Natasha Asghar: Let me say from the outset to everyone here that I am 100 per cent in favour of taking action to improve road safety here in Wales. The Welsh Conservative group really have no problem in seeing reduced speed limits on roads where there is large pedestrian activity, such as outside busy places of worship, schools, playgrounds and high streets where cars are permitted. As Edmund King, the...
Natasha Asghar: No, not at this moment.
Natasha Asghar: And I really fail to see how air quality will be improved by forcing higher fuel consumption, thereby creating more emissions. Vehicles today are designed for maximum efficiency and fuel economy at particular speeds, and it will not benefit the environment if cars are stuck on gridlocked roads pumping out pollution day after day. Presiding Officer, more people die on roads from drink driving,...
Natasha Asghar: Minister, I recently visited Newport docks to discuss the potential of a bid by Associated British Ports for a free port to be established in south Wales. As you know, in May, it was announced that the UK and Welsh Governments had come to an agreement to collaborate and deliver a new free port in Wales, backed by £26 million in UK Government funding to support the regeneration of communities...
Natasha Asghar: News of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen has left the nation in a state of profound sadness and loss. The Queen was a constant presence in most of our lives. Her first Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, was born in 1874; her last Prime Minister, appointed only a few days ago, was born in 1975, 101 years later. That alone just exemplifies the length of time that she has devoted to the...
Natasha Asghar: Minister, could I ask for a statement, please, from the Minister for education on the development of coding skills here in Wales? The week before last, I visited the Office for National Statistics in Newport where concerns were raised and expressed that not enough emphasis is being placed on the teaching of coding skills in schools and that it's a heavily male-oriented vocation at the moment....
Natasha Asghar: What support is the Welsh Government providing to businesses facing increased energy costs?
Natasha Asghar: Thank you so much, Presiding Officer. Minister, there is a growing—. Sorry.
Natasha Asghar: 1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to reduce carbon emissions in Wales? OQ58380
Natasha Asghar: Thank you so much, Deputy Minister. Apologies, I think I just got excited being back for the first day officially, or the second day. There's a growing awareness that our diet and food choices have a significant impact on our carbon footprint. Food transport, packaging and processing make up 6 per cent of carbon emissions from rich countries, so buying locally produced food means lower...
Natasha Asghar: Thanks so much, Presiding Officer. Deputy Minister, in 2019, the Welsh Government made a number of commitments regarding transparency, accountability and participation. One of these commitments was to raise awareness of the Welsh Government's finances, specifically about where money comes and how it is spent. You will be aware that I've tried on a number of occasions to discover the amount of...
Natasha Asghar: Deputy Minister, I know you love to bring in the UK Government, but let's focus on Wales, which is what you and I are responsible for here. So, you must agree that inadequate road infrastructure is actually damaging businesses and hindering job creation at a time when we are just recovering from the effects of the pandemic. Your failure to improve roads means increased congestion, higher...
Natasha Asghar: Thank you so much for the answer. Firstly, I would actually improve things by giving us some electric vehicle charging points, which I've stood here countless times, again and again, requesting all across Wales, which is what we're responsible for here, Deputy Minister. The simple fact is that your Government has objectively failed to provide Wales with the road infrastructure it needs and...
Natasha Asghar: Minister, a report for the UK Department for Education in 2015 found that the most successful schools are supporting the attainment of disadvantaged pupils, treating each pupil as an individual with specific challenges and needs. The less successful schools tended to view their disadvantaged pupils as a group whose home environment and lack of access to opportunities limited their chances of...
Natasha Asghar: Today is World Alzheimer's Day. World Alzheimer's Day is a global opportunity to raise awareness, educate, encourage, support and demystify all types of dementia. Dementia is a complex condition and often people need specialist support to help them live their lives, keep them safe and protect their well-being. Research for Alzheimer's Society Cymru found that 45 per cent of people with a...
Natasha Asghar: 7. How does the Welsh Government ensure that the properties it owns provide best value for the taxpayer? OQ58432
Natasha Asghar: Thank you, Minister. I think a lot of people in this Chamber would be interested to know that I recently asked for a list of the land and properties bought by the Welsh Government to facilitate the building of the M4 relief road. In reply, I was told that 30 properties were bought, at a cost to the taxpayer of over £15 million. It is now more than three years since the M4 relief road project...
Natasha Asghar: The adverse effects of the pandemic on the delivery of health services in Wales are still being felt, and it's particularly concerning when it comes to cancer services. I'd like to reiterate what my colleague Russell George said earlier, in that vital cancer screening services had to be paused for four months in 2020, and the imposition of restrictions on movement and face-to-face meetings...
Natasha Asghar: In relation to the cancer action plan, the plan should have, as its central aim, the principle that everyone should have equitable access to timely diagnosis and the most effective evidence base, treatment and support. Consideration should be given to how adequate capacity and expertise can be brought together to enable timely access and transformation, and how to bring cancer services closer...
Natasha Asghar: 1. What action is the Welsh Government taking to help promote e-cigarettes to encourage existing smokers to quit smoking? OQ58468
