Vikki Howells: 4. What assessment has the Minister made of the number of people with COVID-19 in hospitals in Wales? OQ55796
Vikki Howells: What are the Minister’s priorities for improving the provision of mental health services for children and young people in Wales?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. Yesterday, Andrew Goodall issued a stark warning that demand for critical care beds for people with coronavirus is expected to increase over the coming days and weeks. How are the Welsh Government preparing for this eventuality, and crucially, what could be the knock-on impact on other service areas within our hospitals in Wales?
Vikki Howells: 5. What discussions has the Welsh Government had with UK Ministers regarding the future implementation of the proposed shared prosperity fund? OQ55821
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I recently met with ColegauCymru to discuss the importance of the shared prosperity fund to the future funding of skills and apprenticeships, with, as you know, European funding having been a key driver of the skills agenda. There's real concern within the sector that without the same replacement funding it will be increasingly difficult for colleges to support...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. November 2020 marks the centenary of the birth of Elaine Morgan. Elaine, born into a mining family, achieved the truly remarkable during a long, varied and glittering career. She won a scholarship to Oxford University, a phenomenal achievement for a miner's daughter in the 1930s. After graduation, Elaine worked for the WEA, and then married Morien, who had fought...
Vikki Howells: Minister, I know that you will be aware of the huge pressure placed on CAMHS, the child and adolescent mental health services. It's been this way for several years, before the additional pressures placed on our young people by the pandemic. Much of this is due to young people being referred into the system when their mental health needs are mild or moderate, which is the most sensible and...
Vikki Howells: Counsel General, we've seen the Tory UK Government repeatedly talk about its levelling-up agenda, but there was scant evidence of that in the recent comprehensive spending review when it came to Wales. And now, as we approach the end of the transition period, the well-worn promise that we wouldn't be a penny worse off after Brexit is looking very thin, as the Chancellor gave further details...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Congratulations, Mr Church. Our school staff have given their all in what has been a very challenging year. For some, their extra special qualities have led to particular recognition for their work, and one such figure is David Church—the very aptly named teacher of religious education at Mountain Ash Comprehensive School. A teacher at the school for over 20 years,...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Deputy Minister make a statement on support for women’s refuges in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ56035
Vikki Howells: First Minister, businesses in my constituency are very thankful that the Welsh Government has supported them throughout the coronavirus pandemic, with the most generous package of business support anywhere in the UK, including the latest injection of £340 million to support hospitality, tourism and other businesses that have been affected by the most recent restrictions. What assessment have...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, and I acknowledge that support and welcome it greatly. I've recently spoken to Rhondda Cynon Taf Women's Aid, who tell me that they can't get onsite COVID-19 testing for staff or residents of refuges, which is causing them problems and impacting on their ability to help people in need. Can you raise this with colleagues in Welsh Government, so that women's refuges...
Vikki Howells: 1. What analysis has the Welsh Government made during this Senedd term of how the Code of Practice on the Use of Snares in Fox Control has worked? OQ56037
Vikki Howells: Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for town centres during the coronavirus pandemic?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. One hundred and fifteen cases of animals trapped in snares have been reported to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals since the code was introduced. Wild animals, including protected species, farm animals and pets, with many of these cases involving traps set in breach of the code, and this, of course, could just be the tip of the iceberg. Animal...
Vikki Howells: Minister, in order for our young people to make progress in their education, they need to be supported by teachers who are fit and well, both physically and mentally. Nowhere is this more so than in our pupil referral units, where staff work with some of our most challenging young people, including throughout all of the lockdowns. PRUs are classed as special schools, and there was relief and...
Vikki Howells: What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure people know about the mental health support available to them during the current pandemic?
Vikki Howells: For those who experience flooding the psychological impact is devastating, and these are effects that we can see clearly in our communities when we meet with and talk to those affected. The power of mother nature to cause devastating floods is nothing new, yet there is no doubt that as climate change takes its grip the threat of increased flooding in our communities in future is a serious...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Deputy Minister provide an update on Welsh Government interventions to improve community safety in Cynon Valley? OQ56210
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, and I'd like to extend my thanks to all those who work so hard to keep our communities safe in these very difficult times. During the pandemic, my constituency has experienced a notable increase in anti-social and dangerous behaviour by off-road motorcycles illegally using popular walking paths and other public rights of way. The laudable work of Welsh Government...
