Janet Finch-Saunders: I am. Thank you, Llywydd. And additional payments for the most vulnerable. In the mini budget, it was announced that 1.2 million people would benefit from the cut to the basic rate of income tax and 2 million are going to get a national insurance cut of £235—[Interruption.]
Janet Finch-Saunders: These measures show that it is the UK Conservative Government that's trying to ease the burdens on our households here in Wales. Due to the cut to stamp duty in England, the Welsh Government is now set to receive an additional £70 million. So, will the Minister tell me exactly how you are going to spend that money?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Well, on a more positive note than my colleague, I'm actually quite pleased with the steps that the UK Government are taking. Everything that we're doing now, it's a mini budget for growth, it's a mini budget to get people back into work. And I have to ask, following a COVID pandemic and the fact that we've got a shocking war in Ukraine, exactly how would you do it and how would Labour do it....
Janet Finch-Saunders: 3. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the impact on Wales of the recently introduced Retained EU Law (Reform and Revocation) Bill? OQ58486
Janet Finch-Saunders: What progress has the Welsh Government made in finding suitable accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in Aberconwy?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes. Will you commit to supporting the NFU Cymru 'Growing Together' strategy, and will you create a legal duty to form a national marine development plan and keep it under regular review? Thank you. Thank you, Llywydd.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Minister, for the statement. I must be honest, the latter part, where you said, 'We need a team Wales approach'—you know, I can't disagree with that. Now, I do welcome the commitment to develop and adapt monitoring and evidence frameworks to measure the progress towards the 30x30 target and guide prioritisation of action. But there is a flaw, and the 30x30 target has not been put...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Diolch, Llywydd. Thank you, Deputy Minister, for bringing forward your statement. It's very interesting, but being as the old chestnut came up of the tourism levy—or tourism tax is what it is really—would you not agree with me—? You've mentioned that you're going to New Zealand and you've been to Italy and it didn't affect or bother you paying a tourism levy, but let's be...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes. You make a really valid point. I know that when we've done inquiries into obesity in children, we have some of the most shockingly worrying statistics. So, yes, you make a valid point. Russ George highlighted concerns that we as a group have had these concerns over the past two years and the need that has arisen, and that it's obvious that more tests are part of the solution. According...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I would like to thank my colleague, Russ George MS, for introducing this important debate, and those across the Chamber for their really important contributions in what is a hugely important issue for women. Cancer of any type is an awful affliction that already takes far too many lives, with Public Health Wales noting that cancer has become the main cause of...
Janet Finch-Saunders: The COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukrainian war and, of course, our climate crisis have made it absolutely clear that we have to reduce our reliance on imported food. The £8.5 billion Welsh food and farming sector, of course, can help us to do that, and we need to give thanks to our Welsh farmers, who play a massive part in producing climate-friendly and good-quality local produce. Now, we welcome...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I believe that Bryn Bach Coal Limited has applied to Carmarthenshire County Council for permission to mine by surface mining operations 110,000 tonnes of premium-quality anthracite from the proposed Glan Lash extension. Having checked on their website, the county council's website, I note that the application was received on 29 November 2019. So, it was a sensible question to ask about what...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Yes, of course. If we all work together on this, then we could have a Bill to be proud of here in Wales. Diolch.
Janet Finch-Saunders: I realise, of course, the Minister isn't here to introduce this today, but the Counsel General has very ably pointed out the problems that we have with so much plastic. By the time I've actually given my contribution, around 5 million plastic bottles will have actually been purchased, because 1 million are purchased every minute on our planet. The plastic plague, of course, is here in Wales....
Janet Finch-Saunders: On behalf of the people of Aberconwy and, indeed, my own family, we send our deepest condolences to His Majesty the King and all members of the royal family on their sad and sudden loss. Throughout my life and those of many of my constituents, we've only known one monarch. She has been an incredible constant; the staff providing stability to people around the world. As Her Majesty stated...
Janet Finch-Saunders: No, not literally sharing. [Laughter.] But we do also have to—. And we've talked about the Eisteddfod. But we do also have to be familiar with all the other eisteddfodau across Wales. We should be encouraging local media, and especially S4C, to be present at county and community eisteddfodau so that people across Wales and further afield can watch Welsh talent from the comfort of their own...
Janet Finch-Saunders: We’ll see you there. [Laughter.] Now, like big events such as the Royal Welsh, funding options are equally as important to smaller rural organised events. Now, this is why in March last year, because of the pandemic and because of the problems that smaller shows faced, stopping and having to start again after the pandemic, I did call for the establishment of a rural shows development fund,...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Deputy Minister, for your response. I’ll get to what I’m going to say in a minute, but I think your words were very appropriate when you said what a fantastic and upbeat debate this is to have just before we all go away on our summer recess. So, yes, summer’s here, and so are some of the fantastic and biggest outdoor events in Wales. From the Royal...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you. Wales has shown itself to be a world leader on much in the past. What is needed now is for this Welsh Government to reflect on the merit of its own people in how far they have carried Wales, but also how much further we can go. Today's politics should be about guaranteeing jobs for your children and for your grandchildren. This is about combating the inequalities that exist within...
