Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, First Minister. The UK Tory Government has finally admitted that it will not fully replace EU funding to Wales for three years, this despite Boris saying constantly that the people of Wales would not be a penny poorer when the UK left the European Union. Boris economical with the truth—who would have thought it? While the Welsh people stand to lose £1 billion a year, Boris and his...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Minister, the Tory cost-of-living crisis is impacting on every single household in Islwyn, and I welcome very much the Minister's Ofgem meeting on many topics, but especially around the prepayment meter concerns that have been raised. Ofgem have stated that average energy charges for households will rise to £1,971 in April, with no current immediate UK help. With the...
Rhianon Passmore: I wish to thank the Minister, Rebecca Evans, for her approach and manner of engagement with the Senedd Finance Committee scrutiny of this very fair, green and progressive draft budget. And I also wish to thank fellow finance Members and our very stalwart Chair. Wales has endured and continues to endure a global pandemic that has led to the very fundamentals and the very paradigm of our Welsh...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. In regard to that last statement, we all know that we need a vibrant mixed economy in terms of care, whether that's in nursery or childcare or in elder care. Would you also recognise that when we're dealing with a paucity of money within the public purse, due to the Welsh block grant cuts in real terms—in real terms—that—
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, the Tory cost-of-living crisis is impacting on every single household in Islwyn. Yet, while some Islwyn residents have to choose between eating or heating, yesterday, oil giant BP announced its highest profits for eight years: £9.5 billion. Last week, Shell announced profits of £14.3 billion, which analysts believe will grow to £23.6 billion by the end of the financial year in...
Rhianon Passmore: 2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to increase the number of apprenticeships in Islwyn? OQ57681
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, First Minister. The Welsh Labour Government's avowed commitment to ensure at least 90 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds will be in education, employment or training by 2050 is a hallmark of the progressive agenda of this socialist Welsh Labour Government. First Minister, when I speak to my constituents, whether they be a grandmother in Crumlin, a father in Cwmcarn or a young person...
Rhianon Passmore: What initiatives is the Welsh Government undertaking to involve the people of Islwyn in a national conversation about nature?
Rhianon Passmore: As a member of the Senedd's Finance Committee, I wish to thank the Chair of our committee, Peredur Owen Griffiths, for his stewardship, and to my fellow committee members, Mike Hedges and Peter Fox, for their solid work on the committee. I also want to take this opportunity to place on record my thanks to my colleagues Jack Sargeant, Carolyn Thomas and Alun Davies, who have ably substituted...
Rhianon Passmore: 4. What discussions has the Minister had with HM Treasury to ensure that the Welsh Government has the finance it needs to support the people of Islwyn through the cost-of-living crisis? OQ57922
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Minister. People in my constituency of Islwyn and across Wales are facing a truly unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. The Office for Budget Responsibility has said that in 2022-23 we will see the biggest fall in living standards since records began. We know that the poorest in society will be impacted the most, particularly those on benefits in constituencies like mine. Minister,...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. Is there any recognition that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 inhibits the right to protest?
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you very much. Do you acknowledge that the level of UK infrastructural spend in Wales has been negligent and when is your party going to stand up for Wales?
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. Would you acknowledge that the rise in national insurance contributions is going to hit the poorest people, pro rata, the most, and that this is taxation by stealth?
Rhianon Passmore: 6. How is the Welsh Government supporting parents of primary school pupils in Islwyn with the cost of the school day? OQ58190
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for that, First Minister. I am proud, however, that our Welsh Labour Government has rightly committed to delivering free school meals to all primary school children in Wales. A recent letter to the UK Government from teaching unions set out the benefits provided by free school meals, and it said: 'Every school day we see the benefits free school meals provide to those currently...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
