Sam Rowlands: I thank Mabon ap Gwynfor for submitting today's important but also timely question, because it was just last week I chaired a round-table discussion on nuclear energy in Wales, with representatives from Rolls-Royce, along with Bechtel and UK Research and Innovation. And I'm convinced that nuclear energy is not just an opportunity in terms of bringing jobs and investment into north Wales—and...
Sam Rowlands: 7. What discussions is the Minister having with the Minister for Climate Change on promoting the economic benefits of offshore energy production in North Wales? OQ58717
Sam Rowlands: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of NHS staffing levels in North Wales?
Sam Rowlands: Good afternoon, Trefnydd. I'd like to ask for a Welsh Government statement outlining the full economic costings of the introduction of the default 20 mph speed limit in Wales. Trefnydd, as you may be aware, last week councillors up and down Wales were sent a letter from Government regarding this scheme, and I quote from the letter: 'It's also estimated this will save Wales around £100...
Sam Rowlands: Could I also thank the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, under, of course, the fantastic chairmanship of Paul Davies, for bringing forward today's important committee report, 'Raising the Bar: Securing the future of Hospitality, Tourism and Retail'. I quite like that title, actually—'Raising the Bar'. As I'm sure that Members from across the Chamber will know, and from...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for bringing forward today's statement. As we know and as acknowledged, Wales does have an older and less energy-efficient housing stock compared to other parts of the UK, and it's part of the reason I raised the point earlier with the Trefnydd in questions about the opportunities of ECO4. So, thank you for acknowledging some of those opportunities in your statement today...
Sam Rowlands: I think I heard enough, Llywydd, to ask my follow-up question, if you don't mind. Thank you very much.
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, and thank you, Trefnydd, for your response on that question. A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Blue Turtle Group, who are based in the queen of resorts, in Llandudno, and Blue Turtle are a company who process the applications for the ECO4 scheme. As you'll be aware, Trefnydd, it's a UK-wide scheme, an initiative that requires energy companies to fund grants...
Sam Rowlands: 3. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to encourage Welsh local authorities to publish energy company obligation—ECO4—statements of intent? OQ58654
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and can I say how fantastic it has been to listen to Members from across the Chamber this afternoon outlining their views and their support, certainly at least in principle, for the ideas behind the outdoor education (Wales) Bill? It's also always interesting to hear of Members' experiences in the great outdoors and the privilege that they had growing up...
Sam Rowlands: Indeed, recent Welsh Government-commissioned research, published via Hwb, has outlined that outdoor education has well-established benefits for children and young people in both their physical health and well-being, but also their mental health and well-being. In addition to this, Welsh Government-commissioned research found that outdoor education has exceptional benefits for personal and...
Sam Rowlands: Diolch Llywydd, and can I first say what an absolute pleasure it is today to seek the Senedd's agreement for me to introduce my Member Bill, the outdoor education (Wales) Bill? As Members will be aware, back in July I was selected from a Members ballot to bring forward a Bill. Clearly, since July not a huge amount has happened in politics in the UK, but I've certainly been very busy, working...
Sam Rowlands: Thank you, Minister, for your response and for outlining some of the actions that are already in plan. Clearly, this is not just a recent issue as well, or a single issue for one candidate. We saw, in May's elections, that paint was thrown over cars owned by a long-serving Swansea councillor, which led to irreparable damage; we saw two councillors in Caerphilly receive abuse letters, calling...
Sam Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd, and good afternoon, Minister. As you may have seen from social media over the weekend, Minister, a 2022 council candidate from Newport received hundreds of pounds-worth of damage to his car, and that isn't the first attack on his property, with targets to his house, nails pushed into his car tyres and social media trolling during the recent council and Senedd elections. So,...
Sam Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd. As you'll be aware, I did submit an emergency question on this issue, but clearly withdrew it as this statement was announced, and I'm grateful to the Welsh Government and the Deputy Minister for bringing forward today's statement. It's appreciated. I'm also grateful, Deputy Minister, that you made it clear in your statement as to the decision making around the closure of...
Sam Rowlands: Diolch, Llywydd, and can I say what a pleasure it is to close today's Welsh Conservative debate on business rates? I'll be very brief in my closing. I want to thank Members for their contributions, raising important points around the fact that, in Wales, business rates are the highest in Great Britain. Plaid Cymru, of course, raised their proposal for a single land and property tax. I think...
Sam Rowlands: Can I thank the Member for submitting today's question? As has already been outlined, there is clearly a challenge in recruitment of the workforce and the skills gap in north Wales. Indeed, at the start of this year, research in The Leader showed that nearly half of all businesses are struggling to recruit new workers, and this continues to be reiterated when meeting employers, as I'm sure...
Sam Rowlands: How is the Welsh Government working with the private sector to encourage more house building in North Wales?
Sam Rowlands: Not at all. I think it's a real aspiration for people to own their own homes, and I wouldn't want to be seen at all as holding people back from actually owning their own property, having that destiny in their own hands. I think that's a really important principle we should be looking to agree on. I'll go back to the point around building more private homes, because nearly 85 per cent of homes...
Sam Rowlands: Certainly, Jane. Yes.
