Dawn Bowden: Thank you very much for that. So, 29 March is only a matter of weeks away, and for many businesses and organisations across Wales, the uncertainty about Brexit is very alarming. I know from conversations I've had in my own constituency with companies in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney that they are very concerned about that. I can only surmise that representatives of UKIP and the Conservatives...
Dawn Bowden: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for adult education in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53338
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, Minister. I'm always impressed by the contribution adult education makes to the quality of life in my constituency and I know that you visited a class at Canolfan Soar on Monday, so you'll have seen that first-hand. There's no doubt that adult education brings valuable opportunities for learning but it's also great in delivering other Government...
Dawn Bowden: 6. How will the reform of the school curriculum improve educational outcomes in disadvantaged communities? OAQ53342
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that, Minister, and you'll know that, for many children in Wales, it is the support offered by their school that is the key to transforming their life opportunities and shaping their lives generally and developing their self-confidence. Would you therefore agree that, as we develop and implement the new curriculum, and as we think about the funding of our school services into...
Dawn Bowden: 1. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government transport investment plans for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53403
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Transport and infrastructure investment does obviously remain a high priority in my constituency. Irrespective of the Brexit process, I'm clear that improvements to be delivered through the metro system, progress in the next phase of improvements on the A465 Heads of the Valleys, along with the bus station that you've just mentioned are all causes for...
Dawn Bowden: Minister, you'll be aware that Kasai in my constituency is a large automotive operation employing around 200 people, as Rhun ap Iorwerth has already mentioned. Now, they provide a very unique and revolutionary manufacturing process—the first of its kind in Europe, in fact, which has been largely responsible for its success and its ability to be able to secure contracts with companies like...
Dawn Bowden: Can I place on record my thanks to everyone who gave evidence in this inquiry, recognising how difficult it must have been for so many of them? During our wide-ranging work on the health committee, we do consider some difficult issues. We've dealt with families living with dementia, the use of antipsychotic drugs, the challenges of isolation and loneliness, to name just a few, but I found the...
Dawn Bowden: —improved intervention in schools, in colleges, with employers and in the voluntary sector that we can help to make sure that suicide is everyone's business.
Dawn Bowden: What recent assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of welfare reforms on the south Wales valleys?
Dawn Bowden: What recent assessment has the Minister made of the implications of a no-deal Brexit on the rural economy of Wales?
Dawn Bowden: Trefnydd, I recently had the opportunity of discussing the potential of the financial transaction tax—the so-called 'Robin Hood tax'—with representatives from Unison Cymru Wales. We also heard from the Robin Hood tax campaign about the potential for such a tax to transform our public services. As we've had no evidence of austerity ending any time soon, I'm sure there'd be support in...
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank you, Deputy Minister, for this important statement and take this opportunity to give a special mention to some events in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney this Friday, International Women's Day? We'll have the great honour of hosting only the second purple plaque in Wales, marking the contribution of remarkable women to Welsh public life. I look...
Dawn Bowden: What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government regarding the forthcoming spending review?
Dawn Bowden: 8. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's strategy for tackling poverty in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53567
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, First Minister, and I'm sure you'll agree that it is shocking that in my constituency, as in other Valleys communities, organisations such as Merthyr Valleys Homes are supporting schemes like holiday hampers to help tackle hunger amongst children. I'll just repeat that: in 2019, they run schemes to tackle the problem of hunger amongst children in our communities....
Dawn Bowden: 9. Will the Minister make a statement on the role of the foundational economy in helping to tackle poverty in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53607
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, Minister. As you know, we still face significant economic challenges in our Valleys communities and the problems caused by poverty remain persistently stubborn in parts of my constituency. While I was interested in the answer that you gave earlier to Hefin David on the foundational economy, I'm interested to know specifically how this might help to deliver the step...
Dawn Bowden: 5. Will the Deputy Minister provide an update on community safety initiatives in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53684
