Lesley Griffiths: The food system operates on a UK-wide basis. The Welsh Government therefore works with the UK Government and devolved administrations to identify risks and engages with stakeholders to manage them. In Wales, we promote food security through investment in the food manufacturing industry, supporting agriculture, and providing significant support to a wide variety of community projects.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As I said, food supply is really wholly integrated across the UK. We've got very diverse international supply chains as well for both imports and exports. I don't think there is a general shortage of fruit and vegetables. They're widely available. So, I don't think there is a risk to either the free school meals policy or public health. We are trying to tackle this issue. You...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, the community food strategy is a manifesto commitment on which I stood. We're bringing forward the community food strategy as part of the co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru, and, obviously, we have five years to bring that strategy forward and it will be brought forward in this term of the Senedd. You mentioned Peter Fox's food Bill. I have to say that food Bill is taking up...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, in relation to the last part of your question, I absolutely agree, and I think we've had some very productive discussions around that to see what we can do. Certainly, the announcement on the closure—or the proposed closure—of the 2 Sisters poultry plant in Llangefni was devastating, and is devastating for your constituency. It was completely unexpected. We had no prior knowledge of...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely. If you ask anybody, 'What do farmers do?', that's the first thing they will say, 'They produce our food.' And Jane Dodds will know at the heart of the Bill lies the objective to ensure the sustainability of our farms and recognises the complementary objectives of supporting farmers in the sustainable production of food, and that's alongside the response to the climate and...
Lesley Griffiths: Welsh Government has set out its expectations in a series of quality statements that describe what good clinical services look like. We're also investing in the NHS workforce in Wales by increasing training places for many healthcare professionals.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It's lovely to see Lucy and Elliot up in the public gallery. I do hope Elliot is getting the care he needs and that we do see progress of development of treatments in this area. Health and Care Research Wales have appointed a Health and Care Research Wales speciality lead for neurology and neurodegenerative diseases, and that's to enable studies to be opened across a range of...
Lesley Griffiths: Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, as with other health boards in Wales, is adopting and using modern technology across all its sites, including Bridgend, to see and support patients in the most appropriate way.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I'd like to congratulate Cwm Taf on the winning of their award. There are a number of similar digital services available in the marketplace, and I know that health boards are working with a number of providers to understand how they can affect service delivery, and that does include a tool that's been trialled under the small business research initiative, which is hosted by Betsi...
Lesley Griffiths: We continue to invest in our NHS workforce to improve experience for patients and staff, including additional funding for extra training places for paramedics and a range of other health professions in 2023-24. This is the ninth consecutive year that health professional education and training budgets have increased in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You raise a very important point. If we think about it, paramedics are often, or usually, the first on the scene when that 999 call is made, and I absolutely understand the point you make. I'm sure the Minister for Health and Social Services will be very happy to look at what more we can do.
Lesley Griffiths: We support this development in Cardiff and are matching the UK Government's investment. However, Welsh Government was not involved in the development of the levelling-up fund and has had no role in its strategy or delivery.
Lesley Griffiths: You're quite right, the funding is only the first phase, really, of Cardiff’s cross-rail ambition. So, as a Government, we will continue to work with Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales. You'll know that Welsh Government has repeatedly called on the UK Government to address the historic underinvestment in rail infrastructure in all parts of Wales. As a Government, we are very happy to...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There are no changes to this week's business. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I'm sure many of us commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day. I was very fortunate to have the Minister for Social Justice in my constituency, and we attended an event together. On the point you raised, the Welsh Government has adopted the definition of IHRA as a working definition, as you're aware, and it is a matter for each university to then adopt it. I know that the Minister for...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Minister for Social Justice is already doing just that. I know she's written to the UK Government today, to Grant Shapps, making that point. The Minister will share that letter with us, and hopefully when she does get a response she will also share that letter with Members.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that the Minister for Social Justice absolutely agrees with you on the substantive issue you raise. I know she's had several meetings with energy companies and also with Ofgem. I think the last time we met Ofgem was yesterday, where she raised this issue with them. We believe there should be no standing charges for prepayment customers....
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I think your second request is an absolute 'no.' Certainly, the Deputy Minister is not going to come and talk about how he punishes car drivers or owners. The most important thing—I'm sure we all recognise this—is that we face up to the climate emergency that's not coming down the track, but is absolutely here now. In relation to your first request, all health boards report on...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and I quite agree with you. This is a very important issue, and obviously the Minister for Social Justice, as you said, has shown real leadership in relation to this. I mentioned in an earlier answer that she met with Ofgem just yesterday—I think you've met them several times before—as well as with energy suppliers, to really express her grave concerns surrounding the large...
Lesley Griffiths: Once again, the Member asks me for a statement on an area, really, that—. It's not our role to tell Denbighshire council how to repair their potholes or how to reprioritise their budget; that's for them. They answer to the local population, and it absolutely is a matter for them.
