Carolyn Thomas: May I declare that I'm still a Flintshire county councillor? Thank you.
Carolyn Thomas: Diolch. I thank the First Minister for the really positive relationship that has been built between Welsh Government and councils, especially during the pandemic. The relationship has ensured that local services have continued to be provided to communities throughout Wales with financial support from Welsh Government. But, as a Flintshire councillor, I have seen the impact of 10 years of...
Carolyn Thomas: 4. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for the funding of local authorities in Wales? OQ56878
Carolyn Thomas: Give working class people money in their pockets. Give working class people money in their pockets and they will spend it because they need to spend it. Grow the economy that way. Put money in people's pockets. Rich people conserve it, put it in the banks. Money is supposed to be spent, it's supposed to be part of the economy, to keep the economy going. The Welsh Labour Government has taken...
Carolyn Thomas: —and terrible shifts that don't fit in with families. It's not just universal credit that's to be blamed for this either. It's the combined impact of Tory austerity policies, including the bedroom tax and the two-child policy as well. So, now you can only get funding for two children. In Rhyl alone, 4,000 people will be impacted. This has a knock-on effect on local communities at a time...
Carolyn Thomas: I'd like to say that universal credit has never been fit for purpose. It costs more than the previous legacy benefits to deliver because of the bureaucracy of it and helps even fewer people. I think that the proposed cut of the £20 uplift is a kick in the teeth for many of my constituents across north Wales. Forty per cent of those on universal credit are in low-paid jobs, as has previously...
Carolyn Thomas: No I won't—and they've carried out essential work throughout the pandemic in sectors such as the NHS and social care. Rather than being thanked for this incredible job that they've done during the pandemic, they're about to be hit with £1,000 a year universal credit cut as well as a tax hike. In-work poverty and poor working conditions should be resigned to history. Instead, this cut...
Carolyn Thomas: I'm aware of quite a lot of infrastructure in north Wales that's been impacted by flooding, including those two examples that have been raised today, and they've not fitted that criteria for funding that the Minister mentioned earlier. I am aware, as previous cabinet member for transportation, that, every year, there's an underspend that usually goes to the trunk road agency. I think, last...
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you, both of you, for raising this. I'm going to speak about my experience and also my daughter's, who has given me—. She has said that I'm allowed to speak on it. She also thinks it's really important because she has a lot of friends that are suffering as well. My first child was born in hospital. She was large. I lost a lot of blood and nearly fainted while trying to pick her up....
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you, Minister, for the answer. I agree that the cuts to the DHP budget could have not come at a worse time for tenants across Wales, who are already facing the perfect storm of potential job cuts, a cut to the universal credit boost, rent arrears and the end of the eviction ban. And this is on top of the bedroom tax, the two-child limit and accumulation of Tory UK policies increasing...
Carolyn Thomas: 5. What assessment has the Minister made of the cuts that the UK Government has made to the discretionary housing payment budget? OQ56771
Carolyn Thomas: I need to declare an interest as I am a still Flintshire councillor as well. Over the last 10 years of austerity, because of Welsh Government's budgets being cut, public services, including councils, have been cut to the bone. They have reorganised and restructured until they are at tipping point. Council tax used to equate to 24 per cent of the budget; the rest comes from Government. Now, it...
Carolyn Thomas: I welcome the proposals laid out, and I would like to put forward that region, if that's possible. Sorry, I don't end with a question. Thank you—diolch.
Carolyn Thomas: Diolch. Well, I can confirm that Flintshire County Council are building 500 affordable houses for rent, thanks to Welsh Government policies and funding as well to help with that. So, I am pleased that the Welsh Government is tackling this issue of second home ownership seriously with the outlined three-pronged approach. Just this week, I was contacted by a constituent. She has seen a 40 per...
Carolyn Thomas: I've been contacted by a north Wales haulage company regarding this issue, and it highlighted two key factors. The first, as Joyce mentioned, is Brexit and the fact the UK Government desperately needs to rethink its position on skilled worker visas. But the second, which I would like to ask about, is how we can encourage more people to go into this line of employment, by recognising it as the...
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for that answer. Since joining the Senedd last month, I was really pleased to hear about some of the measures in place to encourage wildlife, including the bees on the Pierhead building. I would like this Parliament to lead the way in terms of using innovative techniques to encourage biodiversity, and will the Commission commit to investigating ways to encourage native species on...
Carolyn Thomas: Thank you for the answer, Minister. I am deeply concerned about the impact regarding voter ID and the impact it will have on the electorate in my region of North Wales. The move by the Tory Government in Westminster will very likely suppress electoral turnout, particularly amongst most disadvantaged communities. Putting up unnecessary obstacles to participating in our democracy in this way...
Carolyn Thomas: 7. What representations has the Counsel General made to the UK Government regarding plans to require photo identification cards in order to vote? OQ56691
Carolyn Thomas: 7. What steps is the Commission taking to increase biodiversity on the Senedd estate? OQ56690
Carolyn Thomas: I thank Jack for bringing this debate to the Senedd, and for all he does to support workers and industry in north-east Wales. In my personal experience as a postwoman, I have seen how driving for productivity and efficiency is forcing us into unrealistic working hours. The Communication Workers Union successfully fought against franchising our brand and reduced wages for new starters, which...
