Mohammad Asghar: Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for Housing and Local Government about the oversight and implementation of the planning Act in Wales? I have been contacted by a number of constituents with concerns about the increase in planning consents for housing developments being granted in my region. Although these developments are within the local government plan, my constituents...
Mohammad Asghar: 5. What action is the Minister taking to improve cervical screening rates in Wales, please? OAQ55070
Mohammad Asghar: Again, with Dawn Bowden, I want to say the same thing—Merthyr Tydfil College is one of the top-performing further education colleges in Wales. And will you join me, Minister, in welcoming the news that Merthyr college is shortlisted for the TES further education college of the year award for 2020, which seeks to recognise and reward the achievement of the very best further education...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Last month, headteachers in Wales called on the Welsh Government to revise its draft budget proposals for education. The National Association of Headteachers Cymru said that the proposed expenditure on education set out so far does not come close to repairing the damage done by years of Welsh Government underfunding. Schools are in deficit positions, struggling...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for that answer. [Laughter.] NAHT actually blamed you, not us. Minister, you recently released a progress report on the £36 million grant made available to reduce infant class sizes in Wales. Under the scheme, funding is provided for new school staff or extra school rooms for pupils aged from four to seven years old. However, most schools that appointed teachers to cut infant class...
Mohammad Asghar: Schools are required to protect pupils from radicalisation and extremism as part of their safeguarding duties. An Estyn report said recently that most schools had an understanding of their role and responsibilities in this regard; however, in a minority of schools, leaders do not perceive radicalisation and extremism as relevant to their schools or surrounding areas. They went on to say that...
Mohammad Asghar: Deputy Minister, engaging in arts activities empowers people living with dementia and enriches life for them and those who are around them. The charity, Arts 4 Dementia, helps develop activities at art venues to re-energise and inspire people in the early stages of dementia and their carers so that those who need it will be able to find artistic stimulation in their chosen art form close to...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Figures provided by Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust show that cervical screening attendance in Wales is just over 73 per cent. This is well below the 80 per cent target set by your Government. However, their research reveals that 63 per cent of women who have physical disabilities have been unable to attend cervical screening. What action are you taking,...
Mohammad Asghar: 1. What plans does the Welsh Government have to improve the welfare of farm animals in Wales? OAQ55109
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. Good afternoon, First Minister.
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you very much, First Minister, for the reply. CCTV has been mandatory in every abattoir in all areas in England where live animals are kept for slaughtering since 2018. Scotland announced plans for similar new laws last year. However, in Wales, 14 out of 24 slaughterhouses do not have cameras, although the Welsh Government has made money available for their installation. RSPCA Cymru and...
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for Education about the disruption of pupil learning caused by the strike action by teachers at Llanwern High School and Caerleon Comprehensive School in Newport? Teaching unions say that industrial action has been prompted by the overhaul of the curriculum in Wales. The acting general secretary of NASUWT says that the union has not heard...
Mohammad Asghar: I'm grateful to the Minister for this statement. May I ask the Minister a question on contingency planning for flooding by the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales? Last week, I was contacted by a group based in the London Borough of Brent that provides assistance in emergency situations, such as those who lost homes in the fire at Grenfell Tower. They offered to provide a large...
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, news that around 180 jobs will be lost due to the impending closure of the Kasai plant in Merthyr Tydfil is a devastating blow to the workers and their families. My thoughts go out to them at this difficult time. Kasai provides highly-skilled jobs, producing internal parts for Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover and Nissan. It is a real loss to Merthyr Tydfil, which was recently ranked at the...
Mohammad Asghar: I have great pleasure in speaking in this debate this afternoon. South Wales East is the gateway to Wales. The purpose of the gateway is to allow the passage of goods and services inwards and outwards. It follows, therefore, that good transport links are vital in increasing a growing and thriving economy. The M4 is Wales's strategic gateway to the rest of the United Kingdom and to Europe. It...
Mohammad Asghar: 1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve the employment prospects of school leavers in Wales? OAQ55168
Mohammad Asghar: 4. What action is the Deputy Minister taking to improve community cohesion in south-east Wales? OAQ55143
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you very much for that answer, First Minister. Figures show that about 10 per cent of 16 to 18-year-olds in Wales are not in work, education or training. In England, people have to study or train until they're 18, either going to college or sixth form, doing an apprenticeship or studying part-time while working or volunteering. The Institute for Public Policy Research says that a...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the reply, Minister. I recently met with representatives of the Peterstone Residents Against Inappropriate Development Group to discuss their concerns about the effect illegal Traveller sites are having on the Wentlooge levels between Newport and Cardiff by the coastal area. I am advised that there are some 21 unauthorised and illegal sites on the levels. As a result, the...
Mohammad Asghar: May I ask for a statement from the education Minister regarding guidance issued to local authorities over school admission policy? Currently, Newport City Council's school admission department will only accept medical evidence provided by a consultant for a child or young person to be considered for a specific school when the local authority needs to apply oversubscription criteria. We all...
