Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd. I'd like to move the motion formally.
Heledd Fychan: As we all know, and as the report clearly touches on and outlined by the Minister, the 2020-21 academic year was perhaps the most challenging one for education and training providers in Wales and across the world. The pandemic brought with it massive disruption to the system and continues to do so, with all school staff, pupils and their families being affected. Though, as we've seen with the...
Heledd Fychan: We know of teachers juggling themselves trying to teach their children from home, and having to isolate, and all the challenges there as well. Yet their efforts were not without their consequences. The report clearly states that staff have experienced raised levels of anxiety, with leaders and staff alike feeling isolated and exhausted. Education providers proved to be resilient and proactive...
Heledd Fychan: 4. What assessment has the Government made of the impact on animal welfare of the inability of people on low incomes to pay for pet food and veterinary fees? OQ57920
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. Recently, I visited a foodbank in my region that is increasingly receiving requests from individuals and families that they support for pet food. The manager shared with me that many were thinking of getting rid of their pets because they were concerned that they couldn't afford to feed them because of the cost-of-living crisis, and neither would they be able to pay...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd. Just in case you hadn't noticed that there was an election, I'd like to declare that I am, until the election, a councillor on Rhondda Cynon Taf council. First Minister, the truth is that the situation of many residents of RCT is deteriorating rather than improving. More people have to turn to foodbanks for support, more children are living in poverty and the COVID deaths...
Heledd Fychan: Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement by the Minister for Climate Change giving us an update on the work on the south Wales metro. With the work going ahead in a number of areas across the region I represent, I have to admit that citizens have had a shock about the impact that the work is having on them. A number have spoken to me and written to me complaining that the noise is keeping...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. As we all unfortunately know, sexual violence and exploitation are often witnessed in wars. There are a number of reports of women being raped by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. Indeed, on 11 April the BBC broadcast devastating evidence from Ukraine on this issue. It's difficult to comprehend how appallingly these women have been treated, with soldiers from Russia...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's wonderful to see so many young people watching us today in the Chamber—a warm welcome to you. We all know how important school attendance is in terms of children and young people's attainment and well-being, as you noted in your statement. And as one who was in the past a school governor with responsibility for school attendance, I know how...
Heledd Fychan: I wholeheartedly agree with Huw Irranca-Davies that human rights are universal. We can't pick and choose who we believe have rights and who don't. I think that's what's fearful in a lot of this dialogue: this idea that some people are deserving of rights and some aren't, and that we can pick and choose what constitutes human rights. As was mentioned, there is no compelling rationale or...
Heledd Fychan: I will, of course.
Heledd Fychan: Absolutely, and I think that's why we are concerned. I know Darren Millar was saying, 'Wait and see', but we are rightly—. We have seen the track record of the UK Government on this, and we should rightly be concerned. All these Bills go against everything we stand for here in Wales, particularly the treatment of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. It is incompatible with our desire...
Heledd Fychan: 1. What assessment has the Commission made of whether any of its contractors use fire-and-rehire practices? OQ57963
Heledd Fychan: Thank you very much. That is very encouraging to hear. We, myself and Mike Hedges, through our role with the cross-party group on PCS, have heard from PCS that some organisations funded by Welsh taxpayers are using these fire-and-rehire practices, so it's good to see that the Commission is having an influence in this regard. Would you agree with me that, in terms of contractors, it is...
Heledd Fychan: 6. What support is the Government providing to health boards to enable them to implement social prescribing? OQ58008
Heledd Fychan: 11. What support is the Welsh Government providing to develop social enterprise and the social economy in South Wales Central? OQ58007
Heledd Fychan: Thank you very much, Deputy Minister, and I'm pleased to hear you referring to the framework, which of course is part of the programme for government. I'm sure many of us could refer to projects that we're aware of in our regions and constituencies that show the value of social prescribing in terms of the health and well-being of those that we represent, and not just those who feel isolated,...
Heledd Fychan: Diolch, Llywydd. A year ago, shortly following my election to the Senedd, and your appointment to your role, I asked how you would ensure a more central role for the arts and culture in the Government of the sixth Senedd, as compared to the fourth and fifth Senedd, and how you planned to tackle the underinvestment that has been seen for over a decade. I'm sure you will recall that I thought,...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. I very much look forward to hearing more announcements over the next year. But the facts do speak for themselves at the moment, when we do compare to the other portfolios. Obviously, as you would expect, we have seen 301 coronavirus announcements, but 51 on communities and regeneration. Culture and sports and arts do deserve to be heard here, and if we are not vocal and...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. Over the past year, it's been an honour to meet with many social enterprises across the region and to see the excellent work that they do in regenerating our communities and supporting people of all ages and developing the local economy. Can I ask you what discussions you have had with other Ministers to ensure that social enterprises and the social economy are things...
