Hefin David: During the Senedd debate on the EU a few weeks ago, Dafydd Elis-Thomas said that, if Wales voted to leave, it would be a consequence of the failure of the political class as a whole, and I reported to this Chamber in that debate the distance the people of Caerphilly felt, both literally and figuratively, from decision makers in the European Union. But today I feel the breadth of this...
Hefin David: The Minister will be aware of the excellent work done by the special needs school Trinity Fields, which is in the Caerphilly constituency, led by the headteacher, Ian Elliott, and his fantastic staff. I declare an interest here as a governor of that organisation. Like many of us in the Chamber, and the school’s leadership, we are in support of the principles of the additional learning needs...
Hefin David: 5. How will the proposed Additional Learning Needs (Wales) Bill support pupils with the most complex learning and medical needs in our special education schools? OAQ(5)0016(EDU)[R]
Hefin David: Okay, short, short version. Rhianon did a fantastic job as cabinet member for education and now she’s stepped down to be an Assembly Member. Last week, I visited Heolddu Comprehensive School, which has benefited from a new technology block thanks to Welsh Government funding, and Kirsty Williams was there to open it, and it was a great occasion—’I bawb ei gyfle’ is the motto of the...
Hefin David: You’ll be aware of the campaign group, WASPI, which is the Women Against State Pension Inequality, which is a group across Wales, and many will be in our constituencies, who fought these deeply unfair consequences of the Pensions Act 2011. This legislation, as you say, has left tens of thousands of women out of pocket, born after 6 April 1951. The official figure I’ve seen is £12,000,...
Hefin David: 2. What is the Welsh Government’s assessment of the impact that the UK Government’s transitional state pension arrangements will have on women born on or after 6 April 1951? OAQ(5)0011(FLG)
Hefin David: Second.
Hefin David: Second.
Hefin David: Thank you. Last week, in response to a question from my colleague, the Member for Cynon Valley, Vikki Howells, the Cabinet Secretary commended the work of the Trussell Trust and the volunteers who carry out that work across Wales. Many Members in this Chamber will be aware of the work of the Wales chair for the Trussell Trust and, indeed, the chair for Northern Ireland as well, Tony Graham,...
Hefin David: 8. Will the Minister make a statement on Welsh Government support for tackling poverty in Caerphilly? OAQ(5)0018(CC)
Hefin David: I’d like to express my support for those who are campaigning for a ‘remain’ vote in this referendum. It’s not for me to criticise those who wish to leave, but to make a positive case for why I’ve made a different decision after much thought. First and foremost in my mind is the well-being and prosperity of the people of Caerphilly. The chief executive of Catnic, a company based in...
Hefin David: Thank you for that answer. For businesses to remain long term and sustainable, they need to build positive connections with each other. Welsh ICE, in my constituency, is a peer-to-peer innovation centre for enterprise, where a load of businesses are there to support each other. Indeed, today, the captain of innovation, the leader of Welsh ICE, had an article in the Western Mail entitled...
Hefin David: 6. Will the Minister make a statement on support for small businesses in Caerphilly? OAQ(5)0019(EI)
Hefin David: Diolch, Lywydd. I’ve absolutely no idea what that was all about. This isn’t Cardiff council chamber—this is the National Assembly for Wales. What we are talking about is the issue of 22 local development plans across south-east Wales, which don’t connect very well, and the Welsh Government has already introduced, last year, the Planning Act 2015 to resolve those issues. A south-east...
Hefin David: Thank you to the Cabinet Secretary. I suspect it’s unanimous that we are behind Wales as our team for this tournament, regardless of who some Members may have supported in the past. Nonetheless, many Members will be aware of well-publicised incidents of major retailers in Wales promoting the England football team in their stores and on their merchandise. Clearly, this is not ideal,...
Hefin David: I’d like to add my voice to Julie Morgan’s request for a debate on the Planning (Wales) Act 2015. I’d say that it is to the Welsh Government’s credit that they’ve already passed the necessary legislation to create strategic development plans. But, particularly in the debate, I’d like to see a discussion about the strategic plan for south-east Wales, including the 10 local...
Hefin David: Carwyn Jones.
