National Assembly for Wales

We have provided evidence for consideration by the independent pay review body, asking for recommendations that are fair, affordable and which will reflect an appropriate level of pay rise. I have subsequently written to them to reinforce that we have not instigated an arbitrary cap for their recommendations.

A total of 211 newly qualified nurses joined the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in 2020 via student streamlining. The health board is also actively recruiting additional nurses from overseas.

We have set up an oversight group to provide amplified surveillance of variant cases. This includes stakeholders from Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, local authorities and health boards. In addition, we have daily updates from PHW and the other UK nations.

We expect all health boards to maintain mental health services and to monitor and respond to changing mental health needs. Hywel Dda University Health Board has worked closely with stakeholders over recent years to develop its transforming mental health programme. We expect to receive their annual plan for 2021-22 on 31 March 2021.

Public Health Wales leads the Making Every Contact Count programme, which aims to use every day interactions to help people to improve health and well-being. We are strengthening the links between MECC and our tier 0 support for low-level mental health issues, for instance anxiety.

Our 10-year mental health strategy, 'Together for Mental Health', sets out how we intend to improve population-wide resilience and mental well-being. An example of how we have supported the mental well-being of people is the healthy and active fund, which has several projects operating in Ynys Mon.

Preventing suicide is complex and requires a multi-agency approach. We have strengthened arrangements to improve the co-ordination of actions with partners including police, local authorities and the third sector. We have also published guidance for schools to help recognise and support young people at risk of suicide and self-harm.

The Minister for Education and I have regular meetings to discuss Welsh in education. Supporting our school governors to use Welsh and see the value of the language is crucial. All information provided by the Welsh Government to enable local authorities to deliver governor support services is provided bilingually.

We are working across Government and with partners to take a broad approach to the mental health needs of young people. This includes prevention and early intervention, for instance through our whole-system approach to emotional well-being in schools, through to improving access to specialist services.