Julie James: Yes. Work is progressing across all themes: leadership, transformation, skills and workforce, platform services, digital dialogue and engagement, and data. It's very important to me because it drives improvements in delivering the business of Government, and, of course, I oversee progress of the plan, which is owned by the Permanent Secretary, at the digital and data group, which I chair.
Julie James: Yes, the mobile action plan is actually attempting to do just that, to pull the operators together and to make sure that the jigsaw fits, if you like. Not wanting to politicise this, but there are some fundamentals here. One of the big issues is roaming. The mobile phone companies don't like the idea of roaming, and Ofcom backs them up on that. And we understand entirely why, commercially,...
Julie James: The devolution settlement is very complicated here and the edges are difficult, and so what exactly is devolved and what isn't is a constant source of conversation between ourselves, the UK Government, Ofcom and the industry about who can do what. So it's not quite as straightforward as the Scottish situation, unfortunately, would that it were. There have been some improvements. I'm not...
Julie James: Thank you for the question. While we don't hold specific information on mobile reception in mid and west Wales, I do appreciate the difficulties that the area suffers. We have successfully lobbied Ofcom to include coverage obligations in their forthcoming spectrum auction of the 700 MHz band, which we hope will lead to better service availability.
Julie James: We are implementing commitments in the national strategy for violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. These include awareness-raising, educating children and young people about healthy relationships, working with perpetrators, funding a helpline for victims, and training professionals to recognise, and act on, signs of abuse and violence.
Julie James: To December 2017, we have provided access to fast-fibre broadband to 88,149 premises across all parts of Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan, equating to 89.05 per cent completion. The average download speed across South Wales Central is 68.11 Mbps.
Julie James: Responsibility for planning for accessibility in schools lies with local authorities and schools. To support them, we have published updated guidance in discussion with the office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. We are also making a substantial investment in schools through the twenty-first century schools programme, which will improve accessibility.
Julie James: Work to deliver the plan continues, with progress being made against the actions set out in the paper. My officials are actively engaging with local authorities and mobile network operators to facilitate a mobile workshop to take place in June of this year, and I will update members after that.
Julie James: The procurement exercise for the successor project is well under way, with a view to a delivery contract being awarded in late summer of this year. I will make a statement within the next month to update members.
Julie James: The causes of the gender pay gap across Wales are complex. The rapid review of gender equality will look at the big picture, but we are already working to remove some of the barriers. Actions include providing childcare support, creating training opportunities, tackling discrimination and supporting women into non-traditional careers.
Julie James: The procurement exercise for the successor project is well under way, with a view to a delivery contract being awarded in late summer of this year. I will make a statement within the next month to update members.
Julie James: Well, as I said in response to Simon Thomas, we did write expressing our serious concerns about the treatment of people who came from Commonwealth countries. I do think it's worth observing, Llywydd, that it's not just the people who came over on the Empire Windrush, of course; it's the people who came from all Commonwealth countries as a result of a plea from Britain after the war to come...
Julie James: Yes, on that second one—absolutely, we are expecting to have a statement before the end of the summer term, before we enter the summer recess, on the road trunk network in Wales. I absolutely take your point on the skin, and I didn't know there was a cross-party group, so it's good to be reminded of that, and the Cabinet Secretary has already undertaken to write back to Darren Millar once...
Julie James: Thank you for both of those. I'm obviously extremely happy to join you in acknowledging the contribution of Harriet Harman to the important legislation—we were all delighted when they managed to get it on the statute books—as well as in recognising the substantial part that socioeconomic inequality plays in exacerbating other forms of inequality. Indeed, the juxtaposition of those two...
Julie James: The Member will be very well aware that international foreign policy is not devolved to Wales. The First Minister answered questions about his phone call with the Prime Minister earlier on in First Minister's questions, and I don't have anything to add to that.
Julie James: Yes, I know the Minister was delighted to visit the Oaklands play area in Cilfynydd during half term, and to have the opportunity to see the difference that investment in accessible play facilities can make to children and young people. There were a number of follow-up actions agreed on the back of the debate on your legislative proposal earlier in the year, and I know that the Minister for...
Julie James: Well, on that second point, I wasn't aware of that myself, so I think if the Member would be prepared to send details to—it's actually the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services who would be responsible for that. But to both him and the Cabinet Secretary, I'll undertake to make sure that we find out what happened there, because that sounds very strange indeed. In terms...
Julie James: Yes, the Cabinet Secretary is indicating to me that he's going to ask the ambulance trust to write to all Members and explain what the situation is exactly.
Julie James: Yes, the Member raises a very important point. My understanding is that 26 court buildings in Wales have been sold since 2010 and their receipts total just over £5.5 million. The Government is extremely concerned that we keep access to justice locally in Wales and we've made those points to the UK Government on a number of occasions. I know that the Cabinet Secretary who's responsible for...
Julie James: Yes, the Cabinet Secretary is indicating to me that he's intending to make a statement at the end of the process, when the process has run its course. Can I say, Presiding Officer, I want to declare an interest in this because, obviously, my constituency is one of those most affected by this decision?
