Jane Hutt: I second Elin Jones for the position of Presiding Officer.
Jane Hutt: Can I nominate Carwyn Jones as the First Minister of Wales?
Jane Hutt: Carwyn Jones.
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: This week’s business is as set out on the Plenary agenda with oral statements from the Government on the Wales Bill, Tata Steel and the European football championships. Additionally, Business Committee has agreed to schedule a procedural motion to elect the Assembly Commissioners, which requires the suspension of Standing Orders. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business...
Jane Hutt: I thank Lynne Neagle for that question to the business statement. The First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary, as you have acknowledged, are taking a very keen interest in progress on this issue. They’re aware that recent meetings have been held between the national museum and PCS, and the national museum has confirmed that it made a significantly enhanced offer to PCS over the weekend,...
Jane Hutt: I thank Simon Thomas very much for his first questions to the business statement in this fifth Assembly. Of course, Simon Thomas will be clearly aware of our stated position as a Welsh Government that Wales is best served by being a member of both the United Kingdom and the European Union, and, clearly, we hope that will be reflected in the outcome of the referendum on 23 June. It is very...
Jane Hutt: I thank the Member for Cynon Valley for that very important question. It’s crucial, of course, that we do increase house building and support employment as a result of that—key priorities, of course, for the Welsh Government. House builders in Wales insist that they don’t land bank and the business model doesn’t allow them to hold on to assets that don’t work for them. We need to...
Jane Hutt: I thank Andrew R.T. Davies for his questions and for his welcoming comments. I’m very pleased to respond that the Cabinet Secretary has already swiftly met with the farming unions and has had a very good response, and has been able to share key agenda points, which, of course, include those that you raise today. I’ve already commented on the fact that milk prices have been on the agenda,...
Jane Hutt: Thank you to Julie Morgan for that important question. Of course, the Planning (Wales) Act 2015 does provide that legislative framework. It does enable a group of local authorities to prepare a strategic development plan and it will therefore deal with some of those cross-boundary issues that you draw attention to with your colleague Hefin David in terms of Caerphilly and the proximity in...
Jane Hutt: I thank the Member for this question. The Welsh Government, as you know, is committed to delivering a science-led approach to the eradication of bovine TB. Our comprehensive TB eradication programme includes annual testing of cattle, strict biosecurity measures and movement controls, and this approach is aimed at tackling all sources of infection. Of course, we are aware that this will be an...
Jane Hutt: Joyce Watson has drawn attention, appropriately, this afternoon in a question to the business statement so that we are aware of not only the potential impact in terms of job losses and services in her region—and, of course, this is a matter that the Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will be clearly looking at in terms of his new responsibilities.
Jane Hutt: Well, it’s clearly a key priority for the new health Secretary. And, of course, he has not only made sure that one of his first priority visits was to Betsi Cadwaladr—actually, we have also had a very good response from the chair of Betsi Cadwaladr, in terms of progress that’s been made, as a result of us taking that key responsibility as a Welsh Government. But, I mean, clearly, we...
Jane Hutt: Well, I thank the Member for Caerphilly for that question. Of course, there is no better example of how local authorities have worked together than with the successful development of the city deal, the 10 local authorities, which is also as a result of cross-party engagement of local authority leadership at that level—at regional level. But I think you have made an important point, in terms...
Jane Hutt: There have been several changes to the business statement for this week’s business, Llywydd. Today’s business now also includes oral statements on building on our recycling success for a circular economy, apprenticeships in Wales, volunteering week and a report on the working group on the Welsh language and local government. Additionally, the Business Committee agreed to the reordering of...
Jane Hutt: I think Lynne Neagle has consistently raised these issues and played a full part in terms of responding to the consultation, seeing it in the context of ‘Together for Mental Health’, the delivery plan. Of course, as you say, the formal consultation is now closed. So, we are committed to developing a new dementia strategic action plan for Wales, working closely with key stakeholders. The...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr, Simon Thomas. Certainly, I think on your first point, it’s worth just spending a moment recognising the tragedy and the massacre at Orlando and the fact that we did bring together a lot of people yesterday outside the Senedd—members and allies of the LGBT community, people of different faiths, joining Wales with other nations in that show of strength and solidarity for all...
Jane Hutt: Paul Davies, I’m very happy to repeat, I’m sure, the same words that I used last week in terms of questions on the business statement: the Welsh Government is committed, led by the Cabinet Secretary, to deliver that science-led approach to the eradication of bovine TB. Our comprehensive TB eradication programme—that is our policy, led by the Welsh Government—includes annual testing of...
