Agenda and minutes

1.1 The Chair welcomed Members to the meeting of the Equality and Social Justice Committee.

1.2 The Chair stated that if for any reason she dropped out of the meeting, the Committee agreed that Sarah Murphy MS would become Temporary Chair in accordance with Standing Order 17.22.

1.3 No apologies were received from Members. Sioned Williams MS declared an interest for item 2 as a member of a credit union.

Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice

Maureen Howell, Deputy Director Prosperous Futures

Paul Neave, Head of Social Welfare, Advice and DWP Policy

2.1 Members received evidence from the Minister for Social Justice 

2.2 During the evidence session, the Minister agreed:

• To provide statistics of the number of cases where addiction was an underlying factor of debt.
• To provide more information on the sustainability and support given to energy advice projects.
• To provide information on a strategy that pulls together the causes of debt and poverty, particularly relating to the national insurance increase, universal credit cuts and fuel poverty.
• To provide more information on the role of the equalities data unit.
• To provide more information on how the Welsh Government supports those in work who are pushed into debt, but do not qualify for government support.
• To send information of the Welsh Government view on debt bonfires.
• To confirm whether the six month notice period currently in place is to be extended until the Renting Homes Act 2016 comes into force and what assessment has been made of what may happen if there is a gap until the Act comes into force.
• To provide more information on what the government is doing to support victims of domestic abuse who may have debt problems.

3.1a Members noted the correspondence.

3.2a Members noted the correspondence.

3.3a Members noted the correspondence.

4.1 The motion was agreed.

5.1 Members considered the evidence received under item 2.

6.1 The Chair gave her apologies for this item and Sarah Murphy MS chaired the remainder of the meeting.

6.2 The Committee agreed to publish this and future monitoring reports to demonstrate the Committee’s monitoring of this issue.

6.3 The Committee agreed to share the published report with the Independent Monitoring Authority.

6.4 The Committee agreed to request the Welsh Government’s latest assessment of the EUSS in Wales, particularly with regard to how it will support late applicants and pre-settled citizens in future.