Bethan Sayed: I appreciate that we’ve had a written statement on NSA Afan in my region, but I would like to ask for an oral statement on how exactly the Welsh Government is conducting its inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities at NSA Afan. Not one substantive allegation has been put to them, according to NSA Afan and what they’ve told me, but let me make it absolutely clear that I’m not...
Bethan Sayed: I think the Cabinet Secretary will want to come back and clarify the outcome of this, but, as you’re aware, there are discussions ongoing, not only with the local authority on safeguarding the services but also discussions with the police. So, at this point in time, it’s limited what can be said beyond what’s in the written statement and beyond the answer to your question last week. But...
Bethan Sayed: At the end of February, it is Eating Disorders Awareness Week, and I was wondering whether you would be able to table a debate from the Government on the work that’s being done in Wales on eating disorders. I know and appreciate that we’ve agreed some more funding for eating disorders via the discussions between Plaid Cymru and Labour during the budget negotiations, and there still needs...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you. Having received concerns from stakeholders, and taking into account the fact that the Assembly rejected the Welsh Language Standards (No. 3) Regulations, the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee agreed that it should consider the regulations under Standing Order 27.8 and report our conclusions to the Assembly. After the regulations were laid, we wrote to Cymdeithas...
Bethan Sayed: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement about the investigation into funding irregularities at NSA Afan?
Bethan Sayed: I don’t want to misinterpret what’s been said, but I think in response to me previously, you’ve said that you wanted to take a comprehensive and effective approach, and you’ve said that you wanted to look at what the UK was doing to be able to take stock of what we could be doing here in Wales, so that we weren’t replicating or putting a register in place that wasn’t necessary....
Bethan Sayed: Thank you. My first question is something I’ve raised with you quite a lot now in the last few weeks. With regard to NSA Afan, I wondered whether we could have an update on the inquiry, specifically because I’m getting contacts from people in Bettws who have funding streams through the delivery of this service and they tell me they don’t have a clue as to what is happening. What isn’t...
Bethan Sayed: That answers the question for Neath Port Talbot, but it doesn’t in terms of Bridgend. It wasn’t a criticism; I was trying to find out the differences between the operations and why you’ve made that decision, and I’m still not really that clear. On the wider Communities First agenda, I’m hearing from those who have an interest in the future of Communities First that the consultation...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you, and I look forward to that statement, because I think many people in the sector want to know exactly how any new scheme can be effective in targeting poverty. Many of the people I’ve talked to in the last few weeks have said that it’s about the economy and boosting the job market for the less well-off: for example, more jobs closer to disadvantaged areas, action to improve...
Bethan Sayed: Yesterday, when I knew I was coming in on this supplementary, I did a little question on Facebook to ask people what they thought of the fact that these campaigns have happened. Many people were aware, but there was quite a shocking amount of people who weren’t aware that these publicity campaigns even existed. I could find, via Women’s Aid, some analysis of what’s happened in the...
Bethan Sayed: Will the First Minister provide an update on the provision of financial education in Wales?
Bethan Sayed: I’m just responding as Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee in the context—as mentioned by Darren Miller earlier—of the inquiry we’re conducting into music in education, not because we as AMs wanted to do it, but because the public, through an opinion poll that we set up, decided for us that we should look at this issue because, despite the many task and...
Bethan Sayed: Minister, traders in Neath market have, for some time, been offered reduced business rates, with some benefiting from paying none at all. However, recently, I spoke with some traders in the market who informed me that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council have increased their rents to the point where some will be forced to close or move their business elsewhere. Would you agree that...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you, Dai, for those very kind words. I didn’t pay Dai Lloyd to say those things, I can assure you. We have been scrutinising ITV, the BBC and others on a regular basis, as part of this inquiry, but as a committee that has ‘communication’ in its title, I think it’s important for us to set the political agenda to ensure that those in the media field are accountable to us and that...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you very much. Again, I didn’t pay anybody for the compliments, but thank you very much anyway. I’m sure my leader won’t be able to give me a row for something you’ve said. That would be a new thing for me, but, hey, wonders will never cease. What can I say? With regard to S4C, I mean, you know, we would agree on these benches, of course, that the cuts to S4C should never have...
Bethan Sayed: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Today, obviously, as has been said, we’ve had the consultative result of the ballot. It’s clear that, despite what was a stark choice for the Tata workforce, one that was a choice between pensions and future investment in the plant, they’ve decided to keep their faith in Tata Steel. But would you agree with me that now it is time for Tata Steel to step up...
Bethan Sayed: The majority of park home residents in Wales, as has been mentioned, are over the age of 55 and the most recent report suggests that they are, on average, 71 years old. The vast majority of these residents don’t envisage leaving or selling their homes in the foreseeable future. Will you therefore agree with me that increases in pitch fees to cover losses incurred by park owners that would...
Bethan Sayed: Well, Cabinet Secretary, you may have talked to two Assembly Members, but I don’t think you’ve talked to all Assembly Members who represent the area and I think, with respect to democracy here in Wales, it would be good if you could include all Assembly Members who represent the Bridgend region as part of any future discussions. Look, you may say that Ford have investment in the area and...
Bethan Sayed: Llywydd, I’m pleased to be taking part in this debate, because in Plaid Cymru we have absolutely nothing to hide or be ashamed of when it comes to this important issue of supporting working people. We have consistently championed an end to exploitative and unstable zero-hours contracts, and we’ve used our votes in this Chamber to prove it. It’s ironic that UKIP has presented to this...
Bethan Sayed: I don’t, actually, because we obviously put forward the agricultural wages Bill and that was challenged in the Supreme Court, and I think if you’re going to be setting the agenda, politically and principally, we need to be doing that with the trade union Bill. I would concur that the Welsh Government is doing the right thing by taking that forward, and I would have thought that, on issues...
