Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, I know that you, like myself, and many other Members here, are an ardent supporter of the WASPI campaign, and I’m sure you’ll be aware of the recent pledge from the UK Labour Party to compensate those women who have been worst affected by the UK Government’s changes to the state pension age. This has been welcomed by the WASPI campaign as an important first step in...
Vikki Howells: Today’s debate marks a change in focus from that on the foundational economy a few weeks ago, but it is an area that we must equally get right if we are to craft the Welsh economy of the future. For my contribution, I’d like to focus on the scale of the challenge automation could represent, the opportunities we have to rise to this challenge, and the skills our workforce will need in...
Vikki Howells: The Welsh Government’s commitment to extend entitlements to free childcare will, of necessity, lead to an increase in the number of childcare providers across Wales. This creates an opportunity for us to consider the positive community impacts that could arise from the growth in employment within this sector. What consideration has the Cabinet Secretary given to embedding the principles of...
Vikki Howells: What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving recycling rates?
Vikki Howells: I myself spent five years as a youth worker prior to teaching, so I completely agree, Minister, with your comments about how important youth work can be in enhancing the life chances of those who utilise the services. And I welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to youth work delivery. However, for some of our most challenging communities, the winding down of Communities First represents...
Vikki Howells: The south Wales metro gives us the opportunity to deliver real improvements in public transport services in the Valleys, and I welcome the First Minister’s answer last week about the importance of inter-Valley transport links. At the moment, a return bus journey between Aberdare and Merthyr is £7. A train journey between Aberdare and Cardiff is £8—more than the hourly national living...
Vikki Howells: 6. What are the Welsh Government's priorities for improving public transport in the northern valleys? OAQ(5)0544(FM)
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The news that the Transport for Wales hub, along with the Cardiff capital region city deal programme offices, will be located within RCT is excellent news for my local authority. Together, both could see the location of hundreds of good-quality jobs into the Valleys, and serve as powerful boosters to economic regeneration. How will the Welsh Government build on...
Vikki Howells: 1. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the benefits of locating the headquarters of Transport for Wales within Rhondda Cynon Taf? OAQ(5)0144(EI)
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. Crews from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have attended 62 grass fires since Friday, with many in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and the suggestion is that many were deliberately lit. The challenge for fire services was also in the ferocity of the blazes, which posed a danger to the safety of service personnel, and to our communities. Recent figures show that deliberate...
Vikki Howells: Last Thursday morning, the excellent leaders of RCT and Bridgend councils, Councillors Andrew Morgan and Huw David, gave evidence on the south Wales metro to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee. They argued that the metro needs to connect across the northern Valleys and not just strengthen links to and from Cardiff. Would the First Minister agree and commit to ensuring that this...
Vikki Howells: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government’s response to the large number of grass fires over the weekend? EAQ(5)0126(CC)
Vikki Howells: Yes, I fully agree with what the Member said there. And I think that that’s what the marine plan really needs to encompass. And also, linked to that is my call for better data collection as well. I think that all those things need to work together. Going back to the supply chain, then, Tidal Lagoon Power have referred to there being a Welsh core within their planned supply chain, and I’ve...
Vikki Howells: Yes.
Vikki Howells: I’m delighted to speak in support of this motion today. Indeed, I can do so from a unique position, being the only Assembly Member who sits on both the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, and the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee. Together, the work of these committees gives me a cross-cutting overview of the significance of Wales’s blue economy. During the...
Vikki Howells: Thank you. The Counsel General will be aware that issues such as fly-tipping, dog fouling and littering are a real concern for many people. Would the Counsel General agree with me that the penalties applied in respect of anti-social behaviour should be commensurate with the importance that the public places on the need to curb these behaviours?
Vikki Howells: 2. What discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers regarding criminal penalties for anti-social behaviour offences? OAQ(5)0029(CG)
Vikki Howells: I’m pleased to speak in support of this motion today, and as a member of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, I’d like to thank the Chair, the clerking team, other Members and witnesses for what’s been a really interesting inquiry. For my contribution today, I’d like to focus on the first recommendation in the report. The evidence we took reinforced how important it is...
Vikki Howells: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your statement here today. This is an important announcement and, moreover, one that was endorsed by voters in Wales during last year’s Assembly election. As you’ve pointed out, for every 20 social housing properties in existence in 1981, nine have since been sold off, and whilst the right to buy did help many families onto the housing ladder, the policy...
Vikki Howells: Leader of the house, as a result of revaluation, the average rateable value in Rhondda Cynon Taff has decreased by 6.1 per cent. With this being a fairly common pattern across the area, what impact could this have on the Welsh Government’s policies towards promoting economic prosperity across the south Wales Valleys?
