Rhianon Passmore: Far fewer pupils are actually excluded in Wales than in the middle of the last decade, from over 450 in 2004-05 to just 150 in 2016-17. So, Minister, would you agree with me that this is to be warmly welcomed and that pupils are best served in nurturing and supportive education environments, and that such positive outcomes validate the progressive guidance issued by the Welsh Government...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, thank you. More than 200 businesses in Wales have signed up to the Welsh Government's economic contract in its first year. The economic contract is designed with the express intention for the Welsh Government to develop a new and strengthened relationship with business to drive and nurture inclusive growth and responsible business behaviours. First Minister, isn't this...
Rhianon Passmore: 1. What actions is the Welsh Government taking to support businesses in Islwyn to prepare for the future? OAQ53976
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, the Welsh Labour Government has been proactive on the issue of high-street rate relief and it’s clear that a busy and productive high street is of fundamental importance to my constituency, including the towns of Blackwood, Risca, Newbridge, Crosskeys and many others across Islwyn. Indeed, the First Minister, whilst Cabinet Secretary for finance, in December last year issued a...
Rhianon Passmore: This is indeed an important debate. The Welsh Labour Government greatly values the vital role that young adult carers play in supporting those they care for, and this is reflected in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which provides for enhanced rights for all carers in Wales. The Act gave carers for the first time the same rights as they people whom they care for. Carers no...
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, the Welsh Labour Government has shown strong strategic and stable leadership for the Welsh nation by declaring a climate emergency, as acknowledged by climate extinction activist Greta Thunberg. Recently the Welsh Government received advice from the Committee on Climate Change recommending that emissions of greenhouse gases in Wales can and must fall by 95 per cent over the next 30...
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, this April the Welsh Government announced a £3 million funding package for Food Skills Cymru, which will run until 2023, and over the first three years, this programme is expected to support 650 businesses. Minister, with the Welsh food and drink sector already generating £6.9 billion to the Welsh economy, isn't the Welsh Government investment a sign of the importance of improving...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Deputy Llywydd. I do actually welcome very much today's statement and in particular I am pleased to welcome the new Creative Wales brand. Creative industries are critical and of vital importance economically, socially and culturally to Wales. This exciting new international brand will help in promoting our ever-growing creative sector. As you reference in your statement, Minister,...
Rhianon Passmore: I would like to welcome strongly the actions of the Welsh Government and, in particular, the First Minister and the Brexit Minister. At a time of febrile political discourse, Welsh Labour leaders have offered a calm, measured and constructive approach to safeguard the Welsh economy and people, whilst recognising the political decision of the people of Wales, and also upholding the democratic...
Rhianon Passmore: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the value of tourism to the economy of Islwyn?
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, in regard to—. It was clear, sorry, from this Chamber last week, following—
Rhianon Passmore: I've got it.
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. It was clear from this Chamber last week, following the important statement by the Chair of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee, that there is a clear and critical consensus in this place and outside of the chaotic stalemate in Westminster that Wales must continue, as promised by those opposite, to receive the very same level of funding that it would have had...
Rhianon Passmore: Okay. Diolch. Minister, I know you have been a strong advocate of the automotive industrial sector, underscored within the economic action plan, and it's an important industry in Wales that comprises around 150 companies, employing, critically, nearly 19,000 people—13 per cent of the Welsh manufacturing workforce—and generating over £3 billion-worth of revenue, and manufacturing 30 per...
Rhianon Passmore: 3. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote the automotive sector? OAQ53630
Rhianon Passmore: 1. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact of Brexit on the arts sector in Islwyn? OAQ53632
Rhianon Passmore: What discussions has the First Minister had in order to improve waiting times?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you very much. In regard to some of the issues that you've already highlighted—there is no doubt that there have been some issues—what further to the whole-scale restructuring and reorganisation within NRW is proposed from the Conservative Party opposite? And also, in terms of the restructuring around the leadership team, the restructuring around the board, what further measures are...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Do you acknowledge that there is a huge emphasis now on a single organisational culture throughout NRW and acknowledge the substantive new board and leadership team that are working at the top of NRW?
