Peredur Owen Griffiths: I'm pleased to speak in this debate today on behalf of the Finance Committee.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: In the previous Senedd, the Minister told the Finance Committee that she was seeking additional funding from the UK Government to address coal tip safety in Wales. In response to that request, the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury said that the Welsh Government is more than adequately funded to manage future costs as part of its normal budget planning. However, it seems that this is an...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I thank Luke for bringing this debate before us today, and I'm very pleased to take part in the debate.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Dementia is a cruel, cruel disease that has a huge impact on thousands of families across Wales. I know about its devastating impact through my own family as my great aunt had dementia. We will hear many personal and powerful stories shared during this debate, so to complement that, I wanted to focus on what the third sector organisations had to say about what could be done to help improve...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I'm pleased and grateful to have the opportunity to respond to the statement today.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: The well-being of future generations Act has been lauded internationally, and rightfully so. It's a groundbreaking piece of legislation that has the potential to transform our country for the better. Who could argue with legislation that enshrines seven cross-cutting well-being goals of prosperity, resilience, health, equality, cohesive communities, a vibrant culture with a thriving Welsh...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to speak in this debate today on behalf of the Finance Committee.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Tax-raising powers, including the ability to create new taxes, are essential tools for governments to use as a means of raising revenue to support spending for public services and to influence behavioural change. The Wales Act 2014 devolved fiscal powers to the Senedd for the first time, including conferring tax powers to replace stamp duty land tax, landfill tax, as well as the ability to...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: How is the Government working to improve public transport?
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Older people are a large and important part of my portfolio for Plaid Cymru. During the past week, I've had an opportunity to have a webinar with the older people's commissioner. It was an online session that launched the state of the nation report produced by the commissioner. One of the main points made during the webinar was the significant decline in the physical and mental health of...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: One aspect of health that is more likely to affect older people, but can also strike at any age, is cancer services. There's room for improvement in these services if we are to achieve the best outcome for patients. It would be useful to have an update on the next steps for the quality statement for cancer. We need to see strong leadership for cancer in Wales, and clear plans should include...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you, Llywydd. Luke Fletcher and Jenny Rathbone have asked for a minute of my time, and I've agreed to that. Thank you very much.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: It's been more than 40 years since the United States declared their war on drugs. Since then, various administrations across the world have copied this superpower and pursued a policy that has taken a tough approach to tackling drugs, but with little evidence that it tackles addiction, or tackles the hold that criminal gangs have on areas in which they operate. The fact that this so-called...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: What is the Welsh Government doing to prevent flooding in communities in South Wales East?
Peredur Owen Griffiths: When I raised the issue of reduced day-care centre provision in Caerphilly County Borough Council for disabled adults and the implications this has for clients, their families and staff, you referred the matter to Caerphilly County Borough Council. Well, it may be a coincidence, but the Labour administration there decided to take a step back and consult properly on the matter. The old Welsh...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: How is the Government improving public transport for communities in South Wales East?
Peredur Owen Griffiths: 7. How is the Government ensuring that animal sanctuaries are taking sufficient steps to meet welfare standards? OQ57014
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Diolch, Minister. We have some incredible sanctuaries here in Wales doing vital work to rescue animals that have been abandoned or injured. The vast majority of sanctuaries and rescue centres are models of good practice. However, there is no regulation of them. Anyone can establish one, whether or not they have the experience and the know-how. It is the view of the RSPCA, one of the leading...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Our communities are important to all Members of Plaid Cymru across Wales, but they're particularly important to me because they're part of my portfolio. So, I'd like to focus my contribution to this debate on the generation of community energy, and we've heard about that in the previous debate. It's possible these projects could only be a small part of the energy system in future, but they...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: To wrap up, I'd like to outline some of the steps the sector has been asking Welsh Government to take, and I'd certainly appreciate a response from the Minister—[Interruption.] Yes, certainly.
