Mark Isherwood: As the First Minister told the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee on Monday, the issue of whether we should be part of the EU has been decided. Brexit now must be championed as an opportunity to boost trade, industry, employment, agriculture and fishing, but this will only happen if we grasp the nettle. I therefore move amendment 1, which recognises the outcome of the...
Mark Isherwood: Following the introduction of recommendations in their ‘Dynamic Benefits: Towards welfare that works’ report, the Centre for Social Justice has pointed out that more people are employed than ever before, less people are claiming benefits and UK unemployment is at a record low of 4.9 per cent. Of course, we know Wales has a good record and story on that. However, Wales’s economic...
Mark Isherwood: My question was, rather, what representations you would be making. Clearly, I appreciate how the budget round works and was not seeking to score party-political points. I fully supported the protection of that budget last year and I will continue to do so into the future, not just because of homelessness, but because of the related impact of early intervention on substance misuse, on domestic...
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. You’ll be aware, alongside that, there are two other correlating budgets, particularly the homelessness prevention budget, which was cut by 8 per cent in the current year. A coalition of providers—Shelter Cymru, Llamau, GISDA, Digartref Ynys Môn and Dewis—have made the point that reducing the budget that supports key preventative services, which are integral to the outcome...
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Lywydd. In support of the ‘Let’s Keep on Supporting People’ campaign for 2017-18, which is now gathering speed, I visited a number of projects during the summer. In one, a recovering alcoholic told me that their Supporting People programme essentially saved their life: ‘with their support past and present I have the chance of a much better life’. The second—I won’t refer...
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. You replied to me by letter on 18 August after I’d written to you about the Confederation of Forest Industries—or ConFor—correspondence on obstacles to commercial woodland creation and management in Wales and some solutions. In your reply you said that your predecessor had replied to the same document in February, which, of course, he had, but they advise that he only replied...
Mark Isherwood: 8. How is the Welsh Government encouraging the creation of woodland spaces in Wales? OAQ(5)0022(ERA)
Mark Isherwood: Diolch, Lywydd. Our amendments 1 and 2 reflect the latest statistics from the Welsh national database for substance misuse, showing that only 13 per cent of individuals were deemed substance free by the end of treatment from 6,084 referrals to drug and alcohol agencies in Wales. The number of deaths from drug-related poisoning and drug misuse hit record levels in England and Wales last year....
Mark Isherwood: Thank you for your statement. My party, the Welsh Conservatives, do believe that Wales must benefit from at least as much funding as we go forward and we’ll continue to make those representations in our discussions here and elsewhere. You refer to your being pleased that the Treasury has announced that the common agricultural policy pillar 1 funding for farmers has been settled until 2020...
Mark Isherwood: I would call for a single statement on the north Wales growth deal. Shortly before recess, your colleague to your right, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, replied to me in the Chamber that ‘We very much hope that the growth deal bid will be submitted in full as a proposal to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by the end of this month.’ That is, July. In response to the...
Mark Isherwood: How do you respond to the submission by user groups in north-east Wales to the Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry on the Wales and borders franchise devolution to Wales that English bodies such as Rail North must have devolved franchise responsibility alongside the Welsh Government for those cross-border services, such as Wrexham-Bidston into England, which remain in the devolved franchise?
Mark Isherwood: 6. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's plans for future transport provision in North Wales? OAQ(5)0123(FM)
Mark Isherwood: Diolch. We propose that the National Assembly for Wales notes the centennial anniversaries of the battles of the Somme, Mametz Wood and the battle of Jutland, pays tribute to those who fought in these and other battles during the first world war and since, and honours the memory of both those who lost their lives and those who were casualties in the first world war, and other armed conflicts....
Mark Isherwood: Although many supported a ‘remain’ vote, Wales has voted to leave the EU and all views must be respected and heard. As negotiations in relation to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU progress, Wales will need strong leadership that reflects the wishes of its people and ensures the best deal for our nation in this new era. The Welsh Conservative group places a high value on access to the...
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. Well, as you’ll know, the north Wales health alliance has written to you—a broad coalition of campaigners and groups across the north Wales region—congratulating you on your appointment, saying that they hope we don’t see a repeat of some of the mistakes of the past and asking whether you will commit to holding meaningful consultations with patients before any major change...
Mark Isherwood: Welsh Government targets say that 95 per cent of patients should be seen within four hours, and none should wait 12 hours or more, but in the May figures you refer to, only 82.5 per cent were seen within four hours, in A&E units in north Wales, just 79.9 per cent—the worst in Wales. Eight hundred and fifty-six people in north Wales waited more than 12 hours, the highest level in Wales, with...
Mark Isherwood: Thank you. Well, as you know, in this morning’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee you made reference to mainline electrification, to proposals for a north Wales metro, and to investment in the A55. You also said a growth deal bid for north Wales needs to be submitted by end of this month. Given my understanding that the UK Government is offering additional funding, and that line...
Mark Isherwood: 4. How is the Welsh Government encouraging economic development in North Wales? OAQ(5)0023(EI)
Mark Isherwood: 7. How is the Welsh Government engaging with patients in North Wales? OAQ(5)0021(HWS)
Mark Isherwood: You referred to improved provision for disabled passengers, and comments have been made about that already. Will you ensure that your consideration includes sensory impairments—people with hearing and sight loss? Will you provide assurance that when the tender goes out that, in accordance with procurement requirements, this will be on a level playing field with no presumption of any...
