Rhys ab Owen: Plaid Cymru will also be voting against this Bill this afternoon. We as a group understand the rationale behind this Bill and the importance of responding swiftly, as required, to complex taxation issues, and I'm very pleased to hear the willingness of the Minister to discuss and to listen to the concerns of both committees and to respond positively to that. Despite this, the concerns are...
Rhys ab Owen: I'm afraid, Minister, that this Bill comes with a similar stamp to the LCMs. We should come together as a Senedd to stop the carving out of the powers of the legislature as contained within this Bill.
Rhys ab Owen: Because this is a question of principle. As a Senedd and as Members of the Senedd, we need to ask each other to what extent we are content to intervene in the democratic mechanisms of such a young legislature. I understand the Minister's point when she talks about a legislature that is still maturing, but we're a young legislature—so early on in the history of our legislature, that we are...
Rhys ab Owen: 'If the law can be changed retrospectively, then it means that something which was lawful at the time it was done can be made unlawful, and someone can suffer consequences which they would not have expected to suffer. That makes for uncertainty in the law.'
Rhys ab Owen: And this, Llywydd, is entirely contrary to the commitment made by Welsh Government to make Welsh law accessible to everyone. Some of Wales's leading legal and constitutional minds have raised concerns and fundamental doubts about this Bill. Amending the Bill before us isn't enough, we need to stop the Bill as it currently stands. We need to vote against it and, by doing so, ensure that the...
Rhys ab Owen: What discussions has the Welsh Government had with local authorities in South Wales Central regarding improving transparency in the planning process?
Rhys ab Owen: What discussions has the First Minister had about the implementation in Cardiff of the sustainable development principle of the Planning (Wales) Act 2016 and Planning Policy Wales?
Rhys ab Owen: 10. What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government and other public bodies regarding the role of probation officers in ensuring community safety? OQ57965
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Weinidog. It's fair to say—and I'm sure that everyone can agree with this—that, due to underfunding and reorganisation of the probation services in England and Wales over the past 12 years, they have faced a very difficult time. Often, this can lead to real, tragic consequences. Currently, there are over 700 job vacancies across England and Wales. Has the Minister had any...
Rhys ab Owen: 2. What consideration has the Counsel General given to introducing a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship, as exists in England, to help widen socioeconomic access to the legal profession? OQ57964
Rhys ab Owen: Naturally, I welcome the announcement of the new level 3 and level 5 legal services profession. However, I hope we can go further to introduce level 7 solicitor apprenticeships in Wales. I am sure the Counsel General agrees with me that such a post would help to address the issue of access to the legal profession, and, of course, potentially help with current legal advice deserts. Will we see...
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Cwnsler Cyffredinol, at the end of March, the Welsh Government statement on taking forward the recommendations of the Commission on Justice in Wales and the Law Commission report on Welsh Tribunals was pulled. When will the statement now be made, and can the Counsel General please guarantee to me that the statement will provide key milestones, with clear and...
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch yn fawr, Cwnsler Cyffredinol. I'd like to concentrate now on the Welsh Tribunals. You'll be aware that we've had several reports now that recommend the separation of the Welsh Tribunals unit from the Welsh Government, and this, in fact, has been endorsed by you and the Welsh Government. But rather than setting up a non-ministerial department, why has the Welsh Tribunals unit been moved...
Rhys ab Owen: 6. Will the Counsel General provide an update on the status of the Welsh Government’s appeal to the UK Supreme Court on its legal challenge to the internal market Act? OQ57956
Rhys ab Owen: Thank you very much, Counsel General.
Rhys ab Owen: I completely agree with comments you've made previously that this Act undermines the long-established powers of the Senedd and the Welsh Ministers within matters of devolved competency. There is a clear supermajority in this Senedd to enhance and improve our powers. What discussions have you had with the Westminster Government for them to finally realise that it is the will of the Welsh...
Rhys ab Owen: 1. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Government and councils regarding the impact on Welsh residents of the UK Building Safety Act 2022? OQ58004
Rhys ab Owen: Diolch, Brif Weinidog. A resident from the Spillers and Bakers apartment just up the road asked me to raise this question today. There, many leaseholders have been served with a section 20 notice. They face losing their homes due to costly regulation failures in the past. When will they receive the practical support that they need to bring this nightmare to an end? Diolch yn fawr.
Rhys ab Owen: 7. What discussions has the Minister had regarding access to GP services in Cardiff and the Vale? OQ58003
Rhys ab Owen: Thank you very much, Minister. Now, last week, plans were confirmed to turn the Corporation Road surgery in Grangetown into residential properties, unless a doctor can be found to take over that practice. With the closure of that surgery and others, over 1,200 additional people have joined the surgery in Dinas Powys. I know that you've announced an additional £10 million to train the medical...
