David Melding: And to finish this statement, a final question—Mick Antoniw.
David Melding: Minister, I do realise the Member didn't hear me stop her after 1 minute and 30 seconds—
David Melding: —so I do apologise to the other Members, but I was trying to indicate that that contribution was too long, especially the final point that was made. But, Minister, please answer as crisply as possible.
David Melding: Jenny Rathbone.
David Melding: Now, I've got five Labour Members and one more opposition Member who wants to contribute, so just a minute, please. I do intend to call you all, this is an important statement, but we are pressed for time also this afternoon. Dawn Bowden.
David Melding: Order. Order. The Senedd is back in session.
David Melding: Item 7 is a statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: the economic resilience fund—phase 3. And I call the Minister, Ken Skates.
David Melding: Deputy Presiding Officer, I'm delighted to follow that speech from Jenny Rathbone, because I'm proud to say I'm a graduate of Cardiff University. I derived great pleasure and some learning from my time there, between 1981 and 1984, and I'm pleased to say that, since I left, the university has flourished—continued to flourish is what I meant to say. As Jenny has outlined, it is now a Russell...
David Melding: Minister, second homes can be an important part of sustaining the local economy, but there is a very delicate balance to be struck, and I do think that part of the solution is building more—both social housing, which doesn't create this problem, but also it is open to councils, in developing land, to covenant it to a local market. For new build, it does seem to me that that might be an...
David Melding: Minister, this is one of the most significant consequentials that the Welsh Government has received in the fifth Senedd, and whilst I can accept that you may not have needed the whole £58 million, because we have a different pattern to England, a substantial amount of that is required. As you dither and, frankly, deflect the concerns of the leaseholders into some sort of long-term plan to...
David Melding: What measures have been implemented to ensure social distancing in schools?
David Melding: Now we turn to Wales. The Chancellor's announcement for England created a consequential for Wales of around about £58 million. However, the Welsh Government has decided, as is its right, to use this consequential funding for other purposes. Replying to my written question of 12 August, the Minister said this: 'The Welsh Government has made a clear commitment to delivering reforms to protect...
David Melding: Second: 'I am curious why she'—meaning the Minister—'doesn't appear to be interested in the 450 households in the neighbourhood of the Senedd'. I understand that. It is a little harsh, but I do understand that sentiment. Third quote: 'It is almost certain that all leaseholders will not be able to afford to pay for the necessary repairs, especially as the apartments are unmortgageable'. My...
David Melding: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. It's been a long day, I think it's fair to say, but we do end on a very important subject and I introduce this discussion on the need for a fire safety fund in Wales. I would like to give some of my time to Mike Hedges and Jenny Rathbone. Llywydd, since the appalling tragedy of Grenfell Tower, we've become more aware of the failure of external cladding...
David Melding: Thank you for that answer, Minister. So, we've got six months to go and, by my calculations, there's a lot of ground to make up. And I think it's very important that, as we are looking at the need for even more social housing, for example, as our experience of how we dealt with the homelessness crisis, and those roofless on the streets—. And I think that we do need candour so that parties...
David Melding: 3. What assessment has the Minister made on the effect that COVID-19 restrictions are likely to have on affordable home-building targets? OQ55512
David Melding: Thank you. I call on the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip to move formally amendment 4, tabled in the name of Rebecca Evans.
David Melding: That's formally moved. I call on Neil McEvoy to move amendments 7 and 8, tabled in his name.
David Melding: Order. Neil, I have asked—[Inaudible.]—
David Melding: —a couple of warnings. Well, it's a logical place for you to conclude. Thank you very much.
