Peter Fox: I'm pleased to be part of this debate today and I thank you, Minister, for your opening statement. There is no doubt that the pandemic has pushed Wales to the cliff edge and it just shows how important it is that Wales remains an integral part of a strong United Kingdom. After all, the robust measures swiftly implemented by the UK Conservative Government to the tune of £8.6 billion in...
Peter Fox: I wish I could speak Welsh and use the translation as well, but perhaps I'll get there one day. Minister, thank you for setting out the Government's priorities going forward, and I welcome also your desire for new ideas, so I won't let you down and I will lead you through some of my thinking. I'm sure many of the people of Wales will have been listening to your speech with particular interest...
Peter Fox: 5. What are the Welsh Government's plans for incentivising colleges to retain agricultural and environmental courses? OQ56767
Peter Fox: I thank the Minister for that response. I've raised this question as I believe that, as we move forward in Wales on our recovery from the pandemic and on our commitment to become net-zero carbon by 2050, we, now more than ever, need to make sure we have the skilled people needed to feed our nation, manage our forestry, biodiversity and wider environment, and that needs all of our agriculture...
Peter Fox: Members, it's a shame we need to have this debate today, as it shouldn't really be needed, and I fear, Deputy Llywydd, that many of us will be saying the same things, because they're strong messages and we believe passionately in them. It can only be right that, as the decisions on how the COVID pandemic is handled are devolved to the Welsh Government, then it has to follow that the scrutiny...
Peter Fox: Good afternoon, Minister. Minister, Monmouthshire County Council has a series of ambitious plans, including the Monmouthshire 2040 document, 'supporting MCC economies of the future' report, as well as its critical role played in the Cardiff capital region city deal, for economically developing the Monmouth constituency. But what's holding Monmouthshire back, and many other councils across...
Peter Fox: I'm really pleased to have the opportunity to take part in this debate, and I extend my sincere thanks to Paul Davies for giving me the time. I know Paul is very passionate about this, as many of us are. It's an important issue, one that transcends all party lines. We must never forget those people who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice for us. War memorials play a central role in...
Peter Fox: Trefnydd, a couple of weeks ago, I met with the principal of Coleg Gwent, and he shared with me a quite harrowing tale—well, not a tale, a fact—that one of his equestrian students had had a bad accident, and had suspected spinal injuries, and, as a result, the emergency services said that she should not be moved until they get there. Having rung every 20 minutes, for a significant time,...
Peter Fox: What action is the Welsh Government taking to tackle ambulance waiting times in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area?
Peter Fox: Minister, you've probably covered most of this anyway in what you've just said, but the pandemic meant that many conventional working methods were severely impacted, and one of those methods that was turned upside down was working from the office. Homeworking, according to the Royal Society for Public Health, is having an adverse impact on many people's mental health, with 56 per cent of...
Peter Fox: 7. Minister, what plans does the Welsh Government have to strengthen the compound semiconductor industry in Wales? OQ56923
Peter Fox: Thank you for that, Minister. What is clear is that the UK, indeed Wales, is a global leader in the compound semiconductor industry, and it has been a fantastic effort over the last few years in making that happen. I recently visited the Newport-based Compound Semiconductor Application Catapult complex in Newport, where I spoke with the chief executive officer there, who stressed the sheer...
Peter Fox: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Sorry, I didn't hear you introduce me there. I absolutely support the motion put forward by Joel James and I agree with a lot of what Delyth Jewell has just said, as well. When you have a bridge with a toll across it, it is a restriction on economic activity. That was a stark warning, not from a politician but from a respected lecturer at a business school in...
Peter Fox: Diolch, Llywydd. I move the amendment tabled in the name of Darren Millar. I would like to thank you, Minister, for the statement, although I do question why the Government has used its parliamentary time to bring forward a debate on further devolution of taxation and to drive yet another wedge, it seems, between Wales and the UK Government. Once again, it seems like we're banging on about...
Peter Fox: Thank you. You're quite right. This isn't just something that Wales has considered. The New Zealand Treasury looked at this and concluded that the tax was unreasonably complicated to design, and they said that the commission previously suggested that a vacant land tax could reduce housing supply in the longer term, and that the tax incentivises landowners to construct dwellings earlier in...
Peter Fox: How is the Welsh Government planning to meet the increasing need for energy production across Wales?
Peter Fox: 1. How will the Welsh Government support vulnerable people over the winter months? OQ57008
Peter Fox: Thank you, First Minister, for that answer. I'd like to welcome the work that the Welsh Government is doing to support vulnerable people, and I particularly want to pay tribute to our charities and other third sector organisations that are doing some fantastic work to help our communities. As you will know, First Minister, the UK Government has recently announced a package of support worth...
Peter Fox: Diolch, Llywydd. Good afternoon, Minister. Minister, do you agree with the First Minister's previous claim that Plaid Cymru believes in voodoo economics and has a habit, and I quote again, of 'promising people things that I know are simply not possible'?
Peter Fox: I've mentioned this, Minister, given that Welsh Labour, your Government and Plaid are currently negotiating a co-operation agreement. Yet, Minister, we still do not know what is in the agreement. What will it mean for the Welsh Government's budget in December? All we have had so far is a vaguely worded Welsh Government statement published last month, and I don't think that's acceptable. And...
