Llyr Gruffydd: Then why did it all go wrong?
Llyr Gruffydd: Do you not realise you've been talking about an independent Wales for the last five minutes?
Llyr Gruffydd: Hywel Dda.
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you very much, acting Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you to the committee chair for giving us an opportunity to discuss this issue. I also want to thank the co-operation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government because it will hopefully ensure that we can look forward to an exciting and transformational programme in the next financial year. The first obvious thing I would ask...
Llyr Gruffydd: I’ll see you there.
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you to the Minister for her statement. The first thing to say, of course, is that the importance of the tourism sector is undoubted; myself and my party and everyone else here would recognise the important contribution made by the sector. What we must guard against is finding ourselves in a position where there is too much extractive tourism. We have found examples over recent years...
Llyr Gruffydd: 1. What steps will the Welsh Government take to support students undertaking undergraduate university courses that are eligible for NHS funding? OQ58403
Llyr Gruffydd: One method that has been used effectively by the Welsh Government to decrease emissions, of course, is the introduction of speed limits on some roads in Wales. Not only does that bring environmental benefits, but it brings benefits in terms of safety for residents in those areas. And I want to point out that a campaign has been launched in Glasfryn near Cerrigydrudion to introduce speed...
Llyr Gruffydd: Well, you've answered my next question, and thank you for that, because I was going to highlight the fact that a constituent who is starting to study an adult nursing degree this year has contacted me explaining that they will receive £5,855 per year to help with living costs. Of course, self-catering accommodation for students is over £6,000 in his case, so there is a problem there, never...
Llyr Gruffydd: I thank the Minister for her statement. I agree with much of what you had to say. The narrative is clear and has been reflected in many comments over the past few days. It is a budget statement that creates division. It's regressive, it's unfair and it's morally indefensible, as you say. It makes the rich richer and hits the poorest in an entirely disproportionate way. You say that there had...
Llyr Gruffydd: I feel that this whole episode really graphically demonstrates how fiscally beholden this Senedd is to changes that happen, sometimes at a whim, sometimes driven by dogma, at Westminster. We can complain about abolishing tax bands, about changes to NI, to levels of co-operation, but wouldn't it be better, Minister, rather than complaining, that we actually had the powers here to do something...
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the Minister make a statement on how the Agriculture (Wales) Bill will strengthen the economy of the Welsh countryside?
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you very much, Llywydd. I raised with you yesterday, Minister, the need for the Government to now use the powers that you have to protect the basic rate of income tax in Wales, in order to protect the key services that many vulnerable people will be reliant on during the difficult period ahead of us. You didn't answer my question then, but you did say, and you have consistently said,...
Llyr Gruffydd: Well, surely you will have considered this issue. The cut in the basic rate was going to happen from 2024 under Rishi Sunak's proposals, of course. So, hadn't you already started to consider or assess whether the time had come to use your powers in terms of Welsh income tax rates? Has there been any modelling done or is modelling happening to inform that debate? Because, on the one hand,...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you very much, Llywydd. I am very grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the general principles of the Bill and to be able to share the views of the climate change committee on the Bill with Members. Before I turn to the content of the Bill, I would like to speak briefly about how we've got to this point. Members will be aware, of course, that there was no Stage 1...
Llyr Gruffydd: No, Flint.
Llyr Gruffydd: 5. What action is the Government taking to ensure that the capacity of the NHS in north Wales is sufficient to meet demand? OQ58528
Llyr Gruffydd: We know, of course, that one in eight nursing posts is vacant in north Wales. We also know from the chair of the health board that of the 642 GPs that we have in north Wales, a quarter of them are over 65, and a third of that 642 are expected to retire in the next five years. And we also know that there aren't adequate numbers coming through to fill those posts. Twenty per cent of posts are...
Llyr Gruffydd: I'm going to start by acknowledging and welcoming what was announced by Plaid Cymru and the Government last week—not quite as cynical as some, perhaps. It's not the end of the process, of course, but it does keep the debate alive, and it does mean that there has been a change of attitude. The other choice was that we just let it go and carry on. So, I think we need to acknowledge that great...
Llyr Gruffydd: Two more points just before I close. I think that contractors seem to have been forgotten by the Welsh Government in this. They're one of the biggest employers in our rural communities, with most of their work, of course, based on small, family-run farms. The three-month closed period is going to be pretty catastrophic for many of them. When 31 January arrives, they may well have no labour,...
