Russell George: Minister, you've answered a number of questions on digital connectivity, so I'll perhaps be a bit more specific in my question. Both you and I live in Powys, so we know the issues well in terms of the issues around and problems that occur with a lack of broadband. My concern is about the divide that is emerging, I think, sadly, between urban and rural Wales. I wonder what discussions you've...
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer, and happy new year, Trefnydd. Could I ask for an oral statement, Trefnydd, on further financial support for Welsh businesses during the pandemic? I appreciate fully that the vaccination programme is a priority for Government, but also I'd suggest is the ongoing business support that is needed. There's a particular concern for more clarity and information...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. Beyond the merits and drawbacks of onshore wind energy, which I think is probably more a matter for your ministerial colleague, the implementation of the national development framework has significant ramifications from my perspective, in terms of the balance of power between central and local government—concerns that I have got long-held views on. You...
Russell George: Minister, there are plans under way in Shropshire to develop a flood prevention scheme along the River Severn to protect Shrewsbury and surrounding areas from flooding. Now, I know that Councillor Lucy Roberts, who represents the Llandrinio ward, which is on the Welsh side of the England-Wales border, has been very keen to establish connections and also represent the views of residents on the...
Russell George: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on the implementation of the national development framework in mid Wales? OQ56033
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister. There is indeed a rich heritage in mid Wales. We are here in the Senedd this afternoon, but of course the first Senedd in Wales was believed to have been in Machynlleth, in my own constituency. I'm keen that we have an exciting and meaningful future for the Senedd-dy in Machynlleth. I would certainly like to see the Owain Glyndŵr Centre used by this Senedd and the...
Russell George: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the promotion of the heritage of mid Wales? OQ56034
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. Any businesses in the hospitality sector would have already bought stock in the later part of November, in the early part of December in order to fulfil the needs of this period and between now up to Christmas. So, for many businesses, this is the time of year when cash flow is the tightest for them, and I'd simply say that to receive funding in January,...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister, and for your good Christmas wishes to us all. From my perspective, Minister, businesses have bent over backwards to comply with anything that has been asked of them to make their businesses COVID-secure for their staff and for their customers. Some small businesses have spent thousands of pounds ahead of the Christmas period to do just that. And to put...
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Minister, what is the Welsh Government's assessment of how the restrictions on the hospitality sector in regard to the Christmas period will affect the Welsh economy?
Russell George: How is the Welsh Government supporting small businesses on high streets in mid Wales?
Russell George: Minister, can I thank you for your statement this afternoon and can I also, as you have done, thank Lord Burns and his colleagues for producing this report and making recommendations as they have done? I should also like to thank Lord Burns for recently providing me with a briefing himself. I broadly welcome the recommendations. I think it's a good piece of work, with some good...
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Members who have taken part today? I think there was quite a bit of discussion in terms of climate change in the main—I think Nick Ramsay and Rhianon Passmore in particular. And, interestingly, the UN Secretary-General made a statement on this today with regard to the importance of the UN's work in this important area. I thank Huw...
Russell George: Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I do move the motion that's presented in my name.
Russell George: This inquiry focused on whether the Welsh Government's emissions reduction targets for transport were realistic, and whether its decarbonisation plans were ambitious and innovative enough. We looked at technologies and the funding models available. It's important to also look, of course, as we did, at what inroads the Welsh Government was making, and identify gaps in advance of the...
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for his statement today and the advance copy as well? Of course, as the Minister said, he's been passionate about this since he came into the Senedd in 2016, so I'm aware of that as well. Can I also thank Professor Brown for his report as well in terms of the challenges and opportunities of digital innovation? And from my perspective, I think we've seen a step change...
Russell George: Can I thank the First Minister for his answer? I'm aware of both those proposals. First Minister, I'm aware that Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council have now formally submitted a bid for a new-build health facility in Newtown. The new well-being hub would be, of course, a huge benefit to thousands of people across north Powys. If the Welsh Government approves the proposals,...
Russell George: 3. Will the First Minister make a statement on community health facilities in mid Wales? OQ55949
Russell George: Can I thank, first of all, the climate change and rural affairs committee for their work on the NDF? I have some observations of my own to make, and I'm also going to reference the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, which also scrutinised relevant aspects of the NDF that were relevant to that committee. But, I should add that I'm not speaking in my capacity as Chair of that...
Russell George: Minister, Transport for Wales, of course, will be taking on quite a bit of additional responsibilities over the coming years. I note that Transport for Wales continues to employ a significant number of outside, external consultants rather than using resource from within Transport for Wales. When asked about this last week, what James Price, the chief executive officer of Transport for Wales,...
