Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, it's been reported today that the list of people waiting for routine surgery in Wales is nearly six times longer than a year ago, and one orthopaedic surgeon has warned waiting times for things like knee and hip replacements could be three years. Is he right, First Minister?
Paul Davies: Well, quite clearly, First Minister, the Welsh Government therefore needs to redouble its efforts, because a number of professional organisations have expressed real concern about the resumption of services over the last few months. Over the summer, the Royal College of Surgeons warned that delays to surgery will already have resulted in an increased need for complex surgery; the British...
Paul Davies: First Minister, I can't emphasise enough that behind the Welsh Government's figures are real people desperately waiting for treatments and surgeries. Even in areas that are not in lockdown measures, like Pembrokeshire, there are examples of extortionately long waits for treatment; for example, last week, I highlighted an 81-week wait for dental treatment for an 11-year-old autistic child in...
Paul Davies: 8. What is the Welsh Government doing to support the Pembrokeshire economy for the next 12 months? OQ55633
Paul Davies: Thank you for that response, Minister. Now, I recently visited Nolton Stables, an accommodation provider and countryside riding facility in my constituency, which is one of many small tourism businesses that are in a very challenging financial position because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the pandemic, the owners have also diversified their business to include a drive-in cinema as...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, yesterday, one of your health Ministers warned that a second national lockdown could be introduced here in Wales. Does this mean that the Welsh Government's current approach to implementing the current lockdowns has been a failure?
Paul Davies: Llywydd, of course, the First Minister wants to talk about England, so let's talk about England. Let's talk about the fact that the latest evidence from the Office for National Statistics shows that the number of COVID-related deaths is proportionately higher here in Wales than in England. Let's talk about the fact that two thirds of tests carried out in Wales are done by UK lighthouse labs...
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, you say that you, as a Government, publish the data, but that's not the case though, is it? Because Vaughan Gething has already made it clear that the Welsh Government won't publish more localised data to keep people in Wales more informed. Because on 25 September, he said he doesn't want to provide a running commentary. You're saying one thing and Vaughan Gething is...
Paul Davies: 3. Will the Deputy Minister make a statement on the voluntary sector in Wales and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ55674
Paul Davies: Absolutely, Deputy First Minister. I think the voluntary sector throughout Wales, and indeed in Pembrokeshire, has worked incredibly hard over the past few months to support vulnerable people in our communities. And to give you just an example, the Milford Haven Community Covid Care project has been working with the Big Lottery community fund to deliver meal packs, children's craft packs,...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, if the Welsh Government introduces a travel ban on English people entering Wales, then it's absolutely essential that it publishes the data it has to prove that transmission rates are accelerating due to travel. Now, as I said in my questions to you yesterday afternoon, the people of Wales deserve to have sight of the data that underpins the Welsh...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, the Wales-wide lockdown announcement yesterday has left many people across Wales frustrated and disappointed that their freedoms will be curtailed, their ability to see their loved ones restricted and their businesses told to close. Whilst I'm open-minded about further restrictions, regardless of what others may say, the full picture of data that is available...
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, you say that there is compelling evidence, you say you publish all the data, but information on a community-to-community basis is still not available in all parts of Wales, and data on a transmission basis and on a demographic basis is certainly not available. So, I would urge you to publish that level of information as a matter of urgency. Now, First Minister, to my...
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, I've already told you the data that your Government should be publishing—you should be publishing data on a community-to-community basis in all parts of Wales, you should be publishing data on a transmission basis, you should be publishing data on a demographic basis. That information is not available—it's not being made available by your Government, and it is being...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd, and I move the amendment tabled in the name of my colleague Darren Millar. Can I say, from the outset, that we on this side of the Chamber continue to remain open-minded about any further lockdown measures? But, before a nationwide lockdown is implemented, there needs to be an honest appraisal of the current measures, a full picture of all the data that justifies why a...
Paul Davies: 5. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's immediate priorities for schools in Pembrokeshire? OQ55718
Paul Davies: Thank you for that response, Minister. Now, as you know, supply teachers can play a key role in supporting our schools, and I'm sure that supporting those professionals is also a priority of yours. Now, I've received correspondence from local supply teachers who are deeply worried that many are not being paid the basic recommended minimum rate, as outlined in the supply teaching framework. As...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, as the Welsh Government starts considering the effectiveness of its firebreak lockdown, it is crucial that it also assesses the level of support that is being offered to Welsh businesses, many of whom have been under some form of Government restrictions for much longer than just two weeks, of course. Can you tell us whether you believe the Welsh Government's...
Paul Davies: Well, First Minister, it remains a fact that businesses in most parts of south Wales and north Wales have been under Government restrictions for several weeks, and many have simply not been able to access the support that they need, and prior to the Wales-wide lockdown, you made it clear that businesses would receive grants automatically. However, that hasn't been the case. Not only have...
Paul Davies: Well, I'm glad you will be saying something a little bit later on this afternoon, because businesses do actually want clarity from you, First Minister. Now, it's not just businesses that need support; it's people too, of course. On 30 October, you once again confirmed that self-isolation grants can be awarded to people on low incomes in Wales who are required to self-isolate. You had...
