Caroline Jones: Let me just say, Darren, I think it's such a valuable subject, so I was actually complimenting you on that, you know? But, there we are, you don't know a compliment when you hear it, so—. The fact that people have gone blind whilst waiting for treatment should be a matter of great shame for our nation. I therefore welcome the fact that the Welsh Government is getting its act together and...
Caroline Jones: I welcome Helen Mary's proposals for NHS management and I support her Bill proposal wholeheartedly. As I've said many times in this Chamber, we must ensure health service managers abide by the same obligations as clinical staff. Clinicians are covered by duties of care placed upon them by their royal colleges and the various professional bodies. Managers are an essential part of our modern...
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Minister. Until April of this year, residents of Bridgend fell under that health board. They're now covered by Cwm Taf, which, while still under joint escalation and intervention arrangements, aren't as bad as the former ABMULHB. However, that's not helping patients in Bridgend. Last week, one of my elderly constituents, also a friend, had a stroke and was injured as a result. He...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, the outgoing chair of the Swansea Bay University Health Board has said that the LHB's officials are forced to take part in three or four conference calls a day with Welsh Government. He accuses you of micromanaging the health board and getting in the way of sorting out the problems facing the health board. Minister, do you agree with this analysis that your...
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Minister. According to research by Oxford Economics, by 2030, robots will replace the majority of jobs in manufacturing. However, the analysis suggests that automation can boost jobs and increase economic growth if we adapt the workforce beforehand. Minister, what plans does your Government have to adapt the curriculum to ensure Wales is ready for the fourth industrial revolution?
Caroline Jones: 4. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of automation on education in Wales? OAQ54171
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister, and for providing us with a copy of the task and finish group's final report. I would also like to thank members of the task and finish group for their work in helping us transform health services for the critically ill in Wales. The conclusions of the report are welcome, with the objectives being clear and concise, along with excellent recommendations....
Caroline Jones: First Minister, while I commend your Government's commitment to the armed forces covenant, Wales still continues to let down its veterans. One of my constituents has been refused access to a rehabilitation centre in England specifically designed to deal with his losing a limb, along with his post-traumatic stress disorder, during active service. So, First Minister, will you ensure that our...
Caroline Jones: You just said the 'political leader', and I consider my leader here to be Mark Reckless, I'm sorry.
Caroline Jones: Well, he is our party leader—
Caroline Jones: But he's not in the Assembly, is he?
Caroline Jones: I'm moving on, yes. So, we must show the electorate that we are here to carry out their wishes, that they are our masters and not the other way around. And we have to act like grown-ups, as I've just said. The hate and vitriol that exists far too often in political discourse serves no purpose other than to further disillusionment in politics. If politicians can't act like responsible,...
Caroline Jones: Yes, certainly.
Caroline Jones: Can I just say something to you? Have I ever turned around and made a personal attack on anyone here?
Caroline Jones: Let me ask you something. You stood up and made a political point against one of our members here, and she told you outside that you hadn't listened to the full length of the sentence before you stood up and made a comment in front of the whole Chamber—
Caroline Jones: —and that wasn't right. Have you written to the political leader—
Caroline Jones: I haven't looked at it. I haven't looked at what you're talking about—
Caroline Jones: I'd like to thank the committee for their report and the excellent work of the Chair and the committee. The fact that our democracy doesn’t reflect our demography is a matter that should deeply concern us all. How can we possibly hope to increase engagement in the democratic process if large sections of the electorate feel they are not represented? At the last council elections, only 42 per...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, this is yet another blow to my region—the latest in a string of job losses. Jistcourt had been expanding, following a management buy-out just three years ago. And the fact that, despite a strong order book, the company was making large losses speaks volumes about the state of the social housing sector in Wales. We have a housing crisis, yet we are not...
Caroline Jones: Minister, my region has seen an average increase in band D council tax of 60 per cent since 2007. Over that time, inflation has only averaged around 2.5 per cent. Over the same period, people have seen their refuse collections halved, day centres closed, libraries closed and leisure centre services axed. Why are my constituents paying so much more for so much less? Minister, will you commit...
