Vikki Howells: I speak this afternoon on behalf of the Labour group, and I just want to place on record our thanks to the Standards of Conduct Committee for producing the dignity and respect policy before us. The Labour group strongly supports the strengthened measures, which set out to protect everyone who works in our National Assembly or, indeed, engages with Members and with their staff. We believe...
Vikki Howells: 3. Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's key objectives for improving rail services in south Wales? OAQ52223
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. You may be aware that, in response to my campaign, Arriva Trains Wales have announced an extra four Sunday train services from Aberdare, with a first service that now reaches Cardiff before 10.00 a.m. This is great news for commuters from the Cynon Valley. What assurances can the Welsh Government give that these services will be carried forward and included in any...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, and it was a pleasure to join you yesterday at Abercynon-based Pinkspiration for the launch of the economic contract. I'm sure that, like me, you were struck by the way that Pinkspiration supports women in the business world by mentoring and also into non-traditional areas of work like construction. I was struck, for example, by the fact that their construction...
Vikki Howells: How is the Welsh Government working to break the link between poverty and poor health?
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I welcome your statement today, and the south Wales Valleys I think are a hotbed of rail expertise, with many small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in rail engineering, in construction and other maintenance services, with employers who are locally based and often very highly skilled as well. Now, many of these tell me that they spend up to 80...
Vikki Howells: Minister, I'd like to welcome the statement that you've made here today. As a representative of a Valleys community, you'll be aware of my long-standing passion in regenerating communities such as my own, and a key part of that absolutely has to be bringing better jobs closer to home. So, it's really good to see the detail that you've set out for us today, and I particularly welcome the work...
Vikki Howells: 4. What assessment has the Counsel General made of how laws in Wales apply to the Crown? OAQ52282
Vikki Howells: Will the Welsh Government outline how it intends to increase the numbers of tourists visiting the south Wales valleys?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Counsel General. As you will know, currently, the Crown is automatically exempted under laws passed in this place unless the provision is explicitly included. In the draft Legislation (Wales) Bill there is a proposal to reverse this so that the Crown and all its property will be automatically subject to Welsh law. Can you explain the rationale for this proposed change and if you...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Llywydd. At the start of June, competitors from across the world gathered in the Portuguese city of Guimarães. They were there to compete in the fifteenth Aerobic Gymnastics World Championships. During the preceding age-group championships, team GB competitors included 11-year-old Seren Jones of Aberdare. This talented young gymnast was part of a team who made history by securing...
Vikki Howells: What action is the Welsh Government taking to reduce the impact of poverty on citizens' lives?
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Llywydd. Sorry—.
Vikki Howells: Diolch. Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your really important announcement today. I'm glad that you were able to see such good examples of best practice at two locations within the Cynon Valley, and hopefully they will enhance your ability to take that and roll it out elsewhere. Two quick questions, then. Firstly, can I welcome the recognition in the plan of the work carried out by carers...
Vikki Howells: Like many colleagues here today, I too have made my pledge to do what I can to support and to promote the work of carers during Carers Week 2018. So, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate today. As has been said, there are 370,000 carers in Wales, and that constitutes 12 per cent of the population, which is the highest proportion anywhere in the UK. We know that carers...
Vikki Howells: Well, carers champions have more of an informal role of supporting young people and then, of course, there are other services that can come into play, such as social services, really. So, this is an on-the-ground, grass-roots kind of response providing that day-to-day support and care. Within my own constituency, I'm fortunate to have a really strong young carers project. Action for...
Vikki Howells: 4. How will the south Wales metro improve access to public transport in the Cynon Valley? OAQ52384
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I welcome those comments on the rail aspect of the metro, but I think it's important to note that, from its inception, the metro project has been promoted as an integrated transport solution. The geography of the Valleys means that it's often our most impoverished communities that can be furthest away from the train links on the valley floor. So, for them to...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary; there's lots to welcome in your very important statement today. First, I'd like to seek some clarification on a number of points. On the possibility of introducing Lucy's law to ban third-party puppy sales, I welcome your comments about discussing options with officials. We know on welfare grounds that there's a growing chorus of recognition that it's a good...
Vikki Howells: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact that leaving the European Union will have on public finances in Wales?
