Peredur Owen Griffiths: I mentioned at the beginning of this contribution that engaging with people across Wales and listening to the views of stakeholders is a priority for me as Chair. Demonstrating the impact of the budget is crucial to ensure meaningful engagement with those sectors and organisations affected, and in providing them with an opportunity to inform and influence budgetary decisions. We have...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: This year, households will feel significant pressures on their incomes as a result of inflation, rising energy costs and commodity prices, with the poorest households being hit hardest. Last week's announcement of a hike in the price of people's gas and electricity bills will be particularly worrying for many. The committee notes the Welsh Government’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis,...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: With the climate and environmental agenda gathering momentum following the critical COP26 summit, the committee welcomes the Welsh Government’s efforts to target investment at the climate and nature emergencies. However, the level of new and additional funding identified within the draft budget may fall short of what’s required to deal with this huge task. It’s disappointing that the...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Dirprwy Lywydd, as Wales emerges from the pandemic, the Welsh Government, and the Minister in particular, is facing significant challenges in responding to economic pressures, the effects of climate change, Brexit and in mitigating the squeeze on household incomes. Pandemic-related pressures also remain significant for health, local government and businesses. Our report makes 41...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I am delighted to contribute to this important debate on the Welsh Government's draft budget 2022-23. This is the first draft budget of this Senedd and I am pleased that, for the first time since 2017, the Welsh Government has been able to provide a multi-year budget setting out funding for 2022-23 and indicative allocations for the following two...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: How is the Government tackling the cost-of-living crisis in South Wales East?
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you for bringing this important debate before us today.
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I understand that there are always arguments for and against setting targets, particularly when it comes to something as complex as adverse childhood experiences. The counter argument against targets is that the published data is based on reporting levels and that increased numbers aren't necessarily a bad thing, because it can mean higher levels of awareness and more protection for children....
Peredur Owen Griffiths: In my region, there exists the last remaining greyhound racing track in Wales. This track is also independent, meaning it is not subject to any regulation or licensing requirements. There is no requirement for a veterinary presence or welfare oversight in place, as it stands. Hope Rescue say that, in the last four years, they have taken in 200 greyhounds from this track—40 of these...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: 4. How is the Government liaising with Caerphilly County Borough Council on inspections of the remaining greyhound racing track in Wales to ensure animal welfare standards? OQ57572
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I imagine most of us involved in this debate have spent a fair amount of time trudging the streets in our patch, knocking doors, and talking politics to strangers. It's an aspect of being a member of a political party that I genuinely enjoy. Occasionally, it can make you feel a bit despondent when you come across somebody who is not engaged politically. They are completely switched off from...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: The committee firmly believes that a pre-nomination hearing ensures open and transparent scrutiny of the candidate identified as the most suitable from the recruitment process. It also provides the committee, and ultimately the Senedd, with additional confidence that the preferred candidate is suitable for nomination to Her Majesty for appointment. During the pre-nomination hearing, members...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: As outlined in the committee’s report, it is vital that the committee’s selection process meets the expectations of the people of Wales in terms of robustness and transparency. It's also vital that the process is conducted in a way that removes it from any suggestion of political interference. As such, we ensured that two party groups were represented on the appointment panel. I was...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: I'm glad to say that the recruitment process attracted many excellent candidates and it gives me great pleasure to move this motion today, on behalf of the Finance Committee, to nominate the preferred candidate, Michelle Morris, to Her Majesty for appointment as the next Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the current ombudsman,...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Thank you very much, Llywydd. As Members will be aware, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales is a Crown appointment made on the nomination of the Senedd under Schedule 1 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019. The Finance Committee, as the committee with delegated responsibility for overseeing arrangements relating to the ombudsman, has been fully involved throughout the process...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Diolch, Weinidog. One of the main parts of the co-operation agreement was the free-school-meals policy, which will benefit so many families. I'm proud that Plaid Cymru has helped to bring this to fruition from September of this year. This policy has major and positive implications for local supply chains and combating child poverty. It will also entail a capital cost to ensure that all...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: 3. Will the Government provide an update on plans to deliver free school meals to primary school pupils? OQ57510
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Diolch, Ddirprwy Weinidog. I welcome the statement that's been issued this afternoon and I thank you for the namecheck in the statement and for mentioning the cross-party group that I've helped to set up with the assistance of the fantastic staff at the drugs charity Kaleidoscope. It's also pleasing to be reminded of the reduction in drug deaths in Wales, although I'd like to see the number...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: The two children's hospices in Wales have been the poor relations in the UK when it comes to state support. Before this announcement, our hospices received less than 10 per cent of their budget from state sources. By way of comparison, children's hospices in Scotland get 50 per cent of their budget from state sources. We're not talking about parity today with other nations, but it is a step...
Peredur Owen Griffiths: Sorry. When you contextualise this announcement today in terms of the financial security that we need for children's hospices, I'm sure there'll be well-spread agreement in our Parliament today, and it's not only long overdue, but it's very, very much welcome indeed. Diolch.
