Carwyn Jones: Well, first of all, in terms of A&E, it's not the case that the target is four hours before somebody is seen in A&E. The target is four hours until somebody is discharged or admitted from A&E, just to make that clear. He asks the question fairly: was this predictable? The answer to my mind is 'no' and I'll explain why. For example, when it came red ambulance calls, the figure for new year's...
Carwyn Jones: Well, first of all, I pay tribute to all our staff in all settings—the GPs, the paramedics, hospitals and social care—for their remarkable efforts in responding to these pressures. The winter is always a very challenging period. There will always be times when demand places our services under great pressure, needing local escalation. There was rigorous preparation in place, but the NHS in...
Carwyn Jones: Can I say what a pleasure it is to see the Member here? And he will hear from the reception that he has received the goodwill of this Chamber, and the friendship that he enjoys amongst many in this Chamber, across parties. In relation to his question, the announcement yesterday was an announcement that indicates to businesses, to universities and others that we are putting money aside in...
Carwyn Jones: Well, it's true to say, of course, that E-Cycle have been awarded support, and I'm pleased we are providing support to recycle. We will continue to assist the company in identifying new opportunities for business growth. Both the recently published economic action plan and the Valleys taskforce delivery plan recognise the impact of digital technology, and set out our proposals to futureproof...
Carwyn Jones: Well, TAN 15, the Minister tells me, is being looked at. I can't comment, of course, on an individual planning application. He mentions the Severn tolls, but let's not get too overexcited about this. Of course, I very much welcome the return of the Severn bridges to public ownership. But what the UK Government have actually done is to remove the VAT, which they cannot legally charge anyway,...
Carwyn Jones: Well, as I said, the first thing is to ensure that the report on manufacturers’ responsibility with regard to food and drink packaging is published. The report will be published in February. Once it is published, that will assist us in making a decision on the way forward as regards any tax.
Carwyn Jones: Our plans for economic development are set out in 'Prosperity for All' and the economic action plan. We continue to provide a wide range of support to businesses in Wales through Business Wales and the development bank, and we also provide infrastructure investment and actions that improve business conditions.
Carwyn Jones: Yes, I do, and I think it's hugely important to work, as I mentioned earlier, with companies who have proven expertise in this area, to make sure that more plastic is recycled within Wales and more jobs created as a result, and, of course, to look to see how we can assist those new entrants to the market.
Carwyn Jones: Yes. There are two things to address here. Firstly, we've commissioned a study to assess the feasibility of an extended producer responsibility scheme for food and drink packaging, including disposable plastic. That will report in February. We're also considering a tax or levy on disposable plastic, but there are great opportunities here for Welsh businesses to look at how they can get...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. We've set high targets for recycling in Wales, including plastic. All local authorities collect plastic for recycling, and businesses will be further encouraged to do so under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 provisions, and in addition we are working with the industry to increase treatment capacity for plastics that are collected.
Carwyn Jones: Well, that’s one of the things, of course, that we’re considering as part of the strategy that we've put in place. It is vital that people have the opportunity to use the Welsh language in the workplace, but it’s also extremely important that people are able to refresh their skills. I must say, when I came here in 1999, I would never have stood up and spoken in Welsh—never—because I...
Carwyn Jones: Well, first of all, we have to make sure that people who have learned Welsh at school to a high standard or—. First of all, in English-medium schools, it's hugely important that Welsh is taken seriously. Of course, the Welsh short course has been a difficulty, and that is something that we are addressing, and to get rid of what I think is an artificial barrier between first and second...
Carwyn Jones: Well, that’s a great question, and may I thank Mike for asking the question in Welsh? The basis of the target of 1 million Welsh speakers is data from the census. The 2011 census noted that 562,000 of the citizens of Wales identified themselves as Welsh speakers, but it is very difficult to know how you define yourself as a Welsh speaker. I've met people with good Welsh, but they don’t...
Carwyn Jones: Well, it’s all-important that the structure is in place so that we can use the powers. We have requested this—that the powers should be deferred for a few months—so that the structure is in place so that we can take action. We don’t want to be in a position where we take the powers and we’re not ready for them. They’re very complex—they’re powers that we haven’t had...
Carwyn Jones: Executive competence for the powers relating to the consenting of energy-generating stations and overhead electric lines will be commenced on 1 April 2019. Provisions relating to oil and gas licensing will be commenced on 1 October 2018.
Carwyn Jones: No. If we take the western Valleys, for example, which he will have an interest in, naturally, in terms of the area he represents, we know that the western Valleys are linked to the wider economy of south-west Wales, particularly the city of Swansea. So, how is that delivered? Well, the taskforce is working closely with the Swansea bay city deal to maximise its benefits to the Valleys...
Carwyn Jones: He will know that the M4 relief road is something that, as a Government, we've taken a view is very much needed. There has to be a public inquiry, because it's hugely important that these issues are tested. I don't think anybody would disagree with the need to do that, to make sure that any decision we take in the future is based on what the inquiry has found. Secondly, given that I was the...
Carwyn Jones: We know that they're hugely important to what we want to deliver as part of the economic action plan. Without a co-ordinated approach across Government, we won't succeed. I can say that the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services has met with all other Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries to discuss the work of the taskforce and the delivery plan, and it will be very much part...
Carwyn Jones: Yes. The taskforce delivery plan sets out actions and milestones to deliver three priorities: good-quality jobs and the skills to do them, better public services, and strengthening communities. It is an excellent example of joined-up, collaborative working—all the buzz words there—involving partners from across public, private and third sectors and, most importantly, Valleys communities.
Carwyn Jones: Well, of course, that does happen in schools already, as physical education is compulsory, and some are actually examined on that—that’s true—at GCSE and A-level, but it’s part of the curriculum for all. It is true to say, I believe, that it is vital to ensure that young children develop behaviours in order to ensure that they can continue to participate in sport. But, of course, we...
