Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. First of all, I want to declare the fact that a close family member is a member of the RCN, before I speak on this. We all know that nurses are under huge pressure. We also all know that nurses were at the front line and instrumental at the time of the pandemic, and that others went outside every Thursday evening to clap their endeavours to try and save us from the...
Joyce Watson: Trefnydd, can I ask for an urgent Welsh Government statement on police standards in Wales? We learnt last week that Wiltshire Police is leading an investigation into alleged misogyny, corruption and racism in Gwent Police. That comes on the back of the police watchdog's damning report on failings in the vetting process that allowed criminals and sexual predators to join the services in...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Llywydd. I want to raise a point of order about the behaviour that we all witnessed in this Chamber just a few minutes ago—behaviour that one of my colleagues felt so threatened by that she had to move away from that individual. And also that same behaviour showed huge disrespect to you as the Chair of this institution, and therefore the institution itself. I've been here for over...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Llywydd. It's Global Entrepreneurship Week, and I'd like to take this opportunity to celebrate the fantastic work that our colleges do, helping to kick-start the careers of budding entrepreneurs. Global Entrepreneurship Week is about encouraging people, especially young people, to start their own businesses and highlight the positive impact they can have in terms of innovation and...
Joyce Watson: That was a very selective contribution.
Joyce Watson: 2. Will the Minister provide an update on the implementation of the animal welfare plan for Wales? OQ58798
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Minister. A year into the five-year process, as you say, there has been good progress, most notably the consultation on mandatory CCTV in abattoirs. But in terms of priorities, can I ask where the use of breeding cages for game birds sits? I know the plan includes a commitment to examine the evidence around their use, but with the new shooting season under way, the use of breeding...
Joyce Watson: I thank you for the question. The Senedd Commission strives to be an exemplar in the delivery of its dignity and respect policies and actions. I am pleased to confirm that, further to the excellent work by trade union officials, the Commission has agreed to provide free period products on the Senedd estate for anyone who needs them, with effect from 2 December, to promote period dignity...
Joyce Watson: I absolutely agree with what you're saying. I'm sure that the message has been heard about updating the website to make sure. The 39 vending machines that you refer to will be removed. They cost £110 per annum each, and the total is £4,290 per year. There was a cost of £1 per box of products, which, of course, is way outside what you would pay anywhere in a shop. Those vending machines, as...
Joyce Watson: Again, I thank you, Jack, for your interest in all things equality. There were two questions. Is it permanent? I believe that it is permanent. In terms of sustainable products, you will find that there's a mix of products already out there in our facilities. The aim is to test those, to see the use and to move into that space of 100 per cent sustainability in our products, which, of course,...
Joyce Watson: I don't want to, and I won't, reiterate any of the points that my colleagues have already made, but it's important, at this stage, to thank the clerks, the Chair and the clerking team for assisting us in our work. I think there is an issue here beyond governance, and it's an issue of capacity. The report of the interim assessor highlights that demand on the service was greater than that which...
Joyce Watson: How is the Welsh Government supporting small businesses in Mid and West Wales?
Joyce Watson: Would you take an intervention?
Joyce Watson: Thank you very much. You mentioned £227 million for local government, but of course there is the £31 billion Government loans scheme that was just handed back. They didn't pursue it, they just threw our money away. They're just completely careless with public money. And that's on top of the £200 million PPE scandal. So, that makes a total of £31.2 billion on those two items alone, where...
Joyce Watson: The White Ribbon pledge is never to commit, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women. When the service allowed two abusers to keep their jobs, it broke that promise. Llywydd, I want to pay tribute to the brave women who have spoken out, and my deep disappointment in the service that I've worked closely with on the White Ribbon campaign for many years. We'll see what the...
Joyce Watson: 6. What support will the Government offer the exporters of Welsh goods in 2023? OQ58935
Joyce Watson: I think it might be worth, First Minister, encouraging people to look at the map of flood and coastal capital investment that is available online. You have already mentioned that there has been Welsh Government investment of £71 million for this financial year. I understand that an interactive map providing more detail on these schemes will soon be published. I'd welcome, if you're able to...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. This time last year, the Counsel General told this Senedd that the Welsh Government would maintain or improve EU standards. That commitment is imperative if we are going to erase the continued Brexit burden facing Welsh exporters. At the UK level, we must make Brexit work, and some sort of regulatory alignment for food products and sorting out the...
Joyce Watson: Trefnydd, I'd like to hear from the education Minister about what is being done to address misogynistic ideology in the classroom. The case of Andrew Tate has lifted the lid on a pervasive, toxic and dangerous culture that is targeting vulnerable boys in particular. And it's endemic. I must confess I'd not heard of him until the current legal case, because I'm not on the platforms or...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Our local authorities do excellent work, but sometimes they do it with one hand tied behind their back. We've got the cabinet system in place, but it seems that there's very little support for Members to carry out scrutiny. In order to scrutinise well, they need some support of researchers, and, as far as I am aware, that is missing. So, in terms of those people who...
