Jeremy Miles: First Minister, several of us on these benches are also members of the Co-operative Party and spent part of the weekend discussing the role of co-ops and social enterprises in the Welsh economy. Do you agree that it would be a positive outcome to see not-for-profits, social enterprises and co-ops involved integrally in the delivery of various aspects of the south Wales metro?
Jeremy Miles: 2. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government’s local energy programme? OAQ(5)0028(ERA)
Jeremy Miles: I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response, and also for her recent visit to Awel Aman Tawe, in my constituency, to mark the package of support that the Welsh Government made available. As she will know, there is a good deal of anxiety in the sector about the long-term effects of the UK Government’s changes to feed-in tariffs and enterprise investment scheme eligibility. What...
Jeremy Miles: We’ve talked a lot about economic strategy this afternoon, and I wish the Cabinet Secretary well in developing a new economic strategy for the Welsh Government. I think we are in uniquely challenging times, and I think it’s a timely moment to look at the economic strategy generally. So, I wish him well in that, and I commend him, actually, for seeking input from the people of Wales on...
Jeremy Miles: I welcome the Government’s announcement today of the extension of council tax reduction, and I was pleased to host the launch of the Citizens Advice report, which has already been mentioned in the Chamber today, into council tax debt. We heard about lots of good practice that supports individuals struggling with council tax debt and supports councils in their recovery of council tax. Will...
Jeremy Miles: A number of Members who have spoken have already welcomed the content of the draft charter and the steps forward that have been taken since the previous charter and the outcome of the constructive discussions that clearly have taken place. But, as we scrutinise the charter, I think it’s also worth bearing in mind that the charter will be in place for 11 years, which is two thirds of the...
Jeremy Miles: Will the First Minister make a statement on the living wage in Wales?
Jeremy Miles: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with UK counterparts in respect of Article 50? OAQ(4)0003(CG)
Jeremy Miles: Thank you for that answer. I’m sure you’d agree that the exercise of article 50 will have a significant impact on Wales. Perhaps you could confirm your view on that. Could you give an assessment of the impact of that for existing and future Welsh legislation?
Jeremy Miles: There can’t be a Member in this Chamber who doesn’t have substantial numbers of constituents touched in some way by the services supported by the Welsh Government’s Supporting People. In my own constituency, Gwalia, Coastal Housing, Neath Port Talbot Homes, Dewis Housing and many others provide vital services funded through Supporting People. I’ve met people who’ve been given back...
Jeremy Miles: Yes.
Jeremy Miles: Well, I fully expect the Government to maintain its commitment to Supporting People in this budget, and, if it doesn’t, I’ll be as angry and disappointed as anybody who has put forward this motion today. But the work funded by Supporting People is a lifeline; it’s not a political football. The place for voting on the funding of Government services and programmes and policies is the...
Jeremy Miles: 8. Diolch, Lywydd. What role does the First Minister envisage for specialist epilepsy nurses in delivering care and support to those living with epilepsy? OAQ(5)0181(FM)
Jeremy Miles: I thank the First Minister for that response. Does he agree that, in addition to improving the quality of care for patients living with epilepsy, speciality epilepsy nurses can also reduce costs to the NHS, by reducing the call on consultants’ time, on hospital admissions and emergency readmissions? And would he encourage local health boards to actively develop investment cases to employ...
Jeremy Miles: In light of comments on the weekend by the UK Government Secretary of State for Transport that pressing for fulfilment of promises made in relation to the electrification of the main line to Swansea was jumping the gun, will the Government bring forward a statement indicating what representations will be made to the UK Government so that the residents of the Swansea bay area and west of...
Jeremy Miles: The programme for government opens by addressing the needs of a prosperous and secure Wales. The central challenge of the next five years for this Government is the task of creating a new economic policy that works for Wales in the new world in which we find ourselves. We are trying to navigate our way at the moment through uncharted waters. We don’t know yet, any of us, what Brexit will...
Jeremy Miles: I’m sure the Cabinet Secretary will agree with me that we should seek to ensure that our public transport systems contribute to meeting our environmental goals and the growth of our green economy. What consideration has he given to how the Welsh Government’s financial support for bus services can be used to promote the widest possible use of low-carbon-emission buses?
Jeremy Miles: In 2015, more than one in four adults in employment in Wales were paid less than the living wage, and the Bevan Foundation have identified that nearly half of part-time workers, predominantly women, were also paid below the living wage. What steps will the Welsh Government take to encourage the living wage across the Welsh economy?
Jeremy Miles: As well as timely access to a GP, I’m sure that the Cabinet Secretary will agree that fair access is also vital. Is he aware of a pilot programme operating in England where patients are actively encouraged to pay to jump the queue for an NHS GP appointment? Would he agree with me that that kind of practice has no place in the NHS here in Wales?
Jeremy Miles: Will you take an intervention?
