John Griffiths: 8. What progress is being made by the Welsh Government to reduce rough-sleeping in Wales? OAQ54400
John Griffiths: I'm grateful for the involvement of Welsh Government and, indeed, of course, the strong campaign by the trade unions on behalf of the workforce and grateful for the commitment that's been received that there will not be any compulsory redundancies but redeployment, possibly, in the Tata plants at Llanwern and Port Talbot. But the primary campaign, of course, is to keep the plant open and I'd...
John Griffiths: 1. Will the Welsh Government provide an update on the action taken since the announcement of the proposed closure of the Orb Steelworks in Newport? 339
John Griffiths: I think Government has said that there would be a package of measures in support of this legislation, and it is about positive parenting and making sure that the advice and the support and guidance will be available to have that positive parenting, and I think that would very much address those issues that you raise also. Over 50 countries, we know, have already made this change and are...
John Griffiths: I will give way to Darren Millar.
John Griffiths: Well, I fully and enthusiastically support this Bill, Dirprwy Lywydd. I believe it is overdue to end the defence of reasonable punishment and provide greater clarity by putting children on an equal footing with adults. And overdue as well to be consistent with our international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and overdue to give greater protection to...
John Griffiths: I wonder if you could let me know, Trefnydd, whether Welsh Government is planning a debate or statement on the skills needs of Wales any time soon. There's a report to be launched next week by ColegauCymru called 'Building a better Wales—lessons from Europe', which is about the future skills needs of Wales, that explores the connection between higher level skills and regional economic...
John Griffiths: First Minister, steel has been made at the Orb site in Newport East since the end of the nineteenth century, and over that 120 years or so, the workforce and production have continually changed and adapted, and investment has been made, to meet the evolving demand for steel. And I do think that, given that track record, it's perfectly possible for further change and adaptation to occur, with...
John Griffiths: We've been in national crisis, as many have described today, for some three years now following the referendum result and the ongoing Brexit fiasco or tragedy, and matters are now coming to a head, it would seem, with a new leadership at UK Government level much more inclined towards a 'no deal' outcome, with all the damage that that would do. I think it's absolutely right that we come...
John Griffiths: I am now. The last couple of sentences, Dirprwy Lywydd. Diolch yn fawr. I would like to close by stating that this is not the end of this work. Obviously, we will continue to pursue these issues in our budget scrutiny and indeed our more general policy scrutiny. Meaningful impact assessment is vital for the development of effective budget decisions and policy. Diolch yn fawr.
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'd like to start by echoing the comments made by the Chair of the Finance Committee and the Chair of the Children, Young People and Education Committee about this new approach to budget scrutiny, and it being a model, perhaps, for future work, and I'm sensing that I'm sure other committees will want to take a careful look at it. It was very, I think, constructive for...
John Griffiths: I was recently at the opening of a community garden in Wharf Road in Newport, Minister, which I think was a valuable example of how you turn waste ground into an area with flowers and bushes and plants generally that's a valuable contribution. But what I wanted to ask about really was: would you agree with me that, where we have areas of land that are very important for biodiversity and have...
John Griffiths: First Minister, homelessness and rough-sleeping are major problems, and obviously many years of UK Tory Government austerity have had a grave impact on our public services and on vulnerable people in our communities. And it is a cumulative impact year on year, so, in trying to counter that, I do believe that Welsh Government's Housing First policy is an important part of the necessary and the...
John Griffiths: 4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's housing policy? OAQ54246
John Griffiths: This coming Saturday, 6 July, the Maindee Festival will take place in Newport. It is a major event and a highlight of the summer and cultural life in my constituency. The festival association was founded in 1997 and it has organised and raised funds for annual events ever since. It begins with a spectacular parade in which everyone gets dressed up and joins the giant figures, bands of...
John Griffiths: I haven't got a supplementary on this, Llywydd.
John Griffiths: Minister, one major issue that we have to make further progress in tackling is smoking prevalence in Wales. Thankfully, we have made substantial progress, but, as always, there is more work to do, and it's particularly relevant, I think, to some of our more deprived communities. The recent student health and well-being in Wales survey showed that, of year 11 school pupils, 15 to 16-year-olds,...
John Griffiths: 4. What further action will the Welsh Government take to tackle health inequalities in Wales? OAQ54163
John Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. Just to very much welcome this LCM and restate what the committee said in its report, that we do believe that the LCM is the appropriate way of taking these measures forward as they relate to Wales. And can I say as Chair, Llywydd, that I very much welcome the ability to include those questions on sexual orientation and gender identity on a voluntary basis, as the Minister...
John Griffiths: I will.
