Cyfarfod y Grŵp Cynghori ar Hawliau Dynol: 25 Mehefin 2025

• Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt MS (Chair) (CSSJTCW)
• WCVA/Cardiff University Wales Governance Centre, Charles Whitmore (WCVA)
• Swansea University, Professor Simon Hoffman(SU)
• Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales, Elinor Puzey (EHRC)
• Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Anna Mihangel (OPC)
• Office of Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rachel Thomas (CCW)
• NWREN, Professor Robert Moore (NW)
• Oxfam Cymru, Sarah Rees (OX)
• Women Connect First, Menaka Kodur (WC)
• Cytun, Iestyn Davies (CY)
• Independent, Elisabeth Velina Jones (IN)
• Tai Pawb, David Rowlands (TP)
• Cardiff University, Melissa Wood (CU)
• WEN Wales, Victoria Vasey (WW)
• Children in Wales, Sean O’Neill (CIW)
• Children in Wales, Frances Hoey (CIW)
• Children in Wales (Youth Representative), Elizabeth Bartlett (YP)
• Children in Wales (Youth Representative), Harvey Marshall (YP)

Welsh Government officials 

• Deputy Director, Equality and Human Rights, Lorna Hall (WG)
• Head of Human Rights, Katy Benson (WG)
• Human Rights team, Karyn Pittick (WG)
• Human Rights team, Danielle Burdett (WG)
• Human Rights team, Amanda Woodrow (WG) 
• Human Rights team, Stevie Powell (WG)
• Senior Equalities and Inclusion Grants Manager, Javed Alyas (WG)
• Head of Strategic Equality and Mainstreaming, Dan Venables (WG)
• Special Advisor, Jackie Jones (WG)
• Senior Private Secretary, Emma MacAulay-Nolan(WG)
• Senior Disabled People’s Policy Manager, Nina James WG)
• Head of Disabled People’s Inclusion Team, Gill Huws-John (WG)

Apologies

• Cardiff and Vale UHB, Mitchell Jones (CV)
• Cardiff University, Dr Emily Kakoullis (CU)
• Independent, Fran Targett OBE (IN)
• Tai Pawb, Alicja Zalesinska (TP) 
• Children In Wales (Youth Representative), Kadra Sheik (YP)

Legislative Options Working Group (LOWG) update

The Chair of the LOWG provided a progress update on the rights by rights review of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRDP). Stakeholder sessions are expected to be held in the autumn and a final report produced by the end of the year. 

Action: The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip (CSSJTCW) to engage with the Counsel General (CG) about the UK's progress alongside Wales and Scotland and request its discussion in the next bilateral agenda with UK Ministers. 

Welsh Government updates

• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): The UN Committee has made recommendations to the UK Government represented by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The MoJ will uphold human rights and respond within the UN's timeframe. Priority areas for a response by the UK Government within 24 months are: Resource availability, Austerity Measures and Social Security. The UK's eighth periodic report to the UN is due by 31 March 2030.
  • Universal Periodic Review (UPR): In preparation for the 2025 mid-term review, the Welsh Government provided an update to MoJ in May. The MoJ is currently consolidating responses from devolved governments for submission to the UN Commission in August 2025.
  • Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
• Following the August 2024 Geneva session, the UK is required to provide an update by August 2025. Key areas of focus include: Rights to peaceful assembly, Measures against terrorism and Issues related to the Windrush generation. A comprehensive report is anticipated by 2028. The Welsh Government submitted its update to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in June 2025.

Welsh Government’s Strategic Equality and Human Rights Plan 2025 to 2029

• The Welsh Government’s Strategic Equality and Human Rights Plan (2025 to 2029) was approved and published on 16 June 2025 alongside a written statement.
• It integrates all current equality and human rights commitments and supports tailored action plans for specific groups.
• The plan underpins seven national equality objectives, including reducing poverty, protecting human rights, equitable services, tackling discrimination, inclusive participation, fair employment, and climate justice.
• The plan includes a human rights statement of commitments, which was drafted with the help of many HRAG group members and agreed upon in a previous meeting.
• A new integrated equality and human rights impact assessment process will launch later this year to embed these principles in policymaking.
• Progress will be tracked through an annual equality report laid before the Senedd.

Action: CSSJTCW to share this meeting note and questions raised with Welsh Treasury, Budget Financing Group, and the Finance Minister, and update them on the Integrated Impact Assessment review progress. 

Action: WG Officials to keep the group updated on progress of concluding observations and recommendations; these may be of use to the LOWG working group.

Disabled People’s Rights Plan Consultation

• Published in May 2025, it includes a 10-year plan, immediate actions, and a progress report (e.g. I Hate Herts campaign, transport advisory work).
• It focuses on 4 overarching areas: neighbourhoods and places, employment, income and education, independent living, and justice and supporting environments.
• Public consultation is open from 15 May to 7 August 2025, aiming to include as many voices as possible.
• Actions aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled People (UNCRDP) and Wales National Equality Objectives, consultation.
• The Disabled People’s Rights Plan was developed by the Disability Rights Taskforce in response to the Lockdown Report.
• The plan is based on the social model of disability, focusing on societal barriers rather than impairments.
• Consultation is the most accessible to date, with a wide range of formats available (sign language, easy read, Braille, etc.).
• Engagement ongoing with children, young people, and various community groups.
• Progress will be monitored through an evaluation framework and an external advisory Board led by disabled people.
• A new funding stream for social care is being co-designed with disabled people’s organisations.

How the plan benefits children, young people, and disabled individuals: the plan includes actions for children and youth, developed with input from schools and youth groups, and offers a child-friendly version.

The impact of health and housing on equality: health and housing were acknowledged as major barriers; working groups and future actions are planned.

How reserved matters (e.g. Universal Credit, PIP) will be addressed: Welsh Government is engaging UK counterparts on reserved matters and promoting the social model of disability.

Promoting inclusive communication and avoiding exclusion in rights-based messaging: inclusive outreach includes mobile libraries and care homes; the plan is cross-government and rooted in human rights. Emphasis on universal framing to avoid marginalisation and ensure broad public understanding.

Action: WG Officials to share neurodivergent strategy with YP

Action: CSSJTCW to share notes from this meeting with other Ministers at a consultation event hosted by Disability Wales attended by CSSJTCW to demonstrate the progress made. 

Welsh Government’s Equality and Inclusion Grant Scheme

• New grant scheme launching in 2025, administered in-house by Welsh Government.
• Focus on aligning funding with national equality objectives; two strands: innovation grants (min. £40,000) and awareness/engagement grants (£2,000 to £100,000).
• Geographical spread of awards to be monitored to ensure all-Wales coverage.
• Competitive scheme designed to support both large and small organisations, encourage collaboration, and improve transparency.
• Encouraging collaboration and supporting projects that deliver national equality objectives.
• Primary applicants will be third sector organisations.
• The first scheme is for innovative projects to tackle inequality and the second scheme: is for awareness and engagement events with a total funding of £800,000. Grants range from £2,000 to £100,000.
• Application window opens in summer, grants to be issued in autumn.
• Feedback will be gathered to improve future iterations of the scheme.

Will there be a geographic balance to grant awards?  Yes, location will be taken into consideration when awarding grants.

Questions from chat:

• What is the expected start date for successful applicants?
• Why is less than 50% of the funding allocated to delivery ideas and more than 50% to awareness-raising projects?

Action: WG Secretariat to share slides with the group.

Action: WG Secretariat to share contact details of WG Disability team and E and I grants mailbox with the group.

Action: WG Officials to send response to questions in the chat bar.

Next meeting will take place on 24^th September at 10am.