Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, Llywydd. It was interesting to hear a catalogue of Mark Reckless's various analyses of different constitutional matters within the Senedd. I thank him for taking such an interest in the Standing Orders of our national Parliament, an institution that he and others here this afternoon, unfortunately, want to abolish, of course, contrary to the mandate of our people. It's...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. It's more important than ever to secure the devolution of broadcasting to Wales, not only for the benefit of our democracy, but, as the pandemic has demonstrated, for the benefit of our public health too. Plaid Cymru therefore welcomes this report enthusiastically. For the first time in the history of Welsh politics, we have a cross-party...
Siân Gwenllian: I've just finished. I was just going to say, Ann, I wish you all the very best in the future, and thank you very much for your contribution to the Senedd over so many years. It's been invaluable.
Siân Gwenllian: May I also take this opportunity to wish the Deputy Minister, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, well on his retirement? I'd like to thank him sincerely for his important contribution as our democracy has taken root and prospered. Thank you.
Siân Gwenllian: It's my pleasure to second that nomination.
Siân Gwenllian: Many congratulations to you on your appointment. I look forward to working with you, Jeremy. You will know that I will be scrutinising your work in detail and I'll be challenging you where necessary in order to improve the experiences of children and young people in Wales and those who support them. I very much hope that you will be willing to meet regularly. Doing so with your predecessor...
Siân Gwenllian: The recruitment of doctors continues to be a problem in the north Wales area, as you're aware, with far too much being spent on locums and far too many vacancies in surgeries. I am very pleased that you have supported the consistent calls made by Plaid Cymru for a new medical school in Bangor, and you've just confirmed that once again, and that this is now being implemented. So, will you...
Siân Gwenllian: I would like to focus on one very important area, namely childcare and early years education—a sector that's crucially important for recovery post COVID. Children the length and breadth of Wales have missed an important formative part of their lives, and there is increasing evidence that this is where the educational focus should lie. But it’s disappointing to see an appalling lack of...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much. It’s good to see you across the Chamber in the flesh, as it were, for the first time in quite a while. We are following a different regime again this year in terms of GCSE, A-level and AS examinations. It is an assessment standardisation exercise led by individual schools and teachers, to all intents and purposes. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you. I’m pleased that you recognise that it is quite a substantial amount of extra work in some cases. And there is funding in the system, because I’ve been made aware of a case where one secondary school is paying a great deal—around £100,000—to the external examining bodies, although they, of course, are not delivering the same functions in this year’s examination round....
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you. I'm still not entirely clear on the issue, but hopefully we can discuss this further outside the Chamber, and I would appreciate some clarity as to where the funding is coming from. Is this new funding—
Siân Gwenllian: —or is it a continuation of the funding that Kirsty Williams mentioned in the previous Senedd? Now, you've mentioned closing the attainment gap as one of your early priorities and I agree with you on that—it is crucially important. There is clear evidence, of course, that the one most effective thing that we can do in delivering this aim is to provide a nutritious free school meal to...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I’m very pleased to sum up this important and very comprehensive debate that we’ve had on housing this afternoon. We’ve discussed the shortage of houses, second homes, safety, planning, management fees—these have all been covered this afternoon. What is entirely clear is the need for intervention as a matter of urgency. The shortage...
Siân Gwenllian: I'm very pleased to have listened to this afternoon's statement, and I'm pleased that you've listened to the suggestion that I made in the Senedd last week, namely to reduce exam fees for schools. As a former chair of governors, I am highly aware that paying for examinations is an important element of a school budget. It didn't appear to be fair that schools were facing bills similar to ones...
Siân Gwenllian: 5. Will the First Minister make a statement on safety on trains during the pandemic? OQ56708
Siân Gwenllian: Constituents in Arfon understand why cafes and restaurants are concerned that their customers maintain social distancing and adhere to test and trace protocols. And that of course is a requirement under the law, to prevent the spread of COVID. But my constituents don't understand why similar guidance aren't provided for Transport for Wales trains, where there is no social distancing on...
Siân Gwenllian: The Government needs to lead and not leave complex decisions up to schools and teachers who are under huge pressure already. That's unfair, it's irresponsible and it creates inconsistency. So, I would call on you to listen to the increased cry from our schools and to give clear guidance and consistent guidance. May I ask you about the vaccination plans for children and young people? Clearly,...
Siân Gwenllian: I formally move.
Siân Gwenllian: I am the species champion for the twite—a small, beautiful bird, and a rare bird. But, thanks to the restoration work by agriculturists and others of the twite's habitat in Snowdonia, it appears that the species is on the rise again. So, there is hope. By planning, by doing that restorative work, and working in partnership, rare species can be revived. The situation facing nature in Wales...
Siân Gwenllian: It surprises me how little priority early years education and childcare is given by this Government. Studies show how vital the creation of full provision is in deprived communities for the benefit of the education of children and to raise families out of poverty. And yet, the Government's model and the defective childcare scheme is based on demand rather than need. Do you agree that we need...
