John Griffiths: Yes, I do. Hannah Blythyn talked about perceptions and how important they are, and that's undoubtedly true, and I'm very pleased that the Welsh Government is working with the Welsh Local Government Association to take forward awareness-raising and communication campaigns, and that answers, to some extent, the point Helen Mary made about civic duty, because I think it would address that as...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. And may I thank all Members for taking part in the debate? It's good to see, I think, that there's quite a strong sense of consensus in terms of where we are and where we need to go. As was said, the Assembly here, actually, is a pretty good example of how progress can be made and has been made. Although, as we know, there is further work for us to do as well. But,...
John Griffiths: I absolutely accept that. We did take evidence from the political parties. On the subject of quotas, there were mixed views, and indeed there were mixed views in the committee membership also. But, in terms of positive action, I think the majority, certainly, of political parties accept that principle, but of course the key matter is how it's implemented, and that's where the question of...
John Griffiths: I will. Just to conclude this sentence, Helen Mary, we will explore these matters further as part of our scrutiny of the forthcoming local government and elections Bill.
John Griffiths: We found that the lack of available information on the role of a councillor was a barrier to attracting potential candidates. People will not put themselves forward if they do not understand what the job entails, and this lack of information is also fuelling the notion among some people that a role in public life is not for them. The Minister has committed, through the Diversity in Democracy...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased to open today’s debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report on diversity in local government. I would like to start by thanking all those who contributed to our inquiry either by giving evidence in writing or orally. In particular, I would like to thank those who shared their personal experiences either as elected...
John Griffiths: Will the Minister provide an update on the development of the Welsh Government's financial investment policy?
John Griffiths: Llywydd, as we've heard before when we've discussed these matters, I think there is wide agreement on the pressing and urgent nature of the problems on the M4 corridor around Newport, though there are different suggestions as to how they are best addressed, with very strong views on both sides of the equation as to whether the M4 relief road should have been built or not. That is reflected in...
John Griffiths: First Minister, Wales has suffered UK Government austerity for some nine years now, and its cumulative impact on our communities and the public services we rely on is more and more damaging year on year. Queues at foodbanks and people sleeping rough in tents and doorways show the misery caused. Many of my constituents are shocked and angry that this is the state of the nation when the UK is...
John Griffiths: 1. What is the impact of the Welsh Government's policy to reduce rough sleeping in Wales? OAQ54119
John Griffiths: As you rightly say in your statement, Minister, obviously road traffic is a very significant aspect of air pollution, and we've already heard reference to the problems on the M4 around Newport. Can I say, Minister, that I very much welcome the decision of the First Minister to go forward with an integrated transport response to those problems? It seems to me that the idea that you can deal...
John Griffiths: Llywydd, although there are different views as to the best solutions for the problems on the M4 corridor around Newport, I don't think there's anybody that doubts the seriousness and the gravity of those problems and the need to take urgent action in the short term, as well as medium and long-term action, to deal with those problems. And, obviously, the people of Newport are long suffering in...
John Griffiths: I'm pleased to say that I think there are many good examples around Wales of schools meeting this challenge, and I wonder if you would join me in recognising the progress of schools like Ringland Primary in my constituency, where they've increased walking, cycling and scooting to school by 20 per cent over the last year, so that now just under half of the pupils travel to school by those means.
John Griffiths: Would the Member take an intervention?
John Griffiths: Would you agree as well that 20 mph default speed limits in urban areas would be very helpful to achieving that sort of change?
John Griffiths: I very much welcome the statement today. As Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, these matters are central to our work, and, indeed, in our report on human rights in Wales, in the inquiry that we conducted, we made many recommendations that I think are relevant to this statement today. And, of course, in the joint debate with the External Affairs and Additional...
John Griffiths: I was very pleased today to sponsor the World Environment Day event here at the Senedd, raising the importance of taking urgent action to address the ecological crisis we face, in order to restore nature in Wales. As we've heard, Welsh nature is in a fragile state. Half of Welsh wildlife is in decline, and hundreds of species are threatened with extinction. To address those biodiversity...
John Griffiths: Despite this alarming picture, Dirprwy Lywydd, the Welsh Government does not currently have an overarching poverty strategy as it did in previous years, and greater leadership is required. The most commonly used measure of poverty is the number or proportion of the population who live in a household whose income is less than 60 per cent of median income, adjusted for their household size and...
John Griffiths: Dirprwy Lywydd, in effect, women face a double burden of poverty and discrimination, and that needs to be changed and tackled. Food is centre stage in terms of many of these poverty issues today. The surge in the number of people seeking emergency food support in Wales evidences the desperate daily struggle facing many people up and down our country in just having access to basic necessities....
John Griffiths: I'm very happy to join Leanne Wood in calling for that change. I think it's a scandalous policy that is almost trying to impose the state's view of how many children working-class families should have. It's truly shocking.
