Y Cyfarfod Llawn
Plenary
03/12/2025Cynnwys
Contents
Yn y fersiwn ddwyieithog, mae’r golofn chwith yn cynnwys yr iaith a lefarwyd yn y cyfarfod. Mae’r golofn dde yn cynnwys cyfieithiad o’r areithiau hynny.
In the bilingual version, the left-hand column includes the language used during the meeting. The right-hand column includes a translation of those speeches.
Cyfarfu'r Senedd yn y Siambr a thrwy gynhadledd fideo am 13:30 gyda'r Dirpwy Lywydd (David Rees) yn y Gadair.
The Senedd met in the Chamber and by video-conference at 13:30 with the Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) in the Chair.
Prynhawn da a chroeso, bawb, i'r Cyfarfod Llawn y prynhawn yma. Y cwestiynau i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros yr Economi, Ynni a Chynllunio yw'r eitem gyntaf ar ein hagenda ni, ac mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf gan Gareth Davies.
Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon's Plenary meeting. The first item on the agenda will be questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, and the first question is from Gareth Davies.
1. Pa asesiad y mae yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet wedi'i wneud o effaith cyllideb Llywodraeth y DU ar economi Dyffryn Clwyd? OQ63534
1. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the impact of the UK Government's budget on the economy of Vale of Clwyd? OQ63534
The UK budget provides an extra £508 million for the Welsh Government over this spending review period. This is in addition to the £5 billion additional funding received at the UK spending review. This comes on top of significant announcements for north Wales, including £2.5 billion for Wylfa, an AI growth zone and an investment zone.
Mae cyllideb y DU yn darparu £508 miliwn ychwanegol i Lywodraeth Cymru dros gyfnod yr adolygiad o wariant. Mae hyn yn ychwanegol at y £5 biliwn o gyllid ychwanegol a dderbyniwyd yn adolygiad o wariant y DU. Daw hyn ar ôl cyhoeddiadau arwyddocaol ar gyfer gogledd Cymru, gan gynnwys £2.5 biliwn ar gyfer Wylfa, ardal twf deallusrwydd artiffisial a pharth buddsoddi.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The Welsh index of multiple deprivation was published last week, showing that west Rhyl is the most deprived area in Wales for the second time running. The Chancellor's autumn budget, I fear, will have an overwhelmingly negative impact on these communities in my constituency, which are desperately in need of high-quality jobs, not simply handouts alone. Rates of in-work poverty are also deeply concerning, with over one in five people in Wales living in poverty, with 400,000 of those being of working age. So, the freeze in income tax and national insurance thresholds since 2021 means that more people risk being pushed into higher tax bands, despite their real terms. The tax on electric vehicle mileage will also directly affect working people who have followed Government incentives by buying electric cars and are now being punished for it. Even savings and pensions aren't safe. So, can the Cabinet Secretary outline what assessment the Welsh Government has done of the impact of the budget on the poorest areas of Wales, like west Rhyl, and how the Government will use additional money received from the UK Government to offset the harm inflicted on the poorest communities by this budget, particularly those who are in work and living in poverty? Diolch.
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Cyhoeddwyd mynegai amddifadedd lluosog Cymru yr wythnos diwethaf, yn dangos mai gorllewin y Rhyl yw'r ardal fwyaf difreintiedig yng Nghymru am yr eildro yn olynol. Rwy'n ofni y bydd cyllideb yr hydref gan y Canghellor yn cael effaith hynod o negyddol ar y cymunedau hyn yn fy etholaeth i, y mae gwir angen swyddi o ansawdd uchel arnynt, nid cardod yn unig. Mae cyfraddau tlodi mewn gwaith hefyd yn peri cryn bryder, gyda dros un o bob pump o bobl yng Nghymru yn byw mewn tlodi, a 400,000 o'r rheini o oedran gweithio. Felly, mae rhewi'r trothwyon treth incwm ac yswiriant gwladol ers 2021 yn golygu bod mwy o bobl mewn perygl o gael eu gwthio i fandiau treth uwch, beth bynnag y bo'u termau real. Bydd y dreth ar filltiredd cerbydau trydan hefyd yn effeithio'n uniongyrchol ar bobl sy'n gweithio ac sydd wedi dilyn cymhellion y Llywodraeth drwy brynu ceir trydan ac sydd bellach yn cael eu cosbi am hynny. Nid yw hyd yn oed cynilion a phensiynau'n ddiogel. Felly, a all Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet amlinellu pa asesiad y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi'i wneud o effaith y gyllideb ar ardaloedd tlotaf Cymru, fel gorllewin y Rhyl, a sut y bydd y Llywodraeth yn defnyddio arian ychwanegol gan Lywodraeth y DU i wrthbwyso'r niwed a achosir i'r cymunedau tlotaf gan y gyllideb hon, yn enwedig y rhai sydd mewn gwaith ac yn byw mewn tlodi? Diolch.
The Welsh Government warmly welcomes measures that were in the UK Government's budget that put money directly into people's pockets. It prioritised the things that matter most to people across Wales, including tackling the cost of living, supporting families and continuing to invest in our public services. So, we really do welcome the fact that 150,000 workers in Wales, including in your constituency, will benefit from from the increase in the national living wage and the national minimum wage. And, of course, we welcome the fact that 70,000 children in Wales will benefit from the abolition of the two-child limit—21,000 families benefiting from that, children being lifted out of poverty, including in working households. So, we really warmly welcome that; it's something that the Welsh Government has called for for a long time. And we welcome the increase in the basic and new state pension by 4.8 per cent from April 2026, which will benefit 700,000 pensioners in Wales. So, there's clearly a lot to welcome in the budget, and particularly those measures that actually put money into people's pockets across Wales.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n croesawu mesurau yng nghyllideb Llywodraeth y DU sy'n rhoi arian yn uniongyrchol ym mhocedi pobl. Rhoddodd flaenoriaeth i'r pethau sydd bwysicaf i bobl ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys mynd i'r afael â chostau byw, cefnogi teuluoedd a pharhau i fuddsoddi yn ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus. Felly, rydym yn croesawu'r ffaith y bydd 150,000 o weithwyr yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys yn eich etholaeth chi, yn elwa o'r cynnydd yn y cyflog byw cenedlaethol a'r isafswm cyflog cenedlaethol. Ac wrth gwrs, rydym yn croesawu'r ffaith y bydd 70,000 o blant yng Nghymru yn elwa o ddileu'r terfyn dau blentyn—bydd 21,000 o deuluoedd yn elwa o hynny, a phlant yn cael eu codi allan o dlodi, gan gynnwys mewn aelwydydd sy'n gweithio. Felly, rydym yn croesawu hynny'n fawr iawn; mae'n rhywbeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi galw amdano ers amser maith. Ac rydym yn croesawu'r cynnydd o 4.8 y cant ym mhensiwn sylfaenol y wladwriaeth a'r pensiwn newydd o fis Ebrill 2026, a fydd o fudd i 700,000 o bensiynwyr yng Nghymru. Felly, mae'n amlwg fod llawer i'w groesawu yn y gyllideb, ac yn enwedig y mesurau hynny sy'n rhoi arian ym mhocedi pobl ledled Cymru.
2. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gefnogi busnesau yn Nwyrain De Cymru? OQ63536
2. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support businesses in South Wales East? OQ63536
We are supporting the resilience and growth of business across Wales, including in the south-east, by working with key partners, including the Cardiff capital region, local authorities, and businesses themselves, to ensure we have the right infrastructure and skills for economic growth, prosperity and productivity.
Rydym yn cefnogi gwydnwch a thwf busnesau ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys yn y de-ddwyrain, drwy weithio gyda phartneriaid allweddol, gan gynnwys prifddinas-ranbarth Caerdydd, awdurdodau lleol, a busnesau eu hunain, i sicrhau bod gennym y seilwaith a'r sgiliau cywir ar gyfer twf economaidd, ffyniant a chynhyrchiant.
Thank you for your response, Cabinet Secretary. The Chancellor's recent budget, mixed with the anti-business attitude of this Labour Government, is giving hard-working business owners in South Wales East and beyond very little to be hopeful about. Businesses are already under immense pressure, with spiralling costs, and now the Chancellor's decision to increase the national living wage has thrown them into a major challenge. Let's not forget that, thanks to the Labour Government here in Wales, companies are being punished with the highest business rates in Great Britain, and now you and your colleagues want to scrap the 40 per cent business rate discount that pubs and breweries are entitled to as part of the retail, leisure and hospitality rates relief scheme. Pubs are an integral part of British life; they're embedded in the fabric of so many communities. Yet, it looks like Labour politicians in this place couldn't give two hoots. The consequence of removing this relief will be catastrophic, with many pubs undoubtedly forced to call last orders for good. Cabinet Secretary, given an extra £505 million is heading to Wales from Westminster, will you implore your colleagues to use this additional funding to not only protect our pubs, but also our businesses, by bringing forward a generous rate relief package? Thank you.
Diolch am eich ymateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Ychydig iawn y mae cyllideb ddiweddar y Canghellor, ynghyd ag agwedd wrth-fusnes y Llywodraeth Lafur hon, yn ei roi i berchnogion busnesau gweithgar yn Nwyrain De Cymru a thu hwnt fod yn obeithiol yn ei gylch. Mae busnesau eisoes o dan bwysau aruthrol, gyda chostau'n codi'n sylweddol, a nawr, mae penderfyniad y Canghellor i gynyddu'r cyflog byw cenedlaethol wedi'u rhoi mewn sefyllfa heriol iawn. Gadewch inni beidio ag anghofio, diolch i'r Llywodraeth Lafur hon yng Nghymru, fod cwmnïau'n cael eu cosbi â'r ardrethi busnes uchaf ym Mhrydain, a nawr, rydych chi a'ch cyd-Aelodau eisiau cael gwared ar y gostyngiad ardrethi busnes o 40 y cant y mae gan dafarndai a bragdai hawl iddo yn rhan o'r cynllun rhyddhad ardrethi i fusnesau manwerthu, hamdden a lletygarwch. Mae tafarndai'n rhan annatod o fywyd Prydain; maent wedi'u hymgorffori yng ngwead cymaint o gymunedau. Ac eto, ymddengys nad yw gwleidyddion Llafur yn y lle hwn yn malio'r un botwm corn. Bydd canlyniad cael gwared ar y rhyddhad hwn yn drychinebus, gyda llawer o dafarndai'n sicr o gael eu gorfodi i roi'r gorau iddi am byth. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, o ystyried bod £505 miliwn ychwanegol yn dod i Gymru o San Steffan, a wnewch chi erfyn ar eich cyd-Aelodau i ddefnyddio'r cyllid ychwanegol hwn i ddiogelu ein busnesau yn ogystal â'n tafarndai, trwy gyflwyno pecyn hael o ryddhad ardrethi? Diolch.
Can I ask Members not to have conversations across the Chamber? If you wish to have conversations, you're entitled to leave the Chamber. Cabinet Secretary.
A gaf i ofyn i'r Aelodau beidio â chael sgyrsiau ar draws y Siambr? Os ydych chi eisiau sgyrsiau, mae gennych chi hawl i adael y Siambr. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet.
Diolch. There is an awful lot to respond to in that particular question, but I begin with the fact that we absolutely welcome the increase in the national living wage—150,000 workers will benefit from that in Wales, and we make no apology for welcoming the fact that workers will be paid a fair wage that recognises the impact of the cost of living. So, we absolutely welcome that.
We are a pro-business Government. You will have seen it for yourselves over the course of this weekend—the largest gathering of influential business leaders ever seen in Wales, people coming from 30 countries across the globe, over 300 people, and 150 of those businesses are new to Wales. They came here precisely because the Welsh Government reached out and told them about the exciting things that are happening in areas, including the one that Natasha Asghar represents, in terms of compound semiconductors, and so on. They're coming here in order to explore how they can help the Welsh economy grow. So, again, there's really important work that we're doing.
I understand the substance of the question was around the national—. The substance of the question was around non-domestic rates. We're providing a package of non-domestic rate relief worth £335 million in this financial year—£0.3 billion going to support businesses in non-domestic rates. It's really important to recognise that the relief that we provide means that around 70,000 properties have support. So, about 80 per cent of properties actually pay either nothing or are supported in their relief. Now, the particular relief that has been referred to was introduced during COVID. It was there to recognise the particular impact that COVID was having on the hospitality and leisure sectors. The Welsh Government has always been clear that that couldn't happen and continue indefinitely, and the finance Minister has been very clear on what he sees as the next steps. Part of that is using the new tools that our new legislation allows us to put into practice to support businesses on the high streets, particularly in retail.
So, the Welsh Government provides a really comprehensive range of support for businesses, particularly small businesses, whilst also reaching out to large businesses across the world to make their home here.
Diolch. Mae llawer iawn i ymateb iddo yn y cwestiwn penodol hwnnw, ond rwyf am ddechrau gyda'r ffaith ein bod yn croesawu'r cynnydd yn y cyflog byw cenedlaethol—bydd 150,000 o weithwyr yn elwa o hynny yng Nghymru, ac nid ydym yn ymddiheuro am groesawu'r ffaith y bydd gweithwyr yn cael cyflog teg sy'n cydnabod effaith costau byw. Felly, rydym yn croesawu hynny'n fawr.
Rydym yn Llywodraeth sy'n cefnogi busnes. Byddwch wedi gweld drosoch eich hunain dros y penwythnos—y cynulliad mwyaf o arweinwyr busnes dylanwadol a welwyd yng Nghymru erioed, gyda phobl yn dod o 30 o wledydd dros y byd, dros 300 o bobl, ac mae 150 o'r busnesau hynny'n newydd i Gymru. Daethant yma am fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi estyn allan a dweud wrthynt am y pethau cyffrous sy'n digwydd mewn ardaloedd, yn cynnwys yr un y mae Natasha Asghar yn ei chynrychioli, o ran lled-ddargludyddion cyfansawdd ac yn y blaen. Maent yn dod yma er mwyn archwilio sut y gallant helpu economi Cymru i dyfu. Felly, unwaith eto, rydym yn gwneud gwaith pwysig iawn.
Rwy'n deall bod sylwedd y cwestiwn yn ymwneud â'r—. Roedd sylwedd y cwestiwn yn ymwneud ag ardrethi annomestig. Rydym yn darparu pecyn gwerth £335 miliwn o ryddhad ardrethi annomestig yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon—£0.3 biliwn i gefnogi busnesau gydag ardrethi annomestig. Mae'n bwysig iawn cydnabod bod y rhyddhad a ddarparwn yn golygu bod oddeutu 70,000 eiddo yn cael cymorth. Felly, mae oddeutu 80 y cant o'r eiddo mewn gwirionedd naill ai'n talu dim, neu'n cael eu cefnogi gyda'u rhyddhad. Nawr, cyflwynwyd y rhyddhad penodol y cyfeiriwyd ato yn ystod COVID. Roedd yno i gydnabod yr effaith benodol yr oedd COVID yn ei chael ar y sectorau lletygarwch a hamdden. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi dweud yn glir bob amser na allai hynny barhau am byth, ac mae'r Gweinidog cyllid wedi dweud yn glir iawn beth fydd y camau nesaf yn ei dyb ef. Mae rhan o hynny'n ymwneud â defnyddio'r dulliau gweithredu newydd y mae ein deddfwriaeth newydd yn caniatáu i ni eu rhoi ar waith i gefnogi busnesau'r stryd fawr, yn enwedig ym maes manwerthu.
Felly, mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n darparu ystod gynhwysfawr iawn o gymorth i fusnesau, yn enwedig busnesau bach, ac ar yr un pryd, yn ceisio denu busnesau mawr o bedwar ban byd i ymgartrefu yma.
As you've said, Cabinet Secretary, it is a very exciting time for the economy in south-east Wales—in Newport, for example, with the semiconductor industry, cyber security, data centres, and the AI zone that's recently been established. There is so much to celebrate and be positive about, and some of us at least are going to celebrate that and promote the area in that positive manner. One thing that these businesses will require, Cabinet Secretary, is lots of people coming forward with the skills that are necessary to provide the growth. Engaging with local schools, I think, is a very important part of that. Is there anything the Welsh Government might do to structure that engagement? I'm particularly keen that employers with these exciting opportunities go into all local schools, including those serving the more disadvantaged areas, to make sure that they're drawing on the potential, the talent and the ability that exist in all our communities in Newport.
Fel rydych chi wedi'i ddweud, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae'n gyfnod cyffrous iawn i'r economi yn ne-ddwyrain Cymru—yng Nghasnewydd, er enghraifft, gyda'r diwydiant lled-ddargludyddion, seiberddiogelwch, canolfannau data, a'r ardal deallusrwydd artiffisial sydd wedi'i sefydlu'n ddiweddar. Mae cymaint i'w ddathlu a bod yn gadarnhaol yn ei gylch, ac mae rhai ohonom o leiaf yn mynd i ddathlu hynny a hyrwyddo'r ardal yn y ffordd gadarnhaol honno. Un peth y bydd ei angen ar y busnesau hyn, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yw llawer o bobl sydd â'r sgiliau angenrheidiol i ddarparu'r twf. Credaf fod ymgysylltu ag ysgolion lleol yn rhan bwysig iawn o hynny. A oes unrhyw beth y gallai Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i strwythuro'r ymgysylltiad hwnnw? Rwy'n arbennig o awyddus i weld cyflogwyr yn mynd â'r cyfleoedd cyffrous hyn i bob ysgol leol, gan gynnwys y rheini sy'n gwasanaethu'r ardaloedd mwy difreintiedig, i sicrhau eu bod yn manteisio ar y potensial, y dalent a'r gallu sy'n bodoli yn ein holl gymunedau yng Nghasnewydd.
I absolutely support the idea of businesses going into schools to explore with young people the STEM subjects, particularly, but the incredible opportunities that exist. But, even more so, I'm excited when children and young people actually go to visit the businesses themselves as well and get to see for themselves what these incredible careers are. I think that once young people do get the opportunity to explore careers that their parents probably couldn't have even imagined, it does open up horizons. So, all of that work between businesses and young people, I think, is really critical and it's something that we're very keen to support.
Rwy'n llwyr gefnogi'r syniad o fusnesau'n mynd i ysgolion i archwilio pynciau STEM, yn enwedig, gyda phobl ifanc, ond hefyd y cyfleoedd anhygoel sy'n bodoli. Ond hyd yn oed yn fwy felly, rwy'n gyffrous pan fydd plant a phobl ifanc yn ymweld â'r busnesau eu hunain hefyd ac yn cael gweld drostynt eu hunain beth yw'r gyrfaoedd anhygoel hyn. Pan fo pobl ifanc yn cael cyfle i archwilio gyrfaoedd na allai eu rhieni fod wedi'u dychmygu hyd yn oed, rwy'n credu bod hynny'n ehangu gorwelion. Felly, mae'r holl waith rhwng busnesau a phobl ifanc yn wirioneddol allweddol, ac mae'n rhywbeth yr ydym yn awyddus iawn i'w gefnogi.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr Cymreig, Samuel Kurtz.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Welsh Conservatives' spokesperson, Samuel Kurtz.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, on last night's episode of Sharp End, Newport businesswoman Hannah Williams said that last week's budget wasn't a budget for business. Do you agree?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ar raglen Sharp End neithiwr, dywedodd y fenyw fusnes o Gasnewydd Hannah Williams nad oedd cyllideb yr wythnos diwethaf yn gyllideb ar gyfer busnes. A ydych chi'n cytuno?
I've already set out that the budget gave us some incredible opportunities here in Wales—when we talk about the investment that has come into new nuclear on Wylfa, creating a huge number of jobs and incredible opportunities for the supply chain, which I was able to explore with businesses at the investment summit on the weekend. The same goes for the AI growth zones as well. The funding that will be coming to those, I think, is critical. We've just talked about the important semiconductor sector, for example—so, £10 million coming to Wales for our compound semiconductor sector, to grow what is already a world-leading cluster that we have here in Wales, which is incredibly important to our economy and our international standing. The UK Government coming right in to back that, I think, is truly to be welcomed.
Rwyf eisoes wedi nodi bod y gyllideb wedi rhoi cyfleoedd anhygoel i ni yma yng Nghymru—pan soniwn am y buddsoddiad sydd wedi'i wneud mewn ynni niwclear newydd yn Wylfa, gan greu nifer enfawr o swyddi a chyfleoedd anhygoel i'r gadwyn gyflenwi, y bu modd i mi eu harchwilio gyda busnesau yn yr uwchgynhadledd fuddsoddi ar y penwythnos. Mae'r un peth yn wir am yr ardaloedd twf deallusrwydd artiffisial hefyd. Mae'r cyllid a ddaw i'r rheini'n allweddol. Rydym newydd sôn am y sector lled-ddargludyddion pwysig, er enghraifft—felly, £10 miliwn yn dod i Gymru ar gyfer ein sector lled-ddargludyddion cyfansawdd, i dyfu'r hyn sydd eisoes yn glwstwr diguro sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru, sy'n hynod bwysig i'n heconomi a'n henw da rhyngwladol. Mae'r ffaith bod Llywodraeth y DU yn dod i gefnogi hynny yn rhywbeth i'w groesawu'n fawr yn fy marn i.
It's ironic that you mention the new nuclear and AI zones because, much like the actual budget itself, they were trailed for weeks before the actual budget announcements, and the reality is that this budget pushes the overall tax burden to levels that we haven't seen since the second world war—£26 billion-worth of tax rises, with a third going into an already bloated welfare budget, which leaves households across Wales with less money in their pockets. After this botched budget, it's little wonder that the First Minister failed to say that she had any confidence in the Chancellor during yesterday's FMQs. Government spending is up. Welfare spending is up. Unemployment is up. Debt interest is up. Inflation is up. Sadly, growth is down and business confidence is down. So, while the First Minister couldn't give the Chancellor her backing yesterday, do you have confidence in her, Cabinet Secretary?
Mae'n eironig eich bod yn sôn am yr ardaloedd niwclear a deallusrwydd artiffisial newydd, oherwydd yn debyg iawn i'r gyllideb ei hun, cawsant eu datgelu wythnosau cyn cyhoeddiadau'r gyllideb, a'r gwir amdani yw bod y gyllideb hon yn gwthio'r baich treth cyffredinol i lefelau nad ydym wedi'u gweld ers yr ail ryfel byd—codiadau treth gwerth £26 biliwn, gyda thraean yn mynd i gyllideb les sydd eisoes yn rhy fawr, sy'n gadael aelwydydd ledled Cymru â llai o arian yn eu pocedi. Ar ôl y llanast o gyllideb hon, nid yw'n syndod fod y Prif Weinidog wedi methu dweud bod ganddi unrhyw hyder yn y Canghellor yn ystod y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog ddoe. Mae gwariant Llywodraeth wedi cynyddu. Mae gwariant ar les wedi cynyddu. Mae lefelau diweithdra wedi cynyddu. Mae llog ar ddyledion wedi cynyddu. Mae lefelau chwyddiant wedi cynyddu. Yn anffodus, mae lefelau twf wedi lleihau ac mae lefelau hyder busnesau wedi gostwng. Felly, er na allai'r Prif Weinidog roi ei chefnogaeth i'r Canghellor ddoe, a oes gennych chi hyder ynddi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet?
Yes.
Oes.
That's quite nice. Let's see if that comes back to bite them on the backside. With Small Business Saturday happening very soon, on this Saturday—[Interruption.] It might well come to bite the Government back.
High-street shops—[Interruption.] No. Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Small business Saturday is happening this Saturday, Cabinet Secretary, and high-street shops, pubs, restaurants and hotels across Wales are crying out for support. Not only are they saddled with some of the highest business rates in the UK, but recent rateable value changes have meant some businesses have been hit with massive increases. One Pembrokeshire hotel has seen their rateable value more than double, from £45,000 to £108,000. With the UK Labour Government's national insurance hike for employers, inflation higher than it was at even this time last year, this is yet another financial blow to an already struggling business sector. So, Cabinet Secretary, in the final throes of this tired Welsh Labour Government, do you have anything positive at all to tell Welsh businesses?
Da iawn. Gadewch inni weld a ddaw hynny'n ôl i'w brathu. Gyda Dydd Sadwrn y Busnesau Bach yn digwydd cyn bo hir, y dydd Sadwrn hwn—[Torri ar draws.] Gallai'n hawdd ddod yn ôl i frathu'r Llywodraeth.
Mae siopau'r stryd fawr—[Torri ar draws.] Na. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
Mae Dydd Sadwrn y Busnesau Bach yn digwydd y dydd Sadwrn hwn, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ac mae siopau'r stryd fawr, tafarndai, bwytai a gwestai ledled Cymru’n crefu am gymorth. Nid yn unig eu bod yn gorfod talu rhai o'r ardrethi busnes uchaf yn y DU, ond mae newidiadau diweddar i werthoedd ardrethol wedi golygu bod rhai busnesau wedi cael eu taro â chodiadau enfawr. Mae un gwesty yn sir Benfro wedi gweld ei werth ardrethol yn mwy na dyblu, o £45,000 i £108,000. Gyda chodiad Llywodraeth Lafur y DU i gyfraniadau yswiriant gwladol cyflogwyr, a chwyddiant yn uwch na hyd yn oed ar yr adeg hon y llynedd, dyma ergyd ariannol arall i sector busnes sydd eisoes o dan bwysau. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ym misoedd olaf y Llywodraeth Lafur flinedig hon yng Nghymru, a oes gennych chi unrhyw beth cadarnhaol o gwbl i'w ddweud wrth fusnesau Cymru?
The rateable values have changed precisely because of a call from business, which wanted to have more regular revaluations of those business premises. We responded positively to that call and now businesses will be revalued on a three-year basis. That does mean that the valuations of those businesses are more accurate and fairer. I think that that responded well to calls from business to undertake that revaluation.
In terms of the support that we provide to businesses, I can just refer you to the previous answer, in terms of that £0.3 billion that we're providing to businesses to support them with their non-domestic rates. In fact, our small business rate relief means that around 70,000 properties are supported. That's about 80 per cent of properties. Actually, 50,000 businesses pay nothing at all in terms of small business rates. I think that that's really important to recognise. That's a huge level of support going to the sector.
And, of course, we provide bespoke funding for parts of the sector as well. The futureproofing fund, I think, is a really good example of that. Listening to the tourism sector, we introduced the weatherproofing fund. And, of course, we do year-round work to promote the sector as well. The Welsh Government offers an awful lot of support. Clearly, we do that through our Business Wales service, which is also there to support businesses in these sectors.
Mae'r gwerthoedd ardrethol wedi newid oherwydd galwad gan fusnesau, a oedd am i'r safleoedd busnes hynny gael eu hailbrisio'n fwy rheolaidd. Fe wnaethom ymateb yn gadarnhaol i'r alwad honno, a nawr, bydd busnesau'n cael eu hailbrisio bob tair blynedd. Golyga hynny fod prisiadau'r busnesau hynny'n fwy cywir ac yn decach. Credaf fod hynny'n ymateb da i alwadau gan fusnesau i ymgymryd â'r gwaith ailbrisio hwnnw.
O ran y cymorth a roddwn i fusnesau, gallaf eich cyfeirio at yr ateb blaenorol, a'r £0.3 biliwn a ddarparwn i fusnesau i'w cefnogi gyda'u hardrethi annomestig. Mewn gwirionedd, golyga ein rhyddhad ardrethi i fusnesau bach fod oddeutu 70,000 eiddo yn cael eu cefnogi. Dyna oddeutu 80 y cant o'r holl eiddo. Mewn gwirionedd, nid yw 50,000 o fusnesau'n talu unrhyw beth o gwbl mewn ardrethi busnesau bach. Credaf ei bod yn bwysig iawn cydnabod hynny. Mae lefel enfawr o gymorth yn mynd i'r sector.
Ac wrth gwrs, rydym yn darparu cyllid pwrpasol ar gyfer rhannau o'r sector hefyd. Credaf fod y gronfa paratoi at y dyfodol yn enghraifft dda iawn o hynny. Gan wrando ar y sector twristiaeth, fe wnaethom gyflwyno'r gronfa addasu i'r tywydd. Ac wrth gwrs, rydym yn gwneud gwaith drwy gydol y flwyddyn i hyrwyddo'r sector hefyd. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n cynnig llawer iawn o gymorth. Yn amlwg, rydym yn gwneud hynny drwy ein gwasanaeth Busnes Cymru, sydd yno i gefnogi busnesau yn y sectorau hyn.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Heledd Fychan.
The Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. At this week's investment summit, I understand that both the creative industries and sport featured. Can the Minister outline what the summit is expected to deliver for both these aspects of your portfolio in terms of investment and jobs?
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Yn yr uwchgynhadledd fuddsoddi yr wythnos hon, deallaf fod y diwydiannau creadigol a chwaraeon wedi cael sylw. A all y Gweinidog amlinellu beth y disgwylir i'r uwchgynhadledd ei gyflawni ar gyfer y ddwy elfen hon yn eich portffolio o ran buddsoddiad a swyddi?
I thank the Member for that, and I thank her for recognising Wales's international investment summit, which was a successful two-day event over Sunday and Monday of this week. Culture and sport were at the heart of the events, driving what Wales has to offer, as the Cabinet Secretary has said, for existing businesses and new investors as well. They had the experience of going to see the rugby. They had the experience of meeting with Geraint Thomas, and many other people. But, when it comes to the creative industries, Deputy Presiding Officer, I had the opportunity to sit down with investors from across the globe who were excited about what Wales has to offer and what Creative Wales has to offer. My expectation is that there will be continued investment, especially in games and in screen—film and tv—where we already significantly have benefits to the Welsh economy, and the investment summit will prove to continue that.
Diolch i'r Aelod, a diolch iddi am gydnabod uwchgynhadledd buddsoddi rhyngwladol Cymru, a oedd yn ddigwyddiad deuddydd llwyddiannus a gynhaliwyd ddydd Sul a dydd Llun yr wythnos hon. Roedd diwylliant a chwaraeon wrth wraidd y digwyddiadau, yn llywio'r hyn sydd gan Gymru i'w gynnig, fel y dywedodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, i fusnesau presennol a buddsoddwyr newydd hefyd. Cawsant y profiad o fynd i weld y rygbi. Cawsant y profiad o gyfarfod â Geraint Thomas, a llawer o bobl eraill. Ond ar y diwydiannau creadigol, Ddirprwy Lywydd, cefais gyfle i eistedd gyda buddsoddwyr o bob cwr o'r byd a oedd yn llawn cyffro ynglŷn â’r hyn sydd gan Gymru i'w gynnig a'r hyn sydd gan Cymru Greadigol i'w gynnig. Rwy'n disgwyl y bydd buddsoddiad parhaus, yn enwedig mewn gemau a sgrîn—ffilm a theledu—lle mae gennym fanteision sylweddol i economi Cymru eisoes, a bydd yr uwchgynhadledd fuddsoddi yn parhau hynny.
Thank you. I appreciate that you said that culture and sport were at the heart of the summit. It's unfortunate that they're not at the heart of Government priorities. I would like to know the specifics in terms of expectations because, as you know, a number of people working in the sectors, including myself, have expressed frustration that the creative industries and sport are not part of 'Priorities for Culture'. So, in the absence of a coherent strategy that brings all of these elements together, how do you measure success? What are the figures that we can look at to hold the Government to account in terms of what this summit will have achieved for these really important sectors?
Diolch. Rwy'n gwerthfawrogi eich bod wedi dweud bod diwylliant a chwaraeon wrth wraidd yr uwchgynhadledd. Mae'n anffodus nad ydynt wrth wraidd blaenoriaethau'r Llywodraeth. Hoffwn wybod y manylion ynghylch disgwyliadau, oherwydd fel y gwyddoch, mae nifer o bobl sy'n gweithio yn y sectorau, gan fy nghynnwys i, wedi mynegi rhwystredigaeth nad yw'r diwydiannau creadigol a chwaraeon yn rhan o'r 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant'. Felly, yn absenoldeb strategaeth gydlynol sy'n dod â'r holl elfennau hyn ynghyd, sut rydych chi'n mesur llwyddiant? Beth yw'r ffigurau y gallwn edrych arnynt i ddwyn y Llywodraeth i gyfrif o ran yr hyn y bydd yr uwchgynhadledd hon wedi'i gyflawni ar ran y sectorau hynod bwysig hyn?
I thank the Member again. The Member says that it's not at the heart of Government priorities; the Wales investment summit was a priority for this Government, and at the very heart of that, over the two days, sport and culture played a significant role. Indeed, one of the showcases was about the creative industries. We had Bad Wolf there, celebrating what investment they have already made with Creative Wales, and will go on to make in the future, alongside others, such as Rocket Science and the games industry, and many, many more.
The Member references 'Priorities for Culture', and creative and sport not being in there, well, they weren't in there because that is what was agreed between the Welsh Labour Government and Plaid Cymru at the time of developing 'Priorities for Culture'. Creative Wales has its own strategic priorities aligned with what it sets out to do. The board is responsible to Ministers as well. And just to say, Presiding Officer, when it comes to 'Priorities for Culture', because I think it is worth mentioning, it's been six months since the launch of 'Priorities for Culture', the Government has put over £13.5 million back into the sector. I think that should be welcomed by all Members of this Senedd.
Diolch eto i'r Aelod. Mae'r Aelod yn dweud nad yw wrth wraidd blaenoriaethau'r Llywodraeth; roedd uwchgynhadledd fuddsoddi Cymru’n flaenoriaeth i'r Llywodraeth hon, ac wrth wraidd hynny, dros y ddau ddiwrnod, roedd i chwaraeon a diwylliant ran sylweddol. Yn wir, roedd un o'r sesiynau arddangos yn ymwneud â'r diwydiannau creadigol. Roedd gennym Bad Wolf yno, yn dathlu'r buddsoddiad y maent eisoes wedi'i wneud gyda Cymru Greadigol, ac y byddant yn mynd ymlaen i'w wneud yn y dyfodol, ochr yn ochr ag eraill, fel Rocket Science a'r diwydiant gemau cyfrifiadurol, a llawer iawn mwy.
Mae'r Aelod yn cyfeirio at 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant', a'r ffaith nad ydynt yn cynnwys creadigrwydd a chwaraeon, wel, nid oeddent yno am mai dyna a gytunwyd rhwng Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru a Phlaid Cymru pan oedd y 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant' yn cael eu datblygu. Mae gan Cymru Greadigol eu blaenoriaethau strategol eu hunain sy'n cyd-fynd â'r hyn y mae'n bwriadu ei wneud. Mae'r bwrdd yn atebol i Weinidogion hefyd. A Lywydd, o ran y 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant', mae'n werth crybwyll fod chwe mis wedi mynd heibio ers lansio'r 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant', ac mae'r Llywodraeth wedi rhoi dros £13.5 miliwn yn ôl i mewn i'r sector. Rwy'n credu y dylai hynny gael ei groesawu gan bob Aelod o'r Senedd hon.
Well, there were a lot of words there, but I'm still no clearer what the Government's strategy is or its targets. So, perhaps the Minister would kindly update the Senedd at some point, because we very infrequently hear anything about these vital sectors in terms of statements, both oral and written.
And if I may turn to the workforce, which is obviously key to the success of these sectors, the people working in these sectors have dealt with years of uncertainty, limited job opportunities and difficult working conditions. Research showed that, in Scotland, a big production that was filmed there, The Traitors, only used 6 per cent of the local workforce, with most of the jobs going to crews from London. Many freelancers tell me as well that the sector is not maximising opportunities for Wales-based workers either. So, how is the Welsh Government making sure that when big productions come to Wales, Welsh talent is genuinely front and centre and that our creative workforce is able to benefit from all of those opportunities?
Wel, roedd llawer o eiriau yno, ond nid wyf fawr callach beth yw strategaeth y Llywodraeth na'i thargedau. Felly, efallai y byddai'r Gweinidog yn ddigon caredig i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i'r Senedd rywbryd, oherwydd anaml iawn y clywn unrhyw beth am y sectorau hanfodol hyn ar ffurf datganiadau, ar lafar ac yn ysgrifenedig.
Ac os caf droi at y gweithlu, sydd wrth gwrs yn allweddol i lwyddiant y sectorau hyn, mae'r bobl sy'n gweithio yn y sectorau hyn wedi delio â blynyddoedd o ansicrwydd, cyfleoedd swyddi cyfyngedig ac amodau gwaith anodd. Dangosodd ymchwil yn yr Alban mai dim ond 6 y cant o'r gweithlu lleol a ddefnyddiodd cynhyrchiad mawr a ffilmiwyd yno, The Traitors, gyda'r rhan fwyaf o'r swyddi'n mynd i griwiau o Lundain. Mae llawer o weithwyr llawrydd yn dweud wrthyf hefyd nad yw'r sector yn gwneud y mwyaf o gyfleoedd i weithwyr sydd wedi'u lleoli yng Nghymru chwaith. Felly, sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau, pan ddaw cynyrchiadau mawr i Gymru, fod doniau Cymru’n cael eu blaenoriaethu a bod ein gweithlu creadigol yn gallu elwa o'r holl gyfleoedd hynny?
Again, there was a statement on Creative Wales, and five years of Creative Wales, last year. The Member didn't take part in that. There's a statement in February on Creative Wales planned as well. I hope she takes part to celebrate the success of the creative industries in the future. Because when we invest in creative industries, Creative Wales has done significantly well. We've seen, particularly on film and tv, that for every £1 we have spent, we've seen a £12 return in the Welsh economy. And in the conversations I had over the weekend and into Monday with executives from across the globe, celebrating already what Wales has done, it was very much down to the investment that the Government has already made, but also because of the success of the workforce.
I do take the point of the importance of the workforce, and it's exactly what happens when we invest in companies: one of the grant conditions is that they have to support the workforce through traineeships and other placements. One of the parts of making sure the workforce is sustainable in the future is having a pipeline of, a range of, opportunities in front of us. And I think that's what the success of the investment summit will bring forward.
And, again, for the freelance industry, we support the freelance industry through investments made through Creative Wales. The Member said that we did not have an opportunity to discuss this. We've had plenty of opportunities to discuss it: I'm on my feet in this place, taking questions from the Member; we have opportunities in committees, and there has been a range of statements.
Presiding Officer, if you will indulge me just for one second, I came to this place just around eight years ago. It was eight years ago when I said goodbye one last time to my dad, and I took the commitment then to bring the same drive and energy that he brought into his local community and his Government position. Since I've been in post, supporting just the culture industry, we've seen the delivery of 'Priorities for Culture'; we've seen £15 million ring-fenced for that; we've seen significant increases in capital investment; we've seen an increased investment in revenue funding from last year to this year; we've seen increased budgets in in-year position. That is the ambition that I have for the sector. We've seen the investments from Creative Wales. I'll continue to support the investment in Creative Wales and the cultural sector in that very same way.
Unwaith eto, gwnaed datganiad ar Cymru Greadigol, a phum mlynedd o Cymru Greadigol, y llynedd. Ni chymerodd yr Aelod ran yn hynny. Mae datganiad ar Cymru Greadigol wedi'i gynllunio ar gyfer mis Chwefror hefyd. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yn cymryd rhan i ddathlu llwyddiant y diwydiannau creadigol yn y dyfodol. Oherwydd pan fyddwn yn buddsoddi mewn diwydiannau creadigol, mae Cymru Greadigol wedi gwneud yn arbennig o dda. Yn enwedig gyda ffilm a theledu, am bob £1 a wariwyd gennym, rydym wedi gweld enillion o £12 i economi Cymru. Ac yn y sgyrsiau a gefais dros y penwythnos a ddydd Llun gyda swyddogion gweithredol o bob cwr o'r byd, yn dathlu'r hyn y mae Cymru wedi'i wneud yn barod, roedd hynny oherwydd y buddsoddiad y mae'r Llywodraeth eisoes wedi'i wneud, ond hefyd oherwydd llwyddiant y gweithlu.
Rwy'n derbyn y pwynt ynghylch pwysigrwydd y gweithlu, a dyna'n union sy'n digwydd pan fyddwn yn buddsoddi mewn cwmnïau: un o amodau'r grant yw bod yn rhaid iddynt gefnogi'r gweithlu drwy hyfforddeiaethau a lleoliadau gwaith eraill. Un o'r rhannau o sicrhau bod y gweithlu'n gynaliadwy yn y dyfodol yw cael llu o gyfleoedd, ystod o gyfleoedd o'n blaenau. A chredaf mai dyna fydd llwyddiant yr uwchgynhadledd fuddsoddi yn ei sicrhau.
Ac unwaith eto, ar y diwydiant llawrydd, rydym yn cefnogi'r diwydiant llawrydd drwy fuddsoddiadau a wneir drwy Cymru Greadigol. Dywedodd yr Aelod na chawsom gyfle i drafod hyn. Rydym wedi cael digon o gyfleoedd i'w drafod: rwyf ar fy nhraed yn y lle hwn, yn ateb cwestiynau gan yr Aelod; mae gennym gyfleoedd mewn pwyllgorau, ac mae amrywiaeth o ddatganiadau wedi'u gwneud.
Lywydd, os maddeuwch i mi am eiliad, deuthum i'r lle hwn oddeutu wyth mlynedd yn ôl. Wyth mlynedd yn ôl, ffarweliais am y tro olaf â fy nhad, ac ymrwymais bryd hynny i ddod â'r un brwdfrydedd ac egni ag a roddodd ef i'w gymuned leol a'i swydd yn y Llywodraeth. Ers imi fod yn fy swydd, yn cefnogi'r diwydiant diwylliant, rydym wedi gweld y 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant' yn cael eu cyflwyno; rydym wedi gweld £15 miliwn wedi'i glustnodi ar gyfer hynny; rydym wedi gweld cynnydd sylweddol mewn buddsoddiad cyfalaf; rydym wedi gweld buddsoddiad cynyddol mewn cyllid refeniw rhwng y llynedd ac eleni; rydym wedi gweld cyllidebau cynyddol yn ein sefyllfa canol blwyddyn. Dyna'r uchelgais sydd gennyf ar gyfer y sector. Rydym wedi gweld y buddsoddiadau gan Cymru Greadigol. Byddaf yn parhau i gefnogi'r buddsoddiad yn Cymru Greadigol a'r sector diwylliannol yn yr un ffordd.
3. Sut y mae polisi ynni Llywodraeth Cymru yn sicrhau nad yw elw corfforaethol yn rhoi baich gormodol ar filiau ynni teuluoedd? OQ63504
3. How does the Welsh Government's energy policy ensure that corporate profits don't place an undue burden on families’ energy bills? OQ63504
Energy bills is not a devolved matter. However, we have delivered policies to support families across Wales. Our policies have delivered on local ownership of energy, including investing nearly £23 million through Ynni Cymru, and we support programmes that improve energy efficiency to reduce energy demand. This investment can directly reduce a family’s energy bills.
Nid yw biliau ynni'n fater datganoledig. Fodd bynnag, rydym wedi cyflawni polisïau i gefnogi teuluoedd ledled Cymru. Mae ein polisïau wedi cyflawni ar berchnogaeth leol ar ynni, gan gynnwys buddsoddi bron i £23 miliwn drwy Ynni Cymru, ac rydym yn cefnogi rhaglenni sy'n gwella effeithlonrwydd ynni i leihau'r galw am ynni. Gall y buddsoddiad hwn leihau biliau ynni teulu yn uniongyrchol.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The Common Wealth think tank recently published research that showed that, in 2024, a sum equal to nearly 25 per cent of the average UK energy bill went to the pre-tax profits of major electricity companies. In short, they have been allowed to use our land, our sea, to generate and then to export energy, but with little benefit to local communities, save for some small limited grant schemes. Wales consumes approximately 13 TWh of electricity, while electricity generated in Wales produces approximately 29 TWh. This is before many major projects have been completed, such as the Celtic sea windfarm. We need to find ways to raise capital to assist our communities from the energy exported from Wales to other parts of the UK. And there is nothing new in this; I remember Dr Dafydd Huws lecturing about this 30 years ago. So, Cabinet Secretary, what consideration have you given to discussing with the UK Government to see if Wales and the UK, under Part 4 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, can create a levy on energy exported from Wales to help our communities, especially those struggling with increased energy bills? Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Yn ddiweddar, cyhoeddodd melin drafod Common Wealth ymchwil a ddangosodd, yn 2024, fod swm sy'n cyfateb i bron i 25 y cant o fil ynni cyfartalog y DU wedi mynd i elw cyn treth cwmnïau trydan mawr. Yn fyr, maent wedi cael caniatâd i ddefnyddio ein tir, ein môr, i gynhyrchu ac yna allforio ynni, ond heb fawr o fudd i gymunedau lleol, ac eithrio rhai cynlluniau grantiau bach cyfyngedig. Mae Cymru'n defnyddio oddeutu 13 TWh o drydan, tra bo trydan a gynhyrchir yng Nghymru yn cynhyrchu oddeutu 29 TWh. Mae hyn cyn i lawer o brosiectau mawr gael eu cwblhau, fel fferm wynt y môr Celtaidd. Mae angen inni ddod o hyd i ffyrdd o godi cyfalaf i gynorthwyo ein cymunedau o'r ynni a allforir o Gymru i rannau eraill o'r DU. Ac nid oes unrhyw beth newydd yn hyn; rwy'n cofio Dr Dafydd Huws yn darlithio am hyn 30 mlynedd yn ôl. Felly, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pa ystyriaeth a roddwyd gennych i drafod gyda Llywodraeth y DU i weld a all Cymru a'r DU, o dan Ran 4 o Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006, greu ardoll ar ynni a allforir o Gymru i helpu ein cymunedau, yn enwedig y rhai sy'n ei chael hi'n anodd gyda biliau ynni uwch? Diolch yn fawr.
I'm really grateful for the question. I think there are two things in particular that I would like to highlight in response. The first of all being the setting up of Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, which absolutely recognises that energy in the past has been very extractive, and we want to retain as much benefit as we can here in Wales. So, Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru is Wales owned. It's owned by the people of Wales and it is a Wales-owned energy company, which will develop, in the first instance, on Welsh Government-owned land. We've already identified the first three projects and announced those. The exciting thing there is, of course, that all of the profits stay in Wales, so they can be either reinvested in renewable energy or in supporting households that are in energy poverty, for example, or that funding could go into supporting the NHS and other Government priorities as well. That would be a choice for future Ministers to make.
But then I'd also highlight the work that we're doing to develop the energy sector deal as well. So, that is something that I set in motion to understand, really, the roles or the respective roles between the Government and developers, recognising that developers want a lot from us in terms of speeding up planning, for example, but actually we need to be asking more from developers as well in terms of community benefits. Because community benefits can't just be about redecorating the village hall or sponsoring the teams. Important though those things are, they're not strategically impactful. So, that sector deal work is going on at the moment, and I'd be happy to keep colleagues up to date as it develops.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am eich cwestiwn. Credaf fod dau beth penodol yr hoffwn eu nodi mewn ymateb. Y cyntaf yw sefydlu Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, sy'n gydnabyddiaeth lwyr fod ynni yn y gorffennol wedi bod yn echdynnol iawn, ac rydym eisiau cadw cymaint o fudd ag y gallwn yma yng Nghymru. Felly, mae Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru yn eiddo i Gymru. Mae'n eiddo i bobl Cymru ac mae'n gwmni ynni sy'n eiddo i Gymru, a fydd yn datblygu, i ddechrau, ar dir sy'n eiddo i Lywodraeth Cymru. Rydym eisoes wedi nodi'r tri phrosiect cyntaf ac wedi eu cyhoeddi. Y peth cyffrous yno, wrth gwrs, yw bod yr holl elw'n aros yng Nghymru, felly gellir ei ailfuddsoddi mewn ynni adnewyddadwy neu i gefnogi aelwydydd sydd mewn tlodi ynni, er enghraifft, neu gallai'r cyllid hwnnw fynd i gefnogi'r GIG a blaenoriaethau eraill y Llywodraeth hefyd. Byddai hynny'n ddewis i Weinidogion y dyfodol ei wneud.
Ond hoffwn dynnu sylw hefyd at y gwaith a wnawn ar ddatblygu'r fargen sector ynni. Dyna rywbeth a ddechreuais er mwyn deall rolau neu briod rolau Llywodraeth a datblygwyr, gan gydnabod bod datblygwyr eisiau llawer gennym o ran cyflymu caniatâd cynllunio, er enghraifft, ond mewn gwirionedd, mae angen inni ofyn mwy gan ddatblygwyr hefyd o ran buddion cymunedol. Oherwydd mae angen i fuddion cymunedol olygu mwy nag ailaddurno neuadd y pentref neu noddi'r timau'n unig. Er mor bwysig yw'r pethau hynny, nid oes iddynt effaith strategol. Felly, mae'r gwaith hwnnw ar y fargen sector yn mynd rhagddo, ac rwy'n fwy na pharod i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i fy nghyd-Aelodau wrth iddo ddatblygu.
Cabinet Secretary, it's undeniable that the price of energy is a real challenge for many households. We also have national and energy security challenges. We should not find ourselves in the future in hock, for example, to Russian gas, in the way that Germany found itself. Part of what we need to do is to enable more energy generation with a mix of renewables and nuclear, and there are, of course, good, well-paid jobs to come from those industries and in some of the associated trades, some of which were showcased in the WorldSkills finals that took place—which Wales co-hosted—last week, but also the opportunities for businesses to locate near power supplies. Many of the industries of today and the future want to be near a power supply, whether it's a semiconductor cluster or, for example, the opportunities from AI growth zones and data centres, and, of course, the significant investment from Vantage is a good example of that.
Part of what we need to do, though, is to have an honest conversation about how we generate energy. If we choose to make onshore wind more expensive, with the cost of generation with smaller, less efficient turbines and transmission network costs, then families in Wales will pay more to switch the lights on. Does the Cabinet Secretary agree that there is a need for an honest conversation about job creation from energy, direct energy and from businesses that want to be near to it, how we generate and use energy, the cost of energy and how communities that house energy generation see a direct local benefit for them from the power that is generated near to their homes?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, ni ellir gwadu bod pris ynni yn her wirioneddol i lawer o aelwydydd. Mae gennym heriau o ran diogelwch cenedlaethol ac ynni hefyd. Ni ddylem fod mewn sefyllfa yn y dyfodol, er enghraifft, lle rydym yn llwyr ddibynnol ar nwy Rwsia, fel a ddigwyddodd i'r Almaen. Rhan o'r hyn sydd angen inni ei wneud yw galluogi mwy o gynhyrchiant ynni gyda chymysgedd o ynni adnewyddadwy ac ynni niwclear, ac wrth gwrs, mae swyddi da ar gyflogau da i ddod o'r diwydiannau hynny ac yn rhai o'r crefftau cysylltiedig, y dangoswyd rhai ohonynt yn rowndiau terfynol WorldSkills a gynhaliwyd—a gyd-gynhaliwyd gan Gymru—yr wythnos diwethaf, ond hefyd y cyfleoedd i fusnesau leoli ger cyflenwadau trydan. Mae llawer o ddiwydiannau heddiw a'r dyfodol eisiau bod yn agos at gyflenwad pŵer, boed yn glwstwr lled-ddargludyddion, neu er enghraifft, y cyfleoedd o ardaloedd twf deallusrwydd artiffisial a chanolfannau data, ac wrth gwrs, mae'r buddsoddiad sylweddol gan Vantage yn enghraifft dda o hynny.
Rhan o'r hyn y mae angen inni ei wneud, fodd bynnag, yw cael sgwrs onest ynglŷn â sut yr awn ati i gynhyrchu ynni. Os dewiswn ei gwneud yn ddrytach i gynhyrchu ynni gwynt ar y tir, gyda chost cynhyrchu gyda thyrbinau llai, llai effeithlon a chostau'r rhwydwaith trawsyrru, bydd teuluoedd yng Nghymru yn talu mwy i roi'r goleuadau ymlaen. A yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn cytuno bod angen sgwrs onest am greu swyddi ym maes ynni, ynni uniongyrchol a gan fusnesau sydd eisiau bod yn agos ato, sut yr awn ati i gynhyrchu a defnyddio ynni, cost ynni a sut y mae cymunedau'n cael budd lleol uniongyrchol o'r ynni sy'n cael ei gynhyrchu ger eu cartrefi?
I'm really grateful again for the question, and the opportunity to put on record our thanks to everybody involved in training people from Wales who were involved in the WorldSkills celebrations, and congratulations to those who achieved success through that as well. It's a really important opportunity for us to, again, show the very best of Wales to the world.
I completely agree that securing that transition to net zero in a way that is a just transition is absolutely critical to deliver those fair outcomes for families. We are using the levers that we have, but we also recognise that this is a UK-wide endeavour. That's why Welsh Government has co-commissioned the National Energy System Operator to ensure that the development work that will inform the future energy system, including the strategic spatial energy plan and the regional energy system plans, will represent Welsh interests as well as affordability to the consumer, which is absolutely critical to us there.
And, of course, we've got the reformed national pricing. That will also support the UK Government's vision for 'Clean Power 2030', with a future power system that harnesses the benefit of greater strategic planning, as well as market reform. I'm really pleased with the work that's going on UK wide in terms of the strategic planning for the future, in terms of recognising where energy demand might come from. Also, there is a conversation that we do have to have in terms of how that energy is transmitted and distributed, and the impacts that might have on communities. At every step, really, we have to ensure that communities are properly fully engaged in order to have their say on what the future of that system looks like for them.
Rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn eto am eich cwestiwn, a'r cyfle i gofnodi fy niolch i bawb a fu'n rhan o'r gwaith o hyfforddi pobl o Gymru a oedd yn rhan o ddathliadau WorldSkills, a llongyfarchiadau i'r rheini a gafodd lwyddiant drwy hynny hefyd. Mae'n gyfle pwysig iawn, unwaith eto, i ddangos y gorau o Gymru i'r byd.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod pontio i sero net mewn ffordd sy'n deg yn gwbl allweddol er mwyn cyflawni'r canlyniadau teg hynny i deuluoedd. Rydym yn defnyddio'r dulliau sydd gennym, ond rydym hefyd yn cydnabod bod hon yn ymdrech ar gyfer y DU gyfan. Dyna pam y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi cydgomisiynu'r Gweithredwr Systemau Ynni Cenedlaethol i sicrhau y bydd y gwaith datblygu a fydd yn llywio'r system ynni yn y dyfodol, gan gynnwys y cynllun ynni gofodol strategol a chynlluniau systemau ynni rhanbarthol, yn cynrychioli buddiannau Cymru yn ogystal â fforddiadwyedd i'r defnyddiwr, sy'n gwbl hanfodol i ni yn hynny o beth.
Ac wrth gwrs, mae gennym y prisio cenedlaethol diwygiedig. Bydd hynny hefyd yn cefnogi gweledigaeth Llywodraeth y DU ar gyfer 'Pŵer Glân 2030', gyda system bŵer yn y dyfodol sy'n harneisio budd gwell cynllunio strategol, yn ogystal â diwygio'r farchnad. Rwy'n falch iawn o'r gwaith sy'n mynd rhagddo ledled y DU o ran y cynllunio strategol ar gyfer y dyfodol, a chydnabod o ble y gallai'r galw am ynni ddod. Hefyd, rhaid inni gael sgwrs ynglŷn â sut y caiff yr ynni hwnnw ei drosglwyddo a'i ddosbarthu, a'r effeithiau y gallai hynny eu cael ar gymunedau. Ar bob cam, mewn gwirionedd, rhaid inni sicrhau bod cymunedau'n cael eu cynnwys yn llawn i allu dweud eu barn ynglŷn â beth y mae'r system honno'n ei gynnig iddynt hwy yn y dyfodol.
Good afternoon, Cabinet Secretary. I just really wanted to go back to your first response to Rhys, focusing in on people living in fuel poverty. In Wales, we know that there are around 340,000 homes that are living in fuel poverty, and yet we know that at current investment levels, the Warm Homes programme won't reach all fuel-poor homes until the year 2237, meaning a wait of 212 years for some. Even with the allocation of this year's budget, it still means that 1,500 households will receive the deeper retrofits that lift people out of fuel poverty, but that is far fewer than the 4,000 that were supported under the previous schemes.
Meanwhile, we know that families are still cold, and a recent National Energy Action survey found that six in 10 adults in Wales expect to restrict their energy use this winter. Wales needs a future where no-one lives in a cold home, so could you tell me, Cabinet Secretary, please, will you commit to ring-fencing all future consequentials from the UK Government's own Warm Homes programme in order to accelerate Warm Homes here in Wales? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Prynhawn da, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Roeddwn eisiau mynd yn ôl at eich ymateb cyntaf i Rhys, yn canolbwyntio ar bobl sy'n byw mewn tlodi tanwydd. Yng Nghymru, gwyddom fod oddeutu 340,000 o gartrefi'n byw mewn tlodi tanwydd, ac eto fe wyddom, ar lefelau buddsoddi presennol, na fydd rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd yn cyrraedd pob cartref sy'n dlawd o ran tanwydd tan y flwyddyn 2237, sy'n golygu aros am 212 mlynedd i rai. Hyd yn oed gyda dyraniad y gyllideb eleni, mae'n dal i olygu y bydd 1,500 o gartrefi yn cael y gwaith ôl-osod dwysach sy'n codi pobl allan o dlodi tanwydd, ond mae hynny'n llawer llai na'r 4,000 a gefnogwyd o dan y cynlluniau blaenorol.
Yn y cyfamser, fe wyddom fod teuluoedd yn dal i fod yn oer, a bod arolwg diweddar gan National Energy Action wedi canfod bod chwech o bob 10 oedolyn yng Nghymru yn disgwyl gorfod cyfyngu ar eu defnydd o ynni y gaeaf hwn. Mae angen dyfodol ar Gymru lle nad oes unrhyw un yn byw mewn cartref oer, felly a allwch chi ddweud wrthyf, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, os gwelwch yn dda, a wnewch chi ymrwymo i glustnodi unrhyw gyllid canlyniadol yn y dyfodol o raglen Cartrefi Cynnes Llywodraeth y DU er mwyn cyflymu rhaglen Cartrefi Clyd yma yng Nghymru? Diolch yn fawr iawn.
I was really, really pleased to see the moves in the budget that related specifically to supporting households with energy bills. I think that £150 reduction is certainly going to have an impact for a number of families. It was really good, alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and the Secretary of State for Wales, to welcome Ed Miliband to Barry, where we went to Citizens Advice and were able to talk directly to people who were experiencing fuel poverty, and also the people who advised them, to explore what additional help this might provide them as they go into the winter.
We recognise, of course, that there is a lot more to do as well. We are investing quite significantly in our Warm Homes Nest scheme, so over £30 million to improve the long-term energy efficiency of the least thermally efficient low-income households in Wales. That will lead to lower bills. Also, since 2011, our Nest programme has actually delivered £251 million in funding to support vulnerable households across Wales, and that's helped 66,000 families reduce their energy bills. So, I do think that we have come a long way, but there's certainly more that we need to do as well.
Roeddwn yn falch iawn o weld y camau yn y gyllideb a oedd yn ymwneud yn benodol â chefnogi aelwydydd gyda'u biliau ynni. Credaf y bydd y gostyngiad o £150 yn sicr o gael effaith ar nifer o deuluoedd. Gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyfiawnder Cymdeithasol ac Ysgrifennydd Gwladol Cymru, roedd yn dda croesawu Ed Miliband i'r Barri, lle aethom i Cyngor ar Bopeth a chael cyfle i siarad yn uniongyrchol â phobl a oedd yn profi tlodi tanwydd, a hefyd y bobl a oedd yn rhoi cyngor iddynt, i archwilio pa gymorth ychwanegol y gallai hyn ei ddarparu iddynt ar drothwy'r gaeaf.
Rydym yn cydnabod, wrth gwrs, fod llawer mwy i'w wneud hefyd. Rydym yn buddsoddi'n eithaf sylweddol yn ein cynllun Nyth Cartrefi Clyd, felly dros £30 miliwn i wella effeithlonrwydd ynni hirdymor y cartrefi incwm isel sydd â'r effeithlonrwydd thermol lleiaf yng Nghymru. Bydd hynny'n arwain at filiau is. Hefyd, ers 2011, mae ein rhaglen Nyth wedi darparu £251 miliwn mewn cyllid i gefnogi cartrefi agored i niwed ledled Cymru, ac mae hynny wedi helpu 66,000 o deuluoedd i leihau eu biliau ynni. Felly, rwy'n credu ein bod wedi dod yn bell, ond yn sicr, mae angen inni wneud mwy.
4. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi'r sector twristiaeth yng Ngorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro? OQ63528
4. How is the Welsh Government supporting the tourism sector in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ63528
The Welsh Government has invested over £7.5 million in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2022 through Visit Wales and Transforming Towns funding. Projects supported including the south quay redevelopment and Tenby golf club, and they aim to support jobs, boost tourism and enhance visitor experiences in the area.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi buddsoddi dros £7.5 miliwn yng Ngorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro ers 2022 drwy gyllid Croeso Cymru a Trawsnewid Trefi. Mae prosiectau a gefnogwyd yn cynnwys ailddatblygu cei'r de a chlwb golff Dinbych-y-pysgod, gyda'r nod o gefnogi swyddi, hybu twristiaeth a gwella profiadau ymwelwyr yn yr ardal.
Cabinet Secretary, you'll be well aware that tourism is a vital part of the rural economy across Wales, but also in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire. But the sector has faced a myriad of regulatory changes in the last couple of years: the 182-day threshold, second home council tax premiums, the tourism tax, and, of course, the visitor accommodation licensing Bill, which is going through at the moment. Indeed, Mark Drakeford, the Cabinet Secretary for finance, in committee, said that it
'has been a relatively busy period'
for the tourism sector. Andrew R.T. Davies would go on to call it 'legislative fatigue' that the sector is facing. But what shocked me is that there's been no economic impact assessment as to the impact of all these regulatory changes to the tourism sector being undertaken by this Welsh Government. So, would you commit, as the economy Cabinet Secretary, to undertake an economic impact assessment to see how the tourism sector is stressed under all these regulatory changes?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fe fyddwch chi'n ymwybodol fod twristiaeth yn rhan hanfodol o'r economi wledig ledled Cymru, ond hefyd yng Ngorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro. Ond mae'r sector wedi wynebu myrdd o newidiadau rheoleiddiol yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf: y trothwy 182 diwrnod, premiymau treth gyngor ar ail gartrefi, y dreth dwristiaeth, ac wrth gwrs, y Bil trwyddedu llety ymwelwyr, sy'n mynd drwodd ar hyn o bryd. Yn wir, dywedodd Mark Drakeford, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid, mewn pwyllgor, ei fod
'wedi bod yn gyfnod cymharol brysur'
i'r sector twristiaeth. Dywedodd Andrew R.T. Davies fod y sector wedi gweld gormod o ddeddfwriaeth. Ond yr hyn sy'n fy syfrdanu i yw nad oes asesiad effaith economaidd wedi bod ar effaith yr holl newidiadau rheoleiddiol y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu hachosi i'r sector twristiaeth. Felly, a wnewch chi ymrwymo, fel Ysgrifennydd Cabinet yr economi, i gynnal asesiad effaith economaidd o'r pwysau ar y sector twristiaeth o dan yr holl newidiadau rheoleiddiol hyn?
I know there's an interest in the cumulative impact of the range of measures. Some have been introduced—the 182 days, for example. That's subject to a consultation period at the moment in terms of changes that might come forward in future. Then there are also things that we've consulted on. So, it has been a busy period in terms of engagement, but actually, these measures aren't in place yet. The tourism levy and the licensing scheme are subject to consultation, but not actually having an impact on the sector beyond becoming engaged in those consultation events.
It's always interesting, when you have these conversations, that no-one wants to look at the other side of the coin either—the ways in which we invest in the sector and the work that we do to promote the sector overseas. We have a travel trade programme where we bring people from across the world to see the best of our tourism sector here in Wales. Recently, we brought the World Travel Market to Pembrokeshire, and also we helped support businesses to exhibit abroad. We also bring international media visits here to show the best of Wales, and those things do lead to an increase in tourism. That's just an example.
We've got our Hwyl campaign, which again has been really successful. We spend an awful lot of money promoting our tourism sector overseas, particularly to markets such as Germany and the USA, which are target markets. So, I think that when we do talk about the cumulative impacts, we also have to look at the other side of the coin, which is our investment that is going into the sector.
Rwy'n gwybod bod diddordeb yn effaith gronnol yr ystod o fesurau. Mae rhai wedi'u cyflwyno—y 182 diwrnod, er enghraifft. Mae hwnnw'n destun cyfnod ymgynghori ar hyn o bryd o ran newidiadau a allai ddigwydd yn y dyfodol. Mae yna bethau yr ydym wedi ymgynghori arnynt hefyd. Felly, mae wedi bod yn gyfnod prysur o ran ymgysylltiad, ond mewn gwirionedd, nid yw'r mesurau hyn ar waith eto. Mae'r ardoll dwristiaeth a'r cynllun trwyddedu yn destun ymgynghoriad, ond nid ydynt yn cael effaith ar y sector y tu hwnt i fod yn rhan o'r ymgynghoriadau hynny.
Mae bob amser yn ddiddorol, pan fyddwch chi'n cael y sgyrsiau hyn, nad oes neb eisiau edrych ar yr ochr arall i'r geiniog—y ffyrdd yr ydym yn buddsoddi yn y sector a'r gwaith a wnawn ar hyrwyddo'r sector dramor. Mae gennym raglen y fasnach deithio lle down â phobl o bob cwr o'r byd i weld y gorau o'n sector twristiaeth yma yng Nghymru. Yn ddiweddar, fe wnaethom ddod â Marchnad Deithio'r Byd i sir Benfro, a hefyd fe wnaethom helpu i gefnogi busnesau i arddangos dramor. Rydym hefyd yn dod ag ymweliadau gan y cyfryngau rhyngwladol yma i ddangos Cymru ar ei gorau, ac mae'r pethau hynny'n arwain at gynnydd mewn twristiaeth, i roi un enghraifft.
Mae gennym ein hymgyrch Hwyl, sydd unwaith eto wedi bod yn llwyddiannus iawn. Rydym yn gwario llawer iawn o arian yn hyrwyddo ein sector twristiaeth dramor, yn enwedig i farchnadoedd fel yr Almaen a'r UDA, sy'n farchnadoedd targed. Felly, pan fyddwn yn siarad am yr effeithiau cronnol, mae'n rhaid inni edrych hefyd ar yr ochr arall i'r geiniog, sef ein buddsoddiad sy'n mynd i'r sector.
Mae cwestiwn 5 [OQ63521] wedi'i dynnu'n ôl.
Question 5 [OQ63521] is withdrawn.
6. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad ar barth twf AI gogledd Cymru? OQ63538
6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the north Wales AI growth zone? OQ63538
The designation of the AI growth zones in north Wales positions Wales to capitalise on technological advances, attract investment, and deliver inclusive growth nationwide. Along with the south-east Wales AI growth zone, it exemplifies effective collaboration with the UK Government and it aligns with our commitment to green growth and digital transformation.
Mae dynodi'r ardaloedd twf deallusrwydd artiffisial yng ngogledd Cymru yn gosod Cymru mewn sefyllfa i fanteisio ar ddatblygiadau technolegol, denu buddsoddiad, a chyflawni twf cynhwysol ledled y wlad. Ynghyd ag ardal twf deallusrwydd artiffisial de-ddwyrain Cymru, mae'n enghraifft o gydweithrediad effeithiol â Llywodraeth y DU ac mae'n cyd-fynd â'n hymrwymiad i dwf gwyrdd a thrawsnewid digidol.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet am yr ymateb yna. Mae'n rhaid dweud, dydw i ddim callach am beth mae o'n ei olygu go iawn. Ond mae yna ansicrwydd yn y gogledd ynghylch beth mae'r parth AI yma yn ei olygu i bobl ac i'n cymunedau ni. Y tu hwnt i'r penawdau, does yna ddim cynllun, hyd y gwelaf i, wedi cael ei gyflwyno er mwyn dangos sut mae'r ddwy Lywodraeth am sicrhau y buddion y maen nhw'n gobeithio amdanyn nhw o'r cynllun.
Mae Llywodraeth y Deyrnas Gyfunol wedi gosod amodau er mwyn galluogi buddsoddiad yn y parth, ac yn Nhrawsfynydd yn benodol. Ymhlith yr amodau yma, maen nhw'n dweud y bydd Llywodraeth San Steffan yn gweithio efo'r Llywodraeth yma yng Nghymru er mwyn cytuno sut mae'r buddiannau a ddaw o borthladd rhydd Ynys Môn am fuddio y parth AI newydd, sy'n cynnwys Trawsfynydd. Felly, pa fudd y bydd Trawsfynydd a Gwynedd ehangach yn ei gael o borthladd rhydd sir Fôn, ac a ydy buddiannau'r porthladd rhydd yma am berthyn i ddatblygiadau Trawsfynydd yn benodol?
I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response. I have to say, I'm none the wiser as to what it actually means. There is uncertainty in north Wales as to what this AI zone actually means for people and communities. Beyond the headlines, there is no plan, as far as I can see, that's been brought forward in order to demonstrate how both Governments will secure the benefits that they hope to deliver through the plan.
The UK Government has set conditions to enable investment in the zone, and in Trawsfynydd specifically. Among those conditions, they say that the Westminster Government will work with the Government here in Wales in order to agree how the benefits accrued from the free port on Anglesey will benefit the new AI zone, which includes Trawsfynydd. So, what benefit will Trawsfynydd and broader Gwynedd get from the Anglesey free port, and are the benefits of this free port going to relate specifically to developments at Trawsfynydd?
Thank you for the question. The north Wales growth zone for AI was actually born out of a long-standing and deep relationship between Stena Line, owner-operator of Holyhead port, and the Isle of Anglesey County Council as a co-sponsor of the free port, so these things are absolutely aligned. Unlike the south Wales bid, the north Wales one was a private sector-led partnership, and it also included Bangor and Aberystwyth universities, M-SParc and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. As I said, it builds on existing plans, including the free port, for the training and development of local people in new technologies to support both AI development and low-carbon energy generation.
The £2 billion AI technology park located on Prosperity Parc will have up to 10 data centre modules. They will be constructed over the next decade and it is an opportunity for us to accelerate home-grown AI with sovereign capability. I'm really pleased also that it does have that potential to create a significant number of jobs and to widen AI investment across the region. The UK Government has said that it will be investing £5 million in each of the zones in north and south Wales to develop the skills and the innovation to support the AI growth zones.
Clearly, skills is a devolved matter, so those discussions are going to be had with the UK Government in terms of the exact deployment. There's certainly more work that we need to do at this stage in terms of refining the offer, but what the growth zone does more than anything else is act as a magnet for investment. Investors recognise that these are areas that will have the capability in terms of the AI data centres, but also capabilities in terms of highly skilled staff and a network to universities, colleges, businesses and centres of innovation.
That's the high-level prospectus for the growth zone. They will clearly become sites for highly skilled jobs. The aim also is to ensure that we boost the local supply chains and create opportunities in tech for small and medium-sized enterprises, for example, in the future.
Diolch am y cwestiwn. Deilliodd ardal twf deallusrwydd artiffisial gogledd Cymru o berthynas hirsefydlog a dwfn rhwng Stena Line, perchennog-weithredwr porthladd Caergybi, a Chyngor Sir Ynys Môn fel cyd-noddwr y porthladd rhydd, felly mae'r pethau hyn yn cyd-fynd yn llwyr. Yn wahanol i gais de Cymru, roedd un gogledd Cymru yn bartneriaeth dan arweiniad y sector preifat, ac roedd hefyd yn cynnwys prifysgolion Bangor ac Aberystwyth, M-SParc a Grŵp Llandrillo Menai. Fel y dywedais, mae'n adeiladu ar gynlluniau presennol, gan gynnwys y porthladd rhydd, ar gyfer hyfforddi a datblygu pobl leol mewn technolegau newydd i gefnogi datblygiad deallusrwydd artiffisial a chynhyrchiant ynni carbon isel.
Bydd gan y parc technoleg deallusrwydd artiffisial gwerth £2 biliwn sydd wedi'i leoli ym Mharc Ffyniant hyd at 10 modiwl canolfan ddata. Byddant yn cael eu hadeiladu dros y degawd nesaf ac mae'n gyfle inni gyflymu deallusrwydd artiffisial wedi'i feithrin yng Nghymru â galluogrwydd sofran. Rwy'n falch iawn hefyd fod ganddo botensial i greu nifer sylweddol o swyddi ac i ehangu buddsoddiad deallusrwydd artiffisial ar draws y rhanbarth. Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi dweud y bydd yn buddsoddi £5 miliwn yn yr ardaloedd yng ngogledd a de Cymru i ddatblygu'r sgiliau a'r arloesedd i gefnogi'r ardaloedd twf deallusrwydd deallus.
Yn amlwg, mae sgiliau'n fater datganoledig, felly bydd y trafodaethau hynny'n digwydd gyda Llywodraeth y DU ar y manylion. Yn sicr, mae angen gwneud mwy o waith ar y cam hwn i fireinio'r cynnig, ond yr hyn y mae'r ardal dwf yn ei wneud yn fwy nag unrhyw beth arall yw gweithredu fel magnet i fuddsoddiad. Mae buddsoddwyr yn cydnabod bod y rhain yn feysydd a fydd â galluogrwydd o ran y canolfannau data deallusrwydd artiffisial, ond hefyd galluogrwydd o ran staff medrus iawn a rhwydwaith i brifysgolion, colegau, busnesau a chanolfannau arloesi.
Dyna'r prosbectws lefel uchel ar gyfer yr ardal dwf. Yn amlwg, byddant yn dod yn safleoedd ar gyfer swyddi medrus iawn. Y nod hefyd yw sicrhau ein bod yn rhoi hwb i'r cadwyni cyflenwi lleol ac yn creu cyfleoedd mewn technoleg ar gyfer mentrau bach a chanolig, er enghraifft, yn y dyfodol.
7. Pa fesurau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i sicrhau bod gan Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru ddigon o adnoddau i ymdrin â cheisiadau datblygiadau o arwyddocâd cenedlaethol? OQ63527
7. What measures is the Welsh Government taking to ensure that Planning and Environment Decisions Wales is sufficiently resourced to deal with developments of national significance applications? OQ63527
Planning and Environment Decisions Wales received a £2 million funding boost in 2025-26 to increase capacity for developments of national significance and other casework. Funding has supported recruitment of additional staff and improvements to the casework portal. PEDW will continue to monitor staff levels to ensure they match application numbers.
Derbyniodd Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru hwb ariannol o £2 filiwn yn 2025-26 i gynyddu capasiti ar gyfer datblygiadau o arwyddocâd cenedlaethol a gwaith achos arall. Mae cyllid wedi cefnogi recriwtio staff ychwanegol a gwelliannau i'r porth gwaith achos. Bydd Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru yn parhau i fonitro lefelau staff i sicrhau eu bod yn cyfateb i niferoedd y ceisiadau.
Thank you very much for your answer, Cabinet Secretary. As you are well aware, Bute Energy have now submitted planning applications to PEDW for wind turbines in my constituency. However, there is contradicting evidence out there in terms of sound, in terms of biodiversity loss and a number of other issues. It is going to take significant resource from PEDW to look at that up-to-date evidence to make sure that the decision that you will take, as the Cabinet Secretary, is based on the most readily-available, up-to-date information available to you.
Can you just reassure me that you believe that it is sufficiently resourced to make sure that they can look at all the relevant information—up-to-date information, not outdated information—so that we can make the best planning application possible? I don't want to see it proceed, and I'm sure you won't possibly comment on that, but I'd like to hear that we are going to have some additional resource into PEDW and the local authority to make sure that we can deal with these applications.
Diolch yn fawr am eich ateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Fel y gwyddoch yn iawn, mae Bute Energy bellach wedi cyflwyno ceisiadau cynllunio i Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru ar gyfer tyrbinau gwynt yn fy etholaeth i. Fodd bynnag, mae tystiolaeth groes i hynny allan yno ynghylch sŵn, colli bioamrywiaeth a nifer o bethau eraill. Mae'n mynd i gymryd adnoddau sylweddol gan Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru i edrych ar y dystiolaeth ddiweddaraf i wneud yn siŵr fod y penderfyniad y byddwch chi'n ei wneud, fel Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, yn seiliedig ar y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf sydd ar gael i chi.
A allwch chi fy sicrhau eich bod yn credu bod digon o adnoddau ar gael i wneud yn siŵr eu bod yn gallu edrych ar yr holl wybodaeth berthnasol—yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf, nid gwybodaeth sydd wedi dyddio—fel y gallwn wneud y cais cynllunio gorau posib? Nid wyf eisiau ei weld yn mynd rhagddo, ac rwy'n siŵr na fyddwch chi'n gwneud sylwadau ar hynny, ond hoffwn glywed ein bod yn mynd i gael rhywfaint o adnoddau ychwanegol i Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru a'r awdurdod lleol i wneud yn siŵr y gallwn ddelio â'r ceisiadau hyn.
I'm grateful to you for recognising that I can't comment on specific applications, but I absolutely want to respond to the point about capacity within PEDW. The First Minister, when she put this portfolio together, was really clear that speeding up planning applications was a top priority for her. That's part of the reason behind the additional £2 million for PEDW.
The question also recognised the importance of the assessments and monitoring and evaluation and so on that needs to go on to support those applications, which is why we've also invested £5 million into Natural Resources Wales to ensure that they're able to have the capacity that they need to handle consenting. I'm confident that we have made significant additional resource available.
I do meet very regularly with the head of PEDW. At every one of those meetings, we do talk about capacity and needs in that space. I'm confident that the additional funding that has allowed PEDW to employ 15 full-time equivalent further staff is really positive, especially given the fact that it is really hard to get planners. I'm really pleased that they've seen PEDW as a place that they want to make their careers in.
I also referred to the upgrades that have been made to the casework portal. That improves functionality and stakeholder engagement, helping stakeholders and applicants to provide the correct information the first time around. Because that's something that does slow down planning applications—when the applications themselves are missing information or are not of a sufficient quality to proceed to the next step.
Diolch i chi am gydnabod na allaf wneud sylwadau ar geisiadau penodol, ond rwyf am ymateb i'r pwynt am gapasiti o fewn Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru. Pan roddodd y portffolio hwn at ei gilydd, roedd y Prif Weinidog yn glir iawn fod cyflymu ceisiadau cynllunio yn brif flaenoriaeth iddi. Dyna ran o'r rheswm y tu ôl i'r £2 filiwn ychwanegol i Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru.
Roedd y cwestiwn hefyd yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd yr asesiadau a'r monitro a'r gwerthuso ac yn y blaen sydd eu hangen i gefnogi'r ceisiadau hynny, a dyna pam ein bod hefyd wedi buddsoddi £5 miliwn yn Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru i sicrhau eu bod yn gallu cael y capasiti sydd ei angen arnynt i ymdrin â chydsynio. Rwy'n hyderus ein bod wedi sicrhau bod adnoddau ychwanegol sylweddol ar gael.
Rwy'n cyfarfod yn rheolaidd iawn â phennaeth Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru. Ym mhob un o'r cyfarfodydd hynny, rydym yn siarad am gapasiti ac anghenion yn hynny o beth. Rwy'n hyderus fod y cyllid ychwanegol sydd wedi caniatáu i Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd Cymru gyflogi 15 aelod arall o staff cyfwerth ag amser llawn yn gadarnhaol iawn, yn enwedig o ystyried ei bod yn anodd iawn cael cynllunwyr. Rwy'n falch iawn eu bod wedi gweld Penderfyniadau Cynllunio ac Amgylchedd fel lle i wneud gyrfa.
Cyfeiriais hefyd at yr uwchraddiadau a wnaed i'r porth gwaith achos. Mae hynny'n gwella gweithrediad ac ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid, gan helpu rhanddeiliaid ac ymgeiswyr i ddarparu'r wybodaeth gywir y tro cyntaf. Oherwydd mae hynny'n rhywbeth sy'n arafu ceisiadau cynllunio—pan fydd gwybodaeth ar goll o'r ceisiadau eu hunain neu pan nad ydynt o ansawdd digon da i symud ymlaen i'r cam nesaf.
8. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn wella mynediad i amgueddfeydd yng Nghaerdydd? OQ63515
8. How is the Welsh Government improving access to museums in Cardiff? OQ63515
Diolch. We continue to improve access to museums across Wales, including in Cardiff, through various funding initiatives and programmes. This includes £165,000 to GEM Cymru to provide grants to state-maintained schools to visit local museums. During my recent visit to the Museum of Cardiff, I saw the benefit of this funding.
Diolch. Rydym yn parhau i wella mynediad i amgueddfeydd ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys yng Nghaerdydd, drwy amrywiol fentrau a rhaglenni ariannu. Mae hyn yn cynnwys £165,000 i GEM Cymru i ddarparu grantiau i ysgolion a gynhelir gan y wladwriaeth i ymweld ag amgueddfeydd lleol. Yn ystod fy ymweliad diweddar ag Amgueddfa Caerdydd, gwelais fudd y cyllid hwn.
Diolch am yr ateb.
Thank you for that response.
Minister, world-class museums like St Fagans and the national museum of Wales in Cathays Park are very close to my constituency, and as the Minister will know, people from more deprived backgrounds are less likely to access our fantastic museums in Cardiff and across Wales. What can the Welsh Government do to make sure that children in particular from disadvantaged backgrounds and young people from Cardiff North and from across Wales are able to visit these wonderful museums that we've got?
Weinidog, mae amgueddfeydd o'r radd flaenaf fel Sain Ffagan ac Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru ym Mharc Cathays yn agos iawn at fy etholaeth i, ac fel y gŵyr y Gweinidog, mae pobl o gefndiroedd mwy difreintiedig yn llai tebygol o gael mynediad i'n hamgueddfeydd gwych yng Nghaerdydd a ledled Cymru. Beth y gall Llywodraeth Cymru ei wneud i sicrhau bod plant, yn enwedig o gefndiroedd difreintiedig a phobl ifanc o Ogledd Caerdydd ac o bob cwr o Gymru, yn gallu ymweld â'r amgueddfeydd gwych sydd gennym?
Can I thank Julie Morgan for highlighting the importance of local museums and those of national significance like National Museum Cardiff and St Fagans, and for all her work in promoting young people's access to culture, particularly for those in her own constituency and those from deprived backgrounds as well? I share that passion, and that's why we've invested in the GEM Cymru initiative to make sure children from across Wales will be able to learn about their local history and enjoy Cymru's cultural offer.
The best way of improving access to museums, both local and national, is by investing in them. That's why Members will be pleased to know—all Members in this Chamber—that of the £15 million package from the 'Priorities for Culture', which celebrated its six-month anniversary at St Fagans just two weeks ago, £13.5 million has gone directly to the sector. This is in addition to the amgueddfa's capital allocation in the budget, which they themselves described to this very Senedd as 'fabulous'.
A gaf i ddiolch i Julie Morgan am dynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd amgueddfeydd lleol a'r rhai o arwyddocâd cenedlaethol fel Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd a Sain Ffagan, ac am ei holl waith yn hyrwyddo mynediad pobl ifanc at ddiwylliant, yn enwedig i'r rhai yn ei hetholaeth ei hun a'r rhai o gefndiroedd difreintiedig hefyd? Rwy'n rhannu'r angerdd hwnnw, a dyna pam ein bod wedi buddsoddi ym menter GEM Cymru i sicrhau y bydd plant o bob cwr o Gymru yn gallu dysgu am eu hanes lleol a mwynhau'r hyn sydd gan Gymru i'w gynnig yn ddiwylliannol.
Y ffordd orau o wella mynediad i amgueddfeydd, yn lleol ac yn genedlaethol, yw trwy fuddsoddi ynddynt. Dyna pam y bydd yr Aelodau'n falch o wybod—pob Aelod yn y Siambr hon—fod £13.5 miliwn o becyn gwerth £15 miliwn y 'Blaenoriaethau ar gyfer Diwylliant', a ddathlodd chwe mis ers ei lansio yn Sain Ffagan gwta bythefnos yn ôl, wedi mynd yn uniongyrchol i'r sector. Mae hyn yn ychwanegol at ddyraniad cyfalaf yr amgueddfa yn y gyllideb, y gwnaethant hwy eu hunain ei ddisgrifio i'r Senedd hon fel un 'gwych'.
Rydyn ni'n gwybod mai un o'r rhwystrau o ran mynediad i amgueddfeydd ydy trafnidiaeth yn aml. Os ydyn ni'n edrych ar Sain Ffagan, yn aml mae'n heriol dros ben os nad oes gan deulu gar. Felly, dwi'n deall yr hyn rydych chi'n ei wneud i gefnogi ysgolion, ond sut ydyn ni'n sicrhau bod teuluoedd a'r rheini o bob oed yn cael y cyfle i ymweld â'n hamgueddfeydd ni, a hefyd, pan maen nhw yn ymweld, bod llefydd fel Sain Ffagan yn gallu cynnig ystod eang o brofiadau? Oherwydd yn rhy aml rŵan, mae nifer o'r adeiladau'n gorfod cau a ddim bod ar agor drwy'r adeg oherwydd heriau staffio, ac yn amlwg y toriadau mae'r sector wedi'u gweld dros y degawd a mwy diwethaf.
We know that one of the barriers in terms of access to museums is transport, very often. If we look at St Fagans, clearly it's very challenging if a family doesn't have access to a car. So, I understand what you're doing to support schools, but how are we ensuring that families and those of all ages have the opportunity to visit our museums, and, when they do visit, that places such as St Fagans can provide that wide range of experiences? All too often now, a number of the buildings have to close and aren't open all of the time because of staffing challenges and the cuts that the sector has faced over the past decade and more.
I thank the Member for that question. I had some problems with my earpiece, but I heard most of what the Member had to say.
Transportation is, of course, an important issue for many people across Wales, not just for local schools. I think the local school initiative is a great example of where we've already supported the industry. More broadly how we can support people accessing museums is through initiatives like investment in our transport systems, in trains through Transport for Wales, and the bus Bill, which went through Stage 3 yesterday. I had a great opportunity to discuss this directly with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales recently in a bilateral about how he can support the priorities for culture, and that's exactly what he wants to do with the bus Bill.
When it comes to the point on workforce, the priorities for culture set out our vision around workforce, and we're supporting that through the £15 million that we've ring-fenced in this year, and indeed the allocations made in the draft budget this year, the increase last year, and I hope the Member takes the opportunity to support the investment on this occasion.
Diolch i'r Aelod am y cwestiwn. Roedd gennyf broblem gyda fy nghlustffonau, ond clywais y rhan fwyaf o'r hyn a oedd gan yr Aelod i'w ddweud.
Mae trafnidiaeth, wrth gwrs, yn fater pwysig i lawer o bobl ledled Cymru, nid yn unig i ysgolion lleol. Rwy'n credu bod menter yr ysgol leol yn enghraifft wych o ble rydym eisoes wedi cefnogi'r diwydiant. Yn fwy cyffredinol, gallwn gefnogi pobl i gael mynediad i amgueddfeydd trwy fentrau fel buddsoddi yn ein systemau trafnidiaeth, mewn trenau trwy Trafnidiaeth Cymru, a'r Bil Bysiau, a aeth trwy Gyfnod 3 ddoe. Cefais gyfle gwych i drafod hyn yn uniongyrchol gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Drafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru yn ddiweddar mewn cyfarfod dwyochrog ynglŷn â sut y gall gefnogi'r blaenoriaethau ar gyfer diwylliant, a dyna'n union beth y mae am ei wneud gyda'r Bil Bws.
Ar y pwynt am y gweithlu, mae'r blaenoriaethau ar gyfer diwylliant yn nodi ein gweledigaeth ar gyfer y gweithlu, ac rydym yn cefnogi hynny drwy'r £15 miliwn a glustnodwyd gennym eleni, ac yn wir y dyraniadau a wnaed yn y gyllideb ddrafft eleni, y cynnydd y llynedd, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr Aelod yn manteisio ar y cyfle i gefnogi'r buddsoddiad y tro hwn.
9. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn cefnogi busnesau bach ac annibynnol yn y cyfnod hyd at y Nadolig? OQ63518
9. How is the Welsh Government supporting small and independent businesses in the run-up to Christmas? OQ63518
We are promoting Small Business Saturday to shop local and we will continue in the run-up to Christmas. With our micro and small businesses making up 98.4 per cent of all Welsh businesses, they are the backbone of the Welsh economy and it is important that we promote them during the festive period. We remain committed to supporting small and independent businesses through Business Wales and through the Development Bank of Wales.
Rydym yn hyrwyddo Dydd Sadwrn y Busnesau Bach i siopa'n lleol a byddwn yn parhau yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig. Gan mai microfusnesau a busnesau bach yw 98.4 y cant o holl fusnesau Cymru, nhw yw asgwrn cefn economi Cymru ac mae'n bwysig ein bod yn eu hyrwyddo dros gyfnod yr ŵyl. Rydym yn parhau i fod yn ymrwymedig i gefnogi busnesau bach ac annibynnol trwy Busnes Cymru a thrwy Fanc Datblygu Cymru.
Cabinet Secretary, I'm pleased that you recognise Small Business Saturday. It's a campaign that encourages people to shop in small and independent shops in the run-up to Christmas—shops such as No. 1 High Street in Newtown, Gifts of Wales in Welshpool, Little Gems in Llanidloes, or Ian Snow in Machynlleth, all of which have excellent gifts available as Christmas presents for families and friends. Would you agree with—[Interruption.] And there are many more such shops across my constituency. Would you agree with me, Cabinet Secretary, that one of the best ways to support our high streets this Christmas is to shop local?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, rwy'n falch eich bod yn cydnabod Dydd Sadwrn Busnesau Bach. Mae'n ymgyrch sy'n annog pobl i siopa mewn siopau bach ac annibynnol yn y cyfnod cyn y Nadolig—siopau fel No. 1 High Street yn y Drenewydd, Gifts of Wales yn y Trallwng, Little Gems yn Llanidloes, neu Ian Snow ym Machynlleth, ac mae gan bob un ohonynt anrhegion Nadolig ardderchog i deulu a ffrindiau. A ydych chi'n cytuno â—[Torri ar draws.] Ac mae llawer mwy o siopau o'r fath ar draws fy etholaeth. A ydych chi'n cytuno â mi, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mai un o'r ffyrdd gorau o gefnogi ein strydoedd mawr y Nadolig hwn yw drwy siopa'n lleol?
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
I would absolutely agree that shopping local is so essential for ensuring that we maintain vibrant and viable high streets, and I think shopping locally and visiting independent traders does give you an entirely different experience of shopping as well, and I absolutely would recommend it to anyone as they start to think about their Christmas shopping.
I also want to mention another campaign, which is really important this year, and that's the ShopKind Christmas campaign. So, that's led by industry leaders and stakeholders, such as the Association of Convenience Stores, the Welsh Retail Association, and it also has the involvement of sector trade unions, such the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers. That highlights the importance of ensuring that people can shop safely, and that we remember that Christmas is a really busy and stressful time for everyone, including the staff, so we should always just take that moment to take a breath and be kind to the people serving us as well.
Rwy'n cytuno'n llwyr fod siopa'n lleol mor hanfodol i sicrhau ein bod yn cynnal strydoedd mawr bywiog a hyfyw, ac rwy'n credu bod siopa'n lleol ac ymweld â masnachwyr annibynnol yn rhoi profiad hollol wahanol o siopa i chi hefyd, a buaswn yn ei argymell i unrhyw un wrth iddynt ddechrau meddwl am eu siopa Nadolig.
Rwyf hefyd eisiau sôn am ymgyrch arall, sy'n bwysig iawn eleni, sef ymgyrch ShopKind Christmas. Caiff ei harwain gan arweinwyr diwydiant a rhanddeiliaid, fel y Gymdeithas Siopau Cyfleustra, Cymdeithas Manwerthu Cymru, ac mae'n cynnwys cyfranogiad undebau llafur y sector, fel yr Undeb Gweithwyr Siopau, Dosbarthu a Gwaith Perthynol. Mae'n tynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd sicrhau bod pobl yn gallu siopa'n ddiogel, a'n bod yn cofio bod y Nadolig yn gyfnod prysur a llawn straen i bawb, gan gynnwys y staff, felly dylem bob amser roi eiliad i feddwl a bod yn garedig i'r bobl sy'n ein gwasanaethu hefyd.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary.
Y cwestiynau nesaf fydd i Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol. Mae'r cwestiwn cyntaf i'w ateb gan y Gweinidog Plant a Gofal Cymdeithasol, ac mae'r cwestiwn gan Peredur Owen Griffiths.
The next item will be questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. The first question is to be answered by the Minister for Children and Social Care, and is to be asked by Peredur Owen Griffiths.
1. Sut y mae'r Llywodraeth yn cefnogi gofalwyr yn Nwyrain De Cymru? OQ63529
1. How is the Government supporting carers in South Wales East? OQ63529
Support for unpaid carers is a key priority for this Government. This year we've provided £13 million in funding to support unpaid carers. In November we announced a further £15.75 million to extend the short breaks scheme and carers support fund for three more years, until March 2029.
Mae cymorth i ofalwyr di-dâl yn flaenoriaeth allweddol i'r Llywodraeth hon. Eleni rydym wedi darparu £13 miliwn o gyllid i gefnogi gofalwyr di-dâl. Ym mis Tachwedd fe wnaethom gyhoeddi £15.75 miliwn arall i ymestyn y cynllun seibiant byr a'r gronfa gymorth i ofalwyr am dair blynedd arall, tan fis Mawrth 2029.
Thank you very much for that answer. I've been in touch with carers and those representing them across my region, and the picture is a bleak one. They are exhausted, they feel isolated and they are burdened financially. There are more than 310,000 carers in Wales according to the last census. It is estimated that the real number is much, much higher. The care they collectively provide could cost over £10 billion, a staggering amount that is equal to our entire NHS budget. If we are to do the right thing by carers, more carers need to be identified, have their needs assessed and go on to receive the support that they're entitled to. To not address this risks condemning another generation of carers to ill health, poverty and desperation. How are you planning to address the status quo that fails so many carers? Have you considered better support for grass-roots carers forums that do well at providing support and advice, but often fold or struggle through the lack of backing? Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr am eich ateb. Rwyf wedi bod mewn cysylltiad â gofalwyr a'r rhai sy'n eu cynrychioli ar draws fy rhanbarth, ac mae'r darlun yn un llwm. Maent wedi ymlâdd, yn teimlo'n ynysig ac wedi'u llethu'n ariannol. Mae mwy na 310,000 o ofalwyr yng Nghymru yn ôl y cyfrif diwethaf. Amcangyfrifir bod y nifer go iawn yn llawer iawn uwch. Gallai'r gofal y maent yn ei ddarparu i gyd gyda'i gilydd gostio dros £10 biliwn, swm syfrdanol sy'n hafal i holl gyllideb ein GIG. Os ydym am wneud y peth iawn i ofalwyr, mae angen nodi mwy o ofalwyr, asesu eu hanghenion a sicrhau eu bod yn cael y cymorth y mae ganddynt hawl iddo. Mae peidio â mynd i'r afael â hyn yn creu perygl o gondemnio cenhedlaeth arall o ofalwyr i salwch, tlodi ac anobaith. Sut y bwriadwch fynd i'r afael â'r status quo sy'n gwneud cam â chymaint o ofalwyr? A ydych chi wedi ystyried gwell cefnogaeth i fforymau gofalwyr ar lawr gwlad sy'n dda am ddarparu cymorth a chyngor, ond sy'n aml yn dod i ben neu'n ei chael hi'n anodd oherwydd diffyg cefnogaeth? Diolch.
Diolch. Thank you for those supplementary questions, Peredur. The first thing I want to say is to absolutely acknowledge the value of unpaid carers in Wales. And I'm not just talking about the financial value to Wales, I'm talking about the value to the people that they care for. To those people, that is invaluable, and money is not really an issue. But we have an absolute obligation to support those people to be able to deliver the care that they need to deliver to their loved ones, to their friends, to their family and, at the same time, make sure that they're not struggling financially, and that they're also getting the care and the respite that they need.
You'll know that we've had many conversations in this Chamber before about the need for unpaid carers to receive their statutory entitlement to a carers assessment, and I'm very clear that that is a significant priority. We commissioned the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru to undertake a review of the number of carers that were getting their carers needs assessments. We did that just over a year ago, and we've allowed the ADSS to lead on the work that we're doing, through my ministerial advisory group on unpaid carers, to ensure that that becomes a more regular feature. So, there are lots of things involved in that. It is about raising awareness of who unpaid carers are, how they identify themselves, and then how they can identify themselves to authorities, and particularly to local authorities.
Local authorities have a statutory obligation to provide a carers needs assessment, and once that needs assessment has been undertaken, then the need, in the whole, for that carer can be identified. That could be respite care, that could be financial support, and we can provide that. The local authority can provide statutory respite care; we can provide respite care and short breaks that supplement what the local authority can provide. So, in recognition of my desire to make sure that that happens more quickly than it is, because I'm as frustrated as anybody that it's not happening as consistently and as quickly as it should be, I'm now going to be writing directly to the leader of every local authority in Wales, to say that this has to be given a priority in the way that we deal with unpaid carers.
Diolch. Diolch am y cwestiynau atodol, Peredur. Y peth cyntaf yr hoffwn ei ddweud yw cydnabod yn llwyr cymaint o werth sydd i ofalwyr di-dâl yng Nghymru. Ac nid wyf yn siarad am y gwerth ariannol i Gymru yn unig, rwy'n siarad am y gwerth i'r bobl y maent yn gofalu amdanynt. I'r bobl hynny, mae eu gofal yn amhrisiadwy, ac nid yw arian yn fater sy'n codi mewn gwirionedd. Ond mae arnom ddyletswydd absoliwt i gefnogi'r bobl hyn er mwyn iddynt allu darparu'r gofal y mae angen iddynt ei ddarparu ar gyfer eu hanwyliaid, eu ffrindiau, eu teulu ac ar yr un pryd, sicrhau nad ydynt yn ei chael hi'n anodd yn ariannol, a'u bod hefyd yn cael y gofal a'r seibiant sydd eu hangen arnynt.
Fe fyddwch yn gwybod ein bod wedi cael llawer o sgyrsiau yn y Siambr hon o'r blaen am yr angen i ofalwyr di-dâl gael eu hawl statudol i asesiad gofalwyr, ac rwy'n glir iawn fod honno'n flaenoriaeth fawr. Fe wnaethom gomisiynu Cymdeithas Cyfarwyddwyr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol Cymru i gynnal adolygiad o nifer y gofalwyr a oedd yn cael asesiad o'u hanghenion fel gofalwyr. Gwnaethom hynny ychydig dros flwyddyn yn ôl, ac rydym wedi caniatáu i Gymdeithas y Cyfarwyddwyr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithas arwain y gwaith a wnawn, trwy grŵp cynghori'r Gweinidog ar ofalwyr di-dâl, i sicrhau bod hynny'n dod yn nodwedd fwy rheolaidd. Felly, mae llawer o bethau ynghlwm wrth hynny. Mae'n fater o godi ymwybyddiaeth o bwy sy'n ofalwyr di-dâl, sut y maent yn ystyried eu hunain yn ofalwyr di-dâl, a dangos i awdurdodau mai dyna ydynt, ac yn enwedig awdurdodau lleol.
Mae gan awdurdodau lleol rwymedigaeth statudol i ddarparu asesiad o anghenion gofalwyr, ac wedi i'r asesiad gael ei gynnal, gellir nodi angen y gofalwr dan sylw. Gallai hynny fod yn angen am ofal seibiant, gallai fod yn angen am gymorth ariannol, a gallwn ddarparu hynny. Gall yr awdurdod lleol ddarparu gofal seibiant statudol; gallwn ni ddarparu gofal seibiant a seibiant byr sy'n ategu'r hyn y gall yr awdurdod lleol ei ddarparu. Felly, i gydnabod fy awydd i wneud yn siŵr fod hynny'n digwydd yn gyflymach nag y mae, oherwydd rwy'n teimlo lawn mor rhwystredig ag unrhyw un nad yw'n digwydd mor gyson ac mor gyflym ag y dylai, rwy'n mynd i ysgrifennu'n uniongyrchol at arweinydd pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru, i ddweud bod yn rhaid rhoi blaenoriaeth i hyn yn y ffordd y deliwn â gofalwyr di-dâl.
Hello, Minister. It's a bit of an up-close-and-personal question, but that's fine. As an unpaid carer myself, I know exactly how challenging it can be, and I take my hat off to all of those unpaid carers across Wales for the fantastic and unsung work that they do, day in, day out. Being an unpaid carer can indeed take its toll, with four in 10 saying that their mental health is indeed 'bad' or 'very bad', and 42 per cent saying their physical health has been harmed by their caring responsibilities. Yet, many people who are unpaid carers do not actually recognise themselves as carers, with research showing that nearly half of them take more than a year to identify as an unpaid carer, and a significant amount take more than five years. This lack of recognition can indeed act as a barrier to accessing vital support, which then puts further pressure on our unpaid carers.
An important step in unlocking support is supposed to be receiving a carers needs assessment, which I know you mentioned in your answer just a second ago, and I'm really glad that you mentioned it. However, Carers Wales's 'State of Caring in Wales 2025' survey found that 75 per cent of carers had not had an assessment in the last 12 months, and those that did said that they have not received any support to date. Fifty-five per cent of carers who had a carers assessment said that they were given information or advice rather than actual physical support, and 12 per cent were still waiting to hear the outcome of the assessment. So, Minister, I'd like to know—and I did listen intently to your response to my colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths—how specifically, aside from writing to the leaders of the council, are you and the Welsh Government working to improve the uptake of assessments and ensure that those who are entitled to support actually receive it, rather than simply being offered information. And I appreciate what you mentioned about timelines, but I'd really like to know: what is your timeline going to be for the local councils you'll be writing to, so that they are actually able to push this forward and get some results quicker? Thank you so much.
Helo, Weinidog. Mae'n gwestiwn braidd yn bersonol, ond mae hynny'n iawn. Fel gofalwr di-dâl fy hun, rwy'n gwybod yn union pa mor heriol y gall fod, ac rwy'n codi fy het i'r holl ofalwyr di-dâl ledled Cymru am y gwaith gwych a di-glod y maent yn ei wneud, bob dydd o'r flwyddyn. Mae bod yn ofalwr di-dâl yn gallu bod yn heriol, gyda phedwar o bob 10 yn dweud bod eu hiechyd meddwl naill ai'n 'wael' neu'n 'wael iawn', a 42 y cant yn dweud bod eu hiechyd corfforol wedi cael ei niweidio gan eu cyfrifoldebau gofalu. Ac eto, mae yna lawer o bobl sy'n ofalwyr di-dâl nad ydynt yn ystyried eu hunain yn ofalwyr, gydag ymchwil yn dangos bod bron eu hanner yn cymryd mwy na blwyddyn i ystyried eu hunain yn ofalwyr di-dâl, a bod nifer sylweddol yn cymryd mwy na phum mlynedd i wneud hynny. Gall methiant i gydnabod hyn weithredu fel rhwystr i fynediad at gymorth hanfodol, sydd wedyn yn rhoi pwysau pellach ar ein gofalwyr di-dâl.
Cam pwysig tuag at gael cymorth yw cael asesiad o anghenion gofalwr, y gwn eich bod wedi sôn amdano yn eich ateb ychydig eiliadau yn ôl, ac rwy'n falch iawn eich bod wedi sôn amdano. Fodd bynnag, canfu arolwg 'Cyflwr Gofalu yng Nghymru 2025' Gofalwyr Cymru nad oedd 75 y cant o ofalwyr wedi cael asesiad yn ystod y 12 mis diwethaf, a dywedodd y rhai a oedd wedi cael un nad ydynt wedi cael unrhyw gymorth hyd yma. Dywedodd 55 y cant o ofalwyr a gafodd asesiad gofalwyr eu bod wedi cael gwybodaeth neu gyngor yn hytrach na chymorth ffisegol go iawn, ac roedd 12 y cant yn dal i aros i glywed canlyniad yr asesiad. Felly, Weinidog, hoffwn wybod—a gwrandewais yn astud ar eich ymateb i fy nghyd-Aelod Peredur Owen Griffiths—ar wahân i ysgrifennu at arweinwyr cynghorau, sut yn benodol rydych chi a Llywodraeth Cymru yn gweithio i wella'r nifer o asesiadau a wneir a sicrhau bod y rhai sydd â hawl i gymorth yn ei gael mewn gwirionedd, yn hytrach na chael cynnig gwybodaeth yn unig. Ac rwy'n derbyn yr hyn a nodwyd gennych am amserlenni, ond hoffwn wybod: beth fydd eich amserlen ar gyfer y cynghorau lleol y byddwch chi'n ysgrifennu atynt, er mwyn iddynt allu gwthio hyn yn ei flaen a chael canlyniadau'n gyflymach? Diolch yn fawr.
Well, thank you, Natasha, for that. As I answered in my response to Peredur Owen Griffiths, raising awareness is a critical element of this, and we've been doing an awful lot of work around that, particularly for young carers, and we've been doing some awareness raising through TikTok and social media platforms, because quite often young carers in particular don't identify themselves as carers. They don't realise that, you know, getting mum's meds in the morning and cooking her breakfast and doing this, that and the other is actually a caring responsibility. So, raising awareness so that people actually understand that they are carers is the first thing, and we've been doing quite a lot of work on that.
Very specifically, again to build on what I said to Peredur, we did commission the Association of Directors of Social Services to identify what the barriers were to unpaid carers getting the assessments that they need. And we all understand the pressures that local authorities are under, but they have a statutory obligation, and carers themselves have a statutory right to the carers needs assessment. So, I'm very clear, and the ADSS review identified that as a primary area for improvement. So, I'm not going to stand here today and say that I think this is job done because we've identified this as an area. This is clearly a very significant and priority piece of work that we need to implement for unpaid carers, and that's why my direct approach to leaders of local authorities is to impress upon them the need for local authorities to be ensuring that they deliver their statutory obligation to carers that they identify, and that they give them the support they need.
Now, for some carers, the support they need is actually only advice. It's not anything more physical than that. It can be about advice on benefits. It could be about advice on getting support in other areas, and that can be dealt with fairly quickly. But a carers needs assessment is the first thing that should be delivered, and the second thing that has to be delivered is what that carers needs package actually says they should have. So, I don't think you will find any difference between us on this, Natasha. The challenge is making sure that we get that delivered in a timely fashion.
Wel, diolch am hynny, Natasha. Fel yr atebais yn fy ymateb i Peredur Owen Griffiths, mae codi ymwybyddiaeth yn elfen hanfodol o hyn, ac rydym wedi bod yn gwneud llawer iawn o waith o gwmpas hynny, yn enwedig ar gyfer gofalwyr ifanc, ac rydym wedi bod yn gwneud rhywfaint o waith codi ymwybyddiaeth trwy TikTok a phlatfformau cyfryngau cymdeithasol, oherwydd yn aml nid yw gofalwyr ifanc yn enwedig yn ystyried eu bod yn ofalwyr. Nid ydynt yn sylweddoli bod rhoi ei meddyginiaeth i mam yn y bore a choginio brecwast iddi a gwneud hyn, llall ac arall yn gyfrifoldeb gofalu mewn gwirionedd. Felly, codi ymwybyddiaeth fel bod pobl yn deall eu bod yn ofalwyr yw'r peth cyntaf, ac rydym wedi bod yn gwneud cryn dipyn o waith ar hynny.
Yn benodol iawn, eto i adeiladu ar yr hyn a ddywedais wrth Peredur, fe wnaethom gomisiynu Cymdeithas y Cyfarwyddwyr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol i nodi beth oedd y rhwystrau i ofalwyr di-dâl gael yr asesiadau sydd eu hangen arnynt. Ac rydym i gyd yn deall y pwysau sydd ar awdurdodau lleol, ond mae ganddynt rwymedigaeth statudol, ac mae gan ofalwyr eu hunain hawl statudol i asesiad o'u hanghenion fel gofalwyr. Felly, rwy'n glir iawn, ac fe wnaeth adolygiad Cymdeithas y Cyfarwyddwyr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol nodi hynny fel prif faes i'w wella. Felly, nid wyf am sefyll yma heddiw a dweud fy mod yn meddwl bod y gwaith i gyd wedi'i wneud oherwydd ein bod wedi nodi hyn fel maes. Mae'n amlwg yn waith pwysig y mae angen inni ei gyflawni ar gyfer gofalwyr di-dâl, a dyna pam mai fy neges uniongyrchol i arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol yw pwysleisio'r angen i awdurdodau lleol sicrhau eu bod yn cyflawni eu rhwymedigaeth statudol i ofalwyr a nodir ganddynt, a'u bod yn darparu'r cymorth y maent ei angen.
Nawr, i rai gofalwyr, cyngor yn unig yw'r cymorth y byddant ei angen, a dim byd mwy ffisegol na hynny. Gallai ymwneud â chyngor ar fudd-daliadau. Gallai ymwneud â chyngor ar gael cymorth mewn meysydd eraill, a gellir delio â hynny'n weddol gyflym. Ond asesiad o'u hanghenion fel gofalwyr yw'r peth cyntaf y dylid ei ddarparu, a'r ail beth sy'n rhaid ei ddarparu yw'r hyn y mae'r pecyn o anghenion gofalwyr yn dweud y dylent ei gael. Felly, nid wyf yn credu y dowch chi o hyd i unrhyw wahaniaeth rhyngom ar hyn, Natasha. Yr her yw gwneud yn siŵr ein bod yn darparu hynny mewn modd amserol.
Minister, the health committee is doing work on unpaid carers at the moment, and some powerful evidence that we heard was from young carers, and obviously they have particular circumstances and particular needs. One of the major issues was the identification of those young carers, particularly by school staff in school, and also whether there was systematic training for the school workforce that helps them to understand the needs of young carers, to recognise that they may be young carers, and also to support them if they have those caring responsibilities. So, in terms of working with the local authorities and the local education authorities and schools, I wonder if you would be looking to spread good practice. We heard that Radyr Comprehensive School, for example, seemed to have very good practice within that school on those issues and generally, but maybe it's patchy and variable, and the good practice needs to be spread across Wales.
Weinidog, mae'r pwyllgor iechyd yn gwneud gwaith ar ofalwyr di-dâl ar hyn o bryd, ac fe glywsom dystiolaeth bwerus gan ofalwyr ifanc, ac yn amlwg mae ganddynt amgylchiadau penodol ac anghenion penodol. Un o'r prif faterion a gododd oedd gallu staff ysgol i adnabod pwy yw'r gofalwyr ifanc hyn yn yr ysgol, a gweld hefyd a oedd hyfforddiant systematig ar gyfer gweithlu ysgolion sy'n eu helpu i ddeall anghenion gofalwyr ifanc, i gydnabod y gallent fod yn ofalwyr ifanc, a hefyd i'w cefnogi os oes ganddynt gyfrifoldebau gofalu. Felly, o ran gweithio gyda'r awdurdodau lleol a'r awdurdodau addysg lleol ac ysgolion, tybed a ydych chi'n ceisio lledaenu arferion da. Clywsom fod gan Ysgol Gyfun Radur, er enghraifft, arferion da iawn yn yr ysgol honno ar y materion hynny ac yn gyffredinol, ond efallai fod hynny'n dameidiog ac yn amrywio, ac mae angen lledaenu arferion da ledled Cymru.
Thank you, John for that question. We see that in every aspect of our policy work, don't we, that we've got really good practice happening in certain areas and we need to upscale that practice and spread it across the country. What I would say on young carers, as I was just answering the question from Natasha, is that young carers are a very specific group. They're sometimes difficult to identify because they don't see themselves in that way. Where we can identify them, we do of course have a young carers ID card, and that young carers ID card should open all sorts of doors to support for them. And every local authority in Wales is signed up to that scheme, so any young person who is a young carer in Wales can have a young carers ID card, which should, as I said, open the door and provide the support they need, in schools and outside of schools, so in shops, in pharmacies, at the GP surgery, or whatever. And in schools, the kind of support that we're looking for is enabling a young carer to maybe have a little bit more time to submit their homework, if they can't get their homework done on time, and that sort of thing. And there is some really good practice—Radyr you've identified, but there are other examples of really good practice in the way that schools deal with unpaid carers. But I have discussed this with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and we're very keen to ensure that those good practices are embedded routinely across our schools and, where we can identify good practice, that we do upscale that and share that across the country.
Diolch am y cwestiwn hwnnw, John. Rydym yn gweld hynny ym mhob agwedd ar ein gwaith polisi, onid ydym, fod gennym arferion da iawn yn digwydd mewn rhai mannau a bod angen inni uwchraddio ymarfer o'r fath a'i ledaenu ledled y wlad. Ar ofalwyr ifanc, gan fy mod newydd ateb y cwestiwn gan Natasha, hoffwn ddweud bod gofalwyr ifanc yn grŵp penodol iawn. Weithiau maent yn anodd eu nodi am nad ydynt yn ystyried eu hunain yn ofalwyr. Lle gallwn eu nodi, wrth gwrs, mae gennym y cerdyn adnabod gofalwyr ifanc, a dylai'r cerdyn agor pob math o ddrysau i'w cefnogi. Ac mae pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru wedi ymrwymo i'r cynllun hwnnw, felly gall unrhyw berson ifanc sy'n ofalwr ifanc yng Nghymru gael cerdyn adnabod gofalwyr ifanc, a ddylai, fel y dywedais, agor y drws a darparu'r cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt, mewn ysgolion a thu hwnt, mewn siopau, mewn fferyllfeydd, yn y feddygfa, neu beth bynnag. Ac mewn ysgolion, y math o gymorth y chwiliwn amdano yw galluogi gofalwr ifanc i gael ychydig mwy o amser i gyflwyno eu gwaith cartref efallai, os na allant wneud eu gwaith cartref mewn pryd, a'r math hwnnw o beth. Ac mae yna arferion da iawn—rydych chi wedi nodi Radur, ond mae yna enghreifftiau eraill o arferion da iawn yn y ffordd y mae ysgolion yn delio â gofalwyr di-dâl. Ond rwyf wedi trafod hyn gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg ac rydym yn awyddus iawn i sicrhau bod yr arferion da hynny'n cael eu hymgorffori'n rheolaidd ar draws ein hysgolion, a lle gallwn nodi arfer da, ein bod yn gwneud hynny ac yn rhannu hynny ledled y wlad.
2. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet roi diweddariad ar y cytundeb cenedlaethol diweddar i wella cyflogau ac amodau staff y GIG? OQ63513
2. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the recent national agreement to improve pay and conditions for NHS staff? OQ63513
I am extremely pleased that, through working in social partnership, we have been able finally to resolve this long-standing issue impacting around 6,000 of our lowest paid NHS workers. This was a priority for me, and the national agreement ensures that workers are paid correctly for the work they do, which is vital in supporting our NHS services.
Rwy'n hynod falch ein bod o'r diwedd wedi gallu datrys y mater hirsefydlog hwn sy'n effeithio ar oddeutu 6,000 o'n gweithwyr GIG ar y cyflogau isaf. Roedd hon yn flaenoriaeth i mi, ac mae'r cytundeb cenedlaethol yn sicrhau bod gweithwyr yn cael eu talu'n gywir am y gwaith a wnânt, sy'n hanfodol i gefnogi gwasanaethau'r GIG.
Diolch am eich ateb, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet.
Thank you very much for that response, Cabinet Secretary.
This agreement is a welcome and just recognition of the work, commitment and dedication of these vital healthcare workers. As you said, I believe, it benefits more than 6,000—predominantly women—workers, who have been supported through this process by their trade union, Unison. And I should declare for the record, as my register of interest says, that I am a proud member of Unison. But, Cabinet Secretary, can I ask: do you agree with me that this agreement demonstrates the difference that this Welsh Labour Government can make and is making to workers? That's fair work, not just in principle but in practice as well. And do you also agree that it shows how the Welsh way of social partnership working can get real results? Diolch.
Mae'r cytundeb hwn yn gydnabyddiaeth deg sydd i'w chroesawu i waith, ymrwymiad ac ymroddiad y gweithwyr gofal iechyd hanfodol hyn. Fel y dywedoch chi, rwy'n credu, mae o fudd i fwy na 6,000 o weithwyr, menywod yn bennaf, sydd wedi cael eu cefnogi trwy'r broses hon gan eu hundeb llafur, Unsain. A dylwn ddatgan ar gyfer y cofnod, fel y dywed fy nghofrestr o fuddiannau, fy mod yn aelod balch o Unsain. Ond Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a gaf i ofyn: a ydych chi'n cytuno â mi fod y cytundeb hwn yn dangos y gwahaniaeth y gall Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru ei wneud ac y mae'n ei wneud i weithwyr? Gwaith teg, nid yn unig mewn egwyddor ond yn ymarferol hefyd. Ac a ydych chi hefyd yn cytuno ei fod yn dangos sut y gall y ffordd Gymreig o weithio mewn partneriaeth gymdeithasol arwain at ganlyniadau go iawn? Diolch.
Yes, I should declare the same interest as well. I do think it is the fruits of that social partnership approach that has enabled us to resolve this issue on a Wales-wide basis. There have been individual disputes in individual health boards, but I was keen that we were in a position where that was not happening and that we were able to resolve the matter on a Wales-wide basis. As the Member rightly says, this is largely about the experiences of low-paid women in the health service—not exclusively, but that is the largest part of this group of people who will be supported. The plan is that any worker impacted by the review should receive the payments they're owed by the end of July next year, in accordance with the national agreement, and I'm grateful to trade union colleagues for their patience, I guess, in allowing us the additional time to find a Wales-wide solution for this challenge between band 2 and band 3 workers. I should say as well that significant work was undertaken in partnership with the Cabinet Secretary for finance and his officials in finding a solution, which I'm pleased to say we have been able to reach.
Ie, dylwn ddatgan yr un buddiant hefyd. Rwy'n credu mai ffrwyth y dull partneriaeth gymdeithasol hwnnw sydd wedi ein galluogi i ddatrys y mater hwn ar sail Cymru gyfan. Bu anghydfodau unigol mewn byrddau iechyd unigol, ond roeddwn yn awyddus inni fod mewn sefyllfa lle nad oedd hynny'n digwydd a'n bod yn gallu datrys y mater ar sail Cymru gyfan. Fel y dywed yr Aelod yn gywir, mae hyn yn ymwneud yn bennaf â phrofiadau menywod ar gyflogau isel yn y gwasanaeth iechyd—nid menywod i gyd, ond dyna yw'r rhan fwyaf o'r grŵp hwn o bobl a gaiff eu cefnogi. Y cynllun yw y dylai unrhyw weithiwr yr effeithir arnynt gan yr adolygiad gael y taliadau sy'n ddyledus iddynt erbyn diwedd mis Gorffennaf y flwyddyn nesaf, yn unol â'r cytundeb cenedlaethol, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar i gymheiriaid undebau llafur am eu hamynedd yn rhoi amser ychwanegol i ni ddod o hyd i ateb ledled Cymru i'r her hon rhwng gweithwyr band 2 a band 3. Dylwn ddweud hefyd fod gwaith sylweddol wedi'i wneud mewn partneriaeth ag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid a'i swyddogion i ddod o hyd i ateb, ac rwy'n falch o ddweud ein bod wedi gallu gwneud hynny.
Cwestiynau nawr gan lefarwyr y pleidiau. Llefarydd y Ceidwadwyr, James Evans.
Questions now from the party spokespeople. The Conservatives' spokesperson, James Evans.
Cabinet Secretary, recent media reports have suggested that the CEO of Velindre University NHS Trust was removed from the job after only a year in post after raising concerns about governance arrangements in the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and that the chair of the trust's term was also not extended past her four-year term, which is very unusual, and she also raised similar concerns regarding the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. Can you today outline, Cabinet Secretary, what you know about this matter, why the CEO was removed and why the previous chair's term was not extended?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae adroddiadau diweddar yn y cyfryngau wedi awgrymu bod Prif Swyddog Gweithredol Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Prifysgol Felindre wedi'i ddiswyddo ar ôl blwyddyn yn unig yn y swydd ar ôl codi pryderon am drefniadau llywodraethu ym Mhartneriaeth Cydwasanaethau GIG Cymru ac nad oedd tymor cadeirydd yr ymddiriedolaeth wedi'i ymestyn y tu hwnt i'r tymor o bedair blynedd chwaith, sy'n anarferol iawn, a chododd hithau bryderon tebyg ynglŷn â Phartneriaeth Cydwasanaethau GIG Cymru. A allwch chi nodi heddiw beth a wyddoch chi am y mater hwn, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, pam y diswyddwyd y Prif Swyddog Gweithredol a pham na chafodd tymor y cadeirydd blaenorol ei ymestyn?
Well, these, as the Member will appreciate, are matters of employment relationship as much as anything, and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment on those in that context. And those restrictions, and that approach, are in place to protect employees as much as anything else. I don't think it's appropriate to go into the detail of that, but I don't think the picture that the Member describes is the full picture.
Wel, mae'r rhain, fel y bydd yr Aelod yn deall, yn faterion sy'n ymwneud â pherthynas gyflogaeth lawn cymaint ag unrhyw beth arall, ac ni fyddai'n briodol imi wneud sylwadau arnynt yn y cyd-destun hwnnw. Ac mae'r cyfyngiadau hynny, a'r dull gweithredu hwnnw, ar waith er mwyn diogelu gweithwyr lawn cymaint ag unrhyw beth arall. Ni chredaf ei bod yn briodol mynd i fanylion ynglŷn â hynny, ond ni chredaf mai'r darlun y mae'r Aelod yn ei ddisgrifio yw'r darlun llawn.
Well, Cabinet Secretary, I think we do need to go into these issues, because the trust's annual report states, and I quote, that:
'Governance concerns have...been raised by the Trust in relation to Shared Services. The concerns are wide ranging and have been escalated'.
Given the alleged irregularities within the shared services partnership in respect of governance, and the sudden departure of the chief executive of Velindre NHS trust, reportedly because he began to investigate these issues, serious questions arise about what senior leaders and Ministers within the Welsh Government knew, and whether these problems are being kept out of sight, or individuals sidelined to avoid reputational damage for the Government. Can you therefore confirm today whether you, or any of your officials, have received correspondence or whistleblowing concerns relating to the governance issues and alleged criminality within the shared services partnership, or regarding the relationship between senior Welsh Government officials and senior colleagues in the partnership? And if so, will you publish the material in full, so that we can be assured that the Welsh Government has not engaged in any impropriety?
Wel, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, credaf fod angen inni fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn, gan fod adroddiad blynyddol yr ymddiriedolaeth yn nodi bod yr:
'Ymddiriedolaeth wedi codi pryderon llywodraethu mewn perthynas â Chydwasanaethau. Mae’r pryderon yn amrywiol ac wedi cael eu huwchgyfeirio.'
O ystyried yr afreoleidd-dra honedig o fewn y bartneriaeth gydwasanaethau o ran llywodraethu, ac ymadawiad sydyn prif weithredwr ymddiriedolaeth GIG Felindre, yn ôl y sôn am iddo ddechrau ymchwilio i'r materion hyn, mae cwestiynau difrifol yn codi ynglŷn â'r hyn yr oedd uwch arweinwyr a Gweinidogion Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wybod, a pha un a yw'r problemau hyn yn cael eu cadw o'r golwg, neu fod unigolion yn cael eu hanwybyddu er mwyn osgoi niwed i enw da'r Llywodraeth. Felly, a allwch chi gadarnhau heddiw pa un a ydych chi, neu unrhyw un o'ch swyddogion, wedi derbyn gohebiaeth neu bryderon gan unigolion sy'n chwythu'r chwiban mewn perthynas â'r materion llywodraethu a throseddoldeb honedig o fewn y bartneriaeth cydwasanaethau, neu ynghylch y berthynas rhwng uwch swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru a chydweithwyr uwch yn y bartneriaeth? Ac os felly, a wnewch chi gyhoeddi'r deunydd yn llawn, fel y gallwn fod yn sicr nad yw Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymddwyn yn amhriodol?
Well, the matters that the Member is putting in the Chamber come in two categories. One is the decision of the board, and the relationships in relation to the employment of the chief executive. That's one set of issues. He asks a broader set of questions in relation to the governance arrangements. There has been a discussion around the governance relationship, and work under way already to make sure that is strengthened in the best possible way. That is obviously important.
But, in relation to the departure of the chief executive, the Member will absolutely, I hope, understand why it's not appropriate for individual employment decisions to be commented upon by others who are not the decision makers in relation to that.
Wel, mae'r materion y mae'r Aelod yn eu cyflwyno yn y Siambr yn perthyn i ddau gategori. Un yw penderfyniad y bwrdd, a'r perthnasoedd mewn perthynas â chyflogaeth y prif weithredwr. Dyna un set o faterion sy'n codi. Mae'n gofyn set ehangach o gwestiynau mewn perthynas â'r trefniadau llywodraethu. Cafwyd trafodaeth ynghylch y berthynas lywodraethu, ac mae gwaith eisoes ar y gweill i sicrhau ei bod yn cael ei chryfhau yn y ffordd orau sy'n bosib. Mae hynny'n amlwg yn bwysig.
Ond o ran ymadawiad y prif weithredwr, bydd yr Aelod yn deall yn llwyr, gobeithio, pam nad yw'n briodol i eraill nad ydynt yn gyfrifol am wneud penderfyniadau mewn perthynas â hynny wneud sylwadau ar benderfyniadau cyflogaeth unigol.
Cabinet Secretary, I asked you a simple question. I would like to know whether you, or any officials within the Welsh Government, have received any correspondence or whistleblowing concerns relating to the governance issues or alleged criminality within the shared services partnership, or the relationship between senior Welsh Government officials and senior colleagues within the partnership. It's a very simple question, Cabinet Secretary. It's a 'yes' or 'no' answer, and, if you could reply to that, I think we would very much like to know, because this is taxpayers' money being spent—huge amounts of taxpayers' money being spent—and we, here in this Chamber, deserve to know the answer.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, gofynnais gwestiwn syml i chi. Hoffwn wybod a ydych chi, neu unrhyw swyddogion yn Llywodraeth Cymru, wedi derbyn unrhyw ohebiaeth neu bryderon gan unigolion sy'n chwythu'r chwiban mewn perthynas â'r materion llywodraethu a throseddoldeb honedig o fewn y bartneriaeth cydwasanaethau, neu ynghylch y berthynas rhwng uwch swyddogion Llywodraeth Cymru a chydweithwyr uwch yn y bartneriaeth. Mae'n gwestiwn syml iawn, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Mae'n ateb 'do' neu 'naddo', ac os gallech ateb hynny, rwy'n credu y byddem yn hoffi gwybod, gan fod arian trethdalwyr yn cael ei wario yma—symiau enfawr o arian trethdalwyr yn cael ei wario—ac rydym ni, yma yn y Siambr, yn haeddu gwybod yr ateb.
The answer to the question is that there is correspondence and discussion in relation to the governance arrangements, and that has been ongoing. But that's a distinct question from the point that the Member put to me originally, which is in relation to the departure of the chief executive.
Yr ateb i'r cwestiwn yw y bu gohebiaeth a thrafodaeth mewn perthynas â'r trefniadau llywodraethu, ac mae hynny wedi parhau. Ond mae hwnnw'n gwestiwn gwahanol i bwynt gwreiddiol yr Aelod, sy'n ymwneud ag ymadawiad y prif weithredwr.
Llefarydd Plaid Cymru, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Plaid Cymru spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor.
Diolch, Llywydd. The Cabinet Secretary has embarked on a commendable campaign to ensure transparency and greater accountability in the NHS. This move is to be welcomed. To this end, a review into governance arrangements of the NHS shared services was commissioned by former director general of health and social care Judith Paget in April, which was concluded in July. The Welsh Government has received and reviewed this report. Is the Cabinet Secretary willing to ensure its public release so that we can scrutinise its contents?
Diolch, Lywydd. Mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi dechrau ymgyrch ganmoladwy i sicrhau tryloywder a mwy o atebolrwydd yn y GIG. Mae'r cam hwn i'w groesawu. I'r perwyl hwn, comisiynwyd adolygiad i drefniadau llywodraethu cydwasanaethau'r GIG gan y cyn-gyfarwyddwr cyffredinol iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol Judith Paget ym mis Ebrill, ac fe'i cwblhawyd ym mis Gorffennaf. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi derbyn ac wedi adolygu'r adroddiad hwn. A yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn fodlon sicrhau ei fod yn cael ei gyhoeddi er mwyn inni allu craffu ar ei gynnwys?
Part of the correspondence to which I've just referred in my previous answer relates to the work under way in relation to that governance. That is being considered at the moment, and it will be considered together with the trust. And, at the appropriate point, there will be a statement in relation to the outcome of that process.
Mae rhan o'r ohebiaeth yr wyf newydd gyfeirio ati yn fy ateb blaenorol yn ymwneud â'r gwaith sydd ar y gweill mewn perthynas â'r trefniadau llywodraethu. Mae hynny'n cael ei ystyried ar hyn o bryd, a bydd yn cael ei ystyried gyda'r ymddiriedolaeth. Ac ar yr adeg briodol, fe wneir datganiad mewn perthynas â chanlyniad y broses honno.
Now, NHS shared services published their integrated medium-term plan earlier this year. However, I understand that all 12 of Wales's NHS CEOs have made it clear that they did not approve the plans. Furthermore, a PricewaterhouseCoopers review in the spring concluded that, as a result of governance issues with shared services, the ability of the trust to sign off the consolidated accounts and confirm that it has discharged its responsibilities to its employees is compromised. That is what it said.
As an aside, can the Cabinet Secretary explain why a department that sits within Velindre NHS trust, and is not a stand-alone body, is expected to produce an IMTP? But, more pertinently, does the Cabinet Secretary have confidence in the NHS shared services?
Nawr, cyhoeddodd cydwasanaethau'r GIG eu cynllun tymor canolig integredig yn gynharach eleni. Fodd bynnag, rwy'n deall bod pob un o 12 prif swyddog gweithredol y GIG yng Nghymru wedi dweud yn glir nad oeddent yn cymeradwyo'r cynlluniau. Ar ben hynny, daeth adolygiad PricewaterhouseCoopers yn y gwanwyn i'r casgliad, o ganlyniad i broblemau llywodraethu gyda'r cydwasanaethau, fod gallu'r ymddiriedolaeth i gymeradwyo'r cyfrifon cyfunol a chadarnhau eu bod wedi cyflawni eu cyfrifoldebau i'w gweithwyr wedi'i gyfaddawdu. Dyna a ddywedwyd.
Gyda llaw, a all Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet egluro pam y disgwylir i adran sy'n rhan o ymddiriedolaeth GIG Felindre, ac nad yw'n gorff annibynnol, gynhyrchu cynllun tymor canolig integredig? Ond yn bwysicach fyth, a oes gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet hyder yng nghydwasanaethau'r GIG?
Yes, I do, and the reason that it's called upon to draw up a separate plan is because of the nature and the extent of its services and the extent to which the rest of the NHS depends upon that planning function being undertaken properly. So, the Member will understand that there is, as has been clear from the discussion today, a governance relationship between shared services and Velindre. Shared services is a much larger organisation, actually, than the Velindre trust itself. As a consequence of the scale and the reach of its activities into the NHS, it is appropriate for there to be a separate planning exercise undertaken in relation to its work.
Oes, a'r rheswm pam y mae gofyn iddynt lunio cynllun ar wahân yw oherwydd natur a hyd a lled eu gwasanaethau a'r graddau y mae gweddill y GIG yn dibynnu ar gyflawni'r swyddogaeth gynllunio honno'n iawn. Felly, bydd yr Aelod yn deall, fel sydd wedi bod yn amlwg o'r drafodaeth heddiw, fod yna berthynas lywodraethu rhwng y cydwasanaethau a Felindre. Mae'r cydwasanaethau'n sefydliad llawer mwy nag ymddiriedolaeth Felindre ei hun mewn gwirionedd. O ganlyniad i raddfa a chyrhaeddiad eu gweithgareddau i'r GIG, mae'n briodol cynnal ymarfer cynllunio ar wahân mewn perthynas â'u gwaith.
The questioning today is around the governance of shared services within Velindre, and I've spoken at length about the need to improve the governance structures within our NHS. Governance is not necessarily the most exciting political subject, but essential nonetheless. It means that the correct rules are in place and that they are followed, leading to good or bad culture—things like the rules and regulations around signing purchasing orders, ensuring that clear oversight structures are in place, chains of command and answerability, and making sure that actions aren't taken that could lead to criminal liability, corporate manslaughter or gross negligence. In the most recent Velindre trust annual report, the then CEO noted, as we've heard earlier:
'Governance concerns have...been raised by the Trust in relation to Shared Services.'
Cabinet Secretary, is the Welsh Government aware of these concerns, and, if so, what actions has the Government taken?
Mae'r cwestiynau heddiw'n ymwneud â llywodraethiant cydwasanaethau yn Felindre, ac rwyf wedi siarad yn fanwl am yr angen i wella'r strwythurau llywodraethu yn ein GIG. Nid llywodraethu yw'r pwnc gwleidyddol mwyaf cyffrous o reidrwydd, ond mae'n hanfodol serch hynny. Mae'n golygu bod y rheolau cywir ar waith a'u bod yn cael eu dilyn, gan arwain at ddiwylliant da neu ddrwg—pethau fel y rheolau a'r rheoliadau ynghylch llofnodi gorchmynion prynu, sicrhau bod strwythurau goruchwylio clir ar waith, cadwyni awdurdod ac atebolrwydd, a sicrhau nad yw camau'n cael eu cymryd a allai arwain at atebolrwydd troseddol, dynladdiad corfforaethol neu esgeuluster difrifol. Yn adroddiad blynyddol diweddaraf ymddiriedolaeth Felindre, nododd y prif swyddog gweithredol ar y pryd, fel y clywsom yn gynharach:
'mae'r Ymddiriedolaeth wedi codi pryderon llywodraethu mewn perthynas â Chydwasanaethau.'
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a yw Llywodraeth Cymru’n ymwybodol o'r pryderon hyn, ac os felly, pa gamau y mae'r Llywodraeth wedi'u cymryd?
The Member began his questions asking about a review of governance arrangements. As I mentioned in response to that, there is a review that has been undertaken that is being discussed with the trust. In light of his—. He made a perfectly appropriate question about transparency and openness. I've committed, at the appropriate time, when that conversation is concluded, to make a statement that will set out the conclusions of that discussion.
Dechreuodd yr Aelod ei gwestiynau drwy ofyn am adolygiad o drefniadau llywodraethu. Fel y nodais mewn ymateb i hynny, mae adolygiad wedi'i gynnal sy'n cael ei drafod gyda'r ymddiriedolaeth. Yng ngoleuni ei—. Gofynnodd gwestiwn cwbl briodol ynglŷn â thryloywder a didwylledd. Rwyf wedi ymrwymo, ar yr adeg iawn, pan fydd y sgwrs honno wedi'i chwblhau, i wneud datganiad a fydd yn nodi casgliadau'r drafodaeth honno.
3. Pa effaith y mae'r £120 miliwn a gyhoeddodd yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ym mis Mehefin 2025 wedi'i wneud i drigolion yn y Rhondda sy'n aros am driniaeth? OQ63531
3. What impact has the £120 million the Cabinet Secretary announced in June 2025 made to residents in Rhondda waiting for treatment? OQ63531
Investment must go hand in hand with reform and improved service delivery. The Welsh Government investment is having a direct impact to residents in Rhondda. Across the health board region, two-year waits have fallen by 75 per cent over the last year. The health board has delivered over 10,000 extra new out-patient appointments this year, and, with the south-east region, 4,000 additional cataract procedures.
Rhaid i fuddsoddiad ddigwydd law yn llaw â diwygio a gwella darpariaeth gwasanaethau. Mae buddsoddiad Llywodraeth Cymru’n cael effaith uniongyrchol ar drigolion yn y Rhondda. Ar draws rhanbarth y bwrdd iechyd, mae arosiadau dwy flynedd wedi gostwng 75 y cant dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Mae'r bwrdd iechyd wedi darparu dros 10,000 o apwyntiadau cleifion allanol newydd ychwanegol eleni, a 4,000 o driniaethau cataract ychwanegol gyda rhanbarth y de-ddwyrain.
I'd like to start by saying a huge 'thank you' to all the NHS staff in Rhondda for their dedication and hard work, especially during these challenging times. The £120 million investment announced in June is very welcome. It's vital that we continue to prioritise reducing waiting lists so that no-one has to experience unnecessary pain while waiting for procedures, whether for hips, cataracts or other essential treatments. I'm mindful of residents currently waiting for consultations or individual patient funding request decisions to determine whether their unlicensed medicines can be funded on the NHS. This wait can be extremely painful and extremely costly for the individuals. Can the Cabinet Secretary confirm that reducing waiting times will remain a priority, and will he please look closely at finding a more rapid process for those currently waiting and paying for their unlicensed medication?
Hoffwn ddechrau drwy ddweud 'diolch' enfawr i holl staff y GIG yn y Rhondda am eu hymroddiad a'u gwaith caled, yn enwedig yn y cyfnod heriol hwn. Mae'r buddsoddiad o £120 miliwn a gyhoeddwyd ym mis Mehefin i'w groesawu'n fawr. Mae'n hanfodol ein bod yn parhau i flaenoriaethu lleihau rhestrau aros fel nad oes yn rhaid i unrhyw un wynebu poen diangen wrth aros am driniaethau, boed ar gyfer cluniau, cataractau neu driniaethau hanfodol eraill. Rwy'n ymwybodol o drigolion sy'n aros ar hyn o bryd am ymgynghoriadau neu benderfyniadau ynghylch ceisiadau cyllido cleifion unigol i bennu a ellir ariannu eu meddyginiaethau didrwydded ar y GIG. Gall yr aros hwn fod yn hynod boenus ac yn hynod gostus i'r unigolion. A all Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gadarnhau y bydd lleihau amseroedd aros yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth, ac a wnaiff edrych yn ofalus ar ddod o hyd i broses gyflymach ar gyfer y rhai sy'n aros ac yn talu am eu meddyginiaeth ddidrwydded ar hyn o bryd?
Yes, I do want to see the excellent progress that we're seeing in reducing waiting times continue. In relation to the point that the Member makes in relation to IPFR cases and so on, I think it is important to make sure that we get timely approval. The policy currently requires that clinically urgent cases are considered within 48 hours of submission of an application. The most recent annual report indicates that all bar one of the 32 clinically urgent cases were reviewed within that 48-hour period. So, there is an existing mechanism that does enable us to expedite approval, and, generally speaking, that is currently working well. We recognise that the most effective way to ensure prompt access to treatment, where there is good clinical evidence, supports the off-label use of a medicine, and it can offer value for money for the NHS as well. So, those medicines are routinely available without requiring an IPFR submission. When a medicine is used off-label, outside the terms of its licence, some of the evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness won't be available. For those reasons, the IPFR process enables decisions on access to unlicensed medicines to be made on a case-by-case basis. But I'm grateful to the Member for raising that important point.
Rwyf am weld y cynnydd rhagorol a welwn ar leihau amseroedd aros yn parhau. Ar y pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud mewn perthynas â cheisiadau cyllido cleifion unigol ac yn y blaen, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig sicrhau ein bod yn cael cymeradwyaeth amserol. Ar hyn o bryd, mae'r polisi'n ei gwneud yn ofynnol i achosion brys clinigol gael eu hystyried o fewn 48 awr i gyflwyno'r cais. Mae'r adroddiad blynyddol diweddaraf yn nodi bod pob un ond un o'r 32 achos brys clinigol wedi'u hadolygu o fewn y cyfnod o 48 awr. Felly, mae mecanwaith ar gael eisoes sy'n ein galluogi i gyflymu cymeradwyaeth, ac yn gyffredinol, mae hynny'n gweithio'n dda ar hyn o bryd. Rydym yn cydnabod mai'r ffordd fwyaf effeithiol o sicrhau mynediad prydlon at driniaeth, lle ceir tystiolaeth glinigol dda, yw defnydd all-drwydded o feddyginiaeth, a gall gynnig gwerth am arian i'r GIG hefyd. Felly, mae'r meddyginiaethau hynny ar gael yn rheolaidd heb fod angen cyflwyno cais cyllido claf unigol. Pan ddefnyddir meddyginiaeth all-drwydded, y tu hwnt i delerau'r drwydded, ni fydd rhywfaint o'r dystiolaeth o effeithiolrwydd clinigol a chosteffeithiolrwydd ar gael. Am y rhesymau hynny, mae proses y ceisiadau cyllido cleifion unigol yn ei gwneud hi'n bosib gwneud penderfyniadau ar fynediad at feddyginiaethau heb eu trwyddedu ar sail achosion unigol. Ond rwy'n ddiolchgar i'r Aelod am godi'r pwynt pwysig hwnnw.
Daeth y Dirprwy Lywydd i’r Gadair.
The Deputy Presiding Officer took the Chair.
4. Pa gynnydd y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn ei wneud o ran gwella mynediad at apwyntiadau meddygon teulu? OQ63508
4. What progress is the Welsh Government making in improving access to GP appointments? OQ63508
Meddygaeth deulu yw'r rhan brysuraf o'r gwasanaeth iechyd. Mae ein gweithlu medrus yn sicrhau bod gofal yn cael ei gadw’n agos at adref, gan gwrdd â galw enfawr bob dydd a sicrhau bod cleifion yn cael yr help sydd ei angen arnyn nhw. Yn gynharach eleni, cafodd dros £52 miliwn ei ddyrannu i gryfhau meddygaeth deulu gymunedol ar draws Cymru, gyda cyllid wedi’i glustnodi yn helpu practisys i reoli'r galw a chynnal mynediad i gleifion.
General practice is the busiest part of our NHS. Our skilled workforce keeps care close to home, meeting huge demand every day and ensuring patients get the help that they need. Earlier this year, over £52 million was allocated to strengthen community-based GP care across Wales, with ring-fenced funding helping practices manage demand and maintain access for patients.
Mae nifer o'm hetholwyr yn esbonio i mi pa mor anodd yw hi iddyn nhw gael apwyntiad o flaen llaw gyda meddyg teulu, gyda nifer ohonyn nhw yn cyfeirio at y dagfa 8 y bore yr oedd Llywodraeth Cymru wedi datgan ein bod ni'n cael gwared ohoni bedair blynedd yn ôl. Mae hyn yn cael ei ategu gan dystiolaeth y mae Llais wedi'i chyflwyno i'r pwyllgor iechyd yn gynharach eleni, tystiolaeth gan y comisiynydd pobl hŷn, tystiolaeth gan fwrdd iechyd Hywel Dda o ran yr arolygon cleifion, sydd i gyd yn sôn am y sgrambl 8 o'r gloch y bore yma. Mi ydych chi wedi cyfeirio at adolygiad, Ysgrifennydd Cabinet, i mewn i'r safonau mynediad. Ydych chi'n gallu dweud pryd fydd yr adolygiad yma yn cael ei gwblhau? Yn y cyfamser, oes gyda chi ffigur ar gyfer canran y meddygon teulu sydd yn cydymffurfio â'r safon? Ddwy flynedd yn ôl, roeddech chi'n dweud ei fod yn 95 y cant. A ydy e wedi cynyddu ers hynny, neu ydy e wedi mynd lawr?
A number of my constituents are explaining to me how difficult it is for them to get an appointment ahead of time with a GP, with a number of them referring to the bottleneck at 8 o'clock in the morning that the Government said they would eradicate four years ago. This is echoed by evidence that Llais submitted to the health committee earlier this year, evidence from the older people's commissioner, and evidence from Hywel Dda in terms of the patient surveys, which all mention this scramble at 8 o'clock in the morning. You referred to a review, Cabinet Secretary, into the access standards. Can you tell us when that review will be completed? In the meantime, do you have a figure for the percentage of GPs who do comply with the standard? Two years ago, you said that it was 95 per cent. Has it increased since then, or has it gone down?
Mae'r ffigur o ran y rheini sydd yn cydlynu â'r safonau, y ffigurau diweddaraf sydd gyda ni, yn dangos 97 y cant. Mae'r practisys yn penderfynu eu hunain a ydyn nhw'n cyrraedd y nod, a doeddwn i ddim yn credu bod hynny'n ddigonol. Felly, fel rhan o'r adolygiad y gwnaethoch chi sôn amdano fe, mae gofyniad i fyrddau iechyd reoli'r data yna hefyd. Mae gwaith pellach yn mynd i ddigwydd dros y flwyddyn sydd i ddod, ond mae hynny wedi bod yn rhan o'r adolygiad hynny.
Fel canlyniad i'r adolygiad, mae canllawiau pellach wedi eu cyhoeddi i bractisiau i sicrhau eu bod nhw'n deall yn glir nad yw'r cytundeb yn caniatáu mai dim ond am 8 o'r gloch y bore mae'n bosib rhyddhau apwyntiadau ar gyfer y diwrnod hwnnw. Mae oblygiadau newydd ar fyrddau iechyd ac ar bractisiau i adrodd ar yr hyn sy'n digwydd i fynd i'r afael gyda'r pwysau sydd yn amlwg yn y system yn hynny o beth. Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n rhan o'r ateb, ond dim ond rhan o'r ateb.
Yr hyn sydd angen ei wneud hefyd, ac mae gwaith yn digwydd i sicrhau hyn, yw sicrhau ein bod ni'n gallu gwahaniaethu rhwng apwyntiadau brys ac apwyntiadau efallai lle mae gan bobl fwy o amser cyn eu bod nhw'n gorfod gweld meddyg neu weld y person addas. Felly, mae gwaith yn digwydd i sicrhau ein bod ni'n gallu peilota mynediad hafal at ddarpariaeth gynradd frys ar yr un llaw, ond hefyd, drwy bethau fel yr ap, sicrhau bod apwyntiadau efallai sydd yn llai brys, lle nad oes angen triage clinigol, yn gallu cael eu sicrhau ar-lein ac nid trwy orfod galw'r practis. Felly, mae amryw bethau ar waith i fynd i'r afael gyda hynny.
The figure in terms of those that do comply with the standards, the latest figures we have, demonstrate that 97 per cent do. Practices decide for themselves as to whether they are reaching those objectives, and I didn't think that that was sufficient. So, as part of the review that you mentioned, there is a requirement for health boards to manage that data too. So, there will be further work done in the coming year, but that has been part of that review.
As a result of the review, further guidance has been issued to practices in order to ensure that they clearly understand that the contract doesn't allow that it's only possible to release appointments at 8 o'clock for that particular day. There are new responsibilities for health boards and practices to report on what is happening in order to tackle the pressure that's in the system in that regard. I think that's part of the solution, but only part of the solution.
What we also need to do, and work is ongoing to ensure that this happens, is to ensure that we can differentiate between urgent appointments and appointments where people perhaps have more time before they need to see a GP or an appropriate professional. Work is ongoing in order to ensure that we can pilot equal access to urgent primary provision on the one hand, but also, through things like the app, ensure that less urgent appointments, where you do not need clinical triage, can be secured online rather than having to phone the practice. So, there are a number of things happening to tackle this issue.
Cabinet Secretary, we all have this problem, don't we, in our constituencies, where people trying to access these appointments are having significant difficulties, particularly in the mornings and, of course, for those same-day appointments? They seem to actually be easier to get than advance appointments, in terms of trying to programme appointments in advance for check-ups and other things that are less urgent. One of the challenges that GPs tell me that they have is that, because of the extremely long waiting times for hospital treatment, they are now having to manage more people, and that's putting more pressure on appointments in the community. Can I ask you for an update, particularly in respect of north Wales? We know that the waiting-time figures are dodgy up there, but, given the extra pressures in north Wales because of those very long waiting times, what extra resources are you putting into those GP practices so that they can cope with the additional burden that that brings?
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, mae gan bob un ohonom y broblem hon yn ein hetholaethau, onid oes, lle mae pobl sy'n ceisio cael yr apwyntiadau hyn yn ei chael hi'n anodd iawn, yn enwedig yn y boreau, ac apwyntiadau ar yr un diwrnod wrth gwrs? Ymddengys eu bod yn haws eu cael nag apwyntiadau ymlaen llaw, a cheisio trefnu apwyntiadau ymlaen llaw ar gyfer archwiliadau a phethau eraill lle nad oes cymaint o frys. Un o'r heriau y mae meddygon teulu yn dweud wrthyf eu bod yn eu hwynebu, oherwydd yr amseroedd aros hir iawn ar gyfer triniaethau ysbyty, yw eu bod bellach yn gorfod trin mwy o bobl, ac mae hynny'n rhoi mwy o bwysau ar apwyntiadau yn y gymuned. A gaf i ofyn i chi am yr wybodaeth ddiweddaraf, yn enwedig ar gyfer gogledd Cymru? Gwyddom fod y ffigurau amseroedd aros yn amheus i fyny yno, ond o ystyried y pwysau ychwanegol yn y gogledd oherwydd yr amseroedd aros hir iawn, pa adnoddau ychwanegol rydych chi'n eu rhoi i'r practisau meddygon teulu hynny fel y gallant ymdopi â'r baich ychwanegol y mae'n ei greu?
The point that the Member makes, I think, has some force, but it doesn't explain the entirety of the position. So, I think it is fair to say that, where people have been waiting longer, they're more likely to present to their GP for continued support. I think that that is a commonsense assumption. The evidence is a little variable, but it's a point that does have some strength clearly. I don't think that that's the entirety of the challenge. There are a range of issues that we need to be able to tackle, and on much of them I have responded to Adam Price in his question.
So, we are working with the health board to make sure that their overall performance, obviously, is improving as part of the escalation arrangements. I've made the point in relation to the data behind their waiting list performance, which I know the Member has a keen interest in, in the written statement that I made last week. And we're providing further support to the health board at their request, putting in an improvement director—a woman called Jane Farrell, who has previous extensive experience in the NHS in England. That will be about performance improvement overall, including in planned care, which the Member is referring to as part of his question, but also support in relation to emergency intensive care support, if I can put it like that. That's around how we support on an intensive basis an improvement in the performance of emergency departments in north Wales. But there are a range of things that we need to be doing. It isn't all about the consequence of the longer waits in north Wales. I hope that the answer I gave to Adam Price will have been helpful in his context as well.
Mae rhywfaint o rym i'r pwynt y mae'r Aelod yn ei wneud, ond nid yw'n egluro'r sefyllfa gyfan. Felly, credaf ei bod yn deg dweud, lle mae pobl wedi bod yn aros yn hirach, eu bod yn fwy tebygol o droi at eu meddyg teulu am gymorth parhaus. Rwy'n credu bod honno'n rhagdybiaeth synhwyrol. Mae'r dystiolaeth braidd yn amrywiol, ond mae'n bwynt sydd â rhywfaint o gryfder, yn amlwg. Ni chredaf mai dyna'r her gyfan. Mae ystod o faterion y mae angen inni allu mynd i'r afael â nhw, ac rwyf wedi ymateb ar lawer ohonynt i Adam Price yn ei gwestiwn.
Felly, rydym yn gweithio gyda'r bwrdd iechyd i sicrhau bod eu perfformiad cyffredinol yn gwella fel rhan o'r trefniadau uwchgyfeirio. Gwneuthum bwynt ynghylch y data perfformiad rhestrau aros, y gwn fod gan yr Aelod ddiddordeb mawr ynddo, yn y datganiad ysgrifenedig a wneuthum yr wythnos diwethaf. Ac rydym yn darparu cymorth pellach i'r bwrdd iechyd ar eu cais, gan benodi cyfarwyddwr gwelliant—menyw o'r enw Jane Farrell, sydd â phrofiad blaenorol helaeth yn y GIG yn Lloegr. Bydd hynny'n ymwneud â gwella perfformiad yn gyffredinol, gan gynnwys mewn gofal a gynlluniwyd, y cyfeiria'r Aelod ato yn rhan o'i gwestiwn, ond hefyd cefnogaeth mewn perthynas â chymorth gofal dwys brys, os caf ei roi felly. Mae hynny'n gysylltiedig â'r ffordd y cefnogwn welliant ar sail ddwys ym mherfformiad adrannau brys yn y gogledd. Ond mae yna ystod o bethau y mae angen inni eu gwneud. Mae'n ymwneud â mwy na chanlyniad yr arosiadau hirach yn y gogledd yn unig. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr ateb a roddais i Adam Price yn ddefnyddiol yn ei gyd-destun ef hefyd.
5. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwella mynediad at feddygon teulu yng Ngorllewin Caerfyrddin a De Sir Benfro? OQ63523
5. How is the Welsh Government improving GP access in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire? OQ63523
General practice is the busiest part of the NHS. Our skilled workforce keeps care close to home, meeting huge demand every day and making sure that patients get the help they need. GPs in Hywel Dda deliver around 190,000 appointments a month—part of over 1.5 million delivered across Wales.
Meddygaeth deulu yw rhan brysuraf y GIG. Mae ein gweithlu medrus yn cadw gofal yn agos at adref, gan ddiwallu'r galw enfawr bob dydd a sicrhau bod cleifion yn cael y cymorth sydd ei angen arnynt. Mae meddygon teulu yn Hywel Dda yn cyflawni oddeutu 190,000 o apwyntiadau y mis—rhan o dros 1.5 miliwn a ddarperir ledled Cymru.
Diolch yn fawr, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. You'll be well aware that I've previously raised on the floor of this Chamber Argyle Medical Group and the surgery there, which has 22,000 registered patients, but only nine GPs. And I commend the work of the staff there on the front desk, the health professionals there as well, dealing with such a quantity of patients in a socially and economically deprived area. But what has really frustrated the community recently is the disbanding of the patient participation group. Now, I've raised this with you previously and, unfortunately, I was not satisfied with the answer, because it was felt that, even though it is not a requirement of surgeries to have a patient participation group, in better understanding the needs of the community and the delivery of GP services within that community, a patient participation group is a great vehicle for that. So, will you look again at whether you can ask GP practices, specifically Argyle Street, whether they can re-establish patient participation groups to keep that vital communication going to ensure that everybody is on the same page in trying to improve access to GP appointments?
Diolch yn fawr, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet. Fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol iawn fy mod eisoes wedi codi mater ar lawr y Siambr ynghylch Grŵp Meddygol Argyle a'r feddygfa yno, sydd â 22,000 o gleifion cofrestredig, ond dim ond naw meddyg teulu. Ac rwy'n canmol gwaith y staff yno ar y ddesg flaen, y gweithwyr iechyd proffesiynol yno hefyd, sy'n delio â chymaint o gleifion mewn ardal gymdeithasol ac economaidd ddifreintiedig. Ond yr hyn sydd wedi peri rhwystredigaeth i'r gymuned yn ddiweddar yw diddymu'r grŵp cyfranogiad cleifion. Nawr, rwyf wedi codi hyn gyda chi o'r blaen, ac yn anffodus, nid oeddwn yn fodlon â'r ateb, gan fod yna deimlad, er nad yw'n ofyniad i feddygfeydd gael grŵp cyfranogiad cleifion, er mwyn deall anghenion y gymuned yn well a darparu gwell gwasanaethau meddygon teulu, fod grŵp cyfranogiad cleifion yn gyfrwng gwych ar gyfer hynny. Felly, a wnewch chi edrych eto i weld a allwch chi ofyn i bractisau meddygon teulu, a Stryd Argyle yn benodol, ailsefydlu grwpiau cyfranogiad cleifion i gadw'r cyfathrebu hanfodol hwnnw i fynd er mwyn sicrhau bod pawb ar yr un dudalen wrth geisio gwella mynediad at apwyntiadau meddygon teulu?
Well, I do think the Member is absolutely correct to say that practices and health boards need to be engaging with patients in order to understand the expectations that patients have, of both primary and secondary care. And there's a relationship between the two, in the way that I responded to Darren Millar earlier, and actually looking at creative ways to do that, I think, is the most important expectation. So, I've been very clear in my expectations of health boards that they need to find new ways, creative ways, of engaging with patients over the longer term, not just in the context of service change, for example. And I would extend the same principle to primary care practitioners—that an ongoing dialogue with patient groups is an important part of making sure that patients feel heard, but also that practices have the information they need in order to design their services.
Wel, rwy'n credu bod yr Aelod yn llygad ei le yn dweud bod angen i bractisau meddygon teulu a byrddau iechyd ymgysylltu â chleifion er mwyn deall disgwyliadau'r cleifion o ran gofal sylfaenol a gofal eilaidd. Ac mae perthynas rhwng y ddau, yn y ffordd yr ymatebais i Darren Millar yn gynharach, a chredaf mai edrych ar ffyrdd creadigol o wneud hynny yw'r disgwyliad pwysicaf. Felly, rwyf wedi dweud yn glir iawn, yn yr hyn rwy'n ei ddisgwyl gan fyrddau iechyd, fod angen iddynt ddod o hyd i ffyrdd newydd, ffyrdd creadigol, o ymgysylltu â chleifion yn fwy hirdymor, ac nid yn unig yng nghyd-destun newidiadau i wasanaeth, er enghraifft. A buaswn yn ymestyn yr un egwyddor i ymarferwyr gofal sylfaenol—fod deialog barhaus â grwpiau cleifion yn rhan bwysig o'r gwaith o sicrhau bod cleifion yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu clywed, ond hefyd fod gan bractisau meddygon teulu yr wybodaeth sydd ei hangen arnynt er mwyn llunio eu gwasanaethau.
6. A wnaiff yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet ddatganiad am fynediad at ddeintyddiaeth y GIG yn y gogledd? OQ63532
6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on access to NHS dentistry in north Wales? OQ63532
O ganlyniad i'n diwygiadau hyd yma, mae mwy na 101,000 o gleifion deintyddol newydd wedi cael apwyntiad ar gyfer cwrs llawn o driniaeth ers i’r gwaith o ddiwygio'r contract ailddechrau ym mis Ebrill 2022. Mae 37,000 o apwyntiadau eraill er mwyn i gleifion newydd allu cael triniaeth frys wedi cael eu darparu ers mis Ebrill 2023.
As a result of our reforms to date, over 101,000 new dental patients have received an appointment for a full course of treatment since the restart of contract reform in April 2022. A further 37,000 appointments for new patients to have urgent treatment have been delivered since April 2023.
I'd like to quote to you the experience of the Evans family, who've experienced the dental system in both north and south Wales. Mr Evans says, 'In Cardiff, we were registered with an NHS dentist and never experienced difficulty accessing care. We fully expected the same would be available in the north of our country. We were placed on the NHS dental waiting list and, after waiting for two and a half years, we contacted to practice, only to be told that the list had been scrapped entirely and it had moved to a new online portal, and we'd had no notification of that. We immediately registered on the portal, but months later we've still not heard anything. During this time, my wife was pregnant and entitled to NHS dental care, yet she was unable to access it locally, due to the situation. We're now attempting to register our newborn twins. However, the NHS dental portal appears to be broken. When attempting to add children to my account, the submit button doesn't function at all. It's simply an image, rather than an active button. So, there appears to be no alternative methods to register children for NHS dental care in north Wales. Access to NHS dentistry should not depend on living in the north or the south of Wales, nor should families be left without any pathway to register their children.' What do you have to say to Mr Evans and all those other families who are being failed by your Government's rotten record on dental services?
Hoffwn ddyfynnu profiad teulu Evans i chi, sydd wedi cael profiad o'r system ddeintyddol yng ngogledd a de Cymru. Dywed Mr Evans, 'Yng Nghaerdydd, roeddem wedi cofrestru gyda deintydd y GIG ac ni chawsom erioed unrhyw drafferth cael mynediad at ofal. Roeddem yn disgwyl y byddai'r un peth ar gael yng ngogledd ein gwlad. Cawsom ein rhoi ar restr aros y GIG am wasanaeth deintyddol, ac ar ôl aros am ddwy flynedd a hanner, fe wnaethom gysylltu â'r practis, dim ond i gael gwybod bod y rhestr wedi'i dileu'n llwyr a'i bod wedi symud i borth ar-lein newydd, ac nid oeddem wedi cael gwybod am hynny. Fe wnaethom gofrestru ar y porth ar unwaith, ond fisoedd yn ddiweddarach, nid ydym wedi clywed unrhyw beth o hyd. Yn yr amser hwn, roedd fy ngwraig yn feichiog ac yn gymwys i gael gofal deintyddol y GIG, ond nid oedd yn gallu cael mynediad ato'n lleol, oherwydd y sefyllfa. Rydym bellach yn ceisio cofrestru ein gefeilliaid newydd-anedig. Fodd bynnag, ymddengys bod porth deintyddol y GIG wedi torri. Wrth geisio ychwanegu plant at fy nghyfrif, nid yw'r botwm cyflwyno yn gweithio o gwbl. Dim ond llun ydyw, yn hytrach na botwm sy'n gweithio. Felly, ymddengys nad oes unrhyw ddulliau eraill o gofrestru plant ar gyfer gofal deintyddol y GIG yn y gogledd. Ni ddylai mynediad at ddeintyddiaeth y GIG ddibynnu ar ba un a ydych chi'n byw yng ngogledd neu dde Cymru, ac ni ddylai teuluoedd gael eu gadael heb unrhyw lwybr i gofrestru eu plant.' Beth sydd gennych i'w ddweud wrth Mr Evans a'r holl deuluoedd eraill sy'n cael cam yn sgil aflwyddiant eich Llywodraeth gyda gwasanaethau deintyddol?
Well, I think the Member will acknowledge that there have been difficulties in parts of north Wales in relation to contract returns and so on, but there has also been a significant reinvestment over the course of the last year. The fundamental challenge to which his question points is one that I would accept, which is that we need to make sure that NHS dentistry is more readily provided and more readily available. The contract, which will be coming into effect from April next year, I'm confident will have a significant effect in making more NHS dentistry available in all parts of Wales and, importantly from his point of view, in north Wales. There have been very positive developments over the last year—new surgeries opening with NHS dentistry at their heart in different parts of north Wales.
I'm very concerned to hear of his constituents' experience in relation to the dental access portal in particular. It is an important part of how we can make sure access to dentistry is more convenient, not less convenient for people. So, I'll ask my officials to look into the point that he's raised today.
Wel, rwy'n credu y bydd yr Aelod yn cydnabod bod anawsterau wedi bod mewn rhannau o'r gogledd o ran dychwelyd contractau ac yn y blaen, ond bu ailfuddsoddi sylweddol hefyd dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf. Mae'r her sylfaenol y cyfeiria ei gwestiwn ati yn un y buaswn yn ei derbyn, sef bod angen inni sicrhau bod deintyddiaeth y GIG yn cael ei darparu'n haws ac ar gael yn haws. Rwy'n hyderus y bydd y contract, a ddaw i rym o fis Ebrill y flwyddyn nesaf, yn cael effaith sylweddol wrth sicrhau bod mwy o ddeintyddiaeth y GIG ar gael ym mhob rhan o Gymru, ac yn bwysig o'i safbwynt ef, yng ngogledd Cymru. Cafwyd datblygiadau cadarnhaol iawn dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf—deintyddfeydd newydd yn agor gyda lle canolog ynddynt i ddeintyddiaeth y GIG mewn gwahanol rannau o'r gogledd.
Mae'n ddrwg iawn gennyf glywed am brofiad ei etholwyr, mewn perthynas â'r porth mynediad deintyddol yn enwedig. Mae'n rhan bwysig o sut y gallwn sicrhau bod mynediad at ddeintyddiaeth yn fwy cyfleus, nid yn llai cyfleus i bobl. Felly, byddaf yn gofyn i fy swyddogion edrych ar y pwynt y mae wedi'i godi heddiw.
7. Sut y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn gwella mynediad at wasanaethau iechyd yng nghanolbarth Cymru? OQ63517
7. How is the Welsh Government improving access to health services in mid Wales? OQ63517
Local health boards are responsible for the planning and delivery of access to safe, quality healthcare services for their local population. We continue to support health boards to make improvements with additional finance, direct intervention and support from NHS Wales Performance and Improvement.
Byrddau iechyd lleol sy'n gyfrifol am gynllunio a darparu mynediad at wasanaethau gofal iechyd diogel ac o ansawdd uchel i'w poblogaeth leol. Rydym yn parhau i gefnogi byrddau iechyd i wneud gwelliannau gyda chyllid ychwanegol, ymyrraeth uniongyrchol a chymorth gan Perfformiad a Gwella GIG Cymru.
Thank you for your answer, health Secretary. Earlier this year, I wrote to you and raised in the Chamber the very real risk that many rural GP practices face, that they're not financially viable under the existing funding formula. Unfortunately, that risk has now materialised in north Powys. The Llanrhaeadr Medical Centre, which is a site of the Llanfyllin group practice, is vital for residents of the Tanat valley, and this centre is now at significant risk of closing due to funding constraints. The local county councillor for the area, Councillor Aled Davies, has pointed out that the group practice covers one of the largest geographical areas across Wales, across three different sites, providing medical services to near 12,000 people. Now, the closure of this practice or site would mean that many of our constituents will no longer live within a viable distance of a GP practice. Many, of course, are elderly and not able to travel large distances, and public transport is, of course, extremely poor. So can I ask, health Secretary, why does the current funding formula still fail to take sufficient account of the higher costs and complexities of running a rural practice across multiple sites, like Llanfyllin, and what immediate action will you take, working with Powys health board, to restore the funding necessary to prevent this site from closing and other rural sites that are also in the same position across Wales?
Diolch am eich ateb, Ysgrifennydd iechyd. Yn gynharach eleni, ysgrifennais atoch a chodi yn y Siambr y risg wirioneddol y mae llawer o bractisau meddygon teulu gwledig yn ei hwynebu, sef nad ydynt yn hyfyw yn ariannol o dan y fformiwla gyllido bresennol. Yn anffodus, mae'r risg honno bellach wedi dod i'r amlwg yng ngogledd Powys. Mae Canolfan Feddygol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, sy'n safle i bractis grŵp Llanfyllin, yn hanfodol i drigolion dyffryn Tanat, ac mae'r ganolfan hon bellach mewn perygl sylweddol o gau oherwydd cyfyngiadau cyllido. Mae cynghorydd sir lleol yr ardal, y Cynghorydd Aled Davies, wedi nodi bod y practis grŵp yn cwmpasu un o'r ardaloedd daearyddol mwyaf Cymru, ar draws tri safle gwahanol, gan ddarparu gwasanaethau meddygol i bron i 12,000 o bobl. Nawr, byddai cau'r practis neu'r safle hwn yn golygu na fyddai nifer o'n hetholwyr bellach yn byw o fewn pellter ymarferol i bractis meddyg teulu. Mae llawer ohonynt, wrth gwrs, yn oedrannus ac yn methu teithio pellteroedd hir, ac mae trafnidiaeth gyhoeddus yn wael iawn. Felly, a gaf i ofyn, Ysgrifennydd iechyd, pam y mae'r fformiwla gyllido bresennol yn dal i fethu rhoi ystyriaeth ddigonol i gostau uwch a chymhlethdodau rhedeg practis gwledig ar draws sawl safle, fel Llanfyllin, a pha gamau uniongyrchol y byddwch chi'n eu cymryd, gan weithio gyda bwrdd iechyd Powys, i adfer y cyllid sy'n angenrheidiol i atal y safle hwn rhag cau, a safleoedd gwledig eraill sydd yn yr un sefyllfa ledled Cymru?
The Member may have had the opportunity to see the public accountability meeting, which I held with Powys Teaching Health Board last week, in which, unsurprisingly, the importance of primary care was very, very central to the discussion that we were having. And some of the challenges, some of them he's alluding to in his question, were discussed in more general terms than the specific example that he's giving in that discussion.
The Government makes a number of interventions in order to support rural practices, mindful of the dependence that local residents will have on them, including support, which benefits parts of Powys, to encourage GPs to work in more rural areas where, perhaps, in the past recruitment has been particularly challenging.
On the question of the formula more broadly, I expect to make a statement reasonably shortly in relation to where we are with GP negotiations, and I hope that will be able to address some of the points that the Member has made.
Efallai fod yr Aelod wedi cael cyfle i weld y cyfarfod atebolrwydd cyhoeddus a gynhaliais gyda Bwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys yr wythnos diwethaf, lle nad yw'n syndod fod pwysigrwydd gofal sylfaenol yn gwbl ganolog i'r drafodaeth a gawsom. Ac yn y drafodaeth honno, trafodwyd rhai o'r heriau y cyfeiria atynt yn ei gwestiwn mewn termau mwy cyffredinol na'r enghraifft benodol y mae'n ei chrybwyll.
Mae'r Llywodraeth yn gwneud nifer o ymyriadau er mwyn cefnogi practisau meddygon teulu gwledig, gan gofio dibyniaeth trigolion lleol arnynt, yn cynnwys cymorth, sydd o fudd i rannau o Bowys, i annog meddygon teulu i weithio mewn ardaloedd mwy gwledig lle mae recriwtio wedi bod yn arbennig o heriol yn y gorffennol o bosib.
Ar gwestiwn y fformiwla'n fwy cyffredinol, rwy'n disgwyl gwneud datganiad yn gymharol fuan mewn perthynas â ble rydym arni gyda'r trafodaethau gyda meddygon teulu, ac rwy'n gobeithio y bydd hynny'n gallu mynd i'r afael â rhai o'r pwyntiau y mae'r Aelod wedi'u gwneud.
8. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i fynd i'r afael â phryderon a godwyd gan ymgynghorwyr mewn perthynas â gweithredu a rheoli Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru? OQ63511
8. What action is the Welsh Government taking to address concerns raised by consultants in relation to the operation and management of the University Hospital of Wales? OQ63511
We have been clear with the health board about their need to improve the culture and leadership, particularly addressing concerns raised in the recent internal reviews and the letter from consultants to which the Member is referring. The chief medical officer and the chief nursing officer have been leading a programme of work to strengthen clinical leadership in NHS Wales, and this includes developing an operating model for clinically led service improvement and transformation.
Rydym wedi dweud yn glir wrth y bwrdd iechyd fod angen iddynt wella'r diwylliant a'r arweinyddiaeth, gan fynd i'r afael yn fwyaf arbennig â phryderon a godwyd yn yr adolygiadau mewnol diweddar a'r llythyr y cyfeiria'r Aelod ato gan feddygon ymgynghorol. Mae'r prif swyddog meddygol a'r prif swyddog nyrsio wedi bod yn arwain rhaglen waith i gryfhau arweinyddiaeth glinigol yn GIG Cymru, ac mae hyn yn cynnwys datblygu model gweithredu ar gyfer gwella a thrawsnewid gwasanaethau o dan arweiniad clinigol.
A 77-year-old emphysema patient shivering after heating failure, and an 18-year-old in his final hours—his final hours—wet from the dripping ceiling of a pigeon-infested tunnel, and a despairing staff member who says working at Wales's biggest hospital has become an absolute nightmare. Health Secretary, I have stood here on numerous occasions highlighting the failures at the University Hospital of Wales and I haven't seen any action to address the concerns that I've been raising, from the threatened withdrawal of the licensing of the mortuary facilities at UHW to the appalling state of the theatres at UHW, and now that direct quote from patients and staff in the Western Mail yesterday, which I might commend as one of the few media sources to highlight the appalling state at Wales's largest hospital. You need to get a grip, Cabinet Secretary, and get into that health board and sort it out before more patients have to suffer what I just read out, and their relatives despair at the way they are being treated at Wales's largest hospital, and staff feel demoralised. So, will you commit to dealing with the issues at UHW and making sure that you come back within a month and give a detailed statement of the key actions you are taking to address those concerns and rectify the problems at UHW?
Claf emffysema 77 oed yn crynu ar ôl i'w system wresogi fethu, a dyn 18 oed yn ei oriau olaf—ei oriau olaf—yn wlyb oherwydd diferion o nenfwd twnnel llawn colomennod, ac aelod staff pryderus sy'n dweud bod gweithio yn ysbyty mwyaf Cymru yn gwbl hunllefus bellach. Ysgrifennydd iechyd, rwyf wedi sefyll yma ar sawl achlysur yn tynnu sylw at y methiannau yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru, ac nid wyf wedi gweld unrhyw gamau i fynd i'r afael â'r pryderon a godais, o'r bygythiad i ddiddymu trwydded cyfleusterau'r corffdy yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru i gyflwr erchyll y theatrau yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru, a nawr y dyfyniad uniongyrchol gan gleifion a staff yn y Western Mail ddoe, y gallwn ei ganmol fel un o ychydig gyhoeddiadau'r wasg i dynnu sylw at gyflwr erchyll ysbyty mwyaf Cymru. Mae angen ichi fynd i'r afael â hyn, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, a mynd i'r bwrdd iechyd hwnnw a datrys y broblem cyn i fwy o gleifion orfod dioddef yr hyn a ddarllenais, gyda'u perthnasau'n pryderu am y ffordd y cânt eu trin yn ysbyty mwyaf Cymru, a staff yn digalonni. Felly, a wnewch chi ymrwymo i fynd i'r afael â'r problemau yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru a sicrhau eich bod yn dod yn ôl o fewn mis i roi datganiad manwl ar y camau allweddol a roddir ar waith gennych i fynd i'r afael â'r pryderon hynny ac unioni'r problemau yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru?
I read the comments that the Member quoted today in the press yesterday, and they are shocking comments. I absolutely acknowledge that, and that absolutely should not be any patient's experience. I have been extremely clear about my expectations. The Member will be very well aware that I raised these matters with the health board in the public accountability session of a few weeks ago. He will also be aware that the health board has addressed their comments and the actions they are taking and I expect them to take in response to the letter that I raised with them at that session. They are in escalation specifically because of a range of concerns that the Member will also be aware of.
In relation to the question of estates specifically, which he refers to in his statement, the health board is currently developing a plan for the future of both the UHW and Llandough sites. When that plan is being concluded, we will work with them on options and timelines. There is a clear acknowledgement that the condition of the estate at the University Hospital of Wales is not adequate. We have allocated funding as a Government to support comprehensive survey work to inform that plan, and that will provide a clear understanding of the risks and what investment priorities need to come on the back of those to address them.
We have provided the health board with discretionary capital of £17 million this financial year and there's additional targeted estates funding that they have received in order to address a range of other challenges across their estate. As he knows, capital investment has been very, very, very constrained for a very long period of time. I don't wish to make a party political point in the context of the serious point that he is raising, but that is inescapably the context for some of the estate challenges that the health board is facing. I do not use that to excuse the culture challenges that the consultants were raising in their letter; those must be addressed regardless. But the points I have made today show that we are, within those financial constraints, aiming to get to grips with that set of challenges. Nobody should have the experience that the gentleman quoted by the Member has had.
Darllenais y sylwadau a ddyfynnodd yr Aelod heddiw yn y wasg ddoe, ac maent yn sylwadau brawychus. Rwy'n cydnabod hynny'n llwyr, ac ni ddylai unrhyw glaf gael y profiadau hynny. Rwyf wedi nodi fy nisgwyliadau'n hynod o glir. Bydd yr Aelod yn ymwybodol iawn fy mod wedi codi'r materion hyn gyda'r bwrdd iechyd yn y sesiwn atebolrwydd cyhoeddus ychydig wythnosau yn ôl. Fe fydd hefyd yn ymwybodol fod y bwrdd iechyd wedi mynd i'r afael â'u sylwadau a'r camau y maent yn eu cymryd ac rwy'n disgwyl iddynt eu cymryd mewn ymateb i'r llythyr a godais gyda nhw yn y sesiwn honno. Maent yn cael eu huwchgyfeirio'n benodol oherwydd amrywiaeth o bryderon y bydd yr Aelod hefyd yn ymwybodol ohonynt.
O ran y cwestiwn penodol ynghylch ystadau, y cyfeiria atynt yn ei ddatganiad, mae'r bwrdd iechyd wrthi'n datblygu cynllun ar gyfer dyfodol safleoedd Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru a Llandochau. Pan fydd y cynllun hwnnw'n cael ei gwblhau, byddwn yn gweithio gyda nhw ar opsiynau ac amserlenni. Mae cydnabyddiaeth glir nad yw cyflwr yr ystad yn Ysbyty Prifysgol Cymru yn ddigon da. Rydym wedi dyrannu cyllid fel Llywodraeth i gefnogi gwaith arolwg cynhwysfawr i lywio'r cynllun hwnnw, a bydd hwnnw'n rhoi dealltwriaeth glir o'r risgiau a pha flaenoriaethau buddsoddi sydd eu hangen i fynd i'r afael â nhw.
Rydym wedi darparu cyfalaf yn ôl disgresiwn o £17 miliwn i'r bwrdd iechyd yn y flwyddyn ariannol hon ac maent wedi derbyn cyllid ychwanegol wedi'i dargedu ar gyfer ystadau er mwyn mynd i'r afael ag amrywiaeth o heriau eraill ar draws eu hystad. Fel y gŵyr, mae buddsoddiad cyfalaf wedi bod yn gyfyngedig tu hwnt ers amser hir iawn. Nid wyf am wneud pwynt gwleidyddol yng nghyd-destun y pwynt difrifol y mae'n ei godi, ond dyna'n anochel yw cyd-destun rhai o'r heriau y mae'r bwrdd iechyd yn eu hwynebu gyda'i ystad. Nid wyf yn defnyddio hynny i esgusodi'r heriau diwylliannol yr oedd y meddygon ymgynghorol yn eu codi yn eu llythyr; rhaid mynd i'r afael â'r rheini beth bynnag. Ond mae'r pwyntiau a wneuthum heddiw yn dangos ein bod, o fewn y cyfyngiadau ariannol hynny, yn anelu at fynd i'r afael â'r set honno o heriau. Ni ddylai unrhyw un gael y profiad y mae'r gŵr a nododd yr Aelod wedi'i gael.
There's clearly a failure of governance here by the board, because one of the things that the clinicians are complaining about is the invisibility of the leadership and their failure to respond to their perfectly appropriate concerns. My question to you, really, is what resources is the Welsh Government making available to the new chair of the health board, in whom I have every confidence, but is facing a perfect storm of problems. I have particular concerns about the management of the estates and the use of resources to resolve what is a very difficult building to maintain.
Mae'n amlwg fod methiant llywodraethu yma gan y bwrdd, gan mai un o'r pethau y mae'r clinigwyr yn cwyno amdanynt yw diffyg gwelededd yr arweinyddiaeth a'u methiant i ymateb i'w pryderon cwbl briodol. Fy nghwestiwn i chi, mewn gwirionedd, yw pa adnoddau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n eu darparu i gadeirydd newydd y bwrdd iechyd, y mae gennyf bob hyder ynddi, ond sy'n wynebu storm berffaith o broblemau. Mae gennyf bryderon penodol ynghylch rheolaeth yr ystadau a'r defnydd o adnoddau i fynd i'r afael ag adeilad sy'n anodd iawn i'w gynnal.
Well, I have full confidence in the chair of the board as well. In my discussions with her, she clearly understands the challenges that need to be addressed. A number of the broader points that the Member made in relation to clinical engagement and executive visibility in different sites around the health board's area are addressed specifically in the health board's response to the letter from the consultants. There's a wide range of points that the consultants make, and they're addressed in that letter. I've been very clear with the health board, and I was clear in the most public meeting with them, that I expect those challenges to be engaged with, but I also expect clinicians to engage in a process of resolving together these challenges. There is an opportunity, I think, with a mature relationship between the executive team and the clinical leadership of the health board, to be able to make a significant improvement in this space. I do think that she's right to say that this is a challenge for the board to get to grips with, and I'm confident that the chair of the board will be doing that.
Wel, mae gennyf hyder llawn yng nghadeirydd y bwrdd hefyd. Yn fy nhrafodaethau gyda hi, mae hi'n deall yn glir yr heriau y mae angen mynd i'r afael â nhw. Mae nifer o'r pwyntiau ehangach a wnaeth yr Aelod mewn perthynas ag ymgysylltiad clinigol a gwelededd gweithredol mewn gwahanol safleoedd o amgylch ardal y bwrdd iechyd yn cael eu trafod yn benodol yn ymateb y bwrdd iechyd i'r llythyr gan y meddygon ymgynghorol. Mae'r meddygon ymgynghorol yn gwneud ystod eang o bwyntiau, ac maent yn cael sylw yn y llythyr hwnnw. Rwyf wedi bod yn glir iawn gyda'r bwrdd iechyd, ac roeddwn i'n glir yn y cyfarfod cyhoeddus gyda nhw, fy mod yn disgwyl i'r heriau hynny gael sylw, ond rwy'n disgwyl i glinigwyr gymryd rhan mewn proses ar gyfer datrys yr heriau hyn gyda'i gilydd. Mae cyfle, rwy'n credu, gyda pherthynas aeddfed rhwng y tîm gweithredol ac arweinyddiaeth glinigol y bwrdd iechyd, i allu gwneud gwelliant sylweddol yn hyn o beth. Rwy'n credu ei bod hi'n iawn i ddweud bod hon yn her i'r bwrdd fynd i'r afael â hi, ac rwy'n hyderus y bydd cadeirydd y bwrdd yn gwneud hynny.
Ac yn olaf, cwestiwn 9. Julie Morgan.
Finally, question 9. Julie Morgan.
9. Pa gamau y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn eu cymryd i gefnogi iechyd a llesiant dynion? OQ63519
9. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support men's health and well-being? OQ63519
Thank you very much for the question. As you know, earlier on this year, we produced the mental health and well-being strategy. This is to ensure that Wales becomes the first nation in the world to have a stepped care, open-access model, and men's health is going to be absolutely crucial to this. That's why we're working very closely with people with lived experiences in our communities to ensure that their voices are heard.
Diolch yn fawr am y cwestiwn. Fel y gwyddoch, yn gynharach eleni, fe wnaethom gynhyrchu'r strategaeth iechyd meddwl a llesiant meddyliol. Fe wnaethom hynny er mwyn sicrhau mai Cymru yw'r genedl gyntaf yn y byd i gael model gofal mewn camau, mynediad agored, ac mae iechyd dynion yn mynd i fod yn hollol allweddol i hyn. Dyna pam ein bod yn gweithio'n agos iawn gyda phobl sydd â phrofiadau bywyd yn ein cymunedau i sicrhau bod eu lleisiau'n cael eu clywed.
Diolch am yr ateb.
Thank you for that response.
I'm very supportive of the Men's Sheds movement. I've seen first-hand at the Lisvane Men's Shed the great job they do in helping men's health. But they have contacted me and they say that they feel that there's not enough about men's health in the strategy and wondered if the Government could look at the strategy and see if there's something that could be put in specifically to address men's health. Obviously, we know all the issues related to men's health. In particular, in Wales, we do have a high suicide rate amongst men. So, I wondered if you could look at whether there's anything that could be done to address men's health more directly in the strategy.
Rwy'n gefnogol iawn i fudiad Men's Sheds. Rwyf wedi gweld drosof fy hun yn y Men's Shed yn Llys-faen y gwaith gwych y maent yn ei wneud yn helpu iechyd dynion. Ond maent wedi cysylltu â mi ac maent yn dweud eu bod yn teimlo nad oes digon am iechyd dynion yn y strategaeth ac yn meddwl tybed a allai'r Llywodraeth edrych ar y strategaeth a gweld a oes rhywbeth y gellid ei roi i mewn yn benodol i fynd i'r afael ag iechyd dynion. Yn amlwg, rydym yn gwybod am yr holl broblemau sy'n gysylltiedig ag iechyd dynion. Yn fwyaf arbennig, yng Nghymru, mae gennym gyfradd uchel o hunanladdiad ymhlith dynion. Felly, tybed a allech chi edrych i weld a oes unrhyw beth y gellid ei wneud i fynd i'r afael ag iechyd dynion yn fwy uniongyrchol yn y strategaeth.
Thank you very much for that follow-up question. I just want to also take this opportunity to say how wonderful I think that Men's Sheds is, and Men's Sheds Cymru. I recently went to visit the Ogmore branch with Huw Irranca-Davies because we had a delegation from Japan, because Japan are now going to copy the model, and there are going to be the first Men's Sheds in Japan, which I think is fantastic. Also, in Pencoed, I went out with the newly formed Men's Sheds there last week, and we were clearing public walkways. There's just so much that they do across Wales, and I'm very grateful.
I also wanted to say that the ambition for the strategy, as I said, is that we're going to be the first nation with our single-session model. Open access is particularly key to this, and we know this from men and listening to men, that when they ask for help and they're in the space where they have come to that part where they can actually go and ask for that help, it's really important that they get it. We can also see this through the national '111 press 2' service that we have, because since it's been started, 200,000 calls have been received and 40 per cent of them have been from men. So, open access is obviously a format that men respond to, and we need to build upon that.
You mentioned men's health in the context of the suicide rate at the moment, which is very worrying. You will know that the UK Government are in the process of looking at doing a men's health strategy in that context. I'm watching keenly and reading through the evaluation and the information that's coming through, so that we can better understand the needs of men. I think, actually, that there's been this narrative that men don't always reach out for help. However, some of what's coming through in the evaluation suggests that maybe we just don't always recognise the way that they ask. So, it's even more important, as we go forward, that we have that input from men to ensure that those services are there when they need them.
There will be a key role for the third sector in the mental health and well-being strategy, a 10-year strategy, but with a three-year delivery strategy to begin with. Many factors, as we know, can impact mental health, and that includes the cost of living, relationships and work, so we really are working across Government. I would be more than happy to have a meeting with Men's Sheds Cymru to ensure that they feel that they're being engaged in this process; they are absolutely crucial. The third sector is crucial to a stepped care model and also to our—oh, my brain—social prescribing framework, as well, which we're currently working on. Men's Sheds are really key to that. So, yes, of course, I will do everything that I can to reinforce everything that I have said today and make sure that that is shared with our stakeholders. Diolch.
Diolch yn fawr am y cwestiwn atodol. Rwyf am fanteisio ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i ddweud pa mor wych yw Men's Sheds, a Men's Sheds Cymru. Yn ddiweddar ymwelais â changen Ogwr gyda Huw Irranca-Davies oherwydd roedd gennym ddirprwyaeth o Japan, ac mae Japan yn mynd i gopïo'r model nawr, a dyna fydd y Men's Sheds cyntaf yn Japan, sy'n wych. Hefyd, ym Mhencoed, yr wythnos diwethaf, euthum allan gyda'r Men's Sheds sydd newydd ei ffurfio yno, ac fe fuom yn clirio llwybrau cyhoeddus. Maent yn gwneud cymaint ledled Cymru, ac rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn.
Roeddwn eisiau dweud hefyd mai'r uchelgais ar gyfer y strategaeth, fel y dywedais, yw mai ni fydd y genedl gyntaf gyda'n model un sesiwn. Mae mynediad agored yn arbennig o allweddol i hyn, ac rydym yn gwybod gan ddynion a gwrando ar ddynion, pan fyddant yn gofyn am help ac mewn sefyllfa lle gallant fynd i ofyn am yr help hwnnw, ei bod hi'n bwysig iawn eu bod yn ei gael. Gallwn weld hyn hefyd drwy'r gwasanaeth cenedlaethol '111 pwyso 2' sydd gennym, oherwydd ers iddo ddechrau, derbyniwyd 200,000 o alwadau gyda 40 y cant ohonynt gan ddynion. Felly, mae mynediad agored yn amlwg yn fformat y mae dynion yn ymateb iddo, ac mae angen inni adeiladu ar hynny.
Fe wnaethoch chi sôn am iechyd dynion yng nghyd-destun y gyfradd hunanladdiad ar hyn o bryd, sy'n bryderus iawn. Fe fyddwch yn gwybod bod Llywodraeth y DU yn y broses o edrych ar wneud strategaeth iechyd dynion yn y cyd-destun hwnnw. Rwy'n gwylio'n astud ac yn darllen trwy'r gwerthusiad a'r wybodaeth sy'n dod drwodd, fel y gallwn ddeall anghenion dynion yn well. Rwy'n meddwl, mewn gwirionedd, fod yna naratif nad yw dynion bob amser yn gofyn am help. Fodd bynnag, mae rhywfaint o'r hyn sy'n dod drwodd yn y gwerthusiad yn awgrymu efallai nad ydym bob amser yn adnabod y ffordd y maent yn gofyn. Felly, mae'n bwysicach fyth, wrth inni symud ymlaen, ein bod yn cael mewnbwn gan ddynion i sicrhau bod y gwasanaethau hynny yno pan fyddant eu hangen.
Bydd yna rôl allweddol i'r trydydd sector yn y strategaeth iechyd meddwl a llesiant meddyliol, strategaeth 10 mlynedd, ond gyda strategaeth gyflawni dair blynedd i ddechrau. Fel y gwyddom, mae llawer o ffactorau'n gallu effeithio ar iechyd meddwl, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys costau byw, perthnasoedd a gwaith, felly rydym yn gweithio ar draws y Llywodraeth. Rwy'n fwy na hapus i gael cyfarfod gyda Men's Sheds Cymru i sicrhau eu bod yn teimlo eu bod yn rhan o'r broses hon; maent yn hollol allweddol. Mae'r trydydd sector yn allweddol i fodel gofal mewn camau a hefyd i'n fframwaith presgripsiynu cymdeithasol hefyd, fframwaith yr ydym yn gweithio arno ar hyn o bryd. Mae Men's Sheds yn allweddol iawn i hynny. Felly, wrth gwrs, fe wnaf bopeth yn fy ngallu i atgyfnerthu popeth a ddywedais heddiw a gwneud yn siŵr fod hynny'n cael ei rannu gyda'n rhanddeiliaid. Diolch.
Diolch i'r Ysgrifennydd Cabinet a'r Gweinidogion.
Thank you, Cabinet Secretary and Ministers.
Pwynt o drefn gan Heledd Fychan.
Point of order from Heledd Fychan.
Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I do wish to raise a point of order. Earlier this afternoon, the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership drew attention to the fact that I was not present to speak during a statement that he made on 19 November 2024, giving the impression that I was negligent of my scrutiny responsibilities. For clarity and for the record, and as agreed by the Senedd's Business Committee, I was in Brussels with the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, and the statement was ably scrutinised on behalf of Plaid Cymru by Llyr Gruffydd. I do regret that the Minister does not follow the work of the committee that scrutinises his portfolio.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Hoffwn godi pwynt o drefn. Yn gynharach y prynhawn yma, tynnodd y Gweinidog Diwylliant, Sgiliau a Phartneriaeth Gymdeithasol sylw at y ffaith nad oeddwn i'n bresennol i siarad yn ystod datganiad a wnaeth ar 19 Tachwedd 2024, gan roi'r argraff fy mod yn esgeuluso fy nghyfrifoldebau craffu. Er eglurder ac er mwyn y cofnod, ac fel y cytunwyd gan Bwyllgor Busnes y Senedd, roeddwn ym Mrwsel gyda'r Pwyllgor Diwylliant, Cyfathrebu, y Gymraeg, Chwaraeon a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol, a chafodd y datganiad ei graffu'n fedrus ar ran Plaid Cymru gan Llyr Gruffydd. Mae'n ddrwg gennyf nad yw'r Gweinidog yn dilyn gwaith y pwyllgor sy'n craffu ar ei bortffolio.
Thank you for putting that on the record.
Diolch am nodi hynny.
Does dim cwestiynau amserol heddiw.
There are no topical questions today.
Felly, symudwn ymlaen i eitem 4, y datganiadau 90 eiliad, a bydd y cyntaf gan Elin Jones.
So, we move on to item 4, the 90-second statements, and the first is from Elin Jones.
Union 70 mlynedd i heno, yn Rhagfyr 1955, mewn cyfarfod o bwyllgor sirol yr NFU yn sir Gâr, arosod 12 ffermwr ar ôl ar ddiwedd y cyfarfod i sefydlu undeb annibynnol i ffermwyr Cymru. Fe oedd fy Wncwl Jac yn un o’r 12. Aethpwyd ati wedyn i sefydlu’r FUW ar hyd a lled Cymru yn wyneb cryn wrthwynebiad ac atgasedd. 'We’ll smash you in three months', dywedodd rhai, a'u cymharu â therfysgwyr Mau Mau Kenya a wnaeth eraill.
Beth symbylodd y weithred o greu undeb annibynnol? Wel, y teimlad bod yr NFU bryd hynny yn anwybyddu anghenion Cymru yn eu penderfyniadau yn Llundain. Yn sir Gâr yn enwedig, y prif symbyliad oedd bwriad y Llywodraeth a’r Comisiwn Coedwigaeth i goedwigo yn orfodol ar 20,000 o erwau amaethyddol yn ardal Rhandirmwyn.
Ivor Davies ddaeth yn gadeirydd cyntaf ar yr undeb. Fy Wncwl Jac i, J.B. Evans, Ceidwadwr gyda llaw, oedd ysgrifennydd cyffredinol cyntaf yr undeb. Y Llafurwr, John Morris, ddaeth yn is-ysgrifennydd cyffredinol, a fe, fel Ysgrifennydd Gwladol yn yr 1970au, sicrhaodd gydnabyddiaeth ffurfiol i’r FUW yn nhrafodaethau llywodraethol o hynny ymlaen.
Am 70 mlynedd, felly, mae Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru wedi cynrychioli a brwydro dros ddyfodol amaethyddiaeth. Mae perchnogaeth amaethyddiaeth Cymru yn dal yn bennaf o fewn dwylo'r fferm deuluol, a hynny yn diogelu ein cymunedau ac amgylchedd gwledig ynghyd â gwytnwch ein cadwyn fwyd. Mae'r rhan fawr o’r diolch am hyn i weledigaeth y 12 ffermwr yna yn sir Gâr, union 70 mlynedd i heno, a greodd Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru. Mewn undeb, mae nerth.
Exactly 70 years ago this evening, in December 1955, in a meeting of the NFU's county committee in Carmarthenshire, 12 farmers stayed behind at the end of the meeting to establish an independent union for Wales's farmers. My Uncle Jac was one of the 12. They proceeded to establish the FUW the length and breadth of Wales, in the face of a good deal of opposition and anger. 'We'll smash you in three months', some said, while others compared them to the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya.
And what inspired the act of establishing an independent union? Well, the feeling was that the NFU at that time ignored the needs of Wales in its decisions that were taken in London. In Carmarthenshire in particular, the main driver was the Government and the Forestry Commission's intention regarding compulsory afforestation of 20,000 acres of agricultural land in the Rhandirmwyn area.
Ivor Davies became the union's first chair. My Uncle Jac, J.B. Evans, a Conservative by the way, was the union's first general secretary. The Labour stalwart, John Morris, became deputy general secretary, and he, as Secretary of State in the 1970s, delivered formal recognition for the FUW in negotiations with Government from then on.
For 70 years, therefore, the Farmers Union of Wales has represented and fought for the future of agriculture. Ownership over agriculture in Wales remains mainly in the hands of the family farm, thereby safeguarding our rural communities and environment, whilst also ensuring a resilient food chain. A large part of the thanks for this is due to the vision of those 12 farmers in Carmarthenshire, exactly 70 years ago this evening, in establishing the Farmers Union of Wales. In unity, there is strength.
Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i Fenter Iaith Caerffili, sy’n dathlu 25 mlynedd o ysbrydoli defnydd o’r Gymraeg y tu hwnt i’r ystafell ddosbarth. Am chwarter canrif, o dan arweinyddiaeth ragorol ei phrif swyddog, Lowri Jones, maent wedi bod wrth galon y gwaith o gryfhau ein hiaith yn y sir drwy gynlluniau gofal plant, gweithgareddau gwyliau, a digwyddiadau cymunedol fel Ffiliffest. Mae eu hymroddiad yn dangos yr hyn sy’n bosibl pan fo cymunedau’n cydweithio, ac yn profi beth all ddigwydd pan gyfunir ysbrydoliaeth ag ymrwymiad.
Wrth inni edrych ymlaen at weld yr iaith yn parhau i dyfu, mae llwyddiannau fel hyn yn ein hatgoffa pa mor bell rydym wedi dod. Mae’r dyddiau pan oedd gelyniaeth agored gan awdurdodau tuag at hyrwyddo’r Gymraeg bellach yn y gorffennol. Nid oedd sefydlu ysgolion cyfrwng Cymraeg i ateb galw rhieni bob amser yn hawdd. Gall selogion Plaid Cymru fel Phil Bevan gofio’r frwydr i sicrhau lleoedd addysg Gymraeg i blant y sir.
Heddiw, mae addysg Gymraeg yn ffynnu, ac mae hynny’n galonogol iawn. Mae gennym bellach ffordd i fynd i gyrraedd y nod o filiwn o siaradwyr, ond gyda sefydliadau brwdfrydig fel menter Caerffili ac ewyllys wleidyddol glir, mae’n darged cwbl gredadwy. Llongyfarchiadau mawr i fenter Caerffili. Mwynheais y parti yn y Coed Duon nos Iau ddiwethaf, ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld eu gwaith gwerthfawr yn parhau am flynyddoedd i ddod. Pen-blwydd hapus.
I'd like to pay tribute to Menter Iaith Caerffili, which is celebrating 25 years of inspiring the use of the Welsh language beyond the classroom. For a quarter of a century, under the exceptional leadership of the chief officer, Lowri Jones, they've been at the heart of efforts to strengthen our language in the county through childcare schemes, school holiday activities, and community events such as Ffiliffest. Their dedication shows what's possible when communities work together, and demonstrates what can happen when inspiration meets dedication.
As we look forward to seeing the language continuing to grow, success stories like these remind us how far we have already come. The days when the authorities were openly hostile to the promotion of the Welsh language are long gone. The establishment of Welsh-medium schools to meet the demand from parents was not always easy. Plaid Cymru mainstays like Phil Bevan remember the struggle to ensure Welsh education provision for children in the county.
Today, Welsh-medium education is flourishing, and that is hugely encouraging. We have more to do to reach the aim of a million Welsh speakers, but with enthusiastic organisations like Menter Iaith Caerffili and with clear political will, it is an entirely credible target. Huge congratulations to Menter Iaith Caerffili. I enjoyed the celebrations in Blackwood last Thursday, and I look forward to seeing their invaluable work continuing for years to come. Happy birthday.
Mae Gwaelod-y-garth yn bentref tawel a lled wledig ar gyrion Caerdydd. Heddiw, mae'n anodd credu ei fod wedi bod yn bentref diwydiannol am ganrifoedd, hyd at ddechrau'r ugeinfed ganrif. Ddydd Gwener yma, bydd y trigolion yn cofnodi 150 o flynyddoedd ers trychineb glofa'r Llan lle collodd 16 o ddynion eu bywydau—yr unig drychineb fwyngloddio, hyd y gwn i, o fewn ffiniau cyfredol Caerdydd. Bydd y Cynghorydd Rhys Livesey yn darllen enwau'r 16, a bydd eitemau gan Ysgol Gynradd Gwaelod y Garth. Mae hyn yn addas iawn oherwydd buodd pedwar plentyn farw yn y trychineb, yr ifancaf yn 12 mlwydd oed. Mae'n bwysig hefyd cofio'r teuluoedd a gafodd eu taflu mas o'u cartrefi oherwydd eu bod nhw'n methu talu'r rhent bellach, wedi colli eu gŵyr a'u meibion.
Fe wnaeth y drychineb arwain at newid yn y gyfraith, a dwi'n siŵr bod hynny wedi sicrhau arbed cannoedd, os nad miloedd, o fywydau. Mae'n bosib byddai'r cyfan wedi mynd yn angof erbyn hyn oni bai am waith diwyd Norma Procter a gwirfoddolwyr brwdfrydig eraill a sicrhaodd fod yna gofeb barhaol yn nodi'r lofa a'r drychineb, a honno wedi ei dadorchuddio gan Rhodri Morgan yn ôl yn 2012.
Terfynaf gyda geiriau'r gofeb, geiriau sydd yn berthnasol nid yn unig i gofio'r Llan, ond i gofio pawb sy'n cael eu hecsbloetio hyd heddiw ledled y byd:
'Ânt â ni o'r crud a'n gweithio hyd angau.'
Gwaelod-y-garth is a quiet and semi-rural village on the outskirts of Cardiff. Today, it's hard to believe that it was an industrial village for centuries, up until the beginning of the twentieth century. This Friday, the village's residents will be marking 150 years since the Llan colliery disaster, when 16 men lost their lives—the only mining disaster, as far as I'm aware, within Cardiff's current boundaries. Councillor Rhys Livesey will recite the names of the 16 victims, and Ysgol Gynradd Gwaelod y Garth will contribute items too, which is only appropriate, bearing in mind that four children lost their lives in the disaster, with the youngest only 12 years of age. It's also important to remember those families who were evicted from their homes as they were no longer able to afford to pay the rent, having lost their husbands and sons.
The disaster led to a change in the law, and I'm sure that that has saved the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people. It's possible that all of this would have been forgotten were it not for the dedicated efforts of Norma Procter and other enthusiastic volunteers who ensured that there was a permanent memorial to mark the colliery and the disaster, and that was unveiled by Rhodri Morgan back in 2012.
I will finish with the words engraved on the memorial, words that are relevant not just to remembering Llan, but to remembering all those who are exploited to this day across the world.
'They take us from our cradles and they work us to death.'
'They take us from our cradles and they work us to death.'
Diolch yn fawr.
Maent yn ein codi o'r crud ac yn ein gweithio i'r bedd.
Diolch yn fawr.
Last Thursday, at just 14 years old, Kyle Sieniawski from Pontypridd tragically passed away, and I wish to pay tribute today to a wonderful, caring and inspirational boy that was taken far too soon.
Kyle first began suffering with neurological issues in March 2024, and in January, he received a devastating diagnosis of motor neurone disease. He is believed to be the UK's youngest person to ever be diagnosed with this cruel disease, and since last new year's eve, he had been living in a hospital room at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, alongside his parents, Mark and Melanie, and his brother Liam.
Prior to this, Kyle was healthy, just like any other boy his age, and enjoyed playing with his friends. His favourite hobby was taekwondo, and he had the most beautiful smile and a great sense of humour. Despite everything he went through over the past year, his smile and humour, as well as his love for Connect 4, shone through brightly in all the updates shared by his family via the Facebook page Kyle's MND Story.
More than anything, and despite the wonderful care he received at hospital, Kyle wanted to come home. His family did everything possible to try and make that happen, even putting their home on the market, as it was not suitable for adaptations. However, as is the case far too often with MND sufferers, such support was far too slow, with the family having to fight continuously at a time when they should have just been able to focus on Kyle. Unfortunately for Kyle and his family, it meant he never got his wish. The family have vowed to continue campaigning in Kyle's memory to ensure no family has to go through what they did, and they have my full support.
But, today, I'm sure that all Senedd Members will join me in sending our deepest condolences to Mark, Melanie, Liam and all of Kyle's family and friends. Though his life was far too short, he shone brightly and was so loved. He will never be forgotten by all who met him or were touched by his story.
Ddydd Iau diwethaf, yn ddim ond 14 oed, bu farw Kyle Sieniawski o Bontypridd, a hoffwn dalu teyrnged heddiw i fachgen annwyl a hyfryd a llawn ysbrydoliaeth a gafodd ei gymryd oddi arnom yn llawer rhy fuan.
Dechreuodd Kyle ddioddef gyda phroblemau niwrolegol am y tro cyntaf ym mis Mawrth 2024, ac ym mis Ionawr, cafodd ddiagnosis o glefyd niwronau motor. Credir mai ef yw'r person ieuengaf yn y DU erioed i gael diagnosis o'r clefyd creulon hwn, ac ers nos Galan y llynedd, bu'n byw mewn ystafell ysbyty yn Ysbyty Plant Arch Noa Cymru, gyda'i rieni, Mark a Melanie, a'i frawd Liam.
Cyn hyn, roedd Kyle yn iach, yn union fel unrhyw fachgen arall ei oedran, ac yn mwynhau chwarae gyda'i ffrindiau. Ei hoff hobi oedd taekwondo, ac roedd ganddo'r wên hyfrytaf a synnwyr digrifwch gwych. Er gwaethaf popeth a aeth drwyddo dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, roedd ei wên a'i hiwmor, yn ogystal â'i gariad at Connect 4, yn disgleirio drwodd yn yr holl ddiweddariadau a rannodd ei deulu trwy dudalen Facebook Kyle's MND Story.
Yn fwy na dim, ac er gwaethaf y gofal gwych a gafodd yn yr ysbyty, roedd Kyle eisiau dod adref. Gwnaeth ei deulu bopeth posib i geisio gwneud i hynny ddigwydd, a rhoi eu cartref ar y farchnad hyd yn oed am nad oedd yn addas ar gyfer addasiadau. Fodd bynnag, fel sy'n digwydd yn rhy aml gyda dioddefwyr clefyd niwronau motor, roedd cefnogaeth o'r fath yn llawer rhy araf, gyda'r teulu'n gorfod brwydro'n barhaus ar adeg pan ddylent fod wedi gallu canolbwyntio ar Kyle. Yn anffodus i Kyle a'i deulu, golygodd hynny na fu modd iddo gael ei ddymuniad. Mae'r teulu wedi addo parhau i ymgyrchu er cof am Kyle i sicrhau nad oes rhaid i unrhyw deulu fynd drwy'r hyn y bu'n rhaid iddynt hwy ei ddioddef, ac rwy'n eu cefnogi gant y cant.
Ond heddiw, rwy'n siŵr y gwnaiff holl Aelodau'r Senedd ymuno â mi i anfon ein cydymdeimlad dwysaf i Mark, Melanie, Liam a holl deulu a ffrindiau Kyle. Er bod ei fywyd yn llawer rhy fyr, fe ddisgleiriodd yn llachar a chafodd ei garu'n fawr. Ni chaiff ei anghofio gan neb a'i cyfarfu neu a gafodd eu cyffwrdd gan ei stori.
Diolch, bawb.
Thank you, all.
Eitem 5 yw dadl ar Adroddiad Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig, 'Hybu Cig Cymru'. Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Item 5 is a debate on the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee Report, 'Hybu Cig Cymru'. I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion, Andrew R.T. Davies.
Cynnig NDM9067 Andrew R.T. Davies
Cynnig bod y Senedd yn nodi:
Adroddiad Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig, ‘Hybu Cig Cymru’, a osodwyd yn y Swyddfa Gyflwyno ar 3 Medi 2025.
Motion NDM9067 Andrew R.T. Davies
To propose that the Senedd notes:
The report of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, ‘Hybu Cig Cymru’, which was laid in the Table Office on 3 September 2025.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion in my name on the order paper.
Our red meat is a product we can be very proud of as a nation. It has an excellent global reputation and is enjoyed at barbecues in Barry and by dignitaries in Dubai. Our meat is high-quality, high-welfare meat with a low-carbon footprint. I would personally argue this is an industry where Welsh products are second to none. However, our farmers and processors face a number of challenges.
Members will be aware that food inflation and the general cost-of-living squeeze is making Welsh products less affordable, and that the cost of farming has dramatically increased. I'm not going to go through every challenge facing the farmers, but it is at times like this that it's important that the Government is firing on all cylinders to support the industry, and that includes arm's-length bodies performing to the best of their ability. Sadly, recently this has not been the case with HCC. Members will be aware of the turmoil that has recently beset the organisation and allegations that have been made in the media about the culture at HCC. That turmoil will have been a major distraction for the staff at HCC, preventing them from performing their core task.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Rwy'n gwneud y cynnig yn fy enw i ar y papur trefn.
Mae ein cig coch yn gynnyrch y gallwn fod yn falch iawn ohono fel cenedl. Mae iddo enw da rhagorol yn fyd-eang ac mae'n cael ei fwynhau mewn barbeciws yn y Barri a gan bobl bwysig yn Dubai. Mae ein cig yn gig o ansawdd uchel, o anifeiliaid sydd wedi cael gofal da ac mae ei ôl troed carbon yn isel. Yn bersonol, buaswn yn dadlau bod hwn yn ddiwydiant lle mae cynnyrch o Gymru yn well na chynnyrch o'r un wlad arall. Fodd bynnag, mae ein ffermwyr a'n proseswyr yn wynebu nifer o heriau.
Bydd yr Aelodau'n ymwybodol fod chwyddiant bwyd a'r wasgfa costau byw yn gyffredinol yn gwneud cynnyrch o Gymru'n llai fforddiadwy, a bod cost ffermio wedi cynyddu'n ddramatig. Nid af drwy bob her sy'n wynebu ffermwyr, ond ar adegau fel hyn mae'n bwysig fod y Llywodraeth yn gwneud ei gorau glas i gefnogi'r diwydiant, ac mae hynny'n cynnwys sicrhau bod cyrff hyd braich yn perfformio hyd eithaf eu gallu. Yn anffodus, nid yw hynny'n wir yn achos HCC yn ddiweddar. Bydd yr Aelodau'n ymwybodol o'r cythrwfl sydd wedi taro'r sefydliad yn ddiweddar a'r honiadau a wnaed yn y cyfryngau am y diwylliant yn HCC. Bydd y cythrwfl hwnnw wedi tarfu ar y staff yn HCC, gan eu hatal rhag cyflawni eu gorchwyl craidd.
The committee is not an employment tribunal, and the report does not look to examine the allegations or issues. Instead, we decided to produce a forward-looking report that aims to ensure steps are taken to get HCC back on track and stop similar issues happening in the future.
As well as the challenges farmers are facing with the introduction of the sustainable farming scheme and the changes to inheritance tax, there’s a lot of uncertainty for them for the future. As you will be aware, Deputy Presiding Officer, farming is an industry that needs certainty. Farming is a long-term game—a marathon, not a sprint. As a result of these challenges and uncertainty for our meat industry, standing still cannot be an option for HCC.
I was hoping that this report would have helped the Welsh Government and the HCC board to reinvigorate the organisation. This is the perfect time to reassess the HCC operation and to retool it in order to give the new chief executive the best chance to ensure HCC can play its vital role in supporting our red meat industry. However, Deputy Presiding Officer, judging by the response to our report, this is an opportunity I fear the current Welsh Government are going to miss.
The report makes nine recommendations. The recommendations include looking at the governance, and possibly the ownership, of HCC in order to strengthen the controls and give levy payers a more direct influence over the organisation. HCC has a big task, and funding is clearly going to be a challenge for it in the future. That funding is linked to livestock numbers—a levy is paid per head of animal processed. With decreasing livestock numbers, that constrains the income HCC receives. Also, it was drawn to our attention that, due to a reclassification of VAT, the budget had taken a £0.5 million hit because of that reclassification and HCC being unable to reclaim it. Bearing in mind the total budget of HCC is about £4.5 million, that is a substantial dent in the income available to HCC to promote Welsh lamb and beef and red meat products.
We believe, therefore, it is critical that the measurement that HCC is performing to is measured by key performance indicators, and that this reporting data is made available to measure the progress that levy payers can see HCC is making in the future. The reason we focus on the governance, and went as far as to suggest that the Welsh Government consider returning HCC to levy payers, is because clearly that governance system has recently failed. It failed the customers, namely the levy payers, and it failed the people who work at HCC. We hope amplifying the voice of levy payers at senior levels in the organisation will help keep HCC honest and focused.
Whilst I acknowledge the Deputy First Minister's response that there were many levy payers on the board, I feel this is somewhat missing the point that we were making. These people will have other roles on the board. We wanted members of the board whose sole job was to sit at the table to represent the interests of levy payers. I was very disappointed that this recommendation was rejected. Whilst I did not expect the Government to go all the way and divest their interest in HCC, I did expect them to at least do the exploratory work to see how levy payer voices could be strengthened. It seems to me very straightforward to reorganise the board in a way that would include roles for levy payer representatives. I would urge the Deputy First Minister to reconsider his response to recommendation 1 of the report to see how this could be incorporated.
Similarly, I thought recommendation 9 would be relatively straightforward to implement and would pay dividends, so I was also disappointed that this was rejected. This recommendation was that the Welsh Government should ensure industry voices are well represented in the work to update HCC's framework agreement. We recommended that they consult with the industry where they are, to ensure that they are hearing all voices, not just those who have the time and ability to easily engage with the Welsh Government. I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary said engagement with the industry has been the new chief executive's top priority, but we need to make sure that the industry is heard and feels heard, not just for the framework, but in everything HCC does.
The evidence taken showed that farmers and processors struggle to find the time to engage with HCC and the Government. This is not earth-shattering news, but it's an important point of principle. This means the Government must seek them out and engage with them on their terms.
To end on a positive note, I am pleased that the Welsh Government did accept a number of our recommendations, including HCC regularly reporting to the Welsh Government on its working culture and agreeing new measurable key performance indicators for the organisation. I hope the implementation of our recommendations that were accepted will lead to an improvement in HCC that works for the red meat industry and help avoid a repeat of the turmoil we saw.
Whilst recognising it is the right of this Minister to reject committee recommendations, there is an election just around the corner, and I believe that this report in its entirety offers a comprehensive road map for an invigorated HCC organisation to promote what is best about the Welsh livestock industry and promote red meat across the globe and here in the United Kingdom. I look forward to hearing other Members' contributions this afternoon. I'll thank them for their contributions before I sum up at the close of this debate. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Nid tribiwnlys cyflogaeth yw'r pwyllgor, ac nid bwriad yr adroddiad yw archwilio'r honiadau na'r materion sy'n codi. Yn hytrach, fe wnaethom benderfynu cynhyrchu adroddiad blaengar sy'n anelu at sicrhau bod camau'n cael eu cymryd i gael HCC yn ôl ar y trywydd iawn ac atal problemau tebyg rhag digwydd yn y dyfodol.
Yn ogystal â'r heriau y mae ffermwyr yn eu hwynebu gyda chyflwyno'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy a'r newidiadau i'r dreth etifeddiant, mae yna lawer o ansicrwydd ar gyfer y dyfodol. Fel y gwyddoch, Ddirprwy Lywydd, mae ffermio'n ddiwydiant sydd angen sicrwydd. Mae ffermio yn waith hirdymor—marathon, nid sbrint. O ganlyniad i'r heriau hyn a'r ansicrwydd i'n diwydiant cig, ni all sefyll yn llonydd fod yn opsiwn i HCC.
Roeddwn i'n gobeithio y byddai'r adroddiad hwn wedi helpu Llywodraeth Cymru a bwrdd HCC i adfywio'r sefydliad. Dyma'r amser perffaith i ailasesu gwaith HCC a'i ailarfogi er mwyn rhoi'r cyfle gorau i'r prif weithredwr newydd sicrhau y gall HCC chwarae ei rôl allweddol yn cefnogi ein diwydiant cig coch. Fodd bynnag, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a barnu yn ôl yr ymateb i'n hadroddiad, mae hwn yn gyfle yr ofnaf y bydd Llywodraeth bresennol Cymru yn ei golli.
Mae'r adroddiad yn gwneud naw argymhelliad. Mae'r argymhellion yn cynnwys edrych ar lywodraethiant HCC, a'i berchnogaeth o bosib, er mwyn cryfhau'r mesurau rheoli a rhoi dylanwad mwy uniongyrchol i dalwyr yr ardoll dros y sefydliad. Mae gan HCC dasg fawr, ac mae'n amlwg y bydd cyllid yn her iddo yn y dyfodol. Mae'r cyllid hwnnw'n gysylltiedig â niferoedd da byw—telir ardoll y pen ar anifeiliaid a brosesir. Gyda niferoedd da byw'n lleihau, mae hynny'n cyfyngu ar yr incwm y mae HCC yn ei gael. Hefyd, oherwydd ailddosbarthu TAW, nodwyd bod y gyllideb wedi cael ergyd o £0.5 miliwn oherwydd yr ailddosbarthiad hwnnw ac nad oedd modd i HCC ei adennill. O gofio bod cyfanswm cyllideb HCC tua £4.5 miliwn, mae honno'n ergyd sylweddol i'r incwm sydd ar gael i HCC ar gyfer hyrwyddo cig oen a chig eidion Cymru a chynhyrchion cig coch.
Credwn ei bod hi'n hanfodol felly fod perfformiad HCC yn cael ei fesur gan ddangosyddion perfformiad allweddol, a bod y data adrodd hwn ar gael i fesur y cynnydd y gall talwyr yr ardoll weld HCC yn ei wneud yn y dyfodol. Y rheswm pam ein bod yn canolbwyntio ar y llywodraethiant, ac wedi mynd mor bell ag awgrymu bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn ystyried dychwelyd HCC i dalwyr yr ardoll, yw ei bod yn amlwg fod y system lywodraethu honno wedi methu yn ddiweddar. Fe wnaeth gam â chwsmeriaid, sef talwyr yr ardoll, ac fe wnaeth gam â'r bobl sy'n gweithio yn HCC. Rydym yn gobeithio y bydd chwyddo llais talwyr yr ardoll ar lefelau uwch yn y sefydliad yn help i gynnal gonestrwydd a ffocws HCC.
Er fy mod yn cydnabod ymateb y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog fod llawer o dalwyr yr ardoll ar y bwrdd, rwy'n teimlo bod hynny i raddau'n methu'r pwynt yr oeddem yn ei wneud. Bydd gan y bobl hyn rolau eraill ar y bwrdd. Roeddem eisiau aelodau o'r bwrdd a fyddai yno'n unig i gynrychioli buddiannau talwyr yr ardoll. Roeddwn yn siomedig iawn fod yr argymhelliad hwn wedi'i wrthod. Er nad oeddwn yn disgwyl i'r Llywodraeth fynd yr holl ffordd ac ildio eu budd yn HCC, roeddwn i'n disgwyl y byddent o leiaf y gwneud y gwaith archwilio i weld sut y gellid cryfhau lleisiau talwyr yr ardoll. Mae ad-drefnu'r bwrdd mewn ffordd a fyddai'n cynnwys rolau ar gyfer cynrychiolwyr talwyr yr ardoll i'w weld i mi yn syml iawn. Hoffwn annog y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog i ailystyried ei ymateb i argymhelliad 1 o'r adroddiad i weld sut y gellid ymgorffori hyn.
Yn yr un modd, roeddwn yn meddwl y byddai argymhelliad 9 yn gymharol syml i'w weithredu ac y byddai'n talu ar ei ganfed, felly roeddwn yn siomedig fod hwn wedi'i wrthod hefyd. Yr argymhelliad oedd y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru sicrhau bod lleisiau'r diwydiant yn cael eu cynrychioli'n dda yn y gwaith ar ddiweddaru cytundeb fframwaith HCC. Fe wnaethom argymell eu bod yn ymgynghori â'r diwydiant lle maent, er mwyn sicrhau eu bod yn clywed pob llais, nid y rhai sydd â'r amser a'r gallu i ymgysylltu'n hawdd â Llywodraeth Cymru yn unig. Rwy'n falch fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi dweud bod ymgysylltu â'r diwydiant wedi bod yn brif flaenoriaeth i'r prif weithredwr newydd, ond mae angen inni wneud yn siŵr fod y diwydiant yn cael ei glywed ac yn teimlo ei fod yn cael ei glywed, nid yn unig ar gyfer y fframwaith, ond ym mhob dim y mae HCC yn ei wneud.
Dangosodd y dystiolaeth a ddaeth i law fod ffermwyr a phroseswyr yn cael trafferth dod o hyd i amser i ymgysylltu â HCC a'r Llywodraeth. Nid yw hyn yn newyddion syfrdanol, ond mae'n bwynt pwysig o egwyddor. Mae hyn yn golygu bod yn rhaid i'r Llywodraeth fynd ar eu trywydd ac ymgysylltu â nhw ar eu telerau nhw.
I orffen ar nodyn cadarnhaol, rwy'n falch fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi derbyn nifer o'n hargymhellion, gan gynnwys yr angen i HCC adrodd yn rheolaidd i Lywodraeth Cymru ar ei ddiwylliant gwaith a chytuno ar ddangosyddion perfformiad allweddol mesuradwy newydd ar gyfer y sefydliad. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd gweithredu'r argymhellion a dderbyniwyd yn arwain at welliant yn HCC sy'n gweithio i'r diwydiant cig coch ac yn helpu i osgoi ailadrodd y cythrwfl a welsom.
Er ein bod yn cydnabod mai hawl y Gweinidog hwn yw gwrthod argymhellion pwyllgorau, mae etholiad ar y ffordd, ac rwy'n credu bod yr adroddiad hwn yn ei gyfanrwydd yn cynnig cynllun cynhwysfawr ar gyfer sefydliad HCC bywiog i hyrwyddo'r hyn sydd orau am ddiwydiant da byw Cymru a hyrwyddo cig coch ledled y byd ac yma yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed cyfraniadau'r Aelodau eraill y prynhawn yma. Byddaf yn diolch iddynt am eu cyfraniadau cyn imi grynhoi ar ddiwedd y ddadl hon. Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd.
As a member of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak. I'd like to thank the Chair, Andrew R.T. Davies, as well as the clerks and everybody that contributed to this report, including the witnesses.
Red meat is a source of pride for Welsh farming and for Wales as a whole. It sustains our rural economy, supports thousands of families and it carries with it sustainability, traceability and exceptional quality. Hybu Cig Cymru should be playing a critical role in promoting our product and supporting the sector. So, when the committee put forward a series of recommendations intended to strengthen HCC and give levy payers more confidence in how their money is being used, it was disappointing to see several of those recommendations rejected by the Government.
Turning first to recommendation 1, our call for a review of HCC's governance with a view of enhancing representation of levy payers and increasing wider industry involvement, the Government rejected this, arguing that the current board already includes levy payers and that the public appointees bring important skills. Yet the whole purpose of our recommendation was to acknowledge what we heard clearly during the inquiry: levy payers want and deserve stronger ownership of the body funded by their hard-earned contributions.
NFU Cymru in their evidence made an important point: that while Government appointments bring breadth, the process itself must ensure that producers and processors are more than simply represented; they should have a direct and permanent role in board appointments. The idea of farming unions and processor associations having designated seats is not a radical idea; it's a practical way of ensuring accountability to industry. Rejecting this idea outright feels like a missed opportunity, as the Chair alluded to. I would go a step further personally, and say that the Welsh Government should return full ownership of HCC to levy payers and the industry.
Turning to recommendations 2 and 3 on the financial sustainability of HCC, these were accepted in principle, but acceptance in principle does not pay for marketing campaigns or sector development. NFU Cymru reminded us that the original rationale for HCC being owned by Welsh Ministers was precisely so that the Government could invest in its work. That investment has now fallen away.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, there is substantial Government funding for bodies like Bord Bia. Irish farmers benefit from a model where levy funding accounts for just 5 per cent of income, with Government stepping up to support marketing and promotion. If Wales does not match the level of ambition, we risk falling behind in both domestic and overseas markets. If Government does not believe it appropriate to provide such support, then we return to my earlier point and the legitimate question: what is the continuing justification for HCC to be owned by Welsh Ministers?
Moving to recommendation 4, the Government's response strongly implies alignment with the UK Climate Change Committee's pathway advocating reductions in livestock numbers. This cannot go unchallenged. The value of red meat to Wales is immense. Agricultural output, the wider food and drink supply chain and major employers such as our three large abattoirs all depend on maintaining that critical mass of livestock. If livestock numbers fall significantly, as is being earmarked, the knock-on effects for rural jobs, veterinary practices, marts, feed merchants, haulage businesses and the wider rural community would be severe.
Let's be clear for a moment, because Welsh red meat is climate friendly. Evidence in HCC's own 'The Welsh Way' report shows that beef emissions in Wales are around 40 per cent of the global average. Our suckler beef systems utilise grass and rainwater on land unsuitable for crops. They are not driving deforestation abroad and not drawing on scarce water resources. It is completely disingenuous to argue beef farming in Wales is the same as that of feedlots in South America. If we shrink domestic production here, we don't shrink global emissions, we offshore them to places with weaker environmental standards, and then rely on reimporting a lower satisfaction level of beef and red meat.
Recommendation 7 is hugely important from a streamlining and efficiency angle. There is, I still believe, too much duplication, and with the launch of the sustainable farming scheme in January, I fear that this could only get worse. Duplication costs money, time, energy, and in the end, the industry loses out. I'd like to hear directly from the Cabinet Secretary how he sees HCC working with the sustainable farming scheme and, if at all, working with Farming Connect.
Dirprwy Lywydd, this report also comes following a very public and difficult period for HCC, its staff and former staff, as the Chair alluded to. I'm saddened that there has never been a public apology to those who felt that they had no option but to leave the organisation due to the well-publicised issues. I think that is the least that they deserve.
In closing, I believe strongly that Welsh agriculture needs HCC; it's just not fully satisfied that, in its current format and governance structure, it is delivering the best that it can be.
Fel aelod o Bwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig, rwy'n ddiolchgar am y cyfle i siarad. Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Cadeirydd, Andrew R.T. Davies, yn ogystal â'r clercod a phawb a gyfrannodd at yr adroddiad hwn, gan gynnwys y tystion.
Mae cig coch yn destun balchder i ffermwyr Cymru ac i Gymru gyfan. Mae'n cynnal ein heconomi wledig, yn cefnogi miloedd o deuluoedd ac yn ymgorffori egwyddorion cynaliadwyedd, y gallu i olrhain ac ansawdd eithriadol. Dylai Hybu Cig Cymru fod yn chwarae rhan allweddol yn hyrwyddo ein cynnyrch a chefnogi'r sector. Felly, pan gyflwynodd y pwyllgor gyfres o argymhellion gyda'r bwriad o gryfhau HCC a rhoi mwy o hyder i dalwyr yr ardoll yn y ffordd y caiff eu harian ei ddefnyddio, roedd yn siomedig gweld nifer o'r argymhellion hynny'n cael eu gwrthod gan y Llywodraeth.
Os caf droi yn gyntaf at argymhelliad 1, ein galwad am adolygiad o drefniadau llywodraethu HCC gyda'r bwriad o wella cynrychiolaeth talwyr yr ardoll a chynyddu cyfranogiad ehangach y diwydiant, fe wrthodwyd hyn gan y Llywodraeth, a ddadleuai fod y bwrdd presennol eisoes yn cynnwys talwyr yr ardoll a bod y penodiadau cyhoeddus yn cyfrannu sgiliau pwysig. Ond holl bwrpas ein hargymhelliad oedd cydnabod yr hyn a glywsom yn glir yn ystod yr ymchwiliad: mae talwyr yr ardoll eisiau ac yn haeddu perchnogaeth gryfach ar y corff a ariennir gan eu cyfraniadau gwerthfawr nhw.
Fe wnaeth NFU Cymru bwynt pwysig yn eu tystiolaeth: er bod penodiadau'r Llywodraeth yn cynnig ehangder, rhaid i'r broses ei hun sicrhau bod cynhyrchwyr a phroseswyr yn cael mwy na'u cynrychioli'n unig; dylai fod rôl uniongyrchol a pharhaol iddynt ym mhenodiadau'r bwrdd. Nid yw'r syniad o undebau ffermio a chymdeithasau proseswyr yn cael seddi dynodedig yn un radical; mae'n ffordd ymarferol o sicrhau atebolrwydd i'r diwydiant. Mae gwrthod y syniad hwn yn llwyr yn teimlo fel cyfle a gollwyd, fel y nododd y Cadeirydd. Buaswn yn mynd gam ymhellach yn bersonol, a dweud y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ddychwelyd perchnogaeth lawn ar HCC i dalwyr yr ardoll a'r diwydiant.
Gan droi at argymhellion 2 a 3 ar gynaliadwyedd ariannol HCC, derbyniwyd y rhain mewn egwyddor, ond nid yw derbyn mewn egwyddor yn talu am ymgyrchoedd marchnata neu ddatblygiadau sector. Cawsom ein hatgoffa gan NFU Cymru mai'r rhesymeg wreiddiol dros roi HCC ym meddiant Gweinidogion Cymru oedd er mwyn i'r Llywodraeth allu buddsoddi yn ei waith. Mae'r buddsoddiad hwnnw bellach wedi diflannu.
Yn y cyfamser, yn Iwerddon, mae'r Llywodraeth yn rhoi cyllid sylweddol i gyrff fel Bord Bia. Mae ffermwyr Iwerddon yn elwa o fodel lle nad yw cyllid yr ardoll ond yn 5 y cant o'r incwm, gyda'r Llywodraeth yn camu ymlaen i gefnogi marchnata a hyrwyddo. Os nad yw Cymru'n dangos yr un lefel o uchelgais, rydym mewn perygl o syrthio ar ei hôl hi mewn marchnadoedd domestig a thramor. Os nad yw'r Llywodraeth yn credu ei bod yn briodol darparu cefnogaeth o'r fath, rydym yn dychwelyd at fy mhwynt cynharach a'r cwestiwn dilys: beth yw'r cyfiawnhad parhaus dros i HCC fod ym meddiant Gweinidogion Cymru?
Gan symud at argymhelliad 4, mae ymateb y Llywodraeth yn awgrymu'n gryf ei bod yn cyd-fynd â llwybr Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd y DU sy'n hyrwyddo gostyngiadau yn niferoedd da byw. Rhaid herio hyn. Mae gwerth cig coch i Gymru yn enfawr. Mae allbwn amaethyddol, y gadwyn gyflenwi bwyd a diod ehangach a chyflogwyr mawr fel ein tri lladd-dy mawr oll yn dibynnu ar gynnal y màs critigol o dda byw. Os bydd nifer y da byw yn gostwng yn sylweddol, fel sy'n cael ei glustnodi, byddai'r effeithiau canlyniadol ar swyddi gwledig, practisau milfeddygol, marchnadoedd, masnachwyr bwyd anifeiliaid, busnesau cludo nwyddau a'r gymuned wledig ehangach yn ddifrifol.
Gadewch inni fod yn glir am eiliad, oherwydd mae cig coch Cymru yn ystyriol o'r hinsawdd. Mae tystiolaeth yn adroddiad 'Y Ffordd Gymreig' HCC ei hun yn dangos bod allyriadau cig eidion yng Nghymru tua 40 y cant o'r cyfartaledd yn fyd-eang. Mae ein systemau eidion sugno yn defnyddio glaswellt a dŵr glaw ar dir sy'n anaddas ar gyfer cnydau. Nid ydynt yn gyrru datgoedwigo dramor ac nid ydynt yn defnyddio adnoddau dŵr prin. Mae'r ddadl bod ffermio cig eidion yng Nghymru yr un fath â ffermio anifeiliaid i'w pesgi yn Ne America yn gwbl anghywir. Os ydym yn cyfyngu ar gynhyrchiant domestig yma, nid ydym yn cyfyngu ar allyriadau byd-eang, rydym yn eu tramori i leoedd â safonau amgylcheddol is, ac yna'n dibynnu ar ailfewnforio cig eidion a chig coch sy'n cynnig lefel is o foddhad.
Mae argymhelliad 7 yn hynod o bwysig o ran symleiddio ac effeithlonrwydd. Rwy'n dal i gredu bod gormod o ddyblygu, a gyda lansiad y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy ym mis Ionawr, rwy'n ofni y gallai hyn waethygu. Mae dyblygu'n costio arian, amser, ynni, ac yn y diwedd, y diwydiant sydd ar ei golled. Hoffwn glywed yn uniongyrchol gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet sut y mae'n gweld HCC yn gweithio gyda'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, ac os o gwbl, gyda Cyswllt Ffermio.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, daw'r adroddiad hwn hefyd yn sgil cyfnod cyhoeddus ac anodd iawn i HCC, ei staff a'i gyn-staff, fel y soniodd y Cadeirydd. Rwy'n drist na chafwyd ymddiheuriad cyhoeddus i'r rhai a deimlai nad oedd ganddynt unrhyw ddewis ond gadael y sefydliad oherwydd y problemau cyhoeddus iawn. Rwy'n credu mai dyna'r lleiaf y maent yn ei haeddu.
I gloi, rwy'n credu'n gryf fod amaethyddiaeth Cymru angen HCC; ond nid yw'n gwbl fodlon ei fod yn cyflawni'r gorau sy'n bosib o ran ei fformat a'i strwythur llywodraethu presennol.
Fel yr Aelod a amlygodd nifer o'r gofidiau ynglŷn â diwylliant mewnol Hybu Cig Cymru bron i ddwy flynedd yn ôl nawr, ac fel rhywun a alwodd ar y pwyllgor economi i gynnal ymchwiliad i mewn i'r corff, dwi eisiau diolch i'r Cadeirydd a'r pwyllgor am eu gwaith ac am yr adroddiad sydd o'n blaenau ni heddiw.
Ar yr adeg honno, mi oedd yna alwadau i ddiddymu Hybu Cig Cymru a chreu corff newydd. Dwi ddim o reidrwydd yn cytuno â hynny; yr hyn dwi eisiau ei weld yw bod Hybu Cig Cymru yn cyflawni ei lawn botensial ac yn bencampwr effeithiol i sector cig coch Cymru, yn delifro ar ei ddyletswyddau a'i gylch gorchwyl hyd eithaf ei allu. Ond mae hynny yn golygu symud ymlaen o'r trafferthion blaenorol, edrych o'r newydd ar y trefniadau llywodraethiant a sicrhau bod Llywodraeth Cymru yn rhoi y gefnogaeth sydd ei hangen ar y sector a Hybu Cig Cymru iddyn nhw fedru gwneud yr hyn y mae gofyn iddyn nhw ei gyflawni. Dwi yn croesawu argymhellion y pwyllgor fel lle da i gychwyn gyda hynny.
Dwi ddim eisiau defnyddio'r ddadl yma i ail-fyw trafferthion y gorffennol. A thrwy ddweud hynny, dwi ddim, gyda llaw, yn awgrymu nad oes yna ragor o waith i'w wneud pan fo'n dod i'r diwylliant corfforaethol. Ond gyda phrif weithredwr newydd wrth y llyw, mae yna gyfle, dwi'n meddwl, nawr i adfer ac i ailadeiladu hyder yn y corff fel endid, ond hefyd, yn bwysicach, yng ngallu'r corff i ddelifro dros y talwyr lefi a'r sector cig coch ehangach. Mae'r Llywodraeth, fel ŷn ni wedi clywed, wedi gwrthod yr argymhelliad i adolygu llywodraethiant Hybu Cig Cymru, ond mae'n rhaid i fi ddweud, gyda'r holl broblemau sydd wedi cael eu hwynebu dros y ddwy neu dair blynedd diwethaf, sut arall y gall Llywodraeth Cymru roi sicrwydd i'w hun bod y trefniadau presennol yn addas i bwrpas?
Byddwn i yn ategu yr angen ŷn ni wedi'i glywed i sicrhau bod llais y talwyr lefi yn cael ei gynrychioli yn llawn. Dwi hefyd yn cydnabod bod angen ar fwrdd ystod eang o sgiliau ac arbenigeddau. Efallai fy mod i'n mynd i wrth-ddweud fy hun fan hyn tamaid bach, ond i gorff sy'n cyflogi prin 30 o staff, mae ganddyn nhw fwrdd o dua 12, felly oes yna gwestiwn ynglŷn â gormod o aelodau, efallai? Dwi ddim yn gwybod. Ond mi fyddai proses o adolygu, neu gymryd cam objective yn ôl ac edrych ar y trefniadau hynny, dwi'n meddwl, o fantais. Oherwydd os ŷn ni eisiau creu corff deinamig, hyblyg, sy'n gallu ymateb a gweithredu yn sydyn pan fod angen, yna mae angen i hynny gael ei adlewyrchu yn y strwythurau llywodraethiant. Mae'n gwestiwn i'w ofyn ac yn rhywbeth efallai y byddai adolygiad yn gallu ei ystyried.
Dwi'n cefnogi beth mae'r pwyllgor yn ei ddweud am yr adnoddau sydd ar gael i Hybu Cig Cymru gyflawni ei gylch gorchwyl yn effeithiol. Dyw incwm y lefi ar ei ben ei hun ddim yn mynd i fod yn ddigon i gyflawni'r hyn ŷn ni i gyd eisiau ei weld yn digwydd. Dwi'n ddigon hirben i wybod hefyd nad oes gan y Llywodraeth ddim arian sylweddol i daflu i gyfeiriad Hybu Cig Cymru. Felly, y cwestiwn wedyn yw: sut mae modd 'leverage-io' adnoddau ychwanegol er mwyn gallu ychwanegu gwerth i'r pres sy'n dod o gyfeiriad y lefi a'r Llywodraeth? Ac mae angen troi pob carreg, oddi mewn i'r Llywodraeth, oes, ond mae yna grantiau allanol, fel mae'r adroddiad yn sôn amdano fe. Mae cynhyrchu incwm o'u gwasanaethau eu hunain yn opsiwn, ac mae cydweithio gyda chyrff eraill hefyd yn bwysig er mwyn rhannu adnoddau, ond hefyd rhannu costau, lle mae hynny yn bosib, a sicrhau'r gwerth gorau posib i bob punt. A gobeithio, pan welwn ni strategaeth neu weledigaeth Hybu Cig Cymru hyd at 2030, efallai y bydd yna elfennau o hynny yn cael eu hamlygu yn fanna.
Mae'r pwynt olaf dwi eisiau'i wneud, i bob pwrpas, o gwmpas argymhelliad 4, a'r cwestiwn sylfaenol yma sydd yng nghalon yr adroddiad hwn, dwi'n meddwl, i Lywodraeth Cymru, sef: ydych chi eisiau sector cig coch yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol? Allaf i ddim credu fy mod i'n gofyn y cwestiwn, ond os ydych chi, ble mae'r weledigaeth, y tu hwnt i'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy? Ble mae'r weledigaeth ehangach? Ble mae'r cynllun? Ble mae'r llwybr i wireddu hynny ar draws y gadwyn brosesu?
Mae'r trajectory, fel rŷn ni'n gwybod, yn dangos bod niferoedd da byw wedi bod yn disgyn, ac am y cyfnod nesaf, mae'n debyg, hefyd yn mynd i fod yn parhau i ddisgyn. Mae niferoedd lladd-dai i lawr. Rŷn ni wedi colli hanner ohonyn nhw yn y 25 mlynedd diwethaf. Mae lefel y throughput presennol o fewn y sector prosesu yn annigonol. Mae colli'r critical mass yna yn taflu cysgod dros gynaladwyedd y sector. Ac felly, mae gan Hybu Cig Cymru, wrth gwrs, rôl ganolog i dyfu a chreu'r farchnad, i ddatblygu'r cynnyrch, i ladmeru dros y sector, ond, ar ddiwedd y dydd, mae gan y Llywodraeth rôl hyd yn oed pwysicach yn uwcholeuo neu'n dangos y strategaeth ehangach yna er mwyn creu amgylchiadau a fydd yn caniatáu i hynny ddigwydd. Diolch.
As the Member who highlighted many of the concerns about the internal culture of Hybu Cig Cymru almost two years ago now, and as one who called on the economy committee to hold an inquiry into the body, I'd like to thank the Chair and the committee for their work and for the report before us today.
At that point, there were calls for HCC to be abolished and for a new body to be created. I don't necessarily agree with that point of view; what I want to see is that HCC delivers its full potential and becomes an effective champion for the Welsh red meat sector, delivering on its duty and remit to the greatest possible extent. But that does mean moving on from previous difficulties to look anew at governance arrangements and to ensure that the Welsh Government does provide the necessary support to the sector and to Hybu Cig Cymru so that it can do what it is required to deliver. I do welcome the committee's recommendations as a good starting point with that work.
I don't want to use this debate to rehearse the difficulties of the past. And in saying that, I'm not suggesting that there isn't more work to be done when it comes to the corporate culture. But with a new chief executive in charge, I think there is an opportunity to restore and rebuild confidence in the body as an entity, but also in its ability to deliver for levy payers and the broader red meat sector. The Government, as we've heard, has rejected a recommendation to review the governance of Hybu Cig Cymru, but I have to say that, given all the problems that have been faced over the past two or three years, how else can the Welsh Government provide itself with assurances that the current arrangements are fit for purpose?
I would echo the comments that we've heard in emphasising that levy payer voices should be fully represented. I also acknowledge that, on a board, you need a broad range of skills and expertise. Perhaps I'm going to contradict myself slightly here, but for a body that employs 30 staff, they have a board of around 12. Is there a question as to whether there are too many members? I don't know, but a review process, or taking an objective look, would be of benefit. Because if we want to create a dynamic, flexible body that can respond and act quickly when necessary, then that needs to be reflected in the governance structures. It's a question to be asked and something that a review, perhaps, could consider.
I support what the committee has to say about the resources available to HCC to deliver its remit effectively. The levy income itself is not going to be enough to deliver what we all want to see happen. I'm experienced enough to know, too, that the Government doesn't have significant funds that it can can throw in the direction of Hybu Cig Cymru. So, the question then is: how can we leverage additional resources in order to add value to the funding coming from the levy and from the Government? And we need to turn every stone, within Government, yes, but there are external grants too, as the report mentions. Developing their own income from their own services is an option, and working with other bodies is also important in order to share resources, but also to share costs, where that's possible, and to ensure the best value for money for every pound spent. And I hope that when we do see the Hybu Cig Cymru vision until 2030, perhaps there may be elements of that highlighted there.
The final point I want to make is around recommendation 4, and that fundamental question at the heart of the report, I would say, for the Welsh Government, namely: do you want to see a red meat sector in Wales in the future? Now, I can't believe I'm asking that question, but if you do want to see that sector, where is the vision, beyond the sustainable farming scheme? Where is the broader vision? Where is the plan? What is the pathway to deliver that across the processing chain?
The trajectory, as we know, demonstrates that the number of livestock has been falling, and for the ensuing period, that is likely to continue to fall. The number of abattoirs is down. We've lost half of them in the past 25 years, and the current throughput levels within the processing sector is insufficient. Losing that critical mass does cast a shadow over the sustainability of the sector. And therefore, Hybu Cig Cymru, of course, has a central role in developing the market, in developing the product and being an advocate for the sector, but, at the end of the day, the Government has an even more important role in highlighting this broader strategy in order to create circumstances that will allow that to happen. Thank you.
A galwaf ar y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog ac Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig, Huw Irranca-Davies.
And I call on the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies.
Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd, a diolch hefyd am roi cyfle imi ymateb a thynnu sylw at y gwaith pwysig mae Hybu Cig Cymru yn ei gyflawni.
Thank you very much, and thank you for giving me an opportunity to respond and draw attention to the important work that Hybu Cig Cymru achieves.
And my thanks to the Chair and committee members, and former members indeed, for their contributions today as well.
First of all, let me state, right at the outset, my and the Welsh Government's commitment to a vibrant and sustainable future for Welsh agriculture, with the sustainable farming scheme at the heart of this vision. And by championing sustainable livestock production, we aim to foster resilient best practice and long-term viability right across the sector. And Hybu Cig Cymru plays a crucial role in this, in delivering these ambitions, working in partnership with Government, and with industry, to promote innovation, to support the sector's strategic objectives and to ensure that Welsh farming continues to thrive for generations to come.
So, my thanks to the Chair and the committee for their thorough and diligent inquiry into Hybu Cig Cymru and for the recommendations. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank those who gave up their time in providing evidence to the committee to assess.
So, let me turn directly to the detail of the report, and in so doing I'll respond to some of the matters raised in today's debate as well. I recognise, first of all, that the committee's recommendations are made with the clear intention of supporting the new chief executive of HCC and helping the organisation move forward. The Welsh Government shares the committee's commitment to ensure that HCC is well governed, that it's accountable and that it's able to deliver for levy payers and the wider industry. And to that end, I have indeed accepted many of the recommendations made, as the Chair pointed out. But each recommendation was very carefully considered in the context of HCC's current governance, the skills and experience of its board and the need for stability as the new chief executive implements changes and develops the very important vision for 2026 to 2030.
So, let me, first of all, address the three recommendations that we are not able to agree. Regarding recommendation 1 on the matter of governance, the current HCC board, as we've pointed out in our response, already includes a majority of levy payers and a diverse range of expertise, which includes marketing, finance, animal health and sustainability. And we believe as a Government that this provides a strong foundation for robust oversight and effective delivery. Now, following a skills gap analysis undertaken of the board, I will shortly be embarking on a recruitment campaign to recruit new board members, and, of course, I will take into account the committee's recommendations as part of that recruitment process.
A full review of governance, as recommended by the committee, is a significant undertaking, and we believe that it is best considered by the next Welsh Government, once the new HCC vision is in place, and the chief executive has had sufficient time to embed the necessary reforms.
Regarding joint working and resource sharing, as set out in recommendation 7, and as I set out in my correspondence to the committee on the matter, I am satisfied that HCC already collaborates extensively with other levy bodies and sector organisations. The current procurement of a new Farming Connect contract will further strengthen these partnerships and ensure that activities are complementary and efficient. We believe a further review at this stage would be premature and potentially disruptive to the organisation.
On the framework agreement, recommendation No. 9, it is important to note first off that this is an internal arrangement between Welsh Ministers and HCC. However, my officials have worked closely with HCC to agree a revised updated framework agreement, which has now been published. It provides clarity for each party by setting out the roles and responsibilities. But we remain committed also to ongoing and meaningful engagement with industry stakeholders, through a variety of channels, including direct consultations, surveys and events across Wales.
Now, having said that, there are also many areas of the committee's report that we actually agree with, and have said that. But before I turn to those, we've heard today, Dirprwy Lywydd, suggestions that HCC should return wholly to levy payers. Can I just point out that that sits slightly incongruously alongside other recommendations from the same voices in this Chamber, that there should be more taxpayer funding to HCC? Return it to the levy payers, but give it more funding—just to point out there that there might be a slight incongruity.
But on those areas we have agreed with among the committee's recommendations, several have been accepted by Welsh Government, either in full or in principle. Now, these include proposals aimed at enhancing stakeholder engagement, improving transparency and ensuring that performance metrics—those important performance metrics—are robust and clearly aligned with the new strategic vision. So, Welsh Government is committed to working with HCC to implement these recommendations in a way that reflects the evolving needs of the red meat sector, whilst also maintaining flexibility in approach. This collaborative approach demonstrates our shared intention to drive that continuous improvement and accountability within the organisation.
Now, we recognise the value and intent behind these proposals, and we're committed to working collaboratively with HCC and industry partners to ensure their effective implementation. Our agreement in principle reflects our support for that direction of travel, even where the precise mechanisms or the timing may require further discussion or adaptation to fit the evolving needs of the sector. So, for example, we welcome the recommendations relating to enhanced stakeholder engagement and improved transparency in decision making. So, we're encouraging HCC to continue strengthening its communication channels and to ensure that all relevant voices are heard as part of the strategic planning process.
Now, in addition, we support the calls for greater clarity around those performance metrics and outcomes. So, we've asked HCC to work closely with the Welsh Government to develop those robust measurable indicators, aligned with the vision for 2026-30. In addition to our commitment to governance and stakeholder engagement, financial sustainability remains a core priority for both the Welsh Government and HCC. Now, effective financial management is essential to ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that the organisation delivers maximum value for levy payers. Importantly, HCC has a key role to play in supporting and complementing the sustainable farming scheme, the SFS. So, by working closely with the Welsh Government and industry partners, HCC can help to promote the aims of the SFS, fostering best practice, ensuring that the strategic objectives are met for the sector's resilience and long-term viability.
So, by agreeing in principle to these recommendations, we are signalling our intent to move forward constructively, working in partnership to embed best practice and drive that continuous improvement. I also want to give the clear assurance to Members that Welsh Government is fully committed to supporting HCC's future success. So, we will continue to monitor HCC's performance closely, through formal governance meetings, and we are working with the organisation to develop new measurable and transparent key performance indicators. These will ensure that HCC remains focused on delivering value for money and strong outcomes for levy payers. I will give way.
A diolch i'r Cadeirydd ac Aelodau'r pwyllgor, a chyn-Aelodau yn wir, am eu cyfraniadau heddiw hefyd.
Yn gyntaf oll, gadewch imi ddatgan, ar y cychwyn, fy ymrwymiad i a Llywodraeth Cymru i ddyfodol bywiog a chynaliadwy i amaethyddiaeth Cymru, gyda'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy wrth wraidd y weledigaeth hon. A thrwy hyrwyddo cynhyrchu da byw cynaliadwy, ein nod yw meithrin arferion gorau gwydn a hyfywedd hirdymor ar draws y sector. Ac mae Hybu Cig Cymru yn chwarae rhan hanfodol yn hyn o beth, yn cyflawni'r uchelgeisiau hyn, gan weithio mewn partneriaeth â'r Llywodraeth, a gyda'r diwydiant, i hyrwyddo arloesedd, i gefnogi amcanion strategol y sector ac i sicrhau bod ffermio Cymru’n parhau i ffynnu am genedlaethau i ddod.
Felly, diolch i'r Cadeirydd a'r pwyllgor am eu hymchwiliad trylwyr a diwyd i Hybu Cig Cymru ac am yr argymhellion. Hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn hefyd i ddiolch i'r rhai a roddodd eu hamser i roi tystiolaeth i'r pwyllgor ei hasesu.
Felly, gadewch imi droi'n uniongyrchol at fanylion yr adroddiad, a thrwy wneud hynny, byddaf yn ymateb i rai o'r materion a godwyd yn y ddadl heddiw hefyd. Rwy'n cydnabod, yn gyntaf oll, fod argymhellion y pwyllgor yn cael eu gwneud gyda'r bwriad clir o gefnogi prif weithredwr newydd HCC a helpu'r sefydliad i symud yn ei flaen. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n rhannu ymrwymiad y pwyllgor i sicrhau bod HCC yn cael ei lywodraethu'n dda, ei fod yn atebol a'i fod yn gallu cyflawni ar gyfer talwyr yr ardoll a'r diwydiant ehangach. Ac i'r perwyl hwnnw, rwyf wedi derbyn llawer o'r argymhellion a wnaed, fel y nododd y Cadeirydd. Ond ystyriwyd pob argymhelliad yn ofalus iawn yng nghyd-destun llywodraethiant presennol HCC, sgiliau a phrofiad ei fwrdd a'r angen am sefydlogrwydd wrth i'r prif weithredwr newydd gyflwyno newidiadau a datblygu'r weledigaeth bwysig ar gyfer 2026 i 2030.
Felly, yn gyntaf oll, gadewch imi sôn am y tri argymhelliad nad ydym wedi gallu cytuno arnynt. Ar argymhelliad 1 ar fater llywodraethiant, mae bwrdd cyfredol HCC, fel y nodwyd gennym yn ein hymateb, eisoes yn cynnwys mwyafrif sy'n dalwyr yr ardoll ac ystod eang o arbenigeddau, yn cynnwys marchnata, cyllid, iechyd anifeiliaid a chynaliadwyedd. A chredwn fel Llywodraeth fod hyn yn darparu sylfaen gref ar gyfer goruchwyliaeth gadarn a chyflawni effeithiol. Nawr, yn dilyn dadansoddiad o fylchau sgiliau ar y bwrdd, byddaf yn dechrau ymgyrch cyn bo hir i recriwtio aelodau newydd i'r bwrdd, ac wrth gwrs, byddaf yn ystyried argymhellion y pwyllgor yn rhan o'r broses recriwtio honno.
Mae adolygiad llawn o lywodraethiant, fel yr argymhellwyd gan y pwyllgor, yn ymrwymiad sylweddol, a chredwn mai Llywodraeth nesaf Cymru fydd yn y sefyllfa orau i ystyried hynny, pan fydd gweledigaeth newydd HCC ar waith, a phan fydd y prif weithredwr wedi cael digon o amser i ymgorffori'r diwygiadau angenrheidiol.
Ar gydweithio a rhannu adnoddau, fel y nodir yn argymhelliad 7, ac fel y nodais innau yn fy ngohebiaeth i'r pwyllgor ar y mater, rwy'n fodlon fod HCC eisoes yn cydweithio'n helaeth â chyrff ardollau a sefydliadau eraill y sector. Bydd y broses bresennol o gaffael contract Cyswllt Ffermio newydd yn cryfhau'r partneriaethau hyn ymhellach ac yn sicrhau bod gweithgareddau'n ategu ei gilydd ac yn effeithlon. Credwn y byddai adolygiad pellach ar hyn o bryd yn gynamserol ac o bosib yn tarfu ar y sefydliad.
Ar y cytundeb fframwaith, argymhelliad rhif 9, mae'n bwysig nodi yn gyntaf mai trefniant mewnol rhwng Gweinidogion Cymru a HCC yw hwn. Fodd bynnag, mae fy swyddogion wedi gweithio'n agos gyda HCC i gytuno ar gytundeb fframwaith diwygiedig wedi'i ddiweddaru, sydd bellach wedi'i gyhoeddi. Mae'n darparu eglurder i bob parti drwy nodi'r rolau a'r cyfrifoldebau. Ond rydym yn parhau i fod wedi ymrwymo hefyd i ymgysylltu'n barhaus ac yn ystyrlon â rhanddeiliaid y diwydiant, drwy amrywiaeth o sianeli, gan gynnwys ymgynghoriadau uniongyrchol, arolygon a digwyddiadau ledled Cymru.
Nawr, wedi dweud hynny, mae llawer o feysydd yn adroddiad y pwyllgor yr ydym yn cytuno â nhw, mewn gwirionedd, ac rydym wedi dweud hynny. Ond cyn imi droi at y rheini, rydym wedi clywed awgrymiadau heddiw, Ddirprwy Lywydd, y dylai HCC ddychwelyd yn gyfan gwbl i dalwyr yr ardoll. A gaf i nodi bod hynny'n anghyson ag argymhellion eraill gan yr un lleisiau yn y Siambr hon, y dylid rhoi mwy o gyllid trethdalwyr i HCC? Ei ddychwelyd i dalwyr yr ardoll, ond rhoi mwy o gyllid iddo—dim ond nodi y gallai fod rhywfaint o anghysondeb yn hynny.
Ond ar y meysydd yn argymhellion y pwyllgor yr ydym wedi cytuno â nhw, mae nifer wedi'u derbyn gan Lywodraeth Cymru, naill ai'n llawn neu mewn egwyddor. Nawr, mae'r rhain yn cynnwys cynigion sydd â'r nod o wella ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid, gwella tryloywder a sicrhau bod metrigau perfformiad—y metrigau perfformiad pwysig hynny—yn gadarn ac yn cyd-fynd yn glir â'r weledigaeth strategol newydd. Felly, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo i weithio gyda HCC i weithredu'r argymhellion hyn mewn ffordd sy'n adlewyrchu anghenion esblygol y sector cig coch, gan gynnal hyblygrwydd o ran dull o weithredu hefyd. Mae'r dull cydweithredol hwn yn dangos ein dyhead cyffredin i hybu gwelliant parhaus ac atebolrwydd o fewn y sefydliad.
Nawr, rydym yn cydnabod y gwerth a'r bwriad y tu ôl i'r cynigion hyn, ac rydym wedi ymrwymo i gydweithio â HCC a phartneriaid yn y diwydiant i sicrhau eu bod yn cael eu rhoi ar waith yn effeithiol. Mae ein cytundeb mewn egwyddor yn adlewyrchu ein cefnogaeth i'r cyfeiriad teithio hwnnw, hyd yn oed lle gallai fod angen trafod neu addasu pellach ar yr union fecanweithiau neu'r amseriad i gyd-fynd ag anghenion esblygol y sector. Felly, er enghraifft, rydym yn croesawu'r argymhellion sy'n ymwneud â gwell ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid a gwell tryloywder wrth wneud penderfyniadau. Felly, rydym yn annog HCC i barhau i gryfhau ei sianeli cyfathrebu ac i sicrhau bod pob llais perthnasol yn cael eu clywed yn rhan o'r broses gynllunio strategol.
Nawr, yn ogystal, rydym yn cefnogi'r galwadau am fwy o eglurder ynghylch y metrigau perfformiad a'r canlyniadau. Felly, rydym wedi gofyn i HCC weithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth Cymru i ddatblygu dangosyddion mesuradwy cadarn sy'n cyd-fynd â'r weledigaeth ar gyfer 2026-30. Yn ogystal â'n hymrwymiad i lywodraethiant ac ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid, mae cynaliadwyedd ariannol yn parhau i fod yn flaenoriaeth graidd i Lywodraeth Cymru a HCC. Nawr, mae rheolaeth ariannol effeithiol yn hanfodol i sicrhau bod adnoddau'n cael eu dyrannu'n effeithlon a bod y sefydliad yn darparu'r gwerth mwyaf i dalwyr yr ardoll. Yn bwysig, mae gan HCC rôl allweddol i'w chwarae yn cefnogi ac ategu'r cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy. Felly, drwy weithio'n agos gyda Llywodraeth Cymru a phartneriaid y diwydiant, gall HCC helpu i hyrwyddo amcanion y cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy, meithrin arferion gorau, a sicrhau bod yr amcanion strategol yn cael eu cyflawni er gwydnwch a hyfywedd hirdymor y sector.
Felly, drwy gytuno mewn egwyddor i'r argymhellion hyn, rydym yn nodi ein bwriad i symud ymlaen yn adeiladol, gan weithio mewn partneriaeth i ymgorffori arferion gorau a hybu gwelliant parhaus. Hoffwn roi sicrwydd clir i'r Aelodau hefyd fod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi ymrwymo'n llwyr i gefnogi llwyddiant HCC yn y dyfodol. Felly, byddwn yn parhau i fonitro perfformiad HCC yn agos, drwy gyfarfodydd llywodraethiant ffurfiol, ac rydym yn gweithio gyda'r sefydliad i ddatblygu dangosyddion perfformiad allweddol newydd mesuradwy a thryloyw. Bydd y rhain yn sicrhau bod HCC yn parhau i ganolbwyntio ar sicrhau gwerth am arian a chanlyniadau cryf i dalwyr yr ardoll. Fe ildiaf.
Thank you very much. I'm grateful to you for giving way; I'm conscious that you may well be in the wrap-up. Given that this report comes off the back of very public challenges faced by HCC and some of its staff—in my contribution I raised the point that no public apology has been made—are you going to take the opportunity to publicly apologise on behalf of the Government, as the Government owns HCC, to those members of staff who felt that they had no other option other than leaving HCC because of those issues?
Diolch yn fawr. Diolch i chi am ildio; rwy'n ymwybodol efallai eich bod yn dirwyn i ben. O ystyried bod yr adroddiad hwn yn dilyn heriau cyhoeddus iawn y mae HCC a rhai o'i staff wedi'u hwynebu—codais y pwynt yn fy nghyfraniad nad oes ymddiheuriad cyhoeddus wedi'i wneud—a ydych chi'n mynd i achub ar y cyfle i ymddiheuro'n gyhoeddus ar ran y Llywodraeth, gan mai'r Llywodraeth sy'n berchen ar HCC, i'r aelodau staff a deimlai nad oedd ganddynt unrhyw ddewis arall heblaw gadael HCC oherwydd y problemau hynny?
Sam, you will be aware from previous debates that we've had on this issue that, whilst Welsh Government is not directly engaged in the internal management or human resource management, we've been very clear with HCC that they need to have the very best practices and improve their procedures of internal governance, particularly with HR as well, going forward. I've seen the results of that tangibly, over the 15 months or so that I've been in post, of them putting in place those measures. We've debated them previously on the floor here. It's very important that HCC, when going forward, works with all of its board members, its internal team, to make sure that that organisation is performing for levy payers, and also doing so in accordance with the best practice in terms of governance and internal governance and HR as well. Dirprwy Lywydd, we've also seen positive progress in stakeholder engagement and HCC actively seeking views from across the industry as it has developed its new vision. This work is going to be critical in shaping the future of the sector and ensuring, indeed, that all voices are heard.
Just in closing, I want to reiterate my thanks to the Chair and to the committee for their constructive challenge and ongoing scrutiny. While we might not agree on every single recommendation, our shared goal is a vibrant, sustainable and successful future for Welsh agriculture and the red meat sector. I look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration as we work together to achieve that goal. Diolch.
Sam, fe fyddwch yn ymwybodol o ddadleuon blaenorol a gawsom ar y mater hwn, er nad yw Llywodraeth Cymru’n ymwneud yn uniongyrchol â'r rheoli mewnol na rheoli adnoddau dynol, ein bod wedi dweud yn glir iawn wrth HCC fod angen iddynt gael yr arferion gorau ar waith a gwella eu gweithdrefnau llywodraethiant mewnol, yn enwedig gydag adnoddau dynol hefyd, yn y dyfodol. Dros y 15 mis neu fwy y bûm yn y swydd, gwelais ganlyniadau'r mesurau a roddwyd ar waith ganddynt. Rydym wedi eu trafod o'r blaen ar y llawr yma. Mae'n bwysig iawn fod HCC, wrth symud ymlaen, yn gweithio gyda holl aelodau ei fwrdd, ei dîm mewnol, i sicrhau bod y sefydliad yn perfformio i dalwyr yr ardoll, a hefyd yn gwneud hynny'n unol â'r arferion gorau o ran llywodraethiant a llywodraethiant mewnol ac adnoddau dynol hefyd. Ddirprwy Lywydd, rydym hefyd wedi gweld cynnydd cadarnhaol o ran ymgysylltiad â rhanddeiliaid a HCC yn mynd ati'n weithredol i geisio barn o bob rhan o'r diwydiant wrth iddo ddatblygu ei weledigaeth newydd. Bydd y gwaith hwn yn hanfodol wrth siapio dyfodol y sector a sicrhau, yn wir, fod pob llais yn cael ei glywed.
I gloi, hoffwn ddiolch eto i'r Cadeirydd ac i'r pwyllgor am eu her adeiladol a'u craffu parhaus. Er efallai nad ydym yn cytuno ar bob argymhelliad, ein nod cyffredin yw dyfodol bywiog, cynaliadwy a llwyddiannus i amaethyddiaeth Cymru a'r sector cig coch. Edrychaf ymlaen at barhau i drafod a chydweithio wrth inni weithio gyda'n gilydd i gyflawni'r nod hwnnw. Diolch.
Galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i ymateb i'r ddadl—Andrew R.T. Davies.
I call on the Chair of the committee to reply to the debate—Andrew R.T. Davies.
Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I thank the two Members who contributed to this debate. I think that's the lowest number I've ever seen contribute to a committee debate, which is a real shame considering the grief that has been inflicted on people who've worked at HCC over a number of years, which Llyr highlighted and the media have covered. I have to say, I'm frankly amazed that such little interest has been expressed in this Chamber on this report, given the difficulties and personal situations that people have found themselves in at HCC. But I thank the two Members who contributed to the debate today. Their contributions were knowledgeable and informed, as you would expect from two Members who are very aware of these issues at this Government-owned organisation.
Sam Kurtz highlighted the issue around levy payers' views being taken on board and accepted in full. That is why full industry ownership, as highlighted in the report, should be considered by the Welsh Government. The Minister, in his reply, said that there was a contradiction in that view, in that voices were calling for Welsh Government money to go into the organisation but then saying that it should be sold. There's no contradiction in that at all. Organisations come for support from Welsh Government, from all walks of life, which aren't owned by the Welsh Government, and the Welsh Government decides, on merit, whether it wishes to put taxpayers' money in to promote the various paths that that organisation might be promoting. So, when you consider the issues that have gone on at HCC, the Minister and his officials could have at least acknowledged that this was something that should have been considered, and accepted that recommendation so that it could have been worked up.
That's why, in my remarks when I opened this debate, I highlighted how there is an election around the corner. I very much hope that whoever forms the Government after May will look at this as a serious issue, as a way of invigorating HCC, and actually look at how we can create a meat promotion body that is fit for purpose and ready to take on the challenges in a demanding world of retail space that is always looking for new product and a consumer with a discerning palate that ultimately can decide where they want to spend their money.
The Cabinet Secretary, in his response, dismissed that recommendation and said that it was not worthy of consideration. He emphasised the point about the vision 2026-30 document and put a lot of store on that, as did Llyr, who highlighted that particular document that HCC are working up at the moment. I very much hope that that document does succeed in actually moving forward the promotional activity of the organisation, so that instead of having its funds drained paying high-priced solicitors and HR advisers, we can actually get levy income behind a vision document that ultimately will deliver greater success and greater market penetration for the red meat sector.
Llyr highlighted in his contribution as well the length of time that this has been going on—over two years—and the fact that there are only about 30 members of staff, but there's a board of about 12 members. I think some people might, quite rightly, acknowledge that that's a pretty top-heavy organisation, that is. And again, that is where a governance review would have at least tested the argument to see what is fit for purpose, if indeed that testing did come back and say to the Government that it is time to actually change the governance structure and the board structure of HCC to be fit for purpose going forward.
But, in my remarks, I highlighted the importance of livestock numbers, because, as a levy board, obviously, the income is dependent on the number of livestock units that are processed here in Wales, and indeed across the United Kingdom, to create the income. And regrettably, the Minister didn't touch on that point at all in his address and that, to me, showed a fundamental misunderstanding of how this organisation is funded.
And the challenge came from Sam in his comments, highlighting the Climate Change Committee's recommendation about reducing livestock numbers, which I note the Scottish Government has rejected. And it would have been good to have heard a robust defence from the Cabinet Secretary about keeping livestock numbers where they are at the very least, or actually trying to promote the number of livestock units that we require to keep our processing facilities open, so that we don't greenwash and end up importing product from countries with far poorer environmental records than ourselves.
And Sam made the very good point that, actually, Welsh red meat is 60 per cent more environmentally friendly than product from international destinations coming into this country. That is a really important mark. I can see that the Member for Mid and West Wales is saying that that's 40 per cent, but, if 100 per cent is the total, 60 per cent means that that red meat that is coming in has got a higher environmental footprint. And so, that is what is really important—to consider that we're not greenwashing. And if you'd liked to have contributed in the debate, Joyce, it would have been really good to hear a Member from Mid and West Wales, where HCC is located, in Aberystwyth, speaking up on behalf of an organisation that's really important.
But I'm really grateful for all the evidence that was given in this important discussion. I think there's a road map here that is really important to take forward for the red meat sector in Wales. The Cabinet Secretary has accepted some of the recommendations, and the dreaded 'recommendation in principle' advice note as well. I hope that, once we get to the election and beyond, this entire report will be taken by the new Government and used as a template to deliver a promotion body that can be really, really engaged with the sector and really promote the red meat worth that we have here in Wales, so that we get more shelf space for the product that drives our rural economy, and I commend the report to the Senedd.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Diolch i'r ddau Aelod a gyfrannodd yn y ddadl hon. Credaf mai dyna'r nifer isaf a welais erioed yn cyfrannu at ddadl pwyllgor, sy'n drueni mawr o ystyried y trallod a achoswyd i bobl sydd wedi gweithio yn HCC dros nifer o flynyddoedd, a ddisgrifiwyd gan Llyr ac sydd wedi cael sylw gan y cyfryngau. Rhaid imi ddweud fy mod yn synnu bod cyn lleied o ddiddordeb wedi'i fynegi yn y Siambr hon ynghylch yr adroddiad, o ystyried trafferthion a sefyllfaoedd personol pobl yn HCC. Ond diolch i'r ddau Aelod a gyfrannodd yn y ddadl heddiw. Roedd eu cyfraniadau'n ddeallus ac yn wybodus, fel y byddech yn ei ddisgwyl gan ddau Aelod sy'n ymwybodol iawn o'r problemau yn y sefydliad hwn sy'n eiddo i'r Llywodraeth.
Tynnodd Sam Kurtz sylw at y broblem gyda safbwyntiau talwyr yr ardoll yn cael eu hystyried a'u derbyn yn llawn. Dyna pam y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru ystyried rhoi HCC dan berchnogaeth y diwydiant yn gyfan gwbl, fel y nodwyd yn yr adroddiad. Dywedodd y Gweinidog, yn ei ateb, fod anghysondeb yn y farn honno, gan fod lleisiau'n galw am i arian Llywodraeth Cymru fynd i'r sefydliad cyn dweud wedyn y dylid ei werthu. Nid oes unrhyw anghysondeb yn hynny o gwbl. Daw sefydliadau at Lywodraeth Cymru am gymorth, o bob cefndir, sefydliadau nad ydynt yn eiddo i Lywodraeth Cymru, ac mae Llywodraeth Cymru’n penderfynu, ar sail teilyngdod, a yw'n dymuno rhoi arian trethdalwyr i hyrwyddo'r gwahanol lwybrau y gallai'r sefydliad hwnnw fod yn eu hyrwyddo. Felly, pan fyddwch chi'n ystyried y problemau a fu yn HCC, gallai'r Gweinidog a'i swyddogion o leiaf fod wedi cydnabod bod hyn yn rhywbeth y dylid bod wedi'i ystyried, a derbyn yr argymhelliad er mwyn gallu ei ddatblygu.
Dyna pam y tynnais sylw yn fy sylwadau wrth agor y ddadl hon at sut y mae etholiad ar y ffordd. Rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y bydd pwy bynnag sy'n ffurfio Llywodraeth ar ôl mis Mai yn edrych ar hyn fel mater difrifol, fel ffordd o gryfhau HCC, ac yn edrych ar sut y gallwn greu corff hyrwyddo cig sy'n addas i’r diben ac sy'n barod i ysgwyddo'r heriau mewn byd heriol o ofod manwerthu sydd bob amser yn chwilio am gynnyrch newydd a defnyddwyr â chwaeth ddetholgar a all benderfynu yn y pen draw ble maent am wario eu harian.
Yn ei ymateb, gwrthododd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yr argymhelliad hwnnw a dweud nad oedd yn werth ei ystyried. Pwysleisiodd y pwynt am y ddogfen y weledigaeth ar gyfer 2026-30 a rhoi llawer o bwyslais ar hynny, fel y gwnaeth Llyr, a dynnodd sylw at y ddogfen benodol y mae HCC yn gweithio arni ar hyn o bryd. Rwy'n gobeithio'n fawr y bydd y ddogfen honno'n llwyddo i wella gweithgarwch hyrwyddo'r sefydliad, i sicrhau, yn hytrach na bod ei gronfeydd yn cael eu dihysbyddu ar ôl talu cyfreithwyr a chynghorwyr adnoddau dynol drud, y gallwn gael incwm ardoll y tu ôl i ddogfen weledigaeth a fydd yn y pen draw yn sicrhau mwy o lwyddiant a gwell treiddiad i'r farchnad i'r sector cig coch.
Yn ei gyfraniad, tynnodd Llyr sylw hefyd at ba mor hir y mae hyn wedi bod yn digwydd—dros ddwy flynedd—a'r ffaith mai dim ond oddeutu 30 aelod o staff sydd ganddynt, ond mae oddeutu 12 aelod ar y bwrdd. Hynny yw, credaf y gallai rhai pobl gydnabod, yn gywir ddigon, fod hwnnw'n sefydliad eithaf pendrwm. Ac unwaith eto, dyna ble byddai adolygiad o lywodraethiant o leiaf wedi profi'r ddadl i weld beth sy'n addas i’r diben, pe bai'r profion hynny'n dod yn ôl ac yn dweud wrth y Llywodraeth ei bod yn bryd newid strwythur llywodraethu a strwythur bwrdd HCC i fod yn addas i’r diben yn y dyfodol.
Ond yn fy sylwadau, tynnais sylw at bwysigrwydd niferoedd da byw, oherwydd, fel bwrdd ardollau, yn amlwg, mae'r incwm yn dibynnu ar nifer yr unedau da byw sy'n cael eu prosesu yma yng Nghymru, ac yn wir ledled y Deyrnas Unedig, i greu'r incwm. Ac yn anffodus, ni chyffyrddodd y Gweinidog â'r pwynt hwnnw o gwbl yn ei gyfraniad, ac i mi, dangosai hynny ddiffyg dealltwriaeth sylfaenol o sut y caiff y sefydliad hwn ei ariannu.
A daeth yr her gan Sam yn ei sylwadau, gan dynnu sylw at argymhelliad y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd ynghylch lleihau niferoedd da byw, rhywbeth y nodaf fod Llywodraeth yr Alban wedi'i wrthod. A byddai wedi bod yn dda clywed amddiffyniad cadarn gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ynghylch cadw niferoedd da byw ar y lefel bresennol o leiaf, neu geisio hyrwyddo nifer yr unedau da byw sydd eu hangen arnom i gadw ein cyfleusterau prosesu ar agor, fel nad ydym yn gwyrddgalchu ac yn gorfod mewnforio cynnyrch o wledydd sydd â pherfformiad amgylcheddol llawer gwaeth na'n perfformiad ni ein hunain.
A gwnaeth Sam y pwynt da iawn, mewn gwirionedd, fod cig coch Cymru 60 y cant yn fwy ecogyfeillgar na chynnyrch o gyrchfannau rhyngwladol a ddaw i'r wlad hon. Mae hwnnw'n bwynt pwysig iawn. Gallaf weld bod yr Aelod dros Ganolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru’n dweud mai 40 y cant yw'r ffigur, ond os mai 100 y cant yw'r cyfanswm, mae 60 y cant yn golygu bod gan y cig coch a ddaw i mewn ôl troed amgylcheddol uwch. Ac felly, dyna sy'n wirioneddol bwysig—sicrhau nad ydym yn gwyrddgalchu. A phe baech chi wedi bod yn awyddus i gyfrannu yn y ddadl, Joyce, byddai wedi bod yn dda iawn clywed Aelod dros Ganolbarth a Gorllewin Cymru, lle mae HCC wedi'i leoli, yn Aberystwyth, yn siarad ar ran sefydliad sy'n wirioneddol bwysig.
Ond rwy'n ddiolchgar iawn am yr holl dystiolaeth a roddwyd yn y drafodaeth bwysig hon. Credaf fod cynllun yma y mae'n wirioneddol bwysig bwrw ymlaen ag ef ar gyfer y sector cig coch yng Nghymru. Mae Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi derbyn rhai o'r argymhellion, a'r ymateb 'derbyn mewn egwyddor' ofnadwy hefyd. Pan ddaw'r etholiad a thu hwnt i hynny, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd yr adroddiad cyfan yn cael ei ystyried gan y Llywodraeth newydd a'i ddefnyddio fel templed i gyflwyno corff hyrwyddo a all ymgysylltu'n agos iawn â'r sector a hyrwyddo gwerth y cig coch sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru, fel ein bod yn cael mwy o le ar y silff i'r cynnyrch sy'n gyrru ein heconomi wledig, ac rwy'n cymeradwyo'r adroddiad i'r Senedd.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi adroddiad y pwyllgor? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Nac oes. Felly, derbynnir y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
The proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? No. The motion is therefore agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Derbyniwyd y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Eitem 6 heddiw yw'r ddadl ar adroddiad y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, 'Cyd-dynnu, nid tynnu’n groes: Rhaid i Gymru weithredu'. A galwaf ar Gadeirydd y pwyllgor i wneud y cynnig—Jenny Rathbone.
Item 6 this afternoon is a debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, 'Co-operation over Conflict: Wales must Act'. And I call on the Chair of the committee to move the motion—Jenny Rathbone.
Cynnig NDM9066 Jenny Rathbone
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
Yn nodi adroddiad y Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, 'Cyd-dynnu, nid tynnu’n groes: Rhaid i Gymru weithredu', a osodwyd ar 9 Hydref 2025.
Motion NDM9066 Jenny Rathbone
To propose that the Senedd:
Notes the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, 'Co-operation over Conflict: Wales must Act', laid on 9 October 2025.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
A crisis of trust in institutions, deepening inequality, an epidemic of fake news—these are some of the worrying trends that are contributing to a decline in social cohesion that we catalogue in our report. Too many people feel they are not seen, valued or heard, and this is adding to a tinderbox of discontent, which literally is threatening our democracy. I want to pay credit to all those who took part in our inquiry, whose valuable contribution we endeavour to reflect.
Argyfwng ymddiriedaeth mewn sefydliadau, anghydraddoldeb sy'n dyfnhau, epidemig o newyddion ffug—dyma rai o'r tueddiadau dychrynllyd sy'n cyfrannu at ddirywiad mewn cydlyniant cymdeithasol a restrir gennym yn ein hadroddiad. Mae gormod o bobl yn teimlo nad ydynt yn cael eu gweld, eu gwerthfawrogi na'u clywed, ac mae hyn yn ychwanegu at flwch tân o anfodlonrwydd, sy'n llythrennol yn bygwth ein democratiaeth. Hoffwn dalu teyrnged i bawb a gymerodd ran yn ein hymchwiliad, ac fe wnawn ymdrechu i adlewyrchu eu cyfraniad gwerthfawr.
First of all, social cohesion is not a slogan, it's a safeguard. It is the quiet, everyday confidence that your neighbour is not a stranger, that we all belong in the place we call home and that our differences are not a risk, they are a resource. True, democracy is sometimes messy, but nonetheless vital. The alternative is coercion and brute force. It is built in our communities, our shared spaces, usually one conversation at a time. Wales has these foundations of cynefin and croeso that we need to draw on in these challenging times. These foundations are being fractured like never before, both from increasing inequalities, as well as foreign forces throwing money at disinformation, deliberately designed to create discord and resentment.
Dame Sara Khan spent three years looking at the threats to social cohesion and the state of democratic resilience, and she found declining levels of civil engagement and growing levels of disillusionment with democracy. And it is sad to report that very little action resulted from her report to the then Government in March 2024. In our world beset by what Dame Sarah Khan calls 'freedom-restricting harassment', it involves courage and leadership to choose co-operation over conflict.
The central message of our report is that it is our duty not to run away from the challenges, as a few people in the Chamber seem to have done, but we really do need to run towards them in order to tackle them. As politicians, we must do more to damp down the bonfire of dissatisfaction and contend the attempts to fan the flames of division. The solutions have to be found from the bottom up, not by some faraway Government prescribing Pride in Place or Plan for Neighbourhoods without the knowledge or know-how of who holds the community or leadership assets or the priorities of the people who live there.
We found lots of excellent examples of resilient communities in our visits to Caia Park in Wrexham, Cae Fardre in Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Railway Gardens in Splott, which demonstrated to us the importance of people coming together and of protecting the places where people can meet, share their concerns and organise. The evidence we received from the Building Communities Trust was categorical: the least resilient communities are those with high deprivation and few community assets.
Whilst, in general terms, the Welsh Government has embraced all four of our recommendations, their response to the need to rectify the lack of statutory rights for communities in Wales to buy land or assets, as in Scotland, and the right to bid or challenge, as in England, is disappointing. The UK Government is currently consulting on the community right to buy, and we need to ensure that Wales has this right as well. We are disappointed that the response from the Welsh Government collectively, not by the individual Cabinet Secretary, is so tentative and slow.
Our other three recommendations relate to the leadership role of the Welsh Government and the action needed to strengthen social cohesion in the face of a lethal combination of threats, which cannot be left to grass-roots organisations alone. The Welsh Government had the prescience to set up a community cohesion programme back in 2009, but I wonder how many Members are aware of these eight cohesion teams, even after the programme was expanded in 2019. These teams are, no doubt, well intentioned, but not always as co-ordinated, consistent or as well communicated as they need to be in the face of the serious disturbances that have occurred in the last two or three years, deliberately challenging the rules-based society that is the scaffolding of a democracy. If they didn't exist, we would need to invent these community co-ordinators. But we need to have a much clearer idea about their effectiveness to act both as a sounding board for impending trouble before it erupts and to be able to take preventative action to avert traumatising disturbances.
Oldham was held up by several witnesses as having a really effective preventative approach, and we commend that to the Welsh Government to look into, to see what we could learn from Oldham. It is notable that, of the 35 disturbances in England and Scotland following the ghastly murders of children in Southport in August of last year, none occurred in Oldham—nor, indeed, in Wales.
Welsh Government has speedily set up an expert group on social cohesion, of people representative of the whole community of Wales, to develop a strategic long-term approach to strengthen all our communities, counter extremism and ensure Wales remains a place of welcome and unity. This group needs to work at unprecedented pace, and the committee is delighted that the Welsh Government has already acted upon the recommendation and appointed Gaynor Legall as its chair, and I believe it's already met.
Our report is clear that the Welsh Government should play a central role in dealing with these challenges. However, not all the levers that have an impact on social cohesion are at its disposal. We need a four-nation approach, and co-ordination with other Governments at UK level, to the poison being distributed on our airwaves, particularly by the far right, and the ease with which it can be spread like a virus. This is putting at risk the safety of front-line workers, political leaders of all sorts, as well as members of the community who are right to be fearful for their safety.
We emphasise the need for this four-nation approach, and it's something that the Welsh Government itself is calling for, so it is disappointing that an inter-ministerial group has not yet taken place, due to ministerial changes at a UK level. In light of the threat to democracy coming from the far right, fanning the flames of this discontent, this requires the urgent attention of all four Governments and all the parties in this Senedd.
Yn gyntaf oll, nid slogan yw cydlyniant cymdeithasol, ond mesur diogelu. Yr hyder tawel, beunyddiol nad yw eich cymydog yn ddieithryn, fod pob un ohonom yn perthyn i ble rydym yn ei alw'n gartref ac nad risg yw ein gwahaniaethau, ond adnodd. Mae'n wir, mae democratiaeth weithiau'n flêr, ond serch hynny, mae'n hanfodol. Y dewis arall yw bygythiadau a gorfodaeth. Caiff ei adeiladu yn ein cymunedau, y mannau a rannwn, un sgwrs ar y tro fel arfer. Mae gan Gymru sylfeini cynefin a chroeso y mae angen inni bwyso arnynt yn yr amseroedd heriol hyn. Mae'r sylfeini hyn o dan bwysau digynsail, o ganlyniad i anghydraddoldebau cynyddol, yn ogystal â grymoedd tramor yn taflu arian at dwyllwybodaeth wedi'i chynllunio'n fwriadol i greu anghydfod a dicter.
Treuliodd y Fonesig Sara Khan dair blynedd yn edrych ar y bygythiadau i gydlyniant cymdeithasol a chyflwr gwydnwch democrataidd, a chanfu fod lefelau ymgysylltiad sifil yn gostwng a lefelau dadrithiad ynghylch democratiaeth yn codi. Ac mae'n drist nodi mai ychydig iawn o weithredu a ddeilliodd o'i hadroddiad i'r Llywodraeth ar y pryd ym mis Mawrth 2024. Yn ein byd sydd o dan warchae gan yr hyn y mae'r Fonesig Sarah Khan yn ei alw'n 'aflonyddwch sy'n cyfyngu ar ryddid', mae angen dewrder ac arweinyddiaeth i ddewis cydweithredu yn hytrach na gwrthdaro.
Neges ganolog ein hadroddiad yw ei bod yn ddyletswydd arnom i beidio â chilio rhag yr heriau, fel y mae rhai pobl yn y Siambr wedi'i wneud yn ôl pob golwg, ond mae gwir angen inni redeg tuag atynt er mwyn mynd i'r afael â nhw. Fel gwleidyddion, rhaid inni wneud mwy i dawelu'r goelcerth o anfodlonrwydd ac ymladd yn erbyn yr ymdrechion i fegino fflamau ymraniad. Rhaid dod o hyd i atebion o'r gwaelod i fyny, nid gan ryw Lywodraeth bell yn rhagnodi Balchder Bro neu Gynllun Cymdogaethau heb adnabod na gwybod pwy sy'n cynnal yr asedau cymunedol neu arweinyddiaeth neu flaenoriaethau'r bobl sy'n byw yno.
Gwelsom lawer o enghreifftiau rhagorol o gymunedau gwydn yn ein hymweliadau â Pharc Caia yn Wrecsam, Cae Fardre ym Mhentre’r Eglwys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, a Gerddi’r Rheilffordd yn y Sblot, a ddangosodd i ni pa mor bwysig yw hi i bobl ddod ynghyd a diogelu'r lleoedd lle gall pobl gyfarfod, rhannu eu pryderon a threfnu. Roedd y dystiolaeth a gawsom gan yr Ymddiriedolaeth Adeiladu Cymunedau yn ddiamod: y cymunedau lleiaf gwydn yw’r rhai sydd ag amddifadedd uchel a fawr ddim asedau cymunedol.
Er bod Llywodraeth Cymru wedi croesawu pob un o'n pedwar argymhelliad at ei gilydd, mae eu hymateb i'r angen i unioni'r diffyg hawliau statudol i gymunedau yng Nghymru brynu tir neu asedau, fel yn yr Alban, a'r hawl i wneud cais neu herio, fel yn Lloegr, yn siomedig. Ar hyn o bryd, mae Llywodraeth y DU yn ymgynghori ar hawl y gymuned i brynu, ac mae angen inni sicrhau bod yr hawl hon gan Gymru hefyd. Rydym yn siomedig fod yr ymateb cyfunol gan Lywodraeth Cymru, nid gan yr Ysgrifennydd Cabinet unigol, mor betrusgar ac araf.
Mae ein tri argymhelliad arall yn ymwneud â rôl arweiniol Llywodraeth Cymru a'r camau sydd eu hangen i gryfhau cydlyniant cymdeithasol yn wyneb cyfuniad angheuol o fygythiadau, na ellir eu gadael i sefydliadau llawr gwlad yn unig. Roedd gan Lywodraeth Cymru ragwelediad i sefydlu rhaglen gydlyniant cymunedol yn ôl yn 2009, ond tybed faint o Aelodau sy'n ymwybodol o'r wyth tîm cydlyniant hyn, hyd yn oed ar ôl i'r rhaglen gael ei hehangu yn 2019. Mae gan y timau hyn fwriadau da, heb os, ond nid yw'r cydgysylltiad, y cysondeb na'r cyfathrebu bob amser mor dda ag sydd angen iddynt fod yn wyneb yr aflonyddwch difrifol a welwyd yn y ddwy neu dair blynedd diwethaf, lle mae pobl wedi mynd ati'n fwriadol i herio'r gymdeithas sy'n seiliedig ar reolau sy'n sail i ddemocratiaeth. Pe na baent yn bodoli, byddai angen inni ddyfeisio'r cydgysylltwyr cymunedol hyn. Ond mae angen inni gael syniad llawer cliriach am eu heffeithiolrwydd i weithredu fel seinfwrdd ar gyfer trafferthion sydd ar y ffordd cyn iddynt ffrwydro ac i allu cymryd camau ataliol i osgoi aflonyddwch trawmatig.
Cafodd tref Oldham ei chrybwyll gan sawl tyst fel un â dull ataliol effeithiol iawn, ac rydym yn argymell y dylai Lywodraeth Cymru edrych arni i weld beth y gallem ei ddysgu gan Oldham. O'r 35 achos o aflonyddwch yn Lloegr a'r Alban yn dilyn llofruddiaethau erchyll y plant yn Southport ym mis Awst y llynedd, dylid nodi na ddigwyddodd yr un yn Oldham—nac yng Nghymru, yn wir.
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi mynd ati'n gyflym i sefydlu grŵp arbenigol ar gydlyniant cymdeithasol o blith pobl sy'n cynrychioli cymuned gyfan Cymru, i ddatblygu dull strategol hirdymor o gryfhau ein holl gymunedau, gwrthsefyll eithafiaeth a sicrhau bod Cymru'n parhau i fod yn lle croesawgar ac unedig. Mae angen i'r grŵp hwn weithio ar gyflymder digynsail, ac mae'r pwyllgor yn falch iawn fod Llywodraeth Cymru eisoes wedi gweithredu ar yr argymhelliad ac wedi penodi Gaynor Legall yn gadeirydd, a chredaf ei fod eisoes wedi cyfarfod.
Mae ein hadroddiad yn nodi'n glir y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru chwarae rhan ganolog wrth fynd i'r afael â'r heriau hyn. Fodd bynnag, nid yw'r holl ysgogiadau sy'n effeithio ar gydlyniant cymdeithasol ar gael iddi. Mae angen dull pedair gwlad arnom, a chydgysylltu â Llywodraethau eraill ar lefel y DU, i fynd i'r afael â'r gwenwyn sy'n cael ei wasgaru ar ein tonfeddi, yn enwedig gan yr asgell dde eithafol, a pha mor hawdd y gall ledaenu fel feirws. Mae'n peryglu diogelwch gweithwyr rheng flaen, arweinwyr gwleidyddol o bob math, yn ogystal ag aelodau o'r gymuned sy'n iawn i fod yn ofnus ynglŷn â'u diogelwch.
Rydym yn pwysleisio'r angen am y dull pedair gwlad hwn, ac mae'n rhywbeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru ei hun yn galw amdano, felly mae'n siomedig nad oes cyfarfod grŵp rhyngweinidogol wedi'i gynnal eto, oherwydd newidiadau gweinidogol ar lefel y DU. Yng ngoleuni'r bygythiad i ddemocratiaeth gan yr asgell dde eithafol, sy'n megino fflamau anfodlonrwydd, mae hyn yn galw am sylw'r pedair Llywodraeth a'r holl bleidiau yn y Senedd hon ar frys.
I'd like to thank the Equality and Social Justice Committee for their report and all the witnesses who gave evidence, and also Dame Sara Khan for her invaluable insight into the reasons for a rise in extremist views across the political spectrum.
The committee's report makes it very clear that social cohesion in Wales is under threat, and it sets some of the measures that need to be taken, including, in many cases, building on some of the positive work already taking place to strengthen the cohesiveness of our communities.
The report highlights a few community initiatives that the Chair of the committee has referred to this afternoon, and I just want to highlight one positive example in my own constituency, and that is the 'Connecting the Community' initiative organised by Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner and Councillor Dani Thomas-Turner. The project is supported by several local organisations and invites residents for free hot meals and free activities in Haverfordwest. It's an inclusive space for local businesses and charities to engage with residents and to build bridges in the community. And it's that sort of activity that the Welsh Government should be supporting at a grass-roots level in our communities, building bridges and networks across our communities in spaces where everyone is valued, welcomed and included.
Now, the committee's first recommendation is for the Welsh Government to establish an expert group on social cohesion to devise a set of short, medium and long-term actions to protect and expand social cohesion. I'm sure the Cabinet Secretary will tell us a bit more about the progress of that work and the work being done by that expert group in her response to this debate.
Now, the report highlights some areas where work can be done in relation to the community cohesion programme, such as tackling the inconsistency across the eight cohesion regions of Wales. Because in some areas regional cohesion leads are very proactive, and in other regions less so.
The report also highlights a lack of clear objectives, transparency and information about the community cohesion programme, including how the programme is monitored. And so, perhaps the Cabinet Secretary will take the opportunity to tell us how this programme has been monitored since it was established back in 2009 and whether or not there's any merit in the expert group reviewing the programme as part of its work.
Now, the committee's third recommendation calls on the Welsh Government to assume a leadership role for dealing with misinformation and disinformation. Dame Sara Khan emphasised the declining levels of social cohesion, along with the declining levels of civic engagement, and stark warnings about growing levels of disillusionment with democracy and distrust in our democratic institutions.
We as Senedd Members have a duty here to promote tolerance and respect, and we have to work together to show the people of Wales that we can debate in a healthy way, without disinformation and extremism. Distrust in democratic institutions is exploited by extremists who want to create further division in our communities. I would remind Members that we are living in an age that has seen two MPs murdered in recent years, and I know that many Members in this Chamber have faced abuse in person and indeed online.
Hate crime is on the rise, and dangerous political ideologies on the far right and indeed on the far left of the political spectrum are part of the problem. As the report makes clear, it's not just political ideologies that are causing concern. There are concerns over other forms of extremism. Dr Andrew Thomas of Swansea University explained to the committee that the incel community is significant, with one online forum alone having almost 30,000 members. These forums and their extreme views are promoting violence against women, and it was alarming to read in the committee's report that headteachers in Cardiff have confirmed that boys as young as in year 7 are showing signs of being influenced by this type of ideology. Therefore, perhaps in responding to this debate the Cabinet Secretary could update us on any discussions she's had with the Cabinet Secretary for Education about this issue and the actions being taken in schools to challenge these extreme views.
So, in closing, Deputy Presiding Officer, can I thank the Equality and Social Justice Committee for their report? I look forward to hearing from the Cabinet Secretary about some of the actions being taken to build greater national resilience and social cohesion. There is a lot of positive work being done to foster healthy communities, and the Welsh Government needs to build on that. Further work and resources are needed to tackle the prevalence of extremism, because some of these views are making their way into Welsh classrooms and reducing social cohesion by furthering conflict between young men and women. That's why we need to ensure that local authorities and schools have the tools they need to tackle these issues in our communities.
Hoffwn ddiolch i'r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol am eu hadroddiad ac i'r holl dystion a roddodd dystiolaeth, a hefyd i'r Fonesig Sara Khan am ei mewnwelediad amhrisiadwy i'r rhesymau dros y cynnydd mewn safbwyntiau eithafol ar draws y sbectrwm gwleidyddol.
Mae adroddiad y pwyllgor yn nodi'n glir iawn fod cydlyniant cymdeithasol yng Nghymru dan fygythiad, ac mae'n nodi rhai o'r camau sydd angen eu cymryd, gan gynnwys, mewn llawer o achosion, adeiladu ar rywfaint o'r gwaith cadarnhaol sydd eisoes yn mynd rhagddo i gryfhau cydlyniant ein cymunedau.
Mae'r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at fentrau cymunedol y mae Cadeirydd y pwyllgor wedi cyfeirio atynt y prynhawn yma, a hoffwn dynnu sylw at un enghraifft gadarnhaol yn fy etholaeth i, sef y fenter 'Cysylltu'r Gymuned' a drefnwyd gan y Cynghorydd Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner a'r Cynghorydd Dani Thomas-Turner. Cefnogir y prosiect gan sawl sefydliad lleol ac mae'n gwahodd trigolion i gael prydau poeth am ddim a chymryd rhan mewn gweithgareddau am ddim yn Hwlffordd. Mae'n lle cynhwysol i fusnesau ac elusennau lleol ymgysylltu â thrigolion ac adeiladu pontydd yn y gymuned. A dyna'r math o weithgarwch y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru fod yn ei gefnogi ar lawr gwlad yn ein cymunedau, gan adeiladu pontydd a rhwydweithiau ar draws ein cymunedau mewn mannau lle mae pawb yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi, eu croesawu a'u cynnwys.
Nawr, argymhelliad cyntaf y pwyllgor yw i Lywodraeth Cymru sefydlu grŵp arbenigol ar gydlyniant cymdeithasol i lunio set o gamau gweithredu tymor byr, canolig a hir i ddiogelu ac ehangu cydlyniant cymdeithasol. Rwy'n siŵr y bydd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn dweud mwy wrthym am gynnydd y gwaith hwnnw a'r gwaith sy'n cael ei wneud gan y grŵp arbenigol hwnnw yn ei hymateb i'r ddadl.
Nawr, mae'r adroddiad yn tynnu sylw at rai meysydd lle gellir gwneud gwaith mewn perthynas â'r rhaglen cydlyniant cymunedol, fel mynd i'r afael â'r anghysondeb ar draws wyth rhanbarth cydlyniant Cymru. Oherwydd mewn rhai ardaloedd, mae arweinwyr cydlyniant rhanbarthol yn rhagweithiol iawn, ac mewn rhanbarthau eraill, maent yn llai felly.
Mae'r adroddiad hefyd yn tynnu sylw at ddiffyg amcanion clir, tryloywder a gwybodaeth am y rhaglen cydlyniant cymunedol, gan gynnwys sut y mae'r rhaglen yn cael ei monitro. Ac felly, efallai y gall Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet achub ar y cyfle i ddweud wrthym sut y cafodd y rhaglen hon ei monitro ers ei sefydlu yn ôl yn 2009, a gweld a fyddai o fudd i'r grŵp arbenigol adolygu'r rhaglen yn rhan o'i waith.
Nawr, mae trydydd argymhelliad y pwyllgor yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i fabwysiadu rôl arweiniol ar gyfer ymdrin â chamwybodaeth a thwyllwybodaeth. Pwysleisiodd y Fonesig Sara Khan y gostyngiad yn y lefelau o gydlyniant cymdeithasol, ynghyd â'r gostyngiad yn y lefelau o ymgysylltiad dinesig, a rhybuddion clir am lefelau cynyddol o ddadrithiad â democratiaeth a diffyg ymddiriedaeth yn ein sefydliadau democrataidd.
Mae gennym ni fel Aelodau’r Senedd ddyletswydd yma i hyrwyddo goddefgarwch a pharch, ac mae’n rhaid inni gydweithio i ddangos i bobl Cymru y gallwn drafod mewn ffordd iach, heb dwyllwybodaeth ac eithafiaeth. Mae eithafwyr yn cymryd mantais ar y diffyg ymddiriedaeth mewn sefydliadau democrataidd i greu ymraniadau pellach yn ein cymunedau. Hoffwn atgoffa’r Aelodau ein bod yn byw mewn oes lle mae dau Aelod Seneddol wedi cael eu llofruddio yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf, a gwn fod llawer o Aelodau yn y Siambr hon wedi wynebu camdriniaeth wyneb yn wyneb, ac ar-lein.
Mae troseddau casineb ar gynnydd, ac mae ideolegau gwleidyddol peryglus ar asgell dde eithafol, ac ar asgell chwith eithafol yn wir, y sbectrwm gwleidyddol yn rhan o'r broblem. Fel y mae'r adroddiad yn egluro, nid ideolegau gwleidyddol yn unig sy'n peri pryder. Ceir pryderon ynghylch mathau eraill o eithafiaeth. Esboniodd Dr Andrew Thomas o Brifysgol Abertawe i'r pwyllgor fod y gymuned 'incel' yn sylweddol, gydag un fforwm ar-lein yn unig â bron i 30,000 o aelodau. Mae'r fforymau hyn a'u safbwyntiau eithafol yn hyrwyddo trais yn erbyn menywod, ac roedd yn frawychus darllen yn adroddiad y pwyllgor fod penaethiaid yng Nghaerdydd wedi cadarnhau bod bechgyn mor ifanc â blwyddyn 7 yn dangos arwyddion o gael eu dylanwadu gan y math hwn o ideoleg. Felly, wrth ymateb i'r ddadl hon, efallai y gallai Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf i ni am unrhyw drafodaethau a gafodd gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Addysg ynglŷn â'r mater hwn a'r camau sy'n cael eu cymryd mewn ysgolion i herio'r safbwyntiau eithafol hyn.
Felly, i gloi, Ddirprwy Lywydd, a gaf i ddiolch i'r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol am eu hadroddiad? Edrychaf ymlaen at glywed gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet am rai o'r camau sy'n cael eu cymryd i feithrin mwy o wydnwch cenedlaethol a chydlyniant cymdeithasol. Mae llawer o waith cadarnhaol yn mynd rhagddo ar feithrin cymunedau iach, ac mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru adeiladu ar hynny. Mae angen gwaith ac adnoddau pellach i fynd i'r afael â chyffredinrwydd eithafiaeth, gan fod rhai o'r safbwyntiau hyn yn treiddio i ystafelloedd dosbarth Cymru ac yn lleihau cydlyniant cymdeithasol drwy hyrwyddo gwrthdaro rhwng dynion a menywod ifanc. Dyna pam fod angen inni sicrhau bod gan awdurdodau lleol ac ysgolion y dulliau sydd eu hangen arnynt i fynd i'r afael â'r materion hyn yn ein cymunedau.
Mae'r adroddiad hwn yn hynod bwysig, dwi'n meddwl, achos ei fod e'n ymwneud â'r hyn sy'n greiddiol i ddyfodol ein cymdeithas, ac yn gofyn sut rŷn ni'n cyd-greu Cymru'r dyfodol fel ein bod ni'n medru cyd-fyw yn y Gymru honno.
Deilliodd yr ymchwiliad mewn rhan yn sgil yr aflonyddwch cymdeithasol difrifol a welwyd yn Lloegr yn ystod haf 2024, yn dilyn llofruddiaethau ofnadwy tair merch fach yn Southport. Ac er na brofodd Cymru yr un fath o derfysgoedd bryd hynny, roedd yna enghreifftiau o aflonyddwch cymdeithasol yn Abertawe a Chaerdydd yr haf blaenorol, ac wrth i'n hymchwiliad dynnu tua'i derfyn, fe welodd Cymru brawf pellach o raniadau cymdeithasol wrth i brotestiadau a defnydd o'n baner genedlaethol greu tensiynau pryderus ar hyd a lled y wlad. Y cyfan yn dangos nad yw Cymru wedi ei heithrio rhag bygythiad ac effeithiau andwyol diffyg cydlyniant cymdeithasol.
Mae'r adroddiad yn cyflwyno tystiolaeth glir o'r heriau sydd yn ein hwynebu yn hyn o beth, ac yn galw am ymateb pendant a brys gan y Llywodraeth er mwyn atal dirywiad pellach i'r gwead cymdeithasol sy'n cynnal lles ein cymdeithas, gan fygwth diogelwch dinasyddion, yn enwedig rhai grwpiau penodol fel lleiafrifoedd ethnig, ffoaduriaid a cheiswyr lloches, ac unigolion LHDTC+ ac iechyd ein democratiaeth.
Rwy'n falch bod y Llywodraeth wedi derbyn pob un o argymhellion y pwyllgor ac wedi gweithredu ar frys, yn unol â'n hargymhelliad cyntaf, i sefydlu grŵp arbenigol i arwain y gwaith o geisio ffyrdd o ddod â'n cymunedau at ei gilydd yn wyneb y rhaniadau cynyddol yma. Ond hoffwn ofyn ar hynny: pryd gallwn ddisgwyl i'r grŵp yma adrodd, a phryd y gwelwn ni weithredu ar ei argymhellion? Fe wnaethon ni argymell bod y Llywodraeth yn adlewyrchu'r dull ymateb a gafwyd i'r argyfwng costau byw, ac y dylai gyflwyno adroddiad cyn diwedd y flwyddyn, gyda set o gamau gweithredu i'w cyflawni ar unwaith, yn y tymor canolig, ac yn y tymor hir, sef yr hyn a wnaeth y panel costau byw a sefydlwyd. Felly, beth yw'r rheswm dros beidio dilyn yr un trywydd?
Yn yr un modd, rwyf braidd yn siomedig gyda'r diffyg ymdeimlad o frys yn yr ymateb i argymhelliad 2, sef cymryd camau i amddiffyn mannau cymunedol. Rhoddwyd, fel ymateb, ymrwymiad i archwilio hawl y gymuned i brynu. Mae Comisiynydd Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol Cymru, y Sefydliad Materion Cymreig, yr Ymddiriedolaeth Adeiladu Cymunedau ac eraill yn pryderu am effaith y gostyngiad yn nifer y mannau cyhoeddus sydd ar gael ar gydlyniant cymdeithasol, ac maen nhw'n cefnogi cyflwyno hawl y gymuned i brynu, fel sydd yn bodoli, mewn gwahanol ffyrdd, yn Lloegr a'r Alban. Mae'r rhesymeg yn glir, mae yna fodelau amlwg i'w mabwysiadu, felly pam nad oes gweithredu wedi bod ar hyn, a beth yw'r rhesymeg dros fwy o oedi?
Roedden ni'n glir y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru arwain y ffordd wrth ymdrin â chamwybodaeth a thwyllwybodaeth. Mae'n gywilyddus bod yna rai gwleidyddion ac, mae'n flin gen i ddweud, rhai sydd yn y lle hwn, yn euog o ledaenu camwybodaeth a thwyllwybodaeth sy'n achosi ofn a gofid ac yn corddi casineb a rhaniadau cymdeithasol. Bydd cydlyniant cymdeithasol byth yn gryf pan wneir i grwpiau cyfan o bobl, sy'n profi anfantais yn barod, deimlo fel eu bod nhw dan fygythiad. Clywon ni dystiolaeth rymus a phryderus gan y trydydd sector am effaith hyn ar y bobl maen nhw'n ceisio eu cefnogi, ac ar eu sefydliadau nhw eu hunain.
Yn ystod ein hymchwiliad, clywsom ni hefyd sut y gall tensiynau a gwrthdaro gael effaith hir dymor ar gymunedau penodol, fel yn Llanelli, yn sgil y gwrthdaro yno pan wnaeth y Llywodraeth Geidwadol yn San Steffan ar y pryd gau Gwesty Parc y Strade gyda’r bwriad o’i droi yn llety i geiswyr lloches. Ond fe glywon ni hefyd enghreifftiau gwych o gymunedau sydd yn cydweithio, a gallwn ddatblygu'r sylfeini hynny. Ond mae angen arweinyddiaeth arnom, mae angen gweithredu arnom, ac mae eu hangen arnom ni nawr.
Felly, ydych chi'n cytuno bod angen gwell ffocws ar y lefelau digynsail o fygythiadau y mae rhai grwpiau penodol yn eu profi, yn enwedig, efallai, lleiafrifoedd ethnig yng Nghymru, a'r effaith andwyol y mae hyn yn ei chael ar eu lles nhw? A fyddai'r Llywodraeth yn ystyried cymryd camau i godi ymwybyddiaeth o'r mater yma sy'n debygol o ddwysáu wrth i ni nesáu at yr etholiadau ym mis Mai?
Fel mae'r Cadeirydd yn nodi yn ei rhagair,
'Mae Cymru wedi'i hadeiladu ar sylfeini cadarn cynefin a chroeso',
sydd wedi helpu ein cymunedau i oroesi a dygymod â chyfnodau anodd. Mae Plaid Cymru yn credu bod cryfder Cymru yn gorwedd mewn cynhwysiant ac ymddiriedaeth, a bod cymunedau cefnogol, croesawgar a goddefgar yn cryfhau ein cenedl. Diolch.
This report is hugely important, I believe, because it relates to a matter that is crucial to the future of our society, and asks how we will co-produce the Wales of the future so that we can live together in that future Wales.
The inquiry was partly inspired by the serious social unrest in England during the summer of 2024, following the appalling murders of three young girls in Southport. And although Wales did not experience the same sort of riots at that time, there were examples of social unrest in Swansea and Cardiff the previous summer, and as our inquiry drew to a close, Wales saw further evidence of social division as protests and the use of our national flag led to concerning tensions the length and breadth of the country. All of this demonstrates that Wales is not exempt from the threat and detrimental impact of a lack of social cohesion.
The report presents clear evidence of the challenges facing us in this regard, and calls for a determined and urgent response from the Government to prevent further deterioration in the social fabric that sustains our society's well-being, threatening the safety of our citizens, particularly some specific groups, such as ethnic minorities, refugees and asylum seekers, and LGBTQ+ individuals, along with the health of our democracy.
I'm pleased that the Government has accepted every one of the committee's recommendations and has responded at pace, in accordance with our first recommendation, to establish an expert group to lead the work on seeking ways of bringing our communities together in the face of this increasing division. I would, however, like to ask on that: when can we expect this group to report, and when we will see action on its recommendations? We recommended that the Government should reflect the same type of response as was seen for the cost-of-living crisis, and that a report should be submitted by the end of the year, with a set of actions to be implemented immediately, in the medium term, and in the long term, which is what was done by the cost-of-living panel that was established. So, what is the reason for not adopting the same approach?
By the same token, I am rather disappointed by the lack of a sense of urgency in the response to recommendation 2 on taking steps to safeguard community spaces. They gave, in response, a commitment to explore a community right to buy. The Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, the Institute of Welsh Affairs, the Building Communities Trust and others are concerned about the impact of the decrease in the number of community spaces on social cohesion, and they support the introduction of a community right to buy, as exists, in different forms, in England and Scotland. The rationale is clear, there are clear models to emulate, so why has there not been any action on this, and what is the rationale for further delay?
We were clear that the Welsh Government should lead the way in dealing with misinformation and disinformation. It's shameful that there are some politicians and, I'm sorry to say, some Members in this place who are responsible for spreading misinformation and disinformation that cause fear and distress and stoke hatred and social division. Social cohesion will never be strong when entire groups of people, who are already experiencing disadvantage, are made to feel that they are under threat. We heard powerful and concerning evidence from the third sector about the impact of this on the people they strive to support and on their own organisations.
During our inquiry, we also heard how tensions and conflict can have a long-term impact on specific communities, such as Llanelli, as a result of the conflict there when the then Conservative Westminster Government closed the Stradey Park Hotel with the intention of using it to accommodate asylum seekers. But we’ve also heard excellent examples of communities that do work together, and we can build on those foundations. But we need leadership, we need action, and we need both now.
So, do you agree that we need an enhanced focus on the unprecedented levels of threats that some specific groups are experiencing, particularly, perhaps, minority ethnic communities in Wales, and the detrimental impact this has on their well-being? Would the Government consider taking steps to raise awareness of this issue, which is likely to intensify as we approach the elections in May?
As the Chair notes in her foreword,
'Wales has strong foundations of cynefin and croeso to draw on',
which have helped our communities to survive and cope in difficult times. Plaid Cymru believes that Wales's strength lies in inclusion and trust, and that supportive, welcoming and tolerant communities strengthen our nation. Thank you.
Diolch. I'm very pleased to speak on this important report, and I want to also say that I'm so glad that the Cabinet Secretary immediately agreed to the setting up of the expert group on social cohesion. I know a lot of work in Wales has already been done on community cohesion, and I do applaud the community cohesion programme that is operating across all 22 local authorities. On the role of community co-ordinators, which has already been referred to by the Chair, I think they are fairly unique in the UK, and I'm really pleased that the Cabinet Secretary is committed to maintaining the funding for the cohesion programme. But I do think that the setting up of this group will give a national direction to the work, and I'm very pleased in the choice of chair, that Gaynor Legall has been appointed as chair of the group, because I think we all know of her great track record.
I'll direct the rest of my comments about conclusion 3, which highlights the lack of trust in democracy. It relates in particular to the declining trust in institutions and politicians, and calls on the Welsh Government to prioritise its work to involve citizens in decision making through deliberative democratic methods. Of course, there are so many methods that can be used to employ people, such as citizens' assemblies, referendums, polling, focus groups. I think we have used those occasionally, but I do think there needs to be a great effort to create as many ways as possible to involve people in decision making and to give them a chance to feel that they are part of the decision-making process. Our report stresses the importance of participation by the public and their involvement in decision making, because I do think it's absolutely crucial in an effective democracy that people feel they've got a stake in what's happening and that they feel that they can actually influence events. And I think many people feel that they have no power and that they don't have a say.
So, I think it's important that we educate and encourage, and in particular young people to be involved in decisions. And it's great, I think, that the Senedd has extended voting in Senedd elections and local government elections to 16 and 17-year-olds, and that the UK Government is going to extend it so that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in UK parliamentary elections in the future. But I do think it's really important that we make every effort to ensure that children in schools have political education, and of course the new curriculum does encourage that to happen. Like many other Members, I've been out to speak to many primary and secondary schools about what you're able to achieve in politics, and how important it is to have your say, and I think that's what we need to get out to people, and to children in particular, that we can change things.
I want to particularly draw attention to an event I went to in the Hindu temple in Cardiff last weekend, as part of UK Parliament Week, aimed at young people. There was a huge range of children and young people there from the Hindu community: lots of very young children who were drawing and colouring flags and talking about what countries meant, and older teenagers who were debating manifestos and what they wanted out of politics, and learning about the voting system. The event was organised by KAHO UK, which is a Hindu organisation of the Kannada-speaking Indian diaspora, and it promotes community engagement. It was a great fun event, and the young people were responding so positively, and it seemed to me that we want events like that all over the country, where you bring young people in and you show them what politics is about, and give them the opportunity to think about what they want from politics. I came away with a really warm feeling of inclusion and positivity, and the feeling that you can achieve things, and that you can create the sort of atmosphere where young people feel that they can achieve things, that they've got a place, and that they'll be able to take their future place in Wales.
Diolch. Rwy'n falch iawn o siarad am yr adroddiad pwysig hwn, ac rwyf hefyd eisiau dweud fy mod mor falch fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi cytuno ar unwaith i sefydlu'r grŵp arbenigol ar gydlyniant cymdeithasol. Rwy'n gwybod bod llawer o waith eisoes wedi'i wneud yng Nghymru ar gydlyniant cymunedol, ac rwy'n cymeradwyo'r rhaglen cydlyniant cymunedol sy'n gweithredu ar draws pob un o'r 22 awdurdod lleol. Ar rôl cydgysylltwyr cymunedol, y cyfeiriwyd ati eisoes gan y Cadeirydd, rwy'n credu eu bod yn eithaf unigryw yn y DU, ac rwy'n falch iawn fod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet wedi ymrwymo i gynnal y cyllid ar gyfer y rhaglen gydlyniant. Ond rwy'n credu y bydd sefydlu'r grŵp hwn yn rhoi cyfeiriad cenedlaethol i'r gwaith, ac rwy'n falch iawn ynghylch y dewis o gadeirydd, fod Gaynor Legall wedi'i phenodi'n gadeirydd y grŵp, oherwydd rwy'n credu ein bod i gyd yn gwybod am ei gwaith gwych.
Fe gyfeiriaf weddill fy sylwadau at gasgliad 3, sy'n tynnu sylw at y diffyg ymddiriedaeth mewn democratiaeth. Mae'n ymwneud yn benodol â'r lleihad yn yr ymddiriedaeth mewn sefydliadau a gwleidyddion, ac yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i flaenoriaethu ei gwaith i gynnwys dinasyddion wrth wneud penderfyniadau drwy ddulliau democrataidd cydgynghorol. Wrth gwrs, mae yna gymaint o ffyrdd o ddefnyddio pobl, fel cynulliadau dinasyddion, refferenda, pleidleisio, grwpiau ffocws. Rwy'n credu ein bod wedi defnyddio'r rheini o bryd i'w gilydd, ond rwy'n credu bod angen ymdrech fawr i greu cymaint o ffyrdd â phosib o gynnwys pobl yn y broses o wneud penderfyniadau ac i roi cyfle iddynt deimlo eu bod yn rhan o'r broses o wneud penderfyniadau. Mae ein hadroddiad yn pwysleisio pwysigrwydd cyfranogiad y cyhoedd a'u rhan yn y broses o wneud penderfyniadau, oherwydd rwy'n credu ei bod yn hollol hanfodol mewn democratiaeth effeithiol fod pobl yn teimlo bod ganddynt gyfran yn yr hyn sy'n digwydd a'u bod yn teimlo y gallant ddylanwadu ar ddigwyddiadau. Ac rwy'n credu bod llawer o bobl yn teimlo nad oes ganddynt unrhyw bŵer ac nad oes ganddynt lais.
Felly, rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig ein bod ni'n addysgu ac yn annog, pobl ifanc yn enwedig, i fod yn rhan o benderfyniadau. Ac mae'n wych fod y Senedd wedi ymestyn yr hawl i bleidleisio yn etholiadau'r Senedd ac etholiadau llywodraeth leol i bobl ifanc 16 a 17 oed, a bod Llywodraeth y DU yn mynd i'w ymestyn fel y gall pobl ifanc 16 ac 17 oed bleidleisio yn etholiadau seneddol y DU yn y dyfodol. Ond rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn gwneud pob ymdrech i sicrhau bod plant yn cael addysg wleidyddol yn yr ysgol, ac wrth gwrs mae'r cwricwlwm newydd yn annog hynny i ddigwydd. Fel llawer o Aelodau eraill, bûm allan yn siarad â llawer o ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd am yr hyn y gallwch ei gyflawni mewn gwleidyddiaeth, a pha mor bwysig yw dweud eich barn, ac rwy'n credu mai dyna sydd angen i ni ei gyfleu i bobl, ac i blant yn arbennig, y gallwn newid pethau.
Rwyf am dynnu sylw arbennig at ddigwyddiad a fynychais yn y deml Hindŵaidd yng Nghaerdydd y penwythnos diwethaf, yn rhan o Wythnos Senedd y DU, wedi'i hanelu at bobl ifanc. Roedd yna amrywiaeth enfawr o blant a phobl ifanc yno o'r gymuned Hindŵaidd: llawer o blant ifanc iawn yn tynnu lluniau a lliwio baneri ac yn siarad am yr hyn y mae gwledydd yn ei olygu, a phobl ifanc hŷn yn eu harddegau a oedd yn trafod maniffestos a beth oeddent hwy ei eisiau gan wleidyddiaeth, ac yn dysgu am y system bleidleisio. Trefnwyd y digwyddiad gan KAHO UK, sef sefydliad Hindŵaidd o'r diaspora Indiaidd sy'n siarad Kannada, ac mae'n hyrwyddo ymgysylltiad â'r gymuned. Roedd yn ddigwyddiad hwyliog iawn, ac roedd y bobl ifanc yn ymateb mor gadarnhaol, ac roedd yn ymddangos i mi ein bod ni eisiau digwyddiadau o'r fath ledled y wlad, lle rydych chi'n dod â phobl ifanc i mewn ac rydych chi'n dangos iddynt beth yw gwleidyddaeth, ac yn rhoi cyfle iddynt feddwl am yr hyn y maent hwy ei eisiau gan wleidyddiaeth. Deuthum oddi yno'n teimlo'n adeiladol iawn am gynhwysiant ac yn llawn positifrwydd, a'r teimlad y gallwch chi gyflawni pethau, ac y gallwch chi greu'r math o awyrgylch lle mae pobl ifanc yn teimlo'u bod yn gallu cyflawni pethau, fod yna le iddynt, a bod lle iddynt yng Nghymru yn y dyfodol.
I'm grateful to you for taking the intervention. I'm delighted to hear your reflections on the engagement of the faith communities in this agenda. I don't know if you were present for the launch of the 'Faith in Wales' report, which was published by the Evangelical Alliance very recently, but it demonstrated the massive positive impact of the broad range of faith communities across Wales on all sorts of pieces of work that this Senedd has a key stake in being able to deliver.
Would you agree with me that we should commend the Evangelical Alliance, and all of those various faith communities from all sorts of different traditions, for the excellent work that they're doing across Wales on this issue that we're discussing today, and a whole range of others?
Rwy'n ddiolchgar i chi am dderbyn yr ymyriad. Rwy'n falch iawn o glywed eich myfyrdodau ar ymgysylltiad cymunedau ffydd yn yr agenda hon. Nid wyf yn gwybod a oeddech chi'n bresennol ar gyfer lansiad yr adroddiad 'Ffydd yng Nghymru', a gyhoeddwyd gan y Gynghrair Efengylaidd yn ddiweddar iawn, ond dangosodd effaith gadarnhaol enfawr yr ystod eang o gymunedau ffydd ledled Cymru ar bob math o waith y mae gan y Senedd hon ran allweddol yn ei gyflawniad.
A fyddech chi'n cytuno â mi y dylem ganmol y Gynghrair Efengylaidd, a'r holl gymunedau ffydd amrywiol o bob math o wahanol draddodiadau, am y gwaith rhagorol y maent yn ei wneud ledled Cymru ar y mater yr ydym yn ei drafod heddiw, ac ystod eang o faterion eraill?
Yes, I thank Darren Millar very much for that intervention, and I think it is very important that we recognise the huge efforts that are made by many different groups to ensure that we do work towards a cohesive Wales. I believe that that's what we are doing in this Senedd, and I think that this report contributes to achieving that. Diolch.
Ie, diolch yn fawr iawn i Darren Millar am yr ymyriad hwnnw, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig iawn ein bod yn cydnabod yr ymdrechion enfawr a wneir gan lawer o grwpiau gwahanol i sicrhau ein bod yn gweithio tuag at Gymru gydlynus. Rwy'n credu mai dyna beth a wnawn yn y Senedd hon, ac rwy'n credu bod yr adroddiad yn cyfrannu tuag at gyflawni hynny. Diolch.
I want to begin by thanking all of the organisations that contributed to this report. Their evidence and testimony shaped the language we use today, language that reflects the genuine urgency of the situation we are facing, language that speaks of tinderboxes and bonfires. Thank you also to my colleagues, and I'm sorry that Altaf isn't with us this afternoon. I thank Paul Davies for giving the Conservative response—diolch yn fawr iawn. And I'd also like to thank the clerks of the committee and also other staff that helped in the production of this report.
I was somebody who wasn't that keen on us looking at this issue, but actually I can see that this is such a fundamentally important issue for us right now here in Wales and in the future. I welcome many aspects of the Welsh Government's response to our report. The creation of the expert group last month under an independent chair and the critical extension of community cohesion programme funding are both welcome. But our report talks about tinderboxes and bonfires now. From Llanelli to Newtown, the pressures are escalating in communities across Wales, and fear and division are beginning to take hold.
It takes only one spark to ignite a crisis. The national survey for Wales demonstrates that agreement across three cohesion measures has fallen from 64 per cent to 58 per cent, with a particular decline in individuals' sense of belonging. As we've heard, the WLGA, Race Council Cymru and Wales Safer Communities Network all report rising hate crimes and online abuse. In 2022 alone, attacks targeting people because of their religion increased by 26 per cent and those aimed at transgender individuals rose by 22 per cent.
I want to focus my content here on two particular areas that we’ve heard a bit about: the social media disinformation and misinformation, and also the democratic deficit. The tensions are also compounded, we must not forget, by poverty and economic inequality. We must ensure that we have the foundations in place to ensure that we can build on the good work that we hope this report will take forward.
In terms of misinformation and disinformation, particularly around social media, we've had shocking examples, and many of us in this Siambr can testify to that. But if we look at organisations representing refugees and asylum seekers, we can see that the Welsh Refugee Council, for example, had to close its doors for three days because of targeted online abuse—not because of any external security threat, but because a distorted video link triggered a wave of hatred that left staff, volunteers and already traumatised refugees unsafe. This isn’t theoretical, this is happening to real people right now in our communities.
Anyone working for inclusion and equality is increasingly targeted by co-ordinated online campaigns. It isn't enough just to react to it, we need to be taking action. We're not asking the Welsh Government to legislate to regulate social media. We’ve asked them in our report to lead within the powers that they have: co-ordinating responses, commissioning monitoring, working with communities—none of this requires reserved powers. What it requires is political will and urgency. So, I would like to challenge you, Cabinet Secretary, in your response, to address that.
The second area is around democratic health. We know that, through the innovating democracy advisory group, participatory methods and efforts to involve citizens more directly in decision making actually delivers results. But we have a role here in this Senedd. We cannot have a meaningful democracy when the information environment is poisoned. We cannot rebuild trust while allowing the ecosystem that destroys it to operate unchecked. That is why I and others have consistently supported efforts in this Senedd to send a clear message that enough is enough. We can no longer tolerate mistruths and deliberate deception in our political institutions. That's why I want to see a Member accountability Bill coming into force in 2026 that tackles deliberate political deception. We need to make sure that we are doing that here before we can expect that to happen in our communities.
To finish, if we are serious about defending cohesion, protecting communities and restoring trust in our democracy, then action cannot be postponed. It must start now. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rwyf am ddechrau trwy ddiolch i'r holl sefydliadau a gyfrannodd at yr adroddiad hwn. Mae eu tystiolaeth yn siapio'r iaith a ddefnyddiwn heddiw, iaith sy'n adlewyrchu brys gwirioneddol y sefyllfa a wynebwn, iaith sy'n siarad am danwydd a choelcerthi. Diolch hefyd i fy nghyd-Aelodau, ac mae'n ddrwg gennyf nad yw Altaf gyda ni y prynhawn yma. Diolch i Paul Davies am roi ymateb y Ceidwadwyr—diolch yn fawr iawn. A hoffwn ddiolch hefyd i glercod y pwyllgor ac aelodau eraill o staff a helpodd i gynhyrchu'r adroddiad hwn.
Nid oeddwn yn hynod o awyddus i ni edrych ar y mater hwn, ond gallaf weld ei fod yn fater mor sylfaenol bwysig i ni yma yng Nghymru nawr ac yn y dyfodol. Rwy'n croesawu sawl agwedd ar ymateb Llywodraeth Cymru i'n hadroddiad. Mae creu'r grŵp arbenigol fis diwethaf o dan gadeirydd annibynnol ac ymestyn cyllid y rhaglen cydlyniant cymunedol yn hanfodol ac i'w groesawu. Ond mae ein hadroddiad yn sôn am danwydd a choelcerthi nawr. O Lanelli i'r Drenewydd, mae'r pwysau'n cynyddu mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru, ac mae ofn a rhaniadau'n dechrau ymffurfio.
Dim ond un wreichionen sydd ei hangen i danio argyfwng. Mae'r arolwg cenedlaethol ar gyfer Cymru'n dangos bod cytundeb ar draws tri mesur cydlyniant wedi gostwng o 64 y cant i 58 y cant, gyda gostyngiad mawr yn ymdeimlad o berthyn unigolion. Fel y clywsom, mae CLlLC, Race Council Cymru a Rhwydwaith Cymunedau Mwy Diogel Cymru oll yn adrodd am droseddau casineb a cham-drin ar-lein sydd ar gynnydd. Yn 2022 yn unig, cynyddodd ymosodiadau yn targedu pobl oherwydd eu crefydd 26 y cant a chynyddodd y rhai wedi eu hanelu at unigolion trawsryweddol 22 y cant.
Rwyf am ganolbwyntio fy nghynnwys yma ar ddau faes penodol y clywsom ychydig amdanynt: twyllwybodaeth a chamwybodaeth ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol, a hefyd y diffyg democrataidd. Rhaid inni beidio ag anghofio bod y tensiynau'n cael eu gwaethygu hefyd gan dlodi ac anghydraddoldeb economaidd. Rhaid inni sicrhau bod gennym y sylfeini yn eu lle i sicrhau y gallwn adeiladu ar y gwaith da y gobeithiwn y bydd yr adroddiad hwn yn ei ddatblygu.
Ar gamwybodaeth a thwyllwybodaeth, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â chyfryngau cymdeithasol, cawsom enghreifftiau brawychus, a gall llawer ohonom yn y Siambr dystio i hynny. Ond os edrychwn ar sefydliadau sy'n cynrychioli ffoaduriaid a cheiswyr lloches, gallwn weld bod Cyngor Ffoaduriaid Cymru, er enghraifft, wedi gorfod cau ei ddrysau am dri diwrnod oherwydd cam-drin ar-lein wedi'i dargedu—nid oherwydd unrhyw fygythiad allanol i ddiogelwch, ond oherwydd bod cyswllt fideo wedi'i aflunio wedi sbarduno ton o gasineb a olygodd fod staff, gwirfoddolwyr a ffoaduriaid a oedd eisoes wedi'u trawmateiddio yn anniogel. Nid rhywbeth damcaniaethol yw hyn, mae'n digwydd i bobl go iawn yn ein cymunedau nawr.
Mae unrhyw un sy'n gweithio dros gynhwysiant a chydraddoldeb yn cael ei dargedu fwyfwy gan ymgyrchoedd ar-lein cydgysylltiedig. Nid yw'n ddigon i ymateb iddo'n unig, mae angen inni weithredu. Nid ydym yn gofyn i Lywodraeth Cymru ddeddfu i reoleiddio'r cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Rydym wedi gofyn iddynt yn ein hadroddiad i arwain o fewn y pwerau sydd ganddynt: cydgysylltu ymatebion, comisiynu monitro, gweithio gyda chymunedau—nid oes angen pwerau neilltuedig. Yr hyn sydd ei angen yw ewyllys gwleidyddol ac ymdeimlad o frys. Felly, hoffwn eich herio i fynd i'r afael â hynny yn eich ymateb, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet.
Mae'r ail faes yn ymwneud ag iechyd democrataidd. Drwy'r grŵp cynghori ar arloesi democratiaeth, fe wyddom fod dulliau cyfranogol ac ymdrechion i gynnwys dinasyddion yn fwy uniongyrchol yn y prosesau gwneud penderfyniadau yn cyflawni canlyniadau. Ond mae gennym rôl yma yn y Senedd hon. Ni allwn gael democratiaeth ystyrlon pan fydd yr amgylchedd gwybodaeth wedi ei wenwyno. Ni allwn ailadeiladu ymddiriedaeth tra bôm yn caniatáu i'r ecosystem sy'n ei dinistrio weithredu heb ei rheoli. Dyna pam fy mod i ac eraill wedi cefnogi ymdrechion yn y Senedd hon i anfon neges glir mai digon yw digon. Ni allwn oddef camwirionedd a thwyll bwriadol yn ein sefydliadau gwleidyddol mwyach. Dyna pam fy mod eisiau gweld Bil atebolrwydd Aelodau yn dod i rym yn 2026 i fynd i'r afael â thwyll gwleidyddol bwriadol. Mae angen inni wneud yn siŵr ein bod yn gwneud hynny yma cyn y gallwn ddisgwyl i hynny ddigwydd yn ein cymunedau.
I orffen, os ydym o ddifrif ynglŷn â gwarchod cydlyniant, diogelu cymunedau ac adfer ymddiriedaeth yn ein democratiaeth, ni ellir gohirio gweithredu. Rhaid iddo ddechrau nawr. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Galwaf ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyfiawnder Cymdeithasol, Jane Hutt.
I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt.
I thank the Equality and Social Justice Committee for producing this timely and important set of recommendations. I also extend my thanks to all of the people and organisations who contributed their lived experience and expertise during the evidence-gathering process. We are undeniably living in a very challenging period of time for social cohesion in Wales and across the UK and the world. The rapid spread of new technologies and declining trust in public institutions has left our communities vulnerable to division and simplistic hateful narratives. We've seen the flooding of online spaces with false information to cause anger, anxiety and confusion.
Extremists continue to infiltrate communities to stoke tensions during periods of vulnerability. Of course, this has led you to mount this inquiry. As a result, many of our friends, families, colleagues and neighbours are scared by this volatile climate and by the toxic discourse they see and experience online, in the media, and increasingly on their street. The committee highlighted these deep concerns very effectively, but also reflected on many positives, which have also been shared today, including the strong foundations we have in Wales and examples of communities coming together to resolve conflict and help each other through difficult times.
We know that achieving cohesive communities will never be achieved by working alone. We need a whole-of-society approach. I hope the committee's report and the expert group it has inspired—and I hand that to you; you have inspired us to take this forward—will set us upon the right path. The collaboration that we seek is sought locally, nationally and internationally; we need the other three nations of the UK to work with us to address these fundamental challenges. The Deputy First Minister expressed support for establishing an inter-ministerial group on community cohesion during the Interministerial Standing Committee on 20 November, and he's going to be writing formally to committees to provide an update following these discussions. I look forward to joining such an inter-ministerial group.
When the committee published its report, I immediately confirmed our intention to take forward recommendations 1 and 4 of the report through the establishment of the expert group on cohesion. We have since convened, and it has been acknowledged today in this debate, a group of experts from local government, policing, third sector organisations, academic and research institutions, as well as policy and strategic experts, community leaders, and experts by experience.
As has been recognised and acknowledged, the group is chaired by Gaynor Legall, who has many years of experience and excellent public service in this kind of role. The purpose of the group is to provide advice and propose recommended actions to the Welsh Government on how to strengthen cohesion across Wales. They met on 20 November and the group discussed draft cohesion principles and a shared definition of community cohesion. This discussion was received positively, and we hope to be able to refine and publish these principles soon. I want this to be an active engagement with the committee over the coming weeks as the committee meets, and I will be reporting back on that.
Diolch i'r Pwyllgor Cydraddoldeb a Chyfiawnder Cymdeithasol am gynhyrchu'r set amserol a phwysig hon o argymhellion. Diolch hefyd i'r holl bobl a sefydliadau a gyfrannodd eu profiad bywyd a'u harbenigedd yn ystod y broses o gasglu tystiolaeth. Ni ellir gwadu ein bod yn byw mewn cyfnod heriol iawn i gydlyniant cymdeithasol yng Nghymru ac ar draws y DU a'r byd. Mae lledaeniad cyflym technolegau newydd a dirywiad ymddiriedaeth mewn sefydliadau cyhoeddus wedi gadael ein cymunedau yn agored i raniadau a naratifau casineb gor-syml. Rydym wedi gweld gwybodaeth ffug yn llifo i ofodau ar-lein i achosi dicter, pryder a dryswch.
Mae eithafwyr yn parhau i ymdreiddio i gymunedau i danio tensiynau mewn cyfnodau bregus. Dyma sydd wedi eich arwain i gynnal yr ymchwiliad hwn. O ganlyniad, mae llawer o'n ffrindiau, teuluoedd, cydweithwyr a chymdogion yn ofnus oherwydd yr hinsawdd anwadal a'r drafodaeth wenwynig a welant ac a brofant ar-lein, yn y cyfryngau, ac yn gynyddol ar eu stryd. Tynnodd y pwyllgor sylw at y pryderon dwfn hyn yn effeithiol iawn, ond fe ystyriodd lawer o bethau cadarnhaol yn ogystal, pethau a rannwyd heddiw hefyd, gan gynnwys y sylfeini cryf sydd gennym yng Nghymru ac enghreifftiau o gymunedau'n dod at ei gilydd i ddatrys gwrthdaro a helpu ei gilydd trwy gyfnodau anodd.
Fe wyddom na ellir cyflawni cymunedau cydlynus trwy weithio ar eich pen eich hun yn unig. Mae angen dull cymdeithas gyfan arnom. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd adroddiad y pwyllgor a'r grŵp arbenigol y mae wedi'i ysbrydoli—ac rwy'n rhoi hynny i chi; rydych chi wedi ein hysbrydoli i fwrw ymlaen â hyn—yn ein gosod ar y llwybr cywir. Rydym eisiau gweld cydweithredu'n digwydd yn lleol, yn genedlaethol ac yn rhyngwladol; mae angen i dair gwlad arall y DU weithio gyda ni i fynd i'r afael â'r heriau sylfaenol hyn. Mynegodd y Dirprwy Brif Weinidog gefnogaeth i sefydlu grŵp rhyngweinidogol ar gydlyniant cymunedol yn ystod y Pwyllgor Sefydlog Rhyngweinidogol ar 20 Tachwedd, ac mae'n mynd i ysgrifennu'n ffurfiol at bwyllgorau i roi'r wybodaeth ddiweddaraf yn dilyn y trafodaethau hyn. Edrychaf ymlaen at ymuno â grŵp rhyngweinidogol o'r fath.
Pan gyhoeddodd y pwyllgor ei adroddiad, fe wneuthum gadarnhau ar unwaith ein bwriad i fwrw ymlaen ag argymhellion 1 a 4 o'r adroddiad drwy sefydlu'r grŵp arbenigol ar gydlyniant. Ers hynny, fel y cydnabuwyd heddiw yn y ddadl hon, rydym wedi cynnull grŵp o arbenigwyr o lywodraeth leol, plismona, sefydliadau'r trydydd sector, sefydliadau academaidd ac ymchwil, yn ogystal ag arbenigwyr ar bolisi a strategaeth, arweinwyr cymunedol, ac arbenigwyr trwy brofiad.
Fel y cydnabuwyd, cadeirir y grŵp gan Gaynor Legall, sydd â blynyddoedd lawer o brofiad a gwasanaeth cyhoeddus rhagorol mewn rôl o'r fath. Pwrpas y grŵp yw darparu cyngor a chynnig argymhellion ar gyfer gweithredu i Lywodraeth Cymru ar sut i gryfhau cydlyniant ledled Cymru. Fe wnaethant gyfarfod ar 20 Tachwedd a thrafododd y grŵp egwyddorion cydlyniant drafft a diffiniad a rennir o gydlyniant cymunedol. Cafodd y drafodaeth dderbyniad cadarnhaol, ac rydym yn gobeithio gallu mireinio a chyhoeddi'r egwyddorion hyn yn fuan. Rwyf am i hyn fod yn ymgysylltiad gweithredol â'r pwyllgor dros yr wythnosau nesaf wrth i'r pwyllgor gyfarfod, a byddaf yn adrodd yn ôl ar hynny.
Will you take a very quick intervention?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad cyflym iawn?
Yes, of course.
Gwnaf, wrth gwrs.
Thank you. Thank you very much for explaining the principles of the group. I'm just keen that they also can prioritise the area of social media misinformation and disinformation. I just wondered what your direction was to them in terms of that particular area. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Diolch. Diolch yn fawr am esbonio egwyddorion y grŵp. Rwy'n awyddus iddynt allu blaenoriaethu maes camwybodaeth a thwyllwybodaeth cyfryngau cymdeithasol. Roeddwn i'n meddwl tybed beth oedd eich cyfarwyddyd chi iddynt mewn perthynas â'r maes penodol hwnnw. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
They are very keen to encompass all of those key issues. I think the principles they're talking about are cohesion principles, which can guide not just the work of the committee, but can guide us all in terms of how we take this forward.
The group is looking at medium- and long-term actions. It is looking at a focus of how we measure cohesion, better monitoring and mitigation of cohesion threats. Also—and this was recommended by the committee—we've already opened up a dialogue with Oldham Council; it's very helpful that you engaged with them. We've met already with them to ensure that their work to measure community cohesion and tackle misinformation and disinformation, which is your key point, is being addressed. The expert group is keen on this, but we're already engaging. The expert group's recommendation will be finalised by March, and of course it will be available for the next Welsh Government to adopt.
The committee also recommended that we review the funding of the cohesion programme, and this has been mentioned today. I've extended the funding of the community cohesion programme until 2029 to allow local authorities and ourselves to build on the achievements highlighted during the inquiry. On Monday, I met with Welsh Local Government Association cabinet members to discuss our shared challenges to fostering community cohesion, offering ongoing Welsh Government support, and they are also involved in the expert group.
In relation to recommendation 2, which has been brought up for discussion today, I can say we are, Sioned, firmly committed to progressing a community right to buy. A Bill is being prepared in readiness for the next Senedd term. The current expectation is that the community assets commission's report will be published before the end of the year. This is a commitment, again, that I know you will welcome. On working to improve community assets, since 2022, as you know, we've invested £4.6 million into our safe and warm hubs. Thank you, Paul, for giving that positive example in Pembrokeshire about connecting communities. We can see that across Wales. Swansea University's research has shown that warm spaces play a significant role in fostering social connections and alleviating loneliness.
Also, we've provided over £70 million in nearly 500 projects since 2015 through our community facilities programme. I think many of the projects you visited had been beneficiaries of that programme. Bringing people together, providing places for people to meet, socialise, work and volunteer is essential, and that is what we do in Wales. I do want to also acknowledge the work of Ystadau Cymru, the community asset and social value working group, which does facilitate collaboration between all of those community interests.
I welcome Julie Morgan's contribution regarding our democratic engagement. In fact, Jane Dodds followed that up as well. I think the innovating democracy advisory group is going to be important, following the work of the commission. In following up the good example from the Hindu temple of the young people there, all parties were represented at the interfaith council event, where young people from across Wales, from faith communities and just from community engagement, were also sharing their experience.
I haven't got time, Deputy Presiding Officer, to cover all the issues, but I do want to say that, in terms of addressing the issues around education and third sector organisations, our curriculum is enabling young people to grow up as ethically informed citizens. Our relationships and sexuality education is crucial in terms of tackling misogyny and sexism, and also in terms of our work with our 'Anti-racist Wales Action Plan'.
Finally, we're running a 'protecting your organisation' training course for all third sector organisations who are targeted by hate and harassment in Wales. I recall the Sanctuary in the Senedd event, when the Welsh Refugee Council said, 'Stability for people, strength for Wales.' I think that sums up what we're looking for in terms of Wales being a welcoming place for everyone. Diolch yn fawr.
Maent yn awyddus iawn i gwmpasu pob un o'r materion allweddol hynny. Rwy'n credu mai'r egwyddorion y maent yn siarad amdanynt yw egwyddorion cydlyniant, a all lywio nid yn unig gwaith y pwyllgor, ond gall ein harwain ni i gyd yn y ffordd y bwriwn ymlaen â hyn.
Mae'r grŵp yn edrych ar gamau gweithredu tymor canolig a hirdymor. Mae'n edrych ar ffocws ar sut rydym yn mesur cydlyniant, monitro gwell a lliniaru bygythiadau i gydlyniant. Hefyd—ac argymhellwyd hyn gan y pwyllgor—rydym eisoes wedi agor deialog gyda Chyngor Oldham; mae'n ddefnyddiol iawn eich bod chi wedi ymgysylltu â nhw. Rydym eisoes wedi cyfarfod â nhw i sicrhau bod eu gwaith ar fesur cydlyniant cymunedol a mynd i'r afael â chamwybodaeth a thwyllwybodaeth, sef eich pwynt allweddol, yn cael sylw. Mae'r grŵp arbenigol yn awyddus i weld hyn yn digwydd, ond rydym eisoes yn ymgysylltu. Bydd argymhelliad y grŵp arbenigol wedi ei gwblhau erbyn mis Mawrth, ac wrth gwrs bydd ar gael i Lywodraeth nesaf Cymru ei fabwysiadu.
Argymhellodd y pwyllgor hefyd ein bod yn adolygu cyllid y rhaglen gydlyniant, ac mae hyn wedi'i grybwyll heddiw. Rwyf wedi ymestyn cyllid y rhaglen cydlyniant cymunedol tan 2029 i ganiatáu i awdurdodau lleol a ni ein hunain adeiladu ar y cyflawniadau a nodwyd yn ystod yr ymchwiliad. Ddydd Llun, cyfarfûm ag aelodau cabinet Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru i drafod yr heriau a rannwn i feithrin cydlyniant cymunedol, gan gynnig cefnogaeth barhaus gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ac maent hwy hefyd yn rhan o'r grŵp arbenigol.
Mewn perthynas ag argymhelliad 2, a gyflwynwyd i'w drafod heddiw, gallaf ddweud ein bod ni, Sioned, wedi ymrwymo'n gadarn i hyrwyddo hawl y gymuned i brynu. Mae Bil yn cael ei baratoi ar gyfer tymor nesaf y Senedd. Y disgwyliad ar hyn o bryd yw y bydd adroddiad y comisiwn asedau cymunedol yn cael ei gyhoeddi cyn diwedd y flwyddyn. Unwaith eto, mae hwn yn ymrwymiad y gwn y byddwch chi'n ei groesawu. Ar weithio i wella asedau cymunedol, ers 2022, fel y gwyddoch, rydym wedi buddsoddi £4.6 miliwn yn ein canolfannau cynnes a diogel. Diolch, Paul, am roi'r enghraifft gadarnhaol honno yn sir Benfro ynglŷn â chysylltu cymunedau. Gallwn weld hynny ledled Cymru. Mae ymchwil Prifysgol Abertawe wedi dangos bod mannau cynnes yn chwarae rhan bwysig wrth feithrin cysylltiadau cymdeithasol a lleddfu unigrwydd.
Hefyd, rydym wedi darparu dros £70 miliwn mewn bron i 500 o brosiectau ers 2015 drwy ein rhaglen cyfleusterau cymunedol. Rwy'n credu bod llawer o'r prosiectau y gwnaethoch chi ymweld â nhw wedi bod yn elwa o'r rhaglen honno. Mae dod â phobl at ei gilydd, darparu lleoedd i bobl gyfarfod, cymdeithasu, gweithio a gwirfoddoli yn hanfodol, a dyna a wnawn yng Nghymru. Rwyf hefyd eisiau cydnabod gwaith Ystadau Cymru, y gweithgor asedau cymunedol a gwerth cymdeithasol, sy'n hwyluso cydweithio rhwng yr holl fuddiannau cymunedol hynny.
Rwy'n croesawu cyfraniad Julie Morgan ynglŷn â'n hymgysylltiad democrataidd. Mewn gwirionedd, aeth Jane Dodds ar drywydd hynny hefyd. Rwy'n credu bod y grŵp cynghori ar arloesi democratiaeth yn mynd i fod yn bwysig, yn dilyn gwaith y comisiwn. I ddilyn yr esiampl dda o'r deml Hindŵaidd a'r bobl ifanc yno, cynrychiolwyd yr holl bleidiau yn nigwyddiad y cyngor rhyng-ffydd, lle roedd pobl ifanc o bob cwr o Gymru, o gymunedau ffydd a dim ond o ymgysylltiad cymunedol, hefyd yn rhannu eu profiad.
Ddirprwy Lywydd, nid oes gennyf amser i ymdrin â'r holl faterion, ond o ran mynd i'r afael â'r materion sy'n ymwneud ag addysg a sefydliadau'r trydydd sector, hoffwn ddweud bod ein cwricwlwm yn galluogi pobl ifanc i dyfu i fyny yn ddinasyddion egwyddorol a gwybodus. Mae ein haddysg cydberthynas a rhywioldeb yn hanfodol er mwyn mynd i'r afael â misogynedd a rhywiaeth, a hefyd o ran ein gwaith gyda'n 'Cynllun Gweithredu Cymru Wrth-hiliol'.
Yn olaf, rydym yn cynnal cwrs hyfforddi 'diogelu eich sefydliad' ar gyfer pob sefydliad trydydd sector sy'n cael eu targedu gan gasineb ac aflonyddu yng Nghymru. Rwy'n cofio'r digwyddiad Noddfa yn y Senedd, pan ddywedodd Cyngor Ffoaduriaid Cymru, 'Sefydlogrwydd i bobl, cryfder i Gymru.' Rwy'n credu bod hynny'n crynhoi'r hyn y chwiliwn amdano mewn Cymru sy'n groesawgar i bawb. Diolch yn fawr.
Galwaf ar Jenny Rathbone i ymateb i'r ddadl.
I call on Jenny Rathbone to reply to the debate.
Thank you, Paul Davies, for making the contribution on behalf of your group. I know that Altaf cares deeply about this, and unfortunately he's not able to be here today. It was great to hear about your three community leaders in Pembrokeshire connecting the community. That's incredibly important. That's the sort of political leadership we need across Wales. People who aren't prepared to do this sort of grass-roots stuff need to step aside so that somebody else can take over that role, because it is so important. Yesterday, on the television, we were reminded that there were 17,000 elderly people in Wales who were not even going to be able to exchange a Christmas card with anybody. That makes you cry, doesn't it? That sort of loneliness is horrendous. That is not the Wales we want.
Thank you also for raising the importance of having a clear strategy for combating toxic lies, and reminding us that, indeed, some politicians have been murdered. I think Dr Andrew Thomas's evidence about the incel movement and the way in which it is affecting or infecting some of our young people—. It's really important that, as the Cabinet Secretary referred to, the curriculum is dealing with what is normal behaviour, that we need to express our emotions and feelings and have the freedom to explore what we think, but we absolutely need to know what normal human relations are like, and that needs to start from a very early age, in the nursery. Obviously, it's a different conversation for children and young people in secondary school, but nevertheless, we need to respect each other and the basis of all that is very, very important. I think our curriculum really does grasp that and it's really good to see that happening.
Diolch, Paul Davies, am wneud y cyfraniad ar ran eich grŵp. Rwy'n gwybod bod Altaf yn malio'n fawr am hyn, ac yn anffodus nid yw'n gallu bod yma heddiw. Roedd yn wych clywed am eich tri arweinydd cymunedol yn sir Benfro yn cysylltu'r gymuned. Mae hynny'n hynod o bwysig. Dyna'r math o arweinyddiaeth wleidyddol sydd ei hangen arnom ledled Cymru. Mae angen i bobl nad ydynt yn barod i wneud y math yma o bethau ar lawr gwlad gamu o'r neilltu er mwyn i eraill ymgymryd â'r rôl honno, oherwydd mae mor bwysig. Ddoe, ar y teledu, cawsom ein hatgoffa bod yna 17,000 o bobl oedrannus yng Nghymru nad oeddent yn mynd i allu cyfnewid cerdyn Nadolig ag unrhyw un. Mae hynny'n ddigon i wneud i chi grio, onid yw? Mae'r math hwnnw o unigrwydd yn ofnadwy. Nid dyna'r Gymru rydym ei heisiau.
Diolch hefyd am nodi pwysigrwydd strategaeth glir ar gyfer gwrthsefyll celwyddau gwenwynig, ac am ein hatgoffa bod gwleidyddion wedi cael eu llofruddio. Rwy'n credu bod tystiolaeth Dr Andrew Thomas am y mudiad 'incel' a'r ffordd y mae'n effeithio neu'n heintio rhai o'n pobl ifanc—. Mae'n bwysig iawn, fel y nododd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet, fod y cwricwlwm yn delio â'r hyn sy'n ymddygiad normal, fod angen inni fynegi ein hemosiynau a'n teimladau a chael rhyddid i archwilio'r hyn a gredwn, ond mae angen inni wybod beth sy'n berthnasoedd normal rhwng pobl, ac mae angen i hynny ddechrau o oedran cynnar iawn, yn y feithrinfa. Yn amlwg, mae'n sgwrs wahanol i blant a phobl ifanc yn yr ysgol uwchradd, ond serch hynny, mae angen inni barchu ein gilydd ac mae'r seiliau i hyn oll yn eithriadol o bwysig. Rwy'n credu bod ein cwricwlwm yn deall hynny'n dda ac mae'n dda iawn gweld hynny'n digwydd.
Sioned Williams, you were right to emphasise that the people who feel on the front line of all this at the moment are our ethnic minorities, our LGBT communities, anybody with a disability, people who are slightly different from the next person, and it is really scary for them. One of the most terrifying conversations I had recently was with a senior doctor in my local health board who was born in Wales, but who said, 'I'm not sure I feel welcome here in this country anymore', simply because he's not white. I mean, it's really dangerous and also takes no account of our history. We're all immigrants, frankly, and there is so much strength in immigrants, and that's a conversation I'm sure many of us had on the doorstep in Caerphilly—and it's great to see Lindsay Whittle here—because people think that immigrants are somehow a threat to them, and yet I pointed out to them that, in my constituency, there are many more immigrants and a much more vibrant economy, and there's a link there. We need to be putting forward to people that immigrants bring skills with them that enrich our society.
Julie Morgan, you highlighted the importance of the community cohesion co-ordinators—if they didn't exist, we'd need to invent them. And Jacqueline Broadhead of the Inclusive Cities UK went out of her way to praise the Welsh Government for the role that these people can play and how different it was in many English authorities. So, it's incredibly disappointing, really, to hear that the British Government has been a little bit tardy on getting these four-nation discussions together, because, of all people, the people of Northern Ireland know what happens when you have people fighting each other because they come from different religions. And so we can certainly learn from them what the risks are and what the advantages are of grasping this as well. But, of course, we need to be respectful of all religious leaders, as Julie Morgan highlighted, and there was a welcome intervention from Darren Millar about faith in Wales and the ecumenical work, as well as the social work that religious groups do in all our communities that other people are not doing, and we absolutely have to commend them and celebrate their work.
Jane Dodds, you emphasised the combination of the growing economic inequality. It's not so much poverty, because if we were all poor—it would be problematic, but of a different order to the discord that's caused by inequality. And the events that took place in my constituency, where the Welsh Refugee Council had to close in order to protect staff and the users and the general community—I mean, these are really disturbing events, and we need to reflect on how we can avoid them, which is why there is such an important role for these community co-ordinators to be that sounding board for communities and to take the action needed to prevent things exploding and causing far too much damage. You're absolutely right to say that we should have a Member accountability Bill. Words matter, particularly in the context of everything that's going on at the moment. The Cabinet Secretary reminded us that the people who are most anxious are our friends, our families, our neighbours.
I'm glad that the inter-ministerial group is now going to meet, because there is no way that we can combat what's going on on the web on our own. This is a problem that needs to be shared by all nations. We look forward to engaging with the expert committee, and I'm delighted to hear, as I'm sure all committee members are, that the community cohesion co-ordinators' funding has been confirmed up until 2029, which is really excellent leadership. Thank you very much.
I also very much applaud the fact that you have met the WLGA leaders in this space. Obviously, local authorities play a hugely important role. They know their communities in granular detail, and we need to ensure that all of our political and community resources are marshalled to combat the problems that we could face if we don't seize the moment. So, thank you very much indeed.
Sioned Williams, roeddech chi'n iawn i bwysleisio mai'r bobl sy'n teimlo ar y rheng flaen yn hyn i gyd ar hyn o bryd yw ein lleiafrifoedd ethnig, ein cymunedau LHDT, unrhyw un ag anabledd, pobl sydd ychydig yn wahanol i'r person nesaf, ac mae'n wirioneddol frawychus iddynt. Un o'r sgyrsiau mwyaf dychrynllyd a gefais yn ddiweddar oedd un a gefais gydag uwch feddyg yn fy mwrdd iechyd lleol a gafodd ei eni yng Nghymru, ond a ddywedodd, 'Nid wyf yn siŵr fy mod i'n teimlo bod croeso i mi yma yn y wlad hon mwyach', a hynny'n unig am nad yw'n wyn. Hynny yw, mae'n beryglus iawn ac nid yw'n ystyried ein hanes. A bod yn onest, mewnfudwyr yw pob un ohonom, ac mae cymaint o gryfder mewn mewnfudwyr, a dyna sgwrs rwy'n siŵr y bydd llawer ohonom wedi'i chael ar garreg y drws yng Nghaerffili—ac mae'n wych gweld Lindsay Whittle yma—am fod pobl yn meddwl bod mewnfudwyr yn fygythiad iddynt hwy rywsut, ac eto fe nodais wrthynt, yn fy etholaeth i, fod yna lawer mwy o fewnfudwyr ac economi lawer mwy bywiog, ac mae cysylltiad yno. Mae angen inni gyfleu i bobl fod mewnfudwyr yn cyfrannu sgiliau sy'n cyfoethogi ein cymdeithas.
Julie Morgan, fe wnaethoch chi dynnu sylw at bwysigrwydd cydgysylltwyr cydlyniant cymunedol—pe na baent yn bodoli, byddai angen i ni eu dyfeisio. Ac aeth Jacqueline Broadhead o Inclusive Cities UK allan o'i ffordd i ganmol Llywodraeth Cymru am y rôl y gall y bobl hyn ei chwarae a pha mor wahanol oedd hi mewn llawer o awdurdodau yn Lloegr. Felly, mae'n hynod siomedig clywed bod Llywodraeth Prydain wedi bod ar ei hôl hi braidd yn cael y trafodaethau pedair gwlad hyn ynghyd, oherwydd, o'r holl bobl, mae pobl Gogledd Iwerddon yn gwybod beth sy'n digwydd pan fydd pobl yn ymladd ei gilydd am eu bod yn dod o wahanol grefyddau. Ac felly gallwn yn sicr ddysgu ganddynt hwy beth yw'r risgiau a beth yw'r manteision o ddeall hyn hefyd. Ond wrth gwrs, mae angen inni barchu'r holl arweinwyr crefyddol, fel y nododd Julie Morgan, a chafwyd ymyriad i'w groesawu gan Darren Millar am ffydd yng Nghymru a'r gwaith eciwmenaidd, yn ogystal â'r gwaith cymdeithasol y mae grwpiau crefyddol yn ei wneud yn ein holl gymunedau nad yw pobl eraill yn ei wneud, ac mae'n rhaid inni eu canmol a dathlu eu gwaith.
Jane Dodds, fe wnaethoch chi bwysleisio'r cyfuniad o anghydraddoldeb economaidd cynyddol. Nid yn gymaint tlodi, oherwydd pe baem i gyd yn dlawd—byddai'n broblematig, ond ar lefel wahanol i'r anghytgord a achosir gan anghydraddoldeb. A'r digwyddiadau a welwyd yn fy etholaeth i, lle bu'n rhaid i Gyngor Ffoaduriaid Cymru gau er mwyn diogelu staff a'r defnyddwyr a'r gymuned yn gyffredinol—hynny yw, mae'r rhain yn ddigwyddiadau pryderus iawn, ac mae angen inni ystyried sut y gallwn eu hosgoi, a dyna pam y mae rôl mor bwysig gan gydgysylltwyr cymunedol i fod yn seinfwrdd i gymunedau ac i gymryd y camau sydd eu hangen i atal pethau rhag ffrwydro ac achosi llawer gormod o niwed. Rydych chi'n hollol iawn i ddweud y dylem gael Bil atebolrwydd Aelodau. Mae geiriau'n bwysig, yn enwedig yng nghyd-destun popeth sy'n digwydd ar hyn o bryd. Cawsom ein hatgoffa gan Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet mai'r bobl fwyaf pryderus yw ein ffrindiau, ein teuluoedd, ein cymdogion.
Rwy'n falch fod y grŵp rhyngweinidogol yn mynd i gyfarfod nawr, oherwydd nid oes unrhyw ffordd y gallwn frwydro yn erbyn yr hyn sy'n digwydd ar y we ar ein pen ein hunain. Mae hon yn broblem y mae angen i bob gwlad ei rhannu. Edrychwn ymlaen at ymgysylltu â'r pwyllgor arbenigol, ac rwy'n falch iawn o glywed, fel y mae holl aelodau'r pwyllgor, rwy'n siŵr, fod cyllid y cydgysylltwyr cydlyniant cymunedol wedi'i gadarnhau hyd at 2029, sy'n arweinyddiaeth ardderchog iawn. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Rwyf hefyd yn cymeradwyo'n fawr y ffaith eich bod wedi cyfarfod ag arweinwyr CLlLC ar y mater hwn. Yn amlwg, mae awdurdodau lleol yn chwarae rhan hynod bwysig. Maent yn adnabod eu cymunedau'n dda iawn, ac mae angen inni sicrhau bod ein holl adnoddau gwleidyddol a chymunedol yn cael eu cynnull i fynd i'r afael â'r problemau y gallem eu hwynebu os nad ydym yn gweithredu nawr. Felly, diolch yn fawr.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid nodi adroddiad y pwyllgor? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? Nac oes. Felly, derbynnir y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
The proposal is to note the committee's report. Does any Member object? There is no objection. Therefore, the motion is agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Derbyniwyd y cynnig yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 12.36.
Motion agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.
Detholwyd y gwelliannau canlynol: gwelliant 1 yn enw Jane Hutt, a gwelliant 2 yn enw Paul Davies.
The following amendments have been selected: amendment 1 in the name of Jane Hutt, and amendment 2 in the name of Paul Davies.
Eitem 7 heddiw yw dadl Plaid Cymru: setliad llywodraeth leol dros dro. Galwaf ar Peredur Owen Griffiths i wneud y cynnig.
Item 7 today is the Plaid Cymru debate on the provisional local government settlement. I call on Peredur Owen Griffiths to move the motion.
Daeth y Llywydd i’r Gadair.
The Llywydd took the Chair.
Cynnig NDM9069 Heledd Fychan
Cynnig bod y Senedd:
1. Yn nodi Setliad Llywodraeth Leol Dros Dro Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru, a gyhoeddwyd ar 24 Tachwedd 2025.
2. Yn nodi ymhellach y rhybudd gan Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru y byddai’r setliad dros dro yn arwain at gynnydd dramatig yn y dreth gyngor a’r posibilrwydd o golli miloedd o swyddi.
3. Yn gresynu bod y Setliad Llywodraeth Leol Dros Dro yn peri risgiau gwirioneddol i wydnwch gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, yn enwedig mewn ardaloedd gwledig.
4. Yn galw ar Lywodraeth Cymru i amddiffyn gwasanaethau rheng flaen a gweithio gydag awdurdodau lleol i ostwng biliau'r dreth gyngor.
Motion NDM9069 Heledd Fychan
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes the Welsh Labour Government’s Provisional Local Government Settlement, published on 24 November 2025.
2. Further notes the Welsh Local Government Association's warning that the provisional settlement will lead to dramatic council tax rises and thousands of potential job losses.
3. Regrets that the Provisional Local Government Settlement poses real risks for the resilience of public services, especially in rural areas.
4. Calls on the Welsh Government to protect front-line services and work with local authorities to lower council tax bills.
Cynigiwyd y cynnig.
Motion moved.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. We know that local governments are facing a crisis across Wales. The WLGA has said that councils are facing £560 million-worth of financial pressure, which would require a 7 per cent increase in net revenue expenditure. The £169 million increase in the provisional budget won't cover even a third of that shortfall.
While the draft budget allocates £6.4 billion in core revenue and non-domestic rates funding, equating to an average funding increase of 2.7 per cent, this still leaves budgetary pressures of about 5 per cent for councils across Wales. Figures from the WLGA estimate that even a 3 per cent increase would leave councils short of £373 million. An increase of 2 per cent was estimated to leave authorities short of £436 million.
The intense pressure that councils across Wales are facing will mean that local authorities will need to increase council tax or cut jobs, or a combination of both. Evidence from the WLGA spells out that a 3 per cent funding increase could mean either a 19 per cent council tax increase or 12,000 job losses. These decisions, necessary for maintaining vital services, will have real effects on communities across the country, compounding pressures on the cost-of-living crisis.
It's clear that the provisional settlement will cause real issues. We are prepared to see how we can work with the Government to ensure that councils and communities, the length and breadth of Wales, receive more funding to protect vital services and to keep council tax bills as low as possible.
Local authorities have often highlighted the constraints that they face with annual funding models, especially when it comes to grants. Councillors have expressed frustration with grant timelines, meaning that budgets are often made without certainty. They have also expressed that grants are often too restraining, forcing councils to spend money on projects that may not be important in their area. Many have expressed that grant money should be included in the revenue support grant to give councils the flexibility that they desire—some of that work has happened already, but more can be done—and that these funds should also be allocated on a multi-year basis.
We know that the nature of the funding model is determined by the Welsh Government's budget, which is why it is allocated annually like its national counterpart. A local authority, just like a nation, cannot sustainably and meaningfully dedicate the required resources to fix its issues without the certainty that this money will continue.
We need an independent review of local authority funding, and we need more certainty for the Welsh budget if we are to sustainably and meaningfully invest in our communities. I look forward to this debate and the vital topic that we will discuss this afternoon. I move the motion in Heledd Fychan's name. Diolch yn fawr.
Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Gwyddom fod llywodraethau lleol yn wynebu argyfwng ledled Cymru. Mae CLlLC wedi dweud bod cynghorau'n wynebu pwysau ariannol gwerth £560 miliwn, a fyddai'n galw am gynnydd o 7 y cant mewn gwariant refeniw net. Ni fydd y cynnydd o £169 miliwn yn y gyllideb dros dro yn talu am hyd yn oed draean o'r diffyg hwnnw.
Er bod y gyllideb ddrafft yn dyrannu £6.4 biliwn mewn cyllid refeniw craidd ac ardrethi annomestig, sy'n cyfateb i gynnydd cyllidol cyfartalog o 2.7 y cant, mae hyn yn dal i adael pwysau ar y gyllideb o tua 5 y cant i gynghorau ledled Cymru. Mae ffigurau CLlLC yn amcangyfrif y byddai hyd yn oed cynnydd o 3 y cant yn gadael cynghorau'n brin o £373 miliwn. Amcangyfrifwyd bod cynnydd o 2 y cant yn gadael awdurdodau yn brin o £436 miliwn.
Bydd y pwysau dwys y mae cynghorau ledled Cymru yn ei hwynebu yn golygu y bydd angen i awdurdodau lleol gynyddu'r dreth gyngor neu dorri swyddi, neu gyfuniad o'r ddau. Mae tystiolaeth gan CLlLC yn nodi y gallai cynnydd o 3 y cant i gyllid olygu naill ai cynnydd o 19 y cant yn y dreth gyngor neu golli 12,000 o swyddi. Bydd y penderfyniadau hyn, sy'n angenrheidiol ar gyfer cynnal gwasanaethau hanfodol, yn cael effeithiau go iawn ar gymunedau ledled y wlad, gan waethygu'r pwysau ar yr argyfwng costau byw.
Mae'n amlwg y bydd y setliad dros dro yn achosi problemau go iawn. Rydym yn barod i weld sut y gallwn weithio gyda'r Llywodraeth i sicrhau bod cynghorau a chymunedau ledled Cymru yn cael mwy o arian i ddiogelu gwasanaethau hanfodol ac i gadw biliau'r dreth gyngor mor isel â phosib.
Mae awdurdodau lleol wedi tynnu sylw'n aml at y cyfyngiadau y maent yn eu hwynebu gyda modelau cyllido blynyddol, yn enwedig mewn perthynas â grantiau. Mae cynghorwyr wedi mynegi rhwystredigaeth gydag amserlenni grantiau, sy'n golygu bod cyllidebau'n aml yn cael eu gwneud heb sicrwydd. Maent hefyd wedi mynegi bod grantiau'n aml yn rhy gyfyngol, gan orfodi cynghorau i wario arian ar brosiectau nad ydynt yn bwysig yn eu hardal o bosib. Mae nifer wedi mynegi y dylid cynnwys arian grant yn y grant cymorth refeniw i roi'r hyblygrwydd y maent yn ei ddymuno i gynghorau—mae rhywfaint o'r gwaith hwnnw wedi digwydd eisoes, ond fe ellir gwneud mwy—ac y dylid dyrannu'r arian hwn ar sail amlflwyddyn.
Gwyddom fod natur y model cyllido'n cael ei bennu gan gyllideb Llywodraeth Cymru, a dyna pam y caiff ei ddyrannu'n flynyddol fel sy'n digwydd gyda'r gyllideb genedlaethol. Fel ar lefel gwlad, ni all awdurdod lleol neilltuo'r adnoddau angenrheidiol yn gynaliadwy ac yn ystyrlon i ddatrys materion heb sicrwydd y bydd yr arian hwn yn parhau.
Mae angen adolygiad annibynnol o gyllid awdurdodau lleol, ac mae angen mwy o sicrwydd ar gyllideb Cymru os ydym am fuddsoddi'n gynaliadwy ac yn ystyrlon yn ein cymunedau. Edrychaf ymlaen at y ddadl hon a'r pwnc allweddol y byddwn yn ei drafod y prynhawn yma. Rwy'n gwneud y cynnig yn enw Heledd Fychan. Diolch yn fawr.
Rwyf wedi dethol y gwelliannau i’r cynnig, a dwi'n galw ar Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Gyllid a’r Gymraeg i gynnig y gwelliant yn ffurfiol—gwelliant 1.
I have selected the amendments to the motion, and I call on the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language to move formally amendment 1.
Gwelliant 1—Jane Hutt
Dileu popeth ar ôl pwynt un a rhoi yn ei le:
Yn nodi bod Cyllideb Ddrafft 2026-27 yn darparu refeniw o £7.6 biliwn i lywodraeth leol drwy'r setliad dros dro a grantiau penodol.
Yn nodi cynnig Llywodraeth Cymru i weithio gyda phartneriaid yn y Senedd i sicrhau Cyllideb Derfynol, sy'n cefnogi llywodraeth leol ac yn diogelu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus rheng flaen.
Amendment 1—Jane Hutt
Delete all after point one and replace with:
Notes the Draft Budget 2026-27 provides local government with £7.6 billion revenue through the provisional settlement and specific grants.
Notes the Welsh Government’s offer to work with partners in the Senedd to secure a Final Budget, which supports local government and protects frontline public services.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 1.
Amendment 1 moved.
Symud.
Formally.
Mae wedi'i symud. Felly, Joel James i gynnig gwelliant 2.
It is moved. Therefore, Joel James to move amendment 2.
Gwelliant 2—Paul Davies
Ychwanegu pwynt newydd ar ddiwedd y cynnig:
Yn galw ymhellach ar Lywodraeth Cymru i:
a) comisiynu adolygiad annibynnol o fformiwla ariannu llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru;
b) gweithio gyda chynghorau i ddefnyddio eu cronfeydd wrth gefn defnyddiadwy i gadw'r dreth gyngor mor isel â phosibl;
c) ei gwneud yn ofynnol i unrhyw gyngor sy'n cynnig codiad treth gyngor o 5 y cant neu fwy gynnal refferendwm lleol a chael pleidlais o blaid cyn gweithredu'r codiad arfaethedig; a
d) lleihau biwrocratiaeth llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru er mwyn ei gwneud yn fwy effeithlon.
Amendment 2—Paul Davies
Add as new point at the end of motion:
Further calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) commission an independent review of the Welsh local government funding formula;
b) work with councils to use their usable reserves to keep council tax as low as possible;
c) require any council proposing a council tax rise of 5 per cent or more to hold a local referendum and obtain a yes vote before implementing the proposed rise; and
d) reduce the bureaucracy of Welsh local government to make it more efficient.
Cynigiwyd gwelliant 2.
Amendment 2 moved.
Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to move the amendment tabled in the name of Paul Davies, which seeks to build upon the original motion. As such, let me begin by outlining our support for the motion put forward by Plaid Cymru. The local government settlement published on 24 November is yet another textbook example of Welsh Labour doing the bare minimum and expecting councils to somehow perform miracles. It's stretched, it's unrealistic and it's totally disconnected from the daily realities local authorities face. Cabinet Secretaries may try to dress it up as 'challenging but fair', but no amount of spin can disguise the fact that councils will yet again be left struggling to protect even the most basic services.
When the Welsh Local Government Association warns that this settlement will mean dramatic council tax rises and thousands of job losses, the Government should take notice that this is not a polite suggestion, it is a damning indictment. These warnings come from every corner of Wales, across every political colour of council united in saying the same thing: this settlement is nowhere near enough. Yet this tired Government ultimately believes in its own falsehoods, pretending everything is fine whilst public services collapse all around them.
The motion rightly highlights the growing crisis in rural areas. Rural councils have faced higher delivery costs and chronic underfunding for years, and this settlement pushes them closer to the edge. I fear it risks stripping away core services from communities that already feel ignored, and those in rural Wales are the ones who will be forced to pay the highest price for a Labour Government unwilling to face reality.
There needs to be more protection for front-line services, and action to stop council tax bills spiralling out of control is needed. Residents are not cash machines for Government failures, and councils should not be forced to make impossible choices because Welsh Labour has once again failed to deliver a sustainable settlement. The Welsh Labour Government must stop pushing the burden downward.
Llywydd, I had hoped that the Government would take responsibility for this mess, but let's be honest, that's not what socialists do. They can only blame other people, and when the money runs out, they can only say it's not their fault. Llywydd, we have heard all these excuses time and time before. The Welsh Conservatives say, 'Enough is enough.' Wales needs a Government that funds local services properly, instead of leaving councils to pick up the pieces.
The consequences of this settlement will be felt for years to come—[Interruption.]—with weaker services, job losses and households yet again—let me finish—having to deal to with paying more for less. The Labour Party can spin, deflect or deny all they want, but the reality is clearly written in the WLGA's dire warning and in the budgets of every council across Wales.
Diolch, Lywydd. Hoffwn gynnig y gwelliant a gyflwynwyd yn enw Paul Davies, sy'n ceisio adeiladu ar y cynnig gwreiddiol. Felly, gadewch imi ddechrau drwy amlinellu ein cefnogaeth i'r cynnig a gyflwynwyd gan Blaid Cymru. Mae'r setliad llywodraeth leol a gyhoeddwyd ar 24 Tachwedd yn enghraifft berffaith arall o Lafur Cymru yn gwneud cyn lleied â phosib gan ddisgwyl i gynghorau wneud gwyrthiau rywsut. Mae'n denau, mae'n afrealistig ac wedi'i ddatgysylltu'n llwyr o'r realiti dyddiol sy'n wynebu awdurdodau lleol. Efallai y bydd Ysgrifenyddion y Cabinet yn ceisio ei ddisgrifio'n 'heriol ond yn deg', ond ni all unrhyw sbin guddio'r ffaith y bydd cynghorau unwaith eto'n cael trafferth diogelu'r gwasanaethau mwyaf sylfaenol hyd yn oed.
Pan fo Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru yn rhybuddio y bydd y setliad hwn yn golygu cynnydd dramatig yn y dreth gyngor a cholli miloedd o swyddi, dylai'r Llywodraeth nodi nad awgrym cwrtais ydyw, ond cyhuddiad damniol. Daw'r rhybuddion hyn o bob cwr o Gymru, gan gynghorau o bob lliw yn wleidyddol, oll yn unedig wrth ddweud yr un peth: nid yw'r setliad hwn yn agos at fod yn ddigon. Ond mae'r Llywodraeth flinedig hon yn credu ei hanwireddau ei hun, gan esgus bod popeth yn iawn tra bod gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn chwalu o'u cwmpas.
Mae'r cynnig yn iawn i dynnu sylw at yr argyfwng cynyddol mewn ardaloedd gwledig. Mae cynghorau gwledig wedi wynebu costau cyflenwi uwch a thanariannu cronig ers blynyddoedd, ac mae'r setliad hwn yn eu gwthio'n agosach at yr ymyl. Rwy'n ofni ei fod yn creu risg o amddifadu cymunedau sydd eisoes yn teimlo'u bod yn cael eu hanwybyddu o wasanaethau craidd, a chymunedau yng nghefn gwlad Cymru yw'r rhai a gaiff eu gorfodi i dalu'r pris uchaf am Lywodraeth Lafur nad yw'n fodlon wynebu realiti.
Mae angen mwy o ddiogelwch ar wasanaethau rheng flaen, ac mae angen gweithredu i atal biliau'r dreth gyngor rhag codi allan o reolaeth. Nid peiriannau arian parod ar gyfer methiannau'r Llywodraeth yw trigolion, ac ni ddylai cynghorau gael eu gorfodi i wneud dewisiadau amhosib oherwydd bod Llafur Cymru unwaith eto wedi methu darparu setliad cynaliadwy. Rhaid i Lywodraeth Lafur Cymru roi'r gorau i wthio'r baich tuag at i lawr.
Lywydd, roeddwn wedi gobeithio y byddai'r Llywodraeth yn cymryd cyfrifoldeb am y llanast hwn, ond gadewch inni fod yn onest, nid dyna mae sosialwyr yn ei wneud. Beio pobl eraill yn unig a wnânt, a dim ond dweud nad eu bai nhw ydyw pan ddaw'r arian i ben. Lywydd, rydym wedi clywed yr holl esgusodion hyn dro ar ôl tro o'r blaen. Mae'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig yn dweud, 'Digon yw digon.' Mae angen Llywodraeth sy'n ariannu gwasanaethau lleol yn iawn, yn hytrach na gadael cynghorau i godi'r darnau.
Bydd canlyniadau'r setliad hwn i'w teimlo am flynyddoedd i ddod—[Torri ar draws.]—gyda gwasanaethau gwannach, colli swyddi ac aelwydydd unwaith eto—gadewch i mi orffen—yn gorfod delio â thalu mwy am lai. Gall y Blaid Lafur siarad sbin, taflu'r bai neu wadu popeth cymaint ag y dymunant, ond mae'r realiti'n glir yn rhybudd enbyd CLlLC ac yng nghyllideb pob cyngor ledled Cymru.
I'm not here to defend the Labour Government, but do you think the UK Government under Conservative rule fairly funded English councils, and if so, why did Birmingham go bust?
Nid wyf yma i amddiffyn y Llywodraeth Lafur, ond a ydych chi'n meddwl bod Llywodraeth y DU o dan reolaeth y Ceidwadwyr wedi ariannu cynghorau Lloegr yn deg, ac os felly, pam y bu i Birmingham fynd yn fethdalwr?
Well, I think with that you will need to ask Birmingham council, really. I think the Conservative Government played with the cards that they were dealt with from the previous administration, if I'm honest. I know we've always said that, but that's what I honestly believe.
Right, carrying on, Llywydd, I am pleased to advocate for the Welsh Conservatives' amendments because they speak directly to the frustrations felt by councils and communities after years of mismanagement, stagnation and a lack of accountability in Welsh local government finance. For far too long, the Welsh Government has resisted meaningful reform of a system everyone knows is outdated and unfair. These amendments put forward practical, common-sense measures that should have been actioned years ago. An independent review is not just desirable, it's long overdue. Councils across Wales have long argued that the current settlement does not reflect realities on the ground. The Government's promise to keep the formula under review has become code for kicking it into the long grass and doing as little as possible. An external review would give bite in helping to break that cycle and deliver the fairness and transparency that local authorities deserve.
I have spoken numerous times in this Chamber about how residents across Wales are struggling with rising council tax bills, yet the Government continues to push responsibility on to councils while rejecting serious efforts to ease this burden. This amendment rightly encourages councils to use reserves responsibly to protect taxpayers. Instead of systematically and callously picking residents' pockets, it calls for smarter financial management and genuine collaboration. It cannot be understated how right it is that council tax rises over 5 per cent should have residents' agreement. This amendment introduces democratic accountability, something that the Welsh Government has clearly been reluctant to embrace over the years. If a council wants to hike taxes by 5 per cent or more, residents should have a direct say. This is not radical; it is basic respect for people and the funding of local government. England has operated under this expectation for years, yet Wales has been left with a system where families are hit with ever-rising bills while this Labour Government looks the other way.
Llywydd, I'm conscious of the time, so I'll just finish. These additional amendments to the motion offer a coherent, credible alternative to the current drift. They put taxpayers first, strengthen accountability, and demand transparency that has been missing for too long. They challenge the Welsh Government to raise its game on local government finance and to stop expecting councils and residents to pay for their failure to act. I therefore urge Members here to support our amendments, which add strength and accountability to the original motion. Thank you.
Wel, rwy'n credu gyda hynny y bydd angen i chi ofyn i gyngor Birmingham. Rwy'n credu bod y Llywodraeth Geidwadol wedi chwarae gyda'r cardiau a ddeliwyd iddi gan y weinyddiaeth flaenorol, i fod yn onest. Rwy'n gwybod ein bod ni bob amser wedi dweud hynny, ond dyna rwy'n ei gredu'n onest.
Iawn, os caf barhau, Lywydd, rwy'n falch o ddadlau dros welliannau'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig oherwydd eu bod yn sôn yn uniongyrchol am y rhwystredigaethau a deimlir gan gynghorau a chymunedau ar ôl blynyddoedd o gamreoli, diffyg twf a diffyg atebolrwydd am gyllid llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru. Am lawer gormod o amser, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gwrthsefyll diwygiadau ystyrlon i system y mae pawb yn gwybod ei bod yn hen ac yn annheg. Mae'r gwelliannau hyn yn cyflwyno mesurau ymarferol, mesurau synnwyr cyffredin y dylid bod wedi eu gweithredu flynyddoedd yn ôl. Mae adolygiad annibynnol nid yn unig yn ddymunol, mae'n hen bryd ei gael. Mae cynghorau ledled Cymru wedi dadlau ers tro nad yw'r setliad presennol yn adlewyrchu realiti ar lawr gwlad. Mae addewid y Llywodraeth i gadw'r fformiwla dan adolygiad wedi dod yn god am ohirio gweithredu a gwneud cyn lleied â phosib. Byddai adolygiad allanol yn rhoi hwb i'w helpu i dorri'r cylch hwnnw a darparu'r tegwch a'r tryloywder y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu haeddu.
Rwyf wedi siarad sawl gwaith yn y Siambr hon ynglŷn â'r ffordd y mae trigolion ledled Cymru yn cael trafferth i dalu biliau treth gyngor cynyddol, ond mae'r Llywodraeth yn parhau i wthio cyfrifoldeb ar gynghorau gan wrthod ymdrechion dilys i leddfu'r baich. Mae'r gwelliant hwn yn annog cynghorau, yn briodol ddigon, i ddefnyddio cronfeydd wrth gefn yn gyfrifol i ddiogelu trethdalwyr. Yn hytrach na dwyn o bocedi trigolion yn systematig ac yn greulon, mae'n galw am reolaeth ariannol fwy doeth a chydweithrediad go iawn. Ni ellir pwysleisio digon pa mor gywir yw hi y dylai codiadau o fwy na 5 y cant i'r dreth gyngor alw am gytundeb trigolion. Mae'r gwelliant hwn yn cyflwyno atebolrwydd democrataidd, rhywbeth y mae Llywodraeth Cymru yn amlwg wedi bod yn amharod i'w fabwysiadu dros y blynyddoedd. Os yw cyngor eisiau codi trethi 5 y cant neu fwy, dylai trigolion gael dweud eu barn yn uniongyrchol. Nid yw hyn yn radical; parch sylfaenol at bobl ac ariannu llywodraeth leol ydyw. Mae Lloegr wedi gweithredu o dan y disgwyliad hwn ers blynyddoedd, ond gyda system Cymru, caiff teuluoedd eu taro gan filiau cynyddol tra bod y Llywodraeth Lafur hon yn troi llygad dall.
Lywydd, rwy'n ymwybodol o'r amser, felly rwy'n dod i ben. Mae'r gwelliannau ychwanegol hyn i'r cynnig yn cynnig dewis arall cydlynol, credadwy i'r duedd bresennol. Maent yn rhoi trethdalwyr yn gyntaf, yn cryfhau atebolrwydd, ac yn mynnu tryloywder sydd wedi bod ar goll ers gormod o amser. Maent yn herio Llywodraeth Cymru i wneud yn well ar gyllid llywodraeth leol ac i roi'r gorau i ddisgwyl i gynghorau a thrigolion dalu am eu methiant i weithredu. Felly, rwy'n annog yr Aelodau yma i gefnogi ein gwelliannau, sy'n ychwanegu cryfder ac atebolrwydd at y cynnig gwreiddiol. Diolch.
I must begin by stating a truth that should chill to the very bone every Member of this Senedd. Local government in Wales is facing its biggest crisis since the second world war. I'm a former leader of Caerphilly council, as you know, for nine years, and I'm sad that the council I proudly led has this year offloaded two museums, is closing 10 libraries and two swimming pools. This very week, 600 staff members they've asked to consider leaving their posts, otherwise compulsory redundancies will inevitably have to follow.
Now, when we talk about a settlement, it implies an agreement, a resolution. Well, what do our councils have before them? It's not a settlement. It's a profound and dangerous shortfall. We're told an extra £169 million has been allocated, but the cold, hard reality is that the figure local authorities generally need to simply maintain services is £560 million. This leaves a canyon of over a third of a billion pounds shortfall in the system. I never dreamed that Wales would have its own grand canyon of debt, and that's what's going to happen.
And what is the consequence of this reckless accountancy? The auditor general, we know, has already issued a stark warning that at least two of our local authorities may be forced to declare a section 114 notice. Look, let's not mince words here. A section 114 notice is the sound of an authority admitting financial collapse, the signal for immediate and brutal cuts to vital statutory services. This is a failure of governance, and it is a terrifying scenario for our communities. Imagine commissioners, commissioners who simply look at balancing books with little or no compassion for the services themselves.
Politicians are here and there to govern, and governing means protecting people. I've only been here a few short weeks and already my inbox is flooded with the human consequences of these decisions. Look first at our duties—statutory duties, in fact—in education. We are battling obscenely escalating costs in this sector, and the first casualties are the most vulnerable. I am receiving complaint after complaint about children with additional learning needs who are not getting the full service they desperately require, all because our schools are struggling with impossible budgets. When we fail to meet our duty of care for our children and their development, let's be clear: we are failing our future.
And look to our most elderly and infirm citizens. Our social services' care is struggling to provide an adequate service. This leaves families struggling to care for their loved ones, trying desperately to maintain the little dignity that some of them have left. This is a moral crisis unfolding in our hospitals and in our homes.
And finally, I must address, Llywydd, the sheer paradox of our housing policy. I argued in the first committee meeting where I substituted that housing deserves a far greater priority. We have over 300 homes lying empty in Caerphilly. They're empty for almost 250 to 300 days, and we are losing vital rental income, and councils are forced to pay exorbitant hotel fees for the homeless and homeless people, for many are still sleeping in doorways and bus shelters. And what is this Government's response to the new homelessness Act? A paltry sum. A paltry sum of £2.5 million, spread between 22 local authorities. This is an insult to the scale of the challenge of housing.
I've been a housing manager in this city for 25 years, and I know the scale of the problem not just in the capital city, but across the whole of Wales. Housing is a basic essential, in my opinion, for every single citizen. This is not the Wales we want to live in. We must cease this focus on balancing abstract numbers and start prioritising human lives, dignity, along with our statutory duties. I call on the Minister to immediately review this settlement and to provide the necessary funding and avert a social and financial disaster that is currently, I've written, staring us in the face. I wanted to change it to 'glaring us in the face', but, if we're not careful, it's going to slap us in the face, and that cannot happen. Diolch.
Rhaid i mi ddechrau trwy ddweud gwirionedd a ddylai ddychryn pob Aelod o'r Senedd hon. Mae llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru yn wynebu ei hargyfwng mwyaf ers yr ail ryfel byd. Rwy'n gyn-arweinydd cyngor Caerffili ers naw mlynedd, fel y gwyddoch, ac rwy'n drist fod y cyngor yr oeddwn yn falch o'i arwain wedi cael gwared ar ddwy amgueddfa eleni, a chau 10 llyfrgell a dau bwll nofio. Yr wythnos hon, gofynnwyd i 600 o aelodau o staff ystyried gadael eu swyddi, neu fel arall bydd yn rhaid i ddiswyddiadau gorfodol ddilyn yn anochel.
Nawr, pan fyddwn yn siarad am setliad, mae'n awgrymu cytundeb, penderfyniad. Wel, beth sydd gan ein cynghorau o'u blaenau? Nid setliad. Diffyg dwfn a pheryglus ydyw. Dywedwyd wrthym fod £169 miliwn ychwanegol wedi'i ddyrannu, ond y realiti yw mai'r ffigur sydd ei angen yn gyffredinol ar awdurdodau lleol i gynnal gwasanaethau yw £560 miliwn. Mae hyn yn gadael hafn o dros draean o biliwn o bunnoedd o ddiffyg yn y system. Ni freuddwydiais y byddai gan Gymru ei hafn fawr ei hun o ddyled, a dyna beth sy'n mynd i ddigwydd.
A beth yw canlyniad y gyfrifeg ddiofal hon? Gwyddom fod yr archwilydd cyffredinol eisoes wedi cyhoeddi rhybudd clir y gallai o leiaf ddau o'n hawdurdodau lleol gael eu gorfodi i ddatgan hysbysiad adran 114. Edrychwch, gadewch inni beidio â gwastraffu geiriau. Hysbysiad adran 114 yw sŵn awdurdod yn cyfaddef chwalfa ariannol, yr arwydd y bydd toriadau uniongyrchol a chreulon i wasanaethau statudol hanfodol yn dilyn. Mae'n fethiant i lywodraethu, ac mae'n senario brawychus i'n cymunedau. Dychmygwch gomisiynwyr, comisiynwyr sy'n edrych yn unig ar gydbwyso'r cyfrifon heb fawr o dosturi os o gwbl tuag at y gwasanaethau eu hunain.
Mae gwleidyddion yma ac yno i lywodraethu, ac mae llywodraethu'n golygu diogelu pobl. Dim ond ers ychydig wythnosau byr y bûm yma ac eisoes mae fy mewnflwch yn gorlifo o ganlyniadau dynol y penderfyniadau hyn. Edrychwch yn gyntaf ar ein dyletswyddau—dyletswyddau statudol, mewn gwirionedd—mewn addysg. Rydym yn brwydro yn erbyn costau sy'n cynyddu'n ofnadwy yn y sector, a'r rhai sy'n dioddef gyntaf yw'r mwyaf agored i niwed. Rwy'n derbyn cwyn ar ôl cwyn am blant ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol nad ydynt yn cael y gwasanaeth llawn y maent ei angen i'r fath raddau, a hynny'n unig am fod ein hysgolion yn cael trafferth gyda chyllidebau amhosib. Pan fyddwn yn methu cyflawni ein dyletswydd o ofal i'n plant a'u datblygiad, gadewch inni fod yn glir: rydym yn gwneud cam â'n dyfodol.
Ac edrychwch ar ein dinasyddion mwyaf oedrannus a sâl. Mae ein gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn ei chael hi'n anodd darparu gwasanaeth digonol. Mae hyn yn gadael teuluoedd yn wynebu anhawster wrth ofalu am eu hanwyliaid, gan geisio cynnal yr ychydig urddas sydd ar ôl gan rai ohonynt. Mae hwn yn argyfwng moesol sy'n digwydd yn ein hysbytai ac yn ein cartrefi.
Ac yn olaf, Lywydd, rhaid imi fynd i'r afael â pharadocs pur ein polisi tai. Dadleuais yng nghyfarfod cyntaf y pwyllgor lle roeddwn i'n dirprwyo fod tai yn haeddu blaenoriaeth lawer mwy. Mae gennym dros 300 o gartrefi yn wag yng Nghaerffili. Maent yn wag am bron i 250 i 300 diwrnod, ac rydym yn colli incwm rhent hanfodol, ac mae cynghorau'n cael eu gorfodi i dalu ffioedd gwesty gormodol i bobl ddigartref am fod llawer o bobl yn dal i gysgu wrth ddrysau siopau a chysgodfannau bysiau. A beth yw ymateb y Llywodraeth hon i'r Ddeddf ddigartrefedd newydd? Swm bychan. Swm bychan o £2.5 miliwn, wedi'i rannu rhwng 22 awdurdod lleol. Mae'n camliwio maint yr her ym maes tai.
Bûm yn rheolwr tai yn y ddinas hon ers 25 mlynedd, ac rwy'n gwybod beth yw maint y broblem nid yn unig yn y brifddinas, ond ar draws Cymru gyfan. Mae tai'n angen sylfaenol i bob dinesydd. Nid dyma'r Gymru rydym eisiau byw ynddi. Rhaid inni roi'r gorau i'r ffocws ar gydbwyso rhifau haniaethol a dechrau blaenoriaethu bywydau dynol, urddas, yn ogystal â'n dyletswyddau statudol. Rwy'n galw ar y Gweinidog i adolygu'r setliad hwn ar unwaith ac i ddarparu'r cyllid angenrheidiol er mwyn atal y trychineb cymdeithasol ac ariannol sy'n ein hwynebu nawr. Diolch.
I believe that local government provides many of the key services provided by the public sector in Wales. I agree with the Cabinet Secretary for finance's view that setting a budget that is effectively a roll-over budget is a sensible thing to do in the final year of a Senedd term. And we all know if a budget motion is not passed before 1 April section 127 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 automatically takes place. This will give the Welsh Government and directly-funded bodies authority to spend up to 75 per cent of the limits approved in the previous year. If a budget is still not passed by the end of July, up to 95 per cent of the previous year's limits are deemed authorised. This equates to a 5 per cent cash cut in money terms, as well as no increase for inflation.
As currently suggested, however, a roll-over budget would mean that councils would have to prepare for a combination of very high council tax rates, cuts to services and/or job reductions to avoid significant budget shortfalls, which could harm our local community. A roll-over budget must consider the budgetary pressures on local authorities, and not be a simplistic mathematical exercise.
The Finance Committee have received evidence from witnesses about the differential rate at which inflation makes an impact on their budgets. The Cabinet Secretary said on the floor of the Senedd when introducing the draft budget that he was particularly alert to the special circumstances of local government, because of the legislative constraints they're under in setting their own budgets—more specifically, they have to set the council tax for the next year. It needs to be the inflationary pressures on local government, not the consumer prices index, that generates the increase.
Local government in Wales has many financial pressures outside of its control. I'm going to only mention some of them. Education is a major area of expenditure, and teachers' pay increases need to be met in full. Education is key to moving children out of poverty.
I'm going to discuss three major financial pressures across local government in detail. The estimated pressure across local government services is, as has been said previously, £559 million. Social services alone accounts for 45 per cent of these anticipated pressures for the next year, equating to £106 million additional overspend. The provision of social care is critical to the health and care system operating effectively, and plays a key role in achieving positive health outcomes. Investing in social care leads directly to reducing pressure on the NHS, both in terms of keeping people out of hospital and helping people return to home at the appropriate time, reducing delayed transfers of care. And can I just say? It benefits people as well; it's not just the financial side of it—it's a benefit to people. Wales has an ageing population, and people are living for longer with complex needs and dementia. This will, no doubt, continue to increase pressure on care services. The number of older adults living with severe dementia is predicted to double by 2040.
Councils in Wales are continuing to deliver support for children and young people with additional learning needs, but rising demand and costs are making it hard to sustain. Figures from the Welsh Local Government Association show that spending on additional learning needs and early years support is expected to rise by about 6 per cent in 2026-27, which amounts to an increase of about £46 million.
A record number of households in Wales are living in temporary accommodation, as rising demand for homelessness support has driven council spending up by more than 600 per cent over the past decade. Individual councils are predicting an increase of up to 14 per cent per annum on ALN, and over 70 per cent of ALN expenditure itself goes directly to support learners, while transport costs make up the rest of it.
We know about the number of people I've just mentioned living in temporary accommodation. The amount of money spent on dealing with homelessness has jumped from £13 million in 2016-17 to £101 million in 2025-26—an increase that's far outpaced local government funding and forced councils to divert money from other vital services. These are areas in which local government has very little ability to reduce the demand. These are not decisions that they take on this is the way to do it; it's what they have to do. I've looked at Swansea Council's 2024-25 budget and, rolling it forward, considered estimates on the above. I estimated a roll-over standstill budget for local government needs an increase of about 5 per cent. Does the Cabinet Secretary agree with that figure and, if not, will the Cabinet Secretary produce the detailed calculations that local government needs?
The proposed support from the revenue support grant and non-domestic rates means that the Welsh councils will, under current proposals, receive an average of 2.7 per cent. That is just over half of what they need. What has happened in recent years is that council tax has increased while services have reduced, and council tax payers have a variety of reactions, varying between anger and confusion. This is because council tax pays for less than a quarter of the total of council services, with the rest being mainly funded by Welsh Government.
We discussed the percentage increase in Welsh Government help for each local authority, but the actual amount per person varies substantially. We know that Monmouthshire has the largest number of properties in band D and above, while Blaenau Gwent has over half its properties in band A. This leads to lower financial support for Monmouthshire and higher financial support for Blaenau Gwent. Two things I know about the grant being provided. Firstly, it is based upon a council's ability to raise money from council tax and relative population change, and minor changes to the formula can have a major implication. The highways part of the formula was once moved from 52 per cent population, 48 per cent road length, to 50 per cent of each. That led to millions of pounds being moved from urban to rural areas. So, I think that we're in a situation. I won't go on any longer, but just to say that local government needs a good settlement.
Rwy'n credu bod llywodraeth leol yn darparu llawer o'r gwasanaethau allweddol a ddarperir gan y sector cyhoeddus yng Nghymru. Rwy'n cytuno â barn Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid fod gosod cyllideb sy'n gyllideb dreigl i bob pwrpas yn beth synhwyrol i'w wneud yn y flwyddyn olaf o dymor Senedd. Ac rydym i gyd yn gwybod os na chaiff cynnig cyllideb ei basio cyn 1 Ebrill fod adran 127 o Ddeddf Llywodraeth Cymru 2006 yn digwydd yn awtomatig. Bydd hyn yn rhoi awdurdod i Lywodraeth Cymru a chyrff a ariennir yn uniongyrchol wario hyd at 75 y cant o'r terfynau a gymeradwywyd yn y flwyddyn flaenorol. Os nad yw cyllideb wedi ei phasio erbyn diwedd mis Gorffennaf, ystyrir bod hyd at 95 y cant o derfynau'r flwyddyn flaenorol wedi'u hawdurdodi. Mae hyn yn cyfateb i doriad arian parod o 5 y cant mewn termau ariannol, yn ogystal â dim cynnydd ar gyfer chwyddiant.
Fel yr awgrymir ar hyn o bryd, fodd bynnag, byddai cyllideb dreigl yn golygu y byddai'n rhaid i gynghorau baratoi ar gyfer cyfuniad o gyfraddau treth gyngor uchel iawn, toriadau i wasanaethau a/neu dorri swyddi er mwyn osgoi diffygion cyllidebol sylweddol a allai niweidio ein cymuned leol. Rhaid i gyllideb dreigl ystyried y pwysau ar gyllideb awdurdodau lleol, a bod yn fwy nag ymarfer mathemategol syml.
Mae'r Pwyllgor Cyllid wedi derbyn tystiolaeth gan dystion am y gyfradd wahaniaethol lle bydd chwyddiant yn cael effaith ar eu cyllidebau. Dywedodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet ar lawr y Senedd wrth gyflwyno'r gyllideb ddrafft ei fod yn arbennig o effro i amgylchiadau arbennig llywodraeth leol, oherwydd y cyfyngiadau deddfwriaethol sydd arnynt wrth osod eu cyllidebau eu hunain—yn fwy penodol, rhaid iddynt osod y dreth gyngor ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf. Dylai fod mai pwysau chwyddiant ar lywodraeth leol, nid y mynegai prisiau defnyddwyr, sy'n cynhyrchu'r cynnydd.
Mae sawl gwahanol fath o bwysau ariannol y tu allan i reolaeth llywodraeth leol yng Nghymru. Rwyf am sôn am rai ohonynt yn unig. Mae addysg yn faes gwariant mawr, a rhaid talu codiadau i gyflogau athrawon yn llawn. Mae addysg yn allweddol i godi plant allan o dlodi.
Rwy'n mynd i drafod tri phrif fath o bwysau ariannol ar draws llywodraeth leol yn fanwl. Mae'r pwysau amcangyfrifedig ar draws gwasanaethau llywodraeth leol, fel y dywedwyd o'r blaen, yn £559 miliwn. Gwasanaethau cymdeithasol yn unig yw 45 y cant o'r pwysau disgwyliedig ar gyfer y flwyddyn nesaf, sef £106 miliwn o orwariant ychwanegol. Mae darparu gofal cymdeithasol yn hanfodol i'r system iechyd a gofal allu gweithredu'n effeithiol, ac mae'n chwarae rhan allweddol yn cyflawni canlyniadau iechyd cadarnhaol. Mae buddsoddi mewn gofal cymdeithasol yn arwain yn uniongyrchol at leihau'r pwysau ar y GIG, drwy gadw pobl allan o'r ysbyty a helpu pobl i ddychwelyd adref ar yr adeg briodol, gan leihau oedi wrth drosglwyddo gofal. Ac os caf ddweud, mae'n fuddiol i bobl hefyd; nid yr ochr ariannol yn unig—mae'n fuddiol i bobl. Mae gan Gymru boblogaeth sy'n heneiddio, ac mae pobl yn byw'n hwy gydag anghenion cymhleth a dementia. Bydd hyn, heb os, yn parhau i gynyddu'r pwysau ar wasanaethau gofal. Rhagwelir y bydd nifer yr oedolion hŷn sy'n byw gyda dementia difrifol yn dyblu erbyn 2040.
Mae cynghorau yng Nghymru yn parhau i ddarparu cymorth i blant a phobl ifanc ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol, ond mae'r galw a'r costau cynyddol yn ei wneud yn anodd ei gynnal. Mae ffigurau gan Gymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru yn dangos bod disgwyl i wariant ar anghenion dysgu ychwanegol a chymorth blynyddoedd cynnar gynyddu tua 6 y cant yn 2026-27, sy'n gyfystyr â chynnydd o tua £46 miliwn.
Mae'r nifer uchaf erioed o aelwydydd yng Nghymru yn byw mewn llety dros dro, wrth i alw cynyddol am gymorth digartrefedd godi gwariant cynghorau dros 600 y cant dros y degawd diwethaf. Mae cynghorau unigol yn rhagweld cynnydd o hyd at 14 y cant y flwyddyn ar ADY, ac mae dros 70 y cant o'r gwariant ADY ei hun yn mynd yn uniongyrchol i gefnogi dysgwyr, tra bod y gweddill yn mynd tuag at gostau trafnidiaeth.
Fe wyddom am y nifer o bobl y soniais amdanynt nawr sy'n byw mewn llety dros dro. Mae'r swm o arian a werir ar ymdrin â digartrefedd wedi neidio o £13 miliwn yn 2016-17 i £101 miliwn yn 2025-26—cynnydd sy'n llawer uwch na'r cynnydd i gyllid llywodraeth leol ac sydd wedi gorfodi cynghorau i ddargyfeirio arian o wasanaethau hanfodol eraill. Mae'r rhain yn feysydd lle nad oes gan lywodraeth leol fawr iawn o allu i leihau'r galw. Nid yw'r rhain yn benderfyniadau a wnânt ynglŷn â'r ffordd o'i wneud; dyma sy'n rhaid iddynt ei wneud. Rwyf wedi edrych ar gyllideb Cyngor Abertawe ar gyfer 2024-25 ac o'i threiglo ymlaen, wedi ystyried amcangyfrifon ar yr uchod. Amcangyfrifais fod angen cynnydd o tua 5 y cant ar gyllideb dreigl ddigyfnewid ar gyfer llywodraeth leol. A yw Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet yn cytuno â'r ffigur hwnnw, ac os na, a wnaiff Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet gynhyrchu'r cyfrifiadau manwl sydd eu hangen ar lywodraeth leol?
Mae'r cymorth arfaethedig o'r grant cynnal refeniw a'r ardrethi annomestig yn golygu y bydd cynghorau Cymru, o dan y cynigion presennol, yn cael 2.7 y cant ar gyfartaledd. Mae hynny ychydig dros hanner yr hyn sydd ei angen arnynt. Yr hyn sydd wedi digwydd yn ystod y blynyddoedd diwethaf yw bod y dreth gyngor wedi codi tra bod gwasanaethau wedi lleihau, ac mae talwyr y dreth gyngor yn ymateb mewn amryw o wahanol ffyrdd, yn amrywio rhwng dicter a dryswch. Y rheswm am hyn yw bod y dreth gyngor yn talu am lai na chwarter cyfanswm gwasanaethau'r cyngor, gyda'r gweddill yn cael ei ariannu'n bennaf gan Lywodraeth Cymru.
Fe wnaethom drafod y cynnydd canrannol i gymorth Llywodraeth Cymru ar gyfer pob awdurdod lleol, ond mae'r swm gwirioneddol y pen yn amrywio'n sylweddol. Gwyddom mai sir Fynwy sydd â'r nifer mwyaf o eiddo ym mand D ac uwch, tra bod dros hanner eiddo Blaenau Gwent ym mand A. Mae hyn yn arwain at lai o gymorth ariannol i sir Fynwy a mwy o gymorth ariannol i Flaenau Gwent. Rwy'n gwybod dau beth am y grant sy'n cael ei ddarparu. Yn gyntaf, mae'n seiliedig ar allu cyngor i godi arian o'r dreth gyngor a newid cymharol yn y boblogaeth, a gall mân newidiadau i'r fformiwla arwain at oblygiadau mawr. Newidiwyd rhan y priffyrdd o'r fformiwla ar un adeg o 52 y cant poblogaeth, 48 y cant hyd ffordd, i 50 y cant o'r naill a'r llall. Arweiniodd hynny at filiynau o bunnoedd yn cael eu symud o ardaloedd trefol i ardaloedd gwledig. Felly, rwy'n credu ein bod ni mewn sefyllfa. Nid wyf am barhau, dim ond dweud bod angen setliad da ar lywodraeth leol.
Diolch am y ddadl bwysig a dyrys hon. Ond mae hi'n gyfle gwerthfawr i ni rannu pryderon y mae arweinwyr cynghorau sir yn fy rhanbarth i ac etholwyr wedi'u mynegi i fi a chyd-Aelodau ers blynyddoedd lawer. Er y bydd pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru'n cael ei daro'n galed gan y setliad arfaethedig, mae'n debygol mai cynghorau gwledig fydd yn cael eu taro yn galetaf. Rŷn ni'n gwybod bod y gost o ddarparu gwasanaethau cyhoeddus mewn ardaloedd gwledig yn llawer uwch y pen nac mewn ardaloedd trefol, a hynny oherwydd ystod o ffactorau, er enghraifft, yr angen am wasanaethau megis ysgolion, llyfrgelloedd a chanolfannau hamdden uwch, o'i gymharu ag ardaloedd trefol; er mwyn darparu ar gyfer tiriogaeth a phoblogaeth mwy eang; y pellteroedd hirach y mae staff yn gorfod teithio; anawsterau i ddod o hyd i bobl gyda sgiliau arbenigol, a dibyniaeth oherwydd hynny ar staff o asiantaethau, sydd yn costi'n fwy; a chost gofal cymdeithasol uwch sydd ynghlwm â phoblogaeth sy'n heneiddio. Ac ar yr un pryd, mae'r gallu i godi trethi cyngor yn is mewn ardaloedd gwledig, gan fod cyfran uwch o'r boblogaeth yn bensiynwyr, fod llai o swyddi sy'n talu'r cyflogau uchaf, a'r nifer o bobl sy'n asset rich ond yn cash poor yn benodol, fel ein ffermwyr ni.
Felly, dydy'r setliad sydd o'n blaenau ni heddiw ddim yn cydnabod dim o hyn. Mae bron pob sir yng Nghymru wledig, gyda nifer ohonyn nhw yn fy rhanbarth i, yn derbyn y cynnydd canrannol isaf posibl i'w cyllidebau o 2.3 y cant—siroedd fel Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Conwy, Powys, sir Benfro, Ceredigion a sir Gaerfyrddin. Ac ar adeg pan fo chwyddiant yn 3.6 y cant, mae hyn yn ostyngiad real i'w cyllidebau, a hyn oll yn dilyn cyfnod o 15 mlynedd o doriadau gan y Torïaid i wasanaethau. Ac mae'n golygu bod cynghorau erbyn hyn yn gorfod chwilota am dorri mwy posibl o wasanaethau a benthyg o gronfeydd wrth gefn, a dwi'n cofio pa mor boenus oedd hynny pan oeddwn i'n aelod o gabinet Cyngor Sir Gâr. Mae Cyngor Sir Powys, er enghraifft, wedi rhybuddio, hyd yn oed ar ôl y cynnydd hwn o 2.3 y cant i'w cyllideb, a dod o hyd i £10 miliwn mewn arbedion, eu bod nhw'n dal i wynebu diffyg o £11.8 miliwn, sy'n gyfystyr â chynnydd yn y dreth gyngor o 12 y cant. Ac fel cyd-destun, mae'r dreth gyngor ym Mhowys eisoes wedi cynyddu ar gyfartaledd o 6 y cant bob blwyddyn dros y chwe blynedd diwethaf.
Ond hoffwn i dynnu'r sylwadau yma i glo drwy gyfeirio efallai at addysg, fy mhortffolio i. Mae Cymdeithas Llywodraeth Leol Cymru wedi amcangyfrif y bydd £137 miliwn o ddiffyg yng nghyllidebau ysgolion drwy Gymru yn sgil y setliad hwn. Ac mae'r NAHT wedi rhybuddio bod arweinwyr ysgolion eisoes yn dechrau ystyried sut i wneud arbedion drwy gwtogi staff neu dorri adnoddau. A hynny ar yr union adeg pan mae gofynion uwch arnyn nhw i wella safonau mewn ysgolion a gwella darpariaeth ar gyfer y dysgwyr hynny sydd ag anghenion dysgu ychwanegol. Ar adeg pan fo gofynion gwario addysg eisoes yn gorfodi cystadlu gyda chostau uwch ar gyfer gofal cymdeithasol, trafnidiaeth a thai, mae pryderon dealladwy y daw arbedion ar draul addysg yn sgil y gyllideb gwbl annigonol hon.
Felly, dyna pam mae Plaid Cymru yn galw ar y Llywodraeth i gynyddu'r setliad fel y gall awdurdodau buddsoddi yn ein system addysg a gwasanaethau hanfodol eraill. Diolch.
Thank you for this very important debate on a serious topic. But it's a valuable opportunity for us to share concerns that leaders of local authorities in my region have expressed to me, as have constituents, for many years. Although every local authority in Wales will be hit hard by this proposed settlement, it's likely that rural councils will be hit hardest. We know that the cost of providing public services in rural areas is far greater per head than in urban areas, because of a range of factors, for example, the greater need for services such as schools, libraries, and leisure centres, as compared to urban areas; to provide for the more widespread population and territory; the longer distances that staff have to travel; difficulties in finding people with specialist skills, and a dependence, as a result of that, on agency staff, who cost more; and the higher cost of social care related to an ageing population. And at the same time, the ability to levy council taxes is lower in rural areas, because a higher proportion of the population is pensioners, there are fewer posts that pay the highest wages, and the number of people who are asset rich but cash poor specifically, such as our farmers.
So, the settlement before us today doesn't acknowledge any of this. Almost every county in rural Wales, with a number of them in my region, is receiving the lowest percentage increase possible for their budgets, namely 2.3 per cent—counties such as Anglesey, Conwy, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. And at a time when inflation is at 3.6 per cent, this is a real-terms decrease in their budgets, and all of this following a period of 15 years of cuts by the Conservatives to services. And it means that councils now have to seek further cuts to services and to borrow from their reserves, and I remember how painful that was when I was a member of the Carmarthenshire County Council cabinet. Powys County Council, for example, has warned, even after this increase of 2.3 per cent in their budget, and finding £10 million of savings, that they still face a deficit of £11.8 million, which equates to an increase in council tax of 12 per cent. And as a context, council tax in Powys has already increased on average by 6 per cent every year over the past six years.
But I would like to draw these comments to a conclusion by referring perhaps to education, which is my portfolio area. The Welsh Local Government Association has estimated that a £137 million deficit will be seen in school budgets throughout Wales as a result of this settlement. The NAHT has warned that a number of schools are already considering how to make savings by cutting staff numbers or cutting back on resources. And that's at the exact time when there are greater demands on them to improve standards in schools and to improve provision for those learners who have additional learning needs. At a time when the expenditure on education already has to compete with increased costs for social care, transport and housing, there are understandable concerns that savings will be made at the expense of education as a result of this entirely inadequate budget.
That's why Plaid Cymru is calling on the Government to increase the settlement so that authorities can invest in our education system and other vital services. Thank you very much.
I really look forward to Plaid Cymru coming to the table with a realistic offer to secure a good local government settlement. Local authorities are not only having to secure funds to deliver essential services, but they do, when combined with local health boards, provide 40 per cent of local employment in any given area.
And we've heard stories here today—and they're not stories, they're reality—about non-statutory functions, like libraries, swimming pools, et cetera, coming under huge pressure and disappearing from our communities. And I'll focus on those two things—and I know there are many others—because libraries are the backbone of learning for those people who can't afford access to books themselves, access to computers as well, and also just the whole experience of being part of an education system, and sometimes some of those might not be in school at all. So, you know, their functions are far wider than first thought. I remember the first time I went into a library, and I was overwhelmed that I could actually pick any book—I couldn't believe it—that I wanted to, and take it home and bring it back when I'd read it and take another one. So, we need to instil that learning in young people, and I'm sure they'll be as thrilled as well. Because, as I said, it's not only a hard copy now that is offered.
I certainly won't be taking any lessons from the Tories about reduced budgets. Year after year of austerity and not a peep from them, not a single peep from them to say that it was wrong. And I don't think that any of the voters will be fooled by it either because it's a completely disingenuous argument at this stage of the game.
But councils are challenged, especially rural councils, and I cover a rural area; they are challenged. We know that there's a floor in place, but again I hope that Plaid Cymru, and maybe even the Tories, will come to realise that the settlement does have to be somewhat different. And I've heard the passion that's been expressed here today, and I welcome it. I would have welcomed it last year if you'd voted for the budget too, but you didn't, so—. I just hope that we won't have a repeat of that situation this year.
And it is a fact, because all of those things that we really hold dear—and we really do hold them dear; I've no doubt about people's genuineness there—can't be delivered if we can't get a budget through. And we know that this roll-over budget isn't enough—I would be the first to say that and I have said it elsewhere—so we need to increase it, but we need other people to come with us, and I will welcome what I hope is going to happen and that that will be the case.
Rwy'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at weld Plaid Cymru yn gwneud cynnig realistig i sicrhau setliad da i lywodraeth leol. Nid yn unig fod awdurdodau lleol yn gorfod sicrhau arian i ddarparu gwasanaethau hanfodol, ond o'u cyfuno â byrddau iechyd lleol, maent yn darparu 40 y cant o'r gyflogaeth leol mewn unrhyw ardal.
Ac rydym wedi clywed straeon yma heddiw—ac nid straeon ydynt, ond y gwirionedd—am swyddogaethau anstatudol, fel llyfrgelloedd, pyllau nofio ac ati, yn dod o dan bwysau enfawr ac yn diflannu o'n cymunedau. Ac rwyf am ganolbwyntio ar y ddau beth hynny—a gwn fod llawer o bethau eraill—gan mai llyfrgelloedd yw asgwrn cefn dysgu i bobl na allant fforddio mynediad at lyfrau eu hunain, mynediad at gyfrifiaduron hefyd, ynghyd â'r holl brofiad o fod yn rhan o system addysg, ac efallai weithiau nad yn yr ysgol y ceir rhai o'r profiadau hynny. Felly, mae eu swyddogaethau'n llawer ehangach na'r hyn a welwn ar yr olwg gyntaf. Rwy'n cofio'r tro cyntaf imi fynd i lyfrgell, ac roeddwn yn syfrdan fy mod yn cael dewis—ni allwn gredu'r peth—unrhyw lyfr a ddymunwn, mynd ag ef adref a dod yn ôl ag ef ar ôl ei ddarllen a chymryd un arall. Felly, mae angen inni feithrin y dysgu hwnnw mewn pobl ifanc, ac rwy'n siŵr y byddant hwythau hefyd yn teimlo'r un wefr. Oherwydd, fel y dywedais, nid copi caled yn unig sy'n cael ei gynnig bellach.
Yn sicr, nid wyf am wrando ar unrhyw bregethu gan y Torïaid am gyllidebau llai. Blwyddyn ar ôl blwyddyn o gyni a dim un gair ganddynt, dim gair ganddynt i ddweud ei fod yn anghywir. Ac ni chredaf y bydd unrhyw un o'r pleidleiswyr yn cael eu twyllo gan hynny chwaith, gan ei bod yn ddadl gwbl ffuantus erbyn hyn.
Ond mae cynghorau o dan bwysau, yn enwedig cynghorau gwledig, ac rwy'n gwasanaethu ardal wledig; maent o dan bwysau. Gwyddom fod cyllid gwaelodol ar gael, ond unwaith eto, rwy'n gobeithio y bydd Plaid Cymru, a'r Torïaid efallai hyd yn oed, yn sylweddoli bod yn rhaid i'r setliad fod ychydig yn wahanol. Ac rwyf wedi clywed yr angerdd a fynegwyd yma heddiw, ac rwy'n ei groesawu. Buaswn wedi'i groesawu y llynedd hefyd pe baech chi wedi pleidleisio dros y gyllideb, ond ni wnaethoch, felly—. Rwy'n gobeithio na fydd y sefyllfa honno'n cael ei hailadrodd eleni.
Ac mae'n ffaith, oherwydd ni ellir cyflawni'r holl bethau sy'n bwysig i ni—ac maent yn hynod o bwysig i ni; nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth ynglŷn â diffuantrwydd pobl—os na allwn gytuno ar gyllideb. A gwyddom nad yw'r gyllideb dreigl hon yn ddigon—fi fyddai'r cyntaf i ddweud hynny, ac rwyf wedi'i ddweud cyn heddiw—felly mae angen inni ei chynyddu, ond mae angen i bobl eraill ddod gyda ni, a byddaf yn croesawu'r hyn y gobeithiaf ei weld yn digwydd, ac mai felly y bydd.
Our motion today speaks to a reality that every local authority in Wales understands all too well. The provisional local government settlement as it currently stands is simply not good enough for the challenges our councils face, and nowhere is that more evident than in adult and children's social care. Last month, we debated the vital role that local authorities play in supporting hospital discharges. We acknowledged then that councils, day in, day out, are the glue holding our health and social care system together. But if the crisis therein worsens, then there will be a devastating effect for social care, for families, for unpaid carers, and ultimately for the NHS itself. This isn't just my warning. Councillor Andrew Morgan, the WLGA Labour group leader said it plainly:
'Social care, homelessness, education and workforce costs continue to rise faster than resources can keep up. Councils will still need to make tough choices, and that remains a concern.'
Let's be frank here. The political language is 'tough choices', but everyone in this Chamber knows that this is a euphemism for cuts and rising council tax bills. It means lay-offs, and it means greater pressure on the very services that we claim to value.
We can't ignore the scale of the financial pressures: 36 per cent of the total pressure facing local authorities comes directly from social care. Social care alone is expected to account for nearly 40 per cent of overspending by Welsh councils—nearly £70 million. When nearly 40 per cent of all financial strain is coming from one sector, it should be absolutely clear that an inadequate settlement will have a profound effect on the ability of local authorities to keep people safe, well and supported.
We can't bury our heads in the sand. The pressures are immense. Out of a population of a little over 3 million people, more than 0.5 million are unpaid carers looking after loved ones, saving the nation over £10 billion a year, yet only 6 per cent received a needs assessment in 2024. Imagine relying on a system so stretched that even identifying your needs becomes a luxury. At the same time, the paid social care workforce endures low pay, poor working conditions and high turnover, with over 5,300 vacancies.
But it doesn't stop with local authority-run services: councils also commission essential external bodies to deliver front-line support, organisations that are now under serious threat. Take Anheddau, which has been providing vital support for independent living for people with learning disabilities for 35 years. They are entirely funded through local government commissioning, and yet the financial strain on them has already led to job losses, frozen posts and growing vacancies. They were hit incredibly hard by the UK Labour Government's national insurance hike: nearly £1 million in additional payroll costs. And while they've refused to compromise on training because providing skilled, safe, high-quality support is non-negotiable, they are being punished for that commitment.
And then there's the late budget cycle. Last year, their funding agreement didn't arrive until September. Imagine running half a financial year without certainty, without clarity, without stability, while being responsible for some of the most vulnerable people in Wales. This is no way to run essential services, and it's certainly no way to protect the people who depend on them. Because ultimately, Llywydd, it is these vulnerable people who will suffer if this Welsh budget is not the right one. A society is measured not by its rhetoric, but by how it treats its most vulnerable. And right now, we risk falling far short of that measure.
The Government often speaks of local authorities as their delivery partners, but partnership must come with a means to deliver. Expectations have risen, statutory responsibilities have expanded, but the financial support hasn't followed. You can't keep asking councils to do more with less and then express surprise when services begin to break. So, I urge everybody to listen to the warnings of the WLGA, of the providers, of the carers, of the families and front-line staff. Give local government the tools to stabilise social care. Because without a sustainable settlement, the consequences will be felt, not only in council budgets, but in people's lives. Diolch.
Mae ein cynnig heddiw'n sôn am realiti y mae pob awdurdod lleol yng Nghymru yn ei ddeall yn rhy dda. Nid yw'r setliad llywodraeth leol dros dro fel y mae ar hyn o bryd yn ddigon da ar gyfer yr heriau sy'n wynebu ein cynghorau, ac nid oes unman lle mae hynny'n fwy amlwg nag mewn gofal cymdeithasol oedolion a phlant. Y mis diwethaf, buom yn trafod y rôl hanfodol y mae awdurdodau lleol yn ei chwarae yn cefnogi rhyddhau cleifion o'r ysbyty. Fe wnaethom gydnabod bryd hynny mai cynghorau, ddydd ar ôl dydd, yw'r glud sy'n dal ein system iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol at ei gilydd. Ond os bydd yr argyfwng yn y system honno'n gwaethygu, bydd yna effaith ddinistriol ar ofal cymdeithasol, ar deuluoedd, ar ofalwyr di-dâl, ac yn y pen draw, ar y GIG ei hun. Nid fy rhybudd i yn unig yw hyn. Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Andrew Morgan, arweinydd grŵp Llafur CLlLC, yn blaen:
'Mae costau gofal cymdeithasol, digartrefedd, addysg a gweithlu yn parhau i godi’n gyflymach nag y gall adnoddau gadw i fyny. Bydd angen i gynghorau wneud dewisiadau anodd o hyd, ac mae hynny’n parhau i fod yn bryder.'
Gadewch inni fod yn onest yma. Yr iaith wleidyddol yw 'dewisiadau anodd', ond gŵyr pawb yn y Siambr hon mai geiriau teg yw'r rhain am doriadau a chynnydd i filiau'r dreth gyngor. Mae'n golygu diswyddiadau, ac mae'n golygu mwy o bwysau ar yr union wasanaethau yr honnwn eu bod yn bwysig i ni.
Ni allwn anwybyddu maint y pwysau ariannol: mae 36 y cant o'r holl bwysau ar awdurdodau lleol yn dod yn uniongyrchol o ofal cymdeithasol. Disgwylir mai ar ofal cymdeithasol yn unig y bydd bron 40 y cant o orwariant cynghorau Cymru—bron £70 miliwn. Pan fo bron 40 y cant o'r holl straen ariannol yn dod o un sector, dylai fod yn gwbl glir y bydd setliad annigonol yn cael effaith ddifrifol ar allu awdurdodau lleol i gefnogi pobl a'u cadw'n ddiogel ac yn iach.
Ni allwn gladdu ein pennau yn y tywod. Mae'r pwysau'n aruthrol. Allan o boblogaeth o ychydig dros 3 miliwn o bobl, mae mwy na 0.5 miliwn yn ofalwyr di-dâl sy'n gofalu am anwyliaid, gan arbed dros £10 biliwn y flwyddyn i'r genedl, ond 6 y cant yn unig a gafodd asesiad o'u hanghenion yn 2024. Dychmygwch ddibynnu ar system sydd o dan gymaint o bwysau fel bod hyd yn oed nodi eich anghenion yn dod yn foethusrwydd. Ar yr un pryd, mae'r gweithlu gofal cymdeithasol cyflogedig yn dioddef cyflogau isel, amodau gwaith gwael a throsiant uchel, gyda dros 5,300 o swyddi gwag.
Ond nid yw'n dod i ben gyda gwasanaethau a reolir gan awdurdodau lleol: mae cynghorau hefyd yn comisiynu cyrff allanol hanfodol i ddarparu cymorth rheng flaen, sefydliadau sydd bellach dan fygythiad difrifol. Cymerwch Anheddau, sydd wedi bod yn darparu cymorth hanfodol i bobl ag anableddau dysgu allu byw'n annibynnol ers 35 mlynedd. Maent yn cael eu hariannu'n llwyr drwy gomisiynau llywodraeth leol, ac eto mae'r straen ariannol arnynt eisoes wedi arwain at golli swyddi, rhewi swyddi a nifer cynyddol o swyddi gwag. Cawsant eu taro'n anhygoel o galed gan gynnydd Llywodraeth Lafur y DU i yswiriant gwladol: bron £1 filiwn o gostau ychwanegol i'r gyflogres. Ac er eu bod wedi gwrthod cyfaddawdu ar hyfforddiant gan nad yw darparu cymorth medrus, diogel, o ansawdd uchel yn agored i negodi, cânt eu cosbi am yr ymrwymiad hwnnw.
Ac yna mae gennym y cylch cyllidebol hwyr. Y llynedd, ni chyrhaeddodd eu cytundeb cyllido tan fis Medi. Dychmygwch redeg hanner blwyddyn ariannol heb sicrwydd, heb eglurder, heb sefydlogrwydd, ond yn gyfrifol am rai o'r bobl fwyaf agored i niwed yng Nghymru. Nid dyma'r ffordd i redeg gwasanaethau hanfodol, ac yn sicr, nid yw'n ffordd o ddiogelu'r bobl sy'n dibynnu arnynt. Oherwydd yn y pen draw, Lywydd, y bobl fregus hyn fydd yn dioddef os nad yw cyllideb Cymru'n iawn. Ni chaiff cymdeithas ei mesur yn ôl ei rhethreg, ond yn ôl sut y mae'n trin ei phobl fwyaf agored i niwed. Ac ar hyn o bryd, rydym mewn perygl o fethu cyrraedd y safon honno.
Mae'r Llywodraeth yn aml yn sôn am awdurdodau lleol fel eu partneriaid cyflawni, ond mae'n rhaid cael modd o gyflawni i gyd-fynd â phartneriaeth. Mae disgwyliadau wedi codi, mae cyfrifoldebau statudol wedi ehangu, ond nid yw'r cymorth ariannol wedi dilyn. Ni allwch barhau i ofyn i gynghorau wneud mwy gyda llai a mynegi syndod pan fydd gwasanaethau'n dechrau methu. Felly, rwy'n annog pawb i wrando ar rybuddion CLlLC, y darparwyr, y gofalwyr, y teuluoedd a staff rheng flaen. Rhowch y dulliau gweithredu i lywodraeth leol sefydlogi gofal cymdeithasol. Oherwydd heb setliad cynaliadwy, bydd y canlyniadau'n cael eu teimlo, nid yn unig yng nghyllidebau cynghorau, ond ym mywydau pobl. Diolch.
Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet nawr i gyfrannu—Mark Drakeford.
The Cabinet Secretary to contribute—Mark Drakeford.
Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I want to begin my contribution this afternoon just with one sentence, to place the provisional local government settlement in the context of this term. In three of the last four years, local authorities in Wales have seen their budgets increase by 4.5 per cent, 7.9 per cent, and 9.4 per cent. Now, I don't think those significant uplifts in annual funding are surprising because, in so many ways, the history of devolution has been shaped by this Parliament's local government heritage.
In term after term, Senedd Members have been drawn, in large numbers, from those who cut their political teeth in local authorities. Those of us who remember the first Assembly term recall the influence of local authority leaders here in this Chamber. Pauline Jarman, Tom Middlehurst and Sue Essex—one of the most influential figures of her time—as well as so many others: Mike German, Jenny Randerson, Peter Black, Rosemary Butler, Jane Hutt, Jane Davidson. The history of devolution and this Senedd has been shaped by people whose political careers began in local government and brought all of that to our debates.
I don't have time to cover each of the intervening Senedd terms, but if we fast forward to this Chamber and this term, we again benefit from the contributions from previously senior members of local authorities. It's the first time I think that there has been a leader in every single group here from a local authority: Sam Rowlands and Peter Fox, Mike Hedges, Lindsay Whittle and other leading figures, including Siân Gwenllian, Carolyn Thomas and Cefin Campbell.
The point of this preamble, Llywydd, is to demonstrate the weight of influence that local government experience has always brought to bear on our proceedings. A cumulative experience that lies at the heart of the very different ways in which local authorities have fared here in Wales compared to across our border in England in the devolution era.
Llywydd, I'm not going to be able to respond to all the Members who have contributed to this debate. Joel James started by saying that things were totally disconnected from the daily realities, before going on, I thought, to demonstrate the proposition from which he began.
Mike Hedges pointed to the complexity of the local government settlement and the number of factors that you have to take into account. And while the Government has placed our own amendment to today's debate, I recognise at the outset, as Joyce Watson did in her contribution, the shared ambition across this Chamber to support our local authorities, even when we have different recipes for turning that ambition into practical action.
Indeed, it is why, Llywydd, that I recognised, from the first day on which this Government's approach to the draft budget was first discussed, the unique legislative constraints faced by our local authorities. In my many meetings with the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government and with the WLGA, we have worked to find ways of mitigating the impact of a restated budget, if that were all we were able to get agreed. Consultation continues on ideas such as a more flexible use of capital receipts for revenue purposes; the statutory override provision, as deployed in England over many years; and changes to the minimum revenue provision required to service local authority debt.
But, of course, the best way to provide a better settlement for our local authorities is to pass a final budget that deploys the currently unallocated sums available to this Senedd. I listened carefully to what the leader of Plaid Cymru said in First Minister's questions yesterday, and I was grateful too for my meetings yesterday with finance spokespeople from across the Chamber. I remain hopeful that a path can be agreed that will allow this Chamber to pass that more ambitious final budget that has been the Welsh Government's hope from the outset.
The case for doing so, Llywydd, is very clear. For what is devolution remembered in the lives of our fellow citizens? What will this sixth Senedd be remembered for when the dust has finally settled on all our debates? My answer is that it is those things that in every single term have been achieved when progressive forces have come together to make a difference: free access to museums and galleries and free bus travel for the over-60s in that first term; free breakfasts in our primary schools in the second Senedd; the establishment of the coleg cenedlaethol in our third term; the creation of council tax benefit and the discretionary assistance fund in the fourth Senedd; the only nationwide publicly funded holiday hunger scheme in the United Kingdom in the fifth term; and in the sixth Senedd, everything we have achieved in responding to the proliferation of second homes, eliminating profit in the care of looked-after children, and the tens of millions of universal free school meals served to our primary-aged children.
That list is culled from a far longer set of distinctive policies pursued because of devolution and because of this Parliament. What they all have in common—housing, planning, transport, arts, education and care services—is that they are all achievements that have relied on the ability of our local authorities to make them happen on the ground. My appeal this evening is that this Senedd too should be remembered for the fact that, even under the pressures of funding shortages, policy debates and political differences, we have found a budget on which we could agree and a budget that supports our local authorities in all they do.
This afternoon we have heard powerful contributions pointing to all the many things that local authorities do on behalf of our fellow citizens. There is money yet to be allocated in that final budget. Let us come together, let us find a way to make sure we use that money to its maximum extent, because that is the best answer to the difficulties that colleagues have outlined this afternoon.
Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Hoffwn ddechrau fy nghyfraniad y prynhawn yma gydag un frawddeg i roi'r setliad llywodraeth leol dros dro yng nghyd-destun y tymor hwn. Yn nhair o'r pedair blynedd diwethaf, mae awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru wedi gweld eu cyllidebau'n cynyddu 4.5 y cant, 7.9 y cant, a 9.4 y cant. Nawr, ni chredaf fod y codiadau sylweddol hynny i gyllid blynyddol yn syndod, oherwydd mewn cymaint o ffyrdd, mae hanes datganoli wedi'i siapio gan etifeddiaeth llywodraeth leol y Senedd hon.
Dymor ar ôl tymor, mae Aelodau’r Senedd wedi deillio, mewn niferoedd mawr, o blith y rhai a gychwynnodd eu gyrfaoedd gwleidyddol mewn awdurdodau lleol. Mae’r rhai ohonom sy’n cofio tymor cyntaf y Cynulliad yn cofio dylanwad arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol yma yn y Siambr hon. Pauline Jarman, Tom Middlehurst a Sue Essex—un o ffigyrau mwyaf dylanwadol ei hoes—yn ogystal â chynifer o rai eraill: Mike German, Jenny Randerson, Peter Black, Rosemary Butler, Jane Hutt, Jane Davidson. Mae hanes datganoli a’r Senedd hon wedi’i siapio gan bobl sydd wedi dechrau eu gyrfaoedd gwleidyddol mewn llywodraeth leol, ac sydd wedi dod â'r holl brofiad hwnnw i’n dadleuon.
Nid oes gennyf amser i sôn am bob un o dymhorau'r Senedd ers hynny, ond os symudwn ymlaen yn gyflym i'r Siambr hon a'r tymor hwn, rydym ni unwaith eto'n elwa o gyfraniadau cyn-uwch aelodau o awdurdodau lleol. Rwy'n credu mai dyma'r tro cyntaf inni gael arweinydd ym mhob grŵp yma o awdurdod lleol: Sam Rowlands a Peter Fox, Mike Hedges, Lindsay Whittle a ffigurau blaenllaw eraill, yn cynnwys Siân Gwenllian, Carolyn Thomas a Cefin Campbell.
Pwynt y rhagarweiniad hwn, Lywydd, yw dangos y dylanwad y mae profiad o lywodraeth leol bob amser wedi'i gael ar ein trafodion. Profiad cronnol sydd wrth wraidd y ffyrdd cwbl wahanol y mae awdurdodau lleol wedi ffynnu yma yng Nghymru o gymharu â thros y ffin yn Lloegr yn oes datganoli.
Lywydd, nid wyf am allu ymateb i'r holl Aelodau sydd wedi cyfrannu at y ddadl hon. Dechreuodd Joel James drwy ddweud bod pethau wedi'u datgysylltu'n llwyr o'r realiti dyddiol, cyn mynd ymlaen i brofi'r gosodiad y dechreuodd gydag ef.
Tynnodd Mike Hedges sylw at gymhlethdod y setliad llywodraeth leol a'r nifer o ffactorau y mae'n rhaid i chi eu hystyried. Ac er bod y Llywodraeth wedi cynnig ein gwelliant ein hunain i'r ddadl heddiw, rwy'n cydnabod ar y dechrau, fel y gwnaeth Joyce Watson yn ei chyfraniad, yr uchelgais a rennir ar draws y Siambr hon i gefnogi ein hawdurdodau lleol, hyd yn oed pan fydd gennym ryseitiau gwahanol ar gyfer troi'r uchelgais honno'n gamau ymarferol.
Yn wir, Lywydd, dyna pam y cydnabûm, o'r diwrnod cyntaf y trafodwyd ymagwedd y Llywodraeth hon at y gyllideb ddrafft, y cyfyngiadau deddfwriaethol unigryw y mae ein hawdurdodau lleol yn eu hwynebu. Yn fy nghyfarfodydd niferus gydag Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Lywodraeth Leol a Thai ac CLlLC, rydym wedi gweithio i ddod o hyd i ffyrdd o liniaru effaith cyllideb ailddatganedig, hyd yn oed os mai dyna'r cyfan y llwyddasom i gytuno yn ei gylch. Mae'r ymgynghori'n parhau ar syniadau fel defnydd mwy hyblyg o dderbyniadau cyfalaf at ddibenion refeniw; y ddarpariaeth o fesurau lliniaru statudol, fel y'i defnyddiwyd yn Lloegr dros nifer o flynyddoedd; a newidiadau i isafswm y ddarpariaeth refeniw sydd ei angen i wasanaethu dyled awdurdodau lleol.
Ond wrth gwrs, y ffordd orau o ddarparu gwell setliad i'n hawdurdodau lleol yw pasio cyllideb derfynol sy'n defnyddio'r symiau sydd ar gael i'r Senedd hon ac sydd heb eu dyrannu ar hyn o bryd. Gwrandewais yn ofalus ar yr hyn a ddywedodd arweinydd Plaid Cymru yn y cwestiynau i'r Prif Weinidog ddoe, ac roeddwn yn ddiolchgar hefyd am fy nghyfarfodydd ddoe gyda llefarwyr cyllid o bob rhan o'r Siambr. Rwy'n parhau i fod yn obeithiol y gellir cytuno ar lwybr a fydd yn caniatáu i'r Siambr hon basio'r gyllideb derfynol fwy uchelgeisiol honno y mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi gobeithio ei gweld o'r cychwyn cyntaf.
Mae'r achos dros wneud hynny yn glir iawn, Lywydd. Am beth y bydd datganoli'n cael ei gofio ym mywydau ein cyd-ddinasyddion? Am beth fydd y chweched Senedd hon yn cael ei chofio wedi i'n holl ddadleuon ddod i ben? Fy ateb i yw'r pethau hynny sydd wedi'u cyflawni ym mhob tymor pan fydd grymoedd blaengar wedi dod ynghyd i wneud gwahaniaeth: mynediad am ddim i amgueddfeydd ac orielau a theithio am ddim ar fysiau i rai dros 60 oed yn y tymor cyntaf; brecwast am ddim yn ein hysgolion cynradd yn yr ail Senedd; sefydlu'r coleg cenedlaethol yn ein trydydd tymor; creu budd-dal y dreth gyngor a'r gronfa cymorth dewisol yn y bedwaredd Senedd; yr unig gynllun cenedlaethol i drechu llwgu yn ystod y gwyliau a ariennir yn gyhoeddus yn y Deyrnas Unedig yn y pumed tymor; ac yn y chweched Senedd, popeth a gyflawnwyd gennym i ymateb i nifer yr ail gartrefi, dileu elw o ofal plant sy'n derbyn gofal yng Nghymru, a'r degau o filiynau o brydau ysgol am ddim sydd wedi cael eu gweini i'n plant oedran cynradd.
Mae'r rhestr honno wedi'i chasglu o set lawer hirach o bolisïau nodedig a gyflwynwyd oherwydd datganoli ac oherwydd y Senedd hon. Yr hyn sy'n gyffredin rhyngddynt—tai, cynllunio, trafnidiaeth, celfyddydau, addysg a gwasanaethau gofal—yw bod pob un ohonynt yn gyflawniadau sydd wedi dibynnu ar allu ein hawdurdodau lleol i wneud iddynt ddigwydd ar lawr gwlad. Fy apêl heno yw y dylid cofio'r Senedd hon hefyd oherwydd, hyd yn oed o dan bwysau prinder cyllid, dadleuon polisi a gwahaniaethau gwleidyddol, rydym wedi dod o hyd i gyllideb y gallem gytuno arni a chyllideb sy'n cefnogi ein hawdurdodau lleol ym mhopeth a wnânt.
Y prynhawn yma, clywsom gyfraniadau pwerus yn tynnu sylw at yr holl bethau y mae awdurdodau lleol yn eu gwneud ar ran ein cyd-ddinasyddion. Mae arian eto i'w ddyrannu yn y gyllideb derfynol. Gadewch inni ddod ynghyd, gadewch inni ddod o hyd i ffordd i sicrhau ein bod yn defnyddio'r arian hwnnw i'r eithaf, gan mai dyna'r ateb gorau i'r anawsterau y mae cyd-Aelodau wedi'u hamlinellu y prynhawn yma.
Heledd Fychan nawr i ymateb i'r ddadl.
Heledd Fychan to reply to the debate.
Diolch, Llywydd, a diolch i bawb sydd wedi cyfrannu i'r ddadl heddiw.
Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you to everyone who has contributed to today's debate.
I really welcome the approach everyone has taken to today's debate. I hope local authority leaders and those working in local authorities across Wales feel reassured today that we are listening, that we understand their concerns, but also how grateful we are for the work that they do day in, day out, and the vital services they provide. I know many of those have been listed today, but there are countless others as well. We have heard of both statutory and non-statutory.
In my own area, I know when we have faced—too many times to count—flooding, it has been local authority workers on the ground providing that support, making a difference. We know that it's hugely challenging at the moment with what we're seeing with climate change and what they have to face. I really do want to thank everyone that works in our local authorities, in our schools and all services that are associated.
Mabon, you mentioned commissioned services, and I think it is important that we acknowledge today the impact the national insurance hike had on them directly. I don't think we'll fully know the picture until the next financial year. It was a concern in last week's budget that the Chancellor didn't take the opportunity to really reconsider, because this is impacting not just here in Wales, but also in England. That's been clear as well. But these commissioned services are really vital. So I hope we can find a way to ensure that they can continue as well.
The one thing I do want to reflect on, though, is that in the draft budget when it was presented, the Cabinet Secretary for finance had said that it would provide stability and certainty for our public services and for our constituents. But as it stands, it does not provide that stability and certainty. Lindsay, in your contribution, I think it was very powerful what you said about those consultations—600 jobs just in Caerphilly. And we've heard the warnings, haven't we? Thousands of jobs potentially at risk across Wales. I know, because of the years that we've seen of austerity, the impact it's had on staff to face constant uncertainty, the number of job losses we've seen. Sickness levels are really high in a number of our local authorities, in our schools, and that's because there's been such a squeeze on funding. This will add to the strain again. So, I do think that we need to find a way to give that certainty to our local authorities and to the services that they provide, because it is a time of uncertainty for staff and they are delivering these vital services, but they need that certainty as well.
Cefin, I think you were right, and Joyce as well, in terms of the impact on our rural areas and why this settlement isn’t fair in taking into account currently the strain on rural communities. I’m sure all of us are inundated by issues that relate to cuts that have been made to local authorities. In my own area, there's the Save the School Transport RCT campaign in terms of the changes that haven’t been made in terms of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. Those are the things that really matter to people. Also our libraries, our museums, our swimming pools—all the things that are really vital. You outlined, Joyce, the importance of libraries, but in terms of the museums, in terms of swimming pools as well. Prevention is something that we talk a lot about here. If people cannot access arts or sports opportunities, then how are we going to progress in terms of the prevention agenda?
The Auditor General for Wales has been very clear, not just in terms of warning about those two councils in particular that are at risk, but also about the delivery of local councils, and that we need to really look at local authorities and what we’re expecting them to be able to do with the resources that they have available. I hope not only that we look at the budget ahead and look at ways where we can provide that stability and certainty for our vital public services, but that we also look beyond that at how we truly work in partnership with local authorities.
We heard so many examples. Mabon, you mentioned the glue holding together health and social care. They are the glue for so many services. The strain in terms of ALN was also mentioned when it comes to education. It is not just—
Rwy'n croesawu'r ffordd y mae pawb wedi ymroi i'r ddadl heddiw. Rwy'n gobeithio y bydd arweinwyr awdurdodau lleol a'r rhai sy'n gweithio mewn awdurdodau lleol ledled Cymru’n cael sicrwydd heddiw ein bod yn gwrando, ein bod yn deall eu pryderon, ond hefyd ein bod yn hynod ddiolchgar am y gwaith a wnânt o ddydd i ddydd, a'r gwasanaethau hanfodol y maent yn eu darparu. Gwn fod llawer o'r rheini wedi'u rhestru heddiw, ond mae llu o rai eraill hefyd. Rydym wedi clywed am wasanaethau statudol ac anstatudol.
Yn fy ardal fy hun, pan fyddwn wedi wynebu llifogydd—gormod o weithiau i'w cyfrif—gwn mai gweithwyr awdurdodau lleol sydd wedi bod yno'n darparu cymorth, yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Gwyddom ei bod yn heriol iawn ar hyn o bryd gyda'r hyn a welwn gyda newid hinsawdd a'r hyn y mae'n rhaid iddynt ei wynebu. Rwyf eisiau diolch i bawb sy'n gweithio yn ein hawdurdodau lleol, yn ein hysgolion a phob gwasanaeth sy'n gysylltiedig.
Mabon, fe sonioch chi am wasanaethau a gomisiynir, ac rwy'n credu ei bod yn bwysig ein bod yn cydnabod heddiw yr effaith a gafodd y cynnydd i yswiriant gwladol arnynt yn uniongyrchol. Ni chredaf y cawn y darlun llawn tan y flwyddyn ariannol nesaf. Roedd yn destun pryder yn y gyllideb yr wythnos diwethaf nad achubodd y Canghellor ar y cyfle i ailystyried, gan fod hyn yn cael effaith nid yn unig yma yng Nghymru, ond yn Lloegr hefyd. Mae hynny wedi bod yn glir yn ogystal. Ond mae'r gwasanaethau hyn a gomisiynir yn wirioneddol hanfodol. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn ddod o hyd i ffordd o sicrhau y gallant barhau.
Un peth yr hoffwn fyfyrio arno, fodd bynnag, yw bod Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid wedi dweud yn y gyllideb ddrafft pan gafodd ei chyflwyno y byddai'n darparu sefydlogrwydd a sicrwydd i'n gwasanaethau cyhoeddus ac i'n hetholwyr. Ond fel y mae, nid yw'n darparu'r sefydlogrwydd a'r sicrwydd hwnnw. Lindsay, yn eich cyfraniad, rwy'n credu bod yr hyn a ddywedoch chi am yr ymgynghoriadau hynny'n bwerus iawn—600 o swyddi yng Nghaerffili yn unig. Ac rydym wedi clywed y rhybuddion, onid ydym? Miloedd o swyddi a allai fod mewn perygl ledled Cymru. Oherwydd y blynyddoedd o gyni a welsom, fe wn am yr effaith y mae wynebu ansicrwydd cyson wedi'i chael ar staff, nifer y swyddi a gollwyd. Mae lefelau salwch yn uchel iawn mewn nifer o'n hawdurdodau lleol, yn ein hysgolion, gan fod cymaint o wasgfa ar gyllid. Bydd hyn yn ychwanegu at y straen eto. Felly, rwy'n credu bod angen inni ddod o hyd i ffordd o roi'r sicrwydd hwnnw i'n hawdurdodau lleol ac i'r gwasanaethau y maent yn eu darparu, gan fod hwn yn gyfnod o ansicrwydd i staff, ac maent yn darparu'r gwasanaethau hanfodol hyn, ond mae angen y sicrwydd hwnnw arnynt hwythau hefyd.
Cefin, credaf eich bod yn llygad eich lle, a Joyce hefyd, o ran yr effaith ar ein hardaloedd gwledig a pham nad yw'r setliad hwn yn deg o ran ystyried y straen sydd ar gymunedau gwledig ar hyn o bryd. Rwy'n siŵr fod pob un ohonom yn boddi mewn materion yn ymwneud â thoriadau a wnaed i awdurdodau lleol. Yn fy ardal i, mae ymgyrch Save the School Transport RCT yn canolbwyntio ar y newidiadau na wnaed o ran Mesur Teithio gan Ddysgwyr (Cymru) 2008. Dyna'r pethau sy'n bwysig i bobl. Hefyd ein llyfrgelloedd, ein hamgueddfeydd, ein pyllau nofio—yr holl bethau sy'n wirioneddol hanfodol. Joyce, fe nodoch chi bwysigrwydd llyfrgelloedd, ac amgueddfeydd, a phyllau nofio hefyd. Mae gwaith atal yn rhywbeth yr ydym yn sôn amdano'n aml yma. Os na all pobl gael mynediad at gyfleoedd celfyddydol neu chwaraeon, sut y gallwn ni symud yr agenda atal yn ei blaen?
Mae Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru wedi bod yn glir iawn, nid yn unig wrth rybuddio am y ddau gyngor penodol sydd mewn perygl, ond hefyd ynglŷn â chyflawniad cynghorau lleol, a bod angen inni edrych o ddifrif ar awdurdodau lleol a'r hyn y disgwyliwn iddynt allu ei wneud gyda'r adnoddau sydd ar gael iddynt. Rwy'n gobeithio y byddwn nid yn unig yn edrych ar y gyllideb sydd o'n blaenau ac yn edrych ar ffyrdd y gallwn ddarparu sefydlogrwydd a sicrwydd ar gyfer ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus hanfodol, ond ein bod hefyd yn edrych y tu hwnt i hynny ar sut rydym yn gweithio mewn partneriaeth go iawn ag awdurdodau lleol.
Clywsom gynifer o enghreifftiau. Mabon, fe sonioch chi am y glud sy'n dal iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol at ei gilydd. Dyna'r glud ar gyfer cynifer o wasanaethau. Cafodd y straen ar addysg ADY ei chrybwyll hefyd. Nid yn unig—
Will you take an intervention?
A wnewch chi dderbyn ymyriad?
I will take an intervention, yes.
Fe wnaf dderbyn ymyriad, gwnaf.
Thank you for that. I've been reading the motion again and I've been listening to everything that's been said, but you haven't actually outlined what you'd do. Our amendments outline some of the issues that we would take forward to try to address the budget issues, but you haven't, on your side, said anything, really, other than complain, I think. Is there anything that you would highlight that you would do differently? Thank you.
Diolch. Rwyf wedi bod yn darllen y cynnig eto ac wedi bod yn gwrando ar bopeth a ddywedwyd, ond nid ydych chi wedi amlinellu beth fyddech yn ei wneud. Mae ein gwelliannau'n amlinellu rhai o'r materion y byddem yn ceisio mynd i'r afael â nhw er mwyn datrys materion cyllidebol, ond nid ydych chi, ar eich ochr chi, wedi dweud unrhyw beth heblaw cwyno. A oes unrhyw beth y byddech chi'n nodi y byddech yn ei wneud yn wahanol? Diolch.
I think that it's very clear there that a settlement that works for local authorities, that takes into account the calls of the WLGA—. We don't agree with, as we've mentioned before, some elements in your amendment, because of the constraints in terms of a referendum and so on. We've had those debates before. But if you think that you have solutions here, then I'm afraid that you're incorrect on those. [Interruption.] Mike.
Rwy'n credu ei bod yn glir iawn yno fod setliad sy'n gweithio i awdurdodau lleol, sy'n ystyried galwadau CLlLC—. Fel rydym wedi'i nodi o'r blaen, nid ydym yn cytuno â rhai o'r elfennau yn eich gwelliant, oherwydd y cyfyngiadau o ran refferendwm ac yn y blaen. Rydym wedi cael y dadleuon hynny o'r blaen. Ond os ydych chi'n credu bod gennych atebion yma, mae arnaf ofn eich bod yn anghywir ar y rheini. [Torri ar draws.] Mike.
As you know, when I was speaking, I said that I thought that local government needed a 5 per cent increase to stand still. Is your calculation higher or lower than that?
Fel y gwyddoch, pan oeddwn yn siarad, dywedais fy mod yn credu bod angen cynnydd o 5 y cant ar lywodraeth leol er mwyn aros yn ddigyfnewid. A yw eich cyfrif chi'n uwch neu'n is na hynny?
Why did you not intervene on the Cabinet Secretary for finance in terms of that? I think that he could provide a better settlement but chose not to, so let's be clear here.
We have found today unity in terms of seeking a way forward. I think that everyone has been very clear that a budget has to pass. We've also heard very clearly across the political parties that the budget as it stands is not adequate for local authorities and for our local services, so we need to find a way forward. I hope that that message has been heard today by our local authority partners. It's now up to us to take a grown-up approach to this budget and ensure that we do provide that stability for local services.
It's imperative for all of us, collectively, to ensure that local authorities are given better support for communities, council workers and residents. The increasing financial pressure is really difficult, and it is our most vulnerable residents that will suffer. So, I hope that we can agree together on Plaid Cymru's motion as tabled and, more than anything, that we can find a way forward to invest in our vital public services and provide the much-needed stability and certainty that they desperately need.
Pam na wnaethoch chi ymyriad mewn perthynas â hynny pan oedd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros gyllid yn siarad? Rwy'n credu y gallai fod wedi darparu setliad gwell, ond dewisodd beidio, felly gadewch inni fod yn glir yma.
Rydym wedi dod o hyd i undod heddiw ar gyfer chwilio am ffordd ymlaen. Credaf fod pawb wedi dweud yn glir iawn fod yn rhaid pasio cyllideb. Rydym hefyd wedi clywed yn glir iawn ar draws y pleidiau gwleidyddol nad yw'r gyllideb fel y mae yn ddigonol ar gyfer awdurdodau lleol ac ar gyfer ein gwasanaethau lleol, felly mae angen inni ddod o hyd i ffordd ymlaen. Rwy'n gobeithio bod ein partneriaid yn yr awdurdodau lleol wedi clywed y neges honno heddiw. Ein cyfrifoldeb ni nawr yw mabwysiadu ymagwedd aeddfed at y gyllideb hon a sicrhau ein bod yn darparu sefydlogrwydd i wasanaethau lleol.
Mae'n hanfodol fod pob un ohonom, gyda'n gilydd, yn sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol yn cael gwell cefnogaeth i gymunedau, gweithwyr cyngor a thrigolion. Mae'r pwysau ariannol cynyddol yn anodd iawn, a'n trigolion mwyaf bregus fydd yn dioddef. Felly, rwy'n gobeithio y gallwn gytuno gyda'n gilydd ar gynnig Plaid Cymru fel y'i cyflwynwyd, ac yn fwy na dim, y gallwn ddod o hyd i ffordd ymlaen i fuddsoddi yn ein gwasanaethau cyhoeddus hanfodol a darparu'r sefydlogrwydd a'r sicrwydd y mae cymaint o'u hangen arnynt.
Y cwestiwn yw: a ddylid derbyn y cynnig heb ei ddiwygio? A oes unrhyw Aelod yn gwrthwynebu? [Gwrthwynebiad.] Oes, mae yna wrthwynebiad, felly mi wnawn ni ohirio'r pleidleisiau ar yr eitem yma tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
The proposal is to agree the motion without amendment. Does any Member object? [Objection.] There are objections. We will therefore defer voting under this item until voting time.
Gohiriwyd y pleidleisio tan y cyfnod pleidleisio.
Voting deferred until voting time.
Rydym ni'n cyrraedd y cyfnod pleidleisio. Oni bai bod tri Aelod yn moyn i fi ganu'r gloch, mi awn ni'n syth i'r bleidlais gyntaf.
That brings us to voting time. Unless three Members wish for the bell to be rung, we will proceed directly to our first vote.
Mae'r bleidlais gyntaf ar eitem 7, dadl Plaid Cymru ar setliad llywodraeth leol dros dro. Mae'r bleidlais gyntaf ar y cynnig, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Heledd Fychan. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 12, neb yn ymatal, 31 yn erbyn. Mae'r cynnig wedi ei wrthod.
The first vote is on item 7, the Plaid Cymru debate on the provisional local government settlement. The first vote is on the motion, tabled in the name of Heledd Fychan. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 12, no abstentions, 31 against. The motion is not agreed.
Eitem 7. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Setliad Llywodraeth Leol Dros Dro. Cynnig heb ei ddiwygio.: O blaid: 12, Yn erbyn: 31, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y cynnig
Item 7. Plaid Cymru Debate - Provisional Local Government Settlement. Motion without amendment.: For: 12, Against: 31, Abstain: 0
Motion has been rejected
Awn ni ymlaen i welliant 1. Dwi'n galw am bleidlais nawr ar welliant 1, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Jane Hutt. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. Mae'r bleidlais yn gyfartal, felly byddaf yn defnyddio fy mhleidlais yn erbyn y gwelliant. Mae'r gwelliant yn cwympo, gyda 22 o blaid y gwelliant, 23 yn erbyn y gwelliant, a neb yn ymatal.
We will proceed to amendment 1. I call for a vote on amendment 1, tabled in the name of Jane Hutt. Open the vote. Close the vote. The vote is tied, and so I will exercise my casting vote against the amendment. The amendment is not agreed, with 22 in favour, 23 against, and no abstentions.
Eitem 7. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Setliad Llywodraeth Leol Dros Dro. Gwelliant 1, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Jane Hutt: O blaid: 22, Yn erbyn: 22, Ymatal: 0
Gan fod nifer y pleidleisiau yn gyfartal, defnyddiodd y Llywydd ei phleidlais fwrw yn unol â Rheol Sefydlog 6.20(ii).
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 7. Plaid Cymru Debate - Provisional Local Government Settlement. Amendment 1, tabled in the name of Jane Hutt: For: 22, Against: 22, Abstain: 0
As there was an equality of votes, the Llywydd used her casting vote in accordance with Standing Order 6.20(ii).
Amendment has been rejected
Mae'r bleidlais nesaf ar welliant 2, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Paul Davies. Agor y bleidlais. Cau'r bleidlais. O blaid 10, neb yn ymatal, 34 yn erbyn. Mae'r gwelliant yna hefyd yn cwympo.
The next vote is on amendment 2, tabled in the name of Paul Davies. Open the vote. Close the vote. In favour 10, no abstentions, 34 against. That amendment also falls.
Eitem 7. Dadl Plaid Cymru - Setliad Llywodraeth Leol Dros Dro. Gwelliant 2, a gyflwynwyd yn enw Paul Davies.: O blaid: 10, Yn erbyn: 34, Ymatal: 0
Gwrthodwyd y gwelliant
Item 7. Plaid Cymru Debate - Provisional Local Government Settlement. Amendment 2, tabled in the name of Paul Davies.: For: 10, Against: 34, Abstain: 0
Amendment has been rejected
Felly, mae'r gwelliannau a'r cynnig wedi cwympo a dim byd wedi ei dderbyn.
Dyna ddiwedd y pleidleisio, diwedd ein gwaith ni y prynhawn yma, a diwedd y cyfarfod.
So. both the motion and the amendments have not been agreed and nothing is therefore agreed.
That brings voting to an end and brings our proceedings to a close.
Daeth y cyfarfod i ben am 17:27.
The meeting ended at 17:27.