Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, it is disappointing, I think, that a statement was made to the media last week, even a briefing made available to the media, before a statement was brought here before Members. This is one of the biggest procurement exercises that Wales has ever seen and I should say that there is a great deal of cross-party consensus on the need to address Wales’s transport...
Russell George: In regards to the project going forward.
Russell George: First Minister, I wonder if you could outline what discussions you’ve had with the UK Government specifically, directly with them, in regards to the project going forward.
Russell George: Will the Minister make a statement on the role of Transport for Wales in the procurement process to operate rail services in Wales, in light of the announcement that four bidders are competing for the next Wales and Borders franchise? EAQ(5)0055(EI)
Russell George: The two ‘finally’, the five-second ‘finally’—
Russell George: A definition of ‘fast and reliable’, please, as well, Minister.
Russell George: I would like to firstly thank the Minister for the welcome statement today and the fact that the Superfast Cymru project has improved the availability of fibre broadband across Wales, benefiting residents and businesses alike in the intervention area. So, that should be welcome. Despite there being many advancements in Wales’s connectivity as a result of the Superfast Cymru project, the...
Russell George: I was opposed to the legislation requiring letting agents and managing landlords to undertake training to obtain a licence from Rent Smart Wales, but that debate has been had. I have been contacted by several constituents over the past seven days who have reported to me that Rent Smart Wales don’t seem to have sufficient staff to be able to take calls and queries from members of the public....
Russell George: Oh, okay. Well, I’ve got your blog post in front of me here, but it very much contradicts some of the points that your colleague, sat next to you, was making. Perhaps I’ll pass it on to David Rowlands a little later to read. Now, where was I? Where was I? Right. Even the people who don’t use trains as well, of course, will benefit, especially in north Wales. There are benefits, of...
Russell George: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I’d like to move the amendments in the name of Paul Davies and, in doing so, raise my disappointment that UKIP have brought forward this motion today. There seems to be a failure to recognise the social and economic benefits that HS2 will bring to the people of mid and north Wales especially. The rejection of the scheme that will be the backbone, I think, to...
Russell George: I will wind up by saying that their biggest issue was the impact that business rates were having on their small businesses, and their frustration, and our frustration, that a manifesto commitment of tax cuts for 70,000 businesses isn’t actually a tax cut; it’s just a continuation of what was there before. Thank you for allowing me extra time, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Russell George: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m pleased to take part in this debate today. I’ll enjoy taking part in it because it’s an issue that I feel passionate about. The Welsh Conservatives have very often brought forward debates on this issue, and it’s welcome that we’ve got another one today; let’s keep having them until the issue is resolved. I look forward to the day when we...
Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, I heard your response to the Plaid spokesperson with regard to the not-for-profit rail franchise. The Wales Audit Office has raised concerns that your Government must learn lessons from past franchises and must manage efficiently and effectively the risks in procuring what is a significant investment for Wales. So, with that, are you fully confident at this stage that you...
Russell George: Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your detailed answer there. By 2020, all stations and trains must be fully accessible. At present, just 53 per cent of stations in Wales cater for full accessibility. As Arriva Trains’ contract is coming to an end in 2018, there’s no legal obligation for them to deliver these improvements. So, my question is: is Wales on track to deliver these...
Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, Wales has the oldest operating trains in the UK with some approaching 40 years of age and their ability to offer an efficient service for the modern day is quickly waning. I heard your answer to Leanne Wood earlier today. Can I ask, Cabinet Secretary, how will the Welsh Government ensure that the next operator in Wales will deliver an improved and modernised service?
Russell George: Cabinet Secretary, over the summer the issue that has been raised with me by constituents is commuters being stranded on stations on the Cambrian line. The issue here is that not only are trains cancelled at short notice, but they’re cancelled at no notice. So, there are no bus services put on to help commuters stranded, and, also, the station is still demonstrating that the service is...
Russell George: Will the Minister make a statement on the rollout of public wi-fi in mid Wales?
Russell George: I will first of all say that I very much welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s early statement yesterday to us, and it was extremely helpful, I think, to allow Members to digest the statement a day before you make the statement to the Chamber. I very much hope that that’s a model, Cabinet Secretary, that you’ll continue with, and, in fact, that other Cabinet colleagues will learn from that...
Russell George: Following the ONS reclassification of housing associations, will you, First Minister, set out whether you are intending to make legislative changes similar to those of the UK Government in England to retain the status of housing associations as independent social businesses, following, of course, changes brought about through the last UK Government’s Housing and Regeneration Act 2008?
Russell George: I am pleased to take part in this Conservative debate this afternoon. What I find disappointing is that when I read the Welsh Government’s programme for government, it just clearly fails to set out what they will do differently—differently—this time around to ensure that their aims are delivered effectively. The programme for government contains no targets for delivery on which the...
