Jane Hutt: And, on your second point, well I’m sure that was a very important meeting this morning of the Agricultural Law Association. I think it’s very important that we also take the opportunity to reflect on your point that it is going to be very difficult—it is currently very difficult for the farming community—and, of course, the Welsh Government and the Cabinet Secretary are working very...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Suzy Davies, for that. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary to update us, as she promised to do, in terms of officials looking at this. I know the adverse impact of woodchip fires is something that has been experienced across Wales, and not just in your region.
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would like to thank Jeremy Miles for raising this important topic. I think this is probably the most critical time since devolution in terms of Wales’s international agenda. It’s also good to use the opportunity tonight to welcome the extensive experience that you are bringing to this debate, and indeed, into this Assembly, and to draw...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Llywydd. There are several changes to business this week. The Business Committee has agreed to schedule a motion to allocate committee Chairs to political groups immediately after the business statement. The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children will then make a statement on fire safety in Wales, the steps being taken following the Grenfell Tower fire. After this the First...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Angela Burns. Of course, I think, shared across this Chamber, is recognition and applause for the role and the contribution that school nurses make across Wales on every level, in terms of prevention and the health and well-being of our children and young people. Certainly, I know there will be a chance to start, I’m sure, with questions tomorrow to the Cabinet...
Jane Hutt: Bethan Jenkins brings a very important point to the Assembly this afternoon in terms of, I’m sure, all of us being engaged and recognising the role of carers as we look at Carers Week. But, specifically, you’re focusing on young carers and, of course, their needs are so often hidden and not understood unless we have the engagement, not only active engagement of schools—. And, indeed,...
Jane Hutt: Well, clearly, Jenny Rathbone raises a very important point, which I know that the Cabinet Secretary, not only will be addressing, but there will be further questions in his statement in terms of, not only steps being taken following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, but also in terms of the reviews that will have to be take place and, indeed, the scope of the public inquiry, which is being...
Jane Hutt: Well, I think Mohammad Asghar has got quite a lot of support across this Chamber for a statement on cricket for Wales, so I’ll see what I can do with the Cabinet Secretary.
Jane Hutt: I know Mark Isherwood spoke very powerfully last week about the role of fathers. That was pre Father’s Day, and you raise an important point, of course, Neil McEvoy, but this is something that is very clearly within the framework of our justice system, as well as positive parenting policies.
Jane Hutt: Huw Irranca-Davies draws attention to the very good result from the general election, which has meant that we have more Welsh Labour and Co-operative Members of Parliament, joining, of course, the Welsh Labour and Co-operative Members here. This is a very important point, which is not just shared by Welsh Labour; I know that there is a strong spirit in this Assembly, not just in terms of...
Jane Hutt: I think the First Minister made the position absolutely clear this afternoon and, in fact, you had three opportunities to ask the question and he responded to, again, confirm his position. Achieving 500 in 2021 remains the Welsh Government’s target. And, of course, I think it is important to say that the target is just one diagnostic indicator amongst many others, such as GCSE performance...
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Llywydd. The Welsh Government’s next draft budget will implement a different type of budget making in Wales. It will not only set out the Welsh Government’s spending plans, but also how some of those finances will be raised, as Simon Thomas says, using both our new tax powers—the first for 800 years—and our new powers to borrow. These are fundamental changes to the fiscal...
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Llywydd. I am responding to this debate this afternoon and I will start by saying how important migration has been, as such an important part of Wales’s history and it will be an important part of our future today, and I think that’s been certainly reflected from contributions in parts of this Chamber today. It’s very much reflected in the White Paper that we jointly put...
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I’ve three changes to report to this week’s business. Later today the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will make an oral statement on the Circuit of Wales. As a result, I postpone the oral statements on historic environment policy and legislation and the update on the pathfinder 111 NHS service in Wales until next week. Business for the next three weeks is as...
Jane Hutt: I thank Darren Millar for raising that very important point. Those allegations must be and are being taken very seriously. I know the Cabinet Secretary for Education will want to address that. Of course, this is the sort of issue as well that I know that, in her meetings with the education unions—that these issues are also discussed.
Jane Hutt: The company Cardiff Aviation is currently meeting all of their financial commitments to the Welsh Government. The management of Cardiff Aviation Ltd’s workforce is a matter for the company. Welsh Government has had no involvement in the company’s recently announced workforce reshaping. The agreement between the Welsh Government and Cardiff Aviation is commercially sensitive and it would...
Jane Hutt: I thank Julie Morgan for raising this today. Indeed, you were able to raise it just after the news had broken last week when the Cabinet Secretary was undertaking his oral questions. Also, Jenny Rathbone and, of course, Anna McMorrin—we saw her raising this in the House of Commons very clearly and forcefully. It’s devastating news for the workforce and their families, as you identified,...
