Jack Sargeant: Deputy Presiding Officer, it is not surprising, because it was a Bill brought forward by a Labour Member of Parliament. But the heckles that this turned into from the benches over there simply reinforce the message, don't they? They reinforce the message that the UK Conservative Party do not care about ordinary working people in Wales and across the UK. First Minister, will you join me in...
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, Deputy Presiding Officer. Could I commend the Minister for the work she has done in this area, not just as a Minister or Member of the Senedd, but of course in her previous role as a trade unionist? And I put on record my proud membership of Unite the Union, a community union, here today. I did listen with interest when you mentioned a shorter working week in your statement....
Jack Sargeant: I thank the Member, Rhun ap Iorwerth, for tabling this important question today, and I'm very much in line with what he has said already. Minister, can I slightly change the question a bit? And the announcement is clearly worrying for many individuals and many families across north Wales, and these are quite clearly tough times, and it's very difficult to absorb shocks like this in the...
Jack Sargeant: It may be a surprise to Members after yesterday, but I will be supporting this motion, I welcome this motion by the Welsh Conservatives today. But I must say to the Member who opened today's debate, he might be getting a little bit ahead of himself if he thinks there are going to be no amendments to future debates here. But, on cross-party support, I can see the Members for Preseli...
Jack Sargeant: Will the Minister take an intervention?
Jack Sargeant: I thank the Minister for taking an intervention. You were talking about the Government playing a part, but employers have to play a part. The Member from the Welsh Conservatives before mentioned working conditions. Does the Minister agree with me that the best way to have better working conditions is by joining a trade union?
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I thank the Minister for updating the Chamber today? Residents in Alyn and Deeside will be pleased that we will be delivering this commitment from the programme for government. It's very timely, because residents in Connah's Quay in particular are frustrated at the moment due to recent incidents of anti-social behaviour. This behaviour means...
Jack Sargeant: How is the Welsh Government working to promote community safety in Alyn and Deeside?
Jack Sargeant: Minister, you may have seen my article for the Welsh Fabians today about the future of the north Wales economy, and if you haven't, I'm sure that you will read it with interest in due course. But sadly, the article comes at a time when we once again have been let down by the UK Conservative Government. Minister, will you use your role as Minister for North Wales to speak to the UK Tory...
Jack Sargeant: Thank you, Mike. I agree with all the points that you've said, and this is certainly not the society that we want. Do you agree with me that it's time, next Thursday, to send a message to the UK Conservative Government and vote Labour?
Jack Sargeant: 1. What representations has the Welsh Government made to the UK Government in respect of an international tribunal to prosecute Vladimir Putin’s war crimes in Ukraine? OQ57978
Jack Sargeant: Can I thank the Counsel General for that answer, and, if I may, Llywydd, take this opportunity to put my thanks on the record of our Parliament here in the Siambr for the way that the Counsel General—both in his capacity as Counsel General in the Welsh Government, but also in a personal capacity—how he has championed the people of Ukraine, not just in recent times, but for many, many...
Jack Sargeant: 3. What conversations has the Counsel General had with UK Government counterparts about the ongoing fight for justice of the Hillsborough families? OQ57981
Jack Sargeant: I'm grateful to the Counsel General for his answer and his longstanding commitment to support the families of the Hillsborough disaster. You know I've raised this issue before that we do need a Hillsborough law now to support the campaign. The Counsel General will also be aware of the, again, recent calls from Labour metro mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram for a Hillsborough law now....
Jack Sargeant: Thank you, Minister, for giving way. We've heard what you have said there about the disgraceful acts of the UK Government, but we did hear from the Conservative benches that they want strong voices to represent communities. Do you agree with me that the best way to have strong representation in your community is by voting Welsh Labour tomorrow?
Jack Sargeant: 2. What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure the voices of looked-after children and care leavers are heard, to enable them to inform policy decisions, such as radical reform of current services? OQ58012
Jack Sargeant: I'm grateful to the First Minister for that. And the First Minister will be aware that I'm currently chairing the Petitions Committee evidence sessions on the routine collection and publication of data of how many babies and children return to their care-experienced parents at the end of a parent and child placement. Now, as part of my commitment to engage the committee with the Welsh public,...
Jack Sargeant: I find myself this week amazed to be following contributions from Laura Anne Jones and not shouting 'object', which is a surprise to me, but it's clear, Minister, that this statement today has cross-party support, and I commend this statement to this Senedd. But as Members have said from across the Chamber, including yourself, I couldn't contribute to today's statement without paying tribute...
Jack Sargeant: Can I, too, thank the Minister for her leadership, and of course the leadership of the Counsel General? I think that I speak on behalf of all of the Chamber when I say that we are very grateful for what you have done on this issue, and we are also very grateful to you for continuously updating the Chamber orally as well. Minister, given our commitment as a nation of sanctuary, can you outline...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, sustainable transport networks have to have at the heart of them the interests of the travelling public. They must get people to where they need and want to be, and that means Welsh Government working with partners to build networks that work for people—and it's partners like our wonderful local government colleagues. And, Llywydd, if I may take this opportunity now to...
