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Tag: Jane Hutt

  • Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on HMP Eastwood Park and Report on an Unannounced Inspection

    Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on HMP Eastwood Park and Report on an Unannounced Inspection

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 8 February 2023.

    Members will be aware of the report published by HM Inspectorate of Prisons following its unannounced inspection of HMP/YOI Eastwood Park, Gloucestershire.

    Whilst the prison service is the responsibility of the UK Government the findings are of great concern, especially as many Welsh women in custody are held at Eastwood Park.

    I have requested a meeting with the Chief Inspector and HMPPS to discuss the report as a matter of urgency. The report makes for harrowing reading and identifies substantive gaps in care, and a lack of support for distressed and vulnerable women. It is vitally important Welsh women in custody are held in safe and secure facilities, which are fit for purpose.

    Following publication of the report, HM Prison and Probation Service have informed us about some of the action taken since the inspection that was carried out in October. This includes refurbishing the houseblock where many of the most shocking issues were found. In response to staffing resources additional staff have been appointed, comprising of experienced prison officers from other local prisons. A dedicated Safety Taskforce Group, to improve the outcomes for women in the prison’s care, has also been established along with newly designed care plans identifying the key needs of the individual and offering bespoke care.

    I am aware of the continuous journey the prison is undertaking to improve the care for women in its custody. The Counsel General and I visited HMP Eastwood Park on the 19 January and had concerns following feedback raised, including lack of access to education. I am aware that the Equality and Social Justice committee has raised shortage of staff and similar concerns through its Senedd inquiry on the experiences of women in the criminal justice system. We will continue to seek regular updates on action to address the identified issues and

    The findings underline the importance of diverting women away from custody wherever possible. The Women’s Justice Blueprint, which was developed jointly by the Welsh Government, HMPPS and Policing in Wales, supports initiatives such as the Women’s Pathfinder diversion scheme and engagement work with magistrates to help ensure women are not faced with unnecessary and hugely disruptive prison sentences for minor offences.

    In my recent visit I saw first-hand the value of some of the Blueprint initiatives referenced positively in the HMIP report, including the Visiting Mum Scheme, which helps children to visit parents in custody, and the important role played by the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor for Welsh women at Eastwood Park.

    There is much more to be done to improve outcomes for women in contact with the justice system. As justice remains at present a reserved matter, we will continue in our commitment to reducing crime and reoffending to create a better Wales for all under the current system, alongside work to progress the case for the devolution of justice in Wales.

  • Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on the Turkish and Syrian Earthquake

    Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on the Turkish and Syrian Earthquake

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 7 February 2023.

    In the early hours of 6 February 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria. This was followed by another earthquake soon afterwards and over 60 aftershocks.

    The scale of destruction is vast and details are still emerging but it is clear that a great many have lost their lives, are injured and have been displaced.

    I have today sent a message of sympathy and support to the Turkish Ambassador and extend my thoughts in particular to all of those affected including Syrian and Turkish people living in Wales who have families and friends in the earthquake zone.

    Our thoughts too are with the brave search and rescue teams and people from across Wales who are already offering all manner of support. The emergency response is expected to include water and sanitation, shelter and food support as well as longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.

  • Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Windrush 2023

    Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Windrush 2023

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 20 January 2023.

    This year, on 22 June, we will mark 75 years since MV Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, the moment which symbolises the “Windrush Generation” and crystalises how migration to the United Kingdom has shaped our society today.

    Windrush Celebration Day recognises and celebrates the contributions of men and women from across the Commonwealth who helped to build a modern Wales and made this country their home. We again want to embrace this anniversary wholeheartedly as we have in previous years. This year we will celebrate and recognise its wide historic and present-day significance.

    We are aware that Windrush celebrations will take place across the UK. Our engagement with Windrush Elders and organisations in Wales has ensured that we are well-placed to support communities to retell their stories and celebrate their contributions to our nation. The Welsh Government will again be funding both local and national Windrush events.  We will also remain committed to seeking justice for the Windrush Elders in line with the Wendy Williams report published on 19 July 2018.

    Migrants been helping to shape and enrich our nation since long before the Windrush arrivals and they are continuing to do so right up to the present day. As a Welsh Government, we have long supported and offered sanctuary to refugees and asylum seekers.

    I am very proud that this year we have seen how our vision to welcome people from across the world has been adopted and brought to life in response to events in Afghanistan and Ukraine.   Support has come in many guises, from thousands of individuals and families as well as businesses, local authorities, voluntary organisations, faith groups and many more.   This is what we mean when we talk about Wales being a Nation of Sanctuary.

    Our vision is to welcome and help anyone who is dispersed or resettled to Wales to access services and integrate with communities from day one of arrival. It is about recognising the person before seeing their immigration status. recognising that individuals come with skills and experiences and not just simply needs to be met.

    As part of this rich and continuing story of Wales as a Nation of Sanctuary, the Windrush generation has a particular and unique place in our national life. I most strongly encourage all of us to mark this historic anniversary, including participating in the celebrations, whether on Windrush Day itself, or throughout the year.

  • Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Women’s Safety in Public Places in Wales

    Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Women’s Safety in Public Places in Wales

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 19 January 2023.

    Women and girl’s safety from abuse, both in public and private spaces, remains a priority for the Welsh Government. With violence against women again in the news, I wanted to set out how the Welsh Government is continuing to prioritise and address this issue.

    Women and girls should be safe in all aspects of their lives. They should be safe to walk through public spaces. They should be safe at home. They should be safe to go to work and school. They should be safe in the day and safe at night.

    No level of abuse is acceptable, but in fact we know that violence against women and girls is shockingly common. Harassment, abuse and violence are daily occurrences for women and have conditioned their lives for far too long. Misogyny and long-standing structural inequalities for women and girls sit at the heart of much of this. We are committed to challenging and addressing these damaging attitudes and behaviours head on.

    Violence against women and girls is a societal problem which requires a societal response. It is not for women to modify their behaviour; it is for abusers to change theirs.

    While it is right that, as part of our response, we look at options available to enhance women’s safety in public places, often these initiatives or schemes can place the burden on women to protect themselves or alter their behaviour. It is therefore vital that we also address the root causes of male violence against women, focusing on changing negative attitudes and cultures that allow violence and abuse to persist. Prevention and early intervention need to take centre stage, rather than solely focussing our attention on remedial measures.

    Whilst we have all been shocked in recent years by the high-profile murders of women at the hands of strangers, many more women die every year at the hands of violent men who are known to them, and many 1000s more again suffer violence and coercive control that continues to blight their lives and opportunities. To change this, we must confront those committing the abuse, we must support survivors, and we must change the culture of misogyny and harassment that feeds the abuse.

    That is why the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government commits to strengthening the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Strategy to include a focus on violence against women in the street and workplace as well as the home in order to make Wales the safest place in Europe to be a woman.

    Last year, the Welsh Government published our new five-year VAWDASV National Strategy, which will be delivered through a collaborative ‘blueprint approach’ alongside a group of key partner organisations including the police and specialist sector. In line with our commitment, one of these blueprint workstreams is Street Harassment and Safety in Public Places, which will provide a focus and expertise for an innovative approach to these issues.

    Our ground-breaking Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 also created duties on local authorities and health boards in Wales to publish and implement strategies for addressing these issues in local communities. This ensures that tackling violence against women and girls is prioritised across Wales.

    With all of these issues in mind, many men are asking how they can be a better ally to women. Men and boys can help by not committing, excusing, or remaining silent about any kind of harassment or violence against women. Where it is safe to do so, call out inappropriate behaviour.

    Our campaign ‘Call out only’ aims to help people identify behaviours associated with street harassment and acknowledges that the experiences of women and girls are serious and prevalent and can cause fear, alarm and distress. The campaign calls on the public (males particularly) to call out and challenge assumptions about harassment against women – often wrongly seen as ‘harmless’ or excused using the word ‘only’ – with their peers, friends and colleagues.

    I would also encourage anyone with concerns about their own behaviour, or that of others, or if you are suffering abuse yourself, to speak to the Welsh Government funded Live Fear Free helpline on 0808 80 10 800 or via webchat, email or text.

    We will continue to work in partnership with specialist services to raise awareness of the inequality and safety issues faced by women and girls, and to end all forms of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. We will continue to work with Welsh police forces, Police and Crime Commissioners, public safety boards and the Crown Prosecution Service to improve practice, instil confidence in victims to report incidents of abuse and violence when they occur and to hold those who abuse to account.

    Wales will not be a bystander to abuse.

  • Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Meeting with Energy Suppliers

    Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Meeting with Energy Suppliers

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 4 January 2023.

    People across Wales are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, fuelled by soaring energy, fuel and food costs The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact, particularly on low-income households. Current estimates suggest up to 45% of all households in Wales could be in fuel poverty following increases to the energy price cap.

    The Welsh Government is doing all it can to support households in Wales, filling the gap left by the UK government. We have allocated £90m to provide support to vulnerable households to meet rising energy costs. This includes a second Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme in 2022-23 and we are working in partnership with the Fuel Bank Foundation to deliver a £4m fuel voucher scheme aimed at those on prepayment meters and those off the gas grid. The Welsh Government has also made additional funding available to the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) this financial year to help people who are struggling financially with support for off-grid households.

    Free impartial advice is available to all households via our Warm Homes Programme Nest scheme. An enhanced winter fuel campaign commenced on 1 November, targeting a wider audience with much needed energy efficiency advice and guidance. This service is accessible to all. Where eligible, households may be entitled to a package of energy efficiency support.  The Minister for Climate Change has made a number of improvements to the Warm Homes Programme Nest Scheme this year investing in innovation through solar PV and exploration of battery storage enabling homes to use energy at source.

    However, there is a responsibility on the energy suppliers to provide appropriate support for their customers.  I am deeply concerned, as more households fall behind with the payment of their electricity and gas bills, they may be unfairly driven onto pre-payment meters.

    Approximately 200,000 households in Wales use pre-payment meters for their mains gas and electricity. This represents approximately 15% of all households and 24% of tenants in the private rented sector. Almost half of social housing tenants (45%) also use pre-payment meters. Many of these bill payers are on the lowest incomes yet are paying the highest tariffs for their energy.

    On 22 November, Ofgem published their own findings into how energy suppliers are helping customers through this period of high energy prices. In their deep dive, Ofgem explored how suppliers treat ‘Customers in a Vulnerable Situation’.

    Findings showed that, although some good practice was identified, all suppliers need to make further improvements. Severe weaknesses were found in five suppliers, moderate weaknesses were found in another five suppliers and minor weaknesses were found in seven suppliers.

    On 21 and 29 November and 7 December, I met with representatives from a number of energy suppliers to discuss the issues surrounding pre-payment meters and the cost-of-living crisis.

    I was told by the suppliers that moving householders onto pre-payments meters was seen as a last resort, and whilst there was a perception pre-payment meters are linked to debt, some suppliers stated the majority of their pre-payment customers used the meters as a tool to control usage.

    Suppliers confirmed to me they try to actively engage with their customers before a pre-payment meter is considered and, in most cases, there is a lengthy process to follow before one is installed, in agreement with the householder. There are measures in place to determine who is considered to be appropriate for a pre-payment meter

    Energy suppliers agreed to share with the Welsh Government data on the number of households being supported with their energy bills and/or being transferred onto pre-payments meters, and the reason for doing so, in order for my officials to assess the situation. They also agreed to provide information on ‘self-disconnection’. This is vitally important to allow us to understand the nature of self-disconnection, and to design policy responses.

    Not all energy suppliers have standing charges for pre-payment meters. Some of those who currently apply a standing charge agreed to hold further discussions regarding the removal of standing charges. The removal of standing charges was also something I raised again with Ofgem in a meeting on 29 November.

    We have made it clear that energy companies should absorb the cost of standing charges for pre-payment customers who are particularly at risk of disconnection as a result of the rising cost of fuel. This should not be a cost for the Government to take on.

    It is important we identify and support customers who are starting to struggle as early as possible. Energy suppliers have advised they can provide their customers along with other support mechanisms, such as funds set aside to help those who are struggling the most to pay their bills and flexible payment plans.

    Following a meeting with Ofgem on 29 November, I remain concerned that a worryingly large number of householders on a traditional pre-payment meter have not used their vouchers as these have a 90-day expiry date. It is important these householders use their vouchers. I would also encourage customers in vulnerable situations to contact their energy supplier to register themselves as vulnerable.

    Welsh Government has consistently called on the UK Government and Ofgem to introduce a social tariff to protect the most vulnerable householders and there was broad support for this from energy suppliers.

    I will be holding a follow up meeting with energy suppliers in the new year, followed by quarterly meetings. I will seek further assurances that the weaknesses identified by Ofgem are being addressed and continue to push for the greatest levels of support for the most vulnerable in our society.

    This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.

  • Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Meeting with Energy Suppliers

    Jane Hutt – 2023 Statement on Meeting with Energy Suppliers

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 4 January 2023.

    People across Wales are facing an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, fuelled by soaring energy, fuel and food costs The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact, particularly on low-income households. Current estimates suggest up to 45% of all households in Wales could be in fuel poverty following increases to the energy price cap.

    The Welsh Government is doing all it can to support households in Wales, filling the gap left by the UK government. We have allocated £90m to provide support to vulnerable households to meet rising energy costs. This includes a second Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme in 2022-23 and we are working in partnership with the Fuel Bank Foundation to deliver a £4m fuel voucher scheme aimed at those on prepayment meters and those off the gas grid. The Welsh Government has also made additional funding available to the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) this financial year to help people who are struggling financially with support for off-grid households.

    Free impartial advice is available to all households via our Warm Homes Programme Nest scheme. An enhanced winter fuel campaign commenced on 1 November, targeting a wider audience with much needed energy efficiency advice and guidance. This service is accessible to all. Where eligible, households may be entitled to a package of energy efficiency support.  The Minister for Climate Change has made a number of improvements to the Warm Homes Programme Nest Scheme this year investing in innovation through solar PV and exploration of battery storage enabling homes to use energy at source.

    However, there is a responsibility on the energy suppliers to provide appropriate support for their customers.  I am deeply concerned, as more households fall behind with the payment of their electricity and gas bills, they may be unfairly driven onto pre-payment meters.

    Approximately 200,000 households in Wales use pre-payment meters for their mains gas and electricity. This represents approximately 15% of all households and 24% of tenants in the private rented sector. Almost half of social housing tenants (45%) also use pre-payment meters. Many of these bill payers are on the lowest incomes yet are paying the highest tariffs for their energy.

    On 22 November, Ofgem published their own findings into how energy suppliers are helping customers through this period of high energy prices. In their deep dive, Ofgem explored how suppliers treat ‘Customers in a Vulnerable Situation’.

    Findings showed that, although some good practice was identified, all suppliers need to make further improvements. Severe weaknesses were found in five suppliers, moderate weaknesses were found in another five suppliers and minor weaknesses were found in seven suppliers.

    On 21 and 29 November and 7 December, I met with representatives from a number of energy suppliers to discuss the issues surrounding pre-payment meters and the cost-of-living crisis.

    I was told by the suppliers that moving householders onto pre-payments meters was seen as a last resort, and whilst there was a perception pre-payment meters are linked to debt, some suppliers stated the majority of their pre-payment customers used the meters as a tool to control usage.

    Suppliers confirmed to me they try to actively engage with their customers before a pre-payment meter is considered and, in most cases, there is a lengthy process to follow before one is installed, in agreement with the householder. There are measures in place to determine who is considered to be appropriate for a pre-payment meter

    Energy suppliers agreed to share with the Welsh Government data on the number of households being supported with their energy bills and/or being transferred onto pre-payments meters, and the reason for doing so, in order for my officials to assess the situation. They also agreed to provide information on ‘self-disconnection’. This is vitally important to allow us to understand the nature of self-disconnection, and to design policy responses.

    Not all energy suppliers have standing charges for pre-payment meters. Some of those who currently apply a standing charge agreed to hold further discussions regarding the removal of standing charges. The removal of standing charges was also something I raised again with Ofgem in a meeting on 29 November.

    We have made it clear that energy companies should absorb the cost of standing charges for pre-payment customers who are particularly at risk of disconnection as a result of the rising cost of fuel. This should not be a cost for the Government to take on.

    It is important we identify and support customers who are starting to struggle as early as possible. Energy suppliers have advised they can provide their customers along with other support mechanisms, such as funds set aside to help those who are struggling the most to pay their bills and flexible payment plans.

    Following a meeting with Ofgem on 29 November, I remain concerned that a worryingly large number of householders on a traditional pre-payment meter have not used their vouchers as these have a 90-day expiry date. It is important these householders use their vouchers. I would also encourage customers in vulnerable situations to contact their energy supplier to register themselves as vulnerable.

    Welsh Government has consistently called on the UK Government and Ofgem to introduce a social tariff to protect the most vulnerable householders and there was broad support for this from energy suppliers.

    I will be holding a follow up meeting with energy suppliers in the new year, followed by quarterly meetings. I will seek further assurances that the weaknesses identified by Ofgem are being addressed and continue to push for the greatest levels of support for the most vulnerable in our society.

    This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.

  • Jane Hutt – November 2022 Update on Ukraine

    Jane Hutt – November 2022 Update on Ukraine

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, in the Welsh Parliament on 22 November 2022.

    Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide an update to Members about our ongoing work to support people from Ukraine seeking sanctuary in Wales.

    When I last updated you in October, Wales had welcomed just under 6,000 Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including under our supersponsor route. Arrivals have continued at a slow but steady pace, and just over 6,100 Ukrainians sponsored by the Welsh Government and Welsh households had arrived in Wales by 15 November. There have been additional arrivals under the Ukraine family scheme, but we are not given that data by the UK Government.

    More than 8,450 visas have now been granted to people from Ukraine who have sponsors in Wales, so we can expect the number of arrivals to continue to grow. We are mindful that events in Ukraine can have a direct impact on the number of Ukrainians who may arrive in Wales, and although we have seen a small number of individuals seeking to return to Wales after a period back in Ukraine, we are not seeing a significant change at present.

    I was very disappointed not to see any clarity in the autumn statement about the financial future of the Ukraine schemes. We have repeatedly called for funding parity between the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the Ukraine family scheme and the Ukraine extension scheme. We urgently need confirmation of year 2 and 3 funding to support the delivery of public services, as well as continued and uplifted host ‘thank you’ payments. The latter would ensure hosting arrangements can continue despite cost-of-living impacts.

    Without certainty around future funding, Welsh Government, local government and Welsh hosts are all facing difficult choices about the support we can provide to Ukrainians seeking sanctuary. We hope the UK Government will provide this clarity quickly. In response to my letters to UK Ministers about these issues, I am pleased to say that I heard from the new lead Minister for Homes for Ukraine, Felicity Buchan MP, last week. Despite this uncertainty about the finances, a meeting has been convened for Thursday with the Scottish Government Minister, Neil Gray MSP, and myself, regarding our financial position.

    We remain focused on supporting people into longer term accommodation, so that they can have more settled lives. Over 700 Ukrainians being supported via the supersponsor route have now moved on from initial accommodation, over 500 of these within Wales, either with hosts, in the private rented sector or in other transitional and longer term housing. However, the wider pressures on housing across Wales mean that we cannot support people into longer term accommodation as quickly as we would like. We will therefore, continue to urge potential hosts to come forward and register an interest at gov.wales/offerhome. Hosting provides swift, flexible and cost-effective accommodation that enables people to regain some independence and to integrate with local communities. We know that some individuals and families have come forward to offer their homes and are still waiting to become hosts. I’m very grateful for their generosity. We are working closely with local authorities and Housing Justice Cymru to help support the matching process. But we still have nowhere near enough hosts to accommodate all who need support. We would also urge those thinking about hosting to visit Housing Justice Cymru’s website and join an introduction to hosting seminar to find out more.

    I’d like to focus the rest of this statement on an important commemoration that we discussed in this Chamber in May. This November marks the start of the ninetieth anniversary of the Holodomor in Ukraine. This was the man-made famine that caused millions to die and was bravely exposed to the world, in part, by Welsh journalist Gareth Jones. The debate in May was an important reflection on those events and we committed to commemorating the event in Wales.

    On the fourth Saturday in each November, Holodomor is commemorated internationally. We will be organising an event at Alexandra Gardens in Cardiff, alongside so many other important memorials to peace. The event will include participation by me, the First Minister and Counsel General, local government, religious leaders, and the deputy ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom. Ukrainians will be invited to attend and we will lay wreaths to remember those who suffered during previous actions perpetrated by a government in Moscow. After the commemoration, we will promote Holodomor remembrance on our social media channels to try to raise awareness further. Last week, we also wrote to hosts across Wales to ensure they knew about Holodomor and encouraged them to discuss plans with their guests.

    Putin’s current atrocities in Ukraine are part of a longer term pattern of aggression against the people of Ukraine stretching back many decades, and marking Holodomor in this way shines a light on this. Gareth Jones, the journalist from Wales, writing about the man-made famine instigated by Stalin made clear that the affected Ukrainians did not seek pity and he remarked upon their fortitude. I think we can all see those characteristics on show in Ukraine again today. And whilst we honour the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of Putin’s aggression, we also reaffirm our commitment to help Ukrainians here in Wales to record their knowledge of war crimes committed in more recent times.

    Through the founding of Donetsk and the reporting of Gareth Jones, as well as the more-than 500 Ukrainians who called Wales home before this conflict, our countries had several threads that connected us. Now, we are home to probably more than 7,000 Ukrainians and those many threads between our peoples bind us together more strongly than ever. I know all Members will join me in expressing Welsh solidarity with all Ukrainians on the anniversary of Holodomor.

  • Jane Hutt – 2022 Statement on Tackling Modern Slavery and Supporting Survivors

    Jane Hutt – 2022 Statement on Tackling Modern Slavery and Supporting Survivors

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 3 November 2022.

    Modern slavery is a crime which causes incalculable harm and whose victims live in communities across Wales.  Wales continues to fight this horrendous crime and support its survivors.

    On Anti-Slavery Day (18 October), the Welsh Government stood in solidarity with people and organisations across Wales.  Our Cathays Park building was lit red to show Wales continues to stand against all forms of slavery, and we supported a webinar organised by BAWSO.  This included compelling and moving testimony from two modern slavery survivors.  We are proud to support such events, recognising the vital impact they have in raising awareness of modern slavery and its effect on people.

    To coincide with Anti-Slavery Day, the UK’s national standards body – BSI – launched a new British standard on modern slavery.  My officials have already had initial discussions with BSI, and we will continue to engage with BSI on how we can promote and raise awareness of this standard amongst our networks in Wales.

    Whilst modern slavery is a reserved matter, we have been consistent in the Welsh Government in using our levers and influence to work collaboratively and constructively with a range of partners so that we raise awareness of the risks and signs of modern slavery, tackle modern slavery wherever it exists, and provide support to survivors.

    This work includes co-ordinating regular meetings of the Wales Anti-Slavery Leadership Group, which brings together multi-agency partners to provide leadership and coordination.  We also continue to promote our Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains, which supports organisations in eradicating modern slavery and labour exploitation from their supply chains.  To date, more than 470 organisations are signatories to the Code.

    We also seek to work constructively with the UK Government on the modern slavery agenda.   However, we are concerned the recent political turmoil in Westminster is leading to delay in developing the new modern slavery strategy for England and Wales and in appointing a new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner following the departure of the previous incumbent in April.  We continue to press the UK Government on these matters and advocate for a victim and survivor-focused approach to modern slavery, in which safeguarding concerns are of primary focus.

  • Jane Hutt – 2022 Statement on Ukraine

    Jane Hutt – 2022 Statement on Ukraine

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Minister for Social Justice in the Welsh Government, on 25 October 2022.

    Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Thank you for providing an opportunity for me to give an update to Members about our ongoing work to support people from Ukraine seeking sanctuary in Wales. When I last updated you in September, Wales had welcomed just over 5,600 Ukrainians in Wales under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including under our supersponsor route.

    Arrivals have continued, but at a much slower pace in recent weeks. Just under 6,000 Ukrainians sponsored by the Welsh Government and Welsh households had arrived in Wales by 18 October, and there have been additional arrivals under the Ukraine family scheme, but we are not given that data by the UK Government. More than 8,300 visas have now been granted to people from the Ukraine who have sponsors in Wales, so we can expect the number of arrivals to continue to grow steadily in the coming weeks, and we are mindful that events in Ukraine can have a direct impact on the number of Ukrainians who may arrive in Wales. We deplore the latest attempts by Putin to try to break the will of the Ukrainian people. We are continuing to work with the Home Office to ascertain the likelihood of the additional 1,600 individuals we have sponsored arriving in Wales, so that we can properly plan for providing accommodation and wraparound support.

    In recent weeks, we have been considering the offer that we make to Ukrainians who we support in our accommodation under the supersponsor route. I and other Ministerial colleagues have visited many of our accommodation sites and received feedback directly from Ukrainian guests and the dedicated staff who are helping us to provide assistance. We want to help people to transition from a supportive welcome to active integration as quickly as possible.

    We believe that we can enhance personal independence and support people to move on to the next stage of their lives in Wales by revisiting our wraparound support offer. We will be aligning our initial accommodation offer much more closely to the support that would be received in other forms of temporary accommodation, and this will encourage guests to contribute to costs via earnings or universal credit wherever possible, after an initial short period. I have also engaged with my Scottish Government counterpart, Minister Neil Gray MSP, and I understand that they will be taking a very similar approach, as we learn from each others’ experiences in our response as supersponsors.

    Our supersponsor route is a key part of Wales’s response to the Europe-wide humanitarian crisis. We must ensure that we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians living in Wales, despite the increased cost pressures we’re all experiencing. The support we provide here will have an impact on the family and friends still defending Ukraine. The changes we make will carefully balance helping people to be more independent, to move on to alternative accommodation more quickly, and to ensure that we have the finances we need to fulfil our commitment to the Ukrainians we have sponsored.

    As well as my visits to welcome centres, I recently attended the Ukraine arts festival and the new Cardiff Ukraine centre. In each case, I have been struck by the desire and ability of Ukrainians, with a wide range of skills and experience, to integrate and join the workforce as quickly as possible. Many Ukrainians are already working, including a sizable proportion of those in our initial accommodation.

    We need to be conscious that initial accommodation should be a short-term provision, with our guests supported to move on to longer term accommodation as soon as practicable. We understand that our welcome centres, which are funded by the Welsh Government, are of a good quality—and we are proud of that—but they are not a long-term option for people, not least because roots cannot be properly established in communities in such temporary accommodation.

    Last time I updated you, I remarked upon the good working relationship we had with the previous UK Minister for Refugees, Lord Harrington, and my hopes for a similar relationship with his successor. I am sorry to have to report that we have had no engagement from UK Ministers on these issues since Lord Harrington’s resignation.

    But we are at a critical juncture in the UK Government Homes for Ukraine scheme. Welsh households who signed up as sponsors are at, or near, the six-month hosting milestone that represents the commitment they made to their guests at the point of application. These households have done an inspiring thing and embodied the nation of sanctuary vision in its truest sense. We know many did not plan to continue beyond six months, but we urge as many hosts as possible to consider hosting for a longer period if at all possible. Where that isn’t possible, we thank you for everything you have done for your guests and for us as a nation. For those that can continue, we have funded Housing Justice Cymru to provide advice, training, peer support and mediation services for hosts in Wales. More information can be found by calling 01654 550 550 or emailing UkraineHostSupport@housingjustice.org.uk.

    We know that hosts in Wales are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, and this is a major factor in deciding if they can continue. This is why I wrote to UK Ministers, with my Scottish ministerial counterpart, to urge a quick decision on increasing the ‘thank you’ host payment to at least £500 per month from the current level of £350. We are still waiting for an update on this. We do need an urgent decision to avert a wave of homelessness presentations as we move into November, and I again call upon the UK Government to act on this, as well as providing financial certainty for year 2 of the programme, supporting the unfunded ESOL provision and ensuring funding parity across the three Ukraine visa schemes.

    We are now communicating regularly with hosts and Ukrainian guests, with a monthly newsletter being sent from the Welsh Government, and we’ll build upon this with additional information sessions and participation opportunities. Alongside our funded third sector partners, we recently held an open information session, which I was glad to see around 180 people attended to hear more about our work; we are mobilising a Ukraine peer support group through Displaced People in Action; and we’ll also soon survey our Ukrainian guests to better understand their unmet skills and employment needs. Ukrainians are clearly integrating very well indeed, but we will continue to consider any action we can take to make this as effective and supportive as possible. Diolch.

  • Jane Hutt – 2022 Statement on Funding for Warm Hubs in Wales

    Jane Hutt – 2022 Statement on Funding for Warm Hubs in Wales

    The statement made by Jane Hutt, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice, on 12 October 2022.

    On 20th September we announced an initial £1m of funding to support Warm Hubs. Today I am announcing how that funding will be distributed and what it will be used for.

    With domestic fuel prices increasing, it is expected many people will struggle to keep their homes at a healthy temperature this winter, particularly those people at home all day, the elderly and the vulnerable. Many organisations including local authorities, community councils, faith groups, sports clubs, community centres are already setting up, or looking to set up, Warm Hubs within local communities. Warm Hubs are intended as places in local communities where people can find a safe, accessible and warm environment during the day to help reduce the cost of heating their own homes and to help those facing extreme fuel poverty this winter.

    Early discussions with stakeholders have indicated That Warm Hubs should be an inviting place to spend time. They should be open and inclusive and take into account local and cultural needs.

    Warm Hubs might offer:

    Refreshments and snacks (as a minimum) but may extend to a more substantive meal where relevant or possible.
    Advice and support services to those who attend, this can be for example advice and support on financial matters, health and well-being or digital accessibility.
    Activities such as exercise, or arts and cultural activity (subject to location and availability).
    Much of the expertise on where Warm Hubs should be placed, and what should be provided within Warm Hubs, rests within local communities. Local authorities working in partnership with the public sector, voluntary sector and community partners will be best placed to gauge and understand local needs, existing provision and to design and deliver local solutions.

    Funding for Warm Hubs will therefore be distributed via local authorities in Wales. Funding will be distributed in line with local authority agreed existing formula. As part of the funding local authorities will be required to engage with their local partners, including County Voluntary Councils (CVC’s), in the development of Warm Hubs and in the provision / distribution of funding at a local community level to local community groups wishing to operate / establish a Warm Hub.

    It is important that the approach to the delivery of Warm Hubs is joined up and meets local needs. In the same way that it is expected local authorities will work with local stakeholders, it is expected that any organisation wishing to put Warm Hub provision in place will contact their local authority or their local CVC to ensure they are delivering as part of the overall area approach and not duplicating local provision. It may be more appropriate in some places for organisations and volunteers to work with existing Warm Hubs rather than establish additional ones.

    For more information on the local arrangements for Warm Hubs and local funding, I would encourage people to contact their local authority to register their interest.