Jack Sargeant: And thank you to Rhian Mannings and 2 Wish.
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, acting Llywydd. In concluding today's debate, I once again want to pay tribute just one more time to Rhian Mannings, to 2 Wish, to everyone who is here watching us today and to those in the wider community who supported this petition. Typically, in Senedd debates, in closing you offer a summary of contributions, and I'm going to try to do that just briefly, but it won't do...
Jack Sargeant: However, out of these circumstances, Rhian established the 2 Wish Upon a Star charity—a charity that provides vital help and support to others. 2 Wish supports families and staff through the unexpected loss of a child or young adult by providing memory boxes, counselling and a number of immediate support services. Longer term support can include complementary therapy, play therapy, focus...
Jack Sargeant: Members, as a new committee and Chair—and I say with pride that I believe it's the youngest committee Chair in our Senedd's history—I have been reflecting on the opportunity our petitions process offers. Petitioning the Senedd provides a way for the people of Wales to raise their voice and have their say. It’s a way to highlight the important and challenging issues, seek answers and...
Jack Sargeant: Thank you, acting Llywydd. On behalf of the Petitions Committee, thank you for the opportunity to introduce this important debate. This is the first debate brought forward by the committee in the sixth Senedd, and the first debate for me as Chair of the Petitions Committee.
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, Deputy Llywydd, and I'll extend my thanks to the Minister for his statement. I agree with him about the importance of the steel industry; if we are to move towards a green economy, then that must include localised steel production. I'm sure, Minister, you've read the report overnight of a EU-US trade deal on steel, and it is absolutely vital that UK steel has the same access...
Jack Sargeant: I do welcome this statement from the Minister, so I thank the Minister for that. It's absolutely right that our minds are focused on the changes that we all have to make to reach net zero, but I do believe it's going to take some bold and tough decisions to reach the true net zero, and I'd like this to be reflected in everything we do as Governments and everything we do in society. One of the...
Jack Sargeant: Thank you very much for that answer, Commissioner. It was just last Wednesday when I raised, through a number of media outlets, the issue of social media abuse, and it feels like aggression and violence are increasingly part of politics. This isn't right. It's certainly not the style of kinder politics that I wish to see, and many others in this Chamber wish to see. It was last Friday when we...
Jack Sargeant: Thank you, Minister. I welcome the announcement of the delivery board, but it has to deliver. Now, it is clear to me that the UK Government are selling north Wales short by not electrifying the main line, so I would be interested to know what discussions you’ve had, Minister, about improving signals and signal crossings as a way of improving that line. I’d also like to understand what...
Jack Sargeant: I thank the Counsel General for that answer, and I'm sure Members will agree with me right across the benches in this Chamber that cuts to legal aid by the UK Government mean it is harder for ordinary people to access justice. I'm sure Members from right across the Chamber agree with me that access to justice should not just be for the wealthy. The Welsh Government does fund organisations to...
Jack Sargeant: 7. Will the Counsel General make a statement on the Government's response to the recommendations made by the Commission on Justice in Wales? OQ57046
Jack Sargeant: 4. Will the Commission make a statement on the mental health support that is available to Senedd employees? OQ57045
Jack Sargeant: What is the Welsh Government doing to raise awareness of how men can individually and collectively take responsibility for ending male violence towards women?
Jack Sargeant: I thank the Minister for his statement, and the previous Ministers for their commitment to moving the Welsh economy forward as well. My community, as the Minister will know, is the heartland of Welsh manufacturing, and it is a challenge for us all as policy makers, and particularly Ministers in all Governments, to ensure that renewable technology of the future is designed and developed in...
Jack Sargeant: What consideration does the Minister give to the development of a universal basic income pilot when allocating funding to the social justice portfolio?
Jack Sargeant: Thank you, Darren Millar, for taking this intervention. I do welcome this debate. World Mental Health Day is 10 October, but we should remember that it's actually every single day. And in terms of the level of support and services, I think the Member is right: we do need to address those issues and I was pleased also that the Minister got this portfolio, with her true passion. I say this as...
Jack Sargeant: Minister, thank you for that answer. It's two issues that come to mind, raised by Welsh residents who want to access learning but can't. One resident in Alyn and Deeside sought to do a postgraduate education qualification at Cheshire East college, an institution where learners from other parts of the United Kingdom can get funding to attend, but, unfortunately, we do not recognise the course,...
Jack Sargeant: I thank my colleague from across the Chamber, Mr Rowlands, for tabling this important question, and I do agree with my colleague Carolyn Thomas as well because it is an important question. It's important that the north Wales metro delivers for generations to come, and it is that transport network, as the Minister agrees, that north Wales does deserve. For residents in Alyn and Deeside, this...
Jack Sargeant: 4. How is the Welsh Government enabling learners to learn in non-traditional settings? OQ56968
Jack Sargeant: Diolch yn fawr, First Minister. As you know, this is a key priority for me, as I understand it is yours too. And I'm delighted that, on Friday, I had the chance to visit ysgol Saltney Ferry to see first-hand their work that they are doing on the well-being of pupils in their school. And, First Minister, it has become the first school in Flintshire to scoop up the well-being award for schools,...
