Russell George: Thank you for your answer, First Minister. The level of service on the rail network in Wales has been wholly unacceptable over the summer. I have received dozens and dozens of complaints, either with people copying me into their own correspondence to Transport for Wales, or constituents contacting me directly—not to mention the issues aired over social media. Complaints fall into a number...
Russell George: Why didn't you say it?
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move those amendments in the name of Darren Millar. I'd like to thank the Deputy Minister for his update on the progress of the Valleys taskforce and also for his earlier update sent by e-mail to Members this afternoon; I haven't had time to look at that in great detail. I would like to reiterate the Welsh Conservatives' support for the Valleys...
Russell George: 3. Will the Minister explain how the awarding of discretionary business rate relief can support small and medium sized businesses? OAQ54311
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Trefnydd. You've previously talked about, and your predecessors have talked about, reforming the business rate system in Wales. When it comes to business full rate relief, properties, of course, with a rateable value of up to £12,000 can benefit from rate relief in England, but in Wales that figure is just for business properties with a rateable value of up to...
Russell George: I have to say, it is, of course, incredibly disappointing to hear of yet more potential job losses in south Wales, and, clearly, my thoughts are with the families affected. We are, of course, aware of a number of businesses that are having difficulties along the M4 corridor—some of the businesses were mentioned in Delyth Jewell's question as she outlined some of the businesses affected. I...
Russell George: First Minister, an issue that is raising concern is the lack of toilets on the new trains that are planned for the network, which serves Islwyn and the south Wales Valleys. And it seems that the proposal that's being put forward for people who are disabled, elderly or with medical conditions is to get off the train to use a toilet at a station and then wait for the next train. I wonder if you...
Russell George: I'd like to request a Government statement and time to question the Government's proposals as set out in the draft national development framework. The proposals were, of course, issued over August, when Assembly Members were in summer recess and were unable to ask questions at that time. I do fully appreciate the Minister facilitated a drop-in event for AMs last week, which I did attend, and...
Russell George: Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Minister for his statement on the vision of rail in Wales? I support the Minister's view with regard to the devolution of rail infrastructure—I think it's important to say that. There was a lot of talk, Minister, in your statement about innovative, bespoke solutions to deliver an integrated transport network, transforming the railways...
Russell George: With regard to the Minister's assertion that there's been a decade of underinvestment in our rail network, I wonder if the Minister welcomes the UK Government's investment of more than £2 billion in the Wales route between 2019 and 2024, which will be a record investment in Wales's railway and an increase of 28 per cent on the last control period. I would also be grateful if the Minister...
Russell George: Will the First Minister make a statement on the draft National Development Framework?
Russell George: Can I also align my views to the other Members who have spoken in regard to the sympathy for those staff who are affected and, of course, the many other people that have been affected and are still being affected as well? I am pleased, Minister, in regard to the hotline that’s been set up that you referred to in regard to Working Wales—I think that’s the right approach. I wonder what...
Russell George: I would also join in in congratulating Wales on a fantastic win this weekend. The Rugby World Cup, of course, is a fantastic sporting event, but it also has the opportunity to sell Wales to the world. There's not a single ounce of Welsh lamb eaten in the United States at the moment as the market is dominated by New Zealand, and I would imagine it is also the same position in Asia. Ninety-two...
Russell George: 7. Will the First Minister make a statement on the potential for wind and solar energy in mid-Wales? OAQ54413
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. I am someone who also believes that we do need to invest in renewable technologies, and we also need to have a mixed basket of forms of renewable energy solutions. I was disappointed that the consultation on the national development framework was published during the Assembly recess. I do think that we as AMs need to scrutinise those proposals in detail....
Russell George: I'd like to thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon. We have heard a lot of negativity about the potential impact of Brexit on the Welsh economy, but I hope the Minister will agree with me that it's now time we did deliver on the result of the Brexit referendum, to give businesses the certainty that they want and that the Minister wants to see. I do think that the British public...
Russell George: No. So, let's be positive about some of the opportunities that we have before us. The 2019 spending round will see Wales benefit from a £600 million boost from the UK Government. Despite the Brexit uncertainty, we're also seeing that the exports of goods have risen by 4.2 per cent. The Minister did list a whole number of recent and sad decisions of businesses closing and job losses, but...
Russell George: I will do, Deputy Presiding Officer. And I wonder if the Minister would welcome the announcement yesterday by the Chancellor, in terms of paving the way for more money for infrastructure revolution, to build more roads, to revive our bus services as well, and how will the Welsh Government prioritise these budget consequences to support economic growth across Wales? And my last question,...
Russell George: Diolch, Llywydd. Can the Minister tell me when Wales can expect to have a reliable rail service?
Russell George: Minister, there'll be many people across Wales who will not agree with you that we have a reliable rail service. You have great aspirations, which I would welcome and agree with, but passengers want to know when they can expect a rail service that is reliable now. Passengers want to see improvements now, not just in the future. But this is what you told the people of Wales last year, and I'm...
