Ken Skates: Previous Welsh Labour Governments have invested very heavily in education institutions, including schools, through the twenty-first century schools programme in the past, and I'd like to congratulate the Minister on his very, very well-deserved appointment and also invite him to Clwyd South to view some of the twenty-first century schools investment. And I'd be very grateful for any further...
Ken Skates: First Minister, the hard work of successive Labour Governments has led to the employment rate in north Wales reaching a record high, and we now have a record number of businesses in existence in north Wales. But of course, cross-border collaboration has been instrumental in driving the success story of the north Wales economy, and there are particularly strong ties in key sectors such as...
Ken Skates: 4. What is the First Minister's current assessment of the spread of the Delta variant in Clwyd South? OQ56670
Ken Skates: I second Jack Sargeant.
Ken Skates: I second John Griffiths.
Ken Skates: I nominate Jayne Bryant.
Ken Skates: Thank you, First Minister. Being fully vaccinated against COVID is clearly a citizen's best defence against this terrible virus and the many variants of it. Could you just outline how, in addition to being amongst the world's very best performing nations in terms of the first dose, Wales is so successfully accelerating the roll-out of the second dose of the vaccination?
Ken Skates: 7. What progress has the Welsh Government made regarding plans for a community bank of Wales? OQ56668
Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister. I am delighted that this question is being grouped with Jack Sargeant's as well, given that Jack has been such a strong supporter of a community bank. A recent report in the Flintshire and Wrexham Leader highlighted the alarming loss of bank branches in north Wales. Data published by the paper show that Clwyd South is the worst affected constituency in north Wales....
Ken Skates: Minister, you'll be aware of the importance of the heritage tourism sector to north Wales. It's vitally important in a number of areas in Clwyd South, including in Llangollen and in Brymbo. Minister, could you commit to ensuring that the Welsh Government remains committed to investing in the heritage tourism sector so that future jobs can be sustained and that more jobs can be created?
Ken Skates: Will the Minister provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to help create manufacturing jobs in North Wales?
Ken Skates: First Minister, during and before the pandemic you were a regular visitor to GP surgeries in Clwyd South, including in Chirk and Llangollen. Would you join me in congratulating all staff at GP surgeries for the incredible work they've done during the pandemic, including, of course, reception staff? Would you also join me in condemning all abusive behaviour towards primary care health staff?
Ken Skates: 4. What is the Welsh Government doing to help connect more properties in north Wales to superfast broadband? OQ56945
Ken Skates: That's excellent to hear, Minister. Given the Welsh Government's commitment to combating the climate emergency, and also given the huge rise in the number of people who are working remotely and working from home as a result of coronavirus, would you agree with me that broadband should be regarded as a universal service, like the Royal Mail, and should be available to all?
Ken Skates: Can you advise the Senedd of action being taken to promote respect and compassion in the school place, given the vital role that both play in promoting well-being amongst learners, and in shaping confident learners who are not blinded by shame later in life? And would you commit to also reporting to the Senedd any appraisals of the benefits that universal free school meals may have in terms...
Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward this important statement today. As both an individual Member of the Senedd and also as chair of the cross-party group on mental health, I'd like to pass on my best wishes to Andrew R.T. Davies and say just how impressive his openness, and indeed the openness of Sam Kurtz, was last week. C.S. Lewis once remarked that we read so that we know we are not...
Ken Skates: It further demonstrates that we do need to tackle mental illness. Now, one question in particular, cross-Government working, and you've alluded to it today, could you elaborate on how you're working with particularly the education and economy departments to tackle mental illness? And can you also identify how you're promoting the online cognitive behavioural therapy resource that has proven...
Ken Skates: Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's plans to make CCTV mandatory in all abattoirs?
Ken Skates: 1. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that the £20-a-week cut to universal credit will have on Welsh communities? OQ57034
Ken Skates: Well, thank you, Minister, and I agree. Clearly, irrespective of the arguments for and against making the cut, making the cut will clearly have a very, very significant impact on many people in Wales. And, Minister, as you are aware, my north Wales colleague Jack Sargeant has spoken publicly and regularly in support of a trial to explore the feasibility of a universal basic income here in...
