Rhianon Passmore: I rise to support the Welsh Labour Government's budget for 2020-21. Despite a decade of harsh austerity and cuts inflicted on Wales by the UK Tory Government in London, the Welsh Labour Government here continues to act as a firewall against a shrivelled and stunted Welsh block grant, and a chronic absence of UK infrastructural spend. It is important, with climate change, that this changes....
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. The people of Islwyn are rightly proud of their contribution to Wales's reputation as a world leader in recycling, and our desire to move Wales towards becoming a zero-waste country by 2050. First Minister, following the recent devastating floods that impacted on Wales, Caerphilly County Borough Council then offered to collect people's flood-damaged property. What measures and...
Rhianon Passmore: 8. What actions is the Welsh Government taking to improve the rates of recycling in Islwyn? OAQ55189
Rhianon Passmore: Last Saturday, several years of ambitious plans were realised as the Pantside woodland park and play area in Newbridge was officially opened to the public. The park boasts a playground for nought to six-year-olds, a junior play area, and a multi-use games area for such sports as football and basketball. It is a true testament to the proud community of Pantside, which has, through the Pantside...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. As you stated on 13 February, you have put in more than £220,000 to support councils across Wales, and that is to step up local outreach to tackle barriers to help those who still are not aware of the need to apply or who are struggling to apply. Minister, specifically, what will the funding to Caerphilly County Borough Council be, and how can the Welsh Government aid and support...
Rhianon Passmore: 4. What assistance is the Welsh Government offering local authorities to support the implementation of the UK Government's EU Settlement Scheme? OAQ55135
Rhianon Passmore: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the the damage caused by recent storms to communities in Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: Last year, 260,247 individuals aged 25 to 64 were invited for screening, whilst 173,547 individuals were actively screened in 2018-19. Minister, a majority of Welsh women were invited from the screening programme to make a screening appointment, and these figures show that the Welsh national health service is progressing in a vital area for women's health. What further actions, though, can be...
Rhianon Passmore: What actions is the Welsh Government taking to assist schools in Islwyn as they prepare for the new curriculum?
Rhianon Passmore: It is right to outline the context of 10 years of funding cuts up to this point from Westminster, but I welcome strongly today's annual report, and I'd like to focus my contribution predominantly on two areas—education and early years, and the economy. Last Friday, I was holding my constituency surgery in Markham institute, a building we shared with the thriving Markham playgroup. And I was...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Deputy Llywydd. Minister, I very much welcome this strategic guidance for local authorities and the £20 million for homelessness. It is important that housing and homelessness services are person centred and able to meet the varying needs of people, including those with pets. The housing first approach is now well recognised as a groundbreaking and innovative approach in Wales and...
Rhianon Passmore: As the Assembly Member for Islwyn, I have from the very first day I was elected to the Senedd, as have others, campaigned to reduce air pollution in my constituency and across Wales. Improving air quality is a priority for the Welsh Labour Government, as the draft budget outlines. The Welsh Government's national strategy, 'Prosperity for All', commits the Welsh Government to reducing...
Rhianon Passmore: I also welcome the comments from the Minister. Late last year, the Welsh Government consulted on the draft housing support grant practice guidance for local authorities, and the consultation sought the view on whether the arrangements set out in the practice guidance document are fit for purpose, clear, and enable commissioners and providers to fulfil the core purpose of the grant and deliver...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch yn fawr. In regard to the fact that you've mentioned there is 28 per cent uplift in terms of the decarbonisation agenda, and that £140 million on top of what was before, you are absolutely correct in stating that we have announced an unprecedented climate change emergency. In that regard, where would you like to see that money come from? Would it be local government or health, or...
Rhianon Passmore: Deputy Llywydd, Members will remember, previously, I celebrated Welsh musical performance culture in the National Assembly for Wales. We hosted a performance event of our spectacular home grown Welsh musical talent, and large crowds of invited guests and members of the public gathered to hear the very best of young Welsh performers. It included musicians from Caerphilly music service, Ysgol...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. I wish to give a minute of my allocated time in this debate to my Welsh Labour colleagues Mick Antoniw AM and Mike Hedges AM. Deputy Llywydd, this is a timely debate to bring to the Chamber of the Senedd as, today, the Welsh Government has formally launched Creative Wales to champion the creative industries in Wales. Members will know that I am a passionate advocate...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, thank you. Last week, you and the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, unveiled an exciting future for the visitor economy in Wales. The new five-year plan, 'Welcome to Wales: Priorities for the Visitor Economy 2020-25', is backed by a new £10 million fund, brilliant basics, to support the all-important tourism infrastructure that will complement...
Rhianon Passmore: 4. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans for growing the visitor economy in Islwyn? OAQ55020
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, thanks to the interventions of the Welsh Government between 2011 and 2016, the number of people in employment in my constituency of Islwyn has increased by 10.9 per cent, and that is above the Welsh increase of 10.6 per cent. Additionally to this, the number of people unemployed in Islwyn over that time has fallen by more than a half, again exceeding the reduction seen in both Wales...
Rhianon Passmore: 6. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of economic investment in Islwyn since 2016? OAQ54939
