Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Minister. Of course, you are right in saying that there's been great success in the breweries sector within Wales, especially the small independent ones. We're at risk right now of losing all of that great progress in a very short space of time. So, whilst it's good to hear that you're actively considering support, I would hope that the Government would bring forward a statement as...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd. Yesterday, I raised with the First Minister the crisis facing the energy-intensive industries. I asked about whether the Welsh Government are planning on introducing further support, specifically around helping to reduce energy bills, through supporting businesses like breweries in producing their own green energy, as well as looking at voltage optimisation. I'll put the same...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that response, Minister.
Luke Fletcher: I receive frequent correspondence from constituents about the daily hindrances they face due to the mileage thresholds. It cannot be that in 2022 there are still these fundamental barriers being placed on some of the most disadvantaged communities in Wales—barriers well within Welsh Government's and local authorities' powers to remove. Back in March, I drew specific attention to Caerau, a...
Luke Fletcher: 9. Will the Deputy Minister provide an update on any work being done to address the inconsistency across local authorities in the mileage thresholds being used in the provision of free school transport, following the publication of the Learner Travel Measure review in March 2022? OQ58584
Luke Fletcher: I'm sure the Trefnydd will be aware at this point of the despicable actions of Royal Mail bosses, who have sunk so low in threatening job losses in an attempt to break strikers. I can tell you that posties at the Bridgend delivery office are holding fast, and these actions by Royal Mail show how desperate they are to not come to a fair resolution with their workers, who were out on the...
Luke Fletcher: Hospitality and those small, independent breweries and restaurants that operate within that industry are facing some of the most challenging circumstances. Many are not expecting to make it much further beyond winter. For example, the owner of Ristorante Vecchio in Bridgend told The Glamorgan Gazette how his energy bills have increased to £8,000 a month. Energy prices are simply...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that response, First Minister.
Luke Fletcher: 7. What is the Welsh Government doing to provide extra support to energy-intensive industries? OQ58595
Luke Fletcher: Secondly, the eligibility criteria must be addressed and expanded. Too many young people are being locked out of support that they desperately need. The thresholds have largely remained unchanged since 2011, meaning that inflation hasn't been taken into account. This has resulted in learners today needing to be poorer than learners back in 2011 in order to be able to claim. Again, the Bevan...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd, and I've agreed to give a minute of time to Mike Hedges, Heledd Fychan, Peredur Owen Griffiths and Jenny Rathbone. What is education maintenance allowance other than a lifeline for so many, both today and in the past? In 1999, the UK Government announced a pilot programme in 15 local authority areas. The programme proposed a payment to students aged 16 to 19 from families...
Luke Fletcher: To make money, so they're not for families.
Luke Fletcher: Will you take an intervention?
Luke Fletcher: I've heard you refer to houses as 'assets' twice already. Isn't this the crux of the problem with this issue, that houses are being viewed as assets? Houses are homes for families. Will you not accept that?
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Llywydd, and I move the amendment tabled by Siân Gwenllian. We have a unique opportunity this year to learn from Wales's participation in the world cup and to build on Wales's growing presence on the global stage, as well as honing our ability to effectively reap the economic benefits of major events like this to Wales. We also have some amazing Welsh-born events, such as the...
Luke Fletcher: How is the Welsh Government working with HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities to ensure that financial support schemes designed to assist people with the rising cost of living do not impact any means-tested benefits?
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Minister, for the statement.
Luke Fletcher: In response to the Minister's last statement on regional economic development in January this year, I brought up my concerns about a lack of energy projects being identified in some of the frameworks, especially in light of the cost-of-living crisis and the rising fuel poverty that exists in Wales. This was only at the very beginning of this crisis. Our post-industrial areas are really being...
Luke Fletcher: Plaid Cymru has long argued the case that council tax is in need of reform. It's outdated, it's regressive, and the IFS recognises this. The proposals jointly agreed by Plaid Cymru and Welsh Government are the first step in changing the council tax system to one that is fairer and more progressive whilst still supporting the services delivered by local authorities. But, with the...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. I’ve said it several times already: the introduction of free school meals is a massive step in the right direction, particularly given the challenges people are now facing. Of course, I’d like to see it rolled out to comprehensive and further education colleges, but this isn’t to detract from what is an ambitious undertaking in the first place. It’s something...
