Mohammad Asghar: 2. What plans does the Welsh Government have to review recycling targets for local authorities in Wales? OAQ(5)0663(FM)
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the reply, Minister, but ‘successful’ is coming to this: the First Minister will be aware that his Government set a target for local authorities to recycle 58 per cent of waste by 2016. In April, it was reported that three councils—Newport, Blaenau Gwent, and Torfaen—had all missed their target, but would avoid being fined also. Does the Welsh Government have plans to...
Mohammad Asghar: Cabinet Secretary, may I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport on the establishment of a Welsh cricket team? It’s a fairy tale story that happened last weekend. On Sunday, the Pakistan cricket team, which was the lowest ranking cricket team in the world, won the world cup and there were some talents. The boys came from a remote part of the country;...
Mohammad Asghar: 4. What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve the promotion of Wales as a tourist destination? OAQ(5)0177(EI)
Mohammad Asghar: What action is the Welsh Government taking to support GP practices in Wales?
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you very much for that reply, Cabinet Secretary. Welsh Government support is vital for the effective marketing of Wales as a tourist destination. The Welsh Tourism Alliance has said that the current £10 million marketing budget for Visit Wales is inadequate to realise the potential of the industry in Wales. The budget for Visit Scotland, for example, is around £55 million. What plan...
Mohammad Asghar: 8. What action will the Welsh Government take to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities in Wales over the next twelve months? OAQ(5)0680(FM)
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the reply, First Minister. A recent report by Estyn said that colleges should do more to prepare young people with learning disabilities for independent living. They found that only a few set realistic goals to help students develop their communication and work skills, and called for colleges to set individual learning plans and to design programmes that challenge pupils more....
Mohammad Asghar: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement. I have had my concerns about this project from the beginning. Four years ago I put in my local newsletter for my constituents, which shows—four years ago, 2013—. I will read a couple of my concerns for this project: a developer exaggerating the figure they put for the jobs; high-profile events, such as this one—how MotoGP will be...
Mohammad Asghar: 4. What plans does the Cabinet Secretary have to evaluate the administration of the Glastir scheme in Wales? OAQ(5)0152(ERA)
Mohammad Asghar: 10. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on measures to tackle river pollution in Wales? OAQ(5)0153(ERA)
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the answer, Cabinet Secretary. Delayed Glastir scheme payments can have a significant detrimental impact on farm finances. According to the Farmers’ Union of Wales, by 9 May this year, 22 per cent of claims for work done under Glastir last year still had not been paid, and the Welsh Government’s intention was to pay only 90 per cent of claims by the end of May. Does the...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the reply, Cabinet Secretary. One of the duties of Natural Resources Wales is to monitor the health of Welsh rivers and take action against those who pollute them. Figures show that Natural Resources Wales received nearly 6,900 reports of river pollution between 2013 and 2016. About 60 per cent of these reports were investigated but resulted in only 41 prosecutions and 10 civil...
Mohammad Asghar: Cabinet Secretary, last week the Conservative Government in Westminster announced that a new 24-hour helpline for armed forces services veterans from across the United Kingdom returning to civil life would be based in Nantgarw. This helpline will provide a one-stop shop offering guidance on housing, employment, finance and mental and physical health, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Will...
Mohammad Asghar: Wales has an ageing workforce and society. A third of the workforce will be aged over 55 or 50 in the next five years. It’s a striking figure. However, investment in skills and adult education is heavily focused on young adults. This has been to the detriment of people aged 25 and over. In future, businesses will need even more workforce with higher skills, and new technologies will...
Mohammad Asghar: Well, after Mike Hedges, exactly the same: the tremendous effects of the success of our national team—football team—in reaching the semifinals in Euro 2016 we had in promoting Wales in the world. Now, I think that cricket is also the sport that is commonly played among Commonwealth countries, and some of the countries that are much smaller than Wales are representing on the world stage...
Mohammad Asghar: Leader of the house, may I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Economy on benefits delivered by enterprise zones in Wales? Last week, the Cabinet Secretary announced that a new automotive park would be created in Ebbw Vale and promised to keep this Assembly updated on progress in this regard. In November 2015, Welsh Government figures revealed a mixed picture in relation to...
Mohammad Asghar: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the use of fixed-penalty notices by local authorities in Wales? OAQ(5)0148(FLG)
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for that reply, Cabinet Secretary. Last year, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council issued only two fixed-penalty notices, and Torfaen County Borough Council 13. However, Newport City Council issued 840 notices, compared to under 300 in previous years. Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council issued over 1,400 notices last year. What reason can the Cabinet Secretary give for the wide...
Mohammad Asghar: The importance of regeneration projects to improving the economy and social conditions in the area cannot be overstated. This is particularly true in my region of south-east Wales, which has many communities that have, sadly, experienced decades of decline. Successful regeneration schemes, bringing jobs and investment to blighted areas, can bring jobs and other benefits that can last for many...
