Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llyr Huws Gruffydd for that series of questions. I cannot pretend that—. I wish I had far more money to put into all of our warm home schemes. You say that your manifesto was to put £3 billion in—in I think you said over three years—[Interruption.]—no, a longer period. I mean, you have to look at where that funding would come from. My budget isn't even £1 billion a year,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Joyce Watson, for those questions and observations. I think you're quite right: a decade of austerity of course has an impact on the number of people living in fuel poverty here in Wales. You talk about Brexit, and I am concerned, particularly about the impact of a 'no deal' Brexit on energy prices in particular, again in the context of other economic factors that also could come...
Lesley Griffiths: So, let's bring it back to fuel poverty, shall we, and Warm Homes? I'm very proud that we have put so much investment into our Warm Homes schemes. You mentioned £248 million at the end of March 2018. By the end of this Assembly term, it'll be £344 million and that will have benefited over 75,000 homes. You always mention—. As a climate change sceptic, you always mention China; you always...
Lesley Griffiths: I have always been clear, a 'no deal' Brexit would be catastrophic for our agricultural sector and rural communities, which will bear the brunt of any loss of markets. Crashing out of the European Union without a deal would be hugely damaging and must be avoided at all costs.
Lesley Griffiths: This scheme was established as part of our budget settlement with Plaid Cymru. I am pleased that 110 young people into agriculture applicants have been offered contracts providing each with £40,000 in support towards developing their business. A further 40 applications are being developed and are expected to be agreed this month.
Lesley Griffiths: We have published guidance for planning authorities on assessing the impacts of different renewable energy technologies, including solar. We need solar power projects to deliver clearer benefits to those in their local communities. We will work with communities through the Welsh Government energy service to seek to do this.
Lesley Griffiths: The UK Government is currently responsible for assessments in relation to nuclear energy production. However, from 1 April Welsh Government will be responsible for the consenting of energy projects of less than 350 MW and we are currently gathering the evidence required to develop an appropriate small nuclear policy.
Lesley Griffiths: In June 2018, I met with members of the Menai Strait Fishery Order Management Association, the applicants for a several Order in the western Menai straits. My officials subsequently met with representatives from MSFOMA in September 2018. Since then, there has been regular telephone contact with members of the MSFOMA board.
Lesley Griffiths: The Wales animal health and welfare framework implementation plan sets out Welsh Government priorities across Wales. I updated Plenary on plans to improve animal welfare in my oral statements in June and November. With Brexit on the horizon, we will review priorities to ensure the welfare of animals in Wales remains paramount.
Lesley Griffiths: I remain strongly committed to introducing a Wales agriculture Bill during this Assembly term. As I have stated previously, it is my ambition to bring forward a Bill as soon as practicable, subject to Cabinet decisions on the future legislative programme.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I have regular discussions with the Minister for Economy and Transport about sustainable action required to reduce emissions from transport, for example through work on our Welsh plan to tackle roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations, and the decarbonisation ministerial task and finish group, which I chair and of which the Minister is also a member.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It's certainly a very interesting initiative. We had a lively conversation with officials this morning when we were going through the oral questions, and I'll certainly discuss it with my colleague Ken Skates. I think it's also important to discuss it with the Deputy Minister for Local Government and Housing, Hannah Blythyn, who obviously leads on that part of the portfolio, but...
Lesley Griffiths: It's certainly something I'd be very happy to discuss with my colleague Ken Skates.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to the five areas that we've got across Wales that relate to the reduced 50 mph speed limit, this is obviously an area that Ken Skates leads on, but I do have one in my own constituency and I know that they are being monitored very closely, but I don't know if any figures have been brought forward as yet. The speed restrictions have been identified as the only measure...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Twenty-seven of the 71 applications received under the landfill disposals tax community scheme were successful in the first funding window, administered by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Eight of these projects will be delivered within south-east Wales, investing £257,490 in projects that enhance the environment, biodiversity, and minimising waste.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I mentioned in my original answer that the WCVA hold the contract and the responsibility for the management and distribution of fundings. There were a number of applications received from the surrounding area, but only one application was received from within your own constituency of Islwyn in round 1. Unfortunately, that was unsuccessful. One application from Islwyn has also been...
Lesley Griffiths: Just looking through my list, it doesn't appear there are any successful applications from Monmouth; I don't know if there were any that were unsuccessful, but I'd certainly be happy to look into that and write to the Member.FootnoteLink As I said in my answer to Rhianon Passmore, the WCVA run the scheme for us. They promote it, they publicise it, they use a range of mechanisms—I know they...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I'm very interested in the use of the word 'scandalous' and 'leaked letter' might come to mind, having looked at your website this morning—Plaid Cymru's, not the Member himself. I don't think it's scandalous. We've done a huge amount of work. You're quite right about a 'no deal' Brexit. I take that threat very, very seriously, and I will be bringing forward the consultation. You've...
Lesley Griffiths: So, I want to ensure our response to addressing the gaps in the functions that are undertaken by the EU Commission currently. And you are right—there will be gaps but, as I say, they will be much, much smaller than in other parts of the UK. But I want to make sure that it not only helps to maintain and enhance our environment, but it's one that's consistent with the devolution settlement...
Lesley Griffiths: As I said in my earlier answer, I'll be going out to consultation next month. You say we've had two years, but you have to appreciate the level of work that Brexit has brought to the Government. The 'no deal' scenario I am taking very, very seriously, I think, as the days tick by—you're quite right. We will be going out to consultation. I've been working very closely with stakeholders since...
