Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and you are correct, a national care service is part of the co-operation agreement between Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Labour Government. I think it will have huge benefits for people in need of care, and obviously support the dedicated workforce that we have in the sector. You'll be aware that we recently announced £42 million of funding for social care. That will be used to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, I agree; two years is a long time in anybody's life, but certainly in a young person's life, but you will be aware of the significant pressures on our NHS, not just in your region but right across Wales and indeed the UK. I know there is a significant amount of work being undertaken by the Minister for Health and Social Services, along with the health boards, in relation to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think Mark Isherwood raises an important point, and you'll be aware that Welsh Government provides a good deal of services right across our public services for our veterans, to whom we obviously owe a debt of gratitude. I know that the Deputy Minister for mental health services is aware of the report. Perhaps when she has considered it she could have a conversation with the...
Lesley Griffiths: So, I'm trying to remember when we had a statement—I think it was a written statement—on 20 mph zones from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, but I don't think that was too long ago. So, I'm not aware of any further guidance or regulations that have come into force in relation to the 20 mph zones, but, if there are, I will ask the Deputy Minister to do a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: As part of the announcements that have been made, science is certainly not being dumbed down. The Welsh Government has put a significant amount of work and resources into promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects across all ages. As you are aware, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language makes many statements in the Chamber, and certainly on the curriculum...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think it's very important, when the Prime Minister does make these announcements, that he makes it very clear that, on that particular occasion, he's speaking on behalf of the people of England, and that's why it was very good to see our First Minister addressing the people of Wales in a similar vein on Monday evening. The point you raise, as you say, it is within the...
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, I will certainly ask the Minister with responsibility for Cadw, Dawn Bowden, to look into this and report to Members as soon as she possibly can.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There are no changes to this week's business. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Lesley Griffiths: Yes, absolutely we will make sure that we update Members.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Certainly, the horrific murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes has I think shocked many of us. And here in Wales you'll be aware that we've had the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which introduced strengthened and robust safeguarding arrangements for Wales, and that really underpinned the Wales safeguarding procedures and all-Wales practice guides. And they're owned by...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you're quite right: it does need to be resolved urgently. And you'll be aware that next Tuesday the Minister for Health and Social Services is updating Members in relation to COVID regulations, and we're also having an oral statement. And I will certainly ask her to look into this issue, and, if we're not able to update Members beforehand, if she can do so during that...
Lesley Griffiths: I think the Member highlights a very important point of how much we've relied on our public services, along with our third sector organisations, to help us as a Government through the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister for Social Justice is in the Chamber and has heard your request, and I'm sure, in the debates that we hold regularly around the third sector of Wales, that she will consider your...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. And I am aware of the consternation this has caused in the Member's constituency. It's obviously a legal issue that is being enforced at a local level, so I'm unable to comment specifically on it. But I think it's really disappointing, particularly at this time of the year, that local businesses and community members have been unable to work together for the benefit of the town. In...
Lesley Griffiths: Again, I think that's obviously a very specific issue that you have raised, and the fact that it's been a matter of a court case—I don't think really it's appropriate for an oral statement. But I will certainly ask the Deputy Minister to consider your question in the round, and, again, if he thinks there is further information that he is able to provide, that he writes to the Member.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As you say, it is a very specific query. Obviously, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change does have questions tomorrow, so I would encourage you to look for an opportunity to question him tomorrow. But if that doesn't materialise, perhaps write to the Deputy Minister.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and I very much welcome the decision made by Natural Resources Wales on 18 November not to renew their agreement with the Masters of Foxhounds Association. And, as you say, the National Trust banned trail hunting on their land from 25 November. That decision was made in a public session, where careful consideration was made of all the issues involved following the outcome of the...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you raise a very important point, and I know the Minister for Health and Social Services is looking at those guidelines. As you say, they could be too rigid, because I remember very well from my days as Minister for Health and Social Services around the flexibility that was available to the specialised services committee that looks into this for us. So, if there is...
Lesley Griffiths: This is absolutely not a matter for the Welsh Government; this is an issue that the UK Government, I know, have looked at, but it's not an issue for the Welsh Government.
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There are two changes to today's agenda. The First Minister will make a statement on a programme for government update and, additionally, the statement by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change on the renewable energy deep dive will now be issued as a written statement. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out in the business statement and announcement,...
Lesley Griffiths: I think we've been very open and transparent. We've published all the documentation this morning, which absolutely sets out how it will work. I don't think we could have been any more open and transparent, and, certainly, we have nothing to hide. I don't think anybody's arguing about the role of Plaid Cymru. The status of Plaid Cymru as a party in this Chamber, as I said in my answer to Paul...
