Caroline Jones: Diolch, Llywydd. My group will be supporting this LCM today, and we disagree with the conclusions drawn by many that the internal market Bill fundamentally undermines devolution. I would argue the opposite—without a sensible approach to the trade of goods and services between the home nations we could see a breakdown in the free movement of goods, which could lead to the break-up of the...
Caroline Jones: I'd like to call for an urgent statement from the Minister for Education regarding the teaching of relationships and sexuality education. I've been contacted by many, many concerned parents who feel that the proposed new curriculum is a step too far. They are also very concerned that parents can no longer opt their children out of such lessons. Thousands of parents rightly believe that sex...
Caroline Jones: When I first raised the issue of this new virus emerging in China, and its potential to threaten these shores, I didn't believe that nearly 10 months later we would still not have a grip on it. This is partly down to the rules, which can be very confusing. One constituent contacted me recently confused as to why she could no longer meet friends socially distanced in her garden, but it was...
Caroline Jones: Minister, the loss of biodiversity is one of the greatest threats facing our species. We have lost so many species, and populations of the UK's most important wildlife have dropped by a staggering 60 per cent since 1970. The ecological damage will have untold impacts on humanity and our ability to feed ourselves. We have already seen the impact of our encroachment into other habitats—the...
Caroline Jones: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the on going pandemic is having on local authorities' winter planning?
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you for your statement, Deputy Minister. Interfaith Week provides us with the opportunity to increase understanding between the faiths, and also with those with no religious beliefs at all. Deputy Minister, do you agree that interfaith disputes have been the root cause of the majority of armed conflicts, and increasing understanding is absolutely vital to...
Caroline Jones: Thank you for your statement, Minister. Steel workers and their families in my region are deeply concerned with the decision by Tata to split the UK and Netherlands businesses. Do you agree that it is important that we make it a priority to ensure Tata's operations in the UK are self-financing? We must ensure that Port Talbot has a future role in providing the UK's steel needs. Minister, what...
Caroline Jones: Trefnydd, I would like to call for a statement from the Minister for housing regarding homelessness during the pandemic. A few months ago the Minister stated that the Welsh Government had a commitment to end rough-sleeping and made emergency accommodation available—a move that I and many others welcomed at the time. However, as the pandemic continues apace, we are, once again, seeing rising...
Caroline Jones: First Minister, many businesses in Wales felt that past EU structural funding programmes were held back by far too many rules and overly bureaucratic processes and, as a result, some programmes failed to deliver upon their stated aims, namely to raise the economic prosperity of Wales and our people. So, First Minister, what discussions have you had with the UK Government about ensuring that...
Caroline Jones: Overall, during the first lockdown, around 62,000 fewer patients were operated on in Wales, compared with the same period the previous year—62,000 people left in pain and suffering with no end in sight. And people haven't stopped getting sick. Heart disease, dementia and cancer just haven't gone away. COVID-19 isn't Wales's biggest killer. In fact, it's, ironically, the nineteenth most...
Caroline Jones: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. As a new decade dawned in Wales, our NHS was once again struggling with winter pressures. January 2020 was not unusual. Every winter for the past several years, our NHS ground to a halt as it struggled to cope with cold and flu season. Non-emergency treatments were curtailed as the NHS ran out of bed space once more. Welsh accident and emergency departments experienced...
Caroline Jones: On this day we commemorate the day the guns fell silent in the war to end all wars. Sadly, this wasn't the end of conflict, but we mark the end of this bloodiest conflict each year and commemorate all those who lost their lives in armed conflict throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Sadly, it is sometimes necessary to take up arms in order to defeat evil and protect the...
Caroline Jones: Moved formally.
Caroline Jones: Minister, it is promising news about the Pfizer vaccine, and I hope that it does meet its potential. However, it will be some time before we can secure the nearly 6 million doses needed. Turning to the practicalities of roll-out, should this and other vaccines meet safety and efficacy standards, there have been reports in the media and GP newsletters that other GP services will be rolled back...
Caroline Jones: Thank you, Minister. The pandemic has decimated the economy of my region, and while the virus can destroy lives, the measures to control it have destroyed livelihoods, and far too many of my constituents have lost their jobs and lost their businesses. I welcome the support given by both the UK and the Welsh Government. However, it has far too often fallen short of what is needed. One of my...
Caroline Jones: 5. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having upon businesses in South Wales West? OQ55827
Caroline Jones: Trefnydd, I would like to call for a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding the Flying Start programme. I have been contacted by a prominent figure in Port Talbot who raised concerns regarding the future viability of the programme. Childcare facilities in Port Talbot have not seen an increase in the rates they are paid for providing care for the past four years,...
Caroline Jones: First Minister, I too wish to emphasise the impact that fireworks have on people and pets each year. Bonfire night has become bonfire week in recent years, and fireworks have become increasingly more powerful. Combat veterans and pets live in fear during this period as quiet neighbourhoods resemble war zones. First Minister, what discussions have you had with the other Governments in the UK...
Caroline Jones: Minister, with Swansea bay still having to impose infection control measures at Morriston Hospital, the number of people waiting for treatment will continue to rise, compounding an already dire situation with regard to excessive waits for treatment. Before the pandemic, there were already nearly 6,500 people waiting more than 36 weeks for treatment. So, with the suspension of routine...
Caroline Jones: The World Health Organization states that lockdown should only be used as a last resort and should be avoided. The harms that these measures will cause to people's health, wealth and well-being will be severe, and we are seeing a staggering number of businesses fail, countless numbers of people being put out of work, huge numbers of young people unable to find work, and children having their...
