Agenda and minutes

This meeting was held in a virtual format, with Members joining by video-conference.

On behalf of Members the Llywydd wished Seth Burke, a Member of the Welsh Youth Parliament, well with his recovery from Covid-19 following his hospitalisation over Christmas.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 13.31

Questions 1-6, 8 and 9 were asked. Questions 1 and 9 were answered by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership. Question 7 was withdrawn. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Minister after question 2.

The Presiding Officer will call Party Spokespeople to ask questions without notice after Question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 14.28

The first 8 questions were asked. The Presiding Officer invited party spokespeople to ask questions to the Counsel General and Minister after question 2.

View Questions

The item started at 15.22

The question was asked.

No Topical Questions were accepted.

No Topical Questions were accepted.

The item started at 15.26

Mick Antoniw made a statement to pay tribute to Hanef Bhamjee OBE, the anti-apartheid campaigner from Cardiff.

Vikki Howells made a statement to pay tribute to Ron Jones, the sporting champion from Cwmaman.

Sioned Williams made a statement to pay tribute to Mike Jones, the artist from Pontardawe.

The item started at 15.32

NDM7885 Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

To propose that the Senedd, in accordance with Standing Order 17.14, elects Sioned Williams (Plaid Cymru) as a Member of the Children, Young People and Education Committee in place of Siân Gwenllian (Plaid Cymru).

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM7879 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, Debt and the pandemic, laid on 15 November 2021.

Supporting document
Welsh Government response to the report – 6 January 2022

The item started at 15.32

NDM7879 Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

Notes the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, Debt and the pandemic, laid on 15 November 2021.

The motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

NDM7877 Siân Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the prevailing deep health inequalities that exist in Wales.

2. Further notes that due to these inequalities the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on many individuals, families, and communities across Wales.

3. Calls for a strategy and action plan to tackle health inequalities in Wales.

The following amendment has been tabled:

Amendment 1. Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after point 2 and replace with:

Acknowledges the causes of health inequality are multifaceted and require an integrated and cross-government approach.

Further acknowledges the significant commitments set out within the Programme for Government across all areas of government activity designed to tackle health inequalities in Wales.

Programme for Government

The item started at 16.25

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

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7877 Siân Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the prevailing deep health inequalities that exist in Wales.

2. Further notes that due to these inequalities the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on many individuals, families, and communities across Wales.

3. Calls for a strategy and action plan to tackle health inequalities in Wales.

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Presiding Officer exercised her casting vote by voting against the motion. Therefore, motion was not agreed.

The following amendment was tabled:

Amendment 1. Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all after point 2 and replace with:

Acknowledges the causes of health inequality are multifaceted and require an integrated and cross-government approach.

Further acknowledges the significant commitments set out within the Programme for Government across all areas of government activity designed to tackle health inequalities in Wales.

Programme for Government

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

Amendment 1 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM7877 Siân Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the prevailing deep health inequalities that exist in Wales.

2. Further notes that due to these inequalities the COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on many individuals, families, and communities across Wales.

3. Acknowledges the causes of health inequality are multifaceted and require an integrated and cross-government approach.

4. Further acknowledges the significant commitments set out within the Programme for Government across all areas of government activity designed to tackle health inequalities in Wales.

Programme for Government

The motion as amended was agreed.

In accordance with Standing Order 12.18, at 17.29 proceedings were suspended to allow a technical break before Voting Time.

The item started at 17.32

NDM7878 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

Deaf People Wales: Hidden Inequality

The item started at 17.36

NDM7878 Mark Isherwood (North Wales)

Deaf People Wales: Hidden Inequality