Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. Martha Spurrier, director of human rights group Liberty, has said that: 'This plan to reform the Human Rights Act is a blatant, unashamed power grab from a Government that wants to put themselves above the law. They are quite literally rewriting the rules in their favour so they become untouchable.' The Law Society of England and Wales's president has said that: 'People from all...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Minister. We know that the physical evaluation of an individual is critical to an individual’s needs, but it is just the beginning of a person’s journey to being settled and secure in a new country. As a nation of sanctuary, I know that in Wales we pride ourselves on offering the support necessary to make sure that people can rebuild their lives and integrate with their...
Rhianon Passmore: 4. What discussions has the Minister had with the UK Government regarding the Afghan citizens settlement scheme? OQ57427
Rhianon Passmore: 6. What consideration has the Counsel General given to the impact on Welsh law of the UK Government's review of human rights legislation? OQ57428
Rhianon Passmore: The public health position in Wales today still remains fragile; an estimated one in 20 citizens infected, cases testing positive around 50 per cent and, as a direct consequence, staff absences across the Welsh NHS running at just over 8 per cent last week, with some trusts double this. So, it's no surprise then that the Aneurin Bevan health board in Gwent has decreed essential-only hospital...
Rhianon Passmore: Yes, it is. We're having problems with the video. It has to be intermittently put back on. I've almost finished. If I can just come to my question, Deputy Presiding Officer.
Rhianon Passmore: That's absolutely fine. It's doing that, and they're trying to sort it. So, Minister, how do you explain, then, to my constituents how it is that Wales will only receive £46 million this year from the UK Government's community renewal fund, on an ad-hoc, non-transparent basis, compared to the £375 million that we would have received from EU structural funds from January 2021? That's a...
Rhianon Passmore: The people of Islwyn will welcome this important statement today, and this budget will take Wales forward. As the Minister noted, we have in no way escaped the years of Tory austerity before this pandemic hit. The lack of fair funding for Wales, pernicious over the last decade, and the lack of UK infrastructural spend in Wales, including the lack of HS2 consequentials, has been shocking and...
Rhianon Passmore: First Minister, one of the fundamental tasks of any government is to protect lives and ensure the public health of its citizens, and the Welsh Government has prioritised keeping Wales safe during this global pandemic. With the omicron wave that engulfed us, public health measures were required, and we see encouraging signs, with the infection rate falling for two days in a row. First...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Minister. At the start of November, the whole of Wales was declared an avian influenza prevention zone, which means that it's a legal requirement for keepers of captive birds to follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their birds. This applies to everyone, even if you only own a single bird, and this is a worrying time for bird keepers. Minister, how best can the people of Wales...
Rhianon Passmore: 5. What measures is the Welsh Government taking to improve animal welfare? OQ57364
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, Minister, for your statement, and also thank you to our vaccine NHS champions. Minister, we know that the omicron variant effectively reduces immunity achieved by two doses of vaccine to virtually nothing in the case of Oxford-AstraZeneca and to minimal protection from infection in the case of Pfizer, but that is not to say that the double doses will not dramatically help people...
Rhianon Passmore: Can I also thank the Welsh Government for seeking to address the very difficult problem that is felt in every community throughout Wales, and also extend those thanks to the Monmouthshire Building Society? We know that the UK is served poorly by a number of large banks who ignore customer feedback and continue to adopt a scorched-earth policy to community banking. In the face of almost...
Rhianon Passmore: Will you take an intervention?
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. Do you think it is only the job of churches and voluntary organisations to provide the safety net, as you say, for those in most need?
Rhianon Passmore: Minister, will you join me in welcoming the news of the reintroduction of direct rail services from Crosskeys to Newport, from this Sunday, 12 December, in time for Christmas? This is no mean achievement, and will be the first direct passenger rail service from the communities of Islwyn to Newport in almost 60 years. I’ve campaigned since my election to reconnect rail services in Islwyn to...
Rhianon Passmore: I want to thank you, First Minister, for your programme of government statement here today, and the spirit of co-operation outlined. I was delighted that you referenced that the Welsh Labour Government promised in the election campaign to create a new national music service. So, it was pleasing to see the education Minister confirm that £6.8 million will be made available for creative arts...
Rhianon Passmore: I chair the Senedd cross-party group on music and I'm truly grateful for the genuine cross-party support across the Chamber on this vital issue. Last Saturday, I was honoured to participate in the Incorporated Society of Musicians conference where I represented the Senedd to discuss music education across the devolved nations. Indeed, we are renowned internationally as the land of bards and...
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Llywydd. I shall be giving a minute of my time to the following Senedd colleagues: Carolyn Thomas, Peredur Owen Griffiths, Delyth Jewell, Sam Rowlands and Mike Hedges. I greatly welcome the contributions of cross-party Members of the Senedd in this important debate today. Thank you. Diolch yn fawr i chi i gyd. I stand in the Chamber of this Welsh Parliament to call for the urgent...
Rhianon Passmore: What action is the Welsh Government taking to help grow small and medium-sized enterprises in Islwyn?
