Peredur Owen Griffiths: 4. How is the Government liaising with Caerphilly County Borough Council on inspections of the remaining greyhound racing track in Wales to ensure animal welfare standards? OQ57572
Peredur Owen Griffiths: In my region, there exists the last remaining greyhound racing track in Wales. This track is also independent, meaning it is not subject to any regulation or licensing requirements. There is no requirement for a veterinary presence or welfare oversight in place, as it stands. Hope Rescue say that, in the last four years, they have taken in 200 greyhounds from this track—40 of these...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you for bringing this important debate before us today.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I understand that there are always arguments for and against setting targets, particularly when it comes to something as complex as adverse childhood experiences. The counter argument against targets is that the published data is based on reporting levels and that increased numbers aren't necessarily a bad thing, because it can mean higher levels of awareness and more protection for children....
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I am delighted to contribute to this important debate on the Welsh Government's draft budget 2022-23. This is the first draft budget of this Senedd and I am pleased that, for the first time since 2017, the Welsh Government has been able to provide a multi-year budget setting out funding for 2022-23 and indicative allocations for the following two...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Dirprwy Lywydd, as Wales emerges from the pandemic, the Welsh Government, and the Minister in particular, is facing significant challenges in responding to economic pressures, the effects of climate change, Brexit and in mitigating the squeeze on household incomes. Pandemic-related pressures also remain significant for health, local government and businesses. Our report makes 41...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: With the climate and environmental agenda gathering momentum following the critical COP26 summit, the committee welcomes the Welsh Government’s efforts to target investment at the climate and nature emergencies. However, the level of new and additional funding identified within the draft budget may fall short of what’s required to deal with this huge task. It’s disappointing that the...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: This year, households will feel significant pressures on their incomes as a result of inflation, rising energy costs and commodity prices, with the poorest households being hit hardest. Last week's announcement of a hike in the price of people's gas and electricity bills will be particularly worrying for many. The committee notes the Welsh Government’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis,...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I mentioned at the beginning of this contribution that engaging with people across Wales and listening to the views of stakeholders is a priority for me as Chair. Demonstrating the impact of the budget is crucial to ensure meaningful engagement with those sectors and organisations affected, and in providing them with an opportunity to inform and influence budgetary decisions. We have...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: How is the Government tackling the cost-of-living crisis in South Wales East?
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. Older people have endured a particularly difficult time during the pandemic, which has left many with anxiety about what the future holds. The cost-of-living crisis will add significantly to these worries, especially as fuel bills are already likely to be inflated due to the isolation requirements over the last two years. The Government announcement on the winter fuel...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Diolch, Minister. You mentioned the Warm Homes programme. Despite a 2010 Welsh Government target to eradicate fuel poverty as far as reasonably practicable in all households by 2018, fuel poverty was only reduced by 6 per cent in all households between 2012 and 2016. This Government is consulting on the next iteration of the Warm Homes programme, first launched in 2009. Many, including the...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Deputy Minister, for your statement.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I broadly welcome today's statement with the progress towards a real living wage for all social care workers. Plaid Cymru has long called for a substantial pay increase in this sector. Social care jobs can be very rewarding, but they are very demanding and very responsible jobs. These jobs should be rewarded accordingly. Plaid Cymru wants parity of pay and parity of respect between health and...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I'd like to request a Government statement on day-care provision for disabled people during the pandemic. I raise this with you again because there seems to be a big contrast between what is provided, with some local authorities, such as Gwynedd and Blaenau Gwent, retaining day-care centre provision for the most profoundly disabled, and other local authorities, such as Caerphilly County...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased to contribute to this debate on the Welsh Government's final budget in my role as Chair of the Finance Committee. The committee's report on the scrutiny of the Welsh Government draft budget for 2022-23 included 41 recommendations. I am pleased that the Minister has accepted or accepted in principle all of our recommendations but one. Whilst this is a...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: The committee welcomes the £162.4 million allocated in the final budget to help those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, with £1.6 million of that allocated for the single advice fund to offer advice and support on income maximisation. We recommended that the Welsh Government take steps to raise the profiles of grants and schemes designed to address the cost-of-living crisis, so that...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Finally, given the seriousness of developments in Ukraine and the unfolding humanitarian crisis, I would like to ask the Minister what scope there is for additional support and funding to be provided for refugees. The First Minister has said that Wales aims to be a nation of sanctuary and has called on the UK Government to do more to help Ukrainian refugees. Clearly, there's a limit to what...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I listened to your answer there and I hope that you were looking at the Institute of Welsh Affairs report on community empowerment that was and should have been a wake-up call for the Government, which found that communities in Wales are the least empowered in the UK. This chimes with conversations I had, actually, this week with somebody behind the project to reopen the Abertillery...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The Institute for Welsh Affairs report released this week made for grim reading. It concluded that Welsh communities are the least empowered in the UK. This was echoed during a conversation I had this week with somebody involved in the efforts to restore the Abertillery Stute, a once magnificent building that has seen better days but could once again be the hub of the...
