Luke Fletcher: Of course, I'm more than happy to join you in congratulating them. Members will also be glad to hear that I still go to the Sandwich Co, another fine business in Pencoed, and, yes, I still order the Arnie sarnie. I'm a creature of habit after all. But for those who wish to sample a wider menu and are excited for Christmas, then please do try the Christmas cracker—turkey, stuffing, sausage,...
Luke Fletcher: 7. What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure communities across Wales have accessible banking services? OQ58850
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Prif Weinidog. The First Minister will be aware of the most recent spate of bank closure to hit Wales after HSBC announced last week that they'd be closing 12 branches from next April. One of the branches earmarked for closure is in Port Talbot. The announcement is another blow to constituents in my region, who, from west to east, are already being cut adrift by the closures. Gower,...
Luke Fletcher: Well done.
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to the committee Chair and also, mainly, to the clerking team for all of their work.
Luke Fletcher: Leeanne's campaign was actually one of the first campaigns to get in touch with me as a newly elected Member; when I literally just scrolled back through Messenger, it was actually David who got in touch with me. Now, that was in 2021, and I'm very glad that we are now here at this point. There's not much more I can really add to the Chair's contribution, but the work we undertook as a...
Luke Fletcher: 1. How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to tackle the pressure on homelessness prevention services over the Christmas period? OQ58891
Luke Fletcher: Dioch, Prif Weinidog. It hasn't been that long since homelessness services were confronted by a nightmare scenario during the pandemic, and here they are again confronting another one. I'd like to highlight the case of Keith, a constituent in Maesteg, who recently got in touch for help as he and his wife are in crisis situation after recently receiving a section 21 notice, the deadline of...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you to the Minister for his statement.
Luke Fletcher: Of course, the young person's guarantee is an important programme for Wales; I think it's fair to say that we all want to see this succeed. After all, we won't reach our targets around net zero, for example, unless we ensure that young people have the skills that they need in the future economy. Much, of course, has changed since it was first announced, however, there are always consistencies...
Luke Fletcher: 4. How does the Minister intend to support Welsh research and development in light of ongoing uncertainties with Horizon Europe? OQ58889
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, the announcement in the draft budget relating to business rates relief has been broadly welcomed by businesses across Wales, especially so in the hospitality, retail and leisure sector. The Federation of Small Businesses said, for example, that the measures will go some way to alleviate the pressures on small firms that they are facing. However, I am sure the...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Of course, one of the things that they mentioned was that smaller businesses would miss out on that support. So, isn't it the case that we need that targeted support? There is a recognition that support is needed elsewhere. We've heard about energy today, and that business rates themselves, of course, as well, need reform. That, of course, was the view of...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for for that response, Minister.
Luke Fletcher: The UK Government recently announced a package of measures to support UK R&D amidst the continuing uncertainty over association with Horizon Europe. Within the package, as you've mentioned, is a pledge of £100 million quality-related funding for English universities, from which Wales will receive consequentials. It is important to highlight the fact that QR funding is unique in the sense...
Luke Fletcher: Let's be clear: the fact that poverty exists is a complete and utter failure of the Government—Governments on both sides of the M4. It's a failure of both Parliaments, and it's a failure of an economic system, a system that benefits from and encourages maximum profit at the cost of people, because that's what we're talking about here—people. That's what's behind poverty figures—people...
Luke Fletcher: This morning, the weather was atrocious. In the downpour, I walked to the train station. Luckily, it's only five minutes away from my house. But, in other parts of Bridgend county, too many kids had to walk over an hour to get to school, no doubt arriving soaking wet. I first raised this in September 2021. Nothing has changed. This barrier to education in still in place. So, I would like to...
Luke Fletcher: I thank the Minister for his statement.
Luke Fletcher: We agree that harnessing science research and innovation to address societal challenges is important, as is improving investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and research and development, which will have huge benefits for the Welsh economy, and we must continue developing our manufacturing and exporting in these areas. Of course, we support the ambition of establishing...
Luke Fletcher: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of Cardiff Airport in light of Wizz Air's announcement that it is ceasing operations in and out of Wales? TQ705
