Jane Hutt: I think the point you make about adults particularly with learning difficulties is important. We’re committed, and this is an opportunity to restate—as a Welsh Government, we’re committed to ensuring everyone in Wales has an opportunity to access our education system. Of course, where specialist provision is identified, Ministers do consider applications and make every effort to respond...
Jane Hutt: Lynne Neagle raises a very important point, an opportunity for me to update on the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group consideration. They’re finalising, I understand, the scope and timelines for appraising Avastin. And, of course, this is a situation where we know that there is opportunity to make applications through the individual patient funding requests process, on patients’ behalf....
Jane Hutt: Well, Mark Isherwood does raise an important point, representing his constituents in north Wales, particularly regarding the North Wales Women’s Centre and its expertise. I, myself have met people when I had ministerial responsibility, to ensure that their voices, their experience and the needs of women who they represent and support are heard and influence not only Welsh Government policy,...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Simon Thomas. On your first question, in terms of the apprenticeship levy funding, you will know, and it has been reported back in questions that have been raised with the Minister for Skills and Science, about extensive discussions between the Welsh Government, devolved administrations and the UK Government since the apprenticeship levy was announced. I think we need to look...
Jane Hutt: Mike Hedges raises an important point where we do need to look to the national transport finance plan in terms of measures to ensure that the Swansea bay region is connected, as you say, in terms of openings of railway stations where appropriate, ensuring that, mainly, we do have a reliable, modern and integrated transport network. Of course, this is something that I know the city region...
Jane Hutt: Paul Davies does raise a very important issue, and indeed, as you have said, these closures, which are commercial decisions made by banks, do have a very negative impact on the communities that we serve. I understand that the three Lloyds Bank closures that you’re referring to in your constituency in Pembrokeshire are not due to take place until next spring, so I’m sure that you are...
Jane Hutt: Thank you for that question. In fact, this was raised a few weeks ago at a business statement looking at the experience in Glasgow of setting up such a unit. I did assure Members then that we would look at the results of that and take into account the experiences that neighbourhoods and communities, and indeed vulnerable children and young people, experience in terms of that situation.
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I’ve clarified the title of the education Secretary’s statement on the national strategy for small and rural schools this afternoon, and I’ve added an oral statement on employability to today’s agenda. Business for the next three weeks is as set out on the business statement and announcement found among the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: Formally move.
Jane Hutt: I think David Rees again raises a very important point for memory today, and the fact that it was on 8 November 2001 Corus UK Limited’s Port Talbot blast furnace No. 5 exploded with tragic consequences and three Corus employees lost their lives. It’s the impact of those tragic events that I think we will all want to remember today. Again, the Prime Minister did not—she made no...
Jane Hutt: I thank Julie Morgan for that question, adding her support to Bashir Nadir and also recognising this was raised last week in the Chamber. I was able to express our concerns. This is a non-devolved matter, but we are responsible for and we care about the people who live in our communities and have a very welcoming approach to asylum seekers and refugees in Wales, and use the powers that we...
Jane Hutt: This is a very important issue, and, indeed, you have demonstrated how successful it has been in terms of those public sector apprenticeships in one local authority, but, of course, this can be reflected across Wales. It is a matter for Caerphilly County Borough Council in terms of how they are managing what are very difficult times in terms of austerity, but, of course, as we go forward with...
Jane Hutt: The Member for Cardiff Central raises two very important points. The first one, of course, is about the ways in which we can encourage increases in both supply and consumption of vegetables and fruit. This is all part of the integrated supply chain approach the Welsh Government is taking with producers, working with producers, retailers, and the food service sector. But also this links to our...
Jane Hutt: Bethan Jenkins raises an important point. It was raised, I know, yesterday in the external affairs committee. I know that the First Minister responded to the point that was made about the fact that Theresa May has failed in her visit to India to make this all-important meeting contact with Tata Steel. It’s certainly been raised by David Rees as well. The First Minister said that this was...
Jane Hutt: Of course, Andrew R.T. Davies knows, and has participated in, taking through very progressive legislation in terms of planning, but, of course, I note his point, and I’m sure that the Cabinet Secretary would want to respond if asked a question at the appropriate time.
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I’ve added oral statements this afternoon on ‘Article 50 Intervention’ and ‘Superfast Broadband—The Next Steps’. Timings allocated to other agenda items have been amended accordingly, and, finally, the Business Committee has agreed to postpone tomorrow’s short debate. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement found among...
Jane Hutt: Thank you very much, Neil McEvoy. I think my response to Jenny Rathbone very clearly showed our support as a Welsh Government, but again, it’s very heartening to see that we have Members in our Assembly who can make these points. Although, of course, we haven’t got that responsibility for immigration, we have our responsibility to say what we think about the impact of immigration policy...
Jane Hutt: On your first point, Nick Ramsay, thank you for welcoming the embargoed statement on the specialist critical care centre and I’m sure you’ll be asking a question of the Cabinet Secretary in only a few minutes. Your second point—just a bit more about our small business rates relief. It will save small businesses in Wales from having to pay £100 million in tax, it will benefit a greater...
Jane Hutt: We do have a practice, which has worked for many years, where we supply the oral statements ahead of them being made. I think that’s a courtesy that our business managers welcome. And if there is a delay, then obviously that’s regrettable, and I would obviously want to hear of any such delay. But all oral statements are made available through the business managers, and I hope that this...
Jane Hutt: I’m grateful to Jenny Rathbone for bringing those points to our attention in the business statement today. Thank you for drawing our attention to the case, which I’m sure many of us have read about, of Bashir Naderi, and it’s heartening to see the support in the community and that’s expressed in the local media for Bashir Naderi and the support he’s had from his foster mother and...
