David Rees: First Minister, on 28 June, the country had only just decided to leave the EU. As a consequence of that, there could well be possible legislative implications here in Wales. What analysis is the Welsh Government doing to actually look at the implications upon the legislative programme that you are putting forward, based upon the fact that we could see a lot more legislation coming from...
David Rees: Minister, can I ask for two statements from the Welsh Government? Can I have the first statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs? Prior to the Assembly elections in 2016, we had a commitment from the Welsh Government on a moratorium on fracking. It would be interesting to see that commitment reaffirmed by the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that fracking here in Wales...
David Rees: First Minister, the steel industry is still in crisis. It hasn’t disappeared. We still have many issues and challenges facing us, even though the workforces across Wales have actually shown commitment to improving profitability. What is your Government looking to do on business rates? This was an issue, very much so, early in the year and plant and machinery exemptions were considered. Will...
David Rees: I appreciate the constraints of time so I’ll be quick and brief. First Minister, thank you for your statement. I very much appreciate the update we’ve received and I look forward to scrutinising you next week when you come to the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on this particular issue. I think it’s important today to highlight that manufacturing is not the price...
David Rees: Will the Minister join me in congratulating the area of Neath Port Talbot, where we are seeing a growth in children wanting to go to Welsh-medium education schools? Will he also welcome the fact that Neath Port Talbot council is recognising this and building a new secondary Welsh-medium school on the old Sandfields Comprehensive School site? Will he also work with his Cabinet colleagues to...
David Rees: I thank the Member for taking an intervention and give my full welcome to the decision by Google Digital Garage to actually come to Wales for a period of three months to set up training schemes here in Wales—in fact, the first two days were in my own constituency in Port Talbot. The Welsh Government has been very much involved with them to actually bring them into Wales, so we can get that...
David Rees: Will you take another intervention?
David Rees: Again, thank you for taking the intervention. Do you therefore welcome Donaldson’s review, which puts digital competency and digital framework at the heart of some its work, and therefore the curriculum will actually involve what you’re actually saying?
David Rees: Thank you. Just to clarify a point, broadband is problematic in some areas of my constituency as well.
David Rees: Will the Minister make a statement on actions taken by the Welsh Government to support home education?
David Rees: Will the Minister make a statement on actions taken by the Welsh Government to support home education?
David Rees: First Minister, it’s interesting and pleasing to hear that the guidance will be issued very shortly because, in my own authority, there are a known 114 children who are being home educated, but there’s only one part-time officer working with those. Can you also ensure that the guidance is going to enforce and put more pressure on local authorities to have a relationship between the number...
David Rees: Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Minister, can I echo the comments from Bethan Jenkins in that 15 years ago today the horrific accident at No. 5 blast furnace occurred in which we saw the loss of the lives of three workers, two from my constituency and one from Maesteg, and many injured? Yesterday’s comments from the Prime Minister, or the reflection on the Prime Minister that actually she didn’t...
David Rees: Minister, many questions have already been asked, and I support fully Julie Morgan’s points on public toilets. I think we need to ensure that the strategy is actually implemented, and that people have access to all facilities. And if there aren’t any there, that they can’t simply say, ‘We can’t afford it’, but that they do something about it because it’s critical that those...
David Rees: Diolch, Ddirprwy Lywydd. Yesterday was the fifteenth anniversary of the horrific explosion at blast furnace No. 5 at the Port Talbot steelworks. The explosion occurred at 5.15 p.m. on 8 November 2001, and many residents in Port Talbot quickly became aware of the incident after hearing the loud bang of the explosion. Three steelworkers lost their lives that day—Andrew Hutin, age 20, Stephen...
David Rees: Will the Minister provide an update on the application of the apprenticeship levy in Wales?
David Rees: First Minister, your preventative agenda is important to ensure the good public health of people in Wales. Vaccinations are part of that preventative agenda, and particularly in this case, flu vaccinations. We have seen improvements in take-up, but there is still a challenge to NHS front-line staff. What’s the Welsh Government doing to ensure that NHS front-line staff increase the number...
David Rees: Can I thank the Minister for her statement today? It’s been very important to look at where we are going to attack some of the issues that affect some of the most deprived communities. I was going to ask about the levy, but I think you’ve answered that quite clearly. [Interruption]. No, it’s okay. But the issues we talked about—clearly, you’ve mentioned it a little bit, but I was...
David Rees: Cabinet Secretary, I agree with you; we all want to strive for safe and compassionate care for all our constituents and people in Wales, and I therefore welcome the statement that you’ve given today, particularly on the attempts to ensure that we get that during the winter pressure months. Can I also join you in praising the professionalism and dedication of our staff? I declare an interest...
David Rees: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his answer, because I think I also have concerns over the future of this programme, and the Lift programme in particular, which helps people back into employment and targets deprived areas? I think he gave reassurances that they are there for the future. Can he also give assurances that, as he considers and deliberates on the consultation following his...
