Mike Hedges: Can I thank the Minister for that response? Anyone listening to discussion in the Senedd would think that the two key economic sectors were agriculture and tourism and, therefore, our ambition was to emulate the economic success of Greece. I would like to see more done to support three of the high-paid sectors, namely ICT, life science and highly skilled professional services. What is the...
Mike Hedges: 5. What is the Welsh Government doing to increase the number of people in Wales employed in higher paid sectors of the economy? OQ57262
Mike Hedges: I welcome the statement by the Minister and the action plan. I agree with the Minister that homelessness extends well beyond access and the availability of affordable homes, but does the Minister agree that the availability of affordable homes is a major part of the solution? Does the Welsh Government accept Shelter's definition of homelessness, which extends beyond those sleeping on the...
Mike Hedges: I'm not going to repeat anything said by either Rhys or Peter, but the tragedy of Grenfell Tower saw 72 people lose their lives. It was reported earlier this year that surveys on high-rise buildings across the UK, following the fire, have shown that combustible cladding and fire safety defects are causing issues in other high-rise buildings—lots of other high-rise buildings. The Welsh...
Mike Hedges: Frankly, I'm disappointed at how much ICT equipment, which I think is relatively young, is actually being removed and new equipment is being purchased. It's incredibly expensive continually upgrading and buying. Can I ask that you will review your ICT replacement programme? And can I also ask that you will ask Members if they're happy with the equipment they've got before taking it off them?
Mike Hedges: I very much welcome the statement by the Minister. If we had a surfeit of housing, then second home ownership would not be a problem, but unfortunately, we have a shortage of accommodation across Wales and in certain parts of Wales, a massive shortage. I find it morally wrong that some people have two or more houses and others are either homeless, living in very poor quality housing or living...
Mike Hedges: I am not going to object to the Commission's budget. I do, however, want to make three points. Firstly, I want to reiterate recommendation 2 from the Finance Committee: 'In line with the statement of principles, the Committee recommends that the Commission should fund in-year pressures on the budget it has control over by making in-year savings and efficiencies, rather than through...
Mike Hedges: Glyphosate is used to kill weeds. I, along with many others, have concerns about the effect of glyphosate on humans, animals and the environment. It's a non-selective systemic herbicide that kills a wide range of plants by entering plants through leaves and using the plant's circulatory system to reach its crown and roots. Does the Minister share my concern, and does the Government intend to...
Mike Hedges: 1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of using pesticides in Wales? OQ57175
Mike Hedges: Possibly not.
Mike Hedges: Annual reduction in miles travelled.
Mike Hedges: I welcome the statement and the opportunity to question the Minister. COP26 was a disappointment; I think everybody is of that view. When you saw the number of planes landing, it was easy to see that it was not going to be a success. Too many countries put short-term economic benefit before both the environment and their long-term economic benefit. I always thought that if people saw the...
Mike Hedges: I would like to ask for two statements, the first on the Welsh Government's policy on outsourcing—directly or by Welsh Government-funded bodies in Wales, such as Sport Wales. I am opposed to outsourcing, because I believe there is a serious danger of either a reduction in the quality of provision, or a reduction in the terms and conditions of those employed, or often both. I would also like...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank you, First Minister, for your reply? Making Wales a nation where everybody gets paid at least the real living wage is one of my ambitions. Whilst the Welsh Government cannot instruct private companies that have no funding from the Welsh Government, they have influence over directly funded organisations and those who contract with Welsh Government-funded organisations and those who...
Mike Hedges: 3. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the percentage of the Welsh workforce earning at or above the real living wage? OQ57177
Mike Hedges: Will the Minister make a statement on the terms and conditions for supply teachers working in Wales?
Mike Hedges: But, it was higher before as well. Northern Ireland has historically had very high turnouts. It's a bit like saying the turnout in Brecon and Radnor was higher than in Blaenau Gwent or Swansea East.
Mike Hedges: You did.
Mike Hedges: Well, it certainly doesn't do that, but—
Mike Hedges: It also delivers Labour Governments, and just think this: if we'd never had first-past-the-post, we wouldn't have had the national health service because the Conservatives and the Liberals, as they were then, would have gathered together in 1945 to take control and would have controlled ever since. Just remember, the Liberals are the left wing of the Conservative Party.
