Gareth Bennett: Yes, thanks for that. I think the approach of encouraging first is certainly wise, although at some point there may be a need for actually enforcing what you’ve brought in. So, moving on from that is the issue of when you do intervene in cases if a council gets into difficulties. For instance, there have been long-running pay scandals in local government in Wales in recent years, at least...
Gareth Bennett: Diolch, Lywydd. Minister, you’ve just been talking about the local government proposed reforms. One of the issues that I think has emerged, from what you’ve told us so far, is the theme of localism versus the need for systematic and mandatory ways of working, to use your own phrase. In other words, we need councils to be able to operate in their own way to some extent, and that they have...
Gareth Bennett: Thanks, Chair, and thanks, Minister, for the statements that you’ve made on this subject so far to keep us updated on the measures that are being taken. I feel swift action was necessary, both to investigate potential fire risks and also to alleviate the fears of people living in high-rise blocks. As you stated, peace of mind is an important factor here. A lot is evidently being done. I...
Gareth Bennett: Will the First Minister make a statement on the future of the Wales and Borders rail franchise?
Gareth Bennett: Thanks for that, and I look forward to that happening. Just moving on to an issue that we talked about last week, in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster, now I know you made a statement on this to the Chamber, so we have discussed these issues—. One thing that has arisen as a possible problem in tackling regulation in Wales is the split of responsibilities between yourself and your...
Gareth Bennett: It does seem rather curious that, with job losses on this scale, Tesco didn’t give any prior warning to any relevant organisations, such as yourself or the Wales Contact Centre Forum. There is also the issue—well, you mentioned it yourself, actually—regarding information given to the actual employees, because I’ve also been told that the staff that weren’t on shift at the time the...
Gareth Bennett: Thanks for that, and I hope that the legislation is taken forward and is, ultimately, effective. But going on to another issue that was covered in ‘Taking Wales Forward’: nursery places. There was a Welsh Government commitment to providing 30 hours a week of free childcare for working parents of three and four-year-olds. The intention was to pilot new schemes starting this coming...
Gareth Bennett: Diolch, Llywydd. I note that in the Welsh Government’s legislative programme, you’re now proposing to legislate in the area of letting agency fees, which I think is a welcome development. There was support from various opposition parties and some Members of your own party for this, so I’m glad that you are now moving towards legislating in this area. Now, I know you needed to consider...
Gareth Bennett: Going back to anaerobic digestion, Cardiff council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council have had a joint operation to do this. I wondered what you thought of the take-up of this kind of scheme by local councils. How has that been so far, in Wales?
Gareth Bennett: Thanks to the Government for bringing today’s debate. We are interested in environmental issues in UKIP and, particularly, we are concerned at the worsening air quality. This is an aspect specifically raised by Plaid Cymru in their amendment 4 today. We cannot escape the growing health menace posed by the worsening quality of the air around us, as evidenced by the increasing prevalence of...
Gareth Bennett: Thank you. What is the evidence of this job offer? What checks would there be to prevent bogus job offers? What exactly constitutes a short time? How would these people be tracked if they had a job and then left it? Finally, the joint Labour and Plaid Cymru document says that it wants, and I quote, ‘A strong culture of enforcement of legislation to prevent the exploitation of workers.’...
Gareth Bennett: Well, maybe I have time, but I don’t have the inclination.
Gareth Bennett: I’m afraid this approach seems to beg more questions than it delivers answers. What is the evidence of this job offer? What checks would there be to prevent—[Interruption.]
Gareth Bennett: We’re having this debate today because we are coming out of the EU and we need to work out what kind of Brexit we actually want, in particular, what kind of immigration policy we want. Our motion talks about a firm but fair system of immigration, it notes the Bank of England’s paper on the impact of immigration on wages and it looks at the issue of balancing immigration and emigration as...
Gareth Bennett: No. The housing issue is perhaps the most obvious pitfall, and one that is discussed quite frequently among people I encounter in the course of normal life when refugee issues are raised. Related to the issue of housing provision is one of funding. During the evidence sessions, we were at one point strongly advised by the relevant Minister, Carl Sargeant, not to lobby for extra powers...
Gareth Bennett: Thanks to the Chairman for laying the committee’s report before the Chamber. The report is concerned primarily with improving conditions for refugees and asylum seekers once they have arrived in Wales, and to that end, it is a worthy effort. There was a lot of painstaking evidence heard relating to refugee conditions in Wales, and several of the committee members were skilful in bringing...
Gareth Bennett: Thanks for that statement. There have been moans, perhaps inevitably, from some residents and traders, but, of course, most of us appreciate that there are long-term benefits from the decision to host the final. I wonder whether you could just perhaps briefly illuminate some of them.
Gareth Bennett: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement about the staging of the UEFA Champions League final recently held in Cardiff? OAQ(5)0187(EI)
Gareth Bennett: Thanks to the Minister for his statement today. Yes, this was a major tragedy. I would also like to offer my condolences. As you say, the main thing is that we do learn lessons from it and ensure nothing like that happens in Wales in the future. I think your action in swiftly setting up the expert group is welcome. There are various points that have been made. Bethan made the very valid point...
Gareth Bennett: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the general election result on the UK's exit from the European Union?
