James Evans MS has questioned the Welsh Government on how they plan to improve the lives of care-experienced children in Wales.

In an exchange with the First Minister Vaughan Gething, Mr Evans referenced a report published into care-experienced children during his time on the Children, Young People and Education Committee which recommended areas in which the Welsh Government could legislate in to improve the lives of looked after children across Wales. 

The report put forward nine areas in which the Welsh Government could use legislation to improve young people’s lives. These recommendations came from the young people themselves who took part in the consultation.

Mr Evans asked the First Minister: “On top of what the Government is doing, can you outline anywhere where the Government could potentially legislate in the future to improve the lives of our young people right the way across Wales?”

The First Minister responded by emphasising the Government's receptiveness to reports from scrutiny and policy committees and said the Welsh Government takes reports seriously.

Mr Gething said: "There isn’t a closed mind to what the future can bring, but we have a set period of capacity within the rest of this term: that is both the Bills we have set out in the Government's programme and of course the Bills that I’ve committed to, and the Counsel General, in support of the work of the standards committee."

Highlighting the importance of quality over quantity in legislation, he said: "It’s not the length of the Bill that is the issue; it’s making sure we get things right in the legislation and the guidance that will need to come after that as well."

Mr Gething also said he looked forward to constructively working with Mr Evans on his Mental Health Standards of Care (Wales) bill.

Speaking after the session, Mr Evans said: “During my time with the Children, Young People and Education committee, I was truly privileged to meet so many young people across Wales, especially those who were care-experienced.

“The report that we put forward highlighted nine recommendations on where the Welsh Government could legislate in order to improve the lives of young people across Wales.

“The Welsh Government are yet to outline their plans on this – and I believe this should be a priority of theirs to ensure our looked after children have a bright future after leaving care.”