Vikki Howells: I'm speaking today as chair of the Labour group, and in doing so I speak on behalf of all Labour Members, many of whom who've served with Oscar for the last 13 years. Many worked closely with him in a range of settings over that time. Oscar, as everyone has alluded to, was always jovial, and although he was a robust debater inside the Senedd Chamber, he was never a partisan figure outside of...
Vikki Howells: 4. Will the Deputy Minister outline the Welsh Government's priorities during the remainder of this Senedd term for creating a more equal Wales? OQ55334
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister. It's been really positive to see the peaceful demonstrations of solidarity for Black Lives Matter, and I've been very, very impressed by the numbers of younger people in particular contacting me about this issue. One question they all ask is around the role of education in tackling racism and promoting equality. I know that work is ongoing with Race Council Cymru,...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, I have listened with interest to the questions and answers from other people on this topic, and the reason I wanted to come in was to say that I've been contacted by a number of constituents who were very angry that they'd heard the wrong messages on the UK TV show This Morning, and were very concerned to ring in or text in to put them straight about what the...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, I've been in discussion with very many businesses in Cynon Valley who are extremely grateful for the financial support that they've received from the Welsh Government under the economic resilience fund. I note that, in order to access that fund, they need to sign up to the Welsh Government's economic contract. Would you be able to give us an assessment of how you think signing...
Vikki Howells: Minister, business improvement districts are supporting businesses in our town centres at 16 different locations across Wales, including in Aberdare in my own constituency, where a BID was established early this year. I note the statement made by the Welsh Government on 6 May that it will support BIDs in Wales with their running costs for up to three months. In Aberdare, I know this funding...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, I am confident that you will agree with me when I say that an innovative use of tax competencies can have a positive effect on our public finances, as well as bringing other positive societal benefits. As you will know, I'm a keen supporter of the vacant land tax, which could not only boost public finances but, more importantly, also transform our communities. So, I was...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, thank you for your statement today, which I've read with great interest. One key part of ensuring our hospitals are able to cope with demand through normal winters, let alone this coming one, is the ability to discharge in-patients in a safe and timely manner to avoid bedblocking. I know that RCT council and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today and for all the actions that are being taken to try and safeguard the well-being of the residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf. As you can imagine, questions are coming in to me thick and fast already from residents of the Cynon Valley, so I welcome this opportunity to ask you some of those directly. Firstly, with regard to booked holidays, I know that...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement today. I'm particularly interested in the detail of the empty properties aspect. I'd like some more detail on that. I know that local authorities are able to apply for that, but could you give us a bit more information about any criteria associated with it? So, for example, is it just for retail or could it be for mixed use such as housing?...
Vikki Howells: Minister, thank you for your answers to the questions on this already. I think you'll agree with me that one of the major things that has been of assistance to people when they have been shielded is the priority delivery slots that supermarkets have offered to them. My understanding, from speaking to constituents, is that lots of those supermarkets are now bringing those priority slots to an...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement—[Inaudible.]—the Welsh Government's—[Inaudible.]—to commend you on the breadth and depth of—[Inaudible.] There are many questions I'd like to ask about it, but, because of the constraints of time, will stick to just three. Firstly, the third phase of the economic resilience fund—I note that the document states there will be moneys set aside...
Vikki Howells: I accept the committee's report and its recommendations. It was never my intention to breach the guidance that is in place. I'm pleased that the Standards of Conduct Committee is currently reviewing a range of issues, including the guidance provided to Members. I hope that this will ensure that the rules are clear, reasonable and well understood in future, so that other Members do not...
Vikki Howells: Will the First Minister provide an update on Welsh Government action to support people in Wales who are affected by Parkinson’s?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement today. I welcome the work of the pavement parking taskforce and I recognise the impact that parking on pavements has on pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues, pushchairs, and wheelchair users. But representing the Valleys, steeped with many beautiful but narrow terraced streets, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that I'm...
Vikki Howells: There are many really positive findings in your panel's progress report that maternity services have weathered the worst of COVID-19 and a senior team at the university health board are maintaining their high level of commitment. And of course, I welcome those very much on behalf of my constituents. In terms of looking to the future and making sure that maternity services are of the highest...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government interventions to eliminate homelessness in Wales? OQ55676
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, and it was good to see the announcement of the additional funding to tackle homelessness that you made in August. I want to flag up one initiative today from Rhondda Cynon Taf, and that's the authority's creation of a social letting agency to manage private rental properties that would be subdivided into single person accommodation for people otherwise at risk of...
Vikki Howells: I'm pleased to support this motion. I just want to say a few words paying tribute to the persistence of my colleague Jenny Rathbone in striving to ensure that we can debate this topic today. It's such an important issue. As has been said, endometriosis affects one in 10 women in Wales, and that means 160,000 women in Wales can expect to be affected by this cruel condition. Tissue will grow...
Vikki Howells: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the number of people with COVID-19 in hospitals in Wales?
