Joyce Watson: 2. What action is the Welsh Government taking to achieve a net-zero Wales? OQ57124
Joyce Watson: Will you take an intervention?
Joyce Watson: I thank you for taking an intervention, and I note your comments about teachers' pay. So, does this mean that you disagree with your Government's public sector pay freeze, and that you welcome the 1.75 per cent teachers' pay rise that the Welsh Government has put in place?
Joyce Watson: It was pleasing this morning, when I asked you the question in the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee, to have an answer that you’d already given actually before, so it seems. I travel this road—up and down—at least twice a week and I could clearly see that that work was ongoing. I’m not sure that I’d seen a digger exactly, but I could certainly see work. I was...
Joyce Watson: You're absolutely right—there is significant support since last Friday; it's been fast-tracked, and is available to all Members and their staff here in the Senedd. They've made themselves readily available both in person and online. I think it's important that people take things seriously. Because I all too often hear people say, 'Well, I had this or that, but I didn't take it seriously'....
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that question. You're absolutely right; from day one of coming here you've called for a kinder politics, and you're right to do that. In terms of the Commission, we do have a very long-term focus on mental well-being and reducing the perceived stigma. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and I think that is hugely important. Apart from all the other...
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Jack, for your question. The Senedd Commission takes the well-being of Senedd Commission staff very seriously. It's been an area of particular focus throughout the pandemic when we've monitored mental well-being through frequent surveys and maintained regular contact with staff. There is an onsite occupational health professional who can provide a confidential source of support and...
Joyce Watson: Thank you. I'm having problems here today.
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that answer. You will be aware, of course, Minister, that there is legal recognition for humanist weddings in many other countries, but that is not the case for England and Wales. So, my question, then, to you is: are you pressing the UK Government to end the anomaly that currently exists with that legal recognition elsewhere, but not being afforded here in Wales and also in England?
Joyce Watson: Thank you, Mabon, for asking this really important question. In our region, ahead of this year's White Ribbon events, I've been working with sexual violence charity, New Pathways, and it operates six of Wales's eight SARCs. They do an amazing job of supporting victims, overwhelmingly women and girls, and I'm pleased to say that they recently received new funding to support more people in more...
Joyce Watson: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers regarding the campaign to grant humanist marriages legal recognition? OQ57051
Joyce Watson: —an opportunity for career progression. So, my question is this, Minister: will you look at the outcomes of that bridging scheme and see if it can be replicated across Wales?
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I want to welcome your statement, and of course the briefing that I attended this morning with Dr Andrew Goodall. I'm particularly pleased to see that this is a joint plan. It's not just about health; it's about health and social care and working with partners to help deliver a service that ultimately needs support from local health boards, local authorities and care...
Joyce Watson: Protection of the marine environment is something that I've been championing for many, many years, and one particular issue that I've raised in the Chamber on a number of occasions is the reintroduction of scallop dredging in a small area of Cardigan bay, a special area of conservation, and the impact on marine life in that area. Minister, it's been several years now since this activity was...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm going to ask a question—one question—and it's about monitoring. The only reason that we all know that nature has declined is because of the longitudinal studies that have taken place that tell us that. And I welcome, obviously, all the new projects; they are to be welcomed. But, we mustn't lose sight of what we've already got. So, my question to you is very...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Llywydd. Trefnydd, could we have a statement, and I think the Minister for Social Justice is best placed to speak on it, on the very urgent need to make public sexual harassment a specific criminal offence in England and Wales? I referred to it in my recent topical question to the Minister on women's safety in public places. But, since then, it's become clear that the roadblock to...
Joyce Watson: Yes, please do—after more than 10 years of Tory cuts, when workers are already facing choices between eating and heating. I read the letter from the devolved administrations to the Prime Minister asking him to reverse that decision. I know he's been busy cracking jokes in Manchester, but has he actually bothered to reply to that letter? Because those families that he is making poorer today...
Joyce Watson: I thank the Member for putting this question forward, because it's really, really important, and this is happening today, now, to families. It is, as the Minister said, the largest single benefit cut since 1945—one of the largest ever, in fact. After more than 10 years of Tory cuts—[Interruption.] I've only just started. And you can't make an intervention anyway.
Joyce Watson: What are the Welsh Government's priorities for supporting disadvantaged pupils this academic year?
Joyce Watson: I've no idea. But what I do know is, for the event to go ahead, the people who wanted to take part in it had to have a COVID pass. That’s what I do know, and that’s the point that’s being made here. That point is actually irrelevant, as far as I can see. So, let’s be clear here: this is proportionate, is sensible and is a fair precaution, and I really do urge everybody to examine...
