Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your considered statement and response to the nine recommendations of the steering group. I want to start by noting the comments you make with regard to Cadw and what you say about impressive improvement to the visitor experience and an increase in visitor numbers, alongside embracing new audience and technology. I think that stands out to me because it...
Hannah Blythyn: Will the First Minister make a statement on the Year of Legends 2017?
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you. So, early detection of ovarian cancer is lifesaving and knowing the symptoms does make a difference, but this difficulty in diagnosis has left ovarian cancer to be called the silent killer. I think we need to rebuff that, because it isn’t silent—as we’ve said, there are symptoms, and it’s crucial that in this debate we speak up and that going forward we use that as a tool...
Hannah Blythyn: It’s timely that we’re having this debate today, as Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month for this year draws to a close. Indeed, as others have said, raising awareness is absolutely key when it comes to tackling the UK’s deadliest gynaecological cancer. I want to also thank the petitioner, Margaret Hutcheson. Whilst the recommendations might not fully fulfil what she was asking for initially,...
Hannah Blythyn: I am also going to try and speak a little Welsh this afternoon. Last month, I visited a ‘cylch Ti a Fi’ in my constituency, and I enjoyed listening to the children singing and starting to learn Welsh. I am also learning Welsh rhag ofn nad ydych wedi dyfalu. [Chwerthin.] Weinidog, yr hyn sy’n fy nharo i pan fyddaf yn ymweld â’r cylch, yn awr ei fod wedi cael ei ymgorffori’n rhan o...
Hannah Blythyn: As a member of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, I welcome the opportunity to contribute in this debate and add my support to the motion. I’d like to start by thanking, actually, my fellow committee members and committee staff for the work that has gone into producing the report, and the Cabinet Secretary for his careful and positive consideration on behalf of the Welsh...
Hannah Blythyn: March marks Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer in women. In the UK alone, around 7,200 women are diagnosed with the disease annually, and there are approximately 4,300 deaths due to ovarian cancer each year. Many of us here have a family member, a friend or will know somebody who has been affected by ovarian cancer. And although this is a relatively...
Hannah Blythyn: Cabinet Secretary, we know that safe, secure and affordable homes are a crucial part of the fabric of fulfilling lives and strong, cohesive communities, and safeguarding and ensuring decent standards of Wales’s housing stock is a core component in achieving this. As you’re well aware, in February this year, my own council, Flintshire, was successful in its application to suspend right to...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for that response. Concerns have been raised with me about how cases of harassment are dealt with—with the necessary and appropriate sensitivity and seriousness—by those who work in front-line public services. Cabinet Secretary, are you able to provide reassurance on the work being done to prevent harassment with those in front-line devolved public services?...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Following on from the announcement of the intention to phase out Communities First in its current form and the shift of focus onto employability-type programmes, I’m sure you’re already aware, Cabinet Secretary, of the numerous employability programmes in Flintshire that are providing support not only to prepare people for the world of work, but to also...
Hannah Blythyn: 7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the future of community support projects in north Wales? OAQ(5)0120(CC)
Hannah Blythyn: 10. Will the Cabinet Secretary outline the measures the Welsh Government is taking to tackle harassment against women in Wales? OAQ(5)015(CC)
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Today’s motion to mark International Women’s Day proposes that the National Assembly for Wales ‘Celebrates International Women's Day 2017 and recognises the role, contribution and achievements of women in the economic, political, social and cultural life of Wales.’ With this in mind, it’s right that we recognise history, or should I say herstory makers and...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Hundreds of my constituents across north-east Wales are directly employed at the Ellesmere Port plant and, as you indicated in your answers, there’s also the significance of the plant to the wider supply chain and the economy of our region. Cabinet Secretary, we know that the uncertainty caused by Brexit is negatively impacting on the automotive sector, and...
Hannah Blythyn: Well, I welcome the partnership agreement between Welsh Government and Heathrow in respect of airlines wanting to fly out of Wales’s Cardiff Airport to Heathrow, and the potential of thousands of new skilled jobs it could create, alongside boosting the Welsh economy. However, for my constituents and people and businesses across north-east Wales, it’s increased and better connections with...
Hannah Blythyn: What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary held on the future of jobs for Welsh workers employed at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, in the light of the General Motors announcement that they intend to sell Vauxhall to Peugeot? EAQ(5)0141(EI)
Hannah Blythyn: I too want to thank Jayne Bryant for bringing this most important issue of our time, I believe, to the floor of the Assembly today. I just wanted to briefly contribute, because, like many others, this is an issue that is very close to my heart, because, like many others in this Chamber and across the country, my family has first-hand experience of the challenges faced by unpaid carers. I know...
Hannah Blythyn: Cabinet Secretary, as you’ll know, connective infrastructure and high-quality transport networks are essential to the success of any economy and are especially key in the north-east Wales gateway area. It’s for that reason that I’ve welcomed the news of the Welsh Government’s intention to consult on the much-needed major improvements to the Deeside corridor—one of north Wales’s...
Hannah Blythyn: The failure of some bus services in north-east Wales has been well documented and referenced here today and it’s on the back of that, and, obviously, the many, multiple conversations that I’ve had with constituents regarding buses, that I welcome the bus summit held in Wrexham and the positive steps, going forward, that have begun to be outlined here today. For many of my constituents and...
Hannah Blythyn: I’d like to re-emphasise what my colleague for Aberavon has said and others this afternoon, that Tata must now honour their commitment and promises, and recognise the sacrifice the workforce has made, and step up to the plate and not walk away from their obligations. I’m also adding my voice to tributes to the dedication of the steel unions. I know first-hand how hard the reps work at my...
