David Lloyd: Thank you very much, acting Deputy Llywydd. I'm very pleased to open this debate on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's report on the COVID-19 outbreak. Before I turn to our findings, I'd like to pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of everyone who has contributed to the work of keeping our front-line services operating in the most difficult of circumstances. Whilst our...
David Lloyd: What assessment has the First Minister made of the UK Internal Market Bill currently making its way through the UK Parliament?
David Lloyd: Will the First Minister make a statement on flood prevention in South Wales West?
David Lloyd: Diolch, Llywydd. I move the Plaid amendments. Plaid Cymru cannot welcome the UK Internal Market Bill. Indeed, we see it as a direct assault on Welsh nationhood and democracy. This Bill is the single biggest assault on devolution since its creation. The internal market Bill is not simply a power grab but the destruction of two decades of devolution. Two referendums will be ignored and the will...
David Lloyd: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. May I start by also thanking the Counsel General for his statement? Now, of course, the issue of the internal market Bill is very complex and, indeed, risks the whole existence of Wales. It’s a huge disappointment that such a Bill should see the light of day. The big picture, of course, is that it’s very irresponsible indeed for any Government to drive...
David Lloyd: Thank you very much for that.
David Lloyd: First Minister, you'll be aware that if a property has been improved or extended since it was placed in a council tax band, the Valuation Office Agency review the banding to take account of the alterations when it's sold. However, it is clear that there are problems with the system, with delays experienced in informing residents of changes. Now, constituents of mine last month found out that...
David Lloyd: 6. Will the First Minister make a statement on council tax rebanding in Wales? OQ55528
David Lloyd: Thank you very much, Llywydd, and I speak as temporary Chair of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, as you have just noted. The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2020 are the principal regulations on coronavirus in Wales. The Senedd approved these regulations on 5 August this year, together with two sets of amending regulations. On 24...
David Lloyd: Now, this COVID crisis has also shown the clear constitutional tensions that exist, and is leading many to question the long-term viability of the current settlement. Unfortunately, the crisis has shown the UK Government to be actively working against Welsh interests in certain areas. During the early stage of the pandemic, with nations from across the world racing to secure sufficient...
David Lloyd: Like myself, the Minister is a student of history, and, obviously, while he was signing off these regs last night, he would have been watching that excellent S4C documentary on the Spanish flu of 1918, which revealed, obviously, there was a large first peak, then absolutely nothing happened for four months—no cases, no patients, no nothing—and then there was a huge second peak, with 10...
David Lloyd: Thank you for that, again. Given the substantial majority of the Conservatives in Westminster, it's clear to everyone that Westminster will not lead the way in reforming the union for the better. We are losing powers here, and you, as a Welsh Government, are being ignored time and time again. So, what is your plan? Continue being ignored, and Wales continuing to lose powers? Chlorinated...
David Lloyd: Thank you for that response. Since the publication of the Welsh Government paper, 'Reforming our Union, Shared Governance in the UK', the UK Government has rejected calls from the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to extend the Brexit transition period. Also, the UK Government continued with its withdrawal agreement, although the Welsh and Scottish...
David Lloyd: Thank you, Llywydd. In the media this week, in response to the proposed internal market Bill that emerged from the UK Government, you stated:
David Lloyd: This will not be tolerated.
David Lloyd: So, how will you ensure that this Bill, which, essentially, is an attempt by Boris Johnson to take powers away from this Parliament and back to Westminster—how will you ensure that this will not be forced upon Wales?
David Lloyd: Minister, development of a metro in Swansea bay and the western Valleys is vital in terms of reducing travel times and congestion in and around Swansea, and in terms of generating economic development in our Valleys communities. However, despite funding for a feasibility study being agreed in 2017, we have received very little in the way of Welsh Government updates on this scheme. Can you...
David Lloyd: First Minister, this week saw the final ever Sunday Hotline, presented by Kev Johns on Swansea Sound. The hotline had run for decades and was well valued by local residents, providing a unique opportunity for people to raise local issues of concern and to question local politicians. Sadly, the station will leave the airwaves in September, as part of a rebranding exercise. Now, there are more...
David Lloyd: 4. What assessment has the First Minister made of the importance of local radio stations in Wales? OQ55455
David Lloyd: 5. A wnaiff y Gweinidog ddatganiad am ddatblygu metro Bae Abertawe a chymoedd y gorllewin? OQ55452
