Russell George: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the opening of outdoor education centres during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ55739
Russell George: Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement this afternoon and also for his advance copy of the statement as well, which I'm grateful for? Deputy Minister, I have to say, I am disappointed by the statement this afternoon, only because I was expecting more detail this afternoon. There isn't much concrete detail in what you've outlined this afternoon. This is an area where you've been...
Russell George: Thank you, First Minister, for your reply. I know you'll agree with me that GPs have reacted quickly and flexibly during the pandemic, which we all thank them for. Now, in spite of that, what I'm told by GPs in my constituency is that, despite a number of requests via the appropriate channels, GPs have stood alone—this is what they're telling me—in planning and organising this year's flu...
Russell George: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's support for GP practices during the COVID-19 pandemic? OQ55721
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I would like to formally move the motion in the name of my colleague Darren Millar, and I can also indicate today that we will be supporting the amendment in the name of Caroline Jones this afternoon as well. Presiding Officer, the UK Government has provided in excess of £4 billion to the Welsh Government to combat the virus. To date, the Welsh Government, I'm...
Russell George: I'd like to thank the Deputy Minister for his statement this afternoon, and also add my own thanks to Phil Jones and the task and finish group for their work also. I should say that the issue of pavement parking is an issue that the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee has previously looked at, and we've particularly looked at it as part of our inquiry into active travel. Pavement...
Russell George: First Minister, your aim of having 30 per cent of people working from home is very laudable; however, to work from home, you almost certainly need to have a decent broadband connection. I have constituents who want to work from home but can't as they don't have adequate broadband, meaning they have no other option but to travel to work. How are you going to achieve your aim, First Minister,...
Russell George: Thank you for your answer, Minister. This is, of course, the largest employer in the Llanfyllin area, and this has come as a serious blow to Llanfyllin and to all the families that are affected at the plant. My understanding, from speaking to the local county councillor, Peter Lewis, is that the company, which is owned by Magna International, is intending to restructure its UK operations, and...
Russell George: Minister, I agree with the many benefits that you point out that being member of a union can achieve, but the fact is that employers and employees can also work together without being members of a union, which is the point I was making and which was the concern that was being pointed out by those that were frustrated by the letter. Finally, Minister, looking ahead at your long-term ambition...
Russell George: Can I just check, Llywydd—can I be heard now?
Russell George: Thank you, Llywydd. My question was, Minister: do businesses that have received funding from the Welsh Government during the pandemic need to become unionised?
Russell George: Well, I'm very pleased with that answer, Minister—that businesses don't need to be unionised in order to receive Welsh Government support. I raise the question because of a recent letter that had been sent to businesses in receipt of funding from the economic resilience fund. Now, as I read this letter myself, there does seem to be an element of strong-arming businesses into becoming...
Russell George: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, do businesses that have received funding from the Welsh Government during the pandemic need to become unionised?
Russell George: 1. What support is the Welsh Government providing to Stadco following news that it intends to close its factory in Llanfyllin, affecting 129 employees? TQ486
Russell George: I listened carefully, Trefnydd, to Darren Millar's request and your answer, but if I could also request a statement, please, on the situation facing those who take part in the national football league of Wales. I'm aware that many Newtown AFC players work full time, play football part time, but they're still classed as elite athletes, meaning that, under the Welsh Government guidance, they...
Russell George: I want to focus my remarks on the economy and infrastructure and why the creation of a cross-departmental office for government resilience and efficiency is fundamental if we are to see the end of the silo working that has characterised the performance of successive Welsh Governments over the past 20 years. The establishment of the office at the heart of Government, as outlined earlier by...
Russell George: How is the Welsh Government supporting rural areas of Wales in preventing the community transmission of COVID-19?
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon and for, also, the additional support that he has announced to support businesses here in Wales? I do appreciate, Minister, as well, in your statement, your welcoming of the various schemes that the Chancellor has announced to support businesses across the United Kingdom. I'm sure that you will also agree with me, Minister, that...
Russell George: First Minister, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report into the future of regional development and public investment in Wales found that the labour market links between the communities of mid Wales and south-west Wales weren't particularly very strong. That recommendation is of no surprise to me. The report proceeded to recommend that it would be beneficial to...
Russell George: It is estimated that restoring the canal would generate an annual spend of approximately £5 million and create 128 full-time jobs. We do need, I think, some fresh impetus into the campaign to restore the 'Monty', as it's called and referred to, so I would be grateful to hear about any recent discussions that Welsh Government may have had, perhaps with the UK Government or Powys County...
