Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 - gov.wales
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Welsh Government Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 gov.wales
Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 2 Contents Foreword by the First Minister of Wales 3 Prosperous and Secure 4 Healthy and Active 7 Ambitious and Learning 9 United and Connected 12 Shared Challenges and Opportunities 15 Driving Forward Delivery 15
Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 3
Foreword
Taking Wales Forward sets out how this uncertain times and deliver the promise of the
Government will deliver more and better jobs Future Generations Act.
through a stronger, fairer economy, improve and Our work must be guided by financial
reform our public services, and build a united, responsibility and realism. Austerity imposed
connected and sustainable Wales. by the UK Government continues, and every
A critical five years lie ahead. The UK withdrawal objective analysis of the potential impact
from the European Union creates some of Brexit says we should be prepared for a
uncertainty and challenges, but our mandate is shrinking economy. So now, more than ever
clear. The Welsh Government’s relentless focus being in Government means choices and we
will be on driving improvement in our economy will face tough ones. Where we start new
and public services, which are together the programmes to fulfil our pledges, we must stop
bedrock of people’s daily lives. something else to pay for it. That is the new
reality for this Assembly, and every party must
This document outlines our key priorities
adapt to this if they are to play a serious role in
for delivering those improvements. They are
Wales’ future.
ambitious measures aimed at making a
difference for everyone, at every stage in The promises made by the Leave campaign
their lives. in the European Referendum have already
been consigned to the scrapheap, and so it is
Wales in the 21st century is diverse and
for the Welsh Government to prove doubters
complex and our programmes need to reflect
wrong and show once again that our policies
that. We need to support people when they
can deliver, even in changed and more difficult
need it most, and equip services to respond
circumstances.
to challenges, such as an ageing population,
a changing climate, new technologies and Good leadership listens. No one has a
globalisation. A future outside the European monopoly on good ideas. Ours will be an open
Union asks additional questions of what kind of government, receptive to new ideas and willing
country we want to be. To provide stability we to work with others.
will continue our commitment to get the right Together we can build a Wales that is more
settlement for the people of Wales. We must confident, more equal, better skilled and more
work together, to take the whole country resilient. As a country we have punched above
forward and contribute to delivering goals that our weight on the international stage, and
we share. now we are ready to do more. I want to see a
The issues we face can only be tackled through Wales which is prosperous and secure, healthy
new ways of working, including joined up and active, ambitious and learning, united and
programmes which reinforce and build on connected.
what people and communities are doing for This is the Wales we are determined to build
themselves. Taking Wales Forward sets out how over the coming five years.
we will work across traditional boundaries to
deliver our priorities. Four cross-cutting strategies Carwyn Jones
will help us to maximise our impact in these First Minister of WalesTaking Wales Forward 2016-2021 4
Prosperous We will provide the support that people need
to access those jobs. Better schools and better
and Secure skills have never been so important for our
young people and the future of the economy.
Through better education and providing skills
Prosperity brings security to individuals, families for life we can help to break the cycle of
and communities. Our aim is better jobs, disadvantage and inequality over the longer
closer to home. We want work and secure term. Our commitment is to offer the skills and
housing for all, supported by sustainable experiences people need to thrive and prosper
growth in our businesses. in our times.
Our ambitions will be shaped by the challenges Getting people into employment and sustaining
we face. These include ongoing austerity, jobs is not just about increasing skills. We will
UK withdrawal from the EU, globalisation, improve workforce health, including mental ill
technological innovation, climate change and health, through ensuring that health services
an ageing population. This Government will support people throughout their working life.
focus on effective interventions which deliver We are offering a better deal on childcare
greater financial security for businesses and to remove barriers to secure employment.
individuals to build growth and prosperity. We want to help those who want to work,
We will foster the conditions needed to allow or start a business, but are currently constrained
businesses to thrive and to create and retain by childcare pressures.
high quality jobs in Wales. We will promote We will make significant investment in
manufacturing as a key sector for growth in transport right around Wales to ensure that
the Welsh economy. We will reduce burdens on people can travel easily to jobs and so that
business and stimulate innovation and growth, businesses can trade smoothly.
working with our universities and colleges.
We will build infrastructure to keep Wales
Supporting Business
moving and connect people with jobs, housing
and leisure. • Deliver a tax cut, meaning smaller bills for
70,000 businesses and reducing business
Over recent years Wales has raised its profile rates bills to zero for half of all eligible firms.
globally as a first-class place to invest,
• Create a Wales Development Bank.
do business, visit, study, and to live. We have
built a global reputation for sustainable • Drive forward inward investment, innovation
development. Building on record levels of and the creation of new jobs through a
inward investment we will constantly seek new Business Accelerator Scheme for home-
markets and investors from around the world, grown businesses with global potential
and promote Wales as an active international designed to improve marketing, advertising,
partner. networking and skills investment.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 5
• Promote tech hubs, especially in towns • Establish a Ministerial Taskforce for
and cities where there are colleges and the valleys.
universities. • Deliver the Cardiff City Region Deal
• Provide tailored support for co-operatives and develop a similar deal for Swansea,
and mutuals. and Growth Deal for North Wales.
• Promote Green Growth to create sustainable • Carry forward our work on financial
jobs for the future. inclusion, including support for advice
• Support the development of our successful services and credit unions.
Creative Industries and Tourism businesses
and build on our record of success in hosting Housing
major cultural, sporting, business and other • Work in partnership to deliver an extra
events. 20,000 affordable homes in the next term,
• Promote Wales for investment from within including supporting construction of more
the UK and around the world, while helping than 6,000 homes through the Help to
to stimulate exports to new and existing Buy scheme.
markets. • Introduce a new ‘Rent to Own’ housing
model.
Childcare • Explore options to end land banking.
• Create the most generous childcare offer • Continue long term collaboration with house
anywhere in the UK: 30 hours free childcare builders to deliver accelerated rates of house
a week for working parents of three and building.
four year olds, 48 weeks of the year.
Successful, Sustainable Rural
Prosperity for All Communities
• Create a minimum of 100,000 high quality all • Work with partners to secure a prosperous
age apprenticeships. future for Welsh agriculture, building on
• Reshape employability support for job‑ready our early engagement following the EU
individuals, and those furthest from the referendum.
labour market, to acquire the skills and • Support Welsh agriculture by introducing
experience to gain and maintain sustainable a small grants scheme in the rural
employment. development plan.
• Pilot a Better Jobs Closer to Home project, • Support the work of the Agricultural Advisory
designed to create employment and training Panel for Wales to ensure a decently paid,
hubs in areas of high economic deprivation. committed and well-trained workforce.
• Continue to improve our procurement policy • Support community-led projects,
to bring economic, social and community promote skills development, job creation,
benefits to Wales. entrepreneurship, community energy,
rural transport and broadband access.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 6
• Safeguard social housing in rural Environment
communities by ending Right to Buy and • Make progress towards our goal of reducing
continuing to support the work of Rural our greenhouse emissions by at least 80% by
Housing Enablers. 2050 and continue our work to protect and
enhance biodiversity and local ecosystems.
Community Safety and Tackling
• Further our lead over other nations in
Extremism
recycling and minimising landfill.
• Build on the provisions of our Violence
• Support the development of more renewable
against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual
energy projects, including tidal lagoons and
Violence Act (VAWDASV).
community energy schemes.
• Work with our Police & Crime Commissioners
• Invest in the skills required for the green
and other partners on issues including
economy, and promote green growth and
VAWDASV and cyber security and crime.
innovation.
• Work with UK Government to tackle
• Continue to invest in flood defence work and
extremism, and with partners across Wales to
take further action to better manage water in
help combat extremism and ensure security.
our environment.
• Encourage closer joint working between
• Continue our opposition to fracking,
emergency services.
based on evidence.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 7
Healthy We aim to help children and young people
to develop healthy behaviours through their
and Active formative years. Education is our greatest
longer term lever for improving the life
chances of young people. Ensuring young
people reach key developmental milestones
Good health underpins all of our ambitions
is fundamental not only to attainment and
for Wales. We are committed to helping
occupational outcomes, but wider adult health
improve health and well-being for all. Living
and well‑being.
healthy lives allows us to fulfil our potential,
meet our educational aspirations and play a We will promote healthy lifestyles and choices
full part in the economy and society of Wales. through interventions on preventing ill health
Our ambition is to embed healthy living and encouraging more activity for general
throughout our programmes and to place a well‑being throughout life. We will tackle
focus on health at the heart of everything that obesity. We will help develop stronger support
we do. for mental illness.
An ageing, growing and changing population Through supporting people into sustainable
is increasing demand and costs of healthcare. employment and tackling mental ill health in
There is still too big a gap between the health the workplace we are broadening the impacts
of the richest and poorest in our communities. of jobs and growth to offer the support
These challenges require a range of responses people need.
from birth through to old age maximising
We take a positive view of the vital contribution
health and well-being throughout life.
older people make to society, including the
We remain committed to the founding provision of care. As people live longer we will
principles of the NHS, healthcare free and work with communities to support the ageing
accessible to all at the point of need. We will population to stay well into later life.
protect and improve the Welsh NHS over the
next five years and ensure it develops effectively
Improving our Healthcare Services
to meet future needs.
• Introduce a New Treatment Fund to give
However, the NHS needs to reflect the needs of people in Wales fast access to new and
our modern society, with closer links between innovative treatments and work to end the
health and social services, strengthened postcode lottery for drugs and treatments
community provision and better organisation not routinely available on the NHS.
of general hospital and specialised services.
• Continue to improve access to GP surgeries,
We will move more care and services from
making it easier to get an appointment.
hospitals into communities, supported by
integrated and sustainable Health and Care • Invest in community pharmacies to take
Services capable of meeting current demand pressure off our GP surgeries.
and future need. We will deliver timely care and
treatment to patients when they need it.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 8
• Seek to establish a Parliamentary Review into • Continue to promote exercise and good
the long-term future of Health and Social nutrition, reduce excessive alcohol
Care in Wales. consumption and cut smoking rates in Wales
• Increase investment in facilities to reduce to 16% by 2020.
waiting times and exploit digital technologies • Introduce a new Wales Well-being Bond
to help speed up the diagnosis of illness. aimed at improving mental and physical
• Invest in a new generation of integrated health and to reduce sedentary lifestyles, poor
health and social services centres alongside nutrition and excessive alcohol consumption.
the transformation of our hospital estate.
Mental Health and Well-being
Our Healthcare Staff • Prioritise mental health treatment, support,
• Take action to attract and train more GPs, prevention and de-escalation, including a pilot
nurses and other health professionals Social Prescription scheme and increase access
across Wales. to talking therapies.
• Ensure more nurses, in more settings, • Work with schools, employers and other
through an extended nurse staffing partners to improve well-being and promote
levels law. better emotional health.
• Invest in training NHS staff and create a • Work to ensure that mental health
single body to commission and provide discrimination is ended.
training and education for all healthcare
professionals, especially the primary care Care and Older People
workforce to support the work of GPs. • More than double the capital people can keep
• Work to ensure good industrial relations in when entering residential care to £50,000.
the interests of staff and patients. • Ensure our ground-breaking social services
legislation is fully implemented and all the
Healthy and Active benefits are realised.
• Introduce a new public health bill. • Retain the Intermediate Care Fund.
• Implement the Healthy Child Wales • Take further action to make Wales a dementia
programme to ensure consistent delivery of friendly country through developing and
universal health services up to age seven. implementing a new national dementia plan.
• Work with schools to promote children and • Develop a nationwide and cross-government
young people’s activity and awareness of the strategy to address loneliness and isolation.
importance of healthy lifestyle choices.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 9
Ambitious and A vibrant further and higher education sector
is vital to our vision – educating people and
Learning supporting businesses and universities in
their pursuit of innovation. Our universities,
now more than ever, have opportunities
Our future prosperity and stability depends on and responsibilities as local, national and
the skills and values of the people of Wales. international institutions.
Education has a fundamental role to play in Underpinning all of our work is a belief that
personal fulfilment, community development someone’s ability to benefit from education
and wealth creation. Everyone deserves the should not be determined by where they live or
opportunity to achieve their potential and we what their income is. We will continue our drive
believe that education changes lives and drives to reduce inequalities and remove barriers to
economic growth. It will build the workforce education.
that we need to deliver the public services that
are at the heart of our ambitions for Wales and
Best Start for Children
help us to break the cycle of disadvantage and
inequality over the longer term. • Continue and develop our positive parenting
programmes.
We want to create conditions to give every
• Support families and parents to reduce
child the best start in life. We recognise the
adverse childhood experiences which can
vital importance of the first 1,000 days in
have lifelong effects.
every child’s life, including a safe, warm home,
a foundation for reading skills and good health. • Continue our innovative Flying Start
intervention programme.
Our education reforms focus on raising
• Maintain our commitment to the
standards, closing the attainment gap
Foundation Phase.
between the poorest pupils and their peers,
and promoting strong leadership and • Ensure every child gets the best start in life
co‑operation. through an extended Pupil Deprivation Grant.
• Seek cross party support for legislation to end
We will continue to transform the education
the defence of “Reasonable Punishment”.
and skills sector through supporting, and
expecting, teachers and educators to develop
their skills and improving buildings in which
children and students learn. In partnership,
we will work with parents, teachers, students
and education institutions to embrace the
challenges ahead. We are ambitious in our
shared commitment to a dynamic future for all
of our youngest citizens.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 10
Looked After Children Schools’ Workforce
• Examine ways of ensuring children in care • Incentivise, recognise and promote teaching
enjoy the same life chances as other children excellence so that we raise standards
and if necessary reform the way they are across the board, and develop training and
looked after. opportunities for teachers and the broader
• Work to reduce unnecessary use of care, education workforce.
building on the work of the Integrated Family • Develop a new model for the employment
Support Service to work with and support and development of supply teachers
the most vulnerable children and families in Wales.
in Wales. • Review the impact of current policy on
surplus school places, with emphasis on rural
Standards in Schools schools, to better take account of future
• Invest an additional £100 million to drive up growth trends.
school standards over the next term. • Reshape Welsh teaching in our schools to
• Extend the Pupil Offer developed in our enable young people to utilise their Welsh
Challenge Schools to continue to close the language skills in wider society.
attainment gap.
• Continue to develop a new curriculum Digital Inclusion
to ensure young people have the skills, • Prioritise schools’ access to super-fast
knowledge and experiences they need to broadband within the national programme.
help develop the creativity and broader • Support the roll-out of digital competence in
understanding of the world needed to be our schools and develop coding skills in our
confident, rounded and outward looking. young people.
• Reduce infant class sizes.
• Invest nearly £2 billion in new and Further and Higher Education
refurbished schools, community schools and • Prioritise support for enhanced links between
college buildings by 2024. education and industry, enabling innovation
• Pilot a new model of Community Learning and entrepreneurship across our public and
Centres providing extended services with private sectors in collaboration with our
childcare, parenting support, family learning universities and colleges.
and community access to facilities built • Promote and enhance both academic
around the school day. and vocational routes into and through
• Legislate for a new system of Additional further and higher education, and the
Learning Needs support. national, international and civic roles of our
educational institutions. This includes both
full and part-time opportunities that will
benefit learners of all ages, employers and
communities.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 11 • Develop closer links between universities and • Offer the best package of student schools to strengthen our widening access support available in the UK based on the work and support more of our looked after recommendations of the Diamond Review, children to get into university. with a view to early implementation where • Better utilise our existing relationships with appropriate, and without negative effect on Welsh universities to help sell Wales to the the higher education budget. world following the Brexit vote – and work • Explore potential expansion of the remit of with the sector to ensure protection for the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol to include students, and important research grants. further education. • Consult further on the specific • Maintain the successful Wales Union recommendations of the Hazelkorn review, Learning Fund. including the funding, regulation and governance arrangements for further and higher education.
Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 12
United and We need to go digital-first in our delivery of
government services. We will lead by example,
Connected by challenging the health service and education
sector to utilise every opportunity the digital
age presents.
Wales is engaged and connected to the wider Our ambition for unity is framed by cultural
world. We contribute to that world and are and democratic structures. We want to see the
in turn shaped and influenced by it. The UK Welsh language used more extensively and for
withdrawal from the European Union means the numbers who speak it to grow. Culture is
we must work harder and more actively to give the soul of Wales and we aim to help nourish
substance to our outward-looking character. and support it. International links are key to
We have seen significant technological promoting tourism and culture.
advances over the last decade, which provide us Wales’ reach goes far beyond our borders.
with more opportunities than ever to connect This Government is outward facing and will
within and beyond Wales. These cannot replace help position Wales as an internationally
the importance of strong communities and focussed, ambitious country. We will seek
transport connections, but they do provide us investment and trade opportunities around the
with additional opportunities to deliver a united globe. Where Wales has a voice on issues that
Wales and to extend our reach. concern us, we will use it. We will continue
We will continue to build a united and to foster international links in higher and
connected society, where everyone is respected further education and to promote and share
and valued. Our people will be supported by international best practice in healthcare.
sustainable services which meet the needs of
today while preparing to face the challenges National Infrastructure Commission
of the future. We will continue to invest in • Establish a National Infrastructure
infrastructure to boost the economy and Commission to provide increased certainty
communities of Wales and to connect all parts and sustainability for investment in
of Wales. the future.
We will support people and communities from • Work alongside the UK National
birth through to old age. We are committed to Infrastructure Commission to ensure key
delivering the reforms needed to ensure that investment decisions recognise the needs
our public services are resilient and meet future of Wales.
needs. Our education reforms will change lives
and drive economic growth. We will focus on
economic interventions which deliver greater
financial security for businesses and individuals.
We will build a social model of health and
social care which better matches local needs
and services.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 13
Transport • Reform local government funding to make
• Deliver an M4 relief road, and improvements councils more sustainable and self-sufficient
to the A55, the A40 in West Wales and other using the findings of the independent
trunk roads. commission on local government finance and
Welsh Government’s Finance Futures Panel.
• Create a South Wales Metro and advance the
development of a North Wales Metro system. • Work with local government to review
council tax to make it fairer so that people
• Develop a new, not-for-profit, rail franchise
with low and moderately valued properties
and deliver a more effective network of bus
pay less than they do now.
services once powers have been devolved.
• Ensure seamless ticketing arrangements and Community Assets
improved marketing as part of the new travel
• Develop a 'Made in Wales' approach
arrangements for Wales.
reflecting Welsh needs and aspirations.
• Ensure better access to active travel for all.
• Work with communities to protect local
facilities that bring people together, including
Digital Connectivity
pubs, libraries, museums, arts centres and
• Bring people together digitally by offering leisure centres.
fast reliable broadband to every property
• Maintain a policy of free access to the
in Wales.
National Museums.
• Aim to help 95% of people gain at least the
• Introduce measures to prevent unnecessary
basic digital skills needed for the 21st century
closures and to help communities take
by 2021.
ownership of community assets where
appropriate.
Local Government
• Build a shared understanding of the A Fair Society
challenges facing local government and
• Repeal sections of the UK Government’s
wider public services, and on the need for
Trades Union legislation in devolved areas.
innovation, to develop a wider conversation
about the reform needed, the models and • Take further action on the living wage,
pace of delivery and the pace of change. limit the use of zero hours contracts and
tackle other rogue and bad practices.
• Change the relationship between
Welsh Government, WLGA and local • Implement the two-tier code
government, slash numbers of performance comprehensively.
indicators we collect, cut guidance and • Continue our work with all protected
reform external audit and inspection. groups to counter discrimination and ensure
• Provide funding to put in place a floor for opportunities for all.
future local government settlements.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 14
• Work to ensure that membership of our Armed Forces
democratic bodies better reflect the whole of • Provide support and services in line with our
society and improve equal representation on Armed Forces Covenant.
elected bodies and public sector boards.
• Work with key partners in Wales to promote
• Support votes at 16, take action to maximise best practice in identifying the Armed Forces
voter registration and explore how digital Community, whilst improving sign-posting
technology can enhance voter participation. and take-up of services.
• Provide the funding to deliver the refreshed • Ensure our veterans continue to receive
Autistic Spectrum Action Plan, including an healthcare that meets their needs and
all-age autism service for Wales. maintain the valuable national Veterans
NHS Wales service, which provides access to
Welsh Language evidence-based treatments for veterans with
• Work towards one million people speaking mental health problems.
the Welsh language by 2050.
• Continue to invest in encouraging more Volunteering & Third Sector
people to use and speak Welsh in their • Work with partners across all sectors to
everyday lives. identify more opportunities for people to
• Amend the Welsh Language Measure so that volunteer.
business and others can invest in promoting • Renew our relationship with the Third Sector
the use of the Welsh language and establish in order to generate maximum potential for
a Language Usage Fund. volunteering.
• Work with lottery distributors to investigate
the creation of a large scale sustainability
fund for voluntary organisations to grow and
succeed.Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021 15
Shared Our four cross-cutting strategies will set out in
more detail the interdependent actions we will
Challenges and take to shape future economic opportunities,
strengthen communities, enable people to
Opportunities develop new skills and live healthy and fulfilling
lives, improve access to housing and increase
the quality and resilience of our natural
Our Future Generations Act has enshrined in environment. Just as we do not have the
law our commitment to develop policy and monopoly on good ideas, we cannot deliver our
make decisions in ways that will maximise our agenda alone. We will work across the public
impact on the long-term good of our country. sector and with communities to deliver the
This document sets out the steps that will Wales we want.
help us move towards a prosperous, resilient,
healthier and more equal future. A Wales that
will be globally responsible, with cohesive
communities, a vibrant culture and a thriving
Welsh language.
Driving Forward The challenges that we face as a nation are
complicated and inter-related and require
Delivery us all to play our part. It is only through
embracing a more inclusive way of working
that we can hope to deliver our ambitions for
We are embracing an ambitious agenda for Wales. The Future Generations Act presents
Wales. There are many achievements on an opportunity to work differently and engage
which to build, however the clear message is with others to develop innovative solutions to
that we want to deliver more and better jobs, the challenges that we face.
we want to support people to take up these We already punch above our weight in the
opportunities, to live healthy, fulfilling lives. world, and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU
Our agenda can only be delivered through a only means that we must work still harder and
relentless focus on driving improvement in our do even more. We know that major challenges
economy and public services. lie ahead and Taking Wales Forward gives
Taking Wales Forward sets out the four areas us a framework for tackling the future with
where we can have the biggest impact and confidence, energy and clarity.
the headline actions we will take. This is the
beginning of our work over the next five years.
Our forthcoming Budget will align resources to
our priorities. Our four strategies will consider
how we can maximise the impact of everything
that we do.Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This document is also available in Welsh. © Crown Copyright 2016, Welsh Government WG29234
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