Nick Ramsay: The pandemic has highlighted many things about our NHS—the resilience of our staff, their commitment to patients in the many additional hours that they have worked, and the flexibility that so many staff have demonstrated to help put in place the response to the pandemic. The pandemic has also highlighted some weaknesses of a system that has been creaking for some time. In her contribution,...
Nick Ramsay: 1. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's strategy to support the mental health and well-being of young people in south Wales? OQ55956
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Gweinidog. I'm pleased you mentioned that strategy and the need to keep policies updated with the ongoing pandemic. The lockdowns have clearly had an increasing impact on people's mental health, including young people. According to a recent report published by the Samaritans in England in October, people who self-harm face unreasonable barriers to accessing mental health services, and...
Nick Ramsay: Though not a member of the committee, I wanted to say a few words, as I think the issues raised in the report are of interest to all of us. Business here in this Chamber is, of course, at the moment, COVID-centric, understandably so, and combating the pandemic may be the immediate concern. But, beyond the pandemic, over the longer term, tackling climate change remains a key challenge,...
Nick Ramsay: Diolch. I won't take it personally, and I'm sure the Minister will appreciate me being succinct. Thank you, Minister, for your statement, and also to thank Lord Burns for this valuable piece of work. There is no doubt at all that we do need a solution to the congestion along the M4 corridor around Newport, and, as you said, we have done for some time. Can I say, Minister, that I think that...
Nick Ramsay: 8. Has the Counsel General discussed post-Brexit arrangements for supporting the export of Welsh produce with ministerial colleagues? OQ55993
Nick Ramsay: Thank you for that answer, Counsel General. As 1 January and Brexit looms ever closer, it's clearly important that the UK develops as many trade deals as possible and that Wales is involved with those. As you'll be aware, the UK Government recently struck a trade deal with Japan, which includes important geographical protections that will hopefully benefit a range of Welsh businesses. I...
Nick Ramsay: I don't think any issue has caused as much controversy as this in a very long time, this alcohol ban in public houses and restaurants. I've been inundated with e-mails and phone calls about this over the last few days, and I know that many Members of the Senedd have been in a similar position. Can I start by making it clear that I fully appreciate the seriousness of the situation that Wales...
Nick Ramsay: 3. What assessment has the Welsh Government undertaken of the capacity available to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination? OQ56032
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, First Minister. I'm pleased to hear that progress is being made, even at this early stage, on the rolling out of the vaccine. I understand that health boards have been asking some former nurses to return to work to help with the roll-out of the vaccine. I wonder if you could confirm that that is the situation, and also, is there any capacity within other organisations across Wales...
Nick Ramsay: I very much hope that we do get some form of deal at the end of this, despite the eleventh hour, so any input that the Welsh Government can have into that process would, I'm sure, be beneficial. Two issues if I may raise with you, Trefnydd. Firstly, the issue I raised with the First Minister earlier: could we have a statement from the health Minister on addressing the capacity issues in the...
Nick Ramsay: We know that mental health issues can often be hidden and disguised, particularly in deeper rural areas of Wales, often, sadly, until it's too late. The pandemic has now added another layer to many of the stresses and strains that are being faced by businesses and farmers, for instance, in the rural areas. What assessment have you made and what discussions have you had with the Minister...
Nick Ramsay: The Minister actually has covered a large part of the area I was going to ask about in his answer to Laura Anne Jones. I've also had similar concerns represented to me, Minister, not about the Grange university being unfit for purpose or not suited to the role that it's designed to carry out—I think, as you've just said, it's built for a specific purpose, and at the moment, it's having to...
Nick Ramsay: It won't let me unmute.
Nick Ramsay: Can you hear me?
Nick Ramsay: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As the First Minister said at the very start of this debate, it's a good thing that the UK is leaving the EU with a deal. In my opinion, the alternative would have been unthinkable, though I do respect the views of those who disagree with this, a position that's been put forward eloquently today by Alun Davies and others. I think the bottom line is that to have left...
Nick Ramsay: How's that?
Nick Ramsay: There was me thinking it was all going to run smoothly, with being unmuted, and I've beaten myself.
Nick Ramsay: Thank you, Llywydd, and thank you, Minister, for the statement.
Nick Ramsay: I appreciate that this statement has been curtailed today due to time constraints, so I'll be succinct. We are clearly heading through very challenging times as a country, both in terms of public health and financially, as the finance Minister has just alluded to, and challenging times require a budget that makes the most of every Welsh pound. Now, despite the Minister's rather negative...
