Paul Davies: First Minister, whilst the COVID pandemic continues to escalate in most parts of Wales, there are still some valid concerns from many across the country about the negative consequences of further restrictions, in particular, as you said earlier, the effect on people's mental health. As my colleague the Member for Aberconwy said earlier, last month, Mind Cymru teamed up with researchers at...
Paul Davies: I'm grateful for that answer, First Minister, and I know that the health Minister confirmed yesterday that nothing, of course, is off the table when it comes to more COVID restrictions over Christmas, and I very much accept and understand that, and I appreciate that you'll be having further discussions with other UK Governments later on this afternoon about the Christmas restrictions as well....
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, as you know, unfortunately, Wales has the highest COVID-19 infection rate in the UK, and eight of the UK's top-10 worst infected areas are currently in Wales, with Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend all in the top three. Naturally, speculation still remains over whether further measures will be introduced and how those restrictions could affect...
Paul Davies: 4. Will the Deputy Minister make a statement on support for the third sector in Wales, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ56024
Paul Davies: That's not true, First Minister, because the fact of the matter is, this side of the Chamber have actually supported the majority of your coronavirus regulations that have actually been tabled since the end of March. So, it's not true to say that we haven't supported your coronavirus regulations on the whole. But what the people of Wales need now, First Minister, is hope: hope at the end of...
Paul Davies: First Minister, we know that infection rates in Wales are 70 per cent higher than when we entered the firebreak in October, and rates have increased by 82 per cent since the end of the firebreak lockdown. Indeed, the fact is that there are now more than 1,800 coronavirus-related patients in hospitals across Wales, which is the highest number since the pandemic began, and it shows that...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, when you announced the firebreak lockdown in October, you said that this was our best chance of regaining control of the virus and avoiding a much longer and much more damaging national lockdown. However, yesterday it was confirmed that Wales was the only part of the UK where figures were not falling at the end of November. First Minister, before considering...
Paul Davies: Can I thank the First Minister for his statement this afternoon? Now, earlier on in First Minister's questions, the First Minister demanded I make it clear that we're in a public health crisis. Well, he's right, we are, but we're also in the middle of an economic crisis too, and an economic crisis that will continue to grow, especially when the Welsh Government decides to partially close...
Paul Davies: First Minister, you've just referred to SAGE, but SAGE said in September that a curfew on bars would have a marginal impact on reducing transmissions. You say there is evidence; well, if there is evidence, publish that evidence so that people can see the results of your proposals. And let's be clear: nowhere else in the UK are hospitality businesses facing these sorts of measures on a...
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, the partial closure of Welsh hospitality is a devastating blow to the sector, and there'll be pubs and restaurants, in areas where transmission rates are low, who will rightly feel upset that their businesses are being put at risk, through no fault of their own, and in areas where there's no evidence that hospitality interaction is leading to an increase in transmission...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, in response to the Welsh Government's announcement that hospitality businesses will not be permitted to sell alcohol, and that they'll have to close their doors at 6 p.m., John Evans, landlord of the Black Boy pub in Caernarfon, has said that, 'It's not fair on those many pubs and restaurants who have followed the rules and done the right thing. 'The loss of...
Paul Davies: Minister, in evidence to the Children, Young People and Education Committee on the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill, Mind Cymru rightly said that the new curriculum provides a unique opportunity to place the mental health of all our young people at the heart of their learning and school experience. Given that the pandemic has also had such an impact on children's mental health, can you...
Paul Davies: Minister, I'm grateful to you for that answer. Now, I continue to receive representations from residents in Lower Town, Fishguard in my constituency regarding road safety in their local community. And despite positive commitments from previous Ministers on this matter, improvements to the A487 in this specific area are still yet to be taken forward. Minister, what assurances can you give the...
Paul Davies: 8. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for strategic investment in Preseli Pembrokeshire? OQ55914
Paul Davies: What is the Welsh Government doing to improve education standards in Pembrokeshire throughout the COVID-19 pandemic?
Paul Davies: Of course, it's not just individuals and families who are keen to know whether there will be any changes in restrictions in Wales. Businesses across Wales will also undoubtedly be anxious at the prospect of further restrictions. The run-up to Christmas is a busy time, of course, for businesses in all sectors, and in the wake of a very difficult year, it's understandable that many will be...
Paul Davies: I take it from that answer, then, First Minister, that you are perhaps looking at the possibility of introducing some sort of tiered system here in Wales. Of course, the tiered approaches in Scotland and England do have a few differences and it's important that the Welsh Government therefore looks at the impact of both sets of tier based restrictions before confirming its approach for...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, yesterday the health Minister confirmed that the Welsh Government is considering tighter COVID restrictions in the run-up to Christmas. Can you confirm what restrictions you are now considering, given that you have already introduced local authority based restrictions, hyperlocal lockdown restrictions, and now national restrictions?
Paul Davies: Thank you for that response, Minister. Figures from Pembrokeshire County Council have shown that, in the last year, from April 2019 to April 2020, a total of 72 per cent of all household waste was recycled, which is 10 per cent more than the previous year. To add to that, one of the council's employees, Amanda Absalom-Lowe of Haverfordwest, has been named by BBC Radio 4 as one of 30 inspiring...
Paul Davies: 5. Will the Minister make a statement on the delivery of local public services in Pembrokeshire? OQ55858
