Jane Hutt: Well, Mark Isherwood, you do raise two important points. The first one, of course, we will be—. The Minister has issued a written statement on the additional learning needs Bill and, of course, has incorporated as well how we are going to take forward and handle issues relating to the all-important issue of education and young adults with additional learning needs, and also in particular in...
Jane Hutt: Well, of course, you have got the opportunity this afternoon, Suzy Davies, to question Alun Davies on his statement on Welsh language policy priorities.
Jane Hutt: Well, I thank Simon Thomas for his two questions on the business statement. I’m looking at the first question. The Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs will be very keen to respond to this all-important report that was published today on climate change. It’s welcome that they recognise the position of Wales in that report. Of course, she will be responding to that. Of course, in...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr. I’ve made several changes to this week’s business. The First Minister will make a statement, shortly, on our priorities for Government. This will be followed by a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on the child practice review on the death of Dylan Seabridge. The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport will then make a statement on...
Jane Hutt: Right, I think on that note we can conclude. I thank the Secretary of State for his attendance today. It may be the last Queen’s Speech debate here, but he can be assured that the Welsh Government, the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee and the Assembly will work together to monitor the UK legislative programme, promote Welsh interests in the future and go from here today with...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr. I’d like to thank the Secretary of State for Wales for his participation in the debate today, and for his response as well, and Members for their contributions to the debate as well. Of course, as has been said, today, the annual debate on the UK Government’s legislative programme has become a regular fixture in the Assembly’s calendar, but if all goes well, as everyone...
Jane Hutt: Well, of course, Andrew R.T. Davies knows that the non-domestic rates, business rates, were fully devolved on 1 April 2015. Now, Welsh Government is responsible for all aspects of management of the non-domestic rates pool. And, of course, that includes risks associated with balancing income reliefs and payments. So, revaluation of non-domestic properties is currently under way and will come...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Mark Isherwood, for drawing attention to the Stand Up to Bullying Day, the focus today that, I know, we would all share. Indeed, I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children is looking at the policies—it’s something that, actually, is shared across the Cabinet; the education Secretary, of course—in terms of tackling bullying. We have a week’s focus in...
Jane Hutt: This is something where, of course, we want to ensure that people can attend those local fanzones. They’ve become extremely popular. It’s obviously for the local authorities to ensure that arrangements are made, and to actually provide funding support for them. Also, of course, fans can enjoy the game by supporting local businesses, pubs and restaurants as well. But I think on the point...
Jane Hutt: Well, the Member for Newport East does raise some very important questions, particularly looking at that recent ONS survey. It did present the latest figures on avoidable mortality for England and Wales, and it did show those 2014 figures for the first time. But the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport did make an oral statement recently on the headline messages from the Welsh...
Jane Hutt: Well, I’m sure that the Minister for communities and children would welcome that opportunity to clarify how seriously the Welsh Government takes its commitment to the UNCRC, to ensure that children’s rights underline all our policy objectives, and, indeed, financial and budgetary purposes and objectives as well. That is part of our strategic integrated impact assessment, and, of course,...
Jane Hutt: Of course, Huw Irranca-Davies, and others in this Chamber, will have the opportunity to extend that invitation again very visibly and vocally tomorrow afternoon, in the Queen’s Speech debate. I can understand your disappointment that the invitation to the Secretary of State for Wales has been declined, because it is so important, and in our mutual best interest, to progress with the Wales...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Nick Ramsay. I’m sure the Gwent Music showcase was a tremendous display of talent and skill, but also of the professional expertise and commitment that went in from the music and education professions. And, of course, it would have been a partnership, I’m sure, with local government, as well as schools, and I know the Cabinet Secretary will be very interested to see the outcome...
Jane Hutt: Diolch yn fawr, Simon Thomas. In response to your first question, as you’ve said, and as has been acknowledged this afternoon, the First Minister and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, did meet yesterday key figures from Wales’s environment and agricultural sectors, particularly focusing on the implications of the UK’s decision to leave the...
Jane Hutt: I thank Julie Morgan for that question. I know she has raised this on a regular basis in support of ensuring that there was a resolution to the national museum dispute. Of course, the Welsh Government offered support and also facilitated discussions to bring the parties together and to bring the dispute to an end, and, indeed, provided some additional funding to the national museum to assist...
Jane Hutt: I’ve one change to today’s business. The statement on housing and homelessness has been withdrawn. Additionally, 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 the meeting papers available to Members electronically.
Jane Hutt: Well, I think, Nick Ramsay, we share concerns about the prospects and future of this all-important city deal, which I know your local authority is strongly supportive of and was engaged in ensuring that we secured and we got that bid of the 10 local authorities. This, of course, is something as well where we look to the response from the Chancellor as well as the impact post-Brexit, but I...
Jane Hutt: I’m glad that this has been brought to our attention this afternoon, because this is something where, you know, that uncertainty needs to be addressed. The company has begun consultations with trade unions and other stakeholders, which Joyce Watson will be aware of. That consultation could see a reduction in the workforce, but my understanding is that restoration finance has been accruing...
Jane Hutt: Thank you for your questions. I think, just in terms of the first point, of course, as you say, there was consultation on the refreshed all-Wales autistic spectrum disorder action plan that led up to the Assembly elections. The results of that consultation, of course, will be published, and the refreshed plan will be published also later this year. This is £6 million that was announced by...
Jane Hutt: Thank you, Bethan Jenkins. I think it’s very important to recognise that Tata Steel has stated that its top priority is the safety and health of all those who work in and with the group. It’s a COMAH—control of major accident hazards regulations—1 site; it’s heavily regulated, of course, as you will acknowledge, in terms of health and safety. But my understanding is that the unions...
