Carwyn Jones: Well, this is something that will have to be considered as part of the consultation that has taken place. May I say that the plan itself will be built on the basis of acknowledging the fact that people suffering with dementia have rights, and, therefore, in what way can we ensure that those rights are respected? This will have been part of the discussion that has taken place to date, and it...
Carwyn Jones: Well, at the heart of our approach is the need to ensure that people can remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. That means working with organisations to promote dementia-friendly environments. We've seen an example from my colleague, Lynne Neagle, of how that can be done with schools. And it is hugely important that people understand that dementia is not something that...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. Well, Members will, I hope, understand that if I seem to choose my words carefully, or appear over lawyerly in my answers, it's not to be evasive; it's because these are extraordinary times, these are awful times. It's a moment in our political life that's full of hurt and anger. People are grieving and the last thing I want to do is to make matters worse. But I do understand the need...
Carwyn Jones: Well, sometimes, as I said, people were unhappy with the way things happened, people felt that others were more favoured, but that happens in any organisation. I dealt with them as and when they arose. When you're dealing with a Cabinet, you have people who are very talented, you have people who feel very strongly about what they are promoting, and, of course, it's hugely impossible to...
Carwyn Jones: They were issues of competing priorities, of people feeling that some people were listened to more than others and people feeling that they want to see you as First Minister to explain their position. These are all normal processes of Cabinet and Government. It would be very odd if any Cabinet was in place where nobody ever disagreed. It would be very odd if a Cabinet was in place where...
Carwyn Jones: As I've already said—well, I'll just repeat what I said, just to make it clear again. I said I'm aware of the comments that have been made in the press. All I can say about those comments is that no specific allegation of bullying was ever presented to me in relation to those comments, either formally or informally. No evidence was given to me, nor was that word 'bullying' ever used in that...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I think I've just answered the question. There were no specific accusations of bullying. They were not presented to me formally or informally by them. The word was not even used in that way. I don't think I can go beyond the answer that I've given.
Carwyn Jones: There are a number of ways in which this issue can be dealt with. We reserve our position in terms of the vote next week until we've studied carefully, of course, the breadth of the terms of reference of that motion. But nevertheless, I do accept that this is an issue that will need further scrutiny. I'm not afraid of that scrutiny, and I think it's a question of finding out what is the most...
Carwyn Jones: Because there already is tax competition. Scotland already controls air passenger duty and there is an element of devolution of air passenger duty in Northern Ireland. It does not make sense to me, then, that Wales is denied the same advantages as those elsewhere in the UK. We've presented evidence to the UK Government that makes it clear that this is no threat to Bristol; we don't see it...
Carwyn Jones: It's quite simple. There are many, many people, not just from south Wales but from the south-west of England, who are presently travelling to Heathrow to fly on long-haul flights. If they travel a shorter distance, their own carbon footprint is lower. So, it does make sense then to put people in a position where they're not driving so far, where they are not increasing their own carbon...
Carwyn Jones: Well, that is a naive approach because, as he knows full well, if we are looking to export to markets and those markets feel that we have unfair tax competition they will impose tariffs against us. So, it's not as if the UK has a free hand in all of this. The UK is a medium-sized country, and it's not in a position of dictating terms of trade to others. I refer him to what Aston Martin said...
Carwyn Jones: House building in Wales is a key priority for this Government, reflected by our ambitious 20,000 affordable homes target. Statistics show an increasing trend in the number of new homes being completed, which we will continue to support with our successful programmes, including the social housing grant.
Carwyn Jones: Well, if he's talking about the sprinklers, can I remind him that his own party didn't oppose the introduction of the sprinklers legislation? Of course, we always seem to look to strike a balance between what is appropriate regulation and then, of course—[Interruption.] He was in a different party at the time—the Member is correct—so I'll have to revise the point that I made. He...
Carwyn Jones: LDPs have to be up to date. The difficulty of running a local authority is that if any local authority has a development plan where the five-year housing supply is no longer relevant, they are at risk of speculative housing developments, and it is hugely important that there is a development plan in place. But his point is well made. It is hugely important that there is a proper balance...
Carwyn Jones: For 2017-18, we've allocated £592,102 to local authorities to deliver cycle training to approximately 15,000 people. We'll also be working with the Department for Transport to review the national standards for cycle training over the next few months.
Carwyn Jones: I agree. One of the incidents he refers to happened not very long before I was travelling along the same road, at the same time, but I didn't see it. It's right to say that great care needs to be taken when cyclists and cars use the same road. It's important that cars, of course, which have a primary responsibility, to my mind, consider the safety of cyclists, and that is something, of...
Carwyn Jones: Well, local authorities must comply with the law, of course. But as part of the updating of the guidance that will take place, then as part of that guidance we'll have cognisance of what has been happening around Wales in order for the guidance to be strengthened, if it is the case that there are problems in some parts of Wales. The Member is absolutely right to say that we have the Act in...
Carwyn Jones: Well, this is something I know that the UK Government is considering. The current law that deals with dangerous cycling is a law that dates back to the furious driving of horses and carts in Victorian times, which has not been updated, although a prosecution was successful, of course, along those lines. I do get concerned. I think, first of all, it's important for us to understand that, just...
Carwyn Jones: 'Prosperity for All' sets out our commitment to strong and safe communities that protect and support the vulnerable. What we look to do, of course, is to tackle inequality and support vulnerable people, and our draft budget, I believe, demonstrates that very commitment.
Carwyn Jones: Well, we expect local authorities, of course, to comply with the law, and in the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, it is clear that local authorities have a duty to prevent homelessness. By and large, they have performed well in implementing that legislation. Progress has not been as consistent as we would like, and of course we will continue to monitor progress to make sure that the good progress...
