Jane Hutt: Well, I thank Simon Thomas for his two questions on the business statement. I’m looking at the first question. The Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs will be very keen to respond to this all-important report that was published today on climate change. It’s welcome that they recognise the position of Wales in that report. Of course, she will be responding to that. Of course, in...
Jane Hutt: Well, of course, you have got the opportunity this afternoon, Suzy Davies, to question Alun Davies on his statement on Welsh language policy priorities.
Jane Hutt: Well, Mark Isherwood, you do raise two important points. The first one, of course, we will be—. The Minister has issued a written statement on the additional learning needs Bill and, of course, has incorporated as well how we are going to take forward and handle issues relating to the all-important issue of education and young adults with additional learning needs, and also in particular in...
Jane Hutt: I’m sure that Russell George will agree that all publicly funded schemes, such as Glastir, do require that rigorous monitoring before payment can be made.
Jane Hutt: I’ve made three changes to this week’s business. The First Minister will make a statement on EU transition following this statement. This will be followed by the legislative statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government on the Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Bill, and a statement following that by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy...
Jane Hutt: I’m sure the Cabinet Secretary will be very pleased to hear, and is very well aware of those very good results, particularly from those schools that have benefited from Schools Challenge Cymru in Swansea East, in your constituency, Mike Hedges. I know that the evaluation, of course, is being undertaken. It’s going to be concluded by next year and it’s going to be published in line with...
Jane Hutt: Well, I also welcome Plaid Cymru’s business manager back. Indeed, we’ve already engaged and you have raised many and very important points for this Assembly—indeed, very important points that the First Minister has been addressing over the summer months. I don’t know where you were, but I certainly was recognising that the First Minister was at the forefront, not just, of course, in...
Jane Hutt: I thank Paul Davies for that question. The Minister for Skills and Science is regularly updating Members. In fact, I met the director of BT Cymru last week and was very pleased to hear of over 90 per cent reach in my constituency, the Vale of Glamorgan. But we have to recognise that, to date, the Welsh Government has spent £32 million on providing superfast broadband access to over 113,000...
Jane Hutt: Julie Morgan raises a very important feature of Welsh life now. Wales is leading the way on dementia friends training, and many will be aware of the huge response at the weekend to the walk in Cardiff Bay, on Sunday. I think, just in terms of the launch of the dementia friends training, supported by Welsh Government funding, of course, we’ve got over 35,000 dementia friends, we have a...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Nick Ramsay. In fact, the Cabinet Secretary did meet with Network Rail yesterday. I’ve been very impressed how we’ve all been informed, notified and updated, as Assembly Members about the development, because, of course, it is going to lead to that all-important electrification. But we can assure you that the Cabinet Secretary has met with them and will update all Members on...
Jane Hutt: Well, of course, the Member for the North Wales region is quite right about how important this bid is for north Wales and the fact that it has got all six authorities and that it has also got the support of vice-chancellors, FE, the police and all the authorities that make a difference to the well-being and economic development of north Wales. The Cabinet Secretary is closely engaged with...
Jane Hutt: I think that Andrew R.T. Davies is quite well aware of the fact that it is the Vale of Glamorgan Council that is responsible for managing the Five Mile Lane project. And I’m glad, again, that we have the opportunity to welcome the fact that the Welsh Government is investing in the all-important development of Five Mile Lane—a crucial artery, as we know, in the constituency. I do wonder,...
Jane Hutt: Thank you for those two questions, Darren Millar. On your first question I think it would perhaps be more helpful if you wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for education and skills to name those universities because, certainly, we are not aware that this would be the case. But if you have evidence, then of course the Cabinet Secretary would want to hear about them and put the record straight....
Jane Hutt: The Member does raise an important point. It is about public awareness. I’m sure that the Cabinet Secretary will consider the best way in which to take that forward, of course with Public Health Wales being the key guide and evidence provider.
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I've made one addition to today's agenda. The First Minister will make a statement on the programme for government, ‘Taking Wales Forward 2016-2021’, shortly. I've also amended the titles of today's oral statements by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport and the Minister for Social Services and Public Health. No questions were tabled for answer by the Assembly...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Simon Thomas, for your questions. The first question is a very important point. Of course, you will be aware, I’m sure, that there is a leaking gas main and this obviously requires an essential work. Of course, in terms of handling that, and the impact on business, the public, and travel to school and work, all those issues have been taken into account by the Cabinet Secretary...
Jane Hutt: Well, Mike Hedges raises an important point and I know he will be aware that the design of those lower super output area boundaries is the responsibility of ONS, the Office for National Statistics. It’s part of their work in managing the England and Wales census, but we do feed into the governance of that census. We have a close working relationship, of course, with ONS, and regular...
Jane Hutt: I thank the Member for those questions. The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children is fully aware of the issues relating to the application of local housing allowance and is involved in discussions, and it’s helpful, of course, to have feedback in terms of those impacts at a regional level for those engaged, but he’s clearly responding to those. On your second point, again, it’s...
Jane Hutt: I’d like to thank Vikki Howells for ensuring that there was a very strong presence, certainly from colleagues here. Huw Irranca-Davies, I think, and other Labour Assembly Members were there, and also MPs as well, because this isn’t devolved. It was a national day of action and I’m very impressed with the work of the campaign. And, of course, in the fourth Assembly, the former Minister,...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Lywydd. I’ve made some amendments to this week’s business. I’ve expanded the title of the oral statement on the establishment of the new treatment fund and the independent review of the individual patient funding request process, and I’ve added a statement on the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games homecoming 2016. I’ve reduced the time allocated to tomorrow’s questions to...
