Jack Sargeant: Thank you, acting Llywydd. On behalf of the Petitions Committee, thank you for the opportunity to introduce this important debate. This is the first debate brought forward by the committee in the sixth Senedd, and the first debate for me as Chair of the Petitions Committee.
Jack Sargeant: Members, as a new committee and Chair—and I say with pride that I believe it's the youngest committee Chair in our Senedd's history—I have been reflecting on the opportunity our petitions process offers. Petitioning the Senedd provides a way for the people of Wales to raise their voice and have their say. It’s a way to highlight the important and challenging issues, seek answers and...
Jack Sargeant: However, out of these circumstances, Rhian established the 2 Wish Upon a Star charity—a charity that provides vital help and support to others. 2 Wish supports families and staff through the unexpected loss of a child or young adult by providing memory boxes, counselling and a number of immediate support services. Longer term support can include complementary therapy, play therapy, focus...
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, acting Llywydd. In concluding today's debate, I once again want to pay tribute just one more time to Rhian Mannings, to 2 Wish, to everyone who is here watching us today and to those in the wider community who supported this petition. Typically, in Senedd debates, in closing you offer a summary of contributions, and I'm going to try to do that just briefly, but it won't do...
Jack Sargeant: On behalf of the committee, I would also like to thank the Minister and all Members for their contributions today. Thank you very much.
Jack Sargeant: And thank you to Rhian Mannings and 2 Wish.
Jack Sargeant: Diolch, acting Presiding Officer. I'll extend my thanks to Rhun for giving me this opportunity to talk this evening, but I think more importantly we should extend our thanks to Gareth, the young person who's brought this to you, because the bravery of Gareth to introduce this topic to you and bring it to our Senedd is certainly one that needs commending. Members will know I do have concerns...
Jack Sargeant: I too am very grateful to speak in today's debate in a sense of cross-party spirit, which I believe it should be. And like Huw Irranca-Davies, one of the proudest moments of my time as a sitting Member of the Senedd was when I became an honorary member of the Royal Welch Fusiliers' Shotton and Deeside branch. This evening's debate is an opportunity to reflect and to highlight the importance...
Jack Sargeant: I thank Mr Rowlands for bringing this very important question forward today. Minister, I learnt on the tools for my engineering apprenticeship things that were just not covered in school nor college, and nor were they covered in my part-time degree when I studied at Glyndŵr University. These are skills that stand anyone in good stead for life. And in the words of Michael Halliday, my...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, I very much welcome today's statement, in particular the guarantee itself. After all, it was a Welsh Labour Government who supported my route through my apprenticeship at a local small and medium-sized enterprise in Deeside. And you'll be well aware that Airbus UK in my constituency is a huge employer for apprentices and graduate trainees, and I've been particularly impressed with...
Jack Sargeant: 1. How is the Welsh Government supporting Arriva Wales bus drivers who are seeking a fair wage? TQ580
Jack Sargeant: I appreciate that answer, Minister. Llywydd, I will start by saying that, like these drivers, I'm a proud member of Unite the Union. These drivers live in the communities they serve, and the last thing they want to do is to be on strike, but they are in this position because Arriva pay different rates for the same job, exactly the same job, just across the border. Frankly, I think that is...
Jack Sargeant: 1. What advice has the Counsel General given to the Welsh Government regarding its powers to introduce a universal basic income? OQ57245
Jack Sargeant: I appreciate that answer, Counsel General, and, of course, I very much welcome the commitment from the Welsh Government to commit to bringing forward a pilot on the universal basic income, an idea that was sparked in interest because of the debate I led successfully in the last Senedd. But it is important that we do get a successful trial here in Wales, because that could really add to the...
Jack Sargeant: 2. Will the Counsel General make a statement on access to public law advice in Wales? OQ57230
Jack Sargeant: I thank the Counsel General for his second answer. [Laughter.] Counsel General, there is a growing body of Wales-specific law and much of which is designed to empower residents in Wales to hold public bodies to account. Now, the availability of public law advice in Wales has just not kept up with the pace. It is my understanding that there are no Welsh public law firms and this is a real...
Jack Sargeant: 8. How is the Welsh Government is ensuring children and young people are aware of the gravity of the climate emergency? OQ57283
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Prif Weinidog. I'm very grateful for the work the Welsh Government is doing on this issue in leading the way. In my own constituency, Ysgol Golftyn are a prime example of leading the way on this particular issue. I was written to by every year 2 pupil from the school just recently, and I was invited to the school to answer challenging questions about climate change. The...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, the aerospace industry is a source of well-paid employment in my constituency, in particular Airbus and its surrounding supply chain, but the benefits do go a lot further than just Alyn and Deeside—they stretch across every part of Wales. These skill sets based within this industry will stand us in good stead for the future, and I think we saw the very best of that skill set last...
Jack Sargeant: I remember the visit with the Prif Weinidog to Buckley in my constituency very fondly. It was an excellent visit some months ago. Last Saturday was Small Business Saturday, as we know, and it's those small businesses, like the butchers in Buckley high street, the hairdressers in Buckley high street and the many other businesses, that keep more money in our communities every single day of the...
