Paul Davies: Let me remind the First Minister why the UK Government in 2010 had to reduce spending: because your party colleagues destroyed our economy and left us—[Interruption.]—and left us with a black hole of £150 billion. I know the Labour Party don't like the truth, but that is the truth. Because let me remind the—[Interruption.] Let me remind the—
Paul Davies: And let me remind the First Minister, it was Liam Byrne, the former Labour chief financial Secretary to the Treasury, who left that note and said that there was no money left—his words, not my words. I have to say to you, First Minister: your lack of humility when it comes to genuine scrutiny of your Government's record is absolutely frightening, and it gives us a real snapshot of life if...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, given the problems we've recently seen, which appear to be growing and not getting better, will you agree with me that Transport for Wales is not delivering for the people of Wales?
Paul Davies: Well, quite clearly, we are not turning that corner. Let me give you some of its failings: performance in terms of passenger time lost in cancellations was worse between July and November last year than the previous year; it has struggled to secure long-term rolling stock; it's failed to meet the Welsh language standards on several occasions; and we've seen chaos over the renewal process for...
Paul Davies: First Minister, clearly you are not listening. But it's not surprising that you're not listening to the people of Wales: you're not listening over Brexit, you're not listening when it comes to this airport. The people of Wales don't want a national airport regardless of cost; they want an airport that offers them a stress-free getaway. They don't want you wasting their hard-earned cash with...
Paul Davies: Minister, I'm sure you will join with me in congratulating Ysgol y Preseli in my constituency. As you know, it's a Welsh-medium secondary school graded second in Wales, according to The Sunday Times school guide this year, for its excellent performance. It's important that other schools learn from Welsh-medium schools such as Ysgol y Preseli in terms of promoting the use of the Welsh language...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. First Minister, the Welsh Government's own latest figures have shown that more than 11,000 young people received counselling in 2017-18. Indeed, more worryingly, figures from the charity Barnardo's Cymru have confirmed that the number of children it helped in the past year rose by 56 per cent. In light of these very serious figures, can you tell us what...
Paul Davies: I appreciate that response, First Minister, because as you know poor mental health can, of course, affect anyone from any background and at any age. Indeed, one of the less discussed facets of mental health is in relation to the farming sector in Wales. Sadly, agriculture carries one of the highest rates of suicide, and the remoteness of many farming communities mean they are often...
Paul Davies: First Minister, of course, it's not just children and young people, or indeed farmers, who are struggling to access appropriate mental health services. We also know that depression is more common in older people than in any other age group, and sometimes they are not being recognised as they should and therefore not being provided with the support that they need. It is deeply worrying that...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, the Welsh Government's latest figures show that over 12,000 cattle were slaughtered due to bovine tuberculosis. This is an eye-watering 24 per cent increase on the previous year. These figures are the highest on record. Where is your Government's policy going wrong?
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, you've just said it yourself: you are finding more incidents of TB. And let's be clear: your policy is not working, otherwise the number of cattle slaughtered due to bovine TB would be decreasing, but, instead, we're seeing an increase. And whichever way you want to look at this, the fact remains that the Welsh farming sector is under a huge amount of pressure. This...
Paul Davies: It's quite clear, First Minister, that farmers and farming unions don't think that your current policy on bovine TB is working and that's why it is crucial now that your Government reconsiders this policy in order to tackle this disease in a much more holistic way. Another pressing issue raised with me this morning, where the Welsh Government also has responsibility, is in relation to nitrate...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to take part in this important debate and lay out the position of the Welsh Conservatives. Today's legislative consent motion provides this Parliament with a clear opportunity to deliver the result that the people of Wales voted for in the 2016 EU referendum. Nearly four years after that referendum, we, on this side of the Chamber, believe it's time to finally...
Paul Davies: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's plans to improve broadband services in west Wales? OAQ54942
Paul Davies: I appreciate that response from the Deputy Minister. I've previously raised the situation faced by the people of Mynachlog-ddu in my constituency, who, unfortunately, experience a slow and intermittent broadband service, coupled with stranded technology where wires are effectively hanging on poles. As the Deputy Minister will know, Pembrokeshire is currently twentieth out of the 22 local...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to take part in this debate this afternoon. The previous speakers have championed the importance of the FE sector here in Wales, and highlighted some excellent examples of the skills and courses that our FE providers deliver. As we leave the European Union, it is essential that our providers are able to continue to deliver these vital skills....
Paul Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s Brexit preparation plans?
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, last week, it was reported that the A465 Heads of the Valleys road is facing possible further delays and, as you know, it's already significantly over budget. That road was due to be finished at the end of last year. Could you tell us when the Heads of the Valleys road will be completed, and can you also confirm whether the Welsh Government will be spending...
Paul Davies: First Minister, this particular stretch of road is just one example of many of the frustrations that communities across Wales have had with the Welsh Government's handling of road infrastructure projects. At the end of last year, the Welsh Infrastructure Alliance made it clear in their report that significant investment is required in Wales's trunk road network and more certainty is required...
Paul Davies: Well, you should apologise, First Minister, for the mismanagement of this particular project, and you should be apologising to the people of Wales for other projects that your Government has mismanaged. It's a fact that communities are frustrated with the Welsh Government's approach to road infrastructure here in Wales, and there seems, to me, little accountability from Ministers for your...
