Mike Hedges: Housing is a basic need and a basic right. I think that is something that we really do need at the forefront of our minds every time we discuss housing. No week is complete without the need for more affordable housing being made clear to me by my constituents—in the last seven days, a family of four, including a disabled child, living in a one-bedroomed flat; someone who is effectively...
Mike Hedges: Just for clarification: these figures are for Wales.
Mike Hedges: I just wanted to make three very brief points in this debate. Firstly, the first supplementary budget shows very small change from the original budget. If it showed substantial changes, we’d probably have a problem on our hands, and it would be very strange indeed if there was large blocks of money moving around. So, I think that’s what we’ve got to expect from the first supplementary...
Mike Hedges: Will the First Minister make a statement on the importance of the M4 to south Wales?
Mike Hedges: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm very pleased to reply to the debate and I'd like to thank everyone who has taken part in it. I think that one of the weaknesses of the Assembly, one of the criticisms we've had, is that we tend to be very inward looking and not prepared to learn from outside. I think this is an example of where we are looking at what's happened, what's gone wrong,...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank you for that response? There has been unanimity amongst those of us who represent the whole of that south-west Wales region, perhaps starting with my colleague and neighbour with the other half of it David Rees, but also the regional Members across party who have given their fullest support. So, this is not a party political comment as such. But a new model for the lagoon is...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for that response? There are a lot of good and well-used cycle tracks in the Swansea bay city region, including a large amount that are in the constituency of Julie James, coming along from Mayals towards county hall. But often, there are gaps, and these gaps are from where people live to the main cycle track, which stops a lot of people using it. I've got...
Mike Hedges: 8. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on cycling infrastructure in the Swansea bay city region? OAQ52444
Mike Hedges: 5. What assessment has the Counsel General made of the Welsh Government's legal powers to support a new model for the Swansea bay tidal lagoon? OAQ52446
Mike Hedges: I wish to return again to the threat of closure by Virgin Media of their facility in Swansea. Can I firstly ask for an update on the Welsh Government support for the main submission to try and save the whole site and the call centre agents, based on their quality and skills? Secondly, can I ask for an update on support for the non-call-centre operational staff, of which there are about 80,...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the First Minister for that response? Many of my constituents are facing a financial crisis during the summer holidays, having to find 10 extra meals per child for six weeks. Whilst Carolyn Harris MP is providing food for some children for two weeks of the holiday, there will be substantial unmet need. Faith in the Community has met some of that need, but the closure of...
Mike Hedges: 8. Will the First Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's efforts to tackle poverty? OAQ52445
Mike Hedges: I was going to say that he also refuses to come to committees to give evidence.
Mike Hedges: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. The Town and Country Planning Act 1947 came into effect on 1 July 1948. I would like to celebrate the seventieth anniversary of this groundbreaking legislation. The 1947 Town and Country Planning Act is regarded as the statutory foundation of physical planning in post-war Britain. The Act established the planning provision required for land development. Ownership...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the Minister for his response? I would like to stress the importance of children's social services and that the cost and need of children's services has increased substantially over the last 40 years, and certainly over the last 20 years. Also, social services is not, as quite often is thought of in here, shorthand for elderly social care. What support does the Welsh Government...
Mike Hedges: 7. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the provision of children's social services? OAQ52393
Mike Hedges: Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to Martin Bishop, the national manager of Confor, who tragically passed away recently, on behalf of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, a committee he worked very closely with, and we were always impressed by both his knowledge and enthusiasm for all things to do with trees. Can I welcome the Minister's restating the Welsh...
Mike Hedges: The proposal straddles the boundary of my constituency and that of my friend and colleague David Rees. I think that Dai Lloyd did mention the anger and the betrayal, and there's been a tremendous feeling amongst people of anger and betrayal. I went out last night and people wanted to come and tell me how angry and betrayed they were. But that wasn't what hurt—the bit that hurt was those who...
Mike Hedges: Can I first of all welcome the statement made by the Chair of the Finance Committee, and also the comments made by Nick Ramsay? It's a strange position that I could've actually made either of those statements—either the statement or the comments and questions from Nick Ramsay—without any problem at all, so I think there's a level of unanimity amongst those of us who are serving on the...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the leader of the house for that answer? I won't ask what the upload speed is because that will probably be lower. The point I wanted to raise with the leader of the house is a key one. We've got a very high provision, but we haven't got a very high take-up. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote take-up by those who have access to superfast broadband, but either don't know...
