John Griffiths: —if Welsh Government could take a fresh overview of these matters.
John Griffiths: Minister, as we know, the crisis is already with us, but, sadly, it's set to get considerably worse in terms of the cost of food, fuel, energy and much else besides. We know that specific steps have been taken by the Welsh Government to put schemes in place to help, and that's very welcome indeed, but, obviously, a lot of the responsibility lies with the UK Government and, for example, the...
John Griffiths: 8. What policies is the Welsh Government following to support the most vulnerable through the cost-of-living crisis? OQ57801
John Griffiths: What is the Welsh Government's latest assessment of the impact on devolved responsibilities of the war in Ukraine?
John Griffiths: I think we hear a lot of rhetoric from the UK Government, Mark, but it's not always evidenced in practice. Yes, there may be individual examples, but we want to see a consistent approach, in terms of policing and criminal justice, that moves on to that more, what I would say, progressive and enlightened territory that we've already heard about in this debate today, which I think is badly...
John Griffiths: May I begin by saying how much I agree with what Jane Dodds has just said? And I think much of what I will have to say will complement those comments. I think if we had responsibility here in Wales, Dirprwy Lywydd, for policing, and indeed criminal justice, we would have a much more progressive, and indeed productive, system that would really improve life for our communities here in Wales,...
John Griffiths: Perhaps I would, actually, Llywydd.
John Griffiths: Parkrun Wales and the way that it operates in Newport is another indication of just how active and enthusiastic and energetic the local population is. And the two parkruns in Newport, one at the Riverfront and one at Tredegar House in my colleague Jayne Bryant's constituency, are really well supported, and they enable much to take place to encourage fitness and good health in Wales, for...
John Griffiths: The bedrock to sport in Newport, really, is the facilities and the grass-roots commitment the city enjoys. And the facilities at Newport Live are very important; they are some of the best in Wales. The swimming pool, the tennis centre, the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales and the international sports village activity as a whole, including the athletics track and the use thereof by...
John Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. Llywydd, in 1963, almost 60 years ago, Newport Rugby Football Club entertained the All Blacks at Rodney Parade. And against the odds, Bryn Meredith's side who, up to that point, had been in indifferent form, beat a New Zealand team regarded as one of the best of its generation. Still to this day the game is talked about, and I'm sure it will be on the minds of many when they...
John Griffiths: Thank you for that, Minister. It is crucially important that we get our policies to tackle air pollution right, given the effect on public health, respiratory conditions and other health conditions and, of course, the effect on our environment. And I think these problems are particularly acute in our more disadvantaged communities. So, the sooner we get practical policies in place that are...
John Griffiths: 6. How will the Welsh Government work with local councils to tackle air pollution? OQ57721
John Griffiths: What is the Welsh Government's latest assessment of availability of NHS dental services in Wales?
John Griffiths: I'll be speaking in my capacity as Chair of the Local Government and Housing Committee, and I'd like to thank the Welsh Local Government Association, the Minister for Finance and Local Government and the Minister for Climate Change for attending the committee's evidence sessions. Our committee welcomes the local government settlement. We heard from the sector that it is generous and it will...
John Griffiths: I very much agree with the sentiments expressed in terms of the importance of obesity and tackling obesity if we are to create the sort of Wales we want to see in terms of health and well-being. It is a major challenge and it has been for some time a growing challenge, and we do need to make sure that the NHS responds effectively when people have health problems connected with obesity. But I...
John Griffiths: Minister, further education continues to provide top-quality education and training across Wales and, I think, provides good value for public funding. Together with Jayne Bryant, I recently met with Coleg Gwent to discuss their plans to relocate their Newport city campus to the city centre, where it would be alongside the University of South Wales campus, allowing for good co-operation and...
John Griffiths: 4. Will the Minister provide an update on financial support for further education? OQ57521
John Griffiths: How is the Welsh Government working with local authorities to tackle climate change?
John Griffiths: I very much welcome your statement today, Minister, and the policy and the approach that we have here in Wales, and the increased investment, I think, is going to be very valuable because, as we all know, there are, sadly, far too many people in Wales, as with other parts of the UK, who have these alcohol and illegal-drug problems. And as well as preventing problems for the future, we need to...
John Griffiths: First Minister, it was a great privilege for me as environment Minister at the time to open our wonderful Wales coast path, and, since then, local authorities, volunteers and others have worked hard to maintain and improve it. There are circular walks connecting it to local communities, and software apps signposting walkers to heritage features, points of interest, food, drink and...
