David Melding: First Minister, I agree with many Members here that more should've been done to learn from the roll-out process and to do that as quickly as possible. I welcome Amber Rudd's decision that that will now be speeded up, especially by listening to expert advice and experience of those who have now moved to the new system. But the new system is one that has been widely welcomed in making it...
David Melding: I am very pleased to welcome this statement. In particular, I would commend the following elements: I think the focus on NEETs is absolutely right, that is a major risk indicator. As the Minister said, this is a complex problem, but it needs an approach that really ensures that young people have as full lives as possible. Therefore, they need to be doing something constructive with their...
David Melding: Presiding Officer, I'm pleased to have attracted your eye. I'm very grateful. I hadn't originally intended to speak in this debate, but I do think Steffan Lewis has raised points that are important and deserve a response, in what I thought was a thoughtful contribution. I enjoyed Dai Lloyd's contribution, but I'm not so sure it was quite as thoughtful, but it was certainly plangent and...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, I was born on 28 August. I think I first raised this issue over 10 years ago, and I think we need to be even more radical, because I was young for my physical age as well as being born on 28 August. I think I was often 18 months behind many of the people that were in the same class year as me. It caused reading and writing difficulties when I was in primary school, and it...
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee has heard this issue, and insulin was raised, as were radionuclides, which are essential for scanning equipment. I think what the Government has to do, in co-operation with the UK Government, is set in place arrangements over these key medicines and products about how that would be handled. I don't think for a moment...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I'm very pleased to take part in this debate and I welcome it. I'd like to thank those involved in producing these two reports. It's rigorous work and I think an excellent base for future options to be developed. I also think there'll be a lot of common ground on these matters, and I look forward to the development of specific proposals. We won't actually be...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. What is the Welsh Government doing to increase sport participation for children in deprived areas in Wales?
David Melding: Can I thank the Minister for that answer? And can I also commend the work of Sport Wales, and the report that was published last week, which at least is looking at the right areas? But it did find that the levels of participation amongst the most deprived children were actually down on where they were last year, and the gap between them and children from wealthier areas—that gap has...
David Melding: I agree with you, Minister, that we need higher participation rates, but I am concerned about that gap that's affecting those from the most deprived communities in particular, and I do think it is an issue for all departments of Government under your direction and co-ordination to look at, because it does need a comprehensive approach—and you've already mentioned health education; it also...
David Melding: Can I add my support to Dai Lloyd, in saying how important this project is? And I am indeed relieved that, in principle, the Welsh Government is still committed to it. I do think it's unfortunate that, at this late stage, we've not really heard some of the substance of the main concerns, and I think all the stakeholders now need to get together and make some sort of statement about how this...
David Melding: Can I commend our acting Chair for the alacrity with which he's performed his temporary duties this afternoon? I think it was an excellent summary of our report, and the importance of it, and a great start to this debate. I think the non-public funding that the arts sector receives is a key sign of its health, or otherwise. And it's important that we focus on this aspect. We all know that,...
David Melding: What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the importance of the construction sector to the Welsh economy?
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, can I commend the Welsh Government for commissioning the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University to look at housing needs of older people and other general care needs? They found that 18 local authorities in Wales expect an increase in the general housing needs of older people; 16 local authorities expected an increase in demand for extra-care housing for...
David Melding: I do believe the PM's deal is a good one, and it reflects the situation produced by the referendum result, which was 52 per cent in favour of leave, 48 per cent for remain. It's a nuanced position we now find ourselves in: an ongoing relationship with Europe, but also removal from its political structures. I think that is a fair reflection of where we are as a people at the moment. Above all...
David Melding: I'm reaching the end, but I will take the—.
David Melding: Well, as a liberal Conservative, I think that's been the mission of my life so far, so I certainly do agree with you. But I know that in a democracy, you've got to be able to accept a decision that you profoundly, bitterly disagree with—that's what a democracy is all about. It's not about just having it easy all the time or losing for five years then your party gets back in—it alternates....
David Melding: I want to speak about housing, and I think it's a fairly sobering experience to look at the record going back over the last 20 or 25 years. I don't want to make a particularly partisan speech. I want us to look at how we can forge a new consensus, and, happily, we have a lot of flexibility in improving the planning system, adapting some of our spending, but a lot of what we need to do could...
David Melding: And those rules are being changed; the borrowing cap is going to be lifted.
David Melding: Cabinet Secretary, you will know, and I'm sure you welcomed, as I did, the decision of RCT council to launch the largest ever capital investment programme in their history. It's set at £300 million, of which £45 million will be on housing. Some innovative schemes are planned, and some important partnerships with the private sector and housing associations—and the local authority itself,...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Minister, it's nearly a year since the finance Secretary announced his changes to land transaction tax, moving the standard threshold for payment from £150,000 to £180,000. What assessment has your department made of the likely effect this will have on first-time buyers in Wales?
