Luke Fletcher: The Minister won't be surprised to hear that Plaid Cymru is very supportive of UBI, and we look forward to seeing the final proposal from the Government on the pilot. Very quickly, has the Minister approached the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that there's an arrangement in place so that any basic income payment isn't counted against any recipients who might also be in receipt of...
Luke Fletcher: With bank closures in our towns and villages across Wales being all too common, the vision presented by the team at Banc Cambria is an exciting one. For example, in my region, the constituency of Ogmore has just one bank left, and similar to what we've heard in Clwyd South as well. And, of course, in some constituencies they're at risk of disappearing altogether. The community-based model...
Luke Fletcher: The economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt across Wales, and it will be felt across our economy for many years to come. However, by addressing biodiversity decline, underscored by a set of clear targets for delivery, we can create meaningful employment opportunities across the country. By investing in nature, in habitat restoration and green skills, we can boost the workforce...
Luke Fletcher: 7. What plans does the Welsh Government have to pursue the devolution of welfare administration? OQ56748
Luke Fletcher: I thank you for that answer, Trefnydd. A large number of stakeholders have suggested that the devolution of the administration of welfare could provide an opportunity to create a more compassionate system. The older people’s commissioner, for example, said the Scottish approach helped shift perceptions away from those of stigma and burden around the system. Devolution to Wales could allow...
Luke Fletcher: Of course, thank you to the Minister for his statement and the copy of his statement in advance. There's some good news in the steel industry at the moment. I'm told that the market is at a 15-year high, so now is the perfect time to look at developing the sector for the future, which is why I think this statement is very welcome. A few questions and points. First of all, will the Welsh...
Luke Fletcher: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on efforts to improve dementia services in Wales? OQ56738
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. The Minister will know that I welcome the extension of current business support until the end of August, and I was grateful for the opportunity, of course, provided by the Minister for a briefing before the announcement was made. But of course, some of the hardest-hit sectors are those that depend on members of the public mixing together both indoors and in close proximity,...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Minister, and I'd hope, of course, that conversations continue with the night-time industry so that they can gain some clarity as we go forward. If I could move on to the job retention scheme, of course the Minister again will be aware that we've had several discussions outside this Chamber on this subject. The UK Government has begun the gradual process of winding up the retention...
Luke Fletcher: Of course, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has also warned that an extra cost being assumed by struggling businesses could result in tens of thousands of workers facing redundancies. To ensure the possible outcome outlined by the IFS of a reduction and ending of furlough does not occur in Wales, has the Welsh Government undertaken any contingency planning to enable them to continue...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Deputy Minister, and, as I'm sure you're aware, there are several different types of dementia in addition to Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form, affecting around 75 per cent of people in Wales. Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of dementia in older people, a type that my grandmother lived with, but it's relatively unknown and has very different...
Luke Fletcher: The main objective of the 2050 strategy is to ensure more use of the Welsh language and a significant way of doing that is through education. However, many families in Pencoed are waiting to hear the results of an appeal, to see if their children will be able to Ysgol Bro Ogwr in September. If the appeal fails then these families will have to choose between sending their children further away...
Luke Fletcher: It is heartbreaking to have this debate today, and it's not just Welsh Government who have a lot to answer for, but the UK Government has a lot to answer for as well. The thought of children going hungry in Wales and families struggling to put food on the table is a failure. It's a failure of Government and it's a failure of societal and economic systems. Many years ago, I was one of those...
Luke Fletcher: I'd like to ask the Trefnydd for a statement to update Members on the support the Welsh Government is giving to the Rhondda Tunnel Society and other similar projects. Like many Members here, I was able to plunge into the depths of the tunnel for a visit organised by Tony and the group, and if you haven't done it already, Trefnydd, I thoroughly recommend it. The project will bring a variety of...
Luke Fletcher: It's encouraging to know that there is movement in ending the abhorrent practice of ear cropping dogs. Ear cropping is linked to unlicensed breeders, especially of American bully type dogs, and local rescues, such as Hope Rescue in Llanharan, are inundated with reports of ear-cropped dogs and have concerns around current resources to investigate complaints, especially when also linked with...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and I'd like to thank Members and the Minister, of course, for a reply and the contributions to today's debate. I might not have agreed with them all, but thank you nonetheless. Dirprwy Lywydd, this debate couldn’t be more timely. This morning, on the bus in, there was a BBC news headline: ‘Price rises see record jump as food costs soar in August.’ The biggest...
Luke Fletcher: —of yourself. Utterly ashamed of yourself. [Interruption.] Utterly, utterly ashamed of yourself. You have no purchase in this argument whatsoever. So, what needs to happen? Well we've outlined in clear terms in our motion, and we've elaborated in great detail, what the Welsh Government needs to do. A socialist Government would pursue the devolution of welfare as a matter of urgency to...
Luke Fletcher: 4. What work is the Commission undertaking to make the Senedd estate dementia friendly? OQ56844
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that answer, Commissioner. I'm grateful that there is work being undertaken by the Commission to ensure that those who live with dementia are able to access the Senedd estate. After all, those who are living with dementia should be equally as able as anyone else to access the estate. I'm sure the Commissioner is aware that the perception of those living with dementia is often...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The old ways of working are dead—or at least, that's what I hope we can say by the end of this debate. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activity, employment and our way of working have been far-reaching. With working from home the norm for many, workers across Wales and the world saw a distinct, positive shift in creating a better work-life...
