Luke Fletcher: I have to say I find it difficult to accept that the Cardiff capital region isn't promoting low wages, and of course the explanation given by yourself as well yesterday in response to Paul Davies that the way this has been reported has been miscast, I hope you'd forgive me in saying that I find this nothing more than a bit of spin. I'll read directly from the prospectus, and I quote here:...
Luke Fletcher: —reflects the ongoing trend where wages in Wales have stagnated for far too long under successive Labour Governments. But I do hope that the Minister in his time in this portfolio will buck that trend, and I sincerely mean that. But how does he propose we tackle the brain drain when there are public bodies in Wales promoting a low-wage economy, and how can we measure his success? Because I...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that answer. The COVID pandemic has led to a dramatic change in the way we work. Whilst many will now be returning to the office, some workers will still be working from home and getting used to new, more flexible work practices. Whilst the flexibility is to be welcomed, this has led to a blurring of the lines between the work and the home environment in some cases. Countries...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Weinidog. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that this is my last question to you today. Jonathan Ridd, a director in the energy park, has said that small firms at the park will now have to foot the cost of diesel generators in order to continue operating, stating that given rising fuel costs some businesses will likely be paying up to eight times more for energy. This in turn puts...
Luke Fletcher: In the first instance, as a member of the committee, I wanted to thank those who gave evidence and, of course, the clerks, et cetera, for their work on this and putting this report together. And, of course, thank you to our committee Chair for his work on this and presenting the report to the Senedd today. I wanted to touch on two particular aspects of the report. In the first instance, the...
Luke Fletcher: I would like to request a written statement from the Minister for Finance and Local Government on support for school transport providers. I've recently been contacted by Pencoed Travel and Cresta Coaches, who have raised concerns regarding the rise in fuel costs. Since their contracts were originally tendered, in June of last year, Pencoed Travel's fuel costs, for example, have risen by 40...
Luke Fletcher: I think we can all agree that there is an issue that needs to be addressed when it comes to tourism, and that is its impact on local communities. The importance of the tourism industry to Wales is undisputed, but we must avoid the type of extractive tourism that uses Wales as a resource. We all share the ambition of seeing Wales as a top-quality sustainable tourism destination, but this...
Luke Fletcher: —but the point is this: the UK is the outlier here. Yes, go on.
Luke Fletcher: Thanks for your intervention, Tom, and, again, you are right to point out that Venice is using it to dissuade tourism, but that is the whole point of tax: it's a lever to encourage people to either do something that is going to be positive for the community or to dissuade negative actions. That's the point here about tax, isn't it? We all know that that is the point of a tax. And, if we're...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I thank the Minister for his statement today.
Luke Fletcher: As we already know, Wales is well positioned to play a global leading role in marine energy, with 1,200 km of coastline and up to 6 GW of generating capacity through the potential for wave and tidal stream. If we are to reach net zero by 2050, or perhaps before, we need to massively increase renewable energy generation in Wales. The Minister and Deputy Minister said in a letter to the Climate...
Luke Fletcher: Will the Minister provide an update on efforts to enroll Ukrainian refugee children in Welsh schools?
Luke Fletcher: I welcome the report from the committee and thank them for all their work, and important work it is, as we move forward, because due to Wales's predominantly coastal geography, the marine sector is a huge contributor to the Welsh economy. Marine policy has a direct impact on people's livelihoods as well as on wildlife and ecosystems—many, often conflicting, demands on Wales's seas and...
Luke Fletcher: There are a number of dog welfare issues that are concerning in Wales, such as illegal breeding and the issues shelters are having with capacity. In fairness, I know the Minister is across these issues and I know she takes a keen interest in the welfare of dogs here in Wales. I do thank her for that. On Monday, the Petitions Committee held its first evidence-gathering session on greyhound...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and firstly I'd like to thank Helen for submitting this petition. What it calls for is exactly right—Tourette's is overlooked by many and is viewed by most as a condition that means that you just swear uncontrollably, and I like many others am guilty of previously thinking that, but there's a lot more to it. It's a neurological condition that can be quite painful....
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion tabled in the name of Siân Gwenllian. Why have we called for this debate today? I could launch straight into detail about different pots of funding and rehash well-worn Brexit arguments, but I'd like to start in more simple terms: we are facing a cost-of-living disaster. Most have already started to feel its effects after the 1 April energy price...
Luke Fletcher: Will the First Minister provide an update on the learner transport review?
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. There's no doubt that life for workers and their families is getting more difficult. Inflation is at a 40-year high, energy prices are growing 23 times faster than wages, and Welsh weekly earnings remain the lowest of the UK nations. The importance of trade unions could not be clearer during this cost-of-living crisis. However, only one in six private sector workers in Wales...
Luke Fletcher: I think it's important for us to remember that trade unions have always played an important part in changing workplace conditions, across the Chamber, and practices within the workplace. I have no doubt that they will play a vital part in moving to a four-day work week as well. UK firms have begun the world's biggest four-day week trial with no loss of pay. The trial will last six months and...
Luke Fletcher: I'd like to start by thanking Rhun for his continued advocacy of hydrogen. He's pushed it for quite some time in Plaid Cymru and in this place. I remember that debate almost two to three years ago; a very worthwhile debate. For Members in the Chamber, Rhun is as excited about hydrogen as he is about Wales going to the world cup, so I hope that shows how much of a passionate advocate he is. As...
