David Melding: Minister, I note that the Scottish Government has changed the definition of fuel poverty, and this following a legal challenge, so that it's now defined as a household where residents are on low incomes and they need to spend a high proportion of that income on fuel. The current definition is households that spend 10 per cent of their income on fuel, and that could capture a very wealthy...
David Melding: I do agree with the policy thrust here and the last part of your statement—that we still need these temporary emergency shelters. Can I bring to your attention the threat to The Wallich night shelter in Riverside? As we know, rough-sleeping has increased in the last three years—by the survey measures, anyway, it seems to be the case. And we do need to ensure that best practice, like that...
David Melding: Can I begin by commending the work of the Children's Society? I think many of us received their briefing on the well-being scores. They are falling on a UK basis; this is not done on a home-nation basis. The OECD found that the UK was fortieth out of 44 of the countries taking part, and that was a poorer performance than when that was last measured, I think three years ago. So, I think that...
David Melding: I'd certainly agree that good, healthy well-being is a great defence against very poor mental health outcomes, which ultimately, in too many cases unfortunately, can lead to significant self-harm and even suicide. So, I take that point. But, the Children's Society does balance their briefing note, reminding us that, in Wales, the new curriculum will allow for one of the seven areas of...
David Melding: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers in the UK on ways to strengthen the Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? OAQ54884
David Melding: 5. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the Welsh Government's legislative powers in relation to leasehold tenures on houses? OAQ54883
David Melding: First Minister, I'm sure you'll join me in welcoming yesterday's news that Lloyds Banking Group expects to support firms in Wales this year by up to £1.1 billion in lending. This is part of their pledge to invest £18 billion in UK businesses in 2020, and they're looking at new businesses, microbusinesses seeking to upscale to small businesses, and those considering then trading...
David Melding: Can I just say how much those sentiments are supported on this side of the Assembly as well? You may have heard the First Minister in evidence yesterday to the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee saying that the Prime Minister will be taking the Dunlop review's findings as seriously as the Government that commissioned that review. And I notice that this review, of course, is...
David Melding: Counsel General, I'm sure that answer will be very reassuring to many householders throughout Wales, including in my region. For instance, at St Edeyrns Village in Cardiff, many residents there have been in dispute with the housebuilder Persimmon and feel very aggrieved that leasehold tenure is introduced on sites that formerly would have been freehold. Sometimes, you can get a mix of both on...
David Melding: Minister, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has said that there's still a disconnect between budget allocations and our quite proper aspirations to reach a low-carbon and carbon-neutral Wales. And I notice the committee also said that the draft budget should explain and demonstrate clearly how funding allocations will support the decarbonisation priority. So, can we expect that...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr. Minister, you'll know that we're in the middle of the tv and film awards season around the world, and I'm sure you will want to join me in congratulating Aberystwyth's own Taron Egerton on his fantastic—
David Melding: I thought this might be pleasing to you, Presiding Officer. I congratulate him on his fantastic success so far. His talent is making people remember that Wales is renowned as a breeding ground for extraordinary success on the big screen, and I wish him all the best for his future career. Whilst he's a shining example of what we can achieve in the Welsh film and television industry; as a...
David Melding: Thank you for that answer, Minister, and I think everyone shares this ambition, but it's really what's the roadmap to get us there; because, if we look at the draft international strategy, it's very thin on what we're going to do to build on our past success to reach full potential in terms of what the transformation of the creative industries of tv and film, in particular, could achieve....
David Melding: Minister, if I could turn to domestic production, it's now been 27 years since a Welsh language film was nominated for an Oscar; Hedd Wyn, in 1993, and a very fine film it is. And of course, this can be a key part of our international strategy in portraying to a modern Wales the vital Welsh language culture that we do enjoy here. Now, during the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications...
David Melding: Presiding Officer, my question's a little less bellicose. [Laughter.] If I can turn to Susie Ventris-Field, the chief executive of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, she's pointed out the wonderful civic record we have in Wales in promoting international peace and solidarity. She cites examples like the message of peace and goodwill from the young people of Wales, which, in the next...
David Melding: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank everyone for taking part in this debate? A lot of contributions—I won't be able to get through them all. Mark started with his usual gusto and just the sheer grasp of the subject that he's had because this has meant so much to him throughout his career as an Assembly Member, in which he's championed the whole concept of co-delivery,...
David Melding: Minister, I think we all read the very positive story about Neath Port Talbot yesterday. Of course, they've tested the pilots in England, and they are well on their way to establishing a national network. In fact, by April of this year—that's a whole month before your evaluation is finally conducted—there will be a network in England. Why are we so far behind?
David Melding: The philosopher Michael Oakeshott said that beyond bare facts, 1066 and all that—perhaps I should say 1282—history is an act of making—it was interesting how Mick started—or at least apprehension, a seeking for understanding. And each generation does that, and it requires great skill. Our great-great grandparents would have put the battle of Bosworth as one of the main items that...
David Melding: Will you give way?
David Melding: Of course, the principle of Sewel is based on the fact that consent is not withheld unreasonably, and that's quite a test as well.
