Rhianon Passmore: Firstly, I want to thank Plaid Cymru for bringing this debate to the Senedd today on this critically important subject. I wish to start, if I may, by thanking the leadership and the determined efforts of Welsh Government, and, in my own area, Caerphilly council, in providing an innovative local free-school-meal provision. Free school meals have never been more desperately needed by so many...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. Fly-tipping costs Caerphilly County Borough Council hundreds of thousands of pounds, with the majority of rubbish being dumped in areas of open land, such as the historic Twmbarlwm in my constituency of Islwyn. Not only is there a financial cost to pay, but there is untold cost to the beautiful natural landscapes of Islwyn. Minister, earlier this year the...
Rhianon Passmore: 8. What action is the Welsh Government undertaking to address fly-tipping in remote rural locations in Islwyn? OQ56061
Rhianon Passmore: What is the Welsh Government doing to increase the supply of social and affordable housing throughout the communities of Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for the statement, Counsel General. A hearing of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee earlier this month was told that 61 per cent of exports from Wales go to the EU, compared with 43 per cent of all UK exports. Wales also has a high proportion of industries that are expected to face high tariffs if no deal is reached, and to name a few: automotive, dairy, meat and aerospace. The...
Rhianon Passmore: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the factors that could hinder the relationship between Wales and Europe in 2021?
Rhianon Passmore: The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has already alerted us, as Members of the Senedd, on 1 December, that scientific and medical experts have clearly stated—and I'll repeat—that, by 12 January, the total number of people with COVID in hospital could rise to 2,200 unless we respond now. The First Minister added that there could be between 1,000 and 1,700 preventable deaths over...
Rhianon Passmore: The Welsh Labour Government has long been in the vanguard of transforming public transport in Islwyn. In 2008, the Welsh Labour Government reopened the Ebbw Vale to Cardiff passenger railway service that services the communities of Islwyn at Crosskeys, Newbridge. and Risca and Pontymister. It has proven to be one of the great transport success stories of devolution in Wales, so I am glad to...
Rhianon Passmore: 5. What impact will the recommendations of the report One Region, One Network, One Ticket by the South East Wales Transport Commissioner have on rail services in Islwyn? OQ56017
Rhianon Passmore: [Inaudible.]—Islwyn, working within a holistic apprenticeship, education and training skills drive. So, my question, Minister: what actions will the Welsh Government and the Valleys taskforce consider to ensure even better integration between the communities of Islwyn and one of the natural wonders of Wales? And what actions can the Valleys taskforce take to exploit Islwyn's cultural...
Rhianon Passmore: I've long campaigned for the beautiful Cwmcarn forest drive to be restored for the people of Wales and the world to enjoy. It's a place where I had my only holidays as a small child and where my father has painted since he was a child. So, its revival also, though, is due to the hugely dedicated people of Islwyn, who have campaigned for its restoration over many years now. It's also because...
Rhianon Passmore: This important report by the Senedd/Welsh Parliament's committee is as important as it is timely. The urgent matters affecting our globe remain with us, in addition to and not outside the COVID, and the climate emergency remains with us. Carbon cuts need to happen, and they need to happen rapidly. Again a dire warning has come from the United Nations, and the United Nations Secretary General,...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, thank you for the statement and also the measured and stoic way that you and your Cabinet are leading Wales through this pandemic. They say it's always darkest before the dawn and we do face now a season of Advent without parallel in peacetime. And as has been said, from Friday 4 December, Welsh pubs, restaurants and cafes will close by 6 p.m., although you can still meet. And...
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer is now announcing the UK Tory Government's spending plans for the coming year, with the very delayed comprehensive spending review. It is disappointing, when we are seeking security and longer term planning across inter-governmental agencies and local government during this time, that this is still a one-year plan. And, of course, the Welsh...
Rhianon Passmore: I wish to request a statement from the Welsh Government on the planning process, timescales and approach towards a limited and phased restart strategy for performance and arts venues across Wales, but to note that scientific research and critical safe operating mitigating frameworks are now in place across the UK and internationally, that we in Wales have opened and are operating cinemas and...
Rhianon Passmore: What action has the Welsh Government taken to ameliorate the incidence of rough sleeping in Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: On this Armistice Day we mark the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives so that we today can live our lives free from tyranny, racism and fascism. We will not forget all those who have died in the call of serving their country or those who have been impacted in so many ways still today in war and conflict. We will also not forget the millions of Jewish families—children and...
Rhianon Passmore: Sorry, Llywydd—can you hear me?
Rhianon Passmore: I'm having internet difficulties. I welcome, of course, the work of the committee, the Chair, and also, hopefully, the response from the Minister, Dafydd Elis-Thomas. As Members of the Senedd will know, the value of the live music industry across Wales, in all its genres, is £5.2 billion across the UK, and its equivalency in Wales is of equal importance to both Wales's creativity...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. The risk of the UK leaving the transition period without a deal on our future relationship with the EU is very real, as acknowledged. All credible evidence suggests that there will be significant adverse economic consequences of any such abrupt and drastic change to our trading relationship within the EU. So, Minister, what assessment has the Welsh Government made of the potential...
