Tom Giffard: First Minister, I'm pleased to hear you mention roads in your answer there to Alun Davies. I'm sure you'll be aware that 78 per cent of goods moved in the UK are being transported by roads, and I'm sure you'll agree that one of the keys to efficient economic development in the south Wales Valleys is good transport infrastructure. You'll recall that the UK Conservative Government abolished...
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. In light of the Government's stated intention to bring this matter to a vote in the Senedd next week, we will not be moving this debate today.
Tom Giffard: Will the Minister provide an update on employment in South Wales West?
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to open this Welsh Conservative debate today on the topic of mental health tabled in the name of Darren Millar. This Sunday, 10 October, is World Mental Health Day. We should take this opportunity to reflect on our own mental health, and that of our friends, and of our family, and what we as Senedd Members can do to promote positive mental health...
Tom Giffard: 5. What consideration does the Minister give to the improvement of economic outcomes in South Wales West when allocating funding to the economy portfolio? OQ57002
Tom Giffard: Can I thank the Minister for that answer, and start by declaring my interest as a sitting councillor in Bridgend County Borough Council? Minister, you may be aware that in a recent report from Bridgend County Borough Council it was revealed that average weekly wages in Bridgend county fell from £525.90 in 2019, which was near the all-Wales average, to just £464.10 in 2020, and is now the...
Tom Giffard: 6. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's review into dog breeding laws? OQ57000
Tom Giffard: Can I thank the Minister for the answer, and actually welcome some of the recommendations that you mention and have been taken up by the Welsh Government? However, one of the recommendations not yet taken up was an accredited or graded system for dog breeders, which was described as a, 'system of assigning scores to breeding establishments based on existing licensing inspections'. To me, this...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Alun, for bringing this debate to the Chamber today. I think it's a very important debate and I'm really grateful to you for giving me some time to speak. One of the key lessons that I drew from your remarks was that you are right to say, 'Okay, levelling up is a new political buzzword,' if you like, but it is not just the responsibility of the UK Government. The UK Government...
Tom Giffard: I apologise. I will wrap up soon. Our planning policies should benefit our communities, not our developers. One of Bridgend council's own reports says: 'transport capacity issues currently preclude additional significant development within this area at present'. Because we are not investing in the Valleys communities, they are considered less attractive to live in. But then, we are not fixing...
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement and I actually welcome some of the practical measures that you've indicated you'll take to improve the creative sector here in Wales. You're right to say that the creative industry here in Wales has suffered over the past 18 months, and, whilst industries such as live music and shows in particular have been affected...
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's a real pleasure for me as a former teaching assistant to respond to this debate today. I think it's been a really interesting debate, with a lot of different perspectives on exactly what the problem is. And I was actually, in part, encouraged by the Minister's response to a number of the problems. Laura Anne Jones in her initial remarks talked about the...
Tom Giffard: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the use of renewable energy? OQ57086
Tom Giffard: Can I thank the First Minister for his answer, and take the opportunity to mention the new Blue Eden project proposed for Swansea bay by the Bridgend-based firm DST Innovations? As you'll be aware, First Minister, this project has the potential to be very exciting for the people of Swansea, providing clean, green marine energy, and boosting the local economy too. Crucially, unlike the last...
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, whilst we all know we need to do more to transition the Welsh economy into a greener one for the future of our planet, many of my constituents in Port Talbot will have legitimate fears about what that might mean for the future of the steel industry and the surrounding community. I know whilst many other Members have mentioned the steel industry, it's also...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Deputy Minister, I wanted to start by asking questions about the parts of your portfolio that have perhaps been most severely affected during the COVID pandemic, and those are the tourism and hospitality sectors. These industries have seen prolonged closures, greater social distancing, having to operate at reduced capacity, and, as a result, a greater loss of revenue...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for that answer. I just wanted to turn to sport and major events. During our previous exchange in the Chamber some four months ago, I raised concerns about the confusion surrounding the legislation on some of the pilot schemes on sport and major events at the time, where there were different rules for different settings. And you in your answer claimed the guidance...
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Deputy Minister, for that answer. I'm interested though, you mentioned about COVID passes being enforced by spot checks. I asked for the percentage of spectators that went to that game that would be expected to have their COVID passes checked, and I didn't appear to hear an answer. So, presumably, if you're going to introduce a rule like that, you would have an expectation as to...
Tom Giffard: Minister, while COVID-19 rates do remain high, the latest Public Health Wales data shows the latest seven-day average is actually falling to 546 cases per 100,000 people. The First Minister said in his recent press conference that the idea of further restrictions would follow if cases remained high. So, I'm curious to get an understanding of exactly how high these would need to be for further...
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Cadeirydd. Each year, every first Thursday of November is the International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School, including cyber bullying. Around 20 per cent of students report being bullied, but only half have reported incidents to an adult. Formal education can and should play a key role in providing children and young people with the knowledge and skills to identify online...
