Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. A couple of weeks ago, I asked the question of your colleague the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, and he very helpfully suggested that you were best placed to answer the question. I'm sure you would, of course, welcome the £600 million that was allocated by the Chancellor last month in guaranteed consequentials to the Welsh Government,...
Russell George: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the allocation of funding across the Welsh Government in light of the Chancellor's announcement of £600 million of additional budget consequentials from the UK Government? OQ55901
Russell George: Minister, can I thank you for your statement today? I'm broadly in favour of the reforms and your approach, if they prove to be, of course, successful in terms of simplifying and modifying the taxi and private hire regulation systems. Generally, I'm not supportive of Welsh Government centralising powers away from local authorities, but in this regard, I think that there is a case for this,...
Russell George: Minister, can I thank you for the advance copy of your statement and also for the technical briefing yesterday, which was hosted by yourself, to opposition spokespeople? That was very much appreciated. As this strategy is quite wide-ranging, I'm sure that Members will want to consider it in detail during the forthcoming consultation period. Myself, I certainly think that the transport...
Russell George: Minister, can I thank you for your statement this afternoon? I'd agree that Tata Steel's decision to split the UK and Netherlands businesses will be deeply concerning for steelworkers across Wales and their families and the local community and wider supply chain. Uncertainty is often unwelcome, and I'm afraid we've had plenty of that during 2020, sadly. I am conscious, as well, that we do use...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I only blame myself, because I agreed to the request of the Business Committee to reduce the time for this debate, so I blame myself—I've only 50 seconds, or 45, now. Helen Mary was focused on recycling the public pound in Wales. Jenny Rathbone argued that—well, was concerned that the policy is still developing at this stage. David Rowlands was...
Russell George: Diolch. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the motion in my name. We issued this report in February, however the Government's response was understandably delayed due to the pandemic, and we received this in July. Our inquiry focused on how the Welsh Government would fulfil its long-term commitments to increase local procurement as part of the drive to create stronger local supply...
Russell George: So, at that roundabout, we're waiting for a further consultation to take place as well, so perhaps you could update us on that as well.
Russell George: Thank you for that, Minister. So, I did put a written question in on this last week and you did provide me with an answer, so it would be good to know when you expect to make that revised consultation programme public in terms of—. There has been some delay on the Dyfi bridge due to the pandemic, so it would be good to know when we can expect to see further progress in that regard. And if I...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer. I'll perhaps move on from this point to my final point or question today. When we refer to supporting businesses, we're of course talking not so much about big businesses with mountains of reserves, we're talking about those small family firms, those small businesses, that are run by individuals. Businesses need clarity with urgency. Now, I know, Minister, you were...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. I align myself to your views as well. I think it's better that parties work together, where that can happen. It was a question I did raise last week, and perhaps you are right to say this is a question for the finance Minister, but Cardiff University has estimated more than £1 billion remains unallocated from existing Welsh Government budgets, so I'm...
Russell George: Diolch, Llywydd. I have to say, Minister, you look well-suited in that particular seat in the Chamber this afternoon.
Russell George: Minister, I would welcome the additional £600 million that was announced by the Chancellor last week in guaranteed consequentials to the Welsh Government, and that's, of course, on top of the £1.1 billion guaranteed earlier this year. That brings the total amount of additional funding by the UK Government to £5 billion to fight the pandemic here in Wales. Now, I realise the announcement...
Russell George: 3. Will the Minister provide an update on road improvement schemes in Montgomeryshire? OQ55811
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for his answer just now? It was very comprehensive and it's what I think I and many other Members need in terms of answering queries from constituents. And can I thank Helen Mary Jones for putting in the question that she has done? I also think it's very disappointing that there are people being abusive to Business Wales staff. I understand people's frustrations, but...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. I also noted the funding that you announced this morning. I read the Welsh Government press release in regards to an additional £3 million of funding. I'd like to think that perhaps my question submitted last week, and asked today, helped prompt that funding announcement. Can I ask how, Minister, you've reached that figure of £3 million? Do you think—?...
Russell George: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the impact of the national lockdown on the mental health and well-being of people in mid Wales? OQ55773
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon, and for the advance copy as well, which was appreciated? I am a bit disappointed, Minister, that you haven't brought forward a statement on the last Wednesday before half-term. Instead, I and Members had to read about it later that day in the media. But it would be useful if you could set out why you weren't able to bring forward a...
Russell George: First Minister, you've mentioned the need to support those on lower incomes. It's been 42 days now since your Government announced that it would roll out payments of £500 per week for those on low incomes who are asked to self-isolate, but the payments are yet to be received. Now, people in England and Scotland have been entitled to payments of £500 since 28 September, with grants being...
Russell George: Thank you, Minister, for your answer, and I'm grateful that you are sympathetic, as you've outlined. Two outdoor centres, as it happens, have been in touch with me, based in Powys in my own constituency; I know, Minister, you'll have similar outdoor centres in your own constituency in Powys as well. They are keen that Welsh Government do provide guidance that will allow them to reopen on the...
