Heledd Fychan: I would like to also echo my thanks to the clerks, my fellow Members, and everyone who gave evidence to us and to the engagement team. I certainly echo Alun Davies's point about the fact that this has been an inquiry that has raised our spirits in terms of watching people's passions and seeing a lot of the projects that are happening to ensure that there is better engagement with sport. I'd...
Heledd Fychan: I would like just to emphasise at the start, though we are co-submitting, I think we are coming at this from different perspectives, and, for me, I do support what Rhun ap Iorwerth said about an independent inquiry in Wales. I think Scotland does show the way in terms of what we need to be able to scrutinise, because the impact of COVID is still felt in all of our lives now. Yes, it is about...
Heledd Fychan: Meeting small businesses is always such an honour, isn't it, as a representative. Certainly, speaking to many last weekend around Pontypridd, the challenges that they're facing are astronomical in terms of those prices, still with COVID recovery. But also, because people have less money, there's less spend in those shops, and it is hugely, hugely challenging. Another challenge for areas...
Heledd Fychan: Certainly. I completely agree with you. Seeing the devastation of those businesses—. Clwb y Bont only just recently reopened its doors. I was asked, on the day that it was opened, 'Is Clwb y Bont safe in the future, now?' Well, no, it isn't. If there's a small flood, yes, because there are flood protection gates there, provided through funding, but it wouldn't have helped if we'd have seen...
Heledd Fychan: I thank Natasha for bringing this forward.
Heledd Fychan: I have to say, I don't share Peter Fox's reassurances. I am concerned to see the 'legal but harmful' element removed. What concerns me the most has been the delay. I think it's in all of our interests to ensure that pressure is put on the UK Government to deliver this as quickly as possible.
Heledd Fychan: NSPCC Wales have been clear that 200 and more children will suffer sexual abuse online for every month that the Online Safety Bill is delayed. Things change so quickly in this area, and it's impossible for us to safeguard children entirely, but I am very concerned to see the changes, with Twitter now also making redundant staff who have been working specifically in this area. We can see with...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you to the Minister, and also thank you to the designated Member—thank you, both, for your work on this. I’d also like to echo the Minister’s thanks to the supply teachers, who do such important work. We’ve seen, as you mentioned, during COVID, of course, the ongoing challenges related to that, how crucial they’ve been in ensuring that children and young people continue to...
Heledd Fychan: 8. What discussions has the Minister had with the Post Office and Royal Mail regarding ensuring the continuation of of their services in South Wales Central? OQ58828
Heledd Fychan: Thank you very much, Deputy Minister. Our postal service, of course, through the Post Office and the Royal Mail, is an essential service for so many people in our communities. In my region, a number of post offices have closed or have reduced their opening hours, and there are specific concerns regarding the future of Pontypridd post office—an extremely busy post office in Pontypridd town...
Heledd Fychan: 1. What is the Commission's policy on the provision of free period products on the Senedd estate? OQ58820
Heledd Fychan: Thank you very much. I have to admit, it's great to see the products available in the toilets since the beginning of this week. I wanted to ask as well, when will the vending machines be removed from the toilets? Because that is a mixed message, given that we still have the vending machines in the toilets. Will we have more permanent signage? Because I understand that these are temporary...
Heledd Fychan: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the 2021 census data about Welsh language skills which shows that the number of Welsh speakers in Wales has decreased for the second decade in a row? TQ694
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Minister. Given that it's Welsh Language Rights Day today, I think it's very appropriate that we are having a discussion, and, obviously, there is more data to be released in terms of the census as well, and I greatly hope, given that our parties are co-operating on a number of very important elements in terms of Cymraeg 2050, that that dialogue can continue. And, evidently, we...
Heledd Fychan: Okay. Thank you very much. That feeling is extremely important, but could I ask, therefore: what are the Welsh Government's plans in terms of ensuring that that national feeling and the engagement with the Welsh language does ensure that everyone has the opportunity to proceed in that fashion, that we don't just leave that as a battle for Welsh speakers, and that that is something that is...
Heledd Fychan: Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you to the Conservatives for bringing this debate forward today.
Heledd Fychan: A key commitment within the programme for government is to explore radical reform of current services for looked-after children and care leavers. I believe it's absolutely essential that there is a review of children's social care in Wales, and I'm supporting this without agreeing to the amendment today. I think it is crucial. We've rehearsed the reasons why, tragically, as was highlighted by...
Heledd Fychan: May I ask for an update, please, with regard to the independent review of floods, and, in particular, how Members will be able to submit evidence? Obviously, this is part of the co-operation agreement, and I know that work is ongoing, but there is an important element in terms of us as elected Members being able to submit evidence. Having clarity on that through a written or oral statement...
Heledd Fychan: Diolch, Weinidog. I would like to echo many of the comments. It's not an easy decision, and, in very many ways, it's a very sad budget. You look at it and think of the difficult decisions that are having to be made, but also knowing that, for many people, it's not going to make a huge difference to their lives.
Heledd Fychan: Someone wrote to me this week: 'Nothing is getting better; everything is getting worse day by day. Even some of the handouts that I have received are just not making any difference. What will change for me and what promises can you make?' Well, it's extremely difficult, because, even looking at this budget, the questions that we are being asked are not going to be solved or addressed. There...
