John Griffiths: I must say, when I speak to those involved in dealing with the consequences of Government policy and poverty in Wales—the third sector, local authorities, agencies directly providing services—they seem to have a clear understanding that it's the UK Government's austerity agenda that is driving these issues for all of us: Welsh Government, local government, and everybody else that is...
John Griffiths: Well, as I said, I think there are issues around accountability and scrutiny. I know the sector outside the Assembly feel that as well, and I think our committee's view is quite clear. There have been various approaches from Welsh Government over a period of time in terms of how you tackle poverty most effectively, and currently Welsh Government obviously stress a collaborative,...
John Griffiths: I speak as Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, and as we've already heard, it was very pleasing for three committees—my committee; Lynne Neagle's Children, Young People and Education Committee; and Llyr's Finance Committee—to meet jointly and concurrently to look at the Welsh Government's approach to single, integrated impact assessments. It was a valuable...
John Griffiths: 3. How does the Welsh Government encourage innovation in local government? OAQ53059
John Griffiths: Yes, Cabinet Secretary, I'd very much agree with those sentiments, and in this time of UK Government-imposed austerity, it's all the more important, I think, that we find these new ways of delivery and indeed often delivering more with less, but obviously that is quite a challenge. In terms of local government working jointly with other key partner organisations, I wonder if you might say...
John Griffiths: First Minister, the early years are vital to education and life chances throughout life, so may I commend you and Welsh Government on building the Flying Start programme, which I believe is valuable and effective? But, as ever, there is more to be done, and I think the postcode eligibility criteria for Flying Start calls into question whether more can be done to roll out this programme to...
John Griffiths: Llywydd, I think there are nine of us here today, nine Assembly Members—old timers—who've been here since the very beginning, and obviously that includes Carwyn, me and you. [Laughter.]
John Griffiths: Much accumulated wisdom and knowledge, Llywydd. [Laughter.]
John Griffiths: I think it's fair to say we've all seen exponential development and growth in devolution and, indeed, in Wales as a country since 1999, and we are now a Parliament in all but name and, hopefully, that name will soon follow. And the depth and breadth of our responsibilities, and the tools that we now have to do a job for the people of Wales, for our communities are much bigger than they were,...
John Griffiths: —I did find Carwyn keen to demonstrate his knowledge when it came to the opportunity to take part in a quiz. And I think that was partly because Carwyn certainly possesses considerable general knowledge and, in fact, was the star of our quiz team. We tied for first place in the competition, Llywydd, and when it then came to the tie-break, Carwyn was very keen to demonstrate his knowledge...
John Griffiths: Mark Drakeford.
John Griffiths: It's off, Llywydd.
John Griffiths: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's strategy for regional development?
John Griffiths: Minister, would you agree with me that we should recognise and celebrate excellent standards of education in Wales, such as those provided by St Julian's Primary School in my constituency, which had an Estyn inspection in October of last year that assessed them as having excellence right across the board? It's a just-under 700 pupil primary school. It's a pioneer school in terms of digital...
John Griffiths: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's strategy for the work of Estyn?
John Griffiths: To lose Steffan at such a tender age is obviously a tragic blow to his family and friends, to his party, Plaid Cymru, to the Assembly as a whole, and to Wales, given the significance of Steffan Lewis as a political figure and the ability that he had, the commitment that he had, which we've heard about across the Chamber today. For me, Llywydd, my first memory of speaking to Steffan after he...
John Griffiths: 5. Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's initial priorities for tackling poverty? OAQ53173
John Griffiths: First Minister, universal credit is too often a cruel and inhumane system in practice that causes misery for families and communities, whether it's the waiting times for initial payment and the loan system that accompanies that, or the lack of ability for direct payment to landlords in terms of housing benefit, or conditionality and sanctioning, which is often draconian. It often leads to...
John Griffiths: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on the role of cities in economic development in Wales? OAQ53172
John Griffiths: Minister, already today, in answering questions, you and the Deputy Minister have spoken about regional development, some of the new organisation for that and the new drive that you wish to see behind it. Newport, Cardiff and Bristol have been talking and working together for some time in terms of development across that area. The abolition of the tolls on the Severn crossings, I think, gives...
