Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Llywydd. Yes, so as I said to Darren Millar at the start of the business statement earlier on, we do have the statement on the coronavirus firebreak just a few more items down the agenda this afternoon, and perhaps that would be the best opportunity to raise this issue further.
Rebecca Evans: Well, withdrawing items from the agenda for Plenary is never done lightly, and, obviously, this is something that we wanted to bring forward for colleagues to be able to discuss and question the Minister on today. But, unfortunately, we have had to change it to a written statement due to the additional coronavirus firebreak debate, which will be taking place later this afternoon. I think most...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Llywydd. This is a really difficult issue, isn't it, in terms of balancing the needs and the risks in regard to emotional and mental health and well-being and the risks posed by COVID. I do hope that the Welsh Government's guidance does seek to sensitively and sensibly address those risks, but I will ask the Member in the first instance to write to the Deputy Minister for Social...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you to Rhianon for raising this issue, and I know that she is a huge champion within the Senedd for music and for everything that it can do to improve our lives at this very difficult time. I'd be happy to seek an update from the Welsh Government on all of those issues in terms of how we're seeking to update our operational guidance for schools and also the guidance for a phased return...
Rebecca Evans: Well, Delyth Jewell has raised some very serious concerns there. I do note that she has written to the Minister, drawing the Minister's attention to these concerns, and I will ensure that a response to you is forthcoming as soon as possible.
Rebecca Evans: [Inaudible.]—for raising both of those issues, and I'll certainly endeavour to get an explanation for you in terms of the classification of dentists as key workers, as we move into the firebreak period. I do know that dentistry did continue throughout the lockdown earlier in the year, although it was focused very much on the more urgent end of the spectrum. But, as I say, I will get that...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Alun Davies for raising both of those issues, and I share his concern about the respect for democracy and the respect for the people who allow us the privilege of representing them here in the Senedd. I suppose this is a matter for the Business Committee, rather than the Government, but I do want to provide reassurance to colleagues that the work that was going on ahead of COVID in...
Rebecca Evans: Yes, I'll certainly ensure that as soon we are in a position to say more about the self-isolation payment of £500, we will share that detail about eligibility and how to go about claiming and receiving that funding. I can reassure colleagues that work is being completed at pace on that, and we will have more details to share on that very shortly. You will have heard my colleague Ken Skates...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Darren Millar for raising this issue, and Darren Millar will know that I appreciate just as well as he does the importance of churches and other places of worship in terms of supporting people's mental health, as well as their ability to access parts of their community as well during this difficult period. We do have a statement on the firebreak this afternoon, which is an opportunity...
Rebecca Evans: Diolch, Llywydd. I have several changes to report to today's agenda. Later this afternoon the Government will move a motion to suspend Standing Orders so that we can debate the coronavirus firebreak. To accommodate this, the statements on the current state of inter-governmental relations and the draft plan to tackle fuel poverty in Wales will issue as written statements. Draft business for...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, acting Presiding Officer. I welcome the Finance Committee's report on their inquiry into a legislative budget process. It's provided a really valuable opportunity to reflect on the changes to the budget process over the course of this administration, and it's also demonstrated how the good working between the Welsh Government and the Finance Committee over many years has improved...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, John Griffiths, for raising this issue. I know that the Minister will have heard your request for a statement. But in the meantime, I would say that a key output from the Edinburgh declaration has really been to outline the important role that devolved nations play in development and delivery of the post-2020 framework via a renewed plan of action, and I'm really pleased to say...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you to Delyth Jewell for raising both of these important issues. In terms of support for carers, it has been a tremendously difficult time for carers, and I know that the Minister with responsibility for social services and carers will want to provide that update to you. I'll ask her, in the first instance, to write to you regarding the guidance and support for local authorities, and I...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you to Nick Ramsay for highlighting the importance of Remembrance Sunday and ensuring that this year we mark it in an appropriate way and that we put all of the plans in place to do that. I can confirm that the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government will be making a statement on marking remembrance and our continued support for the armed forces to the Chamber, and you'll see...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you for raising this important issue, because it's, of course, the responsibility of the health boards to secure the necessary activity for their local populations, and we know that things are difficult across the border, as they are here in Wales, in terms of elective surgery at the moment. But, I mean, it is absolutely the case that where those contracts are in place, and were in...
Rebecca Evans: Well, the Deputy Minister will have heard your request for further information on the rationale behind the decisions in relation to people being able to watch sport live. You'll be aware that the Welsh Government was in the process of piloting some of those larger events in order to learn from them, in terms of advising us and helping our thinking in terms of how we go about holding larger...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you to Mark Isherwood for raising this issue on behalf of his constituents. I know that it is an issue that he has raised with me previously. The Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales will obviously have been here to hear your comments this afternoon and I know that he is interested in exploring the economic resilience fund in terms of how it supports businesses, but also what...
Rebecca Evans: Huw Irranca-Davies is absolutely right to recognise that our clubs go well beyond sport and are very much at the heart of our communities right across Wales. I know that discussion that you describe will be something that the Minister with responsibility for sport will be interested in considering. But, certainly from the Welsh Government's part, we've put in place funding through our new...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you for that. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question, but I'll ensure that the Minister with responsibility for major events does write to you with an answer. Of course, we all extend our best wishes to Elfyn Evans in terms of his endeavours in rally driving, and keeping all our fingers crossed.
Rebecca Evans: I thank Leanne Wood for raising this issue and, given the evidence and interest that there is among colleagues, I will ensure that the health Minister writes to all Members so that they can be updated on this important issue. As Leanne Wood recognises, it is Baby Loss Awareness Week. The First Minister has, in his role as Member of the Senedd for Cardiff West, for many years supported an...
