Rebecca Evans: I absolutely agree, of course, with everything that Dawn Bowden has said and her complete disdain for the comments from former Prime Minister David Cameron that he should have made bigger and faster cuts. Those are exactly the kind of comments that we would imagine from somebody who has no idea of the impact that cuts have on ordinary people's lives, no idea of the impact that it has on the...
Rebecca Evans: Well, I very much enjoyed the fiscal and economic lecture from Mark Reckless and I’ll give him one back, because the UK economy has underperformed relative to all other major economies since the decision to call the EU referendum was announced in 2015. Since the referendum itself, GDP—and Mark Reckless wanted to talk about GDP—is estimated to be between 1 and 2 percentage points lower...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Mike Hedges for raising those points, and also for pointing out again that austerity is a political choice and nothing more than that. It's certainly not a necessity. In terms of whether the UK Government share their workings out with us, well, that goes back to those comparability factors that the UK Government uses in order to work out our Barnett share for the various departments,...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Rhun ap Iorwerth for raising those issues. The first was to recognise that the UK Government had announced a further £2 billion in 2021 to respond to the likely effects of leaving the EU, but I think it's really important to recognise there that, based on what the Chancellor has said, it's likely that Wales won't see—or certainly Welsh Government won't see—much of that funding,...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Nick Ramsay for his contribution. Very interesting, the rewriting of history at the very start, confirming, in his view, that it was profligate spending rather than a global economic downturn that affected the economy in the UK, but we'll put that to one side and consider the other questions that were asked. The first was what kind of engagement we've had with the UK Government in...
Rebecca Evans: Diolch. I am today providing Members with a further statement on the UK Government’s spending round, the implications for Wales and the actions that we as a Government are taking to respond to the UK Government’s unpredictable approach to public finances. On 4 September, the Chancellor of the Exchequer presented the UK Government’s spending round, setting out its spending plans for...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, John Griffiths, for highlighting that report. As you'll be aware, the First Minister has asked every member of the Cabinet to take responsibility for one of the cross-cutting areas of Government, to ensure that we are maximising all of the work that we do across different departments. I was given the role of taking on the employability and skills agenda as part of that...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Jack, for raising that and I think that you've said that much more eloquently than I could, but I would certainly pay tribute to everything that you've said and give our backing, as Welsh Government, to the concern that you have for this issue and share your gratitude and your thanks to everybody who does provide that listening ear to people who are in those very dark situations....
Rebecca Evans: Thank you for raising this really important issue of the fight against knife crime. I know it's something that the police and crime commissioner has also taken a particular interest in—the south Wales police and crime commissioner who covers your area. I'll ask Ministers what might be the best and most appropriate way forward in terms of engaging with the interested parties on the fight...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Jenny Rathbone for raising the issue and for associating herself with Nick Ramsay's comments on e-cigarettes and the concern about what we've seen in the United States. We are working with partners to agree a common position, based on the best and most recent evidence. And, obviously, I think the Welsh Government will be keen to share that common position when we have arrived at it....
Rebecca Evans: With regard to your interest in Ineos—and I'm aware of the FT article as well—I know that when there is an announcement to be made, the economy and transport Minister will make that announcement. With regard to the eating disorders framework, I'm advised by the health Minister that he will be making a public statement in the coming weeks.
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much for raising those issues. The Minister for Health and Social Services is currently consulting on the next substance misuse delivery plan, so I think that would be an opportunity for Mark Isherwood to explore that plan to ensure that he's satisfied that it addresses the kind of issues that he described relating to drug poisoning. So, any contribution that he would have to...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Joyce Watson, for raising this issue. She's quite right that 33 job losses in a fairly small community can have a huge impact on that community and the life of that community. I'll ask the Minister for Economy and Transport to provide you with an update on the discussions that Welsh Government has had and any support that can be given to the affected workers.
Rebecca Evans: The Minister for Economy and Transport will be making a statement on a railway for Wales in Plenary next Tuesday, so this would be a good opportunity to hear from him on those concerns.
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Mohammad Asghar. Of course, the Deputy Minister is here to hear your comments, but clearly it is a matter of regret that the equality impact assessment relating to the 2016 action plan to advance the equality of transgender people cannot be located. However, it is important to note that the action plan focused on training, support and awareness raising, and challenging transphobic...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you, Mike. I think in the first instance it might be helpful if I liaise with my colleague Julie James to offer a technical briefing from the appropriate officers within planning in order to have that opportunity to ask the detailed questions that you have.
Rebecca Evans: Transport for Wales is managing the issue of the new-style concessionary travel cards across Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government and the 22 local authorities. The scheme is still owned by the local councils. The new-style cards will offer the same free travel rights and benefits as the current card, and the new-style cards are required because the current bus passes won't be recognised on...
Rebecca Evans: Unfortunately, we did have to move the item, as I illustrated at the start of the business statement today—the item on oral health amongst children—to a written statement, and that was to accommodate the statement that I'll be making this afternoon on the impacts for us of the spending round and, obviously, the statement that the Minister will be making on Brexit. I understand, probably...
Rebecca Evans: Thank you very much to Nick Ramsay for raising those issues. The first related to public transport in south-east Wales and your interest in a hub at the Celtic Manor at the new convention centre, and also ensuring that public transport is at a convenient time for people to be able to get both to and from work. I'll ask the Minister for transport to provide you with an update on the latest...
Rebecca Evans: I thank Dai Rees for raising those issues. I know that you have also written directly to the Minister for Economy and Transport outlining your support for the Rhondda tunnel proposal and your concerns about the ownership, and so on. I can say that, as you’re probably aware, Welsh Government has funded work on a high-level business case for the project as well as providing subsequent funding...
