John Griffiths: Much accumulated wisdom and knowledge, Llywydd. [Laughter.]
John Griffiths: First Minister, the early years are vital to education and life chances throughout life, so may I commend you and Welsh Government on building the Flying Start programme, which I believe is valuable and effective? But, as ever, there is more to be done, and I think the postcode eligibility criteria for Flying Start calls into question whether more can be done to roll out this programme to...
John Griffiths: Yes, Cabinet Secretary, I'd very much agree with those sentiments, and in this time of UK Government-imposed austerity, it's all the more important, I think, that we find these new ways of delivery and indeed often delivering more with less, but obviously that is quite a challenge. In terms of local government working jointly with other key partner organisations, I wonder if you might say...
John Griffiths: 3. How does the Welsh Government encourage innovation in local government? OAQ53059
John Griffiths: I speak as Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, and as we've already heard, it was very pleasing for three committees—my committee; Lynne Neagle's Children, Young People and Education Committee; and Llyr's Finance Committee—to meet jointly and concurrently to look at the Welsh Government's approach to single, integrated impact assessments. It was a valuable...
John Griffiths: Well, as I said, I think there are issues around accountability and scrutiny. I know the sector outside the Assembly feel that as well, and I think our committee's view is quite clear. There have been various approaches from Welsh Government over a period of time in terms of how you tackle poverty most effectively, and currently Welsh Government obviously stress a collaborative,...
John Griffiths: I must say, when I speak to those involved in dealing with the consequences of Government policy and poverty in Wales—the third sector, local authorities, agencies directly providing services—they seem to have a clear understanding that it's the UK Government's austerity agenda that is driving these issues for all of us: Welsh Government, local government, and everybody else that is...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd—
John Griffiths: No problem at all. Leader of the house, as you will know, the committee that I Chair, the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee, is taking a general approach of returning to reports and, indeed, legislation that we've scrutinised, to make sure that implementation is what it needs to be, and that includes this particular piece of legislation. So, one aspect that we've been...
John Griffiths: Leader of the house, the Tory UK Government's political choice of austerity is causing more and more misery and hardship for our communities—rising poverty, homelessness and rough-sleeping, queues at food banks, mental and physical ill health. All of this in the world's fifth-largest economy. Professor Philip Alston, the UN rapporteur on poverty and human rights, has just issued a report,...
John Griffiths: 2. What action will the Welsh Government take in response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission Wales 2018 report, ‘Is Wales Fairer?’? OAQ52990
John Griffiths: I congratulate the Finance Committee on its very important report and recommendations, Dirprwy Lywydd. We all know that the challenges involved with Brexit are immense, and the uncertainty is great, and that poses all sorts of very, very difficult challenges for organisations, and, indeed, everybody in Wales. Trying to find a way through is very, very difficult, given the complexity and the...
John Griffiths: In responding to our letter, the First Minister stated that discussions were under way with the UK Government about a political agreement that would endorse the existing framework of equal treatment legislation in force across the constituent parts of the UK. The First Minister also told us that they would continue to work with the UK Government to seek assurances on individual...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I am pleased to open this debate on behalf of both the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee and the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee. I believe this is the first time that such a joint committee debate has taken place. I think that indicates the importance of the issues we are here to discuss. It is important that we continue to set...
John Griffiths: I thank the Minister for that response. At the last count, there were only 22 Greenland white-fronted geese on the Dyfi, and there's limited protection for those birds wintering in Wales outside of areas of voluntary moratorium on shooting. So, given the very low population and that limited protection in Wales, I would be very grateful if the Minister did introduce a legal ban, and I'm...
John Griffiths: 8. Will the Cabinet Secretary consider introducing a legal ban on the shooting of Greenland white-fronted geese? OAQ52845
John Griffiths: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government’s partnership with local government?
John Griffiths: I'm pleased to speak in this debate as Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee. The commission, of course, is one of our committee's key stakeholders, and throughout this reporting period we have continued to have an effective and constructive relationship, which has helped inform a range of our work. I was pleased to welcome the EHRC to the Senedd earlier today to...
John Griffiths: In our scrutiny, we have considered the general principles and provisions in detail, focusing on the impact on tenants, landlords and letting agents, how the changes will be communicated and whether there is a need for a single or lead enforcement body. Having considered the evidence, we concluded that we agreed with the general principles of the Bill and have recommended that these be agreed...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to contribute to today's debate as Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee following our scrutiny of the Bill. I'd like to thank all those who provided evidence to help inform our work, particularly tenants, landlords and letting agents across Wales who took time out to attend our focus groups. We also set up an online dialogue forum and...
