Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Llywydd. This year's Welsh Government draft budget marks an incredibly important step in the devolution process. This is the first year that revenue raised from new Welsh rates of income tax will be included in the Welsh budget, following their introduction in April 2019. However, this momentous step in the devolution process is occurring against the backdrop of the bleakest...
Rhianon Passmore: What is the Welsh Government doing to protect public services in Islwyn from the impacts of austerity?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you very much. I think the question has been asked. Can the Cabinet Secretary confirm that Welsh taxpayers have received their HMRC letter about Welsh rates of income tax?
Rhianon Passmore: That is the question in front of me, Llywydd.
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Would you agree with the OECD viewpoint, strongly made, that Wales is moving in the right direction in regard to its education reforms?
Rhianon Passmore: I will be voting for the amendment to this motion tabled by Julie James AM. The Tory motion is both cynical and politically opportunistic. The Tory motion is also fundamentally flawed. We know, do we not, that since 2009 there have been two National Assembly for Wales elections. Both times the Welsh nation has gone to the polls, and both times democratically following the elections a Welsh...
Rhianon Passmore: Mark Drakeford.
Rhianon Passmore: It is important, today of all days, that we, as the National Assembly for Wales, acknowledge International Human Rights Day on Monday, 10 December 2018. Seventy years on since the adoption of the universal declaration of human rights, the advancement of social justice and equality was one of the core fundamental reasons that I, and, I know, others in this Chamber, entered political life, and...
Rhianon Passmore: 8. What action is the Welsh Government taking to help people out of homelessness? OAQ53160
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. First Minister, I also wish to offer you the best wishes from my constituents in Islwyn for your endeavours as First Minister on behalf of the Welsh people. First Minister, at least 320,000 people are homeless in Britain, according to research by the housing charity, Shelter. The estimate suggests that, nationally, one in 200 people are homeless....
Rhianon Passmore: 7. What is the Welsh Government doing to aid social landlords to invest in new social housing in Islwyn? OAQ53225
Rhianon Passmore: I was about to enter the Newbridge memorial hall on Friday evening when the news broke that my political opponent in Islwyn, and my also dear colleague, Steffan Lewis AM, had passed away. So, as many have said, my heart does go out to Steffan's wife, Shona, and son, Celyn. At our Islwyn Labour Party meeting of members, there was a genuine sadness at this tragic news, and that is because of...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch. First Minister, the right to buy and associated rights will finally be abolished throughout Wales on 26 January 2019, thanks to the Welsh Labour Government. Between 1981 and 2016, over 139,000 local authority and housing association homes were sold under the right to buy, with no ability or capacity for replenishing the social housing stocks to the same levels. This has severely...
Rhianon Passmore: I greatly welcome today's statement by the Counsel General and Brexit Minister. Let us be in no doubt that the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Government has made an absolute hash of negotiating the UK's exit from the European Union. If it wasn't so dangerous, it would be almost funny, like Boris. But, anyway, irrespective of this dangerous flux caused by the Tory leadership, it is vital...
Rhianon Passmore: 2. What is the Welsh Government doing to support a regional economic development policy to aid communities in Islwyn? OAQ53203
Rhianon Passmore: Okay, thank you. The Welsh Government announced, as 2019 began, that the OECD will lead a new project to support the development of a regional economic development policy for Wales. This new project will see international experts visit Wales and discuss regional economic challenges and opportunities with partners. How can we mitigate the loss of European Union regional investment, and may I...
Rhianon Passmore: I want to start by thanking Jack for bringing forth this short debate on this very vital area and for bringing this debate to us today. According to the mental health charity Mind, more than one in five people have said that they have called in sick to avoid work, when asked how workplace stress had affected them. Though the overwhelming majority of managers and employers will, I'm sure, want...
Rhianon Passmore: What is the Welsh Government doing to improve child and adolescent mental health services in Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, thank you for your statement today on how the Welsh Government is working closely with local government and partners in public agencies to maximise the preparations for civil security contingencies planning in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit. A 'no deal' Brexit should just be called a hard Brexit, because that's what it is; it is the worst possible economic slap in the face for the...
