Carolyn Thomas: I know the housing situation is difficult for residents in Ynys Môn. It has been clear to me through e-mails that residents need more affordable housing—so, in a similar vein. First Minister, I commend the Welsh Government for reaching its ambitious 20,000 affordable homes target—that was just last term—and committing to building a further 20,000 low-carbon homes this term. The Welsh...
Carolyn Thomas: Can I thank the Minister for bringing such an important debate to the Senedd? There are two key issues I would like to discuss. Firstly, the pressure that the levelling-up fund places on local authorities is of real concern, with local authorities given short periods of time to submit projects for funding consideration. The competitive nature of the bidding process, alongside the...
Carolyn Thomas: I'd like to congratulate the Minister and the Deputy Minister. You've got a huge portfolio there, and very interesting, too. Can I start by commending the Welsh Government and the work it has done to put climate change at the centre of its agenda for this Senedd term? As the WWF pointed out, and Delyth earlier, one of the devastating impacts of climate change is biodiversity loss, with...
Carolyn Thomas: Minister, I am as pleased as anyone else that Welsh Government is putting climate change at the centre of its programme for government. Decisions made today must take into consideration the impact they will have on generations tomorrow. However, I am also keen to ensure that all aspects and implications are taken into account when deciding whether road building projects will go ahead, as my...
Carolyn Thomas: 2. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of the recent outline trade agreement between the UK Government and Australia on North Wales beef and lamb farmers? OQ56634
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer, Minister. The in-principle agreement of a new free trade deal with Australia, announced by the UK Government, fails British farmers in the same way it has failed the British fishing industry. It would allow Australia to increase its beef export to the UK by more than 60 times the 2020 levels in the first year, before any tariffs would kick in. This sets a very...
Carolyn Thomas: In the last Government, I delivered a petition to the Petitions Committee with approximately 3,700 signatures on it, with a covering note explaining that it is a social healthcare issue as well as a transport and economy issue. As a previous local authority cabinet member for transport, I addressed packed meetings of distressed residents concerned about the loss of a service, some of them in...
Carolyn Thomas: I thank Jack for bringing this debate to the Senedd, and for all he does to support workers and industry in north-east Wales. In my personal experience as a postwoman, I have seen how driving for productivity and efficiency is forcing us into unrealistic working hours. The Communication Workers Union successfully fought against franchising our brand and reduced wages for new starters, which...
Carolyn Thomas: 7. What representations has the Counsel General made to the UK Government regarding plans to require photo identification cards in order to vote? OQ56691
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for the answer, Minister. I am deeply concerned about the impact regarding voter ID and the impact it will have on the electorate in my region of North Wales. The move by the Tory Government in Westminster will very likely suppress electoral turnout, particularly amongst most disadvantaged communities. Putting up unnecessary obstacles to participating in our democracy in this way...
Carolyn Thomas: 7. What steps is the Commission taking to increase biodiversity on the Senedd estate? OQ56690
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer. Since joining the Senedd last month, I was really pleased to hear about some of the measures in place to encourage wildlife, including the bees on the Pierhead building. I would like this Parliament to lead the way in terms of using innovative techniques to encourage biodiversity, and will the Commission commit to investigating ways to encourage native species on...
Carolyn Thomas: I've been contacted by a north Wales haulage company regarding this issue, and it highlighted two key factors. The first, as Joyce mentioned, is Brexit and the fact the UK Government desperately needs to rethink its position on skilled worker visas. But the second, which I would like to ask about, is how we can encourage more people to go into this line of employment, by recognising it as the...
Carolyn Thomas: Diolch. Well, I can confirm that Flintshire County Council are building 500 affordable houses for rent, thanks to Welsh Government policies and funding as well to help with that. So, I am pleased that the Welsh Government is tackling this issue of second home ownership seriously with the outlined three-pronged approach. Just this week, I was contacted by a constituent. She has seen a 40 per...
Carolyn Thomas: I welcome the proposals laid out, and I would like to put forward that region, if that's possible. Sorry, I don't end with a question. Thank you—diolch.
Carolyn Thomas: I need to declare an interest as I am a still Flintshire councillor as well. Over the last 10 years of austerity, because of Welsh Government's budgets being cut, public services, including councils, have been cut to the bone. They have reorganised and restructured until they are at tipping point. Council tax used to equate to 24 per cent of the budget; the rest comes from Government. Now, it...
Carolyn Thomas: 5. What assessment has the Minister made of the cuts that the UK Government has made to the discretionary housing payment budget? OQ56771
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you, Minister, for the answer. I agree that the cuts to the DHP budget could have not come at a worse time for tenants across Wales, who are already facing the perfect storm of potential job cuts, a cut to the universal credit boost, rent arrears and the end of the eviction ban. And this is on top of the bedroom tax, the two-child limit and accumulation of Tory UK policies increasing...
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you, both of you, for raising this. I'm going to speak about my experience and also my daughter's, who has given me—. She has said that I'm allowed to speak on it. She also thinks it's really important because she has a lot of friends that are suffering as well. My first child was born in hospital. She was large. I lost a lot of blood and nearly fainted while trying to pick her up....
Carolyn Thomas: I'm aware of quite a lot of infrastructure in north Wales that's been impacted by flooding, including those two examples that have been raised today, and they've not fitted that criteria for funding that the Minister mentioned earlier. I am aware, as previous cabinet member for transportation, that, every year, there's an underspend that usually goes to the trunk road agency. I think, last...
