Mark Isherwood: Prison is the sharp end of our justice system, and an important and integral part of the criminal justice system in every country. Depriving someone of their liberty for a period of time is one of the most significant powers available to the state. Prison plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, by helping to ensure that alleged offenders are brought to justice, and by providing a...
Mark Isherwood: Since the Welsh Government published its 10-year substance misuse strategy in 2008 to tackle and reduce the harms associated with substance misuse in Wales, drug misuse deaths across Wales have risen from 569 to 858: in Anglesey, actually—up to the figures published in August by the Office for National Statistics—slightly better, down from 10 to eight, but, across north Wales, up from 81...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I first call for a statement on the Cystic Fibrosis Trust? In response to Bethan Sayed, you referred to a statement by the Minister in August, but the Scottish Government announced that people with cystic fibrosis there could access Orkambi and Symkevi as part of a five-year agreement with Vertex on 12 September. So, things have moved on and it's in that context that...
Mark Isherwood: Yes.
Mark Isherwood: Absolutely not—
Mark Isherwood: —and I've already made the point that we should distinguish absolutely between what we're talking about today and the horror of domestic abuse, whether it's physical or otherwise.
Mark Isherwood: There is a vast difference, and, as a parent, I know that very, very well. Now, in fact, it is those who call it a criminal offence who are in danger of abusing children. The law, as it stands, is an adequate safeguard against unreasonable physical abuse. Children suffering real abuse would be more at risk due to the police and social services being overwhelmed with inconsequential reports...
Mark Isherwood: I’m the parent of six, all now responsible and caring adults. I’m a godparent, a grandparent, uncle and great uncle. I haven’t spoken to a single person outside the Cardiff Bay bubble who supports this Bill. As I said when speaking in the 2011 Member debate here on the end of lawful chastisement, section 58 of the Children Act 2004 limited the use of the defence of reasonable punishment...
Mark Isherwood: Can I call for two statements? Firstly, on drugs, related to drug poisoning in Wales. This follows the publication during the Assembly summer recess of Office for National Statistics figures showing deaths related to drug poisoning in England and Wales 2018. These revealed that Wales has the second-highest figures amongst 10 areas—nine English regions and Wales. Wales had both the second...
Mark Isherwood: Speaking here in 2015, in the debate that called on the Welsh Government to adopt a charter for British sustainable steel, I noted that Tata Steel Colors in Shotton were not only critically dependent upon the supply chain for sustainable British steel, but also had an emphasis on commitment to investment in improving their environmental performance and sustainability, where they were working...
Mark Isherwood: Worryingly, the Welsh Government's 2018-19 ASD strategic action plan annual report provides little information on how it will implement the recommendations of April's independent evaluation, instead suggesting that most of the recommendations will be, quote, 'considered'. This report is vague in its proposals to financially support the development of the IAS beyond the current deadline,...
Mark Isherwood: It notes the publication of both the evaluation of the integrated autism service—or IAS—and the autism spectrum disorder strategic action plan final report in April, published at the end of March, and this month's Welsh Government autistic spectrum disorder strategic action plan annual report 2018-19, whilst acknowledging the lack of outcome measures within this report on the delivery of...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. People are born with lifelong autism spectrum conditions and autistic people see, hear and feel the world differently to other people. If you are autistic, you are autistic for life. Autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be cured. Often, people feel being autistic is a fundamental aspect of their own identity. Our motion recognises that, while some progress has been made to...
Mark Isherwood: Clearly, it's important, as you indicate, that we see people's strengths and utilise their own understanding of themselves and the barriers they encounter in order to turn those barriers into opportunities. But, again, in referring to and bringing all these points together—welfare reform and the sustainable livelihoods approach—the partnership project being implemented across Wales...
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. And I think the key message that came through was that the young people—many of them were unaware of even the schemes that exist currently, so it's how we can engage with them in the design and delivery of those programmes, rather than as recipients, if somebody chooses to tell them about this. And I think the young man you refer to might have been the person who chaired,...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Llywydd. I want to focus my questions on your responsibilities as Minister for fair work and welfare reform. I note the Welsh Government website says your fair work responsibilities include both opportunity for access, growth and progression, and for safe, healthy and inclusive working environments. On Monday, as you may be aware, I was privileged to sponsor the young disabled persons...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. Exports from Britain actually reached record highs in 2018 and have continued to rise since, totalling over £647 billion in the 12 months to May this year, with the fastest growing importers of UK goods predominantly non-European. The UK is still the top destination in Europe for foreign direct investment, and the third highest globally after the US and China. And, of course, in...
Mark Isherwood: Very briefly, on the new people's voice body for health and social care in Wales, you might be aware that the current community health councils have called for that body to be independent and genuinely stronger. However, on 3 July, the health Minister told the Finance Committee that the new body will 'have control of its own destiny and much more genuine independence in a way that CHCs at the...
Mark Isherwood: I call for a statement on the Changing Places campaign for Changing Places toilets. This was launched in 2006, but last Friday, for the second time, I attended a Changing Places steering group meeting held in Shotton, focused on bringing Changing Places into the north-east Wales counties, hopefully starting with the town of Mold. It is chaired by Kim Edwards, who herself has Friedreich's...
Mark Isherwood: The integrated autism service and autism spectrum disorder strategic action plan final report, commissioned by the Welsh Government, was published at the end of March. This said that, 'whilst the IAS can work with parents and carers it cannot work directly with children', with consequent reliance upon education services to provide support following diagnosis, but, quote, ‘there are...
