Vikki Howells: Minister, I'd like to take the opportunity to pass on the many positive comments that I've received from residents in the Cynon Valley, who have contacted me to express their relief and their jubilation at having received the vaccine, and their thanks to all those that made this possible. The Welsh Government's vaccination delivery plan explains that all vaccinations in Wales are recorded...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. As you will know, I have met with women and families affected by the failings of the former Cwm Taf maternity services, I've met with maternity staff who have since worked so hard to turn the service around, and have followed the work of the expert panel and its review throughout. I have three questions for you today. Firstly, I'm pleased that...
Vikki Howells: Minister, last week, Rhondda Cynon Taf council began the second phase of its public consultation on the 2021-22 budget, with residents, businesses and other stakeholders invited to have their say on the specific proposals outlined. This includes: a proposed 2.65 per cent council tax rise, likely to be the lowest rise in Wales next year, and below the 2.85 per cent originally proposed and...
Vikki Howells: What discussions has the Welsh Government had with social housing providers about how they can best support their tenants during the coronavirus pandemic?
Vikki Howells: 3. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government’s assessment of its capital spend in Cynon Valley over the course of the current Senedd term? OQ56259
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. There's no doubt that the Cynon valley has benefited significantly from Welsh Government funding over the past five years. Perhaps the most significant area of capital expenditure has been the continued investment in educational buildings within the area. The Cynon valley has seen more investment from the Welsh Government's twenty-first century schools funding than any...
Vikki Howells: 5. What interventions has the Welsh Government put in place to support learners in the Cynon Valley whose education has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic? OQ56260
Vikki Howells: Thank you very much, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. Evidence has consistently shown that those pupils eligible for free school meals are at more risk of falling behind their peers while learning from home, for a variety of complex and interrelated reasons. I recently had the privilege of attending the Senedd's Children, Young People and Education Committee, where you spoke about the...
Vikki Howells: 1. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve access to emergency mental health care? OQ56338
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister, for that answer. I'm particularly concerned about our children and young people accessing the appropriate care in terms of the pressures placed on them during the pandemic. So, it's welcome that the Welsh Government has prioritised them with the recent £9.4 million for the schools in-reach pilot and children and mental health adolescent services. However, the...
Vikki Howells: 4. Will the Minister provide an update on progress towards achieving the objectives set out in Cymraeg 2050? OQ56311
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Minister. Recent figures have shown that Rhondda Cynon Taf has the most pupils being taught through the medium of Welsh of all council areas in the Central South Consortium area, with just under 19 per cent of learners. Huge strides are being been made to improve the Welsh-medium offer in Cynon Valley still further through the Welsh Government's twenty-first century schools programme,...
Vikki Howells: Will the Welsh Government provide an update on guidance issued to care homes to enable safe visiting during the coronavirus pandemic?
Vikki Howells: 4. What discussions has the Counsel General had about short-term work placements for learners from other parts of Europe coming to Wales post-Brexit? OQ56350
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. I've been in contact with ColegauCymru, who are concerned that the planned costs and timescales involved for vocational learners from the EU who wish to undertake short unpaid work experience in the UK will make such placements prohibitive. If they are in place for EU learners who wish to come to the UK, they could also be in place for Welsh learners wishing to take up...
Vikki Howells: I speak today in a debate that has generated much interest and much passion on both sides. This is evidenced by the petitions before us, which together just over 17,000 people have signed, and a large number of individuals and groups have contacted Members to make their case. However, looking at people from my constituency, the trend is very much in support of petition P-05-1018, supporting...
Vikki Howells: Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government action to support businesses in Cynon Valley?
Vikki Howells: 4. What action is the Welsh Government taking to increase the supply of social housing during this Senedd term? OQ56395
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. As well as giving vulnerable people homes that are fit for purpose, the social housing grant has also helped regenerate key derelict, disused or empty sites, often in very prominent places in our communities. One example in my own constituency is the disused building on Oxford Street in the town centre in Mountain Ash, which Cynon Taf Housing is turning into much-needed...
Vikki Howells: 3. What assessment has the Commission made of its response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic? OQ56444
