Jane Hutt: I thank the Member for those questions, and I also thank Mark Isherwood for drawing attention to the national awareness day yesterday for a condition that I’m sure many of us in this Chamber were not aware of—and to see that this is a condition, in terms of fragility, that affects a person’s life chances, and it affects many more people than we perhaps would have been aware of. So, I...
Jane Hutt: I thank Julie Morgan for that question and acknowledge that I know the Cabinet Secretary for health would also acknowledge your close involvement and support, particularly for those who have been affected—and the Haemophilia Wales group has welcomed the statement issued last week. And, of course, it does bring an end to uncertainty, as the Member says, about the level of financial support...
Jane Hutt: Well, this is a matter for the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure in terms of responsibilities for trunk roads and guidance to local authorities in terms of maintenance and management. Of course, there are risk assessments, as you will be aware, in terms of safety for pedestrians and, indeed, for all who travel on trunk roads and, indeed, on local road networks as well. So, I...
Jane Hutt: Well, I think, Steffan Lewis, you have raised a very important point about opportunities for bidding appropriately, as I'm sure we would do so, in terms of search an event—and take on board your preference in terms of Newport.
Jane Hutt: Llywydd, I have two changes to make to today’s agenda. The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children will make a statement on resilient communities and, after today’s debate, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs will make a statement on last week’s oil spill at Nantycaws in Carmarthenshire. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement...
Jane Hutt: David Rees, you have always consistently brought forward an update from your perspective in terms of steel in your constituency, Tata and the people you represent, and I’m grateful for that again today. Of course, actually, cross-party groups are very helpful, aren’t they; they’re a forum where everybody can meet together and where Ministers and Cabinet Secretaries make themselves...
Jane Hutt: I’m sure, Nick Ramsay, you would recognise how open the Cabinet Secretary has been in updating and clarifying progress on the SCCC business case. It has been a matter of updating on progress. Recent discussions at the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee confirmed the fact that advice is due this month, in October 2016, and, again, promising to update Assembly Members accordingly at that...
Jane Hutt: Certainly, I think we’re all very disappointed that electrification between Cardiff and Swansea won’t be completed by 2018 as we were originally promised and as was originally planned, but the Cabinet Secretary is indeed meeting with the Secretary of State for Transport, and it’s very helpful to have your intervention today on the business statement, Jeremy Miles, because I’m sure...
Jane Hutt: I think my response earlier on to Bethan Jenkins is sufficient in relation to the first point in terms of ABM university health board. On your second point, I also attended a very important event in my constituency of the over-50s strategy, which has developed from our very pioneering older people’s strategy here in the Assembly. It’s very important that there is continuity, Mark...
Jane Hutt: Well, I don’t think we in this Chamber—I’m certain I speak for many of us here, as well as the public outside—will have much of a problem that UKIP isn’t taking part in the debate this afternoon. You are losing as a result of this; you are losing a really important parliamentary opportunity. I think the more experienced or, perhaps, mature parties in this Chamber will be taking...
Jane Hutt: The First Minister did respond to a question from Simon Thomas, and there was a further question from Russell George. I think the important thing to repeat from his response is that we are looking for a legislative solution to the issue of reclassification. Housing associations—again, it’s important to put this on the record—can be confident it will be resolved. They will be able to...
Jane Hutt: Thank you. The Member for north Wales does raise a very important issue in relation to nursing homes in the care sector and, of course, as he says, these are homes often in the independent private sector. I’m interested to see the views of Care Forum Wales and Mario Kreft, who you will know well, in terms of the importance of the care sector, and also recognising that our inspectors and the...
Jane Hutt: Well, Bethan Jenkins raises two matters, the first of which is a matter for ABM university health board, and of course it would be inappropriate to comment on that matter, which is for them to deal with. You’ve raised it today, so it has had that airing, but it is a matter for the health board to deal with and resolve. Your second matter is of course specifically a matter for the local...
Jane Hutt: Diolch, Lywydd. I’ve two changes to make to today’s agenda. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure will make a statement on the M4 immediately after the business statement, and the statement on the national infrastructure commission for Wales has been postponed until 18 October. Business for the next three weeks is as shown on the business statement and announcement, found...
Jane Hutt: Well, you certainly have welcomed the commitments that we have made, Darren Millar, in terms of the health service. But, also, I think and I recall that you welcomed the fact that we, the Welsh Labour Government, actually put money into social care, which, of course, in England is now being cut, resulting in people remaining in hospital because there is no funding for social care. The Welsh...
Jane Hutt: Of course, in the last term of Government, we set out a target of 10,000 affordable homes. We achieved over 9,000 in the first four years—actually, the statistics for last year are being released in a couple of weeks’ time. I’m confident they’ll show we’ve exceeded the target. [Interruption.] No, I want to finish my point for David Melding. This is very important, because this is an...
Jane Hutt: Dirprwy Lywydd, I’m very pleased to respond to this very lively debate this afternoon. Thank you for wishing the Government well, Andrew R.T. Davies, in delivering this programme for government. We have provided a very clear statement to the people of Wales about what this Government stands for—what this Government stands for and what our principles are and what actions we intend to take....
Jane Hutt: The Member does raise an important issue and it is something in terms of Historic Wales and where we can move forward on that, obviously with full consultation and opportunities for committee consideration; I’m sure there will be an appropriate time to bring a statement to this Chamber.
Jane Hutt: Well, of course, the First Minister and the Welsh Government’s view on freedom of movement has been articulated a number of times, not only by the First Minister, but by other Ministers as well. This is a very serious issue, it’s a sensitive issue, and it’s an issue where we have to look at this in terms of fairness, proportionality, and also recognising the views of people in Wales. I...
Jane Hutt: Of course, Nick Ramsay, this is a very important point that you’ve brought to us today in terms of recognising and giving our deepest sympathies to the family of Ann Wilkinson. That’s the important point from what you’ve said today, what you’ve brought to us today, and that you were at Ann Wilkinson’s funeral. Of course, we do wish, I’m sure, as a whole Assembly, to recognise her...
