Vikki Howells: —that was addressed in the amendment a few weeks ago that I co-submitted with Mick Antoniw, Dawn Bowden and Huw Irranca-Davies. That was much more thorough wording that holistically considered service provision throughout Cwm Taf and didn't just try to set communities against each other. For example, our amendment called for the retention of a full A&E service, not just at the Royal...
Vikki Howells: Our amendment also called for improvements to GP out-of-hours services and to extend minor injury unit opening times, for example, at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon—a practical solution to improve performance by A&Es by removing some of the pressure. So, to close, I would just like to reiterate my support for a full 24-hour service of A&E at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, and to place on record my...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I've agreed to give a minute of my time to my colleague Mick Antoniw today. The inspiration for this short debate came from the publication of 'The State of the Coalfields 2019'. The report was an investigation into the economic and social conditions in the former British coalfield areas, and it was commissioned by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, produced by a...
Vikki Howells: At that February meeting, Professor Fothergill shared unique data to the former south Wales coalfields area. Some of this isn't published in the report, but I will be making use of it today. He also explored the arguments made in 10 priorities for the former coalfields. That is the policy statement produced by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and the Industrial Communities Alliance. It...
Vikki Howells: A further interesting angle is the nature of employment. Former coalfield areas have higher percentages of their workforce engaged in manufacturing. The figures are 13 per cent as opposed to a British average of 8 per cent, or 5 per cent for a city like Cardiff. The importance of the foundational economy to coalfield communities is clear. In other coalfield communities, warehousing and call...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the First Minister provide an update on NHS recruitment in Wales? OAQ55242
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister, for your answer. There are currently over 1,000 vacant A&E consultant posts across England and Wales. Now, this is a concern for all of us, of course, but particularly in my local health board area of Cwm Taf Morgannwg, where the ability to recruit consultants to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital—or inability, I should say—has left that A&E department under threat of...
Vikki Howells: 8. Will the Minister outline the way in which compulsory school age pupils within the Cynon Valley are taught the importance of healthy relationships? OAQ55240
Vikki Howells: 10. Will the Welsh Government provide an update on its work to protect and promote the historic environment in Wales? OAQ55241
Vikki Howells: Thank you for your answer, Minister, and I do applaud you for making that a mandatory part of the curriculum. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Hafan Cymru to discuss the Welsh Government-funded Spectrum project. I was very impressed by that, with the age-appropriate content around healthy relationships and domestic abuse that they offer to Welsh schools, and, crucially, free of...
Vikki Howells: Thank you for your answer, Minister. It's my very firm belief that we have one of the best heritage sectors in the world here in Wales, both in terms of its cultural significance and the benefits that it brings to the Welsh economy as well. So, could you outline for me, please, a little further the kind of guidance that you've been giving to that sector to guide them through the coronavirus...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. I'd like, first of all, to ask you if you could give us an update on the number of doctors and nurses who are previously retired and have returned to the NHS and perhaps also any student nurses and how they are able to plug those gaps. My second question is around the announcement about GP online video consultations. Can you confirm that they are...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, I've received a great deal of positive feedback from businesses in the Cynon Valley regarding the economic resilience fund and how it's plugged the gaps in the provision from the UK Government. But I've also been contacted by several businesses that can't access the funds currently as they're below the £85,000 VAT threshold. Can I ask what work is taking place around this gap...
Vikki Howells: Minister, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear I've had lots of positive feedback from Cynon Valley businesses about the speed and efficiency of Rhondda Cynon Taf's application of the rate relief element of the Welsh Government business support. But having said that, I am concerned that some businesses are being—[Inaudible.]—access that support. What dialogue has taken place with...
Vikki Howells: For.
Vikki Howells: Minister, I'd like to ask you about what will happen as we move forward, particularly in relation to the skills agenda. Now, I'm sure you're aware that parts of the south Wales Valleys not only have high rates of coronavirus, but have also been identified as being more economically at risk in terms of the fallout after the crisis as well. So, I'd like to ask you what plans there are for the...
Vikki Howells: Minister, I'm interested in the practical machinery of Government here, and how it is going to deliver. So, could you tell us a little more about how the advice provided from these individuals outside Government is going to get into the work of Government, and get there at speed? And, secondly, I know that lots of speakers have touched on the environmental issues, and I note that a report was...
Vikki Howells: Minister, I would like to welcome the pragmatism of your decision today. This is a virus that could be with us for a year or two or even more, and we simply can't deprive our young people of face-to-face education for that length of time. But this is a staggered return, which needs to be done safely, so I'd like to ask you for a little more detail on how you're working with teachers to ensure...
Vikki Howells: Minister, thank you for your statement today. I've just got some questions around the finer details of what you're able to extrapolate from the data that you do have. For example, are you seeing any unexpected trends or links in terms of characteristics protected under the Equality Act 2010, in terms of those who are currently homeless in Wales? Are there any regional variations that stand...
Vikki Howells: Minister, thank you for your statement today. I have some questions relating to the Welsh language element of your portfolio. Firstly, with regard to Welsh language education, I'm just wondering what discussions you might have had with the Minister for Education around the reopening of more provision for pupils who attend Welsh-medium schools, and also, the efforts to tackle digital exclusion...
