Luke Fletcher: Will the Minister provide an update on efforts to enroll Ukrainian refugee children in Welsh schools?
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer, and I thank the Minister for his statement today.
Luke Fletcher: As we already know, Wales is well positioned to play a global leading role in marine energy, with 1,200 km of coastline and up to 6 GW of generating capacity through the potential for wave and tidal stream. If we are to reach net zero by 2050, or perhaps before, we need to massively increase renewable energy generation in Wales. The Minister and Deputy Minister said in a letter to the Climate...
Luke Fletcher: —but the point is this: the UK is the outlier here. Yes, go on.
Luke Fletcher: Thanks for your intervention, Tom, and, again, you are right to point out that Venice is using it to dissuade tourism, but that is the whole point of tax: it's a lever to encourage people to either do something that is going to be positive for the community or to dissuade negative actions. That's the point here about tax, isn't it? We all know that that is the point of a tax. And, if we're...
Luke Fletcher: I think we can all agree that there is an issue that needs to be addressed when it comes to tourism, and that is its impact on local communities. The importance of the tourism industry to Wales is undisputed, but we must avoid the type of extractive tourism that uses Wales as a resource. We all share the ambition of seeing Wales as a top-quality sustainable tourism destination, but this...
Luke Fletcher: I would like to request a written statement from the Minister for Finance and Local Government on support for school transport providers. I've recently been contacted by Pencoed Travel and Cresta Coaches, who have raised concerns regarding the rise in fuel costs. Since their contracts were originally tendered, in June of last year, Pencoed Travel's fuel costs, for example, have risen by 40...
Luke Fletcher: In the first instance, as a member of the committee, I wanted to thank those who gave evidence and, of course, the clerks, et cetera, for their work on this and putting this report together. And, of course, thank you to our committee Chair for his work on this and presenting the report to the Senedd today. I wanted to touch on two particular aspects of the report. In the first instance, the...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Weinidog. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that this is my last question to you today. Jonathan Ridd, a director in the energy park, has said that small firms at the park will now have to foot the cost of diesel generators in order to continue operating, stating that given rising fuel costs some businesses will likely be paying up to eight times more for energy. This in turn puts...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you for that answer. The COVID pandemic has led to a dramatic change in the way we work. Whilst many will now be returning to the office, some workers will still be working from home and getting used to new, more flexible work practices. Whilst the flexibility is to be welcomed, this has led to a blurring of the lines between the work and the home environment in some cases. Countries...
Luke Fletcher: I have to say I find it difficult to accept that the Cardiff capital region isn't promoting low wages, and of course the explanation given by yourself as well yesterday in response to Paul Davies that the way this has been reported has been miscast, I hope you'd forgive me in saying that I find this nothing more than a bit of spin. I'll read directly from the prospectus, and I quote here:...
Luke Fletcher: —reflects the ongoing trend where wages in Wales have stagnated for far too long under successive Labour Governments. But I do hope that the Minister in his time in this portfolio will buck that trend, and I sincerely mean that. But how does he propose we tackle the brain drain when there are public bodies in Wales promoting a low-wage economy, and how can we measure his success? Because I...
Luke Fletcher: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, I listened with great interest to your response to Paul Davies, both yesterday and today, on the Cardiff capital region's absolutely shocking boast about relatively lower graduate pay in Cardiff compared to counterparts elsewhere in the UK. These comments, while supposedly to attract inward investors into the region, are ultimately insulting to our young...
Luke Fletcher: 6. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister for Health and Social Services regarding encouraging businesses to prioritise health and well-being in the workplace? OQ57836
Luke Fletcher: What assessment has the Welsh Government made of the impact the High Court decision relating to Baglan energy park will have on businesses? TQ611
Luke Fletcher: If I could start on the role of co-operatives, Wales was hit hard by the pandemic due to its relative income poverty compared to other UK countries. We know that the poorest communities have been affected most, with those in low-paid and precarious employment being most likely to be furloughed or lose their jobs. As we look to recover from the economic damage of the pandemic, we should be...
Luke Fletcher: Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd, and thank you, Minister, for your statement. There is no doubt that the past two years have been challenging for the economy, and therefore it's important that we do look to the future in order to strengthen our economy and hopefully safeguard for the future as best we can. There are things to welcome, of course. As a member of the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs...
Luke Fletcher: What support does the Welsh Government provide to shorten supply chains within Wales?
Luke Fletcher: We've talked in this Chamber about education being an equaliser; with a great education, no matter your background, in theory, you can and will achieve whatever you set your mind to. Now, there's a lot to say on this statement, not least on the specific topic that we're debating today. Schools are assumed to be places of equity, where the potential of all is nurtured equally. And I don't...
Luke Fletcher: I'm sure the Minister is aware of the work by the Bevan Foundation on the Welsh benefits system. Their analysis of the current situation is that although the Welsh Government has provided unprecedented levels of support, efforts are undermined by the complex way in which support is administered. The foundation suggests that a low-income family with two children would have to present nine...
