Lesley Griffiths: Your reference to the website, I think, is incredibly concerning, and obviously the Minister for Social Justice is in her place, and I will ask her to make some specific enquiries in relation to that. Around the view of whether a national inquiry is needed, obviously policing is a reserved matter for the UK Government, and it's really for them to decide, if they think an inquiry should take...
Lesley Griffiths: We do have confidence. As I say, the Minister for Social Justice has met with both the chief constable and the PCC to discuss the concerns. As far as I know, she hasn't had a further meeting. You mentioned comments that the family had come forward with. It's really important that, obviously, people who do want to come forward with their concerns, if they have been a victim of any crime, do...
Lesley Griffiths: I think the most recent allegations in last Sunday's The Sunday Times report are extremely worrying. As a Government, and I'm sure everybody in this Chamber, we stand against corruption, misogyny, racism and homophobia in all forms. I haven't seen the comments made by the family as yet. As you know, policing is not devolved to Wales; it is a matter for the UK Government, it's a responsibility...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, we recognise that increasing energy costs, the cost-of-living crisis, are obviously putting increased pressure on our schools, on our local authorities, and other public services, as well as on so many of our constituents. The Welsh Government is committed to using every lever it can to help people across Wales with the cost-of-living crisis. You'll be aware our pupil...
Lesley Griffiths: So, I think I'll take the opportunity very early in this question session to say the additional funding that the Welsh Government has been given—£1.2 billion over the next two years—will not fill the big gaps in our budget. I will make that really clear. We face some very difficult choices as Ministers as we bring forward next year's budget. We will continue to prioritise our budgets to...
Lesley Griffiths: So, as I've already mentioned, the Minister for Economy has written, asking for a face-to-face meeting with the BEIS Secretary of State, and I'm sure, once he's had that urgent meeting, he'll update local Members on the latest developments on this very important issue. I think one of the best things the Welsh Government can do is to continue to really put some pressure on the UK Government to...
Lesley Griffiths: We continue to face very difficult choices as we prepare our draft budget 2023-24. However, as we have stated, we will maintain our focus on front-line public services. As shown by recent analysis from HM Treasury, spending per person on education in Wales was 17 per cent higher than in England in 2021-22. We will provide further details in our 2023-24 draft budget.
Lesley Griffiths: Absolutely, and you will have heard my initial answer to Jayne Bryant. And, as I mentioned, the Minister for Economy has written to the BEIS Secretary of State to seek an urgent meeting. I think that letter only went either yesterday or today. So, I would hope—and if you've got any influence—and I would suggest it is an urgent meeting to discuss this, going forward. I said in my original...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. So, Newport boasts a globally significant semiconductor cluster, and the UK Government does have a responsibility to ensure that it's not held back as a result of this episode. And I know Jayne Bryant has always stood up for this very crucial sector in her constituency, and we're ambitious about the role it can play. I think the Biden administration really put a huge priority on...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Welsh Government welcomes the fact that the announcement has finally been made, which has provided some welcome clarity. The semiconductor cluster is vital to the Welsh economy, and we call again on the UK Government to publish its semiconductor strategy and invest in this significantly important sector as a matter of urgency.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I am aware the Minister for Health and Social Services led a summit of cancer service providers and leaders last month to make sure that we're doing everything that we can to recover cancer services from the impact of the pandemic. I know she continues to work with health boards to address the matter.
Lesley Griffiths: I will ask the Deputy Minister for Climate Change to come forward with a written statement on that issue.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The allegations in the report are extremely worrying. I know the Minister for Social Justice was very pleased that the force was very clear about this. Obviously, as a Government, we stand against corruption, misogyny, racism and homophobia in all of their forms. You mention that policing is obviously a reserved matter for the UK Government, but, of course, as a Government, we work...
Lesley Griffiths: It wouldn't be me; it would be the Minister for Climate Change, as she has responsibility for NRW. I know she's been having discussions with NRW around this, but I don't see that that would be for an oral statement. If there is any further information that the Minister feels she needs to share with us, I will ask her to do a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Digital now plays a significant role in our society, from allowing people to engage with health and public services, for instance, or reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation by maintaining contact with their friends and families, or, of course, continuing to work and access learning. But of course, there are people who choose not to participate, or see no need to, and, of...
Lesley Griffiths: Obviously, the Government is absolutely committed to the conservation values that you refer to. I think you've done absolutely the right thing in writing to the Minister, and you say you've had her helpful response.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Member raises a very important point. I know the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership is very keen for our veterans and their families to be aware of the survey, and will be happy to do that and bring forward a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to this week's business. The Business Committee has agreed to postpone tomorrow's debate on the Senedd Commission budget until next week. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. I'll start with the questions around public health risk, because obviously I hadn't been asked those questions before, and it is good to be able to reiterate that the UK Health Security Agency's advice is that the risk to public health from this virus is very low, and the UK Food Standards Agency's advice is that AI poses a very low food-safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you very much for those questions. Clearly, you are going against the scientific advice and the advice I'm given by my chief veterinary officer in relation to mandatory housing, and I set out, I thought very clearly, in my oral statement the reasons why we have not followed England. You don't seem to ask why England haven't followed us, but the reason we have not followed England is...
