Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, I think you’re right—there is a lot of anxiety today, since this news came to light yesterday. Adam Price did ask specifically—I don’t think you answered his point—about the First Minister’s schedule whilst he’s in the US. And can I ask if the First Minister has amended his itinerary, and will he be attempting to meet Ford executives whilst he is in the US?...
Russell George: I’d like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for his statement this afternoon. I should also say that I’ve had a lot of positive feedback about the bus summit as well, which was held last month. I am grateful as well that the Cabinet Secretary extended the invitation to Assembly Members to also attend that event. I’m sure you’ll agree with me, Cabinet Secretary, that the long-term...
Russell George: Leader of the house, can I ask what assurances you can give that, in the preparation for the end of the current funding agreement on concessionary fares next year, discussions with the bus industry and with local authorities will begin in plenty of time so that the stability of the scheme is maintained?
Russell George: Leader of the house, data from BankSearch for Lloyds Bank show that the number of new businesses starting up across Wales has fallen by a staggering 26 per cent over the last five years. Can I ask what the Welsh Government is doing to reverse this trend? Also, can I ask what the Welsh Government is doing to encourage younger people to consider starting up their own business as a positive life...
Russell George: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the complaints handling processes of local authorities in Wales?
Russell George: Can I thank the Minister for her statement today, and can I also state that I think that it is particularly important to thank the staff, who have been through a very difficult period? Many concerns have been raised by staff not of their making, and I think tribute should be paid to them through this difficult time. The organisation, as a Government-sponsored body, has been accused of being...
Russell George: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his answer? The report produced by the Public Accounts Committee raised some very serious concerns, I would say, Cabinet Secretary, over the conduct of the Welsh Government, as yet another substantial pot of taxpayers’ money—£3 million—has been lost. There are some questions over accountability, and this is sadly not the first time that...
Russell George: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement following the Public Accounts Committee’s report into the Swansea-based firm Kancoat? EAQ(5)0121(EI)
Russell George: Well, I just outlined, just before you intervened, what the UK Government’s been doing. But what Greg Clark said last week is he wants a special deal with the steel industry as part of the Government’s flagship industrial strategy. I’ve got to say, I won’t take any lessons from Labour, and I don’t think the UK Government should take any lessons from Labour, in regard to the steel...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. It gives me great pleasure in introducing the second Welsh Conservative debate this afternoon, and I formally move the motion in the name of Paul Davies. I should say that I agree with all of Plaid’s amendments. Unfortunately, we can’t support them because they delete all of our motion.
Russell George: After the referendum to leave the European Union and the inevitable uncertainty associated with the result, the UK Government’s recently published industrial strategy, I believe, provides businesses with the security and certainty to plan for their future, as well as a firm foundation for improving living standards and investing in the future success of all parts of the UK. It outlines...
Russell George: Can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for his answer? The Cabinet Secretary perhaps may not be aware of breaking news that union leaders are now so concerned for the future that they have given Ford a fortnight to come up with an alternative plan. So, there remains, of course, serious concern amongst the plant’s 1,850 workers over what the future holds. It seems that there’s been little sign...
Russell George: First Minister, the UK’s industrial strategy aims to close regional productivity gaps. Here, in Wales, regional productivity varies widely, from Anglesey having 53 per cent of the UK’s gross value added, compared with 90 per cent in Cardiff. Your Government has previously stated that variations in levels of GVA per head are affected by commuting patterns. While the Welsh Government has...
Russell George: Will the Cabinet Secretary update members on steps being taken by the Welsh Government to safeguard the future of the Ford factory in Bridgend? EAQ(5)0118(EI)
Russell George: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on what the Welsh Government is doing to promote the work of credit unions in mid Wales?
Russell George: In regard to your White Paper on exiting the EU, First Minister, there’s much I can agree on. But there does appear to be a lack of strategic planning to leverage the opportunities, I think, to grow the Welsh economy. We know that Welsh exports were down in 2015 and new business start-ups since 2011 have reduced by 26 per cent. So, in growing the Welsh economy, how is your paper linking...
Russell George: I take your point about bringing to centres at supermarkets, for example, but a business can’t do that. If a business did that, they’d be fined.
Russell George: Thank you. So, I’ll just explore each of those cases. The first clip was from Lorna Hamer of Quality Pipe Supports, and I have to say I was surprised when Lorna said she can’t recycle cardboard and plastic anywhere in Powys. When I questioned her, there was one place in the next town, but, unfortunately, the form that they produced it in wasn’t accepted by that company and there was a...
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The title of my short debate today is ‘The challenges of recycling for businesses and residents in rural Wales.’ I’m going to start my contribution by patting the Government on the back and saying what a good job they’re doing, then I’m going to bring some cases forward that demonstrate that, if we don’t carry on the momentum, things will...
Russell George: I’m delighted to have this opportunity to pay tribute to David Pugh, a former mayor of Newtown and celebrated local historian, who sadly passed away last week. David Pugh was a leading local historian for many decades, instrumental in establishing the Newtown history group in 1995 and its journal ‘The Newtonian’, both of which continue to flourish today. Best known for being seen with...
