Dawn Bowden: I think you’ve got the point.
Dawn Bowden: 1. What is the Welsh Government doing to support local energy generation projects? OAQ(5)0082(ERA)
Dawn Bowden: Excellent. Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary for your response. And I’m aware that you did, in fact, visit Taff Bargoed at the end of October—the hydropower scheme there. And that Taff Bargoed is the latest phase of a project that’s transformed that site of three disused coalmines in the heart of a Valleys community and which has seen the launch of the income-generating hydro...
Dawn Bowden: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's commitment to clean renewable energy?
Dawn Bowden: Can I say that I do find it more than just a little ironic that it is the party in Government in Westminster bringing forward this motion on the back of challenges facing the Welsh NHS—the same party that has not just consistently cut funding to the Welsh Assembly but has overseen the biggest crisis facing the NHS and social care in England probably in our lifetime? But here in Wales, of...
Dawn Bowden: Not at the moment, no. Many of the submissions to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee identified workforce planning and staff shortages as a key issue for our care services all year round. However, what we do have in Wales is a Government that is prepared to allocate additional funding and introduce legislation and initiatives to tackle the challenges facing us. Other common themes...
Dawn Bowden: No, I haven’t got enough time. So, while no-one underestimates the challenges that winter pressures place on our health and social care here in Wales, we have a Government that is working closely with all partners in the health and social care sector to deliver—long-term and sustainable—to avoid the sort of crisis currently faced by the NHS and care sector in England.
Dawn Bowden: Will you take an intervention? Are you prepared to accept that international students directly contribute £22 million to the UK economy?
Dawn Bowden: What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had regarding the budget allocation to the education portfolio?
Dawn Bowden: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on how the Welsh Government is using its taxation powers to support small businesses in Wales?
Dawn Bowden: First Minister, no doubt you were as appalled as I was last week when Tory MPs in Westminster talked for four hours to talk out the private Member’s Bill from Melanie Onn MP, which would have safeguarded every aspect of employment legislation currently protected under EU law once we leave the European Union. And I note that in stark contrast to the actions of her MPs last week, the Prime...
Dawn Bowden: Will the First Minister make a statement on support for credit unions in Wales?
Dawn Bowden: There’s some kind of comfort, actually, in listening to the Tories, because you do realise, after all, that they are still the same old Tories and nothing’s ever changed. But, Cabinet Secretary, can I say that I’ve spent most of my working life campaigning and fighting against anti-trade union legislation and against attacks on working people, and it’s refreshing and very welcoming to...
Dawn Bowden: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on support for micro businesses in Wales? OAQ(5)0417(FM)
Dawn Bowden: Thank you, First Minister. As well as the support you’ve referred to, I’m aware that Business Wales provides considerable practical support and guidance for developing businesses, such as business plans, research, marketing, managing et cetera. In Merthyr Tydfil we have a fabulous organisation called the Hwyl Hub, which offers facilitated office space for businesses to share resources and...
Dawn Bowden: What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact on dual nationality Welsh Muslims of the announcement by the US President of a 90 day travel ban on nationals from several majority-Muslim countries? EAQ(5)0424(FM)
Dawn Bowden: Thank you for your response on that, First Minister, and can I also thank you for your speedy condemnation of the disgraceful action taken by the President of the United States—action that is in contravention of the Geneva convention, international law and, probably, the constitution of the United States? In sharp contrast, the British Prime Minister’s condemnation has been slow in...
Dawn Bowden: So, will the First Minister reaffirm his position, and add his voice to those calling for Donald Trump not to be afforded the honour of a state visit to the UK at this point in time, and will he call upon the Prime Minister to show the same backbone as other world leaders in both unequivocally condemning Trump’s actions and taking whatever action is necessary to persuade him to reverse this...
Dawn Bowden: Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary, for introducing this today and I very much support the registration of all teaching and support staff. It is just particularly on support staff that I just wanted to make a comment, because, in the explanatory memorandum that you’ve just talked about, with the fee model being fair and equitable across the whole workforce, just to be clear it’s not...
Dawn Bowden: Can I start by thanking the Cabinet Secretary and his staff for producing this comprehensive report? There have, undoubtedly, been many achievements here in Wales during the period of the Welsh Government’s 2015-16 strategic equality plan and objectives, not least of which was the landmark legislation that the Cabinet Secretary referred to earlier on, the Violence against Women, Domestic...
