Joel James: Thank you, Minister. As you're aware, we are at crisis point with the education of science in Wales because of the lack of teachers in physics and chemistry. Wales now has so few physics teachers that there are not enough for every secondary school in Wales to have one, meaning that this science is almost predominantly being taught by teachers who have no qualifications in the subject area....
Joel James: 2. What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the number of physics teachers? OQ58442
Joel James: Minister, undoubtedly the cost of supplying energy to school buildings with the recent increases in wholesale energy prices is going to put enormous strain on finances, which, as we know, are already under considerable pressure. It is therefore a real concern that headteachers will have to make staffing cuts in order to balance budgets, as highlighted earlier by other Members. Whilst we all...
Joel James: Minister, the fact remains that delays to the implementation of the Welsh Government's building safety fund has meant that many residents and owners of flats across Wales have been put into precarious financial positions, been unable to sell or remortgage their properties because lenders outright refuse to lend money when EWS1 certificates are not available, and surveys have not been carried...
Joel James: First Minister, data related to the number of deaths due to COVID in care homes shows that, in Wales, COVID-19 was the second leading cause of death in male and female care home residents in both the first and second waves of the pandemic. Given that winter and, indeed, the flu season are fast approaching, I am sure that many people will be worried about the safety of elderly and vulnerable...
Joel James: I'm sure that Thursday, 8 September will be etched into all of our memories, as we remember the moment and the place where we heard the news of the death of our beloved and devoted sovereign. It is remarkable that most of us here in this Chamber will have known no other monarch, since our Queen had devoted almost her entire public life to the service of our country. Our feeling here today can...
Joel James: Thank you, acting Llywydd. As Janet was highlighting, I think we're already adequately funded as it is. The UK Government is not going to increase the Welsh Government budget to support this costly experiment, and so the Welsh Government would have to cut money out of health, education and other budgets in Wales, which, as we have heard repeatedly in this Chamber, are sectors already in dire...
Joel James: Oh, sorry. Yes.
Joel James: Sorry, but could you repeat that question again, but into the microphone?
Joel James: As Janet has already said, I think we're already adequately funded as it is. [Interruption.]
Joel James: Will you give way?
Joel James: You mentioned the NHS there, but as you know, and I want you to confirm this, it was a Conservative health Minister that first proposed the creation of a national health service—Henry Willink in 1941. So, to say that we've always been opposed to the national health service is factually wrong, isn't it?
Joel James: Thank you, Jane, for proposing this debate. I would like to start by saying that I agree that there are significant numbers of Welsh workers who are employed in industries that will undergo significant change as part of the transition to net zero. However, I am not convinced that the transition to a zero-carbon economy in Wales is going to cause either widespread unemployment or have any...
Joel James: Thank you, Minister. As you are aware, holistic needs assessments are provided to brain cancer patients as a way of them identifying and communicating to their key workers their holistic needs and allowing a suitable care plan to be put into place. The use of a HNA and care plan is essential for a good patient experience. It ensures that patients are supported in all aspects of their...
Joel James: 4. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of brain tumours? OQ58340
Joel James: First Minister, as you know, people who struggle to access employment can sometimes suffer from issues associated with low self-confidence, and repeatedly being turned down for jobs, without even knowing the reasons why in some cases, can be so detrimental to some people that they simply just give up trying, even though they're often more than qualified to do a wide range of jobs. One of the...
Joel James: Thank you, Minister, for that response, and I'd like to reiterate, unless we have that actual assessment of the impact of this money going to Africa, we wonder what sort of benefit it's bringing to the Welsh taxpayer. If I move on to the next question, one of the touted benefits of the Wales and Africa programme is that diaspora communities can bring to Wales knowledge and experience that is...
Joel James: Thank you, Minister. Oh, I nearly swore then—two secs, Llywydd—[Inaudible.]—came apart then. [Laughter.] Thank you, Minister, for your condemnation of those remarks, and I support that condemnation. I would urge, going forward, that we look carefully at where that aid's going and how it's being used. As you know, the Welsh Government's flagship Wales and Africa grant scheme was created...
Joel James: Thank you, Llywydd. As the Minister will be well aware, the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has strongly backed Russia in the present Russian-Ukraine conflict, stating that, in the context of the ongoing war, Russia should be viewed as the centre of gravity in eastern Europe. For those who are unfamiliar with this military phrasing, what the President is saying is that Russia is the...
Joel James: Thank you, First Minister. As you have mentioned, this programme has been quite successful in helping deliver carbon reductions through the use of anaerobic digestion facilities as an alternative for food waste treatment. I'm also aware that, although modest, the anaerobic digestion facilities create jobs, both in building and running facilities, and have the ability to supply farmers with...
