Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, First Minister. Statistics recently released show a further increase in the proportion of learners eligible for free school meals achieving five good GCSEs, including mathematics and English or Welsh first language. This represents the best performance yet by our disadvantaged learners and, for the second year, the attainment gap between children and young people receiving free...
Rhianon Passmore: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on the impact of European structural funding in Islwyn? OAQ(5)0047(FLG)
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Since 2007, EU structural funds projects alone have, in Wales, helped nearly 73,000 people into work, helped over 234,000 people gain qualifications, supported the creation of nearly 12,000 businesses and created some 37,000 jobs. The UK Government’s commitment to guarantee expenditure for all European structural investment fund schemes approved prior to...
Rhianon Passmore: I wish to, firstly, again, congratulate the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport on this important and historic news that the Welsh Government will invest £350 million in the building of Gwent specialist critical care centre. This announcement will be greatly welcomed by my constituents in Islwyn and it’s wonderful news for the people of Gwent and beyond. The 460-bed project,...
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Minister make a statement on the steps the Welsh Government is taking to ensure our schools are inclusive environments?
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Minister make a statement on the steps the Welsh Government is taking to ensure our schools are inclusive environments?
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Lywydd. Thank you. As we approach Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday, it is right that we acknowledge here in the home of Welsh democracy the extreme service that the men and women of our armed forces have given, so that we continue to enjoy the freedom that we so prize. I will be representing, like many, my people of Islwyn at remembrance events in Risca, Blackwood and...
Rhianon Passmore: Sorry, I want to finish. And it includes a new ‘Welcome to Wales’ booklet for those deployed here. And the Welsh Government continues to work closely with organisations such as the Royal British Legion to support our armed forces and veterans in every way possible. This package of support, though not exclusive, includes £0.5 million for the all-Wales veterans’ health and well-being...
Rhianon Passmore: What action has the Welsh Government taken to improve passenger rail services?
Rhianon Passmore: In Islwyn, we celebrate the historic USA-Wales special relationship with great pride, in General Dynamics, with their base in Oakdale. And, at the important recent summit, those close ties between Wales and the USA were reaffirmed, with the Ministry of Defence signing a £3.5 billion deal, to order 589 SCOUT specialist vehicles. That deal ensured that the 200 employees employed by General...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, the Public Health (Wales) Bill was introduced into the National Assembly on 7 November. If passed, the Bill will, amongst other things, create a national register of retailers of tobacco and nicotine products, create a licensing scheme for special procedures such as acupuncture, body piercing, electrolysis and tattooing, and it will require public bodies to carry out health...
Rhianon Passmore: I do indeed.
Rhianon Passmore: 3. What action is the Welsh Government taking to increase the supply and quality of social and affordable housing? OAQ(5)0071(CC)
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Minister. The Welsh Government’s announcement of £1.3 billion being allocated across the term of this Government to support the delivery of 20,000 affordable homes and to complete the task of meeting the Welsh housing quality standard highlights the passion this Government has on this issue. Will the Minister outline how my constituents and their families in Islwyn will benefit...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for the opportunity to speak in this very important debate. Let nobody in this Chamber or watching outside be in any doubt that this Welsh Labour Government is committed to providing older people in Wales with good-quality responsive public services and is enabling older people across Wales to lead more independent lives. Following our important Welsh Labour manifesto commitment to...
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Minister outline what action the Welsh Government is taking to mitigate the adverse impact of the UK Government's benefit cap?
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, Wales is a small but passionate country that punches above its weight. I note that the value of exports for Wales for the year up to and including June 2016 was £12.1 billion, with exports to the European Union accounting for almost 40 per cent of Welsh exports. The First Minister is a passionate and successful advocate of selling Wales to the world. So, what future plans...
Rhianon Passmore: 6. What progress is the Welsh Government making in improving survival rates for cancer? OAQ(5)0278(FM)
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, First Minister. Last week, the Member for Cynon Valley, Vikki Howells, and myself had the great privilege to tour the laboratories of Cancer Research Wales. We were able to witness the internationally renowned groundbreaking work that is now taking place here in Wales to increase scientific understanding of how cancer attacks the immune system. Therefore, may I welcome warmly the...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, last week, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure met the UK Tory Government transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, and told him in no uncertain terms that the tolls should be scrapped and that, if the UK Government was not prepared to do that, it should not make a profit, but simply charge the actual cost of maintenance. Maybe the Member for South Wales East, Mark...
