John Griffiths: Very quickly. The draft consultation plan doesn't always include time frames for delivery, so I wonder whether the finalised plan will have clear dates for delivery of each action, and whether there will be Welsh Government funding allocated to the commitments made in the draft action plan. Diolch.
John Griffiths: Leader of the house, in terms of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report and the responses Welsh Government has made, I wonder if you could provide further detail and assurance with regard to a few matters. Firstly, the community cohesion plan: the response from Welsh Government was that that would be published in summer 2017 and would include specific actions in terms...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. May I thank Members for their contributions and echo comments already made that it's particularly good to have contributions from Members who are not sitting on our committee? May I begin, then, with Janet Finch-Saunders and recognise Janet's right to differ on some points, but nonetheless thank Janet for her contribution to the report in general? Of course, it is...
John Griffiths: One of the key areas we considered as part of our inquiry was the causes of rough-sleeping. These are wide-ranging and include a combination of structural and personal factors. We focused on the two main structural causes: welfare reform and a lack of affordable housing. Changes to benefit entitlements, the increase in sanctions and the introduction of universal credit are having a profound...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I am pleased to open today’s debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report on rough-sleeping. I’d like to thank those who provided evidence to our inquiry, including the staff and volunteers we met at projects in Newport and Cardiff. We were struck by their dedication, compassion and positivity. They told us they never give up on those who need...
John Griffiths: I’d also like to thank those who shared their first-hand experiences and moving accounts of how they ended up sleeping rough. Many included a catalogue of events that even the most resilient amongst us would struggle to endure. Thankfully, they have been supported off the street and are making plans for the future, and we wish them well. Dirprwy Lywydd, the heavy snowfall, biting wind and...
John Griffiths: How will the Welsh Government continue to work with environmental organisations to safeguard and enhance the natural environment?
John Griffiths: Diolch yn fawr, Dirprwy Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I want to add my voice, really, to those calling for more preventative steps in the future, to make sure that the strain on the national health service is eased and we cope better with the challenges of an aging population. So, I just wonder whether you could tell me what, in future strategy and policy, will better support the sorts of steps...
John Griffiths: Minister, what can you say today about areas such as Newport East where the Welsh language is relatively weak? What steps will the Government take in order to deal with these issues, particularly in Newport East and similar areas across Wales, in order to support the Welsh language and to strengthen it for the future?
John Griffiths: First Minister, policing is crucial to ensuring our communities are cohesive and enjoy good quality of life, and our police forces work with local authorities, health, housing and, indeed, the voluntary sector in close partnership, reflecting the fact that a large majority of police work concerns devolved responsibilities. Given that, and the very strong case for devolving policing that...
John Griffiths: 3. What future strategy will the Welsh Government follow to improve community cohesion in south Wales? OAQ52260
John Griffiths: I want to raise a particular matter, Dirprwy Lywydd, which I've raised before as part of this work, that relates to my constituency of Newport East, where the postcode element of eligibility for provision, notwithstanding the outreach element that partly addresses that limitation, has still resulted in two communities that are very similar—social housing in Moorland Park and Broadmead Park...
John Griffiths: Yes, Minister, I very much welcome your announcement of the £3 million for the recladding of the high-rise blocks in Newport. If Welsh Government hadn't provided that funding, it would have adversely impacted on necessary new development, as well as improvements to existing stock and, indeed, their environments, so thanks very much for that. Would you join me, Minister, in recognising the...
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, the Asthma UK survey 2017 found over 300,000 people in Wales living with asthma, thousands of annual emergency admissions and 62 deaths in 2016. Two thirds of the deaths are thought to be preventable with better basic care, and standards of basic care are said to be achieved in over 48 per cent of cases in Northern Ireland but, at the other end of the scale, only 26.1 per...
John Griffiths: 5. What further steps will the Welsh Government take to prevent and treat respiratory illness? OAQ52222
John Griffiths: Cabinet Secretary, we all know that the challenges of taking forward education in schools serving our most deprived areas are a major issue for us here in Wales—and further beyond our borders, no doubt. We've discussed in the past the importance of leadership in those particular circumstances, Cabinet Secretary, and we all know it's very important generally, but, in considering these...
John Griffiths: First Minister, I very much agree with Darren Millar, and I know with many across the Chamber, on the value of the Wales for Africa programme. I too have been lucky enough to see at first hand in Mbale in Uganda the value of the educational and health links. In addition to what you've already mentioned, in terms of Hub Cymru Africa and the grant scheme, will the Welsh Government look at how...
John Griffiths: First Minister, you will be aware of the great deal of frustration at the lack of progress in establishing a Newport to Ebbw Vale passenger rail link train service. That's been the case for quite some time and there's a great deal of concern in the area. Given the long-standing economic, social and cultural links between Newport and Ebbw Vale, do you understand those concerns and is there...
John Griffiths: Will you take a—? Oh. [Laughter.]
John Griffiths: Thank you very much, leader of the house. Obviously, it's very important that we have as full an access to broadband as possible in Wales, given its importance in terms of full citizenship today, accessing goods and services and educational aspects, for example. So, obviously that's why the Welsh Government is, I hope, as keen as I am to reach all communities in Wales. And in that context,...
