Altaf Hussain: Yes, is that—? Thank you very much.
Altaf Hussain: I was wondering, you're doing such a great job in introducing these school meals, but what we are missing here is: can there be classes teaching these children how to cook? And that should be one of the steps, so that we don't go on and on for these, and it should not be free. There might be then a time we can put an end to it.
Altaf Hussain: Whilst I have some concerns about the speed of ministerial responses, at a time of unprecedented and immediate challenge, there are several areas in our report that are around the longer term. One of our recommendations, No. 11, asks that a future area-based scheme develops a community engagement strategy to ensure that the benefits of existing networks are maximised—
Altaf Hussain: —and that local communities feel a much stronger sense of buy-in. This is important. Wales is a small country; we have substantial capacity in our network of local authorities, housing providers, community and third-sector groups who have reached an ability to engage directly with communities to help get that buy-in. There is a reason why this is vital. I would like to hear from the...
Altaf Hussain: I'm delighted to be contributing to this afternoon’s debate on our committee report on fuel poverty and the Warm Homes programme. I would like to thank our Chair, Jenny Rathbone, for steering us through a significant number of important issues, which, in this period of economic challenge, have become even more important for families the length and breadth of Wales. Fuel poverty, the risk to...
Altaf Hussain: Minister, after such a troubling time, with the effect of the pandemic clearly impacting the lives of our young people, it is right that we celebrate the achievements of all our young people who have shown such fortitude in completing their studies. Many will have struggled because of absence, and some have questioned the fairness of the results. What lessons can we learn from the experience...
Altaf Hussain: 4. Will the Minister make a statement on the 2022 exam results in South Wales West? OQ58377
Altaf Hussain: Minister, in February of this year, a wind turbine at Gilfach Goch crashed to the ground, destroying its blades. I have since this challenged the Health and Safety Executive about the potential for this to happen elsewhere and what measures can be taken with landowners to ensure safety. As we potentially see an increase in the development of onshore wind, and we evaluate how to secure our...
Altaf Hussain: I would also like to offer my sincerest condolences to His Majesty the King and the entire royal family on the passing of the much-loved Queen Elizabeth. I was outside the country when I heard the tragic news. We were visiting family in Kashmir when we heard late on Thursday evening that our monarch had passed away. It was a moment of deep sadness and terrible sorrow, not just for me and my...
Altaf Hussain: Thank you very much. They have addressed the point I wanted to speak to. Thank you.
Altaf Hussain: 'One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world.' These are the words of Malala Yousafzai, a truly inspirational young woman, born on 12 July 1997 in the Swat valley in Pakistan. When she was just 11 years old the Taleban took over her village and closed her school. She decided, even at that young age, that she would not give up her education without a fight. She spoke out...
Altaf Hussain: Thank you, Minister. On two recent stays in hospital, one at the Princess of Wales and the other at the University Hospital of Wales, I was shocked at the lack of dietary choice available. As a Muslim, I was not offered halal food. I have been informed since then that vegetarians are often not offered food meeting their dietary needs either. The result: in-patients having to rely on family or...
Altaf Hussain: Minister, the Welsh Centre for Public Policy report 'Brexit and Wales' 'recommends that the Welsh Government guides businesses through the new regulations; encourages retraining and job creation in the customs sector to meet increased demand; maintains emergency funding for sectors affected by border delays; and continually monitors the impacts on Welsh ports.' Does the Minister accept these...
Altaf Hussain: 7. What action is the Minister taking to improve the nutritional value of meals served in Welsh hospitals? OQ58333
Altaf Hussain: Minister, last week, Swansea Council confirmed that a new initiative has been launched so people know leisure operators at Caswell beach have the skills and experience to provide safe and fun activities, delivered to the highest standard. This partnership with the RNLI and the Welsh Surfing Federation is a great idea, and with the growth in the number of people taking up water activities such...
Altaf Hussain: First Minister, I have long believed that organisations such as further education colleges can act as anchor institutions helping to drive economic improvement in their regions. Bridgend College's new campus plans are an example of this, where the provision of new training facilities can be used to support the wider economic agenda. However, for this to be successful, there needs to be more...
Altaf Hussain: Thank you very much. We have the health Minister also here. It would be good to have this interaction, really. I worked on it very much, on the preventative aspect of diabetes type 2, and in that period of time, when the patient is seen by the GP and when he's referred to the dietician for the first time, we waste roughly about two or three months. And it is that time, if that is taken up by...
Altaf Hussain: Thank you very much. I just wanted to ask the Minister, but it is good that I can ask the Chair about whether you have considered, going into these concerns, the human rights of the patients at any time. Thank you.
Altaf Hussain: Thank you, Sarah, for raising this important issue. You're right—63 per cent of illegal dog breeding has been reported by the BBC, although the number of prosecutions remains very low. What specific action can be taken as part of your animal welfare plan to ensure that there is capacity within the rehoming centres to deal with such an increase and work with the RSPCA to reinforce the...
Altaf Hussain: What resources does the Welsh Government provide to enable local authorities to fulfil their statutory responsibilities?
