Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. Before I move on to the vaccine, can I once again thank those who were involved with the huge logistical challenge of the mass testing pilot in Merthyr Tydfil? The tests so far have identified some 22,000 or more asymptomatic people through the testing programme, with around 280 positive cases identified—people who will now not be in the community...
Dawn Bowden: 7. Will the Minister provide an update on strategic transport investment in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OQ56009
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Unlike some others who've commented on the final phase of the dualling of the Heads of the Valleys road, I'm looking forward to the many benefits that will arise in my constituency, ranging from the employment from its construction to improved safety on a very dangerous stretch of road and subsequent improvement in infrastructure, making this part of the...
Dawn Bowden: 3. Will the Counsel General provide an update on the impact of Brexit preparations on Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OQ56011
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that response, Minister. And for some considerable time, we've all been awaiting the vitally important details of the Prime Minister's oven-ready deal, which of course, as we now all know, never really existed. And as has already been pointed out, we're still also waiting for details of how Wales will benefit specifically from the elusive shared prosperity fund. In my...
Dawn Bowden: Sadly, we are ending 2020 facing another tough chapter in the story of the relentless struggle with this dreadful virus. Coronavirus has a strong grip on our communities, and our public services are struggling with the scale of the pandemic. We continue to see large numbers of people fall ill and, sadly, many deaths. And who knows what this new strain of the virus may bring. It's a...
Dawn Bowden: In my 90-second statement, I want to pay tribute to Cath Pendleton of Troed-y-rhiw in Merthyr Tydfil, referred to this week on BBC Wales as the Merthyr mermaid. This Senedd today records that Cath Pendleton was the first woman ever to swim a mile in the frozen waters of Antartica, an amazing personal achievement, an achievement of note in my constituency of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney, and now...
Dawn Bowden: Can I say I'm very pleased to be contributing to this debate, as a member of the Children, Young People and Education Committee, although I wasn't a member of the committee when the original report was published? Can I start by thanking our Chair, Lynne Neagle? This, of course, has been my first term in the Senedd, and I've learned a lot from the way in which I've seen Lynne apply herself to...
Dawn Bowden: As we hurtle towards midnight tomorrow, I can only summarise my feelings as those of resigned sadness. First, like others, I've been resigned to this outcome since the withdrawal agreement was adopted in January of this year. The rights and wrongs of the debates of the last decade are for history to consider, but the realities are for us all to face in a few hours' time, and in the weeks,...
Dawn Bowden: 7. Will the First Minister provide an update on recent discussions with the UK Government regarding additional funding for Wales? OQ56110
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. Last week, I was very pleased to read on the Welsh Conservatives' social media accounts that the UK Government was providing £220 million of—and I quote—'extra funding' to support jobs and businesses in Wales. That would certainly be very welcome and much needed at this time, especially in areas like my constituency of Merthyr Tydfil and...
Dawn Bowden: Will the Minister make a statement on the impact of COVID-19 on future plans for NHS and care staff recruitment?
Dawn Bowden: 2. What discussions has the Welsh Government held with the UK Government about workers' rights since the end of the transition period? OQ56180
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, Minister, and can I welcome the First Minister's robust defence of workers' rights in response to questions in the Senedd yesterday, because news that the UK Tory Government is again planning to attack workers' rights should shock no-one? We know our history, and we know the price that was paid to secure and improve the rights of workers, and it should make people angry, and I hope...
Dawn Bowden: Minister, as you know, there are a number of services and projects that are delivered by local authorities that are directly funded by Welsh Government. So, the council employs the staff, but Welsh Government funds the activity, and an example of that could be something like a community sports development service. There are local authorities that are saying that, during the pandemic when some...
Dawn Bowden: The Deputy Minister and I, of course, share a very similar background, so it comes as no surprise that I share her support and principles that underpin our social partnership work. Can I very much welcome her statement? Not because it's easy; indeed, in my experience, it's often more difficult, but it does help to build a shared commitment to a common cause, and, in tough times like those...
Dawn Bowden: First Minister, can I welcome the annual report on the delivery of the programme for government? After the last 12 months that we've all experienced, it's an excellent reminder to me that the many hours spent online have been time well spent supporting this Welsh Government through the pandemic, and in continuing to deliver on the manifesto promises that we made at the 2016 election. Because...
Dawn Bowden: Diolch, Llywydd. On 21 February, we marked one of the many significant days in the remarkable history of Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. It was on this date in 1804 that the Trevithick steam engine made its first ever rail journey, nine miles from Penydarren to the Merthyr-Cardiff canal. This journey made Richard Trevithick and not George Stephenson the real father of the railways. And such was...
Dawn Bowden: 4. Will the First Minister provide an update on Welsh Government support for businesses in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OQ56373
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. These Welsh Government interventions clearly are critical to the chances of many businesses in my constituency, as is the absolute need for the UK Chancellor to confirm the extension of the furlough scheme as part of the UK budget announcement tomorrow. I can tell you, First Minister, that Welsh Government investments in business support, in a new...
