Jane Hutt: Building international relationships is core Welsh Government activity. This week, the First Minister hosted the London-based diplomatic corps and is visiting the United States of America. The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs and the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government are in Dubai and will be in Brussels this week. Last week, the Cabinet Secretary for...
Jane Hutt: I thank John Griffiths for that question because we make it very clear in our White Paper, ‘Securing Wales’ Future’, that Wales is leaving the EU but not Europe, and we strongly believe that Wales and the UK should continue to participate in those key EU programmes. You mention Horizon 2020; that’s supporting research and development projects between higher education and private...
Jane Hutt: Well, I’m disappointed that you speak of trade missions disparagingly and don’t welcome the trade missions. For example—and I will go on to your point about the US trade mission. But, last week, I’m sure you would welcome the fact that the Cabinet Secretary, Ken Skates, actually had an important visit to China—obviously he’s responsible for economy and transport—with two new...
Jane Hutt: It’s very welcome that we have a cross-party group, and Rhun ap Iorwerth you are chairing that and bringing together that consensus that we need here in this Chamber to support our First Minister, who is in the US. Welsh Government has always promoted Wales around St David’s Day and that is a key focus of these visits, and also indeed not only in terms of visits to the USA, China, Dubai,...
Jane Hutt: The Welsh Government played an active role in supporting the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013, which delivered important safeguards for park home residents.
Jane Hutt: I appreciate that Neil Hamilton wasn’t here during the session when we supported, when the Welsh Government supported, the mobile homes legislation presented by Peter Black. It then became the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013, which you refer to. I just need to remind the Member that this legislation consolidates previous legislation relating to park or residential mobile homes and goes much...
Jane Hutt: Well, David Melding does give a balanced view about the site owners and those, of course, who are purchasing those homes on the park home sites. I am aware that there is a lot of concern that’s been raised; there’s a petition that’s also come forth. I think it is very important to again repeat that we have done more to protect home residents, which is crucial, than other parts of the...
Jane Hutt: Well, the report, the independent report, didn’t actually recommend the removal of the commission rate, but the Cabinet Secretary obviously is looking at the recommendations of the report; he’s not bound by them. He’s considering a range of options on whether further action is merited.
Jane Hutt: Our concessionary bus travel scheme is hugely popular, with some 760,000 older or disabled pass holders resident in Wales, and we’re also continuing to support the existing discounted bus travel arrangements for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds throughout Wales while we design a different scheme over the coming months.
Jane Hutt: Well, as you say, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport did issue a written statement on 21 February. He outlined his plans for the future of young persons’ discounted bus travel. We’ve agreed with local authorities and the bus industry that the existing discounted travel arrangements will continue, as I said in answer to your first question. We’ve accepted the Confederation...
Jane Hutt: I think, in terms of the commitment we’ve made to concessionary bus fares over the years, the fact that we’re estimating that local authorities will reimburse bus operators in 2016-17 between £65 million and £70 million, including £10 million from their own budgets for carrying older and disabled pass holders would be—. We’re continuing, of course, with our scheme for young people...
Jane Hutt: I think, while concessionary travel is very important, particularly where bus services are limited, it’s of course—. Concessionary travel passes can be used on certain train lines; the Welsh Government has ensured that. Concessionary rail travel is available on some routes, which you’ll be aware of, particularly in Wrexham, Llandudno, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Swansea and the Heart of Wales...
Jane Hutt: We will take forward a cross-Government, all-Wales approach focused on helping people into decent jobs, giving children the best start in life, and ensuring that local people are engaged in the design of local services.
Jane Hutt: The national transport finance plan, published in July 2015 does, of course, set out investment for transport infrastructure services across all parts of Wales. It has to provide comprehensive solutions for local transport needs and connecting communities, but, as the Member, David Rees, says, it’s about improving local public transport, and I think the integrated transport hub in your area...
Jane Hutt: The Ministry of Justice collects this information and we understand that, until September 2016, no protection orders were issued in Wales. The Welsh Government does not tolerate any form of violence against women, including female genital mutilation, and, together with our partners, we are working hard to tackle this heinous crime.
Jane Hutt: I thank Joyce Watson for the leadership she has taken in terms of addressing this and, indeed, also, I thank Jenny Rathbone, who chaired a recent event that was attended by many Members here today, and BAWSO was involved in that. It’s crucial that we enable and support our all-Wales honour-based violence leadership group. That’s about data collection and about ensuring that we have FGM...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Lywydd. I have two changes to report to this week’s business. The statement on the independent evaluation of the emergency ambulance services clinical response model will take place immediately after this business statement and, later this afternoon, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will make a statement on the future of local bus services. Business for the next...
Jane Hutt: I thank Leanne Wood for that question, and as she’ll be aware—and I’m aware she has also written to the First Minister—the First Minister has written to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs seeking urgent consideration and observations on this matter, requesting that he pursue the matter directly with the appropriate US authorities. We need an explanation, as...
Jane Hutt: I certainly welcome the move by Neath Port Talbot council to introduce this terminally ill staff charter for its employees. Obviously, learning from that, we would want to see this being shared and we would encourage other public sector organisations in Wales to follow Neath Port Talbot’s example. But we’re also, as a Welsh Government, currently exploring how we can better support public...
Jane Hutt: This is something that we know that we need to look at—how this is going to be delivered as a result of that change in service. We need to see how it’s being delivered across Wales. You’ve given some evidence today, but I think the Cabinet Secretary will be able to update and respond, particularly if you have examples at a constituency level that can be brought to our attention.
