Julie James: Yes, indeed, and, again, as part of the economic action plan in the private sector, and as part of our ask from our main companies in Wales, we are asking that people sign up to the eradication of the gender pay gap. We're working very hard to ensure that the Welsh Government has no such pay gap, and, again, with my colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for public services, to include other public...
Julie James: Under the Superfast Cymru project we have invested, subject to final verification, £192 million in delivering access to fast broadband to 733,000 premises in Wales. I have also recently announced a further £13 million to provide access to a further 16,000 premises in north and south-west Wales and the Valleys.
Julie James: The Cabinet Secretary for Education and I have regular discussions about priority matters, including educational support for ethnic minority and Gypsy/Roma/Traveller learners.
Julie James: We will continue to encourage victims of hate crime to report their experiences and will build on the strong partnerships we have developed with the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, Victim Support Cymru and other agencies to reduce offending, hold perpetrators to account and enable victims to receive support and redress.
Julie James: Diolch, Llywydd. There are two changes to today's agenda. The First Minister will make a statement shortly on the draft agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, and as a result the oral statement on reforming dental services has been postponed until 11 December. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out in the business statement and announcement, which can be...
Julie James: On the woodland project, the Minister has mentioned that she very much enjoyed her visit there, and I think is very happy to bring forward a general statement on woodland management in Wales and the contribution of our woodlands in particular to climate change and adaptation thereof. In terms of business rates, we've had several roundabouts on the subject of business rates for independent...
Julie James: The Member raises a very important point, and, Llywydd, I'm very pleased to say that, on my sixtieth birthday, I received a bowel screening kit from NHS Wales. It was amongst the less expected presents that I received on my sixtieth birthday, but was possibly the most important one. I think it's very important that people take part in that screening; it's a very important thing that we...
Julie James: Two very important points indeed. In terms of the banks, it is something, as she's already acknowledged, that we've discussed frequently in the Assembly, and it is very disappointing that, despite affected communities and political representatives challenging the decisions—across the Chamber, actually; I think it's something we've all expressed concern about—the banks do continue to...
Julie James: This is very much a central plank of most of our land management systems and indeed most of the support in the rural development fund, around what we can do to increase biodiversity and wildlife habitats. It's a very important function to understand how bioservices, biosystems, can be monetised in that way so that people can be encouraged to do it. We have fallen behind in the UK in terms,...
Julie James: Thank you for raising those three issues. Just in terms of the homophobic hate crime, I also want to add my voice in acknowledging the courage and the dignity with which Gareth Thomas met the situation he found himself in and the courage in coming forward in highlighting and tackling the issue of homophobia and his experience. I thought his piece that I heard on the radio about the...
Julie James: I wasn't being dismissive. I said that I didn't have anything to add to the comprehensive answer that the First Minister gave; I don't see how that's dismissive. The Cabinet Secretary will be answering oral Assembly questions as part of the cycle over the next few weeks, and there will be ample opportunity for Members to question him on specifics, but I'm afraid I think the idea that after...
Julie James: On that second one, I'll ask the Cabinet Secretary to write directly to her and explain where we are in the timetable. I'm afraid I don't have that information with me, but I'll ask him to clarify. On the first point, again, I didn't realise the timescale had slipped that much, and I'm more than happy to discuss with the Cabinet Secretary where we are on the timescale and let the Member know.
Julie James: Yes, in answer to this question, when I did stand in for the First Minister in First Minister's questions, I read out a very long and complex legal timescale and process that was attached to the point in time at which people can take various decisions, and so on. I'm more than happy to circulate that back to the Member. I made it very clear that there was a legal process in which we were, and...
Julie James: On Orkambi, the Cabinet Secretary for health went through the situation in response to his last lot of questions, where he outlined the process by which the company has to go through the process of getting accreditation via NICE. I'm not aware that anything has changed since he explained where we were with that. What I will do is discuss with him whether something has changed, and if...
Julie James: My sympathy with your wife. I also follow her on Facebook, so I did know about that. And, as I said, I haven't got much to add to anything else I said on rail. On the flu vaccine, the Member raises a very pertinent point. I think it's worth, Llywydd, me just repeating what the Cabinet Secretary has told people. For winter 2018-19, a flu vaccine specifically designed for older people has...
Julie James: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I begin by adding my thanks to the Chair and to the members of the Standards of Conduct Committee for their report and for their very hard work, and indeed for this opportunity to respond to their report? As all Members have pointed out, there is only one recommendation for the Welsh Government, but I welcome the committee's wider intention to foster a culture of dignity...
Julie James: Of course.
Julie James: I see the point you're making, but I have to say I don't agree with it. I think there are circumstances in which it clearly isn't appropriate to refer to an independent adviser and there are other circumstances in which it very clearly is appropriate and I think that's a judgment call myself. But I take your point and it's something we can consider as the system runs out. Sorry—. So, as I...
Julie James: Our 'Prosperity for All' economic action plan sets out how we intend to support the Welsh economy over the next decade and beyond, and how we can pool the resources, expertise and knowledge we have in Wales to strengthen our economic foundations and futureproof the Welsh economy.
Julie James: That's not a picture we recognise. Negotiations between north Wales partners and the Welsh and UK Governments are advancing well on the north Wales growth bid. Officials from both Governments and north Wales partners attended a workshop last week to discuss and agree a package of proposals and the next steps to enable delivery of the deal. The Cabinet Secretary is meeting with partners on...
