Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I know you have written previously to the then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, calling for a review of the miners’ pension scheme. I recently met with campaigners from the UK miners pension scheme association, who highlighted to me how the current workings of the scheme badly affect miners’ widows, in particular, with some, for example,...
Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, this week is Rare Chromosome Disorder Awareness Week, and it seems an appropriate point during which to pay tribute to the work of my constituent Amy Walker. Her son was born with an extremely rare genetic condition, and Amy is campaigning for a greater understanding of the daily struggles children and families like hers face. Could we have a statement from the Welsh...
Vikki Howells: How does the Welsh Government ensure teachers can effectively support pupils' learning during the transition from primary to secondary schooling?
Vikki Howells: 8. Will the First Minister make a statement on Welsh Government priorities for increasing public transport services in the Cynon Valley? OAQ(5)0675(FM)
Vikki Howells: First Minister, a number of constituents have recently contacted me about the inadequacy of public transport links between the Cynon valley and Cardiff on Sundays, with, for example, infrequent services making it difficult for them to access employment opportunities, both within the capital and simply further down the Cynon valley itself. Under the south Wales metro, or any future revised...
Vikki Howells: 4. What are the Welsh Government’s priorities for tackling childhood obesity in Wales? OAQ(5)0187(HWS)
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Minister. The Cwm Taf health board area has the worst childhood obesity rates in Wales. Over one in four children in my constituency of Cynon Valley is obese, and, as well as posing health challenges, we know that this also impacts on both their social and educational lives. Innovative and inclusive practices like the daily mile can encourage healthy activity, and I know that you...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Llywydd. Like the hydra of Greek legend, poverty in Wales is a many-headed monster. It presents a variety of challenges, and seemingly, as each one is overcome, two further problems arise in its place. However, unlike the mythical hydra, poverty is all too real and impacts on the lives and well-being of those affected across Wales on a daily basis. For my short debate today, I will...
Vikki Howells: Previously, being of pensionable age could be synonymous with living in poverty. This has changed, in large part, due to the actions of the 1997 to 2010 Labour Government, but it is still estimated that around 50,000 older people live in parlous financial circumstances. Similarly, whilst well-meant commitments to end child poverty within a generation may not have been met, it is still useful...
Vikki Howells: Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the Welsh Government's priorities for improving support for people with dementia in Wales?
Vikki Howells: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's priorities for improving access to public transport in the Cynon Valley?
Vikki Howells: 7. Will the First Minister outline how the Welsh Government is supporting serving and retired armed forces personnel and their families in the Cynon Valley? OAQ(5)0682(FM)
Vikki Howells: First Minister, on Saturday I will be attending Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council’s Armed Forces Day event in Aberdare, and I want to applaud RCT for their proactive approach in this issue as councils have such a key role in delivering many of the front-line services personnel and their families rely on. The minutes of the expert group on the needs of the armed forces community in...
Vikki Howells: 1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to encourage the recycling of food waste in Wales? OAQ(5)0157(ERA)
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. It’s certainly so important that we encourage households to maximise the recycling of food waste in Wales. I’m very proud of the fact that, last year, the anaerobic digestion facility at Bryn Pica in my constituency transformed food waste into enough electricity to power more than 2,500 homes for the calendar year. How can the Welsh Government best promote...
Vikki Howells: 6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on the work of the Vibrant and Viable Places strategy? OAQ(5)0160(CC)
Vikki Howells: In my constituency, the town-centre partnership fund element of VVP was used to support important town-centre initiatives like the colourfully named Yabba Dabba Dare and Faberdare, which played an important role in bringing people into Aberdare town centre. Whilst acknowledging that the programme was always crafted as a finite scheme, what support can the Welsh Government offer to similar...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Llywydd. Today, I want to reflect on the life and achievements of Dr Shah Imtiaz. Dr Imtiaz achieved prominence in 1988, when he was elected as mayor of Cynon Valley borough council, becoming the first Asian mayor in Wales, which he described as the proudest moment in his life. But Dr Imtiaz had been at the heart of the community since he arrived in Aberdare in 1970 to become a family...
Vikki Howells: I want to start by thanking the AMs for Ogmore and Neath for tabling this motion today. As the motion succinctly notes, ensuring Welsh homes are energy efficient is vital environmentally. This is in terms of tackling climate change and also reducing consumption, but it is also vital economically, too. If we want to look to a common thread uniting communities across Wales, it is the potential...
Vikki Howells: What measures is the Welsh Government taking to combat the problem of holiday hunger among school age children in Wales?
