John Griffiths: We know from these debates and from our own experience, Dirprwy Lywydd, that the pressures on the NHS are immense. It is often a very reactive service of necessity in many ways because, obviously, the NHS has to cope with what is coming at it, and often, what is coming at it is extremely demanding on every last bit of its resource. But we also know, and as Jane Dodds said, we do need,...
John Griffiths: I do think this is a very important committee report and debate. The leisure sector has a very important role to play in our lives in Wales, including physical activity and sport. They are so important for the enjoyment of life, health and fitness, quality of life. And, thankfully, I think we've seen much better links between the worlds of sport and fitness and the worlds of health and,...
John Griffiths: Minister, I think the war in Ukraine has clearly illustrated just how unstable and unpredictable the world is that we live within, and many countries now are working very hard to shore up and support their key industries, their strategic industries. I was very pleased that you referred to the steel industry and indeed the semiconductor industry in your statement, because I believe they are...
John Griffiths: Minister, over the weekend areas in Newport East saw flooding, such as Llanwern, Langstone and St Julians, which unfortunately is not an uncommon occurrence, and it has become more frequent over the last few years, with many residents and businesses contacting myself and my office. One of the issues, which I’m sure you’re familiar with, Minister, is finding out who is responsible and who...
John Griffiths: I think also, Dirprwy Lywydd, it's a common view that we do need to reflect on the timeliness of action in taking forward the recommendations in the report and necessary progress in these matters. It was good to hear the Minister responding to that and stating her own commitment to ensure timeliness in taking forward the Government's response to the recommendations and the work that the...
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd, and may I begin by thanking all those Members of the Senedd who took part in the debate today on our committee report and the spirit in which they did so? I think it's very clear, isn't it, that Members very much value the community assets that they have in their own areas and are able to point at many examples of good practice and indeed many Members referred...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I'm pleased to open today's debate on the Local Government and Housing Committee's report on community assets. I would like to start by thanking all those who contributed to our inquiry, in particular those groups involved in the community assets we visited: Maindee Unlimited, Abergavenny Community Centre, Market Hall Cinema in Brynmawr, Antur Nantlle, Ty'n Llan, and...
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd.
John Griffiths: Gweinidog, the new curriculum has a commitment to making Wales a truly multilingual nation. There is also the programme for government commitment along those lines and, as you say, the 'Global Futures' strategy having recently been updated also. But despite all of that, Minister, we know that there has been a considerable drop in the number of students taking German and French at GCSE and...
John Griffiths: 6. Will the Minister provide an update on the Welsh Government's strategy for the teaching of modern foreign languages? OQ58927
John Griffiths: What steps is the Welsh Government taking to tackle air pollution in Newport East?
John Griffiths: What further steps is the Welsh Government taking to support the steel industry in transitioning to a more sustainable future?
John Griffiths: Minister, I've recently met with constituents who work at Newport Wafer Fab and Nexperia, and they're very concerned, along with others in the 600-plus workforce, at the current situation, and particularly, of course, at the UK Government decision forcing Nexperia to sell at least 86 per cent of its stake in Newport Wafer Fab. These are very well-paid and high-tech, highly skilled jobs, as I...
John Griffiths: Thank you very much, Llywydd, and merry Christmas.
John Griffiths: 9. What is the Minister's latest assessment of economic development in Newport East? OQ58872
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you for your statement, Minister. As we've heard, it is a social justice issue to make bus travel more affordable and more available here in Wales, and the relative affordability of bus travel versus car has been going in the wrong direction. We have various initiatives around free bus travel, Minister—some Welsh Government schemes, some local authority...
John Griffiths: Thanks for that, Minister. It is, I think, obviously important that the wider community understands and feels connected with farming if we're going to have the sort of popular support for our policies and the farming sector that we would like to see. It's about better understanding how our farms work, what happens on the land and how our food is produced. I think Ramblers Cymru are doing a...
John Griffiths: 4. Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's policies to encourage community engagement with farming? OQ58787
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd dros dro. May I thank everybody who contributed to what I think is a very important debate today? I think there seems to be a common acceptance that Wales is not in the position that it should be in with regard to the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller community. We like to think of ourselves as a country that is very strong on human rights, and that's reflected in a lot of things...
John Griffiths: Too often, sites are located far from local services and amenities, including schools, and are usually situated near busy A-roads and industrial infrastructure. We heard from Professor Jo Richardson of De Montfort University, who noted that sites are often located in unsuitable areas, 'because it's the patch of land that had the least hostility, that could be developed'. This deprives the...
