Dawn Bowden: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the fiscal prospects that underpin the draft budget? OAQ52722
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that reply, Cabinet Secretary, and, indeed, the chief economist actually did state our fiscal position, and I quote. He said we will: 'depend in part on the approach taken by the UK Government to funding the recently-announced increase in spending for the NHS in England.' It's therefore obvious to me that the consequential increase in NHS spending must be fully funded when it...
Dawn Bowden: Can I say, before I even start, that I think—in terms of the historical nature of our constituencies and the heritage—can I just say that the tunnel goes from Merthyr to Abernant, not the other way around? [Laughter.] Richard Trevithick discovered the steam locomotive in 1803 and he went from Penydarren in Merthyr to Aberdare. Okay. Can I just say—can I thank you first of all—?...
Dawn Bowden: I too have had discussions with Vertex, and I've made representations to you about a particular constituent of mine, who I know is very concerned that her daughter, who's only about seven years old, can have access to this drug. But, in my discussions with Vertex, I've been, like you, hugely frustrated—they seem to understand what the process is, but, for whatever reason, are not engaging...
Dawn Bowden: In my opening remarks and in direct response to the Conservative Members opposite, and particularly the remarks in Mark Isherwood's contribution, I ask whether they feel that the £4 billion extra that Welsh Government could have had if the block grant had kept pace with the growth in the economy since 2010 might have been one useful way for Wales and our health and social care service system...
Dawn Bowden: Well, of course, Llywydd, it is only the Conservatives that still believe that lie, but there we go. So, as the debate—[Interruption.] So, as we debate the issues here, and quite rightly focus on the responsibilities of our Welsh Government, I for one am not forgetting the responsibilities of the UK Government in funding Wales correctly. And if you don't like it, let me ask the former...
Dawn Bowden: I'm not taking another intervention. To turn to NHS capacity—[Interruption.]
Dawn Bowden: To turn to NHS capacity, the response that we need to make, as recognised by the new national plan for health and social care, is a whole-system response. And that recognition is entirely missing from the Conservative motion. It's worth remembering that, here in Wales, we already treat the health and social care services together, and that 'A Healthier Wales'—the Welsh Government's...
Dawn Bowden: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on services available for women going through the menopause?
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement. A lot of this has now been covered, so can I just bring you down to—it's a very simple point, actually, that I wanted to make? I've been doing a lot of work in my constituency around health and social care over the summer and into the autumn, and there is a clear suggestion that people don't always receive, certainly, the social care support...
Dawn Bowden: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the implications for Wales of the meeting between the UK Government and EU leaders in Brussels on 17 October 2018?
Dawn Bowden: 4. What discussions has the Counsel General had regarding the capacity of the tribunal system in Wales? OAQ52827
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, Counsel General. And as a former trade union official, I know only too well the value of the tribunal service in securing justice in the workplace for so many people. And I'm very proud that it was actually my union, Unison, that took that case to the Supreme Court and overturned the very unjust tribunal fee system that had denied access to so many workers in their place of work....
Dawn Bowden: What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to the independent inspector's report into the A465 Dowlais Top to Hirwaun road improvements?
Dawn Bowden: 2. What recent assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of Brexit on recruiting students from the EU 27 countries to educational establishments across Wales? OAQ52862
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. With only weeks left for the Brexit negotiations to be concluded, we're still faced with continuing and huge uncertainty in so many areas, including our higher education system. I'm told that applications from EU students are down across Wales, but, for those EU students actually accepting places at the University of South Wales, which of course...
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm not a member of any of the committees that have scrutinised this Bill, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to speak in support of the general principles of the Bill—a Bill that I believe paves the way for further improvements in housing conditions in Wales, and will enhance our efforts to tackle exploitation, especially in the private rented sector....
Dawn Bowden: 10. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on Welsh Government policy for common land? OAQ52863
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, and I'm very aware of the great value of the extensive common land in my constituency, which includes the Merthyr and Gelligaer common. I'm sure you'll know that EU funding has been available both to help in the management of the common land and for local farmers to co-operate and to market their produce through a local butcher's shop, Cig Mynydd Cymru, in...
Dawn Bowden: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on Welsh Government action to tackle health inequalities in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ52928
