Carwyn Jones: It’s true, because we know that there are many, many companies in Wales that are here solely because of the access they get to the single market. If they lose access to the—free access; they’ll still be able to sell in the market. I mean, no-one is suggesting there’ll be no trade at all, but it’s the terms of trade that are important. For example, if you are a company that has bases...
Carwyn Jones: We continue to seek powers to regulate fixed-odds betting machines and we support moves to increase the powers of local authorities in relation to the licensing of new betting shops. People suffering with gambling addiction can access advice and support through their GPs or organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous.
Carwyn Jones: Well, it’s hugely important that people see gambling as an addiction, which it is—in the same way as people see alcohol as an addiction, the abuse of certain drugs as an addiction, it’s hugely important with gambling as well. We are looking at ways in which we can ensure, via our education system, that people understand the dangers of gambling. It would certainly be helpful, of course,...
Carwyn Jones: The financial inclusion strategy that we have will be looking at how we can develop further ways of helping people to deal with gambling, and helping people to make informed choices about gambling. Not long ago, betting shops were behind closed doors and opaque windows. Now, it’s absolutely everywhere. For those of us with a continuing interest in the European championship, we see, every...
Carwyn Jones: Diolch, Lywydd. Well, the democratic voice of the people has been heard, and we have to respect that, but we have to say that the debate that preceded the vote last Thursday proved to be very divisive for our communities. It’s now time to abandon the unhelpful, disruptive rhetoric and work towards restoring community cohesion and doing what we were elected to do, and that is delivering for...
Carwyn Jones: I am grateful. I want to give him the opportunity to outline the opportunities. Perhaps he could name three.
Carwyn Jones: Diolch, Lywydd. I knew, when this debate was tabled, and when it began, that we would spend much time I suppose re-running the events and arguments of last week. But the result is there. It’s right to say that it was close, but then the establishment of this institution was a close referendum result as well—subsequently, of course, much strengthened in 2011. I have to say to Caroline...
Carwyn Jones: I beg your pardon; the leader of the Welsh Conservatives—old habits, I’m afraid. The leader of the Welsh Conservatives, what he said—he has put himself forward as somebody who can add to the vision of the future for Wales. What we had today was flowery waffle. He was asked—. [Interruption.] I’m trying to enter into the spirit of the debate and be kind. I asked him to give us some...
Carwyn Jones: Of course.
Carwyn Jones: He has spent months and months complaining about money being controlled from Brussels, saying it should come to Wales, and is now saying that it should be controlled by the Treasury in London. That is not in keeping with devolution. That is not what was promised by the ‘leave’ campaign. It’s not what we will ever sign up to, or agree to, in this Assembly, on this side and others of the...
Carwyn Jones: There is always a welcome for the Member on these benches with his views. But he’s right—he’s right. Because Members will know that getting money out of the Treasury, fairness, the Barnett formula, air passenger duty—the answer was always ‘no’, because apparently the people of Wales and their views are not important. Well, that has to change. Others have said it in this Chamber...
Carwyn Jones: Diolch, Lywydd. Today, I’m pleased to announce the first year of our legislative programme. In this Assembly term I will make an annual statement, setting out the primary legislation the Government will introduce over the coming 12 months. Moving from a five-year programme to an annual programme and statement is one step in developing our practices to ensure they befit the parliamentary...
Carwyn Jones: Could I thank the Member for those comments? To start with autism, this is something, of course, that is being considered at present by the liaison committee, in terms of seeing in what way we can develop legislation on autism, and particularly whether we can ensure that the action plan can be strengthened through being placed on a statutory basis ultimately. That is being dealt with in that...
Carwyn Jones: Could I thank the leader of the Welsh Conservatives for his comments? Yes, there are some areas where we’ll not agree. With the right to buy—and I’m sure we’ll have this debate again in the future—there are parts of Wales where the housing stock is half of the level that it was 30 years ago, and trying to make that up is hugely difficult. But, that’s perhaps for another day. Yes,...
Carwyn Jones: Well, I can assure the leader of UKIP that there is nobody in my constituency living in social housing and earning £100,000 a year. That much I can guarantee. The response I give to him about what happened in—he mentions one part of London—is Wandsworth and what was done there, where people were forced out of houses and flats and those houses and flats were sold at a huge profit to the...
Carwyn Jones: The liaison committee has been established between the Government parties and Plaid Cymru. Your party didn’t want to be part of such an arrangement; that’s your choice at the end of the day, so there’s no point complaining about it. Of course that liaison committee will look at what shape legislation might take, but Members of all parties in this Chamber will have the usual...
Carwyn Jones: First of all, the taxes that we will look to introduce will be appropriate for Wales, as we see it. Clearly, they will need robust anti-avoidance measures within the legislation, and Members will be able to see the legislation and what is contained in it when the legislation is introduced. In terms of learning from Scotland, yes, it’s clear to me that you need to have the revenue-raising...
Carwyn Jones: It’s quite correct, of course, when the Member says that there is a direct link between health and education when it comes to additional learning needs. We know, for example, that with looked-after children, to give an example, merely looking at their education achievement in isolation from everything else is never the way to work, which is why we’ve taken the holistic approach that we...
Carwyn Jones: Formally.
Carwyn Jones: I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions. First of all, of course, there is an amendment before the Assembly that would broaden the scope of the case that has been put already in the Chamber. The purpose of the debate, of course, is to concentrate on the fact that the National Assembly will have the power to change the electoral arrangements at a local level, but also at an...
