Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm delighted to be welcoming to the National Assembly tomorrow the distinguished Salvadorian parliamentarian and former United Nations ambassador, Rubén Zamora. Mr Zamora's visit comes as part of the Romero festival, leading to Romero Day on 24 March. Mr Zamora's visit to Cardiff is one of a number of events organised by the Romero Trust, whose aim is to promote the life,...
Nick Ramsay: Can I concur with the sentiments of the Chair of the Finance Committee, and also with my colleague David Melding? It has been a privilege to work with Huw Vaughan Thomas as the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee during this Assembly, and I know that I speak for my predecessors in previous Assemblies in saying that—Darren Millar, David Melding, and also Jonathan Morgan. I'd like to...
Nick Ramsay: You must have expected me to stand up at that point. I understand what you're saying about wanting long-term reform of the Barnett formula, and I think you'd have the support of most Members on that, but you must accept that under this UK Conservative Government, working with the Labour Welsh Government, we have at least got the fiscal framework, which is a start along that process that we...
Nick Ramsay: First Minister, the United Nations has estimated the scale of the food insecurity problem in the UK and, indeed, in other countries, but it seems to me, looking through some of the information that the UN has provided, that there's a lack of up-to-date relevant data, both on a UK level and Wales specific, so that we can fully assess the scale of this problem. I think the data that's being...
Nick Ramsay: Two issues, if I may, leader of the house. Firstly, as Minister for all things broadband and connectivity, I'm sure you'll join me in welcoming the UK Government's decision to pilot the 5G broadband technology in Monmouthshire. This is a great opportunity: I'm sure you'll agree with me on that. How are the Welsh Government planning to work with the UK Government on trialling this to make...
Nick Ramsay: Can I first of all put on record, Cabinet Secretary, that I think I'd rather live next to you than with you? There may still be time for your charm to work on me, but as things stand at the moment, I'm happy as a next-door neighbour. [Laughter.] You certainly deserve credit for your courage in pursuing issues seemingly designed to reduce your popularity, probably as much in the Labour Party,...
Nick Ramsay: I concur with the sentiments of the previous speakers. I think it's clearly important that the Welsh Revenue Authority does have the same tools at its disposal as HMRC currently does. We are now in that transition phase to the implementation of the new taxes, and this is an important part of ensuring that the new tax regime is properly enforced. I'm happy to support the regulations.
Nick Ramsay: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide clarity regarding the future structure of local government in Wales? OAQ51934
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. As you can tell, I tabled this question before I realised your surprise statement was going to be made, so apologies for groundhog day. However, it's an important subject that does, as I know you agree, need to be debated. As Janet Finch-Saunders said earlier, the WLGA's reaction to your statement was less than warm. In fact, it was positively icy. They point...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to support this motion and to support the general principles of the public services ombudsman Bill. As we've heard, the ombudsman plays a vital role in ensuring that any member of the public who believes they have suffered injustice is able to make a complaint, and is also able to make that complaint with confidence that it'll be dealt with fairly. Many speakers have covered most...
Nick Ramsay: Stereo—I think we're picking up Radio Wales over there, aren't we, Simon? [Laughter.] Two things, if I may, Presiding Officer. First of all, earlier, Darren Millar asked the leader of the house about the problem with the withdrawal of camouflage services for those suffering from skin conditions. I thought it was a good opportunity to advertise the cross-party group on skin, which is taking...
Nick Ramsay: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the allocation of funding to the education portfolio?
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I just say that I've spied my former colleague on the Finance Committee, Peter Black, up in the gallery? It took me back to the last Assembly election, when we were looking forward to tax devolution as a distant, although approaching, inevitability. We are now the other side of that devolution. You said, in answer to Mark Reckless earlier, in relation to land transaction...
Nick Ramsay: Cabinet Secretary, you are an open-minded person, and it's interesting that your tone today is different to before the devolution of tax. You did say previously—you asked a rhetorical question and you answered it previously: 'Do I think that the marginal additional sum in LTT will be the determining factor in business deals...? No, I don't.' I gather from your answer today that whilst you...
Nick Ramsay: To be fair to the Cabinet Secretary, you're right, it is early days, I fully accept that, and we must obviously look at evidence. We'd want an evidence-based approach to this, and I also would accept that I've identified and spoken at length about one tax, but that is just one tax of an overall package, and in the economy there are different levers, and this may well just be one aspect of...
Nick Ramsay: I welcome the fact that UKIP have brought this debate to the Chamber this afternoon, and I must say it's difficult to add to Caroline Jones's opening passionate and excellent contribution, which covered so many different areas and aspects, not only of how we got into this position, but also the real suffering that some women are going through in this position. Also, you quoted your own...
Nick Ramsay: I will shortly. To get the UK Government to review the situation.
Nick Ramsay: Yes. As I said earlier, Rhianon, like other AMs, I've had approaches from WASPI women constituents and I've been happy to say to the UK Government, 'Look, this doesn't look like it's worked out particularly well and I think you should look again at this.' Like all of us here, I'm not in the UK Government. I am here as a Welsh Assembly Member, so as the Welsh Government don't have a direct...
Nick Ramsay: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on the provision of dementia services in south-east Wales? OAQ52037
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister. The decision of Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board to close the St Pierre dementia ward at Chepstow Community Hospital has been roundly criticised by dementia sufferers and their families alike in my constituency. It now appears that the decision could face a legal challenge from Monmouthshire County Council as it seems there is a strong case for a judicial review,...
