Joel James: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. The first Bill this Welsh Government has chosen to put forward to the sixth Senedd is not one that deals with the ambulance response crisis or the thousands of people waiting more than two years for an operation, nor does it even deal with the current COVID pandemic. [Interruption.] Instead, this Government is chiefly concerned with looking after their trade union...
Joel James: —can bring to companies in construction in Wales. Surely, Deputy Minister, given what has been said, you recognise that there are higher priorities for the people of Wales that need far more urgent attention than this social partnership and procurement Bill. Thank you.
Joel James: The Minister may remember my remarks prior to recess regarding the Summer of Fun programme, where my question was whether or not funding for this programme was sufficient given the high rates of child obesity in Wales. During the summer recess, I was able to visit an organisation that provided activities for the Summer of Fun in South Wales Central, and I was extremely impressed at the range...
Joel James: Thank you, Llywydd. It has been reported that between 1990 and 2015 approximately 63 per cent of Uganda's forest was cut down. Esther Mbayo, Minister of the Presidency, stated in 2016 that a lot of illegal logging, and I quote, had involved 'security personnel, some politicians, [forest] officers, timber traders, charcoal dealers and the locals.' Just before recess, the Size of Wales project,...
Joel James: Thank you, Minister, for confirming that you've got no agreements with the Ugandan authorities. There are several major tree-planting projects in Uganda that have set out with the aim of planting forests and selling the carbon credits. The Minister will be aware that for every tonne of carbon kept in the trees and not released into the atmosphere, a carbon offset credit is produced. A carbon...
Joel James: I agree with the Minister that the Wales and Africa programme is a very important programme. Sadly, carbon colonialism is on the rise in Africa, and the Minister will be aware that Uganda has a major issue with subsistence farmers being forcibly removed from their land to provide space for tree planting that, in turn, can be used for the selling of carbon credits and offsetting carbon...
Joel James: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on pre-appointment hearings for public appointments? OQ56845
Joel James: In the diversity and inclusion strategy for public appointments in Wales, it outlines that the Welsh Government will develop guidance for undertaking pre-appointment hearings. The rationale, quite rightly in my mind, is to ensure that the recruitment process is as transparent and robust as possible. From 2018 to the present there have been 296 public appointments in Wales, 30 of which were...
Joel James: 3. What proposals does the Senedd Commission have to make the Senedd estate carbon neutral? OQ56847
Joel James: Thank you—Janet, I suppose. I believe that if any Government is to enforce a policy of decarbonisation of buildings, they should lead by example, and as you mentioned about the road map, they should also be pioneers in using innovative technology so they can in effect showcase the technology for other organisations. This point has recently been highlighted by the fact that the Department...
Joel James: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I've got to admit, I have considerable sympathy for the Deputy Minister; not only do you debate matters that are within your remit, but it now seems that you have to waste valuable time debating issues that you have no influence over whatsoever. Indeed, I believe the Minister has previously gone on record to say that the four-day working week is not devolved and is...
Joel James: Yes.
Joel James: Well, I'm not necessarily concerned with the past—I'm more concerned about the present and the future. Measuring productivity is a very complicated subject and there is no linear correlation to working less, being paid the same and increased productivity. If productivity is increased, then it simply means that the employee will have to do five days' work in four days. Actually, these...
Joel James: Can I call for a debate in this Chamber on the issue of what can be done to provide safer travel for horse riders in Wales? Equine ownership in Wales is worth over £0.5 billion to the Welsh economy, and is a vital part of the health and well-being of many people. For horse owners, riding and exercising their horses is integral to their lives, and one that needs more protection put into...
Joel James: 5. What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government regarding the implementation of the Kalifa review of the UK fintech sector? OQ56914
Joel James: Thank you. As the Minister will be aware, Cardiff capital region has been identified by the Kalifa review as a place for emerging clusters of financial technology companies. The UK Government, through Her Majesty's Treasury, has appointed a fintech envoy to Wales who has been very successful in helping start FinTech Wales, an organisation, as you mentioned, that helps financial technology...
Joel James: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. The abolition of the Severn bridge tolls has proved to be a massive benefit to the people of Wales. As the stranglehold of tolls was released by the UK Government in 2017, businesses and commuters were relieved of massive financial burdens, with some motorists saving as much as £1,400 per year. Removing the Severn bridge toll road will have undoubtedly opened up...
Joel James: However, it is without question that the Welsh Government must recognise that surveying people about toll roads and being very specific about the M4 and A470 as possible locations will put into people’s minds that this is a course of action that the Government are considering. I hope the Government can acknowledge the considerable concern among motorists and businesses that this would have...
Joel James: I imagine that the 'Delivering for Future Generations' report must have made for some uncomfortable reading for the Minister, given the overwhelming number of criticisms that have been laid at her feet and how poorly implemented this legislation has been. The commissioner herself has expressed deep concern that her office is massively underfunded to fully implement this Welsh Government’s...
Joel James: As the Deputy Minister will be aware, the Connecting Communities programme has ended earlier than planned, because the Welsh Government's invitation and selection of the project was not in accordance with requirements of European regulations. The Connecting Communities programme has been a lifeline for vulnerable people to be able to access vital services, and for them to maintain a level of...
