Luke Fletcher: Yes, of course, Tom.
Luke Fletcher: Well, of course, I was just about to move on to the Icelandic model. But, of course, there are other ways of doing it, and he's correct to point to some of the disadvantages with the Spanish model. But, if we look at the Icelandic trial, we see there workers being paid the same amount for shorter hours, and also see productivity as well remain the same or improve in the majority of...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that, Joel. I was just wondering if Joel would agree with me that at the time when they were looking to implement a weekend and paid holidays, there were probably similar people saying exactly the same as you are—that's it's unrealistic and unattainable.
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. I’d like to thank Members and, of course, the Deputy Minister for their contributions today. I have to say that I worry that we might miss an opportunity here. I note the Government's amendment removes the call for a pilot here in Wales, and I appreciate what the Deputy Minister has just said in terms of backing an evidence-based approach. Well, I would say one way of...
Luke Fletcher: Yes, of course, go for it.
Luke Fletcher: Well, I am glad to hear that there are some businesses that are looking to go down this route, but the reality is that not all businesses are offering the exact same sort of benefits. It is incumbent, I think, on Government to mandate a four-day work week. In many ways, as well, and I will reference something that was discussed earlier—I can't remember which of my Conservative colleagues...
Luke Fletcher: Well, I thank Gareth for that point, and I'm glad that he actually raised it because we already have examples of services that run seven days a week, which use things called rotas—restaurants, for example. The restaurant that I worked in, Jamie's Italian, was open seven days a week, but I wasn't working seven days. I was rota-ed on to work certain days. So, I hope that would address the...
Luke Fletcher: Could I ask for a statement on the learner transport review, please, Trefnydd? According to the Welsh Government's own website, it was indicated that the review was due to be published in March of this year. However, colleagues in local government have told me that they have been advised that the review is delayed and will be delivered within the life of this Government. Meanwhile, in my...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As Plaid Cymru made clear in the debate on this topic before recess, Westminster’s levelling-up agenda has so far meant more powers for Westminster, more money for Tory seats, and less democracy, funding and representation for Wales. We deserve better than this, and our amendments, of course, reflected that. During that debate we sought to make explicit points...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. And as we come out on the other side, now, of a busy tourism season, we should take this chance to reflect and work out how we can in future best promote Wales as a top-quality and sustainable tourism destination. I'm sure the Llywydd will be glad to hear that I spent some of my time in Ceredigion over the summer, and I'm sure the Minister, of course, will agree that areas...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Weinidog. Looking ahead, beyond the short to medium term recovery and to that longer term strategy for recovery, one way we can ensure prosperity for local communities in Wales is through supporting community co-operatives, social enterprises and the Welsh foundational economy. The pandemic has highlighted that a strong and supported foundational economy is crucial. In some areas of...
Luke Fletcher: And of course the Bevan Foundation has also promoted the benefits of a foundational economy for Welsh workers and businesses. The previous deputy economy Minister, Lee Waters, acknowledged issues of fair work, low pay, and lack of employee organisation in the foundational economy back in 2019, and a report from the Bevan Foundation in June 2021 still highlights how these issues are widespread...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to start by thanking the Business Committee, as well as colleagues across the Senedd, for their support in facilitating this debate. Today I look forward to Members' contributions to this debate, which is very clearly a cross-party issue. In tabling this motion in this Senedd, I've done so whilst remembering two women in my family who lived with dementia...
Luke Fletcher: As I've already mentioned, care needs vary significantly from one condition to the next. They can be physical or mental. Therefore, a correct diagnosis means that those living with dementia, their families and their carers can provide the care that they need. An important part of this care relates to language. Those living with dementia can forget their second language, so Welsh speakers for...
Luke Fletcher: As we all get older and live longer, cases of dementia will only increase, so this is an issue that we need to get to grips with sooner rather than later. We have a long way to go before dementia services are where they need to be, but I hope that my motion can go some way in helping the Government get there. I encourage all Members to support this motion.
Luke Fletcher: How is the Welsh Government working to eradicate food poverty?
Luke Fletcher: I'd like to thank Peredur for bringing forward this short debate, and I can confirm that I will be very much looking forward to joining his CPG. Peredur is right; the war on drugs is not working and it has never worked. We've remained at this crossroads for more than four decades. The reality is that our inability to have a grown-up conversation around drugs has led to suffering...
Luke Fletcher: It was back in 2019 that this Senedd became the first Parliament to declare a climate emergency and, a few months ago, the first Parliament to declare a nature emergency. We know that the task ahead is monumental, and that it requires serious thinking and the will to change the system that we live in. I have always been clear: the current economic system that we live under is incompatible...
Luke Fletcher: I thank the Minister for his statement.
Luke Fletcher: Firstly, I would like to welcome the statement. I've said a number of times in the Chamber that we need to have a long-term vision and strategy for the Welsh economy, and I'm particularly pleased to see that there is a focus on the brain drain. I would say, however, that I don't feel like this is starting the conversation. The conversation on the brain drain has been going on for what feels...
