Tom Giffard: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of ambulance services in South Wales West? OQ57652
Tom Giffard: I thank the Deputy Minister for that response. You'll of course recall, Deputy Minister, the Welsh Conservatives debate on spiking and women's safety, held on 10 November. Even though the debate motion was amended, it was clear during the debate that there was consensus right across the Chamber that action needed to be taken to keep women safe in venues like nightclubs. This is obviously an...
Tom Giffard: 6. What discussions is the Minister having with nightclubs and other stakeholders about improving the safety of women in their venues? OQ57611
Tom Giffard: I thank the First Minister for his answer. As we look ahead to the St David's Day celebrations in a few weeks' time, I took the trouble earlier this week of reading your written statement in advance of last year's St David's Day. I was delighted to read that your aim then was to use our 'National Day to support delivery of our International Strategy, with its key ambitions of raising Wales'...
Tom Giffard: 3. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's international strategy? OQ57614
Tom Giffard: Diolch, Llywydd, and I'll want to start by reminding Members of my interest as a sitting councillor at Bridgend County Borough Council. But I have to say it's surprising for me to see both the Minister, who represents the constituency of Gower, and Sarah Murphy, who tabled this question, whose constituency covers Porthcawl, both advocating for a tourism tax today. Being a regional Member...
Tom Giffard: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank the Deputy Minister for making this statement today on LGBTQ+ History Month? I think it's a really important topic and something that I hope we can all work across the Chamber to raise the profile of and aid people's understanding of the importance of this month as well. I'm, like you, very proud to live in one of the most open and tolerant places...
Tom Giffard: I hope you don't mind if I start my contribution by thanking Members from across the Siambr for their kind words and well wishes during my recent stay in hospital. It meant a lot to me, and it's very good to be back today. It's also good to be back participating in a Welsh Conservative debate today on the impact of COVID on education. Parents, pupils and, in particular, teaching staff have...
Tom Giffard: First Minister, the Welsh Government decided on Monday night to ban spectators from sporting venues in Wales, and in tandem announced a £3 million fund to cover lost revenue for sports clubs and venues who are set to lose out as a result. But as yet there's been very little detail on how this can be applied for or exactly how it will be apportioned, and even so, I'm afraid to say that the...
Tom Giffard: Will the First Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's plans to increase the size of the Senedd?
Tom Giffard: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. You'll know that tourism is a major employer in my region of South Wales West. It creates thousands of much-needed jobs and accounts for around 9.5 per cent of employment across Wales. However, after reading the coalition document agreed between Plaid Cymru and the Labour Party, which was signed today, I see a tourism tax that threatens to punish these...
Tom Giffard: 4. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's tourism strategy in South Wales West? OQ57280
Tom Giffard: Will the Minister make a statement on the provision of ambulance services in South Wales West?
Tom Giffard: First Minister, as we look ahead to Small Business Saturday, as you have, I'd like to acknowledge as well the amazing perseverance of small businesses here in Wales, particularly in my region of South Wales West. These companies, many of which are family-run, turn over approximately £46 billion each year, which is more than double the entire Welsh Government's annual budget. As well as...
Tom Giffard: What discussions is the Minister having with nightclubs and other stakeholders about improving the safety of women in their venues?
Tom Giffard: I thank the Minister for that answer. With bonfire night having come and gone this year, and new year celebrations on the horizon, we're now in the middle of the so-called fireworks season. This year, however, it's very different to most other years, with the RSPCA saying this year will see an unprecedented amount of unofficial and unplanned events, with 44 per cent of people in Wales now...
Tom Giffard: Can I thank Rhys ab Owen for tabling this important question, and also declare my interest as a serving councillor on Bridgend County Borough Council? I note with interest the Welsh Government plans to pilot new measures such as early voting in certain wards in Bridgend council ahead of next year's local government elections, the justification for which being that this will happen in the...
Tom Giffard: 3. What action has the Welsh Government taken to reduce the impact of fireworks on the welfare of animals? OQ57182
Tom Giffard: What legal protections are in place to ensure that local councillors can speak freely at council meetings?
Tom Giffard: Diolch ichi, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’m pleased to open this Senedd debate today on the growing concern around the shocking increase of drink spiking in nightclubs in Wales and across the UK. I'm sure many of us in this Chamber will have heard some horrific stories, whether in our inboxes as Senedd Members or through our friends and family, that this is an issue that affects every part of Wales....
