10. Will the Minister make a statement on the scale of problem debt faced by families in Wales? OAQ(4)0222(CTP)
Janet Finch-Saunders:Perhaps I can just advise the Member that, as a result of the UK Government’s welfare reforms, universal credit will see £22 million put back into our families in Wales over the next 12 months. However, according to StepChange Wales, the scale of problem debt facing families is increasing, as the Member rightly pointed out. Rent arrears and council tax arrears have gone up from 19% to 29%, and energy arrears, and an average pay-day loan for a family in Wales is £1,335. Too often, though, there is an assumption that this is largely due to a lack of income, yet many of the debt arrears are for services attracting funding provision. Sadly, not enough is done in terms of education, budget planning, financial management and learning to save for a rainy day. Forthcoming Bills include a Bill on financial literacy brought forward by Bethan Jenkins AM, and I believe that this is a positive move for your Government to embed these principles of prudence for these families. Will you support this Bill?
Lesley Griffiths:I had a meeting just this morning with Bethan Jenkins, who is not in the Chamber, who is very passionate about this Bill. We are working our way through it. Perhaps you will not be aware of the way that the Government works, but this thing has to be worked through in stages. I have had two meetings—it is only week 2 in post for me, but I have had two meetings with Bethan Jenkins about this Bill.