Jane Dodds: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Llywydd, and thank you very much for the opportunity to say a very few words at this time. Whilst I did not know Sir David personally, it is clear to me and everyone how passionate he was about what he did—about fuel poverty, animal welfare, representing his constituents and, indeed, Southend. Sir David was killed offering help to his constituents—the most important...
Jane Dodds: 6. Will the First Minister outline the progress on the Government’s plans to pilot a universal basic income? OQ57074
Jane Dodds: Good afternoon, Minister. Just following on from my colleague's question around the River Wye, living on the River Wye as I do, in Hay-on-Wye, I do get additional questions and issues brought up around this issue. It's a very live concern. The River Wye, like other rivers, runs through both England and Wales, so there is a complex issue here about how we work across borders. This week, The...
Jane Dodds: Good afternoon, Minister. May I ask you again about business rates? Because, like many colleagues in this Chamber, we're asked about business rates by small family businesses, which, at this particular time, are under a great deal of pressure. I'm just interested to know how the Welsh Government communicates to those businesses, particularly small family businesses, what reforms are taking...
Jane Dodds: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I'd also like to thank Sally Holland.
Jane Dodds: Thank you for all your work, not just throughout the past year, which has been an exceptionally difficult year, but since being appointed in 2015. I'd just like to focus on one small issue, and again, I'm asking the Minister to look at a road map in relation to this particular issue, and that is children in care. The number of children looked after in Wales has increased by 38 per cent over...
Jane Dodds: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I also put on record, on behalf of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, our best wishes to Andrew R.T. Davies in his recovery and thank him for his very bold and clear statements in terms of his mental health? Minister, I'd like to thank you for bringing forward this very important debate and issue. The mental well-being of our children and young people is so...
Jane Dodds: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's approach to tackling child poverty?
Jane Dodds: Will the Member take an intervention?
Jane Dodds: Thank you. I'm very grateful. Is it the case that at the Green Man Festival all the workers and all of the volunteers also were required to produce proof of vaccination?
Jane Dodds: Thank you. Well, you ventured out there, and well done you. I am also grateful to your officials, Minister, for sending me information and also for meeting with me this morning. Finally, I am astounded at the Conservative position on this in Wales, because I do understand that Boris Johnson is keen on looking at this to be introduced across England. So, the situation there kind of perplexes...
Jane Dodds: We have supported the cautious approach taken by the First Minister to date, and I am pleased that I live in Wales, because this Government's approach to coronavirus feels so much safer than that of the Conservative Government in Westminster. I also want to be clear that the responsibility taken by the Welsh public in relation to wearing masks, keeping their distance, being clear that they...
Jane Dodds: Just a brief contribution on this. I agree entirely with the Minister and I'm very grateful to you for what you've said.
Jane Dodds: I am disappointed but not surprised to hear of the UK Government's failure to yet again—yet again—engage with Welsh Ministers on a matter that is clearly devolved to us here in Wales. The rushing of this Bill through the House of Commons is typical of the UK Government's contempt for the devolved nations. Wales is embarking on the largest set of educational reform since the second world...
Jane Dodds: Prif Weinidog, I just really wanted to ask a very brief question about support to our town centres. As I'm sure you would agree, during the COVID period, many small shops have been absolutely vital to our communities. And therefore, I'd just be really interested in how you will be supporting our town centres, going forward. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.
Jane Dodds: Thank you, Mark; thank you for that intervention. Of course I will join with you; anything that improves and enhances the delivery of services to both those who suffer from dementia and their carers in a rural area such as Mid and West Wales—I'd be very happy to join with you and others in supporting that moving forward. Over 17,000 people are affected by dementia in rural Wales, yet there...
Jane Dodds: Of course I will; thank you.
Jane Dodds: Clearly, there is real resonance across the Chamber in term of what people are saying. I've been here with my pen, actually, striking out quite a bit of what I'm going to say, you'll be very pleased to hear, Dirprwy Lywydd. I also want to acknowledge that many of us in this Senedd have been directly affected by dementia. My mother actually died of dementia and my father died of Alzheimer's. I...
Jane Dodds: Diolch yn fawr iawn, Gweinidog. Dentistry remains one of the most difficult areas of primary care delivery right at the moment—respiratory issues in the pandemic time. Also, on top of that, there have been long-standing issues relating to the provision of NHS dentistry. I've put out a survey and heard back from around 350 people across mid and west Wales concerning the situation with regard...
Jane Dodds: 5. What steps are being taken to improve the availability of NHS dentists across Wales? OQ56917
