Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Over the last 12 months, we have witnessed the most severe outbreak of avian influenza in Wales and across Great Britain. This has been the largest outbreak of an exotic notifiable disease in animals since the catastrophic outbreak of foot and mouth disease in 2001. Great Britain is not alone in this. This strain of AI is affecting birds in most of Europe,...
Lesley Griffiths: I'm very sorry to hear of the situation you describe, but this is a matter for the health board, and I don't think it would be for an oral statement here.
Lesley Griffiths: So, you may have heard me, in an earlier answer to Darren Millar, say that certainly we do recognise that ex-service men and women and their families require access to services in a different way, sometimes, to others, and that certainly has been increased, going forward. I mentioned earlier as well that the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership will be leading a debate this afternoon, and...
Lesley Griffiths: In relation to the point you make around schools teaching online, I know the Minister for Education and Welsh Language has written to all local authorities saying that we would not wish to see schools do that. We certainly would not wish to see schools close unless the decision is based on emergency or health or safety reasons for instance. And I don't think a one-day school closure would...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You obviously refer to a very specific road in your constituency. I think it would be better, because you're obviously asking about financial compensation as well, if you wrote directly to the Deputy Minister for Climate Change.
Lesley Griffiths: I'm not sure, Llywydd, whether the Member was in her seat when the leader of the opposition asked me the same question, but, as I said, local authorities have reported they made 96 per cent of payments in June.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, the UK Government, obviously, has responsibility for justice, and that includes youth justice. If justice was devolved to Wales, we would obviously be in a position to consider this question in further detail and, more importantly, in a position to address the very valid points that you've raised. Under the current system, as I say, it is a matter for the UK Government, but I...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to your first ask around the additional payment scheme for our care workers, my understanding is that local authorities have reported that 96 per cent of payments have been paid already. In relation to the 4 per cent, I think you've done absolutely the right thing writing to the Deputy Minister, and she will be able to update you in relation to that 4 per cent. And on...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and I'm certainly very sorry to hear about the health issues that both Owain and Ethan are experiencing. What we as a Government expect is that people are able to access recommended therapies routinely through the NHS, and it's important to highlight that there are treatments that are routinely available for brain tumours. You obviously referred to new therapies that have to go...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You do raise a very important point, and I know that when I had the environment portfolio, I regularly met with my counterparts in the UK Government and also Scotland, because, obviously, it is a reserved matter, and it would need the UK Government to ban the sale of fireworks. But I think the important point you make is that it's not just one night; this has continued, and even...
Lesley Griffiths: It's very hard for the Welsh Government, or the local authority, I would say, to work with UK Government when they're completely ignored. As you say, we had no prior knowledge of this, and I want to be really clear, Llywydd, that the UK Government is responsible for immigration policy and delivery. They've got a system now that I think is broken and they really need to fix this as quickly as...
Lesley Griffiths: So, I refer, really, to my answer to Darren Millar. I think we all recognise the very important work of the armed forces liaison officers here in Wales.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. There are a few changes to this week's business. I will make a statement on avian influenza later this afternoon, and the statement on the response to the UK Government's financial plan and economic forecast and the debate on the LCM on the Northern Ireland protocol Bill have been postponed until 22 November. Draft business for the next three weeks is set out on the business...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As you know, the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership is leading a debate this afternoon on armed forces. I don't want to steal her thunder, but I don't think I'm saying anything that isn't in the public domain; I've heard her say many times that she is absolutely committed to continuing to fund our armed forces liaison officers.
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government works to ensure that servicepeople, veterans and their families are supported in the spirit of the armed forces covenant. In devolved areas including health, education, housing and employment, the Welsh Government aims to ensure no-one is disadvantaged by their service. Where applicable, special consideration is applied.
Lesley Griffiths: As I said in my earlier answers to two of our colleagues, the First Minister and I met with many of these developers—and Blue Gem was absolutely represented around that table—in Cork, where we had those discussions. They're absolutely under no illusion that the Welsh Government is there to support them as they bring these projects forward.
Lesley Griffiths: We want Wales to produce sufficient renewable energy to meet our own needs and to retain the economic and social benefits of doing so. We are creating a public sector renewable developer as we maximise the potential for both onshore and offshore wind energy.
Lesley Griffiths: You're right; we're certainly facing a significant loss—over £1.1 billion—in unreplaced EU funding between 2021 and 2025. You mentioned levelling-up funding. Obviously, the Welsh Government has been denied access to the shared prosperity fund or any sort of decision role in how the funds are going to be allocated here in Wales. I think it's fair to say it's an abject failure as a...
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government is providing funding and policy advice to support the delivery of the Valleys Regional Park. In light of the withdrawal of EU funding, we are working with regional partners to develop a sustainable funding model in line with regional and Welsh Government strategies.
Lesley Griffiths: Obviously, advocacy can take many forms. It can be informal, it can be formal. I think you're referring to more formal approaches. Every type of advocacy has its own benefits in the way it supports individuals. We do have advocacy services for health. You'll be aware of the new citizen voice body for health and social care, which is replacing our community health councils. Obviously, the new...
