David Rees: What actions are being taken by the Welsh Government to increase support to children with additional learning needs?
David Rees: Will the Minister provide details of discussions the Welsh Government has had with Tata Steel and the UK Government following the announcement of Tata's intentions to suspend the sales process of its UK steel making operations? EAQ(5)0036(EI)
David Rees: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that answer and for his assurances that the Welsh Government is actually continuing its pursuance of the various aspects? However, as we all know, the steel industry has been in a challenging situation for many years. In fact, this year, in January, Tata steel announced 1,000 job losses; in March, it announced the possible sales of its UK operations. My...
David Rees: I’ve got several questions.
David Rees: I appreciate it, Llywydd, but I’m sure you’ll appreciate that the constituency is dominated—
David Rees: Final question, then. The trade unions have actually expressed to me their views. They phoned me today. They don’t want the sale process stopped. Will you negotiate with Tata and the UK Government to get the sale process back on line, if nothing else, in parallel with the other considerations they’re having?
David Rees: First Minister, thank you for that answer, and we are seeing Welsh Government support for the steel industry, through these projects, which I very much welcome, in Port Talbot. But also, we’ve seen over the summer, since we last met, financial improvements in the steel industry in Port Talbot as well, where we saw losses of £1 million a day beforehand, and we’re now turning it into...
David Rees: I’d like to start by declaring that my wife is an employee of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Local Health Board. Cabinet Secretary, you’ve highlighted some of the good aspects that occur, as well as highlighting the targeted intervention for ABMU in unscheduled care and cancer services. What monitoring will you be undertaking to ensure that, as we see, hopefully, progress in those...
David Rees: Will the First Minister outline the discussions he held in America in relation to promoting and supporting Welsh steel making?
David Rees: Minister, I can join with the Member for South Wales West, because I also was going to ask the question about ensuring that the Viable and Vibrant Places project, which we're seeing actually achieving excellent results in Port Talbot, in the Green Park industrial estate being transformed into a lovely green area and social housing, into the regeneration of the old fire brigade station, and...
David Rees: 5. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government’s priorities in tackling child poverty in South Wales West? OAQ(5)0021(CC)
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. As you will be aware, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation last week published its report, ‘We Can Solve Poverty in the UK’, which highlighted five points. One of those was strengthening families and communities, which comes under your remit. They also include four recommendations. In my constituency of Aberavon, many families are struggling and...
David Rees: 8. What discussions has the Minister had with Westminster counterparts regarding regeneration funding following the decision to leave the EU? OAQ(5)0027(CC)
David Rees: Thank you for that answer, Cabinet Secretary. Aberavon has been a beneficiary of the EU regeneration funds and has seen many projects develop across the communities, including the Afan valley. The decision by the British people to leave the EU obviously will put an end to the stream of funding. But that does not stop the impact of the austerity that emanates from Westminster, particularly on...
David Rees: Will you take an intervention?
David Rees: I thank you for taking the intervention, and I don’t wish to distract from the issues about GP recruitment, which I’m sure you will come on to in a short while. But, from what you have discussed so far, the Choose Well strategy that the Welsh Government proposed last year, or last session, and prudent healthcare is actually the right way to tackle some of the issues that you have just...
David Rees: Following on from that, First Minister, clearly, the councils are facing difficulties because of Westminster austerity cuts being passed down to them; they are looking at the services to provide and community libraries are one of the ways in which it’s happening. You, yourself, have visited Briton Ferry library and have seen the work being done by the community there—Taibach and Cymmer...
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, in the last financial year, we saw circumstances arise, such as in my constituency when Tata made the announcements in January, which required instant action by the Welsh Government. Obviously, the business support to the businesses that feed into Tata was critical in that aspect. Will there be planning in the future to ensure that there are sufficient funds within that...
David Rees: Will you take an intervention?
David Rees: I thank you for taking the intervention. You went to have teacher training, I did teacher training, and believe you me, I knew every single pupil I taught. I didn’t need photographs—
