Mark Drakeford: Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. At Stage 2 in front of the Finance Committee, there was a discussion of an amendment tabled by Steffan Lewis that would have enabled local authorities to make representations about the higher rate of tax. I’m grateful for subsequent opportunities to discuss this matter with the Member, because I have no difficulty with the general principle that we need to engage...
Elin Jones: Therefore, we move on to group 3, which relates to local authority representations on tax rates and bands. The lead and only amendment in this group is amendment 30, and I call on Steffan Lewis to move and speak to his amendment.
Steffan Lewis: Thank you, Llywydd. This introduces a new subsection to section 24 relating to tax rates and bands, and the impact would be to allow local authorities to make representations and innovative proposals on land transaction bands and rates to be considered by the Welsh Government. The Bill provides a golden opportunity for us to actually implement the tax in relation to the policy objectives of...
Mohammad Asghar: ...in Newport were placed at risk of redundancies in November of last year. Can I ask the First Minister if the Welsh Government was aware of these redundancies last November, and, if so, what representations were made to the company at that time to remind them of the condition attached to the award of grant funding from this Assembly?
Group 3: Tax Rates and Bands — Local Authority Representations (Amendment 30)
David Rees: ...as the Brexit process begins in earnest. It is clear to me that our voice is in danger of being lost amongst the many voices calling for attention under the issues today. As an Assembly, we cannot let that happen. The process of leaving the EU is rapidly evolving, and we only need to highlight the announcement on Monday that article 50 will be triggered next Wednesday to demonstrate that...
Mick Antoniw: ...agree with the statement that was made by Marilyn Brown of UKIP on ‘Sharp End’ only a matter of weeks ago, that EU citizens living in Wales should be given full citizenship now, and should not be used as bargaining chips, so there’s obviously a division within the position that UKIP has presented. Can I also say that, in respect of children—that, in many ways, is one of the most...
Julie James: ...research, or SBIR. Working with small and medium-sized enterprises, this spends around $2.5 billion each year, developing solutions for federal government needs, and uses procurement spend, not government grants. In the UK, SBRI contracts with companies have increased from under £15 million in 2010 to over £50 million this year. A wide range of innovative products and solutions have been...
Carl Sargeant: ..., neither am I convinced, in the absence of a complete and reliable picture of the industry’s economics, that a case has been made to maintain the status quo. Indeed, I’ve received very strong representations suggesting that there may be good reason to reduce or even abolish the commission rate. Clearly, I must base my final decision on the best possible evidence. I would like,...
David Lloyd: I beg to differ with the Cabinet Secretary there. There have been countless representations. That’s why we had the original historic environment Act and the Plaid Cymru amendments that have got you to the position of having the register that you have today. The fact is that there is no statutory protection for our historic place names, be they of any language—English, Anglo-Saxon, Viking,...
Mark Drakeford: ...strengthen the White Paper. That is what I’m looking for from the respondents to the White Paper. If people ask questions, that does help, but it’s better still if they offer solutions and make representations on how we can strengthen our proposals in the White Paper, and to assist us in answering questions such as those raised by Sian Gwenllian this afternoon.
David Lloyd: ...as the Bill proceeded through the legislative process in both Houses of the UK Parliament. Having said that, I also agree with the general thrust of this matter before us. However, it is worth noting that, as it proceeded through the House of Lords, the Lords’ Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee report said—and I quote— ‘we do not consider it appropriate for Ministers...
Bethan Sayed: ...would be interesting—new technology. And so, he’s very concerned that he hasn’t has a response from the First Minister. Obviously, he welcomes the fact that the First Minister has made those representations, but would like to know what has come from those communications, so that he can understand what next to do. I’m going to meet him at the end of this week, but I think if he...
Andrew RT Davies: ...have children who feel fulfilled and feel content, that has a direct impact on their health as well, then, it does. I see the Cabinet Secretary acknowledging that he’s familiar with it. It’s not just here in Cardiff we need to see that ability, it’s across Wales, and I do commend ACT for developing a satellite hub in Caerphilly to offer the same sort of initiatives and opportunities....
Rhianon Passmore: ...on Welsh women who have made an impact in public life across Wales. You may have heard of Benjamin Hall, who was a man from Islwyn, my constituency, who Big Ben was named after. But, today, I am not going to talk about a husband; I’m going to talk about the wife, and she is not defined by him. This is a lady called Augusta. She was a remarkable nineteenth-century Welsh woman who played...
Joyce Watson: ...-led Governments. Since devolution, we’ve been amongst the most gender-balanced legislatures in the world—the first to elect an equal number of able women and able men. The consequences of that representation in terms of policy and legislation cannot and must never be overlooked. One of those landmark policies is the Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales)...
Siân Gwenllian: .... It is true to say that the situation of women has been transformed since the days of the suffragettes, but equality is a long way from being a reality. I do hope that Plaid Cymru’s amendments note in a practical way a few areas where this Government can bring influence to bear. One of our amendments relates to healthy relationship lessons in schools. The education sector in England...
Carl Sargeant: .../50 by 2020 campaign, alongside other organisations and employers in all sectors in Wales, and signing up to the campaign demonstrates employers’ public commitment to working towards equal gender representation in decision-making and influencing roles here in Wales. We’re also working hard to encourage and support women and other under-represented groups to come forward for public...
Suzy Davies: ...in the city deal bid, and I’m wondering are you and the Cabinet Secretary for local government willing to work with partners to ensure that there’s an appropriate balance of small business representation on the project’s next iteration of the board, so that those 95 per cent of our businesses can be adequately represented as well. Thank you.
Russell George: ...that franchising could be introduced. Now, this suggestion isn’t in your statement, so can you confirm whether this is a consideration as part of the consultation, and will you outline what representations you have received so far from the industry in response to this suggestion? With regard to improving passenger experience, it is clear that the availability and frequency of regular bus...
