Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Again, you raise a very important point and, as you say, we've worked very closely with the NHS and also with the police and other organisations to try and understand the needs of individuals at that point of crisis that you referred to. Most individuals in those circumstances do need a multi-agency response, rather than a specific or a specialist mental health service. So, we will...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, and I think the Member raises a very important point. It's absolutely vital that we value our carers and, as you say, COVID-19 has brought another pressure on people who are caring for the vulnerable members of their family or friends. I'm not aware of the consultation by Caerphilly County Borough Council, but I would really urge all constituents in your region to put into that...
Lesley Griffiths: I would caution the Member. You quote, and I'm going to quote you now, 'All of ambulances are spending their time sitting outside hospitals.' That is completely not true—[Interruption.]—and I think you should be very, very cautious in using those exact words and also the word 'crisis'. You will have heard my answer to Paul Davies about the review. I, personally, and no-one in this Chamber...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. I don't disagree with what you said around the point of cladding and the issue that has just been raised with me. And when I gave my answer, I did think as I said the word 'autumn', I was thinking, 'Well, that could be several months.' And I agree with you, we are in the autumn now, but I know that the Minister is very hopeful to bring forward a statement at the earliest...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Just in relation to your first bit, I think it's excellent to see members of the public back in the public gallery, but it's always really good to see children and young people in the public gallery. And as you say, obviously, it's Youth Parliament Week, and it's really important that we do engage with children and young people about the democratic process and politics in general....
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you for that question. As you stated yourself, there is currently a review of the Welsh ambulance service. I think it would be very foolish to pre-empt any outcome of that, but I'm sure, at the most appropriate time, the health Minister will bring forward further information.FootnoteLink
Lesley Griffiths: Diolch, Llywydd. I've added three statements to today's agenda, a statement on Afghanistan from the Minister for Social Justice, a statement to update Members on the latest situation with regard to COVID-19 from the Minister for Health and Social Services, and a statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership updating Members on developments with the social partnership and public...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You will have heard me saying in an earlier answer to Janet Finch-Saunders that we know—we're very aware of a shortage of workers in this area. I do think the situation is most acute in logistics; so, we know we've got a major shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers, for instance. That's been exacerbated by drivers not being able to take their tests during the pandemic, for...
Lesley Griffiths: I'm sure the Member is aware that the Welsh Government was brought very late to the party by the UK Government in relation to the borders infrastructure that is going to be needed, both in Holyhead and, obviously, in south-west Wales. The Minister for Economy is leading on this area, and I know is currently looking at some advice around this. I will ask him to bring forward a written...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. We're extremely disappointed that the UK Government has decided to end the additional £20 universal credit weekly payment from the end of September. There's no doubt that it will impact on some of our poorest households in Wales, who are already struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I thought it was very interesting that six former Secretaries of State signed a...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. It's probably a bit premature to bring forward a further statement; as you say, the Minister for Social Justice did bring forward a statement, and, at the current time, I know that she is looking at all the recommendations and the findings in the report. I think there's significant work to be done and I know that she is establishing a taskforce, a Minister-led taskforce, that will...
Lesley Griffiths: The Welsh Government has put significant funding right across Wales in relation to our mental health services, and, in particular, children's mental health. We have worked very hard to protect young people's mental health, despite the pandemic. You'll be aware that we've developed the mental health toolkit, we've put increased investment into our school counselling services and we've included...
Lesley Griffiths: I thank Jane Dodds for that point. The violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence revenue budget for this current financial year is £6.825 million. That does include additional non-recurrent funding of £1.575 million, and that does actually represent an increase from the previous budget. Certainly, I think it is sad to say that we have seen an increase in access to our...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. Well, I certainly congratulate Llanharan Community Development Project on their twenty-fifth anniversary. That's no small feat, and projects like that do provide so many opportunities in our communities for children and young people and their families. You'll be aware the Welsh Government continues to place great value on play and its importance in the lives of all children in our...
Lesley Griffiths: I certainly agree with the Member that the hospitality sector, and the food and drink sector as a whole, offers a very attractive career for many, many people. One of the biggest reasons we are seeing a shortage in this sector—because, obviously, this falls within my own portfolio and it's been raised with me many times—is the fact that we've not been able to see workers from the EU being...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. In relation to the issue around miners' pension, I will ensure the relevant Minister makes representations to the UK Government Minister, because I don't think that can wait until the next term. And in relation to the Rhondda tunnel, it's a long time since I heard the Rhondda tunnel mentioned in the Chamber. I remember Leighton Andrews was the first person to—. I was very...
Lesley Griffiths: We obviously recognise the psychological impact of living with a long-term condition such as diabetes, and Jayne Bryant mentioned that there are many thousands of people living with that condition across Wales. We do, obviously, expect health boards to put in place appropriate support for people with such a long-term condition. That does include supportive care from both generalist and...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. You will be aware that—. I think it was the Minister for the Constitution who gave the legislative programme statement here in the Chamber last Tuesday, and you will appreciate that that programme just set out the legislation for the first year. It doesn't mean that other Bills that we hope to bring forward during this term of Government are not being worked on at the moment....
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you. With regard to his second point, I don't think I can add anything further to the First Minister's comments earlier. I know the Minister is currently analysing the report to which you refer—the workforce plan from the RCN. I do know that several of the health boards in Wales have undertaken specific training in relation to learning disability with their nurses. I know there was...
Lesley Griffiths: Thank you, Mike Hedges, for those two requests. In relation to the first item, I absolutely agree: prevention is obviously better than a cure, and certainly we have our 'Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales' strategy. That sets out our long-term ambitions to reduce obesity right across Wales. We've got our 2021-22 delivery plan, and that's got a focus also in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and...
