Jack Sargeant: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, I've been contacted by residents with family members who have contracted coronavirus whilst in hospital. As you can imagine, they are quite rightly scared and angry. Now, First Minister, this has happened more in north Wales than anywhere else, and people need to know that they are safe when they do go to hospital. Can you ask your officials to speak to the...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, acts of modern slavery are becoming a scary reality for the many and this crime is often very difficult to spot. One simple question from me: the Home Office have got a real part to play in this, but what can the Welsh Government do to stop this being a hidden crime?
Jack Sargeant: 9. Will the Minister make a statement on how the Welsh Government is empowering town councils in north-east Wales? OQ55479
Jack Sargeant: Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. Town and community councils play a vital role in supporting their communities and the Government should do all it can to empower them. A particularly good example of this great work is the work done by Pen-y-ffordd Community Council in my own constituency. The council are very keen to ensure that their community's voice is heard in the development...
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Last Thursday, 10 September, was World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide has a deep detrimental impact on families and on communities that last a lifetime. The facts about suicide are stark: in 2018, 6,507 people died in the UK from suicide, with men being three times more likely to die by suicide than women. This year, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, I worked...
Jack Sargeant: If I may start by putting on record my support for the contribution made by my colleague Nick Ramsay, with regard to suicide prevention and mental health. Secondly, Minister, the economic recovery from coronavirus is something we need to start planning for and addressing now. Members may be aware that, at the start of the summer, I wrote a piece on the LabourList website for that to be a...
Jack Sargeant: 1. How is the Welsh Government working with grass-roots sports clubs to help them connect with communities? OQ55542
Jack Sargeant: Thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister. A constituent of mine, Simon Walker from Connah's Quay Bowling Club, has just been elected to the position of chairman of the BowlsWales development committee. As many will know, grass-roots bowls has huge benefits for people's mental and physical health. Simon tells me that it's the only sport you can play for the whole of your life—a...
Jack Sargeant: Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. I'm very grateful to the Senedd Business Committee and to those that supported this motion allowing our Senedd to be part of the growing conversation around a universal basic income. The universal basic income is not a new idea, but it is an idea that is starting to make its voice heard. As always, there is resistance to change and some will always insist...
Jack Sargeant: Llywydd, the first factor is already with us, and it can be seen all around us: poverty. Poverty is becoming endemic—homelessness and food poverty being the most visible signs. Footballer Marcus Rashford has recently shone a light on this issue, using his own personal story to explain just how terrible it is to go to school hungry. The effects of this can and often do last a lifetime. Now,...
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, acting Presiding Officer. I'd like to thank the Minister for her contribution on behalf of the Welsh Government and also all Members who've contributed today from all sides of the debate, and those who have supported this motion before us today. If I may, I'd like to conclude by addressing some of the biggest challenges that we currently face and how a UBI could alleviate...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, you'll be well aware that the workforce in Alyn and Deeside is the most highly skilled in the United Kingdom. I've worked alongside them as an engineer and I've seen this first hand. Those making investment decisions should be aware of this fact too, and we should be shouting from the rooftops. So, I was very pleased to hear you earlier mention the Advanced Manufacturing Research...
Jack Sargeant: 5. How is the Welsh Government working to end violence against women? OQ55685
Jack Sargeant: How is the Welsh Government promoting community safety in Alyn and Deeside?
Jack Sargeant: Thank you for that answer, Minister, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to ending male violence against women. As you will know, I'm a White Ribbon ambassador, and I'm very proud to follow in my dad's footsteps in supporting the White Ribbon campaign. This year's White Ribbon Day is going to be very different but no less important. Now, I've spoken to a number of survivors who are...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, I'm seeking a statement from the Minister for health on cross-border health services, and, in particular, concerns that residents have raised with me over elective surgeries. Residents are seeking assurances that they will still be able to access services in England throughout the pandemic, particularly at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Will you seek a written statement or an...
Jack Sargeant: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on how interested parties can inform Welsh Government planning policy? OQ55691
Jack Sargeant: Thank you for that answer, Minister, and thank you for also agreeing to meet with Pen-y-ffordd Community Council in my constituency, alongside the Deputy Minister as well. The council of Pen-y-ffordd are truly passionate about their area and are very knowledgeable when it comes to issues of planning. I know that you want communities, Minister, to have more of a role in shaping their own...
Jack Sargeant: 8. How is the Welsh Government tackling anti-social behaviour in Alyn and Deeside? OQ55738
Jack Sargeant: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. Just under a year ago, the Prime Minister came to my constituency of Alyn and Deeside and promised significantly more police and safer streets. Now, this promise has been broken. I recently asked my residents for their experiences of crime and anti-social behaviour, and they told me straight: there are fewer police on the streets than they can ever...
