Janet Finch-Saunders: No, I won't, no. A Bill that, when it came forward in 2015, was voted through. Yet, it is after that stage that the politicisation came in—[Interruption.] I'm sorry, Hefin, but that's the fact. As my colleagues in this Chamber have explained, it is paramount to the overall success of the IAS that the Welsh Government fully considers the issues raised by the evaluation of the integrated...
Janet Finch-Saunders: —and your Welsh Government benefits greatly from Wales being an integral part of our United Kingdom. Whilst I appreciate that independence has only won support of around 1.5 per cent of all town and community councils in Wales, I believe that a strong—[Interruption.]—response is needed from your Government. Will you, therefore, confirm that the Welsh Government will not use these votes...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Minister. Eleven community and town councils have now passed motions supporting an independent Wales. So, that is 11 out of well over 700 individual bodies. Now, the chair of Nefyn town council has been quoted as saying that he hopes the town council's decision will cause a tsunami of excitement and confidence throughout the nation. He's right about one thing: independence would be...
Janet Finch-Saunders: 4. How will the Minister respond to the emergence of declarations in favour of Welsh independence by some councils in Wales? OAQ54262
Janet Finch-Saunders: Is this number one?
Janet Finch-Saunders: I'm just checking.
Janet Finch-Saunders: I am ready, thank you, Llywydd.
Janet Finch-Saunders: The Act has an admirable aim of achieving seven well-being goals across Wales. These include, of course, a Wales of cohesive communities, meaning that we should have well-connected communities. Key to this, of course, is public transport. However, I have found myself fighting three major campaigns to save our bus services in Aberconwy. So it does seem that north Wales is actually stepping...
Janet Finch-Saunders: First Minister, 'The Right Way: A Children’s Rights Approach' includes the need to enhance children's capabilities as individuals so they're better able to take advantage of their own rights. This, of course, includes article 3 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which states that the best interest of the child must be a top priority in all decisions and...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Could I ask for a statement, please, on the massive funding cuts that your Government have imposed on our national parks? The oldest national park in Wales is now under threat. Snowdonia is home to over 26,000, attracting 6 million people annually to enjoy its breathtaking scenery and world-leading attractions. Our unique landscape is a global attraction, and requires careful management to...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Will the First Minister make a statement on staffing levels at the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust?
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thirteen people lose their sight in Wales every day, adding to the staggering fact that 111,000 people live with sight loss here. Sight loss and blindness have a substantial effect on individuals. For example, over 14,000 people aged over 65 with sight loss are thought to experience one fall annually; 40 per cent of blind and partially sighted people have said that they are moderately or...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Oh, go on then.
Janet Finch-Saunders: When we interviewed the pupils themselves, some hadn't taken it because they'd been off-put by their friends who said the skills challenge certificate was one of the main considerations why they either didn't want to take the bac or found it challenging and difficult when they did. That was the very point that they made, but there are many other reasons with the Welsh bac: its recognition,...
Janet Finch-Saunders: No, I'm sorry, Hefin. Oh, go on, I'll take an intervention—go on. [Laughter.]
Janet Finch-Saunders: Okay. Well, with all due respect, I've taken the intervention and so it's not about what Michelle has said, it's what I'm saying. And with all due respect, this is what I found taking evidence. We met pupils, we met teachers, we met headteachers, we met parents—we met everybody, and, to be honest, the feedback really surprised me, because I thought it was going to be a lot more positive...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Well done, Michelle, for actually continuing.
Janet Finch-Saunders: Participating in this inquiry into the revised Welsh baccalaureate qualification has certainly been eye-opening for me, and some of the findings of the report were very fundamental. A number of examples of poor perceptions of the Welsh bac have been highlighted, for example 66 per cent believing that the Welsh bac is not valuable to future careers; understanding of the qualification by...
Janet Finch-Saunders: I thank the Deputy Minister for the statement, and also to confirm belief that, you're quite right, there is strong cross-party consensus amongst Members of this Chamber that we all have a collective responsibility to ensure that care that children experience is actually of the best quality. However, you have the levers of power, so it was with significant interest that I read your...
Janet Finch-Saunders: Thank you, Llywydd. Trefnydd, last Friday, I had the pleasure of visiting three care homes in north-west Wales. My experience confirmed what I stated here in the Senedd last month—that we are heading towards a very serious care home crisis. What I saw was care providers doing their very best to ensure that they provide high-quality care. However, they are having to do this whilst fighting...
