Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much for that response. I'm pleased that we are having an opportunity to ask a few further questions on this. The shame here is that we are in that process now of introducing these historic new taxes—
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I'd like to pick up on your comments that you will be heading to the Netherlands to speak to Tata executives there and to just ask you what discussions you have had to date with Tata operations outside the UK, not just on a European level, but worldwide, too. There is an article on Bloomberg in which Tata's chief finance officer has been quoted saying that Tata will be shifting its focus to...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you very much. I think one thing that’s important in terms of food production companies in mid Wales, like my constituency in Anglesey, is to ensure that there is enough appropriate property available for businesses who wish to develop in this area. I do have a letter that’s ready to be sent to you—and I will do that today—about the principle of ensuring that there are adequate...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: 2. Further to the written statement yesterday, will the Minister provide an update on HMRC's error regarding Welsh Rates of Income Tax? 311
Rhun ap Iorwerth: May I welcome this statement from the Government today? Much of it is content that I would agree with. What strikes me and others, of course, is the frustration that we can't reach our endpoint, or where we want to go, more quickly, and I'm sure that that frustration is something that the Deputy Minister himself would share. I do think that the foundations are in place, in a way, in terms of...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: If I could ask for a statement from the Minister for health responding to concerns about an event stakeholders locally have been invited to. It's called, and I quote: 'Cwm Taf Morgannwg safeguarding board's first ever Celebration of Good Practice event'. Now, this follows the damning and distressing report about maternity services in Cwm Taf health board, where mothers and babies certainly...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I had intended to request a statement on the announcement made today on taxation, and the error with the coding. I'm pleased that that's already been raised, but I do intend to ask a topical question on that issue.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I don't want people to feel that they are missing out, but there is one major event that can only be held in my constituency, and I'm talking about the Island Games. I'm very pleased to announce that, this very second, Ynys Môn county council has agreed to underwrite those games from 2025. I'm extremely grateful to the Welsh Government for already agreeing to give a substantial sum of money....
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Yes, of course.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: You’re quite right, and I was going to come to that point, that this now has to be at the heart of what we offer to people in terms of opportunities—in education first of all, and then in business. What Wales needs to demonstrate, and why it’s so important that the Government does proceed to carry out specific research in this area, as the motion suggests, is that we are seeking a way...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I am grateful to the Conservatives for bringing forward this debate. It is indeed a debut for this topic. It was interesting just watching the first speakers and wondering whether it was David Melding or Janet Finch-Saunders or Jack Sargeant that was most into e-gaming. I'm glad Jack Sargeant spilt the beans that it was him. I wouldn't have been ageist in any way by suggesting it wasn't the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Formally move.
Rhun ap Iorwerth: To continue with the bingo analogy, if you like, I think it's eyes down for Welsh Government when we should be looking upwards. And the point that we are starting from on this journey means that we have to aim higher. You point to improved figures in Wales, but, as I pointed out, it's still not enough to move us up those rankings. We're still down there languishing at the bottom. One of the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: And any statistic that points to a good story is to be welcomed. I must say there's an element of playing bingo this week. The stat of the week is economic inactivity rates. It was the one clearly used by the First Minister in his speech marking 20 years of devolution yesterday and it was used by the Brexit Minister on television last night, so it's clearly doing the rounds of the Labour...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. Minister, as I said in questions to the First Minister yesterday, celebrating 20 years of devolution is an opportunity to assess 20 years of our Assembly, our national Parliament, providing a voice for all, of course, and it’s an opportunity to look back at 20 years of the work of the Welsh Government. In terms of Plaid Cymru, we were in Government for four years,...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government's plans to develop the economy of north Anglesey?
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I would like to request a debate on dentistry. There are a number of levels of our dental service that needs discussion and I think a debate would be a means of airing those. First of all, there are serious concerns about the UDA agreement—the units of dental activity—where I’m convinced there is a disincentive for dentists to deal with multiple problems, including problems suffered by...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: The First Minister says that it's up to the people of Wales to decide if they want another strategy. The point is your own backbenchers believe you don't have a strategy at all when it comes to tackling poverty, at a time when nearly a third of Welsh children live in poverty. Now, devolution has developed within European frameworks and I and Plaid Cymru believe that the evolution of a small...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: I agree that it’s unacceptable. I also recall that a series of Governments here have been missing their targets on tackling child poverty since the inception of devolution. This is one of the things that could arise as a topic for discussion in marking 20 years of devolution. And, on that twentieth anniversary, people can consider two things, I think. First of all, they can celebrate the...
Rhun ap Iorwerth: Thank you, Llywydd. Twenty nine per cent of Welsh children live in poverty. Does the First Minister believe that that is acceptable?
