle hynny. Gallwch gael sesiynau briffio gan swyddogion a gallwch siarad â phobl, ond mewn gwirionedd yn eistedd o gwmpas bwrdd yn yr un ystafell, gyda phobl sy'n rhoi eu profiad bywyd i chi o'r math o bethau y mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw ymdopi â nhw—. Roedd yn ddiddorol bod rhywun wedi codi'r union bwynt hwnnw y bore yma mewn gwirionedd—. Os gallwch chi gredu hyn, roedd ganddo blentyn yn ei ofal a oedd angen apwyntiad deintyddol brys ac fe aeth i'r ysbyty, ond, oherwydd nad ef oedd rhiant na gwarcheidwad cyfreithiol y plentyn, ni allai'r ysbyty gyflawni'r driniaeth. Nawr, cafodd ei ddatrys, ond roedd yn oedi diangen pan oedd angen rhywfaint o driniaeth ar y plentyn hwn, oherwydd nid oedd gan y gofalwr maeth yr awdurdod hwnnw. Felly, mae'r holl bethau hyn ynghylch yr awdurdod dirprwyedig hwnnw, onid oes, a gwneud yn siŵr bod awdurdodau lleol, mewn gwirionedd, yn ymwybodol o bwysigrwydd lleihau'r fiwrocratiaeth ddiangen ynghylch hynny. Rydym yn gwybod bod gennym ddeddfwriaeth a chanllawiau ategol sy'n sicrhau bod gofalwyr maeth wedi'u hawdurdodi i wneud y mathau hynny o benderfyniadau bob dydd am eu plentyn maeth, lle bynnag y bo'n bosibl. Yn allweddol i hyn yw bod gweithwyr cymdeithasol yn cysylltu'n agosach â'r rhieni maeth, ac unwaith eto, clywais straeon y bore yma lle nad yw hynny bob amser yn gweithio'n effeithiol iawn.
Rydyn ni wrthi'n cyflwyno fframwaith cenedlaethol y byddwch chi'n gyfarwydd ag ef ac mae'n rhaid i hwnnw—os nad yw'n gwneud dim byd arall, mae'n rhaid iddo fod—am gael cysondeb o ran dull ar draws pob un o'r 22 o awdurdodau, yn debyg iawn, yn fy ymateb i Sioned Williams, ynghylch y lwfansau i'r gofalwyr maeth. Mae angen i'r ffordd y mae'r gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn rhyngweithio â gofalwyr maeth a'r cymorth y maen nhw'n ei roi fod yn gyson hefyd. Felly, rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n ddarn allweddol arall o waith y mae angen i ni sicrhau ein bod yn ei ddatblygu, ac yn cyflawni'r mathau o ganlyniadau rydych chi'n sôn amdanyn nhw, yn enwedig pan fydden ni'n sôn am—. Wyddoch chi, plant yw plant ac mae angen iddyn nhw chwarae gyda phlant eraill a ddylen nhw ddim cael pethau fel yna yn rhwystr yn y ffordd, i'w hatal rhag gwneud hynny, mynd a rhyngweithio gyda ffrindiau ac ati.
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am y cynllun peilot Cam i Fyny Cam i Lawr—ac mae'n ddrwg gen i, Altaf, fe wnaethoch chi godi hyn hefyd—ond, unwaith eto, fel rhan o'n rhaglen trawsnewid gwasanaethau plant, rydym o'r farn, ni waeth ble mae plant yn byw, ein bod ni eisiau eu cefnogi i aros gyda'u teuluoedd, pan fo hynny'n bosibl, gyda llai o blant a phobl ifanc yn mynd i ofal. Felly, gwnaethom weithio ochr yn ochr â'r Rhwydwaith Maethu a'n sector statudol, fel y dywedwch chi, i lansio'r cynllun treialu hwn yn sir Benfro i gefnogi teuluoedd agored i niwed. Mae'r cynllun treialu hwnnw'n cynnig dull arloesol iawn o gefnogi teuluoedd sydd ar ffiniau gofal trwy ddarparu cymorth teuluol arbenigol, gan bobl sydd wedi cael llawer iawn o hyfforddiant, i ofalwyr maeth, a all ddarparu cefnogaeth gyfyngedig o ran amser ac ataliol i'r teuluoedd hynny sydd mewn angen, gan eu helpu i aros gyda'i gilydd.
Nawr, rwy'n deall bod y cynllun treialu yn mynd yn dda iawn, ond dim ond ym mis Tachwedd y llynedd y cafodd ei lansio. Felly, mae'n dal yn ei ddyddiau cynnar ac mae'n rhy fuan i fod wedi gwneud unrhyw werthusiad sylweddol eto. Fodd bynnag, rwy'n bwriadu ymweld â Gogledd Iwerddon yn fuan i ddysgu mwy am lwyddiant y rhaglen yn y fan honno, gan ein bod yn ystyried ei chyflwyno ledled Cymru yn y dyfodol. Felly, gobeithio, y byddaf mewn sefyllfa i ddod yn ôl i'r Senedd ac adrodd ar y cynnydd ar y gwaith o gyflwyno'r cynnig hwnnw yn y dyfodol agos.
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
Finally, Jane Dodds.
Yn olaf, Jane Dodds.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Thank you so much for your statement on this really important issue, and I would also like to record my thanks to all foster carers. They are awesome. I, myself, have been responsible for placing children with foster carers at any time of the day or night. They receive children that they often know very, very little about. These are, sadly, traumatised and vulnerable children, who we leave with them, and they do an amazing job.
I’m pleased to hear that you have in your view the Step Up Step Down programme, because that will be transformational to keep children at home, but to make sure that our foster carers feel part of a child’s life. Having taken them on at their most vulnerable point, it’s so rewarding then to see, hopefully, them returning home, and being part of that.
I would just like to ask you this one specific question. Given all that we've said about foster carers, they need to be paid. They need to be salaried. They should not have to not be paid when they don’t have children with them, which is the current situation. It’s unacceptable. We would not accept that people, when they have holidays, are not getting paid. So, I would like you, in your consideration—I don’t expect an answer now, because I know we've overrun—to please look at salaried foster carer schemes. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. Diolch yn fawr iawn am eich datganiad ar y mater pwysig hwn, ac fe hoffwn i hefyd ddiolch ar goedd i'r holl ofalwyr maeth. Maen nhw'n wych. Rydw i, yn bersonol, wedi bod yn gyfrifol am leoli plant gyda gofalwyr maeth ar unrhyw adeg o'r dydd neu'r nos. Maen nhw'n derbyn plant nad ydyn nhw'n aml yn gwybod fawr ddim amdanyn nhw. Mae'r rhain, yn anffodus, yn blant bregus sy'n dioddef trawma, yr ydym ni'n eu gadael gyda nhw, ac maen nhw'n gwneud gwaith anhygoel.
Rwy'n falch o glywed bod gennych chi'r rhaglen Cam i Fyny Cam i Lawr mewn golwg, oherwydd bydd hynny'n drawsnewidiol i gadw plant gartref, ond i sicrhau bod ein gofalwyr maeth yn teimlo'n rhan o fywyd plentyn. Ar ôl eu derbyn nhw pan oedden nhw ar eu mwyaf bregus, mae mor werthfawr wedyn gweld, gobeithio, eu bod yn dychwelyd adref, a bod yn rhan o hynny.
Fe hoffwn i ofyn y cwestiwn penodol hwn i chi. O ystyried popeth rydym ni wedi'i ddweud am ofalwyr maeth, mae angen eu talu. Mae angen cyflog arnyn nhw. Ni ddylai fod yn rhaid iddyn nhw beidio â chael eu talu pan nad oes ganddyn nhw blant gyda nhw, sef y sefyllfa bresennol. Mae'n annerbyniol. Ni fyddem yn derbyn nad yw pobl, pan fyddan nhw ar wyliau, yn cael eu talu. Felly, hoffwn i chi, yn eich ystyriaeth—nid wyf yn disgwyl ateb nawr, oherwydd rwy'n gwybod bod amser wedi cario'r dydd arnom ni—i edrych ar gynlluniau gofalwyr maeth cyflogedig. Diolch. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Thank you, Jane Dodds, for that. Just on that very specific question, I'm certainly happy to look at that. We are looking at the whole process of payment for foster carers. We are looking at the harmonisation of formal foster carers with kinship carers, because we know that there are differentials between those as well. I don't know that we have a specific piece of work on salaried foster carers just yet, but I will certainly take that back and discuss that with officials and come back to you and let you know. Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr, Jane Dodds, am hynny. O ran y cwestiwn penodol yna, rwy'n sicr yn hapus i edrych ar hynny. Rydym ni'n edrych ar yr holl broses o dalu gofalwyr maeth. Rydym ni'n edrych ar gysoni'r sefyllfa rhwng gofalwyr maeth ffurfiol a gofalwyr sy'n berthnasau oherwydd fe wyddom ni fod gwahaniaethau rhwng y rheini hefyd. Wn i ddim a oes gennym ni ddarn penodol o waith ar ofalwyr maeth cyflogedig eto, ond byddaf yn sicr yn cyfleu'r farn honno ac yn trafod hynny gyda swyddogion ac yn cysylltu â chi ac yn rhoi gwybod i chi. Diolch.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
I thank the Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf fydd y datganiad gan y Prif Weinidog ar Tata Steel. Vaughan Gething, felly, i wneud y datganiad.
The next item will be the statement by the First Minister on Tata Steel. Vaughan Gething to make the statement.
Diolch, Llywydd. As Members are aware, I travelled to Mumbai on Thursday 9 May to meet with the managing director and the chief financial officer of Tata Steel. They will ultimately decide the future of the Tata's Welsh facilities.
We discussed the significance of the steel sector to Wales and the rest of the UK, together with its essential contribution to economic growth and our collective security. During extensive talks, I strongly emphasised the need to avoid compulsory redundancies across Welsh sites and the importance of maintaining their downstream operations. I want to ensure that production levels are fully maintained, with a longer term future at Trostre, Shotton, Llanwern and Caerphilly.
As a UK general election could arrive as soon as this summer, I reiterated the Welsh Government's call for the company not to make irreversible choices ahead of an election that could materially change the industry's future. We have consistently and proudly made the case from the Welsh Government that Wales deserves the best deal for steel, not the cheapest deal.
It is disappointing that the formal consultation has now concluded, and, as a result, we have to plan on the basis that blast furnace 5 will close in June, and to make preparations for blast furnace 4 closing by the end of September. Negotiations on wider issues affecting the workforce with the steel trades unions are ongoing.
Diolch, Llywydd. Fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau, teithiais i Mumbai ddydd Iau 9 Mai i gwrdd â rheolwr gyfarwyddwr a phrif swyddog ariannol Tata Steel. Yn y pen draw, nhw fydd yn penderfynu dyfodol cyfleusterau Tata yng Nghymru.
Buom yn trafod arwyddocâd y sector dur i Gymru a gweddill y DU, ynghyd â'i gyfraniad hanfodol at dwf economaidd a'n diogelwch ar y cyd. Yn ystod sgyrsiau helaeth, pwysleisiais yn gryf yr angen i osgoi diswyddiadau gorfodol ar draws safleoedd Cymru a phwysigrwydd cynnal eu gweithgarwch sy'n diwallu cwsmeriaid. Fe hoffwn i sicrhau bod lefelau cynhyrchu yn cael eu cynnal yn llawn, gyda dyfodol tymor hwy yn Nhrostre, Shotton, Llanwern a Chaerffili.
Gan y gallai etholiad cyffredinol yn y DU fod ar ein gwarthaf mor fuan â'r haf hwn, ailadroddais alwad Llywodraeth Cymru ar i'r cwmni beidio â gwneud dewisiadau na ellir eu gwrthdroi cyn etholiad a allai newid dyfodol y diwydiant yn sylweddol. Rydym ni wedi dadlau'n gyson ac yn falch o du Llywodraeth Cymru bod Cymru'n haeddu'r fargen orau ar gyfer dur, nid y fargen rataf.
Mae'n siomedig bod yr ymgynghoriad ffurfiol bellach wedi dod i ben, ac, o ganlyniad, mae'n rhaid i ni gynllunio ar y sail y bydd ffwrnais chwyth 5 yn cau ym mis Mehefin, ac i baratoi ar gyfer ffwrnais chwyth 4 yn cau erbyn diwedd mis Medi. Mae trafodaethau ar faterion ehangach sy'n effeithio ar y gweithlu gyda'r undebau llafur dur yn parhau.
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language and I will maintain a close dialogue with trade union colleagues on this matter. The Cabinet Secretary is arranging a visit to Llanwern to discuss in further detail how we can best support the priorities of the workforce as talks continue. As well as urging an approach that avoids compulsory redundancies, it is important that workers who remain with the company are rewarded with the pay that recognises their skills, talent and dedication. The Welsh Government continues to engage with the transition board. We will press the case for rapid action from partners over the coming months.
To focus our support measures, we require detailed information on those affected by transition plans in order to ensure that support can be provided quickly to employees and suppliers. The supply chain within Wales is significant and reaches beyond steel communities directly. The company has now agreed to share this information, and I look forward to the Welsh Government working with them and our wider partners on these crucial details that will impact the lives of thousands of workers and businesses.
In the course of our talks, I also highlighted the difficulties of dealing effectively with the current UK Government and stressed once more that we still do not know the conditions of the £500 million grant from the UK Government. This is an unacceptable situation for any Welsh Government to find itself in. I still find it remarkable that the UK Government's business Secretary refused to meet with me at any point in my time as the economy Minister, and has more recently failed to engage in the transition process.
I recognise the widespread impact that this planned transition will have if Tata implement their publicly stated plan. It will affect communities and people right across Wales. That is why we have urged the business to think again. If they are determined to act ahead of a general election, then they must ensure that current production levels are maintained across the entire downstream operation. It is welcome that, during our talks, the company set out that they have and will have sufficient reserves of hot-rolled coil and slab to guarantee the current production levels of all of their downstream operations. That will be hugely important to the workforce at Trostre, Shotton, Llanwern and Caerphilly.
I've also asked for clarity on Tata's plans for the electric arc furnace build, including, of course, the importance of using Welsh companies as much as possible, supporting local jobs, to build and develop the process. We will work with businesses to explore how the Welsh Government can encourage the urgent work required to maximise the potential investment and employment this could bring to steel communities and Wales as a whole.
It is a fact that there is still community concern that the EAF may not be built. I made it clear to Tata that clarity on the planning process is, therefore, important. I raised concerns over the quality of EAF-produced steel and discussed the need to ensure that customers can rely on steel produced through this process. I understand that research, development and innovation projects will be in place to ensure that all current operations can be supported, and we will, of course, be monitoring progress on this matter very carefully.
We discussed important areas of shared interest, including investment opportunities in and around Port Talbot and collaboration with Welsh universities, particularly Swansea, on all areas of green steel production. This includes scrap processing and construction, amongst other priorities. I was able to highlight the significant investment and jobs opportunity represented by the Global Centre of Rail Excellence in Onllwyn, and I am pleased to confirm that the company agreed to consider a memorandum of understanding with GCRE. Welsh Government officials and Tata senior executives are meeting in Onllwyn today to discuss this MOU. I hope that this work can lead to quality employment opportunities for workers who will be affected directly by the transition.
The final issue I raised was my concern over funding for the Steel and Metals Institute in Swansea, which is so critical to finding innovative ways of supporting green steel production. I'm pleased to confirm that the company has agreed to consider funding a significant number of positions. My officials will be taking forward this work over the coming weeks, of course, together with the economy and energy Secretary, who is the lead Minister in the Government for our work with Tata.
Llywydd, it remains the view of this Government that the outcome we are facing and the loss it represents was preventable, and is still preventable. For many years, the Welsh Government has made the case for a fully fledged UK industrial strategy that prizes our sovereign assets and links business investment to long-term growth beyond London and the south-east. This is the fundamental shift that is required to unlock the ambition of our steel industry, and what we should all expect from any UK Government—a level of ambition and practical support that our steelworkers deserve and I believe our country needs.
Steel is the thread that will run through the economy of today and tomorrow. The UK Government was asked whether it has the ambition to make Wales and the UK the centre of that greener future. So far, it is impossible to describe the answer as anything other than 'no'. Talented Welsh workers make high-quality Welsh steel, and their work is good for growth and good for security. They deserve the backing of an ambitious Government with the tools to back them. Thank you, Llywydd.
Bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr Economi, Ynni a'r Gymraeg a minnau yn trafod y mater hwn mewn manylder gyda chydweithwyr undebau llafur. Mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn trefnu ymweliad â Llanwern i drafod yn fanylach sut y gallwn ni gefnogi blaenoriaethau'r gweithlu orau wrth i'r trafodaethau barhau. Yn ogystal ag annog dull sy'n osgoi diswyddiadau gorfodol, mae'n bwysig bod gweithwyr sy'n aros gyda'r cwmni yn cael eu gwobrwyo â'r cyflog sy'n cydnabod eu sgiliau, eu dawn a'u hymroddiad. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn parhau i ymgysylltu â'r bwrdd pontio. Byddwn yn pwyso am weithredu cyflym gan bartneriaid dros y misoedd nesaf.
Er mwyn canolbwyntio ein mesurau cymorth, mae angen gwybodaeth fanwl arnom ni am y rhai y mae cynlluniau pontio yn effeithio arnyn nhw er mwyn sicrhau y gellir darparu cymorth yn gyflym i weithwyr a chyflenwyr. Mae'r gadwyn gyflenwi yng Nghymru yn sylweddol ac yn ymestyn y tu hwnt i gymunedau dur yn uniongyrchol. Mae'r cwmni bellach wedi cytuno i rannu'r wybodaeth hon, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda nhw a'n partneriaid ehangach ar y manylion hollbwysig hyn a fydd yn effeithio ar fywydau miloedd o weithwyr a busnesau.
Yn ystod ein trafodaethau, amlygais hefyd yr anawsterau o ymdrin yn effeithiol â Llywodraeth bresennol y DU a phwysleisio unwaith eto nad ydym ni'n gwybod amodau'r grant o £500 miliwn gan Lywodraeth y DU. Mae hon yn sefyllfa annerbyniol i unrhyw Lywodraeth Cymru fod ynddi. Rwy'n dal yn synnu bod Ysgrifennydd Busnes Llywodraeth y DU wedi gwrthod cyfarfod â mi ar unrhyw adeg yn fy nghyfnod fel Gweinidog yr economi, ac yn fwy diweddar wedi methu â chymryd rhan yn y broses drosglwyddo.
Rwy'n cydnabod effaith fawr y trawsnewid arfaethedig hwn os bydd Tata yn gweithredu eu cynllun a nodwyd yn gyhoeddus. Bydd yn effeithio ar gymunedau a phobl ledled Cymru. Dyna pam rydym ni wedi annog y busnes i feddwl eto. Os ydyn nhw'n benderfynol o weithredu cyn etholiad cyffredinol, yna mae'n rhaid iddyn nhw sicrhau y caiff lefelau cynhyrchu cyfredol eu cynnal o ran yr holl weithgarwch darparu cwsmeriaid. Croesewir bod y cwmni, yn ystod ein sgyrsiau, yn nodi bod ganddyn nhw ac y bydd ganddyn nhw ddigon o gronfeydd wrth gefn o goil a slabiau wedi eu poeth-rolio i warantu bod eu holl weithgarwch darparu cwsmeriaid yn parhau ar lefelau heddiw. Bydd hynny'n hynod bwysig i'r gweithlu yn Nhrostre, Shotton, Llanwern a Chaerffili.
Rwyf hefyd wedi gofyn am eglurder ynghylch cynlluniau Tata ar gyfer adeiladu ffwrnais bwa trydan, gan gynnwys, wrth gwrs, pwysigrwydd defnyddio cwmnïau o Gymru gymaint â phosibl, gan gefnogi swyddi lleol, i adeiladu a datblygu'r broses. Byddwn yn gweithio gyda busnesau i archwilio sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru annog y gwaith brys sydd ei angen i wneud y mwyaf o'r buddsoddiad a'r gyflogaeth bosibl y gallai hyn ei gynnig i gymunedau dur a Chymru gyfan.
Mae'n ffaith bod pryder cymunedol o hyd na chaiff y ffwrnais bwa trydan ei hadeiladu. Dywedais yn glir wrth Tata fod eglurder ar y broses gynllunio, felly, yn bwysig. Soniais am bryderon ynghylch ansawdd y dur a gynhyrchir gan ffwrnais bwa trydan a thrafodais yr angen i sicrhau y gall cwsmeriaid ddibynnu ar ddur a gynhyrchir trwy'r broses hon. Rwy'n deall y bydd prosiectau ymchwil, datblygu ac arloesi ar waith i sicrhau y gellir cefnogi'r holl weithgarwch presennol, a byddwn, wrth gwrs, yn monitro cynnydd ar y mater hwn yn ofalus iawn.
Buom yn trafod meysydd pwysig o ddiddordeb cyffredin, gan gynnwys cyfleoedd buddsoddi ym Mhort Talbot a'r cyffiniau a chydweithio â phrifysgolion Cymru, yn enwedig Abertawe, ar bob maes o gynhyrchu dur gwyrdd. Mae hyn yn cynnwys prosesu sgrap ac adeiladu, ymhlith blaenoriaethau eraill. Llwyddais i dynnu sylw at y cyfle buddsoddi a swyddi sylweddol a gynrychiolir gan y Ganolfan Ragoriaeth Rheilffyrdd Byd-eang yn Onllwyn, ac rwy'n falch o gadarnhau bod y cwmni wedi cytuno i ystyried memorandwm cyd-ddealltwriaeth gyda GCRE. Mae swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru ac uwch swyddogion gweithredol Tata yn cyfarfod yn Onllwyn heddiw i drafod y Memorandwm hwn. Rwy'n gobeithio y gall y gwaith hwn arwain at gyfleoedd cyflogaeth o safon i weithwyr a fydd yn cael eu heffeithio'n uniongyrchol gan y cyfnod pontio.
Y mater olaf a godais oedd fy mhryder ynghylch cyllid ar gyfer y Sefydliad Dur a Metelau yn Abertawe, sydd mor hanfodol o ran canfod ffyrdd arloesol o gefnogi cynhyrchu dur gwyrdd. Rwy'n falch o gadarnhau bod y cwmni wedi cytuno i ystyried ariannu nifer sylweddol o swyddi. Bydd fy swyddogion yn bwrw ymlaen â'r gwaith hwn dros yr wythnosau nesaf, wrth gwrs, ynghyd ag ysgrifennydd yr economi ac ynni, sef y Gweinidog arweiniol yn y Llywodraeth o ran ein gwaith gyda Tata.
Llywydd, barn y Llywodraeth hon o hyd yw bod modd atal y canlyniad yr ydym ni'n ei wynebu a'r golled y mae'n ei chynrychioli, ac y gellir ei atal. Ers blynyddoedd lawer, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cyflwyno'r achos dros strategaeth ddiwydiannol lawn yn y DU sy'n gwobrwyo ein hasedau sofran ac yn cysylltu buddsoddiad busnes â thwf hirdymor y tu hwnt i Lundain a'r de-ddwyrain. Dyma'r newid sylfaenol sydd ei angen i gyflawni potensial ein diwydiant dur, a'r hyn y dylem ni i gyd ei ddisgwyl gan ba lywodraeth bynnag sydd gan y DU—lefel o uchelgais a chefnogaeth ymarferol y mae ein gweithwyr dur yn ei haeddu ac y credaf sydd ar ein gwlad eu hangen.
Dur yw'r edau a fydd yn rhedeg trwy economi heddiw ac yfory. Gofynnwyd i Lywodraeth y DU a oes ganddi'r uchelgais i wneud Cymru a'r DU yn ganolbwynt i'r dyfodol mwy gwyrdd hwnnw. Hyd yn hyn, mae'n amhosib disgrifio'r ateb fel unrhyw beth heblaw 'na'. Mae gweithwyr dawnus o Gymru yn cynhyrchu dur Cymreig o ansawdd uchel, ac mae eu gwaith yn dda ar gyfer twf ac yn dda ar gyfer diogelwch. Maen nhw'n haeddu cefnogaeth Llywodraeth uchelgeisiol gyda'r arfau i'w cefnogi. Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd.
First Minister, thank you for your statement this afternoon. If anyone wants to try and understand the gravity of the situation, the BBC headline this morning on the 2,000 job losses reaching into the communities of Aberavon and the surrounding area, not just the steelworkers, but also the subcontractors, the community facilities that rely, obviously, on such a big employer, it will be a massive, detrimental, I would suggest, transformation in the short term. I've put on record the Welsh Conservatives' position that we would have liked to have seen at least one of those blast furnaces staying open until, obviously, the arc furnaces had come into existence and profitable production.
I do take issue with your point that the UK Government doesn't have ambition when it comes to steel. By putting £500 million on the table and working with Tata Steel, that is making sure that Wales will stay at the forefront of steel-making production here in Wales. But that doesn't underestimate the very serious short-term consequences of the Tata announcement back in September. I think I've heard you say, First Minister, the you regret that the business Secretary has never visited the plant. She was there in September with the Secretary of State when, sadly, that disappointing news about the closure of the blast furnaces was being announced, and also then highlighting the news of the £500 million of UK Government investment, along with the £100 million that has been put on the table for the transition board. It would be worth trying to understand—you make much play of the general election coming in the coming months—if you have had discussions with the frontbench in Westminster of your own party, and have you sought assurances from that frontbench? Those assurances clearly are not strong enough to convince the company to actually stay their hand and ultimately wait, if there were to be a change of government, which I hope there won't be—I hope that the Conservatives win that general election. But, clearly, you went to Mumbai with a set of proposals. Were those proposals identified as Keir Starmer's proposals, which he would adopt if he was to be the Prime Minister? Why did Tata Steel not feel confident enough to say, 'Okay, we'll take you at your word, First Minister. There is an alternative here', rather than proceed with what is on the table—£500 million of UK Government money, with two arc furnaces, protecting jobs and making sure that Wales will be at the forefront of steel-making production?
I also heard you, in response to the Plaid Cymru Member for South Wales West earlier this afternoon, questioning the structure of the transition board. It's the first time I've heard you raise concerns about the transition board and the way it has been constructed. You were vice-chairman of that, I think, when you were Minister for the economy. I believe the new Minister is the current vice-chairman of that. I struggle to see why, if you had such a big role to play in establishing that transition board, you are now casting doubt on its ability to deliver for the workers who sadly will be losing their jobs in Port Talbot, and, obviously, making best use of that money that the UK Government has put on the table.
I'd also like to try and understand from your statement this afternoon what type of data you are trying to secure off Tata Steel to try and understand about the directly employed employees affected by, obviously, this announcement, but, equally importantly, the subcontractors, who most probably tally up to the same number as those who are directly employed, who are sadly going to be losing their livelihoods. So, could I try and understand—? I support you and the Government in your efforts in trying to get hold of this data to, obviously, tailor the support that the Government is potentially able to put on the table, and, notably at the moment, I think I'm correct in saying, there is no Welsh Government money allocated to support retraining purposes; all that retraining is coming out of the transition board money identified by the UK Government.
You highlighted the Global Centre of Rail Excellence and the memorandum of understanding that you hope might be crafted between Tata Steel and the global centre of excellence. Could you highlight a little bit more as to what tangible benefits you would like to see coming from that memorandum of understanding? I hope that it is speedily put in place and that there are direct benefits to both local communities that might well benefit from direct investment from Tata if they are going to put money into that global centre of excellence.
And also, you talk about the institute of steel and the proposals that you put before the Tata representatives that you met in Mumbai about investing in the institute. Could you elaborate a little bit more on exactly what your proposals were and what they are considering making available to the institute, so that we can have the best possible opportunity to cement south Wales's position at the forefront of green steel making? I appreciate there's a political discussion here going on, but, equally, there will be that investment in the site at Port Talbot. There will be security for steel making, going forward, and sadly, in the short term, it is going to be very challenging, but it will rely on co-operative working to make sure that that transition to the arc furnaces is done as smoothly and as timely as possible to secure that steel-making capacity here in south Wales.
Prif Weinidog, diolch am eich datganiad y prynhawn yma. Os oes ar unrhyw un eisiau ceisio deall difrifoldeb y sefyllfa, bydd pennawd y BBC y bore yma ynghylch y 2,000 o swyddi a gollir gan effeithio ar gymunedau Aberafan a'r cyffiniau, nid dim ond y gweithwyr dur, ond hefyd yr isgontractwyr, y cyfleusterau cymunedol sy'n dibynnu, yn amlwg, ar gyflogwr mor fawr, yn drawsnewidiad enfawr, niweidiol, byddwn i'n ei awgrymu, yn y tymor byr. Rwyf wedi rhoi ar y cofnod safbwynt y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig y byddem ni wedi hoffi gweld o leiaf un o'r ffwrneisi chwyth hynny'n aros ar agor nes bod y ffwrneisi bwa wedi dod i fodolaeth ac yn cynhyrchu'n broffidiol.
Rwy'n anghytuno â'ch pwynt chi nad oes gan Lywodraeth y DU uchelgais o ran dur. Drwy gynnig £500 miliwn a gweithio gyda Tata Steel, mae hynny'n sicrhau y bydd Cymru'n aros ar flaen y gad o ran cynhyrchu dur yma yng Nghymru. Ond dyw hynny ddim yn tanbrisio canlyniadau tymor byr difrifol iawn cyhoeddiad Tata yn ôl ym mis Medi. Rwy'n credu i mi eich clywed yn dweud, Prif Weinidog, eich bod yn edifar nad yw'r Ysgrifennydd busnes erioed wedi ymweld â'r ffatri. Roedd hi yno ym mis Medi gyda'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol pan, yn anffodus, y cyhoeddwyd y newyddion siomedig am gau'r ffwrneisi chwyth, a hefyd yn tynnu sylw at y newyddion am y £500 miliwn o fuddsoddiad gan Lywodraeth y DU, ynghyd â'r £100 miliwn sydd wedi'i gynnig ar gyfer y bwrdd pontio. Byddai'n werth ceisio deall—rydych chi'n porthi'n helaeth am yr etholiad cyffredinol sy'n dod yn ystod y misoedd nesaf—os ydych chi wedi cael trafodaethau gyda'r fainc flaen yn San Steffan o'ch plaid eich hun, ac a ydych chi wedi gofyn am sicrwydd gan y fainc flaen honno? Dyw'r sicrwydd hynny yn amlwg ddim yn ddigon cryf i argyhoeddi'r cwmni i oedi mewn gwirionedd ac yn y pen draw aros, pe bai newid llywodraeth, a dwi'n gobeithio na fydd yna—gobeithio mai'r Ceidwadwyr fydd yn ennill yr etholiad cyffredinol hwnnw. Ond, yn amlwg, fe aethoch chi i Mumbai gyda chyfres o gynigion. A nodwyd y cynigion hynny fel cynigion Keir Starmer, y byddai'n eu mabwysiadu pe bai'n Brif Weinidog? Pam nad oedd Tata Steel yn teimlo'n ddigon hyderus i ddweud, 'Iawn, fe rown ni goel ar eich gair, Prif Weinidog Cymru. Mae dewis arall yma', yn hytrach na bwrw ymlaen â'r hyn sydd ar y bwrdd—£500 miliwn o arian Llywodraeth y DU, gyda dwy ffwrnais fwa, diogelu swyddi a sicrhau y bydd Cymru ar flaen y gad o ran cynhyrchu dur?
Clywais chi hefyd, mewn ymateb i Aelod Plaid Cymru dros Orllewin De Cymru yn gynharach y prynhawn yma, yn holi am strwythur y bwrdd pontio. Dyma'r tro cyntaf i mi eich clywed yn codi pryderon am y bwrdd pontio a'r ffordd y cafodd ei strwythuro. Roeddech chi'n is-gadeirydd y bwrdd hwnnw, rwy'n credu, pan oeddech chi'n Weinidog dros yr economi. Credaf mai'r Gweinidog newydd yw is-gadeirydd presennol y bwrdd. Rwy'n ei chael hi'n anodd gweld pam, os oedd gennych chi swyddogaeth mor flaenllaw wrth sefydlu'r bwrdd pontio hwnnw, eich bod chi bellach yn bwrw amheuaeth ar ei allu i gyflawni ar gyfer y gweithwyr a fydd, yn anffodus, yn colli eu swyddi ym Mhort Talbot, ac, yn amlwg, yn gwneud y defnydd gorau o'r arian hwnnw y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi'i gynnig.
Fe hoffwn i hefyd geisio deall o'ch datganiad y prynhawn yma pa fath o ddata rydych chi'n ceisio ei sicrhau gan Tata Steel i geisio deall am y gweithwyr a gyflogir yn uniongyrchol y mae'r cyhoeddiad hwn yn effeithio arnyn nhw, yn amlwg, ond, yr un mor bwysig, yr isgontractwyr, sydd yn ôl pob tebyg yn cyfateb i'r un nifer â'r rhai sy'n cael eu cyflogi'n uniongyrchol, sydd yn anffodus yn mynd i golli eu bywoliaeth. Felly, a allwn i geisio deall—? Rwy'n eich cefnogi chi a'r Llywodraeth yn eich ymdrechion i geisio cael gafael ar y data hwn i deilwra'r gefnogaeth y gall y Llywodraeth o bosibl ei chynnig ac, yn enwedig ar hyn o bryd, rwy'n credu fy mod i'n gywir wrth ddweud, nid oes arian wedi'i ddyrannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru i gefnogi dibenion ailhyfforddi; daw'r holl ailhyfforddi hwnnw'n o arian y Bwrdd Pontio a glustnodwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU.
Fe wnaethoch chi dynnu sylw at Y Ganolfan Ragoriaeth Fyd-Eang ar gyfer Rheilffyrdd a'r memorandwm cyd-ddealltwriaeth rydych chi'n gobeithio y gellid ei saernïo rhwng Tata Steel a'r ganolfan ragoriaeth fyd-eang. A allech chi sôn ychydig mwy ynghylch pa fuddion diriaethol yr hoffech chi eu gweld yn dod o'r memorandwm cyd-ddealltwriaeth hwnnw? Rwy'n gobeithio y caiff ei roi ar waith yn gyflym a bod manteision uniongyrchol i'r ddwy gymuned leol a allai elwa'n uniongyrchol o fuddsoddiad uniongyrchol gan Tata os ydynt yn mynd i roi arian i'r ganolfan ragoriaeth fyd-eang honno.
A hefyd, rydych chi'n siarad am y sefydliad dur a'r cynigion rydych chi'n eu rhoi gerbron cynrychiolwyr Tata y gwnaethoch chi gwrdd â nhw ym Mumbai ynglŷn â buddsoddi yn y sefydliad. A allech chi ymhelaethu ychydig yn fwy ar beth yn union oedd eich cynigion a beth maen nhw'n ystyried sicrhau y bydd ar gael i'r sefydliad, fel y gallwn ni gael y cyfle gorau posibl i gadarnhau safle de Cymru fel un sydd ar flaen y gad o ran gwneud dur gwyrdd? Rwy'n deall bod trafodaeth wleidyddol yma, ond, yn yr un modd, bydd y buddsoddiad hwnnw yn y safle ym Mhort Talbot. Bydd sicrwydd o ran gwneud dur, yn y dyfodol, ac yn anffodus, yn y tymor byr, bydd yn heriol iawn, ond bydd yn dibynnu ar gydweithio i sicrhau y newidir i'r ffwrneisi bwa mor esmwyth ac mor amserol â phosibl i sicrhau'r gallu gwneud dur hwnnw yma yn ne Cymru.
Look, I'll try and respond constructively to a range of the points that were made. The challenge that we face is one where we're actually maximising the unity in this Chamber, helping to give us a stronger place to be. In a conversation with both the UK Government and, indeed, with the company, that's where it really was welcomed—the Conservatives voted in favour of the motion when, to be fair, Paul Davies was economy spokesperson for the Welsh Conservatives, in favour of a motion about wanting to see a blast furnace retained on the site. There are lots of good arguments for that, both the direct economic impact of the potentially eye-watering job losses in addition to our sovereign interests and why I do not think it is the right thing for any UK Government of any shade to sign up to a future where we could be the only G7 country that cannot make primary steel. We are then reliant on competitor economies to provide that steel that we still need, and, for the foreseeable future, that is likely to be the case. That then means the economic value is generated somewhere else, as well as the nature of the relationships that go alongside that. So, it was welcome that the Welsh Conservatives agreed with every other party in this place that that was the right thing to do.
We want to have a constructive engagement with the transition board. The challenge is that, whilst the transition board gets a number of partners into the room, some of the points that are made here and immediately after transition board meetings take us away from our most constructive and positive areas of engagement. We will need a board that can act quickly and recognise that the board isn't there to control all other actors. And I've made this point before, that when there are significant unemployment events, the Welsh Government, our officials across a range of teams, have worked in a really nimble and proactive way with colleagues in Jobcentre Plus. So, there hasn't been a difference between the two different Government, and we've always worked with whoever leads that local authority. And that's been a real strength. That's exactly what we need to see happen here, but the scale of the challenge is even greater. If the transition board isn't nimble enough to do that, then actually we won't see the support that should be deployed in the manner that it could and should be. The money that the UK Government have put on the table is welcome, but if we're going to see the worst-case scenario delivered, then I'm afraid it won't be enough, and the time frame that's envisaged isn't going to deal with what we need.
The Welsh Government has already identified, across a range of our areas, the levers that we can use: the changes already made to the threshold for support from personal learning accounts—it's been changed specifically to take account of the Tata workforce; the fact that we have ReAct funding that has been reworked; the fact there is Communities for Work funding; the fact that we continue to support the apprenticeship framework. And one of our key asks is making sure that apprenticeships have the public assurance that their apprenticeships will be seen to conclusion. These are practical things, backed up by real Welsh Government resources, at a time when everyone knows our resources are particularly pressured, after 14 years of our budget being reduced in real terms, and that's just the undeniable truth. And yet, we are prepared to do everything we could and should do, within the budgets available, to support that workforce. And I do wish that the Welsh Government would have the support of Welsh Conservatives in standing up for this workforce rather than constantly trying to find a way to attack the Welsh Government and our desire to see those workers have the decent future that they deserve.
I'm afraid I don't share his view that this is just a short-term transition. And if Andrew R.T. Davies disagrees, he should go and talk to people from Shotton, he should go and talk to people who remember Ebbw Vale being a steel town and what happened when that transition took place. All of those challenges show that this is a longer term challenge, not simply a short-term event. A number of skilled workers could find immediate employment. The challenge will be will it be at the same rate and will they be able to stay in their communities for that work to happen. The next challenge is that wider group of workers, and that's why both the economy Secretary and I have been very clear about the need to access the information about the current workforce as soon as possible, but, crucially, the contractor workforce. And I am a little frustrated at the fact that, even now, we don't have access to that information. There are contractors who are making choices now about their current workforce. Tata know who their contractors are and they could share that information with us. We've never broken a confidence when it comes to information provided to us, and we've always managed to work in a really constructive way. We could and should be able to work with the local authorities—plural—who are most directly affected, with those contractors, with Jobcentre Plus, and with the company, to actually help those workers who are being directly affected now. We're not able to do that because the information hasn't be provided to us. I've been given the assurance that will be provided within days, and that will allow us to try and do the right thing for workers now as well as those who will be affected, potentially, in the future.
We'll then have a much wider challenge about the impact on a wider workforce—those people reliant on the significant spend. That's why not just the direct workforce, but, potentially, 7,000 to 9,000 extra jobs are affected by the change we're talking about. And if Tata proceed on their current plans, we need to be clear the greatest job losses will take place after the second blast furnace is closed, and those job losses could take place in the run-up to the end of the calendar year. So, October, November and December could be the three months with the biggest job losses, in the run-up to Christmas and the new year. I think that is a situation that we should avoid if at all possible. It's why I continue to make the case for a longer transition and make the case to wait for a general election that is imminent. And I spoke to Keir Starmer before flying out, and we're very clear that the UK Labour position is that the £0.5 billion on the table now is added to by £2.5 billion in a green steel transformation fund. A significant additional investment that is available for the capital, and also a manifesto that I think will see a need to invest in the future of steel making; we need more steel, not less, in our future.
The reality is, though, that I think the company are choosing to want to implement their plan before a general election. And they're not publicly going to move away from that. Whilst there hasn't been a general election, they're not about to say in public they will of course change their mind. It's important that we carry on making the case, though. If we're not prepared to fight for these jobs and for the sector, who is going to do it, because that isn't the message we're getting from UK Ministers at present? I want to see that change, and I want the maximum impact from people across this Chamber to try and deliver the best outcome for Welsh workers and, I believe, the best outcome for the UK in retaining this key sovereign asset.
Edrychwch, byddaf yn ceisio ymateb yn adeiladol i ystod o'r pwyntiau a wnaed. Yr her sy'n ein hwynebu yw un lle rydym ni'n gwneud y gorau o'r undod yn y Siambr hon, gan helpu i'n rhoi ni mewn sefyllfa gryfach. Mewn sgwrs gyda Llywodraeth y DU ac, yn wir, gyda'r cwmni, dyna lle cafodd ei groesawu mewn gwirionedd—pleidleisiodd y Ceidwadwyr o blaid y cynnig pan, i fod yn deg, Paul Davies oedd llefarydd yr economi ar ran y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, o blaid cynnig ynglŷn â bod eisiau gweld ffwrnais chwyth yn cael ei chadw ar y safle. Mae llawer o ddadleuon da dros hynny, effaith economaidd uniongyrchol y colledion swyddi a allai fod yn anferthol yn ogystal â'n buddiannau sofran a pham nad wyf yn credu mai dyma'r peth iawn i unrhyw Lywodraeth y DU o unrhyw liw dderbyn dyfodol lle gallem ni fod yr unig wlad G7 na all wneud dur sylfaenol. Yna rydym yn dibynnu ar economïau cystadleuwyr i ddarparu'r dur hwnnw sydd ei angen arnom ni o hyd, ac, hyd y gellir rhagweld, mae hynny'n debygol o fod yn wir. Mae hynny'n golygu bod y gwerth economaidd yn cael ei gynhyrchu yn rhywle arall, yn ogystal â natur y perthnasoedd sy'n cyd-fynd â hynny. Felly, roedd croeso i'r ffaith bod y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn cytuno gyda phob plaid arall yn y fan yma mai dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud.
Mae arnom ni eisiau ymgysylltu'n adeiladol â'r bwrdd pontio. Yr her yw, er bod y bwrdd pontio yn cael nifer o bartneriaid i'r ystafell, mae rhai o'r pwyntiau a wneir yma ac yn syth ar ôl cyfarfodydd pontio'r bwrdd yn ein tynnu oddi wrth ein meysydd ymgysylltu mwyaf adeiladol a chadarnhaol. Bydd angen bwrdd arnom ni a all weithredu'n gyflym a chydnabod nad yw'r bwrdd yno i reoli pawb arall. Ac rwyf wedi gwneud y pwynt hwn o'r blaen, pan fo achosion o ddiweithdra sylweddol, fod Llywodraeth Cymru, ein swyddogion ar draws ystod o dimau, wedi gweithio mewn ffordd wirioneddol ystwyth a rhagweithiol gyda chydweithwyr yn y Ganolfan Byd Gwaith. Felly, ni fu gwahaniaeth rhwng y ddwy Lywodraeth wahanol, ac rydym ni bob amser wedi gweithio gyda phwy bynnag sy'n arwain yr awdurdod lleol hwnnw. A bu hynny'n gryfder gwirioneddol. Dyna'n union sydd angen i ni ei weld yn digwydd yma, ond mae graddfa'r her hyd yn oed yn fwy. Os nad yw'r bwrdd pontio yn ddigon ystwyth i wneud hynny, yna mewn gwirionedd ni fyddwn yn gweld y gefnogaeth y dylid ei rhoi yn y modd y gellid ac y dylid gwneud hynny. Mae'r arian y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi'i roi ar y bwrdd i'w groesawu, ond os ydym yn mynd i weld y senario waethaf posibl, yna rwy'n ofni na fydd yn ddigon, ac nid yw'r amserlen a ragwelir yn mynd i ymdrin â'r hyn sydd ei angen arnom ni.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi nodi, yn sawl un o'n hardaloedd, y dulliau y gallwn ni eu defnyddio: y newidiadau a wnaed eisoes i'r trothwy ar gyfer cymorth o gyfrifon dysgu personol—mae wedi cael ei newid yn benodol i ystyried gweithlu Tata; y ffaith bod gennym ni arian ReAct sydd wedi cael ei ail-weithio; y ffaith bod yna arian Cymunedau am Waith; y ffaith ein bod yn parhau i gefnogi'r fframwaith prentisiaethau. Ac un o'n cwestiynau allweddol yw sicrhau bod gan brentisiaethau'r sicrwydd cyhoeddus y gellir gorffen y prentisiaethau. Mae'r rhain yn bethau ymarferol, wedi'u hategu gan adnoddau gwirioneddol gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ar adeg pan fo pawb yn gwybod bod ein hadnoddau dan bwysau arbennig, ar ôl 14 mlynedd o'n cyllideb yn cael ei lleihau mewn termau real, a dyna'r gwirionedd na ellir ei wadu. Ac eto, rydym yn barod i wneud popeth y gallwn ni ac y dylem ni ei wneud, o fewn y cyllidebau sydd ar gael, i gefnogi'r gweithlu hwnnw. Ac mi fyddai hi yn beth da petai gan Lywodraeth Cymru gefnogaeth y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig i sefyll dros y gweithlu hwn yn hytrach na cheisio dod o hyd i ffordd o ymosod ar Lywodraeth Cymru a'n hawydd i weld y gweithwyr hynny yn cael y dyfodol gweddus y maen nhw'n ei haeddu.
Rwy'n ofni nad wyf yn rhannu ei farn mai dim ond cyfnod pontio tymor byr yw hwn. Ac os yw Andrew R.T. Davies yn anghytuno, dylai fynd i siarad â phobl o Shotton, dylai fynd i siarad â phobl sy'n cofio Glyn Ebwy yn dref ddur a beth ddigwyddodd pan ddigwyddodd y trawsnewid hwnnw. Mae'r holl heriau hynny'n dangos bod hon yn her tymor hwy, nid digwyddiad tymor byr yn unig. Gallai nifer o weithwyr medrus ddod o hyd i waith ar unwaith. Yr her fydd a all hynny fod ar yr un gyfradd ac a fyddant yn gallu aros yn eu cymunedau er mwyn i'r gwaith hwnnw ddigwydd. Yr her nesaf yw'r grŵp ehangach yna o weithwyr, a dyna pam mae Ysgrifennydd yr economi a minnau wedi bod yn glir iawn ynghylch yr angen i gael gafael ar y wybodaeth am y gweithlu presennol cyn gynted â phosibl, ond, yn hollbwysig, gweithlu'r contractwyr. Ac rwyf ychydig yn rhwystredig am y ffaith nad oes gennym ni fynediad at yr wybodaeth honno, hyd yn oed nawr. Mae yna gontractwyr sy'n gwneud dewisiadau nawr am eu gweithlu presennol. Mae Tata yn gwybod pwy yw eu contractwyr ac fe allen nhw rannu'r wybodaeth honno gyda ni. Nid ydym ni erioed wedi datgelu gwybodaeth gyfrinachol a ddarparwyd i ni, ac rydym ni bob amser wedi llwyddo i weithio mewn ffordd adeiladol iawn. Fe allem ni ac fe ac fe ddylem ni allu gweithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol—lluosog—sy'n cael eu heffeithio fwyaf uniongyrchol, gyda'r contractwyr hynny, gyda'r Ganolfan Byd Gwaith, a chyda'r cwmni, i helpu'r gweithwyr hynny sy'n cael eu heffeithio'n uniongyrchol nawr. Nid ydym yn gallu gwneud hynny oherwydd nad yw'r wybodaeth wedi'i darparu i ni. Rwyf wedi cael y sicrwydd y caiff ei ddarparu o fewn dyddiau, a bydd hynny'n ein galluogi i geisio gwneud y peth iawn i weithwyr nawr yn ogystal â'r rhai a fydd yn cael eu heffeithio, o bosibl, yn y dyfodol.
Yna bydd gennym her lawer ehangach am yr effaith ar weithlu ehangach—y bobl hynny sy'n dibynnu ar y gwariant sylweddol. Dyna pam nad y gweithlu uniongyrchol yn unig, ond, o bosibl, 7,000 i 9,000 o swyddi ychwanegol sy'n cael eu heffeithio gan y newid yr ydym ni'n sôn amdano. Ac os bydd Tata yn bwrw ymlaen â'u cynlluniau presennol, mae angen i ni fod yn glir y bydd y diswyddiadau mwyaf yn digwydd ar ôl i'r ail ffwrnais chwyth gau, a gallai'r swyddi hynny gael eu colli yn y cyfnod cyn diwedd y flwyddyn galendr. Felly, mis Hydref, Tachwedd a Rhagfyr yw'r tri mis gyda'r colledion swyddi mwyaf, yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig a'r flwyddyn newydd. Rwy'n credu bod hon yn sefyllfa y dylem ni ei hosgoi, os yw hynny'n bosibl. Dyna pam rwy'n parhau i gyflwyno'r achos dros gyfnod pontio hirach a dadlau'r achos dros aros am etholiad cyffredinol sy'n anorfod. Ac fe wnes i siarad â Keir Starmer cyn hedfan yno, ac rydym ni'n glir iawn mai safbwynt Llafur y DU yw bod y £0.5 biliwn sydd ar y bwrdd nawr yn cael ei ychwanegu at £2.5 biliwn mewn cronfa trawsnewid dur gwyrdd. Buddsoddiad ychwanegol sylweddol sydd ar gael i'r cyfalaf, a maniffesto hefyd y credaf y bydd angen buddsoddi yn nyfodol gwneud dur; mae angen mwy o ddur, nid llai, arnom ni yn y dyfodol.
Y gwir amdani, serch hynny, yw fy mod yn credu bod y cwmni'n dewis bod eisiau gweithredu eu cynllun cyn etholiad cyffredinol. Ac nid ydyn nhw'n mynd i gefnu'n gyhoeddus ar hynny. Gan nad oes etholiad cyffredinol, nid ydynt ar fin dweud yn gyhoeddus y byddant wrth gwrs yn newid eu meddwl. Fodd bynnag, mae'n bwysig ein bod yn parhau i gyflwyno'r achos. Os nad ydym yn barod i frwydro dros y swyddi hyn a thros y sector, pwy sy'n mynd i wneud hynny, oherwydd nid dyna'r neges rydym ni'n ei chael gan Weinidogion y DU ar hyn o bryd? Mae arna i eisiau gweld y newid hwnnw, ac mae arna i eisiau yr effaith fwyaf gan bobl ar draws y Siambr hon i geisio sicrhau'r canlyniad gorau i weithwyr Cymru ac, rwy'n credu, y canlyniad gorau i'r DU wrth gadw'r ased sofran allweddol hwn.
Genuinely, I held out some hope that you'd return with something substantial, First Minister. And I say 'substantial' because, to be fair, you've highlighted some things in your statement. I mean, the potential for Tata to fund some researchers in Swansea University, but it was to consider funding; it wasn't actually delivering anything, was it? Let's be honest here, the time to go to India had long passed.
We first heard rumblings about the possible closure of the blast furnaces and job losses in Port Talbot last year. Where was the urgency then? The bosses of Tata were in the UK two weeks ago. Why didn't you meet with them then? Did you ask for a meeting? As far as I can see now, you went to India with no specific asks, no inclination from Tata that anything would change as a result of your visit, so what was the purpose? If anything, based on your statement, you've wasted time, to be quite frank. What is now happening at Port Talbot is monumental policy failure at both a UK Government and Welsh Government level over several years, if not decades. After all, we have been in this situation before, haven't we? A multinational company holding both Governments to ransom, looking for Government bung. For Tata, it's been a semi-regular occurrence.
You said in your statement that Tata should wait until after the next general election. It's a line repeated time and time again. Well, at the election will be too late. You said it yourself: blast furnace 5 closed by June, 4 in September. We need action now. And what is Labour's offer exactly? It's £3 billion for steel, not just for Port Talbot, but for the entire UK. Perhaps the First Minister could actually clarify the £2.5 billion or £2.6 billion that he mentioned to the leader of the opposition just now, because last time I checked, that wasn't Labour's policy. We were quick enough to criticise the sum on the table from UK Government. I mean, scratch the surface of the £3 billion and you'll quickly realise that it's not much better, if we were to divide that amongst all the steel sites in the UK. So, £3 billion for the entire UK when, on the continent, they're investing upwards of £2.6 billion in single sites.
Now, let's be clear: once the blast furnaces are turned off, that's it, you can't turn them back on; they're not like the computers that we have in front of us here. Tata won't wait around for what would potentially be the same level of financial support, nor will they hang on for an election that nobody knows when it's actually going to happen. I'll repeat what I said last week: all parties in this Chamber have said that the blast furnaces should stay open; we had that reiterated by the leader of the opposition, that we need a genuine transition period, so what are we going to do?
There are three options, as far as I can see it, that are on the table, just like last week: nationalisation, preservation or managed decline. By the way, I'd welcome other options if there are any for consideration. That's why I submitted a no named day motion; let's debate these options, and let's come to a decision, because so far, all I've heard from both Governments is meek acceptance of the impending loss of up to 10,000 jobs in my region, and that simply is not acceptable. No fight, no desire, no passion, only fear of rocking the boat. Meanwhile, Tata isn't rocking the boat, they're capsizing it.
Yn wir, roeddwn i'n lled-obeithiol y byddech chi'n dychwelyd gyda rhywbeth sylweddol, Prif Weinidog. Ac rwy'n dweud 'sylweddol' oherwydd, i fod yn deg, rydych chi wedi tynnu sylw at rai pethau yn eich datganiad. Hynny yw, y posibilrwydd y byddai Tata yn ariannu rhai ymchwilwyr ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, ond oedd hynny i ystyried cyllid; nid oedd yn cyflawni unrhyw beth mewn gwirionedd, onid oedd? Gadewch i ni fod yn onest yn y fan yma, roedd yr amser i fynd i India wedi hen basio.
Clywsom sibrydion am y posibilrwydd o gau'r ffwrneisi chwyth a cholli swyddi ym Mhort Talbot y llynedd. Lle oedd y brys bryd hynny? Roedd penaethiaid Tata yn y DU bythefnos yn ôl. Pam na wnaethoch chi gyfarfod â nhw bryd hynny? Wnaethoch chi ofyn am gyfarfod? Hyd y gwelaf i nawr, fe aethoch chi i'r India heb unrhyw ofynion, heb unrhyw argoel gan Tata y byddai unrhyw beth yn newid o ganlyniad i'ch ymweliad, felly beth oedd y diben? Os rhywbeth, yn seiliedig ar eich datganiad, rydych chi wedi gwastraffu amser, i fod yn hollol onest. Yr hyn sy'n digwydd ym Mhort Talbot erbyn hyn yw methiant polisi enfawr ar lefel Llywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru dros sawl blwyddyn, os nad degawdau. Wedi'r cyfan, rydym ni wedi bod yn y sefyllfa hon o'r blaen, yn do? Cwmni rhyngwladol yn dal y ddwy Lywodraeth yn wystlon, yn chwilio am arian y Llywodraeth. I Tata, mae wedi bod yn ddigwyddiad lled-reolaidd.
Fy ddywedoch chi yn eich datganiad y dylai Tata aros tan ar ôl yr etholiad cyffredinol nesaf. Caiff hynny ei ailadrodd dro ar ôl tro. Wel, bydd adeg yr etholiad yn rhy hwyr. Fe ddywedoch chi eich hun: cau ffwrnais chwyth 5 erbyn mis Mehefin, 4 ym mis Medi. Mae angen gweithredu nawr. A beth yw cynnig Llafur yn union? £3 biliwn ar gyfer dur, nid yn unig i Bort Talbot, ond i'r DU gyfan. Efallai y gallai'r Prif Weinidog egluro'r £2.5 biliwn neu'r £2.6 biliwn a grybwyllodd wrth arweinydd yr wrthblaid ar hyn o bryd, oherwydd y tro diwethaf i mi wirio, nid dyna oedd polisi Llafur. Roeddem ni'n ddigon cyflym i feirniadu'r swm a gynigwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU. Hynny yw, o grafu wyneb y £3 biliwn a byddwch yn sylweddoli'n gyflym nad yw'n llawer gwell, pe baem ni'n rhannu hynny ymhlith holl safleoedd dur y DU. Felly, £3 biliwn i'r DU gyfan, tra, ar y cyfandir, maen nhw yn buddsoddi dros £2.6 biliwn mewn safleoedd unigol.
Nawr, gadewch i ni fod yn glir: unwaith y bydd y ffwrneisi chwyth wedi'u diffodd, dyna ni, ni allwch chi eu tanio nhw eto; dydyn nhw ddim fel y cyfrifiaduron sydd gennym ni o'n blaenau yma. Ni fydd Tata yn aros am yr hyn a allai fod yr un lefel o gymorth ariannol, ac ni fyddan nhw chwaith yn aros am etholiad nad oes neb yn gwybod pryd y bydd yn digwydd mewn gwirionedd. Byddaf yn ailadrodd yr hyn a ddywedais yr wythnos diwethaf: mae pob plaid yn y Siambr hon wedi dweud y dylai'r ffwrneisi chwyth aros ar agor; ailadroddwyd hynny gan arweinydd yr wrthblaid, bod angen cyfnod pontio gwirioneddol, felly beth ydym ni'n mynd i'w wneud?
Mae tri dewis, hyd y gwelaf i, sydd ar y bwrdd, yn union fel yr wythnos diwethaf: gwladoli, cadw neu ddirywiad wedi ei reoli. Gyda llaw, byddwn yn croesawu dewisiadau eraill os oes rhai i'w hystyried. Dyna pam y cyflwynais gynnig heb ddyddiad trafod; Gadewch i ni drafod y dewisiadau hyn, a gadewch i ni ddod i benderfyniad, oherwydd hyd yn hyn, y cyfan rydw i wedi'i glywed gan y ddwy Lywodraeth yw derbyn yn llywaeth y golled sydd ar ddod o hyd at 10,000 o swyddi yn fy rhanbarth, ac nid yw hynny'n dderbyniol. Dim ymladd, dim awydd, dim angerdd, dim ond ofn troi'r drol. Yn y cyfamser, nid yw Tata yn troi'r drol, maen nhw'n ei chwalu hi.
I don't accept virtually all of what the Member has said, and I regret the tone and the manner in which it's been put. This Government has fought for the steel sector over a number of years. Since the proposals were made, we have worked alongside trade unions and their representatives, not just in national office, but the reps within the workplace as well. The steelworkers themselves are genuine experts in how to run the site. If you were to talk to a group of steelworkers and their reps, I don't think they would say that this Government has not fought for them and is not continuing to fight for them; I don't think you would find that they believe that the time to go to India has long since passed.
We've been working with steel trade unions in understanding the nature of the negotiations they're having and when ministerial intervention could make a difference. And, in fact, when the leadership of Tata were here for two days, they were in talks with the steel trade unions; that's what they were doing. And we need to understand what is taking place within those negotiations, how we use our influence. That's why the economy and energy Secretary had a conversation with the steel trade unions last week, to understand where things have gone. That's why we had to make immediate choices about whether to go to Mumbai or not. I believe any First Minister of any party would, should and must have gone to Mumbai in the time frame that I did. It was the right thing to do, and I'm proud to have done so, and prouder still to keep on making the case and fighting for the investment that I believe could make a difference.
I reject the way that he categorised investment in key sectors of the economy as a bung for private industry. That sort of language will not go down well with the workforce who work there. You could say the same thing about lots of our other anchor employers. You wouldn't talk about the investment in skills in Airbus as a bung for the company to stay here. It's part of the grown-up relationship we need to have about how we grow our economy and secure work and investment in here for the communities that we are privileged to represent.
When it comes to the future of the EAF, I think it's really important that we recognise that an EAF is part of the future. There will be more EAF production, and I think that's the right thing to see happen. As a Government, we always have to be able to and prepared to do more than one thing at the same time. That's making the case for the future we want, and preparing for the futures that could come down to us. No-one would forgive us if we did not make preparations for Tata to implement the plan they're talking about publicly. That's exactly what we're doing. It is not acceptance that that will simply happen, and we are going along or just coalescing in that. Our fight is a genuine one for the future, and I'd hope that, within and outside the Chamber, we can get back to having as joined up a response as possible to maximise the impact that this Parliament and this Government can make for a future that I believe our steelworkers deserve.
Nid wyf yn derbyn bron popeth y mae'r Aelod wedi'i ddweud, ac rwy'n gwarafun dull ac ysbryd ei ddadl. Mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi brwydro dros y sector dur dros nifer o flynyddoedd. Ers i'r cynigion gael eu gwneud, rydym ni wedi gweithio ochr yn ochr ag undebau llafur a'u cynrychiolwyr, nid yn unig ar lefel genedlaethol, ond hefyd y cynrychiolwyr yn y gweithle. Mae'r gweithwyr dur eu hunain yn arbenigwyr gwirioneddol ar sut i redeg y safle. Pe byddech yn siarad â grŵp o weithwyr dur a'u cynrychiolwyr, nid wyf yn credu y byddent yn dweud nad yw'r Llywodraeth hon wedi ymladd drostyn nhw ac nad yw'n parhau i frwydro drostyn nhw; Nid wyf yn credu y canfyddech eu bod yn credu bod yr amser i fynd i'r India wedi hen basio.
Rydym ni wedi bod yn gweithio gydag undebau llafur dur i ddeall natur y trafodaethau y maen nhw'n eu cael a phryd y gallai ymyrraeth weinidogol wneud gwahaniaeth. Ac, mewn gwirionedd, pan oedd arweinyddiaeth Tata yma am ddeuddydd, roedden nhw mewn trafodaethau gyda'r undebau llafur dur; dyna beth roedden nhw'n ei wneud. Ac mae angen i ni ddeall beth sy'n digwydd yn y trafodaethau hynny, sut rydym ni'n defnyddio ein dylanwad. Dyna pam y cafodd Ysgrifennydd yr economi ac ynni sgwrs gyda'r undebau llafur dur yr wythnos diwethaf, i ddeall hyd a lled pethau. Dyna pam roedd yn rhaid i ni wneud dewisiadau ar unwaith ynghylch a ddylid mynd i Mumbai ai peidio. Rwy'n credu y byddai, ac y dylai a bod rheidrwydd ar unrhyw Brif Weinidog yma yng Nghymru o unrhyw blaid, i fod wedi mynd i Mumbai yn yr amserlen a wneuthum. Dyma oedd y peth iawn i'w wneud, ac rwy'n falch fy mod i wedi gwneud hynny, ac yn fwy balch o ddal ati i gyflwyno'r achos ac ymladd dros y buddsoddiad y credaf a allai wneud gwahaniaeth.
Rwy'n gwrthod y ffordd iddo gategoreiddio buddsoddiad mewn sectorau allweddol o'r economi fel abwyd i ddiwydiant preifat. Ni fydd y math yna o iaith wrth fodd y gweithlu sy'n gweithio yno. Gallech ddweud yr un peth am lawer o'n cyflogwyr mawr eraill. Fyddech chi ddim yn siarad am y buddsoddiad mewn sgiliau yn Airbus fel abwyd i'r cwmni aros yma. Mae'n rhan o'r berthynas aeddfed y mae angen i ni ei chael ynghylch sut rydym ni'n tyfu ein heconomi a sicrhau gwaith a buddsoddiad yma ar gyfer y cymunedau y mae'n fraint i ni eu cynrychioli.
O ran dyfodol y ffwrnais bwa trydan, rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn cydnabod bod ffwrneisi bwa trydan yn rhan o'r dyfodol. Bydd mwy o gynhyrchu gyda'r ffwrneisi hyn, ac rwy'n credu mai dyna'r peth iawn i'w weld yn digwydd. Fel Llywodraeth, mae'n rhaid i ni bob amser allu a pharatoi i wneud mwy nag un peth ar yr un pryd. Mae hynny'n golygu dadlau'r achos dros y dyfodol mae arnom ni ei eisiau, a pharatoi ar gyfer y dyfodol a allai ddod i'n rhan. Ni fyddai unrhyw un yn maddau i ni pe na baem ni'n gwneud paratoadau i Tata weithredu'r cynllun y maen nhw'n sôn amdano yn gyhoeddus. Dyna'n union beth rydym ni'n ei wneud. Nid derbyn yw hynny y bydd hynny'n digwydd yn ddiofyn, a'n bod derbyn hynny neu'n plygu i'r drefn. Mae ein brwydr yn un wirioneddol ar gyfer y dyfodol, a byddwn yn gobeithio, o fewn a thu allan i'r Siambr, y gallwn ni gael ymateb mor gydgysylltiedig â phosibl i sicrhau'r effaith fwyaf posibl y gall y Senedd hon a'r Llywodraeth hon ei chael ar gyfer dyfodol y credaf y mae ein gweithwyr dur yn ei haeddu.
Can I thank the First Minister for his statement, but not just for his statement? The people I talk to in Port Talbot—my neighbours, friends, colleagues—are thankful for you actually going out to Mumbai and showing leadership because, so far, we've not seen that from the UK Government. So, thank you very much for that and very much for putting the strong case for primary steel making to be kept here in Wales, and specifically in Port Talbot, because that seems to be something that the UK Government has lost sight of.
I've heard this afternoon some comments, but let me just be clear: people in Port Talbot, the steelworkers of Port Talbot, welcome your actions and this Government's actions. They are disappointed in the UK Government's failures, and they are angry at Tata themselves for actually making the decision to close down those blast furnaces without justification. This is not a green agenda; this is a financial decision by Tata. Can I make it clear on that? They are looking at the money side of it, not at the community side of it, not looking at the people side of it. And that's important to remind people of.
We all know the devastating impact this will have on the workforce—2,800 has been mentioned. Let's make it clear: as somebody said, it's about 9,000 with the supply chain and contractors. Some contractors are already laying off people now, before the blast furnaces even shut down. That's important. But, for this Government, let's think back to what we can be doing. I thank you for the PLA, because I know I pushed the agenda on the PLA, and making sure Tata workers and contractors are able to have that now and access that funding, because it's all about training and development where we can help them go somewhere else. The disappointment is that people are already leaving now. They're going to work in England now. We're losing that economy now. That's really hugely damaging to our local economy.
Now, just a couple of quick questions, because I know my time is up. The transition board, you mentioned that. Will you make sure that the Treasury release that £80 million? Because, so far, it's going nowhere. We've had notification of Tata's contribution of £20 million, and they've already said where they will spend it, how they will spend it, and how they will manage it. I've not heard that from the UK Government yet, so we need a commitment at the next transition board, because I sit on it, as does someone else in this Chamber, and someone else in this Chamber. We need that commitment that they will spend it, not just talk about it, and spend it quickly, because the workforce is going in a month’s time, and as you've said, in September, most of it. We don't want to be still talking in September, saying, 'Oh, where will we spend this?' We want commitments now. So, can you please ensure that that commitment is given?
And, secondly, will you please ensure that Tata put forward the planning application for the EAF? Because, as you say, there are workers in the steelworks who do not believe that the EAF will come. We need to see an application going in for planning, so that we can have confidence that they will actually deliver the EAF.
A gaf i ddiolch i'r Prif Weinidog am ei ddatganiad, ond nid am ei ddatganiad yn unig? Mae'r bobl rwy'n siarad â nhw ym Mhort Talbot—fy nghymdogion, ffrindiau, cydweithwyr—yn ddiolchgar i chi fynd allan i Mumbai a dangos arweinyddiaeth oherwydd, hyd yma, nid ydym ni wedi gweld hynny gan Lywodraeth y DU. Felly, diolch yn fawr iawn am hynny ac yn fawr iawn am ddadalu'n gryf dros gadw gwneud dur cynradd yma yng Nghymru, ac yn benodol ym Mhort Talbot, oherwydd ymddengys bod hynny'n rhywbeth y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi colli golwg arno.
Rwyf wedi clywed rhai sylwadau y prynhawn yma, ond gadewch imi fod yn glir: mae pobl ym Mhort Talbot, gweithwyr dur Port Talbot, yn croesawu eich gweithredoedd a gweithredoedd y Llywodraeth hon. Maen nhw'n siomedig ym methiannau Llywodraeth y DU, ac maen nhw'n ddig wrth Tata eu hunain am wneud y penderfyniad i gau'r ffwrneisi chwyth hynny heb gyfiawnhad. Nid agenda werdd yw hon; penderfyniad ariannol gan Tata yw hwn. A gaf i fod yn glir ynglŷn â hynny? Maen nhw'n edrych ar ochr arianol y peth, nid ar ochr gymunedol y peth, ddim yn edrych ar ochr y bobl. Ac mae'n bwysig atgoffa pobl o hynny.
Rydym ni i gyd yn gwybod effaith ddinistriol hyn ar y gweithlu—mae'r ffigwr o 2,800 wedi ei grybwyll. Gadewch i ni ei gwneud hi'n glir: fel y dywedodd rhywun, mae tua 9,000 gyda'r gadwyn gyflenwi a'r contractwyr. Mae rhai contractwyr eisoes yn diswyddo pobl nawr, cyn i'r ffwrneisi chwyth gau hyd yn oed. Mae hynny'n bwysig. Ond, i'r Llywodraeth hon, gadewch i ni feddwl yn ôl am yr hyn y gallwn ni fod yn ei wneud. Diolch i chi am y cyfrif dysgu personol, oherwydd rwy'n gwybod fy mod i wedi gwthio'r agenda o ran y cyfrif dysgu personol, a sicrhau bod gweithwyr Tata a chontractwyr yn gallu cael hynny nawr a chael gafael ar y cyllid hwnnw, oherwydd mae'n ymwneud â hyfforddi a datblygu lle gallwn ni eu helpu i fynd i rywle arall. Y siom yw bod pobl eisoes yn gadael nawr. Maen nhw nawr yn gweithio yn Lloegr. Rydym ni'n colli'r economi honno nawr. Mae hyn yn niweidiol iawn i'n heconomi leol.
Nawr, dim ond ychydig o gwestiynau cyflym, oherwydd rwy'n gwybod bod fy amser ar ben. Y bwrdd pontio, roeddech chi'n sôn am hynny. A wnewch chi sicrhau bod y Trysorlys yn rhyddhau'r £80 miliwn hwnnw? Oherwydd hyd yn hyn nid yw'n mynd i unman. Rydym ni wedi cael gwybod am gyfraniad Tata o £20 miliwn, ac maen nhw eisoes wedi dweud ble y byddant yn ei wario, sut y byddant yn ei wario, a sut y byddant yn ei reoli. Nid wyf wedi clywed hynny gan Lywodraeth y DU eto, felly mae angen ymrwymiad yn y bwrdd pontio nesaf, oherwydd rwy'n eistedd arno, fel y mae rhywun arall yn y Siambr hon yn ei wneud, a rhywun arall yn y Siambr hon. Mae angen yr ymrwymiad hwnnw arnom ni y byddan nhw yn ei wario, nid dim ond siarad amdano, a'i wario'n gyflym, oherwydd mae'r gweithlu'n mynd o fewn mis o amser, ac fel rydych chi wedi dweud, ym mis Medi, y rhan fwyaf ohono. Dydyn ni ddim eisiau bod yn dal i siarad ym mis Medi, gan ddweud, 'O, lle byddwn ni'n gwario hyn?' Mae arnom ni eisiau ymrwymiadau nawr. Felly, a allwch chi sicrhau y rhoddir yr ymrwymiad hwnnw?
Ac, yn ail, a wnewch chi sicrhau bod Tata yn cyflwyno'r cais cynllunio ar gyfer y ffwrnais bwa trydan? Oherwydd, fel y dywedwch, mae yna weithwyr yn y gwaith dur nad ydyn nhw'n credu y daw'r ffwrnais bwa trydan. Mae angen i ni weld cyflwyno cais cynllunio, fel y gallwn ni fod yn hyderus y byddant yn darparu'r ffwrnais bwa trydan mewn gwirionedd.
Thank you for the comments and the questions. I completely agree with David Rees: we should not be the only G7 country who surrenders our capacity to make primary steel. That is a sovereign issue for the UK Government. And there was a deal on the table that was available three years ago, and it would have been a better deal at the time, with a better glide path and, actually, I believe we would have had more workers still in employment with a different future, and we could have taken a step forward on having increased electric arc production alongside a more secure future for blast furnace production as well.
My concern there was—. I recognise the point the Member has made about the anger within the community that is real, and not just within the workforce but on a wider level, and I know that is directed at both the UK Government and the company. I have never lost sight of the people directly in the middle of all of this: the workforce in Tata, the contractors who know they're reliant on the business continuing, and people in the wider community who know that if you take out lots of well-paid workers from that economy, it will have an impact on all of them. I mentioned earlier the realities of different steel-making towns and the future that they have been left with. I don't want to see that for Port Talbot or indeed for the remaining works in Llanwern, and I want to see Trostre and Shotton have a healthy future with the operations they have, which is why it was so important to make the point about providing the slab and the coil for their future.
But on your point around contractors, I think I am very clear that we need the information about that, and people are being made redundant now. It's why the information is so important and so time critical. I also want to be clear about future training packages and what they could look like. Some workers will have skills in the business that aren't accredited, so they can't go and get a job with a different employer if they don't have the accreditation for this. The training will be really important to allow people to move on, and, again, some of that could and should be decent work that's available.
We don't yet have a plan for the £80 million, and I've seen that Tata have indicated how they want to spend their £20 million they've put on the table. It's part of the reason why I said what I said before, about the nimbleness and the speed of the transition board being able to make choices. Some of those choices will be required in the nearer future and with a rhythm that won't wait for a monthly meeting. We're going to need to have something that designs and brings together the different stakeholders with decision-making powers and responsibility, to understand how that resource will be used—not planned to be used, but will actually be used—and the transition board needs to recognise that it can't do all of that through the current pattern of meetings. That's a practical point that isn't politically controversial, I think. You either want the money to be used well, alongside the resource that we and other partners have, or you don't, and I think it would be the wrong thing to try to stick to a pattern that is convenient if you're going to the meeting, not convenient if you want to see the right outcomes for the workforce.
And I take on board the Member's point around the EAF planning application. Even in outline, it would be a helpful signal to the wider community that the EAF is going to be built, because if the blast furnace production ceases, there will be a gap of several years before you can have EAF production, and if you're importing steel to be rolled, there are always going to be concerns about whether, actually, the wider production will come on board. The sooner that concrete signal is sent out, the better.
Diolch am y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau. Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â David Rees: ni ddylem ni fod yr unig wlad G7 sy'n ildio ein gallu i wneud dur sylfaenol. Mae hynny'n fater sofran i Lywodraeth y DU. Ac roedd bargen ar y bwrdd a oedd ar gael dair blynedd yn ôl, a byddai wedi bod yn well bargen ar y pryd, gyda chyfres well o ganlyniadau ac, mewn gwirionedd, rwy'n credu y byddai gennym ni fwy o weithwyr yn dal mewn gwaith gyda dyfodol gwahanol, ac fe allem ni fod wedi cymryd cam ymlaen o ran cael mwy o gynhyrchu mewn ffwrnais bwa trydan ochr yn ochr â dyfodol mwy diogel ar gyfer cynhyrchu mewn ffwrnais chwyth hefyd.
Fy mhryder gyda hynny oedd—. Rwy'n cydnabod y pwynt y mae'r Aelod wedi'i wneud am y dicter yn y gymuned sy'n real, ac nid yn unig o fewn y gweithlu ond ar lefel ehangach, ac fe wn i fod hynny wedi'i gyfeirio at Lywodraeth y DU a'r cwmni. Nid wyf erioed wedi colli golwg ar y bobl yn uniongyrchol yng nghanol hyn i gyd: y gweithlu yn Tata, y contractwyr sy'n gwybod eu bod yn dibynnu ar y busnes yn parhau, a phobl yn y gymuned ehangach sy'n gwybod, os byddwch yn cymryd llawer o weithwyr â chyflog da o'r economi honno, y bydd yn cael effaith ar bob un ohonyn nhw. Soniais yn gynharach am realiti gwahanol drefi gwneud dur a'r dyfodol y gadawyd nhw gydag o. Does arnaf i ddim eisiau gweld hynny ar gyfer Port Talbot nac yn wir ar gyfer gweddill y gwaith yn Llanwern, ac fe hoffwn i weld dyfodol iach i Trostre a Shotton gyda'r gweithrediadau sydd ganddyn nhw, a dyna pam ei bod hi mor bwysig gwneud y pwynt ynglŷn â darparu'r slab a'r coil ar gyfer eu dyfodol.
Ond o ran eich sylw ynglŷn â chontractwyr, rwy'n credu fy mod in glir iawn bod angen yr wybodaeth arnom ni am hynny, ac mae pobl yn cael eu diswyddo nawr. Dyna pam mae'r wybodaeth mor bwysig ac felly amser yn hanfodol. Rwyf hefyd eisiau bod yn glir ynghylch pecynnau hyfforddi yn y dyfodol a sut y gallent edrych. Bydd gan rai gweithwyr sgiliau yn y busnes nad ydynt wedi'u hachredu, felly ni allant fynd i gael swydd gyda chyflogwr gwahanol os nad oes ganddyn nhw'r achrediad ar gyfer hyn. Bydd yr hyfforddiant yn bwysig iawn er mwyn galluogi pobl i symud ymlaen, ac unwaith eto, gallai a dylai rhywfaint o hynny fod yn waith da sydd ar gael.
Nid oes gennym ni gynllun eto ar gyfer yr £80 miliwn, ac rwyf wedi gweld bod Tata wedi nodi sut maen nhw am wario eu £20 miliwn maen nhw wedi'i roi ar y bwrdd. Mae'n rhan o'r rheswm pam y dywedais yr hyn a ddywedais o'r blaen, am yr ystwythder a chyflymder y bwrdd pontio yn gallu gwneud dewisiadau. Bydd angen rhai o'r dewisiadau hynny yn y dyfodol agosach ac ar gyflymder na fydd yn aros am gyfarfod misol. Bydd angen i ni gael rhywbeth sy'n dylunio ac yn dwyn ynghyd y gwahanol randdeiliaid sydd â phwerau a chyfrifoldeb gwneud penderfyniadau, er mwyn deall sut gaiff yr adnodd hwnnw'n ei ddefnyddio—nid bwriadu ei ddefnyddio, ond y caiff ei ddefnyddio mewn gwirionedd—ac mae angen i'r bwrdd pontio gydnabod na all wneud hynny i gyd drwy'r patrwm presennol o gyfarfodydd. Mae hynny'n bwynt ymarferol nad yw'n wleidyddol ddadleuol, rwy'n credu. Mae arnoch chi naill ai eisiau i'r arian gael ei ddefnyddio'n dda, ochr yn ochr â'r adnodd sydd gennym ni a phartneriaid eraill, neu does arnoch chi ddim eisiau hynny, ac rwy'n credu mai'r peth anghywir fyddai ceisio cadw at batrwm sy'n gyfleus os ydych chi'n mynd i'r cyfarfod, ddim yn gyfleus os ydych chi am weld y canlyniadau cywir i'r gweithlu.
Ac rwy'n derbyn sylw'r Aelod ynghylch cais cynllunio ar gyfer ffwrnais bwa trydan. Hyd yn oed ar ffurf amlinellol, byddai'n arwydd defnyddiol i'r gymuned ehangach yr adeiledir y ffwrnais bwa trydan, oherwydd os daw cynhyrchu gyda ffwrnais chwyth i ben, bydd bwlch o sawl blwyddyn cyn y gallwch chi gynhyrchu gyda ffwrnais bwa trydan, ac os ydych chi'n mewnforio dur i'w rolio, bydd pryderon bob amser ynghylch p'un ai, a dweud y gwir, a ystyrrir y cynhyrchiad ehangach. Po gynharaf yr anfonir y neges gadarn honno, y gorau.
The First Minister says he never lost sight of the workforce in Port Talbot and I'm glad to hear that, but let's remind ourselves of his record. The UK Government has put £80 million on the table for that transition board to support workers. Tata themselves have put £20 million. He and his Government, Llywydd, have put nothing—not one single penny to support workers through that transition board. That's his record in terms of supporting steelworkers in Port Talbot. Now, his only solution—. He's gone to Mumbai, and frankly it doesn't sound like he's secured anything from that meeting. He's been on that trip. So, the only thing that he can seem to point at as a potential solution appears to be a general election, and this £3 billion, which is fine, but the First Minister has now been asked twice to confirm the proportion of that £3 billion that would be spent specifically in Port Talbot, because if he can't make that clear to us in the Senedd, he certainly didn't make it clear in Mumbai to Tata. So, can you confirm the exact proportion of that £3 billion earmarked for Port Talbot?
Dywed y Prif Weinidog na chollodd olwg erioed ar y gweithlu ym Mhort Talbot ac rwy'n falch o glywed hynny, ond gadewch i ni atgoffa'n hunain o'i record. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi cynnig £80 miliwn ar gyfer y bwrdd pontio hwnnw i gefnogi gweithwyr. Mae Tata eu hunain wedi rhoi £20 miliwn. Nid yw ef a'i Lywodraeth, Llywydd, wedi rhoi dim—dim dimai goch i gefnogi gweithwyr drwy'r bwrdd pontio hwnnw. Dyna ei record o ran cefnogi gweithwyr dur ym Mhort Talbot. Nawr, ei unig ateb—. Mae wedi mynd i Mumbai, a dweud y gwir nid yw'n swnio fel ei fod wedi sicrhau unrhyw beth o'r cyfarfod hwnnw. Mae wedi bod ar y daith honno. Felly, ymddengys mai'r unig beth y gall gyfeirio ato fel ateb posibl yw etholiad cyffredinol, a'r £3 biliwn hwn, sy'n iawn, ond gofynnwyd i'r Prif Weinidog ddwywaith yn awr gadarnhau cyfran y £3 biliwn hwnnw a fyddai'n cael ei wario'n benodol ym Mhort Talbot, oherwydd os na all wneud hynny'n glir i ni yn y Senedd, yn sicr ni wnaeth hynny'n glir ym Mumbai i Tata. Felly, a allwch chi gadarnhau union gyfran y £3 biliwn hwnnw a glustnodwyd ar gyfer Port Talbot?
Well, I think the tone of that contribution will really grate with families who are going to sleep anxiously and understanding whether there are people on their side in the fight for their future. I just think the Member should every now and again consider not just whether there are interesting clips for Welsh Conservative social media, but actually your wider responsibilities. I don't think you're getting anywhere close to those.
It is simply not true to say that the Welsh Government has not supported Tata financially, although we are not prepared to invest in the future of the workforce if the job losses that are currently being proposed go ahead. I have mentioned it more than once: personal learning accounts, the ReAct programme, Communities for Work, what we're doing with apprenticeships. There is a wide range of measures that we are prepared to take to support that workforce, as we have done in every other significant unemployment event and the way we have deliberately worked together with local managers and Jobcentre Plus to do that, and indeed local authorities of any and every political leadership.
I think when it comes to the demand that I set out to apportion the £3 billion green steel transformation fund—that's £2.5 billion, plus the £0.5 billion that's on the table and is not spent thus far—no-one in the sector will seriously believe that you could or should try and apportion that now without the conversation you need to have with the business about how they could use some of that money for a green steel transformation. If the Member wants to make a serious contribution, he'll get a serious response. I think the pantomime approach he is taking reflects very poorly on him, and it is recognised and understood very clearly by the directly affected workforce and communities. He should think again.
Wel, rwy'n credu y bydd naws y cyfraniad hwnnw'n dân ar groen teuluoedd sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd cysgu'r nos a deall a oes pobl ar eu hochr yn y frwydr am eu dyfodol. Rwy'n credu y dylai'r Aelod bob hyn a hyn ystyried nid yn unig a oes clipiau diddorol ar gyfer cyfryngau cymdeithasol y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, ond eich cyfrifoldebau ehangach mewn gwirionedd. Dydw i ddim yn meddwl eich bod chi'n dod yn agos at y rheini.
Nid yw'n wir o gwbl dweud nad yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cefnogi Tata yn ariannol, er nad ydym ni'n barod i fuddsoddi yn nyfodol y gweithlu os collir yn wir y swyddi y rhagwelir eu colli. Rwyf wedi sôn amdano fwy nag unwaith: cyfrifon dysgu personol, rhaglen ReAct, Cymunedau am Waith, yr hyn rydym ni'n ei wneud gyda phrentisiaethau. Mae yna ystod eang o fesurau yr ydym ni'n barod i'w gweithredu i gefnogi'r gweithlu hwnnw, fel yr ydym ni wedi'i wneud ym mhob achos o ddiweithdra sylweddol arall a'r ffordd yr ydym ni wedi gweithio'n fwriadol gyda'n rheolwyr lleol a'r Ganolfan Byd Gwaith i wneud hynny, ac yn wir awdurdodau lleol o unrhyw arweinyddiaeth wleidyddol.
Rwy'n credu o ran y galw yr amlinellais i rannu'r gronfa trawsnewid dur gwyrdd gwerth £3 biliwn—mae hynny'n £2.5 biliwn, ynghyd â'r £0.5 biliwn sydd ar y bwrdd ac nad yw wedi ei wario hyd yn hyn—ni fydd unrhyw un yn y sector yn credu'n ddifrifol y gallech chi neu y dylech chi geisio dosrannu hynny nawr heb y sgwrs y mae angen i chi ei chael gyda'r busnes ynglŷn â sut y gallen nhw ddefnyddio peth o'r arian hwnnw ar gyfer Trawsnewidiad dur gwyrdd. Os yw'r Aelod am wneud cyfraniad difrifol, caiff ymateb difrifol. Rwy'n credu bod ei arddull anterliwtiol yn adlewyrchu'n wael iawn arno, ac mae'r gweithlu a'r cymunedau yr effeithir arnyn nhw yn uniongyrchol yn cydnabod ac yn deall hynny i'r dim. Dylai feddwl eto.
I'm disappointed to hear that the First Minister hasn't returned with any tangible good news for the workers and residents of Port Talbot, and I know many of the people I represent are going to be devastated. Workers are already being forced to leave their communities, and sometimes their families, due to the uncertainty of the last months and Tata's catastrophic job cut plans. In the wake of economic devastation, community life is going to be decimated. Plaid Cymru county councillor for Aberavon Andrew Dacey is vice-chair of the mighty Aberavon Quins rugby club, more than half of whose team have jobs either in the steelworks or connected to it. As well as his fears, obviously, for the future of the club, its viability and sponsorship, Councillor Dacey has spoken of disappointment being the main emotion being felt and the fact that his members are feeling so low they can't even talk about what's happening. So, what will be done to address this aspect, specifically, this economic, social and cultural cost that anyone who grew up in a mining community will recognise only too well? Because the job losses don't just impact the workforce, but all the companies that rely on them, and all of these people who are part of the organisations, clubs and societies that make Port Talbot and the surrounding communities what it is. So, how will you ensure that all those who are going to be affected are going to be considered and supported over the next months, and how are they going to be involved in any plans that the Government have of support? How can we protect the vitally important social fabric of Port Talbot?
Rwy'n siomedig o glywed nad yw'r Prif Weinidog wedi dychwelyd gydag unrhyw newyddion da diriaethol i weithwyr a thrigolion Port Talbot, a gwn y bydd llawer o'r bobl rwy'n eu cynrychioli yn hynod ddigalon. Mae gweithwyr eisoes yn cael eu gorfodi i adael eu cymunedau, ac weithiau eu teuluoedd, oherwydd ansicrwydd y misoedd diwethaf a chynlluniau torri swyddi trychinebus Tata. Yn sgil dinistr economaidd, caiff bywyd cymunedol ei ddistrywio. Mae cynghorydd sir Plaid Cymru dros Aberafan, Andrew Dacey, yn is-gadeirydd clwb rygbi nerthol Aberafan Quins, y mae gan fwy na hanner ei dîm swyddi naill ai yn y gwaith dur neu'n gysylltiedig ag ef. Yn ogystal â'i ofnau, yn amlwg, ar gyfer dyfodol y clwb, ei hyfywedd a'i nawdd, mae'r Cynghorydd Dacey wedi sôn mai siom yw'r prif emosiwn a deimlir a'r ffaith bod ei aelodau'n teimlo mor isel, ni allant hyd yn oed siarad am yr hyn sy'n digwydd. Felly, beth fydd yn cael ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r agwedd hon, yn benodol, y gost economaidd, gymdeithasol a diwylliannol y bydd unrhyw un a fagwyd mewn cymuned lofaol yn hynod gyfarwydd â hi? Oherwydd mae colli swyddi nid yn unig yn effeithio ar y gweithlu, ond yr holl gwmnïau sy'n dibynnu arnyn nhw, a'r holl bobl hyn sy'n rhan o'r sefydliadau, clybiau a chymdeithasau sy'n gwneud Port Talbot a'r cymunedau cyfagos yr hyn ydyw. Felly, sut fyddwch chi'n sicrhau y caiff pawb y mae hyn yn effeithio arnynt eu hystyried a'u cefnogi dros y misoedd nesaf, a sut fyddan nhw'n rhan o unrhyw gynlluniau cefnogaeth sydd gan y Llywodraeth? Sut allwn ni amddiffyn ffabrig cymdeithasol hanfodol bwysig Port Talbot?
This is one of the key drivers in this Government's action in understanding this isn't just an economic picture. It's not just a short-term relocation. If the jobs are lost at the scale and the speed that is being proposed, we know, sadly, from other parts of Wales, other steel towns, other communities, that there will be a long-lasting impact to that. That's exactly what we've been seeking to avoid, that social impact that I hear from everyone and anyone, when I've been to the town, when I've met with local councillors. And, of course, David Rees never loses an opportunity to talk about this, as indeed do other representatives of the area, and I would not expect people not to do that.
My concern is not just the economic and social impact, but about the fact that you've got a plan, and if people believe that the transition board with £100 million is going to resolve all of this, I don't think that actually meets the scale of the challenge. I don't think that's an honest engagement with the public. So, we've got to be clear this will require Government support and intervention to provide the training, the skills and the opportunities for the workforce to transition, and the speed of the transition. It was one of the points I had a regular conversation with the former First Minister about—not just if there's to be a loss, but the time over which it takes place makes a huge difference, because lots of people will leave the area. People can go to other parts of the world, as David Rees said, and if they've gone you can't guarantee they're going to come back. It also means the support you can otherwise have in place in the shorter term is actually much more difficult to marshal to give people the sort of hope they will need, as well as the practical, real experience.
I want to pick up on one of the points the Member made, and that is the broader point about well-being, about how people feel, that they feel able to talk about it. It's so important we find ways for people to talk. Often, collective environments where people are used to talking with each other about everything and anything are a useful way for that to happen. I've always been concerned about the potential mental health impact. There's a long run of evidence that large unemployment events lead to very real challenges in mental health and well-being, with very difficult consequences. So, that's why, during our time—and I know Jeremy Miles continues to make this case—there's a need for health board engagement around it. But to do that, we'll need to understand with more clarity the plans, the proposals and the impact on contractors, because those people would otherwise be lost, and we'll only see them if they engage in our services, rather than proactively engaging with them.
So, this isn't just a matter of job loss; it is much more than that. I want to see a future for Port Talbot that is a proud one, that builds on the legacy they have, rather than simply saying, 'We've done our bit', and at the end of the year, we're no longer there. That, I'm afraid, is what could happen if we only have the transition board process to work through, with a finite sum of money and the time frame that Tata are currently describing to deliver all of those significant redundancies.
Dyma un o'r prif ysgogwyr yng ngweithred y Llywodraeth hon o ran deall nad darlun economaidd yn unig yw hwn. Nid dim ond adleoliad tymor byr ydyw. Os collir y swyddi ar y raddfa a'r cyflymder sy'n cael ei gynnig, gwyddom, yn anffodus, o rannau eraill o Gymru, trefi dur eraill, cymunedau eraill, y bydd effaith hirhoedlog i hynny. Dyna'n union yr ydym ni wedi bod yn ceisio ei osgoi, yr effaith gymdeithasol honno rwy'n clywed gan bawb, pan fyddaf wedi bod i'r dref, pan fyddaf wedi cwrdd â chynghorwyr lleol. Ac, wrth gwrs, nid yw David Rees byth yn colli cyfle i siarad am hyn, na chwaith cynrychiolwyr eraill yr ardal yn wir, ac ni fyddwn yn disgwyl i bobl beidio â gwneud hynny.
Nid yr effaith economaidd a chymdeithasol yn unig yw fy mhryder i, ond am y ffaith bod gennych chi gynllun, ac os yw pobl yn credu bod y bwrdd pontio gyda £100 miliwn yn mynd i ddatrys hyn i gyd, nid wyf yn credu bod hynny'n bodloni graddfa'r her mewn gwirionedd. Nid wyf yn credu bod hynny'n ymwneud yn onest â'r cyhoedd. Felly, mae'n rhaid i ni fod yn glir y bydd hyn yn gofyn am gymorth ac ymyrraeth gan y Llywodraeth i ddarparu'r hyfforddiant, y sgiliau a'r cyfleoedd i'r gweithlu bontio, a chyflymder y pontio. Roedd yn un o'r pwyntiau y cês i sgwrs reolaidd gyda'r cyn-Brif Weinidog amdano—nid yn unig a fydd yna golledion, ond mae'r amser y mae'n digwydd yn gwneud gwahaniaeth enfawr, oherwydd bydd llawer o bobl yn gadael yr ardal. Gall pobl fynd i rannau eraill o'r byd, fel y dywedodd David Rees, ac os ydyn nhw wedi mynd allwch chi ddim gwarantu y dôn nhw yn ôl. Mae hefyd yn golygu bod y gefnogaeth y gallwch ei threfnu yn y tymor byrrach mewn gwirionedd yn llawer anoddach i'w rheoli i roi'r math o obaith y bydd ei angen ar bobl, yn ogystal â'r profiad ymarferol, go iawn.
Hoffwn grybwyll un o'r pwyntiau a wnaeth yr Aelod, sef y pwynt ehangach am lesiant, am sut mae pobl yn teimlo, eu bod yn teimlo eu bod yn gallu siarad amdano. Mae'n bwysig iawn ein bod yn dod o hyd i ffyrdd i bobl siarad. Yn aml, mae mannau cyffredin lle mae pobl wedi arfer siarad â'i gilydd am bopeth ac mae unrhyw beth yn ffordd ddefnyddiol i hynny ddigwydd. Rwyf bob amser wedi bod yn poeni am yr effaith bosibl ar iechyd meddwl. Mae yna lawer o dystiolaeth bod achosion diweithdra mawr yn arwain at heriau gwirioneddol iawn ym maes iechyd meddwl a lles, gyda chanlyniadau anodd iawn. Felly, dyna pam, yn ystod ein hamser—ac fe wn i fod Jeremy Miles yn parhau i ddadlau'r achos hwn—mae angen ymgysylltu â'r bwrdd iechyd ynghylch hynny. Ond i wneud hynny, bydd angen i ni ddeall yn fwy eglur y cynlluniau, y cynigion a'r effaith ar gontractwyr, oherwydd byddai'r bobl hynny fel arall yn cael eu colli, a byddwn ond yn eu gweld os ydynt yn cymryd rhan yn ein gwasanaethau, yn hytrach nag ymgysylltu'n rhagweithiol â nhw.
Felly, nid mater o golli swyddi yn unig yw hwn; mae'n llawer mwy na hynny. Fe hoffwn i weld dyfodol i Bort Talbot sy'n un balch, sy'n adeiladu ar y gwaddol sydd ganddyn nhw, yn hytrach na dweud, 'Rydym ni wedi gwneud ein rhan', ac ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn, nid ydym ni yno mwyach. Dyna, rwy'n ofni, yw'r hyn a allai ddigwydd os mai dim ond proses y bwrdd pontio sydd gennym ni i weithio drwyddo, gyda swm cyfyngedig o arian a'r amserlen y mae Tata yn ei disgrifio ar hyn o bryd i gyflawni'r holl ddiswyddiadau sylweddol hynny.
First Minister, I know that you're fully aware of the importance of Llanwern to the regional economy, the people directly employed at the plant, the contractors, the suppliers and the spend in the local economy. The average age at Llanwern now is, I think, in the early thirties, and, of course, there are a number of apprentices there. So, it's easy to understand why there's a great deal of concern locally about the future of the plant, given the projected job losses that will come towards us in the future. It is integrated with Port Talbot, as you also know, of course, First Minister. I think that gives a lot of concern about the work of the transition board, just to make sure that Llanwern is fully considered, appropriately considered in the work of that board and the decisions that are made.
It was good to hear you talking about the monitoring of research and development in terms of the quality of steel that an electric arc furnace would produce, because, obviously, the automotive aspect of production at Llanwern is very much allied to that quality of steel. And it's very good to hear that you will be visiting Llanwern soon, as well. But I just wonder if you could give some assurances about the work of the transition board, specifically in terms of the issues that Llanwern has.
Prif Weinidog, rwy'n gwybod eich bod yn gwbl ymwybodol o bwysigrwydd Llanwern i'r economi ranbarthol, y bobl a gyflogir yn uniongyrchol yn y ffatri, y contractwyr, y cyflenwyr a'r gwariant yn yr economi leol. Yr oedran cyfartalog yn Llanwern erbyn hyn yw, rwy'n credu, y tridegau cynnar, wrth gwrs, mae nifer o brentisiaid yno. Felly, mae'n hawdd deall pam y mae llawer iawn o bryder yn lleol am ddyfodol y gwaith, o ystyried y colledion swyddi a ragwelir a ddaw yn y dyfodol. Mae wedi'i integreiddio â Phort Talbot, fel y gwyddoch chi, wrth gwrs, Prif Weinidog. Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n creu llawer o bryder ynghylch gwaith y bwrdd pontio, dim ond i sicrhau bod Llanwern yn cael ei ystyried yn llawn, wedi'i ystyried yn briodol yng ngwaith y bwrdd hwnnw a'r penderfyniadau a wneir.
Roedd yn dda eich clywed yn siarad am fonitro ymchwil a datblygu o ran ansawdd y dur y byddai ffwrnais arc trydan yn ei gynhyrchu, oherwydd, yn amlwg, mae agwedd fodurol cynhyrchu yn Llanwern yn gysylltiedig yn gryf ag ansawdd y dur hwnnw. Ac mae'n dda iawn clywed y byddwch chi'n ymweld â Llanwern yn fuan, hefyd. Ond tybed a allech roi rhywfaint o sicrwydd ynghylch gwaith y bwrdd pontio, yn benodol o ran y problemau sydd gan Lanwern.
I'm very happy to give the Member the assurance that we continue to take an interest not just in Port Talbot, but in all of the downstream businesses, and Llanwern in particular, because in the proposals that Tata have made public, they expect there will be direct job losses in Llanwern in two to three years. Actually, the business at Llanwern, in particular its engagement with the auto sector, is highly regarded and it's an area where, if you look at the future needs of the UK economy and the way that vehicles will change, we'll still need those vehicles and we'll still need steel in them as well. So, I do think there's a case to be made that was part of the discussion about what future investment in all of those downstream businesses looks like. And it's why it was so important to make the ask and to get the commitment for coil and slab to be provided for downstream businesses. If you're waiting for an electric arc and you're potentially waiting for two or three years, or potentially more than three years, actually, where does that supply come from for those downstream operations and the hundreds of jobs on each of those sites that are directly employed, as well as all of the indirect ones?
And then also, what do you do—which is why the research point is important—in generating the right type of steel? It's also why I think the UK should not be the only G7 country not able to make primary steel. You're reliant on other parts of the world, potentially on other steel companies from Tata's point of view, because if a carbon border mechanism does come in at some point in 2027, they won't have the option of importing from India, that'll all have to come from the Netherlands, and will they have the capacity to do that? That's a practical challenge that I think needs to be worked through so that there's real confidence that those businesses won't be moved away. Because the quality of what comes from Shotton, Caerphilly, Trostre and Llanwern is highly regarded. The company recognises that and, crucially, their customers do as well.
There's a final point that I think is worth making. It's your point around the people with responsibilities. I think lots of people think that the steel workforce is an ageing workforce, but actually that hasn't been true for a long time. So, if these changes are made, lots of people with ongoing and real material responsibilities and financial liabilities could lose their jobs. If you're in your thirties, it's entirely possible that you have a house, with rent or with a mortgage, with children, with other bills to pay, and if you lose that employment, how long can a redundancy package make sure that you're still able to meet those responsibilities? The dislocation, socially and economically, is really significant. And that's also why we have consistently made the case in and around the transition board to make sure that, if people are made redundant, there's a route to having proper financial advice that is reputable. Because we have seen in the past, when people have large redundancy payments made, that it doesn't generate the best behaviour from people who see that as an opportunity to make money in an unscrupulous manner. So, we continue to make that case. That's why, in other instances, the company has actually paid for financial advice from a reputable source to be made available. It's an ongoing conversation that we need to be able to have. And again, I reiterate, we need to be able to make the primary case for the best possible outcome and then every other step around that, if we don't get the outcome we want, to try and make sure we have the best possible outcome for the people we're privileged to represent.
Rwy'n hapus iawn i roi'r sicrwydd i'r Aelod ein bod yn parhau i gymryd diddordeb nid yn unig ym Mhort Talbot, ond ym mhob un o'r busnesau eilaidd, a Llanwern yn arbennig, oherwydd yn y cynigion y mae Tata wedi'u cyhoeddi, maent yn disgwyl y bydd swyddi uniongyrchol yn cael eu colli yn Llanwern o fewn dwy i dair blynedd. Mewn gwirionedd, mae'r busnes yn Llanwern, yn enwedig ei ymgysylltiad â'r sector ceir, yn uchel ei barch ac mae'n faes lle, os edrychwch ar anghenion economi'r DU yn y dyfodol a'r ffordd y bydd cerbydau'n newid, bydd angen y cerbydau hynny arnom o hyd a bydd angen dur arnom o hyd ynddynt hefyd. Felly, rwy'n credu bod achos i'w wneud a oedd yn rhan o'r drafodaeth ynghylch sut olwg fydd ar fuddsoddiad yn y dyfodol ym mhob un o'r busnesau eilaidd hynny. A dyna pam ei bod mor bwysig gwneud y cais a chael yr ymrwymiad i ddarparu coiliau a slabiau ar gyfer busnesau eilaidd. Os ydych chi'n aros am arc trydan a'ch bod o bosibl yn aros am ddwy neu dair blynedd, neu fwy na thair blynedd o bosibl, mewn gwirionedd, o ble mae'r cyflenwad hwnnw'n dod i'r gweithrediadau eilaidd a'r cannoedd o swyddi ar bob un o'r safleoedd hynny sy'n cael eu cyflogi'n uniongyrchol, yn ogystal â'r holl rai anuniongyrchol?
Ac yna hefyd, beth ydych chi'n ei wneud—a dyna pam mae'r pwynt am ymchwil yn bwysig—wrth gynhyrchu'r math cywir o ddur? Dyna pam rwy'n credu hefyd nad y DU ddylai fod yr unig wlad o'r G7 na all wneud dur sylfaenol. Rydych chi'n dibynnu ar rannau eraill o'r byd, o bosibl ar gwmnïau dur eraill o safbwynt Tata, oherwydd os bydd mecanwaith ffin garbon yn dod i mewn ar ryw adeg yn 2027, ni fydd ganddyn nhw'r opsiwn o fewnforio o India, bydd yn rhaid i hwnnw i gyd ddod o'r Iseldiroedd, ac a fydd ganddyn nhw'r gallu i wneud hynny? Mae honno'n her ymarferol rwy'n credu y mae angen gweithio drwyddi fel bod gwir hyder na fydd y busnesau hynny'n cael eu symud i ffwrdd. Oherwydd bod parch mawr i ansawdd yr hyn sy'n dod o Shotton, Caerffili, Trostre a Llanwern. Mae'r cwmni'n cydnabod hynny ac, yn hollbwysig, mae eu cwsmeriaid yn gwneud hefyd.
Mae yna bwynt olaf rwy'n credu sy'n werth ei wneud. Eich pwynt chi ynghylch y bobl sydd â chyfrifoldebau. Rwy'n credu bod llawer o bobl yn credu bod y gweithlu dur yn weithlu sy'n heneiddio, ond mewn gwirionedd nid yw hynny wedi bod yn wir ers amser maith. Felly, os gwneir y newidiadau hyn, gallai llawer o bobl sydd â chyfrifoldebau a rhwymedigaethau ariannol parhaus a real golli eu swyddi. Os ydych yn eich tridegau, mae'n gwbl bosibl bod gennych dŷ, gyda rhent neu gyda morgais, gyda phlant, gyda biliau eraill i'w talu, ac os byddwch yn colli'r gyflogaeth honno, pa mor hir y gall pecyn diswyddo sicrhau eich bod yn dal i allu cyflawni'r cyfrifoldebau hynny? Mae'r dadleoli, yn gymdeithasol ac yn economaidd, yn wirioneddol arwyddocaol. A dyna hefyd pam ein bod wedi dadlau'r achos yn gyson yn y bwrdd pontio i sicrhau bod yna lwybr i gyngor ariannol priodol gan ffynhonnell sydd ag enw da os yw pobl yn cael eu diswyddo. Oherwydd ein bod wedi gweld yn y gorffennol, pan fydd pobl yn cael taliadau diswyddo mawr, nid yw hyn yn creu'r ymddygiad gorau ymhlith pobl sy'n gweld hynny fel cyfle i wneud arian mewn modd diegwyddor. Felly, rydym yn parhau i wneud yr achos hwnnw. Dyna pam, mewn achosion eraill, mae'r cwmni wedi talu mewn gwirionedd am gyngor ariannol gan ffynhonnell ag enw da. Mae'n sgwrs barhaus y mae'n rhaid i ni allu ei chael. Ac unwaith eto, ailadroddaf, mae angen i ni allu cyflwyno'r prif achos dros y canlyniad gorau posibl ac yna bob cam arall o amgylch hynny, os na chawn y canlyniad yr ydym yn ei ddymuno, yna rhaid ceisio sicrhau bod gennym y canlyniad gorau posibl i'r bobl y mae'n fraint i ni eu cynrychioli.
This catastrophic loss of jobs, as you said, First Minister, is preventable. We in this Senedd have the power to bring forward emergency legislation that would allow us to place a compulsory purchase order against blast furnace 4 and the heavy end related to it, which would allow us to prevent the decommissioning of that blast furnace. It would allow us to build a bridge to a change in Government and a new industrial policy in October and November, which would allow then the just transition to be implemented. How much would it cost? Well, we've got the figures. How much would it cost to maintain a mothballed blast furnace? When ThyssenKrupp did exactly that in Duisburg, it cost about £500,000 a month. When US Steel did the same in Fairfield, Alabama in 2015, it cost about the same. When Tata did it—they mothballed a blast furnace in Port Talbot between 2009 and 2013—it cost about the same amount. So, two months, £2 million. Wouldn't that be the best investment that this Welsh Government has ever made on behalf of Welsh workers and the Welsh economy?
Gellir osgoi'r golled drychinebus hon o swyddi, fel y dywedoch chi, Prif Weinidog. Mae gennym ni yn y Senedd hon y pŵer i gyflwyno deddfwriaeth frys a fyddai'n ein galluogi i osod gorchymyn prynu gorfodol ar ffwrnais chwyth 4 a'r pen trwm sy'n gysylltiedig â hi, a fyddai'n caniatáu i ni atal datgomisiynu'r ffwrnais chwyth honno. Byddai'n caniatáu i ni adeiladu pont i'r newid yn y Llywodraeth a pholisi diwydiannol newydd ym mis Hydref a mis Tachwedd, a fyddai'n caniatáu i'r pontio teg gael ei weithredu bryd hynny. Faint fyddai'n costio? Wel, mae gennym ni'r ffigurau. Faint fyddai'n costio i gynnal ffwrnais chwyth segur? Pan wnaeth ThyssenKrupp hynny yn Duisburg, roedd yn costio tua £500,000 y mis. Pan wnaeth US Steel yr un peth yn Fairfield, Alabama yn 2015, fe gostiodd tua'r un peth. Pan wnaeth Tata hynny—fe wnaethant wneud ffwrnais chwyth yn segur ym Mhort Talbot rhwng 2009 a 2013—roedd yn costio tua'r un swm. Felly, dau fis, £2 filiwn. Oni fyddai hwnnw y buddsoddiad gorau a wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru erioed ar ran gweithwyr Cymru ac economi Cymru?
I respect the fact that the Member wants to think of ideas and solutions, but we've got to think about whether we can implement them and whether they'll actually deliver the end that he wants. I don't think the final bill would be as he suggests. We've then got to have a discussion around what happens now with what is taking place, what comes next and, if we were to try to intervene, whether that operation would continue at all. I'm not convinced that is the route to preventing the eye-watering job losses that would otherwise happen. I know that the Member comes from a place of goodwill in making that suggestion.
He does make an important point, though, and that is that the manner of the decommissioning matters. You can decommission the furnace in a way that it could never be restarted, it would end up being damaged in the decommissioning process, or you could do it in such a way where it would be possible, albeit with costs to restart to actually ensure that a blast furnace is there post any changes made. That, though, requires an understanding of the investment in capital and in operational support for that to take place, and indeed the market for steel within the UK and wider as well.
So, there are practical things for us to keep on talking about. I'm committed, as indeed I know the economy Secretary is as well, to having any sensible conversation, any realistic conversation, around what we can do to try to maintain the future that our workers deserve, alongside the fact that we need to prepare for what would happen if Tata's plans were to go ahead to the time frame that they indicate they want to act. And of course, within that, there are several moving parts that land at the same time. This isn't a counsel of despair, it's a counsel of honesty about the leadership we require, the future that we could have, and the responsibilities we have in Government to prepare for more than one outcome.
Rwy'n parchu'r ffaith bod yr Aelod eisiau meddwl am syniadau ac atebion, ond mae'n rhaid i ni feddwl a allwn eu gweithredu ac a fyddant yn cyflawni'r hyn y mae ei eisiau mewn gwirionedd. Nid wyf yn credu y byddai'r bil terfynol fel y mae'n ei awgrymu. Mae'n rhaid i ni wedyn gael trafodaeth ynghylch beth sy'n digwydd nawr gyda'r hyn sy'n digwydd, beth ddaw nesaf ac, pe baem yn ceisio ymyrryd, a fyddai'r gweithrediad hwnnw'n parhau o gwbl. Nid wyf yn argyhoeddedig mai dyma'r llwybr i'w gymryd i atal y colledion swyddi trychinebus a fyddai fel arall yn digwydd. Rwy'n gwybod bod yr Aelod yn llawn ewyllys da wrth wneud yr awgrym hwnnw.
Mae'n gwneud pwynt pwysig, serch hynny, sef bod dull y datgomisiynu yn bwysig. Gallwch ddatgomisiynu'r ffwrnais mewn ffordd a fyddai’n golygu na ellid byth ei hailgychwyn, byddai'n cael ei difrodi yn y broses ddatgomisiynu, neu fe allech chi ei wneud yn y fath fodd fel y byddai'n bosibl, er y byddai golygu costau i ailgychwyn, i sicrhau mewn gwirionedd bod ffwrnais chwyth yno ar ôl i unrhyw newidiadau gael eu gwneud. Fodd bynnag, mae hynny'n gofyn am ddealltwriaeth o'r buddsoddiad mewn cyfalaf ac mewn cymorth gweithredol er mwyn i hynny ddigwydd, ac yn wir y farchnad ar gyfer dur yn y DU ac yn ehangach hefyd.
Felly, mae yna bethau ymarferol i ni barhau i siarad amdanyn nhw. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo, fel yr wyf yn gwybod yn wir fod Ysgrifennydd yr economi hefyd, i gael unrhyw sgwrs synhwyrol, unrhyw sgwrs realistig, ynghylch yr hyn y gallwn ei wneud i geisio cynnal y dyfodol y mae ein gweithwyr yn ei haeddu, ochr yn ochr â'r ffaith bod angen i ni baratoi ar gyfer yr hyn a fyddai'n digwydd pe bai cynlluniau Tata yn mynd ymlaen o fewn yr amserlen y maent yn nodi eu bod eisiau gweithredu. Ac wrth gwrs, o fewn hynny, mae sawl elfen yn dod i'r amlwg ar yr un pryd. Nid cyngor o anobaith yw hwn, mae'n gyngor llawn gonestrwydd ynghylch yr arweinyddiaeth sydd ei hangen arnom, y dyfodol y gallem ei gael, a'r cyfrifoldebau sydd gennym yn y Llywodraeth i baratoi ar gyfer mwy nag un canlyniad.
First Minister, as a representative of a steel community that has seen the impact of devastating job losses in this sector, can I again thank you for all your work, and the economy Secretary for his work, in supporting the industry in Wales? The commitment from the Welsh Government, year after year, is in stark contrast to the UK Government's and their complete neglect of Welsh steelworkers and their abandonment of the Welsh steel industry.
First Minister, you rightly referred in your statement to the importance of maintaining downstream operations of the steel industry, including Shotton steelworks. Can I ask you if you will continue to fight for the downstream operations in Shotton steelworks with representatives both in this place and trade union colleagues of ours of those sites for the production of primary steelmaking in Wales, a vital necessity for any country of the G7?
Prif Weinidog, fel cynrychiolydd cymuned ddur sydd wedi gweld effaith ddinistriol colli swyddi yn y sector hwn, a gaf i ddiolch i chi unwaith eto am eich holl waith, ac Ysgrifennydd yr economi am ei waith, wrth gefnogi'r diwydiant yng Nghymru? Mae'r ymrwymiad gan Lywodraeth Cymru, flwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn, yn gwbl groes i ymrwymiad Llywodraeth y DU wrth iddynt anwybyddu gweithwyr dur Cymru yn gyfan gwbl a chefnu ar ddiwydiant dur Cymru.
Prif Weinidog, fe wnaethoch chi gyfeirio'n briodol yn eich datganiad at bwysigrwydd cynnal gweithrediadau eilaidd yn y diwydiant dur, gan gynnwys gwaith dur Shotton. A gaf i ofyn i chi a fyddwch chi'n parhau i frwydro dros y gweithrediadau eilaidd yng ngwaith dur Shotton gyda chynrychiolwyr yn y lle hwn a chydweithwyr yn ein hundebau llafur ni yn y safleoedd hynny ar gyfer cynhyrchu dur sylfaenol yng Nghymru, sy'n hanfodol i unrhyw wlad yn y G7?
Thank you, and thank you for again making the case for the future of Shotton. I know the Member does so consistently. It's a significant employer in the area. If those jobs were not secure, then actually that is not just an issue for Shotton, but actually for the wider area and the ecosystem and the jobs relying on it around it. There are two things, I think. The first is the amount of electric arc steel that Shotton is able to use in the future, because some of its operations could use electric arc, and some customers are interested in the carbon footprint of the steel they have. There is a range of steel products, but at the moment it's only possible to make them through a primary process, and we can either have that steel made in Wales for the UK, or that steel can be made elsewhere and we can import it. Now, if Tata are going to go ahead, we're going to need to make sure that that primary steel is imported in significant numbers. That's a really significant logistical operation. You've got to think about the capacity to get that steel into the country, and then to move it around in a manner in which it's required. So, there'll be a significant challenge, in freight terms, in not just getting stuff into docks, but then moving it around on our network. They're all the practical things that Tata will need to be able to deliver to ensure that the indications they've made that downstream businesses will be supplied are practical. But, as I say, I don't resile from the fact that I want to see a different approach, and I want to see a different reality, because I do bear in mind the point the Member regularly makes about what happens with significant large-scale redundancies without a plan for the future, and what that means for communities in the longer term, not just the immediate headlines.
Diolch yn fawr, a diolch unwaith eto am gyflwyno'r achos dros ddyfodol Shotton. Rwy'n gwybod bod yr Aelod yn gwneud hynny'n gyson. Mae'n gyflogwr pwysig yn yr ardal. Pe na bai'r swyddi hynny'n ddiogel, yna mewn gwirionedd nid problem i Shotton yn unig fyddai hynny, ond mewn gwirionedd i'r ardal ehangach a'r ecosystem a'r swyddi sy'n dibynnu arno o'i gwmpas. Mae dau beth, rwy'n credu. Y cyntaf yw faint o ddur arc trydan y gall Shotton ei ddefnyddio yn y dyfodol, oherwydd gallai rhai o'i weithrediadau ddefnyddio arc trydan, ac mae gan rai cwsmeriaid ddiddordeb yn ôl troed carbon y dur sydd ganddynt. Mae amrywiaeth o gynnyrch dur, ond ar hyn o bryd dim ond trwy broses sylfaenol y mae'n bosibl, a gallwn naill ai gael y dur hwnnw wedi'i wneud yng Nghymru ar gyfer y DU, neu y gellir gwneud dur mewn mannau eraill a gallwn ei fewnforio. Nawr, os aiff Tata ymlaen â'u cynlluniau, bydd angen i ni sicrhau bod y dur sylfaenol hwnnw'n cael ei fewnforio mewn niferoedd sylweddol. Mae hwnnw'n weithrediad logistaidd sylweddol iawn. Mae'n rhaid i chi feddwl am y capasiti i gael y dur hwnnw i mewn i'r wlad, ac yna ei symud o gwmpas yn ôl y gofyn. Felly, bydd her sylweddol, o ran cludo, nid yn unig cael pethau i'r dociau, ond yna ei symud o gwmpas ein rhwydwaith. Dyma'r holl bethau ymarferol y bydd angen i Tata allu eu cyflawni i sicrhau bod yr arwyddion y maent wedi'u gwneud, y bydd busnesau eilaidd yn cael eu cyflenwi, yn ymarferol. Ond, fel y dywedais i, nid wyf yn cilio rhag y ffaith fy mod eisiau gweld dull gwahanol, ac rwyf eisiau gweld realiti gwahanol, oherwydd rwy'n ystyried y pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud yn rheolaidd ynghylch yr hyn sy'n digwydd gyda diswyddiadau sylweddol ar raddfa fawr heb gynllun ar gyfer y dyfodol, a'r hyn y mae hynny'n ei olygu i gymunedau yn y tymor hwy, nid y penawdau ar hyn o bryd yn unig.
The words 'devastating' and 'catastrophic' have been used, and it's hard to find a sufficient superlative that describes the impact this is going to have. This will make Wales poorer. This is going to significantly make the economy of south Wales poorer for generations to come. I don't think we should underestimate the size of the impact of this on our economy and our society. And I for one welcome every opportunity the First Minister has made to speak to the management of Tata, both to try and get them to shift their decision, but also to make sure that we have some guarantees of what is left. I think, from what I understand from Tata over a number of years, they've been trying to get constructive conversation with the UK Government. We don't have the fire power to bring the sort of investments needed for a sustainable future for steel. Can he tell us if, in these conversations with the chief executives, he discussed how many efforts they had made to engage the UK Government in a serious conversation, and what the response was?
And just on the situation of Trostre in Llanelli, I was glad to hear you say that you were told that there were sufficient reserves of hot rolled coil and slab to guarantee the production levels of their downstream operations. As we know, for Tata we use the word 'downstream'; it essentially means all the plants across Wales are linked, and the fate of one depends upon the others. Because the signals I'm getting from the workforce in Llanelli are much more alarmed than that reassurance suggests. They tell me that there are not sufficient stockpiles of the key ingredients of tin plate, that the progress in securing more has fallen behind, that Tata could make decisions to prioritise stockpiling Trostre over other operations in Europe and haven't done so, and not just the short-term supply, but what about the medium and long-term supply when they will be reliant on third party suppliers, and for the quality? Did he discuss them keeping the second blast furnace open long enough to make sure there were sufficient stockpiles, and what detail can he now press them on to make good that broad commitment they've given him?
Defnyddiwyd y geiriau 'dinistriol' a 'thrychinebus', ac mae'n anodd dod o hyd i ansoddeiriau eithaf sy'n disgrifio'r effaith y bydd hyn yn ei chael. Bydd hyn yn gwneud Cymru'n dlotach. Mae hyn yn mynd i wneud economi de Cymru yn dlotach yn sylweddol am genedlaethau i ddod. Nid wyf yn credu y dylem danbrisio maint effaith hyn ar ein heconomi a'n cymdeithas. Ac rwy'n croesawu pob cyfle y mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi'i ddefnyddio i siarad â rheolwyr Tata, er mwyn ceisio eu perswadio i newid eu penderfyniad, ond hefyd i sicrhau bod gennym rai gwarantau o'r hyn sydd ar ôl. Rwy'n credu, o'r hyn rwy'n ei ddeall gan Tata dros nifer o flynyddoedd, eu bod wedi bod yn ceisio cael sgwrs adeiladol gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Nid oes gennym ni y pŵer i ddod â'r math o fuddsoddiadau sydd eu hangen ar gyfer dyfodol cynaliadwy ar gyfer dur. A all ddweud wrthym a wnaeth drafod, yn y sgyrsiau hyn gyda'r prif weithredwyr, faint o ymdrechion yr oeddent wedi'u gwneud i ymgysylltu â Llywodraeth y DU mewn sgwrs ddifrifol, a beth oedd yr ymateb?
Ac o ran sefyllfa Trostre yn Llanelli, roeddwn yn falch o glywed eich bod wedi cael gwybod bod digon o gronfeydd wrth gefn o goiliau rholio poeth a slabiau i warantu lefelau cynhyrchu eu gweithrediadau eilaidd. Fel y gwyddom, ar gyfer Tata rydym yn defnyddio'r gair 'eilaidd'; yn ei hanfod mae'n golygu bod cysylltiad rhwng yr holl weithfeydd ledled Cymru, ac mae tynged un yn dibynnu ar y lleill. Oherwydd mae'r arwyddion yr wyf yn eu cael gan y gweithlu yn Llanelli yn llawer mwy brawychus nag y mae'r sicrwydd hwnnw'n ei awgrymu. Maent yn dweud wrthyf nad oes digon o stociau o gynhwysion allweddol tunplat, bod y cynnydd o ran sicrhau mwy ar ei hôl hi, y gallai Tata wneud penderfyniadau i flaenoriaethu Trostre ar gyfer stocio deunydd yn lle gweithrediadau eraill yn Ewrop ac nad ydynt wedi gwneud hynny, ac nid y cyflenwad tymor byr yn unig, ond beth am y cyflenwad tymor canolig a thymor hir pan fyddant yn dibynnu ar gyflenwyr trydydd parti, ac ar gyfer ansawdd? A drafododd cadw'r ail ffwrnais chwyth ar agor yn ddigon hir i sicrhau bod digon o stoc, a pha fanylion y gall nawr eu holi amdanyn nhw i gyflawni'r ymrwymiad eang hwnnw y maen nhw wedi'i roi iddo?
Thank you for the questions. The Member makes a point that I completely agree with and has underpinned our approach to this issue all the way through, that if the Tata proposals go ahead, it has a significant national impact. This isn't just an issue for steel communities. The footprint is so significant in economic activity and it would have long-term consequences. I have had a number of discussions, including in Mumbai, about UK Government engagement. The company don't give a list of all of the meetings they had, and you wouldn't expect them to necessarily say their fully unreserved view on the level of engagement that they have had. But I'm aware, from when I started the job as the economy Minister, that there was a proposal on the table, which was essentially ready to go, which would have seen co-investment in the future facilities in Port Talbot, and would not have had the consequences we are discussing now. You might remember Kwasi Kwarteng for his later appearance in public life, but, actually, at the time, he was making the case that the UK should be a steel-making country, and that, actually, the challenge was the occupants of 10 and 11 Downing Street agreeing on what that approach should be. If we had managed to secure agreement then, we would be in a different position today, workers would be in a different position today, the company’s commitment to the future would have been sealed at that point, and I believe that people would have much greater certainty about their future.
When it comes to metals, the type and the stock, the Member’s absolutely right. So, the tin-plate plant at Trostre—every Heinz can around the country and much more comes from that plant. It’s got really high-quality ratings, it’s really reliable, very well regarded in terms of what it does. The challenge, though, is how much metal they need, where it comes from, will they be reliant on competitors, and if you’re producing primary steel from a plant in the Netherlands, will that come to Trostre or will it go to the tin-plate plant that is next door to the blast furnace in the Netherlands? And how much steel can come in from other parts of the Tata business before a carbon border adjustment mechanism that could come in in 2027? So, the scale of what’s required is really significant and not to be taken for granted.
I had, to my face, a commitment that the businesses would be fully loaded. Now, I want to see that commitment kept. If it isn’t, there won’t just be the challenge of not giving a commitment to me. In real terms, what that will mean about the company’s relationship with its workforce, and its ability to look after workers—. In India, Tata has a good reputation. This, though, this event, I think will challenge that fundamentally within steel-making communities right across our country.
Diolch am y cwestiynau. Mae'r Aelod yn gwneud pwynt yr wyf yn cytuno'n llwyr ag ef ac sydd wedi bod yn sail i'n dull o ymdrin â'r mater hwn ar hyd y ffordd, os bydd cynigion Tata yn mynd yn eu blaenau, bydd yn cael effaith genedlaethol sylweddol. Nid problem i gymunedau dur yn unig yw hyn. Mae'r ôl troed mor arwyddocaol mewn gweithgarwch economaidd a byddai'n arwain at ganlyniadau hirdymor. Rwyf wedi cael nifer o drafodaethau, gan gynnwys ym Mumbai, am ymgysylltiad Llywodraeth y DU. Nid yw'r cwmni'n rhoi rhestr o'r holl gyfarfodydd a gawsant, ac ni fyddech yn disgwyl iddynt o reidrwydd i ddweud eu barn gwbl ddi-flewyn-ar-dafod ar lefel yr ymgysylltiad y maent wedi'i gael. Ond rwy'n ymwybodol, o'r adeg y dechreuais y swydd fel Gweinidog yr economi, fod yna gynnig ar y bwrdd, a oedd yn y bôn yn barod i'w weithredu, a fyddai wedi gweld cyd-fuddsoddi yng nghyfleusterau'r dyfodol ym Mhort Talbot, ac na fyddai wedi cael y canlyniadau yr ydym yn eu trafod nawr. Efallai y byddwch yn cofio Kwasi Kwarteng am ei ymddangosiad diweddarach mewn bywyd cyhoeddus, ond, mewn gwirionedd, ar y pryd, roedd yn dadlau y dylai'r DU fod yn wlad sy'n gwneud dur, ac mai'r her mewn gwirionedd oedd deiliaid 10 ac 11 Downing Street yn cytuno ar yr hyn y dylai'r dull hwnnw fod. Pe byddem wedi llwyddo i sicrhau cytundeb bryd hynny, byddem mewn sefyllfa wahanol heddiw, byddai gweithwyr mewn sefyllfa wahanol heddiw, byddai ymrwymiad y cwmni i'r dyfodol wedi cael ei selio bryd hynny, a chredaf y byddai gan bobl lawer mwy o sicrwydd ynghylch eu dyfodol.
O ran metelau, y math a'r stoc, mae'r Aelod yn hollol gywir. Felly, y gwaith tunplat yn Nhrostre—mae pob tun Heinz ledled y wlad a llawer mwy yn dod o'r gwaith hwnnw. Mae ganddo sgôr ansawdd uchel iawn, mae'n wirioneddol ddibynadwy, yn uchel ei barch o ran yr hyn y mae'n ei wneud. Yr her, serch hynny, yw faint o fetel sydd ei angen arnynt, o ble mae'n dod, a fyddant yn dibynnu ar gystadleuwyr, ac os ydych chi'n cynhyrchu dur sylfaenol o safle yn yr Iseldiroedd, a fydd hynny'n dod i waith Trostre neu a fydd yn mynd i'r gwaith tunplat sydd drws nesaf i'r ffwrnais chwyth yn yr Iseldiroedd? A faint o ddur all ddod i mewn o rannau eraill o fusnes Tata cyn gwelir mecanwaith addasu ffin garbon a allai ddod i rym 2027? Felly, mae graddfa'r hyn sydd ei angen yn wirioneddol sylweddol ac ni ddylid ei gymryd yn ganiataol.
Fe gefais i ymrwymiad y byddai'r busnesau'n cael eu llwytho'n llawn. Nawr, rwyf eisiau gweld yr ymrwymiad hwnnw'n cael ei gadw. Os na fydd, ni fydd her o beidio â rhoi ymrwymiad i mi yn unig. Mewn termau real, beth fydd hynny'n ei olygu o ran y berthynas rhwng y cwmni a'i weithlu, a'i allu i ofalu am weithwyr—. Yn India, mae gan Tata enw da. Fodd bynnag, bydd hyn, y digwyddiad hwn, yn herio hynny'n sylfaenol o fewn cymunedau gwneud dur ledled ein gwlad.
Yn olaf, Rhianon Passmore.
Finally, Rhianon Passmore.
Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, I welcome your statement and your clearly expressed desire to see the UK remain a primary steel-making nation. We cannot become the only G7 nation without this capacity, forced to rely on competitor states for steel, which strengthen, or not, the United Kingdom. So, whilst the critics carp from the sidelines, a Welsh First Minister must, as you have done, pull out all the stops to rage against what is being allowed to unfold before our eyes.
And today the world timely remembers the great Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas, on Dylan Thomas Day. First Minister, we all in this Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament must say and join together,
‘Do not go gentle into that good night,'
but
‘Rage, rage against the dying of the light’
of the Welsh and UK steel industries, before it goes out for good. Two thousand eight hundred skilled jobs expected to go, 10,000 people impacted indirectly.
So, First Minister, how receptive were Tata representatives to your call for them to pause and wait until the political composition of the UK Government is known following the forthcoming general election? What does your Government intend to do in conjunction with Keir Starmer, the leader of His Majesty’s opposition, to make Tata change course and to safeguard the ability of Britain to make steel, to safeguard those well-paid skilled jobs of so many in my constituency and across Wales?
Diolch, Llywydd. Prif Weinidog, rwy'n croesawu eich datganiad a'ch dymuniad clir i weld y DU yn parhau i fod yn genedl gwneud dur sylfaenol. Ni allwn fod yr unig genedl G7 heb y capasiti hwn, sy'n cael ei gorfodi i ddibynnu ar wladwriaethau cystadleuol am ddur, sy'n cryfhau'r Deyrnas Unedig neu beidio. Felly, er bod y beirniaid yn achwyn o'r cyrion, rhaid i Brif Weinidog Cymru, fel rydych chi wedi'i wneud, roi pob gewyn ar waith i refru a rhuo yn erbyn yr hyn sy'n cael ei ganiatáu i ddatblygu o flaen ein llygaid.
A heddiw mae'r byd yn cofio, yn amserol, y bardd mawr o Gymru, Dylan Thomas, ar Ddydd Dylan Thomas. Prif Weinidog, rhaid i ni i gyd yn Senedd Cymru ddweud ac ymuno gyda'n gilydd,
'Paid â mynd i'r nos heb ofyn pam',
ond
'ysa, yn dy henaint, am droi’n gas / wrth y drefn a fyn ddifodi’r fflam',
hynny yw, fflam diwydiannau dur Cymru a'r DU, cyn iddo ddiffodd am byth. Mae disgwyl i ddwy fil wyth cant o swyddi medrus ddiflannu, gan effeithio ar 10,000 o bobl yn anuniongyrchol.
Felly, Prif Weinidog, pa mor barod oedd cynrychiolwyr Tata i dderbyn eich galwad iddynt oedi ac aros nes bod cyfansoddiad gwleidyddol Llywodraeth y DU yn hysbys yn dilyn yr etholiad cyffredinol sydd i ddod? Beth mae eich Llywodraeth yn bwriadu ei wneud ar y cyd â Keir Starmer, arweinydd gwrthblaid Ei Fawrhydi, i wneud i Tata newid cyfeiriad ac i ddiogelu gallu Prydain i wneud dur, i ddiogelu'r swyddi medrus hynny sy'n talu'n dda i gymaint yn fy etholaeth i ac ar draws Cymru?
Thank you for the comments and the questions. Much of this comes down to the starting point of whether the UK should be the only G7 nation not able to make its own primary steel. I think that would be a poor strategic choice for the UK and has real consequences for Welsh workers today and in the immediate future.
Now, we have called repeatedly, including when Mark Drakeford was the First Minister, for no irreversible choices to be made this side of a general election that is not far off. That is the clear call from Keir Starmer too. Our challenge, though—. My concern is that the company have decided they want to make those choices before a Labour Government is in place, and that is a really significant challenge for us. If that irreversible choice is made, we will be left with the consequences.
Now, there are practical things that would need to be done before a second blast furnace is no longer operating, and the point I’ve made to Adam Price on the manner in which that is decommissioned would really matter as well. We will carry on making the very practical case that there is a different Government that I believe could and should be elected in the coming months that would have an entirely different view on what it is prepared to invest in and why—a very different partnership with clear expectations about how the company behaves as well. I still think that is a case that is worth making and fighting for. That’s certainly what I’ll be doing as a First Minister. I know the economy Minister is equally committed to making that case, and at the same time being prepared to prepare for Tata implementing their plan before a change in UK Government. No irreversible choices, I believe, would be no regrets for the UK, if only there were partners in the UK Government who shared our ambition and understanding of what is at stake.
Diolch am y sylwadau a'r cwestiynau. Man cychwyn hyn yw a ddylai'r DU fod yr unig genedl G7 na all wneud ei dur sylfaenol ei hun. Rwy'n credu y byddai hynny'n ddewis strategol gwael i'r DU a bydd ganddo ganlyniadau gwirioneddol i weithwyr Cymru heddiw ac yn y dyfodol agos.
Nawr, rydym wedi galw dro ar ôl tro, gan gynnwys pan oedd Mark Drakeford yn Brif Weinidog, na fydd unrhyw ddewisiadau diwrthdro yn cael eu gwneud cyn etholiad cyffredinol nad yw'n bell i ffwrdd. Dyna'r alwad glir gan Keir Starmer hefyd. Ein her, serch hynny—. Fy mhryder i yw bod y cwmni wedi penderfynu eu bod am wneud y dewisiadau hynny cyn bod Llywodraeth Lafur yn ei lle, ac mae honno'n her sylweddol iawn i ni. Os gwneir y dewis diwrthdro hwnnw, byddwn yn dioddef y canlyniadau.
Nawr, mae yna bethau ymarferol y byddai angen eu gwneud cyn i ail ffwrnais chwyth stopio gweithredu mwyach, a byddai'r pwynt rydw i wedi'i wneud i Adam Price ynghylch y modd y mae honno'n cael ei datgomisiynu o bwys hefyd. Byddwn yn parhau i wneud yr achos ymarferol iawn bod Llywodraeth wahanol y credaf y gellid ac y dylid ei hethol yn y misoedd nesaf a fyddai â barn hollol wahanol ar yr hyn y mae'n barod i fuddsoddi ynddo a pham—partneriaeth wahanol iawn gyda disgwyliadau clir am sut mae'r cwmni'n ymddwyn hefyd. Rwy'n dal i feddwl bod hwnnw'n achos sy'n werth ei wneud ac ymladd drosto. Yn sicr, dyna fyddaf i'n ei wneud fel Prif Weinidog. Rwy'n gwybod bod Gweinidog yr Economi yr un mor ymrwymedig i wneud yr achos hwnnw, ac ar yr un pryd yn barod i baratoi ar gyfer Tata yn gweithredu eu cynllun cyn bod newid yn Llywodraeth y DU. Rwy'n credu na fyddai'r DU yn difaru pe na bai dewisiadau diwrthdro, o na fyddai yna bartneriaid yn Llywodraeth y DU sy'n rhannu ein huchelgais a'n dealltwriaeth o'r hyn sydd yn y fantol.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
I thank the First Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf fydd y cynnig cydsyniad deddfwriaethol ar y Bil Diogelu Data a Gwybodaeth Ddigidol, a'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet dros yr Economi, Ynni a’r Gymraeg sy'n gwneud y cynnig yma. Jeremy Miles.
The next item will be the legislative consent motion on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, and I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Welsh Language to move the motion. Jeremy Miles.
Cynnig NDM8579 Jeremy Miles
Cynnig bod y Senedd, yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 29.6, yn cytuno y dylai Senedd y DU ystyried y darpariaethau yn y Bil Diogelu Data a Gwybodaeth Ddigidol i’r graddau y maent yn dod o fewn cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd.
Motion NDM8579 Jeremy Miles
To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 29.6, agrees that provisions in the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, in so far as they fall within the legislative competence of the Senedd, should be considered by the UK Parliament.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Llywydd. Rwy'n gwneud y cynnig ynghylch Bil Diogelu Data a Gwybodaeth Ddigidol Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig, a'r ffordd y caiff y darpariaethau hynny sydd o fewn cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd eu hystyried.
Drwy'r Bil hwn, mae Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig yn ceisio diweddaru a symleiddio fframwaith diogelu data'r Deyrnas Unedig, gyda'r nod o leihau beichiau ar sefydliadau, gan gynnal, ar yr un pryd, safonau diogelu data uchel. Er bod mwyafrif helaeth o'r Bil hwn wedi ei gadw yn ôl, mae sawl darpariaeth o fewn cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd, fel sydd wedi ei nodi ym mhedwar memorandwm y Bil. Hoffwn i ddiolch i'r pwyllgorau am ystyried y memoranda hynny sydd wedi eu gosod.
Thank you, Llywydd. I move the motion regarding the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill put forward by the UK Government, and the way those provisions that fall within the legislative competence of the Senedd will be considered.
Through this Bill, the UK Government seeks to update and simplify the data protection framework of the UK, with the aim of reducing burdens on organisations, whilst maintaining, at the same time, high standards of data protection. Although most of this Bill is reserved, there are a number of provisions within the legislative competence of the Senedd, as has been noted in the four memoranda to the Bill. I'd like to thank the committees for their considerations of those memoranda that have been laid.
Llywydd, whilst I welcome the Bill overall, it's disappointing that we are in a position where the UK Government is seeking consent from the Senedd to a Bill that fails to reflect the legislative competence of the Senedd and the principles of devolution. This is particularly disappointing given the broadly shared agreement on the need for Senedd consent. These failures are clearly demonstrated in the approach that the UK Government has taken in respect of the new national underground asset register provisions, introduced into the Bill last November.
As currently drafted, these provisions will remove existing regulation-making powers under section 79 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 from the Welsh Ministers, transferring them to UK Ministers. I am sure that Members will agree that the removal of a devolved executive function from Welsh Ministers without agreement, and without even prior consultation, is completely unacceptable.
Extensive discussions at both ministerial and official level have been held with the UK Government since the Bill's introduction, focused on the devolved implications of a number of provisions within the Bill. These discussions concluded with the offer from the UK Government of a package of targeted amendments that they would be willing to make, should Welsh Ministers deem them sufficient to recommend consent to the Bill in the Senedd.
However, the proposed amendments represented a significant lack of movement by the UK Government beyond the offer of a number of consultation provisions, with the UK Government continuing to pursue taking powers in devolved areas without even a consent role for Welsh Ministers. We have long disputed the UK Government's suggested use of consultation provisions as a form of constitutional safeguard in place of binding consent mechanisms. This is a position that both the Welsh Government and the Senedd have consistently taken in respect of UK Bills—a position, incidentally, that the UK Government is well aware of. As such, Ministers do not consider the proposed amendments to be sufficient and therefore we do not recommend the Senedd consent to this Bill, as set out in the supplementary legislative consent memorandum laid on 16 April. Furthermore, the approach taken by the UK Government in putting forward these proposed amendments as a final package on the condition that we must agree to all of them, or none would be tabled, is entirely contrary to the principle of the Sewel convention that Parliaments should not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the Senedd.
We remain of the view that amendments should be made to this Bill that respect the legislative competence of the Senedd, that respect the executive functions of the Welsh Ministers, and that reflect the existing devolution settlement. We have also been absolutely clear with the UK Government that amendments should be made to the new national underground asset register provisions to ensure that Welsh Ministers retain their existing regulation-making powers.
Whilst the current approach of the UK Government is not consistent with the principles of devolution, there is still time for the UK Government to address our concerns in order that we can achieve a satisfactory resolution that would then enable us to recommend the Senedd consent to the Bill. Should this happen, further amendments made to the Bill would then need to be considered by the Senedd. However, Llywydd, until that time occurs, I recommend to Members that they do not support the motion.
Llywydd, er fy mod yn croesawu'r Bil yn gyffredinol, mae'n siomedig ein bod mewn sefyllfa lle mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ceisio caniatâd gan y Senedd i Fil sy'n methu ag adlewyrchu cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd ac egwyddorion datganoli. Mae hyn yn arbennig o siomedig o ystyried y cytundeb a rennir yn fras ar yr angen am gydsyniad y Senedd. Dangosir y methiannau hyn yn glir yn y dull y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi'i fabwysiadu mewn cysylltiad â'r darpariaethau cofrestr asedau tanddaearol cenedlaethol newydd, a gyflwynwyd i'r Bil fis Tachwedd diwethaf.
Fel y maent wedi'u drafftio ar hyn o bryd, bydd y darpariaethau hyn yn tynnu pwerau deddfu presennol o dan adran 79 o'r Ddeddf Ffyrdd Newydd a Gwaith Stryd 1991 oddi wrth Weinidogion Cymru, gan eu trosglwyddo i Weinidogion y DU. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd yr Aelodau'n cytuno bod dileu swyddogaeth weithredol ddatganoledig gan Weinidogion Cymru heb gytundeb, a heb hyd yn oed ymgynghori ymlaen llaw, yn gwbl annerbyniol.
Mae trafodaethau helaeth ar lefel weinidogol a swyddogol wedi'u cynnal gyda Llywodraeth y DU ers cyflwyno'r Bil, gan ganolbwyntio ar oblygiadau datganoledig nifer o ddarpariaethau o fewn y Bil. Daeth y trafodaethau hyn i ben gyda'r cynnig gan Lywodraeth y DU o becyn o welliannau wedi'u targedu y byddent yn barod i'w gwneud, pe bai Gweinidogion Cymru yn eu hystyried yn ddigonol i argymell caniatâd i'r Bil yn y Senedd.
Fodd bynnag, roedd y gwelliannau arfaethedig yn cynrychioli diffyg symud sylweddol ar ran Llywodraeth y DU y tu hwnt i'r cynnig o nifer o ddarpariaethau ymgynghori, gyda Llywodraeth y DU yn parhau i gymryd pwerau mewn meysydd datganoledig heb hyd yn oed rôl gydsynio i Weinidogion Cymru. Rydym wedi dadlau ers tro yn erbyn awgrym Llywodraeth y DU i ddefnyddio darpariaethau ymgynghori fel math o ddiogelwch cyfansoddiadol yn lle mecanweithiau cydsynio rhwymol. Dyma safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru a'r Senedd yn gyson mewn cysylltiad â Biliau'r DU—safbwynt, gyda llaw, y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ymwybodol iawn ohoni. O'r herwydd, nid yw Gweinidogion o'r farn bod y gwelliannau arfaethedig yn ddigonol ac felly nid ydym yn argymell cydsyniad y Senedd i'r Bil hwn, fel y nodir yn y memorandwm cydsyniad deddfwriaethol atodol a osodwyd ar 16 Ebrill. At hynny, mae'r dull a fabwysiadodd Llywodraeth y DU i gyflwyno'r gwelliannau arfaethedig hyn fel pecyn terfynol ar yr amod bod yn rhaid i ni gytuno i bob un ohonynt, neu fel arall ni fyddai'r un ohonynt yn cael eu cyflwyno, yn gwbl groes i egwyddor confensiwn Sewel na ddylai Senedd y DU ddeddfu ar faterion datganoledig heb gydsyniad y Senedd.
Rydym o'r farn y dylid gwneud gwelliannau i'r Bil hwn sy'n parchu cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol y Senedd, sy'n parchu swyddogaethau gweithredol Gweinidogion Cymru, ac sy'n adlewyrchu'r setliad datganoli presennol. Rydym hefyd wedi bod yn gwbl glir gyda Llywodraeth y DU y dylid gwneud gwelliannau i'r darpariaethau cofrestr asedau tanddaearol cenedlaethol newydd i sicrhau bod Gweinidogion Cymru yn cadw eu pwerau deddfu presennol.
Er nad yw dull presennol Llywodraeth y DU yn gyson ag egwyddorion datganoli, mae amser o hyd i Lywodraeth y DU fynd i'r afael â'n pryderon er mwyn i ni gael datrysiad boddhaol a fyddai wedyn yn ein galluogi i argymell cydsyniad y Senedd i'r Bil. Pe bai hyn yn digwydd, byddai angen i'r Senedd ystyried gwelliannau pellach i'r Bil. Fodd bynnag, Llywydd, hyd nes y daw'r amser hwnnw, rwy'n argymell i'r Aelodau nad ydynt yn cefnogi'r cynnig.
Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a'r Cyfansoddiad nawr—Sarah Murphy.
The Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, Sarah Murphy.
Diolch, Llywydd. In three out of the past four weeks, I have spoken in this Chamber as Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee during legislative consent debates, such is the extent to which Bills in the UK Parliament are making provision in devolved areas. My committee has reported three times on the legislative consent memoranda laid by the Welsh Government on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. Our third report, on memorandum No.4, was laid yesterday afternoon, as the memorandum itself was only laid just over two weeks ago. My comments this afternoon will focus on three key issues, and I will direct Members and others to our reports for our detailed views and recommendations.
So, several provisions in the Bill confer solely upon the Secretary of State broad regulation-making powers that may be exercised in devolved areas. Others also confer equivalent delegated powers upon the Treasury. Therefore, in our latest report, we have stated our agreement with the Cabinet Secretary that such delegation is inappropriate. For example, clauses 86 and 88 confer various broad regulation-making powers on the Secretary of State and the Treasury in relation to customer data and business data. Such regulations could capture a wide array of businesses, and have the potential to impact on devolved areas, with no role for Welsh Ministers. Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary for sharing with us the exchange of letters between the Welsh and UK Governments. In one of the letters, the Minister of State makes it clear that the UK Government intends that the Bill will enable the better use of data in health and social care. This is extremely significant. Health and social care data have been listed in this letter, and our committee only became aware of it yesterday.
We have strong concerns about the constitutional impropriety of the provisions in the Bill for a national underground asset register. Through these provisions, powers currently delegated to Welsh Ministers under section 79 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 are being transferred to the Secretary of State, with no reasonable justification. This amounts to the removal of a devolved Executive function. So, as a committee, we support the Cabinet Secretary’s view that this is an inappropriate reversal of devolution. In addition, these provisions in the Bill for a national underground asset register will result in the revocation of Senedd-approved legislation in the form of the Street Works (Records) (Wales) Regulations 2005. Again, this is inappropriate.
Moving on to the provisions in the Bill relating to digital verification services, on this point, we disagree with the Welsh Government’s position on the requirement for legislative consent in respect of these provisions. But this is because, while the Welsh Government has maintained from the beginning that consent was required for these provisions, in February, the UK Government wrote to the Welsh Government stating that its own devolution guidance note advised consent should be sought when provisions in one of its Bills conferred or imposed reserved functions on a devolved Welsh authority. This is despite the UK Government’s overall view that these functions are reserved and its own acknowledgement that the Senedd’s Standing Orders do not cover situations where reserved functions are conferred on devolved Welsh authorities. However, the UK Government’s devolution guidance note is not a relevant consideration for the purpose of the tests in the Senedd’s Standing Orders. Memorandum No. 4 is laid before the Senedd under Standing Order 29, and it is confusing to make reference to criteria that do not apply to the Senedd’s legislative consent process. When we asked the Welsh Government for its view on the different criteria and approaches to legislative consent that appear to be applied by the UK Government, the Welsh Government and the Senedd’s Standing Orders, we were told that the Welsh Government is committed to the Sewel convention, and, while that statement is to be welcomed, it does not offer the explanation that we hoped for. The criteria still to us remain opaque.
Finally, there are some concerns that the Bill poses a risk to the UK's current data adequacy decision. This is the pipeline through which the UK and the European Union share data. Its loss would have particular implications for Welsh trade and the economy. In memorandum No. 4, the Cabinet Secretary states that the Bill could trigger a review of the UK’s EU data adequacy status by the European Commission, and has the potential to lead to legal challenge in the Court of Justice of the European Union. As the committee with responsibility for international obligations, these views are stark and concerning, so we have asked the Cabinet Secretary if he could possibly provide more details, please.
In our most recent report, laid yesterday, we also asked the Cabinet Secretary to confirm if the Welsh Government considers the Bill should have implications for other international arrangements, such as the UK-US data bridge, established in 2023. And finally, I would like to note that the Cabinet Secretary offered more details in his opening remarks, and also thank you for your detailed correspondence with the committee throughout. Diolch.
Diolch, Llywydd. Yn ystod tair o'r pedair wythnos diwethaf, rwyf wedi siarad yn y Siambr hon fel Cadeirydd y Pwyllgor Deddfwriaeth, Cyfiawnder a'r Cyfansoddiad yn ystod dadleuon cydsyniad deddfwriaethol, dyna ichi i ba raddau y mae Biliau yn Senedd y DU yn gwneud darpariaeth mewn meysydd datganoledig. Mae fy mhwyllgor wedi adrodd deirgwaith ar y memoranda cydsyniad deddfwriaethol a osodwyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ar y Bil Diogelu Data a Gwybodaeth Ddigidol. Gosodwyd ein trydydd adroddiad, ar femorandwm Rhif 4, brynhawn ddoe, gan mai dim ond ychydig dros bythefnos yn ôl y gosodwyd y memorandwm ei hun. Bydd fy sylwadau y prynhawn yma yn canolbwyntio ar dri mater allweddol, a byddaf yn cyfeirio Aelodau ac eraill at ein hadroddiadau am ein barn a'n hargymhellion manwl.
Felly, mae sawl darpariaeth yn y Bil yn rhoi pwerau deddfu eang i'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn unig, pwerau y gellir eu harfer mewn meysydd datganoledig. Mae eraill hefyd yn rhoi pwerau dirprwyedig cyfatebol i'r Trysorlys. Felly, yn ein hadroddiad diweddaraf, rydym wedi datgan ein cytundeb gyda'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet bod dirprwyo o'r fath yn amhriodol. Er enghraifft, mae cymalau 86 ac 88 yn rhoi pwerau deddfu eang amrywiol i'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol a'r Trysorlys mewn cysylltiad â data cwsmeriaid a data busnes. Gallai rheoliadau o'r fath ddal amrywiaeth eang o fusnesau, a bod â'r potensial i effeithio ar feysydd datganoledig, heb unrhyw rôl i Weinidogion Cymru. Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet am rannu gyda ni y llythyrau a gyfnewidiwyd rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a'r DU. Yn un o'r llythyrau, mae'r Gweinidog Gwladol yn ei gwneud yn glir bod Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu i'r Bil alluogi defnydd gwell o ddata ym maes iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol. Mae hyn yn hynod o arwyddocaol. Rhestrwyd data iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn y llythyr hwn, a dim ond ddoe y daeth ein pwyllgor yn ymwybodol ohono.
Mae gennym bryderon cryf am amhriodoldeb cyfansoddiadol y darpariaethau yn y Bil ar gyfer cofrestr asedau tanddaearol genedlaethol. Trwy'r darpariaethau hyn, trosglwyddir pwerau a ddirprwywyd ar hyn o bryd i Weinidogion Cymru o dan adran 79 o Ddeddf Ffyrdd Newydd a Gwaith Stryd 1991 i'r Ysgrifennydd Gwladol, heb unrhyw gyfiawnhad rhesymol. Mae hyn yn golygu dileu swyddogaeth weithredol ddatganoledig. Felly, fel pwyllgor, rydym yn cefnogi barn yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet fod hwn yn gwrthdroi datganoli'n amhriodol. Yn ogystal, bydd y darpariaethau hyn yn y Bil ar gyfer cofrestr asedau tanddaearol genedlaethol yn arwain at ddirymu deddfwriaeth a gymeradwywyd gan y Senedd ar ffurf Rheoliadau Gwaith Stryd (Cofnodion) (Cymru) 2005. Unwaith eto, mae hyn yn anaddas.
Gan symud ymlaen at y darpariaethau yn y Bil sy'n ymwneud â gwasanaethau dilysu digidol, ar y pwynt hwn, rydym yn anghytuno â safbwynt Llywodraeth Cymru o ran y gofyniad am gydsyniad deddfwriaethol mewn cysylltiad â'r darpariaethau hyn. Ond mae hyn oherwydd, er bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi mynnu o'r dechrau bod angen caniatâd ar gyfer y darpariaethau hyn, ym mis Chwefror, ysgrifennodd Llywodraeth y DU at Lywodraeth Cymru yn nodi bod ei nodyn cyfarwyddyd datganoli ei hun yn cynghori y dylid ceisio cydsyniad pan fo darpariaethau yn un o'i Biliau yn rhoi neu yn gorfodi swyddogaethau a gedwir yn ôl ar awdurdod datganoledig yng Nghymru. Mae hyn er gwaethaf barn gyffredinol Llywodraeth y DU bod y swyddogaethau hyn yn rhai a gedwir yn ôl a'i chydnabyddiaeth ei hun nad yw Rheolau Sefydlog y Senedd yn ymdrin â sefyllfaoedd lle rhoddir swyddogaethau a gedwir yn ôl ar awdurdodau datganoledig Cymru. Fodd bynnag, nid yw nodyn cyfarwyddyd datganoli Llywodraeth y DU yn ystyriaeth berthnasol at ddiben y profion yn Rheolau Sefydlog y Senedd. Gosodir Memorandwm Rhif 4 gerbron y Senedd o dan Reol Sefydlog 29, ac mae'n ddryslyd i gyfeirio at feini prawf nad ydynt yn berthnasol i broses cydsyniad deddfwriaethol y Senedd. Pan ofynnom i Lywodraeth Cymru am ei barn ar y gwahanol feini prawf a dulliau o gydsyniad deddfwriaethol y mae'n ymddangos eu bod yn cael eu cymhwyso gan Lywodraeth y DU, Llywodraeth Cymru a Rheolau Sefydlog y Senedd, dywedwyd wrthym fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i gonfensiwn Sewel, ac, er bod y datganiad hwnnw i'w groesawu, nid yw'n rhoi'r esboniad yr oeddem yn gobeithio amdano. Mae'r meini prawf yn dal i fod yn anhryloyw.
Yn olaf, mae rhai pryderon bod y Bil yn peri risg i benderfyniad digonolrwydd data cyfredol y DU. Dyma'r llwybr lle mae'r DU a'r Undeb Ewropeaidd yn rhannu data. Byddai ei golli yn arwain at oblygiadau penodol i fasnach Cymru a'r economi. Ym memorandwm Rhif 4, mae'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yn datgan y gallai'r Bil sbarduno adolygiad o statws digonolrwydd data'r DU gan y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd, a bod ganddo'r potensial i arwain at her gyfreithiol yn Llys Cyfiawnder yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Fel y pwyllgor sy'n gyfrifol am rwymedigaethau rhyngwladol, mae'r safbwyntiau hyn yn amlwg ac yn peri pryder, felly rydym wedi gofyn i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet a allai o bosibl ddarparu mwy o fanylion, os gwelwch yn dda.
Yn ein hadroddiad diweddaraf, a osodwyd ddoe, gwnaethom hefyd ofyn i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet gadarnhau a yw Llywodraeth Cymru o'r farn y dylai'r Bil gael goblygiadau ar gyfer trefniadau rhyngwladol eraill, fel pont ddata'r DU-yr Unol Daleithiau, a sefydlwyd yn 2023. Ac yn olaf, hoffwn nodi bod yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi cynnig mwy o fanylion yn ei sylwadau agoriadol, a hefyd diolch i chi am eich gohebiaeth fanwl gyda'r pwyllgor drwyddi draw. 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. Llywydd, my committee has reported on the first three memoranda for this Bill. It is with regret that I must report that time has been against us and we were not in a position to consider the fourth memorandum for a UK Bill that has serious and far-reaching implications for Wales. During our scrutiny of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, Members will recall that three of this Senedd's committees, including mine, emphasised the need for sufficient time for LCM scrutiny, particularly those with serious implications. Now, given the limited time available, we expected the Welsh Government to adopt a transparent and detailed approach to memoranda to assist us in our work. We've heard already that, yesterday, our committees were still receiving new information from the Welsh Government. Whilst we welcome this effort to share information, this situation is illustrative of the limitations of the consent process. That we receive information on the day of the reporting deadline and a day before today’s debate is surely undesirable for all of us.
Now, from the start, the Welsh Government has warned that this Bill poses a risk to the UK’s EU data adequacy decision. This crucial status, secured during Brexit, ensures the free flow of data between the UK and EU until June 2025. Now, whilst the Welsh Government could have provided a more detailed assessment on this calculation, as a committee, we nevertheless take any concerns raised about UK-EU relations extremely seriously. That the Welsh Government believes the Bill could adversely affect the UK’s data adequacy and, more broadly, the UK and Wales’s EU relations, is something that should concern all of us.
Llywydd, my committee is at the forefront of the Senedd’s work in finding the hinge points of our post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Now, we truly welcome the inclusion of analyses of the trade and co-operation agreement for this Bill, a commitment that was secured by our committee's international relations annual report, and that has borne fruit for this Bill. At the end of March, the European Commission noted four pieces of UK legislation that could affect the TCA’s operation. This Bill is one of them, alongside the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024. Now, were the outcome described by the Cabinet Secretary in memorandum No. 4 to materialise—were it to materialise—this Bill could lead to enforcement action by the EU’s Court of Justice. That would inevitably represent a serious setback in UK-EU relations.
During our Wales-Ireland inquiry, our Irish friends and neighbours told us that co-operation is inevitable; co-operation is a virtue and one which we take for granted at our peril. Llywydd, our porous boundaries demand co-operation, a series of choices to build and to nurture positive relations. As R.F. Kuang said:
'History isn’t a premade tapestry that we’ve got to suffer, a closed world with no exit. We can form it. Make it. We just have to choose to make it.'
Diolch, Llywydd. Llywydd, mae fy mhwyllgor wedi adrodd ar y tri memorandwm cyntaf ar gyfer y Bil hwn. Mae'n destun gofid bod yn rhaid i mi adrodd bod amser wedi bod yn ein herbyn ac nad oeddem mewn sefyllfa i ystyried y pedwerydd memorandwm ar gyfer Bil y DU sydd â goblygiadau difrifol a phellgyrhaeddol i Gymru. Yn ystod ein gwaith craffu ar Fil Protocol Gogledd Iwerddon, bydd yr Aelodau'n cofio bod tri o bwyllgorau'r Senedd hon, gan gynnwys fy un i, yn pwysleisio'r angen am ddigon o amser i graffu ar Gynnig Cydsyniad Deddfwriaethol, yn enwedig y rhai sydd â goblygiadau difrifol. Nawr, o ystyried yr amser cyfyngedig a oedd ar gael, roeddem yn disgwyl i Lywodraeth Cymru fabwysiadu dull tryloyw a manwl o ymdrin â memoranda i'n cynorthwyo yn ein gwaith. Rydym eisoes wedi clywed bod ein pwyllgorau, ddoe, yn dal i dderbyn gwybodaeth newydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Er ein bod yn croesawu'r ymdrech hon i rannu gwybodaeth, mae'r sefyllfa hon yn enghraifft o gyfyngiadau'r broses gydsynio. Mae'r ffaith ein bod yn derbyn gwybodaeth ar ddiwrnod dyddiad cau'r adroddiad a diwrnod cyn y ddadl heddiw yn sicr yn annymunol i bob un ohonom.
Nawr, o'r dechrau, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi rhybuddio bod y Bil hwn yn peri risg i benderfyniad digonolrwydd data'r DU ar gyfer yr UE. Mae'r statws hanfodol hwn, a sicrhawyd yn ystod Brexit, yn sicrhau llif data am ddim rhwng y DU a'r UE tan fis Mehefin 2025. Nawr, er y gallai Llywodraeth Cymru fod wedi darparu asesiad manylach ar y cyfrifiad hwn, fel pwyllgor, rydym serch hynny yn cymryd unrhyw bryderon a godwyd am gysylltiadau rhwng y DU a'r UE o ddifrif. Mae'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn credu y gallai'r Bil effeithio'n andwyol ar ddigonolrwydd data'r DU ac, yn ehangach, ar gysylltiadau rhwng yr UE a'r DU a Chymru, yn rhywbeth a ddylai fod o bwys i bob un ohonom.
Llywydd, mae fy mhwyllgor yn flaenllaw yng ngwaith y Senedd wrth ddod o hyd i bwyntiau pwysig ein perthynas ar ôl Brexit â'r UE. Nawr, rydym wir yn croesawu cynnwys dadansoddiadau o'r cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu ar gyfer y Bil hwn, ymrwymiad a sicrhawyd gan adroddiad blynyddol cysylltiadau rhyngwladol ein pwyllgor, ac sydd wedi dwyn ffrwyth ar gyfer y Bil hwn. Ddiwedd mis Mawrth, nododd y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd bedwar darn o ddeddfwriaeth y DU a allai effeithio ar weithrediad y cytundeb masnach a chydweithredu. Mae'r Bil hwn yn un ohonynt, ochr yn ochr â Deddf Cyfraith yr UE a Ddargedwir (Dirymu a Diwygio) 2023 a Deddf Diogelwch Rwanda (Lloches a Mewnfudo) 2024. Nawr, pe bai'r canlyniad a ddisgrifiwyd gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ym memorandwm Rhif 4 yn cael ei wireddu—pe bai'n cael ei wireddu—gallai'r Bil hwn arwain at gamau gorfodi gan Lys Cyfiawnder yr UE. Byddai hynny'n anochel yn cynrychioli rhwystr difrifol yn y berthynas rhwng y DU a'r UE.
Yn ystod ein hymchwiliad Cymru-Iwerddon, dywedodd ein ffrindiau a'n cymdogion yn Iwerddon wrthym fod cydweithredu yn anochel; mae cydweithredu yn rhinwedd a byddai ei gymryd yn ganiataol yn rhywbeth peryglus iawn. Llywydd, mae ein ffiniau mandyllog yn mynnu cydweithrediad, cyfres o ddewisiadau i adeiladu ac i feithrin cysylltiadau cadarnhaol. Fel y dywedodd R.F. Kuang:
'Nid yw hanes yn dapestri a wnaed ymlaen llaw y mae'n rhaid i ni ddioddef, byd caeedig heb unrhyw allanfa. Gallwn ei ffurfio. Gallwn ei wneud. Mae ond angen inni ddewis ei wneud.'
We discussed this Bill at committee, but I was really alerted to having the national underground asset register being added to it, and, apparently, it was added at the very last minute, so I was a bit concerned why it was added last minute. I have written, but I haven't had a response from the Secretary of State.
Our underground infrastructure is hugely complicated. It's a mix of pipes and cables, and it's managed by local authority street works teams, so, if any maintenance work needs to be done, they need to be consulted. I just know, from being a previous cabinet member for highways, how important it is and how important that we retain that right to take part in planning decisions regarding what's actually underground our roads. So, I'm really, really worried about this, that this would go to the Secretary of State for the roll-out and decision making when, really, it should be at a really local level, the underground asset register. And I know we do need it, but we need to be involved with every decision-making part of it, so I would encourage you to vote against this. Thank you.
Buom yn trafod y Bil hwn yn y pwyllgor, ond cefais fy rhybuddio yn gryf ynghylch ychwanegu'r gofrestr asedau tanddaearol genedlaethol ato, ac, mae'n debyg, cafodd ei hychwanegu ar y funud olaf un, felly roeddwn ychydig yn bryderus ynghylch pam y cafodd ei hychwanegu ar y funud olaf. Rwyf wedi ysgrifennu, ond nid wyf wedi cael ymateb gan yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol.
Mae ein seilwaith tanddaearol yn hynod gymhleth. Mae'n gymysgedd o bibellau a cheblau, ac fe'i rheolir gan dimau gwaith stryd awdurdodau lleol, felly, os oes angen gwneud unrhyw waith cynnal a chadw, mae angen ymgynghori â nhw. Rwy'n gwybod, o fod yn aelod cabinet blaenorol dros briffyrdd, pa mor bwysig ydyw a pha mor bwysig yw cadw'r hawl honno i gymryd rhan mewn penderfyniadau cynllunio ynghylch yr hyn sydd o dan ddaear ein ffyrdd. Felly, rwy'n poeni'n fawr am hyn, y byddai hyn yn mynd at yr Ysgrifennydd Gwladol ar gyfer cyflwyno a gwneud penderfyniadau pan, mewn gwirionedd, y dylai fod ar lefel leol iawn, y gofrestr asedau tanddaearol. Ac rwy'n gwybod bod ei angen arnom, ond mae angen i ni fod yn rhan o bob rhan o'r broses benderfynu, felly byddwn yn eich annog i bleidleisio yn erbyn hyn. Diolch.
Yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet i ymateb.
The Cabinet Secretary to reply.
Diolch, Llywydd, a diolch i'r rheini sydd wedi cyfrannu i'r ddadl, yn cynnwys ar ran y pwyllgorau maen nhw'n eu cadeirio.
Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you to all those who've contributed to the debate, including the committee Chairs.
In the contributions, Members have sought clarity and insight on two or three further areas, so I hope it will assist Members to know that it is our view that, in relation to data adequacy, a number of provisions in the Bill are considered to be challenging and do have the potential of a review by the commission, or legal challenge in the Court of Justice of the European Union, and these include provisions that are seen to weaken the independence of the Information Commissioner and undermine individual rights. To the point that Sarah Murphy was making in her contribution, the Bill amends the statutory definition of personal data, and there is a risk that a broader range of health and social care data will be included in the scope of free trade agreements. We are aware, as Members will generally be aware, that the public have concerns around their health data being used for anything other than the provision of care, and including this data within the scope of free trade agreements could undermine public trust. The UK maintaining its data adequacy is, of course, vital, and I'm disappointed with the ongoing refusal of the UK Government to share a copy of its risk assessment on this with us, and I'll be reviewing the finding of the House of Lords’s European Affairs Committee inquiry on data adequacy, which is currently under way.
Delyth Jewell asked about the level of detail in LCMs, and I accept that there is a clear tension between the two-week period that the Standing Order provides for provision of LCMs and the ability to provide detailed information. This is, I think, a feature of the fact that the process to which we have to respond is one that takes no regard of the Senedd's own timetable and is focused very much on activities in the UK Parliament. The example that Carolyn Thomas gave was very relevant to this, in relation to the underground asset register provisions. The UK Government did not make us aware of the proposed changes to Welsh Ministers’ powers until the day before the amendments were tabled in Parliament, which, I'm sure Members will agree, is incredibly disappointing.
Finally, on the point that Delyth Jewell made in relation to the TCA and the assessment that her committee has undertaken, in my view the changes to the UK data protection framework proposed in the Bill, as it's drafted, are, I think, unlikely to impact on the UK’s compliance with the TCA, because the data protection provisions are generally broad and high level. However, we are concerned that the Bill may signal the beginning of the UK’s divergence from the data protection regime that is currently in place across the EU and, needless to say, this would have the potential to undermine data protection provisions in the TCA across a range of policy areas and the potential loss, as a consequence, of data adequacy. So, Llywydd, as a conclusion, as a result of the constitutional concerns with the Bill, I ask Members of the Senedd to not consent to this Bill. Diolch yn fawr.
Yn y cyfraniadau, mae'r Aelodau wedi gofyn am eglurder a mewnwelediad ar ddau neu dri maes arall, felly rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yn cynorthwyo'r Aelodau i wybod mai ein barn ni yw bod nifer o ddarpariaethau yn y Bil, mewn cysylltiad â digonolrwydd data, yn cael eu hystyried yn heriol ac yn meddu ar botensial o adolygiad gan y comisiwn, neu her gyfreithiol yn Llys Cyfiawnder yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ac mae'r rhain yn cynnwys darpariaethau y gwelir eu bod yn gwanhau annibyniaeth y Comisiynydd Gwybodaeth ac yn tanseilio hawliau unigol. At y pwynt yr oedd Sarah Murphy yn ei wneud yn ei chyfraniad, mae'r Bil yn diwygio'r diffiniad statudol o ddata personol, ac mae perygl y bydd ystod ehangach o ddata iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn cael ei gynnwys yng nghwmpas cytundebau masnach rydd. Rydym yn ymwybodol, fel y gŵyr yr Aelodau yn gyffredinol, fod gan y cyhoedd bryderon ynghylch defnyddio eu data iechyd ar gyfer unrhyw beth heblaw darparu gofal, a gallai cynnwys y data hwn o fewn cwmpas cytundebau masnach rydd danseilio ymddiriedaeth y cyhoedd. Wrth gwrs, mae'n hanfodol bod y DU yn cadw ei digonolrwydd data, ac rwy'n siomedig fod Llywodraeth y DU yn gwrthod yn barhaus i rannu copi o'i hasesiad risg ar hyn gyda ni, a byddaf yn adolygu canfyddiad ymchwiliad Pwyllgor Materion Ewropeaidd Tŷ'r Arglwyddi ar ddigonolrwydd data, sydd ar y gweill ar hyn o bryd.
Gofynnodd Delyth Jewell am lefel y manylion mewn Cynigion Cydsyniad Deddfwriaethol, ac rwy'n derbyn bod tensiwn clir rhwng y cyfnod o bythefnos y mae'r Rheol Sefydlog yn ei ddarparu ar gyfer darparu Cynigion Cydsyniad Deddfwriaethol a'r gallu i ddarparu gwybodaeth fanwl. Credaf fod hyn yn nodwedd o'r ffaith bod y broses y mae'n rhaid i ni ymateb iddi yn un nad yw'n ystyried amserlen y Senedd ei hun ac sy'n canolbwyntio'n fawr ar weithgareddau yn Senedd y DU. Roedd yr enghraifft a roddodd Carolyn Thomas yn berthnasol iawn i hyn, mewn cysylltiaid â darpariaethau'r gofrestr asedau tanddaearol. Ni wnaeth Llywodraeth y DU ein gwneud yn ymwybodol o'r newidiadau arfaethedig i bwerau Gweinidogion Cymru tan y diwrnod cyn i'r gwelliannau gael eu cyflwyno yn y Senedd, sydd, rwy'n siŵr y bydd Aelodau'n cytuno, yn hynod siomedig.
Yn olaf, ar y pwynt a wnaeth Delyth Jewell mewn cysylltiad â'r Cytundeb Masnach a Chydweithredu a'r asesiad y mae ei phwyllgor wedi'i gynnal, yn fy marn i, mae'r newidiadau i fframwaith diogelu data'r DU a gynigiwyd yn y Bil, fel y'i drafftiwyd, yn annhebygol o effeithio ar gydymffurfiad y DU â'r Cytundeb Masnach a Chydweithredu oherwydd bod y darpariaethau diogelu data ar y cyfan yn eang ac yn rhai lefel uchel. Fodd bynnag, rydym yn pryderu y gallai'r Bil nodi dechrau ymwahanu'r DU oddi wrth y drefn diogelu data sydd ar waith ar hyn o bryd ledled yr UE ac, mae'n afraid dweud byddai gan hyn y potensial i danseilio darpariaethau diogelu data yn y Cytundeb Masnach a Chydweithredu ar draws ystod o feysydd polisi a'r golled bosibl o ddigonolrwydd data o ganlyniad. Felly, Llywydd, i gloi, o ganlyniad i'r pryderon cyfansoddiadol ynghylch y Bil, gofynnaf i Aelodau'r Senedd beidio â chydsynio i'r Bil hwn. Diolch yn fawr.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn cynnig? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Oes, mae yna wrthwynebiad. Felly, fe fyddwn ni yn gohirio'r bleidlais tan nawr. Ac os nad oes yna dri Aelod yn dymuno i fi ganu'r gloch, awn ni'n syth i'r bleidlais y prynhawn yma.
The proposal is to agree the motion. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There are objections. We will therefore defer voting until voting time, which is now. And unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, I will proceed directly to the vote.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Yr unig bleidlais y prynhawn yma yw ar y cynnig cydsyniad deddfwriaethol rŷn ni newydd ei glywed, ac felly dwi'n galw am bleidlais ar y cynnig a gyflwynwyd yn enw Jeremy Miles. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 14, neb yn ymatal, 38 yn erbyn. Felly mae'r cynnig wedi ei wrthod.
The only vote this afternoon is on the LCM on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, and I call for a vote on the motion tabled in the name of Jeremy Miles. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 14, no abstentions, 38 against. Therefore, the motion is not agreed.
Eitem 8. Cynnig Cydsyniad Deddfwriaethol ar y Bil Diogelu Data a Gwybodaeth Ddigidol: O blaid: 14, Yn erbyn: 38, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig
Item 8. LCM on the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill: For: 14, Against: 38, Abstain: 0
Motion has been rejected
A dyna ni; dyna ddiwedd ar ein gwaith ni am heddiw.
That concludes our proceedings for today.
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 19:14.
The meeting ended at 19:14.