Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

Higher tariffs and standing charges are having a devasting impact on almost half of social housing tenants and a quarter of tenants in the private rented sector using pre-payment meters. Many will be in fuel poverty and will be self-disconnecting. I expect Ofgem to publish self-disconnection data later this year.

Having undertaken the joint consultation with the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive setting out the proposals for the design of the deposit-return scheme, we are working collaboratively on the final scheme design, which we aim to jointly publish before the summer recess. 

Engagement with environmental organisations in Wales is ongoing, including as part of my current biodiversity deep-dive, and will be an essential part of our approach in achieving our ambitions for the global biodiversity framework. We await confirmation of the date of the COP 15 biodiversity conference this year. 

On Monday, I announced plans about the roll-out of the co-operation agreement commitment to deliver universal primary free school meals. From September, children in reception classes will be the first to start receiving a free meal as part of these plans.

My oral statement on 22 March set out my intention to raise attainment and I am committed to ensuring this for every learner, especially our most disadvantaged learners, and have put in place a range of measures to realise this ambition.