In the Senedd, November 2024

The Bevan Foundation continued to inform Senedd debate across a range of areas in November 2024.

Housing

In a question to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government on the funding allocation to affordable houses in Wales, Mark Isherwood MS mentions that the Bevan Foundation has stated that the delivery of new social homes is lagging behind Welsh Government’s aspirations as well and the reality of growing demand.  

Fuel Poverty 

In a Plenary session on 20 November, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt MS, mentioned the Bevan Foundation’s recent report on fuel poverty in response to a question from Sioned Williams MS on the level of protection and advice after energy efficiency levels are installed in people’s homes: 

The Bevan Foundation did a very good report recently that actually encouraged people to approach their energy suppliers, because they can help with energy bills, but also, consistently, and I’ve raised this with the Ministers, I’ve been asking for a social tariff, which I think would help customers.

The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed this message in Plenary on 26 November: 

It is crucial also that we influence energy suppliers-I met with energy suppliers recently- to say to them they need to do all they can to support their customers through this difficult time. They can do this with fair and affordable payment plans and emergency support, and many of them are investing in that way. And in fact, the Bevan Foundation has encouraged customers to engage with their energy suppliers in this way.

Fuel poverty 

Another recent Bevan Foundation publication that drew the attention of Senedd Members during October was our work on the help that is made available for people who are struggling with their energy bills. Responding to a question by Jane Dodds MS the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt MS stated:

I was very thankful to the Bevan Foundation, who did some work on this and actually identified that energy suppliers can play a key role. They can support their customers through this very difficult time with fair and affordable payment plans and emergency support where required. So, I’ll be meeting with them as well, in fact, later this week.

Cost-of-living

In the Questions to the First Minister session on the cost-of-living crisis on 12 November, John Griffiths MS mentioned the Bevan Foundation’s Snapshot of Poverty report, that found that one in seven people across Wales are often or always struggling to afford the essentials.  

Access to Justice 

The Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee on 18th November noted two editions of the Bevan Foundation’s Experiences of Justice: seeking legal help for immigration and asylum in Wales report series.