Tom Giffard: Diolch. Can I thank the Minister for that answer? The Centre for Social Justice's report, 'Universal Basic Income: An Effective Policy for Poverty Reduction', argues that UBI is unaffordable, putting at risk the provision of important services in healthcare and in education, adding that it, quote, 'Doesn’t meet the needs of low income households facing complex problems such as drug...
Tom Giffard: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on the schools admission process in South Wales West? OQ56746
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Minister, for that response. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that COVID-19 has brought a significant number of additional challenges on secondary schools, and secondary schools and their staff and pupils have really risen to the challenge. But oversubscription has been an ongoing problem since before the pandemic, and at a time when schools and pupils are under significant...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Minister, for your statement, and can I also welcome the constructive tone I think you've given in your statement and your answers so far? I'm sure you'll agree with me that a future vibrant steel sector in Wales is contingent on Welsh Government and UK Government working together where it can, so I'd like to welcome the Welsh Government's commitment to do what it can to make the...
Tom Giffard: 8. Will the Minister provide an update on city deals in south Wales? OQ56747
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I start by welcoming the written statement issued by the Deputy Minister that was provided to all Members last week on the Football Association of Wales's proposals to restructure the women's league in Wales? I'm sure all of us in this Chamber agree with the vision of developing and improving the women's game in Wales, but, unfortunately, in order to achieve this goal,...
Tom Giffard: Can I thank you for that answer, Deputy Minister? So, keeping to the theme of sport, I'd like to now turn to sporting pilot events that have taken place in Wales. In a question to the First Minister a month ago, I asked for an update on sporting pilot events that have taken place across Wales over the previous few weeks. In his reply, he said there would be a further set of pilot events. But,...
Tom Giffard: Thank you for that answer. Unfortunately, there's still a bit of inconsistency when it comes to the return of spectators to sporting events and sports clubs across Wales. So, as fans return to stadia in smaller numbers, it's also been raised with me some of the inconsistencies of the COVID regulations surrounding sport. Whilst it's a welcome sight to see some Wales fans returning to support...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Minister, for the answer and I'd first of all just like to declare that I'm a member of Bridgend County Borough Council, and to declare that interest where I'm a member. As you'll know, my region of South Wales West consists of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot councils, which form part of the Swansea bay city region deal, and also Bridgend County Borough Council, which is part of...
Tom Giffard: Thank you to Huw Irranca-Davies for tabling this question. I think it's very important, and as Huw correctly says, domiciliary care workers in Bridgend and social care workers across Wales have played a really important part in this pandemic. But I think domiciliary care doesn't just start and end with those social care workers. One aspect of domiciliary care—and it's sometimes overlooked,...
Tom Giffard: Can I begin by thanking Hefin David for bringing this important debate to the Senedd today? And I know a number of Members have used it to highlight wonderful tourism destinations in their constituencies and regions; you'll be pleased to know I won't be doing that. I will not even mention Aberavon seafront in an attempt to curry favour with the Dirprwy Lywydd in my region. [Laughter.]...
Tom Giffard: 6. Will the First Minister provide an update on the uptake of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccines in Wales? OQ56794
Tom Giffard: I thank the First Minister for that answer. I was recently contacted by a constituent who is a student at Swansea University and received a first dose of the vaccine from the Swansea Bay University Health Board, but has come across significant issues trying to arrange the second vaccination elsewhere. If you'll indulge me, I'll read an excerpt of their correspondence, which says, 'I was...
Tom Giffard: 8. Will the Minister provide an update on the role of regional education consortia? OQ56783
Tom Giffard: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Unfortunately, as you'll be aware, Education through Regional Working, or the ERW regional education consortium, is in a bit of a mess. Senior councillors from member authorities have been scathing in the press about the organisation, with Swansea Labour Councillor Jennifer Rayner describing working with ERW over the last few years as being extremely...
Tom Giffard: Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's plans to protect household animals?
Tom Giffard: Trefnydd, can I ask for a statement from the economy Minister on the announcement of two factories in the community of Gorseinon that have announced their intention to close over the next year? 3M have announced that 89 jobs will be lost, and Toyoda Gosei have said 228 positions at their site are under threat too. These are two major employers in the community of Gorseinon, and their loss...
Tom Giffard: Can I thank the First Minister for his previous answer? I agree with him. I think Wales does have a lot to offer, and whether it's the wonderful beaches of Gower in my region or a zip wire in Cynon Valley, I think the more people come to Wales the more they experience and enjoy it and want to come back. But it was this time last year the Welsh Government had already started introducing local...
Tom Giffard: Will you take an intervention?
Tom Giffard: I thank Luke for this intervention. Is he aware that the Spanish pilot scheme apparently has support that tapers off over time, which, obviously, would mean that Spanish companies would have to let workers go, potentially, or increase costs at the end of that? So, that Spanish scheme you mentioned perhaps isn't the one I would draw upon in your instance.
