Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’d like to move the Welsh Conservative amendment in the name of Paul Davies. Now, the Welsh Conservatives and I welcome this debate on the future of the steel industry in Wales. Welsh steel production is of course of vital importance to the Welsh economy, to workers and their families, and to those communities that rely on steel making. We will not be...
Russell George: Yes, I will, in that case, wind up, Deputy Presiding Officer. Just to say that, from my perspective, I hope the Welsh and UK Governments continue to work together towards a positive outcome.
Russell George: 1. How is the Welsh Government improving access to health services in Montgomeryshire? OAQ(5)0111(FM)
Russell George: Thank you. I welcome that answer in that case, First Minister. You may be aware that stroke patients in mid Wales are no longer able to access special treatment from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital following a reconfiguration of services, which has resulted in services moving further away to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. Can I ask you what discussions your Government has had with the...
Russell George: First Minister, I’m grateful to Joyce Watson for raising this question; it’s a particular issue in my constituency, with many GPs reaching retirement age and struggling to recruit. Many surgeries, in that instance, are having to reconfigure how they operate. What GPs are saying to me is that there is the potential for the devaluation of their premises if their practices cease to operate,...
Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, one of the ways in which the Welsh Government could support and assist the company, as it pauses for thought over the sale of the business, is through business rate relief. In April, I believe the Welsh Government said then that it could not apply for a temporary rate relief because it was, effectively, hamstrung by European Union rules at the time. Now, following Brexit,...
Russell George: Business Minister, I would like to request a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs on the Welsh Government support for farmers under the Glastir agri-environment scheme. Now, over the past month, I’ve been alerted to a large number of businesses having received letters from Welsh Government demanding the repayment of thousands of pounds based upon...
Russell George: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement? Cardiff and its surrounding area is of course the fastest-growing region in the UK, and the growth brings with it increased usage and growing pressure on pre-existing transport infrastructure. With this in mind, it’s important that future modernisation of the Welsh transport industry not only copes with this growing demand but caters for...
Russell George: 2. Will the Minister outline the financial support available for tourism projects in mid Wales? OAQ(5)0027(EI)
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Cabinet Secretary. The heritage hub for mid Wales project is an exciting new project in Newtown, which aims to forge a brand identity for mid Wales, through the exploitation of digital technology and the promotion of our culture, including paying tribute to the iconic social reformer, Robert Owen, famous to Newtown. Now, they’ve also promoted the project with...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Cabinet Secretary, I’d like to question you on the Welsh Government’s support for small businesses and, in doing so, I also declare that I’m an owner of a small business myself. Small businesses in England will benefit from a number of key priority changes that the UK Government has brought forward in its 2016 budget in order to assists small and...
Russell George: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for that. You have rightly outlined your manifesto commitment to cut taxes for small businesses. Could I ask you how you would do that for small businesses that currently don’t pay business rates? How are you going to cut taxes for those small businesses?
Russell George: My question was in regard to the fact that there are a number of taxes that small businesses would pay and, clearly, as it was a Welsh Labour manifesto commitment to cut tax for small businesses, if they’re not paying business rates, then obviously that manifesto commitment will cut taxes in other areas. The Development Bank for Wales is also designed to address the growing bank funding...
Russell George: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement. The construction of the Circuit of Wales is a fantastic opportunity not only for the south Wales Valleys, but for Wales more generally. So, it is disappointing news today; I think there’s no getting away from that. But I hope that the Circuit of Wales project still remains an exciting project that can offer great opportunities to provide...
Russell George: I’m pleased to take part in this co-sponsored debate today regarding the BBC’s role in Wales as a broadcaster, which has a unique role in reflecting the lives of the people of Wales both in English and Welsh on television, radio and online. I sound a bit like a radio jingle saying that. I do very much agree with the words of Bethan Jenkins and Lee Waters today. I’m very pleased that we...
Russell George: 3. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's guidance to local authorities on the procurement of public services? OAQ(5)0140(FM)
Russell George: First Minister, the largest privately owned waste management company in Wales, the Potter Group, which is based in my constituency, has been excluded from bidding for a waste management contract in Bridgend County Borough Council because it doesn’t meet the requirements of having an annual turnover of more than £50 million. Would you agree with me that it’s disproportionate to require...
Russell George: The five-point action plan on local bus services that your colleague the Cabinet Secretary for the economy published last week is very much to be welcomed. Bus service support grants have been cut already. Can you guarantee that the current level of funding for local bus services, as outlined last week, and any additional—. I’m sorry. Can you guarantee the current level of funding for...
Russell George: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today, which is very welcome. This legislation does seem to have suffered from a lack of interest and ambition on behalf of the Government, causing, I should say, frustration among even the Act’s biggest supporters. The fourth Assembly’s Enterprise and Business Committee made a number of recommendations during their early post-legislative scrutiny...
Russell George: 8. Will the Minister outline whether or not the Welsh Government provides guidance to local authorities on the procurement of its waste management contracts? OAQ(5)0023(FLG)
