, Plenary
Motion to vary the order of consideration of Stage 3 amendments to the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill
Move.
, Plenary
Debate: The Local Government Settlement 2026-27
Diolch, Llywydd. I'd like to thank all Members for their interest and contributions today. All Members highlighted the importance of local government, the services they provide, and the people who work in local authorities—those elected members and officers…
, Plenary
Debate: The Local Government Settlement 2026-27
Diolch, Llywydd. Today, I'm presenting to the Senedd for its approval the 2026-27 local government settlement for the 22 unitary authorities in Wales. I'd like to begin my expressing my sincere gratitude to local government elected members and staff across…
, Plenary
Short Debate: Will the bells of Rhymney fall silent? Protecting community assets in the Valleys
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to start first by thanking Delyth Jewell for bringing this important debate forward today, and to Peredur Owen Griffiths for contributing. I think we can all agree today that protecting community assets is of paramount…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch yn fawr.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
And there were a couple of things that I agreed to write to the committee on in terms of the consultation. We'll make sure that's done as well.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Can I just finally say—sorry, Chair—that the Warm Homes scheme has helped, over the years, nearly, I think, 200,000 people? I know we hear sometimes about those people who haven't got that help, or are still in need, but we have to take stock about where…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch, Jane. Like I said, we do want to see that pace as well. I don’t want you to think we don’t want to see that pace. I think it’s important that we work across Government on this issue. I hope that we can reassure you to that extent, that we are trying…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
I don't know if Christine wants to say something more about some of the discussions that you have with officials at local government, if that helps.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch, Sioned. I think it’s a challenge, isn’t it, making sure that we get that best practice and good practice shared as widely as possible. Obviously, there is a route with the Welsh Local Government Association and how they work with local authorities…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Sorry, Christine.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Absolutely, that Cwm Taf Morgannwg project sounds really exciting, doesn’t it, and interesting, because I think trying to identify—. It’s all about prevention, isn’t it, and that early intervention that we can get, which is what we all really want to see. As…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch, Jane. As I say, I think the programme is different in the sense that it is focusing on not just the immediate but also making sure that we're decarbonising homes in the future, so it is making sure that Nest, who are advising people, are looking at…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch, Jane. Obviously, as I said, it's a skills shortage across the UK as well as Wales, but we are, really, with our PAS 2035 standard, as I said, making sure that contractors provide training and support to all those working on that. Obviously, some of…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch, Jane. Absolutely, and as I was saying earlier, in terms of the skills that we have in Wales, it's finite, really, isn't it, at the moment. There's still a lot to do within that. I think that's one of the good things about this Warm Homes programme…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
I think I'll pass it over to my colleague Jane Hutt.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
We work with the WLGA to bring local authorities together to share that best practice in relation to Warm Homes, Eco Flex and GBIS. It is clear that there are areas of good practice. I'm really keen to see how I can help in that and how we can share that good…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
The Welsh Government doesn't have any formal role in the ECO4 scheme, but we have been made aware of issues with the scheme, and when we have, we've raised that with the relevant UK Government officials. Last week, I had the opportunity to meet with the UK…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Thank you, Mick. We've consulted with the WLGA and local authorities on what support they feel they need, and we've awarded them a further £500,000 for this financial year to redress the remaining barriers. I'm pleased to be able to say that we've been able…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Diolch, Mick. As you said, the Welsh Government allocated £350,000 to local authorities in Wales to enable them to complete a statement of intent on the provision of ECO Flex schemes within their area. I'm pleased to report that every local authority in Wales…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Officials are currently developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for the programme. It will be overseen by and reported to the programme board, with an input from the important fuel poverty advisory group as well. And as with the previous scheme…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
I might have to ask—.
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
Thank you, Mick. I thank the auditor general again for those recommendations. We have implemented several of those measures to provide assurance and governance under our new Warm Homes Nest programme. I can just say a few of those that might be helpful to the…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
I hear that. All I can do is say what the figures are that we've heard, and what I understand, which Christine has been able to explain as well, that there was that learning happening, and, I think, for British Gas, there was that time, but, as far as I'm…
, Equality and Social Justice Committee
Fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme: Evidence session with Cabinet Secretaries
And I'm waiting still to get that advice on the extent, but as soon as we do we'll make sure you're aware of that.
