Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd
Plenary - Fifth Senedd
23/09/2020Cynnwys
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 13:31 gyda’r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:31 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Cyn i ni ddechrau, dwi eisiau nodi ychydig o bwyntiau. Mae'r cyfarfod yma mewn fformat hybrid, gyda rhai Aelodau yn y Siambr yn y Senedd, ac eraill yn ymuno drwy gyswllt fideo. Mae Cyfarfod Llawn a gynhelir drwy gynhadledd fideo, yn unol â Rheolau Sefydlog Senedd Cymru, yn gyfystyr â thrafodion y Senedd at ddibenion Deddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006. Bydd rhai o ddarpariaethau Rheol Sefydlog 34 yn gymwys ar gyfer y Cyfarfod Llawn heddiw, ac mae'r rheini wedi'u nodi ar yr agenda. A dwi eisiau atgoffa'r Aelodau hefyd fod y Rheolau Sefydlog sy'n ymwneud â threfn yn y Cyfarfodydd Llawn yn berthnasol i'r cyfarfod yma, ac yn llawn mor berthnasol i'r Aelodau sydd yn y Siambr ag ydynt i'r rhai sydd yn ymuno drwy gyswllt fideo.
Welcome to this Plenary session. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points. This meeting is in hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference. A Plenary meeting held using video-conference, in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Welsh Parliament, constitute Senedd proceedings for the purposes of the Government of Wales Act 2006. Some of the provisions of Standing Order 34 will apply for today's Plenary meeting, and those are noted on your agenda. And I would remind Members also that Standing Orders relating to order in Plenary meetings apply to this meeting, and apply equally to Members in the Siambr as to those joining virtually.
Yr eitem gyntaf y prynhawn yma yw'r datganiad gan y Prif Weinidog ar y coronafeirws. Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog am gytuno i gyflwyno'r datganiad, ond gaf i atgoffa pawb taw disgwyliad Aelodau'r Senedd a fi fel Llywydd yw bod datganiadau o'r arwyddocâd yma i'w gwneud ar y cyfle cyntaf posibl i'r Senedd, ar bob achlysur? Y Prif Weinidog i gyflwyno ei ddatganiad—Mark Drakeford.
The first item on our agenda this afternoon is the statement by the First Minister on the coronavirus. Thank you to the First Minister for agreeing to bring this statement forward, but may I remind everyone that it's the expectation of Senedd Members and myself as the Llywydd that statements of this significance should be made at the earliest possible opportunity to the Senedd, on all occasions? The First Minister to make the statement—Mark Drakeford.
Llywydd, diolch yn fawr. Heddiw, byddaf yn adrodd i’r Senedd ar y datblygiadau diweddaraf wrth i ni weithredu i reoli’r coronafeirws yng Nghymru. Gwaetha’r modd, wedi cyfnod hir pan oedd nifer yr achosion yn cwympo’n raddol, rydym unwaith eto yn gweld cynnydd sylweddol. Mae’n rhaid i ni ymateb yn gadarn. Mae nifer o fesurau pwysig mewn lle ledled Cymru yn barod. Yn ogystal, yn yr wythnosau diweddar rydym wedi cyflwyno cyfyngiadau lleol mewn ardaloedd lle mae’r cynnydd ar ei waethaf. Ddoe, cyhoeddais fesurau ychwanegol ar lefel genedlaethol, yn dilyn trafodaethau gyda Llywodraethau eraill y Deyrnas Unedig.
Llywydd, thank you very much. Today, I will report to the Senedd on the latest developments as we act to control the coronavirus in Wales. Unfortunately, after a long period of gradual decline in the number of cases, we are once again seeing significant increases. We must respond robustly. A number of important measures are in place across Wales already. Over the last week, we have also introduced local restrictions in the areas where the increases in cases are steepest. Yesterday, I announced additional measures at a national level, following discussions with the other UK Governments.
Llywydd, I will begin by setting out the latest evidence about the spread of coronavirus in Wales. Fortunately, we are not yet facing the same extensive pressures as some other parts of the UK. This is thanks in part to our more cautious approach and the measures we have kept in place since the outset of the pandemic, such as our advice for people to work from home wherever possible. It is also thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone in Wales who have followed the rules and helped to control the spread of the virus.
Nevertheless, we have seen a marked increase in cases of coronavirus since the last weeks of August. The overall rate in Wales is now 46.8 cases per 100,000 people. Yet, the picture across Wales is mixed. In parts of south Wales, we have seen large clusters and outbreaks of the virus that have led to community transmission. Llywydd, Members will be aware that we have responded to these sharp increases in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly borough, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf by introducing local restrictions over the course of the last fortnight. The most recent of these came into force last night, as the health Minister set out in his statement to Members yesterday. But in other parts of Wales, in the west and in parts of north Wales, for example, the rates continue to be much lower.
Lywydd, rwyf am ddechrau drwy nodi'r dystiolaeth ddiweddaraf am ledaeniad y coronafeirws yng Nghymru. Yn ffodus, nid ydym yn wynebu'r un pwysau helaeth â rhai rhannau eraill o'r DU eto. Mae hyn, yn rhannol, o ganlyniad i’n dull mwy gofalus a’r mesurau rydym wedi’u rhoi ar waith ers dechrau'r pandemig, megis ein cyngor i bobl weithio gartref lle bo modd. Mae hefyd o ganlyniad i waith caled ac ymdrechion pawb yng Nghymru sydd wedi dilyn y rheolau ac wedi helpu i reoli lledaeniad y feirws.
Serch hynny, rydym wedi gweld cynnydd amlwg mewn achosion o’r coronafeirws ers wythnosau olaf mis Awst. Y gyfradd gyffredinol yng Nghymru bellach yw 46.8 achos ym mhob 100,000 o bobl. Serch hynny, mae'r darlun ledled Cymru'n gymysg. Mewn rhannau o dde Cymru, rydym wedi gweld clystyrau mawr ac achosion o'r feirws sydd wedi arwain at drosglwyddiad cymunedol. Lywydd, bydd yr Aelodau'n ymwybodol ein bod wedi ymateb i'r cynnydd sydyn hwn ym Mlaenau Gwent, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr, bwrdeistref Caerffili, Merthyr Tudful, Casnewydd a Rhondda Cynon Taf drwy gyflwyno cyfyngiadau lleol dros y pythefnos diwethaf. Daeth y diweddaraf o’r rhain i rym neithiwr, fel y nododd y Gweinidog iechyd yn ei ddatganiad i’r Aelodau ddoe. Ond mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, yn y gorllewin ac mewn rhannau o ogledd Cymru er enghraifft, mae'r cyfraddau'n parhau i fod yn is o lawer.
It is sad to report, Llywydd, that we are, once again, however, seeing people admitted to hospital, requiring treatment for the serious effects of coronavirus, and particularly sadly, in the last week, we have once again seen people dying from this disease. Now is the time to take some concerted further action to try to prevent coronavirus regaining a foothold in our local communities, towns and cities.
Yesterday, I discussed a series of proposals for co-ordinated action across the UK with the First Ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland and the Prime Minister. Many of the proposals talked about there are already in place in Wales. We have taken a different approach that is suitable to our needs and circumstances. We have been more cautious in relaxing restrictions, we have lifted restrictions step by step and we have kept some advice in place throughout the pandemic—actions and advice that other parts of the UK are now returning to adopt.
We have all done so much already, but if we are to continue making a positive difference to this virus, all Welsh citizens need to go on following that approach. It means working from home, wherever possible—a message that is as relevant to employers as it is for workers. We must all follow the rules about meeting indoors. If you are living in an area already under local restrictions, you can only meet people who you do not live with outdoors for the time being. In other parts of Wales, up to six people can meet indoors, provided they all come from one extended household, and children under 11 do not count towards that six here in Wales.
It's now a requirement that we must wear face coverings on public transport, in shops, and in other indoor public places. And I am asking people in Wales to think carefully about where we go and who we meet, because the more places we go to and the more people we come in contact with, the greater the chances we have of catching coronavirus and spreading it to others.
Llywydd, to help strengthen our response to coronavirus and prevent a fresh crisis in Wales, we are introducing some new measures, which will apply on a national basis, including in those areas that are subject to local restrictions. To assist people who are asked to self-isolate, we will provide a £500 payment to support people on low incomes, and we will make a change to Welsh law to stop employers from making it difficult for employees to self-isolate when they need to do so.
And alongside other UK nations, we will introduce some targeted action in the hospitality sector. The great majority of hospitality businesses have made changes to their premises and introduced new protocols to protect customers and staff. And I am immensely grateful for all the efforts that they have made to comply with the legal requirements we have here in Wales. Unfortunately, we have seen some isolated examples of poor practice, and I am very glad to see local authorities taking enforcement action where there have been breaches of the regulations. We're now asking the hospitality sector to go further. From tomorrow, at 6 p.m., hospitality businesses in Wales, including pubs, cafes, restaurants and casinos, will have to stop selling alcohol at 10 p.m. They will also have to provide table service only. Off-licences, including supermarkets, will also have to stop selling alcohol at 10 o'clock in the evening.
Llywydd, I also want to use this opportunity to update Members about a meeting I held yesterday with the leaders of the local authorities across south Wales, together with the NHS, police, and police and crime commissioners. We discussed the local restrictions already in place, their impact on neighbouring authorities and whether those local restrictions should be extended to other local council areas. We agreed that we continue to need to be able to act swiftly and to take preventative action where possible, but also that this has to be proportionate to the risk. We should only put new restrictions on people's lives and livelihoods where it is proportionate to do so. Llywydd, there was agreement from all partners that our Welsh partnership approach is fundamental in responding to the virus—educating, informing and then firm enforcement where that is necessary.
2020 has been an incredibly difficult year for so many people in Wales, but we have succeeded the most where we have acted together to protect our families and to look out for our neighbours. We all now need to do that together once again. We need everybody in Wales to follow the rules, to act in accordance with the guidance and to take those steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Together, we can still keep Wales safe. Llywydd, diolch yn fawr.
Mae'n drist nodi, Lywydd, ein bod unwaith eto, fodd bynnag, yn gweld pobl yn cael eu derbyn i'r ysbyty ac arnynt angen triniaeth ar gyfer effeithiau difrifol y coronafeirws, ac yn arbennig o drist, yn ystod yr wythnos ddiwethaf, rydym wedi gweld pobl yn marw o'r afiechyd hwn unwaith eto. Nawr yw'r amser i gymryd camau pellach ar y cyd i geisio atal y coronafeirws rhag ailgydio yn ein cymunedau lleol, ein trefi a'n dinasoedd.
Ddoe, trafodais gyfres o argymhellion ar gyfer camau cydlynol ledled y DU gyda Phrif Weinidogion yr Alban, Gogledd Iwerddon a'r DU. Mae llawer o'r argymhellion a drafodwyd yno eisoes ar waith yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi dilyn trywydd gwahanol sy'n addas i'n hanghenion a'n hamgylchiadau ni. Rydym wedi bod yn fwy gofalus wrth lacio cyfyngiadau, rydym wedi llacio’r cyfyngiadau gam wrth gam ac rydym wedi parhau i ddarparu cyngor drwy gydol y pandemig—camau a chyngor y mae rhannau eraill o'r DU bellach yn eu mabwysiadu.
Mae pob un ohonom wedi gwneud cymaint yn barod, ond os ydym am barhau i wneud gwahaniaeth cadarnhaol i'r feirws hwn, mae angen i holl ddinasyddion Cymru barhau i ddilyn y trywydd hwnnw. Mae'n golygu gweithio gartref lle bo modd—neges sydd yr un mor berthnasol i gyflogwyr ag ydyw i weithwyr. Mae’n rhaid i bob un ohonom gadw at y rheolau ynglŷn â chyfarfod dan do. Os ydych yn byw mewn ardal sydd eisoes dan gyfyngiadau lleol, dim ond yn yr awyr agored y gallwch gyfarfod â phobl nad ydych yn byw gyda hwy am y tro. Mewn rhannau eraill o Gymru, gall hyd at chwech o bobl gyfarfod dan do, ar yr amod fod pob un ohonynt yn dod o un aelwyd estynedig, ac nid yw plant dan 11 oed yn cyfrif tuag at y chwech hwnnw yng Nghymru.
Mae bellach yn ofynnol inni wisgo gorchuddion wyneb ar drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, mewn siopau, ac mewn mannau cyhoeddus eraill dan do. Ac rwy’n gofyn i bobl yng Nghymru feddwl yn ofalus ynglŷn â ble rydym yn mynd a chyda phwy rydym yn cyfarfod, oherwydd po fwyaf o lefydd yr awn iddynt, a pho fwyaf o bobl y down i gysylltiad â hwy, y mwyaf yw'r perygl o ddal y coronafeirws a'i ledaenu i eraill.
Lywydd, er mwyn helpu i gryfhau ein hymateb i’r coronafeirws ac i atal argyfwng newydd yng Nghymru, rydym yn cyflwyno mesurau newydd i fod ar waith yn genedlaethol, gan gynnwys yn yr ardaloedd sydd o dan gyfyngiadau lleol. Er mwyn cynorthwyo pobl y gofynnir iddynt hunanynysu, byddwn yn darparu taliad o £500 i gefnogi pobl ar incwm isel, a byddwn yn newid y gyfraith yng Nghymru i atal cyflogwyr rhag ei gwneud yn anodd i weithwyr hunanynysu pan fydd angen iddynt wneud hynny.
Ac ochr yn ochr â gwledydd eraill y DU, byddwn yn cyflwyno camau wedi'u targedu yn y sector lletygarwch. Mae’r rhan fwyaf o fusnesau lletygarwch wedi gwneud newidiadau i'w hadeiladau ac wedi cyflwyno protocolau newydd i ddiogelu cwsmeriaid a staff. Ac rwy’n hynod ddiolchgar am yr holl ymdrechion y maent wedi’u gwneud i gydymffurfio â’r gofynion cyfreithiol sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru. Yn anffodus, rydym wedi gweld rhai enghreifftiau prin o arferion gwael, ac rwy’n falch iawn o weld awdurdodau lleol yn rhoi camau gorfodi ar waith pan fo’r rheoliadau’n cael eu torri. Rydym yn gofyn i'r sector lletygarwch fynd ymhellach yn awr. O 6 p.m. yfory, bydd yn rhaid i fusnesau lletygarwch yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys tafarndai, caffis, bwytai a chasinos, roi'r gorau i werthu alcohol am 10 p.m. Bydd yn rhaid iddynt hefyd ddarparu gwasanaeth wrth y bwrdd yn unig. Bydd yn rhaid i siopau diodydd trwyddedig, gan gynnwys archfarchnadoedd, roi'r gorau i werthu alcohol am 10 o'r gloch yr hwyr.
Lywydd, hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i’r Aelodau am gyfarfod a gynhaliais ddoe gydag arweinwyr yr awdurdodau lleol ledled de Cymru, ynghyd â'r GIG, yr heddlu, a’r comisiynwyr heddlu a throseddu. Buom yn trafod y cyfyngiadau lleol sydd eisoes ar waith, eu heffaith ar awdurdodau cyfagos ac a ddylid ymestyn y cyfyngiadau lleol hynny i ardaloedd cynghorau lleol eraill. Cytunwyd fod angen inni allu gweithredu'n gyflym a rhoi camau ataliol ar waith lle bo modd, ond hefyd, fod yn rhaid i hyn fod yn gymesur â'r risg. Dim ond lle mae'n gymesur inni wneud hynny y dylem roi cyfyngiadau newydd ar fywydau a bywoliaeth pobl. Lywydd, cytunodd yr holl bartneriaid fod ein dull partneriaeth yng Nghymru yn hollbwysig wrth ymateb i'r feirws—addysgu, hysbysu ac yna gorfodaeth gadarn lle mae hynny'n angenrheidiol.
Mae 2020 wedi bod yn flwyddyn anhygoel o anodd i gynifer o bobl yng Nghymru, ond rydym wedi llwyddo orau pan fyddwn wedi gweithredu gyda'n gilydd i ddiogelu ein teuluoedd ac i edrych ar ôl ar ein cymdogion. Nawr, mae angen i bob un ohonom wneud hynny gyda'n gilydd unwaith eto. Mae angen i bawb yng Nghymru gadw at y rheolau, gweithredu yn unol â'r canllawiau a chymryd y camau hynny i ddiogelu ein hunain a'n hanwyliaid. Gyda'n gilydd, gallwn barhau i gadw Cymru’n ddiogel. Lywydd. diolch yn fawr.
Thank you, First Minister, for your statement this afternoon. I have to say I bitterly regret that you weren't in a position to make this statement yesterday before your tv broadcast, like the other First Ministers and Prime Minister across the UK who spoke to their respective Parliaments. And I hope that you will apologise for that discourtesy, because the BBC were putting up a story at 6 o'clock, despite Members being told at 5.30 p.m., that no decision had been taken by the Government, and told just before 8 o'clock. We need to get back to a parliamentary democracy functioning here, where the Parliament actually debates and discusses these regulations and then votes on them, and I think an apology is needed from you today because yesterday was a deplorable act on your behalf, not coming before the Assembly and addressing it in a manner that should be fitting of a national Parliament.
Could I ask you also about the six-month timeline that the Prime Minister and the First Ministers of Scotland and Northern Ireland have talked about? Is that a timeline for these restrictions, and a look forward as to when we might see some respite from the virus that you subscribe to and that other leaders in other parts of the United Kingdom signed up to, or do you have a different view?
Could I also ask why it is the case that you haven't resumed shielding, given the increased incidence of the virus in certain parts of Wales, and what measures have been put in place to protect care homes, given the increased prevalence of the virus?
I'd also like to try and understand the science behind the 10 o'clock cut-off time for serving alcohol within licensed premises as opposed to closing licensed premises at 10 o'clock. This, obviously, is different to other parts of the United Kingdom, and there's nothing stopping someone at two minutes to 10 ordering a large round of drinks and staying within a licensed premises to consume those drinks. So, I'd like to understand the science and the advice that you've received about that difference in the interpretation of the 10 p.m. cut-off here in Wales.
Also, could you confirm whether any additional powers or regs were required from the all-agency meeting that you chaired yesterday from partner organisations that you're working with from across Wales? And, importantly, could you reaffirm that the NHS is very much open here in Wales for business, and it is imperative that people, when they need to seek additional help and support from the NHS, do interact with it, and that, ultimately, we should be moving to COVID-lite hospitals so that procedures can begin in real volume and so we can start addressing some of the horrendous waiting times we've had build up over the summer months? Earlier in the week, I touched on the point that a 60 per cent decline in procedures had occurred over the six months since the first national lockdown, and I hope you will agree with me it's vitally important that we start addressing some of the concerns people have about access and services within the Welsh NHS.
And my last point to you, First Minister, is that with the return of students to universities, FE colleges and other facilities across Wales, it is vital that the mental health of students is guarded by universities and protected, because many young people will be leaving home for the first time in what is normally a celebratory mood and something of a great adventure, but, with many of the regulations, there is a real risk of isolation on campus happening if, obviously, support is not put in place. And I'd be pleased to try and understand what engagement the sector is having with the Welsh Government to make sure that students do not fall foul of some of these regulations that are put in place to protect them and also the host communities that the universities are located in. Thank you, First Minister.
Diolch, Brif Weinidog, am eich datganiad y prynhawn yma. Mae’n rhaid imi ddweud fy mod yn gresynu'n fawr nad oeddech mewn sefyllfa i wneud y datganiad hwn ddoe cyn eich darllediad ar y teledu, fel y Prif Weinidogion eraill ledled y DU a siaradodd â'u Seneddau. Ac rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch yn ymddiheuro am yr anghwrteisi hwnnw, gan i’r BBC gynnwys stori am 6 o’r gloch, er mai am 5.30 p.m. y cafodd yr Aelodau wybod, nad oedd y Llywodraeth wedi gwneud unrhyw benderfyniad, a dywedwyd wrthym ychydig cyn 8 o’r gloch. Mae angen inni fynd yn ôl at weld democratiaeth seneddol yn gweithio yma, lle mae'r Senedd yn dadlau ac yn trafod y rheoliadau hyn ac yna'n pleidleisio arnynt, a chredaf fod angen i chi ymddiheuro heddiw, gan fod ddoe yn weithred warthus ar eich rhan, yn peidio â dod gerbron y Cynulliad a thrafod y peth mewn modd a fyddai’n addas i Senedd genedlaethol.
A gaf fi ofyn i chi hefyd am y llinell amser chwe mis y mae Prif Weinidog y DU, yr Alban a Gogledd Iwerddon wedi sôn amdani? A yw'n llinell amser ar gyfer y cyfyngiadau hyn ac yn ffordd rydych chi ac arweinwyr eraill mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig yn cytuno â hi o edrych ymlaen at yr adeg pan allem weld rhywfaint o seibiant rhag y feirws, neu a oes gennych farn wahanol?
A gaf fi ofyn hefyd pam nad ydych wedi ailddechrau'r trefniadau gwarchod, o ystyried y cynnydd yn nifer yr achosion o'r feirws mewn rhai rhannau o Gymru, a pha fesurau sydd wedi'u rhoi ar waith i ddiogelu cartrefi gofal, o ystyried y cynnydd yn nifer yr achosion o'r feirws?
Hoffwn hefyd geisio deall y wyddoniaeth y tu ôl i'r terfyn amser o 10 o'r gloch ar gyfer gweini alcohol mewn adeilad trwyddedig yn hytrach na chau adeilad trwyddedig am 10 o'r gloch. Mae hyn, yn amlwg, yn wahanol i rannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig, ac nid oes unrhyw beth i atal rhywun rhag archebu rownd fawr o ddiodydd am ddwy funud i 10 ac aros mewn adeilad trwyddedig i yfed y diodydd hynny. Felly, hoffwn ddeall y wyddoniaeth a'r cyngor rydych wedi'i gael am y gwahaniaeth hwnnw yn y dehongliad o'r terfyn amser o 10 p.m. yma yng Nghymru.
Hefyd, a allech gadarnhau p'un a ofynnwyd am unrhyw bwerau neu reoliadau ychwanegol yn y cyfarfod amlasiantaethol a gadeiriwyd gennych ddoe ar gyfer y sefydliadau partner rydych yn gweithio gyda hwy o bob rhan o Gymru? Ac yn bwysig, a allech ailddatgan fod y GIG yn weithredol yma yng Nghymru, a’i bod yn hanfodol fod pobl, pan fydd angen iddynt geisio cymorth a chefnogaeth ychwanegol gan y GIG, yn rhyngweithio â'r gwasanaeth, ac yn y pen draw, y dylem fod yn newid i ysbytai nad ydynt yn canolbwyntio cymaint ar COVID fel y gall llawdriniaethau ddechrau ar raddfa fawr ac fel y gallwn ddechrau mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r amseroedd aros erchyll sydd wedi cronni dros fisoedd yr haf? Yn gynharach yn yr wythnos, soniais fod dirywiad o 60 y cant wedi bod yn nifer y llawdriniaethau dros y chwe mis ers y cyfnod cyntaf o gyfyngiadau symud cenedlaethol, ac rwy'n gobeithio y byddwch yn cytuno â mi ei bod yn hanfodol bwysig ein bod yn dechrau mynd i'r afael â phryderon pobl ynglŷn â mynediad a gwasanaethau o fewn y GIG yng Nghymru.
A fy mhwynt olaf i chi, Brif Weinidog, wrth i fyfyrwyr ddychwelyd i brifysgolion, colegau addysg bellach a chyfleusterau eraill ledled Cymru, mae'n hanfodol fod prifysgolion yn gwarchod ac yn diogelu iechyd meddwl myfyrwyr, gan y bydd llawer o bobl ifanc yn gadael cartref am y tro cyntaf yn yr hyn a fyddai fel arfer yn achos dathlu ac yn dipyn o antur, ond gyda llawer o'r rheoliadau, mae risg wirioneddol o unigedd ar y campws os na roddir cymorth ar waith. A byddwn yn falch o ddeall pa ymgysylltiad y mae'r sector yn ei gael â Llywodraeth Cymru i sicrhau nad yw myfyrwyr yn torri rhai o'r rheoliadau a roddir ar waith i'w diogelu hwy yn ogystal â’r cymunedau y mae prifysgolion wedi’u lleoli ynddynt. Diolch, Brif Weinidog.
Llywydd, Andrew R.T. Davies very fairly put the point to me yesterday about making a statement to the Senedd as soon as I was able to do so. I said in my answer to him then that I could not guarantee that all the necessary decisions would have been made in time to make such a statement while the Senedd was still in session yesterday.
The decisions we are making all the time in the Welsh Government are fundamentally important decisions that have an impact on the lives of so many of our fellow citizens. Those decisions were still being made well into the evening yesterday. I don't make an apology for coming in front of the Senedd at 1.30 p.m. today, because that is the earliest moment at which I am able to report to you on decisions that were being made yesterday, and being made in consultation with our partners and with all the seriousness that Senedd Members would expect us to apply to these very difficult and challenging times.
Having said that, I'm very happy to reply to the other points that Andrew R.T. Davies has made this afternoon. We review our regulations every three weeks. That's not the case in all other parts of the United Kingdom. That means we are able to act swiftly and flexibly to changing circumstances. While I am fearful that a number of the national measures we have had to put in place will last for some weeks or maybe even months, I don't want to put an artificial deadline on for how long they will last, because we will review them every three weeks and we will report every three weeks, both to the Welsh public and to the Senedd, on the extent to which they are still necessary. And if we were in the fortunate position of being able to lift those restrictions more quickly than six months, that is what I would wish to see, and that is the way we have approached this matter throughout the crisis and that's how I intend to continue to navigate through these difficult times.
On the shielding population, there was no discussion at the COBRA meeting yesterday—no fresh advice to any of the Governments of the UK about returning to shielding. Shielding is a course of action that brings harms as well as protections. We know that many of those people who we asked to self-isolate in that way suffered from isolation and from an impact on their mental health and well-being. I know that the Chief Medical Officer for Wales is considering writing again to all the people who continue to be on our shielding list in Wales, updating them on the current position, providing them with further advice. But a blanket return to the position we had earlier in the year is not under consideration at this point in any part of the United Kingdom as far as I am aware. We will keep that too under very careful review.
As for the 10 o'clock point, I was influenced in the discussions, which, as I say, went on well into the evening, by information I was receiving from the hospitality sector, particularly those restaurants that have worked hard to put a business model in place in Wales in which they are able to have two groups of people come into a restaurant in an evening: a first group at 7 o'clock in the evening, a break for necessary cleaning and coronavirus protections to take place, and then a further set of people who come to the restaurant at between 8.30 p.m. and 9 o'clock in the evening. We could have had an approach in Wales where, at 10 o'clock, all those people were required to leave and stand on the pavement. I think that would have caused real damage to that business model that people have worked so hard to put in place.
And every time we make these decisions, we are balancing the needs of people in business and in employment with the need to protect public health. I think the sector is very used to not allowing people to act irresponsibly in the few minutes leading up to a 10 o'clock closure. Our system will allow people to drink up, to eat up, to bring their evening to an orderly close and then make their way home. That is the way the vast majority of people who go out for an evening here in Wales behave already. I didn't want to make their lives more difficult while we continue to bear down on that minority of people in Wales who have, as the evening gets later, found themselves consuming alcohol to an extent that they can no longer remember where they have been or who they have met with, and who, in the process, cause a wholly disproportionate impact on others.
In our meeting last evening, of course we talked about whether a regional approach was now necessary in Wales. It was a very useful meeting; I was very grateful to all the agencies who took time to attend. As I said in my statement, Llywydd, the balance of opinion was that we've not yet reached that point, that there are still local measures in the hands of those local authorities that they are able to take alongside the new national measures that I outlined in my statement to Members. But the emphasis was also on the need for us to remain right on top of the figures, acting swiftly if we need to, and, if further action is required to protect public health, we will not hesitate to do so.
Let me reinforce the important points that Andrew R.T. Davies made about the NHS remaining open for business. Such hard work has gone on in the NHS to create COVID-secure areas, to put new protections in place so that people who need treatment for other conditions can feel confident in coming forward for them, and that is very much the message from the NHS in Wales. If you need treatment, please be sure the NHS is still there for you in Wales.
Finally, to Andrew R.T. Davies's point about students, he's absolutely right: at the age of 18, people going away to university, it is a great adventure in their lives. Sadly, this year, that adventure will be very different. We work really closely with all the higher education institutions here in Wales to make sure that those students coming from other parts of the United Kingdom and from overseas will still have as good an experience as we can possibly provide for them, whilst still needing them too to play their part in keeping themselves safe and not posing risks unnecessarily to other people in the localities that they will now be resident in, and will inevitably have anxieties of their own about what the future might hold.
Lywydd, cododd Andrew R.T. Davies bwynt teg gyda mi ddoe ynglŷn â gwneud datganiad i’r Senedd cyn gynted ag y bo modd i mi wneud hynny. Dywedais yn fy ateb iddo bryd hynny na allwn warantu y byddai’r holl benderfyniadau angenrheidiol wedi’u gwneud mewn pryd i wneud datganiad o’r fath tra bo’r Senedd yn dal i eistedd ddoe.
Mae'r penderfyniadau a wnawn drwy'r amser yn Llywodraeth Cymru yn benderfyniadau hollbwysig sy'n cael effaith ar fywydau cymaint o'n cyd-ddinasyddion. Roedd y penderfyniadau hynny’n dal i gael eu gwneud yn hwyr neithiwr. Nid wyf yn ymddiheuro am ddod gerbron y Senedd am 1.30 p.m. heddiw, gan mai dyma’r cyfle cyntaf y gallaf adrodd i chi am benderfyniadau a gafodd eu gwneud ddoe, ac a gafodd eu gwneud mewn ymgynghoriad â'n partneriaid a chyda'r difrifoldeb y byddai Aelodau o'r Senedd yn disgwyl inni ei arfer mewn cyfnod anodd a heriol dros ben.
Wedi dweud hynny, rwy'n fwy na pharod i ymateb i'r pwyntiau eraill y mae Andrew R.T. Davies wedi’u gwneud y prynhawn yma. Rydym yn adolygu ein rheoliadau bob tair wythnos. Nid yw hynny'n wir ym mhob rhan arall o'r Deyrnas Unedig. Golyga hynny ein bod yn gallu gweithredu'n gyflym ac yn hyblyg wrth i amgylchiadau newid. Er fy mod yn ofni y bydd nifer o'r mesurau cenedlaethol y bu'n rhaid inni eu rhoi ar waith yn para am rai wythnosau neu fisoedd hyd yn oed o bosibl, nid wyf am roi terfyn amser artiffisial ar ba mor hir y byddant yn para, gan y byddwn yn eu hadolygu bob tair wythnos a byddwn yn rhoi gwybod bob tair wythnos i'r cyhoedd yng Nghymru ac i'r Senedd i ba raddau y maent yn dal i fod yn angenrheidiol. A phe baem yn y sefyllfa ffodus o allu llacio’r cyfyngiadau hynny ymhen llai na chwe mis, dyna fyddwn i'n hoffi ei weld, a dyna'r ffordd rydym wedi mynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn drwy gydol yr argyfwng a dyna sut rwy’n bwriadu parhau i lywio drwy'r cyfnod anodd hwn.
O ran y boblogaeth sy'n gwarchod, ni chafwyd trafodaeth yng nghyfarfod COBRA ddoe—dim cyngor newydd i unrhyw un o Lywodraethau'r DU ynglŷn ag ailddechrau gwarchod. Mae gwarchod yn gam sy'n gallu achosi niwed yn ogystal â chynnig diogelwch. Gwyddom fod llawer o'r bobl y gwnaethom ofyn iddynt hunanynysu yn y ffordd honno wedi dioddef unigedd ac effaith ar eu hiechyd meddwl a'u lles. Gwn fod Prif Swyddog Meddygol Cymru yn ystyried ysgrifennu eto at yr holl bobl sy'n parhau i fod ar ein rhestr warchod yng Nghymru i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf iddynt ynglŷn â'r sefyllfa bresennol a rhoi cyngor pellach iddynt. Ond nid yw dychwelyd yn gyfan gwbl i'r sefyllfa a oedd gennym yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn o dan ystyriaeth ar hyn o bryd mewn unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig hyd y gwn i. Byddwn yn parhau i adolygu hynny’n ofalus iawn hefyd.
O ran y terfyn amser o 10 o’r gloch, cefais fy nylanwadu yn y trafodaethau, a aeth rhagddynt tan yn hwyr y nos, fel y dywedais, gan wybodaeth roeddwn yn ei chael o'r sector lletygarwch, yn enwedig y bwytai sydd wedi gweithio’n galed i roi model busnes ar waith yng Nghymru lle gallant gael dau grŵp o bobl mewn bwyty gyda'r nos: y grŵp cyntaf am 7 o'r gloch yr hwyr, seibiant ar gyfer y gwaith glanhau a’r mesurau diogelwch coronafeirws angenrheidiol, ac yna set arall o bobl sy'n dod i'r bwyty rhwng 8.30 a 9 o'r gloch yr hwyr. Gallem fod wedi cael sefyllfa yng Nghymru lle byddai gofyn i holl bobl adael am 10 o'r gloch a sefyll ar y palmant. Credaf y byddai hynny wedi achosi niwed gwirioneddol i'r model busnes y mae pobl wedi gweithio mor galed i'w roi ar waith.
A phob tro y gwnawn y penderfyniadau hyn, rydym yn cydbwyso anghenion pobl yn y byd busnes ac mewn gwaith â'r angen i ddiogelu iechyd y cyhoedd. Credaf fod y sector wedi hen arfer â pheidio â chaniatáu i bobl ymddwyn yn anghyfrifol yn yr ychydig funudau cyn iddynt gau am 10 o'r gloch. Bydd ein system yn caniatáu i bobl orffen eu diodydd, gorffen eu bwyd, dod â'u noson i ben a gwneud eu ffordd adref. Dyna'r ffordd y mae’r rhan fwyaf o bobl sy'n mynd allan am noson yma yng Nghymru yn ymddwyn yn barod. Nid oeddwn yn dymuno gwneud eu bywydau’n anoddach wrth inni barhau i fynd i’r afael â’r lleiafrif o bobl yng Nghymru sydd, wrth i'r noson fynd yn ei blaen, wedi bod yn yfed alcohol i'r fath raddau fel na allant gofio ble maent wedi bod, a phwy y maent wedi'u cyfarfod, ac sydd, drwy hynny, yn achosi effaith gwbl anghymesur ar eraill.
Yn ein cyfarfod neithiwr, buom yn trafod, wrth gwrs, a oedd angen dull rhanbarthol yng Nghymru bellach. Roedd yn gyfarfod defnyddiol iawn; roeddwn yn ddiolchgar iawn i'r holl asiantaethau a roddodd amser i'w fynychu. Fel y dywedais yn fy natganiad, Lywydd, y farn gyffredinol oedd nad ydym wedi cyrraedd y pwynt hwnnw eto, fod gan yr awdurdodau lleol fesurau lleol y gallant eu rhoi ar waith ochr yn ochr â'r mesurau cenedlaethol newydd a amlinellais yn fy natganiad i'r Aelodau. Ond roedd y pwyslais hefyd ar yr angen inni gadw llygad ar y ffigurau, gan roi camau ar waith ar unwaith os oes angen, ac os bydd angen camau pellach i ddiogelu iechyd y cyhoedd, ni fyddwn yn oedi rhag eu cymryd.
Gadewch i mi gadarnhau'r pwyntiau pwysig a wnaeth Andrew R.T. Davies ynglŷn â’r GIG yn parhau ar agor. Mae cymaint o waith caled wedi’i wneud yn y GIG i greu mannau diogel rhag COVID-19, i roi mesurau diogelwch newydd ar waith fel y gall pobl sydd angen triniaethau ar gyfer cyflyrau eraill deimlo’n hyderus wrth ddod i’w cael, a dyna’n sicr yw’r neges gan y GIG yng Nghymru. Os oes angen triniaeth arnoch, cofiwch fod y GIG yn dal yno i chi yng Nghymru.
Yn olaf, ar bwynt Andrew R.T. Davies ynglŷn â myfyrwyr, mae'n llygad ei le; pan fo pobl 18 oed yn mynd i'r brifysgol, mae'n antur wych yn eu bywydau. Yn anffodus, bydd yr antur honno'n wahanol iawn eleni. Rydym yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda'r holl sefydliadau addysg uwch yma yng Nghymru i sicrhau y bydd y myfyrwyr sy'n dod o rannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig ac o dramor yn dal i gael profiad cystal ag y gallwn ei roi iddynt, er bod angen iddynt hwythau chwarae eu rhan yn cadw eu hunain yn ddiogel a pheidio â chreu risgiau diangen i bobl eraill yn yr ardaloedd y byddant yn byw ynddynt, ac yn anochel, bydd ganddynt eu pryderon eu hunain ynghylch yr hyn a allai ddigwydd yn y dyfodol.
I welcome this opportunity to discuss the Wales-wide measures announced yesterday by the First Minister. However, I also want to place on record how unacceptable it is that we weren't afforded this opportunity yesterday. The Senedd has been sidelined time and time again in favour of government by press briefing. It wasn't the case, as you were told, Llywydd, that we couldn't debate this yesterday evening as the First Minister had not yet decided, because, literally within minutes of leaving the Chamber after close of proceedings, I was told in detail by the BBC what the Government had decided. As well as being disrespectful to you, Llywydd, it undermines this institution and our roles as elected Members, it prevents proper democratic scrutiny and it's corrosive of trust. And if the First Minister wants to contradict me, perhaps he can tell us when he recorded the pre-recorded message then later relayed to the nation.
In turning to the content of the announcement, I wholeheartedly agree with the First Minister when he says there's a very real possibility that we all have to take seriously that Wales could see the virus regain a foothold in our communities. It seems to us, however, that in the announcement last night, at least, the Government is seemingly at odds with the advice given to Ministers by the technical advisory cell, who state in their latest report published yesterday that an earlier and more comprehensive response can prevent extended lockdowns. And the evidence before us, the reason that we're having this statement, suggests that the response to date has neither been early nor comprehensive. As Wales's former chief medical officer says today, the rising wave of cases in Wales suggests that the response in Wales may not have been cautious enough. You had a traffic-light system, First Minister, but it looks like the lights went out. There was no mention of that traffic-light system nor the road map in yesterday's statement. And if we are to take Dame Deirdre Hine's critique seriously, as we surely should, we cannot halfheartedly address a full-on COVID resurgence in many of our communities, neither can we have a one-size-fits-all approach, as it fails to take into account the divergent COVID map of Wales, as you have said.
Where special measures are required, they need to create a difference, not a headline. The 10 p.m. closing time for pubs and restaurants introduced in Antwerp to contain a steady rise in coronavirus cases led to a sustained decrease in August, but it was introduced alongside a complete curfew, a night-time lockdown, effectively, from 11 p.m. onwards. What is the evidence that the measure announced last night on a Wales-wide basis is going to have the impact that you desire? Where we have local restrictions in place in Wales, we should surely be going further—much further—by introducing the temporary, or at least earlier, closure of pubs and clubs, with accompanying sector-specific support. And in these areas, the selling of alcohol at off-licences should be restricted much earlier, to 6 p.m. or 7 p.m., which is the latest that alcohol can be bought at off-licences in Sweden.
The guidance on travel at the moment is neither clear nor consistent. On the Today programme this morning, you said that you were not stopping people from going on holiday, however the overarching appeal is for people not to make non-essential journeys. How are they defined? Can people visit family, drive to a beauty spot, to the pub, or jump in the car and play a round of golf? It's my birthday today, First Minister, and I was planning on going with my partner to a local restaurant—should I now cancel? These are the questions that people are asking themselves across Wales. Clearly, it makes sense to stop travel from high-risk areas, but that has to include areas not in Wales. You can't go to Tenby from Blaenau Gwent, but you can from Bolton.
Now, a national lockdown is something we should all want to avoid. If there is a window, we must seize it now without delay and with rigorous, targeted action, backed by a comprehensive communications strategy, which should involve bringing back daily news conferences. Ministers should adopt the clear but adaptable Irish approach, consisting of five levels applied locally. It's time to turn that traffic-light system back on, First Minister, before we find the whole of Wales flashing red once more.
Rwy'n croesawu'r cyfle hwn i drafod y mesurau ar gyfer Cymru gyfan a gyhoeddwyd ddoe gan y Prif Weinidog. Fodd bynnag, hoffwn innau gofnodi pa mor annerbyniol yw’r ffaith na chawsom gyfle i wneud hyn ddoe. Mae'r Senedd wedi cael ei gwthio i'r cyrion dro ar ôl tro o blaid llywodraethu drwy friffiau i'r wasg. Nid oedd yn wir, fel y dywedwyd wrthych, Lywydd, na allem drafod hyn neithiwr gan nad oedd y Prif Weinidog wedi penderfynu bryd hynny, oherwydd o fewn munudau yn llythrennol i adael y Siambr ar ôl i'r trafodion ddod i ben, dywedwyd wrthyf mewn cryn fanylder gan y BBC beth oedd y Llywodraeth wedi'i benderfynu. Yn ogystal â dangos diffyg parch tuag atoch chi, Lywydd, mae hyn yn tanseilio'r sefydliad hwn a'n rolau fel Aelodau etholedig, mae'n atal craffu democrataidd priodol ac mae'n erydu hyder. Ac os yw'r Prif Weinidog am ddadlau’n groes, efallai y gall ddweud wrthym pa bryd y recordiodd y neges a recordiwyd ymlaen llaw a ddarlledwyd wedyn i'r genedl.
Gan droi at gynnwys y cyhoeddiad, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â'r Prif Weinidog pan ddywed fod posibilrwydd gwirioneddol fod yn rhaid i bob un ohonom fod o ddifrif ynglŷn â'r ffaith y gallai’r feirws ailgydio unwaith eto yn ein cymunedau yng Nghymru. Ymddengys i ni, fodd bynnag, yn y cyhoeddiad neithiwr o leiaf, fod y Llywodraeth yn anghytuno â'r cyngor a roddwyd i Weinidogion gan y gell cyngor technegol, sy'n nodi yn eu hadroddiad diweddaraf a gyhoeddwyd ddoe y gall ymateb cynharach a mwy cynhwysfawr atal cyfnodau hir o gyfyngiadau symud. Ac mae'r dystiolaeth sydd ger ein bron, y rheswm pam ein bod yn cael y datganiad hwn, yn awgrymu nad yw'r ymateb hyd yma wedi bod yn gynnar nac yn gynhwysfawr. Fel y dywed cyn brif swyddog meddygol Cymru heddiw, mae’r don gynyddol o achosion yng Nghymru yn awgrymu efallai nad yw’r ymateb yng Nghymru wedi bod yn ddigon gofalus. Roedd gennych system goleuadau traffig, Brif Weinidog, ond mae'n edrych fel pe bai'r goleuadau wedi diffodd. Nid oedd unrhyw sôn am y system goleuadau traffig honno na'r map ffordd yn y datganiad ddoe. Ac os ydym am gymryd beirniadaeth y Fonesig Deirdre Hine o ddifrif, fel y dylem yn sicr, ni allwn fod yn llugoer wrth ymateb i ail don lawn o COVID mewn llawer o’n cymunedau, ac ni allwn ychwaith gael dull un maint addas i bawb o weithredu, gan nad yw hynny’n ystyried y map COVID dargyfeiriol o Gymru, fel y dywedasoch.
Lle mae angen mesurau arbennig, mae angen iddynt greu gwahaniaeth, nid pennawd. Arweiniodd yr amser cau o 10 p.m. ar gyfer tafarndai a bwytai a gyflwynwyd yn Antwerp i fynd i'r afael â chynnydd graddol mewn achosion o’r coronafeirws at ostyngiad parhaus ym mis Awst, ond fe’i cyflwynwyd ochr yn ochr â chyrffyw cyflawn, cyfyngiadau symud dros nos i bob pwrpas, o 11 p.m. ymlaen. Beth yw'r dystiolaeth y bydd y mesur a gyhoeddwyd neithiwr ar gyfer Cymru gyfan yn cael yr effaith rydych yn dymuno’i gweld? Lle mae gennym gyfyngiadau lleol ar waith yng Nghymru, dylem yn sicr fynd ymhellach—ymhellach o lawer—drwy gau tafarndai a chlybiau dros dro, neu'n gynharach o leiaf, gyda chymorth cysylltiedig sector benodol. Ac yn yr ardaloedd hyn, dylid cyfyngu ar werthiant alcohol mewn siopau diodydd trwyddedig yn gynharach o lawer, i 6 p.m. neu 7 p.m., sef yr hwyraf y gellir prynu alcohol mewn siopau diodydd trwyddedig yn Sweden.
Nid yw'r canllawiau ar deithio yn glir nac yn gyson ar hyn o bryd. Ar raglen Today y bore yma, dywedasoch nad oeddech yn atal pobl rhag mynd ar wyliau, ond mai'r apêl gyffredinol yw i bobl beidio â gwneud siwrneiau nad ydynt yn hanfodol. Sut y mae eu diffinio? A all pobl ymweld â'u teulu, gyrru i fannau prydferth, i'r dafarn, neu deithio yn y car i chwarae rownd o golff? Mae'n ben-blwydd arnaf heddiw, Brif Weinidog, ac roeddwn yn bwriadu mynd gyda fy mhartner i fwyty lleol—a ddylwn i ganslo nawr? Dyma'r cwestiynau y mae pobl yn eu gofyn i’w hunain ledled Cymru. Yn amlwg, mae'n gwneud synnwyr i roi'r gorau i deithio o ardaloedd risg uchel, ond mae'n rhaid i hynny gynnwys ardaloedd nad ydynt yng Nghymru. Ni allwch fynd i Ddinbych-y-pysgod o Flaenau Gwent, ond gallwch fynd yno o Bolton.
Nawr, mae cyfyngiadau symud cenedlaethol yn rhywbeth y dylai pob un ohonom fod yn awyddus i’w hosgoi. Os oes ffenestr, mae'n rhaid i ni fanteisio arni nawr, yn ddi-oed a chyda chamau llym wedi’u targedu, wedi’u hategu gan strategaeth gyfathrebu gynhwysfawr, a ddylai gynnwys adfer cynadleddau newyddion dyddiol. Dylai Gweinidogion fabwysiadu'r dull Gwyddelig clir ond addasadwy, sy'n cynnwys cymhwyso pum lefel ar sail leol. Mae'n bryd troi'r system goleuadau traffig honno yn ôl ymlaen, Brif Weinidog, cyn y bydd Cymru gyfan yn fflachio'n goch unwaith eto.
Well, Llywydd, I'll see if there's anything in what the Member has said to which I can make a positive response. I entirely refute any disrespect. This Government has answered questions on the floor of the Senedd right throughout the coronavirus crisis, including right through our recess period. We have been more available to this Senedd than any other Parliament in the United Kingdom has been able to question Ministers that are responsible to those different democratic forums. We were making decisions here, as I said, well into last evening. I am not responsible for the time that the BBC requires material to be supplied to them; that's not a decision that I make, it's a decision that broadcasters make because of their scheduling obligations, and we pushed that to the very limit in order to try to make decisions in the way that I think they need to be made in Wales. And I'm very pleased to be here this afternoon, at the earliest opportunity, answering Members' questions.
For the rest of Adam Price's contribution, I'm not sure exactly what I can make of it, Llywydd. He asked me to follow the advice of a chief medical officer who was a chief medical officer 20 years ago when I have a chief medical officer here today whose advice I am able to take and do my best to follow.
He complains about people hearing things in news conferences rather than in the Senedd, and then urges me to reinstate news conferences on every day of the week. He talks about one size not fitting all, and then urges me to go much further in restricting the freedoms available to people in their daily lives in Wales. Well, I don't agree with him. I think he is not compliant with the obligation that we have under the regulations in Wales to be proportionate in every action we take, to weigh up the public health risk, and then to take measures that we think are commensurate with that risk. It's why we will have an approach in Wales that remains cautious. How many times on the floor of the Senedd have I been urged by Members not to be so cautious, not to lag behind—as people have put it to me—when other parts of the United Kingdom have gone further, including from the leader of Plaid Cymru himself when he was pointing to Scotland as an example? Our careful, cautious approach has stood us in good stead. We will go on being proportionate as much as we can in the decisions that we make.
The Irish model, which the Member referred to, amongst his many other references to places for which I have no responsibility whatsoever, in Antwerp and Sweden and other parts of his international travel prospectus—. In Ireland, they've had to review their model so often that it is very difficult, I think, for people to keep up with the changes that are being made. We are trying, for simplicity's sake and to enable people in Wales to have a fighting chance of understanding the rules that we are asking them to abide by, to make those changes as seldom as possible. That is the course of action that we continue to follow here in Wales, and the announcements made and reported to the Senedd today are consistent with that approach.
Wel, Lywydd, fe welaf a oes unrhyw beth yn yr hyn y mae'r Aelod wedi'i ddweud y gallaf ymateb yn gadarnhaol iddo. Rwy’n gwadu unrhyw ddiffyg parch yn llwyr. Mae'r Llywodraeth hon wedi ateb cwestiynau ar lawr y Senedd drwy gydol argyfwng y coronafeirws, gan gynnwys drwy gydol y toriad. Rydym wedi bod ar gael i'r Senedd hon i raddau mwy nag unrhyw Senedd arall yn y Deyrnas Unedig o ran eu gallu i holi’r Gweinidogion sy'n gyfrifol yn y gwahanol fforymau democrataidd hynny. Buom yn gwneud penderfyniadau yma, fel y dywedais, hyd nes yn hwyr neithiwr. Nid wyf yn gyfrifol am yr amser y mae'r BBC yn mynnu bod deunydd yn cael ei ddarparu iddynt; nid yw hwnnw'n benderfyniad rwy'n ei wneud, mae'n benderfyniad y mae darlledwyr yn ei wneud oherwydd eu rhwymedigaethau amserlennu, a gwnaethom wthio hynny i'r eithaf er mwyn ceisio gwneud penderfyniadau yn y ffordd y credaf fod angen eu gwneud yng Nghymru. Ac rwy’n falch iawn o fod yma y prynhawn yma, ar y cyfle cyntaf, yn ateb cwestiynau’r Aelodau.
O ran gweddill cyfraniad Adam Price, nid wyf yn hollol siŵr beth i'w wneud ohono, Lywydd. Gofynnodd imi ddilyn cyngor prif swyddog meddygol a oedd yn brif swyddog meddygol 20 mlynedd yn ôl pan fo gennyf brif swyddog meddygol yma heddiw y gallaf gael ei gyngor a gwneud fy ngorau i'w ddilyn.
Mae'n cwyno am bobl yn clywed pethau mewn cynadleddau newyddion yn hytrach nag yn y Senedd, ac yna'n fy annog i ailgyflwyno cynadleddau newyddion bob diwrnod o'r wythnos. Dywed nad yw un maint yn addas i bawb, ac yna mae’n fy annog i fynd ymhellach o lawer wrth gyfyngu ar y rhyddid sydd ar gael i bobl yn eu bywydau bob dydd yng Nghymru. Wel, nid wyf yn cytuno ag ef. Ni chredaf ei fod yn cydymffurfio â'r rhwymedigaeth sydd gennym o dan y rheoliadau yng Nghymru i fod yn gymesur ym mhob cam a gymerwn, i bwyso a mesur y risg i iechyd y cyhoedd, ac yna i weithredu mesurau y credwn eu bod yn gymesur â'r risg honno. Dyma pam y bydd gennym ddull gweithredu yng Nghymru sy'n parhau i fod yn ofalus. Sawl gwaith ar lawr y Senedd y mae'r Aelodau wedi fy annog i beidio â bod mor ofalus, i beidio â llusgo ar ôl—fel y mae pobl wedi’i ddweud wrthyf—pan fo rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig wedi mynd ymhellach, gan gynnwys gan arweinydd Plaid Cymru ei hun, pan oedd yn nodi’r Alban fel enghraifft? Mae ein dull gofalus, pwyllog wedi ein rhoi mewn sefyllfa dda. Byddwn yn parhau i fod yn gymesur i’r graddau mwyaf posibl yn y penderfyniadau a wnawn.
Mae'r model Gwyddelig y cyfeiriodd yr Aelod ato, ymhlith ei lu o gyfeiriadau eraill at leoedd nad oes gennyf gyfrifoldeb o gwbl amdanynt, yn Antwerp a Sweden a rhannau eraill o'i brosbectws teithio rhyngwladol—. Yn Iwerddon, maent wedi gorfod adolygu eu model mor aml fel ei bod yn anodd iawn, rwy'n credu, i bobl ddal i fyny â'r newidiadau sy'n cael eu gwneud. Er symlrwydd ac er mwyn galluogi pobl yng Nghymru i gael unrhyw obaith o ddeall y rheolau rydym yn gofyn iddynt gadw atynt, rydym yn ceisio gwneud y newidiadau hynny mor anaml â phosibl. Dyna'r trywydd rydym yn parhau i'w ddilyn yma yng Nghymru, ac mae'r cyhoeddiadau a wnaed ac yr adroddwyd amdanynt i'r Senedd heddiw yn gyson â'r dull hwnnw o weithredu.
First Minister, Andrew R.T. Davies, very generously I thought, said he bitterly regretted that you weren't in a position to make the announcement to the Senedd yesterday. Isn't the reality, as described by Adam Price, that you preferred not to? You preferred instead to give that pre-recorded interview, saying pretty much what you've just said now, pretty much what you could have said to the Senedd yesterday. You preferred to give that to the BBC because you wanted to make your announcement to the nation through the BBC and not the Senedd. And if that is not the case, can you answer his question as to what time you sent that pre-recorded video of your speech to the BBC?
Now, you don't want to pick up on the six-month projection that I think has been given by the UK Government for England, and isn't that because these restrictions are pretty much indefinite? Is your strategy not to continue keeping the economy—and society to greater or lesser extent—locked down indefinitely, suppressing the virus, ostensibly, completely different from what we were told when we first went into lockdown, that it was to protect capacity in the NHS? Are you not just going to continue that until there is either a vaccine—if it works, if it's reliable—or the supposed moonshot daily testing at a cost of £100 billion projected? Isn't the reality that the costs of what you have done are greater than what you have been trying to achieve through them? We've heard from Andrew R.T. Davies about a 62 per cent fall in operations in Wales. We've seen 16,000 fewer cancer referrals. We've seen on England and Wales data for recent weeks many more people committing suicide than die of COVID. How long is this going to continue? You can't give us an answer for that. And you say you want to rely on people's judgment, you want people to be responsible, but actually then you tell them with very varying—. You criticise Ireland for varying it so that people can't keep up, what on earth do you think's been happening here with the huge numbers of regulations and varying and often contradictory guidance, plus also the often very marginal differences from England, when communications would have been much easier if there had been a consistent approach? So, there is a conflict between that and saying, actually, you want people to be responsible. How can people be responsible when what they have to do is comply with a vast range of stuff that's very, very difficult to keep up with, even for those who concentrate hard on that?
And finally from me on shielding, you say that the CMO may be writing to people again. It's not clear what he's going to be saying to them, but the reality is that he told them to continue shielding until 16 August and the prevalence of the virus is surely now significantly higher than it was then. I think you said that letter is a few weeks' warning for people that carried on shielding until 16 August, and the reason it's very difficult for people to shield again now is because they were kept shielding for several weeks when the prevalence of the virus was low, and much lower than it is now. So, wouldn't it be more sensible for those people involved to make their own judgment as to risks and consider whether they should shield for themselves?
Brif Weinidog, fe ddywedodd Andrew R.T. Davies, yn hael iawn yn fy marn i, ei fod yn gresynu'n arw nad oeddech mewn sefyllfa i wneud y cyhoeddiad i'r Senedd ddoe. Onid y realiti, fel y'i disgrifiwyd gan Adam Price, oedd ei bod yn well gennych beidio â gwneud hynny? Yn hytrach, roedd yn well gennych roi'r cyfweliad a recordiwyd ymlaen llaw, gan ddweud yr hyn rydych newydd ei ddweud yn awr, sef, fwy neu lai yr hyn y gallech fod wedi'i ddweud wrth y Senedd ddoe. Roedd yn well gennych roi'r cyfweliad hwnnw i'r BBC oherwydd eich bod eisiau gwneud eich cyhoeddiad i'r genedl drwy'r BBC yn hytrach na'r Senedd. Ac os nad yw hynny'n wir, a allwch chi ateb ei gwestiwn ynglŷn â pha bryd yr anfonoch chi'r fideo o'ch araith a recordiwyd ymlaen llaw at y BBC?
Nawr, nid ydych eisiau crybwyll yr amcanestyniad o chwe mis a roddwyd, rwy'n credu, gan Lywodraeth y DU ar gyfer Lloegr, ac onid y rheswm am hynny yw oherwydd bod y cyfyngiadau hyn yn amhenodol i raddau helaeth? Onid yw eich strategaeth i beidio â pharhau i gadw'r economi—a chymdeithas i raddau mwy neu lai—dan gyfyngiadau symud am gyfnod amhenodol, gan atal y feirws i bob golwg, yn gwbl wahanol i'r hyn a ddywedwyd wrthym pan osodwyd y cyfyngiadau symud am y tro cyntaf, sef mai diogelu capasiti yn y GIG oedd y bwriad? A ydych yn bwriadu parhau i wneud hynny hyd nes y ceir brechlyn—os yw'n gweithio, os yw'n ddibynadwy—neu hyd nes y ceir y profion dyddiol ar gost ragamcanol o £100 biliwn? Onid y realiti yw bod costau'r hyn rydych wedi'i wneud yn uwch na'r hyn rydych wedi bod yn ceisio'i gyflawni drwyddynt? Clywsom Andrew R.T. Davies yn dweud bod gostyngiad o 62 y cant wedi bod yn nifer y llawdriniaethau yng Nghymru. Rydym wedi gweld 16,000 yn llai o atgyfeiriadau canser. Yn ôl data Cymru a Lloegr ar gyfer yr wythnosau diwethaf, rydym wedi gweld llawer mwy o bobl yn cyflawni hunanladdiad na'r nifer sy'n marw o COVID. Am ba hyd y mae hyn yn mynd i barhau? Ni allwch roi ateb i ni ar hynny. Ac rydych yn dweud eich bod eisiau dibynnu ar grebwyll pobl, rydych eisiau i bobl fod yn gyfrifol, ond mewn gwirionedd rydych yn dweud pethau wrthynt wedyn—. Rydych yn beirniadu Iwerddon am amrywio pethau fel na all pobl ddal i fyny, ond beth ar y ddaear y credwch sydd wedi bod yn digwydd yma gyda'r niferoedd enfawr o reoliadau a chanllawiau amrywiol, sy'n aml yn anghyson â'i gilydd, yn ogystal â'r gwahaniaethau ymylol iawn yn aml rhyngom a Lloegr, pan fyddai wedi bod yn llawer haws cyfathrebu pe bai dull cyson wedi'i fabwysiadu? Felly, mae gwrthdaro rhwng hynny a dweud, mewn gwirionedd, eich bod eisiau i bobl fod yn gyfrifol. Sut y gall pobl fod yn gyfrifol pan fo'n rhaid iddynt gydymffurfio ag ystod eang o bethau sy'n anodd iawn dal i fyny â hwy, hyd yn oed i'r rhai sy'n canolbwyntio'n galed ar hynny?
Ac yn olaf gennyf fi ar bobl a warchodir, fe ddywedwch y gallai'r prif swyddog meddygol fod yn ysgrifennu at bobl eto. Nid yw'n glir beth y bydd yn ei ddweud wrthynt, ond y realiti yw iddo ddweud wrthynt am barhau i warchod tan 16 Awst ac mae nifer yr achosion o'r feirws bellach yn sylweddol uwch na'r hyn ydoedd bryd hynny. Rwy'n credu eich bod wedi dweud bod y llythyr hwnnw'n rhoi ychydig wythnosau o rybudd i bobl a oedd wedi parhau i warchod tan 16 Awst, a'r rheswm pam y mae'n anodd iawn i bobl warchod eto yn awr yw oherwydd eu bod wedi gorfod parhau i wneud hynny am sawl wythnos pan oedd nifer yr achosion o'r feirws yn isel, ac yn llawer is na'r hyn ydyw ar hyn o bryd. Felly, oni fyddai'n fwy synhwyrol i'r bobl dan sylw farnu drostynt eu hunain ynglŷn â risgiau ac ystyried drostynt eu hunain a ddylent fod yn gwarchod?
Llywydd, the Prime Minister asked the BBC yesterday for time to make an address to the nation given the position that we faced. The BBC suggested that the leader of the Government here in Wales should make a similar address to people in Wales. I think that is a tribute to the Senedd and to devolution: the fact that the BBC thought that here in Wales, with a Government of our own, people in Wales would want to hear from the leader of the Government. And far from it being a competition between the Senedd and other forms of letting our fellow citizens know of changes, I genuinely think Members should regard it as a sign of the way in which devolution, the work of the Senedd, the fact that we have our own democracy here in Wales, has taken root here in Wales, that the BBC thought that was the right thing to do. I have come here to answer your questions as soon as I have been able to do so and I see nothing at all that I have to apologise for in that.
The Member gets it so wrong in relation to this issue of six months. The reason I don't say six months is because I want to review these measures every three weeks, and if it is possible to lift them sooner, then that's what I want to do. The truth is so much the opposite of what he implies: I want to lift restrictions on people's lives as soon as we can safely do it, and I don't want to say to people that that could be six months away when if between the efforts we all can make together it would be possible to do that sooner. That is my ambition and it has been all the way through. I am really anxious every time we make a decision to restrict people's freedoms, and we do it simply because of the extraordinary times we live in and the risks that are posed to others. The sooner we can restore those freedoms to people, the better I will think that will be. That's the strategy I'm following and it's really not at all what the Member implied.
In a way that I don't think he seems able to recognise, his final two questions to me pointed in completely opposite directions. He started from a premise that I would agree with: there is more than one harm from coronavirus and not presenting yourself for investigations or treatment in the NHS for non-COVID purposes has been one of the harms that coronavirus has caused. As I said in my answer to Andrew R.T. Davies, the NHS in Wales is open for people and I hope very much that they will make use of it. Having recognised that there is more than one harm, he then wanted me to reimpose on shielded people a blanket set of restrictions that we know have come with harms to people as well as the protections that those restrictions offered. So, we have put advice to shielded people in line with the advice that we have had from our chief medical officer and all the other chief medical officers across the United Kingdom.
It still is our advice to shielded people that they should take particular care, that they should ask themselves even more searching questions about who they meet with and where they go, but it is not, we think, proportionate now to say to them that they should not leave their homes for any exercise, and if they felt confident in doing it, they could go, for example, to collect their own prescriptions, and that's because we're trying to balance the harms. The harms that come from people with vulnerable health conditions being exposed to coronavirus are very real. The harms that come from saying to people that they should never leave their homes are real as well, in the impact on those people's sense of well-being and isolation. The advice we're giving to shielded people, and which the chief medical officer may well wish to reiterate and update in any fresh letter he may send, is designed to hold that in balance, just as—in the way that I agree with the Member—our advice to people about using the NHS must be in balance as well.
Lywydd, gofynnodd y Prif Weinidog i'r BBC ddoe am amser i annerch y wlad o ystyried y sefyllfa roeddem yn ei hwynebu. Awgrymodd y BBC y dylai arweinydd y Llywodraeth yma yng Nghymru wneud anerchiad tebyg i bobl yng Nghymru. Credaf fod hynny'n deyrnged i'r Senedd ac i ddatganoli: y ffaith bod y BBC yn credu y byddai pobl yng Nghymru, gyda Llywodraeth ein hunain, eisiau clywed gan arweinydd y Llywodraeth. Ac yn bell o fod yn gystadleuaeth rhwng y Senedd a ffyrdd eraill o roi gwybod i'n cyd-ddinasyddion ynglŷn â newidiadau, rwy'n credu o ddifrif y dylai'r Aelodau ei ystyried yn arwydd o'r ffordd y mae datganoli, gwaith y Senedd, y ffaith bod gennym ein democratiaeth ein hunain yma yng Nghymru, wedi bwrw gwraidd yma yng Nghymru, fod y BBC o'r farn mai dyna'r peth iawn i'w wneud. Rwyf wedi dod yma i ateb eich cwestiynau cyn gynted ag y gallwn wneud hynny ac ni welaf fod yn rhaid i mi ymddiheuro am ddim o gwbl yn hynny o beth.
Nid yw'r Aelod wedi deall y sefyllfa mewn perthynas â'r mater o chwe mis. Y rheswm nad wyf yn dweud chwe mis yw oherwydd fy mod eisiau adolygu'r mesurau hyn bob tair wythnos, ac os yw'n bosibl eu codi'n gynt, dyna rwyf eisiau ei wneud. Mae'r gwirionedd fwy neu lai'n gwbl groes i'r hyn y mae'n ei awgrymu: rwyf eisiau codi'r cyfyngiadau ar fywydau pobl cyn gynted ag y gallwn ei wneud yn ddiogel, ac nid wyf eisiau dweud wrth bobl y gallai hynny fod chwe mis i ffwrdd os gellid gwneud hynny'n gynt rhwng yr ymdrechion y gallwn ni i gyd eu gwneud gyda'n gilydd. Dyna fy uchelgais ac mae hynny wedi bod yn wir ers y cychwyn. Rwy'n bryderus iawn bob tro y byddwn yn gwneud penderfyniad i gyfyngu ar ryddid pobl, ac nid ydym ond yn gwneud hynny oherwydd yr amseroedd eithriadol rydym yn byw ynddynt a'r risgiau i eraill. :Po gynharaf y gallwn adfer y rhyddid hwnnw i bobl, gorau oll fydd y sefyllfa yn fy marn i. Dyna'r strategaeth rwy'n ei dilyn ac nid dyna oedd yr Aelod yn ei awgrymu o gwbl.
Mewn ffordd nad wyf yn credu y gall ef ei chydnabod, pwyntiai ei ddau gwestiwn olaf i mi i gyfeiriadau hollol wahanol i'w gilydd. Dechreuodd ar sail y byddwn yn cytuno â hi: mae coronafeirws yn achosi mwy nag un math o niwed ac mae peidio â mynd i gael archwiliad neu driniaeth yn y GIG at ddibenion nad ydynt yn ymwneud â COVID wedi bod yn un o'r mathau o niwed a achoswyd gan y coronafeirws. Fel y dywedais yn fy ateb i Andrew R.T. Davies, mae'r GIG yng Nghymru ar agor i bobl ac rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y byddant yn ei ddefnyddio. Ar ôl cydnabod bod mwy nag un math o niwed, roedd eisiau i mi ailosod set gyffredinol o gyfyngiadau y gwyddom eu bod wedi achosi niwed i bobl yn ogystal â'r amddiffyniadau roedd y cyfyngiadau hynny'n eu cynnig, ar unigolion a warchodir. Felly, rydym wedi rhoi cyngor i unigolion a warchodir yn unol â'r cyngor a gawsom gan ein prif swyddog meddygol a'r holl brif swyddogion meddygol eraill ledled y Deyrnas Unedig.
Ein cyngor ni o hyd i unigolion a warchodir yw y dylent gymryd gofal arbennig, y dylent ofyn cwestiynau hyd yn oed yn fwy treiddgar i'w hunain ynglŷn â phwy y maent yn eu cyfarfod a lle maent yn mynd, ond ni chredwn ei bod yn gymesur yn awr inni ddweud wrthynt na ddylent adael eu cartrefi i wneud unrhyw ymarfer corff, ac os ydynt yn teimlo'n ddigon hyderus i wneud hynny, gallent fynd, er enghraifft, i gasglu eu presgripsiynau eu hunain, a hynny oherwydd ein bod yn ceisio cydbwyso'r mathau gwahanol o niwed. Mae'r niwed a ddaw o ganlyniad i bobl â chyflyrau iechyd bregus yn cael eu hamlygu i'r coronafeirws yn real iawn. Mae'r niwed a ddaw o ddweud wrth bobl na ddylent byth adael eu cartrefi'n real hefyd, o ran yr effaith ar ymdeimlad y bobl hynny o lesiant ac unigedd. Mae'r cyngor rydym yn ei roi i unigolion a warchodir, ac y gallai'r prif swyddog meddygol fod eisiau ei ailadrodd a'i ddiweddaru mewn unrhyw lythyr newydd y gallai ei anfon, wedi'i gynllunio i gadw cydbwysedd rhwng y pethau hynny, yn yr un modd ag y mae angen cadw cydbwysedd—ac rwy'n cytuno â'r Aelod yn hyn o beth—yn ein cyngor ni i bobl ynglŷn â defnyddio'r GIG hefyd.
Thank you very much, and I very much welcome the First Minister coming here this afternoon to make this statement. First Minister, in Blaenau Gwent, people understand and support the action that the Welsh Government is proposing, but they do clearly have some questions. Perhaps first amongst those questions is on the travel restrictions, and I'd be grateful if you could explain why you are restricting travel from the borough to other parts of Wales, and to other localities. That would be very useful for us.
We've also discussed testing on a number of occasions in this Senedd in recent weeks and months, and the health Minister was very clear yesterday that further resources will be put into testing at this time. So, I'd be grateful if you could outline how you see mobile units or walk-in testing facilities being developed in areas where there are these additional restrictions.
And you referred to enforcement in your statement: it is crucially important that these restrictions are enforced properly. Is it possible to have greater resources from Welsh Government to enable and to help local government with enforcement, so that we can ensure that everybody plays fair and that there is a level playing field here? Because I think that people have had six months now of restrictions placed upon their lives, and they want to feel that everybody is playing their part.
And finally, First Minister, people would like to know when you intend to review these restrictions and review these regulations, so that people can look forward to understanding the structure in which these regulations are operating. Thank you.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, ac rwy'n croesawu'r ffaith bod y Prif Weinidog wedi dod yma y prynhawn yma i wneud y datganiad hwn. Brif Weinidog, ym Mlaenau Gwent, mae pobl yn deall ac yn cefnogi'r camau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hargymell, ond mae'n amlwg fod ganddynt rai cwestiynau. Efallai mai'r cyntaf o'r cwestiynau hynny yw un am y cyfyngiadau teithio, a byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech egluro pam eich bod yn cyfyngu ar deithio o'r fwrdeistref i rannau eraill o Gymru, ac i ardaloedd eraill. Byddai hynny'n ddefnyddiol iawn.
Rydym hefyd wedi trafod profion droeon yn y Senedd hon yn ystod yr wythnosau a'r misoedd diwethaf, ac roedd y Gweinidog iechyd yn glir iawn ddoe y bydd adnoddau pellach yn cael eu rhoi tuag at brofi ar hyn o bryd. Felly, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallech amlinellu sut y gwelwch unedau symudol neu gyfleusterau profi galw i mewn yn cael eu datblygu mewn ardaloedd lle ceir y cyfyngiadau ychwanegol hyn.
Ac roeddech yn cyfeirio at orfodaeth yn eich datganiad: mae'n hanfodol bwysig fod y cyfyngiadau hyn yn cael eu gorfodi'n briodol. A yw'n bosibl cael mwy o adnoddau gan Lywodraeth Cymru i alluogi a helpu llywodraeth leol gyda gorfodaeth, fel y gallwn sicrhau bod pawb yn chwarae'n deg a bod pawb yn gyfartal yma? Oherwydd credaf fod pobl wedi cael chwe mis o gyfyngiadau ar eu bywydau bellach, ac maent eisiau teimlo bod pawb yn gwneud eu rhan.
Ac yn olaf, Brif Weinidog, hoffai pobl wybod pa bryd y bwriadwch adolygu'r cyfyngiadau a'r rheoliadau hyn, fel y gall pobl edrych ymlaen at ddeall y strwythur y mae'r rheoliadau hyn yn gweithredu ynddo. Diolch.
Llywydd, can I thank Alun Davies for all those very pertinent questions, and thank the population that he represents here in the Senedd for their commitment to playing their part in the efforts that are needed to bear down on this virus and to be able to bring it back under control in south-east Wales again? Blaenau Gwent is, Llywydd—as Members will know—one of the areas that are to be subject to more extensive restrictions in people's lives than the rest of Wales, and that's a real ask of people, and I don't underestimate that at all. The rules require people not to enter or to leave one of those county borough areas, and that is precisely in order to try to contain the spread of this virus. The virus spreads when people meet and when people travel, and our efforts are directed at confining coronavirus to as small a geographical area as we can manage, and that very significant ask of people in those areas to restrict their travel other than for specifically identified purposes is part of the contribution we're asking them to make.
I saw figures yesterday, Llywydd, that show that in the first week of restrictions in Caerphilly, there had been an 8 per cent fall in journeys made to and from that county borough, and that demonstrates the way in which people are willing to play their part, and I'm sure that people in Blaenau Gwent will be wanting and willing to do that, too.
On testing, Members will have heard from the health Minister yesterday about the steps we are taking to increase capacity within the Welsh system to switch some testing into the Welsh system, to deploy mobile units in those places where they are most needed, to see whether we can bring further mobile capacity into Wales in order to be able to carry out tests where they are most urgently needed.
Llywydd, can I absolutely agree with Alun Davies about the issue of enforcement? It is a matter, as he said, of fair play. Most people in Wales already comply with the rules and the guidance, and do so scrupulously. Where there are people who don't understand the rules or are struggling to follow them, then I entirely endorse the approach that our police forces and local authorities have taken of education, information and persuasion as the first ports of call. But, for those people who knowingly, persistently and deliberately break the rules that everybody else are following, then I'm afraid it is right, on behalf of everybody else who are following the rules, that proper enforcement action is taken. We discussed yesterday, with our local authority colleagues, ways in which we can help them in resource terms to step up enforcement. I made it clear once again to our police colleagues that if there are further things we can do to assist them in that difficult work, that is what we will do. It is a last resort not a first resort for us in Wales to take that action, but where that action is needed, it will be taken.
And finally, to answer the question about the timetable, the local lockdown restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks in those areas; the restrictions across the whole of Wales—the national picture—will continue to be reviewed on a three-week cycle here in Wales.
Lywydd, a gaf fi ddiolch i Alun Davies am yr holl gwestiynau perthnasol iawn hynny, a diolch i'r boblogaeth y mae'n ei chynrychioli yma yn y Senedd am eu hymrwymiad i chwarae eu rhan yn yr ymdrechion sydd eu hangen i atal y feirws hwn ac adfer rheolaeth arno yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru unwaith eto? Lywydd, mae Blaenau Gwent—fel y gŵyr Aelodau—yn un o'r ardaloedd sy'n ddarostyngedig i gyfyngiadau mwy helaeth ar fywydau pobl na gweddill Cymru, ac mae hynny'n gofyn llawer gan bobl, ac nid wyf yn bychanu hynny o gwbl. Mae'r rheolau'n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i bobl beidio â mynd i un o'r ardaloedd bwrdeistref sirol hynny na'i gadael, a hynny er mwyn ceisio atal lledaeniad y feirws hwn. Mae'r feirws yn lledaenu pan fydd pobl yn cyfarfod a phan fydd pobl yn teithio, ac mae ein hymdrechion wedi'u hanelu at gyfyngu'r coronafeirws i ardal ddaearyddol mor fach ag y gallwn ei rheoli, ac mae'r gofyniad mawr i bobl yn yr ardaloedd hynny gyfyngu ar eu teithio ac eithrio at ddibenion a nodwyd yn benodol yn rhan o'r cyfraniad rydym yn gofyn iddynt ei wneud.
Gwelais ffigurau ddoe, Lywydd, sy'n dangos y bu gostyngiad o 8 y cant yn nifer y teithiau a wnaed i Gaerffili ac oddi yno yn ystod yr wythnos gyntaf o gyfyngiadau yn y fwrdeistref sirol honno, ac mae hynny'n dangos y ffordd y mae pobl yn barod i wneud eu rhan, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd pobl ym Mlaenau Gwent yn barod i wneud hynny ac eisiau gwneud hynny hefyd.
Ar brofi, bydd yr Aelodau wedi clywed gan y Gweinidog iechyd ddoe am y camau rydym yn eu cymryd i gynyddu capasiti yn system Cymru i symud profion i mewn i system Cymru, i ddefnyddio unedau symudol yn y mannau lle mae eu hangen fwyaf, i weld a allwn ddod â mwy o gapasiti symudol i Gymru er mwyn gallu cynnal profion lle mae eu hangen fwyaf.
Lywydd, a gaf fi gytuno'n llwyr ag Alun Davies ynglŷn â mater gorfodi? Mae'n fater o chwarae teg, fel y dywedodd. Mae'r rhan fwyaf o bobl yng Nghymru eisoes yn cydymffurfio â'r rheolau a'r canllawiau, ac yn gwneud hynny'n gydwybodol. Lle ceir pobl nad ydynt yn deall y rheolau neu sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd eu dilyn, rwy'n llwyr gefnogi'r dull a fabwysiadwyd gan ein heddluoedd a'n hawdurdodau lleol sef addysgu, darparu gwybodaeth a pherswadio yn gyntaf. Ond i'r bobl sy'n torri'r rheolau y mae pawb arall yn eu dilyn, yn gyson yn ymwybodol ac yn fwriadol, mae arnaf ofn ei bod hi'n iawn, ar ran pawb arall sy'n dilyn y rheolau, fod camau gorfodi priodol yn cael eu cymryd. Ddoe, gyda'n cymheiriaid yn yr awdurdod lleol, trafodasom ffyrdd y gallwn eu helpu gydag adnoddau i wella'r broses orfodi. Fe'i gwneuthum yn glir unwaith eto i'n cydweithwyr yn yr heddlu, os oes unrhyw beth pellach y gallem ei wneud i'w cynorthwyo yn y gwaith anodd hwnnw, y byddem yn gwneud hynny. Dewis olaf yw cymryd y camau hynny i ni yng Nghymru, ond lle mae angen y camau hynny, dyna'r camau y byddwn yn eu cymryd.
Ac yn olaf, i ateb y cwestiwn am yr amserlen, bydd y cyfyngiadau symud lleol yn cael eu hadolygu bob pythefnos yn yr ardaloedd hynny; bydd y cyfyngiadau ledled Cymru—y darlun cenedlaethol—yn parhau i gael ei adolygu bob tair wythnos yma yng Nghymru.
Can I thank you for your statement, First Minister? It's coming at a very worrying time for many people with the recent rise in positive case numbers. I am a little concerned, though, at some of the detail in your statement. You refer to the current rate of positive infections per 100,000 population as being 46.8 cases in your statement, yet the data published today by Public Health Wales, on their publicly available Tableau page, is that the infection rate is just 32.1 cases per 100,000. Can I ask why there is this data discrepancy, and if it is higher, why that isn't being published in the public domain? I'm sure you'll agree with me that we need to have confidence in these figures if the public are going to be encouraged to work with the public authorities in order to get the desired result of getting these infection rates down.
Can I also ask, on behalf of businesses and residents in my constituency, which is heavily reliant, of course, on tourism as part of the economy, what message you would like to send to potential visitors to our communities? Because you said very clearly in the Senedd yesterday, during First Minister's questions, that you wanted people to check whether their journeys were actually essential journeys. Now, I appreciate and have heard what you've said to other Members of this Chamber, but I think it is very confusing for people that you're saying that people should only take essential journeys, yet we are allowing people, who are potentially coming from high-infection areas from outside of Wales, into some of these communities with many older people. So, what message would you like us to convey to businesses and to visitors?
A gaf fi ddiolch i chi am eich datganiad, Brif Weinidog? Mae'n dod ar adeg bryderus iawn i lawer o bobl gyda'r cynnydd diweddar yn nifer yr achosion positif. Rwyf braidd yn bryderus, serch hynny, ynglŷn â rhai o'r manylion yn eich datganiad. Rydych yn cyfeirio at gyfradd bresennol o 46.8 o achosion o heintiau positif ym mhob 100,000 o'r boblogaeth yn eich datganiad, ac eto mae'r data a gyhoeddwyd heddiw gan Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru ar eu tudalen Tableau sydd ar gael i'r cyhoedd, yn dweud mai 32.1 achos yn unig ym mhob 100,000 yw'r gyfradd heintio. A gaf fi ofyn pam fod anghysondeb yn y data, ac os yw'n uwch, pam nad yw'r wybodaeth honno ar gael i'r cyhoedd? Rwy'n siŵr y cytunwch â mi fod angen inni gael hyder yn y ffigurau hyn os ydym am annog y cyhoedd i weithio gyda'r awdurdodau cyhoeddus er mwyn cael y canlyniad rydym ei eisiau sef gostyngiad yn y cyfraddau heintio hyn.
A gaf fi ofyn hefyd, ar ran busnesau a thrigolion yn fy etholaeth sy'n dibynnu'n drwm ar dwristiaeth fel rhan o'r economi, pa neges yr hoffech ei hanfon at ymwelwyr posibl â'n cymunedau? Oherwydd fe ddywedoch chi'n glir iawn yn y Senedd ddoe, yn ystod cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog, eich bod eisiau i bobl wneud yn siŵr fod eu teithiau'n hanfodol mewn gwirionedd. Nawr, rwyf wedi clywed ac wedi derbyn yr hyn rydych wedi'i ddweud wrth Aelodau eraill yn y Siambr hon, ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn ddryslyd iawn i bobl eich bod yn dweud mai dim ond teithiau hanfodol y dylai pobl eu gwneud, ac eto rydym yn caniatáu i bobl a allai fod yn dod o ardaloedd sydd â niferoedd uchel o achosion o'r haint y tu allan i Gymru fynd i rai o'r cymunedau hyn sydd â llawer o bobl hŷn yn byw ynddynt. Felly, pa neges yr hoffech i ni ei chyfleu i fusnesau ac i ymwelwyr?
Llywydd, again, can I thank Darren Millar for those important questions? I agree with his opening remarks that this is a worrying time, and I'm afraid he's right that we should be concerned given the figures that we are seeing.
The figure that I quoted, Llywydd—the 46.8 per cent—is the most recent figure that I have. I am offered management information that is available in advance of the publicly used figures, which have some further testing of them before they are published, and that's because I want to provide Senedd Members with the best and most recent information that I have. In some ways, as I know that Darren Millar will recognise, it is the trend that is the most important, rather than the absolute number, and the trend is upwards here in Wales. Ten days ago, when we took the decision to make face coverings mandatory in shops and enclosed public places, we had just reached 20 per 100,000 in Wales. I'm afraid that, since then, that figure has moved upwards. It is affected by the south-east Wales corner. It's not a reflection on some parts of Wales, but the trend is important to identify.
The issue of tourism is a fraught one. I've discussed this matter directly with the Member on a number of occasions because, as he says, tourism is such an important part of the local economy of the area of Wales that he represents. The good news is that we've had tourists coming to Wales from other parts of the United Kingdom since the first part of July now, and there isn't evidence that that has led to spikes of infection in those parts of Wales that people most often visit. Indeed, the coronavirus continues to be at its lowest ebb in those places that tourists most often visit. Nevertheless, I understand, of course, that local people are anxious when visitors come from other parts—whether it be of Wales or beyond—where rates of coronavirus are elevated. So, our message continues to be at this point: visit Wales safely. If you're coming to Wales, please make sure that you do all of the things that we would expect our fellow citizens to do to keep themselves and other people safe. In that way, people can enjoy Wales and make a contribution to local economies and to jobs without risks being posed.
I asked the Prime Minister yesterday to echo a message about asking people to think carefully about journeys, particularly from those places in England where coronavirus is even further ahead than it is even in south-east Wales. I'm afraid he wasn't willing to do it. My message for people in Wales is that it's not about a rule; it's not about people trying to test the boundaries of what is allowed. That's not the right way to think about this. All I'm asking people in Wales to do is to think carefully about journeys that they may make. If it's possible, for example, to visit a restaurant or to go to a pub close to home, that is more advisable than travelling a distance to do the same thing further away. Those are the questions that I'm asking people in a common-sense way, in making judgments that people are capable of making in their own lives, because the more people we meet and the further we travel, the greater the risk. I think that that's a very simple proposition, and I feel confident that our fellow citizens in Wales are capable of making those judgments in their own lives.
Lywydd, unwaith eto, a gaf fi ddiolch i Darren Millar am y cwestiynau pwysig hynny? Rwy'n cytuno â'i sylwadau agoriadol fod hwn yn gyfnod pryderus, ac mae arnaf ofn ei fod yn iawn y dylem boeni o ystyried y ffigurau rydym yn eu gweld.
Y ffigur a ddyfynnais, Lywydd—y 46.8 y cant—yw'r ffigur diweddaraf sydd gennyf. Cynigir gwybodaeth reoli i mi sydd ar gael cyn y ffigurau a ddefnyddir yn gyhoeddus, ac maent yn cael eu profi ymhellach cyn iddynt gael eu cyhoeddi, a hynny oherwydd fy mod eisiau rhoi'r wybodaeth orau a mwyaf diweddar sydd gennyf i Aelodau'r Senedd. Mewn rhai ffyrdd, fel y gwn y bydd Darren Millar yn cydnabod, y duedd yw'r peth pwysicaf, yn hytrach na'r nifer absoliwt, ac mae'r duedd ar i fyny yma yng Nghymru. Ddeng niwrnod yn ôl, pan wnaethom y penderfyniad i wneud gorchuddion wyneb yn orfodol mewn siopau a mannau cyhoeddus dan do, roeddem newydd gyrraedd 20 achos ym mhob 100,000 yng Nghymru. Mae arnaf ofn fod y ffigur hwnnw wedi codi ers hynny. Mae cornel de-ddwyrain Cymru wedi effeithio arno. Nid yw'n adlewyrchiad o rai rhannau o Gymru, ond mae'r duedd yn bwysig i'w nodi.
Mae twristiaeth yn fater anodd. Rwyf wedi ei drafod yn uniongyrchol â'r Aelod droeon oherwydd, fel y dywed, mae twristiaeth yn rhan mor bwysig o economi leol yr ardal y mae'n ei chynrychioli yng Nghymru. Y newyddion da yw ein bod wedi cael twristiaid yn dod i Gymru o rannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig ers rhan gyntaf mis Gorffennaf, ac nid oes tystiolaeth fod hynny wedi arwain at gynnydd sydyn yn nifer yr heintiau yn y rhannau o Gymru y mae pobl yn ymweld â hwy amlaf. Yn wir, mae'r coronafeirws yn parhau i fod ar ei isaf yn y lleoedd y mae twristiaid yn ymweld â hwy amlaf. Serch hynny wrth gwrs, rwy'n deall bod pobl leol yn bryderus pan ddaw ymwelwyr o rannau eraill—boed yng Nghymru neu'r tu hwnt—lle mae cyfraddau coronafeirws yn uwch. Felly, mae ein neges yn parhau i fod yr un peth ar hyn o bryd: dewch i Gymru'n ddiogel. Os ydych yn dod i Gymru, gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod yn gwneud yr holl bethau y byddem yn disgwyl i'n cyd-ddinasyddion eu gwneud i gadw eu hunain a phobl eraill yn ddiogel. Drwy wneud hynny, gall pobl fwynhau Cymru a gwneud cyfraniad i economïau lleol ac i swyddi heb greu perygl.
Ddoe, gofynnais i Brif Weinidog y DU adleisio neges yn gofyn i bobl feddwl yn ofalus am deithiau, yn enwedig o'r lleoedd yn Lloegr lle mae coronafeirws hyd yn oed yn fwy cyffredin na'r hyn ydyw yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru. Mae arnaf ofn nad oedd yn fodlon gwneud hynny. Fy neges i bobl yng Nghymru yw nad yw'n ymwneud â rheol; nid yw'n ymwneud â phobl yn ceisio profi ffiniau'r hyn a ganiateir. Nid dyna'r ffordd gywir o feddwl am hyn. Y cyfan rwy'n gofyn i bobl yng Nghymru ei wneud yw meddwl yn ofalus am deithiau y gallant fod yn eu gwneud. Os yw'n bosibl ymweld â bwyty, er enghraifft, neu fynd i dafarn yn agos at adref, mae hynny'n fwy doeth na theithio pellter i wneud yr un peth ymhellach i ffwrdd. Dyna'r cwestiynau rwy'n eu gofyn i bobl mewn ffordd sy'n apelio at eu synnwyr cyffredin, wrth iddynt wneud penderfyniadau y gall pobl eu gwneud yn eu bywydau eu hunain, oherwydd po fwyaf o bobl y down i gysylltiad â hwy a'r pellaf y byddwn yn teithio, y mwyaf yw'r risg. Rwy'n credu bod hwnnw'n argymhelliad syml iawn, ac rwy'n teimlo'n hyderus fod ein cyd-ddinasyddion yng Nghymru yn gallu gwneud penderfyniadau o'r fath yn eu bywydau eu hunain.
First Minister, the pandemic has taken a toll on everyone's mental health, and many of us have got through it because cases were coming down, and we could see a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm deeply worried about the impact of a long and difficult winter on everyone's mental health, particularly those cut off from family and friends' support, and our NHS and social care staff.
You said again today that there is more than one harm from coronavirus. What steps will you take to mitigate the harms this winter on everybody's mental health, and what assurances can you give that everybody who needs support from mental health services, whether young people or adults, will get that support? We know that that didn't happen in the first phase of this pandemic.
Can I also ask about people living with dementia? The terrible figures of excess deaths of those living with dementia have laid bare the impact of loneliness and isolation in the first part of this pandemic. I believe that there needs to be a clear plan to mitigate the impact of the next phase of the pandemic on people living with dementia. What steps will you take to introduce one? Thank you.
Brif Weinidog, mae'r pandemig wedi cael effaith fawr ar iechyd meddwl pawb, ac mae llawer ohonom wedi goroesi oherwydd bod nifer yr achosion yn gostwng, ac roeddem yn gallu gweld golau ym mhen draw'r twnnel. Rwy'n poeni'n fawr am effaith gaeaf hir ac anodd ar iechyd meddwl pawb, yn enwedig y rhai sy'n cael eu gwahanu oddi wrth gymorth teulu a ffrindiau, a'n GIG a'n staff gofal cymdeithasol.
Fe ddywedoch chi eto heddiw fod coronafeirws yn achosi mwy nag un math o niwed. Pa gamau y byddwch yn eu cymryd i liniaru'r niwed i iechyd meddwl pawb y gaeaf hwn, a pha sicrwydd y gallwch ei roi y bydd pawb sydd angen cymorth gan wasanaethau iechyd meddwl, boed yn bobl ifanc neu'n oedolion, yn cael y cymorth hwnnw? Gwyddom na ddigwyddodd hyn yn y cyfnod cyntaf o'r pandemig hwn.
A gaf fi hefyd ofyn am bobl sy'n byw gyda dementia? Mae ffigurau ofnadwy marwolaethau gormodol ymhlith pobl sy'n byw gyda dementia wedi dangos effaith unigrwydd ac ynysu yn rhan gyntaf y pandemig hwn. Credaf fod angen cynllun clir i liniaru effaith cyfnod nesaf y pandemig ar bobl sy'n byw gyda dementia. Pa gamau a gymerwch i gyflwyno un? Diolch.
Llywydd, I thank Lynne Neagle for those important points, which she raises very regularly on the floor of the Senedd to make sure that none of us forget about that very important dimension. She will know that we are already taking measures. Our decision not to restrict people's ability to meet in the outdoors is part of our determination to continue to use the weeks that are left to us when it is possible to do so in our climate so that people are able to get the mental health benefits of doing so. I was very glad indeed last week, given the fantastic weather we had, that Welsh people were not in the position that people are across our border, where there are significant restrictions on the ability of people to take advantage of the outdoors. She will know as well that our rule of six continues, outside the local lockdown areas, to allow six people from our extended household to meet together. Again, it's a powerful motivation in coming to that decision not to restrict those households further for the mental health and well-being needs of that extended household. Despite the real anxieties that we have, I hope we will be able to sustain that position for longer here in Wales.
The impact of coronavirus on the mental health of young people has been particularly in our thoughts as universities resume here in Wales, as Andrew R.T. Davies said in his opening question. We have worked very hard with the higher education sector here in Wales and with the National Union of Students, who I must say I think have been fantastically constructive contributors to making sure that the welfare and well-being of students who are coming back to Wales or coming to Wales to study is properly safeguarded, to make sure that those services are in place to the maximum extent that we can make them. When I visited a school here in Cardiff last week it was heartening to hear from staff and students of the way that the extra investment in counselling services in our schools is making that more available to students in our schools this term than at any earlier point in the history of our school counselling service.
Finally, to turn to Lynne Neagle's issue of dementia—an enormously challenging issue—I'm afraid there really are no straightforward or simple answers that are available to us. We struggle all the time with the issue of visits to care homes, knowing how important they are to people with dementia particularly, but knowing how vulnerable those people are to the virus being brought into an environment that in other ways has been so very carefully guarded to protect people's physical health. So, what we are doing is working closely with the third sector, with our partners in local authorities, and those who represent the views of families and people who have dementia, to put in the best balance we can manage between protecting those people's physical health and diluting the impact of the necessary restrictions on the mental health and well-being of that population. I wish there was a straightforward answer to it, but I know there's not. It's a matter of constant dialogue and trying to come to the best possible accommodations we can between some powerfully conflicting obligations that we have to that population.
Lywydd, diolch i Lynne Neagle am y pwyntiau pwysig hynny, pwyntiau y mae'n eu codi'n rheolaidd iawn ar lawr y Senedd i sicrhau nad oes yr un ohonom yn anghofio am y dimensiwn pwysig hwnnw. Fe fydd yn gwybod ein bod eisoes yn cymryd camau. Mae ein penderfyniad i beidio â chyfyngu ar allu pobl i gyfarfod yn yr awyr agored yn rhan o'n penderfyniad i barhau i ddefnyddio'r wythnosau sydd ar ôl gennym, pan fo'n bosibl gwneud hynny yn ein hinsawdd ni, er mwyn i bobl allu elwa ar y manteision iechyd meddwl a ddaw o wneud hynny. Roeddwn yn falch tu hwnt yr wythnos diwethaf, o ystyried y tywydd gwych a gawsom, nad oedd pobl Cymru yn yr un sefyllfa â phobl dros y ffin, lle ceir cyfyngiadau sylweddol ar allu pobl i fanteisio ar yr awyr agored. Fe fydd yn gwybod hefyd fod ein rheol chwech yn parhau, y tu allan i'r ardaloedd lle ceir cyfyngiadau symud lleol, i ganiatáu i chwech o bobl o'n haelwyd estynedig gyfarfod â'i gilydd. Unwaith eto, mae anghenion iechyd meddwl a lles yr aelwyd estynedig yn gymhelliant pwerus wrth ddod i'r penderfyniad i beidio â chyfyngu'r aelwydydd hynny ymhellach. Er gwaethaf y pryderon gwirioneddol sydd gennym, rwy'n gobeithio y byddwn yn gallu cynnal y sefyllfa honno'n hirach yma yng Nghymru.
Mae effaith coronafeirws ar iechyd meddwl pobl ifanc wedi bod yn arbennig o bwysig wrth i'r prifysgolion ailddechrau yma yng Nghymru, fel y dywedodd Andrew R.T. Davies yn ei gwestiwn agoriadol. Rydym wedi gweithio'n galed iawn gyda'r sector addysg uwch yma yng Nghymru a chydag Undeb Cenedlaethol y Myfyrwyr, sydd, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, wedi cyfrannu'n adeiladol tu hwnt i'r gwaith o sicrhau bod lles a llesiant myfyrwyr sy'n dod yn ôl i Gymru neu sy'n dod i Gymru i astudio yn cael eu diogelu'n briodol, er mwyn sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau ar waith i'r graddau mwyaf sy'n bosibl. Pan ymwelais ag ysgol yma yng Nghaerdydd yr wythnos diwethaf roedd yn galonogol clywed gan staff a myfyrwyr am y ffordd y mae'r buddsoddiad ychwanegol mewn gwasanaethau cwnsela yn ein hysgolion yn sicrhau bod mwy o hynny ar gael i fyfyrwyr yn ein hysgolion y tymor hwn nag ar unrhyw adeg arall yn hanes ein gwasanaeth cwnsela mewn ysgolion.
Yn olaf, i droi at gwestiwn Lynne Neagle ynglŷn â dementia—mater heriol dros ben—mae arnaf ofn nad oes atebion syml ar gael i ni. Rydym yn ei chael hi'n anodd drwy'r amser gyda mater ymweliadau â chartrefi gofal, gan wybod pa mor bwysig ydynt i bobl â dementia yn enwedig, ond gan wybod pa mor agored i niwed yw'r bobl hynny i feirws yn cael ei gludo i amgylchedd sydd wedi'i warchod mor ofalus mewn ffyrdd eraill i ddiogelu iechyd corfforol pobl. Felly, yr hyn rydym yn ei wneud yw gweithio'n agos gyda'r trydydd sector, gyda'n partneriaid yn yr awdurdodau lleol, a'r rheini sy'n cynrychioli barn teuluoedd a phobl sydd â dementia, i sicrhau'r cydbwysedd gorau posibl rhwng diogelu iechyd corfforol y bobl hynny a gwanhau effaith y cyfyngiadau angenrheidiol ar iechyd meddwl a llesiant y boblogaeth honno. Byddai'n dda gennyf pe bai ateb syml i'r broblem, ond gwn nad oes. Mae'n fater o ddeialog gyson a cheisio dod i'r cyfaddawd gorau sy'n bosibl rhwng ein rhwymedigaethau i'r boblogaeth honno, rhwymedigaethau sy'n gwrthdaro'n enbyd.
Finally, Mick Antoniw.
Yn olaf, Mick Antoniw.
First Minister, just a couple of points. Firstly, I very much appreciated the address to the nation. I think that was a very important landmark during this pandemic.
I wonder if we could have clearer guidance for the pubs and clubs in our constituencies. Many of them are raising questions. They are very keen to operate within the guidelines and to operate safely for their community. Things like table service, darts, bingo, chair location and so on are important issues to them, and I think anything that gives them greater clarity would be very, very much appreciated.
Can I ask about the £500? You'll know that when we gave the sum of £500 to care workers we couldn't persuade the UK Government not to deduct tax on it and to make it exempt from impacting on benefits. Will it be completely exempt from any of those? If so, that would at least be a welcome move on this occasion.
And finally, working from home and workers who have to—what discussions have there been with the trade unions on this? And can you give us a bit more information about the Welsh law that would be introduced that will give protection to those workers who choose to self-isolate? We know from past experience that some have had pressure put on them in those circumstances to come into work. This not only undermines the efforts in respect of tackling the pandemic, but also causes very serious stress and anxiety amongst many of our workers who want to do the right thing. And perhaps you could just clarify the role that the trade unions might have within this as well. Thank you, First Minister.
Brif Weinidog, mae gennyf ychydig o bwyntiau. Yn gyntaf, roeddwn yn gwerthfawrogi'r anerchiad i'r genedl yn fawr. Credaf ei fod yn garreg filltir bwysig iawn yn ystod y pandemig hwn.
Tybed a allem gael canllawiau cliriach i'r tafarndai a'r clybiau yn ein hetholaethau. Mae llawer ohonynt yn gofyn cwestiynau. Maent yn awyddus iawn i weithredu o fewn y canllawiau ac i weithredu'n ddiogel ar ran eu cymuned. Mae pethau fel gwasanaeth wrth y bwrdd, dartiau, bingo, lleoliad cadeiriau ac yn y blaen yn faterion pwysig iddynt hwy, a chredaf y byddai unrhyw beth sy'n rhoi mwy o eglurder iddynt yn cael ei werthfawrogi'n fawr.
A gaf fi ofyn am y £500? Pan roesom y swm o £500 i weithwyr gofal, fe fyddwch yn gwybod na allem berswadio Llywodraeth y DU i beidio â didynnu treth arno a'i eithrio rhag effeithio ar fudd-daliadau. A fydd wedi'i eithrio'n llwyr o unrhyw un o'r rheini? Os felly, byddai hynny o leiaf yn gam i'w groesawu y tro hwn.
Ac yn olaf, mewn perthynas â'r rhai sy'n gweithio gartref a gweithwyr sy'n gorfod—pa drafodaethau a gafwyd gyda'r undebau llafur ar hyn? Ac a allwch chi roi ychydig mwy o wybodaeth i ni am y gyfraith Gymreig a fyddai'n cael ei chyflwyno i ddiogelu'r gweithwyr sy'n dewis hunanynysu? Gwyddom o brofiad yn y gorffennol fod rhai wedi bod dan bwysau yn yr amgylchiadau hynny i fynd i'r gwaith. Mae hyn nid yn unig yn tanseilio ymdrechion i fynd i'r afael â'r pandemig, ond mae hefyd yn achosi straen a phryder difrifol iawn ymhlith llawer o'n gweithwyr sydd eisiau gwneud y peth iawn. Ac efallai y gallech egluro'r rhan y gallai undebau llafur ei chwarae yn hyn hefyd. Diolch, Brif Weinidog.
Llywydd, can I thank Mick Antoniw for what he said about the information we were able to broadcast last night, and the importance of that, both to citizens in Wales, but, as I've said, I think marking the significance of devolution in the lives of people here in Wales? His question about details for pubs and clubs points at some of that dilemma that I've answered some questions about this afternoon, about expecting that I could have provided all of that detail, and much more, while the Senedd was still sitting yesterday. We have spent all morning, and will continue to spend more time still, in working with those sectors in order to make sure that we have the answers that are needed by those people in pubs and clubs and restaurants, and in other parts of our economy, who so want to do the right thing. And part of the way we have done it in Wales is to have that social partnership approach, in which we work with people to come to those conclusions and then publish the results. And I don't have, even now, some of the answers to the points that Mick Antoniw has raised. But I give him an assurance that we are continuing to work with the sector to give those people who want to follow the rules, who want to do the right thing, all the help that we are able to provide them.
On the £500, the latest information I saw was that the UK Government did not intend to make that exempt from income tax. I regret that. I think that's another contradictory decision, if it turns out to be true—trying to provide people with an income so that they don't feel under pressure to go into work and then taking money away from them with the other hand. Let's hope that that turns out not to be the final result. We will talk with the UK Government about the best mechanisms. Mick Antoniw will know that we have some advantages in Wales, and we never abandoned the social fund here in the way that it has been so abandoned across our border. We used our discretionary assistance fund, very much in his own constituency, back in February, to provide the £501,000 help that we were able to provide for people who had been flooded. And we will look to see whether the discretionary assistance fund, which, Llywydd, has made over 73,600 emergency coronavirus payments to people in Wales, providing more than £4.6 million in assistance to people during this pandemic, is the best vehicle for getting the £500 as quickly and as unbureaucratically to people as possible.
In terms of working from home, we discussed this this morning in the social partnership council, with both the Wales TUC and individual trade union colleagues in attendance, and their support for that remains very important, and we will work further with them to make sure that those rules are properly understood by members and by employers. Llywydd, let me end by saying that I think the vast majority of employers in Wales have worked very hard to protect their employees, have not wished to put them under pressure to return to work where they could work successfully from home. In other parts of the United Kingdom, there have been examples, for example, where people who have been asked to self-isolate have been made redundant by their employers. The regulations that we will put in place in Wales will prevent that from happening here, because we want to make it clear that it is an obligation for employers and employees to self-isolate when that advice is provided to them. We want to support all those good employers in Wales who already help their workers to do just that, and our regulations, as ever, are designed to support good trade unions and good employers who want to do the right thing.
Lywydd, a gaf fi ddiolch i Mick Antoniw am yr hyn a ddywedodd am y wybodaeth y gallasom ei darlledu neithiwr, a'i phwysigrwydd i ddinasyddion Cymru, ond fel y dywedais, rwy'n credu ei bod yn nodi arwyddocâd datganoli ym mywydau pobl yma yng Nghymru? Mae ei gwestiwn am fanylion ar gyfer tafarndai a chlybiau yn dynodi peth o'r cyfyng-gyngor yr atebais rai cwestiynau yn ei gylch y prynhawn yma, ynglŷn â disgwyl y gallwn fod wedi darparu'r holl fanylion hynny, a llawer mwy, tra bod y Senedd yn dal i eistedd ddoe. Rydym wedi treulio'r bore cyfan, a byddwn yn parhau i dreulio mwy o amser eto, yn gweithio gyda'r sectorau hynny er mwyn sicrhau bod gennym yr atebion sydd eu hangen ar y bobl mewn tafarndai a chlybiau a bwytai, ac mewn rhannau eraill o'n heconomi, sydd am wneud y peth iawn. A rhan o'r ffordd rydym wedi gwneud hynny yng Nghymru yw drwy'r dull partneriaeth gymdeithasol, lle rydym yn gweithio gyda phobl i ddod i gasgliadau ac yna'n cyhoeddi'r canlyniadau. A hyd yn oed nawr, nid oes gennyf rai o'r atebion i'r pwyntiau y mae Mick Antoniw wedi'u codi. Ond rwy'n rhoi sicrwydd iddo ein bod yn parhau i weithio gyda'r sector i roi'r holl gymorth y gallwn ei ddarparu i'r bobl sydd am ddilyn y rheolau, sydd am wneud y peth iawn.
Ar y £500, y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf a welais oedd nad oedd Llywodraeth y DU yn bwriadu ei eithrio rhag treth incwm. Rwy'n gresynu at hynny. Credaf fod hwnnw'n benderfyniad arall sy'n gwrth-ddweud, os yw'n wir—ceisio rhoi incwm i bobl fel nad ydynt yn teimlo o dan bwysau i fynd i'r gwaith a mynd ag arian oddi arnynt gyda'r llaw arall. Gadewch inni obeithio nad dyna fydd y canlyniad terfynol. Byddwn yn siarad â Llywodraeth y DU am y mecanweithiau gorau. Bydd Mick Antoniw yn gwybod bod gennym rai manteision yng Nghymru, ac ni wnaethom erioed roi'r gorau i'r gronfa gymdeithasol yma yn y ffordd y gwnaethant droi cefn arni dros y ffin. Defnyddiwyd ein cronfa cymorth dewisol gennym, yn ei etholaeth ei hun i raddau helaeth iawn, yn ôl ym mis Chwefror, i roi'r cymorth gwerth £501,000 y gallasom ei ddarparu i bobl a oedd wedi dioddef llifogydd. A byddwn yn edrych i weld ai'r gronfa cymorth dewisol, sydd wedi gwneud dros 73,600 o daliadau coronafeirws brys i bobl yng Nghymru, gan ddarparu mwy na £4.6 miliwn o gymorth i bobl yn ystod y pandemig hwn, yw'r cyfrwng gorau ar gyfer cael y £500 i bobl cyn gynted â phosibl a chyda chyn lleied o fiwrocratiaeth â phosibl.
Ar weithio gartref, trafodasom hyn y bore yma yn y cyngor partneriaeth gymdeithasol, gyda TUC Cymru a chydweithwyr o'r undebau llafur unigol yn bresennol, ac mae eu cefnogaeth i hynny'n parhau'n bwysig iawn, a byddwn yn gweithio ymhellach gyda hwy i sicrhau bod yr aelodau a chyflogwyr yn deall y rheolau hynny'n iawn. Lywydd, gadewch i mi orffen drwy ddweud fy mod yn credu bod y mwyafrif helaeth o gyflogwyr yng Nghymru wedi gweithio'n galed iawn i ddiogelu eu gweithwyr, ac nid ydynt wedi dymuno eu rhoi o dan bwysau i ddychwelyd i'r gwaith lle gallent weithio'n llwyddiannus o'u cartrefi. Mewn rhannau eraill o'r Deyrnas Unedig, cafwyd enghreifftiau, er enghraifft, lle mae pobl y gofynnwyd iddynt hunanynysu wedi cael eu diswyddo gan eu cyflogwyr. Bydd y rheoliadau y byddwn yn eu rhoi ar waith yng Nghymru yn atal hynny rhag digwydd yma, oherwydd rydym am ei gwneud yn glir ei bod yn ddyletswydd ar gyflogwyr a gweithwyr i hunanynysu pan roddir y cyngor hwnnw iddynt. Rydym am gefnogi'r holl gyflogwyr da yng Nghymru sydd eisoes yn helpu eu gweithwyr i wneud yn union hynny, a lluniwyd ein rheoliadau, fel bob amser, i gefnogi undebau llafur da a chyflogwyr da sydd am wneud y peth iawn.
Diolch i'r Prif Weinidog.
I thank the First Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r cwestiynau i'r Gweinidog Cyllid, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Joyce Watson.
The next item, therefore, is the questions to the Minister for Finance, and the first question comes from Joyce Watson.
1. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch cyllideb hydref 2020? OQ55560
1. What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government regarding the autumn 2020 budget? OQ55560
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been seven meetings of the finance Ministers' quadrilateral, where we have discussed a range of issues, including the fiscal response to the crisis, the UK Government's autumn budget and the forthcoming comprehensive spending review.
Ers dechrau'r pandemig, cafwyd saith cyfarfod pedairochrog rhwng y Gweinidogion cyllid, lle buom yn trafod amrywiaeth o faterion, gan gynnwys yr ymateb cyllidol i'r argyfwng, cyllideb hydref Llywodraeth y DU a'r adolygiad cynhwysfawr o wariant sydd ar y ffordd.
Thank you for that answer. But at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Welsh Government capped the eligibility scheme for business rate holiday and excluded all retail, hospitality and leisure premises with a rateable value of more than £0.5 million. And that targeted approach enabled Welsh Government to add £100 million to the economic resilience fund that, in turn, helped safeguard thousands of jobs and support thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises during that period. That didn't happen in England, and they don't have an equivalent economic resilience fund, so many of their businesses lost out. So, could I ask you, Minister, when you have your round of talks with the UK Chancellor, will you ask him to take a more targeted response in the autumn budget in order to save those most-at-risk jobs and businesses by a catch-all scheme, whereby you have a situation that large supermarkets, who had a rise and an increase in their profits, benefited at the cost of those smaller businesses?
Diolch am eich ateb. Ond ar ddechrau pandemig COVID-19, capiodd Llywodraeth Cymru y cynllun cymhwysedd ar gyfer seibiant ardrethi busnes a hepgor pob safle manwerthu, lletygarwch a hamdden gyda gwerth trethadwy o fwy na £0.5 miliwn. Ac roedd dull wedi'i dargedu o'r fath yn galluogi Llywodraeth Cymru i ychwanegu £100 miliwn at y gronfa cadernid economaidd a helpodd, yn ei thro, i ddiogelu miloedd o swyddi a chefnogi miloedd o fusnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yn ystod y cyfnod hwnnw. Ni ddigwyddodd hynny yn Lloegr, ac nid oes ganddynt gronfa cadernid economaidd gyfatebol, felly roedd llawer o'u busnesau ar eu colled. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn ichi, Weinidog, pan fyddwch yn cael eich cylch o drafodaethau gyda Changhellor y DU, a wnewch chi ofyn iddo fabwysiadu ymateb wedi'i dargedu'n well yng nghyllideb yr hydref er mwyn achub y swyddi a'r busnesau sydd fwyaf mewn perygl mewn cynllun dal popeth, lle mae gennych sefyllfa sydd wedi golygu bod archfarchnadoedd mawr, a welodd eu helw'n cynyddu, wedi elwa ar draul y busnesau llai hynny?
I thank Joyce Watson for this question and for her ongoing and evident concern for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly, I have to say, in the more rural parts of Wales. And Joyce is absolutely right to point to the fact that businesses in Wales have access to the most generous package of support anywhere in the United Kingdom. So, the Office for National Statistics have recently published some data that shows that 34 per cent of businesses in Wales have benefited from support, as compared to 21 per cent in Scotland and 14 per cent in England. So, that really does show the added value that devolution has brought to the response to this crisis.
And, again, Joyce is right that we do need a much more targeted approach now, as we move into the next phase of addressing the crisis, looking particularly at those sectors of society that have suffered greatly and continue to suffer as a result of the crisis. Hospitality, tourism, for example, stand out, as does aerospace—Jack Sargeant raised that sector in the Chamber just yesterday—and, of course, the automotive industry, the steel industry and so on—all industries that are absolutely vital to Wales, and of which we have a greater share than elsewhere in the UK. So, I give my assurance that I will absolutely be continuing to press for that more targeted approach as we move through our response to the crisis.
Diolch i Joyce Watson am y cwestiwn hwn ac am ei phryder parhaus ac amlwg am fusnesau bach a chanolig eu maint, yn enwedig, rhaid imi ddweud, yn y rhannau mwy gwledig o Gymru. Ac mae Joyce yn llygad ei lle wrth dynnu sylw at y ffaith bod gan fusnesau yng Nghymru fynediad at y pecyn cymorth mwyaf hael yn unman yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Felly, mae'r Swyddfa Ystadegau Gwladol wedi cyhoeddi data yn ddiweddar sy'n dangos bod 34 y cant o fusnesau yng Nghymru wedi elwa o gymorth, o'i gymharu â 21 y cant yn yr Alban a 14 y cant yn Lloegr. Felly, mae hynny'n dangos yn glir y gwerth ychwanegol y mae datganoli wedi'i gyfrannu at yr ymateb i'r argyfwng hwn.
Ac unwaith eto, mae Joyce yn iawn fod arnom angen dull o weithredu sy'n targedu'n llawer gwell yn awr, wrth inni symud i'r cam nesaf o fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng, gan edrych yn benodol ar y sectorau mewn cymdeithas sydd wedi dioddef yn fawr ac sy'n parhau i ddioddef o ganlyniad i'r argyfwng. Mae lletygarwch a thwristiaeth, er enghraifft, yn amlwg, fel y mae awyrofod—nododd Jack Sargeant y sector hwnnw yn y Siambr ddoe ddiwethaf—ac wrth gwrs, y diwydiant modurol, y diwydiant dur ac yn y blaen—yr holl ddiwydiannau sy'n gwbl hanfodol i Gymru, a'r diwydiannau y mae gennym gyfran uwch ohonynt nag mewn mannau eraill yn y DU. Felly, rwy'n rhoi sicrwydd y byddaf yn parhau i bwyso am ddull wedi'i dargedu'n well wrth inni symud drwy ein hymateb i'r argyfwng.
Minister, I'm looking for some detail from you about what you're trying to secure by way of further consequentials in that budget from further education spending. Further education is obviously going to be one of those sectors that we rely on to help us recover from COVID, and while the specific pressures are obviously for another Minister, the £23 million that came from the Welsh Government's COVID pot, welcome though it is, is only partial compensation for the £47 million education budget cut, which was inflicted in order to help feed that COVID pot, and it doesn't really completely reflect the additional COVID consequentials from the UK Government. Can you commit to making it clear where consequentials have come in for FE, as a result of the autumn budget, and also make it clear for us to see whether more, the same or less ends up being committed net by Welsh Government?
Weinidog, rwy'n chwilio am fanylion gennych am yr hyn rydych yn ceisio'i sicrhau ar ffurf symiau canlyniadol pellach yn y gyllideb o wariant ar addysg bellach. Mae'n amlwg y bydd addysg bellach yn un o'r sectorau rydym yn dibynnu arno i'n helpu i ymadfer ar ôl COVID, er mai mater i Weinidog arall yw'r pwysau penodol wrth gwrs, ac er mor dda yw ei gael, dim ond yn rhannol y mae'r £23 miliwn a ddaeth o gronfa COVID Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud iawn am y toriad o £47 miliwn i'r gyllideb addysg, toriad a achoswyd er mwyn helpu i fwydo'r pot COVID hwnnw, ac nid yw'n adlewyrchu'n llwyr y symiau canlyniadol COVID ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth y DU. A wnewch chi ymrwymo i ddweud yn glir ble y cafwyd symiau canlyniadol ar gyfer addysg bellach o ganlyniad i gyllideb yr hydref, a dweud yn glir hefyd inni allu gweld a yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymrwymo i swm net sydd yr un fath, yn fwy, neu'n llai?
Yes, I'm very happy to be extremely transparent in terms of the data on consequentials that we receive from the UK Government. So, very recently I wrote to the Finance Committee giving the latest detail of the consequentials that Welsh Government has received, and in relation to what UK Government spend. Although I will make the point that, of course, the Welsh Government isn't an administrative arm of the UK Government, and money that does come, as a result of consequentials, is deployed in relation to particular Welsh pressures and Welsh priorities and Welsh concerns. I'll also add that we were able to negotiate with the UK Treasury an agreement that we would have consequentials in advance of announcements that have been made across the border in England. So, our total consequentials thus far have been £4 billion, but for part of that we don't yet know to what those consequentials relate, and that was something we were able to negotiate because it did give us the ability, then, in Wales to provide additional funding to health, additional funding to local government, to give them the certainty and ability to plan, rather than waiting for each and every small announcement from the UK Government. So, that's been a really good example of good working between Welsh Government and HM Treasury, although I think there's some way to go yet in terms of the flexibilities that we're seeking.
Rwy'n hapus iawn i fod yn hynod dryloyw ynglŷn â'r data ar symiau canlyniadol a gawn gan Lywodraeth y DU. Felly, yn ddiweddar iawn ysgrifennais at y Pwyllgor Cyllid yn rhoi manylion diweddaraf y symiau canlyniadol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u cael, ac mewn perthynas â'r hyn y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ei wario. Er hynny, rwy'n gwneud y pwynt, wrth gwrs, nad cangen weinyddol o Lywodraeth y DU yw Llywodraeth Cymru, ac mae'r arian a ddaw o ganlyniad i symiau canlyniadol yn cael ei ddefnyddio mewn perthynas â phwysau penodol ar Gymru a blaenoriaethau a phryderon Cymreig. Ychwanegaf hefyd ein bod wedi gallu negodi cytundeb gyda Thrysorlys y DU y byddem yn cael symiau canlyniadol cyn y cyhoeddiadau a wnaed dros y ffin yn Lloegr. Felly, mae cyfanswm ein symiau canlyniadol hyd yma wedi bod yn £4 biliwn, ond nid ydym yn gwybod eto ar gyfer beth y mae rhan o'r symiau canlyniadol hynny, ac roedd hynny'n rhywbeth y bu'n bosibl i ni ei negodi am ei fod yn ein galluogi ni yng Nghymru i ddarparu cyllid ychwanegol i iechyd, cyllid ychwanegol i lywodraeth leol, i roi sicrwydd iddynt a'u galluogi i gynllunio, yn hytrach nag aros am bob cyhoeddiad bach gan Lywodraeth y DU. Felly, mae hynny wedi bod yn enghraifft dda iawn o weithio da rhwng Llywodraeth Cymru a Thrysorlys EM, er fy mod yn credu bod cryn dipyn o ffordd i fynd eto i gael yr hyblygrwydd a geisiwn.
Minister, 2020 has highlighted how vulnerable our economy actually is—vulnerable to COVID and vulnerable to a changing climate. We are woefully unprepared to cope with such shocks to our systems. What discussions have you had with colleagues across all four nations about ensuring funding goes towards mitigating the risks of future pandemics and the challenges we face from climate change?
Weinidog, mae 2020 wedi amlygu pa mor agored i niwed yw ein heconomi mewn gwirionedd—agored i COVID ac agored i hinsawdd sy'n newid. Nid ydym yn barod o gwbl ar gyfer ymdopi â'r fath sioc i'n systemau. Pa drafodaethau a gawsoch gyda chydweithwyr ar draws y pedair gwlad ynglŷn â sicrhau bod cyllid yn mynd tuag at liniaru risgiau pandemig yn y dyfodol a'r heriau sy'n ein hwynebu yn sgil newid yn yr hinsawdd?
I'm really grateful to Caroline for highlighting the fact that, even though we've been dealing with a pandemic, which has been all-consuming in so many ways, actually, that huge issue of climate change hasn't gone away, and, absolutely, we must be continuing to address it. So, our mind is very much focused, as we continue to address the acute end of the pandemic, also on looking ahead to the recovery and the reconstruction. And the discussions that we're having right across Government are very much framed within the lens of our Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, but with that particular focus on how we can create a green and fair recovery.
I know that Jeremy Miles has been working very hard across the summer, engaging with stakeholders right across Welsh life to better understand the concerns and ideas there, and he'll be saying something more about the particular steps that we will take in terms of that recovery shortly. But I can give you reassurance that the decarbonisation agenda, the green agenda, is at the heart of that.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn i Caroline am nodi, er inni fod yn ymdrin â phandemig sydd wedi mynnu ein holl sylw mewn cynifer o ffyrdd, nad yw problem enfawr newid yn yr hinsawdd wedi diflannu, ac yn sicr, rhaid inni barhau i fynd i'r afael â'r broblem honno. Felly, wrth inni barhau i fynd i'r afael â phen acíwt y pandemig, rydym yn rhoi cryn dipyn o ffocws hefyd ar edrych ymlaen at yr adferiad a'r ailadeiladu. Ac mae'r trafodaethau rydym yn eu cael ar draws y Llywodraeth wedi'u fframio'n bendant gan ein Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015, ond gyda ffocws penodol ar sut y gallwn greu adferiad gwyrdd a theg.
Gwn fod Jeremy Miles wedi bod yn gweithio'n galed iawn dros yr haf yn ymgysylltu â rhanddeiliaid ym mhob agwedd ar fywyd yng Nghymru i ddeall yn well y pryderon a'r syniadau sydd i'w cael, a bydd yn sôn mwy am y camau penodol y byddwn yn eu cymryd tuag at yr adferiad hwnnw maes o law. Ond gallaf roi sicrwydd i chi fod yr agenda datgarboneiddio, yr agenda werdd, yn ganolog i hynny.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am lywodraethiant prosiectau cyhoeddus a gaiff eu hariannu gan Lywodraeth Cymru? OQ55573
2. Will the Minister make a statement on the governance of public projects funded by the Welsh Government? OQ55573
Robust appraisal, management and assurance are the core governance principles of the projects funded by the Welsh Government. This includes assessment and management of the risks posed to the project, which is underpinned by an independent review mechanism of the projects performance at key stages in its life-cycle.
Arfarnu, rheolaeth a sicrwydd cadarn yw egwyddorion llywodraethu craidd y prosiectau a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Mae hyn yn cynnwys asesu a rheoli'r risgiau a achosir i'r prosiect, sy'n seiliedig ar fecanwaith adolygu annibynnol o berfformiad y prosiectau ar gyfnodau allweddol yn eu cylch bywyd.
Wel, diolch i chi am yr ateb, ond mi fyddwch chi, wrth gwrs, yn ymwybodol o adroddiad Archwilio Cymru i waith adnewyddu yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd yn ddiweddar. Roedd e'n waith a aeth £60 miliwn dros gyllideb. Nawr, mae yna gerydd amlwg i'r bwrdd iechyd yn yr adroddiad hwnnw, ond dyw Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, ddim yn dod allan ohoni'n dda chwaith. Mae'r adroddiad yn feirniadol iawn o'r trefniadau llywodraethiant, ac er gwaethaf bod pryderon clir wedi'u mynegi am y cynllun busnes, ac nad oedd yr achos busnes yn ddigon cryf—er gwaethaf hynny, fe gafodd y cynllun ei gymeradwyo beth bynnag.
Nawr, pe byddai'r Llywodraeth a'r bwrdd iechyd, wrth gwrs, wedi dilyn y rheolau o gael cynllun busnes clir cyn cymeradwyo'r project, yna mae yna le i gredu y byddai'r cynllun efallai ddim wedi gorwario i'r graddau y gwnaeth e. Felly, fy nghwestiwn i, Weinidog, yw: pwy sy'n cymryd y cyfrifoldeb am y methiant yna?
Well, thank you very much for that response, but you will, of course, be aware of the recent report by Audit Wales on Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, which went £60 million over budget. Now, there is criticism made of the health board there, but it's also very critical of the governance arrangements of the Welsh Government. Despite the clear concerns expressed about the business plan, and the fact that the business case wasn't sufficiently strong—despite that, the plan was approved.
Of course, if the Welsh Government and the health board had had that clear business case in place before approving that plan, then it's unlikely that it would have overspent. So, who takes responsibility for that failure?
Llyr Gruffydd is right to point to what was a critical report from the Wales Audit Office. But it is important at the same time to recognise that the Welsh Government had already taken steps to improve its arrangements for approving business cases before the funding problems at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd came to light. And further improvements in Welsh Government processes have been embedded, reflecting the outcomes of that review into this project.
So, further Welsh Government internal audit work undertaken in 2014 stated that there was no evidence to suggest that the capital estates and facilities did not discharge their function with monitoring the project, and it's very important as well to recognise that, in 2017, the Auditor General for Wales published a report that was called 'Implementation of the NHS Finances (Wales) Act 2014', and within that report there was recognition of the steps that we have taken in Welsh Government, and steps taken by the NHS capital estates and facilities team to significantly strengthen its review of capital projects. And the report said that there are significant lessons and good practice that can be learnt from the approach taken in the Welsh Government's NHS capital programme. So, while I would absolutely acknowledge those issues that were highlighted in the report, it is also important, I think, to acknowledge the progress and improvement that has happened since.
Mae Llyr Gruffydd yn iawn i dynnu sylw at adroddiad beirniadol gan Swyddfa Archwilio Cymru. Ond mae'n bwysig cydnabod ar yr un pryd fod Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi cymryd camau i wella ei threfniadau ar gyfer cymeradwyo achosion busnes cyn i'r problemau ariannu yn Ysbyty Glan Clwyd ddod i'r amlwg. Ac mae gwelliannau pellach ym mhrosesau Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'u hymgorffori, gan adlewyrchu canlyniadau'r adolygiad o'r prosiect.
Felly, nododd gwaith archwilio mewnol pellach a wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru yn 2014 nad oedd unrhyw dystiolaeth i awgrymu nad oedd yr ystadau a chyfleusterau cyfalaf yn cyflawni eu swyddogaeth o ran monitro'r prosiect, ac mae'n bwysig iawn cydnabod hefyd fod Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru, yn 2017, wedi cyhoeddi adroddiad o'r enw 'Gweithredu Deddf Cyllid y GIG (Cymru) 2014' , ac yn yr adroddiad hwnnw, cydnabuwyd y camau a roddwyd ar waith yn Llywodraeth Cymru, a'r camau a gymerwyd gan dîm ystadau a chyfleusterau cyfalaf y GIG i gryfhau ei adolygiad o brosiectau cyfalaf yn sylweddol. A dywedodd yr adroddiad fod cryn dipyn o wersi ac arferion da y gellir eu dysgu o'r dull o weithredu a fabwysiadwyd yn rhaglen gyfalaf y GIG Llywodraeth Cymru. Felly, er y byddwn yn llwyr gydnabod y materion y tynnwyd sylw atynt yn yr adroddiad, credaf ei bod hefyd yn bwysig cydnabod y cynnydd a'r gwelliant sydd wedi digwydd ers hynny.
Unfortunately Minister, this isn't a one-off, is it, because the Wales audit office has repeatedly highlighted areas of public expenditure where the money either was being wasted or failed to deliver a notable outcome? So, we can refer to, for example, the rural development grant or Communities First—those are two that immediately spring to mind. Now, I understand and appreciate that it's down to individual Ministers to decide on their spending portfolios, but as far as you are concerned, as the finance Minister, is it not your role to ensure that value for money is achieved and public money is not wasted? So, please, could you outline the role that you play in ensuring that portfolio holders spend their budgets appropriately and accountably, and how do you and your department help to steer that ship back onto the right course if you see that they are not doing so?
Yn anffodus, Weinidog, nid un waith y digwyddodd hyn oherwydd mae swyddfa archwilio Cymru wedi tynnu sylw dro ar ôl tro at feysydd gwariant cyhoeddus lle roedd yr arian naill ai'n cael ei wastraffu neu ei fod wedi methu sicrhau canlyniad a nodwyd? Felly, gallwn gyfeirio, er enghraifft, at y grant datblygu gwledig neu Cymunedau yn Gyntaf—mae'r rheini'n ddau sy'n dod i'r meddwl ar unwaith. Nawr, rwy'n deall ac yn derbyn mai mater i Weinidogion unigol yw penderfynu ar eu portffolios gwario, ond o'ch rhan chi, fel Gweinidog cyllid, onid eich rôl chi yw sicrhau bod gwerth am arian yn cael ei gyflawni ac nad yw arian cyhoeddus yn cael ei wastraffu? Felly, os gwelwch yn dda, a allech amlinellu'r rôl rydych chi'n ei chwarae yn sicrhau bod deiliaid portffolios yn gwario eu cyllidebau'n briodol ac yn gyfrifol, a sut rydych chi a'ch adran yn helpu i lywio'r llong honno'n ôl i'r cyfeiriad cywir os gwelwch nad ydynt yn gwneud hynny?
I'm really grateful for this opportunity to highlight some of the work within the COVID context that we've been doing to ensure value for money and affordability in every proposal that has been brought forward through the COVID-19 reserve, which, of course, is the funding that is behind everything that we've done to respond to the crisis. So, every single day, at the start of the crisis, I convened a team that looked at every single bid that was coming forward from colleagues across Welsh Government—so, additional funding for the NHS, funding for free school meals, funding to support local authorities with their loss of income. Every single bid that related to our response to COVID has come through that particular group, where we provide that additional layer of surety and that additional layer of robust scrutiny to ensure that we are making decisions that have value for money at their heart and, of course, affordability at their heart too.
So, that group has met probably close to 100 times now since the start of the crisis, and that's all been about interrogating every single bid that comes forward from any part of Government to seek additional funding to respond to the crisis and to provide that additional layer. So, that's very much, I think, a process that I hope will give people confidence that, when these decisions are being taken, and taken very rapidly, there is an additional layer of probity applied to those decisions.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am y cyfle hwn i dynnu sylw at rywfaint o'r gwaith y buom yn ei wneud yng nghyd-destun COVID i sicrhau gwerth am arian a fforddiadwyedd ym mhob cynnig a gyflwynwyd drwy gronfa wrth gefn COVID-19, sef wrth gwrs, y cyllid sy'n sail i bopeth y buom yn ei wneud i ymateb i'r argyfwng. Felly, bob dydd ar ddechrau'r argyfwng, deuthum â thîm at ei gilydd i edrych ar bob cais unigol a gâi ei gyflwyno gan gyd-Aelodau ar draws Llywodraeth Cymru—felly, cyllid ychwanegol i'r GIG, cyllid ar gyfer prydau ysgol am ddim, cyllid i gefnogi awdurdodau lleol a oedd yn colli incwm. Daeth pob cais unigol a oedd yn gysylltiedig â'n hymateb i COVID drwy'r grŵp penodol hwnnw, lle rydym yn darparu'r haen ychwanegol honno o sicrwydd a'r haen ychwanegol honno o graffu cadarn i sicrhau ein bod yn gwneud penderfyniadau sydd â gwerth am arian, a fforddiadwyedd hefyd wrth gwrs, yn ganolog iddynt.
Felly, mae'n debyg fod y grŵp hwnnw wedi cyfarfod yn agos at 100 gwaith bellach ers dechrau'r argyfwng, ac mae hynny i gyd wedi ymwneud ag archwilio pob cais unigol a gyflwynir o unrhyw ran o'r Llywodraeth am gyllid ychwanegol i ymateb i'r argyfwng ac i ddarparu'r haen ychwanegol honno. Felly, credaf fod honno'n broses a fydd yn rhoi hyder i bobl, pan fydd y penderfyniadau hyn yn cael eu gwneud, ac yn cael eu gwneud yn gyflym iawn, fod haen ychwanegol o uniondeb ynghlwm wrth y penderfyniadau hynny.
Minister, as we've already heard from these questions, one of the benefits of the governance of public projects in Wales by the Welsh Government is that there is direct accountability here on the floor of the Senedd and close to the people of Wales, and that's the way it should be. It also means that projects are seen through the paradigm of Welsh policy, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. So does she have any concerns with the idea of quite distant Whitehall Ministers and Whitehall mandarins tramping across Wales in their size 10 boots and distributing largesse in future, without that close-to-the-people accountability and without taking account of the policy framework in Wales?
Weinidog, fel rydym eisoes wedi clywed o'r cwestiynau hyn, un o fanteision llywodraethu prosiectau cyhoeddus yng Nghymru gan Lywodraeth Cymru yw bod atebolrwydd uniongyrchol yma ar lawr y Senedd ac yn agos at bobl Cymru, a dyna'r ffordd y dylai fod. Mae hefyd yn golygu bod prosiectau'n cael eu gweld drwy baradeim polisi Cymreig, gan gynnwys Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015. Felly a oes ganddi unrhyw bryderon ynglŷn â'r syniad o Weinidogion eithaf pell i ffwrdd yn Whitehall a mandariniaid Whitehall yn sathru ar draws Cymru yn eu hesgidiau maint 10 ac yn gwasgaru eu haelioni yn y dyfodol, heb atebolrwydd agos at y bobl a heb ystyried y fframwaith polisi yng Nghymru?
I absolutely do share those concerns and it is really difficult to imagine how just two clauses in a Bill could be more damaging to Wales from a devolved public spending perspective. It puts huge powers in the hands of UK Government Ministers to spend in Wales in areas that are currently devolved and have been devolved for 20 years. We have the networks here in Wales; we understand where the money will make the difference. We have those local relationships that will use the money well.
There are big issues here. I mean, what happens is the UK Government presumably will top-slice money from the Welsh Government's budget; this isn't additional spend. If the UK Government is looking for areas to spend within its own responsibilities, I'm sure that many of us can have a list as long as your arm of ideas that they could spend on, starting off with things such as electrifying the main line to Swansea, investing in the tidal lagoon in Swansea and investing in broadband so that Welsh Government doesn't have to pick up the tab for things that are rightly the responsibility of the UK Government, including rail more widely, and that's another area where we've had to act because the UK Government doesn't want to. So, they should start off by focusing their spend in the areas that they're responsible for and leave Welsh Government to undertake its own responsibilities.
Rwy'n rhannu'r pryderon hynny'n llwyr ac mae'n anodd iawn dychmygu sut y gallai dim ond dau gymal mewn Bil fod yn fwy niweidiol i Gymru o safbwynt gwariant cyhoeddus datganoledig. Mae'n rhoi pwerau enfawr yn nwylo Gweinidogion Llywodraeth y DU i wario yng Nghymru mewn meysydd sydd wedi'u datganoli ar hyn o bryd ac sydd wedi'u datganoli ers 20 mlynedd. Mae gennym y rhwydweithiau yma yng Nghymru; rydym yn deall ble bydd yr arian yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Mae gennym gysylltiadau lleol a fydd yn gwneud defnydd da o'r arian.
Mae cwestiynau mawr yn codi yma. Hynny yw, yr hyn sy'n digwydd yw y bydd Llywodraeth y DU, mae'n debyg, yn tynnu arian oddi ar gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru; nid gwariant ychwanegol yw hwn. Os yw Llywodraeth y DU yn chwilio am feysydd i wario arnynt o fewn ei chyfrifoldebau ei hun, rwy'n siŵr y bydd gan lawer ohonom restr cyn hired â'n breichiau o syniadau y gallent wario arnynt, gan ddechrau gyda phethau fel trydaneiddio'r brif reilffordd i Abertawe, buddsoddi yn y morlyn llanw yn Abertawe a buddsoddi mewn band eang fel nad oes raid i Lywodraeth Cymru dalu'r bil am bethau sy'n rhan o gyfrifoldebau'r DU, gan gynnwys y rheilffyrdd yn ehangach, a dyna faes arall lle bu'n rhaid inni weithredu oherwydd nad yw Llywodraeth y DU am wneud hynny. Felly, dylent ddechrau drwy ganolbwyntio eu gwariant yn y meysydd y maent yn gyfrifol amdanynt a gadael i Lywodraeth Cymru ymgymryd â'i chyfrifoldebau ei hun.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Nick Ramsay.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservatives' spokesperson, Nick Ramsay.
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, procurement is one of the key ways in which public bodies need to be able to demonstrate that they are securing value for money, something that we took evidence from you on recently in the Public Accounts Committee. Two of the Auditor General for Wales's reports in autumn 2017 concluded that national governance arrangements for procurement could be strengthened and should be strengthened. How are you planning to do this?
Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, caffael yw un o'r ffyrdd allweddol y mae angen i gyrff cyhoeddus allu dangos eu bod yn sicrhau gwerth am arian, rhywbeth y clywsom dystiolaeth gennych arno'n ddiweddar yn y Pwyllgor Cyfrifon Cyhoeddus. Daeth dau o adroddiadau Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru yn hydref 2017 i'r casgliad y gellid cryfhau trefniadau llywodraethu cenedlaethol ar gyfer caffael ac y dylid eu cryfhau. Sut y bwriadwch wneud hyn?
Thank you very much for raising that issue, and I think that a key thing in our armoury in terms of procurement is the Wales procurement policy statement. Now, that was last fully updated in 2015, and that provides the strategy and the framework for the Welsh public sector to undertake public procurement. And the effective application of that has delivered positive impacts, but I know that we can do more, we can go further, so a revised WPPS is currently being developed to reflect on and build upon the closer working relationships that have been developed with the Welsh Government and the wider Welsh public sector during the COVID pandemic in our response to it. I think our relationships in that sense have never been better, so it's an opportunity for us to ensure that our procurement benefits from our new ways of working.
Diolch yn fawr am godi'r mater hwnnw, a chredaf mai un peth allweddol yn ein harfogaeth o ran caffael yw datganiad polisi caffael Cymru. Nawr, y tro diwethaf y'i diweddarwyd yn llawn oedd yn 2015, ac mae'n darparu'r strategaeth a'r fframwaith i'r sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru ymgymryd â chaffael cyhoeddus. Ac mae ei gymhwyso'n effeithiol wedi sicrhau effeithiau cadarnhaol, ond gwn y gallwn wneud mwy, gallwn fynd ymhellach, felly mae datganiad polisi caffael diwygiedig yn cael ei ddatblygu ar hyn o bryd i edrych ac adeiladu ar y berthynas waith agosach a ddatblygwyd gyda Llywodraeth Cymru a'r sector cyhoeddus ehangach yng Nghymru yn ein hymateb i bandemig COVID. Rwy'n credu bod ein perthynas waith yn yr ystyr honno yn well nag erioed, felly mae'n gyfle inni sicrhau bod ein gwaith caffael yn elwa o'n ffyrdd newydd o weithio.
Thank you, Minister, and I'm pleased to hear that that work is under way, because the National Procurement Service frameworks do need looking at and overhauling. Public bodies in Wales have been spending in the region of £6 billion procuring goods and services, so we shouldn't be in any doubt about the importance of procurement in getting the Welsh economy moving again. Unfortunately, as you know, the auditor general's reports concluded that public bodies are not using NPS frameworks as much as was originally anticipated, whilst the cancelled procurement for Job Support Wales was a high-profile procurement failure that brought into question the Welsh Government's commitment to be an exemplar of best procurement practice. So, can you update us on, firstly, when your review into this will be published and completed, and how you are addressing these problems so that companies across Wales can be reassured that the Welsh Government is getting to grips with these problems and changing the whole procurement culture in Wales?
Diolch, Weinidog, ac rwy'n falch o glywed bod y gwaith hwnnw'n mynd rhagddo, oherwydd mae angen edrych ar fframweithiau'r Gwasanaeth Caffael Cenedlaethol a'u hailwampio. Mae cyrff cyhoeddus yng Nghymru wedi bod yn gwario tua £6 biliwn yn caffael nwyddau a gwasanaethau, felly ni ddylai fod gennym unrhyw amheuaeth ynghylch pwysigrwydd caffael i sicrhau bod economi Cymru'n symud eto. Yn anffodus, fel y gwyddoch, daeth adroddiadau'r archwilydd cyffredinol i'r casgliad nad yw cyrff cyhoeddus yn defnyddio fframweithiau'r Gwasanaeth Caffael Cenedlaethol gymaint ag y rhagwelwyd yn wreiddiol, tra bo'r broses gaffael a ganslwyd ar gyfer Cymorth Swyddi Cymru yn fethiant proffil uchel o ran caffael a oedd yn bwrw amheuaeth ar ymrwymiad Llywodraeth Cymru i fod yn batrwm o arferion caffael gorau. Felly, a allwch roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni, yn gyntaf, pryd y caiff eich adolygiad o hyn ei gyhoeddi a'i gwblhau, a sut rydych chi'n datrys y problemau fel y gellir sicrhau cwmnïau ledled Cymru fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'r afael â'r problemau hyn ac yn newid holl ddiwylliant caffael yng Nghymru?
I'm happy to provide that update. So, my colleague Lee Waters has been leading on some really important work in terms of the foundational economy, and, as part of that work, we commissioned the Centre for Local Economic Strategies to work with us to ensure that we can identify public services boards clusters across Wales and work with them to consider new ways of working and how they can maximise the procurement opportunities in local economies. Now, that work has been affected by COVID, but implementation plans will be agreed by the end of this month. And the underlying objective for that is to identify areas of procurement that currently flow out of the region or, indeed, out of Wales, and to ensure that that's used as the baseline then to develop those new approaches, to drive up the involvement of local suppliers in expenditure. So, a really important piece of work and a new way of working and, as I say, we should be able to say more about the agreement of plans to take that forward later on this month.
Rwy'n hapus i ddarparu'r diweddariad hwnnw. Felly, mae fy nghyd-Aelod Lee Waters wedi bod yn arwain ar waith gwirioneddol bwysig ar yr economi sylfaenol, ac fel rhan o'r gwaith hwnnw, comisiynwyd y Ganolfan Strategaethau Economaidd Lleol gennym i weithio gyda ni i sicrhau y gallwn nodi clystyrau o fyrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ledled Cymru a gweithio gyda hwy i ystyried ffyrdd newydd o weithio a sut y gallant fanteisio i'r eithaf ar y cyfleoedd caffael mewn economïau lleol. Nawr, mae COVID wedi effeithio ar y gwaith hwnnw, ond bydd cynlluniau gweithredu'n cael eu cytuno erbyn diwedd y mis hwn. A'r amcan sylfaenol ar gyfer hynny yw nodi meysydd caffael sy'n llifo allan o'r rhanbarth ar hyn o bryd neu allan o Gymru yn wir, a sicrhau bod hynny'n cael ei ddefnyddio fel y llinell sylfaen i ddatblygu'r dulliau newydd, er mwyn cynyddu cyfranogiad cyflenwyr lleol mewn gwariant. Felly, gwaith gwirioneddol bwysig a ffordd newydd o weithio ac fel y dywedais, dylem allu dweud mwy ynglŷn â chytuno ar gynlluniau ar gyfer datblygu hynny yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn.
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing that information later this month. I appreciate that officials' time and your own time and the Government's time over recent time has been preoccupied with the pandemic and dealing with that, but if I can, in my final question to you, ask how this whole issue of procurement can be seen in terms of the issue of building back better, and renewing the culture that we have in Wales. Procurement surely does have a huge part to play in achieving the building back better process, given the huge amounts of money that we are talking about here—the £6 billion I mentioned before, but there's additional money as well. It's also important, I'm sure you'll agree, that procurement policy is in alignment with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The commissioner has called on the Welsh Government to factor in the Act at the very start of the procurement process, or even, importantly, at a pre-procurement stage. This is, as I said before, Minister, about changing the whole culture of how we deal with procurement in Wales. It's a massive area, but do you agree that, along with tax policy, actually—another big change in recent times to the way that this place operates—it can be one of the key levers at your disposal in providing value for money for the taxpayer, supporting the Welsh economy and helping in that process of building back better?
Diolch, ac edrychaf ymlaen at glywed y wybodaeth honno yn ddiweddarach y mis hwn. Rwy'n sylweddoli bod amser swyddogion a'ch amser eich hun ac amser y Llywodraeth dros y cyfnod diweddar wedi'i neilltuo'n bennaf ar gyfer y pandemig ac ymdrin â hynny, ond yn fy nghwestiwn olaf i chi, os caf ofyn sut y gellir gweld holl fater caffael yn nhermau adeiladu'n ôl yn well, ac adnewyddu'r diwylliant sydd gennym yng Nghymru. Mae'n sicr fod gan gaffael ran enfawr i'w chwarae yn y broses o adeiladu'n ôl well, o gofio'r symiau enfawr o arian rydym yn sôn amdanynt yma—y £6 biliwn y soniais amdano yn flaenorol, ond ceir arian ychwanegol hefyd. Rwy'n siŵr y cytunwch ei bod hefyd yn bwysig fod polisi caffael yn cyd-fynd â Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015. Mae'r comisiynydd wedi galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i ystyried y Ddeddf ar ddechrau'r broses gaffael, neu hyd yn oed, yn bwysig, ar gam cyn caffael. Mae hyn, fel y dywedais o'r blaen, Weinidog, yn ymwneud â newid holl ddiwylliant y ffordd rydym yn ymdrin â chaffael yng Nghymru. Mae'n faes enfawr, ond a ydych yn cytuno, ynghyd â pholisi treth—newid mawr arall yn ddiweddar i'r ffordd y mae'r lle hwn yn gweithredu—y gall fod yn un o'r prif ysgogiadau at eich defnydd o ran darparu gwerth am arian i'r trethdalwr, cefnogi economi Cymru a helpu yn y broses o adeiladu'n ôl yn well?
Yes. Oh my gosh, I find myself in agreement with the Conservative spokesperson on that issue. Absolutely, procurement can play a huge role in terms of building back better in ensuring that spend is kept in our local communities.
You'll be familiar with the foundational economy challenge fund. That's been really important in terms of identifying local areas where improvement can be made. So, an example would be the forest nation centre, and that's testing the concept of using skilled, value-added manufacturing approaches to increase the use of Welsh timber within housing, and that's something of interest across several portfolios in Government. And also the controlled environment agriculture pilot, and that's exploring the development of community, old agriculture facilities. So, lots of different ways in which we can ensure that spend is kept more locally for the benefit of local people, and that challenge fund I think has been really instrumental in bringing forward new innovative ways of working on which inevitably we will want to build as we come out of the crisis.
Ydw. Mawredd, dyma fi'n cytuno â llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr ar y mater hwnnw. Yn sicr, gall caffael chwarae rhan enfawr yn y broses o adeiladu'n ôl yn well drwy sicrhau bod gwariant yn cael ei gadw yn ein cymunedau lleol.
Fe fyddwch yn gyfarwydd â chronfa her yr economi sylfaenol. Mae wedi bod yn bwysig iawn wrth nodi meysydd lleol lle gellir gwella. Felly, un enghraifft fyddai canolfan cenedl y goedwig, sy'n profi'r cysyniad o ddefnyddio dulliau gweithgynhyrchu medrus i ychwanegu gwerth er mwyn cynyddu'r defnydd o bren o Gymru mewn tai, ac mae hynny o ddiddordeb i sawl portffolio yn y Llywodraeth. A hefyd y cynllun peilot amaethyddiaeth amgylchedd rheoledig, sy'n archwilio datblygiad hen gyfleusterau amaethyddol cymunedol. Felly, llawer o wahanol ffyrdd y gallwn sicrhau bod gwariant yn cael ei gadw'n fwy lleol er budd pobl leol, ac rwy'n credu bod y gronfa her honno wedi bod yn allweddol wrth gyflwyno ffyrdd newydd arloesol o weithio y byddwn yn anochel yn awyddus i adeiladu arnynt wrth inni ddod allan o'r argyfwng.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
The Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Diolch, Llywydd. Efo chwarter poblogaeth Cymru erbyn hyn dan gyfyngiadau uwch yn sgil y pandemig ar hyn o bryd, mi roeddwn i'n falch o weld mesurau newydd yn cael eu cyhoeddi neithiwr i gefnogi pobl yn ariannol. Dwi'n cyfeirio'n bennaf at y taliad o £500 i bobl ar incwm isel a chefnogaeth hefyd i gyflogwyr allu parhau i gyflogi pobl sydd yn sâl. Dwi'n meddwl ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn ein bod ni'n cael manylion y cynllun yma cyn gynted â phosib. Oes posib cael y manylion hynny rŵan? Ac, a ydyn ni'n debyg o gael rhagor o gyhoeddiadau am gefnogaeth yn benodol i ardaloedd sydd yn cael eu hadnabod fel y rhai sydd angen bod mewn mesurau mwy cyfyng?
Thank you, Llywydd. With a quarter of the Welsh population now under higher level restrictions as a result of the pandemic, I was pleased to see new measures announced last night to support people financially. I'm referring mainly to the £500 payment for those on lower incomes and support for employers to continue to employ people who are unwell. I think it's very important that we have the details of this scheme as soon as possible. Could we have those details now, and are we likely to see further announcements on support specifically for those areas identified as needing more restrictions in place?
Thank you. As you say, last night, the First Minister made the announcement about the £500 payment for people on low incomes who are required to self-isolate. As he said earlier on in the First Minister's statement, we're still working on the details of that, looking at the delivery mechanisms. The First Minister talked about the potential for using the discretionary assistance fund as a mechanism for that. Other options are available and are also being considered. And we're also looking in detail at what the eligibility criteria will be as well. So, I'm afraid I can't give you all of those details today because some modelling work is being undertaken by Welsh Treasury on that, but, as soon as we do have more details about the scheme, obviously, I'll be very, very keen to share that.
Diolch. Fel y dywedwch, neithiwr, cyhoeddodd y Prif Weinidog y bydd taliad o £500 yn cael ei roi i bobl ar incwm isel a fydd yn gorfod hunanynysu. Fel y dywedodd yn gynharach yn natganiad y Prif Weinidog, rydym yn dal i weithio ar fanylion hynny, gan edrych ar y mecanweithiau darparu. Soniodd y Prif Weinidog am y potensial i ddefnyddio'r gronfa cymorth dewisol fel mecanwaith ar gyfer gwneud hynny. Mae opsiynau eraill ar gael ac yn cael eu hystyried hefyd. Ac rydym hefyd yn edrych yn fanwl ar beth fydd y meini prawf cymhwysedd. Felly, mae arnaf ofn na allaf roi'r holl fanylion hynny i chi heddiw gan fod gwaith modelu ar y gweill gan Drysorlys Cymru ar hynny, ond cyn gynted ag y bydd gennym fwy o fanylion am y cynllun, yn amlwg, byddaf yn awyddus iawn i rannu hynny.
Dwi'n gwerthfawrogi bod yna waith gweithio ar y manylion, ond dwi'n cofio taliad arall o £500 a gafodd ei gyhoeddi rai misoedd yn ôl i weithwyr yn y sector gofal, ac mi gymerwyd amser hirfaith i weithio allan sut i wneud y taliad hwnnw, a dyw'r broses ddim drosodd eto.
Mae awdurdodau lleol, os caf i symud ymlaen, wedi gwneud gwaith arwrol yn ystod y pandemig yma. Dwi yn bryderus o glywed am gryn ansicrwydd ymhlith arweinwyr llywodraeth leol ynglŷn â chyllid i gynghorau wrth inni wynebu'r gaeaf, sy'n mynd i fod yn straen, wrth gwrs. Yn ôl un cyngor yn benodol, mi lwyddwyd i hawlio colledion chwarter 1 yn ôl yn ddigon rhwydd, ond mae'r stori'n wahanol iawn efo chwarter 2. Felly, gaf i gadarnhad o'r gefnogaeth ychwanegol sy'n barod i fynd i goffrau cynghorau i'w digolledu nhw, a chadarnhad bod prosesau'n cael eu prysuro i sicrhau bod colledion sydd wedi cael eu gweld yn barod yn cael eu talu nôl ar fyrder, neu fe fydd cynghorau'n wynebu'r straen yn fuan iawn, iawn?
I appreciate that you are still working on the details, but I remember another £500 payment that was announced some months ago for workers in the care sector, and it took an exceptionally long time to work out how that payment should be made, and that process isn't completed even today.
Local authorities, if I could move forward, have done heroic work during this pandemic. I am concerned to hear about some uncertainty among local government leaders regarding funding for councils as we face the winter months, which are going to be a strain, of course. According to one council, they managed to reclaim first quarter losses quite easily, but the story is very different with the second quarter. So, can I have confirmation of the additional support that's ready to be provided to compensate councils and confirmation that processes are being hastened to ensure that losses incurred already are paid back as a matter of urgency, or councils are going to face great stresses very, very soon?
Well, Welsh Government worked really closely alongside the Welsh Local Government Association and the Society of Welsh Treasurers through the early part of the summer to better understand the potential for lost income across the rest of the financial year. Lost income might come from things such as a lack of services that the council might normally provide—for example, car parking, theatres, and so on. So, a great deal of detailed work went on there and that's why I was very recently able to announce additional funding for local authorities in respect of items, including lost earnings, which brought the additional funding for local government up to nearly £500 million. So, I think we have worked with them beyond that first tranche of funding, which I recall was in the region of £70 million. But now we have provided funding that should look across to the end of the financial year. So, I'm concerned to hear that a local authority has suggested that this is an ongoing issue, but perhaps if you write to me we can get into a bit more of the detail of that.
Wel, gweithiodd Llywodraeth Cymru yn agos iawn ochr yn ochr â Chymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru a Chymdeithas Trysoryddion Cymru drwy ddechrau'r haf i ddeall yn well y perygl o golli incwm ar draws gweddill y flwyddyn ariannol. Gallai incwm a gollwyd ddeillio o bethau fel diffyg gwasanaethau y byddai'r cyngor yn eu darparu fel arfer—er enghraifft, parcio ceir, theatrau, ac yn y blaen. Felly, aeth llawer iawn o waith manwl rhagddo ar hynny a dyna pam y bu modd i mi gyhoeddi'n ddiweddar iawn fod cyllid ychwanegol i'w roi i awdurdodau lleol mewn perthynas ag eitemau, gan gynnwys enillion a gollwyd, gan olygu bod cyllid ychwanegol i lywodraeth leol bellach bron yn £500 miliwn. Felly, credaf ein bod wedi gweithio gyda hwy y tu hwnt i'r gyfran gyntaf honno o gyllid y cofiaf ei fod oddeutu £70 miliwn. Ond nawr rydym wedi darparu cyllid a ddylai bara tan ddiwedd y flwyddyn ariannol. Felly, mae'n destun pryder fod awdurdod lleol wedi awgrymu bod hon yn broblem barhaus, ond os ysgrifennwch ataf, efallai y gallwn gael ychydig mwy o fanylion ynglŷn â hynny.
Y pryder ydy, wrth gwrs, ei fod o'n mynd i fod yn fater sydd yn parhau am amser maith, ac mae yna bryderon, yn sicr, dros beth ddigwyddiff dros y gaeaf.
Yn olaf, dwi eisiau cael rhywbeth ar y cofnod, mewn difrif. Wrth inni wynebu dod allan o'r twll economaidd rydym ni ynddo fo ar hyn o bryd, mae wedi dod yn glir yn ystod y pandemig yma bod trefniadau ffisgal Cymru yn gwbl, gwbl annigonol. Gaf i sicrwydd gennych chi bod trafod efo Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig y rheolau a'r amgylchiadau ffisgal newydd yr hoffech chi eu gweld yn mynd i fod yn flaenoriaeth i chi? A wnewch chi gytuno â fi dyw hyn yn sicr ddim yn rhywbeth sy'n gallu cael ei roi o'r neilltu oherwydd COVID, mae o'n rhywbeth sydd angen ei wneud yn gyflymach a'i brysuro oherwydd COVID a'r problemau economaidd sydd wedi dod yn sgil hynny?
The concern is, of course, that it will be an ongoing issue for quite some time, and there are certainly concerns about what will happen over the winter months.
And finally, I wanted to get something on record, if truth be told. As we face climbing out of the economic hole that we're in at present, it's become apparent during this pandemic that the fiscal arrangements of Wales are entirely inadequate. Can I have an assurance from you that there is discussion with the UK Government on the new rules and fiscal circumstances that you would like to see and that that will be a priority for you? And will you agree with me that this is certainly something that cannot be put to one side because of COVID—it's something that needs to be done more swiftly as a result of COVID and the economic problems caused by it?
Absolutely, I'll give you my assurance that inter-governmental mechanisms in relation to finance, and also fiscal flexibilities in particular, will continue to be at the heart of conversations that I have with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. So, you'll recall earlier on in the summer one of our big concerns was about being able to switch capital to revenue—that was something that we were looking to do. But, actually, as a result of the additional advance funding I was able to negotiate with the Treasury, I'm actually more interested in different flexibilities now. So, one would be, for example, the ability to draw down more from our Wales reserve, should we need it, or to carry more over at the end of the financial year, if we felt that was prudent to do as well. Because, obviously, the crisis is no respecter of financial years, and things can happen right at the end of a financial year, or at the beginning, and it makes the budget management very difficult.
Now, all of these things are things that the UK Government could very, very simply agree to. They don't involve additional funding; they simply involve allowing us to use the funding that we have in the best way. So, I'll continue to have those discussions. I know that there's sympathy, actually, from various parts of the Senedd on that—and beyond—so, if we can work collaboratively on that, I'd welcome those opportunities.
Yn bendant, rwy'n rhoi sicrwydd i chi y bydd mecanweithiau rhynglywodraethol mewn perthynas â chyllid, yn ogystal â hyblygrwydd cyllidol yn arbennig, yn parhau i fod yn ganolog i'r sgyrsiau a gaf gyda Phrif Ysgrifennydd y Trysorlys. Felly, fe fyddwch yn cofio'n gynharach yn yr haf fod un o'n pryderon mawr yn ymwneud â gallu newid cyfalaf yn refeniw—roedd hynny'n rhywbeth roeddem yn awyddus i'w wneud. Ond mewn gwirionedd, o ganlyniad i'r cyllid ychwanegol ymlaen llaw y llwyddais i'w negodi gyda'r Trysorlys, mae mwy o ddiddordeb gennyf erbyn hyn mewn gwahanol fathau o hyblygrwydd. Felly, un math o hyblygrwydd, er enghraifft, fyddai’r gallu i dynnu mwy i lawr o gronfa wrth gefn Cymru pe bai ei angen arnom, neu i gario mwy ymlaen ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn ariannol, pe baem yn teimlo ei bod yn ddoeth inni wneud hynny hefyd. Oherwydd yn amlwg, nid yw'r argyfwng yn parchu blynyddoedd ariannol, a gall pethau ddigwydd ar ddiwedd blwyddyn ariannol, neu ar y dechrau, ac mae'n gwneud y gwaith o reoli’r gyllideb yn anodd iawn.
Nawr, mae'r holl bethau hyn yn bethau y gallai Llywodraeth y DU gytuno iddynt yn hawdd iawn. Nid ydynt yn cynnwys cyllid ychwanegol; maent yn golygu caniatáu inni ddefnyddio'r cyllid sydd gennym yn y ffordd orau. Felly, byddaf yn parhau i gael trafodaethau o'r fath. Gwn fod gwahanol rannau o'r Senedd—a thu hwnt—yn gefnogol i hynny, felly os gallwn weithio ar y cyd arnynt, byddwn yn croesawu'r cyfleoedd hynny.
Llefarydd Plaid Brexit, Mark Reckless.
Brexit Party spokesperson, Mark Reckless.
The First Minister, a couple of weeks ago, was asked, I believe, about income tax rises, potentially, next year, and I think he replied that, with COVID, the economy was so weak that it'd be wrong to contemplate any increase in income tax. Does that mean that income tax rises should only be considered when the economy is strong?
Gofynnwyd i'r Prif Weinidog, ychydig wythnosau yn ôl rwy'n credu, ynglŷn â'r posibilrwydd o godi treth incwm y flwyddyn nesaf, a chredaf iddo ymateb drwy ddweud bod yr economi mor wan yn sgil COVID fel y byddai'n anghywir inni ystyried unrhyw godiadau treth incwm. A yw hynny'n golygu mai dim ond pan fydd yr economi'n gryf y dylid ystyried codiadau treth incwm?
So, as you say, the First Minister was interviewed on precisely this issue, and he did say that he wouldn't consider raising income taxes for people when the economy was in a very difficult situation and, potentially, in a recession. Of course, we've looked ahead at the data that we've had from the Bank of England, from others, as to what the economy might look like. Obviously, there are severe difficulties in terms of the crisis anyway, but, as we move closer towards the end of the year and potentially facing a 'no deal' Brexit, obviously that will compound the issues facing us. So, the First Minister was quite clear that there would be no intention to increase income taxes when the economy was in a particularly difficult situation. And, of course, I know that we're all turning our minds towards this as we think of what we will be offering the people of Wales in the upcoming election, and I look forward to a debate on income tax later on in the Chamber this afternoon too.
Fel y dywedwch, cynhaliwyd cyfweliad gyda'r Prif Weinidog ar yr union fater hwn, a dywedodd na fyddai’n ystyried codi trethi incwm i bobl pan fo'r economi mewn sefyllfa anodd iawn, ac o bosibl, mewn dirwasgiad. Wrth gwrs, rydym wedi edrych ar y data rydym wedi'i gael gan Fanc Lloegr, a chan eraill, o ran sut olwg fyddai ar yr economi. Yn amlwg, ceir anawsterau mawr mewn perthynas â’r argyfwng beth bynnag, ond wrth inni agosáu at ddiwedd y flwyddyn a wynebu'r posibilrwydd o Brexit heb gytundeb, yn amlwg bydd hynny'n gwaethygu'r problemau sy'n ein hwynebu. Felly, dywedodd y Prif Weinidog yn eithaf clir nad oes unrhyw fwriad i gynyddu trethi incwm pan fo'r economi mewn sefyllfa arbennig o anodd. Ac wrth gwrs, gwn fod pob un ohonom yn ystyried hyn wrth inni feddwl beth y byddwn yn ei gynnig i bobl Cymru yn yr etholiad sydd ar y gorwel, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at ddadl ar dreth incwm yn y Siambr yn nes ymlaen y prynhawn yma hefyd.
Given the very significant impact on the Welsh Government's finances of the COVID crisis, and, in particular, the likely reduction in tax yield because of more stringent measures in Wales compared to what the UK Government has done for England, how, ultimately, does the Minister expect to put the public finances back on a sustainable footing? Will she be cutting spending? Will she be increasing Welsh rates of income tax? Or will she be expecting a bail-out from the UK Government?
O ystyried effaith sylweddol iawn yr argyfwng COVID ar gyllid Llywodraeth Cymru, ac yn benodol, y gostyngiad tebygol mewn arenillion treth oherwydd y mesurau llymach yng Nghymru o gymharu â’r hyn y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi’i wneud yn Lloegr, sut y mae’r Gweinidog yn y pen draw yn disgwyl rhoi cyllid cyhoeddus yn ôl ar sylfaen gynaliadwy unwaith eto? A fydd yn torri gwariant? A fydd yn cynyddu cyfraddau treth incwm Cymreig? Neu a fydd yn disgwyl i Lywodraeth y DU ei hachub?
So, I don't think that the differential rate of moving out of lockdown between Wales and the UK Government will have a big impact on tax yields. Land transaction tax and landfill disposals tax are our two Welsh taxes, and both of those account for a relatively small portion of the Welsh Government's budget, and, of course, although the movement out of lockdown was different, actually, across both sides of the border, we both faced severe disruption to these for a significant number of months this year. So, I don't think that the impact will be great on the Welsh Government's budget.
Ni chredaf y bydd y gwahaniaeth o ran pa mor gyflym yr aeth Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU ati i godi’r cyfyngiadau symud yn cael effaith fawr ar arenillion treth. Treth trafodiadau tir a’r dreth gwarediadau tirlenwi yw ein dwy dreth yng Nghymru, ac mae'r ddwy ohonynt yn gyfran gymharol fach o gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru, ac wrth gwrs, er i’r cyfyngiadau symud gael eu codi mewn ffyrdd gwahanol ar ddwy ochr y ffin, amharwyd yn sylweddol ar y rhain yn y ddwy wlad am nifer fawr o fisoedd eleni. Felly, ni chredaf y bydd yr effaith ar gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru yn fawr.
3. Pa asesiad y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'i wneud o gynigion Llywodraeth y DU i ddarparu cyllid i gwblhau ffordd liniaru'r M4? OQ55554
3. What assessment has the Minister made of the UK Government's proposals to provide funding to complete the M4 relief road? OQ55554
The decision on whether or not to proceed with the M4 relief road was, and remains, an entirely devolved matter.
Roedd y penderfyniad ynglŷn ag a ddylid bwrw ymlaen â ffordd liniaru’r M4 yn fater cwbl ddatganoledig, ac mae’n parhau i fod felly.
That's not what everyone in the UK Government says, is it? You referred earlier, Minister, to what you said were two clauses that could not be more damaging to Wales. If I understood correctly, those were two clauses enabling, or at least confirming, the ability of UK Government to spend money in devolved areas over and above money already committed by devolved Government. Surely, for most people outside the Cardiff Bay bubble, that would be an unambiguously good thing, if they have the UK Government spending money over and above what Welsh Government spends. Given, in your election manifesto, you said you would build the M4 relief road, if UK Government is willing to pay for that instead, and we get it without having to pay for it, wouldn't that be a good thing?
Nid dyna y mae pawb yn Llywodraeth y DU yn ei ddweud, nage? Fe gyfeirioch chi'n gynharach, Weinidog, at yr hyn a alwoch yn ddau gymal na allent fod yn fwy niweidiol i Gymru. Os wyf wedi deall yn iawn, dau gymal oedd y rheini a oedd yn galluogi, neu o leiaf yn cadarnhau gallu Llywodraeth y DU i wario arian mewn meysydd datganoledig yn ychwanegol at arian a ymrwymwyd eisoes gan Lywodraeth ddatganoledig. I'r rhan fwyaf o bobl y tu allan i swigen Bae Caerdydd, does bosibl na fyddai hynny’n ddiamheuol yn beth da, pe bai Llywodraeth y DU yn gwario arian y tu hwnt i'r hyn y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wario. O gofio i chi ddweud yn eich maniffesto etholiad y byddech yn adeiladu ffordd liniaru’r M4, os yw Llywodraeth y DU yn barod i dalu amdani yn eich lle, a'n bod yn ei chael heb orfod talu amdani, oni fyddai hynny'n beth da?
The internal market Bill says nothing about spending on public services over and above the Welsh Government's budget. I'm sure that, if we're all honest, we would understand that this will mean a reduction in the Welsh Government's budget. And, of course, I'm not going to rake over the decision that was made some time ago now by the First Minister, but affordability was part of that. The other major concern that he had was about the environmental impact of the plans as well. But, as I say, this currently remains the purview of the Welsh Government.
Nid yw'r Bil marchnad fewnol yn dweud unrhyw beth am wario ar wasanaethau cyhoeddus yn ychwanegol at gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru. Rwy’n siŵr, pe baem i gyd yn onest, y byddem yn deall y byddai hyn yn golygu gostyngiad yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru. Ac wrth gwrs, nid wyf am fynd i ddadansoddi’r penderfyniad a wnaed gan y Prif Weinidog beth amser yn ôl bellach, ond roedd fforddiadwyedd yn rhan ohono. Y pryder mawr arall a oedd ganddo oedd effaith amgylcheddol y cynlluniau. Ond fel rwy'n dweud, mae hwn yn dal i fod yn fater i Lywodraeth Cymru ar hyn o bryd.
Can I ask, Minister—can I ask you about the 29 houses that were purchased for over £15 million via compulsory purchase orders in preparation for the building of the M4 relief road, and, specifically, the two properties that were bought for just under £1 million in April of last year, just two months before the First Minister took the decision to abandon the M4 relief scheme? People looking in will certainly, I think, feel that these decisions on spends were disjointed. We've now seen £157 million of taxpayers' money wasted. In regards to the properties purchased, money would have been spent, of course, on professional fees. The properties themselves remain as assets. Can you provide an update in regards to the position of these properties? Have they been sold? Are they being marketed? And how much capital has been released back to the Welsh Government to allow it to spend on other capital projects?
Weinidog, a gaf fi ofyn—a gaf fi ofyn i chi am y 29 tŷ a brynwyd am dros £15 miliwn drwy orchmynion prynu gorfodol i baratoi ar gyfer adeiladu ffordd liniaru’r M4, ac yn benodol, y ddau eiddo a brynwyd am ychydig o dan £1 filiwn ym mis Ebrill y llynedd, ddeufis yn unig cyn i’r Prif Weinidog wneud y penderfyniad i roi’r gorau i gynllun ffordd liniaru’r M4? Yn sicr, credaf y bydd pobl sy'n edrych ar hyn o'r tu allan yn teimlo bod y penderfyniadau hyn ar wariant yn ddi-drefn. Erbyn hyn, rydym wedi gweld £157 miliwn o arian y trethdalwyr yn cael ei wastraffu. O ran yr eiddo a brynwyd, byddai arian wedi cael ei wario ar ffioedd proffesiynol wrth gwrs. Mae'r eiddo eu hunain yn parhau i fod yn asedau. A allwch roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf inni ynglŷn â sefyllfa’r eiddo hyn? A ydynt wedi cael eu gwerthu? A ydynt yn cael eu rhoi ar y farchnad? A faint o gyfalaf sydd wedi'i ryddhau yn ôl i Lywodraeth Cymru i ganiatáu iddi wario ar brosiectau cyfalaf eraill?
I will have to liaise with my colleague the Minister for enviroment—sorry, the Minister for economy and transport—in relation to your question about the properties, are they being sold, have they been sold and so on. I'm afraid I don't have that answer, but I'll ensure that you do get it.
Bydd yn rhaid i mi gael sgwrs gyda fy nghyd-Aelod, Gweinidog yr amgylchedd—mae’n ddrwg gennyf, Gweinidog yr economi a thrafnidiaeth—ynglŷn â'ch cwestiwn am yr eiddo, a ydynt yn cael eu gwerthu, a ydynt wedi'u gwerthu ac ati. Mae arnaf ofn nad yw'r ateb hwnnw gennyf, ond byddaf yn sicrhau eich bod yn ei gael.
Minister, would you agree with me that if UK Government has funding available for transport infrastructure in south-east Wales it should come to the Welsh Government to decide how it should be spent? And, in line with the M4 commission, it should be spent on public transport infrastructure, for example, a new walkway station in Magor, which is very much supported by the local community.
Weinidog, a fyddech yn cytuno â mi, os oes gan Lywodraeth y DU arian ar gael ar gyfer y seilwaith trafnidiaeth yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru, mai Llywodraeth Cymru a ddylai benderfynu sut y dylid ei wario? Ac yn unol â chomisiwn yr M4, dylid ei wario ar seilwaith trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus, er enghraifft, gorsaf rodfa newydd ym Magwyr, sy’n syniad y mae’r gymuned leol yn ei gefnogi’n fawr.
Yes, I do absolutely agree with John Griffiths on this. He, as well as I, welcomes the latest report from Lord Burns and his team and the significant evidence base that sits behind that, and, of course, it recommends a significant upgrade to the south Wales relief rail lines as part of an integrated multimodal public transport network. This, of course, is something that John Griffiths has been promoting for his area for some time, and it does point the way to a more sustainable, long-term alternative to car use in that part of the world. I think that this is the right way forward, and we're very happy to work with John Griffiths and others to ensure that we can play our part in making that a reality.
Ie, rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr â John Griffiths ar hyn. Mae ef a minnau'n croesawu’r adroddiad diweddaraf gan yr Arglwydd Burns a’i dîm a’r sylfaen dystiolaeth sylweddol sy’n sail iddo, ac wrth gwrs, mae’n argymell gwaith uwchraddio sylweddol ar reilffyrdd lliniaru de Cymru fel rhan o rwydwaith trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus aml-ddull integredig. Mae hyn, wrth gwrs, yn rhywbeth y mae John Griffiths wedi bod yn ei hyrwyddo ar gyfer ei ardal ers peth amser, ac mae'n gam tuag at ddewis amgen mwy cynaliadwy a hirdymor na cheir yn y rhan honno o'r byd. Credaf mai dyma'r ffordd iawn ymlaen, ac rydym yn fwy na pharod i weithio gyda John Griffiths ac eraill i sicrhau y gallwn chwarae ein rhan i wireddu hynny.
4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am unrhyw gyllid canlyniadol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i gael o ganlyniad i gronfa Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer adfer adeiladau sydd â deunydd cladin nad yw'n alwminiwm? OQ55537
4. Will the Minister make a statement on any consequential funding the Welsh Government has received as a result of the UK Government's remediation of non-aluminium cladding material buildings fund? OQ55537
As set out in my letter of 24 April to the Finance Committee, the Welsh Government received consequentials of £58 million capital and £1.2 million revenue as a result of the UK Government's building safety fund announced in March.
Fel y nodwyd yn fy llythyr at y Pwyllgor Cyllid ar 24 Ebrill, derbyniodd Llywodraeth Cymru gyllid canlyniadol o £58 miliwn o gyfalaf a £1.2 miliwn o refeniw o ganlyniad i gronfa diogelwch adeiladu Llywodraeth y DU a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mawrth.
Thank you. Thousands of people in Wales live in flats that are at risk of fire. The properties are worthless. There is a Welsh Grenfell waiting to happen. I visited Victoria Wharf and shot a video showing the incredible toll this is having on residents, and 750,000 people have viewed the video, and saw and heard residents say that they wrote to you and the First Minister and, I quote, they've heard not a word back. They did get a response from Lynda Thorne, the cabinet member for housing in Cardiff, saying, and I quote again:
'The problem is that members of the Welsh Government are up for election in May next year, and so although'
the housing Minister
'is committed, everything depends on the results of those elections.'
It's shameless that you seem to be trying to blackmail people into voting Labour instead of addressing the very serious problems. The Conservatives in London have introduced a £1 billion fund to start fixing the problems in England, but a civil servant in Wales has stated:
'While the Welsh Government will receive some consequential funding, it is for Welsh Ministers to decide how this money will be spent in Wales.'
So, have you actually decided now, and can the thousands of people—thousands—living in unsafe flats that are worth nothing expect some kind of Government help and Government action, and a response, whether there's an election or not?
Diolch. Mae miloedd o bobl yng Nghymru yn byw mewn fflatiau sydd mewn perygl o fynd ar dân. Mae'r eiddo'n ddiwerth. Mae Grenfell Cymreig yn anochel. Bûm yn ymweld â Victoria Wharf a gwneuthum fideo i ddangos yr effaith aruthrol y mae hyn yn ei chael ar breswylwyr, ac mae 750,000 o bobl wedi gwylio’r fideo, ac wedi gweld a chlywed preswylwyr yn dweud eu bod wedi ysgrifennu atoch chi a’r Prif Weinidog, ac rwy'n dyfynnu, nid ydynt wedi clywed gair yn ôl. Cawsant ymateb gan Lynda Thorne, yr aelod cabinet dros dai yng Nghaerdydd, a ddywedodd, ac rwy'n dyfynnu unwaith eto:
Y broblem yw y bydd Aelodau Llywodraeth Cymru yn sefyll etholiad ym mis Mai y flwyddyn nesaf, ac felly er bod
y Gweinidog tai
yn ymroddedig, mae popeth yn dibynnu ar ganlyniadau'r etholiadau hynny.
Mae'n warthus eich bod yn ôl pob golwg yn ceisio blacmelio pobl i bleidleisio dros Lafur yn lle mynd i'r afael â'r problemau difrifol hyn. Mae'r Ceidwadwyr yn Llundain wedi cyflwyno cronfa gwerth £1 biliwn i ddechrau unioni’r problemau yn Lloegr, ond mae gwas sifil yng Nghymru wedi nodi:
Er y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn derbyn rhywfaint o gyllid canlyniadol, mater i Weinidogion Cymru yw penderfynu sut y bydd yr arian hwn yn cael ei wario yng Nghymru.
Felly, a ydych wedi penderfynu bellach, ac a all y miloedd o bobl—miloedd—sy'n byw mewn fflatiau anniogel nad ydynt yn werth unrhyw beth ddisgwyl rhyw fath o gymorth gan y Llywodraeth a chamau gweithredu gan y Llywodraeth, ac ymateb, ni waeth a oes etholiad ai peidio?
Well, what's shameless, Llywydd, is that performance there, I have to say. You will have heard from the Minister for Housing and Local Government just last Wednesday that the Welsh Government is committed to exploring ways forward. We recently published our position statement, and that proposes a new building safety regime that puts the safety and well-being of residents at its heart to ensure that people feel safe in their homes regardless of tenure, and that the ethos applies throughout the design, construction and occupation of those affected buildings. Those reforms will go much further than just making improvements to high-rise buildings; this is about making sure that all residents in Wales are safe.
In terms of that piece of correspondence, clearly it would have had a response from the Minister for Housing and Local Government's department—if it hasn't arrived yet, I'm sure it will be on the way shortly—because obviously the Minister for housing is the appropriate person to address that issue. In the case of Victoria Wharf in Cardiff Bay, I do know that officials are due to meet with the chair of the residents' association shortly to discuss this issue further.
Wel, yr hyn sy'n warthus, Lywydd, yw’r perfformiad hwnnw, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud. Fe fyddwch wedi clywed gan y Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol ddydd Mercher diwethaf fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i archwilio ffyrdd o symud ymlaen. Yn ddiweddar, gwnaethom gyhoeddi ein datganiad sefyllfa, ac mae hwnnw’n cynnig cyfundrefn diogelwch adeiladu newydd sy'n rhoi lle canolog i ddiogelwch a lles preswylwyr er mwyn sicrhau bod pobl yn teimlo'n ddiogel yn eu cartrefi ni waeth beth fo'u deiliadaeth, a bod yr ethos yn berthnasol drwy gydol y broses o gynllunio, adeiladu a meddiannu'r adeiladau yr effeithir arnynt. Bydd y diwygiadau hynny'n mynd ymhellach o lawer na gwneud gwelliannau i adeiladau uchel yn unig; mae hyn yn ymwneud â sicrhau bod holl drigolion Cymru yn ddiogel.
O ran yr ohebiaeth honno, yn amlwg, byddai wedi cael ymateb gan adran y Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol—os nad yw wedi cyrraedd eto, rwy'n siŵr y bydd ar y ffordd cyn bo hir—oherwydd yn amlwg, y Gweinidog tai yw'r unigolyn priodol i fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwnnw. Yn achos Victoria Wharf ym Mae Caerdydd, gwn fod swyddogion i fod i gyfarfod â chadeirydd cymdeithas y preswylwyr cyn bo hir i drafod y mater ymhellach.
Minister, this is one of the most significant consequentials that the Welsh Government has received in the fifth Senedd, and whilst I can accept that you may not have needed the whole £58 million, because we have a different pattern to England, a substantial amount of that is required. As you dither and, frankly, deflect the concerns of the leaseholders into some sort of long-term plan to improve the system—which I agree with, incidentally—we have an immediate problem now. Fire insurance has gone up tenfold in some of these places, so the tenants are facing a £1,000 bill for their contribution to that aspect of the service charge. It's astonishing. And then the capital costs they face can go from anything from £10,000 upwards towards £40,000, and there is a fire enforcement order imminent. They need help now, you've been given the money, you should pass it on in an appropriate scheme now.
Weinidog, dyma un o'r symiau mwyaf sylweddol o gyllid canlyniadol i Lywodraeth Cymru eu cael yn y bumed Senedd, ac er y gallaf dderbyn efallai nad oedd angen y £58 miliwn i gyd arnoch, gan fod gennym batrwm gwahanol i Loegr, mae angen cyfran sylweddol ohono. Wrth i chi betruso, ac a dweud y gwir, wrth i chi ddargyfeirio pryderon lesddeiliaid tuag at ryw fath o gynllun hirdymor i wella'r system—cynllun rwy'n cytuno ag ef, gyda llaw—mae problem yn ein hwynebu yn awr. Mae yswiriant tân bellach yn costio ddengwaith cymaint yn rhai o'r lleoedd hyn, felly mae'r tenantiaid yn wynebu bil o £1,000 am eu cyfraniad at yr elfen honno o’r tâl gwasanaeth. Mae'n rhyfeddol. Ac yna, gall y costau cyfalaf y maent yn eu hwynebu amrywio o £10,000 hyd at £40,000, ac mae gorchymyn gorfodi ar gyfer tân ar y ffordd. Mae angen help arnynt yn awr, rydych wedi cael yr arian, dylech ei drosglwyddo drwy gynllun priodol ar unwaith.
Okay. So, these are serious issues, and I will treat them with the seriousness that they deserve. And, as I said, the Minister's officials will shortly be meeting with the chair of the residents' association to discuss these issues in more depth, as the Minister who is responsible for policy in this area.
In terms of Welsh Government funding, the Member will be aware that, although we received additional capital in the UK Government's March budget, it didn't take account of the £100 million capital that the UK Government took out of our budget, and £100 million of financial transaction capital that the UK Government took out of our budget, right at the end of the financial year. So, I don't think that we can take consequentials quite in such simple terms.
Iawn. Felly, mae'r rhain yn faterion difrifol, a byddaf yn eu trin â'r difrifoldeb y maent yn ei haeddu. Ac fel y dywedais, bydd swyddogion y Gweinidog yn cyfarfod â chadeirydd cymdeithas y preswylwyr yn fuan i drafod y materion hyn mewn mwy o fanylder, fel y Gweinidog sy'n gyfrifol am bolisi yn y maes hwn.
O ran cyllid Llywodraeth Cymru, er inni dderbyn cyfalaf ychwanegol yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth y DU ym mis Mawrth, fe fydd yr Aelod yn gwybod nad oedd hynny’n cynnwys y cyfalaf o £100 miliwn a dynnodd Llywodraeth y DU o'n cyllideb, a’r £100 miliwn o gyfalaf trafodiadau ariannol a dynnodd Llywodraeth y DU o'n cyllideb ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn ariannol. Felly, ni chredaf y gallwn drafod cyllid canlyniadol mewn termau mor syml â hynny.
5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am refeniw o'r dreth trafodiadau tir? OQ55535
5. Will the Minister provide an update on revenues from the land transaction tax? OQ55535
Land transaction tax revenues in 2019-20 were £260 million. To date, revenues in the current financial year are down 47 per cent compared to the same period last year. The Office for Budget Responsibility will publish a new revenue forecast for the Welsh Government with the draft budget.
Roedd refeniw treth trafodiadau tir yn 2019-20 yn £260 miliwn. Hyd yma, mae refeniw yn y flwyddyn ariannol gyfredol 47 y cant yn is o gymharu â'r un cyfnod y llynedd. Bydd y Swyddfa Cyfrifoldeb Cyllidebol yn cyhoeddi rhagolwg refeniw newydd ar gyfer Llywodraeth Cymru gyda'r gyllideb ddrafft.
Thank you, Minister. The drop in land transaction tax revenue by 47 per cent, I think you said, is indeed worrying but understandable during the lockdown, due to the massive slowdown in the housing market. Getting revenues up depends on getting the market moving, I'm sure you're aware of that. Whilst I welcome your introduction of a stamp duty holiday, I have questioned the threshold of £250,000 that has been introduced. Now, whilst I understand that house prices across Wales are, on average, considerably lower than across the border, certainly compared with the south-east of England, there are nonetheless houses much higher in value than that near the Wales-England border. Will you keep the stamp duty holiday under review, so that if the housing market near the border isn't seen to be picking up as fast as the other side of the border, where there is that holiday of up to £500,000, then action can be taken? Because I'm sure you'd agree with me that it's important that land transaction tax rates in Wales are stabilised and that there isn't too much of a distortion in border areas, where a large proportion of the Welsh population live and where revenue is raised.
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae'r gostyngiad o 47 y cant, credaf i chi ddweud, yn refeniw'r dreth trafodiadau tir yn peri pryder, ond yn ddealladwy yn ystod y cyfyngiadau symud, oherwydd yr arafu aruthrol yn y farchnad dai. Mae codi refeniw yn dibynnu ar ysgogi’r farchnad i symud, rwy'n siŵr eich bod yn ymwybodol o hynny. Er fy mod yn croesawu’r ffaith i chi gyflwyno seibiant o dalu'r dreth stamp, rwyf wedi cwestiynu'r trothwy o £250,000 a gyflwynwyd. Nawr, er fy mod yn deall bod prisiau tai ledled Cymru, ar gyfartaledd, gryn dipyn yn is na'r hyn ydynt dros y ffin, yn sicr o gymharu â de-ddwyrain Lloegr, serch hynny mae tai sy’n werth mwy o lawer na hynny i’w cael ger y ffin rhwng Cymru a Lloegr. A wnewch chi adolygu'r seibiant o dalu'r dreth stamp, er mwyn sicrhau y gellir rhoi camau ar waith os nad yw’r farchnad dai ger y ffin yn codi mor gyflym â'r farchnad dai ar yr ochr arall i'r ffin, lle ceir seibiant hyd at £500,000? Oherwydd rwy'n siŵr y byddech yn cytuno â mi ei bod yn bwysig fod cyfraddau’r dreth trafodiadau tir yng Nghymru yn cael eu sefydlogi ac nad oes gormod o ystumio’n digwydd mewn ardaloedd ar y ffin, lle mae cyfran fawr o boblogaeth Cymru'n byw a lle caiff refeniw ei godi.
Yes, I do keep all rates and thresholds under review, always looking to the market to see what's happening. It is the case, I think—and Nick will agree with me on this—that tax only plays a part in the decision regarding somebody's choice as to where to live, and I'm sure that he will think of 1,000 wonderful reasons to live in his constituency of Monmouthshire as well, but I do understand that house prices in Monmouthshire are much higher than in other parts of the country.
We do have the opposite situation, then, of course, across the border in north Wales, where houses in Flintshire and Wrexham, for example, are around 25 per cent lower than across the border in Cheshire west, Cheshire and Shropshire. So we do see a very differential picture across Wales, but, yes, I do keep these issues under constant review.
Ydw, rwy'n adolygu'r holl gyfraddau a throthwyon, ac yn edrych ar y farchnad bob amser i weld beth sy'n digwydd. Credaf ei bod yn wir—a bydd Nick yn cytuno â mi ar hyn—nad yw’r dreth honno ond yn chwarae rhan ym mhenderfyniad rhywun ynghylch dewis ble i fyw, ac rwy'n siŵr y gall feddwl am 1,000 o resymau gwych i fyw yn ei etholaeth yn Sir Fynwy hefyd, ond deallaf fod prisiau tai yn Sir Fynwy yn llawer uwch na rhannau eraill o'r wlad.
Mae gennym y sefyllfa wrthgyferbyniol felly, wrth gwrs, dros y ffin yng ngogledd Cymru, lle mae tai yn Sir y Fflint a Wrecsam, er enghraifft, oddeutu 25 y cant yn is na'r hyn ydynt dros y ffin yng ngorllewin Swydd Gaer, Swydd Gaer a Swydd Amwythig. Felly rydym yn gweld darlun gwahaniaethol iawn ledled Cymru, ond ydw, rwy’n parhau i adolygu'r materion hyn yn gyson.
6. Pa gynnydd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o ran ail-lunio caffael cyhoeddus er mwyn cryfhau'r economi sylfaenol? OQ55543
6. What progress has the Welsh Government made in reshaping public procurement in order to strengthen the foundational economy? OQ55543
In April, we appointed the Centre for Local Economic Strategies to embed the community wealth building concept, to work with public services boards to deliver progressive procurement approaches, to localise their supply chain and to drive up the engagement of local businesses in public procurement to effect systemic change in local economies across Wales.
Ym mis Ebrill, gwnaethom benodi'r Ganolfan Strategaethau Economaidd Lleol i ymgorffori’r cysyniad o adeiladu cyfoeth cymunedol, i weithio gyda byrddau gwasanaethau cyhoeddus i sicrhau dulliau caffael blaengar, i leoleiddio eu cadwyn gyflenwi ac i gynyddu ymgysylltiad busnesau lleol â’r broses caffael cyhoeddus er mwyn sicrhau newid systemig mewn economïau lleol ledled Cymru.
Thank you for that answer, Minister. I just want to address the threat that is posed to food security, given the rising possibility of no trade deal with the European Union. As Professor Tim Lang, the food expert, said again today, we are a nation without a food larder. And that statement applies just as much to Wales as to the rest of the UK, with supermarkets operating on a just-in-time basis and huge numbers of families relying on surplus food from food banks. So, lorries parked up at new frontier crossings and the inevitable high prices can but aggravate this fragile food supply chain that we already have. We could and should, in my view, already be strengthening the foundational economy by substituting everyday temperate fruit and veg that we currently import with home-grown produce. So, in light of the work that the Welsh Government has done to streamline procurement frameworks, what consideration have you given to using green procurement deals, particularly in partnership with local government, as highlighted in the recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report as being effective mechanisms used by other European countries to mitigate this threat to our food security?
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Hoffwn drafod y bygythiad i ddiogelwch bwyd, o ystyried y posibilrwydd cynyddol na cheir cytundeb masnach gyda'r Undeb Ewropeaidd. Fel y dywedodd yr Athro Tim Lang, yr arbenigwr bwyd, unwaith eto heddiw, rydym yn genedl heb bantri. Ac mae'r datganiad hwnnw yr un mor berthnasol i Gymru ag i weddill y DU, gydag archfarchnadoedd yn gweithredu ar sail ‘mewn pryd’ a niferoedd enfawr o deuluoedd yn dibynnu ar fwyd dros ben o fanciau bwyd. Felly, ni fydd lorïau wedi'u parcio ger croesfannau newydd ar ffiniau a’r prisiau uchel anochel ond yn gwanhau'r gadwyn gyflenwi bwyd fregus hon sydd gennym eisoes. Yn fy marn i, fe allem ac fe ddylem fod yn cryfhau'r economi sylfaenol eisoes drwy amnewid ffrwythau a llysiau bob dydd a fewnforiwn ar hyn o bryd o fannau tymherus â chynhyrchion a dyfir yn y wlad hon. Felly, yng ngoleuni'r gwaith y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud ar symleiddio fframweithiau caffael, pa ystyriaeth rydych wedi'i rhoi i ddefnyddio cytundebau caffael gwyrdd, yn enwedig mewn partneriaeth â llywodraeth leol, fel y nodwyd yn adroddiad diweddar y Sefydliad ar gyfer Cydweithrediad a Datblygiad Economaidd fel mecanweithiau effeithiol a ddefnyddir gan wledydd eraill Ewrop i liniaru'r bygythiad hwn i'n diogelwch bwyd?
So, we are working very closely with large public sector bodies such as the NHS to ensure expenditure on food produce can be sourced and procured as locally as possible from within Wales, to try and ensure that kind of security that Jenny Rathbone's talking about. And as part of the foundational economy challenge fund and the manufacturing plan, we have a real focus now on food.
There's a strand of the foundational economy work that is also considering, in partnership with the Centre for Local Economic Strategies, how public sector anchor organisations might be the key shapers of food markets for the future. We also have a relatively new approach in Wales with Caerphilly council now managing the collaborative food frameworks, which were originally led by the Welsh Government National Procurement Service. The Caerphilly food-buying team are really experienced, and they do have a really good proven track record in developing the Welsh food supply. I know that you've previously talked in the Chamber about the Woosnam Dairies example, and I think that they've been involved particularly in that. They're also working with the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs and her team to try and explore some further opportunities for securing more locally sourced produce. So, this is certainly a priority area for the team.
Rydym yn cydweithio'n agos iawn â chyrff mawr yn y sector cyhoeddus fel y GIG i sicrhau y gellir cyrchu a chaffael gwariant ar gynnyrch bwyd mor lleol â phosibl yng Nghymru, i geisio sicrhau'r math hwnnw o ddiogelwch y sonia Jenny Rathbone amdano. Ac fel rhan o gronfa her yr economi sylfaenol a'r cynllun gweithgynhyrchu, mae gennym ffocws gwirioneddol bellach ar fwyd.
Mae rhan o’r gwaith ar yr economi sylfaenol hefyd yn ystyried, mewn partneriaeth â'r Ganolfan Strategaethau Economaidd Lleol, sut y gallai sefydliadau angori'r sector cyhoeddus chwarae rhan allweddol yn siapio marchnadoedd bwyd ar gyfer y dyfodol. Mae gennym ddull cymharol newydd o weithredu yng Nghymru hefyd gyda chyngor Caerffili bellach yn rheoli'r fframweithiau bwyd cydweithredol, a arweiniwyd yn wreiddiol gan Wasanaeth Caffael Cenedlaethol Llywodraeth Cymru. Mae tîm prynu bwyd Caerffili yn brofiadol iawn, ac mae ganddynt hanes ardderchog o ddatblygu cyflenwad bwyd Cymru. Gwn eich bod wedi sôn yn y Siambr o'r blaen am enghraifft Woosnam Dairies, a chredaf eu bod wedi bod yn rhan fawr o’r gwaith hwnnw. Maent hefyd yn gweithio gyda Gweinidog yr Amgylchedd, Ynni a Materion Gwledig a'i thîm i geisio archwilio cyfleoedd pellach i sicrhau mwy o gynnyrch lleol. Felly, mae hyn yn sicr yn flaenoriaeth i'r tîm.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog Cyllid.
I thank the Minister for Finance.
Yr eitem nesaf yw'r cwestiynau i Weinidog y Gymraeg a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf i'w ateb gan y Dirprwy Weinidog, ac mae'r cwestiwn gan Jack Sargeant.
The next item is the questions to the Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language. The first question is to be answered by the Deputy Minister, and the question comes from Jack Sargeant.
1. Sut mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gyda chlybiau chwaraeon ar lawr gwlad i'w helpu i gysylltu â chymunedau? OQ55542
1. How is the Welsh Government working with grass-roots sports clubs to help them connect with communities? OQ55542
Dŷn ni ddim yn eich clywed chi, Dirprwy Weinidog. Mae eisiau i chi 'unmute-o' eich hunan.
Dafydd, ydych chi'n fy nghlywed i ac ydych chi'n clywed bod angen ichi—?
We can't hear you, Deputy Minister. You need to unmute yourself, please.
Dafydd, can you hear me and can you hear that you need to—?
Roeddwn i o dan yr argraff bod y mater yma'n cael ei ddelio'n ganolog, ac felly'n amlwg dyw o ddim.
I was under the impression that it was being controlled centrally.
Iawn. Cariwch ymlaen—rŷn ni'n eich clywed chi'n iawn nawr.
Carry on—we can hear you all right now.
Thank you. I'm very grateful, Jack, for your question. The Welsh Government and Sport Wales, we continue to work with partners to assist the grass-roots sports clubs. We recently announced a £14 million sport and leisure coronavirus recovery fund, and this is intended to support a range of sporting organisations.
Diolch. Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am eich cwestiwn, Jack. Yn Llywodraeth Cymru a Chwaraeon Cymru, rydym yn parhau i weithio gyda phartneriaid i gynorthwyo’r clybiau chwaraeon ar lawr gwlad. Yn ddiweddar, gwnaethom gyhoeddi cronfa adfer chwaraeon a hamdden gwerth £14 miliwn yn sgil y coronafeirws, a bwriedir iddi gefnogi ystod o sefydliadau chwaraeon.
Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. A constituent of mine, Simon Walker from Connah's Quay Bowling Club, has just been elected to the position of chairman of the BowlsWales development committee. As many will know, grass-roots bowls has huge benefits for people's mental and physical health. Simon tells me that it's the only sport you can play for the whole of your life—a nine-year-old can compete against a 90-year-old. Deputy Minister, would you be willing to meet with Simon on behalf of the development committee to hear first-hand the benefits that bowls can bring to communities and relay that information to Welsh Government colleagues?
Diolch am eich ateb, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Mae un o fy etholwyr, Simon Walker o Glwb Bowlio Cei Connah, newydd gael ei ethol yn gadeirydd pwyllgor datblygu BowlsCymru. Fel y bydd llawer o bobl yn gwybod, mae bowls ar lawr gwlad yn darparu manteision enfawr i iechyd meddwl ac iechyd corfforol pobl. Dywed Simon wrthyf mai dyma'r unig gamp y gallwch ei chwarae drwy gydol eich oes—gall plentyn naw oed gystadlu yn erbyn rhywun 90 oed. Ddirprwy Weinidog, a fyddech yn barod i gyfarfod â Simon ar ran y pwyllgor datblygu i glywed drosoch eich hun am y manteision y gall bowls eu cynnig i gymunedau a throsglwyddo'r wybodaeth honno i gydweithwyr yn Llywodraeth Cymru?
I would be very happy to meet with your constituent. He might be able to encourage me to take up the sport. I have, in fact, visited a number of the disabled and other active bowlers' clubs. I remember, in particular, my visit to Pembrokeshire to visit the club there, and I think it's important that we encourage as much diversity and variety of physical activity so that people can participate, so I look forward to arranging a meeting as soon as we can.
Byddwn yn fwy na pharod i gyfarfod â'ch etholwr. Efallai y gallai fy annog i ymgymryd â'r gamp. Mewn gwirionedd, rwyf wedi ymweld â nifer o’r clybiau bowls i'r anabl a chlybiau bowls gweithredol eraill. Rwy’n cofio, yn benodol, fy ymweliad â Sir Benfro i ymweld â’r clwb yno, a chredaf ei bod yn bwysig ein bod yn annog cymaint o amrywiaeth â phosibl, yn ogystal ag amrywiaeth o weithgarwch corfforol fel y gall pobl gymryd rhan, felly rwy'n edrych ymlaen at drefnu cyfarfod cyn gynted ag y gallwn.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd (Ann Jones) i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Ann Jones) took the Chair.
Thank you. Russell George. No. No Russell George. Okay.
Question 2, then, is going to be answered by the Deputy Minister for culture. Andrew R.T. Davies.
Diolch. Russell George. Na. Dim Russell George. O'r gorau.
Bydd Cwestiwn 2, felly, yn cael ei ateb gan y Dirprwy Weinidog diwylliant. Andrew R.T. Davies.
2. Pa gymorth y bydd Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddarparu i helpu chwaraeon hamdden yng Nghymru dros gyfnod y gaeaf? OQ55553
2. What support will the Welsh Government make available to help recreational sport in Wales over the winter period? OQ55553
Sorry, Minister, we can't hear you again, so can you unmute?
Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, Weinidog, ni allaf eich clywed eto, felly a wnewch chi agor y meic?
I assumed it's clear that if I'm being called to reply to a question that I'm required to be unmuted. Does it mean I have to unmute myself every time?
Roeddwn yn cymryd ei bod yn amlwg, os caf fy ngalw i ateb cwestiwn, fod gofyn i'r meic fod ar agor. A yw'n golygu bod yn rhaid i mi agor fy meic bob tro?
I think that's—. Yes, I'm being told 'yes'. Sorry, yes, I am. So, sorry about that. Sorry. Carry on.
Credaf fod hynny'n—. Ydy, dywedir wrthyf 'ydy'. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, ydw. Felly, mae'n ddrwg gennyf am hynny. Mae’n ddrwg gennyf. Parhewch.
All right. That is no longer a matter for me because I don't organise the activities of the Assembly.
We know that participating in recreational sport has a very positive impact, obviously, for all ages, and we work, as I said, with Sport Wales. We have been using these major organisations of ours to distribute funds and to assess applications and I look forward to applications for recreational sport over the winter period so that we can take further the investment that we already made through the sports council.
Iawn. Nid yw hynny'n fater i mi mwyach gan nad wyf yn trefnu gweithgareddau’r Cynulliad.
Gwyddom fod ymgymryd â chwaraeon hamdden yn cael effaith gadarnhaol iawn, yn amlwg, ar bobl o bob oedran, ac rydym yn gweithio, fel y dywedais, gyda Chwaraeon Cymru. Rydym wedi bod yn defnyddio'r sefydliadau mawr hyn sydd gennym i ddosbarthu arian ac i asesu ceisiadau ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at geisiadau ar gyfer chwaraeon hamdden dros gyfnod y gaeaf fel y gallwn fynd â'r buddsoddiad rydym eisoes wedi’i wneud drwy’r cyngor chwaraeon ymhellach.
Thank you, Minister, for that response. Obviously, some element of Government money has been made available for sports and grass-roots sports, the £14 million that was announced last week, but with the new regulations that are now in place and some politicians mulling over that these regulations could be in place for some considerable time, that's going to put a huge restriction on clubs, especially grass-roots clubs, to get through the winter months, especially like Barry Town FC, for example, Old Pens Rugby Club up in Penarth. How is the Government assessing how the new regulations that have been put in place will impact on grass-roots clubs' ability to operate and survive these coming winter months?
Diolch am eich ymateb, Weinidog. Yn amlwg, mae rhyw elfen o arian y Llywodraeth wedi’i ddarparu ar gyfer chwaraeon a chwaraeon ar lawr gwlad, y £14 miliwn a gyhoeddwyd yr wythnos diwethaf, ond gyda’r rheoliadau newydd sydd bellach ar waith a rhai gwleidyddion yn tybio y gallai’r rheoliadau hyn fod ar waith am beth amser, bydd hynny'n cyfyngu’n sylweddol ar glybiau, yn enwedig clybiau ar lawr gwlad, wrth iddynt geisio goroesi dros fisoedd y gaeaf, yn enwedig clybiau fel Clwb Pêl Droed Y Barri, er enghraifft, a Chlwb Rygbi Old Pens ym Mhenarth. Sut y mae'r Llywodraeth yn asesu’r ffordd y bydd y rheoliadau newydd a roddwyd ar waith yn effeithio ar allu clybiau ar lawr gwlad i weithredu ac i oroesi dros fisoedd y gaeaf sydd i ddod?
Clearly, we continue to assess the impact of the pandemic on all activities and especially when we have to respond as a Government collectively, with the support of the Assembly, to respond to those situations. The key thing is that we have a full and proper picture of the needs of each sector and I would encourage individual clubs and obviously the governing bodies of sporting clubs to approach Welsh Government directly, so that we can process and consider, with the help of our advisers in the sports council, what is required.
Yn amlwg, rydym yn parhau i asesu effaith y pandemig ar bob gweithgaredd, ac yn enwedig felly pan fo rhaid i ni ymateb fel Llywodraeth ar y cyd, gyda chefnogaeth y Cynulliad, i ymateb i'r sefyllfaoedd hynny. Y peth allweddol yw bod gennym ddarlun llawn a phriodol o anghenion pob sector, a byddwn yn annog clybiau unigol, ac yn amlwg, cyrff llywodraethu clybiau chwaraeon i gysylltu â Llywodraeth Cymru yn uniongyrchol, fel y gallwn brosesu ac ystyried beth sydd ei angen gyda chymorth ein cynghorwyr yn y cyngor chwaraeon.
Gweinidog, Newport Cricket Club, as I know you are aware, have done a great job over a period of years in building up their activities and improving their ground. They're volunteer run; they produce some really good girls' cricket teams, players for Glamorgan and have hosted Glamorgan matches. They're in some difficulty at the moment, really, around coronavirus because their winter cricket school used premises at Newport Live, the leisure trust, but Newport Live have now commandeered that space for a socially distanced gym and it's no longer available to the cricket club, which will greatly reduce their income and will risk them losing young players and losing their interest over those winter months. They do have—Newport Cricket Club—old squash courts on their ground that could be adapted for an indoor cricket school through the winter and a feasibility study would be very useful in that regard. I wonder if you could have a look at this, Minister, and consider how Welsh Government might assist them in overcoming these issues.
Weinidog, mae Clwb Criced Casnewydd, fel y gwn eich bod yn gwybod, wedi gwneud gwaith gwych dros nifer o flynyddoedd yn datblygu eu gweithgarwch a gwella eu maes chwarae. Maent yn cael eu rhedeg gan wirfoddolwyr; maent yn cynhyrchu timau criced merched da iawn, chwaraewyr ar gyfer Morgannwg ac maent wedi cynnal rhai o gemau Morgannwg. Maent yn ei chael hi’n anodd ar hyn o bryd yn sgil y coronafeirws gan fod eu hysgol griced dros y gaeaf yn arfer defnyddio un o adeiladau Casnewydd Fyw, yr ymddiriedolaeth hamdden, ond mae Casnewydd Fyw bellach wedi agor campfa lle gellir cadw pellter cymdeithasol yn y gofod hwnnw, ac nid yw’r safle gael i’r clwb criced mwyach. Bydd hynny’n lleihau eu hincwm yn sylweddol, ac mae perygl y byddant yn colli chwaraewyr ifanc ac yn gweld colli diddordeb dros fisoedd y gaeaf. Mae ganddynt—Clwb Criced Casnewydd—hen gyrtiau sboncen ar eu tir y gellid eu haddasu ar gyfer ysgol griced dan do dros y gaeaf, a byddai astudiaeth ddichonoldeb yn ddefnyddiol iawn yn hynny o beth. Tybed a allech gael golwg ar hyn, Weinidog, ac ystyried sut y gallai Llywodraeth Cymru eu cynorthwyo i oresgyn y problemau hyn.
Well, as you know, I do know the site you refer to and we are very keen in terms of our sports policy for full participation in cricket and in other sports by young men and young women, indeed, people of all ages who wish to participate. We are aware of the need for such a feasibility study and I would be very happy to see further evidence of the relationship that the club is developing with partners, including Sport Wales. I will raise this issue with Sport Wales myself to ensure that there is a continuing discussion with Newport City Council, with Sport Wales and Newport Live.
We have, of course, an issue that relates in this way to the operation of leisure centres by agencies that are no longer part of the local government. So, the situation is not simple, but we are very keen in Welsh Government that we are able to support the activities at the grass roots, as it were—or should I say on the cricket pitch, in this case—to ensure that they do relate to the local community regardless of the governance of the sport.
Wel, fel y gwyddoch, rwy’n ymwybodol o’r safle y cyfeiriwch ato, ac rydym yn awyddus iawn o ran ein polisi chwaraeon i weld dynion a menywod ifanc, ac yn wir, pobl o bob oed sy'n dymuno gwneud hynny, yn ymgymryd â chriced a chwaraeon eraill. Rydym yn ymwybodol o'r angen am astudiaeth ddichonoldeb o'r fath, a byddwn yn falch iawn o weld tystiolaeth bellach o'r berthynas y mae'r clwb yn ei datblygu gyda phartneriaid, gan gynnwys Chwaraeon Cymru. Byddaf yn codi'r mater hwn gyda Chwaraeon Cymru fy hun i sicrhau bod trafodaeth barhaus rhwng Cyngor Dinas Casnewydd, Chwaraeon Cymru a Casnewydd Fyw.
Mae gennym broblem, wrth gwrs, sy’n ymwneud yn y ffordd hon ag asiantaethau nad ydynt yn rhan o'r llywodraeth leol mwyach yn gweithredu canolfannau hamdden. Felly, nid yw'r sefyllfa'n syml, ond rydym yn awyddus iawn yn Llywodraeth Cymru i allu cefnogi gweithgareddau ar lawr gwlad, fel petai—neu a ddylwn ddweud ar y maes criced, yn yr achos hwn—i sicrhau eu bod yn gysylltiedig â'r gymuned leol ni waeth sut y caiff y gamp ei llywodraethu.
I now turn to spokespersons' questions. The first this afternoon is the Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Siân Gwenllian.
Rwy'n troi yn awr at gwestiynau'r llefarwyr. Y cyntaf y prynhawn yma yw llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Siân Gwenllian.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Mae problemau ariannol y sector celfyddydau yn sgil COVID yn parhau, a dwi'n credu eich bod chi'n cytuno efo fi bod gweithwyr llawrydd, yn benodol, felly, o dan bwysau mawr. Fe ddywedoch chi wrth bwyllgor diwylliant y Senedd nad oedd y £7 miliwn ar gyfer gweithwyr llawrydd yn y diwydiannau diwylliannol a chreadigol yn ddigonol. A dwi'n siŵr eich bod chi wedi gweld adroddiad cynhwysfawr tasglu llawrydd Cymru hefyd, sydd yn dod â nifer o argymhellion pwysig ymlaen. Mae'r adroddiad yma hefyd yn cynnwys nifer o bryderon ynghylch datblygiad gwaith cyfrwng Cymraeg yn y sector benodol yma. Felly, pa gynlluniau sydd gennych chi i sicrhau bod gan weithwyr llawrydd y gefnogaeth sydd ei hangen, ac a fyddwch chi'n fodlon gweithio efo'r tasglu yma, ac efo'r cyngor celfyddydau, a sefydliadau eraill, i weithredu ar argymhellion yr adroddiad? Pa gynlluniau penodol sydd gennych chi fel Llywodraeth i amddiffyn a thyfu'r sector cyfrwng Cymraeg yn ystod y pandemig?
Thank you very much, Dirprwy Lywydd. The funding problems of the arts sector as a result of COVID continue, and I think that you agree with me that freelance workers are specifically under a great deal of pressure. You told the culture committee of the Senedd that the £7 million for freelance workers in the cultural sector wasn’t sufficient. And I’m sure you’ve seen the comprehensive report of the freelance taskforce for Wales, which brings forward a great deal of important recommendations. This report also includes many concerns with regard to the development of Welsh-medium work in this specific sector. So what plans or schemes do you have to ensure that freelance workers have the support that they need, and would you be willing to work with this taskforce, and with the Arts Council of Wales, and other organisations, to implement the recommendations of the report? What specific plans do you have as a Government to safeguard and grow the Welsh-medium sector during the pandemic?
Wel, mae'r sector cyfrwng Cymraeg, yn amlwg, mewn cenedl ddwyieithog yn swyddogol, ac mewn Senedd lle rydym ni'n cyfarfod heddiw lle mae'r ddwy iaith yn swyddogol, yn ganolog i'r cyfan rydym ni'n ei wneud fel Llywodraeth. Felly, does dim cwestiwn nad ydym ni'n trin darpariaeth Gymraeg ar yr un lefel â'r ddarpariaeth Saesneg. Ac yn wir, mae darpariaeth mewn ieithoedd eraill sydd yn cael eu siarad gan ddinasyddion Cymru yn bwysig i ni hefyd.
Ond y pwynt arall i'w bwysleisio yn y fan hyn, dwi'n meddwl, sy'n allweddol, yw ein bod ni, wrth ddarparu ein cynlluniau fel Llywodraeth, yn sicrhau bod y cyllid sydd ar gael gennym ni—pa un ai ydy o'n dod o'n cyllidebau ni wedi ei aildrefnu, neu os ydy o'n dod o Lywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig—bod y cyllid yna yn cael ei ddosbarthu cyn gynted ag y mae hi'n bosib, i sicrhau bod yna ymateb i'r anghenion. A dyna rydym ni wedi ei wneud, yn arbennig gyda'r £53 miliwn, ond yn wir, efo'r cyllid mewnol sydd wedi ei ailddosbarthu—mae o'n fwy na hynny—ar gyfer y celfyddydau.
Beth sy'n bwysig ydy bod ceisiadau yn dod drwodd yn gyflym—ac mae cyngor y celfyddydau, mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud, wedi bod yn ymateb yn gyflym iawn wrth weinyddu'r rhan o'r gyllideb y mae'n nhw yn ei gweinyddu. Ac mi fyddwn ni fel Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd yn gweinyddu ein cyllideb ni yn olynol i hynny. Mae'n bwysig bod yr unigolion yma yn cael sicrwydd bod yna gyfle iddyn nhw gynnal bywoliaeth, er wrth gwrs y bydd yn rhaid darganfod ffyrdd o berfformio ac o weithredu mewn gofod gwahanol i beth rydym ni wedi bod yn ei wneud yn y gorffennol tra mae'r afiechyd difrifol yma yn parhau.
Well, the Welsh-medium sector, in an officially bilingual nation, and a Senedd where we meet where both languages are official, is central to everything that we do as a Government, of course. So there’s no question that we’re not treating Welsh language provision at the same level as English language provision. And indeed, provision in other languages spoken by the citizens of Wales is also very important to us.
But the other point to emphasise here, I think, which is crucial, is that, in providing our plans as Government, we do ensure that the funding available from us—be that provided from our reallocated budgets, or whether it comes from the UK Government—that those funds are distributed as soon as possible in order to ensure that we meet the need. That’s what we have done, particularly with the £53 million, but with the reallocated internal budget—it’s more than that—that’s being provided for the arts.
What’s important is that applications come through quickly, and the arts council have responded very swiftly, I have to say, in administrating parts of the budget, and we as a Welsh Government will also administer our budget in accordance with that. It’s important that these individuals are given an assurance that there is opportunity for them to maintain their livelihoods, although they will have to discover ways of performing and operating in spaces that are different to what the situation was in the past whilst this public health crisis continues.
Diolch yn fawr. Dwi'n sylwi nad ydych chi wedi ateb fy nghwestiwn i ynglŷn â'r tasglu llawrydd a'u hargymhellion nhw a'u hadroddiad nhw—
Thank you very much. I note that you haven’t answered my question with regard to the freelance taskforce and their recommendations in the report—
Dwi wedi darllen eu hargymhellion nhw, ond dwi ddim yn mynd i ymateb yn uniongyrchol i unrhyw dasglu, oherwydd tasglu hunanbenodedig, dwi'n credu, ydy hwn—dydy o ddim yn dasglu'r Llywodraeth.
I have read their recommendations, but I’m not going to respond directly to any taskforce, because I think it’s a self-appointed taskforce, not a Government taskforce.
Gaf i droi at faes arall, sef newyddiaduraeth? Hoffwn i wybod pa drafodaethau rydych chi wedi eu cael ynglŷn â dyfodol newyddiaduraeth print cyfrwng Saesneg yng Nghymru. Ydych chi wedi bod yn trafod efo Reach, er enghraifft? Hoffwn i wybod sut y gall y Llywodraeth ddarparu cefnogaeth—hyd braich, yn amlwg, ond cefnogaeth serch hynny—i'r cyfryngau print Saesneg.
May I turn to another issue, namely journalism? I’d like to know what discussions you have had with regard to the future of English-medium print journalism in Wales. Have you been discussing with Reach, for example? I’d like to know how the Government can provide support—at arm’s length of course, but support despite that—to the English-medium print industry.
Roedd fy nhrafodaeth gyntaf i, fel mae'n digwydd, nid efo Reach, nid efo'r cwmni, ond efo undeb y newyddiadurwyr. Dwi wedi cael trafodaeth efo nhw, ac mae yna drafodaeth bellach yn mynd i ddilyn. Byddaf yn trafod eto efo Reach. Ond beth dwi'n ei obeithio y gallwn ni ei sefydlu ydy model a fydd yn galluogi cynnig cyllid cyhoeddus i newyddiaduraeth Saesneg sydd yn cyfateb i'r hyn sydd ar gael ar hyn o bryd mewn cyhoeddi llenyddol a newyddiadurol yn Gymraeg. Oherwydd mae hi wastad wedi bod yn amlwg i mi, fel un sydd â diddordeb yn y ddau ddiwylliant a'r ddwy iaith, nad oedd yna gyfartaledd darpariaeth yn y sefyllfa yma. Ac felly dwi'n gobeithio y gallwn ni weithredu drwy Cymru Greadigol, oherwydd dyna'r asiantaeth newydd sydd gennym ni mewn Llywodraeth. Oherwydd y sefyllfa bresennol gyda'r pla yma sydd wedi effeithio arnom ni, dydyn ni ddim wedi gallu symud ymlaen mor gyflym â byddwn i'n dymuno, ond mae yna gyfarwyddwr i Cymru Greadigol bellach, ac mae o'n brofiadol iawn fel swyddog cyhoeddus, ac mi fyddwn ni'n gweithredu drwy Cymru Greadigol i sefydlu model o gyllid. Ond mi fydd o hyd braich oddi wrth y Llywodraeth, oherwydd dyna oedd yn bwysig i mi hefyd. Mae'n rhaid inni gael model tebyg i fodel cyngor y celfyddydau, lle mae'r penderfyniadau artistig a'r penderfyniadau newyddiadurol yn cael eu gwneud nid gan wleidyddion, ond gan gorff lled-annibynnol oddi wrth y Llywodraeth.
My first discussion, as it happened, wasn’t with Reach, but with the National Union of Journalists. I have had a discussion with them, and there will be further discussions. I will also be having further discussions with Reach. But what I hope to establish is a model that will be able to provide public funding to English language journalism that corresponds to what is available in literary and journalistic publications through the medium of Welsh. Because it’s always been clear to me, as one interested in both cultures and both languages, that there wasn’t equality of provision in this situation. So I do hope that we can take action through Creative Wales, because that is the new agency that we have within Government. Because of the current situation with this plague that we are suffering, we haven’t been able to make as swift a progress as we would have hoped, but there is a Creative Wales director in place now and he’s a very experienced public official and we will be acting through Creative Wales to establish a funding model. But it will be at arm’s length of Government, because that was what was important to me also. We need a model similar to the arts council model, where artistic decisions and journalistic decisions in this context are made not by politicians but by a quasi-independent body of Government.
Diolch yn fawr. Edrychwn ymlaen, felly, at weld y gwaith yna yn dwyn ffrwyth, achos rydych chi'n cytuno, dwi'n siwr, bod y diwydiant papurau newydd a chael un ffyniannus yn hollbwysig i ddemocratiaeth a bywyd cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Felly, dwi'n falch o glywed beth rydych chi'n ei ddweud heddiw ar hynny.
Gaf i droi jest at un maes arall i gloi, felly? Ddydd Iau diwethaf, dwi'n credu oedd hi, fe wnaeth Llywodraeth Cymru gyhoeddi cronfa adfer chwaraeon a hamdden, gwerth £14 miliwn, sydd i'w groesawu, wrth gwrs, ond un o'r problemau mae pobl yn y maes yna yn sôn wrthyf i amdano fo ydy bod rhaid i beth o'r arian yma fynd at gynlluniau arloesi, ac maen nhw'n gweld hynny yn anodd iawn, achos, mewn gwirionedd, maen nhw angen llenwi bylchau sydd yn codi o ddiffyg incwm. Pam eich bod chi wedi dewis ffocysu ar gynlluniau arloesi, yn hytrach na chanolbwyntio ar helpu sefydliadau i oroesi'r diffyg incwm sydd o'u blaenau nhw ar hyn o bryd?
Thank you very much. We look forward to seeing that work coming to fruition, because I’m sure you’ll agree that the newspaper industry and having a prosperous sector is vital to public life and democracy in Wales. So, I’m pleased to hear what you say today on that.
May I turn to one other area to conclude? Last Thursday, I believe it was, the Welsh Government announced a fund for support for sport worth £14 million, which is to be welcomed of course, but one of the problems that people in that area have mentioned to me is that some of this funding has to go to innovation plans and they see that as being very difficult because, truth be told, they need to fill the gaps that are arising as a result of a lack of income. So, why have you chosen to focus on innovation rather than focusing on assisting organisations to survive as a result of the lack of income that they’re facing at the moment?
Wel, mi fuom ni'n ystyried y mater yma yn ofalus, ac un o'r pethau sydd wedi bod yn bwysig i mi, ar hyd y blynyddoedd, ydy os ydy pobl yn cael arian cyhoeddus bod o ddim yn arian am ddim, ac nad jest mater o lenwi bylchau ydy o, ond hefyd ein bod ni yn gallu canfod ffyrdd newydd o weithio yn greadigol i helpu i ddod â phobl drwy'r argyfwng yma yr ydym ni yn ei ganol. A dyna oedd wrth wraidd sicrhau bod yna ofynion creadigol, os leiciwch chi, ynglŷn â'r modd rydym ni'n defnyddio arian cyhoeddus. Nid ymgais i beidio â rhoi cyllid i unigolion nac i sefydliadau oedd hynny, ond doeddwn i ddim eisiau tywallt arian i mewn i hen sefydliadau creadigol sydd, efallai, ddim y math o sefydliadau y mae pobl neu gynulleidfaoedd newydd yn mynd i ymateb iddyn nhw. Ac felly dyna oedd hynna. A Cymru Greadigol fydd, eto, yn gyfrifol am roi trosolwg a chyngor inni yn y sefyllfa yma.
We considered this issue carefully, and one of the things that’s been important to me over the years is that if people are to access public funds, that shouldn’t be available to them free of charge and that it’s just a matter of ticking the boxes, but that we also find new ways of working creatively in order to help to bring people through this crisis that we’re currently facing. That was at the heart of the decision that there should be creative requirements attached to how we make use of public funds. It’s not an attempt to refuse funding to individuals or institutions, but I didn’t want to pour money into old creative institutions that, perhaps, aren’t the kinds of institutions that new audiences will respond and react to. So, that was behind that. And, again, Creative Wales will be responsible for oversight and providing advice on this situation.
Conservative spokesperson, Laura Jones.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Laura Jones.
Deputy Minister, I know that a lot of the Chamber follow on social media, as do I, Joe Wicks, who was a physical and mental health hero, I suppose, during the national lockdown period. He posted a video this morning on how he's being affected mentally by all the latest coronavirus regulations and things like that, which I thought was very brave, and he also said how the physical exercise helps him through that.
The last six months have taken their toll on people's physical and mental well-being, something that was addressed earlier in the First Minister's statement, and there's very much a lot of evidence to suggest that physical exercise can actually help mental health. Therefore, I'd like to just reiterate calls by our shadow Minister for health and sport, Andrew R.T. Davies, earlier for more support to be put into recreational sport across Wales.
PE with Joe, which was something that Joe Wicks did, was such a success for whole families, of all ages, and their mental and physical health during the lockdown period, as were the videos they tailored for the elderly, particularly those who were shielding. I'm not suggesting that you and the First Minister start doing exercise videos for the nation, Minister, but it is something that is very good, and maybe we should we look into, because it's a great way of getting into people's houses, helping them to exercise, encouraging them to exercise and maybe it's something that we should look at on a Wales-wide basis and be free for use.
In areas where we have localised lockdowns, it made me think how are we reaching those people. Because of the obvious restrictions now on people, how are you ensuring that people are still able to take part in physical exercise, and how are you encouraging them to do so?
Ddirprwy Weinidog, gwn fod llawer o'r Siambr, fel finnau, yn dilyn Joe Wicks ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Mae'n siŵr ei fod yn arwr iechyd corfforol a meddyliol yn ystod cyfnod y cyfyngiadau symud cenedlaethol. Cyflwynodd fideo y bore yma ar sut y mae'r holl reoliadau coronafeirws a phethau felly'n effeithio arno'n feddyliol, ac roedd hynny'n ddewr iawn yn fy marn i, a dywedodd hefyd sut y mae gweithgarwch corfforol yn ei helpu gyda hynny.
Mae'r chwe mis diwethaf wedi gwneud niwed mawr i les corfforol a meddyliol pobl, rhywbeth a gafodd sylw yn gynharach yn natganiad y Prif Weinidog, a cheir llawer iawn o dystiolaeth sy'n awgrymu y gall gweithgarwch corfforol helpu iechyd meddwl. Felly, hoffwn ailadrodd galwadau cynharach Gweinidog yr wrthblaid dros iechyd a chwaraeon, Andrew R.T. Davies, am fwy o gymorth i chwaraeon hamdden ledled Cymru.
Roedd PE with Joe, sef yr hyn a wnâi Joe Wicks, yn gymaint o lwyddiant i deuluoedd cyfan o bob oed, a'u hiechyd meddwl a'u hiechyd corfforol yn ystod y cyfyngiadau symud, yn ogystal â'r fideos a oedd wedi'u teilwra ar gyfer yr henoed, yn enwedig y rheini a oedd ar y rhestr warchod. Nid wyf yn awgrymu eich bod chi a'r Prif Weinidog yn dechrau gwneud fideos ymarfer corff ar gyfer y genedl, Weinidog, ond mae'n rhywbeth da iawn, ac efallai y dylem edrych arno, oherwydd mae'n ffordd wych o fynd i mewn i dai pobl, eu helpu i wneud ymarfer corff, eu hannog i wneud ymarfer corff ac efallai ei fod yn rhywbeth y dylem edrych arno ar sail Cymru gyfan a hynny yn rhad ac am ddim.
Mewn ardaloedd lle mae gennym gyfyngiadau lleol, gwnaeth i mi feddwl sut rydym yn cyrraedd y bobl hynny. Oherwydd y cyfyngiadau amlwg sydd ar bobl yn awr, sut rydych chi'n sicrhau bod pobl yn dal i allu cymryd rhan mewn gweithgarwch corfforol, a sut rydych chi'n eu hannog i wneud hynny?
Well, I have an overall responsibility within Government for encouraging physical activity, which I still do myself. I'm not going to invite you to come and film me in Llandaff fields. I do, but it's a slow jogging process. But I think it's essential that we do, as a Government, repeat these messages, because one of the key things that I'm looking for, as we struggle through the pandemic, is how we develop good practice and better communication, so that the messages that we send out, the health messages that we produce, are ones that people find it easy to respond to. So, it's got to be a choice of which kind of physical activity. We spoke earlier about bowls; it depends what kind of physical activity people opt for—not just one thing or the other. We must make these activities as available as possible, in collaboration, obviously, with our major funders, which, through Welsh Government—it goes to the users of services.
Wel, mae gennyf gyfrifoldeb cyffredinol o fewn y Llywodraeth dros annog gweithgarwch corfforol, ac rwy'n dal i wneud hynny fy hun. Nid wyf am eich gwahodd i ddod i fy ffilmio yng nghaeau Llandaf. Rwy'n gwneud hynny, ond mae'n broses loncian araf. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn hanfodol ein bod ni, fel Llywodraeth, yn ailadrodd y negeseuon hyn, oherwydd un o'r pethau allweddol rwy'n chwilio amdano, wrth inni frwydro drwy'r pandemig, yw sut yr awn ati i ddatblygu arferion da a chyfathrebu gwell, fel bod y negeseuon rydym yn eu cyfleu, y negeseuon iechyd rydym yn eu cynhyrchu, yn rhai y mae pobl yn ei chael yn hawdd ymateb iddynt. Felly, rhaid iddo fod yn ddewis o ran y math o weithgarwch corfforol. Buom yn siarad yn gynharach am chwarae bowls; mae'n dibynnu ar ba fath o weithgarwch corfforol y mae pobl yn ei ddewis—nid un peth neu'r llall yn unig. Mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau bod cymaint â phosibl o'r gweithgareddau hyn ar gael, mewn cydweithrediad, yn amlwg, â'n prif gyllidwyr, sydd, drwy Lywodraeth Cymru—ei fod yn cyrraedd defnyddwyr gwasanaethau.
Thank you, Minister. To enable people to partake in sport during the winter months is absolutely essential. It's always been essential, but now more than ever during this pandemic. Rural areas, often deemed affluent by the Welsh Government, are critically poor in a lot of areas when it comes to sporting facilities, especially those that can be used during the winter months to ensure that people and clubs can continue their sporting activities throughout the coldest and rainiest of months. What steps are you taking, Minister, to ensure that everybody across all areas of Wales has access to all-weather sporting facilities within their own communities, so they don't have to travel?
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae galluogi pobl i gymryd rhan mewn chwaraeon yn ystod misoedd y gaeaf yn gwbl hanfodol. Mae bob amser wedi bod yn hanfodol, ond mae'n fwy hanfodol nag erioed yn awr yn ystod y pandemig hwn. Mae ardaloedd gwledig, sy'n aml yn cael eu hystyried yn gefnog gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn ddifrifol o dlawd mewn llawer o ardaloedd o ran cyfleusterau chwaraeon, yn enwedig y rhai y gellir eu defnyddio yn ystod misoedd y gaeaf i sicrhau y gall pobl a chlybiau barhau â'u gweithgareddau chwaraeon drwy gydol y misoedd oeraf a mwyaf glawog. Pa gamau rydych chi'n eu cymryd, Weinidog, i sicrhau bod gan bawb ar draws pob rhan o Gymru fynediad at gyfleusterau chwaraeon pob tywydd yn eu cymunedau eu hunain, fel nad oes raid iddynt deithio?
I will take note of that, because it's clearly something we need to ensure that we do provide and do respond to properly. I'm tempted to say we should ensure adequate supplies of thermals for all, but maybe that wouldn't be appropriate coming out of my budget; well, I haven't got much of a budget anyway. But to the extent that we could, I think that the obvious thing is to make people feel comfortable exercising in the interesting and diverse climate that we have in Wales.
Fe wnaf nodi hynny, oherwydd mae'n amlwg yn rhywbeth y mae angen inni sicrhau ein bod yn ei ddarparu ac yn ymateb iddo'n iawn. Rwy'n cael fy nhemtio i ddweud y dylem sicrhau cyflenwadau digonol o ddillad thermol i bawb, ond efallai na fyddai'n briodol i hynny ddod o fy nghyllideb i; wel, nid oes gennyf lawer o gyllideb beth bynnag. Ond i'r graddau y gallem wneud hynny, rwy'n credu mai'r peth amlwg yw gwneud i bobl deimlo'n gyfforddus i wneud ymarfer corff yn yr hinsawdd ddiddorol ac amrywiol sydd gennym yng Nghymru.
Thank you, Deputy Minister. Finally, the National Trust is facing considerable financial difficulty due to the coronavirus. They are reported to be facing losses of some £200 million as a result of the pandemic, and have had to review every aspect of their charity to make savings in almost every area of activity. One such attraction currently at risk is the roundhouse in the Kymin, which is a major tourist attraction in the area, attracting 65,000 visitors a year. The trust is currently consulting on closing the roundhouse, which would present a major blow to the local economy. Can you confirm that the full amount of funding provided by the UK Government to support arts and culture organisations in Wales is being used for the purpose intended, and what action can you take to ensure sites of historic importance, like the roundhouse, are kept open?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Yn olaf, mae'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yn wynebu cryn anhawster ariannol oherwydd y coronafeirws. Dywedir eu bod yn wynebu colledion o tua £200 miliwn o ganlyniad i'r pandemig, ac maent wedi gorfod adolygu pob agwedd ar eu helusen i wneud arbedion ym mhob maes gweithgaredd bron iawn. Un atyniad o'r fath sydd mewn perygl ar hyn o bryd yw'r tŷ crwn yn y Cymin, sy'n atyniad pwysig i dwristiaid yn yr ardal, gan ddenu 65,000 o ymwelwyr y flwyddyn. Mae'r ymddiriedolaeth wrthi'n ymgynghori ar gau'r tŷ crwn, a fyddai'n ergyd fawr i'r economi leol. A wnewch chi gadarnhau bod y swm llawn o arian a ddarperir gan Lywodraeth y DU i gefnogi sefydliadau celfyddydol a diwylliannol yng Nghymru yn cael ei ddefnyddio at y diben a fwriadwyd, a pha gamau y gallwch eu cymryd i sicrhau bod safleoedd o bwysigrwydd hanesyddol, fel y tŷ crwn, yn cael eu cadw ar agor?
I have visited the Kymin. I think it was one of the early properties—I think it was 1902 that it was a gift to the National Trust. It's a very distinctive site. I have had discussions with the National Trust, and my senior officials, especially the head of Cadw, have had discussions with the National Trust. I think the way to respond to your question is to assure you that I want a stronger partnership between National Trust Cymru and Welsh Government and Cadw, because I think here is an opportunity now, as we reopen, or hopefully gradually reopen sites of this kind, for us to co-operate.
Obviously, we cannot fund the National Trust as if it were just another applicant, but if the National Trust has serious proposals, which would include a partnership with Welsh Government, I would be strongly in favour of that. I do live in the middle of National Trust property in the north; I should declare an interest. Though the actual cottage that we have is not a National Trust property; I don't think the National Trust would want it.
Rwyf wedi ymweld â'r Cymin. Credaf ei fod yn un o'r eiddo cynnar—credaf mai yn 1902 y cafodd ei roi'n rhodd i'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol. Mae'n safle unigryw iawn. Rwyf wedi cael trafodaethau gyda'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol, ac mae fy uwch swyddogion, yn enwedig pennaeth Cadw, wedi cael trafodaethau gyda'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol. Rwy'n credu mai'r ffordd o ymateb i'ch cwestiwn yw drwy eich sicrhau fy mod eisiau cael partneriaeth gryfach rhwng Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol Cymru a Llywodraeth Cymru a Cadw, oherwydd credaf fod hwn yn gyfle yn awr inni gydweithredu, wrth inni ailagor, neu wrth inni ailagor safleoedd o'r math hwn yn raddol, gobeithio.
Yn amlwg, ni allwn ariannu'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol fel pe bai'n ddim ond ymgeisydd arall, ond os oes gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol gynigion difrifol, a fyddai'n cynnwys partneriaeth â Llywodraeth Cymru, byddwn yn gryf o blaid hynny. Rwy'n byw yng nghanol eiddo'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol yn y gogledd; dylwn ddatgan buddiant. Er, nid yw'r bwthyn sydd gennym ei hun yn eiddo i'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol; nid wyf yn credu y byddai'r Ymddiriedolaeth Genedlaethol ei eisiau.
Thank you. Question 3, Russell George.
Diolch. Cwestiwn 3, Russell George.
Sorry, Deputy Presiding Officer, I had an issue earlier on this afternoon.
Mae'n ddrwg gennyf, Ddirprwy Lywydd, cefais drafferth yn gynharach y prynhawn yma.
3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am farchnata a hyrwyddo canolbarth Cymru fel cyrchfan i dwristiaid? OQ55541
3. Will the Minister make a statement on the marketing and promotion of mid Wales as a tourist destination? OQ55541
Thank you for that. You may be aware that mid Wales, for me, is a very important, central part of the economy and the regional life of Wales. And we have emphasised in our tourism policy that we have, indeed, four regions in Wales, and therefore we encourage visitors whenever we can to mid Wales as a tourism destination, although, clearly, the slogan is still 'Visit Wales. Safely'.
Diolch am hynny. Efallai eich bod yn ymwybodol fod canolbarth Cymru, i mi, yn rhan bwysig iawn a chanolog o economi a bywyd rhanbarthol Cymru. Ac rydym wedi pwysleisio yn ein polisi twristiaeth fod gennym, yn wir, bedwar rhanbarth yng Nghymru, ac felly rydym yn annog ymwelwyr pryd bynnag y gallwn i ymweld â chanolbarth Cymru fel cyrchfan i dwristiaid, er mai'r slogan o hyd, yn amlwg, yw 'Darganfod Cymru. Yn ddiogel'.
Thank you, Deputy Minister. I'm obviously pleased to hear that. The restoration of the Montgomery canal, which is an important site of interest, has the potential to promote, I believe, mid Wales as a tourist destination and make a significant contribution to the visitor economy. I'm sure you will fondly remember the visit that you and I undertook to the canal just a couple of years ago.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Rwy'n amlwg yn falch o glywed hynny. Credaf fod gan y gwaith o adfer camlas Trefaldwyn, sy'n safle pwysig o ddiddordeb, botensial i hyrwyddo canolbarth Cymru fel cyrchfan i dwristiaid a gwneud cyfraniad sylweddol i'r economi ymwelwyr. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd gennych atgofion melys o'ch ymweliad chi a minnau â'r gamlas ychydig flynyddoedd yn ôl.
Indeed.
Yn wir.
It is estimated that restoring the canal would generate an annual spend of approximately £5 million and create 128 full-time jobs. We do need, I think, some fresh impetus into the campaign to restore the 'Monty', as it's called and referred to, so I would be grateful to hear about any recent discussions that Welsh Government may have had, perhaps with the UK Government or Powys County Council, in terms of incorporating this project into a potential mid Wales growth deal. I appreciate that might be a little bit outside of your immediate portfolio, Deputy Minister, but would you also agree to set up a project working group to look at how the Welsh Government can take a lead in the canal's restoration and take advantage of a number of funding sources?
Amcangyfrifir y byddai adfer y gamlas yn cynhyrchu gwariant blynyddol o tua £5 miliwn ac yn creu 128 o swyddi amser llawn. Credaf fod yr ymgyrch i adfer y 'Monty', fel y'i gelwir ac fel y cyfeirir ato, angen ysgogiad newydd, felly byddwn yn falch o glywed am unrhyw drafodaethau diweddar y gallai Llywodraeth Cymru fod wedi'u cael, gyda Llywodraeth y DU neu Gyngor Sir Powys efallai, mewn perthynas ag ymgorffori'r prosiect hwn mewn bargen dwf bosibl ar gyfer canolbarth Cymru. Sylweddolaf y gallai hynny fod ychydig y tu allan i'ch portffolio uniongyrchol, Ddirprwy Weinidog, ond a fyddech chi hefyd yn cytuno i sefydlu gweithgor prosiect i edrych ar sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru arwain y gwaith o adfer y gamlas a manteisio ar nifer o ffynonellau ariannu?
I have a huge personal affection and interest in the Welsh waterways. After all, they are the first conduits of our early industrial revolution and they occur now in bits. In fact, I have a map, which I can't reach for, sitting here, of the inland waterways of Wales and of the canal system in particular. The answer to your specific question is: yes, I'm very happy to continue further discussions.
I have worked in the past with Bwrdd Glandŵr Cymru—the Canal and River Trust—and I'm happy to continue those discussions. Clearly, Powys County Council would have a major role here and I think the development of mid Wales as an area of relaxation, and its very important location as a large border area, is something that I don't think we take sufficiently seriously when we look at what happens in Wales. There's a lot of talk about Snowdonia, about the north-east now, with the excitement in Gwrych castle, about what happens in the south-west and, of course, in the cities—Cardiff, Newport, Swansea—and in the region of south-east Wales. But I think mid Wales, for me—. And I have to tell you because of the fact that—I'm not under lockdown, but I have had a personal lockdown since the beginning of March, but my only visit for recreation was in fact to Vyrnwy, and I felt much better after being there.
Rwy'n hoff iawn o ddyfrffyrdd Cymru ac mae gennyf ddiddordeb mawr ynddynt. Wedi'r cyfan, hwy yw sianeli cyntaf ein chwyldro diwydiannol cynnar a darnau ohonynt sydd i'w gweld bellach. Yn wir, mae gennyf fap, na allaf ei gyrraedd o'r fan hon, wrth i mi eistedd yma, o ddyfrffyrdd mewndirol Cymru a'r system gamlesi'n benodol. Yr ateb i'ch cwestiwn penodol yw: ydw, rwy'n hapus iawn i barhau â thrafodaethau pellach.
Rwyf wedi gweithio gyda Bwrdd Glandŵr Cymru yn y gorffennol—ymddiriedolaeth y camlesi a'r afonydd—ac rwy'n fodlon parhau â'r trafodaethau hynny. Yn amlwg, byddai gan Gyngor Sir Powys rôl bwysig yma ac rwy'n credu bod datblygu canolbarth Cymru fel ardal ar gyfer ymlacio, a'i lleoliad tra phwysig fel ardal fawr ar y ffin, yn rhywbeth nad wyf yn credu ein bod yn rhoi digon o bwys arno pan edrychwn ar yr hyn sy'n digwydd yng Nghymru. Mae llawer o sôn am Eryri, am y gogledd-ddwyrain yn awr, gyda'r cyffro yng nghastell Gwrych, am yr hyn sy'n digwydd yn y de-orllewin ac wrth gwrs, yn y dinasoedd—Caerdydd, Casnewydd, Abertawe—ac yn rhanbarth de-ddwyrain Cymru. Ond rwy'n credu bod canolbarth Cymru, i mi—. Ac mae'n rhaid i mi ddweud wrthych oherwydd—nid wyf dan gyfyngiadau symud, ond rwyf wedi bod dan gyfyngiadau symud personol ers dechrau mis Mawrth, a'r unig ymweliad y bum arno at ddibenion hamdden oedd i Lyn Efyrnwy mewn gwirionedd, ac roeddwn yn teimlo'n llawer gwell ar ôl bod yno.
Thank you. Huw Irranca-Davies.
Diolch. Huw Irranca-Davies.
Dirprwy Lywydd, my apologies, there was a bit of a delay then because the cursor would not allow me to unmute.
Minister, once they let me out of Bridgend at some point, when we get on top of this virus, I'm looking forward to getting my gaiters on and heading up the Cambrian Way through mid Wales. It is a great gem and, of course, last year, along with Ramblers Cymru, we launched the Cambrian Way, along with Cicerone, the great route maker that publishes the best routes worldwide. But could you tell me, Minister, in encouraging more people out into the wilds of mid Wales, which are a great undiscovered gem—I have to say, they really are—how do we also make sure that people have respect for the countryside as well and that they leave no trace? I'm old enough to remember the old countryside code as well. How do we make sure that we educate a new generation of people to enjoy the countryside but to look after it as well?
Ddirprwy Lywydd, ymddiheuriadau am yr oedi, nid oedd y cyrchwr yn caniatáu i mi agor y meic.
Weinidog, pan fyddant yn caniatáu i mi adael Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr ar ryw bwynt, pan fyddwn wedi llwyddo i drechu'r feirws hwn, rwy'n edrych ymlaen at wisgo fy sanau cerdded a mynd ar hyd Ffordd Cambria drwy ganolbarth Cymru. Mae'n drysor gwych ac wrth gwrs, y llynedd, ynghyd â'r Cerddwyr, lansiwyd Ffordd Cambria gyda Cicerone, y lluniwr llwybrau gwych sy'n cyhoeddi'r llwybrau gorau yn y byd. Ond a allech chi ddweud wrthyf, Weinidog, wrth annog mwy o bobl i diroedd gwyllt canolbarth Cymru, sy'n drysor mawr heb ei ddarganfod—mae hynny'n bendant yn wir—sut rydym hefyd yn sicrhau bod gan bobl barch at gefn gwlad ac nad ydynt yn gadael unrhyw olion? Rwy'n ddigon hen i gofio'r hen god cefn gwlad hefyd. Sut y mae gwneud yn siŵr ein bod yn addysgu cenhedlaeth newydd o bobl i fwynhau cefn gwlad ond i ofalu amdano hefyd?
Well, this is a key part of the tourism relationship, of the visitor and host relationship, and people in the countryside clearly have to be positive in their welcome and reception of visitors, but visitors and walkers particularly have to have an understanding of the nature of the countryside communities, and of the misunderstanding very often of the relationship between rights of way, permissive rights and statutory rights—footpaths and so on. So, I think the important thing here is that the messages that we promote through Visit Wales and the messages that we promote through our relationship with agricultural unions and the landowners are messages that look for sustainable tourism and sustainable countryside recreation.
Wel, mae hyn yn rhan allweddol o'r berthynas dwristiaeth, y berthynas rhwng ymwelwyr a'r rhai sy'n eu croesawu, ac mae'n amlwg fod yn rhaid i bobl yng nghefn gwlad fod yn gadarnhaol yn eu croeso a'u derbyniad i ymwelwyr, ond mae'n rhaid i ymwelwyr a cherddwyr yn arbennig ddeall natur cymunedau cefn gwlad, a'r gamddealltwriaeth sy'n digwydd yn aml iawn ynghylch y berthynas rhwng hawliau tramwy, hawliau caniataol a hawliau statudol—llwybrau troed ac yn y blaen. Felly, credaf mai'r peth pwysig yma yw sicrhau bod y negeseuon rydym yn eu hyrwyddo drwy Croeso Cymru a'r negeseuon rydym yn eu hyrwyddo drwy ein perthynas ag undebau amaethyddol a'r tirfeddianwyr yn negeseuon sy'n edrych am dwristiaeth gynaliadwy a gweithgareddau hamdden cefn gwlad cynaliadwy.
4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am hyrwyddo'r Gymraeg ymysg plant ifanc? OQ55536
4. Will the Minister make a statement on promoting the Welsh language among young children? OQ55536
Diolch yn fawr, Mike, a diolch am ofyn y cwestiwn yn Gymraeg hefyd. Drwy Cymraeg i Blant, y siarter iaith, Mudiad Meithrin, yr Urdd, mentrau iaith a thrwy lawer o ffyrdd eraill, mae llawer o gyfleoedd i blant ddefnyddio'r Gymraeg. Hefyd, byddaf yn cyhoeddi polisi ar drosglwyddo'r Gymraeg rhwng rhieni a'u plant cyn diwedd y flwyddyn, a fydd eto yn sail i raglen newydd o waith.
Thank you very much, Mike, and thank you for asking the question in Welsh. Through Cymraeg i Blant, the language charter, Mudiad Meithrin, the Urdd, the mentrau iaith and many other methods, there are many opportunities for children to use the Welsh language. I will also be publishing a policy on transmission of the Welsh language between parents and children before the end of the year, which will again be the basis for a new programme of work.
Diolch, Weinidog, am yr ateb hwnnw. Roeddwn i, fel mae llawer o rai eraill yma, yn ymwybodol o ba mor anodd yw dod yn rhugl yn y Gymraeg fel oedolion. Pa drafodaethau mae'r Gweinidog yn eu cael gyda chydweithwyr ynghylch pwysigrwydd dechrau dysgu Cymraeg yn ifanc, yn enwedig o ran cefnogaeth i Mudiad Meithrin, Ti a Fi a sicrhau bod dechrau disglair trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg ar gael?
Thank you for that response, Minister. I, like many others here, am aware of how difficult it is to become fluent in Welsh as an adult. So, what discussions has the Minister had with colleagues on the importance of starting learning Welsh at a young age, particularly in terms of support for Mudiad Meithrin and Ti a Fi and ensuring that they have a positive start through the medium of Welsh?
Diolch yn fawr. Roedd hynna'n arbennig o dda, Mike, a dwi'n meddwl bod y cwestiynau yn rhai teilwng hefyd. Wrth gwrs, beth rŷn ni yn ceisio gwneud i gyrraedd miliwn o siaradwyr yw sicrhau—. I gyrraedd y targed yna, rŷn ni eisiau sicrhau bod mwy o blant yn cael addysg Gymraeg. Felly, mae tua 20 y cant o blant yn cael addysg Gymraeg ar hyn o bryd. Rŷn ni eisiau hwnna i gyrraedd tua 40 y cant. Mae hwnna'n gam eithaf mawr ac, wrth gwrs, y ffordd i wneud hynny yw trwy ddechrau gydag addysg ysgol feithrin, a dyna pam eisoes rŷn ni wedi agor—mae ysgolion meithrin wedi agor—mwy o lefydd lle mae yna gyfle i blant ddod ynghyd i ddysgu Cymraeg mewn ardaloedd lle nad oes ysgolion meithrin ar hyn o bryd. Ond hyd yn oed cyn hynny, mae 20 o gylchoedd Ti a Fi newydd wedi eu sefydlu ledled Cymru, ac mae hwnna, wrth gwrs, yn rhoi cyfle i bobl jest i gamu i mewn i'r Gymraeg cyn anfon eu plant nhw i ysgolion meithrin.
Felly, rŷn ni'n ceisio annog plant i ddefnyddio'r Gymraeg ond, wrth gwrs, unwaith maen nhw'n mynd mewn i ysgolion Cymraeg, hefyd mae'n rhaid inni sicrhau eu bod nhw'n defnyddio'r iaith yn gymdeithasol. Dyna pam rŷn ni'n defnyddio pethau fel y mentrau iaith i sicrhau bod yna gyfleoedd iddyn nhw ymarfer yr iaith unwaith eu bod nhw yn gallu ei siarad hi.
Thank you very much. That was excellent, Mike, and I think that the questions are very fair too. Of course, what we do try to do to reach 1 million Welsh speakers is to ensure—. To reach that target, we want to ensure that more children receive their education through the medium of Welsh. So, around 20 per cent currently receive their education through the medium of Welsh, and we want that to get to 40 per cent. That's quite a major step and, of course, the way to do that is by starting with nursery provision, and that's why Mudiad Meithrin have opened more settings where there is an opportunity for children to come together to learn Welsh in areas where there is no such provision at the moment. But before that, 20 new Ti a Fi cylchoedd have been established throughout Wales, and they provide an opportunity for people just to step into the Welsh language and try it out before they send their children to those Welsh-medium nursery schools.
So, we try to encourage children to use the Welsh language, but, of course, once they go into Welsh-medium schools, we also have to ensure that they use the Welsh language socially. So, that's why we use initiatives such as the mentrau iaith to ensure that they have opportunities to practice the Welsh language once they're able to speak it.
Rwy'n falch, Weinidog, eich bod chi wedi sôn am rieni achos mae'r gefnogaeth weladwy gan rieni neu ofalwyr i'r Gymraeg yn ddylanwadol iawn ar sut mae plentyn bach yn derbyn dwyieithrwydd fel rhan o'r ffordd mae'n gweld ei hunan, rhywbeth sy'n real tu hwnt i leoliad penodol fel cylchoedd neu ysgolion, fel rŷn ni'n gwybod. Gwersi tylino babanod a ioga babanod, wrth ochr cae pêl-droed, mewn siop leol—mae'r rhain yn fannau hamddenol a chyfeillgar lle gall rhieni ddefnyddio'r Gymraeg eu hunain tra byddant gyda'u plant. Mae rhaglenni megis Cymraeg i Blant—rŷch chi wedi sôn am hynny—a Clwb Cwtsh yn hanfodol yn y gwaith i gefnogi rhieni ar daith eu plant i ddod yn ddwyieithog, ond beth arall allwch chi awgrymu sydd ddim ar-lein i gyfoethogi profiad rhieni, fel y gallant ddod yn brif hyrwyddwyr yr iaith i blant ifanc, drwy allu dangos nid yn unig dweud, ac mae hynny'n bwysig iawn, dwi'n credu, mewn ardaloedd, fel rŷch chi wedi dweud, di-Gymraeg?
I'm pleased, Minister, that you mentioned parents because the visible support of parents and carers for the Welsh language is very influential in terms of how a young child accepts bilingualism as part of how he or she sees him or herself, which is very important beyond locations such as the cylchoedd and the ysgolion meithrin. Baby massage and yoga, around the football pitch at a local sports ground, a local shop—these are all friendly areas where parents can use the Welsh language themselves while they are with their own children. And programmes such as Cymraeg i Blant, which you've already mentioned, and Clwb Cwtsh are crucial in the work of supporting parents on their children's journey towards bilingualism. But what else can you suggest that isn't online to enhance parents' experience so that they can become the main promoters of the Welsh language to young children, by actually showing their commitment, and that's very important, as you've said, in the non-Welsh speaking areas?
Diolch yn fawr. Dwi yn meddwl bod hwnna'n bwynt rili pwysig, achos mae yna berygl bod pobl yn gweld yr iaith fel rhywbeth sy'n artiffisial, sydd ddim ond yn digwydd yn yr ysgol, felly mae'n bwysig eu bod nhw'n gweld bod hyn yn ffordd o fyw hefyd. A dyna pam, wrth gwrs, mae Cymraeg i Blant yn gyfle i bobl wneud hynny. Ond, wrth gwrs, ar hyn o bryd, mae hynny'n anodd, a dyna pam mae'r holl waith yna wedi symud ar-lein, ac mae'n bwysig ar hyn o bryd eu bod nhw'n rhoi cyfleoedd i'r rheini sydd heb gyfleoedd i siarad Cymraeg adref, ac sydd ddim wedi gallu mynd i'r ysgol am fisoedd—eu bod nhw yn cael cyfle i ddefnyddio'r iaith.
Rŷn ni wedi bod yn rhoi syniadau drwy rwydweithiau cymdeithasol i rieni, fel eu bod nhw'n gweld beth sydd allan yna, felly mae 'Llond haf o Gymraeg'—mae hwnna'n hashtag; mae'n ffordd i bobl fynd ati i ffeindio mesurau a phethau maen nhw'n gallu eu defnyddio, fel eu bod nhw'n gallu defnyddio'r iaith Gymraeg. Ond, wrth gwrs, peth arall rŷn ni'n mynd i'w wneud yw'r syniad yma o drosglwyddo iaith rhwng pobl yn eu teuluoedd nhw. Mae hwnna'n rhywbeth rili sensitif, yn rili anodd ei wneud, ond mae e'n rhywbeth rŷn ni'n ceisio mynd ati ar hyn o bryd, i weld beth allwn ni ei wneud i gael mwy o'r rheini sydd efallai ddim cweit gyda'r hyder, neu sydd ddim wedi siarad Cymraeg ers blynyddoedd, ers iddyn nhw adael ysgol—eu bod nhw yn mynd ati i ddefnyddio'r Gymraeg gyda'u plant nhw.
Thank you very much. I think that's a very important point, because there is a risk that people see the language as something artificial that's only spoken in schools, so it's important that they see that this is a way of life as well. And that's why Cymraeg i Blant is an opportunity for people to do just that, but, of course, at the moment it's difficult, and that's why all of that work has moved online, and it's very important at the moment that we give opportunities for those who don't have opportunities to speak Welsh at home, and who haven't been able to attend school for months—that they have an opportunity to use the Welsh language as well.
We've been sharing ideas through social networks to parents, so that they can see what is out there, so there is 'Llond haf o Gymraeg'—that's a hashtag that people can use to find activities, initiatives, that they can use with the Welsh language. But, of course, what else we're going to do is adopt this idea of language transmission between people within their families. That's really sensitive and really difficult to do, but it is something that we are trying to focus on at the moment, to see how we can get more of those people who don't quite have the confidence, who haven't spoken Welsh for years, since they left school—that they might start using the Welsh language again.
5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gefnogaeth Llywodraeth Cymru i dwristiaeth yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ55559
5. Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for tourism in north Wales? OQ55559
Yes, thank you very much, Darren. The support that we've given to the tourism industry in north Wales is the most generous in the United Kingdom, especially through the economic resilience fund. Tourism businesses in Wales as a whole benefited over £27 million from the first two phases of the economic resilience fund, of which £8 million pounds was spent in north Wales.
Diolch yn fawr iawn, Darren. Y gefnogaeth rydym wedi'i rhoi i'r diwydiant twristiaeth yng ngogledd Cymru yw'r gefnogaeth fwyaf hael yn y Deyrnas Unedig, yn enwedig drwy'r gronfa cadernid economaidd. Mae busnesau twristiaeth drwy Gymru gyfan wedi cael budd o dros £27 miliwn drwy ddau gam cyntaf y gronfa cadernid economaidd, a gwariwyd £8 miliwn ohono yng ngogledd Cymru.
Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. You'll be aware that Gwrych castle will be the focus of millions of viewers' eyes from November when I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! will actually be filmed there, at what is a fairytale venue. Obviously, that gives us a huge opportunity to put north Wales even further on the map for visitors, not just in Wales, but around the world. Can you tell me what action the Welsh Government is taking in order to capitalise on the opportunity that is presented by I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! taking place in Abergele, and can you rule yourself in or out of that camp, and have you been approached by ITV?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Ddirprwy Weinidog. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol mai castell Gwrych fydd ffocws miliynau o wylwyr o fis Tachwedd ymlaen pan fydd I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! yn cael ei ffilmio yno, mewn lleoliad tylwyth teg. Yn amlwg, mae hynny'n rhoi cyfle enfawr inni roi gogledd Cymru'n fwy amlwg ar y map i ymwelwyr, nid yn unig yng Nghymru, ond ym mhob rhan o'r y byd. A allwch chi ddweud wrthyf pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd er mwyn manteisio ar y cyfle a ddaw yn sgil y ffaith bod I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! yn digwydd yn Abergele, ac a fyddwch chi'n cymryd rhan yn y rhaglen honno ai peidio, ac a yw ITV wedi cysylltu â chi?
I am unable to answer the final part of that question. [Laughter.] But, no, I don't intend to participate, I don't think, and I wouldn't be allowed to as Minister for tourism. I couldn't pretend to be part of a tourist activity myself. But I do know Gwrych Castle, obviously, because I was brought up in the county of Conwy, and I am delighted with the very strong support that is being made available to this project. And I think that we can never underestimate the importance of activity that combines both physical activity in the countryside and heritage interest, which is debatable—whether Gwrych castle is a heritage site in the true sense of the word, but now it certainly will be.
Ni allaf ateb rhan olaf y cwestiwn hwnnw. [Chwerthin.] Ond na, nid wyf yn bwriadu cymryd rhan, nid wyf yn credu, ac ni fyddwn yn cael gwneud hynny fel Gweinidog twristiaeth. Ni allwn esgus bod yn rhan o weithgaredd twristiaeth fy hun. Ond rwy'n adnabod castell Gwrych, yn amlwg, oherwydd cefais fy magu yn sir Conwy, ac rwy'n falch iawn o'r gefnogaeth gref iawn i'r prosiect hwn. A chredaf na allwn byth danbrisio pwysigrwydd gweithgaredd sy'n cyfuno gweithgarwch corfforol yng nghefn gwlad a diddordeb treftadaeth, sy'n ddadleuol—a yw castell Gwrych yn safle treftadaeth yng ngwir ystyr y gair, ond fe fydd yn awr yn sicr.
Deputy Minister, I was pleased to support the tourism sector in north Wales over the period of lockdown, and the very real threat to businesses, jobs and livelihoods that was predicted if the sector was not opened up in a timely manner. Tourism means not just accommodation, it's museums, animal sanctuaries, stately homes and all of those things that we as residents know are there but take for granted or haven't seen for decades. Will you please join me in asking all of Wales, as well as our visitors, to fall in love again with where we live and get out to see these sites and enjoy these facilities where the new rules allow? Thank you.
Ddirprwy Weinidog, roeddwn yn falch o gefnogi'r sector twristiaeth yng ngogledd Cymru dros gyfnod y cyfyngiadau symud, a'r bygythiad real iawn i fusnesau, swyddi a bywoliaeth a ragwelwyd pe na bai'r sector yn cael ei agor mewn modd amserol. Nid llety'n unig yw twristiaeth, mae'n golygu amgueddfeydd, llochesau anifeiliaid, plastai a'r holl bethau rydym ni fel trigolion yn gwybod eu bod yno ond yn eu cymryd yn ganiataol neu heb eu gweld ers degawdau. A wnewch chi ymuno â mi, os gwelwch yn dda, i ofyn i Gymru gyfan, yn ogystal â'n hymwelwyr, i syrthio mewn cariad unwaith eto â ble rydym yn byw a mynd i weld y safleoedd hyn a mwynhau'r cyfleusterau hyn lle mae'r rheolau newydd yn caniatáu inni wneud hynny? Diolch.
Thank you for that very positive question. It's extremely important that we recognise the value to Wales's tourism of visits from within Wales, as well as within our neighbouring countries, especially from over the border from England, as well as from Ireland. And I hope that the activities at Gwrych castle and the television support that will be provided for that in terms of marketing, and the marketing that will be related to that by Visit Wales as our own tourism marketing organisation, will be able to provide the positive message for people to visit these sites in Wales within the context of public health that we have at the moment.
Diolch i chi am y cwestiwn cadarnhaol hwnnw. Mae'n eithriadol o bwysig ein bod yn cydnabod gwerth ymweliadau oddi mewn i Gymru i dwristiaeth Cymru, yn ogystal ag ymweliadau o wledydd cyfagos, yn enwedig dros y ffin o Loegr, yn ogystal ag o Iwerddon. Ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y gweithgareddau yng nghastell Gwrych a'r gefnogaeth deledu a ddarperir ar gyfer hynny o ran marchnata, a'r marchnata a fydd yn gysylltiedig â hynny gan Croeso Cymru fel ein sefydliad marchnata twristiaeth ein hunain, yn gallu darparu neges gadarnhaol i bobl ymweld â'r safleoedd hyn yng Nghymru yng nghyd-destun y mesurau iechyd cyhoeddus sydd gennym ar hyn o bryd.
6. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Gweinidog wedi'u cael gyda'r Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol ynghylch effaith ail gartrefi ar yr iaith Gymraeg? OQ55538
6. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Housing and Local Government regarding the effect of second homes on the Welsh language? OQ55538
Diolch, Neil. Ensuring that people can access affordable homes is crucial for the future sustainability of Welsh-speaking communities. This is a complex issue, of which second homes is a significant factor. I've already discussed this with the Minister for Housing and Local Government, and will continue to prioritise this matter.
Diolch, Neil. Mae sicrhau y gall pobl gael mynediad at gartrefi fforddiadwy yn hanfodol ar gyfer cynaliadwyedd cymunedau Cymraeg eu hiaith yn y dyfodol. Mae hwn yn fater cymhleth, ac mae ail gartrefi yn ffactor arwyddocaol ynddo. Rwyf eisoes wedi trafod hyn gyda'r Gweinidog Tai a Llywodraeth Leol, a byddaf yn parhau i flaenoriaethu'r mater hwn.
I strongly urge the Minister to have discussions with Gwynedd Council, because local government can do a lot. In Gwynedd, 7,000 homes are owned by people who don't even live in Wales. Ten per cent of homes in Gwynedd are used as second homes—more than any other county in Wales. Almost 40 per cent of properties sold in Gwynedd from March 2019 to April 2020 were purchased as second homes—again, more than any other county in Wales. Houses are marketed in England for £400,000, £2 million—one £3 million, just down the road from Mynytho, the village where my wife was born and raised. Local people simply cannot afford to buy houses where they live now, with the average wage in Gwynedd being £16,000 a year. The local council in Gwynedd passed a local development plan that enables, unbelievably, family housing to be converted into holiday accommodation. So, the second home issue is an epidemic that has gone on for decades in Welsh language communities, decimating the language. So, my question, really, is: when are you going to start to do something about people avoiding tax on the second properties, when are you going to overhaul the planning system, and especially local development plans, and when is the Government going to end this scandal?
Rwy’n annog y Gweinidog yn gryf i gael trafodaethau gyda Chyngor Gwynedd, gan y gall llywodraeth leol wneud llawer. Yng Ngwynedd, mae 7,000 o gartrefi yn eiddo i bobl nad ydynt yn byw yng Nghymru hyd yn oed. Mae deg y cant o gartrefi yng Ngwynedd yn cael eu defnyddio fel ail gartrefi—mwy nag unrhyw sir arall yng Nghymru. Prynwyd bron i 40 y cant o'r eiddo a werthwyd yng Ngwynedd rhwng mis Mawrth 2019 a mis Ebrill 2020 fel ail gartrefi—unwaith eto, mwy nag unrhyw sir arall yng Nghymru. Mae tai yn cael eu marchnata yn Lloegr am £400,000, £2 filiwn—un am £3 miliwn, ychydig i lawr y ffordd o Fynytho, y pentref lle ganwyd a magwyd fy ngwraig. Yn syml iawn, ni all pobl leol fforddio prynu tai lle maent yn byw nawr, gyda'r cyflog cyfartalog yng Ngwynedd yn £16,000 y flwyddyn. Pasiwyd cynllun datblygu lleol gan y cyngor lleol yng Ngwynedd sy'n caniatáu, yn anhygoel, trosi tai teulu yn llety gwyliau. Felly, mae mater ail gartrefi yn epidemig sydd wedi bodoli ers degawdau mewn cymunedau Cymraeg, gan ddinistrio'r iaith. Felly, fy nghwestiwn, mewn gwirionedd, yw: pa bryd rydych chi'n mynd i ddechrau gwneud rhywbeth ynglŷn â phobl yn osgoi trethi ar yr ail eiddo, pa bryd rydych chi'n mynd i ailwampio'r system gynllunio, ac yn enwedig cynlluniau datblygu lleol, a pha bryd y mae'r Llywodraeth yn mynd i roi diwedd ar y sgandal?