Mandy Jones: Thank you. First Minister, a major study of home schooling during lockdown by University College London's Institute of Education has highlighted some worrying findings about how children's education in Wales may be suffering. They suggest that, on your watch, children in Wales are doing less schoolwork and receiving less online education than their peers across the rest of the UK while...
Mandy Jones: 7. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of Covid-19 on future Welsh budgets? OQ55355
Mandy Jones: Thank you, Minister. As you know, eye-watering sums of money have come from the UK Government to help the Welsh economy during lockdown, as well as your own Government's repurposing and reimagining of existing budgets and funds. Anyone who manages a household budget can see that there will be a knock-on effect for future Welsh budgets and the services that they support. How deep will...
Mandy Jones: 2. What assessment has the Commission made of the impact of lockdown on future working practices for both Members of the Senedd and Commission staff? OQ55356
Mandy Jones: Thank you for that answer. I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all staff, both Commission and AMSS. They continue to provide the excellent levels of service we have come to expect, even in these trying times. It's clear that staff and Members of the Senedd can work effectively and remotely from home or elsewhere with all of the benefits of not fighting through traffic jams,...
Mandy Jones: Minister, I'm hearing from distressed parents who have distressed children who want and need to know that they will be going back to school full time in September. Parents living on the Welsh-English border are even considering sending their children to English schools in September. What do you say to those parents? Thank you.
Mandy Jones: 2. What assessment has the Minister made of the effect of COVID-19 on non-COVID-19 related health services in north Wales? OQ55406
Mandy Jones: Thank you, Minister. My grave concerns about the unintended consequences of lockdown are a matter of public record. The fact that the same subject has come up more than once today is testimony to the stories we're all, no doubt, hearing about delayed or cancelled chemotherapy appointments, surgeries delayed or cancelled and screening not taking place. You have been keen to tell the public...
Mandy Jones: I welcome the opportunity to contribute today and fly the flag for our agricultural sector. I live in a farming community, and I used to work in it as a farm hand on mixed farms and also as a shepherdess. While I worked within this community, I had to comply with some of the rules and regulations imposed on us by the EU, such as cutting down milk quotas. Watching my farmers having to throw...
Mandy Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. What—
Mandy Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. What discussions—
Mandy Jones: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with members of the UK Government regarding Brexit since his title was changed on 4 March 2020? OQ55462
Mandy Jones: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I do find it a matter of regret that all Governments in the UK don't seem to be able to work together in these tumultuous times to ensure parity of treatment of all UK citizens wherever they live, and it is depressing that, despite various forums for discussion and debate, despite reports of committees of the Senedd and a real will for a devo-respectful...
Mandy Jones: Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government efforts to support freedom of religion in North Wales?
Mandy Jones: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Minister, thank you for your statement today and the opportunity for me to contribute. The sense of dread after everything the health service and the public have been through this year, I send my best wishes and—[Inaudible.]—all of the challenges and dangers that brings, especially to those who are vulnerable. I've heard your winter protection plan and I'm very...
Mandy Jones: Will the First Minister make a statement on the capacity of the NHS in North Wales to treat non-COVID-19 illnesses and conditions?
Mandy Jones: Diolch, Llywydd—Deputy Llywydd, sorry. I'd like to thank—well, I think I'd like to thank—the Conservative group for tabling this debate, and for the opportunity to speak. I will keep it short. I say 'I think' because, finally, any pretence at the Conservative Party being the party of personal responsibility and pro business has been stripped away. I've watched with dismay over the...
Mandy Jones: Well, déjà vu, here we are again. It feels like 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019—hysteria, portents of doom and hyperbole. I've read through some of the comments that hit the headlines in the last few weeks. Jeremy Miles: 'This Bill is an attack on democracy and an affront to the people of Wales'. Well, I'm sorry, Jeremy, but the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union and possibly...
Mandy Jones: Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's review of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014?
Mandy Jones: Deputy Minister, I was pleased to support the tourism sector in north Wales over the period of lockdown, and the very real threat to businesses, jobs and livelihoods that was predicted if the sector was not opened up in a timely manner. Tourism means not just accommodation, it's museums, animal sanctuaries, stately homes and all of those things that we as residents know are there but take for...
