Carwyn Jones: We have to remember that it was a decision taken by an elected UK Government not to support the raising of the tariffs. That was the decision taken, not alone by the UK Government, but by other Governments—at least one other Government—as well. But, from my perspective, I think it’s hugely important that, yes, we have a tariff wall against cheap imports coming here from other parts of...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. Llywydd, I understand you’ve given your permission for questions 3 and 11 to be grouped. I’ve made it clear that it is an absolute priority for our Government to maintain a sustainable steel making presence in Wales, and we are doing everything possible to ensure this happens. That means working closely, of course, with the UK Government.
Carwyn Jones: Well, I too visited the campus as well, and the point was made to me. I’ve not yet seen a formal bid of any kind, personally, coming forward, but, of course, any such bids would be examined very carefully by us as a Government.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I’ve met with two of the organisations who’ve put forward an expression of interest. The heavy end is absolutely crucial to the future of our steel industry within the UK, and I’ve made that very clear. Nor would I support any potential deal that saw the diminution of pension rights on behalf of either the pensioners or the workers who are currently working for Tata. That is...
Carwyn Jones: Well, we already have. Certainly, I made strong representations to the UK Government that they should be seen as one of the preferred bidders. I’m encouraged by the fact that they seem to be talking to one of the other bidders, namely Liberty Steel. I think that’s a good blend. I think the management buy-out option contains a lot of technical expertise, but has not yet raised the money....
Carwyn Jones: Absolutely. The industry is interlinked, because, having been to Trostre and Llanwern and also to Shotton—at Shotton, particularly, they were saying to me, ‘Well, we do make money, but the reality is we rely on Port Talbot for steel. It would take us six months, roughly, to source steel from somewhere else. In the meantime, there is no guarantee that we’ll be able to keep our...
Carwyn Jones: Well, we have the £60 million already on the table; half of which is a commercial loan, the other half of which is in the form of grant money. We are still looking at whether there is more we could do on business rates. It is right to say that the initial advice was that we could offer €200,000 over three years. We are examining that once again to see whether there is a way that we can...
Carwyn Jones: Absolutely; I can give that guarantee. One of the elements of the package we’ve offered is a €2 million sum for skills and training. Of course, we’ve worked very closely with the industry in years gone by to make sure that we’re able to assist them with bespoke training packages. We see, of course, the result in the highly specialised work that’s carried out in the Member’s...
Carwyn Jones: Well, the difficult part of the steel industry at the moment is the steel-making end in Port Talbot. The rolling mills at Trostre, Llanwern and Shotton are all in a good financial position. That said, I do know that the loss at Port Talbot has already been cut by two thirds. It’s still losing money, but there’s been a significant turnaround in a very short space of time. But it’s hugely...
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Government is fully committed to this significantly important project. We expect that this year, 2016, will be a significant year for this £12 billion project, not least marked by Horizon’s announcement last week of a new delivery team for Wylfa Newydd.
Carwyn Jones: Well, this has already happened. A nuclear programme board has already been established under the auspices of Welsh Government, and the aim of that board is to secure the maximum economic benefit for the island, and also to Wales as a whole. That board has a number of work streams that they’re considering at present, considering things such as skills, business development, marketing,...
Carwyn Jones: Well, given the fact that it was already there in the first place, positively. He will know, the Member, that we have put in place plans for the north-east of Wales—that’s not to exclude the north-west; we know how important the north-west is—because, at one point, the Northern Powerhouse, as it's called, in the north-west of England, was being presented as a competitor. Now, we see a...
Carwyn Jones: We've already examined the options for a third crossing on the Menai, and that’s something that we want to take forward. We've examined whether it's possible, for example, to extend—or widen, rather—the Britannia bridge. That's tricky, but, nevertheless, this is work in progress. We know how important it is—I mean, the A55 is not a dual carriageway across its entire length, because of...
Carwyn Jones: Cancer is a top priority for us. The £200 million business case for transforming cancer services across south-east Wales is being progressed, and, of course, the outline business case for a new cancer hospital in Velindre—of course, in the Member’s constituency—is due to be submitted by the end of this year.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I can absolutely give that commitment. It will house a number of new treatments as well—the stereotactic radiotherapy, for example, will be housed there, and that will give new opportunities to so many people who are living with cancer to be able to have their lives extended, or better. We intend for Velindre to be a state-of-the-art cancer facility for the people of Wales.
Carwyn Jones: We must ensure that diagnosis takes place as soon as possible. But with some cancer patients, it’s not as easy to get an early diagnosis. With the majority, that’s fine. But also, people want to move forward to receive treatment. Our figures on treatment are good and are improving, and we must ensure that that’s our ultimate aim. But of course, it’s important to have new resources...
Carwyn Jones: Ah, the tablet tax makes its reappearance. No, we have no plans to start charging people for prescriptions, any more than we have plans to start charging people for GP appointments. I don’t anticipate anybody crossing the border, because the cancer drugs fund in England has gone. It collapsed under the weight of its own pressure. So, what we’ve put in place is a sensible, affordable fund...
Carwyn Jones: Well, these are issues, of course, that we’ve been investigating, particularly with regard to a key worker. When somebody is diagnosed with cancer it’s an immense blow, and an immense struggle. I’ve seen it, as have a number of others—I’m sure all Members have within this Chamber. Early detection is important. That’s why we know, of course, that the number of referrals has...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. The national transport finance plan sets out investment for transport and infrastructure in all parts of Wales. By now, the Cynon Valley link is identified as Rhondda Cynon Taf’s No. 1 priority scheme for 2015-20, and we have allocated money to the council to develop the Cynon Gateway South scheme.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, we will. It’s early days yet, of course, because this is the preparatory work that’s being done, but we would expect RCT to make a formal submission over the course of the next few years. We know that Aberdare is close geographically to the A470 and the A465, but we know that the roads are not good in terms of people coming in to Aberdare, and it’s important to have a fast route...
