Y Cyfarfod Llawn - Y Bumed Senedd
Plenary - Fifth Senedd
11/11/2020Cynnwys
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 13:30 gyda'r Llywydd (Elin Jones) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Llywydd (Elin Jones) in the Chair.
Croeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn. Cyn i ni ddechrau, dwi eisiau nodi ychydig o bwyntiau. Cynhelir y cyfarfod hwn ar ffurf hybrid, gyda rhai Aelodau yn Siambr 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 rhain wedi'u nodi ar yr agenda. Dwi eisiau atgoffa Aelodau hefyd fod y Rheolau Sefydlog sy'n ymwneud â threfn yn y Cyfarfod Llawn yn berthnasol i'r cyfarfod yma, ac yr un mor berthnasol i'r Aelodau yn y Siambr ag ydyn nhw i'r Aelodau sy'n ymuno drwy gyswllt fideo.
A warm welcome to this Plenary session. Before we begin, I want to set out a few points. This meeting will be held in a 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 these are set out on your agenda. I would also remind Members that Standing Orders relating to order in Plenary meetings apply to this meeting, and apply equally to Members in the Chamber as to those joining virtually.
Felly, yr eitem gyntaf ar ein hagenda ni y prynhawn yma yw'r cwestiynau i Weinidog yr Economi, Trafnidiaeth a'r gogledd, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Mark Isherwood.
The first item on our agenda this afternoon is questions to the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, and the first question is from Mark Isherwood.
1. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o effaith pandemig COVID-19 ar fusnesau yng ngogledd Cymru? OQ55812
1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses in north Wales? OQ55812
The pandemic, along with the imminent end of the European Union transition period, is causing a very uncertain and worrying period for businesses across north Wales. The greatest risk, of course, to the economy is in not doing enough, soon enough, which is why our £1.7 billion package of support is the most generous anywhere in the United Kingdom.
Mae'r pandemig, ynghyd â diwedd cyfnod pontio'r Undeb Ewropeaidd sydd ar fin digwydd, yn golygu ei bod yn gyfnod ansicr a phryderus iawn i fusnesau ledled gogledd Cymru. Y risg fwyaf i'r economi wrth gwrs yw peidio â gwneud digon yn ddigon buan, a dyna pam mai ein pecyn cymorth gwerth £1.7 biliwn yw'r mwyaf hael yn unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig.
Thank you. Last week, a survey on the impact of lockdowns on the tourism, hospitality, retail, leisure sectors and their supply chains in north Wales, conducted by North Wales Tourism with support from the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, was published. Carried out over four days, from 21 October, with 364 businesses responding from across the region, this found that 31 per cent would be making further staff redundancies before the end of March 2021, that 39 per cent would cease trading if there are any further national or local lockdowns before then, and that 81 per cent of respondents stated that their mental health had been negatively impacted running a business under pandemic circumstances. How do you therefore respond to their call for meaningful regional and local business engagement with you, across all sectors, before any more lockdowns come, to include the outlining of the process of entering the next new lockdowns, the evidence for the decision making, operational guidance for businesses and details of the business support available, before any lockdowns begin?
Diolch. Yr wythnos diwethaf, cyhoeddwyd arolwg o effaith cyfyngiadau symud ar y sectorau twristiaeth, lletygarwch, manwerthu, hamdden a'u cadwyni cyflenwi yng ngogledd Cymru, arolwg a gynhaliwyd gan Twristiaeth Gogledd Cymru gyda chymorth Cyngor Busnes Gogledd Cymru a Merswy Dyfrdwy. Fe'i cynhaliwyd dros bedwar diwrnod, o 21 Hydref ymlaen, gyda 364 o fusnesau'n ymateb o bob rhan o'r rhanbarth, a chanfu y byddai 31 y cant yn diswyddo rhagor o staff cyn diwedd mis Mawrth 2021, y byddai 39 y cant yn rhoi'r gorau i fasnachu os oes unrhyw gyfnodau pellach o gyfyngiadau symud cyn hynny, a bod 81 y cant o ymatebwyr wedi dweud bod eu hiechyd meddwl wedi'i effeithio'n negyddol wrth redeg busnes o dan amgylchiadau pandemig. Sut rydych chi'n ymateb felly i'w galwad am ymgysylltiad busnes ystyrlon â chi, yn rhanbarthol a lleol, ar draws pob sector, cyn y daw rhagor o gyfyngiadau symud, i gynnwys amlinellu'r broses o fynd i mewn i gyfnodau newydd sydd i ddod o gyfyngiadau symud, y dystiolaeth ar gyfer gwneud penderfyniadau, canllawiau gweithredol i fusnesau a manylion y cymorth busnes sydd ar gael, cyn i unrhyw gyfnodau o gyfyngiadau symud ddechrau?
Can I thank Mark Isherwood for his supplementary question and say that we are acutely aware of the very severe effects of coronavirus not just in terms of public health, but also in terms of the mental and emotional resilience of citizens and, of course, those people in charge of businesses across the length and breadth of Wales? The survey does point to many factors that need to be addressed not just by the Welsh Government, but also, of course, by the UK Government. And in my engagement with representative organisations and businesses direct, the primary call in recent months has been for the furlough scheme to be extended through to March. That has now happened. We wish it would have happened earlier because, of course, businesses need certainty.
I can say, with regard to tourism and hospitality businesses in north Wales, that more than 1,200 micro- and small and medium-sized enterprise businesses in those sectors in north Wales have succeeded in drawing down funding from the first two phases of the economic resilience fund, and in north Wales, a further 105 businesses within tourism and hospitality have been successful in drawing down funding from the Development Bank of Wales. This points to the most comprehensive and generous package of support anywhere in the United Kingdom. Of course, the 17-day firebreak was difficult for businesses, there is no doubt about that, but it's better to have a 17-day firebreak than a four-week lockdown, which was necessitated by the UK Government delaying its actions.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Mark Isherwood am ei gwestiwn atodol a dweud ein bod yn ymwybodol iawn o effeithiau difrifol iawn coronafeirws nid yn unig o ran iechyd y cyhoedd, ond hefyd o ran cadernid meddyliol ac emosiynol dinasyddion ac wrth gwrs, y bobl sy'n gyfrifol am fusnesau ar hyd a lled Cymru? Mae'r arolwg yn cyfeirio at lawer o ffactorau y mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru fynd i'r afael â hwy, a Llywodraeth y DU hefyd wrth gwrs. Ac wrth ymgysylltu'n uniongyrchol â sefydliadau a busnesau cynrychioliadol, y brif alwad yn ystod y misoedd diwethaf oedd i'r cynllun ffyrlo gael ei ymestyn hyd at fis Mawrth. Mae hynny wedi digwydd erbyn hyn. Byddai'n dda gennym pe bai wedi digwydd yn gynharach oherwydd, wrth gwrs, mae angen sicrwydd ar fusnesau.
O ran busnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch yng ngogledd Cymru, gallaf ddweud bod dros 1,200 o ficrofusnesau a busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint yn y sectorau hynny yno wedi llwyddo i gael arian o ddau gam cyntaf y gronfa cadernid economaidd, ac yng ngogledd Cymru, mae 105 o fusnesau eraill ym maes twristiaeth a lletygarwch wedi llwyddo i gael cyllid gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru. Dyma'r pecyn cymorth mwyaf cynhwysfawr a hael yn unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig. Wrth gwrs, roedd y cyfnod atal byr o 17 diwrnod yn anodd i fusnesau, nid oes amheuaeth am hynny, ond mae'n well cael cyfnod atal byr o 17 diwrnod na chyfyngiadau symud am bedair wythnos, fel y bu'n rhaid i Lywodraeth y DU ei wneud ar ôl gohirio camau gweithredu.
Dwi'n croesawu'r arian sydd wedi cael ei roi i fusnesau ar draws y gogledd, ac yn fy etholaeth i, drwy wahanol gamau y gronfa cadernid economaidd. Ond dwi'n dal i weld busnesau sy'n methu â chael cymorth, er enghraifft oherwydd nad ydyn nhw wedi cofrestru ar gyfer treth ar werth neu dydyn nhw ddim yn cyflogi pobl drwy PAYE. Rŵan, dwi'n croesawu'r ffaith y bydd yna bedwerydd cam o'r gronfa cadernid economaidd, ond a all y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym ni pa asesiad y mae o am ei weld yn cael ei wneud o'r busnesau, neu'r sectorau o fusnesau, sydd wedi colli ar bob cyfle, mae'n ymddangos, i gael cymorth hyd yma? Ac a fydd yna fodd i newid y gofynion yn y dyfodol er mwyn i'r busnesau hynny allu gwneud cais am arian o'r rowndiau nesaf o gymorth sydd ar gael?
I welcome the funding provided to businesses across north Wales, and in my constituency, through the various phases of the economic resilience fund. But I still see businesses who can't access support because, for example, they aren't registered for VAT or because they don't employ people through PAYE. Now, I welcome the fact that there will be a fourth phase of the ERF, but can the Minister tell us what assessment he wants to see made of those businesses, or those business sectors, who have lost out on all opportunities to access support to date? And will it be possible to change the requirements in the future so that those businesses can bid for funding from the next rounds of support available?
Can I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for his question? A number of Members have asked similar questions in recent weeks, and I can confirm that there is discretion within the third phase of the economic resilience fund, within that £200 million of lockdown business grants that are available across Wales, to enable those businesses that have fallen through the gap, so far, to get necessary support. I'm also pleased to be able to tell the Member for Ynys Môn today that, with regard to the third phase of the economic resilience fund, more than 940 awards have already been made to businesses in his constituency, supporting and securing work for more than 3,500 people. That shows the value of the latest phase of the economic resilience fund, a fund that is part of the most comprehensive and generous package of support for businesses anywhere in the UK.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Rhun ap Iorwerth am ei gwestiwn? Mae nifer o'r Aelodau wedi gofyn cwestiynau tebyg yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf, a gallaf gadarnhau bod disgresiwn yn nhrydydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd, o fewn y £200 miliwn o grantiau i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau sydd ar gael ledled Cymru, i alluogi'r busnesau sydd wedi disgyn drwy'r rhwyd hyd yma i gael y cymorth angenrheidiol. Mewn perthynas â thrydydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd, rwy'n falch hefyd o allu dweud wrth yr Aelod dros Ynys Môn heddiw fod dros 940 o ddyfarniadau eisoes wedi'u gwneud i fusnesau yn ei etholaeth, er mwyn cefnogi a diogelu gwaith i fwy na 3,500 o bobl. Mae hynny'n dangos gwerth cam diweddaraf y gronfa cadernid economaidd, cronfa sy'n rhan o'r pecyn cymorth mwyaf cynhwysfawr a hael i fusnesau yn unrhyw ran o'r DU.
Minister, coronavirus has, quite clearly, taken its toll on businesses in north-east Wales, and I have been calling on the UK Government to support the industry in this area, and their failure and slowness to react has cost jobs. Now, the Welsh Government must do all it can to continue to help. Since being elected to this Senedd, I've been a big supporter of the Heathrow logistics hub, that could be sited at Tata steelworks in Shotton, and the advanced technology research area and the Northern Gateway at Sealand. Can you update the Chamber on how the Welsh Government can support projects such as these?
Weinidog, mae'n amlwg fod y coronafeirws wedi cael effaith ar fusnesau yng ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru, ac rwyf wedi bod yn galw ar Lywodraeth y DU i gefnogi'r diwydiant yn yr ardal hon, ac mae eu methiant a'u harafwch i ymateb wedi costio mewn swyddi. Nawr, rhaid i Lywodraeth Cymru wneud popeth yn ei gallu i barhau i helpu. Ers cael fy ethol i'r Senedd hon, rwyf wedi bod yn gefnogwr mawr i ganolfan logisteg Heathrow, y gellid ei lleoli yng ngwaith dur Tata yn Shotton, a'r ardal ymchwil technoleg uwch a Phorth y Gogledd yn Sealand. A allwch roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Siambr ynglŷn â sut y gall Llywodraeth Cymru gefnogi prosiectau fel y rhain?
Well, can I thank Jack Sargeant for raising the potential of his constituency in important sectors within the Deeside and wider Flintshire area? I can also confirm to Jack Sargeant today that more than 3,500 awards have been made to businesses as part of our £1.7 billion package of support. That's a huge reach across Flintshire in supporting businesses and working people. There are a number of exciting projects that we are leading on as well. With regard to the advanced technology research centre, we are leading a cross-Government team. That team comprises of, obviously, Welsh Government, but also the Defence Electronics and Components Agency, the UK Government and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. A hugely important programme of work is under way there regarding ATRC. We're also working with Airbus on the Wing of Tomorrow programme, and Jack Sargeant will be aware of the value of the advanced manufacturing research centre in capturing that vitally important programme of work.
I am extremely excited by the proposed logistics hub at Tata in Shotton. A master plan of the Deeside site was commissioned by my officials to support the Heathrow development, and that's now being used by Tata Steel as a prospectus to attract investment not just from Heathrow, but from a number of investors across a number of different sectors. My officials are working very closely with Tata, I can tell Jack Sargeant, to understand some of the barriers to developing such a facility, and they're also looking at how they may be able to open up a third access to the site.
And, then, finally, with regard to the Northern Gateway site, we are working towards an agreement with landowners on the Northern Gateway site, with the intention of investing key infrastructure, which will facilitate access to 200 acres of commercial development land, and those negotiations are at a very advanced stage. It's expected that this agreement will then be followed, very swiftly indeed, by private investment and employment projects, and I'm looking forward to making a very positive statement regarding that in the near future.
Wel, a gaf fi ddiolch i Jack Sargeant am nodi potensial ei etholaeth mewn sectorau pwysig yn ardal Glannau Dyfrdwy ac ardal ehangach Sir y Fflint? Gallaf gadarnhau hefyd i Jack Sargeant heddiw fod dros 3,500 o ddyfarniadau wedi'u gwneud i fusnesau fel rhan o'n pecyn cymorth gwerth £1.7 biliwn. Mae hynny'n gyrhaeddiad enfawr ar draws Sir y Fflint i gefnogi busnesau a gweithwyr. Rydym yn arwain ar nifer o brosiectau cyffrous hefyd. O ran y ganolfan ymchwil technoleg uwch, rydym yn arwain tîm trawslywodraethol. Mae'r tîm hwnnw'n cynnwys Llywodraeth Cymru, yn amlwg, ond hefyd yr Asiantaeth Electroneg a Chydrannau Amddiffyn, Llywodraeth y DU a'r Labordy Gwyddoniaeth a Thechnoleg Amddiffyn. Mae rhaglen waith hynod bwysig ar y gweill yno gyda'r ganolfan ymchwil technoleg uwch. Rydym hefyd yn gweithio gydag Airbus ar raglen Adain Yfory, a bydd Jack Sargeant yn ymwybodol o werth y ganolfan ymchwil gweithgynhyrchu uwch yn cael y rhaglen waith hollbwysig honno.
Mae gennyf ddiddordeb enfawr yn y ganolfan logisteg arfaethedig yn Tata yn Shotton. Comisiynwyd prif gynllun safle Glannau Dyfrdwy gan fy swyddogion i gefnogi datblygiad Heathrow, ac mae Tata Steel bellach yn defnyddio hwnnw fel prosbectws i ddenu buddsoddiad nid yn unig gan Heathrow, ond gan nifer o fuddsoddwyr ar draws nifer o wahanol sectorau. Mae fy swyddogion yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda Tata, gallaf ddweud wrth Jack Sargeant, i ddeall rhai o'r rhwystrau i ddatblygu cyfleuster o'r fath, ac maent hefyd yn edrych ar sut y gallent agor trydydd mynediad i'r safle.
Ac yn olaf, o ran safle Porth y Gogledd, rydym yn gweithio tuag at gytundeb â thirfeddianwyr ar safle Porth y Gogledd, gyda'r bwriad o fuddsoddi mewn seilwaith allweddol a fydd yn hwyluso mynediad i 200 erw o dir datblygu masnachol, ac mae'r trafodaethau hynny ar gam datblygedig iawn. Disgwylir y bydd y cytundeb hwn wedyn yn cael ei ddilyn, yn gyflym iawn, gan brosiectau buddsoddi preifat a chyflogaeth, ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at wneud datganiad cadarnhaol iawn ynglŷn â hynny yn y dyfodol agos.
2. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gymorth i fusnesau yng Nghanol De Cymru yn sgil pandemig y coronafeirws? OQ55825
2. Will the Minister make a statement on support for businesses in South Wales Central in light of the coronavirus pandemic? OQ55825
Yes, of course. We're doing everything possible to support businesses across all parts of Wales. In the Vale of Glamorgan, for example, 612 microbusinesses and small and medium-sized enterprises have been awarded funding through the Wales-only economic resilience fund, securing thousands of jobs, and, of course, our £200 million-package of lockdown business grants is still open for applications.
Gwnaf wrth gwrs. Rydym yn gwneud popeth posibl i gefnogi busnesau ar draws pob rhan o Gymru. Ym Mro Morgannwg, er enghraifft, mae 612 o ficrofusnesau a busnesau bach a chanolig eu maint wedi cael arian drwy'r gronfa cadernid economaidd i Gymru'n unig, gan sicrhau miloedd o swyddi, ac wrth gwrs, mae ein pecyn gwerth £200 miliwn o grantiau i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau symud yn dal ar agor i geisiadau.
Thank you, Minister, for that answer. Obviously, regrettably, one line of support—the business development grant— was closed after 24 hours. In one message it said that it was for assessment of the bids, and the other message said that it had been fully subscribed. Can the Minister give any confidence today to the argument that this fund should be reopened, if it attracts additional funding from within Government, and that those that had applied and, sadly, had not been successful will get a second chance if the fund is reopened?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Weinidog. Yn anffodus wrth gwrs, caewyd un edefyn o gymorth—y grant datblygu busnes—ar ôl 24 awr. Dywedai un neges fod hynny wedi digwydd er mwyn asesu'r ceisiadau, a dywedai neges arall nad oedd rhagor o arian ar gyfer ceisiadau pellach. A all y Gweinidog roi unrhyw hyder heddiw i'r ddadl y dylid ailagor y gronfa hon, os yw'n denu cyllid ychwanegol gan y Llywodraeth, ac y bydd y rhai a wnaeth gais aflwyddiannus yn cael ail gyfle os caiff y gronfa ei hailagor?
Well, I can say to Andrew R.T. Davies that we are currently assessing the applications that have been made so far. Indeed, money has already been awarded. As part of the economic resilience fund, phase 3 has already delivered more than £40 million of awards to businesses. There was a need to act with urgency in each of the phases. That includes phase 3. That's why we paused the process of the development grant applications, so that we can assess them swiftly, so that we can get money out to businesses. There's been some misunderstanding as to the purpose of the development grants. These are development grants; they are not emergency cash awards. That's the local business lockdown fund that is available to all businesses still. Of course, we will be learning from the applications that have been submitted so that we can shape a fourth phase of the economic resilience fund to business needs, and if that means developing a new form of development grant funding, then that will be made available to businesses. We are currently working on a mechanism for expressions of interest to be made through the Business Wales website. So, I would say to any business that intended to apply, 'Hold on to your applications and, importantly, hold on to all of your supporting documentary evidence as well because that could be crucially important in the weeks to come as we move from economic resilience fund phase 3 through to economic resilience fund phase 4.'
Wel, gallaf ddweud wrth Andrew R.T. Davies ein bod ar hyn o bryd yn asesu'r ceisiadau sydd wedi'u gwneud hyd yma. Yn wir, mae arian eisoes wedi'i ddyfarnu. Fel rhan o'r gronfa cadernid economaidd, mae cam 3 eisoes wedi darparu dros £40 miliwn o ddyfarniadau i fusnesau. Roedd angen gweithredu ar frys ym mhob un o'r camau. Mae hynny'n cynnwys cam 3. Dyna pam y gwnaethom oedi proses y ceisiadau am grantiau datblygu, fel y gallwn eu hasesu'n gyflym, i ni allu cael arian i fusnesau. Mae camddealltwriaeth wedi bod ynghylch pwrpas y grantiau datblygu. Grantiau datblygu yw'r rhain; nid dyfarniadau arian brys ydynt. Y gronfa i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau lleol sy’n cynnig hynny, cronfa sydd ar gael i bob busnes o hyd. Wrth gwrs, byddwn yn dysgu o'r ceisiadau a gyflwynwyd fel y gallwn deilwra pedwerydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd yn ôl anghenion busnesau, ac os yw hynny'n golygu datblygu ffurf newydd ar gyllid grantiau datblygu, bydd hwnnw ar gael i fusnesau. Ar hyn o bryd rydym yn gweithio ar fecanwaith ar gyfer mynegi diddordeb trwy wefan Busnes Cymru. Felly, hoffwn ddweud wrth unrhyw fusnes a oedd yn bwriadu gwneud cais 'Daliwch eich gafael ar eich ceisiadau ac yn bwysig, daliwch eich gafael ar eich holl dystiolaeth ddogfennol ategol hefyd oherwydd gallai fod yn hanfodol bwysig yn yr wythnosau i ddod wrth inni symud o gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd i gam 4 y gronfa cadernid economaidd'.
Since COVID, the Royal Mail service in the Rhondda has deteriorated dramatically. Constituents have reported examples like a first-class letter taking eight days to get from Porth to Pentre, and another six days to get from Porth to Pontypridd. People are being told to make appointments with the sorting office in Clydach if they can't wait for urgent mail. Now, this would be bad enough in normal times, but with increasing numbers of people working from home, and increasing numbers of people waiting for urgent medical appointments, this is hampering the local economy, as well as people's health. I wrote to the Royal Mail almost a month ago, asking them for improvements and for an explanation, and I'm still waiting for a reply. In the light of the problems this is causing to so many people in so many communities in the Rhondda, what can the Government do to address this issue? Can you remind the Royal Mail of their responsibilities and their duties to our communities right throughout this country?
Ers COVID, mae gwasanaeth y Post Brenhinol yn y Rhondda wedi dirywio'n ddramatig. Mae etholwyr wedi adrodd am enghreifftiau fel llythyr dosbarth cyntaf yn cymryd wyth diwrnod i fynd o Porth i Pentre, a chwe diwrnod arall i fynd o Porth i Bontypridd. Dywedir wrth bobl am wneud apwyntiadau gyda'r swyddfa ddidoli yng Nghlydach os na allant aros am bost brys. Nawr, byddai hyn yn ddigon drwg ar adegau arferol, ond gyda niferoedd cynyddol o bobl yn gweithio gartref, a niferoedd cynyddol o bobl yn aros am apwyntiadau meddygol brys, mae’n amharu ar yr economi leol yn ogystal ag iechyd pobl. Ysgrifennais at y Post Brenhinol bron i fis yn ôl, yn gofyn iddynt am welliannau ac am esboniad, ac rwy'n dal i aros am ateb. Yng ngoleuni'r problemau y mae hyn yn eu hachosi i gynifer o bobl mewn cymaint o gymunedau yn Rhondda, beth y gall y Llywodraeth ei wneud i fynd i'r afael â'r mater hwn? A wnewch chi atgoffa'r Post Brenhinol am eu cyfrifoldebau a'u dyletswyddau i'n cymunedau ledled y wlad?
Can I say to Leanne Wood that I'm very, very disappointed to learn about the level of service that's being offered to her constituents in the Rhondda? And, of course, whilst businesses must operate in a COVID-safe way, which can sometimes lead to delays in terms of the services that are provided, this is disappointing news, and I will make enquiries on behalf of the local Member, taking up the issue with Royal Mail. As soon as I hear back, I will be in touch.
A gaf fi ddweud wrth Leanne Wood fy mod yn siomedig iawn o glywed am lefel y gwasanaethau sy'n cael eu cynnig i'w hetholwyr yn Rhondda? Ac wrth gwrs, er bod yn rhaid i fusnesau weithredu mewn ffordd sy'n ddiogel o ran COVID, sy’n gallu arwain weithiau at oedi yn y gwasanaethau a ddarperir, mae hyn yn newyddion siomedig, a byddaf yn gwneud ymholiadau ar ran yr Aelod lleol, ac yn dwyn y mater i sylw'r Post Brenhinol. Cyn gynted ag y clywaf ganddynt, fe gysylltaf â chi.
Minister, many tens of thousands of workers in Wales are employed on a self-employed basis, or as freelancers. Many of my constituents are in that situation, and, of course, the main source of support for them has been the self-employed income support scheme. Now, can I firstly say how important to those individual businesses the cultural resilience fund has been—the freelancers fund—and many people have benefitted from that. But the main source of support is obviously UK Government support. Now, there are five million self-employed people in the UK, which leads to about probably 250,000 to 300,000 or more within Wales, which means that, literally, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 of them will be getting no support whatsoever. Many of them are my constituents, and I've had representations from them to this effect. What more can be done to actually support the self-employed and freelancers? What representations are being made to the UK Government in respect of the self-employed income support scheme? The Confederation of British Industry and the Institute of Directors described the fund as wasteful, misdirected and badly targeted. Do you agree with that, and do you agree that there's a need for a real new initiative to support self-employed workers within Wales?
Weinidog, mae llawer o ddegau o filoedd o weithwyr yng Nghymru yn cael eu cyflogi ar sail hunangyflogedig, neu fel gweithwyr llawrydd. Mae llawer o fy etholwyr yn y sefyllfa honno, ac wrth gwrs, y brif ffynhonnell o gymorth ar eu cyfer fu'r cynllun cymorth incwm i’r hunangyflogedig. Nawr, a gaf fi ddweud yn gyntaf pa mor bwysig i'r busnesau unigol hynny yw'r gronfa cydnerthedd diwylliannol—cronfa'r gweithwyr llawrydd—ac mae llawer o bobl wedi elwa ohoni. Ond y brif ffynhonnell o gymorth yn amlwg yw cymorth Llywodraeth y DU. Nawr, mae yna bum miliwn o bobl hunangyflogedig yn y DU, sy'n golygu bod tua 250,000 i 300,000 neu fwy yn ôl pob tebyg yng Nghymru, sy'n golygu, yn llythrennol, na fydd 50,000, 60,000, 70,000 ohonynt yn cael unrhyw gymorth o gwbl. Mae llawer ohonynt yn etholwyr i mi, a chefais sylwadau ganddynt i'r perwyl hwn. Beth arall y gellir ei wneud i gefnogi'r hunangyflogedig a'r gweithwyr llawrydd? Pa sylwadau sy'n cael eu gwneud i Lywodraeth y DU mewn perthynas â'r cynllun cymorth incwm i’r hunangyflogedig? Disgrifiodd Cydffederasiwn Diwydiant Prydain a Sefydliad y Cyfarwyddwyr y gronfa fel un wastraffus, ddigyfeiriad ac wedi'i thargedu'n wael. A ydych chi'n cytuno â hynny, ac a ydych chi'n cytuno bod angen cynllun newydd go iawn i gefnogi gweithwyr hunangyflogedig yng Nghymru?
I think there's always more that could be done in terms of being responsive and responsible. We are pressing UK Government to be more responsible and responsive to the needs of self-employed people and freelancers, to those people who continue to fall through the gaps, who have yet to receive support in the way that Mick Antoniw has identified. And, here in Wales, we have plugged many of those gaps with the creation, as has been noted already, of the culture recovery fund, the freelancer fund. The discretionary assistance fund has received additional financial support, and, of course, we've established discretionary awards for local authorities to make, amounting to £25 million, and those grants are available to sole traders, obviously subject to certain criteria. But this shows how we are stepping up, plugging gaps created by UK Government support schemes. But we continue to press the UK Government to do more to address the needs of self-employed people and freelancers.
Rwy'n credu y gellid gwneud mwy bob amser o ran bod yn ymatebol ac yn gyfrifol. Rydym yn pwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i fod yn fwy cyfrifol ac ymatebol i anghenion pobl hunangyflogedig a gweithwyr llawrydd, i'r bobl sy'n parhau i ddisgyn trwy'r rhwyd nad ydynt eto wedi cael cymorth yn y ffordd y mae Mick Antoniw wedi'i nodi. Ac yma yng Nghymru, rydym wedi cau llawer o'r bylchau hynny, fel y nodwyd eisoes, drwy greu’r gronfa adferiad diwylliannol, cronfa i weithwyr llawrydd. Mae'r gronfa cymorth dewisol wedi cael cymorth ariannol ychwanegol, ac wrth gwrs, rydym wedi sefydlu dyfarniadau dewisol i awdurdodau lleol, sy'n werth cyfanswm o £25 miliwn. Ac mae'r grantiau hynny ar gael i unig fasnachwyr, ac yn amodol ar feini prawf penodol wrth gwrs. Ond mae hyn yn dangos sut rydym yn camu i’r adwy, gan gau bylchau a grëwyd gan gynlluniau cymorth Llywodraeth y DU. Ond rydym yn parhau i bwyso ar Lywodraeth y DU i wneud mwy i fynd i'r afael ag anghenion pobl hunangyflogedig a gweithwyr llawrydd.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Helen Mary Jones.
Questions now from party spokespeople. Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Helen Mary Jones.
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. If I can begin by returning the Minister to the third phase of the economic resilience fund—and we did, of course, have an opportunity to question him about the situation, about having to close early, last week. There is, of course, the saying that a week is a long time in politics, and I wonder if the Minister can tell us is he yet able to give us a timescale by when he expects his officials to have been able to process all those applications, to sort out, as he's already intimated in his reply to Andrew R.T. Davies, those that were, in fact, better suited to emergency support and those that are development opportunities. And does the Minister expect to be able to reopen that fund, or, given the scale of applications that he's already received, is it likely that, in fact, we'll be looking to a further tranche a little later on in the year?
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Os caf ddechrau drwy fynd â'r Gweinidog yn ôl at drydydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd—ac wrth gwrs, cawsom gyfle i'w holi am y sefyllfa, am orfod cau'n gynnar, yr wythnos diwethaf. Wrth gwrs, mae wythnos yn amser hir mewn gwleidyddiaeth medd yr hen air, a tybed a all y Gweinidog ddweud wrthym a yw'n gallu rhoi amserlen i ni bellach i nodi erbyn pryd y mae'n disgwyl i'w swyddogion fod wedi gallu prosesu'r holl geisiadau, er mwyn didoli, fel y mae eisoes wedi awgrymu yn ei ateb i Andrew R. T. Davies, y rhai a oedd mewn gwirionedd yn fwy addas ar gyfer cymorth brys a'r rhai sy'n gyfleoedd datblygu. Ac a yw'r Gweinidog yn disgwyl gallu ailagor y gronfa honno, neu o ystyried faint o geisiadau y mae eisoes wedi'u cael, a yw'n debygol y byddwn yn edrych mewn gwirionedd ar rownd arall ychydig yn ddiweddarach yn y flwyddyn?
So, it does certainly look as though a further tranche of support is going to be required later on in the year, and I would, rather than give an indication that the third phase would be potentially reopened, rather state that a fourth phase of the fund is going to be available to businesses. I wouldn't want to create any artificial expectations that the third phase could be reopened. There may be underspend in the development grants fund. If there is underspend in that particular fund, then we would seek to utilise it for the fourth phase. But, as I've said to Andrew R.T. Davies, I'd urge any businesses that took the time to put together applications, with all of the supporting evidence, to hold on to those applications in readiness for the expression of interest mechanism going live on the Business Wales website later this autumn.
We have, of course, already begun the process of awarding funds to businesses seeking development grants. I've already identified, I think, in committee, some really good examples of businesses that submitted successful applications. And so far, as part of the ERF phase three, a total of 14,000 awards have been made, amounting to more than £43 million. So, speed is of the essence. We're meeting the demand in terms of speedy payments of emergency cash. But of course I do recognise that demand for development grants was overwhelming, which is why we're learning as fast as we possibly can so that we can shape the next round of support according to what businesses really need.
Mae'n sicr yn ymddangos y bydd angen rownd arall o gymorth yn ddiweddarach yn y flwyddyn, ac yn hytrach na rhoi arwydd y gallai'r trydydd cam gael ei ailagor, byddai'n well gennyf ddweud y bydd pedwerydd cam o'r gronfa ar gael i fusnesau. Ni fyddwn am greu unrhyw ddisgwyliadau artiffisial y gellid ailagor y trydydd cam. Efallai y bydd tanwariant yn y gronfa grantiau datblygu. Os oes tanwariant yn y gronfa honno, byddem yn ceisio ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer y pedwerydd cam. Ond fel y dywedais wrth Andrew R.T. Davies, byddwn yn annog unrhyw fusnesau a roddodd o'u hamser i lunio ceisiadau gyda'r holl dystiolaeth ategol, i ddal eu gafael ar y ceisiadau hynny'n barod ar gyfer y mecanwaith mynegi diddordeb a fydd yn mynd yn fyw ar wefan Busnes Cymru yn ddiweddarach yr hydref hwn.
Wrth gwrs, rydym eisoes wedi dechrau ar y broses o ddyfarnu arian i fusnesau sy'n gwneud cais am grantiau datblygu. Rwy'n credu fy mod eisoes wedi nodi yn y pwyllgor rai enghreifftiau gwirioneddol dda o fusnesau a gyflwynodd geisiadau llwyddiannus. A hyd yn hyn, fel rhan o gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd, mae cyfanswm o 14,000 o ddyfarniadau wedi'u gwneud, gwerth mwy na £43 miliwn. Felly, mae cyflymder yn hanfodol. Rydym yn ateb y galw drwy dalu arian brys yn gyflym. Ond wrth gwrs rwy'n cydnabod bod y galw am grantiau datblygu yn aruthrol, a dyna pam ein bod yn dysgu mor gyflym ag y gallwn er mwyn inni allu llunio'r rownd nesaf o gymorth yn ôl yr hyn y mae busnesau ei angen mewn gwirionedd.
I'm grateful to the Minister for his answer and for some of the private conversations he's had with me, and I know with spokespeople of other parties, in this regard. I wonder if he can take the opportunity to just lay out a little bit more for us the lessons learnt from the issues that arose with phase 3 intimated in his answers already with regard, for example, to an expression of interest process, which may help weed out applications that are not suitable.
And with regard to what that fourth phase might address, the Minister will be aware that I've got ongoing concern about businesses that ought to, or have to, as it were, hibernate—those businesses that simply cannot trade, or cannot trade with any kind of profit, until we have a vaccine and until we can get back to some kind of normal. And that's everything from—I know I've mentioned to him in the past things like clothing hire, live music venues, which may be able to open with socially distanced gigs, but won't be able to make any money, and certain sorts of holiday businesses. Obviously, the fact that we now have furlough will be of huge assistance to those businesses, but they do have some ongoing costs for some other things, like rent, maintenance of equipment and loan servicing. Will the Minister undertake to give some consideration with the fourth phase as to whether there should be some targeted specific help to businesses in those sectors, bearing in mind what he said before about any business that was viable in February this year, we want it to be viable and contributing to the economy in the spring of next year?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am ei ateb ac am y sgyrsiau preifat a gafodd gyda mi, a chyda llefarwyr y pleidiau eraill ar y mater hwn. Tybed a all fanteisio ar y cyfle i ddweud mwy wrthym am y gwersi a ddysgwyd o'r materion a gododd gyda cham 3 ac y cyffyrddodd â hwy eisoes yn ei atebion, er enghraifft y broses mynegi diddordeb, a allai helpu i gael gwared ar geisiadau nad ydynt yn addas.
Ac o ran yr hyn y gallai'r pedwerydd cam fynd i'r afael ag ef, bydd y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol fod gennyf bryder parhaus am fusnesau a ddylai, neu sy'n gorfod 'gaeafgysgu', fel petai—busnesau na allant fasnachu, neu na allant fasnachu gydag unrhyw fath o elw, hyd nes y cawn frechlyn a hyd nes y gallwn ddychwelyd at ryw fath o fywyd normal. Ac mae'n cynnwys popeth o—gwn fy mod wedi sôn wrtho yn y gorffennol am bethau fel llogi dillad, lleoliadau cerddoriaeth fyw a allai agor gyda gigs dan fesurau cadw pellter cymdeithasol, ond na fyddant yn gallu gwneud unrhyw arian, a mathau penodol o fusnesau gwyliau. Yn amlwg, bydd y ffaith bod gennym ffyrlo nawr o gymorth enfawr i'r busnesau hynny, ond mae ganddynt gostau parhaus ar bethau eraill, fel rhent, cynnal a chadw cyfarpar a gwasanaethu benthyciadau. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ymrwymo i ystyried a ddylid cael cymorth penodol wedi'i dargedu i fusnesau yn y sectorau hynny yn y pedwerydd cam o gofio'r hyn a ddywedodd o'r blaen am unrhyw fusnesau a oedd yn hyfyw ym mis Chwefror eleni, ein bod am iddynt fod yn hyfyw ac yn cyfrannu at yr economi erbyn y gwanwyn nesaf?
Can I thank Helen Mary Jones for her question and also welcome the incredibly valuable conversations that we've had during the course of the pandemic, and that we've had with other opposition spokespeople as well? Your input has been hugely important in helping to shape the Welsh Government's response to the economic crisis. And, of course, some of those sectors and sub-sectors that you've identified to date will undoubtedly bounce back quite rapidly when—hopefully—an array of vaccines are deployed. What's required in the meantime is the support to cover various other fixed costs over and above labour costs. Of course, the furlough scheme's extension is very welcome, but the point of the local lockdown business fund is to make sure that we provide emergency cash to support businesses in paying those other costs, whether it be rent, heat and so forth, and we will utilise the fourth phase of the economic resilience fund to ensure that we create that bridge from now through to the point where we know businesses—viable, good businesses—can operate successfully again.
And in terms of some of the specific support that may be considered, as part of economic resilience fund phase 3, we did provide a ring-fenced fund of £20 million for tourism and hospitality businesses. We're going to be assessing how effective that has been. There have also been other interventions in other departments, for example, the culture recovery fund, which has been important for businesses within the arts and culture sector. Again, we'll be learning lessons from those in what will be, I think, a crucially important fourth round of support for businesses to see them through to the end of the first quarter of Q1, to that point when many scientific experts are suggesting that life could return to something of a norm.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Helen Mary Jones am ei chwestiwn a chroesawu hefyd y sgyrsiau hynod werthfawr a gawsom yn ystod y pandemig, ac a gawsom gyda llefarwyr y gwrthbleidiau eraill hefyd? Mae eich mewnbwn wedi bod yn hynod bwysig yn helpu i lunio ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i'r argyfwng economaidd. Ac wrth gwrs, bydd rhai o'r sectorau a'r is-sectorau a nodwyd gennych hyd yma yn sicr o ymadfer yn eithaf cyflym—gobeithio—pan gawn amrywiaeth o frechlynnau at ein defnydd. Yr hyn sy'n ofynnol yn y cyfamser yw'r cymorth i dalu am gostau sefydlog amrywiol eraill yn ychwanegol at gostau llafur. Wrth gwrs, mae ymestyn y cynllun ffyrlo i'w groesawu'n fawr, ond diben y gronfa i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau lleol yw sicrhau ein bod yn darparu arian brys i gynorthwyo busnesau i dalu'r costau eraill hynny, boed yn rhent, yn wres ac yn y blaen, a byddwn yn defnyddio pedwerydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd i sicrhau ein bod yn creu'r bont honno o nawr hyd at y pwynt lle gwyddom y gall busnesau—busnesau hyfyw, da—weithredu'n llwyddiannus eto.
Ac o ran peth o'r cymorth penodol y gellir ei ystyried, fel rhan o gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd, gwnaethom ddarparu cronfa wedi'i chlustnodi o £20 miliwn ar gyfer busnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch. Byddwn yn asesu pa mor effeithiol y mae honno wedi bod. Cafwyd ymyriadau eraill hefyd mewn adrannau eraill, er enghraifft, y gronfa adferiad diwylliannol, sydd wedi bod yn bwysig i fusnesau yn y sector celfyddydau a diwylliant. Unwaith eto, byddwn yn dysgu gwersi gan y rheini mewn pedwaredd rownd o gymorth hollbwysig, yn fy marn i, i fusnesau i'w cynnal hyd at ddiwedd y chwarter cyntaf, hyd at y pwynt pan fo llawer o arbenigwyr gwyddonol yn awgrymu y gallai bywyd ddychwelyd at ryw fath o normalrwydd
I'm grateful to the Minister for that. If I can take us in a slightly different, more medium-term direction, we were very grateful for the Minister's input to our discussions in committee this morning, and one of the areas that we touched on was the way in which—. Equality organisations have been saying to us as a committee that equality considerations, fairness, haven't always been easy to mainstream into economic development policy. There have been specific initiatives, but it's not necessarily been mainstreamed.
The Minister, I'm sure, will acknowledge that, in order to discover whether any future initiatives are working, there needs to be an effective monitoring system, but also that we don't want to make that too bureaucratic for businesses to respond to. So, can I ask the Minister this afternoon if he'll give consideration to working with partners who are experts in this field, both in terms of sex equality, race equality and thinking of the disability movements as well, to see if we can generate a simple system whereby he will be able to monitor, and therefore those of us on the appropriate committee will be able to monitor, whether his intentions with regard to mainstreaming a fair work agenda, really addressing some of the disparities between men and women in the job market, disparities between black people and people of colour—? Is it possible, and will he give consideration to creating a really robust and clear system that isn't too bureaucratic but whereby we can actually see what's happening when it comes to building back better in this regard?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Gweinidog am hynny. Os caf fynd â ni i gyfeiriad ychydig yn wahanol, cyfeiriad mwy tymor canolig, roeddem yn ddiolchgar iawn am fewnbwn y Gweinidog i'n trafodaethau yn y pwyllgor y bore yma, ac un o'r meysydd a grybwyllwyd gennym oedd y ffordd—. Mae sefydliadau cydraddoldeb wedi bod yn dweud wrthym fel pwyllgor nad yw ystyriaethau cydraddoldeb, tegwch, bob amser wedi bod yn hawdd eu prif ffrydio mewn polisi datblygu economaidd. Cafwyd mentrau penodol, ond nid yw o reidrwydd wedi'i brif ffrydio.
Er mwyn canfod a fydd unrhyw fentrau yn y dyfodol yn gweithio, rwy'n siŵr y bydd y Gweinidog yn cydnabod bod angen system fonitro effeithiol, ond hefyd nad ydym am wneud hynny'n rhy fiwrocrataidd i fusnesau ymateb iddo. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn i'r Gweinidog y prynhawn yma a fydd yn ystyried gweithio gyda phartneriaid sy'n arbenigwyr yn y maes hwn, o ran cydraddoldeb rhywiol, cydraddoldeb hiliol a chan feddwl am y mudiadau anabledd hefyd, i weld a allwn gynhyrchu system syml lle bydd yn gallu monitro, ac felly bydd y rheini ohonom ar y pwyllgor priodol yn gallu monitro, a yw ei fwriadau o ran prif ffrydio agenda gwaith teg yn mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r gwahaniaethau rhwng dynion a menywod yn y farchnad swyddi, gwahaniaethau rhwng pobl dduon a phobl liw—? A yw'n bosibl, ac a wnaiff ystyried creu system wirioneddol gadarn a chlir nad yw'n rhy fiwrocrataidd ond lle gallwn weld beth sy'n digwydd pan ddaw'n fater o adeiladu nôl yn well yn hyn o beth?
Well, I really welcome the Member's question. I think it's worthy of further discussion, and I'll certainly be in touch to discuss this important proposition. I think refreshing the economic contract is hugely important—that's taking place right now, and it gives us an opportunity to look at how we can develop those monitoring systems in the most effective way. We're always open to challenge; we're always open to advice and support. That's why we've drawn in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to assess the future of regional investment. And, of course, the economic action plan was designed to drive inclusive growth, to narrow inequalities, and, at the same time, to invest or turbo-charge, if you like, the industries of tomorrow.
During the course of the pandemic, an important group that has met very regularly has been the socioeconomic black, Asian, minority ethnic COVID-19 advisory group, and, of course, we're really keen to make sure that the recommendations of that group are incorporated into the work of Welsh Government across all departments, within all portfolios, including within mine, and, crucially, the refresh of the economic contract. But, certainly, I'd very much welcome further discussions with the Member concerning the suggestion that she's made today.
Wel, rwy'n croesawu cwestiwn yr Aelod yn fawr. Rwy'n credu ei fod yn haeddu trafodaeth bellach, a byddaf yn sicr mewn cysylltiad i drafod yr argymhelliad pwysig hwn. Credaf fod adnewyddu'r contract economaidd yn eithriadol o bwysig—mae hynny'n digwydd ar hyn o bryd, ac mae'n rhoi cyfle inni edrych ar sut y gallwn ddatblygu'r systemau monitro hynny yn y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol. Rydym bob amser yn agored i her; rydym bob amser yn agored i gyngor a chymorth. Dyna pam rydym wedi tynnu'r Sefydliad ar gyfer Cydweithrediad a Datblygiad Economaidd i mewn i asesu dyfodol buddsoddi rhanbarthol. Ac wrth gwrs, cynlluniwyd y cynllun gweithredu economaidd i ysgogi twf cynhwysol, i leihau anghydraddoldebau, ac ar yr un pryd, i fuddsoddi neu, os mynnwch, i sbarduno diwydiannau yfory.
Yn ystod y pandemig, un grŵp pwysig sydd wedi bod yn cyfarfod yn rheolaidd iawn yw'r grŵp cynghori COVID-19 du, Asiaidd, lleiafrifol ethnig economaidd-gymdeithasol, ac wrth gwrs, rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod argymhellion y grŵp hwnnw'n cael eu hymgorffori yng ngwaith Llywodraeth Cymru ar draws pob adran, ym mhob portffolio, gan gynnwys fy mhortffolio i, ac yn hollbwysig, yn y broses o adnewyddu'r contract economaidd. Ond yn sicr, byddwn yn croesawu trafodaethau pellach gyda'r Aelod ynghylch yr awgrym a wnaeth heddiw.
Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Russell George.
Conservative spokesperson, Russell George.
Diolch, Llywydd. I have to say, Minister, you look well-suited in that particular seat in the Chamber this afternoon.
Diolch, Lywydd. Rhaid imi ddweud, Weinidog, mae'r sedd arbennig honno yn y Siambr yn gweddu i chi y prynhawn yma.
Very kind.
Caredig iawn.
Minister, I would welcome the additional £600 million that was announced by the Chancellor last week in guaranteed consequentials to the Welsh Government, and that's, of course, on top of the £1.1 billion guaranteed earlier this year. That brings the total amount of additional funding by the UK Government to £5 billion to fight the pandemic here in Wales. Now, I realise the announcement was only last week, however can you tell me how much funding is still in the Welsh Government's coffers rather than being distributed to businesses to support them during this pandemic?
Weinidog, byddwn yn croesawu'r £600 miliwn ychwanegol a gyhoeddwyd gan y Canghellor yr wythnos diwethaf mewn symiau canlyniadol gwarantedig i Lywodraeth Cymru, ac mae hynny, wrth gwrs, ar ben yr £1.1 biliwn a warantwyd yn gynharach eleni. Daw hynny â chyfanswm y cyllid ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth y DU i £5 biliwn i ymladd y pandemig yma yng Nghymru. Nawr, rwy'n sylweddoli mai dim ond yr wythnos diwethaf y digwyddodd y cyhoeddiad, ond a allwch ddweud wrthyf faint o arian sy'n dal i fod yng nghoffrau Llywodraeth Cymru yn hytrach na'i fod wedi cael ei ddosbarthu i fusnesau i'w cefnogi yn ystod y pandemig hwn?
Can I thank Russell George for his question? I have to say that it rather worries me that so many Conservatives cheered when he suggested that I suit the First Minister's chair. [Laughter.]
First of all, I just want to say I don't want to be petty, I don't want to be political. At a time of national crisis, it's really important that parties set aside their differences and focus on what unites them as much as possible, focus on the common cause. So, I will start my answer by saying I very much welcome every penny that the UK Government makes available to combat the economic crisis that we face. I'm keen to work with UK Government Ministers wherever and whenever I can. I think that's what the public expects of us—to put aside partisan differences and to work in common unity.
With regard to the consequentials, I'm afraid it's probably a question best targeted at the finance Minister, and certainly I will ask her to respond to it in detail, but I can say that, in terms of the available funding for businesses, the finance Minister has already set aside £300 million of extra funding, should it be needed, and in all probability it will be. That will form the fourth phase of the economic resilience fund. And we're also looking at how we can utilise the underspend from the first phase of the economic resilience fund. Members will recall that, with the non-domestic rates related grants that were administered, there is an underspend of £35 million there, which we could repurpose, and we're looking at how we may do that. At the moment, I think we're favouring an expansion of the discretionary awards that local authorities make, because it's my view that local authorities know their areas, their communities, their businesses, extraordinarily well across Wales and therefore having that ability to invest more on a discretionary basis makes perfect sense.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Russell George am ei gwestiwn? Rhaid i mi ddweud fy mod braidd yn bryderus fod cymaint o Geidwadwyr wedi cymeradwyo pan awgrymodd fod cadair y Prif Weinidog yn gweddu i mi. [Chwerthin.]
Yn gyntaf oll, rwyf am ddweud nad wyf am fod yn bitw fy meddwl, nid wyf am fod yn wleidyddol. Ar adeg o argyfwng cenedlaethol, mae'n bwysig iawn fod pleidiau'n rhoi eu gwahaniaethau i'r naill ochr ac yn canolbwyntio ar yr hyn sy'n eu huno gymaint â phosibl, yn canolbwyntio ar yr achos cyffredin. Felly, dechreuaf fy ateb drwy ddweud fy mod yn croesawu pob ceiniog y mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ei darparu i fynd i'r afael â'r argyfwng economaidd sy'n ein hwynebu. Rwy'n awyddus i weithio gyda Gweinidogion Llywodraeth y DU lle bynnag a phryd bynnag y gallaf. Rwy'n credu mai dyna mae'r cyhoedd yn ei ddisgwyl gennym—rhoi gwahaniaethau pleidiol o'r neilltu a gweithio mewn undod cyffredin.
O ran y symiau canlyniadol, mae arnaf ofn ei fod yn gwestiwn sy’n fwy addas i’w ofyn i’r Gweinidog cyllid, ac yn sicr, fe wnaf ofyn iddi ymateb iddo’n fanwl, ond o ran yr arian sydd ar gael i fusnesau, gallaf ddweud bod y Gweinidog cyllid eisoes wedi neilltuo £300 miliwn o arian ychwanegol os bydd ei angen, ac mae’n siŵr y bydd. Fe fydd yn ffurfio pedwerydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd. Ac rydym hefyd yn edrych ar sut y gallwn ddefnyddio’r tanwariant o drydydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd; bydd yr Aelodau’n cofio fod tanwariant o £35 miliwn gyda’r grantiau sy’n gysylltiedig ag ardrethi annomestig a weinyddwyd, arian y gallem ei addasu at ddibenion gwahanol, ac rydym yn edrych ar sut y gallem wneud hynny. Ar hyn o bryd, rwy'n credu ein bod yn ffafrio ymestyn y dyfarniadau dewisol y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu rhoi, oherwydd yn fy marn i mae awdurdodau lleol yn adnabod eu hardaloedd, eu cymunedau, eu busnesau, yn hynod o dda ledled Cymru ac felly, mae cael y gallu hwnnw i fuddsoddi mwy ar sail ddewisol yn gwneud synnwyr perffaith.
Thank you for your answer, Minister. I align myself to your views as well. I think it's better that parties work together, where that can happen. It was a question I did raise last week, and perhaps you are right to say this is a question for the finance Minister, but Cardiff University has estimated more than £1 billion remains unallocated from existing Welsh Government budgets, so I'm really hoping that the Welsh Government, in terms of whether it's yourself or the finance Minister, can confirm, if this is the case, why the Welsh Government is not committing this money now to support businesses rather than holding it back. So, I appreciate part of that question is to the finance Minister, but certainly I would welcome your perspective in terms of that money that the Welsh Government has in its reserves being spent in your portfolio area. And, if you would agree with that, is this the kind of conversation that we can expect you to have with the finance Minister?
Diolch am eich ateb, Weinidog. Rwy'n cytuno â'ch safbwyntiau hefyd. Rwy'n credu ei bod yn well fod pleidiau'n gweithio gyda'i gilydd lle gall hynny ddigwydd. Roedd yn gwestiwn a ofynnais yr wythnos diwethaf, ac efallai eich bod yn iawn i ddweud bod hwn yn gwestiwn i'r Gweinidog cyllid, ond mae Prifysgol Caerdydd wedi amcangyfrif bod mwy na £1 biliwn yn parhau i fod heb ei ddyrannu o gyllidebau presennol Llywodraeth Cymru, felly rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y gall Llywodraeth Cymru, naill ai chi'ch hun neu'r Gweinidog Cyllid, gadarnhau, os yw hyn yn wir, pam nad yw Llywodraeth Cymru'n ymrwymo'r arian hwn nawr i gefnogi busnesau yn hytrach na'i gadw’n ôl. Felly, rwy'n sylweddoli bod rhan o'r cwestiwn hwnnw i'r Gweinidog cyllid, ond yn sicr, byddwn yn croesawu eich persbectif chi o ran bod yr arian sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn ei chronfeydd wrth gefn yn cael ei wario yn eich maes portffolio chi. Ac os ydych chi'n cytuno â hynny, ai dyma'r math o sgwrs y gallwn ddisgwyl i chi ei chael gyda'r Gweinidog cyllid?
Yes, and the First Minister has been very clear that consequentials that stem from an increase in spending on business support in England will be allocated to business support in Wales. The problem that we face within Welsh Government is continued uncertainty about the funds that are available. This is a marathon as well; this will go on for many months. This will go on, in many respects, for several years. There will be the economic aftermath of the immediate crisis, and we know that there will be increased costs associated with pretty much all public services, and therefore it's right and responsible to retain some firepower for later in the autumn and for into the new year. That's why think it's vitally important that the finance Minister has put into a reserve £300 million of business development support.
Ie, ac mae'r Prif Weinidog wedi bod yn glir iawn y bydd symiau canlyniadol sy'n deillio o gynnydd mewn gwariant ar gymorth busnes yn Lloegr yn cael eu dyrannu i gymorth busnes yng Nghymru. Y broblem sy'n ein hwynebu yn Llywodraeth Cymru yw ansicrwydd parhaus ynghylch yr arian sydd ar gael. Mae hon yn farathon hefyd; bydd yn para am fisoedd lawer. Bydd hyn yn para am sawl blwyddyn ar sawl ystyr. Bydd yna ganlyniad economaidd i'r argyfwng uniongyrchol, a gwyddom y bydd costau uwch yn gysylltiedig â bron bob gwasanaeth cyhoeddus ac felly, mae'n iawn ac yn gyfrifol i gadw rhywfaint o adnoddau ar gyfer yn nes ymlaen yn yr hydref ac i mewn i'r flwyddyn newydd. Dyna pam y credaf ei bod yn hanfodol bwysig fod y Gweinidog cyllid wedi rhoi £300 miliwn o gymorth datblygu busnes mewn cronfa wrth gefn.
Thank you for your answer. I'll perhaps move on from this point to my final point or question today. When we refer to supporting businesses, we're of course talking not so much about big businesses with mountains of reserves, we're talking about those small family firms, those small businesses, that are run by individuals. Businesses need clarity with urgency. Now, I know, Minister, you were due to make a statement on the ERF in this Chamber last week and that's now been put off til next month. From my perspective, this pandemic is damaging livelihoods and lives—I'm sure you'll agree with me in that regard. But we do need some clarity and I would like to see that funding and the next phase announced as soon as possible, because we know that people's livelihoods depend on that position.
I don't think it's entirely unfair to suggest that phase 3 of the economic resilience fund was not perhaps handled as best as it could have been, and surely—. From my perspective, if you tell businesses there is a limited fund, served on a first come, first served basis, then we shouldn't be surprised that the Government's website and Business Wales were overwhelmed within 24 hours. Now, Business Wales, of course, needs to be suitably resourced, and I do wonder what level of detail of conversations were held with them prior to the announcement to ensure that they were prepared as much as possible for the level of contact with them from small businesses. There was also some confusion from local authorities in regard to having different guidance and taking different approaches and various sets of guidance being received, so my final question, similar to Helen Mary's, but in the context I've just talked about: what lessons have you learned over the past two weeks that can be applied to the next round of funding that you are set to announce?
Diolch am eich ateb. Fe symudaf ymlaen efallai o'r pwynt hwn i fy nghwestiwn olaf heddiw. Pan gyfeiriwn at gefnogi busnesau, rydym yn siarad wrth gwrs nid yn gymaint am fusnesau mawr gyda phentwr o gronfeydd wrth gefn, rydym yn siarad am gwmnïau teuluol bach, busnesau bach sy'n cael eu rhedeg gan unigolion. Mae busnesau angen eglurder ar frys. Nawr, rwy'n gwybod, Weinidog, fod disgwyl i chi wneud datganiad ar y gronfa cadernid economaidd yn y Siambr hon yr wythnos diwethaf ac mae hwnnw bellach wedi'i ohirio tan fis nesaf. O’m rhan i, mae'r pandemig hwn yn niweidio bywoliaeth a bywydau pobl—rwy'n siŵr y byddwch chi'n cytuno. Ond mae angen eglurder arnom a hoffwn weld y cyllid hwnnw a'r cam nesaf yn cael ei gyhoeddi cyn gynted â phosibl, oherwydd gwyddom fod bywoliaeth pobl yn dibynnu ar hynny.
Nid wyf yn credu ei bod yn gwbl annheg awgrymu na chafodd cam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd ei drefnu cystal ag y gallai fod ac yn sicr—. O'm rhan i, os dywedwch wrth fusnesau fod cronfa gyfyngedig ar gael, ar sail y cyntaf i’r felin, ni ddylem synnu bod gwefannau’r Llywodraeth a Busnes Cymru wedi eu gorlethu o fewn 24 awr. Nawr, mae angen adnoddau priodol ar Busnes Cymru wrth gwrs, a tybed pa mor fanwl oedd y sgyrsiau a gafwyd gyda hwy cyn y cyhoeddiad i sicrhau eu bod mor barod â phosibl ar gyfer lefel y cyswllt a gafwyd â busnesau bach. Roedd peth dryswch hefyd ymhlith awdurdodau lleol mewn perthynas â chael gwahanol ganllawiau a gwahanol ddulliau gweithredu a’r ffaith bod gwahanol setiau o ganllawiau wedi dod i law, felly fy nghwestiwn olaf, yn debyg i un Helen Mary, ond yn y cyd-destun rwyf newydd siarad amdano: pa wersi a ddysgwyd gennych dros y pythefnos diwethaf y gellir eu cymhwyso i'r rownd nesaf o gyllid rydych yn bwriadu ei gyhoeddi?
Can I thank Russell George for his questions? There were several questions there, all equally important, I think. Obviously, lessons will be learned from each of the phases of the economic resilience fund and from other funds that are operating in other portfolios. One of the clear lessons that we must learn from the development grant part of ERF phase 3 is to ensure that businesses are placing applications on the basis of the purpose of the fund, not in the hope of attracting funding for a different purpose. We know that there is a significant proportion of businesses applying for development grants who are actually looking for emergency cash. The emergency cash is still available through the £200 million lockdown fund that is still available. And so a very clear steer is going to be necessary in the future to ensure that businesses don't attempt to make multiple applications for emergency cash awards, and to ensure that businesses are clear in so far as what they are applying for and the criteria that need to be met as well, because there are strict criteria associated with the development grant scheme.
In terms of ERF and the statement on the recovery and reconstruction, the two are very different. ERF is the fund, which is in operation at the moment; it's still live. The £200 million part of that fund is still available to businesses, but the statement that was due to be made in the Chamber last week concerned the long-term economic reconstruction and recovery proposals from Welsh Government. It was felt, given where we were with the firebreak, given the immediate response that was necessary to support businesses through that difficult period, that a small delay in outlining the long-term ambitions for the economy was prudent and proper, and that last week the focus should have been entirely, as it rightly was, on the immediate support required for businesses.
I would agree that urgency and clarity are required at all times, and that's why we have that single point of contact for businesses, Business Wales. They were under pressure—immense pressure—during the course of the application process of the development grants being live. We are in constant dialogue with them in terms of capacity. We vary capacity according to demand, and they were obviously operating at maximum capacity when that grant fund went live. What I did not anticipate, unfortunately, were the very numerous cases of verbal abuse. That is simply unacceptable, and I'm sure every Member in this Chamber would agree that, no matter how stressed, no matter how difficult a businessperson is finding the operating environment, it's really important to show respect and courtesy to people who are helping them.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Russell George am ei gwestiynau? Roedd nifer o gwestiynau yno, bob un yr un mor bwysig, rwy'n meddwl. Yn amlwg, bydd gwersi'n cael eu dysgu o bob un o gamau'r gronfa cadernid economaidd ac o gronfeydd eraill sy'n gweithredu mewn portffolios eraill. Un o'r gwersi clir sy'n rhaid inni ei dysgu o ran grant datblygu cam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd yw sicrhau bod busnesau'n gwneud ceisiadau ar sail diben y gronfa, nid yn y gobaith o ddenu cyllid at ddiben gwahanol. Gwyddom fod cyfran sylweddol o'r busnesau sy'n gwneud cais am grantiau datblygu yn chwilio am arian brys mewn gwirionedd. Mae'r arian brys yn dal i fod ar gael drwy'r gronfa i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau gwerth £200 miliwn sy'n dal ar gael. Ac felly bydd angen arweiniad clir iawn yn y dyfodol i sicrhau nad yw busnesau'n ceisio gwneud ceisiadau lluosog am ddyfarniadau arian brys, ac i sicrhau bod busnesau'n deall beth y maent yn gwneud cais amdano a'r meini prawf sydd angen eu bodloni hefyd, oherwydd mae meini prawf llym ynghlwm wrth gynllun y grantiau datblygu.
O ran y gronfa cadernid economaidd a'r datganiad ar adfer ac ailadeiladu, mae'r ddau'n wahanol iawn. Y gronfa cadernid economaidd yw'r gronfa sy'n weithredol ar hyn o bryd; mae'n dal yn fyw. Mae'r rhan £200 miliwn o'r gronfa honno ar gael o hyd i fusnesau, ond roedd y datganiad a oedd i fod i gael ei wneud yn y Siambr yr wythnos diwethaf yn ymwneud â'r cynigion hirdymor i ailadeiladu ac adfer yr economi gan Lywodraeth Cymru. O ystyried lle roeddem arni gyda'r cyfnod atal byr, ac o gofio'r ymateb uniongyrchol oedd ei angen i gefnogi busnesau drwy'r cyfnod anodd hwnnw, teimlwyd bod oedi bach cyn amlinellu'r uchelgeisiau hirdymor ar gyfer yr economi yn ddoeth ac yn briodol, ac y dylai'r ffocws yr wythnos diwethaf fod yn gyfan gwbl ar y cymorth uniongyrchol sydd ei angen ar fusnesau, ac mae'n briodol mai felly y bu.
Byddwn yn cytuno bod angen brys ac eglurder bob amser, a dyna pam y mae gennym un pwynt cyswllt ar gyfer busnesau, sef Busnes Cymru. Roeddent dan bwysau—pwysau aruthrol—yn ystod y broses ymgeisio pan oedd y grantiau datblygu'n fyw. Rydym mewn deialog gyson â hwy o ran capasiti. Rydym yn amrywio capasiti yn ôl y galw, ac roeddent yn amlwg yn gweithredu ar y capasiti mwyaf pan oedd y gronfa grantiau honno'n mynd yn fyw. Yr hyn na ragwelais, yn anffodus, oedd yr achosion niferus iawn o gam-drin geiriol. Mae hynny'n gwbl annerbyniol, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddai pob Aelod yn y Siambr hon yn cytuno ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn i bobl fusnes ddangos parch a chwrteisi at y bobl sy'n eu helpu, ni waeth pa mor anodd yw'r amgylchedd gweithredu iddynt.
3. A wnaiff y Gweinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am gynlluniau gwella ffyrdd yn Sir Drefaldwyn? OQ55811
3. Will the Minister provide an update on road improvement schemes in Montgomeryshire? OQ55811
Yes, of course. Proposed pinch-point schemes in Montgomeryshire are progressing towards public consultation. We have now agreed a revised construction programme for the Dyfi bridge scheme, and I'll make an announcement on the start of work shortly.
Gwnaf, wrth gwrs. Mae cynlluniau mannau cyfyng arfaethedig yn Sir Drefaldwyn yn camu ymlaen tuag at ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus. Rydym bellach wedi cytuno ar raglen adeiladu ddiwygiedig ar gyfer cynllun Pont ar Ddyfi, a byddaf yn gwneud cyhoeddiad cyn bo hir ar ddechrau'r gwaith.
Thank you for that, Minister. So, I did put a written question in on this last week and you did provide me with an answer, so it would be good to know when you expect to make that revised consultation programme public in terms of—. There has been some delay on the Dyfi bridge due to the pandemic, so it would be good to know when we can expect to see further progress in that regard.
And if I could also raise with you questions around the A470 trunk road at Caersws. There were traffic signals placed on the bridge—the listed bridge—in Caersws over the weekend, and I understand that's due to structural problems with the bridge, which have recently been reported. So, perhaps you could update us on what those concerns are and when potential works could take place and, ultimately, when those traffic signals could be removed. In regards to that bridge, you will recall that we met on that bridge some years ago in regards to concerns of pedestrians crossing, and the Welsh Government is taking forward a proposal for a stand-alone bridge. In my view, it would be better to have a bridge located right next to the existing bridge, but there were problems with Cadw at the time in taking that approach, but maybe this existing problem and the new bridge could now be a project that links together. So, perhaps that needs to be re-examined.
And then just a few yards away up the road there are the proposals for a roundabout at the A470 junction—
Diolch, Weinidog. Cyflwynais gwestiwn ysgrifenedig ynglŷn â hyn yr wythnos diwethaf ac fe roesoch ateb i mi, felly byddai'n dda gwybod pryd rydych yn disgwyl gwneud y rhaglen ymgynghori ddiwygiedig honno'n gyhoeddus o ran—. Mae peth oedi wedi bod ar Bont ar Ddyfi oherwydd y pandemig, felly byddai'n dda gwybod pryd y gallwn ddisgwyl gweld cynnydd pellach yn hynny o beth.
Ac os caf hefyd ofyn cwestiynau i chi ynglŷn â chefnffordd yr A470 yng Nghaersŵs. Gosodwyd signalau traffig ar y bont—y bont restredig—yng Nghaersŵs dros y penwythnos, a deallaf fod hynny oherwydd y problemau strwythurol gyda'r bont yr adroddwyd yn eu cylch yn ddiweddar. Felly, efallai y gallech roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni ynglŷn â beth yw'r pryderon hynny a phryd y gallai’r gwaith arfaethedig fynd rhagddo, ac yn y pen draw, pryd y gellid cael gwared ar y signalau traffig. O ran y bont honno, fe fyddwch yn cofio inni gyfarfod ar y bont honno rai blynyddoedd yn ôl mewn perthynas â phryderon cerddwyr sy’n ei chroesi, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwrw ymlaen â chynnig am bont ar ei phen ei hun. Yn fy marn i, byddai'n well lleoli pont ochr yn ochr â’r bont sydd yno eisoes, ond roedd problemau gyda Cadw ar y pryd ynglŷn â bwrw ymlaen ar y trywydd hwnnw, ond efallai y gallai'r broblem bresennol hon a'r bont newydd fod yn brosiect sy'n cysylltu â'i gilydd. Felly, efallai fod angen ailedrych ar hynny.
Ac yna, ychydig lathenni i fyny'r ffordd, ceir cynigion ar gyfer cylchfan ar gyffordd yr A470—
Can you bring your question to a close? You've had a good bite of this cherry this afternoon.
A allwch ddod â'ch cwestiwn i ben? Rydych wedi cael hen ddigon o amser ar hyn y prynhawn yma.
So, at that roundabout, we're waiting for a further consultation to take place as well, so perhaps you could update us on that as well.
Felly, ar y gylchfan honno, rydym yn aros am ymgynghoriad pellach hefyd, felly efallai y gallech roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am hynny hefyd.
I think the number of schemes that the Member has pointed to demonstrates how keen we are to invest in the Member's constituency—[Laughter.]—and how keen we are to progress those schemes at maximum pace.
With regard to the new Dyfi bridge scheme on the A487, obviously, COVID-19 has had an impact, in terms of our ability to consult with the community, but my officials have been working closely with Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited to agree and finalise a revised construction programme. I'll be making, as I said, a further announcement on when the construction will start very shortly, but we are incredibly keen to progress that as a matter of urgency, because it could contribute towards the recovery from coronavirus—the economic recovery, that is.
In terms of the other projects, on the A470 Caersws bridge lane restriction the Member is right that there have been concerns about the condition of the bridge, specifically the condition of the three arch masonry points that we are looking at as a matter of urgency. We've got further analysis of the structure being commissioned as a matter of urgency, and the work, once completed, will inform the need for any further safety measures and works.
The Member is right that the footbridge proposal is progressing. Welsh transport appraisal guidance stage 2 has progressed in order to provide enough information on a preferred option for public consultation. Once the outline details of the crossing have been finalised, which is expected to take until the end of this year, we'll be in a position to consult with the public. I can inform the Member that, obviously, landowners have been approached and their comments are going to be taken into account wherever applicable. Once I've got the results of the public consultation, I'll be able to consider the next steps, and an announcement will be made at that time with an indication of the programme, going forward.
Then, in terms of the roundabout as well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to write to the Member regarding the latest on the WelTAG stage 2 programme of works for the A470 Caersws roundabout.
Credaf fod nifer y cynlluniau y mae'r Aelod wedi tynnu sylw atynt yn dangos pa mor awyddus yr ydym i fuddsoddi yn etholaeth yr Aelod—[Chwerthin.]—a pha mor awyddus yr ydym i fwrw ymlaen â’r cynlluniau hynny cyn gynted â phosibl.
O ran y cynllun newydd Pont ar Ddyfi ar yr A487, yn amlwg, mae COVID-19 wedi cael effaith, o ran ein gallu i ymgynghori â'r gymuned, ond mae fy swyddogion wedi bod yn gweithio'n agos gydag Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited i gwblhau a chytuno ar raglen adeiladu ddiwygiedig. Fel y dywedais, byddaf yn gwneud cyhoeddiad pellach ynglŷn â phryd y bydd y gwaith adeiladu yn cychwyn cyn bo hir iawn, ond rydym yn hynod o awyddus i fwrw ymlaen â hynny fel mater o frys, gan y gallai gyfrannu at yr adferiad ar ôl y coronafeirws—yr adferiad economaidd, hynny yw.
O ran y prosiectau eraill, a'r cyfyngiad lonydd ar yr A470 ar bont Caersŵs, mae'r Aelod yn llygad ei le y bu pryderon ynghylch cyflwr y bont, yn benodol cyflwr y tri bwa cerrig rydym yn edrych arnynt fel mater o frys. Rydym yn comisiynu dadansoddiad pellach o'r strwythur ar fyrder, a bydd y gwaith, wedi iddo gael ei gwblhau, yn llywio'r angen am unrhyw waith a mesurau diogelwch pellach.
Mae'r Aelod yn llygad ei le fod cynnig y bont droed yn dod yn ei flaen. Mae cam 2 yr arweiniad ar arfarnu trafnidiaeth Cymru wedi symud ymlaen er mwyn darparu digon o wybodaeth am yr opsiwn a ffafrir ar gyfer ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus. Wedi i fanylion amlinellol y groesfan gael eu cwblhau, a disgwylir i hynny gymryd tan ddiwedd eleni, byddwn mewn sefyllfa i ymgynghori â'r cyhoedd. Gallaf roi gwybod i’r Aelod, yn amlwg, y cysylltwyd â pherchnogion tir a bod eu sylwadau'n cael eu hystyried lle bynnag y bo hynny'n berthnasol. Ar ôl i mi gael canlyniadau'r ymgynghoriad cyhoeddus, gallaf ystyried y camau nesaf, a bydd cyhoeddiad yn cael ei wneud bryd hynny gyda manylion am y rhaglen wrth symud ymlaen.
Wedyn, o ran y gylchfan hefyd, mae arnaf ofn y bydd yn rhaid i mi ysgrifennu at yr Aelod ynglŷn â'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ar raglen waith cam 2 WelTAG ar gyfer cylchfan Caersŵs ar yr A470.
4. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am isadeiledd rheilffyrdd yn y gogledd? OQ55838
4. Will the Minister make a statement on rail infrastructure in north Wales? OQ55838
The north Wales metro is key in delivering an integrated, improved and efficient transport system for the region. This will include the need to improve rail infrastructure, provide new stations and, of course, introduce new services.
Mae metro gogledd Cymru yn allweddol i’r broses o ddarparu system drafnidiaeth integredig, effeithlon a gwell ar gyfer y rhanbarth. Bydd hyn yn cynnwys yr angen i wella’r seilwaith rheilffyrdd, darparu gorsafoedd newydd, ac wrth gwrs, cyflwyno gwasanaethau newydd.
Mi fydd y Gweinidog yn ymwybodol, dwi'n siŵr, o'r camau sydd ar y gweill i wneud cais i gronfa syniadau Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig er mwyn edrych ar y posibilrwydd o ailagor y llinell rhwng Bangor ac Afonwen. Nawr, mi fyddai hynny, wrth gwrs, yn cwblhau loop pwysig iawn o safbwynt y gogledd-orllewin, a gyda datblygiad posibl y llinell o Aberystwyth i Gaerfyrddin, mi fyddai hynny yn trawsnewid yr isadeiledd rheilffyrdd yng ngorllewin Cymru. Ond, a gaf i ofyn yn benodol ynglŷn â Bangor ac Afonwen, pa waith y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei wneud i helpu i wireddu'r uchelgais hwnnw a pha gefnogaeth, yn ymarferol ac mewn egwyddor, wrth gwrs, y mae'r Llywodraeth yn ei rhoi i'r cynllun?
The Minister, I'm sure, will be aware of the steps that are in the pipeline to make a bid to the UK Government's ideas fund to look at the possibility of reopening the line between Bangor and Afonwen. Now, that would, of course, complete a very important loop in terms of the north-west, and with the possible development of the Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line, that would transform the rail infrastructure in the west of Wales. But, can I ask specifically about Bangor and Afonwen, what work the Government is doing to help deliver that ambition, and what practical and in-principle support the Government can provide for that scheme?
Can I thank Llyr Huws Gruffydd for his question? Obviously, the UK Government remains in control of rail infrastructure and is responsible for investment in it here in Wales. We, obviously, would wish that we had control, but, for the time being, it's the UK Government.
We have submitted a bid to the UK Government's new ideas fund for studies into the reopening of the Gaerwen to Amlwch line, alongside complementary active travel measures. We're also progressing, through Transport for Wales, the rail innovation study, phase 1 of which is expected early next year. That study is aimed at developing potential new rail route capabilities, which would lower costs and improve operations, and that's going to cover both localised and national level service offerings.
Geographically, the study is considering—and I know the Member will be interested in multiple projects here—local connectivity between Ynys Môn, the north Wales coast and the Cambrian coast, including the key settlements of Amlwch, Bangor, Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Aberystwyth, Pwllheli, Barmouth and Blaenau Ffestiniog, including, of course, the Conwy valley line. The study is also looking at connectivity between Aberystwyth, Swansea bay and Carmarthen, and also north-south connectivity between Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Caernarfon.
Now, the report on that study will be published once completed, and we will consider it, but it is a hugely important study that will enable us to inform UK Government future spend as it seeks to level up the UK, and, obviously, therefore, increase its infrastructure spend within Wales.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Llyr Huws Gruffydd am ei gwestiwn? Yn amlwg, mae Llywodraeth y DU yn parhau i reoli'r seilwaith rheilffyrdd ac maent yn gyfrifol am fuddsoddi ynddo yma yng Nghymru. Yn amlwg, byddai’n well gennym pe bai gennym reolaeth drosto, ond am y tro, Llywodraeth y DU sy’n gyfrifol amdano.
Rydym wedi cyflwyno cais i gronfa syniadau newydd Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer astudiaethau ar ailagor rheilffordd Gaerwen i Amlwch, ynghyd â mesurau teithio llesol ategol. Rydym hefyd yn bwrw ymlaen, drwy Trafnidiaeth Cymru, â’r astudiaeth arloesedd rheilffyrdd, a disgwylir cam 1 yr astudiaeth honno yn gynnar y flwyddyn nesaf. Nod yr astudiaeth honno yw datblygu galluoedd posibl ar gyfer llwybrau rheilffyrdd newydd, a fyddai'n lleihau costau ac yn gwella gweithrediadau, a bydd hynny'n effeithio ar wasanaethau lleol a chenedlaethol.
Yn ddaearyddol, mae'r astudiaeth yn ystyried—a gwn y bydd gan yr Aelod ddiddordeb mewn sawl prosiect yma—cysylltedd lleol rhwng Ynys Môn, arfordir gogledd Cymru ac arfordir y Cambrian, gan gynnwys aneddiadau allweddol Amlwch, Bangor, Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Aberystwyth, Pwllheli, Abermaw a Blaenau Ffestiniog, a chan gynnwys, wrth gwrs, rheilffordd dyffryn Conwy. Mae'r astudiaeth hefyd yn edrych ar gysylltedd rhwng Aberystwyth, bae Abertawe a Chaerfyrddin, a hefyd cysylltedd gogledd-de rhwng Caerdydd, Abertawe, Bangor a Chaernarfon.
Nawr, bydd yr adroddiad ar yr astudiaeth honno’n cael ei gyhoeddi ar ôl iddo gael ei gwblhau, a byddwn yn ei ystyried, ond mae’n astudiaeth hynod bwysig a fydd yn ein galluogi i lywio gwariant Llywodraeth y DU yn y dyfodol wrth iddi geisio codi lefelau yn y DU, a chynyddu ei gwariant ar seilwaith yng Nghymru drwy hynny wrth gwrs.
5. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o'r effaith y mae pandemig COVID-19 yn ei chael ar fusnesau yng Ngorllewin De Cymru? OQ55827
5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having upon businesses in South Wales West? OQ55827
Well, the Welsh Government is working with local authorities in South Wales West to deal with the immediate impact as well as plan for the recovery. Our regional teams are on standby to offer support to businesses and our Business Wales service also continues to provide support and advice to those who need it.
Wel, mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol yng Ngorllewin De Cymru i ymdrin â'r effaith uniongyrchol yn ogystal â chynllunio ar gyfer yr adferiad. Mae ein timau rhanbarthol yn barod i gynnig cymorth i fusnesau ac mae ein gwasanaeth Busnes Cymru hefyd yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth a chyngor i'r rheini sydd ei angen.
Thank you, Minister. The pandemic has decimated the economy of my region, and while the virus can destroy lives, the measures to control it have destroyed livelihoods, and far too many of my constituents have lost their jobs and lost their businesses. I welcome the support given by both the UK and the Welsh Government. However, it has far too often fallen short of what is needed.
One of my constituents contacted me, dismayed by the economic resilience fund phase 3 business development grants process. The company spent days preparing a business plan to accompany their application, only to find that applications had closed early. They believe—and I agree with them—that applications should be processed on merit and not who got there first. So, Minister, will you please consider adopting this approach?
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae'r pandemig wedi difetha economi fy rhanbarth, ac er y gall y feirws ddinistrio bywydau, mae'r mesurau i'w reoli wedi dinistrio bywoliaeth pobl, ac mae gormod lawer o fy etholwyr wedi colli eu swyddi a'u busnesau. Rwy'n croesawu'r gefnogaeth a roddwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru. Fodd bynnag, yn rhy aml o lawer, nid yw wedi bod yn ddigon.
Cysylltodd un o fy etholwyr â mi, ac roeddent yn gresynu at broses y grantiau datblygu busnes yng ngham 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd. Treuliodd y cwmni ddyddiau'n paratoi cynllun busnes i’w gyflwyno gyda'u cais, cyn darganfod bod y ceisiadau wedi cau'n gynnar. Maent yn credu—ac rwy'n cytuno â hwy—y dylid prosesu ceisiadau yn ôl teilyngdod yn hytrach na'r cyntaf i'r felin. Felly, Weinidog, a wnewch chi ystyried mabwysiadu'r dull hwnnw o weithredu os gwelwch yn dda?
Can I thank Caroline Jones for the question and the opportunity that it's given me to assure all businesses, across Wales, that all of those applications for development grant funding will be assessed on a qualitative basis, on merit, and that we will not be awarding money simply on the basis of first come, first served, but on the quality of the applications? That's why we're already rejecting a number of applications, because they were not of sufficient quality or they were not accompanied by the necessary documentation that was outlined in the criteria pages of Business Wales.
I can say that in response to the economic crisis—and this has been unprecedented—in Swansea alone more than 8,500 awards have already been made to businesses through our £1.7 billion package of support, the most generous package of support anywhere in the United Kingdom. Crucially, in regard to a point that was raised by Russell George, the majority of those awards are going to micro and SME businesses that are right at the heart of our communities and local economies. So, our intervention has been unprecedented. It's been aligned and designed to complement the UK Government's furlough and self-employment support schemes. And, of course, as we look to the future round of ERF phase 4, we will be learning from each of the first three phases, as well as from the other funds that have been operated by my colleagues.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Caroline Jones am ei chwestiwn a'r cyfle y mae’n ei roi i mi ddarparu sicrwydd i bob busnes, ledled Cymru, y bydd yr holl geisiadau am gyllid grant datblygu yn cael eu hasesu ar sail ansoddol, yn ôl teilyngdod, ac na fyddwn yn dyfarnu arian ar sail y cyntaf i'r felin, ond yn ôl safon y ceisiadau? Dyna pam ein bod eisoes wedi gwrthod nifer o geisiadau, gan nad oeddent o safon ddigonol neu am nad oeddent wedi cynnwys y ddogfennaeth angenrheidiol a amlinellwyd yn nhudalennau meini prawf Busnes Cymru.
Gallaf ddweud, mewn ymateb i'r argyfwng economaidd—ac mae wedi bod yn ddigynsail—yn Abertawe yn unig, mae mwy nag 8,500 o ddyfarniadau eisoes wedi mynd i fusnesau drwy ein pecyn cymorth gwerth £1.7 biliwn, y pecyn cymorth mwyaf hael yn unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig. Yn hanfodol, mewn perthynas â phwynt a godwyd gan Russell George, mae’r rhan fwyaf o’r dyfarniadau hynny'n mynd i’r microfusnesau a’r busnesau bach a chanolig sydd wrth wraidd ein cymunedau a'n heconomïau lleol. Felly, mae ein hymyrraeth wedi bod yn ddigynsail. Fe'i lluniwyd i ategu cynlluniau cymorth ffyrlo a hunangyflogaeth Llywodraeth y DU. Ac wrth gwrs, wrth inni edrych ymlaen tuag at rownd cam 4 y gronfa cadernid economaidd yn y dyfodol, byddwn yn dysgu o bob un o'r tri cham cyntaf, yn ogystal ag o'r cronfeydd eraill a weithredir gan fy nghyd-Aelodau.
Minister, you've answered many questions on hospitality in north Wales and elsewhere, but I'd like to remind people that hospitality exists throughout Wales, and particularly in my constituency, which serves the visitor economy very much, and especially the fantastic mountain bike trails that are in the Afan valley. Businesses such as the Afan Lodge, which cater for those visitors, have seen a dramatic reduction in their business as a result of local restrictions here in Wales, and then the national lockdown here in Wales, but now the national lockdown in England as well. They are struggling as a consequence of these restrictions, and businesses as such are going to have a difficult time over the winter months. The extension of the furlough scheme came too late for them, unfortunately, because by the time the extension was given we were halfway through our own firebreak. What can the Welsh Government do to ensure that these businesses, which were very profitable before the pandemic, can remain in operation and survive the winter to be strong enough to resume operation next year?
Weinidog, rydych wedi ateb llawer o gwestiynau ar letygarwch yng ngogledd Cymru ac mewn mannau eraill, ond hoffwn atgoffa pobl fod lletygarwch yn bodoli ledled Cymru, ac yn enwedig yn fy etholaeth i, sy'n gwneud cryn dipyn i wasanaethu'r economi ymwelwyr, ac yn enwedig y llwybrau beicio mynydd gwych yng nghwm Afan. Mae busnesau fel yr Afan Lodge, sy'n darparu ar gyfer yr ymwelwyr hynny, wedi dioddef cwymp sylweddol yn eu busnes o ganlyniad i gyfyngiadau lleol yma yng Nghymru, ac yna'r cyfyngiadau symud cenedlaethol yma yng Nghymru, ond bellach y cyfyngiadau symud cenedlaethol yn Lloegr hefyd. Maent yn ei chael hi’n anodd o ganlyniad i'r cyfyngiadau hyn, ac mae busnesau fel y cyfryw yn mynd i’w chael hi’n anodd dros fisoedd y gaeaf. Cafodd y cynllun ffyrlo ei ymestyn yn rhy hwyr iddynt, yn anffodus, oherwydd erbyn i'r estyniad gael ei roi, roeddem hanner ffordd drwy ein cyfnod atal byr ein hunain. Beth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i sicrhau y gall y busnesau hyn, a oedd yn broffidiol iawn cyn y pandemig, barhau'n weithredol a goroesi drwy’r gaeaf er mwyn bod yn ddigon cryf i ailddechrau gweithredu y flwyddyn nesaf?
Well, can I thank Dai Rees for his question and recognise the value of the visitor economy to his constituency? It is very significant indeed. Right across Wales, the number of jobs that are secured within the tourism and hospitality sectors is hugely important and provides opportunities for communities to thrive. Therefore, during the period of the firebreak, we were concerned with the viability of businesses and that's why we made available £300 million of support, crucially including that £200 million of lockdown business grant support. And I can inform the Member that within Neath Port Talbot more than 1,000 awards have already been made as part of the lockdown business fund to businesses in his constituency, and that has secured 3,750 jobs—many, many of which are within the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Wel, a gaf fi ddiolch i Dai Rees am ei gwestiwn a chydnabod gwerth yr economi ymwelwyr i'w etholaeth? Mae'n sylweddol iawn yn wir. Ledled Cymru, mae nifer y swyddi sy'n cael eu diogelu yn y sectorau twristiaeth a lletygarwch yn hynod bwysig ac yn darparu cyfleoedd i gymunedau ffynnu. Felly, yn ystod y cyfnod atal byr, roeddem yn pryderu ynglŷn â hyfywedd busnesau, a dyna pam y gwnaethom ddarparu £300 miliwn o gefnogaeth, gan gynnwys y £200 miliwn hanfodol hwnnw o gymorth grant i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau symud. A gallaf hysbysu’r Aelod fod mwy na 1,000 o ddyfarniadau eisoes wedi'u gwneud fel rhan o'r gronfa i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau symud yn ei etholaeth, ac mae hynny wedi diogelu 3,750 o swyddi—gyda llawer iawn ohonynt yn y sectorau twristiaeth a lletygarwch.
6. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o effaith cyfyngiadau symud ar economi gogledd Cymru? OQ55819
6. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of lockdown on the north Wales economy? OQ55819
As I mentioned in response to question 1, the pandemic and, of course, the imminent end of the EU transition period is causing deep uncertainty and a worrying period for businesses across north Wales, and that's why we continue to offer the most comprehensive and generous package of support for businesses anywhere in the United Kindgdom.
Fel y nodais mewn ymateb i gwestiwn 1, mae’r pandemig, ac wrth gwrs, diwedd cyfnod pontio’r UE sydd ar y gorwel, yn peri cryn ansicrwydd a chyfnod pryderus i fusnesau ledled gogledd Cymru, a dyna pam ein bod yn parhau i gynnig y pecyn cymorth mwyaf cynhwysfawr a hael i fusnesau yn unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig.
Thank you, Minister. As you know, our region's economy relies heavily on tourism and the hospitality sector, as other people have said as well. Thanks to the hard work of the hospitality sector, test and trace data suggest that just 1 per cent of people who've caught COVID-19 have caught it in pubs, restaurants or cafes. So, it appears to me that pubs and restaurants are exceptionally low risk. I congratulate them on their fortitude and support during this time. Minister, will you please make the case that any further restrictions, including curfews, are based on solid evidence of transmissions? I suggest that your Government focuses its attention where it is warranted and not on businesses that really are doing everything possible to support your aims and make an honest living. Thank you.
Diolch, Weinidog. Fel y gwyddoch, mae economi ein rhanbarth yn dibynnu’n fawr ar dwristiaeth a’r sector lletygarwch, fel y mae pobl eraill wedi’i ddweud hefyd. Diolch i waith caled y sector lletygarwch, mae data profi ac olrhain yn awgrymu mai 1 y cant yn unig o’r bobl sydd wedi dal COVID-19 a’i daliodd mewn tafarndai, bwytai neu gaffis. Felly, ymddengys i mi fod risg eithriadol o isel ynghlwm wrth dafarndai a bwytai. Rwy'n eu llongyfarch ar eu dewrder a'u cefnogaeth yn ystod y cyfnod hwn. Weinidog, a wnewch chi ddadlau y dylai unrhyw gyfyngiadau pellach, gan gynnwys cyrffyw, fod yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth gadarn o drosglwyddiadau? Awgrymaf fod eich Llywodraeth yn canolbwyntio ei sylw lle mae angen gwneud hynny ac nid ar fusnesau sydd o ddifrif yn gwneud popeth a allant i gefnogi eich nodau a gwneud bywoliaeth onest. Diolch.
Can I thank Mandy Jones for her question and say that I entirely agree that the fortitude and innovation and the responsibility of businesses within the tourism and hospitality sector has been quite astonishing during the course of this pandemic? We wish to support businesses in every way that we possibly can to remain viable, to get through this pandemic. Of course, the risk of transmission in a regulated space is now less than the risk within a domestic dwelling, where there is the risk of multiple households mixing. Nonetheless, there still is the risk. And during the firebreak in particular, we had to make sure that any areas of activity where there is a risk involved in transmitting the virus—that that risk was either eliminated or brought down to an absolute minimum. That's why we took action for a very short period of time. It was based on the scientific evidence from the technical advisory cell, which publishes the documents that provide the evidence to Ministers. And, of course, as we now move forward following the firebreak, those businesses that have shown responsibility are now back operating again, and we hope that that short firebreak has given us headroom to get through to the end of the year.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Mandy Jones am ei chwestiwn a dweud fy mod yn cytuno’n llwyr fod dewrder ac arloesedd a chyfrifoldeb busnesau yn y sector twristiaeth a lletygarwch wedi bod yn anhygoel yn ystod y pandemig hwn? Rydym yn dymuno cefnogi busnesau ym mhob ffordd y gallwn i barhau i fod yn hyfyw, i oroesi’r pandemig hwn. Wrth gwrs, mae'r risg o drosglwyddiad mewn gofod wedi'i reoli bellach yn llai na'r risg mewn annedd ddomestig, lle ceir risg y bydd nifer o aelwydydd yn cymysgu. Serch hynny, mae'r risg yn bodoli o hyd. Ac yn ystod y cyfnod atal byr yn enwedig, bu’n rhaid inni sicrhau bod unrhyw feysydd gweithgarwch lle ceir risg mewn perthynas â throsglwyddo'r feirws—fod y risg honno naill ai'n cael ei dileu neu ei gostwng i’r lefel isaf bosibl. Dyna pam y gwnaethom gymryd camau gweithredu am gyfnod byr iawn. Roedd yn seiliedig ar y dystiolaeth wyddonol o'r gell cyngor technegol, sy'n cyhoeddi'r dogfennau sy'n darparu'r dystiolaeth i Weinidogion. Ac wrth gwrs, wrth inni symud ymlaen nawr ar ôl y cyfnod atal byr, mae'r busnesau hynny sydd wedi dangos cyfrifoldeb yn ôl yn weithredol unwaith eto erbyn hyn, ac rydym yn gobeithio bod y cyfnod atal byr wedi rhoi hyblygrwydd i ni rhwng nawr a diwedd y flwyddyn.
Minister, those businesses may be allowed to operate, but 90 per cent of their customers live in a part of the UK from which they are not allowed to leave and come into Wales. Do you accept that the travel restrictions are having such an impact, particularly on our tourism-related businesses—and any business, in fact, that relies on the visitor economy such as those in my own constituency of Clwyd West? Do you accept that they do need specific additional and extra support, over and above that which is currently provided by the economic resilience fund? You'll be aware that those businesses in that particular corner of north-east Wales not only faced the firebreak lockdown, they also faced three weeks' worth of local restrictions on top. So, that's five weeks' worth of severe restrictions, travel restrictions, that have eaten into their businesses. They need all the support that they can get, and I'm afraid that, in spite of the generosity of the Welsh Government through its economic resilience fund, that support is not yet sufficient.
Weinidog, efallai y caniateir i'r busnesau hynny weithredu, ond mae 90 y cant o'u cwsmeriaid yn byw mewn rhan o'r DU na chaniateir iddynt ei gadael a dod i mewn i Gymru. A ydych yn derbyn bod y cyfyngiadau teithio yn cael cymaint o effaith, yn enwedig ar ein busnesau sy'n gysylltiedig â thwristiaeth—ac unrhyw fusnes, mewn gwirionedd, sy'n dibynnu ar yr economi ymwelwyr, fel y rheini yn fy etholaeth i yng Ngorllewin Clwyd? A ydych yn derbyn bod angen cymorth penodol ychwanegol arnynt, yn ychwanegol at yr hyn a ddarperir ar hyn o bryd gan y gronfa cadernid economaidd? Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod y busnesau hynny yn y gornel honno o ogledd-ddwyrain Cymru nid yn unig wedi wynebu'r cyfnod atal byr, ond hefyd wedi wynebu tair wythnos o gyfyngiadau lleol ar ben hynny. Felly, dyna bum wythnos o gyfyngiadau difrifol, cyfyngiadau teithio, sydd wedi bwyta i mewn i’w busnesau. Mae arnynt angen yr holl gymorth y gallant ei gael, ac mae arnaf ofn, er gwaethaf haelioni Llywodraeth Cymru drwy ei chronfa cadernid economaidd, nad yw'r gefnogaeth honno'n ddigonol eto.
Can I thank the Member for his question? The problems highlighted could've been avoided had the Prime Minister agreed to a short firebreak alongside us, just as the scientific experts were recommending. It's my view that a 17-day firebreak is far more desirable for businesses than a four-week circuit break, which is now in action in England. I regret that the Prime Minister did not see fit to action a firebreak at the same time as the First Minister in Wales. But looking forward, I am pleased that discussions are under way regarding Christmas, and I think that that's absolutely vital that we adopt a common approach across the UK.
In terms of the financial support that's available to businesses, I've already said on numerous occasions now that we are delivering the most comprehensive and generous package of support to businesses anywhere in the United Kingdom. The latest phase of the economic resilience fund has included a ring-fenced £20 million fund for businesses in tourism and hospitality. And I also recognise that, in those border areas—the sort of area that I represent—there is difficulty for businesses that rely on custom from across the border. Equally, though, they now have a captive market within Wales as well, given that the firebreak is over in Wales and people can't travel to England in order to access pubs, cafes or restaurants. And so, there is an opportunity for those venues in Wales to thrive based on Welsh custom. But, of course, moving forward, we would wish to see the UK, the devolved administrations and the UK Government agree on a common approach, and that approach must be based on the science that is presented to Ministers.
A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Aelod am ei gwestiwn? Gallai’r problemau a nodwyd fod wedi’u hosgoi pe bai Prif Weinidog y DU wedi cytuno i gael cyfnod atal byr ar yr un pryd â ni, yn union fel roedd yr arbenigwyr gwyddonol yn ei argymell. Yn fy marn i, mae cyfnod atal byr 17 diwrnod yn llawer mwy dymunol i fusnesau na chyfnod atal pedair wythnos, fel sydd bellach ar waith yn Lloegr. Mae’n drueni na phenderfynodd Prif Weinidog y DU roi cyfnod atal byr ar waith ar yr un pryd â’r Prif Weinidog yng Nghymru. Ond wrth edrych tua’r dyfodol, rwy'n falch fod trafodaethau ynglŷn â'r Nadolig ar y gweill, a chredaf ei bod yn gwbl hanfodol ein bod yn mabwysiadu dull cyffredin o weithredu ledled y DU.
O ran y gefnogaeth ariannol sydd ar gael i fusnesau, rwyf eisoes wedi dweud ar sawl achlysur bellach ein bod yn cyflwyno'r pecyn cymorth mwyaf cynhwysfawr a hael i fusnesau yn unrhyw ran o'r Deyrnas Unedig. Mae cam diweddaraf y gronfa cadernid economaidd wedi cynnwys cronfa o £20 miliwn wedi’i chlustnodi ar gyfer busnesau ym maes twristiaeth a lletygarwch. Ac rwyf hefyd yn cydnabod, yn yr ardaloedd ffiniol hynny—y math o ardal rwy’n ei chynrychioli—ei bod yn anodd i fusnesau sy'n dibynnu ar gwsmeriaid o'r ochr arall i'r ffin. I’r un graddau, serch hynny, mae ganddynt farchnad gaeth yng Nghymru ar hyn o bryd, o gofio bod y cyfnod atal byr wedi dod i ben yng Nghymru ac na all pobl deithio i Loegr i fynd i dafarndai, caffis neu fwytai. Ac felly, mae cyfle i'r lleoliadau hynny yng Nghymru ffynnu yn seiliedig ar gwsmeriaid o Gymru. Ond wrth gwrs, yn y dyfodol, byddem yn dymuno gweld y DU, y gweinyddiaethau datganoledig a Llywodraeth y DU yn cytuno ar ddull cyffredin o weithredu, ac mae’n rhaid i'r dull hwnnw fod yn seiliedig ar y wyddoniaeth a gyflwynir i Weinidogion.
7. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am gymorth i fusnesau lletygarwch ar ôl y cyfnod atal byr? OQ55818
7. Will the Minister make a statement on support for hospitality businesses post firebreak? OQ55818
Yes, of course. Our current £200 million package of lockdown business grants is open for applications. Meanwhile, we're assessing applications received for our £100 million business development grants fund, which included £20 million of ring-fenced funding for tourism and hospitality businesses. That fund is intended to support businesses in developing projects for longer-term prosperity.
Gwnaf, wrth gwrs. Mae ein pecyn presennol o £200 miliwn o grantiau i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau symud yn agored i geisiadau. Yn y cyfamser, rydym yn asesu ceisiadau a wnaed i’n cronfa gwerth £100 miliwn ar gyfer grantiau datblygu busnes, a oedd yn cynnwys £20 miliwn o gyllid wedi'i glustnodi ar gyfer busnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch. Bwriad y gronfa honno yw cefnogi busnesau i ddatblygu prosiectau er mwyn iddynt allu ffynnu yn y tymor hwy.
Minister, accommodation businesses are in utter despair in Aberconwy. The occupancy rate has collapsed to zero in some cases because it is fact that 80 per cent of trade is from England. Bearing in mind that Conwy had a local lockdown also, the reality is that businesses in Aberconwy will not have been able trade for some eight weeks by the end of England's restrictions. Seventy-five per cent of respondents to North Wales Tourism's survey did not make the sudden cut-off for ERF phase 3—that 75 per cent. What assistance does the Minister propose to support those that are now on a cliff edge? Will you provide financial grants to back tourism businesses that are experiencing a collapse in customer numbers this month? And is there any funding left over from the £20 million ring-fenced to support tourism and hospitality businesses as part of the ERF phase 3? Thank you.
Weinidog, mae busnesau lletygarwch mewn anobaith llwyr yn Aberconwy. Mae'r gyfradd o eiddo llety sy’n llawn wedi gostwng i ddim mewn rhai achosion, gan ei bod yn ffaith bod 80 y cant o'r fasnach yn dod o Loegr. O gofio bod Conwy wedi cael cyfyngiadau lleol hefyd, y gwir amdani yw na fydd busnesau yn Aberconwy wedi gallu masnachu ers oddeutu wyth wythnos erbyn i gyfyngiadau Lloegr ddod i ben. Ni wnaeth 75 y cant o'r ymatebwyr i arolwg Twristiaeth Gogledd Cymru lwyddo i wneud cais cyn y dyddiad cau sydyn ar gyfer cam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd—75 y cant. Pa gymorth y mae'r Gweinidog yn ei gynnig i gefnogi'r rheini sydd bellach ar ymyl y dibyn? A wnewch chi ddarparu grantiau ariannol i gefnogi busnesau twristiaeth sy'n dioddef cwymp yn nifer y cwsmeriaid y mis hwn? Ac a oes unrhyw arian yn weddill o'r £20 miliwn a glustnodwyd i gefnogi busnesau twristiaeth a lletygarwch fel rhan o gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd? Diolch.
Can I thank Janet Finch-Saunders for her question? I'm sure that she would agree with me that the pressure that accommodation providers are under because there is the lockdown in England is regrettable, obviously, but it's necessary. It is necessary that the virus is brought under control in England, as we have been bringing it under control in Wales, in order to secure the rest of the 2020 season for businesses and to ensure that we give the NHS the headroom to get through to the new year. We have been providing, and we will continue to provide those businesses that have been severely affected, with financial support. There's the £200 million lockdown business grants fund that is still available to businesses—those businesses that were affected not just during the firebreak but also during the period preceding that, where there were local lockdown arrangements in place. That fund is still available. I'd encourage all Members to point to that fund when businesses get in touch with them. And whilst it's highly unlikely that there will be a significant underspend in terms of the ring-fenced £20 million development grants fund, we are looking, as I said in response to previous questions, at how we can utilise a £35 million underspend from the first phase of the economic resilience fund to support businesses, and I'm keen to make sure that we give local authorities the discretion to be able to make awards to businesses using that underspend, that £35 million. That's my preference.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Janet Finch-Saunders am ei chwestiwn? Rwy'n siŵr y byddai'n cytuno â mi fod y pwysau ar ddarparwyr llety o ganlyniad i’r cyfyngiadau symud yn Lloegr yn anffodus, yn amlwg, ond mae'n angenrheidiol. Mae’n angenrheidiol dod â'r feirws dan reolaeth yn Lloegr, fel y buom yn ei ddwyn dan reolaeth yng Nghymru, er mwyn diogelu gweddill tymor 2020 i fusnesau ac er mwyn sicrhau ein bod yn rhoi hyblygrwydd i’r GIG rhwng nawr a'r flwyddyn newydd. Rydym wedi bod yn darparu, a byddwn yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth ariannol i'r busnesau a effeithiwyd yn ddifrifol. Mae'r gronfa gwerth £200 miliwn i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau symud yn dal i fod ar gael i fusnesau—y busnesau yr effeithiwyd arnynt nid yn unig yn ystod y cyfnod atal byr ond hefyd yn ystod y cyfnod cyn hynny, pan oedd trefniadau cyfyngiadau lleol ar waith. Mae'r gronfa honno ar gael o hyd. Byddwn yn annog pob Aelod i gyfeirio at y gronfa honno pan fydd busnesau'n cysylltu â hwy. Ac er ei bod yn annhebygol iawn y ceir tanwariant sylweddol yn y gronfa grantiau datblygu sydd wedi’i chlustnodi ac sy’n werth £20 miliwn, fel y dywedais mewn ymateb i gwestiynau blaenorol, rydym yn ystyried sut y gallwn ddefnyddio tanwariant o £35 miliwn o gam cyntaf y gronfa cadernid economaidd i gefnogi busnesau, ac rwy'n awyddus i sicrhau ein bod yn rhoi’r disgresiwn i awdurdodau lleol fel y gallant roi arian i fusnesau gan ddefnyddio'r tanwariant hwnnw, y £35 miliwn hwnnw. Dyna fyddai orau gennyf.
8. Pa gymorth sydd ar gael i fusnesau yng Nghaerffili yr effeithiwyd arnynt gan y cyfnod atal byr a'r cyfyngiadau lleol a oedd ar waith cyn hynny? OQ55824
8. What support is available for businesses in Caerphilly affected by the firebreak lockdown and the local restrictions in place beforehand? OQ55824
Thank you. As I've said to other Members, our current £200 million package of lockdown business grants is open for applications, and £40 million has already been paid to more than 14,000 business across Wales since the firebreak was introduced.
Diolch. Fel rwyf wedi’i ddweud wrth Aelodau eraill, mae ein pecyn presennol o £200 miliwn o grantiau i fusnesau dan gyfyngiadau symud yn agored i geisiadau, ac mae £40 miliwn eisoes wedi'i dalu i fwy na 14,000 o fusnesau ledled Cymru ers dechrau'r cyfnod atal byr.
Thank you, Minister. My signal here is absolutely appalling, so I haven't been able to follow what you've been saying up until now. So, I'm going to give you some cases that I've got and you can perhaps explain what these people can do. I've been contacted by many in the six weeks that Caerphilly was in lockdown and under restrictions—by businesses whose incomes have been severely affected. One guest house owner in Caerphilly town wasn't able to access support from phase 3 of the economic resilience fund because, he told us, Business Wales's grant eligibility checker excludes self-employed sole proprietors such as himself. A hairdresser in Bargoed who's self-employed and rents her premises—the first floor of a town-centre building—didn't receive any support earlier in the year and has not been able to obtain support from the ERF phase 3 either. These are just two businesses who've contacted me sharing their frustration at the process of applying for much-needed support from the ERF phase 3, which was fully subscribed in under 48 hours after going live. What is the Welsh Government going to do to ensure that these constituents and businesses don't fall through those gaps?
Diolch, Weinidog. Mae fy signal yma yn gwbl warthus, felly nid wyf wedi gallu dilyn yr hyn rydych chi wedi bod yn ei ddweud hyd yma. Felly, rwyf am nodi rhai achosion sydd gennyf, ac efallai y gallwch egluro beth y gall y bobl hyn ei wneud. Mae nifer wedi cysylltu â mi yn ystod y chwe wythnos y bu Caerffili dan gyfyngiadau lleol—busnesau yr effeithiwyd yn ddifrifol ar eu hincwm. Ni lwyddodd un perchennog tŷ llety yn nhref Caerffili i gael mynediad at gymorth drwy gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd oherwydd, fel y dywedodd wrthym, mae gwiriwr cymhwysedd grantiau Busnes Cymru yn gwahardd unig berchnogion hunangyflogedig fel yntau. Ni chafodd triniwr gwallt ym Margoed sy'n hunangyflogedig ac sy’n rhentu ei heiddo—llawr cyntaf adeilad yng nghanol y dref—unrhyw gefnogaeth yn gynharach yn y flwyddyn ac nid yw wedi gallu cael cefnogaeth drwy gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd chwaith. Dau fusnes yn unig yw'r rhain sydd wedi cysylltu â mi i rannu eu rhwystredigaeth gyda’r broses o wneud cais am gymorth mawr ei angen drwy gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd, cronfa a oedd wedi’i dihysbyddu o fewn llai na 48 awr i agor. Beth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn mynd i'w wneud i sicrhau nad yw'r etholwyr a'r busnesau hyn yn cwympo drwy'r bylchau hynny?
I thank Hefin David for his questions. I'll be as succinct as I possibly can be. Those businesses that are registered to pay business rates will automatically receive grants. All they need to do is update their details. If they are looking towards receiving a discretionary top-up, then they'll need to make a very short application, but those awards are automatic once a business has updated their details, for any businesses that are registered for business rates up to the value of £50,000.
And then with regard to the businesses that he pointed to—those who are self-employed or sole traders—there's also the £25 million discretionary fund that's being operated by local authorities to assist those sorts of businesses. So, again, I would point them towards the local authority in Caerphilly, who are operating the discretionary fund. It's worth saying that in terms of the support that we've been able to get to Caerphilly so far as part of the economic resilience fund phase 3, more than 1,200 awards have already been made to businesses in Caerphilly. A huge number of businesses have received funding, and an astonishing 5,000 jobs have been supported through the third phase of the economic resilience fund in Caerphilly alone up to this point. That's an astonishing figure, given that the vast majority of financial support is still to get to businesses.
Diolch i Hefin David am ei gwestiynau. Byddaf mor gryno ag y gallaf. Bydd y busnesau sydd wedi cofrestru i dalu ardrethi busnes yn derbyn grantiau yn awtomatig. Y cyfan sydd angen iddynt ei wneud yw diweddaru eu manylion. Os hoffent dderbyn ychwanegiad disgresiynol, bydd angen iddynt wneud cais byr iawn, ond mae'r dyfarniadau hynny'n awtomatig pan fydd busnes wedi diweddaru eu manylion, ar gyfer unrhyw fusnesau sydd wedi cofrestru ar gyfer ardrethi busnes gwerth hyd at £50,000.
Ac yna o ran y busnesau y cyfeiriodd atynt—y rheini sy'n hunangyflogedig neu'n unig fasnachwyr—mae cronfa ddewisol o £25 miliwn ar gael sy'n cael ei gweithredu gan awdurdodau lleol i gynorthwyo'r mathau hynny o fusnesau. Felly, unwaith eto, byddwn yn eu cyfeirio tuag at yr awdurdod lleol yng Nghaerffili, sy'n gweithredu'r gronfa ddewisol. Mae'n werth dweud, o ran y cymorth rydym wedi gallu ei roi i Gaerffili hyd yn hyn fel rhan o gam 3 y gronfa cadernid economaidd, fod mwy na 1,200 o ddyfarniadau eisoes wedi'u gwneud i fusnesau yng Nghaerffili. Mae nifer enfawr o fusnesau wedi derbyn cyllid, ac mae 5,000 o swyddi, sy’n ffigur rhyfeddol, wedi cael eu cefnogi drwy drydydd cam y gronfa cadernid economaidd yng Nghaerffili yn unig hyd yn hyn. Mae hwnnw'n ffigur rhyfeddol, o ystyried nad yw’r rhan helaethaf o’r cymorth ariannol wedi cyrraedd busnesau eto.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog.
Thank you, Minister.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw cwestiynau i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol a'r Gweinidog Pontio Ewropeaidd yn rhinwedd ei gyfrifoldebau am bontio Ewropeaidd. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Joyce Watson.
The next item is questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition in respect of his European transition responsibilities. The first question is from Joyce Watson.
1. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch polisi masnach y DU fel y mae'n ymwneud â Chymru? OQ55823
1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with the UK Government regarding the UK's trade policy as it relates to Wales? OQ55823
I've already had an introductory meeting with the UK Minister of State for trade, Greg Hands. I plan to continue to build on the pattern of engagement that my predecessor established and will be holding regular bilateral discussions with the UK Government, including sitting on the ministerial forum for trade.
Rwyf eisoes wedi cael cyfarfod cychwynnol gyda Gweinidog Gwladol y DU dros fasnach, Greg Hands. Rwy'n bwriadu parhau i adeiladu ar y patrwm o ymgysylltu a sefydlwyd gan fy rhagflaenydd a byddaf yn cynnal trafodaethau dwyochrog rheolaidd gyda Llywodraeth y DU, gan gynnwys bod yn rhan o'r fforwm gweinidogol ar gyfer masnach.
I thank you for that answer, but there are specific concerns. Last month, the UK Government rejected the amendments to the Agriculture Bill that the House of Lords had laid requiring trade deals to at least meet UK food safety standards and animal welfare standards. I've had significant representation by farmers and their groups, and also from industries like the hospitality sector, who are really, really, genuinely concerned about what that might mean for UK food standards, and also unfair competition. The concerns are that if trade deals are reached with countries that have much lower food-producing standards than we currently have—what that might mean for them. So, I'm pleased that you said that you are having meetings, but what assessment have you made about the potential of that substandard food flooding the UK, but particularly Wales, and affecting our market and the production of our food, and the impact, the knock on, for those food producers here, particularly in my constituency?
Diolch am eich ateb, ond ceir pryderon penodol. Y mis diwethaf, gwrthododd Llywodraeth y DU y gwelliannau i’r Bil Amaethyddiaeth a osodwyd gan Dŷ’r Arglwyddi a oedd yn ei gwneud yn ofynnol i gytundebau masnach fodloni safonau diogelwch bwyd a safonau lles anifeiliaid y DU o leiaf. Rwyf wedi cael cryn dipyn o sylwadau gan ffermwyr a'u grwpiau, yn ogystal â diwydiannau fel y sector lletygarwch, sy'n wirioneddol bryderus am yr hyn y gallai hynny ei olygu i safonau bwyd y DU, a chystadleuaeth annheg hefyd. Y pryder yw, os gwneir cytundebau masnach â gwledydd a chanddynt safonau cynhyrchu bwyd is o lawer nag sydd gennym ni ar hyn o bryd—yr hyn y gallai hynny ei olygu iddynt hwy. Felly, rwy'n falch eich bod wedi dweud eich bod yn cael cyfarfodydd, ond pa asesiad a wnaethoch o’r posibilrwydd y bydd y bwyd is-safonol hwnnw'n llifo i’r DU, ac i Gymru'n benodol, gan effeithio ar ein marchnad a chynhyrchiant ein bwyd, a'r effaith, y sgil effaith, ar gynhyrchwyr bwyd yma, yn enwedig yn fy etholaeth i?
I thank the Member for that supplementary and for her continued advocacy on behalf of food producers in her region. We have made the case consistently to the UK Government in the context of the international trade negotiations about how important it is to maintain food standards in defence of our food producers here in Wales. It is, in fact, an important part, not least of the reassurance that we give to consumers in Wales and other parts of the UK, but also of the Welsh brand internationally, as we seek to take advantage of further export opportunities into the future. So, we are very concerned at any possibility of a reduction in standards and the undercutting that that would potentially entail. We must not put our producers in a position where they face unfair competition. So, I will reassure the Member that we continue to make that case to UK Government Ministers. She will also know, of course, that the threat of lower standards, possibly indirectly as a consequence of imports from other parts of the world, is one of the reasons we have been so concerned about the UK Government's proposals in the internal market Bill, which, as she will know, is pretty much designed to ensure that the lowest standards across any part of UK prevail. I know that she will share our serious concerns about the impact of that Bill and our resistance to its provisions.
Diolch i'r Aelod am ei chwestiwn atodol ac am ei chefnogaeth barhaus i gynhyrchwyr bwyd yn ei rhanbarth. Rydym wedi dadlau’r achos yn gyson i Lywodraeth y DU yng nghyd-destun y trafodaethau masnach rhyngwladol o ran pa mor bwysig yw cynnal safonau bwyd er mwyn amddiffyn ein cynhyrchwyr bwyd yma yng Nghymru. Mae'n rhan bwysig, mewn gwirionedd, nid yn unig o'r sicrwydd a roddwn i ddefnyddwyr yng Nghymru a rhannau eraill o'r DU, ond hefyd o frand Cymru yn rhyngwladol, wrth inni geisio manteisio ar gyfleoedd pellach i allforio yn y dyfodol. Felly, rydym yn bryderus iawn ynghylch unrhyw bosibilrwydd o ostwng safonau a'r tandorri prisiau y gallai hynny ei olygu o bosibl. Mae'n rhaid inni beidio â rhoi ein cynhyrchwyr mewn sefyllfa lle maent yn wynebu cystadleuaeth annheg. Felly, rwy'n rhoi sicrwydd i’r Aelod ein bod yn parhau i ddadlau’r achos hwnnw i Weinidogion Llywodraeth y DU. Fe fydd hi hefyd yn gwybod, wrth gwrs, fod y bygythiad o safonau is, yn anuniongyrchol o bosibl o ganlyniad i fewnforion o rannau eraill o'r byd, yn un o'r rhesymau pam ein bod wedi bod mor bryderus ynghylch cynigion Llywodraeth y DU yn y Bil marchnad fewnol, sydd, fel y gŵyr, wedi’i gynllunio i raddau helaeth i sicrhau mai'r safonau isaf a fydd i'w gweld ar draws unrhyw ran o'r DU. Gwn y bydd yn rhannu ein pryderon difrifol ynglŷn ag effaith y Bil hwnnw a'n gwrthwynebiad i'w ddarpariaethau.
Counsel General, you seem to have indicated in your answer to Joyce Watson that it is the UK Government that should be leading on trade negotiations with whatever party is engaged. In the past, you've bemoaned the fact that Wales may not be able to impose its own divergence in rules and regulations from those of the UK in general. Do you not agree that it's imperative that the UK shows a united front in these negotiations, in particular with the rules and regulations with regard to the import and export of goods and, indeed, services? And we must not forget that there have been many instances of very poor food products coming from the EU over the years.
Gwnsler Cyffredinol, mae'n ymddangos eich bod wedi dweud yn eich ateb i Joyce Watson mai Llywodraeth y DU a ddylai fod yn arwain ar negodiadau masnach gyda pha barti bynnag sy'n cymryd rhan. Yn y gorffennol, rydych wedi cwyno nad yw Cymru'n gallu cyflwyno ei rheolau a'i rheoliadau gwahanol i rai'r DU yn gyffredinol. Onid ydych yn cytuno ei bod yn hanfodol fod y DU yn dangos safbwynt unedig yn y negodiadau hyn, yn enwedig gyda'r rheolau a'r rheoliadau mewn perthynas â mewnforio ac allforio nwyddau, a gwasanaethau yn wir? Ac mae'n rhaid inni beidio ag anghofio bod llawer o achosion wedi bod o gynhyrchion bwyd gwael iawn yn dod o'r UE dros y blynyddoedd.
Well, I'm sure the Member found that last comment quite hard to resist making. But I just want to be clear with the Member that our engagement with the UK Government in relation to the UK Government's negotiating position with regard to third countries, i.e. beyond the EU, has been positive. And as I mentioned in my answer to Joyce Watson, there is a pattern of engagement that we have been taking advantage of. And the reason that is so important is because it enables us as a Government, on behalf of Welsh food producers and consumers, to make the case to the UK Government for the sorts of standards that I've just been talking about in my previous answers.
The point that he makes about a united UK position—I quite agree with him that, when it comes to negotiations internationally, that is preferable, if it can be achieved. I regret, however, that the way that the negotiations with the EU have been conducted has not sought to achieve that UK-wide position. And I think, ultimately, that will have been a missed opportunity for the UK Government.
Wel, rwy'n siŵr fod yr Aelod wedi'i chael hi'n anodd ymatal rhag gwneud y sylw diwethaf hwnnw. Ond rwyf eisiau bod yn glir gyda'r Aelod fod ein hymgysylltiad â Llywodraeth y DU mewn perthynas â safbwynt negodi Llywodraeth y DU â thrydydd gwledydd, h.y. y tu hwnt i'r UE, wedi bod yn gadarnhaol. Ac fel y soniais yn fy ateb i Joyce Watson, mae yna batrwm o ymgysylltiad rydym wedi bod yn manteisio arno. A'r rheswm pam fod hwnnw mor bwysig yw oherwydd ei fod yn ein galluogi ni fel Llywodraeth, ar ran cynhyrchwyr a defnyddwyr bwyd Cymru, i gyflwyno'r achos i Lywodraeth y DU dros y mathau o safonau rwyf newydd fod yn sôn amdanynt yn fy atebion blaenorol.
O ran y pwynt y mae'n ei wneud am safbwynt unedig yn y DU—cytunaf yn llwyr ag ef fod hynny'n well, os gellir ei gyflawni, mewn trafodaethau rhyngwladol. Rwy'n gresynu, fodd bynnag, nad yw'r ffordd y cynhaliwyd y negodiadau gyda'r UE wedi ceisio cyflawni'r safbwynt DU gyfan hwnnw. A chredaf, yn y pen draw, y bydd hwnnw'n gyfle a gollwyd i Lywodraeth y DU.
2. Pa gynlluniau wrth gefn sydd gan Lywodraeth Cymru yn eu lle os bydd y DU yn gadael yr UE heb gytundeb? OQ55841
2. What contingency planning is the Welsh Government undertaking in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal being agreed? OQ55841
The 'End of Transition Action Plan 2020', which I published today, sets out the actions that the Welsh Government and partners can take to mitigate some of the challenges for Wales following the end of transition, including in the disastrous event of exiting the transition period without a trade deal.
Mae 'Cynllun Gweithredu Diwedd y Cyfnod Pontio 2020', a gyhoeddais heddiw, yn nodi'r camau y gall Llywodraeth Cymru a phartneriaid eu cymryd i liniaru rhai o'r heriau i Gymru ar ôl diwedd y cyfnod pontio, gan gynnwys yn yr amgylchiadau trychinebus ein bod yn gadael y cyfnod pontio heb gytundeb masnach.
Thank you. The risk of the UK leaving the transition period without a deal on our future relationship with the EU is very real, as acknowledged. All credible evidence suggests that there will be significant adverse economic consequences of any such abrupt and drastic change to our trading relationship within the EU. So, Minister, what assessment has the Welsh Government made of the potential damaging effect this could have on employment in Islwyn, and what mitigation is available to counter this, bearing in mind the damage the current internal market Bill proposals could have on Welsh control of Welsh spend?
Diolch. Mae'r risg y bydd y DU yn gadael y cyfnod pontio heb gytundeb, a'r effaith y bydd hynny'n ei chael ar ein perthynas â'r UE yn y dyfodol, yn real iawn, fel y cydnabuwyd. Mae'r holl dystiolaeth gredadwy yn awgrymu y bydd canlyniadau economaidd andwyol sylweddol yn sgil unrhyw newid sydyn a llym o'r fath i'n perthynas fasnachu o fewn yr UE. Felly, Weinidog, pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o'r effaith niweidiol bosibl y gallai hyn ei chael ar gyflogaeth yn Islwyn, a pha fesurau lliniaru sydd ar gael i wrthdroi hyn, o gofio'r niwed y gallai cynigion presennol y Bil marchnad fewnol ei wneud i reolaeth Cymru dros wariant Cymru?
I agree with the Member that all the credible evidence shows that a 'no deal' outcome will have a very, very detrimental effect on the economy, and that, over the long term—so 10 to 15 years, perhaps—that could result in incomes being around 10 per cent lower than what they would otherwise have been. And by the way, the UK Government's own analysis is broadly consistent with that picture. There would be a really significant impact on major sectors of leaving the transition period without a deal. And that would be happening, and I don't need to remind her of this, at a time when the economy is already suffering the impact of the COVID pandemic. So, in that sense, choosing to leave on that basis could not come at a worse time.
She will be aware of the economic interventions the Welsh Government has already made, either through the European transition fund or, more latterly, through the later stages of the economic resilience fund, designed to help businesses be more resilient, and be resilient as employers, into the future. And there is a broad suite of business support available on the Welsh Government's websites, which seeks to assist employers to maintain their position. And, indeed, a number of the interventions that have been brought forward in the context of COVID, around employability and job support in particular will, of course, benefit her constituents in the context of leaving the transition period without a deal as well.
Cytunaf â'r Aelod fod yr holl dystiolaeth gredadwy yn dangos y bydd canlyniad 'heb gytundeb' yn cael effaith andwyol iawn ar yr economi, ac y gallai hynny, dros y tymor hir—10 i 15 mlynedd, efallai—arwain at incymau oddeutu 10 y cant yn is na'r hyn y byddent wedi bod fel arall. A gyda llaw, mae dadansoddiad Llywodraeth y DU ei hun yn gyson â'r darlun hwnnw ar y cyfan. Byddai gadael y cyfnod pontio heb gytundeb yn effeithio'n sylweddol iawn ar sectorau mawr. A byddai hynny'n digwydd, ac nid oes angen i mi ei hatgoffa o hyn, ar adeg pan fo'r economi eisoes yn dioddef effaith pandemig COVID. Felly, yn yr ystyr honno, ni allai dewis gadael ar y sail honno ddigwydd ar adeg waeth.
Fe fydd hi'n ymwybodol o'r ymyriadau economaidd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi'u gwneud, naill ai drwy'r gronfa bontio'r UE neu'n fwy diweddar, drwy gamau diweddarach y gronfa cadernid economaidd, a gynlluniwyd i helpu busnesau i fod yn fwy gwydn, ac i fod yn fwy gwydn fel cyflogwyr, yn y dyfodol. Ac mae ystod eang o gymorth busnes ar gael ar wefannau Llywodraeth Cymru, gyda'r nod o gynorthwyo cyflogwyr i gynnal eu sefyllfa. Ac yn wir, bydd nifer o'r ymyriadau sydd wedi'u cyflwyno yng nghyd-destun COVID, mewn perthynas â chyflogadwyedd a chymorth swyddi yn arbennig, o fudd i'w hetholwyr yng nghyd-destun gadael y cyfnod pontio heb gytundeb hefyd wrth gwrs.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, Darren Millar.
Questions now from the party spokespeople, and the Conservatives' spokesperson, Darren Millar.
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to ask some questions in relation to your COVID recovery responsibilities, if that's okay, Minister? Since we last spoke, our entire nation and the majority of local authority areas in Wales have been in, and now left, some sort of lockdown. Can you tell us what impact those lockdowns have had on the Welsh Government's long-term COVID recovery strategy?
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn ofyn rhai cwestiynau mewn perthynas â'ch cyfrifoldebau adfer COVID, os yw hynny'n iawn, Weinidog? Ers inni siarad ddiwethaf, mae ein cenedl gyfan, a'r rhan fwyaf o ardaloedd awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru, wedi bod dan ryw fath o gyfyngiadau, ac maent bellach wedi dod i ben. A allwch chi ddweud wrthym pa effaith y mae'r cyfyngiadau hynny wedi'i chael ar strategaeth adfer COVID hirdymor Llywodraeth Cymru?
Well, my responsibilities in relation to COVID recovery have concluded with the publication of the action plan at the beginning of October. So, I'm very happy to refer his question on to the relevant ministerial colleague, who is able to give the answer to his question.
Wel, mae fy nghyfrifoldebau mewn perthynas ag adfer COVID wedi dod i ben gyda chyhoeddi'r cynllun gweithredu ar ddechrau mis Hydref. Felly, rwy'n hapus iawn i gyfeirio ei gwestiwn at y cyd-Weinidog perthnasol a fydd yn gallu rhoi ateb iddo.
So, there is no COVID recovery Minister, then, at the moment? I wasn't aware that your COVID recovery responsibilities had been removed. But it's very helpful to have, at least, some confirmation of that for Members of this Senedd. I would have thought that we should have had that communicated to us well in advance of you appearing before us today.
Just in relation to the document that you did publish, then, can I ask what discussions have been had with your Cabinet colleagues in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on the reconstruction of Wales post the pandemic? Obviously, I've been very concerned, and I'm sure you have been too, to see that Wales has been seeing a rising unemployment count, which is rising more quickly than in other parts of the UK. What assessment has the Welsh Government done to determine whether that is linked to the length and severity of the local lockdowns, in conjunction with the period that we've just gone through with a national lockdown across Wales?
Felly, nid oes yna Weinidog adfer COVID ar hyn o bryd, Weinidog? Nid oeddwn yn ymwybodol fod eich cyfrifoldebau adfer COVID wedi dod i ben. Ond mae'n ddefnyddiol iawn cael o leiaf ryw fath o gadarnhad o hynny i Aelodau'r Senedd hon. Byddwn wedi meddwl y dylem fod wedi cael gwybod hynny ymhell cyn i chi ymddangos ger ein bron heddiw.
Mewn perthynas â'r ddogfen a gyhoeddwyd gennych, felly, a gaf fi ofyn pa drafodaethau a gafwyd gyda'ch cyd-Weinidogion yn y Cabinet ynglŷn ag effaith COVID-19 ar ailadeiladu Cymru ar ôl y pandemig? Yn amlwg, rwyf wedi bod yn bryderus iawn, ac rwy'n siŵr eich bod chithau hefyd, o weld bod lefel diweithdra yng Nghymru wedi bod yn codi, a hynny'n gyflymach nag y gwnaeth mewn rhannau eraill o'r DU. Pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud i benderfynu a oes cysylltiad rhwng hynny a hyd a llymder y cyfyngiadau lleol, ar y cyd â'r cyfnod atal rydym newydd fod drwyddo gyda'r cyfyngiadau cenedlaethol ledled Cymru?
Well, I'm happy to repeat the point I made earlier, Llywydd. The question on the order paper will be absolutely clear in what capacity I'm answering questions today, and I direct the Member to the observations of the First Minister in relation to this in the committee appearance that he and I both made very recently.
But the point he makes, in relation to the document itself—I think the document outlines some of the significant risks that the Welsh economy faces as a consequence of COVID and anticipates significant job losses, in particular to certain cohorts of people in Wales. And that's exactly why one of the priorities in there is about ensuring the Government does all it can to ensure people stay in work, where they have work, or are best placed to get new work, when that's the route available to them. Some of that is about significant investment in jobs and employability of the sort that the economy Minister has already announced. Some of it is around stimulating the economy through initiatives that have other positive consequences in the context of COVID. So, some of the interventions around green housing and housing construction will be in that space. And that thread, I think, runs entirely through that document in a way that shows, I think, that the impact of COVID is, unfortunately, very multifaceted on our society.
Wel, rwy'n hapus i ailadrodd y pwynt a wneuthum yn gynharach, Lywydd. Bydd y cwestiwn ar y papur trefn yn dangos yn gwbl glir yn rhinwedd pa swyddogaeth rwy'n ateb y cwestiynau heddiw, a chyfeiriaf yr Aelod at sylwadau'r Prif Weinidog mewn perthynas â hyn yn y pwyllgor y gwnaethom ein dau fynychu yn ddiweddar iawn.
Ond y pwynt y mae'n ei wneud, mewn perthynas â'r ddogfen ei hun—rwy'n credu bod y ddogfen yn amlinellu rhai o'r risgiau sylweddol y mae economi Cymru yn eu hwynebu o ganlyniad i COVID ac mae'n rhagweld y bydd nifer sylweddol o swyddi'n cael eu colli, yn enwedig ymhlith carfannau penodol o bobl yng Nghymru. A dyna'n union pam fod un o'r blaenoriaethau a nodwyd ynddi'n ymwneud â sicrhau bod y Llywodraeth yn gwneud popeth yn ei gallu i sicrhau bod pobl yn aros mewn gwaith lle mae ganddynt waith, neu yn y sefyllfa orau i gael gwaith newydd, os mai dyna'r llwybr sydd ar gael iddynt. Mae rhywfaint o hynny'n ymwneud â buddsoddiad sylweddol mewn swyddi a chyflogadwyedd o'r math y mae Gweinidog yr economi eisoes wedi'i gyhoeddi. Mae rhywfaint ohono'n ymwneud ag ysgogi'r economi drwy fentrau sydd â chanlyniadau cadarnhaol eraill yng nghyd-destun COVID. Felly, bydd rhai o'r ymyriadau sy'n ymwneud â thai gwyrdd ac adeiladu tai yn digwydd yn y fan honno. Ac mae'r edefyn hwnnw, rwy'n credu, yn rhedeg drwy'r ddogfen i gyd mewn ffordd sy'n dangos, rwy'n credu, fod effaith COVID ar ein cymdeithas yn amlweddog iawn, yn anffodus.
It is indeed multifaceted, and I'm pleased that that document was drawn up. As you know, I had concerns about some elements that did not feature heavily in that document, particularly in relation to the absence of engagement with older people and with the Older People's Commissioner for Wales in the run-up to its publication. Can you tell me what discussions have taken place since that publication in order to reassure Members of the Senedd that the older people's commissioner and other older people's groups and stakeholders have actually been now engaged in a discussion on COVID recovery post the pandemic?
Mae'n amlweddog yn wir, ac rwy'n falch fod y ddogfen honno wedi'i llunio. Fel y gwyddoch, roedd gennyf bryderon am rai elfennau nad oeddent yn cael sylw helaeth yn y ddogfen honno, yn enwedig mewn perthynas ag absenoldeb ymgysylltiad â phobl hŷn a Chomisiynydd Pobl Hŷn Cymru yn y cyfnod cyn ei chyhoeddi. A allwch chi ddweud wrthyf pa drafodaethau a fu ers ei chyhoeddi er mwyn rhoi sicrwydd i'r Aelodau o'r Senedd fod y comisiynydd pobl hŷn a rhanddeiliaid a grwpiau pobl hŷn eraill bellach wedi bod yn rhan o drafodaeth ar adfer ar ôl y pandemig COVID?
Well, as when the Member last raised the question in the Chamber, I'm afraid I refute the assumption behind his question. The document describes, in a very practical way, a set of very substantive measures, many of which will have a very beneficial impact, particularly on the lives of older people, and, indeed, the older persons' commissioner, in her correspondence with me, I believe, outlines some of those. I think certainly the commissioner, certainly the groups who've been in touch, and I would hope the Member, are much more focused about the substantive impact of that strategy than particular references within it. As he knows—he previously mentioned to me that there weren't any references to older people in the document. I'm sure he will know, by now, having had the opportunity to read the document, that that isn't the case. I've had two very productive conversations—[Interruption.]—I've had two very productive conversations with the older people's commissioner in relation to the document, and I'm sure that he will be pleased to know that their interests are very fully reflected in the document, in a way, perhaps, I don't think they are in his own policy in relation to COVID response.
Wel, fel pan ofynnodd yr Aelod y cwestiwn hwn ddiwethaf yn y Siambr, mae arnaf ofn fy mod yn gwrthod y rhagdybiaeth sy'n sail i'w gwestiwn. Mae'r ddogfen yn disgrifio, mewn ffordd ymarferol iawn, cyfres o fesurau sylweddol iawn, y bydd llawer ohonynt yn cael effaith hynod o fuddiol, yn enwedig ar fywydau pobl hŷn, ac yn wir, rwy'n credu bod y comisiynydd pobl hŷn yn amlinellu rhai o'r rheini yn ei gohebiaeth â mi. Rwy'n credu'n bendant fod y comisiynydd, ac yn sicr y grwpiau sydd wedi bod mewn cysylltiad, a'r Aelod hefyd, byddwn yn gobeithio, yn canolbwyntio llawer mwy ar effaith sylweddol y strategaeth honno nag ar gyfeiriadau penodol o'i mewn. Fel y gŵyr—soniodd wrthyf o'r blaen nad oedd unrhyw gyfeiriadau at bobl hŷn yn y ddogfen. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd yn gwybod erbyn hyn, ar ôl cael cyfle i ddarllen y ddogfen, nad yw hynny'n wir. Rwyf wedi cael dwy sgwrs gynhyrchiol iawn—[Torri ar draws.]—Rwyf wedi cael dwy sgwrs gynhyrchiol iawn gyda'r comisiynydd pobl hŷn mewn perthynas â'r ddogfen, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd yn falch o wybod bod eu buddiannau'n cael eu hadlewyrchu'n llawn yn y ddogfen, mewn ffordd nad wyf yn credu sy'n digwydd, efallai, yn ei bolisi ei hun mewn perthynas â'r ymateb i COVID.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Dai Lloyd.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Dai Lloyd.
Diolch, Llywydd. [Anghlywadwy.]—yn dod rownd i feddwl na allai pethau fynd yn waeth efo'r trafodaethau Brexit, dyma ni'n cael Bil y farchnad fewnol, sy'n torri deddfwriaeth ryngwladol ynglŷn â Gogledd Iwerddon, yn ogystal â llwyr danseilio datganoli, a'r Senedd yn colli pwerau drwyddi draw. Mae'r Bil ar ei daith drwy San Steffan ar hyn o bryd, fel rydych chi'n gwybod, ond os bydd eich gwelliannau fel Llywodraeth Cymru yn ffaelu, fel y disgwyl, beth fydd ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i ddinistr datganoli, ac i'r sarhad diweddaraf yma i'n Senedd a'n cenedl?
Thank you, Llywydd. We just were getting around to thinking that things couldn't get any worse with the Brexit negotiations, and we get the internal market Bill, which breaks international law on Northern Ireland, as well as totally undermining devolution, and the Senedd losing powers across the board. The Bill is on its journey through Westminster at the moment, as you will know, but if your amendments as Welsh Government fail, as is expected, what will the Welsh Government's response be to the destruction of devolution, and to this latest insult to our Senedd and our nation?
Wel, rŷch chi'n gwybod, fel mae Dai Lloyd yn gwybod, rŷn ni wedi gosod gwelliannau, ac mae'r Arglwyddi wedi cymryd yr awenau ar gyflwyno rhai o'r gwelliannau hynny, ond rwy'n credu, ar y cyfan, fod pob un wedi cael ei gyflwyno mewn rhyw ffordd. Mae'r memorandwm rŷn ni wedi gosod o flaen y Senedd ynglŷn â'r cydsyniad yn disgrifio yn fanwl, rwy'n credu, ein gofidiau ni yng nghyd-destun y Bil. Rŷn ni'n disgwyl i bob un o'r rheini gael eu delio â nhw. Os na ddigwyddith hynny, bydd dim newid ar y cyngor rŷn ni'n ei roi i'r Senedd i wrthod cydsyniad i'r Bil fel mae e wedi'i gyflwyno, ac rwy'n gobeithio, ac yn disgwyl, y bydd Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol ddim yn parhau gyda'r Bil yn wyneb gwrthwynebiad y Seneddau.
Well, as Dai Lloyd knows, we have laid amendments, and the Lords have taken the lead on introducing those amendments, and I think, on the whole, all of them have been introduced in some way. And the memorandum that we've laid before the Senedd in terms of consent describes in detail our concerns in the context of the Bill. We hope that all of those will be dealt with. And if that doesn't happen, there won't be any change to the advice that we give to the Senedd to reject consent for the Bill as it's been introduced, and I do hope, and I do expect, that the UK Government won't continue with the Bill in the face of opposition from the Parliaments.
Diolch am hynna, Gweinidog. Nawr, i droi at faterion a heriau diwedd y cyfnod pontio, ac, wrth gwrs, rydyn ni gyd wedi darllen yr ymateb rydych chi wedi ei gyflwyno heddiw yn y 'Cynllun Gweithredu Diwedd y Cyfnod Pontio 2020'—. Nawr, yn benodol ynghylch Brexit a phorthladdoedd Cymru, mae porthladd Dulyn wedi buddsoddi €30 miliwn i ddatblygu adnoddau tollau yno. Mewn cymhariaeth, bychan iawn ydy'r datblygiadau angenrheidiol yng Nghaergybi ac Abergwaun. Felly, pam fod trefniadau Brexit porthladdoedd Cymru gymaint ar ei hôl hi o gymharu efo'n cefndryd Gwyddelig?
Thank you for that, Minister. Turning to issues and challenges at the end of the transition period, and we've all read the response that you have presented today in the 'End of Transition Action Plan 2020'—. Now, specifically on Brexit and Welsh ports, the port of Dublin has invested €30 million in order to develop toll facilities there. In comparison, the necessary developments are few and far between in Fishguard and Holyhead. So, why are the Brexit arrangements of the Welsh ports so far behind as compared with our Irish cousins?
Mae'r newidiadau sy'n digwydd yn y porthladdoedd yn dod yn sgil penderfyniad Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol i chwilio am y math o gytundeb sy'n mynd i greu rhwystredigaethau i allforion a mewnforion yn ein porthladdoedd ni. Rŷn ni wedi bod yn galw ar y Llywodraeth yn San Steffan i'n cynnwys ni yn y trafodaethau maen nhw wedi bod yn cael ers dechrau'r flwyddyn. Dim ond yn ddiweddar iawn mae hynny wedi digwydd, er mae e wedi digwydd erbyn hyn. Ond rŷn ni wedi colli'r cyfnod yna o amser. Rŷn ni fel Llywodraeth yn awyddus i gydweithio â'r Llywodraeth yn San Steffan, wrth gwrs, ynglŷn â hyn.
Mae rhan o'r trafodaethau ynglŷn â'r isadeiledd sydd ei angen ger y porthladdoedd i ddelio â'r gwirio fydd ei angen o fis Ionawr o safbwynt y Llywodraeth yn San Steffan, a mis Gorffennaf o'n safbwynt ni. Dyna pryd fydd ein cyfrifoldebau ni fel Llywodraeth yn dod i rym, yng nghanol y flwyddyn nesaf. Rŷn ni'n dal yn aros am eglurder, gyda 50 o ddiwrnodau i fynd cyn diwedd y cyfnod pontio. Mae'r lleoliadau posib yn y gogledd wedi cael eu cyfyngu nawr i un neu ddau, ond does dim penderfyniad yn y pen draw wedi'i wneud gan y Llywodraeth yn San Steffan am hynny, felly rŷn ni'n dal yn aros am eglurder am hynny.
Mae hyn wrth gwrs yn cael effaith ar rai o'n cyfrifoldebau ni o ran cefnogi cymunedau, a hefyd o ran delio gyda thraffig at ati. Dwi wedi codi'r pethau yma mewn cyfarfodydd gyda'r Llywodraeth yn San Steffan, yn cynnwys y bore yma, ac rwy'n disgwyl gwneud hynny eto mewn cyfarfod penodol wythnos nesaf sy'n delio â'r porthladdoedd yma yng Nghymru.
The changes happening in the ports come in the wake of the decision by the UK Government to look for the kind of agreement or contract that's going to create barriers to exports and imports at our ports. Now, we've been calling on the UK Government to include us in the discussions that they've been having from the start of the year. And only very recently has that happened, although it has happened by now. But we've missed that opportunity, or that period of time. And as a Government we're eager to collaborate with the UK Government, of course, on that.
Part of the discussions focus on the infrastructure needed by the ports to deal with the checks that will be required from January in terms of the UK Government, and from July from our perspective. That's when our responsibilities as a Government will come into force, in the middle of next year. We're still waiting for clarity, with 50 days remaining before the end of the transition period. The possible locations in north Wales are limited to one or two, but there's no decision that's been made by the UK Government yet about that. So, we're still waiting for clarity on that.
This of course is having an impact on some of our responsibilities, in terms of supporting communities, and also in terms of dealing with traffic and so forth. I have raised these issues in meetings with the UK Government, including this morning, and I'm expecting to do so again in a specific meeting next week that will deal with ports here in Wales.
Diolch am yr ateb yna. Dwi'n gweld beth rydych chi'n ei ddisgrifio fel tipyn bach llai o gydweithredu na fuasai'n ddelfrydol rhwng Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Unedig a Llywodraeth Cymru, nid fy mod i'n eich beio chi yn y mater yna, Gweinidog. Rydyn ni hefyd yn gwybod bod porthladdoedd Iwerddon wedi bod yn buddsoddi'n drwm mewn llwybrau gwahanol i'w llongau i gyrraedd y cyfandir, drwy osgoi porthladdoedd y Deyrnas Unedig, gan osgoi llefydd fel Caergybi. A allaf i ofyn felly, pa asesiad ydych chi fel Llywodraeth Cymru nawr wedi ei wneud ar effaith unrhyw ostyngiad yn y traffig drwy borthladdoedd Cymru?
Thank you for that response. And I heard your words in terms of having a little less collaboration than would be desirable, not that I blame you in that context, Minister. We also know that Irish ports have been investing heavily in alternative routes for their carriers to reach the continent, avoiding UK ports, and avoiding ports such as Holyhead. So, can I ask you what assessment you as the Welsh Government have made on the impact of any reduction in traffic through Welsh ports?
Mae hwn yn gwestiwn pwysig iawn, os caf i ddweud, ac mae'r risg o arallgyfeirio masnach yn un lle mae lot o gonsyrn gyda ni fel Llywodraeth. Mae dau gwestiwn mawr ar hyn o bryd rŷn ni'n dal yn aros am eglurder ynglŷn â nhw, sy'n deillio'n rhannol o'r gweithgaredd ynglŷn â'r protocol yng Ngogledd Iwerddon. Hynny yw, y cwestiwn cyntaf yw nwyddau o Ogledd Iwerddon—maen nhw'n cael mynd i Loegr a'r Alban yn uniongyrchol, felly heb wirio. Ond os ydyn nhw'n dod trwy'r Weriniaeth, byddan nhw'n cael eu gwirio yn ein porthladdoedd ni yng Nghymru. Felly, mae risg yn fan yna o ran arallgyfeirio. A hefyd, ar nwyddau o'r Weriniaeth i Gymru, bydd checks fan yna, ond os ânt trwy Ogledd Iwerddon, mae'n debygol y bydd llai o checks, felly mae'r ddau gwestiwn hynny'n awgrymu bod y risg o arallgyfeirio yn risg go iawn. Rŷn ni'n dal i aros am eglurder, am ddadansoddiad o impact y rheini o'r Llywodraeth yn San Steffan, ac mae pwyllgor yn gweithio ar hyn o bryd i edrych ar yr impact ar fasnach. Rŷn ni'n dal i aros am ganlyniadau'r gwaith hynny.
Well, this is a very important question, if I may say so, and the risk of diverting trade is one that we are very concerned about as a Government. There are two major questions that we're still waiting for clarity on, stemming partly from the activity on the protocol in Northern Ireland. The first question is on goods from Northern Ireland—they can go to England and Scotland directly, without any checks. But if they come through the Republic of Ireland, they will be checked in Welsh ports. So, there is a risk there in terms of diversion. And also, on goods from the Republic of Ireland to Wales, there will be checks there, but if they go through Northern Ireland, it's likely that fewer checks will be undertaken. So, those two questions do suggest that the diversion risk is a very real one. We are still awaiting clarity and an impact assessment on that from the UK Government, and a committee is working on the impact on trade at present. We're still waiting for the results of that work.
3. Pa gamau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod ffermwyr yn ganolog i unrhyw gytundebau masnach rhyngwladol yn y dyfodol? OQ55817
3. What steps is the Counsel General taking to ensure that farmers are central to any future international trade agreements? OQ55817
We have been very clear with the UK Government that any future free trade agreements must not undermine our agriculture sector. Our farmers must not be undercut by unfair competition from imports that do not meet our standards on food safety, animal health and welfare or the environment.
Rydym wedi bod yn glir iawn gyda Llywodraeth y DU na ddylai unrhyw gytundebau masnach rydd yn y dyfodol danseilio ein sector amaethyddol. Mae'n rhaid sicrhau nad yw ein ffermwyr yn gweld eu prisiau'n cael eu tandorri yn sgil cystadleuaeth annheg ar fewnforion nad ydynt yn cyrraedd ein safonau diogelwch bwyd, iechyd a lles anifeiliaid neu'r amgylchedd.
Thank you. Of course, you'll be aware that the Prime Minister and Mrs von der Leyen have agreed to redouble efforts on the post-Brexit trade deal. Indeed, the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement has now been signed, providing a boost for UK brands with protections for more iconic UK agricultural products, from just seven under the terms of the EU-Japan deal to over 70, including Welsh lamb. And, as you advised in the written statement on 3 November 2020, the UK Government has now signed 21 roll-over, continuity agreements so far and negotiations are ongoing with approximately 17 others. However, you have noted previously that many of these countries are small and have little trade with Wales. Now, devolved administrations have meaningful engagement with the UK Government, such as through the ministerial forum for trade. So, what steps are you taking to boost exports, especially of agricultural produce to countries with which we have an agreement so far but very little trade? Thank you.
Diolch. Wrth gwrs, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol fod y Prif Weinidog a Mrs von der Leyen wedi cytuno i gadarnhau ymdrechion ar y cytundeb masnach ar ôl Brexit. Yn wir, mae'r cytundeb partneriaeth economaidd cynhwysfawr rhwng y DU a Japan bellach wedi'i lofnodi, gan roi hwb i frandiau'r DU gydag amddiffyniadau ar gyfer cynnyrch amaethyddol mwy eiconig y DU, o saith yn unig o dan delerau cytundeb yr UE-Japan i dros 70, gan gynnwys cig oen Cymru. Ac fel y dywedoch chi yn y datganiad ysgrifenedig ar 3 Tachwedd 2020, mae Llywodraeth y DU bellach wedi llofnodi 21 o gytundebau parhad hyd yma ac mae negodiadau'n mynd rhagddynt ar oddeutu 17 o rai eraill. Fodd bynnag, rydych wedi nodi yn y gorffennol fod llawer o'r gwledydd hyn yn fach ac nad oes ganddynt fawr o fasnach â Chymru. Nawr, mae gweinyddiaethau datganoledig yn ymgysylltu'n ystyrlon â Llywodraeth y DU, megis drwy'r fforwm gweinidogol ar gyfer masnach. Felly, pa gamau rydych yn eu cymryd i hybu allforion, yn enwedig cynnyrch amaethyddol i wledydd y mae gennym gytundeb â hwy hyd yma ond ychydig iawn o fasnach? Diolch.
Well, that's an important question from the Member. The reason that the trade levels are so low are because of the pattern of trade in terms of our red meat exports with the European Union, which means that 90 per cent of our lamb exports end up in the European Union, for example, and that is as a result of farmers in Wales making a perfectly rational decision to export to one of the largest markets in the world that is right on their doorstep. As I say, that's a perfectly rational economic decision. I would have thought they were probably assuming the UK Government would make perfectly rational economic decisions as well, which obviously they aren't making in this particular context. I know that she will join with me in regretting the remarks of Liz Truss, for example, which appeared to criticise Welsh farmers for putting their eggs in one basket. If Welsh farmers' interests are not protected in the context of these negotiations, that will not be their fault; it will be the fault of the UK Government.
In the context of trade agreements with other countries, we absolutely welcome any opportunity to enhance the markets available for Welsh farmers. There is no question about that. We will support food producers, we will support exporters in any way that we can, and we do that already of course. But the reality of the situation is that the contribution that those markets will make to the exports will be significantly smaller for basic economic reasons than the current level of exports to the EU. That's not to say we shouldn't pursue those opportunities—we should and we are, but I think there needs to be a sense of reality about the capacity of those agreements to replicate even a fraction of the trade that would be lost with the European Union.
Wel, mae hwnnw'n gwestiwn pwysig gan yr Aelod. Y rheswm pam fod y lefelau masnach mor isel yw oherwydd y patrwm masnachu o ran ein hallforion cig coch gyda'r Undeb Ewropeaidd, sy'n golygu bod 90 y cant o'n hallforion cig oen yn cyrraedd yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, er enghraifft, ac mae hynny o ganlyniad i ffermwyr yng Nghymru yn gwneud penderfyniad cwbl resymegol i allforio i un o'r marchnadoedd mwyaf yn y byd sydd ar garreg eu drws. Fel y dywedais, mae hwnnw'n benderfyniad economaidd cwbl resymegol. Byddwn wedi meddwl eu bod yn tybio yn ôl pob tebyg y byddai Llywodraeth y DU yn gwneud penderfyniadau economaidd cwbl resymegol hefyd, ac mae'n amlwg nad ydynt yn gwneud hynny yn y cyd-destun penodol hwn. Gwn y bydd hi'n ymuno â mi i resynu at sylwadau Liz Truss, er enghraifft, a oedd fel pe bai'n beirniadu ffermwyr Cymru am roi eu hwyau mewn un fasged. Os na chaiff buddiannau ffermwyr Cymru eu diogelu yng nghyd-destun y trafodaethau hyn, nid eu bai hwy fydd hynny; Llywodraeth y DU fydd ar fai.
Yng nghyd-destun cytundebau masnach â gwledydd eraill, rydym yn llwyr groesawu unrhyw gyfle i wella'r marchnadoedd sydd ar gael i ffermwyr Cymru. Nid oes amheuaeth am hynny. Byddwn yn cefnogi cynhyrchwyr bwyd, byddwn yn cefnogi allforwyr mewn unrhyw ffordd y gallwn, ac rydym eisoes yn gwneud hynny wrth gwrs. Ond realiti'r sefyllfa yw y bydd y cyfraniad y bydd y marchnadoedd hynny'n ei wneud i'r allforion gryn dipyn yn llai am resymau economaidd sylfaenol na'r lefel bresennol o allforion i'r UE. Nid yw hynny'n golygu na ddylem fynd ar drywydd y cyfleoedd hynny—dylem wneud hynny ac rydym yn gwneud hynny, ond credaf fod angen ymdeimlad o realiti ynglŷn â gallu'r cytundebau hynny i gymryd lle y tamaid lleiaf hyd yn oed o'r fasnach a fyddai'n cael ei cholli gyda'r Undeb Ewropeaidd.
Analysis from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board suggest that World Trade Organization tariffs could add anything from 38 per cent to 91 per cent to the price of British sheep meat for European buyers, as well as the non-tariff barriers for trade, which we all know. China, the world's largest importer of sheep meat, impose an ad valorem tariff of 12 per cent to 15 per cent on lamb and 23 per cent on mutton imports, but have a free trade agreement in place with both New Zealand and Australia, who are their main suppliers. Does the Counsel General share my concern regarding sheep farming if we have a 'no deal' exit from the European Union and we have to try and compete with New Zealand and Australia on price?
Mae dadansoddiadau gan y Bwrdd Datblygu Amaethyddiaeth a Garddwriaeth yn awgrymu y gallai tariffau Sefydliad Masnach y Byd ychwanegu unrhyw beth o 38 y cant i 91 y cant at bris cig defaid o Brydain i brynwyr Ewropeaidd, yn ogystal â'r rhwystrau heblaw am dariffau i fasnach, ac rydym i gyd yn gwybod hynny. Mae Tsieina, mewnforiwr cig defaid mwyaf y byd, yn gosod tariff ad valorem o 12 y cant i 15 y cant ar gig oen a 23 y cant ar fewnforion cig dafad, ond mae ganddynt gytundeb masnach rydd gyda Seland Newydd ac Awstralia, eu prif gyflenwyr. A yw'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn rhannu fy mhryder ynglŷn â ffermio defaid os byddwn yn gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd heb gytundeb ac yn gorfod ceisio cystadlu â phrisiau Seland Newydd ac Awstralia?
I thank Mike Hedges for that question. I do share his concern. The end of transition action plan that we published this morning identifies the risks that he describes in his questions to the red meat sector should we end the transition period without the kind of trade deal that he talks about. That is why it's so important to ensure that we don't find ourselves in that position, and if we should find ourselves in that position, the plan describes the sort of support that farmers in Wales are going to need, which would be very significant support. Now, some of the work that we did in terms of the contingency planning at the end of last year, when we faced the risk of leaving without any kind of agreement, will have stood us, to some extent, in good stead this year, but it is certainly the case that if we leave without a deal, the kind of scale of intervention that will be required would need significant support on a cross-UK basis.
Diolch i Mike Hedges am y cwestiwn hwnnw. Rwy'n rhannu ei bryder. Mae cynllun gweithredu diwedd y cyfnod pontio a gyhoeddwyd gennym y bore yma yn nodi'r risgiau y mae'n eu disgrifio yn ei gwestiynau i'r sector cig coch pe baem yn dod â'r cyfnod pontio i ben heb y math o gytundeb masnach y mae'n sôn amdano. Dyna pam ei bod mor bwysig sicrhau nad ydym yn y sefyllfa honno, a phe baem yn mynd i'r sefyllfa honno, mae'r cynllun yn disgrifio'r math o gymorth y bydd ei angen ar ffermwyr yng Nghymru, a byddai hwnnw'n gymorth sylweddol iawn. Nawr, bydd rhywfaint o'r gwaith a wnaethom ar y cynlluniau wrth gefn y llynedd, pan oeddem yn wynebu'r risg o adael heb unrhyw fath o gytundeb, wedi ein rhoi mewn sefyllfa dda eleni i ryw raddau, ond os byddwn yn gadael heb gytundeb, mae'n sicr yn wir y byddai graddau'r ymyrraeth angenrheidiol yn galw am gymorth sylweddol ar draws y DU.
4. Pa drefniadau sydd ar waith i gefnogi ffermwyr Cymru drwy'r broses bontio Ewropeaidd? OQ55828
4. What arrangements are in place to support Welsh farmers through the European transition process? OQ55828
We continue to provide guidance and financial support to farmers through Farming Connect, through the sustainable production grant and the farm business grant. We are also engaging with DEFRA and the other devolved Governments on plans for supporting the sheep sector in the event of no trade agreement with the European Union.
Rydym yn parhau i ddarparu arweiniad a chymorth ariannol i ffermwyr drwy Cyswllt Ffermio, drwy'r grant cynhyrchu cynaliadwy a'r grant busnes i ffermydd. Rydym hefyd yn ymgysylltu â DEFRA a'r Llywodraethau datganoledig eraill ar gynlluniau i gefnogi'r sector defaid os na cheir cytundeb masnach â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd.
Do you agree with me that it is essential for the export of magnificent Welsh lamb that we have a secure market, that we know as soon as possible that that market is there and, as you have said, is mostly in the European Union? And do you fear, as I do, that if we don't get lamb up front and centre of a deal, then less efficient markets in Italy, France and Spain will be serious competitors? So far, Welsh lamb has been very competitive against them, and those local markets could well come back.
A ydych yn cytuno â mi ei bod yn hanfodol, er mwyn allforio cig oen gwych o Gymru, fod gennym farchnad ddiogel, ein bod yn gwybod cyn gynted ag sy'n bosibl fod y farchnad honno yno ac fel y dywedoch chi, ei bod yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd yn bennaf? Ac a ydych yn ofni, fel finnau, os na fyddwn yn sicrhau bod cig oen yn flaenllaw ac yn ganolog mewn cytundeb, bydd marchnadoedd llai effeithlon yn yr Eidal, Ffrainc a Sbaen yn gystadleuwyr difrifol? Hyd yn hyn, mae cig oen Cymru wedi bod yn gystadleuol iawn yn eu herbyn, a gallai'r marchnadoedd lleol hynny'n hawdd ddod yn ôl.
I do agree with David Melding's concern and his analysis. Welsh lamb is one of our great exports and it's exported to the European Union because there is a good market for it there. It's a near market and it's a significant scale, so protecting that export is absolutely fundamental. We've been advocating that sort of position—and I know that he knows this—for a very long time, and have identified that as one of the key risks. I was genuinely dismayed to hear the comments of the UK Government in relation to the focus that Welsh farmers have placed on the EU market. They've done that for very good economic reasons. It's a big market on the doorstep, so it makes perfect sense to do it, and they've done it exceptionally successfully. I agree with him that if the UK Government doesn't reach a deal that protects their interests, others will fill the market opportunity that that will create.
Rwy'n cytuno â phryder David Melding a'i ddadansoddiad. Cig oen Cymru yw un o'n hallforion mawr ac mae'n cael ei allforio i'r Undeb Ewropeaidd oherwydd bod marchnad dda ar ei gyfer yno. Mae'n farchnad agos ac mae ar raddfa sylweddol, felly mae diogelu'r cynnyrch allforio hwnnw'n gwbl hanfodol. Rydym wedi bod yn argymell y math hwnnw o safbwynt—a gwn ei fod yn gwybod hyn—ers amser maith iawn, ac rydym wedi nodi hyn fel un o'r risgiau allweddol. Roeddwn yn wirioneddol siomedig o glywed sylwadau Llywodraeth y DU ynglŷn â'r ffocws y mae ffermwyr Cymru wedi'i roi ar farchnad yr UE. Maent wedi gwneud hynny am resymau economaidd da iawn. Mae'n farchnad fawr ar garreg y drws, felly mae'n gwneud synnwyr perffaith i'w wneud, ac maent wedi gwneud hynny'n eithriadol o lwyddiannus. Os na fydd Llywodraeth y DU yn sicrhau cytundeb sy'n diogelu eu buddiannau, rwy'n cytuno ag ef y bydd eraill yn llenwi'r bwlch yn y farchnad y bydd hynny'n ei greu.
5. Beth yw asesiad diweddaraf Llywodraeth Cymru o'r siawns o gael cytundeb masnach â'r UE? OQ55820
5. What is the Welsh Government's latest assessment of the chances of a trade deal with the EU? OQ55820
A deal is still possible, but both sides now need to demonstrate political movement and flexibility. But even with a deal, there will be long-term damage to the economy and we certainly cannot afford the chaos that would result from leaving transition without a deal in the middle of a global health pandemic.
Mae cytundeb yn dal i fod yn bosibl, ond mae angen i'r ddwy ochr ddangos symudiad a hyblygrwydd gwleidyddol nawr. Ond hyd yn oed gyda chytundeb, bydd niwed hirdymor i'r economi ac yn sicr ni allwn fforddio'r anhrefn a fyddai'n deillio o adael y cyfnod pontio heb gytundeb yng nghanol pandemig iechyd byd-eang.
The election of Joe Biden makes it less likely the UK Government can count on the backing of Donald Trump for a go-it-alone strategy, but we saw in the past how difficult it was to negotiate with the United States with the failed transatlantic trade and investment partnership deal, which took over three years and was mainly around our concern that the United States wanted to be able to take over our national health service. Today, obviously we're more concerned with the undermining of our food and animal welfare standards. But I think one of the major barriers now to any deal, it seems, with the EU-27 looks as if it's the internal market Bill, because of the state-aid elements within the internal market Bill, which should be a huge cause for concern for any of the devolved Governments and anybody who is concerned about the future state of the union. I'm sure Joe Biden will spell this out for him, particularly in relation to the Good Friday agreement. But what, if anything, can we do to persuade the UK Government to abandon this very damaging legislation, which almost guarantees 'no deal'?
Mae ethol Joe Biden yn ei gwneud yn llai tebygol y gall Llywodraeth y DU ddibynnu ar gefnogaeth Donald Trump i strategaeth liwt-ei-hun, ond rydym wedi gweld yn y gorffennol pa mor anodd yw negodi gyda'r Unol Daleithiau gyda'r cytundeb partneriaeth masnach a buddsoddi trawsatlantig aflwyddiannus, a gymerodd dros dair blynedd a hynny'n bennaf oherwydd ein pryder fod yr Unol Daleithiau eisiau gallu cymryd rheolaeth ar ein gwasanaeth iechyd gwladol. Heddiw, mae'n amlwg ein bod yn poeni mwy am danseilio ein safonau bwyd a lles anifeiliaid. Ond rwy'n credu mai un o'r prif rwystrau i unrhyw gytundeb gyda 27 gwlad yr UE bellach, mae'n ymddangos, yw'r Bil marchnad fewnol, oherwydd yr elfennau cymorth gwladwriaethol o fewn y Bil marchnad fewnol, a ddylai fod yn achos pryder enfawr i unrhyw un o'r Llywodraethau datganoledig ac unrhyw un sy'n pryderu am gyflwr yr undeb yn y dyfodol. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd Joe Biden yn nodi hyn yn glir, yn enwedig yng nghyswllt cytundeb Gwener y Groglith. Ond beth, os unrhyw beth, y gallwn ei wneud i berswadio Llywodraeth y DU i roi'r gorau i'r ddeddfwriaeth hynod o niweidiol hon, sydd bron â bod yn gwarantu 'dim cytundeb'?
I thank the Member for her supplementary, and I will take this opportunity of saying how glad I was to see that Joe Biden was elected president with such a resounding result. It's a triumph for internationalism, principle and reason. So, I am very pleased that we're having this discussion in that context.
She's absolutely right to say that the prospects of a deal with the European Union have been set back by the introduction of the internal market Bill, because it raised the question of trust. And if you're in the middle of negotiating an international agreement, then having one party signal very unequivocally that it is perfectly content to break international agreements is obviously corrosive of trust in those discussions. And I think that has had a material effect on discussions.
She will have followed, as I have, the discussions in the House of Lords, which have demonstrated a very wide and deep coalition of opposition to the Bill, for the reasons that she gives. And I think we will continue—. We have discussed with peers the approach that the Welsh Government is taking and have advocated that approach, and we will continue to do that. I think a wise Government would respond to that by amending the legislation, in a very great number of ways, by the way. And I urge the UK Government to take the opportunity of responding to such a wide and deep coalition of opposition and taking steps to amend the legislation in the way that her question suggests.
Diolch i'r Aelod am ei chwestiwn atodol, a hoffwn fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn i ddweud pa mor falch yr oeddwn o weld bod Joe Biden wedi'i ethol yn arlywydd gyda chanlyniad mor ysgubol. Mae'n fuddugoliaeth i ryngwladoliaeth, egwyddor a rheswm. Felly, rwy'n falch iawn ein bod yn cael y drafodaeth hon yn y cyd-destun hwnnw.
Mae'n llygad ei lle i ddweud bod y rhagolygon ar gyfer cytundeb gyda'r Undeb Ewropeaidd wedi cymryd cam yn ôl yn sgil cyflwyno'r Bil marchnad fewnol, oherwydd ei fod yn codi mater ymddiriedaeth. Ac os ydych ynghanol y broses o negodi cytundeb rhyngwladol, mae cael un parti'n dangos yn ddigamsyniol iawn ei bod yn gwbl barod i dorri cytundebau rhyngwladol yn amlwg yn niweidiol i ymddiriedaeth yn y negodiadau hynny. A chredaf fod hynny wedi cael effaith sylweddol ar drafodaethau.
Fel finnau, fe fydd hi wedi dilyn y trafodaethau yn Nhŷ'r Arglwyddi, sydd wedi dangos bod yna gynghrair eang a dwfn iawn o wrthwynebiad i'r Bil, am y rhesymau y mae'n eu rhoi. A chredaf y byddwn yn parhau—. Rydym wedi trafod gyda chymheiriaid y dull y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddilyn ac rydym wedi cefnogi'r dull hwnnw, a byddwn yn parhau i wneud hynny. Credaf y byddai Llywodraeth ddoeth yn ymateb i hynny drwy ddiwygio'r ddeddfwriaeth, mewn nifer fawr iawn o ffyrdd, gyda llaw. Ac rwy'n annog Llywodraeth y DU i fanteisio ar y cyfle i ymateb i gynghrair mor eang a dwfn o wrthwynebiad a chymryd camau i ddiwygio'r ddeddfwriaeth yn y ffordd y mae ei chwestiwn yn ei awgrymu.
6. A wnaiff y Cwnsler Cyffredinol amlinellu cylch gwaith y grŵp cynghori ar bolisi masnach a gyhoeddwyd yn ei ddatganiad ysgrifenedig ar 3 Tachwedd 2020? OQ55839
6. Will the Counsel General outline the remit of the trade policy advisory group announced in his written statement of 3 November 2020? OQ55839
Yes. The trade policy advisory group provides expert strategic advice to the Welsh Government on international trade matters and helps shape our positions in relation to free trade agreements.
Gwnaf. Mae'r grŵp cynghori ar bolisi masnach yn rhoi cyngor strategol arbenigol i Lywodraeth Cymru ar faterion masnach rhyngwladol ac yn helpu i lunio ein safbwyntiau mewn perthynas â chytundebau masnach rydd.
Thank you for that answer, Counsel General. For a number of years, the Scottish Government have had a trade board, which was one of the commitments in their trade and investment strategy, with the aim of identifying and supporting exports to new markets, bringing together a range of expertise to advise the Scottish Government. It's clear that the Scottish Government has made great strides in understanding its export market. It feels that we are some way behind in this regard. Could you tell us what evidence you can take from Scotland and how you can develop Welsh policy so we have an equally good trade policy here and relationship with that sector?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Gwnsler Cyffredinol. Ers nifer o flynyddoedd, mae gan Lywodraeth yr Alban fwrdd masnach, a oedd yn un o'r ymrwymiadau yn eu strategaeth masnach a buddsoddi, gyda'r nod o nodi a chefnogi allforion i farchnadoedd newydd, gan ddod ag arbenigedd amrywiol ynghyd i gynghori Llywodraeth yr Alban. Mae'n amlwg fod Llywodraeth yr Alban wedi cymryd camau breision tuag at ddeall ei marchnad allforio. Mae'n teimlo fel pe baem ymhell ar ei hôl hi yn hyn o beth. A allech chi ddweud wrthym pa dystiolaeth y gallwch ei chael o'r Alban a sut y gallwch ddatblygu polisi Cymreig fel bod gennym bolisi masnach yr un mor dda yma yn ogystal â pherthynas â'r sector hwnnw?
Well, the work of the trade policy advisory group, of course, is only one of the ways in which the Welsh Government identifies opportunities to engage internationally. The First Minister is making a statement later today in relation to the international strategy more broadly. And, as I think the Member will know, we have invested significantly in supporting Welsh exporters to navigate the changes that lie ahead as a consequence of leaving the European transition period, including additional resources to give very specific, bespoke advice to exporters about managing that new landscape. And I think that very practical way of supporting our businesses and employers is one of the key areas in which we can support the economy here in Wales.
The point of TPAG, as we are calling it, it to help us exactly to identify some of those key areas that help shape our position in relation to those trade agreements. But it's part of a broad range of interventions that we have to understand the markets available to our exporters, including presence overseas, and that will become increasingly important in the years ahead, it seems to me.
Wel, nid yw gwaith y grŵp cynghori ar bolisi masnach ond yn un o'r ffyrdd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn nodi cyfleoedd i ymgysylltu'n rhyngwladol. Bydd y Prif Weinidog yn gwneud datganiad yn ddiweddarach heddiw mewn perthynas â'r strategaeth ryngwladol yn fwy cyffredinol. Ac fel bydd yr Aelod yn gwybod, rwy'n credu, rydym wedi buddsoddi'n sylweddol i gefnogi allforwyr Cymru i lywio'r newidiadau sydd o'n blaenau o ganlyniad i adael y cyfnod pontio Ewropeaidd, gan gynnwys adnoddau ychwanegol i roi cyngor penodol, pwrpasol iawn i allforwyr ynglŷn â rheoli'r dirwedd newydd honno. A chredaf fod y ffordd ymarferol iawn honno o gefnogi ein busnesau a'n cyflogwyr yn un o'r meysydd allweddol lle gallwn gefnogi'r economi yma yng Nghymru.
Diben y grŵp cynghori ar bolisi masnach yw ein helpu i nodi rhai o'r meysydd allweddol sy'n helpu i lunio ein safbwynt mewn perthynas â'r cytundebau masnach hynny. Ond rhaid inni ddeall y marchnadoedd sydd ar gael i'n hallforwyr fel rhan o ystod eang o ymyriadau, yn cynnwys presenoldeb dramor, ac mae'n ymddangos i mi y daw hynny'n gynyddol bwysig yn y blynyddoedd i ddod.
7. Pa gynnydd sydd wedi'i wneud o ran nodi manylion y gronfa ffyniant gyffredin? OQ55831
7. What progress has been made in identifying the details of the shared prosperity fund? OQ55831
8. Pa drafodaethau y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'u cael gyda Llywodraeth y DU ynghylch y gronfa ffyniant gyffredin a'i goblygiadau i Gymru? OQ55836
8. What discussions has the Counsel General had with the UK Government regarding the shared prosperity fund and its implications for Wales? OQ55836
Rwy'n deall, Llywydd, eich bod chi wedi cytuno i gyfuno hwn â chwestiwn 8.
I understand, Llywydd, that you have agreed to group this with question 8.
The UK Government has not shared any details yet of its shared prosperity fund with any of the devolved Governments, despite our attempts to engage. We expect some details to be announced during the spending review, which is, as he will know, one month before our EU funding begins to tail off.
Nid yw Llywodraeth y DU wedi rhannu unrhyw fanylion eto am ei chronfa ffyniant gyffredin ag unrhyw un o'r Llywodraethau datganoledig, er gwaethaf ein hymdrechion i ymgysylltu. Disgwyliwn i rai manylion gael eu cyhoeddi yn ystod yr adolygiad o wariant, sydd i'w gynnal, fel y bydd yn gwybod, fis cyn i'n cyllid UE ddechrau dod i ben.
Thank you for that answer, Counsel General, and, as you're aware, the Welsh Affairs Select Committee produced a report at the beginning of last month expressing their concern over the lack of details coming out for the shared prosperity fund. And since then, the internal market Bill has been laid and there have been clear indications that that might be a vehicle by which money from the shared prosperity fund will be used to fund infrastructure projects, completely avoiding access to the Welsh Government.
Now, there are many organisations across Wales that benefit from European funding and have employees who are dependent upon that funding. The lack of clarity at this point and stage is putting great uncertainty as to the continuation of those projects and those jobs. Would you now please urge the UK Government to actually get its act together, to actually come to the table with the detail, so that our communities and people working in those communities can have greater certainty on the future opportunities for those projects?
Diolch am yr ateb hwnnw, Gwnsler Cyffredinol, ac fel y gwyddoch, cynhyrchodd y Pwyllgor Dethol ar Faterion Cymreig adroddiad ddechrau'r mis diwethaf yn mynegi eu pryder ynghylch y diffyg manylion sy'n cael eu cyhoeddi ar gyfer y gronfa ffyniant gyffredin. Ac ers hynny, mae'r Bil marchnad fewnol wedi'i osod ac rydym wedi gweld arwyddion clir y gallai hwnnw fod yn gyfrwng i ddefnyddio arian o'r gronfa ffyniant gyffredin i ariannu prosiectau seilwaith, gan osgoi mynediad at Lywodraeth Cymru yn llwyr.
Nawr, mae llawer o sefydliadau ledled Cymru'n elwa o gyllid Ewropeaidd ac sydd â gweithwyr sy'n ddibynnol ar y cyllid hwnnw. Mae'r diffyg eglurder ar hyn o bryd ac ar y cam hwn yn creu ansicrwydd mawr ynghylch parhad y prosiectau a'r swyddi hynny. A wnewch chi annog Llywodraeth y DU nawr i gael trefn arni ei hun, i gyflwyno'r manylion, fel y gall ein cymunedau a'n pobl sy'n gweithio yn y cymunedau hynny gael mwy o sicrwydd ynghylch y cyfleoedd i'r prosiectau hynny yn y dyfodol?
I thank David Rees for that question, and I think he is right to say that the internal market Bill is clearly an attempt to give the UK Government powers to deliver parts of the shared prosperity fund, which otherwise it wouldn't be able to do. Though its financial assistance powers are described as being there to work with us, but plainly are there to work around us, and so I share his concern in relation to that.
Whatever one's view, as it where, of the politics of the situation, it is clearly not acceptable that, so near to the end of the point at which we have certainty of our funding, we still don't know what the picture looks like for the period ahead. There will be programmes that will fall by the wayside, loss of talent in our various programmes and interventions that will arise as a consequence of that, which needn't have happened, and wouldn't have happened had there been greater clarity earlier and had the UK Government been clearer sooner about its commitment to the promises it's made in the past.
As he will know, there's been consistent and significant work that we have led in Wales with stakeholders right across Wales to design a framework for successor programmes. I very much hope that the work of stakeholders in all sectors in all parts of Wales will be given the credit and weight that it should by the UK Government in its reflections on this, because they do genuinely offer a very constructive way of taking those programmes forward here in Wales into the future, and I'll be formally updating Members next week, via a written statement, on the progress we've been making in relation to regional investment with our stakeholders right across Wales.
Diolch i David Rees am y cwestiwn hwnnw, a chredaf ei fod yn iawn i ddweud bod y Bil marchnad fewnol yn amlwg yn ymgais i roi pwerau i Lywodraeth y DU allu darparu rhannau o'r gronfa ffyniant gyffredin, na fyddai'n gallu ei wneud fel arall. Caiff ei phwerau cymorth ariannol eu disgrifio fel pethau sydd yno i weithio gyda ni, ond mae'n amlwg eu bod yno i weithio o'n hamgylch, ac felly rhannaf ei bryder ynglŷn â hynny.
Beth bynnag fo barn rhywun ar wleidyddiaeth y sefyllfa, fel petai, mae'n amlwg nad yw'n dderbyniol, mor agos at ddiwedd y pwynt lle mae gennym sicrwydd o'n cyllid, nad ydym yn gwybod o hyd sut y mae pethau'n edrych ar gyfer y cyfnod sydd o'n blaenau. Bydd rhaglenni'n cael eu colli, bydd doniau yn ein gwahanol raglenni ac ymyriadau yn cael eu golli o ganlyniad i hynny, a hynny heb fod angen, ac ni fyddai wedi digwydd pe bai mwy o eglurder wedi bod yn gynharach a phe bai Llywodraeth y DU wedi bod yn gliriach yn gynt ynglŷn â'i hymrwymiad i'r addewidion y mae wedi'u gwneud yn y gorffennol.
Fel y bydd yn gwybod, rydym wedi arwain ar waith cyson a sylweddol yng Nghymru gyda rhanddeiliaid ledled Cymru i gynllunio fframwaith ar gyfer rhaglenni olynol. Rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y bydd gwaith rhanddeiliaid ym mhob sector ym mhob rhan o Gymru yn cael y clod a'r pwysigrwydd y dylai ei gael gan Lywodraeth y DU wrth iddi fyfyrio ar hyn, oherwydd maent yn cynnig ffordd wirioneddol adeiladol o fwrw ymlaen â'r rhaglenni hynny yma yng Nghymru i'r dyfodol, a byddaf yn rhoi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf yn ffurfiol i'r Aelodau yr wythnos nesaf, drwy ddatganiad ysgrifenedig, ar y cynnydd rydym wedi bod yn ei wneud mewn perthynas â buddsoddi rhanbarthol gyda'n rhanddeiliaid ledled Cymru.
Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, I hear your answer to David Rees there, and further to that, can I ask—? Obviously, our further education colleges are clearly concerned with regard to the loss of EU funds. That's been an important source of funding in order to support skills delivery, which is important for all our futures. Now, without the same replacement funding, it will be increasingly difficult for colleges to support local economies. So, can I push you further in terms of asking about any progress in discussion with UK Ministers relating to the future funding of skills and apprenticeships, especially in the further education sector?
Diolch, Lywydd. Weinidog, clywais eich ateb i David Rees yno, ac ymhellach, a gaf fi ofyn—? Yn amlwg, mae ein colegau addysg bellach yn pryderu am golli arian yr UE. Mae'r arian hwnnw wedi bod yn ffynhonnell bwysig o gyllid i gefnogi'r gwaith o ddarparu sgiliau, sy'n bwysig i ddyfodol pob un ohonom. Nawr, heb gyllid newydd, bydd yn fwyfwy anodd i golegau gefnogi economïau lleol. Felly, a gaf fi eich gwthio ymhellach a gofyn am unrhyw gynnydd mewn trafodaeth â Gweinidogion y DU ynghylch ariannu sgiliau a phrentisiaethau yn y dyfodol, yn enwedig yn y sector addysg bellach?
Well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint Dai Lloyd on that. We are waiting for clarity on these fundamental commitments in relation to successor EU funds, and I can hear the frustration in his voice, and I assure him that I share it entirely. He is right to say that a significant success that we've had in relation to using European Union funds has exactly been in the space of apprenticeships and further education, and indeed in making available to learners in a further education setting access to Erasmus+ and so on. I've met on many occasions learners in the workplace who've taken full advantage of that. We've been pressing the case with the UK Government. We hope to hear more before the spending review, and I'll be happy to update the Chamber when we do.
Wel, mae arnaf ofn y bydd yn rhaid i mi siomi Dai Lloyd ar hynny. Rydym yn aros am eglurder ynglŷn â'r ymrwymiadau sylfaenol hyn mewn perthynas â chronfeydd olynol yr UE, a gallaf glywed y rhwystredigaeth yn ei lais, a gallaf ei sicrhau fy mod yn ei rhannu'n llwyr. Mae'n gywir i ddweud mai ym maes prentisiaethau ac addysg bellach y cafwyd un o'r llwyddiannau arwyddocaol yn ein defnydd o gyllid yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ac yn wir o ran darparu mynediad at Erasmus+ i ddysgwyr mewn lleoliadau addysg bellach ac yn y blaen. Rwyf wedi cyfarfod droeon â dysgwyr yn y gweithle sydd wedi manteisio'n llawn ar hynny. Rydym wedi bod yn dadlau'r achos gyda Llywodraeth y DU. Gobeithiwn glywed mwy cyn yr adolygiad o wariant, ac rwy'n hapus i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Siambr pan fydd hynny'n digwydd.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 9—Neil Hamilton.
And finally, question 9—Neil Hamilton.
9. Pa asesiad y mae'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol wedi'i wneud o'r effaith y mae penderfyniadau a wneir yng Nghyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion (Negodiadau'r UE) yn ei chael ar bobl Cymru? OQ55829
9. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the impact that decisions made at the Joint Ministerial Committee (EU Negotiations) have on the people of Wales? OQ55829
Negotiations, preparedness, frameworks and the internal market have been the principal JMC(EN) topics—all are areas that greatly impact the people of Wales. Unfortunately, the UK Government’s inadequate commitment to co-operative working in these areas has undermined the contribution of the devolved Governments in all aspects of preparing to leave the European Union.
Mae prif bynciau'r Cyd-bwyllgor Gweinidogion (Negodiadau'r DU) yn cynnwys negodiadau, parodrwydd, fframweithiau a'r farchnad fewnol—mae pob un ohonynt yn feysydd sy'n effeithio'n fawr ar bobl Cymru. Yn anffodus, mae ymrwymiad annigonol Llywodraeth y DU i gydweithio yn y meysydd hyn wedi tanseilio cyfraniad y Llywodraethau datganoledig ym mhob agwedd ar baratoi i adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd.
Well, doesn't the Counsel General see that he is not likely to get favourable response to this from the UK Government if he continues his root and branch opposition to delivering a real Brexit, in particular by supporting the EU's extraordinary demand that their legislative institutions and their court in Luxembourg should continue both to legislate for and to interpret that legislation to the disadvantage of Britain? No independent Government could ever accept such tutelage, and that's what the internal market Bill fundamentally is all about. So, if he wants to get co-operation from the UK Government and to win concessions, he's not likely to do it by continuing this atmosphere of political posturing that we've heard from him this afternoon in answer to numerous questions.
Wel, onid yw'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol yn gweld nad yw'n debygol o gael ymateb ffafriol i hyn gan Lywodraeth y DU os yw'n parhau â'i wrthwynebiad sylfaenol i sicrhau Brexit go iawn, yn enwedig drwy gefnogi galwad eithriadol yr UE y dylai eu sefydliadau deddfwriaethol a'u llys yn Lwcsembwrg barhau i ddeddfu a dehongli'r ddeddfwriaeth honno er anfantais Prydain? Ni allai'r un Lywodraeth annibynnol fyth dderbyn gwarchodaeth o'r fath, a dyna yw hanfod y Bil marchnad fewnol. Felly, os yw eisiau cydweithrediad gan Lywodraeth y DU ac ennill consesiynau, nid yw'n debygol o gael hynny drwy barhau â'r awyrgylch o ystumio gwleidyddol a glywsom ganddo y prynhawn yma yn ei atebion i nifer o gwestiynau.
Well, we are way beyond the point at which the UK Government's response ought to be coloured by political considerations—50 days before the end of the transition period—and we seek continuously to be collaborative in working with the UK Government to prepare Wales as best we can for the end of the transition period. But I'm not going to pretend for a moment that we have a very different view about our future relationship with the European Union. That is absolutely clear, and we think the UK Government needs to change course at this point and to prioritise jobs and livelihoods. I'm going to resist the invitation in the Member's question to take up the point about the European Union's role in this set of negotiations. UK citizens are entitled to look to the UK Government to protect their interests. UK Government took back control. The UK Government's in control, and if this deal doesn't happen, or happens on a weak basis, it's on them.
Wel, rydym ymhell y tu hwnt i'r pwynt lle dylai ymateb Llywodraeth y DU gael ei liwio gan ystyriaethau gwleidyddol—50 diwrnod cyn diwedd y cyfnod pontio—ac rydym yn ymdrechu'n barhaus i gydweithio â Llywodraeth y DU i baratoi Cymru gystal ag y gallwn ar gyfer diwedd y cyfnod pontio. Ond nid wyf am esgus am eiliad fod gennym farn wahanol iawn ar ein perthynas â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd yn y dyfodol. Mae hynny'n gwbl glir, ac rydym yn credu bod angen i Lywodraeth y DU newid trywydd ar pwynt hwn a blaenoriaethu swyddi a bywoliaeth pobl. Rwyf am wrthsefyll y gwahoddiad yng nghwestiwn yr Aelod i fynd i'r afael â'r pwynt am rôl yr Undeb Ewropeaidd yn y gyfres hon o negodiadau. Mae gan ddinasyddion y DU hawl i ddisgwyl i Lywodraeth y DU ddiogelu eu buddiannau. Fe wnaeth Llywodraeth y DU adfer ei rheolaeth. Llywodraeth y DU sy'n rheoli, ac os nad yw'r cytundeb hwn yn digwydd, neu os yw'n digwydd ar sail wan, hwy fydd yn gyfrifol.
Diolch i'r Cwnsler Cyffredinol.
Thank you, Counsel General.
Yr eitem nesaf, felly, yw'r datganiad gan y Prif Weinidog ar gyflawni'r strategaeth ryngwladol, a dwi'n galw ar y Prif Weinidog i wneud ei ddatganiad. Mark Drakeford.
The next item is the statement by the First Minister on delivering the international strategy, and I call on the First Minister to make his statement. Mark Drakeford.
Llywydd, diolch yn fawr. Rwy'n croesawu’r cyfle hwn heddiw i adrodd i’r Senedd ar strategaeth ryngwladol Llywodraeth Cymru. Ein bwriad yw meithrin cysylltiadau gyda gwledydd a rhanbarthau ar draws y byd er mwyn hyrwyddo allforion a buddsoddi yng Nghymru, ac felly cryfhau ein economi.
Ar yr un pryd, rydym yn gweithio i godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r holl gryfderau sydd gennym fel gwlad a'r cyfraniad y gallwn ni ei wneud wrth ymateb i heriau fel newid hinsawdd a chynaliadwyedd. Mae'r gwaith yma yn fwy pwysig nag erioed wrth inni ymadael â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn.
Thank you, Llywydd. I welcome this opportunity today to report to the Senedd on the Welsh Government's international strategy. Our objective is to foster relationships with countries and regions across the world in order to promote exports and investment in Wales, and thus to strengthen our economy.
At the same time, we are working to raise awareness of the many strengths that we have as a country and the contribution that we can make in responding to challenges such as climate change and sustainability. This work is more important than ever as we leave the EU at the end of the year.
Llywydd, our international strategy was crafted in the Brexit context. Leaving the European Union means that we have to work even harder to sustain the profile and the reputation of Wales in the world. Now more than ever we have to do all we can to raise Wales’s international profile, grow our economy through increasing exports and attracting inward investment, and, as the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires, establish Wales as a globally responsible nation.
No-one could have predicted what would happen just a few short weeks after our international strategy was published in January. COVID-19 started to take hold in February, and of course the pandemic has had a direct impact on the delivery of our international ambitions, but we have still made positive use of our overseas networks, staying in touch with Governments across the world and gathering vital intelligence on their approaches to tackling the virus. They worked to identify sources of personal protective equipment in the early days, when supplies were scarce. Our China offices played a key role in securing the shipment of surgical masks manufacturing equipment for a company in Cardiff that produces up to 1 million face masks per day for key workers in Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom. Our Wales and Africa programme quickly issued 26 grants that focused on COVID-19 support.
We moved our international programmes online and used relationships set out in the international strategy to develop joint ambitions, not just to focus on the immediate crisis, but to build future resilience and rebuild our economies. Even in the depth of the crisis, we have held virtual and face-to-face meetings with ambassadors from Japan, Germany, the European Union, Canada and others.
Today, Llywydd, we publish four action plans derived from the international strategy, shaped by the context of the global pandemic and reflecting our engagement with friends around the world. I want to put on record my thanks to Eluned Morgan for all the work she invested in the strategy and the plans while ministerially responsible for international relations. The documents cover public diplomacy and soft power, regional relationships and networks, Wales and Africa, and our diaspora, and they are a tribute to the flair and commitment that Eluned brought to that work.
Our public diplomacy and soft power plan identifies how Wales will enhance our global profile. It sets out the global contribution we can make as a responsible nation, working internationally with partners on well-being, sustainability, youth education, culture, sport, science and the promotion of the Welsh language. It makes the links with supporting the Welsh economy, bolstering trade and tourism, as we did during last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan. Together with our Wales and Africa programme, it responds to the recent issues highlighted by the Black Lives Matter campaign to promote an ethos of fairness, equality and diversity. The Wales and Africa action plan also sets out how we will work with partners in sub-Saharan Africa and here in Wales to support delivery of the UN sustainable development goals, particularly in two areas: climate change and sustainability, where we're planting 25 million trees in Uganda by 2025, and, secondly, promoting Wales as a fair nation through support for fair trade and women's empowerment.
Following the signing of a declaration of intent with the Quebec Government earlier this year, our priority regional relationships plan brings focus to building and strengthening key regional relationships, in particular with three European regions—Brittany, the Basque Country and Flanders—as well as European and international networks.
Lywydd, cafodd ein strategaeth ryngwladol ei llunio yng nghyd-destun Brexit. Mae gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd yn golygu bod yn rhaid inni weithio hyd yn oed yn galetach i gynnal proffil ac enw da Cymru yn y byd. Nawr yn fwy nag erioed mae'n rhaid inni wneud popeth yn ein gallu i godi proffil rhyngwladol Cymru, tyfu ein heconomi drwy gynyddu allforion a denu mewnfuddsoddiad, ac fel mae Deddf Llesiant Cenedlaethau'r Dyfodol (Cymru) 2015 yn mynnu, sefydlu Cymru fel cenedl gyfrifol yn fyd-eang.
Ni allai neb fod wedi rhagweld beth fyddai'n digwydd ychydig wythnosau ar ôl i'n strategaeth ryngwladol gael ei chyhoeddi ym mis Ionawr. Dechreuodd COVID-19 ennill ei blwy ym mis Chwefror, ac wrth gwrs mae'r pandemig wedi cael effaith uniongyrchol ar gyflawniad ein huchelgeisiau rhyngwladol, ond rydym wedi gwneud defnydd cadarnhaol o'n rhwydweithiau tramor o hyd, gan gadw mewn cysylltiad â Llywodraethau ym mhob cwr o'r byd a chasglu gwybodaeth hanfodol am eu dulliau o fynd i'r afael â'r feirws. Fe wnaethant weithio i nodi ffynonellau o gyfarpar diogelu personol yn y dyddiau cynnar, pan oedd cyflenwadau'n brin. Chwaraeodd ein swyddfeydd yn Tsieina ran allweddol yn y gwaith o sicrhau bod cyfarpar gweithgynhyrchu masgiau llawfeddygol yn cael eu darparu i gwmni yng Nghaerdydd sy'n cynhyrchu hyd at filiwn o fasgiau wyneb y dydd i weithwyr allweddol yng Nghymru a gweddill y Deyrnas Unedig. Aeth ein rhaglen Cymru ac Affrica ati'n gyflym i gyhoeddi 26 o grantiau a ganolbwyntiai ar gymorth COVID-19.
Symudwyd ein rhaglenni rhyngwladol ar-lein a defnyddiwyd cysylltiadau a nodwyd yn y strategaeth ryngwladol i ddatblygu uchelgeisiau ar y cyd, nid yn unig i ganolbwyntio ar yr argyfwng uniongyrchol, ond i feithrin cadernid yn y dyfodol ac ailadeiladu ein heconomïau. Hyd yn oed yn nyfnder yr argyfwng, rydym wedi cynnal cyfarfodydd rhithwir a chyfarfodydd wyneb yn wyneb â llysgenhadon o Japan, yr Almaen, yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, Canada ac eraill.
Heddiw, Lywydd, rydym yn cyhoeddi pedwar cynllun gweithredu a ddeilliodd o'r strategaeth ryngwladol, wedi’u ffurfio gan gyd-destun y pandemig byd-eang ac sy'n adlewyrchu ein hymgysylltiad â ffrindiau ledled y byd. Hoffwn gofnodi fy niolch i Eluned Morgan am yr holl waith a wnaeth ar y strategaeth a'r cynlluniau tra oedd yn Weinidog cysylltiadau rhyngwladol. Mae'r dogfennau'n ymdrin â diplomyddiaeth gyhoeddus a chymell tawel, cysylltiadau a rhwydweithiau rhanbarthol, Cymru ac Affrica, a Chymry ar wasgar, ac maent yn deyrnged i'r ddawn a'r ymrwymiad a gyfrannodd Eluned i'r gwaith hwnnw.
Mae ein cynllun diplomyddiaeth gyhoeddus a chymell tawel yn nodi sut y bydd Cymru'n gwella ein proffil byd-eang. Mae'n nodi'r cyfraniad byd-eang y gallwn ei wneud fel cenedl gyfrifol, gan weithio'n rhyngwladol gyda phartneriaid ar lesiant, cynaliadwyedd, addysg ieuenctid, diwylliant, chwaraeon, gwyddoniaeth a hyrwyddo'r Gymraeg. Mae'n gwneud cysylltiadau â chefnogi economi Cymru, cryfhau masnach a thwristiaeth, fel y gwnaethom yn ystod Cwpan Rygbi'r Byd y llynedd yn Japan. Ynghyd â'n rhaglen Cymru ac Affrica, mae'n ymateb i'r materion diweddar a amlygwyd gan ymgyrch Black Lives Matter i hyrwyddo ethos o degwch, cydraddoldeb ac amrywiaeth. Mae cynllun gweithredu Cymru ac Affrica hefyd yn nodi sut y byddwn yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid yn Affrica Is-Sahara ac yma yng Nghymru i gefnogi'r gwaith o gyflawni nodau datblygu cynaliadwy'r Cenhedloedd Unedig, a hynny mewn dau faes yn arbennig: newid yn yr hinsawdd a chynaliadwyedd, lle byddwn yn plannu 25 miliwn o goed yn Uganda erbyn 2025, ac yn ail, hyrwyddo Cymru fel cenedl deg drwy gefnogi masnach deg a grymuso menywod.
Ar ôl llofnodi datganiad o fwriad gyda Llywodraeth Quebec yn gynharach eleni, mae ein cynllun perthnasoedd rhanbarthol sy’n cael blaenoriaeth yn canolbwyntio ar adeiladu a chryfhau cysylltiadau rhanbarthol allweddol, yn enwedig gyda thri rhanbarth Ewropeaidd—Llydaw, Gwlad y Basg a Fflandrys—yn ogystal â rhwydweithiau Ewropeaidd a rhyngwladol.
Llywydd, mae ein rhaglen rhyngwladol wedi symud ar-lein. Eleni, byddwn yn dathlu Diwali digidol am y tro cyntaf. Bydd hon yn raglen o ddigwyddiadau yng Nghymru ac India i ddathlu gŵyl y goleuni, yn ogystal â chysylltiadau busnes, addysgol a diwydiannol rhwng ein gwledydd. Y flwyddyn nesaf byddwn yn lawnsio Cymru yn yr Almaen 2021 i arddangos yr ystod eang o weithgaredd sy'n digwydd rhwng y ddwy wlad. Dyma'r gyntaf mewn cyfres o raglenni blynyddol fydd yn canolbwyntio ar ein perthynas gydag un partner allweddol bob blwyddyn dros y pum mlynedd nesaf.
A Llywydd, mae cyfle i'r diaspora Cymreig wneud cyfraniad pwysig i'r strategaeth drwy hyrwyddo enw da Cymru ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol. Wrth weithio gyda'n diaspora, byddwn yn cynnwys nid yn unig ein Cymry alltud ar draws y byd, ond hefyd pobl eraill sydd â chysylltiadau Cymreig ac sy'n awyddus i gyfrannu. Dyma'r bobl orau i adrodd stori Cymru ac i ledaenu'r stori honno. Ein targed yw recriwtio 0.5 miliwn o bobl at y gwaith erbyn 2025. Mae'r cynllun gweithredu diaspora yn amlinellu sut byddwn yn manteisio ar egni'r diaspora er mwyn codi proffil rhyngwladol Cymru.
Llywydd, our international programme has moved online. This year, we will be celebrating digital Diwali for the first time. This will be a programme of events in Wales and India to celebrate the festival of lights, as well as the business, education and cultural and industrial links between our countries. Next year, we will be launching Wales in Germany 2021 to showcase the breadth of activity happening between our two countries. This is the first in a series of annual programmes focusing on our relationship with one key partner over the course of each of the next five years.
And Llywydd, there's an opportunity for the Welsh diaspora to make an important contribution to the strategy by promoting Wales's reputation on the global stage. In working with the diaspora, we will be including not just the Welsh exiles across the world, but also other people who have Welsh links and who are eager to contribute. These are the people best placed to tell the story of Wales and to disseminate that story. Our target is to recruit 0.5 million people to this work by 2025. The diaspora action plan outlines how we will capitalise on the energy of the diaspora in order to raise Wales's international profile.
Llywydd, as part of our wider approach to support the growth of Welsh businesses, we continue to build the resilience of the Welsh economy in the face of COVID-19 and EU transition by providing advice and support to Welsh exporters through our network of international trade advisers, webinars and other export support programmes. We have enhanced online support delivering virtual trade missions to markets including Singapore, Qatar and Japan, and have launched a new online export hub providing comprehensive advice for exporters. At the same time, we have continued to strengthen our understanding of where Wales has international class capability, in areas such as compound semiconductors, cyber security and the life sciences, working with stakeholders and networks to promote these Welsh assets to a global audience.
Llywydd, the pandemic has reinforced the importance of our international connections. Now, more than ever, we have to appreciate the value of an outward-facing Wales. We must support our exporters and attract investment to help our domestic economy to recover. We must use culture, sport, education and research and development to support international collaboration. Our enthusiasm for strong mutually beneficial partnerships with Africa underpins our ambitions to be a globally responsible nation. Only by working together with our international partners can we help each other to recover, rebuild and reinforce Wales's reputation as an outward-facing nation, determined to play our part in the world and to benefit, in turn, from all the richness that that provides. Llywydd, diolch yn fawr.
Lywydd, fel rhan o'n dull ehangach o gefnogi twf busnesau Cymru, rydym yn parhau i feithrin cydnerthedd economi Cymru yn wyneb COVID-19 a chyfnod pontio'r UE drwy roi cyngor a chymorth i allforwyr Cymru drwy ein rhwydwaith o gynghorwyr masnach rhyngwladol, gweminarau a rhaglenni cymorth allforio eraill. Rydym wedi gwella cymorth ar-lein sy'n darparu teithiau masnach rhithwir i farchnadoedd sy'n cynnwys Singapôr, Qatar a Japan, ac rydym wedi lansio hyb allforio ar-lein newydd sy'n rhoi cyngor cynhwysfawr i allforwyr. Ar yr un pryd, rydym wedi parhau i gryfhau ein dealltwriaeth o ble mae gan Gymru allu dosbarth rhyngwladol, mewn meysydd fel lled-ddargludyddion, seiberddiogelwch a gwyddorau bywyd, gan weithio gyda rhanddeiliaid a rhwydweithiau i hyrwyddo'r asedau Cymreig hyn i gynulleidfa fyd-eang.
Lywydd, mae'r pandemig wedi atgyfnerthu pwysigrwydd ein cysylltiadau rhyngwladol. Nawr yn fwy nag erioed, mae'n rhaid inni werthfawrogi gwerth Cymru sy'n edrych tuag allan. Mae'n rhaid inni gefnogi ein hallforwyr a denu buddsoddiad i helpu ein heconomi ddomestig i wella. Mae'n rhaid inni ddefnyddio diwylliant, chwaraeon, addysg ac ymchwil a datblygu i gefnogi cydweithredu rhyngwladol. Mae ein brwdfrydedd ynghylch partneriaethau cryf, cydfuddiannol ag Affrica yn sail i'n huchelgeisiau i fod yn genedl gyfrifol yn fyd-eang. Dim ond drwy gydweithio â'n partneriaid rhyngwladol y gallwn helpu ein gilydd i ymadfer, ailadeiladu ac atgyfnerthu enw da Cymru fel cenedl sy'n edrych tuag allan, ac sy'n benderfynol o chwarae ein rhan yn y byd ac elwa, yn ei thro, o'r holl gyfoeth a ddaw yn sgil hynny. Lywydd, diolch yn fawr.
Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? Now, today's statement refers to a number of interesting reports and actions that the Welsh Government is taking forward with partners, and as Members will be aware, there have been some developments in working with others to strengthen the Welsh Government's response to tackling COVID-19. For example, the priority regional relationships and networks action plan outlines where the Welsh Government has been sharing information with others in relation to the impact of the virus, and exploring opportunities for the recovery phase. In the short term, the Welsh Government has committed to sharing its intelligence with other regional Governments across Europe, with a particular focus on economic resilience and mitigating vulnerabilities. So, in response to today's statement, perhaps the First Minister could tell us more on what information the Welsh Government has received from other Governments so far, and how that has had an impact on the Welsh Government's decision making and policies. And can he also tell us what information the Welsh Government is sharing with other regional Governments in relation to COVID-19?
Of course, the statement makes it clear that the Welsh Government's international strategy was initially crafted in response to Brexit and developing resilience for Wales and our economy. There's a clear commitment in terms of participating in some of the same European and international networks that Wales currently participates in, and the Welsh Government make it clear that there are brokerage opportunities for European programmes. However, neither the priority regional relationships and networks action plan nor the international relations through public diplomacy and soft power action plan provide actual concrete examples of what those brokerage opportunities have actually delivered so far for Wales. So, perhaps in responding to today's statement, the First Minister will publish a list of the brokerage opportunities highlighted in these action plans, alongside a list of where those opportunities have been taken, and what that has delivered for the people of Wales.
Of course, much of the impact of Brexit will come down to on what terms Britain will leave the European Union, and so it's more important than ever that the Welsh Government and the UK Government are working together where they can in the interests of the people of Wales. Therefore, following the recent joint ministerial committee meeting last week, I'd be grateful if the First Minister could tell us a bit more about any outcomes reached from that meeting, and for a general update on current inter-governmental relations at this time, as strong inter-governmental relations will certainly be of key importance in raising Wales and the UK's international profile post Brexit.
Today's statement refers to some interesting developments in relation to diaspora engagement, and it's clear from the 2020-25 action plan that the Welsh Government is making significant efforts to develop its diaspora and envoy networks in order to promote Wales on the international stage. However, in relation to the business diaspora network and the worldwide Welsh diaspora networks mentioned in the action plan, there's little detail about the contractors tasked with taking on the networks, and as a result, it's difficult to properly evaluate any initial outcomes. Therefore, will the First Minister tell us a bit more about the contractors chosen by the Welsh Government, and the reasons for their appointments? And can the First Minister also tell us how the Welsh Government is suitably evaluating the outcomes of those networks, and how it's determining their level of success?
The Welsh Government's international strategy commits to commissioning an independent rapid review of current international health activity and existing international health infrastructure in Wales, and that review is particularly important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and informing the Welsh Government's direction of travel. So, can the First Minister provide an update on that rapid review, when it's to be conducted and when the conclusions of that review will be made publicly available?
Llywydd, today's statement refers to climate change and sustainability, and one way that we can achieve that is by addressing deforestation, which is a very significant driver of climate change and habitat loss, as well as pandemic risk. The WWF and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' 'Riskier Business' report shows that many commodities that drive deforestation in places like the Amazon are imported into Wales and used in everyday items, including food. Therefore, can the First Minister confirm whether he supports the calls of Size of Wales, WWF Cymru and RSPB Cymru for Wales to be the first deforestation-free nation? If so, can he provide an update on the work being done to achieve that goal?
In closing, Llywydd, the First Minister knows that it's my view that whereas some Government departments rightly have to consider international trends and developments, the overarching strategy for international development should continue to lie with the UK Government, with collaboration from the Welsh Government. The people of Wales are, to my mind, best served as part of a strong United Kingdom, and I hope that the First Minister will continue to advocate that working with Governments across the UK, under a joint structure, delivers the best possible outcomes for the people of Wales. Diolch.
A gaf fi ddiolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad y prynhawn yma? Nawr, mae'r datganiad heddiw yn cyfeirio at nifer o adroddiadau a gweithgarwch diddorol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei ddatblygu gyda phartneriaid, ac fel y bydd yr Aelodau'n gwybod, mae rhai datblygiadau wedi bod o ran gweithio gydag eraill i gryfhau ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i ymladd COVID-19. Er enghraifft, mae'r cynllun gweithredu perthnasoedd a rhwydweithiau rhanbarthol sy’n cael blaenoriaeth yn amlinellu lle mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn rhannu gwybodaeth ag eraill mewn perthynas ag effaith y feirws, ac yn archwilio cyfleoedd ar gyfer y cyfnod adfer. Yn y tymor byr, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i rannu ei gwybodaeth â Llywodraethau rhanbarthol eraill ledled Ewrop, gan ganolbwyntio'n benodol ar gydnerthedd economaidd a lliniaru gwendidau. Felly, mewn ymateb i'r datganiad heddiw, efallai y gallai'r Prif Weinidog ddweud rhagor wrthym ynglŷn â pha wybodaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i chael gan Lywodraethau eraill hyd yma, a sut y mae hynny wedi cael effaith ar benderfyniadau a pholisïau Llywodraeth Cymru. Ac a all ddweud wrthym hefyd pa wybodaeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei rhannu gyda Llywodraethau rhanbarthol eraill mewn perthynas â COVID-19?
Wrth gwrs, mae'r datganiad yn dweud yn glir fod strategaeth ryngwladol Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i llunio'n wreiddiol mewn ymateb i Brexit a datblygu cydnerthedd i Gymru a'n heconomi. Mae yna ymrwymiad clir o ran cymryd rhan yn rhai o'r un rhwydweithiau Ewropeaidd a rhyngwladol y mae Cymru'n cymryd rhan ynddynt ar hyn o bryd, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei gwneud yn glir fod cyfleoedd broceriaeth ar gyfer rhaglenni Ewropeaidd. Fodd bynnag, nid yw'r cynllun gweithredu perthnasoedd a rhwydweithiau rhanbarthol sy’n cael blaenoriaeth na'r cynllun gweithredu cysylltiadau rhyngwladol drwy ddiplomyddiaeth gyhoeddus a chymell tawel yn rhoi enghreifftiau pendant o'r hyn y mae'r cyfleoedd broceriaeth hynny wedi'i ddarparu i Gymru hyd yma mewn gwirionedd. Felly, wrth ymateb i'r datganiad heddiw, efallai y gall y Prif Weinidog gyhoeddi rhestr o'r cyfleoedd broceriaeth a amlygwyd yn y cynlluniau gweithredu hyn, ochr yn ochr â rhestr o ble y manteisiwyd ar y cyfleoedd hynny, a beth y mae hynny wedi'i ddarparu i bobl Cymru.
Wrth gwrs, bydd llawer o effaith Brexit yn dibynnu ar ba delerau y bydd Prydain yn gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ac felly mae'n bwysicach nag erioed fod Llywodraeth Cymru a Llywodraeth y DU yn cydweithio lle gallant er budd pobl Cymru. Felly, yn dilyn cyfarfod diweddar cyd-bwyllgor y Gweinidogion yr wythnos diwethaf, byddwn yn ddiolchgar pe gallai'r Prif Weinidog ddweud ychydig mwy wrthym am unrhyw benderfyniadau a wnaed yn y cyfarfod hwnnw, ac am ddiweddariad cyffredinol ar gysylltiadau rhynglywodraethol cyfredol ar hyn o bryd, gan y bydd cysylltiadau rhynglywodraethol cryf yn sicr yn allweddol bwysig i godi proffil rhyngwladol Cymru a'r DU ar ôl Brexit.
Mae'r datganiad heddiw yn cyfeirio at ddatblygiadau diddorol mewn perthynas ag ymgysylltiad â Chymry ar wasgar, ac mae'n amlwg o gynllun gweithredu 2020-25 fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwneud ymdrech sylweddol i ddatblygu ei rhwydweithiau Cymry ar wasgar a chenhadon er mwyn hyrwyddo Cymru ar y llwyfan rhyngwladol. Fodd bynnag, mewn perthynas â rhwydwaith busnes y Cymry ar wasgar a'r rhwydweithiau Cymry ar wasgar byd-eang a grybwyllir yn y cynllun gweithredu, nid oes llawer o fanylion am y contractwyr sydd â'r dasg o fynd i'r afael â'r rhwydweithiau, ac o ganlyniad, mae'n anodd gwerthuso unrhyw ganlyniadau cychwynnol yn briodol. Felly, a wnaiff y Prif Weinidog ddweud ychydig mwy wrthym am y contractwyr a ddewiswyd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, a'r rhesymau dros eu penodi? Ac a all y Prif Weinidog ddweud wrthym hefyd sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwerthuso canlyniadau'r rhwydweithiau hynny'n briodol, a sut y mae'n pennu lefel eu llwyddiant?
Mae strategaeth ryngwladol Llywodraeth Cymru yn ymrwymo i gomisiynu adolygiad annibynnol cyflym o weithgarwch iechyd rhyngwladol presennol a'r seilwaith iechyd rhyngwladol presennol yng Nghymru, ac mae'r adolygiad hwnnw'n arbennig o bwysig yng ngoleuni pandemig COVID-19 a bydd yn llywio cyfeiriad teithio Llywodraeth Cymru. Felly, a all y Prif Weinidog roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am yr adolygiad cyflym hwnnw, pryd y caiff ei gynnal a phryd y bydd casgliadau'r adolygiad hwnnw ar gael i'r cyhoedd?
Lywydd, mae'r datganiad heddiw'n cyfeirio at newid yn yr hinsawdd a chynaliadwyedd, ac un ffordd y gallwn gyflawni hynny yw drwy fynd i'r afael â datgoedwigo, sy'n sbardun sylweddol iawn i newid yn yr hinsawdd a cholli cynefinoedd, yn ogystal â risg pandemig. Mae adroddiad 'Riskier Business' y WWF a'r Gymdeithas Frenhinol er Gwarchod Adar yn dangos bod llawer o nwyddau sy'n gyrru datgoedwigo mewn lleoedd fel yr Amazon yn cael eu mewnforio i Gymru a'u defnyddio mewn eitemau bob dydd, gan gynnwys bwyd. Felly, a all y Prif Weinidog gadarnhau p'un a yw'n cefnogi galwadau Maint Cymru, WWF Cymru ac RSPB Cymru i sicrhau mai Cymru fydd y genedl dim datgoedwigo gyntaf? Os felly, a all roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am y gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud i gyflawni'r nod hwnnw?
I gloi, Lywydd, er bod yn rhaid i rai adrannau Llywodraeth ystyried datblygiadau a thueddiadau rhyngwladol, mae'r Prif Weinidog yn gwybod fy mod o'r farn mai Llywodraeth y DU ddylai fod yn gyfrifol am y strategaeth drosfwaol ar gyfer datblygu rhyngwladol, gyda chydweithrediad Llywodraeth Cymru. Yn fy marn i, caiff pobl Cymru eu gwasanaethu'n well o fod yn rhan o Deyrnas Unedig gref, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd y Prif Weinidog yn parhau i ddadlau mai gweithio gyda Llywodraethau ledled y DU, dan strwythur ar y cyd, sy'n sicrhau'r canlyniadau gorau posibl i bobl Cymru. Diolch.
Can I thank Paul Davies for those questions? I'll do my best to address a number of them. He asked for some examples of the way in which our contacts in other parts of the world have been of advantage to us during this pandemic. Well, I noted in my opening remarks the way in which we were able to use our contacts in China to secure very important and scarce equipment for a company here in Cardiff, which has gone on to make a major contribution in terms of PPE, not just to Wales but to the whole of the United Kingdom.
I know the Member will remember the flights that came into Cardiff Airport in the early stages of the pandemic, bringing supplies of PPE from other parts of the world. We got those supplies—we got them into Wales—because of the presence we have here on the ground. We were given a gift of some very important masks early on, when they were in very short supply, from Vietnam. We got them from Vietnam because of the visit that the education Minister made to Vietnam and the links that have developed since with that country in the education field. Because of that relationship with Wales, we were able to secure that very important supply.
More generally, through Public Health Wales and through the connections of our chief medical officer, we have had a series of discussions with other nations who've had different and, in some ways, a more successful experience of dealing with coronavirus than has been true in Europe and in this country—so, discussions with South Korea and discussions with New Zealand, for example. We're very fortunate in Public Health Wales to have a body that is very well recognised internationally as a source of expertise. In exchange, we have been able to learn from others.
Mr Davies asked about the brokerage arrangements that we have and the opportunities that have come our way as a result. Well, Llywydd, let me just focus on one of the four priority regional relationships that we set out in our documents, and that's with the Basque Country. I received, in fact, a letter today from the President of the Basque Country, inviting us to visit the Basque Country again as soon as we are able to in 2021, and to take a trade mission to the Basque Country.
The Basque Country had identified Wales as one of its top-five international priority destinations before our own documents were ever published. As a result of that, we have been able to find opportunities to work with Mondragon, the world's largest co-operative series of businesses. We will have benefited by bringing Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, the train manufacturing company, to Newport. I visited CAF myself when I was in the Basque Country discussing taxation matters with the Basque Government. We have cyber security links with the Basque Country; we have life sciences links; we have agri-food links with the Basque Country. And we were able, Llywydd, in a completely different way, to have a discussion with Basque Government officials, earlier this autumn, about the way in which they were able to conduct their regional elections in June of this year at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, thinking ahead to our own elections in May of next year, finding ways in which we can conduct those elections in ways that protect people from the virus and still maximise people's participation.
So, I could replicate that list in relation to the other regions on which we are focusing, but I hope that it gives an indication of the way in which, when you establish these relationships, you get a very strong return indeed in terms of the opportunities that then come Wales's way, in terms of cultural exchange, in terms of economic links, and in terms of long-standing relationships.
A gaf fi ddiolch i Paul Davies am y cwestiynau hynny? Fe wnaf fy ngorau i fynd i'r afael â nifer ohonynt. Gofynnodd am rai enghreifftiau o'r ffordd y mae ein cysylltiadau mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd wedi bod o fantais i ni yn ystod y pandemig hwn. Wel, nodais yn fy sylwadau agoriadol y ffordd y gallem ddefnyddio ein cysylltiadau yn Tsieina i sicrhau offer pwysig iawn a phrin i gwmni yma yng Nghaerdydd, sydd wedi mynd ymlaen i wneud cyfraniad mawr mewn perthynas â chyfarpar diogelu personol, nid yn unig i Gymru ond i'r Deyrnas Unedig gyfan.
Gwn y bydd yr Aelod yn cofio'r awyrennau a ddaeth i Faes Awyr Caerdydd yng nghamau cynnar y pandemig, gan ddod â chyflenwadau o gyfarpar diogelu personol o rannau eraill o'r byd. Cawsom y cyflenwadau hynny—cawsom hwy i Gymru—oherwydd y presenoldeb sydd gennym yma ar lawr gwlad. Cawsom rodd o rai masgiau pwysig iawn o Fiet-nam yn gynnar, pan oeddent yn brin iawn. Cawsom hwy o Fiet-nam oherwydd yr ymweliad a wnaeth y Gweinidog addysg â Fiet-nam a'r cysylltiadau sydd wedi datblygu ers hynny â'r wlad honno ym maes addysg. Oherwydd y berthynas honno â Chymru, roeddem yn gallu sicrhau'r cyflenwad pwysig hwnnw.
Yn fwy cyffredinol, drwy Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru a thrwy gysylltiadau ein prif swyddog meddygol, rydym wedi cael cyfres o drafodaethau gyda gwledydd eraill sydd wedi cael profiad gwahanol, a phrofiad mwy llwyddiannus mewn ffordd, o ymdrin â'r coronafeirws na llawer o wledydd Ewrop a'r wlad hon—felly, trafodaethau gyda De Korea a thrafodaethau gyda Seland Newydd, er enghraifft. Rydym yn ffodus iawn fod Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru yn gorff sy'n cael ei gydnabod yn dda iawn yn rhyngwladol fel ffynhonnell arbenigedd. Yn gyfnewid am hynny, rydym wedi gallu dysgu oddi wrth eraill.
Gofynnodd Mr Davies am y trefniadau broceriaeth sydd gennym a'r cyfleoedd rydym wedi'u cael o ganlyniad. Wel, Lywydd, gadewch i mi ganolbwyntio ar un o'r pedair perthynas ranbarthol sy'n cael blaenoriaeth a nodwyd gennym yn ein dogfennau, sef ein perthynas â Gwlad y Basg. Cefais lythyr heddiw gan Arlywydd Gwlad y Basg yn ein gwahodd i ymweld â Gwlad y Basg eto cyn gynted ag y gallwn yn 2021, ac i fynd â thaith fasnach i Wlad y Basg.
Roedd Gwlad y Basg wedi nodi Cymru fel un o'i phum cyrchfan ryngwladol â blaenoriaeth cyn i'n dogfennau ein hunain gael eu cyhoeddi. O ganlyniad i hynny, rydym wedi gallu dod o hyd i gyfleoedd i weithio gyda Mondragon, cyfres gydweithredol fwyaf y byd o fusnesau. Byddwn wedi elwa drwy ddod â Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, y cwmni gweithgynhyrchu trenau, i Gasnewydd. Ymwelais â CAF fy hun pan oeddwn yng Ngwlad y Basg yn trafod materion trethiant gyda Llywodraeth Gwlad y Basg. Mae gennym gysylltiadau seiberddiogelwch â Gwlad y Basg; mae gennym gysylltiadau gwyddorau bywyd; mae gennym gysylltiadau bwyd-amaeth â Gwlad y Basg. A llwyddasom mewn ffordd gwbl wahanol, Lywydd, i gael trafodaeth gyda swyddogion Llywodraeth Gwlad y Basg yn gynharach yr hydref hwn am y ffordd roeddent yn gallu cynnal eu hetholiadau rhanbarthol ym mis Mehefin eleni ar anterth y pandemig coronafeirws, gan feddwl ymlaen at ein hetholiadau ein hunain ym mis Mai y flwyddyn nesaf, a chanfod sut y gallwn gynnal yr etholiadau hynny mewn ffyrdd sy'n diogelu pobl rhag y feirws a pharhau i gynyddu cyfranogiad pobl.
Felly, gallwn ailadrodd y rhestr honno mewn perthynas â'r rhanbarthau eraill rydym yn canolbwyntio arnynt, ond rwy'n gobeithio bod hynny'n rhoi syniad o'r manteision cadarn iawn sy'n deillio o'r cyfleoedd a ddaw i Gymru pan fyddwch yn sefydlu'r cysylltiadau hyn, o ran cyfnewid diwylliannol, o ran cysylltiadau economaidd, ac o ran cysylltiadau hirsefydlog.
The leader of the opposition asked about inter-governmental relations. Well, I'm not going to rehearse, this afternoon, Llywydd, the very many disappointments there have been in persuading the UK Government to set up inter-governmental relations within the United Kingdom. Let me be positive instead and say that we work very closely with the UK Government when promoting Wales abroad. We've always had a very good service from embassies abroad when Welsh Ministers are involved in meetings, trade delegations, and other ways of promoting Wales in other parts of the world. I've had the privilege, in the last two years, to represent Wales in St David's Day events in both Brussels and in Paris. On both of those occasions, we had very strong and positive engagement with the UK Government, using embassy premises and contacts in both those European capitals, and on this agenda, unlike some others, I think we can say that our efforts are there to supplement some of the things that the United Kingdom does, but also to speak up directly for Wales.
One of the things I think that the leader of the opposition would find is that businesses in Wales particularly look to the Welsh Government to do those things that help them to find markets for their products and new economic opportunities that come to people who work in Wales by promoting Wales in everything it does. When I was in Japan as part of the Rugby World Cup, there was a trade mission from Wales in Japan at the same time. We had a major event at the embassy in Tokyo, hosted by the UK ambassador, jointly with myself. We had literally hundreds of people at the reception, representing Japanese economic opportunities for Wales, and that's the way in which our international strategy sees us operating alongside those Welsh business interests.
We've underused the diaspora here in Wales, Llywydd. I don't think there's any doubt about that. I was the keynote speaker at the Belfast homecoming event in October of last year. Hundreds and hundreds of people of Irish descent, now prominent in the United States, coming home to Belfast—again, a celebration of cultural links but business opportunities. We've worked closely since with people who have helped the Northern Irish administration to make the most of its diaspora and want to take those opportunities now to do more here in Wales.
On health activity, I'm very pleased that we've been able to sign, this week, a new memorandum of understanding with the World Health Organization, again, making sure that the things that we can offer in the world are matched by the learning we take from the world in return, particularly in the field of health.
And as for deforestation, well of course the Welsh Government works very closely with the organisations that Paul Davies identified. It is through those organisations that we have developed the Mbale tree planting scheme, to which I referred in my opening remarks—10 million trees planted already in that part of Uganda. Again, I had the real privilege, before the coronavirus crisis began, of planting a tree here in Cardiff to mark that 10 millionth tree being planted in Uganda, and to see the young people with whom we are in partnership in that part of the world, the huge enthusiasm they bring to that project and the way in which their knowledge of Wales is absolutely part of their everyday experience. Llywydd, that's just one example of the work we are doing in that area. That's our contribution to the issue of climate change and deforestation. And there is more, I'm sure, that we will want to do in the future, including in the areas to which Paul Davies referred.
Gofynnodd arweinydd yr wrthblaid am gysylltiadau rhynglywodraethol. Wel, nid wyf am ailadrodd y prynhawn yma, Lywydd, y nifer fawr o siomedigaethau a gafwyd wrth geisio perswadio Llywodraeth y DU i sefydlu cysylltiadau rhynglywodraethol o fewn y Deyrnas Unedig. Gadewch i mi fod yn gadarnhaol yn lle hynny a dweud ein bod yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda Llywodraeth y DU wrth hyrwyddo Cymru dramor. Rydym bob amser wedi cael gwasanaeth da iawn gan lysgenadaethau dramor pan fydd Gweinidogion Cymru yn cymryd rhan mewn cyfarfodydd, dirprwyaethau masnach, a ffyrdd eraill o hyrwyddo Cymru mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd. Cefais y fraint, yn ystod y ddwy flynedd ddiwethaf, o gynrychioli Cymru mewn digwyddiadau Dydd Gŵyl Dewi ym Mrwsel ac ym Mharis. Ar y ddau achlysur hwnnw, cawsom ymgysylltiad cryf a chadarnhaol iawn â Llywodraeth y DU, gan ddefnyddio cysylltiadau ac adeiladau llysgenadaethau yn y prifddinasoedd Ewropeaidd hynny, ac ar yr agenda hon, yn wahanol i rai eraill, credaf y gallwn ddweud bod ein hymdrechion yno i ategu rhai o'r pethau y mae'r Deyrnas Unedig yn eu gwneud, ond hefyd i siarad yn uniongyrchol ar ran Cymru.
Un o'r pethau rwy'n credu y byddai arweinydd yr wrthblaid wedi ei nodi yw bod busnesau yng Nghymru yn troi at Lywodraeth Cymru yn arbennig i wneud y pethau hynny sy'n eu helpu i ddod o hyd i farchnadoedd ar gyfer eu cynnyrch a chyfleoedd economaidd newydd sy'n dod i bobl sy'n gweithio yng Nghymru drwy hyrwyddo Cymru ym mhopeth a wna. Pan oeddwn yn Japan fel rhan o Gwpan Rygbi'r Byd, cafwyd taith fasnach o Gymru yn Japan ar yr un pryd. Cawsom ddigwyddiad mawr yn y llysgenhadaeth yn Tokyo, a gynhaliwyd gan lysgennad y DU a minnau ar y cyd. Daeth cannoedd o bobl, yn llythrennol, i'r derbyniad, yn cynrychioli cyfleoedd economaidd Japan i Gymru, a dyna'r ffordd y mae ein strategaeth ryngwladol yn ein galluogi i weithredu ochr yn ochr â'r manteision busnes hynny yng Nghymru.
Rydym wedi tanddefnyddio'r Cymru ar Wasgar yma yng Nghymru, Lywydd. Nid wyf yn credu bod unrhyw amheuaeth ynglŷn â hynny. Fi oedd y prif siaradwr yn nigwyddiad croeso adref Belfast ym mis Hydref y llynedd. Cannoedd a channoedd o bobl o dras Gwyddelig, sy'n flaenllaw bellach yn yr Unol Daleithiau, yn dod adref i Belfast—unwaith eto, dathliad o gysylltiadau diwylliannol, a chyfleoedd busnes hefyd. Rydym wedi gweithio'n agos ers hynny gyda phobl sydd wedi helpu gweinyddiaeth Gogledd Iwerddon i fanteisio i'r eithaf ar ei diaspora ac rydym eisiau manteisio ar y cyfleoedd hynny nawr i wneud mwy yma yng Nghymru.
O ran gweithgarwch iechyd, rwy'n falch iawn ein bod, yr wythnos hon, wedi gallu llofnodi memorandwm cyd-ddealltwriaeth newydd gyda Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd, gan sicrhau unwaith eto fod y pethau y gallwn eu cynnig yn y byd yn cyd-fynd â'r hyn rydym yn ei ddysgu gan y byd yn gyfnewid am hynny, yn enwedig ym maes iechyd.
Ac o ran datgoedwigo, mae Llywodraeth Cymru, wrth gwrs, yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda'r sefydliadau a nododd Paul Davies. Drwy'r sefydliadau hynny rydym wedi datblygu cynllun plannu coed Mbale, y cyfeiriais ato yn fy sylwadau agoriadol—plannwyd 10 miliwn o goed eisoes yn y rhan honno o Uganda. Unwaith eto, cefais y fraint wirioneddol, cyn i argyfwng y coronafeirws ddechrau, o blannu coeden yma yng Nghaerdydd i nodi bod 10 miliwn o goed wedi cael eu plannu yn Uganda, ac i weld y bobl ifanc rydym mewn partneriaeth â hwy yn y rhan honno o'r byd, y brwdfrydedd enfawr y maent yn ei gyfrannu i'r prosiect hwnnw a'r ffordd y mae eu gwybodaeth am Gymru yn rhan o'u profiad bob dydd. Lywydd, un enghraifft yn unig yw honno o'r gwaith rydym yn ei wneud yn y maes hwnnw. Dyna ein cyfraniad at fater newid yn yr hinsawdd a datgoedwigo. Ac mae mwy, rwy'n siŵr, y byddwn eisiau ei wneud yn y dyfodol, gan gynnwys yn y meysydd y cyfeiriodd Paul Davies atynt.
Can I thank the First Minister very much indeed for this statement on the delivery of the international strategy? I was going to wax lyrical about the Basque Country as well, but, in view of time, I won't say quite so much, other than to mention in passing, obviously, that the Basque language, the Irish language and the Welsh language are always in friendly rivalry as regards which one is the oldest living language in Europe. We're in friendly competition all the time; all sorts of friendly international competitions like that are to be encouraged.
Now obviously, we've discussed the international strategy previously. Can I thank Eluned Morgan for all the meetings as regards that in her previous role? Now we're moving on to delivery rather than just describing—so important in these turbulent times. So there are a couple of specific issues. As regards the Welsh approach to trade and the Cymru-Wales brand, it's good to see Welsh Government pushing the Cymru-Wales brand. Obviously, with Brexit looming, it's more important than ever that we carry out a distinctive Welsh approach to trade, which can all too often be lost within the UK Government's Invest in GREAT Britain strategy. So, can I ask what role does the First Minister see Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises playing in this international strategy for Wales?
Moving on to the Welsh diaspora and the diaspora engagement part of this strategy, this has been described, as the First Minister mentioned, as an underutilised asset. I certainly agree with that, certainly as regards the United States of America. The First Minister, I think, will know that my son and grandson live in Oklahoma, as do around 2 million people of Welsh descent. I recall when I was out in the United States last the Governor of Wisconsin state led the celebrations on St David's Day to recognise the contribution of the 40,000 residents of Wisconsin—Wisconsin only—of Welsh descent. A terrific fuss was made of all things Welsh on 1 March. Now, years ago, there were 300 Welsh language chapels in Wisconsin. Frank Lloyd Wright, the internationally renowned architect, was born and bred into a Welsh-speaking family in a rural Welsh-speaking community—not in Ceredigion like his mother, but in rural Wisconsin.
So the trick is how to turn romantic history into increased trade, using our historic links. In addition to what is mentioned in detail in the documents, twinning is one way. I've mentioned it before to Eluned Morgan, and obviously we've had many formal and informal twinning arrangements over the years, involving towns and villages, and cities, indeed, here in Wales. Now, a couple of years ago, business leaders from Oklahoma were over here and met with Eluned Morgan and myself, wanting to forge links and actually pursue twinning arrangements with Wales—Oklahoma City twinned with Cardiff, and Tulsa, the second city, twinned with Swansea. So, does the First Minister envisage Government delivery involving building on such alliances?
While we're still on the diaspora, obviously, in the documentation, specific and targeted efforts to engage with Welsh diaspora are very welcome indeed, and I recognise the work that's going on. I do find it concerning that the Welsh Government feel that they need to contract out some of the responsibilities to fulfil the business diaspora network and worldwide Welsh diaspora scheme to an external third party, though. Will the First Minister agree with me that actually taking responsibility for engaging with the Welsh diaspora under the control of the Welsh Government directly would be better, in order to attract people back to Wales to work or visit, as well as enabling them to act as ambassadors in their adopted countries? You could replicate that Belfast homecoming, perhaps.
I'll just turn to a couple of final questions, before I finish, on being a globally responsible nation. The point has already been made about deforestation, but that is vitally important. Wales's contribution to the world—. We're all internationally looking outwards. Do you intend, First Minister, to take action on deforestation and eliminate products in global supply chains that are imported into Wales and cause significant damage to the environment elsewhere, such as the deforestation linked to the production of soya meal for livestock and palm oil found in everyday supermarket items? It's not just about planting trees elsewhere; it's also about what we do with damaging products.
My final point is on the arms trade. The action plans also note that Wales aspires to become a nation of sanctuary, committed to promoting human rights, as you've said, and promoting peace and ethical trade—peace particularly on a day such as this, 11 November. In September 2019, the First Minister said he would be reviewing the Welsh Government's presence at one of the world's biggest arms fairs. So, could I ask you, First Minister, to update us on that review of your presence at arms fairs, and also inform us how you will ensure that the international strategy for Wales and the Welsh economy in general don't contribute to global conflicts or to the arms trade, which causes devastation for communities in other parts of the world?
A gaf fi ddiolch yn fawr iawn i'r Prif Weinidog am y datganiad hwn ar gyflawniad y strategaeth ryngwladol? Roeddwn am ganu clodydd Gwlad y Basg hefyd, ond o ystyried yr amser, nid wyf am ddweud cymaint, heblaw am grybwyll, yn amlwg, fod yr iaith Fasgeg, y Wyddeleg a'r Gymraeg bob amser mewn cystadleuaeth gyfeillgar o ran pa un yw'r iaith fyw hynaf yn Ewrop. Rydym mewn cystadleuaeth gyfeillgar drwy'r amser; dylid annog pob math o gystadlaethau rhyngwladol cyfeillgar o’r fath.
Nawr, yn amlwg, rydym wedi trafod y strategaeth ryngwladol o'r blaen. A gaf fi ddiolch i Eluned Morgan am yr holl gyfarfodydd ynghylch hynny yn ei rôl flaenorol? Rydym bellach yn symud ymlaen i gyflawni yn hytrach na disgrifio yn unig—mor bwysig yn y cyfnod cythryblus hwn. Felly, ceir un neu ddau o faterion penodol. O ran ymagwedd Cymru tuag fasnach a brand Cymru-Wales, mae'n dda gweld Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwthio brand Cymru-Wales. Yn amlwg, gyda Brexit ar y gorwel, mae'n bwysicach nag erioed ein bod yn mabwysiadu ymagwedd Gymreig unigryw tuag at fasnachu, rhywbeth sy’n cael ei golli'n rhy aml o lawer yn strategaeth Invest in GREAT Britain Llywodraeth y DU. Felly, a gaf fi ofyn pa rôl y mae'r Prif Weinidog yn credu y bydd busnesau bach a chanolig Cymru yn ei chwarae yn y strategaeth ryngwladol hon ar gyfer Cymru?
Gan symud ymlaen at y Cymry ar wasgar a’r rhan o'r strategaeth hon sy’n ymwneud ag ymgysylltu â Chymry ar wasgar, fe’i disgrifiwyd, fel y nododd y Prif Weinidog, fel ased a danddefnyddiwyd. Rwy’n sicr yn cytuno â hynny, yn sicr mewn perthynas ag Unol Daleithiau America. Credaf y bydd y Prif Weinidog yn gwybod bod fy mab a fy ŵyr yn byw yn Oklahoma, fel oddeutu 2 filiwn o bobl eraill o dras Gymreig. Pan oeddwn allan yn yr Unol Daleithiau ddiwethaf, rwy'n cofio Llywodraethwr talaith Wisconsin yn arwain y dathliadau ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi i gydnabod cyfraniad 40,000 o drigolion Wisconsin—Wisconsin yn unig—a oedd o dras Gymreig. Gwnaed cryn dipyn o sioe o bopeth Cymreig ar 1 Mawrth. Nawr, flynyddoedd yn ôl, roedd 300 o gapeli Cymraeg eu hiaith yn Wisconsin. Cafodd Frank Lloyd Wright, y pensaer mawr ei fri, ei eni a'i fagu mewn teulu Cymraeg eu hiaith mewn cymuned wledig Gymraeg—nid yng Ngheredigion fel ei fam, ond yng nghefn gwlad Wisconsin.
Y gamp, felly, yw sut i droi hanes rhamantus yn rhagor o fasnach, gan ddefnyddio ein cysylltiadau hanesyddol. Yn ychwanegol at yr hyn a grybwyllir mewn cryn fanylder yn y dogfennau, mae gefeillio yn un ffordd. Rwyf wedi sôn am hyn o'r blaen wrth Eluned Morgan, ac yn amlwg, rydym wedi cael llawer o drefniadau gefeillio ffurfiol ac anffurfiol dros y blynyddoedd, yn cynnwys trefi a phentrefi, a dinasoedd, yn wir, yma yng Nghymru. Nawr, flwyddyn neu ddwy yn ôl, bu arweinwyr busnes o Oklahoma draw yma a chawsant gyfarfod ag Eluned Morgan a minnau, ac roeddent yn awyddus i greu cysylltiadau a mynd ar drywydd trefniadau gefeillio â Chymru—gefeilliodd Dinas Oklahoma â Chaerdydd, a gefeilliodd Tulsa, yr ail ddinas, ag Abertawe. Felly, a yw'r Prif Weinidog yn rhagweld y bydd y Llywodraeth yn adeiladu ar gysylltiadau o'r fath wrth gyflawni’r strategaeth?
Gan ein bod yn trafod Cymry ar wasgar, yn amlwg, yn y ddogfennaeth, mae’r ymdrechion penodol ac wedi'u targedu i ymgysylltu â Chymry ar wasgar i’w croesawu’n fawr, ac rwy'n cydnabod y gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo. Mae'n peri pryder i mi, serch hynny, fod Llywodraeth Cymru yn teimlo bod angen iddynt gontractio rhai o'r cyfrifoldebau i gyflawni'r rhwydwaith busnes Cymry ar wasgar a chynllun Cymry ar wasgar byd-eang i drydydd parti allanol. A yw’r Prif Weinidog yn cytuno â mi y byddai’n well pe bai’r cyfrifoldeb am ymgysylltu â'r Cymry ar wasgar o dan reolaeth uniongyrchol Llywodraeth Cymru, er mwyn denu pobl yn ôl i Gymru i weithio neu i ymweld, yn ogystal â'u galluogi i weithredu fel llysgenhadon yn eu gwledydd mabwysiedig? Gallech efelychu croeso adref Belfast, efallai.
Trof at un neu ddau o gwestiynau olaf, cyn imi gloi, ar fod yn genedl sy'n gyfrifol yn fyd-eang. Mae'r pwynt eisoes wedi'i wneud ynglŷn â datgoedwigo, ond mae hynny'n hanfodol bwysig. Mae cyfraniad Cymru i'r byd—. Mae pob un ohonom yn edrych tuag allan yn rhyngwladol. A ydych yn bwriadu cymryd camau, Brif Weinidog, ar ddatgoedwigo a chael gwared ar gynhyrchion mewn cadwyni cyflenwi byd-eang sy'n cael eu mewnforio i Gymru ac yn achosi niwed sylweddol i'r amgylchedd mewn mannau eraill, megis y datgoedwigo sy'n gysylltiedig â chynhyrchu blawd ffa soia ar gyfer da byw a’r olew palmwydd a geir mewn eitemau cyffredin mewn archfarchnadoedd? Mae'n ymwneud â mwy na phlannu coed yn rhywle arall; mae’n ymwneud hefyd â'r hyn a wnawn gyda chynhyrchion niweidiol.
Mae fy mhwynt olaf yn ymwneud â’r fasnach arfau. Mae'r cynlluniau gweithredu hefyd yn nodi bod Cymru yn anelu at ddod yn genedl noddfa, sydd wedi ymrwymo i hyrwyddo hawliau dynol, fel rydych wedi'i ddweud, a hyrwyddo heddwch a masnach foesegol—heddwch yn enwedig ar ddiwrnod fel hwn, 11 Tachwedd. Ym mis Medi 2019, dywedodd y Prif Weinidog y byddai'n adolygu presenoldeb Llywodraeth Cymru yn un o ffeiriau arfau mwyaf y byd. Felly, Brif Weinidog, a gaf fi ofyn i chi roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni ynglŷn â'r adolygiad hwnnw o'ch presenoldeb mewn ffeiriau arfau, a rhoi gwybod inni hefyd sut y byddwch yn sicrhau nad yw strategaeth ryngwladol Cymru ac economi Cymru yn gyffredinol yn cyfrannu at wrthdaro byd-eang neu at y fasnach arfau, sy'n achosi dinistr i gymunedau mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd?
Diolch yn fawr i Dai Lloyd.
Thank you to Dai Lloyd.
It was remiss of me not to mention the language in relation to the Basque Country, because some of our longest standing relationships with that country come from the help that Wales gave to the emerging Basque nation, after the death of Franco, in language planning. Now, in some ways, you could argue they've had more success in some aspects since in the revival of the Basque language. But I was lucky enough to make a visit to Mondrágon when I first became an Assembly Member, and when I was in Vitoria, the capital of the Basque country, I came across a group of people who I recognised from Cardiff, and they were there helping the Basque Government with language planning, drawing on our experience here in Wales. So, it is another very powerful link between us.
Dr Lloyd asked about Welsh SMEs and their role in exporting and the Cymru-Wales brand. These are very, very tough times for Welsh SMEs. They've been affected by coronavirus, and they now face the enormous new hurdles that will be put in their way as a result of leaving the European Union, particularly if we leave the European Union on the thinnest of terms or no terms at all. So, the help that we can offer those firms is even more important in that way. But their ability to trade, and to trade freely with our largest and nearest market, will have been compromised by what has taken place, and there's no denying that. Making them part of the Cymru-Wales brand is part of our effort to try and compensate them for the new barriers that are being placed in their path in terms of those trading relationships.
I thank Dr Lloyd for everything he was drawing attention to in relation to the Welsh-American experience and the way that we turn history into opportunity. I'll give one example to maybe not match but at least meet his example of Frank Lloyd Wright. Many Members here in the Senedd will know of what happened in Birmingham in Alabama back in the summer of 1963, when Dr Martin Luther King led a group of children into segregated public parks in that city, and how the Baptist church in Alabama was bombed by white separatists, killing four young black girls who were attending Sunday school. The Welsh artist John Petts raised money here in Wales, an appeal partly led by the Western Mail, to create a window in that church, a fantastic window from the people of Wales, as it says on the window.
Birmingham, Alabama was visited by our education Minister in September of last year. She visited the church. She made a gift on behalf of the people of Wales of a Welsh bible to go alongside what they call the Welsh window in that church. Very shortly afterwards, there was a ceremony, a major ceremony, at the church itself to reflect on all of that history. The head of our mission in the United States spoke from that platform that afternoon, and who did he share that platform with? Well, the other speaker at the event was no one less than the President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. And that is how, in the way that Dr Lloyd put it, we can turn our history into opportunity. And that, I know, will be a building block in our ability to forge a relationship with the new administration in the USA.
Dai Lloyd asked about contracting out the work on the diaspora. Well, do you know, Dai, actually, the idea partly came from being at the Belfast homecoming event, because that's how they do it. They have companies there who have genuine expertise in how you build networks abroad, how you identify people of Welsh descent, how you interest them in becoming ambassadors for Wales in other parts of the world. And that's what we're trying to do. We're just trying to use expertise that others have alongside the Welsh Government, because we are starting from a different place, aren't we, than our Scottish or Irish contemporaries.
We want to do more in the deforestation area. I recognise entirely the points that Dr Lloyd made. We sometimes have to be realistic about the powers we have in the Welsh Government's own hands to take actions that can make a difference in terms of the matters that he and Paul Davies also identified this afternoon.
And finally, in terms of the arms trade, we did carry out a review. Our presence at such events will be different in the future as a result. But the term 'arms trade' is sometimes used as a bit of a spray-on term to cover a wide range of activities, some of which have a beneficial part that is played in the world, in offering security to populations that otherwise would be vulnerable to others. So, there are things that can be done that are positive and worthwhile, and there are Welsh workers who earn their living in these trades. I want the Welsh Government to be aligned with those positive purposes, and if we have a presence at trade fairs in the future, it will be to emphasise those things that can be done and would be in line with our ethical approach, and in line with the approach that we set out in the action plans that we've published today.
Rwyf ar fai am beidio â sôn am yr iaith mewn perthynas â Gwlad y Basg, gan fod rhai o'n cysylltiadau mwyaf hirsefydlog â'r wlad honno yn deillio o'r cymorth a roddodd Cymru i ddatblygiad Gwlad y Basg, ar ôl marwolaeth Franco, ym maes cynllunio ieithyddol. Nawr, mewn rhai ffyrdd, gallech ddadlau eu bod wedi cael mwy o lwyddiant mewn rhai ffyrdd ers adfywiad yr iaith Fasgeg. Ond bûm yn ddigon ffodus i ymweld â Mondrágon pan ddeuthum yn Aelod Cynulliad am y tro cyntaf, a phan oeddwn yn Vitoria, prifddinas Gwlad y Basg, cyfarfûm â grŵp o bobl roeddwn yn eu hadnabod o Gaerdydd, ac roeddent yno’n helpu Llywodraeth Gwlad y Basg gyda chynllunio ieithyddol, gan bwyso ar ein profiad yma yng Nghymru. Felly, dyna gysylltiad pwerus iawn arall rhyngom.
Gofynnodd Dr Lloyd am fusnesau bach a chanolig Cymru a'u rôl yn allforio a brand Cymru-Wales. Mae hwn yn gyfnod anodd iawn, iawn i fusnesau bach a chanolig Cymru. Mae’r coronafeirws wedi effeithio arnynt, ac maent bellach yn wynebu'r rhwystrau newydd enfawr a fydd yn cael eu rhoi yn eu ffordd o ganlyniad i adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, yn enwedig os byddwn yn gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd ar y telerau gwannaf neu heb delerau o gwbl. Felly, mae'r cymorth y gallwn ei gynnig i'r cwmnïau hynny hyd yn oed yn bwysicach yn y ffordd honno. Ond bydd eu gallu i fasnachu, ac i fasnachu'n rhydd gyda'n marchnad fwyaf ac agosaf, wedi’i beryglu gan yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd, ac ni ellir gwadu hynny. Mae eu gwneud yn rhan o frand Cymru-Wales yn rhan o'n hymdrech i geisio gwneud iawn iddynt am y rhwystrau newydd sy'n cael eu rhoi yn eu ffordd mewn perthynas â'r cysylltiadau masnach hynny.
Diolch i Dr Lloyd am bopeth y tynnodd sylw ato mewn perthynas â'r profiad Cymreig-Americanaidd a'r ffordd rydym yn troi hanes yn gyfle. Rhoddaf un enghraifft nad yw’n cymharu efallai, ond sydd o leiaf yn ategu'r enghraifft a roddodd gyda Frank Lloyd Wright. Bydd llawer o’r Aelodau yma yn y Senedd yn gwybod am yr hyn a ddigwyddodd yn Birmingham yn Alabama yn ôl yn haf 1963, pan arweiniodd Dr Martin Luther King grŵp o blant i barciau cyhoeddus gwahanedig yn y ddinas honno, a sut y cafodd eglwys y Bedyddwyr yn Alabama ei bomio gan ymwahanwyr gwyn, gan ladd pedair merch ddu ifanc a oedd yn mynychu'r ysgol Sul. Cododd yr arlunydd o Gymro, John Petts, arian yma yng Nghymru, apêl a arweiniwyd yn rhannol gan y Western Mail, i greu ffenestr yn yr eglwys honno, ffenestr anhygoel gan bobl Cymru, fel y mae'n dweud ar y ffenestr.
Ymwelodd ein Gweinidog addysg â Birmingham, Alabama ym mis Medi y llynedd. Ymwelodd â'r eglwys. Rhoddodd feibl Cymraeg yn anrheg ar ran pobl Cymru i gyd-fynd â'r ffenestr Gymreig fel y’i gelwir, yn yr eglwys honno. Yn fuan iawn wedi hynny, cafwyd seremoni, seremoni fawr, yn yr eglwys ei hun i fyfyrio ar yr holl hanes hwnnw. Siaradodd arweinydd ein cenhadaeth yn yr Unol Daleithiau o’r platfform y prynhawn hwnnw, a phwy oedd yn rhannu'r platfform ag ef? Wel, y siaradwr arall yn y digwyddiad oedd neb llai na darpar-Arlywydd yr Unol Daleithiau, Joe Biden. A dyna sut, fel y dywedodd Dr Lloyd, y gallwn droi ein hanes yn gyfle. A gwn y bydd hwnnw’n floc adeiladu yn ein gallu i greu perthynas â'r weinyddiaeth newydd yn UDA.
Holodd Dai Lloyd ynghylch contractio'r gwaith ar y Cymry ar wasgar. Wel, wyddoch chi, Dai, daeth y syniad yn rhannol o fod yn nigwyddiad croeso adref Belfast, gan mai dyna sut y maent hwy’n ei wneud. Mae ganddynt gwmnïau yno a chanddynt arbenigedd gwirioneddol mewn adeiladu rhwydweithiau dramor, y modd rydych yn dod o hyd i bobl o dras Gymreig, sut i ennyn eu diddordeb mewn dod yn llysgenhadon dros Gymru mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd. A dyna rydym yn ceisio ei wneud. Rydym yn ceisio defnyddio arbenigedd sydd gan eraill ochr yn ochr â Llywodraeth Cymru, gan ein bod yn dechrau o le gwahanol, onid ydym, i’n cymheiriaid yn yr Alban neu Iwerddon.
Rydym am wneud mwy ym maes datgoedwigo. Rwy'n llwyr gydnabod y pwyntiau a wnaeth Dr Lloyd. Weithiau, mae'n rhaid inni fod yn realistig ynghylch y pwerau sydd gennym yn nwylo Llywodraeth Cymru i gymryd camau a all wneud gwahaniaeth o ran y materion a nodwyd gan Paul Davies ac yntau hefyd y prynhawn yma.
Ac yn olaf, ar y fasnach arfau, fe wnaethom gynnal adolygiad. Bydd ein presenoldeb mewn digwyddiadau o'r fath yn wahanol yn y dyfodol o ganlyniad i hynny. Ond mae'r term 'masnach arfau' weithiau'n cael ei ddefnyddio fel term cyffredinol i ddisgrifio ystod eang o weithgareddau, gyda rhai ohonynt yn chwarae rhan fuddiol yn y byd, drwy gynnig diogelwch i boblogaethau a fyddai fel arall yn agored i niwed gan eraill. Felly, mae pethau y gellir eu gwneud sy'n gadarnhaol ac yn werth chweil, ac mae yna weithwyr yng Nghymru sy'n ennill eu bywoliaeth yn y meysydd hyn. Rwyf am i Lywodraeth Cymru fod wedi’i halinio â'r dibenion cadarnhaol hynny, ac os bydd gennym bresenoldeb mewn ffeiriau masnach yn y dyfodol, bydd hynny er mwyn pwysleisio'r pethau y gellir eu gwneud ac a fyddai'n unol â'n hymagwedd foesegol, ac yn unol â’r ymagwedd a nodwyd gennym yn y cynlluniau gweithredu a gyhoeddwyd heddiw.
First Minister, firstly, can I commend the work undertaken by Eluned Morgan in developing our international strategy and the Welsh Government generally for recognising the fundamental importance of international engagement and social, cultural, economic relationships, and also in supporting the Wales for Africa programme? Those of us who have been engaged with it have seen the significant impact on the lives of many people in Uganda. And I think also about those who've engaged in a programme from Wales. The charity PONT, as you know based in Pontypridd, has played a significant role in the development of that programme, and I particularly wanted to put on record my support for the fantastic work that they do.
Can I also say that, if the last four years in the USA have shown us anything, it is how important these relations are and how important are our international institutions—the European Union, the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the international environmental networks, such as the Paris agreement and pact? The election of Joe Biden as the next President of the United States will, I think, renew some of our hopes and beliefs that it is through international engagement and a breaking down of international barriers that we will resolve some of the world's economic, environmental and social problems for the benefit of all citizens of the world.
Now, leaving the EU and the doubts over a trade deal do present, as you've said, many economic challenges. So, we therefore have to use every lever at our disposal. I wonder if you could update us on the current status of our links with the European Union and how these might develop. Engagement with the European Committee of the Regions is vitally beneficial to Wales and I know that there are negotiations on continuing those post our exit from the EU. Our membership of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is another. And I wonder if you could perhaps update us on the current status of the Wales Office in the European Union. This is a vital facility—it's an embassy for Wales in a relationship that, although set back, nevertheless presents many future opportunities for Wales.
Will you also be leading a delegation to the US when COVID permits, to build on our profile there, but also to ensure that we maximise our engagement with American businesses, such as General Electric in Cincinnati—of course, an important business and industry in my constituency—but also to engage with the new US Government to raise the profile of Wales and also our areas of concern about a future trade deal?
I wonder if you will also consider how to boost support, when COVID allows, for our renowned cultural ambassadors—our choirs, dance and folk ensembles and bands, such as the world champion Cory Band—when they travel the world to develop a comprehensive package of support that links in with culture, political and economic agendas.
And then, finally, on the political front internationally, it is the intention in the new year, to unveil a plaque commemorating the heroic deeds of Welsh Captain Archibald Dickson, who rescued thousands of men, women and children from the fascist blockade of Alicante during the Spanish civil war. Now, Captain Dickson is commemorated there as a hero—in Alicante—but as yet is largely unrecognised in Wales. So, it is intended to hold a joint civic event in Wales, with Spain and Wales. In Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, there is now a street named after Welsh journalist Gareth Jones, and I wonder if you'll consider ways of recognising these two important events, which are really a microcosm of some of the important contributions that Wales has made to the world and an indication of how much more we can do in the future. Diolch, First Minister.
Brif Weinidog, yn gyntaf, a gaf fi ganmol y gwaith a wnaed gan Eluned Morgan yn datblygu ein strategaeth ryngwladol a Llywodraeth Cymru yn gyffredinol am gydnabod pwysigrwydd sylfaenol ymgysylltu rhyngwladol a chysylltiadau cymdeithasol, diwylliannol, ac economaidd, a hefyd yn cefnogi rhaglen Cymru o Blaid Affrica? Mae'r rhai ohonom sydd wedi bod yn ymwneud â’r rhaglen honno wedi gweld yr effaith sylweddol y mae wedi’i chael ar fywydau llawer o bobl yn Uganda. Ac rwy’n meddwl hefyd am y rheini sydd wedi cymryd rhan mewn rhaglen o Gymru. Mae elusen PONT, sydd wedi'i lleoli ym Mhontypridd fel y gwyddoch, wedi chwarae rhan arwyddocaol yn natblygiad y rhaglen honno, ac roeddwn yn arbennig o awyddus i gofnodi fy nghefnogaeth i'r gwaith gwych a wnânt.
A gaf fi ddweud hefyd fod y pedair blynedd diwethaf yn UDA wedi dangos i ni pa mor bwysig yw'r cysylltiadau hyn a pha mor bwysig yw ein sefydliadau rhyngwladol yw hynny—yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, y Cenhedloedd Unedig, Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd a'r rhwydweithiau amgylcheddol rhyngwladol, fel cytundeb Paris? Credaf y bydd ethol Joe Biden yn Arlywydd nesaf yr Unol Daleithiau yn adnewyddu rhai o’n gobeithion a’n credoau mai drwy ymgysylltiad rhyngwladol a chwalu rhwystrau rhyngwladol y byddwn yn datrys rhai o broblemau economaidd, amgylcheddol a chymdeithasol y byd er budd holl ddinasyddion y byd.
Nawr, fel rydych wedi dweud, mae gadael yr UE a'r amheuon ynghylch cytundeb masnach yn cyflwyno llawer o heriau economaidd. Felly, mae'n rhaid inni ddefnyddio’r holl ysgogiadau sydd ar gael at ein defnydd. Tybed a allech roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am statws cyfredol ein cysylltiadau â'r Undeb Ewropeaidd a sut y gallent ddatblygu? Mae ymgysylltu â Phwyllgor Rhanbarthau Ewrop yn hanfodol i Gymru a gwn fod trafodaethau'n mynd rhagddynt ar barhau â hynny wedi inni adael yr UE. Mae ein haelodaeth o Gynulliad Seneddol Cyngor Ewrop yn un arall. A tybed a allech roi diweddariad i ni, efallai, ar statws cyfredol Swyddfa Cymru yn yr Undeb Ewropeaidd. Mae hwn yn gyfleuster hanfodol—mae'n llysgenhadaeth i Gymru mewn perthynas sydd, er ei bod yn wynebu rhwystr, yn cyflwyno llawer o gyfleoedd i Gymru yn y dyfodol serch hynny.
A fyddwch hefyd yn arwain dirprwyaeth i’r Unol Daleithiau pan fydd COVID yn caniatáu, i adeiladu ar ein proffil yno, ond hefyd i sicrhau ein bod yn ymgysylltu i’r graddau mwyaf posibl â busnesau Americanaidd, fel General Electric yn Cincinnati—wrth gwrs, busnes a diwydiant pwysig yn fy etholaeth i—ond hefyd i ymgysylltu â Llywodraeth newydd yr Unol Daleithiau i godi proffil Cymru yn ogystal â’r meysydd sy'n bwysig i ni ynghylch cytundeb masnach yn y dyfodol?
Tybed a wnewch chi ystyried hefyd sut i hybu cefnogaeth, pan fydd COVID yn caniatáu, i’n llysgenhadon diwylliannol adnabyddus—ein corau, ein ensemblau dawns a gwerin a’n bandiau, fel y Band y Cory, sy’n bencampwyr y byd—pan fyddant yn teithio’r byd i ddatblygu pecyn cynhwysfawr o gymorth sy'n cysylltu ag agendâu diwylliannol, gwleidyddol ac economaidd?
Ac yna, yn olaf, ar y maes gwleidyddol rhyngwladol, y bwriad yn y flwyddyn newydd yw dadorchuddio plac i goffáu gweithredoedd arwrol y Cymro, y Capten Archibald Dickson, a achubodd filoedd o ddynion, menywod a phlant o’r blocâd ffasgaidd yn Alicante yn ystod rhyfel cartref Sbaen. Nawr, mae'r Capten Dickson yn cael ei goffáu yno fel arwr—yn Alicante—ond hyd yn hyn, nid yw yr un mor gyfarwydd yng Nghymru. Felly, y bwriad yw cynnal digwyddiad dinesig ar y cyd yng Nghymru, gyda Sbaen a Chymru. Yn Kiev, prifddinas Ukrain, mae stryd wedi'i henwi nawr ar ôl y newyddiadurwr o Gymru, Gareth Jones, a tybed a wnewch chi ystyried ffyrdd o gydnabod y ddau ddigwyddiad pwysig hwn, sydd mewn gwirionedd yn ficrocosm o rai o'r cyfraniadau pwysig y mae Cymru wedi eu gwneud i'r byd ac sy'n arwydd o faint yn fwy y gallwn ei wneud yn y dyfodol. Diolch, Brif Weinidog.
Llywydd, I thank Mick Antoniw for all of those really interesting and important points. The Wales for Africa programme is, I think, one of the unsung jewels of the history of devolution. When I was health Minister, I had a series of opportunities to meet with people: both people coming from Africa to Wales to take part in events or to be trained in particular skills that they could then use in the health arena, and also to meet those fantastic people, those voluntary groups in all parts of Wales and those members of our health provision, who give their time during their leave. They work all year in the Welsh health service and they use the few weeks of leave they have to go to Africa and to take their skills and to train other people over there. It's some of the best stuff that we do, and all that voluntary effort through PONT and organisations, I'm sure, in all Members' constituencies is such a demonstration of a generosity of spirit that we see here in Wales.
Mick Antoniw makes a very important point, Llywydd, about the way in which the last four years have uncovered the vulnerability of some key international institutions that many of us had taken for granted, whether that's NATO or the World Health Organization, or the Paris climate accord. And let us hope that we can look forward to something far better than that now in the four years to come.
Wales may be leaving the European Union, but we're not leaving Europe, and all the things that Mick Antoniw said continue to be very important to people here in Wales. Llywydd, I didn't mention in my statement, but I could've done, all the international work that is done on the parliamentary side of the Senedd, and the importance of that—in the Committee of the Regions, through the parliamentary association and so on, as Mick said. Our Wales Office will remain open in Brussels. It will continue to be a vital hub for our higher education institutions when they are involved in collaborative research with other institutions in Europe. It will be a place where businesspeople can go. I spoke at a conference of cyber security businesses there myself only shortly before the coronavirus crisis hit us. It will continue to be a place where the new caucus that we are developing of parliamentarians at the European Parliament to take an interest in Wales will be able to meet and to interface with us.
In the United States, the caucus in the House of Representatives, the Welsh caucus, is being newly put together again, now that there have been fresh elections. We're very lucky to have the strong support of a number of congressmen and women. And my predecessor, Carwyn Jones, as you know, played a very active part in leading delegations to the United States, particularly around St David's Day, taking many opportunities to make sure that the diaspora we have there already have the full support of the Senedd and the Welsh Government, and cultural ambassadors, in the way that Mick Antoniw said, both in the arts, but in sport as well. What is Wales known for around the world? We're known for our cultural ambassadors, whether that's individuals or whether it's organisations like the Cory Band or the Welsh National Opera, but sport as well. Those are the things that draw the attention of the eyes of the world to Wales, and our international strategy is about maximising that to the benefit of Wales as a whole.
I look forward very much to being at the unveiling of the plaque to Captain Dickson. It's taken too long to get that to happen, but finally, with the strong support of a number of Senedd Members, myself and Mick Antoniw included, we will see that—a genuine memorial to someone who displayed in their own life all the qualities that we have been talking about and which make Wales a positive force for good in the international arena.
Lywydd, diolch i Mick Antoniw am bob un o'r pwyntiau diddorol a phwysig hynny. Credaf fod rhaglen Cymru o Blaid Affrica yn un o lwyddiannau di-glod hanes datganoli. Pan oeddwn yn Weinidog iechyd, cefais gyfres o gyfleoedd i gyfarfod â phobl: pobl a ddoi o Affrica i Gymru i gymryd rhan mewn digwyddiadau neu i gael eu hyfforddi mewn sgiliau penodol y gallent eu defnyddio wedyn yn yr arena iechyd, a hefyd i gyfarfod â'r bobl wych hynny, y grwpiau gwirfoddol hynny ym mhob rhan o Gymru a'r aelodau o'n gwasanaeth iechyd, sy'n rhoi eu hamser yn ystod eu gwyliau. Maent yn gweithio drwy'r flwyddyn yng ngwasanaeth iechyd Cymru ac maent yn defnyddio'r ychydig wythnosau o wyliau sydd ganddynt i fynd i Affrica ac i fynd â’u sgiliau ac i hyfforddi pobl eraill yno. Dyma rai o'r pethau gorau rydym yn eu gwneud, ac mae'r holl ymdrech wirfoddol honno drwy PONT a sefydliadau yn etholaethau'r holl Aelodau, rwy'n siŵr, yn enghraifft mor dda o’r ysbryd hael a welwn yma yng Nghymru.
Mae Mick Antoniw yn gwneud pwynt pwysig iawn, Lywydd, am y ffordd y mae'r pedair blynedd diwethaf wedi datgelu bregusrwydd rhai sefydliadau rhyngwladol allweddol roedd llawer ohonom wedi'u cymryd yn ganiataol, boed yn NATO neu'n Sefydliad Iechyd y Byd, neu gytgord hinsawdd Paris. A gadewch inni obeithio y gallwn edrych ymlaen at rywbeth llawer gwell na hynny yn y pedair blynedd i ddod.
Efallai fod Cymru yn gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd, ond nid ydym yn gadael Ewrop, ac mae'r holl bethau a ddywedodd Mick Antoniw yn parhau i fod yn bwysig iawn i bobl yma yng Nghymru. Lywydd, ni soniais yn fy natganiad, ond gallwn fod wedi gwneud, am yr holl waith rhyngwladol a wneir ar ochr seneddol y Senedd, a phwysigrwydd hynny—ym Mhwyllgor y Rhanbarthau, drwy'r gymdeithas seneddol ac yn y blaen, fel y soniodd Mick. Bydd Swyddfa Cymru yn parhau i fod ar agor ym Mrwsel. Bydd yn parhau i fod yn ganolbwynt hanfodol i'n sefydliadau addysg uwch pan fyddant yn cymryd rhan mewn ymchwil gydweithredol â sefydliadau eraill yn Ewrop. Bydd yn lle y gall pobl fusnes fynd. Siaradais yno mewn cynhadledd i fusnesau seiberddiogelwch ychydig cyn i argyfwng y coronafeirws daro. Bydd yn parhau i fod yn fan lle gall y cawcws newydd rydym yn ei ddatblygu o seneddwyr yn Senedd Ewrop i ddangos diddordeb yng Nghymru gyfarfod a rhyngweithio â ni.
Yn yr Unol Daleithiau, mae'r cawcws yn Nhŷ'r Cynrychiolwyr, y cawcws Cymreig, yn cael ei roi at ei gilydd o’r newydd unwaith eto, gan fod yr etholiadau newydd eu cynnal. Rydym yn ffodus iawn i gael cefnogaeth gref nifer o gyngreswyr. Ac fe chwaraeodd fy rhagflaenydd, Carwyn Jones, ran weithgar iawn fel y gwyddoch yn arwain dirprwyaethau i’r Unol Daleithiau, yn enwedig o gwmpas Dydd Gŵyl Dewi, gan fanteisio ar lawer o gyfleoedd i sicrhau bod y Cymry ar wasgar sydd gennym yno eisoes yn cael cefnogaeth lawn y Senedd a Llywodraeth Cymru, a llysgenhadon diwylliannol, fel y dywedodd Mick Antoniw, yn y celfyddydau, ond ym maes chwaraeon hefyd. Am beth y mae Cymru'n adnabyddus ledled y byd? Rydym yn adnabyddus am ein llysgenhadon diwylliannol, boed yn unigolion neu’n sefydliadau fel Band y Cory neu Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru, ond yn y byd chwaraeon hefyd. Dyna'r pethau sy'n tynnu sylw’r byd at Gymru, ac mae ein strategaeth ryngwladol yn ymwneud â sicrhau cymaint o hynny â phosibl er budd Cymru gyfan.
Edrychaf ymlaen yn fawr at fod yn bresennol pan gaiff y plac i'r Capten Dickson ei ddadorchuddio. Mae wedi cymryd gormod o amser i sicrhau bod hynny'n digwydd, ond o’r diwedd, gyda chefnogaeth gref nifer o'r Aelodau o'r Senedd, gan gynnwys Mick Antoniw a minnau, fe welwn ni hynny—cofeb go iawn i rywun a ddangosodd yn eu bywyd eu hunain yr holl rinweddau rydym wedi bod yn sôn amdanynt ac sy'n gwneud Cymru yn rym cadarnhaol er daioni yn yr arena ryngwladol.
I thank the Minister for that statement today. I'm thrilled that the UK is on the threshold of becoming an independent sovereign nation, and I welcome the update on the strategy that will continue the journey to get Wales firmly on the world map and keep it there.
I would like to raise the issue of branding. I know that the old Welsh Development Agency brand was also seen as the brand of Wales, but I've never seen or understood what brand Wales actually looks like, since its demise. And if I don't know, how will businesses and people in the far reaches of the world know? So, my first question is: what does your strategy mean for a brand for Wales?
I do think that sport is a major key area, where we can build on our impressive reputation for excellence. But we need to be ready to grab unexpected opportunities, especially now, in post-pandemic times.
I mentioned in this Chamber a few weeks ago the likely victory of Elfyn Evans in the World Rally Championship series. This, to my mind, is one of those unexpected opportunities that need to be seized on. I did indeed get an answer from the Minister on the future for Wales Rally GB next year, but it was so non-committal, it was actually meaningless. First Minister, does your strategy allow Wales to be fleet of foot and able to react with speed to events and triumphs that may come along unexpectedly? I do appreciate the focus on Wales as a nation of creativity, innovation and technology. However, the closing down of Inner Space in Newport, an organisation set up to monopolise these very areas, does not appear to sit well with this part of the strategy. So, how will you make sure that policy decisions are joined up and meet all of your Government's own requirements, like future generations, sustainability and environment? Wales remains, for now, an integral part of the United Kingdom, and there are four Governments competing in the same space, all making, I imagine, similar claims about landscape, culture and history. How does the Welsh Government intend to work with the other UK Governments to ensure every nation gets a fair share of air time, for want of a better expression. And, alternatively, what steps are you taking to find the USP for Wales?
First Minister, I have seen the recent announcement of the envoy to the United Arab Emirates. I very much applaud this approach. It appears we have very impressive people with excellent credentials literally flying the flag for Wales. My final question, First Minister, is how will your Government assess the efficacy of your strategy? I'd be interested to know what success looks like to you and your Government at this moment in time. Thank you very much.
Diolch i'r Gweinidog am ei ddatganiad heddiw. Rwyf wrth fy modd fod y DU ar fin dod yn wlad sofran annibynnol, a chroesawaf y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf ar y strategaeth a fydd yn parhau â'r daith i roi Cymru ar fap y byd, a'i chadw yno.
Hoffwn godi mater brandio. Gwn fod hen frand Awdurdod Datblygu Cymru hefyd yn cael ei ystyried yn frand Cymru, ond nid wyf erioed wedi gweld na deall sut olwg sydd ar frand Cymru mewn gwirionedd, ers ei dranc. Ac os nad wyf i’n gwybod, sut y bydd busnesau a phobl ar ochr arall y byd yn gwybod? Felly, fy nghwestiwn cyntaf yw: beth y mae eich strategaeth yn ei olygu ar gyfer brand i Gymru?
Credaf fod chwaraeon yn faes allweddol bwysig, lle gallwn adeiladu ar ein henw da am ragoriaeth. Ond mae angen inni fod yn barod i fachu ar gyfleoedd annisgwyl, yn enwedig nawr, yn y cyfnod ar ôl y pandemig.
Soniais yn y Siambr hon ychydig wythnosau yn ôl am fuddugoliaeth debygol Elfyn Evans yng nghyfres Pencampwriaeth Rali'r Byd. Mae hyn, yn fy marn i, yn un o'r cyfleoedd annisgwyl hynny y mae angen bachu arnynt. Yn wir, cefais ateb gan y Gweinidog ar ddyfodol Rali Cymru GB y flwyddyn nesaf, ond roedd mor anymrwymol nes ei fod yn ddiystyr mewn gwirionedd. Brif Weinidog, a yw eich strategaeth yn caniatáu i Gymru fod yn chwim ac i allu ymateb yn gyflym i ddigwyddiadau a buddugoliaethau a allai ddigwydd yn annisgwyl? Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi'r ffocws ar Gymru fel cenedl o greadigrwydd, arloesedd a thechnoleg. Fodd bynnag, ymddengys nad yw cau Inner Space yng Nghasnewydd, sefydliad a grëwyd i fonopoleiddio'r union feysydd hyn, yn cyd-fynd yn dda â'r rhan hon o'r strategaeth. Felly, sut y byddwch yn sicrhau bod penderfyniadau polisi yn gydgysylltiedig ac yn bodloni holl ofynion eich Llywodraeth, fel cenedlaethau'r dyfodol, cynaliadwyedd a'r amgylchedd? Mae Cymru, am y tro, yn dal i fod yn rhan annatod o'r Deyrnas Unedig, ac mae pedair Llywodraeth yn cystadlu yn yr un gofod, pob un, rwy'n dychmygu, yn gwneud honiadau tebyg am dirwedd, diwylliant a hanes. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn bwriadu gweithio gyda Llywodraethau eraill y DU i sicrhau bod pob gwlad yn cael cyfran deg o sylw? Ac fel arall, pa gamau rydych yn eu cymryd i ddod o hyd i bwynt gwerthu unigryw ar gyfer Cymru?
Brif Weinidog, gwelais y cyhoeddiad diweddar ynghylch y llysgennad i'r Emiraethau Arabaidd Unedig. Rwy'n canmol yr ymagwedd hon yn fawr. Ymddengys bod gennym bobl drawiadol a chanddynt gymwysterau rhagorol yn chwifio'r faner, yn llythrennol, dros Gymru. Fy nghwestiwn olaf, Brif Weinidog, yw sut y bydd eich Llywodraeth yn asesu effeithiolrwydd eich strategaeth? Byddai'n dda gennyf wybod sut olwg sydd ar lwyddiant i chi a'ch Llywodraeth ar hyn o bryd. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I thank Mandy Jones for those questions. Well, I think Wales is the brand, and that the approach we take to the Cymru-Wales brand is exactly that—to make Wales itself the brand that we use to communicate with the rest of the world. I'm happy to supply the Member with the latest material that we are using in order to do that.
I agree with what the Member said about being able to look for opportunities where they emerge. We certainly did that in relation to cycling, for example, another sport where the rise to international prominence of a Welsh winner of the Tour de France has given us new opportunities to make sure that Wales is known in that sport, and that sport in its international dimension. We've brought more cycling events here to Wales. We're talking whether there are further opportunities we may be able to use, in the way that Mandy Jones suggested, looking for those opportunities as they happen. We have to work with others, that is for sure. I referred to the Belfast homecoming; that was a collaboration that we had with a member of the—well, there was no Executive at the time, but someone who'd been a member of the Northern Ireland Executive. And we've had discussions with Scotland. For example, we have presence in some parts of the world where they don't; they equally have presence in some parts of the world where Wales doesn't have an office. We've talked about how we can use those things collaboratively to promote one another's work where that would make sense for us both.
Thank you for what you said about the envoy initiative. I think colleagues who look at the list of names will see that, while some of them are people who come from Wales, brought up in Wales, now in other parts of the world, some of them are people who are from other parts of the world but have worked here in Wales, and that sense of the diaspora is very important. We're not simply talking about people who are from Wales themselves. We are talking about people who have a fondness for Wales, an association with Wales, an interest in being able to promote Wales in other parts of the world. When I was in Tokyo for the Rugby World Cup, I met the president of Clwb Hiraeth. So, Clwb Hiraeth is a group of Japanese businesspeople who have spent part of their careers here in Wales. They're now back in Japan. The president is in his 80s and worked in Sony Bridgend 40 years ago, but the warmth of his memory of being in Wales was absolutely palpable, and his presidency of Clwb Hiraeth is an example of how we can use not just people from Wales in other parts of the world, but people in other parts of the world who have experience of being here in Wales and bring all of that to wanting to promote and work alongside us, and our envoys will be drawn—some of them will be drawn from that group as well.
Diolch i Mandy Jones am ei chwestiynau. Wel, credaf mai Cymru yw'r brand, ac mai'r ymagwedd rydym yn ei mabwysiadu tuag at frand Cymru-Wales yw hynny’n union—defnyddio Cymru ei hun fel y brand rydym yn ei ddefnyddio i gyfathrebu â gweddill y byd. Rwy'n fwy na pharod i ddarparu’r deunydd diweddaraf rydym yn ei ddefnyddio i wneud hynny i’r Aelod.
Cytunaf â'r hyn a ddywedodd yr Aelod am allu chwilio am gyfleoedd lle maent yn codi. Yn sicr, gwnaethom hynny mewn perthynas â beicio, er enghraifft, camp arall lle mae cynnydd Cymro i amlygrwydd rhyngwladol ar ôl ennill y Tour de France wedi rhoi cyfleoedd newydd inni sicrhau bod Cymru'n adnabyddus yn y gamp honno, a’r dimensiwn rhyngwladol ar y gamp honno. Rydym wedi dod â mwy o ddigwyddiadau beicio yma i Gymru. Rydym yn trafod a oes cyfleoedd pellach y gallem eu defnyddio, fel yr awgrymodd Mandy Jones, i edrych am y cyfleoedd hynny wrth iddynt godi. Mae'n rhaid inni weithio gydag eraill, mae hynny'n sicr. Cyfeiriais at y groeso adref Belfast; cydweithrediad oedd hwnnw a gawsom gydag aelod o'r—wel, nid oedd Gweithrediaeth ar y pryd, ond rhywun a oedd wedi bod yn aelod o Weithrediaeth Gogledd Iwerddon. Ac rydym wedi cael trafodaethau gyda'r Alban. Er enghraifft, mae gennym bresenoldeb mewn rhai rhannau o'r byd lle nad oes ganddynt hwy; yn yr un modd mae ganddynt hwythau bresenoldeb mewn rhai rhannau o'r byd lle nad oes swyddfa gan Gymru. Rydym wedi sôn ynglŷn â sut y gallwn ddefnyddio'r pethau hynny yn gydweithredol i hyrwyddo gwaith ein gilydd lle byddai hynny'n gwneud synnwyr i'r ddwy wlad.
Diolch am yr hyn a ddywedoch chi am fenter cennad Cymru. Credaf y bydd cyd-Aelodau sy'n edrych ar y rhestr o enwau yn gweld, er bod rhai ohonynt yn bobl sy'n dod o Gymru, wedi eu magu yng Nghymru, a bellach mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd, fod rhai ohonynt yn bobl sy'n dod o rannau eraill o'r byd ond wedi gweithio yma yng Nghymru, ac mae'r ymdeimlad hwnnw o fod yn Gymry ar wasgar yn bwysig iawn. Nid ydym yn sôn am bobl sy'n dod o Gymru eu hunain. Rydym yn sôn am bobl sy’n hoff o Gymru, sydd â chysylltiad â Chymru, sydd â diddordeb mewn gallu hyrwyddo Cymru mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd. Pan oeddwn yn Tokyo ar gyfer Cwpan Rygbi'r Byd, cyfarfûm â llywydd Clwb Hiraeth. Grŵp o bobl fusnes o Japan yw Clwb Hiraeth sydd wedi treulio rhan o'u gyrfaoedd yma yng Nghymru. Maent bellach yn ôl yn Japan. Mae'r llywydd yn ei 80au a bu’n gweithio yn Sony ym Mhen-y-bont ar Ogwr 40 mlynedd yn ôl, ond roedd ei atgofion melys o fod yng Nghymru yn gwbl amlwg, ac mae ei lywyddiaeth ar Glwb Hiraeth yn enghraifft o sut y gallwn ddefnyddio nid yn unig pobl o Gymru mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd, ond pobl mewn rhannau eraill o'r byd sydd â phrofiad o fod yma yng Nghymru ac sy'n awyddus oherwydd hynny i hyrwyddo a gweithio ochr yn ochr â ni, a bydd ein cenhadon yn dod—bydd rhai ohonynt yn dod o’r grŵp hwnnw hefyd.