Llyr Gruffydd: The reality is, of course, Cabinet Secretary, that the Government has cut the capital budget for flood defences. Of course, that is going to place even more pressure on the need to develop alternative strategies and work with landowners, for example, to retain water in the uplands and so on and so forth. But, of course, the Government has been talking about that for many years and NRW has...
Llyr Gruffydd: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on the effect of Brexit on environmental policy in Wales? OAQ(5)0064(ERA)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Could I ask what assessment of the implications of Brexit for Wales as a GM-free nation has been made? Can I ask you to commit to protect that status in any negotiations that you have?
Llyr Gruffydd: 8. Will the First Minister make a statement on water services in Wales? OAQ(5)0302(FM)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the First Minister join with me in supporting calls for a phase 2 investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority into the proposed purchase of Dee Valley Water by Severn Trent Water? Clearly, there are huge implications for customers and for jobs, especially in north-east Wales, as well as wider implications for the water industry here in Wales. Will you also support the appeal...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you, Llywydd. Cabinet Secretary, we are in the process of reforming the curriculum here in Wales, with many schools looking at specific areas, from the curriculum itself to CPD, and the digital competence framework, of course, is now seeing the light of day. We have over 100 pioneer schools working in different ways in Wales through the four different consortia. But, there is some...
Llyr Gruffydd: I’m pleased that you recognise that some of those schools that are non-pioneer schools feel somewhat excluded from this process. The Education Workforce Council has warned that there is a two-tier system developing that could be causing splits. So, I welcome the fact that you acknowledge that and that you intend to do something about it. Of course, you then need the capacity in order to do...
Llyr Gruffydd: It is going to be quite a challenge, of course, to ensure that the teachers we have today are actually prepared to deliver this new curriculum and that they are ready for that. Being part of a pioneer school is going to help many to be part of that process in a more natural way than would happen outwith those pioneer schools. But it is also important that the new teachers that come into the...
Llyr Gruffydd: I agree that it’s important that we applaud the courage of the people who speak out in these cases, and the Waterhouse inquiry demonstrated in the year 2000 that children at that time hadn’t been believed, and that people hadn’t listened to them. And what that did, of course, was to place the spotlight on advocacy services here in Wales, which are a hugely important part of the...
Llyr Gruffydd: May I thank the Chair for her statement and welcome her, of course, to her role? This is her first formal statement to this Assembly, and I thank her for that and look forward to working with her as a member of the committee. May I also endorse the thanks to Gerard Elias QC, appointed, as we heard, in 2010? As a member of the standards committee in the last Assembly, I can testify to the fact...
Llyr Gruffydd: 1. What assessment has the First Minister make of the effect of bank closures on businesses in Wales? OAQ(5)0322(FM)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you for that response. We know, of course, that the Federation of Small Businesses report in October demonstrated the clear impact that it has on small businesses—for example, businesses having to close earlier and losing business because they have to travel further to bank their money. The British Bankers Association has also clearly demonstrated that loans to companies in areas...
Llyr Gruffydd: In light of the Traffic Commissioner’s decision to revoke the public service vehicle operator’s licence of RJ’s of Wem, will the Minister make a statement on the future of bus services in north-east Wales? EAQ(5)0096(EI)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Well, thank you for your answer. I’m not sure that tells us much more in relation particularly to the services that are now going to be lost in a week or so’s time. After the shambles of the GHA Coaches situation over the summer, of course, the last thing we need is more uncertainty about the services over Christmas and the new year period. Now, I understand that a new tendering process...
Llyr Gruffydd: Clearly, these results tell us a very grim story. Wales is still the lowest-performing country in the UK, Welsh scores are worse now than they were a decade ago and we’re further behind, of course, the UK average than we were in 2006. So, would you not agree with me, Cabinet Secretary, that this is a damning indictment of Labour’s performance and that they’ve failed, failed and failed...
Llyr Gruffydd: We will be supporting this Order, but I just have a few points that I’d like to raise, and perhaps the Minister could respond to them. I should also declare an interest as one of the honorary presidents of the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services Registering an individual who is a youth worker isn’t going to secure a better quality of service necessarily. There are other...
Llyr Gruffydd: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on non-respiratory sleep disorders? OAQ(5)0092(HWS)[W]
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you for that response. As you say, as things stand at the moment, the majority of sleep disorders are treated across departments within our hospitals. There isn’t a specialist centre for such disorders. Those who have these conditions are complaining about diagnosis and treatment for non-respiratory sleep disorders, and you referred to disorders emanating from neurological problems,...
Llyr Gruffydd: May I thank the Minister for his statement and welcome the fact that the Bill has been tabled this week, and also declare an interest, of course, as a school governor, because there are responsibilities placed on boards of governors through this Bill, of course? May I also say that I agree that getting a good Act, rather than a swift Bill, is the important thing here, although I do think that...
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the First Minister make a statement in the Welsh Government's support for young carers?
