Joyce Watson: Protection of the marine environment is something that I've been championing for many, many years, and one particular issue that I've raised in the Chamber on a number of occasions is the reintroduction of scallop dredging in a small area of Cardigan bay, a special area of conservation, and the impact on marine life in that area. Minister, it's been several years now since this activity was...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I want to welcome your statement, and of course the briefing that I attended this morning with Dr Andrew Goodall. I'm particularly pleased to see that this is a joint plan. It's not just about health; it's about health and social care and working with partners to help deliver a service that ultimately needs support from local health boards, local authorities and care...
Joyce Watson: —an opportunity for career progression. So, my question is this, Minister: will you look at the outcomes of that bridging scheme and see if it can be replicated across Wales?
Joyce Watson: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers regarding the campaign to grant humanist marriages legal recognition? OQ57051
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Mabon, for asking this really important question. In our region, ahead of this year's White Ribbon events, I've been working with sexual violence charity, New Pathways, and it operates six of Wales's eight SARCs. They do an amazing job of supporting victims, overwhelmingly women and girls, and I'm pleased to say that they recently received new funding to support more people in more...
Joyce Watson: Thank you. I'm having problems here today.
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that answer. You will be aware, of course, Minister, that there is legal recognition for humanist weddings in many other countries, but that is not the case for England and Wales. So, my question, then, to you is: are you pressing the UK Government to end the anomaly that currently exists with that legal recognition elsewhere, but not being afforded here in Wales and also in England?
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Jack, for your question. The Senedd Commission takes the well-being of Senedd Commission staff very seriously. It's been an area of particular focus throughout the pandemic when we've monitored mental well-being through frequent surveys and maintained regular contact with staff. There is an onsite occupational health professional who can provide a confidential source of support and...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that question. You're absolutely right; from day one of coming here you've called for a kinder politics, and you're right to do that. In terms of the Commission, we do have a very long-term focus on mental well-being and reducing the perceived stigma. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and I think that is hugely important. Apart from all the other...
Joyce Watson: You're absolutely right—there is significant support since last Friday; it's been fast-tracked, and is available to all Members and their staff here in the Senedd. They've made themselves readily available both in person and online. I think it's important that people take things seriously. Because I all too often hear people say, 'Well, I had this or that, but I didn't take it seriously'....
Joyce Watson: It was pleasing this morning, when I asked you the question in the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, to have an answer that you’d already given actually before, so it seems. I travel this road—up and down—at least twice a week and I could clearly see that that work was ongoing. I’m not sure that I’d seen a digger exactly, but I could certainly see work. I was...
Joyce Watson: Will you take an intervention?
Joyce Watson: I thank you for taking an intervention, and I note your comments about teachers' pay. So, does this mean that you disagree with your Government's public sector pay freeze, and that you welcome the 1.75 per cent teachers' pay rise that the Welsh Government has put in place?
Joyce Watson: 2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to achieve a net-zero Wales? OQ57124
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Prif Weinidog. Buildings account for just under a quarter of UK greenhouse gas emissions, most of which come from fossil fuel heating. So, tackling climate change really does begin at home. Your Government is leading the way, with today's announcement of funding for greener social homes, and the new fossil fuel-busting standard to which 20,000 new social homes for rent will be built...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I certainly welcome this announcement today. I think you're right to put education at the forefront of environmental sustainability, because it's a generational change that's needed. There are examples of children being very much involved in the RainScape project in Llanelli schools, and the children are fascinated by it and they learn maths from it and lots about...
Joyce Watson: 2. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote employment opportunities for young people in Mid and West Wales? OQ57096
Joyce Watson: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on bowel cancer screening in Wales? OQ57097
Joyce Watson: Thank you for your reply, Minister.
Joyce Watson: Over the past decade, the Jobs Growth Wales programme has helped more than 19,000 young people step into the world of work, to get a good job and to start building a future. And now, Jobs Growth Wales+ will create those life-changing opportunities for young people who are not in education, employment or training. And it's just the first part of Welsh Labour's young person's guarantee, of...
