Luke Fletcher: And of course the Bevan Foundation has also promoted the benefits of a foundational economy for Welsh workers and businesses. The previous deputy economy Minister, Lee Waters, acknowledged issues of fair work, low pay, and lack of employee organisation in the foundational economy back in 2019, and a report from the Bevan Foundation in June 2021 still highlights how these issues are widespread...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Weinidog. Looking ahead, beyond the short to medium term recovery and to that longer term strategy for recovery, one way we can ensure prosperity for local communities in Wales is through supporting community co-operatives, social enterprises and the Welsh foundational economy. The pandemic has highlighted that a strong and supported foundational economy is crucial. In some areas of...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. And as we come out on the other side, now, of a busy tourism season, we should take this chance to reflect and work out how we can in future best promote Wales as a top-quality and sustainable tourism destination. I'm sure the Llywydd will be glad to hear that I spent some of my time in Ceredigion over the summer, and I'm sure the Minister, of course, will agree that areas...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As Plaid Cymru made clear in the debate on this topic before recess, Westminster’s levelling-up agenda has so far meant more powers for Westminster, more money for Tory seats, and less democracy, funding and representation for Wales. We deserve better than this, and our amendments, of course, reflected that. During that debate we sought to make explicit points...
Luke Fletcher: Could I ask for a statement on the learner transport review, please, Trefnydd? According to the Welsh Government's own website, it was indicated that the review was due to be published in March of this year. However, colleagues in local government have told me that they have been advised that the review is delayed and will be delivered within the life of this Government. Meanwhile, in my...
Luke Fletcher: Well, I thank Gareth for that point, and I'm glad that he actually raised it because we already have examples of services that run seven days a week, which use things called rotas—restaurants, for example. The restaurant that I worked in, Jamie's Italian, was open seven days a week, but I wasn't working seven days. I was rota-ed on to work certain days. So, I hope that would address the...
Luke Fletcher: Yes, of course, go for it.
Luke Fletcher: Well, I am glad to hear that there are some businesses that are looking to go down this route, but the reality is that not all businesses are offering the exact same sort of benefits. It is incumbent, I think, on Government to mandate a four-day work week. In many ways, as well, and I will reference something that was discussed earlier—I can't remember which of my Conservative colleagues...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. I’d like to thank Members and, of course, the Deputy Minister for their contributions today. I have to say that I worry that we might miss an opportunity here. I note the Government's amendment removes the call for a pilot here in Wales, and I appreciate what the Deputy Minister has just said in terms of backing an evidence-based approach. Well, I would say one way of...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that, Joel. I was just wondering if Joel would agree with me that at the time when they were looking to implement a weekend and paid holidays, there were probably similar people saying exactly the same as you are—that's it's unrealistic and unattainable.
Luke Fletcher: Yes, of course, Tom.
Luke Fletcher: Well, of course, I was just about to move on to the Icelandic model. But, of course, there are other ways of doing it, and he's correct to point to some of the disadvantages with the Spanish model. But, if we look at the Icelandic trial, we see there workers being paid the same amount for shorter hours, and also see productivity as well remain the same or improve in the majority of...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The old ways of working are dead—or at least, that's what I hope we can say by the end of this debate. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activity, employment and our way of working have been far-reaching. With working from home the norm for many, workers across Wales and the world saw a distinct, positive shift in creating a better work-life...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that answer, Commissioner. I'm grateful that there is work being undertaken by the Commission to ensure that those who live with dementia are able to access the Senedd estate. After all, those who are living with dementia should be equally as able as anyone else to access the estate. I'm sure the Commissioner is aware that the perception of those living with dementia is often...
Luke Fletcher: 4. What work is the Commission undertaking to make the Senedd estate dementia friendly? OQ56844
Luke Fletcher: —of yourself. Utterly ashamed of yourself. [Interruption.] Utterly, utterly ashamed of yourself. You have no purchase in this argument whatsoever. So, what needs to happen? Well we've outlined in clear terms in our motion, and we've elaborated in great detail, what the Welsh Government needs to do. A socialist Government would pursue the devolution of welfare as a matter of urgency to...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and I'd like to thank Members and the Minister, of course, for a reply and the contributions to today's debate. I might not have agreed with them all, but thank you nonetheless. Dirprwy Lywydd, this debate couldn’t be more timely. This morning, on the bus in, there was a BBC news headline: ‘Price rises see record jump as food costs soar in August.’ The biggest...
Luke Fletcher: It's encouraging to know that there is movement in ending the abhorrent practice of ear cropping dogs. Ear cropping is linked to unlicensed breeders, especially of American bully type dogs, and local rescues, such as Hope Rescue in Llanharan, are inundated with reports of ear-cropped dogs and have concerns around current resources to investigate complaints, especially when also linked with...
Luke Fletcher: I'd like to ask the Trefnydd for a statement to update Members on the support the Welsh Government is giving to the Rhondda Tunnel Society and other similar projects. Like many Members here, I was able to plunge into the depths of the tunnel for a visit organised by Tony and the group, and if you haven't done it already, Trefnydd, I thoroughly recommend it. The project will bring a variety of...
Luke Fletcher: It is heartbreaking to have this debate today, and it's not just Welsh Government who have a lot to answer for, but the UK Government has a lot to answer for as well. The thought of children going hungry in Wales and families struggling to put food on the table is a failure. It's a failure of Government and it's a failure of societal and economic systems. Many years ago, I was one of those...
