Jane Hutt: I thank Darren Millar for his questions. I will draw the attention of the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs to your questions and concerns about the future of the timber industry in Wales. This is something that I’m sure, if there is a specific issue in your area, in your constituency, you would want to raise with her anyway. And, of course, the Minister for skills is so...
Jane Hutt: I’ve several changes to report to this week’s business, Llywydd. I’ve extended to 45 minutes the time allocated to the oral statement on the consultation on the draft dementia strategic action plan for Wales. I’ve added an oral statement on avian influenza, and an oral statement on the new treatment fund. And, finally, as no questions have been tabled for answer by the Assembly...
Jane Hutt: I thank Mark Isherwood for that question, because it does provide us with an opportunity to remember and reflect on the fact that 3 December was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. And, of course, this is where, in fact, in responding to the previous question, there is an opportunity in Wales, I believe, in developing our code of practice, for example, for ethical procurement,...
Jane Hutt: I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for that question. I’m glad to hear that you had a very successful event at lunch time. I am very pleased to confirm that sustainable procurement is at the heart of our Wales procurement policy statement, which was published last year in June 2015. I think that if we look at the issue in relation to sustainable risk assessments of all our contracts and frameworks,...
Jane Hutt: This is a business statement for the business of this National Assembly for Wales and for the Welsh Government, and I did respond to this question appropriately a few weeks ago.
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Lywydd. I’ve no changes to report to this week’s business, and business for the first three weeks of the new term is shown on the business statement and announcement found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: Well, you know, as the Cabinet Secretary said yesterday, that Wales now has a clear direction of travel. We have plans in place to develop an excellent professional workforce and we know what we want our new curriculum to deliver. And of course the OECD is very clear that we’re on the right track, and we are investing more in education. I will remind the leader of the Welsh Conservatives of...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. I do welcome this debate today. It provides us with the opportunity to respond to what can only be described as a missed opportunity by the UK Government. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government issued a written statement on the day of the autumn statement setting out the implications for Wales. He also had the opportunity in the Chamber yesterday to...
Jane Hutt: Formally.
Jane Hutt: Well, of course, Nick Ramsay is very vigilant in raising issues on behalf of his constituency and also, on a number of occasions, about the needs of your constituency in relation to infrastructure developments such as the south Wales metro. Of course, I know that the First Minister has responded in part this afternoon to questions and is, of course, looking at the issues relating to being...
Jane Hutt: That question does relate to Natural Resources Wales and their responsibilities. I’m sure you would want to raise this with the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs.
Jane Hutt: Yes, we need to be very clear about this point. Of course, the Cabinet Secretary has got his oral questions tomorrow, but he will also ensure that he will make it clear, in an answer to that question, Steffan Lewis, in writing, following today’s business statement.
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Andrew R.T. Davies, for your questions. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure has met Ford’s senior manager in Europe, and is fully engaged in securing the engine plants in Bridgend. On your second point, as you are well aware, there has been a consultation in terms of the business rates and the transitional relief. Of course, we note your comments. The First...
Jane Hutt: I have no changes to report to this week’s business 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: Yes, and I think, Nick Ramsay, I did say we’re not complacent, we have more to learn and we would want to look at the evidence. Clearly, that’s the case. As I’ve said, we do have new developments to bring forward in terms of new patient pathways that can help prevent sight loss, and better support for people living with low vision. I’m very conscious of the fact that Mark Isherwood...
Jane Hutt: Can I begin by thanking the Member for Monmouth, Nick Ramsay, for raising this important matter and using the short debate during National Eye Health Week? I’m very grateful to him for highlighting the significant impact that low vision and sight loss has on people. Improving access to services for this group in all aspects of Welsh life is so important, as you so adequately have...
Jane Hutt: The Member raises two important issues. On your first point, of course, in terms of AF and the prevention and detection to prevent strokes—that is a very important point. I think it’s important to note that, from the most recent stroke annual report, over the last 10 years, survival rates following a stroke for people aged 74 and under have improved and the number of people dying from...
Jane Hutt: There’s no question that the Cabinet Secretary will want to engage, as he has shown this afternoon, and update Members accordingly.
Jane Hutt: I thank Simon Thomas for raising that today. In fact, Lesley Griffiths, the Cabinet Secretary, was at the Royal Welsh winter fair yesterday. I think it was warmly welcomed; her announcement about payments by 1 December was warmly welcomed—I certainly read the quotes from the farmers’ unions—and recognising, once more, that agriculture is a fully devolved matter and has been since 1999...
Jane Hutt: The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children did make a full statement on this last week. I haven’t got the Record of Proceedings in front of me; I’m sure you asked questions of the Cabinet Secretary at that time. This is an important scheme that was backed in terms of legislation, progressive legislation, on this side of the Chamber, and, of course, in terms of implementation,...
