Rhianon Passmore: 7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the investment the Welsh Government is making in school buildings in Islwyn? OAQ(5)0119(EDU)
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. Diolch. The headteacher of Islwyn High School, Tim Williams, has just recently been handed the keys to the £25.5 million-worth of new Islwyn High, built on the site of the former Oakdale colliery. The school has impressive features, modern teaching spaces, state-of-the-art technology workshops, fit-for-purpose science labs and IT suites, spread across three floors. Cabinet...
Rhianon Passmore: Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government initiatives that aim to increase the number of nurses educated in Wales?
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I am rising today to welcome this statement on education leadership. Wales has a proud heritage of high-quality teachers and school leadership. However, the announcement of the establishment of the current shadow academy board last November was widely welcomed. It is indeed heartening to hear that the shadow board has made a proficient start, and I welcome...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Okay; Lee will go second. In regard to investment in infrastructure, would you agree that the Welsh Government initiatives in terms of infrastructural investment around the metro will make a considerable impact? And also in regard to the austerity programme, in regard to the huge impact that that has had on Valley communities, that this is a lever that we really, really need to be working...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you very much. In regard to the use of foreign aid, there are issues in terms of the way some countries are using it. This is acknowledged and this should be being correctly policed, but that absolutely does not undermine the purposes of foreign aid, and you’ve mentioned Boko Haram. Would you agree that 0.7 per cent of GDP is appropriate and that all Scandinavian countries spend far...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: I wish to very much welcome this debate and the innovative and groundbreaking principles within this Bill for the young people that we all represent. I wish to thank the Minister for the strong, robust and resilient work in this regard, and also the ongoing work of the Children, Young People and Education Committee and its Chair, Lynne Neagle. This innovative Bill, I believe, has potential to...
Rhianon Passmore: What discussions has the European Advisory Group had with representatives from other devolved governments concerning the UK's negotiations on leaving the European Union?
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Cabinet Secretary comment on recent forecasts by the Construction Industry Training Board that the Welsh Government's groundbreaking £1.4 billion twenty-first century schools programme will play a pivotal part in the positive area of growth, as evidenced in my constituency with the opening of the new Islwyn High School? So, will the Cabinet Secretary join with me and welcome this...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, the Welsh Government has a groundbreaking Fusion programme that contributes to many of the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The Fusion programme seeks to encourage and empower young people to take an active part in arts, culture and heritage, and equally includes innovative work experience placements. Additionally, the Fusion programme in 2017...
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what actions the Welsh Government is taking to protect workers in the social care sector?
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: As a member of the committee, I also want to welcome this report. It is, indeed, a comprehensive piece of work. The committee has been very ably chaired by John Griffiths, and I also want to put on record my appreciation for the work of our committee staff, who have ably assisted us. In my contribution, I wish to focus on some of the recommendations contained within the ‘“I used to be...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, in Islwyn, we face, on the historic Twm Barlwm tump, the scourge of fly-tipping, and it costs Wales nearly £2 million each year in clean-up costs, which ultimately have to be paid by the taxpayer. This rural crime is harmful to human health and spoils the enjoyment of our stunning countryside. Since 2007, Welsh Government has funded Fly-tipping Action Wales, an initiative...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: If you don’t mind. I think it was Sir Nicholas Macpherson, the former head of the Treasury, who stood down last year, who said ‘£1 billion for Ulster is just a downpayment. DUP will be back for more’ So, in terms of the consistency of this arrangement moving forward, are you concerned about that?
