Carwyn Jones: Well, there are standards as regards accessing the health service, and, of course, we expect those standards to be followed. As regards ways in which we can encourage businesses, for example, to present services that can be used by these groups, we would wish to work with those groups to ensure that that does happen, and, of course, to ensure that BSL is available, where possible. As regards...
Carwyn Jones: Well, social care is a sector of strategic importance. We provided an extra £55 million of recurring funding for social services. The regional partnership boards have completed their population needs assessment and continue to deliver integrated care, funded through the integrated care fund.
Carwyn Jones: I understand there will be a consultation on the closure of Bodlondeb until the—well, it will carry on until 25 September. It is a very difficult time, obviously, for all of those who are concerned. Can I say to the Member that the safety and well-being of residents is my main concern, and the care and social services inspectorate will be working closely with the council to ensure this is...
Carwyn Jones: The Member will know that unfair employment practices—she’s identified them—are bad for individuals. That’s why we’re taking action on zero-hours contracts through guidance, through procurement, and through our consultation on proposed regulations for social care. It’s hugely important, of course, that the caring profession is valued, hugely important that they are rewarded...
Carwyn Jones: We’ve made it clear in ‘Taking Wales Forward’ that our commitment is to support both serving and ex-service personnel and their families, so that they are not disadvantaged by their service.
Carwyn Jones: Yes. I was at Armed Forces Day myself—our Welsh national Armed Forces Day—in Caerphilly on Saturday. Very important to support that event. I now I have to say that the one event that stands out in my mind is a gentleman in uniform coming towards me, shaking my hand, and saying, ‘Well done on the election result’, not realising that Alun Cairns was standing next to me. But,...
Carwyn Jones: Yes, it’s very important that they’re able to assess the need in their areas particularly. In terms of housing, we have developed an ex-service personnel housing referral pathway to help them and their families make an informed choice of their accommodation needs on transferring back into civilian life. On top of that, to further promote the pathway, we have developed advice cards for...
Carwyn Jones: Well, we’ve done much so far: £585,000 per annum is provided to Veterans’ NHS Wales, a unique service, the only one of its kind in the UK. We know that over 2,900 referrals have been received in that time. Service personnel in need of particular specialist healthcare can access the fast-track referral pathway—that’s a joint initiative between the Defence Medical Services and NHS...
Carwyn Jones: A learning disability advisory group is established. It will advise on a reviewed strategic action plan. Learning disability is a priority for regional partnership boards as well, and, of course, in 2016 we extended the integrated care fund to include support for people with a learning disability.
Carwyn Jones: He will know that the response to Estyn’s recommendations was published last week. But I can say in 2015-16, for example, we invested over £140,000 on a project to support workforce capacity building in the FE sector, with a particular emphasis on increasing access for young people with complex learning disabilities. We are also investing an additional £250,000 during 2016—or have...
Carwyn Jones: Well, the learning disability advisory group was set up in 2012. Its purpose is to inform learning disability policy within the context of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 and to provide advice to the Welsh Ministers on learning disability issues. The group is made up of learning disabled people, third sector organisations working in the field, and health and social care...
Carwyn Jones: In 2017-18 more than £210 million of relief is being provided to help ratepayers with their non-domestic rates. These reliefs are available to all eligible ratepayers who meet the criteria, including community energy projects.
Carwyn Jones: Of course, there is a scheme already in place to ensure that there is relief given to companies on rates. We wish to work with the sector to explore what kind of support can be given, and, of course, we want to ensure that the sector grows. It’s difficult to know what the individual factors affecting the company that the Member has alluded to may be, and what kind of experience they may...
Carwyn Jones: Well, we already have a rate relief system for non-domestic rates that is more generous than is the case, for example, in England. More businesses are covered by that relief scheme than is the case there. I can also say that WEFO has put out a call for organisations to submit proposals to benefit from £14 million of EU funds for small-scale renewable energy initiatives: £10 million is...
Carwyn Jones: Yesterday, Llywydd, we saw an announcement of a financial deal between the Conservative Party and the Democratic Unionist Party that has cause widespread concern, not just amongst parties in the Chamber, but amongst the general public in Wales. Of particular concern is the amount—£1 billion—and also that extra money has been provided for health and education, areas that are normally...
Carwyn Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. I’m pleased, today, to announce the second year of the Welsh Government’s legislative programme. Before I announce the Bills we’ll be bringing forward in the next 12 months, I want to reflect on the progress made during the first year. Since I made my first statement in June last year, this National Assembly has passed landmark tax legislation, which will enable Wales...
Carwyn Jones: Could I thank Members, Dirprwy Lywydd, for the comments that they have made? If I could start with the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, I wrote down here in response to his first comments, ‘What does he want?’ He did go on to say what he would be looking for: a localism and citizenship Bill, an economic security Bill and a people’s rights Bill. I have no idea what they mean, but,...
Carwyn Jones: Well, we have made changes to the way RIAs are developed and presented. Revised guidance has been produced that sets out a more clearly defined and staged approach to the development of the RIA, and it provides publishing a draft RIA as part of the policy consultation in order that people can have a better sight of the RIA and at an earlier stage. I’m not surprised that he doesn’t support...
Carwyn Jones: Dirprwy Lywydd, I’m grateful for the time allowed for this urgent debate today in response to the wholly exceptional circumstances created by the UK Government’s agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party. The terms of a deal to prop up the minority Government in London emerged yesterday and Members will be familiar with the details, but, essentially, the UK Government has earmarked...
Carwyn Jones: Llywydd, if the Barnett formula were to be applied to the DUP deal, Wales would receive £1.5 billion over the next two years and £1.67 billion in total over five years. However, what the UK Government is saying is that Wales will receive zero. Of course, it’s not just Wales losing out; England and Scotland will receive nothing either. And the question I ask is: how can this be a basis for...
