Joyce Watson: My question to you, Minister, is: when you exercise the second part of this, will you give adequate time, or more time, certainly, to scrutinise what will be in that framework so that we can all be assured that those things that I've just outlined happening over the border won't happen here in Wales?
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I thank you, Minister, for your statement. As you say, the first stage of this is a framework Bill, and the second stage will be where the detail lies. When I put the term 'flexible procurement in the NHS' and the Tories together, I get really concerned, as most of the country should be, because we will remember the personal protective equipment fiasco that happened...
Joyce Watson: I thank you for taking the intervention. You're just doing this mixing up again. We could have all that investment, the Tory Government could be very generous and give us all this money that they're promising, but we wouldn't have to lose the tax take from the advantages that you've described, that I want to see as well as you—I've represented this area since 1995, so I want to see that...
Joyce Watson: I knew you'd sink to the lowest denominator. So, the answer, clearly, to that question is 'no'. You're trying to mix things up here, quite deliberately, and that's why you've tabled this debate. Because you, ideologically, think it's a good idea to give free tax breaks to the very wealthy to take money out of our country and hand it to wherever. There's another debate that's going on, and...
Joyce Watson: The latest estimate suggests that the UK economy is already around 4 per cent smaller as a result of leaving the EU. It's been explained to me how the UK model for free ports offer robust protections—we've heard those before—against the criminality and the corruption that they have facilitated elsewhere in the world.
Joyce Watson: In a minute. But at a time when the national debt is £2.5 trillion—digest that one—thanks to years of Tory mismanagement, free ports still deprive central Government of vital income via a wide range of customs privileges and tax breaks.
Joyce Watson: Yes, well, there we are. That was that version; this is going to be this version. The point here is quite clearly that I am extremely sceptical of free ports. I don't uphold this idea of free trade in the way that you're describing, and I would ask people to think about who is wholesale behind this. I'm sure that some of us can remember Liz Truss, I'm sure some can remember Kwasi Kwarteng,...
Joyce Watson: I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate. It is one of the most important pieces of legislation, I think, that this Senedd will scrutinise. It not only shapes the future of Welsh farming, but our natural heritage, economy and culture, and particularly in mid and west Wales, so we need to get it right. I'm pleased to support the ETRA committee's recommendations and agree the...
Joyce Watson: The scope of the strategy was extended to include workplace harassment, because, as it says, women's safety can only come from change in a culture that fails to tackle toxic masculinity. Unfortunately, we've seen numerous examples of that culture in various organisations in recent weeks. So, do you agree with me, Minister, that trade unions are key to holding workplaces to account, and making...
Joyce Watson: I'm getting a bit fed up with standing up here talking about public bodies, sporting bodies, police, the fire, and talking about the culture that is underpinning them, of a systematic culture of misogyny, sexism in traditionally male-dominated areas. I'm getting a little bit tired of this. The WRU has said it 'condemns the use of racist, homophobic or sexist language'. Well, prove it....
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. The investigation by the College of Policing, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services and the Independent Office for Police Conduct concluded that there are systematic deficiencies in the way that some police forces in England and also Wales deal with allegations of sex offences and domestic abuse against their own officers and staff....
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you for your statement, Minister. The big news in my region is the huge investment by QatarEnergy in South Hook LNG. It will mean the terminal will be able to handle about 25 per cent more liquefied natural gas imported from around the world. There's no question that it will be a massive boost for Pembrokeshire, and I've no doubt the First Minister and the...
Joyce Watson: In light of the recent reported cases of allegation of sexual harassment and/or domestic abuse by serving officers in the Metropolitan Police, Gwent Police and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, the public need to be assured that all public services are safe places to work. Trefnydd, I'd like to ask for a statement from the Minister for Social Justice on what action she has taken or is...
Joyce Watson: First of all, I want to declare my membership of Unite, the trade union. I believe, as others will, that this is an ideologically led attack on workers' fundamental right to strike. They have a track record on this, and they've brought in several pieces of legislation while this Government have been in power. Let's be clear about remembering that. They're going a little bit further than...
Joyce Watson: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Our local authorities do excellent work, but sometimes they do it with one hand tied behind their back. We've got the cabinet system in place, but it seems that there's very little support for Members to carry out scrutiny. In order to scrutinise well, they need some support of researchers, and, as far as I am aware, that is missing. So, in terms of those people who...
Joyce Watson: Trefnydd, I'd like to hear from the education Minister about what is being done to address misogynistic ideology in the classroom. The case of Andrew Tate has lifted the lid on a pervasive, toxic and dangerous culture that is targeting vulnerable boys in particular. And it's endemic. I must confess I'd not heard of him until the current legal case, because I'm not on the platforms or...
Joyce Watson: Thank you for that answer, First Minister. This time last year, the Counsel General told this Senedd that the Welsh Government would maintain or improve EU standards. That commitment is imperative if we are going to erase the continued Brexit burden facing Welsh exporters. At the UK level, we must make Brexit work, and some sort of regulatory alignment for food products and sorting out the...
Joyce Watson: I think it might be worth, First Minister, encouraging people to look at the map of flood and coastal capital investment that is available online. You have already mentioned that there has been Welsh Government investment of £71 million for this financial year. I understand that an interactive map providing more detail on these schemes will soon be published. I'd welcome, if you're able to...
Joyce Watson: 6. What support will the Government offer the exporters of Welsh goods in 2023? OQ58935
Joyce Watson: The White Ribbon pledge is never to commit, excuse or remain silent about men's violence against women. When the service allowed two abusers to keep their jobs, it broke that promise. Llywydd, I want to pay tribute to the brave women who have spoken out, and my deep disappointment in the service that I've worked closely with on the White Ribbon campaign for many years. We'll see what the...
