Julie James: Diolch. We are determined to do all we can to make Wales hostile to slavery. In April, we had the first prosecution in the UK for county lines using modern slavery legislation. This saw two men jailed for trafficking a vulnerable woman from London to Swansea to sell heroin.
Julie James: The Superfast Cymru scheme has facilitated the roll-out of superfast broadband access to over 142,000 homes and businesses across the region, delivering average speeds of over 91.6 Mbps and investing over £40.3 million.
Julie James: The Superfast Cymru scheme has, to date, facilitated the roll-out of superfast broadband access to over 215,000 homes and businesses across the region, delivering average speeds of over 87 Mbps and investing over £60 million.
Julie James: Through the Superfast Cymru scheme, we have invested over £55 million in broadband telecommunications throughout mid and west Wales. We are also working closely with mobile network operators and the Westminster Government to secure even greater future investment in mobile infrastructure throughout the region.
Julie James: The Welsh Government has been clear that UK withdrawal from the EU should in no way lead to a dilution in human rights protections. We are currently assessing the effect of losing access to the charter rights, and what remedial action, if any, is required to mitigate impact in Wales.
Julie James: The annual report that I laid in the Assembly last month outlines the huge progress in delivering the commitments in our national strategy. Our delivery framework will be published before recess and this outlines the actions already achieved and our forward plan for the next three years.
Julie James: The first phase of the gender equality rapid review reported last week. This report is a direct and significant challenge to us. It provides areas for action in phase two that we can move forward on immediately and others that will need further exploration. Phase two will begin shortly.
Julie James: Thank you for that. It's obviously very important. I don't think it's suitable for a statement, though. If you want to ask a specific question of the Cabinet Secretary, I'll make sure that you get an answer.
Julie James: Yes, two excellent points. On the White Ribbon ambassadors, I was very impressed when I visited the fire service recently, who have trained all of their fire personnel in being White Ribbon ambassadors because, of course, they go into people's houses, and they have also all taken the Welsh Government's 'ask and act' training, which is very important indeed. I'm very happy to commend that...
Julie James: Well, in time-honoured fashion, Llywydd, and in reverse order, I will certainly find out where that response is. It was very good to see you at the Welsh refugee Swansea launch the other day, and it was a matter raised with me as well. And I will certainly chase up where we are with that response, as you brought up. On the substance misuse response, I completely agree that we need to regard...
Julie James: The Member raises a very important point. We have worked very closely with representative groups on our dementia plan, including people with dementia themselves from a wide range of diverse areas. And I know that that dementia plan has been well received by the communities of people both supporting people with dementia and living with dementia themselves. I'm sure the Cabinet Secretary will...
Julie James: Yes, indeed. The Member's quite right, Llywydd. Obviously, Members of my own constituency are also covered, just to make sure the Assembly is aware, and I know other Government members have a constituency interest in that area. We are in close touch with Virgin Media. We are continuing with our plans for the taskforce to be ready to support any affected staff. We have done what we can to help...
Julie James: If the Member writes with the details that he has, I'll make sure that we can get an answer to that. I know that we're very pleased with the amount of junior doctors that have come forward to take up training places in Wales, and in fact we've been oversubscribed. So, we certainly want to make sure that that situation continues. So, if he is kind enough to write in with the details, I'll...
Julie James: Yes, I think the Member raises a very important point. I am actually bringing forward a statement on the annual equalities report of the Welsh Government in the autumn, and I'll be sure to include the issue the Member raises in that.
Julie James: Yes, that's a very important issue. I know that the Minister will be meeting NRW very shortly to discuss these issues further, and to discuss how to end the pheasant shooting leases on the Welsh Government estate. She is very happy to provide a written statement once those meetings have concluded. We understand that the NRW board endorsed the recommendations of the review last week on the use...
Julie James: The Member's made a series of important points there. The Cabinet Secretary is indicating to me that she's meeting the chair and chief executive of NRW tomorrow and will update Members as soon as that meeting has taken place. In terms of Brexit updates, I hesitate to say that we'll keep Members informed as things progress, as we seem to be in a position where things are progressing and then...
Julie James: Well, taking the middle one first, which is the easiest, the Cabinet Secretary is nodding happily at your suggestion, so I'm sure we can take that one forward. In terms of the issue with the woodchip fires, I will be discussing that with Cabinet colleagues, and we will come forward with the timetable for that, and, in terms of part 2, again, I will discuss with the Cabinet Secretary exactly...
Julie James: Diolch, Llywydd. There's one change to this week's business. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services will make a statement on last week's publication of Donna Ockenden's governance review. Business for the next three weeks is shown on the business statement and announcement found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Julie James: Without commenting on the specific circumstances, there clearly is an issue around impact and enforceability. I'm very proud of the public sector equality duty in Wales and the particular Welsh aspects to that, but there are issues around what we do if they aren't upheld. Some of the reporting could be better. These are things we learn as we go along. So, very, very important to us will be to...
Julie James: Yes, I think that's an excellent point. As I said, there's a lot we can do to put our own house in order. The report is huge food for thought. When you have the chance to read it through thoroughly, the discussion around maternity and paternity leave, shared parental leave and so on, is one that really resonated with me. Because, absolutely, we have to ensure that women who want to take...
