Mick Antoniw: I think it's a very good report, and I think the recommendations are very good. I just want to focus on a few comments with regard to my concerns over the shared prosperity fund.
Mick Antoniw: But, within the context of the shared prosperity fund, it is—. It's nice, actually, to see Nick Ramsay struggling and squirming, trying to explain what information whatsoever has been given from the Government. You did the best you could; I think that's probably a fair comment. But what I do get annoyed about is, certainly from the Secretary of State for Wales, in talking about it, and...
Mick Antoniw: First Minister, we were given very, very clear assurances during the referendum campaign and subsequently that there would be no denial of workers' rights, no reduction of workers' rights, that those would be protected all the way along. But when one reads the agreement, or the draft agreement as it's set out, superficially it seems quite attractive, because it talks about non-regression....
Mick Antoniw: I'd perhaps like to thank Plaid for promoting my question at the scrutiny of the First Minister so widely on social media. It always does my career the world of good. [Laughter.] Can I also say, though, that, on the several occasions I've raised those questions, they were raised very sincerely, and the points that Steffan makes and the challenges you make are very valid ones and ones that do...
Mick Antoniw: 1. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with Cardiff Airport in light of reports that the airline Flybe is to be sold? 234
Mick Antoniw: Cabinet Secretary, thank you for the answer. You'll understand the reason why I've raised the question. The airport, since it came into public ownership, has been remarkably successful. In the last year, there's been 9 per cent growth, which was on top of 16 per cent growth the previous year, and 15 per cent growth in passenger numbers since it was taken out of private ownership and into the...
Mick Antoniw: Dirprwy Lywydd, this Saturday, 24 November, Ukraine and the international community mark the day of remembrance of the victims of Stalin's artificial famine of 1932-33 known as the Holodomor, which, in Ukrainian, means 'death by hunger'. As a Welsh parliamentarian, I will be attending the commemoration in Kiev. It was a famine created by Stalin to enforce collectivisation of agriculture and...
Mick Antoniw: What progress is the Welsh Government making in developing a strategy for tackling gambling addiction in Wales?
Mick Antoniw: Leader of the house, one of the issues, when it comes to tackling the pinch points, of course, is that you often just free up traffic to go to the next pinch point. One of the next pinch points further on from that location, of course, is the A470, which is now recognised, actually, as the most congested part of Wales with very serious pollution issues. Would you agree with me that the...
Mick Antoniw: Leader of the house, I call for a statement on two matters. The first one is: you'll be aware of the Musicians' Union report, which raises the issue of the lack of access to music now for whole sections of communities, and individuals, particularly from more deprived backgrounds. It would be very helpful to have a statement that actually analysed that report and identified whether those...
Mick Antoniw: I enjoyed reading the report. There were parts of it I didn't understand; I'm really referring to the contemporary arts part. And the reason I was particularly interested in it was because it does seem to me that there is an uncertainty within it, and the conflict, I suppose, between the idea as to whether you look at the traditional centre of excellence—the visual one, the one that's aimed...
Mick Antoniw: 5. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had in relation to improving train services from Pontyclun to Cardiff? OAQ53004
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for that, Cabinet Secretary. Firstly, I'd like to thank you for meeting with me, with Huw Irranca-Davies, local Members of Parliament and the Rhondda Cynon Taf council leader, Andrew Morgan, to discuss those services from Pontyclun to Cardiff. And, of course, these impact very significantly on the public who wish to access public transport rather than taking to the road. As the...
Mick Antoniw: I've only got a few additional comments to add to the very thorough explanations given by my colleague Lee Waters. I'll be supporting the motion today, because it makes absolute sense and the decision will be taken in the early part of next year. But, I think, in addition, there are obviously environmental issues, and there are issues of affordability. But for me, when we come to take that...
Mick Antoniw: Yes, certainly.
Mick Antoniw: We had a manifesto that was not to build a particular route, but was to build a route that would deal with the congestion issue. We also have in our manifesto a whole series of commitments in terms of the metro and integrated transport, and my friend Lee Waters also makes a very valid point in terms of the affordability issue of something that started off at several hundred million to...
Mick Antoniw: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the regeneration of Pontypridd town centre? OAQ53051
Mick Antoniw: Well, thank you for that answer. Over the past few years, Welsh Government resources have enabled the Taff Vale precinct to be purchased, support for the business bid in Pontypridd town centre to allow the regeneration of businesses and give them a greater say in the operation of the town, the work with the European funding, the lido, the pedestrianisation, the bypass, and crucially, I think,...
Mick Antoniw: Mark Drakeford.
Mick Antoniw: Thank you, Llywydd. I'm grateful for the opportunity to sum up in this important debate. I welcome the contribution that everyone has made. Every contribution has been well intended and has been supportive of the concept, because it is a concept that flows so easily off the tongue when we talk about living wages. The reality is somewhat different, because where I do disagree is I don't think...
