Llyr Gruffydd: Now, I know that Labour Members in this Assembly particularly have been stung by this decision. I'm sure previous Ministers would have come under similar pressures to scrap the school uniforms grant, but they resisted that, of course. They resisted that probably because they knew how sensitive and how key this was to some of the poorest communities that they represent. But, there we are, I...
Llyr Gruffydd: Well, thank you very much, and I think that's been a really useful debate and that's what these debates should be about. And it's been a lively one and I'm glad that everybody's contributed in the way that they have, and can I thank those who have contributed, particularly Lynne Neagle? You're right, we needed, and we still do need, actually, more clarity and assurances. But it's taken a...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move this motion in the name of Plaid Cymru, which regrets the way in which the Welsh Government has scrapped the school uniform grant, because the grant, as we know, has provided crucially important support to many families—those poorest families in Wales—in order to ensure that their children can have an appropriate uniform to attend...
Llyr Gruffydd: The reality is, of course, that some of these education services are moving further and further away from communities across Wales. You will be aware, for example, that the college in Denbigh is now going to close in the summer. I’ve spoken to some of the students and they are concerned that they won’t be able to juggle their studies and the part-time work that they have because they will...
Llyr Gruffydd: May I ask for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for health on the news that has emerged today that the Awyr Las charity funding is paying for a staff engagement strategy for Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board? I know that constituents in north Wales will be surprised and disappointed that funding raised by volunteers and charitable groups is being spent on work that one would...
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I’m very pleased to move amendment 2 in the name of Plaid Cymru. I will start by referring to a BBC report back in December that demonstrated that school budgets had declined by some £370 per capita for each pupil in real terms over a period of six years. Now, it’s no surprise, therefore,...
Llyr Gruffydd: It is fair to say, of course, that there is for more interface between public services and the public happening online, so I think it’s a valid question. I have to say that many of my constituents have had enough of the empty promises that they’ve received in the past from people such as BT Openreach, or Openreach as they are now. Villages like Ysbyty Ifan to all intents and purposes have...
Llyr Gruffydd: I fear that I will also have to start by echoing the comments of the previous speaker on the timing of this statement. I do feel that it does show a little disrespect to the work of the committee, because we’re a matter of weeks away from publishing the report on school support grants, which will, of course, have a strong focus on the PDG, and here we are hearing a statement from the...
Llyr Gruffydd: So, the Welsh Government's focus is primarily, I believe, on the working parent, but I have to say a lot of the evidence suggests that maybe the impact of this kind of programme is limited in their respect, because I'm sure you'll be aware the Public Policy Institute for Wales's report, commissioned by the First Minister two years ago to look at the childcare policy options for Wales,...
Llyr Gruffydd: May I thank the Minister for his statement? He’s right, it is a technical Bill, but I look forward to getting to grips with the Bill as the Children, Young People and Education Committee scrutinises it over the next few weeks and months. Now, I want to start with a note of concern, perhaps, because you will know that Plaid Cymru supports the principle of expanding the provision of childcare...
Llyr Gruffydd: But can you confirm that there will be no cut in the budget available—the funding available—to support the purchasing of school uniforms? The response of a spokesperson on behalf of your Government to the censure following the announcement was that school uniforms are now cheaper. Well, I have personal experience—at least two secondary schools in my area have moved to new school...
Llyr Gruffydd: Was that it? They may be bad. They may be very, very bad. But you haven't answered the question, First Minister, so maybe I could ask whether the First Minister would answer the question.
Llyr Gruffydd: 5. Will the First Minister make a statement on the future of the school uniform grant? OAQ52013
Llyr Gruffydd: Thank you for your answer. It's three years now since France legislated that all new buildings in commercial zones should have green roofs, and that means either partially covered by plants, which helps insulate the building and helps retain rainwater and also promotes biodiversity, or, of course, solar panels. I'm wondering what your Government's ambitions are in that respect and whether...
Llyr Gruffydd: 9. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the promotion of renewable energy? OAQ51941
Llyr Gruffydd: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on how the Welsh Government aims to reduce the amount of rubbish in our communities?
Llyr Gruffydd: Of course, we have an ageing population, we have a rising retirement age, and, of course, there are future job losses looming through automation, and the older generation will need to adapt and learn new skills in a way maybe that hasn't been the case in the past. Now, the Welsh Government will therefore need to provide more support for those people at these key transition points. So, can I...
Llyr Gruffydd: Your Government needs to be proactive in this area. You’re right that the exact point is not devolved but, as you acknowledge, it does have a very significant impact on vast areas of the sector that are devolved. So, in being proactive, will you convene a meeting of vice-chancellors in Wales to tell them exactly what your Government’s views are on what’s happened? Would you agree with...
Llyr Gruffydd: But Bridgend, of course, isn't an outlier. In Torfaen, over half of the children at 18 months of age were assessed as having significant language delay, but following the intervention, the children were screened again at three years old, 85 per cent of children screened were assessed as having age-appropriate language skills, with only 8 per cent recorded as having significant language...
Llyr Gruffydd: As I mentioned earlier, there's strong evidence to underline the relationship between poverty and early language delay, with children from the most disadvantaged groups more likely to have weaker language skills than those in more advantaged groups. And that means that language skills are a critical factor in the intergenerational cycles that can actually perpetuate poverty, as poor...
