Hefin David: I wanted to reflect on some of the comments that have been made. I have to say, it's been made purely for populist gain. It's the politics, I think, of Trump. You know, when you actually look at what's really going on, what's actually happening is that there is a pay differential, and there’s a recognition that you need a pay differential, that pay differential exists, and we tend to stick...
Hefin David: Can I make an intervention?
Hefin David: Thank you for taking the intervention. I notice that Neil McEvoy didn't want to, and I can give you a corrected statement. He is taking a £13,000 councillor’s salary, the same councillor’s salary that I've given back. So, he could start a saving today of £13,000 if he'd be willing to give it back. What I also had regarding your statement is that the deputy leader of Plaid in Caerphilly...
Hefin David: [continues.]—but haven't acknowledged their role in the whole process.
Hefin David: You won’t give way to me; I’ve given my council salary back.
Hefin David: Will the Member take an intervention on that point?
Hefin David: I think, with that recognition, I think perhaps Russell George would recognise the Conservatives have grossly underestimated the complexities involved in reviewing business rates to make a more progressive system, but that’s what the Government has committed to do, so that’s indeed what we’re likely to see.
Hefin David: Does the Cabinet Secretary believe that such mandatory collaboration has to lead to a return on investment, whether that be delivering more for less, more for the same, or the same for less, and, if that’s the case, how does he anticipate local authorities being able to justify collaboration, as a mandatory requirement, when the business case for collaboration may not necessarily bring a...
Hefin David: 3. Will the Minister make a statement on future collaboration in local government? OAQ(5)0059(FLG)[R]
Hefin David: With that in mind, would the First Minister, in preparation for the new curriculum, answer how the Welsh Government will ensure that all teachers and teaching assistants have an understanding of appropriate pedagogy associated with the inclusive classroom?
Hefin David: 3. Will the First Minister provide and update on the implementation of 'A Curriculum for Wales—A Curriculum for Life'? OAQ(5)0286(FM)
Hefin David: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. Thank you for the opportunity to lead my first short debate. It was said in the late 1970s that, if every small firm took on one more employee, the unemployment problem would be solved. Indeed, with 4.2 million small firms in the UK our minds would soon turn to the problem of a shortage of labour. It appeared that, in the 1980s, the Thatcher Government...
Hefin David: I come from a very similar community to Steffan Lewis, not so far away, and as a representative of a former mining community, I welcome the chance to take part in this debate and welcome the issues that Steffan Lewis raised. I, too, was very disappointed when the UK Government announced that it would not proceed with a public inquiry in the battle of Orgreave, and reviewing the arrangements...
Hefin David: He’s anticipated my supplementary. I very much welcome the long-awaited special critical care centre. One of the biggest—[Interruption.] No, I didn't. One of the biggest concerns for my constituents, though, is transport links, as you say, to the super-hospital. We need a modern, integrated public transport system for the twenty-first century. Therefore, would he agree to work with his...
Hefin David: 10. Will the First Minister make a statement on access for patients from Caerphilly to the planned Special and Critical Care Centre? OAQ(5)0261(FM)
Hefin David: That’s what I just said.
Hefin David: That is the correct answer, Cabinet Secretary. [Laughter.] I’d say, amongst residents in Caerphilly, the role of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, though, is not fully understood. The specialist critical care centre that’s designated for Cwmbran, or near Cwmbran—Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr was designed to serve it. And, by the way, you won’t ever hear me call it ‘the SCCC’ ever again after this mention,...
Hefin David: Diolch. Greening our economy is an important part of our efforts to tackle climate change here in Wales, and, last month, I attended a public meeting sponsored by Stop Climate Change Chaos. I took their pledge to speak up on climate change and use my role as an Assembly Member to drive action on climate change. I note with interest the different approaches taken by different UKIP AMs on this...
Hefin David: I’d like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for that, and note, with thanks, the statement that was made this morning on rolling stock. Within the statement, the Cabinet Secretary said that, on core Valleys lines, passenger operations—which includes from my constituency—making use of diesel-only traction will be phased out, and conventional electrification, stored-energy systems, and hybrid...
Hefin David: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the future of the Wales and Borders rail franchise? OAQ(5)0069(EI)
