Joyce Watson: I have two brief requests, Trefnydd: first, could we have time in the Chamber to discuss the annual report of the national advisers on domestic violence and abuse, please? Tomorrow is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Children, and last year, there were the deaths of 1,300 women, and five of those in Wales. Normally, I would be requesting Members to...
Joyce Watson: As a Member of the committee that scrutinised this Bill, I stand here to make some comments. There is no doubt that we need a national development plan, and underneath that, there's no doubt that we probably need a strategic development plan. But I'm going to raise my voice in support of communities that might feel somewhat removed from that process. I note that the local government and...
Joyce Watson: Will the Minister provide an update on the COVID-secure measures being taken in secondary schools?
Joyce Watson: I thank you, Minister, for your statement today. To mark the international day on Thursday, I, along with others, will be taking part in a panel discussion for Leonard Cheshire Cymru, and the topic is political engagement, encouraging young disabled people to use their voice and vote in the political process. So, today's discussion will be a good jumping-off point for that event. This year,...
Joyce Watson: 9. What discussions has the Minister had with local health officials and county councillors regarding COVID-19 case rates in west Wales? OQ55982
Joyce Watson: I thank you for that answer. There have been a number of incidents recently that illustrate just how precarious this situation is, how quickly local health services can be overtaken by events, and why firm action to control the virus is vital. More than a dozen schools, nurseries and a college campus had to close in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion after localised spikes, and a number of patients...
Joyce Watson: 6. What assessment has the Minister made of the provision of out-of-hours mental health services? OQ55980
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Gweinidog. I'm so pleased that the Twilight Sanctuary service is now up and running in Pembrokeshire. For the next few months, it will provide a safe refuge for adults experiencing mental distress in those crucial hours when other support services are closed. It follows the success of that project in Llanelli. As a preventative service, it provides early access to help, and that goes...
Joyce Watson: We haven't got a Secretary of State for Wales, we've got a Secretary of State for the Tory Party, because as far as I'm concerned, he's never stood up for Wales, and his predecessor played the same game. So, that's the first thing I would ask the Conservatives here today to do is to ask for a Secretary of State for Wales, one who looks after the interests of Wales. As the Minister has said,...
Joyce Watson: The internal market Bill does one thing, and one thing only—it seeks to overturn the result of the referendum and ignore the will of the people. In 2011—and a few have alluded to it today—Welsh citizens were asked a direct question, and it was, 'Do you want the Assembly'— as it was then— 'now to be able to make laws on all matters in the 20 subject areas it has powers for?' Nearly...
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Llywydd. The bottom line—and the Farmers Union of Wales's number crunching proves it—is that it's a hatchet job on the rural economy, and that's a sign of what's to come. The Finance Committee report warns that the internal market Bill opens the door to the UK Government reducing funding to Wales via the block grant. It gives powers to Westminster to decide what is best for...
Joyce Watson: I would like to thank those who brought this very important debate forward, and I was more than happy to support it. I'm going to focus on one particular area in my contribution. We all know that the COVID pandemic has had a huge impact on parents and their babies, but those particularly who need specialist care in neonatal units post birth. Since the pandemic started, access for many parents...
Joyce Watson: I thank you, First Minister. I think we've had a really good debate in most places here today, and I welcome the fact that we are focusing on what we can do together—that is really pleasing not only in here, but I'm sure to the people out there too. And we are walking a very narrow path here, but we do have, as many people have said, a vaccine—or rather, vaccines—in view, and there is...
Joyce Watson: I'll be supporting the Bill, and I'm going to particularly focus on aspects of the RSE code. I'm going to welcome the fact that the Minister has removed the right of withdrawal and is sticking with RSE and healthy relationships, and that the Welsh Government is going to make that mandatory, and I'm really, really pleased that that is happening. Many of you here will know that I have...
Joyce Watson: I rise to speak, obviously, in support of the First Minister. My overriding reaction to today's announcement is relief. We look at the numbers, and we listen to the health officials and the front-line NHS staff, just in my own region, and the situation is in extreme danger of spiralling out of control. They're not my words, of course; those are the words of those people who had to make those...
Joyce Watson: There is light at the end of the tunnel—what has been and remains a very dark tunnel—and I'm really pleased to hear what you've said. But I have one request today, First Minister. I ask if you'll send out a message to people about supermarket workers. We've all seen the fact that they have suffered this year, more than any other year, abuse in the shops, so will you please join with me in...
Joyce Watson: 3. What assessment has the Minister made regarding the upsurge in the sale of puppies during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ56048
Joyce Watson: I thank you. In the first month of lockdown, online searches for puppies and kittens increased by 120 per cent according to the Dogs Trust. And that upsurge in the sale of puppies and kittens, according to a report from Battersea Dogs Home, has resulted in a 94 per cent increase of legal imports from overseas to meet demand. Sadly, according to the charity, this spike is likely to indicate an...
Joyce Watson: 5. What is the Welsh Government doing to support innovative housing solutions in Wales? OQ56049
Joyce Watson: I want to very much welcome the Welsh Government's approach to that innovative housing programme, which this year has focused its funding on modern methods of construction. You've already said that £35 million of investment will go to local companies, and I think it's worth repeating that it's local companies and their supply chains, and that's a welcome boost during these uncertain times....
