Mick Antoniw: .... We have had, of course, the Bellamy review. I met with Lord Bellamy, and we discussed the improvements that he is proposing in respect of criminal legal aid. Some improvements have been not only recommended, but it has been indicated by the UK Government that they will be implemented. Of course, Lord Bellamy is now a justice Minister, but it's profoundly disappointing that the UK...
Jeremy Miles: ...forward to further discussions as part of that committee. The debate goes to the heart of our sense of ourselves as a nation and how we see ourselves reflected back at us in the media. That’s another reason why it’s so important. There’s also the issue of the economic impact of the BBC within Wales. Rhianon Passmore talked about the property investments in Wales, which are...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Vikki Howells. And again, the representation across all constituencies—yours in the Cynon Valley—of volunteers running these projects, instigating these projects, and I want to put on record again my sincere thanks to all of the volunteers who are responding, helping to support their communities. Also, just to confirm, this goes back to our £1 million warm hubs...
Alun Davies: ...in all parts of Wales at the moment in terms of how we deliver local government. I want to strengthen that accountability, but I also want to see how we can ensure that we have a diversity in representation in local government. There have been a number of reports in front of this place over many, many years that have described the lack of diversity in local government. The Member for Arfon...
Rebecca Evans: ...provision in future, I understand that there have been proposals to change that, and I would suggest that you raise your concerns directly with the relevant Minister, who will be able to make representations on your behalf. And, as you say, we do have a statement from the First Minister on Brexit as the next item in the Chamber this afternoon, and I would suggest that you raise the issue...
Mr Simon Thomas: ...is something that we ought now to genuinely consider along with changes to the national curriculum. Thirdly, we have to ensure that whatever we do is commensurate with or proportional to the representation that we have in the Assembly already or improves on that proportionality. And it's important to Plaid Cymru that we strike the right balance between local accountability and the fact...
John Griffiths: ...by an increase in capacity and resource to enable that job, that bigger job, to be done as effectively as it needs to be done, and that is the point, isn't it? It's about powers for a purpose, not powers for the sake of having those powers, but powers to deliver better for the people of Wales. And I would like to say as well, Dirprwy Lywydd, that I do believe, from a Labour and Welsh...
Vaughan Gething: I don’t think there was much to agree upon in terms of Michelle Brown’s contribution, but we’re really serious about protecting and standing up for the national health service—it’s not about electoral calculus, it’s about our commitment and our values, not just in creating the service, but in sustaining it for the future. And I recognise the challenges that Lee Waters outlined...
Jeremy Miles: ...people who are isolated, and the speed, really, of our ability to introduce GP appointments online, over video, at scale. I think part of the challenge for all governments in the future, really, is not to unlearn that behaviour and to be able to make that kind of change into the future in, hopefully, more benign contexts, in more benign climates. But the point that you make is absolutely...
Mick Antoniw: ...agree with the statement that was made by Marilyn Brown of UKIP on ‘Sharp End’ only a matter of weeks ago, that EU citizens living in Wales should be given full citizenship now, and should not be used as bargaining chips, so there’s obviously a division within the position that UKIP has presented. Can I also say that, in respect of children—that, in many ways, is one of the most...
Mark Isherwood: ...boards, regarding integrated health and social care support, they replied: 'What we're hearing back from some of the regional organisations is that the level of involvement of older people representation isn't as good as they would like it to be, and through the development of regional partnership boards we'd like to see more meaningful engagement of more older people, and their...
Vaughan Gething: I think there are two things—the first is that the Welsh Government was never in a position to give a guarantee that it would not be taxed. We made clear publicly that we wanted the UK Government to agree not to tax this so it could be treated, as Mike Hedges said earlier, as a gift, not as a taxable payment. They've done that in the past in extraordinary circumstances—for example, it was...
Jane Hutt: ..., because I think this is something where we are taking responsibility. But we, very fortunately, have got a faith communities forum here in Wales, and it's good that today, this morning, we had representation from not just Muslims—we had Sikh, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Bahá’í, Catholic Church, Church in Wales, Churches Together; we had everyone around the table, chaired by the First...
Rhianon Passmore: ..., Deputy Minister, what does the Welsh Government intend to do to assess our current ability in Wales to diagnose people with problem gambling, refer them to appropriate pathways for help, and what representations can the Welsh Government make to the UK Government on a much-speculated White Paper on the future of gambling in the United Kingdom?
Hefin David: Yes, I absolutely agree with that, and the Member for Cardiff North seems to have had very similar representations to those that I’ve had. Therefore, if we are to vote with the Government today, I’d suggest that we ask the Minister to provide some assurances in her response that these issues are going to be addressed and closely monitored, and that the need for future legislation...
Mark Isherwood: My question was, rather, what representations you would be making. Clearly, I appreciate how the budget round works and was not seeking to score party-political points. I fully supported the protection of that budget last year and I will continue to do so into the future, not just because of homelessness, but because of the related impact of early intervention on substance misuse, on domestic...
Jeremy Miles: ...starting with the contribution that Mick Antoniw made. I'm pleased to hear him restate my understanding that the committee recommends the principles should be agreed. He spoke about the importance not just of the accessibility of law, but of access to law more broadly. I full-heartedly endorse that objective. It's one of the driving ambitions of the Bill. Yes, the democratic accountability...
Kirsty Williams: ...constantly under review. My officials met as recently as 14 October with Public Health Wales, to discuss the appropriateness of current advice. Unfortunately, at this time, residential trips are not recommended, but as soon as we are able to do so, then clearly we will want to change that. With regard to discussions for economic support, recognising not only the importance for children of...
Jane Hutt: ...from the legislation coming into force, but working in partnership and to recognise that this is something fundamental in terms of how we address this. I will take the opportunity just to respond not in answer to Sarah Murphy, but to a question that was raised with me earlier on as well by Sioned Williams. We're very disappointed about the Law Commission's report on hate crime today, the...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Simon Thomas, for those two questions. Indeed, I recall that you raised the issue of the proposed closures of the DWP offices, and of course those concerns are not only shared by the Welsh Government, but by other Assembly Members and their constituents. And, again, it is important and timely that you raise this, for us to re-examine where we are on this in terms of our...
