Joyce Watson: I agree that we have to make absolutely certain that all those things you mentioned, the eye strain, the posture—I'm sure mine isn't very good here at the moment, and that of many other people. So, I think a review now is absolutely the right time because, as I said, we are looking at reviewing working forward. There is a recognition, of course, that many people will want to carry on...
Joyce Watson: [Inaudible.]—are developed and periodically reviewed through a robust process, which includes consultation with all our workplace equality networks, our trade unions, our lawyers, and, when appropriate, advice from our external lawyers. New or revised policies are assessed against all protected characteristics through an equality impact assessment, and the Commission works with independent...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Llywydd. The debate today is broadening the spectrum: adding blue to the green recovery, putting our seas at the heart of the green economy and post-COVID-19 social settlement. Huw Irranca, I have agreed to give a minute to. Time and tide wait for no man or woman. We invoke the sea to describe the inevitable, and today we face three challenges that in their own way make social and...
Joyce Watson: A year on would be a good time to review it in normal times, but given where we are with Brexit and the upheaval of the pandemic, and our resolve to rebuild a better future, it's imperative that we look again at marine policy and make sure that we achieve that blue-green recovery. More recently, the Welsh Government published its 'COVID-19 Reconstruction: Challenges and Priorities', which...
Joyce Watson: 6. How much funding has the Welsh Government provided for out-of-term free school meals across Mid and West Wales? OQ55790
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that. With so much uncertainty around, at least those families now know that holiday provision will continue, as you say, over the Christmas period, and through to next April. Now, that, of course, is with no thanks to the Conservative MPs in my region, including the Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, who voted against giving families in England that same security....
Joyce Watson: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to safeguard the mental health of young people in Wales?
Joyce Watson: 6. What discussions has the First Minister had with the UK Treasury regarding VAT on personal protective equipment? OQ55832
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that answer, but it's actually unthinkable that the UK Treasury would add VAT to PPE and the impact that that surcharge would have on small businesses across Wales who are rightly trying to do the right thing for their staff and for their customers to keep those people safe, and also for charities and third sector organisations, who are providing direct help to people in...
Joyce Watson: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with the UK Government regarding the UK's trade policy as it relates to Wales? OQ55823
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that answer, but there are specific concerns. Last month, the UK Government rejected the amendments to the Agriculture Bill that the House of Lords had laid requiring trade deals to at least meet UK food safety standards and animal welfare standards. I've had significant representation by farmers and their groups, and also from industries like the hospitality sector, who are...
Joyce Watson: When we first published our findings, way back in February, no-one could have foreseen how the emerging pandemic would rip through the economy, nor how our perception and appreciation of employment would shift, and key workers in foundational sectors on the front line. They were the people who couldn't work from home. They were part of the economy that couldn't be shut down. They were...
Joyce Watson: 4. What is the Welsh Government doing to enhance biodiversity? OQ55881
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that answer, Minister, and I'm really pleased to see that Welsh Government has now chosen the first sites for the national forest, and a number of those are in my constituency of Mid and West Wales. I was heartened to see that high numbers of people are keen to take part in planting new woodlands, with more than 350 expressions of interest regarding those projects. Enhancing...
Joyce Watson: 1. Will the Minister provide an update on the optimised retrofit programme? OQ55882
Joyce Watson: I thank you, Minister, for that answer, and I do appreciate that the programme is very much in its infancy at the moment. I do welcome the Welsh Government's approach to trialling upgrades so that we can develop a good understanding of what is most effective. If, as hoped, the programme is rolled out over the coming years, the potential for skilled construction jobs is indeed hugely...
Joyce Watson: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. I move the motion on behalf of myself, Leanne Wood and Helen Mary, who will be closing the debate. It's also supported by John Griffiths, Mick Antoniw and Llyr Gruffydd, and I thank them for that. I'm sure most of our colleagues would support our motion, as would the vast majority of people that we serve. Not all Members of this Chamber do share our view, and...
Joyce Watson: As you know, Llywydd, in September, the UK Government, without consulting the Welsh Government, local authorities, health boards or residents, and without providing additional funds for either Pembrokeshire council or Hywel Dda University Health Board, announced that around 200 asylum seekers would be housed at the Penally former military camp near Tenby. It now houses around 250 men. It...
Joyce Watson: 5. Will the First Minister provide an update on what the Welsh Government is doing to tackle vaccine misinformation? OQ55947
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that, First Minister. Last week, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they had developed a vaccine for COVID-19 and that it was showing promising results, but almost immediately there were messages circulating on social media channels suggesting that the vaccine would be harmful, without any substantiated evidence. I understand that it's natural that people will have concerns...
