Rhianon Passmore: Minister, the Welsh Government released in December last year a statistical bulletin on active travel, 'Walking and cycling in Wales', compiled by the Office for National Statistics. And the figures show that 44 per cent of children actively travel to primary school; 34 per cent of children actively travel to secondary school. So, with new state-of-the-art education facilities being built and...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Minister, for your statement, and I remain in no doubt that austerity is a politically motivated camouflage for an ideological attack on the state and public sector by the UK Conservative Government, and I make no apologies for saying that. It is critical to the context and outlook for Wales and the people of Wales, which is the statement that we have just heard. And I'm afraid the...
Rhianon Passmore: What action is the Welsh Government taking to aid the teaching profession in the delivery of the new curriculum?
Rhianon Passmore: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the benefits of Clean Air Day to younger generations in Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: Harold Macmillan was a Conservative Prime Minister who, Neil Kinnock once said, represented a generation of Tories who recognised duty and pursued the objective of one nation. The current Tory Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is on course to have the shortest stay in 10 Downing Street of any of its incumbents, and he has no intention of governing in the interests of one nation. So, I welcome...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. You mentioned at the start of what you've just stated to this place that everybody wants a political party that’s a broad church and you supported that in its essence, so what is your view in regard to Boris Johnson’s suspension of a large wedge of your Conservative peers in Westminster?
Rhianon Passmore: 4. What further contingency planning has the Welsh Government undertaken for the people of Islwyn following the publication of the Operation Yellowhammer document? OAQ54347
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, the forced release of the Operation Yellowhammer document confirms what the Welsh Labour Government has been consistently stating publicly for many months, namely that a 'no deal' cliff-edge Brexit could have enormous detrimental consequences for Welsh people, their families and our communities. Amidst the document's pages are non-worst-case-scenario warnings that some fresh...
Rhianon Passmore: Islwyn is a varied constituency, comprising a series of beautiful Welsh Gwent Valleys communities, and it contains both the wonder of the natural lush mountainous landscapes of Wales with the harsh realities of society continuing to tackle the challenges of deindustrialisation: the loss of its mining and steel communities and the propensity for respiratory ill-health, with the Wales indices...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: In regard to the importance of pollution, is your party now of the understanding and of the nature that pollution and climate change are very intricately linked?
Rhianon Passmore: So, you do believe in climate change now.
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Perhaps now more than ever we are truly beginning to understand the importance of physical activity to aid an individual's mental and social well-being. Today, across Wales, boys, girls, men and women of all ages, all backgrounds and all sizes will have taken the opportunity in this late and beautiful summer sunshine we are enjoying to indulge in the...
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Minister provide an update on how the Welsh Government's physical activity and active recreation policies are benefiting communities in Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: 4. What actions are the Welsh Government taking to improve railway services in Islwyn? OAQ54401
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, First Minister. In 2018, the Welsh Labour Government announced, as part of the new Wales and borders rail contract, run by Transport for Wales, direct rail links between Newport and Ebbw Vale to be restored in 2021. And this is tremendous news for my constituents in Islwyn, in Newbridge, Crosskeys and Risca. The link was closed to passengers in April 1962, following the infamous...
Rhianon Passmore: I also welcome an ambitious and inspirational transformational multi-modal integrated transport system for Wales. Minister, what opportunities does the Williams rail review offer the Welsh Government to take further responsibilities for the creation of new stations and the expanding Welsh tram footprint for a cleaner, greener Wales?
Rhianon Passmore: 7. Will the Minister outline the timescales involved with the implementation of the additional learning needs system? OAQ54383
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Minister. Thank you for the confirmation, then, that the additional learning needs system will commence on that phased basis from September 2021. Teachers, parents, educators and teaching trade unions will, indeed, welcome the fact that the Welsh Government has listened and acted constructively on their feedback and the many conversations that have taken place. And I know, Minister,...
