Mick Antoniw: Well, I certainly know that this is a matter of considerable concern, and that officials within Welsh Government, the Minister for Economy, the First Minister and the Minister for finance, and, I think, the Cabinet generally, are concerned about the situation, and that there are obviously discussions taking place, and I'm sure there will be further statements on that in due course. But you...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you. Again on a very important issue, the Welsh Government has repeatedly expressed concerns to the UK Government about women who had their state pension age raised without effective or sufficient notification. We await the result of the ongoing ombudsman's investigation, which will determine whether the communication failings led to an injustice.
Mick Antoniw: Can I just, first of all, in response to that further question—and I'm sure you'd want to join in—actually praise the work of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign and those women who have so assiduously campaigned against what is a very, very gross injustice? And I'm sure there's probably not a single Member of this Senedd who does not know a large number of people who've...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you for your question. Whether legal advice is required in relation to a request to call in a planning application is decided on an individual basis and is subject to legal professional privilege.
Mick Antoniw: Well, thank you for those comments. I'm sure the Minister for Climate Change is listening at this very moment to the points, and I'm sure, if not, that the details of the points you have made will be drawn to her attention. You will appreciate that it's not possible for me to comment on any individual applications, and applications where it would be totally inappropriate for me in terms of my...
Mick Antoniw: I thank the Member for his question on an issue that he knows is close to my heart. We can raise knowledge and awareness of workers' rights and promote access to support and advice. As part of our commitments to fair work, we collaborated with social partners on a workers' rights and responsibilities campaign, and we will build on this as we continue to advance fair work.
Mick Antoniw: I think, just on the very general point in terms of the way in which we can influence workplace rights and so on, it is worth recognising first of all that the record of this Welsh Labour Government in these areas has been very, very significant, whether it be the Trade Union (Wales) Act 2017, whether it be the Agricultural Sector (Wales) Act 2014, whether it be legislation in respect of...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you, again, on a very important area. We are continuing to make strong representations to the UK Government about a range of issues relating to the adverse impacts of legal aid reforms by engaging with the means testing and criminal legal aid reviews.
Mick Antoniw: Thank you. The points are very well made, ones that we have rehearsed on many occasions. The cuts to legal aid have been shameful. They have disempowered many citizens of Wales in what is, I believe, a fundamental right, and that is to access the law. I commented on this yesterday, and you'll know that my view is that, in the longer term, I would like to see a Welsh legal aid system. At the...
Mick Antoniw: Thank you, John Griffiths, for that question. The constitution has undergone considerable change in recent years, with devolution coming under attack from an increasingly assertive UK Government. That is why we are establishing a constitutional commission, which will be reaching out into civic society and the public to find a consensus on devolution and the wider constitution.
Mick Antoniw: I think that goes to the core of the challenge that we actually have. The proposals that we put forward through 'Reforming our Union' and through other mechanisms, whether it be on individual legislation or in terms of inter-governmental relations, is an effort to resolve the constitutional dysfunction that exists, but in order for that to happen, there has to be common agreement. It has been...
Mick Antoniw: Our programme for government makes clear this Government’s continued commitment to pursuing the case made by the Commission on Justice in Wales for the devolution of policing and justice to Wales.
Mick Antoniw: The location of speed cameras in Wales is determined by GoSafe/Gan Bwyll, which is the Wales road casualty reduction partnership. The partnership is made up of the local authorities in Wales, the four Welsh police forces and the Welsh Government.
Mick Antoniw: The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 and the subsequent coronavirus restrictions regulations, including the No. 5 regulations, have been made in exercise of powers set out in Part 2A of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, the principal powers being those in section 45C.
Mick Antoniw: The reform of our inter-governmental structures and processes often feature in our conversations with the UK and devolved Governments. A reformed and refreshed machinery is now essential to enable genuine dialogue between the UK Governments, and I am confident this can be achieved and delivered.
Mick Antoniw: Thanks, Llywydd. Llywydd, before the summer recess, I made a statement to Members setting out in more detail the plans for an independent commission on the constitutional future of Wales. Today, I am able to share with you the progress that we have made since then, and in particular in making appointments to the independent commission and publishing the broad objectives.
Mick Antoniw: Llywydd, before the summer recess, I made a statement to Members setting out in more detail the plans for an independent commission on the constitutional future of Wales. And today, I am able to continue sharing with you the progress that we have made since then, and in particular regarding appointments to the independent commission and publication of the broad objectives. Llywydd, the Welsh...
Mick Antoniw: Llywydd, the first broad objective of the independent commission will be to consider and develop durable options for fundamental reform of the constitutional structures of the United Kingdom. We want the independent commission to initiate a conversation with the people of Wales about what those options might be. Our union is under greater threat today than at any time, and this cannot be...
Mick Antoniw: Can I thank the Member for his contribution? You have raised issues that are important in respect of your political position. Could I also thank your party for the engagement that I've had up until now? And, of course, there will be further engagement, because in several weeks' time, we'll be able to announce, hopefully, the full commission, and you'll then have a full picture of the...
Mick Antoniw: If I can thank the Member for his contribution and the summary, I think, of the history of devolution—certainly my recollection from the early 1970s, when I have to say that there were those of us who were never sure it was going to happen, but the lesson that you learn is that things do change and you have to prepare for the future. I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said that by failing...
