Speeches and questions

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Motion under Standing Order 17.42(ix) to resolve to exclude the public for items 4, 7 and 8

Moving on to item 3, I propose in accordance with Standing Order 17.42(ix) that the committee resolves to meet in private for items 4, 7 and 8. Are Members content? Yes. We will now proceed in private.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

I'd like to thank the Cabinet Secretary and Ministers for joining us this morning. We really appreciate your time and that of your officials as well. Thank you very much.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

You'll have to change your names. [Laughter.]

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Okay, thank you. Before we move on, I’d like to welcome the young people that have just joined us in the viewing gallery. You’re very welcome. Lastly, we have some questions from Cefin Campbell, please. Sorry, I’ve done it again—it’s Carolyn. We’re going to…

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Just finally from me, the Bevan Foundation has estimated that, without the final roll-out, 40 per cent of two-year-olds won’t access childcare. Do you agree with that assessment?

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Can I bring Cefin in here then, please?

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. I have supplementary questions, please, from Joel, to begin with.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Natasha, please.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Carolyn.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you, Joel. Could I ask the Minister, please—? The mental health strategies were due to be published last year. Is there a timescale of when we can expect to see them?

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Absolutely, yes.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. We now have some questions from Joel James, please.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Yes, please.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Can I bring Carolyn Thomas in?

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Yes. Fantastic. Thank you. Now questions from Vaughan Gething, please.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Yes, that's absolutely fine.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Could I ask the Cabinet Secretary, please? You mentioned a children's health statement. Is there a time frame for when this will be published? A quality statement.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Thank you for that information. Now over to Cefin Campbell. We haven't had two 'Cs' on the committee before, but now we have. Cefin Campbell.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Sorry, sorry, it's Cefin Campbell. Sorry, I wasn't thinking then, sorry.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Thank you for those comprehensive answers. Do any other Members have questions for the Minister? No. Over to Carolyn Thomas, then, please.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Okay, thank you. My next question is on unhypothecated funding to health boards. This committee is interested in whether children get their fair share of the significant amount of unhypothecated funding to health boards, and when asked about this by us last…

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Brilliant, thank you. What independent reviews or audits are in place to assess where the funding for children's healthcare is adequate and being used effectively?

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Yes.

9 January 2025, Children, Young People, and Education Committee

Welsh Government Draft Budget 2025-26 - evidence session 1

Thank you. Are there any contingency plans that have been put in place for children's healthcare services so that children's healthcare services are not cut and will address an immediate crisis in other areas of the NHS?