Carwyn Jones: Officials are currently in the process of procuring an update of the active travel design guidance, which will build on the first three years of using the guidance and take account of new best practice and regulations. I can say to the Member that all but one local authority have submitted their first integrated network maps by the set date and they're now being appraised, and the remaining...
Carwyn Jones: Well, the one thing I can say very clearly is that this is not some kind of optional extra. We expect the Act to be observed not just in terms of the theory behind it, but in practice as well. I offer my congratulations to Cardiff council. I hope that others will learn from their good example, because we want to make sure that we have a proper network across Wales and not just isolated...
Carwyn Jones: Well, it's the law and it has to be observed, but, in terms of money, I can say that the local transport fund and its predecessor, the regional transport consortia grant, have both been a main source of funding for local walking and cycling routes, in particular new routes, including those to employment sites. The proportion spent on schemes varies from year to year, depending on bids, but...
Carwyn Jones: Is there a law in Scotland that insists on a network to promote cycling and walking? No, from what I understand. We are the only country that has done this. The next step will be to ensure that the integrated network maps—they are already, more or less—are submitted to us as a Government, and those maps will then have to be considered, of course. We want to ensure that those maps are...
Carwyn Jones: Since 2011, Welsh Government has invested around £200 million into a programme of rail improvements, including enhanced infrastructure and additional rail services in mid and west Wales.
Carwyn Jones: No, it's not acceptable. Of course, this is a service that is not devolved. There have been some cancelled services on the Cambrian line for various reasons: some are rolling stock shortages, which, when the new franchise starts, is something we want to see end, and there have been repair issues that I understand. But, no, I can understand the deep frustration felt by customers on the rail...
Carwyn Jones: We expect Arriva, of course, to ensure that they adhere to the terms of the franchise whilst they are responsible for it, and that there won’t be any kind of diminution in the service, whether that be the railway service or the levels of staff, whilst they are responsible.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, we know how important it is to be able to travel across the whole of Wales—[Laughter.]—including Islwyn and including, of course, mid and west Wales. It's hugely important that people are able to use the rail network to travel north-south and up and down and across our country. We want to make sure, of course, as part of the franchise that is agreed from the spring of next year...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I think we should tread carefully in terms of looking at tests. What I can say is that we as a Government, of course, have delivered legislation to deal with homelessness. We know that many, many thousands of people have avoided homelessness because there is a duty now to be proactive in avoiding homelessness. Nevertheless, it still exists. I was at the purple bus last night with the...
Carwyn Jones: Well, listening to what people said to me last night, it was clear that there are some people who have lived on the streets for years, and for some people it seems to be a choice that they make. For most it's not, of course; it's something that they find themselves having to deal with. What I did hear last night is that many people find that they are able to get accommodation within weeks,...
Carwyn Jones: I was very surprised last night to be told that, for some people, that's what they were choosing to do. I think it's more to do with the fact that they find it difficult to cope with any other circumstance they find themselves in. They are a minority, that's right, and I was quite surprised to be told that last night. The vast majority of people—no, of course they don't choose to be...
Carwyn Jones: I think the time has come to leave this now for the independent adviser to look at, and the other inquiries. To have individual questions about individual dates three years ago—I mean, clearly, that's a piecemeal approach. I think the reasonable approach to this now is to let the independent adviser get on with his work, to let the investigation get on with its work, and of course,...
Carwyn Jones: Again, oral statements three years ago are things that I—. It wouldn't be right to comment on this without looking at the whole picture. As I say, I think it's perfectly reasonable, given the fact that we have now a number of inquiries running, that it's for those inquiries—and they are independent inquiries—to look at these issues now in the round. I think that's a perfectly reasonable...
Carwyn Jones: Collective responsibility applies to policy, it has never applied to anything else, and I made that particularly clear. But I think it is important that, with all these issues—and serious questions have been asked, I understand that, and they need answers, and they will get answers. But I do think it's important that those answers are provided as part of a whole picture. It's not right...
Carwyn Jones: Technical advice note 8 does that, of course, because when TAN 8 was first developed it recognised, for example, that there were special conditions in national parks and there were particular areas where wind applications were due to come. He mentions wind turbines but nothing else. Is he saying, for example, that opencast is fine? Is he saying that other forms of energy like nuclear...
Carwyn Jones: The proportionality is already there. It's not all focused on one form of energy. I can't comment, obviously, on any appeal that is ongoing. What I can say to him is this: Wales is never irrelevant. Wales is never irrelevant, and we have a role to play in terms of reducing greenhouse gases for the good of all humanity.
Carwyn Jones: Well, 'damned by faint praise' I'd call that. I return the compliment to him. I look forward to more relevant questions from him in the future. Nevertheless, he and I will not agree when it comes to climate change. In terms of carbon emissions, I take the view that the vast bulk of science shows us that climate change is happening and that human beings have an effect on climate change, and we...
Carwyn Jones: Working with businesses to promote health in the workplace, including mental health, is a key principle of the economic action plan launched today. In addition, Healthy Working Wales and in-work support programmes provide support for employers and employees across Wales.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, that's absolutely right. Those who are closest to those who might experience stress are best placed to deal with it, but it's hugely important that people are able to recognise it. Particularly with some people, it's very difficult to recognise signs of stress. They will never exhibit signs of stress or complain about stress, but often, of course, those are the people who are...
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I applaud what Unison have done. In terms of what we have done, Healthy Working Wales is our work and health programme. It aims to improve health at work by focusing on prevention and retention or rehabilitation for those made ill at work. Funding has been committed until 2020 as part of our 'Prosperity for All' commitment to focus on support for employees' health and well-being. I can...
