Mohammad Asghar: I am grateful to John Griffiths for bringing this debate forward this afternoon. I love Newport. It is the place I chose to make my home more than 45 years ago, but like many other towns and cities, Newport has suffered due to changes in shopping habits. The latest Local Data Company report ranks Newport as one of the worst-performing town centres for retail and leisure vacancies, with a rate...
Mohammad Asghar: I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate this afternoon. It provides an opportunity to highlight the transformation that has taken place in the United Kingdom economy, thanks to the policies of this Conservative Government in London. Labour left behind a dismal economic legacy: Britain had suffered the deepest recession since the war, we had the second largest structural...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you very much for the reply, Cabinet Secretary. Data provided by the Department for Transport show that rail passengers in South Wales East and south Wales are faced with some of the worst overcrowding in England and Wales. Nearly 40 per cent of train services arriving in Cardiff during the morning rush hour in 2015 had passengers who were forced to stand during the journey. What is the...
Mohammad Asghar: 3. How will the policies contained in the Welsh Government’s ‘Taking Wales Forward’ programme improve rail services in Wales? OAQ(5)0077(EI)
Mohammad Asghar: How will the policies contained in the Welsh Government's 'Taking Wales Forward' programme improve children's health in Wales?
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I do not understand why the council, at the time of budgetary constraint and pressure, would prefer to leave a building empty, rather than receive income from an unused asset. Thank you. The second statement: Natural Resources Wales say they have had a very successful year last year, with more than 660,000 tonnes of timber leaving the public forestry estate....
Mohammad Asghar: May I ask the Cabinet Secretary for two statements, please? The first is on local authority policy on letting office spaces to elected representatives. I’ve decided to seek new office premises because my existing one proved unsuitable, due to security concerns. After much time and effort, my staff found premises at Beechwood House, which was currently empty. Initial negotiations to rent the...
Mohammad Asghar: Healthcare pathways for patients have always crossed the Welsh and English borders. Before devolution, this was not a problem as there was a single NHS. The NHS Act of 1946 provided for the establishment of a comprehensive health service for England and Wales. The United Kingdom Government was responsible for services in both countries, although from 1969 the NHS in Wales became the...
Mohammad Asghar: May I ask the leader of the house for a further statement by the Cabinet Secretary for communities before the Christmas break on the Rent Smart Wales scheme? It has been reported that more than 13,000 private landlords in Wales may be letting properties illegally after the Rent Smart Wales scheme became law. Last week, I met a constituent, an elderly lady, who owns only one property, which...
Mohammad Asghar: How will the policies contained in the Welsh Government's 'Taking Wales Forward' programme improve health services for older people in Wales?
Mohammad Asghar: I call on Welsh Government to put high-street regeneration at the top of their agenda. Thank you.
Mohammad Asghar: For generations, our town centres have been the trading heart of our communities. They are at the core of healthy and prosperous local economies, a source of civic pride and the focal point of community life. But today too many of our high-street shops are in decline, with fewer customers and empty shop units. Changes to people’s lifestyles have meant changes to the way they shop. The...
Mohammad Asghar: Community renewable energy projects allow local communities greater control of energy generation. Could the Cabinet Secretary advise the Assembly how the Welsh Government local energy programme is encouraging and supporting such projects in south-east Wales and elsewhere?
Mohammad Asghar: Clearing of fly-tipping cost councils in South Wales East nearly £385,000 in 2014-15. Fly-tipping damages the landscape and natural habitats and has an adverse effect on tourism, as my colleague’s just mentioned, and is also a health hazard for the people who walk with their children and their pets alike. In South Wales East, in different areas, under the bridges, behind the bus shelters,...
Mohammad Asghar: One component of the Cardiff city deal is the creation of the Cardiff capital region skills and employment board. One of the jobs in its hands is to ensure that the skills and employment provision is responsive to the needs of local businesses and communities. Can the Cabinet Secretary update the Assembly on Welsh Government financial support for skills and employment provision in the Cardiff...
Mohammad Asghar: Will the Minister make a statement on measures to reduce council tax arrears in Wales?
Mohammad Asghar: Can I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on the support for a project that previously benefited from the Communities First programme? The Dowlais Engine House is a project open to children and young people of all abilities and provides an inclusive range of sporting activities, dance and drama, reading and homework clubs, and encourages healthy...
Mohammad Asghar: At a recent meeting of the Welsh Affairs Committee, the UK Government transport Minister, Andrew Jones, said that income from tolls on the Severn bridges would not be used as a profit-making exercise once they are returned to public ownership. Given that the bridges generate more than £90 million a year in revenue, but cost only £14 million to maintain, will the First Minister join me in...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you, madam Presiding Officer. Wales has an ageing population. This brings a number of benefits and opportunities. Older people are often at the heart of their communities. Whether it is by volunteering for charity and community work, or by providing childcare for their families, older people make an immense contribution. It benefits society therefore to allow older people to live full...
Mohammad Asghar: Cabinet Secretary, a report by the late Professor Holmans estimated that Wales needs up to 240,000 new housing units or 12,000 units between 2011 and 2031—it means within the next 20 years. This is nearly double the number delivered in 2014-15. Why has the Welsh Government rejected the findings of Professor Holmans and instead has committed to delivering a target for housing that falls well...
