John Griffiths: I think it's clear that the planet is in peril, Dirprwy Lywydd, and the overwhelming opinion of science and scientists on these matters makes that clear. That's why the IPCC have said that climate change is happening earlier and more rapidly than expected and that we have 12 years left to halt this dangerous climate change and that Governments must take immediate, radical steps to prevent...
John Griffiths: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government policy to support locally owned businesses?
John Griffiths: It is complicated. But what we know now is that we are seeing real progress, again, as the Cabinet Secretary has briefly outlined, and what we need to do is to strengthen that, I think, and quicken the pace. I would just like to say a little bit, Dirprwy Lywydd, in terms of the issues around homelessness and making sure that when people are released from custody, they do know where they're...
John Griffiths: —much more effectively than we have been hitherto. Yes.
John Griffiths: Well, you know, I think we can look back and see history through different eyes, and not always understand the obstacles that might have been in the way of a particular route that we might have liked to have seen. So, without getting into a tortuous explanation of where we were and where we are now—
John Griffiths: I very much agree with what Leanne Wood has just stated, Dirprwy Lywydd. I think that the criminal justice system in the UK is nothing short of disastrous and horrific. It's inhumane, it's unproductive, it creates a lot of damage for our communities, and it needs to change. So, the more power we can draw down to Wales to have a much more enlightened and effective system, the better, and the...
John Griffiths: Nonetheless, First Minister, there are still far too many deaths and injuries on our roads, and one important response, which is developing at pace internationally and within the UK, is to increase the amount of 20 mph maximum speed limits in inner urban areas. This makes it easier to avoid accidents, reduces the injury if an accident occurs and allows the streets to be reclaimed from the...
John Griffiths: 2. Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's strategy to improve road safety? OAQ52793
John Griffiths: Thank you for that, leader of the house. As you know, phase 1 of Superfast Cymru did not reach the villages of Langstone, Llanvaches, Bishton and Goldcliff in Newport East, and I'm very grateful a meeting took place with one of your officials and others to discuss the issues. Phase 2 is eagerly awaited by local residents in those villages and I wonder if—an announcement next week, I...
John Griffiths: 6. Will the Leader of the House provide an update on broadband coverage in Newport East? OAQ52711
John Griffiths: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government progress in moving to a more preventative spend model of budgeting?
John Griffiths: I welcome this debate today, and the opportunity to discuss these very important matters regarding prisons in Wales and the Wales Governance Centre report. We have a rising prison population in Wales, as the report states, which is also the position in England. Similarly, we have rising numbers of assaults, self-harm and disturbances in prison. We have cross-border issues where people from...
John Griffiths: Yes, First Minister, the transporter bridge, having been built at the turn of the twentieth century, is one of just six working bridges in the world today. It was originally built to transport steel workers across the river Usk to their place of work and it holds very many memories for local people. I remember being on the transporter bridge going to school games, in primary school, standing...
John Griffiths: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government policy for industrial heritage in Newport? OAQ52710
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, I appreciate that we've already touched on these issues in the Chamber today. I think it is clear that public services boards have a vital role to play in working with communities to work up their well-being plans and strategies, and then to make sure that they're properly implemented, working in that cross-cutting way across public sector bodies. And, of course, we have...
John Griffiths: 6. What is the Cabinet Secretary’s assessment of the performance of public services boards? OAQ52668
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to thank all the Members who contributed, all of whom I think emphasised the importance of these matters to the economy as well as to individuals and families affected. Janet Finch-Saunders mentioned the range of evidence that came to inform the committee's work, and I think that is extremely important in terms of the provenance of the report and the...
John Griffiths: It is very important that when people are looking for employment they know flexible working is an option and that it is explicit in the job advert and description. In fact, it would be good to include a similar strapline to the Scottish Government's 'happy to talk flexible working' for all Welsh Government job adverts, and it would be useful to have more information on how the Welsh...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to open today’s debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report, 'Work it out: parenting and employment in Wales'. I would like to start by thanking all those who contributed to our inquiry, either by giving written or oral evidence, and in particular, those who shared their personal experiences of workplace discrimination. We were able...
John Griffiths: As the Minister, at the time, who took the active travel Act through the Assembly, I'm very pleased that the committee has undertaken this post-legislative scrutiny. It was a policy, as has been said, that came up through civic society, with Sustrans obviously playing a very key role. It had a great deal of provenance and support from wider Wales behind it, and it was very good to take it...
