Carolyn Thomas: Actually, I don't. It was the banking crisis at the time and the way that the finances had been handled across the world, and that's how it was dealt with. Austerity went on for far too long. We're not discussing austerity at the moment, but I did want to bring it in because it does impact on public services. I still have the scars of 14 years of being a councillor, 10 years of year upon year...
Carolyn Thomas: 5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact levelling-up funding will have on transport infrastructure in North Wales? OQ57985
Carolyn Thomas: First Minister, I understand broadband is not a devolved issue and that, sadly, north Wales has not received any of the £5 billion the UK Government has set aside for broadband infrastructure funding. It could be another two years, I'm led to believe. However, I am excited and pleased to learn that, in Anglesey, there is a consortium being led by Bangor University and the private sector,...
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you, First Minister. I totally agree with you. I know that you are committed to improving passenger experience on public transport to reduce the number of car journeys to achieve net zero. As part of this, Transport for Wales has invested in new trains for the Wrexham-Bidston line and has recruited new drivers and trained them all up ready. A levelling-up funding bid was also made to...
Carolyn Thomas: Minister, I too am concerned about the cost of the delay for Ynys Môn council, who may have built up employment costs and income revenue in their business plans going forward for the year, and for the construction company who, under procurement rules, will have factored in much needed local employment and apprenticeships to build the site. If one of the reasons for delay is that the UK...
Carolyn Thomas: 1. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to improve digital inclusion in rural communities? OQ57979
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Many of my residents in north Wales live in rural communities that are often poorly served by existing digital infrastructure and, whilst some are now being offered improved services, it can be daunting to make the right decisions in terms of providers, broadband types and changing phone lines. This is particularly the case as the cost-of-living crisis...
Carolyn Thomas: Can I declare I'm a Flintshire councillor, for the last day? When you walk around the community I'm proud to be part of, you can see what has been achieved thanks to the policies and investment of the Welsh Labour Government working with Labour-led Flintshire council: twenty-first century schools, extended new nursery provision, investment in community buildings, new social housing, council...
Carolyn Thomas: Yes, sure, Gareth.
Carolyn Thomas: I was referring to the rugby club, so that's what I know about, but I do know about the Queen's buildings too. All this funding is really important, whether it's European funding, Welsh Government funding, funding from the UK Government as well. It's really important to enable facilities for our residents, so I can agree with you. Welsh Government has also funded learning hubs. I visited Tŷ...
Carolyn Thomas: —and it's the UK Tory Government that needs to step up and provide the funding needed as a matter of urgency for public services, not cut them. Thank you.
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you. It's just that my name was mentioned earlier on. Could you just repeat what you said, because I want to just clarify that, please, for the record?
Carolyn Thomas: That's not what you said. You said I was against Welsh Labour policy. So, thank you for correcting that. That's fine.
Carolyn Thomas: Sorry, but it's with the WLGA as well. Thank you. Not Welsh Labour.
Carolyn Thomas: I think the Welsh Conservatives have a lot of audacity bringing the debate forward, blaming the Welsh Government for poor stewardship of the Welsh economy. The Conservative UK Government has cut public service funding under austerity. Public services are one of the biggest employers in Wales. This current UK Government's push for Brexit then created a mountain of bureaucracy and cost for...
Carolyn Thomas: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to promote employment in the public sector?
Carolyn Thomas: I'm pleased to say that Labour won more than all other parties combined in England, but the real success for Labour is here in Wales, where the First Minister runs a popular and progressive Government, and nearly half of all Labour gains across the whole of the UK were here in Wales, which is fantastic. I'd like to congratulate all new councillors and hope they enjoy the important role as...
Carolyn Thomas: 3. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to deal with the backlog of elective surgery in North Wales? OQ58010
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I've been contacted by a resident who's been waiting for an orthopaedic consultant for nearly two years, during which time their arthritis has moved from moderate to severe. The resident is understandably concerned that longer waiting times for elective surgery will mean their condition will continue to worsen. They've received conflicting advice from...
Carolyn Thomas: Will you take an intervention?
