Rhianon Passmore: Do you think that there are potentially ulterior motives in the proposal to sell off Channel 4, and it has more to do with control?
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to be able to give a minute of this debate—sadly, only a minute—to my colleagues Jayne Bryant, across the Chamber, Sam Rowlands and Delyth Jewell. Diolch.
Rhianon Passmore: In Wales it is right that from September our new national plan for Wales prescribes that a lack of money does not prevent in particular our young people from learning music, further that music is not anymore the birthright for those who can afford to pay to play. This, I think, is our shared Welsh vision, and I place on record my gratitude for the furthering and safeguarding of our great...
Rhianon Passmore: Would you possibly take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you so much. Nobody would disagree with any of those sentiments—
Rhianon Passmore: —and comments, but my question, really, is: surely, empowering communities is about having the funding within those communities so that we have libraries and leisure centres and vibrant schools, and would you say that the austerity agenda, deliberate cuts to Wales, has diminished that capacity?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. That's very generous of you in your opening remarks. Thank you for that. Would you acknowledge that, prior to Transport for Wales, when the rail network was completely under UK control in terms of its spend, Wales received a mere 0.2 per cent of the structural funds available to England?
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: The point that I've not had a response to, in regard to the lack of infrastructural funding on the rail network across Wales prior to Transport for Wales, what is your response to the appalling disregard and disinvestment in Wales? In the past.
Rhianon Passmore: I rise to support amendment 1, tabled by Lesley Griffiths, Member of the Senedd. Yesterday, I was proud to stand with the rail workers from the RMT trade union on the picket line at Cardiff Central station, alongside my colleague. They are taking a stand for the future of our railway because safety must never be compromised at the altar of profit for private rail companies who also gorge on...
Rhianon Passmore: Indeed.
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. I think the very simple response to that is, firstly, you sit around the table together. The second response to that is that the Government has a duty of care to its people on safety and on transport, and they need to get their act together. That same workforce also kept our economy and hospitals alive during COVID. There is a disregard for them. Point 2 of the amendment tabled...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, that's very kind of you. Obviously, you're entitled to say what you wish. Could you point out—[Interruption.]
Rhianon Passmore: Briefly, can you point out what it is both Carolyn and I don't understand?
Rhianon Passmore: 8. What representations has the Welsh Government made to the UK Government about the impact on Welsh farming of the delayed introduction of European Union import checks? OQ58277
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Minister. The Welsh Government have been correct to identify the continued delays to the introduction of European Union import checks, which are a risk to our collective biosecurity. The risk is intensified with the lack of access to European Union traceability, disease notification and the emergency response systems. The protection of biosecurity is a devolved matter, but...
Rhianon Passmore: I'm very pleased to be able to briefly participate in this debate. I wasn’t down to speak. I would like to actually agree with the opening sentiments of the Members opposite, who started this discussion and this motion today. I absolutely applaud the fact that we have a consensus, I believe—a majority across this Chamber today—in this regard. I think that it’s an absolutely fantastic...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, I very much welcome this statement today, the enthusiasm across the Chamber for the new curriculum, the innovation behind the areas of learning, and the honest recognition that change means challenge within our schools. My question very simply, really, is, within your statement, pertaining to the role of the education regional consortia in...
Rhianon Passmore: What is the Welsh Government doing in Islwyn to promote prosperity and tackle poverty during the cost-of-living crisis?
