Vikki Howells: Other responses from RCT council include the use of technology. The RCT assistive technology lifeline will be enhanced to provide a 24-hour, mobile, rapid-response service for 365 days a year to people using an RCT lifeline pendant. And of course, the council is also committed to invest in extra care facilities across Rhondda Cynon Taf, and I've been very impressed by those when I've gone to...
Vikki Howells: I welcome the direction in policy that has taken place in recent years in terms of professionalisation of the social care workforce and recognition of the vital work they can do, but this absolutely must be backed up by appropriate resources, giving care workers salaries that reflect the importance of their vocation. Otherwise, staff could end up moving fairly seamlessly into nursing, because...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, I recently met with the Federation of Small Businesses to discuss their report 'Are We There Yet?', which looks at how infrastructure spending in Wales can be best used to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. How is the Welsh Government prioritising this within its capital spend?
Vikki Howells: I think there's a lot to welcome in the Welsh Government's draft budget and I applaud Ministers for their commitment to invest in the public services that we rely on and indeed in the very future of our nation, and that's despite, of course, as other Members have referred to, Welsh budget is still feeling the consequences, very much so, of the impact of a decade of Westminster's ideologically...
Vikki Howells: 2. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Education about promoting the use of the Welsh language through the education system? OAQ54854
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I've been contacted by parents, and I'm continuing to be contacted by parents in increasing numbers, who are concerned that there are no discrete ALN classes in Welsh medium schools in my constituency, and they feel that their children are put at a disadvantage and are unable to access education in the language of their choice as a result. What...
Vikki Howells: The second 90-second statement today is about a Welsh darts player—who would've thought it? This Friday, 17 January, would have been the eightieth birthday of Leighton Rees. Leighton was born in Ynysybwl, the village where he spent much of his life. After school, he worked for a motor spares company, and during this time, he took up darts. He was a regular for his pub and county, and then...
Vikki Howells: How is the Welsh Government supporting schools to teach the importance of healthy relationships?
Vikki Howells: Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government measures to increase the number of GPs in Wales?
Vikki Howells: 7. Will the First Minister provide an update on the projected timetable for the dualling of sections 5 and 6 of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road? OAQ54947
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I know you've been a strong supporter of this project, which has been so important to my constituents, not least in your former role as finance Minister when you put forward the mutual investment model that will ensure that this project is delivered. I know there have been some concerns about the impact of delays and increased costs in dualling earlier sections of...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. It certainly suggests that there have been some green shoots of progress in terms of putting things right at Cwm Taf Morgannwg maternity services. I'm also really grateful that you've engaged with women and families and with staff, including families from my own constituency, who have engaged with such dignity in the process to try to ensure that...
Vikki Howells: Obviously, with the climate emergency that is facing us, we all understand the need to rapidly decarbonise our travel. The white paper that Cardiff Council has produced, looking at travel around the city, is clearly part of that agenda. But I'd like to associate myself with some of the comments raised by some of my other Labour backbench colleagues from the south Wales Valleys. My concern is...
Vikki Howells: 8. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of Brexit on children's rights? OAQ54948
Vikki Howells: Thank you for your answer, Minister. I know that the decision of the UK Tory Government to drop proposals to protect child refugees from the EU withdrawal Bill was discussed during First Minister's questions last week, and I'm sure, like me, you've been watching the progress with regard to the Dubs amendment too. Many refugees are children, so this is a particularly cruel action, especially...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement here today. I've got three quick questions for you. Firstly, around your comments on the town-centre-first principle, in my constituency, in the Cynon Valley, I've seen some really positive examples, where the council has enhanced the public service offers available in our town centres. And I agree with your estimate of the benefits of doing...
Vikki Howells: Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's priorities for decarbonising homes in Wales?
Vikki Howells: 3. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government’s response to the recommendations set out in the urgent review of the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 that was commissioned in October 2019? OAQ54980
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, and thank you also for your previous response to my written questions from earlier in the month. This is really important as a stepping stone towards the introduction of Lucy's law to ban the third-party sale of cats and dogs. The perception out there of a lack of progress is causing concern amongst campaigners, with fears that, after England brings in its own Lucy's law...
Vikki Howells: Minister, this is an issue that is of great concern to my constituents. Those who live in Cilfynydd, Glyncoch and Ynysybwl depend directly upon the A&E facilities at the Royal Glamorgan, whilst the rest of my constituents, who depend upon A&E provision at Prince Charles Hospital, are rightly concerned about the additional pressures that could be placed upon facilities there if A&E at the...
