Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. You touched on this, but how much work have you done on looking at that transition period between the age of 18 and that period when children in care are going on into adulthood? Because I’ve spoken to a number of young people who feel that the transition is too abrupt, and they go from a very cared, look-after environment into an environment where they really...
Nick Ramsay: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policies for supporting the economy of south east Wales?
Nick Ramsay: Leader of the house, can I ask for two statements from the education Secretary? Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the Gwent Music summer showcase concert at St David’s Hall, with music from schools right across south-east Wales. This regional collaboration across schools should be celebrated and promoted, I’m sure you’ll agree, and so any additional support, financial or...
Nick Ramsay: Cabinet Secretary, I’m pleased to see that you’re carrying on with your predecessor’s enthusiasm for the first Welsh taxes in 800 years. I suppose it’s a bit too much to expect the public to be enthusiastic about paying taxes, but at least the enthusiasm is with you with a mind on history and the thirteenth century indeed. This does, indeed, represent a fundamental change in the...
Nick Ramsay: I agree with the closing comments there of Hannah Blythyn that this is not just a question of looking at mental health issues; it’s a question of looking at it in terms of the broader physical health and, indeed, workplace well-being and health as well. I think you hit the nail on the head there, Hannah. It’s over three years now since this strategy was published, and warmly welcomed at...
Nick Ramsay: Of course, Lee.
Nick Ramsay: Yes, I quite agree with you, Lee. In fact, I was listening to Dai Lloyd’s comments earlier, and Dai was talking about shortages across the board. You mentioned the shortage of therapists, and it struck me as you were speaking, Dai, that yes, there is a shortage of therapists, and I wonder whether this is an area that the Welsh Government could look at in terms of campaigning to recruit...
Nick Ramsay: If I can just ask about the draft Wales Bill aspect of this Queen’s Speech, Secretary of State, Members of this Chamber will be well aware of my concerns regarding tax devolution, or, rather, the subsequent reductions that will be made to the block grant once tax devolution has occurred. We accept it’s pretty straightforward in the first year, with a portion of income tax being raised...
Nick Ramsay: Are floppy disks really out of date, Cabinet Secretary? I must keep up with the times, mustn’t I? You’ll tell me next that phones haven’t got wires, but there we go. [Laughter.] We’ve had a number of debates in this Chamber over the years, Cabinet Secretary, about lowering the voting age, and part of that debate has often involved the need to try an improved understanding of politics...
Nick Ramsay: 8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's policies for improving the infrastructure in south east Wales? OAQ(5)0108(FM)
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister. A solution to the M4 Brynglas tunnels congestion is a key priority for the Welsh Government and indeed for this Assembly as a whole. I’m sure that Professor Stuart Cole will be sleeping a little easier knowing that his M4 blue route is now part of the mix to be considered by the public inquiry announced recently. You’ll be aware that Roadchef at Magor services...
Nick Ramsay: I wasn’t expecting to hear ‘supplementary budget’ and ‘high political drama’ in the same sentence there, Adam Price, but you managed it. Can I thank the finance Cabinet Secretary for his earlier opening contribution? We agree with you, finance Cabinet Secretary, that this first supplementary budget is largely technical and administrative due to changes through the transition from...
Nick Ramsay: Cabinet Secretary, can you update us on the ability of Welsh SMEs to take part in projects procured by the Welsh Government? I had a discussion in relation to this with NPS engineering consultants, an engineering firm based in Chepstow in my constituency, just before the election. That firm had, worryingly, given up on trying to procure Welsh Government contracts, because, despite the clarity...
Nick Ramsay: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement update on this important issue? I’m pleased as well, Cabinet Secretary, that your door is still open to this project. You’ll know that Monmouthshire County Council has been very positive about the project’s potential. I do hear some of your reservations. Other Members have asked for clarification on many of the points that I was going...
Nick Ramsay: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the development of the South Wales Metro? OAQ(5)0128(FM)
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister. Our rail network has clearly been uppermost in the minds of my constituents and other AMs over the last few days with the start of the six-week closure period of the Severn tunnel for the important electrification work. Speed of travel is a key aspect of quality of life, so I was very concerned to hear that the town of Monmouth may not be part of the future metro...
Nick Ramsay: Leader of the house, it’s great news that the electrification of the Great Western main line has reached the Severn tunnel, but it clearly will cause short-term disruption, inevitably, of services over the next six weeks or so. I know that this isn’t a devolved issue, being Network Rail and UK Government-related, but there will be a knock-on effect on other services and the local economy...
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement. You’ll be pleased to know that I am going to ask you about the land transaction tax and not about an array of hypothetical other taxation, be it the land tax or wealth tax or whatever. I think we’ve got enough on our plate dealing with this piece of legislation. You mentioned that this was a historic moment: the first Welsh tax in several...
Nick Ramsay: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on the development of community hubs? OAQ(5)0019(CC)
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I’ve been working closely with the Raglan village hall committee in my constituency, which is working hard to develop a community hub at the centre of the Monmouth constituency. The Big Lottery have provided funding to develop designs. Can you tell me how the Welsh Government’s community facilities programme is working with organisations such as the Big...
