Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Llywydd. My congratulations to you and our First Minister—to you both—for your new, well, current, respective roles. It's nice to be back here on the floor of the Siambr and, indeed, as an elected Member of this Senedd, and I thank the people of Aberconwy for bestowing what is a huge privilege. Now, whilst the pilot test events to develop processes and guidance are to be welcomed,...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It is a sad fact that successive Labour-led Welsh Governments have failed to improve the life chances of the people of Wales. For the past two decades, Welsh Labour have failed to keep a watchful eye on their own spending habits. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been wasted on vanity projects, failed business ventures and poorly managed quangos. The...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Since Welsh Labour were voted back into Government in May 2016, the number of patient pathways waiting over 36 weeks to start treatment has increased from 4,078 to 50,143. You have overseen a 1,130 per cent increase over five years. Now, whilst we realise the pandemic has worsened the situation, the scene was already bleak here in north Wales. By February 2020, the number of...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the development of a north Wales medical school? OQ56475
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I wish to thank all Members who have contributed to this debate today and thank the Minister for responding. I also wish to thank the petitioners for using the petitions process to draw attention to something that is a major issue and concern in many parts of Wales. Given the very short time left available in this Senedd, it will be a future petitions...
Janet Finch-Saunders: This is an issue of very real concern in many communities, and one that I know has been frequently discussed within the Senedd. The petitioners point out that this is a particularly chronic problem in some places due to the level of inequality between local incomes, especially amongst those looking to buy a first home, and the financial means of people seeking to purchase second homes,...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I am pleased to open this debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee. This petition was submitted by Osian Jones on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, having collected 5,386 signatures. It raises an issue of significant concern in many communities across Wales: the availability of housing at prices affordable to local people, particularly for young...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Can you do that now?
Janet Finch-Saunders: She'll give you her address, and she wants—
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the Minister make a statement on the teaching of Welsh history in schools?
Janet Finch-Saunders: I wish to speak once in relation to all four instruments known collectively as the climate change (Wales) regulations 2021. Having considered these in our CCERA committee and read the short report by the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, I am pleased to give these regulations my full support. Now, whilst this is a step in the right direction, though, it is symbolic of some lack...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. From previous scrutiny that I've laid before you, you will be aware of my view that the Welsh Government certainly does have a role to play in tackling rural crime. I would like to highlight an article in a recent Farmers Guardian publication. The headline reads: 'Organised gangs target farm quad bikes'. So, we're not talking about the odd quad bike being stolen, but we're talking...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Of course, you'll be aware that Justice Week 2021 took place from 1 March to 5 March against the context of COVID-19. Justice Week provided an opportunity for a vital health check on our rights, our justice system and, ultimately, on the rule of law. As an article on the Law Society website outlined, children have been affected heavily by coronavirus through school closures, and...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 4. What action has the Counsel General taken to encourage an improved awareness of the rule of law amongst young adults in Wales? OQ56447
Janet Finch-Saunders: 5. What discussions has the Counsel General had with law officers in the UK Government regarding the introduction of legal measures to tackle rural crime? OQ56448
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Of the 0.5 million patient pathways waiting to start treatment in December, 21 per cent are here in north Wales. Of the around 0.25 million pathways waiting over 36 weeks, over 51,000 are here in north Wales. That's up 347 per cent since the start of the pandemic. Clearly, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is in desperate need of a recovery plan. In fact, I recently disclosed...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Across Aberconwy, we have a clear message: the sun will once again shine. Thanks to the work of NHS staff, we've had hope and light throughout the pandemic. Thank you all very much.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this debate, including the Minister for responding. I also want to say a huge thank you to Laura Williams for her continued campaigning on this vital issue. We need people like Laura to continue raising their voices and to tell us when they believe that things need to change. I also actually want to put on...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. So, thank you for the opportunity to hold a debate on this petition today. This petition was submitted by Laura Williams, having collected 5,159 signatures. It calls for increased funding for mental health services and improvements to crisis care, and follows a previous petition that Laura submitted to our committee, which also sought to improve access to...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Deputy Minister. Tourism, of course, as you will know, is usually worth around £900 million to the economy of Conwy county annually. That resource has been almost completely wiped out, and Conwy county has seen one of the highest furlough take-up rates in Wales. On the ground, the economic situation is even worse, with hospitality businesses now heavily in debt, and extremely...
