Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
During Plenary on 18 November we debated the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ Annual Report 2013-14. I informed Members of my intention to respond on behalf of the Welsh Government. This response has been published today and is attached below.
The Commissioner has raised issues which are within the portfolios of several Ministers and they have all contributed to this final response. We have responded directly to the key issues raised by the Commissioner and I am pleased with the significant progress we have already made in addressing the vast majority of his calls.
There should be no doubt of this Government’s commitment to children and young people. We want a Wales where Children’s Rights are a reality for each and every child. This is why we place such emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children must be safe, have access to good education, good homes, spaces to play, be respected, have a voice and not be disadvantaged because of poverty or where they live.
I thank the Commissioner for his report and I am sure our response and the progress we have made will reassure him of the importance this Government places on his report and our continued commitment to implementing the UNCRC.
Alongside our response, we are also publishing the Commissioner’s budget estimate as required by the Care Standards Act (2000). The estimate has been laid in the Table Office today and is also attached here:
Children’s Commissioner for Wales Budget estimate for 2015 - 2016