John Griffiths: I will.
John Griffiths: I represent Newport East, which is a multicultural area, and I was brought up in Pill in Newport, in Newport West, which is very multicultural, more so now than it was when I was growing up there. But I must say, Dirprwy Lywydd, I always found it a very positive experience in terms of the richness of culture, music, dance, clothing, cuisine. It was a very enriching experience in terms of all...
John Griffiths: I'd like to welcome what I think is a very detailed and comprehensive report by the commission, Minister, and obviously it addresses issues that affect very many people right across Wales. In fact, I met with the commission as part of their evidence gathering as Chair of the Equalities, Local Government and Communities Committee, and I was very pleased with the commitment that I think they...
John Griffiths: I very much welcome the setting up of the task and finish group, First Minister, I think, in recognition of a very strong level of cross-party support for this policy and a very strong campaign run across the UK by 20's Plenty, and we've had some important events in Wales to further that campaign. Would you agree with me that, in addition to the benefits that you've mentioned, it's very...
John Griffiths: Thank you, Minister. I wonder if you're familiar with a recent proposal for a national technology institute, which came from Newport economic network. It's really about looking at how we provide this sort of applied education for world-class technical, digital and entrepreneurial skills, really in responding to the fourth industrial revolution. It does have a good deal of work behind it,...
John Griffiths: 8. What further steps will the Welsh Government take to ensure that the education system provides the skills required to support the Welsh economy? OAQ53761
John Griffiths: First Minister, it's clear that a growing number of people—our young people and, indeed, the older generation concerned for their grandchildren—do not think that the current scale and pace of action to combat climate change is sufficient. I think we've seen, with Extinction Rebellion and the number of people protesting, the number of arrests and, indeed, Greta Thunberg, as an amazing...
John Griffiths: 3. What strategy will the Welsh Government follow to strengthen and reinforce its commitment to tackle climate change? OAQ53760
John Griffiths: Thanks for that response, Minister. I very much agree, and I think there's widespread agreement across the Chamber that this is a very worthwhile programme that delivers great benefits for sub-Saharan Africa and, indeed, for Wales. One important aspect of it is the community-to-community links. I think we have a very impressive number of those in Wales, but obviously they could be added to,...
John Griffiths: Minister, tourism is very important in Wales and a very important part of our economy. Many countries have a tourism tax, which provides revenue to improve the tourism product and indeed help promote and market tourism effectively. Is Welsh Government—[Interruption.] There are also anxieties around the proposals, which I understand. So, is Welsh Government continuing to consider and...
John Griffiths: 7. Will the Minister make a statement on progress in developing the Welsh Government's tax policy? OAQ53728
John Griffiths: 3. What plans does the Minister have to build on the success of the Welsh Government's Wales for Africa programme? OAQ53727
John Griffiths: I too would like to welcome the publication of the road map as an important step forward in building safety in Wales. The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, which I chair, has been looking at the issue of fire safety in high-rise buildings since the awful tragedy of Grenfell Tower in 2017. As David Melding touched upon, we've looked at many of the issues that are the...
John Griffiths: Minister, given that the forthcoming UK marine strategy consultation will show that the UK has not reached its 2020 target of good environmental status for the majority of the 14 descriptors, and none of the biodiversity-related descriptors, what action is Wales going to take to ensure that we are not in this position again in 2030?
John Griffiths: 6. How will the Welsh Government's forthcoming nature recovery action plan support the delivery of the UK marine strategy regulations? OAQ53648
John Griffiths: Thank you for that, Minister. As we heard earlier, smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable death and health inequality in Wales. And, over the last few years, the rate of progress in reducing smoking prevalence has largely stalled. One effective way of driving down smoking rates, particularly perhaps in more deprived areas, is community-based actions to help people stop smoking....
John Griffiths: 7. What further action will the Welsh Government take to prevent ill-health in south Wales? OAQ53544
John Griffiths: First Minister, when a baby comes into this world in Wales, the social class he or she is born into will affect every aspect of their life, whether it's life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, the standards and qualifications experience of education that she or he receives, their job, lifetime earnings, standards of living, quality of life. Far too often, those born into lower income groups...
John Griffiths: 2. What strategy will the Welsh Government follow to address the way that social class determines the life chances of people in Wales? OAQ53578
John Griffiths: The relationship between this low-lying area and the sea has not been without tragedy. The element of tension and jeopardy is demonstrated most starkly by the catastrophic flood of 1607. A tidal surge—some think tsunami—put large areas underwater on both sides of the Bristol Channel. It is estimated that 2,000 or more people were drowned, houses and villages swept away, an estimated 200...
