Mike Hedges: We take electricity for granted. We switch our computer, our television, our lights or other electrical devices on and we expect them to work. The electricity has to be generated and available when we need it. Traditionally, electricity has been generated by burning fossil fuels. All fossil fuels are carbon based. When carbon burns, it forms carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas....
Mike Hedges: This is a very sad day for Swansea East and a sad day for health, as smoking cessation, smoke-free homes, exercise classes, healthy diet and slimming programmes end. A sad day for educational attainment, as Easter exam preparation, homework clubs and family learning programmes end. A sad day for people who would have benefited from money awareness courses, utility bills advice, basic...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the First Minister for that response? I do not believe you can overestimate the problem with scams, both by phone and written. The effect on people being scammed is horrendous and can have a serious effect on their life, and actually, in some cases, it can lead to a shortening of their life. I appreciate the work done by trading standards and third sector organisations and others....
Mike Hedges: 1. Will the First Minister make a statement on tackling scams in Wales? OAQ(5)0443(FM)
Mike Hedges: Swansea City Supporters Trust. Firstly, I must declare an interest as a member of Swansea City Supporters Trust. Unfortunately in Britain, professional football clubs—especially at the top level—normally have a very large local fan base, but ownership of the club by one or more individuals, quite often from abroad. I know Cardiff City fans would recognise that situation. Swansea City is...
Mike Hedges: Can I thank the Minister for that response? As someone who has been learning Welsh for many years, I know how difficult it is to learn as an adult. The Minister has said there are 8,804 five-year-olds in Welsh-medium schools currently, which equates, assuming a life expectancy of 85 years, to something in the order of 850,000 or so—perhaps slightly under—Welsh speakers in 2097. That is,...
Mike Hedges: Firstly, can I thank the Cabinet Secretary for both her answer and visiting the newly built Burlais school, especially as Burlais school replaced two schools that needed replacing, with very serious problems with their buildings—they had internal running water every time it rained. I’ve also invited the Cabinet Secretary to visit Blaenymaes school, which is on the council’s rebuilding...
Mike Hedges: 3. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement regarding the 21st century schools programme in Swansea East? OAQ(5)0081(EDU)
Mike Hedges: 6. How many five year old children are currently attending Welsh-medium schools in Wales? OAQ(5)0080(EDU)
Mike Hedges: Please.
Mike Hedges: Are these the same economists who were called experts we shouldn’t listen to? All I will say, if you look at the history of the pound, it was worth over $4 at the end of the second world war, it’s worth about $1.20 now, it’s moved downwards continually, and what I’m saying is that the likelihood is it’ll continue in that direction. Whilst the economy’s had that short-term bounce...
Mike Hedges: Thank you, Presiding Officer. This is the first European Union debate I have spoken in at this Assembly. I certainly would not describe myself as a Europhile. I speak as someone who voted to stay in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, but, as a teenager in 1975, voted not to stay in. We have to acknowledge that the people of Wales voted to leave. We expected everyone to accept the...
Mike Hedges: I very much welcome the statement by Nick Ramsay, and I congratulate him on the way he has chaired the committee over the last few months. Sometimes, though, the Public Accounts Committee feels a bit like a treadmill: the auditor general produces a report, we get a presentation, the Government civil servants and other witnesses come in, we produce a report, which is then sent off to the...
Mike Hedges: Firstly, can I welcome the statement and most of the proposals? For the last 25 years I’ve seen proposals for local government change based on the certainty of ignorance. It’s a very welcome break from that. This is so much better than any of the previous proposals, some implemented and most not. First, could I welcome the proposed power of general competence, something that local...
Mike Hedges: I’ve been contacted by constituents concerned that the military covenant is not being implemented in Wales due to front-line staff not being aware of it. I’m asking for the Government to commission a study to see how it is being implemented across Wales because the evidence I have got is only anecdotal, and I’m asking the Government to provide an oral statement on the results.
Mike Hedges: Will the First Minister make a statement on improving the economic prosperity of the Swansea Bay City Region?
Mike Hedges: Last week, I was visited by a constituent interested in promoting faith tourism who was actually creating a website to do that for the south Wales area. Ireland had a signature project on St Patrick and the Christian heritage. Have the Welsh Government considered a similar project on St David and will the Government also consider a policy to protect key sites and market these sites around the...
Mike Hedges: Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on proposed infrastructure improvements in the Swansea Bay City region?
Mike Hedges: Can I join with Simon Thomas and David Melding in welcoming this debate? The environment people live in is hugely important to them. The state of our environment is important for how we live now and the legacy we will leave for future generations. Whilst Brexit dominates discussion at the Assembly, it’s the state of the environment that my constituents talk to me about—not just in...
Mike Hedges: We regularly have debates in this Chamber on health. I would like to ask the Government to hold a debate or make a statement on the effect of lifestyle on health and how to improve health outcomes by lifestyle choices, promoting things such as healthy eating, smoking cessation and exercise, especially in some of our poorest communities.
