, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
So, as I say, as with every other aspect of this Bill, our approach, as you would expect, is framed by the devolution settlement, and we believe the approach we've taken is consistent with the legislative powers of the Senedd. It goes back to my initial…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks. It's a good question, and I recognise that while Wales TUC and other contributors to this committee may suggest the introduction of a deputy fair work commissioner in light of the renewed focus on fair work, there are no plans to legislate for that as…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks. To start off, I think the ambition is, and I believe, that this Bill will help draw attention to the intrinsic link between fair work and well-being. One of the things we've talked about when we've had feedback from both the formal consultation…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks, Jane, and nice to see you as well. I think this is something that we touched on in previous committee evidence—that, when we consulted on the draft Bill, we actually didn't put a definition of fair work on the face of that Bill. And what we've sought…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks, Ken. I think this connects to some of the other previous lines of questioning around ensuring representation, and that a broad collective of voices are heard from across the representative social partners that may be involved with this legislation, or…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Yes, we do feel that it's appropriate, because I think it's important to point out that the differentiation and the application of this duty actually reflects the different approach of setting the well-being objectives under the well-being of future…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks, Ken. I think we recognise, absolutely, that there will be times when certain matters cannot be agreed through social partnership mechanisms, but neither should that take away from the broader benefits and the potential benefits of this approach in…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks, Ken. So, I think the first thing to point out is to clarify that this wasn't necessarily a concern of the Welsh Government; I think it was officials who perhaps relayed or reflected concerns that had been expressed to us by further and higher…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
So, in terms of the Bevan Foundation calling for independent members of the council, I've tried to seek some clarification. I think the best way to clarify it, to start from the point of actually going back to what I said previously, it's a tripartite social…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
You'll be shocked, Joel, to learn that I still strongly believe, and the Welsh Government does, that workers are best represented by recognised trade unions and that trade union membership—being a member of a trade union—is the best way for workers' voices to…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
You can call me 'Minister' if you want. That's fine.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks. So, I think, firstly, it's not our intention to amend the Bill to legislate for that. As we said at the outset, our position is we strongly encourage all representative bodies to make diverse and inclusive nominations, as we've come to expect. I know…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
So, it wouldn't possess a separate legal entity to the Welsh Government, which would have implications for us in terms of the Welsh language standards on the council, but SPC procedures will be drafted to provide for use of the Welsh language during SPC…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Neil, do you just want to pick up on the third sector part first?
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks. There's quite a lot to unpick there from the notes you've been keeping, Peredur, but I will try my best to delve into that. On the first point around the evidence from the Equality and Human Rights Commission on establishing an equality and human…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Neil.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
That's always a good sign. In terms of the work programme and the focus of work of the social partnership council, that is purely a matter for members of the social partnership council.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
I think it's really important to set out that we're absolutely committed to working with social partners to develop the procedures that will govern the operation of the social partnership council, and, as I said to your previous question, it's very much the…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Thanks, Sarah. I laughed in agreement then and very knowingly about the merits of concise agendas, when we can have them. In all seriousness now, I welcome the comments that employer social partners have made to this committee around the merits and the value…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
So, that would be for all partners, not just trade unions—social partners.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
And, of course, I'm happy to report back to this committee in due course, once that work has been completed.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Yes, so, this is something that has not only been raised with yourselves in committee but has also been raised in the engagement I've had with trade union social partners as well. At the point we are now, Welsh Government as an organisation does not have the…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
As you've recognised, we are in very challenging times, and with, unfortunately, likely further on the horizon, from what we've hearing today as well. Just to touch on the two aspects, with regard to the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
I haven't actually had a chance to read that yet, but I shall definitely add it to my list to go away and look at.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill: ministerial evidence session
Sorry, Chair, if you don't mind, Neil would like to come in.
