Laura Anne Jones: I'd like to nominate Russell George for the position of Llywydd. As a former committee Chair, Russ has proven himself to be fair and impartial. Russ has been an integral part of this Senedd now for 10 years, and all Members know that he would look after their interests both equally and fairly. I hope that Members can support Russell George as Presiding Officer.
Laura Anne Jones: I would like to second the nomination for Hefin David.
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. Firstly, may I congratulate you on your appointment as education Minister? It's such a vitally important role; you really do have the future of our children in Wales in your hands now. And it's to this end that, as well as to scrutinise you and to hold you to account, we the Welsh Conservatives will look to work with you in any way we can, in a...
Laura Anne Jones: Okay. Sorry. I'll just wind up. Obviously, mental health has to be an absolute priority, but in your statement you didn't actually cover the mental health of our teachers and how they're going to be supported. So, I'd appreciate your comments on that. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Laura Anne Jones: First Minister, I understand that the UK Government is fully committed and has ploughed a lot of money recently into making sure that women across the country who have been affected by these areas receive the money that they are rightly owed. Can the Minister provide an update on what steps the Welsh Government are taking to make sure that women across Wales are aware, particularly that...
Laura Anne Jones: Business Minister, I'd like to ask for a statement from the Deputy Minister for sport. I'm not sure if you're aware of the seismic change that's happening in women's football in Wales at present, but it is clear from cross-party discussions that I've had with other Members across the Senedd that everybody here has the main sole aim of improving women's football here in Wales and making sure...
Laura Anne Jones: Firstly, can I congratulate the Minister on her new role, the Deputy Minister for mental health on hers, and you on the continuation of yours, Julie? As someone who has the delights of menopause that Vikki just outlined to come, sooner rather than later, unfortunately, I do also believe that this is an issue that is vitally important to talk about and address, and not just for women, but for...
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Presiding Officer, for this opportunity.
Laura Anne Jones: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on allegations by whistleblowers that children with autism have been subject to abuse at the Tŷ Coryton home in Cardiff? TQ553
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Minister, for that statement. Some of our most vulnerable people in our society, children with autism, should be protected and cared for, not made to suffer in such vile circumstances as alleged in this case. There are some serious questions, and this must be now fully investigated by relevant authorities. There are a litany of shocking and troubling allegations against the staff...
Laura Anne Jones: What action will the First Minister take to ensure equality of access to sport in order to encourage active lifestyles in Wales?
Laura Anne Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. May I start by welcoming you again to your role, Minister, as I am now formally the shadow education Minister, and it's now official? May I say that I'm very much looking forward to working with you, opposite you, on this hugely important brief, particularly at a time when we're coming out of a pandemic, and we edge closer and closer to the biggest change in education...
Laura Anne Jones: Yes. And in the last term, I said that the new curriculum would be a perfect way of us beginning to have these conversations in schools. Minister, your statement outlines a great deal of advice, guidance, toolkits that are already taking place, and yet these allegations are still coming forward. What do you expect to change, Minister, as a result of issuing another report, or more guidance,...
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you. Minister, I'd like to just hone in on upskirting, and, for those who aren't aware of it, it's when boys are taking pictures up girls' skirts and sharing them on social media platforms. It's a serious matter, Minister, as I know you're aware, and I don't believe that the answer is forcing girls to wear trousers or shorts. Why are we punishing girls? Girls are not to blame. So,...
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Minister. I think it would be completely remiss of me not to ask you today about sport and PE in our schools at a time when our country is Euro-crazy at the moment. And I'm sure you'd like to take this opportunity, Minister, to join me in wishing our national Wales football team all the best in this afternoon's match. But there are some people across this Chamber, I was aware...
Laura Anne Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. As a keen sportswoman myself for many years, I'm an avid watcher of all sports myself, but now it mainly comprises me running around after my kids trying to watch sport. But anyway, I'm trying my best. But I am a keen sport nut, as this Chamber knows. And previous Parliaments know how much I've always pushed how important sport and physical activity is—cross cutting, across...
Laura Anne Jones: Business Minister, it's important that we now try to bring a sense of normality back to our country in terms of coronavirus restrictions and dealing with this pandemic. That sense of normality is particularly important for our young people, ensuring that they have as much in-school learning as possible, for all the benefits I've previously outlined in this Chamber. Yet, this week, in a whole...
Laura Anne Jones: Can I start by also paying tribute to our schools, colleges and teachers across Wales for everything that they have done to support our children and young people through this extraordinarily difficult 15 months, under enormous pressures? I, too, would also like to wish the very best of luck to our learners, who have shown remarkable understanding and resilience, as you said, Minister, in the...
Laura Anne Jones: Llywydd, I recommend Mark Isherwood.
Laura Anne Jones: Llywydd, I nominate Paul Davies.
