November in the Senedd

A round up of our extensive influencing and impact in the Senedd in November

Poverty: Debt

The Bevan Foundation’s work on debt continues to have a significant impact at the Senedd. On Monday November the 15^th the Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee published the findings of its inquiry into debt in Wales. The Foundation’s Debt in the pandemic report, alongside it’s written, and oral evidence were referenced several times.

The Committee made 14 recommendations, many of which reflected the Bevan Foundation’s own suggestions including extending the Tenancy Hardship Grant to the Social Housing sector, the retaining DAF flexibilities on a permanent basis and the undertaking of a broader review of DAF.

The Foundation’s work on debt also continues to be cited in plenary. On November 24^th Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell said:

The Bevan Foundation, interestingly, noted recently that 10 per cent of households in Wales were behind in terms of paying their bills, and StepChange has said that 21 per cent of the population of Wales is facing financial difficulties.

Responding, the Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt MS praised the Foundation’s work on debt and its broader activities:

So, partnership, but that partnership happens with the third sector, it happens between local government and the health boards, and it happens with those campaigning organisations and those research and policy think tanks, like the Bevan Foundation, who guide us so much in our policy making.

Economy: Foundation Economy

The Bevan Foundation’s recent work on the Foundational Economy in the south Wales Valleys also drew attention in the Senedd this month.

Speaking in the Senedd on November 9^th, Conservative MS, Paul Davies cited our work during a question to the Economy Minister Vaughan Gething MS.

The Minister may be aware of the report published by the Bevan Foundation last year, which focused on the capacity and potential of businesses in three communities in the south Wales Valleys: Treharris in Merthyr Tydfil, Treherbert in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Cwmafan in Neath Port Talbot. That report found that support needs to be targeted to microfirms with much more effective communications and networks between businesses themselves and between business, local government and indeed Welsh Government. And so I hope the Minister will take the opportunity today to tell us more about how the Welsh Government is strengthening its communication and networks with businesses, particularly in those areas where local economies are weak.

Speaking at the same debate, Plaid Cymru MS, Luke Fletcher also made extensive reference to our research.

Poverty: Free School Meals

The Bevan Foundation were delighted when earlier in November it emerged that the Labour/ Plaid Cymru Co-operation Agreement included a pledge to roll out Free School Meals to all primary school pupils in Wales within the next three years. Speaking in the Senedd during questions to the First Minister on November 30^th, Plaid Cymru MS, Sioned Williams paid tribute to the work of the Bevan Foundation in securing this reform.

Since being elected, I and others in Plaid Cymru have questioned the First Minister on expanding free school meals many times in this place. And anti-poverty groups, such as the Bevan Foundation, have been campaigning hard for this.