Jane Hutt: Well, I also, Mark Isherwood, have raised these concerns on behalf of my constituents as well. And, clearly, there has been recently more public awareness of this, as a result, for example, of MPs as well. Owen Smith MP, I know, has raised this in particular. So, I think the issue that you refer to in terms of the NHS, the procedure being available in Wales, and the fact that advice and...
Jane Hutt: Well, we’re now starting to see the benefit of our housing revenue account subsidy exit, with new council houses being built. So, I’m really grateful, Mike Hedges, that you’ve brought this to our attention for comment and a response from the Welsh Government today. As part of the housing pact with the Welsh Local Government Association and Community Housing Cymru, I am pleased to say...
Jane Hutt: Well, I’m glad you’ve drawn this to our attention this afternoon, Mohammad Asghar, because I’m sure you heard, and you recognise it again, the First Minister welcoming the great news of the Qatar investment and engagement in our Cardiff airport, which we, of course, have not only secured, sustained, but are developing. So, you know, the aviation policy of this Welsh Government is clear,...
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to thank Members for their contributions in today’s debate. Last December, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs gave a statement setting out her priorities for the future of energy in Wales. She explained how this Government was committed to the ambitions set out in our energy policy document, ‘Energy Wales’. She also...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Llywydd. I have two changes to report to the timing of business this week. I’ve reduced the length of today’s debate on Stage 3 of the Public Health (Wales) Bill to 120 minutes. Likewise, Counsel General questions tomorrow have been reduced to 30 minutes. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement found among meeting papers available...
Jane Hutt: I think the first question you ask, Andrew R.T. Davies, on the Barry incinerator—. I’m very glad, in fact—and, indeed, it is in my Assembly Member capacity—to report on the fact that I chaired a meeting last night, a meeting that was attended by a delegation from the Docks Incinerator Action Group, with senior officials from Natural Resources Wales, and I put out a statement today,...
Jane Hutt: I think that many of us have had to suffer these wraparounds that have appeared in many of our constituencies across Wales. I will make some very factual points about the fact that political advertising isn’t covered by the Advertising Standards Authority. It’s not permitted, as Members will be aware, on television under the Communications Act 2003, but is allowed in print. It was covered...
Jane Hutt: Three important questions from David Rees, and, in response to your first question, yes, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children did issue a statement last week following a number of very serious grass fires, and I think we need to firstly start by thanking the firefighters for their courage and bravery particularly, and not just in terms of the most recent fire that,...
Jane Hutt: Your third point: yes, I'm sure that the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will want to update on progress in terms of Tata and the steelworks, which, of course, particularly affect your constituency.
Jane Hutt: Well, I think the fact that we have, against stark financial challenges as a result of Tory UK Government cuts and austerity—against all of that, we have chosen as a priority, this Welsh Labour Government, to continue to support our 500 community support officers. And what is very clear is that those community support officers play an important role in supporting the police forces across...
Jane Hutt: We acknowledge the ruling. We will continue to work with Natural Resources Wales and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water on our £130 million programme for Llanelli and Gowerton to reduce the number of spills, improve water quality and reduce the risk of local flooding by 2020.
Jane Hutt: I thank Simon Thomas for the question. In response to those specific points, the Welsh Government has been working with Natural Resources Wales and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water to develop and implement a programme of work to reduce the number of spills, to further improve water quality and to reduce the risk of local flooding by the end of 2020. I’ve obviously mentioned the £130 million...
Jane Hutt: I thank Lee Waters for that question, and clearly, the importance of understanding and identifying the reasons why there has been that increased cockle mortality is vital. In fact, Welsh Government commissioned research into this. As you will be aware, findings did show water quality in the area was unlikely to be the cause of problems experienced by the cockle industry, but engagement with...
Jane Hutt: I think, in terms of looking not only at the outcome of the research but then that which had an impact on the works that would be undertaken—the £113 million investment—I would say that this consists largely of environmentally friendly sustainable drainage techniques that improve the quality of the local environment and reduce the risk of flooding locally in terms of those works. Also,...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Llywydd. Business Committee has agreed to table a motion to suspend Standing Orders immediately after the business statement to allow tomorrow’s short debate to take place today after voting. Business for the next three weeks is as shown in the business statement and announcement found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: The Member raises an important question. It gives me the opportunity to say that our GPs in Wales provide a first-class service to the Welsh population. In fact, the national survey continues to show very high levels of satisfaction—over 90 per cent of patients are satisfied with GP services. To help ensure patients receive high-quality care, we’re continuing to invest new money in...
Jane Hutt: Mike Hedges, the importance, as you say, of universities as economic drivers is quite clear. The higher education sector makes a substantial contribution to the economy of Wales. Universities in Wales contribute more than £3 billion a year in gross expenditure to the Welsh economy, employ over 20,000 people, have an annual turnover in excess of £1.5 billion and, of course, contribute to...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Simon Thomas. Indeed, it is a breakthrough that the Welsh Labour Government and, indeed, yourselves have been calling for the Severn tolls to be removed and now we have the Tories actually responding to our calls here from the Welsh Government and from parties in this Chamber. It is very important, therefore, we look at how this can progress, but your point about Cleddau bridge is...
Jane Hutt: I’m grateful that Mark Isherwood has kept faith, as he has, with these very important issues, which he raised with me, I’m sure, not just 14 years ago. It’s an issue not just for health Ministers and their responsibilities, but also for education Ministers and their responsibilities as well. Our national mission is to raise standards and to continue to improve the attainment of all...
