Carwyn Jones: We have made it clear that it’s for the council to consider in detail the possibility of keeping the leisure centre open, but, if not, they should consider ensuring that there is an opportunity for the community to run the centre itself. There are examples of that across Wales. Of course, what nobody would want to see is the centre closing without those options being explored.
Carwyn Jones: The current political landscape around the world means relations with the US are more important than ever—economically, politically and culturally. We do maintain a strong presence in the US, including opening our latest office in Atlanta, and I visited the USA in September and plan to visit again next year.
Carwyn Jones: These are matters for the US population, of course. But, I can see the strong point that she makes. For me, what is hugely important is that the relationship with the USA continues, that the USA doesn’t become an isolationist, nationalist country, and that nothing happens after the election that imperils the commitment of the USA to NATO. I think these are all issues that concern us, and I...
Carwyn Jones: There is advice available through the team here in Cardiff, but also advice from the offices in America. There will be a group travelling to America later this month, on a trade mission, to see what kind of interest there is in Wales from investors, but also, of course, to seek new markets for Welsh producers.
Carwyn Jones: I doubt it. His party has been very strongly against TTIP for reasons that are not European. Now, if TTIP is an agreement that will be presented for the UK, then his objections would still remain. I’ve heard objections from many who have called into question the ability of governments to provide public services with TTIP as it currently stands, so I assume that he will be as vehement in his...
Carwyn Jones: Three things—I would expect most businesses to see a reduction in their rateable value, if only for the fact that the last valuation took place in 2008, before, of course, the world economic crisis that occurred after that. Secondly, however, of course, our small business rate relief scheme will continue to reach more businesses—a greater percentage of businesses—than is the case in...
Carwyn Jones: Again, I make mention of the fact that £10 million is being set aside in new money for a transitional scheme to help businesses that do face these difficulties.
Carwyn Jones: I don’t want to undervalue their position in any way. Can I ask the leader of the Welsh Conservatives to write to me with those examples? He’s made mention of one particular town and he’s made mention of businesses that have experienced difficulty through the appeals process and have seen a potentially large increase in their business rates. If you could share his examples with me, I...
Carwyn Jones: I like to look at the weight of evidence when we deal with a particular scenario, and the overwhelming weight of evidence from those who are qualified is that climate change is happening and that human activity has an effect on climate change. If climate change isn’t happening, then clearly we need to re-examine our flood defence policy because we’re spending money on flood defences that...
Carwyn Jones: If it’s a question of sanity, then the insanity he displayed along with his party in the 1980s when our coal-mining industry was closed down is testament to that. I welcome his conversion, but one thing I have to say to him is that coal as a source of fuel is not going to return in the UK. The deep mines are gone: they’ve been built over, there are buildings and homes over them. The only...
Carwyn Jones: I cannot stand here in all seriousness and listen to a man with his history lecture me about standing up for working people. This is somebody who sat there in Parliament in the 1980s and waved through the greatest act of industrial vandalism that the UK has ever seen: the destruction of jobs in the steel industry, the erosion of the coal industry, communities having their livelihoods...
Carwyn Jones: No, I don’t accept that. Of course, every year we have put forward a new package of support for veterans, and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing in this year, too, to ensure that they do have means of accessing mental health care, and for them to receive support with everything that they need once they leave the armed forces.
Carwyn Jones: Well, in my opinion, this happens now, but having said that, there’s no one system that can’t be improved. The way to do that is the way that we’re doing now—using those bodies that support veterans so that we can strengthen packages put forward for them. We have a good relationship between those bodies and Government.
Carwyn Jones: We’d need to examine what the effect of the legislation would be, but nevertheless, the sentiments that the Member expresses are ones that I share. We want to ensure that our veterans get the best package possible, and the best deal possible, once they’ve left the armed forces. That is done through working with veterans organisations such as the Royal British Legion; it’s done through...
Carwyn Jones: The Welsh Government recognises the rights of parents to home educate their children. We also recognise the rights of children to receive an efficient and suitable education, to be listened to and to be safe. Our revised guidance, to be published shortly, reflects this.
Carwyn Jones: Local authorities, of course, have the main responsibility here, but I’m not saying there that we don’t have any responsibility at all. We’ll ensure that the guidance that comes out will strengthen the situation of local authorities and will explain what the duties and rights of parents, children and local authorities are. We’ll continue to consider how efficient and effective that...
Carwyn Jones: Clearly, it’s important that local authorities have enough people to work with home-educating parents and home-educated children. We will consider carefully if there are any further steps that will need to be taken. Regulation might be appropriate in the future, if necessary, in order to support home-educated learners, but our approach is to use this guidance to make sure that local...
Carwyn Jones: There are many different reasons why parents choose to home educate. I don’t believe that the system as a whole is a reason for that. We’re seeing ever improving education results in Wales and, of course, we’re seeing budgets having been protected and investment in schools—unlike, of course, the situation across the border.
Carwyn Jones: The guidance, of course, will help to continue to ensure that, providing local authorities with the clarity that they need to ensure that the education that is provided is of a sufficient standard.
Carwyn Jones: We know that no-cold-calling zones help to make people feel safer in their communities. We know the number of homes covered by zones continues to increase. What we are never sure of is whether no-cold-calling zones include political canvassers.
