Paul Davies: Minister, I'm sure everyone in the Chamber will agree that the UN report makes for very sober reading and highlights the urgency that is required in protecting our wildlife. The report identifies that one of the direct drivers of decline in species is pollution, which, of course, includes plastic pollution. Plastic pollution is a huge problem and, as the Atlantic puffin species champion, I am...
Paul Davies: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on whether the Welsh Government's rural housing policies are fit for purpose? OAQ53844
Paul Davies: Well, this is about transparency and accountability, First Minister. We have waited three years for this report. Why on earth hasn't this report been published until now? So, I take it from the answer you've just given me that he will be publishing this report in due course, but that wasn't clear from your answer. Now, there are still—[Interruption.] There are still serious questions about...
Paul Davies: Well, let me tell you how your Government undertakes due diligence. Since 2010, the Welsh Government has wasted millions and millions of pounds on bad loans and poor business decisions. Canolfan Cywain received £3.4 million, and what happened? It closed. Main Port Engineering received £650,000 and went into administration. First Minister, I'd like to look closer at one company in...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, can you tell us how well your Government carries out due diligence in relation to supporting businesses?
Paul Davies: Once again, yet another report that makes for grim reading if you live in Pembrokeshire, and it again reminds us that Pembrokeshire continues to lag behind other areas. And the seriousness of that digital exclusion cannot be overstated. Sadly, one of the most serious and pressing matters relating to broadband provision in Pembrokeshire is at Ysgol Llanychllwydog in north Pembrokeshire, which...
Paul Davies: Superfast broadband coverage in Wales has increased to 93 per cent of homes and businesses from 89 per cent last year, according to Ofcom's 'Connected Nations 2018' report, and so, whilst I accept that some progress is being made, much more needs to be done to tackle those areas left with substandard broadband provision. I'm sure that the Deputy Minister will agree with me that it's...
Paul Davies: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to once again take the opportunity to raise the issue of broadband connectivity in this Chamber, and I'm happy to give Russell George a minute of my time. Aside from the issue of protecting services at Withybush hospital, the issue of broadband connectivity is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most frequently raised matter amongst my...
Paul Davies: It's quite clear, First Minister, that there have been serious failings under your health Minister's stewardship of the NHS. Now, a YouGov poll released today for the twentieth anniversary of this place has found that 29 per cent of people in Wales feel that the National Assembly has led to a decline in NHS standards. There has been a lack of leadership by successive Welsh Labour...
Paul Davies: Well, I'm not sure whether the First Minister does have confidence in the health Minister because he didn't answer a straightforward question. But let's look at the facts and let's look at your Minister's record, shall we? Since Vaughan Gething became health Minister in 2014, there has been a catalogue of failures. Five out of seven health boards are in special measures or targeted...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, do you have confidence in your health Minister?
Paul Davies: Following the recent Welsh Government announcement, will the Minister make a statement on the way that supply teachers are contracted in Wales?
Paul Davies: But, First Minister, this latest development does call into question your leadership and the leadership of this Government to run our NHS. It's a sad fact, isn't it, that with five out of seven health boards across the country under special measures or targeted interventions, there is barely anything special or unusual about it anymore? This seems the new norm and the sad reality for the...
Paul Davies: Well, you're right, First Minister, to question leadership on this matter, and people are questioning the leadership of your Government under these circumstances. And let me remind you, First Minister, this isn't the first time we've raised this terrible situation in this Chamber. And the last time I questioned you in March, you told me that mothers and babies are no longer at risk under Cwm...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. Someone must take responsibility for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board slipping into special measures, First Minister. Who is to blame?
Paul Davies: Minister, you'll be aware that when the National Procurement Service was first created in 2013 the then Minister, Jane Hutt, described the NPS as a 'very Welsh way to meet Welsh business needs but also value for money for the Welsh pound.' Since then, however, as you know, the NPS has made significant losses, ultimately leading to the decision by the Welsh Government to review the NPS...
Paul Davies: 5. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of the Welsh Government's public procurement policy? OAQ53691
Paul Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on what progress the Welsh Government is making in increasing the number of Welsh speakers?
Paul Davies: Well, let me give you some figures, First Minister. Recent figures from the national survey show that nearly half of people in Wales admitted to having trouble seeing their GP last year. This number has increased over the years. And your own Minister has actually quoted these figures in a recent statement that he actually issued to this Chamber. Now, despite being warned of this by...
Paul Davies: Come on, First Minister, you can't ignore what you're being told by GPs. The British Medical Association in Wales spoke out at the weekend with what they called sadness over how recent contract negotiations with your Government had gone. Chairwoman of the general practitioners committee, Charlotte Jones, said that your overall approach to discussions had been disappointing and that the...
