Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to the Horizon Europe funding, the Welsh Government, as you know, has consistently pushed for participation in programmes such as Horizon Europe, and we certainly have not seen the promises that were made by the UK Government in relation to EU funding and the fact that we would not lose a penny if we left the European Union. I know that the Minister for Economy is...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think we've all attended picket lines with, as you say, our very hard-working postmen and women, who delivered such an important service over the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly. And I know the Minister is in close contact with her counterparts in the UK Government.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. The Deputy Minister for Climate Change is currently looking very closely at the roads review, which is under consideration by the Welsh Government. He will be bringing forward a statement, probably, now, in the next half of this current term.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There are three changes to this week's business. Immediately after this business statement, the Minister for Finance and Local Government will make a statement on the Welsh Government response to the Chancellor's statement on the medium-term fiscal plan. Secondly, the Marine, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Financial Assistance) Scheme (Wales) Regulations 2022 have been withdrawn...
Lesley Griffiths: I wasn't winding up, actually. I was just seeing the time. Just in relation to closed periods, if I can answer Llyr: you are quite right, it was something that I really did grapple with for a long time. One of the things that persuaded me was around the crop need and the nutrient applications that need to be made. It's really interesting that not one member, in any of their responses,...
Lesley Griffiths: I think that we can see why George Eustice is no longer the Secretary of State in DEFRA. However, this Welsh Labour Government remains committed to upholding and keeping pace with EU environmental standards. I will resist and, where possible, prevent any changes made by the Conservatives in Westminster from undermining those standards, and that includes as they are reflected in the...
Lesley Griffiths: Last week, I published a written statement arising from those discussions with Plaid Cymru, which sets out our intention to make provision for a consultation to take place to examine this proposal, and to bring forward changes to the regulations should it be established that such a scheme is both practical for farmers and protective of the environment on which they, as do all of us, rely. So,...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I would like to thank the Chair and members of the committee for their work in carrying out this review and drawing up the report and recommendations. And I thank those who've participated in today's debate and I will try to respond to as many points as possible. The report from the committee raises a series of constructive points with respect to the implementation of the...
Lesley Griffiths: So, I think I answered Jane Dodds fully regarding the situation in Iran, and you will have heard my answer to Jenny Rathbone. I think it's really important that we put pressure on the UK Government. You asked for three statements from the Minister for education. In relation to free school meals, that work is ongoing, and I don't think, really, there's a need for a statement at the current...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, I will certainly pass on your comments and your views to the Minister for Social Justice, who, I'm sure, will be very happy to write to the UK Government.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I understand the Minister for Finance and Local Government has asked you to write to her. I know she's had quite a bit of correspondence around this, so I think she'll be very happy to share that with you and also to respond to you if you write to her.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I can certainly give you a commitment that I will write to the owner of the Valley racetrack in Caerphilly. Unfortunately, I did write to him in March, and I'm still awaiting the courtesy of a response. So, I'm not sure I will get a response if I write to him again, but I will certainly write to him again. As you know, I'm absolutely committed to the welfare of greyhounds. I want...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I will certainly ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to bring forward probably a written statement in relation to Hywel Dda, and I give you a personal commitment you will have a response from the First Minister that you can share with your constituent.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Jane Dodds certainly describes a very heartbreaking situation, and I pay tribute to everyone who gathered today to show their support. I know the First Minister will be very pleased to receive a letter from you, Jane. Our ambition here is to make Wales the safest place in the world to be a woman or a girl, and that of course extends to the promotion of rights of women globally....
Lesley Griffiths: You cover a range of challenges that face the NHS. Obviously, we don't want to see people in hospital for a minute longer than they need to be, and getting them home, where they can obviously improve and get better, is vitally important. There is work continually going on to make that more seamless. We know we've had issues around delayed transfers of care, for instance. Certainly over the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think the Member describes a way that many of our public buildings were financed in the early part of the twentieth century. You refer to the plans that the hospital had, and, clearly, as you say, there's been now a massive increase in the cost of materials, for instance, and obviously labour as well. Rather than the Minister make a statement, I think it would be better for the...
Lesley Griffiths: I can assure the Member I look very closely every week at Government business, and have conversations with my ministerial colleagues to make sure there is a full afternoon of business. In relation to dentistry, I will certainly look at what I said to you in March, and, if there hasn't been a statement, I will ask the Minister for Health and Social Services to bring forward at least a written...
Lesley Griffiths: You asked for two areas to be looked at. I will certainly speak to the First Minister's office to ensure that you do get a response to the letter you wrote to him last month. In relation to the data, my understanding is the data isn't suitable for publication, because, if it was published, it could enable identification of individuals, and obviously that would be a matter of concern for many...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I will ask the Minister for Economy to bring forward a written statement on enterprise zones. In relation to orthopaedic services and waiting times, I think you will have heard both the First Minister and the Minister for Health and Social Services say that orthopaedic waiting times are not where we want them to be, like other waiting times. Significant additional funding has been...
Lesley Griffiths: It's certainly very sobering to hear the tragic circumstances that you describe. Of course, it is a matter for each local authority where and how many HMOs they have within their own boundaries. I'm not sure that what you describe would lead to the Minister making a statement on looking at the regulations again.
