Jane Hutt: Well, of course, I’m sure you would join me, Mohammad Asghar, in decrying the continued anti-austerity policies of the UK Government, which result in tough, tough budget decisions that we have to make. Of course, that does have an impact on our local authorities as well. You draw attention to some of those impacts and the difficulties in terms of priorities. I know that you will also...
Jane Hutt: I think we’ve had a lot of useful debates recently, Mike Hedges, particularly looking at the, as you say—. This is something where we’re looking across mental health, obesity, and physical activity. I think the chief medical officer’s report was very important. Healthy living has to be a Welsh Government priority. You’ve always drawn our attention to this in terms of wanting a...
Jane Hutt: I think, Steffan Lewis, your point on the threat to—well, indeed, it was closed, unfortunately—that community asset, that cinema in your region, is very important. The ownership of that cinema, I’m not aware—I’m sure the Cabinet Secretary will be and, indeed, the local authority, I’m sure, will be aware of this. This is something where, if it’s in the private sector, it’s more...
Jane Hutt: Well, Darren Millar, of course, in order to deliver in terms of pressures, particularly at this point of the year, in our health services, then, at times, health boards do have to make use of consultants to ensure that we are responding and providing the best service to our patients. On your second point, yes, we all welcome initiatives such as the one that Jo Stevens drew attention to in...
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I have several changes to report to this week’s business. Immediately after this business statement, the Counsel General will make a statement on this morning’s Supreme Court judgement on article 50, after which the First Minister will make a statement on ‘Securing Wales’ Future’ and the transition from the European Union to a new relationship with Europe. In order to...
Jane Hutt: Well, obviously, that incident raises great concern not only for the people who are affected, but in terms of the long-term viability of that infrastructure. I certainly will share this with the Cabinet Secretary to look at. I’ve already mentioned coastal defences, but in terms of our investment—our record investment—in high quality flood defence programmes across Wales, just to say...
Jane Hutt: Vikki Howells raises a very important issue in terms of our very successful policy for free swimming, not just for children but for older people as well, over-60s, which is very well used for that age group. But it is worth reflecting on, and, in fact, the Minister for Social Services and Public Health has asked her officials to look at the fact that there has been a decline in the use of...
Jane Hutt: I’m very much aware, Darren Millar, of your concern about the first question, which really is concerned with coastal defences. In your constituency, in Old Colwyn in particular, we are preparing for £150 million investment with local authorities, as you’re aware, in coastal risk management projects and also supporting local authorities to develop business cases for potential projects....
Jane Hutt: I think the issue around hospital car parking is an issue that, of course, has caused some concern, not just to patients and staff, but I know this has been dealt with by the health board.
Jane Hutt: Of course, Mike Hedges has championed the tidal lagoons, alongside Simon Thomas and the Welsh Government. The determination of the marine licence application is undertaken by Natural Resources Wales. There is cross-party support, I would say, and clearly now we need to get on with this, but obviously this is for Natural Resources Wales. Let’s again look at the great potential that the...
Jane Hutt: Andrew R.T. Davies raises two important points, and, of course, I very much welcome the fact that you recognise that this is a significant uplift in terms of business rates. Its importance, I think, is over and above the £10 million transitional relief. The consultation, of course, had an impact and we know that constituents and businesses across Wales responded. Of course, the detail of how...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr, Simon Thomas. Those are two very important questions. Of course, we very much welcome, and the Welsh Government welcomed, the fact that the Charles Hendry review last week supported the case for developing a tidal lagoon energy industry in the UK. And, of course, this has been very much supported by our new programme for government, ‘Taking Wales Forward’, and also...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. I have one change to report to this week’s business. I’ve reduced the time allocated to the Counsel General’s oral Assembly questions tomorrow, and business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I’m very grateful to Joyce Watson for giving us the opportunity to discuss the challenges we face in tackling the issue of loneliness in our Welsh communities. Our communities have traditionally been, and continue to be, places where people look out for and help each other. But, as society changes, a growing number of people are experiencing...
Jane Hutt: Diolch.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Russell George. The Cabinet Secretary has been able to respond positively to your first question. On your second question, I think it is a matter of clarifying what the reasons are for that cancellation, because, clearly, as you said, there’s a very positive response to the use of our forests for these championships, which are welcome. But, there are reasons for cancellations,...
Jane Hutt: I’m glad to find that you do welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s written statement, clarifying many points that you have raised with him. I know that there will be opportunities and questions to the Cabinet Secretary and, indeed, I’m sure, in appearances at committee as well on this matter.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Suzy Davies, for those three questions, and thank you for welcoming the fact that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government did announce that extra, new non-domestic rates relief scheme for the high street—part of the Welsh Government’s final budget laid on 20 December. I know it has been widely welcomed. Clearly, this is going to be delivered. It’s a targeted...
Jane Hutt: Thank you to Jeremy Miles for drawing this to our attention. Of course, Members will be aware that the apprenticeship levy will be paid by any organisation that has a payroll in excess of £3 million per year. The levy is an employment tax. It’s been introduced by the Westminster Parliament; it applies to the whole of the UK. In Wales, schools, of course, are maintained by local...
Jane Hutt: Well, thank you for that question. Following initial investigations into allegations concerning possible misuse of public funds at NSA Afan, we’ve suspended funding whilst further investigations are undertaken. We’re exploring ways to safeguard the provision of services, which you raise. But it is important that we exercise our duty to protect taxpayers’ money from potentially...
