Vikki Howells: Minister, I'd like to welcome the statement that you've made here today. As a representative of a Valleys community, you'll be aware of my long-standing passion in regenerating communities such as my own, and a key part of that absolutely has to be bringing better jobs closer to home. So, it's really good to see the detail that you've set out for us today, and I particularly welcome the work...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I welcome your statement today, and the south Wales Valleys I think are a hotbed of rail expertise, with many small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in rail engineering, in construction and other maintenance services, with employers who are locally based and often very highly skilled as well. Now, many of these tell me that they spend up to 80...
Vikki Howells: How is the Welsh Government working to break the link between poverty and poor health?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, and it was a pleasure to join you yesterday at Abercynon-based Pinkspiration for the launch of the economic contract. I'm sure that, like me, you were struck by the way that Pinkspiration supports women in the business world by mentoring and also into non-traditional areas of work like construction. I was struck, for example, by the fact that their construction...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister. You may be aware that, in response to my campaign, Arriva Trains Wales have announced an extra four Sunday train services from Aberdare, with a first service that now reaches Cardiff before 10.00 a.m. This is great news for commuters from the Cynon Valley. What assurances can the Welsh Government give that these services will be carried forward and included in any...
Vikki Howells: 3. Will the First Minister set out the Welsh Government's key objectives for improving rail services in south Wales? OAQ52223
Vikki Howells: I speak this afternoon on behalf of the Labour group, and I just want to place on record our thanks to the Standards of Conduct Committee for producing the dignity and respect policy before us. The Labour group strongly supports the strengthened measures, which set out to protect everyone who works in our National Assembly or, indeed, engages with Members and with their staff. We believe...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Both the British Medical Association and the Royal College of General Practitioners have responded positively to this move from the Welsh Government, and, indeed, I had a personal e-mail from the BMA just this morning saying how delighted they were with the move, which I know will also be warmly welcomed by GPs in my constituency too. When will you be in a...
Vikki Howells: 1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the GP professional indemnity scheme for Wales, following the announcement on Monday? 175
Vikki Howells: Will the Leader of the House provide an update on Welsh Government action to make Wales a fair-work nation?
Vikki Howells: Thank you, leader of the house, for your statement. For my questions today, I’d like to link some of the points in your statement back to 'Our Valleys, Our Future'. As you know, that document sets out an ambition to develop a digital vision for the Valleys, which centers on working with communities to identify how technology can be used to deliver better outcomes for people living and...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Cabinet Secretary. As you will know, this is an issue of real interest to me and was the subject of my short debate earlier in the year. So, I have two questions for you today. Firstly, I note your comments about a vacant land tax incentivising positive behaviours, but do you agree with me that a central aim of it will also be to tackle the harmful...
Vikki Howells: As a member of the committee, I was very pleased to take part in this inquiry, and I'll keep my contribution short and focus on a few recommendations. Firstly, recommendation 6, which calls for a competitive hardship fund for apprentices, and also for the extension of concessions such as travel schemes to apprentices too. That, I feel, links in with recommendation 7, which calls for the...
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Saturday 5 May marked the start of the 2018 Dystonia Awareness Week. Dystonia affects all ages. It is a very painful, debilitating and disabling disorder. Faulty signals from the brain will cause muscles to spasm and pull on the body incorrectly. The body is forced into twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It may affect one part of the body or,...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, First Minister, and I agree with everything you said there. I recently visited Pontus Research, which is an award-winning aquaculture research and development business in my constituency, with a global client list. The company has done incredibly well, but they've now reached capacity and they need to grow. They've applied for funding from the European maritime and fisheries...
Vikki Howells: 6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to support economic growth in Cynon Valley? OAQ52157
Vikki Howells: It's a pleasure to rise today to speak in support of the motion. This is really important, touching on how we ensure the dignity of girls and young women in Welsh schools. Plan International UK’s data shows how far too many young women struggle to meet the cost of sanitary wear. The charity has also shown the terrible impact of this too. Nearly half of girls surveyed missed an entire day...
Vikki Howells: What are the Cabinet Secretary’s priorities for improving rail services in the Cynon Valley?
Vikki Howells: What are the Welsh Government’s priorities for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the Cynon Valley?
Vikki Howells: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, I note your comments around the direct actions that the Welsh Government can take on the motorway and trunk road network. One of the areas mentioned, the A470 between Pontypridd and Upper Boat, is a key commuter link for my constituency. Lots of residents already raise their concerns with me about congestion in this area, so what monitoring will the Welsh...
