Lee Waters: Thank you. I was pleased to hear that you met tech leaders in New York, including amongst them Welsh expats who are now leading international tech firms. Tapping into the expertise and the passion of diaspora communities has been shown to be an important economic development tool. I was pleased by yesterday's announcement that you have commissioned an academic-led review into digital...
Lee Waters: 1. Following his recent trip to the USA, what plans does the First Minister have to further engage the Welsh diaspora? OAQ51929
Lee Waters: Okay.
Lee Waters: Well, I'd warmly welcome that; that is not in the scheme that's been agreed between the Government and Plaid Cymru, as I understand it. If there was able to be a much sharper focus on that, I think that would be an excellent thing. But that is not what I understand has been agreed. If you're willing to tell me I'm wrong, I'd be delighted to put that on the record. But, it's not too late to...
Lee Waters: Excellent. Well, you often say things I disagree with; that's the nature of debate. Let me just make my point and then we can discuss it. For example, I think one of the things we should be seizing on for our rural communities is not simply giving grants of £40,000—rather unfocused—to young farmers to set up businesses, but to focus that funding on what we know are going to be the...
Lee Waters: I wish to make a short contribution. I understand and support the intent behind Plaid's motion, but I want to suggest that it's perhaps rather conservative and orthodox in its focus. Rather than trying to retain young people by relocating national institutions or giving grants to farmers, I think we need to be looking far more clearly at the challenges we know are coming our way. So, I want...
Lee Waters: Just let me make some progress because, with respect, I haven't finished my opening paragraph yet. I'm happy to take an intervention—
Lee Waters: Will the First Minister provide an update on meetings with technology sector leaders during his recent visit to the United States?
Lee Waters: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. At a time when the Llanelli Scarlets are flying high, I want as many people as possible to see their success, but giving the English language rights for regional rugby to pay tv, the Pro14 are embarking on a risky strategy. Even on free-to-air, audiences for regional games have been falling, and by encouraging a new pay tv channel to outbid the BBC and...
Lee Waters: 2. What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the effect of the end of free-to-air coverage of regional rugby from next season? 151
Lee Waters: I was very proud to read in the annual report that the Bryngwyn and Glan y môr confederation in my constituency in Llanelli and Burry Port has been cited for its good practice on leadership; the Cabinet Secretary's own old primary school, Ysgol y Bynea, highlighted; and the Heol Goffa special school was also singled out for special mention. We do have some excellent leadership and practice...
Lee Waters: Minister, I'd like to ask about automation, which, as far as we can tell, is likely to have a hugely gendered impact. There is no reliable study or prediction about what is going to happen, but the World Economic Forum estimates that, for every new job created, three male jobs will be lost but that, for every new job created, five female jobs will be lost, because many of the jobs with a high...
Lee Waters: I never wanted to have a role in this story. Carl Sargeant was a valued colleague of mine and I remain deeply upset about his death. But as my name has been mentioned, I believe I should give my own account. I am certain in my own mind that the text message I received was gossip on the day of a reshuffle. As Andrew R.T. Davies has accepted in his opening speech, there's often chatter around...
Lee Waters: Thank you. Minister, on Monday research revealed that levels of diabetes are set to double in the next 20 years, and type 2 diabetes, in particular, linked to physical inactivity. Research yesterday shows that 70 per cent of people born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s are going to be overweight before they reach middle age. This is a public health measure being delivered by a...
Lee Waters: It is grimly ironic that we're holding a debate on loneliness on Valentine's Day, but as many have noted, it's a timely debate. I did not serve on the committee, but I think that the call to action is spot on. But I am frustrated that the solutions ignore the technological shifts that other countries around the world are seizing on. The three paragraphs of the report that do address the role...
Lee Waters: Hear, hear.
Lee Waters: As the hedgehog species champion, I welcome—[Interruption.] I'm very encouraged by the interest of other Members in our prickly friends. [Laughter.] I was concerned to read in the report by the Hedgehog Preservation Society of the decline of hedgehogs in rural areas, particularly aligned to the use of pesticides. Would the Minister agree that the use of big data and artificial intelligence...
Lee Waters: Thank you for giving way. As well as the scrutiny process for the Bill, the Public Accounts Committee has held a long inquiry into housing associations in Wales. On this point, we found that in exchange for the extra freedom that they were getting through this measure comes a responsibility on the housing associations themselves to proactively encourage scrutiny from their tenants. So, can...
Lee Waters: Thank you. The indications are consistent with other analyses. China recently unveiled plans for a £1.5 billion research park dedicated to the development of artificial intelligence. The United Arab Emirates have appointed a Minister for AI and announced a cross-Government strategy. Their prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed, has said, 'We want the UAE to become the world's most prepared...
Lee Waters: 5. What assessment has the First Minister made of the Centre for Cities analysis that 112,000 workers could face losing their jobs in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport alone, as a result of automation? OAQ51741
