Delyth Jewell: Thank you, finally, to the Minister for confirming that the Government will be supporting the motion. Swifts made an appearance in the Minister's contribution as well, and I think that that was a really important point that the Minister made that this is not a small thing to say, and an even bigger thing to do. It is an important challenge that, obviously, we can't just declare a nature...
Delyth Jewell: Now, it's clear from the contributions that nature is in crisis in Wales, but that we also have an opportunity now to change that. We can introduce targets for nature's restoration that are legally binding, that will lead to investment, monitoring and improvement, because without legislation in the past, the targets haven't been achieved. Now, I understand the stance of the Conservatives...
Delyth Jewell: Now, I think that from some of the really wonderful, eloquent contributions that we've had today, one of the most pressing points I suppose that's come out of the debate is how we are not just acting for our own generation, for the people who are living on this planet now; we are doing it for generations yet to be born—children whose health, happiness and interpersonal skills benefit so...
Delyth Jewell: Trefnydd, in recent weeks, I've been made aware of the experiences of people on train journeys, where they don't feel safe because people weren't keeping to social distancing and nobody was being reminded to wear masks. My colleague in Westminster Hywel Williams has seen an internal briefing given to Transport for Wales staff that tells them not to enforce social distancing. This is unsafe...
Delyth Jewell: The point has already been made in this debate that when we think of the tourism industry, we tend to focus mainly on our coastlines, our mountains and our national parks. However, Wales is blessed with so many beautiful hidden places, perhaps; jewels that shimmer under the surface and deserve to attract more visitors. We've already also heard in this debate about how vital it is to help the...
Delyth Jewell: There is a touch of the Jekyll and Hyde about this motion, isn't there? On the one hand, I agree entirely with the points about air pollution, the need for more investment in public transport infrastructure, improving electric vehicle charge points and working with bus operators—they're all really important issues. Then, the second and third parts of the motion seem to undercut the first,...
Delyth Jewell: First Minister, we know that the rates of COVID are increasing again in our communities, and after 16 long months of lockdown, members of the public are understandably fatigued with the restrictions, but the new variants are incredibly transmissible, so how do we get that message across to a public that is hearing irresponsible and confused messaging coming out of an English Government that...
Delyth Jewell: I'd like a statement, please, about protecting people from air pollution. Residents in Cwmfelinfach are concerned about a waste treatment facility granted planning permission in Nine Mile Point industrial estate. An environmental permit was originally refused by Natural Resources Wales, because of how emissions could affect residents' health, but NRW reneged on the refusal, when the company...
Delyth Jewell: Thank you, Deputy Llywydd, and thank you, Minister, for the statement. I welcome the Government’s ambition in this area and I agree that trees are incredible. It's so important that Wales has a wood economy that safeguards trees, expands the numbers of forests in the country and creates jobs and building material that will be part of our economic recovery. It's clear that we will need...
Delyth Jewell: Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, community energy has a crucial role to play in ensuring that we deliver net zero. It has a role in ensuring public consent, increasing participation and incorporating behavioural change. A recent report that looks at the state of the sector calls on the Government to show its support to the movement by ensuring that the Welsh Government and the UK Government have...
Delyth Jewell: Okay, well, I welcome that and thank you, Minister, and I welcome the pun as well. Turning to a different area about nature targets, the Senedd, a fortnight ago, voted in favour of Plaid Cymru's motion and declared a nature emergency, and that motion had called on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding nature recovery targets. This represented an important step and it's not just...
Delyth Jewell: Thank you, Minister. Actually, that ties in with the final question I was going to put to you about the concern about the environmental governance gaps that have been created since the UK has departed from the EU. On this governance gap, there is a real fear, which I know that you're aware of, that it could really lead to environmental harm continuing and there are limited options for redress...
Delyth Jewell: Picking up on that precise point, Minister, I worry about how often we all use the term 'lost' when we're talking about learning or experiences for young people because of the pandemic. There's a danger that if young people keep hearing this word 'lost' in relation to themselves, they'll think that they're broken or that something has gone that can't be recovered, and I think what this...
Delyth Jewell: What does a society owe its children? That surely is one of the great dividing lines in politics. I believe that society and Government hold a shared responsibility over the lives and well-being of children, while to others, such a notion will be an affront. Indeed, some politicians, wealthy politicians, who've had all the luck in the world, seem to think that children should be punished for...
Delyth Jewell: What steps will the Welsh Government take to address air pollution in South Wales East?
Delyth Jewell: I'd like a Government statement, please, about the importance of respite for carers and day-care services for people with disabilities. This is an issue that I've raised many times over the past year, and there are lots of families in my region, principally in Caerphilly, that are still without the respite support that they had before the pandemic. Now, I understand that the council has made...
Delyth Jewell: Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you, Minister, for the statement. In the recent response you sent to a joint letter that was sent from me and the Chair of the Equality and Social Justice Committee, you set out a number of details. Could you tell us more about the discussions you've had with the UK Government about progressing the timeline for the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme, building on what...
Delyth Jewell: 7. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government’s income tax policy? OQ56813
Delyth Jewell: Thank you, Minister. I wish to endorse the points that have already been made by other Members today, namely that the United Kingdom Government's decision to raise national insurance is unfair as it will have an unequal impact on people on low incomes. In terms of income tax, your Government has the ability to vary the rates within the bands but not the power to introduce new bands. But the...
Delyth Jewell: What's £20 a week? It's not that much, surely? That's what some of the billionaires in Westminster have implied, but £20 adds up to £1,040 a year: a huge amount for families for whom the pandemic is far from over. And this cut, as we've heard, will happen a week after the furlough scheme is likely to end and at a time when living costs are set to rise. We've heard the term a number of...
