(Title Image: legalnewswales.com)
Here are this afternoon’s questions without notice to Mental Health, Wellbeing & Welsh Language Minister, Eluned Morgan (Lab, Mid & West Wales).
Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid, Arfon) asked for an update on any legal steps the Welsh Government were taking in response to the Administrative Court’s adjudication against Rhondda Cynon Taf’s proposals for school reorganisation in the county (Driver vs RCT Council). How will the government inform public bodies of the precedents arising from that ruling?
The Minister confirmed the Welsh Government wasn’t taking a formal position on the ruling.
Local government is required to consider the need to strengthen their Welsh-medium education offer. She accepted a lot needs to be done when it comes to teaching Welsh as a second language too, with discussions held with the National Centre for Learning Welsh – particularly their experience with online learning.
Shadow Minister for Equalities & Young People, Laura Anne Jones MS (Con, South Wales East), raised the issue of mental health within small businesses. Owners have been put through so much recently having stepped up to the plate to provide Covid-safe services, only to be battered again through new restrictions.
From correspondence, it was clear there are high levels of anxiety and depression amongst small business owners. What action was the Welsh Government taking to reach out to business owners to ensure they get the mental health support they need?
The Minister told the Senedd she was “intensely aware” of the mental health situation and the need to think of business owners – who have put money and their livelihoods on the line – as well as the employees.
There have already been discussions concerning the tourism industry on whether a sector-specific programme needs to be put in place, but there was also a need for men, in particular, to be made aware of the mental health services which are available.
