Mohammad Asghar: Caerphilly council announced recently that free swimming sessions for people aged over 60 had been cut after your Government cut funding for the free swimming initiative by 50 per cent. Minister, do you accept that your inadequate local government funding settlement in councils such as Caerphilly is putting Welsh Government priorities, such as the 'Strategy for Older People in Wales', at risk?
Mohammad Asghar: 7. What discussions has the Minister had regarding funding allocations to the economy and transport portfolio? OAQ54694
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for Housing and Local Government on what guidelines are issued to local authorities in Wales regarding car parking charges? More than 300 letters have been delivered to Newport City Council objecting to new car parking charges at Tredegar Park, when it was previously free of charges. Drivers face a daily charge of between £1 and £5,...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the answer, Minister, but the National Education Union Cymru recently held its conference in Newport. During the conference, concerns were expressed about the increasing number of incidents of aggressive behaviour by pupils and parents to our teachers. They have suggested that posters be displayed in schools warning against violence or threats against teaching staff. Minister,...
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, will you join me in welcoming the fact that the number of people in Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney who are claiming out-of-work benefits has fallen by a third since 2010, thanks to the policies of the UK Conservative Government? And do you agree with the director general of the Confederation of British Industry that some of Labour's policies threaten to crack the foundation of our...
Mohammad Asghar: 6. What action will the Welsh Government take to improve working conditions for teachers in Wales over the next 12 months? OAQ54705
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the answer, Minister, but I'm sure you'll agree it is essential that veterans and their families are given safe, secure and supported housing when entering civil life. Simply providing leaflets and advice cards does not address the Royal British Legion's concerns about how housing officers who provide the necessary support are able to manage complex cases of free housing for...
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, Newport Credit Union has pioneered a personal loan scheme to prevent more people from falling victim to high interest rate payday lenders. The family loan is an innovative scheme that allows members of a credit union to repay what they borrow directly from their benefits. Other credit unions in Wales are now following Newport's example. Minister, will you join me in congratulating...
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, you will be aware of the importance of pollinators to the natural environment and of the need to reverse the decline in their numbers. Could you provide an update on the work being undertaken by your department to improve land management in the countryside, including farmlands, to ensure the importance of pollinators is given the recognition it deserves in Wales?
Mohammad Asghar: 7. What actions will the Minister take to improve services for armed forces veterans in Wales over the next 12 months? OAQ54649
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Minister for Education on examination results in Wales? According to Estyn, the proportion of pupils who do not move from year 10 to the final year of GCSEs has already doubled in the last six years. They went on to say the data suggested that the majority of pupils repeating year 10 were not doing so for genuine reasons. In the light of Estyn's...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you for the answer, First Minister. The Department of Transport projects that traffic along the M4 in Wales is set to increase by nearly 38 per cent over the next 30 years. In 2015, accident rates on some sections of motorway were still above the national average in spite of introducing variable speed cameras on some dangerous spots on the M4. Some sections of the M4 have alignments...
Mohammad Asghar: 7. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's priorities for improving transport? OAQ54655
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, last month, the Federation of Small Businesses produced a report on how broadband and mobile connectivity hinders small businesses in south-east Wales. With regard to Wales, they point out that mobile phones are increasingly becoming a key element of connectivity for small business owners. In areas where superfast broadband is not available, there are disproportionately high numbers...
Mohammad Asghar: Minister, could I have a statement from the Minister for health on the termination of the contract with Microtest Health to deliver the new computer software for handling prescription and medical records of patients in Wales? NHS officials in Wales are reported as saying the company could not meet the required timescale to deliver this vital project. Minister, may we have a statement from the...
Mohammad Asghar: Will the First Minister make a statement on school examination results in Wales?
Mohammad Asghar: Everyone has a fundamental right to housing. People have the right to a safe, secure, habitable and affordable home with freedom from forced eviction. It is the obligation of Government to guarantee that everyone can exercise their right to live in secure, peaceful and dignified place. It is a matter of concern, therefore, that recent housing statistics reveal a downturn in house building in...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you. Data from the annual school census shows that there has been a 7.5 per cent cut to primary-school support staff since 2014 and 2015. There are more than 1,000 fewer standard teaching assistants and 300 special needs support staff working in Welsh primary schools compared to four years ago. Last week, Wales Online reported that the headteachers were calling on the Welsh Government...
Mohammad Asghar: The National Foundation for Educational Research says that there is an unmet demand from secondary teachers or secondary school teachers wanting to reduce or alter their hours. They estimate that one in six teachers would like to reduce their hours and urge secondary school leaders to do more to accommodate teachers who want to work part-time or flexibly. Minister, can I ask what...
Mohammad Asghar: Thank you, Madam Presiding Officer. Minister, last year, an independent panel claimed that the issue of teachers' workloads would only be addressed by looking at the wider structure of schooling. They pointed out that the way our schools work—their routines, patterns and systems—have more or less been unchanged since schooling for every child began in Victorian times. Minister, have you...
