Jane Hutt: I thank Lynne Neagle for that question. I think, since being made aware of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s Flaw in the Law campaign, officials have been in touch with the Ministry of Justice office to look at the current position regarding the commencement of section 67 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, which Lynne Neagle draws our attention to today. We’re...
Jane Hutt: Sian Gwenllian was able to ask a question following the urgent question today, and I think it’s important that we note your further points on the business statement. I’m going to again repeat that, over the last two years, the Welsh Government has had various discussions with S4C and other partners involved in the move of its HQ to Carmarthen, and those wider developments at the site. But...
Jane Hutt: I thank Mark Isherwood for both those questions and points on the business statement—and, of course, acknowledging that you were also present, Mark, at the cross-party group on haemophilia and contaminated blood—but also the opportunity to draw Members’ attention to the statement that was made by the Minister for Social Services and Public Health on 23 November, the statement on sexual...
Jane Hutt: I think that Mike Hedges would have been very pleased that his calls for recognition of a Swansea bay city region and the prospects for a deal in relation to the region have been heeded because of the hard work led by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government in partnership with, of course, the authorities leading the city region proposals. So, I think the fact that it was...
Jane Hutt: I think the most important point that came out of the debate—the outcome of the debate—last week, was the agreement that a survey of female councillors would be useful and, of course, that was a positive outcome that will be taken forward. I think, in terms of your issues in terms of substance misuse and concerns about it, particularly in communities and how communities are affected by...
Jane Hutt: I think, in response to your first point, Andrew R.T. Davies, clearly, this is a very important issue. There is a cross-party group, which has been—indeed, we have been working very hard to find a way forward. But, as I said earlier on, the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport is consulting on the way forward, and we are in line, at present, with the arrangements that are...
Jane Hutt: I thank the Member for that question. Julie Morgan, of course, has been chairing the cross-party group on haemophilia and contaminated blood since she was elected to this Chamber, and I indeed joined that meeting last week at the end of the meeting and saw not just the strength of numbers, but the strength of feelings and experience. Of course, the Cabinet Secretary was there for that...
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, the only change I have to this week's business is to reduce the time allocated to the Counsel General for questions tomorrow. 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: Diolch yn fawr, Lywydd. Cabinet Secretary, I’m very pleased that you were able to go to Mbale to see for yourself, first-hand, the very good work of the Wales for Africa programme there, and, indeed, to help strengthen the links. I was fortunate to visit there myself a few years ago as environment Minister, and I’m familiar with the great work of PONT and all those volunteers from...
Jane Hutt: Suzy Davies does raise a very important point. There is a vast amount of voluntary activity going on across Wales. There is a strategic approach and, actually, that strategic approach includes the third sector as well as the statutory sector in terms of emergency response. It is prevention, it is about training and, particularly, in terms of life-saving techniques being spread through...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Nick Ramsay, and I have already, in answer to Huw Irranca-Davies, said that the Cabinet Secretary will make a statement. I think it’s appropriate for her to make a statement following her written statement when some of those investigations have taken place by local authorities and by Natural Resources Wales so that we can respond in terms of what may be in the planning in terms...
Jane Hutt: It does go back to—as the First Minister said in response to a question from the leader of Plaid Cymru—what intervention, what levers and what powers we’ve got. Of course, he did mention the possible prospect of the devolution of those powers. It is obviously of huge significance and importance, and the First Minister did say that in response to the question this afternoon. I’m sure...
Jane Hutt: Mark Isherwood does raise a question that, of course, is being considered through consultation. That is the way in which we certainly want to take forward Government policy: as a result of consultation. Particularly consulting and engaging with those who are experts in the field, and of course that’s what the Cabinet Secretary will be doing.
Jane Hutt: On your first question, you will be aware, of course, I know, of our substance misuse delivery plan and that’s the delivery plan from 2016 to 2018, ‘Working Together to Reduce Harm’, which is precisely why that delivery plan is so important, in terms of answering your question. It does explain what the Welsh Government’s doing over the next two years to improve the outcomes of those...
Jane Hutt: The Member does raise an important point about a project in his region, which clearly has beneficial outcomes. You will know that the communities Secretary is seeking views on the impact of the possible phasing out of Communities First, and really seeking views, of course, for communities’ representatives to respond to, so that they can have their say in terms of those areas of investment...
Jane Hutt: Huw Irranca-Davies raises an important point, and I’d like to add my thanks to the services that came out to support constituents in my area who were flooded, including many volunteers as well, such as the Cardiff and Vale Rescue Association, who played their part as well. The written statement was produced by Lesley Griffiths, the Cabinet Secretary, yesterday, and she will want to give an...
Jane Hutt: Steffan Lewis raises an important point in terms of our relationship in terms of powers and responsibilities for procurement with the MOD contract that, of course, we would seek to influence within the responsibilities and powers that we have to make sure that it is indeed a level playing field. But, obviously, this is something that the Cabinet Secretary will take a note of in terms of the...
Jane Hutt: As you say, there is significant pressure across the UK in terms of calls on our accident and emergency services, and the impact that that has on ambulance services. But as the Member will be aware, and as Members across the Chamber will be aware, we do have escalation plans. All health boards have escalation plans that are used when there’s rising demand, particularly when there are...
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I’ve added an oral statement on the Diamond review of higher education and student finance arrangements in Wales to today’s agenda. The Business Committee has agreed to reduce time allocated to Assembly Commission questions tomorrow. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement announcement, found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: Dirprwy Lywydd, I’m very glad to have the opportunity to respond to this debate on behalf of the Welsh Government today and thank Steffan Lewis for moving this motion today, which we support. And I thank Members also for their contributions to this very important debate. Of course, I need to state at the outset that pensions aren’t devolved and are matters for the UK Government. However,...
