Peter Fox: Obviously, we were expecting the political rhetoric to flow today, as was expected. [Interruption.] The Member for Blaenau Gwent, underneath all of that, I'm sure is very concerned about public services in Blaenau Gwent and he didn't refer to that. For example, what's particularly challenging at the moment is the pressures in local—[Interruption.]
Peter Fox: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I was talking about local public services. For example, it's a particularly challenging time for local government, as you know, with the increased service pressures they have, and the demand is particularly felt in social care, both in adult and children's services. In Monmouthshire, for instance, the unmet care need is over 2,000 hours a week at the moment....
Peter Fox: Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I'm pleased that you recognise transport as a key thread. The need to rethink transport systems across Wales is important, and it's clearly evident in all of the four regional economic frameworks, as we've seen published a little while ago. If I focus on the south Wales metro scheme, this has the potential, as you know, to enhance economic...
Peter Fox: Trefnydd, could I ask for a written update about the progress that is being made to improve access to housing adaptations for people living with motor neurone disease and other degenerative conditions? And thank you to the Members who attended the MND event earlier today and listened to people who were suffering and the pressures they are under. As I've said previously, I welcome the...
Peter Fox: Diolch, Llywydd. The last few weeks have seen our country united in grief for our late sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. The period was also deeply sad in my constituency after the loss of the past deputy leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Councillor Bob Greenland. And I just wanted to pay a tribute to this great man, a giant in the local government family. Often, people like Bob, who have...
Peter Fox: Thank you for that, Minister. That's reassuring. The fishing and angling sector is an important part of the economy in rural Wales. River fishing alone contributes around £20 million a year to the economy, and supports around 700 jobs. On top of that, the additional tourism that our waters pull in provides benefit for local areas. Fishing is also a popular hobby for many people, getting them...
Peter Fox: Thank you for that, Minister. I'm still slightly concerned because there does not seem to be a clear strategy from Wales's Government of how they are going to specifically support businesses moving forward at a very difficult time. I know you're already reviewing the future of non-domestic rates in Wales, and I look forward to seeing your suggestions in due course, but we also know that,...
Peter Fox: Thank you for that, Minister. I think what the UK Government has proven, through its discussions and movement on free ports with Welsh Government, is that they are happy to talk and work with you. So, I'm sure that can happen with the other zones as well. Presiding Officer, we've heard a lot about the energy crisis over recent months, and I very much welcome the UK Government's energy bill...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Minister, I know things got a little passionate in the Chamber yesterday, so I do just want to bring the focus back onto how we can help the Welsh economy and Welsh businesses to move forward. In your statement yesterday, you suggested that you didn't support the idea of investment zones, although I appreciate that you'll be having more conversations with UK...
Peter Fox: 3. How is the Welsh Government supporting the development of the fishing sector? OQ58449
Peter Fox: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The fact is that the financial statement delivers a tax cut for 1.2 million plus people in Wales, meaning that they keep more of their own money—something that is difficult for the Welsh Government to accept—during these difficult times. Even Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the scrapping of the national insurance increase and cut to the basic rate of income...
Peter Fox: Can I thank you, Minister, for your statement, although much of its content was not a surprise today? We believe that the best way to get people through these difficult times, and to combat inflation, is through economic growth as well as direct support. It's not about the trickle-down economics, it's about boosting the supply side performance of our economy by reducing the tax burden on...
Peter Fox: I thank the Member for Newport West for raising the issue. As has been said, anti-social behaviour can have a negative impact, and it does have a negative impact on the quality of life of our communities. At best it's a nuisance, and at worst it's threatening and disruptive towards people and property. ASB has been a particular issue within Monmouthshire council area recently, and...
Peter Fox: Can I thank you, Jenny, for giving me an opportunity to say a few words? And can I also pay tribute to your work on a range of social justice issues since you were elected, and for your role as chair of our cross-party working group on free school meals, which I’m really pleased to be part of? School meals are of course a daily part of the diets of many children, and so it’s important...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I move the amendment tabled in the name of the Member for Clwyd West, Darren Millar. It goes without saying that the past few years have been very difficult—that's an understatement—for families and communities across Wales and beyond, and the cost-of-living crisis is another huge burden facing almost every family that we represent, and I won't be...
Peter Fox: Thank you, Minister. All of us in this Chamber know that this summer has been exceptionally hot and dry for a long period of time; indeed, March to August this year is likely to be the third-driest six-month period since records began in 1865. Despite a recent increase in rainfall, Natural Resources Wales confirmed earlier this month that all parts of Wales have moved to drought status....
Peter Fox: 6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to improve water security in Wales? OQ58387
Peter Fox: Thank you, Minister, for the statement. Just a couple of things. This is a tax—it's not a levy—and it's Labour's prerogative to put taxes in, and they do that generally. That's why we're so different on this platform, certainly here in Wales. I would ask what evaluation have you already made of local authority spending plans and budgets around economic development and tourism, so they can...
Peter Fox: The heartbreaking news that our beloved Queen, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had passed away shook the people of our nation to the core, as it did across the Commonwealth and, indeed, the world. On behalf of thousands of people across the Monmouth constituency, I offer also sincerest condolences to the King and the royal family at this saddest of times. We all feared that this sad time would...
Peter Fox: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to today's debate as a member of the Finance Committee, and I support the comments made by our Chair of the committee, and also welcome our Members of the Youth Parliament here today. Over the past few years we have experienced a series of huge challenges, from the pandemic to the current inflationary pressures and, of course, cost-of-living crisis....
