Paul Davies: Well, the Member needs to read our motion, because the original motion recognises that free ports are an important aspect of developing our economy. And the Member surely recognises that the original motion is not controversial in any sense and merely seeks to demonstrate support for the free-port programme from this Senedd. It certainly doesn't warrant an attempt to delete any part of it. ...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd, and I move the motion tabled in the name of my colleague, Darren Millar. It gives me great pleasure to lead a debate on the benefits of free ports and to again highlight the excellent bids that have been submitted from all parts of Wales. We will be voting against the two amendments tabled, and I am disappointed that they have been tabled in the first place, as they...
Paul Davies: Will the Minister outline the Welsh Government's priorities for education in Preseli Pembrokeshire for the next 12 months?
Paul Davies: Some provisions of this framework Bill will replace clauses in the UK Agriculture Act 2020 that are due to expire under a sunset clause at the end of 2024. With some exceptions, these clauses mirror the powers that Welsh Ministers currently have under that UK Act. However, it should be noted that this Bill is particularly broad in scope, and it introduces some significant new elements. These...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. This Bill and this debate mark a very important moment for Welsh agriculture, the environment and, indeed, the Welsh economy. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, it’s the first time that the Senedd is considering legislation for a wholly made-in-Wales agricultural policy. The policy framework set out in this Bill is intended to last for many years to come....
Paul Davies: Thank you for that response, Minister. As you know, there are concerns over primary healthcare services in Solva in my constituency, following the news that the GP partner has announced her retirement. Hywel Dda University Health Board has held some public engagement on this development and was writing to all patients registered at the surgery, and that's extremely important, as the local...
Paul Davies: As I said, I look forward to that refresh as soon as possible. Minister, it's crucial that the Welsh Government is using the levers that it has to help support our manufacturing sector, and a refresh of that action plan, of course, is a welcome start. Earlier this month, Steve Dalton, the former managing director of Bridgend's Sony factory, rightly said that there was a future for Welsh...
Paul Davies: It seems to me that the Minister doesn't know when he is going to launch this refresh, but I hope very much that it will be very, very soon. A key part of the current manufacturing action plan is building supply chain resilience. Of course, the Welsh Government could use the levers it has to reform the planning system in order to strengthen and develop our supply chain. One of the points...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Minister, at the start of this month, you announced that you'd be launching a refreshed manufacturing action plan setting out the Welsh Government's ambitions for the manufacturing sector. Can you confirm when that action plan will be published?
Paul Davies: 6. What is the Welsh Government doing to improve health services in Preseli Pembrokeshire? OQ59024
Paul Davies: You wouldn't be surprised to hear me say that, yes, I would agree with you on that basis, because I'd like to see a Celtic free port, and, of course, I would also support your endeavours as well and your MP Virginia Crosbie's endeavours to make sure that there's a free port also in Holyhead. One of the important levers to get floating offshore wind into Wales is, of course, free ports, as...
Paul Davies: Yes, I'm more than happy to take an intervention.
Paul Davies: It gives me great pleasure to take part in this afternoon's debate. As the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, I've been very privileged to be at the forefront of discussions surrounding offshore renewable projects, and I'm acutely aware of just how important these projects are in meeting our energy needs for the future, as well as the huge economic benefits these developments can provide. I...
Paul Davies: Will the Minister make a statement on the Welsh Government’s budget priorities for 2023-24 in Pembrokeshire?
Paul Davies: Can I thank the Minister for his statement this afternoon? Now, I agree with the Minister that the UK is beginning 2023 on a very difficult footing, and there is a need for a real focus from him on the Welsh Government's economic policies. I had hoped that we'd hear more from the Government about some of the specific initiatives that the Welsh Government has for tackling some of the...
Paul Davies: Minister, the reality is that, with one hand, you're trying to offer an olive branch to some businesses via additional rate relief, and, with the other hand, you're implementing policies that could be fatal for hundreds of Welsh businesses. I guess the Deputy Minister for Climate Change was right when he said that the Welsh Government didn't know what it was doing when it comes to the...
Paul Davies: Well, Minister, the Confederation of British Industry have said that their recent employment trends survey found fewer than half of businesses expect to grow their workforce in the next 12 months, and they do rank access to labour and skills, followed by the cost of living, as their top three priorities. So, it's vital that the Welsh Government delivers pro-growth economic policies and, where...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, it goes without saying that 2022 has been a particularly difficult year for Welsh businesses. We know that businesses are facing continued challenges in terms of cost pressures, high interest rates and global economic weaknesses. Businesses have made it clear that issues such as business rates, skills development and infrastructure investment continue to be a major...
Paul Davies: Can I thank the Minister for his update on the young person's guarantee this afternoon? There has been some progress in securing opportunities for young people, either through education, training, employment or self-employment, and the Minister has highlighted some of the good practice that has taken place since the scheme was launched in November last year. When the Minister last gave a...
Paul Davies: What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure that people with learning disabilities do not face discrimination?
