Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a hybrid format, with some Members in the Senedd Chamber and others joining by video-conference.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Cabinet Secretary after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.30

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Cabinet Secretary after question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call party spokespeople to ask questions without notice to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary after Question 4.

View Questions

The item started at 14.24

Questions 2 and 4-8 were asked. Questions 1 and 3 were withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary after question 4.

To ask the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip

Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the events in Syria over the weekend and what support the Government is providing to Syrian-Welsh Families?

The item started at 15.20

Answered by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip

Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East): Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the events in Syria over the weekend and what support the Government is providing to Syrian-Welsh Families?

The item started at 15.30

Sioned Williams made a statement on - Celebrating Human Rights Day (10 December).

NDM8761 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3:

1. Agrees to alter the remit of the Reform Bill Committee so that its remit is to scrutinise matters referred to it by the Business Committee.

2. Agrees that the Committee will be dissolved either:

a) when the Business Committee has decided that no further matters will be referred to the Committee; or

b) when the Senedd so resolves;

whichever is the sooner.

The item started at 15.33

NDM8761 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 16.3:

1. Agrees to alter the remit of the Reform Bill Committee so that its remit is to scrutinise matters referred to it by the Business Committee.

2. Agrees that the Committee will be dissolved either:

a) when the Business Committee has decided that no further matters will be referred to the Committee; or

b) when the Senedd so resolves;

whichever is the sooner.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8762 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Alun Davies (Welsh Labour) in place of Sarah Murphy (Welsh Labour) as a member of the Reform Bill Committee.

The item started at 15.33

NDM8762 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Alun Davies (Welsh Labour) in place of Sarah Murphy (Welsh Labour) as a member of the Reform Bill Committee.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8759 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee ’Fiscal Intergovernmental Relations’ laid in the Table Office on 14 October 2024.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government was laid in the Table Office on 25 November 2024.

The item started at 15.34

NDM8759 Peredur Owen Griffiths (South Wales East)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the report of the Finance Committee ’Fiscal Intergovernmental Relations’ laid in the Table Office on 14 October 2024.

Note: The response of the Welsh Government was laid in the Table Office on 25 November 2024.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM8764 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that homelessness is currently at the highest level since 2015.

2. Regrets the failure of the Welsh Government to eradicate homelessness in Wales.

3. Notes concern that the Welsh Government’s 20,000 social homes target will be missed.

4. Recognises the importance of a housing first model to end homelessness.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement a housing first model and the right to adequate housing to end homelessness, working with the housing support sector in Wales;

b) turn Wales's empty properties back into homes by expanding the Help to Buy scheme to include those in need of renovation;

c) speed up the planning process by creating a joint action taskforce of planners to target the slowest performing local planning authorities, fast tracking applications for affordable housing developments; and

d) reduce social housing waiting lists by bringing empty homes back into use for social rent and rent-to-buy.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the latest Welsh Government statistics from 30 September 2024, which show that 11,363 individuals have been housed in temporary accommodation, alongside over 139,000 people on social housing waiting lists;

b) that the Welsh Government is not on track to achieve its target of providing 20,000 low-carbon homes for social rent by the end of this Senedd term; and

c) the Local Government and Housing Committee’s recommendation that at least 20 per cent of the housing stock should include social housing, and up to a third in the long term, with the Welsh Government to develop a strategy in order to achieve this target.

2. Believes:

a) that the housing crisis in Wales and across the UK was further exacerbated under Margaret Thatcher's government and the right-to-buy policy, cutting the council housing stock by almost half over the period of the policy; and

b) that the severe shortage of properties available to rent for low-income households covered by the local housing allowance is pushing people into housing insecurity and homelessness.

3. Regrets:

a) the increase in homelessness under the Welsh Government and successive UK Conservative Governments; and 

b) the adverse effect of austerity policies followed by the UK Conservative and Labour Governments, which have exacerbated housing inequality.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) increase the social housing grant;

b) raise the housing support grant;

c) determine a clear plan for carrying out the Local Government and Housing Committee’s recommendation to ensure that at least 20 per cent of the housing stock includes social housing by the next Senedd term, as part of a long-term strategy; and

d) incorporate the right to adequate housing into Welsh law.

5. Calls on the UK Government to ensure that local housing allowance rates reflect real rents within the private rented sector in Wales.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the current pressures in the homelessness system and the Welsh Government’s £220 million investment in homelessness prevention and support services this year.

2. Welcomes the ambitious and radical reform to homelessness legislation planned this Senedd term and set out in the White Paper on ending homelessness.

3. Recognises the record investment of £1.4 billion in social housing so far this Senedd term.

4. Recognises the role of the empty homes grant in bringing empty homes back into use.

5. Commends the partnership work that supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Housing First approach.

6. Welcomes the publication of, and encourages responses to, the Welsh Government’s White Paper on housing adequacy, fair rents and affordability.

White Paper on ending homelessness

Housing First Wales Principles

White Paper on Housing Adequacy, Fair Rents and Affordability

The item started at 16.06

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8764 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises that homelessness is currently at the highest level since 2015.

2. Regrets the failure of the Welsh Government to eradicate homelessness in Wales.

3. Notes concern that the Welsh Government’s 20,000 social homes target will be missed.

4. Recognises the importance of a housing first model to end homelessness.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) implement a housing first model and the right to adequate housing to end homelessness, working with the housing support sector in Wales;

b) turn Wales's empty properties back into homes by expanding the Help to Buy scheme to include those in need of renovation;

c) speed up the planning process by creating a joint action taskforce of planners to target the slowest performing local planning authorities, fast tracking applications for affordable housing developments; and

d) reduce social housing waiting lists by bringing empty homes back into use for social rent and rent-to-buy.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	37	49

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the latest Welsh Government statistics from 30 September 2024, which show that 11,363 individuals have been housed in temporary accommodation, alongside over 139,000 people on social housing waiting lists;

b) that the Welsh Government is not on track to achieve its target of providing 20,000 low-carbon homes for social rent by the end of this Senedd term; and

c) the Local Government and Housing Committee’s recommendation that at least 20 per cent of the housing stock should include social housing, and up to a third in the long term, with the Welsh Government to develop a strategy in order to achieve this target.

2. Believes:

a) that the housing crisis in Wales and across the UK was further exacerbated under Margaret Thatcher's government and the right-to-buy policy, cutting the council housing stock by almost half over the period of the policy; and

b) that the severe shortage of properties available to rent for low-income households covered by the local housing allowance is pushing people into housing insecurity and homelessness.

3. Regrets:

a) the increase in homelessness under the Welsh Government and successive UK Conservative Governments; and 

b) the adverse effect of austerity policies followed by the UK Conservative and Labour Governments, which have exacerbated housing inequality.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) increase the social housing grant;

b) raise the housing support grant;

c) determine a clear plan for carrying out the Local Government and Housing Committee’s recommendation to ensure that at least 20 per cent of the housing stock includes social housing by the next Senedd term, as part of a long-term strategy; and

d) incorporate the right to adequate housing into Welsh law.

5. Calls on the UK Government to ensure that local housing allowance rates reflect real rents within the private rented sector in Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	37	49

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the current pressures in the homelessness system and the Welsh Government’s £220 million investment in homelessness prevention and support services this year.

2. Welcomes the ambitious and radical reform to homelessness legislation planned this Senedd term and set out in the White Paper on ending homelessness.

3. Recognises the record investment of £1.4 billion in social housing so far this Senedd term.

4. Recognises the role of the empty homes grant in bringing empty homes back into use.

5. Commends the partnership work that supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Housing First approach.

6. Welcomes the publication of, and encourages responses to, the Welsh Government’s White Paper on housing adequacy, fair rents and affordability.

White Paper on ending homelessness

Housing First Wales Principles

White Paper on Housing Adequacy, Fair Rents and Affordability

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	0	12	49

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the current pressures in the homelessness system and the Welsh Government’s £220 million investment in homelessness prevention and support services this year.

2. Welcomes the ambitious and radical reform to homelessness legislation planned this Senedd term and set out in the White Paper on ending homelessness.

3. Recognises the record investment of £1.4 billion in social housing so far this Senedd term.

4. Recognises the role of the empty homes grant in bringing empty homes back into use.

5. Commends the partnership work that supports the delivery of the Welsh Government’s Housing First approach.

6. Welcomes the publication of, and encourages responses to, the Welsh Government’s White Paper on housing adequacy, fair rents and affordability.

White Paper on ending homelessness

Housing First Wales Principles

White Paper on Housing Adequacy, Fair Rents and Affordability

For	Abstain	Against	Total
37	0	12	49

The motion as amended was agreed.

NDM8763 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Believes that, in order to build a better future for its people, Wales should have at least the same devolved powers as Scotland.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

Believes that the Welsh Government is failing to deliver a better future for the people of Wales, and should make better use of the devolved powers available to Wales.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Welsh Government’s acceptance of the conclusions and recommendations of the cross-party Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, which provide an ambitious and well evidenced agenda of reform, tailored to meet the needs of Wales.

Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales: final report

The item started at 17.00

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM8763 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Believes that, in order to build a better future for its people, Wales should have at least the same devolved powers as Scotland.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	37	49

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all and replace with:

Believes that the Welsh Government is failing to deliver a better future for the people of Wales, and should make better use of the devolved powers available to Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	37	49

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Welsh Government’s acceptance of the conclusions and recommendations of the cross-party Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, which provide an ambitious and well evidenced agenda of reform, tailored to meet the needs of Wales.

Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales: final report

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	10	13	49

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Welsh Government’s acceptance of the conclusions and recommendations of the cross-party Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, which provide an ambitious and well evidenced agenda of reform, tailored to meet the needs of Wales.

Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales: final report

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	11	12	49

The motion as amended was agreed.

The item started at 18.08

NDM8760 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

Long COVID: developing an all-Wales approach for tackling a growing health crisis.

The item started at 18.13

NDM8760 Hefin David (Caerphilly)

Long COVID: developing an all-Wales approach for tackling a growing health crisis.