Vikki Howells: 6. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving public transport in the northern valleys? OAQ(5)0544(FM)
Vikki Howells: The south Wales metro gives us the opportunity to deliver real improvements in public transport services in the Valleys, and I welcome the First Minister’s answer last week about the importance of inter-Valley transport links. At the moment, a return bus journey between Aberdare and Merthyr is £7. A train journey between Aberdare and Cardiff is £8—more than the hourly national living...
Vikki Howells: I myself spent five years as a youth worker prior to teaching, so I completely agree, Minister, with your comments about how important youth work can be in enhancing the life chances of those who utilise the services. And I welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to youth work delivery. However, for some of our most challenging communities, the winding down of Communities First represents...
Vikki Howells: The Welsh Government’s commitment to extend entitlements to free childcare will, of necessity, lead to an increase in the number of childcare providers across Wales. This creates an opportunity for us to consider the positive community impacts that could arise from the growth in employment within this sector. What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to embedding the principles of...
Vikki Howells: Today’s debate marks a change in focus from that on the foundational economy a few weeks ago, but it is an area that we must equally get right if we are to craft the Welsh economy of the future. For my contribution, I’d like to focus on the scale of the challenge automation could represent, the opportunities we have to rise to this challenge, and the skills our workforce will need in...
Vikki Howells: What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving recycling rates?
Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, I know that you, like myself, and many other Members here, are an ardent supporter of the WASPI campaign, and I’m sure you’ll be aware of the recent pledge from the UK Labour Party to compensate those women who have been worst affected by the UK Government’s changes to the state pension age. This has been welcomed by the WASPI campaign as an important first step in...
Vikki Howells: 5. Will the First Minister outline the actions the Welsh Government is taking to improve the mental health of people in Wales? OAQ(5)0579(FM)
Vikki Howells: Thank you. Two weeks ago I was proud to speak alongside the health Secretary at the first-year celebrations of Valleys Steps, a community projects that seeks to improve emotional well-being through mindfulness and stress control courses. Now, Valleys Steps has helped nearly 2,000 people during their first year, and Mental Health Awareness Week seems an appropriate time to celebrate their...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’m proud to speak today in support of the Welsh Government’s Trade Union (Wales) Bill. I applaud the prompt way that the Cabinet Secretary has brought forward this legislation to protect the rights of workers in Wales. In stark contrast to the approach of the UK Government, it is the Welsh Government that has shown the strong and stable leadership that Wales...
Vikki Howells: In order for pupils to make the best use of digital technologies, we need to ensure that teachers are adequately trained in this area. Indeed, staff at Cwmdare primary school in my constituency recently made use of BT’s free Barefoot Computing training to do just this. How can the Welsh Government ensure that all staff in Welsh primary schools gain the right skills to help pupils prepare...
Vikki Howells: 5. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government’s approach to investing in capital infrastructure projects across Wales? OAQ(5)0600(FM)
Vikki Howells: First Minister, it was welcome news that the finance Secretary stated a £1 billion mutual investment model will be used to fund infrastructure projects in Wales. This includes social infrastructure, like Velindre cancer care centre, and also the twenty-first century schools programme, but also the final phase of the A465 dualling, which is so vital for my own constituency. How does the Welsh...
Vikki Howells: Thank you for your statement, Cabinet Secretary. From my own experience in secondary schools, I know the importance of leadership in ensuring that our schools thrive, that the staff feel engaged and supported, and that pupils achieve the success that we want from them. I have three short questions on your statement today. We all know about the pressures on school budgets. It’s not just...
Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, I am recently dealing with a number of cases whereby people who’ve previously held blue badges for many years have had their application for renewal refused. When I’ve raised this with the local authority I’ve been told it’s because my constituents no longer meet the criteria for eligibility, although in all cases the constituents affected do have a range of...
Vikki Howells: 28 May marks the seventh World Hunger Day. Run by the Hunger Project, this aims to raise awareness of the nearly 800 million people across the world who do not have access to enough food, and to promote sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty. Globally, hunger kills more people than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. This year’s World Hunger Day takes as its theme the causes of...
Vikki Howells: I welcome the opportunity to speak in favour of the general principles of the Welsh Government’s Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Bill. It’s good that the Welsh Government is seizing this chance to make sure the legislative framework within which we approach this issue is fit for purpose. As was noted in the Bill’s explanatory memorandum, the current framework we...
Vikki Howells: 5. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on efforts to improve diversity levels in Welsh local government in light of the council elections? OAQ(5)0143(FLG)
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. I know we’ve already discussed this issue here today—I just want to highlight the achievements of RCT council, where 43 per cent of councillors are women, as are four out of nine cabinet members, and, in fact, in my own constituency more female councillors were elected than male. Clearly, however, from the comments that we’ve heard here today, there is need...
Vikki Howells: 9. What action is the Welsh Government taking to promote equality for older women in the Cynon Valley? OAQ(5)0652(FM)
