Nick Ramsay: Minister, I think the fact we are able to discuss this previously taboo subject in the open and transparent way we do shows how far we've come as a country, and I think that's to be welcomed. We, of course, in this Chamber have our own direct experience of losing our much loved colleague, Carl Sargeant, in this tragic way, so I think there's an onus on all of us to do what we can to try and...
Nick Ramsay: Minister, in yesterday's business statement, I raised the issue of a constituent, Mr Jim Sweet, whose wife passed away on the day she was going to begin treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer—clearly, a very sensitive issue. There are many people involved, many people suffering from ovarian cancer in Wales, and part of the problem with this cancer is that early diagnosis before stage 4 is...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to contribute to this debate today. Diolch yn fawr, Siân, for opening. I think it's a sad indictment of the times in which we live that reports of hate crimes against LGBT people in England and Wales have rocketed according to new data, which was just mentioned, compiled by the Home Office and other organisations. In fact, looking at the statistics, I think that I'm right in...
Nick Ramsay: Can I thank the Minister for her statement this afternoon and for the annual update—the latest, as you say, in a sequence of updates? As you said, local services are vital in giving children the best start in life, helping give us a greener, more responsible environment and lead more responsible lives—I think we could all agree with that phrase that you use. And, yes, I would agree with...
Nick Ramsay: 2. Will the Minister provide an update on measures to improve the A4042 trunk road at Llanellen? OAQ54622
Nick Ramsay: Thank you for that answer, Minister. You will no doubt be aware—or certainly your colleague Ken Skates is aware—of ongoing issues with flooding on the A4042 at Llanellen, particularly at this time of year. The road was closed again during the recent bad weather, causing traffic chaos for commuters. I'm particularly concerned that this route is going to be even more critical when accident...
Nick Ramsay: I have to beat that. [Laughter.] Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. How do you beat that? This week marks another anniversary—the seventieth anniversary of my home town, the designation of Cwmbran as a new town, the first and only mark one new town to be built in Wales under the New Towns Act 1946. Growing up in the 1980s in the Llanyrafon area of the town, on the western edge of the Monmouth...
Nick Ramsay: First Minister, I agree with much of what you've just said there with regard to the importance of private companies signing up to the code and their role in delivering the living wage. Can I also add my congratulations to those that other Members have given to Cardiff as the first living wage city? That's important not just for Cardiff but also for the city region area. However, Cynnal Cymru...
Nick Ramsay: It's a positive point. I heard about your visit to Monmouthshire and I'm very pleased that you saw that. I think there's some really good innovative stuff going on not just there, but across Wales in terms of using tv signals and other things. Monmouthshire is also being used as the 5G test bed, which, I'm sure you'd agree, is another good innovation and hopefully we can get that rolled out...
Nick Ramsay: Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's policies for modernising local government?
Nick Ramsay: I'm sure you'll enjoy working with the next Conservative Government as well in Westminster. [Interruption.] Touché Turtle. Thank you for your answer, and I think we all welcome the declaration of a climate emergency. But it strikes me—. I welcome the 95 per cent target as well, which you've set, but it strikes me that it's only really going to achieve its aim if it's mainstreamed across...
Nick Ramsay: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's policies for supporting the economy in south-east Wales? OAQ54719
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister, for that question. I'm sure that you'll agree that the economy is underpinned by a strong transport infrastructure. Day after day, the economy of Chepstow in my constituency is suffering from immense traffic congestion. This gateway town to Wales needs urgent assistance, as it's an important part not just of the Welsh road network, but also the UK network as well. I've...
Nick Ramsay: I asked for that, didn't I? [Laughter.]
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, can you update us on the funding being made available for the rural affairs portfolio for the rural development programme?
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Minister. I'm pleased to hear that you don't intend to send any of that money back. I've asked you the question today because you have, in your time, worn hats as both rural affairs Minister and also obviously now finance Minister. As you'll be aware, and as you've just said, the rural development funding programme has been providing support across a wide range of areas for a long...
Nick Ramsay: I underestimated the amount with my 41 per cent, so I'm sure 45 per cent is more accurate. But leaving aside the reasons, some of which you detailed in terms of how the European funding works, that is still only 45 per cent at this juncture and I know that it's not just me with concerns about this; I know that members of the farming community have also expressed concerns. With Brexit well...
Nick Ramsay: I think you can guess what I'm going to ask you about, Minister, before I utter the words. John Griffiths and I have done a fair amount of work over the last couple of years with the Love Zimbabwe charity, based in Abergavenny. The charity has, as the Minister will be aware, done a great deal to build relations between Abergavenny—and Wales, indeed—and Zimbabwe. Can I thank the Minister...
Nick Ramsay: I'm pleased to contribute to this debate. I must say that I do have some concerns about this motion. That said, I think that Jenny Rathbone has made some very good points. I think that we recognise that there are some good ideas behind these proposals. And, yes, of course, we all want to see public transport strengthened and active travel routes adopted. All of that we agree with. And there's...
Nick Ramsay: Two issues, if I may, Trefnydd. First of all—well, the first issue, actually, that I was going to raise with you has already been very eloquently raised by Mike Hedges, with regard to the free swimming initiative and the changes made to that. And I hear what you say about a small minority—I think 6 per cent, you said, was the uptake of that. So, nothing's perfect, and I know that the...
