Carwyn Jones: I think that is a question for all parties, working together, to resolve. We have to create a situation where complainants don't feel they're not able to come forward. We have to create a system—yes, we want to make sure that every system is fair; everybody understands that. From my perspective, I want to make sure that, working together as political parties, we can create the correct...
Carwyn Jones: I'm concerned about the significant projected increase in child poverty in Wales, driven by the UK Government’s planned tax and benefits changes. Our child poverty strategy does set out objectives for tackling child poverty and we're taking action to ensure every child has the best start in life.
Carwyn Jones: Let me give my colleague a number of ways in which we are dealing with that issue. Early implementation of the childcare offer is taking place in seven local authorities. That started in September, delivering childcare to 4,725 children. For 2017-18, we've invested over £38 million in the Families First programme, more than £76 million in Flying Start. We have allocated a budget of...
Carwyn Jones: I think, first of all, if we look at our figures, historically we have seen an increase in the rate of employment in Wales and a decrease in the rate of unemployment, but it's not sufficient simply to look at whether people are in work or not, because we have to look beyond that and understand what people are earning. We used to say that if people found a job then that was a route out of...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. The enterprise zone programme has a strong track record of delivery with over 10,000 jobs having been supported across the eight zones in Wales, and we do remain committed to supporting the programme, which has served as a catalyst for development and investment.
Carwyn Jones: My friend the Member for Aberavon has been a staunch advocate for the views—I have seen them—of many in his constituency who oppose the prison. What I can say to him is that, as a Government, we have written a letter to the Ministry of Justice. We have sought urgent clarification in terms of a number of questions that we have asked. I've not yet seen a response, but the response to that...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I have to say to the Member that enterprise zones take time to come to full fruition. A huge amount of investment has gone into the Ebbw Vale area. We see, of course, what has happened on the old steelworks site, we're seeing the dualling of the A465, which will help Ebbw Vale and the surrounding communities, and, of course, he will know that we are investing a substantial sum in...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I refer back to the answer I gave to the Member for Aberavon, and that is that we have written to the MoJ with a number of questions. I've not seen that response. The response to those questions will form a part of our future consideration. They revolve around what the plans are for the site in terms of the type of prison. They revolve around what the future then is for Swansea and...
Carwyn Jones: Well, they do, but, of course, some will grow more quickly than others. There will be some parts of Wales that, because of their location and their geography, will find it easier than other enterprise zones. But that's what an enterprise zone is designed to do—to overcome some of those difficulties. As I said earlier on, we must judge enterprise zones on what they deliver in the longer...
Carwyn Jones: Well, if we follow the advice of his former party leader, it's reducing immigration that's the key to doing this. But tackling congestion is a priority focus of the Wales transport strategy and the national transport finance plan. We'll continue to work with Transport for Wales to advance our vision for delivering a transformational integrated transport system in Wales, providing...
Carwyn Jones: I'm aware of the signs that are seen in England, but I have to say they're not accurate, often. I've timed myself when I've seen those signs and they're—well, how can they be? Because they can't provide for what's ahead in the traffic, what might happen. Any number of things can interfere with the flow of traffic. That said, of course, we'll continue to keep under review what further...
Carwyn Jones: This is something, of course, we want to ensure is very much part of working in the future. In terms of flexible working, I can say that we have funded travel plan co-ordinators who have worked with employers across Wales to encourage sustainable travel. The travel plan co-ordinators worked with organisations from a range of sectors, including local government, health, education, anchor...
Carwyn Jones: Yes, because the metro is designed to be expandable. Of course, the initial phase of the metro will look at what is already in place and the infrastructure that's already in place. I know there's a railway line. I don't know if it's entirely intact, actually, between the main line and with Beddau—I know the level crossing is still there. Indeed, yes, it's one of the issues that we will look...
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Government is committed to increasing the number of doctors working in general practice in all areas of Wales, including north Wales.
Carwyn Jones: This is a very important point. I would imagine that there has been an increase in the cost of indemnity insurance. Therefore, may I write to the Member to give him the details that I can give to him as regards discussions with the BMA on this?
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I am. The Cabinet Secretary will be making a statement shortly to Members on the definitive numbers recruited to the GP training scheme, but I understand this will show positive further recruitment, better than the initial fill rate of 91 per cent, which I think has been reported previously in this Chamber, and that will represent significant improvement in our Welsh GP training numbers.
Carwyn Jones: May I refer the Member to the further statement issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport on 6 November regarding the Wales and borders rail service procurement?
Carwyn Jones: First of all, of course, there are issues to be discussed with the Department of Transport in London. There is no big problem, as far as I know, with regard to proceeding with the process. It's not unusual for a company to withdraw, and, of course, we know that there are companies that are still part of that process. May I say that what we would have preferred to see is a situation where the...
Carwyn Jones: Could I write to the Member with the exact data on which Arriva Trains Wales notified Transport Wales on that basis? As I say, it's not uncommon for bidders for major projects to withdraw during the tender process. Arriva made clear that they've done this for their own commercial reasons, and I will share what I can with the Member in terms of information surrounding Arriva's decision. What...
Carwyn Jones: May I ask the Minister, therefore, to write to you about this issue?FootnoteLink They're able to offer the service now, of course. It seems that the story has been told in a way that suggests that this isn't possible at present, but it would of course be possible, and they should, in my view. Arriva have used the Welsh language on their trains although their trains travel through England;...
