Vikki Howells: Will the Welsh Government provide an update on its work to promote digital inclusion in Wales?
Vikki Howells: 10. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the use of structural funds to promote prosperity in the northern valleys?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The Industrial Communities Alliance have suggested that a new UK regional development fund should be central to any post-Brexit regional policy. However, they've also pointed out that this needs to be managed on a devolved basis, and that any moneys allocated should be above and beyond that due via the Barnett formula. Getting this right is key to the prosperity...
Vikki Howells: Does the leader of the house, with her responsibilities for broadband and for equality, agree with me that marriage equality actually has very little to do with the superfast broadband roll-out? Does she also concur with me that the comments from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, quite flippantly connecting the two, are little more than just another demonstration of how crass,...
Vikki Howells: As has already been stated, city deals offer a new opportunity to bring together a range of stakeholders to really boost the economies of Wales. It offers a new, joined-up way of working. Importantly, they will be backed up by an injection of capital that could help deliver major infrastructural benefits. But it is important that we get city deals right, that their governance is...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the First Minister outline what actions the Welsh Government is taking to tackle the issue of low pay in Wales? OAQ51651
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. At the last meeting of the cross-party group on industrial communities, Professor Steve Fothergill presented evidence to us showing the stark association between low pay and the former industrial parts of Wales. Median pay in older industrial areas is just 90 per cent of the UK average. Women are more disadvantaged than men, and median pay in Rhondda Cynon Taf,...
Vikki Howells: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on how the Welsh Government is supporting people affected by neuroendocrine tumours in Wales? OAQ51647
Vikki Howells: Cabinet Secretary, will you join with me in congratulating my constituent, Janet Lewis, whose leadership in devising solutions to improve healthcare provision and equality for patients with neuroendocrine tumours led to her becoming the well-deserved winner of the endocrine nurse award for 2018? More generally, how is the Welsh Government working with Welsh patients and healthcare...
Vikki Howells: 2. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the Welsh Government's work to promote active travel in Cynon Valley? OAQ51722
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. When Sustrans looked into how 25 disused railway tunnels in Wales could be converted into active travel routes, there was one clear winner. That's the Abernant tunnel, which links Cwmbach in my constituency to Merthyr Tydfil, which scored highest on the rate system in terms of both benefit-to-cost ratio and annual usage estimate. Some work has been ongoing...
Vikki Howells: I rise to speak in this debate as chair of the National Assembly Labour group. The issues addressed in the report of the expert panel on Assembly electoral reform are matters not for the Government in the first instance, but for us as representatives of our political parties, and for our communities and parties more widely to consider. I would like to place on record the thanks of my party...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Play is something that is vital for children and young people. It encourages physical health and well-being, tackles obesity, improves dexterity and motor skills, builds resilience and fitness levels. It also promotes mental well-being. Play contributes to healthy brain development. It offers opportunities to use the imagination. It grants children new chances to...
Vikki Howells: Would the Minister take an intervention?
Vikki Howells: Minister, I agree with you that there is some really good practice out there already, and I'd just like to invite you to come to my constituency where I could show you an example of a really good inclusive play area. Maybe you could meet with some of the children and parents that I've been working with.
Vikki Howells: I'd like to thank all Members who took part in this debate today, and especially the Minister as well. Just to respond to some of the points raised, my colleague Bethan Jenkins asked what would it look like on the ground, and Michelle Brown raised some concerns about resourcing. I think that's the beauty of my suggestion, that these changes could be incremental. I've been trawling through...
Vikki Howells: What are the Welsh Government's priorities for strengthening the economy of the Cynon Valley?
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement today. I think it's a really exciting announcement. Land banking is certainly an issue that is—very passionately expressed views on the doorsteps in Cynon Valley, and my first question in the Chamber when I was elected was actually about land banking. My question focuses around the statement you made earlier, where you...
Vikki Howells: 9. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve community access to green spaces? OAQ51743
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. I was really glad that you could speak at the event on community spaces that I hosted the other week. The event heard how access to community green spaces can help to improve health, well-being and prosperity, although it also noted some of the barriers to community ownership. What support can the Welsh Government give to make it easier for communities to not only access...
