John Griffiths: I wonder if you could let me know, Trefnydd, whether Welsh Government is planning a debate or statement on the skills needs of Wales any time soon. There's a report to be launched next week by ColegauCymru called 'Building a better Wales—lessons from Europe', which is about the future skills needs of Wales, that explores the connection between higher level skills and regional economic...
John Griffiths: Well, I fully and enthusiastically support this Bill, Dirprwy Lywydd. I believe it is overdue to end the defence of reasonable punishment and provide greater clarity by putting children on an equal footing with adults. And overdue as well to be consistent with our international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and overdue to give greater protection to...
John Griffiths: I will give way to Darren Millar.
John Griffiths: I think Government has said that there would be a package of measures in support of this legislation, and it is about positive parenting and making sure that the advice and the support and guidance will be available to have that positive parenting, and I think that would very much address those issues that you raise also. Over 50 countries, we know, have already made this change and are...
John Griffiths: 1. Will the Welsh Government provide an update on the action taken since the announcement of the proposed closure of the Orb Steelworks in Newport? 339
John Griffiths: I'm grateful for the involvement of Welsh Government and, indeed, of course, the strong campaign by the trade unions on behalf of the workforce and grateful for the commitment that's been received that there will not be any compulsory redundancies but redeployment, possibly, in the Tata plants at Llanwern and Port Talbot. But the primary campaign, of course, is to keep the plant open and I'd...
John Griffiths: 8. What progress is being made by the Welsh Government to reduce rough-sleeping in Wales? OAQ54400
John Griffiths: First Minister, the committee that I Chair—the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee—reported on rough-sleeping and made recommendations 18 months ago. We continue to scrutinise Welsh Government with regard to progress, and we, indeed, held an event last week and will be holding another one this week. I also met with the chair of the action group. Amongst our...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I very much welcome your ambition and commitment to put Wales in a more powerful position, Minister, in terms of deciding the infrastructure and the services that we have here in Wales. As I only have one question, I will limit it then to the issue of the Magor walkway train station, which has, as you will know, a great deal of local community support, and I think is very...
John Griffiths: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on waiting times from NHS identification of suspected cancer to diagnosis? OAQ54385
John Griffiths: Minister, for the eight most common types of cancer, survival is three times greater when diagnosis is early and it is detected at the earliest stages rather than the latest stages. Of course, patients and their families go through absolute agony from cancer being suspected to eventual diagnosis one way or the other. I very much welcome what you mentioned in your initial response, because...
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr. I'm pleased to open today's debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee's report on voting rights for prisoners. I would like to start by thanking all those who contributed to our inquiry, either by giving written or oral evidence; the members of the public who contributed to our online discussion forum, and the respectful manner in which differences of...
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr. Well, it's been an interesting debate with mixed views. There were, of course, mixed views on the committee, reflected in the report, but the majority support the recommendations of the committee and the report itself. I do believe that there are a number of practical issues that have to be addressed, as has been outlined by Members, but those are addressed by the report and...
John Griffiths: I will give way.
John Griffiths: I absolutely completely agree with that. As I said, what we're talking about I think is doing the right thing in terms of principle, but also doing the right thing in terms of the practical effect. And I'm not saying that giving prisoners the vote is going to greatly boost rehabilitation and reintegration, but I do believe it's an important signal, and I do believe that when we were taking...
John Griffiths: I'd like to support those Members who've mentioned education as a priority for Welsh Government expenditure, and I'd very much like to applaud the report by the Children, Young People and Education Committee on school funding. I know the Welsh Government has accepted all of the recommendations, but I think it does set out a very strong case for prioritisation for school funding to a greater...
John Griffiths: May I congratulate Jayne as well for bringing this very important and progressive set of matters to the Assembly today? It's so important that children get the best start in life, isn't it? None of us know what life may throw at us, so developing that emotional resilience is so important for the whole of our life course. I'd like to, as have others, highlight a school in my constituency,...
John Griffiths: Will the Minister provide a statement on rail services in south-east Wales?
John Griffiths: I would like to welcome your statement today, Minister, and, indeed, the publication of the strategy. As you are aware, rough-sleeping, and, indeed, the wider issue of homelessness, is a key concern for the equalities committee, which I chair, and I know that next week we will have the opportunity to ask you some more questions and put forward some more viewpoints with regard to these...
John Griffiths: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to support non-statutory services run by local authorities?
