In reviewing how the Welsh Government monitors the value for money and effectiveness of spending on legislation, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has urged the devolved administration to divert funds earmarked for the implementation of the Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment to support the roll-out of mental health services for young people.
A recent Freedom of Information reply that was obtained by her office confirmed that the Welsh Government spent £1,650,098 on the development and introduction of the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 between May 2016 and the 4 January 2022.
The Explanatory Memorandum for Bill stated that the preferred option, to legislate to remove the defence of reasonable punishment in Wales, would cost a total of between six and eight million pounds.
Commenting outside of the Siambr, Janet said:
“I am very much opposed to bringing in unnecessary legislation. Therefore, I find it plainly unacceptable that over one and half million pounds of taxpayers’ money has been ploughed into this redundant intervention that disregards the protections already in place in a manner that intrudes excessively on family life.
“Section one of this Act comes into force in March. But, since the legislation received Royal Assent, our nation has been hit by Covid-19. The impact on children’s mental health has been severe, and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales has had to speak up about the fact that there are no suitable places for young people in mental health crisis.
“Given the concerns that there are currently no dedicated mental health crisis centres in Wales for young people, I have today asked the Minister for Finance to cooperate with the Deputy Minister for Social Services to review the effectiveness of the spend on this Act and look to divert some of that funding to frontline mental health services for those in need.
“We have to prioritise support for those children who, through no fault of their own, are suffering because of the response to the pandemic.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
