Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It is about a balance, isn't it? And I've said on the floor of the Chamber before, we cannot tell farmers who to sell their land to, and it is something that obviously concerns us. I think the issue you raise—I just had a discussion, actually, with Llyr Huws Gruffydd on the way into the Chamber around this, and making sure that we avoid double counting. It's certainly something...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to fire and rehire, we're very concerned by the practice of imposing new terms and conditions on workers through the tactic of fire and rehire, and we're very clear that that sort of practice is absolutely not consistent with our values of fair work and social partnership. We encourage all employers to resolve difficult and challenging issues through social partnership,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, you will have heard the First Minister say, in answer to the question he was asked, about the work that we will be doing once again with children and young people as part of our climate change week, which is obviously going to be held in November. Certainly, the previous two years when we held our first conference, which I think was just one day when we held it in 2019, and...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In regard to your second question around the tree felling on the red squirrel population in Gwynedd and Anglesey, I know NRW did consult stakeholders back, it's probably around 10 years ago now when they drew up the current forest development plan. So, they are in the process, obviously, of replacing that plan with a new forest resource plan, which is what you're referring to. So,...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. There is one change to today's agenda: the statement by the Minister for Social Justice has been retitled 'Well-being of future generations national implementation'. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Yes, that review is due to be completed by the end of next month, i.e. October 2021. I know that recommendations will be coming forward to the health Minister, and I will certainly ask her to update Members when that review is complete.
Lesley Griffiths: I really wish Members would perhaps be a little bit more measured when they use the word 'crisis'. Whilst of course we have seen our GPs asked to so much more work, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—and we're extremely grateful for the amazing roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine programme—as you will have heard the First Minister say, we're now asking them to do the winter flu...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You will have heard my answer to Luke Fletcher around the review of the learner transport Measure, and I mentioned that we need to look at the wider issues that that review threw up at the end of the previous term of government, and whether we need to have a look at the scope of the legislation more widely to ensure we do have those effective services. In relation to support for...
Lesley Griffiths: I'm very pleased you clarified you're in support of renewable energy, because certainly the rest of your question didn't give me the impression at all that you were. Clearly, renewable energy is part of our solution in mitigating climate change, which I do think you share our ambition around. I'm not going to ask the Minister to do a specific statement about the project that you refer to,...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I absolutely share your dismay to see that those levels of onboard nitrogen dioxide were the highest on GWR. I think it's absolutely a direct consequence of the UK Government stopping electrification short of Cardiff, rather than electrifying the whole line. I was looking at some figures around electrification, and if there's any other example that the UK Government absolutely let...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, the review to which you referred, as you said, we were expecting to have it at the beginning of this year. I think we got it around March, and obviously in the previous administration, we then ran out of time. And I think what that initial review did conclude was that there were very complex—. We had very in-depth discussions with stakeholders, and engagement with them,...
Lesley Griffiths: Well, the Minister for Health and Social Services will be giving an oral statement every three weeks in the Chamber around the COVID-19 pandemic, and it might be the most appropriate time for you to question her then.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I think you're certainly correct in the fact that the UK Government did not have that long-term planning that we should have had, and we have certainly seen chaotic scenes over the weekend. I think it's really important to say there is no shortage of fuel in the UK, and we continue to encourage people to buy fuel as they normally would. The civil contingencies part of Welsh...
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch. The Minister for Social Justice will be making a statement this afternoon—a written statement.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I was aware of the campaign that took place on 19 September, and I know several colleagues attended events in their constituencies around the issue. As you say, currently, as a Government, we are looking at what we can do around the highway code, for instance, and other forms of active travel. So, I don't think a statement would be appropriate at this current time.
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. As a Government, we were very disappointed that the NICE guidance wasn't published. It's not a judgment on the content or the proposed treatment, it's simply around the manner in which the publication was then postponed. I know the health Minister's officials did contact NICE to raise Welsh Government's concerns, and try and determine what their next steps are going to be to...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I disagree with the Member that the system is a mess. We obviously understand the concerns that have been raised in relation to issues around self-isolation and household contacts within our schools. Our priority is absolutely to ensure that as many young people are in education as possible, so that we don't have the issues that you referred to in relation to home learning. We're...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to your first question around people not receiving certificates from the WJEC, I will certainly ask the Minister for education if he or any of his officials have had discussions around this issue, and, if there is anything positive he can come back with following those discussions, I will ask him to write to you. I think you make a really important point around heritage...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I've no changes to announce to this week's business. Draft business for the next three sitting weeks is set out on the business statement and announcement, which can be found amongst the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Lesley Griffiths: Formally.
