Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, I'd like to ask for two statements today. I continue to deal with a large volume of casework relating to problems caused by unadopted housing estates. In fact, I would say it's the largest single element in my postbag, and I know that other Assembly Members see similar issues. Some time ago, during a debate on unadopted roads, the economy and transport Secretary announced...
Vikki Howells: What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact of the gig economy in Wales?
Vikki Howells: Welsh further education colleges are critical players in the economy of Wales. As ColegauCymru have reminded us, their annual economic impact on the local business community is no less than £4 billion. And in addition to this contribution, they undoubtedly have a crucial strategic role to play in futureproofing the economy in Wales. In 'Prosperity for All', the Welsh Government sets out how...
Vikki Howells: Cabinet Secretary, I share the concerns that have been raised by my colleagues Angela Burns and Caroline Jones, and I continue to deal with casework from disgruntled supply teachers in my own constituency. Indeed, just last week, I met with a supply teacher who told me of an alarming case where a supply agency offers alleged inducements, such as tickets to rugby internationals, to...
Vikki Howells: What action is the Welsh Government taking in relation to supply teaching?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. I share all of your concerns and also the concerns raised by my colleague Jane Hutt in relation to victims of domestic violence and the impact of universal credit upon them. But so many vulnerable groups are set to suffer as a result of this roll-out, and Citizens Advice have published new research showing that some single, working disabled people will be more...
Vikki Howells: 8. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the roll-out of universal credit in the Cynon Valley? OAQ52939
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. This year, Social Enterprise Day falls on Thursday, 15 November. The day is a chance to raise awareness of social enterprises, those businesses committed to a social or environmental mission. It is also part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Something of the scale and scope of the sector in Wales is suggested by the report on social businesses in Wales: the state of...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. As you will know, authorities around Wales, including my own of RCT, have already had to stretch budgets even further to cope with the effects of storm Callum. In RCT, £100,000 was spent immediately on tackling the floods, and a further £100,000 from reserves has been earmarked for investigative and clearance work. Bearing in mind the impact and cost of future...
Vikki Howells: 5. What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to providing funding to prevent flooding when determining the draft budget for 2019/20? OAQ52909
Vikki Howells: What consideration did the Cabinet Secretary give to funding for further education when deciding on the draft budget for 2019/20?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement here today. I've got a couple of questions for you. Firstly, will you join with me in congratulating the extrication team from the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service? Not only are they now five times UK national champions, but, for the third year in succession, they recently won the world rescue organisation challenge in Cape Town, firmly...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, when I speak to residents up and down the Cynon Valley, there's great passion about wanting to see our town centres rejuvenated. But, at the same time, that's often set against a reluctance by local people to actually shop locally. And when I speak to them about the reasons for that, one of the things that's most often cited is the lack of diversity of businesses on our high...
Vikki Howells: First Minister, we know that the Welsh Government has a proud record of supporting small businesses here in Wales with generally a more generous package of rate relief, and has supported more small businesses than anywhere else in the UK. I note that, in the recent UK budget, the Chancellor announced additional rate relief for small retail businesses in England, who will see their rates cut...
Vikki Howells: Cabinet Secretary, I was very impressed a few weeks ago by an announcement from Arriva Trains Wales about their new package to assist rail users with sight loss. That included such things as specialist audio guides, assistance dog cards and familiarisation trips for groups that support people affected by sight loss. We know that there are 107,000 people affected by sight loss in Wales, and...
Vikki Howells: 4. What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with the Leader of the House about working with transport providers to ensure that their services are accessible to people with disabilities? OAQ52803
Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, I recently met with volunteers involved in preserving and promoting the blast furnaces of the former Gadlys ironworks. The works opened in 1827 and the furnaces are described as possibly the best-preserved in the UK, despite being largely unrecognised both locally and further afield. This project could be a real draw in terms of promoting the industrial heritage of the...
Vikki Howells: As previous speakers have noted, not only are we seeing existential changes to the Welsh economy, just as the economy undergoes changes—some good, some bad—so too does the world of work. The jobs of the future will belong not just to another time from the jobs of the past, in their opportunities, challenges and requirements they will also belong to another world. I've enjoyed contributing...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd, and my thanks to Members for their contributions to this debate today. I think we've had some very thoughtful contributions, covering a range of policy areas, and that's really important because, of course, the foundational economy does include so many varied aspects, from sofas to social care, the food we eat, the energy we consume, hairdressing to housing, transport...
Vikki Howells: Cabinet Secretary, as you will know, there has been significant work between Cwm Taf Local Health Board and Rhondda Cynon Taf council to develop a new integrated primary care facility in Mountain Ash. Now, this planned £6.5 million healthcare facility would replace outdated services in the town and adopt a holistic approach by bringing services together. Whilst recognising the work that has...
