Luke Fletcher: The reality is that much of the investment for the steel industry must come from the UK Government, and I'd have to join Jack Sargeant in saying that it is disappointing that there is a reluctance from UK Government Ministers to engage with our CPG. In fairness to you, Minister, I think this will be the second time that you've come to the CPG now, and I know Members are very appreciative of...
Luke Fletcher: Will the First Minister provide an update on the Government's work relating to a four-day week?
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that response, Minister.
Luke Fletcher: I know that a lot of people are grateful for those gaps being plugged, but a concerning case was recently brought to my attention by a constituent in Wildmill who was precluded from claiming the UK Government's last round of cost-of-living support payments. When the cost of living skyrocketed, my constituent sought help but because he receives industrial injury disablement benefit, which...
Luke Fletcher: 5. How is the Welsh Government working with HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities to ensure that financial support designed to assist with the increased cost of living reaches as many people as possible? OQ59006
Luke Fletcher: So, is the Minister confident that Bridgend is moving swiftly enough to meet its target in the WESP? I know that the Minister is aware of the situation in Bridgend. I know that he has had a whole host of conversations with the council. But, like a number of others in the Siambr, I want to see the council moving at a greater pace on this.
Luke Fletcher: If I could touch on Welsh-medium education—and I'm sure that the Minister isn't going to be surprised by that—investment in it to achieve Welsh Government targets is going to be vital. Bridgend is a prime example. Yes, we heard last week that, on the face of it, Welsh language provision is increasing, with a new school in Porthcawl and the expansion of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr, but if you...
Luke Fletcher: I thank the Minister for his statement today.
Luke Fletcher: I'll start by agreeing with the Government: it is disgraceful that UK Government would rather attack workers' rights than deal effectively with the economic hardships that are facing those workers. If I could start with one of those hardships, which is energy, the Minister mentioned that the current UK scheme, whilst providing support some support, does nothing to safeguard against energy...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Weinidog. It's a new year, but it's the same old story when it comes to Cardiff Airport. This time, it's Wizz Air; a few months ago, Qatar Airways pulled out, that after investment from Welsh Government; perhaps the Deputy Minister could confirm whether or not Welsh Government provided any similar incentives to Wizz Air. But what is it going to take for the Government to...
Luke Fletcher: Today, I had the pleasure of co-sponsoring, with Carolyn Thomas, a drop-in event with Communication Workers Union members. As those who attended will know, what they had to say about Royal Mail's disregard for its employees was shocking: casualisation, pay cuts, hollowed-out conditions, even attempting to take away statutory sick pay, which is totally illegal, by the way—'Amazon on...
Luke Fletcher: Of course I welcome the developments in terms of Porthcawl and Ysgol Bro Ogwr—my former primary school. It was a great pleasure for me to return to Bro Ogwr to see how they were providing free school meals. The classrooms felt a lot smaller than when I was a pupil there, but I don’t know what that means—maybe I’ve put a little bit of weight on since then. Mention has been made that...
Luke Fletcher: 2. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of Cardiff Airport in light of Wizz Air's announcement that it is ceasing operations in and out of Wales? TQ705
Luke Fletcher: I thank the Minister for his statement.
Luke Fletcher: We agree that harnessing science research and innovation to address societal challenges is important, as is improving investment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and research and development, which will have huge benefits for the Welsh economy, and we must continue developing our manufacturing and exporting in these areas. Of course, we support the ambition of establishing...
Luke Fletcher: This morning, the weather was atrocious. In the downpour, I walked to the train station. Luckily, it's only five minutes away from my house. But, in other parts of Bridgend county, too many kids had to walk over an hour to get to school, no doubt arriving soaking wet. I first raised this in September 2021. Nothing has changed. This barrier to education in still in place. So, I would like to...
Luke Fletcher: Let's be clear: the fact that poverty exists is a complete and utter failure of the Government—Governments on both sides of the M4. It's a failure of both Parliaments, and it's a failure of an economic system, a system that benefits from and encourages maximum profit at the cost of people, because that's what we're talking about here—people. That's what's behind poverty figures—people...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for for that response, Minister.
Luke Fletcher: The UK Government recently announced a package of measures to support UK R&D amidst the continuing uncertainty over association with Horizon Europe. Within the package, as you've mentioned, is a pledge of £100 million quality-related funding for English universities, from which Wales will receive consequentials. It is important to highlight the fact that QR funding is unique in the sense...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Of course, one of the things that they mentioned was that smaller businesses would miss out on that support. So, isn't it the case that we need that targeted support? There is a recognition that support is needed elsewhere. We've heard about energy today, and that business rates themselves, of course, as well, need reform. That, of course, was the view of...
