Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you to colleagues for supporting this individual Members’ debate, enabling us to have the opportunity to mark LGBT History Month for the first time on the floor of the National Assembly for Wales. LGBT History Month is celebrated in February across the UK and is a now annual event that provides us with an opportunity to promote diversity and...
Hannah Blythyn: Whilst there is still more that we can do on LGBT rights, we must not and never should be complacent, but it’s right today that we take time to celebrate our diversity and progress as a society. I hope that today’s debate provides a chance to present the positives and offer an all-important message of hope to LGBT people in Wales, in particular younger LGBT people, whilst, at the same...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Counsel General. You’ll be familiar—but Members may not be familiar, from the conversations I’ve had this week—with the case of the Shrewsbury 24. The early 1970s saw the first and only national building workers strike, where workers were on strike for 15 days, and at a time when building workers were at the bottom of the pay scale and health and safety was non-existent,...
Hannah Blythyn: 1. What discussions has the Counsel General had with other law officers regarding the case of the Shrewsbury 24? OAQ(5)0023(CG)
Hannah Blythyn: I’m pleased that we are debating the need for an industrial strategy today. It’s taken, from my point of view, far too long to get to this point, when it seems that the vast majority of us are in agreement that it should be a political priority. It’s something that I know from my previous life before being elected here that the trade unions have been pressing for for a number of years,...
Hannah Blythyn: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the use of digital technologies in Welsh primary schools?
Hannah Blythyn: I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate today, and I’ll try to maintain my brevity on Brexit, mindful that it is right to allow as many of us as possible to have a chance to contribute to this debate on a matter that, without question, is going to be one of the most defining issues of our times. ‘Securing Wales’ Future’ White Paper sets out a degree of clarity and...
Hannah Blythyn: I was hoping to make a more comprehensive contribution to this debate today, but the advent of an awful cough means I’m going to have to curtail it, so I don’t treat the Chamber to my epic, hacking cough. I want to start by welcoming the additional £10 million investment into social care, recognising the additional demands on social care, but we all know how we need to address how we...
Hannah Blythyn: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the Welsh Government's commitment to mainstreaming equality in the public sector?
Hannah Blythyn: It’s positive that we’re having this debate in Plenary today, and perhaps all the more important and prescient, given world events and what’s happening outside this Chamber. The Welsh Government’s commitment to equality and its cross-cutting approach to furthering this agenda is to be applauded, but the challenge for us all, and not solely the Welsh Government, is to ensure that these...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, First Minister. Just last week, HSBC announced its intention to close its branch in Holywell, hot on the heels of NatWest taking the same decision to shut its doors in the same town, the consequence of which is going to hit the high street hard. I was joined by members of the community and my parliamentary colleague last Friday to take a stand against this latest closure, and the...
Hannah Blythyn: 5. What assessment has the First Minister made of bank closures in north Wales? OAQ(5)0413(FM)
Hannah Blythyn: Cabinet Secretary, I am proud to be a member of a party and an institution that has led the way on the importance of the representation of women in political life, but as always we can always do more, and it’s important that we continue to do so, to ensure that voices of over half of the population are not only heard, but are actively and fully represented in our democracy. Therefore, can I...
Hannah Blythyn: I was going to go on to say that what we need now is not just one word: we need action without delay. Cabinet Secretary, I know the workforce and management at Shotton recognise the support and steps taken by the Welsh Government, but I’d ask you and colleagues and others here to join us to apply additional pressure to make sure that we take seriously the future of steel, that we commit to...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, for the opportunity to be able to once again speak up for steelworkers in my community at the Shotton site and, of course, across the country. On the issue of the British Steel pension scheme, from the conversations and correspondence I’ve had, there is concern that Tata isn’t providing the workforce with all the details they need at their disposal in...
Hannah Blythyn: I speak today as a Member who is proud to have served working people in my former role as a trade union official, and is proudly committed to continuing to stand up for hard-working and often undervalued public servants as an Assembly Member. It also means that I am probably coming at this from a slightly healthier understanding, perhaps, of the issues than others who have contributed today....
Hannah Blythyn: I welcome this budget and the opportunity to contribute to my first final budget debate as Assembly Member for Delyn. I particularly welcome a number of the recent revenue and capital allocations, including an extra £10 million a year for social care. I think it’s right that we address the pressures on social care—the growing pressures as people are growing older and living longer—and...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you. The Welsh Government has continued to invest in flood and coastal risk management, spending over £50 million in this financial year on reducing risks and maintaining existing assets. This continued investment is welcome and is vital to ensuring that family homes and businesses are protected from flooding. Over a decade ago, the town of Mold in my constituency was devastated by...
Hannah Blythyn: 2. How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to improve flood protection? OAQ(5)0080(ERA)
Hannah Blythyn: Cabinet Secretary, in your statement you say you’re keen to see the development bank work with Business Wales to create a single point of access gateway. Can I stress the absolute importance of the development bank working constructively, proactively and effectively with Business Wales, and additionally for the development bank and its functions to be accessible to microbusinesses? Finally,...
