Ken Skates: Deputy Minister, just to assist you, you're right: already 5,000 trees have been given away as part of the scheme—5,000 in March; 200,000 are due to be given away in November. However, might I suggest that a rapid review of the terms and conditions to the programme operated by the Woodland Trust is undertaken to ensure that as many trees as possible are distributed this autumn and beyond....
Ken Skates: First Minister, sport and culture are obviously two key drivers for tourism in Wales and, here in north Wales, we have some golden opportunities to promote tourism through sport and culture in the coming weeks. Would you confirm that you and your entire Government will be offering full and pretty fierce support for Wrexham Association Football Club in the National League play-offs and also to...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Llywydd. Indeed it is. I was delighted to hear the First Minister's response to my question a little earlier, but I'd also be grateful if a statement could be forthcoming should Wrexham win the city of culture bid, outlining details of the Welsh Government's support, both financial and in-kind support, because I am in no doubt that the local council will be relying very heavily on the...
Ken Skates: To spoil the trend, I am yet to win a best-dressed competition, but I hope that might change next week at the Ruabon Platinum Jubilee celebrations. I'd like to begin, though, by saying just what a pleasure it is to contribute to this debate and to support the motion, and to thank every organisation in Clwyd South that is organising such a diverse range of celebratory events for the Platinum...
Ken Skates: What is the Welsh Government doing to support major events in north Wales?
Ken Skates: Minister, you deserve immense credit for pursuing the establishment of disabled people's employment champions in the previous Senedd term; they're proving to be invaluable for many, many thousands of people here in Wales. What sort of assessment would you make of the rights of disabled people and the well-being of disabled people since 2010, as a result of UK Government measures? Here in...
Ken Skates: There is no doubt that health provision is the single biggest issue of concern to people in north Wales right now, and by some distance. And whilst the vast majority of people in the region would doubtlessly applaud the phenomenal and tireless efforts of the healthcare workforce, there is considerable concern over service provision and outcomes. Now, the Conservative motion sees a different...
Ken Skates: Of course, yes.
Ken Skates: Actually, Rhun, it's very close, but I think, first of all, what we need to do is look at the short-term impact of reorganisation. We've got a huge backlog at the moment that Betsi Cadwaladr are facing, we would need to understand before we review and appraise the potential benefits, long term, of reorganisation—. I think we do need to be informed as to what the short-term impact could be...
Ken Skates: 3. What support is the Welsh Government providing to people in Clwyd South in light of the current cost-of-living crisis? OQ58196
Ken Skates: Well, thank you, First Minister, that is enormous help for my constituents, but would you agree that the Chancellor's offer to households facing the cost-of-living crisis is simply not enough and, indeed, insulting, given it's to be paid from the cut to universal credit last year? So much more could have been offered to hard-pressed households had the Chancellor not lost £11 billion in...
Ken Skates: I'd also like to put on record my thanks to the Chair, to colleagues on the committee, to the clerking team and to the researchers for the piece of work that's been undertaken. And I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the future generations commissioner for groundbreaking work, for consistent and constructive challenge that has been offered to policy makers, and for being fiercely...
Ken Skates: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on investment in Clwyd South through the twenty-first century schools programme? OQ58198
Ken Skates: Minister, thank you for your answer. That's superb news, and that £20 million has gone a long way in enhancing not just school estates, but also communities as a whole. I'd be extremely grateful if you could update Members and my constituents in Clwyd South on progress being made specifically in the community of Brymbo, in the north of the constituency, where a new twenty-first century...
Ken Skates: Minister, can I thank you for this statement today? I think it demonstrates once again the determination of the Welsh Government to level up the life chances of looked-after children. Two brief questions. The first regards all of the advice that you outlined that will be available to care leavers regarding financial matters. Could you just assure Members that the young persons' advisers will...
Ken Skates: Thank you. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd.
Ken Skates: 3. What impact will changing the classification of self-catering properties for tax purposes have on residents in communities with increasing amounts of self-catering accommodation? OQ58249
Ken Skates: Thank you, Minister. This is really good to hear, because I'm sure you would agree that tourism is vitally important to the Welsh economy, but, of course, with the rapid rise in self-catering units, there is a risk that some towns and villages will cater more to visitors than to residents. This is something that's been raised with me by concerned residents in Llangollen on numerous occasions,...
Ken Skates: Will the First Minister provide an update on the progress of the north Wales metro?
Ken Skates: First Minister, there's been a very welcome and significant increase recently in funding for support services for mental health within schools, which will help many young people in the Vale of Clwyd and beyond. We know that the most effective mental ill health prevention and early intervention comes through school counselling services. So, will the Welsh Government commit to facilitating the...
