Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Llywydd. Today, for me, is a day of mixed emotions. I am, of course, immensely proud and honoured to be standing here again representing the people of south-east Wales in this Chamber. But these feelings are tinged with great sadness. I only wish I had this opportunity to serve, and that I could accomplish it, without the sad loss of our dear friend, Mohammad Asghar. These are...
Laura Anne Jones: Does the First Minister agree with me that it's both farcical and confusing to have a different approach from one side of the border to the other, especially when you consider the amount of people travelling on a daily basis from one side to another? Can the First Minister assure me that he'll put aside his difference and his need to be different from England for the sake of being different,...
Laura Anne Jones: Business Minister, by September, our children will have had no more than three days in school in six months. Not only is their education suffering but their mental and physical health too. Vulnerable children are falling behind in key skills, and, if our children don't go back fully in September, then potentially parents might lose some of their jobs too, because they won't be able to go back...
Laura Anne Jones: Education Minister, I recognise these are difficult decisions for the Government, but the Government must balance the harms and benefits of any policy. And although I see you're trying to keep our children safe, and respect that, obviously, it is, ironically, having an adverse effect on our children and they are suffering, which I've seen first hand, having a 10-year-old son of primary age...
Laura Anne Jones: I hope you'll forgive me for standing up and contributing to this debate. Obviously, this is my first day, but I was Conservative spokesperson for sport in 2003 so I felt the need to stand up and say something. I wanted, first of all, to commend the report myself; I thought it was a very—. What Helen Mary Jones said; I want to thank her for that and thank the committee. I thought they were...
Laura Anne Jones: First Minister, one way of supporting professional sport in Wales would be to relax the social distancing rules and allow Welsh stadiums to reopen. The chief executive of the English Rugby Football Union makes the point that reducing social distancing measures to 1m, which is the World Health Organization's recommendation and guidance, results in a capacity of 40,000 people in an 80,000...
Laura Anne Jones: Transport Minister, can you hear me?
Laura Anne Jones: Okay, good. Thank you. Sorry, Llywydd. Transport Minister, I agreed with Paul Davies earlier that Welsh businesses of all sizes, now more than ever post lockdown, need all the support that they can get from this Welsh Government. I strongly believe that decent transport infrastructure is key to revive an economy. Therefore, to revive our economy in south Wales, do you not agree that...
Laura Anne Jones: First Minister, I just wonder if you can explain something to me, please. Given that our premier football leagues here in Wales have now been given dates to go back and start matches, which are of course welcome, could you please let us know the dates the rest of football, grass-roots football—we're talking about our lower leagues and children's football—can return to play matches and...
Laura Anne Jones: 2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking? OQ55510
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Deputy Minister. The anti-slavery charity, Unseen UK, has warned that, due to the economic downturn due to the current crisis, we are likely to see an increase in human trafficking—the two things normally going hand in hand. Will the Deputy Minister assure me that she will take action to try and prevent this, to raise awareness of and recognition of the signs of modern slavery?
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. I also want to take this opportunity to welcome your comments and your opening remarks that you want to keep our schools open during these uncertain times. It was a little concerning this week when I heard that a number of children were sent home with runny noses this week, and obviously, because of the delay in testing, that meant that they missed out...
Laura Anne Jones: I recently visited Skenfrith in Monmouthshire with the local MP David Davies to see first-hand the devastating effects that flooding has had on their village. Last winter's flooding had a devastating impact on so many local residents, and worry and anxiety about a repeat of that this winter is giving many residents, obviously, sleepless nights and impacting on their mental health. Could I...
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Minister. I'd just like to start by saying that the latest announcement of money for local government, of course, is very welcome. Credit where credit is due—I think the fact that it's going to be given out on a claims basis is a great idea. I just wanted to know if the Minister can just give us confidence today that claims will be fairly assessed, given that some smaller...
Laura Anne Jones: Obviously, things have moved on since this was tabled, but it's clear in the events of the last few days that Wales continues to face an unprecedented health crisis. And I, of course, welcome this debate coming about, because it is—it might be a bit behind now, but it is important that we have this opportunity to raise our questions and our concerns on what is a worldwide health crisis. ...
Laura Anne Jones: Yes, I am. Lastly, could he tell us on our airport, our one and only airport in Wales, Minister, please can you after—? We've had case after case of people coming back from abroad bringing coronavirus. Can you please tell us what action you're actually taking? Thank you. [Interruption.] Commercial, sorry.
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you for the statement, Minister. There has been understandable concern from parents, so I welcome this today. I too would like to offer thanks from the official opposition to all our nursery and child carers, who not only do a fantastic job not only just caring for our children, but helping to nurture them and helping them grow as individuals. I welcome the fact that the system is now...
Laura Anne Jones: Deputy Minister, I know that a lot of the Chamber follow on social media, as do I, Joe Wicks, who was a physical and mental health hero, I suppose, during the national lockdown period. He posted a video this morning on how he's being affected mentally by all the latest coronavirus regulations and things like that, which I thought was very brave, and he also said how the physical exercise...
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Minister. To enable people to partake in sport during the winter months is absolutely essential. It's always been essential, but now more than ever during this pandemic. Rural areas, often deemed affluent by the Welsh Government, are critically poor in a lot of areas when it comes to sporting facilities, especially those that can be used during the winter months to ensure that...
Laura Anne Jones: Thank you, Deputy Minister. Finally, the National Trust is facing considerable financial difficulty due to the coronavirus. They are reported to be facing losses of some £200 million as a result of the pandemic, and have had to review every aspect of their charity to make savings in almost every area of activity. One such attraction currently at risk is the roundhouse in the Kymin, which is...
