Russell George: Thank you, Minister. I’m pleased to hear that. I’ve certainly had a constituent who is exasperated at the drug-related and anti-social behaviour that’s going on that she and her young family have to witness on a regular basis. The social housing development she lives on is a mixed housing estate with single-person flats. She’s unfortunately in regular contact with the police and the...
Russell George: I’m pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Rwy’n falch o gymryd rhan yn y ddadl y prynhawn yma. Rwy’n mynd i ganolbwyntio fy sylwadau ar y rôl bwysig y mae cynghorau iechyd cymuned yn ei chwarae, ond rwy’n awyddus iawn i siarad am CIC Powys yn arbennig. Mae’n rhaid i mi ddweud, fel AC etholaeth, fy mod i mewn cysylltiad rheolaidd â chadeirydd fy nghyngor...
Russell George: First Minister, a year ago, the Welsh Government’s position was that there were no immediate plans to use public funds for electric vehicle infrastructure. Now, since then, of course, the UK Government has stated its position to phase out diesel cars by 2040. Would you agree with me that it’s now essential that the Welsh Government does invest in electric vehicle charging points in town...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Cabinet Secretary, I welcome the creation of the steering group you mentioned. Can you outline in a bit more detail how you’re looking to strengthen cross-border working with the Department for Transport, Transport for the North, and others to ensure that you are taking advantage of the UK Government’s investment in HS2 and high speed 3? Finally,...
Russell George: 2. What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to the establishment of a mid-Wales growth deal? (OAQ51067)
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Cabinet Secretary. As we know, economic development is the backbone to rural economies’ survival. I was pleased that the First Minister confirmed last week, in his statement on the national strategy, that the Welsh Government will be looking at creating a mid Wales growth deal to support the economy of the region. So, on that basis, can I ask what initial finance...
Russell George: Later this week, the ancient town of Montgomery is preparing to turn back the clock 750 years to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Montgomery. On 29 September 1267, King Henry III of England and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd, signed the treaty, which recognised Llywelyn as the Prince of Wales. The 1267 treaty gave Llywelyn Builth, Brecon and Whittington Castle in mid Wales. He...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion. In 13 short months, the running of most of Wales’s rail services will transfer to a new franchise. This is an exciting moment, and one that offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a new chapter in public transport in Wales and the borders. And it’s, of course, absolutely crucial that the Welsh Government gets it right. The...
Russell George: Yes.
Russell George: I would hope that the Cabinet Secretary will be able to respond to that specific point when he comes to bring his conclusions. There remain questions—or perhaps the Cabinet Secretary won’t be able to answer all the questions today. But exactly what role the Government wants Transport for Wales to play is another question as well, and how it will ensure that Transport for Wales has...
Russell George: Finally, in the response—recommendation 14—there is a strong suggestion that the Welsh Government may be moving away from running freight on the core Valleys lines. This is a move that could have a significant knock-on effect for businesses wanting to use the lines to move goods in or out by rail in the future, and reduce opportunities to move freight off our roads. It is not to be taken...
Russell George: Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Members who have taken part in this debate this afternoon? To pick up on a few points myself, Jenny Rathbone made some points about public involvement, and the committee really agreed that the competitive dialogue process did make it very difficult for public engagement and involvement. This was certainly noted. We’re pleased that the...
Russell George: First Minister, I was pleased that the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that Carno station will be included in the current stage 2 assessment process for new stations in Wales. A petition will also be submitted to the Assembly tomorrow from the Carno station action group, 10 years after the first petition, urging the Government to reopen Carno station within a five-year timescale. Now that the...
Russell George: I’d like to thank the Minister for her statement, which underscores, I’d say, the need for much closer working between Sport Wales and the Welsh Government. I also welcome the recommendations in the report. Serious questions were raised by this review as to why Sport Wales was allowed to become so dysfunctional. It is now clear that a greater degree of closer integration between Sport...
Russell George: First Minister, the Welsh Government are currently encouraging manufacturing businesses in Wales to explore opportunities to export to Iran. Now, when I met with a manufacturing business yesterday, they told me it’s impossible to get paid from Iranian banks because Iran remains locked out of the global financial system. Given that your Government is encouraging Welsh businesses to export to...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for the statement today, in which you say that you are committed, of course, to the principles that have underpinned the free bus travel scheme? This has been a flagship policy, of course, by the Welsh Government, and your predecessor Mrs Hart was particularly wedded to the principle of universal eligibility. Therefore,...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Cabinet Secretary, if a family of four from the north-west of England were thinking of going on holiday to either Colwyn Bay or Morecambe Bay, perhaps hotels and facilities very similar, and one of those was charging a tourism tax, which one do you think that that family would choose?
Russell George: Well, what I’d say, Cabinet Secretary, is that yesterday we heard the First Minister offering his avid support for a tourism tax here in Wales. The introduction of a tourism tax may well have the desired effect in countries that have low sales taxes, but in Wales where the full rate of value added tax is charged on accommodation, on meals and attractions, an additional tourism tax will in...
Russell George: Well, I wonder what the tourism industry would make of your answer. What I would ask is: what consultation have you done and conducted with the tourism industry or, indeed, were you actually consulted on this by your Cabinet colleagues at all as well? I have to say, the British Hospitality Association has said that a tourism tax will, and I quote, undermine business sustainability, investment...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I move the motion. When we talk about public transport in Wales, mostly we’re talking about buses. Bus travel accounts for over 80 per cent of public transport in Wales, but over the past decade, bus services have declined by nearly half. If we look at figures between 2005 and 2016 published by the Welsh Government, they show us that passenger numbers have...
